Makeup
- ElphieGranger » See my profile
- Points: 30470
- Reviews: 80
Here are all my reviews:
-
Angel isn’t the kind of scent you smell on a girlfriend, fall in love with, and then put on your Christmas list. You must try this scent on and give it an adequate amount of dry down time before understanding what it will actually smell like on YOU. This perfume is more sensitive to the individual chemistry of its wearers than any I have encountered before- it seems to me that it will either smell as amazing on a person as it does in the bottle, or quickly sour on application to a scent resembling rancid fruit. Sadly, I cannot wear Angel. I’ve tried fresh bottles at department stores, and returning for another a try after a few years have passed, but no matter what I do, this perfume smells terrible on me. Which is unfortunate as Angel can be memorable and captivating scent. There is something about this fragrance that envelopes in a good way; the closest thing I can compare it to is the wafting of warm caramel off the stove- but at the same time, it really smells much more complex than something like a baking scented candle. My mother received a bottle of this when I was about 10, and I remember scouring the fragrance sections of the mall as a young teen a perfume could offer that same warm enveloping note without clashing with my chemistry. Finally, Hilary Duff’s With Love came out and while I wouldn’t say that it smells like Angel, I feel that it shares a similar note or two. With Love is also a less aggressive fragrance that I feel is more appropriate for the under 15 set than Angel (not that I don’t still enjoy WL). If you can wear Angel then I am a bit jealous of you! Not only do I imagine that you will receive compliments from men and women, but I also suspect the bottle will last you quite a while. Angel is a strong perfume, the kind where a dab seems to equal three or four sprays of the average stuff. It also seems to have incredible longevity; when my mother wore it, a single morning application would last on her until the household went to bed at night.
June 30, 2012
-
If I could pick just one scent to wear everyday for the rest of my life, this would be it. It smells like lovely apple blossom and burnt caramel scent accented by light candied citruses and a super-clean musk. I wear it because it’s youthful, fresh, and sweet, but still has enough character to differentiate itself from the many non-descript fruity/sweet scents on the market. Nina Ricci has been a high end fashion house since the thirties, and I can absolutely smell the quality in this perfume. Nina shares a warm note with Hilary Duff’s With Love, that I can only describe as praline, but there’s a huge difference; after smelling Nina, the praline note in With Love smells synthetic and cheap. I also suspect that the higher quality ingredients in this perfume keep it smelling true with a wider variety of chemistries. I’m the kind of person who can turn many perfumes, but I’ve been able to wear Nina for several years without issue. There is one negative to Nina and it is this; it doesn’t last nearly long enough. It’s a perfume that must be reapplied at lunch time, so I highly suggest springing for the package deal and layering the scent with body wash and perfume. Several years ago they released an Eau de Parfume edition, and I have forever regretted not purchasing it. If anyone did buy that edition, I would love to know how it smelled relative to the original and if the staying power was longer. I spent six months picking out the scent I would wear on my wedding day, and after much searching decided on Nina. There was no close second. I intend to wear this as my primary fragrance until I die or they discontinue it! If you’re looking for a scent for those around you to associate you with, I could not recommend Nina more.
June 30, 2012
-
I haven't heard anyone use the adjective "soapy" to describe Amor Amor, but it is the thought I always have when I smell it. The top notes to me are almost violently soapy! I also would point out that it is one of those perfumes that smells much different on different people. For example, on my best girlfriend, it dries down to a scent that can only be described as "old lady". However, if you do have a chemistry that works well with this perfume, Amor Amor offers a unique scent; which is to say that I feel it differs from the popular fruity/sweet /praline scents (think Viva la Juicy, and With Love) that seem to be so popular with the 40 and under set.
June 30, 2012
-
There isn't a category for the Ulta Lip Crayon, but I was kind of excited and wanted to share. I bought two of these lip crayons on a lark because Ulta was having a great sale, and I found that I have enjoyed them far more than I expected to. I purchased the shades Charmer and American girl. I don't care for Charmer as much as American girl, because I feel like the crayons are a bit more matte and frosted matte doesn't do much for my lips, almost highlights little lines in them or something. But the American Girl shade I really love. It's a soft brownish summer color and it looks good on it's own, but I almost discovered that it looks pretty great over a darker plum lip stain that I have, as well as a lipstick primer. I find that a thin coating of the crayon over dry lips makes a thin application of lipstick last far longer than it would otherwise. I also love how easy the crayon is to handle in terms of a lip liner. It looks great, normally I can't handle a regular lip liner. Will buy again!!
