Fragrances -Philosophy - Inner Grace EDP
Smilla 11/1/2007 11:21:00 PM
At first, I thought a more appropriate name for this fragrance would be "Inner Grandma," because it reminded me of the Youth Dew (Estee Lauder) perfume that's so popular with the blue-haired crowd. However, I have to admit this fragrance is growing on me. It IS rather retro, but with a modern twist. I only have a sample and haven't worn it out yet, but I do like putting it on after my evening bath and smelling it as I read in bed. I'm not sure I won't get sick of it, so I answered "No" to the question of whether I'd buy it again. It's really not bad. If you think of it as a modern take on a classic (which I imagine Youth Dew is), it's rather nice.
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Eyeliner -Paula's Choice - Constant Color Gel Eyeliner in Earthen
Smilla 8/26/2006 2:09:00 PM
This is my first gel eyeliner, and so far I'm very pleased. I was somewhat hesitant to buy the Earthen shade--online it looked a rather poopy color--but I'm very glad I did. I'm fair and so many brown eyeliners come in only a deep espresso color, which looks harsh on me. The pot is small, but so are eyeliner brushes, so I can't see where it would be a problem. A smaller opening is probably best for this sort of product anyway--it might prevent it from drying out. I do have to say that I'm now curious about the other brands mentioned in the following reviews! While this is far better than using a pencil, I don't exactly find application to be foolproof. If I could find something that was even smoother and easier to apply, I'd be thrilled!
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Lemon Aid
Smilla 8/25/2006 9:29:00 PM
Yikes--I'm a little surprised folks are trying this under their eyes. The packaging states that it's for use on the eyelid. I can't imagine how it would look applied under the eyes, or worse, how difficult it would be to apply there. It's incredibly hard to blend, even on the eyelid. Anyway, I had high hopes for this product, but the blending issue was a deal-breaker. If you want something to neutralize and brighten your eyelid area, try Paula Begoin's eyeshadow in Chiffon.
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Eye Shadow -Paula's Choice - Soft Matte Eyeshadow in Chiffon
Smilla 8/25/2006 9:26:00 PM
Applied with a light hand, this shadow color neutralizes and brightens the eyelid area. Put on more heavily, it looks like what it is--yellow eyeshadow. Still, this shade is hard to find in powder form--the only similar product I'd found was Benefit's Lemon Aid, and I found it incredibly difficult to blend. My main gripe with Paula's shadows is that they seem expensive for the amount you get.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Perricone - Face Finishing Moisturizer
Smilla 8/7/2006 9:59:00 PM
It smells like Nair and it stings my face. Thank goodness it was just a sample and not something I'd purchased.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Antioxidant Concentrate
Smilla 2/15/2006 3:41:00 PM
I really like this product. It's the only retinol product I've been able to use, though retinol is also pretty far down in the ingredient list. Speaking of the ingredient list, I did notice that the first four ingredients are slip agents and thickeners--it does make me wonder how much "good stuff" gets to my skin with each application, though my skin has seemed to benefit slightly from it. The tube needs to be shaken before use, as other reviewers have mentioned. I'm not sure why Paula neglected to print that in the instructions on the tube. The product feels like nothing I've used before and dries to an invisible, matte finish. I don't think this is a miracle worker, but it is a very good product. I'd give it 4.5 stars.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Exact
Smilla 12/30/2005 1:26:00 PM
A pretty impressive mascara at a good price, IF you like the natural look as I do. The rubber bristles seem to do a great job of depositing color without clumps. Love the tube but like another reviewer, I found the separate packaging of the wand and tube to be very wasteful, so I knocked off a few lippies there. Works much better than Almay One Coat Nourishing, which I was using previously. Again, a great mascara if you like a very natural look. I have it in brown, which is about as natural as it gets, but it still gives my eyes plenty of definition. However, if you prefer something more dramatic you'd probably want to look elsewhere.
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Lipstick -Maybelline - Moisture Extreme - Royal Red [DISCONTINUED]
Smilla 12/30/2005 1:20:00 PM
I've been looking for a good red for years. I *think* I have yellow-toned skin, but I'm quite fair. Most reds looked way too "blue" on me, and I was looking for a perfect neutral red. While many people seem to think of this as a blue-toned red, it looks very neutral on me. I have pretty sizable lips, so I blot it heavily so that it's more of a stain. It actually ends up looking pretty subdued and natural--that is, as natural as red can look! It's a great red shade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Wet 'n' Wild - Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer in Nude
Smilla 7/29/2005 4:52:00 PM
I bought this when I ran out of my Paula's Select Barely There Sheer Matte Tint. I was tired of paying shipping and wanted to find a cheaper option anyway. I wanted to like it, but didn't. It didn't blend very well and orange streaks were a problem. And, as others have said, it's too heavy to be called a tinted moisturizer. Is it as good as many more expensive foundations? Yes. But since I didn't like it enough to finish the bottle (in fact, after the 2nd day I hurriedly put in an order for more Paula's Select) I can't call it a "bargain."
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Gels/Soaps -Dr. Bronner's - dr bronners assorted scented castille soaps
Smilla 3/30/2005 11:57:00 AM
I have to say I really do like the unscented "baby-mild" version. I haven't tried any of the other scents, but probably will one day. This product is actually worth the hype. Just as a review below says, this product leaves no oily feeling behind; nor does it leave your skin feeling dry and tight. And yes, the label does make for entertaining bathtime reading--"Spaceship Earth?"
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Fragrances -Jean Patou - Joy
Smilla 2/4/2005 3:41:00 PM
My mother had a bottle of this and she always smelled wonderful. I used to hold it up to my nose for several minutes, just breathing it in, as it was so expensive she forbade me to wear it. When I got older and had some money of my own I bought a bottle and...what a disappointment! Definitely too strong, and rather cheap-smelling on me. I think with a perfume like this, it's all in the body chemistry. (Granted, mine seems to be particularly problematic, as I can rarely find perfumes that smell as good on me as they do in the bottle!)
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Lipstick -E.L.F. - Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Bark
Smilla 1/21/2005 7:15:00 AM
What a great color! The texture is not the greatest (but it's not bad, either)--however, I put the lipstick on over a thin layer of lip balm and it's as good as any expensive lipstick. Worth much more than the $1 it costs and is probably E.L.F.'s best product.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Rimmel - Endless Length & Lift
Smilla 1/17/2005 11:21:00 AM
I bought this mascara based on a review by Paula Begoin, but was disappointed to find that it smudges. I liked the price, but don't feel it's a deal if it doesn't work well. Won't repurchase.
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Eye Shadow -E.L.F. - Non-Stop Eye Color
Smilla 1/17/2005 10:07:00 AM
Though I admire E.L.F.'s pricing and would like to support them, I have to give these eyeshadows a 1. The colors would be okay if there wasn't a ton of mica particles in them--that just makes them look "cheap" right off--I was reminded of the ArtMatic cosmetic line I bought when I was in middle school. The shadows flake (mmm, mica particles in the eyes) and are hard to blend. I ended up using the Sundance blush duo for eyeshadow, instead.
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Blush -E.L.F. - Bronzing Blush Duo -- Sundance
Smilla 1/17/2005 10:03:00 AM
I gave it a 3, because I actually used it as an eyeshadow (the previous reviewer is right; the shades would be terrible for blush). It worked better than the actual E.L.F. eyeshadows, but I ultimately ended up throwing it away because I didn't want to use such a heavily fragranced product near my eyes. I give it a 3 for price and for use as an eyeshadow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No