Treatments -Christian Dior - Capture R60/80t Bi-Skin Inside R-Flash Ultra Lissant Instantané
alexandraxy 5/10/2013 8:18:00 AM
The ultra lissage instanee from the line Capture R60/80 is a transparent, lightweight and fluid serum containing micro particles that illuminate the skin, diffuse and reflect light. It hydrates and smoothes out fine lines. It can be used as a primer/moisturizer if you have combination or, even better, oily skin. It's pricey, but a bit goes a long way, one pump is enough for the entire face and neck. I don't use foundation and don't like to feel "too much" on my skin, so this serum is perfect being light and fresh. The result is a natural, dewy look. What I don't like about it is that you can't see how much product is left inside the dispenser. On the other hand, this is the best way to protect the fluid from light and outer influences which would alter its effectiveness. Would buy again.
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Perfectionist [CP+] Targeted Deep Wrinkle Filler
alexandraxy 5/10/2013 6:20:00 AM
The packaging would be a good one (tube with a pointed dispenser for optimal dosage) if it were not so hard to squeeze. The cream is thick and a bit gluey, I only use it for my two frown lines between the eyebrows and on the upper lip. If I use just a bit more it leaves a whitish, sticky layer. I’m sorry to say that in my case it does nothing or, at best, very little for my wrinkles. So I don’t recommend it to women in my age group (mid 40s). I’ve used a couple of other wrinkle fillers, much less expensive ones, and they work better.
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Eyes -Talika - EyeLash Conditioning Gel
alexandraxy 4/11/2013 8:34:00 AM
It works! I started out with a small sized tube (0.14oz - 4,2ml) and ended up buying the 0.34oz (10ml) version. It conditions and hydrates the lashes beautifully and I noticed an improvement only after a few days of application (once a day, in the morning). I have been using it for about a month now and my lashes are stronger, lusher and softer to the touch. I couldn't say if they are longer or thicker (I'm lucky enough to have always had very long and thick eyelashes, also now that I'm in my mid 40s), but for sure they look better, the results are noticeable.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Lancome - Instant retouch pen
alexandraxy 2/12/2013 8:37:00 AM
Ok, it's true! A bit goes a long way, but all the same I find it too pricey. I bought nr 1 (lightest hue), it's a beautiful ivory hue. The results I get with it are not good, though (unlike with the eclat miracle primer). I mostly use it as primer for the undereye area, just to illluminate the look. If you need a concealer to cover dark circles or the like, forget about it! It's a highlighter, not a concealer and as such it doesn't cover. Its texture is too light. I also use it to light up the inner eye corners and the upper outer lid. The color is fine, I like it, I also like the texture (look and feel), but somehow the finished effect doesn't satisfy me. It sounds like a paradox, but I find it at the same time dry and oily. I put it on, especially on the undereye area, and it sets in the lines/wrinkles making them more visible, sth which doesn't happen with other similar products. And my under eye area looks dry and not hydrated. After a while it kind of gets oily, especially on the lids, but the drying effect doesn't disappear. In the end I can only use it in the inner corners of the eyes or mixed with a moisturizer.
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Primer/ Corrector -Lancome - Eclat Miracle
alexandraxy 2/12/2013 8:17:00 AM
I bought it and stuck it in a drawer. Now I ask myself why because it's really good quality. It's rather pricey, but not that much, especially if you use it as a highlighter on strategic areas, such as cheekbones and outer brow bones. In this case it will last ages! Despite non using foundation, I’ve tried to apply it as it should, i.e. as a highlighter, and I’m happy with the result. Also in this case you need a very limited amount, otherwise your skin will get greasy, this is what happened to me, at least (I have combination skin). The texture is fantastic and easy to apply: very light and a bit runny and so luminous, it looks like it's made of thousands tiny mirror specks. It gives my skin a beautiful radiance. As I said above, it is slightly greasy, which I don't entirely see as a negative quality, to tell the truth. It's moisturizing and doesn't dry out the skin, sth I have experienced with base lumiere Chanel (I posted a review on this). Let's say that eclat miracle it's ideal for dry to combination skin, but not for oily skin. I dare say it wouldn’t be a good choice for very light or dark complexion. To my medium one – slightly on the rosy side (not sallow) - it gives a marvelous dewy, glow. It illuminates. On very light complexion it could be too cold and create the "ghost effect". And, in my opinion, it is too white for dark complexions, I doubt it would blend well. It comes in rather soft plastic tube, which is ok. You can dose it all right (shake well before use), but for its consistency - a bit runny - an airtight pump dispenser would have been more suitable, also for hygiene.
