BB Cream -Revlon - BB Cream
hesperia 2/7/2013 4:50:00 PM
I got this and I'm debating whether to return it or not. As Elle said before me, it's just a tinted moisturizer. As such it's ok, but I guess you can say that about hundreds of others. It covers didly. Nothing. I can already tell it's going to start shining any time now (I just put it on). I got it in the lightest color and it's a good match ... as far as I can tell since it's so bloody sheer. The reason why I'm debating returning it is because I think I'll spend more money on gas driving to Rite Aid than I'll save returning this. I honestly don't think it justifies another trip. I'll keep it among my "mixers." But I wish I hadn't bought it. If you want a nice, light-cover, satiny moisturizer that won't make your face look like a basted turkey after 5 minutes, get Cover Girl and Olay 2-in-1 Tone Something or other (the one with the purple cap, not the new one). It's not a BB cream, so if you're after the trend, maybe it's not for you. But it's hands down the very best in its kind. I posted a review on that somewhere.
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Blush -Maybelline - Fit me blush - light nude
hesperia 2/4/2013 7:07:00 PM
UPDATE: I finally decided to exchang this blush. It really is much too sheer and lightly pigmented. So much that I ended thinking 'why bother at all?' I exchanged it for Revlon's Powder Blush in Sandalwood Beige and I'm much, much happier with it. I was looking for a no-fuss blush for light-MU days. I saw this at Ulta for something around $4, so I decided to get it in Light Nude. This is very, very, VERY lightly pigmented. No complaints since, as I said, I wanted something simple. As such, it works. Texture is far from smooth and buttery, but it's not beach sand, either. I would not re-purchase it, though.
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Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Whisper
hesperia 2/4/2013 6:59:00 PM
I got this in Some Like It Taupe. I don't care what they company says, this is NOT a lipstick. It's little more than a balm. It's very sheer. I have it in my bag and use it as a lipbalm. As that, it's too pricy and nothing very different from Nivea, for example, so I won't buy it again. Maybe darker colors justify the purchase more.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Coach - Love
hesperia 2/1/2013 8:04:00 PM
I tried this on today because I thought I would like this since the ingredients are almost all faves of mine (Green Violet, Gardenia NaturePrint®, Patchouli, Caramel, Musk, Mandarin, Dewberry, Freesia, Magnolia, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vanilla - according to Sephora). Instead, I hated it. I did not find it sophisticated at all. On the contrary, it smelled generic, girly-girlish. Nothing special. Just comes to prove that perfume is entirely subjective.
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Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
hesperia 1/29/2013 8:20:00 PM
I had to delete my old review of this because I totally changed my mind about this fdt. I had said that this would be a great fdt for winter and I still sustain that. I used this several times in cold weather and I was very pleased with it. Coverage is medium-full. I do have to dust with powder, but I always do that with all fdts. It held very well indoor and out. It does not look cakey or maskey. I have no issues with the jar since I believe that a Q-tip would solve any "germ" problems. In fact, I think something as thick as this would immediately clog a tube or a pump. A jar is definitely better. All in all, a good product. Also, I still sustain that if you like Laura Mercier's last cream foundation (I forget the name), but don't want to spend $50+ for it, this would be a good dupe.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - 1270
hesperia 1/28/2013 7:39:00 PM
Frapin is a French company in the region of Cognac famous for the brandy of the same name. It still makes the brandy, but now it branched out into the fragrance world. "1270" is one of their scents. Hard to describe - even for the poets at LuckyScent, from whom I got a sample - this is one of the most incredible scents I have ever experienced. According to the blurb at LS, the ingredients are: exotic woods, spice, raisins, vine flower, pepper, candied orange, hazelnut, prune, cocoa, coffee, leather, white honey, vanilla (so there shoud be something for everyone in such a list-lol). I don't know about all that and I don't care. The final result is nothing short of magnificent. It positively screams 'luxury' and 'class.' It's sweet, but not candy-like (yuck!); boozy, in the nicest possible way; gourmandy, w/o smelling like a bakery or a kitchen. Elegant, refined, unique. Not for everyone, though. If you belong to the Young-At-Any-Cost crowd, and prefer girly, floral, candy-floss-like scents, this is NOT for you (your loss, mind). Unfortunately, I cannot afford this unique scent. The price they ask at LS is $155 for 100ml. A big bottle, yes. But still way over my budget (I don't know what they are smoking down there; their prices are becoming more and more outlandish). I am so in love with this scent that I ordered two samples (among others), and will wear it on special occasions. If you want to try this gorgeous creation, make sure you get a sample first. Unless you are one of those who can splurge w/o thinking twice, in which case all I can say is 'lucky you' and 'more power to you, girl.' Staying power is very good, too.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Cover Girl - Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm
