Moisturizers -LUSH - Enzymion
digelt 9/25/2009 10:34:00 AM
Oh, how I wanted to love Enzymion. I'm a new LUSH junkie, and I'm totally endoctrinated. I want to replace all my old skincare products with healthy, fresh, natural ones. Especially ones that smell yummy and promise to make your oil disappear and your face glow! Who wouldn't love that? I got a sample from the SA at the store, and I was so excited. He swore that Enzymion cleared up his face. So I decided to give it a try. The texture is so nice. It's very light, very pleasant, and it absorbs quickly. It doesn't make my face feel heavy or greasy at all. Just nicely moisturized. And the smell! So delicious. It doesn't smell like fruit loops to me - it just smells very fresh and a bit lemony. So nice in the mornings - a real pick-me-up. By mid-day, I was starting to have some breakthrough shine. Was it more or less than with my regular moisturizer? I don't know. I wanted it to work so much that I kept convincing myself it was less, but eh. In hindsight, I don't think there was much difference. But sure enough, after about 4-5 days of use, I started breaking out like CRAZY. I pushed through for a couple more days just to see if it would subside, and it only got worse. I knew going in that it might break me out, considering the ingredients, but I have read reviews here and there from people who had great results, so I decided I'd chance it. And unfortunately, it's not for me. I'd like to try Vanishing Cream next, but we shall see...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -BeneFit Cosmetics - Lipgloss in Kiss Me
digelt 9/16/2009 4:09:00 PM
This is my absolute favorite lipgloss ever (and I'm a gloss/balm hoarder and addict). Like others have mentioned, the color is a bit... intimidating in the tube, but it goes on in the perfect shade of sheer pink that just makes your own lipcolor look healthy and glossy and perfect. It smells divine (supposedly smells like lychee, which I've never smelled, but works for me!), goes on like a dream, and gives just the right hit of cool, sheer pink to your lips. They recently reformulated their glosses to a lighter, much less sticky consistency. The reincarnation of this color in the new formulation is called "Kiss You", but it's the same thing - I have it in both versions and the color they perfected the first time around was not affected by the formulation change at all. The new version just glides on easier. But day or night, dressed up or a casual weekend day, this gloss is perfect for any occasion. Gorgeous! The only reason it didn't get 5 lippies from me is because $18 is a lot of money for lipgloss, at least to me. Doesn't mean I won't keep paying it, though!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -LUSH - Herbalism
digelt 9/16/2009 1:16:00 PM
I'm a relatively new LUSH addict, and I *really* wanted to like Herbalism. I have extremely oily, extremely acne-prone skin. The SA claimed he also had very oily, problematic skin, and that Herbalism was a god-send for him and highly recommended I try it as well. I was waffling between it and Coalface or Fresh Farmacy (I'm inherently lazy, so a bar cleanser seemed easier and therefore more appealing to me). He said he really thought that I should start with Herbalism since I really wanted to get my acne/oiliness under control. So I gave it a try for a good 2 weeks, despite the fact that I just kept breaking out more and more. People with acne know that sometimes if something is really effective, it'll bring up breakouts that were lurking just beneath the surface - it has to get worse before it gets better. Well, with Herbalism, it just had to get worse before it got worse. I finally gave up when my breakouts were the worst they'd been in months. I got out my tiny sample of Coalface and started using it instead, and within a couple of days, my face has already started calming back down. I think I'm going to take back the rest of my Herbalism and get a bar of Coalface instead. Another thing, going back to my laziness - Herbalism is a real PITA to use. I never got the hang of how much to pinch off, how much water to mix in, how to keep little crumbles from falling down into my sink... It takes patience and coordination that apparently I don't have. So yeah - I'm glad this works for some people, but it's just not for me.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -LUSH - Olive Branch Solid Perfume [DISCONTINUED]
digelt 9/12/2009 1:36:00 PM
