Moisturizers -Olay - Complete with SPF 15 Lotion
Melavia 11/30/2011 12:06:00 PM
This is a review for the cream instead of lotion version of this product for oily/combination skin. I bought this on a whim last year because I want something heavier for the harsh winter. I have been using Murad skin perfecting lotion during the summer but find it not enough during the winter time. I rarely pickup skin care products, especially moisturizers from drugstores. I have been a devoted customers at Sephora for my skin care routine ever since I started taking care of myself. I did not have high hope for this product when I bought it. But then again, my requirements are rather simple, a heavier moisturizer that does not break me out and keeps me hydrated throught the day. The cream version is very rich and has SPF15 in it, which is a plus. It does the job rather well i would say. I think i purged a bit during the first week or so but my skin returns to normal afterward. Now I apply it every morning and my skin feels hydrated the whole day. I use Clinique stay-matte pressed powder to settle my very light makeup and my face does shine either. I might switch to another product with some anti-aging effect later on but for now, I will definitely keep using it.
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Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Vanilla Birthday Cake 3-in-1
Melavia 11/29/2011 2:39:00 PM
I also got this as a free birthday gift from Sephora this year. I am not a fan of vanilla actually. I am more of a chocolate girl ever since I was little. The smell can be a little plastic but it does not really bother me as it is not that strong and fade away rather quickly. I tried it once as a body wash. Without a bath puff, it does not lather well. It left my skin neither soft or hydrated. I think my St. Ives body wash does a better job. Then, I try to use this as a shampoo but no, this dries out my hair a lot. I already have pretty damaged hair due to repeat heat styling. The moment I put this on my hair and start to message, my roots start to all tangled up. I have to really deep conditions my hair to revise its effect. I would never pay the full price for it and this leaves me with no interest to try any other 3-in-1 products from Philosophy ever.
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Eyeliner -Almay - intense i-liner, brown topaz
Melavia 11/29/2011 1:54:00 PM
I bought this a while back and recently picked up back again. I really love the bronze color and has a very subtle shimmer to it too. But my problem with this liner is that it does not last long and can smudge rather easily. I have oily eyelids and every eyeliner that I have ever used smudged anyways. This is the reason why i do not like to use eyeliners in general. However, i have really puffy eyelids and not so long of lashes, therefore, i really need a liner to bring my eyes out. This color is more natural and subtle than black which is great for everyday use. I just hope I could find a way to let it last longer or smudge less.
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Powder -Clinique - Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder - 02 Stay Neutral
Melavia 11/29/2011 12:55:00 PM
Bought it a while back and was not paying attention to its effectiveness in general. Then I sort of stopped the whole makeup routine thing because of laziness i think. I have recently picked up my old habits of makeup just to cover my dark under eye circles and some acne marks on my face. I digged this powder out and is very satisfied with its performance. It provides a very light next to none coverage by itself. But it sets my bb cream with a true matte finish. It also lasts long enough that I hardly need to do touch ups during the day. Although, when I touch my forehead and nose area in the afternoon, my finger tips become somewhat shiny under indoor lights, however, upon close examination, my face is not shiny at all, maybe just has that dowey look. It sticks to its promise that keeps my oil at bay for a long time. I need to clean the sponge quite often to keep it clean since it does not have a separate place away from the actually powder. I like the compact design in general. I think it is quite sleek and easy to carry. I really appreciate the mirrow inside. I will repurchase this when it runs out.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
Melavia 11/29/2011 10:16:00 AM
I bought this product on a whim because it was on sale on my local drugstore. I have fine, short and straight lashes that my main concern is for length instead of volume. I have always been using Dior and Lancome's lengthening mascara. This is the first volumnizing mascara I have ever tried. The brush is big and curved, which takes a bit time to get use too. It instantly lengthens my lashes and make them appear thicker. I wiggled the brush when I am applying so it does not clump my lashes a lot. Though I would still need the lash comb to smooth things out afterward. It would also clump my lashes if I accidentally apply too much of a coat. It can hold my curves for a reasonable amount of time. But it's biggest problem with me is that it flakes like no other mascara that I have ever used. I know the formula might gone bad after a few months of owning it. But I was not expecting flakes come out when I use the lash comb. Not to mention about an hour later, my lower half of eyelid where it is close to the lash line is covered with tiny flakes and light smudges. It is like flakes falling off all the time. I wear contact lenses so it is really uncomfortable when flakes get into my eyes. I do not touch my eyes during the day; no rubbing, picking or anything but still, I got flakes all over. Although they are really tiny, they are still very annoying.
