Treatments -L'Oreal - EverStrong Deep Replenishing Masque
BelleDeCrecy 3/12/2013 11:06:00 PM
This product is a HG for me. before purchasing it, I called L'Oreal to ask whether the EverStrong line contained any protein. I was told that none of the four or five product lines in the "Ever" family of products contain any protein. What they do contain are ceramides. Ceramides are fatty lipids found naturally in the hair between the cuticle and cortex in an area called the cell membrane complex. This material can be produced synthetically and is used in many hair products. It binds to the hair, filling in damaged areas in the cuticle and improving the hair's porosity. I apply it generously from root to tip on my waist length, relaxed hair , wrap my hair in a damp towel, cover it with a plastic cap and sit under a warm dryer for 30 minutes. The result is easily detangled, moist, shiny, soft and manageable hair. I also use the shampoo and overnight hair treatment ; alternating with L'Oreal's Kerastase Resistance line. EverStrong is a great product at a great price. In fact, if you think about it, the entire "Ever" family of products mirrors Kerastase. Nutritive, Oleo, Chroma and Resistance mirror EverCreme, EverSleek, EverPure and EverStrong.
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Bronzers -Urban Decay - Naked Flushed Palette
BelleDeCrecy 3/10/2013 11:06:00 AM
For me, this trio palette of bronzer, shimmer and blush works best lightly swiped and sparingly buffed on as an all over color to warm up the face. The bronzer is a little on the orange side, fairly light, and has a very slight sheen. The center shimmer brick is a cool pink champagne color and packs a lot of glow, but without big particles of sparkle. As with any shimmer product, too much could result in a disco ball look. The blush is a medium to deep rose color and highly pigmented. It has the same slight sheen as the bronzer. Only deep skin tones would need to layer the blush. Blend-ability is good, with the bronzer and shimmer blending better than the blush. I am MAC NC35-37, BB 3.5 or 4. The bronzer is visible on me in a subtle way, but not as visible as my beloved NARS Laguna. The blush is very visible, and shows up more like coral on my GGG complexion. This product is easy to overdo, especially if you have fair skin and wear foundation underneath. If you do wear this over foundation, it might be better to keep your foundation on the matte side. The blush may be too dark for fair skin, while the bronzer won't show up much on darker skin. Thanks to Obagi NuDerm, I no longer wear foundation. For me, Naked Flush a quick and easy way to add a bit of color and glow. I took one star off because IMO, to be consistent and work separately, either the blush should have been a little lighter, or the bronzer should have been a little darker. It's nice product over all, though. This is great for weekends on a bare face, when you just want to add a little polish, or to complement a "le no makeup'" look.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Tubéreuse Criminelle
BelleDeCrecy 2/15/2013 8:42:00 PM
I can't match the eloquence of many previous posters here. With the exception of Antica Farmacista's Casablanca le Parfum I'm not too much of a soloflore lover. But...as TC and Carnal Flower are well known as "sexual napalm", I couldn't resist ordering a decant of both. Suffice it to say that my hubby pronounced both fragrances as " too smelly, and not subtle enough." Note: He's normally not to picky about my fragrances. Oh well, back to Cartier's Heure Mysterieuse.
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Sunscreen -Shiseido - Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+
BelleDeCrecy 1/11/2013 9:39:00 AM
I loved and used the old 60+ ultimate formula. I hate this new formulation. It turns my medium, NC 35, GGG skin a chalky bluish white. So much so that I have to wear tinted moisturizer and more bronzer to add warmth to my face. It has more zinc oxide than the old one. This is going back to Sephora TODAY. I'm sure that this new formula is in compliance with the new FDA regulations, but it's just awful on my skin.
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Liquid -Urban Decay - Naked Skin
BelleDeCrecy 9/10/2012 11:21:00 AM
I'm surprised by the bad reviews on this product. I absolutely LOVE IT. I have it in shade 6 which is a perfect match for my NC 37, yellow toned, BB 4 -4.5 skin. It goes on smoothly with my Sephora # 55 brush and stays semi matte, fresh and clean feeling all day. It feels and looks like I'm wearing nothing. I use 1/2 a pump to give me a little color and even out my skintone. This is probably not a good makeup for problem skin. It won't cover much. But if you have a good complexion, this will make it look PERFECT. Right now, I'm loving this as much as Bobbi Brown's BB Cream and Skin Foundation.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - No.5
BelleDeCrecy 7/31/2012 11:22:00 PM
Ok, youngsters, let's get our facts straight before panning this exquisite classic. Chanel No. 5 debuted in the 1920's. The nose behind the perfume was Ernest Beaux. Google it. Though I no longer wear it, I remember dating an incredibly handsome actor years ago who went absolutely crazy every time I wore it. And no, it didn't remind him of his mother. Eau Premiere is a great choice for younger women who want a lighter, fizzier version of the original. It has a bit of vanilla and citrus to lighten things up. Fragrance tastes have changed drastically over the past century, but love ot or hate it, Chanel 5 will still be here after we're ALL long gone.
