Mascara -Max Factor - False Lash Effect Waterproof
karinmun 5/30/2010 7:40:00 AM
This Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara has the same packaging as the Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara and since it's also from the same manufacturer, so I was hoping that this mascara was also the same as Cover Girl Lash Blast. Unfortunately it's not. The Max Factor False Last Effect has a more liquid consistency, whereas the Cover Girl Lash Blast is more creamy. The Cover Girl Lash Blast is more volumizing and the Max Factor False Lash Effect does not volumize as well as Cover Girl Lash Blast. You have to put on more coats of Max Factor False Lash Effect to get the same volume you get with 2 coats of Cover Girl Lash Blast. Also, the liquid consistency makes that the Max Factor False Lash Effect gets on your upper eyelid more easily when applying mascara, whereas I rarely get this problem with the Cover Girl Lash Blast. Max Factor False Lash Effect is an okay mascara, but it doesn't have what I'm looking for in a mascara. So, I'll stick to Cover Girl Lash Blast.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - Golden Sun
karinmun 2/25/2007 7:53:00 AM
Gorgeous blush! It gives you a natural looking blush with a bit of a glow.
I LOVE Chanel blushes. It is a treat when I reach for this sleek black Chanel compact and open it. The blush dome smells like roses, so chic! The 'shimmer' is so finely milled that it gives a natural looking glow on the skin, absolutely no shimmery particles. The color on the skin looks like your own natural flush, especially when you layer it with powder on top for a translucent finish. The color is pigmented and long lasting. But it can look a bit blotchy if you don't apply it well.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #228 Mini Shader Brush
karinmun 2/25/2007 7:44:00 AM
Great brush for eyeshadow application on small or narrow eyelids. But it also works great to blend liquid concealer (MAC Moisturecover) on the undereye area.
The brush head is dense and the hairs are really soft. My only gripe with MAC brushes with thin handles (like their eyeliner brushes), is that the laqcuer tends to fall off, especially where the brand and number is stamped on.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
karinmun 2/25/2007 7:37:00 AM
In terms of coverage, this is a great foundation, you barely need concealer with this. But it is a heavy foundation, almost mask-like.
It does look better when buffed with the MAC 187 brush. And you don't need to set with powder, it doesn't feel sticky or greasy when it dries. I really don't encourage using powder on top of this, because it will look really heavy and make your features look too evened out and 'flat'. The color (NC30) might be a tad too yellow.
I don't use this foundation regularly, and I don't think I'd recommend using it daily, since it tends to give me a pimple now and then. Overall, not bad, but not great either.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Arthes - Smiley
karinmun 2/18/2007 5:35:00 AM
The first antidepressant perfume
Smiley perfume does what it promises: it makes you happy!
I discovered this perfume while browsing at the perfume store and I liked its distinctive packaging. The perfume boxes look like pill boxes, the perfume bottle is pill-shaped and the gift set is packaged like a first-aid kit.
I was curious at first when I sprayed it on, and after a few sniffs I realized it really worked! Instantly I was feeling giddy and happy. The salesperson told me about when there was a promotion of Smiley perfume and how they sprayed the perfume in the air and everybody in the store was in such a happy mood because of it.
Smiley is described as a psycho-tonic fragrance, the first antidepressant perfume. The formula contains natural mood elevators like theobromine and phenylethylamine, derived from pure cocoa extract. It's a fruity yet spicy unisex smell. I'm not very good in describing scents, but I smell a soft citrus fruit and some of it reminds me of Le Feu d'Issey. The fragrance has top notes like bergamot and orange at the opening. Cocoa, praline and curaçao at the heart of the fragrance. The dry-down features patchouli, myrrh and musk.
I absolutely adore the concept, I like it even more that it works! The packaging design is very original, except you'll have to lay it flat on its side, it can't stand up straight. But it won't roll away or anything.
The antidepressant claim is an exaggeration of the uplifting effects of the aromatherapeutic blend of this perfume. I don't really buy into the mood elevating chemicals, but I do believe in the effects of aromatherapy. I get the same uplifting effects from essential mandarin oil, although I find this fragrance has a stronger effect and more wearable, ofcourse.
Smiley perfume is available as eau de toilette (normal dose), eau de parfum (strong dose), extrait de parfum (maximum dose) and there's also a skincare/shower/bath range. The price is reasonable as well. I paid 30 euros for a 30ml eau de toilette.
Let me tell ya, I was looking for an uplifting, aromatherapeutic perfume and now I found it!. I highly recommend this for the ones that need an instant pick-me-up.
Look at www.smileybeauty.com for more info, store locators or to purchase online.
