Eye Makeup Remover -Estee Lauder - Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:49:00 AM
Thankfully, I only got a sample bottle of this eye make-up remover. I wear waterproof Japanese mascara and it removes almost none of it. Even extra-virgin olive oil performs better than this make-up remover. This make-up remover burns and blurs my eyes, so those with sensitive skin/eyes should be cautious. It is just not an effective make-up remover and I can't believe anyone would pay full-price for this.
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Toners -Neutrogena - Alcohol-Free Toner
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:45:00 AM
I thought this toner would be a great alternative to Lancome's alcohol-free toner but I was very disappointed when it didn't measure up at all. The packaging is a nightmare and makes it very hard to not pour too much toner onto your cotton pad. There was something in this that irritated my skin. (Those with sensitive skin should be careful!) I also did not like the scent of this toner and wish they would make a scent-free version of this. This toner had no special effect on my skin but served its function. I will finish the bottle but I will definitely not re-purchase even if it is dirt cheap.
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Masks -The Body Shop - Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:40:00 AM
There is nothing that distinguishes this mask from other clay-based masks for oily skin. It has a pleasant scent and isn't overly drying for the skin. It didn't do anything bad for my skin but it also isn't effective in drawing out blemishes or improving the appearance of my skin. (Why would it be? It has no acne fighting ingredients.) It is very expensive and I will not be re-purchasing.
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Shampoo -Burt's Bees - Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:36:00 AM
Another mediocre Burt's Bees product. The entire Burt's Bees line is testimony to how natural does not necessarily equal effective or better. This smelled pleasant and cleansed well but dried out my hair immensely. I noticed no 'shine' with this shampoo. It is also very expensive at $10 for such a small amount. I will not re-purchase since this made my hair worse rather than better.
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Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Peppermint Foot Lotion
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:33:00 AM
A mediocre foot lotion. It is surprisingly not very moisturizing for a foot lotion. I like the scent and it made my feet feel more fresh. However, it did not heal the cracks in my heels even with extended use. It provided mediocre temporary moisturization for my feet. Expensive product with no noticeable results. Will not re-purchase.
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Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Vitamin E Hand and Nail Cream
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:31:00 AM
I love the entire Vitamin E line by The Body Shop and this in particular is one of their star products. This is a great everyday no-frills hand cream. I love the scent and it provides fairly good moisturization for the hands. It is easy to transport and I always have it in my bag/purse. I don't have any bones to pick with this hand cream but I do wish it were just slightly more moisturizing. My hands do feel smoother/healthier after extended use of this due to the Vitamin E in this hand cream. I would definitely re-purchase since it is a good hand cream at a reasonable price.
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Lip Treatments -Chapstick - Cherry
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:27:00 AM
One of the best drugstore lip balms on the market. It provides decent moisturization for the lips. The taste/smell is very pleasant. It also adds a slight colour to the lips which is very flattering for those with medium skin tones. It is dirt cheap and the packaging is perfect for a lip balm. (I hate getting my fingers dirty in tins/pots of lip balm.) I will definitely buy this again as a great everyday lip balm but I'm still on the lookout for my HG lip balm.
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Lip Treatments -eos - Lip Balm Sphere - Lemon Drop SPF 15
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:21:00 AM
Pro: -the packaging makes for a very smooth and easy application (the BEST feature of this product, in my opinion; a truly innovative feature) -SPF 15 provides good sun protection for the lips -scent/taste is pleasant -very ergonomic for hands and easy to transport -reasonably priced (only $3) Con: -not moisturizing enough (especially in the winter, I have to apply MANY coats before my lips feel adequately moisturized and after 15 minutes or so, the moisture disappears) -gets dirty easily and more prone to contamination -not suitable for winter (the product will freeze up and take much longer to apply) Basically, this product would be perfect if it was the same design but with a better/more moisturizing lip balm. Definitely an over-hyped product but not terrible for $3.
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Moisturizers -Lancome - Aqua Fusion Cream SPF 15
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:13:00 AM
This was a decent moisturizer for the winter. It provided good moisturization but is inadequate in sun protection and the scent is quite overwhelming. There are many good dupes of equal efficacy for much cheaper so it is not worth the price. I didn't even love it enough to finish the jar and I ended up giving it to a friend. I would not re-purchase this for reasons listed above. Laneige's Water Sleeping Pack is a very good dupe of this (and most other gel-like moisturizers on the market) and only costs around $25 CAD online including shipping.
