Treatments (Eye) -Mario Badescu - Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream
rowenaaine 2/5/2007 11:26:00 AM
I bought this solely based on the reviews here on MUA. I had already tried MB Glycolic Eye Cream, and it was very good but a tad too rich for my needs. The Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream, on the other hand, is just perfect.
It is a lightweight yet very moisturizing cream that glides right onto the skin. Absorbs very quickly and immediately plumps my fine lines. I use it morning and night and it feels soft and soothing. Absolutely the best eye cream I have ever used.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Mario Badescu - Azulene Calming Mask
rowenaaine 2/5/2007 11:21:00 AM
Wow, another rave for Mario Badescu. I'm sorry I must sound like a broken record, but almost everything I have tried by MB has been a winner for me. This mask is indeed soothing and calming, with a wonderful light scent. I already use their Control Cream, so balsam peru is not a problem for me. Request a sample first to ensure that you aren't alergic to that ingredient. I alternate this with the Orange Tonic Mask. Good stuff!
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Treatments -Mario Badescu - Drying Lotion
rowenaaine 1/23/2007 11:18:00 AM
I finally gave in and ordered Mario Badescu's "famous" Drying Lotion. My skin has cleared up tremendously since using other Mario products (see my other reviews) that I had little need for the drying lotion. But I wanted to have it handy just in case. I first tried it on two existing acne scars I had. Yes, I know that's not the purpose of the product. But nonetheless, the two raised scars definitely shrank in size over a period of two nights. I can't remember ever being anxious to have a whitehead, but I really wanted to try this darn product. So finally I got my wish, and a little sucker appeared on my cheek. I treated it as directed and the next day I woke up to an all but invisible bump - reduced in size and easily covered with my Bare Minerals foundation.
As others have said, it's an odd product with a strong scent in a glass bottle. Dip your cotton swab in so that you just touch the pinkish calamine-based formula and dab it on the offending skin problem. I found it dried soon enough (maybe 10-15 minutes) so it didn't come off on my pillows, etc. My skin has always reacted better to salicylic acid rather than benzoyl peroxide, so there have been no negative consequences. Definitely a keeper, and I will always keep a bottle in my medicine cabinet. Overnight miracle? Well, it worked for me.
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Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Control Cream
rowenaaine 12/22/2006 9:04:00 AM
Another Mario Badescu product that is a winner for me. I read in a magazine (as someone else stated below) that Nicole Richie uses it exclusively. She has lovely skin, so I researched what was in the cream and requested a sample with one of my regular MB orders. This is a very thick, concentrated cream that contains Balsam Peru - an ingredient that calms redness in the skin, but also seems to cause allergic reactions for a great number of people. Happily, I am not one of them. I use the Control Cream to tone down the redness in my cheeks and around my nose after cleansing and toning at bedtime. In the morning, my skin is not greasy and is more even-toned and matte looking. I've been doing this for a couple of weeks with good results and have ordered a full-size. I wouldn't use it as an overall moisturizer because it is a bit rich for the oilier parts of my combo skin, but it is excellent for treating specific areas of the face. Very nice cream - request a sample first to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to the active ingredients.
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Masks -Mario Badescu - Orange Tonic Mask
rowenaaine 12/18/2006 9:39:00 AM
This is one of the best masks I've ever tried. The orange/citrus smell is light and refreshing, not at all overpowering. The mask itself goes on as a white liquid, not a thick hard-to-spread clay. Leave it on 15 minutes or so and rinse - and it rinses off easily and completely. While it tones and tightens, you never feel like your face is going to crack. You can actually have a conversation with it on, LOL. It's a part of my MB skin care regimen now - they had recommended the Strawberry mask to me, but Orange Tonic is gentler and workds perfectly with my combination skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Mario Badescu - Acne Facial Cleanser
rowenaaine 12/12/2006 10:13:00 AM
This is my new Holy Grail in facial cleansers, and it's a fairly new product in Mario Badescu's line. I had been using Paula's Choice One Step Cleanser for combination skin, and when I ran out I purchased some MB products that I had been sampling. The two cleansers I now use are this one and MB's Enzyme Cleansing Gel. I alternate, using the Acne Facial Cleanser at night and the Enzyme Cleansing Gel in the morning.
The Acne Facial Cleanser is a clear, non-foaming gel, is pretty much unscented and gently removes all traces of makeup including eye makeup. It doesn't strip the skin and rinses clean. I follow up with MB's Cucumber Cleansing Lotion (actually a toner) and then moisturize. (Collagen Moisturizer SPF 15 in the daytime, and the Herbal Hydration Serum & Control Cream at night). This skin regimen has cleared up my recent adult acne flare-up and softened my skin unbelievably. I'm sold on MB products because they work -- check them out and get some samples first. You probably won't love everything, but there's something for everyone.
