Treatments (Eye) -Avon - HydroFirming Eye Treatment
dalenna 1/30/2008 12:18:00 PM
I am a BIG fan of this eye cream as well. It goes on like water, absorbs completely leaving no residue behind, and best of all, it leaves my very dry eye area feeling naked but surprisingly supple and thoroughly moisturized. I use it both during the day AND at night. Try keeping it in your fridge for a lovely cooling effect, especially in the hot summer! I started using this eye cream for over a year, then got curious with other high end brands, only to come crawling back to this dirt cheap baby. The high end creams felt MUCH heavier, balls up and doesn't absorb as well, and they're so greasy they crease my eye makeup when I wear them during the day. With those high end eye creams, I put up with months of irritating red eyes and blurred contacts - the oil in them even melted my water-resistant sunscreen, staining my contacts!!! This Avon eye cream does NONE of the above, and I love it to death! I'm on my 4th jar and stock up whenever there's a good promotion :D I actually keep the empty glass jars afterwards too, removing the label, and using them to store other creams and mixed loose eye shadows, pigments, and blushes. Talk about efficient! :D
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Eye Shadow -Laura Mercier - metallic creme eye colour - platinum
dalenna 1/13/2008 5:57:00 PM
This IS the best metallic creme eye shadow EVER! At first I was disappointed it went on a sheer wash, but then the sun shone through my windows and wow! - it hits me how beautiful it was to have this translucent metallic layer over my eyes. It brightens my entire face! Pros: creamy, easy to blend, does not crease and I've never used a primer. in fact, I use this as the base layer when i do layer other colors over it. Cons: a bit pricey for a tiny tube of creme eye shadow, but they last for quite a while, so I'm not complaining, really...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Fancl - Mild Cleansing Oil
dalenna 1/12/2008 2:54:00 PM
This cleansing oil definitely beats out DHC and Shiseido's cleansing oil. Pros: it cleans and remove makeup/sunscreen thoroughly without drying out my dry-combo skin. doesn't break me out or clog my pores. Not fragranced and preservative-free. Cons: a bit pricey given a $23 bottle only lasts about 8-9 weeks if used once daily and it goes bad after 4 months (because it's preservative free). but that's my only complaint!
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Embryolisse
dalenna 1/12/2008 2:47:00 PM
This review is for both the Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre and the Lait Creme Concentre Fluide (the lotion version of the cream). I have dry-combination skin, and I use the Fluide for my oily t-zones and the cream for everywhere else that's crazily dry. PROS: creamy, yet very light and non-greasy. Absorbs quickly, leaving my face soft and dewy. I don't wake up with oil-slick face, which is VERY impressive given my super oily t-zones. Does not break me out or clog my pores. Price is very reasonable, given the large tube and you don't need much AT ALL for thorough hydration. CONS: it is fragranced, unfortunately, although the fragrance doesn't bother me. Also, while the Fluide comes in a pump bottle, the cream comes in a aluminum tube and if you're not careful, you'll waste a lot of product! But those are my only complaints. The product pretty much ace everything else!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Sofina - Perfect UV (UV cut milk Extra Block) SPF 50 + PA +++ [DISCONTINUED]
dalenna 1/12/2008 2:26:00 PM
I have this in Lucent. Pros: MUCH lighter and definitely less drying than Shiseido SPF 55 PA+++. The finish it provides is the closest a sunscreen could get to my bare skin - I don't feel it AT ALL! Has no fragrance, and my skin stayed matte to the very end of the day until I take it off (it didn't with the Shiseido, as drying and waterproof as that stuff is!). The bottle is about half the size of the Shiseido bottle, and thankfully it's also half the price. Using the recommended 1/4 teaspoon daily, one bottle lasts me 10+ weeks. Cons: I just wish this sunscreen has better PPD protection, since my skin can't tolerate any European sunscreen! Other than that, my search for sunscreen stops with this product. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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Moisturizers -Avon - Hydra Radiance Moisturizing Night Cream
dalenna 1/12/2008 2:15:00 PM
