Moisturizers -Peter Thomas Roth - Laser-Free Regenerator Moisturizing Gel-Cream
bmichlig 3/21/2013 9:43:00 PM
Please see my review on the Gel/Cream as part of the 4 piece half-sized kit, including the Resurfacing Serum, the Eye Treatment, and the Retexturizing Exfoliant. Great, effective products that deliver results without irritation, flaking, peeling, etc. The whole quartet seems to play well with other products including the Strivectin and RetinA I use on alternate nights. Great find for "aging" skin - or any skin with pigmentation, texture, or dehydration issues.
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Treatments -Peter Thomas Roth - Dragon's Blood laser free resurfacing treatment
bmichlig 3/21/2013 9:40:00 PM
I first tried the Gel/Cream moisturizer as part of the 4 piece set with the Regenerating Serum, Eye Treatment, and Retexturizing Exfoliator. The texture is like a whipped silicone based primer - not something I'd usually enjoy using, honestly. However, when I gathered these four items as my skin kit for an extended travel, I found that I really enjoyed the feeling of the Gel/Cream as my night moisturizer. It kept my skin soft, supple, smooth, bump free and flake free even while traveling to Wisconsin and on to Los Angeles in early March- talk about weather extremes, different water, hotel soap, etc. Typically my skin is oily and clog prone, even with Retin A, plus the Retin A makes it flaky. Using this four piece set, and the Gel/Cream moisturizer at night, kept it feeling and looking smooth, luminous, radiant even. At the conclusion of my travels I was so impressed with how my skin looked and felt that I repurchased the 4 piece kit from Sephora - the items are half sized, and you pay 1/4 the cost of purchasing the full sizes individually. So if you enjoy all the products, just get 2 kits and you are dollars ahead. yes, will definitely repurchase - I just did.
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Brows -MAC - Fluidline Brow Gelcreme
bmichlig 1/21/2013 5:46:00 PM
I love this product! I've got several strikes against me in the brow department: They are fair - almost clear, somewhat sparse, a few bald patches, and thin, and I'm a natural redhead. I've drawn on my brows daily for several decades, generally using some sort of warm toned light to medium brow pencil, or a lip liner in a warm tone, topped with a trio of eyeshadow colors to add depth and help cover both the skin AND the hairs. It was a major production, and never lasted all day long without smudging. I find the FluidLine Gelcreme sticks tight, tints both hair and skin, and the colors Redhead and Dirty Blonde are both suitable on their own for me - the Redhead provides a bit softer of a look, as it reads a little lighter, and Dirty Blonde has a great neutral tone, not ashy, and works well on its own for a more structured look. Some days I even layer them, applying Redhead first to add that warm copper undertone and then putting Dirty Blonde on top to strengthen the line. One product, goes on easily and fast, is somewhat blendable so I can perfect the line. I am in love.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Olay - Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream
bmichlig 7/7/2012 2:08:00 PM
Great hydrating eye cream at a fair price. Better hydration and smoothing than anything else I've tried from the department stores. Wish it came in a squeeze tube instead of a pot, but I can live with that. I use this day and night on entire eye area, including lid. No troubles at all, even with my super sensitive eyelids. I like the amount of coverage or diffusion I get from this product and don't notice sparkles, shimmers, or even much pigment. It does not negate the need for concealer, but it does keep my eye area supple, hydrated, smooth and crease free all day long. Will def. repurchase.
