Powder -Kanebo - Total Finish NEW 2006
birg 3/24/2007 4:13:00 AM
Since Kanebo hit the European market more than 20 years ago, I only use the Kanebo powder foundations on my face (OK, some infidelities occurred, which I prefer to forget about). So, of course I had to try this newest one, which was available at the Swedish Kanebo desks in August 2006. Exactly like another reviewer, I almost dropped my chin when I saw the price - can a foundation really be worth all that money? Today I know it can. I am since years using the Kanebo Media Powder foundation in Summer Breeze and this color was an exact match for this new powder as well. Now I use both foundations, both are EXCELLENT, stay on all day, do not turn darker as the day goes on. The new Total Finish does have some moisturizing (which the Media does not have), I can use it without moisturizer underneath. It covers very well and gets completey invisible on my skin after a couple of minutes. The sponge is a genius, it reaches every corner of my face. The skin looks very 'real', rested and great, which my real skin never does. I very seldom need a touch-up during the day, and if I do, then a dust of the Media powder does it. Today, almost 9 months after the purchase, I see the bottom of the powder for the first time. I'm sure it will take many months until it is completely finished. So, the answer to my question about it being worth all that money is : definitely YES.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Face Stockholm - Matte Eye Shadow Mist
birg 3/18/2007 5:42:00 AM
Although Stockholm is my home town and I pass at least one Face Stockholm boutique everytime I'm in the city, I never considered this line to be for me. I thought it to be a copy of MAC, and I usually prefer the original. How wrong I probably was .... I was running out of my beloved MAC Shroom and was just about to put myself on the waiting list for the new delivery of this always outsold item, when I remembered that I recently got a freebie from a magazine, Face Stockholm Matte Eye Shadow Mist. Wow, what a glorious find! This is really completely matte, in a light cream color. I use it over my complete eye area, it is completely invisible, but still makes my eye stand out and my eye make up stay in place all long day, no creases at all. Goodbye Shroom, I have found something better! As to the price, I can say nothing, as I received a full size completely free. Conclusion: I suppose it's about time I take a closer look at the other items from Face Stockholm. I am sure there are more suprises there to be discovered by a Stockholm girl.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Estee Lauder - Smoothing Cream Concealer
birg 3/8/2007 6:15:00 AM
I have never been a fan of the Estée Lauder products, simply because the immense number of products, new ones being launched all the time and old favorites suddenly being discontinued, made me confused, to say the least. But, today, two of the absolute favorites in my costmetic bag are by EL. The latest one is this concealer (as with most superior products, it cannot be found in my home country Sweden, I have gotten used to that irritating circumstance by now). I bought mine on Ebay, on a whim - and what a great whim! It hides not only my dark circles but also any reddish parts around my nose and mouth. Best of all, only I know it is there, it covers very well without being discovered by people coming too close. It stays put all day, I can forget about it until I remove my makeup at bed time. The concealer comes in a dark blue tube, you need only the tiniest amount of the cream, which is very easy to spread.In fact, I doubt I will ever need to repurchase this gorgeous product. I am a NC20 and took - also on a whim - Light. It is a light, neutral color, without any pink or too yellow tones. If you are still looking for your perfect concealer, do try this one which has been around for some time but is still going very strong.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Crabtree & Evelyn - Summer Hill
birg 2/28/2007 1:19:00 PM
February and March in my country, Sweden, are rather dreary months - winter is gone, but it is not yet spring. Summer seems very, very far away. What to do, to counteract depression? Moving to the Riviera or Florida was out of the question, so I decided to splurge on a new scent, with the name of Summerhill. The name and the pretty packaging are enough to evoke dreams of summer ... Many other reviers have named the flowers in it, I am sure they are right. I can only say it smells like the most beautiful garden on a sunny, happy summer morning. What more could I ask for, grey days like these? Of course I had to buy the bath gel and body lotion as well. So, even if it is dark and cold and dreary outside, I am surrounded by summer. What more could I ask for? Thank you Crabtree & Evelyn for reminding me of summer joys, past ones as well as (hopefully) coming ones.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Go Pout - Pouty Plum
birg 12/30/2006 7:41:00 AM
