Lips -Unlisted Brand - Lanolips - Lip Ointment with colour
MakeABook 8/16/2010 9:06:00 PM
I knew I probably like this product (online reviews has consistently said what an effective lip moisturizer it is), but I didn't expect to LOVE it like I do. The moisture lasts all day, has no scent or taste whatsoever, and isn't greasy. Even when I don't apply it for a day, I still have smooth, moist lips: it's improved the skin. (My husband keeps telling me how pretty I look -- my lips look fuller now that they're this moisturized.) The real benefit here, though, it that unlike my beloved Aquaphor, this doesn't dilute lipstick or cause it slide off. I can apply lipsticks right over Lanolips and they're creamy and full coverage. Seeing that, I used it with a NARS lipstick palette I have that's dried out -- I was dreading throwing it away -- and it completely resurrected it!! A dab of Lanolips on my lip brush before I dipped in, and even the driest lipstick was transformed into it's former creamy, new, full-coverage self -- frankly even more moisturizing than when it was new, since NARS lipsticks are always a bit drying. Try it with any lip palettes that are drying out : Nars, Trish McEvoy's "The Card" palettes, etc. Saved me a ton of cash. It's a keeper.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Bobbi Brown - Extra Balm Rinse
MakeABook 8/7/2007 11:22:00 AM
I'm glad I received this as a sample: it's something I would have never dared to buy since I have extremely oily, acne-prone skin. This is a thick, translucent balm with a mild citrus fragrance -- in short, exactly what I'd NOT buy for my skin. I mustered the courage to try it one day when my skin was feeling taught, stripped and angry from a too-harsh acne product and was happily surprised at the result. Just a pea-sized amount, warmed between the fingertips to liquify it, covers the entire face. I use a little water to emulsify it further and then remove it with a damp washcloth. The result was comfortable, non-greasy, soothed, clean skin. Removed my makeup well and I've never had it cause any breakouts or blackheads (crucial for me), but again, I'm cautious with anything this rich: I use the tiniest amount possible, and only when my skin's dry. I liked it enough to buy a batch of samples off Ebay, which was incredibly inexpensive and should last forever considering the amount I use. As an aside, I wouldn't recommend using this around the eyes: it doesn't turn "soapy" when you add water -- it's still an oily emulsion, so even splashing the face with water won't remove it completely. You really need a damp washcloth to gently wipe it off - something you definitely wouldn't want creeping into your eyes, especially for lens wearers.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Eclat No 2
MakeABook 7/21/2007 10:03:00 AM
I'm intrigued by the mixed reviews here. I bought this about a year ago based on the review boards and it quickly became a "must have" in my routine. It's definitely *not* a concealer (as in, opaque coverage), which probably accounts for some of the reviews: rather, it's a lightweight, sheer, light-reflecting fluid. No glitter whatsoever that I can see, just light reflecting. Has almost no visible texture on the skin. So how does that help? If you blend some into dark areas of your face (under your eyes, the fold of your nose, laugh lines, etc.) it markedly lightens them without visible coverage like concealer. Everything just seems brighter and the folds look less deep. Extra-opaque concealers still weren't completely covering my under eye circles-- and they were starting to look cakey on my 40+ skin -- but I've found that a dab of TE first with a very light pat of concealer on top gives bright, total coverage without any visible makeup texture. It got kudos from me right away for it's blendability: it has just enough slip to blend easily, but no greasiness whatsoever to irritate my extremely oily, acne prone skin. If you have great skin, you should skip this product entirely. If you have flaws you'd like lightened, though, this could be helpful for you. Thankfully it's never gone bad for me: I wash the brush head periodically just in case, though. Simple soap, rinse under the tap and leave it upright to dry overnight. Doesn't leak into the product at all. Number 2 has enough yellow tones for my light olive complextion. Two thumbs up!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Dermacia - Lycogel [DISCONTINUED]
MakeABook 7/11/2007 11:40:00 AM
This has become a HG foundation for my extremely oily, dehydrated 40+ skin, despite the fact the Dermacia does perhaps the world's worst job of promoting their product. (I'll explain below.) The first time I bought this, I sent it right back, appalled. The stuff went on like plaster no matter what I tried, not adhering in some places and caking in others, even after I prepped my skin with their own "moisture mist" (which I found to be useless). Trying to layer it for better coverage would result in the first layer sliding right off my skin. I couldn't fathom how they could market the stuff! Still, it DID make my blemishes heal noticeably faster if I dotted it on overnight , so I chalked this up as an overpriced acne treatment. Many months later I decided to give it a second try because of that, and ordered Lycogel concealer ("Y" for my olive skin) from Amazon. Thank God for the 2nd look. That time I figured out that this foundation can either be a dream or a nightmare based on what skincare you use underneath it. Anything that has hyaluronic acid (which products for oily/acne-prone skin frequently use) will cause this to cake, clump, and generally look horrendous. Why would the company not think to mention this, since it's marketed for problem skin?? With Aveeno lotion underneath, it applies thinly, evenly, actually makes my skin look smoother, and looks convincingly like gorgeous, natural skin. Waterproof, too, which I thought I could only get from Dermablend. I dust it sparingly with powder to maintain the "clean" look and blot with Clean and Clear sheets thoughout the day. I reach for this more often than my beloved mineral makeup, which is really saying something.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation 
