Scrubs -L'Oreal - Go 360 Clean Deep Exfoliating Scrub
girlinterested 3/4/2010 7:14:00 PM
In the UK, this is called 'Perfect Clean', instead of Go 360. Also from the US pictures, the scrublet looks oval, but the UK scrublet is round. Also, all of our scrublets are white - whereas the photos of the US packaging show different coloured scrublets. I brought two different versions - the pink version (Soothing Foaming Cream Wash for dry/ sensitive skin) and the apricot version (Exfoliating Foaming Gentle Scrub). I was going to purchase from Boots at £4.99 each, but popped into Superdrug as the queue was too long, and I couldn't find everything I was looking for, and they were on launch pricing for £2.99 each (Yay me!). I've been using the pink version every morning, with the apricot version 5 evenings a week; on the other 2 evenings I use the pink version again, plus a face mask. I don't know if its because I'm also paying more attention to my moisturising and cleansing routine after a heavy winter, but my skin is really smooth, the flakiness is almost gone, and overall my face feels like its in the best condition its been in for many years. I'm not sure if the scrublet is doing anything significant as I dont have large pores but I like the massaging effect and the gentle exfoliation - I've tried other Apricot based exfoliators and usually find them harsh and agravating. I think because I'm deliberately moving it in circular motions around my face, I'm concentrating more on making sure I cover my entire face - meaning I'm slowing down and cleansing properly. Plus the mini facial massage gives me 5mins to collect my thoughts. The scrublet is a little difficult to keep hold of, but I definitely like it. I use Johnson & Johnson sensitive wipes to remove my makeup first, so I cant comment on the makeup removal, but I would definitely buy again.
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Cleansers -L'Oreal - Go 360 Clean Deep Cream Cleanser
girlinterested 3/4/2010 7:08:00 PM
In the UK, this is called 'Perfect Clean', instead of Go 360. Also from the US pictures, the scrublet looks oval, but the UK scrublet is round. I brought two different versions - the pink version (Soothing Foaming Cream Wash for dry/ sensitive skin) and the apricot version (Exfoliating Foaming Gentle Scrub). I was going to purchase from Boots at £4.99 each, but popped into Superdrug as the queue was too long, and I couldn't find everything I was looking for, and they were on launch pricing for £2.99 each (Yay me!). I've been using the pink version every morning, with the apricot version in the evenings, and I don't know if its because I'm also paying more attention to my moisturising and cleansing routine after a heavy winter, but my skin is really smooth, the flakiness is almost gone, and overall my face feels like its in the best condition its been in for many years. I'm not sure if the scrublet is doing anything significant as I dont have large pores but I like the massaging effect. I think more than anything, because I'm deliberately moving it in circular motions around my face, I'm concentrating more on making sure I cover my entire face - meaning I'm slowing down and cleansing properly. Plus the mini facial massage gives me 5mins to wind down when I get home. I use Johnson & Johnson sensitive wipes to remove my makeup first, so I cant comment on the makeup removal, but I would definitely buy again. Im just waiting until my partner spots the scrublet and wants one of his own.
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Treatments (Eye) -Olay - Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod
girlinterested 2/23/2010 5:52:00 PM
OLAY Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod makes 3 Claims - 1. resurface skin appearance: helps regenerate surface cells, revealing younger-looking skin, 2. helps reduce puffiness: massage removes excess under-eye fluids, 3. Fills lines & wrinkles: micro-spheres help fill creases for a smoother look. It may get away with claiming the first as the sponge exfoliates the eye area as it scratches away - DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD IDEA, but the rest is questionable. I got 4 boxes of samples, each with 2 pods, and used over 2 separate periods, one of 2wks, the other of 10 days. I dont have puffy eyes, just dark circles and the beginning of fine lines, but I dont feel that there was any difference in the lines around my eyes - and lets be honest, at 31, it shouldnt have been hard to make a difference! There was a lot of product left over, and to avoid the sponge after the first time, I squeezed it onto my finger, and then patted it on to my eye area. Also, like several others I got eye milia - initially I thought it was just a coincidence, but when they re-appeared on the second session, its obvious where it came from. It currently sells for £30 for 24 in the UK, and I think my money is better spent on other products.
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Moisturizers -Clarins - HydraQuench Rich Cream
girlinterested 2/23/2010 5:35:00 PM
I got a lot of free samples of this from the Clarins counter on a stockup visit, and took them on a 4wk holiday to Hong Kong & New Zealand. My skin is dry, with embarassing flakey bits, and the Clarins lady suggested this was a better choice against my usual No7 Protect & Perfect. The cream itself feels sufficiently moist without being heavy or greasy, which many creams/lotions targetting dry skin usually do. The smell is fresh (not quite laundry smelling), and is ok to me. It goes on easily and smoothly, and sinks into my skin well - not sitting on top, which is good. My skin did feel nice afterwards, and when I used it under my makeup, it didnt affect it negatively. I didn't however think it was any better than the No7 Protect & Perfect day & night creams, and in the UK the price comparison is £19.50/£20.50 for 50ml day/night creams and £32 for 50ml Hydraquench, so an extra 30% for an unnoticeable difference means I'll stick to No7 for the moment.
