Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
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I have this palette in this particular trio and love it. The powders are finely milled and glide on and blend effortlessly. They really do give a "3-D" look. The shades last for long hours and are simply exceptional.
May 1, 2013
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I'm amazed at the number of negative reviews for Estèe Lauder's "Gentle Eye Makeup Remover." Are we reviewing the same item? Perhaps I received a bottle that is extremely exceptional. This non-scented, lightweight, gentle liquid is fragrance-free. It is also completely oil-free, dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, and recommended for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive skin. I have used it for more years than I like to count; before I critique a product, I generally try it again to make sure I am confident of how I feel and that I remember all of the attributes. I used it about ten minutes ago and smiled the whole time. Within thirty seconds or so, every last trace of eye shadow primer, eye shadows, liner (both liquid and pencil), brow products, and waterproof mascara were absolutely and totally gone. It leaves a cool, refreshing feeling and the eye area so immaculately clean that you could immediately apply more makeup afterward without waiting. I would even go as far as recommending it over Lancôme's "BI-FACIL Double Action Eye Makeup Remover," an item which I also love. Even the best eye makeup removers can make me tear up a bit, but not Estée Lauder's. It is just incredible; I highly recommend it!
April 30, 2013
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I don't wear a lot of lip glosses and generally stay with the few I love and trust. A friend gave me Estée Lauder's "Pure Color High Gloss" as a gift, and I've added it to my list of loved lip glosses. Lauder uses its own True Vision™ technology to wrap pigments in a crystal-like coating. These pigments works to optically enhance your own lips. The feel is plush and silky and completely comforting. Antioxidants and Vitamins C and E work to improve your pout as you look good. It is never sticky or tacky, just thicker than normal glosses, which I like. There is a faint, pleasant, hard-to-describe scent to this. The wear is good for a gloss. I'll be collecting a few more.
April 30, 2013
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My students asked me if I wear fragrances from Diesel and I told them I didn’t. I then smelled “Loverdose” and bought it. The bottle itself is gorgeous—a pink/amethyst heart cut in many facets to reflect the light. It’s one of those mysterious, enigmatic scents that you have to sniff and then sniff again and again to make sure you have captured the whole essence. The key notes are vanilla infusion, ambrox, mandarin, star anise, gardenia petals, liquorice absolute, and sambac jasmine. While the florals make it fun and flirty, it is deeply sexy and seductive. Love it—and so does my husband!
April 30, 2013
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I like--no, love--when cosmetic companies make life easier. Almay does it with their "Intense I-Color Shimmer-I" kits. The shades are beautifully coordinated to make your own natural eye color more accentuated--and they truly do! I used the kit for green eyes and felt that my eyes "popped" with this. I went on to buy other palettes just to try the different colors and was more than satisfied. Moreover, they shape the shadows and draw a schematic on the package for the best way to use the colors. The powders are pigmented well and are flattering and long-lasting. The finishes vary from sexy shimmer to matte. They can take you from a subtle daytime look suitable for the office to a glamorous appearance for a night on the town. Those who suffer from allergies need not worry--these are hypoallergenic, great for contact lens wearers. I've been using Almay palettes for years and have never been dissatisfied. For about $7.50, you couldn't ask for more.
April 30, 2013
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And the hunt for the "perfect" mascara continues. At least I'm adding a lot to my stash of favorites--Lancôme's "Definicils," Buxom's version, Benefit's "They're Real!," Ellis Faas, and Maybelline's "Full and Soft," among others. I tried Estée Lauder's Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara and was pleased--unfortunately, not as pleased as I hoped to be. Lauder proclaims that this formula has an "Unprecedented Bold Volume™ formula, with lash-thickening fibers . . . lifts and plumps even sparse lashes into big, lush lashes that are all lightness and flirtatious curl . . . Sumptuous Mascara takes your lashes all the way to big, bold, beautiful." This was a good mascara, but not great. I love the fact that it is available in two colors, both brown and black, as I sometimes want a softer look with brown. The brush is nicely shaped and easy to work with. I curled my own lashes beforehand, as usual (never stray from my Shu Uemura curler), but I didn't find the outrageous results I was expecting. There was some increase in length and a bit in volume, but "flirtacious curl?" It didn't happen. This is a nice basic mascara, but nothing spectacular. I will use this again, but it is pricey ($22.00) when you don't reap all of the benefits promised.
April 30, 2013
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I continue to fight occasional blackheads; they can be a huge problem for my husband. We do use Bioré strips, but we don't always want to go through the process of washing, applying them, and waiting. So I purchased Murad's "T-Zone Pore Refining Gel." I love Murad in general. In particular, the ingredients of this product helped to lure me: Glycolic and salicylic acids exfoliate to clear pores. Retinol works to improve the tone, texture, and radiance of skin. Pomegranate extract neutralizes and protects against free radical damage. This is a lightweight, completely non-sticky gel with a surprisingly pleasant fruit scent (particularly peach). Murad suggests massaging a fine layer over face and neck after cleansing and toning, following with moisturizer. I have to laugh--I am fortunate that I can get my husband to use the gel, let alone moisturizer afterward. But we both had noticeable results. A word of warning: The acids may cause a slight, temporary burning and/or tingling sensation which went away for both of us. I wouldn't recommend this for those with very sensitive skin. My pores are tightened, much cleaner looking. My husband has olive-toned, thicker skin, and his blackheads were a real problem. After a few weeks of continual use, his T-zone is remarkably changed for the better. The ugly, annoying blackheads are pretty much gone and has skin has a new clarity and refined appearance. This has been miraculous for us!
April 29, 2013
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I forgot my concealer one day and ran into Target, where I picked up an ELF "Under Eye Concealer and Highlighter" ($3.00!). ELF is the master of multi-use products. The concealer had enough substance to cover well but applied and blended smoothly and easily. I used just a little highlighter on cheekbones and browbones and was pleased. Ingredients include Vitamins A and E, chamomile, green tea, and caffeine to disguise dark circles. How can you possibly go wrong with a product like this? I still use it!
April 29, 2013
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I love the fact that the warmer months are on their way, but I don't handle a lot of heat very easily. A perfect makeup job can disappear in fifteen minutes or less on a hot, humid day. I tried a sample of Skindinävia's "Original Makeup Finishing Spray" and was so pleased that I bought a full-size bottle. How does it work? The normal temperature of your skin is 90 degrees. Skindinävia's spray creates a lightweight, breathable "web" on top of your complexion, which allows for sixteen hours of timed-released evaporation of sweat while drawing heat away from you. At first I was wary of this, but it is hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, oil- and paraben-free. The main ingredient is dimethicone, a silicone oil used in many skin and hair products. The product itself has a hair-spray like smell which dissipates quickly. I find it to be cooling and refreshing. This leaves a dewy, not oily, finish, and keeps my colors fresh throughout days when I am wilting. Dry, cracked makeup is a thing of the past and I remain fresh. Even though it lasts a long time, I carry some with me and spritz once every few hours because of the reviving feel and the benefits.
April 29, 2013
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I've yet to find a brand which is as accurate as Revlon's finely-honed tips to find, grip, and pull absolutely any hair with ease. These tweezers are easy to hold and gentle to the skin. Just one warning--even tweezers wear out after so long. Time to toss and buy them again!
April 29, 2013
