Blush -Maybelline - Dream Mousse Blush in Pink Frosting [DISCONTINUED]
hoku 2/21/2006 9:54:00 AM
I bought this yesterday because of all the great reviews.. I love it! I've been a loyal powder blush user for 3 years, but recently I noticed that it just doesn't look the same on me anymore. Just for a bit of background, I am 19, chinese (fair/medium skinned with freckles), acne-prone. This blush is soo lightweight, yet it lasts long, and it blends so well, the colour looks like my natural blush, like I'd gotten 15 hours of sleep! I just use my fingers to blend it in, I just make sure I wash my hands really well beforehand. I feel so pretty when I wear this! *^^* I'd definitely repurchase!
It was about $9 (CAN) at Zellers.
EDIT: I think this product is making me break out :( sad, cuz I really liked this... However, if I wear some acne medication under this (salicylic acid gel or benzoyl peroxide gel) it's fine.
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Toners -H20 - Marine Toner
hoku 9/25/2005 12:15:00 AM
I really like this toner; I've used all sorts of toners from Neutrogena, Avon, Proactiv... and either they were too harsh (Neutrogena and Avon contained alcohol and burned) or they felt really weird (Proactiv was alcohol free, but made my skin feel sticky). This one did none of the above.
This toner is alcohol free and it contains multivitamins and sea extracts. The smell of the toner is wonderful, and it is very effective at removing dead skin and whatever my cleanser left behind. It makes my skin smooth and soft, and I feel that it purifies my pores... it's never made me break out. Also, it doesn't strip your skin of moisture! My skin gets dehydrated very easily, and other toners dry me out, but not this one. In fact, it helps re-moisterize my skin at night before I put on my moisturizer and acne stuff. I only use this toner at night, since I can't be bothered in the morning to do another step, but I love it all the same! :)
It's only $24.50 (CAN), which is a rather reasonable price, when you think about the quantity of product you receive (237 mL), when other companies like Clinique and Estee Lauder make you pay obscene amount of money for a small bottle. I'm definitely repurchasing this product! *^^*
EDIT: Not liking this that much anymore; won't repurchase.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Spectro Jel 609
hoku 9/5/2005 12:47:00 PM
Description: a 200 mL bottle with a flip-type kind of cap. A pearlescent gel cleanser with no foam or distinct smell to speak of. I have the one with the purple label (for sensitive/problem prone skin, unfragranced).
I had been using Neutrogena Deep Clean for about a month and a half, and I started to find it really drying. I tend to have drier skin around my mouth, so I was desperate to find something that would clean my combination skin but not be drying.
I read the reviews for this product, and actually, I had bought this before about a year ago, but used it only once. I thought it broke me out, and threw it away! So I bought it again ($5.80 at Walmart) and used it, rubbing it into wet skin for about 30 seconds. It really is great at cleansing without drying. :D I do not find it irritating at all, and it rinses off easily. While I do not feel it leaves my skin "silky" smooth, it's still a great product. I'll definitely repurchase!
EDIT: [09.12.05] This works even better with a wash cloth! Rub spectrojel into your skin for 30 seconds, then rinse off with a soft face cloth... your skin will be soo smooth! *^^* The pH of this is 4.5-- I tested it on litmus paper.
EDIT: [07.15.06] I strayed from Spectro Jel in June, (because my skin got really oily) but now I have come back to it, and I still love it!
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Masks -Got 2 Be - In Your Face Pure Intent Clay Masque
hoku 8/28/2005 12:05:00 AM
I didn't notice the stinging sensation that other reviewers noted... I applied a thin layer (just as the instructions noted) and let it dry for more than it said on the bottle. Instead of only 10 minutes, I left it on for like 30. When I rinsed it off, my skin felt really smooth and soft, and it was slightly reddish-pink. The redness went away after 15 minutes, so I'm not worried.
It really helped reduce the size of the pores on my nose, and everywhere else and reduced the oil buildup on my chin. I had these flesh coloured bumps there before, that were not pimples, but they were just there. After using this mask, they are gone! I even feel that this mask has helped firm up my skin. Aside from the Kaolin clay and the avocado and rosemary, this mask also contains several vitamins (like vitamins A and E) and various fruit extracts.
The smell is a little strange, not as yummy as the "pore me" scrub (which I love!), but I can deal with it. It was $5 here in Canada, so I'm definitely buying again!
EDIT [04.28.06]: I find that it works best when you but a blob between your fingers, rub your fingers together (to make it spread out) and then massage it into your face as if you were using a scrub. Yes, it does tingle/burn more this way, but it works sooo much better!! HG!!
EDIT june 30, 2007: I have found the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask to be better than this one, so I won't repurchase this. However, I do still believe this is a good product.
