Gels/Soaps -Murad - Acne Body Wash
rxqueen011 4/2/2010 12:30:00 PM
I received a deluxe sample of this from a generous swapper. I used it on my body first and didn't like it as much as the Neutrogena scrub, which I have been using for YEARS and is so much cheaper. Then I realized that the Murad is only 1% Salicylic Acid...well no wonder it didn't work as well. I decided to use it on my face instead because I had no manual exfoliators at the time and wash cloths weren't cutting it. I think it's great for maintenance and it's not too harsh buffered in with another cleanser. My skin is super sensitive and it did not irritate it at all. No whiteheads for a few days either and I usually wake up with a couple small ones. I will continue to use this once a week, but not sure if I will repurchase.
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Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam Cyndi [DISCONTINUED]
rxqueen011 3/25/2010 6:59:00 PM
Bought this as a birthday gift to myself! :) The color is my "perfect red." I have tried many in my pursuit, and this one is awesome. The formula is so smooth and really hydrates my lips. It also has decent staying power without the use of liner. The finishing touch is a light application of BonneBell O2 Vita Gloss in Sheer Cherry. Really makes it POP! This is only my second MAC lipstick ,and I don't normally splurge for them, as the other I own was purchased from the CCO. However, the color is beautiful, Cyndi rocks, and I am in full support of the profits going to an AIDS foundation.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Waterproof
rxqueen011 3/25/2010 10:45:00 AM
This stuff is pretty bad! I meant to buy the non-waterproof voluptuous, but wasn't paying 100% attention when I yanked it off the rack. The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the wand. It's crazy shaped and made it difficult to reach my outter lashes. It also went on too clumpy. I used a lash comb to separate after the first coat (one wasn't enough.) I followed quickly with a second coat and although it "thickened" it was only because it made my lashes stick together. I have tried a lot of mascaras and this is definitely one of the worst. The only positive is that it was much easier to remove than a lot of my other WP mascaras. L'Oreal Voluminous WP is WAY better.
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Conditioner -Desert Essence - Italian Red Grape Conditioner
rxqueen011 2/22/2010 9:51:00 AM
I really like this conditioner. It smoothes and detangles my hair like no other. Whenever I've been at the beach, I use the coordinating shampoo and conditioner. The results are fabulous! My hair is left frizz-free, shiney and bouncy. It must be something to do with the salts because I don't get the same results any other time. Not even after swimming in the pool! I live in South FL and get a lot of usage out of this product. It is cheap at Vitacost and I will continue to purchase.
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Shampoo -Desert Essence - Italian Red Grape
rxqueen011 2/22/2010 9:19:00 AM
I will start off saying that the ONLY time I can use this shampoo and coordinating conditioner is after coming home from the beach. It mingles with the salts from the ocean and really transforms my hair. Any other time it just looks normal! As others have already stated, it smells like grape jelly. The ingredients are quality with this line, and the package is pretty good. The cap seems flimsy, but hasn't broke. I'm only giving this product 2 lippies because my hair feels dry and stringy after rinsing the shampoo out. The conditioner is more of a standout product, and I wouldn't use this shampoo unless I followed it with the conditioner. I won't be repurchasing either once I run out.
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Cleansers -Olay - Daily Facials Express- Sensitive Skin
rxqueen011 2/19/2010 3:19:00 PM
I am pretty disappointed in this product, based on all the glowing reviews here. I wear light mineral foundation and do not use eye primer most of the time. I need at least two of these to properly remove most of the makeup. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of residue left over after toning, and these wipes are obviously not doing their job. It's light MMU!! Not only that, but they dry out quickly, do not remove my Imju Fiberwig and sting my eyes in the process. They weren't harsh on my skin at least, except for that they are drying, and I have combo-oily skin. These are rubbish and I definitely will not buy them again. Will try Equate and Ponds next.
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Aspirin Mask
rxqueen011 2/17/2010 2:45:00 PM
This is so cheap and effective! I bought uncoated aspirin tablets from CVS for .99 cents! The first time I added some orange blossom honey to act as a binding agent. Then I left it on for approximately 20-25 minutes and very lightly exfoliated with circular motions before rinsing off with water. I did not like that the honey sunk in so much it left my face kind of tacky, even after toning. The next time I tried adding some vitamin E from a vitamin liquid gel. The results were way better BUT for some reason the paste would not congeal and it made a horrible mess. It refused to rub on my face evenly. I may need to add actual vitamin E oil (thought that was what was in the vitamin, though!). Anyway, I only left it on for about 10 minutes and then used toner afterward. I noticed a reduction in redness and the pimples I had went away fast and are still healing quickly two days later. I read somewhere that the honey needs to be raw and untreated for it to be effective and that does make sense. I think I will stick to vitamin E for now. You could probably add yogurt to this mask as well since the aspirin alone is pretty harsh. UPDATE: I am not using this anymore. I only used it every other week, but it seemed to make my mild rosacea flare up. I ceased use and skin is less red. I still think it would work for people with less sensitive skin.
