Lip Gloss -Essence of Beauty - lip butter
chayaNY 10/24/2012 11:05:00 PM
I see this at my local CVS pharmacy and also at dollar stores so I don't know if its being discontinued or not. The lemon is lovely, thick but not sticky/pasty, feels cushy on the lips. The scent is more lemon meringue, as opposed to EOS lemon sphere lip balm which is more sweet lemon drop. This tones down pigmented lips and has an spf. If you're not opposed to pot balm/glosses this is nice stuff.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Sarrasins
chayaNY 10/23/2012 3:57:00 PM
I agree with KelseyP below, this never gets to the swooning, beautiful part on me. I'm not a fan of Jasmine so there's that but also I'm a novice in learning about perfume and maybe don't have the knowledge to appreciate this and how it differentiates from other similar scents. I like obviously pretty scents yet hope my nose "grows" to be able to appreciate more complex ones. That said, I love to try new perfumes/makeup wise, sort of like a "beauty itch" I have to scratch when I've heard about a product getting raves. So I'm glad I tried it but maybe the finer things in life are wasted on me. This is why "we" can't have nice things lol
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Polishes -New York Color - Long Wearing Nail Enamel - Broadway Burgundy 116
chayaNY 10/20/2012 4:49:00 AM
Lovely, bright, cool toned red that reminds me of jelly apples, aka candy apples to others. Sheer and magenta-red in one coat (and too streaky for one which is the norm for most polishes in my experience), you get opacity in 2 coats. However, 3 coats really brings it to life showcasing the warm red micro glitter which really borders on shimmer ( they're that small). This does not need another color under, works very well on its own, though is also good for layering over other shades. Beautiful shade for winter, great cheap thrill as it cost a mere 99 cents (U.S). I have only worn bright reds as pedicures. I wear nudes or deep burgundy/wine shades on my hands yet I wear this shade on my hands and its mesmerizing! Be forewarned, not a shade for wallflowers!
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Lotions/ Creams -LUSH - Soft Coeur Massage Bar (The Honeymooner)
chayaNY 10/18/2012 12:50:00 PM
This was a gift to me I originally thought was a bar of soap as my friend did too. Its actually a decadent solid type of lotion which morphs into an oil on your skin. The feel is luxe, the viscosity once on the skin is sufficient to leave a sheen and stay on the skin a long amount of time. Many advise using before bed as it may be more practical, giving this time to absorb. Used straight from the shower and sparingly, seems to absorb better than on dry skin used liberally. In that way it can be used prior to dressing. I've never used another Lush bar thus cannot offer comparions in scent nor size, but I must have one that's gone bad scent wise. Some mention a less than pleasing scent when that occurs and I must sadly agree. I love sweet scents and am quite sure what I'm smelling with this was not the intended result. The chocolate streaks don't add anything to the experience but do detract. I will likely try another Lush bar because I have incredibly dry skin and this feels great on my hands, looks great too. Its very different in feeling that any other moisturizer or oil I've tried and I've tried dozens. Though I got it the day my friend purchased it, it seems perhaps from an older batch. Now that I'm more familiar with the brand I'd advise looking up reviews on how a product is meant to smell so when in the store you can better determine if you're getting that or not.
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Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Hand Salve
chayaNY 10/15/2012 6:46:00 PM
I have the small tin that came with a set of BB trial sized products. I like the size of the tin, perfect for taking on the go. However many say its difficult to open and they are right. I have not used this steadily as there are simply times I cannot pry it open. The product appears as a balm but on contact with the warmth of skin, melts into a more spreadable roduct some may find greasy. Its very emollient for certain, so much so its not a practical product unless used prior to bed time or as I do, only for use on cuticles. Mine are bone dry and prone to cracking, peeling and painful too. This product helps to soothe painful hangnail and add some lustre to my dry cuticles. With repeated use it softens that hardened skin making it more pliable. I like the herbal type scent which leans most heavily toward lavender. I am careful not to get this near my eyes as it contains eucalyptus which can irritate membranes.
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Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Lip Stain
chayaNY 10/14/2012 10:50:00 PM
I have this in the taller version, shade called, "Fate." Its a dark, warm brown. This product looks and applies like a felt tip marker. You need well moisturized lips to apply evenly yet if you have any trace of balm left on your lips it will coat the felt tip which will be rendered at least temporarily useless. This shade worn along lacks depth and is best paired other under lip prducts. I like the balm a lot though it broke on me as well. Decent staying power, nothing extraordinary.
