Mascara -Maybelline - Volum Express Mascara
FallBaby 11/12/2008 4:57:00 PM
I tried this on a whim as I'm always on the lookout for a great volumizing mascara for my skimpy long lashes. This was a dud for me - I just didn't get great volume with this product, even after multiple coats. I've used worse, but I've also found other drugstore products that gave better results. And I wish Maybelline would lengthen their wands; I find their wands too short which makes them awkward to use.
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Foundations -Smashbox - High Definition Healthy FX Foundation
FallBaby 11/12/2008 4:52:00 PM
Picked up a sample of this foundation at Sephora after trying it on my hand and thinking it seemed pretty nice. On my face, it's a very sheer foundation not offering a lot of coverage, but it has a nice finish and w/a little loose powder over the top (I use Nars), it looked great. However, after 2 days of wearing this, I started breaking out, so this is not a product I will be buying nor can I recommend it. And I generally like a product with a bit more coverage as well. The color I have -- F2 -- was a great match for my fair, MAC C2 skin.
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Scrubs -Dermalogica - Daily Microfoliant
FallBaby 8/12/2008 2:57:00 PM
I'm currently on my second bottle of Microfoliant, and I do like the results I get with this product. My skin suffered a pretty severe breakout a few months ago, and I was looking for something to help heal the scars I had left over, while preventing future breakouts and improving my skin's texture. I have noticed a pretty decent improvement since I started using this scrub. I use it every other night after cleansing my skin. As other reviewers have stated, it's a powder that you add a little water to, to make a creamy consistency. I then gently massage this all over my face -- adding a little water if it gets too dry -- for a minute or two. I have noticed that my breakouts - when I do breakout - are not as severe as before, and they seem to heal faster when I'm using this. With that said, my one criticism of this product -- and I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 for this -- is that it is $47 for a jar, and while I'll pay that, I think it's expensive IHMO.
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Cleansers -Estee Lauder - Splash Away
FallBaby 8/12/2008 2:47:00 PM
Splash Away became my go-to cleanser after my favorite cleanser of all time (Face Stockholm Foaming Facial Cleanser) just got too difficult for me to find. I have combo skin that is very break-out prone. This cleanser removes make-up very well without stripping my skin of moisture or aggravating/causing breakouts, but I would think it would be drying for someone whose skin is on the dry side. The product is pretty concentrated and you just need a tiny bit, so a tube lasts awhile. The tube packaging is really convenient -- even for travel -- and I like that I don't have to dip my fingers into a jar and "contaminate" my cleanser. Overall, this is HG for me and is a staple in my skin care products.
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Conditioner -Pureology - INSTANT REPAIR LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
FallBaby 8/12/2008 2:36:00 PM
I've been experimenting with different leave-in conditioners after Aveda discontinued its Elixir leave-in. Picked up a sample of this at Beauty First; I'm glad I just invested in a sample size first - Pureology is crazy expensive. I LOVE the smell of this conditioner, and I had high hopes when I saw the consistency of this product - it's clear and is fairly runny -- so I didn't think it would weigh down my naturally-curly, color-treated hair. Unfortunately, that's exactly what it did, although my hair did feel moisturized after using this. Have since discovered Kiehl's leave-in, which is HG for me.
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Treatments -Giovanni - Direct Leave in Conditioner
FallBaby 8/12/2008 2:28:00 PM
I've been experimenting with leave-in conditioners after Aveda discontinued their Elixir leave-in. Saw this at Target and decided to give it a try -- I was pleasantly surprised; this works really well and it's price is pretty reasonable. I have naturally curly, color-treated hair, and this provided pretty good moisture without weighing my hair down. Kiehl's leave-in has since become my HG, but I would absolutely buy this as a worthy (and less expensive) runner up. EDITED 2/3/09 to add: This really hasn't been too effective for me lately. Didn't seem like it was doing it's thing w/regard to adding moisture to my hair and cutting down frizz, so I'm on the search again. I'd still rec this to folks as a good product to try if you're looking for a leave-in condish, but I probably won't be repurchasing and I knocked a lippie off.
