Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
AmyDbaby 5/31/2010 11:59:00 PM
I've used tubing mascara for years but decided to try regular mascara again as the tubing, all of them, pulls the curl out of my lashes. This is very good but it did smudge on me. It took about 5 hours and wasn't horrible but I had a definite gray cast under my eyes at the end of the day. Not a good look. If smudging isn't an issue for you then you might like this. It did hold my curl very well, was easy to apply a couple of layers, NO flaking, and my lashes looked pretty. It also came off very easily with my ADE creamy cleanser which really surprised me. I'll give it points for that! I am going to try layering this under my tubing mascara to see if that will stop the smudging so I may still be able to use it. Oh well.
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Moisturizers -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan oil
AmyDbaby 5/30/2010 11:13:00 PM
I swore I would not be gouged by JM with this product but needed a little extra to avoid shipping on a Sephora order so I bought the small bottle to give it a try. I have started experimenting with oils and was having pretty good luck with the few I tried so was hopeful. I am horrible acne prone so I totally avoided my chin and jawline when I first started using this. I just used it around my eyes and top of the cheeks. Then I ventured to the forehead. When that all went well I began patting it all over. Worked like a charm! NO breakouts of any kind! I put three drops on damp fingertips then pat under my eyes then pat the rest all over my damp face and neck morning and night. I have smooth, plump, happy skin!! I won't buy JM again because of the outrageous price but will repurchase from GOW most likely.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Garden of Wisdom - Neem Oil
AmyDbaby 5/30/2010 11:09:00 PM
What a strange product! I don't actually mind the smell but it is kinda bad, huh? What is that??? I don't know but this is good stuff! I had had to resort to BP again due to a renewed battle with acne and while I was having very good luck with acne.org's line including the BP lotion I really didn't want to continue using BP for the long term so I decided to give this a try after reading the great reviews. I was a nervous wreck switching over to this and expected all hell to break loose on my face but it worked like a charm. I mean, darn it if this isn't some good stuff! I use it pretty much nightly and it just works. My skin is soft and no acne. Yeah, the smell is kinda yuck but I am a convert. ( I am also currently single and have no one to complain about the stench at this point either so I'll update this review once a new bf has some input. I'm pretty sure that no man will come between me and my neem oil though,lol.)
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Garden of Wisdom - Mandelic Acid Serum
AmyDbaby 5/30/2010 11:02:00 PM
I hardly know what to say about this product. Life-changing would not be an exaggeration. After a horrible altercation with Mama a few year back the simple word "mandelic" sent chills down my spine. Think out of control cystic acne that took months to get over. I thought never again would I ever look at such a product. But, I've watched the glowing reviews for GOW mandelic and wanted to place an order for a few other things so I decided to try the no seaweed stuff since I'm pretty darn sure that was the culprit of the MaMa crap. I ordered the 10% no alcohol no seaweed as I have used AHA's regularly for years and figured that would be fine. It was. I tried it every other night and had NO irritation, redness, stinging, nothing. After just a few days my skin seemed clearer and more refined. Over the first month I noticed a marked improvement in my clogged pores, the clogged pores that had plagued me all my life really. Most surprising though was that it completely rid my skin of the horrendous peeling and flaking I experienced from Taz. I was only using Taz twice a week and spent the rest of the time trying to exfoliate that stupid peels off my face or cover up the redness. It was a never ending battle. Until this. I just took my makeup off and stood looking in the 10x mirror at a face that is completely clear of acne in all its forms and without a peel or flake to be seen anywhere. My skin is plump and glowy and I can hardly believe my eyes. All this in about a month. It's crazy. The only bad thing is that I waited so long to try this miracle product. I could not be more thrilled. I have few HG products but this is now one of them and I'd even put it at the top of the list. Amazing stuff. Edit: I just ordered a sample of the 15% no seaweed, no alcohol and my skin is not happy. I'm a big flaky mess. I've only used it for a week and am going to stick with it but I'm surprised at my skin's reaction. I've gotten so used to being flake and peel-free it's upsetting to see my face look so bad. I'll update again once I've used this for a bit longer (if I can stick it out - I miss my pretty skin!) but just wanted to warn people that the 15% seems pretty strong. I always seem to think that more is better. Apparently not always (yeah, I'm a brain surgeon, right?)
