Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment
CeciliaLark 2/26/2012 12:57:00 PM
I can't believe I spent this much money on a lip balm. However, this is the best lip balm I have ever used. Even better than my favorite Dr. Haushka one. It's moisturizing and non-sticky. Also not overly waxy but there is a definite feeling on your lips that lasts (in a good way) and feels very moisturizing. If you can get a sample of this, grab some right away. Otherwise, purchase this and know that you've invested in the welfare of your lips and that you'll get what you pay for. I'm curious to find out how long it will take me to use this up, but I think it will be a while. In the full-size, you get a lot of balm and each application lasts a good 3-4 hours for me (even through eating and drinking!). Despite the price, which would normally take the rating down a lippie, in my opinion, this lip treatment gets 5 lippies. It is that good. Don't hesitate and try it out!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Etude - Etude House Precious Mineral All Day Strong BB Cream
CeciliaLark 7/1/2011 6:15:00 PM
I bought this in Sheer Silky Skin. This is the lighter shade of the Etude House's BB creams. Very pink to my eye and darker than both the Missha and Skin79 Gold BB creams. More to the shade of NW20-25 at the lightest. This seems to be a thicker cream and doesn't have a gel-like consistency at all. Covers opaquely and doesn't blend into my skin very well (maybe because of the shade?). More of a medium coverage. Because of the color and the coverage, I didn't care for this that much. I wanted a sheerer bb cream and needed a yellow-er tone.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -MISSHA - M Perfect Cover BB Cream
CeciliaLark 7/1/2011 6:12:00 PM
So far, this is my favourite BB cream. My skin is extremely sensitive, combo dry/normal and smooth textured. I bought this in #13 Light Beige for my NC10 skintone. This is a very light tone than is just a wee bit darker than my skin, but blends in very well. Texture is a thick gel creme that spreads easily with the warmth of my fingers. It sinks into my skin nicely but still seems to "sit atop" with light coverage. In an hour, this oxidizes to a warmer tone (seems to start out like an NW15 and ends up as an NC15), and masks all blemishes. Doesn't cover my dark circles under eyes fully. Gives the appearance of perfect, glowy skin. Not too oily, not too dry.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Shea Moisture - Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
CeciliaLark 6/10/2011 8:26:00 PM
I love this conditioner. I have 3a, fine curls that are processed with color and dry. I use this conditioner the curly girl way after a conditioner wash (sulfate free). I leave it in my hair and then splash water over/lightly rinse my hair. My curls have never looked better! I just scrunch with a towel, add gel and air dry. What a difference this conditioner made! And the smell! I love the fragrance! I wished the fragrance lasted in my hair longer! 5 stars and then some!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Mademoiselle
CeciliaLark 5/2/2011 12:23:00 PM
I've got one word for this polish: WOW. I'm NC10-15, and this is positively the best "natural" nail shade I have ever used (and I'm a polish hoor! LOL). I wish I had bought this polish sooner! It would've saved me a lot of money. I've tried Ballet Slippers and Vanity Fair and Limoscene and Sugar Daddy...the list goes on (and this is just Essie polishes in the sheer pink/natural category). This applies the best, is self-leveling and after 3 coats I get the opaqueness I crave. It tops well with every topcoat I've tried--no shrinkage. My mother, who hates polish on, even loves this. I had to buy her her own bottle.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Top/Base Coats -Butter London - Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat
CeciliaLark 4/28/2011 1:55:00 PM
I was so cranky at myself for LOVING BL Nail Foundation. It hides ridges and visible nail lines like nothing else, is smooth as silk going on and adheres polish like a dream. It's my basecoat HG. And it's a pricey little wonder. If you're lucky enough to get it in the pack with Hardwear P.D. Quick Topcoat, it comes out a little cheaper but not by much. Nonetheless, this product does what it promises and makes my little wimpy nails gloriously smooth. Oh, and it looks natural and like my-nails-but-better on it's own too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Graftobian - High-Definition Glamour Color Creme Foundation
CeciliaLark 10/27/2010 10:32:00 PM
Everything about this foundation (in and of itself, not including packaging) screams high-end gorgeousness. The texture is a dream, mimicking perfect skin--and I mean perfect! The coverage is a variable upon application. The shade range is positively amazing--you *will* find your shade in this foundation. I'm NC10-15 depending on if I get any sun (shame on me) and I use Graceful Swan and Ingenue shades. The packaging is minimal and eco-friendly. You get a lot for your money. I think this foundation beats Armani and Illamasqua and Kevyn Aucoin--I know, I've tried them all. And it lasts through hot lights in a photo session or a run through the park. Simply amazing.
