Eye Shadow -Revlon - soft on the eyes - whisper sweet neutrals
glamourpuss 1/31/2009 11:27:00 PM
I bought this for the packaging. I was planning on emptying out the shadows and using the palette to store other loose shadows and pigments in my own combinations. However, I saw the shadows and loved the colors, so I decided to try them on first. Well, that was all it took and now I'm in love.
These colors are absolutely perfect for me; very, very flattering, and they last all day as long as I wear a base underneath them. I have already used up one palette and am blowing through my second. It's such a shame that these are LE! The pink and tan shadows are my favorites; both have softly pearly finishes with no glitter bits. The peach shade is full of glitter, which doesn't adhere that well so it's not really a concern. The white shade is perfect for brightening up under my arches since it doesn't have a frosty finish but goes on sheer.
If anyone has this palette and intends to dump the shadows, please contact me first. I will be very generous in return. I'm trying to find dupes for these but, I'm afraid they'll be gone before I've found replacements. I wish Revlon would make a ColorStay quad with these shades in it. I love those little quads. ::le sigh::
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chantecaille - Lotus
glamourpuss 1/26/2009 2:27:00 AM
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this lipstick. Lotus is my HG rose lipstick, hands down. I probably have at least fifteen or twenty different rose lipsticks in my collection but none are as flattering as Lotus. It instantly brightens my complexion and makes me look finished, regardless of whether I'm wearing any other makeup.
Everything about Chantecaille's lipsticks make them a dream to wear. Smooth as butter and never drying, they wear off beautifully, leaving a soft, even stain on the lips, and are comfortable from beginnng to end. Lotus is a creme with no frost or shimmer and the finish is softly dewy. The color stays true and never fades or bleeds. Chantecaille's chic chrome tubes are weighty in the hand and come in an adorable little black pouch to keep them looking shiny and new.
The color of Lotus is very similar to that of another favorite lipstick of mine, Lumene No.3 So Natural, which is slightly cooler and deeper in tone. The Chantecaille rose shade has a touch of carnation to it, making it just a bit brighter and pinker. The color and matte finish of the Lumene make it better suited to cooler weather and the brighter rose shade and soft satin finish of the Chantecaille are what I tend to wear in the warmer months. As soon as the weather starts warming up, I start reaching for my Lotus lipstick.
It's time for me to get a new tube of Lotus, as I do every Spring. This color is so perfect on me that it makes me wonder why I wear anything else. Indeed, why do I?
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Lipstick -Lumene - Bright Smile 3 So Natural lipstick
glamourpuss 11/7/2008 1:29:00 AM
Here is yet another product I completely took for granted until it was put on clearance and I found my self running to every CVS within a twelve mile radius buying up the remaining stock before it's gone for good. I love everything about this lipstick and most definitely consider it a holy grail product. Here's why:
First off, the color - which, for me is typically the single most important aspect of any makeup item - is perfect. I will forgive a lot for the perfect color, but here I don't have to. The color is the most perfect shade of rose, very cool in tone with no unflattering peach or orange undercurrents to wash me out. Deep enough to be more rose than MLBB, but not so deep that I can't wear it as MLBB. If that doesn't make any sense to you, let me just say that it instantly brightens my face when I put it on, whether I have on makeup or am otherwise bare-faced. I can wear it and nothing else and feel finished. That's no mean feat for a lipstick.
The texture is smooth and creamy and the lipstick is rather opaque and matte, but not flat. I notice a very slight pearly sheen that keeps it from looking dry and cakey on lips. It is not at all drying and my lips feel comfortable after wearing it day after day. I can apply this without a mirror and not worry about it smearing or traveling outside my lip line. I reapply lipstick often, more out of habit than necessity, but find that this wears quite a long time before actually needing to be reappllied, and it wears off evenly leaving a soft stain behind that's very flattering.
