Pressed Powders -Almay - TLC Truly Lasting Color Pressed Powder
cherylbrt 6/15/2011 7:12:00 PM
I REALLY like this powder. So much so, I ditched my previous Ulta and Physician's Formula mineral powders, and I'm on my 3rd one! :-) It goes on nicely with a foundation brush, covers well w/o looking cakely, doesn't break me out, doesn't settle into lines, and it lasts and lasts. It contains good-for-your-skin ingredients (aloe, chamomile, green tea), and an SPF12 sunscreen. RE: the packaging - I would not use the sponge to apply it. Best applied with a brush.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Derma E - Clear Skin 3 (Problem Skin Moisturizer)
cherylbrt 6/15/2011 7:05:00 PM
I've been having a terrbile time with adult acne lately. Been using this moisturizer for several weeks and I like it. Deals with any dryness or flakes, w/o being greasy, clogging my pores, or breaking me out. I like this a better than Derma E's Tea Tree and Vitamin E formula (this dries to a more matte finish, seems less greasy). I've been using this in conjunction with Derma E's new Vitamin A Pore Refining mask (not on M/U Alley yet). The mask REALLY helps. I've found it also double duties as an acne spot treatment, and if you apply a small amount and rub it in, a mattifier (yes, really!) :-)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Serious Skin Care - Triple-Acting Glycolic Mask
cherylbrt 9/14/2010 6:00:00 PM
Tried many masks over the years (Mudd, Queen Helene, Avon Porefection, Neutrogena Acne Cleanser/Mask, Serious Skin Care Sulfur Mask, Zia Acne Mask, etc.) Zia and Neutrogena were OK. But not this impressive. If you can tolerate Glycolic acid - this is hands-down the best clay-based mask for oily skin & acne. REALLY cleans/tightens pores. Packaging might be improved a tad by putting in a tube (more sanitary). Other than that - NO complaints. And you can get it on eBay cheaper than from HSN. :-)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Purpose - Gentle Cleansing Wash
cherylbrt 8/13/2010 4:32:00 PM
This, and liquid Basis, are the best face washes I've tried. (also tried Neutrogena Foaming Fresh). Both Purpose and Basis remove eye make-up well - I don't use separate eye make-up remover. Purpose is less drying. (Basis DOES say it's designed for oily skin - so it leaves your skin a bit tighter.) And although Basis smells nice, it stings if you get it around your nostrils! I bought a double-size pump dispenser of Purpose. So far, I have nothing negative to say - and I have sensitive, cystic-acne-prone skin. It removes even mascara, and does not sting my eyes or nose, or aggravate acne. I will likely purchase again - since my face has been going hay-wire with middle-age acne - and many other products have aggravated it. I can see why Derms recommend Purpose.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Organix - Nourishing Coconut Milk Weightless Mousse
cherylbrt 7/7/2010 1:19:00 PM
This is the 1st mousse I ever liked! It does not weigh my hair down, nor does it make it oily, sticky, or stiff. It's super-light, smells great, and lightly conditions. IMHO opinion, it DOES volumize. I have somewhat fine, wavy hair, below the chin (not quite shoulder length). As does my daugther. It's always challenging finding a styling product that lightly conditions and controls our hair - w/o weighing it down. We had some success with the LaCoupe products - but - I like this much better. An A+ in my book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Murad - AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
cherylbrt 6/21/2010 11:43:00 AM
Tried this based on the MUA and other reviews, b/c I was at witts end with my adult/cystic acne (not fun to have acne - especially in your late 40s!) I was looking for a non-drying acne scrub and treatment, with *serious* ingredients, after trying many other things over the years. I picked up two Murad products on ebay, and saved a bunch of $$. The scrub contains: Glycolic, Lactic, AND Salicylic acids for gentle exfoliation, as well as soothing ingredients. I have to agree with the other reviews..., it IS extremely gentle, yet really works. It leaves your skin glowing. The beads are very small, not scratchy. After one week, this scrub, combined with Murad's Gentle Acne Treatment Gel is