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Egyptian Magic Healing Cream
bmichlig 2/11/2012 11:05:00 PM
This is a great multitasking product. I received a sample packet with an order of something else and tossed it into my travel bag nearly a month ago, just to have something emollient on hand to combat dry travel air and Las Vegas dehydration. I've been using it ever since, not daily, but several times a week. I loved it so much I sprung for the 4oz jar at Dermstore.com. At $30ish, it isn't "cheap", but it's 4oz - so that's 7.50 an ounce, and it takes so very little that it ends up being very economical. I've used it as a facial moisturizer on my combo-oily skin to rehydrate after RetinA leaves me flaky. It left my skin feeling supple and hydrated and dewy, but decidedly NOT greasy. I've also used it as a primer under MUFE F&B foundation - and had FANTASTIC results - my makeup stayed 10+ hours, even through a 60 min cardio workout. I was dewy but no more so than right after application of the F&B - and usually I'm just a greaseball with sliding foundation and a flashbulb glow on my tzone. This will be a fantastic multi-use item for me for sure - under eyes on top of a water based eye cream; as a lip balm; to soften and hydrate cuticles; as a facial treatment; worked into hair to tame flyaways...the list is long. I like that the product is simple and does what it says, and is a great, all natural alternative to Elizabeth Arden 8 hour Cream. For those "afraid" to use on their face, I say go for it. It takes a tiny amount, as in the size of a grain of rice, to do my chest, neck, face and eye area. I rub the tiny bit between my hands to soften it, then just press my hands to my skin, starting where my skin is driest and thinnest. Once I've pressed it on, I lightly stroke it to evenly distribute. It doesn't even look shiny or greasy. No clogs, no breakouts, just soft, glowing skin. I'm happy to have my own jar of this stuff to really go to town with.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner
bmichlig 2/6/2012 4:02:00 PM
Hair type: Coarse, wavy to curly (more on the curly side), color treated, short. Quick Hit: Great gentle latherless cleanser for dry hair that isn't subject to tons of styling product. Smells vanilla-ish, but not overly sweet, and the scent that lingers isn't overpowering. I shampoo every 7-10 days depending on how my scalp feels. In between I do either lightly wet my hair, or fully saturate it and condition it heavily, more because it is thick and coarse and needs weight on it to get it to lie nicely. Also, my curls don't like shampoo very much and tend to respond by being fluffy and overly voluminous right after shampooing. I chose this product because I've been intrigued by the cleansing conditioners offered by other lines, and I've had good luck using regular old conditioner to gently cleanse my hair and scalp. I always use conditioner to condition afterwards, even if I've just used conditioner to wash - that will be way too much moisture for most hair types, but it works well on my Irish hair. I get great results from this - it's gentle enough to use before my 7 day minimum is up, cleanses well enough to use as a my single lather (less) shampoo, and works great on those days when I want the entire lather-rinse-repeat experience - I'll use a regular shampoo (currently Organix Argan Oil shampoo) first to deal with any buildup on my scalp, then turn to the EverCream, then condition. Additionally I often make my own color depositing shampoo and/or conditioner by mixing in about a teaspoon of Jerome Russell Punky Color with my shampoo. The EverCream is ideally suited to this purpose and delivers me more intense color deposit than any other shamppo combo I've tried. So big thumbs up for that use. I don't see this as a single-step product for me - those shampoo+conditioner formulas always left me wanting both more cleansing and more conditioning. So I'm not disappointed to still use a conditioner after rinsing this product out. And yes, the pump dispenser offers only a measly amount of product and should seriously be bigger in diameter. I use about 8 pumps of product to clean my hair. But that's a small issue for me. Overall I find this product to do what it says it will - provide gentle, non parching cleansing. I'll definitely repurachase this.
