Candles -Bath and Body Works - Summer Boardwalk
sandoz28 9/14/2012 1:44:00 PM
I absolutely adore this candle. It has a very strong, sweet smell & burns perfectly. I do think that for $20 (and how fast the candle burns) that it is pricey; however, BBW constantly has 2 for $20 sales, which makes it a good deal. So far, everyone who has smelled this burning at my home loves it, including my husband, who usually doesn't comment either way. I get the candied apple quite strongly, with a bit of the cream and caramel, but there's something that quite reminds me of funnel cake. I don't really get much of a popcorn note. This candle is perfect for bringing back memories of summers spent at the fair & makes my house smell absolutely delicious. I bought 5 of these & already wonder if I shouldn't have picked up more!
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Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Dollface
sandoz28 1/8/2011 1:06:00 AM
Dollface is a really pretty baby pink blush. I'm around NW10-15 and it gives me a pretty pink cheek that never looks overdone. I held off on buying it for some time, since I figured I wouldn't get much use out of candy-colored blush. However, I've found it works well with a variety of colors--it's surprisingly versatile! Also, it has a creamy consistency (rather than gel, like most of the other Tarte cheek stains) which allows for easy blending. While this may not work for all skintones (it is somewhat sheer and pale) it's worth a try if you're looking for a pretty dolly flush that still looks natural.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Eco-Cheek
sandoz28 1/8/2011 12:55:00 AM
Eco-Cheek is a gorgeous peachy-coral blush that would suit a wide-range of skin tones. What's really nice about this Tarte blush is that it's more of a cream as opposed to the gel-like consistency of the other Tarte cheek stains, so it doesn't feel as sticky on. It blends effortlessly, and gives a beautiful natural peachy glow. Coverage is buildable, so if you want more color, just layer it on. This seems to have been a limited edition, which is a shame as it'd make a great addition to the Tarte blush line-up. It's well-worth hunting down, however!
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Makeup Brushes -Tokidoki - Pittura brush set
sandoz28 1/8/2011 12:47:00 AM
Absolutely fantastic brushes. I have a wide range of eye brushes already (BE, Stila, MAC, Smashbox, Sonia Kashuk, etc) but after using this set *1* time, these are my faves. The soft synthetic bristles are really gentle on my sensitive skin, but pick up plenty of pigment and blend like a dream. This set is a great value for the price, and seems very well made. I've already washed these, and they look brand new (not like MAC's, which will fray after 1 washing). These may look childish to some, but they're top quality.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Korres - Wild Rose 24-Hour Cream
sandoz28 12/10/2010 8:55:00 PM
Oh, how I love the entire Rose line. Does it smell good (or even pleasant)? No. It smells of grandmothers dousing themselves in old-fashioned perfume mixed with moth balls. However, this moisturizer is fantastic at perking up dull skin, and even though it's a lightweight cream, it is incredibly moisturizing. I recently finished a jar of Wild Rose cream & decided to use up some facial products I'd already opened before purchasing another. Well, my face rebelled--drying out & breaking out at the same time. When I finished those products I went right back to the Wild Rose line. Within *one* use my face looked brighter and felt so much more smooth. The entire Rose line is incredible. I don't ever want to be without it. (Sensitive, dry, break-out prone skin)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -LUSH - Celestial
sandoz28 12/10/2010 8:48:00 PM
This is a good (albeit basic) moisturizer. It works better as a barrier to keep moisture from escaping, rather than adding a lot of moisture to the skin. CONS: It is somewhat greasy and I've never found it to really "soak in," no matter how dry my skin is. It simply sits on top of the skin. This is my least favorite Lush moisturizer--the others I've tried are much better moisturizers (Ultralight, Imperialis, Cosmetic Lad, Skin Nanny, and Skin's Shangri-La). PROS: The smell is lovely; a lightly floral vanilla, and I personally like the Lush packaging as it allows you to fully use every bit of product you paid for.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -LORAC - protecTINT SPF30 Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer
sandoz28 8/12/2009 2:53:00 AM
