Lipstick -Illamasqua - Atomic
rawcus 3/20/2011 4:36:00 PM
This hit the UK shores 2 days ago, and I headed straight to Selfridges. I'd seen it online, in all its powerful magenta glory, ad wanted to see if it lived up to what was in my head. It did. Illamasqua always does. Be warned. It's bright. It's unapologetic. But man, does it look good. It's a similar texture to Box, slightly slightly drying but lasts for ever, glides on smooth, and such colour payoff. It's a dark pinky purple. Like the evil side of pink. I have pale skin and blue eyes and with a dewy foundation and a smidgen of brown eyeliner and mascara this lipstick looks incredible and does amazing things to my eyes. I use Vow nude liner around my lips to stop it bleeding but I'm pretty sure it would stay on fine without. Yes I'd buy again but it's not an every-day colour so not sure I'd ever use it up. I wore it today to a wedding with a bright blue dress and got loads of compliments.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Kiehls - Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
rawcus 12/24/2010 5:58:00 PM
How much did I want to love this moisturiser? I don't even have sensitive skin, and figured a change would do me good. I was feeling like a change from Origins - after a spree at Kiehl's buying a Christmas present for my mum, I got this in quite a generous sample. Love the whole philosophy of Kiehl's. Love the staff. Love the idea of a fresh start for my face. Oh my actual God. If I asked you to touch my face right now, you would recoil. It is like sandpaper. Literally. It is hideous. I've come out in hives along my chin, and my cheeks are so, so rough. I don't care if it is December and it's cold, and I'm having to deal with air con. That happens every year. But never like this. I look the worst I've looked since a spot-ridden teen. The consistency of the cream is quite thin, but it sinks in quite easily. Nice packaging, too. It just ruined my face. Ladies - here's a lesson, just spend the £30 and buy what you know. Definitely not repurchasing.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Shu Uemura - Eyelash Curler
rawcus 10/7/2010 5:50:00 AM
So an eyelash curler is an eyelash curler, right? WRONG. I have always said I will never buy something HE for the sake of it. And I honestly thought my Mr Mascara £6 from Boots eyelash curlers were doing just fine. So I was in Selfridges last night wandering around the makeup counters and picked these up. The SA swooped down. Uh oh, I thought, she's met her match with me! She didn't try to sell me them at all. Just try them, she insisted. I was wearing a couple of coats of False Last Effect so my eyelashes were looking pretty decent, but to shut her up I used them on my left eye - three squeezes and a curl. Oh sweet Jesus. I actually squealed when I saw my eyelashes. It looked like I had falsies on. Really long falsies. The SA was laughing so much at my expression, and said it happens to everyone, which is why she tells people to try them. I bought them straightaway. She was honest and said a pad will wear out after 3 months, and you only get two in a pack and then you'll have to replace the curler. Even better, the mascaras I have that I thought didn't really do anything for my lashes, (Inimitable, for example), now work great because my lashes are in a position where you can actually see them. So I won't be chucking away the mascaras I mistakenly thought were useless. My eyes look bigger, i look more awake, I LOVE THESE CURLERS. Buy. I swear you won't be disappointed.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Even Better Makeup SPF 15
rawcus 9/24/2010 8:36:00 AM
My go-to for work, for play, for everything. I have spent years searching for a foundation that delivers at a price that doesn't cripple me. And now I've found it. Blends like a dream with Clinique's Foundation brush. Stays put throughout the working day - and I just need a tiny top-up to go from day to night. Makes me glow, makes my skin tone even. Doesn't cake or go powdery. Looks a little shiny when you first apply it but wait ten mins for it to sink into the skin. You only use a tiny bit - I find even less than a 5p piece on my hand does the trick. Love the fact that it has SPF. Love the hygienic packaging. I have nothing bad to say about this. A definite repurchase, feel like I'll be using this for the rest of my life.
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - YDK eyeshadow
rawcus 9/24/2010 5:20:00 AM
This is actual love. I have this in the UD Sustainable Shadow box set and on first glance it fades into insignificance next to the deep greens and purples next to it. It doens't look that special on its own, but once on...it's absolutely sumptuous. I see from other reviews that it brings out different colours on different skin tones. I'm fair with blue eyes and it's a lilacy taupe on me with some shimmer. That sounds hideous, but believe me it's not. It's colour, but it's subtle colour that does wonders for my eyes. I can wear it to work and not feel overdone (which is rare when coloured e/s is involved). Paired with Half Baked in the crease for a night out, it is absolutely divine. As with all UD eye shadows, it lasts all day with no creases and comes off easily with remover. No glitter, just shimmer. I can't think of a single skin tone that would regret this purchase. A definite repurchase!
