Fragrances -Christian Dior - Hypnotic Poison Eau Secrete
LizWords 5/10/2013 9:21:00 PM
Unlike the reviewer below, I do get a hint of Hypnotic Poison Eau Sensuelle. I do like this a lot, for me it's basically a summer replacement of eau sensuelle which I wear primarily in the fall and winter. It has the unmistakable Hypnotic Poison type of vanilla base, strong and distinct, but in this version it is lightened by wonderful and surprisingly lasting notes of citrus and jasmine. I actually agree with the description on the Dior website,that claims it is a fresh and light oriental. I also think this has amazing lasting power, as with the original and its flankers, if I spray in the morning before work, I can still smell it on my skin at bed time. It may not be as big in projection as it's namesake, but that's plus for me. If I spray it on my clothes it does project a little more than on my skin, but I like that it doesn't have the crazy sillage that the original hypnotic poison has. Overall I do really like this fragrance, I know its getting a lot of flack in the fragrance community for it being a flanker of a flanker of a flanker, but I don't care, it smells nice to me and suits my personality.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST BHA 9
LizWords 5/10/2013 9:07:00 PM
This is one of the best spot treatments on the market. Perfect for stopping a zit at the first sign, and amazing at unclogging blocked pores. I find this the most effective BHA product I have ever tried, and I've tried a lot. I do not use it all over my face, just on trouble spots, so the full bottle lasts a very long time. In fact, the sample lasted me a very long time too, i would definitely suggest buying a sample or two and giving it a try if you have issues with acne and/or clogged pores.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Pro Longwear Foundation
LizWords 5/4/2013 10:58:00 AM
I just switched to this about a week ago since the weather is really heating up and my studiofix was starting to slide off my face because of the humidity. I can't believe it took me this long to discover MAC foundations, I started using studiofix in the late fall and have been in love ever since. The NW20 matches my skin perfectly, the traditional studiofix is perfect in the winter when I'm dryer and this longwear formulation is perfect now that it's warm and humid. It provides very good medium coverage and it does what it says, it stays put all day. I also love the pump dispenser, it's so much easier to get the perfect amount than the studiofix bottle, why MAC doesn't switch to these pumps with all their foundations I don't know. I realize this foundation will probably not work for everyone, but for me, it is exactly what I want. Definitely worth a try IMO.
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Fragrances -Christian Dior - Pure Poison Elixir
LizWords 3/13/2013 9:14:00 PM
I like this version better than the original Pure Poison, it is richer, sweeter, less gardenia and more amber and cacao. The gardenia in the original is just too much for me, overall I do like it, but whenever I wear it I wish the gardenia wasn't so overwhelmingly powerful. This elixir version grants that wish, the gardenia is still there but it is quieter, more muted by the other notes. I find this scent perfect for spring and summer. The sillage of both the original and the elixir version is quite good, as is the longevity. I Sprayed the tiniest amount this morning around 8AM before work and it is still going strong in the evening when I get home. My one issue with this perfume is the sprayer, the bottle itself is gorgeous, but the atomizer does not work very well. On top of that I can't leave the atomizer on it, I have to constantly replace it after I use with the screw cap it also comes with, otherwise it evaporates way too quick. The presentation of the atomizer is beautiful, it's a wonderful idea, but unfortunately it does not work in practice...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
LizWords 2/3/2013 8:44:00 PM
I'm on my second bottle of this foundation this winter and am really loving it. In the winter I need a more emollient lotion (in the summer boots no. 7 stay perfect is my go to option) and this foundation fits the cake. NW20 matches my complexion perfectly and it doesn't come off as cakey on me at all. I get a good medium coverage with a semi-matte finish. I do set it with a mineral powder after it give it some time to sink in to set it, it stays well for about 4-5 hours at which point I touch it up with some tinted mineral foundation and then I'm good for the rest of the work day. This was my first Mac foundation and I'm very pleased and plan on continuing to purchase.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Cyclic Nano Silver Cleanser
LizWords 2/2/2013 6:32:00 PM
