BB Cream -Unlisted Brand - Mentholatum - Sun Play Skin Aqua BB Cream SPF 25 PA++
stargazer_lily 8/8/2010 9:24:00 PM
Mentholatum is one of my favourite Japanese sunscreen brands so I was very excited to see them release a BB Cream. It comes in 2 versions: Silky and Moisture. Moisture is geared towards normal/dry skintypes while Silky is designed for oily skin. My skin gets quite oily so this review is for the Silky one. BB Creams are not new but they are not as popular outside Asia. They were developed initially in Korea for post laser-surgery patients. They aim to provide healing skincare benefits, sun protection and foundation coverage. Some also have whitening properties. Most come in only 1-2 shades and are supposed to blend into your skintone. From my experience though, they best suit fair skintypes from about NC15 to NC25. The 2 big advantages of using Mentholatum Silky BB Cream is that, (1) it is a great all-in-one product which saves you time (and possibly money as well), and (2) it means you apply fewer skincare products which is a positive thing for oily, acne-prone skin types. Mentholatum's Silky BB Cream is a nice shade match for my fair, NC20 skin. It has a creamy texture and blends in readily. I actually like to combine this with my Avene Cleanance Antishine Regulating Lotion which sheers it out slightly. (I prefer light coverage on my oily skin). But if you use it alone, expect good, medium coverage from this. This contains SPF25 PA++ - not the most amazing sun protection but decent. I wouldn't rely on this for protection while spending time outdoors but it is quite acceptable for me to wear most days to the office. The greatest thing about this BB Cream is its oil control properties and its amazing staying power. Many foundations fail me because my skin gets oily and this wrecks the finish - but not Silky BB Cream. Once I set this with powder, I can get about 5-6 hours out of it before I do need to blot. But once I blot, the finish remains perfect - no patchiness, no foundation breakdown! Fragrance is kept to an absolute minimum in this product which is great. I bought this on eBay for just under USD$20 and you get a reasonable quantity of 40g. Packaging is an attractive, practical white tube with silver lid. I will definitely repurchase as this is very close to being HG status. Easy 5 lippies from me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Avene - Cleanance soapless gel cleanser for oily skin 
stargazer_lily 7/30/2010 1:37:00 AM
Liked this at first but something in it flares up my seborrheic dermatitis so I can't use it. What a shame. I liked everything else about it (except the slightly high price). It's well worth trying if your skin is oily, even if it's only a little bit. The cleanser is thorough yet quite gentle.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Avene - Cleanance Antishine Regulating Lotion
stargazer_lily 7/30/2010 1:32:00 AM
Believe the hype and good reviews here on this fantastic Avene product. It does what it says it does. I can't believe it's taken me so long to try it! I have very oily skin and this lotion is extremely useful as a morning primer for underneath my makeup. I also like to mix a little with my foundation to make tinted moisturiser. Avene Antishine Regulating Lotion really makes quite a difference in controlling my skin's oil production but it doesn't mattify me all day - but that's fine. (I think it probably wouldn't be good for my skin in the long run if I was matte 8 hours a day). This lotion is a little on the pricey side but I will definitely be buying it again - simply because it delivers. 5 shine-free lippies from me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Boots - Botanics Complexion Refining Foundation
stargazer_lily 7/25/2010 1:50:00 AM
I was kind of excited to see this French-made foundation by Boots Botanics so cheaply on eBay. It's designed for oily skin "with clarifying rosemary and burdock extracts". I'm always looking for something new that copes with my oilies so I thought I'd give this a shot. But I'm disappointed. Maybe I need to experiment with primers or application techniques but I'm really not sure about this foundation. It just doesn't apply well for me. It goes on patchy and uneven if I use fingers (damp sponge is better). It also clings to dry patches and doesn't play nice if you want to layer it. Once I successfully apply it, I can see that it has light coverage and a satin-matte finish. Pros: --the shade Almond is a fantastic match for my fair NC20 skin. It's neither too yellow nor too pink. -- I kind of like the dipstick applicator! It's not as awesome as a squeezy tube but I can work with it. It beats a regular glass bottle. --generous 25ml --cheap cheap cheap on eBay! --no sunscreen (yes this is a pro because sunscreen can make oily skins more oily) --water based. Cons: --hard to get an even finish --sensitive skins may need to watch out for the botanicals in it --glass bottle is not great for travel. Right now I'm trying this out as tinted moisturiser as it mixes really nicely with one of my Avene lotions. This helps it apply better. 3 lippies from me. Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Steareth 21, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Mica, Cyclohexasiloxane, Steareth 2, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Talc Sodium polyacrylate, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary), Propylparaben, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Dipropylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methypropional, Hexylcinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Sodium Hydroxide, May Contain (+/-): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Cl 77491 (Iron Oxides), Cl 77499 (Iron Oxides)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -LUSH - The Blonde
