Moisturizers -La Mer - Creme de la mer moisturizer
janet1028 11/15/2009 11:25:00 PM
I tried this years ago when I was in my early 30's and it just didn't do it for me. But now that I am 54, this is the perfect moisturizer. Obviously I'm just adding the same comments as the rest of the fans! But I will say that you MUST follow the correct application procedure. If you just try to spread it over your skin like a lightweight product, you'll have problems and it will feel like Crisco. You must warm it in your hands (essentially liquifying it) and PRESS it onto your skin. If that seems like too much of a hassle, don't bother because you won't get good results. And really, it's not for girls in their twenties or even thirities. It is way too rich.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Sensational Pink Me Up
janet1028 11/3/2009 11:50:00 AM
LOVE THIS! All of the other reviewers have described the color so I won't bother. I actually like this better than my Chanel lipstick. In fact, I bought several of the pinks in this line because the colors are EXCELLENT and from looking at the other color families (that I normally wouldn't wear), they look beautiful as well! I know that this lipstick line is going to pull end all of you high-end buyers if you'll just give it a try!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Sensational Let Me Pink
janet1028 11/3/2009 11:46:00 AM
LOVE THIS! I am a NW15 and this looks great! Very creamy application, good staying power and the case looks high-end! What a deal for $7.00!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Lancome - Oscillation Powerfoundation
janet1028 11/3/2009 11:44:00 AM
This is an interesting mineral foundation. It has a stated SPF of 21, but that is sort of negated by the sheer application - so I wouldn't count on it. I am an NW15 and am using the Ivory 10. So the deal is that there is a little motor in the handle that is supposed to spread the foundation evenly via a soft sponge applicator. And guess what? It works! My frustration with mineral foundations has always been the brush/buff application method. And the density of the powder. Lancome has developed a product that addresses both of those issues. The powder is very fine so I am not left with mineral base face. And the application is simple. However, it runs about $48 for not a whole lot of product. I am anxious to see how long this really lasts. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a light mineral foundation - and your budget allows - give this a try. The color range is excellent for those of us who are very fair. I use this over SkinCeuticals Physical Barrier sunscreen and it looks just fine.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Boots - Expert Sensitve Hydrating Serum
janet1028 11/3/2009 11:34:00 AM
LOVE THIS! I've switched to this whole line because I am having great, great results. This serum is exceptional with no breakouts. It wears well under makeup and can be used around the eyes. There are no extras like retinol in here rather it is just a very good basic moisturizer. I use it instead of the companion moisturizers for day/evening. And I also use the cleansing/toning wipes. This is around $7.00 at Target. I'm on my fourth bottle. It is packaged in a pump bottle.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Boots - Expert Sensitive Cleansing & Toning Wipes
janet1028 11/3/2009 11:29:00 AM
BUY THESE CLOTHS! I've tried dozens (hundreds?) of cleansers over the years: from Dove to La Mer and FINALLY I found what works for me! These are wet wipes packaged in a pull-tab bag. The cloth is soft yet tough enough to remove makeup, even serious eye makeup, without shredding. The cleanser is fragrance free and - for me - replaces toner and cleanser. I am pale with sensitive skin and rosacea. Last winter, I used Cerave with a washcloth but was still left with facial redness and some annoying tiny clear bumps along my jaw line that I could not heal. Perhaps it is a combination of (any) cleanser and the hard water in my area, but I found that when I started using these cloths and not rinsing my skin with water, all of my problems disappeared. REALLY! The price is right - $4.49/bag - but I still use a liquid eye makeup remover as to not waste extra cloths on my eyes.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Ted Gibson - Daily Cleanse
janet1028 10/30/2009 8:13:00 PM
From the reviews, this looks like another "love it or hate it" product. I have short, color-treated hair. I paid just under $20 per bottle for the shampoo and conditioner at Target. But unlike other writers, I cannot stand the scent. And if I don't use the conditioner, my hair gets frizzy. I've never had frizzy hair: I could use a bar of soap and not have frizzy hair, so it must be an ingredient in this product. I've used it for just over two weeks and I feel that I have some residue left that I can't rinse out. (And I don't use styling products, so it must be this.) I HATE wasting this kind of money on products, so - if you are reading this - don't make the same mistake. It is far too expensive to simply give this a "test drive." Experiment with the less than $5 shampoo!
