Eyeliner -Barry M - Bold Waterproof Eyeliner
Xanthia 9/16/2011 6:07:00 PM
As someone obsessed with eyeliner (I use it daily on my waterline and around the eyes), I think for once I have found my holy grail! This eyeliner is soft and very dark, and lasts better than any eyeliner I've ever tried, and I've pretty much tried them all. I originally bought this as a cheap eyeliner to bring to a festival, never expecting to fall in love with it. I wore it about 18 hours a day for four days straight, through sunshine, rain and lots of sweaty dancing (charming, I know), and the smearing was minimal considering I never touched it up or reapplied at all once I put it on. It's now a staple. On a downside, It's very soft, which means the pencil doesn't last all that long, but it's only £3.99 so I don't really care.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - turbulent
Xanthia 11/25/2006 4:14:00 PM
One of the most expensive blushes I own, but I love this! It's bright pink and sparkly, but creates a lovely glow on the skin. I can imagine this could work for anyone as it's pretty easy to control the intensity. The MA told me it's being discontinued in the UK, so if you don't have it now - get it before it's gone!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
Xanthia 11/5/2006 1:45:00 PM
One of the few things I will continue to repurchase - luckily here in the UK it's not very expensive! I pay £5 for the medium spray bottle. I use this mostly as a step after cleansing and before toning (non-alcohol). I sometimes lightly spray this again, depending on irritated my skin is feeling. This calms and soothes my skin and helps as part of my acne control regime (damn hormones!).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Chanel - Teint Innocence Cream to Powder Compact Foundation
Xanthia 11/2/2006 4:29:00 PM
I thought I loved Vitalumiere, but I was wrong. I looooooooooove Teint Innocence. It covers wonderfully and doesn't feel or look heavy. The initial purchase is expensive(ish) at £28, but refills are only £18 which makes it wonderfully affordable. I usually use shade 20 Claire in Chanel foundations, but for some reason that was too light for me in this. 30 works well, but it's not perfect now that any bit of a summer tan is quickly fading, but I can make it work (it still matches the skin on my nose perfectly, lol). I don't think 30 is all that pinky at all, its actually very neutral, where as 20 is more yellow. This foundation feels cool going on and blends like a dream. It's easy to layer without it caking. To top it off, it doesn't irritate my skin or break me out (which pretty much everything else does now). I can't imagine I'll be changing anytime soon.
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
Xanthia 11/2/2006 4:10:00 PM
I hate the fact that I love this so much. It's expensive (£18), but boy does it work! My lashes after one coat aren't over the top, after two coats they're dramatic... after more, they're just WOW. I haven't experienced any flaking or smearing and use this top and bottom and it wears all day long. This leaves my lashes feeling soft, yet it holds a curl nicely. My lashes are slightly short, stick straight, and of normal thickness and this gives me the lashes I wish I was born with. Right now I only have this in black, but I'd love to have it in brown and in violet. And I'm sure some time in the near future I probably will!
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Sonic Death Monkey
Xanthia 10/22/2006 7:22:00 PM
I like this alot. I keep a small bottle in my travel bag, for those last minute travel emergencies. Last time, I forgot to pack a facial cleanser and had to use this to wash off heavy make-up. While it wasn't the perfect cleanser, it did the job and I didn't break out from it. It smells nice, like a terry's chocolate orange, only not quite as sweet. And the kids love it. It cleans like a shower gel should.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Ultrabland
Xanthia 10/22/2006 7:03:00 PM
Wow. I've overlooked Lush skincare for years. But since my skintype has changed to being a bit more acne-prone (ok, alot more!), I've had to get all new everything. I used to use the Olay face wipes, which I still have on hand for emergencies, but I as I now wear heavier make-up (Chanel Teint Innocence) than I used to, I need something a little more powerful. Well, after searching the reviews I had almost decided on Eve Lom, but the price was getting to me. And I noticed in the reviews some people have said they used this as a cheaper alternative. Well, I'm hooked. When used correctly, this takes off ALL makeup, and leaves my skin clean and soft. I take some of this stuff, rub it into my face, and wipe it off with a very warm washcloth. I then follow it up with a spray of my Avene thermal water (which I wipe off with a towel), and I'm set for the night. My skin has calmed down, and it feels so nice in the morning. I wouldn't use this in the AM though, it's far too emollient. I paid £4.95 for a small jar, but it will last a while as I don't need very much. But I will happily repurchase this, time and time again. Dare I say, this could be HG material?
