Cleansers -Clean & Clear - Foaming Facial Cleanser - Sensitive Skin
Missy 10/10/2011 10:20:00 PM
I really like this cleanser. I switched to this from Dove sensitive skin bar and haven't looked back! It's gentle and it doesn't give me tiny clogged pores like Dove does. I'm giving it only 4 lippies for 2 reasons: 1) It doesn't remove eye makeup that well. I definitely have to use a cosmetic wipe or oil-cleanse before using this if I''m wearing makeup and 2) It feels like it leaves a slight film on my face. I use a toner afterwards, just to be sure all the residue is off. If I don't, I feel like I have to rinse a hundred times. Other than those two things, this cleanser is excellent! It's very gentle, despite the fact that it contains both sodium laureth sulfate AND fragrance. EDIT: Nah. Changed my mind. After a while, this really seemed to be aggravating my sensitive skin. SLS is just too much for me to handle.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Physicians Formula - Instant Skin Calming Spray
Missy 8/28/2011 3:13:00 PM
This gets a big old "Meh" from me. I was intrigued when I saw this line at Wal-mart, came right home to read reviews and was disappointed when I could find none. So, I went out and bought the whole line to test and review. You can read my reviews for the other products as well. Anyway, back to the spray. I've used things like Vichy and Avene sprays for years and although this was pricey for a drugstore product, I just had to know if it was as good as it sounded. The first time I sprayed it, expecting a soothing, calm wash over my skin, I immediately felt an intense itching all over. Yikes....not a good first impression. I gave it a couple more chances, to be fair, even though I was put off by the first experience. What I noticed is this.....It leaves a slightly tacky feeling on your skin and nothing else. There's no calming effect, no immediate reduction in redness, nothing. There's a slight medicinal smell that makes you think you're applying something on your skin that will make a huge difference....but it doesn't. Oh, and the price point? Get this.....$16.97. When you see the huge bottle, you're thinking you might be getting a good deal, but it's not what you think. I explained this in my other reviews as well, but I'll say it again. There's a small chamber within the bottles that holds the actual product and the outer part is just an encasing. They would probably argue that it has something to do with keeping the product stable or some garbage like that, but I wouldn't believe it. Anyway, this spray comes in a huge bottle, but then you open it up and notice this odd little compartment in there. I poured the spray out of the bottle and measured it. You get about 5 oz in a bottle that looks as though it could hold 8 oz. So, this gets a 2 from me. It's not horrible, but it makes a lot of promises that it doesn't keep.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Physicians Formula - Redness Relief Moisturizer
Missy 8/28/2011 2:58:00 PM
If I could rename this product, it would probably be something like...."Clogs in a bottle". Too bad because it sounded really promising. It feels nice when you apply it. It's very thin and spreads easily, takes a minute to sink in. The slight green tint helps a bit with redness too. By the end of the day when I removed my makeup, my face was covered with small, inflamed whiteheads, not something I would expect from a calming product. I think the problem is that this line is created more for those with dry skin. The cleanser, calming spray and moisturizers are all pretty emollient and I can see it working great for someone who isn't clog-prone. If you're not oily and acne-prone like me and you're battling inflammation, you may as well give it a try. Acne-sufferers, proceed with caution! Also, I have to mention one more thing about the size and prices of these products. When you see the huge bottles, you think you're getting a lot of product, but when you examine the contents and read the back, you feel like you've been had. If you unscrew the cap on these new bottles, you'll notice that there's a chamber that's housed inside the bottle and the outer part is just an encasing. You're getting a LOT less product than you would assume. For this one, there's actually only 1.7 oz of product in a bottle that looks as though it could hold 6 oz worth of product. Oddly, this bottle is only slightly smaller than the cleanser which holds 5 oz of product! And the price is $16.97 at Wal-mart. Little pricey for the small amount you get!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Cleure Day Cream
Missy 8/26/2011 2:01:00 PM
