Conditioner -Redken - All Soft Conditioner
JCM123 3/21/2013 7:42:00 AM
Wowee! I am so glad I gave this stuff a go after reading all the wonderful recommendations! I have been using Morrocanoil for the past year or so and have been really pleased with the hydrating shampoo but the condition leaves much to be desired... After using it for some time, I decided I ought to look into other better options so off the back of these reviews decided to give this one a try! I am soooo glad I did, from the first use my dry ends from years of bleach are looking a million times better! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Redken All Soft Shampoo :)
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Indeed Laboratories - Hydraluron
JCM123 11/7/2012 5:29:00 AM
Ok, so I NEVER review something based on ONE SINGLE use.. but I had to for this product. I have noticed that my face has been looking less 'plump' lately. The dreaded 3-0 is fast approaching and I figured its just time for things to start going south. I have often been told by various beauty therapists that my skin is quite dehydrated, despite the fact I have quite oily skin. I have no major lines or wrinkles yet, but I noticed that the skin under my eyes was looking a bit more 'crêpey', probably due to said dehydration and also the fact that as its now winter, everything just looks drier. I used this as instructed, as a serum under my usual skincare routine, which includes other serums and also moisturiser and HOLY COW, what a difference it has made. My fine lines under my eyes have pretty much 90% gone, granted I am sure this is just a surface effect and probably not long lasting (but they do say the effects are with continued use). But, the fact that this product seems to do what it says, which is in effect to 'super charge' your existing moisturisers cannot be denied. I will update this after a few weeks to say if there have been any side effects or what the results are like after continued use and what the long term effects are, if any, after more consistent long term use. The only downside is just how small the product is - 30 ml - and at £24.99 its not really cheap, but there is way more expensive, less effective stuff out there that is for sure!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Garnier - BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination to Oily Skin - Light
JCM123 11/1/2012 1:19:00 PM
I have really, really oily skin and was quite impressed with how this product kept my oilies at bay. I loved the finish, and how liquidy it is to apply. I liked the overall finished effect. The problem is that this stuff broke me out like crazy. No idea why or what the offending ingredient(s) was but I haven't broken out using any of my other foundations etc, even if they don't manage to hold back the oilies quite as well. The hunt continues.....
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - Soft Blanket
JCM123 9/4/2012 8:28:00 AM
I have only ever owned the Tart of this scent but I love it. Yes it is quite strong, which in my book is a good thing as I can just stop melting it when I have had enough or it has suitable scented the room I am in or due to be in. I really like that is a fresh smell with a warming vanilla undertone. I have never really been a huge fan of vanilla but this scent is just the perfect blend :) Love it.
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Foundations -Carita - PROGRESSIF ANTI-RIDES, teint lissant, anti-time foundation SPF 15
JCM123 8/30/2012 5:04:00 AM
I personally didn't buy this product, but recently my mother has been looking even more radiant and beautiful than ever...so I had to find out why. Amongst several products she is using of this line (which appear to be amazing) she uses this foundation. I had to test it out... and its LOVELY. I have combination skin with a VERY oily t-zone. I cant vouch for its oil reducing properties for a whole day at work, but I have worn it on several occasions when I have been going out in the evening. The result is beautifully even and radiant skin, that doesn't look like I am wearing a mask. Its really sheer and a little goes a long way. I would say on both occasions I have used maybe half a pump, so I end up with a pea sized blob on the back of my hand that I work into my skin with my Real Techniques buffing brush. My most recent HG foundation Estee Lauder's Invisible fluid is running out and I am definitely going to be purchasing my own, however I am torn between this one and their Sublime Radiance Veil which isn't anti-aging so less moisturising and claims to leave a more matte finish, which may be better for me on a daily basis. I will update and review the other if I purchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Estee Lauder - Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator
JCM123 6/19/2012 6:52:00 AM
So I was given a few sachets of this stuff and then....ahem...'borrowed' my mum's bottle of this and I have to say I am very impressed. I am always hesitant about trying new products as I tend to get very congested on my jaw line and chin and have finally got a routine working for me that means I am spot free (woohoo!). I found that this has not exacerbated any of my skin 'issues' at all. I am not sure I have seen any kind of dramatic improvement in tone, but what I love is the glow effect this stuff gives me. I apply this on my face in the morning, with a bit of translucent powder on my -t-zone to help keep oilies at bay and I am good to go. I also like to mix a drop or two of this with my Invisible Fluid foundation to give me an even more glowing complexion on a night out. Been getting positive comments on my skin from both my husband and friends so it must be doing something good :0) I am about to go and purchase my very own bottle today...as I finished mum's off (shhhh) UPDATE: 30/08/2012 - I am not 100% convinced that this stuff does much to even out my skintone at all... but it does leave such a nice radiance to my skin, whilst keeping it matte to the touch that I do still like to mix this in with foundations to make them dewier and I also like to use this on days where I go foundation free but just want to have a lovely 'lit from within' sort of skin. There are many other products out there than achieve the same result, but as I have quite an oily t-zone this is one of the very few that doesn't make me a huge grease-ball by 12 pm :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Estee Lauder - Invisible Fluid Makeup
