Toners -LUSH - Tea Tree Water
composure 8/27/2012 8:50:00 PM
Honestly, I didn't find that it did anything for me. I have acne-prone skin and I still prefer using good old witch hazel as my toner. I find that this makes me more dewy than I would like.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Ultrabland
composure 8/27/2012 8:12:00 PM
Ultrabland was excellent in theory. Removing make up with wax. I have very acne-prone skin and am always concerned with getting all the make up off. I would get a dime size on my palm and massage it all over my face, then get a facial wipe dampen with hot water and wipe it off my face. I would proceed to use a cleanser afterwards. Ultrabland does do a great job in removing the toughest waterproof mascara but getting the wax off was not as easy. I noticed that my pores got congested after a few days of usage and I broke out. I can definitely rule out silicones, oils and waxes now for helping my skin.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Herbalism
composure 8/27/2012 7:57:00 PM
I was recommended this as I have combination, acne-prone and sensitive skin. As a first-timer in Lush, I was excited to switch over to natural products. Herbalism has a strong smell of vinegar and what I can only explain as "herbs". I didn't mind it too much. Using the scrub is a bit messy and I prefer using it while I shower. In terms of its effects, I think it works miracles on black heads. And sadly, that's where it ends. It's a gentle scrub that doesn't quite clean as well as I expected. I use a makeup remover prior yet, after a few days I notice a few more bumps. I think my skin favours harsher cleansers, Herbalism didn't do it for me.
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Liquid -Clinique - Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup
composure 7/10/2012 8:20:00 PM
At a time my skin was at its worst, this was a life saver. I was getting cystic acne, I was prescribed anti biotics and my derm had recommended Clinique as a trusty brand to go to for foundations. This product got me through that period. (6 months ago) It was a good match for colour (02 fresh ivory), good coverage for my dark pigmentations, treated and prevented acne. Good packaging. The formulation was perfect except for the fact I would get oily after 4 hrs or so. Revlon colorstay remains the standard for a mattifying foundation in my books, it's too bad it breaks me out. I would use a primer, a setting spray and powder to top it off. Regardless, my skin is much better now and I'm searching for my holy grail. This still has a spot in my heart. None of the makeup artist would recommend it to me, I went through makeup forever, tarte, Coverfx, korres, Lorac and Nars. Goes to show, don't judge a book by its covers!
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Liquid -Rimmel - Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation
composure 7/10/2012 8:04:00 PM
200 soft beige. 25 hours? A claim it certainly does not live up to in my case. I do have oily skin, used with primer and set with powder. Decent coverage. A tad orange in tint. I hate the smell but it does fade with wear. I'll wear this if I'm running some quick errands for the day. Does not last on my skin. Plus side is that it does not break me out.
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
composure 7/10/2012 7:59:00 PM
I got the foundation in w4 natural beige. I have oily, acne prone and sensitive skin. I had read good reviews on this product and decided to give it a try. As it gets super humid in my city during the summer, I was looking for something that would keep my skin a bit more matte. Pros: does not break me out, wide range of colors to choose from, easily blended Cons: not mattifying even with a primer, a bit orange after it oxidizes, light to medium coverage (can see some of my dark pigmentation peeking through) Not what I'm currently looking for. Mind you I do have super oily skin.
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Powder -Bare Escentuals - Matte Foundation spf 15
composure 2/29/2012 4:14:00 PM
I've tried the BE original foundation, and was curious to see if the matte version was any different. I actually have an unconventional way of using this. I first dust it all over my face prior to liquid foundation, which helps it stick to my skin and keeps my skin looking matte for longer. Definitely nothing miraculous, but prolongs the "dewyness" from appearing as quickly. I have NC25 skin, sensitive, acne-prone, this doesn't tend to break me out. I use it in light. As a stand-alone foundation, I wouldn't be able to use it because of the light coverage it has for my dark pigmentations from acne scars.
