Fragrances -Givenchy - Very Irresistible L'intense
xbabe82517 5/5/2012 12:45:00 PM
Absolutely LOVE this fragrance! I have many fragrances but for years, my ultimate fragrance was Jean Paul Gaultier Classique and even though I'd go ages without wearing it, I would always fall in love all over again when I wore it and it always seemed more special than all my others fragrances, even favouring it over my Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. However, I think I have found another ultimate signature scent! I purchased this on a whim, having tested it numerous times and always thinking it nice but never actually purchased. I'd never tested it on me, though, and I had no idea how seriously good this would smell! It is warm, sexy, inviting and just smells of pure class. I'm no fan of fruity floral cheap-smelling scents - the fruitiest I will go is Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh for summer only - but I always come back to my deep and sexy scents like Chanel, JPG and now Givenchy! The colour of the packaging really reflects the scent within - deep and rich, and so deliciously sensual. The bottle is also gorgeous, although the lid is a little fiddly but really, who cares when something smells this good?! It is supposedly spring in the UK now but our weather is still pretty chilly, so I haven't experienced wearing this in the warmer weather. Given its strength and richness, I may need to forego it on warmer days but I will see. I usually switch to my Marc Jacobs or Hugo Boss Orange in summer anyway. As for the price, yes it is pretty steep (and I only purchased 30ml as I prefer smaller bottles to carry around with me) but I think the price should remain as it is. This is one scent that really should not be available to all, and when I say that, I mean teenagers and chavs and the like who really could not pull this scent off, and if I smelled it on someone like that, it would really ruin it for me. Some scents are exclusive for a reason. Chanel wouldn't be Chanel if the prices were suddenly dropped to £20 a bottle! This scent should be worn by classy, self-assured and sexy women. I don't mean sexy to look at either, because if you're confident and self-assured, you're sexy anyway and this scent sure helps you to feel that way!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - Infallible - Flashback Silver
xbabe82517 5/5/2012 10:36:00 AM
This is a very pretty shadow that I've had for a few years now but never worn that often because, on its own, I'm not so keen. This shadow definitely leans more lilac on me and if applied alone, ends up being a soft lilac shade with shimmer, which is pretty, but I prefer more depth. I tried using it alone with MAC's Satin Taupe in the crease, but I still wasn't a fan. So I kept it but seldom wore it, largely because it looks so pretty in the pot and I couldn't part with it as I was sure I would find a way to wear it one day. Well, now I have...and I've finally found the well-deserved love I wish I had found for this shadow ages ago! I bought Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadow in Permanent Taupe (a matte cream shadow which leans more grey than brown, but definitely has brown undertones which keep it from being too cool) and the texture of this cream shadow provides a great base for other shadows and also helps to prevent creasing. So I applied the Maybelline all over my lid, which sounds scary because the shade is so dark in the pot but it can be applied as light or as dark as you like, and worked it right up to the crease. And then I applied Flashback Silver on top and Satin Taupe in the crease - perfect cool-toned smoky eye! The Maybelline provides the extra dimension and darkness that I wanted and actually makes the sparkles in the shadow stand out more. It still has a slight lilac hue - which is fine - because I now have the depth that I craved before. For anyone wanting this shadow to be more smoky and less pretty (if you know what I mean) I highly recommend applying a darker taupe shadow beneath it - preferably the Maybelline Permanent Taupe but it is currently very hard to get hold of due to popularity - so any darker taupe would do but I imagine a cream shadow is better as it makes the Flashback Silver adhere to the lid better. Overall, a gorgeous silver shadow with very unique shimmers which can probably work for everyone once you work out how to make it work for you.
