Nancy-Lee C.'s (fashionCHICsta) Beauty Product Reviews | Page 2
I purchased 3 tubes!!
What is your favourite makeup item? Mine is lipstick, I adore it. I love exploring new shades and feeling new textures. I'm as harsh on my reviews as I am loyal to brands and this 24kt gold tube is no different. With a case layered in luxury, the reflection is so pure you would mistake it for a gold mirror.
But the purity of the reflection only comes second to the purity of the pigments. YSL #152 is named Pink Rose Grenadine after the perfectly described shade of pink poppy. When I first spotted the colour, I was refreshed and surprised how timeless it appeared. Not too pink that it's only for Spring or Summer, with just enough orange to carry it in to the Fall and that Kate Spade-esqe red to draw it through the Christmas season.
Before you know it, its spring again! Good thing I purchased 3 tubes! This full-coverage with a satin finish lipstick, stays creamy with moisture and fresh for hours. Drenched with Vitamins A & E for antioxidant protection, Carrot Root extract added to keep lips smooth, supple and kissably soft while an SPF 8 offers sun protection.
Never staining or feathering, this amazing lipstick feels like nothing I have ever used before. It goes on smooth and creamy and stays that way for hours. The colour looks exactly like it does in the tube, on my lips. It even smells riche! I purchased one tube and realized after I came home, it was the shade I had been looking for my entire life, I made the journey again the next day to score 2 more!
If you are looking for a real treat, I highly recommend this formula.
Something told me that this lippy was different.
I appreciated the reviews and there seemed to be a common theme; it's sheer and stays moist. I received a gift card for my birthday, I like to use those cards to buy things I would never spend my own hard earned money on, like a $35 Limited Edition lipstick by a company whose products I usually don't give a second glance.
I was forewarned that the tube is tiny, but it contains a full amount of product. I love the size, I can easily tuck this into a small clutch or a pocket. The vessel is metal, gold in colour. It is embossed with Lancome on the tube of lipstick and the rose on top of the cap. I feel as if I have been passed down something very special from my grandmother. I am torn between savouring it's beauty and showing it off.
I exfoliate my lips and pat them dry, I do not apply a liner as I want to see the shade out of the tube and feel the true texture. At first appearance, it seems an opaque red with gold shimmer. It goes on smooth, like a balm, thanks to Shea Butter. The colour is beautiful, it is sheer as promised yet has buildable coverage. I feel very sexy, this is one of those reds that will work for most.
The swatch above my apple is one swipe, the heavier application is above.
It has a comfortable wear, staying moist until I reapply a few hours later. The colour stayed as true as the tube and never dried out my lips or caused flaking which is a havoc perfumes wreak. It has honestly, become my favourite Spring red. I never would have spent this much money on a lipstick but I have to admit I am grateful I had the Gift Card to be able to do so. It stays super moist, does not feather and does not dry my lips.
Perfect for year round wear!
I was treating myself to some birthday treasures with gift cards that I was given to Sephora. My favourite cosmetic item is lipstick, so I decided to by some new lippys, ones from companies that I have not yet tried. Smashbox was one of those companies. As I was browsing the lipstick fixture and a Sephora exclusive caught my eye.
From the Be Legendary Lipstick collection, I choose Legendary, a true red. The very first thing I notice is the feel of the matte case. Completely square in shape, it feels like metal. Heavy and cold. I swivel up the lipstick and apply, starting at the top bow of my lip. It's riche and creamy, packed with shea butter and vitamins E and C. It does not take many coats to become opaque and I notice it's very shiny and does not require gloss, not that I would add any, anyway. The colour stays true, and the blue undertone never feathers off my lips nor does it change - that shade stays tube true and lasts for hours.
Legendary retails for $19 and has a faint blue undertone that gives it a poppy-rose tone, making it perfect year round. No liner for Spring / Summer and a rich liner for a deep Fall / Winter winner.
For 'Cunning'
Described as a "semi-sheer deep berry red with a frost finish." Umm... I do not see frost when I apply this or when it is swatched. It is not as sheer as say, Black Honey by Clinique and I found it easy to build the coverage without a lot of product. I could see this shade and possibly formula being unforgiving on dry flaky lips, not because the formula is dry, it is actually quite moisturizing, but because the shade is so dark.
Like all MAC lipsticks, this has a vanilla scent and is very creamy and comfortable to wear. I pair the dark berry lip with a light gold eye and I blot my lips with tissue before I reapply to prevent any product buildup. It's not a look I would wear every day but I do enjoy the drama and I am glad I made the purchase. Now stop testing on animals, dang it.
Too sticky for me.
I will be the first to admit that I am not a MAC addict. Actually, I only started using the line about 3 years ago. I have been a Stila fanatic since 1995 so I wasn't surprised when I came across this gloss, that I had not heard of it until that day I was window shopping at The Cosmetics Company Store. Super excited to have a balm with a high SPF, I raced home to take these pictures so I can smother my lips with it!
