Treatments -L'Oreal - Dermo-Expertise ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion
Benzgirl79 8/25/2007 11:52:00 AM
I used this for the first time yesterday in the shower which, as others have suggested -is probably the best way to do this.
In terms of exfoliation, I've only used Aveda exfoliator (liquid) and I've been happy with that as a daily and once in a while I'd use the Clinique scrub which was very gritty and drying (but it did make my skin smooth afterwards).
In comparison to the Cliniuque, the L'Oreal was very fine, I didn' think it would do much upon initial reaction but then realized about a minute into it that it felt like it was working - I felt a light tingling, nothing scary.
When I got out of the shower, I was still me, no miracles :) but my skin was remarkably brighter and even toned - almost like I was already wearing my foundation.
The moisturizer is very basic and boring - you can literally just throw it in the garbage and use what you like.
This morning, I didn't have any milia or breakouts so that's a good thing - My skin feels soft but not like yesterday, I'll update as I use it more...
CVS (NJ/NY metro area) has this on sale for $19.99 this week.
*****Update: 11/18/07 ******It's been months and I'm still using this scrub, my skin has never looked better. Haven't been able to find the men's version anywhere local so may order online, it's half the price and doesn't include the lame moisturizer. Definitely worth the price, results are instant.
*****Update: 2/24/08******** The best beauty product I own- and I own lots. Can't say enough good things about this. On my third tube.
*****Update: 6/15/08 ***** Me and my L'Oreal are coming up on a year together and I've been using it faithfully 1-2x's a week. I've seriously found a winning combination and I honestly believe that this one product is the reason I'm now able to use tinted moisturizer instead of foundation because my skin is just so even now. My skin has never looked better in my 28 yrs...definitely an HG product I'll continue to purchase over and over again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
Benzgirl79 8/20/2007 7:13:00 PM
I wanted to like this because it is so cheap but unfortunately, this does not remove my makeup - specifically eye makeup and especially foundation. At the recommendation of my derm., I moved on to the Purpose cleanser and feel it does a better job and is just as gentle. Not to mention I like a little lather. PS - I have read a bunch of VERY UNHAPPY reviewers defending this product saying it doesn't remove dirt or make-up and people should read the directions, go to the website, etc. When I read the word "CLEANSER" on a botttle -I expect it to CLEANSE. What I expect it to CLEANSE is dirt/oil and/or make-up. I read from another reviewer that it isn't meant to be used to remove dirt or make-up - then what does it remove?!! Why are you using it ????
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Olay - Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream 
Benzgirl79 8/20/2007 7:07:00 PM
I'm scared. I started using this last Saturday evening. By Friday, I woke up to four of THE largest cycstic pimples I've ever had in my 27 yrs. Three between my eyes (bf is calling me a unicorn) and one on my chin. I haven't had a breakout (even hormonal) in a very, very long time and prior to about a month ago, I used to never wash my face before bed (I know, I know) so that says something. I turned to the Regenerist line because of what Consumer Reports reported about the anti-aging benefits. To summarize, they tested a bunch of brands ranging from La Prairie to Olay and the Regenerist line was the ONLY proven product to have any effect on wrinkle reduction (the La Prairie was last!) . So that being said, I was psyched to try it. As for the smell, I can tolerate just about anything but yes, this has a really strange, plastic, shoe-store smell. The consistency is like butter and goes on beautifully but my skin does feel kind of "rubbery" as one MUA'er had mentioned. It feels like it just kindof sits there. The packaging is interesting, I can't say I love it but it is truly unique. The price is decent but I'm scared about the cystic pimples. I'll continue to use it for another week and see how it goes but if I get another pimple I will discontinue. I will update! ****Update 11/18/07**** I never did go back to this, I was a too nervous to try considering the outcome.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Dove - Smooth & Soft Anti-Frizz Cream
Benzgirl79 7/14/2005 10:18:00 PM
I found a lonely sample of this cream just sitting in the bathroom for a while, so I figured I would give it a try. I usually stick to salon brands like Redken, Goldwell, Biolage, Matrix, etc but I really had nothing to lose.
I didn't know exactly if this worked at first, I had just used Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner for the first time (which I had read was really extraordinary and it absolutely is), then I mixed three pumps of the Dove cream with one drop of Biosilk in my hand and blew-out my hair. I can honestly say, that it was the first time in over a year my hair was pin-straight, manageable and shiny. * FYI - I have a lot of fine hair that it damaged from excessive highlighting, blowdrying and flat-ironing.
The next day, I did a little test. I used a shampoo and conditioner that I knew didn't work too well with my hair and I used the Dove cream by itself (without Biosilk) on my damp hair. I realized immediately as I started to blow out my hair, that my suspicions were confirmed - it was the Dove that had made all the difference.
