Powder -Christian Dior - Diorskin Forever Compact 
chickety 5/8/2011 4:10:00 PM
I haven't written a review in a long time but I felt this foundation was worthy. I've been trying quite a few powder foundations since Prescriptions Anywear powder foundation was discontinued because I really liked that one. I have normal to dry skin which is not always the most compatible with powder foundations. Dior Forever foundation is great for me because it is a light to medium coverage foundation with a great color match and natural healthy looking finish. Its not dry, heavy, or cakey looking like some powder foundations can be. It is defintely expensive, but it is a special enough foundation that I will repurchase. I'm NC42 and 050 works for me. Some other powder foundations that I've tried and like ok (but not as much as this one); Chanel Double Perfection, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural, Shiseido Powdery.
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Bronzers -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish - So Ceylon [DISCONTINUED]
chickety 11/13/2009 12:17:00 PM
I will first say that I had not found any MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes that I loved, or even liked. Until I found So Ceylon. I have an obscene amount of makeup, including a collection of around 100 blushes from various brands. But if I had to choose just one blush for the rest of my life, it would be So Ceylon. I am NC42 naturally tan and So Ceylon is like it was made for my skintone. It is peachy, rosy, bronzy, glowy perfection. It can go with a variety of looks and I adore it. No issues with large glitter peices like I've seen with other Mineralize Skinfinishes. If you are NC42, or around that skintone, try to get your hands on So Ceylon. It is absolutely gorgeous.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Unlisted Brand - Tourmaline Featherweight/Travel Hair Dryer (Original and Bespoke versions)
chickety 11/13/2009 12:03:00 PM
I have the full size T3 Bespoke Featherwieght Hair Dryer. I have not written any reviews for a while, but I just had to write a review for this because I am so impressed. I was skeptical about the claims, half the drying time, silkier hair, etc. But I have to say that this hair dryer delivered on all of its claims. I have tried a few hair dryers in the last few months because I've been trying to find "the one". None of the others that I have tried have impressed me. I got the T3 Featherweight and turned it on and thought, how is this going to dry my hair? Its so quiet, and my hair is not blasted all over the place. But it did dry it, and fast! It literally took half the time to dry and it was so silky looking that I could've skipped the flat iron afterward. I have lots of thin, frizzy, curly, highlighted hair. So getting it to that silky smooth glass-like texture is usually a lot of work. But this hair dryer got it very silky in one *quick* step. I am truly amazed. I have been to high end salons and my hair did not blow dry as nicely as it did with the T3 Featherweight. It almost seems unreal for me. It is also true to its name, being very lightweight so my arm did not get tired while drying. It was very expensive for a hair dryer, but worth every single penny to me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Chantecaille - Future Skin
chickety 1/12/2009 5:38:00 PM
After trying many foundations, both high-end and low-end, I have settled on Chantecaille Future Skin as my Holy Grail foundation. I still like to try other foundations because that's just how I am. But Future Skin is the best for me. Why? Well, somehow this foundation actually makes my skin look like it has a better texture. It makes my skin appear to be fresher, younger, creamier. The coverage is medium. The creamy gel consistency feels very good going on. The finish is natural, but polished. Maybe a bit dewy. It doesn't clog my pores or break me out, even if I have a late night and fall asleep without washing it off. That's more than I can say for some of my other favorite foundations, like Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and Chanel Teint Innocence Creme Compact (super clogged pores with that one). Its expensive, but I'm willing to pay the price as its the best foundation I've ever used.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Black Out Mascara
chickety 7/20/2008 11:36:00 PM