Update 3/15/13: It's been over 3 months and I'm still blemish free thanks to this product! WHOOWHOO I'm jumping on the band wagon, I absolutely love this product. I waited 2 months to review this because I wanted to make sure my clear skin wasn't just a fluke. I've had intermittent issues with cystic acne as well as normal small zits too since I hit puberty (about 20 years ago). I never had a ton of acne, but even one big cystic zit is too much, they look worse than normal acne, and they make me feel hideous and hurt my confidence when out in public. I had hit a particularly bad patch where I was getting about 2 cystic pimples every month, often around my period, and there was always at least one there, sometimes two at a time, and it had been months since I went without a big bump on my face. Spot treatments weren't working, and in my experience, none of the typical drugstore products worked for me either. One day I happened upon a review for this product and started to research it. The reviews were quite compelling, there are good reviews all over the internet. I also read about the science behind the nano particles and the effect of silver on skin issues. The cost on the website for this product was quite prohibitive, thankfully I found a 120gm pink one on ebay for $36. That may still seem expensive to some but these soaps last forever, in two months I've barely dented it. I noticed a difference within the first week of using 1x per day. The two cystic zits I had went away completely within that first week. I did experience some drying but I just used some extra moisturizer and within the first two weeks most of the dryness went away. After my skin was used to it I started using it 2xs per day, morning and night. Two months later and I have not had another cystic pimple since I started using this product. I have had 3 small zits that came and went w/in 2 days, again around my period, but that's it. So long as these results continue (and if they do not I will update this review), I will use this product for the rest of my life. Even if I can't find it on ebay anymore (which is not likely since there's a ton of it on there), I would pay full price for this, that's how good it is. I leave it on for 1-3 minutes in the morning during my shower and about 1 - 1 1/2 minutes at night before bed. Sometimes it still dries me out a bit (i use retin a at night too), but I just use a more emollient moisturizer and that solves any issues. Even my boyfriend commented on how nice my skin was looking lately, and he is the least observant person I know. I definitely recommend giving this product a try if you have acne issues of any kind.
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - COLOR TATTOO barely beige
LizWords 1/10/2013 7:33:00 PM
Loving this eye shadow right now. It is, as the name suggests, quite discrete, it is a yellowy beige that goes on more shear than many of the other color tattoos. Though in the pot it looks like it would be pretty sparkly, it's not, it's mostly matte with a nice subtle sheen. As with all the other colors in this line, it stays on all day (and night if you want it to).
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - CJ Scents - Skin
LizWords 1/6/2013 3:17:00 AM
This is one of my favorite musk oils right now. I'm a huge fan of musks and have many. This is not a very animalic or dirty musk, it's light and airy, and usually light musks don't last on me. I actually find kind of hard to find many musk that lasts a long time and are noticeable after hours of wear. CJs Skin is nice and light with a floral undertone that has great longevity. I am generous with application but I don't have to go overboard for it to last all day. It's quite versatile, goes well with both jeans and work attire, it's a subtle and unobtrusive scent. I will definitely be rebuying.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - CJ Scents--Vanilla Sandalwood
LizWords 1/6/2013 3:08:00 AM
I really love CJs vanilla sandalwood, it is very creamy and the sandalwood is powdery and smooth. I got the 1oz bottle for 15$ and transferred it to a roll on, I do have to put quite a bit on for it to last, but I don't mind doing that. It's a very close to the skin, soft subtle scent. I would definitely rebuy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Guerlain - Cologne du 68
LizWords 1/5/2013 9:58:00 PM
This cologne is awesome, one of my new favorites. It works in both cool and warm weather, it is very affordable, and it has very decent longevity, especially for a cologne. This fragrance opens with a fresh blast of citrus and herbs, the opening is very nice, but it's the dry down I love. After about an hour the heart of this cologne starts shining, iris, vanilla, some amber and lingering herbal hints. It's warm and inviting yet still holds a twinkling freshness. I gave myself 5 sprays before work the other day, 3 on my skin and 2 on my clothes and I was still getting nice little whiffs of it when I got home at 6pm. I paid 45$ for a 100ml on overstock.com which is a great deal for such a wonderful fragrance.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - AmLactin 12%
