Treatments (Eye) -Kanebo - IB Intensive eye mask and essence 
LeslieCZ 5/10/2013 10:30:00 PM
This is a perfect, fragrance free lightweight eye liquid-gel for me, especially for summer. It doesn't cause puffiness (a big problem for me), it isn't irritating to my sensitive eyes and skin, doesn't leave any residue (with some eye creams I wake up with "crusties") and yet is extremely hydrating. I like the glass pump dispenser it comes in because it doesn't waste product (and with this a little goes a long way). You can also see the amount left in the container as it's somewhat transluscent. This is definitely something I will add to my "permanent" cosmetic regimen and will re-buy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Tom Ford - Illuminating Highlight Pen
LeslieCZ 5/7/2013 10:33:00 PM
I got this in the color Bisque which is a pretty, matte ivory/nude shade with pink undertones. It covers less than a true concealer and illuminates less than Tom's other 'illuminating' products (which I also reviewed if you're interested). The tube is a convenient, portable purse/travel sized item which I definitely like. The texture is great. It goes on very easily, smoothly, evenly and invisibly. The coverage is light to moderate with no shimmer so I'd say it's kind of a hybrid between a light concealer and a matte highlighter. This is a great product for when you're out and about for easy, quick touch ups. But if you're looking for a lot of sheen or major coverage, this is not it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Tom Ford - Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust
LeslieCZ 5/7/2013 6:55:00 PM
This bronzer is part of Tom Ford's new summer color collection. The compact is awesome and comes in a nice felt carry around bag to avoid smudging it up! It's a pretty huge square, but also ultra thin. So chic looking with a very functional and huge (handy for your purse) mirror. It comes in two colors. I got the lighter one, Gold Dust. The texture is silky smooth and easy to apply evenly. It does not look streaky or "fakey" or overdone even on very fair skin like mine. I was told by the SA that it has a tiny amount of shimmer - to me it looks matte but not flat. Great product for all over quick touch ups on the go and to get a glamorous evening look as a blush or for a little dramatic cheek contour. Definitely a top notch new TF product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Tom Ford - Skin Illuminator
LeslieCZ 5/6/2013 7:33:00 PM
This is a new product from TF's new summer release. It's an illuminating liquid in a very nice pump container. You can mix it into your foundation, primer, or moisturizer or alone. The color (which I think is the only shade available right now) is 01 Fire Lust. It's a beautiful pale peachy gold color and goes on VERY sheer - virtually invisible and not sparkly, but leaves a nice luminous glow. On the other hand, I already have Tom's Shade and Illuminate Palette and can achieve very similar results (especially with the highlighting half of that) so I consider this a bit of an extravagance and kind of a frivolous addition to my already extensive TF collection so I only gave it 4 lippies. Not that I won't use and enjoy it, of course!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kanebo - Sensai Ultimate
LeslieCZ 3/7/2013 11:56:00 AM
Kanebo has discontinued its Premier Line and added Ultimate, a line which claims to activate genes from within and boost skin energy production. The Ultimate line contains: The Lotion, which is to be used under either of the two other products as a primer. The other prods are The Cream and The Emulsion (a lighter version of The Cream). I received several deluxe samples and so far, I really like it. It feels luxurious on the skin, smells lovely and gives a firm, smooth, radiant look.The products contain Koishimaru silk (moisturization that says it penetrates deep into the skin), Sakura (Japanese cherry blossom tree extract that claims to repair damage from free radicals), Rice Oil extract (antioxidant) and Iris Pallida complex (claims to activate genes for a more perfect complexion). Too soon to tell on long term results but it is a very lovely line. I don't like the price though, it's even more expensive than Premier. UPDATE: After using this for a couple of months, I think it is as close to a "miracle" as any skincare I have tried. It's just going to take a miracle to afford it on an ongoing basis.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Orlane - Soin Fermete Thermo Lift
LeslieCZ 2/4/2013 11:07:00 PM
This product reminds me a lot of Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Serum only it's a moisturizer designed to be worn over serum and under makeup. I don't feel any "thermal" (heating) effect, but it definitely has a nice firming feel and look and works well under make up. It hydrates quite nicely too. I received two of these as gwps without boxes so I don't know the ingredients. Orlane is not a brand with which I am familiar (my mother used to use it years ago and loved it) but I can say this is a lovely, light cream with an equally lovely light feel and smell. I would definitely consider buying it in the future. The product information on the website is as follows: "A skincare product specially dedicated to all women who notice a loss of firmness and density in their face. Inspired by the latest esthetic dermatology techniques, this is a reshaping, densifying and "lifting" care product that imitates lipofilling and thermal skin tightening. It also reduces dark spots."