I've had problems with allergies for a long time and it's really difficult to find products that are gluten-free and of good quality. This product line was recommended through several allergy-related websites, so I ordered several samples to experiment with. First of all, this moisturizer is VERY thick. I can't imagine who could use this as a day cream. I suppose if you have extremely dry skin, this would be good. For me, I have to take a tiny bit on the tip of my finger, mix it on my very wet hands and then apply. It's really moisturizing and heavy, even after using the tiniest amount. It doesn't break me out at all, but it just feels like it's suffocating my skin during the day, especially if used under makeup. I've actually been using it as a night cream instead, with better results. My skin still seems coated in the morning, but like I said, at least it doesn't break me out. The reason this is only getting 3 stars is because a) I haven't noticed any improvement in the overall look of my skin and b) it seems very expensive to me at $25 for only 2 oz. Granted, even my little sample will last a while because of the tiny amount I use each time, but I don't think I'll even use it all up, considering the lack of results I've seen,
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Cleure Dual Action Cleanser
Missy 8/25/2011 10:21:00 PM
I've had problems with allergies for a long time and it's really difficult to find products that are gluten-free and of good quality. This product line was recommended through several allergy-related websites, so I ordered a travel set to experiment with several products. This cleanser is extremely basic. It reminds me of Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser (in the bottle) because it has a lotion-like consistency and it's very mild on the skin. It's even more gentle than Cetaphil because it doesn't contain any sulfates. It removes makeup pretty well and doesn't strip the skin or dry it out one bit. My problem with this is that you have to use quite a bit in order for it to be effective, which is a waste of money since it's so expensive. Also, I know I mentioned that it removes makeup, but my skin just doesn't feel very clean after I wash. Perhaps I'm just too accustomed to chemical-laden cleansers! But the main reason I'm only giving this 3 stars is that it hasn't improved the look of my skin at all. I know it probably wouldn't UPSET allergy-prone skin, but it doesn't HELP it either. I expected the gentleness of the products to help improve the look of my skin at least a little, but it's just as red and hive-prone as always. =(
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Moisturizers -Cerave - Facial Moisturizing Lotion - PM
Missy 8/4/2011 11:29:00 AM
As with all other Cerave products, this product breaks me out in no time. It feels extremely heavy upon initial application, but soon soaks in to leave a more comfortable finish. Every time I've tried it, I wake up in the morning to an extremely greasy, angry complexion with new pimples popping up everywhere. I'm not exactly sure what the culprit is, but I did once try an Olay product that contained niacinamide as well, so it may be a reaction to that. Whatever it may be, I definitely won't be using this again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Silk Naturals - 2% BHA Toner-Silk Naturals
Missy 7/13/2011 3:12:00 PM
This product broke me out horribly. My sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin has been pretty calm lately and I was looking for a product to smooth my skin and keep my pores clean. After two days of use, my skin broke out in painful whiteheads on my cheeks and forehead and 2 cysts, one on my cheek and one on my neck! It took me days to calm my poor skin after this incident. I'm all for simplistic products. This one sounded great, as it only contains 3 ingredients. I guess simple isn't always better, though.
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Toners -Mario Badescu - Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater 
Missy 6/27/2011 11:40:00 PM
I'm absolutely amazed by this product. This is an item I picked up on a whim one day while I was on vacation that quickly became a favorite. It has practically obliterated my acne and rosacea problem all at once. I started using it as a refreshing spray to use at night after I removed my makeup. Immediately after starting it, my skin became brighter and tighter. After a few weeks, my mild, but persistent acne has vanished and my skin is smoother, softer and more resilient. I now use it in place of moisturizer and my skin just glows!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Rimmel - Stay Matte Pressed Powder (ALL)
Missy 6/24/2011 1:58:00 AM
This is a really great powder! I purchased it to set their Clean foundation and the duo is beautiful together. It's definitely matte, but not uncomfortable or drying at all. My face looks clean with none of that weird caking I get from other powders. The shade I chose, Translucent, is nice and neutral in color with no dominant pink or yellow tones. The case that it comes in could definitely use some improvement. It's a twist-off face that never wants to stay on. A flip-open compact would definitely be better, but it's not a big deal. Overall, I love this and will definitely be repurchasing, especially at Rimmel's great prices!
