Scrubs -Origins - Never A Dull Moment Skin Brightening Facial Polisher
MtnBikeGrl 9/30/2004 9:20:00 PM
I bought this about ten months ago, and didn't use it until last week. I had run out of my HG scrub, St. Ives Apricot Scrub, so I dug out the Origins stuff. I smelled it, and it smelled different from the NADM cleanser (which is my HG cleanser!) -- it sorta smelled like prunes. The screw-off lid and the jar is not great; I prefer a tube or pump. I put the stuff on my face and massaged it on my face, but it didn't feel like it was exfoliating well enough -- the grains were too sparsely distributed. It also took forever to rinse clean -- I may have used too much. My face didn't feel very exfoliated either. I know lots of women find St. Ives too harsh for their skin, but my skin loves it -- it's not sensitive or dry so it's perfect for me! I'll be sticking with that -- it's dirt-cheap too. If you love NADM Scrub, good for you -- I'll be sticking with St. Ives though. UPDATE! I did use too much the first time, and I like this as long as I use it sparingly. I'll use the whole tub I have, but won't buy it again...
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Cleansers -Origins - Checks and Balances
MtnBikeGrl 9/21/2004 10:45:00 PM
I use Origins Never A Dull Moment and adore it, but I wanted to give Checks & Balances a try...I got bored with my usual routine and decided to try something new, but still in the Origins line. NADM is absolutely perfect for my very normal, non-combo, non-oily, non-dry, non-acne-prone skin...but I went to Origins and got a sample of C&B nonetheless. It foamed up nicely, and smelled nice (woodsy-mint), but when I rinsed it off it was too squeaky, and I knew my face would be dry afterwards. Mint is a natural astringent, which is probably why C&B is recommended for combo/oily skin. This product is very similar to Clinique's Rinse-off Foaming Cleanser (but smells better, IMHO), and did a similar thing to my skin -- dried it out afterwards. I will be sticking to NADM, but am sure that if my skin were oilier or even combo, I'd be going after C&B.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
MtnBikeGrl 9/16/2004 5:07:00 PM
I bought this at Sephora while browsing through. I wasn't really looking for a new cleanser (I have an HG in Origins Never A Dull Moment), but I experienced temporary insanity and plunked down some money for the Philosophy cleanser. I still have some Origins left, and was going to wait until it was all gone to try the Philosophy, but then I got nervous: What if I hated the Philosophy and didn't have my Origins to fall back on? So, I tried it on my face this morning. I really like the smell, sort of a woodsy-mint with hints of lemon. The packaging seems...juvenile. I like the clear bottle and the small snap cap though -- much less messy than a twist-off or pump. The cleanser itself is very thin, and my problem was that it didn't lather enough for me. I'm big on lots of lather -- it assures me that the cleanser is working, that it's cleaning deep down, that it's doing what I paid a pretty penny for it to do. I rinsed the cleanser off (it rinsed pretty clean) and then waited to apply moisturizer. I didn't notice that my skin was tighter than usual -- I have very normal, not dry, not sensitive, not combination, not breakout-prone skin, and unless a cleanser is really not formulated right for me, nothing crazy happens. I won't be buying this again just because of the lathering aspect. I have my Origins to fall back on, and while I may give Checks and Balances a try (also Origins), I'm finished trying to find the perfect cleanser. I think I've hit the nail on the head with Origins! (Origins is also cheaper than Philosophy...another selling point. But anyways.)
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Moisturizers -Sephora - Super Smart Facial Moisturizer SPF 15
MtnBikeGrl 8/26/2004 11:37:00 AM
I was browsing through Sephora on a recent trip, and noticed their new "Super Star" line. I was nearing the end of my old tube of St. Ives Oil-Free, so I picked up the Super Smart face moisturizer, and the Super Charged foot cream (LOVE THAT STUFF). I was intrigued by the SPF in the SuperSmart because I live in a very hot, sunny climate, and don't wear much makeup so I sorta need the extra protection on my face. I was using the SS faithfully until I noticed that the apples of my cheeks started stinging after applying the lotion. I didn't think anything of it, but it hasn't gone away yet, and it actually hurts to rub the stuff in. I've also noticed that the area is more red than usual. :-( So, I won't be continuing my use of the SuperSmart moisturizer. I liked it at first, but then it started burning my skin -- I think it might be the zinc oxide...but who knows. My skin is never sensitive, but my cheeks didn't like this stuff. Pity. Overall, I liked the pump applicator and the sweet smell, but I'm gonna buy ten tubes of my precious St. Ives oil-free because as with all St. Ives products, the good ones get discontinued!!
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Lotions/ Creams -Jergens - Intense Moisture
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 10:34:00 AM
I bought this at CVS when I didn't see the Ultra Healing lotion (my HG), and I am very sorry that I did. I ended up getting two tubes, because I thought I would like it, but that was a mistake. It has a terrible smell (although it claims to be Unscented, they never are!), like glue and just gunky. I applied it right after getting out of the shower, like usual, and things were going okay -- the texture is pretty normal, and a little goes a long way. However, in the morning, I HAD A FILM ON MY SKIN! An actual FILM! White crud that rubbed off on my dark t-shirt! Eeewwww! I am very disappointed in this stuff, and bummed that I have two big tubes of it! :-( Back to my Ultra Healing -- I'm gonna order it online so I get the right stuff! Baaahhh! (One good thing about this -- squeeze tube packaging is great. Beats the hell out of the pump and the rectangular bottle! Ahem, Jergens!!)
