Fragrances -Guerlain - Tonka Imperiale
Arenal 4/20/2013 10:46:00 PM
One of my favorite Guerlain scents; a sublime gourmand.
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Powder -Lancome - Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup
Arenal 2/27/2013 3:07:00 PM
I've used this off and on for many years, and recently returned to it after receiving my color in a swap. I am not sensitive to scent, so I've never noticed any particular fragrance in this product. I generally use mine as a setting powder, applying with an Eco-Tools powder brush. It gives a very natural and non-cakey appearance, and lasts all day. It gives me an airbrushed appearance. Considering how long a compact lasts, the price is fairly reasonable. I think it's one of the best in the market.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Perfume Oils
Arenal 12/1/2012 12:15:00 PM
If this rating was for marketing and copywriting, I'd give BPAL 5 stars. But it's for their perfumes, so they'll get nothing close. I fell for the BPAL hype for a while, and still own more than my share of little brown bottles (I need to get motivated and sell them to buy real perfume.) Eventually, I realized that the names and stories about the scents were far superior to the scents themselves. Despite how industrious and hardworking Beth, et al., is, I do not consider it possible to create scents at the rate she does and keep coming up with new ideas. Some of her scents are quite nice, but the majority of the *hundreds* she offers are merely a bunch of perfume oils thrown together, accompanied by very engaging ad copy. The bpal.org fangirls are the fiercest of fans, and will cut you low if you stray from their belief that Beth is a genius and perfumer's alcohol is evil incarnate (and the cause of all number of conditions from migraines to dermatitis). I hope they're happy with their [very expensive] little bottles, and someday take the time to educate themselves about the art an science of the "commercial" perfumery they so disdain.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Stila - All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer - 2 Pink
Arenal 11/12/2012 5:33:00 PM
I received a mini in this month's Birchbox. It's very similar to Benefit High Beam, and I get the same subtle result. I'd prefer a beige shade [like Touche d'Eclat], but this is a decent product for a bit of quick highlighting.
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Fragrances -Agent Provocateur - l'Agent
Arenal 11/8/2012 11:22:00 PM
Sexy, seductive, spicy. It's not the sort of perfume I usually wear, but I enjoyed the incensey dry down. The top and heart notes smelled very strong and perfumey on me.
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Fragrances -Cartier - Baiser Volé
Arenal 11/8/2012 11:19:00 PM
Lovely, but unexceptional. Pretty, but conventional. I tried the EdT, and it dried down to a soft/greenish/lemony scent. My skin eat scent very quickly, but this lasted quite a long time on me. I think this would be a nice summer scent; also very appropriate for the office. I wouldn't buy a FB, since I think it's overpriced, but I might buy a small decant.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Figs & Rouge Wild Cherry
Arenal 11/4/2012 10:14:00 PM
I added this to a BeautyHabit.com order because it had a cute tin, was organic and promised to be an awesome lip balm. And I love lip balm. Definitely a disappointment. It's just not very moisturizing, and turned gritty in the tin. It absorbs very quickly, but doesn't leave my lips moisturized. I cleaned out the rest of the product, washed the tin, and now it's perfect for holding my earrings. Will not repurchase.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Avibon
Arenal 9/22/2012 8:07:00 PM
I love this stuff. So simple and so effective, since all it takes is one product for face, neck and eyes. Avibon offers all of the benefits of retinol without any of the side effects, e.g., redness and peeling. You can use this daily with no problem. Depending upon where you buy it, it's between US$27.95 - $34 per tube. Since only a pea-sized amount is needed for the entire face and neck, one tube lasts a long time. My only caveat is if you have problems or issues with lanolin or petrolatum, you'll want to avoid Avibon. If not, try it out. ETA: I'm coming up on two months of use, and love this product even more! I'm noticing a reduction/softening of crow's feet and naso-labial lines, and even minor softening of my 11 lines. I rarely, if ever call a product "HG", but this one definitely is. I wish I'd discovered this 20 or 30 years ago.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Kiehls - tinted moisturizer [DISCONTINUED]
Arenal 8/3/2012 1:48:00 PM
I think this is quite an excellent product. Because of the thin consistency, it's very easy to blend, but has better-than-average coverage. It really tones down the rosacea redness on my cheeks and nose. For less coverage, it's easy to blend with another moisturizer. I notice that some reviewers say that they consider it greasy and that it doesn't absorb well, but I've not found that. It's also quite a good buy, since the bottle is large and the amount needed is minimal. I've had not issues with oxidizing, breakouts or smell. Another great Kiehl's product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Erno Laszlo - Shake-it
Arenal 8/3/2012 1:25:00 PM
I have dry skin, so I'm not the target market for this product. Nevertheless, I like it for covering the t-zone, especially in hot weather. It leaves my t-zone as matte as matte can be. Sometimes I apply with the recommended cotton ball; other times with a flat-top foundation brush. I do wish the opening was a bit smaller, to avoid the chance of spilling this very expensive potion.
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Brows -Lancome - Le Crayon Poudre in Taupe
Arenal 5/18/2012 7:23:00 PM
Where have you been all my life?? I have at least two dozen various brow products in my stash, but nothing's ever been as easy or looked as good as this pencil. It's a brilliant combination of powder in pencil form, so application is much faster than using brow powder and brush, and more natural looking than brow pencils. I can get both brows done within 30 seconds, and this lasts all day and night. I wish I'd discovered this a long time ago. It's expensive, but a single pencil lasts a long time. Plus, it's a lot cheaper than the hundreds I've spent on high-end, drugstore, pro and every other kind of brow product. I have medium skin tone and brunette hair, and the Taupe works well for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Paula Dorf - Eye Primer
Arenal 4/14/2012 5:56:00 PM
I have a lot of eye primers/color correctors in my stash, but this just may be my favorite. I bought it from HSN in a package that included the excellent taklon brush. My lids are dry, but definitely discolored. I've used various products to even out the color (esp. Paint Pots) but a lot of the time the color is either too dark or too light.) This product evens out the color without adding an unnatural shade. I frequently use it on its own (w/o shadow) and it looks natural. Long-lasting and easy to apply.
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Concealers -Bare Escentuals - Bisque
Arenal 3/3/2012 3:59:00 PM
After trying virtually every concealer on the market--high-end and low-end--I've come back to Bisque. Why did I ever leave? It's easy to use, and covers my dark under-eye circles and discoloration. It lasts until I take it off--16 hours or more. I love the new click&go jars; no more mess. I'll be putting a whole boatload of concealers up for swap very soon.
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Powder -BeneFit Cosmetics - Get Even #2
Arenal 12/27/2011 9:35:00 PM
I use this to cover the mild rosacea on my nose and cheeks. It's quite effective in doing that, and only a small amount is required. Sometimes I use the included sponge, but a stippling or buffer brush works better. Quite expensive, but since I use so little, one compact will last a long time.
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Toners -Dr. Hauschka - Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner
Arenal 12/19/2011 4:40:00 PM
I love this product--but it's so expensive! It's more of a treatment than a simple toner. and in warmer weather can double as toner/moisturizer. I understand why it's packaged in glass, but I'd prefer plastic (fumble fingers). Like all the Hauschka products I've tried, it's of the highest quality. If I ever get back to having more disposable income, I'd definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No