Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - I Feel Pretty - Pearlfection Powder
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 4:46:00 PM
Can't say enough great things about this product. I'm never without it. I have one at home and in my purse at all times. It is designed to be used under makeup, over a moisturizer (her pearl cream is great, too, but I generally need a moisturizer over it and before I use the pearl powder). It corrects redness and calms my skin right down. Just a light dusting does it, don't apply it too heavily. It does a fabulous job of curtailing the shine during the day and I can always apply it in the afternoon on a day when I have more shine than normal. It does not break out my skin, very reasonable priced, and I typically wear it alone without foundation for day to day looks, but under foundation for when I'm going for a more polished look. Because it tones down the redness, I can get away without using foundation every day and that's a great thing!
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Conditioner -Phyto - Phytosésame express hydrating Conditioner with Sesame Oil
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 4:38:00 PM
Kind of unimpressed with this one. While some of Phyto's products are just amazing, this one left me feeling unimpressed. Not nearly moisturizing enough for my dry hair. It was also difficult to get the last bit of it out of the bottle and considering the price for the size bottle you get, you want to make sure you get every last bit! I won't be repurchasing this one.
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Treatments -Phyto - Phytolisse Ultra Shine Smoothing Serum
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 4:34:00 PM
While I love some of Phyto's products, I can't tolerate this one. Silicone buildup really left my hair in a mess and this product is pretty much nothing but silicone! I'm refocusing my hair regime for non-silicone products and that leaves this product out in the cold as far as I'm concerned. It has a nice smell and it works great if your hair can tolerate it, though. I'll give it that, but for the price, I'm sure there are equal products out there for less.
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Conditioner -Aquage - Healing Conditioner
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 4:25:00 PM
It's getting harder and harder to find a good deep conditioner that doesn't contain silicones, but after a lengthy search, I gave this one a try. It seems to work great and softens and moisturizes my thirsty hair. I have naturally curly hair and I live in a dry climate so a good moisturizer without silicones is a must. I did purchase the product in a tub and I would prefer that it had a pump, but otherwise, the product seems to be good at replacing lost moisture for my hair.
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Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam V
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 4:20:00 PM
I've never been able to find a pale or neutral lip color for my skin color that goes great with that smokey eye/pale lip routine until now! This one is just perfect. I'm fair with freckles and dark hair and most pale lipcolors make me look sick, but this one is just right. It has just enough sparkle that it doesn't just look like lipbalm, but it tones down my naturally rosy lips just enough to pull off the pale lip look perfectly! And as always, the MAC lipstick formula is perfect. MAC scores again!
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 4:13:00 PM
I really don't get what the hype is about with this product. I guess it has lactic acid so it has a slight exfoliation effect, but the packaging wasn't very sanitary (I prefer tubes, or pumps, or at a minimum a jar with a spatula!). It did make me break out the first few times I used it, even though I was used to using BHAs and AHAs, but then my skin adjusted to it and the breakouts stopped. It was an adequate moisturizer, but it also bothered me that it didn't contain sunscreen. I've read since me finishing my jar that they've come out with a sunscreen version, but I wasn't impressed enough with this product to try it. The smell took some getting used to, but I got over that after awhile. Anyway, I used what I purchased, but I have no plans to repurchase.
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Shampoo -Neutrogena - Anti-Residue Shampoo
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 3:57:00 PM
This has been around for YEARS, and there's a reason. It just works. So many brands out there claim to remove residues, but after you use this product, you realize they are all a scam! I've recently learned that using silicone products have really made my hair feel terrible so I'm starting with a clean slate and nothing has removed the buildup of silicones like this shampoo. Plus, it's easy to find and so much more affordable than salon brands. It's definitely on the harsh side, so I'd really deep condition your hair after using it , but I like to think of it as exfoliation for my hair. Just like your skin, which absorbs your moisturizer so much better after you've exfoliated your skin, I find my hair acts the same way after using buildup causing products, like silicones, which block the ability for your hair to absorb moisturizing products. I feel like I have a new head of hair now without having to cut it off and start over. However, use sparingly. You definitely wouldn't want to use this every day or even every other day.
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Treatments (Eye) -Olay - Definity Eye Illuminator
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 3:51:00 PM
I have not experienced any balling of the product or the inhibition of eye make up application at all. In fact, one of the reasons I really like this product is because my eye makeup applies so easily and lasts all day whereas other eye creams make my eye make up crease, even when I use eye make up bases and decreasers. I do not suffer from undereye darkness so I can't speak about that, but I have noticed this product has helped my crows feet. It provides just the right amount of moisture so there's no flakiness. I have found just a half a pump per eye is just right. I can see how you could use too much if you used a full pump. Also, this product does have a minimal amount of shimmer, but it's enhancing, not garish. I just recently bought my second container.
