Lips -Clinique - Chubby Stick Intense
pigeonette 4/14/2013 1:27:00 PM
oh my god, where do I begin. I liked the original chubby stick but it's more like an expensive lip balm than a lipstick with the sheer coverage and non-existing lasting power, which makes the price questionable. somehow I missed out on the release of the intense version, up until now, when I got a 8$ Clinique voucher and discovered this (not so) new range of beautiful pigmented colours. I have been searching for a bright but wearable fuchsia lippie for a long time, but all were too in-your-face brigth and leaning towards blue/purple that just makes my look a bit too dramatic and washed-out at the same time. Here comes Chubby Stick Intense in Plushet Punch, which is everything I hoped for regarding both its consistency: it's creamy, easy to apply, non-drying, long-lasting; and its colour: true bright bold pink but totally wearable with minimal shine. it's been ages since I've been so enthusiastic about a make-up product, it's absolutely wort every penny. curviest caramel and heftiest hibiscus (stupidest names awards goes to..) up next!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Clinique - high definition lashes
pigeonette 3/31/2013 5:30:00 AM
My lashes are naturally very thick and very long, but that does not mean that I do not need a good mascara. However, finding one that does not make my lashes looking like ridiculous spider-legs is a real pain. Believe me, I tried everything under the sun in the last 10 years with catastrophic results (drugstore and luxury brands, other cilinique mascaras etc), and finally, my search is over. This thing separates my lashes, gives them a nice colour, does not build up, does not make my lashes feeling heavy, and does not make my sensitive eyes wet. I don't really care for the comb part because it's useless for me, but the brush+mascara works for me like nothing else out there. I still had to take one lippie off as mine is getting older (6+ months) it dried up a bit and can get flaky.
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - The Olive Branch
pigeonette 9/26/2012 4:38:00 PM
I'm a bit in trouble when reviewing this. I've been eyeing this for years as it seemed so rich and luxurious, but I found it too expensive. When I finally got it in a lush gift package I put it away for times when I felt that I needed a bit of extra comfort and moisture. and then I completely forgot about it. I found it a few weeks ago and the expiration date nearing I had to use it up. Ah, it was a real letdown, it was nothing like I imagined. The texture is extremely runny, like water, and although it lathers well indeed it is not possible to use it without wasting a lot of product. I did not find it particularly moisturizing or comforting either. and then there is the smell! it is very strong Mediterranean smell, too masculine for my taste, and totally incompatible with autumn weather. I regret not taking this on my holidays to Provence, it might have worked there marvelously, but I cannot stand it here. Having said that, it turned out that my sister loves it, claiming that it made the skin on her feet smoother. So that's why I'm giving it 3 stars, and also because I think it would make a nice quirky present for a guy who is not really into cosmetics, as a starter, it's still much better than axe and all those plastic-y male shower gels..
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Moisturizers -Bioderma - Sebium AKN
pigeonette 9/26/2012 4:19:00 PM
I think this is a product that works for some but not for all. For me, it is a must have, definitely not a HG, but I've been using it for over 2 years now and I cannot live without it, so here is my story. I have combination skin but I have never had serious acne, my skin normally is quite calm apart from the usual one or two odd (and nasty) pimples, but having said that my T-zone is a real nightmare blackhead/whitehead galore. Then all of a sudden in my early 20s my skin freaked out and I had horrible breakouts on my chin and around my mouth. Well I did what anyone would do, trying everything under the sun, and nothing really helped. So when I discovered Bioderma and did some research I decided to invest in the Sebium AKN cream, despite the mixed reviews. I used it twice a day (as opposed to the suggested one) and was expecting a miracle. The first week, then the second passed and nothing really happened. And then I slowly realised that my breakouts were getting smaller, then disappearing, then gone forever, and they have never returned ever since. Or actually they did, when I ran out of this stuff and didn't have the money to buy another one right away. But, apart from this one case, ever since I have been using this I did not have a single zit or pimple or breakout or whatever you call that nasty stuff. for the past two years, my skin is pimple-free, and that's big news! but that's as far as this cream goes: it did not really help with my blackheads, or made my skintone more even. I still use it twice a day, concentrating on my t-zone, and although it is a treatment (yes, not a moisturizer) I use it as a day/night cream. for me it works that way, can be used under makeup as well. I don't find it particularly drying, but beware people with sensitive skin: it leaves a faint burning-itching feeling after putting on - I don't really mind it as I think this is just the way it works, and it does not redden my skin or anything, but I see that it may cause reactions to some. The packaging is medical and convenient, one tube last around 3 months for me, the price is still a bit steep, but luckily Bioderma often does promotions. All in all, despite it is (sadly) not a miracle product, it really helps me to keep my skin at bay.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Bourjois - Healthy Balance Unifying Powder
pigeonette 6/26/2012 7:29:00 AM
This is a surprisingly good powder for the price, I got it on promotion and came with a free bourjois kabuki brush, so that's nice. I have shade 52, the lightest, and use it together with the healthy mix serum foundation in shade 51. I was worried that they would not match but they do and perform really well together. I am a powder addict and tried a lot of different brands and this is the best so far considering the price/value ratio. The coverage is just a bit heavier than sheer and mattifies my oily t-zone nicely. It's not cakey, balances skin out and fades evenly. Also it does not have that terribly heavy bourjois smell that I don't like. The one thing I hate though is the packaging: I could live with the tacky-looking pink container but the problem is that it's a real pain to open. I managed to crack the surface of the powder with my nails while struggling to open it. Also, there is no space for a sponge inside so you cannot apply it on the go, which is a shame. Overall I would buy it again, I only wish the packaging would be more convenient.
