Moisturizers -Boots - Botanics Night Moisture Cream
Mazenderan 2/26/2012 3:23:00 PM
My skin: combination, seb derm, insanely reactive. I noticed my skin was starting to feel a bit dry first thing, and was looking a little blotchy. I've tried night creams before to try and keep the dreaded fine lines away - but they've always been too rich/scented and broke me out in bumps and pimples. (Ponds and Nivea Q10 were particularly bad for me) I decided to try this Botanics Night Shift cream because I use and like their SPF 15 day moisturiser . So far, after about 3 weeks, I'm very impressed. My skin now looks plump, smooth and pampered in the morning. I think that fine lines seem to be less noticeable. My skin hasn't freaked out in any way - no bumps, no break-outs. This is slightly gloopy, and leaves your skin a little shiny when it goes on, but it all sinks in by the morning. The smell is nice too, pleasant - but not too 'perfume-y' Overall, I'd definitely recommend it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Superdrug - 2True True Colour Eyeshadow
Mazenderan 5/9/2011 5:45:00 PM
I was really surprised by the quality of this product. Eyeshadow usually drives me crazy because it creases so fast - but this stuff lasts without creases forever! I got up at 7am, put my makeup on, and it was still crease-free when I got in at 8pm, after a full day at work and a pilates class. The only drawback I can see is that the colour range is a little limited. My main colour is a pale, warm toned gold. It goes on with a nice consistency - not too heavy, not too sheer. Overall, though, brilliant product - especially at such a cheap price.
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Fragrances -Versace - Baby Rose Jeans
Mazenderan 12/31/2010 11:13:00 AM
I wore this as a teenager, and after finding my almost empty bottle recently will be buying it again! I know it's not fashionable, and it's a simple sweet scent for a teenage girl - but it's gorgeous. The violet scent is lovely, and the little bergamot note gives it a citrussy spark and stops it from being sickly. A good-mood scent. Sweet in every sense of the word.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Nina Ricci - L'Air du Temps
Mazenderan 12/31/2010 11:09:00 AM
I really love L'Air du Temps. It's an elegant scent with a hint of something different to it - I wouldn't describe it simply as floral. As other reviewers have commmented, it has not been especially well-served by reformulation. Although I still wear and enjoy L'Air du Temps, it has lost some complexity and edge through the years. A softer version of what it once was, but still classy.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Caron - Nocturnes
Mazenderan 12/31/2010 10:54:00 AM
I bought this unsniffed based on the reviews I read here. Nocturnes is a smooth, serene scent. Other reviewers have listed the notes in more detail. I primarily smell roses and (in a good way!) lemon pledge. I like Nocturnes. I've read it described as 'ladylike' and 'well-balanced'. You won't find edgy here - but it is a lovely perfume.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - No.5
Mazenderan 12/31/2010 10:47:00 AM
Chanel 5 smells like sophistication.
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Fragrances -Lancaster - Covet Pure Bloom Sarah Jessica Parker
Mazenderan 12/31/2010 10:36:00 AM
Notes: Pikoke Indian flower, coconut water, tuberose, jasmine, mandarin orange, plum, musk, amber, sandalwood and orris I was given this product as a gift last Christmas. It's not a scent I would usually have chosen, as I don't tend to go for celebrity perfumes. It is classed as a floral, fuity scent with an 'exotic' or 'tropical' edge. While it's not a classic or very 'different', it does like up to its billing. The scent is tropical floral, and the fruity edge is present without being too strong or obvious (not Body Shop strong). While not suffocatingly strong like some of the big 80s scents, there's not much subtlety or development here. It's like - Bang! Fruit and Flowers! Overall, I think I smell rather like some sort of tropical cocktail when I wear this - not such a bad thing :) . It's not a classic - but it's fun and summery.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Estee Lauder - White Linen
Mazenderan 12/26/2010 11:51:00 AM
Fabulously sharp and crisp, this is one of my favourite perfumes - although I can equally understand why so many reviewers dislike it. White Linen is laceratingly aldehydic and green - my favourite notes. If you do not like these notes, then you will hate it. Even if you do like these notes, it still might be too much. Do not buy this unsniffed. It is not a 'meh' scent.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Accutane (by prescription)
Mazenderan 12/11/2010 10:16:00 AM
*Does the job - but be aware of possible side-effects* Accutane was a last resort for me. My skin has always been problematic. However, at age 28 my hormones went a little crazy, and my skin broke out in dreadful cystic acne. My cheeks, chin and jaw were actually painful and I was starting to scar. I tried AHAs, BHA and SA. Nothing worked. I was already on BCP. I went to the doc (who recommended accutane), but it can only be prescribed by a consultant in the UK - so he referred me. In the meantime, I was prescribed Solodyn and Differin to help control things. I saw the derm and got my prescription. At the lowest dose my lips were dry, but nothing too problematic. As soon as I went up to 40 mg the side-effects seriously kicked in. Dry lips and eyes, dry & flaking skin, joint pain (very stiff lower back and knees), painfully tight achilles. My hands broke out in an awful itchy, painful rash. My mood was rather low and I was quite withdrawn. Factor 50 was a *must* in the sun or I broke out in a bright red rash. Factor just 35 didn't cut it. My scalp was painfully dry: I washed my hair because the