Moisturizers -Burt's Bees - Radiance Night Creme
ashleydutta 10/17/2009 4:38:00 PM
This cream has a very strong smell - it is a nice smell, but sooo strong! I don't like using it for this reason. My husband bought it because his face gets dry in the fall/winter, but I also don't like him to use it due to how pungent the smell is..I know they don't add extra fragrance to it so it must be the natural smell. to me it's an OK cream. It does moisturize nicely but there are many other night creams I like better. It doesn't improve the texture of my skin at all, which I look for in a good night cream.
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Moisturizers -L'Occitane - Almond Apple Velvet Concentrate
ashleydutta 10/16/2009 3:55:00 AM
Oh Amande Pomme Velvet Concentrate, How do I love thee, Thou maketh my face smoother than silk And giveth me glowing and soft skin Never have I found a cream more rewarding than thee And I shall save my pennies till I can procure you again... Sorry for the goofy poetry -- I just love this cream so much that I felt like writing something unusual! Really - I have tried oh so many creams and this one is my favorite - it is light, not greasy AT ALL, yet incredibly moisturizing. My skin feels so soft when I use this that it doesn't even feel like skin! When I wake up after putting this on, my skin is still soft and radiant, and even if I put it on under make up it is not greasy. And the smell is heavenly - but don't worry it is very,very light and fades quickly too. Ahh, the perfect cream. However, it is too expensive! I used this as samples, and haven't bought my own bottle yet :-( When I'm not a grad student anymore and have a job, this will be one of my first purchases!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel
ashleydutta 10/13/2009 9:37:00 PM
I bought the 30 day pack, but I use it every other day so it is lasting me 2 months. I'm at about a month and a half now. still trying to make up my mind, but I'm not completely won over by this. maybe I have to wait longer? first of all, it's a bit harsh on my skin. sometimes I have red and dry patches - when that happens I lay off using it for 3 or 4 days. second of all, given how strong it is (AHA, BHA, citric acid, retinol, etc), I'm not sure I want all these strong things on my skin all at one time.. third, the price, oh the price! i can't afford $78 monthly or bi monthly for this, but if it was an absolute miracle product maybe I would find a way...but while it's an OK product, it hasn't been a miracle for me - I think my much cheaper glycolic products I used in the past did the same thing for much less, and a little less harsh on my skin. the SA at Nordstrom promised me it would lighten my broken capillaries around my nose (nope, did nothing) AND would melt all my black gook in my pores (while my pores do seem a little cleaner and more refined, I won't say it totally cleaned them out as she promised). So...I don't think I'll be purchasing againg, BUT I do suggest anyone interested in this product try it, as a lot of people love it. UPDATE/EDIT: I have finished the package now...nope, I don't like it. It is just too harsh for my skin - I think because of the salicylic acid which never works for my skin. And it def did NOT live up to its claims. meh.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Earth Science - Clarifying Facial Wash
ashleydutta 10/9/2009 2:04:00 PM
This is a pretty good one - gets the job done and doesn't dry out my skin. thoroughly removes most make up, though not my eye make up if I'm wearing much. Not any majory complaints, but not any major praises for this cleanser either. I kind of prefer my Dove sensitive skin bar b/c it gets all make up off a little better and foams so much :-P But, I still recommend this one too, and it's got good ingredients! EDIT: well, this dried the heck out of my skin too after further use :-(. Now I use Freeman Organics Good Stuff Cleanser which I love.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum Express Mascara
ashleydutta 10/9/2009 1:59:00 PM
Fabulous mascara, I was so surprised! It is like they took their full n soft mascara formula and fixed all its problems to make the perfect mascara. It makes my lashes glossy and soft, and does not stick them together like Full N Soft. The formula is less wet too so it doesnt' make a mess. Never any clumping at all, Never any flaking or smudging either, woo hoo! And the BEST part -- it indeed volumizes AND lengthens like no tomorrow! I wasn't expecting it to lengthen but it does as well, if not better, than my Estee Lauder Turbo Lash. My lashes are practically touching my brow bone! You can layer it for a dramatic night time look that is EVERY bit as good as Diorshow (very similar in effect actually). Or, wear a single coat for day time. I don't know why this mascara doesn't have better reviews..?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Kiss My Face - Under Age
ashleydutta 10/9/2009 1:53:00 PM
If you're looking for a moisturizer that does not clog pores and has great ingredients, you should try this one out. I've been using it for a month, and it has not clogged my pores, and in fact I think it makes my skin look nice and glowy. It also definitely makes my face soft. Looking at the ingredients, it should have some serious anti-aging properties, though I haven't seen a difference on the fine lines under my eyes, but that may be because my lines aren't deep enough yet for any product to do anything. However, this isn't my HG...I'm still looking. The reason? Well, I don't find this cream to be tremendously moisturizing. After I put it on my face in places still feels dry so I have to put another lotion on top. Also, the smell is VERY strong. While I think it must be from the natural ingredients, it is still so strong that it really bothers me, esp when I try to go to bed right afterward. Lastly, the bottle is sooo tiny that I think I'd have to buy a new one every month and a half. I want a cream that will last at least a few months!
