Bronzers -Burberry - 'Warm Glow' Natural Bronzer in No. 02 Copper Glow
vmar 7/20/2010 8:42:00 PM
I rely on bronzers to enhance my foundation makeup because I'm always in between shades (or the shades turn too reddish or too greyish) in every cosmetic line I use - currently it's La Prairie and Sisley, however that might change after trying the new Burberry Beauty line. This bronzer powder is a very fine milled, pressed powder form. The color selections are true to product display. Usually when I try any makeup powder or liquid, the MU and I also end up choosing one that looks like it matches my skin shade & tone, but ends up being too light. In the Burberry line, what you see is what you get. I choose a darker product than I thought would match and it actually was too dark (in this case, bronzer in No. 04 Summer Glow). In fact, with my tan skin tone, I could have gone with No. 02, which I'm reviewing here, or the slightly darker No. 03 Nude Glow to give me just a boost of color with some added radiance (not glittery, but more like a sheen). The finish is airy, smooth and shade didn't change colors very much after a few hours of wearing. Copper Glow turned just slightly more coral on me, but it was still a natural look (not the fake orange or brown look). I will probably go back to re-test both shades to see which I will buy. $48, but you don't need much to get the natural bronzed effect.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Caudalie - Creme Gourmande - Hand and Nail Cream
vmar 7/20/2010 7:54:00 PM
Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream has worked very well for me. Have only used for one day so far, but the results on my cuticles speak for themselves. I took off my acrylic nails after years of refills, and have had to go through trying to strengthen the thin, weak nails that were left. My biggest issue was the dry cuticles and more importantly the hangnails that dryness caused. My fingers were just getting to be painful on a daily basis. I've tried several cuticle creams (from Nailtique & Lippman to Sally Hansen) along with having prof. manicures weekly with very little improvement. After reading reviews on this site, I decided to try Caudalie's cream. Within one application, my cuticles were definitely moisturized and my hands in general felt silky with no greasy after effect- but not as moisturized as my usual Aveda hand lotion. I massaged a good amount as at night treatment and the next morning and all that next day my cuticles remained soft. Very happy with the results and the 2.5 oz tube was only $19 (much less expensive than Chanel's $56 Hand Cream or Sisley's $100 Handcare which I had also considered, but thankfully didn't have to spend that $$$)
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Lipstick -Burberry - Nutmeg
vmar 7/20/2010 7:32:00 PM
Just visited the Burberry Beauty counter at Nordstroms South Coast Plaza. Was skeptical about this new line due to exp with other Fashion Designer lines. BUT, I was drawn to the counter by the product displays and because I'm almost obsessed with finding the perfect cosmetics. This line is impressive. I tried the lipsticks, lipglosses, pressed powder and bronzers. The shades are pretty true-to-color on the packaging and in-container. Great product quality and color selection across the line, and attractive packaging. Lipstick: Most lipstick lines w/ moisturizing properties still tend to make my lips chapped within an hour or less. Not only did the Burberry lipsticks feel very comfortable on and created a plumped lip effect immediately, after a few hours of wearing and even drinking, my lips were still very moist, still had the plumped look and the lipstick was still there as a stained look. I purchased Nutmeg (a reddish, brown) and Brick Red (orangish, red) lipstick ($30) along with the Cameo Pink lip gloss ($27). Lip gloss not sticky at all. Will go back (even though the only store in S. Cal to carry it is 50 miles away from home) to buy at least one lipstick in each shade category and lip glosses to complement - and will be throwing away most of my current lipsticks that create havoc on my lips. The foundation, powder and bronzer are also on my shopping list and I highly recommend cosmetic junkies try for true results.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -La Prairie - Anti Aging Night Cream
vmar 7/13/2010 3:22:00 PM
This is the first night cream that I've purchased from any line. I had been using Natura Bisse's The Cure line of skincare treatments, but felt that I needed something more moisturizing. I had just purchased the liquid foundation and was impressed by the shade, but even more so that it lived up to La Prairie's claim that it was a treatment as well. I've been using the night cream for a few months and together with the Anti-aging serum, day cream and eye cream my skin is in the best state ever. I suffered a lot with oily skin and acne even into my 30's, these products finally helped to normalize my skin like no other product (don't even have to use acne topical treatments any more). My skin is now smoother, healthier and has a nice radiance (not an oil slick). I had been a bit skeptical before with this brand because of its depiction of benefits and definitely by how pricey the line is, but the results speak for themselves. $200 for 1 oz (lasts me about 6 - 8 months - a little goes a long way with this brand).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Unlisted Brand - Beekman 1802 - Original Goat Milk Soap
vmar 7/13/2010 3:13:00 PM
Beekman 1802 farm produces several varieties of the goat milk soaps (unscented, baby and a scent for each month of the year). The product comes from the actual farm depicted in the Planet Green series, The Fabulous Beekman Boys. The soaps are handmade from the highest percentage of goat milk possible, which is known for its many skin benefits including that it is the same ph level as human skin, highly moisturizing, exfoliating from the lactic acid and vitamins and nutrients are better absorbed into the skin. It is known to treat eczema and psoriasis. I've purchased and tried the original formula and the June scent that was supposed to smell like oranges, but I don't get that at all. I get more of a musky scent. They both left my skin feeling moisturized (except for some reason my palms felt a little tight). I even used the unscented formula on my face and it left a very nice, moisturized and soft feeling. Have to order it from the Beekman 1802 website for those not living in New York. Overall, my curiousity about the goat milk soap from viewing the cable series has proved to be a very good buy. Also, great customer service, as I emailed them about the orange scent not coming through and they immediately offered to re-ship.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Natura Bisse - GlycoLine Glyco Extreme Peel
vmar 3/4/2010 8:48:00 PM
Effective and gentle enough on your skin that you can use any time of the day. Doesn't leave your face red from a the reaction of the chemicals (feel a slight tingling when you first spread it on your face), but rather leaves you with a nice glow. Just remember if used during the day, you have to put on sunscreen. This has been a great product to use in between facials, however for me it's more effective at sloughing off dead skin cells than it is at unclogging pores (still need to visit esthetician regularly for extractions as my slightly oily skin gets quite afflicted with clogged pores). I'm on my second bottle and use about 1x a week.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Chanel - Gentle BiPhase Eye Makeup Remover
vmar 3/4/2010 8:41:00 PM
Removes eye make up very easily and effectively. BiPhase because you have to shake the bottle to mix the ingredients and then just moisten a cotton pad and remove mascara, etc. very gently and without any oily residue. Takes off all the makeup without having to go over several times and is gentle on your eyes (even used when wearing contacts - doesn't bother them at all like some other brands that can leave an oily residue on your contacts/eyes themselves).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
vmar 3/4/2010 8:34:00 PM
I have slightly oily eyelids and haven't been able to use the common eyeliner kohl pencils because they easily smudge into my eyelid crease and under my eye as well. (have same problem with most mascaras - mainly stick with Trish McEvoy's curling lash mascara because it forms a tube effect around the lashes and adheres to very well with smudging). I digress. So back to the gel eyeliner. Stays on very well, great color choices and with practice have managed to apply straight lines with the right brushes. Also, sometimes I use Bobbi Brown's complimentary eyeshadow shades on top of the eyeliner for greater staying power and to create an even more dramatic look. Have in black, violet and black plum.
