Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Green People - No Scent Soft Lips SPF 8
Sprinkchip 7/7/2010 11:36:00 AM
I'm sorry the other reviewer for this product didn't have a good experience of this lip balm.. I usually only review products that I love and purchase repetitiously (basically HG status) or hate and I LOVE this! It is simply the best lip balm I have ever used on my lips and i've tried them all from plain 'ol vaseline to Carmex to Lush pots and this tops them all. It is the only balm that doesn't eventually end up counterproductive and give me chapped lips! And I have sensitive skin too which is highly reactive and this only soothes my lip area. It is a liquid and not a solid balm/wax which is perhaps better for the overall health and hydration of lips. My lips do feel tight if I don't use it for a day or two - I do notice when I don't have it in my bag but I am not constantly reaching for it like i would with other balms that I would have used in the past to find some relief from the dryness/tightness. Twice a day application suffices for me. I have the same tube almost a year now so it is great value. Highly recommend this product if you haven't found relief from other brands. 5*** EDIT: A couple of years on and I am on my second tube (it lasts and lasts). HG status lip oil. If my lips are dry from my lipstick (which is happening frequently given it is the summer months and my lippies tend to be matte base), I simply avoid the lipstick for a couple of days in a row and keep applying the lip oil and all is well again! Recommended. My tip is if you are currently suffering chapped lips, stick with it - on it's own, no other lip products - for a few days to see the results
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -BeneFit Cosmetics - EyeCon
Sprinkchip 11/20/2009 5:08:00 PM
As mentioned in my Powderflage review, I bought these products as a set. They worked amazingly well on my red-eye flight jet lagged eyes together under the ultra bright lights of the department store but aren't exactly holding up on their own - I haven't ditched my combination of foundation and touche eclat set with a light dusting of powder. This cream in a tub is very unhygenic, a tube would've been a better packaging option. Anyway, the primary use for this cream is as a brightening cream! I mix this with my foundation and it helps it go on beautifully smooth. It genuinely improves the appearance of my skin and I simply love how it makes my skin look - radiant is the word. I'm not sure whether this is good for my skin but I only use it once or twice max per week so I'm not too concerned. Besides, it hasn't broken me out yet so I'm happy with the quality of the product. It smoothes out the lines etc. under my eyes but doesn't necessarily erase my ultra dark circles. I set my makeup with an equal sprinkling of powderflage and regular face powder. Using the products up as otherwise, using them undereye, I'd have them years and never get my money's worth - this way, I've found a great way to use them up and by god, it works... try it! UPDATE: I have been using this now for approximately 9 once every week/fortnight mixed in with my foundation for evenings out or whenever I need to look my best. It doesn't break out my ultra-sensitive skin and really looks fantastic when mixed with foundation (just a little is needed e.g. 1 part eye-con to 3 parts foundation). Worth a try and I will re-purchase when I run out as I can't imagine doing without this for special days!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Powderflage
Sprinkchip 11/20/2009 4:49:00 PM
Would you believe that I don't use this product primarily as an undereye concealer (it just isn't good enough as a standalone product so I use it to set my 'actual' concealer) - I keep it in my makeup bag to use as an iridescent powder! I mix half Powderflage and half powder and apply to my face and it gives it a lovely glow. My skintone is very fair with pink undertones (which I cover up) by the way. I only use this once or twice a week when I'm going out. I bought this with Eyecon as a set in a department store when I had taken a red eye flight that morning and it worked wonders in the store with the eyecon - needless to say this was because I was in a brightly lit area and the light caught and reflected very well. My friend was so amazed by the instant result of the combination, she bought a set for herself!!! I am going to post a review on Eyecon on here too - wait til you hear what I use that as!!! All in all, a good iridescent powder and ok over concealer but nothing amazing and I won't purchase again but rather buy a purpose made light shimmer powder.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Lavera - Sunless Tan
Sprinkchip 10/1/2009 7:56:00 AM
I'm so happy I found this product! I'm going as natural as I can in terms of beauty products and hygiene care etc. and I can't recommend this product highly enough. I apply fake tan to my paler than pale skin approximately once a week (not everywhere, every week but mostly just upper torso and arms). I'm conscious that there have been reports about parabens and other synthetic ingredients, toxins and chemicals from cosmetics found in breast tissue so I was eager to change from my Clinique fake tanner to something more natural to coincide with my natural body washes and lotions. I actually thought that this wouldn't work given that it somehow 'naturally' tans the skin or that it would be orange-y or too faint for the trouble but it gives an even, mid level tan. It goes on like a pleasant smelling white body lotion and takes about ten mins to dry but it is worth it. Very natural looking. I especially love how long it lasts (longer than my Clinique which was more expensive than this) and that it doesn't go patchy when it wears away, it just fades. Not a bad price either. Full marks! EDIT: I took one lippy off as over time it seems to work a tiny bit less effectively for some reason and I haven't repurchased so the five star rating really isn't apt anymore. Still worth buying for those that prefer natural products (and a natural tan).
