ellstar
Member Since: March 4, 2011Reviews
Herbacin Kamille Soft Hand Cream Unscented
I've carried around a tube of this stuff for a long time. Currently it lives in my desk at work because it's unscented and doesn't bother anybody around me (unlike my fruity scented ones!) It's a good hand cream because it works really well for... +
I've carried around a tube of this stuff for a long time. Currently it lives in my desk at work because it's unscented and doesn't bother anybody around me (unlike my fruity scented ones!) It's a good hand cream because it works really well for chapped, dry skin, especially when you are in an office environment. The only thing I dislike is that if you wash your hands within about an hour of putting it on, it comes off really greasy. It doesn't absorb very fast, which adds to the moisture and protection but don't. get. wet! -
essence Lipstick
I bought this on a whim a few weeks ago just to test out the little mini lipsticks. To be fair, I spent less than $2 on this lipstick so I feel bad being too judgemental about it. But still, I bought the In The Nude shade which was supposed to be... +
I bought this on a whim a few weeks ago just to test out the little mini lipsticks. To be fair, I spent less than $2 on this lipstick so I feel bad being too judgemental about it. But still, I bought the In The Nude shade which was supposed to be matte but came across shimmery? On it's own it looks like I just powdered my lips with body shimmer but it's not bad to sweep across an already-mauve lip. It doesn't last long but as a topper to another lipstick it adds an interesting dimension. Never buy it just on it's own. The darker colours probably don't last long either. -
Maybelline New York Baby Lips Lip Balm
I was intrigued by this tinted lipbalm ever since I saw the beauty bloggers freaking out over it in the spring. Of course it took EONS to come over here and was $7 at Shoppers when it debuted! I'm not cheap, but $7 for yet ANOTHER tinted balm? No... +
I was intrigued by this tinted lipbalm ever since I saw the beauty bloggers freaking out over it in the spring. Of course it took EONS to come over here and was $7 at Shoppers when it debuted! I'm not cheap, but $7 for yet ANOTHER tinted balm? No thanks, I'll wait.
And wait I did. Price dropped to $5 and I quickly purchased a Pink Punch. I was going to buy a darker shade but decided to give a softer hue a whirl and the risk paid off. The punch smell is absolutely addictive, it reminds me of kid flavoured fruit punch and I haven't gotten sick of it in the month I've been using it.
The colour is just enough for a wet slick of pink on my lips. It adds just a touch of colour that lasts for several hours and doesn't dry them out. My lips are happy, smell great and it's very moisturizing. I've abandoned my bright fuschia colours of June and July for this baby pink to end August with and I couldn't be happier. Love this balm, but don't pay more than $5, hunt around.
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Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara
I have a theory that Clinique made too much of this mascara wand a few years ago and has been bending over backwards trying to sample them out. It's too bad though, because it's not the best introduction to the brand that it could be. The bristles... +
I have a theory that Clinique made too much of this mascara wand a few years ago and has been bending over backwards trying to sample them out. It's too bad though, because it's not the best introduction to the brand that it could be.
The bristles are very shallow and slightly curved so it makes it easy to flick up and twist into your lashes, but if you have VERY fine/short eyelashes beware! I generally try to wipe a bit on some kleenex or cloth before applying and always have to blink on a napkin to set it.
The mascara adds a nice, natural look to your lashes while thickening them a bit. It's more of a subtle effect rather than an ostentatious eyelash affair. If you want a dark, thick evening look this is not the mascara for you. If you want a day look or something for work, it fits the bill. Not sure I'd buy it though.
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Annabelle Cosmetics Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencil
I actually only paid $3 for this thanks to a great coupon offer, so my review is that much sweeter! I'm already a big fan of Annabelle eyeliner products because I have sensitive skin and some eyeliners cause irritation which is absolutely NOT what... +
I actually only paid $3 for this thanks to a great coupon offer, so my review is that much sweeter!
I'm already a big fan of Annabelle eyeliner products because I have sensitive skin and some eyeliners cause irritation which is absolutely NOT what you want near your eyes.
The Smoothie eyeshadow pencil is great because it can give you a dramatic kohl-look but as a super easy to apply pencil. It's almost too easy. I was used to traditional pencils that require a lot of push but the smoothie can do a sweeping line the first try.
My only critique is that it's hard to do swirls or cat-eyes with, but not impossible, it's definitely for a thicker more solid line but it lasts all day long and is very easy to remove with makeup remover.
I need to buy this in multiple colours now!
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Physician's Formula Bronze Booster
I've always been shy around bronzers. I'm pale but not too pale and I tan rather easily but I find it hard to get an equal tan on my face and often just slather on sunscreen in fear of any damage to the most looked-at part of my body! But this... +
I've always been shy around bronzers. I'm pale but not too pale and I tan rather easily but I find it hard to get an equal tan on my face and often just slather on sunscreen in fear of any damage to the most looked-at part of my body!
