Mascara -Stila - Black Diamond Mascara
alison_wonderland 6/14/2011 7:36:00 AM
I actually don't see this on the Stila site, so maybe it's discontinued? No shame, in my opinion. I got a sample of this mascara, and when I put it on my lashes, it's basically as if I did nothing at all. I considered throwing the sample away, but I found that it's worth keeping for using to touch up your (other, better) day mascara when going out or something. I usually hate doing that, but with this mascara it works - probably because it's so barely there.
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Nails -Unlisted Brand - Suncoat - Natural Nail Polish Remover
alison_wonderland 4/30/2011 6:18:00 PM
This nail polish remover works beautifully. Like the other reviewers said, it takes a while to get the polish off (hence the point deduction): I soaked one side of a cotton ball, pressed it to my nails and counted for about 15 seconds, then started rubbing from side to side as fast and hard as I could; it took off every last trace of polish. The best part is that it doesn't have a strong smell, and you don't feel bad scrubbing away at your toenails like you do with the paint-thinner type ones. I'll keep buying this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Shiseido - Eyelash Curler
alison_wonderland 6/24/2010 4:49:00 PM
I really like this eyelash curler; it fits my eyes, which are pretty deep-set and almond shaped, more nicely than the shu one does. As for curling, it does a pretty job. I think the curl it gives me is more natural than the one that I get from the shu curler. The curl from the shu curler is more dramatic on me, but it is sharper, and I have to work harder to get it. It also pinches my eyelids and misses curling my outer lashes. I had to work a lot harder with that curler because it does not really fit my eye as nicely as the shiseido one does. I also like that it comes with extra pads, and I love that you can buy replacement pads for it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Quo - Powder Brush
alison_wonderland 5/4/2009 4:14:00 PM
Wow, I hate this brush. It sheds like nobody's business. I'd swap it, but the person who got it would probably want a reversal it sheds so badly. I think today when I used it, there were at least 50 hairs in my sink. Awful. I don't know if it was always this bad (as I've had it for years), but it's unbearable now.
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Lip Gloss -Tarte - Paul and Holly
alison_wonderland 1/24/2009 6:06:00 PM
I love this l/g -- the name, of course is great, too! The "paul" side (deep orange) is my favourite of the two, and I think that it looks a lot like MAC pink grapefruit lipglass on me (but PG has more sparkle). I'm NC30 brown hair/brown eyes, for reference. The "holly" side is pretty too, but it's a sheerer bronzey shade that is much more subtle than the "paul" side. I think that it'll look nice with a darker eye! I actually like the Tarte gloss more than MAC's because it's less sticky and feels so smooth! Even without the "stick", I find the lasting power to be good. I love that you get two colours as well! But yeah, the brush leaves something to be desired as it goops the product onto your lips -- takes a bit of work to sheer it out.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Different Lipstick - Raspberry Glace
alison_wonderland 1/10/2009 3:26:00 PM
Like most of the other reviewers, I got this l/s as a GWP; however, unlike most of the other reviewers, I love it! I'd describe the colour as a blue based purple-raspberry. It's quite deep in tone, and smooth and soft in texture. It has impressive lasting power, too. I've had good luck pairing it with MAC cedar liner -- I don't know why it works, it shouldn't since cedar is warm toned, but maybe that helps to warm the colour? I just used it because it was lying around when I was testing it one day. I'd imagine something like dervish would be perfect, though. I agree with the reviewers who suggested 1) to blot and 2) to wear a cool pink blush with it (I've used MAC well dressed and quite like it). For reference, I'm a fair-medium neutral beige skintone (NC30) with dark brown hair and eyes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Frost Lipstick in O
alison_wonderland 1/4/2009 12:36:00 PM
On me, "O" is a unique, pretty bronze-plum shade (NC30 dark brown hair and eyes). It has enough pigment to stay on, but it isn't heavy looking. I love that you can apply it lightly to make it suitable for day. The reason I gave it a 4 (instead of a 5) is that I just can't get on board with frosts. I find that if I apply MAC frosts (or at least sheer them out) with a lipbrush rather than use them straight from the tube, it helps to smooth the frost out so that it doesn't settle into the lines on my lips. But, I wish that they would come up with a non-frost version of O. That said, perhaps you couldn't have the beautiful bronzey/gold depth without making it a frost. And, that's what really makes the colour so beautiful!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre Lipstick in Plumful
alison_wonderland 12/17/2008 4:38:00 PM
I've been going through my lipsticks trying to decide what to keep and what to swap. Well, I just finished swatching Capricious, so when I pulled Plumful out next, I thought "I have a feeling this one's going to go!". WRONG! This is SO lovely. Capricious is also a pinky plum colour, but Plumful has even more pink. Plumful is cooler than Capricious, but I (NC30, dark brown hair and eyes) can absolutely pull it off. So, while Capricious is a warmer (than Plumful) pinky plum, I'd say that Plumful is a cooler plummy pink. I can't say enough good things about the colour of this lipstick, and I'm so glad that I found it again... I'm going to have to go back and get Capricious and see if I still love it as much! I would absolutely buy this again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre Capricious
alison_wonderland 12/17/2008 11:35:00 AM
Capricious is a beautiful pigmented pinky plum. It goes very nicely with my somewhat warm undertones (NC30, dark brown hair and eyes). I also like plums with brown undertones, but this is a more rosey plum. It is a lustre, so it's not going to stay on as well as a satin/matte, but when it wears off, it leaves a really gorgeous stain. I'd definitely buy this again, as it's one of my favourite plum lipsticks (I like it more than plumful for my colouring)! p.s. I asked the moderators to remove the picture of the bright pink lips -- there's no way that was capricious! :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Butter Shine Lipstick - Pink Goddess
alison_wonderland 12/16/2008 6:47:00 PM
What a gorgeous true pink! To my eye it's a true muted pink tone which is warmed up with a bit of gold shimmer. It compliments my NC30 complexion (brown hair and eyes) quite nicely.