stargazer_lily 7/9/2010 10:46:00 AM
I have fine hair which I dye blonde. I am prone to an oily scalp. My hair is long so the ends can get a little neglected. The Blonde solid shampoo handles all my little hair quirks nicely, although do use a good conditioner for your ends because this one is not the most moisturising. But boy, does it clean my scalp! Yet it seems to do so with loving care :-) I love the rich creamy lather from this. I love the smell too - it has a soft citrusy fragrance. I really don't see much difference in the colour of my hair - the chamomile in it is supposed to help make you blonder but for me, the jury is out on that one. 5 lippies. My #1 tip is buy a slatted wooden soap dish to store this on between uses. (Ikea has a nice one). You don't want it sitting in a puddle because it won't last as long. Another tip to make it last - slice a small chunk off your bar to use and wrap up the rest in its original paper and store in a cool, dry place. :-)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chanel - Rouge Allure Genial
stargazer_lily 7/9/2010 10:23:00 AM
A very bright shade which is some magical blend of bright pink and coral. As a previous reviewer mentioned - very tropical! As soon as I saw it I had to have it. It's very unique in my lipstick collection. I really like it, don't regret buying it, but it's not one I reach for that often because it is one of those shades that could easily clash with other makeup or the clothes you're wearing. But it's pretty fabulous under certain circumstances - think subtle eyes and a little black dress, for example. Genial is one of those stunners which I will happily plan a whole look around! As for the formula - it's your typical Rouge Allure top quality. Expect nothing less than satiny smooth perfection in a glamorous metal case. 4 lippies from me - I took one off because it's vibrancy makes it tricky for me to wear often. I'd actually love to rate this 4.5.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Rock Star
stargazer_lily 7/9/2010 9:33:00 AM
This seems to be one of those "love it or hate it" type products but I'm rather liking this one. I got it as a gift. It has a nice creamy lather and a sweet girly fragrance. It doesn't offend me in any way, it does the job in my morning shower, and has been one of my better Lush soap purchases. However I probably won't repurchase - I generally prefer liquid soaps to bars, and while the scent is pleasant, it doesn't have that WOW factor. I'm giving this 4 lippies.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Renewist Lipcolor in Blush
stargazer_lily 7/9/2010 9:23:00 AM
This is called "Full Blush" here in Australia. It's a really lovely, soft, rosy shade. A deeper MLBB on me. For some unknown crazy reason, Revlon discontinued one of the best, most moisturising lipstick lines they ever made. I found this in a $5 bargain bin at my local pharmacy and I was so excited to see it, having already bought Red Reinvented and loving it. This is one of those perfect pink shades that you can just slap on really fast in the mornings before rushing out the door. It's so reliably awesome. It moisturises your lips really well and never smells funky. Love Renewist lipsticks!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Goody - Spin Pin
stargazer_lily 7/9/2010 5:48:00 AM
I have fine, long hair. These are great but not absolutely fantastic for me. Maybe my technique is off but I have had hair fall out of my bun with these, and this has happened more than once. I do find that they hold better for me if I use an elastic to secure a pony first. When shaping the bun, you have to really tuck the ends in properly before pinning. Contrary to the instructions, I have great results when the two spin pins connect to each other. My best results are achieved when I tease/backcomb my pony before shaping into the bun, and then making sure I pin really close to my scalp. I agree with one of the previous reviewers who mentioned issues with the pins being a little long. Having said all this, I don't regret buying them and they are really easy and fun to use. :-)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Bonne Bell - Lip Lites Angel Food Cake
stargazer_lily 7/2/2010 1:13:00 AM
If I had only one word to describe this? Delicious. :-) Smells yummy and is sweet to taste. It's a nice shade of pink too. Nothing too bright or crazy. I like the formula - so smooth and shiny without being at all sticky. It is super pleasant to use and it feels like a moisturising lip treatment. Great doe-foot applicator and generous amount of product in the tube. Winner!! I would repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Bloom - Lipstick in Honeysuckle
stargazer_lily 6/7/2010 1:17:00 AM
