Lip Treatments -L'Occitane - 10% shea butter anti-drying lip balm
pale_blue_raindrop 1/18/2009 9:20:00 AM
I find it hard to believe L'Occitane labelled this lip balm as 'anti-drying', because it leaves much to be desired in the moisturizing department. It does not apply smoothly which tugs at my already chapped winter lips, and in fact feels a bit grainy going on which I find odd. In all honesty, I'm surprised they can charge $10 for such a mediocre product when there are so many other outstanding lip balms for a fraction of the price.
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Moisturizers -MAC - Moisturelush Cream [DISCONTINUED]
pale_blue_raindrop 1/27/2008 10:04:00 AM
I've been holding off on my review on this product because I wanted to use it for a few weeks before I made my mind up about it. With that out of the way, let me say I absolutely adore this cream. When first applied, it feels balm-like, and then a few seconds later the silicones seem to kick in and my face feels like it has a nice slip to it. I suppose this is the primer part working. It leaves a nice barrier on the skin, it may seem like a film to others but as someone with dry skin, I really do appreciate it. I've worn it day and night, with no problems whatsoever. In the day, it's preps my skin nicely for my liquid foundation. My makeup applies smoothly and evenly, and wears like a dream throughout the rest of the day. At night, I'll use this after I apply my AHA, and wake up with totally soft and hydrated skin. The scent doesn't bother me at all, in fact I actually like it. I've used the Studio Moisture Cream before and I'd liken the scent to that. It's a green floral-like smell, totally inoffensive to me. The packaging is nice, just a sleek tub with a rubberized screw top. I imagine it wouldn't dispense as nicely if it were in a tube. As far as skin types go, I'd only use this cream if you have Normal to Dry skin. Age doesn't really factor into this in my opinion, but anyone with Oily or Acne-prone skin won't appreciate this moisturizer at all. Let me conclude my review with saying Moisturelush is **not** limited edition and is permanent in the MAC skin care line. With that being said, I'd definitely repurchase this when I run out.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pink Raspberry Pot Rouge ] [DISCONTINUED]
pale_blue_raindrop 1/27/2008 9:21:00 AM
Out of all the Pot Rouges I own (about 4 or so), Pink Raspberry is my absolute favorite. My coloring is fair with pink undertones (think BB Alabaster or NW20), and this Pot Rouge seems to compliment my skin tone the best. When you first see it, it looks quite scary but just a dab on each cheek and blended into the apple makes the prettiest, healthiest glow! I'm so happy Bobbi came out with a color like this and thankfully it's not limited edition. I'll definitely purchase this product again, but in general Pot Rouges seem to last me ages since you don't need to use a lot of product.
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Fragrances -Philosophy - Amazing Grace cologne
pale_blue_raindrop 12/16/2007 9:49:00 AM
Let me preface my review by saying I adore this fragrance, and would put it up there as being one of my all time favorites. However I must admit when I first tried it when it came out, I absolutely hated it. I don't really know why I did, I suppose peoples chemistry and tastes change over the years. To me, this fragrance is a floral with a touch of musk. I think it's very feminine, unoffensive, and very fresh smelling making it a perfect scent for everyday. I especially use this fragrance during the day, reserving some of my heavier fragrances for night. The lasting power of the Spray Fragrance is not really up to par I admit, but layering the body products with it seems to help quite a bit. Philosophy sure does have a ton of ancillary products concerning the Amazing Grace fragrance, some of which I'm still discovering (body lotion, hand cream, foot cream, perfumed roll-on, etc.) I'll continue to buy this fragrance since I love it so much, but I will definitely buy the Eau de Parfum for future purchases.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Philosophy - Amazing Grace Concentrated Perfume Oil
pale_blue_raindrop 12/16/2007 9:30:00 AM
I absolutely adore this product and the Amazing Grace scent in general. To me it's a nice, fresh floral scent that's non-offensive and appropriate for daytime wear. Unless I wear the Eau de Parfum, I usually supplement the Eau de Toilette with the Perfume Oil Roll On throughout the day. It does make a difference when you layer the fragrance products. Also I'll occasionally shake the Roll On vigorously to mix the fragrance and oil, I think sometimes they may tend to separate a bit. I find that it does make a difference for the scent and lasting power.
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Lip Treatments -La Mer - Lip Balm
pale_blue_raindrop 12/14/2007 10:44:00 AM
I've been using this lip balm on and off for the past 6 months now, and I've unfortunately come to the conclusion it's mediocre at best. It does have a very nice consistency, a sweet minty taste, and nice packaging but I don't think the hydrating properties are up to par. Once applied, it felt like the balm just sat on my lips without absorbing. Supposedly La Mer's 'Miracle Broth' is in the formula, but I found nothing to really differentiate this product from the competitors. I strongly suggest you try a sample before putting down $45 for a .32 oz container.
