Moisturizers -Clarins - Hydra Quench Cream
franzvonstuck 8/5/2012 3:29:00 PM
As I grow older, my trustworthy Avene moisturizer just isnīt enough anymore although I add hydration booster and do regular hydrating masks. Iīm getting tired of that and besides it costs me a lot of money for hydration booster and masks. So I needed a new moisturizer. I hate to try new moisturizers, because my skin doesnīt like trying and testing new products. Therefore, I couldnīt test tons of moisturizers. But I searched the top picks to find a new moisturizer and it came down to this one or the Origins make a difference. Anyway, I hate this cream. I almost forgot, that some creams have a weird little effect on my skin: When I use them, I get tiny beads of moisture on my nose, as if my skin was sweating. I searched for the reason and found, that cetyl alcohol as ingredient can cause this reaction. Why some people react to it and others not, I donīt know. The cream felt silicony and like a film on my skin. Didnīt sink in, but my skin never reacted good towards silicones. The smell was o.k., not overpowering. Might have been moisturizing, but the side effects were too weird to tolerate this cream. A big no for me.
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Moisturizers -Origins - Make A Difference Skin Rejuvenating Treatment
franzvonstuck 8/4/2012 4:09:00 PM
As I grow older, my trustworthy Avene moisturizer just isnīt enough anymore although I add hydration booster and do regular hydrating masks. Iīm getting tired of that and besides it costs me a lot of money for hydration booster and masks. So I needed a new moisturizer. I hate to try new moisturizers, because my skin doesnīt like trying and testing new products. Therefore, I couldnīt test tons of moisturizers. But I searched the top picks to find a new moisturizer and it came down to this one or the Clarins Hydra Quench. I have dehydrated, sensitive acne-prone combination skin. My first concern was that my skin wouldnīt tolerate any other moisturizer. At least this one didnīt make my skin freaking out and itching. I was nervous, because it has a lot of plant extracts as ingredients. At first application, nothing stung or burned. So far, so good. But I immediately noticed, that it was too light for my skin. I had to reapply a second layer and it still wasnīt enough. A sure sign that the moisturizer really is too light for me. Otherwise, I liked it. It sunk in and left my skin with a nice feeling, but just wasnīt rich enough for my skin. I try to get a sample of the richer version. Just not right for my skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Nuxe - MASQUE FRAIS HYDRATANT
franzvonstuck 7/29/2012 3:02:00 PM
Always struggeling with dehydrated skin, I keep looking for THE moisturizing mask. My skin is acne-prone, combination and sensitive. Finding a good mask is hard for me. We had a period of quite hot and humid weather here and I wanted a deeply moisturizing, yet lighter mask, because my usual masks became too heavy. After the raving reviews here, I gave this mask a try. The mask is white with a light gel-cream texture. Many people use this on long flights to replenish the moisture in the skin, because once you put it on, it is nearly invisible. The smell is lightly herbal, but not offensive. I could indeed feel a refreshing feeling when I put this mask on. I even left it on overnight to try the effect. And what can I say, itīs amazing. My dehydrated skin was lovely and plump in the morning and felt baby-smooth. Perfect for my sensitive skin and you can even use it in the eye area. Nuxe recommends this for face AND eyes. How cool is that? I put it on my eyelids and under my eyes and it was so refreshing and calming. No bad reactions, no milia, no break-outs. It worked a lotbetter than the special eye masks I tried before. The mask holds the balance between the big moisturizing and the small nourishing factor, that means giving a lot of moisture with just a little oil. That is important, because pure hydrating gel masks without oil (like Dermalogicas skin hydrating mask) made my skin feel uncomfortable. I honestly think, that it would be too light for my skin in wintertime, but it is the perfect mask for summertime. I keep it in the fridge in summertime, so itīs even more refreshing. And of course I agree with all the people, who us this on a long flight. I take it with me, when I go on a beach holiday in september, because I think, itīs a great mask to calm down, moisturize and refresh the skin after a long day in the sun. A truly multipurpose product. Especially for those who have a skin type like me and canīt tolerate oilfree masks and want a super-moisturizing mask, this is worth a try. Highly recommended.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Mario Badescu - silver powder
