Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish - New Vegas
EJMcCull 10/13/2007 6:26:00 PM
Wow - the last bronzing powder i bought was from clinique (ages ago!) and this stuff blows that out of the water! McQueen Mineralize Skinfinish is absolutely gorgeous - unlike any powder i've ever used. goes on smooth and even - isn't flaky at all, and so far - no signs of break-outs. I've been using this golden/shimmering pressed powder just above my blush to highlight cheeckbones and also dab on my forehad, nose and chin -- wow! the results are great! A very, very easy-to-use highlighter for a bright and healthy glow!! I'll definitely use throughout the fall/winter months ahead so my skin tone doesn't getting that dull, i-haven't-seen-sun-in-ages look! :) Plus, it comes in a pretty generous amount so I'm sure I'll continue use through next summer!!
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - constellation glossimer
EJMcCull 7/21/2007 3:40:00 PM
It pains me to see a Chanel product get a whopping 0% so I had to add my two cents on this one. A LOVELY color - fun, sparkly peach - that somehow still doesn't give adults that 13-year old glitter look. It's chanel magic, perhaps? How do they do it?! :) To make this tube relly worth its money ($25) it's best to apply a simple layer of lip liner (i like chanel natural - or is it neutral?) underneath the gloss. the difference is unbelievable. The lip gloss really pops and your lips look fabulous! Also, because this product is a more neutral color, the eyes can really be done up when you wear it and you still won't look overdone. At the same time, this will brighten up a flatter or casual look. You can't lose -- just be sure to use in combo with liner :)
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Conditioner -Aveda - Smooth Infusion
EJMcCull 6/12/2007 7:42:00 PM
I use this in combo with the Smooth Infusion shampoo and I'm very pleased with it. Love the smell. The bottle is a decent size for a conditioner ($20) and a little goes a long way so I'm sure it'll last me 6 months or so. It leaves my hair detangled and moisturized. There was a noticable difference after just one use in the softness of my ends. Plus, it was super humid today and trust me, NO product can tame my wild, wavy hair on a swampy summer day in DC, but this product held up well! I was assured this product would not strip my highlights so I'll update if I need to, but so far so good! I can highly recommend this conditioner to be used in tandem with the Smooth Infusion shampoo. The set is fabulous!
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Shampoo -Aveda - Smooth Infusion
EJMcCull 6/12/2007 7:15:00 PM
I'm a big fan of this shampoo. It smells similar to Aveda's Caribbean Therapy and leaves my hair moisturized and silky smooth. My hair is long and I'd normally have to fight with it when I got out of the shower, but using this shampoo and conditioner combo, I was able to run that wide-tooth comb through with minimal resistance - which means less breakage! Wohoo! It's rediculously expensive ($20 - ouch!) but it is a treat to use in the shower - like a trip to the spa when you use it. Plus, like I said I have long and thick hair and still I only had to use about a quarter size amount of shampoo. Will most likely repurchase - only gave 4 lippies b/c of the price - at least Aveda's other shampoos are $9 or $12 - I have no idea why $20 seemed appropriate, but hey - I bought it, and the store I went to said they'd already sold out once since getting 'smooth infusion' in so I guess I'm not the only one overpaying for my products -- maybe I should stop complaining and buy some stock!
