Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Creamy Concealer
halwa 10/20/2011 12:38:00 AM
Love! I did not know why people loved concealer so much until I got my hands on this concealer. The formula is moisturizing, creamy and just so easy to work with. The shade for me (honey) works so well under my eyes and on my skin. I would definitely recommend Bobbi Brown concealers to South Asian or ladies that have tan skin tones with yellow undertones. I always gravitated towards Chanel, Dior, YSL etc, but those brands have awful shades in general though I was always to get a match. Bobbi Brown just makes a more precise match without giving that grey/pinkish slightly off tone.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Eyeshadow - Toast
halwa 10/20/2011 12:32:00 AM
This a very warm peachy apricot color that I think is only really appropriate for skin that is NC35 or higher if you are looking for a natural look. I am going through a Bobbi Brown phase and this is a soft buttery lid color for me. It gives me the desired look for daytime, which for me is just canceling out the darkness from my eyelids and making them look matte and polished. I also find that this is a good base color for more night time looks. I'm not sure if I would buy this shade again as it is REALLY warm and I don't know if I'm going to get much use of it in the dead of winter as it is early fall and I can already see it looking slightly orangey as my skin color gets lighter.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner
halwa 10/20/2011 12:20:00 AM
I really like this eyeliner. I bought it on a whim and it definitely does the job of defining the upper lash line with precision. It is a stiff tip and I think that plays a huge factor into the result. I do feel this is an applicator that would require someone to have a bit of practice with as it is really easy to get a wonky line. However, using it daily, I can get the defined lash line look for the day. I got carbon black and works well for me on my tan skin. This definitely works as a great eyeliner for night as well. I never repurchase the same liquid liner twice, but this is definitely better than L'oreal's lineur intense felt tip and brush tip as the formula does not flake and the color pay off is a true carbon black.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Rimmel - Extra Wow Lash
halwa 10/20/2011 12:12:00 AM
Initially, I was not too excited about this mascara. I was using L'oreal Voluminous Million lashes and this did not seem to do anything in comparison. With the L'oreal I can put on one coat and get thick lashes. With this mascara the same thing produces no results. However, it is a lash building mascara and you need to layer it on. When using it the way it is marketed it does a fabulous job. I just layer on the mascara until I get the desired result as the formula is very thin and easy to work with. The result it produces for me is separated, lifted and lengthened lashes that still look natural. I find this mascara more appropriate for day time as I sometimes found the L'oreal mascara too look more obvious and bold. I would definitely repurchase this despite the tacky packaging. Plus, this is a mascara that I have got a lot of compliments on, never hurts!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
halwa 6/4/2011 4:52:00 PM
This is the first drugstore foundation I have used and I have enjoyed it mostly. I got a good color match for my skintone (NARS sheer glow barcelona, NC 35/37 = SHADE 231 ime). I found it to be a really good alternative to expensive foundations, however, now that the weather has been getting warmer, I feel like it slides off/or just sits on top of my skin and looks shiny. In the winter/early spring, it gave me the near identical look of NARS sheerglow, which on me is glowy natural looking skin. I think this a good product to return to in the winter and $6.99 (cnd @walmart) is definitely better than the $50 + I often spend on foundations. I set this with LM translucent or NYC translucent.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Aveeno - Active Naturals Hydrating Body Wash
halwa 4/19/2011 12:36:00 AM
Nice lather and scent but this leaves my skin irritated, dry and itchy. 1) This is supposed to be hydrating 2) I expect Aveeno to not be irritating. I will stick to Nivea for cheap body wash. Edit/Update-I kept using this and I started to break out. I still have scars from this crap.+ my chest started to be filled with clogged pores. Pure garbage. My skin almost immediately started clearing up when I switched to another shower gel.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Million Lashes
halwa 2/5/2011 9:42:00 PM
I'm genuinely surprised by how much I like this mascara. I would say it's the best for me for the price but I haven't tried any drugstore mascaras for a few years now. This mascara holds a curl, lengthens, separates, adds volume + has a deep inky black color. I can't really ask for more, right? The brush is really big though, however, on my second try I realized how to work with it. I was worried this would flake or smudge, but so far it hasn't in the winter, the situation might be different in the summer. My HG before this was YSL faux cils and I honestly can't say I miss it especially because this one saves me $30!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Body Butter Shea
halwa 12/19/2010 4:10:00 PM