franzvonstuck 7/7/2012 4:55:00 PM
I l adore this product. All my life, I was plagued with blackheads on my nose and chin area. My pores clog easily, my skin keratinizes too much and the results were hundreds of blackheads on my nose and some blackheads and underlying impurities on my chin. I tried everything over the years: Facials, glycolic acid, nose strips, manual extraction. Nothing helped me. Nothing. The blackheads were stubborn, impossible to remove (even the beautician couldnīt remove them) and deep set in my skin. Trying to extract them only caused red spots, inflammation and peeled skin on my nose. I even had some prescripted salve with adapalene and this salve did nothing, although some people could peel their skin off after using this. Thatīs how much my skin is keratinized. Enter silver powder. I stumbled over a review here on makeupalley and thought, Iīd give it a try. The powder is cheap, I paid 14 Euros for it and it lasts very long. I would say for at least one year. Compared to the other products I tried, this is dirt cheap. The powder is white and I pick it up with a damp cotton pad as it is described on the package. I dab it on my nose in a thin layer and leave it there to dry. It takes about 15 minutes, but itīs not a problem, when you leave it on longer. Then I take it off with a toner (mine is a anti-blackhead toner with salicylic acid). Sometimes, I use a nose strip in addition to the mask or I extract them manually. I like to put on a salve with zinc and salicylic acid afterwards. The powder doesnīt clump and doesnīt get dirty when you use a damp cotton pad. So I donīt know why other reviewers had a problem with this method. Another problem of other reviewers was the flaking of the powder when it dries on the skin. Yes, it does, but I donīt wear my best clothes, when I use he powder. And I have no problems getting the dried powder off with my toner. For me, the product worked after using it for about 3 weeks. I use it about 3 times a week. It wasnīt a overnight success product as it was for other reviewers. But Iīve been dealing with blackheads for over 20 years, no other product ever worked and mine are extremely stubborn, so Iīm very glad and surprised I finally found something against my tons of blackheads. My blackheads are still not completely gone after 3 weeks of use, but they are less visible, they are much easier to extract and my pores are open. I can feel it when I touch my skin, that my little bumps disappeared and the general condition of the skin in my t-zone has improved. So, this is definitely worth a try, if youīre struggeling with blackheads as I do. For me, it did what no other product could do and that makes it literally a miracle-worker. Love it. Holy grail. Update 04/12/2012 This product is nothing short of perfect! The healthy mix foundation from Bourjois broke me out so bad in my mouth and chin area with big red bumps and tiny whiteheaded cystic acne. I looked for a way to reduce the effects of the break out and make all the spots and blotchiness go away faster. The silver powder did it again. I used it several days in a row and it was amazing. The bumps dissappeared and my skin cleared up a lot faster than usual. Such outbreaks often need several weeks to heal up, but now I think, they will only need one week and Iīm through. This only confirmed the HG status of this product for me. Love it even more.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Weleda - Almond Facial Oil
franzvonstuck 6/6/2012 8:24:00 AM
I tried the almond line from Weleda in wintertime, hoping to give my dry skin something nourishing and calming. The description said that you could mix this oil with the almond cream to get a rich skincare. I mixed the oil with the almond cream and the results were deastrous on my skin. This product caused me serious perioral dermatitis and itching, flaking skin. I scratched my face while I slept, it was so horrible. Finally, I had to go to the dermatologist and use antibiotic cream for my face. I never found out, what really caused this reaction. Was it the combination of oils? The plum oil? The combination wiht the cream? I suggest you decide if your skin can tolerate the combination of oils or not. Itīs not that my skin doesnīt like oils at all or that I neve tried out oils for my skin. Most oils are good for my skin as long as they are not comedogenic. I use an almond oil based body lotion and it works beautifully for my skin. I use wild rose oil and jojoba oil on my face and they both are really good for my skin. I could be the exception to the rule as many reviewers love this oil, but this one literally destroyed my skin.
