Lotions/ Creams -Philosophy - Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion
xel_ha 7/21/2009 1:01:00 PM
I got 2 sets of this in the 32oz during the Nordstrom Anniv.Sale for $50--lotion & Shampoo,Bath & Shower gel. That was a good price for me. I find this lotion moisturizing and leaves my skin silky with a sheen. I really like how my skin felt when it is all absorbed in my skin. As for the firming properties, I haven't noticed it at all and I don't expect it as well despite the claims. This has a light floral scent but has a musky tone to it. I'm not a fan, it is just ok to me as it is mild--I prefer Pure Grace.The scent lasted for at least few hours on me. Overall, this is a good lotion for me. It's summer right now so I don't know how moisturizing this will be during winter. I might not repurchase as I have 64oz. of this to go through and hoping that it won't go bad.
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Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Amazing Grace Bath, Shampoo & Shower Gel
xel_ha 7/21/2009 12:43:00 PM
As a shampoo-- Yes, it is very sudsy and my hair felt clean but it also made my hair dry & tangled up.I won't use this again as a shampoo. As a Bath & Shower gel--It is again very sudsy & moisturizing. But, it is also comparable to other shower gels that I've used, so nothing special here for me. As for the scent, I find it to be floral & musky but lasted only as I rinse. I'm not a fan of the scent. I prefer Pure Grace. I got this at the Nordstrom Anniv.Sale for $50 together with the lotion--each at 32 oz. Overall, it is just an ok shower gel for me. I won't repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Yves Saint Laurent - Poudre Sur Mesure
xel_ha 6/23/2009 3:15:00 PM
This powder doesn't dry out my face.I have oily/acne-prone/sensitive skin and this keeps my face matte for few hours until I blot.I'm a big fan of Chanel and that one keeps my face matte the longest but also accentuates all the flakes I didn't have before applying.YSL on the other hand,feels creamy on my skin but not heavy.If I layer face products before powdering then it would feel masky.As for the color,I got this in #3 Amber, although I also tried #2 in Sand-which is a tad lighter, surprisingly both works with my skint tone just fine.I have med.olive with yellow undertones.--my face has some pink to it but my neck is yellow unfortunately.Both powders, have yellow in it. Amber is a bit reddish in the pan but not when applied. I may have to pick up the Sand after summer.The real test for me with this powder is when the weather gets to 100 degrees--only Chanel has held up for me. As for packaging, it is brilliant but bulky and I wish it came with a pouch.I don't mind the fragrance as it doesn't last. As for the price, it's quite on the high for the amount you get. Also, because of the delivery system, you wouldn't know how much product is left in the container.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Quadra - 14 Mystic Eyes
xel_ha 5/6/2009 2:28:00 PM
Another great neutral palette from Chanel. Colors consists of plummy brown, golden brown or bronze, pink, & silver gray. I have a med.olive skin tone so the colors show up as subtle sheen on my lids unless I pack it on. I have worn this with/without primer--lasts longer with UDPP. My fave is the plummy brown as it is dark enough to use as a liner. The silver gray hardly showed up on my lids so I have to pack it on. I just use the pink as a highlighter and the bronze one--alone or mixed with the silver gray. I do find the silver gray and pink to be a bit chalky but nonetheless, the texture is silky--blends like a dream. The colors in this palette are nothing spectacular to me as I own many neutral palettes. Overall, I like this so this is a keeper for me. I'd probably buy this again if I ever hit the pan as this is on rotation with my other neutrals.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam VI Special Edition
xel_ha 4/2/2009 6:20:00 PM
I find this to be a pretty pink with lilac or lavender tone to it. On picture, the pink is more pronounced but up close looks subtle on me. I wear this alot interchanging with Viva Glam VI. I find this to be also very moisturizing. Another love from Viva Glam. I'll definitely buy this again.
