Masks -Freeman - Pure Ambition Purifying Facial Clay mask with Avocado and Oatmeal
sitknee 10/8/2012 6:00:00 PM
This is okay. Nothing special. Just a simple clay mask that tightens as it dries. It's not difficult to wash off, though you should make sure it's completely gone (I know this isn't always easy with masks like this). I didn't notice anything special after using this, but I also didn't notice any skin issues. What I did see was that the blackheads on my nose were unaffected -- not that this is supposed to remove them.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
sitknee 9/22/2012 5:26:00 AM
This mascara does wonders. It really does make your lashes look full and soft. If you have super thin lashes, though, I'm not sure if this will help. I think it works better for those who have a good amount of lashes already. This isn't expensive, which is great, but the packaging is super... um, cheap-looking lol But my only real issue with this is that it tends to smear onto the bottom of my eyes, which is rather annoying :(
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Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
sitknee 9/21/2012 4:15:00 AM
Love this so much! I'm around NC20 and 117 matches me pretty well. Never oxidizes. Not thick and heavy like Estee Lauder, thank goodness. Wears well and beautifully -- my blush has never stood out or stayed on this well with anything. Looks flawless (especially paired with the HD powder). Coverage is light to full (light if you use a damp sponge) and the finish is pretty matte. The only thing is that it's rather expensive at $42. Also, I do find that the foundation seems to separate a little bit on my T-zone. Oil-control isn't too great and it doesn't last all day on me, but this is a staple nonetheless!
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Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
sitknee 9/21/2012 4:05:00 AM
This smells, feels, and looks like olive oil. It's a thick oil that feels absolutely disgusting on my face but hey, it does a wonderful job of removing my make-up. I love that it takes off absolutely everything, and the way that it turns soapy when I splash water on my face. I never feel oily (after, of course) and this works incredibly well. The only thing is that I don't like how thick it is, how it smells like olive oil, and the fact that my skin feels slightly uncomfortable afterwards. I always use a cleanser following the oil, so the latter isn't a big deal, but still worth a mention. I'm planning to try other things, though if they don't work out, I won't be too sorry to come back to DHC.
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Sunscreen -Shiseido - Senka Mineral UV Gel SPF50 PA+++
sitknee 9/21/2012 3:56:00 AM
This is just okay. Might work for those without oily skin but didn't do much for me. It goes on incredibly well -- it doesn't look or feel like you have anything on. No white cast, no greasiness. But I'm looking for something that will help with oiliness -- this does a tiny, tiny bit. More suited for normal skin, in my opinion.
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Scrubs -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Wash pink grapefruit foaming scrub
sitknee 9/21/2012 3:47:00 AM
I love the way this cleanses my face, as well as the foaming and beads. Sadly, this totally dries my face out -- my very oily face! I've never had any cleanser (for acne or otherwise) do this, which is rather strange. The good thing is that I haven't seen any breakouts. Just drying.
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Concealers -MAC - Pro Longwear concealer
sitknee 9/19/2012 5:50:00 AM
This concealer works relatively well. Creamy-liquid texture with medium to full coverage and some staying power. I wouldn't say it's as good as MUFE but this is a good alternative. The packaging brings the product up a notch while at the same time bringing it down -- it looks like quality but the pump is terrible because it's difficult to get just a little. You'll almost always end up with too much. Not matter how "okay" this concealer is, it is an immediate no for me because it makes me break out. I gave this many chances but in the end, I realized this is what would cause clogged pores and pimples. When will I learn MAC just doesn't work for me? =/
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Polishes -NARS - Trouville
sitknee 9/16/2012 6:24:00 PM
This is a pretty pink but it dries a few shades darker. I'm iffy on the final look -- I really wanted the bottle color but you do get something that's a bit more like Pepto than something soft and gorgeous. The packaging isn't too great. While it looks nice, the square top is a bit annoying. The rubber-like material on the top is terrible because it seems to scratch very easily. The brush is thin and hard to work with. But the thing that really ruins this polish is the formula. It's downright terrible. Streaky and takes forever to dry. Needs multiple layers to look right.