LizWords 12/11/2012 8:19:00 PM
I started buying the 22oz pump bottle off ebay for $20 with shipping, it's the best price I've found for a decent amount of this pricey lotion. It is pricey, but it works wonderfully, and when you think about it, compared to other acid lotions, if bought in large quantities, it is the most affordable option I've found. It cleared up the bumps on my legs from shaving that I've had issues with for years in about a month of regular use. I use it 3-4 times a week right now and that is enough to maintain the results. My whole body is wonderfully smooth now. The only downfall, other than the price, is that it can smell pretty awful for the first 20 minutes or so. I have to sit naked and let it air in order for it to fade. It can smell a bit like cat pee at first, which I know is just the high acid content. Fortunately this smell does disappear, leaving no trace of scent at all, so I can wear it during the day which is also a plus. Finding a non-stinky lactic acid lotion is hard.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Milani - Baked Blush - Rose D'Oro
LizWords 11/18/2012 3:53:00 AM
This is a wonderful pink blush with a nice sheen. I initially purchased Luminouso and while I like it, a true pink looks better on my skin tone than a peach. It blends very well, it is very pigmented, and it can create a very natural look or a very dramatic look. I personally go more often for the natural look, and use a light hand with this, a light swipe along each cheek bone and I have a nice natural looking flush with a hint of sheen that acts kind of like a built in highlighter. If I use a heavier hand it can get a bit too sparkly for daytime wear, but works wonderfully when going out at night. For 7$ this is a really wonderful blush and after I use it a bit longer I may even bump it up to 5 lippies.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Palmers - Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula For Dry, Ashy Skin Lotion 
LizWords 11/18/2012 3:44:00 AM
I initially wanted to give this product two lippies for the awful lingering smell it imparts on your body, but because this AHA lotion is effective I guess it deserves a 3. It's just too bad the rotten cocoa smell never goes away, I could handle it if it only lingered for an hour or two but even after a 12 hour work day I can smell it on my skin. Even my strongest perfumes don't cover the smell, so I cannot wear it during the day when I'm leaving the house, and honestly the smell grosses me out so bad I don't really want to wear it all. I know a lot of AHA lotions do not smell good, and that often companies add a bunch of fragrance to try to mask the smell of the acid, but this one did not do a good job at all. Yet, as I said, it is quite effective for gentle chemical exfoliation, it's quite affordable, and moisturizes quite well. If it weren't for the smell I would have loved this lotion.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Paint Pot in Blackground
LizWords 10/21/2012 4:59:00 PM
I love this paint pot, seriously, it's the best black eyeshadow that also serves as an amazing eyeliner. I think this comes off as very black, not grey really unless you put only a small amount on and then smudge it out. The best part about it is its staying power, it lasts all day even without a primer. I can get a very thin line with the right brush, and it comes off more precise than any stick or liquid liner I've ever used. It is a bit pricey but well worth the money when you realize how long the pot will last, I used to spend at least double the amount on black eyeliners every year and this little pot will last at least that long. I hope they don't ever discontinue this product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Un Bois Vanille
LizWords 10/8/2012 6:06:00 AM
I finally finished a large decant of this perfume this evening. I'm sure that I'm going to be shunned by the lovers of this perfume for this opinion, but I don't think this perfume is anything special. I love many of SL's perfumes and understand why they are so pricey, but I certainly don't think it's worth $85+ for a 50ml bottle as it's a very basic woody vanilla scent. Now don't get me wrong, it smells nice, not so cloying or gourmand as to irritate me, it is a very pretty smooth rich vanilla. But, over the last year I've tried many dups of this perfume that smell exactly the same, it does not seem very hard to replicate. So in my opinion, if you like this scent and can't or won't shell out upwards of $100 for a small bottle, try Earthen Treasures or Cherrydivablossom's dups for this. I bet you won't be able to tell much of a difference other than the excess cash you still have in your wallet after you purchase.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No