Masks -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - 25% Mandelic Acid Peel
Lilcrystalline 11/12/2012 4:20:00 PM
I've been waiting a long while to review this, to see any long term difference. As this was my first peel, I wanted something gentle yet effective, which is what drew me to this product (based on other reviewer's experiences). My skin is combination, and probably leans slightly more to the 'dry' end of combination. I have hormonal acne that tends to occur in the t-zone (Primarily on forehead/chin), and I usually see clogged pores as well (tiny flesh colored bumps). I also have a few sebaceous filaments and occasional blackheads on my nose/chin. Light brown spots on cheekbones, and in the winter I find my skin can look dull and chapped/red and dry. I've been using this product for about 1 year now, twice a month, and I'm just not sure it cuts it for me. The first few applications I experienced a slight stinging, akin to being stung by nettles or scratched by a cat. That subsided, and I left the peel on for the advised 5 minutes and rinsed it off with lukewarm water. I'd apply MUAC argan oil or Cerave AM(I have not experienced clogging due to Cerave) to my face afterwards. After several applications I began to leave this mask on for up to a half hour, to try and maximize effectiveness out of the peel. I'd say the results are roughly the same as leaving it on for 5 minutes, for me. I see no visible difference to my brown spots, clogged pores, blackheads or sebaceous filaments. However my skin feels incredibly smooth and soft, and has a more radiant appearance in general. I believe for the price, you receive a generous amount of product. I apply with a q-tip to my face (two q-tips generally cut it). Unfortunately this hasn't really achieved my desired results, but it still has helped me to achieve radiant skin. Maybe I'm asking/expecting too much in one product; however I'm interested it moving up to something a bit stronger. Perhaps Lactic acid?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -LUSH - Godiva Solid 2 in 1
Lilcrystalline 4/5/2011 1:23:00 AM
I have baby fine and extremely curly hair that is dyed (red) and styled quite often. This 2 in 1 is absolutely lovely, my hair feels quite clean yet it feels nourished and extremely soft. However, I do add a pea sized amount of conditioner to the frazzled ends of my hair for extra moisture and nourishment. This bar advertises that it will last 180 washes, I can't imagine it lasting that long, although I've had mine since December and it's still going strong. I rub the bar between the palms of my hands and then scrub my roots and work outwards, and leave to sit for a minute or two then wash out will tepid water. I have noticed that I need to wash my hair more often than I normally do (1 - 2 times a week), with this shampoo I generally wash every other day. The scent does last in my hair, which can be bothersome and I worry some might find it cloying (Though I've only gotten compliments and questions as to what it is). To remedy this I shower at night and by the morning, the scent has significantly faded. I also have noticed no significant impact on the colour of my hair, it fades at its natural rate when I previously used Wella shampoos and conditioners for colour treated hair.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Origins - Dr Weil Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Cream
Lilcrystalline 9/16/2010 1:49:00 AM
I have combination skin, my main concerns being the dryness that can occur at the corners of my mouth, my nose, and forehead. I also use Retin A .025%, which I had started two weeks or so prior to purchasing this product and had only encouraged dryness and redness. This product relieved the dryness and flakiness, however it did not noticeably change the redness. However, as I grew used to the Retin A that resolved itself for the most part. Albeit a pricey product, I've found it has lasted me anywhere between 4-6 months. Although I don't currently use this product, I'd love to get back into using it once my wallet is no longer being ravaged by Uni and housing fees.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Wedge Eyeshadow
Lilcrystalline 9/16/2010 1:40:00 AM
This is the colour I go through the most, because I use it on a near daily basis. I'm extremely fair(Ranging between NC 10 - 15) and this works wonderfully as a fairly subtle crease colour. Often I'll sweep Phloof or Vanilla across my lid, and work this into the crease as a simple contoured day look. It also works wonderfully for blending out darker more dramatic looks!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Patisserie
Lilcrystalline 10/16/2009 10:57:00 PM
Let me say: I love this! When I purchased this I figured it might be a little 'blah' on my lips and kept my receipt in hand. I'm so glad I took the plunge, it's an absolutely stunning and natural looking shade. This is the 'my lips but better' colour I'd been looking for. Glides on my lips like a dream and feels nice and moisturising as compared to some of my other lipsticks(Think Illamasqua's matte Liv Lipstick, drying beyond reason!). This is one of my most worn lipsticks and I'll definitely be repurchasing.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Biore - Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser
Lilcrystalline 10/16/2009 10:52:00 PM
Honestly I didn't have high hopes for this. The first few days it seemed too drying and I began to get flaky patches around my mouth, so I would only use it in the morning as the cooling sensation really wakes me up. My skin's calmed down since then and the seemingly perpetual breakout I'd been suffering through this entire summer seems to have finally been healed - if ever so slightly. Currently all my bumps are healing up quite nice and though it still leaves my skin uncomfortably tight after washing I'm no longer suffering from flaky patches(and my current moisturiser fixes the tightness upon application) and the cooling sensation is pleasant and not bordering on burning. There's still some time before I declare this an "HG" product or even great, but as for now it's working much better than anticipated. I would purchase this again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub
Lilcrystalline 9/27/2009 2:33:00 AM
When I started using this I typically would have five or less whiteheads, and I felt like this product kept it down to maybe one or two at a time. Which was something I was extremely happy with! On the other hand, it left my skin red and irritated and stinging. This product controlled my mild acne better than any other product I've tried, unfortunately I just couldn't continue using this product. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin, but if your skin's fairly tough and you're searching for an acne solution, I'd try this out.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Vaseline - Vaseline Intensive Care Nightly Body Renewal
Lilcrystalline 9/3/2009 12:43:00 AM
My mother bought this and I ended up using some one night, and initially I didn't think much of this lotion, having been unimpressed with other Vaseline products. This though did something quite unexpected: Reduced the appearance of my Keratosis Pilaris on my upper arms. Hardly anything I've tried has reduced the redness and bumpiness quite so much as this. It's not heavy and sinks into the skin nicely, and though the scent of Lavender usually gives me a headache, this scent was subtle and bearable. Until I find something that works even better on my Keratosis Pilaris, I reckon I'll stick with this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - select cover-up
Lilcrystalline 8/7/2009 6:57:00 PM
I didn't have much interest in this product, initially, but wow! First of all this covers up the damage from Neutrogena's Grapefruit scrub like no other, and I find it staying power to be fabulous, especially when set with my MSF natural. In the summer instead of a foundation or tinted moisturizer, I'll just use a dot of this swirled on with my 224 brush over my problem areas, and set with my MSF natural, and my skin looks flawless. The only thing about this is it's slightly too dark for my skin tone, but not horrendously so.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Wash pink grapefruit foaming scrub
Lilcrystalline 8/7/2009 6:48:00 PM
Being someone who loves grapefruit yet can't eat or drink it due to medication I'm taking, I really appreciated the smell of this! When I washed it I liked the tingly feeling on my face, little did I know this would definitely be something I'd regret! After three days of use I started noticing clusters of small bumps around my mouth - a place where I'd never broken out before. I'm not one to have massive breakouts anyways, so this was unlike something I'd ever seen. Like the reviewer before me these didn't seem like normal zits, and my skin was flaking around my mouth as well. For me these bumps were extremely painful, and now two and a half months after discontinuing my use I'm still recovering from those wretched marks! I've never had such a bad reaction to anything in my life! I'm so thankful for concealer..
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -RoC - Retinol correxion eye cream
Lilcrystalline 8/6/2009 8:34:00 PM
To start off I don't have wrinkles around my eyes, so if this works to reduce them, I cannot say. I wasn't too keen on purchasing this product, but whilst shopping at the drugstore I noticed it was on sale - so I snatched it up. When I opened the tube the first time a fair amount of product leaked out, and while it doesn't seem to leak anymore it's definitely irritating. As for the actual product I initially saw some slight improvement in my dark circles, but this result was short lived, the next day they looked as bad as before. After a month and a half of use, my dark circles haven't improved and no change in my puffiness. I didn't expect a miracle or HG worthy product with this, and I suppose I was right. I definitely would not repurchase. On the upside, a small amount of this product goes a long way, so if it does work for you, I think the price would be justifiable.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous in Carbon Black
Lilcrystalline 8/1/2009 12:16:00 AM
I'm a mascara fiend, and this was pleasant surprise. I didn't have real high hopes but I hoped it at least would be better than Lash Blast, and it was. Though this gives a much more dramatic and better result for me, I find it clumps easily and I can also end up with spider lashes if I'm even a little heavy handed.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No