Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Gena CALLUS OFF
genalewis 7/9/2011 2:23:00 PM
This stuff right here? Amazing. Simply amazing. I used this years ago to remove dead skin from my feet. I remembered that it worked well to make my feet smooth and soft, but it was kind if messy and burned when you got it on healthy skin. It used to contain a high concentration of salicylic acid. But the formula has CHANGED! Please disregard older reviews, because it is no longer anything like it used to be. Instead of using salicylic acid as an exfoliating agent, it now utilizes potassium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide, or caustic potash, is a chemical that is often found in cuticle removers. It is corrosive to tissue. After soaking for a few minutes, you then dry your feet and apply Callus Off to the rough areas of skin. Unlike the old formula, it does not burn when accidentally applied to healthy skin. You let it sit from 3-5 minutes, wipe the gel off, then buff the loosened skin away. I used the Dr. Scholl's version of the Ped Egg for this part. The skin had become loose and sticky and just rolled away with every stroke! It was, for lack of a better word, AWESOME. I will never be without this new and improved version of Gena Callus Off. I recommend this to anyone who wants an easy and very effective way of getting rid of rough feet.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Veet Suprem'Essence Hair Removal Gel Cream
genalewis 7/5/2011 8:18:00 AM
There are certain products that, no matter how many times I've been let down, I keep trying to make them work. I'll try a new brand, a new method of using it...all because what the product CLAIMS to do is so fantastic that I desperately want it to work. One such product is depilatory cream. I have NEVER had a good experience with a depilatory. They stink, they are messy, they don't remove any of my coarse hair. But I had a coupon for $2 off a Veet product, and this was a product line I had not yet tried. So I picked up the Suprem'Essence Hair Removal Gel Cream, because it claimed to remove hair in 3 minutes. I figured it must be pretty strong. I got it home, and the first thing I noticed is that it smells good. If you've ever used a hair removal cream, you know how awful they smell. This one is nice! The cream is thick and rich and doesn't drip, which is great. I hate that they put these things in a tube, though. It gets messy and slippery. I applied a thick layer all over my legs, waited the full 6 minutes (that is the max time for coarse hair). It didn't tingle or burn at all, and my skin is very sensitive. It seems to be a very moisturizing formula. When the time was up, I used a wet washcloth to remove the cream and hair. I didn't expect much, but OH MY LORD!!! IT WORKS!!! No irritation, minimal mess...VERY soft, smooth legs! I definitely got better results than with shaving. This product has single-handedly restored my faith in hair removal creams. I am very happy. I will definitely repurchase and have no problem putting my stamp of approval all over this.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Clean & Clear - Advantage Acne Clearing Astringent
genalewis 6/1/2010 7:08:00 PM
OH MY GOD. What has this crap done to my face?! I started using this on Saturday. By Monday morning, I had started to develop a rash on my forehead. So I stopped using it. Well, guess what. Even after discontinuing use, the rash continues to get worse. I have a full-fledged blistery contact dermatitis rash all over my face and chest now. I look like a pimple-faced teenager, and I am itchy and upset. I started using this for a few blackheads, and it was one of the worst ideas of my life. Avoid this terrible product at all costs. Hopefully I'll heal up soon and I won't be left with any permanent reminders.
