Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Yoonme 6/19/2010 2:02:00 PM
I've been using this for a few months and overall I like it a lot. Since I'm using it as a preventative anti-aging serum, I'm not looking for it to change my skin tone or do anything terribly fancy. I'd say it works well, hasn't caused me to break out, and feels nice on my skin. It's a good deal for the price because many other antioxidant serums cost way more. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford a more potent antioxidant serum, but for now my budget limits me to this one. And for the price, it's a great serum.
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Fragrances -Yves Saint Laurent - Parisienne
Yoonme 6/13/2010 6:02:00 PM
I'm in the minority but this perfume didn't work for me at all. I really, really, really wanted to like it, too. I sniffed a bunch of different perfumes at Macys and thought I liked this one the best so I bought it. Sadly, my poor nose was probably on overload, and I didn't realize until I tried it out at home that the vinyl accord scent in this really comes out on my skin. When I spritz this I get an initial blast of berries (or plum?) and flowers but then it quickly changes into this strange vinyl scent. It almost smells like vinyl pants and cigarette smoke on me. Not exactly the scent I was going for. The vinyl and cigarette scent remains for several hours before it finally, finally dries down to a nicer floral/berry finish, but it's not worth waiting around for that final dry down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Mally Beauty - High Shine Liquid Lipstick
Yoonme 4/16/2010 6:16:00 PM
The name says Liquid Lipstick but I would call it more of a semi-opaque lip gloss. I have the one from the QVC kit that was called Mally's Look, also called Mally's Baby. It's a really pretty light pink, almost bubble gum pink, color that I normally wouldn't choose for myself but I'm glad I did! My only complaint is that your lips have to be VERY smooth when you wear it. If your lips are flaking or even a little bit dry/chapped, the High Shine Liquid Lipstick will highlight how chapped your lips are. It's not a big deal, but if I want to wear this all day, I find myself having to occasionally remove it all and sorta do a quick exfoliation before reapplying. Otherwise, this stuff is really pretty. Lasting power is about normal for a lipgloss. Doesn't fade too quickly but it's a lipgloss so don't expect it to last all day. Oh, I guess I have one more complaint! haha I am not a fan of these twist up brush applicators. Ugh. Why do makeup companies design them this way? I always end up wasting so much product! Overall, nice quality semi-opaque lip gloss with decent staying power. I'd recommend it and I'd buy it again.
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Yoonme 4/9/2010 6:44:00 PM
During the winter my skin got pretty dry thanks to a lovely combination of the cold, dry indoor heat, and retinoid usage. I got really tired of constantly slathering on moisturizer on my face and trying out all these fancy, expensive moisturizers, so I finally decided to give Aquaphor a try. I am happy to report that I love it! If I apply too much, my face looks really shiny/greasy, so I apply just a smidgen in the mornings before putting on sunscreen and makeup and apply a bit more in the evenings right before crawling into bed when I don't care if I look greasy or not. I find it works best if I squeeze out just a little bit and rub it between my fingers first to warm it up so it's easier to apply. Then I gently rub and/or pat it onto my face. I buy the larger tubes for use at home and the smaller, travel-sized ones to keep in my purse with me to use as lip balm during the day. I've tried many, many, many lip balms in my day and Aquaphor ranks up there with the best of 'em for lip balms. In conclusion: Aquaphor isn't sexy or high end and it's not going to make anyone ooh or ahhh when they see me use it, but it's VERY effective for dry skin, doesn't break me out at all, is inexpensive, and works.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Origins - Clean Energy Cleansing Oil
Yoonme 4/8/2010 1:08:00 PM
I"m surprised I haven't written a review for this product yet. I've been using it for almost two years now w/o switching to a different cleanser. As a product junkie, this is a big deal for me! I love this cleanser. It removes all my makeup and hard-to-remove European waterproof sunscreen. Hooray! It doesn't leave my normal-to-dry skin feeling too tight after washing (DHC left my skin feeling PARCHED! I couldn't apply moisturizer fast enough!), even in the winter. I use it both in the AM and PM without any problems. I also use this as my only cleanser, meaning, I don't follow it up with another cleanser. It seems to get my face clean without having to follow up with another cleanser in the PM. The price is pretty good, too. I think it's one of the cheaper cleansing oils available in America (unless, of course, you live in Asia and/or can get ahold of cheaper Asian cleansing oils). I generally stock up on it when Origins sends me a coupon or if there's a freebie deal going on. Give this stuff a try! It's not too expensive and it removes makeup and hard-to-remove sunscreen all while making my skin clean w/o drying it out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Origins - Dr Weil Conditioning Lip Balm with Turmeric
Yoonme 10/6/2008 12:39:00 PM
