Cleansers -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser
clairenielson 5/15/2011 1:22:00 AM
I wish I'd read the reviews before buying this. It was on sale at priceline and was willing to give this a go in collaboration with my Cetaphil (cetaphil at morning, neutrogena at night). I decided that I would use it only once a day at first, to avoid drying out my skin just in case. The first time I used it, I liked it - the citrus-y smell and the fresh feeling of rinsing it off with cool water felt really nice. My (oily, blemish-prone) skin felt properly clean and smooth after using it, and the next day I woke up with no new pimples. I figured that this was a great sign and continued using it once a day (at night, after wearing makeup all day) for 2 more days. Then i started noticing my skin tone becoming more pinkish. Then red. After just those first couple of days, my skin began to get a really rough, sand-papery texture and was feeling very irritated. I stopped usage as soon as these effects became prominent. I haven't used it for three days now and my skin is still recovering from the rash-like reaction, and my skin texture is slowly improving. I've had to slather on Aloe Vera gel, and use my Jurlique intense recovery face mask and apply a lot of Dermalogica eye cream to get my skin back to a semi-alright state and to prevent flaking. I can't understand why this happened, I honestly don't think I've reacted this badly to a product before. I don't think anybody's skin is oily enough for the kind of stripping this product causes. It didn't only dry my skin, but made it red, itchy. Even around my eyes it's red and dry and I didnt even apply the facial cleanser directly over my eye area when I was washing my face. What a waste of money, and a horrible product for the skin. I don't think I'd even trust to use this product once a week.
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Lip Treatments -Maybelline - Baby Lips lip balm
clairenielson 3/31/2011 4:36:00 PM
Favourite lip balm range at the moment - I recently finished my first one (smoothing cherry) and just purchased my second (antioxidant berry) yesterday. Both of them smell great, although I prefer the berry one. They make your lips look so nice, too: not greasy or overly glossy, but smoothed out, soft and it gives off a very subtle natural looking shine. I would eventually like to try the orange one too. These have been packaged so prettily and marketed so well, I felt like a slave to advertising by buying them, but they're so inexpensive yet effective that I can justify being excited about this lip balm. In my opinion, it kills ChapStick and Palmer's lip balm products in competition. Expect a long-lasting, moisturising effect (the first time I used it, I put it on just prior to going to sleep and woke up 8 hours later, touched my lips and they were still so soft and moisturised I didn't even need to reapply yet) Amazing value for a great product. You get good bang for your buck, too - if you twist the stick all the way up you'll find there is quite a lot in there, I was surprised at how long the first lasted me.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -The Body Shop - Tea Tree Night Lotion
clairenielson 2/22/2011 3:55:00 AM
I first used this product around a year ago. When I finished my first bottle, however, I guess I just forgot to/ didn't bother repurchasing it. I have no clue why. Perhaps I didn't realise at the time what a vital part it played in my skin-care routine. This time last year I was trialling so many different skincare products that I probably wouldn't have been able to tell which ones worked and which didn't. But ANYWAY; I have oily skin and am blemish-prone, and recently went off the pill so my skin got worse. I walked past The Body Shop a week ago and saw they still sold the Tea Tree Blemish-Fade Night Lotion, remembered using it with pleasing results, and decided to give it another try. I'm so glad I did. (My skin is quite oily so I don't just use it during the night, but as my morning moisturiser too, it has never caused my skin to dry out). My skin has improved a lot since re-using this, and I will definitely be keeping it as a permanent instalment in my skin-care process. Having paid more attention to its long term positive effect on my skin texture and oil production, as well as its preventative properties re: breakouts, my second bottle of this will definitely not be my last. Although it is pricey for the amount you get, one bottle lasts me around 2-3 months, because you really only need a small pump at a time. PLUS I'm using it twice a day, while I'm guessing most people would use it purely as a night lotion. It doesn't miraculously make acne scarring or spots fade, but it definitely reduces facial redness and prevents the reappearance of pimples. When I wake up in the morning after having applied this, I don't have an oily-feeling face, it as actually relatively matte. 5 lippies!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Biore - Triple Action Astringent
