Foundations -Sephora - Mineral Double Compact SPF 10
wtfiholly 6/22/2008 10:34:00 PM
I went into Sephora looking for a compact mineral foundation that I could take with me when I went out riding on a motorcycle. Something easy to deal with and not heavy with an SPF of at least 10 to go over my 30 SPF sunscreen. I talked to a sales person and we matched my "BE" med. beige to Sephora's R30 and it matched perfectly! I brought it home and didn't try it right away for fear of having an allergic reaction, silly me. I left it sit on my shelf for about a month or so. I finally used it when I was not having a good day with my "BE". I was happily shocked at how well it covered my "rudolph" nose and black eyes without being punched look, LOL. It made my skin look like I was flawless (wow that takes alot). It did not settle into my fine lines or my heavy duty lines for that matter. It did add a bit too much of a "dewey" look for me, so I used my "BE" mineral veil and it became amazing, for me anyway. I've never seen my "rudolph" nose dissapear before, but this made it gone, wow. My slightly red cheeks were not red, they looked perfect, and whatever pores I had were non-exsistant after I put this stuff on. Even my husband noticed, something that NEVER happens since he thinks I look good wearing moisturizer (I am a very lucky woman with him). I can even wear this without using a blush and it looks good, wow, I almost fell over with that alone. I used the pad thingy that comes with it, but I find that my "buki" brush works even better (a gift from my sister). I'll use the pad thingy when I'm riding, if I have to. I've found that I have not had to touch up at all during the day, and I put this on at 6:00 A.M. for work. The only time I need to touch up is when I get home from work and I am going out, that's quite a feat for me. Any MMU that can last as long as this one does without making me look lined, rudolph red, and puckered is a winner, and for me winners are far and few between! As long as I do not have any reaction to this I wil continue to use this. As long as it covers my "rudolph" reds I will use this. I really think this works better than "BE" for me now, I don't dry out and get itchy from it, even with the mineral veil over it. Now if I can only find a foundation for the winter that does this without looking cakey, I will be in my glory! It would be like eating godiva chocolate and strawberry shortcake at the same time, LOL!
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
wtfiholly 4/28/2008 10:09:00 PM
I have tried this on a makeup artist's advice. I think she is right, but not for everyday. I use one coat of Everlong (after curling the lashes) and one to two coats of this Faux Cils. Very nice effect. I wore the mascara for over 10 hours with no flakes, smudges, running, or itchy red eyes. It did make my eyelashes look incredible (mixed with Everlong), like I was wearing fakes, without the clumpy spider leg effect. I have yet to try this mascara alone, but I will. I am not afraid of this brush. It looks like a mascara brush to me, something that can be used near the eye. Also my lashes did not feel crunchy after adding all this mascara. That's a bonus for me. I really like the burgundy color, it really brings out my green eyes. I see that alot of the other mascaras out there do not have a color like this and that's too bad. I think they should have this color available just like black/brown, black, and brown. Some make a purple, but it's so purple that I feel like I have neon on to get my eyes noticed, this is very subtle and interesting, almost seductive. People will notice the eyes not the chest, LOL. I am liking this so far. We shall see................................... Add Edit; I have continued to purchase this mascara and have had compliment after compliment on my eyes and lashes. Well done YSL it is as another reviewer put it "The best mascara, period". Really worth the price.
