Lip Treatments -By Terry - Baume de Rose
leslieal 10/1/2012 7:07:00 PM
Pricey, pricey, pricey, but I haven't regretted this purchase. Beautiful jar packaging, gorgeous light rose scent, and the balm does what it is supposed to do without being extra greasy. I would buy this again.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Sephora - Blotting Papers
leslieal 5/9/2012 2:45:00 PM
These papers work! I have tried several brands and have concluded that "film" type blotting papers sound better than they are. IMO they just don't perform as well. Sephora papers absorb oil and leave a matte finish without powder. I have the yellow kind and can't discern any scent from them. The cardboard packaging is flimsy, but if you keep them in a MU bag or special pocket in your handbag it should be OK. Would definitely purchase again.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat
leslieal 3/8/2012 5:17:00 PM
Manicure in a bottle (nearly). If I push back my cuticles, file, then use this stuff, I get a polished look that can compete with a basic mani. Worth the money. The optical illusion of a healthier nail bed and tip really is true. This product really pulls things together so well I often use it alone with no need for polish.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Active Naturals Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream
leslieal 2/21/2012 6:33:00 PM
Wow, this is the best moisturizer I have ever tried! Who knew? My skin is very sensitive in winter and can get incredibly dry (both hands & body)...red cracks around my knuckles and eczema pops up periodically. I tried Eucerin and Avene and liked Avene more, but still wasn't stellar. The Eucerin Calming Creme wasn't as easy to spread as I would have liked (Elmer's Glue) and it didn't stop some of the itching that happens on my driest days (usually my legs). I also had to wrestle with the cap on the Eucerine...the flip cap became very stubborn as time went by. I purchased the Aveeno fragrance free shower gel and had decent luck with it, so I went looking for a coordinating lotion. I wanted something that wasn't either mineral oil or silicone plus another ingredient or two. Silicone "skin protectant" doesn't do it for me. Coating my skin isn't the same as real help. So, I found this cream at the DS and took a chance. Niiiice! My hands not only look moisturized, but healthy and younger! The skin around my knuckles, knees, and elbows look and feel so much better! It also took care of my itchy legs and I really feel my skin is moisturized for hours. I apply once a day after my shower and am good to go; I do reapply to my hands, though. It spreads easily and dries fragrance free; the initial straight-from-the-tube fragrance is a little odd (gluestick?) but again it is gone in no time. I will absolutely rebuy and definitely recommend!
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Concealers -Laura Mercier - Eye Canvas
leslieal 2/16/2012 11:08:00 AM
This review is for LM's new eye canvas. This product is meant to smooth the lid and neutralize discoloration. It is $26 for a jar with a screw on lid. I have no major problems with the packaging, although after a while it could get nasty, I suppose. If you use LM's eye concealer, consider this product to be it's mate for the lid. The texture, pigment, and slip are similar, but the eye canvas won't crease, separate, or make lids greasy. I apply after a basic eye cream and have had no problems. The bonus, IMO, is that this concealer can be used all over - the upper lid doesn't look cakey or older than my 35 years (again, hydrate first). I am NC15 and use the lightest color. In comparison to eye basics, I like this canvas much more. Basics can be chalky if you don't work quickly and I couldn't use it on the upper lid. Basics is more fluid and pigmented and therefore more heavy-handed. If you are looking to even out lids (esp if you are not planning on wearing shadow over it), I recommend the canvas to the basics and prefer it over any other cream or powder "my skin but better" shadow. I think she nailed it.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Mason Pearson - Pure Bristle Brush
leslieal 1/2/2012 10:21:00 PM
I have the "sensitive" brush - pure boar bristle. It is worth every penny. Wow. Pricey, pricey, ridiculously pricey. Still...it's great and I am so glad to have it. Wait for Beauty.com or Beautyhabit.com to have a sale. You won't find a super-bargain on these, but saving 20-25% can help. I hope to have this for several years to come. Oh - this style (pure boar's hair...no nylon) is the same as that for the children's brushes. I can see how this would work on tangly kid's hair. The kid's brush also makes a good pocket brush.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Chanel - Inimitable Intense Mascara
leslieal 8/7/2010 6:06:00 PM
This mascara is really no different from the regular Inimitable, IMO. It didn't hold a curl and there was no dramatic volume, but it did separate nicely and the color (purple) is very nice. In fact, perhaps the color options are the best things going here...the brown is a very rich brown and the purple was elegantly done as well. I have not seen the rouge noir color as it wasn't at my store, but the SA was wearing the black and I think it looks a little more glossy that the usual black Inimitable. Anyway, on me (NC15, blue eyes), the purple doesn't read purple when I wear it. Instead, is a gentler version of black that is not gray or soft black. If you are looking for a new mascara with good separation and some color options, I'd recommend it. If you are looking to upgrade your Inimitable, well, I wouldn't call this an upgrade, but a lateral move.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Burberry - Taupe Brown
