Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
judibean 11/10/2012 11:18:00 PM
I tried a sample of this and won't be purchasing the full version. It is too silicone-heavy for me. Also, based on the way it spreads, it feels like I would need to use a lot to cover my entire face each time. I like that it sinks in, has no scent, and leaves the face matte and not tacky-feeling. It gets 3 stars for that, but again, I can't get past the fact that this is a thick silicone product and not a watery gel. The first ingredient is water, but it definitely doesn't feel like it! I did feel like it was moisturizing enough, but I have combination skin with a very oily T zone.
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Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF 30 + Antioxidants
judibean 11/10/2012 11:08:00 PM
I have been using this for 6 months now so I feel I can speak to it pretty well. LOVE IT! I use it solely on my face. It hits all of my criteria: - cosmetically-elegant texture - leaves an almost matte finish - slightly dewy - barely noticeable white cast - no perfume scent - feels it protects better than other physical sunblocks I've used (e.g., Pratima Neem Rose) - easier to wash off than all the other physical sunblocks I've tried (I still use DHC cleansing oil to wash off everything at night just to be sure I clean out those pores) - inexpensive - don't know how this is possible, but one tube used daily on the face lasted 6 months!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion
judibean 11/7/2012 10:09:00 PM
I can't get past the smell from the sample I got. It is like cucumber, but *off* in some way, and it lingers on the face to the point where I want to wash the lotion off just to get rid of the smell! What I do like about it is that it soaks into the skin and doesn't make my face shiny. However, I can't see myself buying the full size tube because of the scent. I am also going to try the skin balancing moisture gel and hope that one has no scent. Will post a review soon.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Tweezerman - Foot File
judibean 7/2/2012 8:16:00 PM
I got the Soul Mates foot file and smoother that are packaged like a yin yang magnetized unit. It is pretty gimmicky, but both tools are ergonomic and so much better on my hands (and hand muscles!) than the flat file I've been using. The smoother is the callus remover. It does a decent job removing calluses, but not perfect. That is where the file comes in. After I'm done with both, I truly have sandal-worthy feet I can be proud of!
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Treatments (Eye) -Neutrogena - Ageless Essentials Continuous Hydration Eye Cream
judibean 7/2/2012 8:11:00 PM
I am really fond of this eye cream since it seems to sink into the skin rather than sit on top as a greasy, shiny layer. It seems to be moisturizing, but I guess the real test will be in the winter when my skin is more dry. I've used it for 2 months now and haven't notice any long-term improvements. I have some slight crepiness on my eyelids and those are still around. I don't have full-on wrinkles or dark circles so I can't speak to that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Everyday Minerals - New Flat Top Brush
judibean 7/2/2012 8:02:00 PM
I love this brush! I currently use this as my finishing powder brush. For me, it has the right equation of softness, hair density, and diameter. I can't believe I didn't discover flat top brushes until now. I much prefer them over the dome-shaped ones because they don't throw powder all over the place.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Burnout Kids SPF32
judibean 7/2/2012 7:47:00 PM
This is my HG body sunblock for the summer weekends when I am out in the sun for hours at a time. I have gone through quite a few physical sunblocks before finding this one. It has a lotion consistency for easy application, and although the zinc content is at a very high 18%, it doesn't leave me looking like I am coated in physical sunblock. There is only a slight whitish cast that could be mistaken for my actual skintone. It also dries to a matte finish, rather than the greasy messes that I've had to deal with before. There is a slight tackiness to the skin, and I wouldn't want to rub my arms on anything too vigorously for fear it might leave a mark, but again, miles better than anything I've tried. I only wish it wasn't so expensive for a body sunscreen. At 3.4 ounces, you are really talking 4 applications at most if you are following the "1 oz per use" rule.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Ultra gentle soothing lotion SPF 15
judibean 7/2/2012 7:35:00 PM
I don't actually use this for my face - I use it as a body sunscreen on days when I'm out running errands and want a little protection from the sun. This is the sunscreen I've been looking for for years - it's a true lotion that happens to have sunscreen built in. As a lotion, it sinks into the skin and doesn't leave the telltale greasiness of sunscreen. It also applies very smoothly. I can't speak for the sensitive skin feature of this sunscreen since I don't use it consistently.
