Self Tanners -Jergens - Natural Glow -- Medium-Tan
gc2011 4/4/2013 11:25:00 AM
I finally gave into the hype and bought the new odor-free, firming version of this in the med-tan shade. Initially it is indeed odor-free, but I do smell a very faint but distinctive self-tanner smell sometimes, usually 2 hours or less after I've used it. However, because it is pretty good for firming (at least for me) and the color development has been DIVINE, I will keep using it! I am extremely fair and pale - I burn and then go straight back to pale, lol. With this product, I get a lovely, natural-looking tan that builds on the FIRST application. I'm past the point where I try being tan, since the sun is so damaging, but boy, my inner vain tan wannabe sure does LOVE the look of this stuff. I use it every other day, just to minimize the chance of looking unnatural, but it delivers. I do think it takes awhile to absorb, so I always leave it on 15-20 minutes before getting dressed. No greasy afterfeel. And so far, no streaks or other weirdness I often see from self-tanner, even my beloved L'Oreal Sublime Sun, which I use in conjunction with this, after mid-April. I do think the firming properties are pretty good, too. The texture of my skin looks improved. Try it. I was super doubtful of it and I LOVE it!!
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Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Blow Pro - Hair Care Heat is on Protective Styling Mist
gc2011 3/29/2013 10:35:00 AM
Love, love, love this. Recently "discovered" this brand since I was looking for something that didn't dry out my hair - and that did a better job of detangling than my B&B Styling Lotion. Tried this on a whim and couldn't be more pleased with it. Light, vaguely floral scent, doesn't weigh hair down or make it greasy, and really gets the tangles out of my fine, thick hair. Smooths it, too - fewer flyaways. Using this in conjunction with Moroccanoil makes for consistently good hair. . . . . No better review than that!!
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Palettes -NARS - And God Created the Woman Set (LE)
gc2011 3/26/2013 4:53:00 PM
I ordered it online and when I finally got over the initial shock over the palette size and cracked it open, I'm now using it every single day. Great set of neutrals - nice brush (tho I think it's too big for this palette, lol) - and of course I love the primer. The shadows themselves are really awesome - everything you need for a understated neutral look or a smoked out evening eye. As a brunette with fair skin, this palette is perfect for me. The only thing I don't care for is the tiny size, but that said it is the perfect size to travel with and for my makeup bag in general.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Line Eyeshadow 'C' Brush
gc2011 3/13/2013 10:04:00 AM
I have three of these because I use this brush so often. . . Great for really getting a good wash of shadow on your lid and the bristles are super soft and don't shed. Not as ideal for blending, although with repeated use the brush bristles get more flexible. Perfect shadow application every time with this one, and it really saves me some time in the morning. Great price and nice sleek look, coupled with the effectiveness makes this a win for me. Highly recommended.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Allure for women
gc2011 3/8/2013 10:15:00 AM
I've worn this on and off for years and love it. Lots of bourbon vanilla, white floral, fruit and a bit of cedar here. But mostly sophisticated vanilla and spice. Initially its a big blast, nearly overwhelming, but it settles right down to a scent that becomes very much a part of you. I get many "you smell amazing"s with this scent - for me, it is indeed alluring. ;) Great lasting power and the sillage can be a monster if you use too much. Nice packaging - sleek and minimal - and of course the BAT CRAZY we've-pulled-a-fast-one-with-our-marketing-and-brand-cult-of-personality price. But it smells soooooo good that I'm willing to put up with it. . . . . and repurchase. (Can't believe I just wrote that down). For me, nearly all of the Chanel fragrances (with the exception of the first Chance) are big wins for me - smell great, last forever, and I enjoy wearing them. This one is a standout, though - very feminine and classic. Highly recommended.
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Eye Shadow -Stila - Kitten
gc2011 3/6/2013 10:57:00 AM
I really love this shadow, and I can understand why it is so widely admired. Lovely beige-pink-champagne color, more of a neutral tone so I think it looks good on lots of people. Very shimmery - lovely lid color but I think I like it best as a brow highlight. It really does a great job at that - my whole face looks awake and rested! I've tried a ton of these types of shadows - the champagne beige Kitten so-called dupes - but they don't touch the original. Now, for the consistency and packaging - I think Stila could do a lot better. The tiny shadow compact is sort of brittle and easily cracked - doesn't protect the product much. And the shadow itself is super soft, gets super flaky and dusty, and you barely need to touch it with your brush to get enough product. For $18 a pop? Bugs me. . . but the color is so great I am probably going to put up with it, and keep buying it. There's a reason why so many people love it. Me, too. Highly recommended. Just don't drop it. yeah, right.
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Pressed Powders -Tarte - Provocateur Mineral Powder
gc2011 3/5/2013 3:17:00 PM
So far, this is my favorite PP ever. Light to medium flawless finish, excellent color match (I use Fair) for my fair, pink-y toned skin, little to no oxidization, and STAYS PUT without feeling heavy and cakey. I use this in conjunction with the Amazonian Clay foundation and it's the best my skin has ever looked (with makeup). I have extremely sensitive skin and I have no problems whatsoever with this. I'm to the point where when it comes to my foundation, PP, and moisturizers, I am not willing to deviate and try new stuff if I have a regimen that works and delivers results. This product definately fits the bill. I wish I could just buy refills for the powder, but that's just being picky. I also do not like the sponge it comes with - picks up way to much product and then doesn't deposit it correctly. I like the white round drugstore sponges for this job. Pricey but I think the quality is better than my Physician's Formula, which I'm having a harder and harder time finding in my shade. Highly recommended.