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Fragrances -Calvin Klein - Calvin Klein Beauty
xbabe82517 3/1/2012 2:44:00 PM
Stunning scent! It's that time of year when I have to start thinking about getting some lighter scents as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer. I'm an oriental/spicy kinda girl, and I'm also in the UK where winter seems to drag on forever, so I definitely possess considerably more heavy-ish scents than the fresh, sparkling, summery scents. Up until about a year ago, I relied on Escada to provide me with a cheap and cheerful summer scent but then along came Taj Sunset (monstrous scent) and I was completely turned off by them. I think this also coincided with me realising I am soon to turn 30 and perhaps Escada summer scents are just not sophisticated enough for me anymore. In the winter, I wear Chanel, Lancome, Gucci, etc. and I felt it was time to acquire an equally-sophisticated summer scent. I tried Daisy by MJ about a year ago after loving the smell of it on others but I could not stand the smell of it on myself. It wasn't warm enough and I was constantly detecting a sour note that completely put me off. I eventually sold it. I then tried Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel, which actually smells very similar to Daisy with a little more warmth and less sour notes, but I just didn't gel with it. That was sold as well. And by then it was almost winter and I settled back into my comfort zone of Coco Mademoiselle, Gucci Guilty and Lancome Miracle Intense. I decided this year that I would put a little more effort into finding a good summer scent and instead of buying scents that smell good on others, I would take the time to actually test them on myself and NOT buy right away either. I also tested scents on my actual skin and not those rubbish paper strips. The outcome was that I fell in love with two summer scents - Hugo Boss Orange Sunset and Beauty by Calvin Klein. And Beauty really is that - a beauty! It seems to attract very varied reviews - people seem to find it irresistible or completely boring. I can only imagine this is largely to do with skin chemistry and the way a scent smells on different people. Beauty smells amazing on me! It's a floral, yes. But it has a spiciness, an edge that sets it apart from the average white floral scent. This isn't too light and airy, which is where I was previously going wrong. It's a floral with considerable warmth. And I can't detect any fruity notes in it, which is why I adore it - unlike so many summer scents, this smells nothing like the tacky, sweet and sickly fruity-florals that flood the shelves of every perfume store in the lead-up to summer. How I managed to reek of those cheap Escada scents years ago I have no idea! And I don't smell this much either! Unlike DKNY Be Delicious, which everyone seems to wear these days. I wouldn't say this is too far away from Daisy either. This is how I WANTED Daisy to smell on me. The notes are apparently completely different to Daisy, but to me I can almost smell Daisy when I smell Beauty, only it's a deeper, warmer Daisy with zero sour notes and a beautiful dry-down. This scent is pretty expensive but I'm glad - it'll keep all the teenagers away, especially since the CK brand has previously been associated with the younger market...think CK One, CK Be... It's nice that they've finally released such a classy scent. I genuinely think this one will become timeless.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - l'oreal paris-indefectible in sahara treasure
xbabe82517 2/20/2012 5:31:00 PM
This shadow is AMAZING and has become my HG gold shadow. Previously, MAC Woodwinked was my HG gold/bronze shadow and I do still love it but wow, Sahara Treasure is something else! Why can't the high-end brands make shimmer shadows like this?! This shadow is a rarity in that it's a TRUE gold with plenty of pigment but does not pull orange or green. Woodwinked always pulled slightly orange on me but I didn't mind so much as I have warm undertones, and I often managed to cancel it out with a darker crease shade. This stunner literally goes onto the eyelid exactly as it looks in the pot. I really don't know how L'Oreal have managed to create such perfection and I am praying this range isn't discontinued - whilst this shadow is by far my favourite from the range, others are gorgeous too - try Flashback Silver and Bronze Divine (these are from the UK collection). These shadows are definitely best applied with a clean fingertip. I apply Too Faced Shadow Insurance as a primer but I've heard these beauties don't require it. Even so, I'm in the habit! I then use this shade all over the lid and soften the edges slightly with MAC Nylon, which I also use as a highlight under the browbone. This shade doesn't need a crease colour as the level of pigment and shimmer makes it multi-dimensional but I prefer a crease colour myself and the best I've found for this is Go from the MAC Starflash collection. It is unfortunately discontinued now but can be found on eBay sometimes. Another ideal crease colour, which I intend to try, is Golightly by Stila. I haven't found any brush which picks up the colour with these shadows - their one drawback - so in order not to make a mess on my lower lash line, I use a different shadow - a gorgeous one is L'Oreal Chrome Shine Golden Rose, another high street product which is worth a mention! It is sparkly with not much pigment, but is perfect for me because I don't like to line my lower lashes with a heavy shade, at least not for daytime. I finish the look off with a little Nylon in the inner corners, Coralista blush and a highlight dusted over the face. A perfect, glowy and bronzed look. In the summer, I will use my Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick instead of a highlight, but at the moment I'm a tad pasty! Anyway, this shadow is absolutely stunning and easily beats all of the high end golds and bronzes I have ever purchased - and I've purchased a LOT! This may not rock your world if you're a cool-toned girl but if you're neutral or warm, this shadow is a MUST! I will repurchase until I die!
