Treatments -Skinceuticals - Retexturing Activator 
canterburytale 4/30/2010 1:56:00 PM
I have used many alpha and beta hydroxy acid products and was excited to try this one as I'm a huge fan of SC. To me it felt tacky on my skin and it didn't seem to absorb well. I didn't notice a big difference in the texture of my skin and ultimately it was a blah product for me. I've been using it on my neck and decolletage before bed as I don't want to throw it out. Through out the following day, this area feels tacky and a bit sticky. Oh well. I use SC Intense Line Defense on my face and I love it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Skinceuticals - Cleansing Cream
canterburytale 2/18/2010 12:17:00 PM
I love this cleanser. I was first introduced to this by an esthetician who is a fan of the whole SC line. I have combination skin that is prone to breakouts so I'm very cautious about using any products that may break me out. This cleans my face nicely and does not strip it at all. It does not foam at all, but this doesn't bother me. I've used non-foaming cleansers before and have had to wash my face a second time, but not with this. I do use a non-alcohol toner after I wash but I haven't noticed more dirt on the cotton pad. I use this in the morning and at times at night. I only wear mineral powder and blush and sometimes mascara so I don't need this to be a makeup remover. I have found that when I'm using a cleanser without sulfates and especially sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate my skin is less oily. Sulfates have dried out my skin (and even scalp) and I tend to get more oily. I feel like those ingredients prompt me to produce more oil through out the day. This is a great cleanser for my combination breakout prone skin. Don't be fooled by the non-foaming quality and the cream consistency. My skin has loved this cleanser.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Christian Dior - 849 contour
canterburytale 2/22/2009 3:53:00 PM
Well, I think this is probably a beautiful color on the right skin tone. I have medium olive skin so I'm a bit of a tweener in that I can pull off some darker shades and some lighter shades of color. Anyway, this one went on okay (a bit reddish in color that made me looked flushed) but over a few hours turned darker and muddier on me. It's not a bad blush, in fact I think Dior has exceptional blushes, it's just not the color for me. Could be a great fall blush for the right person. Packaging is luxurious and hardy, but cumbersome with the mirror and silly teensy brush it comes with.
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Cleansers -Ole Henriksen - African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser
canterburytale 2/22/2009 3:46:00 PM
Fantastic cleanser for oily combo to normal skin. It cleanses skin thoroughly without residue and doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary fragrance. It doesn't leave skin feeling dry or taut but cleanses well. I bet someone with normal to dry skin could benefit from this as well. Overall a really wonderful cleanser that makes skin clean and smooth. I'll definitely buy again. Also, I've been using this for four months and zero breakouts.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium Dark
canterburytale 1/24/2009 8:49:00 PM
LOVE this powder! I use Laura Mercier's powder foundation for when I'm going out or when I'm feeling like I need some extra coverage and I use MAC's blot powder for everyday light coverage/blotting. I impulsively bought this powder thinking it could maybe give me an in between foundation and blot powder look. It's even better! I don't use liquid foundation so I apply this over a moisturized face. I sort of blot the first application over my face with a large powder brush to blot the moisturizer a bit, then I sweep generously. It melts into my skin, no shinies throughout the day, and it looks radiant. It's not sparkly whatsoever, but it does seem to lend a smooth finish to my skin. No breakouts (which I'm prone to) and no drying out my skin. Overall, a lovely powder which I will definitely buy over and over again. My only wish is that the compact come with a mirror so I can surreptitiously apply this if I need to during the day. But in reality I've never had to reapply, so I guess it's not necessary!
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Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks - Calypso Coral
canterburytale 4/9/2008 6:33:00 PM
I got bamboozled into buying this as I can be a sucker for products. Anyway, I thought it may look nice as a departure from my standard pinks and browns. I've worn this twice and each time when I've randomly looked in the mirror, I look feverish and not good. It's the shock of "I've been cruising around all day this way?!?!??!" feeling. It doesn't really show up as coral on me, rather a melon-pink shade. Whatever the color, it isn't good. I was told it would look fabulous on especially with a tan. Maybe it will look better with a tan. Don't know if I'll wait around to find out.