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Palettes -LORAC - Ooh La Lace
bmichlig 11/29/2011 6:44:00 PM
This is a great neutral palette, good value for the money - 6 baked shadows for $36 tucked into a very attractive, albeit thicker than necessary, black lace covered hinged box. The texture of these shadows is fine and blendable with good pigmentation. They can be used wet or dry, which makes them very versatile. Sephora.com describes them thusly: 6 x Eye Shadows in Lust (cream with shimmer), Smolder (matte gray), Risqué (matte black), Stunner (light bronze with shimmer), Knockout (bronze with shimmer), Racy (matte brown) Perfect descriptions. The black is deep and rich and I can build a serious black winged liner from it dry. The grey is a really pretty, balanced grey, not too blue or too yellow toned, just a great neutral grey. The matte brown is perhaps on the cooler side, which makes it very versatile. Used lightly it can be a soft taupe, or can be applied to a rich chocolate brown. Honestly I've not used the shimmer shades much yet, the cream is a great highlighter for cheeks and brow bone, and the light bronze is a gorgeous rose gold tone, light enough for highlighting eyes and cheeks but with enough oomph to stand on its own as a lid color. I've not played with the rich bronze yet, but I'm sure I will - it looks like it might be a cousin to Mac's Amber Lights. This palette could end up being a 1 stop shop for travel, meeting all the needs for day to night eyes. Plus it's so pretty it would be an awesome present, too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Texture
bmichlig 11/16/2011 11:51:00 AM
General description: Warm, sheer peached russet brown. Me: NC15, red hair, green eyes, freckles, 44 years old. Texture is a more statement making but still soft crease tone. Texture gives a Rodarte Spring 2012 caramel-sepia-light rust sort of look, or something like the Costello Tagliapietra Spring 2012 face. can be applied delicately for a sheer, natural lift of tone (not color per se), or applied more fully for an opaque finish. Described as a satin, has no discernible shimmer or frost on my lids. While Rule is definitely orange on my skin, Texture is a hint of browned down orange that really gives my face a lovely lift. If you have Soft Brown but find it a bit lackluster, try Texture. Pairs beautifully with Trax, Sketch, olivey greens, browns, blacks and greys, particularly on a warmer skintone.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Soft Brown
bmichlig 11/16/2011 11:41:00 AM
Great, very useful, neutral shadow. Sort of the color of silly putty - a pinky-browny-taupey color. Me - NC15, dark red hair, green eyes, freckles, 44 years old. I use this as a crease color for a no-makeup makeup - it helps to push back the hooded area without looking harsh. Works well with lots of other shadows, too - browns, greys, plums, olivey greens. Great as an edge blender, also works as a cheek contour and brow color for warm golden blondes, redheads and light warm brunettes, too. Versatile, albeit uninteresting as an overall lid color. While Soft Brown is very useful and a no-thought color, I actually prefer Texture as a more statement making but still soft crease tone. Texture gives a Rodarte Spring 2012 caramel-sepia-light rust sort of look. While Rule is definitely orange on my skin, Texture is a hint of browned down orange that really gives my face a lovely lift. So - if you have Soft Brown but find it a bit lackluster, try Texture.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance - Candlelight, Softly Illuminating Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
bmichlig 8/28/2011 2:47:00 PM
Fantastic product, holds my eyeshadow and liner in place better than anything I have tried, ever. Also provides a barrier between my skin and the shadows, which is great as I am often sensitive to eyeshadow. NC15, Candlelight is a pale yellow shimmery gold that works great under even a mate ivory shadow and doesn't read as frosty. Pretty enough on its own, perfection under anything. Working better for me than any indelible cream shadow or painpot, totally prevents the self-blending I always get due to my hooded lids. In love, hoping to gather a few more tints in this product.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -MISSHA - M Perfect Cover BB Cream
bmichlig 8/28/2011 11:06:00 AM
I have this in shade 13, Miky Beige, which I find is a great match for my NC15ish skin. Previously I used Paula Dorf tm in Dare to Bare, which was a good pale match, too. I find the coverage on the BB cream to be better - still translucent, looks like skin. Wears on my oily skin like a typical tinted moisturizer, meaning I get shiny, but that's just the nature of my skin. Love the texture, the overage, the spf. Looks great under mac MSFN and PF Healthy Wear translucent powder. Love that it's a multitasker that might have cumulative benefits. We'll see how that goes as I use up the tube. Purchased on ebay from BelloGirl, highly recommend her as a seller.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation
bmichlig 6/19/2011 5:04:00 PM
