Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Argan oil
eam531 10/7/2011 2:17:00 PM
I've been using argan oil as a facial moisturizer and on my cuticles. The brand I use is Kae. I am 55 and this stuff is really great for my skin. Two drops on my face (including under my eyes) and two drops on my neck/decollete, and that's it. It makes my skin soft and very smooth. It doesn't claim to banish wrinkles or anything like that, so I don't expect it (and the only things that will banish wrinkles anyway are cosmetic surgery or botox or restalane, not a cream or lotion you apply topically to your skin.) I would call this a 'dry' oil, as opposed to a 'wet' oil like olive oil. Because I need so little, it lasts forever. Two drop literally is all I use. If I use more, it makes my skin look oily, so less is more. My skin is sensitive and the oil doesn't hurt it. In winter I might need to add a bit of shea butter on top as a barrier cream. I'm glad I started using this product.
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Moisturizers -Dr. Hauschka - Quince Day Cream
eam531 12/4/2010 12:18:00 PM
I love this product. It is the perfect weight for my skin (not too heavy or too skimpy), it doesn't irritate it at all, it leaves it very soft (even the dry skin patch of skin between my eyebrows), and the tube is quite sanitary. I even like how it smells. I might have to bump up to a heavier weight moisturizer when it gets bitterly cold, or put shea butter as a barrier cream on top of the quince moisturizer, but certainly from summer up to now, this has been my go-to moisturizer. Edit: I still think this is a good product, but I have started using argan oil which is less expensive and works well.
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Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Crystal - Natural Mineral Salt Deodorant
eam531 9/18/2010 7:41:00 AM
I tried using a deodorant crystal after reading reviews and having a colleague rave about it. It does work--I sweated but there was no odor. HOWEVER--I got a truly *horrendous* rash under my arms. I used the crystal properly--wet it throughly--but it is just way too harsh for me. The crystal I used was made of "mineral salts" which in this case was potassium alum. This is the active ingredient (only ingredient, actually) in styptic pencils!! (What men use to stop shaving nicks from bleeding.) Potassium alum is very astringent. It took almost a week for my underarms to heal. The product does work in terms of stopping bacteria growth that causes BO, but given its harshness, I simply can't use it.
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Moisturizers -La Mer - Creme de la mer moisturizer
eam531 12/20/2009 2:36:00 PM
I got a teeny sample of this because my skin was getting dry and flaky due to the cold and wind and I have read the glowing testimonials for years. When it came, and I read the ingredients, I couldn't believe my eyes--CDLM is loaded with petrochemicals (mineral oil and petrolatum and paraffin). I really doubt that the 'miracle seaweed broth' could do a lick of good, given the other ingredients. In the interests of this review (because there was no way I was going to actually use this stuff), I did put some on. I didn't like it at all--I didn't like how it felt--and I washed it off right away. CDLM is a barrier cream, and that is what I was looking for. I ended up going to the health food store and I got some pure shea butter (by Perfect Organics), which you have to apply the same way as CDLM because shea butter doesn't come out of the jar as an emollient. I softened the butter between my finger tips and patted it on. 2 days later the dry flaky patches are gone. All this with no petrochemicals and at a fraction of the cost (11 bucks for 1 ounce vs. 130 bucks for 1 ounce). For those who love CDLM, what I have to say won't change any minds, but boy howdy, I found it to be a grossly overpriced hype. I'm really glad I just got a sample!
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Cleansers -Aura Cacia - Grapeseed Oil
eam531 10/12/2007 12:07:00 PM
I'm reviewing this as a moisturizer, not a cleanser. Well, I may have found my HG moisturizer. I read about using grapeseed oil as a facial moisturizer on a health forum. I got some 2 weeks ago, have been using it every day, and I just LOVE it. It's very light, it has no scent, I only need to use a little, it absorbs quickly and makes my skin glow in a pretty way. I use about 4 drops on my face. My little bottle will last a very long time, at this rate--I paid 4 bucks for it! I don't have super-dry or super-oily skin, so the weight and texture of the oil is fine for me. I have mild rosacea and the oil doesn't hurt my skin at all. The person who wrote about grapeseed oil on the health forum says that it is chockfull of anti-oxidants--another benefit. Highly recommended product!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Bobbi Brown - Hydrating Eye Cream
eam531 10/12/2007 12:00:00 PM
I got this product as a sample when I bought the Stonewash Palette. It makes the skin under my eyes feel very soft and hydrated, as the name implies. I bought a full-size jar right away. I don't think any eye creme will do anything for wrinkles so I'm not expecting any miracles there. It stopped the dryness around my eyes, and that is what I wanted. I agree with another reviewer that this product is fabulous to put on before using concealer. I wish that this were available in a pump bottle, though.
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Moisturizers -Dr. Hauschka - Moisturizing Day Cream
eam531 4/15/2007 10:38:00 AM
I have been using the Hauschka line for several months. Interestingly, this day cream is a lot oilier on my skin than the Quince and Rose creams that come in tubes. The packaging for the day cream is in a pump bottle, so it's quite hygenic. However, it was just too greasy for me, and when I perspired, it would run into my eyes and sting like nobody's business! I like the ethos of Dr. Hauschka's line of products but having given them quite a long trial, I've decided to go back to my beloved Sothys skin products for sensitive skin. The Hauschka products (well, the cleanser, toner, and the moisturizing day cream) all have too much alcohol in them. I had never had had skin products sting my eyes prior to using Dr. Hauschka's moisturizing day cream.
