Fragrances -Philosophy - unconditional love
bassetmomma 10/29/2012 11:09:00 AM
This is very similar to Falling in Love, Philosophy's other heavier fragrance. If you already own Falling in Love or even Trish McEvoy #9, you really don't need this one. It's in the same family. This is nothing like Amazing Grace, Pure Grace, or Baby Grace. This is a berry and vanilla, sweet confection. Longevity is quite good for a "spray fragrance" whatever that means. When I first purchased this a year ago, I rarely wore it. I think it is best suited for fall and winter wear because it is a little on the heavier, musky side. Reminds me a little bit of Britney Spears Fantasy. If fruity and sweet scents are what you prefer, this one will be right up your alley.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Rimmel - Soft Kohl - Jungle Green
bassetmomma 10/8/2012 6:23:00 PM
The only drawback to this pencil is the fact that it requires sharpening. The color is a lovely, sparkly emerald green. I wore this today because I was wearing green and thought it would work well with my color scheme. I paired it with a neutral shadow (BB Shimmerwash in Bone). No smudging. Great price.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Trish McEvoy - Trish #11 White Iris
bassetmomma 10/5/2012 7:14:00 PM
I think this white floral gets overlooked in Trish's line of fragrances because of the popularity of #3, "Snowdrop and Crystal Flower." The problem with # 3, last I checked, is the fact that it's only available in an eau de toilette and has poor longevity. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful scent but not the kind that will garner any compliments. White Iris, on the other hand, is available in an eau de parfum and has longevity. It's light, it's white, it's floral. Expensive ..yes..Old lady-ish..no. PS...I know it's good when I keep sniffing my wrist. The true test.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Giorgio Beverly Hills - Red
bassetmomma 9/30/2012 1:14:00 PM
I was feeling nostalgic. I wore "Red" 20+ years ago, when I was in college or grad school. I spotted a sale on "Red" this week in the Walgreens circular. 19.99 for a bottle. I picked up a bottle, wanting to walk down memory. I guess my olfactory nerve has evolved in the years since I wore this fragrance. It's dated, heavy. It's got that powdery, Grandma's perfume note to it, along with spice. Not a winning combo. If you are looking for a pretty fall scent, I recommend YSL Cinema. "Red' isn't awful. But with newer options out there, I say don't bother.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - PS Design
bassetmomma 9/21/2012 6:49:00 PM
The other day at work, a new dental assistant walked by me and I picked up that she was wearing a light, slightly sweet floral. "What are you wearing?"..I had to ask, the perfume-aholic in me must know. "Design..the body lotion," she replied. "Design??"..I never would have guessed that one. Back in 1989, when I was a sophomore in college, my roommate was a loyal "Design" wearer. She also adored "Knowing" and "Beautiful", both by Estee Lauder, but heck, it was the 1980s and there weren't a gazilion scents to choose from like today. Heck, I wore, "Forever Krystal", a scent inspired by the nighttime soap opera, "Dynasty", so who was I to judge? Anyhow, I stopped by "Perfumania" in my local mall and asked about "Design." It seems it's no longer available in Macys and other department stores. The SA spritzed a bit on my wrist. The scent lingered so if you are looking for longevity you've found it. But after much contemplation, I am not going to have an "80s Flashback." There is an annoying quality for me with "Design." If you are looking for a light floral, please consider Chanel Eau Tender. More expensive but well worth it's subtlety.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Colorburst (All colors)
bassetmomma 8/25/2012 6:33:00 PM
It's a shame, with such a beautiful array of colors and department-store quality packaging that Revlon messed this one up. I own many of these glosses - the colors range from bold to demure. And with a weekly special at CVS or Rite Aid you can pick up two of these for 10 bucks, no problem. I love the raspberry-red "Strawberry, "Hot Pink" "Sunset Peach," and "Pink Ice." But there is a major problem with this gloss - it's too thin. The product itself isn't sticky enough because it's a thin liquid. That means you get very limited wear time. I hope rather than discontinuing this line, Revlon will tweak the formula and give it a little body. Keep the colors though..Love them. If Revlon does improve this line, making them a little thicker and tenacious, these glosses will trump anything at the drugstore and department store, combined.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -TheBalm - Hot Mama
bassetmomma 8/25/2012 6:12:00 PM
I had never even heard of this product line until I picked up Kyle Richard's book. She's one of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." She referenced "Hot Mama" as her favorite blush. While checking out Snooki's perfume at Perfumania (surprisingly, it's not bad..reminded me of "Pink Sugar"), I discovered that "mania" carried the entire "Balm" line. The packaging is very similar to "Benefit" with cute pictures of women from time gone by. Think Betty Page and other 1940s pin ups. Anyhow, I picked up "Hot Mama" for 19 smackers. Not bad. This is a peachy pink (emphasis on the peach) iridescent blush. It reminds me of Nars "O"..reformulated. Much more wearable. It seems like a cross between a blush and highlighter. Perfectly suitable for day or night. I would caution that this color is quite light. I am porcelain-toned. This might not show up on deeper skin tones. A thumbs up. Works well with a peach toned gloss like Clinique's "Guava Gold."