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Mascara -Elizabeth Arden - Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara
ashleydutta 10/2/2009 4:41:00 PM
UPDATE/EDIT: This started flaking so much, and sometimes smudging too. I'd come home some days and look in the mirror to be horrified that I had a black streak under my eye...To me this is a pretty average mascara, definitely not worth the price, and I didn't see any difference in my lashes as far s the "treatment" part goes. won't be repurchasing. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I've been using this every day for about 2 weeks, and I'm pretty pleased with it. it's good for a day time mascara, but it's not very dramatic so if you're looking for long flirty lashes this isn't it -- a pretty simple, basic mascara I guess, but it does look really nice for everyday wear. I have had a little trouble with flaking but not too much - nothing like some others I have tried, and this is definitely bearable. It volumizes pretty well, lengthens a little, and does stay on well. As for the treatment part...my lashes do look a little more moisturized. But i have not noticed they are any thicker or longer. Oh well. I just like knowing i'm putting something healthy and conditioning on my lashes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Biore - SkinPreservation Dual Fusion Moisturizer+SPF 30 ] [DISCONTINUED]
ashleydutta 10/2/2009 4:22:00 PM
Grrr, I am so annoyed I wasted money on this. I have followed everyone's instructions to get both the sides to pump out, and i've worked with it for 2 days, and STILL not SPF will come out, only the green stuff will. I must have used up over half the green stuff trying to get any white to come out. How can they market something with such a design flaw?? I took the top off and have been pumping at the white but nothing happens. I tried hitting it hard against the counter but still no white :(. I'm taking it back today to see if I can get a refund, even though I don't have the receipt, and I'm writing Biore to complain about this product. UPDATE: i'm so happy the drugstore took this back & I exchanged it for Eucerin SPF 30 moisturizer. however, I have bumped up my rating one lippie b/c I feel bad for rating it so badly when maybe I just had a defective bottle.
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Moisturizers -The Body Shop - Aloe Vera soothing rich night cream
ashleydutta 9/9/2009 8:54:00 PM
this is the perfect simple, no nonsense moisturizing cream -- it absorbs quickly, has no greasy feel, does not clog pores, and does a great job of making my skin soft and moisturized. I love that it is unscented - there are no added frills like so many moisturizers have (these days it's hard to find a simple cream that isn't some kind of anti-aging/wrinkle or SPF or something.) I'm going to have to buy another because my husband liked it so much he swiped it !
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Got 2 Be - Fat-tastic Mousse
ashleydutta 8/27/2009 2:41:00 PM
This worked great in my fine hair -- apparently collagen does plump up the hair a lot! It made me feel like I had a lot more hair on my head, and my hair had noticably more body. It also didn't make my hair crunchy or sticky which is amazing for a cheap mousse! I think I paid 5 dollars for it so it is affordable, and the ingredients are high quality. This was my first Got2Be purchase, and I discovered this is a great brand! A lot of reviewers commented on the smell, but I didn't notice any smell...it's very light, and not particularly bad in my opinion, and I am very sensitive to smells usually. The reviewer below mentioned a build up in her hair. I don't use it every day - maybe a couple of times a week, and just a little, so I didn't notice any build up.
