Blush -L'Oreal - True Match super blendable blush n1-2 precious peach
Espressophia 4/19/2013 1:13:00 PM
For some reason I've always had a hard time finding a blush that doesn't overpower my coloring or enhance my naturally ruddy cheeks. Anything pink always ends up looking bad on me, so I've been trying forever to find something with NO PINK in it. Finally I've found it! This color is truly peach and it is gorgeous. It is pretty and sheer (which is a good thing, I like sheer), has a very subtle satin finish and blends amazingly well. My face just lights up whenever I wear it, like a very healthy glow. I am so impressed with this little drugstore blush!
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Bronzers -BeneFit Cosmetics - HOOLA
Espressophia 4/19/2013 1:02:00 PM
This is the best I've found for contouring. The color is a matte cool-bronze shade, not orangey at all, which makes it perfect for creating shadows on the face (I find that contouring with warm shades totally ruins the effect). That said, it is extremely easy to go overboard! Use a very light hand with this product and you will not be disappointed. Throw away the little square brush it comes with, it is horrible at distributing product evenly. The box has lasted me about 5 years, no joke. Very good value for how long it lasts.
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Moisturizers -Aveeno - Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
Espressophia 1/6/2013 8:31:00 AM
Oh Aveeno. How I love you so... you make the best body lotion, hair products and body wash ever. I really wanted to like your face lotion. I tried to deal with the thick formula that's probably a little too moisturizing for a girl with oily skin. I actually loved that it did not smell like sunscreen (unlike a lot of other SPF 30 moisturizers), and the pump top is cool too. But the deal breaker is what it actually did to my face-- horrible, horrible, horrible breakouts! I mean my entire face was covered with irritated angry red bumps that didn't go away for several days. I don't think I've ever had such a bad reaction to anything before. So sad.
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Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
Espressophia 1/6/2013 8:24:00 AM
Eww. Just eww. It's thick and just sits there on my face and makes me smell like a used beach towel. It's basically a glorified sunscreen, and if that's all you're looking there's better stuff out there. It never really absorbed into my skin, made my makeup look horrible and it the sunscreen smell never fades. Ever. I was ultimately trying to find a good moisturizer that's higher than SPF 15 and this is notttttt it.
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Mascara -Revlon - PhotoReady 3D Volume Waterproof
Espressophia 1/6/2013 8:19:00 AM
Wow! Finally I have found my favorite drugstore mascara! I use a lot of Revlon products but for some reason it never crossed my mind to get their mascara. Something about the crazy colorful packaging for the Maybelline stuff drew me to that... I mean come on, it screams "False Eyelashes" right on the package so I had to try it. I thought that was my favorite and had been using it for a while but I could never get over the clumpiness and the crunchy looking lashes. I really wanted something that would be super lengthening AND natural looking but with staying power, nothing clumpy or gross. Enter Revlon Photoready 3D Volume. Oh my god what a world of difference! Every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror I'm like "holy crap, those lashes are gorgeous." Long, fluttery, glossy, SOFT looking lashes. That's exactly what I wanted. The color is super inky-black and it glides on wet without getting clumpy and spidery. And it's not that hard to take off with a good MU remover. I am in love.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Cerave - Facial Moisturizing Lotion - PM
Espressophia 1/2/2013 8:01:00 PM
This stuff is the best!!!! I have been using it for several years now and I have no plans to switch to a different nighttime moisturizer anytime soon. This is very hydrating without feeling greasy, and it contains great ingredients like niacinimide and hyaluronic acid. It's not a glamorous product but it works just as good as any higher-end moisturizer I've tried. Definitely recommend this for all skin types-- I've read that it's best for normal to dry skin, but I have really oily skin and it works like a dream.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Trader Joe's - Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion
Espressophia 1/2/2013 7:43:00 PM
I love everything about this moisturizer! It's extremely lightweight and soothing on my skin. It absorbs quickly into my skin and it's perfect for daytime under makeup. I have oily skin and have the hardest time finding a moisturizer that doesn't feel heavy or greasy, especially if I'm wearing it under makeup. I've tried other higher end moisturizers here and there (mostly because I'm bored and like to try new stuff), but nothing compares I always keep coming back to this one. Plus it's soooo cheap. I've been using it for a few years now... definitely a keeper!
