Mascara -Bare Escentuals - buxom lash
galinphilly 6/11/2009 1:01:00 PM
Like everyone else, I receive a sample of this at Sephora and loved it. I thought I had finally found a replacement for MF 2000 Calorie (which is getting harder and harder to find in stores). However, after buying the full sized tube during F&F, I am less than impressed. It is so clumpy! It was fine for the first week or two, and then turned into a clumpy mess. It is such a mess to apply that I have stopped using it. I do not know if it is the formula or how it dispenses onto the brush, but I cannot stand it. Back to MF for now.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Crest - crest whitening rinse
galinphilly 3/30/2009 2:25:00 PM
I received a large bottle of this free with a tube of Crest Whitening plus Scope toothpaste (which is why I rated it as dirt cheap, I do not know how much it really costs). I was definitely skeptical, since the rinse is not in your mouth very long. However, after a week of use, my teeth are definitely whiter. I tend to swish it around for 2-3 minutes rather than the 1 minute directed. I have not had any strange goop or taste in my mouth (mentioned by other reviewers) since I brush right after using. This is a keeper, and I will buy after this bottle runs out.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Terax - Collagene Shampoo
galinphilly 4/15/2008 11:20:00 PM
I have not written a review in ages, but this product inspired me. I purchased, together with the Crema conditioner, based on the great reviews on here. I have lots of fine, thermally reconditioned hair that definitely needs both protein and moisture. My biggest challenge has been finding products that keep my hair moisturized and healthy without weighing it down. The Collagene and Crema combo made my hair soft, strong and shiny, yet full and not weighed down. My new HG. Definitely expensive at $20 for each product, but with all the money I spend on thermal reconditioning, it is worth investing in these products for maintaining my hair's health. I do wish that the shampoo came with a more sturdy flip top, as it tends to open when it gets knocked around in my workout bag. At these prices, losing a couple of ounces due to a cheap cap is a crime!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Eucerin - Sensitive Facial Skin Q10 Active Night Anti-Wrinkle Cream
galinphilly 1/27/2006 7:52:00 PM
Finally! A facial moisturizer that can handle my oily in summer, slightly dry-flakey in winter skin. I only need it in winter, when my skin needs moisture from the dry air and indoor heat. Most moisturizers just make me a grease pit, and the oil free ones do not moisturize. So this was such a pleasant surprise! It sinks in easily, and I have no trouble putting it on under makeup in the morning. Mind you, my face makeup is pretty minimal - just some concealer and bronzer. So the health of my skin is something I value (rather than cover up). It does look and smell like butter, which is off-putting (which is why it is a 4 and not a 5). However, the smell goes away once applied. Definitely a HG after a couple weeks of use.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Bobbi Brown - Bronzing Powder
galinphilly 5/13/2005 3:31:00 PM
I am a bronzer junkie, and this is one of my faves. Goes on evenly and leaves a glowing, even color similar to the day after your first day at the beach (after the reddish has settled down). I have light-medium skin, with yellow undertone, and I swapped for the BB Bronzing Powder in medium. I have been wearing it almost every day since I received 2 weeks ago. Makes me look healthy and well-rested. Definitely up there in HG territory.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Mascara
galinphilly 5/6/2005 12:42:00 PM
After using Lancome Definicils for years, I got tired of spending $18 to $22 for a tube of mascara. So I decided to try the drugstore route. Based on the MUA reviews, I purchased MF 2000 Calorie. First, let me say this is not a Lancome quality product. The bristles on the brush are too closely spaced, so they do not really capture each lash. And the smell is a little bit chemically - kind of like a magic marker. Also, there is definitely a clumping factor, which is probably due to the brush issue I mentioned. However, the overall effect of the mascara once it is on and the clumps are removed with a tissue or a lash comb, is plump, defined lashes. Definitely makes my already long lashes more thick and gives them a rich black color. I am willing to go through a bit of hassle in application to save the money here (which I do spend everywhere else). Especially since the final effect is dramatic lashes.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Smashbox - Smokebox Palette
galinphilly 11/15/2004 7:29:00 PM
Ughhh! I love a smokey eye, but no matter which shades and how I applied these shadows, I ended up looking like I had a black eye (or 2, to be precise). I followed the QVC demo instructions too. This went right back in the box to QVC, and I got myself a gorgeous Dior quint instead.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Chanel - Irreelle Soleil - Silky Bronzing Powder
