Moisturizers -Alpha Hydrox - Enhanced Lotion - 10% AHA
AnonAnon217 12/19/2007 2:55:00 PM
I love this moisturizer! I am mid-20s and have adult acne and was previously using Clinique DDMG. About 5 months ago I changed my skin regimin to using Alpha Hydrox Enchanced Lotion at night and Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer during the day. I have had many compliments from friends and family on how my skin has improved. I have been getting breakouts less frequently and the overall texture of my skin does look better, although I still have scaring from years of cystic acne. I have also used the lotion on my neck and body with no irritation. This is the only Alpha Hydrox product I have tried so far - I picked the Enchand Lotion just because it is the best value.
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Lip Treatments -Alba Botanica - Pineapple Quench lip balm
AnonAnon217 12/19/2007 2:46:00 PM
I bought Coconut Cream and Pineapple Quench Lip Balms four months ago and I really liked the scent of them. The texture was good - not waxy and not runny. However, soon after I started using these, I began getting flaky skin on my lips, especially around the corners of the mouth. I stopped using the lip balms and used Banana Boat instead and the flaky skin disappeared. I then tried using each Alba lip balm individually to see if maybe it was just one flavor which was causing the flakes and dryness. Both caused dryness, irritation and flakiness within 1-2 days of use. In my opinion, this is an absolutely horrible and useless product. I am surprised to see positive reviews for it. I have never had another lip balm cause irritation and peeling.
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Lip Treatments -Alba Botanica - Coconut Cream Lip Balm
AnonAnon217 12/19/2007 2:45:00 PM
I bought Coconut Cream and Pineapple Quench Lip Balms four months ago and I really liked the scent of them. The texture was good - not waxy and not runny. However, soon after I started using these, I began getting flaky skin on my lips, especially around the corners of the mouth. I stopped using the lip balms and used Banana Boat instead and the flaky skin disappeared. I then tried using each Alba lip balm individually to see if maybe it was just one flavor which was causing the flakes and dryness. Both caused dryness, irritation and flakiness within 1-2 days of use. In my opinion, this is an absolutely horrible and useless product. I am surprised to see positive reviews for it. I have never had another lip balm cause irritation and peeling.
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Blush -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish - Glissade
AnonAnon217 12/31/2006 8:47:00 PM
I received Glissade as a gift - I probably wouldn't have bought this myself. Although I love MSFs (I have Shimpagne, Porcelain Pink, Shooting Star) the description of Glissade having "plum veining" really turned me off. I was pleasantly surprised to see that in the pan, Glissade is a lovely neutral peachy pink shade with very, very little plum veining. As for the glitter - yes, it is glittery but I don't think this is much more glittery than my other MSFs. They color payoff is poor - I layered this on my cheeks trying to get some color, and even on my NC20 skin it was very faint. The one positive thing I can say about Glissade - and this is a big positive - is that the color blends very well into my skin. This is the type of color I could use all-over on a daily basis. Shimpagne and Porcelian Pink are way too pale, so I can only use these very lightly as highlighters on the cheek and browbone. Glissade, on the other hand, has a similar depth as my skintone, so I really can use this all over my face without looking like a ghost. I wouldn't purchase this again and I most likely wouldn't have bought this myself even after seeing it in person, but now that I have it I think I'll be using this fairly often.
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Treatments -Biore - Pore Cleansing Strips - Nose
AnonAnon217 12/28/2006 1:06:00 AM
I used to use these every once in a while. At first I thought they were neat - they do clear out some of my pores. However, these strips don't get the pores on the sides of my nose. They also leave me feeling dry and I don't like the idea of pulling on the skin around my eyes (it's like waxing!). About a year ago I got a Tweezerman blackhead tool - since then I haven't bothered with these strips. With the Tweezerman tool you have much more control - you can get all of the pores with less drying and irritation and without pulling the delicate skin around your eye area (wrinkles, anyone?). I'm giving these two lippies only because Biore brand gets more pores in comparison to other pore strip brands I have tried.
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Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Bronze Shimmer
AnonAnon217 12/21/2006 6:07:00 PM
Been using this for a while now, and out of all my gel liners this is the one I reach for the most. It looks AMAZING on blue eyes! I think I prefer MAC fluidline to Bobbi Brown - BB tends to crumble/flake on application more than MAC. However, BB seems to be more lasting and water-resistant. Still giving Bronze Shimmer 5 lippies because the color is just to-die-for! One of my favorite daytime EOTDs is BB Bronze Shimmer to line the top and bottom lashline, MAC Shroom and Retrospeck on the lid and highlight, with Soba in the crease.
