Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Sensuous Nude
candapanda 11/17/2011 3:50:00 PM
I wish the bottle was more interesting, but it's plain & round but I suppose classic in a way. Nevertheless functional & fits nicely in the hand! The scent has a beautiful suggestion of coconut, not overpowering at all. It's feminine & really non-offensive. One of those ones where you don't realise it's a perfume but you just think that person smells nice, then when you smell the perfume from the bottle you realise that's the one so-and-so wears. I really think you need to smell it for yourself to see if you like it as fragrance is such a personal thing, but if you like coconut I'd say you're likely to like it, & if not then you won't. I've decided to wear it for my wedding as it's got something about it which makes me think of weddings, not quite sure what!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
candapanda 11/12/2011 6:14:00 PM
Received in a swap & really glad I did! I got this in Nude, for reference I am NW15 or NC10/Ecru in DW. It really sinks into my skin nicely & evens out skintone. I knocked off 1 lippie as it's not 100% perfect & still shows some of my redness through round my nose but then this is a tinted moisturiser not a foundation! I also think it's great how much product you get, I mean the tube is massive, it'll last me about a year! I'm using it currently with Clinique's Almost Powder over the top in Neutral Fair & finding that I get a nice 'my skin but better' finish - not cakey or anything just even and radiant. It's lasting all day too with this powder over.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Bobbi Brown - Extra Spf 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm
candapanda 11/2/2011 5:07:00 PM
I've been wearing this all Summer instead of a foundation & it's just come into Winter & I'm still wearing it for now. I put it all over with fingers like a moisturiser then pop a powder on top on shiny areas (t-zone mainly) - I find it really evens out my skintone & gives a radiant glow. It's also the only one I've used that stays put all day, feels comfortable on my very dry skin, & stays radiant all day. Really impressed with it. I'm not too keen on the smell, wish it just smelled like cream but they've perfumed it to make it smell like trees or something! Also I never think tubs are very good for hygiene, would've preferred it in a tube but then maybe it's too thick for that. For reference I use extra-light in this & I'm NW15 in MAC, Ecru in EL DW (I thought I would need to use light but the BB girl matched me & she was right, extra-light is perfect - it looks scarily pale in the tub but sinks into my skin nicely!).
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Blush -MAC - Dollymix
candapanda 10/31/2011 5:52:00 PM
As the name suggests, this blush is like you would imagine on a doll. Bright Barbie pink! It looks quite cute on & you only need to dip the brush once for enough colour as it's really pigmented. It also has a nice shimmer running through it which gives a sheen on the skin. The only reason I marked it down one lippie is that I have to be careful applying it that I don't end up with 2 bright pink patches on each cheek because it is so pigmented! You need a light hand & build up the colour to get a natural look with it. But all in all a really nice pink, suits any skintone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Sheertone in Pinch O'Peach
candapanda 10/31/2011 5:45:00 PM
When you first see this blush you think it's nothing you haven't seen before. I wasn't too excited about it! But when I started wearing it I realised I was reaching for it every day. It makes you look really healthy & is an easy everyday shade to wear. It's the only blush where I've actually used the whole thing up - hit pan & just about used up all the edges! Suits all skintones - I'm really fair but my friend who is really tan also wears it & it looks great on her too. Will definitely repurchase as it's now a staple of mine!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Bobbi Brown - No Smudge Mascara
candapanda 10/24/2011 4:31:00 PM
My HG mascara for every day! So natural looking, I've never had this from another mascara. Separates every lash & coats from root to tip with a thin layer of product. Doesn't give you a 'wow' look of massive lashes that some people want, but if you're looking for just a natural wide-eyed look then this is the one. Lasts all day & doesn't clump. Love the short wand & stubby brush, makes application really easy. Will repurchase time & time again.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear LIGHT Foundation SPF10
candapanda 10/24/2011 3:59:00 PM
Really like this for a winter foundation. Covers enough - would say it's moderate coverage & really stays put all day. I can not check my make-up all day & know it'll still be fine when I get home in the evening. Intensity 1.0 is a good match for my skin but I can imagine some people would have a hard time finding a good shade as there aren't many. Doesn't cause any dryness on my skin which is what I have the most trouble with, & I really do have the driest skin on earth! Only this one & Chanel Vitalumiere seem to be ok for me to use, otherwise it's a tinted moisturiser! Not too bad for price when you think about how good it is, gave it 5 for packaging too as the tube is a really good shape for getting every last bit out. Definitely recommend & have repurchased many times.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer
candapanda 10/23/2011 3:02:00 PM
Amazing for all skin types. Really gives a radiant skin after only a few uses. Promotes cell turnover which is great for all skin because it reveals new skin underneath. This means that if you have: dry skin - flakey dead skin is replaced with new healthy skin, spotty skin - new skin underneath doesn't have spots, uneven skin - new skin has a bright even tone. Should be okay for oily skin as it's oil-free but I have the driest skin known to man so I can't really comment on that too much! Anyway for my skin it's perfect - has got rid of all my flakes & given me a brighter more even skin so I feel a lot better not wearing make-up. I was using the Turnaround Concentrate which I had to use twice a day but I have replaced that with this moisturiser & also no longer use another night-time moisturiser so it has replaced 2 products for me at night-time & cut down my morning routine by a product! The only one thing is I wish it was slightly richer for the winter but for now it's perfect! Definitely recommend & will repurchase again and again. Great value at £34 too but then I would've expected that as Clinique really are great value for skincare when you compare them to other luxury skincare brands.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Paul Smith Floral EDP
candapanda 6/5/2009 5:08:00 PM
This is my favourite summer perfume. It's delicate and girly, not strong flowers as the name would suggest. It's not overpowering, more one of those you can smell only when you're up close to the person wearing it. Not bad pricewise either - I paid £13 for 30ml. The bottle is cute & quirky, funny shaped & white with a yellow & orange lid. The only reason I put it one lippy down is I think the packaging is pretty deceiving, they showed me a big tester in the shop & the tin that it comes in was a similar size so I expected that size bottle when I bought it. But when I got it home & opened it the bottle was only half the size as the bottom half of the tin contains packaging then the bottle stands on top of that! But overall a gorgeous scent that I will buy again & again, a definite firm favourite suitable for work & out & about.