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Cleansers -Dr. Hauschka - Cleansing Milk
eam531 8/3/2006 11:32:00 AM
EDIT: I've been using these products for several months, and I've decided to go back to my beloved Sothys products for sensitive skin. While I really like the ethos of Dr. Hauschka's line, several of the products have too much alcohol in them. When I would sweat, the moisturizing skin cream would get into my eyes and sting! That had never happened before; certainly not with my Sothys products! So I deleted some lippies and won't be buying again. Betsy 4/15/07 This is a review of the whole Dr. Hauschka skin care line. Thanks to ProductGuru's long review, I decided to re-try Dr. Hauschka's skin line. I'd tried the kit for sensitive skin and liked it a lot, but didn't take the plunge and get the full-sized products (this stuff is quite pricey). So anyway, I pried open my wallet and with trembling hands, plunked down an enormous wad of cash for the whole line. My reaction, after a few weeks of exclusive use: Dr. H. is THE BOMB!!!!!!!! HG all the way. I use the daily cleanser, cleansing cream, toner, daily moisturizer, eye cream (in the tube), the ampules for sensitive skin, and the revitalizing mask. All I can say is, this stuff is incredible. My skin is actually pretty decent anyway--although I have rosacea, it is pretty mild, and I don't tend to break out--but I have rather large pores on my nose. Well, after using this line exclusively, I swear they are SHRINKING! Nothing else I have tried has made my skin look this good. I can only imagine how it will look in two months, which is the length of time ProductGuru says it will take to see lasting results. One good thing is that I won't be using the ampules for ever; the recommendation is to use them until that your skin is normalized (6-8 weeks) and then after that, you only need to use them a few times a year, like when the seasons change. This will cut down on the price. Like others, I was a bit skeptical about only using the ampules on my face at night, but my skin feels fine when I wake up, and I never really liked night creams--my skin is not dry and they all are too heavy. I don't know whether I will still feel this way in winter, but right now, the ampules are working quite well. I absolutely agree with ProductGuru's advice to use the whole line; you won't get the same results if you use it piecemeal. I know it is expensive, but when I look at the Sephora and Bliss catalogs and see the prices for many of the creams and potions for sale there, I don't feel that Dr. H. is outrageous in comparison. I also really like the philosophy behind the product. In short--terrific products, I am totally delighted with the results, and now I know I have found the skin care line that really works for me. Betsy
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Powder -Alima - Satin Matte Mineral Foundation
eam531 7/25/2006 9:10:00 AM
This is absolutely the best mineral foundation I have ever tried. The colors are *beautiful*, it is extremely finely milled so it is very soft (unlike others that feel like sand in comparison!) and you only need a little to look wonderful. It is also matte, exactly as advertised; I do not like shiny, glowy makeup and that is a big problem with most MMUs. I also like the company's charitable activities and overall ethos, not to mention the lightning-fast shipping and free samples. As others have said, there is a "troubleshooting" area on the company's web page that has excellent tips about applying mineral makeup. I discovered Alima from this site; I'm really grateful. This makeup is definitely HG material for me. Betsy
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Occitane - eau de miel (honey gentle water) [DISCONTINUED]
eam531 7/22/2006 10:31:00 AM
This is a delicious, light honey scent, not cloying at all. I just LOVE it. It has next to no staying power, but that's okay, because I really dislike heavy perfumes. I love the bottle, too.
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Cleansers -L'Occitane - Shea Butter Extra Gentle Cleansing Milk
eam531 7/22/2006 10:27:00 AM
This is a very gentle product, and I like it very much. It does not irritate my sensitive skin, nor does it leave a greasy residue. Unlike many of L'Occitane's products, the packaging is great--a pump bottle. However, it does not take off makeup well, at least for me. I use another product to remove makeup. I would definitely buy it again.
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Moisturizers -L'Occitane - Honey Face Cream [DISCONTINUED]
eam531 7/22/2006 10:19:00 AM
This product smells wonderful and is really gentle on my sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. I would buy this product again, because of its gentleness and the fact that it isn't too heavy. Unlike many people with sensitive skin, mine is not particularly dry. I like the fact that it is organic, too. My problem with it, and with many of the products from L'Occitane, is the packaging. The cream comes in a glass jar, and while it is pretty, it is also unhygenic. I wish they would put it in a pump bottle, or one of those jars with a top that you push down on and the product is squeezed out, like Clarins.
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Primer/ Corrector -Clinique - Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector
eam531 7/22/2006 10:08:00 AM
This is an excellent primer for foundation. I have large-ish pores on my nose, and a bit of the Pore Perfector makes them disappear. Because I only need to use it on my nose, a little tube lasts quite a long time. The light color is a perfect match for me. I am not nuts about most Clinique skin products, but two thumbs up on this one. Betsy
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - 4711 Echt Kolnisch Wasser (Original Eau de Cologne)
eam531 5/26/2006 5:34:00 PM
I discovered this in Germany years ago; I got it at Woolworth's in Munich. It is really fresh and subtle; it is terrific if you refrigerate it and spritz it on in the summer. In Germany you could get it in towelettes, which were wonderful for freshening up after a long train trip. I love the ornate label, too!
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Tinted Moisturizer -Lancome - Aqua Fusion Teinte SPF 15 - Continously Infusing Tinted Moisturizer [DISCONTINUED]
eam531 5/25/2006 3:25:00 PM
This product matches my skin wonderfully and doesn't make me look made-up or mask-like. I would give it 5 lippies, except for its price, and I find it rather difficult to apply. I use my fingers and I have to put it on right after I put on moisturizer or else it feels like I am stretching my skin when I apply it. It goes on with more difficulty than the other TM I have (Revlon's Age Defying Light Makeup) and is a lot more expensive too. Betsy
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