Fragrances -Santa Maria Novella - Mughetto (Lily)
polina29 10/19/2004 11:54:00 PM
My DH got this in the triple extract for me as a gift; it was the only one out of the entire SMN collection he liked. I fell in love with it -- it's a light, *ultra* feminine scent, the kind you wear with expensive black lingerie. I've worn it to work and I've worn it to bed. A little goes a long way. Beautiful.
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Lip Treatments -Neutrogena - Lip Nutrition
polina29 10/19/2004 11:44:00 PM
I got the two-in-one deal they have at Target, and I bought the Mango Moisture + Berry Smooth combo. Gave the Mango to my sister, and she says it's OK. The berry smelled nice and the packaging is fabulous, but it didn't work at all on me. It had a thick waxy feeling and the moisture beads, which I thought would burst and moisturize my lips, well, didn't. They stuck to the corners of my mouth like little granules of berry-colored sand. Yuck. To make matters worse, my lips got this deathly white hue that made everything else (gloss, lipstick) look absolutely atrocious on top. I'm wearing it to bed to use it up, but I want to cry every time I do (why do I put myself through this??) My advice? Save your money and buy Smith's Rosebud salve instead.
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Treatments -Aveda - Night Nutrients
polina29 10/19/2004 11:05:00 PM
I have not had luck with Aveda since I bought their Shampure shampoo, washed my hair and then was told repeatedly by my DH that I must be ill because "your hair just doesn't smell right." (Oh thanks so much after I spent $7.95 to buy this @ Drug Emporium)Night Nutrients is actually my favorite product of theirs. I thought it was good for my dry skin, especially under lotion. If you like the consistency and the siliconey feel of this, I'd recommend Borghese's Intensive Age Defying Complex. I use it as a foundation primer and it works beautifully -- everything just glides across my face. No dry patches or unevenness. Update - no longer using anything with silicones on my skin. I would recommend putting a few drops of avocado oil into your moisturizer for extra hydration. Caudalie's serums are pretty good too.
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Moisturizers -Borghese - CuraForte Moisture Intensifier
polina29 10/19/2004 11:00:00 PM
I got a sample of this from my Borghese SA @ Nordstroms. By the way, I would recommend trying everything before you buy) Like the other reviewer mentioned, it's supposed to be a moisture boost under your regular moisturizer. Most Borghese products should use this as a base, in fact. I liked it. It was kinda runny, but light and smelled nice. I applied this after Fango but before their Complesso Intensivo Intensive Age Defying Complex, and they worked so well on my normal to dry skin! The only thing that puts me off is the price. It's way too steep for something I'm not sure I *need*. The Complex is a different story. I went back and bought that puppy as soon as I could! :)
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Fragrances -Fresh - Fig Apricot
polina29 10/19/2004 10:55:00 PM
I agree witjh kate8 and thalia. This smells like real fruit. I am very big on peachy/apricoty scents. I also have CSP Vanille Abricot, but in that one (like the Vanille Banana) the other, non-vanilla scent evaporates quickly... and vanilla can be a bit heavy for the office, at least for me. Fresh's Fig Apricot is different. It's a light, wonderful, real scent of orchards, and I thought not at all old ladyish like some other reviewers believed. My only nitpicky thing is the price -- too steep! I just got a sample of Pre de Provence Apricot through Beauty Habit, and that one sells for $16, which is a steal. I'd recommend that instead of the FigApricot is you're afraid of spending $79 on a scent you'll seldom use.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara
polina29 10/19/2004 10:48:00 PM
Urgh! I bought this before reading the reviews, believing all the In Style hype, etc. Shouldn't have done it. I caved even though I think the packaging is terrible -- green and pink? What were they thinking? Anyway, it has everything going against it -- it's clumpy, runny, raccoony (is that a word?). I haven't tried the waterproof one as another reviewer suggested, but if that one is better I'd recommend trying that instead of the original. Wasted money, if you ask me.