This is a really great lip balm. It's thick and waxy enough that it doesn't slide around (as another reviewer mentioned) and it moisturizes really well. My only complaints about this are the smell and the fact that it tends to get really soft if you put it in your pants pocket. Some days I like the herbal-y scent and other days I am just not in the mood to smell for it, so I guess it's just a matter of preference. The scent has nothing to do with performance, of course. Performance-wise, this gets 5 lippies because it moisturizes really well and seems to heal chapped lips. Price-wise this stuff is pricey at $15 a tube. Still, it's a nice splurge and you are guaranteed soft, kissable lips.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -C.O. Bigelow - Rose Salve
Yoonme 10/1/2008 6:23:00 AM
I love Smith's Rosebud Salve and I love C.O Bigelow's Rose Salve. To me, both are very similar in texture despite having slightly different ingredient lists. The big difference between the two is the scent; both scents are nice, so it just depends on which you prefer -- Smith's is more of a natural rose and C.O. Bigelow's is sweeter and more candy-like. This is an incredible moisturizer for the lips, cuticles, and anywhere you have a dry spot. I use it not only as a lip balm, but also like to slather on a thick layer and then exfoliate my lips with a warm wash cloth. Once I even slathered a bunch on my entire face and exfoliated with a warm, damp washcloth. Worked wonderfully and I didn't breakout or experience any irritation at all. I agree with other reviewers, while the pink tin is cute, it's not very practical, can be difficult to open at times, and isn't very sanitary. I really wish this came in a tube. I took one lippie off for the packaging. I get eczema patches on my face and this stuff really helps to soothe them and moisturize the dry spots.The only bad part about it is that it's really shiny. Glossy is good for lips but not great if you're putting it on a patch of dry skin on your chin. Oh well, if I don't want gloss I can use a different product. Overal this is a great product and I will repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Sephora - Nourishing Hand Cream
Yoonme 8/6/2008 10:08:00 PM
I seem to be in the minority here, but I am not crazy about this hand cream. I bought it on a whim b/c I was feeling cheap and didn't want to shell out $10 for 1oz of my usual L'Occitane hand cream when I could buy 1.69oz of Sephora's hand cream for only $7. It's summertime in DC right now, which means it's hot and humid out and even with the weather helping out, I don't feel like my hands are sufficiently moisturized when I use this hand cream. I need something heavier for my cuticles, even in the summer months. I am pretty darn sure that this stuff won't keep my hands soft and moisturized come fall and winter. The texture is runnier than L'Occitane although it's not a runny cream by any means, just not as thick. I miss my L'Occitane and rue the day I strayed. As for scent: I get a light lemon scent that doesn't linger too long.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Tinted Moisturizer
Yoonme 7/23/2008 10:09:00 AM
I used to use foundation but got a makeover at the Josie Maran counter in Barney's and loved how the makeup artist made my face look all glowy and flawless, so I purchased the tinted moisturizer. I must say, I don't regret it at all. As far as moisture goes, I don't really need any more moisture since my sunscreen is pretty moisturizing, but I do like the coverage this TM provides -- it covers just enough to make it look like you have great skin but doesn't make it look like you're wearing any makeup at all. If I have some red spots or pimples, I have to use a concealer though. Now, I'm not the greenest person on earth, but I do like the fact that the packaging is biodegradable and that JM tries to use as many natural ingredients as possible. I will most likely purchase this again and will most likely try out other products in her line. EDITED 6/13/10 TO ADD: I find myself coming back to this product, despite flirting with other foundations. I must like it more than I realized! One thing I really like about it is that I can use the Linen color all year round. During the summer it matches my skin when I get a tan and in the winter it gives me just a tad more color, but it's sheer enough that it doesn't look like I'm wearing a mask or anything like that. I do agree with some of the other reviewers -- it will rub off easily. It doesn't seem to "set" as well as other foundations/tinted moisturizers. I have yet to try it with a primer, though, so I'll report back when I do. I'd say the coverage is somewhere between your average tinted moisturizer and a light foundation. More coverage than Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. About as much coverage as Bobbi Brown's Skin Foundation.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Aveda - Calming Body Wash
Yoonme 4/20/2008 11:18:00 PM
I bought this cleanser purely for the scent. I'm not great at describing scents, but Aphelionyx described it really well in her review. The scent doesn't last long after the shower, which is a tad bit disappointing b/c it smells so darn good and relaxing, but I haven't met a shower gel that has lasted too long after the shower anyways. Plus, it's kind of a good thing that it doesn't last b/c it won't interfere with any perfume you wear. So the fact that the scent doesn't linger is both good and bad. As far as cleansing goes, it does a great job w/o stripping the skin. My skin gets dry in all seasons except hot, humid summer and the Aveda Calming Body Cleanser hasn't dried me out. I haven't noticed that it left me feeling moisturized, but it doesn't promise to moisturize. I use lotion after using even the most moisturizing body cleansers anyways. It's a little pricey at $14 for 8.5 ounces, but I'd say it's worth the splurge every once in a while. The bottle will last a long time b/c you only need a small drop to get a really good lather going. Overall, a nice body cleanser that makes me feel like I'm at a spa in my own bathroom.