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Conditioner -Pantene - ICE SHINE
genalewis 2/21/2010 10:53:00 PM
I hate to be accusatory, but I have to wonder if the people who have written extremely negative reviews on this product are using it correctly. I only say this because I have spoken to many people who don't understand product buildup and how to get the most from your their haircare products. My hair is currently bra-strap length, and it is very fine but thick. My hair had been colored, highlighted, permed AND relaxed all in a short amount of time. This is a tremendous amount of stress to put on any hair, but especially fine hair. My hair had gotten dry and frizzy at the ends, and I was very afraid I was going to have to cut it all off. I gave myself a couple of protein treatments and a lot of intense conditioning to strengthen and soften my hair. This improved my hair, but it still fell out in clumps in the shower. I probably lost at least 50 hairs every time I washed it. On top of that, my hair still looked dull. So I decided to try Pantene Ice Shine. I know that all hair stylists advise against Pantene, but they are trying to sell you salon products and services, and they often don't tell you the whole truth. Through the years, I have spent a fortune on haircare. I've tried so many salon brands and drugstore brands, and truthfully, I've never been more impressed than I am with Pantene Ice Shine. The shampoo has a rich lather, and I feel that it cleans my hair very well. The conditioner is rich, and leaves my hair very smooth and shiny. I have gotten so many compliments on how shiny my hair is, and I never heard that before. But possibly the best part of this is that I am losing MUCH less hair in the shower. This is the opposite of what most other reviewers have said, but honestly, I went from 40-50 strands lost to about 5. That is just a ridiculous decrease. I am absolutely THRILLED. Yes, Pantene builds up on your hair. Pantene contains waxes and silicones, and this is what coats and protects your hair and makes it shiny. This does NOT have to be a problem, however. Once a week, I clarify my hair. This is ESSENTIAL when using Pantene!!! I recommend this with all hair products, but especially with Pantene. I have a feeling that a lot of people leaving negative reviews are not properly clarifying, and of course this is going to weigh your hair down and cause you to lose hair. Clarifying is not expensive or difficult. I use Suave daily clarifying shampoo (which is excellent...the best I have used), and lather with about a quarter-sized amount, rinse, then use another quarter-sized amount, gently scrunch through the ends, let that sit for about 1 minute, then rinse very well. I follow this with a good deep conditioner. If you follow these directions, I assure you your experience with Pantene will be far more positive. Don't hesitate to give it a shot because of some scary reviews or what your hairdresser said. You might be like me and be REALLY surprised.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Pantene - ICE SHINE
genalewis 2/21/2010 10:52:00 PM
I hate to be accusatory, but I have to wonder if the people who have written extremely negative reviews on this product are using it correctly. I only say this because I have spoken to many people who don't understand product buildup and how to get the most from your their haircare products. My hair is currently bra-strap length, and it is very fine but thick. My hair had been colored, highlighted, permed AND relaxed all in a short amount of time. This is a tremendous amount of stress to put on any hair, but especially fine hair. My hair had gotten dry and frizzy at the ends, and I was very afraid I was going to have to cut it all off. I gave myself a couple of protein treatments and a lot of intense conditioning to strengthen and soften my hair. This improved my hair, but it still fell out in clumps in the shower. I probably lost at least 50 hairs every time I washed it. On top of that, my hair still looked dull. So I decided to try Pantene Ice Shine. I know that all hair stylists advise against Pantene, but they are trying to sell you salon products and services, and they often don't tell you the whole truth. Through the years, I have spent a fortune on haircare. I've tried so many salon brands and drugstore brands, and truthfully, I've never been more impressed than I am with Pantene Ice Shine. The shampoo has a rich lather, and I feel that it cleans my hair very well. The conditioner is rich, and leaves my hair very smooth and shiny. I have gotten so many compliments on how shiny my hair is, and I never heard that before. But possibly the best part of this is that I am losing MUCH less hair in the shower. This is the opposite of what most other reviewers have said, but honestly, I went from 40-50 strands lost to about 5. That is just a ridiculous decrease. I am absolutely THRILLED. Yes, Pantene builds up on your hair. Pantene contains waxes and silicones, and this is what coats and protects your hair and makes it shiny. This does NOT have to be a problem, however. Once a week, I clarify my hair. This is ESSENTIAL when using Pantene!!! I recommend this with all hair products, but especially with Pantene. I have a feeling that a lot of people leaving negative reviews are not properly clarifying, and of course this is going to weigh your hair down and cause you to lose hair. Clarifying is not expensive or difficult. I use Suave daily clarifying shampoo (which is excellent...the best I have used), and lather with about a quarter-sized amount, rinse, then use another quarter-sized amount, gently scrunch through the ends, let that sit for about 1 minute, then rinse very well. I follow this with a good deep conditioner. If you follow these directions, I assure you your experience with Pantene will be far more positive. Don't hesitate to give it a shot because of some scary reviews or what your hairdresser said. You might be like me and be REALLY surprised.