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Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
xbabe82517 2/15/2012 1:28:00 PM
I really like this product but only for cheekbones. I'm one of those who HATES a matte complexion. I love a fresh, dewy complexion all year round, therefore I do not even possess a face powder, but I have numerous highlighters for cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin. I will NEVER be seen without one! I actually bought this product with the intention of using it everywhere, but I quickly realised it is not the best for all-over highlighting because of the shimmer aspect and the noticeable gold glitter. On the cheekbones, this is VERY pretty - it neutralises any strong blusher outlines and gives such a beautiful finish to my blush. Even if the blush I'm wearing has shimmer in - I often use BeneFit Coralista, SugarBomb or Dandelion - this still makes them look even better so I am never without it for this reason. But on other areas of my face, it just doesn't work for me. I much prefer my Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick (or the Bronze one in the summer) as the shimmer is more finely-milled and is nowhere near as obvious as this is. Lately, I have also discovered Boots No. 7 Vital Enlightening Highlighter Powder, and this is just as impressive as Bobbi Brown, so I am using that on the rest of my face. What I have noticed, however, is that the MSF is starting to lose some of the gold veins the more I use it. I seem to have one side which has all but lost the gold veins and the other side which still has some considerable veining. The colour itself is beautiful - it gives a peachy glow, and I personally prefer it without the gold veins. But for those who want it for the glitter effect, this might be disappointing... Overall though, a great highlighter which is definitely more suited to cheekbones than all-over highlighting.
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo Blush Brush
xbabe82517 2/5/2012 4:14:00 PM
I bought this brush last week, for no major reason really but I fancied a change from my usual MAC 116 brush. I have a rounded, slightly heart-shaped face with chubby cheeks so I need a blush brush that applies colour to the apples of my cheeks only otherwise I end up looking like a clown! The MAC 116 has done that pretty much perfectly for the last year but due to its small size, the application can sometimes be TOO precise, meaning that with certain blushes, ie. BeneFit Dandelion, I can get a slightly harsh line where my blush begins instead of a natural fade-in. I felt this was perhaps due to the hardness of the bristles on the 116 and maybe I should try something slightly softer and a teeny bit larger. I didn't want to fork out for another MAC in case it didn't do the job so I decided to try this as I'd read the reviews and the price was more than affordable. I tried it yesterday and I already know now that my 116 will become my spare brush as I much prefer this one! I wouldn't say it's more superior than the 116 but for me, it's better for my face shape and for the kind of finish I want on my cheeks. Regardless of whether I'm wearing something very natural, like Dandelion, or something more noticeable like Coralista or Nars Orgasm, I do not like any harsh lines. I'm certainly no fan of contouring, I don't have cheekbones full-stop so I see no point in trying to fake them! My false eyelashes are pretty much all I do where fakeness is concerned! I like a flush to my cheeks, like a natural blush, and this brush does the job perfectly. I no longer have any harsh lines and this really does make the job effortless. I have recently purchased the new BeneFit Hervana blush and whilst still a natural colour, it requires a little more care when applying than Dandelion as it is more pigmented. I was really struggling to get a good finish when applying Hervana with the 116 but with this brush, it's literally the most perfect and natural flush I have ever managed to achieve. I think I will repurchase this brush again and again!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Bobbi Brown - Lip Balm SPF 15
xbabe82517 1/29/2012 4:27:00 PM