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Everlong
wtfiholly 4/28/2008 9:47:00 PM
I admit it I am a mascara ho. I have tried everything that has been available to me. Mascaras to many to number. I've written at least three reviews since I've been here on MA. I found Guerlain's "Divinora lengthening and curving" mascara to be my HG. It never flaked, smudged, clumped, or gave me itchy red eyes. The colors were fantastic but alas, I am told that it is being discontinued so I needed to find another mascara, one that would enhance my very green eyes. I searched high and low and found YSL to try in burgundy. I went riding with it on over the weekend and must say that I am impressed with the staying power. I had no runs or flakes at all, no clumping. It came off when I took it off. It does not curl, but it does hold my curl. It does make my lashes long and it does not make my lashes feel crunchy, as a matter of fact my lashes feel soft. The color is subtle and does not look like you're wearing neon to enhance your eyes. I also read that this mascara will help your lashes grow in better, that would be a plus for me. I have very fine, blonde eyelashes. The more eyelashes the merrier! So far I have not really stopped to smell my mascara. I don't care what it smells like as long as I don't get itchy red eyes from it. I do not use the brush that comes with this since it is the biggest brush I have ever seen and have no idea if it will work at all, looking at the stumpy brush ends on this thing. It's really kind of scary, nothing that size should be used near the eyes. I took the brush from my Divinora and washed it and use it for this mascara, works like a dream! I have been told by a makeup artist that for me and my lashes I should use this "Everlong" first and then follow with the "Faux Cils" in the same color and my lashes will look as if I put on fakes. I am trying that and so far I like what I see. I have used "Everlong" alone and like the result I have had with my CLEANED old brush. BTW, I wash the brush after each use. It takes only a second and for me has been worth it. I still think YSL's brush is very scary and should not be used near the eye. By all means try this mascara, just make sure you either know how to use the scary brush or buy some small mascara brushes to be safe, LOL. Add Edit; I have learned how to use the scary brush and I must say it is a perfect lengthening mascara for looking like naturally long lashes naturally. I love that it makes my lashes look this looong without making them crunchy. If you want to make your lashes look like WOW, add some YSL Faux Cils. The makeup artist was right and people have asked me if I was wearing fakes, should I tell them it's just mascara, LOL!
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Sunscreen -Murad - Waterproof Sunblock Spf 30 For Face and Body
wtfiholly 4/4/2008 10:59:00 PM
I am impressed with this sunscreen. I didn't think anything would come close to my HG Ocean Potion, but this stuff is doing just that. I use SPF 30 everyday on my face even just sitting in the house in a sunlit room. With my OP I must reapply before going out, just to be sure, but with this one I don't have to reapply. I can apply it in the morning and off I go without another thought. I've put it on at the crack of dawn, went to work, drove an hour home in the strong sunshine all without half a red face. I think this stuff makes my lines look softer, at least that's what I see in my mirror. I know that I look shiney at first, but it tends to go away and this stuff does not rub off, not even when I put a mask on at work. The smell is gone quickly, not so with my OP, but that's ok for the summer, not ok for the winter (for me anyway) hence my reason to try out this sunscreen. I also read the reviews here. I think I will try this for the summer and I will have my husband use it too. Our thing during the summer is riding and we do alot of it and we're in the sun all day and the products that I use must be able to withstand riding without alot of reapplying, (kind of hard to do while on the back of a motorcycle) if this one works then it's a keeper. This tube will fit much better in my riding bag than my OP. That is a plus, it's waterproof, that's another plus, can be used all over the body, plus #3. I only use a little bit for my face, so I guess I won't need as much for my body as with my OP, another plus maybe. It is however a tad bit expensive, but if it does well this summer on my many road trips and works well on my husband then I will repurchase even at the hefty price tag of $30. I gather that since this sunscreen is from a skin care line that it will do the job well at keeping me from turning into a broiled lobster, at least I am hoping it will. Keeping my fingers crossed so I don't feel guilty about the price.................... EDIT: I have not had such a good experience with this sunscreen. I kept reapplying this and still got burned. I can not afford to be burned. I put up with the greasy face. I am not happy with it. I have since switched sunscreens and I am now trying something else that is waterproof, sweatproof, rubproof, and windproof.
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Lotions/ Creams -Red Flower - Moisturizing Body Lotion Ocean
wtfiholly 3/24/2008 9:35:00 PM
The smell is as it states. It smells like the Ocean at the start of spring. Not flowery, not overly sweet, just enough sweet to make you sniff more. This lotion makes my skin feel so soft that my husband noticed it. This also (as the body wash has) has blue-green algea and spirulina in it. The first ingredients are chamomile, rose and honey. I do not get the tacky feeling of fly paper skin with this lotion. It sinks right in and my skin is soft, smooth, and delicately scented. There are no dyes in it and it's free of SLS, cones and other nasty chemicals, the body wash is the same in that respect. This lotion smells good and feels even better. I like that the smell does not last a long time and that I can wear the perfume of my chioce without clashing, however the feeling of soft skin does last a long time, that to me is more important. Red Flower rocks!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Red Flower - Purifying Body Wash Ocean
wtfiholly 3/24/2008 9:19:00 PM
The smell is as it states, like the Ocean. Not sweet, but some sweetness, not overly flowery, but clean and fresh like the smell you get at the start of spring near the ocean. In the ingredients Red Flower has added wild blue-green algea and spirulina which is very soothing to my skin. The first ingredient listed is honey, then the oils of olive, coconut, palm, castor, and almond. Nothing about these oils give you the feeling of having stepped into an oil slick for a bath. I am thrilled with this line and every wash I have tried thus far has made my skin soft without the need for lotion, but I will not go without the lotion. These washes are expensive, but worth every penny. My husband likes this scent better than the rose scent. Red Flower rocks!