controlling the bumps and cysts on my chin, w/o making a dried up, flaky mess. (Yeah - I do have oily skin. But still, many acne treatments are VERY drying. Especially on 40+ skin.) It's clearing up the tiny bumps, too. I'm optimistic these products will continue to work. They were worth the price, especially if you get them discounted. A little goes a LONG way. The scrub is generously sized at 6.75 oz. (One last note - I AM still using Adult formula Clearasil (sulfur-based) on any large bumps. It's strong - and helps dry out these nasties, FAST. But it's too strong and drying for all-over application). Try this scrub if you suffer from adult acne and nothing else worked. This, along with one of the Murad acne treatments might be the closest thing to HG you'll find! ;-) *Update 8/13 - Almost 2 months and only 1/2 way thru the 6.75 oz tube! Use it every morning. Can't say I have 0 break-outs (I wish!). But this routine seems to keep things under control.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Fresh Moisture Ultra-Light Moisturizer ] [DISCONTINUED]
cherylbrt 12/20/2009 6:12:00 PM
Wow. Using this for a few days - and I instantly liked it. Reminds me of Avon's gel-creme "Moisture 24". Light, cool, and refreshing. What I really like is that it dries to a matte finish. No shine or break-outs for my oily skin. :-) I was looking for a simple, light moisturizer for under my mineral powder. No need for retinol or AHA during the day (since I use in the PM). And mineral powder has sunscreen in it. So this is perfect. I AM planning on re-purchasing. I think my 18-yr-old daughter will want her own tube, too. :-) Update 7/2010: Switched back to Aveeno with Sunscreen.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - c. booth - Derma 24 C Daily Vitamins Healthy Skin Facial Cleanser
cherylbrt 12/20/2009 5:55:00 PM
I'm on my 2nd bottle of this cleanser - I really like it. It's very gentle on my acne-prone skin - it removes even eye make-up easitly (I'm lazy about using a separate eye-make-up remover ;-) ). I wasn't as impressed with the Derma 24 vitamin C scrub or moisturizer (think the srub was breaking me out, and the moisturizer was nothing special, and was rather $$). But the cleanser is VG. It's my current fav. I will definitely re-purchase. Update 7/2010: While this cleanser did make my face feel squeaky clean w/o drying it, and removed my eye makeup, I just had too many little bumps. So, perhaps it's not for those of us with acne-prone skin. Switched to Basis and Murad products now.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Palladio - Bronze & Glow
cherylbrt 6/24/2009 10:25:00 AM
This review is for the new Palladio 'Mosaics' bronzers (sounds like a similar product/may have been re-named/re-packaged?). Picked this up in the 'Sun-Kissed' palette at ULTA, along with my usual Palladio Rice paper blotting sheets. Was looking for a better, less orange-y bronzer, with no shimmer. (I'm over 40, and have oily skin.) This may be the best blusher/bronzer I've ever used. It's matte, no shimmer; great color pallete; can use the colors together as blush/bronzer; and individually as eyeshadow/highlighter. I'm discarding my former blush and Avon bronzer for this! The packaging is OK - not the best compact. It has a clear lid (no mirror, somewhat fragile/may be prone to breaking). But for the $$ - this was a GREAT find.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Sunsilk - Waves of Envy Gel
cherylbrt 1/15/2009 5:38:00 PM
True - it's not a strong-hold gel. But if you're looking for a product to encourage/control waves without getting "crunchy hair" - this fits the bill. It also doesn't seem to gunk up my hair/build up - like other products I've tried. I'm probably on my 6th container - and I can't imagine using anything else (PLEASE don't discontinue it!). It has ended my search for a good styling product without having "hard hair". :-) And I have tried MANY products....,
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Sunsilk - Waves of Envy [DISCONTINUED]
cherylbrt 1/15/2009 5:33:00 PM