This is the best lip balm I have EVER tried, and as someone who not only suffers from chapped lips all year round but who also has a nasty habit of picking flaky skin off them and sometimes making them bleed, let's just say I have tried a LOT of lip balms in search of my HG! And now I've found it! When I sampled the tester for this balm in the store, I was massively impressed - the texture was soft, slightly sticky and very moisturising. I purchased it without hesitation. When I got home and tried my nice new balm, I was initially a little disappointed as mine seemed harder and much less moisturising than the store tester but over time, I discovered that the harder you press this balm, the better. Even if you make a dint in it to get some product, this was better for me as I needed a lot of moisture to keep my chapped lips soft. As soon as my lips go dry, I am then prone to start picking at them! So I gradually fell in love with this balm and didn't think I could love it even more...until I lost the lid! Trust me, this is going somewhere! Naturally, I was gutted because the pot is so stylish as well as functional but the lid disappeared down an air conditioning vent in the office where I work, so there was no hope of retrieving it! I wrapped up the lid-less balm to keep it safe until I got home and set about in search of a suitable pot to decant it into. I eventually found an equally cute Champney's glass lip balm pot, which only had a little product left, and I was never much of a fan of it anyway. I scooped out what was left of the Champney's and scooped in my BB balm. At first, I was quite mortified at how much I was messing up the texture - in the original pot, it was all pretty much smoothed out on top and now it was all gooey and a complete mess and I did wonder if it would still be usable but I needn't have worried - it is better now than it ever was! I am now able to easily get enough product onto my finger without having to rub and rub to get the desired effect for my poor chapped lips! It is softer and so much easier to work with. So my little lid accident came good in the end! I did see that a previous reviewer was advised by the SA to scrape off the top layer of the balm with a cotton bud to get to the good stuff, and whilst I didn't exactly do that with mine, it did get all churned up so I'm wondering if this is in fact what you need to do to get this balm working at its best. I don't recommend all that decanting effort, but when I run out of this balm and repurchase I will immediately churn mine up in the original pot so it's working at its best from the start. I would advise anyone struggling with the texture of this balm to do the same. I applied my balm about three hours ago, I have both eaten and drank since then and I still have a lovely moisturising layer on my lips. They are comfortable and look lovely. This balm also makes a perfect base for lip glosses and lipsticks, especially if you find that they usually dry out your lips. This forms not only a protective layer but a smooth base on which to apply. Perfect balm and worth every penny!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Star Violet (Veluxe pearl)
xbabe82517 12/31/2011 11:45:00 AM
Gorgeous complex purple/gold shimmery shadow! It's very difficult to get a decent purple these days and like many, I also do not like them to lean too cool. I have pale/medium skin with yellow undertones, brunette hair and hazel eyes so I can pretty much carry off most combinations but I always like to have a little warmth to my make-up, even when most of it is generally cool. I tend to wear very warm and bronzey shades in the summer with peachy cheeks and in the winter I lean more towards cool, smoky looks with rosy pink cheeks. I wanted to find a nice purple that had some depth and warmth to it and when I swatched Star Violet, I was in love. However, I was quite disappointed with it as an all-over lid colour. I found it a little too warm, to the point that it almost gave me the dreaded red-eye look. I stayed away from it for a while - I knew I would return to it but needed to experiment first! I have now discovered my perfect combination and for me, that means using SV as a crease or outer-corner colour and not all over the lid. I think my skin is a touch too pale to pull it off all over the lid but on olive and dark skins, I think it would look beautiful like that. Anyway, my current look for SV involves a pale-medium neutral all over the lid - my two favourites are Prestige Minerals in Amber (sounds orange but it's really not, it's a warm multi-dimensional taupe), and Bourjois Ombre-Stretch in Brun Nylon, which is very similar to the Prestige but with slightly less warmth and a touch more shimmer. Both a very pretty, work well with both cool and warm shades and I have been unable to find dupes for either of them in any other brands! I tend not to use drugstore products just because I much prefer the quality of MAC and other such brands but these two shades are invaluable to me and are actually a little hard to find these days - thank heavens for the internet! So I apply one of these shades all over the lid, almost up to the browbone. I then apply SV in the crease and the outer corner. I darken it up a little with MAC Pro shadow in Keep Your Cool (looks like a matte