Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - BADgal Blue
ooliedonna 12/11/2007 4:28:00 PM
I'm a big fan of the original black BadGal mascara, so I was excited to try this new blue version. I've been using it about three months, and I really like it. I have blue eyes, and I really think the blue tinge to the color makes me eyes look bigger and whiter/brighter. One of my favorite things about BadGal is the big, full, oversize applicator wand. I've found that the blue formula seems slightly drier than the original, but if I tissue off the excess mascara on the wand prior to applying, I very rarely have problems with clumping. Two coats gives me long beautifully defined eyelashes. I am a glasses-wearer, and even behind my specs I think the blue effect is flattering and subtle. At $19, there's no doubt this is an expensive mascara, but I personally think it's worth it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -BeneFit Cosmetics - Rush Hour for lips and cheeks
ooliedonna 7/28/2007 11:15:00 PM
I'm a sucker for Benefit's slick marketing and cute retro packaging, so I find myself helpless against buying and trying almost ever new product they introduce. Sadly, a lot of them aren't so great. I'm happy to report that Rush Hour is one of my favorite new Benefit products in a long time. I'm not a blush gal, so I bought this solely for use as a lipstick. The formula is a smooth, creamy consistancy with medium staying power. It fades/wears evenly so you don't get a big 'ole ring of lipstick on the outermost edges of your lips. The shade is a gorgeous, totally flattering brownish-pink that I truly do imagine will look good on most people. It's very neutral and wearable as an everyday lipcolor and didn't dry out my lips, a problem I tend to have with lipsticks. It's a little on the expensive side for a relatively small amount of product, but I would buy it again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Top/Base Coats -Creative Nail Design - Stickey -Base Coat
ooliedonna 3/27/2007 2:20:00 PM
My holy grail basecoat. You should know I am NEVER without polish on my nails, and I'm strictly a red/dark polish gal. This is THE perfect primer for my polish. It is slicky tacky to the touch after you apply, but polish really adheres to it and stays on. It works equally well with salon-quality polishes as bargain finds, which I don't think you can say about all topcoats. I can get a full week out of my manicures when I use Stickey, and I honestly can't say that about any other topcoat I've used. The best!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Aloe Moisturizer SPF 15
ooliedonna 11/23/2006 10:05:00 PM
I've been using the MB Buttermilk Moisturizer for several years now, and I love it, but it contains oil and that doesn't go over well with my skin in the warmer months. So I wanted to try another product in the MB line that was both oil-free and had an SPF. So far, I've been happy with the Aloe Moisturizer. It took about a week for my skin to adjust to using a new product and I had some slight breakouts at first, but it's a great, lightweight daytime moisturizer that leaves my face smooth and soft. I usually use a little powder after it sinks into my skin because it can leave my skin a bit shiny. Mario Badescu moisturizers are among my favorite. My only complaint is that I wish they offered higher SPF's in their products.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - The Original One Minute Manicure
ooliedonna 12/14/2005 8:45:00 PM
I have to say, I was really impressed with this product. A small amount did wonders to my winter hands and left them feeling velvety smooth and moisturized. I find it a bit difficult to really mix the salt and oil together, when I go to dig in I usually lose a little oil off the top, but no biggie. Great scent and real results. This is a keeper!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Astara - Blue Flame Purification Mask
ooliedonna 12/10/2005 8:32:00 PM
I get real results with this product. I started using it after a facial, and I truly think it's made the results last. I use it once a week, followed by the Golden Flame mask for moisture, and I've noticed a definite change in clarity and softness of my face. My skin isn't particularly sensitive, but I can certainly see why this might irritate some people, because it does tingle while on. I bought it in the Mask Madness kit of three 1 oz jars so I've had no problems with it drying up in the jar. I will continue to buy and use this regularly. It's made a huge difference in unblocking my pores!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous Lipgloss - Nude Lustre
ooliedonna 12/5/2005 8:27:00 PM
I bought this because I really loved the consistancy of my Shine City SL gloss, and I'd read a lot of favorable reviews on the boards about this shade. But alas, like many "nude" shades, it is too peachy/orange for my coloring, and has a very funny scent to boot.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Lip Glide in Berry Dazzling
ooliedonna 12/5/2005 8:24:00 PM
I wonder if I got a bad/old tube, because it smells truly horrible, like rotten burnt plastic or something - yuck. It's a pretty color, but definately more light mauve than berry. There's slightly too much frost in it, and I need to mix this with some clear or nude gloss in order to wear it. I wouldn't repurchase due to the smell of the product and the general unwearability due to the level of frost in this shade.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Stila - guava lipglaze
