Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Eau de Ciel 
olgabjornstaad 5/17/2004 12:13:00 PM
Received a generous mini bottle included from a purchase of Eau D'Hadrien on Ebay. I wanted to like this fragrance; however, it didn't like me. Upon application to my wrists, my eyes started watering, nose began tickling and I started sneezing. I proffered my wrist to the unsuspecting nose of my significant other and he recoiled, "You smell like Raid insect spray!" This goes into the swap catagory.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Milani - Easybrow
olgabjornstaad 9/19/2003 1:43:00 AM
What a BARGAIN- at $2.99, I got a great dark brown self sharpening eyeliner with a built in mascara brush at the opposite end. Other eyebrow pencils have been too hard and/or too difficult to blend either with a moistened Q-tip or a brow brush [if one is handy;)]. Ever had the point of a makeup pencil break during mid-sharpen? No more aggravating breakage. This formula is creamy enough to blend naturally with my brows without making me look too Joan Crawford-ish. Prior to this purchase, I used a dark brown matte eye shadow applied with a bevel cut makeup brush, then blended with a stiff brow brush. Now I have one simple pencil that does it all. Thank you, thank you, Milani, for making my life a little easier! This will definitely be a staple in my makeup arsenal.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - L-eau de l-Artisan
olgabjornstaad 6/6/2003 5:29:00 PM
Out of the 5 fragrance sample vials from L'Artisan, this was the one that I enjoyed the least. Initially, I smell the citrus and a hint of herb right after it is applied to my skin. However, the drydown evaporated to a sweet, leathery smell. If I were a man, I would wear this. The staying factor of this particular fragrance is nil on my skin- the scent is gone after less than an hour and I catch a mere whiff of it on my wrist. I'm glad I didn't pay full price for a bottle.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Moisturizing Creme
olgabjornstaad 6/3/2003 6:04:00 PM
This was included in a sample pack: Burt's Bees Facial in a Kit. It seemed too thick to put on my face, so I tried it on the backs of my hands- LOVELY! The smell was like really inhaling a bouquet of hybrid tea roses on a hot day. If you don't like the rose scent, you won't enjoy the intensity of this smell. Today, I dabbed a little bit on my face and it refused to absorb into my skin. It stayed greasy 30 minutes later until I wiped most of it off with tissue. I just won't use it on my face anymore. It works beautifully on my knees and elbows.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Tea for Two [DISCONTINUED]
olgabjornstaad 5/30/2003 5:22:00 PM
I can see why there are such mixed reviews on this particular fragrance...amazing what different body chemistry will alter the scent from one skin to another. The smell you hate to love?! From smoke and burned rubber and TAR to..."EXACTLY like crab/shrimp boil!"...to milky tea with honey. When I first received my five sample vials from L'Artisan, this was the sample where my initial reaction was, "Eeeewwwww, why did I even consider this one?" Fortunately, I reconsidered and applied it directly to my skin. One member claims that it must be sprayed on the skin to get the full effect. I will make a trek to Essenza in Seattle to do just that since I'm not sure that my spare dabs on my pulse points will do it justice. Initially I detect sharp clove and warm honey. The drydown on my skin turns to a spicy vanilla with a smokeybite at the end. Definitely very intriguing and mysterious. It's 72 degrees and I'm wearing it with a white cotton shirt, jeans and sandals...I feel as though I should be wearing textured velvets and nubby silks- and a cape!!!! I must purchase a decant from one of the members!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Yves Saint Laurent - Paris
olgabjornstaad 5/14/2003 2:28:00 PM
"Created by Yves St Laurent and unveiled in 1983, this lovely fragrance is refined and flowery. Incredibly feminine, this is a perfect blend of mimosa, orange flower, rose, moss, sandalwood and amber. Can be worn at any time." I first smelled this on a co-worker who looked like a blond Kirstie Ally on Grace Kelley's body. She looked and smelled sensational. Naturally, I immediately wanted some of that;) Fortunately, my body chemistry did not reduce this scent to smelling like a ripe gym locker [what Chanel No. 5 smells like on me]. Brava!! this fragrance smelled just as good on me as it did on her. Everytime I wear this fragrance, I get compliments. It's almost overpowering when first applied; however, the dry down is wonderful and lingering. I have asked for this as a gift over and over again and am never disappointed!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche
olgabjornstaad 5/14/2003 2:15:00 PM
I havn't worn this one in years but I still like it. Rive Gauche used to be my signature scent during my senior year in high school, 1976. I felt sophisticated and chic wearing it. "Rive Gauche Perfume by Yves Saint Laurent, Launched By The Design House Of Yves Saint Laurent In 1971, Rive Gauche Is Classified As A Sharp, Gentle, Floral Fragrance. This Feminine Scent Possesses A Blend Of Warm Woody Florals Including Oakmoss And Sandalwood. Accompanied By The Scent Of Gardenia, Honeysuckle And Magnolia. It Is Recommended For Daytime Wear." The scent is sharp and distinctive as is the very cool blue, black and silver stripe packaging. I'd wear it again for those times when I'm feeling pensive and edgy.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Worth - Je Reviens
olgabjornstaad 5/14/2003 1:13:00 PM
This was my very first "real" fragrance back in 1974. My boyfriend at the time bought it for me and I felt very sophisticated and cosmopolitan. I still wear it from time to time when I want a soft, creamy powdery scent. If anyone else is wearing it- I recognize it immediately and it brings a smile to my face. The fragrance is so evocative of a more innocent, less hectic era. I received a sample of L'Artisan Dzing and it reminded me so much of Je Reviens..."I shall return".
