Polishes -Essie - Nailpolish
Necolarptic 6/27/2012 8:37:00 PM
Review for Essie "Enuf is Enuf." I bought this polish to replace a rather goopy bottle of OPI's "My Chihuahua Bites!" I had low expectations for Essie, being accustomed to the nice wide "salon" style brushes of OPI, but honestly? BLOWN AWAY. Love the colour, AND on my pale nails, I can get away with base coat, one coat of colour, and a top coat. It's pretty opaque with a single coat and takes way less time. The little glass bottle with raised glass letters is quite cute, without being fussy. The skinny brush, while not what I'm used to, actually suited my total lack of dexterity and allowed a bit more control. My fingernails are a bit deeply set; more rounded than flat. My first application was a few days ago, after having applied a shoddy cheap neon orange polish which I found too garish for my job. I did a messy application of "Enuf is Enuf" and got tons of compliments. Chipped in a few days, BUT that's with my riding public transit, locking and unlocking my bike, cleaning house, mailing parcels and such. I'm also using a hyper cheap top coat. (Sally Hansen.) We'll see how this mani lasts; I travel by train tomorrow for the Canada Day long weekend. It's a red enough coral shade that I feel patriotic without being sickening and tacky sporting maple leaves on my nails. I'd happily re-purchase or try another shade or two from Essie. They retail for $11.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart, got this bottle on "sale" (shoot me; we get screwed on price in Canada!) for $7.99. LOVE.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -The Body Shop - Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator
Necolarptic 9/5/2011 7:03:00 PM
N.B. I got a sample of this, not a full sized product. This stuff is disgusting; smells horrible and actually caused my skin to react in a really noticeable way. I had red bumps all over my face after a SINGLE use. Will never touch again. Tossed the sample. Even if I hadn't reacted, though, it stinks. There are far better "soap free" options out there.
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Shampoo -Organix - Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo
Necolarptic 6/23/2011 12:08:00 AM
Just out of the shower about an hour ago; had to try this tonight. Couldn't wait until tomorrow! I really adore coconut scented products but recently switched to SLS and paraben free because my scalp was a most unhappy camper. So far, after my hair air drying, I'm pleased. The scent was really lovely. It lathered better than other drug store brand SLS and paraben free brands I've tried (Live Clean, LaCoupe Organyx). I agree that it does a thorough job cleaning. Your hair should NOT be slippery after you have rinsed the shampoo from it! That to me just says the residue on the hair strand is making it slippery. Will update if need be after seeing how my hair weathers a day at work.
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Lip Treatments -eos - Lip Balm Sphere - Lemon Drop SPF 15
Necolarptic 5/14/2011 9:37:00 PM
To start, this stuff was a ***** to get! I had to get my mom to pick me up some when she was traveling in DC! (Canadian girl here.) She had to go to a bunch of CVS of Walgreens... she basically bought as many as she could get her hands on, since they're reasonably inexpensive. (Yet eos charges in the neighbourhood of $15 to shop to Canada... thanks a lot.) I got this and summer fruit. This is by far my favourite. Very pleasant consistency, gives my lips a nice shine. I keep it in my make-up bag on the bathroom counter. I couldn't handle losing it, so I carry summer fruit in my purse. I like the staying power, and the ball is pleasant to apply. I'm not sure if it'd moisturize amazingly well in a normal setting. I'm a chronic lap balm applier... I re-apply even if it's not needed. The smell and taste are sweet and lemony and perfect imo. Wish it was readily available in Canada. On the other hand, it should last awhile!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sally Hansen - Complete Salon Manicure - Touch of Mink
Necolarptic 5/14/2011 9:32:00 PM
I live near a fantabulous cosmetics clearing house; it's a land of amazing deals. I got this polish for $1.50. I was trying, without the assistance of my freshly pedicured toes, to locate a match for "Over the Taupe" in O.P.I. because I couldn't stomach the price tag for something I'll only use on my toes. Alack, alas. I came home with a few colours (including "wet clay" which is one of the ONLY polishes I'll use on my fingers!) and this. I have to say, it's definitely darker than the O.P.I. shade, but I think *gasp* I actually prefer it. The O.P.I. shade gorgeous but errs a little on the side of purple, which in all honestly, makes me want to vomit. (Yes, I've heard 1,000 little "here's why purple rocks" diatribes; I care not. I think it's an atrocious colour, even if every M.A. tries to slap some on me for a smokey eye. Bugger off.) I think this is a delicious chocolatey shade and it really suits my pale skin. It's actually quite close to my natural hair colour, so I assume nature likes me in that shade! At any rate, just did my toes to replace "Over the Taupe" and am in love with my toes. (You know that obnoxious behaviour when you can't stop staring at your adorable, freshly painted toes? Got it. Got it bad.) I have no comment as of yet for staying power. The wide brush was a pleasure and the shine is lovely. Enjoy, ladies!
