Lipstick -MAC - Faux (satin)
LaCallas 12/10/2011 6:56:00 PM
Lately, I've been trying to reduce my makeup stash by replacing cheap products with higher quality dupes that will provide better payoff, staying power, etc. Even if that means shelling out more money. I'd been on the lookout for a lipstick that I could wear daily to work. I also had some money left over on a gift card from a local department store, so one day I was looking around the MAC counter and came across this. Initially, I asked for Hot Gossip and Creme Cup. Turns out, they had run out of Hot Gossip so I ended up buying Faux and Creme Cup. Faux is a lovely pinky-mauve on my lips. Definitely a MLBB shade. I have very pigmented lips so it's hard for cheapy lipsticks to show up well on them but this one absolutely did. It almost exactly matches the color of my lips while in some indescribable way, improving it. I wear it either alone or under Chanel's Mica Glossimer, which gives me a cute, pouty look without looking overdone. Recommended for someone who wants to look polished but not too made up; perfect for professional work environments.
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Hair Styling Tools -GHD - Gold Classic styler
LaCallas 12/10/2011 6:29:00 PM
Let me start by giving you a little background history. I have a full head of thick, very curly and dry/frizzy hair. Most of my life, I lived in a ponytail because it was impossible for me to tame all that hair. Then, CHI appeared. I was ecstatic at the possibility of having straight, manageable hair and it became my go-to tool throughout my early 20´s. I had three CHIs during that time and my last one broke precisely on the day of my 29th birthday party. I had already noticed my hair had become increasingly dry and brittle, and would become a tangled mess even right after straightening it. So, having read so much about the wonders of the GHD, I decided to take the plunge and spend good money on one to see if it really made a difference. I am happy to say, I'm very pleasantly surprised. I bought the Midnight Edition Set. It came with the iron, a travel bag (which doubles as a heat protectant mat) and two sectioning clips. The minute it got home, I unpacked it and proceeded to iron a small section of my curly hair. It was STICK STRAIGHT in one pass! And SHINY! This DOES NOT disappoint. Next day, I washed my hair, blow dried it, and proceeded to flat iron it. I had never, ever, had hair so straight that looked so healthy. This really adds shine and makes your hair look as if it were naturally straight. Not the "I'm naturally curly but straighten my hair look". Those of us who have swam the waters of hair straighteners will know what I'm talking about. It still became a little tangled afterwards, but that, I have found, was due more to the condition of my hair health than the iron itself. I started using a deep conditioner/moisturizing shampoo combo by Biolage and my hair has never looked better. I would absolutely encourage anyone with unruly hair to try this GHD. Maybe the girls blessed with straighter locks or slightly wavy hair will not need to splurge, but it is truly a miracle for those of us with hair that refuses to cooperate. It is expensive, but I wouldn't think twice about buying another GHD when it broke. It's worth it! PS - I want to add: Even my boyfriend (you know, a man! lol) noticed the difference! He said it looked as if it was naturally that way.
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Eyeliner -Almay - Liquid Eyeliner
LaCallas 11/22/2011 11:48:00 PM
I'm thrilled to have found a liquid "dip" liner that also has a felt tip! I had been using Avon's forever because that specific kind of liner is (I have come to realize) really hard to find. I decided to look for another brand because Avon's runs badly half day through and the color was too light for my liking. Alas, Almay comes!! Where to begin?? The felt tip is amazing (a bit firmer than I'm used to, but it helps me draw more precisely). The color is also fantastic; a rich, deep brown that dries matte. Dark enough to emphasize, but without looking harsh against my light skintone. The staying power is slightly better than Avon's (without a primer). I have yet to try it over my Too Faced Shadow Insurance and see how it holds up. I will most certainly repurchase when needed. Can't remember exactly how much it cost, but I'm sure it was a hell of a lot cheaper than the MAC liquid liner I bought before this and absolutely despise. Good job Almay!! PS: Contrary to what most reviewers say, this did *not* sting or irritate my eyes in the slightest. And I wear prescription contacts every day!!