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Sunscreen -Shiseido - Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++ [DISCONTINUED]
sitknee 9/4/2012 3:35:00 AM
Wow. Seriously, I'm so surprised by how well this sunscreen works for me. My super oily skin finally has something that truly helps! I was shocked when I saw that I barely got oily throughout the day. So the texture is rather thick, which might sound a little scary because if you're oily, you know you should stay away from creamy products. However, there is no issue here. Though the texture makes it a littttle hard to blend in, it's not a big deal and you are left with a nice, matte finish (if you think you look shiny, give it a minute to sink in). Not only that, your skin looks beautifully primed. You could definitely skip the primer, but I tend to use primer no matter what. I find there is no issue putting my Hourglass over this, or my foundation. You're simply left with an amazing flawless finish! It truly contributes as a primer, no joke. Not only that, the oil-control is incredible. My skin is super oily and this just works. It really does. Now, that doesn't mean I'm 100% oil-free for 24 hours or something -- I might get slightly oily in my T-zone, but it's honestly such a small bit that I don't even bother to blot. Another thing to mention is that my moisturizer really determines whether this works or not. What I mean is, if you find that your moisturizer doesn't control oil even a little, this isn't going to combat that. As for white cast, I do notice one a bit, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker -- not when it controls oil and primes my skin so well. In terms of breakouts, I get none, though I am breakout-prone. However, I do want to mention that people say this sunscreen needs to be removed thoroughly, or you will find yourself with clogged pores. I think the top recommendation is an oil cleanser, which I use anyway. This is pretty expensive for how much product you get (and it's not like you can use only a little -- this is sunscreen, after all!) but totally worth it if you need something that will actually help control oil while protecting you from the sun!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Clarins - UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection SPF 40
sitknee 9/4/2012 3:21:00 AM
Similar to Shiseido's Urban Oil-free, this sunscreen has a runny consistency that's easy to blend into the skin. You get a soft-matte finish and pretty decent oil-control. It's easy to put primer and foundation over this, and there is no noticeable white cast -- something I saw with the Shiseido. Again, the two are very similar. I would say this is the better product for those with oily skin because this has better oil-control (the Shiseido has none). The white cast issue makes this a better choice as well. Super oily skin might want to look for something better, but I think slightly oily or combination skin would do well with this.
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Sunscreen -Clarins - UV PLUS Protective Day Screen SPF 40
sitknee 9/4/2012 3:21:00 AM
Similar to Shiseido's Urban Oil-free, this sunscreen has a runny consistency that's easy to blend into the skin. You get a soft-matte finish and pretty decent oil-control. It's easy to put primer and foundation over this, and there is no noticeable white cast -- something I saw with the Shiseido. Again, the two are very similar. I would say this is the better product for those with oily skin because this has better oil-control (the Shiseido has none). The white cast issue makes this a better choice as well. Super oily skin might want to look for something better, but I think slightly oily or combination skin would do well with this.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Shiseido - Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector for Face SPF 42 PA+++
sitknee 9/4/2012 3:14:00 AM
While this is oil-free, I don't find that it works for my oily skin. It has a runny consistency that is easy to blend into your skin and this does leave a nice, soft-matte finish. However, I definitely notice a white cast. It was funny because my boyfriend, alien to all things make-up (he's learning :) !), was the one who asked why I was looking so pale! That said, the white cast isn't horrible. The main reason this won't work for me is because it does nothing for oil-control. I don't think it made me oilier, but it definitely messed with the lasting-power of my make-up and didn't help with the oilies. Something very similar but with better oil-control is Clarin's UV Plus. Even better? Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF 55, but the consistency is thicker and some may find it drying.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Peter Thomas Roth - Uber Dry Sunscreen SPF 30
sitknee 8/24/2012 6:58:00 PM
This sunscreen has all the protection you need and leaves a nice matte finish. It's creamy and a little thick, which makes it a bit hard to blend in, but it's not a big deal. I do have some issues with it balling up, but I think it depends on what you use under it (your moisturizer or whatever), and how long you've let whatever that is, sink into your skin and dry. Also, my Hourglass primer doesn't absorb into my face if I put it on over this. This sunscreen seems to leave a kind of film, which is fine for foundation but a little troublesome for products that need to sink in (like primer). That film I mention is not something you can feel -- I just mean it must leave some sort of invisible barrier. So this is supposed to be great for oily skin. I think it might work well for those with slightly oily skin, but not for those who have serious issues (like me). This doesn't really control oil, and it does this funny thing where it makes my foundation fade faster. Even though I have problems using this with my make-up, I do find it to be a rather good sunscreen. It feels like nothing on your skin and leaves nothing behind -- no greasy look or feel, no shine, no white cast. You just get a smooth, matte finish, great protection, antioxidants, and a fragrance-free formula.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Shiseido - Eyelash Curler
sitknee 8/24/2012 5:30:00 PM
Awesome curler! It actually curls my lashes, which are very straight and long. No drugstore curler has ever worked, and considering that I'm Asian, the super circular shape of American curlers just don't work with my eyes.
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Scrubs -Aveeno - Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
sitknee 8/24/2012 3:54:00 PM
This scrub is definitely very gentle. Before I started using retinoids, I thought it was too gentle, but these days my skin is always exfoliated so I find this scrub a perfect consistency. Let's remember that this is marketed as a gentle scrub for gentle exfoliation. It helps remove dead skin cells, smoothing skin and cleaning well, but it's not going to do anything crazy. For something that's really going to scrub out clogged pores, St. Ives would be a better choice, but the walnut shell powder is very harsh so be aware of that. I've never experienced any tightness or dryness, though I do have oily skin. This cleanser just leaves my skin bright, soft, and very clean. It is always my gentle go-to! I also have to mention that this has really helped with brightening my complexion and evening out my skin tone!
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