Lipstick -Clinique - Long Last Lipstick - Watermelon
123dawn 12/5/2012 3:08:00 PM
This is my second in the long-last line. Again I feel it splits the difference, being neither drying nor super moisturizing - but to me, it's very comfortable and light - I know it's there because my lips feel protected. This shade is just *so* PRETTY! Watermelon isn't quite the right name, as on me it's more pink than that. I doubt that it would work on everyone, but it's got just enough red to work on me - a tinge more pink, and it would be too much for me. So, yes, I am so happy to have found this color. I would say for anyone who thinks pink doesn't work on her, you really *should* try this. I never had problems with the Clinique tubes, but this does seem a bit more sturdy. Will buy again and again.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Long Last Lipstick - All Heart
123dawn 10/3/2012 3:33:00 PM
I tend to avoid "long-last" lipstick, as my past experience was always to find them too drying (I use a few different treatments to keep them moisturized). What a nice surprise then, with my first Clinique Long Last! It never felt the least bit drying, and remained smooth and even luxurious. In feel, it really compares with the Different line that has been my go-to formula among Clinique's line. The one drawback for me was that it tended to emphasize lines on my lips; my solution for this has been to always use my Sugar Lip Polish beforehand - the combination works for me, and I don't have to reapply for hours. Of course, the long-last means it does take some effort to remove at the end of the day. As for appearance, on me it is the pink-ish red others have described - very pretty - a red, but not jump-out-at-you red. What *does* jump out somewhat is the shimmer, which is stronger than a glance in the tube would suggest. Maybe that's part of the feel, but you should try this at the counter, if you think shimmer isn't for you. Overall, as a GWP, this was a score, and makes me want to try others in the line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment
123dawn 7/30/2012 4:55:00 PM
Passion is the latest variation on Fresh's line of lip treatments. They have a no-tint version simply called Sugar. Then by increasing color intensity, there's Rose (light pink), Honey (nude), and now Passion (Red) (love the product line so much that I'm sure I'll keep trying new shades as they come out). To be sure, the tint in each is buildable color that depends on how much you apply. I've found that Honey and Passion seem not only more intense in color, but also in moisturizing, although to be clear each is exceptional in that category. Passion is fun, but I would say it's not a red for everyone (probably better suited to cool tones), and should be tested out in the store (Sephora in my case), if at all possible. My favorite remains Honey because it is such a perfect nude, and just seems so rich - as I said in that review: it puts the *treat* in treatment, :) Maybe the difference is I hold back more with Passion, as the color is strong from the start. I'd probably say the price here should rate a 4 as a treatment, but I feel it's in line with quality lipstick - and frankly I've never come close to such a great nude, *plus* there's SPF 15, and the incredible soothing effect. I'm hooked! IMHO, you owe it to yourself to try one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - High Impact Lip Colour SPF15 - Rosette #17
123dawn 4/19/2012 8:08:00 AM
Over the years, I've been the happy recipient of many GWP Clinique lipsticks (let's face it - what is more hit-and-miss than lipstick shades?), and this one came as a "mini" from an on-line order. It turned out to be a full size, which is good because I do like it. This was my first "High-Impact" style (while I use lots in the "Different" line), and I can't be sure if they're all this way - it goes on a little drier, but then it lasts. Now I wouldn't call it "drying", but then again, I use clear superbalm at night. More surprising was the light gold sparkle over the deep coral color. Overall, it's a bit much for daytime, but this definitely found a place in my bag. I would say try it at the counter first, given all the aspects that won't please everyone. Thanks once again Clinique!
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish
123dawn 1/4/2012 9:04:00 AM
This was a bonus item in a set that included a full size Lip Treatment in Rose. I used to just do the old trick of chapstick on a toothbrush. This was a whole new world for me! It feels gritty (of course), but really is a fairly gentle effect. I could not believe the difference after removing the excess with a tissue! Younger, smoother, healthier-looking. That said, I did feel the need to follow up and apply a good treatment (my favorite is the Sugar Honey tint); it glided on so smoothly and the feeling was pure *luxury*. Only downside is a slightly weird taste while applying (so 4 lippies only), but that went away immediately after swiping the excess. This jar is small, but it seems like it'll last forever. I think every woman should try this, and be ready for a heavenly experience.