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Polishes -MAC - Seasonal Peach
candapanda 4/4/2009 8:10:00 AM
This needs a few coats to look perfect. I found 3 coats did the trick. Once that's dried (try not to smudge it as it will take a while for 3 coats to dry!) then it is an absolutely gorgeous colour. It's the perfect peach colour, just what I was looking for & really on trend for this spring. The creme finish is flattering & suits most skin tones. All in all a gorgeous polish, if you can apply it perfectly! Probably wouldn't buy again just because I like to try out the same colour in different brands so I'll probably find this colour in a different brand that is easier to apply. If I do I'll update this post! Until then I'll keep using this one!
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Blush -NARS - Mata Hari
candapanda 4/4/2009 8:04:00 AM
My staple bubblegum pink blush! It only takes one dab of my brush into this for each cheek so I just know it'll last me ages. I use it as my everyday blusher for a perfect pink flush. Been using it for a little while now (probably 3 or 4 months) & there's no indentation in the product because it's so pigmented you really hardly need to use any! I find it looks great with MAC's Blonde MSF over the top just to make it more radiant. But great alone too. It is a little pricey, but I think it's worth it as it will last a long time. Plus I really haven't come across I better true pink blusher. Really recommend it.
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Polishes -Orly - Spark
candapanda 4/4/2009 7:52:00 AM
I was looking for a pastel yellow polish & couldn't get hold of Essie Barbuda Banana anywhere! But someone recommended this to me - Spark by Orly. I looks a nice pastel yellow in the bottle. The application is streaky & it took me 3 coats to get an even finish. Because of that, by the time I'd applied it evenly it wasn't the pastel yellow I was expecting but more of a bright summer yellow. It's ok for the money but turns out to be not really a wearable colour & not great application. Wouldn't buy it again but will be keeping it in my collection just in case!
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Skincare - Face -MAC - Fix+
candapanda 4/4/2009 7:46:00 AM
I love this product - ESSENTIAL if you have dry skin like me. It's fixed my problem of flakey foundation & dry patches. I spritz it on after moisturiser then let it dry (this helps the skin absorb the moisturiser), then i apply primer, then more fix+, then foundation, blush & any other face products, then fix+ to finish! My make-up looks so fresh since I found fix+! I spray it again around lunch time if my make-up needs waking up & voila, it's just like new again. The only down side is I overtwisted the lid (you have to twist it to unlock it & lock it), which snapped something inside. So now the locking mechanism doesn't work & I have to be careful to store it upright otherwise it leaks. Apart from that it's a great product! Recommend to all especially those with dry skin! (Also: Don't be fooled by these people who are saying you can make your own with glycerine & water - Fix+ contains a lot more than this & all the ingredients contribute to the overall product so if you try making your own this way it will not come out the same! Don't be so cheap & just buy one!)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere
candapanda 3/24/2009 5:12:00 PM
My HG foundation!! This is absolutely fantastic, the best foundation I've tried for my very dry skin. I was using MAC studio sculpt but it wasn't working for me & emphasised dry patches on my skin. The Vitalumiere is more runny than i'm used to, but makes my skin look fresh & glowy. It sinks into my skin & evens out the tone, also covering redness around my nose & dark circles ( I find I don't need concealer ). It moisturises and covers well on my dry patches (nose and forehead). I have had comments since I've started using it that my skin looks nice & what foundation do I use, so that can't be bad! A bit pricey at 28.00, but I think it's worth it as I'd say it's skin perfection in a bottle! xo.
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Bath Treatments -LUSH - Ma Bar Bubble Bar
candapanda 3/24/2009 4:54:00 PM
The pros: The caramel scented side is to die for! - it makes your bath (and you) smell like hot toffee sauce! It looks so cute - one side brown (chocolate), one side cream (toffee/caramel), with a real sugar cube in the middle. It's moisturising - I have really dry skin & found after bathing in this it was moisturised & smelled good! The smell lingers on the skin afterwards - it had gone by the next night, but for the night & morning of the next day I could smell the toffee & my boyfriend wanted to eat me up! Cons: It doesn't crumble very well - just kind of mushes in your hand & makes a right mess! Gets stuck under fingernails! Easy enough to rinse off though, as it is made to dissolve in water. The chocolate side doesn't smell much - but the creamy side is gorgeous anyway! The biggest con - & what nearly made me put no I would not repurchase - because it doesn't crumble properly some of the larger bits that fall into the water don't dissolve, you are then left with what looks like soil in the bottom of your bath! Not the most enticing thing you've ever seen! Once you get in you can crumble them up a bit and make them dissolve, but it really did put me off! Overall not one I would get all the time, but nice for a change or if you feel like something really sweet & sticky but don't want to pile on the pounds! xo.
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