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Treatments (Eye) -Mario Badescu - Glycolic Eye Cream
rowenaaine 12/6/2006 2:37:00 PM
I've tried several different eye creams, and I don't ever expect to find a "miracle" product. However, I am using a sample of MB's Glycolic Eye Cream and am pleasantly surprised. No eye cream is going to erase existing lines; that's a fantasy that too many of us buy into. Eye cream is meant to prevent additional lines and to soften existing lines.
MB Glycolic Eye Cream is a rich, non-greasy cream that I pat on with my ring finger before bedtime. In the morning, it has completely absorbed into my skin, with no residue. Other eye creams I have used either stay on the surface of the skin or cause my eyes to redden or stick together upon waking. It has no fragrance that I can detect, and while I don't expect my fine lines to disappear they seem somewhat smoother. The glycolic acid is the key ingredient along with Vitamin E. This sample will last awhile, but I may be buying the full size if I see no skin irritation and if the area under-eye area continues to be supple and soft with continued use. Very nice.
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Toners -Mario Badescu - Cucumber Cleansing Lotion
rowenaaine 12/6/2006 10:22:00 AM
Another MB product I purchased after using a sample. I had two different toner samples from them: Aloe Lotion and the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. I preferred the Cucumber Lotion, as the Aloe didn't feel refreshing enough. I have combination skin, so I need a toner that is slightly astringent for the oily parts of my face without being so harsh that it strips the drier areas. The Cucumber Cleansing Lotion has a slight scent, not perfumey, and removes all traces of cleanser, dirt, etc. It does exactly what I need it to do, leaving my skin fresh and soft for the next step in my beauty regimen - whether it be a serum (at night) or moisturizer (day). While most of Mario Badescu's product line is reasonably priced for a salon, $15 does seem a little high for a toner. However, it is working so well for me, I would definitely repurchase it. I am a very satisfied customer.
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Treatments -Mario Badescu - Drying Cream
rowenaaine 11/25/2006 12:10:00 PM
Still working on my sample, but am planning to buy the full size next. I have fair, combination skin that occasionally breaks out. I decided to try MB's Drying Cream on an emerging cystic pimple on my chin. This sucker was just making itself known and was *painful*. I used the DC overnight, and the next day the size had diminished and the pain was gone. Still red, mind you, and I covered it adequately with my Bare Escentuals during the day. Again that night, after cleansing and toning, I used the DC. The next morning, incremental improvement yet again. Pimple was even smaller, no pain, and redness had eased somewhat. The best news is that it never turned into a white head, never erupted, hence no scab or scar...and it continues to shrink. If you are the patient sort that doesn't expect an overnight miracle and wishes to avoid acne marks/scars, give this a try. The results were impressive to me. Mario Badescu has a variety of acne products, but this one works for the type of pimples I get. UPDATE: I bought the full size and am extremely pleased with the results. This can be used as a concealer on pimples during the day to get double duty out of it. Changed from 4 lippies to 5. Thanks Mario Badescu!!
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Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Collagen Moisturizer w/ SPF 15
rowenaaine 11/22/2006 11:34:00 AM
Love! I posted a similar review on the Mario Badescu site. I have always had trouble finding a moisturizer with SPF that didn't cause a reaction. I've had good luck with using Paula's Choice BHA and with my favorite intensive moisturizer (Clinique Moisture Online) but could not find a daytime moisturizer that had SPF 15. I'm very fair and have to use sunscreen whenever I'm remotely near the sun. From high-end products to drug store cheapies, I could not find something that wasn't too sticky, smelly or just plain caused irritation or break out. That is, until I tried a sample of MB's Collagen Moisturizer SPF 15. I used it a couple of times and was immediately impressed. No fragrance, no stickiness, and a perfect non-greasy lotion. If you have had the same trouble I have had, definitely get a sample of this from their website. I bought a full size and have been using it religiously since. I will definitely buy again - this is holy grail stuff.
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Cleansers -Mario Badescu - Enzyme Cleansing Gel
rowenaaine 11/18/2006 4:39:00 PM
I had been using Paula's Choice, and when I ran out I decided to buy a full size of the mario badescu enzyme cleansing gel. I had a sample of it that I liked, so I gave it a shot. I LOVE this cleanser and alternate it with MB's Acne Facial Cleanser. The first thing you notice about the Enzyme Cleansing Gel is the fresh, invigorating smell. Second, the non-foaming cleanser removes makeup and debris, though I don't use it to remove eye makeup - I found it stung my eyes a tiny bit so I primarily use this in the morning. Lastly, it rinses away squeaky-clean without stripping my skin of its oils. I use an MB toner and moisturizer as well, and I'm a convert.
