Moisturizers -L'Oreal - Revitalift UV [DISCONTINUED]
sheilaKL 12/6/2007 8:33:00 AM
Excellent Moisturizer and high PPD sunscreen! A huge plus is that it is readily availible at the drugstore too! I have previously used only physical sunscreen b/c my skin has been sensitive to chemical filters, but not this SS. It is perfect for my combo skin and really seals in my moisturizer without making me shiny or greasy. I will purchase LRP Anthelios SX next to compare (i have heard they are identical and LRP is about half the price) but for now this is one of the best US sunscreens availible if you need moisture without shine.
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Treatments -DERMAdoctor - Physical Chemistry
sheilaKL 11/13/2007 11:40:00 AM
I have been a Philosoppy Micro-Delivery Peel user for 2.5 years and didn't think anything could give me similar results (i tried Olays knock off no where close as the ingreds & pHs are different) but Physical chemistry is a winner! I have used this three times now and have to say the results are fantastic! This is not as scrubby as Philosophy and is more emolliant. It also use different acids, therefore there is a place for both products in my routine. I think Physcial Chemistry is great for the winter when i am a little drier and my skin needs a more moisture. I jut use a nickel -sized amount for my whole face, scrub for 1 minute then i leave it on for about five minutes and rinse with warm water. Perfectly smooth, deflaked, glowing skin! This would be great for those with sensitive skin as well as the beads are microbeads and not vitamin C crystals like Philosophy. It is a 20% acid concentration, but it is buffered and does not feel irritating or stinging in the least. Philosophy has salicylic acid in it and is more abrasive so it is great when i am gettinga bout of acne or in the summer when i am a little oilier. Overall, physical chemistry will be my go-to weekly treatment in the winter! A+
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Agent Provocateur - maitresse
sheilaKL 11/13/2007 10:33:00 AM
I originally smelled this at sephora on a strip and though meh, not for me. (I did the same thing with Stella Rose absolute which i love now!) Then i got a sample and tried it on my skin, WOW this is so well done! I am not a floral girl, I love woody fragrances and orientals and some spicey gourmands, Maitresse is a deep, warm almost dark white floral and is absolutely lovely on the skin. I don't feel it has a maitronly or stuffy vibe at all, but then again fragrance is all about the chemistry of the person wearing it and my skin loves Maitresse! There is a sultry warmth to the freshness of the flowers that makes this perfume get better and better as the day goes on. The amber feel makes it perfect in the winter months and it is definitely a sexy frag, not demure in any way! My other favorite fragrances are: Stella Rose Absolute, Dior Midnight Poison, Victor & Rowlf Flowerbomb, Narcisso Rodriguez for Her EDT, and my old standby holy grails Dior Addict and Dior Dune. The original AP was not good on me so if it didn't work for you, do not let that deter you from trying Maistresse on your skin!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powders -Laura Mercier - Mineral Finishing Powder
sheilaKL 11/7/2007 4:48:00 PM
I have never really been a fan of loose powder or mineral makeup, but i have to say that this product has made me change my mind. I bought this in shade #1 (it comes in #1 and #2 only b/c it is fairly translucent) and it is the softest most finely milled powder i have tried. IT seriously makes my skin feel soft and silky and is as light as air in my face. It sets my makeup/concealor all day and does a pretty good job at controlling oil too! It does not emphasize any lines/pores or flakies and makes my skin look and feel very smooth. I have been using for a week and coincidentally my skin has also cleared up considerably from an old breakout. I am not sure if it is due to this powder, but i will take it either way! The ingredients for shade #1 are as follows: aluminum starch, octenylsuccinate, oryza sativa (rice) starch, zinc stearate, silica, pearl powder, avena sative (oat) kernel flour, silver, silybum, marianium (milk thistle) extract, vitis vinifera (grape ) extract, copper gluconnate, zinc glucconate, May contain Mica, bismuth oxychloride, titanium dioxide, iron oxides. I can wear LM Porcelain Ivory so their is no match yet in the LM MMU, but heard from LM that new shades will be launched in February 2008. I will definitely purchase when my shade comes out as this powder has made me change my mind about MMU! My other foundation matches are on my notepad and for reference i have used BE mineral veil, Sue Devitt Triple seeweed Loose powder, Nars Loose Powder, Shisiedo Enriched loose powder, Clinique translucent loose powder and Becca loose powder as well in the past. LM mineral finishing wins hands down.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Christian Dior - Diorblush Peechy Keen 553
sheilaKL 11/7/2007 12:58:00 PM
I am pretty impressed with the new DiorBlushes, Peechy Keen is a gorgeous peach shade that fills a"gap" in my current blush collection. It is a much "pinker" peach than Chanel Reflex but still not a pink. tones. It is a clear pink tinged peach with no tan tones to it (like NARS passion) but it is also not very orange and lacks any prominent red tone. The matte side on this Diorblush is truly matte and the coordinating shimmer side is slightly lighter and very finely shimmered I used an angled blush brush and swept the "matte" side up the cheekbone fromt he apples and then gently swiped the shimmerry side along the top of the cheekbone, the result is a beautiful natural looking cheek! These blushes are not as pigmented as Nars or Chanel, but as they wear the color tends to bond to your skin and the staying power is excellent. This blush is soft and powdery, but not chalky or thin feeling. I think this is a great go to blush for daily wear b/c there is no need for a skunk or major blending. signature Dior case with velevt pouch and logo, nice brush although as with all included brushes it is too small to do it justice. Very faint dior scent that is undetectable once applied. Overall A+, i may have to get more colors!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Shu Uemura - Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/I
