Moisturizers -Korres - Quercetin and Oak Antiageing Antiwrinkle Day Cream Normal/Combination
dragonflygirl7 12/21/2010 8:30:00 PM
This is a pleasantly scented cream in a dark brown glass pump bottle, with sunscreen chemicals on the ingredients label, but no spf listed on it. That confusing tidbit aside, this was not very cosmetically elegant. It felt heavy and waxy, and never really seemed to penetrate my skin. It did moisturize, but left my recently zit free skin with a few new clogs. I have normal, slightly combo skin which has been hormonal acne free for almost a year. I'm not sure what type of skin this would be good for, so I cannot recommend.
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Cleansers -Korres - Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser
dragonflygirl7 12/10/2010 12:38:00 PM
This winter I have been searching for a creamy, lightly foaming cleanser that removes makeup as well as cleans my skin, gently yet thoroughly, and has a pleasant, natural aroma. I can't stand highly fragranced products...Clarins, EL and many others. Imagine my surprise while I was at Sephora, torn between the original Milk Proteins cleanser and the White Tea cleanser, when I glanced down and saw this new one! It is a 5.07 oz. tube (love) for $21, which comes in a box with the ingredients on it. It includes the obvious milk proteins, as well as amaranth and rice proteins, castor oil, and willow bark. I use a dime size amount, mix with a bit of water and it creates a smooth and creamy foam that is a joy to use. It rinses off well and leaves my skin....and this is the most important point...clean, soft but not stripped of it's own moisture. It does not leave a film on the skin, which many milky cleansers do, but also doesn't have me reaching for the moisturizer immediately either. It feels lush and nourishing for my face :) I feel like Goldilocks when I say this is just right!! It has an aroma of sweet yogurt or milk which smells natural, not synthetic, and dissipates quickly. I feel that this cleanser will be great year 'round for me. For the record I have 40's normal, hormonal, congestion prone skin, which is quick to show me when I'm using things that are too harsh. The last milk cleanser I used was Evanhealy Rose milk and it left my pores clogged and also created a few dry patches. I never thought cleanser could make such a difference, but this Korres product is HG!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Origins - Checks and Balances
dragonflygirl7 11/17/2010 7:24:00 PM
This is Origins #1 cleanser, according to the SA, but it is not mine. I like the fact that it is creamy, foamy and cushiony, but after I'm done washing my face, I feel as if my skin is squeaky, although not quite clean, and has a slight film on it. I have tried other cleansers that have the same feel. I much prefer the "A Perfect World" cleanser, which is pearly, milkier, and is only very slightly foaming. Lovely herbal aroma.
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Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 45
dragonflygirl7 11/14/2010 9:37:00 AM
I purchased this product to use for days when my family and I are outdoors in the spring and summer. I have been extremely happy with this sunscreen because it is lightweight, stable and absorbs easily into the skin. I can use the amount that is recommended for correct protection and not feel like I have smothered my skin. I use this on my face over my serum and it doesn't make my skin more oily, nor does it leave any trace whatsoever on my dry/combination skin. I love the fact that it has a high protection factor, but is virtually invisible under my liquid makeup, powder, TM, or whatever I happen to wear on top, while also including antioxidants, but no parabens :) This winter, my hope is that I won't need an additional moisturizer with this. I may try her new Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex w/spf 20 for colder, drier days. I would repurchase, but hope they change the packaging to a flip top rather that the screw top it now has, while still allowing it to stand on end. Definitely worth trying if you want a sunscreen you can forget you are wearing!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear 
dragonflygirl7 8/24/2010 3:14:00 PM
