Cleansers -Dermalogica - clean start wash off
KatDan 4/23/2009 12:34:00 AM
"Wash Off ($20) Face the day with a clean slate! This foaming wash clears away dead skin cells and extra oils to clean deep, banishing breakouts from your face, back…or wherever. Contains no artificial fragrance or color. Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid dives deep, clearing trapped oils, wiping out breakout-causing bacteria and helping prevent future breakouts. Botanical extracts help regulate oil production. Orange Peel Oil revives, energizes and refreshes." Background: This is a new teen line from Dermalogica. I bought a $30 trial kit which had this cleanser, a night-time treatment, a day time moisturizer, and a scrub... I liked it so much I bought full-sizes. Me: I have dry acne-prone skin. I am in a constant search to find products that will give me nice skin. Review: This smells amazing and does a good job of removing make-up (it removes my diorshow mascara completely). It does not dry out your skin. It contains salicylic acid. The thing you will love most is the smell. The thing you will hate is the consisenty: it is a watery-liquid. It is really bizarre. I use an exfoliating pad so I don't lose product. Hope this helps someone who is thinking about trying this new line. PM with any questions!
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Skincare - Face -Philosophy - Completely Clear Skin System
KatDan 3/26/2009 12:29:00 PM
Overview: This Philosophy's newest skin care line for blemished skin. You can purchase a trial size from Sephora for $35 or a full size set from Philosophy for $65 or purchase the individual products... They are all called On A Clear Day. I purchased the trial set from Sephora and plan to purchase philosophy.com's set when I am out. Background: I am in my 20's, have breakout prone skin (not true acne), and my skin is dry! Reviews Cleanser: Foam cleanser that has salicylic acid... It is actually pretty strong i.e. it has made sensitive parts of my face burn... so i guess that means it is exfloliating? All over acne treatment: this contains salicylic acid as well however is suprisingly not that drying. It also sinks into your skin. Retinol clairfying cream: Philosophy doesn't state what percent retinol it is... it does come in a metal tube that will keep it stable. This def. works... I experienced mild peeling in sensitive areas. Spot acne treatment: this contains sulfur. I have never been a fan of sulfur or rather sulfur has never worked on treating blemishes on my skin. However this works! I was shocked... I put in on budding blemishes and it prevented them. Does it work?? Yes but this is a premature review.. I have only been using it for a couple weeks but really wanted to write a review because 1) i had time 2) there are no reviews and this has been out for a while. The acne spot treatment is definitely effective on blemishes. The all-over treatment has prevented new blemishes. The retinol is supposed to be good at fading spots but I haven't used it long enough to notice. I will update with continued use. Usage: I would recommend using a different face wash or no face wash in the morning. I use the kit's face wash at night and alternate between using the all over treatment and the retinol every other night. Together it is too much. Recommend: I would recommend this kit to someone past their teen's who is still breaking out. I think the retinol is the best product for us! I would not recommend this to someone with really sensitive skin. I don't know if this would work for oily skin. I wish: this kit included a good moisturizer Just in case here is sephora's info: What it is formulated to do: Philosophy's Completely Clear Skin System is a revolutionary four-piece system that goes beyond eliminating acne and preventing blemishes. Formulated to treat existing blemishes and prevent future breakouts, this system soothes and hydrates the skin, leaving it feeling comfortable and looking flawless. When used as a regimen, these products clear acne, help reduce the signs of aging and post-acne discoloration, and are gentle enough for long-term daily use. This next generation of treatments for sensitive, acne-prone skin helps you to achieve the clearest, most radiant skin of your life. What else you need to know: This advanced kit contains a 1.5 oz On A Clear Day® Oil-Free Foaming Acne Cleanser, a 0.4 oz On A Clear Day® Oil-Free All Over Acne Treatment, a 0.25 oz On A Clear Day® Oil-Free Acne Spot Treatment, and a 0.25 