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Cleansers -Oxy - Oxy 10 Balance Maximum Strength Acne Wash
EJMcCull 6/1/2007 6:49:00 PM
Thank goodness for MUA. I was this close to forking over $50+ for Proactiv, but decided to consult MUA first. One reviewer said that one of the main reasons Proactiv works for so many is because of its active incredient, benzyl peroxide. So what did I do? I searched for a cheaper product that had a decent amount of this active ingredient (Oxy has 10%). Before using Oxy, any and all "acne" products I had used (aveeno, glycolix, etc.) had salicylic acid as their active ingredient. For years I figured I was doing all I could because I was using "acne" products. I'm bummed I didn't discover this product earlier!! Oxy is awesome!! You get a big bottle for around $6. It's not fragranced, just simple. I do use a make-up remover before using it. And it works best if you wash your face for a bit longer than you're used to (probabaly 45 seconds.) I have white towels and white sheets and usually sleep in a t-shirt so i haven't noticed any bleaching/staining at all, as other oxy users mentioned. My skin is crazy - sometimes oily, somtimes dry, sometimes breaking out, sometimes clear. No rhyme or reason. This product has evened out my skin tone, reduced breakouts by about 95%, and isn't breaking the bank! I'd highly recommend trying this out before you shell out the big bucks for more expensive products. I can shop Chanel with the best of 'em but this product does exactly what it says it will: stop breakouts! And for a fraction of the cost! I had a very brief "purge" period where after about a week of using it, zits that had apparantly been lurking below the surface were forced to the suface, but it was brief - maybe for only 1 week did i have a few more zits than normal, then wala! My skin has looked AMAZING for the last 2 months. In the morning, if I get distracted I can't even tell by looking at my face where I've applied foundation! Can't say enough good things about this product. I will update if anything changes with my skin, but based on my experience, I'm guessing I won't have to!
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Fragrances -Chanel - Chance Eau Fraiche
EJMcCull 3/21/2007 9:52:00 PM
By chance (haha) I was purchasing some liquid eyeshadow at the Chanel counter (love those, too by the way!) and was given a sample of Chanel's upcoming fragrance, Chanel Eau Fraiche. WOW! I immediately LOVED it! The timing is great (March) because this is a wonderful spring/summer scent. It is truly 'fresh' and light. I knew I had to get a bottle so when Macy's got it in I went the next day (3/20 - yeah, I liked it that much!) Of the 12 bottles the Chanel counter got the previous evening, only 6 were left! I'm glad I got mine when I did ($75 - although I see this fragrance is available online now, too). I'll say right now that perfumes are so personal that I know it won't agree with every single woman, but for me, I'm definitely planning on making this 'my' scent for the next 5 months! Another AMAZING fragrance by Chanel. From the 'Now Smell This' blog: "The scent was developed by Chanel's house perfumer, Jacques Polge, and the notes include citron, water hyacinth, jasmine absolute, white musk, vetiver, amber patchouli and teak wood." From Chanel.com: "CHANCE EAU FRAÎCHE, the newest incarnation of the unexpected fragrance, now takes on a sparkling freshness. The unexpected floral bursts with a lightness and zest as notes of citrus, Water Hyacinth and Jasmine Absolute are highlighted and energized with woody notes of Amber of Patchouli and Fresh Vetiver." Currently, the scent is only available in an Eau de Toilette spray (can be sprayed more liberally and all over the body) and only in a 3.4 oz size. The Chanel rep. told me this is most likely to see how well the scent is received and then Chanel might develop more products (ie: Eau de Parfume, body wash, lotion, etc.) I hope so! If others enjoy this scent as much as I do, perhaps they're not far behind!
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
EJMcCull 3/21/2007 9:13:00 PM
I would never have picked this up if it weren't for MUA, but I'm so glad I did. There was one little box left with my name on it at Sephora and what a great buy! Goes on creamy and truly, truly helps any and all eyeshadow stay put ALL DAY LONG. I couldn't believe how much eyeshadow was coming off during the day, but after using this product the first day i looked in the mirror at work at about 4pm and couldn't believe my eyes! (literally!) My light, shimmery pinks and golds were still there! Wohoo! I'll definitely re-purchase!
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Eye Makeup Remover -The Body Shop - Chamomile Eye Makeup Remover
EJMcCull 3/21/2007 8:55:00 PM
This is truly the HG of make-up removers. I've used clinique, estee lauder, etc. and they don't even come close! I have bright white towels in my bathroom and with any other makeup remover I ALWAYS still somehow manage to get black on my towels. I found this remover by chance - it was on sale for $5 so I gave it a try and loved, loved, loved it. It lasted me 6 months, even with every day use and the chamomile is truly quite calming at the end of the day. After I ran out of this I wanted to use up some sample-sizes of other make-up removers. Yeah, that lasted all of about 2 weeks and then I HAD to go back to the Body Shop. I payed full price this time (around $14 I think), but it's worth every penny! No black spots on my towels anymore!!
