Fragrances -Escada - Ocean Lounge
serika 5/16/2009 7:42:00 AM
I'm so torn about this one. It was in the running to be my first department store perfume. I bought a 30 mL bottle on sale for $20 at Shoppers but now I'm thinking about returning it. Sometimes it's just a little too sweet for me (or there is something else about it) and it becomes a bit cloying and bothers me. Other times I smell it and really like it. Initially it is super sweet but if you give it a chance to dry down it can really become warm and delicious. I like fruity floral perfumes the best but maybe this one is too fruity or too sweet. I don't hate strawberry smells, but there are tons of other fruits I like better. On me, you can really smell the lychee and strawberry. To be honest, all the guys I've asked (boyfriend, friends, brother) prefer this one to my Dior Addict Shine; even though I think the lasting power or strength of the fragrance is better than Shine, I am not as in love with the scent. I prefer Moon Sparkle over this one because it is never overly sweet but still fruity, and when I smell it I know I love it.
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Fragrances -Christian Dior - Dior Addict Shine edt
serika 5/16/2009 7:30:00 AM
I chose this as my first department store perfume. I waffled a bit between several perfumes, but I should have taken the hint when I put the tester strip under my pillowcase because it smelled so good. This isn't the sort of perfume where you spray it into the hair and walk into the mist. The fragrance does fade a little bit but it lasts longer with a direct spray to the skin. It's fresh and pretty, a floral fruity that has a good balance between the two. The notes are cedrat (citron), raspberry, cedar wood, and gardenia. You can definitely smell the citrus/lemon scents (which I really like). It takes a little while longer for it to become sweeter as the raspberry comes through. I expected more lasting power from a perfume that is ~$120 CAD (after tax) for 100 mL but even though I have dry skin (which does not hold on to fragrance as well as oily skin), I can still smell it on my wrist after several hours. It does not disappear on me completely. When I wear it, I feel lovely and feminine; I could see this becoming my signature scent.
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Lip Treatments -Blistex - Lip Medex 
serika 4/17/2009 9:25:00 AM
A long, long time ago, my mom gave me a pot of this to use because I always had really dry lips. I'd put it on at night and when I woke up there was an improvement. I always love the tingly feeling on my lips. The pot expired/ran out a while back so I went out to buy another one. I was so excited to see that it now comes in stick form, because I hated putting my finger in the pot. So basically my one grievance about Lip Medex has been solved! I sometimes put this on before lip gloss as extra insurance so my lips don't dry out.
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Lip Treatments -Blistex - Raspberry Lemonade Blast with SPF 15
serika 4/17/2009 9:07:00 AM
I picked this up because while I love my Blistex Lip Medex stick, I wanted a lip balm with some SPF. This one was actually cheaper than a lot of the others they had at the store, and I have to admit the raspberry lemonade had me sold. I'm not disappointed, it keeps my lips from going dry and I find that I'm not so lazy about putting on lip balm anymore because I love the smell. It really does smell like raspberries and lemon--not too sweet or cloying with some tartness. I love that the smell stays with you because even if I applied it a while ago, I can still catch a whiff of the raspberry lemonade smell :) If you are thinking this lip balm is tinted or will give you any extra colour on your lips because of the raspberry, it doesn't. It's actually an off-white/very, very, very pale yellow.