oz Philosophy On A Clear Day® Retinol Clarifying Lotion. These paraben- and benzoyl peroxide-free products are designed to improve the skin's overall health and appearance. What it is formulated WITHOUT: - Parabens - Synthetic Fragrances - Synthetic Dyes - Petro-Chemicals - Phthalates Ingredients: Completely Clear Skin System: On A Clear Day® Oil-Free Foaming Acne Cleanser: Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, 1&3 Propanediol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Olive Oil Peg-7 Esters, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate. On A Clear Day® Oil-Free All Over Acne Treatment: Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Sd Alcohol 40, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyacrylamide, Oligopeptide-10, Laureth-7, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethoxydiglycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol. On A Clear Day® Oil-Free Acne Spot Treatment: Sulfur 3.0%, Water, Dimethicone, Glycereth-18, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Oligopeptide-10, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polysilicone-11, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Steareth-2, Salicylic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin. On A Clear Day® Retinol Clarifying Lotion: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerin, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Retinol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Peg-10 Soy Sterol, Stearic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Propyl Gallate, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Disodium Edta, Bht, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol. **UPDATE 4/10: I changed my rating from 4 to 2. I think the bets item is the gel, next the cleanser, then the spot treatment, then the retionol treatment. The spot treatment only works on superficial blemishes i.e. it did nothing for my chin break-outs. The retinol treatment has definitely been clogging my pores all over my face. I am not sure who this kit might be best for but if you are sensitive to clog pores don't try the retinol. HTH ! **UPDATE 4/19: My skin got full-on break-out's in the most random places from this. I know it was this because within a week of discontinuing, I haven't gotten any new break-out's. I knocke
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - The Original Skin Store--Acne Stop
KatDan 2/11/2009 11:01:00 PM
General: I ordered this product after seeing a recommendation for it on the skin care board. It costs 12.99 from the original skin store. Their shipping is free, super-fast, and they include a free sample of microderm crystals.(which are awesome too!) Product: It comes in a plastic bottle, 2 oz. It smells like alcohol. It is clear. Background: I don't have true acne, just random zits and blackheads on my nose and clogged pores on my forehead and my chin. I have tried every single acne product from Neutrogena and other drugstore brands. I finally decided to step it up and I started using Avene Dianceal retinoid cream. It erased most of my scars but I was still breaking out so then I decided to order this. Review: This product did not work overnight with me. In fact, I think it made me break out a bit in the beginning. But a couple of weeks later, my skin is getting clearer. This product has successfully reduced my blackheads which have previously been impossible to remove becauseI have dry skin/ and small pores! It also is clearing up the clogged pores on my chin. Normally it is covered in skin-colored bumps that no one see probably except for me. They are dissapearing... finally! Note: This product BURNS! I consider myself to have tougher skin and a good pain tolerance. But the first application of this really hurt... I didn't want to rinse it off so I put ice-packs on my face. It does get better with applications though! I will update with more use. I just wanted to get another review up for this product! ****UPDATE 4/10: I have knocked down the rating from 5 to 3. With continued use, I haven't noticed any difference in my skin. If I use it, I don't necessarily break out but instead a few days later that area slowly peels. . ****UPDATE 4/19: I have knocked down to 2. This is seriously strong stuff. I recommend using only as spot treatment ONCE. It is bizzare but it doesn't hurt my skin right away. Instead a 2 days later that area gets hard and then starts to peel. It peels really uncleanly, there is no way to exfoliate it off.
