Cleansers -Kiehls - Ultra Facial Cleanser
LizzieDahlin 7/11/2010 8:23:00 PM
Great product. This is a gel type cleanser, pearlescent white, with little to no fragrance. You only need about a pea sized amount for your face and it lathers well. This removes my face and eye makeup without any stinging or irritation and does not over dry. My skin is combination, and I live in Florida, so someone in a dryer climate may have a different experience. The price is very fair and it lasts a long time, as a little truly does go a long way. Its not fancy or prettily packaged, but this is a fantastic product that does what it says and has sturdy, easy to use, packaging (squeeze tube with flip cap). After using this to get my makeup off, I moisturize with a thin layer of plain Vaseline. Sounds gross, but even in the heat and humidity this has stopped my breakouts and keeps my skin even and clear. Definitely will purchase the cleanser again, and would recommend it to anyone with normal, combination, or oily skin.
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Styling Products -Redken - 7 Velvet Gelatine Silk-Infused Gel
LizzieDahlin 7/24/2009 5:49:00 PM
I love this product. It smells fantastic and does a wonderful job of smoothing your hair without weighing it down. I have long, thick, fine hair and i heat style it about 2x a week. I put in about a grape sized amount on the bottom half of my hair, comb it through, then blow dry and flat iron. I dont really like hair products, but this one i will definitely repurchase, its just enough 'extra' to make your hair look great, but not enough that you have to run home and wash it out b/c your hair feels greasy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -La Mer - The Radiant Infusion
LizzieDahlin 9/4/2008 8:20:00 AM
First, I noticed the ladies who have reviewed this product below said they wished that there was a pump for this item. Well, good news, I bought mine about 3 weeks ago and it came with a pump! It definitely makes using this product much easier. Now, on to my review: My skin is going through one of its oversensitized freak-out-at-everything phases and the reviews here made me think this might calm it down and sort out the problems. It is $95USD for 4.2 ounces. I think this is a fair price, considering that many serums are $40 or $50 for one ounce. I use one pump per application and apply it once in the morning and once at night. In the last three weeks i've noticed an improvement in skin tone and clarity and my skin heals a lot faster. I use the DDF 10% glycolic toner and this does not interfere w/ the effectiveness of that product, rather it seems to enhance it. This product is a decent value for the money (though it is expensive) and really does show results. The smell is a little lemon verbena and cucumber to me, but my nose is always off so who knows, its not offensive and fades quickly. I'm almost at the point where i dont need concealer/powder so i'm very pleased with this product and would recommend it to anyone. Of course, as with all La Mer products, its pricey so ask for a sample first, they're usually very nice and generous about it.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Stila - Silk Eye Shadow Wash in Kitten
LizzieDahlin 7/4/2008 5:21:00 PM
As reviewers below have said, this is lacking in pigment, very thin, and quite disappointing. However, I have found a good use for it: its a great base for Nars AAE. The shimmery side of AAE is lovely, but i never felt like it really showed me that great candle-lit and polished look that i was hoping for. Its such a delicate color/formula that it never looked right over regular eyeshadow bases. Pressing AAE on w/ a fluffy eyeshadow brush over this liquid eyeshadow gives an amazing subtle look that really lights me up when i'm looking tired. I said that i would not repurchase and gave low numbers because even though i have found an awesome use for it, it doesnt at all live up to what anyone probably expected of it, and using a single coat as a base for AAE will probably make this last a good long while, so i doubt i'd need to buy again. If youve already got it, and AAE, give this a try before you return it, otherwise, skip this product.
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Skincare - Face -Cosmedicine - Global Health SPF30 Face Lotion with Antioxidants
LizzieDahlin 6/15/2008 6:35:00 PM
I asked the SA at Sephora for a sun screen that i could use around my eyes only, and that would not run or come off after swimming. I cant use anything higher than an spf 15 on the rest of my face (allergies/breakouts) but i want to protect the skin around my eyes as much as i can. This stays in place and doesn't make my eyes burn and doesn't rub off when I swim. I can't imagine putting this on the rest of my face, its like Crisco in texture. I would definitely recommend this for around the eyes for the beach and other outdoor activities.
