Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Rodin - Olio Lusso
chloepoodle 9/10/2012 12:31:00 AM
I was sure this product was going to be a joke. I was curious, though, and eventually ordered a sample from Luckyscent. The joke was on me as it quickly became an HG . The jasmine scent is divine - true high quality jasmine. Most importantly, after a couple of days my chronic redness and irritation began to recede. After doing a little research I read that Linda Rodin makes no claims for this product other than it smells good,is pleasant to use and it makes the skin look dewy and feel moist. No ridiculous hype and/or claims. Yes, it is ridiculously expensive. I don't have the time or motivation to make a dupe. I suspect that purchasing all the individual oils would make so much it would go off before used up. I only need 2-3 drops per day about 5-6 days per week. The dropper applicator is sanitary. I spray with rosewater or Thayers cucumber alcohol free witch hazel first. If you are looking for a facial oil and like the scent of jasmine, Luckyscent has samples for around $4 (not affiliated).
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Arcona - Cranberry Firming Gel
chloepoodle 8/19/2012 1:24:00 AM
This is one of Arcona's best products. Light, non-clogging, soothing. This is a gel, not a cream. If you are dry due to lack of oil, this will not help you - you can use this under something heavier. Pros: Feels good, soothing. Smells divine. Great for oily or combo skin. Cons: Will not moisturize really dry skin. Doesn't work with everyone's budget.Should be used within six months of opening.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
CD/Books/Movies -Unlisted Brand - Book: Perfumes: The Guide (Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez)
chloepoodle 8/18/2012 3:38:00 AM
This book is useful as a guide - as it says. The reviews are based on the perceptions and opinions of the authors which can be frustrating to some people. Scent is very subjective. The book has loads of great info on the history of specific scents as well as on perfumes in general. It is also very entertaining. The authors write well and some of their comments will have you in hysterics even if you disagree with their opinion (see reviews for "Clean" fragrances, Nasomatto "Duro" and Le Labo "Ambrette"). Pros: Informative Helps to find scents that are in the same family of ones that you like. Very entertaining if you don't take it too seriously. Both authors know their stuff about fragrances. Cons: Will not have info on scents introduced after date of publishing. Reviews are somewhat based on personal and subjective likes/dislikes of authors. I will always have a definite love of this book and the authors. It(they) saved my life when I was very sick and miserable a couple of years ago and could barely read 2 pages at a time. I go back to it frequently.
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Masks -Arcona - Tea Tree Mask
chloepoodle 8/18/2012 3:06:00 AM
This is a nice mask to use. It feels so good when on and cleans beautifully. Perfect for when you suffer from skin congestion, after a night of partying, or the dirty sticky feel of hot weather. It's a "feel-good" mask that actually does something. The new tube packaging is a great improvement over the large open "pot". This will, hopefully, keep the mask from drying out. This makes my eyes water, but not painfully - it actually feels good. The inclusion of sulphur is helpful for acne and irritation, but may be too drying for drier skin if used often. Pros: Feels great Actually helps to clear blemishes Smells nice Does not overdry skin, even though meant for oilier skin Cons: Price does not meet everyone's budget. This is one of Arcona's really worthwhile products.
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Styling Products -John Masters - Shine On
chloepoodle 2/13/2011 11:17:00 PM
I love this, even with the somewhat high price. This is NOT a styling product, but a treatment. If you expect to use this as a styling aid you wil most likely be disappointed. It makes my medium, processed hair lush and soft.You don't need much or your hair may feel flat, but WOW! No nasty smell, either. I use it with the JM unscented shampoo and conditioner.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Clinique - 3 Step System
chloepoodle 1/22/2011 11:03:00 PM
I recently went back to Clinique because I wanted a more cost effective system. I bought the packaged three step in #2 (dry/combo) per the questionnaire system as well as a couple of other things I wanted to try. Within a week I ended up with dry, red, scaly skin and went out and bought Comfort On Call with no relief. Everything went in a drawer when I couldn't stand the irritation any longer. I didn't want to give up as this system had worked very well for me back in the day. I switched some things around and got it right. This is what I found (and hope it helps): 1. the liquid soap is NOT for me (went back to the bar version and the eczema disappeared.The liquid isn't actually soap, but detergent). 2. the questionnaire diagnosing system is not foolproof. Unfortunately, many clinique SA's think it is and advise wrongly. 3. clarifying lotions #2, 3 and 4 are not for anyone with dry or sensitive skin- too strong, especially at first ( mild clarifying lotion doesn't have alcohol; I haven't tried #1 yet ). 4. it's better to error with a milder number "system" than stronger. 5. MUA ers are right about Mild Clarifying Lotion and Take The Day Off Balm- both are great. 6. Moisture Surge is a great booster to the moisture lotion and non-greasy. I got some Clarifying Lotion #1 and will update when I've used it.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Pacifica - California Star Jasmine
