Polishes -OPI - Just Spotted the Lizard
gerlygerl 5/16/2013 12:15:00 PM
This is one interesting polish. Others have mentioned blue tinges on top of the golden-yellow-green, but I get some dark pink/reddish tinges, not blue. So very intriguing! I originally bought this after reading it was a good dupe for Chanel Peridot, and I can't speak to whether this is true, but regardless - it's a gorgeous color. I love yellow-green and lime green polishes, but they're difficult colors to wear on very pale skin. This shade is warm and has depth. Not sure if I got an old bottle, but for me this polish applies thicker than other OPI polishes and dries much more quickly. It definitely takes two coats to achieve opacity and a good top coat is essential. I'm wearing it only for the second time, but I'm realizing that it chipped after two days the first time around due to a subpar top coat. This time I used Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle clear polish - not actually marketed as a top coat - and I'm on my fourth day without a chip or wearing at the tips. And who has two thumbs and beats up her hands? This girl! Oh wait, I just found a small chip. Darn it! I jinxed myself. But there's just one, on my index finger. That's a near miracle. Would I buy it again? Yes! In fact, I just ordered a back up bottle because I love it so much.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Infusium 23 - (Repair)ologie Leave In Treatment
gerlygerl 3/24/2013 11:39:00 PM
I can sing the praises of this leave-in until the cows come home. This is a product I'm never, ever without! When my hair was bleached platinum, I used it on dry hair overnight; sometimes I use it in place of rinse-out conditioner on my fine, shoulder-length hair; and right now, I'm using it on my midlengths to ends after washing and conditioning as that bleached-then-redyed portion grows out and is eventually cut off. My hair is fine and naturally wavy, and this product leaves my hair very shiny and wavy/curly. I wouldn't say that it gives me volume, but it makes it look as if I have more hair somehow. Though magic, maybe. And it's cheap!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Silk Naturals - Kisser Slicker - Operative
gerlygerl 1/30/2013 7:04:00 PM
Ugh. This lippy is 80s hot pink on my rather pigmented lips, very different than the description on the site: "MLBB pink." Pros: Great ingredients, feels great on the lips, moisturizes like a lip balm, great pigmentation Cons: The color I bought a few differently-hued lippies from Silk Naturals, and I hope that not all will turn odd on my lip color.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrance -Jack Black - Jack Black Signature Black Mark
gerlygerl 1/29/2013 10:49:00 AM
Top notes: Italian bergamot, cypress, laurel leaf, sage Middle notes: lavender, pimento, cardamom Base notes: freshly cut Carolina woods, cedarwood, Baltic amber, patchouli So yeah, I'm a woman wearing a man's fragrance. But this scent is so divine, I just can't help myself. As other reviewers have stated, I would classify this more as a unisex scent. I cold-sniffed this in a store while on vacation in Bermuda, and instantly thought that it seemed like something Bermudan men would wear - bright, airy, woodsy, slightly marine and definitely not heavy or dark. Glad I sniffed it without first peeking at the notes, or the amber and patchouli would have sent me running! With my body chemistry, I can't detect either note...so either my body swallows the amber and patchouli, or the scent is blended so well that the base notes are lovingly hugged by the mid and top notes. That's just the way I like my fragrances, since I tend toward the lighter, crisper ones (Bulgari Green Tea, anything fruity and/or green). On me, the cypress is most prominent, with detectable notes of lavender a salty marine type of note. Absolute deliciousness. I haven't ever met a man who wears this scent, but if I do, I'll have to physically restrain myself from shoving my nose into his neck. LOVE.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Calamine Lotion
gerlygerl 1/13/2013 2:03:00 AM
I've been recommending plain old pink calamine lotion on the skincare board forever as a great mask and spot-treatment for acne, and I've been using it myself just as long. Calamine is the only product I can rely on to soothe and dry out any acne when my rosacea or eczema is flaring. It contains zinc oxide, so beware if that clogs you up. For me, zinc is calming, and reduces the redness in my skin. If my face is breaking out and oily something fierce, I use a fan brush to spread the thin liquid all over my face after cleansing, then wash it off when dry. It's tough to remove, so a washcloth is required. I also use a q-tip to dab it on zits as an overnight treatment when my face is irritated but also broken-out. It can be overly drying, so I always make sure to moisturize well after using.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Stridex - Naturally Clear Acne Medication Pads
gerlygerl 1/13/2013 1:50:00 AM
First of all, I just want to note that the triangular jar says "Natural Control" really large, even though the name of the product here is listed as something slightly different. I really like these. My super-sensitive/rosacea/eczema but acne-ridden face started clearing up the night I first used these. Unlike what's mentioned in other reviews, they didn't leave my face sticky and I didn't detect any scent at all - but the pads are huge and seem wasteful (they could be cut in half) and are completely soaked in the solution. When I wipe them over my face, they can leave a light foam, which seems rather odd. To me, there are no negatives to report. I absolutely love this drugstore product! The formula is alcohol- and silicone-free with 1% salicylic acid and antioxidants, and is gentle on my skin while helping to clear my acne. I prefer these pads to my old standby, Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid, which usually left my face sticky and irritated my skin more than these Stridex pads. I'd definitely recommend checking these out.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Rimmel - Lash Accelerator Serum