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Makeup Brushes -Quo - liner/brow brush
serika 4/12/2009 7:20:00 AM
I liked this so much, I bought two :) One I use for applying MAC Fluidline. The brush is soft but firm enough to apply Fluidline smoothly and easily. I like to wing my eyeliner, and this brush makes it very easy. The other one I use for lining my lower rim with eyeshadow or filling in my eyebrows with a dark brown e/s. Sometimes I wish the handle was a little shorter because I have bumped it into the mirror while getting up close to apply eyeliner, but it's not a huge problem. I have not noticed any shedding. Shoppers Drug Mart often has Quo brushes on sale ranging from 10% to occasionally 40% off.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
serika 4/8/2009 12:51:00 AM
What I have: straight, thin lashes with so-so length What I wanted: dramatic volume for a night out I'm really not a fan of the packaging. I don't like these fat mascara tubes that bulge out in the middle but I can only assume they have some actual purpose to being that shape. When I first took the applicator out of the tube, I noticed a not-so-great smell to it right away. I can smell it a bit when I take it out or sometimes while I'm applying but not really afterwards. From the first application I noticed lengthening. I agree with the comment below that it leaves little bits of mascara on the ends of your lashes. There was a little bit of flaking and some clumping. I used this mascara on one eye and Lash Blast on the other. I think the Colossal eye had a little more length and volume, but it was more clumpy and this became really clear when I looked at my Lash Blast eye which had a smoother application; the mascara coated my lashes better and more evenly than Colossal. LB lashes looked softer and more natural (in the sense that you got the impression that I have these thick lashes on my own). At least it didn't irritate my eyes (I wear contacts) and my lashes didn't fall flat (they mostly held the curl). I might have repurchased because of the lengthening and volume but because I know there's better out there, I will probably be returning it.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Marcelle - Sheer Tint Fluid Moisturizer SPF 15
serika 4/5/2009 5:58:00 AM
I bought this in Luminous Beige as recommended by the SA for my Asian skin (NC20-25) on sale for $10 (reg. $13-14). It comes in a convenient and portable-friendly squeeze tube that I like. What I was looking for: something low-maintenance to even out my skin (though my skin is already fairly even on its own) or add some life and glow to it when it's looking dull, on days when I don't want to bother with foundation. Sometimes I bring my makeup over to my boyfriend's house and apply it there, so having a portable foundation-like product (that I wouldn't have to carry around a brush for) is also a plus. What I got: First off, when I was applying it, it seemed a little too yellow for me initially, but afterward it seemed to be a very good match. I didn't put any extra moisturizer before applying and didn't have to--if I'm not careful to moisturize well, makeup will get flaky on my forehead and under my eyes, but this didn't happen to me. I basically got my skin, but a little better; a bit more even and brightened-up (I noticed some shimmery stuff on my fingertips). I would recommend setting this with a bit of powder to help it last, and also because I got slightly shiny later on. Verdict: I like this product a lot, but I took off a lippy because I'm not sure whether or not to keep it--I get similar results from just mixing my Marcelle True Radiance foundation with some moisturizer, so I don't know if it's essential to have. I think the lightest colour it comes in is Creme Beige, which is a bit lighter than me, so someone who is very light-skinned or pale will not be able to find a matching shade. Since it's a tinted moisturizer I don't think it's realistic to expect it to give a lot of coverage or do much for undereye circles. Like other TMs, it's probably better suited for people who generally have good skin but want a little pick-me-up. EDIT: Even though I liked it a lot, I ended up returning it because it seemed a little bit too dark for me after all.
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Lips -Joe Fresh Style - Lip Stain in Candy
serika 4/5/2009 5:39:00 AM
I got this for free today from a beautician while I was browsing the Joe Fresh makeup display. This is ordinarily a product I definitely would not have picked up for two reasons: (1) I tend to play up my eyes the most and just put on some lip gloss or balm; (2) the colour in the tube is very, very bright (almost neon) and I prefer more natural or conservative colours. So I tried it on at home and actually the colour is not like I thought it would be. A light application came out pretty natural, and when I went over it again with more product, the end result was a pretty, innocent-sexy and juicy pout in a brighter pink. My lips tend to be a little dry but this doesn't dry them out. I like this a lot and would definitely use it for a more glam look that won't compete with my eyes. The tube is thicker than your average lip stain but not clumsy. The applicator is like a brush, so it's very easy to fill in your lips. It's $6 at Superstore and associated stores.
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Masks -Freeman - Facial Enzyme Mask Pineapple
serika 3/26/2009 1:37:00 AM
I picked this up at Wal-Mart when I saw all the good reviews for it. I don't know how I have gone this long without writing a review for it. I put this on and then hop in the shower after 10-15 minutes. Before I wash it off completely, I massage my face with my fingers in a circular motion to help it exfoliate a little. My skin comes out feeling super soft. It's true that you should not apply this too close to underneath your eyes because the fumes will burn, but I haven't experienced any of the itchy feeling other reviewers have mentioned. I've started putting this mask on after steaming my face for 10 minutes, I think it helps the mask a bit.