I love this foundation. At 44 I have both fine lines and texture issues (larger than average pores, some acne scarring). I'm also oily, and struggle to find a foundation that lasts on my skin and doesn't exacerbate the uneven appearance of my skin's texture - after all, foundation makeup should make the skin look BETTER, not worse. I had resigned myself to tinted moisturizer plus powder on top, and that was ok, but didn't give me the perfected look I wanted. I tried MUFE HD, but chose the wrong shade, so can't speak to that formula. WHen I went to purchase a better shade, I decided to go with the F&B formula instead, as I do like a natural finish. I am so glad I did - it is a beautiful foundation, very easy to work with, blends easily, is buildable to a more medium-full coverage on the areas I want that. And surprisingly it wears VERY well on my oily skin. I've tried it over Neutrogena Broad Spectrum facial sunblock, and it glided on and kept me fresh faced for 7 hours without even blotting. I've also used it over the MUFE HD primer and find it agrees with that formula as well. I am delighted with this product. Yes, it is fragranced and I'd like it even more if it weren't, but even for this smell-sensitive gal, it's not a deal breaker. For the record, floral smells really turn me off - and that eliminates lines like Lancome, Arden, Lauder, Chanel, etc - the scenting in face, lip and eye products makes me retch. But the scent in F&B, although definitely not a likeable one to me, dissipates rapidly as the foundation sets. Shadewise, this is a sheer foundation, so one does have some leeway. As a NC15, I chose #20 Ivory and liked it ok, but found it didn't give me the brightness I look for in a foundation product, so I also purchased #38, Porcelain Pink. While #38 is just ever so slightly cooler than my skintone, it really matches my pale base color, and my golden freckles show through a little. #38 also gives me one continuous color from face to decollete without having to blend foundation down my neck and across my collarbone to get a smooth, consistent match. In short, I love this liquid foundation - smooth, thin gel consistency, workable skintone shades, great wear, and a natural skin but perfected look. Definitely worth the price to me.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -StriVectin - SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles
bmichlig 4/1/2011 5:46:00 PM
For starters, look for a twin pack of the .85 oz size at your local Costco for around $57.99. Costco.com has the .65 twin pack for $64.99 - not sure why the price difference. Also, watch the Costco monthly flyers for coupons. I'm 44 this year and have always used an eye cream to keep my eye area moisturized. For the last couple years I've been a layering girl - a purely hydrating light cream or gel underneath a heavier emollient product (Nivea in the blue tin, Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream, thick stuff). I found that my under eye area was still crepey, dehydrated and just plain tired looking, in spite of vigilant moisturizing, RetinA, sunblock, anitoxidant serums, etc. Decided I needed to bite the bullet and just choose a really moisturizing eye cream for an adult, and be prepared to pay for it (I'm usually a drugstore product girl). Read up on this one, took the plunge at Costco, and I'm happy I did. Noticed a major IMMEDIATE improvement in hydration and a reduction in the crepey appearance of my undereye area. After a single use my under eye area was significantly leff puffy. My concealer applies more smoothly and doesn't get cakey like it had been with my other products. Even if there were NO cumulative benefits from this product, I'd be happy with it, and for the amount you get (.85oz compared to .5 oz for most eye creams), at the Costco twin pack price of $29 per tube, it's really on par with most other products pricewise. Love that the packaging is a squeeze tube rather than a pot - more sanitary and more portable. As I use it over the next few months I'll update with any long term benefits.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
bmichlig 12/4/2010 4:12:00 PM
I generally grab mascara on sale at the drugstore - tend to like Lash Blast and Voluminous and other thickening formulas. I like this one well enough so far - just used it this morning. It is definitely a wetter formula, and it seems to contain those little fibers. Drama Black is black-hole-black - very deep and seriously black, not grey black or brown black. Nice. Seems to wear well so far, no smudging or flaking. I didn't experience any clumping. I applied it wiggly-style, 2 coats, and it didn't need a combthrough at all.
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Blush -MAC - Sheertone Blush in Gingerly
bmichlig 10/24/2010 3:26:00 PM
Me: NC15, dark red hair, green eyes, freckles. Gingerly: Matte finish Sheertone formula, gorgeous auburn rose color, very sophisticated and natural on my skin. I had used Style (peachy pink with gold frost, like Nars Orgasm on steroids) as my daily blush for a coupe of years and was ready for a switch up. The gorgeous Karisa, SA at Mac at Glendale Galleria in California recommended this one, and I love it. Applied with a fiber optic brush, it is delicate but still sort of saturated - my preferred type of blush, as I can use so little. I just tap the fiber optic brush a couple of times, then swirl on my cheeks and buff out the edges a bit. Perfection! Plays nicely with both Bone Beige and Sculpt for contour and lends my sheeks lovely definition and a bit of great color. Perfect for fall and winter. So many other reviewers are more richly complected - lots of NC25 - 45s in this group. Wanted to be sure to let the pale ones know that Gingerly is awesome on a peachy or golden based skintone!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No