Foundations -Maybelline - Clear Smooth Gel Foundation
BEVERLYS 1/16/2006 2:22:00 AM
A nice, simple, cheap foundation. I like the small tube packaging too. The foundation works best spread on a silicon-based primer such as La Prairie's rose illusion primer or Smashboxe's primer. You have to blend quickly as it sets quickly, but once it does it gives a lovely sheer light finish. It's great if you have fairly clear skin but just want to even the tone out a little. It doesn't get oily and doesn't feel oily, but doesn't "control oil" as it claims to. A great foundation for my combination skin and I reach for it when I'm just going somewhere casual and don't mind using a cheap foundation.
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Treatments -Frederic Fekkai - Hair Mask with Shea Butter
BEVERLYS 9/6/2005 2:22:00 AM
The words "mask" and "shea butter" instantly made me think this is one super-duper ultra moisturizing hair mask. Sephora was lovely and made me a massive sample of this that was enough to last me a week.
Upon application, I was really surprised that this didn't feel like a conditioner at all - it had little 'slip' and did not feel like it was moisturizing. In fact, when I rinsed it out, my hair was really knotty and did not feel soft or moisturized. I was pretty unimpressed.. However, after my hair dried, I noticed that it was super-soft and smooth. I did apply some gloss serum for shine, but my hair was still significantly softer than normal. And it smelled great :)
From website: Vital treatment for dry, flyaway, lackluster hair, this super restorative mask contains pure shea butter, well known for its moisturizing properties. Leaves hair refreshed and revitalized. Ideal for ultra-dry, thick or unruly hair. 9.0 oz. Made in USA.
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Treatments -Aesop - Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque
BEVERLYS 8/22/2005 1:49:00 AM
I really didn't like this masque.. and I had such high hopes for it too! :( It smells terrible - both while I'm using it and also afterwards. It has a burnt plastic/rotting roses smell, which normally wouldn't deter me if the product's great - but it wasn't. After leaving on for half an hour and sitting around with a shower cap on, my hair did not feel nearly as soft as when I use Kerastase's masqueintense. It may work for someone with very thin normal hair, however I have dry straightened hair and this definitely did not do a thing.
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Treatments (Eye) -Aesop - Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Eye Serum
BEVERLYS 8/22/2005 1:47:00 AM
This gel absorbs quickly, so you need to smooth it into your skin immediately. I found the gel quite drying on my skin and did not make a good base for concealer. Also, this was supposed to get rid of dark eye circles - after 4 weeks of twice-daily use, I can honestly report that it did *nothing* for me.
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Treatments -Aesop - Sage Scalp Cleansing Shampoo
BEVERLYS 8/22/2005 1:45:00 AM
This smells really lovely - kind of herbal/medicinal. I found that I use quite a bit to wash my hair, more than I would other shampoos. Maybe it's because this shampoo doesn't lather much, so I'm just compelled to use more. It makes my hair feel nice and clean, with a faint scent afterwards. However, it wasn't spectacular for me and I would not repurchase.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Lyin Eyes Concealer [DISCONTINUED]
BEVERLYS 7/28/2005 10:52:00 PM
BENEFIT Lyin Eyes concealer
This concealer effortlessly ranks right up there as one of the top 3 concealers I've used. The click-style pen is cute and keeps air out, which is great since this is a cream concealer. 2 clicks of the bottom is all I need for both under-eye circles. I apply this after foundation and dab it on with my ring finger, blending it in. The cream formula dries quickly and it doesn't crease on me at all.
The concealer looks really natural on the skin and does not cake, which is a huge bonus. However, it does not last as long as Estee Lauder's Double Wear Concealer, which is by far my favourite as it lasts me right through to night time with no touch-ups necessary. Having said that, it is as long-lasting as other good concealers on the market.
I would recommend this concealer for anyone with light to medium dark-eye circles, and especially for those with oily skin or living in a humid climate. It's definitely better than most concealers out there. However, if you have seroiusly dark circles and want something that won't budge to the end of the day, then the Estee Lauder one comes out on top :)
FROM BENEFIT: Brush on camouflaging confidence with lyin' eyes. With a click-click of the brush you've got a lightly tinted under eye corrector that's speedy & quick. Keep it in your bag to spruce up your look anytime, with or without makeup. Comes in 3 shades
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aesop - Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
BEVERLYS 7/26/2005 11:56:00 PM
AESOP Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
This hand cream is, by far, the BEST hand cream I've ever had the pleasure of using. And believe me, I'm always on the hunt for a good hand cream since I'm indoors in air-conditioning all day!
The citrusy herbal scent is simply out-of-this-world.. it's a burst of refreshing zing which then settles into a milder scent after the cream absorbs - which it does easily and quickly. The thing that sets this hand cream apart from the rest is that it isn't greasy AT ALL. Almost all hand creams leave that I-have-hand-cream-on-my-hands feeling, which I can't stand. But this one absorbs totally! Yet, my hands and cuticles feel totally hydrated and soft afterwards.
I also use this on my feet and am happy to report that it works great as a foot cream, especially in the morning, as I can put on shoes a few minutes afterwards since it's not greasy. A winner!
