Lip Treatments -Givenchy - Hydra Sparkling lip and cheek balm
flauros 3/26/2013 12:58:00 AM
This is one of those products that the color is supposed to adjust to your chemistry when you put it on. I compare this most to the Dior Addict Lip Glow, which has a similar effect. This product has .17oz of product for $31USD, and the Dior is the same price but less product at .12oz. Many may be put off by the potted packaging of this balm but I don't find it a problem. I think this is more moisturizing than the Dior Balm, but the Givenchy gives me less color payoff. Contrary to the name of this product, there are no sparkles in the balm, it just leaves a shiny finish behind. I don't think I would ever use this on my cheeks. The packaging is kind of a cheaper plastic pot, the Dior definitely has nicer packaging. Overall, I find the Givenchy more moisturizing than the Dior, but the Dior gives me more color and better packaging. Pleased with my purchase.
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Lipstick -Clarins - 'Rouge Eclat' Lipstick
flauros 3/15/2013 10:08:00 PM
This is a new product for Clarins in 2013, introduced in the Spring Collection and is currently priced at $26 USD. I purchased this lipstick in Nude Rose 01, which is a very mauvey nude that's on the sheer side. It can be built up to full color with several swipes. I have to say that I'm in love with the color, but the formula just missed the mark by a smidge. Firstly, the fragrance is straight up artificial Blueberry (at least to me). It fades quickly but it's very apparent during application. Secondly, it tends to dry my lips out a teensy bit throughout wear and it clings to the dry patches on my lips terribly. I can't speak for the other colors, but it's just a tad drying and the blueberry smell is a little over the top. I truly love this color on me (NW15) and will use it up but won't repurchase.
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Lip Gloss -Bare Escentuals - Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream- White Russian
flauros 2/6/2013 2:16:00 AM
This is a really solid quality lip gloss, which is currently 19$. The color is a pretty sheer milky pink nude and it goes on like a dream. At first it smells like cotton candy and then has a very minty scent later. The mint causes a little bit of 'tingle' but it does not irritate the lips. I'm very cautious about plumping glosses due to cold sores but this does not cause them at all. The texture is thicker but not goopy, glides on with multiple coats very well. The packaging is a very solid plastic and would not break if you dropped it. Extremely moisturizing, and can be layered over almost everything. This has quickly earned a permanent spot in my purse.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Christian Dior - Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen
flauros 1/22/2013 8:28:00 PM
I purchased this concealer for an under eye brightening effect, of which this does very well. I do not have dark under eye circles, and was just looking for something light and bright. This concealer currently sells for $37 USD for .05oz of product, which is half the size of the YSL touche eclat. I have to say this is a major deterrent for repurchase, since the product amount is SO tiny. However, I find that it works extremely well as a lightweight brightening concealer just for under eyes. I can't speak for fine lines as I don't have many but I have very good results but I do powder it to keep it in place. Overall, the product is very good, but I will shop around for a better deal when I run out. I use 001 and I'm NW15, it's a great match.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Burberry - Fresh Glow
flauros 1/20/2013 8:57:00 PM
I love this. This primer is currently $48 USD for 1oz of product, which definitely puts it in the upper echelon of primers on the market, but it's fabulous. This primer is very fluid, like a liquid foundation and the finish is dewy and luminous. At first, it looks like a slighty frosty champagne color with tiny micro-shimmers, but when you spread it out it just looks shiny and transparent. I can't detect a scent at all, and I don't find it makes me any more oily than usual. It does seem to make my foundation last longer, but only by an hour or two. I use this under liquid foundation and find that it does give a more radiant finish. Plus, the packaging is great- a plastic bottle with a pump, and a metal sheath with the classic Burberry check pattern on it. Too bad it gets covered in fingerprints, but it is still an awesome product!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Absolutely Shore
flauros 1/3/2013 3:54:00 PM
Lovely color, a light green blue, but so hard to apply. I took this to the salon to have my manicurist do it, and it still turned out rather streaky and uneven, like a few other Essie pastel colors I have. I'd look for a similar color in a different brand if you like the color. It's just far too much effort to get this to work (and it shouldn't be).
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Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Skin-Glowing Makeup SPF 15
flauros 12/31/2012 9:11:00 PM
This review is for the new formulation from 2012 for Diorskin Nude foundation. I would call this coverage medium, and with a demi matte finish. The original formulation was definitely more dewy than the new version. By itself, it stays nice on me for about 8 hours before I start noticing patchy fading. If I need it to last longer, I set it with powder. I wear the color 010 which is a good match for me at N/NW15. It applies well with fingers, brushes and sponges, and I use all three ways depending on how heavy I want the coverage. I find that although this product has fragrance, it doesn't bother me or cause breakouts. Overall I would definitely repurchase this again, especially because it's so hard to find good matches! Expensive but worth it for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Oribe - Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream
flauros 11/26/2012 12:06:00 AM
I got my hair cut recently at my salon and my stylist recommended this to me for my ultra-fine delicate hair, and it was love at first blow-dry. This is a leave-in conditioner treatment in Oribe's Supershine lineup and is 49$ for 5oz. Firstly, the packaging is a lovely purple tube with a large cap. Secondly, it smells amazing and luxe. Thirdly, it makes my hair so easy to comb through, I normally have a horrible time with my tangles. Fourthly, it gives a lot of moisture to my long hair, which often gets dry on the ends. Fifthly, after I blow my hair dry (and sometimes straighten), my hair is so unbelievably soft, silky, and extra shiny as well. I have to be careful not to use too much of it, or my hair gets oily after a day or so. But overall, it's worked extremely well for my hair needs.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Christian Dior - Rouge Dior Nude 459- Charnelle
flauros 11/10/2012 12:22:00 AM
I love this lipstick formula, so creamy and pigmented. Does not dry out my lips. This color is almost the exact color of my natural lips, a neutral mauve but a tad more pink. It evens out my lips and really makes me look polished. Only gripe is the lasting power isn't too great, maybe 2-3 hours with regular talking/drinking coffee/etc. However, the packaging is so nice that I really don't mind reapplying anywhere. I would absolutely buy again and more colors.