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -St. Ives - Apricot Scrub
olgabjornstaad 5/1/2003 6:32:00 PM
This is my standby exfoiliator for my face- I use the scrub from the tube for my face because the granules are more fine, creamy and less abrasive than the tub variety. I use the coarser and drier version on the rest of my body. Leaves my skin baby smooth and soft. My significant other swears by this stuff- his back was prone to breaking out and now it's clear. This is a standard staple in the shower. He prefers a vigorous massage on his back which would probably strip the upper dermal layer of my skin! I prefer a very light, gentle touch and the results are the same. I think women just have much more sensitive skin- so be very careful when you rub this onto your face or shoulders or hands, etc. This stuff is so economical and affordable. The tube is perfect for traveling when you don't want to bring that hurking tub;)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Cinnamon Buns 3-in-1
olgabjornstaad 5/1/2003 5:14:00 PM
Received a small bottle as a gift. Tried it as a shampoo/conditioner. A little bit goes a loooong way. Rich creamy lather that smells heavenly! The cinnamon and vanilla icing smell makes you want to run out and grab a sweet, sticky cinnamon roll. It's like walking into one of those Cinnabon eateries at the mall. It's a shame the fragrance doesn't last very long; however, the aroma is delicious in your bathroom.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -DHC - Rich Moisture
olgabjornstaad 5/1/2003 12:24:00 AM
I received a sample packet from a friend. I have been experimenting with different moisturizers for my combination skin (which now has a tendency towards dry flaking)- I decided to try it. gaaaaak. My face refused to absorb this stuff. I decided to wait 10 minutes to see if it would improve. Just call my face Exxon Valdese- it was a greasy oily mess. It reminded me of my face during puberty minus the pimples. I took a warm, wet washcloth and wiped off my face. Only then did my skin feel normal again. I'd rather go back to my Lancome Hydra Zen.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Tommy Hilfiger - Freedom
olgabjornstaad 4/25/2003 2:38:00 PM
<
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Calvin Klein - CKbe
olgabjornstaad 4/25/2003 2:28:00 PM
I bought this for the first time over six years ago and wore it constantly during the day. It has a nice, clean citrus-woodsy smell. Androgynous is an appropriate term since my older son uses the spray his girlfriend bought him. I use it occaisionally now because I enjoy using different fragrances. I agree that it's more of a daytime scent. There is little evaporation because of the dark bottle...I keep my bottles inside a cabinet in my vanity, away from sunlight and this original bottle still smells the same.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Citre Shine - Take Hold Styling Glue
olgabjornstaad 4/10/2003 2:05:00 AM
I use this thick goop to make my younger son's short, really thick hair spike straight up in front. All the extra hold gels we've tried only stay in place for a couple of hours. His hair is so thick that the weight pulls it down. This is the only product that maintains his style of combing his hair forward, then the very end staight up. The price is very affordable and a little bit goes a long way. I was surprised to see my son's hair in pretty much the same style the next morning before he shampooed again. It wasn't stiff and crunchy feeling- fluffy, like regular hair but it stood straight up! My only complaint is that the product is so thick that it's hard to squeeze through the "glue" nozzle. We end up unscrewing the cap and using our fingers to dig it out. Other than that slight inconvenience, it's a great deal.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Bergamot Coriander Aromatherapy lotion
olgabjornstaad 4/9/2003 2:30:00 AM
Like a previous reviewer commented, it's one of those fragrances that you either love or hate. I positively adore the citrusy smell- I am very partial to verbena fragrances and bergamot has that lovely, clean bite that smells so clean. After I bought the moisturizer, my son's girlfriend surprised me with practically the entire product line for Christmas last year! My own mother even bought a bottle of the lotion because she liked it so much. Unfortunately, this is not a popular scent with some of the men in my life. My significant other claims the smell is too strong and gives him a headache, one male friend said it reminded him of lemon Pledge;) another gave it the underwhelming opinion, "It's alright." I slather it on after a shower and the fragrance lasts for only a couple of hours. I can make it last by spritzing another layer of the Aromatic Body Essence. As a moisturizing lotion, it's light and non-greasy and absorbs into my dry skin easily. I use it regularly on my hands at work and at home. It's invigorating and the smell perks me up almost immediately. I consider this a staple in my daily regime. My only complaint is that it does not pack well for traveling. I would rather have it packaged in a tube rather than a pump. I've resorted to enclosing it in a ziplock bag so that it doesn't sprootz all over my other grooming supplies.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No