Liquid -Guerlain - Parure Extreme 
maquillagequeen 8/12/2011 12:32:00 AM
This is one of my absolute HG foundations. It is ideal for combination or oily skins and sets to a matte finish. It has a very silky, thin, light and liquidy texture that blends seamlessly, although must be done relatively quickly before the product sets. The coverage is medium to full. As is the case with many matte foundations of this style, as it dries and sets, the color slightly deepens. Definitely keep that in mind when trying out this foundation or others with similar properties. The thin yet opaque texture of this foundation is what I think makes it a real winner. It is like the most elegant, high end version of Estee Lauder Double Wear. With the right color match it looks so natural and flawless. I wear this in shade 02 that I buy in the US. It is ever so slightly too dark for me in the winter months if I don't pay attention blending. When I traveled to Paris this year, I went to the Champs-Elysees flagship store and got this in 32, a lighter, more yellow based shade and bought 4 bottles! 32 is approximately equivalent to a MAC NC22 with more yellow/beige undertones (great against hints of redness), whereas the 02 I buy in NY is like an NC27 with beige to slightly pink undertones. Now that it is summer, I am back to wearing the 02, but for most of the year I am so happy to have 32. This color can be purchased in France and Japan I believe, or ordered online. (strawberrynet?) The similar foundation is the newer Lingerie de Peau which I also like very much. This also has a matte finish and is quite similar to Parure Extreme, but with less, even more natural coverage (light to almost medium) and even better blendability, like a "matte tinted moisturizer". I use that when my skin happens to be in near perfect shape, when it's close to blemish free and just need to even out skin tone. I don't think either of these foundations would be suitable for dry skin, unless specifically looking for longer wear time. For drier skins, Guerlain has other options like Parure Aqua or Gold. I love this foundation!!!!!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
maquillagequeen 6/5/2011 6:11:00 AM
This in Light Peach and Erase Paste by Benefit in Medium are the best. Well this was the best I should say. For me they are the only products that hide slight shadows from puffiness under the eye as well as slight discoloration. I always preferred the BB...however I think they ruined the product with the recent reformulation, at least for what I need the product to do! I am disappointed in the new version totally. Now the product is much drier and more cakey than it was, and doesn't seem to do its job. Now it looks obvious, cakey and the color is ever so slightly darker than it was, now looking too "orangey" instead of the nice color correcting peach/salmon tone!! I used to like the BB Brightener also, but that was also modified into the brush pen version which is also not nearly as good...sigh... I will try to hunt down some more of these in the Light Peach if I can but I wish they would bring back the old formulation. I think they really made a mistake. Anyone else having similar problems? The packaging was nice-easy to use and the product accessible but not nearly as generous in size as Erase Paste and some other such products.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
maquillagequeen 11/6/2010 2:12:00 AM
I bought this because it seemed similar and much more affordable than the DDF Sulfur Mask that I previously gave rave reviews. Wouldn't that be nice? I think that this mask is just ok. It is a lot milder and slower acting than the DDF that I really like, as previously reviewed. This could be positive or negative depending on your needs and skin type. If you prefer a very strong, very fast oil absorbing mask that quickly dries up acne and even effective on cystic, the Mint Julep isn't really powerful enough. However, I would imagine someone with drier combination skin might love this because it's gentler and not so aggressive, but still slightly effective against breakouts. I think all this may be because the glycerin content of the Queen Helene is higher, but that's only a hypothesis.. The packaging is ok, standard- you get a lot of product in a large plastic tube that is protected from drying out, unlike my DDF in a jar, which you must always seal super tightly. It's tricky to dispense the Mint Julep mask. Exercise caution when squeezing it out, or you might have a mini explosion all over your vanity or your treasured makeup collection like I did! Also, maybe I'm the only crazy person to criticize the aesthetic appearance of clay masks- but the dark green mint color of this looks very ugly when you wear it around the house. When the clay is lighter, brighter and whitish, as with the DDF, somehow I look much prettier prancing around the house with the mask on, which I very often wear as an overnight treatment on trouble spots. Or watching movies or playing cards in pajamas late at night with the bf. Also, with the DDF you could get away with wearing a very thin layer underneath foundation for serious oil control in emergency situations. With this Queen Helene version, it's way too green for that! Overall, a respectable product, but not nearly as versatile and well designed as higher end clay masks on the market.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Pearlglide Lord it Up
maquillagequeen 11/4/2010 5:59:00 AM
I love this! It's mid-tone chocolate brown on me, NC25, with beautiful gold iridescence. It reminds me very much of an updated and improved Molasses, as another reviewer wisely mentioned. Molasses is darker and a bit cooler however, and on me sparkles less. (Now I wish I didn't buy 3 Molasses backups at the CCO) I think it's always a good idea with the Pearlglides to just slightly smudge them with a brush, even when not going for a smoky look, just enough to allow the color to shine more. If you like brown eyeliners with an extra something, I think this is a must try.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - Etrusque
