Bronzers -Estee Lauder - Bronze Goddess
Forher2me 2/14/2009 10:27:00 PM
I think this has got to be the best bronzer for the money (at least from a cosmetics counter). This stuff lasts forever too. I've had mine for 2 1/2 years! For most light to medium skin tones this is the perfect no-fuss bronzer. It's super natural looking and buildable. I suppose darker skin tones or really tanned skins won't benefit too much for this. I tend to use it as a blush for an ultra natural look, or blend it with my blush if I want to contour my cheeks a little more. I only wish the thing wasn't so HUGE. The compact is a little inconvenient due to its wideness. I am a loyal bronze goddess user because the color is so universal and I get dizzy if I see too many options for cheek color. Bronze Goddess=Perfect bronzer
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Skincare - Face -Shiseido - Facial Cotton
Forher2me 2/14/2009 10:18:00 PM
I'm not sure why would anybody give this product anything less than a 5-star review. Yes, $9 for some facial cotton sounds outrageous for the average drugstore consumer, however for the discerning consumer these are a staple and you'll never go back to discount mart's el cheapo cotton. If you still are skeptical, go to the counter and try them out. Believe me, the Shiseido representative will be MORE THAN HAPPY to let you try them and give you some samples to try at home. The cotton is a decent size (2 1/8" X 2 1/2" or 5.4cm X 6.5cm). They are about 4mm or 1/8" thick. They used to be thicker and fluffier...maybe they just flattened them out or something...whatever. They are 100% cotton, so no bull@#% nylon or manmade materials to scratch your face or leave linty fuzz. Just 100% soft and gentle. The best part about these cotton pads is that the pad doesn't absorb the product like a sponge. --> This is kind of tricky to explain. The el cheapo cotton pads I've tried from "discount" mart, not just soaks up the product, but it absorbs it like a sponge. For instance if I use this cotton for toner/softener/balancing lotion, Shiseido's cotton acts almost like a brush by spreading the liquid nicely over my face, but it still picks up debris or make up as a cotton pad ought to. El Cheapo cotton will just soak up and absorb the product like a Bounty sheet; my skin won't get any of the yummy toner; I end up wasting a lot of product on the cotton pad itself rather than my skin. Sometimes I'll cut them in half if I dont need to use the entire sheet (might as well save if I can right?) The only gripe I have about them is a couple years ago, Shiseido decided to make them thinner than they used to be. I liked the thick fluffiness they used to have
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Cleansers -Shiseido - Power of Silk Exfoliating Puff
Forher2me 1/19/2009 9:16:00 PM
Again another fantastic product which Shiseido has discontinued. I don't know if they're trying to piss of and shoo away their loyal clients or what! Background: Fair East Asian skin. Pretty normal (slightly oily in warmer months, dry cheeks during cooler months). I'm in my mid 20's. I follow my skincare regiment strictly. I love how this product is simple. It's not like the Bio-Performance discs which have crazy exfoliating chemicals and stuff. For somebody who's young and is very enthusiastic about skin care, they don't need (and may not want) chemical exfoliants. I found this product is exactly what is says it is: A Polisher (not an exfoliant). This is product that is gentle and effective, even though it doesn't feel like it. I think many persons are used to the "scrubbing" and are not use to being gentle to your skin. I love this product maybe 1-3 times a week depending. I find it works best on those random rough patches I get on the side of my cheek. Those rough patches are not something I want to exfoliate (because it'll make it worse--already tried and learned). The silk puff is excellent at POLISHING away the rough spots without irritating the skin. So sad Shiseido is slowly discontinuing all of my FAVORITE products which have kept me loyal to the brand since I started using it, which was when I hit puberty. :*( If you folks want a great gentle exfoliater: Clarin's Gentle Exfoliating refiner is great!
