Cleansers -La Prairie - cellular comforting cleansing emulsion
Rainbowapple 8/19/2009 7:57:00 PM
Excellent cleanser-softening, silky and effective. Also, versatile-I like that I can rinse or tissue off, depending upon my daily/nightly preference. I agree with the reviewer below about the packaging, but I solve that by dispensing what I need into a plastic travel bottle, as I need to. Also, the huge silver cap on top of the pump seems a little OTT. I've also used the Desensitizing Cream Cleanser, but this has since been discontinued-although, all La Prairie cleansers seem to keep well, and are good value. Never had a reaction, redness, break-outs or anything of that nature with this. My nightly moisturizer absorbs better, and I just feel as if this cleanser does more of a thorough cleanse, even compared to HE foaming cleansers, which tend to leave my dry/combi skin a little on the dry side. When this runs dry, I plan on trying the LP cleansing water. Great cleanser!.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Covermark - Classic Covermark Concealer
Rainbowapple 8/18/2009 11:27:00 PM
I have the Covermark in Pale Beige. Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Beeswax, Talc, Magnesium, Carbonate, Iron Oxides, Propylparaben, Fragrance 1-800-524-1120 In spite of my hesitation at the standard 'nasties' contained in this product, that many potential consumers may have difficulties with (like Mineral Oil and parabens), nothing covers quite like this. This needs a lot of blending, but is highly effective on scars. I've also used it in a job interview - and I got the job - and it was very effective. Nothing covers like this!. I probably would re-buy, if I ever ran out, but I doubt that I'll run out anytime soon. I have numerous surgical scars, from head to foot, and this classic covers it all!.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -La Prairie - Cellular Treatment Gold Illusion Line Filler
Rainbowapple 8/14/2009 2:38:00 PM
This looks like a heavily gold-flecked product in the container, but I find the final sparkle finish to be non-obtrusive. Worked well on my sensitive skin, which has, in the past, without fail, always reacted to primers from other brands. Skin feels smooth and silky after application. I wear with or without liquid foundation. Or, underneath pressed powder, it's a dream-especially for special events w/flash photography. There's something about the scent that bothers me a little, though. It starts off as pleasant, but then devolves into something a little less appealing. But, I'll forgive it that, for it gives me such a flawless and effortless finish. Love it!.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Almay - Pure Blends Mascara
Rainbowapple 7/14/2009 7:47:00 PM
[I just contacted Almay about my -tve experience with this product-I will update this review as needed]. So, I've used a lot of different mascaras throughout the years-most recently YSL Faux Cils. In the past, I've also really liked Lancome's Defincils. As preparation for an upcoming job interview, I decided that I wanted to switch to brown, and try a new DS mascara. A friend who works in a DS suggested this new offering from Almay. Don't be fooled by the Pure Blends Marketing Hype. Fortunately for me, I road-tested this mascara, for three consecutive days, a week prior to my interview. About two hours after applying a coat to my upper lashes, my eyes started to itch. I mistakenly thought it was allergies. Wrong!. Not only that, but the mascara was clumpy. I'll give it one thing-it did last on my lashes-for about 2 days, despite trying to dissolve it with eye m/u remover. Every day that I wore this, my eyes became itchy, irritated, red and dried out. I had to use eye drops for a week to calm the issue. Switched to Maybelline in the pink tube (also in brown) with no issues at all. Gah!.
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Liquid -Paul & Joe - Fluid foundation
Rainbowapple 6/27/2009 2:12:00 PM
This review is for the white bottle foundation with SPF25PA++(Protective Fluid Foundation N 30ml in 02). This reminds me greatly of another fluid foundation from DHC - see my review of that, too - also made in Japan, interestingly. This was an expensive indulgence from Beautyhabit. As other reviewers have mentioned, this has a light, fresh lotion texture on the skin. With my Summer skintone, the 02 shade is just slightly too dark. Maybe by half a shade or so. It's perfectly acceptable for sheer casual everyday wear, however, I wouldn't wear this at night, or for a job interview, or anything like that. It has a delightful herbal scent that does tend to linger on my face. By day's end, this foundation was still in place, but I'm not convinced how this might perform in changing and challenging climates. A little pricey for less than 50 mls, in my opinion. Will use this for the rest of my Summer outdoor wear, but will likely not re-purchase.
