Gels/Soaps -Bath and Body Works - Black Amethyst Shower Gel
MonFleur 3/19/2010 9:24:00 PM
I really likes this scent, smelling straight from the bottle when I was shopping at the store, so I was looking forward to using it every morning in shower. I was very disappointed that the smell changed quite drastically when used in the shower. To me, it smelled EXACTLY like popsicle sticks (the wooden stick, not popsicles) and nothing else. I generally like light woodsy notes in combination with other things, but I do not like heavily woodsy scents or smelling like I am actually a tree! I ended up passing this on to sister, since there is nothing wrong with the soap content or performance...I just could stand the smell it ended up being.
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Lotions/ Creams -Alba Botanica - Original Body Lotion
MonFleur 12/25/2009 4:56:00 PM
This lotion performs amazingly well. I don't necessarily need a body lotion all the time, but most of the year 'round, I do need a lotion for my hands. This lotion fits the bill perfectly for me. I can find it easily (it was a surprise that I found it at my grocery store, of all places!) It doesn't have an overbearing or funky smell (it's a light, clean fragrance that fades) It does what it's supposed to do: moisturize dry skin and helps protect from further drying out Soaks right in, good consistency Awesome pump bottle No harsh chemically ingredients No animal testing Doesn't burn, even when my hands resemble the Sahara! Doesn't cost me a small fortune, either! Under $15 for a bottle, even at full price. I got mine on sale for about $10. My only very small quibble is that it doesn't sink in quite as fast on the palm side of my hands, so it feels a little odd to to try and do anything with your hands right after applying, but either wipe off excess or wait a few minutes, and you're good to go! (I tried the "original scent" version.) I will come back to this for sure! :)
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Fragrances -Victoria's Secret - Cashmere Vanilla Jasmine [DISCONTINUED]
MonFleur 12/25/2009 4:48:00 PM
I loved this when I sampled it in the store, but once I used it away from all the other fragrances in the air and had a chance to live with it, I didn't end up caring for it so much. Generally, I hate powdery scents. (Unless they are very light on the powder aspect...) In the store, this smelled floral and vanilla-y to me, which I was keen on. It wasn't until I got away from any other scent interference where I could detect that one of the strongest notes in it (on me, anyway) was POWDER. I still can't detect any spicy notes whatsoever, which I would have liked to. It wears a long time on me, but I just am not crazy about it...it's borderline old-lady to me because of the powder. Since I already had the bottle, and lost the receipt, (grrr) I just keep it around for a linens spritz...it's similar to something Downy makes, and I'm fine with that smell being on laundry, especially on bed linens. And the bottle I have will probably last for at least a year, at that rate... By the way, they also make this in a fragrance mist and not just EDT/EDP...the mist is the one I tried. I'm wondering if the perfume smells spicer or more woodsy?
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Fragrances -Victoria's Secret - Sexy Little Things NOIR Body Mist
MonFleur 12/25/2009 4:39:00 PM
I love this scent. I'm not usually one for heavy, heavy perfumes during most days (daytime), and I work pretty close to other people, so I don't want to wear anything overpowering for them or me. I really was drawn to this fragrance after testing several and then walking away with two scents: I wore it all day on one wrist, and something else from VS on the other. Through the day, this one dried down to be mostly a vanilla-orchid scent to me, which I love, so I was happy with that. I ended up purchasing the body mist instead of the EDT/EDP because I thought it would be light instead of too heavy. That is true, for the most part, but I wish it would last on me a little longer than about 3 hours before I can't really smell it anymore. It does need frequent application, which is okay, but not ideal. I guess that's to be expected with a body spray, though. I would actually like to try the perfume version, for evenings or really cold days, but the reviews about the difficulty of using the atomizer are making me reconsider. I think I'll just buy another bottle of this version. Usually a bottle is about $12--15 and mine's lasted me for about 3 months with daily use. I may get a gift sized bottle of the perfume and then refill it from the atomizer bottle, but we'll see. I am glad there's the option to layer with the body mist, but I haven't tried any lotions or soaps from this line. Fragrance type: fruity floral Top notes: nectarine, juicy apple, sparkling citrus, pineapple, guanabana, mouthwatering pear, red fruit, bergamot Middle notes: cattelaya orchid, muget, cyclamen, jasmine petals, plum, vanilla, dewberry, cassis Low notes: golden amber, velvet musk, sultry woods, tonka bean