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Liquid -Clarins - Truly Matte Foundation
girlinterested 2/21/2010 8:18:00 AM
I brought Truly Matte in 02, and was a little cautious as its preferred for oily skin whereas I have gone from Combination to Dry (unless its summer, and then I tend to perspire as I dont like high temperatures!). However the coverage was really good - covering my rosy cheeks with only a little backup from concealer - and it did last well, apart from my chin, which required touchups (Im on the phone a lot at work and tend hold it under my chin while typing onscreen). The colour match was excellent - as a naturally pale person, I often struggle to colour match as too many makeup brands expect everyone wants to look DayGlo Orange faketan. A 30ml tube lasts me approximately 5mths, and I've only just re-purchased my 3rd tube after nearly a year. I wear make up almost every day (as I hate my rosy cheeks!). I would certainly recommend, with the only downside being the tube - a waste if you dispense too much product.
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Foundations -Bourjois - Matte Mineral Foundation
girlinterested 2/21/2010 8:08:00 AM
Shade: 81 I'm a pale skin with cheek redness girl, so prefer something that gives good coverage with the addition of a concealer to hide my naturally too-rosy cheeks. I dont tan in summer, just burn. I brought this as I liked the idea of a mineral foundation but hoped with the liquid/mousse initial state, it would go on similar to my normal foundation (Clarins Truly Matte). First of all, the colour was dire. It looked ok initially, but after an hour or so, would look very orange. A colleague said 'Have you changed your foundation, because it looks weird on you'. Not what you want to hear. I still thought maybe it was the office lighting, so saved it for the weekend, and thats when the problems really started. I put the foundation on, and it caught on some dry skin and was really tingling. I wiped it off to start again but thought maybe it was the moisturiser and/or wipes, so I prepped again, but still my skin tingled after the foundation went on. Finally I gave it a third try when I had a cold - I didnt want to waste an expensive foundation with constant post-noseblowing touchups. Still the tingling after application (must have been a dozen or so with all the noseblowing!) and then at cleansing. Im not sure what was in it for it to tingle constantly, but my skin definitely didnt like it. Overall, I wouldnt recommend this to anyone based on the tingle factor and the colour.
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Moisturizers -Boots - No7 Protect and Perfect Day Cream SPF 15
girlinterested 2/21/2010 7:29:00 AM
Ive been using both the Protect & Perfect Day Cream and the Protect & Perfect Night Cream moisturisers for 12/18mths, and although I've strayed for a little while (usually to Clarins via their 'gift with purchase' testers), I've always returned. I initially tried the day cream, wanting something that moisturised my skin really well as I've gone from Combination to Dry skin since I moved to London 5yrs ago and also I use longlasting, good coverage foundations. After trialling a number of moisturisers from drugstore (Nivea/ Olay) to beauty counter (Clinque, Clarins, Elizabeth Arden), I found the holy grail for my skin. I can almost feel my skin drink it in as its applied, and someone approaching 32, its gratifying to be asked for ID for an R18 movie or to enter a pub. I do have the Protect & Perfect serum, but I tend to skip it most of the time, and just use the moisturisers. I think the price is excessive (£19.50 for day cream and & £20.50 for night cream) as its essentially a drug store product (I think they've also used the recent VAT increase to sneak in a price change) but I usually pick it up on a 3 for 2 offer or bonus points promotion. Also the packaging is very heavy, and probably makes 30% of the price as well as making it difficult to carry while travelling - I usually use something else like the 'gift with purchase' testers from Clarins or Elizabeth Arden when I'm away from home. I would definitely recommend the product
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Moisturizers -Boots - No 7 Protect & Perfect night cream
girlinterested 2/21/2010 7:18:00 AM
Ive been using both the Protect & Perfect Night Cream and the Protect & Perfect Day Cream moisturisers for 12/18mths, and although I've strayed for a little while (usually to Clarins via their 'gift with purchase' testers), I've always returned. Until I moved to London, I never had issues with dry skin, but even my oily tzone has dried out (or I just got older!). I've noticed that in general my skin now is usually quite smooth and clear. The night cream is light, but very 'moisture rich' without feeling heavyor greasy. My partner now steals mine (even preferring it to the Mens No7 versions). Downsides are price (its very expensive for what is effectively a drugstore / High Street brand) and packaging - its extremely heavy and so if you're travelling, you either have to transfer into travel pots or use something else (hence the Clarins defections while on holiday).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Boots - No7 Extreme Length Mascara
girlinterested 2/21/2010 7:03:00 AM
I initially got a mini black size as part of a 'gift with purchase' but have since brought a full size brown/black size. I always pre-curl my eyelashes - all I want from my mascara is for it to stay on my lashes until I decide to take it off, and by that I mean not to smudge. Extreme 360 did that and more - it did thicken my lashes and definitely made them look thicker. My best friend had to look twice to see if I was wearing falsies (I wasn't, and so far never have). I usually wear 2 coats for day, and 3 coats for night, but for me, the most exciting was wearing a coat on the lower lashes - usually I avoid this for smudging reasons. I would definitely buy this again, and think its a massive improvement on most of Boots mascara products.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No