Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Naruko - Tea tree oil out balancing serum
carolinecaz 5/10/2013 11:32:00 PM
I've always had oily skin, so I'm often hesitant to use serums/moisturisers in the mornings. This product has slotted into my morning routine seamlessly. I've noticed that this has helped to reduced the amount of oil my face produces during the day. The other way I use this is at night premenstrually when I'm prone to bouts of acne. In these circumstances I'll use this with the Tea Tree Oil Out Night gelly. This has worked rather well with maintaining my skin and preventing bad breakouts. You won't see anything overnight but with continued use you'll find it helps prevent acne and maintain your skin. This serum has a cool, gel-like texture. It has a moderately strong tea tree scent but it doesn't last too long. It absorbs fairly quickly but has a slight sticky feeling on first application. I love how clean and refreshed my skin feels when I use this and it works really well under makeup. I bought this from the Naruko Australia site for about $19 which isn't cheap but having said that I think it'll last me about 3 months with daily use (2 pumps). The bottle's quite a nice, sleek glass bottle with a pump so very hygienic. Can't that this is the same for all Naruko's serums e.g. the Majoram & lavender serum has a giant dropper which doesn't work so well. I'll probably use the tea tree serum pump for the major am/lavender serum when I finish the tea tree serum. Anyway, all in all...I highly recommend this for girls battling oily/acne prone skin. I must admit, I was hesitant to try this brand at first because I'd never heard of it but the products have a higher percentage of 'natural' ingredients and it's been really mild on my skin. I've tried two of their product lines now and I really recommend giving this brand a go.
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Masks -Yes To Carrots - Yes To Tomatoes - Skin Clearing Facial Mask
carolinecaz 1/11/2013 7:14:00 AM
Been going through a heap of products in an attempt to combat some stubborn acne in the last month. I've been using Natio's Green Tea mask which has been very nice for calming redness and brightening my complexion but hasn't helped in the acne department. So thought I'd try this mask with the positive reviews here on MUA. It comes in a tiny tub (48g) but you don't need much each time. It has a smooth and fairly runny consistency compared to most mud masks which tend to be on the thicker side. It's quite pricey, from memory Priceline sells this for $AUD24. I got this from beautybay.com for about $17 (plus they have free worldwide shipping)! PROS: - Formulated specifically for acne-prone, combination/oily skin - 98% natural ingredients - I've only just started using it but I've noticed that it seems to 'dissolve' small, exposed blackheads on my face CONS: - DO NOT use if your skin is SENSITIVE. I don't consider myself as having sensitive skin but this stuff does burn (not as much as say, salicylic acid soaked cleansing pads, but there is definitely a mild burning sensation) - Leaves my face red after using it (it calms down after I use my Nature Republic Aloe gel) - The smell isn't strong but I personally find it unpleasant. It reminds me a mix of playdough and cheap cosmetic fragrance. - Does not wash off well with just water, I need to cleanse afterwards to completely remove everything - Don't really like the packaging, I think given the consistency, it would have been better in a tube. - The product is covered with a peel-back seal but I could not get it to come off easily as there was no tab to pull. I had to hack into it with a Stanley knife to peel it. NOTE: I suggest you follow the instructions, don't leave it on for more than 5 mins. Also I think this mask is only appropriate for use once a week max, it's too harsh on the skin otherwise. I haven't used it as an overnight spot treatment, but I will update again once I've used it for a bit longer and tried it out as a spot treatment.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Nature Republic - Aloe Vera Soothing Gel
carolinecaz 1/10/2013 5:15:00 AM