black in the pan but is actually a smooth satin charcoal shade with a very slight shimmer and can be built up from pale grey to a very deep charcoal - my ultimate crease colour!) and I soften the edges with a highlight, usually MAC Shroom or Dazzlelight but any would do. I swipe the lid shade under my lower lashes for some luminosity and add a dash of MAC Keep Your Cool to the outer lower corners. I then apply some black kohl liner to my upper lashline - current fave is Soap & Glory Smoulder Kohl, it's the softest kohl liner I've found and is very easy to smudge for a subtle look or build up for some real drama! I then apply mascara - usually Bourjois Volume Glamour Max in black waterproof - to both the top and lower lashes, add a dash of my highlight shade in the inner corners and I'm ready to go! The end result is a beautiful natural taupe/purple smoky look and even though SV is very subtle in this look, it is noticeable due to its gorgeous metallic shimmer. I'd advise anyone to buy this shade if you want a decent purple because, regardless of your eye or skin colour, I'm sure anyone could find a way to make this work for them. It's so versatile! A dupe for it is Urban Decay Last Call but whilst they look almost the same in the pan, UD leans has all the purple and red tones of SV but doesn't have the gold tones, therefore the result on the lid is significantly different. I own both, I like both but I reach for SV much more.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Keep Your Cool Pro-Longwear
xbabe82517 11/20/2011 5:56:00 PM
Wow, this has become my new HG crease colour! I was previously using Bobbi Brown metallic shadow in After Hours but this was LE and I cannot find it anywhere now! It was running low and then I found it smashed up in my make-up bag, so I was on a mission to find my new crease colour! I stumbled across this when looking at the normal range of Mac shadows but I was blown away by the shade and the texture of this shadow. It is slightly cooler than Bobbi Brown's After Hours (which was a dark, slightly metallic plummy-brown) and definitely leans more grey. This shadow is a gorgeous taupe but doesn't have the plummy tones that After Hours had. However, none of that matters now that I've used this shadow! This shadow can literally be used as a crease colour with everything - and I mean everything! However, I can also see that it would look awesome all over the lid as well - I am dark-haired with hazel eyes, so I could probably carry this off, although it would only be for a night out when I want seriously vampy eyes! So far I have used it as a crease colour only and it has worn so well - much better than Bobbi Brown's did! Even when using UDPP, I would sometimes need to do a bit of re-blending in the middle of the day when using the Bobbi Brown shadow because the oils on my eyelids would darken the colour more than I like. This shadow does not migrate or change in any way all through the day! I will definitely repurchase this time and time again just for my crease colour. This line is also permanent so I never have to worry about finding that HG crease colour ever again as I imagine this range of shadows is very popular and unlikely to be discontinued any time soon!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Giorgio Armani - Emporio Armani She
xbabe82517 10/2/2011 12:25:00 PM
Absolutely beautiful scent! I am fussy about perfumes and I tend to shy away from floral, fresh scents. The only florals I tend to like are the oriental florals, ie. the ones with a bit of spice and warmth to them. Aquatic and fresh notes do nothing for me so I have bought many perfumes over the years only to discover I don't like them that much at all and they end up on eBay. This scent, however, was love at first sniff for me! It is warm and creamy, sexy and seductie - everything a woman's perfume should be. I own two other Armani scents - Idole EDP and Diamonds EDP (which I don't like that much, too sweet) and this one is by far my favourite. I can't detect any florals - very good for me - and it's not too sweet either. It could almost be unisex but is feminine enough not to be, if you get me! It smells faintly of vanilla and musk but not in a sickly way. This is easily one of the best perfumes I've bought recently! My other favourite scents are Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Lancome Miracle Intense and Idole D'Armani so I definitely go for strong, sexy scents. It's early days yet but I fear She is going to become my new favourite - even more so than Coco M! Hugely recommended for women who want to smell sexy and sophisticated but not sweet - this is about as far away as you can get from those awful sweet Britney Spears scents and the like!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Liz Earle - Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
