Concealers -Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Eclat No 2
oddinary 11/14/2009 10:01:00 AM
I had high hopes for this product though it turns out, there's nothing really special. I personally only use this for my under eye to brighten the area. I use the tiniest amount, otherwise I'll get white patches under my eyes! I don't detect the yellow undertones in this (maybe because I haven't compared it to the No.1) but the effect is basically like a white eyeliner in the inner tear duct. I can't use this as a highlighter anywhere else because it's too pasty white for my olive skintone. I'd think that there was some kind of shimmer in this...though there doesn't appear to be any? Nevertheless, the packaging is a sure winner. Extremely chic and luxurious and I love the click-pen idea. Other than that, it's really too expensive for the purpose it serves... I have other concealers that do virtually the same thing, so I won't repurchase.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Spare Change Pearlglide Eye Liner
oddinary 9/18/2009 4:55:00 PM
OMG, this is one of the most beautiful brown eyeliners I have ever seen, no kidding. When people say "pictures don't do justice", it's true because you can't appreciate the little microglitters in these pencils. Spare Change is a light bronzey colour with a orange-gold sheen (if that makes sense). It is not the best for giving definition to the eyes, so whether you use it on the upper or lower lid, I recommend layering over a dark brown (I layer over Teddy Eye Kohl, it's beyond gorgeous; you can layer over Molasses too!) or even a black... really makes those glitters catch the light. I can see this working perfectly for blue eyes but it's really beautiful on someone with dark dark brown eyes like me too! Very long-lasting and glides right on (though not as soft as UD 24/7s). Please re-release these again MAC!
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Eyeliner -MAC - Pearlglide Liner in Fly-By-Blu
oddinary 8/22/2009 8:16:00 AM
Pretty! I've tried many of MAC eyeliners and by far, the Pearlglides are the best formula ever produced. Perhaps I should mention that I haven't bought anything from MAC for months, but once I heard these babies were re-released, I hit up my closest MAC counter asap. That's how much I love these. ;) As the name goes, the liners are soft and "glide" right on. In this aspect, it's quite similar to UD's 24/7 liners but I don't feel like MAC is pigmented enough... I have to swipe a few times to get a nice solid colour, which is a bummer. =( Anyway, Fly-By-Blu is a marine blue with really nice cyan (?) micro-glitter running through it. Don't worry about it being too flashy, because it isn't - the glitter is small enough to give the liner some depth instead of overdoing it. Nonetheless, I feel like the first release of the Pearlglides were much nicer - pigmented, rich colour, smoother, etc. I don't dislike this new formula, but it could be better. Definitely a keeper! If you haven't already bought the others, I highly recommend them. Just a tad disappointed MAC didn't re-release my favourite colour (Wolf)!
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Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24-7 Glide on eye pencil in Yeyo
oddinary 8/17/2009 10:44:00 AM
When I first read the reviews here, I was quite discouraged considering how 'metallic' and 'unflattering' this was made to sound... but really, it's not that bad! Indeed, Yeyo (a stark white with a pearly sheen) initially can appear quite unnatural but as long as you use a light hand, it does a great job at opening the eyes. This works particularly well as most colours I apply to inner corners fade fairly quickly, being close to the tear ducts. Aside from that... Yeyo to me has no other purpose - hence I have given it a 4/5. You could probably put it on your cupid's bow, but I don't think it's necessary to buy a full size. It'd be nice if UD came out with a beige version though, I'm sure it'd be popular! Oh, and don't bother with this on the waterline. Doesn't work.
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Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24-7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Lucky
oddinary 8/17/2009 10:21:00 AM
Impressive! Lucky, alluding to a lucky penny, is a straight copper with tiny (not micro though...) silver glitters. I really love how smooth this applies. Very soft yet doesn't break easily... much softer than MAC powerpoints & eye kohls, but on par with pearlglides. However, I only give this 4/5 because it doesn't give enough definition... maybe it's not made for that purpose? I suggest using it more as a 'pop' of colour (cos it does appear quite stark!), for instance wearing black on the waterline and Lucky on the lower lashline. IMO, the 24/7 liners ($17) are the best set of coloured liners in the market. Truthfully, I haven't tried every brand of coloured liner out there (mostly MAC) but they're definitely worth it nonetheless. A tad more expensive than MAC ($14.50) but you get a very full range of colours with excellent lasting power. Definitely repurchase! =)
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Lip Gloss -Bobbi Brown - Tangerine
oddinary 8/11/2009 10:17:00 AM
Nice. Tangerine is a bright matte orange that offers a pop of colour to the face. The gloss applies with the notorious brush applicator that's known to splay over time... I don't hate it, but it could be improved. The gloss itself is semi-thick and provides quite a high shine (aka juicy looking lips!). It's more peachy than orange on the lips but still very bright! It's not as thick as MAC and probably why it's not as drying either. Lasting power is impressive (longer than NARS, similar to MAC) and it dries down to a nice 'wet' look. I got this in a swap, so I don't know how much it costs but probably too much for this tiny tube. My favourite lipgloss is still NARS but I like how pigmented this is! Slightly hesitant to try other BB glosses because of its size...but one day! P.S. This looks extremely similar to MAC's Sock Hop lipglass in the tube. Will make a comparison soon!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - pot rouge for lips and cheeks- stonewashed pink
oddinary 8/11/2009 10:04:00 AM
Pleasantly surprising! In the pot, it looks nothing like how it applies (so don't be afraid at how dark it is!); the name only causes confusion. Stonewashed Pink is actually a peachy colour with a slight hint of brown. It is very sheer, which can be a good thing if you're going for that natural look. Otherwise, it takes a long time to build a decent amount of colour. Other than that, I really love how easy this blends. I rarely use cream blushes, but compared to MAC, this feels more moisturizing and blends tons easier. I suspect that's due to it's texture - MAC is a lot thicker, hence pigmented. Great lasting power (fades slightly after 7-8 hours) and the glass (?) pot is so chic! Overall, great blush! So if you're looking to buy this... forget the name all together and take the blush for what it is. Definitely repurchase!
