Fragrances -Hermes - L'Ambre des Merveilles EDP
belleepoque 10/14/2012 8:05:00 PM
I can't believe I'm giving an Hermes perfume such a low rating...granted, I don't love all their fragrances (my favorites are by Hermes, though). But what bothers me about this one in particular is that it is a dead-ringer for Vera Wang Princess. Process that. Princess came out in 2006 and was marketed towards a teenage girl demographic. It's not a bad fragrance, but Hermes is charging over a hundred dollars for a single ounce of a scent that was targeted for teenyboppers. No thank you.
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Fragrances -Creed - Royal Oud
belleepoque 8/5/2012 11:51:00 PM
I got an amazing deal on this product, otherwise I don't know if I'd have bought it. $300 is a ridiculous price for this, and I really can't justify paying THAT much just for a perfume. However, Creed perfumes are made with all-natural ingredients, which explains why they smell more "special" than most high-end perfumes (which, frankly, nearly all smell alike). Royal Oud is warm and masculine, but soft enough to be comfortable during the hot and humid summer. It's a gorgeous, unique scent, and it makes me think of a Persian carpet during the Crusades. The cap doesn't stay on well, though, which is annoying - I tend to carry my bottles with me, and a bottle this pricey should be able to keep its cap a little better.
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Eyeliner -Avon - Metallic Liquid Eyeliner
belleepoque 6/5/2012 4:46:00 PM
This is a new liquid eyeliner from Avon. I bought one of each color (blue, purple, gold, silver, black). Not a bad concept and wear is decent, but the effect is NOT metallic. At ALL. Also, while still wet, the product makes my eyelids tingle. This probably won't be in the brochure for long, and I do not recommend it.
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Glossimer - Amour 166
belleepoque 4/5/2012 7:41:00 PM
This shade is new for Spring 2012 and most likely LE (I don't buy a lot of Chanel makeup so am not sure how long they keep colors). "Amour" is beautiful in ads and in the tube, and it's not bad on you, either, once you can get enough on your lips to achieve the effect. Pink, shimmery, and not anything special. At least the other shade I've tried, Spark, was a gorgeous color and easier to apply. These pink glosses are a dime a dozen - but Chanel is charging $30. Skip this one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Avon - Naturals Sparkling Pear & Acai
belleepoque 4/5/2012 7:36:00 PM
I was surprised by this shower gel! Avon's Naturals line has been really disappointing lately (raising prices and lowering quality), but these shower gels were being offered for $.59 a piece for representatives. I'll be a sport for that price. Avon claims this will leave your skin velvety smooth, and it really does! The scent doesn't linger, but then I don't use the matching lotion - that would probably help. The smell is great, almost like a pear cider or pear champagne. The ingredient list includes pear extract but I noticed no acai for the life of me. Minus one lipstick for that. Also, you just know this will be a LE scent.
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Eye Shadow -Avon - True Color Eyeshadow Quad - Smoke & Mirrors
belleepoque 3/12/2012 8:12:00 PM
I keep getting hooked by these seasonal eyeshadow colors Avon does, because the seasonal colors are above and beyond their usual selection. This palette is gorgeous - even the packaging (which includes a very good mirror) is nice. The shades are essentially shades of gray and purple, and they look gorgeous. Application is another story. Expect tons upon tons of fallout and forget if you want a super-pigmented look. I will say, however, that at the end of the day there is no creasing, which is something you'd expect of an eyeshadow palette that retails full price at $9. I noticed that the Avon eyeshadows are made in China, which I think is completely unacceptable. Stick with Avon's eyeliners, lipsticks, nail products, and skin care.
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Lotions/ Creams -Avon - Care Comforting Moisture Multi-Purpose Cream
belleepoque 3/5/2012 10:09:00 PM
Hands-down one of the best lotions I have ever used. Goes on smoothly, absorbs well, and is the first product I have ever used that has done anything to alleviate the super dry patch I have behind my left knee. Even pure shea butter and Vaseline didn't work, and this does. The ingredients are simple and seem not to include parabens. Bottle is easy to hold. Avon advertises that this lotion can be used on all body parts (including face) and for all ages (over 3). I'm hooked. Furthermore, the price is almost absurd - $6.99 full price for 13.5 ounces. Naturally, Avon will probably discontinue this, but I'm hoping it stays on as a basic.
