Lipstick -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick 
sirenswin 10/23/2012 4:15:00 PM
This is a very similar product, but at Drugstore price, for Dior Addict lipsticks - same moisturizing sheer finish but with strong colors that you can easily build up. I have this in "Rebel Red" and it's a great true red for daytime and nighttime wear, goes from sheer to more intense depending on layers. Colors are as vibrant as Dior Addict Extreme (strong colors, like the red I have, the nudes look more like a gloss). I find this a great product. I know Maybelline and Revlon also have a sheer version of lipstick, probably trying to dupe Dior's, but I have tested them and the intensity of the colors, and the colors themselves, don't feel/look HE like L'Oreal does.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Invisible Fluid Makeup
sirenswin 8/15/2012 6:40:00 PM
This is a really nice and lasting foundations, unless you need coverage or are extremely oily. The shades are a bit different than normal EL foundations - there is no Cool, or Warm, just Cool Neutral and Warm Neutral. For me, NW15 or lighter in winter, 2CN1 was good but a bit too warm. Not a perfect match (hence one point off) but it looked decent. I don't regret buying it, but it doesn't feel special enough for me for a HE foundation, not even for a light coverage one. Basically you can go light with heavier foundations too, and they can be used as concealer too, so this didn't impress me much for its price - I could as well use a tinted moisturizer, BB cream or a thin layer of well-blended heavier one instead. It doesn't last as well as MAC Face and Body, which is also light, but it doesn't move (because it's for body too). It's nice, just unimpressive.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Avon - Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil
sirenswin 7/8/2012 4:55:00 AM
I absolutely love this product. I have curly dry hair that can never get too much nourishment, even if I don't heat style it gets dry. I have use the far more expensive Kerastase Elixir Ultime and I must admit I find this product even better. The smell is great, not as persistant as the Kerastase one, and it's extremely nourishing and fights down frizz when applied on dry hair. The packaging has a pump and is extremely convenient. I find it works better for me when applied on dry hair than on wet hair, and the nourishing effect works longer than the Kerastase product. I can't compare it with other Moroccan Oils since I never tried them, but after using it I must admit I don't feel inclined to buy the more expensive ones since this one works so well. If I use it as a prewash treatment, the ends are so soft after shampooing and the strands so detangled even the kinky ends. For its price, I definitely recommend trying once if you have dry hair. For normal hair it may be too much unless it's got damaged ends, their Serum may be more suited.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Alfaparf - AlfaParf Nutri Seduction
sirenswin 5/28/2012 9:13:00 AM
This is an amazing shampoo for dry hair. It deepily hydrates but also cleanses really well the hair. Unlike some hydrating shampoos it rinses out fairly easily. After use you need to use a hairmask though, it's definitely a treatment shampoo not just a daily cleansing one. Hydration is similar to Kerastase Bain Satin 3, so anyone with hair other than dry should not use it. Great quality is that it rehydrated my scalp also. Price is one third of Kerastase so I am more than happy with it. Smell is amazing also.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Alfaparf - Alfa Parf Midollo di Bamboo Daily Repair Leave in Hair Spray
sirenswin 5/28/2012 7:21:00 AM
This is an amazing product, that finally does what it says - remoisturizes and protects hair. Used on dry hair it will turn even the split ends into luscious looking locks. The price is low for a professional brand and I absolutely love it. I use it on wet hair before blowdrying and on dry hair for emergency rescue.
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Eye Shadow -Rimmel - Colour Mousse 8hr Shadow
sirenswin 5/28/2012 7:14:00 AM
I bought this Black Pearl, and when I opened it the ingredients had separated into a liquid and pigments sitting at the bottom of the bottle. I shook it up and put it in the refrigerator and next morning the same consistency. Color would be beautiful but the product is really bad. Since I hear some people got good products I recommend you definitely ask the SA to let you open the product before you buy it. Shame, I would have given it a 0 if it was possible.