This is a lovely matte lipstick that is non-drying and pleasant to use. For me, this is a great MLBB (My Lips But Better) shade of pink. It's a soft shade with a hint of mauve. There are no shimmers. It applies like a satin lipstick but has a matte finish. It feels very comfortable on the lips and while I always prime my lips with a little balm, I don't have to with this one as it does seem to contain moisturisers. It is Vanilla scented and I do find the scent stays around for a while, so if you have an aversion to this, perhaps give this lipstick a miss. Packaging is sophisticated (a classic greyish metallic tube) yet cute (features the adorable Bloom girl logo). I love this one and reach for it often because it works with so many makeup looks. Pics included below.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Bourjois - Sweet Kiss
stargazer_lily 5/28/2010 3:27:00 AM
I have this in #47 Rose Paré and it is just the most gorgeous watermelon shade of pink. Most of these shades are not shimmery but this particular one is. I reach for this one often because it is very easy to wear. It is a little sheer but definitely buildable. Staying power is average but these moisturise a bit and feel comfortable on. I have to take a lippie off for the packaging because my lid doesn't click into place very securely. I must've got a dodgy one. But I would repurchase in other shades!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Fyrinnae - Glow Blush - Captivate
stargazer_lily 5/27/2010 9:01:00 PM
Described by Fyrinnae as "Ruddy deep peach-tone with a golden shimmer throughout" - I honestly wasn't sure if I'd like this one. The word "ruddy" was putting me off. But I decided to sample it anyway. I'm so glad I did! I'm an NC20 and wow, I love it! To me, this is a true peach - it's not orange and it's not brown. In this I can just detect the merest hint of rose pink. The gold sheen is gorgeous and not too over the top. You will not need to add highlighter to your cheeks after applying this. I love how this looks when the light catches my cheekbones. Wow! As with most mineral/loose blushes, you will need a light hand and a skunk brush will be your best friend. I apply this by shaking the jar (lid on!) and then tapping it (lid side up) on a table. Then when you open it there is a fine layer of product on the lid to use with your brush. I stipple it on my cheek to start with and then blend. Love Captivate and will definitely repurchase!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Be Creation Konjac Jelly Massage Cleansing Puff
stargazer_lily 5/23/2010 11:11:00 PM
I bought this puff on a whim at sasa.com recently for just under USD$8. This is by a brand called Be Creation and is made in Korea. It is made of a natural fiber called Konjac (also commonly called Konnyaku or Devil’s Tongue) and is actually a plant from IndoChina. The Japanese eat Konnyaku but also use it as a beauty treatment. I found very little info on the Be Creation puff that I could read in English but what I did see was that it should last about 2-3 months and that the fiber it's made of contains antibacterial agents (2 - methyl - 4 - Isochiazorin 3 - on). Sasa.com says:
"Be Creation Konjac Jelly Massage Cleansing Puff’s soft tissues not only gently massage skin to remove excess sebum and impurities in pores, but also clear dead cuticles. It releases weak alkali substance to neutralize acidic cleanser for pH balanced skin. "
The puff is packaged in a sealed, sturdy plastic bag and is damp when you first open it. There is no fragrance that I could detect. There was no English on the packaging at all but with the help of the internet and MUA, I figured out that the puff should be used damp and can be used on the face with or without cleanser. It comes with a string threaded through it so you can hang to dry between uses.
The puff feels very odd. It's like nothing I've ever come across before and I would best describe it as a cross between jelly, a sponge and a bread roll. (LOL!) It's squidgy but firm-ish and when you use it on your face it feels lovely. It is mildly exfoliating but not scratchy whatsoever. I love how it feels and I think it does keep my skin smoother when I use it. It also feels nice and relaxing. I use it mostly without cleanser during my morning shower (I have combination skin). I have also tried it with a lotion cleanser and this was nice too. It is quite ok to use daily IMO.
I would really love to give this 5 lippies but I cannot because I have only had this about 3 weeks and it is going mouldy! :-( I have to take a lippie off for this. The problem is, they made this puff a little too fat and it just doesn't dry out all the way between uses - it's always a little damp in the middle. This makes me very sad because I really like it aside from that. If it was cheaper, I would keep repurchasing and just replace it more frequently. Be Creation should make mini versions of these that you toss out every week or something. Until they do, I will sadly not be repurchasing. Please click "continued" for pictures.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - I should Coco Soap [DISCONTINUED]
stargazer_lily 5/15/2010 11:05:00 PM
This stuff is so disappointing. Low lather - even with a shower puff and a too-mild coconut scent. I wish the scent was stronger so it could at least make my skin smell nice for hours afterwards... Is this meant to exfoliate? It's not very good at that either! At least it doesn't dry my skin out. I'll use this up but definitely won't repurchase. Bummer.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No