Fragrances -Gucci - Flora Gucci Gorgeous Gardenia
sweetgardenangel 5/14/2013 9:58:00 PM
Gorgeous Gardenia is just that. It's the most lovely floral, fruity, slightly musky fragrance that grabs at your senses. I also bought the matching lotion and this helps to keep the fragrance going most of the day. It is very high quality in its moisturizing properties. Love it.
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Fragrances -Bobbi Brown - Beach
sweetgardenangel 5/14/2013 9:41:00 PM
Beach is spot-on for the capture of the beach and ocean. To me, it smells exactly like Coppertone, salty air, and ocean on the skin. In fact, I like it as the day progresses and it becomes subdued. Yes, some might say that it disappears, but if you smell yourself at the wrist, it is still there. Even through hand washing, it's still there. I purchased the lotion and that layering helps to keep the fragrance going most of the day. I have also discovered that BBW Sea Island Cotton is just the perfect compliment to use as the lotion for the Beach perfume. Love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Narciso Rodriguez - Narciso Rodriguez for her
sweetgardenangel 4/29/2013 8:04:00 PM
Instantly repulsed by this scent. Never, never have I conflicted with a fragrance. Instantly ran to the bathroom to soap up my wrists to rid of the scent. Needless to say, it went back pronto to Sephora.
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Fragrances -Chloe - See By Chloe EDP
sweetgardenangel 4/29/2013 8:00:00 PM
See by Chloe is a great Spring time frangrance, hitting notes of honey and apple, and a smidge of musky. It was sampled first in one of my Elle magazines and I instantly was drawn to it since I love citrus scents. It's a bit floral but only a bit. The scent doesn't change with your chemistry and lasts for several hours. It's a winner, in my book.
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Styling Products -Living Proof - Full Thickening Cream
sweetgardenangel 3/19/2013 10:44:00 PM
I'm thrilled with the entire line of Living Proof, including this product. It builds volume into my fine hair, which is styled into a bob, chin length. It makes it "swing" and looks fab. Definite keeper.
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Styling Products -Living Proof - Full Root Lifting Spray
sweetgardenangel 3/19/2013 10:39:00 PM
I highly recommend this product. The directions indicate using it with damp hair or dried hair. I've only experimented with damp hair on the roots, combed thru as suggested. I believe it adds a bit of oomph to making the roots stand up more, so there's no flatness to the head. It's another keeper in this fabulous line of products.
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Shampoo -Living Proof - Full Shampoo
sweetgardenangel 3/19/2013 10:34:00 PM
After reviewing Jennifer Aniston's magazine ad, boasting of this products' qualities, I took the plunge. Ulta had a small kit of travel size Full Shampoo, Full Conditioner, Spray Root Lift, and Volume Creme, all for $29.00. This review, however, focuses on the Full Shampoo which I highly acclaim!! My fine bobbed hair looks 5 x fuller! It even enhances the hair with shine, so I don't need the Shine Spray. Another plus is that you definitely DO NOT NEED any type of serum or "leave-in" conditioner as this product contains enough ingredient which satisfies that requirement on sealing your hair's shaft, and avoiding those "fly-aways." This product beats Bumble & Bumble, Alterna, Pureology, Aveda, Blow-Pro! I will definitely buy the full size when I'm done with the travel size. Definite keeper!
