Fragrances -Salvatore Ferragamo - Signorina
blooiejagwa 9/26/2012 8:16:00 AM
I didn't buy, I only acquired a sample, but if I had bought it, i wouldn't "rebuy." . It'd make an easy gift for a girl you don't know too well, for her birthday or other special occasion. This smells like a crowd-pleaser to me. It's light, pretty, elegant almost, but evokes no special feelings and doesn't give me much of a reason to use it, aside from being pleasant. I just feel bland about it. . Actually, it makes me frustrated--there is a point in the "sniff" where it holds promise, kinda like with Lancome's original Tresor--but instead of capitalizing on the note or combo of notes (not well-versed enough to pinpoint what), that special bit just fades softly. it's like, a berry/rose combo, that NEEDS something a bit heavier to "hold" it and really catapult it to greatness...buuuut...nahhh, let's just fade away into sweet pleasant creaminess. Pity :(
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Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Alien Les Parfums de Cuir
blooiejagwa 9/26/2012 2:44:00 AM
As someone who detests the original Alien, as do many others (i wrote a negative review for it under my old account that got a lot of feedback from MUAers messaging me how much they agreed!)..I (cautiously) recommend this. (I can say the same of the Angel version of this line--I HATE original Angel, love the leather one, possibly more than this Alien one.) It is the same old Alien, effect of heat and dust, but softer/smoother, blended better, and the leather note is PERFECT, it gives an effect of harmony rather than the jarring, awkwardly positioned, ugly effect I think of as characteristic to Alien.This one is superior, I feel, though DH disagrees and prefers the original, and maybe you will too. I wish they gave a bigger bottle for this.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
blooiejagwa 9/25/2012 9:20:00 AM
Have used for years, stopped for a couple of yrs, back onto it for past few months. Holy Grail product. Use it for cooking also, but that's a separate jar--a 10 dollar kind from Shopper's Drug mart ( 8 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - rosehip seed oil This is a review for both my mom's and my own results using this oil. It supposedly contains a lot of antioxidants and fats/vitamins that repair/regenerate skin.
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Used on damp, cleansed skin, it absorbs well.
I like to mix it with a few drops of organic extra virgin olive oil for myself--and used plain on my mom (I usually aim to give her a facial massage twice a week using this-on weekends when i stay over-she is also SUPPOSED to be using this every day as a serum, with her SPF dermalogica cream, though she often forgets!!).
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For myself, I have found that it works to KIND OF, SOMEWHAT, refine pores. Not too much. It also makes my skin soft and smooth, but not significantly so. Big deal. i owned a bottle of this that recently ran out--have not bothered to repurchase--though i got another for my mom. I like a simple raw/organic coconut oil/olive oil combo on my skin better, i feel it fades hyper pigmentation significantly on me, it brightens+moisturizes and makes a better difference! i am in my early 20s. I tried using it on my pregnancy belly (raw, red skin, beginning of stretch marks, ugh!!), but honestly, plain olive oil works better to soothe/moisturize/heal it.
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i much prefer the results of the rose hip oil on my mother (she is in mid-40's, btw), as the difference is dramatic and visible!! It VERY significantly moisturizes her dry, dehydrated skin--especially when followed with a generic moisturizer, though that isn't even necessary. I think the rose hip helps the moisturizer "penetrate" better than when i use it alone (i keep using the "I" word because SHE never uses moisturizer on her face, she gets me to do it for her!). It also faded her patch of hyperpigmentation a LITTLE, not too much, but it made a big difference! I think it MUST naturally contain some vitamin or chemical that fades darkness, because her dark circles reduced quite a bit, by using only this. Plus it made her skin appear plumper, probably from the moisturizing effect.