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer - Combination Oily to Oily
LaCallas 8/12/2008 12:18:00 AM
This is definitely my HG moisturizer. I had stopped using it because I wanted to try something new (Shiseido, which I have already reviewed). Now, I ran out of Shiseido quite a while ago, and it just so happened that Clinique was having a bonus time while I loitered the mall today, so I stocked up. This is HG material because: It doesn't grease up my skin (while other so-called oily skin moisturizers do); it absorbs quickly, you only need very little product, and despite what others are saying about its SPF being unstable, I have not once burned while wearing this. And I have fair skin that gets red easily in the sun. The only downside might be the price; although I'd totally buy it again because it last forever given that you don't need that much to cover all of your face, and bonus times make up for it. All in all, I love this. 5 lippies for me!
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Polishes -OPI - Russian Navy
LaCallas 9/27/2007 3:31:00 AM
I was a bit scared of this when I first saw it on the bottle. It looks way more purple than it is! So I mustered up some courage and applied. I needed 3 coats to achieve the desired colour, which, when done, is a beautiful shade of true navy with a very slight shimmer to it. I must say that the new brush works wonders! I didn't miss the sides of my nails with this. Overall, one more fabulous color delivered to us by OPI. Definitely a re-buy! The formula could be thicker or more pigmented though. I don't think I've ever had to put on three coats of nail polish before.
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Fragrances -Stella McCartney - Stella- Eau de Parfum
LaCallas 9/25/2007 12:10:00 AM
I finally got around buying this after a few months of lusting it. I completely loved the smell on the bottle! So I buy, go to my car, and spray it on. EW!!! It smelled bitter, musky and spicy with a very bare hint of roses. Then I think, well, let's wait and see how it works with my chemistry.. And about 20 mins later, there it was!! The most delicate and feminine and mysterious smell of roses appeared. I'm definitely in love with this fragrance. Packaging is fabulous. Price is a bit high for my usual perfumes but I can deal with that. The only downside is, it has a horrible staying power. I sprayed it this morning before leaving for work (around 7 am), and by the time I got off it was nearly gone (3.30 pm). I don't know if this sounds like a long time to you all but most of my perfumes (especially those Chanel) will carry on smelling even the morning after!! This is the only reason I'm taking away one lippie. But overall, a great fragrance for the fall. And my boyfriend loves it too!!
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Fragrances -GAP Beauty - So Pink EDT
LaCallas 8/23/2007 8:10:00 PM
First of all, I might be biased 'cause I'm a sucker for fruity florals. And this is what I believe best describes this Gap scent. It's mainly a lot of pink grapefruit, but I think I smell peony somewhere when it dries up.. I was also told by a guy friend it smelled like roses (but what does he know, right? lol). Either way, it's a perfect everyday scent for me. Fresh and flowery, very girly but not sickly sweet. I first discovered it quite some years ago, when Gap still sold the full line. I was quite sad to learn it had been discontinued, but joy has entered my life again two months ago when I saw the EDT for sale. I only wish they started making the body lotion again, too; because the staying power on this is pretty much 2-3 hrs, at its best.
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
LaCallas 8/23/2007 8:01:00 PM
I gave this mask a try for the first time a few months ago, and I'm still loving it! Background: I have a very oily t-zone and the occasional zit/blemish, along with a bit of large pores around my nose and cheeks. Let me begin by saying that this thing is TOUGH to get out of the tube. At first I thought my tube was expired, but turns out this is what it's like. So after I managed to get enough out and covered my whole face, I let it sit for 20mins as instructed. Then I go wash it off and voila! My pores look much clearer and smaller. I didn't think this would actually work but I was very pleasantly surprised. It has a slightly minty smell; I don't know what everyone else is talking about when they say it smells like sulfur. I didn't smell it at all! Overall, a great value for the price. Would most certainly repurchase. The packaging could be better, though.
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Lip Gloss -Rimmel - Jelly Gloss
LaCallas 7/29/2007 9:56:00 PM
I own this product in Jammy. It looks like fuchsia but goes on almost clear, with just a tiny hint of pink. What I like best: It isn't AT ALL sticky; Nice shiny finish but not blinding shiny; and love the slanted applicator. Downsides: Since it isn't sticky, you have to reapply often. And the price could be better since it's quite a small tube. Either way, I will surely buy it again because I absolutely despise sticky glosses and this is the only one I've found that satisfies me.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Shiseido - Eyelash Curler
LaCallas 7/26/2007 1:24:00 AM
My HG of curlers!! I kept reading/hearing how good it was over and over again, and just a month ago or so I was walking around Macy's trying to find a little something to take home and remembered this. Let me tell you though, that just like a few other ladies here, I thought it wouldn't make much of a difference than my drugstore curler. I mean, come on, it looks just like all the others! Boy, was I wrong. This curler is amazing! I had a bit of trouble working it the first time since it doesn't open as much as the others, and I kept pinching my lid trying to get all the lashes in. After I finally managed, I had a beautiful, even curl all over. I got used to it and now don't have a problem with pinching at all. My lashes look longer and stay put the whole day, without breaking or falling. You just have to be careful positioning it as to not make the lashes clump (which, let's face it, happens with every curler out there. It's not the curler's fault, it's our own! lol) A great tool, at a great price. I like how you can buy the rubber pads alone instead of spending another $16 USD on a new curler. I'm never buying any other.