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Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam VI
xel_ha 4/2/2009 6:06:00 PM
This is my favorite of all Viva Glam lipsticks. It looks plummy brown on my lips. I find it neutral enough to wear during the day. It's also very moisturizing. I love it enough that I'd probably get another one soon. For reference, I have olive skintone with yellow undertones and this looks natural on me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Chanel - Professional Eyeliner Duo La Ligne De Chanel
xel_ha 3/30/2009 4:07:00 PM
I finally bought this based on the raves here. I was actually very pleased with this liner. I have used MAC gel liners and BE's mineral liners in the past and found them to be time-consuming. I thought this would be just same as those but I was so wrong. This is my first cake liner and found it to be fairly easy to use. It applies just like a liquid liner. I love the tiny brush that came with it and I'm hoping that it will hold up for awhile. The matte black is a true black and stays that way on me. The other color--sparkling gray--the micro-glitter seems to be just an overlay. To me, it is a lighter shade of black that can be build up--like a charcoal gray. Overall, I really like this and will buy it again if I ever run out. I only use a tiny bit--like one swipe mostly, so this will last me for a very long time. Price is on the high, but I justify it with quality and that it will last me for years.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - Iridescent Leather 539 [DISCONTINUED]
xel_ha 8/15/2008 6:39:00 PM
RAVE! I normally tend to avoid brown palettes because they tend to turn red on me or make my eyes look tired.I own Dior's Caliente which is a gorgeous palette but just too dark on me. I took the risk on this one based on reviews here and I'm so glad I did. I won't go over the color details as it has already been described. All of the shadows are shimmery but very subtle IMO. They actually brightened my eyes in a "candlelit" glow effect.The colors are buildable and I can use each on its own. I use the darkest shade as a liner--a major plus for me.This is a beautiful neutral palette that can go from day to night. They go on like silk and blends like a dream. I also find the colors to be pigmented. This palette is worth the buy for me. I'll re-purchase if I ever finish it.
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Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5 Colour Eyeshadow - Incognito 030
xel_ha 7/18/2008 7:40:00 PM
I won't go over the colors of this palette individually as many reviewers had described them well. It is a "barely there" color combo on my lids. Sometimes I like the "no makeup look," so this palettes fits the bill. For ref.,I have med.olive skintone with yellow undertones. I do have a slight tan right now so, this barely showed up on my lid. Anyway, if you're looking for the "wow" factor, imo, this doesn't have it. It's pretty basic neutral to me. It's great for daytime and I use any dark liner with this. Texture is silky smooth and blends well. The matte color is a bit powdery and the rest have a nice sheen to it. The only downside of this palette imo, is that it doesn't have a dark color for lining. As usual, it's pricey. I'm not so sure if I'd buy this again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Reflets D'Ombre Quad
xel_ha 7/10/2008 7:17:00 PM
This is the new quad for Fall 2008. Per Chanel, the colors are coffee,ivory,gold,& dark green. They all have subtle shimmer just by looking at the pan but on my lid it's more of a sheen. Here's how it looks like on my lid: 1) Coffee--true to color; med.brown with sheen; can be used on it's own; very pigmented 2)Ivory--great highlighter; I used it under my brows and inner corners of my eyes; also true to color 3)Gold--it is gorgeous on the pan (if you like gold) but hardly showed up on my lid; I don't use it alone as I have to pack the color to show up a bit 4)Dark Green--true to color; it actually looks teal on me; very pigmented; Great eye liner or for smoky look; I can use this and the brown on it's own Overall,I really like this pallette. It doesn't give my eyes the "wow" factor but I'm loving the fact that it's pretty neutral. Great from day to night. I didn't find the colors unique unlike the black/olive green color in Winter Nights. All the shadows were silky smooth to me and blended easily.I hope it doesn't get chalky on me.I only used this lightly and dry without a primer. Maybe if I applied this wet, the colors would pop more and give me the "wow" effect. Also, I have med.olive skintone with yellow undertones. As for lasting power on my very oily lids, about 8 hrs before it creases, less if it's too hot. It's pricey but this palette is growing on me that I'm considering a backup.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Bleu Celestes
