Polishes -Essie - Lady Like
condesadepitimini 3/25/2013 6:11:00 AM
Absolutely pretty shade, it's a nude that looks mauvey in the bottle but on the nails is more a nude beige; looks gorgeous on long nails as it elongates the hand beautifully (being so close to a fair skintone). This is definitley goof proof, very forgiving if you're not tip top expert on application, and very wearable in any work invironment. Not your most glamour shade, that's a fact, but it's like a little black dress: it saves you when you've no clue on what to wear. Very resistant, no tip wear after 2 days. Love it. definitely a must have!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Yves Saint Laurent - Rouge Volupte Shine
condesadepitimini 2/26/2013 1:32:00 PM
Forget the disaster of Rouge Volupté Perles and Rouge Volupté Sheer Candy (these were lipbalms in a luxury packaging, but not real lipsticks nor glosses!!). Rouge Volupté (the original) was not one of my favourites lippies either, because way too pigmented, too opaque, had a great deal of moisture but being too creamy, it was going straight upon my teeth, no matter what. I did not like it. Rouge Volupté Shine is a new formula from YSL, and is a winner in my book. The texture of Rouge Volupté Shine is hydrating but not heavy, has a superb brilliance (but no shimmer!), the formula is smoother and has a more natural finish. And it is pigmented, nevertheless! It is much easier to apply compared to the original Rouge Volupté and the glossy finish makes it more flattering to the lips. The availables shades are: 01 Brun in Secure 02 POURPRE INTOUCHABLE 03 N°3 Violet Incognito 04 ROUGE IN DANGER 05 FUCHSIA IN EXCESS 06 PINK IN DEVOTION 07 ROSE INFINITE 08 PINK IN CONFIDENCE 09 NUDE IN PRIVATE 10 Chocolate in Style 11 BEIGE INSTINCT 12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT 13 PINK IN PARIS 14 CORAIL IN TOUCH 15 CORAIL INTUITIVE 16 ORANGE IMPERTINENT 17 ROSE IN TENSION 18 PRUNE IN FIRE 19 FUCHSIA IN RAGE I own and enjoy Pink in Paris (# 13), a rosy pink with warm undertones -truly a MLBB shade- and I plan to buy some more shades... Absolutely a must have for Spring 2013.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Memo Paris- Moon Safari edp
condesadepitimini 2/20/2013 2:15:00 PM
This is from a niche perfumery in Paris, called Memo Paris. The owner, Clara Molloy, is a book publisher. The fragrance collection is named Memo after her memories collected from various parts of the world. The perfumes are inspired by her own travels and memories of aromas experienced on her trips. Moon Safari is a fragrance created in 2009, in honour of the 40th anniversary of man's landing on the Moon, as an imaginary journey - safari on the Moon. On my skin, it's very zesty, a fresh opening with hersperide notes (4 citrus fruits mingled together). Very airy and summer like, but warm at the same time. Add some green freshness (vetiver,sage,lemon verbena) onto a warm base (tonka). It's beautiful and very wearable, with a good sillage and a decent longevity. Not your average citrus scent: Refined and exclusive. I like it. Very lovely retro packaging with a golden label over a very simple tall, vertical bottle. The only con is, alas, the price (120 Eur a 75ml bottle) and the availability (distributed in a very few boutiques around the world a part her boutique in Paris). ______________________________________ Top notes: Grapefuit - Bitter orange - Amalfi lemon - Mandarin Orange Middle notes: Vetiver - Neroli - Primorose - Lemon verbena - Sage Base notes: leather - Tonka Bean
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Illusion d'Ombre - Apparition #91
condesadepitimini 2/20/2013 10:51:00 AM
Another addition (or addiction :o) to the Chanel Illusion d'Ombre line. Probably the best eyeshadows they made to date (as much as I LOVE Chanel, their palettes and powder shadows never got me 100%, while I do love their blushes, foundations, mascaras, polishes, loose powders, lipglosses lipsticks, etc etc.) I saw it on blogs and it looked "Wow". I love blue and since blue is the new black, had to have it. In the little pot it looks like a greyed navy blue but when applied, due to the shimmer and the duochrome effects, it looks more bright and luminous and gets deep but not "dirty" or "muddy"(as many other deep blue shades). A perfect daytime blue smokey eye, when blended. A perfect night smokey, when layered. I love the texture (gel-mousse like, very soft to apply) and I absolutely RAVE about the fact that is waterproof and busy-long-hours-day proof. I apply this in the morning and after 18 hours (and a gym workout session) it's there, perfect as in the 1st minute, no crease (and I mean no crease! Benefit creaseless DO crease on me so do the Shiseido mousse eyeshadows), no smudging, no fading, it just stays there and looks gorgeous. I love it for a quick 5 minutes look, on entire lid and just a wash of another sheer colour on upper lid. Apparition is just outstanding as a shade and as a performance. I got dozens of compliments while wearing it, makes my light blue/green eyes really POP. Yes, it is expensive but totally worth it. If you find it (it's limited edition) I totally recommend, it's THE eyeshadow to wear this Spring.