Moisturizers -Skin Biology - Emu Oil for skin
xt73 1/25/2010 2:33:00 AM
Officially, I do not have the Skin Biology emu oil. I bought it from ebay seller brokenwingmending on MUA reviewer's recommendation and LOVE this stuff. I have been using it for everything. It is the best cuticle oil ever. I also have been using it on my upper lip, which seems to be strangely sensitive -- it tends to get red, itchy, and flaky spontaneously. I have eczema, so I think this an offshoot of that. Emu oil calms down the irritation without having to use my high potency steroid ointment on my face. It also is helping prevent ragged cuticles and dry hands, which always happens in the winter (and due to washing my hands religiously when I work in the ER.) It sinks in and disappears without feeling greasy. I have even used it on my crow's feet around my eyes. I have not had any breakouts or clogged pores as of yet. It has no scent, which is a plus. Of note, I know others have used it on their hair with good results. I tried it, but actually find jojoba or camellia oil to work better for conditioning dry ends. However, they are generally too thick to use on my skin. For all things skin related, I am sticking with emu oil.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Jergens - Naturals Soothe Daily Moisturizer
xt73 1/25/2010 2:21:00 AM
I love this! Even better than Aveeno for soothing and moisturizing. Smells good and sinks right in without feeling greasy or sticky. Fabulous for itchy dry winter skin. They were out of it at Walgreens, so I have the Renewing lotion instead right now. If I find it again, I will certainly repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - Warren Tricomi Smoothing Conditioner
xt73 1/25/2010 2:16:00 AM
Got a bunch of this off of Gilt.com at a pretty good price. My hair has lately been sort of frizzy and split on the ends as a result of highlighting. I didn't feel like this did a whole heck of a lot. I used the whole 3 step system and everything. I used the Tricomi products for the last several months. Still feeling dry and brittle on the ends. Oh well. Not horrible, but not really worth the money. Also, I didn't like the smell. I am going back to my old standby: Pantene Time Renewal.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Warren-Tricomi Pure Strength 3 Step System For All Hair Types
xt73 1/25/2010 2:13:00 AM
Meh. Got a bunch of this off of Gilt.com at a pretty good price. My hair has lately been sort of frizzy and split on the ends as a result of highlighting. I didn't feel like this did a whole heck of a lot. I used the whole 3 step system and everything. I used the Tricomi products for the last several months. Still feeling dry and brittle on the ends. Oh well. Not horrible, but not really worth the money. Also, I didn't like the smell. I am going back to my old standby: Pantene Time Renewal.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Boots - No7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 Wipes - All Skin Types
xt73 1/25/2010 2:10:00 AM
I really like these. I did manage to get all my makeup off with them (though I don't tend to wear a lot). I usually use these when I am feeling kind of lazy. My face does not feel tight or grimy afterward. It is supposed to have toner in it, but I still tend to rinse after using them. I have never had any eye irritation either. I guess if you have a lot of eye makeup on, then it might be wise to use eye makeup remover before, then use this to get the last remnants off. Sometimes I need to find another "clean" spot or use the other side of the wipe if I have more makeup on. Overall, a great little package. I also like the recloseable lid, which keeps them from drying out. Great for trips.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Pop Beauty - Apples of the Cheeks - No.2 Au Natural
xt73 1/25/2010 2:03:00 AM
I have been forever looking for a natural lip stain. Yes, this is originally billed as a cheek stain, but I use it on my lips. I do love the smell: caramel apples. (It wears off almost immediately after it dries, so if you aren't into scented products don't worry.) I have yellow undertones, so all the other lip stains I have tried turn out fluorescent pink and fuschia on me. (This includes Stila, Lorac, Vincent Longo, Too Faced, Laura Mercier, 3 Custom Color, Benetint, etc.) When I try to get nice nude/ peach tone, they tend to look orange. This looks like a sheer reddish brown on my lips; roughly the equivalent of Tarte 24/7 lip sheer in Tuesday. (Another favorite of mine.) For some reason my lips get really pale most of the time, and this mimics the color they are after I've brushed my teeth or gotten more blood flow to them some other way. The product looks dark brown when it comes out, but is very sheer. Goes on gel-like, then dries matte. It is thicker than most stains, so actually is easier to work with. I also like the fact that it dispenses through a twist up mechanism onto a plastic tip. Much more hygienic than a roller or a nail polish-like brush. My only complaint with it is that after twisting, the product may come out a bit delayed. So the next time you open it up, there may be a blob sitting there. (If it is bouncing around in my purse, a small bit may wind up on the cap.) Not a deal-breaker though. I love it, and will probably wear it for my wedding later this year.