Cleansers -Cerave - Foaming Facial Cleanser
cflah3 1/20/2011 8:05:00 PM
I really like this product. It takes all my makeup off (as evidenced by the relatively clean cotton ball when I use toner after). It doesn't strip any oils from my face. The cleanser I was using prior left big, dry scaly spots on the cheek next to my nose. Those have disappeared since I started using this. I love the pump dispenser, so easy to use in the shower. Seems to be a bit expensive for a drugstore product, but time will tell as to how long it will last.........it did come in a pretty big container.
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Lipstick -Merle Norman - Luxiva Lip Glaze
cflah3 1/20/2011 8:01:00 PM
I have found the perfect shade in Bare Hug. It really is MLBB. Very natural looking for everyday in the office. I find that it seems to dry out my lips, which surprised me since it is supposed to be lip balm-like. I just need to apply Carmex (or other lip balm) in the morning as I get in the car. By the time I get to work, it has soaked in and I apply Bare Hug.
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Blush -Merle Norman - Luxiva Lasting Cheekcolor in Sugar Melon
cflah3 1/20/2011 7:53:00 PM
After buying so many different blushes, including MAC & the infamous NARS O, this is my HG. Perfect, neutral, glowing color for me. The only downside is the packaging. I wish they wouldn't use so much plastic or include the pointless brush - would rather have more product or smaller packaging.
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Powder -Merle Norman - Luxiva Purely Mineral Makeup
cflah3 11/10/2007 5:34:00 PM
I've been wearing this for a month now, and decided it was time to review. I absolutely love it! I bought it based on the opinions here after not being impressed by Bare Minerals. It feels less greasy to me than BM, and I am now converted to mineral makeup instead of matte liquid foundation. Because I was wearing Revlon Colorstay prior to this, it took me awhile to get used to the shimmer. I felt so shiny at first in comparison to liquid, but am used to it now and feel it does give a healthy (not shiny) glow. I find it gives great coverage and evens out the skintone while providing a natural look. A few tips I have found to be helpful---1) wear a silicone primer underneath to help grab the product and minimize pores. 2) put your concealer on first before the MN makeup, otherwise it might smear if you try to apply concealer afterwards and don't give it time to set. 3) I take a square of tissue and place the MN on top in the morning while I am pouring some into the cap. After applying it, I can just throw the tissue away and have zero mess on the counter. 4) less is more -- I can't emphasize that enough. I made so many mistakes my first week of application that I hope to prevent others from looking as "cakey" as I did. 5) And last, it will show any flakes on your skin, so moisturizing with this is a must. For the record, I have oily, large-pored skin that is prone to acne. I have found after wearing this for a month instead of liquid, my pores are not as clogged. Hope this is helpful, I know I am thankful to reviewers here on MUA!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Clinique - Turnaround Concentrate [DISCONTINUED]
cflah3 5/6/2007 8:54:00 AM
I have been using this for 2 months now. I still have a 1/4 left of the bottle. I use it every morning and every other night (on the off nights I'm not using my Differin Cream.) So far, I love it. It makes my face feel smooth, and best of all, it lightened my acne scars! The SA said this would do it, which was prompted me to purchase it. It has taken 2 months, but the scars on one cheek has disappeared. The other side is almost gone. It won't happen overnight, but patience is a virtue, as they say. I hesitated at first because the bottle seemed so small for such an expensive price. But I purchased during Bonus time to justify it :-) A little goes a long way, so that little bottle will last awhile. Will I repurchase? YES!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cetaphil - Daily Facial Cleanser (Normal to Oily Skin)
cflah3 5/6/2007 8:46:00 AM
This is my HG cleanser. I have acne-prone oily skin and based on the advice of my dermatologist, I bought this cleanser. I have just finished my first bottle and will definitely repurchase. I didn't like it at first, because I was used to something that foams and lathers and made my first feel tight afterwards. This doesn't which is what my face needed. I was using way too harsh cleansers before. OOPS! It is non-comedogenic, which is key for me. I use DHC Deep Cleansing Oil beforehand as a makeup remover, so I don't really know how well this cleanser works in that capacity. I do follow this with Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion, and don't find a lot of gunk on the cotton ball...so it must be removing alot! I like the pump aspect of the bottle, esp. for the shower. I paid $11 for a large bottle, and at first I was hesitant to pay so much for drugstore. But, it has lasted me months (6, to be exact) so it really is cheap in the long run. Worth a try!