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Hair -TiGi - Bed Head Self Absorbed
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 10:25:00 AM
I got this on a whim when I had my hair professionally colored and it destroyed my ends. I like the clear bottle packaging, and the squeeze tube, but the product itself is so-so. The shampoo has a very strong orangey scent that I liked at first, now it sort of smells like, umm, puke. It leaves my hair too squeaky (I like squeaky, but not too much), and the conditioner is worse. It smells like glue, and isn't creamy enough to moisturize my hair after the squeakiness of the shampoo. For the price, this stuff is not worth it. I'll be sticking with Aussie!
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Eye Makeup Remover -The Body Shop - Chamomile Eye Makeup Remover
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 10:17:00 AM
I love this product! I bought it on a whim, browsing thru The Body Shop, because I was very unhappy with my Clinique solvent (read review). The Body Shop only makes gentle products, so I went for it. I was pleased I did, because it swipes on with a cotton square easily, and doesn't feel harsh at all. I splash on water before my cleanser goes on, and the makeup is on its way out. The chamomile is very gentle, and unlike the Clinique stuff it didn't irritate the fragile skin around my eyes. It lasts a long time, but I will definitely repurchase when I run out!
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Eye Makeup Remover -Clinique - Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 10:11:00 AM
I used this when I first started wearing eye makeup, when I couldn't find anything better. After about two months of removing my eye makeup with this, I dumped the rest down the sink. It had started rubbing the hell out of the fragile skin around my eyes, and it made the skin very dry and irritated. I found a better remover (The Body Shop gentle chamomile remover), and switched ASAP. Clinique's stuff is awful -- very hard on skin that is sensitive for everyone!
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Treatments -Aussie - 3 Minute Miracle
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 10:05:00 AM
Those Aussie people know what they're talking about -- this stuff is definitely a MIRACLE for hair. I think it's the best drugstore-brand treatment on the market. I leave it on while I'm scrubbing my face after shampooing, and then I rinse it out. It rinses so beautifully, and leaves my hair very silky and manageable. The inverted squeeze tube is also nice -- and a little goes a long way. A staple in my shower! FYI, my hair is very thick, straight, brown, and normal. And boring. ;-)
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Shampoo -Citre Shine - Daily Revitalize Shampoo
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 10:02:00 AM
I love this shampoo! I used it all thru college, and if my drugstore stocked it, I still would to this day! (I think I'll order it online now...ha ha ha.) It smells great (citrus, obviously) and lathers up well. It also makes my hair "squeaky" which is how I define cleanliness -- all the buildup is gone. It goes great with the companion conditioner, and I definitely recommend it to anyone. FYI, my hair is very thick, straight, brown, and normal. And boring. ;-)
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Original Moisturizing Creme
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 9:59:00 AM
I bought this to combat a patch of dry skin on my face, and although it didn't take care of it (Aveeno did!), I still use the leftover as a great cuticle cream. It moisturizes well, and it works best at nite, when it has time to dry and absorb well. Eucerin makes pretty hard-core skin creams, and this one works very well on dry cuticles, cracked feet (feels great on heels!), and other problematic skin areas. However, I wouldn't recommend it for your face because it's too greasy.
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Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Peppermint Foot Lotion
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 9:56:00 AM
I bought this to use after pumicing my feet in the shower (with a pumice stone, not the scrub), and I love it. It goes on nicely, absorbs well, and the tingling is pretty cool too. :-) The only problems I have with it are that it is pretty spendy for such a little bottle, and it's sort of thin. Overall, I like it, and it also feels really great after a hard workout when my feet are screaming!
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Masks -The Body Shop - Natural Oceanic Clay Ionic Mask
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 9:54:00 AM
I bought this on a whim, browing through TBS a couple months ago. I live in a city that's humid and dirty (lots of crap in the air), so my face feels very grimy after a couple of days. I use the mask every Sunday afternoon for an overall cleansing of impurities, and I love it. It goes on well, and the green color is funny. :-) It dries evenly and tightly, and washes off well. Afterwards my face felt sorta tight, so if you have dry skin (my skin is very normal) this might dry you out. Overall, I love this stuff, and will continue to use. It lasts a long time, especially since I only use it once a week.
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Cleansers -The Body Shop - Tea Tree Oil Foaming Face Wash
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 9:52:00 AM
I started using this when I moved to a new city because my face acquired lots of grime and I broke out. I used the bar soap (instead of the liquid cleanser), and followed it up with the Tea Tree toner. My face improved soon afterwards, but when fall and winter came, it became too drying for me. I still use the toner when my face feels ultra-oily, but I've switched to Origins Never A Dull Moment cleanser, which is my HG. One problem with TBS products is that they're hard to find if you don't have a store near you...and I don't.
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Masks -Freeman - Cucumber & Ginseng Peel- Off Masque
MtnBikeGrl 4/26/2004 9:48:00 AM
I used this mask when I was at home (stole it from my sister, ha ha), and I liked it. It's very sticky and consequently hard to apply evenly, but I think it works. You shouldn't use it if you have sensitive skin, because when after it dries you have to peel it off, and it's more like ripping! It'll hurt the skin around your eyes, but I'm tough. :-) It's also hard to get out of eyebrows and facial hair because it rips...but I think it does a good job of peeling dirt and crud out of your pores. I won't repurchase because I like St. Ives Apricot Scrub better...but anyways.
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