maquillagequeen 11/4/2010 5:41:00 AM
A totally foolproof gold and a real winner from NARS! This is just such a well-crafted shade and I think this year NARS is going to the next level and getting really intelligent with the creation of new shades. With this I feel the same excitement as when NARS was first launched years ago and the whole line was so exciting. (I also can't stop raving about the uniqueness of the lipstick shade Rouge Basque from the Fall collection) If you could only own one gold eyeshadow, this could be it. It has a buttery and blendable texture, while still being deeply pigmented and intense. It's a metallic pearl without glitter...18-24K gold shade, neutral warm but versatile for most skintones.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - Five Golds Eyeshadow Palette (Hol 2010)
maquillagequeen 11/4/2010 5:30:00 AM
I'm so thrilled with the abundance of gold shades in the beauty world for Holiday 2010! I love this palette of golden, glamorized warm neutrals. None of the five colors are actually what I would consider a true gold. The "5 Golds" are light champagne, shimmering chocolate brown, very metallic silver, bronze gold, and matte black with silver microshimmer. I guess we can consider the silver in the palette as white gold. But when used together, they create a very sophisticated, very golden effect. The formulas of the shadows are great- like a hybrid between the newer quints made in Japan (ie Navy Design, Amber Design, etc) and the regular formula. I would consider the quality very high but the pigmentation medium. The medium pigmentation makes them highly blendable and versatile, not dense and hard to blend. A great palette for makeup fanatic collectors like us, but quite useable for a newcomer to makeup as well. I like how the number of the palette is #001....as if this is the first Dior quint of them all...cute thought. I think that this is a much better and well organized purchase from the Dior Holiday 2010 than the minaudiere palette. Also check out the stunning nail polishes from Dior in the collection. (Timeless gold - and a perfect dupe of this is Orly Luxe) If you want just a single perfect gold eyeshadow I would like to recommend to you the new Nars Etrusque. It is one of the most perfect, true gold eyeshadows I have ever seen...total glamour without glitter fallout. And this Dior quint is also a masterpiece for me. A new favorite along with Sunset Cafe e/s quint.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Illamasqua - Scandal
maquillagequeen 10/4/2010 11:26:00 PM
I love this unique lipstick. It is certainly one of my HG colors. It is a cross between coral and hot pink and very, very matte. It leaves a moderate stain as well. I love this type of shade and it is a rare color to find. It is in the family of one of my other favorites, MAC Full-Stop Red from D Squared collection, however that is a bit lighter and much creamier and glossier, being a Lustre finish (although a very pigmented Lustre in this case). The only slight problem with this and the other Illamasqua colors that I have tried is that they have a tendency to over dry the lips and emphasize any amount of dryness that you may have. But the uniqueness of the color and staying power greatly outweigh this small drawback.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Rouge Basque
maquillagequeen 10/4/2010 11:18:00 PM
This is definitely a special red lipstick. It is not easy to find a good cocoa/brick red that is truly warm without much blue. This is it. It is in a similar family to MAC Chili, another spectacular red. A few months ago, I wanted a brown based red and I scoured the entire Sephora looking for one, with no success. Only Chili at MAC! This is a welcome and necessary addition to the NARS lipstick lineup. I just don't like the rubbery casing that gets dirty and old looking so quickly!! Does anyone know of any other good reds in this family that are easily available in other brands?
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Fragrances -Christian Dior - j'adore
maquillagequeen 10/4/2010 10:13:00 PM
When this was released, it was my absolute favorite perfume. Then throughout those 10 or so years since then I have experimented with so many types of perfumes. I love the Editions de parfums Carnal Flower and other more artistic high end types, but to a non-perfume lover they are too strong and obvious. Then last year I was wasting time at the Duty Free shop in the airport and noticed the tiny Parfum version of J'adore.... This more intense concentration must preserve the original notes of the perfume. It is incredible how amazing this perfume is without alcohol dilution. For me there is a tremendous difference!!! In the pure Parfum version, its beauty and uniqueness really shines and seems much less common and mass-marketed than the Eau de parfum. If you are a J'adore lover, if you haven't, you must try the parfum...You will be in love all over again!! Unfortunately, it is pretty difficult to find. If someone manages to find it in a convenient place, please, let me know!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Million Lashes
maquillagequeen 10/4/2010 7:44:00 PM
I am something of a mascara specialist, and I'm very obsessed with the look of my eyelashes. After using Latisse (or Careprost generic) I have found that my mascara needs are slightly different. For my long lashes this is HG status. I also love Guerlain Le 2, Diorshow and Diorshow Iconic. This is not only as good as these high ends, but actually better. The Guerlain is excellent, but dries out relatively fast even though I am meticulously careful closing the wand. Same problem with the Diors. This doesn't seem to dry out as fast so far. I like it because it lengthens and volumizes but doesn't look thick and obviously mascara-ed....try it, and the gold tube is (almost) as pretty as Guerlain's!!! It layers very well and the bristles on the brush are specific and accurate to use. The brush is large but not at all clumsy. Much more aesthetically pleasing in every way....the results and the packaging, than other drugstore mascara competitors!!!