JCM123 3/29/2012 12:27:00 PM
This is what I had hoped the Double Wear light would be, but wasn't. This feels like it should be a tinted moisturiser, but gives you better coverage, without making you look made up. I love. I have to cover the odd deep acne scar with a tiny dot of concealer in a couple places but other than that it leaves me with a a beautiful flawless, but not 'made up' face. The guys at work have even commented on how radiant I have been looking this past week. I am a lonely girl in an office full of boys, and trust me they dont have a clue about make-up or anything other than talking about cars. UPDATE 24/05/2012: I for one am still LOVING this foundation. I love that it is invisible, but yet makes me look airbrushed. My mum is now using it and the other day I saw her and was like 'wow, Mum you skin just looks for flawless' and I didn't realise that she was wearing foundation.. that to me is the sign of a good foundation. But I do like the less is more approach and cannot stand it when I see someone with inch thick foundation smeared all over their face; it may photograph well but in real life?! Yikes! I will definitely repurchase! Amazing!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Jan Marini - Bioclear
JCM123 3/29/2012 11:17:00 AM
OK. So I have used both the lotion and the cream. They both work, and work incredibly well for me. I would say the lotion works slightly better than the cream, but, and that is a BIG but, it burned the bejeezus out of my skin. I would just look really red. It didnt hurt too much, after the initial sting, and really did shrink the offending spot or cluster of spots. I did however get really frustrated with having angry red blotches for a couple days after I applied the lotion. I decided to switch to the cream, which is obviously milder, but I have found that even though I have an oily t-zone it works really well on my skin and I am very happy with the results and no red angry face anymore. Both work very well, but if you have slightly sensitive ski then I would definitely opt for the cream, even if you have skin that is more oily than normal or dry :) I have been very happy with the results and it has really helped completely clear my adult acne (in combination with the bioglycolic cleanser) UPDATE (22/06/2012): I am now nearing the end of my little tub of my Bioclear cream and I am really impressed. With consistent use my skin is now really smooth,soft and more imporatantly acne free. I have had ONE spot in the past two months which when I compare it to this time last year when I had spots all over my chin and jaw line essentially I am over the moon. I use my Bioglycolic cleanser, twice a day, every day too as I do with the Bioclear cream.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Jan Marini - Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser
JCM123 3/29/2012 11:00:00 AM
I randomly developed really bad acne all over my cheeks and jawline for the first time in my life at the age of 27. I have always had pretty oily skin so was used to the odd spot on my forehead, but had never experienced anything like this before! I managed to get my skin somewhat under control using a combination of Paula's choice clear normalising cleanser and some benzoyle peroxide to spot treat. I was still getting at least two spots in different parts of my face consistently everyday so although my skin was hugely improved, it wasnt completely flawless. In December 2011 (just after Christmas) I decided to try some Jan Marini products, as I had used the Antioxidant Daily face protectant since I was about 15 and had recently repurchased and was really finding that it was helping my skin. Having not tried much else I consulted a lady who worked at my local spa. I opted for the Bioglycolic cleanser (cream one) and have been using it at least once a day since January. I cannot express how much it has totally transformed my skin. I no longer get ANY spots. Its incredible. My skin is so radiant and clear and I am just so happy that I have found this and stuck with it because we are now at the end of March and I have had consistently good skin for 3 months. As a result I have started incorporating more of her other products into my regimen and all of them have helped the clarity and radiance of my skin. I am so happy to be turning 30 this year, and that I have the best skin I have ever had. I strongly recommend her stuff :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Clear Normalizing Cleanser
JCM123 1/11/2012 6:58:00 AM
Dear Paula, Thank you for creating this cleanser!! Love, me :) This is the only thing that has helped make a HUGE difference to my skin, that has been a nightmare for the past year out of no where! I do use it in conjunction with my clarisonic, but even before throwing the clarisonic into the mix I noticed remarkable improvement. Don't get me wrong it didnt make my skin 100% perfect, but I'd say about 95%. Nothing else managed to do anything close to that. I have now added the Jan Marini Bioglycolic cleanser into my routine in the AM and use this just at night to get the war paint off and the daily grime, and my skin is now 100% clear. :) HURRAY! x
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 and Antioxidants
JCM123 1/11/2012 6:38:00 AM
This is a very decent moisturiser. I have since stopped using it as I felt that it wasnt really mattifying enough for me and I wasnt in love with it. However, as with all Paula's products I was quite pleased with the product. The main issue for me was that it got quite clumpy quickly, so when I was spreading it over my face it had little clumps of solidified cream which wasnt the greatest but something that wasnt that big of a deal to get rid of. In the end I just stopped using it as I reverted back to my Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant which I prefer and feel it does a better job for what I need for my skin, it adds a lovely glow to my skin, but yet keeps it matte for longer than anything else I have ever used, and I have been using this Jan Marini one on and off since I was 15 and every time I stop (its quite expensive which is why I always stop) my skin doesn't like me for it, so I end up caving and going back to it!
