Moisturizers -L'Oreal - Ideal Moisture 48hr SPF25 Sensitive Skin
nyomya 1/20/2013 6:54:00 PM
I have oily skin and this day lotion doesn't make any oilier. Non-greasy, oil-free, and it has SPF25 for both UVA and UVB and claims 48 hours moisture. I wash my face at least twice a day so I can't prove that 48 hrs claim. No sun burn in the winter outings but obvious reason, this is not sufficient for summer beach trip. I paid $7 for 4oz bottle from CVS with regular price. I also bought "normal skin" version (no expiration date for SPF) and I got greasy face pretty fast. These must be new products, I can't find in many stores. Both bottles I bought are the last ones from the case (CVS locked them up). Both are made in USA, unlike most Olay products. I posted pictures above and you can also see ingredients.
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Moisturizers -L'Oreal - Ideal Moisture 48hr SPF25 Normal Skin
nyomya 1/20/2013 6:34:00 PM
I've oily skin and this is oil-free with SPF25 for both UVA/UVB but I got greasy face pretty fast. There is no expiration date for SPF!! The weather is still cold in the mid 50F today and I dust off with oil control powder. I walked along the river in the sun a couple of hours and no sun burn but not sure in the summer. It claim to have moisture for 48 hours but I wash my face at least twice a day so I can't confirm that :) It has very light scent and barely noticeable. I paid $7 for 4oz bottle from CVS with regular price. If you have combo skin, this may be good. Maybe also good under MU but when I walk, I don't want MU on my face. I also bought "sensitive skin" version and it is pretty good for oily skin. It has expiration date! These must be new products, I can't find in many stores. Both bottles I bought are the last ones from the case (CVS locked them up). Both are made in USA, unlike most Olay products. I posted pictures above and you can also see ingredients.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Salux Nylon Japanese Bath Towel
nyomya 9/7/2012 11:04:00 PM
Since this Salux towel is on the MUA’s “MUA Top Picks” page a couple of years ago, I tracked it down in the local Asian stores in DC metro area but could not find one. So I ordered one from Amazon.com and received fake Chinese towel. I complained to Amazon and they refunded the full $ and let me keep that Chinese towel. Some reasons, I did not throw away it and took it when I traveled to California last year. I could not take shower without a pouf mash sponge since I became adult (stocked up at Bath & Body Works’ semi-annual sales with ~ $2) it takes time to dry off when I travel. That Chinese towel dried off in ~ 10 min, which is about the time I spent for dressing up after shower. Anyway, I looked for authentic Japanese Salux at stores in San Jose’s Japantown. I did not find one so I bought some Korean made towels (not as good as Chinese towel) from Daiso (kind of Dollar store for Japanese products in CA). Finally, on my second trip to California in this spring, I found these Salux towels at "Marina" grocery from Union City. It is a Japanese grocery store (it also had very good Japanese sesame dressing!). I paid $4 each and bought every color from the shelf. So I finally compared it to fake Chinese towel from Amazon and actually, the fake one is not that bad. It is thinner than Salux and less rough in texture. I can’t use Salux daily in the shower as it is quite rough for my *thin* skin :). I used about 3 times a week. I also used on my face when I wore MU. I used regular face cleaner; usually L’Oreal gel and it deep cleans my long wearing MU without a trace. Of course, I rubbed gently on the face and I like it better than St. Ive’s Apricot face scrub. I rinse it well after each use and when I used on the face, I used it before the rest of the body. I also dropped it in the washer weekly and so far, so strong and I have happy face and healthy skin.
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Bath Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Epsom Salts
nyomya 9/7/2012 10:10:00 PM
I heard about Epsom salt from a colleague over 10 years ago. She had broken leg and walking with crutches and I mentioned her that I had blisters from new shoes. She told me to soak my feet with Epsom salt and that was what she did at nights to beat smells and pain of her broken leg. So on the way back home on that day, I bought a carton from CVS and also bought a fancy foot spa/bath/massage from Hecht’s (now Macy’s) near the office. I noticed the relief of my pain from the blisters after one soak. Since then, I soaked with Epsom salt to relief itch from insect bites (very itchy from ticks’ bites on the Appalachian Trail) before applying with grapeseed oil. It was way better than prescription lotion from the doctor. Of course, I had to take blood test after 6 weeks for Lyme disease. I also soak in the bath to relief muscle pain from various reasons such as intense hikes and menstrual cramps. I am not regular bath taker so I can’t use often but whenever I take bath, I tried to soak with Epsom salt. I keep a pack in the bathroom. When I take showers not long after coming back home from the sun (hot days), I rubbed with Epsom salt to my wet feet then start pouring/spraying water from the knees before shower. It relieves the heat from the body. I heard that any salt do the same but since I keep a pack of ES in the bathroom, why not use better salt. It is also a great rub for tired feet.
