Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Havana Vanille 
asiteseer 10/12/2009 3:23:00 PM
I got to sniff this at one of the L'artisan boutiques in Paris. It was not yet released in the US and I was very tempted to buy it. But, I didn't love it enough to take the plunge. Not sure if I would buy it even once it's in the States. I do not like Vanilla scents. One major reason is that they tend to be sugary sweet for me. This one is different, though. As soon as I smelled it, I liked it. I'm not good with notes, so I won't go through those. When I asked what the notes were, I couldn't put them together to come up with what I smelled. :). It was a somewhat comforting smell. Very familiar. The more I thought about it, I knew it reminded me of something, but what. Then it came to me. For me, it's similar to Aqua di Parma's Mandorlo. The root beer smell, which I like, was there. Not the same, but similar. I would have loved a sample, but I didn't ask and not sure if they offer them. I sprayed some on my arm and still could smell it about an hour later. Somewhat faint. Outside the store, they had strands of ribbon tied to the gate, spritzed with Havane Vanille. It smells good, a bit sweet and not too spicy. Very comforting. It is a nicely done scent.
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Treatments -Fresh - Anise Day Serum
asiteseer 5/2/2007 12:51:00 AM
I have been using this on a daily basis, under my moisturizer and spf. It feels like a bit of a mask, in a good way, as if it is protecting my skin from the elements. I have been told that I can use it minimally, only around the areas which are prone to lines or wrinkling. Such as around the eyes. Although, it is okay to use it over the entire face. I can feel a difference in my skin, it feels a lot softer, but firmer, too. Even though it is expensive for what seems a small amount, you don't need that much for each application. A little can go a long way, even only one or two pumps is an amount sufficient to cover the face. I guess it's good that way, otherwise, if I had to pour it out of a bottle or squeeze it out of a tube, I might dispense more than I needed. It has a nice scent, too. To me, it smells a bit like citrus fruits. It is $85 for 1 oz. and comes in a pump-type bottle, with a cap. NOTE: There is now a nighttime version of this, called Mamaku Night Serum. I have only tried this for a short time, so I don't know how much I like it, yet. It smells like peaches, though, which is very pleasant.
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Skincare - Face -Jo Malone - Jojoba Day Moisturizer
asiteseer 7/7/2006 2:35:00 AM
I have oily/dry skin. I was forever in search of a compatible moisturizer, which would not clog pores, turn powdery, and keep my skin moisturized. This truly works. Yes, it seems expensive. But, it turns out to be very reasonable for me. Because, I only need a few pumps of the bottle and it lasts for the day. I apply two coats, at about two drops each. This is good for me, because it is not a thick product, so it absorbs easily and quickly. I do not break out. And my skin does not dry up at the end of the day. I use this in the morning, after cleaning my skin. And, I use it in combination with the Jo Malone SPF. The bottle of the Jojoba Moisturizer is over 8 oz., but could lasts for months. So, when I compare it with some of the other products I've used, this is well worth it. I don't need to keep using it throughout the day. Also, I think it is good for sensitive skin. Some other products I've used tended to sting or seemed to dry parts of my face. Maybe because those had fragrance added. This is fragrance free, as far as I can tell.
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Treatments -Fresh - Meadowfoam Cream Treatment Conditioner
asiteseer 7/7/2006 2:27:00 AM
This is another Fresh product that's up there in price. But, this one works very well. I used this when my hair was very long. And since I found out that conditioner should not be applied to the scalp or to hair above the neck, I hardly use it now that my hair is shoulder length. Since my hair is thick, it tended to get tangled easily. After applying this and waiting a few minutes, my hair felt silky smooth. This may seem a bit heavy at first, especially since it doesn't fully rinse off. Or, I guess it does rinse off, but leaves a coating? Not a film, like some other conditioners. After drying my hair, it felt so soft and silky, thanks to this conditioner. But, it is very expensive, for the amount in the tube. And with conditioner, usually you need a bit more, to cover as much hair as possible.
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Shampoo -Fresh - Umbrian Clay Shampoo
asiteseer 7/7/2006 2:21:00 AM
LOVE THIS!!! I have oily hair, and this shampoo cleans like a gem. At first, I wasn't crazy about the price. But, I don't wash my hair everyday AND I switch between shampoos, so I can justify purchasing this. Besides, only a small bit is needed each time. It foams up pretty well. I have thick hair and a small bit of the shampoo does go a long way. This literally gets my hair squeaky clean. Yes, it does have a slight medicinal smell. But, I don't think that it lingers after it dries. The shampoo does a great job and gets my hair clean, like it is supposed to do.
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Skincare - Face -Fresh - Umbrian Clay Face Treatment
asiteseer 7/7/2006 2:17:00 AM
Just like the Fresh Treatment Bar, this works wonders for me. I like this, since it's like the bar, but easier to use. However, I am not as diligent about letting it dry. This works just as well as the bar, but is a cleanser, as well. So, with this, I don't need to clean my face first, as I do with the bar. Still, for some reason, I prefer the bar. Probably, because with the bar, I can use whatever cleanser, but still treat the breakouts. Also, this one is pricier and does not last as long as the bar. This is in paste form and I have a tendancy to squeeze out more than I need. But, that's just me.
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Masks -Fresh - Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar
asiteseer 7/7/2006 2:12:00 AM
I have combination skin (oily/sometimes dry), with a tendancy towards breakouts. I happened to stumble across this product while reading an issue of Lucky one day. Somebody used the Umbrian Clay Face Treatment (in the tube) and swore by it. I had never even heard of Fresh before. The only place that I could find it locally was at Neiman Marcus or Sephora. This is truly a "miracle" for me. Or at least close to it. I had serious breakouts along my chinline and this calmed it all down. Whenever I find a breakout coming on, I use this. Actually, it took me a while to find out that this is not a cleanser, but a treatment bar. So, if I use it, it's usually in the morning, since I've already cleaned my face from the night before. Basically, I take one side of the bar and wet it and rub it on my face, then rinse it right off. Easy to use in the shower. But, keep it dry, or it will melt and fall apart easily. It is expensive, but when used properly, this will last a very, very, long time.
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