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Blush -Calvin Klein - Flush with Desire - Desire
alexandraxy 2/12/2013 7:57:00 AM
I bought flush with desire (in desire) at half its price. CK make up wasn't obviously doing well here in Germany and since then this brand is no longer sold. The packaging is very good: simple, elegant, sleek, practical. I can't express an opinion on the brush because I use my fingers to dab blush. I find you can dose it much better and blend and fix the color on the cheeks at best with your fingers. Although it's a powder blush (I prefer cream or gel blushes), it doesn't dry my skin out. You just need a tiny bit because it's very pigmented. If you use the right amount (i.e. very little) it's an extremely flattering hue. I suspect much more for brunettes than for blondes like myself. The color looks very "vivacious" in the pan, once blended it's a deep and dark pink. If I use a bit more than necessary or you find it too pigmented, just dab a veil of bronzer on top of it or mix it with the bronzer before applying it and, I swear, it turns to a beautiful, natural-looking muted pink. I dropped it accidentally and unfortunately the pressed color broke into bigger, small and tiny pieces. I was so sorry that I collected it as best as I could and put it in a sample sized pot. I'm still using it.
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Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pot Rouge in Blushed Rose
alexandraxy 2/12/2013 6:16:00 AM
Pot rouge by BB in blushed rose is the second make up product (after clinique black honey) I have bought without having seen or tried it before. I was convinced by the many positive reviews I read and decided to run the risk. As this brand is only sold in a limited number of stores in Germany, I ordered it online on the BB official page. I must confess I was rather annoyed by the price. On the above mentioned page it's sold for 26.50euro (35.50dollars), while on the BB US page its price is 25dollars (18.60euro), but of course it wouldn't be worth while because of the shipping charges. I paid no shipping charges as my purchase was above 25euro. For every order, it is stated on the BB web page, you get a free sample (7ml) of extra repair moisturizing balm SPF25…. while supplies last, they add. Before my order arrived I discovered reading further reviews that many clients were angry at the fact that the new version of pot rouge contains 3,7gr instead of the 11 of the older version and this for the very same price. Which left me stunned. I got the goods in 2days as promised. No sample. Which I found disappointing. I can believe that the supplies of this particular cream are depleted, but I can’t believe that they haven’t got any other sample of any other product. I didn’t like it at all, honestly. The pot rouge is extremely good quality and the color is beautiful. I had feared it might be too dark for my fair to medium complexion, but it’s not. It is even darker than in the photos online, in any case. Seen in the pan I would define it a mat brick red, when applied it is not as dark. The texture is very smooth and I like it so much because it has no glitter or pearly effect or anything, hence it creates a very natural effect – the same I get when I blush or come back from the gym after an intense session: a faded, but deep rosy reddish hue where both colors are muted by imperceptible brown. I advise it in particular to women in my age group (mid 40’s) or older. The skin is not any longer so hydrated as it was in younger years and the creamy texture of pot rouge makes the skin glowy and dewy. The application is quite easy, it won’t smudge or stain. I pressed my index finger in the pan, just leaving my fingerprint, and dabbed it on my cheekbones; this was enough to confer a lovely, natural blush. A tiny bit goes a long way and, were it 11ml (instead of 3,7), it would get old before it’s empty. For this reason, I don’t find the very limited quantity a bad idea, BUT BB should have adjusted the price to the reduced contents, just to be honest and fair to the clientele. I’m satisfied with pot rouge and for its quality I would have given it 5 stars, but I don't like the way BB treats her clients so I take one star off (and I think I'm very generous). I'm not AT ALL impressed and, out of principle, I’ll opt for other brands in the future.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Almost Lipstick - Black Honey
alexandraxy 2/11/2013 10:11:00 AM
Now I can say it.... Yes, it's true! Black honey is an absolute must have. I was skeptical, I feared it would be too dark for me. It's not. I bought it after having read innumerable reviews, 99% of them positive. First time ever that I buy sth without having seen or tried it. I had to order it from the US; I live in Germany and I'm often in Italy. In both countries it's impossible to find it. The price was good 15dollars (all brands are much more expensive in Europe in comparison to the US). I also like the silver, sleek packaging - simple, elegant and functional. But most of all I like the result I get: it's a wonderfully flattering hue. For me, too: I have blond hair and fair (not too light, though) complexion. It beautifully ehances the color of my eyes (green). The texture of black honey is fantastic, so moist you can almost use it without moisturizing your lips beforehand (and it's all said!). It's sheer, the quality I most appreciate in black honey, and brilliant, it lights up your entire face. The hue is gorgeous: it leaves a tint as if you had just sipped red wine. So, I would define the color as bordeaux. Its undertone is more red than brown. It's transparent and light and lips look youthful and healthy with just a veil of black honey, much more than covered with a layer of normal lipstick. Because of it's sheer nature, it doesn't last as long as a normal lipstick. At my age I've become quite an expert in wearing lipstick and in my case I must say it lasts pretty long. In any case, if you don't eat a complete meal it has a reasonably long staying power. For sure a more than worth while purchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Dr. Hauschka - Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner
alexandraxy 11/15/2012 6:59:00 AM