I have been having a particularly stubborn bout of hormonal acne over the last couple of months and have been trying to find a moisturiser without any silicone in it, which has been quite a task. Finally settled on this one and so far I am really loving it. The product comes in a large tub and is a translucent gel that is a very slight green colour. PROS: - Completely silicone free - Paraben-, mineral oil- and artificial colour-free - 92% Aloe Vera - Multi-purpose gel (i.e. face/body moisturiser, hair treatment, mask, sunburn gel...etc) - Absorbs/dries quickly - Large amount (300mL, bought mine from ebay for about $AUD10) and you really don't need a lot - Improves redness quickly - Has helped calmed down my acne - Light and pleasant scent (which fades over a few minutes) - Light gel consistency CONS: - Contains alcohol (but I haven't noticed it drying out my skin at all) - Contains fragrance (doesn't seem to upset my skin) - Is a little sticky when first applied (so you need to let it dry/absorb) - Difficult to buy unless you're in an Asian country or don't mind online shopping - Comes with a plastic cover which goes over the product. It's flimsy and is a bit annoying to remove each time for use, especially when you first start using it while it's still full to the brim and product sticks to the cover) - Can be unhygienic because you need to dip your fingers into the tub (I've seen some people putting the gel into pump bottles but I think washing your hands before use should be more than fine) Overall, though I really recommend this to people who like light moisturisers and have acne-prone/sensitive skin. Compared to your average moisturiser, this is as natural as it gets. Plus you really get your money's worth with the number of ways you can use it and how much you get. Note: I have combination/acne prone skin.
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Polishes -Unlisted Brand - BYS - Nail Enamel
carolinecaz 1/2/2013 7:32:00 AM
This stuff is dirt cheap and one of the best brands of nail polish I own (better than a lot of my OPI and China Glaze polishes). PROS: - Very opaque (If you've got a steady hand and are used to applying nailpolish, you only need one thick coat, otherwise two will give you the perfect finish and coverage) - Doesn't chip easily - Dries fast - Applies very smoothly - Standard brush size and shape - They also come in a huge range of colours and finishes - Lasts at least 5-7 days for me (I I do things like wash dishes etc...and this stuff doesn't budge) and often I need to remove it because my nail has grown as opposed to the polish coming off - Inexpensive (ranges from $AUD3.75-4.50 a bottle depending on the finish) CONS: - I'm not sure if it's stocked overseas so I've checked on ebay and it's a little pricier online (with S&H, most sellers sell for $8-10/bottle), so perhaps not as cheap for people not living in Australia If you live in Australia, Gloss makeup stores tend to stock these polishes. Give these a go, even though they're considered a 'cheap' brand, the quality is extremely commendable. NOTE: this review is for the opaque range, I've not tried the glitter range so I can't comment on those.
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Liquid -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Foundation
carolinecaz 10/20/2012 8:51:00 AM
I used to wear Maybelline's 24hr Superstay foundation because it was the only thing that stayed on with my oily skin. In recent years though, my skin has calmed down. Still oily but definitely not as greasy as before and I rarely get much in the way of blemishes to cover. So after all the rave reviews and seeing this recommended by Lisa Eldridge, who said that you can't see this foundation on the skin, thought I'd try it out. It's light-medium coverage, but it's very buildable. I only use 1/2-3/4 of a pump to cover my entire face. The texture is very light. I still need to use powder but that's standard for oily skin. It gives it a lovely dewy finish. It does have a light apricot smell to it but it's not unpleasant and lasts about an hour. The pump is a life saver. It lasts all day on my skin too and doesn't oxidise. Overall a really nice natural looking foundation.
