Lipstick -NARS - Pure Matte - Montego Bay
arieeel 12/26/2012 8:33:00 AM
My second lipstick from this range; my first was Mascate. The only NARS counter in Singapore (Tangs Beauty Hall, fyi) was sold out in this, and I was devastated -- until they suddenly found a new tube hidden away in the back of a drawer, just when I was walking away. Looks like Montego Bay and I were meant to be together, after all. I've been on the hunt for the perfect MLBB lipstick since forever, and while this isn't quite it, it's close. A rose-peach mattte, it's a pure pigmented color that applies smoothly. I prefer a balm underneath this, but it doesn't seem to have that drying quality that's so often the dealbreaker with many other matte lipsticks. I heard it contains wild mango butter, which is good. The lipstick is housed in a slim tube, dressed in the iconic sleek black NARS packaging, so no complaints there. I've yet to wear this out to see how long it lasts, but it seems pretty promising.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Honey
arieeel 12/26/2012 8:24:00 AM
Love at first sight for the color -- it's a shimmery, light peachy pink that matches my lips well. I was hoping this would be a MLBB shade that I can reach for on a daily basis. While the color is fantastic, though, the formula isn't. They say it's a balm, but this is the first time a "balm" has dried out my lips -- and my lips don't dry out easily. I can apply this to normal lips, then look in the mirror a few minutes later to see the fine lines in my lips visibly highlighted. Of course, this can be remedied by applying another balm underneath, but I was hoping this would be my all-in-one. Quite disappointed. The color payoff is great, though, for those who don't mind the extra hassle.
By the way, I bought this on the same day I got NARS matte lipstick in Montego Bay, and they both look very alike, except Montego Bay is slightly darker and isn't as glossy.
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Lipstick -MAC - Lipstick in Plink 
arieeel 6/9/2012 11:44:00 AM
I've been looking for a nice nude pink that doesn't wash me out for some time now. At first I used lipsticks like Peachstock and Honeylove, but those were straight-up nudes that made me look tremendously washed out (for reference, i'm NC15). After that I began looking for the perfect pink-peach lipstick that gave me the "my lips but better" look. The three I found were: Chanel Rouge Allure's Discrete, Bobbi Brown lipstick in Nectar, and this. I'd say this is VERY similar to the Chanel but with more peach in it, and yet it's not as peachy as the Bobbi Brown is. It's the perfect in-between. It has tiny barely-there silver shimmer that's hardly noticeable but gives a nice sheen nonetheless, compared to the Chanel which has larger bits of shimmer in it. Formula-wise, no complaints -- it's not very drying but I still prefer it with a balm underneath. This is one of those lipsticks that you can slick on in a hurry before you leave the house, and even with one coat it makes you look pretty and polished. Will buy again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Pink Poodle Lipglass
arieeel 1/3/2012 12:35:00 PM
This was an impulse purchase at the MAC counter; I'd just back2mac'ed my containers for the Plumful lipstick and was about to walk away when the hot pink hue of this caught my eye. It stood out from the rest of the lipglass display. I picked it up and tried it on, and I'm glad I did -- I can't wear most hot pink lipsticks but this was perfect. Not too much, but enough to see the color. I wear it over Plumful for a pretty fuchsia lip that's not overpowering on my lips but still sexy. It'll be great for the summer.
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Lip Treatments -John Masters - Lip Calm
arieeel 11/28/2011 7:14:00 AM
Been lemming for this forever so when I finally saw it in a shop I bought two. Wanted so much to love it... but unfortunately this isn't the best moisturizing balm ever. I tend to have rather dry lips nowadays, and I find that this balm doesn't really soften them, just sits on top. I have other balms that really penetrate, and this isn't one of them, as much as I wanted it to. Bonus points though for being organic -- it's good to know that whatever you're putting on your lips is all natural. It smells good too. I'm trying my best to use it up now since I heard that a tube lasts only six months, and I don't think I might be repurchasing this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24/7 eyeliner in Rockstar
arieeel 11/28/2011 7:11:00 AM
So true what the other reviewer said about this liner "wearing like steel" -- I've tried SO MANY liners on my lower lash line, including Bobbi Brown, Mac etc and none of them managed to stay on! This one did, though. I work at night in a club and used this, and after my eight-hour shift the line was still very clearly visible. Minimal smudging, too. The color is a beautiful plummy, deep purple, and is the right balance between striking and subtle. I wore this with my green contacts, and the color stood out very nicely. I've heard it complements brown eyes too, which is why I got it in the first place. It's S$30 here, which isn't very expensive for a liner -- I'd say maybe slightly above average, but it's well worth it. Sets very well and lasts forever. Can't wait to try the other UD 24/7 liners.
