Lip Treatments -Aveeno - Positively Radiant Lip Enhancer
juliebelle 6/17/2005 10:34:00 AM
I actually like this. My lips are chapped all the time, even in the summer, so I just wanted to try another lip balm. I didn't care about the contouring, enhancing etc. To my surprise, this actually makes my lips slightly plumper and now, I see what they mean by contouring--more defined and 3-dimensional. I'll have to wait and see about the lines. The color is a little deeper too, although I don't care about that. All these effects are very subtle--but I tend to apply more on my bottom lip which is chapped and I can definitely tell the difference. I also notice it more than, say, with Duwop gloss. And this doesn't sting like you're beating yourself up for beauty. I would get this again just for its soothing effect alone. Cosmetically, it's very plain jane. It doesn't provide any gloss or shine, but it's not gloppy and doesn't dry out my lips or make them worse with excessive peeling. And I really like the lipstick form because it's a little bit neater and for me, easier to apply.
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Moisturizers -Shiseido - Benefiance Luminizing Day Essence SPF 24
juliebelle 6/10/2004 12:02:00 PM
Out of all the SPF products I've used, this one has the most pleasant texture. It's not greasy and it does have a luminizing effect that evens out my skin tone. It's also quick to use as you don't have to wait for it to absorb. I use it daily when I'm not planning to be outside much, as I think it's primarily a vanity product and not a reliable sunscreen product. In any case, it won't last all day as I turned pink in the sun one afternoon, but I think it's great for the few minutes you may be out in the morning before you duck into work. Also portable and gives you a quick glow if you want to reapply in the afternoon.
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Shampoo -John Frieda - Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Shampoo
juliebelle 6/4/2004 11:31:00 AM
I can't tell whether this made my hair any shinier, but it definitely brings out natural brown highlights. I guess I'm falling for the gimmick. I don't know how good this shampoo is for your hair, as it makes my long fine Asian hair extra tangled, but I think I'll give it another chance when I start using the conditioner as well. I would rotate this with something that take out build-up though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Pure Light [DISCONTINUED]
juliebelle 4/26/2004 2:59:00 PM
I like dewey foundations, and this one when applied with a brush of powder made my skin look toned and healthy. It felt great too (cool and light, with an obvious water content). But after a few hours, it gets to be too shiny for me in all the wrong places (T-zone and chin). If I liked it enough, I would take the extra step of retouching through the day, but if I'm going to do that, I prefer Chantecaille Real Skin or Chanel Teint Fluide Universel which have more of a brightening effect, I think. This one's very natural-looking, but I want to look better than natural.
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Conditioner -Bobbi Brown - Beach Leave-In Hair Conditioner SPF 15
juliebelle 4/23/2004 9:14:00 AM
It's official! I am really pleased with this product. To be fair, I was biased towards it in the first place because the scent reminds me of when I was 12 and slathered oil all over myself. And I love the idea of playing out in the sand while this protects your hair. Of course, I never go outside so this isn't a completely mandatory purchase for me. But I do like to wear my hair up to create texture for later and this seems a healthier choice than salt water-based products that provide beach waves. John Frieda's sea spray smells good too, but this doesn't leave my hair at all oily or crunchy (after a brush through). Just soft, smooth, very full and conditioned waves.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Mat-Adore Red
juliebelle 1/15/2004 1:49:00 AM
This one's too metallic for me. I think there's a bit of copper to this red that makes my yellow-toned skin look really deathly pale. But probably lovely on others. Seems like a holiday kind of color.