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Brows -Clinique - Superfine Liner for Brows
EJMcCull 3/21/2007 8:46:00 PM
This is a quick, cheap and easy way to finalize your make-up look in the morning. Eyebrows really help frame the eyes and face so I try and shape them whenever possible. Clinique's superfine liners are no-frills, but very dependable. Try out a few different colors at the counter, and it's really as simple as that. This product is reasonably priced and also provides long-lasting, natural-looking coverage. Application is easy and the finished product is great, but best of all it takes only 30 seconds to get nicely shapen brows!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -C.O. Bigelow - Mentha Lip Shine
EJMcCull 3/21/2007 8:32:00 PM
I got this on sale or during a promotion - I can't remember which. This is a terrific lip gloss. Love the shine and the flavor. It's nice that there's a Bath and Body works in practically every mall - this stuff is easy to find and quick to pick if your purse needs a refill. Also, this gloss looks terrific on bare lips or over lipstick. I'd say get it on sale if you can because these do go on promotion every once in a while.
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Scrubs -Bath and Body Works - True Blue® Spa Take Your Sweet Time Sudsing Body Scrub
EJMcCull 3/20/2007 9:15:00 PM
I'm glad I bought this. But a warning: this is a hard-core scrub - not for the weak-skinned! Woah those granules are rough! Smell is pleasant enough - like almond extract when you're baking. I need to moisturize after using this but it definitely sloughs off any and all dead/dry skin. I'll use it throughout the spring and summer in between trips to the beach to keep my feet, elbows, arms, etc. nice smooth and polished.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Patricia Wexler MD Dermatology - No-Injection Lip Plumper with skin regenerating MMPi technology
EJMcCull 3/20/2007 8:57:00 PM
I paid $5 bucks for this at Bath and Body Works - it was on sale from something like $18 or $16. It is worth $5, not so much worth the $18 or $16. It doesn't hurt which is a major plus and gives the lips a nice shine (without being overly thick and wet looking) but in terms of plumpage, it's minimal for me. Just a nice-to-have-in-your-purse item but not one I'm clamoring for every hour during the day. 3 lippies it is!
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Eyeliner -Clinique - Quickliner for Eyes
EJMcCull 3/20/2007 8:43:00 PM
These babies are great. Cheap, easy to find, lots of colors, and overall a good staple product for your collection. I've had multiple colors of quickliner (black/brown, roast coffee, etc.) and have never been disappointed. Watch out that the cap doesn't crack under your other piles of make-up. Other than that, have fun utilizing the smudger sponge tip - these are quick and easy!
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Concealers -Laura Mercier - Secret Concealer
EJMcCull 3/20/2007 8:30:00 PM
Love, love, love this product. At first I thought, why spend the money on under-eye concealer when I could just apply another layer of foundation? What was I thinking? Even though I have young skin, secret concealer instantly evens and lightens the color under my eyes and thereby brightens them tremendously. Just apply with a synthetic brush and pat into skin with two fingers. Then apply powder to keep it (and your foundation) on all day! It's now a staple application during my morning routine!
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Concealers -Laura Mercier - Secret Camouflage
EJMcCull 3/20/2007 8:20:00 PM
This product was recommended to me by the make-up artists at work (I work in TV news). I went to the Laura Mercier counter and spent about an hour there playing with make-up and I was convinced after my visit that this was definitely a must-have. It LASTS and it WORKS. This is a great alternative to liquidy stick cover ups which either crumble off or sweat off. I was told this product is meant to be worn under runway lights so it's therefore meant to stay put - and it does! To be honest, nothing works in 3-D, but this stuff undoubtedly erases the red and makes you forget about your blemishes during the day!
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