Cleansers -Neal's Yard - frankincense facial wash
EmmiLou 2/4/2012 8:32:00 AM
I wanted to say how much I like this product- for me it strikes a good balance between a gel based cleanser and an oil/cream. l find that the small amount of detergent it contains washes my morning face nice andclean while the natural oils leave just enough of themselves to stop my face feeling dry. I don't need to moisturize afterwards and I love the frankincense and mandarin fragrance. I use a stronger, exfoliating cleanser in the eve to get the day's grime and makeup off and always moisturize in the eve too - so perhaps this lotion doesn't need to do so much the next day. I'm on my second bottle and will keep buying it.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Aftelier cacao
EmmiLou 8/5/2011 8:56:00 PM
When I first tried this, along with a group of other Aftelier samples, I really wasn't sure. It hit me with what at first seemed to be a big punch of BITTER BROWN, and I was more keen to try the other, more immediately pretty scents. However, after sampling this several times and after nosing through all my other Aftelier samples, I feel like I've developed more of a sense for it, and my brain can break it down and interpret it and enjoy it more. It starts with a sharp citrus note with a strong, bitter chocolate. These notes sing a long with a sweeter note developing as the vanilla and jasmine make their appearance. I've been dabbing my remaining precious drops on the back of my hand at night before I go to sleep, but will buy a full bottle of this to wear during deepest darkest winter. It's pretty darn gorgeous!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Aftelier Shiso Parfum
EmmiLou 6/11/2011 9:25:00 AM
This is just gorgeous: a lovely blend of spices and green notes that is both fresh and comforting at the same time. The notes seem to rise as those from an orchestra, and the overall impression is so complex that I’d find it hard to order it into a sequence. I get clove, and cinnamon, and a sharper note I guess is the shiso. I also get, delightfully, a cola note – possibly sarsaparilla? This fragrance would be most suited to autumn, when the smell of leaves turning creates a both bitter and comforting fragrance and when walking out, wrapped in wool, feels both invigorating and warming. Although its an unusual scent and very complex, I can’t imagine anyone finding this offensive and so look forward to when I can buy the full bottle of this to envelop myself in its beautiful scent. EDIT: I ordered a full bottle of the parfum strength - the little inkwell flacon is so dinky! <3
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Aftelier Cepes and Tuberose
EmmiLou 6/11/2011 9:17:00 AM
This, on me, is a fully, rich floral. I would avoid saying 'with earthy undertones' since I generally categorise earthy notes to be patchouli, vetiver, oakmoss and dark musk. The cepes note here, while deep, does not have that slightly fusty feel that these notes have for me - it’s very 'clear', if that makes sense. It blends very well with the benzoin to create a very rich, full body and base from which the flowers bloom. Cepes and Tuberose begins with a clear, high note of rose and tuberose, rounds out with the cepes and fades to the warm sweet vanilla note of benzoin. It actually smells rather chocolate-like on the dry down. I’m going to enjoy wearing this on summer evenings, but would be a year round perfume for me, and I, unlike other reviewers, feel it is work-safe since I get none of the dirty or animalic associations. My only reservation would be the longevity, which I know is a corollary of natural perfumes. I’d rather like to decant my mini into a rollerball to make reapplication on the go easier. I tried putting a drop onto some tissue to place in my bra the other day, but while the tissue stayed fragranced the entire day, it didn’t have enough ‘waft’ for me to smell it! I will probably go from my mini bottle to a full size Eau de Parfum so I can spritz it all over and on my clothes.
