Lip Gloss -Bourjois - Eau de gloss 
lilytox 2/14/2010 7:31:00 PM
I like this gloss because, well, I usually hate the thick and sticky formulations of 'regular' glosses and this feels nice and light. I have found - like several other reviewers - that it can sometimes feel weirdly grainy on the lips but that doesn't bother me too much and I don't think it's visible. I rarely wear it by itself so I can't comment much on the colour (I have it in 'brun petillant' which is a fairly light and neutral shade) but I like it as a gloss to wear over lipsticks that need to be brightened up a little. And for that, I really like the brush applicator because it doesn't pick up any of the underlying lipstick (which I find is a problem with regular doefoot foam applicators) - you can literally just brush it onto specific parts of your lip as a highlight and it will blend and enhance very well. One more thing - since the colour payoff apparently isn't that great, I guess it also means you don't have to be so precise when you apply it. (i know that I can just dab it on the centre of my lips without a mirror and it still looks fine - the 'wateriness' means that even if you do stray outside the lipline you can just wipe it off with your finger and not end up with a gloopy mess) So in short - not so great as a stand-along gloss but pretty good to add sheen to 'boring' lipsticks
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Benetint
lilytox 2/14/2010 6:41:00 PM
So I don't think much of this at all as a cheek stain: They instruct you to apply three dots on each cheek but.... First of all, the brush is too long and flexible to apply dots at all when the brush bends that much! And, on my nc45 skin it barely shows up at all, unless I really 'paint' it on. However as a lip stain, I really like it. It gives a rosy-red tint that isn't slicked on like lipstick - you can apply gloss or balm over for a bit of extra sheen (I let it settle in then use a juicy tube on top - think it's "Fraise") and it's a very natural and subtle beginner's red lip look. I said I would buy it again but I think I would only do so if I can't find a (cheaper) lip-only stain that does the same job.
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Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Moringa Body Butter
lilytox 8/13/2008 8:59:00 PM
I adore this body butter. The scent is perfect for me, a lovely flowery scent that isn't cloying or overly sweet. Plus, it goes well with my perfume. The texture of the butter isn't too greasy, which I find is a problem with the more 'nutty' butters. A little goes a pretty long way, but make sure not to leave the lid off! (I'm a lazy bum and forgot to cover it for a few days - it goes thick, gloopy and impossible to spread: if you've only left it out one night or so, just add a few drops of water and cover it again for a day and it should be fine but any longer than that you're done).
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Lipstick -Max Factor - Colour Perfection in Wine
lilytox 8/13/2008 8:49:00 PM
Not very happy with this at all. I was looking for a deep browny-wine colour (very scientific, I know!) and this looked good in the tube but the colour on my lips was very different - much brighter, pinker and very "obvious". Another reviewer described it well as "fuschia" but to that I would add "frosty". And I know it isn't a case of my natural lipcolour reacting badly because I've tried it with primers. As if that wasn't bad enough, it really highllights the little lines on my lips (which is weird, because it actually feels quite moisturising). I might try mixing or layering this with a matte colour to get some use out of it but overall, I'm disappointed.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack
lilytox 8/13/2008 8:43:00 PM
I adore this product. I use it especially to tightline (ie. line the underside of my top lashes - sounds creepy but it works a treat!). The colour stays strong for a long time and it is surprisingly easy to apply - MUCH easier than pencils and far less irritating than liquids. I use the mac eyeliner brush sometimes (bought it when I was on vacation and realised I had brought the liner but forgotten the brush!) but I actually prefer the Ruby and Millie version for precise application. One point off for packaging because, although MAC are generally good with the minimalist packaging, there's really no need for the carboard box.