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Moisturizers -Murad - Skin Perfecting Lotion
LizzieDahlin 4/21/2008 8:56:00 AM
*update* after having strange painful small blemishes around my nose for the last 6 months, i traced the problem to this product. i'm not sure what in the product caused it, but as soon as i stopped using it, the breakouts vanished. I think it was some kind of dermatitis. Its a shame, otherwise the product worked great. *original review* I'm really impressed with this product. To begin, i have combo/oily skin, i'm 26, and i have moderate acne. I use DDF's 10% Glycolic Toner, and have had great results w/ that, but slacked off on using it and my skin went nuts. To help my skin get back on track and ready for summer here in FL i bought Skyn Iceland's 'The Antidote' to replace my Korres Yoghurt cream (which is lovely, but too heavy for summer). The Skyn Iceland product was nice, but after about a month proved to not really moisturize. I keep it around for a sunburn serum. Insomniac that i am, i caught the Murad infomercial one night/morning and altho i have cleansers and treatment toners covered, was interested by the moisturizer. Grabbed a bottle at Sephora and 2 weeks later, i'm duly impressed. This seems to be a perfect pair for my DDF toner and my skin tone and texture has snapped back to pre-laziness levels. My breakouts are almost totally gone and i have no new ones coming up. I'm also a great deal less oily during the day. I wash my face once a day, at night (MAC Cleanse Off Oil), follow w/ DDF toner, and then this. In the morning, i rinse my face w/ water and put a teeny bit of this on dry areas, if any. It has an odd smell but that fades quickly and its not that strong. Absorbs well and leaves a nice finish on the skin. I'd definitely repurchase assuming it continues to work this well.
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Moisturizers -Skyn Iceland - The ANTIDOTE
LizzieDahlin 2/28/2008 10:50:00 PM
*update* After using this a little over a month, i noticed that my redness was still reduced but that breakouts were increasing. My skin was getting very oily as well. I think this just isnt that moisturising, or at least isnt enough for my skin. Its still a lovely product, and i'll keep it around for a sunburn serum, as the cooling sensation is refreshing. But it just doesnt cut it as a moisturiser for my combo/oily skin. I am very pleased with this product. My skin is always 'flushed' and a little irritated looking, probably not helped by the lifesaving but harsh DDF 10% Glycolic Toner that i use. I had been having great luck w/ the Korres Yoghurt cream but wanted something that would help w/ the irritation more. This stuff is fantastic. Its a gel/serum like texture. Minty smelling with a pleasant fresh scent underneath. It sinks right in and doesnt leave my face flaky, the cooling sensation is nice too. If you're sensitive to minty stuff i'd avoid this, but if its soothing to you, as it is to me, you'll love it. Its $45USD for 1.8 oz and its in a nice glass jar w/ pump. I find it really does calm the redness and keep my skin tone even. I also love that this does not contain sunscreen, as i'm really sensitive to sun screen and cannot wear it on a day-to-day basis. I'd definitely repurchase, and assuming it continues to work, will do so.
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Cleansers -Skyn Iceland - Glacial Face Wash
LizzieDahlin 2/25/2008 4:16:00 PM
This cleanser reminds me strongly of the Clean and Clear Oil Free Deep Action cream cleanser. It smells minty and has a nice thick foamy texture when you add water. I didnt like it however, because it left a waxy texture on my skin and was hit or miss on removing makeup. This was also the same reaction my skin had to the Clean and Clear cleanser. The minty tingling feeling that you get after washing is pleasant, and my skin did look calmer. But i just didnt care for the odd residue and having to use double the toner afterwards to remove leftover makeup. You do get a fair amount for the price, considering how little you need to use to get a good lather. The bottle is a pain, but I read below that there is new packaging that is a pump. I'd imagine that'd be a lot easier to use. All in all, not a horrible product, but not entirely effective either.