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Lip Treatments -Avon - Avon Dew Kiss Lip Dew
chayaNY 10/10/2012 8:55:00 PM
This product has an almost cult status so I wanted to try it since I have severly dry lips due to a medical condition. I have no natural moisture barrier on my skin nor lips anymore so must keep balms with me wherever I am. I don't think this is a bad lip balm, its emollient enough for most, just not for me. I actually prefer a waxier, heavier balm. I know from reviews that's not what most people look for in a lip balm. This is shiny, has a lot of slip, and feels lovely on the lips. I can almost see it used as a light gloss. I just need something more heavy duty so won't repurchase since it doesn't fit my criteria.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Lip brush
chayaNY 10/10/2012 6:52:00 PM
I agree with the review below that this is a great concealer brush. I don't use a lip brush for lipstick and purchased to use for concealer application. I have the white handled, non-retractable brush. I have been very pleased with my ELF brushes, all have white handles, have not tried the Studio Line.
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Loose Powders -Coty - Airspun face powder
chayaNY 10/6/2012 9:14:00 AM
I love the nostalgic scent. Its straight up perfumey when the word meant a pleasing scent that evoked femininity not food (and I love sweet foody scents). I don't love it as a face powder for me as I prefer one that is more colorless-translucent. However this is great for the neck/collarbone/chest, area. Despite years of sunscreen, AHA's and vit C creams, well father time has my address like everybody else;( This powder nicely "diffuses" the look of skin in that area, leaving a slightly luminous sheen. It works as a scented powder and helps other scents last by giving them a base to cling to. So you have a pretty little sheen on your skin and a feminine scent, for anyone who hugs you to remember you by. I was actually using my expensive (weight wise) Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder for this after setting my under eye concealer with it. In retrospect that's crazy given the cost when this is so lovely and affordable.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Ponds - Clarant B3- Normal to Dry skin
chayaNY 10/4/2012 7:23:00 PM
My mom gave me this to try in the smaller sample tub which came free with her purchase of a larger Ponds cream. I looked up reviews here on MUA because I didn't know what the cream was meant for and the writing was in Spanish. I was glad to see its meant to help even skin tone-fade spots as I have upper lip melasma that has me resembling my father more and more when I've always favored my mom (he had a stache back in the day). I tried one other such cream very beloved by many on this site, Nandolina Fade cream which seemed to work overnight then not at all. Plus although such melasma needs time to fade some reviewers mentioned when the cream gets darker its gone bad. I only had mine a few months and had to toss it. I've been using this in its place for two weeks now and like it better but for one thing, the other says it contains sunscreen. I still must wear one with this as sunscreen is essential or melasma will worsen for come back once faded. I don't see startling results but the area does seem lighter and since this is not a greasy formula (the other was), its easier to apply makeup over it for day (I also use sunscreen or at least makeup powder that has a high spf). It also seems to soften the look of teeny fine lines that seem to come around the time one gets melasma, as if to throw salt in the wound! I have extremely dry skin, and one should note this cream even though it says meant for dry-normal skin, is entirely matte on me. I don't know if that's just me or how it always is. I dont have anything else to fade on my face but have tried it all over my face as I do have redness on my upper cheeks and some mention it has faded their redness/red marks. I have not used consistently enough in that capacity to say whether or not it diminishes redness for me since its simply to drying/matte on its own, but plan to give it another go with perhaps an oil underneath. It has a scent but it seems to fade, I have highly reactive/sensitive skin and its not bothered mine. I will certainly update as that melasma is something I'm determined to get rid of. I like that this comes in a sample sized jar but with enough product to effectively test the product out, nothing like the sample sized little plastic containers you get at some department stores. This is more than deluxe sized and if this works out for me I will look to buy this size again as others mention its more sanitary that way. I always apply moisturizers after showering/washing my face so my hands are clean but since my last fade cream went bad so quickly I am glad I have an option to get a smaller size which others mention is at Target. I said I'd repurchase but as stated will change if people started calling me "sir," despite continued usage.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Almay - Smart Shade Blush
chayaNY 9/30/2012 12:06:00 AM
I got this for less than 2 dollars in a discount store. Have always liked Almay because I have sensitive skin. I didn't care about the gimmick aspect but my bone dry skin does well with cream blushes so I thought it was worth a try. The color is a fair, cool pink that looks quite sweet. Applies well then makes like Houdini and disappears! I'm quite fair with light olive skin and yet this barely shows on me. I was happy about the color as it reminded me a lot of Stila Hint but in a creamier form. Would have loved it if it stayed the color as it firdt goes on