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Lotions/ Creams -Jurlique - Rose/Lavender Hand Cream
butterbelle 1/23/2011 4:07:00 AM
Extremely overrated and overpriced. This hand cream is super greasy without being moisturizing. It does not absorb into the skin and I feel it washing off completely every time I wash my hands. Its greasiness leaves a film over my hands and it feels uncomfortable. The only plus is that the scent is very subtle and pleasant. Thankfully, I received this as a gift because I would never pay that much for such a mediocre hand cream.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Carmex - EZ-ON APPLICATOR
butterbelle 1/22/2011 11:15:00 PM
This is such a great lip balm. It is super moisturizing and the tube makes for very easy application. (though I wish it were a flat-surface instead) It makes even cracked lips feel better and the moisturization lasts for a long time. (Much longer than Smith's Rosebud Salve, which tends to fade after half an hour) On the packaging, it says it should not be used more than 3 or 4 times a day and I think that's due to the medicinal ingredients in this. I only use it occasionally when I feel my lips really need it. Such a great find for only $3 at the drugstore! I will not waste my money on more expensive lip balms in the future.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -The Body Shop - Vitamin E Hydrating Toner
butterbelle 1/22/2011 11:08:00 PM
This is a great toner for the winter. It is similar to Japanese style toners (e.g. Shiseido's softeners/lotions) where it is a pre-moisturizing step rather than a post-cleansing step. It prepares the skin for serums and moisturizers rather than simply getting rid of cleanser residue/closing pores. It is very soothing for the skin and is also alcohol-free. I use it sometimes as a lotion mask (as per Chizu Saeki's recommendation) and my skin is so refreshed afterwards. I really like the Body Shop's entire Vitamin E line. In my opinion, it's their best skincare line and its products give you visible results. My only complaint about this item is the packaging. It's hard to pour the right amount of product out (easy to pour too much) and in a spray bottle, it sometimes gets stuck along the way since it is a thicker toner. Other than that, it's my favourite toner for the winter and I would definitely repurchase it.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -L'Occitane - 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream
butterbelle 1/22/2011 10:57:00 PM
This is best hand cream I've tried to date. I've tried the Body Shop's Hemp Hand Cream, Vitamin E Hand Cream, and their Almond Hand Cream. I've also tried Jurlique's Rose Hand Cream as well as countless drugstore ones. I now can see why L'Occitane is so famous for this hand cream. It is extremely moisturizing without being greasy. I can feel it absorbing into the skin unlike the Jurlique which left a film over my hands. Even my boyfriend, who never notices any skincare item I use, noticed my hands were smoother and softer after using this. Other than its efficacy, another reason why I think this hand cream is worth the money is because shea butter is second on the ingredients list so I know the 20% shea butter claim is not unfounded. Also listed in the ingredients list are glycerin, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, all of which are great moisturizing ingredients as well. A lot of people complain about the scent but I personally really like the scent. It reminds me of glam actresses from the 50's and 60's, like Anna Karina. :) But I can see why a classic scent like this might not be to everyone's liking. It is a little on the pricier side but in my opinion, a hand cream this good is well worth the money. I'm planning on buying some for my mom, my girlfriends, and just anyone else I love because this is such a great find. I'm only sad that I didn't try it earlier.
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Cleansers -Shiseido - Pureness Foaming Cleansing Fluid
butterbelle 1/16/2011 1:19:00 PM
Like the Pureness Cleansing Foam, this does nothing to treat/prevent acne since it has no acne fighting ingredients. It is a nice gentle cleanser with a pretty scent. A little really goes a long way and the packaging is beautiful. It's a good mattifying cleanser for those with oily skin but please don't buy this if you want your acne to clear up. Also, at $20+ CAD, it's very expensive for a mediocre product. There are much cheaper cleansers out there that essentially fulfill the same task.
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Cleansers -Shiseido - Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam
butterbelle 1/16/2011 1:07:00 PM
I used this back when I was suffering from serious acne after a friend of my mom's had recommended it. It feels very nice on the skin and cleans well. I liked the cooling sensation provided by the menthol in this product. However, this did not clear up my acne at all. It has none of the traditional acne fighting ingredients (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, witch hazel, etc.) and the only benefit this has for oily skin is that it is mattifying. Now that my skin is combination rather than oily/acne-prone, I think I'd like this cleanser better. But if you're looking for something to treat your acne, this is not the product for you. I have also tried the cleansing fluid from the same line. I prefer this over the cleansing fluid since this provides a deeper cleanse and foams up better on the face than the cleansing fluid.
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