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Hair Removal -Nair - Sensitive Formula, Gel Cream for Body Hair Remover
lilytox 5/8/2008 5:30:00 PM
I haven't used a depilatory cream in a long time and.... after using this, I remember why!! No redeeming features at all to this product: The smell is faint at first (they've tried to cover it up with gardenias) but quickly turns horrible, and yes it lingers (not the gardenia smell, the weird, ammonia "depilatory" smell). I left it on for the full time and, although my legs looked pretty hairfree, they certainly didn't feel it: more like second-day razor stubble. I'm going to have to shave tomorrow. The packaging is horrible: a pump bottle where you have to hold the base to press down hard enough (how are you supposed to get more than one 'pump' out when both of your hands are covered in the stuff?). One last word of caution if you do decide to buy this: wear gloves!! The smell lingers on fingernails for much longer than skin (even after washing my hands immediately) and I'm sure my fingernails feel weaker and rougher after applying the product. Thank goodness I'm getting a manicure tomorrow!
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Cleansers -LUSH - Fresh Farmacy
lilytox 5/2/2008 5:17:00 PM
I'm always confused by facial bar soaps - am I supposed to lather in my hands and then spread it onto my face ((in which case, isn't it cleaning my hands rather than my face?) or rub it directly on my face?? heh heh, my idiocy notwithstanding, I really like this face wash. The smell is inoffensive (calamine lotion?) and I find that my face feels clean after using it, but not dry at all. I like how it has barely noticeable particles that (I guess) exfoliate very gently. I haven't broken out at all since using it; I find it very soothing. Packaging (ie none) is great. My only issue is, as I mentioned, I'm not sure if I'm using it in the correct way, but regardless, I like it and will probably repurchase.
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Fragrances -Lacoste - Lacoste Pour Femme
lilytox 5/2/2008 4:54:00 PM
Mmmhh I love this stuff. Great as a signature scent, elegant and classic, but nonetheless not "old-lady-ish". It's difficult to say what family of fragrances it belongs to (ie it's not floral or earthy or musky), it's just clean and spring-like. I always get compliments when I wear this, however it doesn't smell overly strong or obviously like 'perfume". For some reason, maybe because it's such a natural, understated fragrance, I always forget how much I love it, and I'm always tempted to go out and try new perfumes. But...when all of those have been used up, this is the one I will repurchase!
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Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Visibly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser
lilytox 5/2/2008 4:43:00 PM
I wanted a spot-clearing moisturiser to keep pimples at bay (I've recently come off the pill so am scared about that now) and Neutrogena is a brand that I trust, although I haven't used it in a while. It does what it says - moisturises without causing spots - and I'm glad to say it doesn't break me out at all. it feels a bit drier than what I am used to, but doesn't give me dry patches or irritation. The smell doesn't bother me - perhaps a bit 'medicinal' but I prefer that to obviously artificial flowery scents. And the smell fades pretty much immediately. The packaging is good, a flexible tube with a nozzle that dispenses as much or as little as you need without mess (and no unnecessary boxes etc). My only criticism is that.... how do I put this? Well, I was hoping it would "do more"! I mean, my skin looks fine (no spots) but it doesn't look "great". Like, when I used to use Neutrogena's (now discontinued) overnight ClearPore, my skin looked clear and healthy.. with this moisturiser, it just looks clear... but not radiant, or smooth or "perfect". But that's probably just me asking too much of a simple moisturizer!!
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Mascara -Nivea - Ideal Revolution
lilytox 5/2/2008 4:21:00 PM
I've been using this as a daytime mascara (my HG, Diorshow is way too intense for normal wear) and I really like it. It's one of the few drugstore mascaras that I've tried where I can actually tell whether I'm wearing mascara or not (and in a good way). It darkens extremely well, defines and "lifts" (ie. it doesn't exactly "curl" - which I find unnatural on me anyway). My only gripe is that it doesn't seem to come off that well, even with makeup remover (although maybe that's the fault of that product and not the mascara?), and sometimes at the end of the day my lashes feel a little stiff.