hesperia 1/20/2013 6:12:00 PM
I saw the display of this new product and I decided to give it a try. I bought #270, which looked like a nice browny pink, my favorite "easy" shade. On me it's a very, very nice color, MLBB. Not too mauvey, not too brown, not too pink. Just the right warm shade. Package is nice and convenient. It's shimmery, but only enough to give it depth (I'm beginning to hate overly-shimmery stuff). Glossy, but not glue-gloppy. Very light, very usable. However, in order to get some color I had to swipe, swipe, and then swipe some more(I don't think this should be an issue with darker colors, though). It's NOT marketed as long-lasting, but it doesn't vanish immediately, either. And no, it's not a stain. Still, if re-applying l/s means oh-too-much of a physical effort for you, you might not like this. I said I would re-purchase, but it doesn't mean I will stumble over myself to do it. All in all, nice product, but no breakthrough.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Cover Girl - Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation
hesperia 1/20/2013 5:51:00 PM
UPDATE: Since this was a tad too dry on its own (at least, now that it's winter), I tried it in conjuncton with Caudalie's Vinexpert Riche Radiance Day Cream and the result is simply lovely. I really like this foundation. Nice to know I don't have to spend a fortune for a good prod. Hope they never discontinue it. Or worse, "reformulate" it (rolleyes). I must add my enthusiasm to that of the rest of the posters. This is a very good D/S foundation. I bought Buff Beige and it's almost a perfect match to my skin, even in sunlight (I said 'almost' because I don't think there is a perfect match for me). Coverage is very good, but not masky, something few, if any D/S brands, can boast of. Finish is matte w/o looking mummy-dry. Holds well, too. All in all, the best D/S fdt. I have come across in a long time. This will make an excellent summer fdt.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Long Wear Even Finish Foundation Spf 15
hesperia 11/13/2012 11:35:00 PM
I honestly DO NOT understand how Ms. Brown's products got the high status they have. Especially her foundations. I must have sampled pretty much all of them and none of them - not one - ever made it past my "I hate it" grade. I won't even bother to review them according to category since they all have the same effect on me: they make oily in seconds (even with powder), they look unnatural, they break me out. And don't even start me on the apology for coverage they give. This one is no exception. Gooey, unnatural, no coverage. I know better than wearing BB's fdts. for longer than a day, so I guess this one didn't have time to give me zits. Bobbi Brown is the poster girl for rip-off, in my opinion. With VERY FEW exceptions, her makeup - all categories - is poorly pigmented, often bad for your skin, and ridiculously glittery. I know she enjoys a sort of chi-chi cult following, but don't ask me to explain it, much less justify it. Just comes to prove that as long as manufacturers "package it nice and market it right" some people will buy baloney. Oh, well. It takes all sorts, and all that rot.
13 out of 19 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick - #045
hesperia 10/18/2012 7:21:00 PM
I went to Rite Aid to get some cold stuff for hubby - who's nursing the mother of all colds, poor dear - and, dammit, saw the display for this new lipstick. Well, I caved in and got one. The color I chose is #045 Supermodel. It's supposed to be food-proof, with a staying power of 16 hours. I never expect a l/s to last so long (not w/o looking yucky) so I won't demand a congressional hearing if I have to reapply sooner than that. Though nicely pigmented, it's not matte or full-cover. It is slightly sheer, and of course you can apply a heavier coat. The color is a beautiful mauvey pink, a bit darker than my lips but VERY natural-looking. Natural enough to be worn on a bare face for just a trace of color. I put it on just now and I'm sipping a cup of cocoa, and there is just a faint trace of color on the cup rim. Slightly shimmery in the tube, it looks just satiny on my lips. Feels comfortable and does not make my lips feel dry. I wanted a dark red, but I did not find one that looked like my kind of red (then again, I was in a hurry). So far, I'm happy I gave in to my impulse and got this. If anything changes I'll let you know. Here is a link where you can find pictures of the colors: http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2012/10/revlon-colorstay-ultimate-suede-lipstick-review-swatches.html
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Colour Caresse #180
hesperia 10/2/2012 7:07:00 PM
