Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Daily Essential Moisturizer
Jesamyn 12/16/2011 12:15:00 PM
Still on the quest for a cruelty-free alternative to Olay Classis Sensitive Skin. My skin is quite sensitive but otherwise 'normal', so I just need a basic moisturizer. I seem to react to many moisturizers containing sunscreen. As a result, my preference is for non-SPF products, and I apply a baby sunscreen as needed. I picked this up after trying the tester a few times in my local New Seasons to get a feel for whether I would react. I am very glad I did. It's a light cream with a pleasant, mild scent. It sinks into my skin very quickly and leaves a matte finish. The moisturizing is just right for my skin and not at all greasy. A little dab normally does for me, though I apply a bit extra if it's particularly dry out. I'm not in love with the container as I don't care for tubs, but I can live with it. I will definitely re-purchase.
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Moisturizers -Trader Joe's - Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion
Jesamyn 12/16/2011 12:09:00 PM
I picked this up due to the rave reviews, and looking for a cruelty-free alternative to Olay Classic Sensitive Skin. My skin is sensitive but otherwise "normal", so I just need a basic light moisturizer with no fragrance or color. I like the packaging. The little spout lid is sanitary and easier than a removable lid. I also really liked the light consistency, and the amount of moisturizing was just right for me. The problem is that about 10 minutes after I put it on, my face turned bright red and became very warm. I think it's a great basic moisturizer for those who aren't sensitive to the ingredients and will pass it along to a less-sensitive friend.
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Toners -Merlot - Merlot facial toner
Jesamyn 8/1/2011 4:06:00 PM
I don't use a toner as a daily step in my skincare. I really like this as a basic toner for the times when I want to refresh my skin or get some 'grime' (dust, etc) off of it without full-fledgedly washing my face. It doesn't irritate or dry my sensitive skin, which is amazing. My skin just feels refreshed and less grungy. I don't like the tilt-open bottle, but I just take the top off and dispense it that way. A flip top would be better, in my opinion.
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Skincare - Face -Neutrogena - Liquid Neutrogena facial cleansing formula fragrance free
Jesamyn 6/13/2011 2:54:00 AM
I tried this when I started getting red irritated patches on my cheeks after years of using Cetaphil without problem. It's great for my sensitive combo skin. I use this once a day when I shower in the evening (I just rinse with water in the morning), and it keeps my skin calm and clear. I still use moisturizer afterward, but this doesn't leave my skin stripped. My only complaint is that it burns a bit if I get the suds into my eyes. But really, complaining about that is reaching and doesn't detract from the effectiveness of the product. I have tried one or two other cleansers in an attempt to use something 'green' or cruelty free, but they just don't agree with my skin. Neutrogena seems to work with it very well, so no more straying.
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Cleansers -Sebamed - Liquid Face and Body Wash
Jesamyn 6/13/2011 2:45:00 AM
I picked this up thinking it might be good for my sensitive combo skin since it's ph balanced, hypoallergenic, and supposedly mild. I also liked that it was cruelty free. My cheeks felt like they were burning within a few seconds and my skin was quite dry after I rinsed it. I checked the ingredients after (I know, I know - the one time I didn't look before using!), and the bottle has 'fragrance' listed. I can't help but wonder why a serious company would put fragrance in something supposedly designed for sensitive skin, but maybe I was sensitive to another ingredient. It might work as a body wash, but I would not recommend using this on facial skin if one is sensitive.
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Moisturizers -Acne.org - Moisturizer
Jesamyn 10/25/2010 4:51:00 PM
This review is for the new formulation. I need a basic moisturizer without a lot of actives, so I ordered a 2oz travel size to try this. I really wanted this to work for me, and it looked like it might at first. I like the light, fluid consistency. I apply my moisturizer while my skin is damp, and this doesn't soak in quickly. I can live with that, as it absorbs in a few minutes. My skin felt soft and 'normal' after it absorbs, which is my determination that my moisturizer is doing its job. After almost a week of use, I started having trouble. First, my skin started seeming drier, and I needed to go back for a second round of moisturizer. Second, in the last day or two I've started experiencing a light burning sensation when applying this, even to damp skin. Apparently my skin has decided to reject this entirely.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Jesamyn 10/25/2010 4:41:00 PM
I really looked forward to trying this after reading all of the good reviews, and knowing that Clinique is supposed to be very gentle and hypoallergenic. I liked the consistency and how quickly it sank in, which is why it gets two lippies. Unfortunately, the first application left me with a burning sensation and that pebbly feeling that I get when my skin is irritated. Recent experiences suggest that I react to both fragrances and colors in my moisturizer. Although this doesn't contain fragrance, it does contain color.
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Liquid -Cover Girl - CG Smoothers All Day Hydrating Makeup
Jesamyn 6/13/2010 5:01:00 PM
I picked this up in 750 Creamy Beige, and the color is a spot-on match for my very neutral skin. The coverage is light, just evening out the tone. The finish is semi-matte for me and looks very natural. I don't have trouble with the color shifting or the foundation slipping throughout the day. I can't say how hydrating this really is, but my skin still feels soft and fresh at the end of the day. I like the plastic bottle and spout. I don't have to worry about the bottle breaking during travel, and I'm not introducing anything into my makeup by putting the brush into it. The pressure changes of flying (or maybe my packing) did cause some extra makeup to spurt out of the spout after the trip, but it wasn't enough to flood out of the lid.