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Cleansers -Dermalogica - clean start wash off
JCM123 7/7/2011 6:55:00 AM
This was just ok. It cleans well and didnt leave my skin feeling dry or tight, but otherwise it did nothing to help clear my acne, which is not that severe but irritating nonetheless. Having finished up the bottle I have now moved onto Paula's Choice Clear Normalizing Cleanser which has shown some drastic improvements in just a week. I would not purchase this again.
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Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Pure Color Crystal Lipstick- Crystal Baby
JCM123 6/13/2011 10:07:00 AM
I just recently purchased this having long admired and borrowed my sisters (who I believe may have knabbed it from our mum). Its just a gorgeous colour, my lips but better and slightly lighter (as I have quite pigmented red lips). Goes on like a dream and is just the best colour ever. I am always searching for nice nudey-pinks but this wins hands down as the best I have tried so far. If you like nudey-pink lips you can't go wrong with this one! :0)
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Liquid -Clinique - Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Make Up
JCM123 5/18/2011 12:53:00 PM
I have to say that I took the plunge with this one despite all the negative reviews it has gotten and I am very glad I went ahead. My skin recently started to go a bit crazy and every single foundation I tried ranging from cheap drugstore to £50 + splurges was not helping. This foundation has made quite a noticeable difference to my skin. No longer do I take my foundation off at the end of the day to find that new pimples are emerging, but gradually over time and with a steady cleansing regimen my skin is starting to go back to normal. I bought this in shade 03 as I have somewhat of a tan at the moment and as we are heading into summer hope that this will continue (you just never know if a tan will stay in London though), and it has matched my skin very well. I do find that at the end of the day I have a slight 'shine' on my t-zone but nothing over the top, besides I am not a fan of the 'matte' look. I will say that this foundation is not really medium to full coverage, but quite a light coverage. You definitely have to use concealer to cover any larger/noticeable blemishes and I do set problem oilier areas with powder. I have been using this for just over two weeks now and I am quite pleased. Initially I found that this accentuated any dry patches I had where I had been spot treating pimples with my clindamycin treatment, but as the spots have disappered this isnt so much of an issue. I definitely think that this foundation is contributing significantly to the reduction is blackheads and blemishes on my face, rather than necessarily treating ones I already had. However, using this in conjunction with a decent skincare regimen things are looking clearer day by day. EDIT: Still very much using this. I have since tried rotating a few other products into my rotation (other foundations) and just find that I end up breaking out a bit from them, which doesn't happen at all with this stuff! I find that it can look a bit cakey if I am a bit heavy handed with it and I like a more luminous finish which this lacks. I have found the perfect balance by mixing a small drop of my Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectand into a small amount of the foundation really helps not only to improve the staying power, but also give a more soft luminous finish without giving me pimples! Hurrah! :) This is a keeper for me for sure!
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Cleansers -Dermalogica - PreCleanse
JCM123 3/15/2011 8:29:00 AM
This is a great make-up remover. Literally removes every last trace of my Double Wear Light foundation and doesn't leave any kind of oily residue behind, and my face does not feel 'tight' either. The main problem is that since I started using this in December I have had a continuos unending bout of large under-the-skin spots that just never go; mainly on my chin. I stopped using this stuff about a week ago and they are almost nearly gone now. I was also getting an unusually large amount of blackheads on my forehead and spots too, which are now also fading and easing up. I can only blame this stuff as the culprit. It may work for many people, but sadly I am not one that it has worked for.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No