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Pressed Powders -Clinique - Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
Melavia 11/28/2011 3:30:00 PM
I have this in shade 02 stay neutral. My skin is light-medium with a yellow undertone. I have a really oily t-zone and my face is overall combination that is very acne-prone. I want a pressed powder where it can keep the oil on my face at bay. I have been using this powder on and off for a few months now and I have to say I am impressed by its performance. The color is a tiny bit lighter than my natural skin tone but its coverage is really next to none so it does not wash me out or look unnatural at all. It has been 7 hours since my initial application this morning and I still do not need to touch up yet. Although when I touch my forehead and nose, my fingertips turn out to be a bit shiny under lights. However, when I look myself into the mirror, my face is not shiny. I only have one layer of bb cream on today. When I also apply concealer on my acne scars, I usually need one touch up in the afternoon and that would be enough. I actually quite like the package, although it is a light green color, the compact itself looks rather sleek. I appreciate the little mirror it provides. The sponge is good enough for me to apply it but I need to wash it often to keep it clean. The case is very sturdy and can be carried around easily. I think it can last quite a long time and I will definitely repurchase it once I finish this. The only flaw it has in my opinion is it hardly has any coverage so I need to use other products first before it for a more evened skin tone.
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Treatments -The Body Shop - Seaweed clarifying night treatment
Melavia 11/25/2011 4:38:00 PM
Bought this product a while ago during a sales event. I have gone through lots of night creams but have not found my HG yet. Unfortunately, this is not the one either. Although I think it mattifies well and is really light, it does not give me enough hydration. As much as I love it in its gel like form, it is not heavy enough for me. My face still feels a bit tight and dry after applying this treatment. I abandonded it after using it for awhile but recently pick it up again. This time I apply it first and then put on a heavy layer of sleeping mask. I definitely need to find a more nurishing night cream but if your skin is oily and acne-prone, it might be good for you.
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Treatments (Eye) -Garnier - Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
Melavia 11/25/2011 3:27:00 PM
Bought this product on a whim because it was on sale at my local drug store. I have been using the body shop elderflower eye gel for years but found it less nutrisious as I become older. I was eager to try something new and is eager to use a roller. The idea seems fun to me. Honestly I did not notice any significant results from this product. I use it first under my eyes before applying Korres evening primrose eye cream. Although I think my undereye dark circles are reduced, I suspect it is because of the eye cream. Sometimes, it leaves too much product on my skin but at least it is light enough so i have no adverse reaction to it. I have been using this for a few months now and I think I will continue until I finish the whole thing. Update: I stopped using it after seeing no effects. The roller will deposit way much product if you do not store it upright. It just added another layer to my daily skincare routine without any effectiveness. I now use SAO after my toners around my areas and then apply my eye cream. To me, the SAO works fine and it also nurishing my lashes at the same time. Now i need to find a way to use up this product.
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Polishes -New York Color - Chinatown - 210B
Melavia 11/25/2011 12:04:00 PM
Bought this on sale for 0.99. It is a very deep purple with a hint of shimmers. It looks almost like black indoors but the purple undertone will show outdoors. Two coats are enough for a very opaque application and it is not streaky. The color is quite lovely and does not give me all those air bubbles like the Revlon one I own.
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Polishes -New York Color - In a New York Minute Quick Dry Polish - Flat Iron Green
Melavia 11/25/2011 12:02:00 PM
Bought a bunch of NYC quick dry polishes on sale for 0.99 each. I am rather impressed with the formular. The application is easy and non streaky. It is a really dark green color where it appears to be almost black indoors. But when I walked outside, you can distinguishly see the green undertone to it. I applied two coats but that was mainly because of my habbit. I think one coat is quite opaque by itself. The lasting time is on average with other polishes i have but then I always have base coat and top coat on. It does dry up more quickly than the other regular polishes I own. For something this cheap, it is well worth the money. I would not see myself repurchase this again in the near future simple because I own too many polishes and have a hard time to go through an entire bottle within a short period of time.
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
Melavia 11/24/2011 3:26:00 PM
I bought this product based on all the good reviews here on MUA. I was using the Body Shop honey and oat mask but was getting fed up with the packaging. The whole tube costs me less than five bucks at our local health & beauty store. The price just cannot be beat. Originally, when i read the reviews here, I noticed some people say it stinks and dries out their skin. I tried Borguse mud before and it serious stunk and dried me up. I was afraid this mask would have the same effect on me. However, I was totally wrong. It runs on my face smoothly. Although it dried, I do not have any averse reaction to it. It smells like toothpaste when freshly out of the tube but the smell does not linger on after I spread it over my face. I keep my face straight throughout the application and wash it off after 15 minutes. It leaves my face soft and smooth. I had a few more breakouts after the first usage but I suppose it is because the mask is doing its job to bring the dirts out so I do not worry too much about it. The skin tone is more evened out too. I will continue using it and monitor the results. My skin is on the fence between combination and oily. It is also extremely non-reactive to most chemicals. It does not stink me at all. For people with oily and acne prone skin, I would definitely recommand this.