Pros: the cream has fresh and lovely fragrance, absorbed quickly without any leaving any greasy films Cons: and yet it never really absorbed into my skin! My face would be oil slicked in the morning, and when I go to wash it, it would literally feel like I was washing a slimy layer off! It was also very pore-clogging. At first I thought it was the Retrinal cream irritating, but when I tried going without the Avon cream for a few nights, my face cleared out!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Bioderma - Photoderm MAX Fluide SPF 50 PPD 35
dalenna 10/26/2007 7:22:00 PM
PROS: - The protection, of course :D - Light yet very moisturizing, even for my dry combo skin - It does leave a very shiny film after application, but I've found that skipping moisturizer eliminates this problem. It actually goes on dewy and dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish on bare skin, much like the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++ CONS: - This stuff burns!!! If you would believe it, it stings my eyes during application around the forehead and chin - not even close to the eye areas! I am guessing the culprit must be the avobenzone...After just 1 week (that felt like an eternity) of watery and irritated eyes, I couldn't take it anymore and gave up :( - The sunscreen never really absorbs into my skin. Yes, it dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish on bare skin but would slowly separates and shifts around in patches as the day wears on. I'd look so awful by the afternoon that I'd have to wipe it all off and reapply. - Perhaps because it never really absorbs into my skin, it has ZERO substantivity! Forget the "water resistant" claim, just blowing my nose and wiping my mouth during lunch would take it right off! Verdict: I won't repurchase ever, even with the high protection. Very sad indeed...
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Shiseido - Majolica Majorca MJ Spice
dalenna 8/23/2007 12:55:00 PM
Colors I own: RD, PK, OR, and GD Retail: 630 yen Packaging: The plastic screw top jar (with a small round hole to dispense the spice) is actually larger than I expected. Knowing the usual "Japanese portion," for 630 yen I thought I was going to get this microscopic thing and when I got them in the mail, I was thinking, "damn, they're HUGE!" Texture: very fine and silky to the touch Fragrance: non detected Pigmentation: high, so go easy on that application! Color description: with some borrowed wordings from previous reviewers :D - RD: a pretty rasberry pink with pinkish sparkles - PK: a very usable/generic princess pink with white/silver sparkles - OR: looks bright tangerine in the bottle but is actually peachy on my warm-toned fair-medium Asian skin - GD: my absolute favorite, the most perfect light champagne shade with gold sparkles General Comments: I love these MJ Spices (and loose powder makeup in general) because they are so versatile! You can use these spices as blush, eye-shadow, highlighter (for face and eyes) and lip color. Just blend the spices (alone or as a mixture) on top of clear gloss - I put my finger over the hole and shake the jar once or twice and whatever the tiny amount the hole left on my finger would be enough for a pretty pout. For high pigment glosses or lipstick, try dabbing a tiny bit of the GD or PK on top (and blend!) for extra dimensions! Since I already own some True Colors Loose Powder makeup, I'm going to start mixing these with the spices for more color combinations :D
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Lip Gloss -Anna Sui - Rouge Jar in 300
dalenna 8/22/2007 1:54:00 PM
Colors I own: #300 Retail: I got it for $16-18 from Sephora Packaging: in a clear screw top pot, and for the price, you don't get much at all. so yes, these are rather pricey Texture: consistency is great, glossy and rich but not sticky at all. it lasts and lasts on my lip and is very moisturizing, and mind you, not all glosses are made equal. Fragrance: I think I'm alone here, but I hate the rose fragrance of this gloss. It's wayyyyyyyy too strong and if you're sensitive to fragrances, stay away from this gloss! Minus 1 lippie. Pigmentation: medium/sheer Color description: - 300: A watermelon pink with hints of cherry shimmers. In the jar it looks bright but actually goes on medium/sheer and eventually adapts itself to the color of my lips, turning into a very natural mauvey nude pink. General Comments: If only the smell was more subtle, so I will purchase only if on sale. Actually, it's been discontinued anyway. Too bad...
