Cleansers -La Mer - Cleansing Gel
dharbo 5/17/2010 1:08:00 PM
This is my newest obsession. This cleanser leaves my skin literally glowing after I am done. It will remove eye makeup fairly well. The scent is perfumy, like ocean mixed with old perfume, but that doesn't bother me at all. It does sting my eyes like crazy if by accident some of the product should come in contact with them while washing. You only need 2 pumps at night if you are wearing makeup and just one in the morning. This cleanser produces a really nice cushy foam which did't strip my skin or make it feel tight. If it weren't so expensive I would buy it again. Maybe if I use green dye and add that type of fragrance to a clear gel drugstore cleanser my face will think I am using La Mer and glow. :)
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Toners -Clinique - Clarifying Lotion #2
dharbo 5/17/2010 12:54:00 PM
I am such a walking contradiction when it comes to this toner. It is my favorite but not because its perfect. I don't recommend this toner if you have dry skin because it is just too harsh. Neither is this for anyone that can get drunk easily because just the smell of the alcohol will knock you out. But, I do use this on my cheeks and for some odd reason (which hey if it works) it controls the breakouts that I get there. I can't use this on my nose because I will get an oil slick if I do. The reason I say this is because my t zone is oily and alcohol creates more oil production in my pore lining, which I have tons of clogged open pores there. So it is my favorite but only in targeted areas of my face.
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Toners -Clinique - Mild Clarifying Lotion
dharbo 5/17/2010 12:31:00 PM
This is a really nice toner. It removed any residue of makeup and dirt that my cleansers failed to remove. It is extemely gentle. I know this is better for my skin than the #2 clarifying lotion, but the #2 is my favorite. Don't expect this toner to tingle, because it lacks alcohol and other potentially irritating ingredients. I just finished this toner this weekend and it did work wonders for my skin during the harsh winter. Didnt dry out my skin at all. I definitely recommend this one! Remember that this toner is the one that is marble green and not the #1 that is green.
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Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Natural Finish- Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
dharbo 5/17/2010 12:17:00 PM
I just bought this foundation during the weekend and have to say its pretty good. It is very wet and blends beautifully. It does run light. I am usually warm sand (2.5) and I got warm beige (3.5) and it matched perfectly. I agree with the reviews that say that this is up to medium coverage. If you do want full coverage with this maybe you'll want to do thin layers and wait until each one is fully absorbed before adding another. Now I have to warn people, your skin HAS TO BE WELL MOISTURIZED (or hydrated whatever you want to call it) before putting this on. Why might you ask? Well because any, and I mean any, dry skin hanging from your face will be lifted up and look crusty. Is that graphic enough, sorry. I have combination skin with an oily t zone yet the sides of my nose have always been dry, its very weird. So I after I was on my way out the door and looked at my skin outside to my horror the sides of my nose were peeling and so was this makeup. So please head this warning! Btw this makeup looks like skin, I have a magnifying mirror and it won't fill in your pores like some makeup does (at least it didn't magnify my pores either) but it doesn't make you look like a fake doll!
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
dharbo 5/17/2010 11:59:00 AM
So for me this is not the miracle blackhead remover that some have raved about. I am half way done with this product and have just as many bh's on my nose as when I started this. I still get breakouts, hormonal monthly ones for those who know what that is, but the rest of the month my skin looks pretty good. I haven't really noticed a change in the texture of my skin with this. I prefer the gel texture from when I was using the 1% gel. The liquid doesn't absorb instantly, instead it takes a minute or two and for some odd reason feels almost like a wet dry oil. I know that doesn't really make sense but that's the only way I can describe it. I expected it to absorb really fast because it was like water but it doesn't. It doesn't have a scent to me, the 1% gel smells acetony to me and this doesn't. I think I might try the 2% gel after I am done with this one.
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser - Normal to Oily/Combination Skin
dharbo 5/17/2010 11:50:00 AM
Ok, so I had some time to really play with this cleanser. It is not good for removing makeup. In my perfect world there would be no need for a separate eye makeup remover. As a morning cleanser this is great because its gentle and doesn't really foam up all that much. No fragrance, which is nice. It's light gel texture is my favorite for cleansers too. Doesn't break out my combination skin either. Oh, and doesn't sting my eyes. So overall good but not convinced enough to be my HG.
