Foundations -Maybelline - Dream Creamy Foundation
milou 1/5/2010 1:42:00 PM
I read about this foundation in the 'Times' style supplement. It got a rave review; hailed as one of the ten top products of 2010, makes you look years younger, foundation perfection blah blah blah.Of course I had to try it. It retails at £7.99, but it is on offer at Boots and Superdrug, so I paid £5.99 for it. It comes in a round box and it is very deceiving. You only get 14g of product, but for the money, who is complaining? The package itself was a bit irritating, until I worked it out: You lift the lid, find the enclosed sponge applicator on top. An then you have to unscrew the top half of the box. It took me a while to work this out and I got a bit annoyed. I suppose it is more hygienic, though. Th foundation, which was described in the article as a 'whipped cream texture' is very soft and light. It gives a dewy, natural finish, and it lasted very well throughout the day. I bought it in Sand, (030)which is a bit on the light side for my medium olive skin tone, but the next grade , Fawn(040) looked a bit too dark. I might buy it and combine the two. I am not sure about the shades: I haven't seen a lot of choice in the shop, but perhaps they had sold out (!!!) or I wasn't looking in the right place. A good foundation for the price, very comfortable to wear and certainly worth trying out, especially if you like a light, natural coverage.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Extension Effect 
milou 11/26/2009 4:18:00 PM
I have always been a fan of Max Factor mascaras, they are always excellent value for money. This one does not disappoint. As the previous reviewers said, this is not for you if you're looking for mega volume, but it does lengthen the lashes a lot and doesn't clump or smudge. It has a fine brush, almost 3cm long. You do need a couple of coats to get the full effect, but it is quite dramatic. A very good mascara, for the price.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Olay - Total Effects 7x Mask
milou 5/16/2009 5:06:00 PM
I first tried this as a freebee in a magazine. I don't normally go in for masks because in the past I have had very bad reactions to some masks, but this one was so good that I went to Boots and bought it. It is a bit expensive, but I used my Boots voucher so it cost me £11 something. I agree with the previous poster who said that you shouldn't use it just before going out; I put it on in the evening before going to bed (after a thorough cleasing) and I notice an improvement in the morning-the texture of my skin is better,moisturised and glowing. This definitely works for me and it is quite pleasant to use, as there's no mess involved: you just put the mask over your face and then remove it -easy!
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Skincare - Body -LUSH - Each Peach Massage Bar
milou 4/17/2009 10:51:00 AM
I was given this as a birthday present. Normally I would not buy stuff from LUSH as I have always found the scents that waft from the shop a tad too over-powering for my taste. This moisturizing bar is very, very citrus-y; in spite of the name I can't smell pear at all. I would probably prefer a less obvious scent. However, it is also very moisturizing. I am not going to use it everyday- as i don't really want to go around smelling like a lemon-meringue pie-but it is nice every now and again as a massage bar. It is very good if you'rea gardener or do rough jobs, as it really moisturizes your hands and cuticles. I will investigate the LUSH shop- this product made me feel that perhaps they're not that bad.....
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Fragrances -Nina Ricci - L'Air du Temps
milou 3/23/2009 5:57:00 PM
I used to love this many moons ago. I just can't wear it now. It gives me horrible headaches. Shame, because the bottle is so beautiful and the name is lovely too, but in the end, it's the scent that matters and I just can't stand it. I wish I could be more precise about it and explain exactly what I don't like about it-but it is just like a love affair that went sour, and you can't stand the sight of the person at all. Still, I feel jealous of those who can wear this,the name is pure poetry.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Cacharel - Anais Anais
milou 3/23/2009 5:49:00 PM
I hate this. I hate it so much. It makes me gag, it gives me headaches. I could start a group of Anais Anais haters.The only thing nice about it, as far as I'm concerned, is the name. Really beautiful. Shame I can't wear the scent. It just goes to show that someone's heavenly scent is someone else's horrid pong.
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Treatments -Olay - Regenerist Filling + Sealing Wrinkle Treatment
milou 3/22/2009 8:28:00 AM
This is really strange. Normally when I check out a product on MUA the reviews tend to be at least 80% true to my on experience. In this case, it is so different that I wonder if it is the same product we're talking about. I got a small sample in the post.Here in the UK it is called 'Regenerist 30seconds wrinkle filler'. By the description it sounds the same thing: putty coloured, powdery cream etc, Well... I didn't like it at all. What can I say? I tried it three times to make sure I was not rushing into conclusions and I had the same result every single time. Not the easiest thing to apply, because of of the texture. You have to moisturise first, wait and then pat carefully otherwise it desintegrates into tiny rolls/flakes straightaway.(it does desintegrate later anyway) It does diminish the wrinkles, not doubt about it, but it leaves your face a powdery, pale surface, It doesn't quite do away with the wrinkles, but it certainly takes away the glow. In my case, as I am olive-skinned, it made me look a bit like a vampire-undead! I'd rather have wrinkles ( at 56 I have earned them) and keep the glow. Don't know how much this costs but whatever it is, it is expensive, because it does nothing for me. With apologies to anyone who loves it.... I would never buy this stuff.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Boots - No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick
milou 2/28/2009 5:18:00 PM
I got this as a free gift. I was not really expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a lovely shade of pinky-brown, that is just right for my olive skin. It is slightly opalescent ( I don't like a lot of shine) and it feels very confortable and moisturising. I am a true lipstick girl and I have dozens , I am ashamed to say. I think this one is a really good all-rounder, in terms of colour, moisture and staying power. Not exceptional but pretty good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Vaseline - rosy lips
milou 12/16/2008 4:02:00 PM
Sorry ladies, Vaseline may be wonderful stuff but I don't rate this lip balm. I bought it because of the promise of the almond oil, but the strong smell of roses is a turn-off . It also makes my hair stick to my lips and that, in my book, is the capital sin as far as lip treatments are concerned. I prefer Carmex and if I could justify the cost, 8 Hour cream by Elisabeth Arden. I agree that the package is nice in a retro fashion. though...