Edit: ~Way too matte for anything but the most hot and humid weather and gave me a crop of zits I've not recently seen the likes of. NOT for everyday! Back to BB Skin or TM and mineral powder~My take on this foundation is that it is the most skin perfecting makeup I've ever worn. In the summer, after applying my serum, and with a tad of primer in the t-zone to minimize pores, it gives great, non-budging coverage that withstands heat, humidity and even sweat and lasts until you are done with your day! In the winter, this will most likely need moisture underneath due to it's matte finish, and surely, the primer, too. Last winter I wore BB Skin foundation, and loved that, so I'm not sure which I'll go for when the weather cools down. My skin is night and day with moisture levels from season to season. The trick with this one is to apply sparingly (I use a brush) and then blend it with your fingers after. Done this way, I can still feel and see my skin instead of the makeup. When I've used too much, it feels a bit masky. The bottle is a pain because you must tip and pour it out. A pump would be sooo much easier!! When I finish applying this, due to it's coverage, I can use much less bronzer and blush (never need powder!!)...it is a beautiful canvas for the rest of your makeup. You can get a few days' sample of this to test at any EL counter. Try it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Revlon - Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer (New) [DISCONTINUED]
dragonflygirl7 8/23/2010 8:50:00 AM
Great concealer. Pigmented, moisturizing, non fading, and not creasy or cakey!! After tring many high end concealers, this fits the criteria for covering my bluish/greyish undereye area, and lasts all day. I put a tiny bit of makeup primer underneath on most days, put a small dot on the back of my hand, and then pat this on with a small flat concealer brush, let it dry for a minute and blend out the edges. Cheap and readily available, in a nice little tube. Thanks to Paula B and MUA for recommending this!! I saved a bit of cash and a lot of time, because I finally ended my search!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Natural Finish- Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
dragonflygirl7 6/19/2010 7:34:00 AM
Edit 8/10- This did break down in really hot weather, especially in the t-zone, so I wanted to update that as nice as this is, it isn't what I need for the middle of summer. I have turned to EL Double Wear for this time of year, and will switch to BB Skin in the winter - End update This is, as others have said, Skin Foundation for oilier/combo gals. I wear Skin in the winter since I am considerably drier then, and am loving this for the summer, as the Skin is too dewey for me when the weather turns warmer. My skin's moisture level is night and day from season to season, and this is sill dimensional without looking too glowy or sliding off. I wear the Skin in Natural 4, and this Natural Finish in Natural Tan 4.25. The very sweet BB SA at Nordie's applied my same shade first, Natural, and said it might oxidize as it can tend to on some oilier skins, but it didn't and I felt it was too light, so she took it off and applied the Natural Tan and we had a match! I <3 her! This is comfortable, light, and I get medium coverage that lasts most of my day, with only a quick blot on nose and forehead midday...no powder, just used a tissue, or even my clean hand. I don't feel that this is designed for a truly oily skin as it is not completely mattifying, but for my maturing skin which tends toward a shinier t-zone in summer, it's working beautifully. There is alcohol in this formula, and I fully expected it to dry my skin, but it hasn't yet. I think with new technology, it is somehow balanced. I use the BB Skin Supplement serum and a sunscreen of 45 (most days) under this, but it's possible that I could use this in cooler weather with a moisturizer underneath. BB Face Base works well in the winter. It's as pricey as all other BB foundations are, $45, but I feel I tend to own less makeup when it's of high quality.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Dep Sport Styling Gel
dragonflygirl7 6/13/2010 10:55:00 AM
Wow! I would not have tried this had I not read the reviews here and would have missed out on an amazingly low priced, but fantastically effective gel for my wavy/curly, frizz prone shoulder length colored/highlited hair. I use a sulfate free shampoo, condition, a dab of leave in, and a quarter size or so of this, scrunch it in and diffuse until almost dry. No frizz, even on the most humid days, and no hard crunch, although I do get good separation. Very touchable healthy looking hair. For the record, I have used many high end and salon styling products...Aveda (yuck), PM, Joico, Redken, Biolage, Jessicurl (good), and this gel beats them all. I paid about $3.50 at CVS for a huge (rather unattractive, but who cares) bottle.