xbabe82517 10/1/2011 6:52:00 PM
This has become my HG cleanser - been using it since Christmas 2010. I have dry/sensitive skin but no real problems, I just sometimes suffr a break-out if I use a product my skin doesn't like. I was given a gift set with this, the exfoliator and the Skin Repair moisturiser and I haven't looked back! Prior to that I was using Soap & Glory Deep Pore cleanser and whilst that is also a decent cleanser (I still keep a tube of it for a back-up), Liz Earle just blows it - and every other cleanser I've tried - out of the water! My skin feels lovely and soft after using it, like I don't even need to moisturise (although I still do), and I rarely suffer dry patches or break-outs. In fact, I don't think I've even had a break-out since using it! There is no feeling of dryness at all and the combination of this with the moisturiser has helped me to achieve near-perfect skin. I will continue to use this cleanser, it's not hugely expensive and the pump dispenser (as opposed to the tube) is brilliant at dispensing just the right amount that you need. The only downside is that I have to order from the website when I'm running out instead of nipping out to the shops!
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Cleansers -Soap and Glory - The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser
xbabe82517 10/1/2011 6:44:00 PM
I discovered this cleanser about a year ago as I have dry/sensitive skin which does break out easily if I don't look after it and I was advised to stop using any foaming cleansers on my face. Having been impressed with other Soap & Glory products, I purchased this and I was very impressed... However, last Christmas I was given a Liz Earle set and I haven't looked back! So unfortunately, whilst this is a decent cleanser, it really isn't as good as Liz Earle, in my opinion. However, I do always keep a tube of this to hand because Liz Earle isn't available on the high street and I do sometimes run out before I've ordered from her website, so this is a fab cleanser to keep as a back-up because it's still a million times better than any other cleanser available on the high street! Also, I'm not sure if they've changed the packaging recently, but mine has a screw-top lid which is very annoying! Hopefully they have now changed it to a flip-top lid as it can be difficult to use with wet hands in the shower! Overall, a decent cleanser and if your budget really can't stretch to Liz Earle (it's about twice the price, plus P&P) then I would highly recommend it as an excellent alternative.
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
xbabe82517 9/25/2011 4:32:00 PM
I bought this blush a few days ago having decided I'd quite like a pink blush to go with my vast collection of corals! I adore Coralista and Sugarbomb and I also use Bella Bamba but only in summer. As a lover of all the BeneFit blushes, I decided to go for Dandelion as I wanted a soft pink, not a bright pink (Bella Bamba does that job!) and the reviews are pretty good too. However, whilst I will use it and I do like it, it doesn't live up to the others, especially Coralista. I guess it depends what you want in a blush. I like a shimmer, or a sheen, but not glitter. Coralista and Sugarbomb have a gorgeous sheen, with the Sugarbomb sheen being more on the golden side. Dandelion, however, has a very subtle shimmer, almost to the point of being unnoticeable. It doesn't make my face glow like the others do and when I did wear it, I ended up putting Coralista on top just for the sheen as I knew I wasn't happy with it. However, it did give a lovely pink glow during the day. I will therefore be keeping it, however I will not use it alone. I will use something on top to bring more life to my cheeks, maybe my Mac Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle or my Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick. I think both are neutral enough not to hide the pink tones of this blush but they will add some much-needed shimmer. I've never been a lover of matte blushes, so I think I expected too much from Dandelion. As with all BeneFit blushes, however, I cannot fault the quality and it is very easily applied and does not streak at all. Anyone who wants a healthy glow without much shimmer will love this. Those who prefer the more noticeable blushes from BeneFit will probably find they need to use something else with it. UPDATE: I have upgraded this to a 4 as I've discovered I can create the most beautiful glow using this and my Mac Soft & Gentle Skinfinish on the cheekbones. This has therefore become my favourite pink blush and I will definitely be repurchasing!