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
KatDan 2/10/2009 11:59:00 PM
General: This is MAC's newest foundation that they have supposedly been developing for the last two years. It retails for $28 (US) and comes in a convenient squeeze tube. Shade: My skin is light with yellow undertones. In other MAC fdtn, I am an NC25. In this formula, I bought NC20. It looked much more natural. I tried NC25 as well but it ended up setting darker + oranger. I am not saying that all of the Studio Scuplt shades are a shade darker... But for me, for NC25 it was :) Product: The product feels like a light-weight liquid. I wouldn't necessarily say it is gel-like or like MUFE Face and Body. It dries quickly but not super-quick. The MAC MA recommended applying primer before so you have more time to blend. I have used it with and without primer and didn't notice a difference. Coverage: I have used it as medium to full... you can definitely make this whatever you want it to be. Also, it is excellent to use as a concealor on areas of discoloration. FInish: The product sets to a satin finish... somewhere between matte and dewy. Oily gals will definitely need powder over this. I have dry skin so it is perfect alone. Speaking of dry skin: this did not accentuate flakiness!! I used retinoids and have flakies so this was important to me! Studio Sculpt Concealor: I purchased this as well and love it! I got it in NC20 as well. Overall, I have tried many foundations: MAC Studio Fix liquid and powder, Mineral Satinfinish liquid, Mineral loose powder, pressed powder, Select 15. MUFE Face and Body, MUFE HD liquid, Diorskin Nude (the new one), Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, silk creme, Lancome Photogenic, Tarte Smooth Operator, every Bobbi Brown foundation... and the list goes on!!!! This is the best I have ever tried. It looks the most natural will providing the best coverage. This is the first foundation I have ever worn that I got a compliment on. Photo's: Just a final note... I hate when foundations make your face look weird/white in photo's... This does not!! Conclusion: I would highly recommend getting a sample next time you are the MAC counter. I am sure this foundation isn't for everyone but I think it warrants a test run! To add... I am break-out prone and will update with further use if it breaks me out. UPDATE 3-9-2009: No break-out's. Still love this product! UPDATE 4-9-2009: With continued use, I have loved this less and less. The application is super tricky... every morning I have to re-do it at least once. I have tried fingers, brush, and sponge and I have found that a moist sponge works best. My main complaint is that it doesn't wear well. I think this may be more of a function of my dry skin. UPDATE 4-19-2009: I have actually stopped using this because 1) I started breaking out but don't *think* it was from this, but wanted to be safe. 2) The application is too tricky to get it to look natural and get coverage.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Passions of Red: 6 Smokey Eyes (Holiday 2008) [DISCONTINUED]
KatDan 10/27/2008 12:51:00 PM
I think this in an excellent array of six shadows for #36. It gives you the option a daytime or nighttime eye as well as a brown or gray/black smokey eye. Background: I am an NC25 with blonde hair + green eyes. I agree with the last two reviewers that the packaging is hideous! However, it is what's on the inside that counts ***Cheesy smile*** Should you get this palette? Yes if you don't have a lot of same shades. UPDATE: Just wanted to add that this eyeshadows do have excellent staying power. I have used the darker colors to tightline and they stayed perfect after hours of partying. There was even some left after washing my face with an oil cleanser.
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Treatments (Eye) -MAC - Fast Response Eye Cream
KatDan 10/25/2008 12:04:00 PM
Overall: This is a good eyecream; if you have dry undereyes it is probably not the best for you. If you are looking for an undereye primer so your concealor looks good, this a good option. Background: I have circles under my eyes that need concealor but when I wear concealor I get fine lines showing and dryness. So I always put moisturizer under my concealor. This doesn't last long, when I get home my concealor is barely there and my undereye has lines. Fast response: This product comes in a opalescent white tube. It costs $28.50 (US) and is available at counters and pro-stores. What's different: Other eye creams I have tried (Nivea, Philiosophy, Body Shop, Bobbi Brown, Origins) are good moisturizers but they don't last esp. under concealor. It makes application very smooth and lasts all day. When I come home my concealor looks okay but my undereye is dry again. Endpoint: I would recommend checking this out in store. I actually would have never tried it but an SA gave me a sample. I then bought it but ended up exchanging it for the moisture lush eye cream which is much for moisturizing :)
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
KatDan 10/25/2008 11:56:00 AM
Overall: Excellent foundation for full coverage! Background: I have younger dry skin that is prone to break-outs. I want a foundation that can even out my skin tone, not flake, turn orange, dry out my skin, or cause break-out's. These last few months I have been on a serious quest looking for an HG fdtn. I have tried almost every drugstore brand as well as every MUFE fdtn, Lancome, UD, Tarte, Smashbox, Dior etc. Color: I have a medium light skin tone with strong yellow undertones. NC 25 is a teeny bit too dark but works. Details: I use this by putting on moisturizer then immediately applying studio fix with my fingers. It applies smoothly. It has very good wearing power and doesn't not dry out my face or cause breakouts. The coverage is medium-full and is easy to build. I use a little extra on blemishes and under my eyes. You hardly need a seperate concealor, The worst thing about this foundation is it is not the most natural looking foundation but I suppose it is hard to find a full-coverage foundation that covers everything and still looks natural. For this reason, this is isn't my favorite foundation. I prefer Mineralzie Satin Finish over this because it blends with my skin better and looks more natural. Tips: I strongly recommend using an oil-based cleanser to remove this product otherwise you make break-out from it. I use MAC's but there are plenty of others out there! Also, get the pump for the foundation. Endpoint: If you are looking for a full coverage foundation, I recommend trying this at some point!! If you try it in-store make sure you go outside because MAC lightening is awful!