It's not a bad toner, but I wouldn't buy it again. And I'll tell you why. First of all, this is my first try with Dr Hauschka products. I live in Germany and here you can find this brand very easily. It's usually sold in bio shops (i.e. stores for organic products). The price is medium-high: higher than drugstore brands and cheaper than brands like Estee Lauder, Chanel and the like. Since I bought the toner, I have tried samples of other skin care products of this same brand. As far as the toner is concerned, the packing is fine: it's a spray glass container, the contents doesn't get polluted or contaminated. I find glass the most hygienic choice, although I'm always nervous handling glass with wet or slippery hands. Despite the good quality packaging, the liquid (which I think doesn't contain preservatives) changed color and smell after a while, probably I didn't use it quickly enough. The toner itself wasn't neither good or bad, I didn't notice any positive or negative impact on my skin. And this is true also for the samples I have tried: nothing bad and nothing good to say about these products. For this reason I wouldn't spend ca. 17euro for this facial toner.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel
alexandraxy 11/14/2012 10:59:00 AM
What I can say? For sure that our olfactory sense is so unique, that I find personal reviews of perfumes pretty useless, unlike those for make up or skin care products. Evidence of this is the fact that when you talk about a fragrance, some hate it, while others love it. And in the end you know about it as much as you knew before. This is also true for Angel. I won't enter into details about its fragrance pyramid, I'm not an expert and you can find this kind of info everywhere on the net. What I can tell you, is that I don't like its packaging: neither the star, which I find totally "user-unfriendly" and neither do I like the big bottle (100ml/3.4oz), the version (spray) I have got. The base is much narrower than the top, hence not very stable. Moreover, if you have long nails, you risk to break one spraying it and the pump doesn't work that well. Here you can see both versions: http://thecandyperfumeboy.com/2011/09/14/a-cosmic-drag-queen-thierry-mugler-angel-edp-perfume-review/ So said, I love this fragrance! It has happened to me many a time to smell a perfume and say.... uhm, it reminds me of that other fragrance. Believe me, it won't happen with Angel, it's unique! And, more than for other perfumes, I think that either you love it or you hate it. Because of its out of the ordinary composition. You just have to try it to find out.
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Lip Gloss -Lancome - Juicy Tubes In Strawberry Juice
alexandraxy 10/23/2012 12:33:00 PM
I wouldn't buy juice tube in "strawberry" a second time. It's not bad, but I don't like the color that much. It's a "sparkly" strawberry red, a nice hue, but a bit too much on the pink side rather than red. It gets lighter and more transparent once you apply it on your lips, but somehow I find myself using other lip glosses I have, maybe of inferior quality. It's sticky, as I have read in other reviews and yes, it sticks to my hair, too and it's a bit annoying. But it's good quality and lips look supple and fresh when I wear it. It also has a nice smell/taste. A tube lasts forever and the packaging is very handy. I also have it in "grapefruit" and it is so much better! It smells great, fruity citrus and fresh, and the hue is beautiful (rosy orange).
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Treatments -Christian Dior - Capture Sculpt 10 Re-plumping Emulsion Focus Cheecs-Lips
alexandraxy 5/6/2012 1:14:00 PM
Very good packaging (pump dispenser), product doesn't come into contact with air or contaminated by dirt. The texture is so and so. I use a small amount for cheeks and mouth/lips area and it is absorbed rather quickly; I have tried using more, but it gets a bit sticky. Maybe I don't use enough of it and I must point out that I use it every now and then, so I might as well skip it because I don't notice any results or improvement in my skin texture.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic
alexandraxy 5/6/2012 10:46:00 AM
A bit surprised to read that only 59% of users would buy this product again. Telescopic is an excellent mascara, in my opinion. I have rarely found a better formulation, even in much more expensive mascaras. I'ts glossy black, liquid, but not too much, doesn't dry out lashes, easy to remove, it never smudges and, above all, it never clumps. You have to get used to the plastic brush, which is smaller than average, perfect to reach even the tiniest corner lashes. Not suitable if you are looking for a volume mascara (too liquid), Telescopic is a lengthening mascara. I have very long lashes, but lashes are never long enough and they lengthen incredibly with this mascara. I don't need volume (I would look like a spider), so Telescopic is the ideal mascara.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Chanel - Poudre Cristalline
alexandraxy 5/6/2012 10:31:00 AM
I wouldn't buy Chanel cristalline powder again, as you get the same results with much much less expensive powders. I could say it's a very good product, but for the price (10gr ca. 50euros in Germany) I think it's just average. It's super light, it's translucent (one color for all skin tones), very good, subtle, natural coverage, good oil control, doesn't dry out my skin. But, as I said above, you get the same effect with most powders. So, if you can afford it, why not, otherwise it's really not necessary to shell out such amount of money.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
alexandraxy 5/6/2012 10:05:00 AM
I commissioned my brother to buy high beam for me in the US, where it costs less, after reading enthusiastic reviews. All in all I must say I'm not satisfied with high beam and wouldn't purchase it again. The packaging: little glass jar, exactly like nail polish. Whenever I open it I fear to drop it or spill the contents. Texture: if it were a bit more runny, I'd prefer it and the application would be easier. A drop goes a long way, you need so little it will last AGES. I dab it (as a very final touch) on my upper cheekbones, upper/outer brow bones and inner corners of the eyes. Very sparingly. The subtle glow you get with a tiny droplet enhances the parts mentioned above beautifully, gives your skin a dewy look, but the effect is difficult to achieve. You have to be quick in dabbing. If you use a bit more than a droplet it's already too much: you rub off and smudge powder and blush (I don't use foundation) and, even worse, it gives a rosy metallic shimmer, which I don't like at all.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No