Lip Treatments -Palmers - Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Lip Balm w/Vitamin E & Spf 15
chayaNY 4/13/2012 3:57:00 PM
Like the reviewer below, this stung my lips badly to the point of irritation. I love the large roll up stick Palmers makes sans spf. Have used it for years so when I saw this version with spf, I was excited to try it! Have very dry lips, always using lip balm looking for good ones with spf for day. Since the large stick is so moisturizing I was sure this would be too. But the stinging was not subtle nor did it subside. Its unfortunate cause the idea of this is great. I also tried the squeeze tube with mint and that seemed rancid. The stick formulation is the way to go and for outdoors find another with spf
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Carmex - Healing Cream
chayaNY 4/12/2012 11:26:00 PM
I got 2 little tins of this cream because they're light weight to carry in my purse. My skin is very dry and my hands chap easily from the weather. I didn't realize the cream would smell just like the original Carmex lip treatment, a medicinal, mentholated sort of scent. It does fade to a lighter sweeter scent, but I would not classify it at all as a food-y type sweet, more like medicated balm you use for sore muscles. Its a thick white cream that feels somewhat cool going on, but not as much as say a peppermint type foot lotion. It's not "cosmetically elegant," in that it does not make my dry, chapped hands look smoother, more moisturized. In fact oddly enough it seems to highlight their dry appearance at least at first. I have only begun using it so these are first impressions. I am now using it as a foot cream at night, saving the tin to put my Nivea (blue tin) in, since that makes parched skin gleam a bit and feel better. I won't keep using on my hands even if there are longer term benefits to be had in time. Thd reason being that I absentindedly touch my face, rub my eyes etc. I don't want to accidentally get any product with ingrediants that cause it to have a mentholated scent, get near my eyes, or on my face which is very sensitive. I see many like it but speaking for the tin alone which is meant to be toted along in a purse, its not good for that purpose if you apply hand cream during the day at work, or around others due to the strong scent.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Top/Base Coats -Sinful - Quick Dry
chayaNY 4/9/2012 9:57:00 PM
I use a quick dry top coat whenever I do my nails, but I often use this after that anyway. I think it does help hasten drying time. I apply enough to seep into my cuticles then wash only the undersides not tops of my hands. This is a light oil type formulation so it seems to have the added benefit of moisturizing cuticles or at least taking away that parched/dry look. Very inexpensive, one bottle lasts ages, I will say repurchase but it will be ages before this is used up. I have had 2 more expensive versions of this and don't see any difference.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme
chayaNY 4/4/2012 10:34:00 PM
Like the Almond hand cream, I initially found the scent overwhelmingly strong and cloying. But like that one this scent grew on me as well. This is a very thick, slow to absorb, wax based hand cream. If you have very dry hands that's a plus, as the sheen and feel of the cream linger. I have very dry skin, so this is a quality I like in a hand cream. I can see why others with less than very dry skin, might not find a thick, slow to absorb cream, ideal. The scent is more banana candy than tropical by the way. There are so many hand creams on the market, but if you like gourmand/food scents, and need a very heavy duty, fairly natural product to moisturize dry hands, this is a fair option, and very good if your skin is very dry. I'd suggest buying a trial sized kit or BB products to see what you like before buying full sized. I would repurchase and said so but because of my dry skin problems, I have many creams and like to try new ones.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -L'Oreal - Elnett Hairspray
chayaNY 4/3/2012 2:17:00 AM
