Lips -Yves Saint Laurent - Rouge Pur Couture #19 Beige Aquarelle
l1p9l055 4/6/2012 11:54:00 PM
I was very excited to see that Sephora in Canada was finally carrying YSL makeup. I've been lemming these for ages now. I've checked at Holts, Murale, and finally Sephora has it. Aside from that, my review continues... ****INGREDIENTS BELOW*** Color (One Lippie for color)- As previously described, 19 Beige Aquarelle is a nude pink with slight beige undertones. This color is something I would not hesitate to buy but the formula for this lipstick (or at least this particular color) was underwhelming. On my lips, this was a pretty nude color that didn't wash me out (unlike YSL rouge volupte #2). That being said, I just can't forgive the formula. Smell - This product is fragranced, as are all YSL products. It doesn't offend me much, but for those who hate fragrance, this is not your type of stain. Price / Packaging - For $34 CAD, I would expect more. This product (or at least this color's formula) was so disappointing. The packaging, in comparison to other YSL packaging, is just plain cheap. When held in my hand, it just feels like cheap plastic. Formula - When i first saw this was available, I was hoping it would have similar consistency to Chanel's Rouge Allure Laque. That was my first mistake. After testing a few colors on my hand, this was clearly (as the box states) a glossy stain. However, is it glossy? The appearance on your lips yes, but the feel... definitely not. If anything, this glossy stain felt more like plastic lacquer or some kind of sticky resin, which will help with staying power I assume, but that was not the case for me. It lasted less than 20 minutes on my lips, and this is without eating or drinking anything. Applying one layer was acceptable in terms of feel - it felt tacky, but acceptable (One Lippie for application of one layer). However, on my lips, this color was barely showing up. So i waited a little (who waits for stain or lipstick, or any lip product really, to dry?) then applied a second layer. In a matter of minutes, this started separating out. When examining it up close, the lipstick balled up (and this is without any lipbalm or other lip product underneath). I tried smacking my lips together like what i usually do with other products, but it only felt sticky and made it worse. So i realized using one layer is the only way to go. This color itself doesn't stain. YSL claims its a glossy stain, but all i got was a sticky, moderately pigmented mess. I can't speak for other colors, but this one is going back to sephora. Ingredients - octyldodecanol, water, trimethylsiloxyphenyl dimethicone, ethylcellulose, sorbitan stearate, alcohol, cetyl alcohol, sucrose cocate, phenosyethanol, sodium auryl sulfate, hydroxypropyl guar, calcium aluminum borosilicate, silica, benzyl alcohol, limonene, calcium sodium borosilicate, polyethylene terephthalate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, alumina, benzyl benzoate, anise alcohol, acrylates opolymer, tin oxide, parfum/fragrance. [+/- may contain CI 77891/ titanium dioxide, mica CI 155850/red 7, CI 77491, CI 77492/iron oxides, CI 17200/red 33, CI 15985/ yellow 6, caramel, CI 42090/ blue 1, CI 19140/ yellow 5, CI 75470/ carmine] After looking through the ingredients in this glossy stain, I realized that the first ingredient is an alcohol. Now I know why my lips feel so dry after applying this. Overall - This one is definitely going back to Sephora. This one just didn't stain and the staying power (stickiness) and texture leaves much to be desired. I may look into other colors that stain and only require one layer, but this one is definitely a no-go for me. So disappointed.
