Makeup Brushes -MAC - #116 Blush Brush
Utopia22 5/24/2010 1:06:00 PM
Mine does loses its hairs from time to time, so the quality is not that amazing. But overall a good brush, I like using it.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #190 Foundation Brush
Utopia22 5/24/2010 1:04:00 PM
Been using it for 6 months and will stop using it. Don't like it, seems to 'rough' and takes too much time. My make up applies streaky with this and I always have to end application with my hands to even everything out. The warmth of my hands makes the make up finally melt into my skin. So I guess this brush is a waste of time since I get better results using my bare hands... I wanted to love it cos' it looks so fancy:) EDIT: Beautyblender has knocked this brush out of my beauty case for good.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 263 Small Angle (Ox & Synthetic hair)
Utopia22 5/24/2010 12:57:00 PM
I use this as many of you with my fluidline gel liner. It is nice but I need a lot of practice.
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Self Tanners -Unlisted Brand - St. Moriz Self Tanner Foam
Utopia22 5/23/2010 5:57:00 PM
I ordered it on Ebay cos cant find it here in Belgium (as so many other great products; Belgium sucks) and everytime I see the online beauty community excited about a self tanner, i HAVE to try it! Self tanners are really precious to me. I'm very pale, which I don't mind at all, but during the summer or for a ball, I prefer a tan. The sunbed is a no-go for me cos I've seen in my family what damage it brings to the aging skin. Anyways. Self tanners are mostly crappy products. They don't work, they work too slow (I don't have patience, I want to see results after one application), too orange, too expensive, too smelly, too glittery, ... And then I tried this one. I'm IN LOVE! + It's dirt cheap compared to other self tanners It gives you an instant deep tan (buildable if not deep enough) It has NO SMELL (that's the first self tanner without smell for me!!!) It's easy to apply; you can really see where the product is going. The complexion of the product (a mousse, how strange) is very nice! It feels so light and smooth! - Dries quick, you need self tanning mitts to not make a mess on your hands (bought mine also on Ebay) This might be my HD self tanner for body (have not dared to use it on face cos have some acne issues lately...). About the CI 16035: - It's also in other cosmetics that are sold in the USA, like Laura Mercier Perfume, Maybelline Mascara and many others (for an incomplete list: http://www.cosmeticanalysis.com/cosmetic-ingredients/ci-16035.html). Some countries have banned it as a food ingredient. But not for cosmetics.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Galderma - Benzac AC 5 (benzoyl peroxide gel 5%)
Utopia22 5/23/2010 5:33:00 PM
Several studies have proved this to work, and it does, up to some extent at least. If you have the nasty, stubborn, hormonal acne (like me) even faithful use of this wont clear up your skin (as described by 'the regimen' on acne.org). Anyways, at times that I have mild acne, this does work. I just put it on the bad skin at night and by morning, the inflammation has visibly decreased. Be careful when you start using it though! I was a bit too enthusiastic and used too much (combined with harsh anti-acne was gel + mask) and it kinda 'burned' my face for a week (red and extreeeeme dry). I wanted to get rid of some pimples quickly before a wedding and now the pictures of that event remind me of my really impulsive stupidity; like I had attacked my skin with some chemical toxic thing whatever... Had to use Flamigel (for burned skin) to make my skin normal again:) So do BUILD IT UP! Not taking docter prescripted medicines (as my life saver Accutane) into account, this is BY FAR the best, most reliable anti acne gel there is out there. No nonsense, no marketing stunts with celebrities, no screamy packaging, it just does it best for your skin. And NO smell + super quick absorption + leaves your skin soft (boyfriend-friendly:)) And I can tell, cos' I've used everything out there during my 10 year battle with acne. It also super cheap here in Europe (one of the very few things that is actually cheaper): only 7 euros!!! EDIT: I gave it five stars cos after using it faithfully for a month with Effaclar wash gel, it cleared up my skin completely. Heaven! No other product (expect for Accutane off course) has ever managed to do this, and I've used almost everything out there!!! I do agree with what other have said: you really have to use it every night or you will most likely get a pimple that night!
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Skincare - Body -The Body Shop - Exfoliating Gloves
Utopia22 5/13/2010 6:44:00 PM
I LOVE THESE! They make it sooo easy to apply a product like scrub everywhere and hold the product nicely so you don't lose it. I really enjoy scrubbing myself with these, I 'feel' my body better and feel like I have more freedom in the shower... okay can't explain it, but I just really fell in love with these. They also fitted my very small hands and they don't seem to lose their shape. And they were sooo cheap! Doesn't happen often that I'm really this happy with a product!