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Makeup Brushes -Flirt - Feather Dust-her (aka Skunk Brush)
AnonAnon217 12/21/2006 6:00:00 PM
This is the only skunk brush I ever bought, so I can't compare it to any other brands (MAC, etc) but I do love my Flirt brush! I use it for applying bronzer, MSFs, and some pigmented blushes like Nars and Flirt. SUCH a great deal for the price!!!
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Lip Gloss -Flirt - Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss in 16 Fruitalicious
AnonAnon217 12/21/2006 5:54:00 PM
I would describe Fruitalicious as a strawberry pink. I don't own MAC Strawberry Blonde, but I would say it is in that same color family. I think it looks good paired with pink or pinky-coral blushes (i.e. MAC Fleur Power). The gloss smells and tastes good, but the lasting power isn't anything special. I'm giving it 5 lippies anyway just because I love the color. The consistency is just right - a gloss/gel, not too thick but definitely not thin/runny. I love Flirt products in general. I buy mostly MAC but I find Flirt has a great color selection and good quality, especially for the price. FYI, I'm NC25, yellow undertones.
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Blush -Flirt - Peek-A-Blush Sheer Powder Cheek Color in 21 Pink Tutu
AnonAnon217 12/21/2006 5:44:00 PM
Pink Tutu is like Heartthrob without the peach or golden sheen. It is more of a "true pink", and darker than Heartthrob. Although it is shimmery, I don't see so much of a "sheen" when applied. I usually don't go for pinks, but this color works well on my yellowish NC-25 skin. I have three Flirt blushes so far (Heartthrob, Sweet Surrender and Pink Tutu) and am happy with them all. The pigmentation and staying power are good. The quality of all Flirt products is comparable to MAC and the color selection is excellent!
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Lotions/ Creams -Kiss My Face - Alpha & Aloe Moisturizer Fragrance Free
AnonAnon217 8/11/2006 2:24:00 AM
I used to LOVE this body moisturizer . . . until they CHANGED THE FORMULA! I've been using Alpha and Aloe for about six months, and I just got a new bottle a week ago. I was very disappointed when I found the lotion was thicker, more waxy and harder to spread. The label has changed, and I checked the ingredients against an older bottle - they've definitely changed the formula. It used to be lighter and easy to spread/apply evenly. Now it's too thick and waxy to get and even application, even when I apply it on wet skin right out of the shower. Plus it is heavy on my skin, takes forever to soak in (had to wait much longer before getting dressed), and doesn't make my skin feel moisturized and clean like it used to. WTF were you thinking, Kiss My Face? They changed the formula on a perfectly great lotion to make this thick, waxy crap.
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Powder -Everyday Minerals - Foundation - Intensive formula [DISCONTINUED]
AnonAnon217 8/8/2006 3:28:00 PM
I ordered samples of the Intensive formula after trying Everyday Minerals in the Matte and Semi-Matte formulas. I liked the Matte formula a lot - it gives a great finish and keeps me from getting shiny unlike many other mineral makeup brands I have tried, which always gives me that unattractive mineral "sheen". Unfortunately, the Matte didn't give me quite enough coverage for my acne scars . . . so I was so happy when EM came out with the new Intensive formula. It gives a shine-free finish much like the Matte or Semi-Matte formulas, without being cakey or drying. The coverage reminds me of the EM concealer (before they came out with the Intensive, I was planning on buying an EM Matte foundation and concealer and mixing them together to get more coverage). With the Intensive, I only have to use a small amount to get the desired coverage, so I end up using less product overall. I use Neutrogena HSE all over my face first, then "pat" a thin layer of EM over my face with a kabuki brush, and add additional layers to places that need more coverage. Then I use finishing dust (EM or Sheer Cover) on my T-zone. The "patting" motion works better for me than buffing, perhaps because I am using a tinted moisturizer as a base. I'm very happy so far with my samples (which have gone a long way, lasting several uses so far with plenty left over!) and I will be ordering full-size containers of the Intensive formula.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in New Weed
AnonAnon217 8/1/2006 9:13:00 AM
