Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Satin Pillowcases 
Quilley 1/29/2013 4:59:00 PM
I don't know why I didn't review these before when I've been using them for over ten years now. IMO/E silk/satin pillowcases can protect the skin and hair from wrinkles and split ends. The idea behind this is that satin is slippery and helps prevent wrinkles and creases in the skin from repeatedly sleeping in the same position and having the facial skin rubbing against cotton. As for the hair, it helps with retaining moisture in the hair as well as preventing split ends - the idea being that cotton is rougher and the ends of the hair get dried out and are more prone to breakage. All I know is that when I slept with cotton cases on my pillow I sometimes woke up with creases on my face. I have not experienced this with silk/satin pillowcases. I buy mine from Dharma Trading. If you wash them carefully in mild detergent in a lingerie bag on the gentle or hand-wash cycle and let them air dry they will last a long time. DT's are properly made with finished seams and hems. NOTE: I have also purchased silk satin fabric to make my own cases and head wraps with the same results. http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1384272-AA.shtml
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Polishes -Essie - Not Just a Pretty Face
Quilley 1/26/2013 7:09:00 PM
After about three years or more of searching for the "perfect" pink opaque nude, I think I have found it. I wanted a shade that did not make my (tan, NC42) hands look washed out but that was not transparent and complimented the pink tones in my nail beds. This is like Essie's Mademoiselle - opaque. On MY hands it's a very soft mauve mixed with a touch of beige. I'm not well versed in nail polishes, but I did look this one up and learned that it's from Essie's Summer Collection 2009, so I am beyond late to the party, lol. That said there is a benefit to waiting to purchase - reduced pricing! I paid under $4.00 for this on Amazon, which is less than 50% of the full retail price of $8.00! I removed one point because although it's a sheer, it can be built up to become opaque on the nails. It's just the fact that it took 4 coats to get there! I can still see a bit of white tip through all 4 coats. Not happy about that although it does add strength to the nails. So all in all I love it. It give my nails the look of being clean, healthy, is perfect for interviews, chips will not be that noticeable and it lays down in coats that are just a tiny bit streaky imo. The streaks go away with additional coats of polish. The very small amount of mauve mixed with pink is perfect for my tan hands. This one is a staple for sure.
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Conditioner -Suave - Professionals Humectant Conditioner
Quilley 1/17/2013 1:17:00 AM
I used the conditioner immediately following the shampoo of the same brand/type. I think the scent is supposed to be coconut, which is just ok...not really a fan but I did not find the scent over powering. I used about two tablespoons to cover all of my hair, which is shoulder blade length, thick and wiry. I wear it flat ironed most of the time, so it's really important to me that the conditioner is coating my hair with enough moisture to help protect it when i hit it with a 450d. flat iron. I distribute conditioner with a rubber bristled brush - I find that I use less and I can make sure that every strand is coated. This softened my hair immediately, making it really slick and silky - even wet, in the shower. It's loaded with silicone which I l actually like for my hair type. The really nice thing about this conditioner is that I barely had to brush through it. No tangles! I used my microfiber towel afterwards and noticed that my hair did not get as dry as it normal. It took me a little longer to blow dry and even them my hair was still about 90% dry when i was tired of blow drying. My hair was also very straight, straighter than normal, even before i hot it with the flat iron. The shine and moisture are the main things I wanted from this product and it did deliver these things. I could run a comb through it very easily. It completely moisturized the ends of my hair so I did not have to add extra product, which was a nice surprise. My hair felt clean, super soft and shiny. It does smell like coconut, but I guess I can live with that. I will purchase again.
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Shampoo -Suave - Professional Humectant Shampoo
Quilley 1/17/2013 1:07:00 AM
I waited a long time to try this shampoo. For some reason, I always wait a long time after a new product comes out before I purchase it. Mostly because I want to see how long it takes before other people try it, the manufacturer works out the kinks (no pun intended, lol) and re-launches it. I went back and looked at reviews from 2010 and I think the shampoo may have been reformulated, so it was time to buy. $2.19 at my local market. I've never purchased the Nexxus product as a comparison because I don't believe in spending a lot of money on shampoo. It's soap. It's got a ton of silicone in it, which is fine because my hair is long, coarse and dry. I washed my hair with it twice, rinsed well. I did the squeak test, but there was no squeak, which always lets me know if there is enough moisture left in my hair. I will buy this again. It gets my hair clean, does not dry it out, a little goes a long way and it lathers very well.
