Moisturizers -Clarins - Extra Firming Night Cream
blondex199667 4/25/2013 2:17:00 AM
This review is for the new product, with the golden cap. I just began using night cream a few years ago, when I realized I needed round the clock anti-aging treatment. I use this on top of Lotus Face Treatment Oil, so I don't need to use much. I do find that my skin looks both smoother and firmer in the morning. Of course, it feels and smells like heaven so it's a nice way to end the day. I have to disclose that this cream does have a tendency to make me a bit itchy. I'm sure this is because I have some kind of sensitivity to one of the ingredients and not because it's a bad product. But I would recommend that you sample it before plunking down close to $90 for a full jar.
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Treatments -Clarins - Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate
blondex199667 4/25/2013 2:13:00 AM
I'll admit that I was surprised by the very different texture of the current Double Serum compared to those of the past. While its predecessors were very rich, this one is quite sheer. Presumably, this was done to facilitate sales to younger clients, whose skin may not have been able to handle so much richness. In any event, this is a whole different product in terms of texture, scent, and application. The good news is that the new Double Serum is as effective, if not more, at smoothing lines and firming! I know some people were used to using Double Serum without a cream. That will not be possible with the new formula; however, you really *need* to use a Clarins treatment cream in conjunction with Double Serum in order to achieve the maximum benefit.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Black Cherry Italian Soda
blondex199667 4/13/2013 12:07:00 AM
Right off the bat I have to say I am not a Philosophy fan. I've never used any of their things because their whole branding and marketing strategy does not resonate with me. BUT- a friend gave me a bottle of this for my birthday and I am wild about it! It really does smell like cherry soda, but doesn't really stick to your skin. It's scented for the pleasure of using it, which I like. Also, it actually does work great as a hair shampoo. This is a huge plus because I travel every week and this allows me to carry one product instead of two. Sadly, this is a limited edition and a lot of stores are already out of it. Happily, I found some on Amazon and ordered 4 big bottles! If you come across this, snatch it up. It's really a great way to start the day.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Clarins - Defining Eye Lift
blondex199667 4/12/2013 12:31:00 AM
This is supposed to depuff and firm the upper eye lids. Although I am a huge Clarins fan, I have to admit this didn't really do much for me. It feels nice but most eye gels and serums do.
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Liquid -Clarins - Ever matte
blondex199667 4/8/2013 2:56:00 AM
I just bought this after using Nars Sheer Matte for the last 2 years. Ever Matte has extraordinary shine control but doesn't have that extreme matte finish that some oil-control foundations leave you with. Ever Matte is sheer and buildable and I think best applied with your fingertips. It's odd, but the color looks really different blended in to your face than it does in the tube or on your hand. This is one you have to actually wear in order to get a good color match. Also, the color is exceptionally stable. I wear it for about 10 hours at a time and the color does not oxidize and oil does not break through. Really a great product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kiehls - Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak
blondex199667 9/16/2012 2:54:00 AM
Not great. My hair is relatively short and though colored, not terribly dry. Honestly, I don't think this moisturizes any better than my everyday conditioner and it's hard to imagine a less-practical package than a tub with a screw off lid. It also leaves the floor of your shower dangerously slick. Seriously, be careful! It does smell nice, if a bit sweet, but come on. Twenty-five bucks and the best thing you can say is that it smells nice? I won't repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Borghese - Fango Mud Soap
blondex199667 8/27/2012 1:18:00 AM
This is my favorite bar soap. I just bought it about a month ago and I love it as much as I love the mud. I wouldn't use it every day, but it's perfect when you want a spanking clean feeling. I use it on my body as well. For me, it's best for removing suntan oil from my face and body. It even works well in the hair! The bar itself is huge, almost too big to work with. I'm pretty sure it was less than $20 so a huge value. A drawback is that it doesn't come with a case and is far too large to fit in anything you may already have. This soap smells nice, deep-cleans and is a huge value. But it should have a case, and you'll need a moisturizer for sure after using it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clarins - Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter for Dry or Sensitive Skin
blondex199667 7/20/2012 4:00:00 AM
I just love this cleanser. My skin is normal/combination but this gives me a thorough clean without leaving me feeling tight. It has the softest texture and lightly foams, like washing with a cloud. But it's the scent that really sells it. I can't describe it, but it smells like the most expensive, luxurious spa you can imagine. It's really such a pleasure to use it!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clarins - Extra Firming Day Cream
blondex199667 7/17/2012 11:55:00 PM
