Palettes -Christian Dior - Shimmer Powder 001 Rose Diamond, Spring 08
Kaelie 1/6/2013 3:20:00 AM
I'm really torn about this product [maybe I just don't know how to put this on??] I love shimmer and using highlighters like the Dior floral palette a few years ago. But, using this makes me look oily/greasy. I've used different kinds of brushes and techniques - but it just doesn't look good on me - it comes out shiny, rather than shimmer. Also, I've concluded that the brick rose color - while lovely - isn't really complimentary to my Asian skin tone. So, not really the product's fault - but definitely a loser in my makeup drawer.
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Eye Shadow -Make Up For Ever - Aqua Cream 13 - Warm Beige
Kaelie 1/6/2013 3:06:00 AM
$23 for this is dirt cheap, considering how long these pots last! (I still haven't seen the bottom of the white shimmer one - #4 Snow- which I use nearly every day, and I think I've had it for over 2years now!). I'm currently obsessed with champagne-shimmer eyeshadow. This one has just enough shimmer to work for everyday, for day or night, and looks pretty on its own or as a base to other colors. I'm Asian, and this looks darker beige on me. One tip - you need to put this on with a synthetic brush or a finger and really blend it well on bare skin. You can't have ANY powder product under it - otherwise, it will flake, glop together and become impossible to blend. You can put other colors - powder etc. on top of it, but be sure this (and other aquacreams) are put on bare skin!
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Sulwhasoo - Hydro-Aid Moisturizing Lifting Cream
Kaelie 1/6/2013 2:56:00 AM
$100 USD for 1.7oz. - I think you can only buy this line in the US at either Neiman Marcus (online) or Bergdorf Goodman. I bought the entire set (including the serum, water, emulsion, and creams) after I saw my SIL's glowing skin. I'd been using CD forever and was looking around for something different, and this was it. The line's based on Korean herbal medicine, so there's an herbal underlying scent and ginseng - which I love. I hate the perfumey scents that other skincare lines always add, but I find the very light herbal scent soothing and therapeutic. the product is in a heavier jar that feels expensive and looks wonderful on my dressing table. I bought this cream after I'd been using the Concentrated Ginseng Cream (which can get pretty heavy) for my winter skin at night. This is based on seaweed extract and has a very light texture - the cream really absorbs well into my skin. So, on the days that I feel like my skin is ok without the heavy texture in the Ginseng cream, I use this one. I think I can continue to use this even in the summer, because it's so light and well-absorbing yet very moisturizing. I think anyone - even with oilier skin - should be able to use this. My skin's normally combination, tending to be more oily but in the winter, it acts crazy dry, developing little flakes under my makeup. But in combination with the all products, my skin looks very soft and supple, even in the middle of the winter!!
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Sulwhasoo - Concentrated Ginseng Cream
Kaelie 1/6/2013 2:49:00 AM
$220 USD for 2oz. - I think you can only buy this line in the US at either Neiman Marcus (online) or Bergdorf Goodman. I bought the entire set (including the serum, water, emulsion, and creams) after I saw my SIL's glowing skin. I'd been using CD forever and was looking around for something different, and this was it. The line's based on Korean herbal medicine, so there's an herbal underlying scent and ginseng - which I love (be forewarned that this cream has a VERY heavy ginseng scent - but it disappears fast once you put it on). I hate the perfumey scents that other skincare lines always add, but I find the very light herbal scent soothing and therapeutic. the product is in a heavier jar that feels expensive and looks wonderful on my dressing table. I use this cream at night, with the serum, balancing water, and the emulsion, because my skin gets so dry in the winter. The texture is pretty heavy and will leave slight oily residue, which is why I took off one lippie. But, I think it's done amazing things for my skin - which looks dewy and glowing when I wake up in the morning! [So, if you have any oil in your skin - don't even think about this cream!!] Also, I think it's pretty great at anti-aging, since ginseng and other Korean medicinal herbal ingredients are in the cream and are supposed to be really good for you. My skin's normally combination, tending to be more oily but in the winter, it acts crazy dry, developing little flakes under my makeup. But in combination with the all products, my skin looks very soft and supple, even in the middle of the winter!!