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Hair -Moroccanoil - Moroccan Oil
gc2011 3/5/2013 10:05:00 AM
LOVE. I have fine but thick hair with whole-head color and highlights (I'm naturally a brunette but like to have a little salon oomph added, lol). I've religiously used Bumble and Bumble's Styling Lotion and I love it, but noticed that my normally smooth hair was getting tangles, dry ends, flyaways, and just didn't look its best. And when you spend money on color, you want it to look great! I read and reviewed as much as possible about this product, and decided to try it - I apply to damp, towel-dried hair, from middle to ends, and it works absolute wonders. All the tangles, flyaways, etc were gone on the FIRST use. My layers hang nicely, and the shine is blinding. It makes my hair smooth and doesn't get oily or weigh it down. That said, I don't use more than a pea-sized amount on my hair, and I have a lot of hair, so I think too much product probably wouldn't be a good thing. I purchased the small bottle for around $16 - which seemed like a load but I can tell I will barely make a dent in it, even with daily use. Highly recommended.
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Bronzers -Tarte - Park Avenue Princess
gc2011 3/5/2013 9:43:00 AM
I think I may have finally found a HG bronzer. I have a lot of pink in my fair skin, and so many bronzers go orange, muddy, or just plan oompa loompa on me, which is really disappointing. And as much as I love my BB Bronze Shimmerbrick, I use that more for a highlight. I've tried just about every brand, and although there are many bronzers I really liked, no one product really stands out. However, I just tried this and it's a spot-on match for how I'd look tan (if that ever happened, since I usually burn and it's just not worth the damage and the risk any more). Subtle shimmer, and it almost has a pinky/cool tone to it - so it's perfect for me. The shimmer is finely milled, so you can't discern it on your skin - you just look healthy and rested. I LOVE IT. !! A little goes a long way, and I love the packaging. I also like the fact that this is a hard bronzer in the pan - my brush doesn't scratch it up and it doesn't seem to get dusty (and go to waste). Highly recommended and totally worth the price, especially given that there are many more HE bronzers that are more expensive.
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Fragrances -Dolce & Gabbana - Light Blue
gc2011 2/26/2013 4:51:00 PM
I think this scent is lovely - balmy, lemony citrus with fresh green accords and some white floral thrown in for good measure. It totally conjures up thoughts of the coastal Italy, the beach, summer, etc for me. When I use this, I think of a perfect romantic vacation. :) However, it has NO staying power whatsoever and that drives me crazy! I have several other scents I like a lot better, and they stay on longer, so I wouldn't repurchase.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Chance Eau Tendre
gc2011 2/26/2013 11:47:00 AM
I didn't think I could love a fragrance more than Chance Eau Fraiche, but then I tried this one. Lovely, deep scent - lots of nuances here. I get the initial burst of citrus (but not so heavy on the lemon like the original Chance), and then jasmine and hyacinth, and then the drydown is lovely cedar, white floral, some spice and IRIS. Again, I love iris, so I'm totally sold on this fragrance. This scent is warmer and heavier than Eau Fraiche - so it's working out pretty well for me that I have the Fraiche for Spring/Summer and the Tendre for Fall/Winter. Excellent lasting power and medium sillage. I think it's really appropriate for work, too - several co-workers really like this one. Highly recommended. I really always thought I would only be interested in the old classics from Chanel, but these newer fragrances are modern classics, in my mind.
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Lip Gloss -Burt's Bees - Lip Shine
gc2011 2/20/2013 9:26:00 AM
Tried this on a whim and I LOVE IT!! This is the shiny, non-greasy sheer lipcolor that I think most women look for at some point. Decent color selection (I have it in Smooch, which is very similar in tone to Clinique's Black Honey, but extremely sheer) and it actually does moisturize. Slight fruit scent that disappears quickly and NO shimmer. Just sheer, gorgeous color that's buildable. I find myself reaching for this one daily, as it seems to go with just about everything. Highly recommended.
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Treatments (Eye) -Neutrogena - Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
gc2011 2/19/2013 9:22:00 AM
I'm cautiously optimistic about this product. I'm 33 and have combination very sensitive skin with very few wrinkles anywhere so far, and as another reviewer said, I'd like to keep it that way. I've noticed that there are small lines that appear around my eyes when I smile and disappear immediately afterwards, but they appear nonetheless. I've been using this daily at night for about 4 weeks as directed and I haven't noticed any irritation or flakiness, which is a big deal for someone with skin as sensitive as mine. The area under and around my eyes seems better moisturized, firmer, and brighter. This cream doesn't migrate into my eyes, either, even when I use a facial night cream all over my face beforehand. I am going to edit this review in another 4 weeks to update the results, but so far, so good. Like other people (and my doctor) have said, the key is to keep using the product and not give up. . . which is hard to do when you want instant results.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Small Angled Brush
gc2011 2/15/2013 11:44:00 AM
This is another great brush from E.L.F. I find that I can use this for many uses, including smudging eyeliner, sharpening up brow powder/liner, and for really making a defined crease application of a soft but dark eyeshadow. Really easy to use and the price is great. This brand is my go-to for brushes, over other expensive brands. Highly recommended.
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Concealers -Hard Candy - Glamoflauge Concealer
gc2011 2/12/2013 4:02:00 PM
Best concealer I've ever used. Covers redness, blemishes, dark circles, etc and doesn't take a ton of product, either. Doesn't irritate my sensitive skin and the lightest shade matches me well. This product doesn't fade or oxidize, and blends well (for concealer). I haven't had problems with blending or cakiness. I do wish they had a better shade selection. I would definately repurchase, if I ever run out. Rivals any high-end brand. Highly recommended.
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