Treatments (Eye) -Garnier - Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
DeborahTX 5/18/2013 2:12:00 PM
I read about this is the Allure Mag. "Best of..." I'm so surprised they rated this product so highly! Because it did *nothing* for me, and I have a puffy eye problem in the morning! Goodness--I tried it every day and evening for a month. Nothing! This was not expensive, relative to many other products I've tried, but this one is definitely not worth even pennies!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Unlisted Brand - Unlisted Brand-Supergoop! Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream
DeborahTX 5/18/2013 2:01:00 PM
I received a sample of this in my BirchBox and tried it. My sample lasted 10 days, which is about my time range for trying a new product to see if I want to purchase a full size. I didn't break out at all during that timeframe, and it shortened my morning routine because I didn't have to apply sunscreen and primer in addition to mattifying gel and foundation! My skin reacts to changes in my routine, so I'm always afraid to add or subtract something as I might be dealing with breakouts after that, and of course I hate that! This did not cause appreciable bad changes in my skin! Yay! There is some mica/shimmer to this product, but it feels to me as though it makes the foundation dewy, not sparkly. I like the light to medium coverage and the way it feels very natural. No scent, lasts 8 hrs, covers what I need, with a bit of concealer for problem areas. This will be a great summertime replacement for my usual Prescriptives foundation. The light/med color is a wee bit dark for my unsuntanned skin, but that will change as the summer progresses!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Zoya - Faye
DeborahTX 5/17/2013 10:54:00 PM
I really like this polish, despite that I wouldn't repurchase. Mostly because it is so unusual that I don't think I'll use it up! LOL Anyway, I bought this color with a few other Zoya polishes, and when I saw the bottle, I thought I'd made a mistake! It looked weird and ugly and not something I was going to be happy with--too weird. But this evening I decided to try it--figured I could remove it immediately as I had time to reapply a different color. Wow I'm so pleased that I put it on! It is less purple on me and more golden/copper than what you see in the MUA review picture. It seems to have just a hint of purple but not red and then the gold hits you. Lovely! I love violet and coral together, and this feels like that. I'm thinking a good polish for toes later this summer! Try it--you might be very well surprised!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Pur Minerals - 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
DeborahTX 5/15/2013 10:30:00 PM
Have been trying CC creams... Got this one in a BirchBox and figured I'd try it. Not a hit here. The color was fine, consistency fine too. But I got too shiny by the end of the day, even with a mattifier underneath. And I think it caused a few breakouts.... I threw my BirchBox sample away. Oh well. Can't win 'em all!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Batiste - Dry Shampoo - Deep & Dark Brown
DeborahTX 5/15/2013 10:24:00 PM
I have purchased about 10 or more bottles of this stuff, and continue to purchase it in quantities. I now wash my hair every other day, and use this on my non-shampooing days. I have relatively thin hair, and the brown color helps that. I don't like the non-colored products because they make me look like I have dandruff or some sort of bug!! I have tried many dry shampoos, and this one doesn't make my hair feel stiff or chalky, or greasy or anything. Just clean! Try it!!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee
DeborahTX 2/11/2013 11:55:00 AM
I am a fan of musky, floral fragrances, to start. So I like this. I got it in my Feb BirchBox and expected to hate it--usally I can't stand the perfume samples that show up! FWIW, I also really like Guerlain's Samsara, Carolina Herrera 212 and other fragrances with vanilla, amber, patchouli. This is warm and soft/creamy smelling with a bit of smoke. Not fruity, and less floral than many. I think this may be an "older" fragrance (I'm 42 but like old lady fragrances it seems.) or a night fragrance. Just some thoughts.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia2
DeborahTX 12/3/2012 11:56:00 PM
Well I bought this after rave reviews from my sister. I have pretty good skin, so I didn't expect to see much improvement. And indeed my skin has not gotten markedly better, but then again it also hasn't gotten worse! Does it make a big difference? Cannot say. But I'll stick with it since it seems to be effective overall. Update 5/18/13: I think my skin is more evenly toned and the nose pores look smaller. I'm happy with this product--my face feels far more clean than it did when I was cleaning with a washcloth and cleanser.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Mary Kay - Timewise Repair System
DeborahTX 12/2/2012 9:54:00 AM
At 42, I'm working to hold back the signs of aging. I've been using sunscreen products since I was 19, so my skin is in pretty good shape. Disclosure: I've also been using Mary Kay products since I was 19! However, I switched to this system two months ago since I'd started adding non-MK products with Retinol (for example) and other higher tech products as I've gotten older. So I figured I'd try the MK version of these products to see if I could consolidate my skincare routine. And YES, I have been able to get rid of my pricey Skinceuticals 0.5% retinol product and Obagi Blender dark spot corrector! (Almost $200 for those two products alone!) I'm quite pleased with this new system. All hormone-related blemishes have gone away entirely, plus my skin has maintained its bright, clear condition. I will repurchase and get rid of my older Timewise Miracle Set products. A winner from Mary Kay!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Maestro Fusion Makeup
