Cleansers -Aveeno - Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
Griffin1104 11/30/2008 11:14:00 PM
I bought this product based on Dr. Baumann's recommendation in her Skin Type Solution book to help with my sensitive skin and rosacea. I like the pump and foam. And while I'm used to more substantial cleansers, this one seems to be doing the trick. Granted, it does not leave my skin feeling tight and squeaky clean, I guess that should be considered a plus, and it's just a mental barrier I need to get over. My only one complaint is that I can't decant it into a shorter container so I can keep it in my medicine cabinet.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Christian Dior - L-Or de Vie
Griffin1104 11/30/2008 10:55:00 PM
A friend who has connections at Dior has kept me in a steady supply. Otherwise, there's no way on earth I'd every purchase these products at such an outrageous price. Now, unfortunately for the bad news...it works! Well, I don't know how effective the ingredients actually are, but my skin is noticeably smoother and softer. I've tried the serum, the cream and the eye cream and have totally enjoyed the texture and scent of all the products. The serum is light and non-oily and isn't sticky at all. And the cream is rich and emmolient and is absorbed into the skin easily. I'm saving the cream now for just the eye area and will continue to use Dior's Multi-Perfection Cream throughout the colder season. But next time I get a new batch, I'm definitely going to be one happy camper.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Kiehls - Lip Balm #1
Griffin1104 11/30/2008 10:47:00 PM
I get a free one on each birthday from Kiehl's and I must say it's one of my favourite birthday presents. I don't think I would have tried it based on the strong negative reviews on this site. However, after my Kiehl's Baby Lip Balm started smelling like rancid bacon fat, I thought I'd give this one a try. I started using it as my pre-bed lip balm and it has outperformed all others. I wake up and my lips are still moist and soft without feeling greasy or sticky. It also has no smell or taste, which is refreshing in a lip balm. My only one complaint is that it's in a tube with a screw-top lid. I wish it was in an easier applicator, but I leave it at home and don't have to worry about carrying it around with me and then popping open and oozing out or anything.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Philosophy - Turbo Booster C Powder
Griffin1104 11/30/2008 10:38:00 PM
I got this product in a kit and I've finally got around to using it. I like the fact that it can be added to an existing cream or serum. I don't like the fact that it's hard to fish out of the jar and the dosage is an estimate at best and can vary greatly from application to application. Results, though, are the most important thing, and considering all of the Vitamin C products I've tried, this one is so-so. I wouldn't complain as much, but it just doesn't hold a candle to Cellex-C. It's not worth the price and I would not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
Griffin1104 4/26/2008 1:29:00 AM
Love this stuff. It's like a refreshing drink for my skin. I use it after my microdermabrasion treatments to calm and soothe my skin. I use it to ease a sunburn. I use it to moisten my Muji facial masks. I use it whenever I need a pick-me-up. I buy it when they have multi-pack sales at my local drugstore and the canisters easily last a year. I even keep a couple of small ones for travelling. It's an especially refreshing treat on a plane. No smell, no fuss, no muss. Just spritz and relax.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Clinique - Turnaround Concentrate [DISCONTINUED]
Griffin1104 4/26/2008 1:22:00 AM
Great packaging, but useless product. It didn't make me break out and it's fragrance-free and I really liked the pump dispenser and texture of the cream. No change or impact on my skin, however. I got this product passed on to me so I'm definitely happy I didn't buy it. There are so many other better treatment creams out there that cost a lot less and are more effective.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Cellex-C - Serum and Hydra B5
Griffin1104 4/26/2008 1:18:00 AM
I got the combo kit from the Shopping Channel. I don't know why I fall for these sales pitches. I'm such a sucker for skincare and just can't resist. Next time I see Cellex-C, I'll know better. The application was straightforward, but I found the Hydra B5 left a sort of sticky residue. It didn't creep or burn or anything, so that's good news. However, after 60 days, I really found that it had no impact on the condition of my skin. The collars on my white-T-shirts did develop an orange stain throughout the day, which was enough to turn me off this product once and for all. UPDATE: I've been using just the Cellex-C Serum on its own and I actually HAVE noticed an improvement in the tone and texture of my skin. My colour is more even, my pores are slightly more refined, and the texture is softer. I may finally have the right combination of products, but this is definitely one of them. I've since repurchased and will probably continue to do so as long as I get those show-stopper deals.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
Griffin1104 4/26/2008 1:12:00 AM
Purity made simple? Yeah, right...with a list of 28 ingredients. Um, I don't think so. Even if most of them are natural, The best "pure" cleansers I've used have four ingredients, so I find this a little misleading. The essential oils do add a pleasant fragrance, but I prefer my cleansers to be less liquidy and suds up a little more upon application. However, I give it points for not stripping my skin. I got this as a gift, but I doubt I'd buy it as long as Clinique keeps making their Liquid Facial Soap Mild.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Santa Maria Novella - Acqua di Sicilia
Griffin1104 4/26/2008 1:04:00 AM