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Lip Treatments -MAC - Tinted Lip Conditioner - Petting Pink
arieeel 11/21/2010 7:29:00 AM
I am ADDICTED to this stuff. It was an impulse buy at the MAC counter, but I'm so glad I did it. Been wanting one for ages but never really could bear to part with S$28 for just a lip balm. But I was wrong -- this isn't just your everyday run of the mill balm. It goes on smooth and moisturising, NEVER tacky or sticky, and gives a nice sheen. It's also not very glossy, which is good. I've pigmented lips so most lip colours don't show up very well, but this one gives a tinge of pink that gives lips the natural flirty Quinn Fabray look (you know, from Glee). Quality-wise, the balm moisturises very nicely -- last night I went to sleep with it on and this morning woke up, like another reviewer has done so, with smooth lips. I also love the wide shallow glass jar with the sleek matt black lid -- possibly the best packaging I've ever had in a balm. Not a fan of having to dip my fingers in it, but it's a very pretty balm to show off.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Oleo-Relax Serum
arieeel 3/3/2010 12:32:00 PM
Finally a serum that delivers on what it promises. I've tried them all-- Toni&Guy, Herbal Essences, Pantene, you name it. I have superfine hair that's thin but frizzes easily. On top of that my hairdresser gave me a layered cut that makes my naturally wavy hair stick out weirdly sometimes. This serum has helped me smooth down the ends, and more importantly make them stay down while remaining soft and smooth. It also glosses my hair like anything, and has a light scent (not unlike FlowerbyKenzo) that lingers a long, long time. I use this in conjunction with Kerastase Bain Satin 1 and do the Aqua-Oleum treatment once every two weeks, and take Vitamin B pills daily on top of that, so my hair's been improving greatly. I like that you can use anything from half a pump to two pumps of this and it never makes your hair greasy. Also, the twist-to-lock pump makes it very easy to carry around. At first I was afraid of carrying it because I've read previous reviews that it might spill. But no problems so far. Will toss all my previous hair serums that didnt work, and buy this over and over again.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
arieeel 3/3/2010 12:18:00 PM
My oily skin drinks this up like no tomorrow. This is a big thing because when I put on other types of moisturizers, it stays on my skin and refuses to absorb, or leaves a residue behind. This one sinks right in. Love the light gel texture, but not so much the price and packaging. Sure, the packaging's cute, but one does worry about the hygiene issues of putting your fingers in the jar everytime. I bought the small jar of this to try, but will be investing in the big one soon because it does not break me out and keeps my skin soft.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Phone Number eye kohl
arieeel 2/26/2010 2:04:00 PM
Gorgeous. I used to use Greyprint but it ran out so quickly and mac eyeliner isn't cheap. So after my last one ran out I switched to Phone Number. Initially I was afraid of the hassle that would come with non-auto liners because you'd have to sharpen it, but I'm glad I bit the bullet and bought this (and the sharpener) because I can see it lasting me a very long time. Phone Number is a deeper gray than Greyprint, and has a very subtle shimmer in it that really makes a difference from the standard old black. It gives your eyes definition, but not in a harsh way. I'd say this is an almost-black, but not quite. Have to agree with what the other reviewer said about it 'applying like butter'-- i'ts very soft and easy to apply and smudge, and doesn't tug at all. Although sometimes it does come off a little too easily-- sometimes I find a streak of it on my finger after I touch my lid-- most of it stays on until I remove it at the end of the day. Would buy this again.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Chanel - Chanel Blanc Essentiel Light Reflecting Whitening Powder Foundation SPF 25
arieeel 2/26/2010 12:11:00 PM