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Shiseido - Sun Protection Compact Foundation
xt73 1/24/2010 2:45:00 PM
I can't believe it took me this long to write a review for this. I wore this exclusively as my sunscreen on a trip to the Cayman Islands last year and it was fabulous. First of all, I didn't get sunburned. Second of all, it gave me a natural matte (yet still dewy) look. The compact is easy to take to the beach, and easy to reapply. It isn't going to spill in your beach bag, and even has a mirror. I actually like that the sponge is in a separate compartment. Seems more hygienic. Also keeps the mirror from getting schmutz on it. This is a great one step product when you are on vacation. You don't have to bother with sunscreen AND foundation. (May I also recommends Tarte's 24/7 lip sheers...Also great for same reason. Sun protection + color in one step. I also used this on my vacation.) It tends to do really well in hot humid climates. I did notice that I get a bit oily on my nose near the end of the day, but that happens with just about anything I put on my face. Didn't seem to cause acne/breakouts though. Feels very soft when applied. It matches my color perfectly, but I have yellow undertones. Has a relatively limited color selection, so you might have some difficulty if you are really pink. Also may look flaky if you are really dry, but also would be try for any powder foundation. Also can transfer if you brush your face with clothing. Overall though, I do love this.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF20
xt73 7/26/2009 11:06:00 PM
First of all, the color selection is limited at best. I was a perfect 8 in Matte Silk, which is now discontinued. However, in this line the only one that has the right undertone is 6.5, which is a shade or two light. I have been mixing it with the remaining Matte Silk in a 2:3 ratio to get the right color. I did love Matte Silk for its beautiful coverage, but it was always a tad too thick for me to wear on a daily basis. Also, I always wanted it to have SPF. I figured this would be perfect. I do like the finish, which is dewy and not too matte, not to shiny. Looks great with a dusting of powder on top. As always, I do think Armani foundations are worth the money. The pump is very hygienic and helps the bottle to last for a long time. It still gets a bit shiny on my nose after a few hours. (But my nose is an oil slick. Thank god for blotting papers.) It does not break me out as far as I can tell. The formula is a bit thicker than I would like. Best if applied with a brush because of this. It isn't really finger-application friendly. It is a true foundation after all, and not a tinted moisturizer -- so I guess that's to be expected. Overall, I would still buy it again. I just wish it came a little bit darker, so I wouldn't have to tinker with it so much.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Olay - Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum
xt73 4/17/2009 5:07:00 AM
Strange that most people seem to pan this product. I like it. I feel like it moisturizes well and doesn't irritate my skin. Also leaves it feeling smooth and silky. Then again, am not expecting this to drastically reduce any fine lines or wrinkles. I just want it to help even out some splotchy patches of hyperpigmentation and prevent further environmental damage. I only apply it to the dry-ish parts of my face and not my chin or nose, where I tend to break out. Sometimes I layer it over other facial treatments if I feel they are not moisturizing enough. I really like the fact that you can twist the tip of the dispenser to lock it for traveling. I'm just glad I like something that isn't too expensive.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Exuviance - Vespera Bionic Serum
xt73 4/17/2009 4:58:00 AM
