Fragrances -Fresh - Strawberry Flowers
YaddaYaddaYadda 2/16/2009 6:14:00 PM
I really wanted to love this, but I just don't. I don't hate it, either. It is a decent enough spring/summer fragrance. I can actually detect the strawberry notes early on (it really does smell like strawberry lemonade + greenery at first), though this fades to a pretty sharp green-soapy-clean scent on my skin. Not bad, but not all that impressive, either. It needs something to mellow it out, though I can see enjoying this fragrance on a hot summer day.
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Fragrances -Fresh - Sugar Blossom Eau de Parfum
YaddaYaddaYadda 2/16/2009 6:10:00 PM
I got a small bottle of this in the "Spoonful of Sugar" set, along with Sugar Lychee and Lemon Sugar. I'd say this is the best scent of the three. It's a lovely warm, citrusy floral. Most of the citrus notes fade quickly, leaving a warm floral fragrance that eventually mellows to a really enjoyable vanilla musk with occasional whiffs of light floral. I like that this is a vanilla fragrance that isn't relentlessly foody. I've received compliments every time I've worn it. I don't anticipate running out of this for quite awhile (a little goes a long way), but I'd be willing to repurchase.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes
YaddaYaddaYadda 2/9/2009 11:13:00 AM
I've been hunting for a good mascara for a long, long time. So many of them flake on me, or just look awful. I have short, sparse lashes, so I am really just after a natural look (I don't think any expectation beyond that is realistic for me). The only mascaras I found tolerable in the past were Kiss Me (which was okay) and Neutrogena's Lash Tint (didn't do much, but was better than nothing and at least it didn't flake or smudge). I've tried all of the recent Cover Girl mascaras (hated them all), L'Oreal Voluminous (also hated it), etc. I bought this on a whim, as is sounded like Kiss Me + a primer (back when I bought Kiss Me I also bought a primer, but didn't like it). I like this mascara a lot. But I had to play around with it to make it work. There is far too much product on the brush -- I have to wipe off the residue with a tissue for both the primer and mascara. As directed, I apply the primer, immediately followed by the mascara (and I mean immediately -- I have both applicators out and ready to go when I start). It works very well that way. It isn't amazing, but my lashes are really terrible and this is about as good as I think it'll ever get. I don't find removal to be difficult, and I was very impressed when I had a crying jag recently -- no mess at all (though I'm sure it would have been different had I rubbed my eyes). I expect to buy this again.
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Deodorants -Fresh - Roll-on Sugar, Deodorant and Antiperspirant
YaddaYaddaYadda 2/9/2009 11:10:00 AM
I've been using this deodorant for years -- it is the best I've ever used (okay, Certain Dri wins if you're looking to really put a complete and utter end to sweating, but I haven't needed anything that strong in ages). The fragrance is light, lovely, and unobtrusive, and it does the job. No flaky residue (or flaky, dry skin), no stains on my clothing, no sweating or body odor. It's a shame that the price is, well, obscene. At least a bottle lasts me 9-12 months. Even at that price, I've converted all of the women in my family to this stuff -- everyone loves it (even if we complain about forking-over $18 for it).
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Styling Products -Bumble & Bumble - Sumo Tech
YaddaYaddaYadda 7/30/2008 4:58:00 PM
I've been using this for about a year now, ever since I cut my hair short. It's very nice, though not all that different from other styling waxes (like Fiber). I love the scent -- light and clean. It gives nice body and control to my hair, without being stiff or sticky (unless I use too much). It is, however, a bit stiff if I use it on damp hair. A jar lasts for about 3-4 months or so of daily use (I use a small, pea-sized dab, rubbed between my palms before applying it to my hair).
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Everyday Protection Body Lotion UVA & UVB Spf 15
YaddaYaddaYadda 7/1/2008 12:42:00 PM
I've been looking for a good everyday lotion/sunscreen combo...and I'm still looking. This is okay, and I will use up the bottle, but it has a very distinct sunscreen scent (I'm not sure I'll ever find a lotion that doesn't) and is rather greasy, even after the lotion has had time to absorb. Granted, it isn't as greasy or strong-smelling as higher-SPF sunscreens. It does keep me from burning, though, and does moisturize well. I'll be trying the Aveeno SPF 15 lotion next.
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Treatments -Philosophy - Philosophy Booster Caps
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 5:47:00 PM
I got a half-size jar of these caps as a freebie in a kit. I think my skin is just too sensitive for them, as, even using them every third day, my skin became rather irritated, and I broke out a bit (this was over 2-3 weeks). I wasn't willing to try to ride it out to see if my skin adapted. Too bad, as I'd like to incorporate some sort of retinoid into my skincare regimen, and my skin usually really likes Philosophy's skin care products.
