Fragrances -Kuumba Made - Persian Garden
SFClaire 2/8/2011 6:58:00 PM
This is my absolute favorite scent in the entire world, and I will cry bitter tears if it is ever discontinued. I love how this unassuming little roll-on smells on my skin throughout the day, very clean and very unique. I feel like this perfume oil is appropriate for all occasions as it is not over-powering or cloying in the least. I love you Persian Garden, thank you for being there.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Cover Girl - Classic Color in Natural Glow
SFClaire 4/5/2010 5:39:00 PM
As others have mentioned, this blush is excellent for those of us with pale complexions. I am very fair skinned and tend to stay away from most blushes because I feel like they're too obvious or appear clown-like on my skin. Natural Glow is the only blush I have ever found that does not make me feel overdone or too made up and self conscious. I really like the subtle hint of color it imparts on my face, and will continue to purchase this product unless I find something I like more. The only thing I don't like about CG's Natural Glow is the brush it comes with. I found it difficult to get an even application with the brush included with the blush, so I use one of my own to solve the problem.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Flawless
SFClaire 3/20/2010 9:43:00 PM
I've been going through a creme pink nail polish phase, and picked up Esssie's Flawless on one of my more prolific nail polish runs. This good points of this polish are that is reaches opacity in one coat unlike many of Essie's other offerings. Application was also pretty easy, and not at all streaky. The color itself is sort of a dusky rose pink. Nothing special, but not offensive or ugly either. I may purchase this again, however I have a few other creme pinks I like a lot more.
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Styling Products -Rusk - being undressed
SFClaire 3/12/2010 2:39:00 PM
My hair is cut in long layers right now, and I use this product to create texture and movement in my style. I really like the performance and smell of "Being Undressed", but have to admit it is quite sticky when first applied, which is not so awesome.Even with this minor fault, I will most definitely continue to purchase as I have not found another pomade type product which gives me texture without stiffness or a wax like look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Sedu - Ionic Ceramic Professional Flat Iron (Original)
SFClaire 3/12/2010 1:54:00 PM
This is the best flat iron I have ever used. I have had the 1.5 inch version for going on 5 years now, and it performs just a well as the day I purchased it. Not only is the iron great for it's intended use of straightening hair, it also creates beautiful curls with a little practice. Just to qualify my claims about the Sedu, I have been through 2 Chi irons which both broke within a year, as well as countless drug store brands. Nothing has come close to the performance of the Sedu, and I have some seriously thick hair to work with! I highly recommend anyone thinking of getting a flat iron for more than very occasional use, to look into the Sedu. In my opinion it's better to spend more money now on an iron that won't completely fry your hair, and that you won't need to replace in a years time due to non-performace. Trsut me I've been there and wish I had discovered the Sedu a long time a go.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
SFClaire 3/5/2010 2:51:00 PM
Love Clarisonic! My pores are so well behaved No longer craters
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Stars N Rockets
SFClaire 3/5/2010 2:44:00 PM
I really really love Stars N' Rockets, which is a deviation from my normal preference of subtle e/s colors. I love pairing this with BeneFit's Skinny Jeans for a smokey eye with a bit more of a pop. Stars N' Rockets also seems to bring out my two different colored eyes really really nicely. Yes that's right my right is eye is solid green and my left eye solid blue. I cannot even begin to tell you the trouble I've had in finding eye makeup looks that compliment them both, perhaps that is why I am so enamored with Stars N' Rockets!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -BeneFit Cosmetics - Play Sticks
SFClaire 2/22/2010 2:10:00 PM
I have been wearing Play Sticks in Spin the Bottle for about 4 years now, and I have found that it is a perfect color match for my pale cool toned skin. I have also found this foundation to be excellent for my super oily face, and although I am only occasionally acne prone I have not had any issues with this particular formula clogging or accentuating my pores. Other notable attributes of this foundation, are the fact that it is really blendable and that it dries to a mostly matte finish. I actually tried switching to a liquid foundation a few months back because of the price of this foundation and my irritation at BeneFit for some of their other overly priced gimmicky products. So far I have not found anything else that gives me the type of coverage and color match of Play Sticks. While I do take issue with some of BeneFit's other offerings, I find that they were really on point when creating this one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A
SFClaire 2/1/2010 1:39:00 PM
Wow, I must have some seriously oily skin because I have not experienced any of the dryness others have mentioned while using this product. I have been using Retin-A micro nightly for about 2 months now, and my skin has never looked better. I too went through the rather maddening skin purge phase, but can safely say that has passed. I definitely noticed an increase in blackheads for about 2 weeks which was a bit strange as I have never been prone to them in the past. About the only complaint of irritation I have had while using Retin-A could essentially be chalked up to my own carelessness. When I first started using this product I was not careful enough when applying it around my delicate under eye skin and got some redness and stinging that lasted for about a week. Now, I am quite careful to moisturize around my eyes before applying Retin-A and completely avoid that area like the plague. It's hard for me to comment on price as the lovely PA at my derms office has provided me with a very generous amount of samples of this product. I may update my review once they run out and I have to face paying retail for it!.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -NARS - Makeup primer
SFClaire 12/9/2009 2:43:00 PM
Weird, I have noticed absolutely no difference in my foundation application or longevity after using this product. I received this is a sample from Sephora and had eagerly anticipated good results simply due to it being made by Nars. I was unfortunately less than impressed by what it did (or actually didn't) do for me. Oh well at least I didn't pay for it.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
SFClaire 10/17/2009 2:01:00 AM
Nothing but love for this product. I will continue to buy this as long as my skin remains oily and causes my eyeshadow to slip and slide without a primer.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
SFClaire 10/17/2009 1:57:00 AM
I used this moisturizer when staying with a friend this week, and oh wow did it make me break out. My skin is oily but not particularly acne prone but this moisturizer caused my skin to go nuts. Will not touch with a ten foot pole. Aspirin mask to the rescue I hope!
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Gels/Soaps -Unlisted Brand - Dylan's Candy Bar Birthday Cake Batter Soda Pop Shower Gel
SFClaire 9/25/2009 9:54:00 PM
SLS and Paraben free? Check! Smells awesome and makes me feel squeaky clean? Check and check! I love this body wash and can validate the higher than average price due to the fact that it lasts quite a long time. If you like products that smell like food, check this one out.
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Shampoo -ABBA - Pure Moisture
SFClaire 9/25/2009 9:49:00 PM
I absolutely refuse to use any shampoos with SLS in them. My hair gets so dry and my scalp itches like crazy with continued use. I am convinced SLS is put in shampoos simply so people will buy up tons of conditioner. OK well maybe not conspiracy theory convinced, but SLS defintely sucks. Anyway I am always on the look out for SLS free shampoos that moisturize well and get my hair clean; I have to say ABBA Pure Moisture certainly fits the bill. I could do without the herbal/minty smell, but that is more of personal preference than an attempt to say the shampoo reeks. Overall I'm quite happy with this shampoo and will continue using it in rotation with other SLS free things.
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Liquid -Cover Girl - Clean Makeup
SFClaire 9/25/2009 9:39:00 PM
Good foundation for 13 year-olds with limited discretionary income. I have never seen anyone (myself included) who can wear this foundation without the "I'm wearing foundation" look going on. Yikes.
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