Treatments -SkinMedica - TNS Recovery Complex
GMO123 4/1/2008 3:47:00 AM
Ok, I am a HUGE fanatic obsessive when it comes my skin and the fight against wrinkles. So much so that since I’m 16, I’ve been using prescription RetinA (highest strength) around my eyes (a big no-no, I know!), and on my hands, arms. I am quite skeptical of dep’t store “hope in a jar” because I always feel like the high price is really going towards paying rent space and marketing costs. (Let’s not forget that “lesser” brands like Oil of Olay &Neutrogena have MASSIVE war chests for R&d, and some of their products are actually better than the fancier ones.) Anyway, now that you know where I’m coming from, I am happy to report that I am adding TNS to my HG list for skincare. I never thought I would find a product that ranks up there with the RetinA, but it does. TNS makes your skin feel indescribably SOFT and SMOOTHER THAN A BABY'S CHEEK. And don’t get me started on how it tightens! I use TNS around my eyes, on my neck, chest, hands and arms, as well. I can actually SEE the tightening around my eyes. Superficial results aside, TNS works beneath the skin, as well, and I have been told (can’t verify, though), that it enhances RetinA’s function . The cons of TNS are the smell, which, supposedly has been improved. Well, if they say so…Seriously, this stuff stinks like dirty socks that were left in a wet bag for a week, but it is bearable and definitely worth it for the results. Also, the cost is high-I think $125-$145-but that’s what dept store brands costs, and with TNS, you know you’re getting a product that works. Another con is realizing that you are putting the “extracts” from donated hospital baby foreskins on your face-not a pleasant thought, but in the interest of full disclosure, if someone told me that horsepoo would get eradicate wrinkles, I’d be running down to my stables to smear it on my face! So yes, I highly recommend TNS.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Jo Malone - Vitamin E Gel
GMO123 3/22/2008 4:12:00 AM
What can I say? This stuff is amazing. I, too, am a big Retin A user-I also use RA around my eyes-a big no no, I know (!), but then again, I have zero wrinkles/lines around my eyes. Anyway, this gel is PERFECT to mix with my night moisturizers for face & eyes. It is true a little will do you-just mix it with your product and let your skin drink it in! Feels GREAT going on, too. I lLOVE the creamy texture and to me, the scent is divine. Only problem is I am still working on mixing the right amount-but that comes with practice, I guess.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Jerome Russell - B-Blonde Highlight Spray
GMO123 6/25/2007 4:00:00 AM
Absolutely I would recommend Beach Blone. I had a minor catastrophe last Saturday when my colorist toned down my brassy highlights-they went fromj ust gorgeous creamy, ashy blonde to a not so gorgeous color within a few days post-color, mostly because my level 2 brown hair pulls an enourmous amount of red on its own and because of the evil Las Vegas sun. I almost had a heart attack when the toner pretty much washed out my highlights! Anyway, in a snit, I bought this stuff in Beach Blonde, along with Clairol Shimmer Lights. I have to say that while I CANN0T recommend it as a permanent solution-it is basically like wearing colored hairspray-the results are AMAZING. It locks into the highlighted areas and "lifts" it to where they should be and as for the remaining dark parts, it pretty much leaves that alone, so I get the look I always wanted; the light against the dark. CONS: Will rub off as it is non permament and you definitely have to take care in the applicatoin-i.e. not too much on one side, as opposed to the other. Also, I have long hair, so I've gone through more than a few bottles this week, but until my appointment this week tp lift my highlights back where they belong, this will do just fine, The color is gorgeous, but totally impracticle for constant use.
