Bronzers -Almay - Smart Shade Bronzer in 040 Sunkissed
alissss 9/5/2012 3:05:00 AM
I wouldn't buy this again simply bc I just decided I simply don't have time to contour properly so I put this up for swap along with all my other bronzers. When done right this works, but I just don't have the time or patience. This item is really not bad at all. I see the reviews are mixed. My guess is the application is important. If you use a flat top brush (corner) or a contour brush and apply really really lightly and blend this is an excellent bronzer - I really don't see a difference from high end bronzers to be honest. However, this looks like the kind of "dangerous" bronzer in the pan and it can certainly go that way if applied heavy. It's terracotta kind of color - definitely not light. Not so much orange but quite dark. I have fair skin (NW15-20) and I thought this would surely look horrid on me but I was surprised how natural it looked when I applied with a really really light hand and blended well. There is some shimmer in the pan but it does not show up on the face. I think it's worth a try.
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Polishes -Butter London - Tea with the Queen
alissss 9/3/2012 12:43:00 AM
I am an avid nail polish collector and I rarely ever wear nudes. Teals, sparkles, magnetics, glitter, holos... Stuff I like is generally decidedly unsubtle. But Tea with the Queen is honestly a color I adore. It's a neutral but unlike the more popular beigey/pinky ones, has a warm, caramel tint. I would have never purchased this had I not tried it at a friend's. I was pleasantly surprised. Even though I am cool-toned, the warm color worked really well. I would have thought Yummy Mummy would have looked better on me instead but I did not like that one. Overall, I am very glad I found this polish. Butter Londons generally apply well and last - and I adore their bottle style. I now have a neutral that I can wear for serious occasions at work, to balance a striking outfit, or well, for tea with the queen :-)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Skinfood - Salmon Darkcircle Concealer
alissss 9/3/2012 12:26:00 AM
The color and the concept is good - salmon color does balance the blue/green under/inner eye areas. However the consistency of this product just does not work for me no matter what I do. No matter how much I moisturized or blended I had one of two outcomes with this: Either looks caked on and thick and very obvious (racoon-eye-like) or if you manage to blend it in, then it's streaky and uneven in coverage. I don't have too many lines where I apply this (inner corner of eyes), but if you do, it will also settle into them I expect. Perhaps it works better on some skin types but not for me.
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Concealers -Cle de Peau - Concealer
alissss 9/3/2012 12:22:00 AM
I ordered this from Nordstrom since they take anything back. I was skeptical about a $70 concealer and Kim Khardashian endorsements and such. But my under/inner eye blue-ness really is the one issue I have with my make up so I gave it a try. This worked brilliantly for me! It does the trick and does not look caked on. I do recommend moisturizing. Applies easily with brush or fingertips. Does not run or settle into fine lines. HG HG HG!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Kelly Caleche
alissss 9/3/2012 12:17:00 AM
Wow, I really was not expecting to fall for this one when I ordered a sample from Luckyscent. I have been putting it on my wrist and obsessively smelling it ever since I got it. Like many mentioned, I don't get a strong leather from this, more like an interpretation of leather by Ellena. The opening is light, sparkling. After it settles a little, the iris and the leather are more present. Everything is balanced though and it doesn't smell too strongly feminine or masculine. It stays close to the skin on me but lasts a long time, albeit softly. To me this is sophisticated but not stuffy or old lady. Can wear to work or on the weekend. I am definitely going to look into swapping for or buying a full bottle.