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Mascara -Dejavu (Imju) - Fiberwig Lash Knockout
carolinecaz 3/29/2012 10:26:00 PM
If you've got oily skin and are looking for a natural looking mascara, this is perfect. I'm not a big mascara girl because I tend to forget and rub my eyes during the day, plus I don't like the feeling of mascara on my lashes. However, as much as I don't like mascara, it really does make a difference when you wear some. Okay, I'll stop with my chatter and get on with the product. PROS: - Perfect natural lashes. Lengthens nicely but nothing out of this world...just a really nice subtle natural lash. - Doesn't smudge/transfer/flake (coming from someone with very oily skin and has had problems with other 'waterproof' mascaras) - It comes off easily with warm water. Just rub a little when you're in the shower and it should all come off (and in case you were curious about whether it comes off with normal tears or not, don't worry, tears don't do anything...I think it's more prolonged soaking and rubbing which gets it off). CONS: - Doesn't really hold curls, which I'm fine with but may not be so AOK with girls who have lashes that point downwards (Apparently the Majolica Majorca mascara is the one for that but it's also really hard to remove I've heard). Also I've been reading that some people have tried to combat that lack of curl-holding by curling after application...tried that...doesn't work...just makes the lashes stick together and bent at weird angles. - Doesn't volumise (but then again it only is advertised to be a lengthening mascara) OVERALL: I gave it a 5 but I would probably give it a 4.5 if I could because I would like something that lengthens a bit more...like if they could make the Rimmel 3 in 1 mascara with a similar formula (i.e. fibres and doesn't smudge)...that would be my HG. Sorry, somewhat tangential. Anyway, give this a try if you've got oily skin/want natural lashes.
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Lipstick -NYX - Round Lipstick - Tea Rose
carolinecaz 3/29/2012 10:14:00 PM
Love this lipstick. It's my go to everyday lip colour but it's also perfect for evening looks! I was never a lipstick person before I tried the NYX round lipsticks and was looking for a natural-your-lipcolour-but-better lippie and was recommended Dolce Vita by NARS. Searched around the net and found out that this was meant to be a dupe.Tried it and loved it. The colour is a lovely, creamy muted rose-pink. It's a very high quality lipstick, creamy and without that gross synthetic lipstick smell. Lasts for most of the day but fades a teeny bit (nothing that a touchup won't fix). Some lipsticks make your teeth colour look a bit off but this is fine, doesn't do any of that. Highly recommend it for all skin tones and for anyone searching for a pretty and girly lippie for everyday wear.
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Eye Primer -Australis - Eyeshadow Primer
carolinecaz 3/29/2012 10:02:00 PM
Wow, very impressed with this silicone based eye primer. I have really oily skin/lids and I can't really wear dark eyeshadows without them either creasing, fading away or transferring to my lower lash line by midday. PROS: - It's a sheer based formula, so it doesn't add any colour, which is my personal preference. I'm not a fan of the primers with colour in them because they tend to be a bit too pale and add the wrong sort of colour to your lids. - Tried lining my eyes with brown and black shadow and both lasted all day without transferring or creasing. - Despite being a sheer primer, it still allows eyeshadows to show up as true colours (i.e. what they look like in the pan). - I've tried using this with cheap shadows and they look great and last very long with this primer. - Very cheap, I got this for $AUD12 at Priceline CONS: - Not sure if this is a con but it is silicone based which some people with really sensitive skin might not like. However, I think the problem most people have with silicone is that it breaks them out...which isn't (or shouldn't be) a problem on one's eyelids. - On the packaging it says it has 10mL which isn't a lot but for the price and use it's fine. It's just the container kind of feels light and when I tried digging into the container with the bottle applicator I couldn't seem to scoop out much...so not sure how long this will last me. Not that you really any more than a dot on each eyelid. - I've tried looking for it online but it seems you can only get it in Australia
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Eyeliner -Kanebo - KATE super sharp liner
carolinecaz 10/29/2011 2:39:00 AM