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Coty - Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker
bassetmomma 8/24/2012 7:01:00 PM
I was surprised to learn that "NYC", not "Lovely" is Sarah Jessica Parker's best-selling fragrance. "NYC" is what I expected from a celebrity scent - fruity, sweet - geared toward the 20 -something crowd. Don't get me wrong - I like "NYC." It's not bad. But "Lovely" to me is truly exceptional - starting with the beautfiul egg-shaped bottle. I mean the light pink fluid in such a delicate shape..Why how Lovely! The scent is unusual and hard to describe. Lavender, bergamot, paper whites, mandarin, patchouli, amber, woods? I would have never guessed these are the elements of this scent..especially the patchouli, which makes me think of "Angel." "Lovely" is a soft, unique creation, that is often compared to NR "For Her" and rightly so. They are nearly identical, with the exception of price and availability. I have 2 bottles of "Lovely" in my vast array of scents which says a lot. A keeper..in my top five.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Laura Mercier - Lip Glace - Baby Doll
bassetmomma 8/24/2012 6:50:00 PM
A sales associate at the Laura Mercier counter swathed this over a lip color that just wasn't working for me in order to brighten up my lips. "Baby Doll" is a light, iridescent milky pink with a warm undertone. The texture is slightly sticky but not overwhelmingly so. This is a very neutral color that would literally work on everyone. I've tried many lip glosses at the drug store and the department store. Laura Mercier's are a favorite of mine. The light vanilla scent is an added bonus. Wear time is like most glosses - rather limited. Won't deter me from checking out other colors.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Dolce & Gabbana - Light Blue
bassetmomma 8/24/2012 2:06:00 PM
I was on vacation in of all places, Pittsburgh, when I walked into an elevator with my husband. A young couple entered with us and I couldn't help but notice how nice she smelled. Of course, I had to ask what she was wearing. D&G Light Blue. To my surprise, I already own this fragrance so when I got home from my trip, I gave it another try. Now it is truly my go-to summer fragrance. It's light and refreshing. Not a heavy floral, not a white, musky scent. Not powdery. The top notes are granny smith apple, bluebells, and sicilian cedar. I would have sworn there was some kind of citrus in there, given it's refreshing, almost masculine quality, but there's not. This is not girly girly, cotton candy sweet, a bouquet of flowers, or a spicy woods adventure. Think clean with a dry apple martini thrown in. Almost unisex. Highly recommend if you find most scents too sweet, floral, or otherwise offensive.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Rimmel - Stay Glossy - all
bassetmomma 8/12/2012 4:25:00 PM
I know many rave about Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss as the best at the drugstore. I prefer Stay Glossy to Revlon's. I will warn you: Rimmel's claim that this gloss will wear for 6 hours is false. If you are lucky, you might still feel it 3 hours later, max. The product feels fairly creamy on the lips as opposed to sticky and tacky. I like the fact that it's not too thin or thick. Color selection is impressive. They even have a black, goth shade. I am partial to "Stay Rosey", a light to medium pink. For the money, you can't beat this line at the drugstore for a reliable, non-sticky gloss.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Shea Moisture - Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
bassetmomma 8/10/2012 6:12:00 PM
This did not do a thing for my dry, frizzy locks. I get better results from Aussie 3 Minute Deeeeep Conditioner which is a fraction of the price. I expected a rich, cream-like consistency from this product. It was thinner than I expected and did nothing to quench my parched do. Just glad I didn't pay full price for this one. Will stick with my other, cheaper drugstore favorites.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Rimmel - 330 Posh Pink
bassetmomma 8/4/2012 6:50:00 PM
A great color for your next pedi. A bright pink - a happy color. I did notice the brush is pretty big. The manicurist told me it was OK to work with but if you are used to smaller brushes (like Essie's) this one might take some getting used to. Essie's Watermelon is still my favorite pedicure shade but this one is a close second and cheaper.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Elizabeth Taylor - White Diamonds
bassetmomma 7/31/2012 9:55:00 PM
According to Forbes Magazine, "White Diamonds" is the most successful scent ever launched by a celebrity. I am not ashamed to admit that I own a bottle of this, but God knows I own a bottle of just about everything. And no, I am not yet a member of the AARP. Yup..old lady in a bottle. The smell you remember when you took the pink ribbon-topped powder puff from it's base and annointed yourself in the white stuff. What saves "White Diamonds" for me is the dry down..it's soft, unoffensive, even inviting. Grandmom morphs into you cool, approachable great aunt. If you already own "White Linen" you really don't need "White Diamonds." I'll keep both for days when I am feeling a bit nostalgic for the days when this was what perfume was all about. Could they have even envisioned a scent like "Angel" being all the rage years later?
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -J. Lo - Glow
bassetmomma 7/28/2012 3:53:00 PM
It seems like J. Lo puts out a new fragrance at least once a year. Some have come and gone and others remained. "Glow" was her first and is still around today which I guess is saying something. Just last year, she created a scent, exclusively for Kohl's, "My Glow". Don't get that one confused with "Glow", the new "Glowing," or the now defunct, "Miami Glow." You get the picture. I bought this years ago when it first came out. The fact that I still have half a bottle full of this stuff years later speaks volumes though. While clean white scents like "Trish McEvoy #3," "Amazing Grace," and "Pure Grace" are right up my olfactory alley, this one has an element that annoys me. Like a house guest that doesn't get the hint...go home already. It lingers and shouts just a little too loudly. So if you reaching for this one because "Jenny from the Block" said she created this one to capture that fresh from the shower clean, beware. This is a perfume, not an innocent bar of Ivory soap that will follow you around, for better or worse.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No