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Treatments -Kiehls - Leave-in Conditioner [DISCONTINUED]
FallBaby 8/12/2008 2:23:00 PM
Was in the market for a leave-in after Aveda discontinued their Elixir leave-in. Got the Kiehl's a few weeks ago, and it gets a big thumbs up from me. I have naturally curly hair, and this doesn't weigh it down, just gives it the moisture it needs. It's pretty thick compared to other products I've used, and it isn't really scented, but it works great. Of course, it's pricey, but you don't need too much, so I'll continue to buy this - definitely goes on the HG list.
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Mascara -Kiss Me - Kiss Me Mascara
FallBaby 1/5/2008 10:24:00 PM
Ugh...I absolutely hate this stuff. I have long lashes that are a bit on the thin side so I usually look for volumizing mascaras. I've always wanted to try Kiss Me and finally got my chance when a friend of mine (who LOVES this mascara) gave me a tube for Christmas. Well...it did absolutely nothing to plump up my lashes; in fact, it kind of straightened my eyelashes out and just seemed to accentuate the skimpiness. Plus it felt weird -- kind of heavy. The one redeeming quality of this is that it does stay on and wear very well. You actually need to use a bit of soap and water and a little twisting/rubbing action to release the "tubes" which will then fall into the sink. IMHO Kiss Me is a tad gimmicky -- there are much better (and much cheaper) mascaras on the market.
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Lotions/ Creams -Bliss Labs - Plum Plum body butter
FallBaby 10/26/2007 12:31:00 PM
This is a really nice, moisturizing body cream with a pleasant fruity smell, and I'd glady keep it on hand at all times if it wasn't so freaking expensive - I just have a tough time justifying $34 for body lotion. Plus it's really not that much better than the lotions you can get at B&BW.
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Treatments -Bliss Labs - Sleeping Peel
FallBaby 10/26/2007 12:24:00 PM
I tried this product because my sister absolutely loves it. My experience with it was so-so. It didn't cause breakouts or anything, but I didn't really notice a huge difference in my skin tone either -- I have combo skin that is prone to stress-related/hormonal breakouts and have some acne scarring.
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Styling Products -Aveda - Pure-Fume Brilliant Emolliant Finishing Gloss
FallBaby 10/24/2007 3:20:00 PM
I LOVE this stuff, and I have tried many serums. For whatever reason, most leave my hair weighted down, but this stuff works amazingly well on my naturally curly, color treated hair. An added bonus -- when I use this, I reliably get stopped and asked about what perfume I'm wearing -- it does smell great (if you like that classic Aveda smell) and it's like perfume for your hair. I highly recommend -- one of my HG products.
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Shampoo -TiGi - Bed Head Moisture Maniac Shampoo
FallBaby 10/24/2007 3:15:00 PM
I LOVE the smell of this shampoo, but contrary to the name, I did not find it moisturizing enough for my naturally curly, color treated hair. I think this would be better for folks whose hair tends to be more toward the normal side of the spectrum.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive Skin
FallBaby 10/24/2007 11:46:00 AM
This is my HG daytime moisturizer. No annoying Olay scent, it's not greasy, it doesn't break me out, handy pump bottle and it's SPF 30. Plus it's a lot less expensive than my former moisturizer -- EL Daywear. I have combo skin and this works well regardless of whether I'm a tad oily (hot, humid days) or dry (cold winter days). It may be a little white when applied, but it sinks in quickly. A great product.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Moisture Therapy Cream- Sensitive Skin [DISCONTINUED]
FallBaby 10/24/2007 11:38:00 AM
After seeing numerous raves for this product on Makeup Alley, I decided to give it a try, and I couldn't be happier with this moisturizer. I have combo/oily skin and needed a good nighttime moisturizer that wouldn't break me out -- my biggest issue w/skincare products. I had also just decided to become a stay-at-home mom and needed something a little less expensive than my normal department store products. This moisuturizer fit the bill on all accounts -- it moisturizes well, doesn't have that annoying (IMHO) Olay smell, and doesn't break me out. With that said, if you have really dry skin or you're looking for extra bells and whistles in your moisturizer (antioxidents, etc.), you may want to try something else.
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Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Mascara
FallBaby 1/9/2004 11:03:00 AM
For years, I've been a loyal user of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara for my long, but skimpy, eyelashes. A few years ago, I tried Max Factor 2000 Calorie for a change of pace and it's a great thickening mascara. In fact (and I know this is kind of weird), I get a lot of compliments on my eyelashes when I use this mascara. I still stick with Voluminous, probably out of habit more than anything else, but will still buy this from time-to-time.
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