Lotions/ Creams -Soap and Glory - Hand Food
RhianNoot 8/7/2011 7:59:00 AM
Hands down the best hand cream I have used so far. I've bought this hand cream several times now but ran out whilst I was working away in England for a few months and had to resort to a Nivea hand cream which just didn't live up to the job. My skin reacts badly to the hard waters of England and it dried the skin on my hands so badly that my knuckles cracked and bled, less than a week back in the softer waters of Scotland and a good dose of Hand Food and my hands are back to normal. The only thing I don't like about this product is its sickly sweet scent, I much prefer something more herbal but I can get over it given the good results at a good price.
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Cleansers -Neal's Yard - frankincense facial wash
RhianNoot 8/1/2011 2:33:00 AM
I tried this as a deluxe sample (30ml) which lasted 6 weeks of twice daily usage. I remove my makeup with a cleansing oil so it's difficult to review a face wash as there is never really anything to test but I found this one completely underwhelming. The consistency is odd, more like a cream/milk than a gel which took a little getting used to. Ordinarily I use Nude Skincare's facial wash which leaves my face feeling nice and clean but this frankincense one doesn't even do that and I have noticed an increase in the number of clogged pores around my face since switching to this one - I don't think it clogged the pores it just didn't seem to clean my skin any more than if I had just used water. I would not repurchase and am glad to be back to Nude which does seem to make a difference..
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Palettes -Unlisted Brand - Unii Cosmetics Palette
RhianNoot 4/15/2011 3:13:00 PM
Pros: : The plastic casing is dense and durable so there's no risk of it cracking (like the more flimsy palettes) or being smushed in your bag (like the cardboard ones) : The entire inside of the lid is a mirror (big enough to see half your face when held horizontal and your whole face when held vertically) : The magnets/magnetic plate make a strong enough connection that I have no worries about the products inside moving around when the palette is in transit. : Air tight closure meaning that if a powder broke the dust would be kept inside the palette and not spill out into your bag. : The inclusion of the magnetic tab is a nice little addition that no other palette offers as it means you are not at risk of dipping your fingers into your products. : It is slightly deeper than other palettes on the market meaning that you could also carry pencils or small brushes inside. : Good interior size depending on what purpose you have in mind for it and sleek exterior dimensions that allow it to fit easily into handbag and makeup/wash bag. Cons: : Not necessarily such a good size if you want to fit your daily makeup inside. : Like all free-form palettes there is that annoying gap between square pans and round pans (this likely won't bother most people but sometimes it really does bother me - note to self: get a life!) : Cost. In the UK this will set you back £22.63 including shipping (at current exchange rate) compared to £11.50 for a MAC palette and £15.99 for the large Z-palette (neither of these last two prices include shipping) The Unii is certainly a worthy contender and for product safety whilst travelling the rugged exterior and strong magnets can't be beaten (though I still put a tissue over the top of the shadows just in case). In terms of style these palettes are also a winner being ever so slightly reminiscent of some Apple Inc.'s designs. I would prefer the option of a larger size as this can sometimes be a bit small for my needs but this is well worth the money and though I don't use this for storing my products at home (too small to be practical) I use it every time I travel whether it's an overnight break or months away at work.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Candy Yum-Yum 
RhianNoot 4/7/2011 12:37:00 PM
WOW! This colour certainly packs a punch. Despite only owning it just about a week I've worn it to work, out to lunch, a night out with the girls and a first date and received some lovely compliments each time. As the reviewers below have said minimal makeup is the way forward with this intense matte, it makes enough of a statement and noone will be looking at how complex your eyeshadow may be. The colour is opaque, consistency is excellent and longevity is average for me at about 4-5 hours after which it fades to a lovely pink tint that sits well on my neutral skin. Without a doubt a 5 out of 5 and the first lipstick I'm even considering purchasing a back-up of though I fear that after Summer is over I may well be sick of wearing it.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -LUSH - Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser
RhianNoot 4/6/2011 6:01:00 PM
I used to use this product years ago and it did nothing for me then but I was reacting to Avene's Cleanance K and thought I'd give this another shot as acne treatments prove ineffective for me and this was no exception, there was no reduction in pimple, no reduction even in it's redness despite using twice a day as an all over serum and several other times in the day as a spot treatment. It doesn't matter how often or infrequently I use Grease Lightning it does nothing for me and I really wished it would have, I have yet to find any spot treatment that makes any difference at all to my stubborn pimples.
