Treatments -Chanel - Purete Ideale Serum Intense Refining Skin Complex
Meglet 12/30/2009 8:38:00 AM
Man, normally I adore Chanel but this one really disappointed me. Though it does have a nice fresh scent, I am not using it to fragrance my face. I am using it to see results: pores looking smaller, oil control, and clean texture. I have noticed nothing. There's nothing intense about this serum. I have given up and then given it "one more try" so many times because I really wanted it to work. But no way will I be buying this again.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Coco Mademoiselle
Meglet 12/30/2009 8:33:00 AM
This is, far and away, the best perfume I've ever tried. I am a fragrance junkie and I try new things all the time, but Coco Mademoiselle is my cherished favorite. It's the only perfume I wear that gets noticed by men, not just women. I don't wear it for the boys I wear it for me, but I sure don't mind if they want to get a little closer ;) I am utterly shocked by some of the ultra-negative reviews here. It never occurred to me that it could be despised so much. I don't think it's empty or vapid. It's elegant. And many people do wear it, but that's because it makes us fans happy! I just got a new bottle for Christmas. My last bottle lasted me over a year. I admit I spray it on my pillow sometimes so I can enjoy it while I drift off. It's THAT good.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - Lumieres Magiques de Chanel
Meglet 12/26/2009 11:12:00 PM
LOVE IT! A pretty rosy glow for my cheeks that looks subtle and sweet. And I can amp it up if I like, thanks to the varied palette of this wonderful blush. I have never come across anything near as fun or functional, and now single-shade blush compacts seem boring. I love the subtle scent of roses it bring to my face. It is a luxury to enjoy. These are hard to find now, and I will be sad the day I run out. If you find yourself with a chance to snag some Lumieres Magiques, do it!
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Lip Treatments -Laura Mercier - lip silk
Meglet 1/15/2009 3:38:00 AM
I have 19 lip balms in my bedside drawer. I just counted. But now that I've discovered Lip Silk, I can reduce that crowd down to 2 or 3. I still like to have choices, and different moods call for different anything, even down to the type of chapstick I feel like using. The count is up to 20 now, since I forgot to count the Lip Silk itself, and among the other 19: the Chanel and the Avons, of course, plus Clinqiue (ranks #2 of my faves) C.O. Bigelow (ranks #3) Chapstick, CVS Brand, Burt's Bees etc. etc. etc. Not one has worked as well as Lip Silk. Clinique's Superbalm Lip Treatment and C.O. Bigelow's My Favorite Lip Balm are very, very good. Actually I discovered those just days before I tried Lip Silk. Keeping my lips comfortable overnight is particularly challenging. And this is where Lip Silk absolutely shines. It lasts me all night. I get more sleep thanks to this stuff! Another huge plus is that it is not at all thick, gummy, or sticky. I don't really mind that kinda stuff myself, but my husband does. He doesn't like kissing me with all that junk on my lips. But I can smear on Lip Silk and he'd barely notice. It has a incredibly natural feel. It looks like vaseline, but it doesn't feel like it. For me, it does exactly what I want it to do. I don't need to smooth my lips or plump them or soften them, I just need to snuggle them in their own "blankie." Lip Silk is a comforting blanket for my lips. -I wish I could apply it from the tube rather than from my finger -it would be awesome if it had a flip-top cap instead of a screwtop Price-wise, this stuff is expensive, for sure. The Clinique one is, too. It's $11.50 for .24 oz, while Lip Silk is $20 for .40 oz. Anytime I come across either of those on sale, I am going to stockpile. Lip Silk is definitely a luxury, but it's pretty darn close to being a necessity, at least to my happiness!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair (Serum) 
Meglet 10/21/2008 2:13:00 AM
Rave reviews for this product, but not from me. I like my products to feel luxurious in addition to doing their job, and of the Estee Lauder skincare line, this serum is the bland and sullen girl who lacks personality but has major smarts. While it is boring to use, it still does what its supposed to do. It's usually the other way around: most companies obsess about the luxury of their product and forget to make it good!
