Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Matin d'Orage
AJC 4/29/2009 4:59:00 PM
Notes: Sicilian lemon, perilla leaves*, ginger, gardenia, magnolia, jasmine sambac, Indonesian champaca, sandalwood. I'm not that good at describing fragrances but I'll do my best. The opening of this fragrance is a rich opulent gardenia, beautiful and fresh, not cloying - it feels like leaning one's face into a freshly opened gardenia blossom. Soon (too soon perhaps on me) it develops into an interesting combination of incese-floral combo - this may be the effect of "drizzling mist that showers with flinty sparks of an impending electrical storm" the creators were going for. To me it's a lively effect, I detect more sandalwood and spices than gardenia, perhaps more magnolia... It's a pleasant fragrance, yet I do wish this initial burst of magnolia lasted a bit longer. But I do enjoy it a lot - it's simply not your classic straightforward floral, for which it gains my appreciation. The drydown on me is very quiet, here I detect more lemon and the spices continue. At the end there's not much flowers left in it on me, but it's elegant and sophisticated. *The Perilla note (often referred to as shiso in Japanese cuisine) is interesting in that perilla seeds form an essential part of the seven spices of Japan (originating more than 300 years ago in Kyoto)while green perilla leaves are used for sushi or sashimi. The essential oil steam distilled from the leaves of the perilla plant, consists of a variety of chemical compounds, varying depending on species. The most abundant however (comprising about 50–60% of the oil) is perillaldehyde ~most responsible for the aroma and taste of perilla.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Guerlain - Meteorites Giant Butterfly Pearls - W 2008
AJC 10/25/2008 12:53:00 PM
OK, this must be the BEST VALUE one can get buying Meteorites. Yes, it's USD 65 and not 51 like the other Meteorites. But the product nearly DOUBLED it's size/weight. The pearls are huge compared to the original ones (I'll try to take some pictures and attach them here for your comparison) and you're getting 60g instead of 33g of product. The pearls: HUGE! Much larger in pearl size than the original ones, but I like that ;-) Warm beige, pearly pink, iridescent white and shimmery gold are the colors, and although at first I thought they would be quite shimmery on my face when applied - it isn't so. It's another great warm-toned highlighter from Guerlain, with the signature violet scent. Housed in an oversized silvery box, with butterfly embossed on the lid - as always looks chick and classy. I think Guerlain has answered the need of fashionistas in tough economic times and gave us better value for an outstanding product ;-)
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Zoya - Juno
AJC 5/20/2008 9:40:00 PM
It's my first dip into Zoya polishes and I'm v. happy. Juno is a nice saturated iridescent purple -- I think of a purple patent leather (probably 'cause I have a purse that's just exactly that). Wears decently long but chips after about 3-4 days. I love the brush - allows for controlled and smooth application, no streaks. Will purchase other colors for sure.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Guerlain - Terracotta Tajine Eyeshadow in Blonde Metal
AJC 3/21/2008 7:36:00 PM
This is such a fabulous little number! Blonde Metal goes v. sheer and natural giving a warm coppery golden sheen to the lids. I love how it brings out the green in my eyes. And I also love that I look like I just came from the beach, rested, sun kissed and ultra sexy - my eyes really pop with this shadow, but in a very natural way - effortlessly, like I was just born with this glow. The packaging is exquisite and was the first thing that made me look at this product closer. The top spiky part is a sponge applicator that rests screwed into the lid of the compact. Then the bottom part unscrews to reveal the eyeshadow. No mirror here. The whole thing looks very interesting on my dresser. I will consider the other two shades (Brunette Metal and Dark Metal), but at USD 35 it's quite pricey for a little eyeshadow. The good thing is that it stays put all day.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Guerlain - Terracota Soleils de Legende in Orient Sun
