Styling Products -T3 - Plump Heat Seeking Liquid Hair Plumper 
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 5:14:00 PM
I like this hair plumper even though it is clearly unloved by many. I use a few sprays every time I dry my hair with a couple of pumps of Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam. These two products together help give my hair soft volume and life. The price has come down - it runs $28 now instead of $38. I would not pay $38 for it. See if you can get a sample. I started with a sample and became addicted to this product.
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Styling Products -Jonathan - Product Create Volume Thickening Foam
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 5:08:00 PM
I do enjoy this product. I use it every time I wash my hair. I am picky about mousse type products as so many of them leave my fine, straight hair feeling stiff when they dry. Jonathan's Create Volume does not cause any stiffness. It helps improve my hair's volume and manageability. I use it with a couple of sprays of T3 Plump and then I blow dry my hair. The pump dispenser is very convenient and clean. No offensive smells. One container lasts me many months. This is a keeper for me.
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Makeup Brushes -NARS - Botan Brush
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 5:03:00 PM
I have died and gone to heaven. This is such a wonderful brush. It is a joy to use. I purchased mine from Neiman Marcus. I wouldn't describe the softness as that of a cat's fur. My Botan is not quite that soft, but it does indeed feel like a really dense and soft animal fur. It has occasionally shed a small amount, but not enough to worry me at all. I use the Botan for one purpose only. After I apply my Chanel Lift Lumiere foundation, I dust on my La Mer Translucent Powder. Then, I take my Botan and buff the excess powder off and blend my face. This Botan is perfect for that use. The handle is really substantial. When you hold it, you know you are holding an expensive and extraordinary tool. I doubt I will ever need another Botan, but if my Botan were ever missing, I would buy it again to replace it. I love the Yachiyo, too. NARS rocks.
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Primer/ Corrector -Chanel - Base Lumiere - Illuminating Makeup Base
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 4:55:00 PM
I used Base Lumiere under my Chanel Lift Lumiere for months. At some point, I asked myself if I could justify the product. I really couldn't. I couldn't tell that Base Lumiere was or was not on my face. Believe it or not, I like cheaper primers better. Presently, I use Too Faced Primed and Poreless. I use a generous amount of Primed and Poreless and its presence does indeed reduce the amount of foundation that I need. I am break-out prone and noted no cloggies with Base Lumiere. I don't have a problem with Primed and Poreless, either. As far as "illumination," I never noticed illumination after my foundation went on. I did see a glow beforehand. If you want illumination, try Meteorites by Guerlain. I like the Pressed Meteorites in Color 02. Great on the cheekbones. I am putting Base Lumiere in my Cash for Clunkers pile.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Ziana
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 4:21:00 PM
This is my one product that I would take with me to a desert island if only allowed one thing. I used to have Time of the Month cystic nodule formations and clogged pores. Ziana solved those cystic nodules completely after about 2 months of continuous use at bedtime. I purged a couple of cysts during the first two months, but, seriously, no more ugly buggers. My uneven, freckly and scarred skin tone has also DRAMATICALLY improved. Ziana is covered on my insurance so I only have a $20 copay, but if you are uninsured, expect to pay $200 a tube. Each tube lasts me about 4 months. I use Ziana on my face, neck, upper chest, and the tops of my hands. Ziana is a retinoid combined with clindamycin. I still get occasional clogged pores, but not nearly as many as I used to get. I apply Ziana after my shower every night, following the rule that prescriptions go closest to the skin. Over it, I apply my moisturizer but only when the Ziana is completely dry. Ziana is a gel and a little goes a long way. As a long term user of Ziana, my dermatologist recommends that I really load the product on. A standard tube might last you much longer than 4 months if you are using only a starter amount ot Ziana and if you are only using it on your face. I have had occasional flakies with Ziana. Chanel Rectifiance Intense is my morning moisturizer. It really helps keep the flakies at bay during the day. My Charisonic provides excellent exfoliation support at bedtime. I also like to use chemical exfoliants, like REN's Glycolactic Peel and NatraBisse Glycoline and YSL Gommage to further combat flakies.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Peter Thomas Roth - Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 3:57:00 PM
I find this to be a nice but not ground breaking treatment. I feel it is not as strong as MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel. I can use it more often than the MD Skincare product. The PTR product is much cheaper than the MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel. I do like the NatraBisse GlycoLine Glyco Extreme Peel, too, but I only use my cherished samples of it. I haven't been brave enough to spend $200+ on a full bottle of the NatraBisse product. Compared to NatraBisse, PTR's peel is dirt cheap. Unfortunately, I can't really say that I have noticed dramatic changes in my skin because of this product. Definitely the very very best thing that I use on my skin is Ziana, a prescription product from my dermatologist. It does indeed run $200 a tube, each tube lasting 4-6 months. This is like a facial every night. It has done for my skin much of what the claims are for this PTR peel. I will never go without my Ziana. I am almost finished with a 60 pad PTR Peel jar. I do not think I will replace it when it is gone.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Nails -Zoya - Remove +
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 3:49:00 PM
I really like Zoya's Remove +. I use the Big Flipper dispenser and refill it from the Economy sized bottle. I find it to be an expensive splurge, but I can't think of using anything else anymore. I have no trouble getting off glitters (maybe also because I use three base coats routinely - - NailTek Foundation II, OPI Nail Envy, and Orly Bonder). Also, I have less shrinkage with Zoya Remove + as my nail prep. It really makes my nail receptive to the base coats. I use at least one Big Flipper's worth every month. I change polish a lot - - total polish ADD. Highly recommend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Zoya - Diem
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 2:06:00 PM
I like this polish. It is a nice nude, complimentary to my NC 25ish complexion. Doesn't look shimmery on the nail but it is shimmery in the bottle. Take a couple of coats to become opaque. Tips only - - I feel it is too pale for toes. Very easy to apply quickly, little clean up.