I bought this based on MUA reviews, but just didn't feel like it did very much. Also agree that it dries really sticky. I could also only use it at night because it looks really shiny when it dries. I suppose it really should be used at night anyway, since it is supposed to "undo" any damage you accrued during your day. I bought this to help reverse any sun/wind damage during ski season that made it through my sunscreen and goggles. Overall, I think that Olay Regenerist serum works better and is also more moisturizing. On a positive note: I liked the pump and pretty green bottle. But trying to transport this stuff is tricky. It doesn't come with a plastic cap to place over the pump. I had to save the little plastic "collar" that it shipped with to prevent it from pumping all over my overnight bag. Still searching for a serum that I like ...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Positively Smooth Moisturizing Lotion
xt73 4/17/2009 4:49:00 AM
So I should probably confess at the outset that I don't have really coarse thick body hair. I was sort of experimenting to see if this would actually decrease my arm hair. Since I'm Chinese, I don't exactly have a TON of arm hair, but weirdly I have more hair on my arms than my legs. So my experiment didn't quite pan out: No change in my arm hair amount. Still needed shaved my legs with the same frequency. That being said, I think it moisturizes just fine. However, I would probably buy another lotion for moisturizing. You might see some changes if you have thicker hair than me. I guess it wasn't really a fair challenge in the first place...the only thing that would truly get rid of my arm hair by slathering post-shower is Nair.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Positively Radiant Moisturizing Lotion
xt73 4/17/2009 4:41:00 AM
Not sure if the shimmer really showed up on me too well. I like Jergen's shimmer lotion better. Maybe it is because of my skin color; I imagine that more fair people will do well with Aveeno's since the shimmer is kind of pearly. Jergen's is more gold. Being Asian, I felt that the gold just looked better on me and less ashy. Did also seem a little bit thick; sometimes I almost got some "pilling" at times. Is moisturizes fairly well. But I could choose better lotions for moisture alone. The selling point of this is the "radiance" feature, so it might work great for you if you are fair and would like a little pearlescent sheen.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Creamy Moisturizing Oil
xt73 4/17/2009 4:36:00 AM
Probably on my 5th bottle of this. I stopped counting. I do tend to skip around with lotions a bit, but I keep this in the rotation at all times. I love the way it smells. Kind of like almonds. Also, it isn't waxy at all, and sinks right into my skin. Maybe because it isn't waxy, I have had to reapply if the weather is really dry. So it doesn't always live up to its claim of moisturizing for a full 24 hours. But overall, it feels wonderful and silky to apply and smells great. I like it the best out of all the Aveeno formulations. Sometimes it can be hard to find, but I will keep buying it as long as they make it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Lotion
xt73 4/17/2009 4:31:00 AM
Pros: no scent, non irritating, fairly moisturizing. Cons: feels sticky. I actually like most Aveeno products, and really wanted this to work. Everyone loves this stuff! (but me) It just seemed like it didn't sink in as well as I wanted and I didn't like the after-feel this gave my skin. I prefer Aveeno's Creamy Oil because it spreads better and smells like almonds.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Lubriderm - Advanced Therapy Triple Smoothing Lotion [DISCONTINUED]
xt73 4/17/2009 4:25:00 AM
MUCH better scent than original Lubriderm, but it is definitely on the thick side. Seems a bit gloppy at first squirt. However, it eventually sinks in and leaves no sticky after-feel. Works best after showering due to its thick consistency; damp skin allows it to spread more easily and absorb faster. Generally my skin is fairly smooth, so I can't say that I noticed much of a difference on my legs or arms. But my scaly heels didn't seem to respond as well as I would have hoped. Overall, the stuff kept me fairly un-itchy and moisturized through the winter months. This includes multiple ski trips, where the air is so dry I had to purchase a travel humidifier to prevent nosebleeds overnight. Will I buy it again? Maybe. I miss the skin smoothing Jergen's formula that is now defunct. I was hoping this would be a replacement. But I think I prefer something that feels more silky when I try to smooth it on. I'm trying the Lubriderm SPF version next, now that the sun is coming back out!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No