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Blush -Make Up For Ever - HD Blush (all)
dharbo 5/17/2010 11:43:00 AM
I bought this in 3 which is a hot pink to me instead of a fuschia. I have seriously never bought such a bright color blush but this goes on so pretty. Imagine you are crushing on someone, then get all dressed and dolled up for a party and suddenly your eye catches a glimpse at your crush. You feel all flushed and tingly inside. Well BAM that's the color of this blush on your skin. It's exactly that color you get. I am medium skin tone and I love it. I agree that the packaging needs to change, maybe a tube with the long thin applicator tip. A DOT is all you need, any more and you'll look like a total clown. I wish I had more money to get more colors but at 25 bucks a pop it gets to be overkill for my budget! Oh and BLEND, BLEND, BLEND or you will regret it. :)
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant [REFORMULATED]
dharbo 2/28/2010 2:38:00 PM
I have this in the 1% gel and it's wonderful. I have been using this for a few months and it refined my pores, smoothed my skin and controls my breakouts. Hasn't gotten rid of my blackheads, though there are less of them. I have to say that at first the smell of it (kind of acetoney) wasn't pleasant but it does disappear. Also it balls up if you rub it in too much. So I actually apply this with a cotton pad and don't have that problem anymore. Highly recommend!
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Super Antioxidant Concentrate (new & improved 2009)
dharbo 2/28/2010 2:24:00 PM
LOVE THIS!!! The texture is kind of thick silicone but it does absorb after a few minutes. Reminds me of DrD hydroshield and Kate Somerville's quench but just a tad thicker. Still it leaves my combo skin super soft and I have noticed brightening in my skin. I haven't had one breakout with this. It would be nice to have this in an airless pump but its fine in the tube as its travel friendly.
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser
dharbo 2/28/2010 2:16:00 PM
I bought the 16oz size and when I started using this pearly white creamy/light foamy cleanser it was great! My skin is left clean but not tight. The texture is definitely grainy, but it doesn't scratch the skin and the grains disappear after it hits water anyway. It doesn't remove my budgeproof makeup (mally eyeshadow sticks or her eyeliner, nor bobbi browns gel liner either) but everything else melts off and no real residue is left on my skin. I just use a cleansing oil or MK's eye makeup remover for my eyes. I would purchase again, but I do like her One Step maybe a bit better, just because its a clear gel with no grains.
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Bronzers -BeneFit Cosmetics - HOOLA
dharbo 12/24/2008 9:06:00 PM
I think this is one of the best bronzers out there. When you look inside the box, the color doesn't seem matte, it has like tiny specks of glitter. But on the skin its absolutely beautiful and doesn't make you shine. It's believable and truly easy to blend. The color is a nice brownish hue, not orange at all. I do not like the box packaging. I wish it would come in a regular compact. The brush is ok, not too scratchy. But its pretty awkward to get to the product, I just use a long handles kabuki.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Lemon Aid
dharbo 12/24/2008 9:01:00 PM
This does a wonderful job of evening the skin tone of my lids. I use this as just a shadow on my lid only now because I have a problem with this creasing.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Boi-ing
dharbo 12/24/2008 8:58:00 PM
I had gotten this in medium, perfect match too. The texture is nice, creamy but thick. The only problem with this concealer is that when I put it under my eyes to cover dark circles it creases like no tomorow. I can have that, so I gave it away.
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Fragrances -Philosophy - Falling in Love
dharbo 12/24/2008 8:56:00 PM
This smells like pure cotton candy. I cannot wear any fragrance that smells like food or is too sweet. I'm more of a floral, clean, musk type of gal. The 3in1 kind of grew on me after a while but I was sooooo happy when it finished. This fragrance I thought lasted the most out of all the Graces of Philosophy, sure enough my least favorite. Needless to say I wasn't getting it again.
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Powders -Ulta - Mineral Finishing Powder
dharbo 12/24/2008 8:48:00 PM
The hydrating version of the finishing powder is almost exactly like BE's hydrating mineral veil except for the sparkles and pink peach color. It feels cool on the skin and disappears your pores almost instantly and definitely controls oil too. Don't let the fact that is contains bismuth scare you, its way down on the list and doesn't feel itchy at all on the skin. I've even used this during the summer with no problems.
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