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Fragrances -Hermes - Un Jardin en Méditerranée
alissss 9/2/2012 11:53:00 PM
I tried this with some reservation since I spend my childhood summers in the Mediterranean and thus have made formative olfactory memories of the area. I was wondering how Ellena would interpret the warmth and beauty of the region. I was not disappointed. This was actually not what I expected, yet truly evocative of a Mediterranean garden. Less floral and more herbal, and that is a great thing. A warm afternoon, the sunshine and the dry heat releases green and the woody aromas . The sea is not in front of you, yet is making itself known via a gentle breeze and ties it all together. This is a happy scent, just bold enough but not loud. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but nor is it casual. A scent that will stay with you from the afternoon to the evening all the way into the Mediterranean night. I ordered a full bottle.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -MISSHA - M BB boomer
alissss 9/2/2012 11:27:00 PM
I really like this product. The BB "boomer" is basically a primer and I have used it with BB creams of different brands. It has a small amount of shimmer - nothing blingy. Just gives you a nice glow. It's not drying or heavy feeling. The signature version is a bit more luxurious but similar concept.
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Polishes -OPI - I Vant To Be A-Lone Star
alissss 8/5/2012 5:55:00 PM
This was a gift and I was super happy to receive it. i adore colors like this and I had this on my wishlist. I can only give it 2.5 stars however. I tried this polish 3 times. Each time it was streaky on one coat and not totally even at two. And worse, it just would not dry even with Seche Vite, which dries 90% of my polishes within minutes. It may work better on others but I had a hard time with it. Color is awesome. Very chic! And I love the name.
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Highlighters -NYX - Mosaic Powder Highlighter
alissss 8/5/2012 5:47:00 PM
I found this product to work very well as a highlighter that is not blingy or sparkly but yet adds glow. Unfortunately I dropped this on the counter and it immediately shattered. I can still somewhat use it but there's been a lot of product loss. This is of course not NYX's fault but my clumsiness - I drop everything. So be careful it breaks easily and I wouldn't travel with it either.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Amore Pacific - Sulwhasoo Balancing Emulsion
alissss 8/5/2012 5:43:00 PM
I bought a Sulwhasoo set tax free in Seoul plus on a 25% discount. Still expensive but I bit the bullet. It had the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing Emulsion, Eye Cream and Ginseng Cream. I have been using this stuff for 3 weeks and I really do see a difference in my skin. I have dry skin with occasional hormonal acne, some fine lines and some unevennes in color. These products have improved the softness and the dewyness of my skin. I need less foundation than before (just tinted moisturizer) I use the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing emulsion 2x a day. I am not sure all these steps are useful or necessary but the end result is nicely hydrating. The emulsion is a light, not too liquid but not cream moisturizer. I normally use much heavier stuff for my dry skin but with the balancing water, this is enough for me in the a.m. I was very surprised at how hydrating this line is. At night I add richer stuff on. Korean skincare usually involves more steps and time than Western skincare. You may see this as a "hassle" or relish the meditative aspect. I enjoy taking a few extra minutes for my skincare, but I believe you can just layer the products as well without waiting too much in between. The smell also makes a difference for me. A very light scent is found in all producrs (stronger in the Ginseng cream) that only lasts a few seconds so you don't keep smelling it. Just enough to refresh and calm your mind at the same time. I might be addicted to the smell. Or Sulwhasoo in general. Packaging is gorgeous. Dates on the product are manifacturing dates, not expiration dates. Cons: Expensive.