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Styling Products -TiGi - S-Factor Smoothing Lusterizer
rxqueen011 2/17/2010 10:22:00 AM
I bought this lusterizer on a whim after my hairdresser used it on me one time. Of course I had to go out and buy it because my hair looked great and was really smoothe and shiney. I've been using this for a little while now and have to say that I'm not sure I'll purchase it again. It smoothes my hair, yes. It smells like strawberries and leaves sparkles at the ends. However, there is nothing stand out about this. It works best if you apply just a little to the ends after a blowdry. Since I hardly ever blowdry my hair, I apply this to my wet hair and let air dry. This doesn't work too well. My hair can get super poofy and it doesn't help tame. When it finally does, it is nearly 6+ hours later and I just don't care for the shape of the waves it leaves behind. Packaging is strange... maybe it's supposed to resemble an S in some way? The flip top is good and hasn't broken. There have to be better products out there for the money. This one has me washing my hands like crazy from all the glitter it leaves behind! I bought some new products from Sally's and am excited to try them out and compare.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Waterproof Voluminous Carbon Black
rxqueen011 2/16/2010 10:58:00 AM
While I do like this mascara, I'm a little on the fence about purchasing it again. It gives me sky-high lashes and lasts a very long time. It is almost impossible to remove, though. At least it does not smudge or give me coon eyes. My biggest gripe is getting this mascara to work with you. You can't just swipe on and go. It requires finesse to make lashes not look clumpy in certain areas. The color is really nice and is best for night time!
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Eye Primer -Bare Escentuals - bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer
rxqueen011 2/5/2010 3:25:00 PM
This is my first eyelid primer, so I don't have anything else to compare it to. I've had it for a year and have not run out yet, with occasional use. Less is more with this, too. Blending is a bit more difficult, but I love how this does not crease, EVER. The color of the primer does not go on opaque like MAC's Painterly/Bare Canvas paint pots. It's very sheer. Also keeps my lids from getting too oily. Wish this would come in a tube because the applicator is useless for me. I click the primer out and blend it in with my fingers. There seems to be some war between UDPP and TFSI. I don't think I'll bother with either since the BE really fits the bill. Took one lippie off for price/packaging. EDIT 10/2010: I'm still on the first tube, which is quite possibly going on two years. The consistency has dried out a little, but the product still works just as good. I like it better than UDPP and am still interested in giving TFSI and the LORAC primer a try. BE should totally repackage this in a tube. I think it will cost them less (like they would reduce the cost for us, though)
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Light
rxqueen011 2/4/2010 5:10:00 PM
Ugh, terrible product. The concept is great; it just didn't work for me. It went on nicely, but my MMU practically slid right off. It accentuated the pores on my nose and the MMU actually sunk in! The coverage was better using moisturizer and no primer! Major breakouts after a while, too. I really wanted to like this product, but I couldn't bring myself to try it out for longer than 2 weeks, even after using different application techniques. Total failure. It may work better under liquid foundation, but will not experiment due to breakouts. Good thing it was a sample.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Shroom
rxqueen011 2/4/2010 4:04:00 PM
I really like Shroom. It was my first ever MAC purchase several years ago and I'm glad! It's got a nice pink duochrome sheen to it and looks lovely as a subtle highlight. I don't use it as much as say, Femme Fi, but it looks great with teals. The texture is smooth and I don't have any problems with fallout. I will definitely purchase this again if I ever run out.
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Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Alvera All Natural Roll-On Deodorant
rxqueen011 2/4/2010 2:40:00 PM
This is my staple deodorant duing the "cooler" months in South Florida. Cooler meaning, not so humid. I purchased the unscented version at Vitacost. I use this after showering at night (year round) and most days before work. I do have to reapply this in the afternoon if I'm headed to school or running errands because I think I sweat a little more than the average woman. This product will probably be perfect for you if you don't sweat a lot. Personally, I think this works better than Crystal deodorant and I enjoy the added aloe vera, which soothes my skin after shaving. Does take a few moments more to dry, but that is not a problem for me. Packaging is great and price is right.
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Makeup Brushes -Bare Escentuals - Kabuki Brush
rxqueen011 1/15/2010 12:13:00 PM
Like practically everyone stated....OW!!! I bought this several years ago in a transition period when my skin was good and was not sensitive. Now that I have breakouts again and am prone to redness... YIKES!!! It is so prickly. I like how it applies BE bronzer and it's very dense. However, this was my first kabuki and I am realizing there are way better options out there. STAY AWAY!!! It's pricey and you can buy way better ones at CVS, Target, etc. I am very much enjoying my EcoTools Kabuki and have ordered the E.L.F Studio Kabuki to replace this BE POS. Can't believe I've kept it for so long. It's going up on my swap list (if I can even find someone who wants it!)
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Cleansers -L'Oreal - Skin Genesis Deep Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser
rxqueen011 1/11/2010 10:22:00 AM
I really wanted this product to work for me based on the success others on MUA have had with it. It was on sale at CVS for 4 bux so I bought it. I like how the scrub feels. Compared to other scrubs like St. Ives and Clinique Exfoliator, this cream cleanser has just enough scrubbie action. The kaolin clay in it is great for those with oily skin. I actually think my skin would have tollerated this cleanser if it weren't for the OVERWHELMING fragrance and the addition of menthol. It smells like cheap perfume. I have sensitive skin and whenever I used this my face burned and turned red. I suggest sensitive skin gals stay away from this product. It has sulfates, as well. May be better for use in the summer, as it was a little drying for me.
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