Fragrances -Bath and Body Works - Butterfly Flower
DianeL 1/21/2013 7:46:00 PM
Let me start by saying I'm not a fan of BBW. I like the Slatkin candles and do like Lilac Blossom and Caribbean Escape room sprays. I stock up on these and keep on in each of my travel bags and in my purse. I also like their antibacterial hand soaps and gels. Other than the occasional bottle of bubble bath or shower gel or unless someone specifies they want something from there for a gift, I avoid their fragrances and haven't liked any since they discontinued Orange Blossom which was incredible, especially in the Purely Silk Splash. However, Butterfly Flower is the exception. I have it in everything they make. It will never be one of my top 5 perfumes, BUT I do like it. It doesn't last long unless you layer it with the lotion and for some reason, the lotion doesn't smell as good to me as the bath gel and the fragrance mist but all are nice. IF you like L'Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillon, you should like this.I like to take a bath with the gel and use some in the tub to make a bubble bath. It leaves my skin scented, lightly, for 2-3 hours. If I use the lotion, it lasts most of the day. It reminds of me of La Chasse "light". It's nice. It's no L'Artisan or MPG, but it's a surprisingly nice fragrance from BBW. I stocked up since it's supposedly being discontinued.
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
DianeL 10/25/2007 4:41:00 PM
I think this moisturizer is horrible and I have no idea why it is so hyped on Sephora and in magazines. The smell is horrible!! It smells like plastic and hospital to me. It leaves a waxy coating on my face and it doesn't moisturize well either. I think it is a total waste of money. If it were 1.00 I wouldn't want it. Granted the price is good compared to many high end creams but they are so much better. I really can't express how horrible I think this product is. It's been around for a long time and I've tried it many times when I have gotten samples and tossed a full size jar the first and only time I purchased it.
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Treatments (Eye) -La Prairie - Cellular Radiance Eye Cream
DianeL 4/1/2007 2:15:00 PM
I really wanted to hate this because the price is insane. I refused to purchase it but the SA insisted I give it a try. She was out of samples so she made up a nice sized little pot of the eye cream. I usually use La Mer, Revive Eye Renewal, or Z Bigatti Eye Return. La Mer is my staple and one that I always use in the daytime because it's never greasy and it brightens the eye area. 2 weeks ago I began to use the Cellular Radiance each morning as the SA suggested. I will say this is probably the best eye cream I've used. It brightens, depuffs, erases lines and makes the entire eye area look rejuvenated. I'm dreading reaching the end of my ample sample because I know that I am going to bite the bullet and buy it.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Caswell-Massey - Beauty Nectar
DianeL 12/9/2005 10:09:00 PM
This ia the description from the Caswell Massey website: A formula enriched with three alphahydroxy fruit acids plus a healing level of vitamin E. Applied daily, Beauty Nectar can gently unveil a smoother, softer, more lustrous skin that glows. Packaged in an elegant glass bottle makes an attractive addition to powder room, bath or boudoir. Each softly frosted bottle comes tied with a delicate bow and beautifully gift boxed. 8.5 oz. Buffered Ph of less than 3. I have used this lotion for several years and still purchase it whenever I run out, which I do quite frequently since it's the first one I reach for. It has a very light, realistic peach fragrance that lightly lingers but will not compete with your fragrance of the day. The main reason that I like this lotion is that IT WORKS. My legs tend to be dry and it is the only lotion that never fails to keep the dryness in check. It is so good, that I can actually skip a couple of days and it still keeps me moisturized. This was discontinued by Caswell Massey a couple of years ago and was brought back due to many people demanding this wonderful lotion. I have tried many that cost 3 times as much and they don't perform as well. The only one that is better in my opinion is La Mer and it is ridiculously expensive and the scent is not appealing to me at all! It absorbs well and doesn't leave you greasy and it leaves a nice sheen on your skin. This used to come in an 8.5 ounce frosted glass bottle, however now it is the same bottle only plastic. I wasn't disappointed when they changed it because I dropped a bottle once and of course it shattered and made a huge mess. At 20.00 for 8.5 ounces, it is a great buy, since a little goes a long way. http://www.caswellmassey.com/images/us//local/products/legacy/BeautyNectar/beautynectarltn-
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Mascara -Giorgio Armani - Star Lash
DianeL 6/20/2005 7:53:00 PM
