Cleansers -Olay - Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash
brideie 2/14/2013 11:21:00 AM
This is a rare creature. Most cleansers are either very mild, like my beloved Cetaphil Gentle cleanser-it does not irritate sensitive skin, but does not remove makeup, or the cleanser is very strong and leaves my face tight. The Olay wash is in between those extremes and gets it right. The wash removes makeup while leaving the skin soft. The price was a real bargain for what you get too.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
brideie 2/11/2013 7:41:00 AM
I went on a makeup and skincare product fast after my skin became over-exfoliated, over treated and was irritated, overwashed and breaking out. All I used was Cetaphil and a gentle moisturizer. The gentle regimen worked wonders and my skin calmed down. This cleanser has been a staple ever since. The one disadvantage, is that this is not strong enough to remove makeup.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Clothes -H & M - H&M clothing in general
brideie 12/17/2012 8:32:00 AM
I think there is some matching the products in the stores to the location. The H&M in Paris I visited had lots of "urban basic" clothes with lots of trendy stuff. In my suburban mall in the USA, there is a section here that looks like a clone of American Eagle with the pseudo-athletic clothes that are popular with teenagers here. Overall H&M is a place I go to find something new and cheap to zip up my basic wardrobe. The small sizes are a plus since true extra-small sizes are hard to find.
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Lip Balm
brideie 12/16/2012 9:15:00 AM
On the spectrum of lipbalms which ranges from slippery/lotion-y to waxy, Burt's Bees sits on the waxy side. Waxy is good if your lips are not totally dried out, and waxy lasts a long time. However if your lips are parched, this lipbalm won't help much. The more lotion-like balms penetrate dry, chapped skin, but don't provide lasting relief. I use more than one lipbalm, and this is one I always have on hand.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Sheertone Blush in Blushbaby
brideie 9/26/2012 5:08:00 PM
I am an olive skinned brunette. I do not naturally have pink cheeks, so I need a blush that gives a natural looking "glow" rather than obviously bright cheeks. This blush has been the best. It is sheer and warm toned without looking dirty. I find many warm toned blushes make my face look dirty. Many other blushes are too pink and look too obviously fake. Blushbaby is my everyday blush, and I have repurchased many times.
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Fragrances -Stella McCartney - Stella Nude
brideie 10/6/2011 8:33:00 AM
I think of Stella Nude as the daytime version of Stella. The scent in the Stella Nude is softer and gentler than the original Stella, yet it keeps the lush rose scent. I prefer eau de toilettes to eau de parfum; there is less risk of overdoing the scent that way. There are no harsh scents in this rose fragrance, and the scent does not change much over time. Floral fragrances have a habit of doing a scent bait-and-switch on me, but not this one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Clinique - City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector Broad Spectrum 25 SPF
brideie 7/5/2010 9:00:00 AM
I use this sunscreen every day. It does not turn my olive skin pasty white. The texture dries smooth so makeup application over the sunscreen goes on smoothly. Most sunscreens fail this test since they retain a sticky finish. I hope Clinique never discontinues this excellent and well-priced sunscreen.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Nina Ricci - L'Air du Temps
brideie 11/24/2009 1:19:00 PM
I have been using this dreamy floral for years. I switch to different perfumes but always come back. I recently emptied a bottle and bought a new bottle of L'Air du Temps. It smells like something is missing. There was the faint carnation, but all that I remember is gone. It is not a bad perfume at all. I would rate it okay and inoffensive, but not great anymore.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
brideie 10/19/2009 7:34:00 AM
The makeup artist at the counter dispensed a sample like a pharmacist dispensing a dangerous drug. Exfoliate, she warned, apply over moisturized skin and use only a little. I followed her instructions and used less than I thought I needed and the foundation blended well and looked natural. If used carefully this works. If not blended carefully, used over smooth skin or topped with a powder that goes on heavy, then the foundation gives my skin a dull, coated look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60
brideie 7/18/2009 7:19:00 PM
The whole family wore this sunscreen to the beach. I liked that the sunscreen had no scent, was not sticky on the skin and did protect against sunburn. I did not like that although the sunscreen blends into the skin at first, the slightest bit of sweat or water makes the white cast show up. My fair skinned husband looked like the Joker from Batman, and my olive toned sons had a white cast on them. Compared to some of Neutrogena's other sunscreens, this one rubbed off or washed off quickly. Reapplication looked even more pasty.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Matte - Taupe
brideie 4/30/2008 6:24:00 AM
This is my daytime nude lipstick. The color is "your lips but better". I love the smooth, nongreasy texture. The staying power is good, and I can wear this full strength without a lipliner. My only small complaint is this- couldn't MAC think up a better and more interesting name than "taupe" for this lipstick?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in Sophisto
brideie 4/23/2008 12:21:00 PM
I usually buy the satin or matte lipsticks which are really pigment concentrated. It took a lot of rubbing the lipstick back and forth for the color to show up. I love the plummy color and subtle shimmer. My lips look full and shapely. The color is very flattering. Unfortunately the effect lasts only a few minutes before this short-wearing lipstick starts to disappear.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - sensitive skin sunblock spf 30
brideie 4/21/2008 11:58:00 AM
Sunscreens containing physical sunblock ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are not common. They do an excellent job of blocking UVA rays. The ingredients allow a sunscreen to work right away. This is the sunscreen my husband will slap on before mowing the lawn. This sunscreen rates as "okay" but not "great". It leaves a whitish cast on darker skin. When you sweat, white rivulets of sweat runs down your face. The positives are: no chemical or coconut smell, a fairly low price and nonchemical sunscreens. I wish neutrogena could make a part-nonchemical sunscreen and add a bit of moisturiser that can be worn under makeup and not have a sticky feel.
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Liquid -Lancome - Teint Idole ULTRA [DISCONTINUED]
brideie 3/18/2008 12:18:00 PM
Lancome has some of the best foundations in makeup. Back when most foundations for darker skin tones looked like a fake tan, Lancome stocked natural looking tones. This particular foundation dries to a smooth finish that does not grab too much powder. The coverage is medium, and the finish is a soft matte. The liquid blends well and easily. Teinte Idole has become my new everyday foundation.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Frost Lipstick in O
brideie 3/17/2008 7:01:00 AM
I tried this lipstick after reading all the reviews of this very popular lipstick. I would have overlooked the lipstick in the display because it does not look like a shade I would normally try. The frost is just right-not too frosty and grainy. It gives a nice shimmer of bronze without being glittery. This texture is a true lipstick with great staying power. Best of all, the color is very flattering. I will continue to use this one for my everyday lipstick.
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