The only thing I'm not really crazy about is the tube itself: a dark rose pink rounded plastic shape with silver lettering and band around the rim. It looks rather cheap and I've had a couple of tubes develop loose tops over time, causing them to come open in my bag. I prefer stouter packaging for my lipsticks, since I carry them everywhere and would have preferred a metal tube, or at least one that stays secure right to the end. I will, of course, continue to buy this in spite of the tube's shortcomings because of the absolute perfection of the product itself, especially the color. This is one of the few products I would have copied if I just couldn't find a way to get it. It's true love.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - INNUENDO
glamourpuss 4/22/2008 10:07:00 PM
Innuendo looks so unassuming in the pan, a soft taupe with a bit of mauve undertone and a soft pearly sheen. Until you try it on your eyes you won't realize how complex it really is. It's one of those shadows that can be swept from lashline to crease and, all by itself make it look like you spent lots of time and effort contouring your eyes with multiple tonal shades.
The color and finish combined create an easy-to-apply, wildly flattering look that wears well with a lightly grabby base. Only after many hours of wear do I experience minimal creasing, which is easily fixed by smoothing it out with a fingertip. I'm so happy I have a backup of this because I use it a lot. There are other similar shades out there but they're not quite as perfect as Innuendo. The closest one is probably the taupe shade in Almay's intense i-color trio for blues No.202, but it's a bit more frosty. The soft sheen of Innuendo is part of what makes it so flattering on me, so I still prefer it. Since it was LE though, it's good to know there is something similar in case I can't swap for more when I finally run out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Sally Hansen - Inspired By Carmindy Natural Beauty Your Skin Makeup ] [DISCONTINUED]
glamourpuss 4/22/2008 8:43:00 PM
After two weeks of wear, it's time to add my praise to the growing list of positive reviews for this foundation. At the risk of simply echoing what's been said by all the previous reviewers, I'll tell you why I love it.
Porcelain is a perfect color match for my NW15-20 complexion.
It is not oil-free, so it is very comfortable on my dry skin.
It has no suncreen, which means I can wear it in photos and without concern about irritation.
The coverage is easily buildable from sheer to full without becoming cakey or looking mask-like.
It is invisible on, melting in so naturally I can neither see nor feel it on my skin.
The finish is just barely dewy, so I have the option to add more glow or leave it as is.
I seldom set with loose powder anymore since I simply don't need to, but a few pats makes the finish perfectly matte.
It lasts all day without any touch up and I have yet to get shiny anywhere.
The glass pump bottle is both elegant and sensible, and dispenses the perfect amount of product.
It has no scent, which is very important to me.
The price is very reasonable for the quality of the foundation.
This is simply the very best foundation I've ever tried, at any price, and I've tried my share. I agree with a previous reviewer's comparison to Chanel Vitalumiere, which I wore for years, but it's even better in my view. I feel confident recommending this foundation to anyone, regardless of skin type. So, what are you waiting for? Go get a bottle today and write your own glowing review!
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Neutrogena - Mineral sheers powder blush
glamourpuss 4/7/2008 2:54:00 AM
I have mixed feelings about this blush, which I bought in Precious Pink, the lightest shade. I couldn't get it to apply evenly since the brush it comes with does little more than flick powder into the air so I broke open the vexing container and transferred the product to an old jar with a sifter. Finally, I was able to get a decent application using my own brush, and what a beautiful color! Pure rose pink without a speck of peach in it.
I have a problem with most blushes looking the same on me, and it's not a good look, but this one goes on pure rose pink and stays that way. It has a very fine shimmer - almost too much and for many it will be over the top - but it lends such a beautiful, healthy glow. Not at all glittery, this is more of a gentle, pearly finish. I can see how it could accentuate large pores and other imperfections so placement is key. I use it only on the apples of my cheeks and blend it out just a bit. The glow is extremely flattering and I can't rave enough about the color. So many blushes oxidize on me and turn an ugly warm red-orange that makes me look like I've been slapped hard. This blush lasts awhile on me, and looks the same four, or even six hours after it's been applied as it did when I first put it on.
The bad news is that this blush is rather drying. My skin can feel tight just moments after applying if I haven't moisturized well enough so I usually wear this over my most moisturizing sunscreen and limit its use to more humid weather.
About the packaging, it's a great idea, perfect for travel and carrying around in a purse, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. First of all, the brush is rough and scratchy and not at all suited to the smooth, even application of such a fine powder. Secondly, the flow of powder is impossible to control, which makes for a lot of waste and prevents the blush from applying evenly. If these issues could be resolved, I would buy this product again and use it without decanting into a separate container. Until then, I guess I'll just keep breaking open the tube and dumping out the product because this color is worth it.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Truce
glamourpuss 2/23/2008 12:03:00 AM
I have to agree with the other reviewers - this shadow definitely lacks pan appeal. That makes it easy to overlook and underestimate it, which is a real shame because I believe this color would look good on just about everyone.