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Lip Gloss -NARS - Striptease
GMO123 6/15/2007 3:49:00 AM
LOVE IT. I am a medium skin tone-LMercier in Vanilla Beige with dark brown eyes (when I don't have my hazel contacts) and level 2 brown hair that is currently highlighted with ash, creamy blonde. The texture of this stuff is awesome-not gloppy by any means, but has a certain thickness that creates a "full lip" appearance, if you will. What I love most about this product is that be I a full-on brunette or blondish with plenty of the necessary lowlights, as I am now, the tone just works for me. It is definitely a pale color, but NOT "post mortem" pale. The color is a velvelty (as another writer put it) beige with not too much yellow and not too much pink. It is just a true beige, albeit a light one. What is so great about it is that it is PERFECT for those with a fake and bake tan (for your skin's sake, I hope that's the only sort of tan your're getting!). The neutral gloss, which is NOT TOO glossy (I like that), REALLY brings out your tan. I find this especially true when using Mercier shimmer compact. Even better is adding a touch of Nars Deep Throat blush, which I think Striptease was designed to work with. I can see why. Just perfect, ESPECIALLY if you have brown/green (i.e. not too light eyes) and medium skin. Striptease was just meant to work compatably with such coloring. Not sure I'd recommend for PPPs-i think it would wash you out. Would definitely use as a summer staple, AND will soon be combining with Nars Madagascar eye creme shaow. Perfect combo for summer to look dewy and made up, without looking "made up". P.S. You MUST use a lipliner with this or your lips will look totally undefined-the beigy color just demands a liner-don't bother without it!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Nizoral AD Shampoo
GMO123 6/14/2007 6:10:00 PM
Works amazingly well for me-I cannot recommend it highly enough. I get seasonal psoariasis (sp?) during the winter. This stuff is definitely the HG for such condition or for dandruff. Works so well that after regular use, I only need to use it about once a week, maybe less, just for upkeep. The results are amazing and this product is super FAST ACTING. Obviously, its going to be a little drying, but given the purpose of the product, "high end" hair is not the result you should be looking for! And so what if your hair comes out a little dry? Just use extra high quality conditioner and you'll be fine. Thank your lucky stars that Nizoral is out there because it does an amazingly effective job. Trust me.
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Self Tanners -Jergens - Natural Glow - Medium
GMO123 5/14/2007 4:34:00 AM
I think I should be writing to the White House instead of MUA reagrding this product, since I now know what Saddam did with his chemical WMDs-he put them in this product! OMG, I actually liked this product initally because I didn't think it smelled as bad as Loreal's Sublime Glow; I tested the Jergens on my hand and thought I could handle the smell quite well. WRONGO!! I literally felt a burning sensation in the back of my throat after I applied it to my legs, arms and body, it was that bad for me. As for the effectiveness of the product, it may well work as well as everyone says. For me, hard to say, since I only use it to moisturize my already super tan L'Oreal Sublime Bronze legs. I will keep using Jergens on my legs since at least those are the body parts farthest away from my poor nose, but once I am done, I definitely will not repurchase. Too bad for me though, since others seem to like it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Dermo-Expertise Sublime Bronze Any Angle Self-Tanning Spray Medium
GMO123 5/14/2007 4:01:00 AM
First off, I have to say a big "thank you" to Makeup0077 regarding her directions for application. She is totally spot on-FOLLOW her advice about the plastic gloves and how to apply the excess from the gloves to the hands and feet- you really will get excellent results! Anyway, I love this product. I can build a tan by using it everyday-I premoisturize with the Sublime Glow lotion first. The results have been amazing. No patches, no streaks-not even a few days later-just a rich, deep, glowy tan on my legs that is just so superior to my debacle with the Lauder product I recently reviewed. Italso seems to moisturize a lot better than most self-tanners, although I still detect a bit of a drying issue, but certainly not enough to turn me off to thsi product. The smell is not bad at all, at least for my nose. I also like the sparklies on my legs. Drawbacks; I am having a harder time getting the same rich dark color on my arms and shoulders and back of legs. Don't know why because I certainly am spraying it on, but that might be because I just need to build up those areas more. Also, it does take a bit long to dry, so maybe a cream would be better. On the other hand, the spray gives you a glowy, shimmery look that you just can't get with a lotion-I guess you can't have everything! I am on my second bottle of this stuff and I love it, but I also bought Neutrogena's version in 2 shades darker. We'll see what happens. Overall, for the price, lack of stink and amazing rich color that one must build up, I highly recommend.