gerlygerl 1/4/2013 9:28:00 AM
After having success with the more expensive Physicians Formula Last Boost Serum, I realized that this Rimmel lash serum has the same active ingredient as the PF serum (Myristoyl Pentapeptide 17) plus some other goodies like caffeine, which is supposedly good for stimulating hair growth in general though I've only ever seen it used before in products made for the hair on your head. Results: My lashes are longer and stronger. They don't fall out as often, which is great! It took a few weeks to notice a difference, but since it's so quick and easy to apply at night, and the product isn't too expensive (<$10), I kept at it. My tube has lasted me 4+ months, and I still have probably 1/5 left, so you get a lot for your money. Compared to Physicians Formula Last Boost Serum: The PF serum, which I've used in clear, doesn't sting quite as often as the Rimmel can, but both have given me the same results. The PF is thinner, which is both good and bad - that means it can be used 2x a day including in the AM under makeup without issues (I never had any), but it also meant that I was never sure that my lash line was coated enough. Both products are great, but for me, Rimmel has the edge due to the addition of ingredients like caffeine, biotin, sodium hyaluronate, and an additional peptide, Biotinoyl Tripeptide 1.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Derma E - Hyaluronic Hydrating Cleanser
gerlygerl 7/29/2012 12:42:00 AM
It's really tough to find a lathering cleanser that doesn't dry out my combo, Tazorac-ravaged skin, but this thick gel cleanser surprised me. The ingredient list is full of vitamins and interesting extracts (horsetail), and it smells like plumeria. I use it twice a day and it leaves my face literally squeaky clean without drying it out like almost all other lathering cleansers (Rosacea Care is the only other) and even most non-foaming cleansers. Of course, to remove sunscreen and makeup, I cleanse with oil at night before using this cleanser. I found this at a popular online vitamin store for less than $10. This cleanser is such a wonderful little gem that lasts forever - but when it does run out, I'll definitely repurchase. A little info on my skin: sensitive, combo that tends to be more oily in summer and dry in winter, rosacea, acne-prone, deep blackheads on nose, will peel around the mouth area if I don't moisturize enough (thank you, Taz).
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -L'Oreal - Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Liquid Silk Sunshield For Face SPF 50
gerlygerl 5/18/2012 11:37:00 AM
I had hoped this would be an antioxidant-laden version of my favorite, Neutrogena UltraSheer liquid daily sunblock spf 70 (albeit with a slightly lower spf), but it failed miserably. Both sunscreens are packaged in small bottles with small nozzles, the best method of dispensing their liquidy textures. Both also leave a slight shine on my face. But that's where the similarities end. Pros: Liquid texture, antioxidants, portable packaging Cons: Alcohol content, leaves a shine, leaves skin feeling tacky to the touch Sorry L'Oreal, but the Neutrogena doesn't leave my skin feeling tacky or heavy, and doesn't contain alcohol to dry out or irritate my skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Lotion
gerlygerl 12/29/2011 11:28:00 AM
I gave Aveeno a try when my beloved CeraVe just wasn't moisturizing enough once the cold weather arrived. Though I was wary of it clogging my pores, I'm using it on my face and two months later I haven't experienced any breakouts. The lotion is a bit pricey for what you get, but a ton of stores make their own versions. I'll warn you now that the Walmart Equate version smells like rubbing alcohol - bizarre especially since there's no isopropyl alcohol on the ingredient list. I keep bottles at home and at work for face and hands. It's great to find a cheap lotion that works for both and doesn't break me out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Fusion
gerlygerl 12/29/2011 9:15:00 AM
Like, woah. This is the mascara equivalent of a "scrubber" for me. Never before have I applied mascara and immediately wished I could wash it off. I don't know where all the positive reviews come from because I've now tried two tubes, thinking maybe the first was just old, but no - both tubes give me clumpy, spidery lashes that even a spoolie won't un-clump. (Of course I pat the wand on a tissue before applying to remove the clumps) It looks as if the brush doesn't coat lashes evenly. I'd like to try the formula with a brush from another mascara to see if my suspicions are correct. So...if you're looking for clumpy, spidery lashes that look great from a distance but are a hot mess up close, this is the mascara for you. Otherwise, I'd steer clear. And seriously - the tube is designed to tip over if a strong breeze blows your way, so it's pointless to even attempt to stand the tube upright. Points were deducted for the packaging fail. I get great length and volume from Lash Exact, great length (but little volume) from Rimmel Lash Accelerator, and YSL Faux Cils gives me great everything. Lash Blast Fusion can't compare to any of these, unfortunately.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Neutrogena - T-Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
gerlygerl 10/15/2011 11:48:00 PM
