Eye Makeup Remover -Lancome - Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-up Remover
Aiko_Aiko 11/14/2004 5:43:00 PM
I resisted the urge to shell out for this for so long. I'm by no means miserly (in fact, I shop like a fool), but, there are some things I'm stubborn about paying more money for. Having fallen out of love with a long string of makeup removers, and hearing every single female I know go on and on about this stuff, I finally caved. And yeah, it's just as great as everyone says. Gentle on my eyes, removes even waterproof mascara like a dream, and doesn't leave huge amounts of residue behind. The dispenser is just a tiny bit messy and leaky on mine; beyond that, I can't complain! The price still seems a little steep, but this is so easy to find I'm sure it will be on sale somewhere when I need to buy more. :)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -La Roche Posay - Hydraphase Masque
Aiko_Aiko 11/14/2004 5:17:00 PM
Excellent stuff! Every year without fail, my skin welcomes the onset of colder weather by becoming a dry flaky mess. I'm talking about the persisent kind of dryness that laughs in the face of scrubs, hydroxy acids, moisturizers and the buckets of water I drink. I used to cope with it as best I could, slathering on creams and avoiding powdered makeup like the plague, but I decided last year that it was time to try a moisturizing mask. Having been breakout prone since high school, I have always been leery of moisturizers. This probably stems from my once cherished belief that the secret to clear skin was to dry it out as much as possible. Well I'd since learned my lessons, but I still couldn't shake the fear of turning into an oily, zitty, AND flaky mess. So I scanned ingredient listings and read heaps of reviews, and had narrowed my choices down to either Nuxe or Caudalie. But luckily, as I was in the drugstore picking up more sunscreen, I noticed this product. It was less expensive than the ones I wanted, seemed like a great formula, and was much easier to find. A year later, I'm still patting myself on the back for that one! This mask is rich without being greasy or sticky, unscented, silky in texture, and extremely soothing. Not only does it absorb quickly (and completely overnight) it is the only thing that helps to eliminate my flakes and makes my skin both look and feel noticeably softer. Even when my skin isn't ridiculously dry I use this occasionally, because it reduces redness and makes it glow. It does all this gently, and has never caused clogged pores or a breakout. The little tube is lasting me forever as well. If I do manage to run out this winter, I will definitely be getting some more!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios XL SPF 60 Fluide Extreme
Aiko_Aiko 11/14/2004 4:08:00 PM
I picked this up when I was in Europe this summer, and I fell in love with it. I have no idea why they don't offer this product in Canada (perhaps they think it too light to withstand our freezing winters). But I wish to God that they'd reconsider, because I don't want to use anything else right now. If you're familiar with LRP sunscreens, you know that they offer excellent protection, are kind to the skin (ie. no breakouts or irritation), but do have the tendency to be a bit on the heavy side. I would usually need to powder after using Anthelios L, but I can feel comfortable wearing the XL FE and nothing else. The lotion asborbs quickly and leaves no white cast. My skin is on the normal to dry side, so I'm not 100% sure I'll continue to use this all winter long - that's when the heavier formulas are easiest to work with. But for spring, summer and fall, I don't plan on using anything else but this. I think this formula should be made universally available, as it's an excellent option for ladies with oilier skin, and they deserve great protection too! Unfortunately the only option for those living on this side of the pond is to order this online, or try searching for it on Ebay. I definitely plan to order some backups soon, as the only downside to this formula is that it requires more product per application than the thicker lotions and therefore doesn't last very long. Still, absolutely worth it for me!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios Lait spf 45
Aiko_Aiko 5/13/2004 8:56:00 PM
I snapped this up as soon as I first saw it, which was only a week ago. I think the previous reviewer is right, this is a fairly new product -- to Canada at least. Testing this against my old favorite, the Anthelios L, in the store, it appeared only mildly thinner and less emollient. But that was on my hand. On my face, the difference is much more noticeable. On my normal/combo skin the lait spreads more easily, absorbs faster, feels lighter, and looks less shiny. As with the Anthelios L, I've experienced no irritation or breakouts. And this works very well under powder or concealer, which cancel all the shine. My only gripe with this would be that the protection factor is not as high as the Anthelios L - I just dislike thinking that I could be getting that little bit extra! But it's a tradeoff I'm willing to make, as I find this product more pleasant to use. Both are excellent sunscreens, but this has more of the texture I think we look for in facial products. I prefer the lighter feel of some of the European formulas to this, but I'd repurchase this in a pinch.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Korres - Sunflower Extract and Vitamin F Shampoo
