Lip Gloss -Rimmel - Vinyl Lip
JolieBelle 2/21/2012 6:19:00 PM
Okay so I am not sure whether I shall but another Vinyl lipgloss again, because it has its own pros and cons...however, I've been using 'em for a while now so I guess... the thing with this type of lipgloss is that it lasts. It is sticky, and depending on the shade (more pearlescent ones, especially, have this bad habit--) you might get a little extra frost on your lips; they can also look weird given that some shades tend to emphasize the crevasses on the lips, and all that jazz. however, given the price-quality aspect, i guess the Vinyl lipgloss is quite ok in this department. I don't like that they're sticky, but that's what makes them last longer than Maybelline or L'Oreal (my lipgloss HG is Lancome, but i can't always shell €28 if you know what I mean....) I have a little suggestion to add, and perhaps this is going to help EVERYONE struggling those 'residues' on the lips, at the outer corners or the inner rims of the lips. It happens with many lipgloss..es (is it correct? :D) and after a lot of struggle, I have finally discovered what the deal with them is. These are just foundation residue, ladies. Trust me, just make sure you wipe any trace of foundation/concealer/powder off your lips before applying lipstick and the lipgloss (or just the gloss, depending on your routine). The formulation of the foundation, given that it contains powder, will not react well with the gloss/lipstick and will create those white-ish traces on your lips that don't look well at all. It is not the gloss' fault; try doing what I suggested and you'll see ;) it's saved me a lot of headaches and mirror panic over the years. Other than that..yep, that's my review.
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Stick -Max Factor - PAN - STICK
JolieBelle 2/6/2012 9:04:00 AM
I don't know if I am going to repurchase this... I started wearing this as a concealer, and it felt too dry for the undereye area. All over the face, it tends to emphasize the dry patches and the lines, evening out the skin like a dream (paradoxical). Perhaps that's why it's so used in stage and tv makeup (or was)- most people working in the movie industry don't have wrinkles :D Really, it does blend in with the skin beautifully, erases any blemishes, circles (my problem) and spots; you don't have to be a pro at blending, i just dabbed the stick all over my face, then blended out the product with a sponge. It does last, but other than that.... I don't really like the effect of this foundation when used as a foundation. I like it as a spot concealer, because it blends in beautifully and masks all redness you'll ever have (spots and pimples); however, for under the eyes it's way too drying. I guess this would be a good foundation for someone with oily skin; provided that you set it with powder (something light, this foundations tends to get cakey if piled up), i guess you're set and the oiliness can be controlled really easily this way. Thus, for summer or oily-skinned people this would be a great find; as a concealer, for everyone as well (that's why i am giving it a 3). I like the texture (creamy) and the packaging (really handy and easy to store/carry around; the cap doesn't snap/pop/open by itself in your purse). However, as i sad...i am not sure i will repurchase...just wanted to get my hands on something 'cult-type'...
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Chanel - Le Blanc de Chanel - Sheer Illuminating Base
JolieBelle 1/21/2012 11:24:00 AM
This is the best primer I have ever used, and I strongly doubt there will ever appear another one as good as this one on the market, at least not in the foreseeable future. This is my opinion on why... This product is marketed as a 'sheer illuminating base' but it manages to do so much more than that. To me, it isn't just illuminating, it's perfecting. It is sheer indeed, one cannot detect it, and the best part about it is that it doesn't look like a primer on the skin, it doesn't alter the foundation, powder, or itself, if worn alone, and it just works wonders even by itself. Truly amazing. I also have Clarins' Smooth Perfector, or whatever the little red jar is called (I can't remember right now...), but the differences are striking. So, to make things easier, I will do a little comparison since the Clarins one kinda works like 99% of the 'perfection primers' (silicone, etc). The Chanel does not have glitter. It manages to illuminate the skin by casting a 'light' effect layer; it looks white when you apply it, because the color of the product is white, but it turns to physical 'glow' on the skin as you're blending it in. I think darker complexions can successfully rock this product since it makes the skin look like it's glowing from within; actually, i guess a dark olive/brown, or even seriously dark brown skin would look GORGEOUS with the glow this product gives. It is simply amazing. The effect of this primer is something hard to explain, from both a normative perspective so to speak, and in comparison with the Clarins one. Basically, the texture is very light, you don't feel it on