This is a great everyday mascara when you want natual, glossy lashes with little thickening or lengthening. I love the little brush, very easy to use and separates perfectly. It does tend ot smudge on lower lashes but it makes my lashes glossy and well separated. Very understated even if you apply 2-3 coats. It is very gentle on the eyelashes and does not dry them out like others. A decent mascara but pricey for what you get. Much prefer Shu Uemera Fiber Xtension. I am on my 4th tube of this and probably will repurchase it. I like this for times when I feel like natural looking lashes.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Mascara
DianeL 6/20/2005 7:44:00 PM
I really don't like to disagree when so many seem to love this...but. I hated everything about this mascara. It smudges, it clumps, the big fat brush is hard to use. Ugh. Then to top it off, it irritated my eyes. Also, it tends to dry out when there is about half left. I also did not like the lack of glossiness that makes you look like you have healthy lashes. The black had a flat look. Big disappointment from Dior. I also tried the new waterproof verssion...it smudged and had all of the same faults as the original except that I did not get irritation from it. In my opinion, save your money. Get YSL Faux Cils and even better, Shu-Uemera Fiber Xtension.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - DiorShow Mascara Waterproof
DianeL 6/20/2005 7:36:00 PM
A waste of money in my opinion. I had to try it and thought well...maybe...sadly it was as diappointing as Diorshow. It sill smudged and it still clumped and I still hate the brush. Diorshow reugular irritated my eyes, this didn't. But it still smudged and gave my lashes that *look i have tons of mascara on* look. YSL Faux Cils thickens without the Diorsgow smudges and horrible brush. Even better for length is Shu's new Fiber Xtension. The best I have tried in years for my lashes.
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Mascara -Shu Uemura - Fiber Xtension [DISCONTINUED]
DianeL 6/20/2005 7:25:00 PM
This has replaced YSL Faux Cils as my favorite mascara. It does not thicken quite as much but it more than makes up for it in other ways. First of all, it looks very natural and no flakes. It never smudges, lenghthens, curls my lashes and lasts all day. Even on lower lashes, no smudges. Very natural looking, long, curled lashes. The brush is fabulous. Separates, curls and easy to use with no smudges. I use 2 coats for a more dramatic look. Do both coats on one eye then move to the other. If you let it dry then it can be harder to apply the second coat. Another thing that I noticed that was my eyelashes seem healthier and longer than when I used Faux Cils. Faux Cils always gets gooey and unusable when it is about half gone. Same with Dior Show only it dried out faster and irritated my eyes. Plus I hated the big, fat brush. Fiber Extension stays good to the end. I am on my 3rd tube and still loving it. I always use the Shu eyelash conditioner at night and try to remember to use it in the AM before I put Fiber Extension on. My lashes have never looked better. I have only tried the Black but the bronze color has me curious.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Shu Uemura - #10 Handy Sable Brush
DianeL 6/20/2005 7:01:00 PM
A bit expensive at $67.00 but worth every cent. This by far the queen of all eyeshadow brushes if you do not want to slurge on the Kalinsky #11 or #15, which retail for $135.00 and $270.00. Nothing else begins to compare. It's versatility is fantastic. It is soft sable, but not too soft and perfectly shaped. It is perfect for eyeshadows and it is shaped so that I can actually use the tip as a push brush for lining if it's the only one I have with me. It's short so it is very easy to use and fits into most makeup bags that you carry in your purse. For applying powder eyeshadow, using in the crease...perfection. If I could have only one brush for eyes, this would be it. In a pinch, this one will work for almost everything.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Bobbi Brown - Beach
DianeL 6/19/2005 1:38:00 PM
Finally!!! At last!!! Bobbi Brown managed to put Coppertone and Bain de Soleil into a fragrance bottle. Contains sand jasmine, sea spray and mandarin. Don't expect heavy coconut like many suntan lotions. This is fresh, clean and not at all over powering. The perfect summertime fragrance. I expected another poor attempt and I was elated when I smelled it. When first applied it the jasmine is strong, but the dry down is rapid and perfect. Now, I do have 3 complaints but I will still give it a 5 because of how much I love the fragrance and because someone finally got it right. The bottle is cheap looking and plain and the atomizer on mine is flimsy and hard to use. Maybe this was a bad one, we will see since I certainly intend to purchase this forever. Secondly the lasting power is not great. Better than almost all Demeters but still, not great. Thirdly I think 35.00 for an ounce is too much since it is not all that long lasting. I don't mind reapplying but I sure wish that they would do an EDP. I would rather pay more than have to apply every 4 hours. On me, it lasts about 6-7 hours but after 4 it is very faint. Bobbbi Brown... Thank you for ending my elusive Coppertone in a bottle search. :) Purchased ar Nordstom. They only had the small size in stock. 35.00 for 1 ounce.