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Treatments -The Body Shop - Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick
composure 6/12/2011 12:26:00 PM
It didn't make a difference in the appearance of my pimples. I don't like the unsanitary packaging and opted to use a q-tip instead. The smell doesn't help that it's quite the useless product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -The Body Shop - Eye Definer
composure 6/12/2011 12:22:00 PM
I bought this in Slate, hoping that it would work when I wanted to create a lighter smokey eye. It's been sitting on my vanity for a very long time and probably because of it's poor staying power. I have discovered a new use for it since then. On days I feel that I need to look a little more put together I lightly brush it to define my eyebrows. I'm Asian and have dark brown hair so this works perfectly.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector [DISCONTINUED]
composure 6/12/2011 12:17:00 PM
I was looking for a concealer and to my surprise, I saw this for $2. Since the colour selection was so limited I ended up getting a light (tried it on in the washroom, too light) and went back to purchase the medium. I sadly, barely use either now. The concealer is has a creamy consistency. It seems to have a medium coverage but after a few hours I find that it emulsifies. It creases under the eyes as well. No matter how much powder I set it with. I've only used the highlighter a few times, it goes on much too light. I used it under the eyes. I find that after applying this over pimples it aggravates them. I use it now only on really dark acne scars.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara
composure 6/12/2011 12:12:00 PM
Before I found The Falsies, I thought Cover Girl - Lash Exact Waterproof was the best an Asian girl with straight wimpy lashes could get. I'm glad I was wrong. The Falsies has an interesting curved brush which helps in coating all the lashes as the bristles are longer and closer together. I often just apply UD's Potion Primer on my lids and swipe a few coats of The Falsies on my lashes and I'm good to go. On my more oilier days it tends to smudge just a little bit, nothing too out of control. I also then avoid coating my lower lashes. This mascara darkens, holds a curl, lengthens and separates my lashes. I have to wipe the brush before applying to avoid clumps. It gives me a wide eyed dolly look. Win.
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Fragrances -Victoria's Secret - Secret Charm
composure 6/12/2011 12:01:00 PM
I'm not one to wear perfumes because I find most of them too heavy, floral and offensive. Secret Charm is a light slightly floral/slight fruity scent (Gala apple, mmm). I got it as a gift and to my surprise I do adore it, right down to the packaging. I spray it once on my chest and another time on the back of my neck. I am unable to smell it after a few hours but I'm told I still smell nice after 4-5 hours later.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Maybelline - Dream Smooth Mousse
composure 6/10/2011 6:24:00 PM
As a foundation, probably not the best type for me. I have oily skin and a cream formulation would generally slide off. But I had seen reviews that it worked on some oily skin. I like how it feels and how it looks when applied, flawless and natural. I made sure to dust my face off with a translucent powder then apply foundation and then seal it again with powder. This is just not a longwear foundation. I'd give it 3-4 hours before it starts emulsifying. I have then found the use for this as a concealer. It's a bit thick if you layer it so it's perfect for that purpose. It seems to adhere well to my Revlon Colourstay foundation well. When used all over my face routinely, I feel like it's the culprit for my breakouts. I guess acne-prone and a cream foundation just doesn't mix.
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Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Dream Matte Pressed Powder
composure 6/10/2011 6:19:00 PM
Hearing all the hype, I gave in. I have extremely oily skin all year round, especially evident in the summer. I'm an NC20 and I got the powder in Sand/Medium. For sanitary reasons, I threw away the sponge pad and just use cotton ones. I like that there's a mirror inside, interesting packaging. I finished the product in 4 months. I found that it made me look paler but that didn't stop me from using it. Upon first application, and even for the first few hours it seems to hold up well. 3-4 hours later, I need to blot and reapply. This was my second repurchase. I figured my skin was just too out of controlled to be tamed by a powder. I have now discovered Rimmel's Stay Matte powder and I find that it holds up better.
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Mascara -Estee Lauder - MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara
composure 1/31/2011 1:04:00 PM
My main indicator of a good mascara is being able to hold a curl and this does not do it for me. I have fine Asian lashes.
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