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Treatments -Murad - Intensive-C Radiance Peel
Quilley 1/15/2013 1:24:00 AM
This review is for Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel 50ml/1.7oz. I received this as a gift from a friend, so I had to research the price point. For $27.00 (US) and the amount of product you get, I suppose this is not bad. Overall I have no problem spending a bit more for skin care products as long as they are high quality and yield results. My skin is aging/acne/sensitive. It's a tough combination to treat. So when I found Dr. Murad's products through a friend, I was skeptical. The first one I tried was a cleanser with great results, so I wanted to try something else in the line. The Intensive C Radiance Peel made my skin softer and smoother with one application. Just like the instructions said, I left it on a freshly cleansed face for 10 minutes, then exfoliated with a warm wash cloth, rinsed. I can see clearer skin, clear pores, no irritation, which is exactly what I am looking for. Because I used it on my chin area first, I wanted to wait to see if there was any reaction not just upon removal, but a few hours later. Almost eight hours later and no reaction, no redness, irritation, itching.
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Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner
Quilley 1/10/2013 12:59:00 AM
Must-haves in a shampoo & conditioner: 1. I like to use both in the same brand/type for each wash 2. High shine 3. Moisturizing with no oily feel . 4. Extremely clean feeling (squeak test) 5. A clean rinse out (no residue) . Over 150 reviews here for this product and all are so varied! Wow. I read about 4 pages of reviews and then washed my hair with the L'Oreal Evercreme Cleansing Conditioner. At $6.00 for 8 oz. I thought was a little high for a DS product, however it was on sale. About the pump. I get it. It does dispense very little. That said, it's probably to help regulate the amount used. I thought that the 20 pumps sounded like a lot, but it took exactly this many pumps to cover my hair - 10 pumps each for two washes. I did experience the low lather which is part of the action. It didn't feel weird or anything, but this was probably because I'd already washed my hair, which is super thick, long and wiry. It needs moisture, but I can't over-wash it or I will dry it out. I wash it once a week. Just like the reviews suggested, I made sure my hair was soaking wet, applied 3-4 pumps per section and rubbed it in well before moving on the to the next section. I rubbed a little extra into the ends for good measure. Rinsed it out, then started again. One trick I always use is a rubber tipped brush to help distribute conditioner. It helps the conditioner spread out evenly and I find I use less. So I did the same thing this time on the second was. I found I needed a little less product overall. Washed me, then washed out the product, using first warm, then cool water, just like I always do. I rinsed for a total of 3-4 minutes, then for one more minute for good measure. I could tell right away that my hair was much more moisturized than usual. It had a lot of slip to it and really felt like it did when i give myself a hot oil treatment. Maybe even more so. It did take longer to dry. I saw the shine come up right away once I blotted my hair dry. I used the Aquiss hair towel to get most of the moisture out. Then I applied my normal heat seal (PM) and a few drops of serum and pressed it out with my flat iron using one pass as usual. My hair came out with a shine like glass. It's super soft, super shiny, super silky, all the way down to the ends, which are super dry and happen to need a good trim right now. I'm shocked at how well this works and how fast it works. I'm feeling like this is not a product that I can use every week. I don't know for sure yet, but it seems like I'm going to need to use a clarifying shampoo in-between using this because my scalp needs a full leather to feel clean and fresh. It meets 4 out of my 5 criteria. Still very good. This method will end up making this product basically a deep conditioner. I'm ok with that. Best of all my scalp is not dried out. I want to see how my hair looks and feels when I go outside in the cold winter tomorrow. That will be the true test. I will report more as the weeks go by, but I'm fully satisfied with this product for my hair.