clairenielson 2/22/2011 3:34:00 AM
I used this last year because I have oily skin and was trying out a whole lot of different brands in an attempt to reduce oil and blemishes. I used this product for a week, then tossed it. It had such a drying effect on my OILY skin, that after a few days the top layers of the skin on my forehead, cheeks and chin became very flakey. I stopped using it and tried to let my skin recover. I had been using it twice a day- morning and night, in minimal amounts, just a sweep over my face using a cotton wipe, followed by a light moisturizer, yet it managed to severely dry me out in just a couple of days. Although it felt really nice to use (it has a very fresh scent and cooling effect), this product just did not agree with my skin. The worst part was, that once I discontinued using it, my skin became oily again because I couldn't use any more harsh/drying products as at the same time the top layers were already flakey and dried out, and I didn't want to make that even worse. I had to wait 2 weeks before those top layers had fully been exfoliated off. Basically, this product caused me to have the worst of both skin worlds- both oily and dry. I now use Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Toner, which keeps the oil at bay without being so extreme that it dries me out completely, and it's been helping me reduce blemishes too. Although it is more pricey than Biore, I find it has worked wonders for my skin. There is nothing more unsatisfying than throwing away a nearly full bottle of toner, but in the case of Biore, I had to, to make sure I was never tempted to try it again. When your skin reacts to badly to a product in just a few days, you really have no choice but to move on. I'm glad I did though, as now I have found my HG toner.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturizer
clairenielson 2/22/2011 3:18:00 AM
I didn't buy this with the expectation that it would be a miracle worker. I have blemish prone skin - not full-on acne, but I usually have a few annoying red pimples hanging around on my forehead and chin. I recently purchased the Anti-Blemish Solutions 3-step kit from Clinique, including the Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer, and the only product of the 3 that I will not be repurchasing is the moisturizer. The moisturizer is nice enough at first. It has a light creamy consistency that smells clinical, absorbs quickly into the skin and does keep the oil at bay for a while. I have oily skin so that was initially a bonus for me. (For people with dry skin, be careful how much/how often you use the anti-blemish solutions range because the packaging does indicate that it has a drying effect on skin). The first time I used the moisturiser was at night, and I woke up the next day with primarily soft skin. However, most moisturizers provide this effect, for a much smaller price. Additionally, other moisturisers i've used before haven't aggravated my existing blemishes, which is what this one did. Not only did it fail help clear up my skin whatsoever, or to help protect my skin from future blemishes, it made my skin worse. A lot worse. The girl working at Clinique told me that for the first week I may notice my skin releasing more oil than normal, as the range of products will be helping to extract the existing oil from my skin, and that within a couple of weeks it will have cleared up and the products will continue to prevent future break-outs. I took her advice and used the 3-step system for 2 and a half weeks, but on my forehead my pimples were becoming bigger and more painful. While my skin was less oily than normal, these zits were still popping up. I wasn't willing to give up on the whole set, because A) I had spent a lot of money on this kit, and B) I was suspicious that the moisturizer was the cause of these sore new bumps. So, after 2.5 weeks of enduring my skin changes, I stopped using the moisturizer, replacing it with my usual Body Shop Tea Tree Night-Fade lotion (which has always provided pleasing results compared to other moisturizers for oily skin) however I continued using the Clinique Cleanser and Toner from the Anti-Blemish Solutions range. I like using them because they really clean my skin well, help prevent such excessive oil release and leave my skin with a nice and tight, yet supple and smooth texture, without being over-drying. My skin has reacted positively since removing the moisturizer from my routine. Perhaps this is just how my skin reacted, but I sure didn't like paying so much for a product I will no longer continue to use. While I sing praise for the Cleanser and Toner from this line, I would give the moisturizer a miss. You can get a much more effective one for a smaller price and bypass the risk of increasing the number of blemishes you have. If you don't have a problem with pimples/breakouts, but just have oily skin, this may work well for you.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Revlon Matte-Pink Pout