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Styling Products -Johnson & Johnson - No More Tangles - Spray Detangler
Melavia 11/24/2011 3:18:00 PM
I grabbed it on a whim because it was on sale for three bucks at my local drug store. Even though it was located in the baby section, I figured it would hurt to try it out anywas. I used the no tears shampoo and the baby powder when I was a little girl. The smell appears to be a variation of the baby powder, perhaps a bit more sweeter. It is hard to describe but I like it. It stays on your hair but you have to really sniff at your hair to notice. Otherwise, no lingering smell whatsoever. The mist is really fine and I quite like the twisted top. It keeps the bottle in place without spray it accidentally. My hair is fine and damaged because of frequent flat iron uses and self coloring. It can get easily tangled at the ends. I followed the suggestion of one of the MUAers here where I spray generously after I squeeze the water out and just leave it wrapped around a towel for a few minutes. It leaves my hair soft and I think a bit shiner as well. I now also use it every morning as a setting spray before I comb through my hair. My hair tangles much less now although it is still quite frizzy. Then, I am not counting on this particular product to combat the frizziness anyways. For three dollars, it does a better job than I expected as a detangler
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Masks -Borghese - Fango Active Mud for Face and Body
Melavia 11/9/2011 4:39:00 PM
I have read so much good reviews about this product. I always wanted to try it out but the jar just seemed to be too much. Finally, I was able to locate a tube of this and I bought it immediately. My skin is combination to the oily side and it is non sensitive. Everywhere else on my body, my skin can get irritated very easily and I cannot wear wool without a thick layer of cotton. Otherwise, the wool will stink my body terribly. However, I have tried tons of acne treatment on my face without a single allergic reaction ever. After years of fighting break outs, I was finally able to control the situation a bit better. I only get a few hormonal break outs now. But i have acne scars and rather enlarged pores on my nose and forehead. The first time I tried, I noticed it is quit thick, so i put an even layer on my face. Surprisingly, it stunk my face a lot and I felt all the hydration was being sucked out. It was very tight to an almost uncomfortable state. I washed it out after 15mins and boy, my face felt so dry that I have to put tons of moisturizer to compensate. To me, the result just does not live up to its popularity. This is the only mask that ever dries my face out. I used it a few time without any significant improvement so I just left it in my cabinet and I finally tossed it out recently. Although, i consider myself to be combo/non-sensitive, it is just not the right product for me. I wish it could work better though.
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Mascara -Sephora - Lash Plumper
Melavia 11/8/2011 12:44:00 PM
As many others, I received it as a sample from the birthday kit. I had so many mascaras on hand back then that i did not bother to try it on even once. I sort of gave up on the whole idea of makeup for a while until recently, after having a rather terrible food allergy skin reaction, I started to pick up the old habits again. I digged this out along with other mascaras i have. The tube itself is tiny but sleek. It is about the same size as my make up forever waterproof mascara sample received from Sephora. I find it to be very portable although I have not found the need to touch up or reapply it during the day. The brush is quite big for its own package size. It is suitable for everyday use. It lengths a bit and can holds up a curl for a reasonable length of time. The volumnizing effect is minimal. My friend commented that my lashes looked soft and very natural. She said she did not notice I actually applied mascara but thought my lashes are naturally like that. This made me really happy. I noticed the finished result is rather soft looking. I applied really lightly with one coat so there has not been any clumping or flaking yet. I always get smudges at the corner of my eyes so I expect the same with this. It goes off easily with Sephora's own makeup remover. This will not give you any dramatic results but if you are looking for some everyday enhancement, I think it works great. However, I would probably not purchase it at its full price. As a free sample, it works rather nicely but I just cannot put it par with its full price
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Mascara -Christian Dior - DiorShow Unlimited mascara
Melavia 11/8/2011 10:56:00 AM
I bought this a few years back at Sephora. I was looking for a mascara that gives me length and curl but not too much volume. I tried a bunch of them from different brand and finally dicided to get this one. I was really impressed with its ability to lengthen my lashes and gives some curl to them. It seperates my lashes well without clumping or flaking. I am not quite use to the brush (one side is flat and the other side looks like normal brushes) so the volumnizing effect is minimal on me. It was my go to mascara until I accidentally purchased Lancome Definicils. This has a much better lengthen effect but the Lancome one performs better overall without being too complicated with the brush.
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