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Styling Products -TRESemme - Thermal Creations Straightening Gel [DISCONTINUED]
milou 12/16/2008 3:47:00 PM
This certainly straightens your hair (not that my hair needs a lot of straightening anyway) but I could see from the first application that the build up was going to be a problem.My hair felt quite sticky and looked dull. I had to wash it the following day with a clarifying shampoo to get the shine back. In this range (TRESemme) I find that the shampoos are ok, the conditioners are actually very good, but this staightening gel , I didn't like it at all, so I won't buy it again.
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Foundations -Boots - No.7 Protect and Perfect Foundation
milou 11/8/2008 1:03:00 PM
According to the hype, No7 Protect & Perfect Foundation is 'flawless and perfect, contains light-diffusing beads which soften the appearance of lines and blemishes, immediately beautifying skin as it is applied'.and the formula includes their 'unique antioxidant complex, lipo-peptides and SPF15'. As quite like the Protect and Perfect moisturisers, I decided to give this foundation a try. At £15.00 it did not seem too expensive. When I tried it in the shop it felt very light and I do like a light foundation. It comes in a 30ml pump dispenser, so it is quite hygienic, too. There's 7 shades and I bought the New Ivory, which is ok for my pale olive, south-european skin. I am not sold on it. It is more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation and although I deslike heavy foundations this is just too light. I haven't noticed the light-diffusing beads, in fact I think this stuff is a bit on the chalky side. I think it may be a different story on younger skins (meaning under 25s). On the plus side, even if it does not keep your skin younger as they say, it certainly does not block your pores and and it is probably ok for sensitive skins (mine is quite sensitive). Not enough to make me rush to Boots to buy some more in case they run out of it....I don't think that it is going to be a best seller.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - False lash effect
milou 9/28/2008 4:29:00 PM
Being a Max Factor afficionada I had to try their new mascara, False Lash Effect. The selling point is the brush, which they claim is bigger than any other mascara. Well, all I have to say is that size (important as it may be) is not everything. The brush is big-about 3cm long and 1 cm at its widest point, but it is not easy to use; being so chunky, it doesn't quite reach the end lashes. It lenghtens the lashes all right , but I came to the conclusion that volume is more important than length -at least to me. Still, don't get me wrong-this is a good mascara-Max Factor don't do bad mascaras- I just think that 2000 calories and Master Piece are better.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Sensuous
milou 9/6/2008 4:09:00 AM
I don't know a lot about perfumes (would love to), but I know what I like in a scent. It has to 'speak' to me-tell me a story, a secret; remind me of something: a memory, a melody, a place, a face... At first this told me very little. In fact it just smelt a sort of vanilla-Palmers cocoa butter kind of thing. I kept wating for 'it' to appear and I almost gave up...but them it finally appeared in a understated way. It is a warmth, a sweetness of nuzzling up to a lover's neck, a musky 'skin' type of scent.... The 'secret'is there but you have to listen hard to the whispered tones. The bottle is unremarkable: they have gone for simplicity. Will it became a classic? It certainly has a personality of its own, but to make it truly great there's something still missing. Still, it feels good wearing it at the moment. Not sure if I will re-purchase-lets wait and see.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Estee Lauder - natural brow filler light medium
milou 6/19/2008 6:06:00 PM
The colour is great and it is really soft and natural; however, I will not repurchase because it is very tricky to sharpen and you waste an awful lot. And this is not exactly cheap ( I forgot what I paid for it, but I think it was around £15.00). update: had to take off a couple of lippies because I am now convinced this was an expensive mistake. It is impossible to sharpen, it just crumbles. The only good thing about it is the brush, but you can get an eyebrow brush anywhere (a small toothbrush is just as good). I do not recommend it. Better to get a powder that you can apply with a brush. This pencil just does not work.
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Mascara -Max Factor - Masterpiece Max
milou 6/16/2008 4:46:00 PM
I really, really love this mascara. I have tried several over the years, YSL, Lancome, Maybelline, Armani... and I always come back to Max Factor. This mascara doesn't clump, gives fabulous volume to your lashes, doesn't run, doesn't smell 'inky' like some mascaras (totally neutral smell) and it is excellent value for money at £9.99. If only everything in life were that simple!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No