Polishes -OPI - Glitzerland
GirlFromB 5/8/2013 4:47:00 PM
This is a really good colour for detailing and for everyday wear. It's not yellow enough to be a true gold, it is more a light and cold toned bronze, never tacky! As stated before, it has excellent wear (chips don't show easily), combines with a lot of colours, it's actually a pimped neutral! You can wear this ton sur ton with something like Chanel's Frenzy or pair it with a coral or green for added demure glamour. I recommend a minimum of two layers to achieve a decent foil look. A must!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Kevin Murphy - Hydrate Me Shampoo
GirlFromB 1/25/2012 11:54:00 AM
Normally I never use the same shampoo more than 3 washes in a row, let alone finish two bottles of the same shampoo ... KM Hydrate. me is the first exception. I have "mixed" long hair: oily scalp and dry ends, with a natural wave and some frizz. The benefits of this shampoo sound trivial but make all the difference: it actually cleanses, softens and lightly textures and leaves my hair looking fresher longer. Above that, my hair feels stronger and in better shape. I use this with the Hydrate.me conditioner on my ends and I don't experience any weighing down or build-up. You don't need much, I use twice a toothbrush-length-squeeze every time I wash (I double wash) and on my long hair that's really enough. I find the price high but correct regarding other luxury hair brands that contain cheap ingredients.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Avene - Tolerance Extreme Anti-irritating Soothing Cream
GirlFromB 11/30/2011 3:59:00 AM
This product totally saved my skin, it made such a huge difference. I've been a product junkie for more than 20 years and I tried every kind of cream, toner or serum with only the occasional minor problem now & then. The last months however my skin was very very upset: redness and breakouts, dry patches and heavy shine on my t-zone. I was desperate until I decided to give up my sophisticated routine of cleansers, exfoliants, serums etc. I started a strict regime of Avène Thermal Water before and after moisturizing with this Soothing Cream. Make-up removal happens quickly with Bioderma Sensibio H2O. I also stopped using tap water to wash my face, thermal water works better (if you take a shower, spritz the water immediately after). Et voilà, welcome back normal, good looking skin! I learned that when skin is irritated, it can produce all symptoms of "bad" skin, so first thing to do is to calm it down to make a lot of problems disappear. I can seriously recommend this toned-down regime to everyone suffering from difficult skin, especially if you're changing climates, when you think your skin got overdosed on cosmetics, when you're pregnant or in any situation where skin acts upset. It's best to do this at least 2 month before - gently - returning to a more elaborate routine, if you ever wish to do so again, that is.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Estee Lauder - Perfectionist Correcting Serum
GirlFromB 6/26/2011 12:07:00 PM
Luckily this came as a gwp because it really isn't worth the bucks. Too much EL treatments and creams are packed with silicones (dimethicone) which is just a cheap, useless and pore-clogging ingredient to make a big volume and a large profit on unassuming customers. Sad!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Yves Saint Laurent - La Lacque #14 Rose Transparant
GirlFromB 3/2/2011 6:11:00 PM
I've used many Essie neutrals (Waltz, Marshmallow, Sugar Daddy, Mademoiselle ...) but nothing beats the elegant pinkish elegance of this YSL nail polish. Its 3 best features are: 1) a soft wash of discrete neutrality: healthy transparency in one coat, a chic semi-opaque if you build up to two coats, 2) longevity of the polish IN the package - I practically finish it to the bottom, it does get a bit thicker, but remains supple enough to apply, 3) practically streak-free if limited to two coats (this is not a three-coat kind of polish anyway). The small brush is great if your nails aren't large, yet I never use this on toe nails, so it's fine for me. The stamina is pretty good too, it wears off rather kind. A great classic that I've been repurchasing without guilt!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Bioderma - Sensibio H2O (aka Crealine H20 Solution micellaire)
GirlFromB 3/2/2011 5:55:00 PM
A gentle and effective make-up remover. Soft, clean and non-irritating. A winner and best bought in set of 2 big bottles for excellent value. Get yourself a mini bottle too so you can easily pack it to travel with you. HG and loving it!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Shiseido - Brilliant Bronze Self-Tanning Emulsion
GirlFromB 3/2/2011 5:52:00 PM
Note: this is a review for the NON tinted 150ml tube of self tanning emulsion (not the cream or gel). How come I never reviewed this great product before? I've been re-purchasing this product so many times now, using it for face and body whenever my dull winter or spring skin needs a pick me up. The soft emulsion doubles as a cream at night (after serum) and gives me a discrete sunny glow the morning after. On my body I prefer to mix it 50/50 with my favourite body lotion to achieve a gradual but visibly tanned effect. You can easily build this product to an intense tan. Its 3 best features are: the economic use (a little goes a long way), the "radiance" of the tan result and the non-greasy softness of its texture. I have been and will be repurchasing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder
GirlFromB 2/18/2011 6:32:00 PM
