Polishes -Nivea - Calcium power
shigawire 5/22/2010 1:46:00 PM
Once upon a time, I owned a hot pink varnish from Chanel. It got lost when I moved house and I've been sad for two weeks ever since. Nivea is the perfect, inexpensive solution. Two coats are mandatory for a good cover - and on second thought, I added a Dior clear top coat to hurry up the drying - and even so it's not on par with the Chanel. Pigments are light and the varnish is quite runny. Not entirely thrilled since it's useless in all future nail art endeavors.
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Eyeliner -Bourjois - Effet Smoky
shigawire 5/22/2010 1:44:00 PM
Got this in 71, Smoked Brown, as I already have black, blue, silver and green pencils already and I've been itching for a good brown pencil to smudge. This one is IT. I like the color because it's a little gentler on my pigmentation and works as a day 'look'. Texture is okay and I don't have to pull on my eyelid to get it on - major plus.
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Eye Shadow -Bourjois - Shimmering Shine Liquid Eyeshadow - all shades
shigawire 5/22/2010 1:41:00 PM
Been wanting a liquid eyeshadow for a while now after hearing that they offer a better base for lightly pigmented powder shadow. Tried it on and kind of love it. It's a bit weird to have the glossy feel on your eyelids for a couple of seconds after, but the application is super easy and product dries quickly. Kind of holy grail-ish for quick, easy early morning application.
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Cleansers -Eucerin - Impure Skin Sebum Reducing Cleansing Gel
shigawire 5/12/2010 11:37:00 AM
This review refers to the Eucerin DermoPurifyer cleanser, which is what I understand this product has been rebranded as. I have a love/hate relationship with this product. On the one hand, it's highly efficient in cleaning off all remnants of make-up and cleansing the skin, on the other it's rich in alcohol and salicylic acid and dries out my skin something fierce. I also get a bit of a reaction from the high concentration of chemicals. That said, it's a cheap solution that will help control breakouts without actually damaging your skin too terribly.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Louis Widmer - Emulsion Hydro-Active
shigawire 5/10/2010 5:56:00 PM
A small, round box with a plastic white cap and an unassuming, virtually unknown name, this moisturizer is my salvation. Louis Widmer is a Swiss family-owned brand launched sometime in the 1960s. It's readily available on the shelves in Belgium and, I suspect, elsewhere around Europe, but I haven't heard much said about it. Over here, the whole Louis Widmer range is sold in pharmacies for a very affordable, no frills price--and that's exactly what this moisturizer is. Unlike other creams (see Sisley All-Day, All-Year), Emulsion Hydro-Active is very light and almost milky on the skin. It contains 1% Vitamin E and 0.5% shea butter, which lends it its creamy, gentle consistency. I began using this moisturizer during a particularly tricky breakout, when my skin was both dry and full of inflammations. Emulsion Hydro-Active saved it. Not only did it help the dryness, but it also held my make-up better and evened out my skin during the day. I would eagerly recommend this for anyone with problem skin.
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Masks -Sisley - Radiant Glow Express Mask
shigawire 5/10/2010 5:37:00 PM
Like every other Sisley product I seem to be trying out, this mask was given to me as a sample, thus saving me the harsh decision-making process of having to choose between this product and, say, something by Clarins. Having used it a couple of times already, I can't deny that there is definitely something about this mask that seems to make my skin look even and glowing, but I'm not sure it's a lasting effect. The texture is a lot less compact than what I would expect from a clay mask and the scent can be quite off-putting compared to other masks I've used in the past. This said, I've used this mask previously without witnessing any adverse reactions so I'm not too concerned about the slight burning/itching I feel every time I use it. Comfortable it might not be, but I'm willing to put up with a little discomfort if it means good skin. It's less certain if I would pay for the same treatment.
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Cleansers -Sisley - Buff and Wash Botanical Face Gel
shigawire 5/10/2010 5:29:00 PM
Having read some of the reviews here, I have to agree that those coming to this product expecting a facial cleanser will be disappointed. The granulated consistency makes it unsuitable for everyday use for anyone with remotely sensitive skin and the price tag makes it a difficult regimen to sustain unless your pockets are very, very deep. But having said that, using this product as an exfoliator works wonders. I have sensitive, acne-prone skin and what doesn't break me out usually dries my skin something fierce. Not so with this product. I have a tester sample to get through and using it once a week is giving me a nice break from my usual HG, Vichy scrub. I use it as a precursor to the Sisley red clay mask and follow the whole thing with toner and, yes, a moisturizer so as to avoid it drying my face too much. I haven't purchased a full bottle of this product yet because while it is nice, I'm not convinced it's worth the money.