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Polishes -OPI - Barefoot in Barcelona
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 2:02:00 PM
My favorite nudish color! It is beautiful. I rarely like nudes, but this is a nice one. Applies evenly, easily, and wears for days and days. I would not put it on my toes, but I love it on my tips.
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Polishes -OPI - No Spain No Gain
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 1:56:00 PM
Love this color. It applies like a dream and wears like steel. I did both tips and toes with it in August and I received compliments wherever I went. This is an attention-getting polish. I personally feel it is too hot of a polish for winter, so I have put it away for now. Barefoot in Barcelona and No Spain No Gain are my faves from the Espana collection.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Chanel - Jade Rose
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 1:51:00 PM
This is a very lovely pink. The formula is one of the better ones from Chanel and it is opaque enough for me with two coats. Honestly, it is a little bit on the boring side. I will put this one away and pull it out next spring. I'll probably want to wear it more then. I wore it for a couple of days and there was no chipping, but, since I have nail polish ADD, I removed it and changed to another color. Not a must have.
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Polishes -Chanel - Jade 407
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 1:48:00 PM
I fell for the hype and bought Chanel Jade and Jade Rose, too. I can't tell you how long it wears for because it was off my tips within the first hour. I found this color unflattering on my NC 25ish complexion with yellow undertones. I knew my husband would hate it too, so I took it off. The formula itself is fine and I do like the way it looks on PPPs. I can wear Jade Rose, so my expensive splurge was not all a waste.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - Indian Summer
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 1:29:00 PM
Well, I think that the mustard yellow in this duo might not be a fave for PPP types, but for murky girls like me with NC 25ish complexions, the mustardy color looks so nice. No joke. I really love this on me and I've been complimented on it as well. I like both sides of the duo and find the payoff to be better than some other Nars duos. All About Eve doesn't show up on me. Indian Summer does. It lasts better than Rated R and really gives me a nice glowy look. Thank you, Mr. Nars, your colors really push the envelope!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -L'Occitane - 20% Shea Butter Soap
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 12:24:00 PM
This is a wonderful soap. I started with the Mistral Shea Butter Soaps but I tired of the fragrances they had. I wanted something completely neutral. This L'Occitane soap seems to be just about the same as the Mistral soaps in its cleansing and moisturizing properties, but there is little scent to bother me. I've used many bars of this. It lasts about 5 weeks with daily heavy use. I could even use it on my sensitive, dryness prone legs. I've since switched to using Kiss My Face Unscented Moisture Shave for my legs, but my L'Occitane remains in the shower for body use. Highly recommend.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Unlisted Brand - Mistral Vanilla Apricot Oatmeal Soap
ChristmasMom 10/24/2009 12:20:00 PM
This is my favorite of all of the Mistral Shea Butter Soaps. It has a very pleasant scent while you are in the shower. Thankfully, it doesn't perfume your skin. It is pretty scent-neutral when you are out of the shower. I don't want to smell like my soap. I've received compliments from house guests for this soap. Lots of people like it. It is the scent that I use for gift-giving purposes, too. I did tire of it after many bars (each bar lasted me about 5 weeks with daily heavy use). I switched to L'Occitane unscented Shea Butter Soap. Deals are to be had on Mistral soaps on the company's website. Does not dry the skin.
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