Treatments -Dermalogica - Oil Control Lotion
wonderbuy 5/17/2009 7:50:00 AM
I should have read the reviews here before purchasing. This is a light weight lotion that provides virtually no moisture and no oil control properties. It completely dried me out and did nothing for spots either. It comes in a hygenic dropper bottle and is virtually a liquid. This was a useless product with very low efficacy.
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Concealers -Lancome - Maquicomplet (Complete Coverage Concealer)
wonderbuy 5/17/2009 5:46:00 AM
Seeps into your lines like no tomorrow. Ages you by about 10 years. Quick drying but too drying. Streaks by the end of the day. Save your money cos not wearing anything is better than wearing this.
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Treatments (Eye) -Christian Dior - Christian Dior HydrAction Visible Defense Hydra Protective Eye Cream SPF20
wonderbuy 5/16/2009 10:32:00 PM
This is perhaps the best day eye cream I have found. It is very hydrating and provides some SPF protection. It is on the thick side for eye cream but absorbs easily and holds onto eye make up well - no sliding or going into fine lines. It visibly plumps up the eye area and I would recommend it for combination and normal skins. Finish is velvety matte, so can apply primer over this without gunkiness. The downside is the packaging which really does this no justice. It is housed in glass jar with a small neck meaning for most of it, you will have to use a spatula. It is very difficult to get the last bits out, especially at the top since it is a 90 degree angle to the opening. I don’t know why this does not come in a squeeze tube since there would be less air exposure and the thick nature of this would do great with a small nozzle. There is virtually no fragrance. I am truly surprised that Dior would be this good, I always thought they were mostly hype and fashion.
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Moisturizers -L'Occitane - Rice Ultra-Matte Face Fluid
wonderbuy 5/16/2009 11:57:00 AM
This replaced the Lavender version but is exactly the same except for the fragrance. The best moisturiser for oily skin and really keeps shine at bay. Natural based and doesnt feel synthetic like the clarins ones and provides a great base for makeup and sunscreen. The only downside is the packaging, which does not pick up the last 15% of the product and is hard to turn upside down since the bottle is so long.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Aveda - Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque
wonderbuy 5/16/2009 1:55:00 AM
There is nothing bad to say about this mask, except that it is very overpriced. It is very pleasant to use but only provides mild hydration. It is a thick white cream which performs optimally after about 15mins. Fragrance is virtually nil, washes cleans and is very easy to use. I would recommend this for normal-combination skin as it doesn’t really provide that much moisture. All in all, I am on the hunt for something with more of an impact. In terms of radiance, the only difference I notice is the plumpness from hydration but nothing wow.
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Scrubs -Origins - Modern Friction
wonderbuy 5/10/2009 5:39:00 AM
This is an effective exfoliator, although it is quite rough. I would recommend it to those with tough skins who like a real good scrub down. Surprisingly, the concentration of scrubby particles is not high but it is the rubbing action when used on dry skin that makes it effective. I find that I need to use a little more than what the directions indicate, about the size of a prune, which will spread better. I do find it a little hard to wash off, since it is very high foaming once water is added, so best used before a shower. The worst thing is the packaging. While very economical at 125g a tub, it is an open jar which allow too much oxygen exposure and means you have to dip in it every time. There is nothing to stop it coming in a squeeze tube, but this inconvenience still does not prevent me from repurchasing. This is not a product which is easy to use, due to the 2 step process which is further inconvenienced by the messy jar. Best used when you have a bit more time, but still is very effective. Twice a week at most, otherwise irritations may set it.