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Fragrances -Aquolina - Pink Sugar Sensual
sweetgardenangel 12/20/2012 9:29:00 PM
Yesssss!! Big fan of Aquolina's Pink Sugar, and spied Pink Sugar Sensual at Marshall's, so grabbed it. Boy, am I glad I did! It's a sexy, softer, powdery version of Pink Sugar. Sweet black currant, with a bit of orange that sneeks into the notes, and buttery sweet vanilla (not overly, though....just enough vanilla). I love the gourmand scents, and this is a real keeper. As the notes settle down, I love to smell the underside of my wrist and arm because it exudes such as cozy, comfortable feeling. I'm thinking that I'm gonna go back to Marshall's and get that last bottle tomorrow, fingers crossed that it's still there! Get it. You'll lurrrve it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Pureology - Color Stylist Silk Bodifier Volumizing Mousse
sweetgardenangel 12/18/2012 9:12:00 PM
The Pureology line is super. When it comes to this silk bodifier mousse, it must be said that your hair is instantly thicker, softer, without dulling the color. The fact that it's color-safe is one of the reasons I selected it. I tried the travel size one first and was immediately sold on the product. The hair does not wimp out after a couple hours....it stays thick and manageable all day. Of course I spritze lightly the Kenra 25 Volumizing Spray to ensure that my bob stays swingy and thick.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Hourglass - Femme Rouge Velvet Creme-Whisper
sweetgardenangel 11/18/2012 8:41:00 PM
The Femme Rouge Velvet Creme lipsticks by Hourglass are one of the very few that possess the qualities to make it your HG of lipsticks. The casing is fantastic, as it has those nice magnetic "clicks" so you know you've closed it. Plus, the cap will most likely not separate from the tube in your purse. I took off one lippie because I wished it would last longer, and the fact that the tip is an unusual shape which I have to practice in my applications. For instance, "Whisper" is that perfect opaque nude that lasts much longer than other run of the mill "light" lipsticks. It is opaque, moisturizing, and lasts a good 4 hours. It's a cross between a pink and peach, and closely resembles my all-time HG which is Georgio Armani #102. It feels good on the lips. It is not drying and pulls on lips. Nor does it settle into the lines in lips, but instead, it creates the illusion of larger lips which I so desire! I definitely will explore and sample other lipsticks by Hourglass. They have a winner in these under-rated lipsticks, and hopefully, this review will reach an audience that is ready to splurge on a fantastic lipstick.
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Cleansers -Ole Henriksen - African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser
sweetgardenangel 11/17/2012 5:02:00 PM
Foaming cleansers, like this African Red Tea, by Ole, are ideal for combo//oily skinned people like myself. Although this review summarizes only 2 days of treatment, I, decided to bite the bullet and describe my observations. First, it's quite effective in removing makeup. By wetting your face first, and pushing the cleanser "pump" 1/2 way, it allows you plenty of product to swirl around on your face. I take a warm, wet washcloth to clean off. The aroma of oranges, is a plus during this step. Second, it leaves no tacky residue on your face after cleansing. Your face feels super clean, but not tight and dry. Only several hours later, the face will feel slightly, and I mean only slightly, moisturized, but no greasiness. I definitely like the smooth, soft feel to the face afterwards. I have not had any angry breakouts in response to this cleanser so I'm crossing my fingers on this one. The large size bottle of 7 ounces is plenty of product, especially if you use only 1/2 a pump for your cleansing. And it's plastic, so there's no need to handle with care. I'm impressed by this product and have researched reviews concerning Henriksen. I would be willing to take a chance on other skin care by him, especially the anti-aging, or Vitamin C treatments, since I do have mature skin. Blessed with no wrinkles except the ll's between the eyebrows, I feel lucky my skin looks so good, being in my 50's. (Probably from my propensity to produce a lot of oil on my face!) I tried this foaming cleanser, because of the MUA's glowing comments as well as the fact that my skin refuses to play well with oil cleansers like Boscia and Origins. Inevitably I tend to produce a pimple from the oil cleansers. I would definitely re-purchase an Ole cleanser, if my face stays clear of milia or pimples. So far.....so good!
