Masks -Elemis - Papaya Enzyme Peel
carrieloves 7/15/2011 2:54:00 AM
I love this peel. As other reviewers have noted, it smells absolutely lovely (and this is coming from someone who generally avoids fragranced products). You only need to apply a very fine layer after cleansing your face so one tube will last for a long time. It leaves my skin feeling really soft and clean, but it doesn't feel harsh on the skin. I apply it at night before bed and the results are still noticeable in the morning. My skin feels very refreshed and I think it looks clearer too. I have some blackheads on my nose, and I find that it gently encourages the oils in the blackheads to come to the surface so that physical extraction is easier.
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Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation
carrieloves 5/31/2010 12:40:00 AM
I am probably the most cynical cosmetics consumer out there. I don't buy into hype and I certainly don't go for brand names and flashy products. And, well, the flashier the commercials are, the more I shun the products they advertise. I read about this product many times in U.S. Instyle because it came within the Top 150 Beauty Products for the past few years. However, I really only tried it by chance last year when my friend dragged me to the Armani counter with her. The SA gave me a sample in 5.5, which I tried for about a week at my friend's insistence. After a week, I was a convert! I'm Eurasian and my skin is fair to tan. It truly is a great foundation. It's not cheap but a little does go a long way. It provides smooth, light coverage and makes the skin look youthful and glowy. I have PMS-zits from time to time, but this did not aggravate it. I love to mix it with Armani's Fluid Sheer in No. 7. Gorgeous!
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Lip Gloss -Christian Dior - Dior-Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in 517 Clutch Pink 
carrieloves 10/25/2009 10:31:00 PM
Until I used this particular lip gloss, I never experienced any allergies to makeup or any cosmetics. This made my lips swell a billion times over and itch. Pity though because it does look pretty on (when my lips weren't swollen). The whole thing is weird because I used another lip gloss in a different color from the same line and I had no problems. Maybe there was a chemical in this particular product that was unusually strong.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Define A Lash Waterproof
carrieloves 10/25/2009 10:24:00 PM
I absolutely love this mascara- I'm on my 5 tube now and get my friends to bulk buy it whenever they're in the US or Canada. I'd even go so far as to say that this is better than Chanel's inimitable waterproof mascara (which comes a very close 2nd). This mascara does exactly what it promises and does not flake or run in the humid hot summers that we have here. The brush is easy to use and really helps to enhance the curl. The curl holds up during the day and even through an Ashtanga yoga class. Can't recommend it enough. Just wish Maybelline would come out with more colors like a deep plum.
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Bronzers -Guerlain - Terracotta Bronzing powder
carrieloves 7/2/2008 10:38:00 AM
I bought the Guerlain Terracotta Pearly Sun Powder in Indian Bronze which is a beautiful colour for both face and body. At first I found it a bit pricy, but it really is a wonderful product. The shimmer is subtle and extremely classy . The powder is very finely milled so it feels very light on the skin and won't upset oily skin. The particles are small and leave a nice gleam on skin.
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Self Tanners -Neutrogena - Instant Bronze sunless tanner and bronzer in one in medium
carrieloves 5/21/2007 10:49:00 AM
I think this product is much maligned. If you want a self-tanner that lasts for about 5-7 days then skip this product altogether because you'll not be happy. If on the other hand you want something that will give you a bit of natural color for a night out or a day, then this fits the bill perfectly. It's very easy to apply because it's tinted so you know exactly where you've applied it. It gives you natural color instantly and the Medium formula is best suited to fair to medium skin types. I'm Eurasian and use Shu Uemura foundation #554 and this gives me a nice nutty brown look. I slap this on every morning and practically can do it with my eyes closed-it's that idiot proof. Another real plus is that fact that you don't have to worry about streaking, getting a Sunkist-look or looking s&*t for the next week because you screwed up the application. And because it doesn't last a long time, you don't have to worry about the stuff staining your nails, dry skin patches etc. As for the smell, I don't think it smells bad at all (I grew up with early generation self-tanners that stank to high heaven)! When I'm done for the day, it all comes off easily with my Obagi face wash.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Afirm 3x by Medicis
carrieloves 5/21/2007 10:36:00 AM
Excellent Retin A treatment, comparable to Philosophy's "Help Me" product. This anti-wrinkle product is a great retinol product at a fantastic price. It comes in 3 strengths. I use the Tx Systems AFIRM 2x formula. It's an under-the-radar product and I found it through a major website selling only dermatologist-developed products. I've used similar products recommended by my dermatologist, but quite frankly got sick of paying exhorbitant prices for 'brand name' stuff. At first I was sceptical that this would work, but I decided to buy this after doing a bit of research and reading lots of user reviews. This stuff is gentle, but effective. I did not experience the peeling that a lot of other retinoic products cause. In only 2 weeks of use (applied every other day), this cream has helped smooth my skin and make my blackheads a lot less noticeable. I've also noticed that my blackheads have become a lot easier to extract. My pores are smaller. A fantastic product.