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Revive - Pore Correctif
LeslieCZ 1/28/2013 6:13:00 PM
Although I do not have even remotely large pores overall, I do have a few around my nose and on my chin. I just received a couple of samples of this new product and it definitely and immediately minimizes the look of pores in my two problem areas (and the look lasts for hours, all day or all evening). I am not yet sure of the long term effects, but I got two nice sized vials so I will update this after using the product long enough to tell about more permanent benefits. UPDATE: After using this for a couple of months, the pores around my nose and chin ARE less visible. I don't personally have enough enlarged pores to justify buying this, but if you do, it's worth a shot, and if I did, I'd rebuy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Unlisted Brand - Eshiko Ultra High Definition Powder
LeslieCZ 1/12/2013 8:36:00 PM
This product became known to me through a favorite You Tube Blogger who claims it's THE best powder on the planet. The product's own claim to fame is that it is 10 Nanometer Silica Spheres, which are so small it's almost like smoke (no particles). The packaging is terrible (and the delivery took forever) and I still can't really get the container open to use it correctly. Even my handy husband couldn't do it!!! The plastic sticky stuff covering the perforations is permanently STUCK. However, DH found some tool and punctured a couple of fairly large holes thru the sticky stuff. I am guessing it's old or damaged. The powder itself is VERY, VERY light and fine and VERY lovely and goes on evenly. It's is virtually invisible yet cuts shine and evens skin tone. Does not quite give the kind of total, miraculous looking coverage it appears to on the Eshiko website (at least from what I can get out of the container), but it's a clear, beautiful soft finish that is matte and ultra sheer and I would buy it again.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Peter Thomas Roth - Firmx Growth Factor Neuropeptide Serum
LeslieCZ 12/23/2012 7:48:00 PM
This is one of the best serums I've tried to date and if you've checked my reviews, I've tried plenty! I am using this for day under makeup because it really firms and tightens and the effect just seems to get better the longer I use it. Its companion product, Instant FirmX, (temporary tightener), works very well with this serum, too. A drop of the Instant mixed with this serum seems to diffuse the white residue problem of the temporary product, too. I use other serums at night, but this one really provides a great look when I am out and about even in bright sunny daylight (which we have a lot of here in Las Vegas). The ingredients in this serum are excellent with no offensive odor. A little goes a long way so the $150 price tag is not too overwhelming either. Definitely would recommend giving this a try!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Peter Thomas Roth - Instant FIRMx
LeslieCZ 12/11/2012 5:57:00 PM
There is so much information in prior reviews on this product, I am just going to give my basic "how I use it" and my brief opinion, period. I tested this for a couple of weeks and here are my comments: 1. I found the best way for me to use this is over serum or moisturizer and under primer or foundation (if you're wearing it). I then top it off with a good finishing powder. It works better with mineral powder foundation than liquid or cream due to the residue mentioned in every prior review (and below in my own). But with serious effort it can look great with liquid foundation (a lot of pre-blotting required). 2. It fills in fine lines REALLY well which is very impressive, but I am not seeing a "firming" effect, so I'd call it a serious line filler. 3. There is a funky, dry, cakey white residue you must dab off with water before applying makeup. This is not easy to do effectively or completely which is a BIG negative. However, IF you can successfully combat the residue, the reduction in lines IS spectacular and the "fill in" effect lasts for a long time (all day). 5. I will use this occasionally when I am getting dressed up or for a photo as it's WAY too much extra time and work to use everyday. 6. I got this as a gwp and I think the tube I have will last forever as you only need a tiny, tiny bit. The price ($48) isn't bad for 3.4 oz either. Seriously a lifetime supply!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Peter Thomas Roth - Un-Wrinkle Lip
LeslieCZ 12/8/2012 4:34:00 PM
I have used and compared this lip product with quite a few others and so far, for me, it's the best of the bunch. The other ones I've tried include (but are not limited to) Kanebo Total Lip, LipSmart, Dr. Perricone, Dr. Kaplan, ReVive, Guerlain, YSL, Chanel, Dior, Aveeno, Aveda and a few others I can't recall off hand. This stuff is just great and I will buy it again! Comes in a nice pump bottle and just the right amount comes out so there's no waste, either!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Chanel - Le Volume De Chanel
LeslieCZ 12/3/2012 7:01:00 PM
This is Chanel's newest mascara. It definitely adds tons of volume and separates better than most "big brush" mascaras without clumping. I have thin, short, puny lashes and must apply this very carefully so as not to overdo, but I am pretty impressed with the formula and brush. I usually cannot use this type of volumizing product without getting it all over my face and on and under my eyelids - ending up with a gloppy mess! This was a gift from my friend Radblanc and I might buy it again for myself.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kate Somerville - ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment
LeslieCZ 11/30/2012 12:47:00 PM
I received a deluxe sample of Exfolikate Gentle. I had previously tried regular Exfolikate and found it irritated my sensitive, rosacea prone skin and I could not use it regularly. This newer product is much more finely ground and does a wonderful job of removing dead surface cells and leaving skin smooth and soft. It's fast and easy to use, too. I am planning to use this once a week, alternating with my Clarisonic which I also love and use about once per week as well. This combo is going to keep my skin clear and bright without irritation. I would suggest trying this if you have delicate or sensitive skin like mine.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner in Blackest Black
LeslieCZ 11/11/2012 11:37:00 AM
I received this as a gift from my MUA buddy Radblanc and I agree with prior reviewers, it's the best drugstore eyeliner I've ever used. It's really, really black, and has a satiny (not matte) finish. It comes with a nice easy to use brush and goes on very easily, smoothly and evenly. It also stays on all day without smudging (once it's dry). Really great new product, thanks Radblanc!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Jane Iredale - Pure Pressed Base
LeslieCZ 11/9/2012 1:25:00 PM
I have been using this pressed mineral powder foundation for years, long before I joined MUA and never thought to review it! I adore it. It's fast, easy and doesn't look cakey or fakey on my skin. I apply it over primer and/or moisturizer with a fat powder brush and it evens my skin tone and looks natural even in bright sunlight. I use liquid or creme foundation for "dress" but this perfect for every day when you're on the run. The SPF 20 in it is non-irritating and effective, too. I am very fair with blue undertones and use the color Satin. The color selection is vast and the product lasts a long, long time. Definitely recommend.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No