ooliedonna 12/4/2005 6:03:00 PM
I probably never would have picked this up on my own because it doesn't look like much in the tube, but I got it as a GWP and I like it a lot. It's a beautiful, natural pink with enough color to be noticable, but it's still glossy and sheer. It has a strange citrus smell, but it's not that strong so it doesn't really bother me. Doesn't last very long on me, but really no gloss does so I'm not surprised. Stila's Berry Lipglaze is still my favorite, but this is probably my second favorite out of all the ones I've tried.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Other -Crest - Whitestrips Premium
ooliedonna 11/30/2005 10:57:00 PM
I had no luck with the original Crest Whitestrips, but when they came out with this "stronger" formula I decided to give it another try. I did notice some subtle whitening effects (I experienced zilch with the original) but nothing dramatic and these are a pain to wear. They slide around like crazy and I feel like a slobbering, drooling mess while wearing them. Also, the taste is so unpleasant and really seems to linger throughout the day, no matter how many times I brush and rinse with mouthwash. I had no tooth or gum sensitivity while using them as many have reported, so that's a plus. But I wouldn't buy these again. Alas, I've resigned myself to the fact that if I want whiter teeth, I'll have to pony up to the pros.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -China Glaze - Ruby Pumps
ooliedonna 11/30/2005 8:25:00 PM
I'm a red polish freak, so I knew I had to try this one when I saw all the raves for it. This is not your everyday red with a bit of shimmer in it. It is one GLITTERY nail polish, it really is as sparkly as Dorothy's red slippers, so the name is totally appropriate! It appears to be a very sheer polish with lots of glitter in it (reminiscent of OPI's glitter topcoats from the holiday collection a few years back), and I needed 3 full coats to really make the color pop. One coat was streaky and see-through, and two wasn't quite the rich red in the bottle. Three had lots of color and dimension. Personally, I think it's too over the top for fingers, but it's a dazzler on the toes as long as you are not going for subtlety. It's a fun, gorgeous color, and a must for any red-polish-lovers collection, just not as versatile as other red polishes out there.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous Lipgloss - Shine City
ooliedonna 11/26/2005 6:43:00 PM
For a drugstore buy, this is a really great gloss. It applies very smoothly and wears fairly well. It looks a bit glittery in the tube but don't worry, it isn't glitzy at all, it just adds a really nice, subtle shine. This would be perfect to gloss up a lipstick that's too matte and is also lovely on it's own. So far so good with the packaging. Reminds me very much of Vincent Longo gloss and no leaking. Even though it's a very light pink in the tube, it's true there's no color to this, it's just a clear shine. I'd definately try other shades in this line, nice product.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Tutti Dolci-Cinnamon Frosting Moisturizing Body Souffle
ooliedonna 11/25/2005 8:16:00 PM
I bought this to use as a companion to Philosophy's deliciously-scented Cinnamon Buns wash. I have to hand it to Bath & Body Works, they make some of my favorite body moisturizers. This one has a smooth, creamy consistancy that soaks very nicely into the skin and doesn't leave me feeling greasy and buttered. I've found when applied to the skin, it smells quite different than in the jar. On me, the scent has a distinctly chocolate-y note and doesn't remind me much of Cinnamon Frosting, but it's subtle and pleasant. It has some staying power, because I catch whiffs of it when I change my clothes at the end of thday. The glass jar packaging is lovely but I'm always a little nervous of heavy glass jars crashing onto tiled bathroom floors . . . oh well! While I probably would not buy this particular scent at full price again, I would definately try another Tutti Dolci Body Souffle.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Bumble & Bumble - thickening conditioner
ooliedonna 11/6/2005 7:55:00 PM
I wouldn't recommend this conditioner at all. It was very expensive ($28 - more than I have ever paid for a single 8 oz. bottle of conditioner) and I didn't notice any difference in thickness or volume after using it for several weeks. I follwed the instructions, combing it through and letting it sit for three minutes. You only need a little of the this at a time, even with a lot of hair, so it will last awhile, but it's just not worth the money. I also used the matching shampoo, and nothing. I had good results with the Thickening Spray, but don't waste your money on the conditioner (or shampoo).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Bumble & Bumble - Thickening Shampoo
ooliedonna 11/6/2005 7:53:00 PM
I wouldn't recommend this shampoo at all. It was very expensive ($25 - more than I have ever paid for a single 8 oz. bottle of shampoo) and I didn't notice any difference in thickness or volume after using it for several weeks. You only need a little of the this at a time, even with a lot of hair, so it will last awhile, but it's just not worth the money. Scent is pleasant but unremarkable. I also used the matching conditioner, and nothing. I had good results with the Thickening Spray, but don't waste your money on the shampoo (or conditioner).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No