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Eye Makeup Remover -Paula's Choice - Gentle Touch Makeup Remover
janet1028 10/30/2009 7:58:00 PM
When I saw that this was a bi-phase remover, I thought, "I'm going to hate this." However, I love it. It does the job without leaving any residue. And because I use Boot's Extra Facecloths for cleaning, I need a make-up remover that doesn't require it's own cleanser. My only complaint - like the other writers - is that the bottle is too small for the price. It lasts me about six weeks when I use it on a daily basis. I find that true with the Paula's Choice products that I like: small amount for the price.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer
janet1028 10/30/2009 7:54:00 PM
Like the rest of the reviewers, I love this product. Honestly, I was skeptical. I've used other Paula's Choice moisturizers and have always thought, "Meh!" but this is exceptional. I have sensitive, rosacea skin and everything irritates me in some form or another - either breakouts or more redness. Not this! Plus one pump covers your whole face. My skin is amazingly soft. I can use it under foundation and - best of all - I don't need any other products (except for sunscreen during the day). No extra serums, no extra eye creams, no extra lip balm.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF15
janet1028 10/17/2009 10:21:00 PM
Is it so hard to make a lightweight, reasonably-priced mineral sunscreen? Yep, I guess it is. This is okay...but it is only SPF 15 and even Paula says that it isn't adequate. Like many of us, I break out from every sunscreen. (Seriously, think about what is in this stuff!) And this was no different (sorry, Paula!) so for what it's worth, I am now using sunscreen #356: Olay Complete SPF 30 Defense for Sensitive Skin. It has 6.0% zinc oxide plus a cast of chemical sunscreens but the price is right (about $12) and I don't look like a salami.
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Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - La Coupe Fragrance Free Shampoo
janet1028 10/17/2009 10:11:00 PM
This is a Canadian shampoo that I purchased at Ulta. If you are looking for a fragrance-free shampoo, I've found this one and Paul's Choice Body Wash/Shampoo. This is a good shampoo. But I have short hair and just about anything will work. There are no bells and whistles but it does the job.
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Skincare - Body -Paula's Choice - Close Comfort Shave Gel
janet1028 10/17/2009 10:03:00 PM
I've used shave gels on and off over the years. I do think they give me a closer shave but the scent has been overwhelming and/or the product doesn't wash off easily so I just give up and use water. (I've also tried hair conditioner - too slick!). Because it was unscented, I added this to my Paula's Choice order and...wow!...I like it! It gives you a smooth shave. It washes off fast with no residue. It spreads quickly without the aggravation of having to wash foam/gel off of your hands before you start shaving. It doesn't clog the blades of my razor. I can use it while standing in the shower without fear of breaking my neck.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Collection Essentielle De Chanel
janet1028 10/17/2009 9:51:00 PM
Technically this is called "Collection Essentielle De Chanel" or Multi-use Makeup Palette for Face-Lips-Eyes. Chanel comes out with new palettes every year but THIS is the best because it contains three eye shadows (beige, medium brown, and raisin/brown), a cream blush (pinky brown), two (quite glimmery) lip glosses and one (rose) lip cream and two (light and medium) cream concealers. It comes in a velvet cloth case with three decent applicators, a large mirror and it is priced at $85. Simply put, it is FABULOUS! If you find yourself trying to carry the basics or you are simply tired of a drawer full of color cosmetics (that would be me), this product is for you. Granted, these are small portions of the products but you won't be needing brushes for application. The eye shadows are (finally Chanel!) non-iridescent and the deepest shade can easily be used as an eye-liner. The previous palettes seemed to be created for holiday/vacation wear: in other words, lots of shine. But this is neutral enough for everyday wear. As always, the shadows are as smooth as silk and the colors stay true.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Sally Hansen - Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Your Skin Foundation
janet1028 10/6/2009 5:26:00 PM
Sally Hansen/Carmindy have done a great job of creating a fabulous, reasonably-priced foundation with wonderful colors. I am an NW15 and have had a heck of a time finding a good foundation that doesn't break the bank. Porcelain is perfect for me: the coverage is excellent, it hides my rosacea and stays on for the day. It comes in a pump bottle (!) that allows you to easily control the amount of foundation you use. I am a fan of Carmindy - she does a beautiful job making up "real" women on "What Not To Wear" - and she has put that know-how into a solid line of products.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Aveda - Aveda Inner-Light Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF15
janet1028 9/7/2009 3:33:00 PM
I read through the comments before writing my own and I think it is helpful to a would-be buyer to treat this product as a tinted sunscreen rather than a tinted moisturizer. In other words, don't try to put anything on top of it. Treat it as a stand-alone product you would wear to the beach or outdoors on a casual day. It contains 4.4% titanium dioxide. This stuff won't blend! And yes, it does look "shiny" - but not horribly so - as It is a mineral sunblock. If your day-to-day routine is sunscreen and out the door, then you'll like this product. If you want to wear blush, try Aveda's stick (creme) blush. I am pale and wear Aspen/01. It's paler than Clinique's City Base (which NEVER disappears on me as the SA swears it will) but does have a whiteish cast. The shade is neutral without a yellow or pink undertone. Needless to say, of course this will break some people out. That's a fact about all products. But on the plus side is that the scent is SO much better than many suncare products: that proverbial Aveda-scent. It's more widely available (assuming there is at least one Aveda salon near you) than many other brands, the color choice is thoughtful (they look like skin colors), and the packaging is great with a flip-top tube and tiny product opening. I use this on my face and Aveda's Dual Nature sunscreen (titanium dioxide/zinc oxide) on my neck. I'd rather deal with a pimple or two rather than skin cancer. And the chemical sunscreens just don't work for me. I wish they would as they are so much less expensive.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No