Shampoo -ABBA - Pure Volume shampoo
smoozie 4/2/2012 3:08:00 PM
I really had high hopes for this product after a hairdresser told me how good it was. I foolishly bought the largest size of the shampoo and conditioner and I really don't like either one. Not only does my hair feel greasy after washing it, it also looks really dull (almost like a film is on it). The shampoo doesn't lather (which I was expecting) but the conditioner doesn't even condition (my hair is all knotty and tangled!). Needless to say, I won't be purchasing either of these products again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Bourjois - Volume Glamour Ultra Care mascara
smoozie 4/2/2012 2:59:00 PM
After reading the reviews on makeupalley, I decided to order it from ASOS (I can't seem to find it in Canada). For the price ($14.00 CAD), I think this mascara is really good. It gives a soft look to my lashes without being clumpy. It doesn't bother my eyes (I wear contact lenses) and it doesn't flake which is the best part! It lengthens, separates, and holds a curl and you can layer a few coats for a more dramatic look. I wish the colour was a darker though, so I took off 1 lippie for that. I usually buy Diorshow unlimited (which is $36.00) and although it's not as dark or as dramatic, you really can't go wrong with this mascara. I'm not sure if or when they will carry it in North America but I know ASOS has it (and they don't charge for shipping).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Moroccanoil - Light
smoozie 4/2/2012 2:49:00 PM
I can't say enough good things about this product! I have very fine, chemically treated hair. I purchased this a few weeks ago for $40.00 ($CAD) and it's made a huge difference in the look and texture of my hair. I was worried that it would be too heavy but it's not (in fact, it gives me more body!). My hair feels like silk- so soft and shiny. I use a small pump every time I wash my hair (working from root to end) and I don't use any other styling product with it. I am also sensitive to fragrance but this smell doesn't bother me at all (there is a smell, but it's not too strong). I'm a tad concerned that i'm breaking out because of it though....I've been noticing that since I started using it, i'm getting more breakouts...I really hope that it's not because I really don't want to stop using it. PROS- 1) soft, silky hair 2) body and bounce 3) doesn't weigh hair down CONS- 1) a bit pricey but worth it 2) pump locks frequently (annoying)..hard to get a small amount of product out because of this 3) smell (light smell - may bother some people if very sensitive to fragrance I think it's definitely worth a try! I can't wait to bring some with me on my vacation to Mexico - my hair will need it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Pupa - Diva's Lashes
smoozie 10/7/2011 8:13:00 AM
When I first tried this mascara (purchased it for $13.00 CAD on sale), It gave me great volume and separation. The colour is actually very black (which is important for me since my eye lashes are so light). I was really in love with it for the first 2 weeks or so. After about a month, I noticed that it did flake off quite a bit on my face during the day and I felt that it weighed my eye lashes down (to the point where I was curling them a few times after I applied it just to get them to stay curled!). Maybe it was because the formula dried out - but it had only been about 3 or 4 weeks!). I still haven't found a mascara as good as my Dior Unlimited (but I can't afford the $36.00 CAD price tag!). To sum it up, I don't think that I will purchase this mascara again just because it only gave me a few good weeks of wear and then I should pretty much throw it out after that. So, for that reason, I won't buy it again. On the the next quest to find the perfect masacra!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -MAC - Studio Careblend
smoozie 9/2/2011 8:07:00 AM
I was a little concerned about this powder at first because I am acne prone and I was scared that it would break me out. I usually use the Mineralize Skinfinish powder in light plus and I've been pretty happy with it so far. I decided to buy the Careblend because the SA told me that it has more oil control than the Mineralize so I thought I'd give it a try. I've been using the Careblend in "Light" for about a week now and it's been working really well for me and no breakouts!! I notice that my skin looks flawless (I apply it over my concealer with a large powder brush) and matte (I find that it controls oil much better than the mineralize). I would say that the coverage is sheer and can be built up to medium (at the very most) depending on how you apply it. My skin looks soft, smooth, and hydrated and I'm really happy with it so far! I will edit this post if I find that it breaks me out...but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Sculpting Powder Makeup SPF 10
