Liquid -Chanel - Teint Innocence [DISCONTINUED]
Nemea 4/20/2008 12:00:00 PM
This is my second review for this foundation; I ended up deleting the first one because I couldn't make up my mind. The problem then was that it looked really good at first, but that it developed into a mess after a couple of hours; dry surface, though also at the same time greasy (I've got dry skin, so this was rather unexpected). Well, I recently dug it out again; maybe I had simply forgotten the bad points, and I all of a sudden found out that it was working very nicely; no more dry surface and oily areas. It might simply be that I have changed my skincare a bit, or that my skin is less dry now, but for now, I really like this foundation. My skin is neutral/light yellowtoned (I would say a more neutral NC25), and I have the #40 Beige shade, which is more or less a perfect match to my (self)tanned complexion. The only downside is the package; what moron came up with the idea that a heavy bottle with a narrow neck is a good package for a slightly thick liquid foundation? Also, while the smell is OK, I generally think fragrance in make up products is totally superfluous. And my last complaint: Why didn't they add a higher spf? Otherwise OK.*edit* Since my skin is lighter now than ever (NC20), I found this far too dark. In general, I have trouble with Chanel's foundation shades, but not with TI; I'm now #30 Cendre, while #20 Clair is too yellow-toned.
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Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere
Nemea 4/20/2008 11:53:00 AM
Sorry, Chanel...It's probably not you, but me. I have dry, almost flawless skin, and I like sheer foundations to even out my skintone a bit. For reference, I was NC30 (though a bit more neutral), and in Teint Innocence, I'm 40 Beige. After several samples and serious thinking, on a particularly bad-dry-skin-day, I ended up purchasing the Vitalumiere Liquid in #40 as well. However, I find that the color is more yellow/brownish than the corresponding color in TI, and I also find that it changes a bit during the day. Also, I can't stand the nutty smell of this (although the stupid SAs keep telling me that it's not perfumed. Well, maybe they just lose their sense of smell after a couple of months in those working environments? Or are they lying? Anyway, I don't particularly like that condescending attitude. 'nough complaining). I also do not like the feeling on the skin. My skin might like it, because it does moisturize rather nicely, but that's a high price to pay for having that hideous, sticky feeling on your face the whole day. *editMarch10* I'm now lighter than ever (my selftanned days are over); NC20, almost NC15, and since my skin is going through a dry phase, I thought I'd have a look at Vitalumiere again. Guess what? None of the shades were anywhere near a match. #20 Clair was too yellow, and actually a bit dirtylooking, #30 Cendre, which I suspected might suit me, was even worse, and was too dark and muddy looking.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - Masterpiece Max
Nemea 4/8/2008 6:55:00 AM
After my success with the original Masterpiece mascara, I simply had to try this, expecting it to be a new and improved and volumizing version of the former. But I was wrong, and I can't make this mascara work for me. No matter what I do, clumps is the result, and I also find the staying power quite mediocre. I ended up buying the original Masterpiece again, and suspect that this will stay in my drawer for a while, before eventually being thrown out.
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Cleansers -Dermalogica - PreCleanse
Nemea 3/24/2008 1:38:00 PM
I'm sorry to be the one to rain on the parade here, but I really had expected more of this cleanser, and especially since Dermalogica is a brand that I always return to after brief romances with other brands, which often result in my skin reacting badly. So what is it that I don't like about this PreCleanse? Well, first, I hate the bottle, with the very inconvenient screwtop cap. I would definitely have preferred a pump instead. Second, this oil is heavily scented, natural or not, that is something that I don't want in a product which is supposed to be used to remove eye makeup. And third, I don't find it very efficient in removing mascara. I have only tried it with non-waterproof mascara, which my HG MAC Cleanse-off Oil has no problems in removing, but where MAC leaves my skin fresh and clean and free of all mascara residue, PreCleanse leaves a grey mess, which makes me look like a panda. Yes, I know that I'm supposed to follow up with another cleanser, and I do, but I still find that the efficiency leaves some things to be desired.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - Masterpiece Mascara
Nemea 3/24/2008 1:29:00 PM
I'm generally not a fan of D/S mascaras, but bought this one in a whim because it was on sale. That was six months ago, and I have almost lost interest in other mascaras, because I find the Masterpiece to be everything I have always been looking for in a mascara. First of all, the colour is a nice and glossy black, second, the brush is perfect for getting a clump-free application, and it lenghtens very nicely. I also find that it can be used to build up a nice, dramatic volume for evening wear. Last, but not least, unlike some recently tested candidates of mine (EL Double Wear, Lancome Virtuouse) it lasts all day without clumping at all. Very impressed, this mascara lives up to its name, and some more.
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Mascara -Estee Lauder - Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara
Nemea 3/4/2008 8:39:00 AM
I had very high hopes connected to this product, but alas, I was wrong. The color is nice and very deep, glossy black, and the brush is also very nice and narrow. But this is where my praise will end....I wear it for the first time today, and upon application, the first thing I noticed, was that it dries too quickly, making it almost impossible to apply without major clumping. And then what's even worse: It irritates my eyes big time! I have rubbed and scratched my eyes constantly today, and I only look forward to going home so that I can take the darn thing off. Sorry, EL, you can definitely do better than this. Now, let's hope I'll be able to return it; after all, it DID make my eyes tear and itch.
