Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Botox
Dannie 6/6/2012 1:49:00 PM
I'm 48 years old and generally feel okay about how I'm aging. But the deep frown line between my brows started in my late teens, and you can imagine what it looks like now. I frown whenever I'm in deep concentration, whether reading, working or even dreaming (I know, because it's most pronounced after I sleep!). I received Botox for the first time about two weeks ago, just for that frown line. (The RN suggested I might eventually want filler to make the line completely smooth, but hey - I'm almost 50, I don't need it THAT smooth! :) ) I received five small injections, 20 "units" total, @ $10/unit = $200. The procedure took about 15 seconds and was relatively painless. Afterward, the injection sites looked like small mosquito bites for about 20 minutes, but no big deal. I covered them with pressed powder and went shopping straight from the clinic. Hubby (who joined me shopping) couldn't even see the injection sites. I was told to remain upright for the next four hours. Also, to make my "frownie face" every ten minutes or so to concentrate the Botox to that area, as it does travel. No alcohol, saunas/spas or heated activity for 48 hours. And to not massage the area for a few days, other than light face washing. Results were to be expected within 5-7 days. After a couple of days, I noticed a slight relaxing. After a week, the results were definitely there. It's now been two weeks and the previous deep furrow is barely noticeable. I can still move my forehead & brow naturally and expressively, although not nearly as deeply as before, which is fine. BUT.... Yes, there's a "but." The same muscle that caused the deep frown, also used to open my eyes wide and in (I think) an attractive way. I'm just an average looking gal, and my eyes are my nicest feature. Since I received Botox, I no longer look alert and wide-eyed; I looked like I just woke up. (The innermost parts of my brows seem heavy and low, if that makes sense). Raising my eyebrows doesn't open my eyes, it just gives me that Jack Nicholson eyebrow look, lifting only on the outer edges while the inner edges stay low - not my favorite look. I'm thankful this isn't a permanent change, and curious if the results will soften as time goes on. So, very high marks for the effectiveness. But for my own personal look, I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather have a wide-eyed, alert expression - even with a crease between my eyes.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Pevonia Botanica - Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream
Dannie 5/21/2012 7:10:00 PM
I have extremely sensitive, oily and acne/congested skin. I'm constantly having to balance "actives" with "soothers, " which is like performing a high-wire act but less fun. Imagine my thrill to find such a gentle mask that exfoliates so gently and cleans my pores so deeply. The smooth cream does its job in just 10-15 minutes, and afterward my skin is so soft and glowing. A couple days later, I'll notice my pores clearing as little plugs are released. Amazing stuff. The scent is very light and doesn't irritate my skin, which is odd, as most fragrances do. I love everything about this stuff except the packaging. Really - does anyone think it's hygienic to scoop product out of a little open container? I don't care if they do provide a little plastic paddle. C'mon folks, what's wrong with a squeeze tube?
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Hair Color -Revlon - Colorsilk
Dannie 5/21/2012 6:58:00 PM
I tried ColorSilk for the first time last Saturday. My hair is naturally dark ash blonde and about 30% gray, cut short. It's in good condition with salon color of neutral medium blonde. Except for my top roots (touched up a couple of weeks ago with root touch), I had about an inch of virgin growth, so I need something that would do the job. My sister uses Natural Instincts (something like natural neutral medium middle-of-the-road blonde) and it's beautiful, but I couldn't find the color at Walgreens. ColorSilk was right next to it and I like the price, plus the reviews here are pretty good. I grabbed #74, Medium Blonde. Because my hair pulls warm even though it's very ashy, I followed the advice here and left it on longer than the directions suggest. I did 35 minutes on the roots and then another 10 all over. The smell was strong (they all are) but bearable, and after conditioning my hair felt fantastic. BUT - although the color was "medium", it's definitely warm. It's actually a pretty color and very natural looking; I got compliments today at work. The problem? I don't WANT reddish hair, and I didn't want a strong enough change that anyone would notice. Because of this, I probably won't buy the ColorSilk again unless I find a "neutral medium blond" or decide to try a different color. Otherwise, nice product, easy to use (not drippy) and it didn't burn my scalp like many others do. Very pretty color and a fantastic price at $4.50 full retail!