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BB Cream -Maybelline - Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream
Quilley 12/29/2012 11:50:00 AM
A gift from a skin-twin friend here on MUA. I was super cautious about even spot testing this because my skin is just that sensitive, but so far so good. Although this is meant to be a "balm" I find that it provides equal or better coverage than my L'Oreal True Match Foundation. I did a side-by-side test with each and found that the BB provides equal coverage. Shocking. The true test will be if I don't experience any breakouts. I'm printing the ingredients here for those who wish to look for specific things that may break out the skin. The main culprits for me are mineral oils and high levels of silicone. Keeping my fingers crossed for this product. UPDATE: Jan. 16, 2013 - Something in this formula gave me small bumps under the skin and a type of roughness that I've never felt on my face before. Discontinued use. UPDATE - Feb. 1, 2013 - Tried it again with better results! Will wear a few days a week now. I have no idea what the reason was for the initial breakouts. Ingredients: Active: Titanium Dioxide 1.15%. Inactive: Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isohexadecane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Methylisothiazolinone, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
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Misc Beauty Tools -E.L.F. - Signature case - Black
Quilley 12/29/2012 2:45:00 AM
I got this from a friend and I love it. It's not only $8.00 (looked it up) but it's extremely well and thoughtfully made. It has two zippers at the top of the case; one for brushes with a band that holds them in place. The other zippered pouch holds quite a lot. The exterior is pleather and washes up very easily. I received the black, so it kind of goes with everything, yet looks very sophisticated without screaming out "I'm a MAKEUP BAG!" Even though I try to keep what I carry to a minimum, (cough, cough) there is loads of room for ALL the cosmetics I wear each day, even a small pallet. There is also a netted section between the brush part and the pouch part for other things. The width of the entire bag is just two inches which means it fits perfectly inside of medium sized and large purses and can be tucked into a corner of a train case or suitcase easily. This is a winner all the way around.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Silicone Cleansing Pad
Quilley 12/15/2012 3:43:00 AM
This was an unexpected gift from a friend as part of a package of skin care. I was so busy trying out my new products, I tossed aside the one thing I should have tested first! It's the simplest thing...a 2 1/2 by 2 inch silicone disk with a short suction cup / holder on the back. It's got two sets of scrubbies on it the surface; one a series of super soft short "needles" and the other a short row of nubs. I read up a bit on how it is to be used and it's super simple. You just apply your regular cleaner and work the brush over your face, just like you do a Clarisonic or other facial brush. It's so soft and gentle I really went to work to make sure I got the full benefit and after washing off my cleanser, I could see that it got all the pores on my nose completely clear - ALL of them. I even checked in a magnifying mirror to be certain. I also have some congestion under my lower lip and I could see a significant improvement on that area as well. I had no idea this even existed, and it's suddenly become the most important skin care tool in my arsenal. It's just a few dollars in price, it rinses clean and can be dried and stored on my vanity with in a few seconds. I need to search around to see if there is a larger one for body care. There's nothing else like it on the market (that I have seen) and it's extremely effective. LOVE.
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Lips -Sleek - Pout Polish ALL
Quilley 12/7/2012 4:12:00 PM
I got this as a treat/gift from a friend and I'm excited! I received the Pink Cadillac which is a hot pink, but wears like a sheer intense pink, perfect for brightening my NC40/42 skintone. Had to check the price point since it was a gift and was THRILLED to discover it costs $5.99 US! AND it comes in many shades for all skin tones. The color does fade after a few minutes, but I associate this with ingredients like wheat germ oil which (I hope!) are being absorbed into my skin. I do know it makes my lips nice and soft. ZThe product is scented with Vanilla and it is strong! However it does wear off after a few minutes. I removed one lippie for it being a pot product, which means the possibility of introducing germs into the pot. Clean hands before using this one. I like how the website is set up and the other color choices, so I'm sharing the link here! and the Vanilla fragrance is strong, which I like. It wears off after
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Misc Beauty Tools -E.L.F. - Mascara & Shadow Shield
Quilley 12/7/2012 3:58:00 PM
Hooray for this tool! It's a simple black plastic wand with a large, cut-out, fexible silicone disk designed to protect/shield the eye while applying shadows, pencils and mascara. There are two cut-outs, sort of like two half moons, one smaller than the other so that I can move the shield around for mascara, shadow, liner. Best of all the price was 50% off bringing the tool to $1.50 US. The second great thing is the fact that the silicone feels soft, cool and smooth on the skin with no hard edges. It also sticks to the skin so I can "lift" my lashes up to apply mascara instead of using the lash curlers all the time. It washes clean with a little soap and water and is completely reversible. What a neat idea and worth every penny. Instant love.
