Moisturizers -Murad - Resurgence Age Balancing Night Cream
Auxatia 7/29/2010 10:51:00 PM
After having disastrous results from the Olay Pro-X line of products, I needed to find a skin care line that would not only address the issues I had already (elasticity, reduction in pore size, clarity, red blotches, dry and peeling skin, etc.), but repair the damage that was done by the Pro-X line. I wanted to ensure that I was purchasing a product that had ingredients that would be beneficial for my own skin care issues, and had a good reputation in regard to other individuals results. Within the first 2 weeks of using the Murad Resurgence line, the redness around my nose was all but gone, the dry patches were soft and moisturized, there was a light exfoliation and cell turnover that was healthy, not overly harsh like the Olay line, my skin was DEFINITELY firmer, fine lines were disappearing, my breakouts were history, my skin just glowed and my pores seemed to disappear. I received the kit that contained the full size (90 day) products and samples of the sheer lustre day cream and eye cream which are fabulous. The night cream and day cream are not greasy, absorb quickly and leave my skin soft and silky. The cleanser is wonderful, and I'm going to have to find a way to purchase the full size day and eye cream...I only see improvements on a daily basis with these products, and am very excited that I found a product line very similar to that of Dr. Perricone (whose products REALLY changed my skin to the point of people asking what work I had done), but not as expensive. Would definitely recommend to anyone!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -L'Oreal - Healthy Look Creme Gloss Color
Auxatia 7/26/2010 3:52:00 PM
I was looking for a coloring product that would cover my grays and lighten my dishwater blonde hair just a bit. I've been coloring/highlighting my hair since I was in high school, so I'm really unsure of what my true hair color is? I picked this up because it looked like it didn't damage the hair (no ammonia) and it was semi-permanent and was said to contain royal jelly (not that that meant anything to me). I looked for the color most like my own and chose White Chocolate. I mixed the two coloring products, used my root touch up comb to color my roots, and it was really a pleasant experience. Very nice smell, no chemical odor and no scalp burning at all. I waited 15 minutes because I do have stubborn grays, and when I washed it out and used the conditioner (with the royal jelly) afterward, my hair felt thicker and much softer than before. As I was combing it out....no tangles at all, and it just seemed much more voluminous. The color is/was fantastic! Very multi-dimensional, very pretty blonde...just like the picture on the front, and it covered the grays beautifully. No brassiness...just a very natural blonde. I will definitely be using this color every month!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Olay - Professional Pro-X Anti-Aging Starter Protocol
Auxatia 7/4/2010 5:58:00 PM
With all of the hype regarding the Olay Pro-X line of products, the results achieved over a 4 month period have been not only disappointing, but I'm now left with red patched, rough skin, no reduction in fine lines OR in firmness. I have developed small acne bumps along my chin and forehead for the first time since I was a teenager, the area around my nose is red, blotchy and very rough and regarding firmness, it seems my skin has become more slack. It seems to me that Olay has spent most of their money on advertising and packaging. The products (I have used all of them except the hydra firming cream) definitely create cell turnover, sloughing off dead skin, but the ingredients in these products have made my skin the worst it has ever been. I do not have sensitive, acne prone skin. My skin is normal, but I was looking for clarity, firmness, pore reduction, softness and reduction in lines, and the products in the Olay Pro-X line have fallen so short of these expectations it's ridiculous.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Avon - CelluSculpt [DISCONTINUED]
Auxatia 2/17/2010 10:44:00 PM
I believe Cellu-Sculpt has been discontinued, but I happened to find 3 tubes of this in a box that was used when I moved. I had some miscellaneous items such as creams and lotions, so I thought I would try it again. I have been working out intensely for 15 years, and recently have cut back dramatically due to an injury. I've always believed that cellulite is just fat deposits set in a honeycomb-like fashion. Some people have it, some people don't, but when I gain weight, I tend to get the appearance of cellulite (fat). What I was and am most concerned with is the elasticity of my body skin...the firmness. I had 2 c-sections 13 months apart (this was 19 years ago, but still..) and the skin on my stomach never really did look firm afterward, no matter how much I worked out. That's when I tried the Cellu-Sculpt and also Avon's ANEW CLINICAL Body Contouring Treatment. After using the Cellu-Sculpt for about 4 weeks (upper arms, abdomen, thighs, rear, hips) there was a HUGE difference in tone and my skin was not slack. It felt firm and taut. The Anew Clinical was just as good, if not better. I worked out, and became one of the success stories for Beach Body fitness products (workout DVD's). I don't attribute it to these creams, but I will definitely tell you that the cosmetic effect that it had enabled me to look so much better when using them! I just started using the Cellu-Sculpt again, and am looking forward to wonderful results. It's too bad that it was discontinued, but I will order the Anew Clinical.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals ALL
Auxatia 2/16/2010 7:35:00 PM
I've only used Bare Minerals for the last 10 years now. I was skeptical at first because switching from liquid to "powder" didn't seem like it would work as well. I realized quickly that Bare Minerals isn't a powder, they are minerals that when applied with the application brush, covers naturally and makes my skin look flawless. A surprising bonus is that I noticed after about a month that my skin was improving significantly! The improvement was so apparent that there was no mistaking it was the Bare Minerals that was improving my skin to that degree. I did use the Medium/Medium Beige for a long time, but I needed the fairly light. I also have the eye shadows as well, and they work wonderfully. I won't use any other foundation other than mineral foundation now.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Aquolina - Pink Sugar
Auxatia 2/16/2010 7:26:00 PM
I LOVE this cologne! I tend to like the somewhat sweet fragrances that aren't overpowering, and this one is aromatherapy for me. Its' aroma is just like the name...pink sugar. Not syrupy sweet, but just light and perfect. It reminds me of the beach, of the sweet smell of baking wonderful smelling cookies. My favorite fragrance hands down!