Bought this in BK-1 from Ebay (all up with p&h, it costed $AUD13.75). I have very oily skin and my lids are no exception! I've been looking for an eyeliner that allows me to draw thin lines for an everyday look and won't smudge for a very long time (I've tried Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel liner and although it's a great liner, it still smudged/transferred). Anyway, I am very happy with this buy, it's perfect for a natural everyday look! And for reference, I use this alone, without any eyelid primer. Pros: - super duper thin brush that keeps its shape - Matte finish - Buildable colour; 1 application comes out as a grey-black but you can get it to a true black with about 3 applications (it looks like calligraphy ink to me) - Does not smudge (I even rubbed my eye and nothing happened!) - Does not transfer to my lower lids - Very travel/handbag friendly packaging design: the lid clicks shut (very securely) so you don't have to worry about it coming off and being destroyed in your bag. Also it's quite small compared to other liners, it's 11.5cm in length. - Easy to remove with standard makeup remover. Cons: - Requires multiple applications to become a true black (which would be a con for most people, but I don't mind it because having this spectrum means I can achieve varying intensities) - The intensity of the colour does wear off throughout the day, so you might want to apply if this would be something that bothers you - The formula does feather a little into the creases of my skin, not extremely noticeable but the edges of your lines aren't as sharp towards the end of the day. Overall: I think it's perfect for people new to liquid eyeliners because the buildable colour makes it hard to notice mistakes. It's perfect for people looking for a more 'natural' looking eyeliner that's subtle enough for everyday wear. AND it doesn't smudge/transfer (coming from someone who's got super oily skin) EDIT: It fades and feathers throughout the day. I'm still not used to the brush. It's very hard to control because it's not stiff enough and perhaps a bit too fine so I actually have trouble feeling it on my lid. I've since started using Dollywink's liquid liner and it is a dream compared to this. True black in one application and with primer, it doesn't smudge/transfer and I can actually control the brush. Tossed up between Dollywink and K-palette 24hr Tattoo but according to reviews Dollywink was a truer black. Very happy with this eyeliner, give the Kanebo one a miss and try Dollywink out!
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Lips -Etude - Lip Tint
carolinecaz 10/29/2011 2:22:00 AM
I have this in #2 (pink). Bought it from ebay for about $AUD8. It's about the size of a lipstick and appears very fluoro on the applicator and in the container, but it comes out as a baby pink. Pros: - The stain actually comes out as a true baby pink, which is quite hard to find with other brands. - Nice light creamy consistency that blends in well. - It has a bubblegum smell to it but it doesn't last for longer than a minute before wearing off. Cons: - The colour doesn't last very long which is a bummer if you've got pigmented lips. - You need to distribute it evenly and relatively quickly or else you end up with areas that are slightly pinker than others. - I find that although it has a creamy consistency, it actually dries my lips out a little (not as badly as some other tints but you should have some lipbalm handy when you're using this!) Overall: A true baby pink lip tint is quite hard to find, so I'm very happy with this buy and would recommend it for those looking for a baby pink lip tint (including people with pigmented lips).
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Primer/ Corrector -Natio - Ageless Illuminating Primer
carolinecaz 6/17/2011 4:03:00 AM
I am so impressed by this primer! Initially when I tried some on the back of my hand I found that it felt like it did nothing, just any plain old serum-like moisturiser. Went home and checked out the reviews here and then decided to give it a try since many reviewers had had good experiences with it. I have oily, acne-prone combination skin (I know I'm so lucky, I've got the lot), so I need something to moisturise but absorbs quickly. I never used a primer prior to this, I only used light moisturisers (was using Neutrogena's oil-free Moisturiser for Combination skin) but I started noticing that the skin on my forehead was getting bumpy and on some days the foundation around my nose made my skin texture look really uneven. So I figured it was about time I ventured into the primer dept. PROS: - Absorbs quickly with no oily residue - Evens out my skin texture & the pores around my nose are definitely smaller with the skin looking flawless/smooth - I don't have a big issue with skin tone, but I'm pretty sure this did something for my skin tone too because my makeup just looks better somehow - Makes my foundation last longer and my makeup still looks fresh at the end of the day - Controls my insanely oily skin! This has been the ONLY product that has managed to keep me from getting