Polishes -Wet 'n' Wild - 2% Milk
amaiaisabella 6/13/2012 11:05:00 PM
Perfect nail color! There is nothing I don't adore about this- the wide curved brush makes it impossible for a nail dunce like me to mess up, no bubbles or streaks, and you can't beat the price! Even layering this polish doesn't make it get gunky or peel. I didn't notice how long-lasting it was until I remembered I did a quick coat (no base or topcoat) before my cousin's wedding more than 2 weeks ago and the remnants were still on my nails! Just did it for a clean pedicure look in this summer heat and it's absolutely flawless. My favorite nude was previously the LE Essie Glamour Do, and this is just as good if not better- and is still being produced! I'm going to try to find more bottles ASAP.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner
amaiaisabella 1/16/2012 9:14:00 AM
I really love this stuff for cleaning and moisturizing, but the pump has to go. It dispenses too little product at once, which would be great if it was a skin moisturizer I was hoarding, but it's cheap enough that I need more in one go! If this was a squeeze tube, it'd be perfect. Nonetheless, this cc is great in the winter to cleanse and protect my super dry, fragile hair. Will buy again.
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Moisturizers -Mustela - Hydra-Bebe Facial Hydrating Cream
amaiaisabella 12/28/2011 9:32:00 AM
Loooove this stuff. Lately everything is making my skin burn, and while I'm still on the lookout for a good face wash, this stuff immediately calms my skin no matter what cleanser I'm using. I do find, though, that one application isn't enough- if I apply while my face is still slightly damp, it absorbs immediately, with no indication that it was there. Only when I do the second application when my face is completely dry do I get complete moisture, calm skin, and a glowing face! The tube is way too small to do 2 applications twice a day (though I love the cap and squeeze tube design), so I may have to tweak my application. Otherwise, one of the best products I've used, and pretty affordable to boot!
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Shampoo -Dove - Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo
amaiaisabella 10/31/2011 10:42:00 AM
I was reluctant to try this shampoo because although I really need moisture on my hair (which the matching conditioner provides very well), I was worried about putting it on my scalp. No fear! I used this along with the conditioner, and my hair dried faster (I air-dry) with the wurls and waves my hair normally had prior to bleaching and coloring it some months ago. It looks as though I've never colored it! Considering my hair was pretty much in tatters prior to starting the conditioner, I'll be using this combo until Dove discontinues it (which may be soon since they seem to switch up their lines all too often!)
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Gels/Soaps -Dove - Unscented Beauty Bar
amaiaisabella 10/31/2011 10:36:00 AM
I have to say it's a pain in the butt to use a bar soap, but I'm innately lazy so that's my only gripe with this product. I have super sensitive combo skin with dry cheeks but oily forehead, nose, and chin. Dove is one of two cleansers that doesn't break me out, dry me out further, or aggravate the redness on my cheeks. I've had other cleansers that are more soothing, but they eventually cause breakouts or don't clean as well. The Dove bar is super cheap, super foaming, and super gentle. The one upside of the bar form is that it's easy to travel with. I try other products a lot because I'm curious, but I always find my way back to Dove. I really hope they don't reformulate it sometime down the line, as is my luck.
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Lipstick -MAC - Mlle
amaiaisabella 10/27/2011 8:19:00 AM
Just saw that this product was discontinued, as is my luck. All my fave MAC lipsticks are! First Made With Love, then the Hello Kitty Cute-ster... sigh. In any case, I finally found the perfect way to wear this lipstick. I'm super pale with very pale lips, so I wasn't worried about this color not showing up. Originally, though, it came out chalky as some reviewers mentioned. What I do is prep my lips with either Labello Rose lip balm or the Nivea version, then apply a layer of this, blot, and apply again. I finish with the Labello Rose on top to soften it and make it melt into the lips, and I get the perfect nude lip to go with dark eye makeup and dark hair. A real winner! I feel very mod Mad-Men type with this lippie :-)
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BB Cream -BRTC - Gold Caviar BB Cream
amaiaisabella 10/7/2011 10:06:00 AM
I used to use the L'egere BB cream, which was nice but a bit too dark for my extremely fair skin. However, the BRTC cream is a perfect match! I didn't think it would be since it looks so ashy when you squeeze it out, but it blends in instantly on my warm-toned skin. I love BB creams because they really are idiot-proof- you can't overapply or cake this stuff unless you really made it your goal too. The BB cream just melds with your skin and looks like you have healthy, glowing skin. I hate the price and having to order it from Asia on Ebay, but I'll do it for these kinds of results. A+
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Estee Lauder - Soft Clean Tender Creme Cleanser
amaiaisabella 7/27/2011 7:22:00 PM
Looooove this stuff. Despite the summer heat, my skin has been more dry and irritated than ever, making my redness flare up. I use just a bit of this and it melts into the skin. Tissue it off and you're left with glowing, calm, moisturized skin that doesn't break out. I haven't used this to remove makeup as of yet, but it did get off a bit of mascara left over from the previous night, so I will have to try that in the future. A+, now I just have to hope it doesn't get discontinued, as is my luck.