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Cleansers -Korres - 3-in-1 Milk Proteins Emulsion
Yoonme 4/19/2008 10:17:00 AM
I only use this as a morning cleanser b/c I don't feel like it removes makeup and waterproof sunscreen very well. If it removed makeup and sunscreen better, I'd give it five stars. As an a.m. cleanser, it's great. It seems very gentle and doesn't dry out my skin. My skin can be pretty sensitive (I am prone to breakouts and eczema) and am happy to report that this cleanser doesn't seem to cause anymore breakouts and doesn't irritate my eczema. Yay! Overall a nice, gentle cleanser, but if you're looking to remove makeup and sunscreen you might want to look elsewhere or use a separate makeup remover.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
Yoonme 4/19/2008 10:08:00 AM
Another rave for Urban Decay Primer Potion! I thought I was doomed to a life of no eye shadow b/c every time I tried to wear it, it would end up underneath my eyes within 20 minutes giving me raccoon eyes. Not quite the look I was gong for. I purchased UDPP on a whim and am so glad I did. I saw it near the counter while standing in line at Ulta and thought, "Hey, why not give this a try?" Thank God I tried it. The world of eye shadows and liners has suddenly been opened to me and I'm having a ton of fun experimenting with colors and techniques. Thank you UDPP! My only complaint is that UDPP seems to make it more difficult to blend shadows, but I'm willing to work harder at blending if it means creaseless shadows that stay on all day long and don't migrate to rings below my eyes. I agree with other reviewers, the packaging could be better, but I'll definitely be repurchasing this product. Now if only I could find a mascara that didn't end up giving me raccoon eyes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -Unlisted Brand - Thi Cosmetics Cream Shadow
Yoonme 3/14/2008 7:21:00 AM
I use this cream shadow as a highlighter on my brow bones and it works nicely to highlight my eyebrow arch. I haven't tried it as a cheek highlighter, but maybe I'll try it next. I've used it as a base for eyeshadow but it didn't work as well as my Urban Decay Primer Potion, so I won't use it as base again as long as I have UDPP on hand. It costs $15, which is a fair price for high end cosmetics but you could probably get something very similar at the drug store for a little less. Still, I like the idea of supporting an Asian American makeup artist's line of cosmetics and I might purchase this again. I wish she'd come out with a bigger color selection, though.
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Lip Treatments -By Terry - Baume de Rose
Yoonme 2/27/2008 9:56:00 AM
I just bought this, so I'll come back and update after I've used it for a while but for now I wanted to post the ingredients as found on the box. I'm copying them from the box so please excuse any typos. Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Avobenzone (3%) Inactive Ingredients: castor seed oil, synthetic wax, diisostearyl malate tridecyl trimellitate, methyl hydrogenated rosinate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, polyethylene, C10-30 cholesterol/lanesterol esters, petrolatum, shea butter extract, stearalkonium hectorite, C20-40 acid, caprilic/capric triglyceride, fragrance, tocopherol, rose centifola flower wax, rose damascena flower wax, propylene carbonate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, lanolin, sodium pca, water, polysorbate 85, trihydroxypalmitamidohydroxypropyl myristyl ether, alumina, polyhydroxystearic acid, silica, methylparaben, silica dimethyl silylate, hydrolyzed wheat protein, butylene glycol, mica, titanium dioxide, carmine, phenoxyethanol, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben EDIT: It's been a couple weeks since I bought this lip balm and now I feel like I can give a better review. I gave Baume de Rose the ultimate test when I used it on a 10.5 hour plane ride followed by another 5 hour plane ride. Since the air in those plane cabins is ridiculously dry, if a lip balm can keep my lips soft and supple during such long flights, then it's a BIG winner in my book. Sadly, Baume de Rose didn't hold up so well. When used in normal conditions (not in a plane) it seems to work well, but I wouldn't say it works any better than any other lip balm I've used. I'm sad to say that when used on the plane, my lips got dry and flaky, even with frequent and heavy reapplications of Baume de Rose. By the time I walked off the plane at my final destination, my lips were peeling despite being slathered in Baume de Rose. =( Will I purchase again? No way. This product is way too expensive for what it is. Overall, it's a good lip balm, but not the best. (I've used Paula's Choice Lip and Body Treatment Balm on long flights before and never had a problem with dry, flaky lips.) It's definitely not worth the money. Save your money and buy something else.
24 out of 25 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Albolene cleanser
Yoonme 2/20/2008 8:05:00 AM
I've been using this for about a month and a half now and I love it. I am prone to eczema breakouts on my face and since using Albolene my eczema breakouts have lessened and are less frequent. I like how it moisturizes and easily removes all of my makeup and sunscreen. I slather it on my face and throat and then remove it with a few baby wipes (wash cloths were too harsh for me). After the baby wipes, I usually splash my face with water once or twice just to remove any residue from the baby wipes, but that's really an unnecessary step. I highly recommend Albolene cleanser. My only complaint is that it comes in a big tub and you have to stick your fingers in there each time you wash your face. If it came in a tube, it'd be perfect. UPDATE: Just wanted to update and say that it's been several months and I'm still loving Albolene. =)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No