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In fact, after a few weeks of using this, people (including myself) thought she was wearing foundation at a wedding, when in fact she had zero makeup on, just lipstick. This is quite a big deal--her skin used to be very bad, dry and the opposite of glowing--now it is radiant and soft. She is totally slack on her skincare routine, and rose hip oil is the only thing she remembers to use, so it could ONLY be this that made the difference! For simplicity and ease of use, this gets top marks. 14 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Elie Saab-Le Parfum Bright, cheerful, vibrant, energetic--YET not irritating in the slightest. Beautiful floral burst of honey+ roses, jasmine, orange blossom. The honey MAKES this for me, it goes so well with the other notes. Lovely lasting power and sillage, rare in perfumes these days. Sweet but not cloyingly so. SO beautiful. Not one bad thing to say about this. It actually reminds me of Michael Kors, probably due to the white florals--and also Valentina Valentino, cuz of the citrus-y sweetness. Theperfumecritic.com has an awesome review of this. 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Extra Virgin Olive Oil My aunt got me onto this--she has zero wrinkles, no lie--despite being a grandmother to 8 kids. Her skin is fresh & soft, no hyper pigmentation, wrinkles, or anything, and she is very proud of her looks. She loves to relay her "beauty secrets" to all and sundry--they really are no secret by now--1. Olive oil applied on the face after washing 2. the blue tin of Nivea cream for a daily moisturizer. So the Nivea thing doesn't work for me as a moisturizer, more for an occasional face mask--but the olive oil thing does. I like to mix it with a few drops of pure coconut oil, it really sinks in well this way. I also do the Gankin face massage (free PDF instructions on the website) when i apply. And wipe excess with a wet cloth. i have accumulated a lot of moisturizers, from Nivea, to Korres, to Elizabeth Arden, etc--so i put one of those on right after the EVOO.
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I think my skin is really perfect these days, needs no foundation--and it would be due to this routine.This is also really good for pregnancy--it soothes the skin on the tummy, which feels really raw and painful otherwise. 10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Mascara -MAC - Zoom lash This is a beautiful mascara, it delivers on volume, length, separation (for me). One coat really is enough, any more is overdoing it. I like the deep black colour of this too. I LOVE it, but no repurchase, as I have one I like equally or better already, Annabelle Le big show--it's cheaper too. If that one ever gets discontinued, i'll be sure to get this one as a replacement. It's wonderful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Eyeliner -MAC - Technakohl Liner in Uniform The way brown eyeliners generally make blue eyes sing, this dark khaki-brown shade is awesome for my brown eyes. It's soft, and the technakohl is pretty long-lasting compared to most eyeliners. I would recommend this to anyone who wants gentle definition. I love MAC smolder (hg black liner, will never stray), but after using Uniform, I find it more flattering for daytime.
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Keep in mind it fades a bit after a few hours, requiring refreshing--IF you like that graphic perfect line (i don't mind the blurred faded line, i think this eyeliner looks better as the day progresses). For my purposes it's perfect--ASIDE FROM: le price. It's reallllllly overpriced imo, and for that reason I would not repurchase. I'm supposedly on a budget, so I feel kinda guilty for springing for this. Especially as here in Canada we have lovely, reliable Annabelle liners; I'm sure to find a cheap dupe. 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Bronzers -Dr. Hauschka - Translucent Bronze Concentrate edit4: this is improving my skin for sure! edit 3: this is my favourite product ever!!!!!!!
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edit 2: i just wanted to put up a comparison, as someone below had said that Bonne bell bronze gel is an equivalent product, for less money--i own that one too.
The bonne bell comes in several colours, the Hauschka only has 1 shade.
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Comparing to Golden Tan by Bonne bell, the Dr. H one is
1. less reddish (looks more natural) 2. spreads better 3. has a strong herbal scent. 4. Nice dewy sheen (bonne bell looks normal, like your skin texture)
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The Bonne bell one makes me look a bit sunburnt, the Hauschka one has more of a caramel tone. The Bonne bell one doesn't expire so soon as the Dr H one.
They both look natural, i would prefer the Bonne bell one only as a blush/bronzer, and the Hauschka one as an all-over tint as well, or to mix into moisturizer/foundation. The Hauschka one wins for me by a slight margin. They are both great products.
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Edit- got 2 compliments on my skin 2day, one of them from my brother, who didn't notice when i had put pink streakS in my hair! He said i looked 'rosy' and my skin looked smooth, i put it down to this! It imparts a very natural bronzed colour with a sheen, no shimmer or anything. It looks so very pretty, and makes my skin feel soft. Packaging is terrible, price exorbitant, and there IS a relatively quick expiry date. This looks very pretty mixed into sunscreen, or moisturizer, like a Greek tan look (jennifer aniston). I also love it mixed with a serum (e.g EL ANR) and used all over, and powder on top. 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Bronzers -Bonne Bell - Gel Bronze-Golden Tan edit: Guys, try this as a lip tint! it works beautifully!!!!
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This is the perfect bronzer--long-lasting, blend-able, natural looking finish, and the colour is perfect for me. And it's so cheap and easily available~ It looks so pretty. With foundation, bronzer is a necessity, because my face looks "flat" and too "done" otherwise. Also, i tan very easily, and adding this step in evens out my complexion, in case the foundation has become too light.
