Palettes -Too Faced - Matte Eye
Funkly 2/19/2013 6:06:00 AM
Love the colours, the combinations and the fact they are matt. I am not overly impressed by the quality of the product. Somebody else mentioned below that they look like dirt when on and I have to somewhat agree. It feels like you are putting a layer of chalk on your lids which quickly falls off. Sticks slightly better with a primer, but even then not great, I always feels it sits on the skin and not merge with it. Such a shame. With hindsight I would try before buying.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -BeneFit Cosmetics - "Hello Flawless!" Oxygen Wow
Funkly 1/18/2013 7:10:00 AM
I only tried and bought this because it was featured in Lisa Eldridge's Quick Brightening Make-up video. She said it was not heavy and quite dewey and was fab on her. It is, I love it. I was matched as Beige, which gives a healthy glow to my olive/yellowy skin. I normally use Becca Luminous Skin in Tan or Armani Face Fabric in 3. It is liquid and water based, SPF 25, comes in a pump. I haven't experienced any of the nasty side effects that others have been reporting: no shine, no pore enlargement or line enhancement. You can layer it in the areas where extra coverage is needed. I think I found another favourite.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Parfumerie Generale - Drama Nuui
Funkly 8/21/2011 1:08:00 PM
This is a really pretty non-indolic jasmine that melts nicely into the skin without being overwhelming. Imagine you are smelling the air near a bush of jasmine in bloom rather than burying your nose into the flowers themselves. The absinthe keeps sweetness in check, woods and musk are in the background and never take centre stage. It has a transparent feel but some warmth at the same time. The scent quietly fades away in a few hours. On the right man this could be spectacularly sexy, on a woman it has a quality of youthful joy about it. Not a masterpiece but a lovely jasmine indeed. Notes are: bitter jasminade / absinthe / woods infused with spices / musk.
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Fragrances -Le Labo - Santal 33
Funkly 6/30/2011 5:59:00 AM
Santal 33 has been launched in 2011 based on the Santal 26 candle. Looks like there was a Santal 26 scent at some point, but 33 is definitely new. The overall impression is of a milky composition, which oddly smells like fig to me, more specifically like fig leaves. As fig is not one of the listed notes, I guess the combination of the milky facets of sandalwood with papyrus conjures this impression. There is no sweetness though. I don't get much leather from this, more of a suede-like softness. Overall I would describe this as a soft, milky, moist, woody fragrance, totally unisex. Santal33 projects out a lot and although I would not describe it as offensive, others around you will be aware of what you are wearing. Also it is a tenacious little number. Listed notes are: Australian sandalwood, papyrus, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox and leather accord
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Traversee du Bosphore
Funkly 12/30/2010 3:57:00 AM
Traversee du Bosphore is Bertrand Duchaufour's lastest creation for L'Artisan, apparently inspired by a visit to Istambul. My first impression when I tested it was that of an old fashioned lipstick, with a similar vibe to Lipstick Rose but with more iris. There is no violet in the listed notes but there must be some in there to give that rose/violet/iris lipstick effect that you want to bite into. I can also smell apple especially early on and some almondy note which could be the pistachio in the Turkish Delight accord. The latter is definitely detectable and sweet, but not sickening, almost as if it was an idea of loukhoum rather than the thing itself. I don't get much smoke (although the apple reminds of pipe tobacco) nor leather. It is a fruity oriental gourmand and as such not my favourite genre, but I find myself loving this. It has the trademark Duchafour sheerness and in some parts I sense this is the same hand that created my beloved Nuit de Tubereuse. I have been wearing it not stop for 4/5 days and I keep being surprised by its complexity and by how I shouldn't really love this but I do. Perfect for colder weather comfort, excellent lasting power. Notes are: Tobacco smoke / apple / pomegranate / tulip / iris / leather / saffron / turkish delight accord (rose, lemon, pistachio) / vanilla / musks.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Penhaligon's - Orange Blossom
Funkly 7/15/2010 3:47:00 PM
I am reviewing the 2010 reformulation by Bertrand Duchaufour, which is a remake of the original 1976 scent. No idea how the two relate as I never tried the old version. The current OB opens very much along the lines of a nice, good quality eau de cologne, full of neroli and citrus notes. But unlike most colognes that tend to be quite linear and fade after the initial blast, this scent seems to acquire more body as it develops, while remaining light and playful at the same time. There is a little peach note that pops up in the midst of the middle notes flowers (mainly rose and tuberose) and a slight pencil shaving hint that I think comes from the cedarwood at the base. It really reminds me of another perfume I know and I can't put my finger on it. Overall it is a lovely happy daytime scent, easy to overlook in its apparent simplicity, like an exquisitely cut crisp white linen shirt . I am very impressed (again) by Mr Duchaufour. Listed notes: Top: Neroli / Violet leaf / Bergamot / Lemon-cedrat / Cardamom absolute / Pink berries Middle: Orange absoute /Egypitian jasmine absolute / Rose essence / Peach flower / Orchid Base: Sandalwood / Virginian cedar / White musk / Vanilla
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Ninfeo Mio
Funkly 6/29/2010 10:24:00 AM
Citrus/fig/herby scent with good body and on me great lasting power. Fantastic in hot weather when you want to wear something that is both fresh but with more oomph than a straight cologne. The milky fig and the green herby citrus play together beautifully. My only (very slight) complaint is that the lemon note is a little screechy especially on the opening, but otherwise a wonderful summer scent and a great fig.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Nuit de Tubereuse
Funkly 6/12/2010 7:23:00 AM