shiny. I normally need to blot and use powder during the day (I use MAC Blot Powder which helps with oil control but still requires me to blot at least once). However, I've noticed that only my nose is shiny now (as opposed to my entire face. And when I say I have oily skin I mean my fringe gets oily from being in contact with my forehead if I haven't blotted in time) - Makes my foundation totally transfer resistant! I use Maybelline's 24hr SuperStay foundation which on its own is pretty good with being transfer resistant but when I need to blow my nose or something like this, I still get transferring of foundation. BUT this primer has made my foundation bomb-proof! - SILICONE-FREE!!! - No strong smell, and what little smell this primer has dissipates quickly (which is unsual for a Natio product, I have the GLOW moisturiser and a Night cream and both are seriously strong smelling stuff) - Made from natural products (organic rosehip oil) and high in Vitamin C CONS - Probably a bit expensive ($AUD17 for 1.7 oz) - The consistency is very runny, so being in a tube can possibly lead to some overflow when dispensing the product. So it might have been better in a pump bottle, but if you're careful there shouldn't be any issues. RECOMMENDATIONS: - All skin types. It's moisterising enough for dry skin but doesn't aggravate oily skin (instead it controls the oil...and remember, this is coming from grease face here). Silicone-free so definitely appropriate for those who have acne-prone or have sensitive skin. I am definitely buying this again! I haven't tried any other primers but this without a doubt is my HG! It does everything a primer is meant to do and I'm so happy I've found a way to control my oily skin!
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Eyeliner -Maybelline - Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
carolinecaz 5/14/2011 11:06:00 PM
I really had high hopes for this product because so many reviewers said that it didn't budge on them. Unfortunately, this wasn't smudge-proof on me...but then again, I have had alot of trouble finding eyeliners/mascaras that don't smudge. However, it is a really decent eyeliner if you don't have oily skin. PROS: - The colour is definitely a true black. - Nice creamy texture, easy to apply smoothly on the lid - Very cheap for a gel liner! It costed me $AUD17 (at Priceline). - The brush is comes with is quite good, but after there's a bit of product on it, the bristles start to separate a bit, so the application isn't as easy (just need to squish the brush back into shape). I also like that it is a short-handled brush, I find short handled brushes are easier for applying eyeliner. - I think there is a decent amount of product (and well, for the price...not much you can complain about). CONS: - I think the product is actually a little irritating on my eyes. I found that my eyes got a bit itchy when I wore this (for the record, I wear contacts). - Smudged. I had black imprints on my lower lids by midday. I have also tried wearing it with extra powder on my lower lids to prevent the transfer, but that still leaves a slight smudge. - I've noticed that the product gets a bit dry on the top, so you need to swipe the brush in the product a few times if you haven't used it in a while REPURCHASE? No, but only because I need something that won't smudge. IF I didn't have oily skin, then I would probably repurchase as it's very cheap and a decent product. If I could I would give it a 3.5, but I removed 1 lippie because it wasn't smudgeproof and another lippie because it irritated my eyes. UPDATE: I've changed my rating to 4 lippies. Since adding an eyelid primer to the picture and going over the liner thoroughly with a matte black eyeshadow to set it, it's got pretty damn good lasting power. I give it a 4/5 though because of the extent to which I must go through in order to stop it from transferring to my lower lids/smudging.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
carolinecaz 2/25/2011 10:11:00 PM
I bought this after reading all the good reviews about Full N' Soft here on MUA, only I needed a waterproof version. However, when I bought it I was a little skeptical, the tube looked cheap and the mascara itself was also rather cheap (it costed me $AUD17). When I got around to trying it though, I thought had found my HG mascrara! It separated my lashes very, very well, lengthened without adding too much volume (however, for those who like volume then you can create volume quite easily with more coats), no flaking and absolutely no clumping! When you take the brush out of the tube it doesn't look like there's much product on the brush but it has the PERFECT amount. Standard looking brush which is great because this means it's easy to use and it's not some stupid gimmicky brush where you need to learn how to control it or anything like that. Despite