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Skincare - Body -Yves Rocher - Monoi De Tahiti Gardenia Oil
nyomya 8/17/2012 7:16:00 PM
I have my bottle quite a while now and I ordered by mail directly from YR... The package is not bad, a 3.4oz glass bottle with cap screw top. The scent is quite strong (like chemical fragrance... like your air freshener) for my taste but bearable. The major con I have is this is not pure "Monoi Tiare"! This is only 50% Monoi Tiare Tahiti and the rest is mineral oil. This oil also includes paraben. You can see full ingredients from the package here: http://img.makeupalley.com/8/3/7/3/2301664.JPG I should have known that before I placed my order. Well, I ordered from their catalog and it was not mentioned I would get 50% mixed mineral oil. Even today, I don't see Yves Rocher mentioned it on their website. What a rip off! This oil never harden even in East Coast's harsh winters. I felt quite greasy to apply to my hair and I don't bother apply for the second time. I recently bought Monoi Tiare (gardenia) Tahiti oil and it has mild natural fragrance scent. It doesn't have mineral oil or paraben. Picture of ingredient: http://img.makeupalley.com/8/3/7/3/2301656.JPG It has the 4 oz (0.6oz more than YR) in plastic bottle and I paid <$7 from vitacost, about half the price from $15 Yves Rocher charged. I feel a lot less greasy on my hair.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Home-made Refresher Spray (Fix + Dupe)
nyomya 8/11/2012 8:03:00 PM
I have oily skin and I also wanted something last longer so I followed MrsTefee's recipe with aloe vera gel. I have 2 brands at home: Trader Joe's, which is 99% and CVS brand is 100%. So I used CVS brand and also used CVS brand Vitamin E oil. Both are already at home for the past uses for insect bites and sun burn relief. I also have travel sized spray bottles from Dollar Tree (3 for $1). Filtered water is also free at home and so does my time :) I don't wear MU daily so I don't use this spray daily. That's why I wanted my spray last longer. This spray definitely made my MU last longer (I also used silicone gel as primer) and less powdery look. I have success with Revlon whipped cream and Missha BB cream in the ~100F heat weather. I have some home made MMU with lots of zinc and titanium oxide and this spray made natural look. I must give equal credit to silicone gel as primer... bought from TKB trading ($2.50 for 1 oz + shipping) but Coastal Scents has cheaper $. I just saw some reviews here at MUA that lavender oil is good to treat burns, cuts and acne and control oil so I am thinking of adding a couple of drops into my spray. I will update later. Smell will definitely be great. I already have lavender oil from Coastal Scents ($2.99 for 2 oz + shipping) and the site did not mentioned whether it is 100% or not but smell is good so I'll try it anyway.
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Polishes -Revlon - Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel
nyomya 7/6/2012 2:47:00 PM
I have 2, Blue Slate and Spanish Moss. So far, I have tried only Blue Slate. It is a different type of blue in my blue nail colors collection. Very opaque, just one coat between base and top coats is enough for me. I applied Ulta Silk Wrap base coat first and top with Seche Vite top coat. You can see my day 1 and day 9 pictures here: http://img.makeupalley.com/8/3/7/3/2277039.JPG http://img.makeupalley.com/8/3/7/3/2277037.JPG I have one chip on my left index finger. I wash dishes/pots and chopped veggies. I must have chopped my nail color ;P I love Colorstay nail colors more than regular Revlon nails, speed nails, etc. Lasting quality is significant. So does the price! Bottom line: very long lasting as "colorstay" name applied.
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Polishes -Revlon - Colorstay - Blue Slate
nyomya 7/6/2012 2:41:00 PM
Different type of blue in my blue nail colors collection. Very opaque, just one coat between base and top coats is enough for me. I applied Ulta Silk base coat first and top with Seche Vite top coat. You can see my day 1 and day 9 pictures here: http://img.makeupalley.com/8/3/7/3/2277039.JPG http://img.makeupalley.com/8/3/7/3/2277037.JPG I have one chip on my left index finger. I wash dishes/pots and chopped veggies. I must have chopped my nail color ;P I love Colorstay nail colors more than regular Revlon nails, speed nails, etc. Lasting quality is significant. So does the price! Bottom line: very long lasting as "colorstay" name applied.