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Toners -LUSH - Tea Tree Water
RhianNoot 4/6/2011 5:56:00 PM
Another so-so product for me from Lush, it's not bad but not great either - it isn't doing anything bad to my skin but equally it isn't really helping it in any way either. I originally bought this as a spray to use throughout the day as I have a habit of touching my face and thought this would help take care of any bacteria I might spread, I then tried using it as a toner but I double cleanse so my face rinses clean after the second cleanse anyway so I don't particularly need one. It made a nice refreshing spray when my skin was tired and uncomfortable in the afternoons but hasn't done much more than that - I don't see any oil balancing or reduction in pimples - so I won't repurchase but I will finish the bottle I have.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Angels on Bare Skin
RhianNoot 4/6/2011 5:49:00 PM
Skin type: oily nose but normal on the rest of my face, sensitivity to some chemicals/excessive ingredients and prone to the odd pimple with lots of clogged pores on chin and cheeks. I used a full pot of this cleanser so have definitely given it a fair shot and really enjoyed using it but haven't found it to be anything exceptional. It does a nice job of keeping my skin clean and it was never the cause of a breakout but I just find the whole mixing thing a bit too much bother, particularly in the shower when I have to get out of the shower to get some then try not to get water (from my hands) into the pot. I didn't think it would bother me when I bought the cleanser but it several weeks later it was becoming a royal pain in the backside. I wouldn't repurchase this as my regular cleanser as I like something that's a little less fussy but I would get some if I was travelling by plane as it is a nice cleanser that I didn't react to and doesn't fall under TSA flight restrictions as it is not a liquid.
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Masks -LUSH - Cosmetic Warrior Mask
RhianNoot 4/6/2011 5:39:00 PM
I used this twice and I both times it kick started my gag reflex in a big way, I'm not normally sensitive to aromas and am certainly not one to make an issue of it but this was just too much - or too wrong a mix of smells - for me and I couldn't use it again which wasn't too much of an issue as I didn't find it helped my skin out either though I appreciate 2 uses doesn't yield long term results I do expect a face mask to achieve something even after one use. There's not really much more to say, I didn't like it and I didn't notice it doing anything so I would not buy it again.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Fresh Farmacy
RhianNoot 4/6/2011 5:31:00 PM
This is a so-so product for me, it's not bad but neither is it great. For reference my skin is mostly normal but with an oily nose and very prone to clogging and the odd pimple. I've been using this cleanser for just over 2 months and it has not been the cause of any of my pimples so though oils do the majority of cleansing my face this has done a nice job of removing what is left of the oil/makeup, the smell is non-offensive and it lasts a really long time so it is a good product (I spent just over £5 on a chunk and I still have 2/3 of it left) but I just can't stand it when a cleanser makes my skin squeak (nor can I stand a shampoo that makes my hair squeak) as I'm not convinced that means it is clean and it does feel as though this cleanser is leaving some sort of film on my skin that water won't wash away - I don't notice it once my skin is dry but it does feel alarmingly slimy whilst my skin is wet. Like I said, it hasn't been the cause of breakouts so I don't know what that film is but it is quite a turn off for me so I won't repurchase nor will I use the remaining cleanser on my face but I will use it up on my body.