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Foundations -Rimmel - Clean Finish
Missy 6/24/2011 1:20:00 AM
This is the first Rimmel product I've ever tried. The price point has always turned me off...less than $4 for a foundation? Must be crap, right? Well, I've tried lots of foundations, high and low end, and this is one of my favorites! I purchased the lightest shade and it looks very natural on my NC10-15 skin. I adore the convenience of the spatula in the cap. I just slap some on, blend it in with a flat foundation brush and top with powder for a flawless look. It doesn't take much to get good coverage and it feels nice and light on my skin. The color is surprisingly neutral. Most foundations are too pink or yellow on my very fair skin, but this is just about perfect. Lastly, it doesn't break me out! Yay! I will definitely be repurchasing this and looking into other Rimmel products as well!
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Conditioner -LUSH - Jungle
Missy 6/22/2011 7:36:00 PM
I absolutely love this little bar of conditioner. It's not something I would normally try, but I received a little sample of it almost 6 months ago and just fell in love. It's like it changes the consistency of my hair. So strange...My hair is thin and breaks very easily, but this seems to thicken and toughen it up. After washing, I rub this all through my hair while it is still sopping wet. If it's not wet enough, my hair doesn't want to absorb it. Like I said, it's strange! I massage it in, then rinse. My hair feels so much stronger and healthier with MUCH less breakage when I use this. If I run out or use something else, I can definitely feel a difference in my hair. On top of that, it smells amazing, but isn't overpowering at all. It's just pleasant to use. Oh, and the best part is that it is SUPER cheap. My tiny sample that I received 6 months ago JUST ran out and I had to run out and purchase a bar for only $5.95. I will never be without this great product!
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
Missy 6/20/2011 1:19:00 AM
I absolutely HATE this mascara. I don't say that often about beauty products, but this has to be one of the worst makeup items I've ever used. I was looking for a good waterproof mascara for summer use, not for swimming, but something that would stay put. First off, the formula is really thin and I have to apply a few coats to notice any color at all. The darkest black color is actually a dark gray, which was also disappointing. This stuff smudges like CRAZY throughout the day. After about only an hour of wear, I have to wipe away smudges from under my eyes! I've NEVER had this problem with another mascara. By the end of the day, I look like I have two black eyes. To add insult to injury, it's difficult to remove! I have to go over it several times with makeup remover, then wash with cleanser and wipe the rest off with Q-tips. I'm pretty low-maintenance, so this is totally unacceptable to me. Will never repurchase this or recommend to anyone.
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Self Tanners -Banana Boat - Summer Color Sunless Lotion Deep Dark
Missy 6/6/2011 12:15:00 AM
One word = Orange. I was excited after reading many of the reviews here and I just had to try this. I applied a very thin layer to my face and neck with a foundation brush and kept it on for 3 hours before washing it off. Indoors, the color looks natural and even. Outdoors, it just looks orange and you can see the gradation from my face towards my chest. My arms are currently tan from the sun and the color of my face and arms are very different now. Disappointing.
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - retractable kabuki
Missy 5/20/2011 11:59:00 PM
I've had this brush for a about a year now and use it strictly to touch up with powder during the day. I like that it's retractable and very soft. What I don't like is that, like the Bamboo bronzer brush, this brush is so dense that it makes a sheer application of anything absolutely impossible. I don't like buffing the crap out of my skin. Sometimes I just want to add a light layer of powder.
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo Bronzer Brush
Missy 5/20/2011 11:53:00 PM
This brush is extremely soft and very well constructed. I actually find it difficult to work with, though. The bristles are so dense and tightly packed, they pick up a LOT of product and apply everything very thickly. I spend a lot of time buffing everything out when I use this. I much prefer Ecotools big, fluffy powder brush for a sheerer application. I use it for just about everything.
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