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Lip Gloss -Clinique - Glosswear for Lips- Tenderheart
Necolarptic 2/20/2011 11:03:00 PM
Just got this fantastic gloss. I went in to get an eye shadow duo, and on a whim, decided to get a gloss for work. I wanted something nude, yet with enough colour not to wash out my pale skin. The consistency is definitely on the thicker side, but the result is staying power that is pretty amazing. It feels as though it's protecting my lips, and they never feel dry as it wears off. Will repurchase if it ever runs out!
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
Necolarptic 2/13/2011 10:51:00 PM
I really, really wanted to love this. It seems everyone in my skin tone seems to like it a lot. Maybe it's because I'm naturally quite rosy? I'm super super pale, and it does not show up even in the slightest bit. It's a shame, because the powder is definitely a great quality. I do feel that a cardboard box is not the best packaging. The brush is okay; nothing special in my opinion. If you don't own proper application brushes, then yes, maybe you'll love it. I have tried it both as blush and as an all-over or highlighting powder. Still no dice. I wish this did look as cute as everyone thinks. Sadly.... nada. Will have to return it. Hope I can!
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Shampoo -Klorane - for colored hair with extract of pomegranate
Necolarptic 2/12/2011 11:55:00 PM
I'm not sure if I got an off-batch or something, but given the disgusting horrifying reek of this apres-shampooing creme.... *guh* I have to take this back. It stinks. The smell lingers for hours! The product itself was a nice consistency, although a bit thick. I do colour my hair and was looking for my next HG conditioner, but this is not it. Back to the drawing board. So sad.
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Eyeliner -E.L.F. - Liquid Eyeliner - Black
Necolarptic 1/22/2011 2:44:00 AM
I got this very cheaply, for around $2 at (Canadian) Giant Tiger. It was my first time trying a liquid eyeliner, and I love it. It's a nice lightweight wand, not a pen style. The colour is a good, intense black. It's pretty simple to get even wings off the corner of each eye. I'd repurchase. I am currently also trying a gel eyeliner with a brush to see what the comparison is like. So far, I am just upset I waited so long to try liquid eyeliner. It's not as hard as you'd think it is to apply and the results are fantastic!
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Mascara -Clinique - High Impact Curling Mascara
Necolarptic 1/22/2011 2:30:00 AM
Firstly, LADIES, learn how to read. If a product indicates that warm water will remove it, don't be a moron. Use warm water. Don't use your usual make-up remover, and then whine about the resulting lash loss. Your illiteracy is hardly Clinique's fault... That out of the way, technique is KEY with this product. Yes, it can clump. I do find it adds volume, length and curl to my extra short, straight, fine lashes. My best friend, who has lashes to die for, recommended this and I initially ignored her, because I figured any mascara would make her lashes look amazing. I didn't trust her until she actually purchased one for me for Christmas. Guess I'm a cynic! The mascara took getting used to, but for my money, not needing to use a harsh or oily make-up remover at the end of the day is completely worth it. Warm water allows the mascara to come off easily, without tugging or lash loss. To apply, look down and try to blink onto the wand. If you find this too challenging, you can wiggle the brush from root to lash tip. At the end, use the brush to hold the lash up, while the eyelid is still lowered. This assists the lash in holding curl. Finally, the formula is designed to tighten the lash, resulting in further curl. Will post some before/after photos, sans lash curler use pre-application of mascara at a later date. Also to the moronic reviewer who thought it would result in panda eyes if removed in the shower; this mascara is tube technology. It comes off in tubes. It does not smear onto your face unless you physically take the wet wand covered in fresh mascara and wipe it onto your face. Yup, you'd be a moron to do that. Turns out there are a LOT of moronic women who review make-up, while being completely unable to do something like read the instructions or ask the SA at the counter. For $18 a pop, might be worth your time to read. I highly recommend this mascara, but only to women who can read.