the skin, yet it somehow manages to chromatically correct any skin imperfection- spots, redness, even blemishes or pimples/acne. It just changes your skin color and uniformity, without settling into pores or lines, like the Clarins one does. That one is a silicone-based primer which is especially aimed at filling up the wrinkles/lines/pores and creating a uniform canvas for the foundation application. This one does it by itself; no wonder many reviewers have mentioned wearing the primer by itself and feeling and looking great this way. I used it with many foundations- powder, liquid, creme, etc. Yesterday I wore it with Rimmel's Wake Me Up, which, by itself (applied on top of moisturizer, no primers) has a quite uneven aspect; it does a great job at covering and everything, but the effect doesn't compare to the one it has when applied after this primer. The foundation just adhered to my skin like magic, it 'stuck' onto it, pretty much like Estee Lauder's Double Wear (minus the heaviness), it looked perfectly airbrushed, no flaws, no lines, nothing, not even around the mouth (where i have to use something cause i hate those dang lines!). The coloring was beautiful, meaning that this primer managed to make the color of the foundation stand out, a beautiful milky beige (I have the foundation in Ivory), perfect and flawless. It even looked slightly powdered without powder on top, not greasy or oily at all, yet natural. After settling it with powder it lasted for about 10 hours, when i got home it looked intact (minus the blush, that had worn off). It was a fantastic surprise. All in all, i think this primer does what Shiseido's mascara base does for the lashes- no matter how crappy the foundation you apply on top, it makes your skin look amazing, even in flash photography. I love it. Been having mine for a year now (i think), used it several times only (special occasions since it's not a big bottle and it costs quite a lot, i paid €53 in duty free), however i will continue to repurchase this when i run out. It has become my 'secret' and i am so happy to have found it. So, bottom line, if you want something that does everything Clarins' primer does, filling in fine lines, pore minimizing, perfect foundation application, PLUS some major natural glow and illumination of your skin, PLUS long wear for your foundation (no matter how cheap it is), PLUS flawless look, PLUS natural aspect (no cakiness, no running), MINUS that greasy feeling and rather heavy look of Clarins' primer (especially if you use a thicker foundation on top), THIS is the way to go. Highly highly recommended. Will absolutely NEVER buy another primer than this one. Perhaps it's just my skintype, so, given the particularities we all have, plus the high price, i strongly recommend everyone to try and get their hands on some samples at least, and see the difference.
13 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Rimmel - Wake Me Up
JolieBelle 1/16/2012 3:28:00 PM
Oh I can't believe there are no reviews for this product!!! I bought it five days ago, used it every day ever since, so I think i'm ready to review it! for reference, i am not allergic to anything, nothing ever broke me out, so i can 'hurry' and write about it pretty soon. i am also using my usual moisturizer/toner so yep. Okay. Let's begin. Price and packaging: the price isn't very low in Eastern Europe, comparable to L'Oreal's (i know in the US L'Oreal and Rimmel are very cheap, in Europe they are not!). The foundation comes in a glass bottle (quite heavy), with a rather tacky orange cap, and orange lettering. it looks a bit childish and cheap, but summery and youthful at the same time. The beige of the foundation coming through the glass and the orange writing make it look like a product of summer...beaches, tanned skin, glowy complexions and stuff like that :) at least that's how i see it. Shades: Given that it just hit the stores, they only had ONE shade at the boutique i bought it from...and the SA said they are understocked exactly because of this, it's the beginning, etc. I have the lightest shade 100 Ivory, and it fits me like a dream. No pink undertones, no orange hues, no chalky finish. just a creamy, very light biscuit. lovely! Covers like a dream without emphasizing the dry patches around my nose or the greasy pores on my cheeks/around the eyebrows. It feels creamy and luxurious when you apply it, like a moisturizer, and it blends in perfectly with the fingers or a brush; i didn't use a sponge because lately, i'm too lazy...so i prefer my fingers, which give a nice glowy finish to the skin. It does cover 90-95% of what i need to cover. 5% is the natural texture of my skin coming through, so no mask effect here. I pair it with the Silky Loose face powder from Rimmel and it feels and looks great throughout the day..at least 8 hours. I simply love the effect. The product says it's meant to help tired skin look fresh and glowy through its anti-fatigue effect. AND glow. Yay! Highly recommended! perhaps not such a fantastic match for super oily skins, but with a good loose powder on top, i think it can work beautifully as well!