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Lotions/ Creams -Red Flower - Moroccan Rose Moisturizing Body Lotion
wtfiholly 3/21/2008 11:24:00 PM
I have already posted about the body wash, now here is the mate the body lotion. It smells of roses, Amazing, not sickly sweet, but of the flower as if you picked them and put them in your home for the scent one gets as they walk in. It feels like silk going on the skin and absorbs well without the tacky feeling of left over lotions that one can get sometimes. It leaves the skin feeling smooth and silky all day, soft to the touch. This comes from a dry skinned, poriasis problem person. I have searched high and low for something that can soften my skin without making me itchy, red patched, and scaley. I am pleased with the way these lotions have made my skin feel. I love that even my very dry, scaley hands are now softer and smoother just from using the lotion on my body. These lotions are made with all natural ingredients and are free of ugly chemicals that are added to most lotions, that end up drying my already dry and messy skin. What I love most is that I don't have to smell like lavender, citris, or vanilla, I don't smell medicinal from special stuff for my problem, I can smell like a flower without the sickly sweet of added anything. Subtle, sheer, sexy, beautiful. These smells never inteterupt the perfume of my choice for the day, they always just blend in. That to me is just amazing. I will continue to buy these wonderful products, yes they are expensive, but to me are worth every penny. There is nothing better than a good smell with a nice hot shower and a soft body afterwards. What more (other than shiney soft great hair days) can a woman ask for. Go to the web site and buy the products there, they have a much better selection of course. www.redflower.com. The customer service is fantastic!
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Gels/Soaps -Red Flower - Moroccan Rose Purifying Body Wash
wtfiholly 3/21/2008 7:04:00 PM
I am totally in love. When I wash with this product I never feel sticky or slick with added chemicals. The smell is amazing. It's like smelling roses during the summer from afar and wondering where to go and cut some for your table just to make the house smell good. It is not overwhelming but soothing and flower like. It leaves one clean and soft even before you add the lotion which is another whole review. The way I feel after a shower is very important. I hate feeling tight, like an oil slick, or sticky like I'd been stuck to fly paper. This wash uses only the finest ingredients in their washes so that I do not have to have any of those feelings after a shower. I love this line and I am about to try their new Ocean scent. It is expensive, but I believe that this is worth the price. It really does make one feel clean and soft. Give this a try it maybe a nice change from chemical infused body washes. If you like to feel like you've been stuck to fly paper or dipped into an oil tank, don't go for it. Order right from their website. www.redflower.com
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Terracotta Voile D'Ete
wtfiholly 3/11/2008 10:18:00 PM
I read the wonderful reviews on this and thought I had to try it out. I found some on sale and bought it without a test first. Terracotta smells very pretty on me, but it just does not remind me of the summer and the smells that I remember. It does not last long and I can not smell it on my wrist an hour after it has been applied. I do smell the carnations more than anything else, and that's all I get from it, just the smell of carnations. I guess that I'll use it up and that will be that. I have to say that I like the bottle, if that's a plus, ok.
