Scrubs -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Wash Daily Scrub 
stephani99 10/19/2006 6:15:00 PM
I really like this scrub :) It's got a creamy lotion-like texture, but has enough grainy "scrubbies" to get the job done without feeling like I'm using sandpaper on my face, or nothing at all like some of the weaker scrubs I've tried (yes Neutrogena Pore Refining Scrub, I'm talking to YOU). It smells pretty good too, but at the same time has a surprisingly tingly sensation upon washing off that makes my skin feel clean without dryness- and best of all, my skin looks clearer and feels smoother, even if I only use it 2-3x a week. Another winner from Neutrogena for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Neutrogena - Clear Pore Cleanser Mask
stephani99 10/19/2006 6:07:00 PM
Does nothing for me, either as a mask or a cleanser. Not even sure why I bought it mow because it's just a white, thick, slightly drying, non foaming cleanser that is so non-descriptive and useless they may as well discontinue it.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Pore Refining Cleanser 
stephani99 10/19/2006 6:05:00 PM
I like this, but I don't love it. I used to use it religiously but I've recently decided I don't think it has enough exfoliation for my needs anymore, since I only use it a few times a week. It's almost too gentle, and my skin isn't sensitive so I don't need something this delicate for it. Otherwise it's fine, but nothing to write home about. I didn't notice any difference in my pores, but it doesn't overdry my skin either, so that's a plus. Worth a try if it's on sale, but there are better ones out there.
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Treatments -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream
stephani99 10/19/2006 5:59:00 PM
I keep going back to this after trying other moisturizers so there must be a reason. I use the SPF 30 untinted version, and I love it. It's not greasy looking or feeling (so I can wear it by itself on no-makeup days), sinks in quickly, makes a great base for my makeup, and does seem to make my skin look and feel smoother. I've used moisturizers since I was 16 and stay out of the sun so I can't speak for the anti-wrinkle part just yet, but it definitely isn't hurting any :) Worth the price and for me, Neutrogena is one of the most consistently reliable drugstore lines around IMO.
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Treatments -Neutrogena - Rapid Clear Pads
stephani99 10/19/2006 5:54:00 PM
I never have bad luck with Neutrogena products which is why I chose this one over the many salycitic cleansing pads out there, especially after reading the labels. This one had the least irritating ingredients and the least alcohol, and didn't overdry my skin. In fact, the morning after first use, my combo skin looked clearer than it had in over a week. The downside: yes, the smell IS horrifying, I have to admit, but the product works and my skin looks great on those not-so-great days and times of the month which is when I reach for this, meaning I'm not a daily user. So far so good, hopefully it will continue.
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Treatments -Clean & Clear - Advantage Acne Spot Treatment
stephani99 10/19/2006 5:48:00 PM
This, as it claims, works well without overdrying, within a day or two for surface blemishes (aka non-cystic) but the packaging SUCKS and the main reason I won't be repurchasing. My tube cracked where the top of the tube meets the cap (the neck part I guess) and there was no way to repair it, so 3/4 of it was wasted and had to be trashed because it dried out almost immediately. I guess I could have squeezed it into another container, if I'd had one available, but since I didn't there wasn't much I could do. This also isn't much different from maximum strength Persa-gel, just a few different ingredients that keep it from overdrying the skin I suppose.
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Crème -L'Oreal - Feel Naturale Light Softening One-Step Makeup [DISCONTINUED]
stephani99 10/18/2006 6:18:00 PM
I love creme foundations and this one is lighter and sheerer than I remembered from past usage.... however, I now think it breaks me out because after a week of use (and it's the ONLY thing I've changed), 3-4 new zits appeared that weren't there before, damn :( Pity because I like the SPF in this and L'Oreal has been so good to me in the past. But, now that my skintone is a bit darker (NC20-25) as opposed to the Casper-like NC15 I was before, I think I'll try Aquasmooth again because it's similar, only doesn't break me out, the only problem was the shade selection.
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Palettes -Stila - just my luck palette in lucky plum
stephani99 4/27/2006 4:48:00 PM
I was lucky enough (er, no pun intended!) to get this in a swap and I LOVE it! It's defintely not plum, as already mentioned so I won't go into the shades except to say it's a lovely set of neutrals and the case is absolutely adorable. Same as the Press Shy palette I have, the e/s and blush are so soft and blendable, I'm impressed. I've never been a huge fan of Stila until now so this is great and I'm seriously considering getting Lucky Peach too. This is definitely a must-buy if you love Stila or just want a good quality, portable, cute palette with very wearable shades. I just don't want the case to get scratched or crystals to fall off, so I'll keep it in the box when I carry it around.
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Bronzers -Physicians Formula - Baked Bronzer
stephani99 4/22/2006 2:27:00 PM
This pale girl really likes this one; these remind me of MAC's Mineralized Skinfinishes, only a lot cheaper (and fewer shades, of course). I have Baked Tan and it doesn't look orange on me at all (I'm NC15/PPP). It's very fine milled, isn't glittery or frosty, goes on smoothly and lasts a long time. I can see getting a lot of use out of this one all summer.