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Candles -Yankee Candles - Yankee Candle Tart in Autumn Lodge
Xanthia 9/17/2006 4:43:00 PM
This was the first Yankee Candle we found here in the UK, as the local garden centre. It was October and I was craving something autumn-y, and LO! there was my Autumn Lodge. Others have described the scent well. The scent is very nostalgic. It is my favourite candle ever. But, of course, this is now discontinued and my large jar will be the end of my Autumn Lodge experience. Woe is me.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic
Xanthia 9/17/2006 10:40:00 AM
I've only used this once, but it's been a long time since I've been properly impressed by a mascara. While this one isn't perfect - I'm yet to find HG material in any cosmetic - it certainly gets the job done quite well. While there was a little bit of clumping (usually happens to me with new mascaras anyway - when they're a bit too "wet"), my lashes were seperated, darkened and lengthened. First coat, the effect was noticable. Second coat, and my lashes were LONG. Perfect for a nite out look. I originally bought this one because it was on sale at Boots. I originally went in for Bourjois' Maxi Frange (which I've never used), but thought I could save a few £'s and buy the one on sale. Soooooo glad I did. I get the look I want, without having to put on a fiberous basecoat. The want takes getting used to. I kept thinking I was going to break it each time I took it out of the tube as it's very flexible at the base. But I'm sure I'll get over that soon. There's quite a firm grip at the neck of the tube, which seems to do a good job at getting rid of the excess product without wasting it (ie wiping off with a tissue). Definately impressed, and would buy again. EDIT: Just bought YSL Faux Cils which blows this away. It's still good though.
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Treatments -Avene - Cleanance K
Xanthia 4/1/2006 5:16:00 AM
Avene, how I love thee!! After 6 months of hormonal acne (came off my pill to give myself a break - big mistake!!), mostly on my chin, I was getting ready to give up. I had tried so many things (Khiel's blue herbal line, Mario Badescu - which only works on proper juicy spots, philosophy, Paula's Choice, Olay, Nivea, and more), none of them had any lasting results and I was ready to give up. Now, I've known about Avene for some time now, as my husband uses it on occasion for his eczema, but I never associated it with Acne care. Since I had shown some improvement with the Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid, I was looking for something with BHA but suitable for 30+ skin. I didn't want to pay the extortionate price to get PC here (it's in the UK, shipping from the Netherlands was expensive), but then read the tube on this and saw that it had both AHA and BHA. It's only £9, so I thought I'd give it a go. Boy, am I ever glad I did! The first night I used this I felt a slight discomfort, not really a stinging sensation, more like very slight burning. But I rode it out, and went to bed. Wow, when I woke up my spots we dramatically reduced, with zero redness. And it just kept getting better. Now, when I feel any discomfort, I just very lightly mist my skin with the Avene thermal water and it feels so much better. It's been a week now, and I have no active spots - just smooth skin! This is complete Holy Grail material for me, a claim I've never been able to make before. I've had no dry spots, just smooth skin. I wouldn't use this during the day, as I can't see that it would make a very nice m/u base. This works best at night, where it can be left undisturbed to do it's job. Highly recommended!!