clairenielson 6/17/2010 6:12:00 AM
I have pale complexion and light, blonde hair. This product has the right colour for my features. Sure, I look like a but of a barbie doll when I wear it, but it's such a pretty pink. Not fluoro or a really bright pink, nor almost purple. But a light, yet deep pretty colour that enhances the natural lip colour rather than completely exaggerating it. I don't think everyone could pull it off but it is worth a look for the price and quality. I wear only a light coat because I think it looks better as a stained pink rather than a thick and very solid coloured coat. It is very pigmented so even with one thin coat i get a good amount of colour, without it feeling thick and cakey. I am a fan of the matte result; I expected it would be difficult to find a light pink that looked nice as a matte, but this one is perfect. In the pictures above, people have used a gloss coat on top it in a few instances which i'm not a huge fan of. I put on some chapstick and then the lipstick to make sure it doesnt crack if my lips are a little dry... but I think with a gloss on top, this particular lippie looks a bit drag-queenish. IMO, if you want both pigment AND gloss, don't get a matte lipstick, just buy a regular shiny one :S I will definitely purchase this again, I adore the colour and resulting soft yet matte texture. It is one of my fave lippies atm.
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
clairenielson 6/5/2010 6:55:00 PM
I am very very satisfied with this foundation. The MAC salesgirl recommended it because though my skin has been very good lately, it can get a bit oily, + I wanted good coverage that lasts all day. I loved how smooth and natural it looked on my skin. I've been putting off MAC purchases for a while mainly because of the price (AU$48) of this foundation. Then I realised, I currently pay $18 for a foundation that doesn't stay put til the end of the day, + $30 for a tiny tube of concealer. Altogether that's... wait! $48. Now that I'm using studio fix fluid, I don't even need to wear concealer any more. I couldn't believe that such a little amount of a liquid foundation could provide such amazing coverage without looking at all cakey. Its finish is very natural, slightly matte and great for everyday use- i was so happy that it actually DID last all day. I have very light pale skin and I wear NC15. The girl mentioned it has been known to oxidize, but I found it does only very slightly, and that it suits my skin colour anyway. I don't like using a foundation brush for this product- i think it's harder to work with than other liquid foundations. I just use sponges, like what the MAC girl used to apply it. It results in a smooth, even, long-lasting coverage that is completely worth the price.
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Polishes -Inglot - Nail Enamel
clairenielson 2/15/2010 11:05:00 PM
I just purchased 3 Inglot Nail Enamels today: -857 (floral medium pink) -937 (light pinky lavender) and -134 (goldy-vanilla) all of them have a slight, fine shimmer that is very attractive, without being over-stated and yelling "Look at Me!" I mainly purchased them because A) I love nail polish because I finally managed to grow my nails to a nice long length and B) these particular ones were part of the minority that i both liked and were on sale. I was VERY impressed to get these sale ones for $5 each. Because the formula is better than, say, Revlon polishes yet the price is lower. They are quite sheer so you have the choice to have a very subtle coat or to make it more solid (I decided to do 3 coats, but 2 looked very good also) I was a little reluctant to get my hopes up because when I got home I realised it looked kind of watery at the top and seperated, but after a couple of shakes the formula was fine again. It applies like a dream! the brush is long and soft alike the ones found in many Sally Hansen Nail Enamels, and the formula is very wet and easily spread in one fluid motion. It's not instant-dry which means you shouldn't apply it if you're in a hurry, but it did dry to a nice hard form completely after 5 mins, and I applied 3 coats without letting each completely dry before I applied the next (haha yes I know, I'm really impatient) One thing I was amazed by was that on a third coat, a good 10 or so seconds after applying, one of my nails looked worse than the others so instinctively i swept at it, and it removed the third coat easily, without dragging at the 2nd coat underneath, meaning I didn't have to completely begin that nail again! I didnt use a tissue or remover, only a finger to sweep at it and it was removed instantly with no mess! I probably wouldnt have bought 3 unless they were on sale (the non-sale enamels/normal priced ones were $15ea so I'm glad I managed to get 3 for that price!) I really love 134 and 937, would defs recommend both of them. For the sale price, I would definitely repurchase, but I would be a bit more hesitant to pay $15 a pop. If expense isnt much of an issue, i highly recommend you give these babies a try because there is a huge selection and the colours are gorgeous. (I was limited to a choice of about 20/100 colours because i was looking at the sale colours, and usually the sale colours are the ugly reject ones, but these were really beautiful, young fresh colours so I'm very satisfied! I may have to revisit to stock up!)