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Masks -Borghese - Fango Active Mud for Face and Body
polina29 10/19/2004 10:08:00 PM
This is my HG mask. I have tried a zillion over the years, and I found the best one I had used until I tried Fango was Origins' Clear Improvement. This one beats all masks hands down. I have normal to dry skin. This is the only mask I can wear on my entire face. It stings a little at first but that subsides quickly and it is SO worth it. I've taken it on the road a lot as well. You know that grime you feel is on your face once you get to the hotel? Well, try this next time. I apply it as soon as I get to the hotel (I travel lots for work) and it's like a spa on my face! I got this packaged with their Tono Body Moisturizer and their Exfoliating Scrub for $19.99 @ Costco. The skin after the mask is INCREDIBLE. Everything goes on after it like a dream! A fabulous deal. I'm a customer for life.
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Original Moisturizing Creme
polina29 10/6/2004 4:12:00 PM
my sister gave me this (she got it as a packaged deal with two big bottles of eucerin lotion at costco). she absolutely hated its consistency, and said (like some reviewers here) that it's like elmer's glue, too goopy. i actually thought the same thing, but i decided i would stick with it and use it up. i had some watkins vanilla dry oil spray (with apricot kernel oil and vitamin e) that i had picked up at walmart, but wasn't using. i sprayed about 5-6 times into the scoop of the cream, and then warmed up the product in my hands before applying it on my entire arms before bedtime. omg! this is a miracle product! i was sleepy from the vanilla, and the lotion felt like i was giving myself a spa treat overnight. my arms have never been this soft - my DH keeps commenting on them as well. i have run out of the cream now, so i use a few spritzes of body shop dry oil spray in mango for the day time, and stick to the vanilla at night! the results are fabulous, and i suggest you try adding dry oil spray if you can't make the cream emulsify by itself.
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Treatments (Eye) -Vichy - Oligo 25 eye treatment stick
polina29 10/4/2004 4:25:00 PM
I just bought this on my daytrip to Canada. I couldn't resist the cute packaging (the tube is smaller than your thumb). It was 25 CAD. As soon as I got home, I put it in the fridge, and just used it this morning. I LOVE THIS STUFF! It goes on like a gel, not sticky, and doesn't tug at my sensitive skin. I have previously used Clinique's All About Eyes, and it gave me milia (the white dots under your eyes that went away after I stopped using it). This feels like a cooling gel stick on your undereye area, very refreshing and soothing, and magically de-puffed me! I would recommend it to anyone who could use a little cool-boost in the morning. I have noticed a decrease in my (mostly permanent) undereye circles, too. I will update later after I have used the product for a bit.
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Skincare - Face -L'Occitane - Olive Oil Daily Face Cream
polina29 9/14/2004 5:41:00 PM
I keep coming back to this brand because I love the packaging. I have moderately dry skin and I rarely have blemishes. Well, this product changed all that! It clogged up my pores around the chin area. It smells divine, that's true; and the texture is quite thick, which should be a good thing. I've worn it to the beach because of the SPF, but wouldn't dare wear it to the office -- it's too shiny and just sits there! My tube is still unused, and I cna't figure out if I should use it on my arms or what. My HG sunscreen/moisturizer is Dove, and I'll stick with that in the future. Great value for a terrific price, too!
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Shampoo -Komenuka Bijin - Shampoo
polina29 9/14/2004 5:27:00 PM
I found a sample of this by calling their 1-800 number, and it smelled exactly like the Farrah Fawcett conditioner of yore. I'm a 70s kid myself, so this is a major + for me :) Yes, it's expensive, but it works. My hair is so soft and has a light perfume by husband can't get enough of :) I only use it once a week, though, so that it feels more like a treat. If you like this, and are looking for a similar but cheaper product, I'd recommend Kanebo Naive Peach Shampoo and Conditioner. I got the two 600 ml (Komenuka's is 335 ml) bottles for $30 at my local Asian grocery (Uwajimaya). The bottles themselves will liven up your bathroom!
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