Concealers -Revlon - PhotoReady Concealer SPF 20
pmnixa 1/3/2012 12:01:00 PM
I am incredibly happy with this purchase for covering up blemishes and redness on the face (not undereye, it's too thick and dry for that). First off, Im a huge makeup snob and I rarely use drugstore items so if I say I like this, it's going to be in the same playing field as expensive concealers. This concealer is pigmented and covers blemishes very well. It's not super creamy, but that helps it stay on and cover. I use my finger to apply. I wanted a replacement for my YSL Anti Cernes which is just way too expensive. This Revlon product stays on better than the YSL. The Light is a nice shade that's about N/NC15. Oddly, the Fair is darker and pinker (NW20ish). I would recommend this in a heartbeat for blemish covering. Some compares - LM Secret Concealer - really nice product but time consuming to mix shades - BB Corrector - doesn't cover as well as the Revlon- YSL Anti Cernes - really nice concealer but creamier and not as pigmented, doesn't stay on as nicely. Chanel Corrective Concealer - much more creamy and doesn't stay on or cover as well.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Avene - Triacneal
pmnixa 12/23/2011 8:12:00 AM
Product Basics and Price: Avene Triacneal replaces the discontinued Diacneal. It contains the active ingredients of 6% glycolic acid and .1% Retinaldehyde. It's quite expensive at $60 retail for a 1oz tube, but I have been buying it for cheaper (around $22) through amazon and also I bought from a place called pharmamundi for a similar price. My Regimen and Experience: In addition to the fact that Im getting old and my skin is getting drier and Im thinking about wrinkles, I also have acne. Ive been using this product for about 6 months now (only at night) in conjunction with some very gentle cleanser (Topix Resurfix) and eye creams of course. I also use a LPR SPF15 moisturizer during the day. This routine is working out very well for me. My acne is controlled and my skin is looking better.. I recently added a 10% Nufountain Vit C serum to the morning routine and it's started to improve my skin even further. I use a Clarifying Mask with sulfur if I have some breakouts forming and that calms them down. I use Solvere moisturizer also if I need more moisture. I highly recommend this regimen if you have oily but dehydrated skin that is acne prone. Product Consistency and Packaging: The product itself has a sort of ointment-y base. You have to apply to dry skin (wait after you wash) for the full effect of the product, and then, don't use too much or it will ball up on your face. I find it hard to spread. The packaging is sometimes difficult to use in terms of squeezing product out and not wasting any. Summary: A great product for dehydrated acne prone skin and I recommend to take a minimalistic approach - be gentle with cleansing and make sure to moisturize as well.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Burberry - nude rose
pmnixa 12/5/2011 10:05:00 AM
This is my first Burberry lipstick. I didn't care for the formula. It's very slippery and dried out my lips (they felt like they were starting to shrivel up 10 min after application). The Nude Rose color is a mixture of a light brown and light peach, with a splash of rose. It was not super flattering on me (NW15-20). Guessing it would be more "nude", and prettier, on someone darker. The packaging has a magnet that you have to fit on just right, so I normally sit there trying all the angles before it clicks together, also not super impressive. I won't be trying another Burberry lipstick. For reference, my faves are the Guerlain Rouge G and the Chanel Rouge Allure formulas.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Topix Pharmaceuticals Resurfix Ultra Gentle Cleanser
pmnixa 11/30/2011 3:44:00 PM
I love this for my acne prone aging skin. Feels like it really cleans but doesn't irritate my skin. I wish there was a pump on the bottle, and I also wish I didn't have to order it online, but other than that I love it. Price is a little more expensive than drugstore stuff like Neutrogena, Aveeno, etc.
