Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose Waterproof
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 7:45:00 PM
I used this for my wedding day as I wanted a waterproof mascara that wouldn't smudge, flake or give me panda eyes. I normally wear glasses but wanted to wear contacts for my big day, but that usually means my eyes get dry and sore and I end up rubbing/smudging my mascara. This mascara was fantatsic, better than my YSL false lash (faux cils) mascara which I thought was my HG mascara. It lengthened my lashes, glided on beautifully and made my eyes look amazing. The mascara didn't flake and didn't smudge until I took my contacts out very late in the evening. It withstood tears and me blinking/rubbing my eyes throughout the day. The only bad thing I can say about this product is the price, but it was worth it for my big day!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Kenzo - Amour by Kenzo
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 7:25:00 PM
I bought this as my wedding day perfume as I wanted a perfume to remind me of my special day. I love it and smells lovely on me once it has warmed up. Vanilla, frangipani and amber. It smells sweet, sensual and made me feel like a princess on my big day with it's delicate fragrance. The only thing I dislike is the stupid lid on the bottle which my 16-month-old DS ends up playing with all the time as it's always falling off!
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Fragrances -L'Occitane - Cherry Blossom EDT
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 7:17:00 PM
I'm on my second 100ml bottle of this EDT and I love it. I use it everyday and always get asked what I'm wearing. It smells gorgeous, light, fresh, sweet and summery (not of cherries as some people think). I think of it more as a body spray than an EDT, sparying it all over when I'm dressed and in my hair. The smell lasts quite a long time but is not over powering at all. I tend to use stronger fragrances for special occasions and nights out, but it is my favourite daytime perfume. LOVE IT!
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Lotions/ Creams -L'Occitane - Grape Anti-Water Retention Gel
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 7:01:00 PM
I have this in a 200ml tube and it is fantastic for water retention. I used this along with the grape seed shower oil during my pregnancy and after giving birth as my feet and ankles got extremely swollen with water retention. It was so bad I couldn't wear shoes, only sandals which extended with a strap and buckle and I struggled to walk! This gel instantly cooled my skin and eased the pressure. I swear by it and have kept a couple of tubes ready for flying and my next preganacy.
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Gels/Soaps -L'Occitane - Amande Cleansing and Soothing Shower Oil
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 6:49:00 PM
I love both this and the grape seed shower oils from L'Occitane. I tried this one first and fell in love with the product as it made such a difference on my dry, sensitive skin and is fab to shave with. The grape seed one I used during my pregnancy and just after giving birth as the grape seed extract helps with water retention and my feet/ankles were extremely swollen (the L'Occitane Grape Seed Anti-Water Retention Gel is fantastic for that). I loved the smell of the almond one but after trying the grape one I think I prefer the smell of that one more. The grape smells sweet and fruity, but a natural smell, whereas the almond one just smells sweet IMO. Because of the design of the twist cap dispenser in the 400ml size and the flip cap on the 250ml size, you do end up pouring too much out the bottle, making the bottle messy and wasting some, so a pump dispenser would be better. I find the oil lathers well, but not giving loads of bubbles which some people may prefer. The best use is when shaving as the razor glides so well over the product, giving a closer shave. The almond shower oil does make skin feel slightly more moisturised (but only slightly), so I think I prefer the grape one based on smell. I do think it is quite expensive and it's something I use to pamper myself, rather than as a daily shower product.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -L'Occitane - Grape Seed Shower Oil
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 6:41:00 PM
I love both this and the almond shower oils from L'Occitane. This one I used during my pregnancy and just after giving birth as the grape seed extract helps with water retention and my feet/ankles were extremely swollen (the L'Occitane Grape Seed Anti-Water Retention Gel is fantastic for that). I love the smell of this product, it's hard to explain but it smells sweet and fruity, but a natural smell. I think I prefer the smell of this to the almond one which just smells sweet IMO. Because of the design of the twist cap dispenser, you do end up pouring too much out the bottle, making the bottle messy and wasting some, so a pump dispenser would be better. I find the oil lathers well, but not giving loads of bubbles which some people may prefer. The best use is when shaving as the razor glides so well over the product, giving a closer shave. The almond shower oil does make skin feel slightly more moisturised, but I think I prefer this one based on smell. I do think it is quite expensive and it's something I use to pamper myself, rather than as a daily shower product.
