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.
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Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Alien
bassetmomma 7/28/2012 3:27:00 PM
One day, while searching for a pink Shu Umera blush that all the makeup mags said I just had to have (and like a dope I listened), a lovely Neiman Marcus sales associate appeared. "May I help, you?" She did just that and smelled good while doing it. "What perfume are you wearing?" "Alien". She then introduced me to "Angel's" sister. While the scent was lovely on the sales associate, I offend myself when I wear it. It's dusty and annoying. Not something I ever reach for. Another case of you better test drive it before you buy it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel
bassetmomma 7/28/2012 1:23:00 PM
I can think of no other fragrance as controversial as "Angel." Men and women alike have strong opinions on this one. You either love it or hate it it seems. A confessed perfume-aholic, I came pretty late to the "Angel" party. A generous sales associate found me loitering around the cosmetics counter in Macys and gave me a lovely sample of "Angel" in a convenient purse-sized roller ball. After dabbing a bit on my wrist, I spent the better part of the afternoon raising my wrist to my nose. Why am I a fan of this controversial elixir? Complexity. I would be hard pressed to describe what "Angel" smells like if I had to. I could easily tell you what it doesn't smell like..roses, the beach, a baby, talcum powder, a pine tree. That's the thing - it doesn't smell like any one thing. It's a mix, a melange of I don't know what. So I never get bored with it. If your ideal fragrance is one of the "Clean" scents, Dk Pure, or Pure Grace, I am guessing you will despise "Angel." It's not a clean scent. It's substantial and in comparison to some of my white florals, it seems kind of dirty, for lack of a better word. As much as I like it, it would never be my everyday scent even if I didn't work in a medical office. There's nothing casual or everyday about "Angel", so I would never use it everyday. But if I had to pare down my vast array of colognes to let's say, 5, "Angel" would be in that final round up. A word to the wise - one spritz on your belly is plenty.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Estee Lauder - White Linen
bassetmomma 7/27/2012 6:41:00 PM
This was my signature scent some 20 years ago. When I smell this now, it brings back memories and it's a bit nostalgic. No modern designer would have the proverbial eggs to make something like this. That's what I find about some older fragrances, compared to new ones. They are in your face with one facet and proud of it. This one is very much what it is - powdery, light, white, and unabashed about it. For some, powdery (Shalimar) = old lady. Well, I am a firm believer there is a time and a place for everything. Fruity florals and heavy spices are hard to wear in the workplace, especially mine (a small dental office). I would never dare wear Angel, Opium, Fantasy, or Gucci Guilty for a day at the office when I could very well suffocate a patient with a sensitive sniffer. I could wear White Linen. What are they going to say? I smelled clean and powdery? No problem with that.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Pleasures
bassetmomma 7/27/2012 11:03:00 AM
I wore this years ago when I all I wore were EL fragrances. I started out with White Linen, my signature scent for years. Then moved on to Beautiful, Knowing, and then Pleasures. The other day, a patient sat down in my dental chair and I immediately recognized her scent. "You're wearing, Pleasures, right?" Yes, she said, impressed. (I wish they had a game show, Name That Scent, I would be a contender.) Anyway, she reminded me why I haven't worn this fragrance in many years: it's too much. Despite it's obvious popularity and half a dozen hybrids (Delight, Intense, Exotic, etc), this stuff is bound to get you noticed. I know that's the point of wearing fragrance, but in this case, it's too much of a good thing. I say steer clear of this one because you are bound to offend. Perhaps the new "eau fraiche" version will offer a toned down alternative that we can all live with..
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Lancome - Le Crayon Kohl Black Coffee
bassetmomma 7/15/2012 3:23:00 PM
This is a great color. Not as harsh as black, not as soft as a brown. It's a brownish black just perfect for everyday. The pencil is several inches long and will last you quite a while so it's a good value as well. With its somewhat creamy, kohl texture, it does smudge a bit so be prepared to neaten up midday. I reach for this one all the time.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
bassetmomma 7/14/2012 6:53:00 AM
I guess I was expecting too much. On vacation last week, I went into the ocean, flopping around for a good hour. This stuff was no match for the Atlantic. It streaked all around my eyes. Prior to going in the water, I would describe the results I got from this product as nothing spectacular. Moderate length, volume. I will seek out a new waterproof mascara for days at the beach.