AJC 3/21/2008 7:25:00 PM
This is another LE bronzer from Guerlain for 2008. Available in 3 shades: • Orient Sun: For a touch of pink that delivers a radiant, sheer luminosity. • Indian Bronze: A perfect golden shade to create a sensual and sophisticated aura; • Africa Rythm: Captures the beauty of intense coppery tones for a deep bronzed sheen, creating radiant effect. Each of the 3 shades has a compact with different design on the lid. Orient Sun is the one reminescent of wood cut length wise. I got the Orient Sun and as much as I don't see this alleged touch of pink it's a nice copper bronzer and it does give the promised radiant luminosity. I have to apply it with light hand but it looks natural not orangey and I adore the effect of sun kissed glowing skin it gives me. These bronzers are quite expensive at USD 57 for a 0.21oz/6g of product, but I take it will last me forever since I mostly collect bronzers and never actually finished one yet. I love the design of the packaging - looks elegant, like it belongs to expensive quality bronzer.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chantecaille - Protect Paradise Eye Compact
AJC 3/4/2008 5:31:00 PM
Where do I start? Heartbreaking price still didn't stop me from getting this product and I am not disappointed. It's a breathtaking little aquatic scene with waves and all. The large fish can be used as an eye highlighter - on my eyelids it's a pinkish gold with lots of pearlescence. The smaller fish is a deep blue-green pearly shade that I like to apply in the outer corner (for a more smoky effect). The rest of the compact is grayish-green, very subtle on the lids. Staying power is superb as well. The whole thing is encased in a quite large elegant metal compact with mirror (probably too bulky to take along when traveling). The aquatic part lifts to open a compartment to hold two applicators - one regular and one angled brush. 0.35oz/10g I said I'd repurchase, but I think it's a LE. Anyways I'm lemming the face compact now (ouch!) 5% of sale proceeds goes to the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation that funds vital research on fish sustainability and marine preserves. I really liked Ch's description of what the compact includes (and one can really see it all in the pan), so I'm quoting it below: "*two fish that represent a host of overfished and endangered species *a school of smaller forage fish, an essential component of the underwater food chain that supports bigger fish, now threatened because of their use in aquaculture *a seahorse, net-harvested in mass quantities for decorative use in aquariums and for gourmet and medicinal purposes *coral, a vital and seriously endangered organism *a graceful expanse of sea grass, a crucial source of shelter and nutrition for fish that is being destroyed by trawling."
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Chanel - 217 Splendeur
AJC 3/3/2008 5:35:00 PM
It's a very pretty elegant fuschia color with vinyl finish. One coat covers nails nicely, no-streaks. I still like it with 2 coats. It's not flashy bright and I do like to wear it both as a mani- and pedicure. Still quite a vibrant color, definitely eye-catching -- my hands do not go unnoticed.
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Polishes -Chanel - Noir Ceramic
AJC 3/2/2008 12:25:00 PM
I waited long time before writing this review but the reason is: I hardly use this NP. It's still the Chanel NP quality that I like (no chip for 4-5 days on me - hence 2 lippies) but everything else with BC is just off. Unlike with other Chanel NPs I have issues with the brush and further the application of product. Perhaps it's the consistency of this particular color, but the brush gets so narrow and feels flimsy - so the first coat is usually streaky and tricky to apply nicely (so for that 2 lippies off). The other point I had to take off for the color itself: It's really off-black, kind of faded-looking. Slight shimmer might be the culprit, or maybe it's just less pigment concentration. I much prefer the smooth deep black-blackness of Black Satin.