An esthetician recommended this for my acne, so I've been using it as a face wash in the mornings. The 3% salicylic acid is stronger than the percentage in any face product I've seen. It's a gel, and I was afraid it would be stripping since every other gel face cleanser strips my skin, but it's not. I wash with the T-Sal then use a wet microfiber washcloth after I step out of the shower, and my usually flaky and peeling skin (thank you, Tazorac) is much smoother.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Acne.org - Treatment
gerlygerl 10/15/2011 11:05:00 PM
First, let me get the only negative out of the way: this is BP and it's pro-oxidant, but I use topical and oral antioxidants to combat the effects. At age 33, my skin started to freak out. I've always had mild acne and hereditary blackheads on my nose, but this was obnoxious. I tried just about everything and realized that maybe I should try BP again, even though BP products had always burnt my skin in the past. I'm so glad I gave this a try! The gel is lightweight, doesn't dry chalky or white, doesn't burn my super sensitive skin, and heals acne very quickly. I love it especially for the deep blackheads on my nose. Don't ask me where I read this online, but someone mentioned that BP will help to bleach blackheads, making them look less noticeable. Sure enough, I can tell when I don't use this product for a week or so because my blackheads seem much darker. I always want this around.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Skinactives Bio-Ferment Sea Kelp Gel'
gerlygerl 12/7/2010 11:34:00 AM
Ah, Skinactive - where the finished products have so much promise, according to the makers, and yet all contain ingredients horrible for acne-prone skin. The sea kelp gel is no different. Algae extract can clog pores, and for me, it never fails to. Though I was hesitant to try this, the owners encouraged me to at least try it. Ha! This product not only broke me out but also gave me some kind of contact irritation that felt like a burn. Thanks, but I know my skin better than a stranger. Aside from the actual product, I must comment on Hannah and how rude and unprofessional she is. She locked a comment of mine on their forum - my first and only comment - asking if they could make a base cream that didn't include so many pore-clogging oils and didn't include sea kelp. Her knee-jerk reaction was that I was wrong, I was somehow talking about having an allergic reaction (I'm not sure how she assumed this) and there was no way I was allergic to any of these products. This is par for the course when posting anything on their forum, or asking questions regarding their products. Stick to their actives used to mix into your existing products.
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock spf 70
gerlygerl 3/10/2010 10:45:00 AM
Update: It's 2.5 years later, and this is still my holy grail sunscreen. And you'd better believe I've tried a slew of new s/s, attempting to find something even better, always looking for greener grass. Alas, this is still as close to perfection as I'll find. Strangely (but wonderfully) enough, this has never stung or burned my sensitive skin even when other physical-only sunscreens have. I mean, on the same day - I'll try a new zinc+titanium s/s, I'll start burning, I'll wash it off, I'll apply the Neutrogena to see if my skin is just generally unhappy, and it's as if my skin sighs in relief. If Neutrogena discontinues this, I'll riot. I won't just sit around and cry, I'll organize and storm their company HQ. Don't test me, Neutrogena. _________________________ I noticed this new sunscreen at Target this weekend and knew I had to try it out. It comes in a small 1.4 ounce bottle with a tiny spout like the LRP Anthelios spf 60 liquid sunscreen. It's truly a liquid with a water-like texture. It contains stabilized avobenzone (yay!) but also oxybenzone (boo!). I've found this with most Neutrogena sunscreens. I'm waiting for the day they leave out the oxybenzone. This formula also contains methacrylate and naphthalate, potential carcinogens that I'd rather not see, but those who can't use parabens will happy that this formula is paraben-free. Apparently the FDA has changed their rules, because the spf here is 70 and previously the highest it could be was 60+. Also, the package says "sunblock." I thought this was illegal language in the past, where everything had to be labeled as sunscreen. This is the one of the lightest liquid sunscreen that I've used (tied with Pola Suncut and L'oreal Solar Expertise Active Anti-Wrinkle & Brown Spot Matte Fluid Protection) and it quickly sinks into the skin without leaving shine or grease. In comparison, the LRP Anthelios is just as watery but is a bit more moisturizing and leaves a bit of shine. Though my skin is sensitive with rosacea, it hasn't flared me or caused any itching or burning sensations. And though I have very acne-prone skin, this hasn't enlarged my blackheads or caused me to break out. Three cheers for American suncreen companies creating products comparable to European sunscreens. I'll definitely repurchase. Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Oxybenzone 5%. Water, cetyl dimethicone, silica, styrene/acrylates copolymer, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, ethylhexylglycerin, steareth-100, caprylyl glycol, pentylene glycol, steareth-2, cyclopentasiloxane, polyester-7, chlorphenesin, bisabolol, disodium EDTA, acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, butylene glycol, BHT, mannan, xanthan gum, polymethyl methacrylate, camellia oleifera leaf extract, diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, tocopheryl acetate, portulaca oleracea extract, pantothenic acide, retinyl palmitate, ascorbic acid, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.
20 out of 20 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No