:)
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Serge Lutens - A La Nuit
karinmun 1/25/2007 8:52:00 AM
A heavenly jasmine fragrance. And I mean, it smells like the real thing. But it smells a lot more refined than a bottle of jasmine essential oil.
A very womanly, sensual, carnal smell. Heady, but not superheavy, it has some green top notes to it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Nivea - Aqua Sensation
karinmun 1/5/2007 11:48:00 AM
Well, it's a decent moisturizer, but not impressive. It does a good job hydrating. But I don't like that this moisturizer contans denaturated alcohol. It doesn't cause any problems with my skin, I haven't had any breakout problems either. It seems like it contains silicones, that smoothes the skin, but it also stinks a bit like plastic. Not a very soothing smell. It's an okay moisturizer, but it's not exactly the 'beauty experience' I'm looking for.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -L'Oreal - Elvive Nutri-Gloss Intensive Shine Masque
karinmun 11/25/2006 7:29:00 AM
Excellent product! It makes my thick, coarse, Asian hair manageable, smooth, soft and less frizzy. It really makes my hair look super shiny and smooth. The smell is very nice as well, but maybe a wee bit too strong.
I don't recommend the shampoo out of this line though, it is really drying on the scalp. The conditioner is not as amazing as the masque.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Bourjois - Lip Stain Pen
karinmun 11/24/2006 5:47:00 AM
Great product, great concept! I love the felt tip pen. If you know how to work it, the color goes on sheer, even and smoothly -Use the sides for bigger surfaces, the tip for detailed work and lining.
The pen won't dry your lips out, but it doesn't moisturize either, so it's better to put a lip balm or gloss over your lip stain.
My favorite shades are Rose and Framboise. Rose looks very natural, a rosy lip. Framboise can give a flushed, bitten lip look if you apply it veeeeery sheer, otherwise with several layers you'll have a gorgeous blue-toned red lip.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Bourjois - Lip Stain Pen- Praline Dis-moi Oui
karinmun 11/24/2006 5:40:00 AM
Great product, except this color doesn't suit my Asian NC30 skintone. It's too brown.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Shu Uemura - UV Underbase DF SPF17+++
karinmun 10/30/2006 2:46:00 AM
I highly recommend this. It makes your skin soft, moisturized and dewy. I loved using it by itself because it made my skin look great, with a light dusting of powder. I don't think the container lasts that long, for the hefty price tag, you won't get that many uses out of this. But other than that, it's a great product!
One con is that it can get a bit messy getting the product out when the container is almost empty.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -mark - Self Sanctuary White-Tea Vanilla Scent Mist
karinmun 10/30/2006 2:35:00 AM
I LOVE the scent. It smells fresh and green after the white tea in the beginning, then it turns into a soft vanilla scent. I usually don't like vanilla that much, I especially hate the sweet and sticky vanilla ice cream scents. But this is a nice soft vanilla scent. It smells very soft and clean. I even like to wear it at home, because it's such a soft, soothing and clean smell. And I usually don't wear fragrance when I'm home.
Too bad the scent doesn't last that long. The scent in the moisture milk lasts longer than the scent mist.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -mark - Self Sanctuary White Tea Vanilla Moisture Milk
karinmun 10/30/2006 2:32:00 AM
I LOVE the scent. It smells fresh and green after the white tea in the beginning, then it turns into a soft vanilla scent. I usually don't like vanilla that much, I especially hate the sweet and sticky vanilla ice cream scents. But this is a nice soft vanilla scent. It smells very soft and clean.
I think the scent of the moisture milk lasts longer on the skin than the scent mist. Does a good job moisturizing too.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Shu Uemura - Angled Badger-Hair Eyebrow Brush - 6 OB
karinmun 9/27/2006 11:47:00 AM
Pretty expensive but worth it's price. This angled badger eyebrow brush is firm and slim. It's great for detailed work on the brows and for defining the tails of the brow.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -mark - Eye Shadow Brush
karinmun 9/27/2006 11:16:00 AM
Great brush. It's shape is excellent for lining the eyes with a thick smokey line. It might feel too scratchy for blending in the crease of the eye. I also like using this brush for filling in my brows with powder. My brows are pretty thick and this does a great job filling them in. It's way softer than a badger brow brush
The brush looks really chic, with its dark handle. This versatile brush is a total steal. And indeed, this brush doesn't shed.
EDIT: I found this brush very versatile. Not only can I fill in the thick part of my brows with the V-sides of the brush, I can define the tail of my brows with the tip of this brush. LOVE it. And again, this is a very classy looking brush.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No