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Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Gel Eyeliner
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 6:15:00 PM
I used to always use pencil or liquid eyeliners, that was until I looked into make-up for my wedding day and I decided I wanted something that would last all day long without smudging. So I thought I'd give this eyeliner a try and I loved it. I apply it with a Benefit Get Bent eyeliner brush, which is angled, making it a bit easier to apply with my wobbly hands and without my glasses on to see what I'm doing! The eyeliner itself is bold in colour and stays moist for a minute or two meaning you can smudge it before it sets. And once its set it really does stay put all day. I used it on my wedding day and it looked amazing (along with a top coat of MAC carbon eyeshadow on top to set it even more). I can't say how it compares to MAC gel eyeliner as I've not tried that yet, but this works fantastic for me! I will not be going back to pencil or liquid liners.
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Concealers -Estee Lauder - Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 5:58:00 PM
I have fair, sensitive, dry/combo skin with dark pigmentation patches under my eyes due to a hormonal condition and I wanted a concealer to cover this. This concealer is the only concealer I've found that does this without drying out my skin. I managed to get a gwp sample with this concealer one end and Double Wear Mascara the other end. I love both products and will be re-purchasing both in full sizes when they run out, but I have to say the sample gwp size has lasted 4 months already!...FAB! I apply the concealer which is nice and thick in consistency (but not too thick that it doesn't blend) with a concealer brush and it easily covers the pigmentation and any marks/blemishes I have without any trouble at all. It lasts all day long too so it does "stay-in-place"!
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Shave Products -Decleor - Aromessence Homme Triple Action Shave Perfector Serum
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 5:27:00 PM
I had to write this review as this product is amazing for guys. My DH's HG shaving product...he'd probably choose this if he could only ever have one HG product! He absolutely loves this stuff. He uses it before and after shaving. When used before shaving it helps soften skin, lift ingrown hairs and improve razor glide. After shaving it soothes razor burn and enhances the effectiveness of post shaving products, giving a more complete shave, while clove essential oil helps reduce hair re-growth. His skin looks absolutely fantastic after using this and is so so soft. He has dark hair and rapid facial hair re-growth, shaving every second day. His skin is oily/acne prone and when using this product he has no imperfections, rash or anything. All I can say is get your guy to try this and I'm sure he'll love it too! The product itself is an oily type serum and comes in a glass pump action bottle. It is very expensive at around £38 for 15ml but it's worth its weight in gold to my DH. We now buy it in a salon size bottle which is 50ml, it works out much cheaper and last ages! If you're looking for a pressie for your any special guy I highly recommend the Decleor Mens range (especially this and the aromessence homme night balm) 10/10...real winners!
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Skincare -Decleor - Aromessence Homme Night Balm
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 5:12:00 PM
My DH's HG night product. He loves this stuff, used in combination with Aromessence Ylang Ylang. Smells great (he likes it & I love it...it smells 'manly' in comparrison to the other Decleor night balms!) and he wakes up with glowing skin. This product does break out. It's waxy/pastey in texture and you only need the smallest amount warmed up in your fingers and massage it all over your face. Skin does feel greasy afterwards, but when you wake up in the morning it's usually glowing and so so very soft. My DH has oily/acne prone skin, although he does prefer the this - the mens version (Aromessence Homme Night Balm), if he's run out he pinches a bit of my Aromessence Ylang Ylang Night Balm! The packaging is fine as it is too thick for a pump dispenser and they provide a small plastic spatula to extract a small amount with, making it more hygienic than dipping your finger in the pot. Look out for salon sizes too as they're better value for money and last ages! If you're looking for a pressie for your any special guy I highly recommend the Decleor Mens range (especially this and the shave serum) 10/10...real winners!