For moisturizing this product is top notch. I apply this right after my shower, and its super super thick. You have to warm it between your hands to get it creamy whereas other body butters (fruit ones) you can easily apply them out of the tub like cream. I don't find I need too much so this should last me about 2-2.5months. My skin gets super dry in the winter and it gets rashy from dryness, so far I have been comfortable since using this cream. The only shortcoming for me with this product is the scent. It is powdery and perfumy, whereas I would preferred it to be a neutral nutty scent (Like L'Occitane's shea line). Overall, it's a good product if you are suffering from major winter dryness.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Chanel - Le Crayon Khol - Noir
halwa 12/19/2010 4:01:00 PM
This is my first black eyeliner pencil ever (super late to the party) and I find it good but not great. I did not find the black to be as intense as I wanted it to be, I find it to be flat. It is super easy and super smooth to apply. It lasts basically the whole day for me on my lash line, on the bottom, the staying power is so so. I like to use this when I'm in a rush in the mornings and don't have time for gel or liquid. I would probably try MAC smolder next since that one is supposed to be more intense. I'm not sure if this is worth a repurchase at $24 (CND) for an what I find to be an average everyday eyeliner.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Marcelle - Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover Gel
halwa 12/8/2010 4:22:00 PM
Eye makeup remover is something I don't really want to spend money on. I have always bought Chanel, Lancome, Clinique, Dior etc but decided to be more money conscious and scrap some of the luxury. This product is the perfect consistency. I love that it is a gel formula and it is not greasy at all. Plus it gets everything off and is non irritating. 5 stars from me. Marcelle has yet to disappoint me with their skincare :)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Marcelle - Hydra-C ComplexE Moisturizing Gel-Cream
halwa 11/7/2010 12:14:00 PM
I bought this cream after I came home from buying the Dior Hydralife Sorbet Creme, I felt a little sick thinking about the price (first time, I think :P) and decided to go to Walmart and return the Dior. I came across this cream and decided that for $13.99 it is worth a try. This cream is absolute love. It moisturizes well, leave a glow and doesn't look shiny at all. My t-zone is particularly prone to getting oily and this moisturizer keeps everything in balance. It serves as a great base for my makeup and another plus is that it sinks in fast. I have noticed my complexion is brighter but I have been using a Vitamin C serum on and off while using this cream too so I'm not sure if it's from the cream alone. As well, I have experiences no irritation or breakouts and my skin is very reactive. I will definitely continue to explore this line!! Btw this review is for the Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel-cream Dry Skin. I think they are changing the packaging and this is what it says on mine.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Aveda - Damage Remedy Restructuring Conditioner
halwa 10/10/2010 5:20:00 PM
This is much better than the shampoo it accompanies. It does not leave my hair coated and does moisturize it. Although when I put it on, I do feel that it's not gonna do anything, it does leave the right balance. I have wavy thick, long hair for reference.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Aveda - Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo
halwa 10/10/2010 5:17:00 PM
I'm half way through the bottle, and I won't purchase this again. My friends convinced me to drop over $70 on the shampoo and conditioner as they swear by Aveda. But I highly doubt I will buy from this brand again. This does not truly clean my hair. It feels dirty again by the end of the day. I have yet to experience that with any shampoo, whether it be drugstore or high end. It does feel nice in the shower and the scent it pleasant. But as it is designed to clean my hair and doesn't properly do that, I do not recommend this product. I will stick to Frederic Fekkai, Kiehl's or Kerastase when I feel like dropping cash on haircare.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Cargo - bronzer in medium - matte
halwa 7/8/2010 6:13:00 PM
When Cargo went on sale, I realized I must go run and get my Medium! However, they were sold out. I ended up picking up this one and medium water resistant instead. I didn't realize how much I use this bronzer, but I hit pan today! For a south asian golden tan complexion like mines, it really just accentuated and sculpts my face. I really like the effect this gives. It looks like a chalky peachy bronze when swatched, but it is really natural on and does show up on my skin (nc35-40).I do like glow so sometimes I add a bit of the stila highlighting powder in bronze on my cheek bones or cargo medium. Definitely try this one if you are looking for a matte bronzer.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Yves Saint Laurent - Golden Gloss
halwa 6/30/2010 9:15:00 PM
These were the most over hyped glosses I have tried. Did not like the gold glitter (flecks?) that were visible and were left all over my lips. If you are familiar with Chanel glossimers they feel like the glittery ones. Very gritty and uncomfortable. I tried 3-4 of them and did not like any. The gold one looked nice but I can't stand the gold glitter left overs. As well, these are heavily scented and fragranced (though tbh, it does not bother me with products if I like the look and feeling). I purchased two at the store, but they will be going back because of the noticeable glitter that I saw when I got home from the tester. I prefer Chanel aqualumiere gloss or Laura Mercier lip glace to these any day. Will never purchase these again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No