Loose Powders -Chanel - Poudre Universal Libre
RandomFlopsy 9/16/2010 10:09:00 AM
SKIN TYPE: Combination leaning dry, NC20 CHANEL POUDRE SHADE: Clair 020 I picked this up duty-free for around £25 making it terrific value. The pot is very large, containing 30g/1oz of product and I'm sure it's going to last for at least a year. You only need a very small amount of product to set your foundation. My current HG foundation is Chanel Vitalumiere in 020 Clair, so finding a match in the Poudre was very simple. The colours follow Chanel's usual system of number and names. Clair is quite neutral. Many foundations and powders are too yellow on my skin and very cool, pink tones make me look ashy, so finding this match was a relief. It works well on a range of skintones, in my opinion. It's light and fine enough to suit a NC15 and perfect on my NC20 skin. The powder itself is incredibly finely milled and applies very sheerly. For this reason I wouldn't recommend it as a light foundation: the coverage is very light indeed. However, as a setting powder over foundation, TM or even just primer, it works wonders. Chanel describes the powder as having a satin finish. They claim the same for the Vitalumiere liquid but the finishes aren't comparable. The powder is more of a velvet finish: definitely not matte, but nowhere near as glowy as Vitalumiere. Ideal for a setting powder, as it doesn't make your foundation look flat. Vitalumiere still looks radiant - the powder doesn't kill the finish. The pot, as mentioned, is very large and solid. There is no sliding lid to cover the sieve, so it's not ideal for travelling (but is, I believe, available in a pressed version for this purpose). The puff is very usable, unlike the included applicator for many other products. I've found the best way to apply is to tilt the pot slightly, tap it once or twice to dispense a little powder, and scoop it up. Seems obvious but took me a while to get the hang of it without spilling the stuff everywhere... Will definitely be buying again. Despite having dry skin, I haven't found this powder drying (unlike other reviewers). Perhaps this is down to using it over a dewy foundation - it might be a little too powdery on top of a matte one.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Lancome - Hydra Zen Teinte Tinted Moisturizer
RandomFlopsy 7/26/2010 7:28:00 PM
This is a really lovely product. I'm a neutral NC20 and wore this in 3 (Doree) as I was a little more tanned at the time. The shades are very forgiving and blendable; this colour was slightly too dark but it didn't look orange or patchy. I've found TMs tend to feel a little greasy, especially in the heat, but this was super-comfortable and light whilst evening out my skin and providing sheer-to-medium coverage. My skin is combination, dry in patches, and I was wearing it in 35ºC weather so I was quite "glowy" too - this stuff stayed on all day with no blotchiness. It even held up to swimming. Very, very impressed.
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Polishes -OPI - Back in the Saddle
RandomFlopsy 5/18/2010 2:09:00 PM
I adore this colour. I borrowed it from my mother's collection and am going to be very sad when it runs out. It's a tan coral peach with a very muted gold shimmer. It's not sparkly, just shimmery enough to avoid looking dull. The older OPI formulas seem superior to the current ones: this shade is remarkably long-wearing and chip-resistant (5+ days, no problem). Very flattering shade on my NC15 and looks great with summer's coral/peach shades.
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Tinted Moisturizer -MAC - Studio Moisture Tint SPF15
RandomFlopsy 5/11/2010 8:02:00 PM
NC15, bought this in Light. It's a very pale shade and easily worked for me when I was paler in the winter. I have dry/combination skin and found the matte formula quite drying; it settled in dry patches, reddening and accentuating them slightly. The coverage is poor: it doesn't even my skin tone out. The texture is strangely chalky and the finish almost powdery, and doesn't last long. There's nothing moisturizing about the formula. This would be more suitable for normal/oily skin.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Pigment in Sweet Sienna [DISCONTINUED]
RandomFlopsy 5/11/2010 3:33:00 PM
This colour works very well used on its own for a simple look. Especially striking with a black liquid line. Applied wet, it's very intense and also makes a good liner. As a sheer (dry) sweep, it's a little wishy-washy and looks almost glittery. It's quite neutral, which I was surprised by. Very pretty on my NC15/green eyes. Would love to purchase full-size if MAC ever repromote.