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Moisturizers -Estee Lauder - Day Wear Plus lotion SPF 15
Quilley 12/3/2012 9:39:00 PM
I'm almost afraid to write this review because i don't want to jinx what I'm experiencing with this cream. I'm middle aged, have acne/sensitive/aging skin and finding moisturizers with added nutrients and sunscreen is a nightmare. Most products for this combination of skin I've tried results in breakouts, not moisturizing enough, too oily, not enough of this, too much of that (silicones, mineral oils) but this one seems truly different. It gives my skin a glow and *deeply* moisturizes without being too oily. My skin seems to soak up what it needs and continues to use what sits on the surface throughout the day. It's not so much that I use too much as it is my skin literally stays moist all day long. I thought this was really strange, so I looked it up and it's created to do just this. That's technology for you. Best of all it's got SPF 15, which means that along with my SPF 15 foundation, I'm feeling pretty good about the amount of sun protection I'm getting. I also took a look at the nutrients and vitamins which the website lists as: "An advanced moisturizer to defend against signs of premature aging-and diminish their appearance. Helps safeguard skin with advanced broad-spectrum sunscreen. Visibly reduces the first signs of aging, like dullness and fine, dry lines. In fact, 96% of women said their skin felt smoother, fresher and healthier instantly. This proprietary complex of skin-essential anti-oxidants-including Vitamins C and E, Eukarion and EGT-is proven to fight free radical damage that can lead to visible aging. Helps neutralize every key type of skin-damaging free radical-before the damage is done to your appearance. Innovative technology allows the Super Anti-Oxidant Complex to be "recycled" all day long, providing continuous anti-oxidant protection long after it would normally be used up. Protect with Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen DayWear helps safeguard skin with advanced broad-spectrum sunscreen. Meets the most advanced standards around the world for UVA protection. By helping defend against damaging UV rays, it helps protect skin to keep it looking younger, longer. Diminish the First Signs of Aging Works to diminish the appearance of the first signs of aging-the dullness and fine, dry lines you're starting to see. Helps bring out the healthy radiance of youthful skin. Enjoy Lasting, Refreshing Moisture Since dryness can also cause skin to look older faster, DayWear refreshes your skin with deep, long-lasting hydration. Infused with a crisp cucumber scent-an instant pick-me-up. Apply AM and PM after your Repair Serum. FORMULA FACTS Dermatologist-tested Non-acnegenic * In vitro testing, comparing the proprietary Super Anti-Oxidant Complex with widely used anti-oxidants such as Alpha-lipoic acid, Kinetin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and Idebenone. ** Consumer test of DayWear, using Creme for Dry skin. It also rec'd the Allure award for "Best Dry Skin Moisturizer 2011" fwiw. All I know is I'm getting a ton of benefits, no breakouts and my skin is looking a little more clear each day. I'm very happy with this product and praying that EL does not change to ingredients. It's perfect just the way it is. I removed one lippie for over-all based on the fact that the packaging could be a lot more sanitary. Dipping my fingers into a jar (even though I know they are clean) does not make me 100% confident that I am not transferring germs into the jar. EL, please update the packaging to an enclosed pump with a measurement feature, ty.
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Cleansers -Murad - Clarifying Skin Cleanser
Quilley 12/3/2012 11:54:00 AM
I can really only add what has already been generally stated. This is a gel, loaded with Sal. Acid, which is a great acne fighter and is especially good for hyper pigmentation. My skin type is quite a challenge to deal with; sensitive/acne prone/aging. I use 1 pea-sized drop of this cleanser with my Clarisonic twice a day. It's been only one week. The few breakouts I had on my chin have healed. The small brown spots left over seem to be fading fast, which was a nice surprise. I use a pea sized amount on wet skin and sometimes place a second "pea" inside of the circle in the middle of the bristles on my Clarisonic. Start the machine and go. I get a good foam going and stop after 1 minutes. I sometimes leave the foam on while I brush my teeth, but I'm not sure if this is adding a benefit or not, it just feels really good. It rinses off right away and leaves my skin feeling fresh, soft, clean and not at all dry. NOTE: I don't believe that at my age, there is any ONE product that is going to keep my skin smooth and clear. I use a combination of cleanser, no toner in winter, vitamin c serum, ss, hydroquinone (script) twice sometimes three times a day. I have found that the best combination of things are diet, water intake, low to no dairy, regular exercise, healthy eating plan are the BEST combination of things to make my skin healthy.
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Lip Treatments -Desert Essence - Lip Rescue w/ Shea Butter
Quilley 11/30/2012 10:58:00 AM
I love lip balms in all shapes, types, sizes, however my favorites are those that I don't have to dip my fingers into. This is the swivel type which satisfies that need. The formula is waxy, not hydrating at all, which means I need to make sure my lips are perfectly smooth and hydrated BEFORE applying this product. Works great for an under gloss or lipstick because it's got zero slip in the texture. I don't like it for an over-night balm because it tends to dry out my lips overnight, don't really understand why. I wish the ingredients included more of an oil content and less of a wax. Not sure if I would purchase again, maybe in an emergency, but it's not my fave.
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Eyes -Unlisted Brand - Andrea Modlash Brush on Adhesive, Clear
Quilley 11/27/2012 9:02:00 PM
I bought this on a whim from my local drugstore, thinking great, it's a brush on adhesive. Clean, easy, I can see how much I have left (packaging is clear). Not so much. Within minutes this made my eyes itchy and watery, a totally different experience from my normal DUO Adhesive. It's a real shame because the packaging is terrific. I just don't see the point in having a beautiful looking eye makeup when your eyes are bothering you, so this is a no for me. I hope Andrea is more careful with their ingredients in the future, or creates a version for sensitive eyes. In the meantime, I will keep using my DUO.
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