13 out of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Benetint
Necolarptic 9/7/2010 6:51:00 PM
I love this product. I recently re-purchased as my sister had given me a Shoppers Drug Mart gift card for my birthday. I couldn't find the last bottle I owned, which despite tipping over multiple times, lasted for literally YEARS. This flush is very flattering. I have a pale skin tone (read: none of the major company, even DS, make the right tone for my skin; I am THAT pale) and this adds a lovely tone to my cheeks. I dislike it as a lip stain, as it is drying, but that's not its intended use anyway. I am curious about the folks here who claim it's not easy to work with; if you can't work fast enough to work this in without streaks or dots, you clearly rode the short bus to school! (Either that, or you take over 1.5 hours to get physically ready to leave the house; either way, totally pathetic.) It is a stain, which by its very nature means it leaves a stain. It will colour your skin quickly if you fail to work it in. That being said, a bit of soap and lather on the hands and the pink is gone. It is pricey, but as other reviewers have noted, it lasts forever! A little does go a long way. I will re-purchase yet again when this little bottle of beauty runs out.
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Hair Color -Clairol - Nice 'n Easy Haircolour in Soft Black
Necolarptic 8/18/2010 5:48:00 PM
Echo all the very positive comments, with one caveat: READ THE BOX. Seriously, all the "it doesn't wash out or fade" comments need to stop here and now. It's a permanent hair colour . Learn to read BEFORE you put colour in your hair! Of course, you'll have crazy and obvious roots if you are fair-haired and use this product. You'd have nobody to blame but yourself! Again, read the product ingredients. This is *not* meant to be a semi-permanent colour or a demi-gloss. Do yourself a favour and be fully aware of a product's purpose and ingredients before you apply it/use it.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Nivea - Lip Care - Strawberry
Necolarptic 6/28/2009 8:12:00 PM
I waited for YEARS for this to get to Canada! My Turkish gave me some about 6 or 7 years ago and I nursed it for a long, long time. I like the smell of this far more than the cherry but the colour isn't perfect. Bit too orangey-red. I do still love it, though. Whoever thought it was sticky is crazy, far more of a waxy feel. Delightful scent! Update: they added sparkle to this product, which is unimpressive; it WAS a gorgeous glossy Labrynth red... now it's a bit on the shimmery side. Bummer.
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Lip Treatments -Chapstick - Strawberry
Necolarptic 6/28/2009 7:59:00 PM
I love this, it is my favourite balm. I have gone through countless tubes. I keep one at the boyfriend's bedside, one if my purse, I even have a stash at home for when I can't see to find it in store. The smell is great, although it's like cotton candy, not strawberry. No issue for me; I have always loved the scent, and it even cheers up people near me when I put it on. No matter what DS brands I ma buy along the way, I always come back to this stuff.
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Lips -mark - Kiss Therapy Lip Balm In Shimmering Bronze
Necolarptic 6/28/2009 7:55:00 PM
Nasty smell, poor consistency, sticky not slippery. Will not be purchasing this again, and will probably not finish the tub. Terrible to get open; can't take it anywhere! Update: found this again. Why didn't I throw this out? Eugh, UTTER TRASH.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No