galinphilly 11/11/2004 2:10:00 PM
My obsession with bronzing powders began 2 winters ago when I tried Bare Escntuals warmth in the dead of winter and eveyone started telling me how healthy and well rested I looked. So BE warmth became an everyday staple for me, summer, winter, whenever. Then I branched out and swapped for Sue Devitt's sunkissed gold coast bronzer on MUA. Ah -- a whole new dimension, this made me look more like that rosy look that you get after your first day in the sun. Bronzer with a touch of color, oh my! Since then, I have tried on almost every high end bronzer in stores. MAC did nothing for me. NARS made me look dirty. Too Faced was too sparkly. I have been searching for something to replace my beloved BE warmth , without the loose powder mess. And then I tried on the Chanel bronzing powder. Perfect! Got it from an ebay seller today ($29 instead of the retail $45), and I am in love. My HG bronzer.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -NARS - Casino
galinphilly 11/8/2004 11:20:00 AM
I do not get what all the hype is about. I am a bronzer devotee, so I was very excited to try this on at the store. It made my medium complexion look dirty. That's all. No healthy glow, no tan look. Just dirty. If you want a great bronzer, you are much better off with Sue Devitt, Chanel, or Bare Escentuals.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Alpha Hydrox - Foaming Face Wash
galinphilly 10/22/2004 2:45:00 PM
My perfect cleanser! I just repurchased. I have combination skin -- oily T-zone, dry cheeks and eye area. I rarely break out. This is wonderful at balancing my skin. Makes the pores on my nose really small without irritating the drier areas. Makes my skin glow. Note that although this is made by Alpha Hydrox, there is no alpha hydroxy acid in it. Which is fine with me, because I use a lactic acid toner afterwards, Biologique Recherche P50V (which is rather pricey, so it helps that the Alpha Hydrox is dirt cheap). My skin has never looked better.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Masquintense
galinphilly 9/12/2004 2:02:00 AM
This is a staple for me. I have a lot of fine, naturally wavy but thermally reconditioned hair. I started using this a couple of years ago to get my hair prepared for the TR, and now, this is one of the products that keeps my straight hair silky smooth. Even though I have fine hair, I use the formula for thick hair. I rotate it with Crede ER, and the 2 together keep my hair very shiny and healthy without being weighed down. I do not love the tub packaging, because it is difficult to prevent water from getting in while showering. It is quite pricey, but the tub lasts forever since I only need a dab to coat my long hair.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bare Escentuals - Warmth All Over Face Color
galinphilly 9/3/2004 8:11:00 PM
This is the first bronzer that I have ever used, and it is my HG! I started using it in the dead of winter, and people started telling me that I looked tanned and well-rested (when I was neither). I love the stuff. It gives my cheekbones definition, and you can also dust in on your nose and forehead for an all over healthy glow. I went through my trial size pot and bought the full size, which has lasted 6 months so far. The one down-side is the whole loose powder thing -- it can make a real mess.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5 Couleur Eyeshadow - The Browns
galinphilly 9/3/2004 7:42:00 PM
These colors are now discontinued, but after seeing pictures and reading reviews, I had to get my hands on this quint! So I found it on ebay ($43 including shipping), and am I a happy girl. I have dark hazel eyes, dark brown hair and a medium complexion. I love wearing dark neutrals on my eyes, but it is often hard to find shades that are pigmented enough to "pop" on my eyes. Well, this is the perfect set of browns and complementary highlighers (even the lighter tones are pigmented enough to pop). The texture is so silky and creamy. I do not think that I can ever go back to my staple Lancome e/s (even though the colors are great, the texture can be chalky). I am thrilled with this purchase!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Amazing Cosmetics - Amazing Concealer
galinphilly 2/14/2004 9:11:00 PM
This product completely covers my undereye circles (affectionately known as my "racoon eyes"). You need only use the tiniest amount, and it covers the circles completely! It stays put, and does not actually wash off. You need to use eyemakeup remover to take it off. I do not need to use concealer anywhere else, so I cannot comment on its other uses, but it is wonderful for undereye. I have been using the Chantecaille foundation stick (pricey), and I find that this coverage is much more opaque. At $40, it is not cheap, but it seems like it will last a long time.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No