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Chanel - Le Volume De Chanel
condesadepitimini 2/20/2013 10:36:00 AM
OK, I tried out of a sample tube the sales assistant gave me. She was trying to talk me into this new Chanel mascara (after having told her that my current favourite since 2 years is Chanel Inimitable Intense) So, back to the point: I tried this so much praised mascara, but I am not sold on it. I am disappointed. It is jet black, very wet, and everytime I apply it, due to the huge silicon brush (I find it lacks of control, way too big) it stains and ruins my eye makeup. It's really wet and after 5 minutes if I pass my finger on my lashes it is still wet, and stains around if you blink. 5 mins is a way too long time to wait in the morning when you need to dash off quick (I have to do my full face in 10 miutes). NO good for such and high end mascara! Well it does add a pack of colour and gives volume, that is true, but this mascara is clump city at the 2nd coat. One coat would suffice to avoid clumps but in that way you do not achieve outstanding volume nor lenght. When you apply the second coat, it is a nightmare. Hard to remove, in addition. I do not like it that much and I am more and more convinced that I need to my beloved Chanel Inimitable. NO buy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Yves Saint Laurent - Manifesto
condesadepitimini 2/20/2013 10:22:00 AM
I can't remember the last time YSL produced a decent frag, or a fragrance that it worth to be called so. It's been ages, probably since Opium Fleur de Shanghai (2005) or Nu (2001). After that time, we got only mainstream, fruity sirupy florals without any originality or personality, frargances made to please the big audience. And disappoint real fragrance lovers! Manifesto is no change from the trend YSL parfums is in. A very sweet opening (blackcurrant) that goes into an overly sweet jasmine. I cannot detect any lily of the valley (one of my favoutie notes) although it is mentioned in the official notes. It's bold, very in your face, after some hours on the skin it develops a gourmand facet that could please many, but not me. I find it intrusive and unappealing. Lacks of sobriety and elegance. For me it's definitely a no. ___________________________________ Notes: Top: Blackcurrant, Green Notes Heart:Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley base:Vanilla, Sandalwood, Atlas Cedar, Tonka Bean
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Jour d'Hermes
condesadepitimini 2/19/2013 1:53:00 PM
Ah....Hermès and its glorious packaging! I was instantly drawn to touch the heavy glass with rounded edges (reminescent of the Jardins bottles but more refined), sturdy but very feminine bottle, a pleasure to handle. The outer packaging is also extremely elegant: pure white, the name "Jour d'Hermès" engraved in gold lettering, and most of all, the brilliant ton-sur-ton (white on white) symbol and logo of the Maison etched on the box, you feel it with your fingertips rather that seeing it. And that says much about this fragrance, it's pure refinement of the senses and not only the olfactory one! The fragrance itself is nice and elegant. Nothing that will make you stumble of swoon; indeed, to my nose it is a very close relative to Cartier Baiser Volé (in edp). A green floral, the very first notes scream Hermes, it's the common thread you find in the Jardins series, but soon it develops into white flowers, especially lily, but I can detect a hint of rose, green violet, hyacinth and a vanilla/white musk base. There is some tomato leave (see Ninfeo mio by Annick Goutal) and galbanum, another green note. Feminine but fresh, very spring like, very Baiser Volé (although this one is more powdery to my nose, it has more iris). In a nutshell: easy to wear, good sillage, feminine and elegant; not unique in its gender but lovely to own and enjoy (especially for the packaging!). Give it a try!