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Cleansers -Bioelements - Flash Foam Cleanser
ashleydutta 8/27/2009 2:33:00 PM
A truly high quality cleanser, honestly the best one I've tried. One pump gives a lot of foam, so the bottle lasts a long time. The foam lathers more when you rub it on your face, so it does take off make up easily. My face feels so soft and refreshed after using this - not dry at all. Now, the price....$30, ouch! a little CRAZY to pay 30 dollars for a cleanser. It's good stuff, but it's not a miracle in a bottle - I still have blackheads so don't think it will miraculously dissolve them all and close pores. Due to the price, I wasn't going to repurchase, until...my husband commented on how beautiful my skin was looking. He asked what did I change in my skincare routine because my skin was looking so nice, so glowy and clear. What a compliment! I told him it was this face wash but that it was too expensive - but can you believe this - he said, "if 30 dollars for face wash that lasts 5 to 6 months makes your face look this great, keep on buying it!" So, since I have the green light, I think I will repurchase :-). And it's true -- if you use one to two pumps the bottle will last about 5 months.
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Toners -Kiss My Face - Kiss My Face Balancing Act toner
ashleydutta 6/6/2009 2:39:00 PM
EDIT: I stopped buying this because it has lavender in it, and I am trying to avoid lavender in skin care because it is an irritant and pro-oxidant. This toner was also a bit expensive compared to some other good toners I've tried. OLD REVIEW: They've changed this product so now it is called the AntiOxidant toner I think...They also changed some of the ingredients, but I like it just as much, if not better! As far as I can tell, they just added more good stuff: white tea, grapefruit, more witch hazel, etc. This is my favorite toner, and I've bought several others and ended up throwing them away and repurchasing this. It doesn't have alcohol so it does not dry me out at all, but it still cleans any residue off my face really well. It makes my skin feel fresh and hydrated and clean! I do think my skin looks clearer and brighter when using this, and it definitely helps me keep oil at bay. I love that all the ingredients are natural! p.s I noticed some reviewers complained about it feeling sticky - but I haven't had a problem with that at all, I think it feels refreshing and hydrating. I also have no problem with the smell - it's a very light smell that is reminiscent of fruit loops LOL, but it's very light and fades quickly. It doesn't shrink my pores per se, but that's ok since I'm using a good face wash and the pore shrink mask. high quality toner for a relatively low price! :)
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Eye Shadow -Clinique - Colour Surge Duo in Sunburst
ashleydutta 6/5/2009 9:34:00 PM
I usually don't like clinique shadows much, but I got this in a Clinique freebie set, and reallyyyy like it! it's an unusual and beautiful color - I've never had orange-peach eyeshadow before, and I'm so glad I tried it out. Color looks great with green eyes, and as a reviewer said "opens your eyes up." it's good for a summer color, but don't know how much I'll wear it in the winter. this shadow is a nice texture, stays, on, and is shimmery, so what's not to love about it :)?
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Juxt eyeshadow
ashleydutta 6/5/2009 3:28:00 AM
beautiful deep shimmery green! I'm so glad I purchased this! if you have green eyes, hazel eyes, or brown eyes, this will look gorgeous on you, buy it! :) p.s MAC eyeshadows stay on all day without creasing. even on long hot summer days (in Seattle we dont have air conditioning), even after I take nap, this STILL looks perfect :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Swimming
ashleydutta 6/5/2009 3:25:00 AM
one of my favorite eyeshadows. I use this with the MAC juxt color eyeshadow, or with Amber Lights, or just by itself :) It enhances green eyes nicely. I've been really impressed with MAC eyeshadows -- they stay on ALL DAY with no creasing or oiliness - even if I don't wear a primer!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No