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Pressed Powders -Fresh - Face Luster
RandomFlopsy 5/10/2010 8:43:00 AM
I'm NC15 in MAC and bought this in Fair Isle (pictured above). It's a good colour match; the shade selection for pale skins is extensive. The packaging is quite pretty although I agree with previous reviewers: the screw top is slightly inconvenient. As always, the enclosed sponge puff is quite useless. I applied this with a kabuki brush for best results. The finish is pretty: very natural but surprisingly good coverage for such a sheer formula. There is no obvious glitter or shimmer; it just looks dewy. It worked well alone and over foundations as a setting powder. This would be suitable for oilier skins than mine. I am eczema-prone, dry/combination, and found this to be slightly drying. It did settle around some flakes. It contains bismuth, of which I am suspicious: I think I am sensitive to this ingredient. The price is quite ridiculous. From Sephora this cost $45. In the UK it's available by mail order from the Fresh store in London for £32 + £4.85 p+p. This is a good pressed powder with a lovely finish, excellent shade selection for light skins, pretty packaging, but it is horrendously overpriced. I will not purchase again as it contains bismuth, and is too expensive.
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Crème -Laura Mercier - Silk Creme Foundation
RandomFlopsy 5/10/2010 8:30:00 AM
Current HG formula. I have combination/dry skin, prone to eczema and small breakouts, NC15 with neutral undertones. In Silk Creme I wear Cream Ivory - the selection for fair skins is excellent; there is even a paler shade (Soft Ivory) which may come in handy in winter. This is absolutely the best colour match I have found.
I have been using the same tube for 6 weeks now and there seems to be plenty of product left; it's irritating that I can't see how much remains, however. For this reason, I would prefer a glass bottle, although the tube is conveniently portable.
I was colour-matched by a Laura Mercier MA in SpaceNK who applied it with a sponge. She recommended using fingers for the most natural coverage and I agree: a tiny (half-pea) sized blob is sufficient to cover my entire face with a sheer, dewy finish. A sponge gives medium-to-full, and a brush gives full coverage. I hardly need spot concealer at all, no matter which application method I use. This is a surprisingly easy-going foundation: it doesn't require endless buffing and blending to look natural.
Silk Creme is quite moisturizing so it smoothes over flakes and dehydration lines. I doubt it would be suitable for oily skins for this reason, although I've not had trouble with slight oiliness on my chin. The finish is remarkably transfer-resistant, despite the creamy feel.
I think people are put off this formula because it's known as the fullest coverage of the Laura Mercier range: it doesn't look cakey or flat, however. I have young skin and using a small amount, applied with fingers, gives me the freshest-looking finish I've experienced from a foundation. I like how versatile the coverage is (from sheer to full), and that I don't need a setting powder to extend wear. Will absolutely repurchase.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara
RandomFlopsy 5/10/2010 8:17:00 AM
I hated this to start with. I have naturally full, slightly curled lashes and this mascara made them look a clumpy mess. I could not get it to work for me which was particularly frustrating given the price. However, after forgetting about it for a month, I tried again and it seems to have dried out a tiny bit, meaning it's much easier to work with. It no longer smudges, doesn't flake, stays on all day and doesn't clump at all. The formula when new was simply too wet. I love this now, it's my current go-to mascara. I do need to use a waterproof makeup remover otherwise I wake up with panda eyes. Will repurchase - and leave the new bottle to "mature" for a few weeks before using next time. However, given the price, I wish it had been a little easier to use.