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
GMO123 5/9/2007 2:40:00 AM
I have to say that I love this product. I had been previously using the one by Laura Mercier, which is only ok-maybe about 3 lippies worth due to what I can only describe as a dreadful, moldy old lady smell and runny consistency. Needless to say, I was ready to try something new and I am so glad I followed my freind's recommendation. This stuff is nothing short of amazing. I cannot believe the smooth texture it gives to my skin-like a baby's bottom and that is no exaggeration. My LM foundation goes on even more flawlessly (if such a thing is possible) due to this product and I think it does add staying power, although that is not my number one priority as much as having a flawless finish. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this product. I took away a lippie for the crappy packaging-the top won't stay on, but the dispenser is perfect for releasing just the right amount. I do moisturize underneath, just so you know. Give it a try-you will not be dissapointed!
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Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Sublime GLOW
GMO123 5/2/2007 4:46:00 AM
Oh, how I wanted to like this product-the model on the tube certainly does, as she is smiling, naked and glowy, from ear to ear! Anyway, as much as I have to agree with the other reviewers regarding how the product does deliver a nice glow, I simply don't think I can use this product because of the smell. Even though I think we can all agree that virtually every self-tanner has its respective odor "issues", I still think that smell can be a pretty subjective thing. For me, I simply could not deal with the odor eminating from this product; it was just an overpowering, sickly sweet smell of green tea on steroids and it almost made me gag. Which is too bad because overall, the product is good. Excelllent packaging in so far as application, although I wish the lotion was a tad creamier. I know there are loads of ladies who love this product, so I really don't want to discourage folks from trying it (the price is certainly reasonable enough) because it doesn't "stink" in the literal sense. But for me, I will sinply have to part company with Sublime Glow and try Jergens, which is a smell I was able to handle when I tested it. The L'Oreal, sadly, just made me too nauseous even though the odor does fade fairly fast after application. UPDATE: I take back what I said about the Jergens; for more info on that horror, read my review. Also, I'd repurchase Sublime Glow IF I am unable to find a suitable replacement, which isn't looking too good at this point!
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Self Tanners -Estee Lauder - Go Bronze for Body
GMO123 4/26/2007 2:27:00 AM
I really got off on the wrong foot (so to speak!) with this product, as wouldn't you know, I had to get the one with the defective cap that was impossible to open unless you bulked up on steroids the night before. Plus, try doing it after you've slathered yourself in moisturizer after a shower-I'd finally manage to yank the cover off, only to have some of the product fly out of the tube. Nice. Which leads me to my next complaint; the consistency. Absolutely the worst. So runny, making it just a nightmare to apply. The stuff would get between my fingers even more than regular tanner and just, yuck. Plus the runny consistency resulted in a streaky mess. I tried to blend, but the poor consistency hindered my efforts so that the next day, yes, it looked like I had POO running down the inside of my leg! It was just awful and so embarrassing. As with any self-tanner, one needs to be careful when applying around the feet and ankle area, but with Go Bronze, extra care, or should I say, "caution" is needed, or the dreaded "poo look" appears again, only this time in ugly brown blotches! Actually, the color in and of itseld is not so bad and probably the best part of the product; a deep tan with a hint of shimmer. But that leads me to my final complaint, which is that this product is sooo drying, the dark tan you get really winds up looking caky and gross on your legs within a day or two. Imagine two day old dark, splotchy poo marks on your dry skin. Just terrible, I know. The thing is, I can see a dry formula maybe for the face, but the legs? That's where anyone's skin can handle the ingredients for a glowy look! I hate to write a negative review (the good ones are always more fun), but this product is so bad, I honestly felt I had to warn you ladies before the summer season kicks into high gear. (As I continue my search, I'm preparing to buy modelco spray bronzer, which I have heard very good things about. I'll report.)
