Shampoo -LUSH - BIG
tokyorose 9/26/2003 2:10:00 PM
I can't believe how super-shiny and full of volume this makes my fine, thin, curly hair. I think it's a bit too stripping to use on a daily basis, so I only use it once or twice a week. It works better for me after I've skipped shampoo for a day or two and my hair is a little oily at the roots. If your hair is dry this shampoo may not be the best choice...but for me, this product is a guaranteed "good hair day." A new staple and a definite repurchase!
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Styling Products -Kerastase - Elasto Curl Mousse
tokyorose 9/10/2003 8:27:00 AM
Hmmmm...this one just didn't do anything for my shoulder-length, fine, thin and supercurly hair. I really can't tell the difference between using this and using nothing at all on my hair. It didn't make it look worse--it just looks like there's no styling product at all. This might work for somebody with wavy hair--but I think for me, and for most people with very fine and very curly hair, you actually need a product that weighs it down a little bit so that the curls fall down (rather than sticking up all over the place). I have fantastic results with the Kerastase Volumactive Mousse, which keeps my hair defined in curls AND adds volume. I find this one, however, singularly unimpressive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Linda Cantello - Forget Foundation
tokyorose 8/21/2003 9:56:00 AM
It's interesting to see how opinions are sharply divided on this product--I personally love this foundation, but I can see how it won't work for certain skin types. So let me start with the drawbacks: first of all, the color selection is quite limited, so if you don't fall within the fair end of the spectrum you will be out of luck. Second, this foundation really does not work for dry skin--it will accentuate every flake. If you have dry skin, I suggest you take a look at other lines (particularly Chantecaille's Future Skin). Finally, I don't think this foundation works well for "full face" coverage, if that makes any sense--it can seem a little heavy and mask-like if you attempt to apply it thickly all over. Now for the positives: if you get the hang of the application and have the appropriate skin color/type to wear it, this product can really fake perfect skin. I am always amazed at how great I look when I use this foundation (and I don't have great skin to start with). I start with tinted moisturizer all over my face--I use the Linda Cantello one most of the time, which has slightly more coverage than most. I then go over any red spots, visible pores or acne scars with this foundation--when blended, it really covers everything while looking amazingly natural (it even looks great in stark daylight). The result is natural-looking coverage that lets the skin show through, while completely--and I mean completely--hiding any trouble spots. The texture is light and mousse-like and it just melts into the skin. I have normal/oily combo skin and I find that this foundation definitely works best on me in hot weather, when I get oilier. Finally, I just want to note that I have repurchased this foundation several times and it now comes in a pot (not a pump dispenser), which I think renders the criticisms of the packaging moot. Of course that makes it less sanitary...but that's another issue. The bottom line is that this is one of those products that you should probably try before you buy...and remember that less is more in the application.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Nolita - Grit Gel
tokyorose 8/19/2003 2:40:00 PM
When I first tried out this product, I applied it on wet hair--the result was a tangled mess, and I was left wondering why this product got such rave reviews. Then I actually read the directions and saw that it stated to use it on dry hair. I thus tried it again, this time on dry hair, and what a difference! The gel simultaneously adds volume while defining my fine, thin, curly hair into spirals. It's really a miracle product if you have difficult hair like mine. Remember to use this as a finishing product, after you have applied all of your other products, and after it is dry. The only drawback I can note is that it has a fairly strong alcoholic smell...still, I much prefer this to Kusco Murphy Beach Hair, which smells amazing but does nothing for my hair. After several weeks of use, I am completely hooked. (P.S. If you are worried about the cost, you really only need a tiny amount of product each time, so it should last for months).
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Tinted Moisturizer -Linda Cantello - Hint Tinted Moisturizer
tokyorose 7/4/2003 9:27:00 AM
In terms of finish, this is the absolute best tinted moisturizer I have ever used. It has the perfect amount of moisture for my combo skin, along with fairly good coverage that dries to a matte finish. I always finish it off with a tiny dab of Linda Cantello's Forget Foundation on any red spots or acne scars, and when I've finished my skin looks about as good as it ever will--smooth and even-toned with no obvious coverage. The only reason I don't award this 5 stars is because there is definitely a pore-clogging ingredient in here--I've noticed that when I use this for more than two or three days in a row my pores become clogged and I develop some bumps. I can only use this as long as I rotate it with other foundations and make sure that I cleanse thoroughly on days that I use it. For these reasons if you are very acne-prone and prefer to stick to one product at a time, I wouldn't recommend this one.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Nuxe - Spa Tonific Body Nourishing Lotion
tokyorose 7/4/2003 9:16:00 AM
I generally don't spend money on high-end body lotions, as there are so many cheap and effective drugstore brands. Nuxe's Spa Tonific, however, is one product I simply can't resist. It has a very thin consistency, which I prefer, and an herbal-y scent. It sinks in immediately and leaves my skin unbelievably smooth and silky--like one of the other reviewers said, you will not be able to stop touching your skin after using this! If you purchase in Europe, it is usually between 15 to 20 euros a tube--I always pick up several when I'm in France. If you are going abroad, this is definitely a great product to try out or to bring home as a gift.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -La Prairie - Cellular Eye Contour Cream
tokyorose 7/4/2003 9:10:00 AM
I really like this eyecream--surprising because I find most of La Prairie's products to be over-priced hype. What makes this product unique is the texture: it's quite moisturizing yet it absorbs instantly with absolutely no greasy residue. I am currently using this as one of my daytime eyecreams for days when I wear eye makeup; I don't normally wear much, but when I do this makes a fabulous base. I use other creams at night, as I don't find this moisturizing enough for nighttime use (but I have very dry skin under my eyes). If you need intensive moisture, I would recommend either Shiseido's Benefiance or Awake's Skin Renovation Eye over this. Overall, I haven't noticed any miracles in using this eyecream--no sudden reductions in fine lines or dark circles--but I still think it's a nice product if you are in the mood to splash out a little. Be sure to ask for samples--they always have lots of this at La Prairie counters.