21 out of 21 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Unlisted Brand - Blinc Mascara
AmyDbaby 5/26/2010 2:41:00 PM
I have used this mascara on and off for years. I'm always searching for something better but always come back to my beloved Kiss Me. This mascara will THRILL you if you have problems with smudging. If not, then don't bother. I have deep set eyes and all my life have had to check the mirror a thousand times a day to get the smudges off from around my eyes. I lived in mortal fear of the inevitable raccoon eyes as the day wore on. That is, until I found this stuff. No, it's not much for great volume and all of that but it does NOT smudge no matter what you do. It's an o.k mascara that seriously changed my life. I will never be without it. Ever. I actually like this better as it gets a bit older. I have been known to buy a back up tube and open it every few days to get some air into it to dry it out. It's a bit wet for my tastes. I have had no problems with it drying up and I've had some tubes for well over a year and they work just fine (yeah, yeah, get rid of it after 3 months. This stuff is paint. You don't have to if you don't want to.) And yes, this stuff is no health product (like I like my products) but if loving this stuff is wrong, I don't want to be right. I have to say I get slightly irritated when people rate this low because they say it's hard to remove. Read the directions people! Warm water and slight friction to your lashes with your fingers. The stuff slides right off. You don't need a cleanser or makeup remover. In fact, those will not take it off. It's not the product's fault if you don't know how to use it! Here! Directions for removing: Only when you are ready, blinc can easily be removed with a combination of warm water and gentle pressure. Pressure alone is not enough, and water alone is not enough. It must be a combination of lots of warm water and gentle pressure - for example taking a shower, will make the tiny tubes effortlessly slide off your lashes. You will actually see the tiny beauty tubes in your hand. Nothing oily can make blinc come off...not even if you have really oily skin.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Everyday Minerals - Evening Out
AmyDbaby 5/25/2010 7:01:00 AM
I got a sample and I have to say mine does not look like the one pictured as mine is this weird grey-brown color. I looked at it and though, yuck. What a horrible color. I went ahead and tried it and the color looks completely different on my skin (thankfully!) It is a very natural reddish flush that looks great on my cheeks and even my eyes. I really love it! I do have to be careful to to apply too much. I use my 188 and buff like crazy to blend or it looks a bit blotchy and streaky. Still the color is very nice for my NC 20-25 skin. I don't see peachy at all. On me its definitely more reddish with some brown. I can't imagine I'll ever even use up the sample but I would probably buy another is I did.
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Cleansers -Earth Science - A-D-E Creamy Cleanser
AmyDbaby 5/18/2010 6:15:00 PM
I am seriously in love with this cleanser! I had heard about it for years but the thought of anything with "creamy" in the name sent shivers down my spine. My skin is horribly acne prone and I had visions of huge cysts popping up over night if this stuff so much as touched my skin. I'm not sure what made me take the leap but I did and am so glad I tried it. I was using an oil cleanser and this has replaced that step. I use this as my first makeup removal step and follow with acne.org cleanser or the Clarifying cleanser also from ES. If I am feeling dry on my cheeks I have just done a second cleans with this and a washcloth and that works well too. This stuff is such a treat to use! It's creamy and feels so good on the skin. It's just luxurious to use. I wear tubing mascara so I can't speak to how well it takes mascara off but it takes off all my other makeup that's for sure. I can't believe I haven't broken out from this but I'm almost through my first bottle and my skin is clear and soft and looking good. I have already purchased two backups.
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Skincare - Face -MAC - Fix+
AmyDbaby 5/10/2010 10:44:00 AM
This is the miracle product I've been looking for to get rid of my horrible retinoid flakes and peels! I can't believe I finally found a fix for the bane of my existence. I am happy. I don't spray this all over as I have a very oily t-zone. I usually spray it on my hand then dip my beauty blender in it and dab on my flaky spots and on my cheekbones. I get that gorgeous glow on my cheeks and my flakes disappear before my eyes. I have had no problems with breakouts but I have been keeping it off of my breakout prone areas so I'm not sure if it would break me out there or not. I am honestly not sure if it helps my makeup stay on longer. In the future I am going to try making my own glycerin spray but I am really glad I bought this and will happily use it up.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Goody - Spin Pin
AmyDbaby 5/9/2010 7:56:00 PM
I've had this for a few weeks and so far it's working pretty well. I purchased this at Target for about $6. I have long blond hair so I bought the blond color which is sort of an antique gold. Although my hair is long it is very fine and I have a hard time finding products that will actually stay in my hair or hold my hair. I also have a very sensitive scalp so things like ficarre clips and most other clips are totally out for me. I do like to wear my hair up most days but usually stick to a covered elastic twisted into my hair to make a messy bun. This is a good option for a similar look. It holds surprisingly well in my hair. It feels secure on my head through most of the day and that's saying a lot since my hair normally feels like it's falling down after an hour or two. Most important to me is that this is VERY comfortable. It doesn't pull on my hair or scalp and I honestly forget it's even in most days. This is super simple to use. For some reason I thought it would be more complicated but it truly couldn't be more idiot-proof. There doesn't seem to be a wrong way to put this in. My favorite way to use this is to do a half twist and then pin in place so that some hair falls over the top of the twist. I can hardly believe these two pins hold that in place all day but they so. I disagree that the color doesn't matter because you won't see them. You see mine! Maybe those with thick hair don't have to worry but if you have fine hair you should get the right color for your hair color because they do show. Edit: I can no longer find these at Target but Walmart seems to have a good supply. I haven't been in a Walmart in over 10 years but made a special trip and bought 5 sets. I love them THAT much! Get these! you won't be sorry. If you hair won't stay or doesn't feel secure use an elastic first. That helps a lot. I have very fine hair and I make a pony tail but don't pull it all the way through on the last wrap so I end up with a "circle of hair" that I wrap and scrunch a little to make a messy mass of hair and then I pin that. I sometimes have to use three pins with this method though. The end result is fabulous. I get a large messy mass of hair that is held securely to my head all day long.