I ended up with this product after searching through all of the tinted moisturizers at Sephora for one that would match my very fair skin. Dare to Bare is the closest match I've found (NW15 skin). The texture is a little unusual, with a mousse-like consistency, but spreads nicely. Since it's a tinted moisturizer, coverage is light, but it's one of the few tinted moisturizers I've used that actually does provide moisture. I also love that ProtecTINT offers SPF30 coverage instead of SPF15. Overall, I'd be pretty happy with this product except that it takes a good bit of product to get the coverage I want. Also, a lot of air seems to come out when the tube is squeezed, and the product seems pricey for the amount you get (1.3 fl oz for $32 USD). I'd love to repurchase it, but I think I'll keep looking for a cheaper alternative.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -Bare Escentuals - Weather Everything Liner Sealer
sandoz28 8/12/2009 2:41:00 AM
I was seduced into trying Bare Escentuals eyeshadow and eyeliner because of their incredible range of shades. However, when I tried to use the powders as dry liner, they wouldn't stay. Even using water or Visine was hopeless; the liner smudged as soon as I touched it (or the minute my allergy-prone eyes started to water). When I found Weather Everything, though, all that changed. While pricey (a tiny bottle costs $18 USD) Weather Everything is a great investment. Just a drop added to loose powder or pigment will turn any shadow into a waterproof liner that really lasts. Included with the bottle is a palette with three compartments for mixing shades, which is convenient. I really love WE and use it all the time (even with other brands of loose eyeshadow/pigment). I have noticed that it does tend to darken the color of the shadow slightly, but for me, it's worth it to have waterproof liner. However, once dried, the liner feels just like liquid liner on your lids, which might be a downside to some. Note: be sure to rinse your brush right after applying your liner, or the color will harden and make the brush harder to clean later.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
sandoz28 8/12/2009 2:27:00 AM
I think this is possibly the most talked-about blush ever. Countless magazines have featured Orgasm as the "must-have" shade (regardless of skin color/ethnicity) and it is always recommended by makeup artists. However, based on my own experience with the product, I'd have to say it's mostly hype. To be fair, Orgasm *is* a gorgeous color. It's a peachy-pink shade with gold sparkles & will match just about any makeup look. However, it's also super sheer. I am NW15, and Orgasm barely shows up on my fair skin. I also found the texture of the blush incredibly hard, even when new. I had to buy a skunk brush just to be able to try it out. It is incredibly natural looking (if you ignore the shimmer) and the color is buildable. However, there's a lot of similar shades out there that would give a similar effect without all the effort. If you're very fair, give it a try. Otherwise, something like Benefit Coralista might be a better option.
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Skincare - Body -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - TKO Massage Oil
sandoz28 8/12/2009 2:15:00 AM
TKO massage oil is a truly amazing product with many uses. You can use it as a massage oil, moisturizer, bath oil, and even perfume. Although it's not technically a medicinal product (more along the lines of aromatherapy), I've used it to help with chronic insomnia, headaches, and general blah-ness. I think anyone who is ill or stressed could benefit from TKO. Also, while I adore fragrance, I also have allergies, and some days any perfume is just *too much.* This oil smells delightful but is also soft and subtle. It never fails to make me feel better instantly when I dab it on my pulse points. The scent is a sweet, almost cakey lavender. I am NOT a big fan of lavender; in fact, I generally avoid any product that advertises a lavender scent. However, the scent of TKO is so beautiful that even a lavender-hater like me can appreciate it. Lab description (from bottle): Many things--such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly--are done worst when we try hardest to do them. Ingredients: Almond oil, refined rice bran oil, vanilla infused fractionated coconut, rosehip seed oil, evening primrose, vitamin E, Lavendula Angustifolia, and Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab oil blends.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -LUSH - Ultralight
sandoz28 8/12/2009 1:49:00 AM
If you have dry or sensitive skin, this is a great moisturizer. True to its name, Ultralight isn't a heavy-feeling moisturizer; it goes on light but manages to moisturize intensely. The real reason for the name, however, is that Ultralight offers some protection against sunlight or UV (ultraviolet) light. If you're fair or need a heavy-duty SPF, this is not adequate sun protection for all-day use. However, if you're looking for a good moisturizer that can give you a little protection from incidental sun exposure, this might be for you. Ultralight may seem a little pricey, but if you're only using it as a moisturizer, a little goes a long way, and the smallest bottle (3.3 oz) gives you over 2x as much product as other Lush moisturizers!