15 out of 19 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chantecaille - Ecstasy
BelleDeCrecy 7/4/2012 1:34:00 AM
Fantastic, sheer, cool raspberry pink blush with a subtle glow. Looks just like my cheeks I look when I'm a little flushed. This and Chanticalle Joy are my current favorite blushes. Doesn't turn orange on me like every Bobbi Brown blush I've ever tried.
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Idylle
BelleDeCrecy 3/3/2012 11:36:00 PM
R.I.P. voluptuous, unforgettable Guerlainade. Monsieur Arnaud has killed you off forever-- all in the name of reducing Guerlain to another of his McLuxury Brands. This is a simply AWFUL, toilet bowl smelling atrocity. I hope with all my heart that this man NEVER gets his hands on the house of HERMES.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Prada - Candy EDP
BelleDeCrecy 10/7/2011 10:50:00 AM
I enjoy wearing this because it's not too sweet and dries down to a rich smelling, vanilla based floral (my favorite kind of fragrance.) .If you like Van Cleef & Arpel's Orchidee Vanille, this is similar and much less expensive.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Carol's Daughter - Mimosa Hair Honey
BelleDeCrecy 6/8/2011 9:39:00 PM
I agree with most of the positive reviews here. Used in conjunction with Healthy Hair Butter, this product helps define and smooth my relaxed, air dried midback length hair. My problem with CD is that corn oil and soybean oil do NOTHING healthy for the hair. There are only three oils that are known to actually penetrate the hair shaft; olive, avocado and coconut. Argan oil may also belong to this group but I don't know whether any scientific studies have shown this. CD makes such a big deal about using all natural ingredients. For the prices they charge they should be using more effective, better quality oils. UPDATE- I have sworn off all CD products. They are obnoxious smelling, over priced and made with cheap ingredients that do little for the health of your hair.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Natural Finish- Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
BelleDeCrecy 5/25/2011 6:08:00 PM
If you love BB's Skin Foundation in cold weather, you'll love this for summer. This foundation is not for people who need heavy coverage. But, if you already have good skin this will make it look perfect. It has a semi matte, natural looking appearance. One half pump does the trick for me. It gives slightly more coverage than BB Skin Foundation. NFLLF lasts all day, looking even better and more natural as the day progresses. In summer I still have to blot once or twice during the day. I use 4 Natural. It seems a tad lighter than 4 in the SF formula. 4.5 Warm natural is true to color. I keep a bottle of it to mix with 4 as I get a little darker in the summer. I LOVE this makeup for summer. Highly recommended.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - CCB Cream Color Base - Movie Star Red
BelleDeCrecy 4/8/2011 11:40:00 PM
This blush literally jumped out me recently when I passed the MAC counter at Macy's. .Never in a million years would I have thought that THIS is the way my NC35 skin really blushes. (SOOO hard to be objective about these things!) After all the pinks and corals, THIS is the TRUTH. As the previous poster eloquently described, a little dab will do ya'. Add a tiny dab on the lips and you'll look like Botticelli's Venus.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - Coco
BelleDeCrecy 1/4/2011 9:49:00 PM
Great fragrance, but let's keep in mind that Coco Chanel died 1971. Coco was created by Jacques Polge, and was launched in 1984. I doubt that Ms. Chanel ever actually met Polge or smelled Coco. I think of this masterpiece as a special occasion, cold weather fragrance. I have to be in the mood for it, but when I am... it's BLISS. It also has an amazingly long shelf life. Hubby bought me a HUGE bottle of EDP in 2002 or 2003. I've kept it in my dark, cool fragrance cupboard and it still looks and smells true today.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Unlisted Brand - Blinc Mascara
BelleDeCrecy 12/26/2010 12:30:00 PM
My lashes are long and I prefer a naturaI, defined look rather than the fake lash look. I use this on my lower lashes only. The consistency is very thin and I feel that this doesn't thicken my upper lashes as well as BB's Perfectly Defined Mascara. Blinc is wonderful on lower lashes because it never smudges or runs, It's thin enough to define and lengthen naturally.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Unlisted Brand - Blinc Eyeliner
BelleDeCrecy 12/26/2010 12:21:00 PM
Absolute eyeliner HG. GREAT for tightlining from above or lining lower lash line as the thin consistency sinks in between the lashes. Don't use this on the waterline, though. It's too thin and I found it a bit irritating when I experimented with trying to tightline my upper lashes from below. It removes easily with warm water. Blinc liner will not smudge, EVER, no matter WHAT.You can easily control the thickness of the line. I have this in black, grey, and medium brown ( which is actually quite dark) I love all three colors. Grey and brown are perfect for day, while black works best at night or for photos. The only con is that you can't get a smudgy line. I'll save my Bobbi Brown gel lner for that. Also, the longish, thin brush takes a little getting used to. LOVE this and the Blinc mascara, too.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No