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Honey Lip Treatment SPF 15
123dawn 9/17/2011 2:04:00 PM
I've long had this love/hate relationship with the Sugar lip treatment line - *love* the products, but question the price ($22 now, I think). But with the new Honey formulation, it turned to love/love! This is the *best* lip treatment I know, and I have tried a lot. Not sure if it's the "honey", or some other ingredient, but it has this heavenly texture that makes it even more soothing, and perhaps longer lasting. Couple this with the fact that the shade is, for me, *the* perfect nude lipstick shade, and - well, you'll never see me complain about this price. Even if you've tried others in the Sugar line, you need to try Honey. Bless you Fresh, Inc.!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Clinique - High Impact Mascara
123dawn 7/26/2011 5:40:00 PM
I don't use much mascara, since I emphasize lips as my best feature. I definitely need to use some as my lashes are very light. I like this mascara because it adds definition without clumping, The brush is a little clumsy since it's so wide compared to others. But I can't say it's not working in distributing the product well. I did get some slight flaking, but that's the only thing holding me back from five lippies.
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
123dawn 2/28/2011 3:38:00 PM
For a simple lip treatment, this is tough to beat, IMHO. It's odd to me that the tinted versions (Rose & Plum) of this product have a much higher "buy again" rate, when the base product is the basically the same. I love the citrus in this version (not present in the Rose), and the fact that I can apply this without a mirror. That said, I do like the Rose version, as it feels ever-so-slightly creamier, and yet I'd caution that it is so sheer that for those of us with even lightly pigmented lips, you won't get the in-the-tube color. On me, the Rose is slightly too orange, unless I use an ample amount, and that is too expensive for that. Would likely give this five lippies if it were not for the fact that the stick is soft, as others here have noted; you do not want this in your purse on a warm day. Why is that a company like Fresh which does not have this problem with their lipstick line would have trouble making this weakness go away. I like the very solid metal tube.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Color Surge Bare Brilliance Orchid Shimmer
123dawn 1/17/2011 3:47:00 PM
Got this as a GWP, and my feeling is that this might work on a very few, but you should definitely ask to try at the counter to know. It's so sheer that I had trouble deciding whether it's purply-pink or a pink-ish purple - for me, it's the first, but so much of my natural pigment shows through. If you're going for a frosty pink look this could be for you, but the emphasis is definitely on the frost, and it strikes me as a young-girl look, definitely toward the teen range. The strangest thing was the grittiness I noticed at first, although that does fade - along with the color. It was fun to wear, but not a look that would make me repurchase.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Tweezerman - Mini tweezers
123dawn 7/11/2010 12:07:00 AM
Just in case you've never tried a top-notch tweezer, this is a somewhat cheaper way to find out that it can change your life. Frankly, I also prefer the smaller size, as it fits more comfortably in my hand, yet has all the magic grip of the so-called full size ones. As with all Tweezerman, there is free sharpening available, although mine seem to last and last, even though I need to use it every few days. The bottom line is I save money by fewer waxing sessions at the salon where I get my hair cut every 5-6 weeks. Mine was a pink polkadot version from Sephora which has the advantage of not being borrowed by SO, and it comes in a little tube with a cap, so I can keep it in my makeup pouch as it's the same overall size as a small mascara. Way recommended!
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Lipstick -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Lipstick in Desirous
123dawn 4/20/2010 5:48:00 PM
If you are looking for an HG red lipstick (and who isn't?!), you owe it to yourself to try Desirous! For me it is that exact shade of brick red that manages to be (ok - ready for Goldilocks?) not too bright, not too pink, and not too dull. (I know that sounds simplistic, but it's the best way I can describe it, since my stash has so many that miss these basic marks.) With only two MUA reviews, I turned to Sephora reviews (hangs head here in the alley), while trying to reach that magic no-shipping-charge total, and I'm so glad I did! This so deserves more press, IMHO. Now it says "lip conditioner", but it's not all that moisturizing (but not drying either), so if your lips tend to be dry, you may want a base. It does have a little of that unmistakable initial tingle of lip plumpers I've tried, so maybe that's what they mean(?) As others say, it's not particularly long lasting, but when the red seems oh-SO-right, I almost look forward to touchups. Will definitely repurchase.