FROM AESOP: This greaseless formulation of hydrating botanicals will transform even the most abused hands. Massage a small amount into clean hands for superb hydrating and softening benefits. Excellent for rough skin, cuticles and nails, this balm is an Aesop classic. May be used all over the body, and is especially good massaged into dry, tired feet at night before retiring.
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Cleansers -Aesop - Fabulous Face Cleanser
BEVERLYS 7/26/2005 11:50:00 PM
AESOP Fabulous Face Cleanser
This is a fantastic cleanser that's both gentle and effective. The only odd thing is that the clear gel doesn't foam at all.. which I find a little difficult to handle as it tends to 'slip' around a bit and I can't tell where the gel is on my face since it's clear :P That aside, the refreshing scent is divine and it makes my skin feel soft and clean.
I do, however, use a makeup remover before this cleanser. Just personal choice as I always feel gel non-foaming cleansers don't clean as well as a foaming one, so I use a makeup remover first just to be sure. I do actually end up using more cleanser than I normally would use, I think it's due to the non-foaming gel texture.
All in all, however, it's a great cleanser and really gentle on the skin.
FROM AESOP: This exceptional, low foaming gel cleanser has been formulated from the gentlest cleansing agents and is effective without stripping the skin. Cleansing is achieved with a revolutionary Olive Flesh cleanser. Complement with your preferred Aesop hydrating preparation.
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Skincare - Face -Dermalogica - multi vitamin hand and nail treatment
BEVERLYS 7/26/2005 11:44:00 PM
Extremely standard hand cream, and the same quality as a cheap drugstore brand one IMHO. It's a pretty thick cream, which means you need to allow at least 5 minutes for it to sink in. And even so, I can still feel like I've used a hand cream - which I never like. It smells strongly of sunscreen which I don't like either.
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Lotions/ Creams -Dermalogica - Body Hydrating Cream
BEVERLYS 7/21/2005 10:29:00 PM
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Airflash
BEVERLYS 7/21/2005 8:10:00 AM
An outstanding foundation, and hands-down the best one I've ever used.. though I wish it wasn't as it's really pricey :X
This comes in a metal spray can-bottle which you shake before applying. I put my hair into a showercap so it doesn't get into my hair.. apart from that, I find the spray just find, it's quite directed and doesn't go all over the place like you would expect. When I used it the first 2-3 times, it took a while to get the hang of it.. I'd either spray too much or too little. Finally, I learnt the best for me was just to spray about 10" away from my face and make sure I close my eyes but don't squish them up (or the spray will be uneven). I also make sure the last bit of the spray gently passes over my neck, to make it match my face.
Afterwards, I just leave it for about 10 seconds to 'set', then take a look in the mirror. After a couple of times, I didn't even need to touch my face to blend afterwards - it just looked perfect without having to blend or rub it in! The foundation 'melts' into the skin and gives fantastic coverage, yet you can't feel it on your skin, like you would a liquid/cream foundation. It's hard to describe, the texture is just lovely!
Longevity wise - I have combination skin that gets oily on the t-zone by noon. This really keeps it at bay and I don't have to blot until about 3pm, which is pretty amazing. Also, the BEST part is that when I remove it with makeup remover on a cotton pad, the cotton pad shows the foundation on it when I swipe it over my face. Frankly, when I clean my face of any other foundation, the cotton pad doesn't show the foundation on it - a testament to the fact that the foundation wore off during the day!! This one simply just STAYS PUT.
All in all, I love this and would most definitely repurchase when I run out. I don't even reach for the rest of my makeup anymore!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Un Jardin sur le Nil
BEVERLYS 7/9/2005 8:49:00 AM
I never really was interested in Hermes' perfumes before.. I associated them as an "old lady perfume". This particular perfume, however, is so different! It's fresh and young and vibrant.. It's a mellow citrus and a lovely fragrance. My boyfriend loves it and sometimes uses it too, since it's unisex. Crisp and just perfect. I have the full-sized on my dressing table, and numerous decants at work and to pop into my bag.
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Toners -Estee Lauder - Cyber White Clarity Recovery Treatment Lotion
BEVERLYS 6/20/2005 3:37:00 AM
While it's called a "clarity recovery treatment lotion", I would personally rename it to just "toner", as that's what it is. No whitening/brightening properties at all IMHO.. however it's a lovely water-based toner with just a tad of moisturising qualities in it, which is perfect for my combination skin. Lovely packaging and bottle!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Estee Lauder - Cyber White Calming Foam Cleanser
BEVERLYS 6/20/2005 3:33:00 AM
A lovely rich creamy cleanser.. yet leaves skin feeling super clean. I have combination skin and this works like a charm. The white cream foams instantly and has a lovely light fragrance. No whitening qualities as far as I can see though, but this is a beautiful cleanser for combination skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Yves Saint Laurent - Instant Pur Self-Foaming Cleanser
BEVERLYS 6/20/2005 3:28:00 AM
This is pretty much perfect. I have combination skin that's a bit of a handful (ie. prone to oiliness and breakouts), and this is just superb! A little goes a long way and I only use half a pump for my entire face. The soft foam isn't drying at all and has a lovely fragrance. It leaves my face feeling super clean and smooth WITHOUT feeling tight at all. Wonderful, wonderful product.
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