I never expected to pick up New Weed. I originally hauled Graphic Brown and didn't plan on any more fluidline purchases, but the Gallery Gal/Bright Side duo gave me a major craving for more greens. I went back to MAC and swatched New Weed and it was absolutely gorgeous! It's a perfect base on the lid for green shadows like Gallery Gal, Greensmoke, Sumptuous Olive, or the Night Light pigment. I am so happy with New Weed, it really flatters my blue eyes and is a nice alternative to all the brown eyeliners I own. The fluidlines in general are a great deal for the price, since they are so long-lasting and you only need to pick up a tiny bit of product to line your eyes. For reference, I'm approximately NC25 with blond hair and blue eyes.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eyeliner Gel Graphic Brown [DISCONTINUED]
AnonAnon217 8/1/2006 8:59:00 AM
I was eyeing Bobbi Brown Chocolate Shimmer gel liner for a long time, but decided to pick up Graphic Brown instead because I wanted to try the fluidlines. This was my first ever fluidline purchase and I was satisfied with the consistency and staying power. Although there is no significant difference in the quality of BB and MAC gel liners, I tend to favor BB because the consistency is a bit smoother and creamier in my opinion, and BB as slightly more lasting power. I compared Graphic Brown and Chocolate Shimmer at Nordstroms, and although the shades are very similar, I don't think they're equivalent - Graphic Brown is a tad lighter and there is a slight difference in the tone of the brown. My only disappointment with Graphic Brown is that I hoped for more shimmer (I love shimmery brown eyeliners!). You can get more shimmer if you smudge the line a bit, but it's still less than optimal for me. All in all, fluidlines are a GREAT deal for the price since they are of high quality, long lasting and you only need a tiny bit of product to line your eyes. It seems like one pot will last a very long time! I wish Graphic Brown was a permanent shade - it's perfect for those who love rich browns like Teddy but who don't like the red tones in Rich Ground or the flatness of Dipdown. For reference, I'm approximately NC25, blond hair, blue eyes. Bronze, brown, and taupe eyeliners (especially shimmery ones) make my eyes pop.
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Moisturizers -Clean & Clear - Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer
AnonAnon217 7/7/2006 9:39:00 AM
I used Dual Action Moisturizer for about 9 months. I liked it because it didn't aggravate my acne, and it is very hard for me to find moisturizers that don't break me out since my skin is so sensitive and acne-prone. It does a good job of moisturizing, especially in comparison to other lotions for oily or acne-prone skin, which can be drying and irritating. It moisturizes about as well as C&C Shine Control Moisturizer (I used Shine Control for a couple years . . .it has a low rating on MUA but honestly I don't see a big difference between Shine Control and Dual Action. Both are very similar IMO). Unfortunately, after using Dual Acion twice a day, I began to get flaky on a regular basis due to the salicylic acid. I've been scrubbing daily a Buf Puf to remove the flaky skin but I just can't stand it anymore. I already use a sulfur soap for acne, and for me sulfur works better than salicylic acid, so I decided to stop using Dual Action. Plus, it doesn't do much to combat the oilies or prime the face for makeup very well. I went on a search for another light oil-free moisturizer that wouldn't break me out, and recently switched to Clinique DDMG. It's working well so far and the flaking has lessened, but it's too early to say if I'll ever go back to C&C Dual Action. Clinique DDMG is definitely a better base for makeup as it makes my skin appear matte and seems to even reduce the visibility of my pores. But I digress . . . All in all, Dual Action is a great drugstore moisturizer for acne-prone skin, so I'm giving 4 lippies. Plus the price is unbeatable. It's a praise-worthy product, but it's just not my HG.
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Eye Shadow -Flirt - Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow in Feeling Hot
AnonAnon217 7/5/2006 11:53:00 AM
I love Flirt eyeshadows! The quality is great - good pigmentation, silky smooth blendable texture, and never cakes or creases. Feeling Hot is a gorgeous shimmery peachy-pink melon. As compared to the MAC shades Gleam and Say Yeah, Feeling Hot is less orangey pink and less shimmery gold. In my opinion Feeling Hot is more "wearable" because it has a neutral base and is a more subdued shade of melon, so it is less likely to give the "allergy eye" look. My favorite way to wear Feeling Hot is in the crease with Flirt Peach Champagne on the lid and browbone and Flirt Brownie Points eye pencil with brown mascara. This combination really pops my blue eyes! Flirt eyeshadows are excellent quality and definitely a great deal for $10 a pop. If you like MAC, you should give Flirt a try. For reference, I'm NC25-ish with a yellow undertone, blue eyes and blond hair.
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