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Mascara -Max Factor - Masterpiece Max
oddinary 8/2/2009 7:33:00 AM
I have no idea why I bought this. On my stick straight Asian lashes, non-waterproof mascaras only make them worse - and this is no exception. I should have known better to buy only WP mascaras - but don't let my 'negative' review discourage you. This mascara does have it's advantages, such as the plastic brush catches every lash and does make it appear a lot fuller. The next part is a tad hard to explain - whilst your lashes ARE fuller, it doesn't define as other voluminizing mascaras do. It's not a "wet black" mascara, so I don't agree with it's "high definition" description. Also, no lengthening properties as far as I'm concerned. Nevertheless, I like to use this on my lower lashes with my Shiseido Mascara Base, if you have Asian lashes like me. Will not repurchase.
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Blush -NARS - Blush in Oasis
oddinary 7/20/2009 11:47:00 AM
Oasis is a dark rosey pink colour with lots of gold glitters in the pan. The glitters are certainly frightening but they almost disappear upon application; only a small amount is left behind, enough to give a soft glow. I refrain from saying Oasis is a dusty rose because it has too much pink. IMO, a 'true' dusty rose is Chanel's Orchid Rose JC. Both belong in a similar colour family nevertheless. In terms of pigmentation and staying power, it's very impressive. I've tried many blushes and they often fade when I don't wear some sort of foundation/powder - NARS, however, doesn't require that. I quite like using this on my 'bare' face because the colour looks like it's coming from within. Very natural! Even with powder, the colour really gives me a youthful, healthy looking appearance. Only downside? The rubber packaging can get 'dirty' easily... it 'attracts' a lot of shimmer, if I can say that! Haven't had any experiences with breakage, but overall it looks quite sturdy. Major drawback probably is price - close to the price of a MAC MSF here - though if you can afford to splurge, it's a very good investment :) Definitely repurchase & I look forward to trying more colours!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -St. Ives - Invigorating Apricot Scrub
oddinary 7/14/2009 10:49:00 AM
Whilst this product may appear harsh on some, I love this scrub so much that I feel compelled to write this review! I haven't tried too many scrubs in the past, but from experience, this is the best so far. For a drugstore brand, the price is extremely affordable. You get a lot for what you pay, so you can use this on the body too! Although I do find the smell a little overpowering at times (apricot, as the name suggests), it's tolerable. I'd say the granules/particles are larger and more densely packed - but you need the smallest amount to do the job so it lasts forever! I have oily skin myself and I do not find that it enlarges my pores or dries my skin out (I use a very light moisturizer afterwards). If it really is a problem, then no big loss - just use it on your body! I guarantee that this scrub will not go to waste! ;)
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Lip Gloss -NARS - Turkish Delight
oddinary 6/26/2009 6:47:00 AM
OMG, what's taken me so long to try this? I love it! It's a milky baby pink that actually works for more than just smokey eyes. This is perfect for a natural look too! I didn't really realize Kim wore this until a lot later, but nonetheless I can see why she'd love it :) Looks amazing on top of MAC Angel l/s, though I prefer it wore alone! Plus, I swear there's something magical in these glosses... (haven't read the ingredients list yet, oops :P). Even if your lips are a little chapped, this gloss makes my lips perfectly smooth. Not to mention, it has a thin texture - not sticky at all! I'd say that's the compromise... MAC lipglasses are much thicker, last longer but super sticky. Can't have the best of both worlds, I guess :( Ridiculously expensive - but NARS officially makes my favourite lipgloss now! Repurchase any day!