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Masks -LUSH - Cosmetic Warrior Mask
lilytox 5/2/2008 4:10:00 PM
This is my go-to face mask when my skin is feeling a bit "pimple-prone" or when my "congested". It leaves my skin clearer, cleaner and refreshed. Occasionally, I'll put some directly on spots (instead of all over) and leave it on overnight (if I'm sure I will have time to wash my bedsheets the next day!!). In the morning the spots have shrunk or disappeared, and in any case are less red/sore. The smell is truly awful. As some others have said, in the pot it smells like tea tree but when you put it on, you get the full garlic pong! But... the smell kind of makes me believe it's doing something! Be warned, however, the smell can sometimes linger if the face wash you use isn't strong enough. For that reason, I rarely use it in the mornings or just before going out, and I wash it off with a slightly exfoliating face wash (Fresh Farmacy, also from Lush). Note about packaging: Lush have now introduced a screw-top pot for it, which is SO much better (the old yoghurt-style pots sometimes leaked).
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Treatments -Dermalogica - Overnight Clearing Gel
lilytox 2/22/2008 2:06:00 PM
I got this after reading on a couple of messageboards that it's the best out there against pimples. It wasn't all that effective at getting rid of pimples that have already erupted (I prefer my Normadern spot treatment for that) but I think it could be useful as a general treatment for prevention. I like that it isn't drying at all - you can safely spread it out over a largeish area without worrying about redness so that's what I use it for if I ever start to feel small 'pre-pimple' irritation or bumps: If used as soon as possible, this definitely prevents them from becoming big or obvious. It is fairly pricey but a little goes a very long way.
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
lilytox 2/22/2008 2:00:00 PM
I'm not convinced by this lipbalm - I got this when my lips were very chapped and I thought the original Burt's Bees might be a bit too painful. Plus I was enticed by pomegranate. It goes on very slick but I found that it just sits on top of your lips, almost feeling greasy and oily. In fact, I found that it just sat on top of the 'chappedness' on my lips without actually helping to smooth anything out! That's the main reason I will not repurchase, because I like lip balms that get absorbed fully into my lips: I somehow feel that that's part of the healing process. Other than that though, the color and slight sheen are nice. I think this might be better as a lipbalm to use when your lips are in a generally healthy condition to begin with, just for extra moisture and slight color.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Total Effects Anti-Aging Anti-Blemish Moisturizer [DISCONTINUED]
lilytox 2/21/2008 2:17:00 PM
I bought this because I suddenly started to get paranoid about ageing (no real wrinkles as yet, but certain parts of my face don't look as young and 'fresh' as they should) but at the same time, pimples are, sadly, not a distant memory and even though it's been a few years, I'm still paranoid about them. I like this, because it felt light yet moisturising and looked... well, very natural, no oiliness or dry patches either. Like I said, I haven't had really big awful pimples in a few yearsso I can't really judge the 'preventative' side of things, but I can say that the small bumps that I have had have been barely visible. I like to think of this as an 'ultra non-comedogenic' moisturiser; a good solution for people who don't want harsh teenage products but still don't want to risk blemishes. I've put that I would re-purchase because, yes, I like it and I might, but truthfully I think I will shop around for an spf-containing solution for a while before deciding. Oh, and I gave this a low packaging rating because it came in a totally unnecessary non-recyclable box-type-thing.
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Cleansers -Aveda - Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser
lilytox 2/21/2008 2:05:00 PM
This is my problem : I love the *idea* of this cleanser, but it just doesn't match up to my expectations. I bought it for two reasons: a) I read on some 'splurge vs steal' list that it was a good alternative to La Mer tourmaline cleanser; and b) I wanted to replace my Vichy Normaderm daily exfoliator (long story that I will tell once I reach 20 reviews and can review it on its own page) The smell didn't bother me, as it does some people, it's that "classic aveda, all natural" scent that makes me feel virtuous instead of vain (!). My main issue with it is that my face doesn't feel clean after I use it. This is kind of a problem for me personally because I wash my face not just to get rid of makeup and gunk but also to feel more awake (or, at night-time, purified and ready for rest). This probably means that it's good for sensitive or dry skins (mine is pretty robust), since it's totally non-drying and the scrubbing particles are very gentle, almost rubbery. However, I don't think it was exfoliating enough for me, because even after using it every day for a few weeks, some areas of my face are still rough and 'thick-feeling'. I might keep it for days when my skin is feeling flaky but sensitive, but not for an every day cleanser. And, because the tube is so huge, I'll probably have this for months to come!!
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