Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Rouge d' Armani
Andee 4/12/2013 10:15:00 AM
I have to work at this lipstick. It isn't one I can just smear on. Without a neutral liner either applied all over the lips or as an outline and a blot and reapplication, this formula just looks like gloss on me. But putting in the time to get it right and the reward is non-drying lips that dry down to a pretty matte finish that lasts without looking caked on. To me, this is a grown up woman look, without being aging. I think there is a color for everyone.
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Polishes -OPI - Don't Burst My Bubble
Andee 3/31/2013 11:08:00 AM
This sheer did not last on me as well as other OPI sheers using the same base and topcoats that I have used with the other OPI sheers. I found the color too white. With my light, slightly yellowish skintone, it made my nails take on a grayish cast.
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Concealers -Tarte - Maracuja creaseless concealer
Andee 3/31/2013 10:45:00 AM
I bought this for a spot concealer, not for undereye as I am an YSL Touche Éclat devotee. When I bought it, the Sephora near me was not carrying Cover FX yet and the salesperson told me this was the next best thing. There was no exact match to my skintone. What I bought was a bit too pink, but I was able to blend it so that the color was not an issue. But, the coverage was just OK and it was hard to make invisible when I built up the coverage to the point that the spots were invisible. It did not last long even though I applied it on top of either tinted sunscreen or foundation and then dusted with powder, the staying power was not the best. I have since replaced it with Cover FX Cream Concealer, which I have reviewed.
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Concealers -Cover FX - Cream Concealer
Andee 3/31/2013 10:34:00 AM
I use this concealer for covering brown spots that seem to be resistant to my battery of sunscreens, antioxidants, Px retinols, botanicals, etc. I would not use this product as an undereye concealer because it is too heavy. But, that is exactly what I need for these pesky spots. Because it comes in so many colors, finding a really close match is not too difficult. My facial skin is pretty light and neutral. My current foundation is La Mer Porcelain. The yellow range of colors in this concealer was way too yellow for me and I didn't even consider the pink range. The neutral light was too dark for me. I bought the neutral extra light. Applying it with a skinny pointy synthetic brush and then just dabbing with my finger, it really sinks in and looks natural. The staying power is fairly good. To date, this is the best non-undereye concealer I have found. Much better coverage and color choices than the Tarte I had previously used.
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Treatments -La Mer - The Brightening Essence Intense
Andee 3/7/2013 11:23:00 AM
This serum has done utterly nothing for me. I do not have melasma, just a few slightly dark spots that can be covered up with concealer. I was already using a prescription retinoid in the PM and a good Vit C serum in the AM. I will finish up the bottle, but will not repurchase. Perhaps if you cannot use retinoids or Vit C, this might be an option, but if you're already using both of these, save your money and don't try this.
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Eyeliner -NARS - Rue bonaparte
Andee 2/8/2013 6:19:00 PM
This is the only waterline pencil I have found that actually lasts. And, the color is the most natural I have found - much closer to skin color. I want it to look natural, just no redness and this pencil does it.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Topix Replenix AE Facial Firming Therapy
Andee 1/21/2013 5:47:00 PM
I was looking for a peptide serum with some hyaluronic acid and without parabens that wasn't horrendously expensive to use prior to makeup application to puff up and or tighten my aging skin. The product didn't iritate and the results were minimally noticeable, but nothing great enough to repurchase.
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Treatments -Algenist - Concentrated Reconstructing Serum
Andee 1/21/2013 5:35:00 PM
A big meh for me. I take pretty good care of my skin already and it is in pretty good shape, so maybe that is why I didn't see much of anything from this serum. I'm already using a brightening serum and a Vitamin C serum in the morning and a prescription retinol every other night. I wanted something for when I get out of the shower after the gym to plump my skin and tighten slightly before applying moisturizer, SS and makeup and since this has peptides and something that is supposed to be a better humectant than hyaluronic acid, I thought this would be a good serum to try. I've gone through about 3/4 of a bottle of this stuff and I honestly don't think it would make much difference if I skipped it.
