Fragrances -Lorenzo Villoresi - Piper Nigrum
AliceHolst 6/14/2004 11:43:00 AM
The only two notes that I can pick out are black pepper and myrrh. Initially the pepper is a bit overwhelming - but soon the scent grows more complex and evokes the aroma of an Arabian souk. The drydown is dominated by myrrh but the black pepper is still present. A very, very interesting scent. But a bit too heavy for me.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Castelbajac
AliceHolst 4/9/2004 12:58:00 PM
This doesn't smell anything like Bounce dryer sheets on me, but instead exactly like Luden's Wild Cherry Throat Drops.
Initially there is a burst of almond and eventually a powdery musky drydown, but the Luden's note is prominent throughout.
Gave me a headache, but smells nice on others.
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Lip Gloss -Hard Candy - Super Shine Lip Gloss in Oxygen
AliceHolst 4/5/2004 1:54:00 PM
The Hard Candy website describes the shade as "sheer metallic white with glitter", and it is very sheer, with a slight blue sheen. The glitter is very fine and subtle, not obvious from a distance.
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Mister Mascara Wide Lash Curler
AliceHolst 3/3/2004 1:37:00 PM
Despite the name, this really isn't that wide. It isn't narrow, but it isn't as wide as my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. It's
much better, though!
The curler is made out of translucent plastic and is designed like a pair of scissors: two pieces of molded plastic that
operate on a common fulcrum.
It works incredibly well but it takes a while to get used to not being able to see (due to the unusual design) while you're
squeezing your lashes. (Most curlers leave an open space when the bottom half of the clamp slides up to meet the top.) It's
hard to explain, but it isn't really a big deal. It certainly doesn't stop this from being the best lash curler I've ever
used!
You can see a picture of the curler here.
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Blush -Stila - Convertible Color
AliceHolst 3/2/2004 3:39:00 PM
Convertible Color is fantastic. Wonderful shades with a smooth creamy texture that blend beautifully to give a
natural-looking glow to the cheeks. This is the best cream blush out there.
When applying to the lips, make sure to use an emollient balm (such as Kiehl's) beforehand.
20 USD (This is a new lower price.)
You get quite a lot of product for the money. I can't imagine ever using one of these up.
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Blush -Stila - Peony Convertible Color
AliceHolst 3/2/2004 3:02:00 PM
A nice neutral mid-peach color that provides a subtle, natural flush. I don't really look like I'm wearing blush, I just
look healthy.
Strangely, the packaging is a mauve shade (which is a very different color than the product inside).
20 USD
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Lip Gloss -Hard Candy - Super shine lip gloss
AliceHolst 3/2/2004 2:30:00 PM
Super Shine Gloss is highly underrated.
It has a great consistency - thick but not too gluey, just sticky enough to last through eating and drinking.
It applies well - the little brush isn't too floppy or stiff. It's just perfect! I much prefer this type of brush to
sponge-tip applicators.
It looks great - the colors are sheer but kicky. None of them are too dark, too milky or loud. And, of course, all of
them are super shiny!
Bonus: It smells yummy - like cake batter. Yum!
12 USD
me: extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Lips -Hard Candy - Super Shine Gloss- Sweetie
AliceHolst 3/2/2004 2:08:00 PM
I agree with the previous review - this shade looks great on pigmented lips. The Hard Candy website describes it as a
frosted pink, but it looks more taupe to my eye.
On the lips it's a very sheer rosy nude but gives a polished yet subtle look.
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Lipstick -MAC - Amplified Creme Lipstick (Sephora Red)
AliceHolst 3/1/2004 5:52:00 PM
This is a limited edition shade created for the launch of the MAC stand at the Champs-Elysées Sephora in Paris, France.
It's more of a raspberry/cranberry shade than a *red* red. It's very beautiful and really brings out the blue in my eyes. Striking but wearable.
It works best for me with polished but minimal makeup: foundation, curled and mascara'ed lashes, groomed brows.
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Lips -L'Oreal - COLOR MIX Trio Rouge à Lèvres (Lip Color Trio)
AliceHolst 6/10/2003 5:46:00 PM
This kind of sucks. The corresponding Summer 2003 eye shadow trio is lovely, but this is just, eh.