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Blush -MAC - Blushcreme - Brit Wit
canterburytale 3/29/2008 6:01:00 PM
I'm loving this blushcreme. I've only ever used Bobbi Brown's cream blushes and have been mostly happy with them. The one negative is that I found them a bit hard to blend unless I have warm fingers. With the Mac blushcreme I've had an easy time blending as they seem a tad bit more emollient. I have breakout prone combination skin and my skin has had no problems with this. Staying power is excellent, in fact I've applied this around 7am and at 10pm it's still going strong. The color shows up as a very natural pop of flush. I hate when blushes look reddish and this absolutely does not. Brit wit definitely adds healthy color to the face. Perks me up in the 45 seconds it takes to apply. For reference I'm NC35. Will buy again and am going to try another mac color. Love cream blushes, can't live without them!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -DERMAdoctor - Wrinkle Revenge Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser
canterburytale 12/20/2007 1:22:00 AM
I'm in love with this cleanser. My skin started to undergo crazy hormonal breakouts so with the suggestion of a Sephora employee I tried this. I had never used Dermadoctor before and am usually skeptical of Sephora's salespeople. Needless to say, I'm hooked. I started using this twice a day and got little peelies around my nose so I cut back to once a day and no more peelies. I have the 12% cleanser and my trick is to spread this around my dry skin and leave it there for 5-15 minutes depending on what I'm doing. It's slightly creamy and doesn't lather or foam so it's perfect for leaving on the face. Then I rinse it off with warm water and viola! Great skin! Because this cleanser isn't a typical foaming/bubbly cleanser it takes a few more splashes of water to rinse off, however, I feel very cleansed and no filmy feeling at all. It's really helped my skin clear away breakouts even though it's marketed as "wrinkle revenge".
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder - Medium/Dark
canterburytale 12/20/2007 1:16:00 AM
I can't find anything that beats this powder. I don't wear foundation, so I usually just use this over my clean moisturized face in the morning to absorb the shine. I can apply powder blush over it and it works out great and if I apply concealor this sets it nicely. I've used Clinique's Matte pressed powder, BB oil free face powder, Laura Mercier's foundation powder, Stila's foundation powder as well as Mac's studio fix foundation powder and this is the only one that doesn't irritate my skin or break me out. Plus it feels light enough to blot during the day without adding heavy powder on top of my skin. Love it!
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Blush -Laura Mercier - Wild Bouquet
canterburytale 12/20/2007 1:11:00 AM
Wild Bouquet is a natural peachy pink color on my medium/golden undertoned skin. I used to use MAC's Buff to achieve this effect, however, I'm much happier with this. I like the quality of Laura Mercier's blush better than MAC's and even though it is a bit more expensive, I think it's worth it. I've never gotten through an entire pan of any blush in my life, so I'm pretty sure this will last me a while. I think this is a very versatile color in that any skin tone can make this look polished and natural. It isn't any bright pop of color, but if you want a natural flush, this is a great one. Edit: This has turned out to be okay in that I never reach for it. It does give a natural bit of color, but nothing special.
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Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Visibly Firm Face Lotion Spf 20
canterburytale 10/9/2007 9:29:00 AM
I really like this as a day time moisturizer with sun protection. I have extremely break out prone skin and this has not exacerbated my problem at all. I'll keep my fingers crossed! It's light-medium in moisture and great for my combination skin. Doesn't leave me sticky and absorbs quite well. So far I'll definitely keep purchasing. Wish the bottle was plastic though as I can see the glass potentially breaking when I travel. Update: I am still loving this product. Hasn't irritated my skin or given me any problems with breakouts. Second Update: I have experienced the little flakies everyone has spoken of and it can be annoying if you are going to layer anything on top of this moisturizer. Also it's not moisturizing enough in the winter for me.
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Moisturizers -Derma E - Pycnogenol creme
canterburytale 10/2/2007 10:12:00 PM
I love using this cream in the winter and when my face is drier in the summer time. I have combination skin that is very prone to hormonal breakouts. This cream is awesome b/c it's fragrance free, never breaks me out, hydrates without shine or sticky-ness. This is a fantastic moisturizer from derma e. Will definitely keep purchasing.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - Blushed powder blush
canterburytale 8/14/2007 1:10:00 PM
I'm finally reviewing this blush after loving it for many months. It isn't eye catching at the store, but it works as a lovely and fresh everyday blush. I tried tawny and it looked ruddy and reddish on my NC35-NC40 skin. This was perfect though. I can use a lighter blush and then use this as a pop color too. A staple that is a must. Also, I hate sparkles and while this has a small amount of sparkle it is negligible when applied.
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Mascara -Neutrogena - Weightless Volume Mascara
canterburytale 6/24/2007 5:33:00 PM
I really like this mascara for everyday use. It won't give you dramatic lashes, but it does put a bit of color and definition to your eye and eyelashes. It feels weightless and doesn't smear, flake or smudge during even the hottest, humid days.
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Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Perfection
canterburytale 6/24/2007 5:29:00 PM
Great mascara. Didn't clump on me at all, no smearing or flaking even in the humid weather and it didn't feel heavy on my lashes like most mascaras do. This is my favorite mascara so far. I've tried many department store brands and drug store brands. Can't beat it!
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