Treatments (Eye) -Promaxyl - Eyelash Renewal serum Rapidlash
KSAP 12/27/2010 10:02:00 AM
This is HG for me... it works! It comes in an eyeliner-type tube and is applied w/ a thin brush (like eyeliner). It's a clear medium-thick serum. When applied, I have not found that it runs easily, irritates my eyes and I haven't experienced any discoloration while using this product. AND it's more affordable than many of the other lash growth enhancers on the market. I used this nightly for about three weeks before I noticed a marked improvement, then scaled back to every-other/third night and the results last. I have longer, thicker darker lashes. I use it on the top and bottom with marked improvement. One tube is supposed to be a month's supply. A tube lasts longer than that, for me (maybe b/c I started using it every-other/third night after the third week). I can't compare this product to the other lash growth enhancers (in terms of effectiveness), as this is the only one I've tried. However, it is MUCH more affordable. I paid $35 for a tube on eBay. If you are considering a lash growth enhancer and don't want to break the bank, this is a good start... it might become a HG for you, too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Long last Lipstick - Bamboo Pink
KSAP 4/12/2010 9:28:00 PM
So pretty! A soft pink with a slight shimmer gloss. It is a nice compliment to my coloring (light complexion, dark hair and eyes). This is a definite everyday gloss. Love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Jane Iredale - Pure Pressed Base
KSAP 4/12/2010 9:25:00 PM
Jane Iredale, where have you been all my life? After what seems an endless and disappointing search for my HG foundation, I think I finally struck gold! This powder base also proved to me that all mineral makeups are not created equally. I love the texture... light, but with a medium coverage (using a brush for application) that can be customized and built upon (using the enclosed sponge for a heavier application). The finish is flawless, natural-looking skin. Until GA LSF, I had not found a foundation with that combination. I'm still trying to decide which of the two I like best (JI or GA... maybe leaning in favor of JI)... very different products, indeed; however, they seem to accomplish exactly what I look for/like in a foundation. The added bonus with JI is that it provides a natural SPF 20... bonus! For reference, I have crazy sensitive, combo breakout-prone skin and have not had any problems with breakouts using JI, nor does this powder base cause over drying, which has been the case with other mineral powder foundations I've tried. I am MAC NC-25, GA LSF 5 and JI Satin.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation [DISCONTINUED]
KSAP 3/3/2010 7:04:00 PM
Although I would likely repurchase this product, the jury is still out on how I feel about it overall. First, I love that it is a pump. To date, my fave is GA LSF... can't find a more perfect (except the price tag) foundation for me. Unfortunately, LSF will be my benchmark from here on out. This foundation is about the same consistency/thickness as LSF, seems to be the same color/pigment as LSF #5 (MAC NC25), both offer a light/medium finish, both are long-wearing, without needing touch-ups, LSF offers a nice luminosity that this one seems to lack and there is just something about the way my skin looks when I use LSF... this product falls somewhat short there. I have sensitive/combination/breakout-prone skin and this doesn't irritate my skin the way so many other products do. I suppose if I had never tried LSF I'd like this foundation more... but in comparison it falls just a tad short of my love for LSF.
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Moisturizers -Eve Lom - Moisturiser SPF15
KSAP 3/3/2010 6:08:00 PM
I am writing this review based on my use of a sample packet; therefore, I cannot comment on long-term use. The sample packet is generous, as I have been using it once per day for almost a week and still have product. The cream is thick and rich, but absorbs quickly without leaving any residue... just soft, hydrated/moisturized skin. And smells divine... a little like lavender. I have sensitive, combination, breakout-prone skin and this lovely moisturizer has not caused any flare-ups. It also sits well under makeup and doesn't cause a mid-day oil slick. I so desperately want to purchase this product, as I know it will be a true love. I gave it only four out of five stars because it is so darned expensive and it comes in a tub, and I prefer a pump or tube for sanitation.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Unlisted Brand - Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Coconut bar soap
KSAP 2/26/2010 1:42:00 PM
Really?! Couldn't wait to try, based on the reviews here... nothing more than an overpriced bar of soap IMHO... I don't get it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Caviar Day Cream
KSAP 1/12/2010 6:38:00 PM
After too quickly finishing the last bottle of my beloved Cosmedix Emulsion, I was in need of a product I liked as much (I would have settled for almost as much) without the healthy price tag. I tried several things (The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream, Organic Rose Hip Oil, Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Coconut Moisturizer and several samples of MB moisturizers) that fell flat. My skin is combo/sensitive/breakout-prone, and drier in the winter. It has been down-right cold here, with little to no humidity, so I was in need of something rich. My fear is that with rich you usually get heavy... and I was concerned about breakouts. Then along came this little gem. It is exactly what I was looking for. The first time I tried it, I was deeply concerned that it was going to break me out like crazy... it is the consistency of whipped petroleum jelly... it didn't! In fact, it make my skin feel