Lip Treatments -Nivea - A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care
Jetaime 3/7/2013 11:13:00 PM
This is my go to "chapstick." I spend a good amount of time in the sun or wind while teaching English in Costa Rica. Time spent outdoors can do a number on my lips and often leaves them red and chapped. I used Burts Bees in the past but noticed it wasn't hydrating my lips like I needed and even gave me a bit of acne around my mouth. This lip balm is very moisturizing and goes on smoothly. I didn't notice much of a smell or taste, which I prefer. I love that it has SPF 10 as well. When I use this chapstick, I do notice an improvement in the texture of my lips and their overall appearance. Won't be changing from this one!
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BB Cream -Maybelline - Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream
Jetaime 1/16/2013 2:27:00 PM
Let me start by saying this is not a full coverage product. It is sheer to light coverage. Do not expect it to work like a foundation and hide your acne or other blemishes. If that is what you are looking for, this is not your product. I had no interest in trying BB creams until my dermatologist recommended this product to me. I was looking for a daily moisturizer/spf that would not break me out. I have sensitive, acne prone skin. I can not wear chemical sunscreen without breaking out. I was skeptical of this product but gave it a try anyway. This product is certainly "liquid-y" and spills a bit out of the packaging (they need to work on this). I chose the lightest shade which looked a bit brown in the tube but blended in well into my skin. It blended in fairly well into my skin, if a bit sticky. Immediately after applying, I use a dusting of powder to set the cream and prevent an oil slick. I imagine without powder this BB cream will get oily by mid day for most people. I need to blot a bit in the afternoon, regardless. I am a full coverage foundation kind of girl but for running errands this BB cream combined with powder does well for me. It evens out my skin tone, conceals some redness and diminishes the appearance of blemishes. It does not look like makeup, which is lovely. So far I have experienced no breakouts from this product. I wish they would redo the packaging and make it a larger size and less leak prone. Overall, I am happy with this product and will repurchase.
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Mascara -Tarte - Lights Camera Lashes
Jetaime 1/13/2013 10:34:00 PM
I am back to using this mascara after trying out a few drugstore ones that never worked out too well. I am not sure why I ever strayed from this mascara but I must have had a case of memory loss because this stuff is good! My eyelashes are blonde, fairly straight and short but thick. I usually look for mascaras that will give me some length and curl. I like the brush of this mascara because it's smaller without being too thin and has enough bristles to get in your lashes and coat them evenly (something I need with my blonde lashes). Similarly, I can actually achieve some curl since the brush lets me get to the root of my lashes and lift. I found that the mascara makes my lashes look longer as well and does not smudge/flake throughout the day. I am a contact lens wearer with dry eye and this formula didn't irritate me whatsoever. Lastly, the packaging is cute and stands out in your makeup bag. At $19, it is not cheap but honestly, not that more expensive that drugstore mascaras these days. Plus I like being able to know I can return the product to Sephora if some problem arises. So...I've fallen back in love with Lights Camera Lashes!...so much so, that I actually bought a backup for once.
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Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Dollface
Jetaime 1/13/2013 10:07:00 PM
I am a big fan of Tarte's cheek stains and I think Dollface is my favorite shade. It is comes up as a dewy, pale pink with a hint of lavender on my skin. With my cool and fair skin tone, this shade is quite flattering and gives me enough color to look healthy and youthful. The finish is quite smooth and light. I apply straight from the tube and then use my fingers to blend. It is not a long lasting blush and I usually need a touch up mid day. Most blushes don't last all day on me so I wasn't too concerned about that. I would certainly buy again- the color and finish are too pretty not to!
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Liquid -Kat Von D - Lock-It
Jetaime 1/13/2013 8:37:00 PM
I LOVE this foundation. I was introduced to it by a makeup artist at Sephora and was pretty skeptical at first. Kat Von D didn't just seem like the kind of brand I'd go for and I had somehow missed the buzz about this foundation. For some background, I wore Lancome's Teint Idole foundation for 10 years before they changed their formula in the past year. For whatever reason, the new formula doesn't look as good on my skin and I set out to find a new Holy Grail. My skin is oily and acne prone with great sensitivity to makeup and any change in my skin care routine. I have some redness and acne scars. My face broke out the worst in years after trying Clarins' Everlasting foundation. I needed a full coverage foundation to hide my imperfections without making it worse. That's where the Lock-It foundation comes. As others have noted, this foundation is thick and a bit "tacky" in texture. I typically need about a pump and half to cover my face, using Sonia Kashuk's Flat Top brush. I think people with clearer skin could use a pump or less. I wear Light 44 and the color is a beautiful match. There are 14 shades so hopefully most will find what they are looking for. With this foundation, I use little to no concealer and a dusty of setting powder. I absolutely love the smooth finish and how evenly it covers my skin. This is not a "no make up" look foundation at all. It is truly full coverage and should not look cakey unless you apply too much or poorly. The wear is quite nice. I applied my makeup about 7 hours and it looks very fresh with a bit of shine on my forward. After a week of use, I have not experienced any breakouts from this foundation. I can't recommend this foundation enough to those on the market for a full coverage. I am actually glad that Lancome changed their foundation because now I've switched to an even better one and it's less expensive.