I ignored it myself after receiving it in a swap because I honestly didn't know what to do with it, and it certainly didn't beg to be worn. After several months, I took some time to experiment with it. It looks really light in the pan - a matte grey-green putty color - and I kept trying to wear it on my lids but it never looked right. As soon as I swept it into my crease, I realized the true beauty of this eye shadow. It makes the most flattering invisible crease shade by making my eyes appear naturally perfectly contoured. As if I don't need to bother with makeup because I get up every morning looking this beautiful.
The color is so neutral it can be worn with just about anything else, but it really shines when worn with other neutrals, where it blends perfectly into the crease, creating a natural-looking depth there that I've never been able to duplicate with other colors. I love to wear it simply with Shroom, some black liner, and lots of mascara. The texture is so soft it's almost creamy and it adheres very well over a lightly grabby shadow base. It lasts the day, making my eyes appear naturally shadowed until I remove it at night. Another shadow I hope to always have in my collection, which means I'll be cruising swap lists, since it was LE.
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Lip Treatments -Laura Mercier - lip silk
glamourpuss 2/14/2008 12:08:00 AM
It took a long time for me to learn to like this stuff, in fact, I almost returned it. Yes, it's a bit grainy going on and hard to get out of the tube, but I can live with that in exchange for completely smooth lips all day, every day.
I don't have horribly chapped lips but I do have one spot on my lower lip that flakes a bit, every day, even though my lips aren't really dry. This is a problem because I wear lipstick all the time, and we all know how awful lipstick looks on flaky lips. When I use this treatment before bed I wake up to perfectly smooth lips that don't flake, all day. So, now I use it just in the evenings and sometimes overnight and my lips stay in perfect lipstick-worthy shape.
One thing I've noticed is that it's gotten much easier to squeeze out the product now that I'm about halfway through the tube. Not sure why that is, but I do remember having to use tremendous force to extract even a tiny amount of balm and now it's as easy as any normal tube. That issue needs to be addressed but I hope LM doesn't "solve" the problem by packaging this in a pot.
I appreciate that this is unscented, unflavored, and colorless, and once the inital graininess melts away I really love the texture. It feels like a serious lip treatment in that it doesn't require reapplication within fifteen minutes, and it even stays on through light eating and drinking. I think I'll try using it as a primer under lipstick like another reviewer mentioned because it seems like it would work well as one. It's expensive but it delivers so, for me, it's worth it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Paint Pot - Groundwork
glamourpuss 8/18/2007 3:01:00 PM
For years, I've been looking for a soft bunny brown cream shadow that would apply without much effort and last all day without creasing or fading, and MAC has finally created it. Groundwork is exactly the color I've been wanting; not really taupe as stellina below noted, but more brown. Neutral enough to flatter both my cool-toned complexion and my blue eyes. So many browns make my eyes look blue but at the price of making my skin look washed out. This shade has just the right balance of cool and warm, brown and taupe, to make both look good.
I've worn this every day since I got it and I usually don't use a base underneath. Even in summer heat this has only creased once, and that was on a day where I'd spent a lot of time outdoors (sweating like a pig), and after about fifteen hours of wear. There is a bit of pearl in Groundwork so it doesn't appear flat on the eyes, but rather has a subtle sheen. Matte shadows tend to age me so I like just a bit of shimmer at the center of my lids to catch the light and soften things up. The pearl in Groundwork is softer than most, but provides just enough luminosity to draw the focus to the eyes.
I love the wide-mouthed glass pot. Very easy to dip into with a finger or a brush. I love the weighty feel of it and the fact that it's not plastic. I think the price is very reasonable and I will buy it again as soon as I run out. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that this is a new staple in my collection and I hope they don't ever discontinue this shade. It may not be flashy, but its versatility and universally flattering color more than make up for that. In a nutshell, this is the perfect neutral cream shadow to wear on its own for a clean, polished look or underneath other shadows to increase their depth and wear, and I can't think of anyone it would not flatter.