I'm surprised at the low rating for this mascara. I've tried a lot of mascaras- high and low end, and this one is really good. I got it for free in a Nordstrom promotion. Otherwise, I never would have tried it on my own. I didn't have high expectations at all either. The regular Diorshow was just ok for me. With the regular Diorshow, I did like the effect, but the black color was almost grey and it was dry and very flaky. This Diorshow Blackout is a HUGE improvement on the original in my opinion. It has the same fluffy lash effect but with a ultra creamy formula that is VERY black and so glossy. It lengthens, volumizes, lifts lashes. Very impressive. And best of all, NO flaking. I guess on a very hot Florida summer day it can smudge a tiny bit. But most of the time it wears fine for me. It makes my lashes a litle stiff, but not dry or crunchy like. Overall this is a great mascara and I will actually buy another when I finish this one. Though it still does not replace my ultimate fave- Lancome Hypnose.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
chickety 7/7/2008 9:40:00 PM
I know people expect different things from mascaras so I'll tell you about me and what I expect. I have naturally longish but wispy thin lashes that are somewhat naturally curled. I love thick seperated fanned out dramatic lashes that still look and feel natural (yes, I know I'm asking a lot). The mascara I love most is Lancome Hypnose, and I also love Tarte Lights Camera Lashes for reference. But I still try every new mascara just for fun. And this one was just ok. The smell is 10x worse than the scent in Diorshow in my opinion, its much more artificial and it makes me hold my breath. I bought The Colossal in 'Glam Black' which is a nice black color. Application was not impressive. It didn't really lengthen for me at all, it seperated nicely and thickened lashes some. I didn't have any clumping. But it flakes quite a bit, and there was also some smudging. Others compare it to Cover Girl Lash Blast, well I love Lash Blast *much* better than The Colossal. This mascara is ok for seperation, thickens lashes a bit, and it doesn't tend to clump. But, that's about it. I wont be repurchasing. [EDIT] I am changing my rating from 3 lippies down to 2. There is just too much flaking and the mascara really doesn't do much. Oh and I ALWAYS use a lash primer, either Lancome Cils Booster XL or Shiseido The Makeup Mascara Base, and even with primer, this mascara is weak. Also I don't hold the wand up to my nose, I simply apply it to my lashes like every other mascara, and I have to hold my breath or I smell a thick, artificial, headache inducing scent. I know everyone is different, but me, I'm tossing this mascara in the garbage.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Powder ] ] [DISCONTINUED]
chickety 1/19/2008 3:47:00 PM
I wouldn't have tried this powder if it weren't for getting it for free when buying the Maybelline liquid mineral foundation (which is nice by the way). But I am very glad I did. I have been wanting a good pressed powder to carry around and just not been satisfied with what I've used in the past. I have used MAC Blot but I want *some* coverage and it made me look...kind of chalky/dry. I recently got Becca Pressed Powder and I was extremely dissapointed. I love all other becca products but the pressed powder it very dry, sheer, and just does not give a nice finish. I've tried many others as well. So I tried the Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Powder and I think I have found the powder I will be carrying around permanently. It isn't chalky, at all, its velvety and smooth. Not too dry. Gives light coverage which is a plus. The finish is natural instead of a dry powdery matte look. EXACTLY what I was looking for. I got it in "Dark" for my naturally tan NC42 skintone and it works nicely. Not orangy, just a nice darkish beigy color. I am very happy with this powder and I am going to buy another one tomorrow while it is still on sale.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Revlon - Custom Creations Foundation [DISCONTINUED]
chickety 1/14/2008 2:23:00 PM
I have been looking at this foundation for a few weeks and even though I already have a few foundations I love (Chantecaille Future Skin, Make Up For Ever Face and Body, Chanel Teint Innocence) I just HAD to try Custom Creations. I think it is an awesome idea. Not only for mixing custom foundation colors for any one time but also for different seasons. I know my skin is a few shade lighter in the winter and darker in mid summer. And the other thing I will try to use it for, contouring! using a darker shade in hollows of cheeks, sides of nose etc. Well, I really like it! I got it in Medium/Deep (I'm NC42 naturally tan) It matches me REALLY well (amazingly for drugstore foundation). Its light-ish and creamy. Coverage is pretty good, I'd say medium. The finish is Satin-Matte. I've had it on about 7 hours and its still looking good. Oh and I had no problem with it wasting product, it took about 4-5 pumps to get the foundation flowing when it was new and now its fine and I can control it no problem. I'm surprised, but I really like it so far!!! I will update if anything changes in the long term.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Sculpt & Shape in Sculpt/Accentuate
