Anabel
Member Since: September 24, 2010Reviews
Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara
Benefit said they've gone "beyond mascara" to create dramatic long-wearing lashes. The results of their consumer panel survey got me. I had a very special party to go to tonight so I thought it was the perfect time to test it out. Holy sh*t... +
Benefit said they've gone "beyond mascara" to create dramatic long-wearing lashes. The results of their consumer panel survey got me.
I had a very special party to go to tonight so I thought it was the perfect time to test it out. Holy sh*t. SSShhhut the front door....just shut it. My longs are unduly long...a bit sparse, but that's me, not them. I literally brushed on a coat, and then added a quick tip coat of my purple before I ran out the door. That is all. If you want more check out their website.
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Sephora Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara
you can't do it all:Average at $18: Sephora is marketing this as a seven-in-one. Okay now, seriously? Three-in-one is fine, even four, but seven? I think the tone of this review is pretty obvious. I wasn't too impressed. I bought it... +
you can't do it all:Average at $18:
Sephora is marketing this as a seven-in-one. Okay now, seriously? Three-in-one is fine, even four, but seven?
I think the tone of this review is pretty obvious. I wasn't too impressed. I bought it because I thought it could replace Lash Plumper (which no longer has purple).
The problem is, I needed about 3 coats to get any of the pigment to show up. When it does, it sure is pretty:
But with that many coats, my lashes got too heavy and the curl and length were shortlived. What’s the point of doing seven-in-one, if you can’t do any one right? Ha. I sounded like my dad right there. Life’s lessons applied to the beauty world.
Photos available at: http://gracefulglutton.blogspot.com/2011/05/full-action-extreme-effect-mascara-by.html
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Chanel Jade Rose
an investment, or just plain frivolous? :Pricey at $28: As I stood at Holt’s hypnotized by their array of pretty Chanel nail colours I had the following conversation in my head: Smart me: $30 nail polish…really? Is that necessary? Stupid me: Of... +
an investment, or just plain frivolous?
:Pricey at $28:
As I stood at Holt’s hypnotized by their array of pretty Chanel nail colours I had the following conversation in my head:
Smart me: $30 nail polish…really? Is that necessary?
Stupid me: Of course it is…it’s Jade Rose. You’ve been wanting it for a while.
Smart me: But really, I’m sure OPI or Essie has a similar colour. Look at all the faux Paradoxals out there.
Stupid me: They might, but imitation is never as good as the original. And it’s perfect for spring…
Smart me: So true, so true…If I don’t get a manicure all month, I’ll break even…
Stupid me: Exactly.
Smart me: $30 nail polish…really?
Stupid me: Do it.
It seems even the best of us fall victim to our worst half. So I left Holt’s, with two bottles of Chanel polish. And in case you couldn't guess the answer? Chanel polish is no better than OPI or Essie - it doesn't last longer, it doesn't have special powers, it's just C-h-a-n-e-l. It seems I have issues, but don’t we all?
Photos available at gracefulglutton.blogspot.com.
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Clinique Acne Solutions Post Blemish Formula
:Cheap at $18: Clinique has a little pen to rub away your post-acne blues. So they say, so they say... What exactly do they say? They say it helps to fade marks and discolouration left by pimples. I decided to put this post-acne pen to the... +
:Cheap at $18:
Clinique has a little pen to rub away your post-acne blues. So they say, so they say...
What exactly do they say? They say it helps to fade marks and discolouration left by pimples. I decided to put this post-acne pen to the test, knowing it won't be a miracle cure by any means, but maybe it will do a little sumptin, sumptin:
Left: Day 1 | Right: Day 7
I know...a little up close and personal, but hey...
I'm taking one for the team cuz my vanity can handle it.
My 7 day assessment, based on experience with post-pimple management, is that it didn't really do anything more than what nature and time had/would...
Easy applicator, but save your $20.
Before-and-after photos on my blog.
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Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara
:Cheap at $10: Of course I did get mine on sale... Another mascara with a lash stimulating formula has happened upon us. It was a while ago, but I've been busy obsessing over my Majorca...still am...it's THE BEST MASCARA EVER. I am... +
:Cheap at $10:
Of course I did get mine on sale...
Another mascara with a lash stimulating formula has happened upon us. It was a while ago, but I've been busy obsessing over my Majorca...still am...it's THE BEST MASCARA EVER.
I am not a fan of Rimmel...it all seems substandard. But this states that lashes "appear up to 117% longer in 30 days" and "...up to 80% longer instantly". Is that a fact?
No, but photos are - they're up on my blog. I tracked my lashes on day 1 - day 16 and day 30...and my lashes seem less healthy.
Tsk, tsk Rimmel.
On to the next one...
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Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer
:Average at $7: Big displays catch my attention. Shoppers had one for this "revolutionary" nail buffer. It came on my radar a few weeks ago as I surfed the net. It was a lazy Friday afternoon and as I sipped my coffee and ate a Clafouti... +
:Average at $7:
Big displays catch my attention. Shoppers had one for this "revolutionary" nail buffer. It came on my radar a few weeks ago as I surfed the net.
It was a lazy Friday afternoon and as I sipped my coffee and ate a Clafouti croissant...I found myself reading http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/2011/01/drugstore-discovery-of-the-week-revlon-lets-it-shine/.