All my grown-up life, I have been in search of the perfect lipstick. I thought I found it many years ago, when Estee Lauder launched its Go Pout Listicks. This lipstick never arrived in my country (Sweden), so it had to be bought on trips to the US. I should have remembered the rule - as soon as I start loving a product, it is discontinued! This was no exception to that rule. So, Go Pout went out of my life and I almost forgot about it. And about lipsticks on a whole. Until the other day, when I bacame the happy owner of TWO of these treasures! This is what I call a real lipstick, it glides on to my lips and stays there, regardless of how much ice cream I devour during the day. The color is just perfect for me, it is like my lips' real color but deeper, more beautiful. I don't think my thin lips look more 'pouty', but I am more than forgiving for this minor flaw. This is the lipstick of my life and I hope I will never more need to be without it!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Kanebo - Kanebo Media Compact Foundation
birg 7/29/2006 11:37:00 AM
Since Kanebo arrived on the European market, I have been a happy user of their different Total Finish Foundations. They are great, no doubt. And since a couple of years, these foundations are available in the US as well. Kanebo, however, is so much more than the Total Finish and the Sensai lines. Take a look at www.kanebo-cosmetics.co.jp/index and you will find a huge array of beauty lines. Most of them are only available in Japan and other Asian countries. Some of them can be found in the supermarkets in Hong Kong. However, you do not have to travel to Hong Kong to get your hands on these goodies, thanks to the Internet. I have already written a review about the Revue Powder Foundation, which I like even better than the Total Finish. And now I have found an even better one ... I sometimes suspect the Japanese want to keep the real goodies for themselves - how else can they explain, that the Media Powder Foundation is only available in their country and their neighboring ones? I am running out of superlatives when trying to describe this. Let me only say: it has everything I need from a foundation, it covers well, it looks very natural (yes, a very critical sister confirms the truth of that assertion) and it stays put even during the tropical weather which hit Sweden this summer. It comes in an elegant, flat dark blue compact with sponge and costs approx. US 15, the refill costs USD 11 (powder contents 11,5 g). I was lucky to remember the Japanese no. of my very first Kanebo foundation about 20 years ago, and yes, it is still a perfect match - not yellow, not pink, only ME but much better. Again, it's time for me to say "Thank you very much Kanebo". UPDATE: I forgot to mention that the SPF is 26 - even Paula Begoun would be happy with this foundation!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Kanebo - Revue Still Keep Pact Powder Foundation
birg 6/28/2006 8:56:00 AM
Since many years, I am an addicted Kanebo Powder Foundation user. Well, straying is part of an addiction, isn't it, and I strayed, for sure I did - and that cost me a lot, money, time and pain. I always returned to my dear Total Finish and Transmatte powder foundations. When I read about Kanebo's new Foundation, the Revue Still Keep, which - as far as I know - is not yet available in Europe and the US, I was - to say the least - very excited and had to try it. Thanks God for Sasa! Exactly one week after ordering, the most beautiful powder compact, silver colored with pink blossoms on the lid, arrived from Hongkong at my doorstep. And, the powder is even more gorgeous than the compact! It is not as covering and thick as the Total Finish but it gives my skin a very smooth, natural finish. I chose the BE-B, which is the brightest color, on the yellow side. Today I had a very busy day in a humid Stockholm and usually, I would need to check my mirror constantly and often reapply some powder to my oily T-zone. Not so today - Kanebo Revue Still Keep still keeps my skin looking flawless. Thank you so much again, Kanebo! Your foundations are the best, no question about that.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Kanebo - Transmatte Compact
birg 12/27/2005 1:04:00 PM
This powder is not as well known as its "bigger sister", the Kanebo Total Finish. But it deserves a review as well. This is lighter and drier, lovely as a "touch-up powder" for the T-zone or, on hot days or on days when you do not need so much coverage, as a powder foundation (but do moisturize well before you apply it). The colors are gorgeous and I am sure this will always belong to my all time cosmetic favorites. SPF 15, just as with the Total Finish.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Kanebo - Total Finish
birg 12/27/2005 12:51:00 PM
