Tried and tested Beauty Buzz

I gotta have my lip fix!!!

2008-12-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

In my last poll, an overwhelming majority chose "lipstick" as the one item of makeup that they absolutely need to put on before they step out. "Mascara" and "pressed powder" took second and third place respectively.

Elizabeth Arden's Color Intrigue Lipstick

2008-11-07T08:57:00.001-08:00

Rating- 2 stars
Price- It retails for $18.
Claims- "Delivers tons of rich color, yet weighs next to nothing. Vitamin-enriched. Lip caressing."
Verdict- Dry and unappealing

Review
Although the color is rich and intense (the shade I tried was "Max" which is a lovely purplish color), the lipstick is rather dry. Of course, since the finish is matte, it lasts a long time. But since it is not particularly moisturizing, it has a slightly unnatural look. Of course, if you wear a lip gloss over it, it looks really good.
The packaging is black plastic and doesn't do enough justice to the lipsticks or the Elizabeth Arden brand. Some of the shades though are quite unique.I like the shades but not the feel. A good lipstick should not only look good but also make the wearer feel good!
There is a new range of lipsticks launched by Elizabeth Arden called "Color Intrigue Effects" lipstick which I plan to try out.

Biore Cleansing Oil Make-up Remover sheets

2008-11-07T04:15:00.000-08:00

Rating- 3.5 stars
Price- The product comes in a box or in refill packs of 36 sheets or 10 sheets. I picked up mine in Singapore for 10SGD.
Claims- "Skin cleansing and make up removing."
Verdict- Reasonably good but not the best out there!!

Review
Any girl (or guy!! the world is changing) worth her salt knows that going to bed with makeup on is a definite no-no! The makeup would clog pores and cause blackheads. Besides not properly removing your eye makeup and all that thickly coated waterproof mascara, can cause eye infections.

Biore Cleansing oil Make-up Remover sheets are pretty good and can be used for the entire face. The sheets come in a pink container that can be reused. The sheets themselves are white in color and pre-moistened. It is quite good and removes makeup adequately. However, for waterproof mascara, you need to apply the sheet several times before your eyelashes are completely cleaned.

My only grouse is that the sheet is small and sometimes, 1 sheet is not enough for the entire face.

Biore is of course made by the Japanese company Kao and I find it strangely amusing that these cleansing sheets are made in Japan whereas my high-tech Sony camera is not!!

The pink line is meant for use in Asia and is available in Japan and other Asian countries.

In the US, the line is more limited and has only a few options.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick

2008-11-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

Rating- 5 stars
Price- The product comes in their chraceristic gold packaging and retails for around $22.However, Estee Lauder frequently has promotions especially during the Holidays where lipstick sets retail for $35 with 5 lipsticks in it. 1 lipstick is only $7!!! How cool is that? But, the pure color crystal is the most expensive of their lipsticks and there is only one of these in the lipstick sets.
Claims- "This incredible formula glides onto lips with daring shine. Cool crystalline shades dazzle with brilliant dimensional effects as this delicately fragranced lipstick gives off a fresh fig scent. Even the case is striking. "
Verdict- Glides on wonderfully and no need for a lip gloss

Review
This is a very rich lipstick and it feels very comforting and moisturizing to put it on. It packs enough shine by itself so there is no need to add on a gloss. Actually, I prefer wearing a lipstick like this rather than applying sticky, gooey gloss. Has anyone had the traumatic experience of lipgloss having leaked out while carrying it in the purse? :-( Needless to say, not an experience I would like to repeat.

Which is what brings me to Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick. Phew!! What a mouthful! So far, I have tried the shade "Ripe Papaya" which is a pinkish natural shade and is ideal for work.

Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Review

2008-11-02T11:38:00.001-08:00

Rating- 5 stars
Price- The product comes in a several sizes- 1.7 ounce (50ml) brown glass bottle and retails for around $46.5.
Claims- "Visibly repairs past damage
Helps protect skin's future .Delivers high levels of long-proven hyaluronic acid, nature's "moisture magnet." Locks in moisture to create the ideal environment for healthy skin."
Verdict- A fantastic product but hard on the wallet

Review
I received a sample of this (7ml) in part of the Gift with purchase. This is probably how they land their ardent followers of this product hook, line and sinker.
This is one of the best products I have ever tried. It just makes your face glow, soothens dry spots and when you get up in the morning, the skin looks really luminous.
This has a distinctive smell, although not unpleasant. It smells more like fermented "something". The hydrating effects are due to a high concentration of hyaluronic acid.
It's recommended for usage both morning and night. After dabbing it over your face, you need to put a moisturizer over it.
This is an amazing product and I did buy a full-size product of it after I finished my sample in 7 days. So if I finished 7ml in 7 days (using both AM and PM), 365 days would mean 365ml. That works out to about 8 bottles of this. And 8 bottles would mean about $372. Almost $1 per day... And this is just the serum! Add my moisturizer, eye cream, cleanser and other sundries!! Gee whiz! Why does a girl get to do the hard work? :-)
Anyway, using this product is very sensuous because when you actually massage your skin a bit so that it gets soaked in.

The Body Shop's Cassis Rose Eau de Toilette

2008-10-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

Rating- 3.5 stars
Price- The product comes in a 1 ounce clear pink bottle and retails for around $13. It's a steal if you buy it with the Cassis rose body lotion as a set when they run that offer.
Claims- "Fragrance personality: Vivacious and flirty, this vibrant and radiant fruity floral fragrance will instantly brighten your mood with its playfulness.
Top notes: raspberry, black currant
Middle notes: rose, freesia, violet
Base notes: musk, sandalwood, cedar"
Verdict- A fresh scent ideal for every day use

I have tried several of the Body shop's scents but only this one seems to be any good... It has a delicious and fresh rose smell and smells similar to Yardley talcum powder. Layering it on with the Cassis Rose cream is one way to seal in the perfume for a little while.
This scent uplifts your spirits. The only drawback is that it does not last too long. But then again, it's a eau de toilette!

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish Review

2008-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Rating- 5 stars
Price- The product comes in a 6.75 ounce tube and retails for around $20.
Claims- "Cleanse and exfoliate with a foaming, gel-based scrub that has crushed walnut shells and kiwi seeds and a light strawberry scent."
Verdict- A yummy body scrub that is temptingly delicious

Review
I was rather skeptical when I plonked down a $12 to buy this product (it was on a special sale). After all, body scrubs are aplenty and what did this one have to offer except for a strong strawberry scent?

Well, I was proved wrong!! This is such a delicious product to use in the shower and the crushed walnet shells and kiwi seeds in the scrub makes it oh-so-different from the run-of-the-mill apricot scrubs! The only side effect of this scrub is that it makes you loath to leave the shower. And the scent is purely divine!!

Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream Review

2008-10-27T01:21:00.000-07:00

Rating- 2 stars
Price- The product comes in a 0.5 ounce jar and retails for around $38.
Claims- "Targets the appearance of eye-area lines and wrinkles. Sustains antioxidants. Strengthens vulnerable skin. For a brighter, vibrant, refreshed look."
Verdict- A name too mouthful for a very average product.

Review
The texture of the cream is creamy and a bit thicker than the usual eye cream consistency. It is white in color and unscented.
Although this product lasts and lasts, it just gives very average results. It is a nice moisturizing eye cream but you don't feel the immediate hydration effect that Clinique's All about eyes gives to the eye area. If this product is meant to target only wrinkles, I would not be the best judge for that. But it does not refresh or brighten the eye area. So I can vouch for that! However, it does not irritate the eye area and for somebody who just wants to apply a moisturizer to the eye area without targeting any problems like wrinkles, dark circles, etc, this might be suitable. But there are probably cheaper alternatives out there... I would not buy this again.