Polishes -Essie - Stylenomics
listenlikethieves 10/5/2012 1:17:00 PM
As others have said, this is a beautiful black polish. Alas, that's what I have Essie "Licorice" for. One coat of this was the bottle color, which is really beautiful, but it wasn't quite opaque enough to wear as-is. The formula and wear are great, I just wish it were the color it's supposed to be at the normal two coats.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Eyeliner Kohl in Costa Riche
listenlikethieves 8/22/2012 1:46:00 PM
How interesting. I also bought this pencil after seeing it on the men's grooming video on the MAC site, and I also use it on the lower rims for the lived-in look. I love it. Great quality, as others have noted. Would definitely repurchase. For my next trick, I will try pairing it with teal shadow -- that combination sounds beautiful.
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Lips -Kuumba Made - Lip Shimmers (Sedona)
listenlikethieves 10/3/2011 1:03:00 PM
I also get these at Real Foods Co. in San Francisco. :) I have Sedona, which is a lovely shimmery red, Twilight, a gorgeous, complex warm plum, and Tierra, a deep copper. Kuumba Made is far and away my favorite natural/organic lip color. It's moisturizing but nicely thick, so it does not wear off too quickly, and the shimmer gives it a nice depth and opacity. Thumbs up.
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Mascara -Unlisted Brand - Zuzu Luxe - Thickening Mascara
listenlikethieves 10/3/2011 12:33:00 PM
The worst thing I can say about this product is that it's not Dior Show. But considering I'm comparing apples and oranges, that's not much of an indictment. The hardest part about weaning myself off highly toxic/chemically cosmetics is finding a mascara that makes me happy. This was a worthy purchase -- I think it was about $14, which doesn't horrify me, considering what I'm used to paying for mascara. The formula is satisfying -- two or three thin coats builds a good, strong lashline. The trick I've figured out that really makes this mascara work is to let it dry a bit before I fluff my lashes out with a spoolie.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Jane Iredale - Dream Tint
listenlikethieves 9/4/2011 1:15:00 PM
What a lovely product. I bought this after my eyebrow whisperer used it on me -- I wore it for the rest of the afternoon, and every time I saw my reflection I thought, "Hell, I look fabulous," so I went right back and bought it. It dries to a soft-matte finish that doesn't necessarily need to be powdered, though I do use blotting papers on my T-zone every few hours. Other makeup plays nicely with it (I mix my metaphors, thank you, as I'm a huge fan of Nyx blush), though it does require the use of an eyelid primer if I'm going to wear eye shadow. It doesn't settle into any fine lines and it doesn't scream "I'm wearing makeup!" But I look perfectly polished and even. It lasts well, even when I have allergies and I blow my nose a lot. It doesn't oxidize or turn orange on me, and it washes off completely and easily with cleanser. The squeeze-tube packaging is nice as well, as it allows me to use as little or as much as I want. I will definitely repurchase.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Jane Iredale - Liquid Eye Liner
listenlikethieves 6/19/2011 11:57:00 AM
I'm testing this product for an aesthetician friend who is considering carrying it in his spa, so I didn't pay for this -- I wouldn't pay for this, $20 for a thoroughly mediocre liquid liner is hilarious. I've worn liquid eyeliner for about fifteen (yikes) years so if anyone should be able to make this work, it's me. But no -- the brush is awful, the formula is clumpy, it's impossible to get a sleek cat eye out of this product and it flakes after a few hours. Pretty much its only redeeming quality is that it's entirely waterproof. If you really have to use mineral liner this is probably your product of choice, but if texture and ease of application is at the top of your list, you can do so much better for about half the price.