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Conditioner -L'anza - CP Anti-Aging Manuka Mud Conditioner
wtfiholly 1/22/2008 9:40:00 PM
I have finally found a conditioner that will work as well in my hair as my HG Ojon Tawaka! I must say that at first I was really worried that I would end up with frizz hair (Alterna has been frizzing my hair and that's not good) and have to run and do another conditioning treatment. I was happily wrong. This conditioner has made my hair soft, frizz free, and shine....wow what shine! This with the matching shampoo (which is sulfate free) is better than anything I expected and I expect alot now, lol. I appreciate a good conditoner and as long as I'm not clawing my head with the first use, then good for the maker, Means I'll be buying it again. I like the list of ingredients with this conditioner. I like that it has UVA protection in it. I like that it is light weight and rinses well. I like that it can be used daily. I am not at all put off by the smell, it smells flowery at the start and ends up just smelling clean and I like that. I always leave the conditioner in while I wash my body and rinse when I am done. Use a light hand when using this. A little goes a long way even for my long hair. I normally use at least three quarter size dollops of conditioner, this one I've only used maybe 1 1/2 quarter sized dollops. It's nice to know I can switch conditoners if I want or because I'm out of my HG and not see the effects of a switch. That can be upsetting for anyone. I hope that the makers of this NEVER change this formula, It's perfect just as it is.
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Samsara
wtfiholly 12/28/2007 9:04:00 PM
I am very picky about my EDT or perfume, since who knows what will make you grab a headache. My sweet husband bought this for me, the EDT, after smelling it on a piece of paper (exactly what can you gain by smelling something on paper anyway?) and right away he was (as he says) just grinning and happy about the buy. I opened this on Christmas morning and smiled that "thank you very much, pretty bottle, oh no" smile. Instantly my husband said try it. I said ok, thinking oh no where is my migraine medicine, and how will I wash it out of my PJ's if I need the meds. OMG! I was in love as soon as I spritzed myself and no headache, thank heavens. The first thing I smelled was a spicy slightly sweet smell, then it dried down to a musky vanilla, followed by a very light powder scent. It was seductive without being overbearing. My husband was just tickled that he picked out such a good smell without my wrist to guide him. I still smelled good when we went to bed that night. I used it when I went back to work and all I heard was "you smell really good, what are you wearing?" and to my suprise no one knew who Guerlain is or was or, for that matter, that Guerlain has been making perfume since the late 1880's. I asked one young lady if she has ever tried Shalimar and she said "what's that?" Ok I am offically "old". It must have been the jasmine, sandalwood, rose, narcissius, and vanilla that made them all ask and say that I smelled good. I hope that they all try a spritz (not from my bottle) and see if they can pull it off and enjoy it as much as alot of us do. I want more of this and I will buy it again, or better yet I'll have my sweet husband buy it for me. I like smelling this good and I like the sophistication that goes along with wearing a fragrance made by a company that has been making fragrances since the 1880's. Smells good on me and I'll enjoy that.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Juice Organics - Brightening Serum
wtfiholly 12/19/2007 9:42:00 PM
I was so excited to use a product that has all natural ingredients in it. I thought this would help to brighten my complextion. What a let down! After using this product for about 3 weeks I noticed small red bumps on my face near my cheeks and nose. I do not break out often and these were not pimples (I've long since stopped breaking out with pimples and blackheads) just strange little red bumps. I stopped using the serum and as fast as I did, the bumps disappeared. Maybe there was too much lemon juice in this for my skin, but I will not be buying another "Juice Organics" product. This serum also did not absorb into my skin without alot of rubbing, if I used a light rub, pat, or dab, then it dryed on my face like a mask. It felt awful! I could not get that darn pump to work. I even tried turning it upside down and that was a bust, a big one. It always came out splattering all over my mirror. I am not above saying it could be an allergic reaction to something in those ingredients since I stopped with the red bumps as soon as I stopped with the serum, but with all the ingredients listed that I've never had a problem with before I am finding that hard to believe, but nothing is impossible. I think I will return to Sheaterra organics and get back to their face care products. I never had red bumps with their face care line.