I was excited to try this when I got a trial size, (which was larger than some other trial sized hairsprays) when I bought a L'oreal haircolor. I had always been curious about it due to it being a constant editors pick in just about every beauty/fashion magazine. First it was not available in the U.S then when it was the price was cost prohibitive. I'm a bad new first person so will get that outta the way, -the stank. some editors, hair stylists, gush, rave that the scent is actually the main draw. its a very classic 60's-70's, lady like, old school beauty parlor smell. I love that era, the fashion, mu, all of it. I even like the smell, like in say small doses, wafting from a classic salon like those above. Reminds me of how salons smelled when I went with my grandmother to get her hair "set. For nostalgia, love! For every day, not so much. It might be because I have a dry skin,hair med condition, but my hair is extremely porous so the scent lasts too long on my hair and its kind of all I can smell despite using perfume. -the price. for the price of the full sized can I want to never, ever have a bad hair day again, heck, i can't afford to! I got talked into a $14.99 can of hairspray last yr by an SA, which also reeks! Both are brushable, thats why I bought it, but Elnett is far superior. The good, -works. Can't say that about many overly hyped beauty products, and I have been suckered into many (thank you mua!) It actually feels/looks/works like a fine net of thin, glistening fibers; there are no fibers, just that the feeling is that of a movable, touchable, "matrix" over the hair. So you can brush without white flakes or buildup, great for 2nd day hair, and you can also brush without totally losing the hold or style, though some if of course compromised. I have bra strap length, course, wavy hair that I often straighten to wear with the ends curled. This did hold those curls fairly well -shine, it does add a glistening effect which many sprays that claim to, simply dont in my opinion -no helmut hair. with the scent and old school looks of it, you would think this is shallac in a can, but its an ultra fine mist that does not leave hair looking, nor feeling like a hard hat -lastly, the ultra fine mist. i had amazing hair till the aforementioned med condition so now it breaks off, is incredibly bone dry as well. I fond many sprays weigh hair down and make it look thinner by exposing scalp in that way. After a lifetime of such thick, shiny hair, to have course thinner hair (due to breakage, fallout) is quite a shock to my system. Fine mist sprays don't blast the hair with too much liquid at once, or concentrate all in one place For a special event, maybe my wedding, I'd cave and buy this because it is lovely and lives up to the all the hype, however, despite my nostalgia and actual like of the scent, I'd buy unscented so I won;t have to worry about this clashing with my other scents. I'm gonna say repurchase for the reason I just gave;) -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Cover Girl - Aqua Smooth Make-Up in Creamy Natural (# 720)
chayaNY 3/29/2012 2:14:00 AM
This is a good light weight but provides coverage, ds cream foundation. Drugstores lack a wide variety of cream foundations, this one is inexpensive and leaves a semi matte finish. I have tried several different sunscreens, moisturizers under and it still doesn't wear as well longevity wise as other cream foundations I have tried. I wish it came in darker colors, they are all very light and even though I'm a very fair olive, in the summer w/self tanner it would be nice to have deeper shades. I originally bought it because I went on a trip and forgot the one bag that I HAD to have, the one with all my mu and skin care! I know!!! I had my mother ship it to me but I had about 2 days before I'd get the bag and since my companion was my fiance, you guessed it, nary a cream, or concealer between us;) I ran to the pharmacy but like many now, a lot of my go to products are ones i've ordered online. I have very dry, finicky, sensitive, reactive skin. I kind of grabbed and went and of all the things I snagged that day, this was the true winner. I wore it even after my bag arrived because I liked it so much! I think what stopped me from this remaining an hg was that it can be "slidey" even on my very dry skin, and the limited color range but I keep one or two in my makeup bag (for home) for days when I need to slap some coverage on and go. I liked this under my eyes very much, especially when topped with LM Secret Brightening Powder, which is a miracle product if you're over 40!!! I just started using some new skin care and plan on giving this a go again as it may last longer that way. I always use this with a dampened sponge, set with powder, then spritz w/water.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Wet 'n' Wild - Reserve Your Cabana
chayaNY 3/15/2012 7:57:00 PM
