Highlighters -NARS - Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross 
feliciakb 4/3/2010 2:02:00 PM
I can't rave enough about this highlighter! It's BY FAR the best I've used. Subtle, yet so effective, it just gives such a pretty sheen without looking glittery or too shiny. I never considered highlighter a necessity before, but this one has become a staple for me. I use it on brow bones, cheek bones and a little on the bridge of my nose. I would definitely repurchase if I ever ran out. It lasts forEVER, though!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer
feliciakb 4/1/2010 3:47:00 PM
I'm kinda torn on this one. It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly and doesn't cause me any breakouts or irritation. However, I haven't seen any visible improvement in the 2 months I've been using it, either. It's just a decent nighttime moisturizer. My biggest complaint is the packaging! The pump gets stuck in the "down" position after every single pump (grrrr!!!) and I have to pry it back up. In the process it often just pops off the top of the bottle and goes flying across the room. I'd read other complaints about this before buying it and thought people were just being nitpicky, but it really is very aggravating. I would only repurchase if it were on sale/free shipping and I were already placing an order. I still think Paula has some of the best skin care products out there.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Clearly Remarkable Skin Lightening Gel
feliciakb 1/26/2010 2:16:00 PM
I used this gel for the maximum recommended time of 3 months and it absolutely did what it was supposed to. Plus, the BHA really cleared out my pores and I experienced NO breakouts. HOWEVER, only a month after I stopped using it, literally, ALL of my spots have returned!! I have no idea why the results were so temporary for me. I rarely go outdoors (especially in winter) and NEVER w/out a minimum of spf 30. I was absolutely ecstatic to see years-old spots fading after only a couple weeks of usage, and eventually disappear altogether. So I was that much more disappointed to see them return in such a short amount of time. :( Maybe it's just my skin and someone else would have more lasting results. For the price it's definitely worth trying. And I would purchase it again if I had an event coming up that I wanted to look my best for.
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Lotions/ Creams -Lavanila - Vanilla Coconut - The Healthy Body Butter
feliciakb 1/9/2010 1:35:00 PM
I wish this smelled as good on me as it does on some others, because it's a really fantastic lotion! So rich and smooth, it absorbs within seconds, leaving no greasy residue. I won't buy it because it smells like cheap, artificial suntan lotion on me, but I do recommend trying it for yourself, since I realize how much personal body chemistry can affect fragrance. I may give the other scents a try.
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Lip Gloss -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Plump
feliciakb 1/1/2010 5:14:00 PM
Let me start by saying that this had NO plumping effect at all. However, it's a nice thick gloss w/ good lasting power. I find myself grabbing it when I just want a little shine (I bought the clear one) or moisture. I understand why some would be put off by the strong cinnamon scent, but I don't mind it. Like I said, no plumping, but definitely worth the price for just a basic gloss.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Gleam (Lustre)
feliciakb 8/5/2009 9:51:00 PM
I agree with several other reviewers about the lack of pigment in this. It hardly shows up on my lids, no matter how much I try to build it and whether or not I'm using a primer. All I get is chunky gold glitter that ends up all over my face. Too bad, because it's so beautiful in the pan! For reference, I'm a C3.
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Sunscreen -Cetaphil - UVA/UVB Defense Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 
feliciakb 3/11/2009 7:43:00 PM
My dermatologist recommended this. I was excited about an oil free, fragrance free moisturizer w/ spf 50! Then I tried it. It stung my face, especially around my eyes. It felt greasy, didn't absorb AT ALL. Made my face look like an oil slick, even after applying makeup. Good thing this was cheap, because there's no way I'm putting it on my face again. I'll try to use it on my hands, though.
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Fragrances -Parfums M.Micallef - Note Vanillee
feliciakb 2/18/2009 10:15:00 PM
This is a gorgeous and complex vanilla w/ notes of jasmine, tangerine, honey, bourbon, sandalwood, rum and cognac. I disagree w/ reviews I've read on some perfume sites that claim this is somehow a "bad girl's" vanilla, though it is somewhat boozy, it's also rather sweet. I DO, however, agree w/ the comparisons to L de Lolita. I have them both (had the NV first and received the L as a gift), and find them too similar to justify purchasing this again. That's actually disappointing, because part of the reason I'm willing to pay more is so I don't smell like everyone else, but L is very popular and, while not indentical, the differences are very subtle.
