Lipstick -Lipstick Queen - Butterfly Ball Trance
ellenmarie1959 5/11/2010 11:17:00 AM
Can't add much to the first review, other than I really like this lipstick. I like the application on the sheer side, and buildable. I don't agree that is just overpriced lip balm. The feel on your lips is great, and the color is just bright enough to make it look like you have some circulation going on. I think this is one of those shades that looks good on most fair skinned women without overpowering.
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Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - longwear gel liner in black mauve
ellenmarie1959 5/10/2010 9:12:00 AM
I agree with the other reviewers that the color and texture and durability are fantastic, when the product is new. It takes me a while to use up a product like this since I like to wear different eyeliners depending upon my mood that day. I purchased two shades, Black Mauve and Chocolate, and I loved the way they make my blue eyes pop. I also bought the brush suggested by the SA but quickly found it too difficut to use (I prefer the MAC brush with the angled bristles, forget the number). My only complaint is that both pots of eyeliner dried out on me within 6 mos. I tried storing them upside down, but it was too late. I had to toss them when there was still a fair amount of product in them. I did try the trick of adding a few drops of rubbing alcohol to rehydrate them, but that only lasts for a few days. I have found the MAC gel eyeliners to stay fresher longer.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - 40 carrots-Carrot plus C Vitamin Serum
ellenmarie1959 5/3/2010 8:22:00 AM
I decided to give this a try when I d/c my AST Green Cream use a months ago in favor of a Vitamin C serum treatment. Well, after a few weeks I stopped using this product because it didn't seem to be doing anything except making my skin taut, itchy, red and irritated. It's not very expensive but I also think that it's not beneficial for my mature, combo skin. Maybe for a younger user, but not for me. Back to the drawing board.
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Conditioner -Nexxus - Dualiste - Color Protection + Volume
ellenmarie1959 5/1/2010 8:08:00 PM
Loved the scent, whatever it is (vanilla musk?), and it works as well as other high end products, but I hate the packaging. It was so hard to pump out the last bit of conditioner, and for what Nexxus products cost, I wanted every last bit.
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Lip Gloss -Clarins - Gloss Appeal #9 Praline
ellenmarie1959 4/30/2010 11:46:00 AM
I actually got this shade in a swap, so I don't know if it is a shade that is discontinued in the States or only sold in the UK and Australia. Praline is a very sheer tan-coral shade. I like the feel on my lips, the non-tacky texture. I suppose my only reason for giving it 4 instead of five overall is that I prefer a bit more color payoff. It's a medium light color and very sheer, I think if I were to buy it I would choose a different shade for myself.
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Bath Treatments -Bissy's Boutique - In Shower Moisturizer
ellenmarie1959 4/29/2010 10:32:00 AM
I don't see this product on Bissy's website today; instead she seems to be selling only body sprays and will return to her regular product listing when the blowout is over. I wouldn't bother with this item. It's relatively cheap, $8.50 for an 8 oz. tube, but if you don't use it, it's no bargain. It sounds like a great idea, a moisturizing lotion you apply in the shower to your wet skin, to lock in moisture and save the step of pat-drying and applying your lotion apres bath. I didn't like the texture or slip of the lotion or the scent I ordered. For whatever reason, Bissy's body creams and lotions just don't absorb as well as other brands I've tried, and they feel heavy and waxy. This one especially so. It's a thick, waxy lotion with blue crystals of some sort in it, might be an exfoliant (again, great idea), and the Pink Watermelon scent is more of a cloying Jolly Ranger aroma. Overall, meh.
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Blush -Everyday Minerals - Game Show
ellenmarie1959 4/29/2010 10:17:00 AM
Generally, I like EM blushes, because they are so inexpensive and the range of colors is terrific. However, I would not buy this blush again for myself because it is just too dark and strong for my fair coloring. I thought it would be more of a brown/pink tone but it's definitely purplish-berry. (I'm NC15, in the Vanilla, Light Beige group). I second the complaint about packaging.