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Lipstick -MAC - Retro Matte - Ruby Woo
franzvonstuck 6/1/2012 4:37:00 AM
On my search among MAC red lipsticks, I tried Ruby Woo. The paleness of my skin makes it hard for me to find a good red, because I donīt want to look like a clown with red lipstick. Many red lipsticks look too dark or too clownish on my lips. For reference: Iīm a MAC NC 20/ BB sand with pale skin and a neutral-olive undertone. I have amber eyes, black lashes and eyebrows and brown hair. My favourite MA was hesistant for letting me try it, because she hates the dryness of this lipstick. But I wanted to try, especially as Russian Red was desastrous on my lips and MAC Red was nice-looking, but not very longlasting on my lips. And I was rewarded with a beautiful, blue-based clear red on my lips, very vintage, very glamouros. The matte formula makes it look classy, old hollywood and never ever tacky or cheap. Of course, the colour is bold and bright. I hadnīt had the courage to wear this colour when I was younger, but now, I love to wear this red. Makes me feel sophisticated and chic and goes with everything from torn jeans to a little black dress. As I tried it on my best friend, who has pink undertones in her skin and is even paler than I am, it was still beautiful and worked for her, but looked more yellow-based. Seems it develops differently on every woman, which is why I donīt claim this works on every woman. The formula is a matte, which clearly isnīt everbodyīs darling. Yes, it is drying as hell, but I love the lasting power this formula gives the lipstick. The MAC Red was a satin and gone in 5 minutes on my lips. You got to decide, if you can tolerate the formula, because it has the big plus of lasting and lasting. With a more moist lipstick, I woudnīt feel so secure and would always fear, the it smears around my lips and face. Anyway, I donīt wear it everyday and I prepare my lips with a srub and good layer of Eight Hour cream overnight. I do use a lip liner, but none of MACs lip liners. I tried Cherry lip liner and it worked fine, but I found a much cheaper alternative in a German drugstore (Manhattan x-treme last lipliner 44N). I follow Lisa Eldridges tutorial on matte red lips and work the colour in my lips with a lip brush. That makes it stay longer and look fresh all day. And it doesnīt smear too much on coffee cups or when you eat, which I like. But I admit, I wear it in the office and I can check any time if thereīs something wrong with the lipstick. I wonīt lie to you: This is easier to maintain than other red lipsticks, but red lipsticks are always high-maintenance. I love this lipstick and I suggest trying it if thatīs possible. I dare to say, it looks good on most women, but youīve got to test, how it works on your skin and lip tone. I call it "the red lipstick test". Does it make your teeth look white? Does it work, when you wear no make-up at all? Does it make you look old and tired or fresh and young? Any way, for me, it works and I can wear it without any other make-up and it still looks good on me. Makes my eyes sparkle and makes me look fresh and glamorous. Love it.