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Blush -Bare Escentuals - Blush in Golden Gate
Nemea 3/4/2008 8:35:00 AM
I'm on the fence with respect to this blush... It is my first loose mineral blush, but in the past, I've had good luck with pressed mineral blush from GloMinerals. This blush has a very nice, neutral rosy tone with a hint of shimmer, but no glitter, and it suits my skintone (light/medium neutral, leaning towards yellow) well. However, it is less pigmented than I had expected, and the lasting power is astonishingly poor; it fades within a few hours, even on my dry skin. I've never had that problem with a blush before, not even with cream blushes. So I won't repurchase. *edit* I had to change my review; a year on, and I find myself reaching for this blush more often than for any others, and I really like the colour, which seems to suit all types of make ups, from natural/minimalistic and to full face with smokey eyes. So I will definitely repurchase once I run out, which will still take some time.
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Lotions/ Creams -Weleda - Mallow Body Lotion
Nemea 2/18/2008 7:37:00 AM
I have tried a few products from Weleda over the years, and some of them have become staples in my closet, for instance the Everon lipbalm and the Sea Buckthorn shower gel. This lotion is also worth mentioning, as it is quite hydrating, sinks in quickly, and smells great. My skin is dry/very dry with a tendency to exzema and itching, particularly on the shins, but this lotion does a good job of calming and moisturizing, but it does not work as well as some more heavy-duty creams from the pharmacy. Unfortunately, the price of this lotion is quite high, at least here in Norway, so I will keep it as a treat instead of using it as my daily no. 1 body lotion.
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Cleansers -MAC - Cleanse Off Oil
Nemea 1/5/2008 5:45:00 PM
I really like this cleanser for my dry skin. It smells nice, is quite light, and removes even stubborn mascara without irritating my skin. However, I find the pump a bit unreliable, and I also find myself going through the bottle rather quickly; after a month, half of the content is gone, after once-a-day use. But despite these minor details, I will definitely repurchase, although I have to test Decleor first.
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Lotions/ Creams -Nuxe - Reve de Miel Hand & Nail Cream
Nemea 1/5/2008 5:42:00 PM
Again, I am sorry to rain on the parade here, but I find this handcream rather mediocre. It absorbs well, but that's also where the problem lies; it completely disappears, and I have to reapply very frequently. Also, I am not a fan of the smell, which is nice, but far too strong.
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Lip Treatments -Nuxe - Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm with Honey and Precious Oils
Nemea 1/5/2008 5:39:00 PM
This lip balm didn't quite live up to my (too?) high expectations, but then again, what does? It is nice and smooth, smells lovely, but I don't find it as moisturizing as I would wish for it to be. Rather, it can have a tendency to dry my lips out. I will probably be using it on-off, until I get around to buying my HG Weleda Everon.
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Treatments (Eye) -Christian Dior - Capture R60/80 First Wrinkles Smoothing Eye Creme
Nemea 1/1/2008 3:27:00 PM
I was browsing the duty free, and was recommended this joke of an eye cream when I asked specifically for something rich and creamy. Well, it is neither particularly rich, nor is it creamy. Rather, it is a quite light eyecream, and ridiculously perfumed to be an eye cream. I can sense the smell of it hours after I have put it on, although it hasn't caused any adverse reactions. But it hasn't caused anything else, either. I will probably use it up, because it was expensive, but I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy. Or maybe, upon second consideration, I would?
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Christian Dior - Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips and Eyes
Nemea 1/1/2008 3:06:00 PM
This is a very nice cleansing milk and make up remover, but the name "gelee" is a misnomer, IMO, since it is neither clear, nor does it foam up. Instead, it is a very nice, slippery (silicone-based?) cleansing milk which doubles up as an eye makeup remover. The only concern I have, is that it is a bit too heavily perfumed, but I've had no problems with that. I will buy another bottle when I run out, and use it as an eyemakeup- remover.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Estee Lauder - Day Wear Plus SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer [REFORMULATED]
Nemea 12/30/2007 12:22:00 PM
This is yet another tinted moisturizer which is OK, but nothing special. I like the fact that it is not greasy, and that it dries down to a natural finish, but even with moisturizer underneath, I find that it is a bit drying on my dry, sensitive skin. Also, I don't like the smell of it, and I have come to suspect that my skin doesn't like the active spf-ingredient in it. I really prefer physical SS. Of the four colors offered, I have the second one, which is called color 02 light-medium. This color is pretty neutral, and a tad too light, but the next one up, medium, was far too orange/red for my liking.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Select Tint SPF 15 ] [DISCONTINUED]
Nemea 12/30/2007 8:23:00 AM
This is really a mix between a light foundation and a tinted moisturizer, which is what I have been looking for. It blends well, and after it has settled, it leaves a nice, skinlike glow, typically "Your Skin, But Better". I am normally a NC25 or 30, but bought this in NC40, which is a tad too dark and too orange, but NC30 seemed too light at the time. It will probably be nice to wear in the summertime, or when I have more of a tan. My only complain concerns the bottle, which tends to squirt out more product than necessary if you're not careful. I will probably buy this again, but then in a lighter shade.
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