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Idealist
Meglet 10/21/2008 2:03:00 AM
Thank goodness for samples! I do love this product, but it has one snag for me: I cannot wear it under makeup. I know I can wear it over night, but my understanding of the chemistry and mechanics of this serum is that the most visible results are only temporary, sort of an illusion. Illusions are fine; that's what all makeup is. But for me to spend $40 on a face serum, I have to really really know I like it and will use it. So I straight up ask for them at every counter I'm curious about. I've gotten some very generous samples, too! In any case, I would use this happily if I got it for free, but I am not paying for it. The bottle (not the one pictured) is GORGEOUS. Definitely a pretty addition to your vanity. :)
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
Meglet 8/28/2008 9:00:00 PM
Just discovered this at the drugstore today and I LOVE IT! I got bold, big lashes instantly. I have to admit I have very long lashes, so long that people often compliment them. However, they are otherwise thin and light (I am a redhead). I love to wear the blackest of blacks, and Glam Black is perfect for me. I love the fat packaging, because it is much easier for my arthritic hands (I have JRA) and gives me better grip and control. I don't understand the complaints about the smell. It reminds me of Lancome mascara: subtle, fresh and flowery. I don't even smell it at all once it's on, but I do enjoy taking a quick whiff when I open the tube. I'd say the fragrance is an absolute plus in my book, and definitely not a negative. Wouldn't you prefer a mascara that smells a little bit pretty as opposed to one that smells like chemicals? And anything labeled "fragrance-free" does not always mean it doesn't have any chemical fragrance. In fact, MORE chemicals are added to the formulas of many items in order to neutralize the odor of other chemicals. So "fragrance-free" doesn't always mean "fewer chemicals"; sometimes it means MORE. (This is a bit of wisdom from a makeup counter lady at Nordstrom, though I cannot remember which counter she was at.) As for the complaint that it doesn't come in waterproof: most mascaras launch in the regular version first, then release a waterproof formula a few weeks/months later. I don't know what the strategy is behind it, but that's what I've observed myself and been told by ladies at makeup counters as well. So hang in there, because a waterproof version is almost certain to come out soon, especially if this first launch is as successful as it looks like it will be. With that neon yellow packaging catching your eye, what glam girl can't resit the impulse buy? That's the best part of going to the drugstore! ;)
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Rimmel - cool matte mousse foundation [DISCONTINUED]
Meglet 6/25/2008 1:35:00 AM
I got this for during a 50% off all Rimmel products sale, and I picked it up almost as an afterthought after grabbing some lipliners and a lip plumper/lipstick base. I LOVE this product, but only in tiny doses. I apply it to my t-zone and my chin, the only places I need to stay matte. And I do this after I have applied my regular foundation (right now it's L'Oreal True Match.) It works beautifully to control shine and it disappears onto my skin (I wear the lightest shade.) It truly lasts all day and it doesn't melt off even when my face is practically daring it to give up. I rarely have to whip out my pressed powder compact for touch-ups anymore. BUT - I tried it all over my face once and it felt HORRIBLE. My face felt strange all day. I can't describe it very well . . . it felt clammy. I couldn't wait to wash my face when I got home. I will only use this in small doses on select parts of my face from now on. - The packaging is terrible. It's just far too messy. The screw lid is difficult for my arthritic hands (I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) and then there's a plastic cap under that! It's there to protect you from spilling the whole darn jar as you unscrew the lid, but then it becomes a huge hassle when you don't know what to do with it while you are getting at the foundation. Again, I am having trouble explaining. If you see the packaging I think you'd understand. So, I do really hate the packaging but the foundation is PERFECT for oil control that lasts all day. And since I use so little of it, I consider it a super value. I would highly recommend it, but not as an all-over foundation.