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Powder -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals in 1.2, fairly light
Xanthia 3/26/2006 6:12:00 PM
I really like this. I bought this on a trip to Vegas (oh, how I wish they would bring back Sephora to the UK) as part of the starter kit. My original small pot of this lasted me six months. If someone goes through the big on in a couple of months, well they're clearly using WAY too much. This stuff is great - don't have to use much at all, covers redness well, and even looks natural when covering my spots using the concealer brush (it doesn't cover them completely, just makes them look far less agressive). Exfoliation is a must with this, and so is buffing. I use a primer under this to help reduce the appearance of my pores, and it works a treat. DO NOT put this stuff under your eyes if you have any lines at all (I'm 31 and starting to get a small one or two) - it will enhance them! I use Dior Skinflash (001) around my eyes before applying my BE, and I get the look of great skin. I have an odd colour of skin, pretty much a fair olive. Most foundations are too pink or too yellow. This works perfectly. I can't go back to liquid foundation, it feels thick and cakey now. Recommended. UPDATE 11/06: I've stopped using this as it's not lasting the day and it emphasises the rough texture of my skin. I'll still use it for weekends, but it's no longer a part of my everyday face.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Chanel - Hydramax Tinted Moisturizer - Bronzelit
Xanthia 9/20/2005 5:20:00 PM
I really like this, on my rather light skin (Vitalumiere Shade 2), this just adds a nice glow without being orange. I had a sample of this for a long time, but didn't try it cause it looked like it would be too dark. But finally, out of make-up boredom, I decided to give it a try. Wow, was I suprised. Even my husband said I looked more glowey than normal (he meant this as a compliment). I was really surprised. Continued to use up my sample and bought the tube. This is also one of the only non "lasting" foundations (if it falls into that group) that last all day on me! In the UK this retails for £20 (less than Stila here!).
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Treatments -Joico - K-Pak Leave In Protectant
Xanthia 9/10/2005 5:12:00 AM
I bought this over a year ago along with the matching shampoo & conditioner. My hair is pretty fine (but I have loads of it), this combo was a little too moisturising - so I used the 'poo & conditioner and this sat on the shelf. However, recently I bought a cheap L'oreal 2-in-1 'cause I'm lazy, but it wasn't quite moisturising enough (not really a suprise!). So I saw this sitting there on my shelf and I thought I'd give it a try. OMG, this is the best combination for my hair. I've recently cut my hair (was long, now just above shoulders), and this give it the best bounce and really helps to control my fly-aways & frizz. And the smell is just great. One of the few things I would definately repurchase!
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Concealers -Eyeko - Eyeko's Concealer
Xanthia 5/27/2005 5:26:00 PM
I am really amazed that this worked for me. I thought it would be too dark for my fair complexion, but for some reason it looks like a perfect match when on. It looks so natural, no cakeyness or anything. I only use this for my undereyes, as I permanently have light/medium circles. This doesn't completely eliminate them, but it does make them alot less noticable - and makes me look more awake! The texture is pretty light and slides on easy. Packaging looks like it was made for a 13 year old girl, but I can deal with that. I bought this online from a discounted cosmetics site for £5.99. At this price, I would definately buy again. Edit: Eventually irritated the deliate skin around my eyes. Had to stop using! Changing rating to a 3.
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Lipstick -Bourjois - Lovely Rouge 05 Beige Intime
Xanthia 5/24/2005 8:15:00 AM
This is the first Bourjois lipstick I've been able to use. I have all thier other ranges to either stink of Roses or to just have plain bizarre colours. This is a very smooth lipstick, with a nice sheen - ever so slightly metallic/sparkly. This reminds me of Chanel Aqualumieres - since Bourjois owns the Chanel brand, this is hardly suprising. Quite a light and moisturising lipstick, with decent (but not great) staying power. The colour is a medium caramel/beige/piml with a copper-y edge colour. Hard for me to describe, as no single colour description fits. I am a Chanel Clair-Cameo 20, somewhere close to a MAC NC20, and this colour looks very nice without washing me out. I think this colour would work well with many skin tones. This lid has an almost worthless "mirror" on top. I wouldn't rely on it, but it's good for when you're caught mirror-less. The entire range can look quite garish on display, at least they do to me. However, the colours seem to be very nice and flattering when worn, and the texture is lovely. I will be purchasing more!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No