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Styling Products -Kevin Murphy - Hair Resort
franzvonstuck 5/26/2012 8:03:00 AM
You think Bumble and Bumbleīs surf spray is good? You tried and liked Philip Bīs Maui Wowie beach mist? Well, let me tell you this is even better. I love this stuff, because itīs easy to use and makes your hair look like you spent lots of time doing your hair while it actually took you only 5 minutes. This is an oil free texturizer for a messy beach look. The product itself is a lotion with tiny shimmering particles in it, that smells lightly of coconut and very "beachy". I confess, Iīm not a big fan of coconut smell in beauty products, but it is tolerable. For reference: I have shoulderlenght fine hair, but many hair, that is oily in the roots. Itīs straight with a hint of natural movement. You can use the product on damp hair or dry hair. When I use it on damp hair, I put a drop on my hand and work it through my hair. Then I blowdry my hair headlong and Iīm done. Often, I use it on dry hair in the morning, when I was too lazy to give my hair a good blowdry with styling products and a round brush. Then Iīm usually just pulling my hair together after I blowdried my hair without using any styling product. The morning after, I have to deal with limp hair and could normally not wear my hair open, as it looks horrible. But using a drop of hair resort and kneading it in my dry hair, I can get bouncy, volumized and slightly messy hair. Turning my I-was-to-lazy-to-style-my-hair head in a mass of lovely hair. The result with this magic stuff is always thick hair with a slightly wavy beachy texture. With all the beach sprays/lotions, I never expect my hair to look curly, because my hair is only slightly wavy. The hair is not greasy and still feels good, while given a voluminous undone look. The hair feels not crunchy at all, while given a subtle defined texture and hold. It is not drying, as it has no sea salt and I like the fact, that itīs a lotion instead of a spray. Iīm really lazy when it comes to hairstyling and blowdrying, but this is a no-nonsense product, which transforms your hair by putting volume and texture in your hair. I only recently find myself reaching for this quite often and this means it works for me. On dry hair, it takes you 2 minutes to archieve a good styling. I really love this product, because it gives me super-duper glamorous hair with no effort at all.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Avene - Instant Soothing Mask
franzvonstuck 5/20/2012 3:15:00 PM
Another Avene product, which fools you into believing, that itīs nothing special and a bit boring. Boy, thatīs totally wrong! I tried many other masks, but this is my favourite. Itīs just a basic moisturizing mask, but at the same time, so much more and a staple in my bathroom. Living near the french border, I can buy it more easily and cheaper than in other countries. It costs me about 14 Euros and itīs worth every cent. The mask is based on the famous Avene thermal water, which is known for its benefits on sensitive skin. It is a multi-purpose mask, that works in every season and situation. Itīs always soothing my skin and making it feel well hydrated. No matter how battered my skin is from cold weather in wintertime or air conditioning in summertime, this mask calms my skin and reduces the redness and dry patches. Iīm also a big fan of this mask, because it saved me, when I tried beauty products, that irritated my skin. A truly SOS-product, which is why I never want to be without this mask. In summertime, you can keep this mask in the fridge and after a day in the sun, you can put the cool mask on your skin to calm it down and replace moisture. I also spray Avene thermal water on top of the mask to enhance the cooling effect and let the mask sink further into my skin. You can also put the mask for 20 minutes on your skin, spray it with thermal water and gently massage the residues of the mask into your skin. Most important, it doesīt clog my pores, doesnīt leave a greasy feeling after taking it off and never, ever irritated my skin (yes, there a "calming" masks, that leave my face itching and red!). Having super-sensitive acne-prone combo skin, I had a hard time finding a good mask for my skin, because most masks just irritated my skin or didnīt work for my skin. Normally, I use this mask once a week and 2 or 3 times a week, when my skin needs a little pampering. My skin looks healthy and glowing after using this mask. And let me tell you, I took a sneak peak on a french beauty portal called beauté-test, where french women rate their beauty products. Guess what was their favourite mask winning the beauty award for years? Yes, it was this mask. This is my most trustworthy, alltime favourite mask and I highly recommend it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Dermalogica - MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque
franzvonstuck 5/18/2012 1:45:00 PM
I got this mask as a sample and was so glad, because I wanted to try it desperately. Many reviewers are raving about this mask and so I gave it a try. The mask is an orange cream-mask, which dries to a lovely orange colour on your face and makes you look like you had a self-tanner accident. The smell was rather strange, but tolerable. At first, as I put the mask on, I noticed a little stinging sensation on my face, but with Dermalogica products, I experienced that a lot. Some of the products worked instead of stinging, some didnīt. I waited for 20 minutes, then washed the residue off. The result: Nothing. I mean, seriously nothing. No glow, no hydration, no soft skin. I had better results with my trustworthy Avene soothing mask and itīs so much cheaper. I expected the glow everyone raved about, a visible improvement of my skin, whatever. Instead of this, my skin felt a little dry. Dry!! After a mask, which is supposed to make your skin plump and glowing. The best I can say about this mask, is that it didnīt break me out or caused serious allergic reactions. But for this price, a big fat nothing as a result is ridiculous. This mask keeps none of the promises it makes, hence the bad rating. Plus it is very expensive. I definitely will not buy the full size and I donīt recommend this.
