Cleansers -Cerave - Foaming Facial Cleanser
NatalieJ 2/15/2013 11:59:00 PM
This is a pretty unremarkable foaming cleanser; nothing good or bad to say about it. It cleans better than their hydrating cleanser.
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Cleansers -Cerave - Hydrating Cleanser
NatalieJ 2/15/2013 11:57:00 PM
I bought this on the advice of my dermatologist when I started Retin-A. It's very, very mild. If I wasn't on Retin-A, this wouldn't be enough for me -- but it's working great for me now. Thanks to this and Egyptian Magic Cream, I haven't had any flaking or redness.
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Egyptian Magic Healing Cream
NatalieJ 2/15/2013 11:47:00 PM
I don't have super dry skin, but just couldn't find anything that was truly effective. I read reviews for this a while ago, and forgot all about it until I ran across it at Costco. I'm so glad I bought it! The texture really had me worried, butt this product is GREAT. I love the way my skin feels when I have it on, and can't wait to get my makeup off and this on my face. No clogging, blackheads or breakouts...just beautiful, glowy skin. I used it for a few weeks, then started on Retin-A. I use this on nights I don't use Retin-A and have had virtually no flaking or redness. Big thumbs up!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Ben Nye - Neutral Set translucent powder
NatalieJ 8/8/2012 7:27:00 PM
Wow, this powder is fantastic. I was loving a sample of Tarte Amazonian Clay Smooth Operator, but not the price. Did a little research here, and came up with this gem, and bought a bottle on eBay for $8 total. What a find!! It's finely milled, keeps my shiny t-zone at bay for hours, and has such a great finish. Love, love, love, love.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Proclaim Crystal Ice Protein Styling Gel
NatalieJ 8/2/2012 10:08:00 PM
Pro: Dirt cheap, lots of size options. I spent about $1.50 for 6 ounces at Sally's. Con: zero hold -- this was like putting water on my hair and hoping for some hold. I used this a few times in various amounts, and ended up chucking it.
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Conditioner -L'Oreal - EverSleek Intense Smooth Conditioner
NatalieJ 6/1/2012 10:12:00 PM
No silicones, which is a plus for my curly hair. This isn't a bad conditioner for being on the thinner side. I wish it was a little more moisturizing, because my curly hair is pretty dry now.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - Generic Value Products GVP Conditioning Balm
NatalieJ 6/1/2012 10:09:00 PM
My curly hair has been so dry the last few months that I thought I'd try a rich, thick conditioner. (I don't use shampoo, but co-wash a la the Deva method.) I had high hopes for this, but it isn't any more moisturizing than the L'Oreal Eversleek conditioner I've been using. It's coating my hair a little bit, and feels waxy. It's really thick and tough to squeeze out of the bottle -- have to keep it upside down so I don't struggle. Won't repurchase.
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Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Hyalogic Episilk Lip Balm with Hyaluronic Acid
NatalieJ 4/27/2012 8:20:00 PM
I'm having a love affair with hyaluronic acid. A few months ago, my skin and lips got impossibly dry, and nothing seemed to work. I finally solved the skin problem with Devita's moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, and figured I should try a lip balm with HA. I ordered two tubs on the interwebs for about $7 a pop, which seemed high until I got the order. The tubs are .5 oz each, which is HUGE in lip balm land. One will last forever, but at least I have one for my purse and one for the medicine cabinet. I didn't like it at first, because it has lots of slip and applies pretty thinly. But after just a few days, it turned my dry and cracked lips completely around. This stuff is fantastic. I will definitely repurchase when I run out, but that won't be for a while since you get so much product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Suave - Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditioner
NatalieJ 4/16/2012 10:41:00 PM
Not so impressed! It isn't particularly smoothing or conditioning. It's barely ok, and I'm not thrilled with the smell. I won't repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Trader Joe's - A Midsummer Night's Cream-Unscented
NatalieJ 4/16/2012 7:24:00 PM
My skin has been particularly parched lately, and none of my body lotions have enough oomph. The only thing that's been working is sweet almond oil, but I don't like to use oils every day. I used to use this years ago, and picked some up last week. It's a great product - wonder if it's still made by Nature's Gate? It's on the heavier side, but still can be dispensed with a pump. No horrid or clashing scent, and it is keeping my skin well moisturized. Love this stuff!
