Treatments (Eye) -La Mer - Eye Concentrate
grenadine_00 3/28/2010 10:33:00 PM
My undereye area is in need of help. I don't have obvious wrinkles, per se, but the dark circles and puffiness are much more difficult to conceal. That said, La Mer's eye concentrate does what it says - it moisturizes and reduces puffiness. I don't really believe the wrinkle reduction from marine extracts - come on. The only thing known to do that is retin-A or renova. But I've tried many many eye creams, latest one kinerase under eye - and this is much better. Cle de peau goes over easily without any crepiness. Recommend. For serious wrinkles, would recommend nightly treatment with a vitamin-a based cream.
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Foundations -SKII - Air Touch Foundation [DISCONTINUED]
grenadine_00 6/14/2008 10:47:00 PM
Love this foundation - surpasses all of my previous foundations including Chanel's vitalumiere, Armani's LSF. The finish is poreless and undetectable - unlike anything I've seen before. A breeze literally to apply, I hold this about four inches away from my face and spray horizontally across the forehead, then each cheek, and vertically down the nose and chin. Takes about 15-20 seconds total. Foolproof. Natural luminous finish that makes me glow. I apply my concealer beforehand, and my eyemakeup afterwards. I don't finish with any powder as I prefer the dewy finish. Lasting power is several hours which is a new thing for me as I normally need to touch up with powder with any other foundation. You can cap the refill if you need another color for summer or are traveling. Absolutely recommend. (GA LSF 5, Chanel Cameo; oily combo skin)
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Crème -Chanel - Teint Innocence Cream to Powder Compact Foundation
grenadine_00 3/29/2008 9:45:00 PM
Good skin, combo-oily and now pregnant so sensitive as he**. Usually use TM like Lancome UV expert or Becca LSC - but find that the hormonally charged breakouts need a bit more coverage. This is incredibly easy to apply and gives me a nonoily "glow." Still light coverage, lighter than an actual foundation like GA LSF or another cream-to-powder formulation like Shiseido's. Literally takes a few swipes over my skinceuticals C+E and I'm done. Have had issues with other foundations clinging to dry patches(hello - GA LSF) but not an issue with this surprisingly. It's perfect for the spring weather, keeps away the oilies a bit longer than the TM, and doesn't turn orange like L'oreal UV perfect(which incidentally is *not* the same as Lancome UV expert). Only downsides are the cost $55 for the compact, the ridiculous housing of the sponge below the mirror -why not put it below the foundation itself, and the SPF 10 -will need to supplement with actual sunscreen for the summer. The TI liquid made me break out but this is working out thus far. (for reference, GA LSF 5, TI creme compact Shell 030, Becca LSC Camel)
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Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam VI
grenadine_00 12/23/2007 8:25:00 AM
An unobtrusive rosy beige, this l/s complements yellow-based complexions(as a reviewer noted below) and a perfect counterpoint to the season's smokey eyes. Never could wear nudes as these washed me out(e.g. Viva Glam V, Nars' Dolce Vita). Perfect for the office as well. Usually prefer reds/plums but will reach for this quieter option on occasion. This may very well be my only "nude" l/s. Moisturizing and hence, not great staying power. However, proceeds go to charity! Makeup for a better world, indeed.
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Sunscreen -Lancome - UV Expert DNA Shield SPF50
grenadine_00 12/23/2007 8:17:00 AM
A shimmery sunscreen perfect for everyday wear which doubles as a tinted moisturizer. This replaces my previously lauded L'oreal uv perfect. Prefer lancome's because my skin doesn't appear oily(as with the l'oreal) and does appear more luminous thanks to the microshimmer. Light, unobtrusive, with the now ubiquitous meroxyl for uva/uvb protection. Tinted ivory, this goes on translucent adding a luminosity rather than color and does little to disguise any skin imperfections. Purchased from strawberry.net for $46/1 oz.
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Lip Gloss -The Body Shop - Lip Gloss Dot - Bilberry Juice
grenadine_00 11/10/2007 11:45:00 PM
Generally not a big fan of lip glosses(try as I might, Chanel's glossimers/Mac lipglasses/Dior's ultraglosses have never worked for me) - of its tacky texture, hair plastered to the mouth, requirement for a mirror. That said, I bought this on a whim and really like it. It smells pleasantly fruity - albeit unidentifiable - with moisturizing beeswax, coconut oil and vitamin e. Not too tacky either. Stains my lips a sheer blue-based red with just enough gloss/shimmer to make it appropriate for the workplace. Reminds me of my Dr pepper lipbalm but with a bit more color and shine. Much darker in the pot than on the lip. Will be beautiful in the upcoming holiday season over PS Kiss. A lippie off for the unhygienic glosspot. About $8.50,
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Moisturizers -Olay - Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming Moisturizer
grenadine_00 10/7/2007 11:08:00 AM
Despite the silicones in this product, my skin has never looked better. Smooth, luminous whilst the product is on and afterwards. I've had compliments on the luminosity of my skin, even without makeup! Brilliant. I place about a quarter-sized lump every morning and tinted moisturizer on afterwards. True that when I put on too much, the TM pills. Supposedly, the niacinamide suppresses melanin production - but it works. I also use RAM, vitamin C(skinceuticals), and PTR AHA (variably), along with occasional microderm though this product has pushed my 34 year old skin to another level. Recommend. Previously used the corrective protecting lotion but will now use this. A lippie off for the inexplicably wastful packaging.