smoozie 8/30/2011 10:55:00 AM
Wow! I purchased this in "The Passion" with the advise from the SA. I wanted a bronzer, and because I'm extremely fair skinned (for reference NW15 with a neutral complexion) she tried this on me. I was sceptical because I usually use traditional bronzers and this one didn't really look "bronzy" to me at first. What it did for me was give me a warm, peachy glow that didn't look orange, sparkly, or fake. I used a big bronzer brush (the brush that it comes with isn't the greatest) and swirled all of the colours together and applied it like a regular bronzer. It has a beautiful glow and lasts all day without makeing my skin look oily. It doesn't break me out which is amazing. The price...it's pretty expensive (around $55 Canadian), but it's definitely worth it! The packaging is quite large (I would be happy if they took the brush out and made the package more compact). I think that this product is worth trying as a bronzer for fair skin (I'm not sure that this colour would show up on darker skin but it might work as a nice powder or blush). Love it! I think this will replace my Bobbi Brown medium bronzer for now.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Paula Dorf - Magic Stick
smoozie 8/30/2011 8:33:00 AM
I recently pruchased shade #2 in this concealer which is slighly more yellow toned than the #1 (The #2 was suggested by the SA for my super fair neutral NW15 skin). After reading all of the reviews for this product, I had high hopes that this would work for me. I have acne prone skin and when I purchased this, I wanted to use it to cover up some of the acne and some redness. I used a concealer brush and applied it onto my well moisturized face and directly onto my acne. The coverage is pretty good, but I really found that it was drying and emphasized the acne even more. It kind of crusted up on my face thoughout the day and my colleauges at work told me that my skin looked really dry and flakey (yikes!). Needless to say, I switched back to my Alison Raffaele #1 shade and I feel a lot better about my skin's appearance! I think this product would be more suitable for someone with oilier skin who wants to cover up imperfections and redness (who doesn't have acne). PRO'S: -nice shade selection for fair skin -stick format is easy to use CON'S: -Drying and made my skin flaky -around $30.00 Canadian -Noticeable thoughout the day I hope this helps!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Pur Minerals - Mineral Glow
smoozie 8/14/2010 7:09:00 PM
I just recently purchased this product because it was part of a kit that was featured on the home shopping channel. I have to say that I am really impressed by this bronzer. I am fair with a neutral undertone (MAC NW15/NW20) and I found that the colour was perfect for me. Normally, I don't like any shimmer whatsoever in my bronzer (I hate when my face looks shiny!), but this bronzer isn't "shimmery", it gives me a glow (I should also mention that my skin is pretty clear and even textured). It is definitely sheer, and I think that it's more appropriate for the day time because it gives you a natural look. I would use something more intense and contouring for the night time (so that you get a more dramatic look), but for the day, it's perfect. I am pleasantly surprised by this bronzer and I will most likely buy it again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Pur Minerals - Pressed Powder Foundation
smoozie 8/14/2010 6:58:00 PM
I purchased the product from the Shopping Channel about a week ago and I am very impressed so far! I was a little hesitant to buy it because of the so-so makeup alley reviews that I've seen. I decided to take a chance and buy it anyways because they were selling it in a kit and the price was very affordable. I am fair with a neutral undertone (MAC NW15 or NW20), so I purchased the "light" colour of the 4 in 1 pressed foundation. The colour blends perfectly into my skin. I would definitely say that this product has a light to medium coverage when applied with the chisel brush (all over the face). I use an eyeshadow brush to apply the product as a concealer under my eyes and on blemishes. It did a great job of covering under my eyes, but didn't give great coverage on red marks and blemishes. I then tried using a cream concealer on first, followed by the 4 in 1 all over my face (this gave me the coverage that I was looking for). The brush that is recommended to use with it (chisel) brush is okay, but the hairs come out pretty easily if your face is a bit moist (from moisturizer) prior to application. So, make sure that your moisturizer has absorbed completely before using the brush or you ill have to pick the hairs off of your face. The staying power is amazing and I felt like this lasted all day. It gives my skin a glow (but stays matte). I am also very prone to breakouts, and I haven't experienced any so far! I will definitely buy this again!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -mark - Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain--Bare