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Booths - 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion Coconut Fig
MonFleur 12/25/2009 4:26:00 PM
I was impressed with the performance of this lotion on my hands. I didn't try it on any other areas, as I have skin that is very sensitive to any fragrances or alcohol. It made my dry skin hands very soft and absorbed well to continue moisturizing through the day. It wasn't until I washed it off later in the day that I even needed to re-apply. I bought this particular bottle for the fragrance, over the lemon one. I wish they stocked vanilla at my store for me to try that. I ended up getting a weird, mineral-fishy smell along with the coconut and fig once I applied it to my hands, and that happened every time after the first time. THAT was the smell combo I just couldn't stand, so I can't use it any more. I guess it was my body chemistry that reacted to it in a strange way, because, in the bottle, I was loving the scent. I am disappointed I can't keep using a lotion that has a pretty good formula. I do recommend trying it if you have dry hands, because it does do what it says it will! It just wasn't a smell I could deal with.
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Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
MonFleur 12/17/2009 12:09:00 AM
I used a sample, so I have no comment on the full-size packaging. I had a couple large blemishes that had dried areas of skin around them (from using other acne med's.), and I really needed something to moisturize and smooth the area. I read the description on her website, and this seemed like a great product to try. With my sometimes oily, always acne-prone, sometimes sensitive skin, I wanted something that contained skin soothing ingredients but wasn't so light in moisture I wouldn't notice a difference. I tried the sample one evening, and I liked the texture and what it did for my skin...for about twenty minutes or so, and went to bed, because I figured it would only get better as time went on. After waking up in the morning, my blemishes were then surrounded by loads of tiny bumps and clogged pores, all around both previous blemish areas that I had been trying to help heal. It made the problem much worse, and almost half of my jaw was like one big breakout. :( I think it must be a combination of the glycerin wheat germ oil, and silicones that my skin doesn't like. (I am still trying to pin point which of these is the problem; it may be two of them, it may be all three, or may just be the amounts used at once. I am not sure.) I am sure, though, that this product alone caused the problem because it was only in the area of those two spots, right where I had used the gel. I was very disappointed, because I was pleased with the results after applying, and I was really pleased with some of her fantastic ingredient list, and I was not expecting to break out from this! :( I am almost positive the wheat germ oil is the primary target to blame...it rates a 5 out of 5 on the comedogenic ingredients scale. Yikes! I didn't know that when I got the product initially, but if it's that high a number, most people should stay away from wheat germ oil! Thank goodness it was only a sample!
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
MonFleur 11/30/2009 10:20:00 PM
I finally broke down and shelled out the money for this one, even though I hadn't tried it prior to purchasing. I had read so many good reviews about this product, and my current eyeshadow primer wasn't doing squat, so I had hoped this would work for me. Pro: - Color really blends in to my fair/light skin (although they do claim it should match "every" skintone). - Takes only seconds to dry on lids - Eyeshadow blends easily over primer - I'm able to salvage low-priced or inferior eyeshadows with this base - no offending fragrance - doesn't crack or crumble off - eyeshadow stays put 12+ hours - FINALLY a product that's actually crease-proof for me - doesn't take much product to do the job (so I can justify the initial cost) - no animal testing Con: - weird packaging doesn't make sense, and I'll have to cut into the sides to the product out later on - initially the price and lack of sample availability put me off - a tube would be a much better package method for this product; it can be unsanitary if you use the wand directly on the lids (I wash my hands first, then touch the wand to my finger, and then use my finger to apply on my lids). Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase and I would recommend this product. For me, this product does what it claims to do; I just wish they would improve the packaging.