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Misc Beauty Tools -Sephora - Detail Lash Curler
Forher2me 1/19/2009 9:02:00 PM
Hi! I'm surprised there are so many negative reviews. I love this product. I have small Asian eyes. I don't have a crease in my eyes so regular sized lash curlers are tough to use. I haven't used shu uemura's but I have shiseido's curler. Unpleated eyes' lids do something funny: they don't fold back into the socket (causing the crease), instead they just tuck themselves away over, on top, of the lashes. Which is why my lashes look a lot shorter than they already are. Most of you folks are pobably like "what the heck are you talking about??" But I love this detail curler because I can curl my lashes in sections. A full sized lash curler may curl the middle section of my lashes but not the outer or inner section. With this detail lash curler I can curl all my lashes. It is funny shaped (it's straight and only about 1/2" long), so it takes alittle bit of getting used to. Once you train your hand and fingers to not treat it like a regular lash curler, it's fantastic. My only gripe: The posts over which the bottom clamping part slides are quite thick. If I don't wiggle the lash curler slightly after positioning the curler, the posts may "smoosh" some lashes as I attempt use the thing. Perhaps the shu uemura lash curler will be manufactured in a less crude manner. Whatever, I'll get used to it...it' sephora brand... Me likes! It's great for my small Asian eyes! I guess most people are blessed with regularly shaped eyes. :)
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Treatments -Shiseido - The Skincare renewing serum
Forher2me 1/19/2009 8:47:00 PM
Background: Fair, East Asian skin. Normal-oily (warmer months) Normal-dry (cooler months). I'm a skincare nut. No real acne problems except a couple pimples from time to time. Sometimes I get rough patches around lower cheek (and I sincerely believe it's because I don't have anymore renewing serum) I use almost everything Shiseido The Skincare, but ever since they started discontinuing the serums, I've been looking else where. I'm rather diappointed in this direction because Shiseido, being Japanese (Japanese are prized in their skin and skincare), ought to have a comprehensive skincare line for all ages and all needs...not just for mature skin. The renewing serum was my secret to baby soft, supple (squishy), air brushed looking skin. I have no idea what makes it do that, but my skin never had problems. Ever since I stopped using it (because they discontinued it) I have pimples sometimes and these rough patches which I usually polish away with the Shiseido Power of silk, but since they discontinued that....I'm stuck But this is a serum so I usually use 1/2 pump of ShisiedoThe Skincare day time or night time moisturizer on top and my skin would be so happy. The brochure included in the product used words like "velvety" and at first I didn't understand what it meant until I started using it daily. My skin did feel like velvet and it was supple. Most other moisturizers I use will make my skin soft and smooth, but not supple and squishy and resilient. This product did the trick. The more I write about this product the more upset I get because it's discontinued and my skin can't reap the benefits anymore. It's too bad all the best products get discontinued. I wish they packaged it in glass, like the visible Luminizing serum...and not plastic. The only product replacement suggestion I've gotten is the Bio-Performance Super refining essence. I haven't tried it because it's about $75 for 1.8 oz. I paid $46 for 1.0 oz of Renewing serum so I suppose this Bio-Performance is a good deal anyhow based on price. But I'm only in my mid 20's and I don't really like using "anti-aging" and "wrinkle" things on my skin because I'm wasting my money on things my skin won't even use (because it doesn't need it). I suppose I'll plop down the $75 and try it and write a review on it.
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Treatments -Shiseido - Visible Luminizer Serum
Forher2me 1/19/2009 8:37:00 PM
Background: Fair East Asian skin. Normal-oily in warmer months and Normal-dry in cooler months. I've always used Shiseido....since I was 12 (I'm in my mid 20's now). No real problems with acne (just a couple pimples every now and then). Shiseido products work really well for me. Everything in my routine is from Shiseido the Skincare line (except 2 products). I cleanse 1-2 times a day. tone, serum, moisturize and eye cream twice a day. exfoliate once a week and deep cleanse 1-2 times a week. I'm kinda obsessive about my skincare (a sales lady's dream for a client). heh heh heh. I love The Visible Luminizer serum from shiseido. I use this one during the day and the Renewing serum at night. THIS IS A SERUM/TREATMENT NOT A MOISTURIZER. This is like a daily vitamin for your skin...not a meal. I love how this will instantly make me look awake. When I first wake up, sometimes I look a little sallow. I think people are expecting DRAMATIC AIR-BRUSHED results you see in magazines. This product is fantastic in energizing the way my complextion looks. I do like the Renewing serum better, but like I said, I like to use the Visible LS in the morning for it's "energizing" effects. Packaging got a 4: I love how it's packaged in glass...I hate how the bottle is big and bulky...kinda dumb. It's too bad Shiseido is discontinuing it...as well as the Renewing serum...as well as the Power of silk...all products which I use and LOVE....so sad...aggravating as well If anyone's interested: I use Extra Gentle Cleansing foam I use the shiseido brush thing only at night and only a couple times a week....about 3 times) I use Clarin's Gentle Exfoliating refiner once a week. I use Shiseido The Skincare Hydro-Balancing softener I use Visble Luminizing Serum (AM) Renewing Serum (PM) STS Day moisture protection (for normal to oily skin) STS Night Moisture recharge (for normal skin) Estee Lauder Future Perfect eye cream (I love this stuff!!!) Shiseido the Power of Silk (whenever I get these random rough patches... it's fantastic for GENTLE polishing (not exfoliating) and get those stubborn rough patches without over exfoliating.