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Polishes -MAC - Seasonal Peach
l1p9l055 3/24/2009 10:07:00 PM
I bought this after reading temptalia's review. even though this is a repromote, this is my first time using MAC nail laquer. When I first started I had so much trouble! It just went on streaky no matter how many layers I put on. I got so frustrated I was tempted to return it! I've never in my life had so much trouble applying nail polish before (maybe I've been spoiled by essie and OPI). Lo and behold, I finally figured out how to make this less streaky! Back when I was still eyeing this in the store, I just put on one layer on top of my remaining essie madamoseille. It didn't appear streaky, when I got home and after all that frustration, I got the idea of putting madameosielle underneath as a base coat (I don't know where my base coat is atm). I layered on seasonal peach, and ZOMG. its GORGEOUS. Though I've figured this polish out I don't think I'll repurchase. Just because its so overpriced. MAC's nail laquers are ~$14 for 10ml while essie is about ~$11 for 15ml. For the trouble i experienced, I think I might just stick with essie. Save myself the trouble, and essie always has great colors.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 [DISCONTINUED]
l1p9l055 2/1/2009 7:34:00 PM
Lately I've been addicted to trying to achieve flawless skin. So in a span of one month I've bought three foundations...Vincent Longo's water canvas, MUFE's HD foundation, and CD's Nude in 021 While VL's water canvas feels good when I first put it on, I find that its quite sheer and not enough coverage for my random breakouts. MUFE HD foundation gives good coverage, but I find that as the day goes on I get oily easily and i see the little white things in my pores around my nose (gross..i know). Out of the three, this one is obviously my favorite. It covers well, doesn't make me oily (i've tested this by wearing it to work, where I'm constantly walking around and moving stuff), and lasts all day (it doesn't disappear on me like VL's water canvas). It also gives me a perfect glowing complexion when my skin is far from it! (I suffer from bad skin texture, breakouts, and red patches, and I don't get those white things in my pores with this foundation). Like other reviewers I apply this with my MAC 187 brush. I find that using a foundation brush makes my makeup look too heavy, so to achieve the airbrushed look the 187 is the way to go! I bought this from the Bay for 54CAD I think (can't remember) and I can't return this even if I wanted to. And I definnitely don't think I will! p.s. I find that with other CD foundations, its hard for me to find a match. when I wanted to try CD's forever they didn't have a match for me.I tried the same color as 021 but it wasn't the right match but for some reason this one fits perfectly!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Vichy - Aqualia Thermal Hydrating Concentrate
l1p9l055 1/28/2009 5:09:00 PM
Before trying Vichy's Aqualia Thermal concentrate, I was solely using Chanel's Hydromax boost gel cream. Though Chanel does get the job done, I'm not sure I can put up with its $80 price tag. I read about this concentrate on MUA and decided to give it a try. I wouldn't say that this concentrate is cheap; at $40 a pop is not exactly cheap (but then again, if I'm willing to pay for Chanel, this is not that big of a deal). When I first tried this serum, I exfoliated first (this helps the serum sink in better). I was surprised that it left my skin soft and smooth. I didn't feel any oiliness, it just left my skin feeling hydrated. I didn't break out from it either (and my skin usually goes crazy when the seasons are changing). Like Chanel, this serum helps me with my flaky skin especially when the seasons change. At the moment, I'm using this serum + Chanel overtop as my regime. My skin doesn't feel oily, flaky, or dehydrated/rough. I especially like to use this serum after I've exfoliated. When I first started using this I wasn't sure how much I needed, but now after reading some reviews, its clear that about 2 small pumps is enough for the whole face. Overall, its slowly become my HG moisturizer. I'll definitely repurchase as long as I don't break out. =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Narciso Rodriguez - Narciso Rodriguez for her EDP
l1p9l055 1/17/2009 10:22:00 PM
Price:5 (expensive) Packaging: 4 (good) Repurchase: YES Its only been recently that I've started to really fall for "heavy" scents like NR EDP. When I was younger, I had heard about NR and wanted to sample it. At the time I was absolutely horrified that anyone would ever wear something like this; I thought it smelled like cologne. I quickly dismissed it and started my obsession with florals. Only about a year ago, I was looking for a heavy scent similar to Calvin Klein's Euphoria. This scent is in no way like Euphoria (I'm not exactly sure how to describe it), but it is similar in the way that its not as simple as some florals. From that shopping spree, I bought Prada's Eau Tendre which is also deeper and more complex. After a year or so, during Christmas, I started to look for another "deep/heavy" scent, and stumbled upon NR EDP and EDT. This time I tested on my skin, and I fell in love with NR EDP. I find that NR EDP is a lot softer than EDT. EDP seems to