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear (old formula)
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 5:06:00 PM
I don't wear foundation on a daily basis, but wanted to for my wedding day. I also wanted to do my own make-up. I researched loads and decided I wanted to try either the EL Double Wear or the EL Double Wear Light (which is the slightly newer, sheer one). I had a make-up consultation with EL and I had my face made up with half Double Wear and the other half Double Wear Light. Straight away I could see a massive difference between the two. The Double Wear was the one I choose as it gave me complete, flawless coverage. The Double Wear Light looked more like a tinted moisturiser (without the moisturising!) I bought the Double Wear in 2N2 Fresco, which is the shade the SA matched to my skintone and I have to say she done a fantastic job. I wore it on my wedding day with Smashbox primer underneath and my make-up was flawless and looked perfect all day until I took it off in the early hours of the morning. By the end of the day, my skin did feel a little dry, but that was the only downside. My photos came back fantastic, I looked completely natural and flawless again and many photos were taken outside in broad daylight. I would definately recommend this as a foundation for complete coverage, but it's not something I would wear daily; mainly as I don't wear foundation everyday. I would prehaps use the Double Wear Light daily when going out to work, but as a stay-at-home Mum, I rarely wear make-up now. Thanks EL for making my make-up perfect on my big day!
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Treatments -Avene - Cleanance K
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 3:52:00 PM
This is a review for the Avene Cleanance K used for treating blemishes and blackheads. I used this product for the months running upto my wedding day and I have to say that on the big day I did not have one spot! Hurrah! My skin is sensitive, dry/combo and I suffer with breakouts around that time of the month in my t-zone. I used this day and night on any spots/zits/blemishes/bumps that appeared and it wasn't a magic overnight fix, but after a day or two it did reduce and eventually rid me of any spots. It is a gel which comes in a hygienic squeeze tube. The gel itself is whiteish in colour and does tingle/sting on application. It also leaves a sticky residue and creates slight balling when make-up is applied over it. Overall a good product, I would purchase again.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Avene - Cleanance - Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 3:43:00 PM
I'm on my 1st bottle of this and have to say I really like it. I have sensitive, dry/combo skin and this cleans my skin well, removes make-up residue and leaves my skin clean, refreshed and powder soft ready for make-up. It doesn't dry out or strip my skin like some toners do. I like the swivel cap on the bottle, much easier than removing the cap to use and the bottle seems to be lasting a long time. Used alongside Queen Helene Mint Julep facial scrub and Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser, I seem to have a winning routine.
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Cleansers -Avene - Cleanance soapless gel cleanser for oily skin
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 3:36:00 PM
I'm on my 3rd bottle of this and have to say I really like it. I have sensitive, dry/combo skin and this cleans my skin well, removes make-up and leaves my skin clean and refreshed. It doesn't dry out or strip my skin like some cleansers do. The gel doesn't really foam with water, which I prefer and a bottle lasts a long time. Used alongside Queen Helene Mint Julep facial scrub and Avene Cleanance Anti-Shine Lotion, I seem to have a winning routine.
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Moisturizers -Decleor - Men Aromessence Balm
MackiesMummy 10/25/2009 3:20:00 PM
My DH's HG night product. He loves this stuff, used in combination with Aromessence Ylang Ylang. Smells great (he likes it & I love it...it smells 'manly' in comparrison to the other Decleor night balms!) and he wakes up with glowing skin. This product does break out. It's waxy/pastey in texture and you only need the smallest amount warmed up in your fingers and massage it all over your face. Skin does feel greasy afterwards, but when you wake up in the morning it's usually glowing and so so very soft. My DH has oily/acne prone skin, although he does prefer the this - the mens version (Aromessence Homme Night Balm), if he's run out he pinches a bit of my Aromessence Ylang Ylang Night Balm! The packaging is fine as it is too thick for a pump dispenser and they provide a small plastic spatula to extract a small amount with, making it more hygienic than dipping your finger in the pot. Look out for salon sizes too as they're better value for money and last ages! If you're looking for a pressie for your any special guy I highly recommend the Decleor Mens range (especially this and the shave serum) 10/10...real winners!
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