chloepoodle 9/4/2010 9:57:00 PM
Wonderful scent. Smells like a star jasmine and orange cocktail. Could be worn to the office. It does make me think of the California coast (not hard seeing I live there). This is a definite keeper for me. Update: The perfume is really nice; the body butter is even better!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Erno Laszlo - Phelitone eye cream
chloepoodle 7/1/2010 11:01:00 PM
This smoothes and moisturizes without greasiness, for me. Doesn't irritate. Expensive, but I've bought so many that do nothing so it may just be worth it. I tried the transphuse for eyes which did nothing for me along with countless others that made my eyes swell or itch. Yah, this is worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Clinique - Aromatics Elixir
chloepoodle 7/1/2010 12:22:00 AM
I keep coming back to this, but it's a tricky one. It's so strong there is a fine line between great and nauseating. This can be manged through creative application. I spray once over my body (in underwear) in a swoop and it lasts all day. Sprayed right out of the shower works, too. That takes care of the cons. The pros are that this fragarance is unique and simply beautiful; balanced between sweet and sharp, floral and herbal/chypre. I continually get compliments when wearing this. The body smoother is wonderful, true to the fragrance and when applied on arms or shoulders is a softer way to wear this scent. The spray device allows for control to apply a mini-spritz. The bottle is attractive and is easy to handle. The price is well within reason for a quality fragrance. This is one scent that makes me happy just to smell it.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Pacifica - Waikiki Pikake
chloepoodle 6/26/2010 4:34:00 PM
This is a sweet and perhaps cloying floral tropical scent. I generally don't like this sort of scent, but I bought the body butter on a whim. Found that this mixed with Lotus Garden (which I like but find a little too sharp) is absolute heaven and, therefore, deserving of a "5". I will continue to repurchase (spray, solid, body butter) for this purpose. Pacifica scents can be layered and mixed very nicely to get very interesting and wonderful results. I get an outrageous amount of compliments on this combo.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chanel - Rouge Coco- Venise
chloepoodle 6/10/2010 2:30:00 AM
This is so beautiful- a rosy chestnut, almost red. I have rouge coco in felin beige (great neutral) and was interested in something a bit more colorful. This is a great non-iridescent muted color. Rouge coco has a texture like silk and wears well. Venise looks great with a smoky eye.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -La Roche Posay - Toleriane Gentle Cleansing Bar
chloepoodle 4/5/2010 12:37:00 AM
This is one of the few facial soaps I can use. The lather is light and feels silky. It cleans thoroughly without drying or irritating. It has a naturally (unperfumed) clean smell to it. I use Toleriane dermo-cleanser to loosen makeup (this may not be necessary) and then this at night. Works great with a clarisonic.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam Gaga
chloepoodle 2/22/2010 10:51:00 PM
I love Viva Gaga.It's amore wearable version of St.Germain (doesn't look like you've been hitting the pepto bismol). It can be thinned out, toned up or down with pencil; something to have fun with. FYI: MAC is coming out with new pencils in March including a pale, pale pink which will be perfect with Gaga. I saw them, but the SA's couldn't sell them yet.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -L'Oreal - Lash Boosting Serum
chloepoodle 2/20/2010 12:36:00 AM
This was an impulse purchase. OK, I was curious and highly skeptical. After a couple of weeks I could swear I noticed a real increase in the length of my lashes. They looked nice, too. I figured I was imagining this, but now people are noticing and commenting. I normally have very thin, medium length lashes. I tried Latisse but experienced significant redness and itching. I got just as good results from this as the four weeks I was able to tolerate Latisse. The mascara is ok, nothing special. Edit 6/10: Stopped using this when I ran out. My lashes reverted to being comparative stubs. Bought another tube and they are getting long again. This is definitely NOT my imagination as others have been commenting. Does this only work on some people and not on others? I hope everyone reading this gets the results I have .
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream (US Version) with Mexoryl SX
chloepoodle 2/6/2010 12:47:00 AM
I can understand the frustration with this sunscreen due to the texture and white cast problem. It's the only sunscreen/block that keeps my melasma under control, especially on my car window side . I've tried others that were so slimy/greasy I broke out in acne or a rash. Some were so light I know they did not stay effective for long. This is the only sunscreen where the SPF and PPA measured on the Ciba calculator was as high as stated by the company. Edit: I've started mixing this with the LRP SPF 15. One is too creamy, the other too pasty. Blended, it's perfect. Edit # 2: Bought the famous Shiseido SPF 55 which is perfect and does not require mixing. Removed lippies.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No