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Treatments -Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream
franzvonstuck 5/13/2012 10:42:00 AM
I use this cream for 6 years and I obviously love this cream, as I buy another tube, when Iīm running out of it. For reference: I have dehydrated, sensitive, combo, acne-prone skin. The reason this cream is so lovely is the fact, that it is a real multi-purpose cream. Many products claim to be; this is tested by me for 6 years and I can tell you, itīs true. Itīs not an everyday product, but whenever I deal with problems concerning my skin, I find myself reaching for this. Lips: I tend to have dry lips and to archieve full, soft lips, I put it on overnight. I also use MACs Ruby Woo lipstick, which is very drying. To prepare my lips for this matte lipstick and give them a perfect look, I use this overnight. In wintertime, I use it in daytime to protect my lips from the cold. Skin: Generally, it can be used on damaged, chapped, dry skin. In wintertime, I use it once or twice a week overnight. Not every night, because I have to be careful with my acne-prone skin. But in all the time I used this, I never broke out from this! I put it directly on my skin and it takes away all the dry spots and irritated skin. Leaves me with really plump and soft skin in the morning. I also put some serum or moisturizer underneath and a layer of it on top. Works wonders on my poor skin in cold, harsh climate. I rarely use it in daytime, but when the weather is really cold and I want to take a walk outside, I put it on and my skin is protected from the cold. To me, this is not a cream or moisturizer, but a treatment for the skin. And I donīt use a tiny amount on my skin as other reviewers, I slather it on. I donīt mind my skin being greasy, as I use it mostly overnight. Thanks god, I didnīt have any sunburns in the past few years, but I can easily imagine as some reviewers said, that it helps the skin to heal after a sunburn. Hands: I confess, itīs a little bit too expensive in my opinion to use as a hand cream, but when my hands were super dry and literally cracking and red in wintertime, I put a layer on my hands overnight. The same result: Healed, nice, soft skin. And my cuticles did look good. Maybe also a good cuticle cream. Make-up: I use it as a cheekbone highlighter, to get a glossy look over my eyeshadow on my eyelids and on my eyebrows as it gives them a nice shine. But honestly, for make-up purposes, you donīt need this, you can use an ordinary vaseline. Another reviewer mentioned, that you can use it during a flight to keep your skin in tip-top condition. I will try it out! The formula is a slightly yellow thick balm and it has a similar texture to vaseline. But thatīs where the comparison ends. Unlike vaseline, it smells "healthy", like herbs or something. It has a very thick texture and I agree with other reviewers, if you warm it in your fingers, you can apply it more easily. And I never put vaseline on my skin, but I bet, simple vaseline cannot do the job as the the 8 hour cream. Some people are upset about the ingredients. Maybe the ingredients by itself are simple and nothing special, but itīs the mixture, that makes them work. And my super-sensitive skin never ever reacted with irritations or clogged pores when I used this. Some people are upset about the price. Itīs expensive and I buy a tube whenever itīs on sale or when I travel at the airport duty free shop. But it lasts me about a year and is soo multifunctional, that I spend the money again and again on this cream willingly. The mother of my girlfriend used to work for Elizabeth Arden many years ago and although she stopped working for the company 15 years ago, she still buys the 8 hour cream for the regular price, because itīs so good. That should tell you, how good this cream is.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Mademoiselle
franzvonstuck 5/7/2012 3:01:00 PM