19 out of 19 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Dove - Invisible Solid-Original Clean
glamourpuss 6/15/2007 8:44:00 PM
My very most favorite antiperspirant ever, mainly because of the scent, but I like everything else about it, too. Packaging is fine, not fancy but I like that it's white and light blue and not anything loud or neon. It never leaves white marks on my clothing and is invisible on my skin. I've never experienced any irritation from it, even immediately after shaving, and it's never failed me in providing protection against odor and wetness.
Really though, I use this for the scent. I love it. I tried the Powder version, too, and it's nice but I prefer the Original Clean. I stock up on these whenever they're on sale and always have several tucked away. The thought of having to use something that smells different makes me sad enough to keep a healthy stash so, Dove, please don't ever discontinue this. Thank you. Oh, and if you were to make a lotion in this scent, I'd buy it, too.
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Moisturizers -Lumene - Tender Drops soothing moisture cream
glamourpuss 5/22/2007 12:13:00 AM
I've gone through several jars of this so I guess I really should review it. Let me start by saying that my primary moisturizer is a blend of oils I mix myself, usually a combination of rosehip seed, evening primrose, camellia, and avocado oils (more about that in my notepad). I'm in my 40s and have very dry skin. For years I denied having sensitive skin but the truth is, it reacts badly when I stray too far from my usual cleansing/moisturizing regime, which just happens to include several Lumene products. In addition to this moisturizer I also use the Milky Touch Cleanser, Moisture Dream Revitalizing Cleanser, and the Moisture Dream Toner.
I always use my oil blend to moisturize after cleansing but sometimes I need a little extra. That's when I use the Tender Drops. To me, it's a medium-weight moisturizer, not a heavy-duty one. It has a silky texture that smooths on easily and is absorbed quickly, whether or not I've just washed my face. It has no scent and leaves no silicone-ish or tacky after feel. All I feel when I touch my face after using this is soft, smooth skin. I can use this anytime, no matter how dry my skin feels, and it sinks right in leaving my face instantly soft and soothed. It is the only moisturizer I've ever used that left my face feeling immediately and effectively hydrated, not just moisturized. What I mean is that I feel like the deeper levels of my skin have moisture in them, not just the top layer where the cream is. I hope that makes sense :)
As far as the packaging is concerned, a pump would be more sanitary but I like using jars, especially nice heavy ones like this one. I just make sure my hands are clean before I dip in and I've never had a problem. This, and all the other Lumene products, are fairly priced and intelligently packaged. I've used the above-mentioned products steadily for over two years now and have liked almost every other product I've tried, both in skincare and makeup. In fact, several Lumene products hold Holy Grail status with me. I don't even consider other skincare options anymore. Do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of trial-sized products. This line's got a lot to offer.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Too Faced - Pop Rock duo
glamourpuss 5/14/2007 4:01:00 AM
This is my very favorite Too Faced duo and probably their tamest in terms of color combinations. To me, the colors look just like milk and chocolate milk. Both are matte, but not flat. They have a velvety soft texture, almost creamy, and are well-pigmented so it's easy to pick up plenty on my brush. I have to use a grabby base with these, like a shade stick or cream shadow, since I have dry eyelids and these simply won't adhere without one. With a proper base, however, they last all day with no fading and give me soft, melty doe eyes.
This duo has been my go-to subtle eye for the past several years and I've made a pretty good dip in both pans. I don't think this is available anymore so I'm actively seeking more. I've tried to find a dupe for the chocolate milk shade but nothing has come close. There's a fair amount of lavender in that shade and it's quite cool-toned, which is probably why it's so flattering on me, a cool-toned, brunette PPP. The milk shade is rather special, too. It's not sheer but not opaque either. When I sweep it across my browbone, it instantly brightens up my face and makes my blue eyes really stand out. It's the perfect combination of colors for a polished, naturally pretty eye. I never want to be without this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Rimmel - Stars Glitter Eye Shadow Pencil in Sparkler
glamourpuss 12/19/2006 3:08:00 AM
As far as glitter liners go, I've only tried one prior to this one and it was from Tony & Tina. From the reviews, it sounds like T&T's are pretty much the gold standard of glitter liners so it may be unfair to bash these based on that experience but it's the only basis for comparison I have.