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Conditioner -Nexxus - Headress
jjtexasgirl 7/23/2008 3:47:00 PM
I completely agree with some reviewers who say that a little goes a long way with this product. I think it's deceiving that it comes in such a large bottle and you think you need to use more than you really do. The first time I used this, I made that mistake and my hair felt pretty bad, but the second time I used it, I used just a quarter sized amount for my past shoulder length hair and it worked fabulously! It is getting harder and harder to find a good leave-in that doesn't contain silicones and this one fits the bill and is effective for my parched tresses. As a bonus, because the bottle is so big and you only need a small amount, it makes it alot more economical.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Stilife Paint
jjtexasgirl 5/15/2008 5:30:00 PM
This is fabulous stuff. I am one of those people that has to use a primer under my eye shadow or it just creases (yet, my eye area is dry so you would think that wouldn't happen but that's another subject). So, when I had a makeover done for my wedding, the SA used this under the four eye shadow colors she chose and it was so pretty. You can even wear this by itself if you wanted to. A little bit goes a long way so it lasts a long time and it really gives your shadow staying power. It's never failed yet. This color is a just a soft champagne shimmer color and it's not drying either. Just don't use too much. It looks awful if you use too much! I plan on trying some other paint colors after trying this product.
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Concealers -MAC - Select Moisturecover
jjtexasgirl 5/15/2008 5:24:00 PM
A MAC SA who did my wedding makeover used this on me and I just love it. I use the NW20 color and it's just blends perfectly. It covers well and stays put. It doesn't dry out or get blotchy like some concealers that are waxy can do. It just makes me look flawless. I'll definitely be repurchasing this baby! Also, I use this in conjunction with the Hyper Real foundation and they seem to work great together.
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Liquid -MAC - Hyper Real SPF 15 Foundation [DISCONTINUED]
jjtexasgirl 5/15/2008 5:20:00 PM
First off, I bought the pump for this foundation b/c it doesn't come with one and it seems like it would get contaminated if you don't use a pump. Still, you can reuse the pump, so no big deal. This product was used on me when I had a makeover done for my wedding in January. The SA said it is great for photography. I really loved it. I had kind of quit wearing daily foundation for a long time, but this stuff, I liked so well, I'm back to wearing it daily. It does have a glow to it, but it's nothing overt and in my opinion, makes you look more real than "made up", which is a positive thing. It doesn't seem to cause any breakouts and it's just the right coverage, not too light and definitely not to heavy. It's self-setting too so no powder is required. I usually use I Feel Pretty's Pearl Powder for touch ups if any at all. Anyway, I have already bought a new bottle of this and I don't see changing anytime soon. BTW, my wedding photos turned out great! I had the most wonderful glow on my skin and I didn't look made up or shiny either. Just wonderful stuff!
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Active Light Makeup SPF 25 ] [DISCONTINUED]
jjtexasgirl 10/12/2007 5:10:00 PM
I quit using foundation about a year ago, but I've been hunting for a light foundation to wear for my wedding in January. I think this one will fit the bill. My skin is combination - can get shiny and oily in the T-zone, but can also be dry and flaky sometimes. This does a good job of not showing flakes on dry days like so many oil-free foundations can, but it also controls the oil on oily days. I love the fact I don't have to put a separate layer of sunscreen, too. It wears VERY well, just like it promises. The color is great for my fair, freckled skin. I bought Buff b/c Ivory seemed too pink, but in shopping for this product, it was tough to judge the color b/c the container is sealed up in plastic (which makes it safer, too, though). I just got lucky on the first try. It's a perfect match. I suppose my only criticism of this foundation is I wouldn't qualify it as "light". It looks more like a regular, medium coverage foundation to me. However, it feels nice on the skin so I'll let that pass. I just apply it as sparingly as I can. Great inexpensive find. I'll keep buying it even after the wedding!
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Mascara -MAC - Plush Lash
jjtexasgirl 10/2/2007 4:37:00 PM
I'm a die hard MAC fan, but I've never been fond of their mascaras. This Plush Lash is the only one that I'll continue to use. I love the look of long, full, feathery lashes and this product does just that. I have pretty long dark lashes already, but they look nonexistent without some mascara. However, true volume formulas are just too clumpy and don't work for me at all. I normally use L'Oreal's Featherlash, but Plush Lash is a tad better b/c it makes more of an impact whereas Featherlash (after it's a few weeks old, keep in mind), is more for everyday look. I can sometimes get my Featherlash to be more dramatic, but it takes alot of coats. A whole lot. Plush lash accomplishes that dramatic feathery look in just two coats. And still, no clumps. The brush is nice. It's kind of flat on two sides and big and full on the other two sides. It wears fine all day and no irritation. Finally, a MAC mascara that works for me.
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Lip Gloss -Maybelline - Superstay Gloss
jjtexasgirl 9/19/2007 4:15:00 PM
Along with the Superstay Lipstick, this product is just too drying for my sensitive skin/lips. It left a cakey mess. Also, I really didn't like the consistency of the gloss. It was way too sticky. I like MAC glosses b/c they are shiny, but not sticky. The colors of the Superstay were great and the color seemed to stay on, however, at the expense of the appearance, it wasn't worth it to me. I returned it to Ulta and I'm officially giving up the "long wear" lipstick search.
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