I'm about 2 months in to my first jar of the new Extra-Firming Day Cream and I'm loving it. I am a huge Clarins fan to begin with. I'd been using the mens Wrinkle Control Cream but it wasn't rich enough. My Clarins guy suggested this and it's perfect. It has visibly smoothed my lines and moisturizes really well. It's also just a real pleasure to use, one of my favorite things about Clarins. It smells fresh and expensive and the texture is sublime. I do think you can feel the primer in it, which is really soothing and smoothing. If you're new to Clarins, be sure to visit their website to watch the videos about application techinques. It really makes a difference when you use these products properly. I've been using this in conjunction with the new Extra-Firming Night Cream and couldn't be more pleased. I will repurchase for sure.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Focus 21 - Sea Plasma All Purpose Hair & Skin Moisturizer
blondex199667 6/22/2012 4:08:00 AM
This is one of those "how does anyone survive with out it?" products. I don't use it on my hair after shampooing simply because I don't need it. But I do use it prior to applying my Clarins treatment oil and to set powder. I use it after the shower to get some moisture on my back. I use it throughout the day to keep my hair from getting staticy and to refresh and rehydrate my face. I've used in on a cotton pad as a toner. I use it under Clarins After Sun balm when I've been in the sun. I love the light, beachy scent and that fact that it's oil-free but contains sodium PCA- a water binder, and nourishing mucopolysacharides. Honestly I can't imagine spending all that money on Evian and other spring water sprays that are just water when this is so much cheaper and actually does a lot for your skin. I've used it forever- 20 years easily and have never been without it. I hope I never am! This is also amazing to keep in the fridge during the summer so you can refresh yourself head to toe on those sweltering summer days.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Clarins - After Sun Moisturizer Ultra Hydrating
blondex199667 6/9/2012 10:10:00 PM
At nearly 40 bucks, this is one heck of a splurge, but I just got back from a week in Palm Desert and I'm happy I had this with me. I used it each evening, including on my face, and my tan has stayed very rich and I've had no peeling. The texture and scent of this cream are heavenly. I can't honestly say there's nothing else that would work as well, and I won't use it all summer long purely because it's so expensive. But if any extra-rich after-sun cream is worth 40 dollars, this is it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Bain de Soleil - Spray Transpare SPF 10
blondex199667 6/9/2012 10:06:00 PM
This stuff just saved me on my trip to Palm Desert. Obviously taking a vacation to the desert in June you know it's going to be HOT. And why go at all if you don't want to come home with a gorgeous tan? But nothing will ruin a trip faster than a sunburn, so I took this along even though at home I'd rarely use SPF 10 if I'm trying to get a tan. Each morning, I'd stand naked in the tub and give myself a thorough spray from head to toe. I'd wait about 5 minutes for it to penetrate then put on my swimsuit and head to the pool. Throughout the day, I'd apply BDS Orange Gellee SPF 4. The combination gave me just what I wanted- a rich, golden tan. I'd recommend this to anyone, but you should know you'll only get about 5 full-body applications per can so be sure you have (and use) enough.
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Lip Treatments -NARS - Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment
blondex199667 5/6/2012 2:20:00 AM
I have this in Aurore. From the standpoint of how it looks, I love it. I bought it to make my lips look paler without looking like I'm wearing any color. It does that perfectly and without any shine or shimmer, just a really healthy luster. But as a treatment, it falls short. I don't think it's all that hydrating and I need to use a traditional balm under it. For the price, that's not acceptable. But, since the effect is exactly what I wanted, I'll probably just suck it up and buy it again.
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Fragrances -Michael Kors - Suede
blondex199667 4/20/2012 11:45:00 PM
My nose must have a glitch when it comes to Kors fragrances because I can scarcely tell a difference between Michael Kors, Gold, and Suede. Suede is the newest one and that's what I'm reviewing but I'd give the same review for the other two. Suede is a fairly linear scent of shrill tuberose that has been sterilized, leaving behind a clean lush floral. I mean that as a compliment. There's no discernible fruit or candy here as far as I can tell other than perhaps a little gardenia, or is it peony that I'm smelling? The drydown reveals a little white musk and a slightly papery note. This is hardly a masterpiece. To compare this overtly commercial fragrance to, for example, the sweeping luxury of Carnal Flower or blinding opulence of Beyond Love would be ludicrous. But it's an affordable option for tuberose lovers like myself who need an option that doesn't require the wearer to live up to its presence. Good for work or weekends, but use a light touch.
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Hair -Sebastian - Cellophanes in Pearl Blond
blondex199667 4/11/2012 1:18:00 AM
I was a big fan of the original Sebastian products but somehow never got around to doing a Cellophane. I know a lot of people love it because this stuff has been around since the 1980s and remains popular so there must be something to it. On me, I was underwhelmed. It did cool the tone in my light blond hair and add a bit of shine, but both results are so subtle I'm not sure it's worth the effort. In fairness, my hair is super smooth so I'm sure it's harder for color deposit-only products to work as well on my hair as on more coarse/porous hair. Shimmer Lights shampoo doesn't do much for me either. I can't say for sure that I won't repurchase Cellophanes. It's a pretty big tube so I'm sure I'll get at least a dozen more processes out of it. Possibly layering multiple Cellophanes will make a greater difference...
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