June 29, 2012
-
I purchased this blush in the shade Exposed. I wasn’t overly impressed with the quality or the color. I didn’t feel that the staying power was particularly strong, nor did I feel that it gave me the glow I sometimes feel that I have when I wear other blushes. I don’t know any other way to describe Exposed than as a dead, rather flat shade; It appears to have a bit more pink in the compact than it actually does on my face, it shows up on my cheeks as a dull brown that isn’t even fit to be a bronzer. I think the only thing I really enjoyed about this purchase was the ease of application. Applying it with a big blush brush was super easy to do, and could easily be achieved without mess while at a stop light. So Ulta gets a few points for creating something that isn’t messy. Perhaps one day I’ll try another shade of Ulta blush, but for now, I’m going back to the most popular shade of Nars blush. Ladies, you know of which shade I speak!
June 29, 2012
-
First of all, the packaging of my Maxx Volume Flash Waterproof Mascara is a bit different; neon pink tube with metallic blue writing. This is my first waterproof mascara, so I really don't have anything to compare it to, but I do know that it didn't feel very good on my eyes. My lashes felt crunchy and super dry, almost to the point where I expected them to break right off. The mascara doesn't apply very well either, and I don't think it's the brush, I think it's the formula. I didn't see any definition for singular lashes, it just kind of created like 5 spidery lashes for each lid- not pretty. I guess it still looked better than no mascara at all, but not by much. Also I think the formula is rather harsh. I know it's my fault for falling asleep in my makeup, but boy was that a big mistake; the eye that was pressed down onto my pillow got some of the dry mascara in it and when I woke up the lid was super swollen and puffy. It went down by mid-day which was a relief, and hasn't happened since I slept with the mascara on, but it does kind of concern me that I'm putting something so harsh on my eyes. I'm about to throw this one out, and I will not be buying it again, or recommending it to friends. I will say that the color is true to black that it claims to be.
June 29, 2012
-
I finally broke down and bought this to help me survive until I could find my my shade of L'oreal True Match, W3. I had been to 4 stores, over the course of 3 days and everyone was out of my color. I bought this because it was the cheapest thing I could find as a temporary sub. First of all, it's a bit greasy, but I found I could manage that issue and make it look perfect if I used a brush for application. I also tend to set it with a little powder. The benefits are that it can provide heavy coverage if built up well, it smells nice, and hasn't broken me out yet. I also feel that they give you a very generous amount. For 4 bucks, I'll be purchasing this one again!
June 26, 2012
-
At first I couldn't decide whether to go with this gel cleanser which is labelled for "normal to oily skin" or the cream version which is made for dry skin. I have super dry skin, to the point where I have to slather myself with cetaphil everyday, but I don't always feel like cream cleansers get me genuinely clean. So when trying to decide at BBW I lathered both the gel and the cream at the sink and when the cream version didn't seem to bubble much at all, I bought the gel- and I'm glad I did! It smells fantastic, and my face feels super clean, but not overly dry. I actually look forward to using the product! However, I have to knock off a couple stars because It doesn't completely remove all of my waterproof mascara. There's usually a trace amount under my eyes that I remove when I'm apply my after wash round of lotion. I have also noticed that my skin is a bit clearer in general too. I tend to get breakouts on my forehead, where my side swept bangs touch, but haven't had any in the last few weeks. I don't know if it's this product or just hormones, but I take that as a good sign. I think I will continue using cetaphil cream cleanser in the winter months, when my skin is exceptionally dry, but I will definitely buy this one again during the warmer seasons. It's just way more fun!
June 26, 2012
-
I love this basic toothpaste for several reasons: First, the mint actually tastes minty, I hate when toothpastes are so overpoweringly flavored that they are uncomfortable to have in my mouth. I like that this is a cavity protection toothpaste that leaves the 'whitening' chemicals out. I don't want the extra abrasion on my teeth, and because I have several tooth colored composite fillings I am careful to keep all of my teeth the same color- my dentist told me that composite fillings won't whiten with the same chemicals that your teeth will. I also really like that this toothpaste doesn't contain extra antibacterial properties. Products like Colgate Total share ingredients with antibacterial handsoap, and while they make my teeth feel extra slick after a good brushing, and claim to remain on my teeth for hours, I just don't want to be putting stuff like triclosan into my mouth. I would end up using good old fashioned Aim, even if it were more expensive, but there's another plus for you, it rarely costs much more than a dollar. I would definitely recommend this product to a friend!
April 3, 2012
-
I almost shied away from testing this fragrance at all because just sniffing the bottle gives an almost over powering powdery smell. Spraying it on just intensifies that powder scent. For the first few moments I felt as though I had bathed in baby powder. But once Eternity Summer starts to dry down the baby powder scent mellows leaving the lovely floral to shine through. This powdery feminine floral is just kind of simple and pleasent- no spice or complexity here. I think it's kind of interesting to note that it's supposed to share basenotes with Eternity, but if it does, I am most certianly missing it. Eternity absolutely shouts '1990s' and Summer smells contemporary, and if it weren't bottled in the same shape glass, I would say it had nothing in common with it's 'parent' fragrance at all.
April 3, 2012