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Blush Rosey Glow
clairenielson 1/24/2010 6:55:00 AM
This has a lovely effect on my light skin- it's a beautiful shade of rosey pink, very pigmented which saves me from using a lot and will probably result in it lasting quite a while. It's soft and applies well (though use a blush brush, not the one it provides in the packaging) and is free of nasties so I can be confident wearing it as it doesn't cause me any break-outs. All in all, I am very impressed. I think I'll keep an eye on Physician's Formula now that I know they offer such a lovely range of blushes, it took me a while to finally decide on this shade so I may investigate their others once I'm through with this one, and pick a favourite shade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder
clairenielson 1/24/2010 6:45:00 AM
This powder does exactly what it's supposed to do, and I regret putting off purchasing it! I stayed away because I didn't want to waste AU$36 (which is what it retails for here in Aus) But while I was in Malaysia about a month ago I saw I could get it for $28 and decided I might as well go for it. At first, because I was overseas and had no brushes at hand, I applied it with the powder puff provided in the packaging, and was mildly disappointed- that applicator is not very good at all, you can't control the amount that goes on it very well, I don't find it hygienic, plus it cant blend without removing a little of the liquid foundation I had underneath it. I strongly recommend you apply using a soft Kabuki. I simply press the Kabuki softly into the powder disk and then literally 'blot' it onto my face, which achieves a semi-matte appearance (I personally don't like looking too dewy nor too matte, so I apply a small amount and achieve a very nice middle-ground. It can be applied over liquid foundation to mattify your look, or purely on it's own to prevent the appearance of oily skin throughout the day. It has a satin finish and is colourless yet evens skin tone nicely. (it's not pigmented, and not supposed to be used like a powder foundation, so if you're noticing it on your skin, you're using too much.) I use the shade 'light' which is great, in the packaging it looks almost white, but it's so sheer that colour is almost irrelevent (though obviously choose the colour most appropriate for your skin tone, as it will show up if it's completely the wrong match.) It doesn't accentuate fine lines or blemishes, and works harmoniously with the liquid foundation I wear beneath it. As far as I can tell, it hasn't caused me any break outs after a month of daily usage. Really my only reservation about this product is the price - but considering the amount of pressed powder you receive is substantial and you only need a very little at a time (because you use a very thin layer purely to blot, rather than create coverage like a powder foundation) I think this will last me for quite a while. I don't require re-application, once a day is enough for me, though those with very oily skin may need to re-apply throughout the day. I will definitely re-purchase. This is a HG finishing powder for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Cover Girl - TruBlend
clairenielson 12/29/2009 4:28:00 AM
I was quite darn happy when I found this product. After loving every detail of Max Factor's Second Skin Foundation apart from the colour, I've been searching for one which has very similar qualities yet suits my skin tone better. I can tell you that CG Trublend Liquid Foundation is almost exactly the same as Max Factor Second Skin- right down to -the hygienic push-pump + glass packaging, -the light consistency and -the light-medium coverage the only differences being that in comparison with MF, the CG colours are more suited to lighter-skinned people with pink undertones instead of yellow, and it's also pretty much half the price of the MF foundation which is a definite bonus! The CG lightest shade is what I use- 405- because I'm very pale and often cannot find a shade to suit my skin tone as most foundations, even the lightest shade in the lines, are always just a little too dark and orangey (MF