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Tinted Lip Balm
Jetaime 1/13/2013 8:22:00 PM
I tried this product in Petunia with a $1.50 off coupon at Rite-Aid. I have to admit the packaging drew me in as well as the desire for a "your lips but better" look. I was surprised to see the the cardboard packaging is merely a tube to hold a smaller tube of lip balm in your typical packaging. To me, the cardboard packaging was a waste and made me think I would getting a lot more product than I actually did. I don't know if others caught on right away about the packaging. I will reuse the cardboard tube but it still seems silly to me. I love the petunia color. It's a really nice cool pink shade that makes me lips look healthy and youthful. The texture of the lip balm is smooth and moisturizing, not at all waxy or tacky. Like most lip balms, it's staying power isn't much. I don't mind having to reapply since the color is so nice and flattering. I would definitely repurchase this product but only with a coupon or sale because I think $7 is a bit high.
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Liquid -Clarins - Everlasting Foundation SPF 15
Jetaime 1/8/2013 7:36:00 PM
I bought this foundation after Lancome changed the formula of their Teint Idole Ultra. For reference, I am 25 years old with acne prone/sensitive skin and a fair complexion. I like full coverage foundations with a matte finish. I had read good things about Clarins foundation and went to Dillards to try it out. I ended up buying the lightest shade as this foundation does not have a great selection of shades. I did not have a chance to try this foundation in store so I had to do so at home. As for applying it, it went on pretty smoothly and definitely works best with a light hand. I liked the smooth finish and the color while not perfect was decent. I figured this foundation would be a good replacement until a few days later. My whole face started breaking out like mad. I broke out all over my chin, forehead and cheeks. My skin is very irritated and red. I know the culprit was this foundation because that was the only thing I changed in my routine. I really wanted to like this foundation but it's just not a fit for me! Pros: Long wearing Full coverage Smooth finish Cons: Lack of color selection Thick Caused breakouts for me
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Cleansers -Cetaphil - Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Jetaime 12/22/2012 11:10:00 PM
Well, I am one of the ones who this product did not work for. I bought this soap after I ran out of my usual face wash and couldn't find it at the pharmacy. I have heard great things about Cetaphil and how mild it is. For reference, I have acne prone sensitive skin. I used this soap on my face twice a day as well as on my body, which can be acne prone as well. The first few days I felt like this product was cleaning my skin well and was gentle. Then I noticed my back was bumpy and rough. I continued to use the soap on my face and after about a week and half, my face was bumpy and rough just like my back. Now my chin is breaking out a bit and my forehead is VERY dry. Since discounting use, my back has mostly cleared up and my face remains a mess. Will not repurchase.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Pure & Free Liquid Daily Sunblock, SPF 50
Jetaime 12/7/2012 10:35:00 AM
My derm recommended Neutrogena's "Pure & Free Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 50" to me after I complained about the breakouts other sunscreens were giving me. A little background- I have oily skin with occasional bouts of cystic acne as well as blackheads. I'm also very fair and currently spending much of my year teaching in Costa Rica, where the sun is very strong. I need a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or more to stay protected. I had high hopes for this sunscreen and at first, really liked the product. It's fairly easy to apply (a bit less so than your typical sunscreen but it's not as greasy either), doesn't leave me oilslicked at the end of the day, didn't pill with my foundation or cause acne breakouts. I would have continued with this product except for 2 big complaints. The first being that after using this product for a few weeks, I noticed that the texture of my skin changed. It became rough and bumpy on my forehead and chin. When I stopped using the product, the texture went back to normal. Secondly, it leaves a very noticeable white cast. At first, I thought I could cover it with makeup but no, I just look sickly when I wear this sunscreen. I realize some sunscreens have this effect but Neutrogena advertises the sunscreen as layering invisibly under makeup. Hardly. Wish this product would have been "the one" but my search continues!
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Scrubs -Mario Badescu - Almond & Honey Non-abrasive facial scrub
Jetaime 1/2/2012 11:26:00 PM
This is a good atypical scrub for people with sensitive, dry or combination skin. Normally, I would purchase a more abrasive scrub as I have oily acne-prone skin. However, I had a TCA peel about 3 weeks ago and my skin is still quite dry and sensitive. I needed something to remove flaky, dull skin without adding redness and irritation. This scrub fits the bill. It is milky with almond bits and cornmeal. I love the smell and it's strangely fun to use. My skin was softer the next day. The fine lines I have from dry skin on my forehead have lessened. My only complaint is that jar is messy!