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Treatments (Eye) -Avon - Anew Ultimate Eye Cream
cflah3 4/20/2007 7:44:00 PM
I'm on the fence about this product. When I put it on, I notice a tingling effect and I'm not sure if that is good or not. Something strong enough to make my skin tingle that close to my eyes makes me nervous. I haven't noticed any difference in my fine lines at all. I have noticed that is has helped with puffiness under my eyes. Would I buy this again? Probably not. I haven't noticed a visible enough difference to be worth another purchase. I am going to try a different product when this runs out.***UPDATE** I'm liking this better now that I've used it awhile. I think I was putting too much on, a little goes a long way with this! It also helped that I got a compliment on how well rested I look....haven't heard that in awhile!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Clinique - Blushwear Cream Stick
cflah3 4/20/2007 7:34:00 PM
This is my first cream blush purchase. So far, I love it. I don't like the harshness of powder blushes, it always seems fake no matter how little I put on. There always seems to be a line. Thanks to this website, I thought I would try out Blushwear. I use other Clinique products and have been happy with this line. I bought in Shy Blush as it was more neutral on my face. I was hesitant to try a cream at first because I have oily, acne-prone skin. So far, no breakouts or clogged pores. I would say that it might be a problem if I didn't wash my face every night. It gives me the dewy, fresh-faced, natural look that I was after, instead of the "finished" look that powders give me. I have to admit, it took awhile to get the hang of applying this. The first time I tried to apply this, I looked like a clown and had to use a lot of powder to fix it! It took a few days of practice to perfect how much and where to put it. I now have a naturally flushed looking face, and couldn't love it more. I took off a lippie because it is in a compact form and there is a possibility of cross-contamination. But since it is the only way to apply cream blushes, what can you do? I bought it for 16.50. It is definitely more than a drug store brand, but for me, it is worth it. **UPDATE** Have been wearing it every day since I bought it and still love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Clinique - Mild Clarifying Lotion
cflah3 3/15/2007 8:55:00 PM
I initially was labeled a #3 and bought Clarifying Lotion #3. After 4 days of burning, tightness, and dryness that wasn't there before, I decided enough was enough. After reading the reviews on MUA, I decided to exchange it for the Mild. The SA tried to talk me out of it, and I had to stand firm. I have now been using the Mild lotion for weeks now and love it. It took a while to get used to the texture. A previous reviewer compared it to spit, and it is so true! It doesn't burn, and helps get the last bit of stubborn makeup off that my cleanser can't. I have combo skin, so time will tell how this will work in the summer when I am oilier. But for now this is perfect, and I like that I am getting gentle exfoliation with this every day. I gave it five because it is alcohol-free, hasn't broken me out, and freshens my skin twice a day. Will definitely repurchase!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Good Skin - All Skin Sheer Color Makeup
cflah3 3/15/2007 8:43:00 PM
Okay, this is my very first review ever on this site, and I chose this product to start. I stumbled upon it shopping one day. The non-acnegenic, noncomedogenic caught my eye so I thought for the price, why not try it. I was wearing Clinique Superfit, but didn't like the heaviness of it on a daily basis. I bought the level 4 warm, and it is a good match. I even had a friend check it in natural light, and the match was a thumbs up. I've been wearing it for a few days now with no break outs. I have combo skin, and finding foundation that doesn't cause breakouts for me is a challenge. It is sheer, so it doesn't cover my acne scars or redness completely. I use the Superfit over this product to cover the redness on my cheeks and the scars, therefore getting the heavier coverage where I need it, and natural everywhere else. I top it off with Clinique loose powder. It gives a natural look that lasts all day. I do have to powder once during the day with this, as my oily T-zone inevitably will kick in.......... but that is the curse of oily skin, I doubt they will ever make a foundation/tinted moisturizer to cure that! Or if they have, I haven't run across it yet. For now, this is my HG! I have found some wonderful product because of this site, and I am forever grateful for finding MUA. ***UPDATE*** unfortunately, it made me break out after using it awhile. I have found a different product that doesn't...
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