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Skincare - Face -Clinique - 3 Step System
shigawire 5/8/2010 11:35:00 AM
Just... wow. I bought this today after running out of my favorite cleanser (La Roche Posay). It took maybe two seconds after applying the cleanser to break out. Far from making my skin look clean and fresh, it gave me red bumps and inflammation. Upon buying the mini pack 3, I was extremely confused to find the cleanser and toner both so strongly scented and so full of chemicals. The alcohol content is too high for dry skin and too aggressive for combination skin! The first thing I did after use was jump to MUA and check other reviews and I'm glad to have had my suspicions confirmed. In the best of cases, this product does nothing good for your skin. In the worst, it will break you out and damage your skin. UPDATED: Have since removed the liquid facial soap and tried using the toner (#3) and moisturizer on their own. Major improvement. The toner is high in alcohol content, but it does a good job removing whatever remnants of make-up are left after I wash my face. The moisturizer is decently hydrating. I've ruled out the liquid soap and won't be returning to it. Will see how my skin responds to the other two now that I've bought them but I dislike playing Russian roulette with my skin, especially when it comes to such a reputable brand of products.
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Lip Treatments -Nuxe - Baume Prodigieux Levres Protective Lip Balm - Gloss Effect SPF 15
shigawire 5/8/2010 9:54:00 AM
This product is a lifesaver. If, like me, you have chapped lips, try using this for a week and you'll see the immense difference. The last time I used it, I had the light pink, which made it excellent for home use but not really something I would wear when out or at work. This time around I bought the gloss in Chocolate Shimmer (Shimmering Chocolate) with SPF15 and I am in love. The scent, the taste and the color all suit beautifully. I'm really pleased to have this product again as it's all natural and deliciously scented. Definitely something I'd repurchase again and again!
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Mascara -Chanel - Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel
shigawire 5/8/2010 9:37:00 AM
I love this mascara. I admit I'm not a frequent user, so when I got the sample in my goodie bag, I didn't really think I'd use it. One coat and wow, what a difference! It does a great job separating my lashes and the black is fairly pigmented and stays on for a good long while. I have naturally curly lashes so I don't often bother with a second coat--doubt that it's needed, really, considering that this product gives enough definition to my eyes. I'm not sure I'd purchase the product due to the price which, as is often the case with Chanel products, is a bit out of my budget.
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Moisturizers -Sisley - All Day All Year - Essential Day Care
shigawire 4/30/2010 6:59:00 PM
I have huge mixed feelings about this product. On the one hand, as other reviewers have noted, it IS a good moisturizer and my skin feels lovely and soft after using it. I have no problem applying make-up immediately after use and there is no visible trace of oiliness on the skin in spite of the numerous chemicals contained within. On the other hand, it's not a great protector against sun damage as the SPF factor is quite low and there seems to be some correlation, at least in my case (combination skin), between using this product and getting cystic brakeouts. The deciding factor for me is the quality/price ratio. While this product is a fairly good moisturizer, there are others out there that are better and more accessible price-wise.
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Scrubs -Vichy - Purete Thermale - Detoxifying Exfoliating Cream
shigawire 4/29/2010 9:13:00 AM
Quite possibly my favorite exfoliating scrub to date. I like the consistency of the cream and the fact that it's not too runny when applied. Instructions say to use it on damp skin, but it will not harm your face if you forget to humidify your skin first. Utterly without scent, it's really gentle and doesn't leave my skin looking red and irritated as some exfoliating cremes can do. Definitely something I'd repurchase.
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Treatments -Bioderma - sebium AI
shigawire 4/28/2010 10:31:00 AM
I bought this hoping it would help control my post-waxing breakouts - it didn't. Other reviews have already mentioned the smell of the product and it's true that makes it hard to apply often. Another issue is how astringent the product is on sensitive skin. Every time I use it, I can feel my skin itching and stinging. It's very unpleasant and I can't imagine starting to apply make-up on top.
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Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Pure Color Lipstick- Beige
shigawire 4/26/2010 11:29:00 AM
What I love best about this lipstick is the texture. It's creamy without being overly sticky and it can be quite long-lasting if applied correctly. Unlike other products in the same price range, it doesn't have any taste or smell. Admittedly, it is a bit pricey, but for a good product with a long shelf life, it's worth it.
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Concealers -Chanel - ESTOMPE DE CHANEL CORRECTIVE CONCEALER
shigawire 4/26/2010 11:24:00 AM
As other reviewers have mentioned, the color selection is a serious problem for this product. I have tried several shades of this product and none seem to fit my complexion. Another problem is how visible this concealer is even under compact powder or foundation. It doesn't offer the amount of coverage you'd expect for the price you're paying.
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