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
CeciliaLark 10/27/2010 10:21:00 PM
J'adore. And I'm picky about shadows. There's a nice assortment of mattes and shimmers and just plain ol' sparklies. I'm thrilled that this is part of the permanent collection--if it wasn't, I can't imagine the price hikes on evilbay. I'm new to Urban Decay shadows and this is a great introduction for anyone. Whether you're doing a wash or a smokey eye, this is a great palette. Five lippies and then some.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Fingerpaints Palette
CeciliaLark 4/23/2010 4:59:00 PM
I had this in "Lovely" and the colors were just that. However, Fingerpaints are a very sheer, sticky and creamy mess on my skin. Josie Maran claims this is multipurpose for eyes, lips and cheeks. On my eyes, the shades disappeared (and I loved the gold color!) to a shiny--not shimmery--tacky mess. On the cheeks, the colors once again disappeared into my NC10 skin. All colors usually show up on my whiter that white face, but not these. On my lips, the few shades that would've made a good gloss were still too chalky (looking like creme blush) to look presentable and settled into every groove and line I have. This is extremely moisturizing. If you're looking for organic, moisturizing, and little-to-know color payoffs for a high price then buy this palette. The packaging quality is gorgeous and to die for. It's tiny and compact, beautiful and shiny. It's the product that didn't measure up for me. This was ultimately returned to Sephora for a refund.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Mascara
CeciliaLark 4/23/2010 4:52:00 PM
Don't expect miracles. Don't expect dramatic length or volume with just one coat. Do expect a nice, lash darkening mascara that leaves lashes soft without flaking (although this mascara can smudge on hot humid days) or too much clumping. I have naturally long lashes and I find that I can get some added length and volume out of 2-3 coats of this pricey organic mascara. I do like that my lashes seem softer and less prone to fall out with Josie Maran's sleek-packaged mascara. Did I mention I adore the packaging?
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan oil
CeciliaLark 4/23/2010 4:48:00 PM
First, let me point out that I LIKE argan oil. Its molecular structure is small and gets absorbed into the skin very quickly. I've been using it faithfully at night and leaving it on underneath my sunscreen and makeup in the morning. However, I have not seen any miracles with my skin. No sudden clear up in acne (although I only break out monthly), no disappearance of fine lines/wrinkles, no lightening of any spots. Does my skin glow as if it's lit from within? Yes, it has a very moisturizing oil on it. That being said, I'm going to continue using argan oil. My skin seems to like it and I use it on any dry spots I have. I just won't purchase Josie Maran's oil due to its $$$$. I found out I can get argan oil for a fraction of the price at my local Natural Foods Co-Op. I'll be doing just that.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Cream Blush in Sunrise
CeciliaLark 4/21/2010 4:23:00 PM
This is a beautiful, sheer creamy blush in a universally flattering pinky rose shade. One reviewer called it "sparkly" but for the life of me, I see no shimmering particles in this whatsoever. Instead, it is dewy and moisturizing and giving me a great glow. This is one pricey blush though (it is billed as a *luxury* cosmetic) at $22 US. A little goes a long way on pale skin (I'm NC15 and one finger dab per cheek is enough). I do find that throughout the day, I want to reapply this for a fresher, brighter look.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Plumping Lip Gloss in Daring
CeciliaLark 4/21/2010 4:18:00 PM
This is, hands down, a beautiful gloss. The consistency is perfect (not sticky!) and the color is a sheer, very natural golden pink. The brush applicator is nice for placement accuracy, but could be thicker in my opinion. I tend to dip twice: once for the lower lip and once or twice for the top lip because of the brush size (it's skinny and tapered). I'd buy this again if I ever use it up (there's a lot of product). However, although a bit tingly, I just don't believe a lipgloss can plump my lips (I'd need cosmetic surgery for that to happen). The stevia extract in this gives a great (and I do mean fantastic!) flavour to the gloss, but I don't think it does anything to plump. There must be essential oil in this that causes the tingly sensation and brings more blood rushing to the lips to pinken them up more (yay!). The shimmer in the gloss also adds to the "volume" effect. I love the oils that this lippie contains--very moisturizing. It also lasts all day if I'm not munching a lot. For not being really sticky, I was impressed with its lasting ability.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Bobbi Brown - Bobbi
CeciliaLark 3/29/2010 12:18:00 PM
I've been sniffing this on and off at the BB counter and fell in love with it last Spring. When I smelled it then, I got whiffs of bamboo and sunshine on forsythia blossoms. It was spring outside and on my wrists. In winter, I abandoned BB for more incense fragrances and just found BB again now. Now, I smell a strong waft of lily of the valley, iris root, green tea and fresh cut grass...but the LotV overpowers it all. It is still a great fresh floral, with little cloying sweetness to get in its way.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Comme des Garcons - Incense Series 'Ouarzazate'
CeciliaLark 3/14/2010 11:24:00 PM
I love the Comme de Garcons Incense series...except for this one: Ouarzazate is the most feminine and sweetest of the bunch. If you want a "your skin but sweeter" incense scent, this is your best bet. On my skin it comes out as dried fruits and a barely perceive-able sweet myrrh undertone. Mild amounts of incense on my skin (my skin makes all fragrances sweet though). As a beautiful dried fruit (think unsulfered apricots, dates and figs drizzeled with honey!) scent, this is luscious. Makes men want to nuzzle the neck this is sprayed onto. If it wasn't an EdT, it wouldn't have the lightness that makes this scent so very interesting.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No