I simply can't get enough of this! Such an unusual rendition of tuberose: peppery, green, woody, sultry and transparent at the same time. It portrays a tuberose plant that is alive, in a lush vegetable kingdom, it shines and sparkles on the skin and has a wonderful sillage that won't kill your neighbours but is playful and not timid. The opening is packed with spicy bite and laced with citrus and a wonderful mango note. As it develops, it is stripped of some of its initial punchy notes and becomes closer to the skin. There is a perceived hint of woody incense and the whole composition sits on a lovely base. The danger element of the tuberose is however present all the time, as if it could turn into a carnivore plant any moment and sink its teeth into the unsuspecting victim. A fantastic perfume. Composed by Betrand Duchafour, it bears very much his signature and to me is one of his best pieces of work. I think it should appeal to both tuberose lovers for its original and stunningly beautiful take-on, but also to those who find other tuberose centered scents too overpowering or cloying. Also I imagine it would smell wonderful on the right man. The notes I found online are: Tuberose / Cardamom / Pepper / Clove / Citrus / Tuberose / Orange Blossom / Ylang-ylang / Rose / Mango / Angelica / Gorse / Sandalwood / Palisander / Musks / Benzoin / Styrax
10 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Cle de Peau - Concealer
Funkly 4/28/2010 8:53:00 AM
This is by far the best concealer I have ever tried. Because of the high pigmentation, a thin veil gives superb coverage without any caking. I have dark circles and eye bags and concealers that "cake" end up making me look even worse. Before I discovered this, my only viable option was to go for cremier but sheerer cover, like the excellent Sisley concealer, but Cle de Peau offers much better coverage. And it lasts forever so all in all it's not that horribly expensive.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Van Cleef & Arpels - Bois d'Iris
Funkly 2/9/2010 8:46:00 AM
Bois d'Iris was launched in 2009 as part of Van Cleef & Arpels' "Collection Extraordinaire". As the name suggests, this fragrance can be summed up as a woody iris which, whilst true, does not do it any justice. When I first tried it, while sampling the rest of the collection, I thought of it as quite a weak scent. It was only when I moved out of Harrods and into the open air that I kept catching whiffs of something heartbreakingly beautiful, fragile and strong at the same time, as if carried by the wind: it was Bois d'Iris and it's an experience that I keep enjoying every time I wear it. The iris is not rooty but ethereal, the wood is dry and bleached, incense laces the composition and the soft drydown is sweetened by some non edible vanilla. It is a silky, smooth and polished fragrance, with the same lightness of driftwood and serenity of japanese incense. I find it perfect for office wear as it has a calming effect on me and it's stunningly pretty. The combination of iris and incense reminded me of SMN Citta' di Kyoto, but I smelled the latter a long time ago and have not had the chance to do a side by side comparison. Notes are: Sweet notes / Frankincense / Driftwood / Iris / Ambergris / Labdanum / Myrrh / Vanilla.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Unlisted Brand - ManGlaze Nail Polish in Jailhouse Rock
Funkly 2/9/2010 4:22:00 AM
Now called Fuggen Ugly, this is a matt slate grey shade with a slight metallic effect. I ordered it directly from the Manglaze website, which is quite whacky and fun (but very efficient). The nail varnish itself looks surprisingly sophisticated and I have falled in love with it. It appears quite dark and glittery when first put on, but it dries into a lighter and super matt gunmetal shade, no light reflection whatsoever but it seems to possess some sort of metallic inner glow if that makes any sense. Have a go, it's fab.
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Cleansers -Clarins - Water Comfort One Step Cleanser
Funkly 2/3/2010 7:40:00 AM
I use 3 types of cleansers: a rince off (Liz Earle), a cremy one (another Clarins) and this. The choice depends on how much I need to remove and how quickly I want to be out of the bathroom. This is perfect for daily grime and light make-up or if I am feeling a bit lazy. It does the job well and leaves the skin nicely toned too. I keep repurchasing and always bring some along when travelling, thumbs up from me !
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Bliss Labs - Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Funkly 2/1/2010 11:13:00 AM
I join the chorus of the disappointed many who loved the facial at the spa and bought this product in the hope it would deliver at least a fraction of the results of the full on treatment. It doesn't. It is not bad per se, but my skin didn't look any different then it does after using a rinse off cleanser. I am afraid the only oxygen bit is the fizzying of the cream on your skin and that seems more of a gimmick than an active function. Not what I wanted, I will not be repurchasing and save (the mask is about £33 duty free) towards the facial, whose results are tangible and long lasting.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Fille en Aiguilles
Funkly 1/8/2010 5:52:00 AM
This is all I wanted AA Winter Delice to be when I eventually got my hands on an overpriced bottle and was disappointed. Balsamic pine, some spices, some stewed fruit (but in moderation), a hint of burnt sugar and smoky woody incense. It's brilliant in cold weather, a real winter warmer and mood lifter, makes you want to go on vigorous walks in the woods followed by tea and cakes in front of a log fire. It would also make an excellent candle or room spray. Thumbs up from me !
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Cartier - La Treizieme Heure
Funkly 1/6/2010 8:49:00 AM
Leathery, smoky and complex, there are many facets to this wonderful gender defying scent created by Mathilde Laurent for Cartier's exclusive line. My suggestion to sample it properly is to apply lightly to bring out all the various layers, at the heart of which lies a wonderful tobacco/hay like narcissus. If overapplied you miss the best bits and go straight to the smoky tar drydown, not dissimilar to Le Labo's Patchouli 24. If the latter is thick black velvet, the Thirteenth Hour is a set of black veils, one on top of the other. The listed notes are helpful in understanding this fragrance. They are: Leather / Mate' / Birch / Narcissus / Bergamot / Patchouli / Vanilla. The bottle is stunning, presented in a beautiful trade mark Cartier red box and with a separate leather holder for travelling. Expensive but totally worth it in my opinion.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No