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Dry Skin Therapy Calming Creme
Jetaime 12/14/2011 11:16:00 PM
This product is a good skin care staple. I have oily acne prone skin so very rarely do I purchase creams and moisturizers other than your basic daily SPF. However, I had a medium strength TCA peel about 9 days ago. In the recovery process, my skin was very tight and dry. I did not use anything other than Aquaphor and Vaseline on my skin before day 7 as instructed my dermatologist. As my skin healed, I searched for something to relieve some of the redness in my new skin. I like Eucerin products and decided to try this one out. I have had no break outs using this product and have found much relief from the dryness and redness. The cream feels soft and has a light, unoffensive smell. It is inexpensive and readily available. I would certainly recommend this product to anyone suffering from dryness.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Erase paste
Jetaime 1/16/2011 11:48:00 PM
I bought this concealer to use on my under eye circles. I'm fair skinned with medium circles under my eyes (not dark but noticeable without any makeup) that I can't quite cover up with just my foundation and powder. The SA at Sephora recommended this product to me and since I generally like Benefit, I gave it a shot. First of all, the packaging is, as usual, very cute and easy to find in a makeup bag. I've never bothered with the spatula and just use my ring and pinky fingers. The color match was fine and it definitely brightened up my under eye area. The effect makes me look awake and bright eyed. Unfortunately, some of the brightening power (whatever it is) fades rather quickly. My under eye circles do stay covered. Here's my gripe: I can not blend this concealer as I would like to. It always settles into the fine, fine lines under my eyes and I'm 23, a young looking 23. Yet with this concealer, I often spot cervices under my eyes that were not there before I applied it. Not good! I find that I have to let this concealer sit, settle, and re-blend. I'm going to try this product with an eye cream and see if that helps. I have tried using less product but then I don't get the coverage I need. I'm not sold on repurchasing this one.
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Masks -Mario Badescu - Strawberry Tonic Mask
Jetaime 1/16/2011 10:41:00 PM
I received a sample of this product after completing Mario Badescu's online skin consultation. My mom is a big fan of Mario Badescu and I have come to associate the line with quality ingredients and excellent customer service. Product guide claims: - Reduces blackheads and congestion - Refreshes and revives dull skin - Cleans and tightens pores I used this product as directed. It is a pale pink color and feels like clay. I loved how the mask felt-- very "spa-like" and relaxing. After removing the mask, I noticed that my skin was certainly smoother and my pores were clearer. I have some blackheads on my nose, which did not disappear but my skin was no longer bumpy. I have used this product three times and love the experience. It feels indulgent and luxurious, cleaning and smoothing my skin. To me, it is not a must have but a bonus to any skin care regimen.
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Cleansers -Boots - No7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 Wipes - All Skin Types
Jetaime 1/16/2011 10:25:00 PM
I have repurchased this product three times and I have no doubts I will continue to repurchase. These wipes are absolutely perfect for removing my makeup. The texture is soft with enough "grit" to catch all my makeup. They are not strongly scented and the package does not dry out easily. I usually only need one wipe to get off all my makeup and then follow up with a cleansing lotion. On lazy nights, I can get away with just using these. I prefer wipes to oils because it is less messy and more convenient.
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Gels/Soaps -Neutrogena - Body Clear Body Wash - Pink Grapefruit
Jetaime 7/13/2010 11:30:00 PM
I decided to try this product this I generally like the Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash/Scrub products. I love the smell of grapefruit so this seemed like a nice alternative to the sort of blah scent of the original. I have to say I am very disappointed in this product. The first two times I used it I was struck by how great it smelled and how the scent lingered nicely. My skin seemed to be dry but I figured the product was just workings its wonders. I should add now that I have acne prone oily skin with occasional break outs on my back. The third time I used this product my skin felt dryer and I decided maybe I should skip the body wash the next time. The very next day, I woke up with a rash around my collarbone, chest, and upper back--exactly where I use this body wash. I then noticed a large break out with dozens small pimples all over my back and upper arms as well as about three large pimples on my back. It's as ugly as it sounds. I recommend that people try out this body wash on a patch of skin first. I should have done this before using the product but I honestly didn't expect any kind of adverse reaction since I've always done well with Neutrogena products. Sadly, Body Clear Body Wash in Pink Grapefruit was not a winner for me. Instead of killing and preventing more acne, I've got a large rash and breakout to deal with and handful of bucks down the drain.
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