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Dr. Hauschka - Body Wash Floral
Sprinkchip 9/17/2009 4:08:00 PM
I don't have many problems getting this product to lather unlike other posters... I don't use a huge amount but more than I would with sodium laurel sulfate enhanced products. I find that if I squeeze it onto a wet scrunchy, it lathers up after a moment or two nicely indeed and there's enough to wash all over. The smell is ok, not my favourite (I prefer the lemon body wash smell which is yummy). Strangely, this lathers easier than the lemon body wash (could also be my imagination)! One lippie off for the smell/price. EDIT: I don't use this anymore as I had an allergic reaction to Hauschka's facial products. The wash itself didn't break me out but I am not taking any chances and only now use it occasionally as it is still a good wash to use. Recommended for those not sensitive to essential oils (and who get it at a good price too).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Laura Mercier - Stick Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
Sprinkchip 9/8/2009 1:25:00 PM
This is my new HG foundation - I panic if I go out without it! It is a replacement for my Clarins Ultra Smooth compact foundation in 00 subtle beige which was discontinued yet will always be my real HG as it was fantastic stuff. Hence the one lippy off. Anyway, I have this in cameo which is a very pale, yellow based shade. It covers my reds (sensitive around nose & cheeks) and is a good base for evening out skin tone in general before adding a touch of bronzer etc. It is a dewy type stick and mid coverage yet it DOES cover imperfections without looking cakey or unnatural - hard job to do. It doesn't break me out whatsoever unlike so many other foundations (are you listening MAC)! My only gripe is that this shade doesn't particularly flatter the skin when used as an all over base alone under powder - it looks too pale and rather flat so I mostly use it sparingly and/or mix it with a little bronzer for a more neutral look and it's fine that way. I haven't used any other shades in the range so can't comment. Blendability is not an issue for me and it doesn't come off easily when set with a tiny bit of powder - it kinda wears off as the day goes on which is fine by me as it is a natural look yet blot papers more or less take it off when it has mixed with oil. I feel lucky that I came across this as it is perfect for me. I would recommend this (particular shade) to anyone who is pale of skin yet suffers redness due to sensitivity etc. and who likes a very natural look as this is buildable from barely there to a little more coverage and will neutralise the reds. Expensive as a concealer for the purpose of killing reds but it does work and is handy and in a durable tube too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Dr. Hauschka - Neem Hair Oil
Sprinkchip 9/8/2009 1:10:00 PM
Miracle product!! Delighted that I am now one of the raving reviewers for Neem oil! The main problems with my (otherwise good) hair are the knots I've had since I was a child due to the fineness but abundance of my hair and the cow's lick at the front which looks like baby hair and is a problem for me. The neem oil has completely eradicated the knots from my hair and NO other product has ever done this let alone a natural one. Depending on time, I would use this as a pre-shampoo treatment or if more strapped for time/tired/lazy I'd mix a few drops in with my shampoo. There is no need for a separate conditioner. The price doesn't bother me as I've bought mine from ebay and besides, even if I hadn't gotten it discounted, it would be worth it anyway as every other styling product I've used is now defunct as this does all of the jobs in one. Yes, it is that good!!! I've been using it with a regular chemical shampoo but I have purchased the apricot hauschka shampoo which I will use it with... I bought the Neem oil first to ease my hair into the 'natural' product thing and so hopefully it will not go through too much of a transitional phase when I go all natural... I will update after a few weeks. In the meantime, buy this! UPDATE: I only use this once a week now as I think the product built up on my hair. Once you rinse it well, you should be ok. I actually rub it into my finger and toe nails prior to painting or whenever I remember as hair and nails contain similar fibres so if it's good for one, it should benefit the other!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - Lipliner in Spice
