Lip Treatments -Desert Essence - Lip Rescue w/ Shea Butter
dkarb 5/25/2013 3:32:00 PM
Without a doubt the BEST lipbalm I have ever bought, and trust me, I have tried dozens over the years. I get really dry and irritated lips, especially in the winter. I bought this on a whim in a small "natural remedies" shop in the outskirts of Toronto when I was on holiday. The lipbalm got me through the harsh Canadian winter without any dry lips or complaints. It has a mild pleasant scent, and stays on for a while. I am now tracking down other retail stores that sell this product outside of Australia, and am planning to stock up!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -L'Oreal - Exfotonic
dkarb 5/25/2013 3:25:00 PM
My favourite scrub. It makes my skin amazingly soft - more so than any other scrub I have used. It doesn't leave any oily residue and washes off easily. The smell is refreshing and invigorating. It is too harsh to be used on the face, so I'd avoid that. But I would purchase it again and again, and have recommended it to many friends. Unfortunately, I cannot find it anywhere - I've checked in France, the UK, Russia, and Canada. I'm afraid it has been discontinued, which would really be a bad move on L'Oreal's part, as this scrub is a blessing!
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Mascara -MAC - Studio Fix BoldBlack Lash
dkarb 2/2/2012 8:07:00 AM
If there was a Holy Grail of makeup that I look for, it definitely would be mascara. I am consistently on the hunt for a better one, and in my quest have tried out dozens of different brands and types. While I cannot hail this as the Number One, it is definitely in the Top Three. After trying one MAC mascara and being horribly disappointed, and after reading so many negative reviews of their mascaras, I decided to stick to MAC eyeshadows, powders and lipsticks. However, for some reason, I decided to try out this one - and I am so glad that I did. It gives length, volume, and is black, black, black. Doesn't dry out quickly, doesn't clump, and doesn't flake. The fact that it's not as expensive as "designer" brands is a bonus too. The only little flaw that I could find is that I always need to use a curler beforehand, as it doesn't curl the lashes well. Definitely will be buying again, and definitely recommend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose Doll Lashes
dkarb 2/2/2012 7:54:00 AM
This mascara impressed me at first. It's has a pleasant scent and cute, girly packaging. No need to use a curler beforehand as it curls the lashes beautifully, giving the "doe eye" effect that it promises. The lashes are not too dramatic, but it's definitely not a neutral look. However, the mascara dries out VERY quickly. I didn't even have it for two months when it became unusable. A shame, really, because otherwise I would have definitely bought it again.
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Skincare - Face -Liz Earle - Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
dkarb 2/2/2012 7:49:00 AM
Lovely cleanser. I absolutely adore the smell, as I am a big fan of eucalyptus. A gentle cleanser that leaves my skin feeling wonderful and smooth. I am not giving it a 5 because it didn't deep cleanse, but it's good for removing makeup. Great to use in the shower for a quick cleanse in the morning.
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Cleansers -Fresh - Soy Cleanser/ Makeup remover
dkarb 2/2/2012 7:45:00 AM
An absolutely "meh" cleanser. Took off my makeup, but not very thoroughly. The scent is very strong, and not to my liking. It was gentle, and did not strip me of any moisture, but I don't feel that it cleaned deeply enough. Will not be buying again.
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Cleansers -Aesop - Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser
dkarb 1/3/2012 10:00:00 AM
Generally, it's a not-bad product. It cleanses well, but not deeply enough for my tastes. Takes off make-up well, but not so well that I resorted in using a muslin cloth in order to help the product clean my skin better. The smell is quite strong, but not unpleasant, instead leaving one with a sense of cleanliness and freshness. Thankfully it didn't dry out my skin, which a lot of cleansers do. I am a big fan of Aesop products, but I have to say that this isn't one of my favourites. I would recommend it to someone with a normal skin type.
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Blush -MAC - Mineralize Blush - Warm Soul
dkarb 11/2/2010 2:54:00 PM
This was my first blush after an unfortunate buy a few years prior which resulted in an allergic reaction. For a while I avoided blush, even though my extremely pale skin could certainly have used some colour. One day I walked into MAC and asked for help to pick out a shade which would be easy to start out with for a blush beginner. This is what they recommended. On my pale skin, this is a very natural blush. It's slightly shimmery without being OTT, and close to the colour which my cheeks turn when I blush, so it gives me a sort of "breezy summery" look. The reason why I don't think that I'll be rebuying it is that it doesn't last long at all. I'm not sure if it's because of my tendency to touch my face a lot (a bad habit I really need to get rid of) or just the natural consistency of the product, but either way, that annoys me. I don't like taking a huge make-up bag with me to work, so when I buy a product for my face (concealer, foundation, etc) I need it to stay strong for hours. Unfortunately, Mineralize Blush isn't up to par. Nevertheless, as a natural colour it's very lovely and worth looking into if you don't mind the short lasting life.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Guerlain - Meteorites Illuminating Pressed Powder - Mythic Parfait 01
dkarb 11/2/2010 2:44:00 PM
For a while I couldn't decide whether I should buy this product or not. After all, it's just a powder, and a bloody expensive one, so is it really worth that much money? Finally I decided, screw it, and bought the damn thing. I wasn't disappointed. I use this product to replace my usual finishing powder in the winter. Unlike my usual one, Guerlain doesn't dry me out AT ALL in the harsh winter months. In addition to this, it gives me a healthy glow, something which is difficult to achieve naturally when it's gloomy and cold outside, you have a runny nose, and all you want to do is stay in and drink your warming beverage of choice. This powder is subtle, yet with a gorgeous effect. It's not too shimmery or shiny so that you look like an fairy or a Twilight vampire, but still makes you look glowing, illuminated and healthy. To add to all that, it smells divine, and seems to last for quite some time. I use it with a big brush all over my face on top of my foundation, and add some blush to my cheekbones for colour. The only drawback is the rather ridiculous price. 50 euros seems excessive, and so I am currently deliberating if I should buy it again. Nonetheless, to those who are on the cusp and are not sure whether to indulge or not, I say go for it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Funny Face
dkarb 11/2/2010 1:44:00 PM
Funny Face was an impulse buy, one that I am very happy with. Although I love lipstick, I rarely wear it, either because I concentrate on eyes, or because I'm running late and don't have time to apply it. Because of this, I tend to stick to lipbalm and that's that. However, one day I was passing by the Nars counter and was tempted by Funny Face. It's bold, it's beautiful, it's not for the bashful. A highly-pigmented, bluish-toned bright lipstick that one should wear with their head held high. I have the matching lipliner, and I wear this lipstick thickly layered on top of a lipbalm, as it tends to be quite drying. By "thickly layered" I mean that I don't think this should be worn as a stain. Funny Face is such a colour that it should really pop and stand out, instead of being blended in. Overall, I am very content with this lipstick. Although it's rather dry, it on for ages, and is a great alternative for classic red.