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Lip Treatments -Blistex - Lip Infusion
MonFleur 11/1/2009 11:30:00 PM
Okay, so I was intrigued by the roller-ball packaging and since the product was labeled something to the effect of "super-hydrating" I grabbed it quick, and had high hopes that it would be moisturizing. I couldn't have picked a worse product for taking on a snowboard trip (up in the mountains, cold, dry, air, and sun exposure). It seemed to disappear on my lips (without licking, mind you) in a matter of a few minutes, so I was constantly reapplying, in hopes that a constant layer of the stuff might stay put and do some moisturizing. No such luck. In fact, it dried out my lips even more. I even tried this back in our logde/room away from the outdoor elements, and the effects were the same: it felt nice and cooling (and looked shiny) upon application, but in a few minutes I was right back to where I was before I tried the stuff. Needless to say, I was disgusted with this purchase, and I can't imagine it working well for anyone.
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Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - HiP Bright Duo - Brazen #118
MonFleur 10/20/2009 5:39:00 PM
I tried a few other shadows in the h.I.P. line, and they are working better for me than this one. I thought I might be able to use the colors in this pot separately. As a duo, I can't imagine how to use them in a flattering manner...maybe the pink could be used with other eyeshadows to some cool effect, but that's not an avenue I explored because it's not my style. Separately, I tried using the pink in various intensities: a light swipe, layered on, etc. and I just didn't like the way it looked on my eyelid. It's pretty garish, and difficult to blend/work with. It may work well with a more neutral bone or white/cream color, but the pink is just not for me. The brown is super-matte, in that it is pretty dry texturally and appearance-wise. It was even harder for me to try to blend. And watch out for fallout! This duo is really chalky in texture, not smooth or easy-to-blend brights like I wanted to try. I bet the pink would look nice on darker (and possibly olive skin), but it's very intense on fair complexions...I wonder if you could use it in small amounts as a blush? You could use the brown as a liner wet or dry, and it should work fine, but I already have plenty of other shadows that can do that job, so I won't be getting this duo again. This just didn't do anything I was hoping it would do.
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Lip Gloss -Wet 'n' Wild - Glassy Gloss
MonFleur 8/8/2009 6:20:00 PM
I really liked this product, but the lovely people at Wet'n'Wild Corp. have decided (for no good reason) to discontinue this item. Now, I may be jumping to conclusions; it may just be my particular local Walgreen's that stopped selling it, so I am on the search, and if I find it, I'm stocking up! This gloss is very shiny (no shimmer or glitter; pure glossiness), fairly sticky (it lasts on your lips, though), fairly moisturizing, has no offensive smell (slightly fruity but faint) and CHEAP. I tend to get chapped lips very easily, so I flip when I find a good gloss. I was expecting this one in POPPY GLAZE to impart more color to my already-pigmented lips, but I couldn't tell any color was added. If you have very pale lips, it may add a touch of color, but this is very low-pigmented gloss; on most people, it will show up clear. But since the formula is so rockin', it's great to layer over a stain or a lipstick to add shine and a coat of moisture. I've heard that this is a great dupe for MAC Glass gloss, which I haven't tried myself, but if it performs similarly, why not spend lots less to get that look? It sounds worth trying if you like Glass Gloss by MAC. This is one of the best low cost drugstore finds I have ever discovered, but I am afraid it's in the process of being discontinued. :( Otherwise, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It ran me about $3.00 Recommended...if you can FIND it!