Aiko_Aiko 5/5/2004 8:54:00 PM
I use this in conjunction with the Silk Milk conditioner, and the combination always seems to bring out the wavy texture of my hair, while making it feel thicker (it's already quite thick). Tough to explain, but it's as though my hair doubles in fullness overnight. The shampoo itself lathers well, and smells quite fresh and lovely, very unisex. It's designed for color treated hair, but adds just enough moisture to my untreated, normal to dry hair. If I really want softness (along with a more relaxed texture) I reach for something else. But when I want full, thick hair that's smoother and has more pronounced waves, I use this. A nice, unexpected perk! I'd consider repurchasing this, especially if the line were easier for me to find. I'm curious about the effect it would have on finer or thinner hair now! It might be a bit heavy for truly fine hair, but if you need the moisture it can't hurt!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Korres - Silk Milk Conditioner
Aiko_Aiko 5/5/2004 8:38:00 PM
I'm giving this a four because it does something that amazes me; it makes my already thick coarse hair, feel even thicker and really brings out it's natural wavy texture. So when I want a head full of big, thick waves, this is what I reach for. The conditioner is designed for color treated hair, and though mine is untreated and normal to dry, it doesn't overload it with moisture. The formula itself is light and creamy, and rinses clean. Other conditioners do leave my hair a bit softer and smoother, but the texturizing effect this seems to have is what keeps me using it. I also tend to get less frizz when I use this, so I need less product after my hair is dry - another plus. The only downside to this for me is the smell. This contains rosemary oil, and I'm guessing this is what puts me off about it. The scent is not one to linger though, so I've learned to live with it. Not my everyday conditioner, but great for a boost every now and then. I'd consider a repurchase, but if I found something similar with a better scent, I might not. This is one of the tougher lines for me to find, so I buy this online at Sephora. Worth a shot if you like a lot of body and need the moisture!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Korres - Lime Styling Gel
Aiko_Aiko 5/5/2004 8:22:00 PM
I tend to avoid using gels on my hair, because I'm inevitably left with build up and flaking. This is one of the few I've used that offers the right control, and makes my hair look shiny and smooth, without flaking or feeling stiff/sticky. It smells amazing as well, although nothing like lime, or even citrus for that matter. It's a clean 'tropical' smell, if that makes sense. I wouldn't recommend this for someone who needs or wants a super strong hold, but if you just want control and smoothness, while still leaving your hair touchable and swingy, this is for you. Not an easy line to locate, but thankfully available on Sephora.com. This comes in a good sized squeeze tube, so I doubt I'll finish mine anytime soon, but I would repurchase this if I had to!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Aveda - Shampure
Aiko_Aiko 5/5/2004 8:08:00 PM
This conditioner is working just perfectly for me right now. I lean towards lighter formulas in the spring and summer (when everything 'normalizes') and just want something to add softness and shine. This does exactly that, and leaves my hair smelling wonderful to boot. If I find that I need more moisture or have to fight some frizz, I turn to other products, but for everyday conditioning this is a favorite! Only about $18 CDN at the Aveda store, and certainly a repurchase at this point.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Aveda - Scalp Benefits shampoo
Aiko_Aiko 5/5/2004 8:02:00 PM
This made quite an impression on me. My stylist used it on my hair months ago, and I loved how healthy and soft my hair felt afterwards. I ended up buying it recently, along with Shampure conditioner, and this has become an everyday favorite. The smell is something I'm not in love with. It's smells very fresh and green in the bottle but becomes very mossy and 'peppery' on wet hair. It's just different, and the conditioner covers it up, so it's not a deal breaker for me. I can't see it appealing to everyone though. This really does seem to work for those of us with a drier scalp, and leaves my hair feeling light and healthy. The biggest positive for me is that this helps to remove product build up without stripping my hair. It was about $17 CDN at the Aveda store, and is lasting quite well through regular use. My hair is naturally quite thick, coarse and wavy, and hovers between normal and dry - no split ends or damage to speak of. However I still have to use products that calm frizz, and wash my hair almost daily, so I need something that's going to be good to it, along with my scalp. This product has been working wonderfully so far! A definite repurchase at this point.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Fast Play (Amplified)
Aiko_Aiko 4/29/2004 8:42:00 PM
My new favorite, everyday lipstick. On me (20 watts/C2 skin), the color is a nice deep pink that looks slightly rosy/plummy. A very flattering, vibrant yet natural color.