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Lipstick -MAC - Dark Side
listenlikethieves 3/24/2011 10:16:00 AM
I first reviewed Dark Side in December of 2003, and I found it underwhelming. At the time, I was dying my hair very, very black and wore Cyber with Grape liner. So now, as a grown-up goth on the other side of 30, I'd like to revisit this lipstick: Pretty! I line it with Velvetella liner, which brings out the plum tones. It's everything Cyber was on me when I had black hair without all the making me look haggard. ;)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Orly - Goth
listenlikethieves 3/24/2011 10:03:00 AM
What OmToast said, basically: A thoroughly lackluster black polish. Zoya has me thoroughly spoiled with "Raven," which is lustrous, very black and lasts forever (five days without tip wear on a black manicure!). I also bought the mini of this, and it's very, very cute. The small brush is precise, I like that. But I'm underwhelmed with this polish, and I *am* a goth.
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Fragrances -Kuumba Made - Amber Paste
listenlikethieves 3/23/2011 10:10:00 AM
This is the only scent since (no, seriously) Bonne Bell Skin Musk that has had anyone actually snuffling my neck and saying, "YOU SMELL SOOOO GOOOOOD." I've been looking for years for an amber that wouldn't turn all salad dressing on my skin (and, uh, I don't see anyone comparing Amber Paste to the Serge Lutens fragrances but rather stating a preference, so settle right down there) and here it is! I only wear this when I'm going to be around people I want coming in for a closer sniff. Mmmmm.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Donna Karan - Cashmere Mist Deodorant
listenlikethieves 1/28/2011 7:09:00 PM
I love this beautiful luxury product. High-end deodorant? Yes! I agree with the reviewer who remarked that as a perfume, Cashmere Mist is underwhelming, but as a deodorant scent it's right on the money. This product keeps me drier than any other antiperspirant I have ever used, which makes me very happy. And I have to remark on the packaging: It is ever so very slightly rubberized, so it feels good in your grip. I just enjoy having this in my arsenal. Will definitely repurchase. May very likely give it as gifts. :)
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Benetint
listenlikethieves 1/28/2011 7:01:00 PM
Okay, I have a confession. I was flipping through an issue of Allure from sometime last year and read that Eva Mendes uses this, and though I don't bear even the most passing resemblance to Eva Mendes, I decided that if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me. So it takes a little practice (best if you go to YouTube for tutorials), but now that I've figured out how to use it I dig this product. It gives a healthy rosy glow to my cheeks and lasts all day, so I don't look washed out by the time the workday is done. The nail polish-esque bottle is a bit weird, but then again I can't figure out how it would be better packaged. If I ever finish a bottle of this, I will repurchase.
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Foundations -Perricone - No Foundation Foundation
listenlikethieves 1/28/2011 6:56:00 PM
I am really liking this. Perricone No Foundation Foundation is the first liquid foundation product in forever that hasn't sunk into the rosacea-enlarged pores on my cheeks. It doesn't turn into an oil slick on me, even though I don't top it with powder, and the scent that others seem to be identifying as fishy is somehow like oranges to me. It gives a polished, sophisticated finish without announcing to the world that I am wearing foundation. The packaging is understated and gorgeous and I love how one pump is enough for my entire face. I can see how the tint of this product doesn't work for everyone, but it's just right for me. Unless I find something much, much better, I will repurchase.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - French Vanilla
listenlikethieves 1/10/2011 1:26:00 PM
I'm surprised that the reviews for this one are so hit-and-miss. I have the medium jar candle and *love* it. It has enough throw to make my whole apartment smell subtly glorious without choking me out, and it's just plain, delicious vanilla without any weird buttery notes.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack
listenlikethieves 12/27/2010 1:07:00 PM
Yup. This is the sine qua non of gel eyeliners, beloved by goths, bellydancers and bombshells the world over. Perfect texture, lasts forever, BLACK. If I could have one desert island cosmetic product (that was not sunscreen or lip balm, hello), it would be Blacktrack.
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Polishes -Zoya - Pinta
listenlikethieves 10/6/2010 12:26:00 PM
I love this gorgeous color. It is a very dark, very blue purple, almost navy in some light. It's everything I wanted Lincoln Park After Dark to be. The creme finish is particularly gorgeous on a color this intense.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No