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Loose Powders -La Mer - Skincolor De La Mer - The Powder - Poudre de La Mer
vmar 3/4/2010 8:27:00 PM
Recently purchased this loose powder in the Neutral shade after trying countless others that were promoted for working great on combo and oily skin types. Most other brands oxidized with my skin oils and turned darker and/or muddy appearance. Thus far, the powder has stayed true to color and has helped even out liquid foundations that also have turned darker/muddier after wearing for an hour or so. The powder itself is exceptionally fine milled and is even silkier than Cle de Peau Beaute's loose powder that many people have reviewed highly as well. I'm not such a fan of their color choice is a light pink hue that's supposed to disappear and blend into your skin, but I always get a whitish effect no matter how soft-handed I am at applying.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -La Mer - Liquid Foundation
vmar 3/4/2010 8:16:00 PM
Tried a sample of The Treatment Fluid Foundation in MA suggested shades neutral and buff to go along with The Loose Powder in Neutral that I recently purchased (and find a great fit for my skin type and tone). Both colors ended up having a greyish coloring effect on my skin and made my combo skin look like an oily mess.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -La Mer - The Body Creme
vmar 3/4/2010 8:04:00 PM
Creme de La Mer's Body Cream is the most effective body skincare product I have ever tried. Although its initial appearance looks like it would be too thick/rich, it's actually very silky going on. The company's claims that it has a sustained moisturizing effect and thus, you don't have to use everyday has been true in my experience. Don't need to use a lot of the product to cover your entire body so the large tub lasts quite awhile and, along with the great benefits, justifies the $195 price tag. After finishing the first jar, I researched online product info and reviews and tried many different skincare lines from drugstore to other well known dept store and dermatoligist-recommended brands in an attempt to find a comparable but less expensive choice, but no other body creme has surpassed this one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - 24 Faubourg
vmar 3/4/2010 7:54:00 PM
My HG fragrance since I came across it at an Hermes boutique. 24 Faubourg ends up being a slightly sweet perfume scent on me. It took the place of my last HG fragrance Alfred Sung's Sung EDP, when it was discontinued. I love the scent so much that on a trip to Paris a couple of years ago, I had to make a point to stop at the Hermes boutique at the address the fragrance is named after and bought every other product in this line. I constantly receive compliments on the scent - one that can be worn any time of the day and for every occasion.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Natura Bisse - cytokines top ten fluid
vmar 3/4/2010 7:49:00 PM
This is the first serum I used from Natura Bisse. The serum helped to energize my skin leaving it more toned, supple and glowing after about a month's time. Was also using the Diamond Cream at the time. I changed to The Cure Pure Serum for my night ritual, as it had the same restorative ingredients as the Cure moisturizer that was really helping to clear up my acne/rough/problem skin. The packaging on this serum is great since the platform that pushes the product up at each pump also rises so you can see how much is left. This skincare is a bit expensive, but very much worth the results I've gotten.
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Treatments (Eye) -Natura Bisse - Diamond Extreme Eye
vmar 3/4/2010 7:43:00 PM
Natura Bisse is my HG skincare line (The Cure moisturizer, Stabilizing toner, Diamond Cream, Top 10 Serum, The Cure Pure Serum, etc.), however, their eye creams haven't proven to be much different than other top lines. It does moisturize the eye area well during the warmer months, and a bonus is that you can even use on lids. However, drier winter months, I end of using Awake's eye cream that is a bit richer. Diamond Extreme Eye does work well though when using with a concealer on top.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Natura Bisse - The Cure
vmar 3/4/2010 7:37:00 PM
After using brands such as Creme de La Mer, Revive, La Prairie and others, I came upon the Natura Bisse counter at Neiman Marcus. The CSR were great at explaining the products and their main ingredient benefits. I had been suffering from adult cystic acne along my jaw and chin and medications and the other high quality skincare products weren't helping. After a month of using The Cure moisturizer along with the Stabilizing toner, my skin cleared up. It's been over a year now and for the most part, my skin is a lot clearer and smoother from using the Natura Bisse products.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No