This is a GREAT shampoo for my fine, wavy, hair. It can be tough to find a shampoo that *lightly* moisturizers - doesn't weigh your hair down or make it oily. (Probably a bigger issue for those of us with fine hair.) This is the perfect "happy medium". Leaves my fine, short'ish, wavy hair, clean and bouncy. I don't even need conditioner on a daily basis. (If you have longer hair - you might. I just use the small tube of conditioner that comes with my haircolor every now and then on the ends since my hair is colored.) I bought two bottles of this banded together with the Sunsilk gel-cream styling product. I'm glad I did. I will definitely re-purchase!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Ulta - Mineral Eyeliners Wet Dry Formula
cherylbrt 12/19/2008 11:08:00 PM
I picked this up at Ulta's recent BOGO mineral make-up sale - and I'm really glad I did. :-) I had been eye-balling it for months - wondering if it was any good. I had a similar compact from Avon Mark, previously - but it was larger/more shadow than liner, it did not go on as well, and the colors weren't as intense. These go on really nice - wet or dry. And I like that they're very gentle - don't tug on the skin around the eyes. (I use my own brushes - not the tiny little brush in the compact.) I have to agree with the other reviewer - I've traded this for my previous wet/dry liner and my Smashbox cream liner (smudged too much). This is really all I need since it has 4 colors. And it lasts pretty much all day. I'm really glad I stumbled on this one! It's a keeper! (I'm quite impressed with the Ulta Minerals line!) Update 7/2010: OK - the smudged a bit during the day (demoting it one lipie). Nothing lasts like waterproof pencils or liquid eyeliner.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powders -Ulta - Mineral Finishing Powder
cherylbrt 12/15/2008 3:14:00 PM
I have to agree with the other reviews - this stuff is AWESOME! I wasn't LOOKING for a new powder. (Was happy with Physician's Formula pressed mineral powder. I'm not fond of the mess with loose powders.) But I, too, was captivated by Ulta's recent BOGO and free mascara offer. ;-) I ended up LOVING this product! I don't wear other foundation. I just apply this over concealer with a foundation brush. It provides Light-Med matte coverage - and feels amazingly cool & silky. I purchased the Hydrating formula even though I have oily skin (I'm less oily in the winter). It still gives a nice matte finish - stays matte for hours - and the cooling sensation is very nice. And it does not aggravate my quite-acne-prone skin. I feel like a traitor to my Physician's Formula. But this product is really LOVELY. Might be my new and all-time fav powder!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Sally Hansen - Volumizing Lip Shield With SPF 15 - Just Swell
cherylbrt 11/5/2008 3:57:00 PM
I purchased 4 Sally Hansen's Volumizing Lip Shields in the Buy One/Get One packaging. 2 Just Swell (60) - almost clear. Pretty Pout (40) - sheer, iridescent mauve. And Big Kiss (20) - sheer apricot-like color. So far - I'm really liking them all. :-) They are sheer, moisturizing tints - with just a hint of shimmer (not too frosty or metallic - which I definitely DON'T go for). They smell yummy, too - a cross between fruity and a hint of bubble-gum. MUCH better than the colored Burt's Bees (which got all over my teeth - yuk!). I like the slim packaging. Only two minor complaints: the cheese-y gold packaging; and they don't last all that long. But in all fairness - I wouldn't expect sheer lip balms/tints to be ultra-long-wearing. I will most likely re-purchase as the colors are so pretty and they are very inexpensive. :-D
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -mark - Dew Drenched Moisturlicious Lipcolor - Any shade
cherylbrt 8/13/2008 3:03:00 PM
I had to get in on this one - b/c these little lipsticks are awesome! The tiny purse-sized tubes, sheer pretty colors, lightweight lip-balmy feel, and hint of mint are all winners. They last quite long, too. I had a Nude color awhile back (discontinued). While I liked the formula very much - the color was too blah and washed out. I now have Wave and Peachy. Wave is a very pretty SHEER Red. And Peachy has a subtle glow - w/o being frosty or glittery. Great for every day. After trying a few other tinted lip balms (Neutrogena, Jane Minerals, etc.) these are the ones! - you won't be disappointed if you purchase these little gems!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No