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
genalewis 2/11/2010 3:32:00 PM
I'm really conflicted regarding how I feel about this foundation. On one hand, I can say that I love the packaging and the color match. Other than that, though, I'm not particularly pleased with this product. PhotoReady does come in a lovely pump bottle with a lid, which is quite sanitary and mess-free. I appreciate this feature. One drawback to the packaging, though, is that you cannot screw off the top part to put a different foundation in the bottle. I wish I could use this for my Colorstay instead. The "Ivory" shade is a bit darker than the Colorstay "Ivory," but it still blends well with my skin. However, upon application, you can tell that this product is inferior to Colorstay. Its coverage is not as smooth and even. I do have to say, though, it only takes a TINY little bit of product to get coverage, so if you have to layer a bit on certain areas (which I do instead of using concealer), you are still using less of PhotoReady than you would of Colorstay. PhotoReady does contain a good amount of shimmer, and its staying power is lacking. As far as truly being "photo ready," you will look like a shiny mess in flash photography because of the shimmer. Trust me...I tried it out. Sorry, Revlon, but just because the reflection of light off of the shimmer might smooth out your flaws in a photo, it does not mean you are going to look "airbrushed" (as the product claims) in real life and in photos. I would not recommend this to any brides who might pick this up thinking that they will look great in their wedding photos. The name is misleading. One final good thing about PhotoReady is that it does contain SPF 20. Colorstay's SPF is not this strong, so I do like the increased UV protection. I probably will not buy this again, but I don't necessarily HATE it. I'll most certainly go ahead and finish my bottle. I hate to keep plugging Colorstay, but truthfully, it is a bit cheaper than Photoready, and in my opinion, it is a better foundation. If you are trying to decide between the 2, give Colorstay a shot first.
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Fragrance -Liz Claiborne - Curve for Men
genalewis 11/4/2009 11:19:00 AM
Simply put, this is sex in a bottle. I firmly believe that Curve is a contributing factor to why I found my husband so insanely sexy when I met him. Well, that and the fact that he is gorgeous. :P What draws me to this scent is that it smells so clean. When a man wears this, you have to get up close to him to truly appreciate it. And that is part of its appeal. It's subtle, but drives the ladies wild. Besides having a very "clean" smell, I notice the warmth of the sandalwood in the fragrance. It's fresh and slightly floral, but still very masculine. A woman could easily wear this as well, but I'd prefer to leave it as my husband's signature scent.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Detrivore Cosmetics - Loose Eye Shadow
genalewis 10/7/2009 9:34:00 PM
I tried to tip the makeup board off to this line of loose shadow earlier, but I guess I was so emphatic about how great this stuff is that people assumed it was advertisement! So let me start by saying that I am simply a super-impressed customer who wants to share my find with everyone here. These shadows can be bought from an eBay seller named distorria, and it appears that she also has a website that sells her makeup. I placed an initial order of 5 shadows, as follows: Scar (I would call this a medium tan with pink shimmer), Lifeless (BEAUTIFUL azure with fine silver), Saprophyte (light-to-medium-purple with pink-purple shimmer), Abnormal (black with green shimmer), and Mildew (medium teal with green/silver shimmer). With the order, I was sent 4 samples: Smog (blue-gray with slight silver shimmer), Pathos (shimmery, almost chrome-y navy), Cremains (very shimmery, reflective pewter), and Chainsaw (a purple/mauve with pink shimmer). All of these colors are GORGEOUS. They apply smoothly and vividly when swatched on the hand, and are just amazing when applied to the lid. I suggest a good primer for staying power. I am currently using Urban Decay Primer Potion, and the color payoff is just insane. I've tried all sorts of loose pigments (including MAC), and truthfully, these beat out all the rest. They seem to be coming out with new colors frequently, so the line is expanding. They make a primer that I have read good things