Moisturizers -Arcona - Magic Pink Ice
cuddly_penguin 4/1/2013 8:18:00 PM
Already on my third jar of this, though its cost (I think around $38 for 1 oz) does give me pause. (un)fortunately, it's the best moisturizer I've used for my blemish-prone skin. It actually does moisturize while still being very light. I just wish it were less expensive. One jar lasts about one month. :(
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Treatments -L'Oreal - Youth Code Regenerating Skincare Serum Intense Daily Treatment
cuddly_penguin 3/25/2011 10:45:00 PM
Used for 5 days and started to break out. Weeks later, I'm still recovering from the large cystic pimples this gave me. Bummer especially since it's $25....not a ton, but not cheap. Maybe I'll try using the rest of the bottle (SINCE I HAVE ALMOST ALL OF IT) around my eye area only. Very disappointed. Wish I could get my money back.
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Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer spf 30
cuddly_penguin 8/3/2010 6:31:00 PM
Man, maybe I'll give this another try....everyone else here is saying that it doesn't break them out, but each time I use it for a couple of days, I get whiteheads all over. Could be coincidence, but...I'm pretty sure this is the culprit. Shame too, since I love this line's AHA and vitamin C products, but this one is a dud for me.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Devita C Accelerator
cuddly_penguin 8/3/2010 6:29:00 PM
Wow, this is the best value-for-money of any Vitamin C product I've ever used. Not only is it cheap, but it seems to be pretty stable...that is, I've had my bottle for well over 6 months and it has not turned yellowish. The expensive C serums I've used before (skinceuticals, etc.) all started to turn yellowish within a month. Even if this cost the same as those products, I'd use this since it seems to be stable....the fact that it's a fraction of the price is just icing on the cake. Mmmmm, icing.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Devita - High Performace AHA
cuddly_penguin 8/3/2010 6:24:00 PM
Best AHA product I've used, and reasonable price (given that other lines' AHA serums tend to cost $70+. My skin started breaking out after pregnancy, and within 2 weeks this had cleared it up and was starting to improve my melasma too. This and their vitamin C product have been very effective and excellent value for money! I'm very pleased.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Tanda Skincare System
cuddly_penguin 12/14/2009 6:46:00 PM
It actually worked -- I found the red light to be more effective than blue -- it seemed to BOTH reduce redness AND breakouts. Problem is, mine broke and would not hold a charge more than a few seconds. Tanda's customer service is horrendous. Even if they agree to replace the unit, the replacement unit soon breaks and then....eventually....your warranty runs out and they don't care. I think LED light treatments can really work, but just don't buy THIS product from THIS company. They will take your money and laugh at you when it breaks. EDIT: found from another reviewer the secret -- leave it plugged into the base, and it still works. So I'm adding back 2 lippies since it still works, but it is ULTRA LAME that you have to leave it plugged in. It should NOT break in the FIRST PLACE.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -LUSH - Gentle Lentil solid shampoo
cuddly_penguin 3/11/2009 8:45:00 PM
Have yet to try this, but for those disappointed that it's been discontinued, LUSH has brought it back for sale online (online only!) http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/solid-shampoos/gentle-lentil
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Tools -Unlisted Brand - No!No! Professional Hair Removal System
cuddly_penguin 7/25/2008 8:53:00 PM
(not sure which review is the "Real" one, so posting this in both!) Ugh. Let me start off by saying that I am a gadget-fanatic. I have a clarisonic, zeno, am about to buy an at-home LED system, and even have a Roomba and a Chumby in my house :) But this is one gadget that has sorely let me down. Yes, it does remove your hair. Sort of. But it takes a LONG time - you need to go over each section multiple times. Even then, the removal is "cosmetic" and by that I mean, if you run your hand along your leg after using it, you can feel (though not see) some stubble. I used for several weeks and did not notice any big difference in hair growth. Then again, I only used 1x per week (that's all I had time for! it takes forever!). Also, it technically wouldn't get EVERY hair - random ones would still be left here and there. Shaving takes 1/10 the time at 1/100 of the price. Very disappointed in Sephora for backing this product.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tools -Unlisted Brand - No!No! Professional Hair Removal System
cuddly_penguin 7/25/2008 8:51:00 PM
Ugh. Let me start off by saying that I am a gadget-fanatic. I have a clarisonic, zeno, am about to buy an at-home LED system, and even have a Roomba and a Chumby in my house :) But this is one gadget that has sorely let me down. Yes, it does remove your hair. Sort of. But it takes a LONG time - you need to go over each section multiple times. Even then, the removal is "cosmetic" and by that I mean, if you run your hand along your leg after using it, you can feel (though not see) some stubble. I used for several weeks and did not notice any big difference in hair growth. Then again, I only used 1x per week (that's all I had time for! it takes forever!). Also, it technically wouldn't get EVERY hair - random ones would still be left here and there. Shaving takes 1/10 the time at 1/100 of the price. Very disappointed in Sephora for backing this product.