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Moisturizers -Shiseido - The Skincare Day Essential Moisturizer
LaCallas 7/26/2007 1:01:00 AM
I received a sample of this product last time I was in Macy's. A few days ago I ran out of my usual Clinique moisturiser so I went ahead and tried this. So far, I must say I am DEEPLY IN LOVE with it!! I noticed a difference that very same day. My skin was softer, plumper, dewy and fully moisturised. The day went by and oddly enough, I wasn't oily at all! It has a strong but pleasant smell (it's some kind of flower it smells like but I just can't remember which) which disappears after it's been absorbed; and it absorbs very quickly as well. Keep in mind though, that a little really does go a long way with this lotion and using too much can make you greasy (had to learn that the hard way lol). Also, the lotion I have is the Enriched version, so I'm guessing the Light one might do a hell of a better job during these sunny months. The price is very fair to me given the amount of product you actually need for your whole face. A dime size dollop covers all the area. I only wish it came with a higher SPF, thus the 4 lippies. Overall, a great experience! Can't wait for next thursday which is my next shopping trip in order to buy the whole regimen.
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Mascara -Shiseido - The Makeup Lasting Lift Mascara
LaCallas 7/20/2007 9:39:00 PM
I'm on my second tube of this fabulous mascara! I have short, sparse lashes, and have tried many products, from high-end to drugstore quality, and then came across Shiseido's Lasting Lift. Well, I was impressed! It held the curl after applying, and made my lashes look way longer than they actually are. Great staying power, I only refresh if I'm going out at night. As others have said before, it does clump a little, but nothing you can't handle by wiping the wand a bit with tissue paper, and make sure you apply using a zigzag movement. I will never buy any other mascara again. The price seems fair for the wonders it worked on my lashes. And there's many more expensive mascaras which aren't half as good. 5 lippies all the way!
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Blush -Clinique - gel blush
LaCallas 7/20/2007 9:32:00 PM
I own this in Warm Glow. It's a great, natural looking blush! I like to look fresh faced and never wear a lot of makeup. Well, this does the trick! Healthy glow that lasts all day long. And even though it's a small tube, you only need very little of it. A dot on each cheak, smear and go! Downside: the colour has such great staying power that it makes my fingertips red after applying. And it's a b*tch to take off from them lol. That's what kept me from giving it a 5.
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Styling Products -Aussie - Dual Personality Mousse plus Leave-In Conditioner
LaCallas 7/20/2007 9:28:00 PM
I am in love with Aussie! Especially this one product. I can't believe it works so well for such a low price. I have a lot of fine, curly hair which tends to become really frizzy. This product reduces frizz and flyaways dramatically, while it defines my curls without making them crunchy or stiff and adds a little shine. The one downside is that using too much of it will make your hair look greasy (as most of this kind of products will). Unbelievable, and great price. Hard to find down here though.
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Shampoo -Matrix - curl.life shampoo (1)
LaCallas 7/20/2007 9:19:00 PM
I was really excited when I found this at out local drugstore (small town) because I'd heard many great things about it. Boy, was I wrong! I have lots of really fine but curly hair and I was looking forward to this product taming my frizz and helping my curls be a bit more defined. I don't know if I had the wrong expectations, but this shampoo plain sucked. I used both shampoo and conditioner, and my hair was a huge tangled mess after showering! I had the darndest time fighting the knots and ended up just re-conditioning with my usual product. I would NEVER buy this again. Too expensive, tacky presentation, horrible smell, but most importantly, it made my hair a big fat knot. I'm just being kind enough to give it 2 lippies because I must admit, it really took away all of the dirt/buildup. Too clean for me. And the price? Oh hell no.
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