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
123dawn 12/28/2009 4:49:00 PM
So what happens when you feel your lips are your best feature, and you walk into Sephora and ask, "Is there a lipbalm that really works?". Well, if you're me, you walk out with a $22 tube of Sugar by Fresh Inc. because every SA totally swears by it. And then you try it for real, and think, "How could I not have known about this?" And then a week later, you're back to buy more, just in *case* it becomes hard-to-find (made in France, so not impossible, in my experience). To me, it is that good! Let me clarify that it says it's a "lip treatment that moisturizes, repairs, and protect the lips". Put it this way - Sugar puts the *treat* in treatment! It's sooo yummy in so many ways that I want to say, just try it for a week and see - but it's $22, so that's completely not fair. First, it has an immediate smoothing, soothing sensation that I can only call luxurious. I just wish the $20+ l/s I've bought over the years felt this good. The SA said it has an exfoliating effect, and the very slight tingle might be doing that, but I can't be absolutely sure. (It is not a lip plumper, but it also doesn't have that stinging sensation - OTOH, I can say it sure doesn't hurt in that department.) I do know that an hour later my lips feel so soft and look smoother than I've had with any other product of its kind. Second, although I go for lipstick that has no fragrance (Clinique mostly), this light citrusy lime is something I now look forward to. Third, it lasts longer than any "balm" (and I've tried the usual d/s ones, in every variation) - at $22 I make sure I won't be eating or drinking for a while, because I want my $ worth. Fourth when I started to wonder if it's worth the price, I tried skipping it for a day - verdict: so worth it, IMHO, and I'm hooked. I used this overnight in comparison with Clinique Superbalm (another fav) and while superbalm may have a slight edge for moisturizing, I prefer the effect of Sugar overall . Because my lips are full (like I said, my best feature), I find Sugar lasts longer, dollar for dollar, as I went through three superbalm ($12 each) in the time of one tube of Sugar - and that includes the casual days when I don't use l/s afterwards. Even the clear seems to give a slight rosiness for me, and the "Rose" is such a subtle pink that I grab whichever one is handy. Finally, the packaging - it's the size of my luxury lipsticks (had to even make room in my clutch purse, which again speaks to my adoration of this product). The stick works like a regular lipstick (clockwise I guess?), but then the tube itself screws in counterclockwise to the sleeve. Different, but not too tricky - again at $22 I'm as careful as with my favorite l/s, so it's second nature in no time.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Butter Shine Lipstick - Cranberry Cream
123dawn 12/20/2009 4:21:00 PM
Pros: rich shine, rich feel, rich red! - Cons: this is one to try at the counter first, but then reds are a very individual thing, IMHO. This one is a deep red (cranberry yes, but more so), and on fair/medium skin is glam - just enough shine to draw attention, but w/o that l/g look that can be OTT on me. Also, if (like me) you're used to applying l/s straight from the tube (sometimes use a Revlon Erase Pen to just even things out), it'll probably be too much of a good thing (love that creamy texture, though!). I prefer a tapered tip, and this is a round/slant, which is just trickier, especially in a full coverage l/s. Soooo, a brush is a must for this one. If the color works for you, you'll love the texture, the cute tube, the long lasting look, which helps make the price feel more reasonable. Will probably repurchase - unless I finally find that HG red so many of us dream about.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Chapstick - True Shimmer
123dawn 12/16/2009 3:10:00 AM
I too am puzzled by the negative reviews. I had given up on lipbalms until I tried this one, in botanical berry - now I'm totally hooked, at least for a casual look. On me, it is a pretty very light pink shimmer, and I've even had compliments. It is so light in feel compared to any balm I've tried that, as others have said, I'll catch a glimpse in the mirror, and I just can't help smiling at how nice my lips look and feel. At the price, it's a wonderful deal, IMHO, and I recommend you try it to see which group you're in.
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Lips -Clinique - All Different Lipsticks!
123dawn 9/3/2009 4:45:00 PM
This is a review for Clinique Different Lipstick in Glazed Berry (since I couldn't figure out how to start a new individual shade category :/ ). I love, love, love this pretty pink lippie (which is why I can't figure that it doesn't have its own individual set of reviews! ) I'm generally a fan of the Different line, because as others say, they are so smooth, a nice medium between matte and gloss finish, no fragrance, and a very light feel. Some might say the downside is having to reapply, but (a) I've seen worse in that respect, and (b) I'd rather have that than the drying products that say long lasting, but feel awful. Even as Diffrents fade a little, they leave a pretty stain that is still flattering, IMHO. For me Glazed Berry is my ideal *deep* pink lipstick, for when I'm feeling girly. I do also like Bamboo Pink, which is far more subtle (nice for a serious office), but still a wonderful pink shimmer. This is more intense, deeper pink, above understated and well short of overkill. I would say there is an ever-so slight orange undertone that might not work on every skin tone, so try it first, if you can. Will I repurchase? I already bought two more in case it gets cancelled (why doesn't this have a separate listing?)
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