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Lips -TheBalm - Stainiac in Prom Queen
cuddly_penguin 7/14/2008 10:17:00 PM
Have already re-purchased twice already. HG stain for me -- great color which REALLY enhances the natural color of my lips. "Homecoming Queen" is OK but too orangey. Benetint is too "harlot / cherry popsicle" red. Vicent Longo lipstains (I have 2) seem way too dark for daytime. Not this precious little gem. So far, it's the ONLY natural-looking, long-lasting lipstain ever. Love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Smashbox - Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer
cuddly_penguin 7/14/2008 10:14:00 PM
Thank goodness I tried this one out at Sephora before purchasing. Agree with other reviewer below that the coverage is really quite minimal (I could hardly tell that the SA had applied it), and after a couple of hours it literally slid off of my face. Can't say that I would purchase, nor would I recommend for oily skin or for hiding dark pigmentation.
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Cleansers -Origins - Clean Energy Cleansing Oil
cuddly_penguin 1/30/2008 9:58:00 PM
Man, after reading the reviews below, I was hoping to have found my HG cleansing oil, but unfortunately, this left me with a handful of big cysts. I gave it a full month, AND it's the only thing I had changed in my routine, so I'm fairly certain it's the culprit. I'm going back to Dermalogica PreCleanse and will be putting up my bottle of this for swap.
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Treatments -Kinerase - Clear Skin Treatment Serum
cuddly_penguin 11/17/2007 5:04:00 PM
I don't care about the smell -- if only it would WORK! This stuff gave me the worst break-out I've had in years -- it's seriously taken me 3 - 4 months for all of the blackheads on my face to go away. Huge, angry cysts...plus what seemed like a blackhead in each pore. I stuck with it for over 2 weeks, night and day --- not sure what caused the clogging, but it was HORRIBLE.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Define A Lash
cuddly_penguin 11/1/2007 5:13:00 PM
Ugh -- the wand is way too flimsy. It's like they tried to copy what CG is doing but spent less money on the wand. Contrary to what its name promises, this made several of my lashes clump together (for that horrible "uni lash" look). Also, the formula is super-clumpy and runs by the end of the day. Seriously the worst mascara I've used.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Pro Skincare Brush
cuddly_penguin 10/31/2007 9:26:00 PM
It's too bad I'm already engaged, otherwise I would MARRY THIS PRODUCT. I've had mine for 2 months now. This goes way beyond any normal brush, just like the sonic toothbrushes go way beyond any regular toothbrush. Don't be fooled by imitators. This smooths skin and makes treatments sink in better. It might bring up some gunk at first, or with irregular usage, but stick with it and be amazed at the results. Update: July 2008 - have had it for almost a year and am still in love. Single most potent product in my "clear skin routine" UPDATE: July 2009 -- it's been two years now, and this is still an HG. I stopped using for a few months, and regret it. This + Arcona Raspberry cleanser = clearest skin ever.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No