Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Dr. Organic - Organic Aloe Vera Shampoo
jootje 4/20/2011 2:02:00 PM
I like this product. It is a very mild sulfate and silicone free shampoo but it lathers up nicely. The product is transparent and has the same consistency as 'regular' shampoos. It has a fresh smell but it is not very noticeable. It doesn't linger. The packaging is fine. It's functional and I think it's cute with the silver lid. The price is nice too. I think I paid 6 euros. For reference: my hair is wavy, fine and gets oily fast. I wash it every day. My hair has not gotten any more or less oily since switching to this shampoo. Update: I am no longer using this product daily. After a while it did just not clean my hair well enough, it would stay partly greasy. I still use it sometimes, but I alternate it with other shampoos that do a better job at cleaning my hair.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Unlisted Brand - Z Palette-Small
jootje 4/7/2011 3:17:00 PM
I'm loving this thing. I used to have my favourite products scattered in different palettes/singles. Now I've all depotted them (sometimes this took a bit of creativity) and put them in this palette. It now holds my everyday blush, eyeshadows (3) and eyebrow powder. I've still got room left for another shadow. It's so convenient! Not just for travelling but for everyday use too. I don't have to open all the different lids anymore and it saves storage space on my vanity. I love how you can put products of any size together in this pallette. The products I put in it (NYX, Milani, Catrice) did not have magnetic pans but this was easily solved by some magnetic tape. One layer was enough for them to stay in the palette even when held upside down, but when I would put my brush in them they would move. So I added two more layers of magnetic tape and now they stay put. When I ordered I was afraid it would be a flimsy thing because it's made out of cardboard, but to my relief it feels very sturdy. It almost feels like plastic. You obviously should not get it wet, but I don't foresee any problems with this. The magnet is quite strong and it also closes very tightly. I have this in the zebra pattern and it's very cute. I love how the lid is see through as well. Overall I am really happy with this product and I would repurchase.
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Eye Primer -NYX - HD High Definition Eyeshadow Base
jootje 4/2/2011 4:27:00 PM
Wow, this stuff actually works. I did not expect that. I have never found an eyeshadow base that actually worked so I was kind of skeptical about them in general. (Though I must say I've never tried the famous UDPP and TFSI). I bought this not expecting much of it, but I'm impressed. My eyeshadow usually creases pretty badly, but when I put this on in the morning my eyeshadow still looks practically identical in the evening. I love it. I don't wear elaborate eyeshadow looks, just a neutral wash of color (which is the reason I don't want to spend so much on either UDPP/TFSI), but it's still nice that it now doesn't crease anymore. This also makes the color of my eyeshadow more intense. The packaging is fine. It comes in a tube with a spongetip applicator. The product is slightly tinted and easy to spread out. Overall I am really happy with this. Finally a good eyeshadow base and for a very reasonable price. Thanks NYX. (:
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Biodermal - Cleansing mousse for sensitive skin
jootje 4/1/2011 5:55:00 PM
This is a fantastic product. It is the mildest face wash I've come across. I used to think it was impossible to wash my face without it feeling at least a bit tight afterwards, but this so proved me wrong. When I use this my face feels clean, smooth and not tight at all. My face feels very comfortable actually. I could easily skip my moisturizer if it were not for the SPF. I was a bit hesitant about buying at it first because I always hear that 'foaming' cleansers are harsh, as that's a sign of sulfates. But there are no sulfates in this product at all. I guess it's a different kind of foam, more like a mousse (as indeed the name says). The product is a clear watery substance in the bottle and when you use the pump it comes out as a mousse. It doesn't need to get into contact with water to start foaming. Besides not containing any sulfates it also does not contain any alcohol or perfume. Plus it does contain my favourite skincare ingredient ever: urea. I use this in the AM. I must say I don't wear foundation so I am not sure if this would remove it. It does remove most of my eye make-up, but not all. The packaging is convenient. It's just a regular pump bottle, very easy to use. One pump is exactly enough for one use. For reference: I have clog-prone combination skin with an oily t-zone and normal cheeks. I would not describe my skin as 'sensitive' (I can use chemical sunscreens and perfume without any problems) but I do believe that every skintype should be treated as gently as possible and I've recently discovered that products for sensitive skin do work best for me. I was afraid that by using such a mild cleanser I would get more impurities, but I did not. My face actually got better. It's less oily as well. Overall I think this is a great product and I would highly recommend it. I've already repurchased this 6 times and I am sure I will repurchase again when I run out. Yep, this is true HG for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Trind - Nail Balsam
jootje 3/27/2011 2:56:00 PM
I had high hopes for this product because I had heard great things about it. Unfortunately, this was a major disappointment. Not only did it not work, it actually made my nails worse. I normally have quite strong nails but after a period of being way too harsh on them I decided to pamper them a bit and that's why I bought this product. When I started using this three of my nails were broken/peeling. But I put this on all of my nails because I thought it'd be good. I used it every day an after a week all of my other nails were peeling too... I was very surprised about this as I read many rave reviews before purchasing this. I also wasn't a fan of the sticky consistency. I will not repurchase this. In fact I will never use it again. Update: I gave this another shot and again it made my nails worse. It actually hurt to have it on my nails. Not just a little tingling like some people describe, but actual pain. So I figure maybe I'm just allergic to it or something....