chickety 1/12/2008 3:41:00 AM
the new sculpt and shape powder is a really great product. I am not a MAC fanatic by any means. I'd blindly follow Chanel and Guerlain before I did with MAC. But seriously, the quality really impressed me with the sculpt and shape powder. I got it in Accentuate/Sculpt as reccomended to me by a friend and I'm glad because it works perfectly. The next darkest color is rumored to be too dark and orangy for an NC42 skintone like mine. The dark powder is a neutral almost taupe color which creates a shadow without looking dirty because it has just the right amount of pigment. The light side is the perfect browbone/cupid's bow/cheekbone highlight with REFINED shimmer! Nothing chunky, very smooth and creamy looking. A definite winner!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Perricone - Face Finishing Moisturizer
chickety 1/9/2008 6:36:00 PM
My skin has not been terrible. Ever since I started taking fish oil pills and using my Clarisonic, my skin was getting so clear and luminous I was amazed. Enter my sample of Pericone Face Finishing Moisturizer. I took it out of my bag o' samples and thought COOL such a huge sample this will last me for months! After 3-4 days I got a huge painful undergrounder on my nose- OUCH. Then the small bumps on my forehead I'd worked so hard at getting rid of started to get worse. Then I started to break out in the WEIRDEST places, UNDERneath my chin (where I do rub the cream), and along my hairline, and PAINFUL red ones too. But I'm never quick to judge so I thought it was just... my skin. Finally when I put on the Perricone moistuizer 2 days ago and then immediately feel like a NEW underground is brewing, and my face was looking more red, I had the light bulb moment. So I stopped using it 2 days ago, and ALREADY my skin is clearing up again. Oh and when I was using it, its not like it was very moisturizing or anything. What a disspointment.
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Moisturizers -Perricone - Face Finishing Moisturizer
chickety 1/9/2008 6:35:00 PM
My skin has not been terrible. Ever since I started taking fish oil pills and using my Clarisonic, my skin was getting so clear and luminous I was amazed. Enter my sample of Pericone Face Finishing Moisturizer. I took it out of my bag o' samples and thought COOL such a huge sample this will last me for months! After 3-4 days I got a huge painful undergrounder on my nose- OUCH. Then the small bumps on my forehead I'd worked so hard at getting rid of started to get worse. Then I started to break out in the WEIRDEST places, UNDERneath my chin (where I do rub the cream), and along my hairline, and PAINFUL red ones too. But I'm never quick to judge so I thought it was just... my skin. Finally when I put on the Perricone moistuizer 2 days ago and then immediately feel like a NEW underground is brewing, and my face was looking more red, I had the light bulb moment. So I stopped using it 2 days ago, and ALREADY my skin is clearing up again. Oh and when I was using it, its not like it was very moisturizing or anything. What a disspointment.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Pro Skincare Brush
chickety 12/26/2007 8:52:00 PM
I received the pink Clarisonic as a gift and I used it for the first time this morning. My initial thoughts- WOW. I did not spend the money to get it, so its not like I really *needed* it to be great. I was fully prepared for a let down. But my face has not looked/felt this clean since my last expensive spa facial. I used it the first time this morning, and it felt a bit strange. Even though I read the product description, reviews, and many other comments/info on the Clarisonic I expected it to basically feel like scrubbing. But it moves so quickly it just sort of glides across my skin. And its VERY gentle. I used it with the sensitive skin brush which came attached and is reccomended for beginners. It was a little difficult figuring out how to clean my nose well with it, and it tickled my nose, a lot. But I quickly got the hang of it. Then I rinsed my face with water and I could feel the dirt literally coming off of my skin. Either my skin was extremely dirty, or this thing is freaking amazing. I clean my face daily with high end cleansers and toners. So its not like I don't clean my face well. I looked close and I could see