Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Blush Brush
Lazulia 2/27/2011 5:59:00 AM
I am very very impressed with this brush. I got this as part a set I I was getting mainly for the smaller eye make-up brushes, but this brush is now possibly my favourite out the lot. The shape is perfect and the bristles are so soft. At the moment, I'm using it alongside my MAC 168. I contour with the 168 and then use the ELF blush brush for the apples of my cheeks. The ELF brush picks up just the right amount of blush (Dame at the moment) and blends easily. Very impressed. Did I say it was very soft? It's very soft :) The only negative is the "just out of our factory" smell they have. Hope it fades at some point...!
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Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
Lazulia 2/25/2011 7:07:00 AM
It's brilliant. I know there is criticism about the fact that because the water is pressurised, it's not good for your skin (free radicals) but in my case, there are too many benefits in using this to bother worrying about it. Spraying onto my skin after a shower is like the "ahhh" feeling you get after drinking your first gulp of ice cold water on a hot day. My skin get very tight and dry after a shower or cleansing before bed and this helps my moisturiser sink in properly. I've tried the Laroche Posay version, and I think this one is much better. The mist is finer and the spay is wider. Here in the UK, the Avene is cheaper also (by a few pence, but still). I just wish I started using it sooner rather than later! PS: I admit though, it is very expensive for what it is. But, it works and, with it, I need to use less moisturiser. In the long run, it's worth it. Still...come on Avene, it's water...!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
Lazulia 2/25/2011 6:55:00 AM
I am very disappointed with this mascara. I had kept this in my stash for a while as I have a few other mascara going at the moment. I decided to give it a try yesterday...mistake :( I first wasn't all that impressed with it when I applied it. The brush is very long and fairly awkward. The formula didn't clump much but it made my lashes really stick together so the spoolie/comb job after was longer than intended. When it dries, it goes very dry and "crispy" (if that makes sense). The end effect wasn't really a false lash effect in my case. Kind of regular mascara effect, like DS brands do. The black wasn't glossy black but matte black (I prefer glossy). Where it utterly failed is this: I had a group meeting last night and when I came back home, looked in the mirror - horror! I looked like I had been crying so much the mascara had smeared under my eyes. When did the mascara start smearing? It wasn't hot, I wasn't running, my eyes weren't teary...what a pain. So I'm angry with this mascara. It made me look like an idiot and is not to be trusted! :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Eclat No 1
Lazulia 2/25/2011 6:36:00 AM
I like this a lot. I use this more as a highlighter than a concealer...I add it on top of a light concealer (at the moment Bourjois healthy mix). I like the colour, it really lightens, lifts and opens the eye. Blends in best with fingers I find. Of course, it's overpriced for what it is, which is why I'm not giving it a perfect 5. Still, I like to use it on special occasions. I don't think it is a great concealer, but as a highlighter, it really does a super job. Glad I got it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Caudalie - Creme Gourmande - Hand and Nail Cream
Lazulia 2/12/2011 7:52:00 AM
My main gripe is also the smell. I find it smells like chewable Flintstone multivitamins from my childhood. (I've never tried fruity pebbles but perhaps they use the same flavourings!) I don't really don't find the fragrance pleasant, although it does remind me of being 6. I was hoping for something less artificial smelling. The cream itself is good. It's definitely a day hand cream - it sink in very quickly but still moisturising. But I prefer more emollient hand creams before bed, so this doesn't really work for that. I won't be buying this again. During the day, I would prefer something with more of a neutral (or no) fragrance. And it's a little too light for bedtime. Oh well!
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Eyeliner -Bourjois - Liner Feutre - 11 Noir
Lazulia 2/12/2011 7:38:00 AM
This eyeliner pen a bit of a waste of money. Although it's a rather clever idea and appears to save you a bit of time and fuss, you're still much better off getting a regular gel or liquid liner on all of those aspects. So far, it's like using a really bad pen that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. When it works, it's good (not great). The tip is precise which I like. But it stops flowing liner liquid suddenly. Trying to getting to flow again it a pain and a waste of time. It makes it easier to make smudges and mistakes when it's half working. And scratchy when it doesn't have much product on the tip... The liner does smudge. I find it is a few leagues below the good gel liners like BB. It's a good idea. But it just doesn't work well. I think Shu have a similar one but with a clicker which I think is an improvement on the idea. I rarely want to throw something out before I've used it up: either I like something and use it happily or hate something and use it up out of pity (or, keep it and hide it somewhere). But I was was very close to chucking this pen out as it's just really infuriating to use. I think I'll try and find another use for it though...not figured out what yet.
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Cleansers -Nuxe - REVE DE MIEL Face Gentle Cleansing Gel
Lazulia 1/11/2011 10:12:00 AM
It's a good cleanser, leaves skin rather soft without drying it out too much. It's not fantastic, but it's good. But, I really don't like the smell of it. I usually don't mind scented products but the fragrance in this cleanser is way too strong. Sweet baby powder, very strong sweet baby powder. I'll tough this bottle out but will not purchase again for this reason. Not for those who prefer light scents or no scent at all.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Seaweed Night Cream
Lazulia 12/16/2010 8:55:00 AM
I really like this cream - so far so good. I have fairly dry and tight skin so, for me, it's not too oily and sinks in fast. And, it doesn't sink in so fast that you feel like you've put on anything in the first place (which I get with a lot of moisturisers). This works great with the glyco toner before and a spray of thermal water to help it sink in. My skin has never been so soft and smooth. Love the smell. Earthy! I don't like the pot, but I guess it's so thick that there aren't that many other options. I'll edit if things change but so far, super happy! I feel like the search is over!