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Lady Mitchum Dry Roll-On Antiperspirant And Deodorant
JolieBelle 1/15/2012 7:19:00 PM
This is the best deodorant I have ever used, and i've gone through many many brands so far. The usual one, BM (before mitchum, that is) was the Nivea Dry roll on. I used that for years, and i still love it- it's fantastically scented, delicate for the skin, does a great job and works wonders in hot weather. However, Mitchum works even better (stronger staying power, better freshness minus the sweat spots on the underarm area) AND is bigger. I don't know about the US/Australia versions, but the one sold in Europe is HUGE. A bottle lasted for about 2 months with daily use (sometimes twice, if i had evening plans as well). I have mine in Shower Fresh, which is a citrusy-powdered fragrance, not overpowering at all. it smells like freshly washed skin, a bit soapy yet fresh at the same time; Powder Fresh smells too much of grandma's powder, has a hint of old roses and it's just too heavy for a deodorant; not my style. The last time i bought it i got 2-for-1, which you can't beat. It's true it contains a high quantity of aluminium, which was allegedly linked to some types of cancer; however, i don't really believe this since deodorants have been around for MANY years and i haven't heard of anyone getting anything from using them. Anyways. This product works great because it lasts all day long; when i come back home i feel and smell as fresh as when i left in the morning; it doesn't stain the clothes either, which was the main reason i switched from stick deodorant to roll-on. The price is lower than Nivea, and the staying power & quantity are higher, hence the switch. However, i still keep a Nivea roll on around for 'special occasions' since i am so in love with the scent, and want my skin to smell of it if my boyfriend is staying over, etc. You get my drift :) It works wonders for acne- i applied it on two painful cysts on my forehead and the next morning my skin was back to its normal color, no swelling and pain whatsoever; my sister uses it on her inner thighs when she goes jogging to prevent sweating in that area (it happens!!) and just feel fresher; i never tried it there but would do it in a heartbeat if i worked out, haha! Strongly recommended for people who tend to sweat, or for those ladies who, like myself, abhor the simple thought of having spots on their clothes or smelling less than perfectly fresh in those areas after several hours. Happy shopping, ladies!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Yves Rocher - Brow Pencil
JolieBelle 1/6/2012 5:44:00 AM
This is my current brow HG product. It has surpassed anastasia beverly hills' pencils and everything else I ever owned (and believe me, I've tried MANY products). I'll try to keep it short. So: Packaging & price: for an yves rocher product, it isn't expensive at all, however in Europe they are not cheap either. I paid the equivalent of €7, which isn't THAT low :) or i might be cheap. However, for a pencil, it isn't dirt cheap, that was the point :) The pencil is long, it has a beautiful soft spoolie at one of the ends and two protective caps. I think the spoolie is by far the best I have ever seen in a brow pencil since it's not harsh, the hairs don't scratch the skin and they aren't so tightly packed together to collect lint or dirt. It also works perfectly with the pencil's consistency to blend the lines out, which is a major plus for me. Color/pigmentation: I have mine in Cendre, which i find to be the closest shade available on the rather-lower-end market to Anastasia's Medium Ash. it isn't as gray but it mimics it 85-90%. Perfect. I think Cendre is the perfect universal shade, since it can be used by pretty much everyone regardless of their skintone and hair color, just like ABH's medium ash. It's very hard to find this type of product, especially a lower priced one, so Yves Rocher really did a wonderful job and I feel like I've hit the jackpot by purchasing the pencil. Consistency: it's a hard(er) pencil, not as hard as ABH but still. It doesn't even compare to the plasticky feeling low end brow pencils give, the residue they leave, and the mess my brows can become after using them, especially if in a hurry. You can just draw your eyebrows on and it would still look natural. Quite powdery finish, pretty much like ABH's. Amazing. I hardly need to set my brows with powder after using this pencil (and I always do that..). Would I buy it again: Hell YES! I am actually going to the YR counter tomorrow and stocking up, I think having at least one spare is gonna make me feel less stressed about not being able to find it later on (this particular shade tends to fly off the racks in my city). Overall. It is a great find, for the price, the quantity (long pencil, pretty much Lancome length if you know what I mean, and it doesn't need frequent sharpening), the SHADE (which is the biggest prop), the spoolie. Such a great product that totally deserves a shout out. I am surprised no beauty blogger/vlogger said anything about this product, it would help the ladies' wallets so much if they knew about this. I think it's a great price to pay for great quality. Very recommended.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Yves Rocher - vanilla bourbon edt