some of the little blackheads from my nose that had been there for YEARS- gone! I have tried so many products I pretty much gave up on getting rid of them. Well, most were gone. Then tonight I decided to use it again. And the reults were multiplied. My forehead is looking less clogged, my nose is also less plugged with little blackheads. And one thing is for sure; it absolutely makes products absorb better. I mean OH MY GOODNESS better. My skin just drank my serum and my moisturizer instantly and I truly feel like my skin is *glowing*. And it just feels so... refreshing. It makes you take that deep breath, exhale and just feel clean and soft. I can see the long term results just getting better and better. I'll update later as to how this does effect my skin in the long term. I wonder if there will be "purging" breakouts as the Clarisonic seems to be bringing out every spec of gunk from inside my skin. I will not be spending any more money on facials! So to me, this thing actually saves money. I would buy it again in a second.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sonia Kashuk - Powder Brush
chickety 12/10/2007 1:08:00 PM
This review is for the black curvy handled brush. The black handled one costs more than the other one and I'm so glad I spent the few dollars extra. I have a few powder brushes from several brands; Becca, Tony & Tina, Clinique, Sephora, and the black Sonia Kashuk. Out of all of them, I honestly love the Sonia Kashuk the best. It is so soft and fluffy and it applies powders perfectly. Not sure if it is the way the hairs are cut, or because it is so big and fluffy. All I know is that it is my Holy Grail of Powder Brushes as it always applies my loose powder so well. I have decided to buy a whole set of Trish McEvoy brushes, which will include a powder brush. So I'll update once I can compare it to that. But the black handled Sonia Kashuk Powder Brush really is excellent. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Professional Natural Smudge Brush #11
chickety 12/10/2007 12:37:00 AM
I wanted an actual smudge brush instead of the q-tip or sponge tip smudging techniques I was using. I didn't want to pay a lot because I didn't think its was something that would make a big difference/something pertinent to my brush collection. Well once I started using the Sephora smudge brush I was WOWED. Much better than using the forementioned methods of smudging eyeliner. It smudges eyeliner perfectly so that it doesn't look messy, just difused. It is tool I needed all this time for my smudged sultry smokey eye look. It is also thin enough that you could use it to line with, not just smudge. To use it for lining I find it works best with cake liner or powder eyeshadow. Sephora brushes are of very high quality in my opinion and this smudge brush is one of the best in the line. If and when the time comes, I will repurchase.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Guerlain - Guerlain Lip Lift
chickety 11/13/2007 2:26:00 PM
I am reviewing the Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lip Lift, which is a new formula of the original Lip Lift. I bought this product because my lips are medium-dark in pigment and they tend to change the color of whatever lip color I put on, especially nudes. So I wanted something to cancel out the color of my lips. And for that task, this product is just perfect. It not only blanked out the color of my lips so that the color applied more true, but it also makes whatever lip product I use (gloss, lipstick, lip stain etc) apply more smoothly and evenly. And the lip color comes out so vibrant, huge difference. Another great thing it does is that it gives my lip products amazing staying power! I have never had a lipstick of any brand last more than 2-3 hours. But when using Kiss Kiss Lip Lift my lipstick has lasted DOUBLE that time and when it does wear off it wears off EVENLY and more natural. I am absolutely blown away by the difference this product has made. It has gained a permanent spot in my make up arsenal. But I rated it 4 out of 5 only because it is a *little* bit drying to the lips. I have found a way to help it by applying a small amount lip balm first (just enough so that lips are a bit moisturized, but not where it is sitting on your lips- that would be too much) then apply the Kiss Kiss Lip Lift then apply the lip product. When I do that I don't really have any drying. And when I did feel the drying effect, it wasn't to the point of cracking/peeling. It was just a slight dry/tight feeling. But like I said, that can be overcome. But overall it is a wonderful product and I will be repurchasing.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No