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Sulwhasoo - First Care Activating Serum
Kaelie 1/6/2013 2:40:00 AM
I think you can only buy this line in the US at either Neiman Marcus (online) or Bergdorf Goodman - but the available products are limited, as the serum isn't available there (I picked this up at a Korean boutique in the US). About $60 USD for 60ml. I bought the entire Sulwhasoo set (including the serum, water, emulsion, and creams) after I saw my SIL's glowing skin. I'd been using CD forever and was looking around for something different, and this was it. The line's based on Korean herbal medicine, so there's an herbal underlying scent and ginseng - which I love. I hate the perfumey scents that other skincare lines always add, but I find the very light herbal scent soothing and therapeutic. the product is in a heavier bottle that feels expensive and looks wonderful on my dressing table. I use the serum, the balancing water, and the emulsion together for day and add a cream at night. The serum's supposed to provide nutrients and is very thin (it comes in a bottle with a pump that provides just the right amount), thinner than the balancing water. I don't think it provides any moisture at all, but the SA explained that the herbal ingredients in the serum regulates bloodflow to your skin and performs a different function from the emulsion and the water - which are more for moisturizing. It absorbs really well. My skin can get pretty sensitive but so far, no adverse reactions or breakouts. The negative on this is that the serum adds a step to my morning routine - I'm used to it now, but for the low-maintenance ladies, be forewarned. My skin's normally combination, tending to be more oily but in the winter, it acts crazy dry, developing little flakes under my makeup. But in combination with the all products, my skin looks very soft and supple, even in the middle of the winter!!
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Moisturizers -Amore Pacific - Sulwhasoo Balancing Emulsion
Kaelie 1/6/2013 2:26:00 AM
$60 USD for 4.7oz. - I think you can only buy this line in the US at either Neiman Marcus (online) or Bergdorf Goodman. I bought the entire set (including the serum, water, emulsion, and creams) after I saw my SIL's glowing skin. I'd been using CD forever and was looking around for something different, and this was it. The line's based on Korean herbal medicine, so there's an herbal underlying scent and ginseng - which I love. I hate the perfumey scents that other skincare lines always add, but I find the very light herbal scent soothing and therapeutic. the product is in a heavier bottle that feels expensive and looks wonderful on my dressing table. The emulsion has a very light texture and on its own doesn't provide enough moisture for my winter skin, but I use it with the serum and the balancing water for day (and add a cream at night). It absorbs right into my skin and doesn't leave any oily residue, either. My skin can get pretty sensitive but so far, no adverse reactions or breakouts. My one complaint on the emulsion is that you have to shake it out of the bottle and it's hard to control the amount that comes out. My skin's normally combination, tending to be more oily but in the winter, it acts crazy dry, developing little flakes under my makeup. But in combination with the all products, my skin looks very soft and supple, even in the middle of the winter!!
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Toners -Amore Pacific - Sulwhasoo Balancing Water
Kaelie 1/6/2013 2:21:00 AM
$55 USD for 4.7oz. - I think you can only buy this line in the US at either Neiman Marcus (online) or Bergdorf Goodman. I bought the entire set (including the serum, water, emulsion, and creams) after I saw my SIL's glowing skin (she's been using it for over a year now). I'd been using CD forever and was looking around for something different, and this was it. The line's based on Korean herbal medicine, so there's an herbal underlying scent and ginseng - which I love. I hate the perfumey scents that other skincare lines always add, but I find the very light herbal scent soothing and therapeutic. the product is in a heavier bottle that feels expensive and looks wonderful on my dressing table. I would not use the water on its own. At minimum, purchase it with the emulsion. The water's texture is like glycerine and adds a layer of moisture to help your skin absorb the moisturizer (that's the emulsion, which has a very light texture). For me, the water first feels a little sticky then gets absorbed really fast into my skin. I love that you don't waste any product because you apply it with your fingers. I use this and the emulsion for day, and for night - I add the cream on top. My skin's normally combination, tending to be more oily, but in the winter, it acts crazy dry, developing little flakes under my makeup. In combination with the other products, my skin looks very soft and supple, even in the middle of the winter!! No flakes so far around my mouth/nose area!