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Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
KatDan 10/5/2008 1:35:00 AM
I tried and tried to make this foundation work! I went to sephora and got samples and even bought it twice but ended up returning it both times. To begin, I have young combo skin, prone to break-outs. My coloring is light with yellow undertones. Shade 120 was a perfect match for me but I also used 118 (similar but with no yellow, more beige) and 127 (a shade darker and a little more orange). This fdtn is best applied lightly otherwise it will look too make-up-y. So why didn't this work for me? It didn't give a flawless look. It didn't last all day. It emphasized flakiness around my nose + blemishes. It didn't cover blemishes that well at all. I should add I used this with and without the HD primer (shade 06) as well as the HD Powder and still couldn't get it to work! It also looked awful in photo's: i don't know if it was the ftdn or the powder but I totally got the dreaded white MU face in more than one photo! I also got totally broken out from either the primer, powder, or fdtn. ENDPOINT: This is did not work for me very sadly (I really wanted it to based on the amazing reviews here). Since so many others love it though I would definitely head to sephora and try it + get a sample!
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Loose Powders -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Loose Powder
KatDan 10/5/2008 1:23:00 AM
One touch of this product and you will not hesitate to buy it! It feels amazing like pure silk. Unfortunately it did not work for me. The price is steep so it would have to be amazing for me to justify spending $ on it, however it wasn't that great. To begin, I have young, combo skin that is break-out prone. I used this powder over the MUFE HD foundation. You need to have somewhat a light hand for application so you don't get a white powdery look. I didn't notice this to make any difference in the look, feel, or lasting power of foundation. It need keep shine down. The worst thing about this product is it might have made my face look white in photo's. (It was this or the HD fdtn.) I was super shocked because this MU is made for photography. maybe it was a fluke so I am interested to see if others experience it! ENDPOINTL: I definitely think this product is worth a try in store. After a few weeks of use, I returned it because it did not make a big enough difference to justify the price.
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Mascara -Givenchy - Phenomen'eyes Mascara
KatDan 9/21/2008 7:03:00 PM
Good News: Givenchy Phenomen'eyes mascara has the most unique brush ever! It looks like a medieval weapon, haha! I really loved the brush. I normally hate the newer rubber brush and prefer the traditional furry brushes. This brush was very easy to use, no more dangerous than using a normal mascara or an eye pencil. My favorite thing about it was that it was so easy to reach lashes from every angle possible. Another plus is that the color is a very deep black. Bad News: Unfortunately the formula sucks! After reading the MUA reviews I didn't want to try it but my best friend bought it and I tried hers really fast. I thought it was cool but nothing special but then got complimented on it so decided to buy it. After using it for a few weeks, i decided to return it. It is not worth $27 dollars. The formula doesn't clump but it is really hard to apply evenly to lashes without them getting stuck together. I also got smudging under my eye. END-POINT: There are better mascara's out there!