sheilaKL 11/7/2007 8:07:00 AM
I ordered the new A/I cleansing oil untested as it is described as the enriched version (the heavier orange colored one) with added anti-irritants (licorice). I used this for the first time last night and have to say it is really nice. It is fragranced although it isn't a bad scent it may be off putting to some..a light licorice scent. The oil has great slip and as with all shu oils is excellent at makeup removal. This rinses clean, maybe a little too clean when compared to DHC oil which was my current fave. My skin felt a little more moisturized after using the DHC as opposed to the A/I which may be b/c the shu rinses very clean. I have only used this twice but will continue to update this review with more frequent use. I bought the 5oz bottle of this and barring any kind of senstitivity or reaction, I will definitely use up the whole bottle. UPDATE: so far this oil is excellent and i only need 1 pump to remove ALL my makeup and sunscreen, even waterproof mascara so although this is more expensive than DHC, I use less to clean my face. It has much more slip than DHC too and gets the job done in one pump as opposed to 2-3 of DHC.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Rage Lipstick
sheilaKL 10/16/2007 10:12:00 AM
This is a great red lipstick for redheads! It is a deep warm red with copper shimmer that really flatters my pale warm complexion and makes my eyes pop..i usually know if it is a good color for me when i notice my eyes before the lipstick LOL weird i know. Anyway I took one lippie off b/c the MAC frost formula tends to be drying, but i am willing to suffer for the color. No bleeding but i feel that a good balm is a must under this lipstick, however it has great staying power and is more of a semi-matte finish..no metallic frost. Excellent for Fall and winter! (NC15 redhair aqua eyes)
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Mascara -Max Factor - Volume Couture Mascara in Auburn [DISCONTINUED]
sheilaKL 10/15/2007 2:13:00 PM
WOW! this is a great mascara! My Chanel inimitable mascara in the LE shade "bronze" was probably the best color i have seen for a natural look for redheads. This is not quite as natural, slightly more reddish plummy but it is really fabulous nonetheless! It makes my aqua colored eyes (which have yellow veining) super green, my lashes look full and nicely defined. My lashes are pretty long and curly on their own but this is a great mascara for those days you don't want to do full eye makeup as well as the finishing touch for a dramatic look. Volume couture is a great formula, excellent spikey rubber brush, volume + definition but the auburn shade a reddish purplish brown has really sold me on this mascara! (My other fave mascaras are Lancome courbe virtuouse & definicils, YSL faux cils, and Chanel inimitable) I think this is one of the best drugstore mascaras hands down.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - Luster
sheilaKL 10/12/2007 4:35:00 PM
As described below, this blush is a marraige of other nars blushes..to my eye it does look like a cross between sertao and orgasm. It is a golden apricot with pretty shimmer..not as much shimmer as orgasm, but finely milled. As with all NARS blushes it is pigmented with great staying power. I have been wearing this everyday since i got it and it even looks good with cool eyes looks as there is enough yellow in it to work with the pink in your cheeks and keep it from getting overly warm. This will be well loved and used by this NC15 redhead................. now if only Mr. Nars would come out with a bright, clear apricot blush with shimmer !
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Korres - Wild Rose Brightening Serum
sheilaKL 9/17/2007 8:53:00 AM
Another Excellent product from Korres! Rich in wheat proteins and vitamin C, this product delivers as promised! It really brightens up your complexion (especially with continued use) sinks right in, is light and non irritating and does not clog pores! This is a must have for my undereyes! After 6 weeks of use, I can officially say I have finally found my HG of eye creams! I use the Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum ( patted under each eye) let soak in and then top with Korres Eyebright firming eye cream. Once dry i apply sunscreen and voila, my undereyes have never looked better. I have allergies, and am very pale so i have bluish underye circles, plus i have dark freckles/pigmentation there as well ( a redhead that grew up in florida). I have also used this serum all over my face when redoing my makeup for the evening, it is excellent and does provide an instant brightening effect which lasts! The effect lasts all day too and still look bright and fresh i wash my face at the end of the night. Afull size 1 ounce pump container is only 38$, which considering the ingredients is very affordable for this serum: Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Distillate, Pentylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Mannan, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Diglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) Extract, Glycerin, Glycine, Glycine Soja Protein, Grape (Vitis Vinifera) Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Parfum, PEG-32, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-8, Phospholipids, Phytic Acid, Rosa Canina Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum. Excellent products, excellent results, very affordable, will definitely repurchase. UPDATE: as much as i love this and thought it couldn't get any better, I have found one product that knocks my socks off (DERMAdoctor wrinkle revenge eye balm) so i have to update this review as i was layering this with eye bright. It is good, but i have to downgrade it as the dermadoctor is SO MUCH better.