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Foundations -L'Oreal - Visible Lift Line Minimizing Makeup
stephani99 4/6/2006 4:42:00 PM
YAY! L'Oreal finally got smart and put a pump on this one. This and Infallible are my two favorite liquid foundations, for different reasons. This one is lighter, both in feel and coverage and looks more natural (when I'm having "good skin" days, that is!). Color match is good, I use Soft Ivory (NC15 in MAC) and I love the SPF 17, even though I use a moisturizer with SPF underneath anyway. I find it's a little runny so the pump was always a necessity, and it seems to set fast so you have to blend fast. It's also buildable without looking heavy, cakey or settling into pores or lines throughout the day, and no breakouts. I'm combo so I still blot 1x a day in my t-zone, but that's pretty standard for every foundation I've tried.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -L'Oreal - Colour Juice Stick - Mango Tango
stephani99 3/28/2006 5:19:00 PM
I should have known. I don't like regular Color Juices but I heard raves so I picked this up to try. First the plusses- the color is nice, a pinky-nude, not orange or peach, despite the awful name. Feels smooth on, leaves a slight sheen and doesn't dry out my lips. Cute packaging. The minuses- awful smell, sickly sweet. I don't even know what it's supposed to be. Why does L'Oreal continue to do this? Didn't they learn from their new HIP line how nice a lip product can smell? Guess not. It also migrated wayyyy outside my lipline within minutes and wore off blindingly fast, then it just looked sloppy. Since I'm far too lazy to use lipliners anymore, I'd rather just wear gloss which defeats the purpose of these for me.
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Fragrances -Ralph Lauren - Ralph HOT
stephani99 3/28/2006 5:10:00 PM
I tested this without knowing what the notes were and liked it because it was light and summery, but spicy at the same time, at least on me. Even the sales girl was saying how summery it was. I'm not a big foody-scent fan anymore so when I read later that this has maple, cinnamon and cream I went WTH?! Really? Could have sworn I smelled some florals, maybe a bit of the tropics on vacation in there (and swear I still do) so okay then. In any case, my guy friend definitely thought it was Hot, and I quite like it myself but it now completely contradicts what I thought a spring/summery fragrance would be. Which is okay, YMMV and all, plus maybe these notes smell different on me than I thought. Love the cute purple with a blue cap packaging though, I admit. Just adorable on my vanity. I wish they made an EDP and it lasted a bit longer, but if I plan on wearing it during warm weather I'll be they don't, as will everyone around me I'm sure. (EDIT: cleaning out my stash a year or so later I realized I must like this because I somehow ended up with two bottles; one almost empty, the other almost full. Clearly I wanted a backup afraid I'd run out, lol! Also, to me it's nothing like BBWs Brown Sugar and Fig, which I don't care for, but I can see where it could be comparable based on the notes.)
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Hair Color -L'Oreal - Color Pulse [DISCONTINUED]
stephani99 3/22/2006 1:19:00 PM
I use this as a color refresher on my already colored hair (currently a bright copper red). This is my favorite haircolor for that purpose because it has a lot of pigment, doesn't drip, irritate my scalp or dry out my already processed hair. It's quick to use, easy and even works well on highlights because the thick mousse texture stays where you put it. The color payoff is huge, my hair is shiny and I love the bright shades (disappointed they're dc'ing the bright auburn one though I think, but I still use the red and the copper). I find the color lasts as long as I need it to since I only use it about every other month in-between hair appointments.
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Powder -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder
stephani99 3/20/2006 12:56:00 PM
Until now, mineral foundations of ANY type or brand have not worked for me for various reasons. PF's new one is the exception and an awesome one at that. Translucent Light is perfect for my NC15/PPP self, it applies evenly and smoothly with a separate kabuki brush (the one they include is cute, but too small and a bit rough-feeling). Once on this makes me look flawless, lasts all day even in my t-zone without requiring a touch-up, is just the right amount of coverage and I don't need much (if any) concealer. It looks natural, feels like nothing, minimzes my pores and so far has not broken me out (and no bismuth so no itching either, yay). Way to go PF! Simply put: this is perfect for me and may reach HG status if it continues to perform this well. Will definitely rebuy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Neutrogena - mineral sheers mineral powder foundation-fair to light
stephani99 3/9/2006 6:11:00 PM
This stuff was crap in a tube with a brush attached, basically. Once I finally got any of the powder to come out of that cheap rough, scratchy brush, I wasn't sure I was actually wearing anything after applying because no matter how much I tried, I couldn't see it on my face. No idea how they can call this powder foundation because it's the sheerest foundation I've ever tried (I would say "ever seen," but I couldn't see it). Ended up returning... too expensive, $11.99 for nothing - thank goodness for Walgreens.
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