Polishes -OPI - Grand Central Carnation 
KatieLynn 6/24/2009 7:59:00 PM
A gorgeous shade, perfect for any season. I like it because it is a relatively "safe" color, but not at all boring. The shimmer is not too over-the-top, and the rosy shade compliments all sorts of skintones. I agree with a comment below that it would make a lovely lipgloss shade!
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Lotions/ Creams -Lubriderm - Daily Moisture with SPF 15
KatieLynn 6/5/2009 12:30:00 PM
I have tried (and been seriously disappointed by) just about every lower-end lotion with spf out there. Vaseline, Aveeno, Eucerin, you name it. They're all stinky and gummy....except for this one by Lubriderm. This is perfect for days when the only time I'm outside is driving to work or running to my car at lunch time (any more than that and I need "real" sun protection). It doesn't smell like a regular sunblock (no coconuts and no funky chemical scent) and actually absorbs quickly. Like normal lotion. It's inexpensive too. This is a winner!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45 with Helioplex
KatieLynn 5/29/2009 1:21:00 PM
This product is everything I have been wanting in a facial sunscreen! It isn't greasy, in fact, it absorbs well without leaving that funky white cast to my skin. I'd been using Shiseido's SPF 55, but at $34/tube I felt like I had to ration it. The Neutrogena's price is much nicer, plus it is much easier to find (no trips to the mall or waiting on a Sephora mail order). A high SPF and PPD make it a HG for me!
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Treatments -Sally Hansen - Instant Cuticle Remover
KatieLynn 5/22/2009 2:47:00 PM
This is the best cuticle remover I have tried thus far. I don't have hideous cuticles, but they get ragged and dry looking after too long and need some TLC. This gets them back into shape. I do one hand at a time, so that it doesn't sit too long. Not only does it make cuticles easier to push back, but it also makes quick work of the callused skin on the sides of my fingers (I hate that even more than my cuticles, and it's difficult to deal with without resorting to trimming). Just let some Cuticle Remover sit on that tough skin for a bit, do a bit of rubbing, and they're under control! A little goes a long way, so a bottle lasts for a while.
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Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Pink frosted layer cake 3-in-1
KatieLynn 5/22/2009 2:39:00 PM
This is such a fun product. Maybe it's the girly-girl in me, but just the thought of a big fluffy cake with pink frosting makes me happy....so smelling it is even better! It reminds me of a birthday cake my mother made for me during my Strawberry Shortcake phase as a kid; strawberry cake with strawberry icing, pink thru and thru. It's how I wanted Philosophy's Strawberry Milkshake or Strawberry Ice Cream 3-in-1 to smell---heavier on the vanilla, and the fruit smell is more natural. Like all 3-in-1s, the formula is plenty moisturizing for all but those with very dry skin. I don't recommend it as bubble bath or as shampoo (especially on my color treated hair), but as a body wash it is top notch.
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Treatments -Everyday Minerals - Carrot with Poppy & Illipe Cuticle Butter
KatieLynn 5/22/2009 2:30:00 PM
Everyone should know about this stuff! I agree with the reviewer that describes this as a less waxy version of Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. It does a great job restoring my cuticles--I keep it at my desk to help negate the damage of handling paper all day long. I also like that it sinks in quickly and doesn't make me leave greasy prints all over the aforementioned paper. ;-) The scent is pleasant too---a citrusy-ginger. $4 for a 1.5oz tin is a great bargain compared to the big name cuticle balms out there.
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Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen spf 15
KatieLynn 5/22/2009 10:25:00 AM
This product strikes out big-time for me. I have been looking for a good everyday body lotion with sun protection for quite some time, and I don't feel I'm asking for anything crazy. Really, all I want are two things: an spf body lotion that (1) doesn't stink, (2) sinks in quickly. This Aveeno product misses on both counts. The "fragrance" doesn't scream sunscreen, but it does have that usual oatmeally scent that Aveeno uses....though much more synthetic and chemically than their standard lotions. It doesn't fade either (I could overlook it if it disappeared after a bit). I suppose the fragrance never fades because the lotion never really sinks in...hours after applying it, my skin still felt gummy. This lotion is going back to Walgreens, and my quest shall continue.
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Mascara -Maybelline - XXL Curl Power
KatieLynn 5/18/2009 9:24:00 AM
Too much trouble for too little impact. This, sadly, is a big "miss" for me. After using a primer plus a mascara, I expect to see some lush, full, dark lashes. I'm a pale, light-blue eyed blonde, so it doesn't take much to give my lashes some "oomph". This did little more than a "lash darkener" might--a bit of color, zero lengthening, zero volumizing. Full & Soft gives me more drama, so I'll stick with that. (I've never found a curling mascara that actually does anything and this is no exception...but since I don't expect it, I don't knock off points for it either).