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Lip Gloss -Bobbi Brown - Lip Gloss
pale_blue_raindrop 12/11/2007 9:09:00 AM
I'm going to start off my review with the lip gloss brush debate. I recently had the chance to talk to someone in Bobbi Brown Product Development and asked her about the brush. She immediately got this pained look on her face like she's been down this road before....many times! She said that it's the number one complaint of the company, and they are fully aware about it. The only problem is Bobbi refuses to change it. She's apparently been presented with 10 different styles of brushes, and even a few doe foot applicators but she says only the brush in the current packaging applies it perfectly. Unfortunately it doesn't look like it's going to be changing anytime soon, despite everyones frustrations. The company has found that the shimmer gloss brushes tend to splay easier than the flat colors. Moving on to the gloss itself, it's one of the best formulas I've used. It's a bit thick, which is good for me because it won't 'travel' to lines outside of my mouth like watery glosses do. The formula itself is longer lasting due to the thickness of the gloss, and most of the colors are gorgeous. I also like the fact it conditions my lips as well. When my tube is almost finished, I'll remove the clear ring with a pair of old tweezers to get the very last of the product out. This enables you to get the gloss out from the upper part of the container. I'd most certainly purchase this item again, despite the small size and "the brush".
18 out of 19 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Bobbi Brown - Buffing Grains For Face Adzuki Bean Powder
pale_blue_raindrop 10/10/2007 3:58:00 PM
Not a terrible product, but it was just a little too harsh for my skin. I tried adjusting the amounts and pressure each time I would use it, but each time it was irritating. I prefer a product such as Kiehl's Micro Dermabrasion since the particles are a bit smaller, but I still feel that it exfoliates just as well.
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Masks -Clarins - Thirst Quenching Hydra - Balance Mask
pale_blue_raindrop 10/10/2007 3:47:00 PM
It's true, I'm only writing this review after using this mask one time but I think that's more than enough to base my review on. Generally it didn't do too much to hydrate my skin, it only felt slightly better after I used it but a couple hours later it felt as dry as it did prior to applying it. The "Thirst Quenching" part of the name is a joke. I also agree with a previous reviewer, it felt plastic-y after a few minutes. The fragrance leaves much to be desired as well, 1 lippie for that. I'll keep looking for another (better) mask!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Ahava - Foot Cream
pale_blue_raindrop 10/10/2007 3:33:00 PM
I tried this foot cream with high hopes and it was a total utter let down for me. I applied it at night while trying to convince myself the smell wasn't that bad. After 10 minutes, I felt my feet to make sure the cream was still there and it felt like I had applied absolutely nothing! My feet felt as dry as the desert. I gave it one more chance the same night. I slathered it on and put some socks on, I thought smugly that'll show that Ahava foot cream! Alas, all I got were complaints from my husband about the "old lady perfume" smell and super dry feet in the morning. I'll go back to my DDF foot cream for now.
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Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel
pale_blue_raindrop 7/5/2007 8:12:00 AM
For me, this is nausea in a bottle. It's simply too sweet and overpowering. I do like stronger scents, but the notes in this do not compliment each other in this particular perfume. You know someone has it on since the scent practically arrives before the person does.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Laura Mercier - lip silk
pale_blue_raindrop 2/28/2007 9:35:00 AM
Lip Silk is an awesome lip treatment, that soothes, moisturizes, and revitalizes my chapped winter lips. I will probably use this year round since I love this product so much. I would gladly shell out another $20 for this product, however the packaging is absolutely atrocious! Did QA fall asleep when they thought of the packaging? The crimp at the end of my tube is coming undone from trying to squeeze it out, but I don't really need to cover that since most of the reviews already have. Laura please fix your packaging on this amazing product!
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Blush -MAC - Don't Be Shy from Barbie 2007
pale_blue_raindrop 2/28/2007 9:13:00 AM
Don't Be Shy gives the most beautiful flush to my NW20 skin tone. There's a slight shimmer to it, but that doesn't bother me since I apply Pearl Blossom Beauty Powder over it. The results are amazing and I get compliments left and right when I wear this combination. The packaging is cute with the Barbie silhouette embossed into the powder. Definitely give this one a try if you have the chance!
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Highlighters -MAC - Barbie-Pearl Blossom
pale_blue_raindrop 2/28/2007 9:04:00 AM
I'm in love with these Beauty Powders, they're absolutely amazing. Pearl Blossom looks gorgeous layered over a pink colored blush like Don't Be Shy, when I wear this combination people tell me how perfect and glowing my skin is. The packaging is cute, Barbie is silhouetted on the front of the compact. I did buy backups of the Beauty Powders, since I know I'll get a lot of use out of them.
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Highlighters -MAC - Barbie - Pearl Sunshine
pale_blue_raindrop 2/28/2007 9:00:00 AM
I'm in love with these Beauty Powders, they're absolutely amazing. Pearl Sunshine looks gorgeous layered over a tawny colored blush or bronzer, it gives one of the nicest bronzey glows without the horrible glitter (hello Mineralized Skinfinishes!). I'm NW20, and even on my semi-pale skin it looks great. The packaging is cute, Barbie is silhouetted on the front of the compact. I did buy backups of the Beauty Powders, since I know I'll get a lot of use out of them.
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