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Moisturizers -Lavera - Mint Moisturizing Face Fluid
EmmiLou 1/18/2011 2:16:00 PM
I have clog-prone skin and I often get mild hormonal acne around my jaw at 'that time of the month'. I've found through trial and error that any skin product with -cones in break me out, but I do need a moisturiser for my skin after washing. This is the best I've found and just beats Phillip Thomas Roth's Oil Free Moisturiser, which I like but feels a little heavy and has a long list of ingredients. The texture of this moisturizer is actually quite creamy, but also very fine. It has zinc in it which I think my skin likes, and which keeps oil at bay for most of the day. It also holds makeup well as a base. The one thing I'd improve is possibly a bit more oomph in the acne-clearing department, although possibly this would upset more sensitive skins. As it is, the 'mild antiseptic' may or may not have an effect, but I do use glycolic 10% at night after this so I'm not really using it as a treatment. As a simple, no fuss moisturiser for combination or oily skin, its great.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Pro Skincare Brush
EmmiLou 6/12/2010 12:34:00 PM
I agree with all the positive reviews of the Clarisonic Pro - I've been using it for nearly a year. At the moment I'm using it on the highest setting for the longest duration with the Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser which works well on my combination, hormonal acne-prone skin. I wanted to add a note here about how I 'fixed' my Clarisonic after I had dropped it. I noticed that the brush wasn't working at its normal speed, it was very slow and I couldn't get it to go back to its normal speed. I tried all sorts because I couldn't work out how to fix it, for example sitting it in vinegar overnight in case it was clogged up. I thought I was stuck with a very sub-par brush, and even considered getting a new one. I'm in the UK and using it with an adaptor, so I didn't send it back for repairs (although I hear they're very good) as well as it being my own fault. I wouldn't recommend people trying this if your unit is in warranty since removing the plastic spacer might void it. However, I wanted to mention what I did in case it helps other people. What worked was removing the brush attachment, pulling off the plastic piece on which the brush sits. Underneath is a small metal rod a bit like those in electric toothbrush. Mine had been bent to one side, I guess after I had dropped it, causing it to be unable to rotate properly. I gently pushed it back to the centre and now it works properly. Result! I noticed in the three weeks it had been broken for that my skin declined - I had more spots and the tone didn't look so good. Now its back to its normal high speed, my skin is clearing up again. EDIT: I forgot to add two added benefits that I've found using this brush: running it over my brow bones seems to stimulate eyebrow growth after over-zealous plucking, and over my cheekbones under my eyes helps clear my sinuses. Both of these effects are due to the vibrations I think but they're worth noting!
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrance -Gucci - Gucci Pour Homme
EmmiLou 12/9/2006 10:46:00 AM
I sniffed this first in my friend's bathroom and thought it was gorgeous. I bought a small sample bottle for my boyfriend and it is just jaw droppingly sexy on him. Warm and spicy and reassuring. I've got him the big bottle for Christmas.
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Palettes -Stila - Orient Bamboo Blossom Palette (Spring 2005)
EmmiLou 3/23/2005 9:56:00 AM
This palette looked so cute I had to buy it! I have light skin with yellow undertones, green eyes and light brown hair. The light eye colour is a sandy beige shimmery gold, very sheer. I find that as long as I'm wearing some kind of base, it looks pretty, neutral and quite sophisticated. When applied without base to be quick in the mornings, this is too sheer to give any kind of effect, even a light wash. The pinky e/s is a new colour for me, and again, it only looks really pretty if I'm wearing base, because my eyelids can tend to look a bit pinky, and I also have dark circles under my eyes, and so if these aren't completely hidden the pink e/s looks very weird! The dark colour is also sheer, and I've used it with a wet brush for more of an intense look. I think the blush is the nicest colour in the palette, but as others have noted, apply with a light hand otherwise this looks over bright and artificial. I just touch my brush on the colour, and this way the pretty coral colour looks good and brings out the green in my eyes. All in all, I find that with base, the palette gives a pretty neutral look, but for daily use when I don't wear tm/concealer/powder, its just too sheer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Georgia ] ] [DISCONTINUED]