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You MUST try applying it with a blush brush, just buffing it in circles, it will be much easier to blend & distribute evenly. The end result will be stunning. P.S. I've had the same tube for about 2 or 3 years - it is still quite full, and it never breaks me out 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Bronzers -Bonne Bell - Gel Bronze Absolutely fabulous. i have it in Golden Tan, i've had it for about 2 or 3 years, tube is still full.
1. I use a blush brush to apply, a tip I learnt from beauty editor Zoe Foster, it looks infinitely better than trying to blend with fingers.
and 2. in "3's".
(So here are the links for the tips which you guys, being makeup lovers, might find super helpful - not affil:
http://primped.ninemsn.com.au/blogs/zoes-blog/twuestion-time-how-to-glow-with-thanks-to-liquid-bronzers-and-illuminators
http://fruitybeauty.typepad.com/fruitybeauty/2007/12/and-the-bronze.html)
This colour looks totally natural on me, i am 153 "golden honey" in MUFE hd foundation for ref. Golden tan has a bit of redness to it, which suits my complexion, but the copper colour doesn't, if that's what you'd prefer. Highly recommend, this product looks far more natural than powdery bronzer particles. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Treatments (Eye) -Booths - Black Licorice Eye Cream Liking it. I'm not that old, but I HAVE been noticing the beginning of fine lines under my eyes...I don't seek out the sun, I wear sunglasses, sun protection, it could only be a case of dehydration. That is where this cream comes in. It's a decent moisturizer for under eyes. My top reasons I will repurchase: 1. doesn't irritate my eyes or 2. ball up, like Guinot and Arbonne's offerings do (they're the only other eye creams I've tried thus far--they are both far more $$ than this), and 3. inexpensive.
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Nothing fancy, a no-frills decent cream. Bit thick, so I like to spread it around--this way, I find it covers the majority of my cheeks/around my mouth area too. The people who say this faded under-eye circles: I think for those who are genetically predisposed to them (e.g. due to bone structure) or have another underlying cause (like allergies), it won't help, so keep that in mind. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Fragrances -Michael Kors - Michael ...best for me. Soft sweet and pleasant. Easy to overdo, just need a dab.
removed full review as i would prefer it on my blog ... 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Fragrances -Valentino - Valentina EDP This is beautiful. It's fresh, yet sweet & spicy too. Rather soft, not a screeching aroma. It's not particularly unique, I suppose, but it smells fresh, pleasant, and vibrant. I absolutely love this. One of my top perfumes of all time. For those who care what others think, I get compliments on this a lot. 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
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edit: i've taken to mixing this with a teensy blob of Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer for the summer. I absolutely HATED the Smashbox TM! Had it for a long time (a year? 2 years?) basically never used, as on its own it sucked & broke me out, didn't mix well with my other foundations--it would dilute the coverage or just not work well... when mixing with HD, for the first time, i am FINALLY using it up, because it works well.. the TM adds a teensy bit of dewiness/sheerness, but the MUFE HD is nice & long-lasting, with enough coverage, that they work well together. Also, not breaking out from this combo, whereas just using Smashbox TM alone, I do! Hurrah
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Oh my GOD. I am SO happy with this. I was feeling so down about purchasing it because when the SA matched my skin to 153, she was in a rush. Then I found that the reviews here varied widely between loving it and hating it, and i was prepared to find it a waste of money. Especially as I already own many foundations.
This is the BEST foundation I have tried in my life. Granted, i haven't tried lots of highly raved about ones like GA Skin Fabric or any of Estee's, Chanel VA Aqua, etc. But for me, personally? The search ends here.
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First of all, the colour match is perfect. In daylight you can't see where the foundation begins and the skin ends. It does not fade or look patchy after a while. It looks good indoors, and outdoors. It covers up any flaws, but of course I still need concealer--just, less than usual. It has a semi-matte finish which looks very natural.
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I can always mix my Boots No 7 beauty balm, high beam, or even a moisturizer if i want more "dewiness"--this makes it rather versatile. This is what I did today and my skin looked PERFECT outdoors (i checked, lol).
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My two favourite youtubers, makeupbyeman, and maggiealex8380, both use it in their tutorials, and look really good with it on, which further validates the purchase. I always loved how great the foundation made their skin look in videos, and I'm glad to finally own this item. Finally, it looks like I'm not wearing foundation but just have good skin, which is the clincher. For reference, my favourite liquid foundation before this was Dior Airflash. I loved it but I always break out from it (the kind that lie under the skin's surface) no matter how extensive my cleansing routine is. If your skin is not sensitive, I would recommend that, the finish is very pretty and natural, and it lasts all day. 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
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