At first I used this product and it just didn't work for me ... but now I found out how to use it and it is part of my daily routine. My tip: first apply your usual concealer, then turn the pot around so that some powder falls into the lid. Turn the pot back its normal position and shake it gently so that all the powder in the lid falls back in the pot. The film of powder that stays in the lid is ALL you need. Take a small but fluffy brush and sweep through lid. Apply under your eyes and - if you wish - on the lids. I mainly use it to set my concealer and it works so much better in doing that than any other face powder (which cakes). As for the illuminating effect - I'm less impressed by that effect, but still it's a really nice and useful product. If you use this product correctly it lasts very very long.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Guerlain - Kiss Kiss Lipstick
GirlFromB 11/25/2010 4:36:00 PM
Really nice lipstick, glides smoothly over the lips and is a good moisturizing formula. No glitters (luckily), but it does give your lips a nice "sheen". Repurchased in different colours because of the nice feeling and lovely perfume. Case is a little bit too bling but nevertheles a feminine, sensual design.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Estee Lauder - Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara
GirlFromB 10/23/2010 5:27:00 PM
Good mascara if you're looking for a sophisticated, clean and classic look with stamina (who isn't). This mascara applies easily with a no-fuss brush and stay on all day and night while it removes as easy as a regular one. No extreme length or volume but if that works for you, then this is a decent buy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -St.Tropez - St.Tropez Tinted Self Tanning Mousse/Whipped Bronze
GirlFromB 9/10/2010 7:15:00 PM
The effect of this product is really ok, although it looks scary when you put it on. That will just wash off (just be aware of those expensive Frette sheets). Yet I bought this product last year and am now using the rest of it (it was a big bottle and I don't use self tanner every day - only occasional) and the frothy effect is gone. The product (hardly) comes out of the pump like a very runny liquid - horrible in application!!! So if you just purchased this, finish it before the texture goes all bad.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Christian Dior - Dior Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Powder SPF 10
GirlFromB 9/10/2010 7:09:00 PM
I always finish with a powder but want a natural finish. I use this powder over concealer (studio fix) and sometimes tinted moisturizer (laura mercier) and it's a very good finishing powder. Application works best for me with the big stippling brush from MAC. I put some powder in the lid and swirl the brush until complete absorption of product, then swirl on my face. Compared to Jane Iredale's powder it's less cakey but also less "airbrush" effect because of the modest coverage. So if you're looking for a natural, low coverage powder that doesn't dry out (however no oil control either) or irritate, than this powder is a good buy. Okay it's a small box but who ever finished a big box of loose powder anyway? Will repurchase if nothing better shows up, because one of the best powders ever tried. I'll add this to my HG powders together with Jane Iredale's, Guerlain Méteorites and Shiseido's Luminizing powder.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -By Terry - Baume de Rose
GirlFromB 6/30/2010 6:52:00 PM
The best! If you hesitate between the pot and the applicator bottle: go for the pot, the tube is (unfortunately) too goopy and runs. I'm so unfaithful* to this product and yet always return to it because it works best for me. It also gives a shiny, dewy rose finish that I really love. Also ideal as pre-lipstick treatment: just apply 5 min's before application and blot, lips are soft and well-prepared. It's expensive and a glass pot is hardly the easiest package, but if you consider it as a beauty/night time table item, it will last you a good while. If you like this but want something similar yet slightly cheaper and easier to carry on, I'd recommend the Rubinstein Collagenist Lip balm. *lip treatments that I've used and didn't quite measure up: LaMer lipbalm, Hauschka stick, Yes to Carrots, Labello/Nivea, Carmex, Rosebud Salve ...
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Lancome - Renergie Morpholift Yeux R.A.R.E.
GirlFromB 4/15/2010 12:00:00 PM
I wanted to try this for dry lines and dark circles but after a few month's use I don't notice any improvement in both. Maybe it works well when you need lifting, but I'm (luckily) yet unable to judge its effect in that domain. However the formula is comfortable and didn't irritate my eyes which is a plus and deserves 2 lippies. I understand that tackling dark circles is difficult but had expected better moisturizing action of this cream. I also noticed that the skin texture around my eyes somehow became more 'rough' since some time but I don't know whether this was caused by this cream. I will continue to use it on top of the Kanebo Intensive Eye Essence which I'm about to purchase as it's not a bad cream, it's just very basic to me.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Mascara with Lash Boosting Serum
GirlFromB 4/15/2010 11:48:00 AM
Am I the only person who doesn't like this combo? I'm a mascara primer girl so I'm really used with the routine of priming and painting. So far I always had good results with the Clinique primer (my HG) and am also happy with the Lancôme's. I know you should give a mascara some time before it performs at it best, but I'm not sure whether I will have the patience with this one. Here's why: - formula dries quickly from first use already, making application a race against time. Lashes look flakey and dry and super unnatural. - In my experience a good primer lends your mascara more flexibility, this primer does the inverse. I tried it under my regular mascara (a rather wet formula from Clinique) and it just "killed" its usual lush effect - No lengthening or volumizing effect AT ALL. - considering the prize (€23) I prefer to buy Lancôme, Clinique or Chanel any time I'm afraid I don't have a pro for this product ... I will give the mascara a chance under another primer or on its own but if that doesn't work it will have to go.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No