Treatments -Philip Kingsley - Elasticizer Extreme
5lover 3/17/2013 2:42:00 PM
It took me a few tries to get the best from this product, but I am very glad I persevered. My hair is a single process blonde and it is recovering from extension damage. After using the Elasticizer, my hair is soft and shiny with lots of body. I would say less is more with this product, use too much and you will find it difficult to shampoo out, also do remember this is a pre shampoo treatment. My method is to use three or four pumps to lengths and ends before bed, sleep with it on and then add a little more prior to shampooing in the shower. The elasticizer dries like a wax so it won't make too much of a mess on your pillow used in this way. I use as a deep treatment once a week or whenever my hair is in need.
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Fragrances -Andy Tauer - & Tableau de Parfums: Miriam
5lover 3/5/2013 11:25:00 AM
As can be seen, my MUA name is 5Lover as I have always loved Chanel No 5. I have loved Chanel No 5 for many years in fact, but the modern formulation no longer satisfies like the vintage did. In my opinion, even the modern EDP of No 5 is thin, weak and lacking in so many interesting nuances and glamour that was present in the older versions. I am still loyal to No 5 and always will be but Andy's Miriam has firmly knocked it off its pedestal with its glory, it contains all the beauty and richness that I so miss with No 5. Miriam is elegant, complex and long lasting, it's very womanly and it lasts. It's evocative of ladies from my childhood that wore pearls, gloves and proper lipstick, leaving glorious trails of perfume in their wake. There will always be a place in my life for Chanel No 5, but for my '' No 5 days'', it will be Miriam all the way as it hits the spot Chanel No 5 no longer reaches. Those that hanker after vintage No 5, do try Miriam!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Unlisted Brand - Great Lengths Hair Extensions
5lover 12/27/2012 7:02:00 PM
I had these extensions fitted by a reputable salon earlier this year. Yes they looked ok but they did need a lot of attention to stop them from looking like hanging strings. I enjoyed having them but after a few weeks, I was horrified to see thinning patches in places. I checked with the salon that said this was ok and my hair was coping fine, stupidly, I allowed myself to be talked into keeping them in. I also noticed short pieces of hair the length of from my scalp to the bond breaking off and falling to the floor when I brushed my hair, when I asked whether these pieces were breakage, I didn't get a straight answer and I don't feel the salon addressed my concerns properly and that these were in fact, signs of damage. I had them removed at just over three months and I was devastated to see the state of my own hair. It was much thinner, despite the salon telling me this was because I was used to the thickness of the extensions, I know my own hair and I know this wasn't the case. I am now desperately trying to repair the damage, I have thin hair now which has lost all its body and thinning areas. It is going to take a long time to help my hair recover. I cared for the extensions by the book and I feel that this method was too hard on my hair and I shouldn't have had them done and I also should have had them removed much earlier. To anyone having these done I would say to proceed with caution, monitor your hair carefully and if you don't have every confidence in your salon, their ability not only to fit these extensions safely and to answer your questions satisfactorily, don't go ahead or go elsewhere. Or grow your own hair, natural long hair looks far better than some ratty looking extensions ever will. ETA- to call others that have had real problems with these extensions misinformed, to say that they do not understand the process of how hair grows and sheds, do not check their facts and that their experience of this product pulling out their own hair is ''ridiculous'', is really not helpful. I took great care of these extensions and really wanted them to work but instead, they were far more trouble for me than they were worth and months later I am still trying to repair the damage and waiting for my thinning areas to regrow. Let's hear the good and bad but respect each other's opinions and reviews without implying people are careless, don't know how to take care of the extensions or understand how hair grows.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Fifi Chachnil
5lover 11/4/2012 5:22:00 PM
