Moisturizers -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan oil
arielyn211 3/2/2013 11:38:00 AM
I was first introduced to Josie Maran via a sample in an ipsy bag I received. I immediately fell in love. Just a few drops, morning and night, and my face felt smoother than it had in YEARS! I was convinced I had found the fountain of youth. Three weeks into this love affair, however, things went awry. Suddenly, the skin on my nose began to peel and I developed a red scaly "rash" on both cheeks. I, for the first time, called a dermatologist. After a lengthy intake, I was diagnosed with rosacea, most probably brought to light due to the argan oil! I was, to be honest, only half listening to the explanation (have I mentioned that's this dermatologist was HOT?), but there was some mention of natural oil production being effected by the argan. I am now using metronizadole and Aczone to clear up the mess, and have been forced to retire my Josie Maran in favor of CeraVe. Sad to say goodbye, but I would be curious as to whether or not anyone else has had this reaction!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Lustreglass - Lustrewhite
arielyn211 3/2/2013 11:26:00 AM
If I was stranded on a desert island and was offered only one of my beauty products, I would forgo all sunscreens, cleansers and moisturizers. I might even offer to trade my husband and opt to have with me this AMAZING lipgloss! I noted someone describing it as crushed diamonds for your lips, and I wholeheartedly concur! This gloss, either alone or over lipstick, sparkles and shines and leaves my lips feeling moisturized and beautiful. It has a hint of a vanilla flavor which just adds to the appeal. My only wish is that I could purchase it by the gallon!! Worth every hard earned penny.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
arielyn211 3/2/2013 11:17:00 AM
After a traumatizing BE experience, I found myself in front of a Chanel rep at Macy's begging for help to find a good foundation. We first tried the Vitalumiere, but even the lightest shade immediately oxidized on my skin and turned a ghastly orange. She then tried the Vitalumiere Aqua in B10--perfect! A great sheer coverage that evened my skin tone beautifully without making me look overly "made-up". After two weeks, my skin has shown no signs of breakouts with this (somewhat of a first for me), and I've actually gotten compliments on how glowing my skin appears. That makes this a must-have for me! I did remove one lippy for packaging, as I would prefer a clear bottle that allowed me to see how much product remains, but this is simply a minor inconvenience.
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Foundations -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals Ready Foundation
arielyn211 3/2/2013 11:04:00 AM
Throughout my thirties, I was a BE fan. From concealer to lipgloss, every product in my makeup arsenal boasted the BE logo. As lines began to form on my face, however, I noticed the minerals settling in the growing creases and adding a crepeiness to my under eye area. I finally surrendered my kabuki and sought help at a local BE boutique where the gal sang the praises of the Ready foundation. She sat me on a stool and went to work with a soft focus brush. In less than five minutes she turned me to a mirror and I loved it! Oh the GLOW! I looked ten years younger and gleefully handed her my credit card as I added products to my load-- the BE primer, a soft focus brush, the Ready blush, a tinted mineral veil. It was liberating. I got in my little car and chugged to the grocery store, sure everyone was noticing my new skin. When loading groceries into the car, a child getting into the car next to me exclaimed, "you got somethin on your face". His mother shushed him, and I leapt into the car to check out my reflection. O.M.G. It was AWFUL! My makeup had, as best I can describe, SEPARATED into STRIPES on my face! I'm serious--stripes. Chalky, cakey STRIPES! I was mortified. I tried rubbing, but I was just making things worse. Once home, I scrubbed my face and tried the application of the Ready foundation again--sans the primer. The powder settled in to every line, pore and crease and refused to budge. This was with the SOFT focus brush and a light application. I scrubbed again, pulled up a vid on proper application and tried one more time. I looked like a cadaver. As of now, this compact is sitting in my junk makeup drawer. The gal from BE did call to follow up, but I am still too traumatized to return for her "assistance".
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Garnier - BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination to Oily Skin - Light
arielyn211 3/2/2013 10:50:00 AM
I soooo wanted to love this. While the texture is fab, andthe price is great, the color is just way too pink for my reddened complexion. it certainly lent to a " jolly old elf" appearance, but it did little else for my skin tone or texIure. Back to the drawing board for me!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Pixi - Flawless and Poreless Primer
arielyn211 3/2/2013 10:44:00 AM
When I turned fifty a few weeks ago, I had a mini crisis and went on a beauty buying spree. For the most part, I had a list of HG "stock up products", but I was still on a quest to find a good primer. I decided to buy a few and have tried them over the last three COLD weeks in Pittsburgh. The first, BE's primer, dried me out like crazy. After two days, away it went into the nether world of my junk makeup drawer. Second up was Laura Mercier's Hydrating Primer. By the end of the third day, my makeup was sliding off my face in spite of my attempts at extra mineral veil and finishing spray. My third try was Pixi via a sample I received in my ipsy bag. I LOVE THIS PRIMER! The pores on my nose are minimized, my makeup stays on all day, and I haven't noticed any oiliness or dryness as a result of using it. I did, finally, give Smasbox's Photo Finish a shot, but after one application I was right back to the Pixi. I am shocked at the number of mixed reviews for this primer, but I suppose that's the nature of the beast! It's a tinted primer with a semi thick consistency that goes on sheer, evens my skin texture and tone and leaves my with a great, glowing base to build my makeup on. For me, this is a must have!
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Fragrances -Aquolina - Pink Sugar
arielyn211 1/7/2007 7:55:00 PM
Oh how I wanted to love this scent!! One sniff from the bottle, and I thought I had found a treasure. I immmediately sprayed both wrists and (thank GOD) was wise enough to wander around Ulta before purchasing. Within a half hour, the cloying was HORRIBLE! I haven't seen this experience in any of the other reviews, so I'm going to assume it's my body chemistry. I so wish I could wear this one!! Three lippies--love the scent, but not on me!
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Fragrances -Lolita Lempicka - Lolita Lempicka
arielyn211 11/20/2004 9:59:00 PM
I truly thought this would be my HG....I loved it from the moment it touched my skin. The woody notes faded quickly to a powdery whisper. My only complaint is the staying power of this fragrance. I could DOUSE myself in it before work and would still have to reapply by noon. Although I use three or even four full sprays, friends actually say they can't smell it at all unless they are literally sniffing my wrists. I've tried layering with the body lotion, but still no luck. Sadly disappointing, since this fragrance is totally intoxicating!!
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