I love the opaque, not-quite-matte texture of Amplified lipstick, which goes on very smoothly, lasts forever (even through eating and drinking), and leaves a great looking stain on my lips once it does start to wear off.
I don't favor many lip products, as I rarely have time or inclination to reapply them throughout the day. Those that do perform well get a lot of use. This is one of those products. A really great find!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Burt's Bees - Parsley Blemish Stick
Aiko_Aiko 4/13/2004 10:04:00 PM
I received a full size tube of this in a sample kit I purchased, so I have no idea what this retails for on its own - in fact, after scouring every Burt's Bees display I've seen in the last few weeks, I've yet to find a store that sells it individually! I'd personally balk at paying more than $10 CDN for it, taxes included.
The tube this comes in is tiny, not even two inches long including cap, and only holds 4ml/.115 fl. oz. of liquid. After less than a month of daily use, mine is almost empty. Bear in mind however, that it is very easy to overuse or waste this, as the rollerball applicator tends to release waaaaay too much product. More controlled application could extend its life considerably.
Upon application be prepared for two things: a strong scent and a burning sensation. This has eucalyptus and tea tree oil in it, along with several other 'smelly' essential oils. The end result is akin to 'herbal black licorice' - but I happen to love the scent of licorice, so it works for me! The other thing this contains is a lot of alcohol. My face has abstained from alcohol for so long, this felt like a really nasty fall off the wagon. It stings, it burns, it will dry out your skin (but not horribly). Great for oilier areas like my nose, and nowhere else.
Now, does it work? I think so. It definitely seemed to quickly reduce existing spots if applied a few times per day. But I soon began to notice that little spots were appearing in all the places the liquid had touched (thanks to the drippy applicator). I think these bumps were more the result of irritation than a true breakout. Not too surprising based on the ingredient list. My final verdict is that this is way too irritating to use as anything more than a spot treatment, but the poor applicator makes that impossible for me. Not a repurchase at this point, but if I think of a way to fix things so that application is more precise, I'll give it another shot.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Paula Dorf - Cake Mascara
Aiko_Aiko 3/5/2004 3:06:00 PM
I was kicking myself immediately after I ordered this product, thinking that I'd made a big mistake. I thought it would be too time consuming and difficult to apply, make a mess, not do anything for my lashes etc. After it arrived I decided to test it out, and I was surprised by how much I liked it. It's definitely not going to be a hit for everyone, but for mascara minimalists like me, this is great! The application process may sound a little fussy and slow, but it actually takes less time than typical wand mascara in my case. There is no blotting or scraping of the brush required to remove excess product, and this has never needed combing or separating after it's been applied because it doesn't clump at all. It's also much easier to control the little fan brush than I expected, so no real smudges or mistakes to clean up either. You basically wet the brush, sweep up the color, apply it, wait a few seconds for the formula to dry and then curl. I find that curling beforehand really only makes it easier for me to apply (it tames my crazy lashes), but in this case it won't hold because the product is too wet. If I curl my lashes after it's dried, the curl holds surprisingly well. This leaves my lashes soft, dark and slightly glossy, and the formula has never irritated my sensitive eyes (I forget I'm wearing mascara altogether!) This product will ultimately only appeal to those going for the most natural look possible, because this darkens the lashes and does little else. I personally love it for work and daytime wear, because almost all other mascaras make my lashes look and feel 'overdone'. It has never ever flaked, and has not smudged either. And it is incredibly quick and easy to remove. Not the cheapest product out there (close to $30 CDN on Sephora), but I'm happy I bought it, and will most likely continue to purchase. ***UPDATE*** Just wanted to add that using an old brow brush to apply this is a good way to go. Very easy to control and much more 'buildable' than the fan brush. A bit faster too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shave Products -Zirh - Aloe Vera Shave Cream
Aiko_Aiko 2/26/2004 3:19:00 PM