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Scrubs -Philosophy - Amazing Grace Perfumed Hot Salt Scrub
KatieLynn 5/18/2009 9:19:00 AM
This (all philosophy salt scrubs, actually) are must-have, holy grail products for me. If I get out of the habit of using these, I can tell immediately because the texture of my skin is remarkably different (and not for the better). I have dry, sensitive skin. I either use the scrub before slipping into a bath, or in the shower where the water isn't hitting me. I massage the scrub (dry) into thicker skin like knees, elbows and heels. Then I allow a bit of water to hit me to give the scrub more slip and move onto the rest of my arms and legs where I do not necessarily need a super strong exfoliant. The formula has the right type and amount of oil, so I'm not fearful of slipping in the shower or leaving a mess behind. The scrub buffs away my dryness and leaves me with glowy, soft skin that lasts. AG specifically is wonderful because it is the same fragrance as the spray and 3-in-1...light, feminine, and not cloying in the least. This is an A++ product!
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Lips -Bonne Bell - Lip Smackers -- Cherry Coca Cola
KatieLynn 5/12/2009 3:53:00 PM
No matter how many high end lip products I buy, I will probably always have this LipSmacker somewhere in my rotation. It's such a nice "YLBB" sheer reddish tint. Had I known about this as a pre-teen/teen, I totally would have tried to use it to get around my mom's "no makeup" rule, haha. The Dr. Pepper lipsmacker has a scent/taste to it that bothers me, but Cherry Coke gives the same color.
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Polishes -OPI - Designer Series - DS Perfection
KatieLynn 5/12/2009 3:43:00 PM
What a beauty! OPI DS Perfection is a very fun, metallic/foil rose-pink. It is the exact shade of the pink foil used to wrap little chocolate easter eggs! It sparkles like crazy in the sunshine (as is to be expected from the Designer Series polishes) but also glows indoors. If a polish can make me smile under icky office florescent lighting, then it is a winner. The *only* reason I knock it down to 4 lipsticks is because even after 4 coats, I still had visible nail line. This may not bother some, and can probably be remedied by applying a regular pink base underneath Perfection....but for what they charge for DS polishes, even online, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect full coverage after 2 or 3 coats.
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Lotions/ Creams -Neutrogena - Norwegian Formula Fast Absorbing Hand Cream
KatieLynn 5/12/2009 3:38:00 PM
Fantastic hand cream! I work in an office and am constantly handling paper, so my already dry hands take a beating. This lotion is very moisturizing for both my hands and cuticles, and definitely sinks in faster than regular Neutrogena handcream. What keeps me buying this is the fact that I can apply it and immediately be able to handle paperwork without leaving greasy lotiony fingerprints on things.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - the microdelivery exfoliating wash
KatieLynn 5/12/2009 3:33:00 PM
After using this product for an extended period of time, I've come back to re-write my review and change my rating. This has gone from a 4 to a 5+++ to me. I have dry/sensitive skin, so finding an exfoliant to keep my flakies away while at the same time not irritating my skin has always been a challenge. Until now, that is. I can use this every day without irritation. It is so gentle, but incredibly effective. My skin is glowy, and the difference in how much better my makeup applies is astounding. I'd been using baking soda mixed in with my cleanser, but this is much more convenient and does a superior job. Along with their regular cleanser, Purity Made Simple, philosophy's MDEW is definitely a holy grail!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Gold Bond - Ultimate Softening Skin Therapy Lotion Shea Butter
KatieLynn 3/26/2009 2:58:00 PM
I'm so glad to see other people love this as much as I do. :) This lotion is super moisturizing; the difference in appearance and feel of my skin is like night and day when using this. It's not greasy, so you can apply it and quickly go on with your day. I love it on my legs, arms, hands and cuticles. There is a bit of a scent (as noted below, it's like a veeery subtle cucumber-melon), but it doesn't bother me. I am one of those people very easily bothered by a product's fragrance, so if it was at all bothersome I'd note it. It's just a basic "lotiony" scent that shouldn't interfere with perfumes or give a headache. It's pricy (Walgreens' every day price for 14 oz. is $9.99), but I find it goes on sale often enough. This is a product I don't think I'd ever want to be without.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Its 5 O Clock Somewhere
KatieLynn 3/20/2009 9:16:00 AM
Generally I avoid writing reviews for discontinued products. Who wants to read about how great something is, only to find out it's HTF? Well, I'm writing this because I5OCS is one d/c polish that is worth tracking down! The color has been described beautifully by others. It's a rich magenta-fuschia that sparkles like nothing else. I think it's now my life's mission to track down every glass-flecked polish China Glaze makes, lol. Under the florescent lights at work, I5OCS glows....but in the sunlight, it GLOWS. It's fantastic as a pedicure, but it is also beautiful on fingers too. I'm very fair and love it as a mani. I bought I5OCS from a good eBay seller, and it does pop up on eBay regularly at good prices. I believe I got mine for ~$10. Considering OPIs are going for $8.50, it's worth a teeny bit more to add a truly unique, gorgeous polish to your collection.
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