about, and I am excited to try that as well. Detrivore states that their products are all-natural, and they can be used on any part of the body. So that opens up the same possibilities that MAC pigments do for mixing nail polish and lip gloss, plus wearing as blush. The best part about these shadows is that they are $3 for each 5 g jar. Also, for those of you who worry about mess, the jars contain sifters, and they come shrink-wrapped. Their shipping is free as well, which is pretty awesome. If you want to check the brand out, here is the store link: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/The-Detrivore-Store__W0QQ_armrsZ1 If you try some shadows, keep in mind that the colors on the site aren't that close to what it looks like in real life. All the colors I got are either darker or brighter than the photos, but all of them were lovely. This was such a good find, and I am really excited about it. You can probably tell I'll be making another purchase. :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Stila - Lip glaze
genalewis 10/6/2009 9:02:00 AM
I recently received the new holiday set of 8 mini lip glazes. It was priced at $25 for the 8 colors, plus I got a free Golden Noir Smudge Pot with my order, so it was definitely worth buying. However, the product is average at best, and not worth the $22/tube price you'd typically pay. The colors are VERY sheer, so I really don't feel like there is much point to them having any color at all. The shine of the gloss is decent, but it doesn't last any longer on than any other lip gloss I could pick up at the dollar store. In fact, my favorite of the set (Kitten) has a $1.50 drug store dupe. Jordana has a squeeze tube gloss in Sand that looks the exact same, but tastes and smells better, and it also lasts longer than the Stila Lip Glaze. Bottom line, if you are someone who feels better about carrying a tube of higher-end lip gloss, buy Stila. If quality is what matters to you, though, pick up a better (and less expensive) gloss from one of my favorites: Jordana, Revlon or L'Oreal.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Queen Helene - Queen Helene Whipped Cleansing Cream
genalewis 8/8/2009 10:49:00 AM
When I first bought this product, I thought, what a greasy, slimy mess. When used as a facial cleanser, it leaves behind a very thick, oily film. Even when you use a washcloth to remove the cleanser, it still leaves residue. And then that residue, in turn, leaves you with clogged pores and blackheads. But then it dawned on me: why not try using this as a makeup remover instead, then follow with my usual foaming cleanser. Let me tell you, used as a makeup remover, this cleansing cream is amazing. I dip a cotton ball down into this cream, and then dab it on my eye area. The sturdiest of gel liners and waterproof mascara come off with such ease. It is truly amazing. I follow with a Kleenex to remove the last traces of cream and makeup. It removes EVERYTHING. Before finding this solution, I had stopped wearing eye makeup except on special occasions because it was SO hard to remove. Because I have found this great way to remove this makeup that typically won't budge, I am back to wearing makeup every day. This 15 oz. jar will last me for 2-3 years. When it does run out, I will definitely get more. This is my HG MU remover. Give it a try, because at $4.99 at Sally's with your Beauty Club card, you cannot find a better deal anywhere.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Urban Decay - Complexion Primer Potion - Pore Perfecting
genalewis 6/26/2009 4:08:00 PM
Surprisingly, this has a 5/5 rating on Sephora.com. I received a sample of this primer with my last Sephora order, and I must say, I am thoroughly unimpressed. The feeling is very waxy, and it makes your skin look white after applying it. It feels like more of a lotion or cream than other primers I have used. I didn't notice nearly as much difference in making my skin smoother and pores less noticeable as Monistat Anti-Chafing Powder Gel. As far as how it made my makeup look and how long it made it last, this product failed miserably in both departments. If you are going to use this at all, only use it if your skin is very dry and it is winter time. During the summer, this is just a greasy, messy waste. Monistat ACPG is still the best primer I have tried. You can get at least 4 tubes of that for the price of one tube of this Urban Decay product. What a let-down.