length was like straw & needed conditioned - my hair just wouldn't get greasy. I was generally fatigued and a walk tired me. I wasn't anaemic - but my bloods showed my iron level getting progressively lower throughout the course. I kept the doctor informed and was advised to tough it out, which I did. It wasn't pleasant, but you can adapt. My acne disappeared throughout the course. By the end, my skin was lovely - smooth, clear and glowing. Even my seb derm disappeared and my pores were smaller. Everyone complimented me. 5 months on, and my skin is still clear. It's not as perfect as it was at my max dose - my seb derm is back and my pores aren't as tight - but I have no acne at all. Overall, I would say the course was worth it. Even though I was unlucky when it came to side-effects, my skin was painful and scarring - and Accutane did the job. I would hope no-one is put off by my experience; I think I was just unfortunate, but I would recommend that you go into it with your eyes open. Buy a survival pack: serious lip balm (that gooey gel tube kind), decent eye-drops, loads of moisturiser (keep it in the fridge, the relief is great), jojoba oil for your scalp, coconut oil for the hair length, body lotion (the intensive vaseline stuff), painkillers for your joints, high-factor sun lotion. Try to stay aware of mood-changes. ** The price option was dirt cheap for me because I am in the UK and our prescription medication is a flat rate for ever product - £6.00 per item. The NHS is wonderful. **
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Chanel - Le Crayon Yeux
Mazenderan 12/11/2010 9:40:00 AM
I own this product in brown I love the eye pencil. It goes on smooth and creamy, without any dragging. Plus, it lasts forever and never dries out - so while it might seem expensive, you get what you pay for. To give you an idea, I wear it mostly every week day and it probably lasts about a year. I like the quality of the definition, as well as the staying power. This is probably the only beauty counter purchase I regularly make and refuse to compromise on. Love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Calvin Klein - Calvin Klein Beauty
Mazenderan 8/29/2010 10:26:00 AM
I saw the ad last night for the latest Calvin Klein scent - Calvin Klein Beauty - and went out to try it today. First impression, the bottle was simple, yet 'ladylike'. Quite 'grown-up' looking. The scent was warm, soft and quite woody - with a hint of floral. Nothing complex or particularly original. It reminded me of Chanel Allure. It doesn't really develop much throughout the day. The CK creative director described the scent as follows: "elegant, sophisticated, timeless and beautiful — and designed to appeal to a more mature customer. This is a woman in her 40s, who is self-assured and secure." I feel a little churlish for saying this, because it's not an offensive scent by any means - it's just that it's a little boring. It needs a little something to make it unique. Elegant and sophisticated shouldn't mean dull. Notes - lily, ambrette seed, cedarwood, jasmine. Overall, super-safe 'warm' perfume in determinedly good taste.
13 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Boots - Botanics Organic Moisturising Body Lotion
Mazenderan 8/8/2010 3:53:00 PM
This product continues the high quality that I've come to expect from the Boots Botanics range. I bought this because I was looking for a nicely scented body lotion. This definitely smells more like essential oils than a 'perfumey' scent, a pleasantly deep and soothing rose and bergamot scent. I think it might possibly be a bit of a YMMV scent, though - so do sniff before buying if possible. The consistency is light, but sinks in fast and definitely leaves skin smooth and moisturised. No nasty tackiness here. Impressed again by this brand, and will definitely repurchase.
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Lotions/ Creams -Boots - Expert Instant Soothing Cream
Mazenderan 8/8/2010 3:43:00 PM
This was my emergency cream when I was using Accutane. It dealt effectively with horrid dry patches on my face and decolletage as well as my hands. I liked it and will repurchase. Contains coconut oil and sunflower oil, amongst other moisturising agents.
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Fragrances -Balmain - Ivoire
Mazenderan 12/27/2009 8:35:00 AM
I bought this due to reviews I had read which liken it to Chanel 19. While I can see what the reviewers mean, I would say that anyone buying it expecting a Chanel 19 'dupe' will be disappointed. That being said, I like Ivoire on its own merits. The intensely green, soapy topnotes were initially a shock to the system, but I really enjoy them now. The fragrance then warms up and turns a little sweeter. The only negative comment I would make is that I don't seem to get the woody drydown with this fragrance. Unusual and classic scent. I really like it. Available reasonably cheaply, too. Update - you do get a woody drydown if you are a bit more liberal with application. And very lovely it is too. I bought Ivoire hoping for a Chanel 19 dupe, but now I like it for its own elegant self. Will definitely repurchase.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Issey Miyake - a scent by issey miyake
Mazenderan 12/22/2009 1:37:00 PM
I loved this scent. Sharp, green and citrussy (but not of the cheap, plasticky variety) - and bears more than a passing resemblance to Chanel Cristalle. The initial topnotes are pretty strong and fresh. It get sweeter with more depth as time passes, though, and the scent does last a long time. ETA - On second attempt at wearing this I would describe it as a much less subtle version of Cristalle that aims for the same sharpness. A brassy Cristalle. I liked how citrussy and long-lasting it is, and will probably get some now it has dropped in price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No