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Toners -DDF - Glycolic Toner 10%
LizzieDahlin 8/11/2007 9:39:00 AM
Amazing, absolutely amazing. My skin has been alternating between lovely and smooth and oily and broken out for the last few years. it always seems like i've found the right product but then after a month or so it just goes back to sucking again. I heard about this stuff on MUA and decided to give it a shot. The $32 price tag seems steep but i've been using this since April and i still have about 60% of the bottle left (1x per day use) i went through about a month of 'purging', which i expected because my problem has always been clogged pore based acne and not hormonal. Once that had passed though, my skin tone and texture has improved, i only occasionally get a couple pimples (and if i didnt pick at them like an idiot they wouldnt be noticeable). i rarely wear anything more than a touch of concealer and a bit of Laura Mercier Mineral makeup on my skin.. its so fun to be able to use my Nars Cactus Flower and Tarte True Love w/o being worried about them accentuating any flaws. my pores are smaller, sun damage has faded, and i just look better in general. i think other reviews have described the potential pitfalls of this toner better than i could. will definitely repurchase.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Technakohl in Graphblack
LizzieDahlin 8/11/2007 9:25:00 AM
kindof an impulse buy for me, i usually use Benefit's BadGal for tightlining. i dont mind that BadGal doesnt have the best staying power for most situations, but i also wanted an option that would be touch up free.. this actually stays very well on my upper and lower waterlines, good bold color, no irritation, wears very well through the day.. i recommend before you put this on your waterline that you run your (clean) finger across the waterline to 'dry' it off a little.. i find this helps it apply better and stay longer.. i cant tell how much i'm getting for my money, but hopefully it'll last a good while before i need to repurchase.. its a great inky black and looks very polished.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Prudeaux
LizzieDahlin 7/9/2007 10:23:00 PM
i hope they make the slimshines permanent, i'd like to get others.. this color is lovely, as the other reviewers have said, it calls to mind Clinique's Black Honey.. i feel like this is more berry than black honey, like a more pigmented version of the Plushgass Oversexed.. i am NC25, reddish-gold hair, brown eyes, i put on Philosphy's Kiss Me lip balm first, then this over it.. its a nice clear color, i dont notice any shimmer.. lasting power is about like a lipglass.. the packaging is a vast improvement over their icky plastic suppository-like lipstick packaging.. i wish they'd switch to this material for their lipstick packaging..
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustering
LizzieDahlin 6/9/2007 10:57:00 PM
I dont usually do much w/ lip color but lately i've started to. I'm MAC NC20-25, with brown eyes and reddish blonde hair. This color is a lively watermelon color on me. I apply it lightly and then put Stila Lip Glaze in Watermelon over it. Perfect fresh shiny lip color. Good lasting power, leaves a slight stain on my lips. Definitely a great find!
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Moisturizers -Korres - Yogurt Cream (Yoghurt Cream)
LizzieDahlin 5/16/2007 9:07:00 PM
This medium thickness cream has a light scent and absorbs in to my skin quickly. I have dehydrated combination skin, and this moisturizer has really made a dramatic improvement in my skin texture. I had been using Clinique DDML for a while, and my skin looked ok, but b/c summer in FL doesnt mesh well with DDML i looked for a lighter option. I use this, coupled with DDF's 10% Glycolic toner and my skin is really looking awesome. I like that there arent artificial preservatives or harsh chemicals in this moisturizer and that it actualy has an expiration date. The packaging is a glass pot, which i prefer vastly to plastic packaging, but i know many do not like to dip in to a product.. i'd think that a q-tip or other sanitary applicator would do. A great product!
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Lotions/ Creams -Korres - Yoghurt Body Butter
LizzieDahlin 5/16/2007 9:00:00 PM
This thick body butter is lovely, i already am using the Yoghurt face cream with great results and as i love the face cream scent, i thought i'd like this as well. It has a nice, non-chemical scent, very normal and natural, but still mild enough that you can wear your own fragrance and not get a wierd hybrid smell as a result. It moisturizes very well, and definitely takes the itch out of sunburn. I like the sealed pump packaging and the expiration date, its nice to know i'm not slathering my body in synthetic chemicals and preservatives. All in all, the price is a bit $$ but a little goes a long way and its worth it for the great quality/scent. Korres products really sink in to my skin and dont leave an odd greasy film like most moisturizers.
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Conditioner -Clairol - Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner
LizzieDahlin 5/6/2007 9:19:00 AM
this conditioner was awesome at first (i also used the shampoo) but now i've found my hair to be dull, frizzy at the ends, and flat at the roots. this conditioner has definitely left a thick coating of buildup on my fine, thick, long hair. its a disappointment because the conditioner smells lovely, and is super cheap. however, i'd rather pay a little more for my haircare than end up w/ the condition my hair is in now, yuck. I give it a 3/5 because if i was stuck w/o any shampoo/conditioner, these would be fine temporary alternatives.
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