leslieal 8/2/2010 12:46:00 PM
Terrific shadow, and high quality, too! This is my first purchase from Burberry cosmetics. I bought this item based on internet swatches and am so happy I did. Taupe Brown is an adequate name for this product; it is a neutral-leaning-towards-cool, IMO, but really, anyone can wear it. The texture is everything I had heard: silky, BLENDABLE, and easy to work with. Quite forgiving, too. The color is NOT sheer, but highly pigmented. The compact is heavy, with a magnetic closure...no tabs or buttons that can break; I found this to be a nice touch. The compact comes in a velvet bag (with a flat bottom that can stand on its own), complete with trademark Burberry plaid. I would definitely purchase again, but probably won't have to. BTW: Today I tried using a rose color in my crease (dunno why) and it looked terrible. I then took a crease brush, added a bit of Taupe Brown, then blended well and it looks amazing. I love that this shadow is so versatile.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - sheer hold hairspray
leslieal 7/15/2010 1:02:00 PM
Not a bad spray, but definitely NOT a dupe for the Elnett, which is at a similar price point. Elnett can be brushed through and has a softer hold than the FF. FF leaves your hair with the trademark hairspray crispness and reminds me of Bumble and Bumble holding spray. The closest thing to the Elnett that I have found is Paul Mitchell's clean spray, but that does have a fragrance (not bad, but...) that can stay with you and clash with your perfume. Performance wise, however, it is nice. PS: Elnett does come in a fragrance free version, and that is what I am comparing it to.
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Chanel - Nouvelle Vague 527
leslieal 7/14/2010 5:10:00 PM
Gorgeous color! One coat is streaky, yet somehow two coats is perfect. Can't explain it, don't want to. It is fun and classy at the same time. My Chanel love continues...definitely recommend.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chanel - Rouge Coco in Cambon #31
leslieal 7/8/2010 6:15:00 PM
This lippie just rocks my socks! I completely agree with everything MadeleineRenata said in her terrific review below. I am NC 15 and look best in neutral to cool colors. As another reviewer said, it is bright without being offensive; that's a great way to phrase it, actually. Go easy on the blush here or, combined with Cambon, you'll look like a doll. Cambon is easily the star of the show and should be! For me, it fades evenly and I really like the texture of all the RCs I have tried. They are hydrating without the buttery texture of the RAs (which I like, but they do wipe off easily). RUN for this color, you won't be disappointed!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Laura Mercier - Golden Bronze
leslieal 5/2/2010 8:56:00 AM
Terrific bronzer for fair skin! Most bronzers look muddy on me, but this is a true light bronze with a touch of rose...I think the rose helps ensure there is no orangey look. VERY flattering. Would absolutely buy again (actually, I swapped for this), but won't need to for a while. LM, PLEASE fix the clunky plastic packaging! It brings down your entire line, IMO. NC15 for reference.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Basics Eye Palette (2008)
leslieal 12/31/2009 3:03:00 PM
Great palette! I was given this by a fabulous MUAer and am so pleased with it. I am fair with blue eyes and this palette compliments my coloring nicely. Then again, I can easily see brown eyed girls and red-heads using this as well. It really is a nice collection of colors that anyone can wear. Unless you use a heavy, heavy hand, most of the colors don't jump out at you; instead, you have a "me but better" look that BB really excels at, IMO. I thought the Mahogany shade would be a liner shadow, but it isn't. Also, don't feel you have to use all the colors at once to use this palette. For me, I use either the Heather Mauve shimmerwash or the Mahogany shadow. This is terrific for work, elegant for a nice dinner. You really can't go wrong with this palette. Five stars, all the way!
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Powder -Chanel - Double Perfection Teint Compact Poudre Mat et Naturel
leslieal 12/27/2009 9:12:00 PM
Wow - I am shocked that this doesn't have better reviews. I have combo skin and this foundation gives me a beautiful, all-day finish. No oilies on my nose, but I'll have to update in the summer. I am NC15 and bought Vanille, the lightest shade. I can't say it is a match like BB's porcelain or Alabaster (depending on the season), yet it works. Chanel colors can be funny that way, so check it out in store if you aren't sure. Whereas BB's foundations are yellow based, I'd say Chanel is beige-based. You can use this powder with a wet sponge, but dry application does the trick for me and doesn't feel heavy or look cakelike. My skin is matte without being flat and lifeless. Lastly, this product is lasting quite a while. I don't mind pricey products that perform and last - it makes them worthwhile in my book. UPDATE: I am dropping this one lippie because the shade really didn't match good enough to continue use. I am swapping it. I need something lighter.
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Polishes -Chanel - Cosmic Violine
leslieal 12/27/2009 9:03:00 PM
Fun color! Fellow MUAer Lina got me onto this color - YAY! It's festive and fun...nice for holidays but can be a fall/winter color. I get a red-plum with sparkle; modern & sophisticated. Definitely check this one out!
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