EmmiLou 3/18/2004 1:02:00 PM
I am definately pleased with this product! I have - and like (but not love) - Dandelion, but I much prefer Georgia. It just suits my yellow-toned skin more. I would say that they are similarly sheer, but show up more or less depending on your skin tone. Georgia is a really natural peachy powder - I sweep it on with a big brush over my cheeks, chin and forhead to highlight and it helps to keep shine away too. I love the impractical packaging! I use this with MAC piment in vanilla on my eyes and Lancome's JT in Cerise for a really nice glowy look. I think it would look good with bronzer too but have yet to try.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Stila - Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
EmmiLou 2/22/2004 5:30:00 PM
This is the best foundation I've found! I havn't worn foundation for a long time since a heavy goth-white phase in my teens and am very wary of a heavy, made-up look. But work calls for a bit more polish than bare skin and this is great for evening out my slightly reddish cheeks. Not at all oily and stays looking like it did when first applied (with a sponge) all day. Tube is great for dispensing just the right amount and standing upright for neatness on the dressing table. Good-oh!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Stila - Molly
EmmiLou 2/22/2004 5:23:00 PM
I bought this on a bit of a 'nice and bright because it's spring' whim - I couldn't resist the colour. I always wear lip colour either the same as or darker than my natural tone so this was a bit daring for me!! Molly is a lovely corally colour. It is very sheer so that the colour can be built up gradually which is great because this colour could look a bit too 80s if the texture wasn't so modern. I wear it with neutral eyes. Its definately a fun colour!! Its not an every-dayer though, and I've got a feeling the very pretty tube could get bashed up so all in all this gets a four. I don't think I'd repurchase since I will probably not use this up before I get bored of the colour!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Middle Earth Turns To Rock Soap
EmmiLou 2/16/2004 12:14:00 PM
Mmmmm.... After spending a lot of money on various beautiful glass jars of mud/sugar based scrubs, I have found this humble delight!!! Doesn't look much, but smells divine (patchouli+vetivert+lots of clay and mud = a very earthy smell). Not so much a soap, more of a treatment bar really since I use about 50g per shower/bath with this stuff and I wouldn't use it every day. Very cleansing and soothing for the evening, I feel totally renewed after using this. Shame about the mess in the bath afterwards, though...
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Bath Treatments -LUSH - Bath Bombs
EmmiLou 2/16/2004 12:09:00 PM
Super duper bath times ahoy!! I love these!! After a long day at work, these are perfect. I used to be an essential oil purist, adding my own blends to the bath, but these are a great ready mixed way to enjoy very sumptious blends. I love the water-and-skin-softening properties, too. There really is one to suit every mood - my faves are Hot Java (spicy and warming), World Peace (herbal and refreshing), The Sicilian (citrus and uplifting), Butterball (vanilla and soothing) and Absolute Delight (floral and comforting). Happy colours add to the experience, and minimal packaging is environmentally sound. Only drawback is the mess some leave in the bath afterwards...
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Cleansers -LUSH - Angels on Bare Skin
EmmiLou 2/16/2004 12:01:00 PM
Mmmm perfection in a cleanser!! This suits my combination skin to a t! It exfoliates, cleanses and moisterizes at exactly the right levels to be usable morning and night and is totally affordable for me. I love the fact that it contains lavender and rose extracts - both great for clarifying and soothing the skin. I would prefer this if it came in better packaging, however...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Origins - have a nice day cream
EmmiLou 2/16/2004 11:57:00 AM
This is the best moisterizer I've found for my skin so far. Rich enough to hydrate the dry areas of my face but doesn't lead to my nose becoming oily by the end of the day. My skin looked brighter, smoother and more evenly toned after two weeks. I don't have a problem with the packaging, but since my boyfriend has discovered the wonders of this product I have found huge finger shaped craters in the middle of it (shock horror!!) - I think he'd use it more economically from a bottle or tube... I love the fact that this has a good spf factor but I'll probably switch to the lighter lotion for the summer. A great product - nice refreshing smell too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No