Moisturizers -Alpha Hydrox - Enhanced Lotion - 10% AHA
MeggieBeth 3/14/2013 6:29:00 PM
I've tried this product twice now and discontinued use both times, a full month the first time and three days the second. There are a few reasons why and they are as follows: 1. The smell is just terrible. Really. It's sharp and acidic (in an acid, go figure) and generally unpleasant. 2. The "tingle" is a burning, painful sensation and you may become desensitized to it over time, but you HAVE to keep using it in order for that to happen. 3. The chemical burns. If you use this too much, you poor thing. My neck was a horrible wash of rashes followed by peeling skin. Very pretty. It will also seep into the creases around your eyes, even if you give it a ton of space around them and this makes any facial movements painful. 4. The "purging", which I daftly tried to convince myself was OK. It wasn't, what was happening was my skin trying to push this stuff out! Apparently contact dermatitis looks a lot like purging. And so do chemical burns. But here's the thing, I KEPT trying. Because for a little while (the first week) my skin looked really good. It was glowing and beautiful and (little did I know) about to go rapidly downhill. This is why you should ALWAYS wait at least two weeks to review something because that's how long it will take your skin to properly react (I realize I said I only used it three days the second time, but that was due to the chemical burns). And now I know this is something it reacts poorly to. I give it two for these reasons; it's affordable and your skin will look great for a week, but if your skin is tougher than mine and can handle AHA (oh, how I envy you!) and you can overlook the smell, "tingle," and purging (that happens each time you stop and then start use again, even after only a couple days) this could be a useful lotion for you. Paula's Choice gave it a "good" rating, I give it a "good riddance."
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Aveeno - Moisturizing Body Wash
MeggieBeth 2/26/2013 10:41:00 PM
This was suggested to me by my dermatologist and also rated as a "best" product on Paula's Choice reviews. I have to agree with both of them, this has really helped the eczema on my legs. Even in the mid-west winter! I hop in the shower all itchy and dry, use this and instantly my skin feels better. MUCH better. Good for a nice soak, too. I also get acne on my chest and back pretty easily but over the course of three months my skin has improved greatly, so no complaints there! The only thing that bothers me is the smell. It's very medicinal and that is a bit of a let-down because of how moisturizing this wash is, it even helps with shaving underarms. Worse, the scent can linger in the more, ahem, personal regions of the body. There's almost a Vick's quality to it and it pretty much the scent equivalent to orthopedic shoes. Otherwise, excellent cleanser. I will try others by Aveeno because of the scent, but am willing to return if I need to. PROS: Good for dry, itchy skin. Even eczema skin. Doesn't break me out on chest or back really does moisturize, even my husband noticed Easy to find at most grocery/drug stores Improves shaving comfort on both legs and underarms CONS: Smells medicinal and the scent lingers in unwelcome places
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Tarina Tarantino - Fleur De Lash in Black Opal
MeggieBeth 2/26/2013 10:22:00 PM
I bought this on a whim when Sephora was having it on clearance (Tarina is now selling for herself only) and quickly returned to buy the last two tubes as back-ups. This mascara is comfortable to wear, doesn't smear or flake, doesn't irritate my hard contact lenses, and looks very natural in one swipe. It isn't the absolute best for layering, but I don't really feel the need to thicken up since my lashes are defined so nicely. The price is higher, around $20 so it could be considered a bit of a splurge. To me, there are a few things that are worth the price and this is one of them. PROS: natural looking lashes (mine but better++) non irritating doesn't smudge or flake Lasts all day and night CONS: Only comes in waterproof (picky thing, I always go for waterproof, myself) Only comes in black (again, picky, I always opt for black anyway) Pricier than some
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Loose Powder
MeggieBeth 2/17/2013 7:41:00 PM