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Treatments -Philosophy - Miracle Worker Dark Spot Corrector
judibean 6/12/2012 6:49:00 PM
I have been using this for the past 4 months every night to deal with some sunspots on my cheeks. It has done nothing to lighten the spots. However, it does live up to its claim as a face brightener. My skintone is more even, giving me less reason to put makeup on. Hence the 3 stars. Still, I bought it for my spots, so no, I will not buy it again since it failed in that department.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -DHC - Eye Bright
judibean 5/7/2012 10:14:00 PM
I'm pretty neutral on this, but that may be because I'm not the target customer for this product, so take this review with that in mind. This product is meant to address puffiness and dark circles, and I don't really have those issues. I do however, have some crepiness on my eyelids, so I sampled this for over a week to see whether it did anything for that. It does moisturize well for a gel, and it keeps moisturizing the entire day. The crepiness is minimized. The thing is, the ingredient that moisturizes—sodium hyaluronate—does so on a temporary basis. It doesn't do anything to improve the skin or lessen the crepiness over time. I will be looking for an eye cream that promises to increase collagen instead.
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Primer/ Corrector -DHC - Velvet Skin Coat
judibean 5/7/2012 9:49:00 PM
People with large pores and oily skin seem to love this primer. I am pretty surprised since I have the same skin issues, but this one disappointed me. It smooths out my skin very nicely at the beginning, but my skin starts to produce a megawatt shine within 3 hours along the T-zone where I'm oiliest. I expect better than that from a primer that claims to "keep oil in check." Frankly, I also expect much more given that the product is $40 per ounce, making it the most expensive primer I've tried to date.
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Primer/ Corrector -Too Faced - Primed and Poreless Pure
judibean 5/7/2012 9:38:00 PM
This is the newest primer from Too Faced in the white tube that is meant for sensitive or oily/combo skin. I got a generous sample from Sephora to play with, and much to my dismay, it does not work any better than the original formula. In fact, I would say that it has two things that make it slightly worse. First, the weird smell that doesn't go away. It smells like a petroleum product that is about to go bad. It's possible I got a bad batch since the sample did come from a tester rather than from a new tube. Second, it doesn't seem to cover my pores as well as the original. That could be because it is an opaque colorless gel, whereas the other one has a tint and is more putty-like. I've tried other primers and would say that this one is no better than any others. Well, maybe it stays on matte a little longer, I'll give it that much. I still prefer the original formula though.
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Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
judibean 5/7/2012 9:21:00 PM
I requested a catalog from DHC so that I could try a number of samples of their bestsellers, including this oil cleanser. It was a tiny packet, but I was able to use it for two nights. Having used Softymo, I will compare DHC against that cleanser (you can see my review of Softymo in my profile). In a nutshell, DHC has a more natural, subdued olive oil scent and it rinses cleaner (less "film" residue on the face). I had been using Softymo for awhile, but have now switched over to DHC for taking off physical sunscreen and makeup.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -First Aid Beauty - Ultra Repair Cream
judibean 5/7/2012 9:10:00 PM
Each winter, I develop a dime-size red dry patch on my left cheek that doesn't go away with normal moisturizer. I don't know if it is technically called eczema, but let's just say that it is more than the occasional dry skin that others experience. I got a sample of this from Sephora and figured I would try it out on the one spot. Since I applied sparingly, I got about a week's worth out of the sample and at the end of that time, my patch disappeared! I was flabbergasted since nothing else has been as effective. I will be buying this when winter rolls around again - most likely the tube and not the tub since I am a germaphobe.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
judibean 5/7/2012 8:43:00 PM
I tried a sample of this and really don't understand the use of silicone as a base for an antioxidant serum. When applied, the thick gel glides smoothly over the skin, but it feels like it's just sitting on my face doing nothing. I like that it has no scent, but it also leaves a tacky feeling that doesn't go away. I am still on the hunt for an antioxidant serum that soaks into the skin.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No