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Eye Shadow -Ulta - Rose Dusk
MonFleur 7/30/2009 11:52:00 PM
This is my first experience with ULTA brand eyeshadows (we just had a store open in town), and I bought several more based on the performance of this one. I have fair/light skin with a slight cool to neutral undertone. My eyes are dark hazel: sometimes they look brown, but usually they look olive, and my irises have gold flecks in them. I was searching for a pink or rose hue to bring out my hazel coloring, when I found this shade: "rose dusk." This color produced a soft but very pretty peachy-pink wash over my eyes, and the pink shade helped to bring out the hazel. The consistency of this formula was very silky, and easy to apply and blend on the lid. I'd consider this a "pearl" finish; it is not glittery, but has an overall sheen that reflects some light to brighten the eye area. I wore mine over Loreal's De-crease eyeshadow base/primer, and my color lasted all through the work day and beyond. That eyeshadow primer is not my most favorite, but it got the job done, and a higher quality base would enhance the shadow wearability even more. This shadow did not flake or fallout or fade on me, so I was thrilled! I think the color is lovely, and to have it actually hang around on my lid is fantastic. I definitely intend to repurchase when I run out, but even with frequent use, it will take me a long time to go through all of it! I plan to wear it frequently! Ulta frequently has a buy-one-get-one sale/promo, so if you wait for those, you can't beat the price, but regularly, they are about $7.00 each, which is still very reasonable for the amount and the product performance. You get 3 grams in each container. These are an awesome value, and they have a wide selection of colors, too. If eyeshadow with sheen is not your preference, they also make some hues in a matte formula (just not this one, I don't think; there may be a similar shade in matte, but I don't know its name).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega colors in Sugar Plum Fairy 902B
MonFleur 6/5/2009 12:16:00 AM
(Note: Right now, I'm giving this product a four-star review because I love the color and the fragrance-free formula; I may bump that to five stars if it lasts a while...) My local drugstore (CVS or Walgreen's) was having a sale on Wet n' Wild products and I came across this lipstick. Normally, I am not a fan of lipstick, and I usually prefer balms used over stains. I thought I would try a lipstick that day, especially at a less than $3 price tag! As a fair-skinned gal with fairly pigmented lips, and an inconsistent overall skin undertone, but I usually consistently have to make efforts to hide dark circles, I have had trouble finding a lipstick that doesn't either wash me out or look too dramatic for daytime. Enter Wet n' Wild 902b, Sugar Plum Fairy: I can either put this on in layers or just blot on a light layer, and I really like the way it brings out my natural coloring effortlessly. I still like to top it with some moisturizing gloss or lip balm, as my lips always seem to be prone to dryness. This is a pretty sheer shade that you can control the intensity with as long as you apply it in layers (I imagine a lip liner all over lips before applying this would also enhance the color and performance.) I think I will enjoy this shade for a long time as a daytime lip color....it looks like my lips, but better (MLBB). Hooray! :) I'm not the best with describing colors, especially since the tube itself looks more intense than it shows up on a swatch on on lips, but I think I'd describe it as a mauvy/pink/beige, in the rosey/mauvy neutral/natural category. If you have pigmented lips and fair skin with mostly neutral or warm undertones, I bet this would be the ticket for you! If you don't have pigmented lips, this color is still flattering for many light to medium skintones, so you could always add a lip liner or a colored gloss on top (with the same undertones as the lipstick). I love that there's no fakey-fruity taste, waxy taste or any chemical-funk smells going on with this product: it's simply formulated to add color to your lips. It's not sticky or super drying, but I haven't found it terribly moisturizing, either, but it may be enough moisture for some. There's absolutely no glitter or metallic gleam to this one, either. I would describe the finish as slightly creamy/satiny. I didn't even bother lining my lips before trying this and it hasn't bled or flaked off. The packaging could be improved by allowing the user to lower the lip stick before putting the cap on, but if you're careful, it's not a deal-breaker. This is definitely worth trying! You can't beat the price, either! Recommended!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Megalast lipstick 908 C Sugar Plum Fairy
MonFleur 6/5/2009 12:13:00 AM