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Skincare - Face -Philosophy - Hope and a Prayer
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 5:40:00 PM
Love this stuff. I got it as a freebie with my skincare shipment (I get the Makeup Optional kit from Philosophy Girl). I probably would never have ordered it without trying it this way. It really does seem to make a difference. I mix it with the "When Hope is Not Enough" serum and use it in the morning, before applying moisturizer/sunscreen. I do think that this has evened-out my skin tone considerably. I've always had "okay" skin, but only in the last year have I consistently gotten compliments on it.
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Treatments (Eye) -Philosophy - Hope in a Tube - High Density Eye and Lip Firming Cream
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 5:30:00 PM
I get this product as part of a kit (Makeup Optional). Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd buy it. I like it well enough...it doesn't break me out, it hydrates my eye area nicely, it isn't too greasy or irritating, but it isn't anything super special to me. It doesn't reduce my dark circles (I doubt that anything could besides sleep!). One tube lasts for ages.
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Treatments -Philosophy - Resurface Kit - The Microdelivery In-Home Vitamin C Peptide Peel
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 5:20:00 PM
This is a great little kit. It makes my skin unbelievably soft and smooth, and leaves it glowing (though the glow only lasts a day or two). I've noticed that my skin tone is more even, and the breakouts I do get (not counting the occasional monster zit...ugh) are less noticeable and fade more quickly. I'm not sure whether this is due only to the peel, or to my whole skin care routine, however (I use mostly philosophy products, with a separate sunscreen). Love this, but I had to figure out how often I could use it. I'd say 1x every 5-7 days is my limit. More than that, and I breakout (probably because my skin gets overly irritated). I probably wouldn't buy this on its own, it's expensive (to me), but I get it in a kit (Makeup Optional from Philosophy Girl) so it's worth it at that price.
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 5:09:00 PM
I hate that this comes in a jar. Otherwise, it seems I'm one of the few people around here who really likes it. I use it under my sunscreen in the morning -- it gives me just the right amount of moisture, and seems to even-out my skin's texture a bit. The fragrance doesn't bother me. Maybe I like it because I don't have particularly high expectations when it comes to moisturizers -- as long as it doesn't make me break out, I'm happy. I've been using the Makeup Optional kit for about a year and a half now, with a few additions (sunscreen, Vitamin C powder, Microdelivery Peel 1x a week), and my skin hasn't looked this good since before I hit puberty...so, I'll be sticking with the entire package until it stops working.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 5:00:00 PM
I've been using this cleanser for years now, ever since I got a large sample from Sephora. It works well for me -- cleanses without irritation or stripping my skin, and I like the fragrance. It isn't very good at removing heavy makeup or my sunscreen, but it's an excellent morning cleanser (or for days I don't wear much makeup/don't go outside). The huge bottle from QVC is an excellent deal (otherwise, it's relatively expensive), though I now get the Philosophy Girl auto shipments. Luckily, their basic skincare package agrees with me.
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Sunscreen -Shiseido - Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++ [DISCONTINUED]
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 4:51:00 PM
My HG sunscreen. I've been wearing sunscreen daily for years and years, tried many different brands, and this is the only one that doesn't break me out, doesn't sting my skin, doesn't turn me into an oil slick, doesn't give me headaches (thanks, Coppertone!), etc. Based on the way my freckles/melasma (thanks, bcp!) have faded since using it, it also has a high degree of sun protection to it. I wish it weren't so heavily fragranced and easier to remove, but I can live with it. I have also tried the creme formulation of this sunscreen, but prefer the lighter texture of this lotion. It can be drying, however, so I apply it over a light moisturizer.
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Cleansers -Boscia - MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 4:42:00 PM
I've been using this for about 2 years. I bought it to remove my zinc oxide-based sunscreen, which won't come off with water-based cleansers (so, in effect, it's my nighttime cleanser). I really like it. It smells good, doesn't irritate my skin (despite the essential oils in it), and doesn't cause breakouts. One pump's worth of product is enough to wash my face. It's pricey, but it works, so I stick with it.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Polysporin
YaddaYaddaYadda 5/23/2008 4:35:00 PM
I never would have thought of trying this if I hadn't read it here. I don't get many breakouts these days, but I do get the occasional huge, angry cystic type of pimple that takes forever to heal, and leaves a red mark on my skin for months. It really does work -- but in my case, only on pimples that have already opened. The petrolatum base seals the wound and seems to speed healing and reduce redness...it also keeps the healing pimple from getting all flaky and peeling. I apply a small amount with a Q-tip (an attempt to keep things sterile and keep the greasy stuff off of my hands). If I need to wash it off, I use an oil-based cleanser. Wonderful stuff.
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