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Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
Dannie 5/11/2012 12:45:00 PM
I just bought a small bottle of this ($12) after rave reviews from a co-worker. Wow - do I love this! I have super sensitive, rosacea, combination/oily skin that's acne-prone. (Yep, I'm a lucky girl.) I've done the oil-cleansing method before and liked it, but couldn't take the oily residue in my sink, shower & washcloths. Was I ever shocked; this has ZERO oily residue! At night I use two pumps on dry hands/face as directed, then massage well for a minute or two to dissolve all oil, makeup, mascara, etc. It feels very oily, so imagine the surprise when it washes away squeaky clean with water only! No makeup left at all on my white washcloth. Crazy, huh? In the morning I use just one pump, since there's not much real "cleaning" to do. I've used this only a few days, but my skin is responding really well already. I was suffering with a nasty rosacea flare-up, and the itch & burn seemed to escalate no matter what I did. Then I started this stuff. The weeping dried up overnight, and the inflammation is almost gone. Will absolutely reorder! I see a love affair beginning. :)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Mary Kay - concealer
Dannie 5/11/2012 7:36:00 AM
This is a review for for the old formula (5 stars) and the new formula (2 stars), so I'll split the difference and give it 3 stars. A few years back - when I was a Mary Kay consultant - the old concealer was BEYOND fabulous. Seriously, a tube of it lasted about 2-3 years: it was ultra concentrated, full coverage, waterproof, natural looking and lasted from dawn until bedtime. The stuff was a virtual miracle on my acne scars and rosacea veins. Flip forward to last year, when I finally had to replace my beloved tube. I ordered one from my co-worker, a new MK consultant, and got their "new, improved" version. Argh! What the heck!!! When on earth are these stupid companies going to learn not to mess with a good thing? The new version has a muddy color (I use medium), fades within a few hours and covers less than half the intensity of the old formula. It takes about three layers before my scars don't show through - and then it's gone by noon. My thought? The old stuff lasted too long and they weren't selling enough. Well guess what? They won't be selling ANY more of the new stuff to me!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Neutrogena - Mineral Sheers Compact Foundation ALL
Dannie 5/11/2012 7:20:00 AM
I've been using this for a couple of years and am really satisfied. I use a concealer underneath and then apply the Mineral Sheers over that. It's got an SPF20 but no noticeable fragrance, which my highly reactive, rosacea skin appreciates! No itching, burning or breakouts. Right now I'm using #50 soft beige, which is a nice color but a tad light for my fair/medium complexion, I think. No matter, this product is really natural looking and wears nicely (although basically EVERY product melts off my very oily skin by the end of the day). I'd like to carry it in my purse for touch-ups, but the sponge applicator they included makes the packaging WAY too bulky for that. Too bad. Speaking of that cheapo sponge, it'll certainly get the powder on your face, but a nice brush works better and looks more natural. Just continue to layer the application until you get the coverage you need. Sometimes I'll use a liquid foundation first, and then just use this as finishing powder for a flawless look. Great product!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze
Dannie 5/11/2012 6:38:00 AM
I'm not sure about this product. I've had it for several months, and although I won't wear it often, I can't bring myself to throw it away. I really LOVE the color (I have #545, Stay Ablaze), which has a beautiful rich, neutral berry-ish pigment. The staying power is pretty good, and if applied a couple of times gives a nice long-lasting stain. It's also extremely moisturizing, something I like for my always-dry lips. That's the good part. On the down side, it smells & tastes awful, has a tacky feeling like paint drying, and the wand applicator is worthless - gives way too much product and doesn't distribute it well. Usually I scrape off as much as I can and then just dab at my lips, which is less than ideal. Oh well. As I said, I do love the color and haven't been able to throw this away yet. But I won't buy it again.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Super Lustrous
Dannie 5/10/2012 4:05:00 PM
I just bought this new lipstick at Walgreens, and I really, really like it. Although the color (#460, Blushing Mauve) is a little more pink than my usual, it's a nice shade and I'm enjoying it. The lipstick has zero taste (THANK YOU!) and doesn't dry my lips like most others - actually is kinda moisturizing. The pigment is slightly sheer, which I also like; it's easy to touch up at my desk without worrying about too much. Am looking forward to trying other colors!
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
Dannie 5/8/2012 1:23:00 PM
Sorry, I don't like this much. I have oily, sensitive skin with rosacea veins and some acne scars. I get virtually NO coverage from this foundation. On the plus side, it does blend beautifully - but then, wouldn't anything that basically disappears on the skin? For me, this is more like a tinted moisturizer, although it isn't really "moisturizing." No icky fragrance, though, and my skin doesn't hate it. Overall rating: Meh.
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Cleansers -Beauticontrol - Skinlogics Gold Foaming Cleanser
Dannie 5/8/2012 8:53:00 AM
Even though I discovered the Beauticontrol Skinlogics Gold line while in my 40s, I chose it for my oily/dehydrated, aging and extremely sensitive, highly reactive skin, which usually doesn't like the anti-aging ingredients in products made for my age group. Well, I was right! The Skinlogics Gold line (made for 30-somethings) was PERFECT - my skin absolutely loved it, which is really saying something. I was initially worried about the fragrance (another thing my skin hates), but that was no problem at all. And it did smell heavenly. Within days of using the cleanser and moisturizer - I can't do toners - my normally inflamed skin was calm, bright, hydrated and glowing. Love, love, love!!! I can honestly say that this line was the best thing I ever put on my face. (5/17/12 UPDATE: Have since found DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and am in love!!!) The problem? One: It's a distributor-only product, and I went through 2 consultants who for some reason couldn't get me product when I needed it (they'd wait to add my order to a party; bigger discount for them). VERY frustrating and inconvenient. Not to mention shipping charges on top of it. Oh yeah - and the second thing: Beauticontrol discontinued the line anyway. Why do companies always discontinue a product that actually works? Grrr! Back to the drawing board...
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Fragrances -Ralph Lauren - Blue for Women
Dannie 1/27/2012 4:59:00 PM
I've been wearing this perfume exclusively for about seven years. People compliment me constantly, and it's so versatile - it's great with jeans or a little black dress. The best part is, I can't smell it beyond the first couple of minutes. Perfumes I smell all day make me sick (literally; some weird allergies). Love, love love this!!
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