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Lip Gloss -Jordana - jordana lipgloss in pink sugar
chayaNY 9/29/2012 10:22:00 PM
This is a slant tube gloss in a squeeze tube. The thing is I've bought these glosses for years and the only issue is that sometimes they are rancid. If you smell that "old lipstick/makeup" scent, its unmistakeable. But I've never encountered an issue color wise. I got the first gloss in this shade because I was with my little niece and she loved the bright, bubblegum, sparkly pink shade. When she tried it on it was very sparkly, with peachy, gold and dark pink shimmer. It had a sweet scent and was sheer but definitely a bright to deeper pink shade. A few months later in another store I thought Jordana had a new shade, I saw a light pink, almost lilac-y shade with a lot of shimmer. It caught my eye and I got it without realizing the name. It like the former one I got, is not rancid and after almost 8 years buying these I'd know. So both smell the same, same name, different color. The first is much warmer, darker, pinker. The latter is cooler, more blue, much lighter. Its bizarre, maybe heat caused it, who knows, both are lovely but the latter is more wearable on me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Unlisted Brand - Yogurt Mask
chayaNY 9/29/2012 12:13:00 AM
I have very dry skin due to a med condition that kills off my moisture glands. I mention this in reviews because I lack any natural moisture barrier and so often have bad reactions to products, and in general, sensitive, reactive skin that is painfully dry. I try so many things in the hope something will improve my skin which is a tall order because the skin on my whole body is effected by this systemic condition. I have been using this for one week every other day or so. Will update if my opinion changes. I've used plain, Greek yogurt, and apply enough to cover my face sufficiently. It feels nice and cool going on. Then I smell like a vat of sour cream. Oh the things we do for beauty! Even applied thickly and still wet looking, I find it takes quite a lot of rinsing to remove. I have worn it between 5-20 min. The latter requires more effort to remove. The result right after is skin with a semi odd feeling. It feels so firm, unually so. But looks clear, smooth too. My skin looks and feels calmer, smoother, after. The irony is I dislike the taste of yogurt quite a lot but really like the results of using this mask.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Johnson & Johnson - Baby Shampoo
chayaNY 9/28/2012 11:08:00 PM
When my grandmother had a condition of the eyes called Blepharitis, she was advised by her eye dr to cleanse the area 2x a day with baby shampoo. It helped in her treatment and caused no further irritation to the area.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Unlisted Brand - Almond Oil
chayaNY 9/26/2012 1:42:00 PM
I just recenly posted my review for Sweet Almond Oil under a more general listing, not one specifically for hair. I have drier hair than is imaginable because I have a medical condition that kills off all my moisture glands. No product, man made nor natural, can replicate the oils/moisture, the body normall produces when working properly. I had oily hair when younger but now its bone dry. I experience a ton of breakage, hair fall out, my once thick lustrous hair is, without a lot of intervention, akin to a tumbleweed only less attractive. I love castor oil as it adds strength to my hair and used pre wash, I lose so much less hair its astounding! However while I like the shine it imparts, the viscosity is rather like molasses. Its too heavy to even attempt to use it post conditioning when I still need the benefit of an oil even if using other styling products/leave ins. Almond oil is an oil too but nowhere near as oily as say olive oil, nor as thick. Its light years away in viscosity from castor oil. Its fluid yet not greasy. Its not a dry oil per se, but drier than most so it can be used to add a bit of sheen and life to drier hair while not leaving it greasy. Of course the amt must still be scant, with oils you can always add more but once you have made your head look like the bottom of a roast pan, not so easy to fix that so fast. A little AO can be added to conditioners to amp the moisture and hair won't be greasy if again, you add say a capful or two at most, to a full bottle. After washing I can apply a little of this to wet hair almost like a serum, to cut down on frizz and fly aways when air drying. It also works really well, a little between your palms, then smoothed on to make a bun loon smoother, a pony tail look less ratty if like me your dry hair is such you stay away from hungry horses, this light oil may fill a niche for you. It has so many skin/ hair uses and a little goes a long way. I can and do use shine sprays but many only offer superficial benefits. Some also look insanely greasy as well. With an oil the moisturization is there along with a bit of gleam and I'm all about the health of my hair. I've only been using this for a few weeks and will update if my thoughts on this change. But if you are lloking for a light, odorless, oil that has various beauty uses, this may be worth trying for you. For the record, I love coconut oil on my body, to help remove self tanner, in cooking etc, but its too emoilient for my hair. My hair is very pourous and absors that and evoo too, like mad, and absorbs way too much. Even using scant amounts I have to wash repeatedly, negating the benefits of the oil for me. AO also helps make the castor oil more easy to spread and distribute through hair and as a pre wash simply does just that but hair rinses clean. I have the NOW brand and have not tried any other.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No