Moisturizers -Vaseline - Petroleum Jelly
Nanashimara 3/1/2011 5:05:00 AM
Very recently, I switched from Aquaphor to Vaseline, and I only wish that I had sooner. It seems that most people find Vaseline to be greasy and Aquaphor to be more elegant, however it is the opposite for me. Vaseline is slippery and thin in texture. It spreads over my lips and skin very easily, whereas Aquaphor is noticeably thicker and stickier, with a shiny finish. Everyone says Aquaphor moisturizes better, it heals better, blah blah. All I have to go on is my experience, and that says that days of slathering Aquaphor on my lips did even come close to the softness achieved by using Vaseline. I often apply a lip balm like EOS and then Vaseline on top, or apply it under lipsticks or lip gloss. I rub it on itchy places on itchy dry spots on my face and they disappear. I also use it on my cuticles after applying cuticle cream. Tonight I covered my face in a thin layer of it and then blotted with a tissue to take off the excess. My skin feels very smooth!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Burt's Bees - Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
Nanashimara 3/1/2011 4:57:00 AM
There are reviews that state there is an artificial lemon scent. These lovely reviewers have not looked at the ingredients because that scent is actual lemon oil. There are also reviews stating this is too oily, but I question whether those reviewers massaged it into their cuticles. I have been a cuticle picker my entire life, so my cuticles are a disaster. This balm stays in my bag always, and is massaged into my cuticles whenever I remember or have the chance. Yes, this product is oily when it melts down with your body heat, so I massage it into my fingers and then rub the extra product into my hands. I have yet to get any greasy marks on my clothing or accessories. When I use this, my hands look very nice. Sometimes I massage some Vaseline over the cuticle creme to seal in the moisture.
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Eyeliner -Laura Mercier - Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Bleu Marine
Nanashimara 12/18/2009 4:31:00 AM
It has been ages since I wrote a review, but reading all the absolutely adoring and glowing reviews for this product makes me frustrated. Using Bleu Marine for anything other than tightlining is useless. I've tried multiple times, to no avail, to use this on my upper lid. THIS HAS ZERO COLOR PAYOFF no matter what I do. What I end up with is a streaky 'watercolor' mess. I'm completely shocked that anyone who has tried other eyeliners would find this subpar quality even somewhat satisfactory, especially at the price. This is the first non-drugstore product that found its way to my trash bin. Shame.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Aquolina - Chocolovers EDT
Nanashimara 7/4/2008 2:25:00 AM
Maybe my nose is off, but I seriously smell absolutely NO chocolate in the dry down. Strangely it smells like very sweet ginger on my skin after a few minutes, reminiscent of Origins Ginger Essence. I don't know why honestly, but I do know this is not for me -- and I'm a chocolover!
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Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics spray SPF40 PPD18 [DISCONTINUED]
Nanashimara 1/27/2008 6:39:00 AM
Of all the European sunscreens, I find this to be the most wearable. It has not caused me breakouts, but I find if I wear it too often that it will irritate my skin slightly making it a bit red and itchy. It is the best I have found so far, so I stick with it. I really like the spray nozzle and the initial texture. It does dry quite fast, so I recommend spreading fast! I spray a bit onto my fingers and then smooth it onto my face. I am a little bit shiny when I use this, but nothing unbearable. I plan to try Sofina Lucent next.
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Moisturizers -La Roche Posay - Toleriane Soothing Protective Light Facial Fluid
Nanashimara 1/27/2008 6:34:00 AM
I love this. The packaging is amazing and hygienic. I would describe it as a light surge of moisture. It really calms my flakies. When I am particularly dry, I use this as a base moisturizer. I took off one lippie because you get so little product for the price. Also, sometimes this tingles my skin a bit when I put it on.. but I think it may be from a case of severe dehydration. Will update. In case you're curious, I have acne-prone, rosacea, sensitive skin.
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Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
Nanashimara 9/16/2006 4:11:00 PM
UPDATE: I don't think this is good for my skin anymore. It doesn't sink in and I believe it may irritate my SD. If you have SD look on the boards for more info.
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Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Daily Essential Moisturizer
Nanashimara 9/16/2006 4:04:00 PM
this is my HG moisturizer. i can't even tell you how madly in love i am with it. after years of searching for the perfect moisturizer... this is it! the cream is thick going on, but absorbs beautifully. the finish is amazing... a natural matte (still moisturized and dewy). i am hypersensitive and acne prone. i have researched every ingredient to make sure it is safe and will not cause breakouts. only thing i would change is i wish it came in a tube because that is more hygienic and easier to travel with. the price is CHEAP - $6 for 4 oz. for dry days, i apply a thin layer of their jojoba oil under this moisturizer.
ingredients: purified water, glyceryl stearate, safflower oil, cetyl palmitate, jojoba oil, glycerin, allantoin (comfrey), aloe vera, sesame oil, cetyl alcohol (from vegetable source), methylparaben, essential oil of geranium.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Shiseido - Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++ [DISCONTINUED]
Nanashimara 7/25/2006 4:27:00 AM
This is, in my opinion, the best sunscreen on the market in the United States. It dries matte and leaves a very pretty finish to my skin. It is photostable, another plus that most sunscreens seem to ignore. I have the lotion, but I wish I had gotten the cream as I find the lotion a tad too drying for my combo skin sometimes. I recommend that you pick up an oil cleanser with this SPF or don't bother buying it; you absolutely need one to get this sunscreen off, or you will have buildup on your face. I use the Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil (and Kanebo Naive), and I have no major problems with it... does what it is supposed to. Aside from the dryness I experience sometimes, I absolutely am not a fan of the smell. It is far too strong for my taste and almost 'old lady in very cheap perfume'. Fortunately, I am not aware of the smell shortly after application. I took off one lippie for this, but on the overall scale I really am thankful to Shiseido for making this sunscreen when everything else is so crappy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Luscious Curls
Nanashimara 7/25/2006 4:20:00 AM
I really enjoy using this on my wavy hair. It enhances the body and shine while controlling frizzies somewhat well. It smells delicious and is not tacky making it easy to work into my hair. Definitely an HG product.. <3 FK.