(Note: Right now, I'm giving this product a four-star review because I love the color and the fragrance-free formula; I may bump that to five stars if it lasts a while...) My local drugstore (CVS or Walgreen's) was having a sale on Wet n' Wild products and I came across this lipstick. Normally, I am not a fan of lipstick, and I usually prefer balms used over stains. I thought I would try a lipstick that day, especially at a less than $3 price tag! As a fair-skinned gal with fairly pigmented lips, and an inconsistent overall skin undertone, but I usually consistently have to make efforts to hide dark circles, I have had trouble finding a lipstick that doesn't either wash me out or look too dramatic for daytime. Enter Wet n' Wild 902b, Sugar Plum Fairy: I can either put this on in layers or just blot on a light layer, and I really like the way it brings out my natural coloring effortlessly. I still like to top it with some moisturizing gloss or lip balm, as my lips always seem to be prone to dryness. This is a pretty sheer shade that you can control the intensity with as long as you apply it in layers (I imagine a lip liner all over lips before applying this would also enhance the color and performance.) I think I will enjoy this shade for a long time as a daytime lip color....it looks like my lips, but better (MLBB). Hooray! :) I'm not the best with describing colors, especially since the tube itself looks more intense than it shows up on a swatch on on lips, but I think I'd describe it as a mauvy/pink/beige, in the rosey/mauvy neutral/natural category. If you have pigmented lips and fair skin with mostly neutral or warm undertones, I bet this would be the ticket for you! If you don't have pigmented lips, this color is still flattering for many light to medium skintones, so you could always add a lip liner or a colored gloss on top (with the same undertones as the lipstick). I love that there's no fakey-fruity taste, waxy taste or any chemical-funk smells going on with this product: it's simply formulated to add color to your lips. It's not sticky or super drying, but I haven't found it terribly moisturizing, either, but it may be enough moisture for some. There's absolutely no glitter or over-the-top metallic gleam to this one, either. I would describe the finish as slightly creamy/satiny with a pearlised/soft metallic sheen. I didn't even bother lining my lips before trying this and it hasn't bled or flaked off. The packaging could be improved by allowing the user to lower the lip stick before putting the cap on, but if you're careful, it's not a deal-breaker. This is definitely worth trying! You can't beat the price, either! Recommended!
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Lip Gloss -Wet 'n' Wild - Megaslicks Lipgloss
MonFleur 5/17/2009 8:20:00 PM
Hmm...I bought several (most) shades, while they were on clearance, so I wasn't really out much money. My biggest complaint with these is the plasticy-metallic smell you get as soon as you open the container, and it stays with you when you apply. I hated that smell, and that's the main reason I refuse to put any on my lips again. These are formulated to be fairly sticky...which means the product stays on your lips pretty well, but my hair sticks, too. The packaging and the price are pretty much what I expected from WnW. Several shades looked pretty in the container, but when I applied them, they looked too metallic to me to any flattering. I am pretty fair-skinned, and my lips have some natural coloring, but not much. These were so metallic that there wasn't much "sheer" going on; rather, they blocked the natural color I had, so I looked washed out. The other ones, that look brightly colored but translucent in the container are soft, soft very sheer shades that I would probably have held onto if it weren't for that horrid SMELL. Not recommended.
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - retractable kabuki
MonFleur 4/25/2009 11:36:00 PM
This kabuki brush is one of the best I've used! -Synthetic bristles are super soft, and the head is compact. - It works wonders when buffing/blending mineral makeup. -you don't use as much product with synthetic brushes. - these are made so well; I wash mine about twice a week, and I haven't had to replace them yet, after many months. The ends don't split, no hairs come loose, and the brush still maintains its original shape. - The price for this quality can't be beat. I know it was less than $15 for this style brush. - All the products in this line (as you may have gathered by the name) are used from environmentally-friendly materials, like sustainable and durable bamboo. - All the products in this line are animal-cruelty free and do absolutely no animal testing. - This particular brush is extra easy to bring with you for traveling, since it retracts and then you can cover the brush opening with the lid. You could even load the brush up with powder and then retract it to have it ready later for touch-ups. Cons: -The only drawback that bothers me a little about this particular brush style in their line is the fact that when I wash it, I then have to wait almost TWO DAYS before the bristles are dry again. I know it's because the bristles are so compact, but I wish I could use it every day. I suppose I could get two...I am considering that, but I actually have been using the kabuki some days, and when the kabuki is air-drying, I use a powder/blush brush in their line for my mineral loose powder. That works well enough for me to recommend both brushes . They are both great quality. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No