Bronzers -Physicians Formula - Baked Bronzer in Baked Tan
stacialue0330 12/22/2005 2:23:00 PM
At first, I thought I had found the perfect bronzer for me as I am quite pale this time of year, and this bronzer wasn't too dark looking in the pan. I was right about it not being too dark, but I was also dismayed to find that it barely showed up on my cheeks. Nevertheless, after dusting on a few layers, it looked like I had a bit more color in my cheeks. I thought the gold flecks in the formula were a bit much, but on days where I was only wearing foundation and mascara I figured I could get away with a bit of extra sparkle. Unfortunately, this stuff began to break me out on my cheeks, so I had to stop using it. That was fine, because I needed to touch this stuff up quite a bit throughout the day if I wanted to remain alive-looking! Also, the packaging is awful. Not sturdy one bit, which makes one nervous to put it in a purse for fear it will break! This may be a good choice for someone else, but I found it to be more of a disappointment during my time using it.
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Blush -Aloette - Cheek Color Powder
stacialue0330 12/22/2005 2:13:00 PM
IMO, this blush is substandard. I feel it's too shiny and cheap looking, plus it wears horribly, meaning it fades within hours of first applying. I also do not care for the fact that it broke my cheeks out after using it for only about two weeks. The only reason I did not give it a one is because Mary Kay is still in business, which means there are far more substandard products still out there on the market. Otherwise, this one would qualify for the bottom of the barrel. The only shade that I actually cared for was the bronzer. Amazingly, that seems to have turned out to be a perfect balance of shimmer and pigments. Unfortunately, Aloette can't seem to get it right with the rest of their cheek colors! Their makeup isn't expensive, but the prices they charge are much too much for colors that just don't sit right on my face. Retool, please!
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Blush -Clinique - Blushwear Cream Stick
stacialue0330 9/29/2005 2:53:00 PM
I've been using this particular cream blush for about six years or so and I have never found another to match it's great staying power and color. I've had very oily skin for most of my adult life, so I disagree with the previous person's post for oily-skinned girls to avoid this blush. I've never had a problem with it sliding off or anything like that. No breakouts, no color change. Just great looking color! I've used it in both summer and winter and over liquid and mineral foundations. Love this stuff. It's truly HG material! A little goes a long way and I usually have the same compact for about two years before I run out and have to repurchase. Great stuff! I should also add that this is good for dry-skinned individuals as well (I'm on accutane right now and my face is bone-dry) but you need to make sure you moisturize well before applying.
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Powder -Unlisted Brand - J.Lynne Mineral Foundation
stacialue0330 9/8/2005 10:33:00 PM
I'm currently using samples of the mineral foundation, and so far so good! I like the fact that I had the option to buy the samples in small jars, which makes using a chisel brush w/it much easier. So far, I've liked the amount of coverage that J.Lynne has given me. It's definitely not too much but covers what needs to be covered excellently. I normally have oily, acne-prone skin that did break out w/other MMU containing mica and bismuth oxychloride, but so far this foundation hasn't seemed to aggravate my condition. Also, at the moment, I'm undergoing Accutane therapy to try and rid myself of the oily face and zits permanently, so my skin is actually getting fairly dry. Thankfully, the J.Lynn hasn't seemed to wear any worse since the dryness has set in! I love how it stays put all day long w/out touch ups. I know this for a fact as I have put it on at 6:30 in the morning and managed to not take it off till after 9 at night! I'm also very pleased w/the color selection and managed to get lucky enough to find a good blend w/my skin tone my first time out! And did I mention I've been using the same sample jar for over a week? At this rate, I'll be able to make this one sample stretch to the next payday, at which point I'll most likely order the shade I have in the full-size jar! In conclusion, I'm very pleased w/this product. I recommend everyone at least try a few samples, since they are so cheap and economical. You may be pleasantly surprised! UPDATE: 3/8/06 This stuff still wore quite nicely and had pretty good staying power (worn in winter, mind you) but for some reason, I kept getting this crazy skin reaction to it. It was a weird, itchy rash that started on the side of my face. Unfortunately, I had to stop using this foundation to get rid of it. I've since switched to Raesin Images, and haven't had an issue with rashiness since. Still, I think this is an excellent mineral foundation for skins not so sensitive to ingredients. I also miss the coverage, as it is better at covering up imperfections while still maintaining a fairly natural look.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lily of the Desert Aloe Gelly
stacialue0330 9/8/2005 10:20:00 PM
I used to use Fruit of the Earth aloe gel but found the consistency to be a bit too thick and gooey for my taste. Lily of the Desert is much less sticky and doesn't leave as much of the residue that FOTE did. Some people claim that aloe gel prevents breakouts, but I'm not sure that's entirely true. I still break out, but the aloe gel definitely helps to calm any blemishes that might be inflammed and, in turn, helps to clear them up faster. It's also great for red marks left over from old pimples. A little goes a long way, and one tube (4 fl oz) will last you quite awhile! Will definitely be repurchasing. Ingredients: 99.5% Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Carbomer 940, Vitamins A, C, and E.