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Liquid -Rimmel - Stay Matte Foundation 
sirenswin 5/28/2012 7:10:00 AM
This is a great foundation for combination skin. Texture is very smooth, seamless, medium coverage, and the finish is natural, definitely not powdery matte. I have this in 103 True Ivory, and it's a great match for me in summer. This would this foundation's only flaw - does not come out in lighter shades, but I must admit the shade above mentioned is quite natural (neutral but not ashy) to make a very natural version of pale tanned skin. Quality is similar to far more expensive foundations (Clinique Superbalanced), and it lasts just that long and it even blends out more smoothly than Clinique. I took one point off because of the shades and because if a truly oily girl would buy this she would be disappointed, it's definitely not a foundation for oily skin.
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Top/Base Coats -Chanel - Top Coat Velvet Mat Top Coat
sirenswin 5/1/2012 4:24:00 PM
This product makes any nail polish look matte, it dries very fast (so overall I would say it speeds up the entire drying process), the finish is uniform and looks like frosted glass. I wait however 15 minutes before using it over nail polish coats because some are cheaper and do not dry so fast. It's very easy to spread in an uniform coat and overall I rated it 3 for price because even though it's very expensive it does do everything it says it does.
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Treatments -Chanel - Purete Ideale Serum Intense Refining Skin Complex
sirenswin 4/24/2012 10:40:00 AM
First I must say my skin is combination (oily enlarged pores on T-zone and normal to dry on the rest) and I am not acne prone or allergic to perfume (many complain about this when reviewing this product). I bought this because I was looking for a serum that would reduce pores and refine texture (my main concern). Before this I used Estee Lauder Idealist and it worked great but sometimes it would ball up on my skin for no particular reason just before foundation after moisturizer. This product is a little cheaper than EL and I have to say it's much better for 2 reasons: - it controls oil much better - sinks in faster and leaves no residue whatsoever - it diminishes pores for real and not just optical illusion (like Idealist which does work but after a longer period of time in the beginning it fills in pores with silicone and that's about it) - it calms the skin down - absolutely no redness - does not dry the skin - the EL sometimes dries my dry areas - it refines skin texture for real (unlike Idealist that only fixes texture visually, for makeup, not really) It's a great product and I am happy I chose this over re-buying EL Idealist because for me it's much better and also slightly cheaper. I love the smell and the packaging and I graded it 3 for price because the other HE serums that also target minimizing pores are more expensive. The Chanel SA said this is a serum for pores and texture for all skin types, and I believe this to be real probably this is why it has no effect on drying out existing pimples (which is not a direct promise from the product anyway).
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Cleansers -Chanel - Precision Mousse Douceur
sirenswin 4/20/2012 10:22:00 AM
I never thought much of buying expensive cleansers, only mid HE at best, but this stuff is amazing and I do not regret the money spent! It literally does do something extra, skin at the end is very calmed down and uniform (for pale skin like mine all irritation is gone and it's a very nice novelty no product ever produced) pores are minimized as if I have used some cream or serum on it not just a cleanser. Can be applied on dry skin (like the SA recommended) or on wet skin, in both cases must be cleansed with water off. I only apply it on dry skin when I need to take heavy makeup off. As far as its cleansing power goes - it literally takes away all of EL Double Wear (normal formula not light one) and those who use this know what this means. After using this cleanser I can wear a hell of a lot less foundation (it feels a waste and shame to put any in the beginning but I do it to avoid oil during the day) and it does hydrate. Can also be very easily cleared off with water (some mousses take a lot more effort). Smells amazing. Will definitely repurchase despite price. I would rather use this and a cheaper cream than to give this up.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Illusion D'Ombre - Illusoire
sirenswin 4/19/2012 8:19:00 AM
I was reluctant into buying this, but I did like the undefinable color (no not purple, not grey, it really is just undefinable), especially when the SA said that it is not shiny or glittery (even though it obviously seemed this way). On skin this looks perfect - adds light where it should and looks shadowy where you need it. Also lasts without an eye primer (I always need an eye primer) and it has to be the first eye shadow that looks so good on its own that I even didn't feel like using an eyeliner with it. Looks expensive, perfect for daywear but night time too (why not?) and my only problem with it is this - why do all the other e/s I own (some very expensive too) seem so useless now? EDITED: I think I know how to describe the color (on pale skin like mine) - it comes off more like a purplish-taupe, would definitely not call it a purple but a more sophisticated taupe.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Garnier - BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector - Light/Medium