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Liquid -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Enriched w/ Minerals
Jesamyn 4/14/2010 6:00:00 PM
The coverage is medium and looks reasonably polished when applied. The color that I picked up looked very dark in the bottle, but matched my neutrally toned medium-darkness skin very well. "Lasting?" Hardly. This turned into a sticky grease slick in five hours on my combo skin, which does not have a tendency to be incredibly oily. It wiped off on anything I touched at that point, including my fingers if I touched my face. It settled into my pores and looked pretty gunky at that point. I couldn't wait to take it off.
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Lip Balm
Jesamyn 12/11/2009 1:52:00 PM
I really don't get the hype about Burt's Bees lip balms. The stick is hard and pulls at lips during application - rather painful if you're lips are chapped and dry. It's very sticky and seems to sit on top of my lips instead of soaking in. Fairly expensive considering the lack of performance.
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Moisturizers -Ponds - Dry Skin Cream
Jesamyn 10/13/2009 2:24:00 PM
My skin is getting drier as the winter comes, and I picked this up hoping it would help. It is a nice, rich cream and feels luxurious on the skin. Unfortunately, it also makes my skin sting. This is not due to dryness, as this happens even if I use another moisturizer (Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion) beforehand. I also don't care for the fragrance. I am currently using this on my elbows and other areas so it won't go to waste. So far, it seems to work fairly well for that. I don't think it's suitable for people who are sensitive to fragrances on their face.
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Skincare - Body -Johnson & Johnson - Head to Toe baby wash
Jesamyn 9/9/2009 3:47:00 AM
Wow. I would never have considered buying this as a face wash for my sensitive combo skin, but I gave it a shot because it was cheap and got good reviews. I'd used Cetaphil for years, but it started leaving my skin rough and no longer preventing breakouts. I tried CeraVe next. It was good, but didn't really quell the breakouts. After consulting MUA, I picked up a bottle of the Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Wash, expecting I could use it for body wash if it didn't work out for my face. I was very pleasantly surprised. I use it with a cellulose sponge and don't scrub. It cleans my face perfectly without over-drying it. My skin feels so smooth and just glows. My breakouts are once again gone. This even took off my waterproof mascara (Full and Soft, which is easy dissolve), and of course doesn't sting my eyes.
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Eyeliner -Jane - Be Pure Mineral Gel Eyeliner
Jesamyn 7/18/2008 4:20:00 PM
Ah, finally! This is the eyeliner to replace my previous HG, Jordana's Color X-tend. I have the brown color. I find the gel formula far easier to apply than liquid. I like the brush (not that I have experience with other eyeliner brushes); I find it easy to draw a fine light line or a thicker and more dramatic line. The staying power is wonderful. Even on my slightly oily eyelids without powder, it's still there at the end of the day. I do have some smudging, but the bulk of the color is still where I put it in the AM. Most eyeliners just disappear after a whole day. I'll keep purchasing this as long as they make it!
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Moisturizers -Weleda - Skin Food
Jesamyn 7/17/2008 1:47:00 PM
I decided that I needed something a little more moisturizing than the Cetaphil Moisturing Lotion that I've used for years, so I gave this a try based on the reviews. I didn't expect it to live up to the hype, but I'm amazed. Yes, it is VERY thick, and you can forget rubbing. It has to be patted into the skin. I find this easier to do with my palms than with my fingertips, after trying both. That's ok since rubbing can be bad for your skin. I love the smell, which is very hard to describe. Citrusy-herbally is the best way that I can put it. It's quite a heavy moisturizer, and I wouldn't even attempt to use it during the day. I put it on after showering and cleaning my face at night. It's initially a bit greasy, but sinks into my skin pretty quickly. I don't even need any moisturizer in the morning. The most surprising thing to me is that my skin really does look brighter and more even after about a week of use. I'm not experiencing any issues with breakouts either. The price is a bit higher compared to what I usually use, but it takes so little that it's not that bad. The effects are certainly worth it.
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Mascara -Rimmel - Magnif'Eyes Eye Magnifier Eye Opening
Jesamyn 3/30/2008 4:58:00 PM
I had to check about 3 times to make sure I'm really reviewing the same product everyone else is here. I got the waterproof verson, so maybe that's the difference. This could also just be a premature review, but I love this stuff so far!
The brush is plastic instead of rubber, but that's not really bothering me. I really like that it tapers down to tiny nubs at the end, as that really helps me get my inner lashes. The formula is on the wet side, so I had to take a little care in applying it.
The result right now is long long long defined glossy lashes. I could change my mind in a week or two, but so far this is my favorite of the spiky-brushed mascaras. I'm shocked that my eyelashes aren't stiff. They're not as soft as natural, of course, but they're not going to poke an eye out either. There also isn't much volume, but since I have a ton of very fine lashes, I prefer less volume and more lengthening.
Update: Oy...stinging my eyes now like nobody's business. Too bad, but back it goes.
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