The only other balm that I have used is from Clinique SuperBalm and I love it. I set myself up with an expectation that this balm will live up to the Clinique balm and no. Unfortunately, I find it's goopy and sticky. I have way to much product on my lips, so I take it off and try again. Less product - same result.
Into the BFF bag it goes. That's the bag of tested products that I let all of my friends rifle through since I can not donate items that have been used. Containing .33floz, this balm is in an easy to apply tube. It was not perfumy nor it didn't sting my lips, not that it had a reason too. The balm was pale pink in shade but fairly sheer when it went on. Retailing for $16 in the MAC shops/counters, I paid $9.50 at the Estee Lauder outlet shop.
Bottom line:
Would I rebuy? No. This is not the consistency of product that I want on my lips and I think the $16 counter cost is overpriced.
It's a Fuchsia Fete!
I wasn't out to purchase this lipstick, I needed to spend $150 to meet Tim Gunn and the necklace that I selected was only $128. I feel like this lippy found me.
Named Fuchsia Fete, the unscented formula is housed in a goldtone vessel which locks closed. Simply press the base of the lippy till it makes a light clicking noise and releases the tube. A gentle pull reveals Pucker Up! on the casing and a lovely shade of pink. With moderate coverage, this shade of pink would work well on multiple skin tones and is perfect for Spring and Summer!
This is a super moisturizing lipstick. Never goopy, it stays colour true and does not feather off of my lips. I'm a 3-swiper. Once to the right, once to the left and back to the right. I love everything from the chic case to the texture of the product.
This is my 5 star Night time favourite!
I have been using the Squalane Oil since February 2012 and it has changed the way I moisturize my skin. While casually reading product reviews on BeautyARMY one day, I saw another member mention that she likes the Lavender Oil for night time, to help her relax. Genius! Once it popped up in my window, I pounced!
Already knowing how amazing this oil is, I was apt to discover the scent. It's perfect. At night time, I use it after my Toner and apply 3 drops in a pressing-style of application. Instead of rubbing my face which can create more oil, I drop the oil onto my fingertips, press my left and right hands together to distribute the product and then press my fingertips onto my skin in an upward almost rocking motion.
Indie Lee's The Daily Moisturizing Oil in Lavender has never irritated my skin, caused additional breakouts nor have I found the aroma to be overpowering. Perhaps it is mind over matter but I truly feel more relaxed at night. Selected in my June BeautyARMY kit, which you can see here, it came just the day before we were leaving for iMATS. Super excited to have it on my journey, not only as a travel sized vessel but to help me sleep while I was away from my own bed. Retailing for $28, this all-natural moisturizer earns a coveted 5 out of 5 stars. I will absolutely purchase the full size when my sample runs dry - and I will refill this sweet vessel for my next adventure.
Long last lustre
I made my first Too Faced purchase during their Vintage Sale (9 items for $32!!)
See the post here: http://fashionchicsta.blogspot.com/...
Girls Dig Pearls in Tropical Pink looks like a disco queen's dream. This gloss is actually made with crushed pearls. The pink is bright in the tube but more subdued once on, as it applies a bit sheer. The sponge tip applicator delivers the perfect amount of this thin gloss. The non-sticky formula does not feather off my lips and the peppermint oil is instantly cooling. The one thing I found odd was I had visible glitter on my lips after the gloss was gone. ;-)
It is pricey for a gloss, at $18 and one that I won't be repurchasing other than the Vintage Sales.
My very first UD purchase!
I have used other UD products, but this is the first one that I actually went to the store and bought with my own money. And it was worth every penny of that $55. Did you know that these are all full size? +$250 value. You basically paying $3.67 per pot. Insane.
Anyhoo. These shades are super pigments and hard. I say that because i'm used to Stila's ever so delicate pots of shimmer that seem to shatter by simply looking at them cross. I have played with 50% of the pallet thus far and like all of the shades (only wish there was a real gold - a dupe of stila prize)
These shadows blend in very well and are quite buildable, so I can get to the right look not blend one down. The only thing I wish, is to use them wet. It's not really a wet/dry product. That is the only reason it lost 1/2 a star.
There are some great videos out there on how to depot this pallet. I have not - mine is intact. If you're looking for a box to contain your neutrals, shimmers and drama? This velvet lined treasure is for you!
Solid foundation that's buildable.
Another great Clinique product. I have been in love with this since it came out. Oil-free, SPF 20 and buildable coverage that lets me spot-conceal acne! This compact is probably twice as long as your current powder compact - the length is to house the sponge.
The foundation goes on creamy and quickly sets to a powdery finish. If you have flaky areas, especially around blemishes, you will want to use a bit of primer, since it is not a moisturizing product, it can show off dryer patches. (I use NARS primer).
I clean my sponge with makeup brush cleaner every Sunday, long with my other brushes. I like the fact there is a sponge applicator, I hate to put my fingers in makeup and tough my face. The sponge also allows for even clean blending down the jaw line, under the chin, around the nose and ears and even into the hairline. This is my Summer go to for my foundation needs. Super happy with it. I will buy this again. xoxo