and look like glass... I glowed! My dehydrated skin improved with every use. When I ran out of the sample, I was forced to use some of the other products I had... and my hydrated glow soon disappeared. Nordstrom was out, so I was forced to place an order directly with MB... I'm glad it worked out that way, because they are super generous with their samples... and I received an additional gift and discount with my order. Well, needless to say, I'm back to loving my skin... and loving this product! Alas, I gave it only four lippies because of its packaging... I prefer a pump. **UPDATE: After prolonged use, I stopped getting the "glass" feeling this product once produced... in fact, it kind of seemed to just sit on top of my skin and not do much of anything. I tried to figure out what, if anything, I was doing differently to cause this product's sudden ineffectiveness. When I couldn't figure it out, I surmised that it must be what happens with long-term (month+) use, so I returned my jar :( **
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Eve Lom - Cleanser
KSAP 11/6/2009 4:15:00 PM
Okay, so a very nice MUAer sent me a sample of this lovely product and I was hooked. I liked the sample so much that, yes, I shelled out nearly $100 for a full-size jar. And the verdict? I like, don't love it. It's a nice emollient cleanser, removes makeup well and smells nice, but beyond that, I didn't notice anything extraordinary. It comes in a jar, which is not the most sanitary way of extracting the product, even though I wash my hands with anti-bacterial soap before each use. It comes with facial massage instructions, but I got tire of the time it took to get through the massage and bagged that concept pretty early on. It is a thick (almost petroleum jelly) consistency with little granules (like sugar) that dissolve as you massage into your skin. It comes with a little white muslin wash cloth, used to help remove the product. I said I'd buy it again, and I might. But with such a ridiculous price tag for a cleanser, I will continue to search for a more viable and affordable product first.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Sublime Bronze Face/Body Light-Medium
KSAP 8/17/2009 12:19:00 PM
I received this lovely gem of a product as part of a swap... and so glad I did. As an avid Clarins fan, I was sure that a drugstore self-tanner would not measure up. I was wrong! This self tanner is a light lotion formula, with low self tanner odor. It blends nicely and produces a lovely natural color. Here are the pros and cons of the L'Oreal vs. Clarins, as I have experienced: Both produce a nice color; although, I would say I like the color I get from Clarins a bit more. Clarins has recently added the most offensive fragrance (I assume to cover up the self-tanner smell... which it does not) to their formula, making it almost obnoxious to use. L'Oreal, by contrast has a MUCH less offensive fragrance... both in additive and self tanner smell. L'Oreal and the Clarins lotion version are similar in consistency and in how they blend... I have not had a problem with streaking using either product. Clarins dries a bit faster than L'Oreal, but not enough to make that much of a difference. Now, for the biggest difference in the two products... L'Oreal is $24 less expensive! If you are anything like me and want the most bang for your hard-earned buck... you prefer a sunless tan to the real thing, and you love Clarins self tanner, I say give L'Oreal Sublime Bronze a shot... I don't think you will be disappointed!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Andis Professional 1875 Ionic Ceramic Blow Dryer
KSAP 7/26/2009 6:42:00 PM
Worst blow dryer I've ever owned... didn't last a year! **Sorry, I just realized that I put this under the wrong category**
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Conditioner -Organix - Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner
KSAP 10/31/2008 9:17:00 PM
I am SHOCKED by how much I like this shampoo & conditioner. First, they smell YUMMY!! Next, they are affordable... $7 each at Walgreen's. Beyond that, the shampoo lathers really well, cleans well and did I mention how YUMMY it smells? The conditioner is thick, conditions well and rinses clean. I use the tiniest bit of conditioner as a leave-in, as well. I wasn't sure I was going to like this after the first time I used it. It seemed to leave my hair tangly... and I don't usually have a big problem with tangles. Thereafter, I decided to use it as I do my cleansing conditioners... rinse, rinse, rinse! That worked well... and the results are clean, manageable hair that behaves, dries more quickly... and smells YUMMY! The longer you leave the conditioner on, the better it works.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Organix - Coconut Milk Shampoo
KSAP 10/31/2008 9:16:00 PM
I am SHOCKED by how much I like this shampoo & conditioner. First, they smell YUMMY!! Next, they are affordable... $7 each at Walgreen's. Beyond that, the shampoo lathers really well, cleans well and did I mention how YUMMY it smells? The conditioner is thick, conditions well and rinses clean. I use the tiniest bit of conditioner as a leave-in, as well. I wasn't sure I was going to like this after the first time I used it. It seemed to leave my hair tangly... and I don't usually have a big problem with tangles. Thereafter, I decided to use it as I do my cleansing conditioners... rinse, rinse, rinse! That worked well... and the results are clean, manageable hair that behaves, dries more quickly... and smells YUMMY! I figured something out with this shampoo... Because it contains egg protein, unless you follow with a good conditioner (I use this shampoo's companion conditioner), it is likely going to leave your hair feeling like straw. This is the same effect you would get if you used any other protein treatment (like Nexxus Emergencee) without conditioning.