For years, this was my first and only Essie polish. It is a true classic and you can easily see why: Neutral, glossy, clean nude colour, that makes your nails look like a dream. Thereīs nothing special about this colour and you might think of it as another boring neutral. But I tell you: My nails look clean and fresh, glossy and healthy. Simple nail polish, but effective as a "nail-beautifier". Essie describes it as a classic grown up pink. It goes well with my NC 20/BB sand skin-tone and my nails, that tend to look yellowish with the wrong colour. I painted it on my auntīs nails and on my motherīs nails. Both are totally different types with totally different skin-tones than mine and it worked on both! I dare to say that most women can wear this colour, but as with every other colour, there may be an exception to the rule. I also agree with another reviewer, that this is not meant to be opaque. The sheer pinkish milkiness is one of the classic features of this colour. As I also own sugar daddy from Essie, I can say that sugar daddy has a stronger pink undertone and while I can build mademoiselle with 2 or 3 coats, sugar daddy becomes to pink on my nails with more than one coat. So, in a way, mademoiselle is more neutral than sugar daddy, although love them both. I use it on my hands and toes and love to wear it summertime or wintertime. It doesīt streak and lasts forever. I love mademoiselle and it is "the" nude colour from Essie.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Sugar Daddy
franzvonstuck 5/7/2012 12:43:00 PM
Let me start by saying; I have a tendency to yellowish nails without smoking or wearing too much polish or no base coat. Therefore, nude colours can be a bit tricky on my nails. Sugar daddy is a sheer pink that looks more opaque in the bottle and goes on very sheer and nice on the nails. No streaks and with one coat, youīre good to go. And it gives you a beautiful glossy finish with just a hint of pink, makes me think of milky-white, slightly pink-tinted glass. But with my nails, thereīs no chance for a second coat. Oddly enough, a second coat makes my nails look too pinkish and goes against my skintone (MAC NC20/BB sand). If you compare it to mademoiselle, this is more pink and less neutral than mademoiselle. Itīs also true - like another reviewer mentioned- that with one coat of sugar daddy you can archieve a similar look like two coats of mademoiselle. If you compare it to ballet slippers, you will see that ballet slippers is more white-ish and goes on more opaque and less sheer from the first coat on.And of course sugar daddy is easier to apply and doesnīt streak. For me, this is an easy-going polish. One coat is all you need. As Iīm not able to wear many nude colours with two coats, Iīm happy to find one that delivers from the first coat on beautiful nails that look sophisticated and like it took you more effort than putting one coat of this colour on. Makes you look like you had an expensive manicure. Yes, itīs true, that this colour is nothing new or spectacular. But it archieves what few other colours can deliver: Shiny, glossy, clean, healthy-looking nails. Especially recommended if you donīt have much time for your manicure and donīt want to waste time in putting 3 or 4 coats on your nails.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Really Red
franzvonstuck 5/4/2012 1:07:00 PM
For years, this has been my summertime-red-toenail polish. It is a radiant, bright red with strong blue undertones. No orange undertones. Among the 3 reds from Essie I own (Really Red, A-List and Fishnet Stockings), this is the brightest and least classic red. And definitely the most cool-toned of my reds. With this one, I need to put two coats on to make the colour opaque. Otherwise, it is more sheer and streaky than my other red shades. But when you have the two coats, itīs just lovely. For reference, Iīm a MAC NC20/BB sand with neutral-olive undertones. This colour works with my skin-tone quite well. A true summertime colour that really pops on your toenails and is very prominent. Very fresh and just what you feel a good red should be on a hot summer day. But not cheap, not tacky, more of a "refreshing, sparkling and young" red than a "grown up" red in the best sense. Maybe thatīs the reason I never wear it on my hands. It doesnīt look good on my hands as it is too bright for my taste and I prefer a more classic red on my hands.