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Loose Powders -Becca - Becca Sesame Powder
wonderbuy 4/29/2009 2:16:00 PM
This is a great powder which provides quite a lot of coverage and best used to set make up just after application. As a touch up powder this would be too heavy and BB sheer pressed powder is a better option. The colour is fantastic and suited to NC15-NC25. The finish is like silk as it is very finely milled and provides a totally flawless look. The trick is to know how much to use as a little goes a long way. Packaging is pretty good and the best way to use this is to turn it upside down, let some fall into the lid and pick it up in the lid with a brush, sort of like mineral foundations but this requires no swirling. The finish is long lasting and does not cake after your face begins to secrete oils. The colour also stays true and does not darken. Highly recommended for all skin types, esp oily combination types who will appreciate its oil-absorbing properties without looking too matte.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation SPF 15
wonderbuy 4/29/2009 2:02:00 PM
This is a foundation which is only really fantastic on dry-combination skin. Its advanced formula is very spreadable and has incredible slip so those on the oilier side may find this too much. Wearing a mattifying primer will provide way too much slip such that the end result is a much sheerer coverage than what would otherwise be achieved. The best results are achieved when applied over full absorbed moisturiser and is great over sunscreen. The foundation is very moisturising and colour stays true all day. It is buildable but does start looking slightly greasy if too much is used. Packaging is great and one pump dispenses perfect amount. This is far superior to the luminous moisturising foundation as it lasts all day and is less oily, but still I think BB still needs to bring out an advanced foundation more suited to oily combination skin. I do not recommend this if you are very oily but highly recommend this if you are on the drier side. By far, the best formula released so far.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Aveda - Purifying Gel Cleanser
wonderbuy 4/29/2009 1:41:00 PM
This is a great cleanser which is greatly overpriced. If you can get over forking out a fortune for this, you will not be disappointed. In fact, this is one of the best cleansers I have ever used. This is a fluidly clear gel which is low foaming and easy rinse off. It is very effective at cleaning without leaving a tight after feel. The scent however is very strong, which I got used to but I can imagine this to be too much for some. I highly recommend that you try before buying. The green glass bottle is very sturdy and 2 pumps dispenses the perfect amount. This is good for combination skins and those that are very oily may prefer something more powerful. Natural ingredients a bonus and doesnt feel too synthetic.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -NARS - Pressed Powder
wonderbuy 4/17/2009 11:32:00 PM
Colour: EDEN This is at best an average powder. The major problem with this is that the colour has too much brown pigment for the colour tone it is aimed at. Complexions which would use this would be around NC15-25 but at that colour, there needs to be a lot more yellow pigment since the skin is rather light. The effect is that it is dirty looking and is dulling, especially if you use this to touch up. It is no where near as good as BB Pale Yellow, which is still the best sheer pressed powder I have found to date, this is brightening and makes you look fresh. Colours may be better at the darker ranges but at this level, it is very easy to look dirty, so best to opt for a more yellow or apricot looking colour. The quantity is also a lot less than other brands, so I went through this very quickly. For the price, almost anything is better: BB. YSL, Becca.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Origins - Clean Energy Cleansing Oil
wonderbuy 4/17/2009 1:17:00 PM
This is a rather ho-hum cleanser. It has a lower spreadability factor than Shu Uemura cleansing oils, so you may need one more pump but has the same effectiveness. You definitely need to use another cleanser after this if you have oily skin since it does leave a film. I used this as a first step to remove make up and it does an OK job, but definitely nothing spectacular. Smell is neutral, pump is good and doesn’t give too much product in one pump like SU does. I would recommend this to those who have slightly drier skins who wish to use this as a remover before cleansing. It is however better than chemist make-up removers and the bottle will last a long time. Another plus is that it is a lot more natural than SU, which feels like something straight out of a lab.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Christian Dior - Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips and Eyes
wonderbuy 4/2/2009 1:40:00 PM
This is a super effective make up remover but I still cant, for the life of me, work out how to use it. Best used on a dry face, but once you put it on a make up remover pad, it absorbs it all and you have to use excessive amounts. The texture is that of a moisturising lotion but does not exactly rinse clean like cleansing oil either. You definitely need to cleanse after this. In the meantime, the best I can do is to use it like a cleansing oil then remove it with a make up pad, but it still feels not quite right. Its not liquid like make up remover but not solid like cold cream either. Very moisturising though but is oil based nonetheless. Also good for just stubborn eye make up. Due to its position in no-mans-land, I wont be repurchasing. If you know of a better way to use this, please contact me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Clinique - Pore Minimizer refining serum
wonderbuy 3/15/2009 5:08:00 AM
I was greatly surprised by this product since in general this brand does not do much for me. This is a great product which I use as moisturiser when I am oily. I find that this is the best way to use it since you are using more than a pea sized serum. It sinks right in, mattifies, absorbs oil and is not drying. The active ingredient which refines pores is not high, so the effect is mild, which is the only caveat. It performs much better than a lot of other products designed to do the same thing and is more cost effective. The 40ml tube lasts for ages.
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Blush -Cargo - Blu-ray High Definition Make-up Set
wonderbuy 3/15/2009 5:01:00 AM
One of the best blushes I have used due to its finely milled and slightly iridescent finish. It is very similar to Chanel JC blush in Orchid Rose, but applies with less effort. Long lasting and there is a big difference when compared to Cargo's usual metal tin blushes in terms of blendability and finish (a lot more natural). It is a blue-based pink and I would only recommend this to fair - light skinned ladies, otherwise it would not show. Due to its light colour doesn’t require very specific application and is a swipe-n-go blush, so it’s hard to overdo it. Long lasting with no hard edges.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Napoleon Perdis - Auto Pilot Cleanser
wonderbuy 3/15/2009 4:54:00 AM
The best scented cleanser I have used, a sensation by itself alone. Quite effective cleanser, gel type and does not foam excessively. Does not leave you dry. Very little other benefits though, best for normal skin. The only gripe is that the 3 pack version does not come with a pump. 5c piece is enough for entire face so lasts a while. 3 lippies for price and the fact that at the end of the day, its just a basic cleanser.
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