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Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Sublime GLOW
bassetmomma 7/3/2012 4:59:00 AM
I am disappointed that L'Oreal now only offers this product in a medium shade, having recently discontinued the fair shade. I am definitely fair and I think many people who "fake bake" are as well, so why would you discontinue the fair shade? Anyway, I picked up the only shade available, medium. The new packaging says, "Superior Scent" and I have to agree. No self-tanner smell at all. In fact, it makes me smell a bit tropical. It also leaves my skin feeling softly moisturized. It contains mango butter, Vitamin E, and Sweet Almond oil. Nice. As for the color, it is even, no streaks but certainly not bronze. The fact is I have porcelain skin and I don't think any self tan product is going to make me truly look brown. But I don't look orange either and I can now comfortably put on a bathing suit without worrying about blinding everyone with my pale white skin. This is a great product for someone who wants to subtly enhance their skin and has been frustrated by all the typical self tanning problems (streaks, smell). This one is a no brainer. **Giving this a 5..coworkers noted that I looked tan..very happy with the color!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Unlisted Brand - Tan Towel
bassetmomma 6/30/2012 6:37:00 AM
Ding ding ding! I think we have a winner. I've been searching for a replacement for my former, go-to self-tanner. Chanel used to make a great self-tanning spray that never turned me orange, made me smell, or leave tell-tale streaks. Of course, they discontinued it. I've tried many products over the years. To say I am pale would be an under statement. My legs rarely see the sun and are very white. I've tried many products. Gradual tanners seemed to work the best but even Jergens Natural Glow left streaks and had that classic self-tanning odor. Loreal used to make a Sublime Bronze Gradual Tanner for Fair Skin that I preferred, but it was discontinued. I was turned onto Tan Towels by a Youtuber who said they worked well, not as your primary self-tanner, but as a way to camouflage any streaks left behind by your main product. Kind of like a back-up quarter back. I can see why she didn't recommend this one as your sole means of self-tanning. The color is subtle. That's fine for someone as fair as me. Application was easy, I don't smell, and my skin feels soft. I don't see any streaks. Very happy. Check these out on your next trip to Ulta or visit HSN.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Jergens - Natural Glow
bassetmomma 6/30/2012 5:57:00 AM
Pros: inexpensive, easy to apply, natural, subtle looking color, Cons: distinct self-tanning odor, needs several applications before you get anything approximating a tan
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Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - Infallible Lipgloss - Bloom
bassetmomma 6/23/2012 6:13:00 PM
I bought this because some magazine said this was a "must have." I have to say, I think it trumps Lancome's long wear gloss by a long shot. Bloom is a pretty light pink..not a milky pink, but light. It does last. The trade off for staying power is a tacky, gummy feeling that sometimes balls up in the corners of your lips. Probably the best long-wearing gloss at the drugstore. It's all about give and take, right.
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Styling Products -L'Oreal - EverSleek Humidity Defying Leave-In Cream
bassetmomma 6/17/2012 2:05:00 PM
Be careful with this one. It's definitely a case of "less is more." I made the mistake of using two full pumps of this on my shoulder-length, color-treated, frizzy mane. Two pumps was too much. I had much better results when I used just one. This does do a good job at keeping hair fairly sleek. But it's not particularly moisturizing. In fact, it makes my hair feel a little dry. Right now. my Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray is my go-to product for smooth results when doing a blow-dry with a round brush. Super cheap and works like a charm.
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Fragrances -Giorgio Armani - Armani Code for women
bassetmomma 6/10/2012 2:53:00 PM
I don't remember why I bought this. To me, this is very similar to Gucci Guilty. There is a "hot" element to it. No doubt some kind of pepper. I do not like this or Guilty. I want to smell soft, pretty, feminine, inviting. Not like I just ate some spicy food. That's not to say this is a loud, in your face fragrance. It's not. And it doesn't linger that long. I just don't like what it is while it is around. For the record, my favorite scents are DG Light Blue, Amazing Grace, and Angel..but only on a cold winter's day. Code just doesn't do it for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sally Hansen - Complete Salon Manicure - Pink Slip
bassetmomma 6/10/2012 8:31:00 AM
I don't know why this is named "Pink Slip" because to me it's really just a pretty creamy white shade. I brought the bottle to the salon and the manicurist had a hard time working with the formula and the brush. The brush is really big and the application was a bit streaky until she used an Essie brush to apply it. I still like the color but be warned - application might be tough.
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Bad to the Bronze / on and on bronze
bassetmomma 6/8/2012 8:58:00 PM
A little too shimmery for daytime. Just as good as Bobbi Brown's long wear eyeshadows. It just looked a little too shimmery and heavy on my lids. Won't repurchase.
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