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Lipstick -Lancome - Rouge Absolu Creme in Champagne
belleepoque 3/5/2012 9:55:00 PM
This is another "frosty" lipstick that isn't very frosty at all. The finish is very wearable. The color is very wearable, too. Although "Champagne" is a super bright, pigmented pink both in the tube and on the lip, that great half shiny/half matte finish allows for wearability with a casual or formal look. Some reviews comment negatively about the smell, but I love it - very retro. This is the perfect classic pink lipstick. Doesn't bleed. I am not a huge fan of Lancome, but I'd love to try more of these lipsticks.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Chanel - Spark Glossimer
belleepoque 2/28/2012 9:30:00 PM
Spark is my first Chanel lipgloss. This is the least sticky lipgloss I have ever used, and the color is rich and beautiful. There is no "pretty" smell, which annoyed me only a little, but I realize that for some folks this will be a major selling feature. The wear wasn't amazing either, but Spark will be only a "special occasion" gloss for me.
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Lipstick -MAC - Frost Lipstick in New York Apple
belleepoque 2/28/2012 9:27:00 PM
This is the second MAC lipstick I've tried, and I'm in love. This color is incredible, the finish is absolutely NOT a traditional "frost," and this has a very comfortable weight. Best of all - no bleeding. I can't believe I'm only discovering this now.
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Lipstick -Chantecaille - Lip Chic in Violetta
belleepoque 1/31/2012 11:31:00 PM
This lipstick looks ghastly in the tube, almost the color of dried blood (lovely image), but on the lips it is a rich, glossy berry shade. I don't think it's quite as violet-toned as the name implies, but that's OK - I don't look great in purply lipsticks. Very sophisticated color. Texture is creamy and comfortable, but the wear is average. I like this lipstick a lot, but ultimately it's a lot of money for something that isn't that special. Also, it bleeds.
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Lipstick -Avon - Ultra Color Rich -Pout
belleepoque 1/2/2012 9:57:00 PM
Great neutral! I decided to try this because my eye/cheek makeup tends to be pretty loud. I'm not sure if this is the BEST nude for my coloring (which is very pale), but I like that it doesn't wash me out, anyway. Wear isn't great, but at $8 full price, reapplication is not a problem. Doesn't dry lips, either - great for winter! I'm glad I tried this.
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar Parfum Initial
belleepoque 12/23/2011 7:47:00 PM
I'm really surprised at how I fell in love with this. I guess the negativity from so many of these reviews stems from the belief that this is a dumbing-down of the original Shalimar, but that really isn't the case. The iris notes make me think of Hermes' Hiris, but the EDP concentration means staying power :) Very reminiscient of cotton candy, but done in a mature way, almost like cotton candy macarons (if they existed). PI is pink, but not Barbie-like; it's young but not stupid. Also, this is the most gorgeous perfume bottle I have ever owned - even my favorite, Elixir des Merveilles, can't hold a candle to this bottle! Kudos to Guerlain to making the standard size bottle two ounces!
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Cleansers -Avon - Care Soothing Cold Cream Cleanser
belleepoque 11/11/2011 6:09:00 PM
This product cuts through my layers and layers of pigmented eye makeup, blush, and lipstick like nobody's business - yet is super gentle on skin! Amazing product! My only grievance is the jar is WAY too small. A true, classic cold cream jar is at least double this size (3.4 ounces).
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Eye Shadow -Avon - True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Glitz and Glamour
belleepoque 10/29/2011 12:09:00 PM
The Avon eyeshadows seem to get good ratings on this site, but I was never an eyeshadow girl and, quite frankly, Avon's shade selection left much to be desired in my opinion. This palette was released for the holidays, which means it will be gone soon, but the colors were so good I had to try it. I'm glad I did! You get champagne, gold, deep purple, and royal blue - all shimmery, but very subtly so. I love wearing these with either black or colored eyeliner. The packaging includes a generously sized mirror and standard sponge applicator. Best of all, the color lasts all day - no smudging or creasing - and when I say all day, that can include into the night as well. I highly recommend trying these colors!
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