But this summer I decided to start matching my face to my arms and legs by finally investing in a proper bronzer, my pasty white skin would no longer horrify anybody ever again!
I was recommended Physicians Formula by a makeup blogger I follow but wasn't sure which of their styles to try, the beautician at Shoppers had GLOWING things to say about Happy Booster Bronze & Blush so I let her sway me.
The physical product looks great, it has the bronzer/blush on top and a compartment underneath for the brush. The brush is great because it's small, fits in the bottom of the compact and is easy to wield. I usually go for a few swipes on my temples and my cheekbones and I don't feel that the small brush hinders me in any way. The powder picks up quite nicely and I only need a few swipes back and forth to achieve my bronzed look. The blush also picks up easily and leaves a nice complimentary swatch of colour on my cheekbones. It's a very high quality duo for it's price. I'm definitely a convert.
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Tampax Radiant Pearl Tampons
Note: I received this product as a Product Review Club tester for Chick Advisor. You may be looking at my scores and wondering why I said I'd never buy something I scored so high, well, there's a reason for that but let's break down the product... +
Note: I received this product as a Product Review Club tester for Chick Advisor.
You may be looking at my scores and wondering why I said I'd never buy something I scored so high, well, there's a reason for that but let's break down the product first.
The Tampax pearl tampon line is a very consistent product; it's an applicator-based tampon that does it's job well, doesn't leak, has a firm string and doesn't disintegrate. I've tried the product before in a slightly different style and I know it's a good choice.
But here's my complaint. The product uses SO MUCH PACKAGING it's outrageous. I understand that some women are sensitive about their periods and need discrete disposal to counter any uncomfortable feelings they have about tampons, but there is just way too much effort put into having floral outlays on the applicator. I don't CARE if it is pretty, it needs to be functional first. I don't generally use applicator based tampons because I find them hard to just slip in my pocket (what can be more discrete than o.b.? But this one has the most packaging of a tampon I've seen in this market and it's just too much.
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Always Radiant Incredibly Thin Liners
I received this product from the Chick Advisor Product Review Club and was surprised by my take-away of the product. I'm not usually very picky about my pantyliners, I just ask that they be breathable, small and discrete so I can put them in my bag... +
I received this product from the Chick Advisor Product Review Club and was surprised by my take-away of the product.
I'm not usually very picky about my pantyliners, I just ask that they be breathable, small and discrete so I can put them in my bag as needed. The Always Radiant thin liners looked like just the ticket for me, a pantyliner that is thin, breathable and light. However, I think it's a bit TOO light. The liner has barely any actual coverage, a good portion of the liner is devoted to being 'reshapeable' to wear with teensy underwear or thongs, leaving very little actual coverage. Also, I found the sticky material didn't hold up and would bunch together mid-day or readhese itself to ME. Not fun, I would NOT purchase these again.
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Always Radiant Infinity Pads
I received a package of these through the Product Review Club and I have to say that I'm glad I did. I haven't used Always products since I was a teenager because I found the material they made their pads from was unbreathable and always irritated... +
I received a package of these through the Product Review Club and I have to say that I'm glad I did.
I haven't used Always products since I was a teenager because I found the material they made their pads from was unbreathable and always irritated my skin and also, smelled like cheap plastic.
So imagine my surprise when this comes in the mail and I'm completely hooked. This pad was really great because it breathes, the wings are actually sticky and stay put and the padding is weighted in the appropriate spots.
My only complaint is that it's a little long, I'd go for a shorter style normally but I'll definitely be buying this pad again.
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COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick Lipcolor
I'm picky with lipsticks, I've yet to meet one that I like as much as Clinique and I'm not even loyal to that brand exactly! When attending my Aqua Light blowout through Chick Advisor, the makeup artist on-hand used the flipstick on me and I very... +
I'm picky with lipsticks, I've yet to meet one that I like as much as Clinique and I'm not even loyal to that brand exactly! When attending my Aqua Light blowout through Chick Advisor, the makeup artist on-hand used the flipstick on me and I very quickly fell in love with the colour #825 perky.
Unfortunately, so did a few other people because it was sold out in two different Shoppers Drug Mart locations!
No matter, I went to Wal-Mart a few days later and managed to find the colour I was looking for and have kept it with me in my purse every day since. The lighter pink is a sheer enough colour that it makes my lips stand out but isn't too sweet, and the edgy bright pink side is a great stand-alone colour I can wear to emphasize makeup or even on a nude face to draw attention to my lips.
It still stains and needs a little re-apply now and then, but it's not nearly as staining as my Rimmel. It also doesn't dry out my lips nearly as much as comparable brands at that price point. I'll definitely be buying this again.
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