DeborahTX 11/6/2012 10:27:00 PM
Saw this reviewed on Allure Mag's Best of Beauty and had to try it. I am quite fair and I went with shade 4. The shade is fine--melts right in and I can't see where I've put it. However, the foundation is a bit sheer for my taste. (A few old blemish scars I like to cover that don't disappear.) I have tried with primer and without, and it is fine either way. I haven't had any breakouts. I find that by noon, my nose is quite shiny, even with a mattifying product underneath. So overall, can't say I love this foundation but it isn't bad either. Quite nature finish yet better than plain skin. Probably won't repurchase. **update 12/2/12: After a few weeks of wearing this, I have tried again without primer. That seems to be the key to reducing the shine. However, it is still more sheer than I like. I would like it to make my face look *better*, and I can't say it does that. Rather a disappointment overall. **second update 12/30/12: I am now applying with fingers rather than a brush. That seems to work better too. Nonetheless, I can't say I love this foundation. I'm using it because it is just way too expensive to toss. Sigh. **third update 3/29/13: I've stopped using it. Just hated the amount of shine. Back to my old Prescriptives Flawless in Peach.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Mary Kay - Mineral Powder Foundation
DeborahTX 3/24/2012 10:03:00 PM
I've used Mary Kay products going on 24 years. (Gasp). I had left the foundations because the shade match didn't work for me, and also I didn't like the newer formulas. I've been using Prescriptives Flawless for a few years, but that was discontinued. I have a few bottles of Prescriptives, but thought I'd try the MK mineral foundation on a whim. Actually, I'm loving the mineral foundation! I'm very surprised that the color match (Ivory 2) is so good, and also that the coverage and look is what want too. I use MK oil mattifier and then Smashbox Photofinish primer before any foundation. The mineral powder foundation seems to control mid-day shine better than liquid, and the coverage stays put too. Quite surprised and pleased. Consider this if you are looking for a change!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Almost Lipstick - Black Honey
DeborahTX 2/23/2012 7:20:00 PM
This is my 3rd tube! Seems I lose them, but still, I love this product! It is more red than berry on me, but it is just such a lovely color, and I like that it seems to be MLBB. The ONLY drawback is that it seems to collect in the corners of my mouth and collect at that line where my lips come together. Have to watch for that, but otherwise lovely. Bought "Chic Honey" as well this time, just for kicks. That one is nice too, though pretty darn close to Black Honey.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Skinceuticals - Refining Night Cream With 1 % Pure Retinol
DeborahTX 1/22/2012 7:29:00 PM
Love this product--it is a staple in my routine. It takes years off and makes your skin look wonderful--unlined, glowy, etc. There are two drawbacks--it is much more potent than the 0.5% version, which I used to use, but moved "up" since I'm over 40 now! Anyway the drawback is that it does cause peeling at least at first. Exfoliation in concert with this product is a must. Second drawback is the terrible awful packaging!!! With every other bottle or so the pump doesn't work, and I will either return it for replacement or pry the top off. It is absurd that the company doesn't correct this flaw, and it appears to be a well-known drawback on the forums. But because the product delivers results, I'll continue to purchase! (Guess that's why they don't have to change the packaging--it is still a winner.)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Batiste - Dry Shampoo
DeborahTX 1/22/2012 7:22:00 PM
I've tried many dry shampoos--Bumble and Bumble, Oscar Blandi, Orlando Pita (T3)... Price was no object--just give me the goods! The Batiste is the best I've found, and far less expensive than the others as an added bonus! I have fine, thin hair so I use the colored spray. It is just enough color but not so much that I feel like I have to be so careful about using it and having a dark spot in one place. This volumizes and revitalizes just enough to make me feel like I don't have to wash my hair every day. The powder brushes out enough so that you don't feel like you have dandruff if you aren't careful. (My husband once asked me what was *wrong* with my head?! when I tried the Oscar Blandi! Ugh.) Try this one instead--you will like it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Carolina Herrera - 212
DeborahTX 1/15/2012 11:02:00 AM
I've been wearing Samsara by Guerlain for 20 years, and decided that it was finally time to update. And yet I love the notes of Samsara... Somehow 212 seems similar enough but more modern. Love 212 even more than Samsara, and I plan to repurchase! FWIW, I tried Narciso Rodriguez, Mark Jacobs signature, and a bunch of Tom Ford musky fragrances to see if I would like something else. 212 is hands down the one I reach for now, even better than my old standby!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Narciso Rodriguez - Narciso Rodriguez for her
DeborahTX 11/7/2011 8:16:00 PM
I have been searching for a new fragrance. I have worn Samsara by Guerlain for the last 20 years, if that is any help. This feels like a younger sibling--it is more floral and lighter some how. I liked it enough to purchase a bottle, and I have not purchased many new ones since I've been on my search! I don't think I'll purchase a second time, and will resume my search when this is finished. I am going to try the Tom Ford Santal Blush when I get the opportunity. but boy that's expensive!!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No