Moisturizers -La Roche Posay - Hydranorme
chestnutrose 1/4/2009 9:12:00 PM
I love this cream so much. My skin breaks out from a lot of moisturizers and I'm often prone to sensitivity such as itchiness and redness. For reference I have sensitive combo acne prone skin that tends to get dehydrated. I have been on a countless medications for my acne for years now and I have tried so many products for my skin to look soft and moisturized. I discovered this product on a fashion blog that had an interview with a French model (Marie Steiss? I think) who said this was her favorite night time cream. Anyhow I was looking for a night time cream and decided to give this cream a try after reading the description on the LRP website. This cream is advertised to help dry to severely dry skin care category on the website. I have never categorized myself as that but the description said it is ideal for dehydrated and dried out skin from that is weakened by drying treatments. My skin has never experienced anything negative from this cream. No tightness, irritation, acne, clogged pores, itchiness and redness. It really helps my skin look moisturized and plump and just more even. Not even a year of AHA's has helped my skin look this uniform. This cream is REALLY thick and it best applied with toner or those water sprays first (I have used it with DDF glycolic, Caudalie Grape Water, LRP physiological toner, Ole Henriksen red tea mist, Avene water), it works best with LRP physiological toner ime. I end up using a lot of product if toner is not used prior and it doesn't spread or sink in as nicely for me. I wake up in the morning to fully moisturized skin. Works beautifully with other acne treatments (I can now use BP gels comfortably). This cream was the start with my love affair with LRP, I have since bought bought other products from the line. Surprised this has never been reviewed here. A must try if you have been dried out by acne treatments! I finally have decent looking skin now minus the acne scars that remain.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Korres - Kings & Queens Aztec King (Vanilla Pear) Showergel
chestnutrose 1/4/2009 1:01:00 AM
I saw this brand featured on a few blogs and saw it at Shoppers Drug Mart not giving it much thought. But once I discovered it was a cheaper line done by the Korres company I decided to try the brand out. I love Korres Vanilla Cinnamon showergel and I thought this would be comparable. Overall the performance is the same but I did notice that my skin wasn't as clear when I used though I never really experience any irritation or itchiness. The scent is a clean soft fruity vanilla. It is not as memorable as the vanilla cinnamon but it is pretty nonetheless. If you are looking for the scent to last this doesn't.The packaging is cheaper too whereas the regular line has sturdy plastic (though a lot of people seem to dislike this) and a sturdy cap, this has a lighter plastic and the flip cap is so thin that it broke off for me. I still need to use a good amount of product on my shower gloves to form a lather. I like this with the factor of price considered, I think I picked it up for $7.99 on sale (the line is 20% off often at Shoppers). I'm willing to try out other products from this line since it is at an affordable price point.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Aveeno - Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner with SPF 15
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 11:20:00 PM
I did not think this moisturized my lip as well as my other favorites (Burt's Bees, Nuxe, Smith's Minted Rose Balm). It has a sweet vanilla cake batter taste which was nice since I did not expect it at all. But it just gave lips that smooth feeling while it was on but once the product disappeared my lip were dry. For over $5 (cnd) for lip balm this isn't worth it for a drugstore product, I would go for Labello or Burts Bees.
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Makeup Brushes -Quo - Bronzer Brush
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 11:15:00 PM
After lusting for a MAC 187, Laura Mercier Skunk and Pout Skunk for awhile I decided to try this. For some reason I just can't get myself to spend money on a brush (its bad I know). I have had this for a good year and this definitley isn't the greatest brush on the market. It does nicely apply (most of the time) blushes and bronzer, nicely and evenly and you can kinda buff it into that sheer glowy look. But sometimes the brush picks up too much pigment and I have a pretty light hand. Also this sheds a lot every time I clean it. The bristles haven't really held their shape well either. For about $12 (40% off regular) this isn't bad but its not great either. I will invest in a good skunk one of these days. =)
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Makeup Brushes -The Body Shop - Face/ Body Brush
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 11:09:00 PM
I have had this brush for about 4-5 years and it is still like the day I bought it. I accidentally picked this one up, mistaking it for the blush one. But this is really great for loose and pressed powders, I have even used it for bronzer. It works well for all these purposes. It also feels really soft on the skin. I do think this brush got better with age though because the first month or two I did not think it blended product well. It is sturdy, not a single bristle has fallen out. Overall very satisfied for this as I did not expect much from a brush from The Body Shop, it was around the $15-18 (cnd) mark when I bought it and I noticed the prices have gone up $26 now. I think I will have this for years to come but if I ever do need a new powder brush I do think I would upgrade.
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Fragrances -Narciso Rodriguez - Narciso Rodriguez for her
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 8:16:00 PM
I love the bottle, the first thing that attracted me to this scent. It is simple and strong looking yet the color black gives it a mysterious quality, you don't know what's inside. Anyhow enough of my odd fascination with the bottle, I have been toying around with buying this fragrance for almost 2 years now! To me this scent seemed very grown up, sensual, urban, sexy, sophisticated and mysterious. Not something that I was ready to wear as I was still using teenager type scents. I still don't truly feel like this scent is "me" to be completely honest. But I wear it anyways as it smells so good. It is best worn on skin. I always spritz my clothes but that really doesn't do any justice. When sprayed on the skin it lasts all day and evolves into something that is truly your own. I love that this isn't overly sweet, musky or floral, it strikes the perfect balance between the two (so no headaches are induced). I'm a big fan of vanilla and this frag does it right. Though this is a sensual fragrance, I don't find it inviting, in fact it seems quite cold, but it is a fragrance that people notice. Nice strong feminine scent that is a good one to try if you are looking for your first "grown up" fragrance.