As a relatively new Lushie, I stumbled across this scent by accident. I use Squeaky Green solid shampoo and love the really herbal scent. It says in the description that it has the same scent as Go Green solid perfume. Not so. I sampled the Go Green in the store, and it just wasn't the same. So I started trying all the solid perfumes, searching for one that struck a chord. I was starting to get discouraged as I smelled one after another and was underwhelmed. But then I got to The Olive Branch. OMG - it was love at first sniff, and I've been madly addicted ever since. It's subtle and strange and light and fresh and totally unlike anything else I've ever smelled. I love catching a whiff of my wrist by accident over the course of the day; it just recharges my great mood. It's a unisex smell, so guys or girls could pull it off equally. It's not overpowering, but it's definitely unique. And I love the way it's packaged. It's in a small little tin you can throw in a handbag or put in your pocket. And unlike some lipbalm tins, it comes open very easily and without a struggle. It's inexpensive and the amount in the tin will last you for a good bit. I recommend this highly to anyone looking to try something different, fresh, and just delicious. Two thumbs way up.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -LUSH - Squeaky Green
digelt 9/12/2009 12:28:00 PM
This is the first Lush solid shampoo I've tried - I asked them to recommend one that would be good for my thick hair with slightly oily roots and slightly dry ends, as well as for my husband's dandruff - they recommended this one. First of all, I ADORE the herbal smell... I'm a bit of a hippie and it totally appeals to me. Also, it turns out that it is great for both my husband and me. It helps his dandruff, and while it helps thoroughly clean my hair (and keep it clean for days), it doesn't dry out my ends. I tried lathering it my hand, but that never works. I just run it from one side of my head to the other - ear to ear, then top to bottom, a couple of times each. That gives me plenty of lather to work with for all my super-thick hair. Yes, there are little bits of rosemary, etc. that may get into your hair, but they rinse right out. I pair this with Jungle conditioner and my hair smells divine. I love the no packaging. Just be sure you leave it on a wire rack like on a shower organizer or something so it can dry out fully between uses. You don't want to put this into a tin wet. It gets sticky and you'll have a devil of a time trying to get it back out. But as long as you do let it dry fully first, it travels wonderfully in the tin. Plus they claim that by using a solid shampoo bar, you've saved the waste of having used the equivalent of 3 plastic bottles - you've gotta love that! I took off one lippie only because it DOES contain SLS, despite what some people are saying in their reviews. I'm not sure if it used to not contain it, but it definitely does now - don't be fooled. Otherwise, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -LUSH - Jungle
digelt 9/12/2009 12:13:00 PM
I am completly and totally in love with this conditioner. I'm a bit of a hippie anyway, so it appeals to me in every way. I love the no packaging. I love the herbal scent - the way my hair smells for a good 2 days after I wash it, the way my bathroom smells after a shower... the smell is just to die for. I love that there are no "cones" in it, so it breaks that ridiculous cone cycle, and instead of your hair *looking* healthy, it *is* healthy (finally!). That said, it may not appeal to everyone because it's not like cone conditioners. It doesn't feel slick and slippery when you put it on, so you might mistake that to mean it's not working our you didn't use enough. Trust me - it's working. The application takes some practice, too, which might turn some off. But once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake. Just break off a small chunk, put it in the palm of your hand, and with a little bit of water, smush it with your opposite thumb until it's a good, consistent paste. Rub that into your hair (focusing on your ends), and leave it in for a bit. Rinse it out and you're good to go. After a couple of uses, you'll notice that your hair is smooth and shiny and bouncy. And it smells divine! This is my new HG conditioner, hands down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Sephora - Blotting Papers
digelt 4/21/2009 2:34:00 PM