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Treatments (Eye) -Gerda Spillman - Eye Region Cream
RandomFlopsy 4/24/2010 8:26:00 PM
Wonderful product. The scent is gentle and natural but doesn't linger; consistency is creamy but not greasy. Doesn't drag when applying. Sinks right in and feels so smooth. I keep it in the fridge for a cooling effect. This also prolongs its life as one pot lasts me for six months, so it's well worth the price. It hasn't caused any irritation for my eczema-prone, sensitive skin and stye-prone eyes. I find this depuffs almost instantly and helps with discolouration around the eyes (dark circles and reddening). Overall it makes me look more rested. I'm on my second jar now, and will continue to buy. Wish this was more widely available!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Petite Cherie
RandomFlopsy 4/20/2010 3:49:00 PM
This smells exactly like Pantene hairspray. Both on my skin, and when sprayed into the air. It just smells cheap.
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Lipstick -MAC - Pro Lipstick - Show Orchid
RandomFlopsy 4/18/2010 7:24:00 PM
Stunning. I'm NC15 and worried it would be too bright, but it's perfect. The blue tint is surprisingly flattering, the colour is opaque and rich, the finish is glossy without being glittery. It's very long-wearing which is a bonus: bright shades can be so high-maintenance sometimes! It's great as a light tint applied with a finger but one swipe is enough to provide full coverage. Very beautiful colour, smooth texture, and I'd definitely repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen - Ever Hip
RandomFlopsy 4/18/2010 7:21:00 PM
I was slightly disappointed by this. It's a very pretty colour and the LoL packaging is fun, but it's so sheer. By the time I've piled enough on for the colour to show, it looks waxy and bobbly. The formula is quite moisturizing but I've found the colour settles in lip lines. Shame. EDIT: I'm swapping this - I just can't get it to work for me. My lips are too pigmented (even as an NC15) for the colour to show up properly and it just looks wan.
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Lipstick -MAC - Vegas Volt
RandomFlopsy 4/18/2010 7:17:00 PM
A surprisingly good colour even on NC15 pallor. It looks much harsher in the tube than it is once applied. I expected this to be far more orange, too; it has a very flattering pink tone that makes it lovely for spring.
This is actually what I wanted Ever Hip to be: soft pigmented coral. The texture is fine, standard MAC stuff. Amplified cremes are probably the most lip-kind of their finishes, and this applies quite smoothly on my dry lips; it doesn't settle in lines. Makes a beautiful peach stain when dabbed on with a finger, too.
I like it best with Ripe Peach blush and simple lined eyes for a vintage inspired spring-time look. Will definitely repurchase, it's beautiful.
Apparently Betty Draper (Mad Men) uses this shade over MAC Cherry and Redd lip pencils - all the more reason to love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Scene Eyeshadow
RandomFlopsy 4/18/2010 7:10:00 PM
This is a basic, mid-grey cool shade. I like it in the crease of a smoky eye. However, it's quite hard to blend - it drags and goes blotchy. There are better formulas out there (even in similar colours from MAC) so I doubt I would repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Burt's Bees - Marshmallow Vanishing Creme
RandomFlopsy 4/18/2010 7:07:00 PM
The negative reviews are largely undeserved. This is a cream for dry and mature skins, and definitely unsuitable for oily complexions. It feels dense and waxy but melts into the skin almost immediately, leaving no greasy residue. Your skin feels nourished straightaway. This has done wonders for my flaky nose. I've had no adverse reactions from my eczema-prone, sensitive skin. It really does smell like bananas and bubblegum - people complain about the lack of a marshmallow smell but don't seem to realize this refers to the plant, not the squishy sweets. The price is fantastic (less than half of what I usually pay for moisturizers - I'm looking at you, Origins) and I'm sure the tub will last several months. The packaging is cute: the glass jar feels solid and the silver lid looks pretty. Overall, I'm very impressed. Great natural product for dry skins at a good price. Will definitely repurchase. EDIT: I've been using BP to combat some hormonal spots, and I find this incredibly soothing. It stops the tightness and burning straightaway.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No