You can't go wrong if you go to the website and get samples first. They do an analysis and send you samples along with a custom regimen for you to follow. Prices are not bad, and the packaging is plain and sensible - particularly great if you travel alot. Excellent product - I will buy again.
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Scrubs -Mario Badescu - Kiwi Face Scrub
rowenaaine 11/18/2006 4:33:00 PM
I know there are rather strong feelings against this scrub, but I actually find it quite nice on my skin. I like the kiwi smell, and the exfoliant action is more than adequate. The kiwi seeds themselves are few and far between and are probably more for show -- it's the "soft bits of seaweed" that actually do the sloughing of dead skin. I like the funky green color, and it rinses clean from my face. My recommendation is to go to the mario badescu website and order a sample first. Would I buy it when my sample is done? Yes.
And as a comment to one of the reviewers below, Kiwi Fruit contains malic acid, which might be the naturally occurring AHA that the Mario Badescu literature refers to.
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Fragrances -Lolita Lempicka - Lolita Lempicka
rowenaaine 8/19/2006 11:58:00 AM
I just purchased a mini EDP of Lolita Lempicka, hoping I would like it better than the limited edition Midnight I tried a few weeks ago. I found Midnight to be atrocious on my skin, and gave it only one lippie. Lolita is very similar, but not as strong or suffocating as Midnight. I still smell grape juice - and I wonder why I don't see anyone else smelling it in these reviews. Nevertheless, after the initial overwhelming blast of sweet grape juice and anise seed Lolita dries down to a soft vanilla-licorice-patchouli musk. I'm not sure I like it, but not sure I don't. I will have to revisit and try again. It's definitely a fragrance that makes you work hard to "get" it. The bottle is adorable, though - and looks lovely on my vanity.
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Fragrances -Calvin Klein - CK One
rowenaaine 8/13/2006 1:04:00 PM
I never tried CK One when it first came out. I wasn't overly impressed with the marketing concept of a Unisex fragrance, and it seemed geared to a young crowd. That being said, I just sampled it some ten years after its introduction and it is really lovely! Very fresh and citrusy, not overly masculine and actually quite sporty. A great pick for daytime wear, particularly weekends. I think I would actually purchase a bottle of this. I've also tried the CK One Summer (2005) Ltd Ed, and like that one even better. Who said you can't teach an old dog new scents?
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Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Fou d Absinthe
rowenaaine 8/9/2006 9:06:00 PM
Notes described on the L'Artisan Parfumeur's website: "The top note is a steely grip of icy-cool alcohol, enveloped by an explosively aromatic bouquet composed of absinthe, a green, slightly bitter note, tingling spirit of angelica and crispy spring-like blackcurrant buds that give way to subtle fruitiness. This ‘hot-cold’ feeling is continued with the icy biting of star anise; contrasting against the hot mix of four spices alcohol (our own ‘cocktail concoction’ of pepper, clove, nutmeg, and ginger) and enhanced by the deepness of patchouli. Lastly, a warm, blazing harmony is embodied, where crackling dry pine needles mingle with the sweet, woody scent of cistus and the fruity sap of fir balsam."
Oh yes, indeed! I had no idea this was a man's fragrance when I ordered the sample vial, and to me, Fou d'Absinthe is rather unisex and ambiguous. I immediately smell a sharp, green, bitter note that can only be the absinthe. This scent alone is immediately captivating, but just moments later I get the spice (mostly pepper and clove) followed by pine. This is less a masculine scent and more a "shopping for Christmas Trees" scent. There is some gentle fruitiness and patchouli weaving in and out to keep it from smelling like the little tree-shaped car deodorizer you hang from your mirror. It softens up quite a bit after drydown, at which point the ginger, nutmeg, and balsam are present. The woodsy base notes combine to smell like the inside of a cedar chest. I really like this! Lasts pretty well, but is too expensive for my budget. I would only buy decants unless I find an incredible deal...but I will definitely wear this and reorder a sample at the very least. It is a crisp, bracing, unique fragrance that is very well crafted and perfectly executed. This is a stroll through the forest on a cool autumn afternoon, pine needles crunching underfoot. The only reason I give it four lippies is due to the prohibitive price.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No