Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
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My wonderful, beloved mother rarely splurged on herself; in general, my parents put any "extra" funds in the family budget toward my sister and me and what we wanted or needed (we weren't spoiled but just treated with extreme kindness). When my mom did buy cosmetics for herself, she often gravitated toward Estee Lauder or Elizabeth Arden. I remember having a rough case of pneumonia in middle school, followed by a cold. My nose and lips could not possibly have peeled any more than they did. My mom went downtown to a department store to purchase Arden's "Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant." I remember being delightfully surprised by her effort and concern when she returned home. Within just a few days of using this potion, my lips and nose were greatly relieved. And then I learned what a multi-tasker it is. Formulated more than eighty years ago by Elizabeth Arden herself, the most plentiful ingredient is Petrolatum, which works as a balm and also seals moisture in skin. A surprising additive is Salicylic Acid, which exfoliates to allow new cells to grow and flourish. Also included are Vitamin E (popular is many moisturizers) and Lanolin. Apply liberally to dry, flaky lips, facial skin, neck, décolleté, hands, cuticles, elbows, knees, and feet for silky-soft skin. It is helpful to have on hand at all times, as it works to repair minor cuts and abrasions. It is ultra-comforting if you've had too much sun (for shame--use sunscreen!) or if your legs are chafed after shaving. Professional makeup artists use this to highlight models' cheekbones, eyes, and lips. It isn't exactly a cream; it is more substantive than a regular cream. And perhaps that's another reason why it works overtime to keep my soft all over. I didn't appreciate my being able to purchase this product until I spoke with a friend in Dublin. A woman in her neighborhood makes "faux Eight Hour Cream," as it cannot be purchased online there. I'm glad I can get it whenever I need it, which is constantly!
March 17, 2013
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I am not terribly plagued by blackheads, but I want the most gentle way to remove them without leave scars. Biore is a fascinating product. The strips have always been extremely effective at ridding my nose and chin of blackheads when they appear; they work just as well for my husband. What did we do before them?
March 16, 2013
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I am addicted to Stila's "Convertible Color" in Orchid. It is more of a sheer berry, and adds the perfect amount of creamy yet translucent color to my cheeks and lips. There are lots of shades available at Ulta and Sephora. Applause, Stila, for including a mirror for on-the-glow application, which you make oh-so-easy!
March 16, 2013
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I was fortunate enough to first try these in a reasonably-priced kit. The colors are deep and rich and highly pigmented. The feel is velvety; they sweep on effortlessly and give you hours upon hours of gorgeous wear.
March 16, 2013
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I fell in love with Senna Cosmetic's "Envelope"--a huge palette of assorted eye shadows, blushes, and highlighters ($50.00 online). Since then, I've come to truly appreciate the buttery-smooth quality of their shadow pigments. They blend easily, are finely milled, and stay in place for a long time. They are available is a wide range of unique, gorgeous shades. Senna Cosmetics has impressed me overall!
March 16, 2013
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My sister's boyfriend gave this to her as a gift when she was in high school; my mom and I could not stop ourselves from sniffing the bottle every chance we got. We didn't know at the time that it was a classic, created in the 1940's with rich floral tones of gardenia and jasmine and hints of sandalwood and iris. It doesn't smell like flowers--the scent is indescribable. It simply smells ultra-feminine, soft, and intoxicating. My husband bought it for me when we were dating. Twenty-three years later, he still goes crazy when I put it on (thus, I reserve it for special occasions).
March 16, 2013
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My sister's boyfriend gave this to her as a gift when she was in high school; my mom and I could not stop ourselves from sniffing the bottle every chance we got. We didn't know at the time that it was a classic, created in the 1940's with rich floral tones of gardenia and jasmine and hints of sandalwood and iris. It doesn't smell like flowers--the scent is indescribable. It simply smells ultra-feminine, soft, and intoxicating. My husband bought it for me when we were dating. Twenty-three years later, he still goes crazy when I put it on (thus, I reserve it for special occasions).