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Treatments -Essie - 3-Way Glaze
Nanashimara 7/25/2006 4:17:00 AM
It's an OK base, terrible top coat because it takes forever to dry and does nothing to stop chipping. Will not repurchase because of the price.
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Treatments -Peter Thomas Roth - AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel
Nanashimara 7/21/2006 9:00:00 PM
I like this product very much. I use it on my nose and breakout prone areas. I have large pores and this does a decent job of cleaning them - though they'll always clog back up! I think it is a bit drying, but not too bad considering it is 10% AHA, 2% BHA and contains alcohol. Sometimes I feel like the AHA content is too high for every day use, and I feel like I am being OVER exfoliated. The bottle is glass, and I've had a few problems with the pump clogging up causing the product to leak out the sides. Also the price is outrageous, but honestly, not many brands make a product of this quality, and it lasts FOREVER. I'm about a quarter through one my in 6 months...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Old Fashioned Eggnog 3 in 1
Nanashimara 1/5/2006 4:21:00 AM
I am giving this a 2 because I love the actual formula of the product, but hate the smell. This scent is just foul. I do get the hint of eggnog in there, but mostly I am overwhelmed with the smell of melting plastic. If you can tolerate the scent then the product delivers good results, but there are so many other delicious scents to try instead! That said, I really do love philosophy 3 in 1 stuff. I use them every day. I guess you can't win them all right? My nose might also be screwy.
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Foundations -Philosophy - the supernatural airbrush canvas
Nanashimara 6/24/2005 7:32:00 PM
Ok... so I haven't written a review in a while, but this stuff is total perfection. It kicks BE's butt. That shiny, pearly film that BE leaves on your face does NOT look natural. For everyone concerned about the color selection... I'm not sure if it's a newer addition, but this comes in far more than two colors. I bought WARM 1 which is absolutely perfect on my skin which has red undertones. The Neutral 1 is far too yellow and made me look sick. I believe it comes in Neutral 1, 2, warm 1, 2, and bronze as well, so there should be something for everyone! I like the applicator... the trick is to tap it a few times in the lid, apply, then tap a few more times in the lid instead of banging it against your face trying to make the product come out. My only gripe about the applicator is that it's a bit bulky... It'd be perfect if they made this product much skinner so that it was easier to get the powder into crevices like around the nose or near my eyes. This also makes an excellent concealer for undereyes... Every time I use the product, I take a fluffy eyeshadow brush and swipe it along the inside of the lid to get the leftovers (and avoid screwing off the top which is messy). Then I swipe it around my eyes and my nose etc, for a flawless finish. I'm in love with it. Literally no dryness or cakiness. Lastly, Ok Philosophy, does this stuff really need to cost $35? I think they pushed the limit on the price point since this product has been rather popular, but it's a turn off because you can easily go through one container a month. If you're listening, philosophy, make it 25 dollars and I'll love you forever :). EDIT: 2 stars, I'm itchy when I wear this. It's not a bad product, but I do not think it's skin friendly.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Caudalie - Gentle Cleanser
Nanashimara 2/24/2005 7:16:00 AM
I love this cleanser. I can't say enough about it. I have sensitive/combo to normal/acne prone skin that was being thrashed apart by gel cleansers during the winter months (I still like my boscia, but will only use it during the summer along with this) This cleanser cleans EXTREMELY WELL, for a milky cleanser and leaves no greasy residue or film. It washes off literally like a dream.. melting with the water, unlike other creamy cleansers i've tried which are stubborn. I haven't had breakouts so far, my skin feels baby soft and balanced, and also clean. I use it around my eye area and I wear contacts, no cloudy eye or stinging at all. This is hands down the best cleanser I've ever used, and I've tried everything under the sun... Seriously, I'm a skincare freak! I apply it generously (usually about two pumps or a little less) massage it over my entire face, then wash. It also works really well as a tissue off for a parched day. This was my first Caudalie purchase (from my beloved Barneys) and I plan to try other items now as well, such as the c20 cream possibly. I cannot recommend this cleanser enough, and I hope it continues to be my HG. Everyone should give it a shot! aqua (water), cetearyl isononanoate, propylene glycol, glycerin, tea-cocoyl glutamate, peg-8, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, ceteareth 20, cetyl alcohol, triethanolamine, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) fruit, centaurea cyanus flower water, urea triticum vulgare (wheat) protein, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract, citrus aurentium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus medica limonium (lemon) peel oil, lavandula hybrida oil, coriandrum sativum (coriander) seed oil, guaiacum officinale wood extract, parfume (fragrance), xanthan gum, allantoin, lactic acid, tocopherol, carbomer, sorbitol, caprylyl glycol, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl polyacrylate, sodium benzoate, chlorhexidine digluconate, methylparaben, propylparaben. EDIT: The ingredients listed above are no longer the ingredients in this product. They changed the formula and now it sucks. They fell into the 'no methyl and propyl paraben' crap and instead added limonene and linalool which irritate my rosacea like nothing else. Thanks! Couldn't have just left it the way it was huh? I'm off to search for a new HG cleanser. One star till they fix this! Which will never happen.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No