Caveat, if you're looking for the discontinued Alcapulco Glow WnW discontinued bronzer, this is not the same. The former had a peach, irridescent tone to it, it was also much more shimmery. Comparions are being made due to this being the only other fair shade of powder labeled "bronzer," by WnW. It came in the older, rectangular type packaging and had no spf. I liked AG but it always irritated my skin. This comes in a very large, round compact. Its a warm, beige with a buttery soft texture akin to WnW brulee eye shadow but a little more powdery and with a satiny finish. I have very fair, olive skin but this is too light for me to use as a bronzer. It does work as a highlighter for both cheeks and eyes. Its a good all over eye color base too. I knew when I bought it that it would not be a bronzer for me so I am not disappointed. I was told at Walgreens that this was limited edition, i have not seen this elsewhere. I got all 3 shades, one is a deep gold, based bronzer, and a deep red based one. Both have the same satin finish. I love the redder one, in my opinion red based bronzers emulate natural tans. I have been using it even more than my Bobbi Brown bronzer lately. The goldish one I like best on eyes, nice all over color. That one broke, I returned it, the 2nd one broke too. These are quite soft and prone to a little flyaway powder but not a big issue. When traveling I placed this in a bubble wrap mailer. I love the amt you get for under $5.00 U.S. I do not break out from any of these. I wish I had gotten back ups and will if I see these again. The spf is low but its a good start.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Suave - Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo
chayaNY 3/14/2012 7:27:00 PM
Update: okay have used this a few times but darn it if it doesn't feel empty as well way before it should be out of product. I originally wrote how I bought Suaves previous incarnation of dry shampoo prior to this. I could not write a proper review as the can was empty though I'd used it maybe twice if that! This version seemed not as white and with my dark brown hair ithat was a good thing. It still is white, but diffuses to blend into dark hair faster than some other dry shampoos and the price was good. But again, as I feared, the can seems defective so what good is it if its cheap if you can't get your money's worth? Original review: ust got this one and will update. I just wanted to write that with my dark brown hair most dry shampoos leave me looking like Ben Franklin in a school play. I have used this just twice but no white powdery look thus far at all. Did give some body yet did not feel stiff. So far so good!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Suave - Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray
chayaNY 3/14/2012 7:24:00 PM
i dont know about scent nor performance because it seemed to dry up in the can before i ever used it. i bought it but did not go to use it till a week later and the once full can was empty. no one else used it and yet not a single drop was left. not sure if it dissipated somehow, dried up or whatnot? i just bought the newer version, different can color and am hoping for better luck
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare -Serious Skin Care - Resveratrol Drench Age Defying Facial Cream
chayaNY 3/13/2012 4:55:00 PM
I preface many reviews with some history because I have an unusual predicament that makes my skin inordinately dry and reactive/sensitive. I add this part so those with similar or even lesser issues, might benefit from what works on someone with a more extreme set of circumstances than most. Hope this is helpful! Okay, I really love this product! I have liked this line for many years, however, I had only used their Glucosomine products for sensitive, reactive skin which I have due to a medical condition which stops the function of all my moisture glands. When you lose your natural moisture barrier, try as you might, no matter what moisturizers you use, you cannot replace it. the irony is, you need that natural moisture barrier to add further moisture to your skin without reactions and irritation. Its a vicious cycle. I am therefore always looking to add moisture to my very dry skin, and if possible, of course reap some age defying benefits. Let me say I don't believe I am turning back time with any product, so no delusions here. But I can and am going kicking and screaming into aging:) More than most my age (early 40's, shhh) I can look like Methuselah if I am not vigilant due to my medical condition. Imagine no working moisture glands, the feeling is beyond tight and dry, especially after cleaning. Its downright painful, can become inflamed unless I add some moisture. I have tried so many, always buffering for a time to build up to using anything new and still have had awful reactions requiring meds to remedy. I got this full sized for free when I got a one year subscription to Allure magazine from either HSN or QVC, forgive me as it was a gift, and I did not place the order. I received a makeup bag with many nice little extras and this cream. That was a few mos ago and I did my usual routine to try and test a new product. Immediately upon using on just my lower