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Lipstick -Boots - No 7 Poppy King - Intrigue
NatalieJ 4/16/2012 7:18:00 PM
My new favorite, favorite lipstick! It's a super-natural reddish nude (yes, really) that's very flattering. No glitter, sparkles, or blinding glossy shine. I wear this all day, every day. Deducted one point from the rating because it doesn't last as long as I'd like, but I'm still a huge fan.
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Surgi-Wax hair removal strips
NatalieJ 4/16/2012 7:15:00 PM
Despite following the directions to a T, I managed to pull all the skin off my upper lip not once, not twice, but all three times I tried this. I should have thrown it in the trash after the second time. I'm glad it seems to work well for others, but this is not the product for me.
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Lipstick -Boots - No 7 Poppy King - Allure
NatalieJ 1/18/2012 10:12:00 PM
Yes, yes, yes! I am constantly on the lookout for a good nude lipstick that doesn't make me look like death warmed over. Most pull very brown on me and look terrible. (I have a medium complexion, BB 3.0, and green eyes.) The only winner until now was the sadly discontinued Birthday Suit by Rimmel. I have 3 of Poppy King's Lipstick Queens in the Saint formulation. I really like them, except for Saint Nude, which looks like death on me. I saw this in Target and thought I'd give this one a try. I got it home and compared it to my Saint Nude, and it looked oh-so-slightly lighter. I kept it on my counter for two weeks debating whether to return it. Then I lost the receipt, and finally broke it open. And man, am I glad I did! It's lots lighter on me that Saint Nude, even on the peachy, apricoty side. Very true to my natural liptone. It seems to be the same great formulation as my Lipstick Queens, but a tad sheerer. Packaging is very similar -- a tad smaller, and in silver. It's also cheaper than Lipstick Queen. I'd give it five stars if it were more long-lasting, but this is a solid deal in my book.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Devita - Evening Rich Nutritional Moisturizer
NatalieJ 12/27/2011 9:10:00 PM
I've been having a real problem finding the right evening moisturizer. I'm have an oily t-zone and the rest is uncomfortably dry. To make matters worse, my upper lip area has been positively awful following a bad at-home upper lip wax experience, in which I managed to remove a few layers of skin. I've been using Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream, but just needed something with more oomph. Tried a sample of L'Oreal's Golden Balm, and was actually going to buy it until I was sampling products at Whole Foods and ran across this. It has hyaluronic acid, which I love. Tried a few moisturizers with hyaluronic acid on my arm, did my shopping, and then checked my arm - this Devita was the clear winner. I've been using it for a few weeks under my eyes and on my upper lip -- since I'm cheap, I'm using up the Regenerist on other areas. If I run my finger across the Devita area onto the Olay area (or vice-versa), the difference is astounding. The Devita area is moist and smooth without being oily, greasy, or tacky. I've done my entire face in the Devita a few times and it's fantastic. No breakouts,no shine, just wonderful. glowing, COMFORTABLE skin. It also has the added benefit of having a fairly low score of 4 on the EWG Skin Deep database. This is a keeper!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Smashbox - Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Fdt.
NatalieJ 11/1/2011 11:50:00 PM
I've been wearing Bobbi Brown's foundation forever. Most recently, I've used her Long-Lasting foundation in 3.0. Fantastic color match, but not exactly long lasting. I decided to be adventurous and try something new, and a Sephora SA sold me on this in 1.2. It's a good color match and lasts longer than Bobbi's...but it is absolutely impossible to blend! It settles into every single crevice and line, and valiantly resists attempts at blending or buffing. If you're in the over 40 club or have less than perfect skin texture, I'd stay away from this. I just gave up and returned it to Sephora. Back to Bobbi for me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No