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Moisturizers -MAC - Strobe Cream
RhianNoot 4/4/2011 11:22:00 AM
This prolonged and harsher-than-usual winter has really taken it's toll on my skin which has been looking very dull so I purchased Strobe Cream in January to help perk it up a bit. I use this all over my face after my serum and before tinted moisturiser and it has made quite a difference by bringing some luminosity back to my skin. I still add a highlight to my cheekbones, nose and cupid's bow (either a bit more strobe cream or other highlight) to add definition back in when contouring but for an all over pick-me-up this has been fantastic, add in all the benefits of the antioxidants and this cream becomes a bit of a powerhouse product. My skin is pretty normal though can get oily on my nose and clogs quite easily but I haven't suffered any ill-effects from using this though I do thoroughly remove my makeup with oils and follow with a cream cleanser and muslin cloth. I suspect this is going to be too heavy for the Summer, though hopefully I won't need it then, but this cream is a definite repurchase and I will start using it as soon as Winter appears this year.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
RhianNoot 4/3/2011 5:43:00 PM
Coconut Oil is an amazing product at an excellent price. I use a small amount this oil every other morning as a scalp/hair treatment about an hour to 2 hours before I wash my hair - I wake up hours before work so have plenty of time to do this - shampooing twice cleans the excess oil off my hair and I no longer need to use a conditioner on my fine curly hair, which has been nice as I didn't realize just how much conditioners had been weighing down my hair. I also use it every other day as a body moisturiser, it can take a while to absorb into my skin but leaves my skin the softest it has ever felt. Despite cleansing and moisturizing my face with oils for a couple of years now I am hesitant to do so with coconut oil, however I am almost at the end of my first tub and will purchase a better grade of the oil for this purpose (I chose a fairly cheap version for my body and hair to see how it would perform before over-spending on yet another product that sits in the bathroom doing nothing, I have been using Superdrug's own brand Coconut Oil at £1.99, the organic virgin coconut oils are closer to £15.). I hadn't even considered cooking with it until reading other reviews here and after looking into some of the health benefits I shall definitely be trying that too. Coconut Oil is a definite repurchase for me, anything to reduce the amount of crap on my bathroom shelves and this little tub of wonder has certainly earned the right to remain in my hair/body regimen - simple and effective, just what I like! NOTE Not a 5 lippie review yet as I haven't tried it on my face but will update once I finish my current oil cleanser and purchase a better coconut oil.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -BeneFit Cosmetics - Velvet eyeshadow- Leggy
RhianNoot 3/27/2011 5:29:00 PM
A good staple neutral shadow with nice texture and good staying power on it's own - excellent over a primer. I've had this shadow since they were first released and used it a lot at the time but, as always, put it aside when new shadows came along but recently I pulled this one out again and it is back to being an everyday lid colour for me (or highlight if I'm doing a darker eye), it really brightens up the eye and I fine i don't need to pair it with anything else as it does just enough on it's own. I would repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
RhianNoot 3/26/2011 11:45:00 AM
I find this does what it ways on the tin and quite successfully neutralizes my under-eyes making my concealer far more effective - it is worth noting that I don't have very dark circles but they are certainly noticeable. I don't find it cakey if I apply not too long after my eye cream regardless of whether I've applied it using my fingers or a fluffy brush and I don't find applying concealer on top cakey either. Unlike some other reviewers I find this is lasting me a really long time, I have used it 6 days out of seven since I bought it in November and am nowhere near hitting pan, judging by the last 4 months of use I would expect this to last me a full 12 months. I will likely repurchase unless something better catches my eye, this is a nice product that does what it should but nothing more and charges a hefty price tag for the privilege which makes it difficult to justify but I haven't yet tried anything cheaper that is as effective. For reference I am NW15 and use the shade light bisque.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - Eurydice
RhianNoot 2/25/2011 10:08:00 AM
The purple side of this duo is difficult to work with, no doubt about it, but this duo makes the most stunning, sultry smoky eye and the effort is absolutely worth it. It is expensive but worth every penny, a definite repurchase.
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Highlighters -NARS - Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross
RhianNoot 2/25/2011 10:02:00 AM
So many highlighters, so little time to use them all up! I had never been bothered by Albatross despite the hype, MAC's By Candlelight has been my highlight of choice for some time now (despite this I seem to have a disturbing number of highlighting products) but I had a £20 N.centive for Space NK and couldn't see anything else that tickled my fancy so I bought into this for a whole 50p. The sheen this leaves on my skin is beautifully delicate and it's a great highlight for eyes and brow making eyes look bright and awake. This is one of those products that make you see how you could streamline your makeup bag and save yourself a fortune. I do love this highlighter but I'm not sure I'd buy it again, you use so little powder that it is unlikely I would need to any time soon but if I find myself in the same situation where it will only cost me 50p then I might just do it.
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