second skin) or pinky (Maybelline dream matte mousse) for my skin tone. The good part about this foundation is that it evens your skin tone as well as give enough coverage to hide blemishes (in my case, acne scars) yet its not really obvious that you're wearing make-up. If you've used Cover Girl Trublend Whipped foundation (creme) and are considering to swap to this Liquid foundation, make sure to try a tester first because the corresponding numbers between the 2 products do not speak true of the colour (there is a vast difference between the colours of the 405 Liquid and the 405 Whipped foundations- I found the Liquid was much lighter and truer to my skin tone). In the past I've used the Whipped creme foundation and found it was a little too cakey as I didn't need such heavy coverage. It looked a little unnatural and the colour tinge was a little off. For people with a very fair complexion who have been disappointed before, I suggest you sample this product as I have finally found a quality liquid foundation which is the right colour! Like most LFs, it won't look great on dried/flaky skin because I guess all foundations would accentuate these qualities unless they had a very gel-like base. It is, however, great for everyday wear- especially just to look nice yet natural for school and work. Not so sure if it’s buildable so you may need to use a different foundation for nightwear if you go for a more glamorous look. What I like is that this LF can’t be felt, it’s not irritating on my slightly sensitive skin or feel like I’m wearing a mask. I don’t even notice it’s on after a while. I have oily skin and often get acne but this stuff does not make me break out unlike other liquid foundations I've used in the past, also, the shine is under control, and I don’t even set it with power! Though I do like to apply it after primer and using a foundation brush. I will certainly be purchasing this again- the price is right and the colour is the best suit I’ve found in a DS company product in, well, ever.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
clairenielson 12/26/2009 4:47:00 AM
Clumpy, terrible quality product. The colour, despite simply being black, manages to look bad and extra fake against the rest of the face. The scent is off-putting... why give mascara fragrance? Who on earth actually thought a lack of fragrance in mascara was an issue to begin with? The brush does give length but that one redeeming quality isn't worth all the terrible-ness of this mascara. It gives your eyelashes that spider-legged look as exhibited by the numerous photos above which further prove my point about the cheap and fake ugly look this mascara accomplishes. I got given this for a Christmas KK present which makes me relieved that I didn't personally spend money on it. Doubt I'll be using it again unless I suddenly run out of or lose my other mascaras in some freak accident... actually, I'd rather then simply go without. Bravo, Maybelline.
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Liquid -Max Factor - Second Skin
clairenielson 12/25/2009 9:08:00 PM
Though it's a liquid foundation, it's not very runny but sort of gel-like in texture. It smoothes well over the face and applies perfectly when using a standard foundation brush. You have to work a little quickly when blending because it does dry a little fast and it's only really good to work with when it's fresh, so I worked in sections blending out from the nose and only put a dot on my face directly before I would brush it in, instead of what some people do when they put a dot on their nose, each cheek, forehead and chin right at the begininning and then get around to eventually blending it all in. What I like about Max Factor products is that they get very close to a natural skin colour instead of being too pinky like the light Maybelline mousse foundations/ Cover Girl foundations or too yellow-based when you build coverage. I would, in theory buy this product again because the quality is good and does its job, the coverage is perfect for young skin so it doesn't look cakey and lasts reasonably well- also it complements your skin by making it look radiant and even, without having too much shine. It also effectively covered my blemishes. However, it is very difficult to shop for my skin tone as it is very light and I am having a lot of difficulty finding a foundation that is light enough for my pale skin without having very pink undertones. The colour of this foundation was slightly too dark and the undertone a little too yellow for my cool tones. It suits me well when I am in the prime of my tan during summer, for like a week, and then at all other times it's just too dark. It just wasn't right for me but if you find that the colour suits YOUR natural skin tone, I would recommend it then because it fulfills all of the requirements. The quality is good, the colour was just wrong for me.