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
feliciakb 2/8/2009 2:06:00 PM
Best...concealer....ever! I had a terrible breakout last week (probably due to all the junk I consumed between the Super Bowl and my bday), 4 huge, red cystic bumps. The stick concealer I was using just wasn't getting it done, so I went to the MAC counter and asked the SA for help. She lightly applied this w/ a concealer brush and it's like the spots just disappeared. Not a hint of redness! And it didn't budge all day. I can't believe I waited so long to try this concealer, as I use so many other MAC products. Now I don't ever want to be w/out it.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Ped Egg
feliciakb 1/7/2009 2:21:00 PM
Wow, this works! My feet weren't in bad condition, really, but my heels tend to stay a little dry and rough...probably from wearing flip-flops practically every day of my life. Texas, ya know? Anyway, I'm always using a buffer and putting on lotion, so I figured that was as good as they were going to get. I grabbed this on impulse as I was getting ready to check out at WM. What have I got to lose? It's cheaper than one salon pedicure! Wow, that was one impulse buy that I don't regret! After using it just one time and applying some shea butter, my heels are baby soft w/ no visible dryness or cracking. Everyone should have one of these!
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes
feliciakb 1/7/2009 2:10:00 PM
This is the most interesting mascara I've ever used. It really does lengthen like crazy with just one coat of the primer and mascara. And I love the way it just kinda peels off w/ warm water. No flakes, smudges or raccoon circles! However, it doesn't volumize at all, so I can't really give it 5 lippies, cause I like my lashes to look long AND lush. Cool stuff, but I really just bought it out of curiosity and won't likely buy it again.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream
feliciakb 1/7/2009 2:01:00 PM
I almost didn't give this a chance, due to the mixed reviews, as I have combination, somewhat acne-prone skin. But I took a chance, based on some of the claimed benefits and so far, so good! I've only been using it a couple weeks and it's caused me no breakouts (though it's too soon to claim that it's preventing them) and my existing red marks have faded faster than usual. I don't really have any lines or wrinkles to speak of, so can't really comment on that. I only use it at night, since it has no spf and I wake up to softer, smoother feeling skin. It absorbs immediately and smells nice. It reminds me a lot of Lancome's Vinefit, though I have no idea how the ingredients compare. Anyway, good stuff at a reasonable price. I'll purchase again.
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Fragrances -Kenzo - Flower by Kenzo Le Parfum
feliciakb 12/8/2008 1:09:00 PM
I received this as a sample from Sephora. Had I sampled it in a store, I'd likely have bought it on the spot....then immediately returned it after the drydown. It opens w/ a stunning, mysterious (to me, anyway) floral note. I'm not even a big floral fan, but this could have converted me! Within 10 minutes, however, it turned into nothing more than...baby powder. Like straight out of the big pink and white bottle, Johnson's Baby Powder. Huge let down for me, but I've never liked powdery scents.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Fifi Chachnil
feliciakb 5/28/2008 12:31:00 PM
When I first put this one on, all I smelled was the mandarin, which, on me, was more like grapefruit...not sweet at all. I was tempted to immediately wash it off, since I'm not a fan of citrus fragrances. I'm so glad I didn't! Within 5 minutes, this transformed into the most soft, beautiful, feminine scent I've smelled in a long time. The perfect blend of powdery floral and tobacco w/ just a hint of the citrus that was so overpowering at first. This one just makes me feel like a lady!
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Fragrances -Tom Ford - Tobacco Vanille
feliciakb 5/28/2008 12:36:00 AM
Smells like a sweet, exquisite pipe tobacco combined w/ a warm, soft vanilla. Clove is also very prominent. Maybe a tad on the masculine side for some tastes, but I think most would find it very wearable, particularly in the cooler months. Perhaps because it reminds me of my grandpa (who was never w/out his pipe), I find it extremely comforting. Is it weird to want to smell like my grandpa?? Lol. Regardless, this one is definitely full bottle worthy for me.
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