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Concealers -Maybelline - Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer
jootje 3/15/2011 3:18:00 AM
At first I didn't like this concealer. I thought it looked cakey. Then I realized I was using it wrong, and now I quite like it. What I was doing wrong was that I was applying way too much. I'm used to applying my liquid concealer in dots on areas of concern, then waiting a while til it dries a bit so I won't blend it right away, and then blending all these dots. This concealer starts to dry as soon as you put it on, so you have to apply & blend right away before going on to the next area. I actually prefer this as it saves me time waiting for it to dry. Also, you really only need a little bit of product. It's a seriously small amount of product compared to what I use in other concealers. Yet the coverage of this is better than any other concealer I've tried. The fact that you only need so little is both a good and a bad thing. Obviously it's very economical and it means the coverage is great, but it's also very easy to overdo it and if you do you'll be stuck with a cakey look. For me it does not settle into lines under my eyes and it stays put all day. It does however accentuate flakes. I don't usually have any flakiness so I don't mind, but if you do then I would not recommend this. I mainly use this on my face. It looks fine under my eyes as well but I prefer my gosh concealer for that as it is a bit creamier. I have this in the color 2 light/beige clair, which is a good match for me (fair skin with neutral to yellow undertones). I use the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in 8 golden sand in summer and 3 in winter, also good match. The packaging is fine. It's not exceptionally pretty but it is functional. It feels sturdy, the product does not spill over the top when used and the applicator picks up the right amount of product. The price is reasonable too. I paid 8 euros I think. I think that is very decent for a concealer with such good coverage. Overall, after a rough start I ended up really liking this product. It dries fast so I don't have to wait anymore, you only need a very little amount so it's economical, if you don't apply too much it looks natural, the coverage is the best I've seen so far and it stays put all day. The downfall is that it's easy to overdo and then it will look cakey. It also accentuates flakes and I probably would not recommend this for people with dry skin.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Klorane - Soothing Eye Makeup Remover with Cornflower Sensitive Eyes
jootje 3/14/2011 1:39:00 PM
This is effective at removing make-up but it irritated the hell out of my eyes. Not only did it sting my eyes and the area around it when I applied it, it has also dried out my eyes to the point that I can't wear my contacts anymore. It just hurts to wear them. I have been using the same brand contacts and fluid for years and this is the only thing I changed in my eye-routine, so I'm sure its this. I'm now wearing my glasses, hoping my eyes will go back to normal soon. I hate wearing my glasses, so I harbor a special kind of resentment towards this product. Years ago when I still used waterproof make-up I remember using the waterproof version of this with no problems. I don't know what it is that makes this one so different, but this trash goes where it belongs: the garbage bin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
jootje 3/13/2011 12:22:00 PM
This is one of my favourite skincare products. About my skin: I have very clog-prone and slightly sensitive combination skin (normal cheeks, oily t-zone). My main concerns are/were uneven skintexture and clogged pores. Experience using this product: the first time I used this at night I could just NOT stop touching my face the next day. It was soooo smooth! After a few days I did purge a little from this, but they were small whiteheads that were very easily removed and only in areas that I already had clogged pores. This stopped after a week or so. I used to use this product daily, but that thinned out my skin too much. I noticed this because my skin took much longer to heal from scars (from impurities) than usual. It usually only takes days for me, but when I used this daily (combined with the 2% BHA) it took weeks. Since I stopped using this (and the BHA) daily my skin is back to it's usual healing speed. I now use this once a week. I don't need to use it more than that either. It's enough to keep my skin smooth all the time. Long term results: the main thing I've noticed about my skin since using this is an improvement in my skins texture. It has gotten sooo smooth. I also feel my skin has gotten more toned. Product: it is a clear gel. You only need a tiny drop and it's easy to spread out. On healthy skin it does not sting for me, but on damaged skin (like when I've picked at an impurity) it does sting. This does not last long though. Once it sinks in it makes my skin baby soft. I only use this at night but I guess it could be used under make-up. I used to use a DIY ACV toner which is also basically AHAs, but that smells like feet. I didn't mind, but my boyfriend wouldn't even give me a goodnightskiss when I had it on, so that's what led me to try this product. I like it much better. It's easier to apply, has no smell and it works better too. Overall, I really love this. I don't use much skincare products (I believe in less is more) but this is one of the few products I use. I will repurchase.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