side jaw, the least sensitive area of my face, my skin felt so smooth, and more so, soothed. Hmmm, that't not the norm for me with new stuff! I had read incredible reviews online, and many said from the start there was something different, in the best way possible about this stuff and I agreed but felt it was too soon to wrote a review. Its now 3-4 weeks of my using this nightly before bed and even under my mu at night, it has no spf so I have not used it for day. I always use skin care on dampened skin. The cream is somewhat more gel like, but not a transparent gel, its still quite creamy. Its very light, easily spreadable on damp skin. Penetrates quickly, leaves no shine behind, nor greasiness yet skin feels and remains, feeling moisturized for hours, even overnight. For me I have had to use more occlusive creams at night to achieve that, but they sometimes come with a whole host of problems of their own (milia, clogged pores etc). I can use this under my eyes and on my lids, that is incredible to me! I cant always tolerate what I can use elsewhere on my face around my eyes. When I use this I wake with clear, smooth skin, as opposed to red, dry, irritated, splotchiness I have many times in the past. In fact I almost always have a lot of pink, sometimes red, on my upper cheeks. Nothing has diminished it, and I hate it. I have so many yellow powders and concealers to cover it, but I want to simply treat it. This cream has diminished that! Not fully, but I believe its because this relieves inflammation quite well. My redness in part is due to all over inflammation I also suffer. Okay, age defying, again, I have yet to find a time machine (please pm me if you do!), but I was seeing fine lines on my forehead which bugged me enough to try several other wrinkle creams. I like Korres, I think it helped some, but nothing special, my Avene Eluage didn't seem to make a dent though it works well around my eyes, I tried two others as well. I took to applying a silicone primer OVER my makeup there to blur things a little bit and lie to myself, "what lines?!" But honestly, since using this I am less and less aware of those lines. I don't use that primer anymore on my forehead and no foundation either, just my bronzer, then powder to set (its not a drying one). I also had clogged pores on my forehead that were little teeny bumps I have been bothered by for about 2 years since using more occlusive creams, and they are mostly gone. I know! The areas that bother me most, I don't have the "11's" but rather a "1" between my eyes, seems softer, though I have come to see only a miracle or some injection/injectable (maybe some day, just not now), will rectify. I have melasma above my upper lip but mainly on one side, again, this is not meant to help diminish that, nor has it. I might just give up on that and join the circus as a mustached lady (no beard but then I don't actually have a mustache either!). My makeup goes on much more smoothly, and the best part, and a main objective of skin care for me, is I can use much less with more satisfactory results! I have not noticed any milia around my eyes from this and I am super prone to those. I just have nice smoothed skin there when I use this and sometimes now use this in conjunction under Avene Eluage on nights I dont want to use it full strength around my eyes to give the area a break. I should add the scent is not bothersome, its just not yummy, or pretty, more clinical, but it subsides after the cream absorbs, and does not linger. Makeup applies well, over this for evening. There is no tacky finish and I can even wear powdered makeup without it dragging or concentrating on one place. Yesterday I just wore spf, and disguised my pink cheeks with a little blush, something they were too pink/red, prior to get away with, and called it a day (LM Secret Brightening Powder under the eyes though so as not to scare small animals and children with my hereditary dark circles, but not even actual concealer, just the powder over the spf there too). Long review but a real rave!!!!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Jolen Creme Bleach
chayaNY 3/10/2012 10:33:00 AM
Note, many women over 40 that used this when younger think it caused them upper lip hyperpigmentation. Perhaps, but I am in my early 40s and never used this on my upper lip, never used any bleache there and yet I have the same problem they do. Its most likely simply Melasma, that darkening caused by hormones often happens as we age. Sunscreen above the lip is a must as Melasma will darken with sun exposure. Ladies do a search on the boards and you will see how very common it is and read about possible treatments. Concealing is difficult, more peachy, salmony colors hide ashier darkness better. Now to review! My mother has naturally brown hair but near black brows. As her hair as grayed she lightened it but her brows did not gray much and looked so dark. Every few mos or when she wants, I have used Jolen to not only lighten, but to bring some warmth in their tone to better resemble her hair now and provide an overall softer appearamce. Yes stinky but tolerable. Check often or risk orangey brows. Be careful not to get into eyes. Wash with cleanser not just water.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Tweezerman - Super Curler Eyelash Curler