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Blush -Stila - Color Push Ups in Copper Flash
carrieloves 5/21/2007 10:19:00 AM
I bought this in the Blush Flash color, which is supposed to give you the most natural rosy flush as though you've just been to the gym. This product was a real disappointment because the formula is extremely sticky and heavy. It did not blend well at all, gave me blackheads and made my skin break out (and I'd say that I have rather tolerant skin). I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that I live in a very humid place (80% humidity average), but I use Nars Cream Blush and I never had the same problems. The Stial color was terrible and was too brown to look natural. As for the packaging, I thought that it'd be cool and easy to use. In reality it was just plain fiddly and messy. Skip this Stila one and go for the Nars Cream blush in Penny Lane instead. That really is a dream product.
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Lotions/ Creams -Kiehls - Creme de Corps
carrieloves 5/20/2007 12:03:00 AM
This is probably the best deep moisturizing body lotion out there on the market. There are no gimmicks and no false promises: it just delivers exactly what it says on the packaging. I use this daily during the winter months to keep the dry, itchy skin at bay (I love hot showers when it's cold). It may bother some people that it takes a little while for the cream to sink in, but once it does it leaves you with the most incredible dewy sheen and the softest skin ever. I pay that little extra for the pump bottle because I think it's worth it. The 500 ml bottle lasts me about 9 to 10 months.
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Lotions/ Creams -Jergens - Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
carrieloves 2/4/2007 2:50:00 AM
I love the way this gives my skin a nice glow with a few sparkles (not the tacky Las Vegas sparkles, mind you, but the nice, classy st. Barths/San Tropez sparkle). It works equally well during the summer when you want to enhance your real tan. It's easy to apply and doesn't streak. They don't sell this product in my country so I have to get friends to ship me a regular supply via FedEx! My least fave things about it: the smell and the packaging.
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Self Tanners -Neutrogena - Instant Bronze Tinted Sunless Tanner For The Face
carrieloves 2/4/2007 2:42:00 AM
I bought this product for Medium skin tones. I have typical Eurasian skin, fair in winter but I tan easily in the summer. I also get red very easily if I'm not too careful. The 'tan' effect is not nearly as dark as I thought it would be and for that reason I'd only recommend it as a 'top-up' when you have a REAL tan in the summer. However, it does help to make me look less pasty in the winter and I like that. The effect is very very subtle. No streaking, no mess and very easy to apply. The smell is not bad too for a self-tanner. The effect doesn't last unless I reapply it every day. If you want a noticeable tan, this product is NOT for you.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Waterproof
carrieloves 8/2/2006 11:08:00 AM
This is excellent stuff so believe the hype. All the Maybelling Lash Discovery mascaras have made Instyle magazine's top annual 150 best beauty buys for several years running. The list is compiled with the input of make-up artists and other professionals. I LOVE IT! All my Asian friends say it's especially good for their lashes- makes them incredibly long and sexy
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Mascara -Maybelline - Unstoppable Mascara [DISCONTINUED]
carrieloves 8/2/2006 11:00:00 AM
This has got to be the worst mascara I have ever used! It was even named UNstoppable because if you're thinking of going on the charm offensive with the object(s) of your affections by batting your beautiful long lashes, you'll never be able to STOP him dead in his tracks! (Ever)... and I say that as a devotee of Maybelline mascaras. This product caught my eye when I was in the store looking for my regular mascara, which was sold out, so I figured why not give this a shot? My reason for giving it a thumbs down? It doesn't lengthen lashes at all. It doesn't even define them. In fact it looks as if you're wearing nothing. The only promise it DOES live up to is that it's smudgeproof; but let's be honest here, that's hardly unique in today's mascara products. If you want a good, everyday waterproof mascara which lengthens and defines curls well then I can't recommend Maybelline's Lash Discovery enough. It has consistently made the InStyle magazines top 150 beauty buys for several years running and deservedly so.
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Bronzers -NARS - Orgasm-Laguna Blush-Bronzer Duo
carrieloves 7/4/2006 11:26:00 AM
I can't rave about this Duo enough! Orgasm doesn't really need any introductions because it has already reached cult status! In the packaging Laguna appears to be a little dark and scary at first, but give it a shot and you'll be so glad that you did. It is fabulous! I'm Eurasian and I have fair skin with yellow undertones. Laguna gives me a wonderful, natural looking glow with a very subtle shimmer (which makes you glow so that you don't have that flat, fake-baked look). It can be as sheer as you want; or you could go all out for the bronzed beach goddess look.
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Conditioner -TRESemme - Vitamin E & Aloe Colour Revitalizing Conditioner
carrieloves 7/1/2006 11:44:00 AM
I just bought this conditioner having switched from my usual Deep Moisturizing Conditioner by Vidal Sassoon which, unfortunately, is no longer any good. I have ultra fine dark brown hair with normal-oily roots and dry ends. I also have some highlights in my hair. Where I live the humidity is extremely high (80% on average) and it just makes my hair really unmanageable. Anyway back to the TRESemme conditioner: I saw this on special at the store and decided to give it a shot. Guess what? This stuff is surprisingly good for a regular drugstore brand! It left my hair feeling a lot softer than it has felt in a long time, but without any of that excessive 'weight' which can be disasterous for those with fine hair. In short it delivers it's promise of delivering a salon quality product for a cheap price. I'm happy with it and I would definitely recommend it.
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