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Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - Glam Shine - Diva
GMO123 4/25/2007 2:25:00 AM
I have to agree with all the positives out there. I am usually a huge snob when it comes to lipgloss, etc...but I was having what you might call a bit of a fashion emergency; I needed something to work with a Reem Acra lilac silk gown with pewter undertones that I was to wear that evening. I had the right listick-Lauder's Wild Amythest-, but knew I needed a gloss to adjust the lilac color, so as to avoid the dreaded matchymatchy look with my dress/lips. Just so you know, I'm a vanilla beige in Mercier foundation w/ brown eyes (when I'm not wearing my hazel contacts!) and level 2 dark brown hair that pulls a lot of red unless I maintain the brown. Anyway, I got talked into purchasing Lancome's version of Glam Shine, Color Fever in 'On Fire', KNOWING it was all wrong and, of course, propmptly raced from Neiman's to the Rite Aid immediately thereafter! This Glam Shine rocks. Worn over lipstick, it provided the most perfect blend and just made my skin glow. I have to say that when I was feverishly looking at the color selections, I wound up buying this item in Seductress, as well, and days later, FOUR more shades, because I really grew to love the color schemes. Maybe it is just my coloring, but the gloss really does not look garish on me, worn either alone or over gloss. That said, of all the colors, this one doesn't blow my mind when worn alone, the first reason I took away one lippie. BUT that is still saying something, in that the other shades I bought are in serious HG territory, yet Diva still looks great, so I feel totally fine wearing this by itself, even if its not 100% bullseye. I love the smooth feel and the shimmer-it is a finely milled shimmer, in my opinion, and I detected no grittiness at all. That said, even though I don't really recommend wearing this gloss for day-the shimmer element really takes it into an evening gloss-don't let the intensity of the bottle color scare you. The color is there but for me, I definitely experienced an element of sheerness. You can double up on application for a deeper tone, if you like, but overall, you'll get more shimmer as opposed to color. Here are the cons. First, if you really are looking for a true "plumping gloss", this AIN'T it. Trust me, the only plumping you're going to get is due to the gloss/shimmer effect, but LipFusion this product is not. I'm ok with that because I get Restalyne injections, but for those seeking a true plumping experience, I would look elsewhere! Second, and this I find more annoying than anything, is the applicator and that is the second, and MAIN reason I took away one lippie. I think this is the "you get what you pay for" part, because the applicator is just wimpy, ESPECIALLY compared to Lancome's Color Fever, which has a wider, angular, and much firmer applicator that is just divine, so much so that I even tried to use it with my Glam Shine product, but it won't fit in the bottle. Not sure if I will buy this color again. Probably will, especially as summer's here and I will be getting my fake and bake on, which changes everything in terms of how certain shades look on me as opposed to when I'm a paleface!
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Polishes -Lippmann Collection - Believe
GMO123 4/10/2007 2:54:00 AM
Have to agree 100% with the color description of this fabooolous polish. I am a Laura Mercier Vanilla Beige for makeup, so I, too, cannot wear blue/silvery or too yellow undertones (check out my Salley Hansen "Pat on the Black" polish review for that dopey little dissertation!) Anyway, in that regard, Believe is perfect, especially on occasions where you need to wear a polish with a dash of silver; be not afraid, this color does the trick without clashing with your skintone. The constistency is perfect, which it better be, I suppose, given the price! I have to say, though, that the cheapest polish I own, a tiny bottle of Naturistics, is honestly just as good in that regard. No, the key to this polish is the astounding depth of the wheat color. This polish is just a rich, luminous, gorgeous shade of gold/silver and perfect for Summer with a tan, especially, I think, on the toes. Indulge yourself, ladies and look at it this way-for fifteen bucks, you'd spend the same amount on a quarter tank of gas. But the gas will never last as long or give you as much girly girl enjoyment as this nail polish will!