xel_ha 1/2/2008 4:37:00 PM
This is one of the two newest from Chanel Spring 2008. This palette consists of navy & pale tones accdg. to Chanel. Here's how it looks on my lid. 1) Gray (matte)--almost blue gray; not so pigmented on my lid 2) Dark Navy (subtle shimmer)--true dark navy; very similar to Comet; heavily pigmented;silky smooth & easy to blend; makes a gorgeous liner as well as creating smokey/sultry effect. I blend this with the Gray as it needs alot of help. 3) Icy Blue (frost)--as I apply this, I see a slight baby blue color then it turns to silver 4) Pearl White--I get the same effect/color as the Icy Blue. The light ones are great highlighters. I haven't used each color on it's own but blended all together, I get a silver gray tone rather than blue. I applied heavier and it gave me a gunmetal finish. I have only used this dry.Overall, this palette is just OK to me--I like it but I don't love it. I actually prefer my Winter Nights over this but I'll keep this as I like the overall finish. I didn't find the shadows to be powdery as I just swipe my brush lightly. The shadows blended well and lasted on my oily lids even on winter for at least 8 hours before it creased. It's pricey (always). I don't think I'll repurchase bec.I most likely won't hit the pan. For reference: I have med. olive skin with yellow undertones so the silver gray finish on my lids gave my eyes a well-rested look.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Winter Nights
xel_ha 12/10/2007 2:19:00 PM
Another LOVE from Chanel! I almost judged this by just looking at the palette.--I was so wrong. Each of the colors are beautiful---as others have described it--I see it as Brown(sheen),Champaigne Beige(sheen),Pink(sheen),& Black/Olive(shimmer). I used them all together and the Black/Olive as a liner. Light ones as highlighters/inner corner and the brown as a wash and the Black/Olive smudged in the outer corners. For just a natural/no make-up look, I just use the 3 light shades individually. Used all together or just by itself is just beautiful. I didn't find this quad powdery at all but rather silky and blends like a dream. It's expensive but since I use and like all four colors, the price to me is justified. I'd repurchase if I ever finish.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5 Couleur Eyeshadow - Stylish Move 970
xel_ha 11/15/2007 3:37:00 PM
I normally shy away from any shades of plum as it gives me the "just got punch look" but this shades of violet/plum changed it all. All colors in this palette work well with each other. I use the colors horizontal, vertical, cross wise or just by itself. They're all pretty. I do use it lightly and blend well. I use the darkest shade as a liner. Texture is silky smooth. Packaging is gorgeous. Price is on the high but the quality is worth it. Another plus is that I love all the colors and they are highly pigmented, so this quint will last me 'til I get tired of it. I will repurchase if i ever finish this.
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Blush -Christian Dior - Dior Bronze Blush Sunrise Party 001
xel_ha 11/15/2007 3:20:00 PM
I finally caved in and got this due to the rave reviews & I wasn't disappointed. I needed a break from my many peachy blushes and this blush is just lovely. This blush has subtle shimmer but I use a light hand--just one swipe across is all I need to get a natural flush plus glow. The packaging is gorgeous. Don't care for the brush although it's pretty decent--I use a kabuki brush. This is pricey but there's alot of product that I'll probably get tired of this before I hit the pan---which rarely happens. I will buy the Sunset Fiesta next. This is actually my first Dior blush as I'm a big fan of Chanel blushes. Overall,I'm very happy with this blush.
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Hair -Weleda - Rosemary Hair Oil
xel_ha 8/20/2007 11:50:00 PM
I use this as a pre-shampoo treatment. I have thick wavy coarse hair. This made my hair more manageable and shiny. I tried this as a leave-in conditioner but it was way too heavy/greasy. The oil rinses out easily unlike Ojon. So far, I'm glad I tried this oil. I'm always trying out other products but I think I will repurchase this and incorporate this with other products that I use.
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