If you want to scrupulously emphasize every flakey area of your skin and point a ghostly-caste finger at each and every pore in the most expensive way possible, have we got a product for you! I bought this because I love the HD foundation, but it really isn't worth it. My face would look finished for a few minutes, just long enough to trick myself into thinking it looked good, but then it settles and points to every imperfection you were hoping to "blur." MUFE has two other powders of comparable price that are MUCH better performers than this is (heck, throwing flour on your face probably makes a more realistic finish than this). I've tried applying it many different ways with many different brushes every day for about a year (so I've tried it in all seasons), just a disappointment. If you don't have any skin issues to begin with and want to spend too much money, this might be the way to go. For me, I'm glad I got the small container. PROS: erm... momentarily looks like your foundation is set and momentarily looks blended. Little goes a long way CONS: expensive leaves a white cast on even my pale irish skin emphasizes flakes and pores causes patchiness in your foundation
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Oil Cleansing Method OCM
MeggieBeth 2/7/2013 11:26:00 PM
Please please PLEASE don't do this if you are acne prone! I tried this and my skin looked amazing for about a week and a half... then disaster struck. I'm not just talking "Oh no, one zit before the big dance!" disaster, I'm talking Mt. St. Helen, Mt. Vesuvius, and that giant volcano in Iceland that no one can pronounce all exploded on my face. At once. Before you start thinking that I didn't do everything carefully or tried different ingredients and mixes with TONS of thought and research, I did. Over three months. Promise. New cloth each night: check. Tried different oils/mixes: check. Ended up and the dermatologist: check (and an expensive check at that)! I wanted this to work so badly that I, too, ignored the warnings assuming that others simply didn't do it "right." Believe me, if you have any slight chance of getting acne, there is no "right" with OCM. The "purge" is addictive, I'll give it that. My skin appeared to be improving like crazy, but the truth is that the effects are the same as what people describe when they talk about their first drug high. It never happens as well again and it ends up destroying your life, or in this case, face. With this method there is no way for the bacteria to go except deeper into the pores so what happens is DEEP, SWOLLEN, PAINFUL cystic acne and lasting scars and marks that never seem to heal. Also regular whiteheads, milia, blackheads, every kind of bad-head on my head. Forgive me face, for I have sinned. It has been four months since I last abused you and I'll regret it forever. I'm so sorry for those this also happened to. I'm so sorry for the people who don't take the warnings to heart. Really. Just go get some good face wash (Neutrogena Oil free acne wash has helped with the milia) and an oil free moisturizer (CeraVe facial lotion PM is a good one) and for your skin's sake STAY AWAY FROM OCM!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Unlisted Brand - Blinc Mascara
MeggieBeth 4/26/2012 10:53:00 PM
I wear hard contacts and because of that needed a mascara that doesn't flake and won't irritate my eyes. This isn't the one for me. I like how easy it is to remove without too much rubbing because of the tubing effect, but that's about it. Plus, no matter how long you spend curling them, your lashes will be completely straight in a split second. So if you just need a little darker color, go for it, otherwise, there are much better tubing mascara options on the market. I prefer Clinique's version.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Goody - Spin Pin
MeggieBeth 4/26/2012 9:32:00 PM
I have thick, curly hair that bobby pins just aren't strong enough for without having to use more than 25 for a simple up-do. With these I needed only two and they held trough a wedding and LOTS of dancing. That was when I had hair just past my shoulders, now that it's longer I think I'll grab another package just for the extra security while dancing, though I'm not entirely sure I need them.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
MeggieBeth 1/13/2012 6:52:00 PM
My summer love. Clog my pores? Never! Fight my makeup? Nope! Lighten my pocketbook? A bit, but worth the money. If only it had sunscreen in it. The pump is a bit frustrating because it's hard to get every last bit, which you will so want to use. Much better choice than the lotion for it's lightness.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Almost Lipstick - Black Honey
MeggieBeth 1/13/2012 6:48:00 PM
Oh, wow. Black Honey is just stunning. It's sheer qualities and beautiful color layers so nicely, if you want light, just put down a little lip balm first, if you want dramatic, just keep putting it on until you get the right depth. So moisturizing and pretty. My hubby loves it on me because it looks so natural. Pricey, but so worth it!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Burt's Bees - Lip Shimmer in Nutmeg
MeggieBeth 1/13/2012 6:23:00 PM
I really like this lip shimmer. It's got a nice scent and minty tingle. It looks pretty natural, took off one because I wish it went on a bit more sheer so I could adjust thickness on my lips. Easily fixed by putting on a little lip balm first. Will buy again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No