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Lipstick -Guerlain - Rouge G de Guerlain - 23 Geisha
pmnixa 11/30/2011 3:28:00 PM
Geisha is the perfect "wear to work" red - it's not too bright. It's a true red like the prior reviewer said - won't go pink on you. I love blue based reds too, but this one I feel very comfortable in at work. The formula is the best I've tried. Opaque, moisturizing, stays on surprisingly well.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Lancome - L -extreme Mascara
pmnixa 11/11/2011 9:29:00 AM
I have short dark lashes that need lengthening and body. This does both. (as compared to Lancome Definicils which just gives length). This is my favorite mascara and I pair it with the lash primer Lancome sells. Lancome mascaras never flake off and land on your undereye, and they come off easily with remover.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - Les Tissages de Chanel - Blush Duo Tweed Effect in Tweed Pink
pmnixa 11/8/2011 6:17:00 PM
This is pretty chalky and I don't care for the glitter particles that end up on your chin, nose, etc. The color is a light pink that looks like it's sitting on top of my skin (NW20). I have to rough up the surface wtih a brow brush to even get enough product on a brush to show up! Not a winner for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Chanel - Pink Teaser
pmnixa 10/12/2011 11:05:00 AM
First off, Glossimers in general are my favorite lipgloss - they go on thick and not sticky, and the colors are pretty. Pink teaser is a lovely shade that would work on a lot of people. It's quite pigmented, and it's a warm pink (nothing barbie about it). The shimmer is also very lovely. A huge winner! If you like this try Nakkar too - it's a little more coral/red, but also similar.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Les 4 Ombres - 13 Beiges de Chanel Quad
pmnixa 9/28/2011 3:21:00 PM
I definately love this quad! It's one of the only Chanel eyeshadows I've felt are good enough to hold on to. It's a nice change for me from shimmery shadows which I seem to wear the most - these have a nice satin finish (not matte). The colors are great too -I wear the midtoned brown (kind of a green brown like a MAC Soba) on the lid, the gold on inner lid, the dark brown (such a beautiful charcoally brown) to line, and the whitish shade to blend upwards into the browbone. The white is kind of something that doesn't really show up, but it does help you blend things together.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -DevaCurl - (line of products)
pmnixa 9/14/2011 2:22:00 PM
I wanted to add a review for the entire line of Devacurl products for those considering this line. I have 3a curls. I tried this routine: No Poo, One Condition, ArcAngel - also tried the Heaven In Hair and Set Me Up. After getting a devacut and learning how to use these products, reading the Curlygirl book that goes with it, I thought I was all set for some fabulous never-before-seen on me curls! I was wrong. After several weeks of use, my hair was very dry and straw-like, and the shorter layers on top stuck out. The longer curls were curlier than usual, which was the only positive, but they were still strawlike and dry feeling. I tried several things to try to remedy the situation. I used the One condition as a leave in. That didn't do much. I tried to use an Aveda product with a little oil in it on top of the arcangel - didn't help. I got the Heaven In Hair conditioner - that seemed to make things a little better, but still did not help a lot. I went back to my normal regimen and breathed a sigh of relief when my hair immediately got soft and bouncy again (Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo and Treatment Masque, Be Curly, Confixor). So, my call on these products is a pretty big NO. I have tried Ouidad in the past - if I was going to stray into a curly hair regimen again I'd go back to that one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
pmnixa 9/2/2011 12:11:00 PM
Ive given this 3 weeks of good use and this is now a new staple foundation! Ive been wearing Lancome Teint Idole for a long time, but really love VA for a lighter coverage, glowy look. It doesn't break me out. The BR20 is great for me right now. I also bought the BR10 for use when I get lighter in winter and to mix with the BR20 for in between. The packaging is not that great because it's a little messy on top.
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Lipstick -Guerlain - Rouge Automatique
pmnixa 9/1/2011 1:27:00 PM
Rouge Automatiques are nice and their strong suit is the large shade range. The shades range in texture - some are super frosty, some have very little frost, some are sheer, etc. All of them are pretty thin, but they don't apply quite as slippery as the Dior Rouge Dior line does. I like that they have a light scent and they don't irritate my lips. I have tried on quite a few of these but the ones I have for my collection are Shalimar (lovely cool-toned sheer bright barbie pink), Champs Elysses (darker hot pink, cool), Chamade (my fave - a pretty creamy warm rosey red pink), Voilette de Madame (creamy warm rosey peach with some brown), Bal de Mai (warm rose with shimmer) and Quand Vient L’Ete (apricotty peach coral shade with some shimmer, the closest Ill ever get to orange). Shades I tried but didn't like are Chant D’Aromes - pretty nude peach brown, but a bit too brown for me, Nahema - gorgeous bright pinky coral, but too bright for me, Cherry Blossom and Rose Bengale were too frosty. All in all, these are OK, but not my favorite lipstick range. I think Chanel Rouge Allure and Guerlain Rouge Gs are nicer - they are both thicker in consistency. Also, this one-handed application slider deal on the Guerlain Rouge Autos is weird - I always end up hitting my lip on the corner of the case - you have to wand up the lipstick pretty far to give yourself enough clearance - and that is a risk because you could end up losing the lipstick doing that.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - Super Orgasm 
pmnixa 8/31/2011 6:39:00 PM
I got this as a mini (free with purchase) so I shouldn't complain, but I don't understand this product at all! It leaves you with large pieces of glitter on your face (in random spots like your nose or chin). The color itself is a nice wearable pink that's not too cool, but still.... If you ignore the chunks it's pretty matte (not glowy). I'd go for Orgasm or Deep Throat over this any day!
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Fragrances -Chanel - Beige
pmnixa 8/21/2011 4:23:00 PM
Beige was my third try from the Exclusifs line. I have since sampled most of the Exclusifs and Beige is still my favorite. It's perfect for summer and is light and fresh. The jasmine note is strong initially. If you dont' like jasmine you may not like this. After 6 or so hours of wear I still wonder - what's that great smell? Oh, it's me! I like how this scent lingers all day and changes. I find that is true of all of the Exclusifs line - most of the scents have a very good "life" to them. I also like the Chanel No 5 Premiere and Gardenia, which are in the same "light and fresh Chanel" fragrance category.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Elie Saab-Le Parfum
pmnixa 8/21/2011 4:19:00 PM
I picked up a sample of this at Nordstrom after sniffing a tester from their catalog. It starts off sweet and strong, but then the sweet goes away quickly leaving some musky tones (on me at least), and the entire perfume is mostly gone several hours later. A disappointment!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No