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Masks -DDF - Sulfur Therapeutic Mask [DISCONTINUED]
maquillagequeen 12/22/2009 12:26:00 PM
I wish I had tried this sooner. It is in a word, ok, a phrase, oil and acne eliminating!! And pore reducing! Really!!!!!!! I had always read in Paula Begoun's skin care writings that sulfur is overly irritating and drying to the skin, so I always avoided that ingredient. I will tell you that after one week of using this as an overnight mask, I am 99% clear like never before. The combination of sulfur and bentonite clay absorbs all oil that would be produced overnight by your skin. It rinses off easily in the morning with water. 10% benzoyl peroxide (ie Persa-gel 10) is far more irritating and flake-producing. Benzoyl peroxide seems to dry out the skin from underneath, too much, but this mask absorbs all the oil inside the pores. The results are awe inducing... I am so happy. The only big downside to this product is that you will have the stereotypical green clay mask face if you wear this overnight...maybe not so attractive to your boyfriend or husband. Hahaha!!! Please spot test this for the recommended 10 minutes before wearing overnight. If you are normal or dry skinned, watch out because this mask is pretty powerful. Please remember don't put this around your eyes, because we don't want to accentuate lines in that area!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5 Colour Eyeshadow - Sunset Cafe
maquillagequeen 12/22/2009 12:14:00 PM
This is my favorite of the Dior Quints and I consider it to be the best. I have almost all of them. (I think Incognito is the worst.....no color payoff whatsoever) However it might not be flattering universally, it will be stunning on many types of complexions. If you are looking for a golden bronze look, this is your palette. Beautiful on blondes. The golden peach is to die for. This color should be used on the lid. The pink gold color is good for the inner corner, the deep bronze for liner and the outer V, the gunmetal shade in the crease (this cool toned shade really intensifies the warmth of the golden colors!) and just a bit of the iridescent white-pink-purple shade on the browbone. If you want to intensify the look, you can use UDPP or TF Shadow Insurance. MAC Rubenesque paint pot is what you would want as a colored base. Another fabulous option is to wet your brush with eye drops before applying the color. (Try it...!!!)
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 [DISCONTINUED]
maquillagequeen 12/22/2009 12:03:00 PM
I have this in both the original and the reformulated/repackaged version in 021 Linen. Sephora told me that Dior recently exchanged all the old DiorSkin Nude foundations for an improved version. It's definitely better now! Personally, I think that they changed the actual formula to be thinner and more uniform in texture. Before the foundation was still good but there were globs of mineral makeup that stuck together to clog the pump. I don't notice an actual difference in packaging. Now it is more like the Forever foundation in texture. This foundation is optimal for normal, combination and oily skins. I consider this medium coverage. I have tried all the new low to highest end matte foundations (literally....), and this is one of the best at keeping the skin matte because the formula isn't overflowing with silicones. There is a hint of sparkle in the formula, but don't let that deter you because it won't contribute to oil production. I know this is marketed as a hydrating foundation, but please try this or get a sample made for you at Sephora if you are oily skinned. If you are combination-oily and want a Dior foundation, you have to try this and Forever. If you want to really go over the top for combination skin, you can always wear Hydraction tinted moisturizer or Capture totale foundation around the eyes if you have dryness there. The formula of DiorSkin Nude is really neutral in that it doesn't absorb or create oil, making it versatile for a lot of skin types. By the way, the color 021 Linen is a superior color for light to barely medium skins with a neutral yellow golden undertone that is spectacular for counteracting redness.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -TheBalm - Sexy Mama
maquillagequeen 12/13/2009 4:48:00 PM
Bottom line: This works, and it works well. One of the few powders to really mattify the skin for a significant amount of time! The compact looks adorable, but trendy, a little bit style over substance, but don't let that fool you because what's inside definitely does it's job.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Jan Marini - Factor A Mask
maquillagequeen 12/13/2009 4:41:00 PM
This is a dream multi-use product for oily, blemish prone skin with redness. I learned about this product via Paula Begoun's Beautypedia. I must say that this, and the other Marini product that I have researched and tried, Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion, far surpass anything that even Paula herself has devised for oily skin. (My skin is oily no matter what using her range in the past, it's like she tries too hard not to irritate the skin and her products are way too moisturizing for someone with truly oily skin!) It is a 2% BHA product with the pH in the correct range to exfoliate efficiently. I find that the best use for this product is as a foundation primer. The product has a noticeable yellow color, which is fantastic, because it neutralizes redness! It also contains azelaic acid which also helps with redness and rosacea. The BHA fights blemishes and exfoliates within the pore. There is also magnesium aluminum silicate, like what is in Smashbox anti-shine, which absorbs oil. There are lots of other wonderful ingredients for the skin in here too. A very thin layer of this is all that's needed! It's expensive, but this is truly an incredible problem solving, intelligent formulation for oily skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No