The first high-end foundation I've ever used. I usually don't wear foundation but ever since I discovered freckles were forming, I began looking for a foundation that would cover them up while protecting my skin with SPF. This was it. It cost me S$90, which in my opinion is ridiculously expensive for a foundation. I think my skin, that is the part without the freckles, actually looks better without foundation because it kind of makes it look more matte and less dewy. However, this foundation does a great job of mattifying. It's very hot here, so when I walk back from school I usually work up a great deal of perspiration. When I looked in the mirror, my face was still matte despite the fact that I was dripping with perspiration. So thumbs up for mattifying. Packaging-wise, I'm not very fussy so it doesn't matter, but I find it nice that it comes with a black pouch to hold it. Overall an okay foundation; have not tested this in photos so I shall update when that happens. Would not buy again because the results dont justify the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Aqua-Oleum
arieeel 2/24/2010 9:59:00 AM
"Your hair smells like a million bucks," my boyfriend said when I came out of the salon. Two months later I found out exactly what it was that they had used during the treatment to make it smell divine and feel so smooth: this. I bought a bottle the other day. It was quite expensive S$14 for such a tint bottle but WORTH IT. Don't buy any other treatment if you've got thin, fine hair like mine. Save your money and buy this instead. I used only half a bottle and left it on for 20 mins. There was no noticeable difference after I rinsed, but when I was brushing my hair the next morning I was shocked at how glossy and bouncy my hair was. And I'm talking about the ends. After two washes the shine and softness is still there, so this really lasts. I'm going to try spritzing a bit of this into my brush and brushing through everyday, as a serum of sorts. My only complaint is the packaging- it's very easy to spill. When I fixed it into the bottle and then went to brush my hair back (still holding the bottle) it tilted and spilt! Thank goodness only a bit was wasted though. Be careful when handling it. You wouldn't want to spill such an expensive, though effective, liquid.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Kerastase - Bain Satin 1
arieeel 2/17/2010 3:47:00 AM
I got this in the 250ml version for S$25. the most expensive shampoo i've ever used, but also the best in my books. i love the way it smells and lathers in the shower, makes me feel like a queen every time. after a few days of this, my hair's a lot shinier and softer. i have really thin and fine wavy hair, not much of it, but this shampoo makes each strand beautiful and somehow allows my fringe to fall over my face just so. very easy to style. i havent experienced the buildup that other users have mentioned, but maybe i havent used it long enough yet. this shampoo does keep my hair feeling clean in the humidity of Singapore though. my boyfriend asked me why my hair smelt like roses yesterday, and i realised it was the shampoo. so plus points for that.
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Skincare - Face -Coastal Scents - African Black Soap
arieeel 1/23/2010 2:06:00 PM
I live in the hot humid weather of Singapore and so my face tends to get oily, and I had those little bumps under my skin that refused to go away. Tried countless brands-- ranging from simple Ponds to the Clinique 3-step-- but none worked as well as ABS did. when i got it, i wasn't too enthusiastic about the way it looked, but it does work wonders. my skin's clearing up and while the bumps havent fully gone away, they've been reduced noticeably. my skin feels tight after this so i follow up with clinique's moisture surge, which is also good for oily skin. whenever i use other cleansers temporarily (clean&clear daily pore cleanser, clinique liquid facial soap) i always start breaking out. but when i return to ABS my skin calms down. so yes, i would most definitely buy this again. plus it's lasted me about five months and i'm only halfway through the block of soap.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Bath and Body Works - Velvet Tuberose
arieeel 4/13/2009 4:51:00 AM
This smells okay to me. Complex alright, with a gentle, powdery sweet scent, but I'm 20 and this smells more like a scent for the sophisticated older woman. When I let my mom have a whiff of this, she thought it was Estee Lauder or Dior- guess the reviewers before me were right when they said it smelled expensive. This smells to me like an old-Hollywood glamour kind of scent, which would be lovely on older glamourous women, but not on me. EDIT: This is random but I realised that this fragrance reminds me of the song My Favourite Things.
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