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Cleansers -Clinique - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
rawcus 9/22/2010 10:56:00 AM
I cannot believe I just spent £19...yes, £19 on an eye makeup remover. I must be mental. But that's testament to how good this stuff is. I had it in a freebie a while back and couldn't figure out what to do with it. After reading about it on MUA I went back...and lordy, I was a convert. Small amount on the tips of my (clean) fingers, rub my hands together and the solid dissolves into an oil, rub my hands gently over my face to remove foundation, concealer , lippy and blusher, and then the same gently over my eyes to get rid of eye makeup. Splash my face with water and my skin is clean and clear. No panda eyes! And it works. It honestly works. I have a terrible time with eye makeup removers, they either work and sting my eyes (Olay) or don't remove waterproof mascara (Avene, Lancome, Neutrogena). Clinique TTDO does the whole thing. If I've trowelled on loads of makeup for a night out, then it might take a little more produect, but it still works. I then use my Origins cleaning routine, and I am safe in the knowledge that my cleanser is working on relatively clean skin and not having to shift a ton of makeup before it does its duty. I've not had any skin problems since using this, in fact its made my skin more moisturised. I also use far less cotton wool pads. If this can last for 4 months then I'll consider it a worthwhile investment...but to be honest, I'll probably repurchase anyway. I just find it so easy to use.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Clinique - Superbalm Tinted Lip Treatment in Mango
rawcus 9/22/2010 4:57:00 AM
Like other reviewers, I was disappointed that this had barely no pigment - I was hoping for an orangey peachy hue for the summer months. Having said that, the quality of the gloss is superb. I'm a die-hard Illamasqua gloss fan for the pigment and longevity, and Clinique Superbalms last almost as long. They have the added bonus of softening my lips, which get dry and cracked very easily (yes, even in summer! Also when I'm stressed I chew on my lips which ruins them). This gloss softens and repairs my lips. I wear this over a lipstick if I want a more dramatic, wet-look effect, or on its own if I'm playing up my eyes. It lasts a good few hours - even after eating, I only have to touch up once in the day and once again if I'm gonig out, which makes the initial £12.50 great value for money. Basically it's a substitute for a plain clear gloss - of excellent quality. I just wish it had the colour that the packaging promises!
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Treatments (Eye) -Origins - Youthtopia Firming Eye Cream
rawcus 9/20/2010 6:45:00 AM
I am 28, and started using this product 6 months ago. Prior to that I had never used an eye cream, so I don't have anything to compare this with. I'll just report on what it's done for me. As many a late-20s female is wont to do, I caught my reflection one day and saw lines around my eyes that had never been there before. After a panic, and realisation that I am aging, I came to terms with it (there are more important things after all!) and got myself some Youthtopia. It came in a set, and I love Origins products anyway so thought it would be a good place to start. I dab around the eye (where the bone stops) and tap into the skin gently (rubbing just makes it disappear, and putting it too close to the eye makes it go into the eye). Within 4 weeks my larger lines had disappeared. My eye area feels moisturised and firm and vibrant. And best of all, it's only a small pot and quite expensive but I am nowhere near using it up yet, and I use it twice a day. I think that's because the cream is a good consistency - anything too soft would be used up instantly. It hasn't got rid of my fine lines, but I'm realistic and don't expect miracles from an eye cream - ageing happens! But with Youthtopia, it might happen that little bit slower :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Origins - Make A Difference Skin Rejuvenating Treatment
rawcus 9/20/2010 6:36:00 AM
I have serious love for Origins moisturisers in general - their cleansers and creams are second-to-none. But this is the best of all of them, with APW moisturiser a close second. It looks like it's gonig to be thick and like it won't absorb - in consistency it feels almost like Night-A-Mins. But I just use a 5-pence piece worth for my whole face, it sinks in instantly, and has left my skin smooth and supple all summer. I am especially excited about trying this out in winter - last year I had a hideous time with patchy, flaky skin (it was the coldest winter the UK had in MONTHS) but I think this one will see me through. I apply after APW skin serum and my skin still feels moisturised, with a dewy glow, hours later. I sometimes don't even bother with foudnation, and that says just how confident this makes me. Yes it's relatively expensive but so are most Origins products and they last ages. And smell good. And don't have any rubbish in them. A definite repurchase!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Ricepaper Eyeshadow
rawcus 9/13/2010 5:46:00 AM
Erm, I don't think I'd be the woman I am today without this eyeshadow! I wear this every day for work. I can wake up looking like crap and after I sweep this on I look alert and ready to face the day. It doesn't budge, even without primer. It's a beautiful buttery champagne colour which sweeps on in about 2 seconds. It looks great with a brown pencil eyeliner or a liquid eyeliner. It's also a great highlighter for under the brows with a heavier makeup look. Suits my fair skin tone as well. Been using this solidly for 6 months and nowhere near hitting pan. I have much love for this as you can probably tell. If you're fair and looking for a classic great quality shadow that you will wear daily, you won't regret this purchase.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Max Factor - Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation
rawcus 9/13/2010 5:38:00 AM
I really wasn't expecting this foundation to be this good. I usually use Clinique Even Better which is a liquid, but I use this when I'm really in a rush as it literally takes me 30 seconds to sweep over my face. You only need a tiny amount, and I find the sponge applies it very well. I haven't tried with a foundation brush yet - but I imagine it would give even more airbrushed results. I like the compact, although as it is in two parts it's a bit of a hassle to carry around, plus the glass is heavy (and I imagine breakable!). It's a little heavier than I would like, and doesn't give me the "glowiness" of my Clinique, but it delivers an impressive, even matt result that covers my imperfections and stays put. Blusher sticks to this like nothing I've ever seen, so be light on application or you'll end up looking a bit dolly girl. I think I'd repurchase - it's good for evenings out and as I only use a little it seems to be lasting fairly well (although you don't get a huge amount of product). It's a good, relaible foundation. Just doesn't have the wow factor of the HE stuff.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Rimmel - Lycra Wear - All Shades
rawcus 8/31/2010 8:04:00 AM
I have serious love for Rimmel nail polishes. I own about 12 in a variety of shades...summar corals and pinks to autumnal purples and blues to office neutrals. I know it promises 10 days without chipping and I can't vouch for that, but when properly applied with 2 coats I get a good 5 days out of these polishes with only minor chips. I don't even own the top coat so they've probably got even more longevity. I fell in love initially with the brush - I have nails that are quite long (not the tips, the actual nail itself) and my fingernails need one sweep with the brush for polish perfection. This means I can do my nails in under 5 minutes with minimum spillage. They dry very quickly as well. If you have small nails I imagine the brush may be too large. Great tange of colours, decent staying power, quick drying, easy applicaton....I may love the look of some HE polishes but when Rimmel do it this well for under a fiver I'm not going to change. They do eventually emulate the HG colours of Chanel etc but it does take a while so I'm often a season behind. But who cares? I will repurchase until I have the whole range!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Rimmel - Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner
rawcus 8/26/2010 10:25:00 AM
This has been my go-to liquid eyeliner for about 4 years. I honestly think it's the best low-end liquid eyeliner you can get - I've tried many other brands, all of which have been disappointing. It's easy to manipulate the felt tip and hold it - the packaging is smart and you can get every last bit of liquid from the pot. The colour payoff is a deep black at the start (but does end up watery after a while). It gives a smooth, straight line, and I can just about reach from one corner of my eye to the other - but I definitely need to reapply over the original line for depth of colour. You can't really vary the width of the line, but the felt tip always remains firm. Staying power is great, lasts all day. I know there are better HE liners, but I don't use liquid a lot and really I'm happy enough with this one as it delivers a good line that lasts. And all for under a fiver!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Almost Makeup [DISCONTINUED]
rawcus 8/19/2010 8:05:00 AM
This is what I turn to when I'm having a good skin day. I apply with my Clinique foundation brush (this makes it look way better than when I put it on with my fingers), and it gives me a dewy glow that lasts. No, the coverage isn't heavy, but that's why it's a tinted moisturiser, not a foundation! I wouldn't use it to cover up blemishes, I use it solely to add a bit of lustre to my complexion. It is especially lovely over a good moisturiser. It blends easily, just remember to shake well before applying as it does separate. Love that it has an SPF, too! Yes it's pricey (all Clinique products are) bt it's good value for money - I've had mine over a year! I am a BIG fan of dewy though...this isn't got anyone looking for a matte finish. Would definitely repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Origins - A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian serum
rawcus 8/18/2010 12:22:00 PM
I''ve been using this for a year and a half. I think the genius of this product is not in what it does to my face, but rather what it prevents happening. I feel safer wandering around pollution-filled London with this on my face - I really feel like it's preventing all the crap in the air getting through. It makes my skin feel smoother, it makes a great primer for foundation, and it lasts ages (one squirt is all you need). I only use it in the morning as I figure my skin won't be exposed to too much pollution at night and it's expensive so I don't want to waste it. I am convinced this has slowed down the onset of wrinkles and it seems to have evened out my skintone. I can't proove this though, it's jsut a gut feeling! I take the smell for granted now, but it's still simply divine. I know I could live without this product, and I do feel like a bit of a con merchant because I can't tell you a list of ten things it DOES do. But it's my one real luxury. It may be psychosematic but my skin feels much, much better for having it on. I apply it after toner, wait 5 minutes to let it sink in and then apply moisturiser. Occassionally I forget to apply moisturiser and run out of the door to work and my skin still feels soft. Definite repurchase!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No