having all the qualities I was looking for in a mascara...it failed in terms of being waterproof. The first time I wore it, I had sunscreen on and by midday...hello panda eyes (although this may have happened earlier without me realising as I didn't have a chance to check in a mirror). Second time...a light moisteriser and it still smudged a little. So whenever I want to wear this I need to apply an extra layer of powder just under my eyes to prevent as much smudging as possible. For most days this has worked but unfortunately, I have very oily skin so the powder does not always keep my skin matte. Overall, very decent mascara but definitely not waterproof. So not recommended if you wear sunscreen or have oily skin (I guess technically this would require an oilproof mascara but then there wouldn't be many ways to remove it lol). So I'm still on the lookout for my HG mascara but in the meantime I will continue using this because it makes my lashes look exactly how I want them to and in comparison to other mascaras I've liked, it doesn't smudge as much. Oh well, perhaps it is time to start looking at the high end mascaras.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder
carolinecaz 1/22/2011 12:05:00 AM
I am soo impressed with the results I got from using this product! I have combination/oily skin. However, oily skin has been my biggest problem...I get so ridiculously shiny that it's not funny. I've tried so many products to mattify my skin but nothing stops me from getting shiny for longer than 4-5hrs max (on a good day). So I've just basically given up and relied on blotting paper and touchups throughout the day. I bought this after reading all the good reviews on MUA and my hopes were that I would only need to blot maybe a couple of times. Well, I've now tested it out on a really hot sweaty day (I live in Australia) and I only needed to blot once, plus I was nowhere near as oily as I normally would be. Also tried it out while clubbing and once again I only needed to blot once! Another thing I love is how well it sets my foundation. Normally, my foundation coverage decreases a bit during the day but not while I used this! I use medium dark and like others have said, it's basically a translucent powder, so there's no coverage. I apply it with a kabuki brush but I suspect that any other means of applying it (incl the powder puff it comes with) will make your face look chalky. I think it's rather reasonably priced ($AUD36). One thing I like and don't like at the same time is the packaging design. Sure it's very sleek looking but the really smooth surface/curved but narrow sides meant that I've almost dropped it accidentally a few times and so I'm paranoid that it's going to break like others have warned in their reviews. So be careful when picking it up! Overall though this is definitely a HG product! I really, really recommend it to people trying to control oily skin!
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Cleansers -Cetaphil - Daily Facial Cleanser (Normal to Oily Skin)
carolinecaz 1/19/2011 7:32:00 AM
I went through a time period where the skin on my forehead was horrible...it was super dry and for some reason I'd developed a massive crop of really bad acne that wouldn't go away. I couldn't use my normal cleansers, all of which had salicylic acid in them, which was too harsh. So I was looking around for a gentle cleanser that would help with the acne and wasn't too harsh on my super flaky looking skin. Initially I bought the normal Cetaphil cleanser and as nice as that was on my skin, it didn't do anything for my acne. Therefore, I switched over to this and it did a pretty good job with cleansing and calming down the pimples. Luckily, my skin is back to normal and I no longer need to use this product because I am back to the more reliable salicylic acid cleansers. However, I would recommend this for those with acne and dry skin left with no other options for cleansers as this will not dry out your skin. With the acne control though...not excellent but it is sufficient enough if you need something a bit gentler. It says it's for oily skin but I must say I didn't notice any difference in the oil I developed during the day while using this (however, I don't think I can give you a good indication of oil control based on my use, as my skin was a bit strange at the time). Packaging isn't too bad but any leftover product you pumped out can run down the side of the pump, so make sure you wash that bit between use. The one thing that I really hate about this product is the horrible smell! It smells like something toxic or bad medicine and it lingers on your skin for quite some time (including your hands!). Overall, it's a pretty average cleanser but unlike other 'gentle' cleansers, it actually helps a bit with acne instead of having no effect.
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