Sprinkchip 3/6/2009 10:21:00 AM
Spice is not a neutral tone! It is orange, orange, orange! I have heard wonderful things about this down the years and have always wanted to try it. Well, I was badly let down in two ways. Firstly, my sister purchased it on my behalf and when I took off the cap, the liner itself was clearly a completely different shade to the colour nib at the end of the pencil!!! False advertising I say. Secondly, I have very fair skin with pinkish hued lips. I wore this out one evening and a trip to the bathroom confirmed that it was way too bright for me - I looked clownish even though I had only dotted a tiny amount of blueish-hued light pink onto my lips with my finger. I can't really imagine this would look 'neutral' on any skin tone for that matter. Not recommended. I will be returning to my HG, Rimmel 1000 Kisses in Cappucino! EDIT: Since I went brunette (my natural colour) I decided to give this a whirl when I was stuck one evening and it suits my colouring better now. Still not a 'neutral' tone, and still orange-y but certainly not as offensive as when my hair was blonde!!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Lipglass in Oyster Girl
Sprinkchip 5/6/2008 12:07:00 PM
I'm on my second (although not consecutive as went for the matte look for a while) tube of this particular shade. Because there was about two years in the interim between purchases, I noticed that the current tube is significantly smaller than the original yet costs the same! Both were purchased from the same place too & were the same price! Anyway, I LOVE this colour, it looks so fresh with a subtle pink/lilac hue but with strong gloss factor. It is glamourous enough to wear on it's own with lipliner and compliments smokey eyes. It lasts and lasts and is definitely the best lipgloss out there for me. HG!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Avon - Planet Spa -African Shea Butter Whipped Body Balm
Sprinkchip 3/19/2008 5:36:00 PM
I can see why other ladies here abhorred the smell of this body butter - I was given this as a gift a couple of years ago and thought there was something wrong with it, that it might be gone off.... I actually went back to it every so often, smelled it and wondered what the hell was going on with this stuff! I used it about twice before binning it. However, I received a gift of the body butter again from another person about a year later and fell madly in love with it!! It moisturises like no other body lotion (excepting Nivea perhaps which is choc full of chemicals and not pleasant to use) and really and truly lasts ALL day. If I use this before bed, my skin is so soft even after showering the next morning. The scent can be a grower so hang on to it before binning/giving it away as like me, your opinion of it may change. The tub lasted me approx one year with at least weekly use which makes it a very economical purchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Shiseido - Sun Protection Compact Foundation
Sprinkchip 2/28/2008 12:04:00 PM
I've been searching for while now for a replacement for my HG foundation, Clarins Ultra Smooth Compact Foundation which was discontinued. The pros of this foundation were its coverage which was medium buildable and ease of use. I discovered this in Brown Thomas, a department store here in dublin. I had basically gone around all of the compact foundations and rubbed my finger over the tester in the hope of finding a texture similar my Clarins HG (it's a non flaky, rather putty consistency). This seemed to be the best out of a bad bunch. Attractive high SPF40 levels. The colours in the tester pans were extremely dark, way too dark for my Irish skin (very fair with pink undertones in the cheeks and nose). I went home and checked online and found that there were lighter shades available. I immediately purchased the SP10 - the lightest shade in the range. When it arrived, it looked quite dark beige in the pan and much to my dismay, went on PINK!!! Lippies taken off because of the terrible colours in the range. Unless you have a dark skintone, I wouldn't bother with this.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No