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Shampoo -Suave - Professionals Volumizing Shampoo
Forher2me 4/30/2008 11:58:00 PM
My hair is about 4" past my shoulders. I have slick straight hair (comes with being Asian). My thickness is medium. I usually use salon brands ($10-$14 a bottle). I was pleasantly surprised by Suave Professionals. My sister talked me into it, and I was VERY skeptical. I told her I'd come after her if it @#%^@d up my hair. I've been using it for about 2 weeks and no problems! As for volume, it's really about the same as any other expensive brand I've used. I think if you want ultra volume you almost have to use product in addition to volumizing hair care product. I find my hair is shinier than before...maybe there's some funny coating it's depositing in my hair....whatever No breakage. No hair falling out. Just shiny hair. :) For $2.50 a bottle you can't beat it. Yes the fragrance is pretty strong....stronger than most salon brands. Well at least your hair will smell nice all day :) Overall 5 stars because price is great. The results are no different than more expensive brand. Fragrance isn't offensive. kick ass!
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Shampoo -Burt's Bees - Very Volumizing Pomegranate & Soy Shampoo
Forher2me 4/16/2008 8:02:00 PM
I have slick straight hair (it's apart of being East Asian). Medium thickness, not too much body. Medium/long--4 inches past shoulders. I usually use Redken Body Full or Clear Moisture and was very satisfied with it. But lately I've gone on a "Green" stint and decided to see what this Burt's Bees is all about. This and the conditioner are my first Burt's Bees products I have used. It smells pretty sweet, the plastic or something makes it smell kinda sweet but slightly stale. It did provide volume at first, like the other reviewers experienced, however after about a week I noticed that the roots of my hair felt hay like and stiff with no body. I ended up using a clarifying shampoo that night and the yuck feeling went away, so that's how I determined that the shampoo was causing problem. I'll give Burt's Bees credit in using very gentle ingredients in this product. I looked up about 90% of the ingredients and found that most seem gentle, but I'm still puzzled why my hair started to turn to straw after using it consecutively for about a week. Needless to say I returned it.
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Treatments (Eye) -Estee Lauder - Future Perfect Anti Wrinkle Radiance Eye Cream
Forher2me 4/13/2008 2:10:00 AM
Context: East Asian skin. Fair skin color. Normal combination (slightly oily T-zone), rarely gets pimples. I have to say this by far is the most well done skincare product produced by Estee Lauder. The product is $48 so those who aren't used to cosmetic counter prices my have a heart attack, but it is a wonderful product. What I love about it: It absorbs very easily and quickly Subtly brightens and highlights the eye area Make-up application and concealer worn under the eye doesn't look dry or cakey. Fragrance-free There are only a few Estee Lauder products with which my skin personally is happy, but this is an absolute pleaser. Although I am only in my mid 20's I found this eye cream to be the best over Idealist Eye, and Hydra complete eye gel.
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Conditioner -Redken - Body Full
Forher2me 4/13/2008 2:04:00 AM
Like the Shampoo, the Conditioner performs as it should, for the most part. The shampoo and conditioner reminds me of Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance. It's very refreshing. The conditioner doesn't weigh down my hair and it leaves it considerably soft, so long as I don't over rinse my hair. Of course being a "body" shampoo it does nothing for my fly aways, cow lick, and baby hairs (the down side of having East Asian hair that doesn't require any hair appliances to acheive slick straight hair) I have East Asian hair with medium/fine thickness, about 3-4 inches past my shoulders with no chemical or color treatments what so ever. I'm happy with the product.