I've used Clean & Clear's blotting sheets for years, but never been totally impressed. They're small, they always get saturated, and they always seem to lift away makeup when I use them. In which case, how are they any different than just using regular tissue? I was in Sephora the other day and had run out of my C&C sheets. On a whim, I got the tea tree blotting papers. The rep told me that tea tree calms the senses and the skin. My skin always needs calming (and I just generally like the smell of tea tree), so I got them. Well, I haven't noticed that they really calm anything, but I LOVE the job they do blotting oil. They're the perfect size for my face, and they do a great job of absorbing oil while leaving my makeup in place and my face nice & matte. I love them! $8 is a little much, but they come in a 100 pack, and they're nice & large. I love them and will likely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Sheer Tint SPF 15- Chestnut 03
digelt 4/13/2009 2:13:00 PM
I got this as a gift, and I loved the color. Loved the SPF, loved how moisturizing it is! It looks great on and feels great, too. Don't let the "sheer tint" thing fool you - this is a lovely, rich color that is extremely flattering. Why then, you ask, would I only give it 2 lippies? Because the smell is HORRIBLE. At first I thought I was being too sensitive, maybe it was because I'd just applied it. After several minutes, I began to realize that it was indeed that the lipstick smelled that strongly, but I hoped it would fade. It didn't fade. After about an hour, I had a headache I just couldn't take it anymore. It smells like powdered carpet cleaner or something... very perfume-y and chemical-y. I had to wipe it off. Such a shame! I only hope they get enough complaints that they make a fragrance-free version soon. YUCK.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
digelt 4/6/2009 4:25:00 PM
Boy am I glad I didn't skim the reviews before I snagged this product at a BOGO sale at the drugstore. I admit I was drawn in by the commercials (which were pretty jaw-dropping in their claim), and the cute packaging. So when the sale came up, I gave it a shot. While it didn't look anything like it does in the commercials (of course), this mascara is great! It lengthened my lashes instantly! It didn't clump much at all, and I didn't notice any flaking all day. I also didn't notice the weird smell so many people have mentioned. It smells fine to me. And I didn't notice any patent shine, while we're at it. It didn't add much volume, but it didn't make my lashes look weird or spidery. They look healthy, natural, and looooooooong. This isn't a miracle worker, but I really like it. It's just a really nice lengthening mascara with a great brush that's easy to apply, at a great price and in a ridiculously cute package. I love it and will definitely repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Garnier - Fructis Fiber Gum Putty
digelt 4/1/2009 5:05:00 PM
I'm always on the hunt for a good hairstyling product, although I'm never sure exactly what I'm looking for. I have shoulder length hair that is slightly wavy, VERY thick but with thin strands. Anyway, I had a coupon for a Fructis product and saw this. Between this, the surf hair, and some other product in a similar jar, I randomly picked this one. As you've read in other reviews, this is probably ideal for short cuts that you can really play around with. This stuff didn't provide any sort of hold or definition that I could tell, but I'll tell you what it did do... When i wanted to style my hair just after blowdrying it when it's all clean and limp - it instantly gives you that ideal "second day hair". It gives you volume, and it gives you some traction to get your hair to actually do what you want it to. So while this isn't some HG hair product for me, it's definitely useful. It's fun, smells great, and is relatively inexpensive - I'll more than likely repurchase. On a side note, there's a slight possibility it's breaking out my already acne-prone skin. I'm going to experiment a little bit and update if that ends up being the case. I hope it's not...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -BeneFit Cosmetics - California Kissin'
digelt 4/1/2009 11:05:00 AM
I got this product in a GWP (who knew BeneFit even did GWPs?). I was excited, because I was curious about it and wanted to give it a try. As a gloss, it's really nice, especially alone. It gives just enough shimmer and is nice and glossy, but not *too* much so. And the blue tint did wonders for the color of my lips. At first I was worried it would look weird, but once you spread it on your lips and blend it in, it's so flattering. I find it looks even better when I've lined my lips with a really natural looking liner. I've also experimented with putting it over lipstick, and I like the sheen it gives it, but I don't notice a change in color at all. Does it make my teeth look remotely whiter, though? No. Does it freshen my breath? Another no. It does feel all cool and minty, but that doesn't translate into fresh breath. Does it even moisturize my lips? Not really. And it doesn't stay on very long. So while it's a nice, pretty gloss in a package I really like (and I love pulling out my funky blue lip gloss and ending up with pink, shiny lips), it doesn't do what it says it does, and there's no way I would pay $18 for it. I'm glad I got it as a gift, but I will definitely not repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Erase paste