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Treatments -SKII - Facial Treatment Essence
amaiaisabella 7/9/2011 1:57:00 PM
I have to say, it took me a long time to figure out how to use this product. I would wash my face, dry, and then splash this on, but it was having all the effect of water. Several weeks ago, I had used a scrub in place of my cleanser, then put this on, and finally! Saw the brightness and smooth pores everyone raves over. I realized you need to exfoliate or use a BHA first (I like the Stridex pads in the red tub). My skin is finally showing some improvement, so only time will tell if that keeps up. I bought the 2 oz for a more "reasonable" $80, and it's lasted several months thus far- I'm barely halfway through it.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Oscar de la Renta - Esprit de Oscar
amaiaisabella 6/4/2011 12:16:00 AM
Esprit d'Oscar makes me smile. Simultaneously rich and light, it reminds me of those fluffy powder puffs Old Hollywood's glamourous women used. Yet it's not just powder, retaining a sweetness that reminds me just slightly of Dior's Forever and Ever. On the skin, it warms and blends, so that you simply smell good. Esprit d'Oscar is a spray it and forget it scent in the best way- after having spritzed, I went about my day, but every now and then I was able to catch whiffs of it in my hair and on my shirt. The fragrance becomes part of you, so that you won't be able to imagine being without it. I'd bathe in it if I could.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Coty - L by L.A.M.B--Gwen Stefani
amaiaisabella 5/10/2011 8:26:00 PM
A pretty, light shampoo smell with a touch of floral. Definitely not something you'd expect from a former "wild child." L is the kind of scent you put on without thinking, appropriate for the office or going out shopping. It develops nicely on a warm day and stays true to its topnotes as it melds with the skin. The shampoo smell gradually turns into a light musk that makes you smell good, rather than perfumed. I'd buy again as it was reasonably priced at 14.99 at TjMaxx.
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Treatments -Moroccanoil - Morrocan Oil Treatment
amaiaisabella 5/2/2011 5:20:00 PM
My aunt bought me this, so I can't comment as to the price. However, I've pretty much trashed my hair with all the bleaching and coloring I've done to it (gone from black to yellow to red to light brown with highlights) so if you add up the cost of doing all that, the price is well worth it (and I will be buying a bottle of my own). I won't say that this has made my hair feel reborn. What it HAS done is made it less dry, more shiny, and less ragged-looking. I use it in combination with the shampoo and conditioner, and my hair actually looks remotely healthy rather than the frazzled mess it was before I hacked half of it off (from below my shoulders to my chin) and had it freak out and get monstrously puffy. I can run it through my hair as it dries and have pretty waves without any frizz. Next day hair still looks great and I put more on my ends to keep them from splitting. I am fully confident that this will have my hair in the best shape possible for its condition as I grow it back out. A+!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Boscia - Luminizing Black Mask
amaiaisabella 5/1/2011 2:28:00 PM
I love this stuff, but man, does it take a toll on my wallet. I have super big pores that I'm always seeking to clear out and shrink. I get a lot of blackheads on my nose but nowhere else save a few now and then on my chin. This stuff makes my skin immediately appear toned and small-pored, and very smooth. I feel like it doesn't get as oily anymore, nor have I been looking as ruddy (as I have a touch of rosacea). I really like it, but the small tube sucks, to be blunt. I used a generous amount and I feel it will be used up within a few more uses. I'm not so sure I can justify paying $30-someodd for a mask I'll use up within a month :(
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Fragrances -Ava Luxe - Love's True Bluish Light
amaiaisabella 2/8/2011 4:43:00 PM
Disgusting, milky flavored mess. For milk done right, try Lostmarch's Lann-Ael.
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Lipstick -MAC - Cute-ster [DISCONTINUED]
amaiaisabella 1/17/2011 6:43:00 PM
My absolute favorite lipstick in the world, so much so that I just paid an insane amount of money for a second tube, since I didn't snatch more up when the collection was released. I have no color to my lips, so this provides a lovely light pink glossy shade that goes great with dark eye makeup or with a natural look for work/school. A+ and I wish MAC would release it again :(
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No