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Mascara -Tarte - Lash Hugger Mascara
KatDan 9/14/2008 2:18:00 AM
This mascara didn't work for me although I wanted it to because I loved the eco-friendliness of it and Tarte. This mascara comes in a really nice looking metal tube. I didn't detect any smell. I wear contact and Lash Hugger didn't not irritate my eyes in any way. This mascara didn't work for me because it was too "subtle". I like big lashes and this simply enhances your lashes. It give a nice glossly black color and the formula doesn't clump. My best comparison would be to Clinique Naturally Glossy or Neutrogena Olive Oil mascara. It also wasn't very lengthening which is "important" to me in mascara. Also, I didn't notice if it held a curl anything or but I never do! It did not smudge throughout the day or flake. It removes easily. And it is a mascara that keeps your eyelashes soft, not crunchy. ENDPOINT: If you like big lashes, you might not like this. If you like your lashes, you will :)
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Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation
KatDan 9/14/2008 2:11:00 AM
I trust MUA reviews more than anything and I was really exciting to try this product however it did not work for me although it definitely works for the majority which is why I gave it a 3..I didn't want to bring the rating down :) Good news: I have combo skin that is acne-prone and flake-prone. I have a lighter complexion with yellow undertones and used the shade 32 Alabaster Beige which was a perfect match. This foundation has the most unique texture I have ever felt. It does come out like a gel cream but spreads very nicely. It dries somewhat quickly. It has decent staying powder; i didn't notice one way or the other. The packaging is not good: a screw top glass bottle which makes it difficult to control how much product you get out. But as previous reviewers have mentioned maybe this is because a pump would allow foundation to seperate inside it. Bad News: I had high expectations after reading almost all the reviews on this products; I expected flawless skin however this foundation didn't deliver. Part of it was the coverage was too sheer. Light at the end of Tunnel: I still want to try MUFE foundation so I tried the HD (shade 118 and 120 matches albaster 32) but the staying power wasn't outstanding. Now I am trying the Mat Velvet in shade 30. ENDPOINT: I would recommend trying this foundation and other MUFE's next time you are at Sephora instead of ordering blindly. This foundation has an excellent color range and is perfect for light coverage.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Tarte - Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler
KatDan 9/14/2008 2:01:00 AM
Sadly, this did not work for me! I have recently been trying more Tarte produtcts and was excited to try this... This eyelash curler would pinch my eyelashes on both sides- ouch! I returned it and went back to the Shu curler. From other reviews it sounds like it works great for some eye shapes! So I would recommend trying it in-store or ordering it from somewhere with a good return policy just in case!
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Tinted Moisturizer -Tarte - Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Mosturizer (Smooth Operator)
KatDan 9/14/2008 1:57:00 AM
I gave this foundation a 3 because I think it could work well for others but I didn't love it (just liked it). This foundation comes in a nice packing: an attractive purple tube where you can squeeze out product. Tarte is also a very eco and animal friendly company which is another plus. Overall, the Tarte foundation shades are very neutral and yellow-based which attracted me to try them. I used the shade Veil, for light complexions with yellow undertones. It was an excellent match for my skin. This foundation provides sheer coverage. It is one of those foundations that doesn't look right when you first apply it, but after a minute it transforms to goodness :) This foundation didn't break me out. ENDPOINT: if you crave a sheer foundation with yellow undertones, I would definitely recommend checking this out!
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Foundations -Tarte - Complexion Collection
KatDan 8/2/2008 10:04:00 PM
OVERALL: I would highly recommend this kit for quality and price and yellow undertones :) It is limited edition, available online only through Sephora. It costs $54 and comes with Smooth Operator foundation, Eraser concealor, prov. pressed powder, clean slate primer, and kabuki brush as well as a purple bag and a purple case for the kabuki brush. BAGS: The purple bag is good-sized and unzips three of the sides which is nice so you have a open cosmetics bag (hope that made sense!). The purple case for the kabuki is adorable and practical because it keeps the inside of your bag from getting make-up from the brush all over it. SMOOTH OPERATOR: Excellent foundation. I chose light which is a perfect match for my skin (i think NC25). The best part about it is the yellow undertones which I desperately need and search for. It is light-to-medium coverage. Although it may be considered a tinted moisturizer to some, I didn't find it to be moisturizing so I would categorize it as a light foundation. It dries to a semi-matte powdery finish. ERASER: this came in bisque and looks dark out of the tube but matches great on the skin. Dries quickly. I primarily use it on my undereye. It has the applicator of the built in brush which I don't really like so I just pat it on. PRESSED POWDER: Good product not outstanding. Still has yellow to neutral undertones. I think dry skin would find it to be drying. It also gets messy easily e.g. when I use the kabuki brush with it, little specks of powder fly. CLEAN SLATE: I have never used a primer before so I don't have a lot to compare to. This was not silicone-y or slippery. It felt more like a mattifier and I think it improves make-up application as well as wear time. ENDPOINT: I would recommend this to someone looking for an excellent face-make-up kit that is affordable but has quality products and who needs yellow undertones. *****note to the break-out prone skin: I am break-out prone and haven't experienced any break-out's yet but will update if I do. UPDATE: I still think this is an excellent kit however I don't really use the primer. The concealor is definitely a bit too dark. The foundation has not broken me out or anything but it is very sheer and doesn't last all day. The stars are the case and the kabuki brush!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No