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Scrubs -Yves Saint Laurent - Gommage Action Biologique Sans Grains
grenadine_00 6/20/2007 5:03:00 PM
This is an excellent gentle fruit acid-based chemical exfoliant(a honey-textured gel liquefies with the warmth from your skin and fingers) that works well with my nightly (alternating) AHA/retin-A micro regimen. I was totally sold on it after a counter demonstration - my flaky skin (thanks to retin-A micro) looked and felt smooth; subsequent foundation looked flawless. The YSL saleslady recommended that I use this every morning and despite the exorbitant price, I am inclined to do it. I've tried glycolic acid cleansers(10% PTR or md forte) with only irritation - this exfoliates - gently - without the concomitant harshness. Recommend. A lippie off for the price.
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Toners -L'Occitane - Almond Apple Toning Cider
grenadine_00 4/28/2007 9:48:00 PM
Capitalizing on the much-heralded apple cider vinegar, this toner works beautifully after the cleansing oil. As I also use Retin-A and AHAs, this helps with removal of the dead skin flakes(attractive, yes) without any rebound oiliness. Unfortunately, the second ingredient on the list is alcohol(hence, the lippie off) but it works well in the spring-summer. Also unfortunately, apple cider vinegar and almond proteins are sixth and seventh on the list. Despite this, I adore the scent and it works. Check out the samples first. Combo-oily skin. $24/6.7 oz.
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Cleansers -L'Occitane - Almond Apple Cleansing Oil
grenadine_00 4/28/2007 9:42:00 PM
The cleansing oil/toner combination is excellent. My oily combination skin appears soft, fresh and glowy. I use this at night to remove make-up and have had no issues with break-outs. Check out the samples from L'occitane. Recommend. The scent is addictive. I also use Retin-A, AHAs w/o problems. ~$22.
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Lip Treatments -Neutrogena - MoistureShine Lip Soothers
grenadine_00 2/7/2007 6:32:00 PM
Ever a fan of the moisture shine lip balms, I wanted something berry but equally moisturizing. Purchased this in Plum Kiss(or something like that) and love it. The color is more than a lip tint, less a lipstick but moisturizes my chapped lips well. Appreciate the discreet silver tube. Complements dark hair, pale skin and is appropriate for work.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Definity Correcting Protective Lotion with SPF 15
grenadine_00 1/25/2007 8:21:00 PM
This is a wonderful daily moisturizer. I initially started with a sample of the hydrating cream which didn't break me out despite the silicone and glycerin and was impressed by the luminosity of my skin. The lotion has subtle light reflective pigments that impart a "glow from within." I appreciate the SPF 15 but wish it were higher, hence the lippie off. Have been using for the past month, and my skin looks good even without foundation. My 34 year old asian-american skin uses Skinceuticals c+e ferulic beneath and RAM every other day. No irritation. Had been using Kinerase with SPF 30(and liked it) but prefer this for its luminosity. Theoretically, the niacinamide represses melanin production etc etc but bottom line, I love and highly recommend it.
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Fragrances -Caron - Tubereuse
grenadine_00 10/29/2006 8:57:00 PM
This is an update on a previous review. I'm utterly in love with tuberose from Diptyque's Tuberose to Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower. The opening green note in CF to its hothouse flower drydown mesmerized, wooed, and seduced but Caron's Tubereuse with its lush sweet elegance has my heart. I've both: CF at night, Caron by day.
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Lips -Delux Beauty - Tintstick - Dot [DISCONTINUED]
grenadine_00 10/29/2006 8:48:00 PM
This is a work-appropriate red that complements yellow-based complexions. A lippie off for wearing off unevenly e.g. lipstick ring but overall, pluses for the SPF 15 and lip balm portability.
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Conditioner -The Body Shop - Olive Glossing Conditioner
grenadine_00 6/8/2006 11:49:00 AM
Had initially purchased this in sample size bottles for a trip & was surprised by how well the shampoo/conditioner worked. A faint herbal scent that does not last beyond the shower, this conditioner softens my medium-length straight thick hair well without weighing it down. It also makes it shiny - fortunate, given its name. Recommend. ~13.50/large bottle.
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