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Snow Fairy Shower Gel
sandoz28 11/2/2008 11:08:00 PM
Snow Fairy is one of my very favorite Lush products! It's not for those people who like subtle, natural scents; Snow Fairy is like a jumble of delicious candy scents all mixed together. If you love girly, sweet scents or are a fan of foody scents, give this one a try. I use this as both a body wash and a shampoo (I have a normal-oily scalp) & the scent lingers all day. I also love to use it to handwash my lingerie. It's one of the cheaper Lush shower gels, and it just takes a tiny bit to create loads of bubbles. The fragrance is especially great when mixed with American Cream to condition. If you like the scent of Snow Fairy but prefer soap to shower gel, give The Godmother soap a try. BTW, for those who are complaining about the "unnatural" ingredients in Snow Fairy, there isn't exactly a candy-scented essential oil. ;) The fragrance is wonderful (for those who want to smell like sugar), but not generally one that can be found in nature!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -LUSH - Eau Roma Water
sandoz28 11/2/2008 6:21:00 AM
I absolutely adore Eau Roma Water. Though it seems like just a basic toner, it has been heavenly for my easily irritated combination skin. It works well no matter what cleanser I use it with & has helped calm my skin greatly. While it is somewhat expensive, one bottle lasts me about six months. Eau Roma Water works better than anything else I've tried; I'll never go back to the alcohol-based drugstore toners that dried out my face.
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Moisturizers -LUSH - Skin's Shangri-la
sandoz28 11/2/2008 6:15:00 AM
Skin's Shangri-La is a fairly recent addition to my skincare routine, though I regularly use Lush products, including skincare. After starting on a prescription acne treatment a month ago, my sensitive combination skin has gotten drier, and I needed a heavier moisturizer to treat the dry patches. This moisturizer has definitely done the job! I use an oil-based cleanser like Babyface or Ultrabland first, then Eau Roma Water to tone. While my face is still damp, I take a small amount of Skin's Shangri-La and gently rub it into my skin. My face has been less dry since I've begun using this, and I also have more of a glow. I haven't noticed any more breakouts than usual, and the redness in my face seems to be reduced also. The scent is a nice bonus--it smells much like Sympathy for the Skin.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -LUSH - Baby Face ] [DISCONTINUED]
sandoz28 11/2/2008 6:04:00 AM
Babyface is a gentle oil-based cleanser that has worked very well for my skin. I alternate between using this and Angels on Bare Skin in the morning, and have seen a definite improvement since beginning this routine. It can take a while to get the hang of using Babyface, especially if you're used to cleansers that foam or oil cleansers that rinse cleanly, but it's easy once you know how. Just rub the bar between your fingers or directly on your face (though I prefer not to put it on my face unless I'm not removing makeup) and massage. Don't wet the bar or your face--it will work better when dry. After you've massaged it in, take a warm damp washcloth & lay it over your face for a minute, then wipe off. The heat helps to remove the oil, but you can also remove it with toner-soaked cotton balls or pads. Note: some may notice their Babyface bar developing white patches--this is just the cocoa butter hardening when exposed to air. It can easily be removed & is not harmful. If you're looking for a good oil-based cleanser, Babyface is a great choice. However, Sweet Japanese Girl (also from Lush) is a good alternative if you want oil-cleansing plus exfoliation.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No