I discovered 'Fifi' earlier this year and although it took me a while to ' get' it, it was definitely worth it in the end. When I first tried it, there appeared to be similarities to Agent Provocateur, all I could smell was the coriander, but once I got over that, I realized what a well made and interesting composition Fifi is - and how fun. Fifi opens with citrus and coriander, it's fresh and sharp to begin with, I get a little tobacco, with maybe a touch of Barbie doll plastic and hair scent, this reminds me of the way these dolls used to smell in the seventies, very nostalgic. This note also reminds me of Liddle Kiddle dolls that I used to love when I was a child. There is a hint of pepper and rose as the perfume unfolds and a little powdered sugar, like turkish delight with lemon. The drydown is a snuggly macaroon/ vanilla almond cookie with the pepper, musk and rose providing a nice contrast which prevents an overbearing sweetness. Fifi is a definite flirt, I can imagine it suiting Dita von Teese perfectly and although it can be worn with jeans and a sweater easily, I find Fifi makes me want to paint my nails that perfect red, blowout my hair and don my favourite and most sexy underwear. I find my Husband is extremely nuzzly when I wear Fifi and I get many compliments especially from men when I wear this, it is just so feminine I find men can't resist it. Longevity I find is good for the EDP, I get most of the day out of it, although it might be strong when first sprayed, once dried down, the scent is soft yet present. The bottle is very cute but make sure you remove the sprayer pump when not in use as this can make the liquid evaporate. If you want a fragrance that is exclusive, unusual and fun, I highly recommend Fifi Chachnil. Fifi makes me feel pretty and desirable and after all, that's what a good perfume should do.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Ambre Narguile (Hermesessence series)
5lover 10/16/2012 6:13:00 AM
In a sea of dreck and the downright mediocre, Ambre Narguile stands out as one of the few modern masterpieces of perfumery. How can a scent be elegant, striking and perhaps a little intimidating, yet as cosy and as comfortable as an old pair of slippers at the same time? Ambre Narguile manages it. Although reports of its strength, longevity and complex array of what to some are quite challenging notes might make one think this a 'difficult' scent to pull off and that you might possibly reek - fear not! Ellena's genius makes AN as sheer as a pair of the best silk stockings. You won't find any of the 'beat you over the head' heft of tobacco, cinnamon, labdanum, musk, vanilla, tonka etc here that you can find in lesser quality scents, AN is so well blended that this scent is as comfortable as a second skin. Does it smell like apple pie? Maybe a little when first sprayed but as the scent progresses there is so much of interest to enjoy that it is difficult to stop sniffing your wrist, just try to avoid doing it in public, which can take some willpower! It is a sheer rhapsody of apples stewed in rum, raisins and honey, with a thread of the finest tobacco weaving through from start to finish, which is always some hours away due to its quality. All the way through, AN is as smooth as the finest cognac. Can you tell I adore this scent?!? Bravo Hermes and bravo Monsieur Ellena for this magnificent elixir!
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Polishes -Tom Ford - Bitter Bitch
5lover 12/10/2011 7:15:00 AM
This polish has really impressed me. I have worn Bitter Bitch through housecleaning, caring for horses, washing and waxing my car, typing, and still over 2 days later, the polish is shiny and hasn't chipped, I didn't use base or top coat to really test this polish out. Bitter Bitch is quite the chameleon, in some lights the colour looks almost black or the colour of dark chocolate or black coffee. In others, BB is softer, as if a shot of milk or cream has been added. The closest I can describe the colour to is Chanel's Rouge Noir, but instead of RN's dark cherry undertone, BB is all about the very deep brown. Application is easy, the polish glides on and does not streak. Even with one coat, the polish was very smooth and I found two coats sufficient. The formula is sheer and slightly gel like but it gives excellent coverage. It dries reasonably quickly too. I did find it dripped off the brush so be careful with carpets and clothing, but this isn't a huge issue. As above, longevity is excellent and the shine is still very much present over 2 days later. I have noticed with some other glossy dark polishes that the finish gets scratched up very quickly like swirl marks on a car's paint. Not the case here. One criticism I have is that as soon as I opened the bottle, the brush came loose from the lid, so I have to use the brush as is. Not really a problem as far as using the polish, but I hope I was just unlucky and this isn't something that happens often. If you want classy dark shiny nails and have the budget, then I would recommend this polish.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Tom Ford - Pink Dusk
5lover 11/26/2011 5:45:00 PM
