Tinted Moisturizer -LUSH - Colour Supplement
oubliette 3/18/2013 7:29:00 PM
I bought this in Light Yellow, which is a perfect winter match for my pale Asian skin. I was surprised at how much coverage this gives, as I was under the impression that it was marketed more as a tinted moisturiser. The coverage is that of a medium-coverage foundation, and you'd need to mix it with moisturiser to get a more TM feel. That said, it has a light whipped texture and feels airy on the skin which is nice. The goods: - great colour match for pale yellow toned folk (not that easy to find usually) - price is reasonable... looks like a small jar but it lasts longer than you'd think - no animal testing - readily available in many countries via shops or mail order - nice light feel on the skin - good at covering up redness The neutrals: - packaging is not great but functional, as with many LUSH products The bads: - contains parabens, which is a shame for an otherwise natural product - is a bit chalky and hard to spread on the skin without first moisturising I am very picky with foundation and colour matching, and I've found that LUSH colour supplement for me is pretty close to what I like. It does settle into dry patches and I find it hard to blend, so I would not recommend this for dryer skin. I have combo skin and must make sure my face is regularly exfoliated in order that the product doesn't emphasise flaky patches. I would recommend getting a sample from a local LUSH shop, if you can. LUSH is very generous with samples and they provided me with a little pot that lasted me over two weeks with daily use. Me: MAC NC 20-25, combo skin, problems with acne scarring, redness, and brown spots
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
oubliette 2/14/2012 4:37:00 PM
I've given this 5 stars because it has worked better than any other skin treatment I've used to treat my skin other than Accutane. Don't expect a miraculous transformation but it makes a bigger difference than most other skin products I've tried (almost everything under the sun in the past 24 years, including drugstore, department store, dermatologist, DIY natural...). I've been using it once a day, in the evening, for six weeks. My skin type is combination, with both oily and dry patches and problems with a few bumps, breakouts, and acne scars. I'm also starting to show signs of age, mostly with hyperpigmentation but also with some wrinkling on my forehead and below my eyes. What MIA helped with: - Overall skin texture is much smoother. MIA finely and thoroughly exfoliates. Makeup goes on smoother. - Skin is noticeably brighter and shinier. - Less products are needed to moisturise and cleanse. A little dab of any moisturiser sinks in nicely. Cheapo cleansers work as well as any. I'm using a drugstore milk type cleanser with MIA. - Has gotten rid of some of the small bumps and clogs trapped under the skin. - It gets my face very clean. - Elegant design and well built. Lasts for about three weeks before a recharge is needed. Cons: - Has not reduced large breakouts and resulting discolouration. - Hyperpigmentation and wrinkles are the same. - Blackheads and pore size haven't changed much. - Initial cost is quite large and new brushes need to be purchase every few months. - No international plug is available as far as I can tell?? I searched far and wide for a MIA with a European 2-pin plug but it only seems to be available with a US plug. Works with international plug adaptors but that's an extra thing that clutters up an otherwise minimalist design. Minor complaint in the end since it doesn't need recharging very often. Overall, I'm happy with the MIA but it is not a miracle product!! I've have tried SOOO many skin care treatments over the years and most make no discernable difference. MIA gets 5 stars from me for having a visible impact on the overall texture and look on my skin, which would benefit people of all ages and skin types!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Pixi - illuminating tint & conceal
oubliette 10/17/2011 7:02:00 PM
OK, there are lots of things to be said about this product, but let's first talk about the sparkle. I'm not a complete sparkle-phobe, however I do generally prefer matte products as someone with oily skin that's beginning to develop wrinkles and creping. This Pixi product DOES look very shimmery if I test on the back of my hand or when it gets my fingers. It looks like pale gold paint. BUT! It doesn't look that way on my my face, somehow. Maybe it's because there are more shadows on my face, and the reflection is vertical. Weirdly it looks natural on my face and I even I asked my boyfriend to tell me if I looked like a glittering disco ball. He says it looks like I'm wearing nothing. That said, this product does leave a slight shine to my face after using. This has been my experience with every tinted moisturiser that I have used. Previously I've tried the Mac and Smashbox TM's and have been happy with the coverage, and not so happy with the moisturising properties. The Pixi product feels like a nice light moisturiser while also giving a bit of coverage. So that's a win for me. I tone down the shine with Mac Blot Powder and everything's good. :) For reference, I use Mac NW 20 to 25 and Smashbox Light. Pixi No. 2 Bare Glow is a good match for me. It's slightly dark outside the summer months but still a natural looking effect if I take care to blend down my neck. The accompanying concealer is a matte, full coverage concealer. I find this helps tone down the shine depending on how much you need to use. I'd prefer to buy the concealer separately because I use the TM about twice as fast. But it's still a good product and it's a nice bonus. This is my favourite tinted moisturiser that I've tried. It ticks all my HG boxes except price point. I live in Europe and I order it from ASOS with free shipping. In fact, I just ordered two more tubes on sale! In summary, the good: natural looking coverage, easy to use, feels light on the skin, SPF, no scent, and mostly natural ingredients. The bad: The price!! It's a small tube. But I tell myself it's four products in one (foundation, moisturiser, sunscreen, and concealer) and it takes the sting away. Also, the packaging is average and gets covered in orange fingerprints. This is minor considering how much I do like the product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -LUSH - Gorilla Perfume - Imogen Rose
oubliette 1/12/2011 11:54:00 PM
I am fussy about rose scents, but I am thoroughly enjoying Imogen Rose. It starts out smelling like dirt, rose, and powder. As it dries down, it becomes softer and more honeyed. A very unique and wearable scent from Gorilla Perfumes. Bravo!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Live Clean - (Exotic Nectar) Restorative Conditioner
oubliette 12/13/2010 12:58:00 AM
I'm very pleased with this silicone-free, cruelty-free conditioner. It is a light conditioner and doesn't leave the same "slip" as 'cone conditioners, but that's to be expected. It's reasonably priced, especially since I've often seen it on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart (in Canada) for $5.99. The smell is a light, earthy vanilla which I love. I've since purchased the Argon body lotion which has the same lovely scent. I'm really digging the Live Clean line, because it's fairly inexpensive, natural, and Canadian-made!