jootje 3/13/2011 12:10:00 PM
I really like this product. It's the first BHA product I've tried so I can't compare, but it works great so I will continue to use Paula's Choice. First some information about my skin: I have very clog-prone and slightly sensitive combination skin (normal cheeks, oily t-zone). I hardly ever get real pimples anymore since I made some diet changes, but I do/did still suffer from clogged pores/whiteheads/blackheads. Experience using this product: I started using this daily right away and that was too much for my skin. My skin became very itchy and flaky. Yes, I know the website says not to do this right away but I was just too excited to get rid of my clogged pores. When I cut down to using it around 2x a week these problems subsided. Eventually I worked my way up to 1x a day again. At first that worked but after a few weeks it thinned out my skin too much (in combination with the 8% AHA gel daily). I noticed that scars from impurities healed a lot slower than usual (weeks instead of days). Since I cut down on both products my skin is back to it's usual healing speed. Also, using it that often was not necessary. Since my skin is clear I feel I only need to use this once a week for maintenance. I also really like this as a spot treatment. It takes away redness very fast and most of the time impurities just nearly disappear overnight. But the clogged pores took a bit longer. Most were gone after around 2-3 weeks but some hardcore ones that had been there for ages took months. I did purge a little bit when I first started using this, but they were very small whiteheads that were easily removed. They were all in my most clog-prone areas. This was minor and it stopped after a week or so. After that it only got better. Long term results: since I've started using this I've noticed a big difference in my skin's texture. I have no more clogged pores, yaay! I still have some blackheads & sebacious filaments in my t-zone, they just never seem to budge. But still, this product made a big difference. Product: it is a kind of oily liquid that does leave my face a bit shiny. I only use this at night so I don't mind, but I would not recommend using this under make-up. I heard the regular strength clear toner is better for that but I haven't tried that myself. Packaging: the only thing I don't really like about this is the packaging. I prefer to apply this with my fingers, but it's hard to do this without spilling the liquid over the top of the bottle. So I use a cotton pad. This works fine, but it seems wasteful and it's an extra step. The 8% AHA is in gel form and I much prefer that. It's just faster, easier and less wasteful. So when I run out of this I will purchase the 2% BHA in gel form instead. That's just a personal preference of application method though. If there was no gel version I'd happily repurchase this. Overall, I'm really happy with this product. I have a very simple skincare routine (I believe in less is more) but this is one of the few products I do use. I would recommend it and I would buy it again. Except I'll probably buy it in gel form next time. Update: I've purchased the gel formula and I prefer it over this one. Not only is it easier to apply and just as effective, it is also less irritating and more soothing. It has the same % of BHA but the pH is a tad higher. But like I said, if there was no gel version I'd still happily repurchase this so I'm not changing my rating.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Catrice - Eyebrow Set
jootje 3/13/2011 10:29:00 AM
This is a cute little set that I think only comes in one color combination. It has a light shade and a darker shade. What I like about it is that they have no red undertones. They look slightly ashy, which I find always looks best with my coloring. I have dark eyebrows that aren't sparse overall but I fill them in anyway because it adds definition. I think eyebrows are one of the most important features in a face. If I use a color in the same color of my eyebrows they will come out looking way too dark and harsh, so I actually always use very light colors meant for blondes. That gives me the definition I want without darkening the appearance of my brows. So in this set I only use the lightest shade. I think this set could be used for a variety of different colorings, at least blondes, brunettes and everything in between. I'm not sure about red hair. The colors are nicely pigmented, I don't need much. There