slowly unfold itself and melds with my skin chemistry to make the most beautiful scent EVER. I think at first spritz, it is a little heavy (maybe because of the chypre?), but as time goes on, it fades and the florals begin to blossom. EDT has a bit more sharpness to it, so I wasn't really interested. This scent is absolutely beautiful, sexy, feminine, sophisticated and mature! Some people may find this scent a little too mature or as some people would call it "granny-like" (to me its not granny like at all!) Some people might not enjoy the scent because it is a bit on the mature side. I've only been using it for a few weeks or so, but I love it for both day and night. For scents like these I tend to use them for nighttime events, but with NR EDP I think it is versatile enough for both. As for staying power on my skin, it lasts a good 6-10 hours. The packaging is pretty pink which fits the scent to a T, its actually quite heavy. I think (like another reviewer has said) the only problem with packaging is being unable to see how much is remaining in the bottle. Although I bought mine on eBay, NR EDP is quite expensive. From what I remember, 1.7oz was $108+tax CAD, but I'd definitely repurchase! I will update if the scent starts to change or anything else. =)
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara
l1p9l055 10/6/2008 11:29:00 PM
EDIT: still in love with this mascara.. I haven't touched my other ones since! The only problem with this mascara (though I'm not really sure it should be considered one) is how long lasting it is (no flakes, nothing!). When removing it I think it takes extra effort especially if you don't have something like a cleansing oil. I find that my normal cleanser doesn't really remove it, but I still LOVE it =) At first when I went into Sephora I was just interested in Shiseido's mascara base after I heard many good things about it. I initally wanted to test my Lancome Virtuose Black Carat mascara with it, but they didn't have a tester, so I grabbed any mascara and that happened to be Dior's Iconic Mascara. I honestly didn't see all the hype about CD's Diorshow. I thought the original did nothing for my lashes, so I really didn't expect that much. All I have to say is WOW. After putting it on, my lashes looked thicker, longer and just... WOW. It really does give you that doll eye look. I obviously had to buy it. I tried it at home with my Shu curler, the mascara base and Iconic. and the results were.. OMG. I could not believe how open my eyes were now. (I have small eyes). Though, the results could be partially due to the shiseido base, I tested my other eye with the shiseido base and blinc kiss me mascara, but I still found that CD's iconic was better at volumizing, curling, lengthening.. just everything. as the day went on, there wasn't any flaking, or raccoon eyes. The curl held. and I just love this mascara. For someone that doesn't wear makeup often (i love to buy makeup, not really use it and well who's got the time when its midterms every other week?), its a bit steep for a mascara. 34CAD, slightly more expensive than CD's original. I also find its hard to remove even with bifacil (the best mu remover EVER). but those things are petty when you've got great lashes =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -MAC - Tendertone Lip Balm SPF 12 - EZ Baby
l1p9l055 6/13/2008 4:43:00 PM
I read the reviews for EZ-baby yesterday night and I went out to buy this today. I can't begin to explain how much I already love it. I have fair skin with yellow undertones. my cheeks are rosy pink and my lips are pretty pigmented which makes it hard to find a nude lipcolor that doesn't wash me out. I'm not really a fan of lipsticks because I think they age me and lipglosses are sometimes too goopy and sticky. I have yet to try MAC lipsticks.. but I don't really want to anyway and the lipglasses are just too..sticky (though color selection is OMG). The tendertone is between lipgloss and lipstick.. Not as sticky as lipglass and not as drying or aging as some lipsticks. With a thin layer its almost like a lipbalm..very sheer.. but with another layer I get this nice light pink, almost nude (or milky pink like MAC describes it) which I have been searching for forever! Plus, it smells nice! (like other reviewers have said... strawberry kiwi..YUM XD) and I love the packaging. (black and glass) Tendertone is much better than sticky and tacky NARS lip laquer... cheaper too! Too bad they're limited edition, I think I may just have to buy two more before they run out... and I'm not sure I want to try the other ones anymore. =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
l1p9l055 6/6/2008 12:08:00 AM
I read great reviews on MUA about this mascara and I was hoping this could replace my other pricey mascaras (esp since mascara should be thrown out so often). First of all the brush was humungous, which isn't that bad. It did comb through some of my lashes, but it still left some unsightly clumps. After I let the first layer dry, my lashes felt so hard. It also didn't really hold any curl but it did volumize. Throughout the day I noticed flaking and raccoon eyes. When it came time to wash it off, some of my lashes fell off! It also left them feeling a little brittle (something I never got with Fresh Supernova) I don't think I'll be rebuying this anytime soon.