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Shampoo -Redken - Body Full
Forher2me 4/13/2008 1:59:00 AM
Body full was hit or miss. For the most part it did do its job and give my hair a little extra lift at the roots. I'm East Asian with medium texture hair, no color, no chemical treatments and it's about 3 or 4 inches past my shoulders. I normally don't blow dry my hair after I shower and I shower at night. I just go to bed with wet hair and I guess depending on how much I smoosh my hair when I sleep, the body remains in my hair. If I do blow dry my hair, Body full does pretty well with no extra styling product...but it doesn't last the day (again, no extra styling product). For those who are used to drugstore brands, Redken is rather pricey, but compared to other salon brands, it's rather reasonable, which is why I stick with it. On top of that, the quality is very good and consistent.
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Idealist
Forher2me 4/13/2008 1:52:00 AM
Coming from an East Asian Idealist seemed to work rather nicely the first day or so. After a few days of using it I noticed I started to get minor break-outs here and there. I normally don't get pimples (maybe one a month) or something like that, but Idealist seemed work with my skin. I have had other East Asians use it and love it, but it didn't do much magic for me. Bummer. I do use it for my hands though :) It doesn't make my hands break out or anything, just nice, smooth and flawless looking
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Lipstick -Clinique - Almost Lipstick - Black Honey
Forher2me 4/10/2008 8:27:00 PM
I'm East Asian (so yellow toned skin). Fairly light. One of my staples in lipstick besides Estee Lauder PC Crystal LS in Tiramisu. This one has more color than Tiramisu. Coverage: Sheer. But just enough color for those days where I feel I look a little washed out and need just a little color. Color: Looks dark in the tube, but goes on very sheer...kind of a dark berry color. Taste: It's Clinique, so it doesn't really have taste Packaging: Silver sleek tube, great....but after a while the top doesn't stay on the tube so that's kind of a pain. Longwearing: No, but I don't care. I can't find another brand that's cheaper with the same color. If there is one, somebody tell me!
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Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Tiramisu
Forher2me 4/10/2008 7:42:00 PM
I'm East Asian (yellow toned skin) and fairly light. And this is my favorite lipstick. Color: It matches my lips almost perfectly, but since there are little speckles of gold it gives my lips another kind of dimension. It's the perfect everyday lipstick Coverage: Sheer. I don't usually wear full-coverage lipstick, hence the "crystal" in the name. Price: $22 is not bad considering you're getting a nice designer lipstick. Then again, I don't do well with drugstore lipsticks, plus i'm the type who doesn't mind paying a little more for a quality product Taste: Doesn't taste like @$$ unlike other lipsticks like Lancome's lipstick. Ick. Longwearing? It's not too bad. It's very moisturizing so I usually don't put a heavy layer of gloss over it. But I have found the more moisturizing the lipstick is, the less longwearing it is (since it's slippery, you tend to eat it faster than those dry longwearing lipsticks).
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Individualist Natural Finish Makeup [DISCONTINUED]
Forher2me 4/10/2008 7:35:00 PM
I'm East Asian with light skin (Individualist color Beech). Skin type: Normal with slightly oily T-zone. Consistency: It's great, and still great even after a year and a half. It's light and doesn't feel heavy or goopy. Coverage: It's sheer, and great for evening out skin tone. If you want heavier coverage, use fingers or sponge, but I don't like that because it makes my face look made up. Color match: Perfect. As for price: $32.50 is rather reasonable if you're the type who's not used to drugstore prices (like me). But if you're used to drugstore prices you may flip at this price. Honestly, it's not that bad compared to other similar designer foundations, in fact I would say it's the best bang for your buck. Compare Chanel, Dior, or Lancome foundations, and they are not as well priced as Estee Lauder's foundations. Plus EL is the first to give out samples of the pefectly matched foundations. I'm not sure if they still use that funny shaped tool when matching foundation, but I do like how it takes the guess work out of matching foundation, and it's consistent. That's key: consistent. You don't have to worry about getting matched two different colors if you go to two different counters (given the EL reps are both competent).
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