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Korres - Eye Bright Firming Eye Cream
sheilaKL 9/17/2007 8:46:00 AM
After 6 weeks of use, I can officially say I have finally found my HG of eye creams! I use the Korres Wild Rose Brightening Serum ( patted under each eye) let soak in and then top with Korres Eyebright firming eye cream. Once dry i apply sunscreen and voila, my undereyes have never looked better. I have allergies, and am very pale so i have bluish underye circles, plus i have dark freckles/pigmentation there as well ( a redhead that grew up in florida). Needless to say my undereyes can get very dark. This combo really brightened and smoothed my eye with noticeable results just one week, and now after 6 weeks I can say that i have experienced tremendous improvement! The effect lasts all day too and still look bright and fresh i wash my face at the end of the night. I have tried hyelxin, clinique all about eyes, clinique all about eyes rich, clinique repairwear, philiosophy hope in a tube, philosophy eye believe, DDF nourishing, benefit eyecon, Murad lighten and brighten...nothing has had these kind of results! I have bought a full size tube of each (both are 1 full ounce size for $37 and $38 respectively..very cheap for eye cream which is normally only come in .5 ounce size). Excellent products, excellent results, very affordable, will definitely repurchase. UPDATE: i have found one product that works better than the combo of the rose serum and this eyebright cream (DERMAdoctor wrinkle revenge eye balm) so i have to downgrade this eye cream as it is very good, but dermadoctor is so much better!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Mat Velvet PLUS Matifying Foundation
sheilaKL 9/16/2007 11:17:00 AM
Yet another hit from Make Up for Ever! I was hesitant to buy this foundation at first b/c although my skin is combo, my cheeks tend to be dry, however it works perfectly with my skin! This is truly an incredible foundation, covers redness and imperfections, makes your skin look and feel smooth and flawless but does not feel heavy at all! It feels the same on my skin as the Face & Body foundation by Mufe (another love). I just moisturize my face with Cerave lotion from the drugstore a few seconds before I ammpy the Mat velvet+, without letting the moisturizer sink in all the way. It lasts all day and does an excellent job of controlling oil. Itis pigmented so a little goes a long way and is water resistant so i use cleansing oil and purity to remove..at the end of the night my skin has been feeling smoother since i began using this foundation..not sure why but i'll take it! I use Ivory 20 and my other foundation matches are on my notepad (around MAC NC 15 or lighter)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Christian Dior - DiorBlush Passion Fruit 533
sheilaKL 9/14/2007 8:57:00 AM
I am pretty impressed with the new DiorBlushes, Passion Fruit is a beautiful salmon color with the slightest hint of tan to keep it from being too bright, too pink or too peach. The matte side is not flatte matte, it has a bit of a sheen that blends beautifully into your skin, the shimmerry side is almost the same shade but glowy and with a golden sheen. I used an angled blush brush and swept the "matte" side up the cheekbone fromt he apples and then gently swiped the shimmerry side along the top of the cheekbone, the result is a beautiful natural looking cheek! these blushes are not as pigmented as Nars or Chanel, but as they wear the color tends to bond to your skin and the staying power is excellent. This blush is soft and powdery, but not chalky or thin feeling. I think this is a great go to blush for daily wear b/c there is no need for a skunk or major blending. signature Dior case with velevt pouch and logo, nice brush although as with all included brushes it is too small to do it justice. Very faint dior scent that is undetectable once applied. Overall A+, i may have to get more colors!
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Christian Dior - Midnight Poison
sheilaKL 8/18/2007 5:41:00 PM
I am pleasantly surprised by this one. i really love it, especially the drydown! DH also loved this on me (he liked hypnotic posion too but it got too sweet on me for my liking) I can see this becoming a favorite of mine..after a few hours it has become a part of my skin..nothing sharp or powdery about it..very sexy smell. I am not great at dissecting perfumes and their notes etc but i will say that i am a fan of this, but was not a fan of Angel (i don't get the similarity at all actually?) My other favorites are Dior Dune, Dior Addict, NR for Her EDT, Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - Kalahari Duo
sheilaKL 8/3/2007 6:53:00 PM
Most of my other NARS duos I swapped, I kept AAE and now this one will be a keeper as well. The texture is excellent, soft but pigmented. They have a metallic finish that is just beautiful, and again I have to say I am very surprised at the pigment of this duo given my experiences with other NARS shadows. I agree with the reviewer below who compares the shades to a less orange , more gold woodwinked and a lighter satin taupe. These work surpisingly well together and would be a great duo for an office staple or daily daytime wear. For reference, I am a pale, warm, redhead with aqua eyes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No