smoozie 6/22/2010 1:08:00 PM
Wow! I love this product. the texture is smooth and not at all sticky! i love the colour and it compliments my fair skin tone so nicely. The colour is a pinkish/brown colour and is sheer and glossy. Your lips stay hydrated for a long time after application (almost like a lip balm). I think that the value is great and I would definitely buy it again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Alison Raffaele - True Concealer
smoozie 2/10/2010 8:29:00 AM
I adore this concealer. I just bought this yesterday and I am very impressed by the texture and staying power of this product. I wasn't sure which colour to choose because the description of the colours is very vague (eg. #1 - nicole kidman, avril lavigne. #2. Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway...). I chose the number 2 just to be safe (in case the #1 was too light). The number 2 is definitely peachy looking, but looks great when I put it onto my face. The texture is AMAZING! dries down to a powdery finish. It blends seamlessly into my skin and gives great coverage (under eyes, on red spots, and broken blood vessles around my nose). I wouldn't use it straight from the wand (sponge tip) but use a concealer brush to apply and smooth with your fingers. **EDIT- I switched to shade #1 because the #2 was a tad too dark for me. he #1 is more neutral which suits my skin colour much better I love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Everyday Minerals - Intensive Fair concealer [DISCONTINUED]
smoozie 2/8/2010 2:53:00 PM
after seeing all of the great reviews on here, i decided to give this one a shot. It was weird to grasp the concept of using a powder concealer but I guess there's a first time for everything! The colour is really great especially if you are very fair. I used this product with a few different types of brushes to see if I would like it better but I didn't. If my skin was too moisturized, it wouldnt blend properly. If my skin was less moisturized, it would get all flakey and dry looking. The coverage wasn't that great and people at work kept asking me why I looked so tired! The great thing about this company is that you can get sample sized jars for $2.50 so I doesn't hurt to try it out because you really have nothing to lose. I didnt like it, I won't buy it again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Sue Devitt - quiet and still
smoozie 2/8/2010 2:41:00 PM
I was really dissapointed with this product. It's about $30.00 CAD and not worth it. I am very fair and the colour wasn't bad (light and yellow based). It is in a stick form and the ingedients looked like it would be pretty moisturizing but I applied with with a brush, directly from the stick, and even with my fingers and it went on horribly. I don't even have dry skin and sank into the crease of my nose and found some dry patches that I never knew that I had! it didnt give much coverage (didn't cover my undereye circles that well and my little red marks, not at all!). Not buying this again!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Laura Mercier - Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15
smoozie 2/8/2010 2:34:00 PM
I love this product!! I was using the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 loose powder but it was way too shiny for my combination skin. I just purchased the pressed version in "tender rose" which is a light (colour) but not as white as the soft porcelain. The pressed mineral powder is much more matte and has a bit more coverage than the lose. You want to make sure that you don't dig your brush into it (you don't want to swirl it around and around), or you'll waste it! colour info for light skin: The tender rose is great for someone who is light (but not too yellow). The soft porcelain is white/yellow based and the real sand is light, but SUPER yellow based. hope this helps! i will definitely buy again!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Bobbi Brown - Bronzing Powder in Medium
smoozie 2/8/2010 10:14:00 AM
Wow! I was absolutely amazed at how nice this product goes on! It looks so scary and dark when you first look at it but it goes on super sheer (use a BIG powder brush) when applied to your skin. I am the palest person on earth and I usually don't use matte bronzers because they make me look dirty but this one is the perfect shade and texture and it goes on really nicely! I will but this one again
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No