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BB Cream -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude BB Creme
condesadepitimini 2/17/2013 2:01:00 PM
Well, I am impressed. I am ususally not a fan of BB creams - all those I have tried were either too sheer, too greasy, too staining, too useless for any of my needs. I have dark spots to hide and I need coverage, hence BB creams never made the deal for me. However, I stumbled across the Dior BB cream - got a sample in shade 02 (I am NC15-20) - and tried it for three days in a row. I like it! Well, truth to be said, this is not your average BB cream. It is FAR more pigmented. Less than a foundation but more than a BB cream. Let's say it's halfway between a founbdation and a BB cream (or a foundation with a sheer to medium coverage) I loved the coverage, that was not completely opaque for my needs but I adjusted it with some concealer on some small areas and the result was more than acceptable. It was super natural and very luminous!! I set w/ some loose powder, two swipes of bronzer, usual routine.... My face was glowing. It will not keep your face mat all day long as Dior Forever foundation, but in wnter, when T-zone is not a bother, this BB cream will do its job, leaving you natural and glowy. I really loved the result. I am prone to buy an entire tube... Give it a try, you might be surprised as I was.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Yves Saint Laurent - Teint Touche Eclat Foundation
condesadepitimini 12/19/2012 8:06:00 AM
Really beautiful foundation. Featherlight, gives you a glowy, radiant skin. Looks extremely natural, but if you need to conceal brown spots like me, the coverage is not enough (So I had to use concealer on top of my brown spots). I had shade 030 - a medium one - and it is good enough for a NC 20-25 skintone. Ideal for a natural, polished looks, it stays put and does not get greasy. Very lovely. However I am debating if I have to buy it as for the coverage is on the sheer side.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - They're Real
condesadepitimini 12/19/2012 7:57:00 AM
OK, I bought it on a whim, without reading the reviews. I just wanted t try it, and as there is no way to try it without buying the full size (no mini size here) . By the way, I adore the brands (EL, Chanel, Dior) that give out samples of GWP of mascaras so that you can try them before you buy! So, back to the point: had to try this so much praised mascara and bought it. I am disappointed. It is jet black, but It does not give that dramatic lenght as it claims. It's OK, but other mascaras (even drugstore) perfom way better. This mascara is clump city at the 2nd coat. One coat would suffice to avoid clumps but in that way you do not achieve outstanding volume nor lenght. When you apply the second coat, it is a nightmare. Hard to remove, it also flakes after some hours. I do not like it that much and I should have repurchased my beloved Chanel Inimitable instead. NO buy.
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Lipstick -Dolce & Gabbana - Monica Classic Cream Lipstick
condesadepitimini 12/10/2012 7:31:00 AM
You have certainly heard about the six gorgeous Classic Cream Lipstick Monica lipsticks. The formula is the already known one, but these are vibrant and chic colours, very pigmented, super opaque but shiny (don't need gloss on top of those), and long wear. But most of all, they are super feminine and get you very volouptous lips (as the ad claims!) There are two pretty natural shades, two reddish shades and two magenta shades. Names: Magnetic Monica (dark burgundy ) Only Monica (pink coral) Natural Monica (nude beige) Italian Monica (coral red, orange based) Chic Monica (bright fuchsia pink) Attractive Monica (true hollywood red, blue based) Have you noticed that the initials of the lipstick's names compose the name "Monica" ?? I thinks it's super lovely. I bought "Only Monica" a very wearable pink coral with orange undertones. It's absolutely stunning, makes a statement but is suitable for the office. Very hydrating, I love the glossy shine this lippie has. I am planning to buy more shades... Stunning packaging by the way (luxury golden case with red Monica signature), expensive (31.50 euros here) but very worth it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Lancome - Visionnaire [LR 2412 4%]
condesadepitimini 11/29/2012 7:52:00 AM
Well this is pure marketing let me say it. It is a fair serum, but horribly overpriced and does not deliver. It is a fair primer (= packed with silicones) and either you use it on top of Genifique (as they recommend) or alone, it will not make any difference for your skin as a treatment. Works as a primer, but tends to clog pores as it is packed w/ silicones. Of course, at the beginning - the very first days - you love it as it smoothes skin. But there is nothing done on a deeper level on on the long term. I have used it for 3 weeks in a row but was not really impressed... I find it clogging and heavy. Packed with chemicals. Estee Lauder Perfectionist is way better (and has much more natual ingredients!) Your skin deserves better and for that price (around 90 Euros here in Italy!), you can find better products!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Guerlain - La Petite Robe Noire
condesadepitimini 6/15/2012 8:45:00 AM
Absolutely beautiful packaging and deceiving fragrance. It's dense sweet and sirupy. This black cherry they put as a distinctive feature is so artificial to my nose... Not a scrubber, but too oriented towards a dept. store-youngish customer... wants to appeal to a young target that likes their fruity floral. Fruity with a classic oriental base (vanilla/ patchouli) , lacks that classy feature one would expect wearing a little black dress... they claim "an mage of a flirty, affectionate, elegant and slender Parisian woman". This frag is not elegant. Mind you it's not a bad quality fragrance, it's just not fitting its name. Lacks timelessness, lacks elegance. Easily forgettable. No buy. ______________ notes (Osmoz) top notes Bergamot, Cherry, Berries heart note Rose, Licorice, Black Tea, Lapsang Leaves base note Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Iris, Patchouli
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Polishes -Orly - Rage
condesadepitimini 3/18/2012 8:56:00 AM
Absolutely lovely nude gold metallic, very easy to apply (and very forgiving when you are in a rush). Like it for daywear, office appropriate. Nice formula, nice brush. Super lovely shade!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Orly - Star Spangled
condesadepitimini 3/18/2012 6:41:00 AM
Absolutely lovely magenta red (blue toned) with fine glitter that shines in the sun! I love it layered over another true red for some more"oomph". I reallly like it, but it chips the second day (OPi does that too....and there should be top nocth brands...). Nice formula, nice brush. In anycase a super lovely shade!
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