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - YDK eyeshadow
xbabe82517 9/18/2011 12:19:00 PM
I adore this shadow! It has definitely become a HG shade for me, along with Mac Woodwinked. I tend to use Woodwinked more in the summer and YDK in the fall and winter months, and I'm just starting to use it again now. I have medium skin with yellow undertones and hazel eyes. On me, this shadow is a perfect taupe and very glowy. It just brings my eyes to life and I really struggle getting used to other shadows after using this one for a while because this is just so unbelievably flattering! The shadow does contain some microglitter, and given the choice, I would prefer it to have none because there is some fall-out but I just swipe it away and I always do my face and blusher after eyeshadow anyway so it's no big deal for me. I use this shadow all over the lid and then use Bobbi Brown After Hours in the crease. I then use Mac Nylon or Dazzlelight as a highlight on the browbone and inner corners, YDK on the lower lashline and then finish off with black mascara and I'm done - this is literally the perfect combination! Anyone who loves bronzes, browns and neutrals should really try this shadow! I love a smoky eye but due to the warm tones in my skin, I don't really suit very cool shades like greys and lilacs. I can pull them off with the right blush but I never really feel 'me' in those shades. This shadow is not too warm but it has enough warmth to suit me just perfectly. I think I actually prefer this to my other HG shadow, Woodwinked, although I find Woodwinked much easier and quicker to apply due to the texture. I do find this shadow quite soft and powdery and, even without the tiny glitter, I think you would still get fall-out with this shadow due to this but overall, none of those things really matter because this shadow is just perfect and so pretty and I will purchase again and again! For info, I'm already on my second pot having bought my first back in 2008!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Peony Colorburst Lipgloss 008
xbabe82517 9/11/2011 3:43:00 PM
This is what I wanted Nars Orgasm lip gloss to be! Orgasm is a gorgeous colour but the texture and smell make it a huge disappointment for me and I seldom reach for it, unfortunately. It dries out my lips terribly and the smell makes me feel like I need to brush my teeth! The colour is gorgeous and I am always on the look-out for a dupe in another brand - never expected to find it in Revlon! I tried Mac Lipglass in Nymphette but that leaned way too lilac and cool on me, despite the gold shimmer, and I gave it away. And then last week, I stumbled across Peony in my local Boots store. I will admit to being a bit of a snob where make-up is concerned and, aside from my Maybelline foundation (because I have decent skin anyway and don't need something fantastic), I usually stick to high-end brands such as Nars, Mac, BeneFit, Chanel and Urban Decay. I will browse high-street make-up to see what's out there but rarely make a purchase. However, I spotted this Revlon lip gloss and the colour just looked gorgeous! And a serious dupe for Orgasm! I tested it to make sure it wasn't too sheer - which I don't think it is - and hastily snapped it up. When I got home I tried it on my lips for the first time and was blown away - it's actually nicer than Orgasm! It has an awesome texture, although it was kinda strange at first. Unlike some other comments here, I find this gloss is quite pigmented. It has a thick-ish, milky consistency with very fine gold shimmer. However, it doesn't sit in the lines of your lips like some milky glosses do. When I started to apply it, it did look like it wasn't going to blend very well but after two applications, it looked much better. The colour is a glowy pinky-peach - gorgeous! I think this leans slightly more pink, whereas Orgasm is more coral and slightly more opaque as well, but this Revlon gloss somehow looks better on me than Orgasm ever has. The colour pay-off isn't quite the same as Orgasm, but I prefer it anyway. I have since purchased two more of these glosses - Strawberry and Gold Dust - and have been just as impressed with those. I will be buying more as well! For a high-street brand, these glosses are really amazing and can easily compare with a couple of my Chanel Glossimers and can definitely compete with my Mac Lipglasses! For anyone who was disappointed with Orgasm - there are a lot of us out there, judging from the reviews - then give this gloss a shot, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did!
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