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Cleansers -Ponds - Deep Cleanser Cold Cream
hoku 8/17/2005 4:30:00 PM
I just bought this for $9.09 CAN (plus tax) and from what I can tell, it doesn't really have much of a scent at all. It feels a little strange at first, but it really does make my skin feel very comfortable after rinsing. My face doesn't feel tight, like it sometimes does after using my regular cleanser (Neutrogena Deep Clean gel) but I wouldn't use this for every day. Even though it is advertised to be non-comedogenic, I only would save this for a few times a week, at night only... jsut because I am very sceptical and nervous about using things with mineral oil in them. But, I do love how smooth and soft my skin is :) EDIT December 14, 2008: I "re-discovered" this product today while I was on the hunt for a good makeup remover to remove waterproof mascara and eye liner. I realize that I was using this product incorrectly the first time around, so I repurchased the 10.3 oz tub of cold cream at my nearest drugstore to do it again. I applied a finger tip dab all over my face, massaging for a few minutes until the cream was no longer white, but "clear" and melted into my skin. I massaged around my eyes for maybe 30 seconds. I took tissue to wipe it off, and it honestly got almost everything on the first application! I did a second round just for my eyes, and it got everything off. I followed it with Olay Refreshing Toner just to get rid of the oily residue and I was left with clean, soft, and moisturized skin that looked REALLY good! I'm looking forward to using this nightly with a warm, wet washcloth! EDIT December 18, 2008: I just noticed that when I use this, my zits on my forehead cleared up! Amazing! I've been using this nightly with the hot washcloth method followed with a toner for about 5 days, and so far, no breakouts (and as I mentioned, breakouts going away!). LOVE IT. EDIT January 27, 2009: I still love this! I find that using a hot wash cloth is best for removal (compared to tissues) and it is excellent for the winter, especially. I work in varying environments (dry, warm, cold, etc) and this has been amazing. Love love love. Bumped to 5 lippies.
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Scrubs -Got 2 Be - In Your Face Pore Me Deep Scrub
hoku 8/13/2005 1:20:00 PM
I love this scrub! I bought it during December 2004, and I use it like once every 2-4 weeks. It smells delicious, and it isn't harsh. The base is moisturizing (unlike St.Ives) and it just feels good on the skin! It was like $4.50 here in Canada for a 200mL tube that lasts forever! I would deifnitely repurchase.
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Treatments -Neutrogena - Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment [DISCONTINUED]
hoku 8/9/2005 11:14:00 PM
This product is a staple in my skincare regimen! This product has helped to even my skin tone and texture, and lighten/fade hyperpigmentation marks from old acne. I use this along with Benzoyl Peroxide (5%) at night, not during the day (because this product does make my skin a little oily). I love this product, and will continue to buy! I hope it never gets discontinued.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30
hoku 8/3/2005 9:35:00 PM
EDIT [05.04.06]: Ok, I've decided to give this another shot. My skin got all oily on me recently, and this is the only thing that helps it at all. I also wore this when I was outside for 2.5 hours; I only wore this on my face. Everywhere else burned because I wasn't wearing sunscreen, but my face stayed perfectly normal :D I guess I like it now. But my warning below still stands.
I was all excited about this when I bought it several months ago because it was supposed to leave a matte finish on oily skin. And it contained some anti-oxidants, like vitamin A and E. When I first tried it, I liked it. But within 3 weeks time, this sunscreen had completely dried out my skin-- and I was wearing moisturizer underneath the sunscreen!
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Sunscreen -Coppertone - Coppertone Sunblock Lotion SPF 45
hoku 8/1/2005 5:05:00 PM
This product is not oil-free (it contains jojoba oil) but it's great. I used it on my face, and I'm surprised that it didn't feel heavy, really greasy or break me out. I usually use this product when I go swimming because it's waterproof, and it's moisturizing.
I actually intended on using this sunblock lotion during the winter as my facial moisturizer, since it would be great for the really cold, dry Canadian winters when skin really needs moisturizing.
I have the 220 mL bottle, which I bought for $9.99 at Loblaws.
EDIT: i've reduced the rating because it's just too slimy and smells too much.
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Sunscreen -Hawaiian Tropic - Hawaiian Tropic Oil-Free Faces SPF 30, Sheer Reflections Formula [DISCONTINUED]
hoku 7/25/2005 7:55:00 PM
EDIT [March 29, 2006]: I don't use this anymore. It just kind of "sat" on top of my skin after a while and just made me look shiny.
I bought this yesterday after reading the great reviews on this site. I bought mine at Loblaws-- $9.49 for a 180 mL bottle. If you ask me, that's a great price, considering I bought Olay Complete (118 mL) for $9.99, and it's not even that good of a product. Olay is ok, but it doesn't moisturize well enough, and it feels like it just sits on my skin.