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Pressed Powders -Clinique - Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
Meglet 4/27/2008 2:04:00 AM
Just bought this in Stay Buff. I told the CL I wanted something to carry in my purse just for touching up throughout the day, since I use liquid foundation in the morning (these days either L'Oreal Infallible or Maybelline Mineral Power). She kind of half-heartedly directed me to this (she wasn't very motivated to help me in general) and she didn't even bother to test any of the shades on me, but I was there, and it was Bonus time, so I chose Stay Buff by myself, which was risky considering how very fair I am and how very clueless I can be about shades. My husband was off in the men's department, so I was pretty much on my own. But I really wanted the bonus gift and am NEVER at department stores, so I had to seize the moment. I put it on as soon as I got in the car but couldn't really see how it looked since it as night. I had forgotten all about it, actually, until we made our next stop, Target. As we were walking around I suddenly remembered and asked my husband how it looked. Now, he doesn't really like my makeup habits, thinks I wear too much, and never says anything other than "You look fine", but this time he was really happy with it! He says it made me look "less made-up" and that he liked the way it looked on me. I looked in a mirror in the home section and my skin looked lovely! It definitely got rid of the shine, and the color was a PERFECT match, which meant either I had great luck or I am getting better at recognizing the right shades for me (thanks MUA!) The powder has a nice silky feel, no fragrance, and a sheer finish that truly is perfect for mid-day touch-ups. My only complaint is that the compact is rather large, taking up too much space in my purse. And yet I just complained recently that Besame's pressed powder compacts were too small! Well, I'll take too big over too small, because at least it's very easy to apply and has a GREAT mirror. The price was just right, I'd say, for a product I like and use every day. And I definitely use this every day, multiple times a day, just because I love it so much! There's nothing like touching up your makeup and putting on some lipgloss to give you a little re-charge, with zero calories!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Besame - Enchanting Lipstick
Meglet 4/27/2008 1:36:00 AM
I just bought a bunch of the Besame lipsticks that are being discontinued. I got Coral, Champagne, Debutante Pink. I hope they are improving their packaging, because I can't stand the way their lipsticks stick out over the rim of the tube, making it vulnerable to breakage. I wish they would retract all the way inside, snug and safe. The lipsticks' tiny, bullet shape is kinda cute in their retro way (though I don't like thinking about bullets) but I fear they aren't the most secure. The velvet pouch it comes with seems an unnecessary (and rather gaudy) touch, but I keep the lipstick in it when I carry it in my purse for fear of otherwise losing the bitty little thing. The pink is the first color I tried from my most recent order, and I love it! I have been longing for my old MAC Playboy Pink special edition lipstick from a few years ago, which you can now only rarely find on Ebay, and even then for over $50. No thanks. Loved it, but not *that* much. In any case, when I applied the Besame Debutante Pink it reminded be of my old Playboy Pink! Debutante Pink is a bit darker, but it has a cool shimmer. I like this much better than the pale pale Portrait Pink (which I also have.) This is probably my new everyday lipstick, with the Pink Diamond lip glaze on top. BTW, when I put on the lip glaze in the car the other night, my husband asked if I just rubbed a cupcake all over my face. He doesn't like the smell, but I sure do. In any case, this Debutante Pink is a great true pink with a slight silver shimmer, and it's just my kind of pink lipstick for my Stawberries'n'Cream complexion and red hair. I shan't be pining for my Playboy Pink anymore!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Almay - Nearly Naked Touch Pad Liquid Blush
Meglet 4/15/2008 7:28:00 PM
I got this from my mom, who either bought it for herself and actually didn't like the shade, or only pretended she didn't like it so she could pass it on to me, subtly getting me to change from my usual blush, Chanel Lumiere Magiques powder blush, which I think she thinks I wear too liberally. She stressed this Almay was a "nice color" on me and there was something in her voice . . . but I digress. So I wound up with this in Pink 140. It is a nice light fluid, and very very buildable. Almost too buildable. It can vanish into your skin if you look away for a moment and look back at the mirror. It takes several tries to build it up enough to be visible! But after a few rounds of touch-ups, it creates a natural glow, and I love the control of applying it with my finger. I used to use Bentint Lip Balm as a blush for the same reason (and I would still highly recommend that as a blush!) This blush imparts a dewy look, appropriate for the spring and summer. It doesn't have much staying power, only lasting a few hours for me. It would be best worn for a Sunday brunch or a Saturday evening Mass. It wouldn't really work for a night out on the town or a romantic dinner at a dimly-lit restaurant. I would buy it again, maybe. But I think I'd be more likely to want to try something different.