Very sharp, tangy citrus...almost a sour smell but with a very pleasant yet uncloying sweet quality. More juicy, I would say, than sugary. The fragrance doesn't last long at all, but it's a great pick-me-up in the summer. Sort of like a spritzer. I still prefer the SMN signature scent, but this is a close runner-up.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Dr. Denese - Exfoliating Facial Firming Pads
Griffin1104 4/13/2008 2:11:00 AM
Great product of its kind. I ordered a three-pack of jars, 30 wipes per jar. The pads are completely saturated with product, which is a good thing but they're a little difficult to extract one at a time from the jar. As part of my PM ritual, I swipe them around my face and neck after cleansing and rub the excess onto the backs of my hands (thanks, MUA users for the tip). I strongly recommend you follow the suggested application if you're new to glycolic products and start slowly, gradually building up over several weeks otherwise you might experience some burning. I've really noticed a difference in the texture and clarity of my skin and it's really helped control and minimize any breakouts. I also think I'm getting more benefit from any treatment that follows after. I don't use it every day and I especially don't use it on days when I'm manually exfoliating, but I definitely plan on always having a jar of these in my cabinet.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Ojon - Restorative Hair Treatment
Griffin1104 4/4/2008 7:13:00 PM
The smell. The SMELL. Yes, everyone has an opinion on the smell. Honestly, it really is beyond intense. It reminds me of coffee and chocolate and tobacco and I really don't mind it. The intensity could be turned down just a notch, though. That being said, it's a cute concept in a cute package. You scoop out a small amount of the thick paste using the back of the faux-bois comb and melt the concoction by rubbing it between the palms of your hands. Then run your fingers through your dry hair and repeat until hair is saturated. I have short-ish hair and am surprised at the volume of product I need to apply. For someone with longer hair, it might be slightly prohibitive considering the cost. After 20+ minutes, I washed it out with Ojon shampoo and followed up with their conditioner. It rinsed out easily, but the smell definitely lingered. And the results? I didn't notice any extra shine, but I did notice it made my hair thicker and fuller...not traits I was going for. I was using the complete system, however, and am not entirely sure which product to blame. Once the Ojon shampoo and conditioner are used up, I'll have to switch back to my reliable l'Oreal Feria and see if that makes a difference. Regardless, I won't buy this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -L'Occitane - Amande Cleansing and Soothing Shower Oil
Griffin1104 4/4/2008 7:01:00 PM
I bought this product based on the strong recommendation on this board and don't regret it for a minute. The container is stable on my tub ledge and I appreciate the toggle cap...no messy lids or screwtops to worry about. The consistency is definitely unique and if you're used to gels and such, you might have a tendency to overpour, as I did. Really, a little bit goes a long way. Just keep your eye on your hand and you won't be spilling and slipping all over the tub. The best feature, though, is the smell. While I'm addicted to the smell of almond, this is definitely in a class of its own. Not like marzipan at all. It reminds me of a raw milky almond eaten right off a tree. Not cloying at all. And it lingers in the bathroom after I use it, which is a nice pleasant treat. After use, my skin felt smooth and not tight at all, as some reviewers have commented. While the price may be a bit steep, I'll definitely be altering this product with my favourite lemon and mint shower gels. Perfection.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Clinique - All About Eyes Rich
Griffin1104 4/4/2008 6:35:00 PM
Still on the search for my perfect eye cream. This isn't it. I don't care for the jar, but at least the texture of the product is nice...rich and smooth. The product goes on easily and there's no greasy residue, oily shine or tackiness. It also didn't creep into my eyes or cause any stinging. All that is good, but it just wasn't effective. I felt like it wasn't emollient enough for me and it didn't do too much to minimize my wrinkles. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Aveeno - Skin Relief Body Wash
Griffin1104 3/28/2007 12:09:00 AM
I bought this based on the reviews here, and I have to say..."not thrilled." The scent is pleasantly vanilla/almond and the flip-top dispenser is handy for one-handed shower action. But I find the product disturbingly thick. I can squeeze out a whole dose in my hand and it gets slurped right back into the bottle when I release my squeeze. I also find I'm using more of this product than any other body wash I've tried. I think it's a latherability thing because it doesn't seem to go very far. As far as skin condition, it appears to be relieving my itchy legs after a long, dry winter season. Unfortunately, though, this is not the holy grail I was hoping for. So on goes the hunt...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Christian Dior - Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme
Griffin1104 3/13/2007 2:20:00 PM
I received this product as a deluxe sample some time ago and started using it about four weeks ago. I tell you, it's a minor miracle. I have been on a quest for a good overall cream for some time and this one far exceeds my wildest expectations. I often disregard all the claims made about the product and just hope that it makes my skin feel comfortable, doesn't make me break out, and doesn't stink. This creme not only achieves that, it also made my pores smaller (seriously! I thought this was impossible), made my skin less oily (seriously!!), and the lines on my forehead are softening. It's really unbelievable. While it may not be for everyone, and while other reviewers may not be happy with it, I'm prepared to throw everything else out and cough up the price for this HG creme.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No