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Spoiled Mama - Dew-Luxe Moisturizer
Kaelie 3/29/2012 12:40:00 PM
This contains AHA and claims to hydrate, exfoliate, and minimize melanoma. The price is $36 USD for 1.7oz. The scent is ok, but the texture is extremely watery and very light. I can't tell if it's moisturizing enough. I was using the same brand's cleanser with the moisturizer. The cleanser was cream-based, and it left a film on my face (even after using a toner to try to remove the film), and with the moisturizer on top of that, it felt moisturizing enough. However, I broke out into severe cyst-laden acne after two weeks of using and have stopped using these products. Definitely very unhappy with this line's facecare products! I will try the mama mio line next.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Spoiled Mama - Stripped Sulfate Free Creme Cleanser
Kaelie 3/29/2012 12:35:00 PM
The product claims to be 100% safe for expectant moms and to exfoliate and reduce melasma. The price is $34 USD for 3.3oz. The packaging, a pump, is great and dispenses product well. The scent is pleasant. The texture is very watery and is a cream-cleanser, which I hate anyway. I used this for about two weeks and now have cyst-laden acne, so I stopped using it. The creamy cleanser didn't really appear to remove all oil, dirt, etc. and I had to use Kiehl'd toner repeatedly after washing. Further, when I rinsed it off, it would leave an oily residue (which I suspect blocked my pores, resulting in the acne). Maybe this would work for ladies with dryer skin, but for me with T-zone skin, this did not work at all! Will try the Mama Mio line next.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Spoiled Mama - Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks
Kaelie 3/21/2012 9:41:00 AM
This came in a gift set w/ the bump gloss stretch mark oil. The direction is to use this and the oil together. On their website (thespoiledmama.com), a 12oz jar is $38. It comes in a small plastic jar - feels a little cheap and there was no scoop. I do love that the ingredients are organic and appears safe for pregnancy: Distilled Water, Cocoa Butter, Shea Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Organic Tamanu Oil, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Vegetable Glycerin USP, Emulsifying Wax NF, Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol. I followed directions and put it on top of the Bump Gloss oil. However, the butter was a little greasy and didn't soak in well. I tried to put it on separately, and it still left a greasy mess. The scent is ok - but I'm not really crazy about it and I probably will not even go through the whole pot.
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Spoiled Mama - Bump Gloss Stretch Mark Oil
Kaelie 3/21/2012 9:30:00 AM
This was part of a gift set that includes the oil and tummy butter. On their website (thespoiledmama.com), the oil is $41 for 8oz, which is slightly better price than the version by Mama Mio. There is a pump top available, too but mine just has a plastic top that helps to shake out the oil a little bit. If I stick with this, I'll get the pump bottle. Pros - I love how absorbent the oil is - it really sinks in fast and is not greasy at all. The oil has a strong, herbal scent. I really like it and find it soothing. I also love that everything in the oil is organic - here are the ingredients: Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Tamanu Oil, Organic Calendula, Organic Avocado Oil, Squalene, Shea Oil, Almond Oil, Organic Grape Seed Oil, Organic Vitamin E, Natural And Essential Oils. Cons - The scent - some people may hate it - it seems to be very taste-specific as DH doesn't really like it. Also, the price - the direction is for you to put it on in the shower while your skin is damp. Even though the water on your skin should help to spread the oil around, I've found that I'm using much more than the directions contemplate (since i'm freaked out about strech marks, I'm very liberally spreading the oil around EVERYWHERE, including the butt and thighs). I'll probably go through the 2oz bottle really fast and be forced to purchase many more bottles. Also, I'm not really sure if this will actually prevent the stretch marks, as I hear a lot of it's genetic. All in all, I like the oil - it smells good and it makes me feel good. I'll keep using until I run out but will try other products as well, including the mama mio version.
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair (Serum)
Kaelie 2/26/2012 11:09:00 AM
I've used this for about 6 months [1.7 oz. is $80 USD at NM]. While I didn't notice a dramatic change in my skin, I'm convinced the serum has reduced the amount of breakouts I have since using it since it's the only product change I've made to my routine. For that reason alone, I'll continue to use. BTW, for my skin, I must have night cream; the serum does not moisturize at all for me.
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Polishes -Essie - Clam Bake
Kaelie 9/25/2011 8:07:00 PM
Purchased this at Target for $7.79 USD. I'm an east Asian with normally pale skin with yellow-undertones (I'm tan and a shade darker now). I bought this to match my NARS Heatwave lipstick, and on my skin, this is the perfect orangey-red to match the lipstick! This has much more orange than other similar colors by Essie (geranium and fifth avenue). I think it looks very fresh and bright. The perfect orangey-red (or reddish orange, depending on your perspective)!!
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Polishes -Essie - Fifth Avenue
Kaelie 9/25/2011 7:55:00 PM
Purchased this at Target for $7.79 USD. I'm an east Asian with normally pale, yellow-undertoned skin (I'm currently a shade darker after the summer). I purchased this (along with geranium and clambake) to try to match NARS Heatwave lipstick. [It's pretty close to the lip color, but I think clambake is the better match on my skin.] Honestly, I can't tell the difference between this and geranium. Both are orange-red and didn't look particularly great on my skin, unfortunately.
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Polishes -Essie - geranium
Kaelie 9/25/2011 7:50:00 PM
Purchased this at Target for $7.79 USD. The color is ok - an orange-red, but it did not have enough orange in it. I bought it to try to match the NARS Heatwave lipstick (unsuccessfully) and the color just did not look good on me. I'm an east Asian with normally very pale skin (I'm a shade darker now after the summer). The polish on me just looked like a normal "red" color and I didn't see enough orange in the red. PS - I put on about 3 coats, but even so, on my thumb, I can see the half-moon at the base of the nail.
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