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Liquid -Kanebo - KATE Liquid Foundation
dalenna 8/16/2007 3:51:00 PM
Colors I own: OC-A, not sure what color that is, very light though, possibly the lightest shade Retail: 2,100 yen Packaging: 30 mL in a pump bottle with snap on cap, a good amount I would say Texture: smooth, very light and non-greasy on my oily t-zone but at the same time accomodating to my otherwise very dry skin. Blends well, and i never had to retouch throughout the day. Fragrance: very very slight scent Coverage: medium/sheer General Comments: my Japanese friend picked this while we were hanging out in Japan - she would often take me to drug stores to ogle at all the pretty makeup :D She was the one who picked out the shade for me, it's the same shade she uses. overall it matches my skin well. being used to translucent powder i was never a fan of liquid foundation, but this foundation is one i would actually wear. definitely would repurchase, although i hear it's been discontinued and replaced with a new liquid foundation is a square pump bottle. let's hope the new formular is the same or better...
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Cleansers -Estee Lauder - Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser
dalenna 8/15/2007 4:02:00 PM
Retail: $19, but I was using several generously-sized GWP Packaging: the full size is 4.2 oz. in a squeeze tube Texture: the cream foams nicely and you don't need much at all to create a nice lather Fragrance: very strong perfume, I absolutely hate this strong scent, it makes me feel like i'm rubbing dryer sheets on my face every morning. minus 2 lippies for this. General Comments: If only the scent was more subtle, so even although the cleanser works well, more moisturizing than Shiseido Benefiance Creamy Cleansing Foam even, i won't purchase the full size. Also, it burns, even when my skin is without any imperfections. i think it has strong alcohol content, although i can't find a list of ingredients anywhere...minus another 2 lippies.
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Blush -Estee Lauder - Tender Blush - Peach Nuance
dalenna 8/15/2007 3:50:00 PM
Retail: $25 Packaging: in a rectangular compact, the price is expensive for the amount you get. and the only thing i actually hate about this blush is its packaging, big and clunky and takes up lots of space in my small makeup bag. absolutely not very convenient to carry around at all! in fact, i hate the packaging so much i won't repurchase even though i like the blush :( minus 1 lippie Texture: very soft and silky to the touch Fragrance: a very light baby powder-like scent Pigmentation: contrary with some reviews, however, i find this blush decently pigmented, at least it shows quite well on my warm-tone fair-medium Asian skin. Color description: a peachy coral with very fine and few gold shimmers that are visible only under direct light. if you swipe it with your finger, you will find it rather matte. General Comments: like many previous reviewers, i bought this blush for how it looked in the pan. i am on a hunt for peachy-orange blushes lately and when i saw this blush, i had to have it :D the fan brush looked flimsy, so i tossed it and used my own Bobbi Brown and that picked up the color just fine. a couple of swirls, shaking off the excess on the brush and my cheeks are healthily flushed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Badger - SPF 30
dalenna 7/31/2007 9:49:00 PM
the best sunblock i've used so far. the consistency is very thick and pasty, but after blending, it leaves a semi-matte finish without a noticeable white cast or greasy feel. my skin is extremely dry, so i had to put on a bit of lotion before application even. in the afternoon, i dab a tissue all over my face and apply a thinner new layer (using the convenient California Baby SPF 30 Sunblock Stick) and I would look fresh for the rest of the night. my skin has since looking very glowy, clean, and clear. hooray! 4 WEEKS UPDATE: i actually prefer this over my Shiseido Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++ for weekdays at the office now since i only wear blush and highlighter to work. the Badger formula is much more moisturizing for my super dry skin. i had to load moisturizer on for the Shiseido suncreen and even then, it zaps my skin dry by mid-day, especially around the eye area, making me look 100 years old!! now if i could find an eye-shadow primer that will add staying power for eye makeup, i will probably toss the Shiseido for good and stick with just Badger. yes, unfortunately Badger's moisturizing formula also creases eye makeup...everything has its price, no? :D 5 MONTHS UPDATE: i've stopped using this altogether after noticing my face was tanning! *gasp* and my face NEVER tans!!! and i gooped it on too, braving the geisha face everyday, never minding how it creases my eye makeup. worst of all, it badly clogged my pores even though i use DHC deep cleansing oil + a separate cleanser as recommended :( so sad...will keep looking though in the mean time...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -California Baby - SPF 30 Sunblock Stick