is a bit of kick-up, but I don't mind this personally. It applies just fine and it stays put all day. I don't really know what else I can say about the powders. The packaging is cute and functional. It has a mirror and in the bottom is a little drawer that holds a small tweezer and a small two-sided brush with an angled brush on one side and a brush to comb up the hairs on the other side. I prefer my tweezerman and a brush with a longer handle for everyday use, but for traveling it's fine. You have everything you need in this little box. The packaging is not very luxurious feeling but it's also not flimsy. Overall I think this is a decent product for a great price (4 euros or so). I use it everyday. I especially like that the colors have no red undertones.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Collistar - Silk Effect Eye Shadow in 41 Beige Pesca
jootje 3/12/2011 3:00:00 PM
I really love Collistar Silk Effect eyeshadows and I also really love this particular color. All the Silk Effects I've tried so far have the same heavenly silky/buttery texture. There is no kick-up, fall-out or chalkiness. These shadow contain UV protection and hyarulonic acid too. They apply and blend like a dream. This particular color is a light peachy beige with shimmer. It looks a bit darker in the pan than it does when I put it on. I actually went in to buy another color but there was a sale so I could pick another one too. Turns out, I've been wearing this a lot more than the color I actually went in for (no. 21, which I've already emptied once and which I love too). This is a lovely color for all over the lid and for some darker skintones it could probably be a highlight. I prefer a lighter and matte highlight for myself. I usually wear this on my lid with a matte highlight under my browbone and on my inner corner. Sometimes I put a coppery brown in my crease (the no. 21). It adds a nice brightness to my eyes but it looks very natural. It's close to my own skintone but a tad darker and peachier and of course it has shimmer. In the picture I'm wearing this as an all-over wash of color with a matte highlight on my browbone (nothing in my crease). It looks a bit lighter on the lid than in the crease but that's because of the shimmer + direct sunlight. It's really the same color. I'm actually surprised by how much I like this as it was kind of a spur of the moment random guess thing. But I'm really happy I picked this up. It's gorgeous.
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Blush -Bourjois - Rose Coup de Foudre 16
jootje 3/12/2011 1:37:00 PM
I really like this blush! I got it a few weeks ago and I find myself reaching for this one daily instead of my two other favourite blushes. Possibly because the color is right in between them (see the swatches I uploaded for comparison). Color: this is a warm peachy-pink color. My two other favourite blushes are also peachy-pink but they are slightly different. The first is Milani Luminous (supposedly a dupe for NARS orgasm) which is more pink than peach and the other is Rimmel Apricot (supposedly a dupe for NARS Deep Throat) which is more peach than pink. This one fits right in between. It's actually the perfect combo of them. I cannot decide wether it is more peach or pink, which means it's probably about 50/50. This is a very warm color. It looks just gorgeous on my skin (fair with neutral to yellow undertones)! It adds a nice healthy glow but it looks very natural on me. It has a subtle shimmer in it, but this is more noticable in the pan than when applied. It adds a glow, no noticable shimmer. Pigmentation: the pigmentation is just right. I only have to dip my brush in the pan once and I get the exact amount of color that I want. Not too much, not too little. Love it. Obviously this depends on your skintone and how much you want it to show up. As I've only had it for a couple of weeks I can't attest to it hardening when it gets older. I will update when I know more. But I've heard that if this happens you just have to scrape off the first layer of product and then it's good to go again. I would gladly do this if it were necessary, because I love the color so much. Staying power: the staying power is great. I don't do touch-ups and it lasts all day. It's still there when I take my make-up off at the end of the day. Packaging: the packaging is very cute. It's a small round box in the same color as the blush. It holds a mirror and an applicator. The applicator does not suck as much as most applicators that come with blushes, it's not that bad actually. But I still use my own blush brush. The packaging feels sturdy. Price: I think the price is very decent. It's not cheap but it's also not expensive. I think it's definitely worth the money. Overall, this is rapidly becoming my favourite every-day blush. It's the perfect color for my skintone. I would recommend this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Dream Matte Pressed Powder
jootje 3/6/2011 7:11:00 AM