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Polishes -Chanel - Lilac Sky
AJC 2/15/2008 3:59:00 PM
OK, first let me share with all of you the secret I recently discovered to wearing my Chanel polish for a whole 7 days with no chips and maybe slight tip wear by 5-6th day. As a base I use a coat of Creative Nail Design polish!!! It works wonders to hold Chanel in place for days (I haven't worn it longe than 7 days just because I get bored with the color and want a change!). I have a whole bunch of different Creative colors lying around (I used to use them before I discovered a lovely range of Chanel colors). I actually don't have any of them in clear, but so far I was able to find a close color match to use with Chanel as a base. For Lilac Sky I used Creative Pink Chrome as a base - and it allowed for full saturation of Chanel color just with one coat (I see some ladies were complaining about accessive transparency of 1 coat only - not the case here with Pink Chrome as a base) - that's great, cause I can make Lilac Sky last longer, too. And on my nails Lilac sky is a true lilac - a great purplish-pink shade, just like my beloved spring flowers! A wonderful color, Ladies!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chantecaille - Aquablush in Radiance
AJC 2/1/2008 7:29:00 PM
I have finally found my way to get those glowy radiant cheeks you always see on movie stars! It's oil-free which helps with my combo-oily skin. The color is very sheer and I don't use it instead of a blush. I use my pressed Irelle in Incognito and Radiance is the finishing touch to my makeup. I apply it on my cheekbones and blend in. It's not cheap but given the little that is needed to get my glowy cheeks it's going to last long. Highly recommend for the glowy cheeks look.
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Lipstick -Chantecaille - Lipstick in Ylang
AJC 2/1/2008 7:21:00 PM
Ylang is a neutral pink which goes on super smooth giving a satin finish. Great moisture for my lips and lasts long too. I love the elegant silver metal packaging and the lipstick comes with it's little pouch too. Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffin, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Polydecene, Candelilla Cera (Candelilla Wax), Glyceryl Diisostearate, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Talc, Dipentaerythrityl, Hexahydroxystearate/Stearate/Rosinate, Ozokerite, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Ethylcellulose, Parfum (Fragrance), Propylparaben, Lauroyl Lysine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, BHT, Hydroxycitronellai, Linalool, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Amyl Cinnamal [+/- all sorts of different dyes]
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Chantecaille - Lipgloss in Nectar
AJC 2/1/2008 7:04:00 PM
I got this recently as a gift with Ch. purchase - full size. I love it for it's delicate pink-coral tint that it leaves on my lips. It's not super glossy and it's a nice change. Moisturizes well without this sticky feel many glosses have. The packaging is very chic too. Unfortunately for me I'll be buying it again and I'll check out their other colors too.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Beauty Marked
AJC 2/1/2008 6:58:00 PM
My secret for this creation Is it's wet application Honestly, like so many other reviewers before me I got sucked into getting this one by the way it looks in the pan - great purplish shimmer. When applied dry it's basically black, flat and unappealing. Worse yet the shimmer doesn't really show but it somewhat messes up the dry applied look. When I tried it wet - well, it's another story. I used a shadow brush with fine-end tip (for more control) and started with a fine line in the inner corner extending it somewhere to half the lid towards the outer corner. Aha! The result was quite spectacular: I could clearly see that the shadow was black in it's base but with wet application the purple and shimmer showed near my eyelash line and then it was blended into black. Quite a WOW for a night-time look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Veluxe - Velvet Moss
AJC 2/1/2008 6:44:00 PM
I really like this deep rich green to accentuate my hazel eyes. It's actually my first MAC eye color and so far so good. I like to pair it with my chocolate brown Laura Mercier eye color on the outer corners for more sophistication. One thing that I found trickier and different from all other eye shadows I have - with application I have to be careful to go evenly as sometimes the pigment can settle unevelny on my lids - more in one place than others. Perhaps it's due to MAC's super-pigmentation or I might just not be used to applying their color. I like their prices and the fact that they don't even bother to add those useless apllicators. Mirrors, on the other hand, I find to be usefull - but I guess I shouldn't expect that for the price.
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Mascara -Chanel - Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel
AJC 1/31/2008 11:05:00 PM
On me this mascara is not really thickening (but I'm not sure if Chanel reps say it should be) - it lengthens a bit and gives a nice looking definition to my lashes separating them nicely without clumping. I still prefer my Lancome for more spectacular and dramatic look but this one I'll go to every time I want an innocent natural look. I might purchase again, but I'm not sure as I like to try out new mascaras and Lancome is still my staple.
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