dalenna 7/20/2007 8:48:00 AM
This is a "physical" sunblock, not a "chemical" sunscreen, providing a deflective physical barrier on top of the skin rather than penetrating the dermis layers to form a "chemical" layer. The key to an item being "physical sunblock" or "chemical sunscreen" is whether its active ingredients are known to be able to penetrate the skin (just google the ingredients and look for key tems like "penetration" or "dermis"). As a previous reviewer has mentioned, the texture of this sunscreen is like a dry balm, very difficult to blend. During the first several days of trial, I followed the instructions on the stick and liberally applied, and even with my light Asian skin, I looked like I had bad kabuki accidents every morning :D The amount I had put on made the sunscreen impossible to rub in. Worse, I thought moisturizing my dry skin would make the sunscreen greasier, so I left my face bare. As a result, the stuff stayed on my face and just shifted around in patches as I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed - ick! The only good things about this sunscreen so far are that it does not irritate my sensitive skin (no blocked pores, no redness), it smells decent (a touch citrusy that reminds me of Tang), and it does not seep into my eyes and burn them. Considering the long, hot and humid NJ days that melts everything right off and with the massive amount I've been gooping on, that's pretty amazing staying power! 2 WEEKS UPDATE: A ha! So I found moisturizing my face (except for the nose and forehead) makes it easier to blend the sunscreen. I have figured out the perfect application amount as well (at least for me): - 3 horizontal strokes on the forehead from side to side - 1 down the nose ridge and then 1 on each side of the nose - 1 stroke over each eye lid (again, the sunscreen does NOT bother my eyes) plus 1 stroke right below each eye - 1 long stroke on each side, tracing the outline of the face, from the temple all the way down to the chin - in 1 stroke, draw a circle around the mouth - draw a circle on each cheek - then blend away!!! Using the application methods above, after blending I found the sunscreen less apparent on my face, leaving a semi-matte finish with a dewy sheen if looked at from an angle. At the end of the day, I have a little bit more sheen on my forehead and nose (I have dry skin with oily t-zone) but that was it! Very happy with this discovery so far. Now I will try wearing make up with this sunscreen to see how it will fare :D Will update again later. 6 WEEKS UPDATE: I now use this as an afternoon touch-up for my Badger SPF 30. It is in a convenient stick so I just throw it into my bag :D And forget about the makeup. The only thing that doesn't crease with this sunblock is blush :( 5 MONTHS UPDATE: i've stopped using this as well as Badger after noticing my face has tanned! it also badly clogged my pores even when i use DHC Deep Cleansing Oil + a separate cleanser as recommended!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -T'estimo - Layered Impact Eyes eyeshadow quad summer 2006
dalenna 7/19/2007 11:38:00 AM
Colors I own: quad 03 (beige), currently eyeing 01 (brown) and 02 (grey) Retail: 3650 yen Packaging: in a thin and pearly/irisdescent rectangular compact with mirror and 2 dual-ended applicators, a bit expensive but i think it's worth the price Texture: very fine and silky to the touch Fragrance: non detected Pigmentation: in each quad there are 2 sheer shades (1 with very high sparkle content), 1 medium shade, and 1 dark liner shade that is very densely pigmented (for that smokey eye effect) Color description: - 03 (beige): a very sheer champagne base/highlight color, another sheer gold with high sparkle for the finishing wash, a medium taupey-beige, and a dark ever-green liner. General Comments: normally, i use the champagne color, the gold on lids and to line the inner corners of my eyes and the taupey-beige to line the outer corners of upper and lower lids. when i'm lazy, i just highlight with the champagne and dust my lids with the gold :D
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