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Rimmel - Stay Matte Pressed Powder (ALL)
AmyDbaby 5/9/2010 4:58:00 PM
This seems o.k. but I guess I'm disappointed. I was looking for an alternative to my MAC Blot powder which I have used for probably 10 years now. I picked this up at CVS because they were having a sale. I got the Translucent color which is, indeed translucent. It seems to hold back oil but not nearly as well as Blot does for me. I had to reapply every couple of hours which just doesn't work for me. I am willing to do a midday reapply but I don't want to have to check the mirror 10 times a day to see if I have oil breakthrough. I'm too busy for that. I'll use this up but will continue to look for some better options. (Edit: I'm talking this down to 2 lipsticks. It just doesn't do a good job at controlling oil on my face. I am constantly having to reapply.)
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Lipstick -Rimmel - Moisture Renew - Vintage Pink
AmyDbaby 5/9/2010 4:45:00 PM
This color was horrible for me. I should have known. It's purple. Purple lips on yellow skin is pretty much the definition of makeup disaster. This has a very strong scent that I did not enjoy. Not gut-wrenching horrible like L'oreal lipstick but still pretty bad. The formula is fairly creamy and non-drying which is good. For the money this formula isn't bad but this color for anyone who isn't cool toned I think is something to think twice about. Wish I had thought twice before choosing this one.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Acne.org - Treatment
AmyDbaby 5/7/2010 12:22:00 AM
In a desperate attempt to control my post-age 40 acne I decided to finally give the Acne.org system a try. Wow. I am impressed. This BP treatment is fantastic. I had no irritation , no purging, or any negative side effects. It seems very gentle to me. I only use it once a day so maybe that's why? Anyway, my cystic acne is gone (knock wood). Now, I have had acne for many years, done several Accutane courses and all the rest so I'm pretty sure my acne battle is not over but I could not be more pleased with the results I have gotten from this system While I think the AHA treatment is the real winner in the group and the reason for my great looking skin I think this BP treatment is part of the cure for me. Even my Rx Benzaclin didn't' work as well as this does. Bottom line, if you suffer from acne this is worth a try.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Acne.org - Cleanser
AmyDbaby 5/7/2010 12:12:00 AM
Just a very good basic foaming gel cleanser. I bought the whole kit and wasn't expecting much but this really surprised me. I've used it day and night for a few weeks now. No dryness, irritation, or breakouts. Nothing bad at all. My skin feels good after washing and is looking fabulous from using this system. I can see why you may not want to go out of your way to buy this if that's all you wanted from Acne.org but if you are getting anything else definitely throw this one into the cart. It's a well-formulated, skin-friendly, economical cleanser.
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Treatments -Acne.org - AHA+
AmyDbaby 5/7/2010 12:10:00 AM
I wasn't' even thinking about buying this but I bought the kit and decided at the last minute to throw it into the cart. Wow! I am so glad I made that impulse purchase. This stuff is fantastic especially given the price. It's well formulated and does an excellent job of exfoliation and moisturization. No breakouts or irritation. I saw results after just a few days. This is an excellent product. I can't imagine anyone not being pleased with this one.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Renee Musk
AmyDbaby 5/5/2010 2:49:00 PM
I have been rationing samples of FM MR for a while now but could never spring for the full size because of the price. When I heard this was a dupe for MR I took a leap of faith and ordered a bottle from Luckyscent. Well, MUA I LOVE YOU! When you're right you're right! This IS MR! I have this on one wrist and MR on the other and I cannot tell any difference. I am SO happy! This is so beautiful. If you love MR get this stuff!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No