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Polishes -Sally Hansen - Salon Perfect Nail Polish - Pat On The Black
GMO123 4/8/2007 4:48:00 AM
I should premise by saying that for years, literally, I have been searching for a proper replacement, mostly by trolling on eBay, for Lauder's Black Midnight. It was my HG of colors and if I do say so myself, I was wearing that shade on my toes years and years before this whole black fad started. In fact, I began to wear it on my fingernails a year before the craze hit. This is just to let you know how much I love that polish and to underscore the length of my search, which has been extensive, for a replacement. I FINALLY found a perfect match, or so I thought. A lot of thought obviously went into creating this color, because it not only has A LOT of gloss, but a lot of depth, as well. It is not blacky black like the Chanel. The Hansen version looks black, but it has tones of deepest brown, purple and the very slightest hint of gold shimmer. It is perfect for my skintone, as I look terrible with the Chanel style with the silver undertones. ANYWAY, I was sooo excited about my find, but I have to say, with regret, that notwithstanding the fabulous color, it is quite possible the WORST formulated nail polish in the history of cosmetics. The first layer is almost impossible to apply, as by the time I got to the other side of my nail (which is about two seconds!), the brush would actually GRAB all the color and I'd wind up with a "bald patch", if you will, on half of my nail. This problem wouldn't be so bad, as it is fixable by adding the requisite second coat. Unfortunately, however, the second coat, which I have tried sooo hard to apply judiciously so as not to get a gloppy look, leaves me with the worst AIR BUBBLES ever!! EVER!! ON EVERY FINGER! In that regard, I should add that trying to apply the right amount for either coat is just impossible. If it is too little, the brush catches on the nail and the polish gets scratched up; if it is too much, which is the most common fight I had, it glops. EITHER WAY THE AIR BUBBLES ABOUND! I noticed that one writer for the Black Orchid color mentioned the air bubbles, too, although her problem didn't seem to be nearly as bad as mine. Anyway, I am so very disappointed, as I have tried everything, including putting this stuff in the fridge and trying to polish as fast as my little hands will let me. Nothing works. I am hoping that I have a defective bottle, which is why I will buy again, as the color is fabulous beyond words. Also, I forgot to mention that when it finally dries, it simply will not chip. I have never experienced a nail polish with such staying power. In all, though, I had to take away three lippies because none of the positive aspects mean anything if the polich is plain unwearable due to the air bubble issue. I will update when I get a new bottle to see if maybe this bottle was a bad batch.
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Loose Powders -Laura Mercier - translucent loose powder
GMO123 3/28/2007 11:52:00 PM
Hi, there- I feel like a kid in a candy store; I just stumbled across this site, hoping to find anyone who could discuss Estee Lauder's discontinued Black Midnight nail lacquer, but as they say, that's a whole 'nother story! Anyway, I thought I'd share re the powder, as I own quite a few LM products, including the oil free foundation in Vanilla Beige. I am on my second jar of powder and I have to say, I'm not sure how much better it can get. I love the finely, finely milled consistency. I do have to agree that it will pretty much negate any hopes you have for a dewey finish but it definitely is not overly matte! IN FACT, applied to the right areas, the light glow it gives actually enhances my bone structure! (Note: I do apply LM shimmer compact lightly over said powder and the result is amazing, but you have to use it sparingly or you will look oily.) This powder is an absolute essential for my makeup ritual; it totally evens out and "relaxes", if you will, the intensity of the blush and any contouring that I apply prior. It's not that I'm wearing a clown pallette or anything, however, I find that the powder not only makes my skin look super soft and satiny, it also creates a finished look by setting the cheek color and foundation just so, WITHOUT changing any color whatsoever. What can I tell you? I love, love, love it! I should add that I apply the powder with the LM powder brush (I own the whole set and I cannot imagine how I ever left the house after having applied makeup without it for so many years-it is sooooo essential, I cannot tell you!)I have never tried the puff, but in my mind's eye, the brush is key because it really provides control as to application and amount, so that you do not end up wearing too much. In sum, although I have a hankering to try She Uemera, it is hard to think that I can improve on this product!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No