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Moisturizers -Olay - Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Auxatia 2/16/2010 7:17:00 PM
I have used so many different skincare products over the years (from very high end to inexpensive drug store brands), so when I read such rave reviews on this moisturizer, I thought I would try it. I do use Natural Advantage and for years used Reclaim (still use some of the products), but really am interested in finding something specifically for firming and sculpting. I started using the micro-sculpting cream 6 months ago and wanted to allow at least 4 weeks before I decided how much I loved or hated it (or anywhere in between). At first, I noticed that I was obtaining exfoliation (dead skin coming off) and after about a week, my skin was very smooth, very soft. After about 3 weeks, my skin felt tighter...more taut than before. It also helped with clarity, but really saw that my Nasolabial Folds which were making me look older and my face sag somewhat, were disappearing. I use this product in conjunction with Natural Advantage and switch my skincare routine since it seems that my face responds well when I do this. For the price, for the results....this is an incredible product. I find my skin almost craving this cream! Definitely will recommend.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Natural Advantage kit
Auxatia 2/16/2010 6:55:00 PM
This is an excellent product line because of the fact that there is continual exfoliation occurring with the AHA's in the cleanser and day cream and the Retinol in the night cream. The constant cell turnover (using the products as directed) causes my skin to become more radiant, firmer, reduces wrinkles, clears up any blemishes and my skin is so soft, it feels like silk. I'm not great at sticking to a routine that includes washing my face and moisturizing 2x a day (laziness), so if I did follow that rule, I would get even better results I'm sure. I have been using Principal Secret's Reclaim skin care line for years, and honestly like the Natural Advantage products better, because of the results I've gotten. The regimen is simple, doesn't take a long time and really produces smaller pores, in addition to all of the above. At 44, I'm continually mistaken for someone in my mid to late 20's. That is a great testimony to this line!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Principal Secret - Reclaim Age Braker Line Breaker Serum
Auxatia 5/13/2009 3:10:00 AM
I have been using Victoria Principal's skincare line (Advanced and Reclaim) for 9 years now, and nothing really compares in regard to results. I have tried just about every skincare line out there, Perricone being one of my favorites, but I always come back to Principal Secret because of the results I've received. Ever since she has included the Age Braker products, the results have intensified even moreso. I'm 43 years old, and no one can ever believe it when I tell them. I have pictures from when I was in my late 20's, and had 3-4 deep wrinkles on my forehead, sagging facial skin, large pores and sun damage. I now have no wrinkles, except for a very light one in between my eyebrows, and no one notices it. My skin has firmed (which is one of my major concerns), the wrinkles have disappeared, and the brown spots I was beginning to develop have virtually disappeared. My pores are almost non-existant and my face is like butter. :) So soft and smooth, no blemishes or bumps and the clarity is so amazing that I can go out of the house with no foundation, just a little powder. I use the Reclaim cleanser morning and night, followed by the age braker serum, then the age braker eye serum. Twice weekly I use the Enzyme mask. I use the anti-aging day and night creams as well and the mask (which is in a capsule - this helps exfoliate dead skin layers). I was worried I wasn't getting enough "slough" - I thought I needed a stronger AHA or BHA, but this line works synergistically to constantly help shed those dead skin cells. I've just customized my kit to contain the neck/decolette cream which will help to firm. I really have no problems, but at this point, it's more maintenance than anything. The market is absolutely saturated with wonderful skincare products, and it's hard to choose just one, but Reclaim Age Braker has given me the best results, and like I said, I've been using Principal Secret for years. I always come back to this line. Using a high SPF (which the day cream provides at the perfect level for me), staying out of the sun, taking supplements to help with skin/hair and sticking with Reclaim, I feel confident that for years to come, I will look (and feel!) much younger. I have consistently been mistaken for 25-30 so many times, it's amazing. I absolutely LOVE the light, fresh scent...not strong at all. I always read reviews regarding awful scent in particular products, but there are only a couple I had a problem with, one being Olay Regenerist Sculpting cream - way too harsh. I keep a jar of the Reclaim night cream by my computer so I don't forget to use it. Their new product, illuminating Youth Wand is so incredible, it serves a dual purpose. It acts as a concealer and as an anti-aging product. I'm someone who loves to try different products, ones that have been proven to really work. Dr. Perricone has an incredible line. And I'm of the opinion that if you use just one product line only, your skin will become accustomed to it and not work as well. I may be wrong, but I like to switch off every 3 months or so, but Reclaim has been THE one that gets the most bang for my buck and the most compliments in regard to what I'm doing to my skin, or if I have had any "procedure", which I have never had to do. I would love to see even new Age Braker products come out for the body that could give me the results that I'm now getting for my face/neck/decollete area. When I go anywhere, people automatically assume I'm in my mid 20's, and I credit that with the synergistic effects of Principal Secret Reclaim Age Braker series. Thank you Victoria, for helping to develop such an awesome skincare line!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No