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Makeup Brushes -Christian Dior - Backstage Foundation Brush
flauros 11/9/2012 11:37:00 PM
This is a review for the Backstage - Full coverage foundation brush. This brush is synthetic bristle brush with a very nice black wooden handle. The brush has some great features: firstly it's so dense that it gives an amazingly flawless coverage. Secondly, the angle of the bristles is really perfect to use on the contours of the face. Thirdly, it's easy to clean and stays nice after many washes. Fourth, hardly if any shedding to speak of at a month of use. The quality is really there both in looks and functionality. I use this with both Dior Forever and Dior Nude.
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Eyeliner -Christian Dior - Diorshow Liner Waterproof
flauros 9/23/2012 3:18:00 AM
These twist up pencils were recently reformulated for 2012, starting with the Turquoise color from the spring collection. I purchased the color Carbon (black) and I haven't been disappointed. I like that the pencil is so precise without needing to be sharpened, though it comes with a built in sharpener for exact application. The intensity of the black isn't the deepest, but it's definitely sufficiently dark. The texture isn't super creamy nor super dry, but a good middle ground. The best part about this liner is how long-lasting it is, and stays on through my 12 hour work day. I always just wear this directly in the lash line and on the upper waterline (I have dry eyes though). This is my go-to work liner, but I would pick a different liner if I wanted a more intense look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -BeneFit Cosmetics - The Porefessional
flauros 9/23/2012 2:58:00 AM
I got this through the Sephora point system, so I got to try out the full size product for free. So far, I've had a good experience. The product itself is a liquid cream that turns to a rather dry finish once pressed into the skin. I only put it on my mid forehead, on my nose, and chin. It does a decent job of smoothing the areas out and correcting the texture of my skin for foundation. I have normal skin and it didn't make me more or less shiny throughout the day, but definitely helped my foundation last all day (in addition to UD all nighter). I found it odd that the product was tinted, still confused as to the point of that. The packaging I felt was rather on the inexpensive side, cheap plastic. Overall, I do feel like it's a good, solid product but there are probably better primers out there for the same price point.
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Lips -Yves Saint Laurent - Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm
flauros 9/2/2012 3:10:00 AM
I've never purchased a YSL product before, so this is my first experience with the brand. I picked up number 1 Lush Coconut and it's a super sheer nude balm with shimmer. The shimmer is definitely noticeable when you rub your lips together- there is a slight gritty texture to the balm, but it is so moisturizing that I barely noticed it. The best part about this balm is that it did not cause any white residue to form around the mouth, even hours after application. The balm smells like fruit and the packaging is gorgeous. I think at 30$, this is definitely a luxury splurge, but it really is enjoyable to wear and I wear it so often. I take off 1 lippie for wear and texture- the wear is only about 1.5-2 hours at best and the slight gritty texture of the shimmer ones may deter some balm lovers.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Lancome - Definicils waterproof
flauros 8/25/2012 7:22:00 PM
This is my go-to mascara for work, since I work outside. It pretty much only lengthens and defines, but does not volumize lashes, which is perfect for work. I feel like this mascara always feels slightly sticky, as if it never dries down. However, it performs really well throughout the day and isn't fussy with application. It comes off easily with cleansing balm but flakes off a little if it gets wet. Serves the purpose I need it to, so I keep repurchasing!
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Concealers -Burberry - Sheer Luminous Concealer
flauros 7/22/2012 6:12:00 PM
This is a brand new product for Burberry Beauty in 2012 and is currently priced at 40$ for .08oz. This has a little less product than the YSL Touche Eclat but having used both myself, these products are definitely not the same. This is just a straight-up concealer (no highlighting properties) in a sleekly silver packaged click-pen. The coverage is definitely medium and is good for covering red spots, but you can still see the skin underneath (as in, it's not too heavy, but not full coverage either). A truly natural looking concealer. I use this under eyes as well, because the consistency is thin. It's a really versatile product, and because I have really good skin already, I've been skipping foundation and covering small red spots with just this product by applying straight from the pen and then patting it in with fingers to blend. I don't detect any scent when I use it. It's fairly moisturizing but it doesn't help with flakies (I had a flaky spot, and after applying the concealer, it was still flaky, big surprise). The color selection does seem to be ok, with a total of 8 colors available right now. I am around NW15-20 or so, and number 2 Soft Beige was a good match for me for the summertime, number 1 was too pink and ashy. If you can, get a sample before you buy. Overall, a great purchase for me because it's so versatile and quick/easy to use. Haven't had any bad reactions to this yet.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No