Fragrances -Dolce & Gabbana - The One 
pearlstuds 3/1/2010 1:21:00 PM
I bought this for my mom. She LOVES it - as do I. I completely agree with the review below that it smells like a "woman who is confident enough not to be a bitch." LOL It's a very polished, low-key scent but it does make a statement. It smells warm but not cloying, sweet but not putrid. People have asked my mom when she wears it whether it is perfume or just a nice soap that gives her that scent. Very nice fragrance. I think I'm going to buy one for myself.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear
pearlstuds 8/6/2009 3:01:00 AM
I use DW in "Shell" for my combination, somewhat sensitive skin. Other reviewers have reported that it feels and looks cakey or goopy. I had the same experience at first and have found two remedies: mix a little with a spot of water on your hand to thin it out before applying - it takes a little extra effort to make sure it is fully blended, but it really takes away that heavy, unbreathable feeling. Another method it to only use a little bit where you need it - seriously, use like HALF as much as you would with any other foundation. This is what works for me. My goals are to tone down redness and hide a few breakout - DW does the job. I like to take a little out of the cap with my concealer brush to use as a concealer. If you have any wrinkles or fine lines, you definitely need a moisturizer under this product, otherwise it will settle right into them. This is not for you ladies with dry skin - best for normal, oily, or combo. I come from work straight to the gym and DW is completely breathable yet lasting for a cardio workout. Removing it takes some extra effort, but not too much. No need to exfoliate or anything, just a thorough cleansing works for me. The bottle is nice, but a pump would be ideal. Product lasts for ages, making it well worth the $.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Revlon - Colorstay 12-Hour Eyeshadow quad " Sterling Rose "
pearlstuds 7/20/2009 2:51:00 AM
This is a great quad - best for cool and pale ladies - to do either a smokey look or an ethereal look. I am very fair and blonde, so I look like I have been punched in the eye if I get too much pigment or darkness. I don't have any problems with this quad and can use the darkest color (dark,dark greyish black) to sexify the look for a night out. The pink, blue, and champage colors can be blended for a pretty and delicate daytime look. The package is easy to work with - it flips open vertically, which is good if you're in a rush. Lasts all day on me without creasing, even through a messy workout. I suspect olive or darker skin tones wouldn't like this palette as much as I do, unless they enjoy a very, very subtle look. In my own opinion, Revlon has the best quality shadows of any drugstore brand.
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Lip Treatments -Neutrogena - Lip nutrition - passionfruit boosting balm [DISCONTINUED]
pearlstuds 7/17/2009 4:17:00 PM
My lips were falling apart, so I bought this at Walgreens. It's fantastic. The texture is rich and thick without being goopy or sticky. The color (a sheer, vibrant red) does not overwhelm my PPP coloring and makes my lips very plush looking. It immediately soothed any discomfort from dryness. It gives both a natural and polished look. My only complaint is that it comes in a little pot, which makes for glossed-up fingertips (pretty! lol) , but I end up rubbing the excess into my cuticles and the problem is solved. I generally find Neutrogena products to be a bit touch and go, but this one is a definite keeper.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid - Original
pearlstuds 7/1/2009 2:48:00 PM
Love. I used this a few years ago and came back to it. Where I am, summers are dry and very hot - like baking in an oven. My combo skin feels tight and uncomfortable. I stopped by Walgreens and picked up a bottle of the fluid (not cream). I wanted something simple, reliable, and effective. I put some on last night before bed and also this morning before applying my Eucerin Sensitive Skin w SPF 30. It works great to dab around the eyes and on the eyelid as well. My skin is very, very happy - glowy, clear, not shiny, and even-toned. I had a dry spot from a healing pimple that is completely smoothed over this morning. The container is sanitary and uncomplicated in its plastic, slightly squeezable bottle and sturdy cap. Consistency of the light pink-colored product is very light but moisturizing and noncomogenic. It smells like a soap for women - a very clean but slightly feminine smell and not overwhelming. If you are looking for a good quality moisturizer that will help your skin take care of itself without any retinoids or fancy ingredients, I could not recommend a better product than this old classic.
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Pressed Powders -Estee Lauder - AeroMatte Ultralucent Pressed Powder
pearlstuds 6/19/2009 9:05:00 PM
This is SUCH a good powder. I wasn't sure it would be worth the money, but it sure is. I picked up 1W Translucent for my FFF skin. Shows great under florescent lights as well as outside - can't even see it. Like other reviewers have mentioned, this is very finely milled, so it doesn't cake or go on splotchy. I apply twice a day for my combo skin - once in the AM and once before I leave from work. No more is needed. The applicator it comes with leaves a bit to be desired - it's thin and small and feels cheaper than what you would expect from an EL product. I recommend upgrading to a better quality puff, although it doesn't seem to cause any problems for the product itself. I should also mention that Aeromatte now comes in a round compact and the powder no longer has those ridges that you see in the picture. It looks like the Lucidity compact now. I had been using Covergirl powder (and touching up like four times a day!), but I won't be turning back after using EL Aeromatte. It's worth springing for, ladies!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Revlon - Powder Blush - Wine With Everything
pearlstuds 6/19/2009 8:58:00 PM
This is a great color for my FFF skin. Moderately pigmented, it never comes across as harsh, even when over-applied. I use two thorough swipes because I like to look a little flushed, like I've just had a good laugh. You can't beat the price for such a quality product - it lasts all day on my combo skin without turning muddy or streaky. I think this blush would compliment both porcelain and olive skin, and everything in between. The packaging is decent for a drugstore blush - it even has it's own little pop-out mirror, but I don't use it. The pan is a good size for a standard blush brush. I recommend this for cooler skin tones. It's an impressive but cheap product, which makes it hard to go wrong.