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Lotions/ Creams -LUSH - Charity Pot
pigeonette 6/26/2012 6:49:00 AM
After reading the negative reviews obsessing over the smell I had to share my experiences with charity pot..I could not make up my mind about it for a long time but now it's decided: I love it! I got this as part of a gift set, would have never bought it by myself considering the price, the amount you get and well, the smell. Normally I prefer body butters and avoid runny lotions, but charity pot has a really nice texture, lightweight and whipped. It absorbs very quickly and leaves absolutely no grease whatsoever..I used it last week in 30°C + weather and did not experience any stickiness, impressive! About the performance: I use it on my legs that tend to be extremely dry and flakey, even in the summer. I also have horrible red bumps and dots, not only right after epilation but it's like my default skin mode..eww. Charity pot however calms my skin beautifully, evens out my skin tone while provides just the right amount of moisture. Of course it does not heal my skin completely but it's the best solution I have found to far. I am very impressed, especially considering that all profits go for charities, something that would suggest that this product is made out of cheap materials. Don't be put off by that! I don't really use it anywhere else as it's primarily a soothing product for my horrible legs, but I guess it would perform nice as a cooling lotion after sunburn for example. Finally, about the smell: it's definitely strange to say the least, and I see why some find it really offensive. It's a cocoa-floral smell but I don't find it too overpowering or long-lasting. Now that I got used to it I find it really soothing and relaxing, I love putting it before going to bed as it helps me falling asleep...As someone said earlier it's definitely not a date-scent, but somehow I automatically put it on right before a date, whoops! But I didn't mind at all, especially considering the effects. If you can live with the smell, then definitely go for this product!
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Liquid -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation
pigeonette 3/17/2012 10:10:00 AM
I've been using mac studio fix for years but only once in a while, on bad skin days. Unfortunately my skin turned worse recently and I had to use foundation every day - still I felt that I needed something lighter than mac. After reading the rave reviews I wanted to buy the "plain" helathy mix foundation, but it was not available in shade 51 (the lightest) in my country. Though I was fearing that it'd only make my skin more oilier and break me out, I finally settled with the serum...and so glad I did! My skin is the funniest kind of combination type, with oily nose and chin, dry forehead plus random dry patches around my nose and mouth, and normal cheeks. And this serum balances out my skin beautifully! It gives just the right ammount of coverage for the day, and adds this nice natural glow my skin will never be able to produce on its own..it is very natural though, and maybe I'm just lucky, but it does not make my nose any oilier. (I always use powder so maybe that's the trick...) Due to the serum gel texture it is very easy to apply, I use my fingers and it goes on evenly, not messy at all. It makes my skin super soft, even, radiant and healthy, and I'm not exaggerating! Some cons: my dry patches need to be hydrated beforehand, because the foundation can look a bit obvious there. Also I don't understand why bourjois adds this heavy perfume to every product. It's not that I don't like the smell, but it's completely useless and some people might be sensitive to it. I got used to it and don't even feel it anymore but people comment on how fruity I smell.. Overall I love this product and would definitely repurchase: the price is awesome, and I need less than a pump to cover my face, so a little goes a long long way. buy it!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Nivea - Calcium power
pigeonette 9/2/2011 4:29:00 PM
wow, I am really surprised by the negative reviews here, my experiences are quite the opposite. Maybe the quality varies from colour to colour. I love these polishes, I own 3 (all deep reds, pretty similar) and all are just amazing. I find the brush and packaging really handy and usually I have to apply only one layer and it covers nice and evenly (and I am not the least professional). The colours are rich and deep, and have a nice sheen; nothing too harsh, just pretty, subtle shine. They do start chipping after 5 days or so, but that means they're pretty long-lasting, right? Sometimes I use other brands and colours, but nivea remains my reliable old best polish-friend.
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Lipstick -Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Ballistic
pigeonette 9/2/2011 4:15:00 PM
finally a red lipstick that has no pinkish undertones, just pure, rich, deep RED. Still so, it is very wearable during the day, not that dramatic. Brightens up my pale skin and blue eyes; funnily enough I always get compliments on my eyes when I'm wearing this! I took one lippie off because after a few hours it starts drying my lips, but I have very dry lips in general so it might work for others..lasting power is ok, don't expect miracles but it is generally longer lasting than other lipsticks. the consistency is nice, it's not that soft or runny that you must use a lip liner. I have this lipstick in other colours and Balistic is far the best regarding both colour and quality.
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Brows -H & M - Eyebrow liner in Light Brown
pigeonette 9/2/2011 4:01:00 PM
love love love this. I have never used an eyebrow pencil before, but wanted to try out and picked this up intuitively...and now basically I can't live without it. I was prepared to get horrible results as I am a beginner and thought that low price equals low quality, but hell, no. The pencil is not soo soft not too harsh and easy to use. I don't really use much, just fill in the holes and then use the brush to soften and distribute the colour, but it makes such a huge difference to my appearence! Also lasts long. I am that typical dark blonde-light brown girl and it looks very natural on me. I don't think I will ever move on to expensive brands.
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