Toners -Neutrogena - Pore Refining Toner
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 9:32:00 PM
I used to use this toner/astringent daily. About a year and a half ago I toned-down my skin care regimen, though, and started trying to replace certain products with more natural ones. I still had a bottle of this in my bathroom and, last week when I was noticing more blackheads than usual, I decided to pull it out again. While I won't use this everyday, I do like that it did help my blackheads to disappear rather quickly. I find that it makes my skin a tiny bit sticky and it makes it a little more oily looking (not really oily feeling, though) than usual. I probably will re-purchase (if and when I finally finish this bottle) just because it is nice to have on hand. UPDATE: 07/2005 I haven't used this since I wrote the initial review and, in fact, have thrown out the bottle. It would be way too harsh for my skin now and I won't be re-purchasing it.
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Scrubs -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Wash 60 sec. Mask Scrub [DISCONTINUED]
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 9:23:00 PM
I bought this because of the great reviews I read here and I am glad that I did. I don't get pimples regularly, but I do like to keep my pores clean. This is a nice mask/scrub and it helps to eliminate any blackheads that I may have. I only use maybe once (sometimes twice) a week and I tend to leave it on much longer than 60 seconds. (Psychologically, I am unable to see a product working in as little as 60 seconds.) When it dries, I just apply water and scrub. I like that the exfoliating beads are gentle enough not to tear the skin. I tend to prefer unscented skin care, but this has a really nice, fresh smell. The packaging is good, in that it is a big tub that will allow me to get to every last bit of product. I will probably re-purhcase this product. UPDATE: 10/2005, I won't be re-purchasing this product. I simply don't use it anymore. I don't find that it is a necessary product to add to my regimen. And, I have become sensitive to BHA's, so this can irritate me a little.
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Masks -Neutrogena - Oil-Absorbing Acne Mask
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 9:15:00 PM
I love this mask! I tried it when I had really problematic skin in my early teens and it was too much for my skin to handle. I gave it another shot about a year ago (at age 25) and I am so glad that I did. I don't really get many pimples, but my pores can clog easily. This BP mask helps to unclog my pores and it also helps to reduce any redness that may have resulted from extractions. I use this as a full mask about once a week and as a spot treatment regularly. It can be drying if used as a full mask more than once or twice a week on a regular basis, particularly in the winter. It is pretty inexpensive and a tube lasts for a while. I fear that Neutrogena is discontinuing this mask, as it used to be widely available and now I am only able to locate it at Ulta. I will continue to re-purchase this product for as long as they sell it. UPDATE 10/18/2005: I ran out of my Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (that I only use as a once a week mask, never as a cleanser) and I went to replace it. Well, just as I picked it up, I noticed a few tubes of this Oil-Absorbing Mask (I believe Neutrogena stopped making it over a year ago, and I really missed it). I was pleased to see that someone still carried it, so I bought it instead of the cleanser/mask. I was sooo disappointed!! I used to love this stuff, but I guess it's too harsh for my skin again. I don't like that it's so thick (I never noticed this before, but compared to the cleanser/mask, it really is quite thick) and I don't like that it is sooo drying. My skin is normal (sometimes a little combination), not oily, but there was a time when I could use this mask reguarly, just the same. Those days are gone. I only used this once on Friday night and on Saturday (as well as Sunday and most of Monday) my skin was blotchy and looked irritated and really dry. I took this back and exchanged it for the cleanser/mask, which is less irritating to me and contains a lower percentage of BP. I will not be re-purchasing this. I will stick with the cleanser/mask, as it does a good job (even though it contains menthol) and you get a lot more product for the money. I still rated this a four, because it used to work for me and I am sure that it works well for others who have to rght kind of skin for it.
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Shampoo -Suave - Daily Clarifying Shampoo
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 9:01:00 PM
I have used this shampoo on my thick, normal to mildly dry for years, with great results. I have used more expensive clarifying shampoos and this one is much gentler on my hair. I am generally low maintenance when it comes to my hair, so I am unable to say if this would be too harsh for someone who uses a great deal of heat and chemicals on their hair regularly. It does what it claims--completely cleans my hair and leaves no residue. No offensive scents and it is about as inexpensive as a shampoo can get. Will continue to re-purchase.
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Loose Powders -Sonia Kashuk - barely there loose powder in flesh
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 8:50:00 PM
This loose powder does look quite natural, however, if you apply even a little too much, you will look as though you are wearing powder. I barely use any at all and it does a great job of keeping my gel blush in place and preventing my forehead and nose from looking shiny. This has never caused me to break out. I do wish, however, that the container was a bit less messy. (This seems to be a problem with most loose powders I have tried, though.) Also, I don't use the little velour puff/pad that comes with it--I just shake a little out and apply it with a big kabuki brush. I will most likely re-purchase this when I run out, which probably won't be for a couple years. UPDATE 10/2005: I have hardly used this since my initial review. I rarely wear makeup and when I do, I find that loose powders (or powders, in general, really) just look like powder sitting atop the skin (no matter the brush I use to apply it, etc.). This isn't a terrible product, but I don't know that I'll be repurchasing it, as I still have most of a jar left and I just don't use powder these days (with the now and then exception of my Bonne Bell powder bronzer).
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Clear Mascara
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 8:42:00 PM
This is a no frills clear mascara. The packaging is simple and the brush that is included is a curved brush. I really like this mascara, because it allows me to define my lashes without looking made-up. I have tried other clear mascaras and, for the price, I will continue to purchase this one.
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Lip Gloss -Bonne Bell - lip d'Votion - Sugar Kiss
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 8:38:00 PM
For the most part, this is a great lip gloss. This is a clear lip gloss that has a sweet taste--not sure if it tastes like sugar, but, really, no other flavor comes to mind. I really like the tecture of it, as it does not feel sticky. This provides a nice shine. Although, I have and will re-purhcase this lip gloss, I do wish the twist-up "tube" was designed a bit differently. I feel like I waste about as much product as I use. I don't use this everyday, but, if I did, I would probably complain about the amount that comes in the tube--it really isn't that much.
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Gels/Soaps -Aveeno - Skin Relief Body Wash Fragrance Free
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 8:29:00 PM
This is a must have for me!! While Dial soap is a staple in my shower, I am unable to use it everywhere. I spent a great amount of time trying to find a body wash/cleanser/soap that didn't irritate me, and this is it. It is unscented, in that it contains no perfumes, but it does have a clean, earthy smell to it. It is quite moisturizing and it can double as a great shave lotion. A little goes a long way, so you get a fair amount for the price. I will continue to re-purhcase this.
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Blush -Sonia Kashuk - Cheek Sheer - Supersheer Beach Bum 04
BEBE_T 9/3/2004 8:20:00 PM
I absolutely love this blush!! It is a true pink (although not as bright as it looks in the packaging) and there are no signs of anything resembling glitter/sparkle. It provides a natural looking flush of color and it has real staying power. I apply it after my moisturizer, dab it a little with my fingers and dust only a bit of loose powder over it. I really love that it enhances my healthy glow, as opposed to concealing it like a lot of powder blushes can do. Also, this has never made me break out. I think you get a reasonable amount of product for the price, but that may be because I rarely wear any makeup (this included) more than two or three times per month--so I get a lot of use out of this. The packaging is no frills and simple, but I like that. I bought this a few months ago, however, and now I fear that it may have been a summer edition product, as I have not seen since. If it is available next summer, I will definitely re-purchase!
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Aspirin Mask
BEBE_T 1/19/2004 10:05:00 PM
This just does not work for me. No really, really bad results, just no outstanding ones either.
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