Lancome Lipstick Review: Visionary, Sheen Finish, Colour Design Lipcolor

I am so disappointed, Lancome! This used to be my favorite department store brand, when I was younger, if only for the oh so very shallow fact that I love their rose logo. I still do. However, this particular lipstick is incredibly disappointing. The color is ok, it looks fine on me. It's got pretty good coverage, and it doesn't migrate visibly when I'm at work, where I do a lot of talking. However, the texture leaves me wanting. It's not creamy! I don't generally expect lipstick color to last very long. I consider it a part of the deal. You get color that migrates off, however, you also get a little bit of moisture along with that shorter wear time. This lipstick, while not drying, is certainly not hydrating. It is a bit hard for a lipstick - it does not feel smooth and creamy going on. The sensation is not a pleasant one, like it is when I apply just about any other lipstick that I own. I can't wear it on days when I have even the tiniest bit of dry flaking on my lips. I can get away with a little bit of flaking when I'm wearing an Estee Lauder or a Clinique lipstick, so I expected the same from Lancome. Unfortunately, no. I would not repurchase. I got this color as a part of the Lancome Holiday Blockbuster in 2010. The set was a great value, and this color is very wearable. However, I am very disappointed in this lipstick formulation. There are drugstore lipsticks out there that perform better than this, for a fraction of it's retail price. I am considering whether to get the Holiday Blockbuster from Lancome for 2011. I certainly do not need any more make up right now. I only just tried out the eye shadow palette from the 2010 blockbuster this morning! (Thank goodness I decided to swap out my colors, I was going to buy more eye shadow, when I realized I still had that brand new palette to consider.) I need to check the line of lipsticks included, if they are Colour Design, that will definitely be a negative consideration.

Aveda Petal Essence Eye Definer Black Orchid Review

This pencil is a convenient size. It's not too long and fits into make up bags easily from the beginning. The wood handle is classy and feels great in the hand. The color is soft on the eye and applies easily. The black orchid is very dark and you get true black from just one swipe. It smudges easily if you like to smudge your liner.

However, the smudging stays with the pencil. I put this on top Urban Decay Primer Potion and it had smudged onto my lower lash after only and hour and a half of wear. I did not apply shadow on top of the liner, like I usually do. However, compared to my other pencils, this one seems to migrate too easily. To have mascara or eyeliner under my eyes when I did not put any there is one of my pet peeves, and so this liner is not worth keeping to me. However, I have oily skin and therefore it's a problem that's common for me. Those with less greasy skin will probably not have this problem.

Now I only need to decide whether I'm going to keep this for travel (assuming it's better than nothing), or just give up and toss it. Maybe I can give it to a friend with less oily skin.

NYX For Your Eyes Only Smokey Eyes Palette in 01 Jazz Night Review

I was really looking forward to using this palette. After all of the rave reviews I had seen online, I thought, how could I go wrong?

Most of the colors in this neutral palette looked very useful for every day. This palette features neutrals, with a bit of interest. There are two shades with glitter - the silver gray, and the navy. The dark gray has a bit of glitter, too, but the finish if rather sparkly so it's harder to discern. Unfortunately, I neglected to check the finish on these shadows. Eight of the ten have a very frosty finish. This makes them easy to blend and very smooth. However, it also makes them rather unsophisticated when worn. This palette would be good for a younger woman that is newer to make up or would rather go for an easy to apply finish. I am at the point where I forgo the frosty finish, even if it is the easiest to work with. I feel it cheapens my look at my age - I'm in my thirties! For a woman in the office in her twenties, I think that this would work rather nicely. Pigmentation is good, and staying power with a primer is good as well.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Gloss in Star Pink Review

This gloss is sticky! Too sticky. I usually do not mind some amount of stickiness, but this is over the top. I don't like it when I can feel my lips pull apart. Staying power is not so great considering how sticky it is. I would say 2.5 hours per application.

I can't say much about pigmentation as this color is a very pale pink. I can see it on me, but it's not a very strong color, so I don't think you can expect to see it much. It has glitter, but it's not obnoxious and obvious. I think that's because it's a transparent glitter. It has a pleasant slightly sweet scent that fades quickly after application, and no flavor that concerns me.

Also, I do not like glosses that come with a doe foot applicator. I just prefer the cleanliness of a squeeze tube. It's also very wasteful, as right now, I think that the tube i have still contains about half of the product that it came with, but I can't get any more out. The packaging is very pretty. The gold lip and lettering is very classy. But I would not buy it again.

Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover Review

I have read lots of raves about this product, and of course, since I'd never tried it, I didn't understand the cult following it has.

And now I understand. This is super effective. You need only a small amount, enough to wet enough of the surface of your cotton ball. That's all. Because you do not need to rub at all. Just gently wipe and all of your eye makeup will come off. Amazing. Now, full disclosure - I do not wear mascara. So, I do not know how this fares against mascara. However, I do wear eyeliner and shadow with eye primer. And with my usual eye makeup remover - chamomile eye makeup remover from the Body Shop, I need to swipe a few times and press a little bit. No pressing required with Bi-Facil. Just enough pressure to get the cotton ball against your eye.

Some removers leave a greasy feeling behind. As I recall, that's why I stopped using Covergirl's way back when. Bi-facil leaves a slightly greasy after feeling, which fades away rather quickly. I don't mind it. It's worth it for the amazing removing power it has.

I got this as a part of Lancome's 2011 Beauty Box. Would I purchase at full price? (Currently $26 for 4.2 oz.) I am not sure. With an adequate gift with purchase, I think I just might. We'll see how long a bottle lasts. A 8 oz bottle of Body Shop's lasts me for about 4 or 5 months. And retails for less. As I get older and find fine lines, I think that I may make this my go to remover, as it will help to prevent the need for rubbing around the eye area.

Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 review

I know that stickier gloss usually makes for longer wear, but this is much too sticky for me. The pink gloss that I got shows up at just clear and glossy. when I shake my head, many many strands of hair stick to my lips. I am so glad that I just had a small sample to use up, and that it's almost gone. Usually I feel guilty when I throw out something that is still usable, but I think I will get rid of this one, as it's close enough. The wear is ok, several hours, but the icky sticky factor is too high, I would never re-purchase this. My heart still belongs to Juicy Tubes. Even though I dislike re-application, I would rather have a thinner, less stick gloss to re-apply than deal with this. Zero stars, sorry Clinique. It's just not my cup of tea.