13 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Dollymix
genalewis 6/14/2009 4:51:00 AM
I received this blush as an RAOK from another MUA-er, and I am just absolutely amazed. Please believe me when I tell you that I am pasty. I know all women think they are "fair" and need a tan, but my skin is very much Snow-White-esque. So when I saw that this blush was a super-bright pink, I was not too hopeful. However, this blush goes on very sheer, and it is very easy to blend so you don't get the dreaded racing stripes on your cheeks. Applied lightly, this provides the most fantastic, natural-looking flush to my cheeks. If it works for me, I have to believe that it would work for anyone, any skin tone. The color also lasts all day. When I run out of fhis, I'm running out to get more. This particular blush costs $18, but it seems to me it would last a very long time. It is definitely worth paying a bit more for such a great product.
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Top/Base Coats -Orly - Orly Won't Chip- Polish Shield
genalewis 6/12/2009 3:36:00 PM
When I first tried this product, I did not like it at all. Just like the majority of the people have written reviews for Won't Chip, this made my polish chip even worse than if I hadn't been wearing a topcoat. But then it occurred to me: what if I apply this to still-wet polish in a very thick coat, like I would with Seche Vite? Let me tell you, ladies, this is the trick to using Won't Chip...use it just like you would Seche Vite. It makes all the difference in the world. Doing this helps the topcoat bond with the polish to form a solid armor that really adheres to the nail. When I use this product, my manicures last a full week with no chips or significant wear. It would last longer, I am sure, but I change my polish weekly. Now, I love this stuff, but I am deducting one lippie. Reason being that I cannot apply a refresher coat in the middle of the week to re-seal the manicure. Whenever this topcoat is applied to dry polish, it does make it crack and chip off in large chunks. Other than this minor inconvenience, it's a great topcoat over freshly painted nails, and I will continue to use this interchangeably with Seche Vite.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Blue Cross - Blue Cross Beauty - Lay It On Me
genalewis 6/9/2009 1:30:00 AM
I found this polish (made by Blue Cross Beauty) at Meijer. The polish is in the bottle as 3 different layers, and you are not to shake the bottle: you are supposed to dip your brush in the separated layers and await a "special effect." Well, the "special" part is that all the colors blend together to make one mess of a color. I bought this in a beautiful combination of bright aqua, bright pink and black. I thought maybe the colors would swirl together rather than mixing. I was so disappointed. These colors together make a nasty, dark mahogany color. Along the lines of Vamp, but darker and more drab. Really unimpressive. Even with a good base and top coat, this started showing tip wear by the end of the first day. Without a topcoat, this also dries to a satin finish, not a shiny gloss. Other than looking pretty in the bottle, this polish is completely worthless. China Glaze and Sinful make far better polishes for less money, and you know what color you are getting without an unpleasant surprise upon application. Don't bother with Lay It On Me. It takes more than a gimmick to make a product worthwhile. I will add pictures later this week to show you just how crappy this polish looks.
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Monistat - Chafing Relief Powder-Gel
genalewis 6/8/2009 12:15:00 PM
If it were not for MUA, I would have NEVER thought of putting a Monistat product on my face! It amazes me that people think of these things, but this one definitely works! If you have not yet tried a primer, let me tell you, it makes a HUGE difference in how your makeup looks and how long it lasts. Monistat Anti-Chafing Powder Gel gives me the best results of any primer by far. You apply a small amount of the gel to moisturized skin, and as you apply it, it dries into a soft, smooth finish that perfects your skin. It smooths out fine lines and visible pores...it's just amazing. The smooth finish it gives your skin helps your foundation just glide on and look soft and airbrushed, and makeup will last all day and night without reapplying. I believe results vary on oil control, but for me, being only slightly oily during the summer months, it does keep me from getting shiny. I never need a powder touchup when I use this product as a primer. You really only need a small amount of product, and a little bit will smooth over your whole face. I have been using the same tube for about 9 months, and I still have about 1/3 of a tube left. Compared to other primers, the price is very reasonable. I hear this can be hard to find, because lots of women have caught on to the fact that it makes an outstanding primer. However, I am always able to find it in CVS and Walgreens. Give this a shot, and don't be squeamish! This stuff is not to treat yeast infections, it's just a skin protectant. And it is marvelous.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No