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Lip Treatments -Tarte - 24/7 Lip Sheer SPF 15
Rainbowapple 5/12/2009 10:54:00 PM
I have these in Thursday (for casual, everyday wear) and Friday (for formal evening wear, or going out). Purchased these because, other than MAC, I've never been much of a lippy person, and not impressed with most other color selections. And, my husband dislikes the tacky packaging of a lot of lippies. Burt's lip sheer colors are too murky and limiting-Tarte has a brighter range of choices. I like the mint oil, the texture is inoffensive, and the color lasts about as well as can be expected. Didn't have an issue with so-called 'castor oil' residue, either. Color can be layered, with a brush, or not. I like the convenience, simplicity and flexibility of this product-and the price isn't too ridiculously stonking, which is a comfort.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Futurist Foundation
Rainbowapple 5/4/2009 4:40:00 PM
I use this in the lightest shade, with an SPF50 underneath. Compared with so many different liquid foundations, this one blends incredibly well. Great that it has a pump, too. On me, it dries to a dewy, but not too oily finish, and one pump covers most everything AND lasts all day. Bit of a worry to travel with, but other than that, an outstanding purchase. EDIT-5/24: Knocked off two stars. Why?. I don't like this anywhere near as much. Too peachy. Too runny. I end up wasting a lot. It does work better when mixed with my daily sunscreen (Coppertone, SPF50). Just 'too' something, and until I can be bothered figuring out what this is, I'm putting this gem back in my makeup storage box. Sorry, EL-this is too old-lady-ish for me!.
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Moisturizers -Lancome - Bienfait Multi-Vital Nuit
Rainbowapple 4/16/2009 5:19:00 PM
As far as being an anti-aging night cream, this one has all of the valid chemical components, and is pleasurable to use, to boot. I've used this nightly for eight consecutive weeks, with a noticeable improvement in tone and texture (although little-nil impact on fine lines, so far). Also, a good reduction in break-outs, redness and general irritation. For the record, I'm 36, love the outdoors, and I use the Bienfait SPF30 lotion during the day. So, I think that the idea of this being intended for younger skin is not an entirely well-informed statement. Try it and form your own opinion!. Great value for your $$$ in this ailing economy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Chantecaille - New Stick - Foundation and Concealer
Rainbowapple 3/22/2009 12:40:00 AM
A mild impulse buy that actually paid off - after disaster and expensive run-ins and disappointments with everything from BB to Clinique. This is my HE 'switch' with Max Factor's PanStik-the MF being my ordinary, everyday essential. My Chante Foundation and Concealer meets all of my expectations, with the exception of color/shade. Ivory is still slightly orange on me, depending on the intensity of natural light, but not as Oompah-lesque as MF. Covers well. Blends well. Packaging is a little too rattly and tinny
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Lip Treatments -Nivea - A Kiss of Moisture
Rainbowapple 3/22/2009 12:13:00 AM
I was raised on Nivea lip balms in New Zealand, where they were really effective and inexpensive (relatively) compared with standard brands, like Blistex, Chapstick, Avon, Yves Rocher, etc. So, I was ecstatic to see some versions introduced to the U.S market. One disappointment is the drugstore price-point - way high in comparison with their Australasian counterparts. Nonetheless, I was desperate for some major re-moisturizing and conditioning, following a terrible bout of illness. Nothing worked-even my Chante lip gloss. So, enter A Kiss of Moisture. Within one day, with one application, my lips were transformed, softened and comforted. Texture is a little on the slippy side, but, at least it's not overly waxy or crumbly or oily. It doesn't break out my lip area like some more expensive brands tend to do, either. Nor is it overly fragranced nor flavored in a fake or bothersome way. Packaging is perfectly straightforward and uncomplicated (as it should be). Lasts especially well. A pleasing performer. The SPF is only a mere 4, which I find somewhat odd and pointless, but better than nothing at all, I suppose. A perfectly acceptable pre-application product for gloss or lipstick, and a great smoother on its own. Well worth a try. Far out-ranks most everything that I've tried in both the mainstream and HE balm lines. A keeper.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Stila - Lip Glaze Stick in Apricot