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Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Aloette Vitamin-Infused SPF 15 Mineral Foundation
stacialue0330 8/23/2005 10:38:00 AM
After all the raving about how great mineral foundations are for acne-prone skin (which I have) this stuff was a horrible disappointment. The application wasn't too difficult and I did like the way it looked when first applied, however, as the day wore on, I had to blot quite a bit and the stuff didn't hold up to heat and/or sweat. Also, the color seemed to turn funny during the day. The fact that the colors the foundation come in are very limited (only four shades) doesn't help things either. It also seemed to settle into fine lines and creases which made me look even older (I'm only 26) so that is definitely not something I want in a foundation, mineral or otherwise. The final nail in the coffin for this particular product was the HUGE cyst-like zits it brought on after using it for approximately one month. I found later after analyzing the ingredients that it is COMPLETELY comedogenic, containing Mica as it's first ingredient along w/Bismuth Oxychloride, both known to settle into pores and clog them up. Will definitely NOT buy again, although I will be searching for a different mineral foundation w/out mica and bismuth oxychloride in it.
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Liquid -L'Oreal - infallible never fail makeup
stacialue0330 8/21/2005 2:41:00 PM
Good color match, adequate staying power and very good coverage, although it seemed as if my face were oilier. All of these qualities were undermined, however, due to the explosion of cystic acne on my chin area after approximately 2 1/2 weeks of use. Anyone with even slightly acne-prone skin should stay as far away as humanly possible from this horrible concoction. I would have given this a -10 lippies if it were allowable. The damage done to my face from this foundation is probably irreversible. Will definitely not repurchase.
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Lip Gloss -Almay - Whipped Gloss - Nude Reflection
stacialue0330 7/6/2005 11:59:00 PM
This gloss is an ok gloss. The color could be a bit more pigmented, since it barely shows up on my lips when I wear it, but that's not a huge deal. I think the consistency is a bit weak and could be a little thicker and more glossy, but overall texture is fine. It doesn't dry my lips out, which is a HUGE plus, and I like the minty smell on application. I also am fond of the brush applicator as opposed to the spongy-tipped versions. Basically, this is a nice gloss with a nice color. I might repurchase this in another color. Not bad to try for the price they're asking.
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel
stacialue0330 7/6/2005 11:51:00 PM
I bought this after reading all of the positive reviews that it's garnered here! Mainly, I was interested in controlling breakouts, but figured it's aloe, so I'd get some benefit out of using it, whether it was effective on my zits or not. I've been using this product for almost a month and I have to say that I am seriously impressed with it! As far as it preventing breakouts, I'll say that I haven't experienced the usual painful pustules, but I still get the mini zit here and there. The great thing about this gel, however, is that when one surfaces (either due to my foundation or TOTM) I just dab a bit of this gel directly on top of one before bed and usually by morning the zit is gone or significantly reduced in size. It's helped to fade out old red marks and is just generally nice to my skin. I combine it w/a little bit of moisturizer (Cetaphil) in the mornings before applying makeup and it seems to keep my skin hydrated w/out getting overly oily. Great product and I will definitely be repurchasing! EDIT: After about two months, my face went right back to the same old, same old. Obviously, whatever benefits I thought I was getting in terms of combating acne with this product were short lived. Knocked my rating down to three lippies due to this rather huge disappointment!
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Fragrances -Chanel - Coco Mademoiselle
stacialue0330 6/5/2005 6:08:00 PM
I first tried this in a department store and the entire day, I was practically jamming my wrist up my nose, I couldn't get enough of this scent! I usually don't have the foggiest idea if perfumes will work w/my chemistry, but from everyone I know, this one seems to be my "signature" fragrance because I've never gotten so many compliments w/any other scent! One of my best friends went out and bought Coco Mlle because she loved it on me so much. Unfortunately for her, she felt the scent didn't mingle well w/her body chemistry. Lucky for me, she sent me the bottle (compelety full) to me for free just so it wouldn't go to waste!! I absolutely love this fragrance and will keep it on my vanity for years to come!