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Eye Shadow -Shu Uemura - P White 915
juliebelle 1/14/2004 12:10:00 AM
I think this is one cool, elegant color that looks wonderful on warm complexions somehow, unlike some other whites. I needed a white eyeshadow but was reluctant to spend money on anything basic and not fabulous. But this struck me as beautiful right away, not just practical, which made it a completely fun and worthwhile purchase. I use it more often as a wash than a liner. It's very clean looking, angelic sometimes, and wears off as a subtle glow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Dermalogica - Skin Hydrating Masque
juliebelle 1/13/2004 4:25:00 AM
I've only used this twice from samples, but am looking forward to purchasing the full-size product. It felt hydrating as soon as I applied it. Love the clear cool gel texture. Left my skin smooth and soft and refreshed, like I'd been sleeping with a humidifier on full blast rather than the heat. Says it improves the appearance of fine lines and I think that's really true. While it may not banish them away forever, it really plumped out the fine lines above my brow. I used a moisturizer after this as well, so that helps too but I know the moisturizer alone wouldn't have had the same results. I don't think I would need this in the summer, but in the winter it really feels wonderful.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Modern Organic Products (MOP) - Lemongrass Conditioner
juliebelle 1/10/2004 3:20:00 PM
My hair hasn't felt this soft since I was 8 yrs old. I'm reluctant to leave on most conditioners for more than a minute because they leave my fine hair limp and greasy, but I can leave this on for as long as I care to and let it truly condition my hair. It's a really light conditioner that doesn't weigh down hair at all. In fact, the longer you leave it on, the better because it's so light you may think it's worthless if you just leave it in for a few seconds. My mom has dry, curly hair and she hated it because it didn't even detangle her hair. But I have fine, oily hair and absolutely love this. It works really well with the lemongrass shampoo, and I love the fresh, natural scent of both.
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Mascara -Estee Lauder - Magnacolor - Magna Ink
juliebelle 1/5/2004 5:47:00 PM
I'm trying to overlook the slight smudging that comes with this one because I'm so in love with its effects right now. On my dark lashes, the color doesn't show through as midnight blue, but rather adds depth that makes my lashes look thicker and more velvety. There's a deep tint to it that actually makes my lashes look darker than w/ the inkiest black mascara, but without the harshness. The two times I've worn this with just lip gloss, was told that I looked very refreshed. Was quite tired then, so believe this makes me look more awake.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Bath and Body Works - Anit-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap
juliebelle 1/5/2004 5:04:00 PM
These soaps are great for the kitchen sink when hands might be greasy or otherwise grimey, but a little too strong for me to use frequently (like when I'm applying makeup or putting in contacts). I prefer the gentler Kiss My Face soaps for that. Great scents for this, but they're strong as well and I think, sometimes too overpowering.
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Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Gel eyeliner in Granite
juliebelle 12/20/2003 2:41:00 AM
Gosh, even this smudges on me. I think I must have overactive tear ducts or something. I'm giving it a 4 though, because it smudges much less than other liners, and lasts much longer. Also, now that I'm getting the hang of applying, I like the smooth consistency of it--seems easy on the eyelid w/no pulling or tugging, and since this smudges on me, is a really simple way for me to obtain a smoky eye look. I think this will last a long time, so if I purchased again, it would be in Cobalt.
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Styling Products -KMS California - Texture blast
juliebelle 12/20/2003 2:25:00 AM
This gives my hair lots of texture and volume when I blowdry or put it up in a ponytail. Not so much by itself. But still enough to make a difference on my straight, fine hair which likes to lay flat on my head if left unattended. I'm not sure if I would purchase again, mainly because the scent labeled as apple jasmine, smells to me like cider alcohol. Thankfully, the scent doesn't linger long, but I would think there's a similar product out there that would prove more pleasant to use. --By the way, I thought KMS beachhead smelled bad too--like hair salon--but I see other reviewers in P'ville liked the scent.
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Polishes -Revlon - Colorstay Nail color
juliebelle 12/16/2003 6:05:00 AM
I hate the color polish. It's thick and sticky and hard to control. It's also hard to get rid of after you make a mess. I think you need a real expert hand, which I do not have. Made me go run off to a salon. BUT the clear topcoat is genius. I put it on over my professionally done pedicure, reapplied the clear vanish every week or so, and seriously, my one pedicure lasted 8 weeks with only one minor chip which I touched up easily enough. (I know, you'd think I'd get tired of the color, but I don't.) Definitely worth the purchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Big Apple Red
juliebelle 12/16/2003 5:47:00 AM
A bright tomato red that is fun and eye-catching, and kind of sexy. Not at all garish (as I feared) on my yellow-toned toes. Too bright to consider using on my hands, but a perfect pedicure for the summer. I'm really glad I ventured out of the safe, pale pink zone.
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