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Bronzers -Too Faced - Milk Chocolate Soleil
sweetgardenangel 11/16/2012 3:55:00 PM
Good things come to those who wait! Yes, I've been reviewing reviews, here on MUA, on this wonderful bronzer! And finally after a couple years of yearning, I pulled the trigger at Sephora's VIB sale last week. This is a lovely, gorgeous smelling, bronzer that indeed gives that bit of contour or even a nude blush, on the hollows of your cheeks. No messy powder, no Gawd-awful splotching of muddy-ness, and last no bling-bling or shininess or sparkle that looks, oh so fake. Instead, it's the perfect bronzer. It's contained in nice compact, equipped with a mirror. I love it. It's staying power is great too, I might add. My color is pale, NC 15 so for us fair ladies, it's the perfect solution. I would definitely re-purchase, although the compact is pretty large, and I daresay it would take some time to use up this baby. So you do get plenty of product for the money!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Becca - Concealer compact
sweetgardenangel 9/28/2012 11:30:00 PM
Concealers. The magical "cover-up" if you will. A potentially powerful product that can sweep away those dark circles with your fancy brush. Besides dark circles, concealers are held in high esteem for their ability to reverse acne damage, cover a zit, or play down the redness of skin. Lancome's Effacernes was my HG waterproof concealer. But although it was moisturizing, and didn't budge, the color just wasn't matching my paleness and the darkness just wasn't eradicated. So I came back to BECCA. But in a new color believed to be a better match. Sherbet was a tad dark, so...... Enter Becca's duo concealer in the color "Parfait". Parfait is pretty light. It's the 4th one from the VERY lightest, I believe. And to view the product in the "pan," I felt the color or hue was spot-on. And today, for the first time, I put Mercier's Brightening Powder on top, and successfully created a reverse raccoon eyes of whiteness all around that SCREAMED "Concealer at Work." I swear my bathroom's light or failure of lightness has its own agenda to *p_ss* me off. Because when I later get into the car and check my mirror....there's a slew of expletives that spout from my mouth in reference to my makeup! Consequently, tomorrow I will apply my Laura Mercier translucent powder to set the concealer and then say a prayer. I really believe this will produce a natural look. Believe me, Brightening Powder should just be reserved for Halloween for that surreal look. Seriously, BECCA has all colors in the spectrum in their Concealer to match up to anyone. However, there is no BECCA around here, so I had to order on-line, hoping this new color would be the right match. The texture is indeed good for being budge-proof, especially for covering zits. However, with respect to dark circles under the eye area, the concealer should be warmed up next to the skin, so it can slightly melt into it and blend in. Make sure you've moisturized under the eye so the application of this product becomes easier. Believe me, this product really does cover quite well. My nose's broken capillaries are wiped away with this stuff. The eye darkness is certainly at bay. And you can easily dab a bit on a zit, and make it disappear. You get what you pay for. BECCA might be a tad high in cost, but in terms of quality, you get a mighty nice product that actually fulfills your expectations.
6 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Laura Mercier - Gel lip color
sweetgardenangel 9/19/2012 9:42:00 AM
The new gel lipsticks are a dream to apply since they have the most moisturizing quality about them. Berry Sorbet looks like a lovely plum/purple in the tube and in on-line swatches. However, on the lips it turns into a lovely medium hued pink which lasts for a "few" hours. The pigment is very good, however they do not wear well after a drink or eating. But since they feel so wonderful on, I don't mind re-applying!
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Blush -Laura Mercier - Cheek Colour in Rose Petal
sweetgardenangel 9/18/2012 11:00:00 AM
Laura Mercier has always been my "go-to" for exceptional beauty products, at least 90% of the time! I discovered this little charmer in a palette that was on sale on the web site. Let me just say, that I've been on the hunt for the perfect pale, pale pink powder blush for a long time. I've sampled, swatched all "pale pinks" from YSL to Nars to Bobbi Brown to Lancome..... I have finally discovered the perfect pale pink! The pigment is buildable, which I like, because sometimes I'm to enthusiastic when it comes to blush, and I definitely don't want to resemble a clown. So that's a plus. The blush blends beautifully with your foundation, so it doesn't take the credentials of a SA to be able to pull of a NATURAL look, without stating "Yep, that's her blush alright!" The staying power is a good 7 hours on me, and I have T-zone oilies on my mature skin. I will definitely buy the blush when I'm done with the palette's blush. I just can't sing the praises enough!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No