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Polishes -OPI - Senorita Rose-alita
DianeL 7/13/2004 8:46:00 PM
Gorgeous color. One of my favorites. Looks great on toes or nails. This is a rosy color with a hint of gold in it. It is one of the prettiest colors I have ever used and is perfect for my skin tone. Not too dark, not too light, not too much purple,not too red, no orange, just a beautiful golden rose. Hard to describe this, you almost have to see it. Wears fabulously as do most of OPI's.
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Treatments -Brocato - Constructor
DianeL 6/28/2004 1:30:00 AM
This is for use before or after color or highlighting. Also can be used when in need of a deep conditioner. I hated this. It left my hair heavy, with no shine at all. The scent is not that great either. Not offensive but not nice. You have to really shake this up before you use it each time and even then it has a funny consistency. It tends to separate and if you don't shake it well it comes out in a slimy, globby mess. Keratase and Phytocitrus put this to shame. I could have bought 20 drugstore products that worked better than this. I doubt that I would purchase any more Brocato products since this one was so awful.
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Conditioner -Kerastase - Lait Vital Proteine
DianeL 6/28/2004 1:20:00 AM
Lait Vital Protein is a great moisturizing protein conditoner. This is an after shampoo, leave on a few moments and rinse. I use this after every shampoo and between deeper conditioning treatments. If you want silkiness and shine without sacrificing body, this is the one. It never weighs my hair down or tends to build up. It comes in a big 6.8 ounce tube and you only need a little. It lasts me over 6 months but I do use a few other products as well. I have yet to find a Kerastase product that did not far exceed my expectations. My holy grail line of hair products. I could have saved a lot of money buying hair products I was half way satisfied with if I had found this first. Love it!
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Treatments -Kerastase - Aqua-Oleum
DianeL 6/28/2004 1:13:00 AM
Aqua Oleum is the *Main Attraction* from Kerastase!! This is the treatment very pricey salons use for $100. per treatment. The other Kerastase products I use are nothing short of fabulous but this it the blue ribbon winner for certain. You have to try it to believe it. Kerastase describes it as a nourishing, recharge treatment. It combines the richess of jojoba and avocada oils with water. The ultra fine emulsion allows the active ingredients to penetrate the hair immediately. It is instantaneous and long lasting (about a 6 weeks for me).It leaves my hair soft and silky with incredible body and shine. It seriously is like having a new head of hair. Fabulous product! I buy the 4 pack. You get four vials that you attach to the spray bottle that comes with the 4 vial set. Shampoo, towel dry, apply. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse. I find that a heat cap is not needed with this and makes no difference. I get 2 treatments per vial but one vial is supposed to be one treatment. If you hair is very long and thick, you probably should use the entire vial. If you have short hair, you can probably get 3-4 treatments from each vial. Ebay has some great deals. Just keep trying, you will eventually get one at a good price. This is worth the price. There is nothing else like it in my opinon.
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Masquintense
DianeL 6/28/2004 12:55:00 AM
Masquintense is my favorite deep conditoning treatment with our without a heat cap. I use it both ways. The only other one that I use that compares is Phytocitrus mask. The Kerastase gives more shine, the Phytocitrus a bit more body. This makes your hair feel as if you have had an expensive slaon treatment. I think it works better with heat but I use it both ways. If you highlight or color your hair, I think this is the best you can buy. Shine, body, like a new head of hair. I love it! You can find good buys on Ebay from a couple of sellers. There are also a couple of websites that sell the larger size which is more economical.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No