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Fragrances -Tokyo Milk - Honey and the Moon
dragonflygirl7 6/10/2010 11:02:00 PM
Warm, melted notes of honey, sugared violet, jasmine and sandalwood. I don't get much of the violet, but there is a nice blend of floral underneath the buttery honey and I get a little bit of smoke and spice which develops more in the drydown. It's a feel good fragrance that lasts all day. The packaging is really nice...when you turn the bottle around, and look through, the back of the label has a vintage illustration of a bee, and the label looks typed. I think this is so nicely done and not like anything mainstream I've encountered. Nice to find these locally at Anthropologie.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Bobbi Brown - EXTRA Eye Repair Cream
dragonflygirl7 4/25/2010 3:45:00 PM
Yes, this has made a difference in the texture of the skin around my eyes. My tiny lines are less noticeable and the delicate skin is nicely moisturized and plumped. I am using this at night as I cannot wait for it to be absorbed to put on my concealer in the AM...it's so rich that it takes quite a while to fully sink in ~ it must be warmed before applying! I might try it under concealer, though, after hearing that others do. There are some nice ingredients in here, but of course, it has to be in a jar because it is so thick and rich ~ I guess that means I can get every molecule out...I'd better be able to at this price! I use the Hydrating Eye Cream (which I got for free at the BB counter) in the AM under the concealer and that works nicely since it is slightly more matte in finish. I do think that it's hard to review eye creams as I get older because, let's face it, as time marches on, my eyes aren't going to get better...I have done all the things I should be doing for my skin...I eat well, don't smoke or drink (except red wine :-), wear sunglasses and sunscreen~maybe if I never moisturized I'd see a miracle! But, I'm very happy with this and believe this jar will last about a year!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Advanced Skin Technology - Green Cream by AST
dragonflygirl7 1/19/2010 6:00:00 PM
I used this for 2 years building up to level 6 after a few months on level 3. I could never get past the dryness and patches this would create on my face, especially in the winter. I finally decided that the ethanol (alcohol) in this dried my skin barrier too much, so I switched to Skinceuticals .5%. That worked better and is a very effective product without as much irritation. I have now moved to Retin~A .25% 2 to 3x a week and I have no irritation whatsoever, but my skin is as smooth as a baby's bum. Also, on the nights I don't use the Retin~A, I have been applying rosehip seed oil (the formula is evanhealy rose) and that has been a great added boost of clarity! I do think my skin has never looked this good, but I would caution against using retinoids too often, and avoid other actives if you go for the strong stuff : )
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Moisturizers -Good Skin - All Bright Moisture Cream [DISCONTINUED]
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 5:04:00 PM
I'm so glad to see this is well liked. This cream is an absolute gem of a product for me! In the drier, colder months when my skin has a harder time keeping moisture in, this does the trick. You really can't beat the awesome ingredients which includes some great antioxidants, like mulberry, green tea, E, and glucosamine, ceramide, peptide, linoleic acid, caffeine, emollients like shea butter, and soothing ingredients like chamomile. No parabens for those concerned about that. Fragrance free, too. It is hard to over apply this as it sinks in nicely, and never causes any breakouts. I even use this around my eyes. All this and it's packaged in a tube! Thanks to Paula for recommending this. I think it's about $24 for 1.7oz. at Kohl's, but there's always a sale or coupon. I will always keep a tube on hand, even though I'm trying "greener" products lately.
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Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - Devacare One Condition
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 4:10:00 PM
After trying many 'cone ans sulfate free products...Jessicurl, Abba, Aveda, and many from Whole Foods, I needed to tell you all how wonderful this has been for my wavy/curly porous hair! My daughter calls all my shampoos and conditioners slimy, but this one isn't. The nice thing is that it isn't too rich either. It's the perfect combo of hydration and nonweightyness, no breakouts, like with Jessicurl products. My hair has bounce again! It leaves my hair feeling so nicely taken care of. I use this along with the Devacare Low Poo and I can finally say I am happy and don't need to try anything else! Whew! I just breathed a sigh of relief.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - DevaCare Low Poo
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 4:05:00 PM
Update 6/10~After finishing my first bottle , I conclude that this is drying out my hair...will go back to Jessicurl or Abba. I do still like the One Condition, though.~end After trying many sulfate free products...Jessicurl, Abba, Aveda, and many from Whole Foods, I needed to tell you all how wonderful this has been for my wavy/curly porous hair! My daughter calls all my shampoos slimy shampoos, but this one isn't. the nice thing is that it isn't drying either. It's the perfect combo of gentleness and cleansingness. It leaves my hair feeling clean, but yet nicely taken care of. I use this along with the Devacare One Condition and I can finally say I am happy and don't need to try anything else! Whew! I just breathed a sigh of relief.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Jessicurl - Jessicurl - Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 3:57:00 PM
I really loved this for a time, and do think it may be what turned my hair for the better, but alas, the ingredients are a bit too rich and it breaks out my arms and neck even though I wash my body after. It is pricey when you add in shipping. I have switched to DevaCare.
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