March 16, 2013
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READ CAREFULLY: I have secret but POWERFUL information which will help you in choosing beauty products wisely. Several years ago, my wonderful mother had nine heart attacks in one night and another the following day. After that came emergency quadruple-bypass surgery, which she survived very well. The big problem? She was in a rehab center, and the aids let an open wound where they removed part of an artery uncovered and it became infected. She had to have extensive plastic surgery. I recall driving her to the plastic surgeon's office often for check-ups after he repaired the wound. I wouldn't read the magazines--I would wander around the deluxe facility, staring at a copious number of shelves all stacked with sparkling, beckoning tubs and bottles of creams meant to help skin heal and look good. One day I asked the surgeon which products he favored over the others for complexion and body care in general. He candidly whispered to me, "Forget about buying anything here. I sell them because people specifically ask for them. If you want to treat your skin well, turn to Shea and Cocoa Butters." I'll never forget those words . . . Shea and Cocoa Butters! Shea Butter is just one ingredient in the EOS (Evolution of Smooth) Lip Balms found in drugstores everywhere. Other ingredients--depending on which tempting version you choose--include Vitamin E, pure Beeswax, Coconut Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil to sooth, smooth, and heal. I love the container. The flat end enables it to stay put on the nightstand next to our bed (also known as an "apothecary shelf"), but it's simply fun to play with (consider it a small lip balm/stress-relieving ball). There is never an aggravating tacky feel--it smooths on with extreme ease. I also love the different varieties. I first tried "Honeysuckle Honeydew," "Sweet Mint," and "Pomegranate Raspberry." My husband bought me "Summer Fruit," and I accidentally(!) happened to see a charming duo in "Easter/Spring" which will be appearing in my Easter basket. The preparation is not heavy enough for severely dry lips--I layer Blistex, Carmex, and Chapstick when my lips are truly chapped and split from cold weather or dry heat. But it works well enough to keep your pout kissably soft. The scents are absolutely delightful; I can't get enough!
March 16, 2013
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I have a beauty- and fashion-savvy friend who never, ever lets me down when it comes to giving me the best advice possible. When I first whined to her that my brows were thinning, she suggested that I use "Divaderme Brow Extender" (available at the best price at the "Time for Me" Catalog online). This innovative product consists of clay and a profusion of fibers which mimic your own brows more naturally than anything I have ever seen! I later complained to her that all of the clear lip glosses I had been using were tacky. She sent me a gift card for an ultra-smooth, non-sticky sheer gloss from Joey Maalouf (sold online from the Maalouf salon in Birmingham, Michigan). I was smitten and carry it with me everywhere. It feels like liquid silk on my lips. And so I phoned her when I wasn't getting my regular wonderful results from "Definicils" and other mascaras I keep as staples. She has spectacular, nearly-transparent blue eyes which she knows how to define perfectly, as people are always taken aback by the beauty of them. She told me to try Givenchy's "Phenomen' Eyes" and said it was the only mascara she used. But my astute diva also warned me that I would have to learn how to work with the mascara before forming any opinions. She explained that the wand was quite unique, basically a handle with a fuzzy ball on top. I've been around the block more than a few times with makeup--I wasn't afraid. It was a disaster! Givenchy suggests that you do not overload the brush with product, but hold it horizontally and gently pull lashes from the outer corner outward. Then, the brush is to be used in a diagonal fashion, catching all fibers at the root and pushing them upward and outward. Was I done? Oh, no, not yet! Again, holding the brush diagonally, I was to move lashes from the inner corner of my eye toward my nose. Finally? With the wand upward and the "ball" downward, tenderly coax upper lashes upward. All that came to mind was a game I played as a child--"Twister." Only "Twister" was more colorful and far more fun! My limbs were almost wrapped around each other as I attempted to follow the instructions, but my lashes were not phenomenal. They weren't even noticeable. This item is not worth the trouble. Givenchy, you can do better than this and you know it. . .
March 16, 2013
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Eye shadows. I simply cannot get enough. There is a huge professional train case on my vanity, two under my vanity, and a third in a room we call our office (for now, we won't discuss the cases and containers in the game room). The majority of products in them are eye shadows. I know not to use an open shadow that is more than a few months old because of the possibility of bacterial contamination, but I still can't find it in my soft, makeup-loving heart to throw them out. I am palette-obsessed and will probably grow old still searching for the penultimate collection to outdo them all. I thought I had come close last year when Givenchy offered a limited edition of its "Prismissime Eyes" in a range of golds, bronzes, velvety matte browns, and browns dotted with gold. It was luxe, shimmery, and decadent. It was spectacular. It was breathtaking. It was unlike any other palette I had ever seen. I spent the first day after purchasing it just staring at the colors. Then I prepped my eyes with Too Faced's "Shadow Insurance" and was ready to emerge more stunning than Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, and Beyonce put together. It never happened. I should have shoved the amount I paid--more than $60.00!--right down the drain (shame on me for spending so much, I know, but it was Christmas and I tend to become a little giddy around then). I have never, ever used a shadow that was more rigid. I tried my makeup brushes and then the enclosed foam applicator, but the pigment barely came off the alluring blocks. Was I delusional? This product was from Givenchy and couldn't possibly be so disappointing. I tried again the next day. The only way I finally was able to shadow my eyes was by using the tips of sanitized metal nail files to scrape the colors into little piles and apply that way. Even then, they were lacking in pigment and simply dull. Boring and lackluster. I don't know if the day will ever come when I will indulge in Givenchy's shadows again (I did during college and was pleased--they must have changed the formulation). As the saying goes, I won't throw good money after bad.
March 16, 2013