The two lipstick shades (Fraise Satin - Satin Strawberry and Rose Scintillant - Sparkling Rose) are goopy, almost slimy. They bleed like mad, just won't stay on the lips. That they're meant to be layered doesn't help matters. If you try to apply one on top of the other, the base colour is just brushed off completely. Arrgh.
The third color is a whitish-pink sparkly gloss that is more substantial than either of the lipsticks. It isn't bad, but it can't make up for two other dud colours.
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - COLOR MIX Trio Fard à Paupières (Eye Shadow Trio)
AliceHolst 6/10/2003 5:08:00 PM
This is from L'Oréal's Summer 2003 collection. The shades (Blanc Luminuex - radiant white, Parme Scintillante - sparkling parma, and Bleu Nuage - cloud blue) are nearly identical to a Winter (2001-)2002 Maybelline/Gemey Expert Eyes Trio, in "Snow Star".
Unfortunately, the Maybelline trio was crap. Chalky, creasy, with no pigment and even less staying power. Which was a shame, because the colours were lovely. So when I spied this new L'Oréal trio, I hoped that it was a re-worked, improved version. The tester seemed promising, so I took a chance.
Luckily, it paid off. While the shadows aren't super-pigmented, they build nicely with layering, blend wonderfully, and last the day with little fading and absolutely no creasing. Yay!
me: *extremely* fair with cool undertones; grey eyes, dark blonde hair;
extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Primer/ Corrector -Sephora - Effaceur de Maquillage / Makeup Eraser Pen
AliceHolst 6/10/2003 4:31:00 PM
effaceur de MAQUILLAGE / makeup eraser
je corrige facilement les petites erreurs de maquillage / I easily correct small makeup errors
This is the coolest product ever.
It's packaged like a Magic Marker, and you just pass the wand over any little blobs of mascara that got on your eyelid (a problem I often have), or a too-thick eyeliner line, and presto! it's as if the mishap never occurred.
Somehow it doesn't disturb or remove your foundation, either (or at least it doesn't seem to).
Did I mention that it's the coolest product ever? :)
5.90 EUR
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Treatments -BeneFit Cosmetics - repair aromatherapy
AliceHolst 6/4/2003 6:45:00 PM
This is a wonder product. It doesn't "repair your damaged skin to perfect", as BeneFit claims, but it goes a long way towards that goal.
Whenever my skin is in crisis, I turn to this. It soothes my hurting skin and, after a night's rest, or even just a few hours, greatly improves the skin's appearance.
I love it!
me: extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Treatments -Biore - Blemish Double Agent
AliceHolst 6/4/2003 6:30:00 PM
blemish double agent
forms an invisible protective barrier - ALL DAY
1 - seals in an acne-fighting ingredient
2 - keeps out dirt and make-up
salicylic acid acne treatment
An absolute essential. I panic when I find I've gone away and haven't packed this. It really does hold blemishes at bay.
Some of the other reviews criticise the product's acne-fighting abilities, but that isn't really what the product is for. A *very* thin layer, allowed to dry for a minute or so, is enough to seal out moisturiser, sunscreen, foundation, makeup, whatever - and therefore negate any effect they might have had. It also sort of *freezes* the blemish at its point of development - at least until you wash your face.
It's awesome!
me: extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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Primer/ Corrector -Sephora - Skin Smoothing Makeup Base
AliceHolst 6/4/2003 5:41:00 PM
I just got this and I like it a lot. It has made my makeup stay the day and retain its colour fidelity.
The gel formula feels slick to the touch and its application imparts a very smooth feel to the skin. It's suggested that it be applied after cleansing your face (and before applying foundation) - with no mention of moisturiser and/or sunscreen. I use it after moisturiser with SPF and still find it effective.
If I haven't exfoliated recently, the base tends to ball up and roll off, pencil eraser-like, when I apply it. Weird. Maybe it also has something to do with the fact that I wear moisturiser underneath? All I know is that it doesn't happen when I exfoliate regularly!
I am absolutely floored that sephora.com is charging 22USD for this, because it retails for 9.90 EUR in France.
I wouldn't pay the 22USD.
me: extremely dry, sensitive skin with random spots
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