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Eyeliner -MAC - Penultimate Eye Liner - Rapidblack
oubliette 12/13/2010 12:48:00 AM
Meh, I'm so disappointed in this product. I'm usually a MAC fan and I've been on a quest to find an easy-to-use liquid liner because I'm hopeless with brush-style applicators. I love the ease of application with L'Oreal Lineur Intense but I've been searching for a cruelty-free replacement. Sadly, the Penultimate liner I got was dried out from the first time I used it. It goes on grey and drags over my eyelids, requiring 3 or 4 do-overs until it looks right. I put it on over bare lids but after a day wearing it, it had smudged above my eyelids. I do have oily eyelids but for such a dry product, I was really surprised that it transferred. I plan to go back to MAC and replace this pen, because maybe I just have a dud. I'll update my review accordingly if my experience was just some bad luck with the pen I got.
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Lipstick -Lipstick Queen - Medieval
oubliette 11/28/2010 11:24:00 PM
Very nice lipstick for girls who don't like to wear lipstick. I've used Clinique Black Honey on and off for years, because I love how sheer, light and natural it is. But since I like to get out of my rut once in a while, I tried Poppy King Medieval. It's very comparable in terms of consistency and colour payoff. It's a balmy cherry red colour with no scent. Black Honey is browner but otherwise the products are very similar. Also, I love the shiny red metal tube (as well as the illustrations on the cardboard!).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -LUSH - Goth Juice
oubliette 2/12/2008
Well, colour me surprised! I got this product mostly because I was intrigued by the marketing (made from the tears of Robert Smith??) plus the beautiful earthy smell. But I was impressed at how well this worked. It's not too gel-like...more like a finishing product to give a bit of natural definition and tame the frizzies. My hair has a light Japanese wave perm, but I could see this working for most hair types. One of my new favourite products from LUSH!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Clinique - Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
oubliette 12/30/2007 1:11:00 AM
I got this in a GWP, and I am not impressed. It did a reasonable job taking off my eyeshadow, but on waterproof mascara it was a total failure. This product also stung my eyes and left my eyelids looking red.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Bois Farine
oubliette 12/2/2007 3:10:00 PM
This is a light fragrance that reminds me of sweet hay or cream of wheat. It's very pleasant, comforting, and unusual. However, for the price I don't think I'd buy a full bottle. I'll stick to my little decant for now.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - The Makeup Mascara Base [DISCONTINUED]
oubliette 12/2/2007 2:48:00 PM
Excellent product that does more than just act as a "base". It holds curl, it thickens, and essentially makes any mascara smudge-proof. I was impressed what it did with my straight Asian lashes. When applying, the base seems dried out and like it's not doing anything. But when you apply mascara afterwards you can definitely tell the difference. Curling is a must before application. You'll need a good makeup remover to get this stuff off at night. Overall, this product is pricey but worth it and easy to use. The upside is that you can save on regular mascara, because they all work awesomely over the base!
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Lip Balm
oubliette 8/26/2007 10:46:00 PM
This is my HG lip balm: inexpensive, natural, and effective. I like that it's sort of thick and waxy, because it stays put and I don't like the look or feel of gloss. The minty tingle is a surprising, but ultimately pleasant feeling. Burt's Bees saved my lips throughout my Accutane treatment. My dermatologist even asked what I used on my lips because they were in such good shape for an Accutane user!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -H & M - Liquid Karl
oubliette 3/17/2007 4:23:00 PM
I got this as a surprise sample with an eBay order...I honestly had no idea what to expect. To me, it smells like a warm, delicious cafe. Coffee and something candied, like chocolate or caramel. I like it quite a bit, but it does smell similar to a couple of other scents I've tried - Bond No. 9 So New York comes to mind.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Le Parfum de Therese
oubliette 3/17/2007 4:00:00 PM
Pretty, fresh, old-fashioned floral. It is mainly a light violet on me, then POOF! It disappears.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Iris Poudre
oubliette 3/4/2007 5:52:00 PM
Very powdery, vintage, cooling. Excellent rendition of an old fashioned style of perfume.
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