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Fragrances -Donna Karan - Cashmere Mist
pearlstuds 5/22/2009 2:33:00 PM
Oh, almost. This perfume has SUCH potential to me. It has a soft and quiet presence, which is what I think I perfume should ideally have. But the drydown is awful! It smells synthetic and musty, like perfume that has settled into clothes in the dirty hamper. The bottle is beautiful and unique, but, unfortunately, the contents of that bottle disappoint.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara
pearlstuds 5/22/2009 2:28:00 PM
For some reason, I had a really good memory about this mascara. I like a dramatic lash for every day and thought this could help me get that look. It definitely darkens and thickens lashes, but it also clumped and flaked for me. It doesn't smudge, which is the worst thing I think a mascara can do during the day, but, ultimately, this mascara is "just OK." It's not terrible and it does work effectively, but it is far from perfect. Maybelline Full N' Soft is a better alternative.
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Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Sensuous
pearlstuds 5/22/2009 2:22:00 PM
This is the sexiest, most modern and young perfume Estee has to offer. This perfume could be worn by a woman at any age who dresses classically and wears polished makeup and tousled hair. A woman that is both proper and tailored yet touchable and relaxed. This is not for the immature - it wouldn't "match" that personality, which is better suited to something like Lancome's Miracle or Clinique's Happy. I love the high quality of EL products, but I had yet to find a perfume that "fit" until Sensuous. On my skin, this perfume dries down into a soft, warm, sophisticated floral. It isn't achingly sweet nor masculine. Staying power could be better, but it is good if you have a tendency to overapply. This fragrance doesn't just sit on your skin and smell like a nice perfume, but attaches itself to your natural chemistry and becomes a part of you, so you're more likely to be told "You smell so good!" Rather than, "What's that perfume you're wearing?" This scent is just gorgeous. If you are a younger person or like to stay modern, you should like this MUCH better than any of EL's traditional perfumes. The smallest bottle is just $42 - give it a try!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Lancome - Effacernes
pearlstuds 5/12/2009 7:03:00 PM
This was initially given to me by a friend. It's fantastic! It will not cake in the undereye area, so it is ideal for covering dark undereye circles or veins. I also like to use it on breakouts, since it is difficutlt to overapply it and it neutralizes any redness quite well. This is an excellent product that is worth the money!
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Skincare - Body -Bath and Body Works - Moonlight Path Body Spray
pearlstuds 5/9/2009 1:17:00 AM
Mmmm.....so calming and clean! Softly musky, faintly floral, this scent will immediately calm you. It truly does smell like a moonlit path. The smell will NEVER be overpowering. It smells simple and clean, almost gender-neutral, like a fancy soap. Anybody can wear this scent, but it seems to me like it would best suit a person who favors an easy, natural look, takes good care of herself through a healthy diet, and who has only a few close friends that mean the world to her. This is not a "sexy" smell, but it is sensuous. I will be buying this for years and years - not just to spray on myself, but for my bedsheets and towels as well.
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Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Pure Color Lipstick- Tiger Eye
pearlstuds 5/8/2009 8:56:00 PM
Nice product - smooth consistency, long-lasting wear, decent packaging. On me, though, this color is all wrong. The cinnamon and gold tones clash with my cool, pale coloring. Sugar Honey or Rich Currant make better colors for cool girls.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Lancome - Miracle
pearlstuds 5/8/2009 8:29:00 PM
This is one of my standby perfumes. Miracle is a very fresh and feminine scent, but not, IMO, cloying at all. This fragrance smells very soft without being overwhelming (unless you put on too much, of course). It's a very youthful perfume but could be worn well by any age. This perfume makes me cheerful and calm all at once - I think the commercials depict the "feeling" of Miracle perfectly. Miracle can be worn all year long - the bath gel and lotion are great for layering in the winter.
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Fragrances -Bulgari - bvlgari femme
pearlstuds 5/8/2009 8:22:00 PM
I love this stuff. When freshly applied, the Jasmine is most prominent, followed closely by the violet, then rose, and finally powder (just a hint). The drydown, for me, keeps the jasmine and a tiny bit of powder. Fairly long-lasting with a very clean smell, and never overpowering. This scent should be worn by someone who is pure, optimistic, serene, and sophisticated. It reminds me of the essence of Grace Kelly. It is a little bit "cool," but certainly feminine and graceful. It is not a sexpot fragrance - it would be all wrong for a Sophia Loren type. A great scent to wear after your morning shower and also right before bed.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No