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara 
Espressophia 6/14/2012 7:32:00 PM
This product is a classic, I've been using it since high school. I really like this mascara BUT only when layering with other mascaras. It's hard to find a (drugstore) mascara that both lengthens beautifully and really thickens my lashes. It's usually either one or the other. Full'n Soft falls under the volume category. This does absolutely nothing for length, but it does give me really natural, wet lashes that are full at the base and no clumping. I have paired this with lots of other mascaras such as Clinique High Impact and Maybelline Colossal with great results. Right now I'm using it with Mineral Fusions Lengthening to get really beautiful, natural, feathery lashes.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
Espressophia 6/14/2012 7:15:00 PM
I do like this mascara, BUT only for going out at night. It actually does lengthen my lashes like crazy and thickens them a bit, but it lacks in volume. I solved this by layering it over Maybelline Full'n Soft to get a nice thick coat at the base of my lashes. Be careful though, too many layers can result in stiff, spidery lashes and clumps/flakes, so don't go overboard. This is great for getting a dark, dramatic look but it's too much for daytime. I felt silly wearing this to work and school... it just doesn't look natural. But at night with smoldering smokey eyeshadow this stuff is great.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Espressophia 4/22/2012 7:54:00 AM
This has TRANSFORMED my skin. I have oily, uneven and acne-prone skin, and using this has eliminated all acne from my face. It's incredible. I now get compliments on my skin... the other day a coworker asked how I get my face to glow! I don't use witch hazel straight from the bottle. Instead, I combine this with crushed aspirin, a few drops of tea tree oil and either green tea or water. I keep the mixture in an empty amber glass bottle (used to have vanilla extract in it) and shake it up before I pour it on a cotton pad and apply to my face. I use it twice a day, and follow with either aloe vera gel in the morning or jojoba oil at night. My skin is the healthiest it's ever been. EDIT: I am sad to say this, but I'm a fan anymore. After about 2 months of using this, my face is a mess. Its rough and red and I'm still having breakouts. I think the alcohol content might still be too high. I am in need of something that soothes my skin rather than aggravates it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Trader Joe's - Spa 100% Pure Jojoba Oil
Espressophia 4/22/2012 7:46:00 AM
This has TRANSFORMED my skin! I have incredibly oily and acne-prone skin, and I am amazed by the results. I use this every night after washing and toning to moisturize my face before I go to bed. This isn't greasy at all, and it absorbs well into the skin. No scent, nothing annoying about this product. Do not be afraid of putting oil on your face! Jojoba oil most closely resembles natural human skin oil than any other oil, so by putting this on your face you are preventing your skin from over-producing more oil because it thinks it's parched and dry. Worth a try! I got mine for about 3 or 4 bucks at TJ's... can't beat that price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Aveeno - Nourish + Volumize
Espressophia 4/22/2012 7:38:00 AM
I am pleasantly surprised by this product. I have baby-fine, long wavy hair that doesn't have much body of its own. After using this shampoo, my hair is full, soft and HEALTHY-- that is the key word. For the longest time I have been trying every reasonably-priced "volumizing" shampoo I could find, and although they would indeed give me volume, it would leave my hair dried out and frizzy. I thought that this was what they meant by volume... the frizz did give my roots some lift, and I thought that this was the best I could hope for. But after trying Aveeno, I see the light! My hair can indeed have volume and look healthy, shiny and moisturized. A few cons-- this may not give you as much volume as you're hoping for. I am totally ok with that though because my hair looks so good. Also, the product is kind of runny and there isn't a whole lot in the bottle so try to resist using too much. A little goes a long way. It's also pretty expensive. I got mine for $7.99 at Rite Aid.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clean & Clear - Foaming Facial Cleanser - Sensitive Skin
Espressophia 10/24/2011 2:33:00 PM
This has everything I've ever wanted in a face wash-- gentle, non-irritating, non-drying, very slight fragrance, removes makeup easily, doesn't aggravate acne or clog pores, and leaves my face feeling completely clean, smooth and supple. And all this at such a cheap price! I am disappointed that Clean & Clear tests their products on animals, but I am such a dirt-poor college student that I can't really splurge on more natural cleansers that cost a lot more. I will continue to buy this product unless I find an equally effective, cheap and cruelty-free alternative.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Jason Natural Cosmetics - Satin Shower Body Wash - Tea Tree
Espressophia 10/24/2011 2:13:00 PM
The scent of the product is HEAVENLY-- I actually look forward to showering because just smelling this body wash makes me feel like I'm being pampered at a luxurious spa. The consistency is very silky-smooth and it cleans well while still moisturizing my skin. I like the pump-top and the bottle is huge so it will last you a long time. It's a little pricey at Target but you might be able to find it cheaper at a health food store. Either way it's completely worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shave Products -Kiss My Face - Moisture Shave
Espressophia 10/24/2011 2:05:00 PM
I am in love with this product-- such a silky smooth shave! The consistency is much different than standard shave gels or creams, this one is more like a creamy lotion. It doesn't clog my razor like gel does and it lasts at least three times longer. I am really sensitive to fragrances, so I bought the fragrance-free version and am very pleased. And this product is free of harmful chemicals and preservatives. I will never go back to shave gel again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No