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Polishes -Essie - Fishnet Stockings
franzvonstuck 5/3/2012 3:03:00 PM
This red from Essie is described as a spicy dark creme red. And - OMG- this colour looks really hot. An unusual colour for me, as Iīm more of a classic type with simple, minimalistic and easy style. Itīs a dark blood red, think of glamourous seductresses, old hollywood movie stars or pin up girls. But donīt you think, that this looks cheap or tacky. No way, because it has a subtle classic undertone, that totally rocks! I have a feeling, that wearing this colour instantly adds glamour and sophistication to any outfit Iīm wearing. It goes with everything from jeans and flip flops to a little black dress. Yes, itīs really red, but not too bright or screaming red. The colour is a medium red, leaning to dark red, but without being too dark. For me, it is a slightly blue-toned red, but in a very balanced and almost neutral way. No orange undertones, but true red. I wear it in daytime for work and it never looks awkward, just really sophisticated. I prefer to wear it on very short nails as this is even more enhancing the classic look of this nailpolish. Among the 3 reds from Essie I own (Really Red, A-List and Fishnet Stockings), this is the "darkest" and most classic red. Personally, I prefer this for autumn and winter as it is the least bright of my reds, although itīs an all-year and allround red. Iīm a MAC NC20, BB sand and my skin is fair with a neutral olive undertone. Any nail colour being too warm or too cold, too bright or too dull makes the skin on my hands look uneven or yellow. But this colour works well with my skin tone and Iīm not worried about anything when I wear this colour. Good lasting power, rich colour and I only need one coat to get the most beautiful deep red. I wear Essieīs Good to go as topcoat and it lasts up to 4 days without chipping. Just think of it as "instant-glamour-in-a-bottle" and you know, what this nailpolish is like. Highly recommended.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Russian Red
franzvonstuck 5/3/2012 1:59:00 PM
I am not a red lipstick girl. But as I grow older, I am prone to try some of the beauty classics. So, I went to the MAC counter and asked my favourite MA if I could try some of the famous MAC reds. Russian red was of course among them. The red is a classic red like Coco Chanel would wear it. Makes me think of glamorous women sipping champagne. The MA put it on my lips and -voila- I was looking ten years older. Not that it looked really bad or clownish on me, but downright making me look old and tired. I guess that means, this is not my shade of red. I could easily see it as the MA put another red lipstick on my lips and this was waaay better. I looked fresh and my teeth looked very white. So please, try especially red lipsticks out if you can, because even if the majority of women can wear russian red, for some women, it looks downright horrible on their lips. Check out twice, if it really is a flattering red for your type. For reference: Iīm MAC NC20, BB sand with brown hair, amber eyes and pale skin with a olive-neutral undertone. Update 19/05/2012: Having tried and tested many MAC reds, I can give you more details. I am pale with a strange olive undertone and that makes it hard to find a good shade. My favorite MA tried several shades on my lips and we were both agreeing Russian Red was not the red for me. Iīm constantly taken for at least 10 years younger than my age and this lipstick making me look old tells something about what the wrong colour can do to your face. Mac describes it a s a blueish red and on my lips it looks yellow-undertoned and too dark for my face. Whereas Mac Red and Ruby Woo, which are also blue-based, worked on my lips and looked like a clear, blue-based red. If I swatched them on my hand, I could not see as much difference between the colours as I could see on my lips. If you try red lipstick, test - if it makes your teeth look yellow - if it makes you look older or tired - if you can wear it without makeup (sounds strange, but this means it works with your skin tone and not just with your make up) Donīt let yourself be fooled by swatches as they donīt show in which way the colour interacts with your skin and lip tone. Contrary to other reviewers, I donīt see, how any red lipstick can work on every woman. For many women, this shade might work. For me, it didnīt. I highly suggest trying, if itīs possible, before ending with the wrong kind if red shade on your lips.
23 out of 27 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No