Rainbowapple 3/3/2009 9:33:00 PM
Background: This is my second adventure with this particular, Apricot version, having decided to give it another go around. My first experience with this was a little frustrating, because the color itself was so squishy, and against the harsh pencil, there wasn't a lot of give between crushing the contents during application. Also, the constant sharpening became an annoyance that I could have done without. Color/Shade: Definitely a soft apricot shade, on the coral/orange side. Creamy, rather than heavily sparkly. Thicker consistency compared with the more sheer formulations (such as Grapefruit). Has a sheen, rather than a gloss. Flavor: Again, apricot, and quite strong, initially. A nice burst of apricot indulgence, but could prove to be a bit cloying, especially if you don't like specific fruity flavors. Wearability: Does not last long. Frequent re-application required!. A wonderful shade for weekend wear, but not something that I'd wear for work. In all, worth a try, but not worth paying full price to experiment with, unless you're sure (like me) of your preferences. In addition, as I'm in my 30s, I think that I'm a bit beyond Stila's target market, now :)
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Lip Gloss -Stila - Lip Glaze Stick in Grapefruit
Rainbowapple 3/3/2009 9:22:00 PM
A universally standard, cherubic pink shade, slightly on the peach side, with shimmering sparkles that aren't overwhelming. Minimal fruity taste. Unremarkable lasting power, unfortunately. For me, this is a versatile, reliable yet, 'unremarkable' weekend shade, that I wear simply for fun, or on my minimal make-up days. May be especially good/handy for Summer road-tripping adventures, although the sharpening regular factor of the packaging could be an inconvenient consideration. Still, I much prefer the stick/pencil packaging versus the ridiculous clicky-pen packaging nightmare of standard Stila lip glazes. A nice bare basic for most anyone's weekend/vacay kit.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Dewy Smooth [DISCONTINUED]
Rainbowapple 3/2/2009 10:04:00 PM
Clinique foundation colors are up the ying-yang, for some inexplicable reason. Days gone by, their foundations had a good, stable, reliable range of different shades. Not anymore-it's so hit and miss. For a so-called fragrance free product, the scent of this foundation is disturbing, to say the least. I used Cream 02, which looked suspiciously orange in the bottle, and, sure enough, applied equally orange on my extremely pale skin-and continued to shrink my skin into something colored to the unflattering tone of orange Koolaid!!. Despite stippling and other brush and application techniques tried, I was still left with that irksome, tell-tale jawline marking. Abandoned this reluctantly, following only one test run. A disappointment, because I wanted one more foray into Clinique. No more.
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Lip Treatments -Beauticontrol - Lip Balm
Rainbowapple 3/2/2009 9:24:00 PM
A "just okay" lip balm experience. Orange oil scent is a little overpowering, and the tub/pot packaging is slightly off-putting. Smooths on nicely, yet slightly waxy. Not overly silky nor shiny finish following application. My sense is that you get a lot of balm for your buck. However, I won't be re-purchasing, as I'm such a fickle 'balmer' and will have moved on to other balms. In addition, I find myself applying this more often than I might otherwise.
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Brows -L'Oreal - Brow Stylist Professional 3-in-1 
Rainbowapple 2/20/2009 2:29:00 AM
Strange, strange product. Excellent concept, but too chunky and clunky in various different ways. Comprised of a liner at one end, and a brow brush and tweezers on the end. I purchased this in "Blond". The pencil is o.k. Not too bad. Still, the brush is sort of harsh for what it is. Tweezers are clunky and complicated-impossible to use effectively for detailed, delicate work, so they are basically a frilly, non-entity. Not exactly cheap, so I'd expect a reasonable performer, and this ain't it (sorry).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No