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Hair -Sacha Cosmetics - Sally - Hair One Hair Cleanser and Conditioner
KSAP 10/22/2008 1:58:00 PM
This is getting rave reviews on the hair boards. Hair One is touted as a less expensive version of Chad Dean's Wen Cleansing Conditioner. It comes in four formulas (Cucumber for Normal Hair, Jojoba for Color-Treated Hair, Olive Oil for Dry Hair and Tea Tree for Dry Scalp). Most users (on the hair boards) seem to gravitate toward the Jojoba. After weighing the four options and smelling each (I think Olive Oil smells the best and can't stand the smell of Tea Tree), I opted for the Jojoba, as well. I was concerned that the Olive Oil might be too conditioning and, while my hair is on the dry side, my scalp is on the oily side... so I played it safe. I must start by saying that I have had good luck with Wen (SAM) and like the cleansing conditioner concept; although, I was having some trouble justifying the $28 expense and having to pay shipping on top of that. So, a less expensive alternative was right up my alley. I will also say that, while I like Wen and Hair One and overall the cleansing conditioner concept, I have and will use a clarifying shampoo once a week or so, as they do seem to build up regardless of the amount of time spent rinsing. About Hair One... the directions are similar to those of Wen, so no surprise there. If you have never used a cleansing conditioner, the "secret" is in the rinse. Rinse your hair for at least a minute (count if you need to) before applying and at least two minutes when rinsing out the product. Other than that, it really is quite simple. Apply the number of pumps required for your hair's length and thickness (I have found that you don't need quite as many as either product recommends... start with ten and move up from there, if need-be). Apply the product like shampoo, massaging your scalp for approximately a minute. At this point, I flip my head over and use a wide-toothed comb (not the one sold as part of the Wen package... I have my own) to distribute the product all the way through my hair. I use a clip to keep my hair up while I finish my shower (approximately 5 minutes) then RINSE, RINSE, RINSE... I actually count to 120 to be sure I have rinsed enough. Then I use a pump or so and apply from the middle of my hair down to the ends and wring out the rest. Style as usual and... Voila! Clean, conditioned, shiny hair with lots of body. The biggest difference in the two products (so far) is the amount of "tingle" you get while massaging into your scalp. There is more tingle with Wen... which I almost prefer, as I feel like my scalp is getting cleaner... but several members who posted on the board said they could live w/o the tingle of Wen and prefer Hair One. Other than the "tingle" I just mentioned, Hair One and Wen are very similar in how they are used and in their results. What I like better about Hair One is that it's a third the price of Wen and I can purchase it at my local Sally Beauty Supply (no need to pay for shipping). If you like Wen, I HIGHLY recommend Hair One! UPDATE: After using Wen and Hair One, I have to admit that I prefer Wen and find myself reaching for it more than Hair One. I can't exactly put my finger on the difference, it's more how my hair "behaves" when I use Wen. I have kept the lippies at 4 because it is more accessible, less expensive and I do like it, just not as much as I like Wen.
26 out of 28 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
KSAP 9/26/2008 3:43:00 PM
This is a great product. I am shocked at how much I like it. I polled other MUAers on the Makeup Boards and many suggested this product and Lancome Volumous. Since Target was out of the Volumous in the the color I wanted, I picked up this little gem. My HG mascara is and has been Lancome Definicils Waterproof and have not been able to find another product that compares. This one is close... at least close enough to repurchase in place of my beloved Lancome because of the $17 savings. Both formulas are not too wet... one of my biggest mascara gripes... when applied (even the first time, at a mascara's wettest possible point) both apply nicely and dry quickly enough that my lashes stay curled. Lancome does apply slightly better, only in that I don't have to continue applying to get the same effect. Both stay put all day, without flaking or smudging. Both are waterproof formulations and live up to what would be expected in a waterproof mascara. The biggest difference in these two mascaras (aside from the price) is the brush... I think I prefer Lancome's... however, that may be simply because I am used to their brush and just started using the S & F. Overall, S & F has surpassed my expectations and I will definitely repurchase... HIGHLY RECOMMEND! UPDATE: Using the Maybelline mascara and the Lancome brush, there is little, if any, difference in the results I get when using Lancome alone... works great!
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Lip Gloss -Milani - Crystal Gloss for Lips in Whisper
KSAP 9/9/2008 2:24:00 PM
Really pretty! The color reminds me of Lip Fusion Glow (without the high price tag and lip plumping tingle) and Lancome Juicy Tubes Baby Doll (again without the price tag and not quite as sticky). Whisper is a lightly frosted, lovely pink gloss. It adds the slightest dash of color and pretty sparkle to your lips. It does have the tell-tale vanilla scent/flavor of Milani Crystal Gloss. Really pretty, and for less that $4, you can't go wrong.
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