I'm reviewing this on behalf of my SO, who loves this product. The thing is, he's a very 'low maintenance' guy. I used to have to beg him to shave, because if he wasn't going to work or somewhere special, he had million excuses not to: it felt too uncomfortable, it took too long, he'd cut himself...blah blah blah. I threatened to boycott my own razor, I offered to shave him myself - nothing. I offered him my own shaving cream, but he flatly refused. Eventually I gave up and told him he was lucky to be male, because if he had to shave as much and as often as a woman, he'd curl up into a hairy ball and cry. And then the miracle occured.... I got a couple of samples of this shave cream with some Sephora orders, and left one lying on the bathroom counter, thinking I might test it later. I didn't bother with it that day, but the next morning when I reached for it, it had been used! Lo and behold, in walked my SO to ask me where I got it from...with a smooth, clean shaven face! He was hooked. He claimed this gave him the closest, most comfortable shave he'd ever had in his life. And it smelled nice and fresh - but not in a feminine way! Of course. He actually made a trip with me to the mall, with the sole intention of buying this. I think the only products he'd used on his face before were shaving gels he'd found on sale in the drugstore. I was so happy he took an interest in this, I did some research on the line and ended up buying him the Zirh face wash and scrub as well. He uses them all (bless his heart) but this is definitely his favourite. I know he prefers this to the Zirh shave gel, which he's also tried. It's at least $20 CDN for a huge tub of the stuff, Holt Renfrew and the Bay carry the whole line, along with the larger SDMs. It worked out to be cheaper to get it at Sephora however, so I ordered it for him. He loves it, he shaves now - I love it too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Phyto - Phytodefrisant
Aiko_Aiko 2/25/2004 10:49:00 PM
Oh yes, HUGE rave from me! I absolutely adore this product! The label states that this is a 'botanical hair relaxing balm' designed to combat frizz, but that description doesn't really do this justice. It does so much more! I don't use this to relax the curls or waves in my hair, although it does help to use this before I flat iron or straighten it. (It won't relax the texture on it's own - if I let my hair air dry it calms the frizz, but the waves/curls are still there). But whether I straighten my hair or not, I use this religiously after every washing. It produces the silkiest, shiniest, softest, and smoothest results of any leave-in treatment I've tried. The product comes in a metal tube with a screw on cap. The balm itself is more like an extremely light gel, which is not at all sticky or greasy, and fairly odorless. I use a very healthy amount on my hair and I have never had a problem with it being weighed down or leaving a noticeable residue. It's so light it almost feels like I haven't applied anything, yet it transforms my coarse, thick and normally unruly locks into hair that's smooth and controlled. I loooove that. It's not a cheap product, being at least $20 depending on where you buy it, but well worth it to me. One of the few things that makes me feel like wearing my hair down in it's natural state, and something that ensures that when I do, at least one female per day will have to touch my hair. I have no complaints though, because this stuff is wonderful!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Marcelle - Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover Gel
Aiko_Aiko 2/24/2004 11:32:00 PM
I'm not a big user of Marcelle products, but after I ran out of my Pond's cold cream I was itching to try a new makeup remover. The packaging consists of a squeeze tube with a flip-top lid, that comes factory sealed so it's nice and hygienic. The remover itself is a light blue gel, which seems thick, but is actually more watery and smooth than sticky or heavy. It has a 'cooling' effect on the skin (and the eyeball, if you happen to get some in there -- it can sting slightly, it definitely feels a little odd) and as far as scents go, not much of one! It's been fairly gentle on my sensitive eyes; it removes shadow and most mascara quickly, thoroughly, and with very little effort. I follow this up with my cleanser, and can see slight traces of makeup are left behind, but then that is the case with all the removers I've tried. This does a much better job than most. And perhaps best of all, it leaves no noticeable residue (greasy or otherwise), just a clean feeling. As it stands, this is pleasant and easy to use, although it can be very irritating if you're not careful about keeping it out of your eyes! I find even the occasional slip up too painful to deal with, so I've moved on to other products...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No