JolieBelle 12/31/2011 4:14:00 PM
I haven't (re)purchased the perfume in a long time now so I won't be reviewing it. I just want to make a (useful) observation. There are many reviews here who mention that the perfume's scent (vanilla, basically) is 'combined' or 'influenced' by 'the Bourbon'. LADIES. This perfume DOES NOT HAVE BOURBON EXTRACT/SCENT. The name Vanilla Bourbon comes from THE TYPE OF VANILLA used in this perfume, which is the vanilla that comes from Reunion (the country), previously named 'Ile de la Bourbon' (Bourbons' Island, from the French monarchical family of Bourbon, the House of Bourbon). So please, before any of you write another 'I can smell the bourbon in this perfume' review, think about it :D
16 out of 18 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Nivea - Fruity Shine
JolieBelle 7/18/2011 10:25:00 AM
I love love love this lip treatment! Bought it several days ago, while at the supermarket, cashier's, waiting for my turn...saw the little tube, the revamped version of the Nivea colored chapsticks and fell in love with it...particularly because it was the Strawberry shade, and i was never able to find a pink/reddish lipstick/gloss/treatment in the color of strawberry..no matter how hard i tried, high and low end, from Chanel to Lancome to YSL...they're either pink, with cold undertones (bordering on purple) or reddish, hello orange/scarlet undertones. Bleh. Thought getting a pure strawberry shade was impossible- turns out it isn't. I bought it primarily for the color, since i thought i had my trusted Piz Buin chapstick, SPF 25, but then it turned out i can't find it...so all for the best. The color is amazing, really natural, shiny in a discreet manner, doesn't bleed, doesn't get gritty on the lips (which is what most chapsticks do, especially if pigmented, during summer), it smells divinely and it doesn't taste bad at all! Vanilla, slightly sweet, and a hint of berries. Loves it! It's your usual chapstick, which isn't all that, the stick inside is quite big so it will last for a while, it has an SPF of 15, which is great, and it's their summer version of their colored lip treatments. It says shiny and something else on the packaging, etc etc. Well, i think it's worth the money. I can also mix it with lip glosses and lipsticks and make my own personalized shade. I really, really like it. It hydrates very well, doesn't leave that strong color residue on the edges of the lips many treatments do, doesn't get sticky, doesn't smell bad...and the price isn't too much of a problem. It's a little expensive for a chapstick here in Europe, but well. I'm happy with it. Highly recommended!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Garnier - Anti-Dark-Circle Eye Roller
JolieBelle 6/15/2011 6:33:00 PM
Overall rating- five lippies. Hands down the BEST undereye concealer/brightener on the market that checks both the quality and price marks. Price: NOT dirt cheap, around 14 € or so...at least in Sweden, where I purchased mine from. Packaging quality: very good, five lippies. Only disadvantage being you can't really see how much you've got left and you can't scrape the tube to the last drop...however, the roll-on system is really handy and easy to carry around/makeup bag with less fuss than a normal concealer. I'd absolutely buy it because.... I don't have abnormal/really prominent dark circles and they usually fade away with a bit of foundation/concealer on top, for extra safety. I really like having the perfect canvas in the 'triangle' undereyes-nostril-upper eye corner, so this has always been a true adventure- managing to conceal/cover and brighten at the same time while keeping a fresh or at least youthful appearance- the undereye skin can make you look up to ten years older if treated wrongly. However, we all know how difficult it is to find 'that' HG concealer that would erase any tiredness marks and at the same time hydrate the delicate skin of that area. No matter how expensive or nutrient enriched a concealer might be, i personally always end up looking either overdone, thus older (little skin crevasses, anyone?) or just not 'covered' enough, thus tired. Catch 22 i'd say. This product is great because it's an eye treatment that conceals darkness; its quality is that it brightens like nothing else out there, making the skin look so much better than with any concealer, and looking extremely natural. All you need is the tiniest amount - I've been using mine for months and still get a lot of product on the ball. I like the brightening effect, overall, which is natural, and this is definitely a plus. It's natural, not sheer but it looks like it, it doesn't crease once it's dry/drier than when