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Moisturizers -Besame - Rose Balance Moisturizing Lotion with Rose Extract
Meglet 4/10/2008 12:35:00 AM
I had to rate the price as being practically dirt cheap because I bought it on sale, only $10! I discovered this wonderful product, and the whole Besame line, AND the huge sale going on right now, thanks to MUA. What a find! Thank you thank you! I finally received my order today (I will say the shipping was sloooow) and have just applied this moisturizer for the first time. It feels rich and creamy but not greasy or pore-clogging. The best part, though, is the fragrance. In fact, I bought it for the fragrance alone, after reading the other reviews. And it indeed smells divine. Time will tell how it suits my skin, but hopefully I will continue to enjoy this wonderful scent and experience an improved complexion as well! This may be a little picky, but I don't like the bottle's design. I don't like Besame's signature red-and-gold in general, and the bottle just isn't as pretty as it had the potential to be. I like products that look pretty on my vanity, and Besame seems to think its designs will, but, especially with this bottle, I disagree. It actually looks cheap, like something from the dollar store that's *trying* to look expensive and chic. . . . but fails. But seriously, it's what's in the bottle that counts, and that, I love!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Besame - Boudoir Rouge in Sweet Pink
Meglet 4/6/2008 2:08:00 AM
I received this as a gift today and I love it! I would definitely buy it for myself or others. The compact is tiny, more than a little difficult for my arthritic hands to handle, but it is quite pretty. The color pigmentation is INTENSE: a little goes a looong way. So the doll-size of the compact is ok, considering how very little of the product you use each time. The tiny little powder puff is useless; I need to get a blush brush or figure out something else. It's just too tiny to properly maneuver and apply the makeup to your cheeks. I applied my new Besame foundation (in Bisque) and this rouge at around 4:30 this afternoon, and then went about my evening, including dinner and drinks, and baking brownies, and it is now after 1 a.m. and everything looks fresh and just-applied. Amazing! This blush is on sale at the Besame site right now so if you are at all interested now is the time to grab some!
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Liquid -Maybelline - Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation ] ] [DISCONTINUED]
Meglet 4/1/2008 6:29:00 AM
I really like this foundation, even though I know the "mineral power" is only a marketing gimmick. I find that it gives me a good radiance while completely covering up imperfections and vanishing pores. It stays on all day, too. It is a very fluid liquid, which is unfortunate because the bottle dispenses by squeezing, and it can dispense too much. Then you can't get the extra back into the bottle. I believe every liquid foundation should come in a pump bottle like that of L'oreal's Infallible foundation. But back to the Mineral Power. I bought it in a buy one/get one special. Then I went nuts and bought 2 more, so I have 6 total, but in different shades. I have pairs of light ivory, porcelain ivory, and classic ivory. As it turns out, porcelain ivory works best for me, with my pink undertones. Light ivory is for someone with yellow undertones. I don't know much about how this allegedly "improves your skin" as the ads say, but have noticed that my complexion has been looking very nice. So nice I don't even need foundation, even though I always use it. It could be the Mineral Power's effects, or it could be thanks to my complicated morning and night skin care routines. In summation,: great foundation, good price for the quality, and it may even be good for the skin. I will buy again, but, thanks to my six bottles, not for a long time!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -The Body Shop - Tea Tree Mattifying Moisture Gel
Meglet 3/29/2008 12:35:00 AM
I was really excited about this product because I have been using tea tree oil (just plain tea tree oil) to zap pimples for years. (I use a bottle of plain tea tree oil, dip a q tip in it, and then dab the q tip directly on the blemish a few times a night. It's usually dried out and almost gone by morning.) So I know tea tree oil works on clearing skin. I never did like the smell though, especially when using pure tea tree oil . . whoa is the smell overwhelming. But it's so effective it's worth it. I digress. This mattifying moisture gel retains that tea tree smell just a little too much for my liking. It's one thing for a concentrated attack on one pimple, or on a face wash that rinses away, but this stays on your face and just sits there. Also, I found that I cannot wear this under foundation. I don't have an even enough complexion to go bare, and need more than just a matte finish. So another strike. Final strike: the packaging. Make it a flip-top lid instead of a screw-on and you increase usability considerably. ALL beauty and hygiene products should be flip-top stead of screw-cap, IMHO. Oh, yeah: it's not cheap. It's not expensive, either, but it's a purchase you definitely give some thought to. In all, I was deeply disappointed. I have had better luck with the tea tree bar soap, though. The Body Shop is on the right track with their tea tree products, but I'm hoping a new generation of the line comes along soon.
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