I think Hawaiian Tropic has come up with the best moisturizer with sunscreen ever created. It moisturizes so well, and sinks right into the skin-- it actually made my skin super soft after using it just for one day. You don't need a lot, and it's fragrance free. And, SPF 30!! How great is that? It just goes to show that the best products can be found where you least expect them. Most people would probably expect to find the "best" moisturizer+SPF from either a high-end department store or high-end drugstore brand. Nobody would really expect a sunscreen centered company to come up with a better formulation, in terms of moisturizing.
I love this product, and I hope they never discontinue it! I'm never using Olay Complete again!
p.s. I noticed that in past reviews, people were having a lot of trouble getting active ingredient %'s. they were actually written on my bottle, very clearly (I live in Canada).
Homosalate 10%, Oxybenzone 5%, Octisalate 5%, Avobenzone 2%, Octocrylene 1.6%
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Deep Clean Facial Cleanser
hoku 7/13/2005 4:48:00 PM
I bought this yesterday at Wal-mart for $7.57 (+ tax) which is cheaper than some other places. I tried this at a friend's house a week ago and I really liked it because it foamed really well, didn't strip my skin of moisture, and made my skin refreshed. Also, you only need a very small amount (a pea-size drop will do for me, and I have combo-oily skin)
There was also the Equate generic brand which was like $5, and it has the exact same ingredients in the same order. Maybe if I want to save a few bucks, I'll buy it when I run out. I've heard that it's very close to the name brand.
EDIT: [09.03.05] I no longer use this. My skin started to dry out pretty bad... I now use Spectro Jel and I LOVE IT!!
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Gels/Soaps -Olay - Unscented/ Sensitive Skin Bar
hoku 6/15/2005 3:37:00 PM
I'm actually using the Normal Skin beauty bar; I love it. It doesn't clog my pores (I use it to wash my face), and it doesn't strip my skin of moisture.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive Skin
hoku 4/21/2005 7:02:00 PM
NOTE: I'm reviewing for the Olay Complete SPF15 sensitive skin lotion
I just bought this... And I don't feel it has enough moisturizing properties. Maybe I didn't use enough... but I needed an additional moisturizer underneath. I didn't notice the white-cast problem, but I'll update when I figure out if it's just me that this isn't moisturizing enough for...
EDIT: I think my skin was being dried out by the Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen before, but since I stopped using it, the Olay moisturizer is pretty good. I doesn't irritate my skin, make it excessively oily, or have an overwhelming scent. On the box, it says the lotion is oil-free, which is nice to know (I am acne-prone). It sinks in quickly and has a nice texture to it. When it absorbed in my skin, it made it feel nice.. not baby bum smooth, but nicely moisturized and soft. I love how it cuts down on my prep time in the morning, since it has a sunscreen right in it. Also, you don't need a lot to cover your face, so a small 4 Oz. bottle will probably last a long time. I'd buy again, definitely!
UPDATE: [07.25.05] Ok, I changed my mind... I don't want to repurchase this. I found the SPF15 to be insufficient for my day-to-day sun exposure and have moved on to something better (Hawaiian Tropic oil-free faces, sheer reflections SPF 30). Olay just didn't do it for me: It didn't protect me from the sun (I got burned and started peeling; and I was only outside for 20 minutes!) and it didn't moisturize very well either. They fail in both departments! Never buying again! Try this instead!!!
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Cleansers -Aveeno - Moisturizing Bar
hoku 4/7/2005 6:27:00 PM
I've only been using this for 2 days, but I like the results so far. I am acne prone, and though I have oily skin, it can get really dry. I was previously using Kiss My Face olive and aloe bar soap (for about 4 months) and it dried me out like crazy. When I used this, it didn't dry my skin out at all, and it felt a little softer. I find that each time I use this bar my skin feels a little better each time. I don't know if it clogs pores or not, because I had 2 pimples on my chin before I started using it, so I know it's not this product causing it. I usually use a face cloth to rinse off the suds anyway, so sorry if this doesn't help. Since this bar is pretty moisturizing, I use less moisturizer (which is a good thing :D) I'll update later if I change views or see more results.
EDIT: [06.15.05]
I don't use this anymore. After a while to started to dry out my skin, which is strange, since this was supposed to be for dry skin. I now use Olay beauty bar for Normal Skin.
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Misc Beauty Tools -The Body Shop - Facial Blotting Tissues
hoku 1/6/2005 3:18:00 PM
I bought the unpowdered facial tissues. I got a really good deal; 2 packs of 130 sheets (260 in total) for $11 CAN. They're in a convenient pop-up format like a tissue box. I only wish the sheets were larger in size. They pick up oil really well though. These are definitely cheaper (and better) than the Clean and Clear blue sheets (their's are like $7 for 50 sheets, and theirs have mineral oil in them). I would definitely repurchase. I use these during lunch time for a quick touch up.
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