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Scrubs -Unlisted Brand - brown sugar scrub
Utopia22 5/13/2010 6:39:00 PM
Hooray, this really works! Though i mix it with a regular body soap cos i felt that olive oil left my skin with a oily layer. Felt sticky and not the best preparation for self tanning. I use The Body Shop gloves which are great and make me use the brown sugar more efficiently (don't loose to much sugar).
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Moisturizers -Avene - Clean-Ac
Utopia22 5/13/2010 6:21:00 PM
I got this from my dermatologist and if you're doing a harsh anti acne treatment - Proactiv, Acne.org, Differin, Benzac, Zineryt or even Accutane - this kind of cream is a must! Been using it for a years and it's great. It calms my skin, absorbs quickly and the ingredients are very 'soft' and won't clog pores - it's 'safe' to use, which is very important to me cos after ten years of fighting acne, I know that most moisturizers out there have bad ingredients that will only feed your blemishes... Off course, if your skin is really irritated and dry from your treatment, don't expect miracles. You might need to apply several times a day. I use it also as a make up base and though I'm not sure it's made for that purpose, it kinda works. I won't say this is my holy grail moisturizer though, if that even exists for an acne skin... (if you know one, send me a message:))
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Avene - Diacneal Acne Treatment [DISCONTINUED]
Utopia22 5/13/2010 5:46:00 PM
I didn't like the smell and it does nothing for my skin; I continued to break out with this... A friend of mine swears by this though, she uses it for several years now and has really clear skin. But I have really hormonal acne so guess it could work on someone else - all these products are very personal anyway.
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Toners -Unlisted Brand - Vinegar Toner
Utopia22 4/30/2010 7:17:00 PM
I also tried this after seeing some videos about it on Youtube, I use 1/3 apple cider and 2/3 green tea. I keep it in a plastic bottle and try to remember to put it in the fridge - the effect is even better when the toner is cold. It's good stuff and I like that it's all natural. It doesn't deliver miracles for my acne-prone skin, but it is just as good as any 'paid' toner out there! And I'm always happy to save some money; already paying fortunes to the cosmetic industry :) I only use it before going to bed; I really hate the smell though... A very nice night cream over it makes the smell a lot better though! EDIT: stopped using this because I really can't get used to the AWFUL smell! My skin regimen is very therapeutical to me (like a drug). I have to enjoy taking care of myself and this smell just spoils the fun too much!
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Fragrances -Hugo Boss - Boss Femme
Utopia22 4/18/2010 5:28:00 AM
I don't know much about fragnances but I had guys asking me about my scent so they could buy it for their girlfriends so... I guess this Femme is quite okay:) Gave it 4 stars because I don't know or it lasts all day.
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Polishes -OPI - Brand new skates
Utopia22 4/17/2010 10:40:00 AM
I'm becoming OPI addicted, nothing compares to the quality! Stays on great for a full week! (with top coat) I love this shade, was searching for 'grey with an attitude', 'fancy grey for a night out' and this is just it! Although the color is not that 'mad', I leave it on for work:) Does appear a bit sheer when applying it but after two coats it somehow goes on beautifully. Can't explain it, but I have a great full color that went on quite easy (same as on pictures here) and I'm a really clumsy polisher.
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Cleansers -Avene - Cleanance soapless gel cleanser for oily skin
Utopia22 4/15/2010 7:28:00 AM
I use this in periods my skin is not so calm anymore. Think this is a very good cleanser for acne-prone skin and does what it's supposed to do. But is a performance product, not a feel-spoiled product :-) Dries out skin. Bottle will last months. (If you have nasty hormonal acne, don't expect product to work miracles and go see a dermatologist.)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
Utopia22 4/15/2010 7:10:00 AM
Love this product! Got it for free from my dermatologist - she has an amazing reputation and she really uses this all the time so I guess that means something. I had to use it after a laser treatment for my acne scars; just too cool my skin down and reduce irritation. After this (not so amusing...) healing process, I looked at the bottle more closely and it seemed to be an all round product. It became the last part of my makeup ritual, I fix my make up by spraying this on my face. It really gives your face a nice, healty glow and makes my makeup look more natural. I know other brands have this kinds of watermist-fix-sprays (MAC f.e.) But because this product has such a good reputation in the 'professional' skincare world, I will continue to buy this. You can use it whenever your skin is irritated, dry, warm (sweaty) and needs soft refreshment.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Frost Blush in Margin
Utopia22 3/30/2010 7:53:00 AM
I'm an NC15 and this looks really good on me. Was the first blush I ever bought, was searching for an allrounder/classic; a color that is always good - tanned, pale, night, morning, work, wild party -. In the MAC store I tried several but this gave me the best look. Don't really like the obvious blushes, mostly I think they are just too pink, just wanted some color in my face. I think it will last very long! Really nice soft color. I only don't like the shimmer. It's subtle, but still would have liked it more if it was matt.
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