This review is for the new product, not the balm, the one with more pigment. The package is very similar, but it has a gold case with a color band, not the transparent top the balm has. Anyway, I used up my balm. It was ok, but nothing special. Practically no color at all. But I used it as a balm and it was not bad. I went to get a replacement and saw this new product. This is much more pigmented than the balm although it's still sheer. I tried the lightest beige (since I was not really looking for color), but it gave me dreaded dead fish concealer lips, so I promptly returned it and tried the next one up, which is this one. It's called Silky Java (#180) and it looks dark brown, but it's not. It goes on much sheerer than it looks. Still, it gives a beautiful MLBB rosey brown that is very natural, even on a bare, un made-up face (my skin is light and my lips are average, neither pale nor pigmented). Love the taste. Yum! I like it because I can smooth it on w/o a mirror and get a slight color, but no fuss. It's not goopy shiny, like a gloss. It has the soft shine of a lip balm. No shimmer at all. Just soft sheer color. I keep it in my handbag all the time and when my lips feel dry I put this on and it makes them soft a hydrated. I do recommend it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Bottega Veneta
hesperia 9/20/2012 9:49:00 PM
What, no comments on this sublime scent? Oh, well, I'll be too glad to volunteer. Bottega Veneta is an Italian company that started making leather products. The company describes itself as: "... the leader in luxury fashion best known for its signature leather goods, including handbags, luggage and leather wallets." Sort of the Italian version of Coach and Louis Vuitton. They now came up with their signature scent ... and I shall always be grateful for that. I don't have the ability to describe a scent according to its ingredients, so I will post the company's description: "From the very start, the olfactive identity of the brand appears through the original cross-combination of plum and pink pepper, which brings brightness and depth. A strong and charismatic note of sambac jasmine (a variety of jasmine less animal and more floral), reflects in the heart the elegance of the Bottega Veneta woman. Harmonious contrast between modernity and tradition, this fragrance continues to radiate through its specific leather accord—symbol and signature of Bottega Veneta fashion design." It is a sublime scent. Classy, mature - as in grown-up, not "old lady," so the "young at any cost" need not panic - elegant. I went to an event where a woman was introducing a book she wrote about scent. I got stopped three times by women asking me what I was wearing. It also got rave reviews on the Saks and Nordie websites. I strongly recommend this gorgeous scent. It's certainly not cheap, but it still does not reach the outlandish prices some places ask for niche perfumes that don't even deliver (Lucky Scents comes to mind). This one does. I get nothing but compliments from both men and women. I'm going to get a second bottle of this.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Clothes -Unlisted Brand - Zara
hesperia 9/12/2012 5:34:00 PM
I didn't know Zara came to the USA. I shopped a couple of times at one in the South of France, when visiting my sister. I had excellent experience on both occasions. It was not cheap, but I get compliments on my clothes every time I wear them.
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Candles -Unlisted Brand - Redwood (by WoodWick)
hesperia 9/3/2012 5:05:00 PM
My beloved Sage and Citrus (Yankee Candle) burnt to the last bit so I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get a replacement. Unfortunately, they had ran out of it. I thought since Autumn in on its way, I might as well try some woody/leathery-smelling stuff. I looked at the selection and my heart sank. No woodsy/leathery. It was all apple this, cupcake that, pumpkin the other. I took a sniff and found them nauseatingly sweet. I hate bakery/berry/sugar&spice seasonal candles. After a couple of hours the smell gets so unbearably cloying, I'm ready to puke. And then I bumped into this treasure. The description says, "A complex scent combining rich redwood with sandalwood and soft amber." Oh, my. I nearly swooned. This is MY type of candle scent. It smells SO posh! I close my eyes and sniff it and I envision gorgeous ancestral mansions and classic luxury hotels, like Downton Abbey and The Connaught, in London (never been to either, but with this I can pretend I'm there ;) ). The description is spot on. It's smells rich, but not overwhelming. Luxurious, but understated. It's absolute perfection. It's $24 (Yankee Candle is asking $27 for the large jar now), but I had a 20% off coupon, which knocked off $5, so I was happy. I hope they'll never discontinue this beautiful scent.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Lancome - La Vie Est Belle
hesperia 8/28/2012 10:04:00 PM
UPDATE: Ok, tested this again yesterday. Must knock off a couple of lippies. Did I say the initial whiff was a bit harsh? Make that, toxic. I sprayed some on my wrist at Sephora and I couldn't wait to scrub it off. And you're getting this from someone who is NOT afraid of strong scents. If you can wait for the dry-down, you might like this. For me, the initial harshness just took too long to go away. Not for me. . I sprayed some of this stuff at Sephora today and I liked it. It is sweet, but not in a cotton candy way (like the horrid Acquolina Pink Sugar). More of a gourmand sweet. Unlike others, it's the dry-down I liked. The initial whiff was a bit harsh, but later it turned into a soft, sweet, powdery scent. I love iris, so no problem for me there. This would make a yummy cold weather scent, although I'm one of those people who wears anything anytime. Would I buy it? I'm not sure. I need to get a sample and wear it for a couple of days before I decide. But the first impression was a good one.
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