Best lipstick I have ever used. I have a problem with nude lipsticks as my lips are naturally quite pigmented and I have very pale skin, a nude is usually either too warm or too dead looking for my skin and lip color. Pink Dusk is perfect, a slightly rosy nude which is like my own lips but better, it looks very natural but polished. The packaging is fab, very elegant and the lid makes a nice expensive sounding click when putting it back on the tube. The lipstick itself is highly pigmented but still moisturizing, unlike some where longevity and color is achieved by having to put up with a dryish formula. A very nice feature I have noticed of this lipstick is that although it does last well, as it fades, it does so in a very even manner so you end up with a lip stain, no patches to speak of. I think Tom really nailed it with this one, Pink Dusk works well with a smokey eye or for a more natural daytime look, it gives you very classy yet natural lips. Don't expect much in the way of shimmer or shine from this, it is what I call a true lipstick, it has a slight sheen but no real shine or sparkle, but it really doesn't need it - I think this lipstick is just about perfect. Yes it is expensive but I personally think it is worth investing in this lipstick, you will use it time and time again. If I have one criticism, I worry that the stick itself might break easily as the width of the lipstick feels a little thin for the surrounding tube, so I do apply carefully without using much pressure. But maybe I am just paranoid due to the price!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Kerastase - Elixir Ultime
5lover 5/30/2011 12:53:00 PM
I had high hopes for this, but sadly it made my hair terribly static and uncontrollable. This is unusual for my hair as static is not normally an issue, but with EU, it was flying all over the place and sticking to the comb,I tried everything to calm it down. I will stick with the wonderful Fluide Chroma Riche in future.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -John Frieda - Sheer Blonde Color Renew Tone-Restoring Shampoo
5lover 8/31/2010 11:39:00 AM
I have tried many blonde toning shampoos over the years for my single process blonde colour and this is the best so far. It brightens and tones my blonde colour softly and does not make it grey or dull or even blue as some products have done in the past. It leaves my hair a sparkly neutral blonde and helps reduce any yellow. The only downside is the shampoo is quite drying but the matching conditioner helps, I also make sure to deep condition once a week to counteract any drying effects from the shampoo.' All in all a great product especially if used with the conditioner.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Chergui
5lover 8/17/2010 9:32:00 AM
I wish this worked for me but unfortunately the dry down smelled of creosote....Could not move past that note so I won't be purchasing.
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Fragrances -Keiko Mecheri - loukhoum eau poudree
5lover 4/12/2010 4:25:00 PM
Think pink....fluffy, powdery, sweet and rosy. This fragrance is delectable. Reminds me of turkish delight ( of course) with a bunch of sweet violets in the background. This violet stays the course until drydown where it is still present but subtle, the lasting impression is delicate and nutty, almost like a milky vanilla rose pudding with cream and powdered sugar on top. I crave this stuff and although I love the original Loukhoum and the Eau Soir, this has to be my favourite. Yum.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Victoria's Secret - Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Slice of Heaven
5lover 1/31/2010 11:17:00 AM
This gloss reminds me of a favourite from the eighties by Revlon " Blushing Gold." The Revlon gloss was a delicate pinky beige with a pure gold shimmer, SoH is the closest I have found to this. I would give this gloss top ratings except for the packaging, I would happily pay more for a tube with an applicator as I find the applicator nozzle messy, wasteful and inaccurate.
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Fragrances -Guerlain - L'Heure Bleue
5lover 7/22/2009 1:34:00 PM
Now flatly unwearable. What a pity, another of the great and glorious ruined.
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Fragrances -Chanel - No 5 Sensual Elixir
5lover 6/28/2009 5:09:00 PM
Adore this....I also find it surprisingly tenacious for a lighter version of No 5. This is perfect anywhere, especially for those occasions where you want to wear fragrance that lasts for your own pleasure but don't want it loudly announcing itself to all and sundry. Its bright, citrusy, powdery fresh and cuddly.... I will buy this again and again and again....
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Musc Ravageur
5lover 6/25/2009 3:43:00 PM
Bitterly disappointed. Musc Ravageur is a beautiful fragrance but it disappears completely after 2 hours wear. Not good enough for the price.
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