applied and you can easily touch up without too much fuss. I think it's a great product with a smart and thoughtful concept behind; no wonder it's so popular. Combine this with the price tag and you've got yourself a winner. Hope they never discontinue it. So if you are looking for something that truly brightens that area (BETTER than YSL's Touche Eclat, hands down!), you won't even need to worry about the coverage- even if you need industrial-strength concealer, you'll notice how the fine texture combines so well with whatever cheapo/high end concealer/foundation you're using and makes it look ten times more natural than anything else. I find that it doesn't need powder either. Maybe i'm lucky that i find myself so well with this little tube, but i will definitely keep purchasing this over and over again, and i highly, highly recommend it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Johnson & Johnson - Gel Baby Oil
JolieBelle 5/9/2011 7:38:00 AM
I love this stuff. I have the chamomile version, that doesn't smell as good as the aloe vera one does, however, i still like the 'baby' scent lingering on. This stuff is amazing. I bought it just because i forgot my baby oil back on a visit, and i cannot remove my mascara without a)this stuff, or b) coconut oil. Used to have my beloved Olay eye makeup remover, but this stuff is as excellent as that one in removing even the most stubborn waterproof mascara and false eyelash glue leftovers, that i simply cannot do it without it. I don't like the fact that the typical baby oil is runny, being an...oil, and the eternally flawed packaging- the lid of the bottle is so sensitive i always end up breaking the 'hinge' (the joint) which is so darn thin! Thus, i ended up purchasing this, since one drop is more consistent than a drop of oil, given the gel formulation; i love the thick yet light texture, the solid packaging (no leaking so far, if you close the lid properly), the duration (a little goes longer than with the classic BO) and the effect. ..always thought slathering my skin with baby oil was great, but a bit of a chore since i had it dripping all over; hard to get off your hands, especially since it's so runny, i feel like i could do better without the fuss that comes along with the liquid texture. ever since i've started using this, no problemo. i do have to wet my skin in advance (my face, to make my mascara soften a bit), and also the cotton pad i'm using to remove the makeup, since the gel texture would be a tad sticky otherwise. The gel is very 'concentrated' if i can say so, one little drop being more than enough for both my eyes. ...aaand i have to concur to what other reviews have mentioned- it does make your skin softer than the oil, and i find it to be my most trustworthy 'body lotion'. no more shelling out for expensive crappy stuff that won't quench my skin's thirst and leave it baby soft. i know the petroleum doesn't nourish the skin but prevent moisture from leaving it; however, i find it better than 'forcing' my skin to drink up other substances that don't always work...so yep. i also use it after waxing/silk epil-use, on my legs, arms, even inner thighs and on the upper lip (after taking a shower, of course). i find that blocking the moisture inside the skin right after an aggressive procedure makes the redness disappear much faster and lets my skin completely soft, non irritated and a bit more glowy. definitely recommended, if you're one of those girls who don't really like to spend 30 minutes with a baby oil bottle in their dripping hands. very good on the go, comfortable to use, and much easier to carry (even in your bag!). happy shopping!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -J. Lo - Glow
JolieBelle 5/8/2011 3:14:00 PM
Overall rating- 5 lippies. Price- 5 lippies. I am sorry but this is expensive, at least in Sweden. For a 30 ml EDT, it kinda burns a hole in your pocket if you're on a student budget. Packaging quality- 4 lippies. This is what CK one's packaging would look if it were 'a girly girl' :) i like the frosted glass, and the shape, but i hate the tacky J.Lo chain. ripped it off asap. would i buy it- hell yes. I love this scent because it smells like lilies, as in lily of the valley. plain and simple. it's clean, demure, fresh yet floral in a 'strong' way, not overpowering at all. it doesn't smell like 'old lady' flowers, strong roses or patchouli. not to mention this fragrance is the first celebrity fragrance I've tested that doesn't smell like shampoo, bubblegum or blueberry juice leftovers. J.Lo really surprised me, more than i managed to surprise myself taking into account this fragrance has been around since the early 2000's and i never even bothered to sniff it- due to the aforementioned celebrity fragrance prejudice. silly me. No celebrity fragrance will be as special and classy as this one. you can swing it for anything for that matter, since it doesn't have that pungent, sugary scent of anything 'famous' that's currently available on the market. Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Britney, Paris, Christina, Jessica, Eva Longoria, whatever else you can think of, they ALL either smell bad or identical, sometimes both. not this one. however, all of the other Glow versions smell EXACTLY like Paris' perfumes...or anyone else's for that matter. they smell like fading patchouli (LA Glow), shampoo and flowers (Miami Glow) and something indescribable (Night Glow or after dark or something like that). eew. i'm not good at describing scents but the first note i felt was a fresh, clean (almost 'cold') laundry scent, immediately followed by an orchestra of white- lily of the valley, that is. with a tiny tiny hint of honey, i'd say, but it can be felt only hours after the application, and at close sniff- so i'd say this would be the bottom note. I will continue purchasing this because, funnily enough, i haven't found anything on the market, not even high-end, to have the lily of the valley perfume. maybe it's just me, but i love the scent and i think it can be a successful daytime scent as well as a classy yet sexy (very youthful...) nighttime scent. if you don't wanna splurge on some high-end fragrance yet want something that's worth the $, go for this one, ladies. and no, i definitely do not think it smells like laundry detergent or Dove soap. but well, we're all different so i can't say i am the one who knows what this smells like. what i can be sure about is that this perfume deserves to be tested.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Rimmel - Stay Matte Pressed Powder (ALL)
JolieBelle 5/8/2011 11:24:00 AM
A thousand times yes. I would buy this product again and again despite its HORRIBLE packaging. Lemme tell you why. This powder is fantastic. Finely milled. It feels like cream on my fingertips, and that's something two other powders have managed to feel like...some Chanel compact and a powder from Seventeen (quite unpopular here, from what i saw), though they didn't have my shade.... Covers. It covers not like a powder, but as a mineral foundation. I don't have major discoloration on my face so i can easily use it as a foundation, on top of my face cream. It doesn't cake AT ALL. It doesn't look like powder either, it just makes your skin....fresh. No glowy effect, that's for sure- it' a mattifying powder, obviously- but gives that Liv Tyler-esque fresh face, Lolita skin. I can't tell i am wearing it even if my foundation is long gone and i have to apply it on the wings of my cheek (the portion next to the nose), which are full of pores, or my nose, which usually looks like sh!t when powdered with anything less than perfection. This powder makes my skin look AMAZING. It feels and looks like cream, doesn't create that product excess when you swirl your brush on the pan, like it usually happens with my Max Factor creme puff or anything else for that matter. It just picks up wonderfully on the brush (The Body Shop's short handled, natural bristles, dome-shaped kabuki brush in case anyone's wondering-natural bristles DO make a difference), and then covers beautifully; the bristles seem to work with the brush and the powder gets dispersed on the skin like mineral foundation- i don't even have to 'fight' it, or blend it in, or anything in the family. The packaging is the worst thing ever because the lid is very sensitive, gets cracked and dirty very easily; this wouldn't be a problem if you could properly close it, and if it were more resistant. I broke two so far...when you drop the powder, it cracks on the spot :( However, i found my best match ever, 006 Champagne. I noticed they also have another 006 under Beige something, which was a bit confusing even for the SA. it is a wonderful light beige which matches my skintone perfectly, and it also has a bit of sheen....i think it looks less powdery than the other shades, but again, this could be just me. as far as the maybelline dream matte powder comparison goes..i find this powder a thousand times better. much, much better. it does last all day- i have normal skin and i find that if you exaggerate, this could make your skin feel a bit dry on those areas. however, it's godsend for those with heavily oily skin, and it's true that it not only covers, but also helps heal blemishes/acne. i will continue buying this forever. if only they changed the packaging....(which is why i gave it only 4 lippies)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Alyssa Ashley - Vanilla
JolieBelle 4/4/2011 2:09:00 PM