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Styling Products -Got 2 Be - Oil-licious Calm & Shine Styling Oil
nyomya 7/6/2012 2:07:00 PM
I got mine from RiteAid too... ~ $1 after some rewards back. I have medium thickness of shoulder length fine Asian hair and it is natural wavy without any coloring. Just healthy hair but greasy easily so I don't use styling products. In the summer, I usually wash with 2-in-1 shampoo and skip conditioner. I applied a few drops to my towel dry hair, comb and let air dry. I wash my hair every other day and I don't get greasy hair. But in the ingredient list, silicone is on the top of the list, Cyclopentasiloxane (cyclomethicone) and dimethiconol dimethcone before argan oil (see pictures above). This oil is very similar to Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine new formula with Argan oil. The difference is just color of the oil, this G2B has yellow whereas GF has clear color. G2B has sort of perfumed scents and GF has usual fruit scents. Both scents disappeared after applying in the hair. Both have the same effects but you can get ~1oz more in GF. Packing is not great, easy to get pour a lot, in addition to cheap feeling. I also have grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil but can't use those as I can get oily in less than 24 hours. I know natural oils are good, out of question to compare to silicone based oils.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Unlisted Brand - Scunci No-slip Grip Evolution Opaque Jelly Ponytailers
nyomya 7/6/2012 1:35:00 PM
I got mine in bright colors (one with red, yellow, etc. and another with mauve, purple and blacks in 3 pieces of each color) when CVS offered BOGO and $1 off coupon. I did not expect miracle but I love what I bought. I have medium thickness of fine hair above shoulder length. I sometimes have two tails and sometimes have one tail. Never got pull off or tangles. Very comfortable throughout sweaty workout sessions. No hair was attached to my bands whenever I took of. I have mine over a month now. I keep two yellow bands in the bathroom and used daily and they are still in shape; NOT losing the grip. I have several ponytailers from high-end such as FranceLuxe to low-end of Goody and Scunci. Theses are definitely keepers... I am wearing mauve and purple on my hair right now :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock spf 70
nyomya 4/25/2011 10:04:00 PM
My former lover Sofina Perfect UV SPF 50 + PA +++ was traveling around the world before arriving to me so I was looking for something closer to me... I found this Neurtogena SS from MUA. It is very similar with plus sides of cheaper price, easy to get it locally, and made in USA. I can also catch on sales and use coupons. I have oily skin and it is very hard to get the right SS. I read in the reviews that this Neutrogena SS is not as good as Sofina for controlling oil but I have solution: DIY home-made primer to control my super oily face. It is a mixture of silica and a bit of calcium carbonate, and magnesium myrsistate (same as in MoM), cheaply available @ TKB Trading and Coastal Scents. Tests in the sun for longer hours of hiking with lot of sweats: Alpha Hydrox gel as base before this SS followed by DIY primer, a bit of Revlon Color Stay powder and I am good for the sun including pictures :) I always apply AHA before chemical SS to avoid breakouts. I also use Apple Cider Vinegar as toner at nights. I don't use this SS daily unless I have longer time outdoors. So far so good for last summer and this spring.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Colorburst (All colors)
nyomya 4/25/2011 8:57:00 PM
I've 5 these in 4 colors: BORDEAUX (berry/plummy color), FIRE (red), STRAWBERRY (pinkish coral with sparkles, no red as strawberry), and SIENNA SPARKLE (brownish/copperish brown). Bordeax is my favorite and I've 2 (one for purse and one at home) and it's the most flattering on my face. I haven't tried Fire yet...keeping it for my hot dates. It is easy to apply and sort of OK for lasting power as I often sip water. I must say Bordeax is also sexy... be careful if you are NOT in the mood for flirting. It can send the wrong signals :)
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Polishes -OPI - Greenwich Village
nyomya 4/25/2011 2:44:00 PM
I had 2 coats between base and top coats. Beautiful green for my medium/tan in the sun skin tone. (see the pic with flowers above). As usual with OPI's quality for lasting. I was afraid of trying green on my skin tone but now, I am in love :)
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - $1 Dollar Days Make-up Remover Wipes
nyomya 4/25/2011 2:21:00 PM
I found this "alcohol free" 3 in 1 MU remover wipes from Dollar Days section of a dollar store (can't remember the name but I guess that it is Dollar Tree in Georgetown, Delaware) a couple of years ago and loved it. But could not find them until recently found at Rite Aid, CVS, and Staples (yes, it's Staples and I think you can also find at Office Depot) in Dollar Deal section. Please note, they are hidden in the $ deal section of drugstores. There are two types: pale green for dry skin and yellow for combo/oily skin. I bought yellow (Rite Aid recently had sales for only 88 cents so I picked up 10 with exp. date in June 2012). It removed my sweat/waterproof sunscreen, MU, and waterproof deodorant (Secret Clinical Strength) without any greasy leftover or breakouts. Very handy and useful for my camping/backpacking trips when I could not get shower daily. No strong perfumy scents to attract insects or bears! I keep my open package in zip-lock bag to get airtight. Over a week ago, I had camping trip where there was no shower or toilet facility (only chemical outhouse) at George Washington National Forest. I was very unfortunate to have my period! Needless to say, these little wipes helped my sanitary. See pics and ingredients above.
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Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Max Block Sunscreen Lotion with Aloe Vera SPF30
nyomya 4/25/2011 2:00:00 PM
I found this from Dollar Tree with only $1 and it is made in USA! I was skeptical when I bought this but its UVA/UVB protection with "very water & sweat resistant" for 4 oz. so I just took a risk. I am glad to find this hidden gem :) Very sweat resistant without too much white cast. I did not get sunburn in the 85+F humid sun while hiking yesterday. I was sweating all over and wiped often with Kleenex but I guess I had enough sun protection. No breakout so far. Not greasy either. I did not use on my face as I am afraid of breakouts but I did apply to my ears, neck, and hands. My fellow hikers forgot to apply sunscreen so I let them use generously. Nobody complaint about greasy face or breakouts. Love my $1 investment! I removed my SS with $1 Dollar Days MU Remover Wipes (see my separate review with pics). See ingredients in the pics above.
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