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A
stacialue0330 6/3/2005 11:32:00 AM
My trials and tribulations w/adult acne started pretty much right after high school and I was at a loss as to how to effectively deal w/it! I was put on various antibiotics, which did the job for a time but ended up becoming useless when I built up a tolerance to them. Enter Retin-A .04%! I used this gel-based version for the first time when I was 19 and for almost 12 weeks I experienced the WORST breakout of my life. I wondered what I had gotten myself into, it was that bad! Fortunately, it cleared up rapidly after that and I was very happy w/my skin. Unfortunately, I moved to Alaska about a year after starting the .04% gel and couldn't get that formulation there. I was switched to the .05% creme, which I though would possibly work better, seeing as how it's a stronger RX. That stuff, however, wasn't so great. In fact, I had more problems w/whiteheads and cysts on the creme verson than anything else! I found later there is an ingredient in the creme (myristal myristate?) that is actually quite comedogenic which could have been the problem w/that formulation for me. I went off of Retin-A completely for a time and used the ProActiv system which actually worked amazingly for two whole years before mysteriously losing it's effectiveness. SO, I found I was back to square one where my acne was concerned. This time, my derm suggested trying the Retin-A Micro .1% gel which was the newest thing and supposedly superior to the older versions. I bit and at first it was the hardest thing to use. If I thought my face was bad during the .04% initial breakout, this microgel made my face look about 1000x worse at first. The dryness, uber-cysts popped up everywhere and just an overall horridness made those first six weeks pretty much unbearable. Then, things started to clear up and now I have absolutely zero blackheads, virtually non-existant whiteheads but I still do get pimples. Not as many as before, but this last month (I think due to a switch in moisturizer) I had about five larger pimples that took almost two weeks to clear up (kind of long, considering most clear w/in a day or two normally) so that concerned me that the medication was losing efficacy. But like I said, it could have been due to the fact I'd used a different moisturizer than normal (which I have discontinued and am starting to see an improvement again). RAM is good stuff for the most part, but my skin is far from perfect. I have many scars from previous breakouts and the overall tone is uneven. But, I'm sure I'd be far worse off if I'd never used it at all as it does keep wrinkling down to a minimum and refines the skin quite a bit. In September, it will have been a year since starting the RAM .1%, so I'll have a better idea if it really lives up to it's potential by then! EDIT: Well, in August, I finally came to the realization that my acne was just too much for the Retin-A Micro and have since gone on Accutane to get it under control, although my doctor says I will have to get back on Retin-A after my course is over in February to maintain results. In closing, this stuff is good for minor acne and wrinkling, but if you have any kind of inflammatory acne or excessive oiliness, you're probably better off going with a big gun, like Accutane. I'm almost done with my fourth month, and my skin is practically perfect.
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Lip Gloss -Bonne Bell - Vita Gloss O2
stacialue0330 5/30/2005 11:23:00 PM
I tried this gloss out of sheer curiosity and intrigue (package design roped me in!P). I wound up purchasing the watermelon-flavored tube and it ended up being a poor excuse for a gloss, indeed. I hesitate to say the absolute worst gloss that I've experienced, because I guess there could be even more substandard ones out there that I haven't tried yet, but this is most likely close to being at the very bottom. The consistency of the gloss was probably a step or two above water and the staying power was nil! Pretty much a complete waste. The upside: I only lost out on a few bucks.
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Liquid -Mary Kay - Oil-free foundation
stacialue0330 5/30/2005 11:00:00 PM
I was very excited about this foundation when I first started to use it because the color match was the best I had experienced and it seemed to wear well throughout the day. I was absolutely sure I'd found my HG foundation and then reality hit in the form of HUGE, RED, ANGRY ACNE MONSTER PIMPLES!!! Probably the worst cosmetic-related breakout of my life. It might be an oil-free foundation, but it still managed to wreak havoc on my face in the worst way. If it's true the company is discontinuing this particular formula, it's probably for the better!
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Makeup Brushes -Aloette - Chisel Brush
stacialue0330 5/30/2005 10:20:00 AM
I was a bit scared when I first received my Chisel brush w/my planner because I'd actually never used mineral foundation before and was confused as to how to apply it correctly w/this particular makeup tool. A bit of practice, however, has given me the confidence of a pro! I love the way the Chisel brush grabs the foundation and buffs it onto the face flawlessly and evenly! So much better than using a sponge w/liquid foundation! I haven't had a problem w/shedding or anything like that and so far it seems to be a pretty sturdy little brush. I'm looking forward to purchasing the 7-piece set now that I'm sure the quality is there in this product!
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Concealers -Mary Kay - Full Coverage Concealer
stacialue0330 5/29/2005 4:42:00 PM
My HG concealer. I've used it for years and I love it! One tube lasts me FOREVER and the blendability/coverage is amazing. Cannot be beat!!! I will always have this in my makeup bag, no matter what!
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