Okay here it is. First off, i loveLOVELOVE this perfume. it's warm, vanilla-only, no baked sugar, acid fruits or plasticky substances in it. It smells divinely; i always loved vanilla-scented perfumes yet never had the courage to actually wear one since everybody seems to feel their 'olfactory world' terribly invaded by sweet scents. However, after reading in some magazine i should give it a try since it's a fave for men...oh well:) hello gorgeous! First off, i love it. as i already said, twice. however, i have to give it a bad review for several reasons. One, it doesn't last. at all. i got the 30 ml eau de toilette version (the only one available) and i finished it in two weeks. it just does not last on my skin, though it keeps its own fragrance throughout the day (so it isn't my skin's pH or something). It just disappeared and i constantly had to reapply it all the time. Two, the alcohol in it. it's so strong it actually made my skin itch/burn a little every time i applied the perfume. i could actually even smell the alcohol as soon as i spritzed the fragrance on my skin, busting out, really pungent. however, it disappeared very soon, yet...my skin was a bit unhappy with it. Three, the packaging. I hate the bottle and the tacky, so '80's golden cap; it looks like one of those essences an old aunt might keep around from the late '70's- early '80's. I just don't understand why they kept it so ugly, the cap i mean. the bottle could be nicer if it had a round cap or something in the family...not to mention it isn't ergonomic at all, keeps slipping off and spreading perfume all over my purse...uhm not good. the packaging is so sucky it kinda prevented me from trying the perfume MANY times if you can believe it. i thought i was gonna sniff some horror in the family of Estee Lauder elixir /amber dew or whatever that horrendous woody musky crap is called. geebus. other than that...oh and the price. €22 for 30 ml...excuse me. i think it's too much, and it wasn't even edp...oh well. i think i'll move to Britney Spears Curious, every time i sniff it it feels exactly like this one, minus the weakness of the scent itself.
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Fragrances -Cacharel - Eden
JolieBelle 3/18/2011 8:45:00 PM
Okay ladies. I'm a little bit particular when it comes to perfumes, and their descriptions, so try to bear with me on this one. My journey with Eden started when I was in junior high and my cousin came to visit one day. She was wearing a fantastic scent, something I had never sensed before, and i really wanted to know what it was. I don't know why, i never got it. I forgot about it but sometimes thought of 'the perfume' i really longed for. Many years after, a friend of mine wearing the same scent couldn't tell me what it was, she just said 'Kenzo'- it was Ca Sent Beau. However, she didn't know the name of the perfume so i never tried looking for it... My first point is that there are two other fragrances that smell like this- Kenzo's Ca Sent Beau and Joop!'s All About Eve, which has been discontinued from what i've heard. Anyways. my description of this perfume is based on one argument- it is unique. Apart from the two aforementioned counterparts, you'll never find anything that smells like this one. Pretty much like Dior's J'adore and 5th avenue from elizabeth arden. it's simply unmistakable and people will always remember you by what you're wearing. many girls don't even know about this perfume so there's no danger you'll smell like them, as it usually happens with 99% of the 'popular' scents available out there. If i could, i'd make personalized fragrances for every single human out there...i hate it when you like something, it's so generic you can't even recognize it. That's the quality test for a perfume, in my opinion- if you can recognize it immediately or not. anyways. to me, this perfume doesn't smell of patchouli or flowers. it's creamy, heavy, powdered, with a hint of 'cold', and that's it. Very, very particular- the only notes i could identify were some blossom-y hints in the beginning, right after applying it, and that was it. i simply can't identify what it smells like since the description on the packaging- orange blossom, patchouli, etc, doesn't really match the scent. it is, as i said, unmistakable and unforgettable. if this perfume had a position in the fragrance family, it would be 'mother'. it's simply irreplaceable. as a matter of fact, i just purchased it from the duty free in zurich, and while on the plane, the two gentlemen sitting next to me were talking about 'a very expensive and special scent' they were feeling and couldn't identify where it came from; when they realized it was me wearing the perfume, i swear they used any pretext to lean their heads towards me and discreetly sniff the air :) it is a strong fragrance in the sense of longevity. two or three spritzes and you're covered for about 5 hours or even more. i usually like to carry it around with me, and my nose just gets used to it, i can't feel it anymore (as an observation to what another reviewer said, that she always feels it- i can't). so if you want something long lasting, this is your pick. so bottom line, if you want people to like it (i can't see why anyone would say this 'reeks of drained pools and rotting flowers'??), and remember it is YOUR perfume, since they couldn't have possibly felt it on anyone else (believe me...most girls go for the industrial-scale replicated D&G perfumes and other horrors), then this is worth giving a try.