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Bronzers -Edward Bess - Daydream
Andee 1/20/2013 8:17:00 PM
When it comes to foundation, loose powder, eye shadow, lipstick, lip pencils, blush, concealer, mascara, I've tried enough of each to consider myself a connoisseur. When it comes to powder bronzer, I have only had 3 in my makeup life, one by Fresh, one by Nars (Laguna) and this. This is by far the best for me. It is not totally matte, but it has less sparkle than Laguna and it is more neutral, less yellow. I still need a bit of blush with it, but it really finishes my makeup application.
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Gels/Soaps -Alaffia - Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Wash
Andee 1/20/2013 8:02:00 PM
Been using this for a few years. I started out using the unscented, but WholeFoods was out of it last time I went to restock my supply, so I tried the Vanilla Mint and liked it a lot. Very invigorating, but not drying at all. Really, a tremendous buy, gentle and no parabens or anything else I try to avoid. I alternate with Boscia, which I love, which is slightly more moisturing, but a ton more money.
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Polishes -OPI - a french quarter for your thoughts
Andee 1/20/2013 7:46:00 PM
This is a beautiful gray and one of the few creamy polishes I can actually wear on my fingers and have last without chips for more than 2 days, an amazing feet. The quality is great. I have used Nars, Chanel and D&G high end polishes and this has better staying power and comparable pigment depth.
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Treatments -Darphin - 8-Flower Nectar
Andee 1/20/2013 7:33:00 PM
Original review (1/20/13): I got a sample first and thought it was pretty good, but I have since decided it is only fair. First of all, in order to spread a thin layer all over my face, I need quite a bit, so, using this every other night, as I do, it isn't going to last very long. It is hard to believe that my beloved CdLM appears economical next to this. My skin is nice and moist in the morning, but I don't see anything better than with CdLM. I don't think all those lovely botanicals are making a bit of difference. And, it would be nice if it came in a pump bottle. A screw off bottle makes it hard to control the amount of this very expensive oil you spill into your hand for one application. Update (4/21/13): I finished the bottle and went back to CdLM on nights I don't use my Rx Vit A cream. My skin has the same or more moisture to it in the AM and it feels plumper than with the 8-Flower Nectar.
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Cleansers -Darphin - Aromatic Cleansing Balm with Rosewood
Andee 1/20/2013 7:04:00 PM
After reading the ingredients, I had been lemming this product for quite awhile. I am a long term Nude Skin Care Cleansing Oil user. As I was running out, I decided to try this for a change. First of all, although it does remove eye makeup as well as the cleansing oil, it is not really intended for the eyes and it stings a tiny bit. I do not see why I should use an eye makeup remover too when I am already happy with the cleansing oil which both removes eye makeup and cleanses all in one step. Also, no matter how much I try to emulsify the balm before applying it, I still feel a slightly waxy residue after ringsing very well. Finally, this product leaves my skin slightly tighter feeling than the cleansing oil. And, it is way more expensive to use. The cleansing oil is $36 and lasts me 6 months or more. I used the balm, which costs $45, around 5 times and I am already 1/3 finished the jar.
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Polishes -Chanel - Le Vernis Nail Colour in Paradoxal #509
Andee 12/27/2012 4:36:00 PM
I would only buy this again because the color is gorgeous. Very sophisticated and becoming on my very pale yellowish toned skin. But, the lasting power is awful for me even with my usual base and top coats which keep other polishes for at least a few days without chips. Unfortunately, I tend to only use it for my toes because the chips come so fast.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Topix Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads 20%
Andee 12/27/2012 4:28:00 PM
I know this would be too strong for my normal to dry, slightly sensitive facial skin, but it is fabulous for keeping my keratosis pilaris at bay. This combined with after shower applications of Glycolix AHA body lotion keeps thos horrid bumps away.
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