Let me start by saying that the T&T liner, which was light blue with silver glitter, went on easily and showed up beautifully. The liner color and the glitter were both easily visible from several feet away and the glitter really caught the light when I turned my head. The color of Sparkler is closer to skin-toned so I'm not complaining about the liner color not showing up - I wanted a more subtle, neutral color so the glitter would take center stage - but the only way I could tell I had gold glitter on my eyes at all was to get right up next to the mirror. Sort of defeats the purpose, no? To further compound this liner's failings, the glitter itself was dull, it wore off inside of an hour, and the fallout was out of control.
So, this was a bust but there is a happy ending to this story. It's made me realize that I really do want to wear a bit more sparkle on my eyes, in spite of myself, so I think I'll try some of those sparkly liquid liners next. I understand Lise Watier has some without sequin-size chunks to get in my eyes, but still enough sparkle to satisfy my newborn glitter lust.
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Highlighters -Wet 'n' Wild - MegaGlo Face Illuminator [DISCONTINUED]
glamourpuss 12/17/2006 1:51:00 AM
I am not, by any means, a makeup snob. I use both high- and low-end products, and I'd say my stash is split pretty evenly between the two. If it's satisfying to find a product that does one job well, it's downright thrilling to find one that multitasks well, and doubly thrilling when it's dirt cheap. For all the multi-use products I have on both ends of the spectrum, this is the only one I actually can use on cheeks, eyes, and lips, and I don't need anything besides my fingers to do it.
To apply to cheeks, I lightly press my index and middle fingers flat on the surface of the product and pick up just enough to smooth into my skin without it dragging and streaking. I use my left hand to apply to my right cheek and vice versa, which makes it easy to get a smooth and even application. For eyes, I just smear a fingertip's worth on the center of my lids, not going into the crease since it would only make a mess. The subtle rose tint and wet-looking sheen really warms up my face and makes my eyes show up better behind my heavy eyeglass frames. For lips, I just apply like lip balm. This is my standard one-minute makeup job that I slap on at least once a week to run in the grocery store or dash to the bank. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with more!
For the price, this is an absolute steal. Yes, the packaging is cheap and unsanitary, but I like the way the cream looks in the pot and it makes it easier to sniff (I like the scent, too). In fact, the guys at WnW knew what they were doing when the designed the package. I never would have bought this if I hadn't been able to see the product; I just had to have that pretty rose-colored cream. I haven't tried the other shades and I probably won't. I just don't see myself wearing them. Besides, since I can use this everywhere, I really don't need anything more.
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Blush -L'Oreal - HIP Blendable Blushing Creme - Tickled
glamourpuss 9/24/2006 8:12:00 PM
The best thing about this blush is the color, a crimson red with subtle coppery red shimmer. The next best thing is the unique formula that's easy to apply if you know how, which for me is with an EoB foundation brush. I just sort of tap the brush on the pan two or three times (go easy, it's highly pigmented), and then apply to my cheeks with quick stroking motions. It's important to work quickly because it sets almost immediately and can get streaky if you take your time and let it dry without blending it well. This formula is nothing like a traditional cream blush that can be rubbed into skin with fingers. It's much drier and when I tried to apply it in the traditional way I pulled the heck out of my skin and ended up with blotchy cheeks. I wasn't sure how I was going to like the formula, but once I figured out how to apply it with a brush I fell in love with the glowy look I got.
The entire HIP line, and drugstore cosmetics in general, have gotten way too expensive, and this particular product is no exception. Fortunately, it goes on BOGOF frequently enough that it's not necessary to pay full price. I'm happy to buy this blush on sale but doubt I would pay full price for it. The packaging of the HIP line is a bit ridiculous, especially where the blushes are concerned, since there's not even a useless applicator hiding in the unnecessarily large bottom compartment. The location of the mirror renders it useless, too. Don't cosmetic manufacturers know by now that most women use their own brushes to apply makeup?
Anyway, I've finally found a use for all those silly little brushes and applicators they insist on supplying so they can charge more for their products. I'm saving them for my baby nephew to use to paint with when he gets old enough. I wish I'd thought of this when my own kids were small. All those applicators I've tossed could have been put to better use. I guess after he outgrows painting with my applicator cast-offs I'll donate them to a preschool or include them in swaps for those who have small children.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No