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Highlighters -Bobbi Brown - Apricot Shimmerbrick Shimmer Brick Compact [DISCONTINUED]
oddinary 6/24/2009 10:59:00 AM
COLOUR... Love! When it comes to blush, the most flattering colour on me is peach and my "ideal" shimmery peach would be a toned-down orange fused with gold shimmer. This is it (and it's taken me a while to be finally satisfied)! The shimmerbrick starts from the lightest colour, an off-white gold down to what looks like a brown, but what is really a straight peach. I don't always swirl the colours together (because it can look too dark), but that's the good thing - colour is buildable! I've never tried it as eyeshadow personally, but this is definitely multi-purpose. I often take the lightest shade to highlight my nose, inner corner of my eyes and top of my cupid's bow. SHIMMER / GLOW... Like others have said, the shimmerbrick can make you look like a disco-ball if you're heavy-handed. Bobbi Brown recommends the Face Blender Brush - but IMO, that's too dense, giving too heavy an application. Go for a sparser blush and buff buff buff! The shimmers are what will give you that beautiful peach glow - I guarantee you! I've tried many many products and nothing else gives such a divine glow. I think it's to do with how finely milled the powder is (better than MSFs by far). It may look too much at first, but I'm sure you can control this by how much you apply! :) PRICE / PACKAGING... Too expensive, really. If you're willing to invest, then I definitely recommend this. I haven't found any dupes as such, but perhaps a similar shade is MAC's Nuance Mineralize Blush. This is more orange than peach and contains gold shimmer. Not as finely milled, but if you're interested I have a picture in my profile showing how "glowy" this is. As for packaging - as I read somewhere before - it's a little awkward to use the mirror (the compact only opens up to 90 degrees). It's okay though - classic black case with the Bobbi Brown logo printed on top. I haven't travelled with this before, so I can't say anything about how sturdy it is.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus
oddinary 6/24/2009 8:13:00 AM
Saw the innovative double-sided wand it came with so I was eagar to try it. Turns out I like the Lash Expander (volume) better. I am aware that this is a *lengthening mascara* and to do it's job, this mascara has little fibres - but I find it's effect quite a hit-or-miss. There are days (namely the first few) where I get super long lashes with this (no base)... and other days, average length. I can get those long long lashes once again by using Shiseido's Mascara Base underneath. Plus, I find the fibres can get VERY messy. They are never evenly distributed! My lashes won't know which direction they're going so I end up with a goopy mess. =( Will not repurchase.
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Styling Products -TiGi - Bedhead Small Talk
oddinary 12/29/2008 8:31:00 AM
HOW I USE IT ---- I have stick straight Asian hair, completely flat most of the time. To build a little volume and give my hair that slightly tousled look, I dampen the hair on the crown, work half a pump of Small Talk into my fingers and rubbing it near the roots whilst picking it up. I continue to work half a pump into the rest of my hair, scrunching it. The results are much more fuller hair which I absolutely adore! However, I must point out that Small Talk is a "light" thickifier for creating "gentle volume" - it won't give you big massive hair. WHY I LOVE IT ---- The main reason I love this is because it doesn't give me overly wet look - my hair looks natural providing me that perfect bedhead look! :P I also find that Small Talk smells more like candy than grape; combined with the packaging, it just looks super cute on my bathroom counter! :) The texture is thin and spreads easily - no sticky residue is left behind. BUT, I rate this only as a 4 because the effects aren't that long lasting. :/ It falls quite quickly if you don't use some sort of hairspray. Plus, I've tried air-drying vs. blow-drying and air-drying definitely works better! I might be doing it wrong, but blow-drying seems to flatten my hair all over again! So all in all, great product! I only paid about USD$8 for this, but even if marked at a higher price I'd repurchase. Recommended!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - Joues Contraste in 13 Candy
oddinary 10/19/2008 11:22:00 AM
Candy is a perfect peach with a slightly shimmery pink overlay. The pink is very subtle, only noticeable when swatched. No large chunks of glitter or shimmer whatsoever - the effect on the face is almost a matte peach with an ever so slight glow. Out of the 3 JCs I own (Orchid Rose, Reflex), Candy is my favourite. I love peachy blushes in general and amongst my little collection, Candy is definitely a spot-on perfect peach. Being Chanel, the luxurious factor is always there. Packaging is lovely and for me, the rosewater scent finishes it off perfectly. The only downside is it is quite sheer. It's a shame given how much this costs, but my solution right now is to use the little brush it comes with, swirling it two or three times until some of the product comes off. I then go ahead with my normal blush brush and pick up the blush from there. It is a quite a hassle and most likely, it'll put some of you off buying this, but the outcome in the end is so lovely, I really don't mind spending a bit of extra effort and time. =) (P.S. This is the Euro version) Oh & since I described this as a peach with pink shimmer, some of you may wonder how this compares to MAC Spaced Out. When both are swatched side by side, I find Candy to be more of a "milky" peach. The pink shimmer is not as intense. Compared to Spaced Out, there is a clearly visible pink glow whereas the pink is undetectable when wearing Candy. HTH!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No