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Candles -Unlisted Brand - Klean - Soy Kandle Vanilla Hazelnut Latte
ellenmarie1959 4/29/2010 9:30:00 AM
Klean Bath + Body is a maker of eco-friendly bath and body products based in Burbank, CA. Their Klean Kandles are soy wax and come in three sizes: 4 oz. tin $9, 8 oz. tin $19, 14 oz. frosted glass jar $29.50. The brushed nickel finish tins are kind of neat looking in a minimalist way. I was startled by the prices but thought it might be worth seeing if the fragrances are as great as I'd heard. From the website: "Our Klean Candle suits its name. We use clean-burning all natural soy wax with eco-friendly wicks. Soy wax is a preferred wax by many candle-makers because of its many beneficial traits: no/low soot, better for the environment, longer burn and great scent "throw." (the way in which the fragrance is diffused into the air for a great aromatic scent), and soy is a an American product. Just by using it, we can support our national farmers! " I ordered four Kandles in the following scents: Hazelnut Vanilla Latte, Waterlily, Vanilla Sandlewood and Fresh Orange Vanilla. Of the four, I liked the Hazelnut Vanilla Latte the best, it smelled just like freshly ground premium flavored coffee. Fresh Orange Vanilla is a mild orange cupcakey smell without a bakery/buttery note, Vanilla Sandlewood is a very mild take on the two scents, and Waterlily, a faint green-floral scent. I was surprised that the scents were so light given the expense. I think the Yankee Candles in the jar give a much better "throw." I'm used to wax and soy tarts and I like strong scents. I was disappointed in the weakness of the scent. However, for someone who likes their scents mild or has a sensitive nose, these would be a good choice. They would probably make a good choice for scenting a bedroom, a place where you wouldn't want to be distracted or offended bya strong smelling candle. Overall, though, I thought they were way overpriced. I'd stick to Yankee for my candles, but Klean's other products, especially their scrub, creams and sprays, are excellent and superbly scented.
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Treatments -John Frieda - Frizz-Ease Creme Serum Overnight Repair Formula [DISCONTINUED]
ellenmarie1959 4/28/2010 11:36:00 AM
I am 50 and have home-colored my shoulder-length hair for years, so my ends are super dry, damaged, and prone to tangling. I applied the recommended amount to my ends, worked it through the best I could, then smoothed over the rest of my hair so the top and middle got a bit, then went to bed. Not overly greasy, no mess on my pillow. So far, so good. Shampooed and conditioned in the morning, didn't have time for a blow dry so I just combed it out and went about my business..I have to tell you, my hair is completely soft and tangle free and has more shine than usual, no weighed down or heavy feeling like when I use a silicon product or the Frizz-Ease serum leave in treatment. I am quite happy. I can run my fingers through my hair without encountering a tangle, and it doesn't feel heavy. Will use again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
ellenmarie1959 4/28/2010 11:25:00 AM
First highlighter I ever purchased, and I liked it fine until I got a chance to sample other brands. I now find that it dries fast and is hard to blend, so I get a bit of a line of demarcation. Not what I was going for in a highlight. Much happier with swivel-stick products such as NARS Copacabana and Chantecaille Aquablush Radiance.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Avene - Very High Protection Cream SPF 50+
ellenmarie1959 4/21/2010 10:31:00 AM
I'm 50 and was surprised that my face felt so sticky and oily after applying. I think it's too oily for me, and that I need a product for normal to oily skin. I think it's a great physical barrioer sunscreen but after reading other reviews, I am going to try a lighter product, such as the Avene emulsion. If my skin were drier, I'd say this would be a good product.
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Yummy yummy yummy
ellenmarie1959 4/9/2010 12:06:00 PM
I needed to take a shower to get the stench off me. It's a soapy strawberry smell that I found almost nauseating. The consistency was very watery to me as well, like milk. Not liking what I've tried from this company so far.
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Flying Fox Shower Gel
ellenmarie1959 4/9/2010 12:03:00 PM
The fragrance really turned me off. As a shower gel, it's okay.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Yes To Carrots - Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Cleansing Gel
ellenmarie1959 3/22/2010 8:12:00 AM
First off, the strong, musky-amber-vanilla fragrance startled me. I would not have been surprised to smell this in a soap or lotion, but in a facial cleansing product? Wouldn't you expect it to smell like, well, cucumbers? If you are sensitive to perfumes you'd want to stay away from this one. I happened to like the fragrance, once I got over the surprise, but that's about all that was memorable about this cleanser. It does a mediocre job of cleaning your face from makeup and dirt, and for my mature combination skin it was a bit too drying. I really expected something different. Next time I'll try the carrot or tomato products made by the same company.
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
ellenmarie1959 3/9/2010 12:49:00 PM
Bought this in 002 Vanilla, which was too light for me. Tried 003, Shell, a much better color match and I was happy that unlike many DS foundations, it didn't turn too pink or orange on me. That said, it was too sheer to cover some hyperpigmentation on my cheeks, and it did settle into the pores in my naso-labial area. I think it's a good deal for a DS foundation and I"m sorry to hear that it has been d/c, but for me, the quest for a HG foundation continues.
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