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Shampoo -Paul Mitchell - Cleanse- Tea Tree Special Shampoo
serika 3/22/2009 6:10:00 AM
During the summer I didn't have any dandruff problems at all, but once it started getting colder, it came back. My hairdresser aunt picked this up for me to try, but I guess I'm in the minority here because it didn't really help with my dandruff. Mine is probably due to dry skin worsened by cold weather, but if an oily scalp is the source of your dandruff, maybe this will work better. Other than that, I kind of like the cold, tingly-minty feeling it has on my scalp and it left my hair noticeably squeaky clean.
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Cleansers -Aveeno - Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
serika 3/14/2009 8:13:00 AM
I have dry skin so generally look for creamier or exfoliating cleansers, but the positive reviews convinced me to check it out. Surprisingly, for the first time, I'm using a cleanser that doesn't leave my skin feeling tight. I don't get pimples very often (1-2 once a month) but after switching the pimples have started coming up even less often (maybe 1 in the past two months). What's more, I don't really expect my cleanser to be a good makeup remover unless it's advertised as such, so I was really surprised that I didn't need to follow up with a cleansing cloth or makeup remover even with foundation on. With full makeup, I use a full pump for my entire face, and then maybe 1/4 or 1/5 pump for each eye; it even takes off my MAC Fluidline. FYI, the liquid inside the bottle has sort of a strong smell to it, but don't let that turn you off from it, because once it comes out as foam, the smell is very mild. I have a tendency to shop around and not stay loyal to a product in case there is better out there, but I get the feeling I will be coming back to this one.
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Shampoo -John Frieda - Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Volumizing Shampoo
serika 3/14/2009 8:05:00 AM
FYI: I haven't dyed my hair in over 3 years, so I've been using this shampoo on hair that is not colour-treated. My hair is pretty healthy also because I rarely use heat and never use styling products. I have noticed it gives my hair more shine and softness, and does sort of brighten up/highlight the brown in my hair. Initially I wasn't a fan of the chocolate smell like everyone else but it's sort of grown on me now. Unfortunately it only lives up to part of its name because my fine hair is still a bit flat and limp, even though I'm careful to use only a small amount of conditioner and rinse it out right away.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
serika 3/14/2009 1:47:00 AM
They were actually handing these out for free when I went to the movie theatres a while ago. I took off a lippy because I don't like packaging at all, I don't understand why the tube is in this awkward shape instead of the sleek mascara tube most of us are used to. Other than that, I really like this mascara. It doesn't clump or flake and it gives some volume and length to my fine, straight lashes. It looks more like I'm wearing fake eyelashes or that my lashes are naturally full and thick. I'm convinced the plastic bristles are part of the magic. EDIT: I changed my rating to a 5 because I got a tip for applying it perfectly! Put on the first coat, and wait about 15 seconds (during this time put the brush back in the tube to get more mascara), then put on the second coat. I get an awesome fake eyelash look this way, not clumpy but rather well-separated. I've found this way works better than applying 2 coats at once or allowing the first coat to completely dry before putting on the second. The look of my lashes is worth the awkward packaging.
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Toners -Garnier - Fresh Toner
serika 10/5/2008 2:59:00 AM
This is my first toner, which I picked after some research on mua =) I use it in the morning to freshen up my face and sometimes at night to remove leftover makeup. I wasn't sure if it was doing anything until I stopped one morning and realized that I hadn't had any major pimples in a while. Usually I will get 1-3 run-of-the-mill pimples around my period, and they tend to leave red marks behind on my skin after they go away. But recently the closest thing to a pimple that I've gotten were 1-2 tiny ones that are hardly noticeable and go away after a day. I really think this is because I've been using this toner, so I'm very happy with it
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Cleansers -The Body Shop - Vitamin C Hydrating Cleanser [DISCONTINUED]
serika 10/5/2008 2:51:00 AM
Bought this to try out while it was on sale, because I'd heard some good things about it. Initially I didn't really like the smell (another reviewer mentioned a citrusy-chemical smell, which is pretty accurate) but it didn't bother me enough to stop using it (I'm used to the smell now). I like the creamy texture, and though it didn't dry out my skin, I don't think it really moisturized it either. If I wear even minimal makeup (just some loose powder over moisturizer), I know I will have to follow up with a Garnier cleansing cloth or toner because this doesn't remove very much of it. I'm going to switch back to Aveeno brightening scrub soon because I've noticed my skin getting a little drier and flakier so I know this product won't cut it in the dead of winter.
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