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Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5 Couleur Eyeshadow - Stylish Move 970
dkarb 11/2/2010 10:52:00 AM
This is probably, at this point in time, my favourite eyeshadow palette. The colours are all beautiful, whether alone, worn with other colours, or with each other. The pale, central colour has become my favourite base, and I really like using the dark purple as a liner, whether by itself, or on top of black liquid liner to emphasize it. I have recently gone brunette, and have noticed that the mauve colour now looks much better on me, while as a blonde, it made my eyes look a bit pink and the whole effect was rather washed out. The one colour I probably don't use as much is the grey taupish one, but that is because I have another similar shade which I prefer to use. All in all, long-lasting gorgeous colours. The palette is easy to use and easy to carry around. The only drawback is the price, which is really steep. I fell in love with the colours and bought it as an indulgence, otherwise I wouldn't spend this much money on eyeshadows. However, cannot say that I regret it!
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Mascara -Estee Lauder - TURBOLASH-All Effects Motion Mascara
dkarb 10/6/2010 8:18:00 AM
I have tried A LOT of mascaras throughout the years, and this one is probably the one which has the least faults, thus, the one I like the most. It covers my lashes from base to tips in solid black, without missing a spot, which is wonderful considering that I have very fair skin and hair and my lashes are ashy blonde. Unlike many other mascaras, my lashes are not tangled after I'm done applying. Instead, they are long, thick, defined and curved. To emphasize the latter, I use a curler on special occasions, when I really want my eyes to have that Bambi look. This is NOT a subtle, too natural look, but I still use this mascara every day. It is easy to apply, and I have noticed that getting ready in the mornings takes less time, since using this mascara doesn't take as long as with non-battery operated ones. Two layers on the top, one on the bottom, and I'm good to go, eye-wise. Throughout the day my lashes remain looking gorgeous. No smudges or racoon eye-causing flakes. In the summer months, there can be very slight smudging on the top of my eyelids, when these are more damp because of the heat. However, that is easily remedied. The only drawback I see with the TurboLash is that the price is slightly steeper than your average high brand mascara. Nonetheless, I am currently on my third or fourth tube, and unless I find a cheap mascara which gives me the same effects, I'm sticking to TurboLash.
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Lipstick -Lipstick Queen - Medieval
dkarb 10/6/2010 8:00:00 AM
Love this product! Gives me a lovely, soft cerise colour. Not too much drama, but still visible. What was a very pleasant surprise to me at first is that I can apply it without having to use lipbalm first, which is something I've gotten used to with drier lipsticks. This one is a balm and a colour in one, which is wonderful. Long lasting, moisturizing, and lovely looking, this product leaves my lips enticing in colour and soft to the touch!
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Pressed Powders -Too Faced - Absolutely Invisible
dkarb 10/6/2010 7:54:00 AM
I use this to fix up my foundation throughout the day when I get a bit shiny on the T-zone. Does the job very well. It doesn't look cakey when applied, and doesn't change the colour of my foundation. However, I haven't tested this throughout winter yet, when my skin gets really dry, so I'll have to see if it doesn't make my dehydrated skin looks flaky then. So far I've been using the sponge applicator that comes with the powder, but might switch to a brush when it gets colder. Will be rebuying if it passes the test in winter.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Laura Mercier - Silk Creme Foundation
dkarb 12/20/2008 2:55:00 PM
While this is not the most-suited foundation for me, I am not going to diss it. The colour (Soft Ivory) is perfect on my very pale skin. The coverage is quite good, but wears off a bit towards the evening. However, it looks very natural, to the point that I, without meaning it, had a beautician thinking that my skin was naturally flawless! In the winter my skin is too dry to use this on its own, so I mix a bit of my moisturizer with it and then apply it with a brush. This makes the dryness of my skin less aparent. All in all, it's quite a good foundation. I won't be buying it after this tube finishes, as I have another one in mind which I want to try. However, I might come back to Silk Creme Foundation in the future. As it is, visually at least, satisfying.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No