Like all the buttershines, however, on me they seem like they disappear from my lips as soon as I put them on. Don't even bother trying to drink or anything like that. I expect my lipsticks to last longer than that, so I won't repurchase. But if anyone finds a longer lasting version of this, definitely let me know! :)
*PIC* follows:
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Lipstick -Stila - High Shine in Electra [DISCONTINUED]
alison_wonderland 12/15/2008 3:49:00 PM
Oh, Electra It is the most gorgeous brownish plum shade! It's like Stila Natalie, but glossier. So, for colour, I would rate this baby a 5 all the way! So, why the 4? Well, the staying power... I like my lipsticks to be able to last while I teach, but because of the glossiness of this one, it fades really quickly. I only use it on days when I don't mind reapplying, but it's not fit for days when you're actually busy and can't constantly reapply. I see that Stila no longer sells it, so I'll buy Natalie when this runs out :) I said I wouldn't buy this product again, and that's because of the staying power. For reference, I'm NC30 with dark hair and eyes. And, the colour is perfection.
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Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in Hug Me
alison_wonderland 12/15/2008 2:52:00 PM
This is the best nude lipstick I have found for me (a beige-pink) -- the thing is, I'm just not much of a fan of nude lips on me. So, if I am doing really strong eyes, I will reach for this, but I think that it doesn't do me any favours on its own. It makes my lips glossier, and evens them out, but I prefer a lipstick to lighten up my face. I'm not sure if I'll buy this again (but I picked "yes" because everyone needs a nude lipstick in their kit, right? :)), there are just too many lipsticks that I love, and that have better staying power. I want to rate this a 3.5 because of the combo of being a little too nude to perk me up solo and the lack of lasting power. I have used this lipstick a lot -- but, I think the use is more because of having to reapply a lot. But, if I need a nude lipstick, this is the one I'll choose -- I've tried many of the Mac nude lipsticks, and this one is definitely my favorite of them all! For reference, I'm NC30 with dark brown hair and eyes.
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Lipstick -MAC - Del Rio Lipstick
alison_wonderland 12/14/2008 7:04:00 PM
Del Rio is one of my favourite lipsticks. Others have described the colour well, but on me, I'd call it a reddish-brown plum. It's medium-dark, but it melts into my fair/medium (NC30) complexion (I have really dark brown eyes/hair). I love that it gives a matte look, too. It doesn't make me look as vampy as Dolores Del Rio, but maybe if I applied it with a heavy hand... I definitely like the 20's vibe I get from it. It's just perfect.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Different Lipstick - Plum Brandy
alison_wonderland 12/13/2008 10:19:00 PM
I'd describe the colour as a raspberry-plum on the cool side of neutral. It really deepens my lip colour without being too dark. You can definitely layer it for intensity and make it more vampy. I'm always impressed with it when I remember to pull it out! The scent isn't as nice as MAC and the consistency could be a little more even (it takes a bit of work to get it perfect around the cupid's bow), but the colour is great and it seems to last on me. It's a classic, go with everything lipstick, and I'm glad that I own it!
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Lipstick -MAC - Sequin Frost lipstick
alison_wonderland 12/11/2008 3:42:00 PM
What a pretty colour! Others have described it quite nicely, but to recap, I'd say that it's a medium to dark cool-toned plum with a pinky-bronze sheen. The frost is not over the top, but like with every MAC frost lipstick, I need to apply with a lipbrush and not straight out of the tube to get the effect that I like. Edit -- I think it's beautiful, but it's definitely too cool for me. It just doesn't light up my face the way warmer colours do. So, I think this shade would be better for neutral or cool ladies. I'm NC30 brown hair and eyes. As for occasion, on me, I think that sequin is more nighttime than daytime, and more dinner party than dance club. One point off for it being so soft that it wobbles out of the base. Seems that I have to handle my tube of Sequin with kid gloves.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No