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Deodorants -Tom's of Maine - Natural Deodorant
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 7:56:00 PM
This isn't supposed to keep you dry, but I feel like this and the combo of the product just sitting there makes me feel so wet and uncomfortable. I also feel like a sweat more with this as I sometimes went anti-persirant free for days at a time. This also stings when I initially put it on. I don't think I'm going to get past the way this feels on my skin. I might try other natural deodorants because I like the concept of them. This does contain my odor but for some reason I personally feel smelly and unclean. Maybe I just have to get used to this.
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Styling Products -Giovanni - Frizz Be Gone
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 7:49:00 PM
Nice serum, keep frizz at bay. Not sticky but it is pretty thick. I like putting this in after leave-in and letting my hair air dry to natural Gisele like waves. Works just as well as my beloved Oscar Blandi Jasmine Serum, thought it doesn't have the lovely smell but it is much cheaper. Nice green option for a good price, I found this at a health foods store for $8.
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Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Warm Amber Body Butter
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 5:36:00 PM
I can rarely ever tell what something really smells like at TBS because there are so many strong smelling scents competing in there. This was not what I smelled at the store. This is a strong and very mature scent, it is what I consider a mom scent (this was actually the first body butter that my mom liked the smell of coincidentally lol). It is very musky and powdery, but it isn't warm or inviting to me. Okay performance as a body butter but not as moisturizing as others. It was $5 on clearance the day after Christmas so it was a good price. I only tend to use body butters on problem areas like feet most of the time so I guess I will use it up. This one and passion fruit are the only body butter scents that I have disliked so far.
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Eye Shadow -Clinique - High Impact Duo in Like Mink
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 5:23:00 PM
A staple for me, I have been using this since it was a part of the color surge line. Great neutral everyday eye (though I almost never wear eyeshadow during the day). I love this for a simple night time eye and pair it off with other bronzey neutral shades. This duo would work for almost everyone, universally flattering imo. Great combo of a creamy champagne taupe and brown with a hint of bronze. The colors are quite sheer but I have never had a problem with lasting power.
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Treatments -Clean & Clear - Persagel 5% Benzoyl Peroxide
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 5:04:00 PM
An old time favorite. This is one product I can always rely on for spot treatment. I put this on in the night and my zit will always be reduced by half and by the next day it is completely flat. No other product has really produced results like this for me so rapidly (even prescription acne treatments like differin and clindoxyl gel). Can be drying so I use this with a thick night time moisturizer and I make sure to use a good sunscreen if I'm using this during the day.
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Treatments -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment [DISCONTINUED]
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 5:00:00 PM
I have been using this for a few months now and I have not really experienced anything from this. I used to use it on my whole face but I think it just made my face more sensitive so I just use it on my nose to keep clogged pores/black heads at bay. My skin is sensitive combo acne prone that is prone to dehydration. It never really prevented pimples either, in face when using this I think I experienced more random zits then I have with other treatments. I really wish I experienced better results from this.
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Toners -La Roche Posay - Physiological Soothing Toner
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 4:52:00 PM
I have to thank the reviewer below (bjorn_again), I was desperately trying to find product to calm my skin down. I was not in the market for a toner but for some reason I clicked the review for the toner when I was looking for reviews for the LRP physiological line. I read her review and I was sold as I have the same skin type. I found this toner in a package deal with the Physiological Cleansing Gel (so you may want to look out for that if you are interested, I found mine at a Toronto Shoppers Drug Mart). Both were full size and it cost $30. The best I have spent so far. My skin is just so calm and happy. My breakouts and redness have dramatically reduced since I have been using the two. This toner is not drying at all and does not sting whatsoever (I think the first toner for me in this respect), just soothing. I find that my night time moisturizer which is LRP Hydranorme and is super thick sinks in much better and I need to use less product. This toner (and cleanser) is a must try for any people that are combo sensitive acne proners that tend to be dehydrated.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -La Roche Posay - Physiological Cleansing Gel
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 4:36:00 PM
I love this cleanser, more then I ever thought I would. I have sensitive combo acne prone skin that tends to be dehydrated. This product does not foam or really lather, it goes on like lotion. I bought this for using in the morning but I have been using this in the night ever since I have purchased it. For night, this takes off everything from the day and cleanses my skin thoroughly. Though I do use 2 pumps (3 if I'm wearing foundation). But I just love the softness and balanced feeling that it gives my skin. It rinses off clean, no residue. I have experienced no irritation from this, dryness and have not broken out or gotten clogged pores from this. In the morning I only need one pump to feel clean. Ever since I have been using this cleanser (and toner from the physiological line) my skin is calmer and happier and my breakouts have disappeared. The cleanser's instructions on the back say to apply to wet face and to rinse off with water btw contrary to LRP's website which says to tissue off or something along those lines. Tip for Canadians (particularly Toronto and area ppl since that is where I got mine): I got the cleanser and toner full size in a package for $30. So I would look out at your Shoppers Drug Mart for the package if you are interested ( they were wrapped together in clear packaging). They also had the milk+ toner package in this line. I think you save $10, and the toner for this line if very nice. HTH.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Avene - Hydrance Optimale SPF 15
chestnutrose 1/3/2009 4:25:00 PM
This is a great moisturizer for daytime. I have combo sensitive acne prone skin that tends to be dehydrated. My skin feels comfortably moisturized and never tight. This moisturizer has been working well fall through winter. It does sometimes tend to feel sticky, not sure why it is on some days and not others. I do get that shiny look with this so I use powder on top. I have experienced no irritation, acne or clogged pores with this. My favorite daytime moisturizer to date. Prior to this I was using Olay complete which never seemed to moisturize properly and I was left feeling try and tight.
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