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Toners -Amore Pacific - Sulwhasoo Balancing Water
alissss 8/5/2012 5:40:00 PM
I bought a Sulwhasoo set tax free in Seoul plus on a 25% discount. Still expensive but I bit the bullet. It had the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing Emulsion, Eye Cream and Ginseng Cream. I have been using this stuff for 3 weeks and I really do see a difference in my skin. I have dry skin with occasional hormonal acne, some fine lines and some unevennes in color. These products have improved the softness and the dewyness of my skin. I need less foundation than before (just tinted moisturizer) I use the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing emulsion 2x a day. The Balancing Water is a toner, but it's not the type of toner that Western brands have that is much more liquid. This is a transparent liquid but more dense than water. You apply it directly to skin, not with a cotton pad. It's very pleasant and lightly scented. I follow this with the Emulsion - if I have time I wait a bit but sometimes I just layer them on right after the other. Both work fine. I am not sure all these steps are useful or necessary for skin care, but the end result is nicely hydrating. I used to use a much heavier moisturizer (night cream during the day) since I have dry skin. With these products, I have replaced that with a much lighter option that hydrates just as well. I guess the system works. Don't forget to add sunscreen in the day! Korean skincare usually involves more steps and time than Western skincare. You may see this as a "hassle" or relish the meditative aspect. I enjoy taking a few extra minutes for my skincare, but I believe you can just layer the products as well without waiting too much in between. The smell also makes a difference for me. A very light scent is found in all products (stronger in the Ginseng cream) that only lasts a few seconds so you don't keep smelling it. Just enough to refresh and calm your mind at the same time. I might be addicted to the smell. Or Sulwhasoo in general. Packaging is gorgeous. Dates on the product are manifacturing dates, not expiration dates. Cons: Expensive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -MISSHA - M Shimmering Ball Blush in 01 Pastel Glow
alissss 8/5/2012 5:05:00 PM
This is pretty much a dupe for the much more expensive Guerlain meteorites. I got the travel kind which comes in a shallower container and no brush. I prefer to use my own brush. I really like this product. If you're thinking about getting meteorites but can't stomach the price, give this a try. I got it on their sale for 50% off for something like $11.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Skin79 - BB Viber
alissss 8/5/2012 4:56:00 PM
I visited Seoul recently and many beauty brands had vibrating sponge applicators for BB cream and foundation. I chose and bought the Skin79 one and I am obsessed with it. You pat BB cream on your face and spread it with this "viber". The effect is airbrush-like, similar to a beautyblender but much less work to apply. Very fast! I believe the device plus 4 extra sponge tips were about $20. I highly recommend this!
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BB Cream -Skin79 - Super+ BB Cream Gold Label
alissss 8/5/2012 4:52:00 PM
Yes! i have just returned from Seoul and sampled and bought many BB creams and similar. This is among my favorites. I have dry skin and this gives me moisturizing light coverage and looks very natural. I received samples of all the other BBs from skin79 to try as well. I also got a vibrating BB application thingy from Skin79 which is my current obsession. It gives an effect much like the beautyblender but much quicker and easier to apply.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Unlisted Brand - SulWhaSoo
alissss 8/3/2012 2:21:00 PM
I bought a Sulwhasoo set tax free in Seoul. It was expensive but on a 25% discount, I bit the bullet. This review will cover the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing Emulsion, Eye Cream and Ginseng Cream. I have been using this stuff for two weeks and I really do see a difference in my skin. I have dry skin with occasional hormonal acne, some fine lines and some unevennes in color. These products have improved the softness and the dewyness of my skin. I need less foundation than before (just tinted moisturizer) I use the First Care Serum, Balancing Water, Balancing emulsion 2x a day. I am not sure all these steps are useful or necessary but the end result is nicely hydrating. I used to use a much heavier moisturizer (night cream during the day) since I have dry skin. With these products, I have replaced that with a much lighter option that hydrates just as well. I guess the system works. Don't forget to add sunscreen in the day! The ginseng cream is heavenly. The eye cream is also OK. I use both at night and wake up with smooth, nourished skin. I also got a sample of the overnight cream - also very good. I use an antioxidant serum and/or retinol at night along with these products - the rest of my skincare is now Sulwhasoo. Korean skincare usually involves more steps and time than Western skincare. You may see this as a "hassle" or relish the meditative aspect. I enjoy taking a few extra minutes for my skincare, but I believe you can just layer the products as well without waiting too much in between. The smell also makes a difference for me. A very light scent is found in all producrs (stronger in the Ginseng cream) that only lasts a few seconds so you don't keep smelling it. Just enough to refresh and calm your mind at the same time. I might be addicted to the smell. Or Sulwhasoo in general. Cons: Expensive.
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