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Toners -Mario Badescu - Glycolic Acid Toner
Lazulia 12/16/2010 8:46:00 AM
I've only been trying this for a couple of weeks but wanted to review anyway - I'll edit as I go. Because I really really like this. I've had acne since I'm 13 and have always struggled to have a clear skin. I've had different treatments from the dermatologist, but nothing has really worked. My skin is also rather sensitive and tight so stronger cleansers and creams weren't an option.The only thing that kind of works is the pill. Even on the pill, my skin isn't that great. After years of having given up, I decided to try something new - new cleansers and moisturisers,etc. I discovered the MB brand not long ago and decided to go for the glycolic toner + seaweed night cream and olive eye cream. Now, the glycolic tonic is super. I was worried my sensitive skin would really hate it. But no, actually, other than on spots, it's fine, no complaints. I've already noticed that acne scars heal and fade quicker. Really smooths out bumps, without irritating. And I like the smell. Doesn't leave a film on the skin. Just cleans and tones without drying. I don't think my skin has ever been this soft and smooth and it's only been 2 weeks- I think it's a combination of the seaweed cream and the toner. This is a notch above anything I've tried over the years. Very happy. I'll update as I go! UPDATE - This toner is still brilliant at making my skin feel softer. However, I've noticed that has been drying my skin out a bit and making it feel thinner - so when I smile, I look a bit more wrinkly...hmm. I think I'll start to use it every other day instead of every day and use something a bit more gentle in between. I've knocked a lippie off for that reason.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Mario Badescu - Olive Eye Cream
Lazulia 12/14/2010 7:57:00 AM
I really like this cream - it's exactly what I was looking for. A simple hydrating eye cream. I'll admit, it's like putting lip balm on your eyes. But this was a plus for me in a way - my skin is really dry and tight and this helps hydrate and soften for longer than 5 minutes. However, it's kind of making my eyes sting. I'm really disappointed. My eyes feels a little bit like when I cut up onions (but not that much but still...). I feel like my eyes are red and teary. I'm going to tough it a little longer though and see what happens. I had a eye pencil which used to have the same effect (MAC powerpoint) and my eyes eventually got use to it. I'll edit if it gets better. Don't like the packaging much. Not keen on the MB pots. Ah, such a shame. I'm gutted. :( UPDATE: My eyes have gotten used to it after a little while so I've upped the score to 4. But I am careful not to put it too close to my eyes though. It's been very useful lately, my eyes have been very dry and irritated. I've also noticed something pretty cool - I use MAC studio finish concealer on spots and imperfections, but I find it too thick for dark circles. BUT, with this eye cream, it is really good, with better finish than a lot of thinner concealers I've tried. Very excited about this. I've only tried it once, by accident. I'll give this a try for a while and edit.
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Fragrances -Lanvin - Eclat D'Arpege
Lazulia 12/10/2010 12:48:00 PM
I like it but it's a little unoriginal at first. I agree with the previous review - it is similar to D& G light blue (or the Anna Suis) in terms of citrus notes. I'm not a fan light blue (It used to be nice but it everyone started wearing it, and a lot of it) so I was a bit disappointed. But, it changes and dries down to a lovely sweet and fresh sent. And stays nice and subtle for a reasonably long time. It goes a bit "vanilla cake" but still a light tang - not full on vanilla. And a bit of lilac. I'm not all that excited about the bottle. But I don't dislike it either. Classic but still a tad boring. I give it a yay!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Soap and Glory - Hand Food
Lazulia 12/2/2010 9:55:00 AM
I like this hand cream and works well. I'm taking a lippie off because I think there is too much fragrance. I'd like it better if the smell was a little lighter. Still, great cream.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Good Things total wipeout face wipes
Lazulia 11/30/2010 12:08:00 PM
They had money off so decided to give them a try. For the record, I've had no problems with Soap & Glory wipes (my favorites), Garnier wipes and Simple wipes. I have fairly sensitive skin, but generally cope with most products. The first time I tried these, they burned. It was very unpleasant, I felt like crying. I had to double check the website description to see if perhaps I'd misread and them not being for sensitive skin. But no, description specifically says that they are "gentle enough for sensitive skin"!! I tried them a few times more just in case and, nope, still really burn-y. I managed to return them (not so simple in the UK) because I was pretty annoyed about the marketing of it. Glad I got my money back because these were terrible. The smell was rather off putting - way too strong and artificial. Not pleasant. I've not yet looked at the ingredient list (I'll edit), but as with their other products, I suspect there are a few "not good things" like mineral oil in this. Ironic. Rubbish!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Soap and Glory - Eye Maintenance Moisturizing Gel
Lazulia 11/30/2010 11:54:00 AM
This eye cream really burns the skin under my eyes. I gave it a few goes but this just doesn't work for me at all. Shame - I like S&G moisturisers and they don't irritate my skin at all. Great value for money though - you get a lot of product for the price - esp great value when there is a deal on in Boots. Also, would prefer to have it in a tube than a tub. I'm still in search of the perfect eye cream...
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Dr Nick Lowe spot gel
Lazulia 11/30/2010 11:48:00 AM
I decided to try this because I has a 5 pound skincare voucher in Boots (making it v good value). It's pretty good. Works most of the time, but not always. But most of time is good enough. And my husband has borrowed it a few times and was very impressed (finally giving me credit for a beauty purchase!!). I like the packaging - nice, clean and simple. What I like less is the product itself - it's a gel that just doesn't penetrate. So you're left with a sticky film on your skin. I suspect it creates an antiseptic barrier this way, but it's just not pleasant. I'll probably purchase again but I suspect this tube will last me a while.
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