I ran out and purchased it that day and have been in love with it for the last month. I mix and match it with other salon products and it really does live up to the hype. It is very lightweight and doesn't weigh your hair down, which is a plus with my fine hair. I couldn't ask for more in a product and to top it off - I bought it for $3 dollars or something insanely inexpensive. For the price, it's definitely worth the buy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Farouk CHI - Chi Ceramic Flat Iron by Farouk
Benzgirl79 7/1/2005 9:06:00 PM
I have heavily highlighted, dry, fine hair that hasn't reflected the slighted bit of shine in about a year... I bought the Chi 2" flat iron on ebay for a little over $100 with shipping (which is a steal and if anyone wants to know who I got it from, e-mail me). I usually use the Hot Tools flat iron which works ok but tends to "smoke" my hair and doesn't hold as well as the CHI. Afer I used the Chi for the first time on Tuesday, my hair did not crinkle, bend or move the entire day - even after a full sweaty workout. It shook my head all day like the woman on the Pantene commercial, it felt that good. It's not the most aesthetically beautiful looking iron on the market but it heats up immediately, is quick and easy and leaves my hair with a great shine and perfectly straight hair. The only thing I would suggest before flat-ironing your hair is to get a good haircut, straightening will only highlight your hair's inperfect or dry ends. I also suggest a little shine spray afterwards. A good investment overall.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Victoria's Secret - Love Spell EDT
Benzgirl79 1/29/2005 9:51:00 PM
I use the lotion because it is less overpowering. This is what I consider to be cat nip for men. They always want to know what I'm wearing and of course I'll never tell...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -LORAC - Lip Polish in Celebrate
Benzgirl79 1/29/2005 9:48:00 PM
I bought this because I saw Jessica Simpson wearing it and thought it just look beautiful...on her. First off, for such a tiny bottle, (which look like a nailpolish and is applied the same way) you pay out the nose. THe color is a pretty peachy-gold but once applied it's sticky, gloppy mess. I did not care for the taste either, a cross between dental floss and Orajel. It was hard to look pretty wearing the gloss with the face I had to make all day to tolerate the taste. I gave this away to a girlfriend who, in turn, gave it to her friend- she said straight out, "I can't wear that, even if it is free- it tastes and looks terrible." In a nutshell, I was disappointed.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Nymphette lipglass
Benzgirl79 1/29/2005 9:42:00 PM
Nymphette just didn't work for me. A girlfriend of mine had it on one day and I loved it on her, we are similar in coloring but I guess, not enough. When I put it on- all I saw was the gold, and as a PPP- that just didn't work that well. The consistency is a little tacky and sticky but just like all the other glasses. I think the pink isn't vibrant enough and the gold is way too much so you look like you had gold-plated lips. I ultimately gave the full tube back to the girlfriend that originally inspired me to buy it- she still looks great in it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - Cork lip pencil
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:56:00 PM
This is the worst color I ever purchased from MAC, it does nothing for me and I don't know what I was thinking when I purchased it. It takes up space in my make-up case. Not good on fair NW20 skin- it looks muddy and orangy.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - BBQ lip pencil
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:54:00 PM
BBQ is a purply-brown liner that, if used alone, would be WAY too dark for me (NW20-25). The way I've used it is actually OVER spice, but very, very lightly. I like the way it looks like Sandy B lipstick. I wouldn't buy again b/c I doubt I'll ever finish it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - Lipliner in Spice
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:53:00 PM
Kelly Rippa has been know to go on and on about this liner and I agree with her. I've used it for 4 yrs and it goes with every single lipstick I own. It can be layered with other colors as well (under Chickory, BBQ, Cork, etc) Perfect with: Sandy B, Plastique, Cherish, Jubilee However, it can pick up a lot of brown/red tones and find that I reach for Whirl liner more.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - Lipliner- Chicory
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:51:00 PM
Goes nicely when using neutrals or orangy colors as the color is as the name implies. It is a dark, deep,burnt orange that goes nicely over Spice. Not a must-have for my fair skin and definitely not a repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -NARS - Pencil in Kyoto
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:47:00 PM
The caps of my Nars liners always comes off, is this just me or what? This is a creamy, emerald-forest metallic/gold green color that is good OVER an existing eyeliner if you want it to show up. I use it with the Nars Ireland and X-Rated duos and it really finishes my look. Not an everyday staple but an occassion treat if my brown eyes are in the mood for greens. A few lippies off because it doesn't stay on well at all and smears in the corners of my eyes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Eyeshadow in Krisp
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:44:00 PM
I use this as a base with Print and Shale for a smokey look. Its a very very white with subtle blue undertones. I'm not in love with it but when I do the smokey thing, it comes in handy.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Veluxe - Samoa Silk
Benzgirl79 1/24/2005 10:42:00 PM
The best way I can describe this is that it is a soft, "creamsickle orange" color. The texture is very smooth and stays on all day however, it takes some brush digging to get the color on the brush. I don't reach for it often so I doubt I will ever finish the pan and I'm not sure by the time I do, I will still be into my make-up as much but it's a fun color nonetheless.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No