chayaNY 3/9/2012 6:14:00 PM
I bought this specific curler due to the famed Tweezerman name. I was excited to try it. I was disappointed at first because I felt the lash pad didn't seem to sit high enough in place to really make a curl. I put it aside a bit then tried with the pad from amother curler and now I really get a great curl! I think perhaps others that found this sub bar may agree if they tried this. The curler itself is actually quite sturdy and well made. I have used many curlers over my time (!!!) From name brand to a dollar store one I loved, a pink and green one by Maybelline, had a nice Revlon yrs back, ELF too which unlike many, I hated, didn't close easily, you really must exert pressure to work with it. I have a heated curler too and one that is a sort of flip top variety. This is my current favorite, the open sides don't crimp my skin and I have not lost any lashes. A curler should come with a pad that suits it, and is ready for use. That said, if you have bought this, mine was about $12.00, not Shisedo costly but not ELF cheap, try it with another curler pad. Mine works very well nown if I "walk" it up my lashes I get a very good curl!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Moonlight Path Body Lotion
chayaNY 3/8/2012 8:32:00 PM
Moonlight Path was the first BBW scent I ever purchased. I have loved Jovan Musk since I was a teen and it reminded me of it very much, but a bit softer, more powdery. I have repurchased the scent several times and finally bought the lotion. Like the spray, I find MP lotion to be one of the most lasting BBW scents on me. Its not the usual BBW scent meaning its not fruity nor sweet (I love such scents too) but rather a real "perfume" scent. I love the lotion scent, BBW lotions work for me because the scents last longer than their sprays. I wear this with the spray, but also under several other scents, layering this because I know its reliably good, works in any situation, and just plain smells good. This is a no brainer for me. Yes its also moisturizing but I never use BBW lotions any place but my hands. I use them to boost my scent of the day, and keep my hands from being/looking dry, on the way out the door.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Tommy Hilfiger - true star gold
chayaNY 3/7/2012 8:31:00 PM
This is a very "green," smelling scent to me. Its very bright, clean, very fresh for day. It reminds me of Cliniques Happy, yet less citrus which some smell, not sure I smell that but the two scents go well together layered. This is more a spring, summer fragrance with good lasting power and nothing lasts on me. I have only been using a good sized sample of this, do not own, but would like to. I love happy, bright scents for warm weather. I have never owned a TH scent before, but this one is much more to my liking. Lately as winter drags on, these "green" scents are drawing me in more and more.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - foundation in fairly light
chayaNY 3/5/2012 11:44:00 PM
I loved this when I first got it, and the whole time I used it which was about two years. I would still be using it today if it did not suddenly make my face itch. I have a dry skin problem, lacking a natural moisture barrier. It's progressive so over time things I once tolerated I no longer can. I think I began to react to the bismuth in it. I loved the shade which worked well on my very fair but olive toned skin. I loved the glowy, yet never oily, nor glittery, nor shiny, finish. The coverage was very good, nothing else thus far covers a few broken blood vessels nor a prominent vein near my eye, as well, same for melasma. Great value too, looks like a small amount perhaps but you use so little it lasts for ages. Speaking of which this lasted all day on my dry skin. Even with my dry skin, as long as I moisturized well first then spritzed my face after, this worked well even as an under eye concealer. This made getting ready a breeze, and I miss using it. Alas, twas not meant to be a long term relationship. So sad to see it go. Only saying no to repurchase because this version anyway, still contains bismuth.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No