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
JolieBelle 11/16/2010 5:05:00 PM
I don't think i will repurchase this anytime soon, with all the available options on the market. However, if you're strapped for cash this is quite a good option. First off, i don't like the packaging. I have the pump bottle version and i still dislike it. The glass is too thick and you can't see how much product is left; you can't take the pump off (who does that, anyways...), it squirts a bit too much product and the cap isn't all that (gets dirty, is small, etc, looks cheap, etc etc). I do like the coverage and the fact that i can't feel a specific scent to it. It does cover enough and i find that i almost never need concealer when i'm using this (undereye circles is my problem, not pimples or acne scars etc). They also have quite a wide range of shades (i don't understand the complaints regarding this aspect, they DO have a ton of colors) that are not 100% realistic, but i've seen worse. I am currently using W3 Golden Beige and it isn't as yellow as other reviews mention it to be. It's not orange at all, just on the beige-light yellow side. The pigmentation of this foundation is excellent- you've got to dig into the more expensive ones (Chanel, Dior, Clinique, etc) to understand this properly. After spending many many $ and cursing at many many crappy foundations, i realized L'Oreal did make this foundation rival with high-end brands. It blends in beautifully, covers everything i've got to cover, sits nicely on the face...for a certain amount of time. As for what i really dislike- the liquid consistency, VERY runny and uneconomic to use with a sponge, but perfect with a dense foundation brush, and the feeling it gives- dry, then oily. My face feels very tight right after i've applied this (i don't settle it with powder right away), and gets oily in about 3-4 hours. Then i have to powder my face and it still doesn't look nice, i mean it's visible i've tried to rescue a 'do' with powder instead of reapplying the foundation...but who can do that when you already have bronzer and blush on, not to mention highlighter, contouring powder, etc?? Beats me whenever i read the girls talking about applying it during daytime-...uhmmm!!! so yep. it does fade off quite quickly, i'd say 5 hours maximum, if you're not doing anything industrial-strength (jogging, clubbing, kissing, etc). That's what i dislike about this product in the first place, this and the dry feeling. I have combination skin and always use oilier foundations because i'd rather have a greasy face than a dry, flaky aspect; ever since i started using this product again (used it a couple of years ago, it was my staple) i find myself putting on a ton of moisturizer before, and going around with a powder and a brush in my purse...for touch ups. Yikes. Not good. So i guess i'll mix it with 'dewier' foundations (Nivea Beauty Lift, i heart you!) and keep going through my powder stash...i've got to finish it anyway. Bottom line- one of the best choices available on the market (from this price range and not only), coverage, pigmentation and price-wise. It doesn't irritate the skin, doesn't smell, doesn't break you out. Lasts quite a long time with everyday use and if you've got oilier skin, that's gonna work for you since i personally think you won't need (as much) powder afterwards (we're all different so...). However, don't get your expectations too high with regards to staying power and 'perfect matching' of the skintone. Yes they did it quite well, but you surely have to test and test all those bottles to finally find your 'true match'. So yep. If i ever run out of anything else (Estee Lauder Double Wear my HG, Nivea Beauty Lift my 2nd HG), i will definitely use this. But i'm not sure about repurchasing it since a tiny drop is enough the way i'm using it (combined with other foundations for a dewier look), for its wonderful coverage and pigmentation. So, it is 'worth it' as far as i'm concerned. Those two lippies i took off were for the dryness and runny consistency.
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