Misc Beauty Tools -Sephora - SEPHORA - Whole Store
sarah2202 2/24/2010 12:48:00 AM
The feeling that I get going into Sephora is like a kid going into a candy store. I go to test out products and buy makeup. I find that the SAs don't pay much attention to me which I don't mind since I like to browse on my own. SAs don't seem to be as knowledgeable as I would like, but I usually do my research beforehand anyway so this doesn't really matter to me. My worst customer service experience was when I went into the store to buy a new perfume with my friend. The SA approached us and immediately began speaking to my friend (who is a model) and virtually ignored me... I asked nicely if they had a certain perfume in stock, she turned to me, said no, and then turned right back to my friend. Afterwards I wished I hadn't made a purchase that day because whenever I used it I would think of that rude saleslady. So for customer service I would give them a 1/5. For their selection and return policy, 4/5.
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Lip Treatments -The Body Shop - Guarana Lip Butter
sarah2202 1/1/2010 11:01:00 PM
Not moisturizing at all. My MAC lip gelee is just a gloss but it moisturizes 100X better than this. It made my lips peel. Didn't help at all with cracking. At first it smells nice, like Skittles. After a few minutes you realize it smells too sweet! It is nauseatingly over-perfumed. Goes on white unless you only use a little bit. Thankfully I got it as a GWP. Would NOT recommend.
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Gels/Soaps -The Body Shop - Vanilla Spice Shower Gel
sarah2202 12/15/2009 1:08:00 AM
I think I am the only one here who can't stand the smell of this product! It is an average body wash that smells terrible, at least to me.
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Eye Shadow -Sephora - Highlighting Bronzing Powder-used as eyeshadow
sarah2202 12/14/2009 1:51:00 AM
Do NOT use as an eyeshadow if you have oily skin! It will crease like there is no tomorrow. I tried wearing it as eyeshadow one day (because it did not show up very much on my cheeks) and it looked nice at first, very natural, I looked like me but better. An hour or two later, I looked in the mirror and I realized how disgusting I looked! Very embarrassing. As a bronzing powder, it just made me look dirty.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A Micro
sarah2202 9/7/2009 11:25:00 PM
I am on day 14 of Retin-A Micro and so far, I love it. My skin is super sensitive, with lots of hyperpigmentation from old acne. A month ago, I came off of Nuvaring after 4 months. It broke me out in huge, painful zits that would last for weeks with no sign of subsiding, so I was in desperate need of an effective product. I have not had much luck with other topicals (Pro Activ, Staticin, tea tree oil, Differin, Neutrogena treatments, Clean & Clear), but I am so happy that my skin seems to agree with Retin-A! Since I started using it, my complexion overall has become brighter and clearer but yes, I have had a lot of purging. I have several large pimples on my face but I am pushing through because I can already see the marks on my face fading. I use Dormer 211 lotion to help with the dryness. This purging phase is bearable because the large pimples do not last very long (gone within 3-4 days). -------- Update Nov 19 2010 - I began using it again about three months ago. I started on Alesse which broke me out like crazy, I had cystic acne all over my face and of course no matter how much makeup you put on those things, everyone can still tell you have them there. Retin-A only seemed to make things worse by increasing irritation, so I stopped using it and used Polysporin instead (since my pimples were basically open sores). I went on antibiotics, which was the only thing that helped. My acne is mostly gone but if you were to look at me and you had no experience with acne, you would think I had a face full of pimples. This is because every pimple left a dark reddish purple hyperpigmentation spot. I give Retin-A points because it is the only topical that has ever made a difference in my skin. I love how I can scrub my face in the shower with my fingers, and all of the old skin will come off, leaving me with super smooth skin when I come out of the shower. Combined with time, there has been slight fading of my hyperpigmentation (from purple marks to dark red marks). To reduce irritation, I now use Retin-A about 5 times a week as opposed to every night as my derm recommended. I also use Olay Complete moisturizer 30 minutes after applying the medication. I no longer experience the extreme flakiness that I did last year when I was on Retin-A, and I can use mineral makeup this time around! I highly recommend using a moisturizer either underneath or over your RAM, no matter what the derm says. Jan 1 - I re-discovered RAM at the beginning of my no-buy, and it is almost done (it expires soon anyway). So for a while I will be taking a break from RAM to clear out other items. Here's hoping my skin doesn't miss RAM too much haha. I found it really satisfying to scrub off so much old skin because the RAM speeded up the cell turnover process so much, but it was difficult dealing with both acne AND super dry, peely skin.
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Other -Unlisted Brand - Omega 3 supplement
sarah2202 1/31/2008 7:26:00 PM
In response to bandabug's post, I also have had a strange rash on my neck on and off for about 7 months. It never occurred to me that the omega oils might be to blame! I take them because they seem to help with my acne-prone skin. Next time, I'll be careful to observe what happens when I take this pill by Jamieson, the omega 3-6-9. Thanks for pointing this out. Update Dec 4 2010- I now use Nutra-Sea (omega 3) with vitamin D. My naturopath and chiropractor both recommended it. After 3 months of semi-daily use, I have had no negative reactions to it.
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Toners -Avalon Organics Botanicals - Vitamin C Balancing Facial Toner
sarah2202 1/31/2008 7:17:00 PM
I bought Avalon's Vit C toner at Wal-Mart for about $10. I love it! The scent is great and fresh, and that burning sensation that often comes with other toners is minimal. It does feel slightly sticky afterwards, but I use it alone at night without moisturizer so it's like a makeup remover, cleanser, toner and moisturizer in one for me. I am trying to minimize my routine so at night, I only use this. My skin is thanking me. As soon as I read the ingredient list, I fell in love and I was so glad I made that impulse buy. A lot of people complain that lavender oil is irritating to their skin so if you are one of these people you should know that there is lavender in this (first ingredient, I think). I love that the ingredients are so natural, and it's ALCOHOL FREE. Since I started using Proactiv (doesn't remove my makeup), I've been experimenting with different toners to remove my makeup. I've tried Clinique's #2, Vichy Normaderm, Biotherm's Acnopur, and a few others but didn't see them as anything special. This one soothes my skin and helps with acne and overall skin tone. I definitely rec this product.
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Cleansers -Vichy - Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel
sarah2202 1/30/2008 8:56:00 PM
I got the kit (Vichy Normaderm night lotion and the day lotion) that came with a mini deep cleansing gel. I am very glad I didn't buy the gel on its own, it wouldn't have been worth it. It is very strong and drying, but didn't seem to deep cleanse my skin. There's nothing special about it.
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