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Mascara -Rimmel - Volume Flash The Max
clairenielson 12/25/2009 8:48:00 PM
A friend of mine had extremely high recommendations for this product, and after seeing even more high ratings on MUA I picked it up the very next day. I completely agree; this is the best mascara I have ever used. During the day, I like my mascara to look natural- it should not be really obvious that I have it on and then at night-time, I may apply more and go for a glamorous look. In the past in order to achieve these two separate looks, I've needed to use two separate mascaras, because many of my 'day' mascaras, when applied heavily for night wear, would clump and just make my attempts look cheap and nasty, and my 'night' mascaras couldn't be used during the day because I couldn't control the amount on the brush which resulted in me looking over-done when I was going for a natural appearance. However, this mascara is so versatile and achieves perfect results in both the night and day categories; I can now use the one product to attain two very different looks, not just satisfactorily, but perfectly. The brush is ‘christmas tree’ shaped and doesn’t use those recent horrible plasticky bristles. It allows you to have better control over application. You can wear just a little or a lot and not worry about it clumping. I don't want to sound stuck-up, but considering this mascara came from RIMMEL of all possible lines, I was VERY, VERY surprised to say the least. In the past I've been pretty floaty about mascara. I didn't often buy the same product twice because I was always on the lookout for something better, but now that I've found this, and at a lovely small price, I think that search can be called off. I used to be a Max Factor mascara girl- I used 2000 calorie or Masterpiece, but the first looked too fake for my liking and the latter was good, but not amazing. I’ve tried Rimmel products in the past (older mascaras and eyeshadows) and they had performed not even nearly as well as other drug store brands, I consider Rimmel to really be a bottom-end, mediocre line, even below Cover Girl and Maybelline. But this little ray of sunshine that comes in the form of this bright-pink-packaged, amazing mascara has definitely altered my perception. I'm not saying "Oh, what a turnaround. Rimmel is great now. I'm going to run out and buy all their products from now on." I'm simply saying that in the future if they continue to create products of this fine quality, I'll be way less quick to pass by the Rimmel wall next time I'm at the drug store. Hopefully this mascara is not a fluke. In the meantime, I will definitely be purchasing this again, it’s currently the best drug store mascara on the market and will live up to your expectations of how mascara can look at its best.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
clairenielson 12/25/2009 8:26:00 PM
Ok, people just really need to get over this mascara The aim of mascaras is to either volumize, lengthen, define/seperate or darken your lashes. Or perform a few of those qualities all at once. This mascara is not good, and though it performs the volumizing and darkening aspects of the above qualities, it does not do so to a high quality degree. Not even a mediocre qualitie. It's just not a good mascara, not even for a drug store brand. This is the kind of mascara you see on girls and think 'she doesn't know how to do make-up' and often it's not the girls fault- they're just using the wrong instruments. ie: the Lash Blast brush. The brush, is just too much. They have those terrible plasticky bristles placed too close so it catches heaps of product so you can't vary your application or 'build-up' to the amount you desire. You're just stuck with mascara that looks too much and unnatural, unflattering. Because you know what, good mascaras can give you volume without having a heap of product on the brush, because it's the BRUSH that creates the shape... this brush just doesn't cut it. Even look at the numerous pictures uploaded for this product above on the page... the lashes look terrible! Are these images seriously there to promote the product? Because really, they are just further proving my point: This product does not make your lashes look either awesome or natural. They look fake as well as badly done and all over the place. I got given this mascara as a gift, used it once to test it out, and then tossed it immediately. It's not worth your time or money despite how cheap it is. If you want the most amazing mascara which is ridiculously cheap (a simple drug store brand) that has phenomenal results, I suggest you invest in Rimmel's Max Volume Flash Mascara, and I guarantee you will have very high quality results, it creates huge volume without looking obvious that you're wearing it, it's buildable, has an excellent brush and application- it's my new HG and the very best mascara on the market right now. Even people who have used very high-end products swear by this.
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