I reviewed La Prairie Powder foundation the other day and feel I want to review one of my other favorite powder foundations, which I use since many years and always seem to come back to after straying (and treasure even more after each straying ....): the Kanebo Total Finish Foundation. It is thicker than the La Prairie Powder Foundation, it covers very well, while giving my skin a nice glow. However, you have to use a very light hand when applying it, otherwise it will look heavy and artificial. I think it suits all kinds of skin (I have a rather sensitive combination skin with some red spots). The color range is great, the compact looks elegant and is very convenient with a separate compartment for the sponge. You can buy refills (with La Prairie, you can't), which is great for my bank account. Well, if I had to choose between La Prairie and Kanebo, which one would I take? Oh, I hope I will never have to answer such a cruel question. On some days, my skin calls for La Prairie, on others, I am back at my old, true, trusted love: Kanebo. UPDATE: I forgot the very important SPF 15!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - More Lashes Waterproof
birg 12/20/2005 1:54:00 AM
If it is true - and I do think it is - that you should never use a mascara for a longer period than two months, why on earth spend a lot of money on a mascara from an expensive, upper-end brand? Especially when there are so good mascaras as this one, at quite a decent price? I want a mascara to bee waterproof, yet gentle to my sensitive eyes, to beautify my lashes with one single application, to hold the curl and be easy to remove. This mascara does all that! I agree, the packaging is not very glamorous, but in this case I do not care - the mascara is soo great that I may consider it as my HG mascara. Thank you Max Factor for still being there and for making such great products at such great prices!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Worth - Je Reviens
birg 12/19/2005 2:41:00 AM
What a shame that this gorgeous classic is not being sold in my country (Sweden) any longer! It is such a lovely, soft smell. Maybe not for a hot summer day, but on a cold, dark winter morning I think few things can be as comforting as surrounding yourself with this fragrance. I have it in the eau de toilette. Sure, it doesn't last very long, but I am considering buying the pure perfume next time I make an order on line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Clinique - Cream shaper for eyes black diamond
birg 12/19/2005 2:08:00 AM
I got this one as a GWP a long time ago. As I am addicted to the MAC powerpoint pencils and never could believe a black eyeliner would be flattering for me, I put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Until yesterday. I am so glad I kept it, because this is really a great black colour. When used sparingly, in small dots along the lower lashes, it accentuates my eyes in a very soft way. And it stays put, no smudging at all. I do not think I would have come across this one, if it hadn't been for that GWP, but now I feel this will be part of my beauty routine. Maybe not on a daily basis, but for those rare occasions.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Weleda - Skin Food
birg 12/19/2005 1:29:00 AM
Never, ever did I think I would use the word "healthy" for my 50+ skin. But, after I some month ago got a tube of this wonderful cream from a dear friend, I can write that word without lying. I use it as a night cream for my face and hands. It is a bit heavy, but after I learned to use just a tiny bit, that is no problem at all. After this cream become a part of my evening beauty ritual, I wake up with a rested skin (even when I do not feel so rested at all ....). Of course, it has not taken away the wrinkles around my eyes (nothing can, I think, except maybe surgery, but that is out of the question), but they are considerably less visible now. The smell is wonderful, fresh and calming at the same time. And, last but not least, you can't beat the price. This cream has become a true treasure for me - I hope I will never be without it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -La Prairie - Cellular Treatment Foundation Powder
birg 12/18/2005 2:27:00 AM
Although I only used this for a couple of days, I have to write a review. I am so impressed! I think I have tried almost every powder foundation known to mankind (known to me, at least) and I liked (and still like) some of them very, very much. But this one is so very special and cannot be put in the same division as the other ones (which I will keep and still use, I do think your skin will thank you if you change foundations now and then). This powder covers very well, still with a natural and very silky finish. I am used to touch-ups during the day, but with this one it really isn't necessary. You can go on with your day and forget about your foundation until you take it off at night! I agree, the colour selection (6 hues) is not so great, but I was happy to find the lightest colour, Ivoire, to be a perfect match (at least to my pale winter face). OK, it is expensive, but in this case, you certainly get what you pay for.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Eye Pencil Slate
birg 3/26/2005 4:13:00 AM
I got this one by mistake. I wanted the PowerPoint pencil in Silverplate but got this one instead. At first I got annoyed and wanted to return it, but now I am so glad I did'nt. This is a soft, greyish color which compliments the different colors of my eye shadows. It stays put all day and does not irritate my sensitive eyes. Another great product from MAC!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No