digelt 4/1/2009 10:56:00 AM
The packaging is cute - it's tiny but a little bit goes a long, long way. It just takes the tiniest of dabs to get the coverage you need to say bye-bye to your undereye circles. I've never tried it with the little stick because using my ring finger worked great for me. I would not personally buy this again because it's not what I need. I need a concealer that's great at concealing blemishes, scars, and things of that sort, and erase paste doesn't cut it. It gets cakey and melts off my oily skin in no time. That said, however, it is INCREDIBLE at concealing undereye circles and generally brightening the eye area. I'm a sleep deprived mom of 2 little ones, and erase paste makes me look like I've actually gotten sleep! What a shock! In all seriousness, though, I don't have a chronic problem with undereye circles, and therefore can't justify spending $26 on a concealer that only works in the eye area - it's going to have to pull double duty if I'm going to spend that much money.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -BeneFit Cosmetics - Hello Flawless!
digelt 4/1/2009 10:32:00 AM
I am such a BeneFit junkie. Their products fit my personality so well - funky & irreverent. So anytime a new product comes out promising to make me oh-so-beautiful, I can't resist. So naturally when Hello Flawless! came out, I was excited. Particularly since there seemed to be quite a bit more selection in terms of shade than you get with Some Kind-a Gorgeous, Get Even, or any of their concealers. I'm an NC20 in MAC, and the Me Vain? Champagne works pretty well for me. Anyway, I have acne. And acne scars (dark ones). And a loooot of oil. This foundation is NOT for me. When they say "flawless", they're talking about concealing problems that are apparently not as obvious as mine. I don't know why I keep straying away from Studio Fix, which I need to admit to myself is my HG foundation, but I did and Hello Flawless! just does not measure up. That said, the texture is so light and soft, the color is so even, the packaging is so cute, compact, and convenient. I want to love this product so much, but it just doesn't cut it for me. But I gave it 3 lippies because I'm sure others with less problematic skin will love it!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Clinique - Repairwear- Intensive Eye Cream
digelt 1/30/2009 3:09:00 PM
I'm starting to get to the stage in my life where I need to worry about eye creams, so I'm still learning what works and what doesn't. But I got this as a GWP and thought I'd give it a go. I have the slightest of fine lines, slightly dark circles, but my main concern is creping (way too many years of carelessly pulling at your eye area will do that). Well, that and not looking like a zombie from being chronically sleep deprived thanks to having a baby in the house... After a few days, I noticed that the dark circles were almost gone, and overall I looked more rested. Not much change in the creping, but I wasn't expecting miracles. But lo and behold, I'm starting to break out in my eye area! I'm so disappointed. Is there an eye cream that doesn't break out acne-prone skin? I don't know yet, but this certainly isn't it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Neutrogena - Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup 
digelt 1/30/2009 3:01:00 PM
I wanted to love this foundation, I really did. I love compact foundations, and I like Neutrogena overall. I have very problematic skin that's very oily & prone to breakouts. Silly me thought "Healthy Skin" was in reference to what it would do for you. Actually, what they mean is you have to HAVE healthy skin in order for it to not look horrible. It's streaky and cakey, it settles into your pores & fine lines, and it clings on to every flakie on your face for dear life. And despite the fact that it provides extremely heavy coverage, it does nothing to hide or conceal blemishes or other boo-boos. It's almost like a flaw-magnifier; I was pretty horrified. I should've known better than to test drive a new foundation for the first time right before work.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No