It creates 400% more shine on bare nails...oh yes it does. Photos are on my blog of before and after.
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Novo Spa
spa fail :Yorkville: I pride myself on reporting on the good, the good-er, and the best. Of course, we all know that there is also the ugly and bad. In my search for a new place to get RMTs, my dearest friend suggested Novo. This "premier spa... +
spa fail
:Yorkville:
I pride myself on reporting on the good, the good-er, and the best. Of course, we all know that there is also the ugly and bad.
In my search for a new place to get RMTs, my dearest friend suggested Novo. This "premier spa in Yorkville" had so much promise. They even recommended we come early to take advantage of their "Aroma Color Therapy Sauna". Cool right? So not.
Our massages were booked for Sunday afternoon and save and except the treatment, it was disappointing.
I took issue with their "Aroma Color Therapy Sauna". Talk about false advertising, this complimentary service is a 3' x 2' box with coloured christmas lights. Huh.
Upon check-out the RMTs mixed my friend and I up and we consequently didn't have the right therapist on our receipts. The receptionist tried to rectify the mistake by whiting out the first name (because she somehow concluded my friend and I had the same last name?!?!). When I advised her that an insurer would not accept a whited out receipt, she seemed confused. After a brief pause, she told me that my therapist was in tomorrow and they would mail me a correct receipt. I told her that I would just pick it up that afternoon. She then asked me to call and ask them to do that. Ask who? Didn't I just ask her?
This painstackingly annoying exchange could have been avoided if staff communicated. I saw my RMT head out as I came up to the counter. Mistakes happen, but it's how they're handled that determines the professionalism of any establishment.
I called today to confirm my receipt was ready - that's how much faith I had in the comptency of the staff. And my doubt was correctly placed. The guy had no idea what I was talking about. He put me on hold only to come back and tell me that there was no record of me having seen the massage therapist I indicated. I told him that the mistake had obviously not been rectified but that I would leave it to him to figure it out. He told me I could pick my receipt up tomorrow. How much would you like to bet that when I go in tomorrow, it won't be ready. Fooey!
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Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer
you know you love me, xoxo :Pricey at $38: Bronzers are always more expensive than blush; I suppose it’s because quantity-wise you get more? I’m a bronzer-noob. I’ve only tried NARS’ Laguna, and have stuck with it over the years. In... +
you know you love me, xoxo
:Pricey at $38:
Bronzers are always more expensive than blush; I suppose it’s because quantity-wise you get more? I’m a bronzer-noob. I’ve only tried NARS’ Laguna, and have stuck with it over the years.
In celebration of the new year I went in search of one for my fairer skinned sister. My Sephoroda suggested tarte she did. Mineral-based bronzing powder it is.
Being a tarte product, it’s light and free of fragrances, parabens, sulfates and a bunch of other crap you don’t want on your face. It’s also full of vitamins which help to fight free radical damage. All that and it makes you look sunkissed fresh. I think this bronzer is much more versatile than the NARS one; simply because it's got a shimmer to it and reflects light better.
Plus, with a name like Park Avenue Princess you can’t help but feel that this bronzer was made especially for you.
Pictures are available on my blog.
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CARGO EyeLighter
i love to highlight :Pricey at $20: I don't wear eye shadow often, but sometimes I feel like I need a little something, something. This highlighting pen is easy. One end is matte, the other is shimmery. It even tells you where to... +
i love to highlight
:Pricey at $20:
I don't wear eye shadow often, but sometimes I feel like I need a little something, something.
This highlighting pen is easy. One end is matte, the other is shimmery. It even tells you where to apply it. I love make-up for dummies. The Bay and Ulta still have Cargo, but last I checked the Pink is gone (only White or Gold).
I don't know if it instantly makes my eyes pop, but it makes me feel like I did something, although not $20 worth of something. Hm....
Photos on my blog.
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Spectro Acne Care Deep Pore Vanishing Lotion
Medicinal Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide Lotion 2.5% w/w :Average at $9: Works well to invisibly treat and prevent pimples Can be used everyday in morning and evening Specifically states it can be used for adult acne breakouts I usually... +
Medicinal Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide Lotion 2.5% w/w
:Average at $9:
Works well to invisibly treat and prevent pimples
Can be used everyday in morning and evening
Specifically states it can be used for adult acne breakouts
I usually avoid Benzoyl Peroxide like the plague. It’s like kryptonite for sensitive skin. Yet my sister swears by this stuff. I like to think I’m always right, but it just so happened that my Shoppers was out of Clearasil. Sidebar: It really bothers me when big box stores are ‘out of stock’. They had none on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Indeed, I went back each day to check.
I stood in the aisle and contemplated my dilemma. I’m getting a pimple on my nose. I can (a) let it errupt and being the vain person I am, hibernate until it's gone, (b) go to another Shoppers to see if they have my Clearasil, or (b) try the stuff my sister uses. I went with the latter.
My sister was right, but shhhh, let’s not tell her I said that.
Like my Clearasil, it can be used under make-up in the day, and then Mario Badescu the ish out of it at night. That’s right – pimples I’m on you like white on rice.
Photos on my blog.
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