MakeABook 7/29/2004 7:44:00 PM
I wanted so badly to like this based on the raves here, but it's a no go. I like tinted moisturizers and sheer foundations, but this is SO sheer that it left me wondering "why bother"? I'd say it makes the texture of skin look better, like a primer, but the coverage was sheer to none. So I tried to build it. And build it, And build it. In the end, I was finally able to get a decent (not great) result, and but it took so long and required so much product that it hardly seemed worth the effort. (And I didn't like piling so much foundation on my acne-prone skin. Seemed like a sure recipe for breakouts.) Darn.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Trish McEvoy - The Card
MakeABook 5/6/2004 6:57:00 PM
I'm so surprised that some folks didn't like the quality of this: I'm a tough sell, and I've been very pleased. I've never tried Trish McEvoy products before, but I can see why she has a following. The eyeshadows are much softer than Shu or Nars, and as a result I can get a nicely colored eye with very little product. I'm olive/brunette and these colors gave me a polished look with enough impact that I wasn't washed out, that also wasn't overly pink or peachy. Very impressed by the softness of the glosses, too: I'm used to palettes having a harder consistency, but these are soft and creamy. I use brushes to apply everything, so that may be why others had problems: these have stayed neat as a pin for me, but I can imagine that if you tried to dig in with fingers it could get messy fast. Use brushes and enjoy this great palette!
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Primer/ Corrector -I-Iman - Matte Spray
MakeABook 5/6/2004 6:38:00 PM
This is why I love this site:I'd have never heard of this product otherwise. This is a clear gel spray that you spritz on your face and pat in before or after makeup. I'm a good test for oil-control products because my skin is extremely oily and I was impressed: it makes a significant impact without being drying at all. Felt light and refreshing with no residue that I could see or feel, and the mist helped to make my eyeshadow last, too. (I'd pretty much given up on eyeshadow because even the good ones crease so quickly on my eyelids.) I was ready to plunk down 100+ dollars on LaMer oil control lotion, so I'm incredibly pleased to have found this effective product for $27. For those with acne-prone skin, I haven't had any pore clogging. (Many matte primers are silicone-based and do a great job of controlling oil, but I'd also notice they clogged my pores, so I couldn't use them on a regular basis.) This seems to be a great alternative and exactly what I've been looking for! As an added bonus, packaging is nice: the spray is a handy way to apply it, and the clear "crystal" bottle is attractive enough to pass for cologne on the counter. I'll definitely repurchase this. ***UPDATE: The spray idea needs to be improved: as the product level goes down it stops working and sprays unevely or not at all. I unscrew the thing and dab it on with my fingers, but I've taken off 1 lippie for bad packaging.
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Masks -MD Forte - Skin Rejuvenation Hydra-Masque
MakeABook 4/6/2004 1:06:00 PM
Got a sample along with another purchase and tried it on a whim. Boy am I glad: it's a perfect hydrating and exfoliating mask for acne-prone skin.From the name, I'd have assumed it was for specifically dry skin, but that's certainly not the case. Feels like normal clay masks, but leaves skin soft and silky, with no irritation. I need only a fraction of the moisturizer I used to because the hydration is so long-lasting. Best of all, a little goes a long way. This has become a staple.
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Treatments -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel
MakeABook 2/13/2004 6:03:00 PM
Well, now I know what the fuss about peels is about. Picked this up one week when my skin was broken out & inflamed and saw results immediately: smoother skin, less redness, fewer new breakouts. Didn't expect anything that dramatic. Skin's not perfect, but this provides CONTROL. I wish it were cheaper, but (finally) seeing a product deliver makes this worth the price to me. I'll definitely repurchase.
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Tinted Moisturizer -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer
MakeABook 2/13/2004 5:37:00 PM
Good stuff! This gives more coverage than I'd ordinarily expect from a tinted moisturizer, but it's effortless to blend and looks natural. I have extremely oily/acne prone skin and this wears beautifully. Light was a good match for my medium to light olive complexion, so truly fair girls may be disappointed by the color selection.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No