I like this very much. Mainly because it does NOT clog my pores, which is a pretty big deal for me! I had almost given up trying to find a powder that doesn't clog my pores, but when I saw the ingredientlist on this I thought it was worth a shot. I've worn it daily for a few weeks and my skin is still just as smooth as before. But of course the fact that it is non-clogging (for me) is not the only thing that matters - it also has to look good. And that it does! My skin: I have fair skin with neutral to yellow undertones and I use the color 8 golden sand in summer and color 3 in winter, which is perfect for me. I have an oily t-zone and normal cheeks. I don't wear foundation. I wear this on it's own and I use concealer for my dark circles and occasional impurities. What I am looking for: powder that does not clog my pores and takes away shine without making my skin look dull. It would be nice if it evens out my skintone a bit too. Coverage: the coverage of this is sheer. It doesn't cover blemishes or dark circles, but it does even out my skintone even though I only apply a small amount. For me the coverage of this is just right. I prefer to have a sheer coverage overall and then apply concealer only where I need it. Look: This product looks very natural on, not powdery or cakey at all. I only use a little of it but even when I apply more than I need (keeping it reasonable of course) it still looks good. It evens out my skin tone and takes away any shine but does not make my face look dull, which I love. If you look at it in bright sunlight you can see that it has a very subtle shimmer to it. I didn't notice that for a long time, but I really like it. I guess that's what prevents my face from looking dull. Oil control: I'd say the oil control of this is decent. My face definitely stays matte longer when wearing this (compared to wearing nothing at all). It doesn't keep me matte all day, but nothing ever does. It keeps me matte for a good 6 hours I'd say. Packaging: The packaging is fine. It isn't very pretty but it's functional. It feels sturdy and it holds a mirror and a puff. I'm not a big fan of the twist bottom. I'm always struggling with it. I don't really use that mirror and puff anyway so I don't mind. And it is nice that the mirror and puff are there in case you want to take it with you on the go. Price: the price is very reasonable. At first I was so bummed that I could not use my chanel matte lumiere anymore (clogs my pores) but then I realized that's just stupid because this looks just as good (chanel does have better coverage, but I don't need that) for a fraction of the cost, so why spend more! Overall, I'm very happy with this product and I would definitely reccomend it. Update: I've repurchased this over 10x. I love it. HG.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Garnier - Clean Sensitive Delicate Eyes Makeup Dissolver
jootje 1/13/2011 6:01:00 PM
This is very gentle and does not sting my eyes at all. It does a fairly good job at removing eye make-up. Eyeshadow melts away instantly, but mascara is a bit of a problem. I always have to wet my eyes with water first to loosen it before this will get rid of it. This works but it's not perfect so I will probably try a different remover next time before I settle. I also find I have to use quite a lot of it for it work. A bottle doesn't last me very long. But it's not expensive so I guess that isn't a huge problem. I do love this for correcting mistakes when I'm applying make-up though. It is very gentle and non greasy, which is important because I have contacts. I could easily remove a look with this while wearing my contacts, without getting greasy eyes/contacts or experiencing any irritation. For this purpose I will probably repurchase it. Edit: I have gone back to using this daily. All the other removers I've tried sting my eyes! I just wash my face with my face wash first so my mascara is already loosened, and then I use this to take care of the rest.
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Deodorants -The Body Shop - DeoDry Dry-Effect Deodorant
jootje 1/13/2011 7:17:00 AM
I have this in the floral scent, which is absolutely divine. It's the best smelling deodorant I've ever come across. That's about where the good stops though. This just does not perform well enough! It does not keep me any drier at all and the scent also does not keep me smelling fresh all day. Halfway through the day I really feel like I need to freshen up. On top of that, I despise the packaging (I have the stick). I'm used to pushing it up, using for a while, then pushing it further up. But with this you can't put on the lid once it's pushed up only a little. So I had to push it up and back every day. It seems trivial but I found it to be too much of a hassle in the morning, especially when there are tons of stick deodorants that don't require this. So overall: GREAT scent, but does not perform well and the packaging is unconvenient. I would not buy again. In fact I couldn't be bothered to use it up.
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