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Styling Products -Ojon - Shine and Protect Glossing Mist
wtfiholly 11/18/2007 1:34:00 PM
I have been using this mist for about 2 months. I use this when I flat iron my hair with great results. I also used the Biosilk for my flat ironing with not so great results. I first used Biosilk on the word of a hair stylist and was put off by the overly "flowery" smell, almost plastic like. It made my hair feel like plastic as well, almost "crunchy" and I hate that. I broke down and picked up this and have been using it ever since. The smell was not as fake to me, but was strong and faded much sooner than I thought it would. That was a pleasant suprise. I have found that instead of sprtizing the mist on each piece of hair that I flat iron (as the directions say) I spritz the revitaizing mist and then when done flat ironing, I spritz once or twice into my hand the glossing mist and rub my hands together and then pull thru my hair to the ends, followed by a good brush. I end up with really shiney hair that also is softer and silky to the touch, and not that straw soft either. I find that co-workers will pull at my pony-tail and say how shiney and soft my hair feels and looks. I enjoy the way my hair glistens in the light and does not look plastic coated or feel "crunchy" as it did with the other stuff. I know that if too much is used you have greasy looking hair, flat and yukky and nothing will help but a good shampooing, thus the reason for the subtraction of a lippie, since it comes in a spray bottle and too much is hard to measure if just spraying straight from the bottle. Also the reason for my changing the directions that were given. When I followed the directions for flat ironing my hair ended up greasy and messy, had to wash the hair in a rush, it was ugly. When I followed the directions for Biosilk (I only used a drop) I thought I had put plastic in my hair and that it would break if I brushed it, It became "crunchy" and overly stiff. Again another rush wash, that was even uglier. I would rather use this glossing mist than the other stuff. I am all for soft, shiney hair. I am not at all interested in plastic, laquered, hair. I thought plastic, laquered hair was left in the 80's or was it the 90's?
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Mascara -Guerlain - Maxi Lash Mascara
wtfiholly 11/17/2007 10:42:00 AM
I like this. I wish I could say I would "maybe" buy this product again. I bought Maxi Lash wonder violet No. 53. It has great color but it does not keep my curl (I must be doing something wrong). It does not flake, clump, smuge or run. It keeps my lashes soft and they don't look spidery, It just does not keep my curl. I can run my eyelash comb through and there is no tugging. I love the color and find that it looks vivid on the brush, but it is not vivid on the lashes, just enough subtle color to enhance my eyes and not make them look red as if I have been crying. I enjoy the extra pop this color gives my eyes since I don't use eyeshadow much (I have not found an eyeshadow I like enough to keep using it). It really does maximize my eyelashes and make them look like I am wearing false eyelashes, it just does not keep my curl. I need to learn this one better I guess. I like the brush, but not like I like Divinora's brush. I will be buying the Divinora again and I will be trying the violet color that Divinora has. Maybe the Maxi lash mascara formula and the Divinora brush will together be perfect for me. I am not above playing with the mascara's brushes in that fashion. I am pleased for the most part with Guerlain and it's mascaras. This one just needs to keep the curl better.
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Mascara -Guerlain - Lengthening and Curving Mascara
wtfiholly 11/17/2007 9:31:00 AM
Ok, I liked lashfusion, but then I bought this and let me say that I can tell a difference. I know it's winter and the true test for me with mascara is if it stays put during a motorcycle ride in the heat (I wear sunglasses, it's hot and the wind is in my face, it's amazing what happens to mascara during that type of workout) I have yet to test that part of this mascara (I hate waterproof anything). I bought this in the "brun braise" No. 31. To me it looks like a milk chocolate color and it does make my lashes look longer and stay curled. This has a very pretty container and the brush is fantastic. It finds every "little lash I have and coats each one perfectly (trust me I have little lashes). I feel that this makes my lashes look beautiful, they're soft and not stuck together and I can check my mascara out late in the day and see that I don't need to clean up any smuges, flakes, or smears, and I don't need any touch-ups. I get a natural look from this and none of that spider type lash that I see on so many people (It's like they take one lash at a time and coat it 42x, it looks awful). I also do not get that stinging in my eyes when removing this mascara. It removes clean and does not tug and pull out any lashes during that ritual. I found that Divinora also has this mascara in a violet color, however sephora does not carry it, but strawberrynet does. I bought Maxi lash (Guerlain) in violet since I didn't see Divinora in violet on sephora. I have found so far with Guerlain a great mascara and I've tried many. I will buy this again, sooner than I would the lashfusion. I don't buy any drug store mascara anymore, it just does nothing for me and always makes my eyes burn, and they never carry just a brown, it's always a black/brown. Not what I'm looking for. I never find a violet in drug store mascara at all.
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