sirenswin 4/14/2012 4:30:00 PM
I was expecting the reviews for this product would be a court trial regarding its BB cream-ness. It's true Garnier should have refrained at using the term as the buyers are generally today (thanks to Youtube gurus and many sites where you can buy BB cream from) quite aware of what a BB Cream is even outside Asia. First of all apart from EL Idealist serum I have never used a product that would actually be as miraculous as it claims, ever so my lack of faith has lead me to never try the REAL BB Creams because they promise too much and the only reference is "look at the Korean actresses" which means not enough for me (actresses can wear a lot of invisible makeup and powder and etc, while filming or in pictures and of course they will never admit it). So my review will not clear the case regarding to the question of whether this is a BB Cream or not, I will only review the product itself. As a tinted moisturizer this is an amazing product for me in comparison with the others I tried: Dior Hydra Life (very strangely bad product for its price, oiliness is the least of its problems, blotchiness and uneven texture add up to it) Stila TM - definitely left an unwanted (for my skin combo with oily T) shininess on my nose and under sunlight it felt quite uncomfortable) Benefit TM - too heavy and during summer very cloggy on my pores Nivea TM - blotchy and shiny and light color does not blend in my skin so it's too dark Bioderma TM for oily skin - light color too dark and it did not uniformize my skintone and it left an unhealthy cast on my skin and it did not even control oiliness. Givenchy Hydrasparkling TM - this was actually good, very hydrating, uniformized skintone, blends in well, I can see my skin looking smooth after using it, minimized the appearance of enlarged pores. The Garnier product reminds me a lot of Givenchy Hydrasparkling in effects and appearance, and need I say more about the difference in the price!? Sure Givenchy smells way better which does not mean Garnier smells bad, it's just not the same HE perfume but the effects are the same. For a drugstore product to be this hydrating and not clog pores and unify skintone (Garnier even does a better job at it), and last as well as the Givenchy product, who cares that it's not a BB Cream? It's a really good tinted moisturizer!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
sirenswin 3/7/2012 12:15:00 PM
I use this foundation with MUFE stippling brush 55N and I must say I love it so far. The coverage is medium to light, if one has dry areas or scars I do not recommend this or maybe over MUFE HD Serum that is very hydrating. However the finish, especially for a light coverage foundation is very nice, matte but not chalky so I love it. One other thing that makes it great for me is the unique color #115 (light) which is light enough but also pink enough to match my skin perfectly - I have yet to find another pale foundation that matches me so well. Lasting power it's pretty good, haven't tried it in summer yet but it does not cake, ball up, or go out in streaks. When it goes it's more like a fade away which is good. The only con is of course lack of SPF but since this is a professional brand and this foundation is aimed for indoor photo shoots especially close-ups, it's very understandable why it doesn't contain any. I feel really happy to have found a really professional item from a professional brand.
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Makeup Brushes -Make Up For Ever - HD Blush Brush #55N
sirenswin 3/7/2012 12:07:00 PM
I love this brush! I use it for liquid foundation as well as powder foundation and powder blush and it works great with both. It's very soft, and the finish with liquid foundations is seamless and wonderful. Because it's so soft it's very easy to use a second layer with it since it's all pleasant. I cannot compare it with 187 from MAC but I can compare it with Sephora's Platinum Stippling brush that is almost similar except no that soft. The difference in the feel is very significant and I read here that someone said that Sephora was softer than MAC 187 so from this I am wary of trying 187 now.
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Moisturizers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dear John - a Movin' On Facial Cream [DISCONTINUED]
sirenswin 2/17/2012 11:12:00 AM
I have combination skin and in summer the T-zone is pretty oily but this winter this has saved my skin. It sinks in really fast (even the oilier parts) does not create more oiliness and it feels really soft. My skin is more luminous because of it (tone I mean not shimmer) and foundation lasts. It hasn't created any blackheads even if does it contain oil. However I think this is discontinued and Benefit has replaced with something called differently (a name containing moisture). Too bad, it's a nice cream and it reminds me of Clinique's DDML only with better results and with less oiliness on the problematic areas.
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