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Lotions/ Creams -Bliss Labs - Nail + Cuticle Super Groom
tokyorose 7/4/2003 9:03:00 AM
I have long suffered from perpetually ragged cuticles due to my obsessive-compulsive hand-washing habit...and then I discovered this cream. As Miss M points out in her review, the high percentage of AHAs in this cream are tremendously effective--they really eat away all of the dead skin around my cuticles. I noticed a difference after using this just once, and after a month of regular use my hands are absolutely transformed. I had no idea they could look this good! And yes it's expensive, but not break-the-bank expensive...since this is by far and away the most effective cuticle cream I've ever used, I award it a perfect score.
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Skincare - Face -Carita - Radiant Beauty Fluid [DISCONTINUED]
tokyorose 6/24/2003 8:51:00 AM
I can't believe there haven't been any reviews of this product--this has to be one of my all-time favorite skincare products. I first saw this line at a spa in London, and became interested when the SA told me that Thandie Newton uses it--I think she is amazing and has the most beautiful skin ever. The SA gave me generous samples of several products, but I found this to be the standout item. Carita's Radiant Beauty Fluid (Fluid de Beaute Eclat) is a clear green gel in a pump container. For me, it has a somewhat similar effect to Clarin's Beauty Flash Balm but a thousand times better. It really does add a temporary glow and radiance to my skin--I generally use it in place of a moisturizer whenever I go out in the evening. I have been using this product for the last year, about 4x/week, and it has never broken me out (and I am VERY acne-prone). It does have a strong green tea fragrance, but the scent doesn't bother me the way the more "perfume-y" brands like Guerlain and Christian Dior do. However, those of you particularly sensitive to fragrance would want to stay away from this one. I use it in place of a moisturizer, but anyone with dry skin would probably want to use a separate moisturizer underneath, and anyone with very oily skin would probably prefer the Energizing Beauty Fluid (a similar product that is less moisturizing). I have found Carita to be very generous with samples, so be sure to ask if you find a counter. Overall, I can't rave enough about this product--one of those "expensive but worth it" items for me.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Karin Herzog - Mild Scrub
tokyorose 6/24/2003 8:23:00 AM
I really didn't like this product. While it does a perfectly decent job of exfoliating, I've noticed that whenever I use it my pores look very clogged afterwards. I think it could be the white marble powder that is causing this; in any event it's the first time I've ever used a facial scrub that has clogged my pores. It's also quite expensive, and in this price range I think there are many better alternatives.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Ouidad - Climate Control Gel
tokyorose 6/19/2003 6:30:00 AM
This is a miracle product--I am never without a bottle of this stashed away somewhere in my closet and I always take it with me when I travel. I have used it everywhere from Hong Kong to Rome in 100 degrees plus weather, and it has really done wonders in keeping my fine, thin, curly hair nicely defined and frizz-free. One note of caution: for me, this works best when used in conjunction with another styling product (I usually mix it with my mousse). On it's own, it leaves my hair a little too stiff, and more wavy rather than curly.
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Styling Products -Kerastase - Nutri-Liss creme
tokyorose 6/19/2003 6:21:00 AM
I love this product--it is one of the few leave-in conditioners that does not leave my fine, thin, curly hair greasy. I apply two to three pumps of it mixed with a drop or two of the Oleo-Relax Serum when my hair is still dripping wet; then I add a styling product (gel or mousse) for hold and let it air-dry. This combo always gives me soft, shiny, frizz-free curls. I have also noticed that I have much less breakage since I've started using this product.
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Loose Powders -Jo Malone - Finishing Powder
tokyorose 6/11/2003 10:15:00 AM
Jo Malone's Finishing Powder is a loose facial powder with a light golden shimmer to it. The shimmer isn't obvious at all (unlike the Becca powders) so it can be used during the day as well as night. The overall effect is a subtle glow (no obvious sparkles). I particularly love it on days when my skin looks a little lackluster or dull. Overall, a great product!
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Liquid -NARS - Gel Fraicheur
tokyorose 6/11/2003 10:04:00 AM
As many of the other reviewers have pointed out, this is basically a lovely foundation with a terrible color selection. The texture is light, yet it covers well and really minimizes pores (making it a perfect choice for summer)--but none of the shades, on their own, worked for me. I purchased Alaska, the lightest shade, which is a slightly too pale for me. I make it work by mixing it with a dab of cream bronzer to make the perfect shade. I really do love the coverage and the finish--now if only Nars would make more shades!
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Treatments -Kerastase - Oleo-Relax Serum
tokyorose 6/4/2003 7:35:00 AM
Like some of the other reviewers, when I first tried this on my fine, thin, curly hair, I found it made me a greasy mess. I thus tossed it in a drawer and forgot about it. Then I read the tip in Lucky Magazine about mixing it with the Nutri-Liss. As I already had the Nutri-Liss, I dug the Oleo-Relax Serum back out and tried it again. What a revelation! Used in conjunction with mousse or gel, it left me with soft, shiny, frizz-free curls. I use this product very sparingly--about one drop for every one pump of the Nutri-Liss. At this rate it will take me years to finish this bottle!
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