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Moisturizers -Shiseido - White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream
l1p9l055 4/2/2008 3:51:00 PM
I'm so glad I didn't buy this... I got a tester of this from buying some other Shiseido products. It claims to diminish the appearance of spots etc.. I'm all for that since my face has some spots from some acne. I decided to try it since Shiseido products are usually good. After about 2-3 days my face started to break out. They weren't my ordinary little pimples... they were big red bumps on my chin. YUCK. Good thing I tried it first, or else I would've wasted $52.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Angels on Bare Skin
l1p9l055 2/11/2008 9:17:00 PM
I bought this after reading reviews and I think its one of the better cleansers I've used. I've tried neutrogena, clean and clear, biotherm, lancome, murad... and they've all been too drying for my combo skin. As an exfoliator, I think its not quite strong enough. As a cleanser, though, its so gentle. it doesn't leave me with flakes and washes off a lot of my makeup. I haven't been breaking out that much lately either! The one turn off is the scent. I'm okay with it personally, but I think many people will think its slightly offensive. Its supposed to smell like lavender (at the beginning you don't really get that yet), it took me awhile to get used to. Its also a bit messy to use, but I think I would repurchase after i'm done.
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Lip Treatments -Smashbox - Lip Exfoliator
l1p9l055 2/11/2008 9:09:00 PM
I got this with a set of other Smashbox products. I felt it didn't really make that much difference on my lips. It didn't exfoliate my dry, flaky lips. It did help moisturize though, I'll give it that much, but other than that.. i think its a waste of money. To make an effective and cheap lip exfoliator, just use vaseline and sugar mixed together. cheaper and more effective.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Lipstick in Dolce Vita
l1p9l055 1/28/2008 8:04:00 PM
I bought this after reading about it on "Best of Sephora 2007". I've never really been a fan of lipstick, but this one looked alright and well.. it was the best of sephora so how could i go wrong? Boy was I wrong! Applying it was a hassle; it was kind of hard a little like a softer crayon. The color washed me out (i'm an NC20) and I found that it dried out my lips! I'm a little afraid to try other NARS lipsticks now; I ended up returning it the next day.
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Glossimer in Iris
l1p9l055 1/26/2008 9:59:00 PM
I bought this lipgloss after reading reviews on MUA. At first the sparkles looked like glitter a three year old would use, but when you put it on, it looks beautiful. I was hesitant to buy at first, but I love it now. Unlike some of Lancome's Juicy tubes, the glitter doesn't actually taste like plastic. It just looks like a nice pink shimmery lipgloss that isn't goopy and sticky like MAC lipglass. I actually think its siimilar in some ways to MAC's PRR lipglass which has too much silver in it which washes me out. So when I use this I only use a thin layer. I'll definitely be buying more of Chanel's glossimers.
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Fragrances -Prada - Prada Tendre
l1p9l055 1/25/2008 12:39:00 AM
I went to Sephora and asked for suggestions for a deeper scent. I've always been stuck to florals like marc jacobs and juicy couture but recently (i think its the weather) I've been looking into buying a deeper scent. I first tried this scent at a duty free in Switzerland but i hated it. I kind of liked CK's Euphoria, but my friend also had it and I hate clashing with other people. The SA at Sephora suggested a few other scents at first, but I asked about Prada Tendre. I tried it on in the store, and I loved it! Its a little spicy on me (my body chemistry makes the spicy notes come out), I'm okay with that. I was afraid that I might smell overpowering so I kept it on about 20 minutes and within that time, the scent became so pretty! I thought I would smell manly, but its just so pretty and sophisticated. It is similar to the original Prada scent but is more floral than patchouli (which I personally hate). Its also less powdery than the original. Contrary to what other reviewers have said, I think it has great lasting power, much more than the other florals in my fragrance wardrobe. The only downside to this scent is the price! Its so expensive for 1.7 oz (85CAD), but I'll definitely be buying this! NOTE: I've read in a book that you can judge whether your scent is overpowering or not if YOU can smell it on you. In that case, use a little rubbing alcohol and wipe where you spray your perfume. It dries it down a little bit so that its not so overwhelming.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Blistex - Lip Medex
l1p9l055 1/18/2008 7:28:00 PM
I've tried many drugstore lipbalms like Labello, some other Blistex lipbalms, softlips, caudalie, burts bees... I have to say this is the one lipbalm I always go back to. I usually get very irritated when my lips are chapped, peeling and cracked so this product is product I reach for first! I usually put it on before I sleep and the next morning my lips are in perfect shape! I've never had anything work so fast. It has the tingly feeling like burts bees and soft lips, but it only takes a little to make it work. (I find that with burts bees I have to go back to the pot a few times in order to get enough). It doesn't make my lips too shiny either, and I think it plumps my lips a little because of the cooling effect. The only thing I don't like about this is the smell. It kind of resembles Vicks oilment for colds. Otherwise this product is amazing!
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