Fragrances -Givenchy - Very Irresistible L'intense
madaba 5/16/2013 8:53:00 AM
I really liked this at first. I guess I have had this for about a year now. I'm not sure how long you're supposed to keep perfumes around, but the other day I sprayed this on and my husband said "what smells like ballpoint pen?" Now I can only smell the ballpoint pen element...
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Marni - Eau de parfum
madaba 5/15/2013 3:52:00 PM
Very nice scent. Changes quite a bit over a few hours, and in a good way. The fragrance doesn't deteriorate into cheap notes, but stays complex and full. I must say that I love the style of this perfume.
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Lotions/ Creams -Clarins - Renew-Plus Body Serum
madaba 5/13/2013 3:43:00 PM
This stuff is amazing. I have a sample that I've used on my torso (wouldn't waste it on my legs and such). It makes my skin incredibly smooth and supple -- goes way past any moisturiser I've ever tried. But it is -- cough, cough -- super expensive, so I had to tick "no" to buy again.
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Concealers -Clarins - Instant Light Perfecting Touch
madaba 1/22/2013 11:35:00 AM
Just a note to say that I finally threw this (empty) into the garbage this morning, after purchasing in December 2009! I used it several times a week, under my eyes, on red spots, on everything that needed fixing. Three years! And it was still in great condition, down to the very last drop. How's that for value?!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clarins - Multi-Active Day Cream *new formula*
madaba 7/27/2012 1:38:00 PM
Have only been using this for a week or so, but it has made a huge difference. I don't much like the other Clarins moisturizers I have tried, but this one has something special and the price is acceptable (much better than Vital Light or Extra Firming). I use it over EL's ANR and it makes my skin look great.
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Blush -Christian Dior - Diorblush Peechy Keen 553
madaba 6/7/2012 6:05:00 PM
Very happy with it! I had a $50 gift card from Sephora that was burning a hole in my pocket and I spent it on this lovely blush. It was hard to choose a colour, but I am pleased with the end result. Not as peachy-coloured as the name makes it sound -- very soft and natural looking. I had my heart set on a Dior product; the SA tried to get me to buy a Tarte blush but the case was incredibly ugly. This Dior case is beautiful! I can just sit there and admire it all day long :)
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Cleansers -Estee Lauder - Re-Nutriv Intensive Hydrating Creme Cleanser
madaba 5/26/2012 9:13:00 PM
This isn't a good cleanser. Doesn't go on easily and doesn't make my skin feel clean. I got this as a sample, so I'm not sure how much it costs, but presumably a lot. I like Biotherm cleansers much more, or No7.
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Cleansers -Clarins - One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
madaba 4/19/2012 9:21:00 PM
I would buy this if it didn't cost $34! In fact, I like it quite a bit -- the scent is wonderful and it exfoliates perfectly (i.e., not too harshly). But it comes back to the same thing -- $34 for something I am going to just wash off my face. At least with makeup/moisturisers, you are leaving it on there. For a scrub that kind of price is harder to justify. Plus I hate that little twist cap -- very annoying.
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Concealers -Estee Lauder - Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
madaba 4/4/2012 10:06:00 PM
It is tough to get really excited about this product, but maybe the fact that I use it day after day with no complaint is enough of a recommendation. I am still using the sample sized version and it has lasted forever. Never does anything wrong (like cake into fine lines) and is overall dependable.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Estee Lauder - Re-Nutriv Ultimate Eye Creme
madaba 12/20/2011 2:35:00 PM
I don't usually go for eye creams, but this one is really good. I got a sample at Holt Renfrew. I had already used a sample of the ANR eye gel and found it useless. I didn't expect much from this one, but have been pleasantly surprised. It glides on and actually reduces puffiness and improves dark circles. As for fine lines, I guess it helps a bit, but none of them really do that. I know it is expensive and has a short shelf life, but when the sample runs out, I may fork out the $$ and buy.
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Lipstick -MAC - Lustre Capricious
madaba 12/12/2011 3:01:00 PM
I resisted buying MAC products for so long... But finally I decided that I needed to buy a proper lipstick for a night out and thought that they'd give the best advice on colours, etc. So after trying a couple of neutral shades, the girl showed me this one and I bought it. The good thing is that it goes on very lightly and apart from the colour, is almost imperceptible on my lips -- none of that creamy/sticky/smelly lipstick business. After a few years of wearing glosses from time to time, I thought it was time for a change. I doubt if I will feel comfortable wearing this during the day, but at least I won't feel like a teenager applying a sparkly Juicy Tubes lipgloss for a night out on the town. Anyway -- not a very useful review, perhaps, but make this your takeaway: a sheer, pretty colour, not too drying, adds an even layer of non-shiny berry tone.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Estee Lauder - Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Creme
madaba 11/7/2011 3:59:00 PM
I received this as part of a gift with purchase at Holt Renfrew. It's okay, but nothing special. I have been using it for about two weeks in place of my usual Biotherm moisturiser (which costs about 1/4 of what this does). This cream hasn't done anything bad to my skin, but nothing too spectacular, either. Overall I would say it has a slightly drying effect, although it looks nice right after you put it on. I've tried other high end creams like Chanel Sublimage and Clarins Vital Light, and this one falls short of the extras that those two provide. I love ANR, but this EL product is kinda so-so.
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Cleansers -Boots - No7 Age Defence Cleansing Balm
madaba 8/18/2011 9:07:00 AM
Have only been using for a few days, but so far, so good. Has a nice texture and scent. Finding the right cleanser has been a struggle (my most recent ones are Neutrogena and Cetaphil) because I don't like to spend too much on something that I will be washing off. I love the Biotherm cleanser, but it costs over $30. This No7 cleanser was just $13 at SDM, so I am very pleased.
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Toners -Biotherm - Biosource Softening Toner Alcohol Free
madaba 6/13/2011 2:29:00 PM
I bought this in the 400ml size for about $35. That seems like a lot, but when you do the math for volume/price, it actually works out to the same price of some of the drugstore brands. I really like it so far; have been using for a few weeks now. I like the pump bottle, and the texture is smooth on my skin. No tightening or burning sensation. Would definitely recommend.
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex
madaba 3/16/2011 8:02:00 PM
Okay, so after a year with the No7 Protect and Perfect, I felt like I wanted to try something new. I sprung for the $63 bottle of ANR -- my first EL product (and it came with a great GWP -- yay!). Have been using for about two weeks. I like it. Reading some reviews here, I almost expected coworkers and friends to come up to me and ask what my secret was, but unfortunately, that hasn't happened :) Anyway, it's good, you only need a bit. The hard part for me is getting used to the nighttime routine, as I am more of a morning person. But, yes, my skin is looking quite supple and if things carry on like this, I will probably repurchase. Many reviewers have commented on the smell. Unusual for a beauty product, yes, but it doesn't really bother me. Certainly not a reason to not use it. Price-wise, it is worth it. EDIT: A few months later, I upped my rating to five stars. I used to have occasional adult acne, with stubborn pimples that took forever to get rid of. Ever since I started using this, I haven't had a single breakout! When I bought it they told me my skin would improve, and I thought it was just a sales line, but this really has made all the difference. Try it!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No