Polishes -Essie - Nailpolish
gizmondo 4/25/2013 4:41:00 PM
I normally buy Rimmel or Barry M nail polish as they are under £5. But on a whim I saw a lovely soft pink by Essie and even though it was £7, I decided to treat myself. And I'm impressed at how good the nail polish is. I have bought 2 more (through ebay as cheaper than in Boots). The polish goes on well, not too thick or watery and used in conjunction with Seche clear & vite, my nails stay looking good for 3-4 days. I would say with the cheaper varnish they would look good for 2 days max. Definitely worth spending a little more I think
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Top/Base Coats -Seche Vite - Seche Base Coat
gizmondo 4/25/2013 11:07:00 AM
I use this alongside Seche Vite top coat. One thing I would say which is impressive about this is as base coat, is my nails don't get coloured by the varnish I wear. I have noticed with cheaper base coats, the colour of varnish seems to "seep" through, so when you have a day of no colour on your nails, the nails can look dirty - this doesn't happen with this base coat. I can usually guarantee that if I apply my nail colour properly with the base & top coat, my nails will remain chip free for 3 - 4 days.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Baby Quasar
gizmondo 4/13/2013 3:09:00 PM
I had bought the Tanda luxe, but decided to return as I worked out that even if its half price of the Baby Quasar because its rechargeable it would only last 18 months and the device didn't feel that robust. I also called Homedics in the UK and their customer service team weren't that helpful when I had a question - I felt if they were dismissive of me about a general question, they weren't going to be helpful if I had an issue. Fortunately I bought it through Boots and their customer service was excellent. Baby quasar (especially in the UK) does cost a lot, but as its on a 60 day returns, I felt that this was sufficent time for me to see if it did work. It comes in a robust carrying case and is light enough to hold, but feels well made. I don't mind the time it takes to use it, it doesn't seem too intrusive as I generally watch TV when I am using it. I have fairly oily skin, which has left me with noticeable open pores on my cheek and also I have two patches of hyper-pigmentation. I have been using Baby Quasar for 2 weeks and have noticed a difference in the pores looking slightly more refined and also the hyper-pigmentation looks like its shrinking. It looks as if this device does live up to its promises.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Tanda Skincare System
gizmondo 3/21/2013 1:53:00 PM
I am in the UK and I have just heard about this device. I have to say that I am not impressed. Firstly it seems quite flimsy in its construction, the docking port it sits in didn't connect with the hand piece. Secondly, the company that sells it here, doesn't offer a money back guarantee as it does in the States and the warranty is just for 1 year. For the price Homedics charge in the UK I expect better. When I called them to discuss this (without even using it) they basically didn't want to know and said my "agreement" is with the store - this is really poor customer service for the outset on a general query, so I doubt they are going to be helpful if there is an issue so I have taken it back to the shop and will be investigating other red light devices
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
gizmondo 3/9/2013 6:06:00 PM
I only discovered coconut oil about 2 years ago & I would never be without again. I use Parachute coconut oil (only because I have bought it when I have been in India) and a 500ml bottle lasts at least 7-8 months. To liquefy coconut oil, I run the hot tap in my bathroom sink, fill the basin up & then pop the bottle in – it turns to liquid in a minute and stays in liquid form until the water turns tepid. I use this all over my body as a moisturiser every other day and even on my face when it feels dehydrated. You only need a couple of teaspoons to moisturise your whole body. Since regularly applying coconut oil, my skin feels more supple and some stretch marks seem "softer" in appearance I also, use a drop or two of coconut oil to tame/condition frizzy hair especially if the weather is either raining or humid.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lemon Juice
gizmondo 3/9/2013 3:16:00 AM
I folllow Kandee Johnson's lemon juice & sugar face scrub. It works really and its dead cheap. I do see the merits of lemon juice especially as its natural. However I would like to add a note of caution to leaving it on regularly overnight or during the day. In the UK there was a TV presenter called Gillian McKeith who had a series called "You are what you eat". Much of what she said was good advice, but she recommended drinking every day a glass of warm water with lemon juice in it - to help clear out your system. I followed this and over a number of months my teeth changed colour (not whiter) I didn't realise until I saw my dentist that by drinking water & lemon regularly, I had removed a lot of the enamel of my teeth! Fortunately my teeth are ok, but I can see in some parts they are translucent from the acid erosion. My advice folks, is that be aware lemon is acidic and treat with some caution. If you do use it on your face, I would definitely recommend using a sunblock.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Skinceuticals - C E Ferulic
gizmondo 2/18/2013 5:18:00 PM
I bought box of samples via Ebay. They were small vials with a dropper. Easy to use, but if too much was placed on the skin it left a noticeable residue (my mistake of using too much) and it could leave a slightly sticky feeling. So I used in the evening under my moisturiser. I have combo of aging skin as well having occasional break outs (which I think having read another review, this serum may have made worse). I am sorry to say, this just didn't work for me. Its very expensive and does have good reviews, but some products just don't work on everyone. I'm glad I bought a small box of the samples as if I had paid full price, I would felt like I had completely wasted my money. I have taken to trying out the homemade vitamin c serum
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Dermalogica - Daily Microfoliant
gizmondo 2/18/2013 5:03:00 PM
After washing my face with a skinceuticals cleanser, I use dermalogica's daily microfoliant. I apply a small amount into damp skin and rub gentyly and then wipe off with a warm damp muslin cloth. It removes all make up and provides clarity without being too harsh. You only need a small amount and the bottle lasts ages - I am never without this
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
gizmondo 2/18/2013 3:32:00 PM
I love Mac make up and again have used this for years. This concealer is a winner for me for a couple of reasons, its a good match for my complexion and its easy to apply. The consistency of the concealer is just right and I have tried many, which are either too gloopy & don't last or too hard, which makes them difficult to blend. The other aspect I like about Mac, is that if you save the make up containers (6 I think), you can get a free lipstick of your hoice
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -MAC - Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
gizmondo 2/18/2013 3:26:00 PM
I have used this for years, but I've noticed as I have got older and my skin less oily, its not as easy to apply. I do think that in general it works well if you have oily skin and its easy to apply with sponge. However its important to keep the make up sponge separate from the foundation in its compact underneath as the MAC expert said if the sponge sits on top of the foundation, it will spoil the foundation. The other thing I have noticed I suppose like most make up products its much easier to use when its new, the foundation feels softer and more malleable on the sponge.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair (Serum) 
gizmondo 2/16/2013 3:34:00 PM
I read Sali Hughes beauty column in the Guardian and she raves about this serum, I have also read a lot of other positive reviews. However it did nothing for me, I have been using it for a few months - I got a big bottle as it was on offer and really don't see any difference in my skin. I'll finish using it up - on the plus side it does seem to last and the consistency of the serum is such, that it melts into your skin - but for me it made no impact
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Shu Uemura - Art Of Hair Essence Absolue
gizmondo 2/16/2013 2:59:00 PM
I have wavy hair & have spent a fortune trying to find a product (s) that can tame it but not weigh it down. I use Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Essence after I washed my hair and comb it through. Although Shu Uemura isn't a cheap hair oil, its in a class of its own and worth the price. I have tried going without it and my hair doesn't have the shine or the definition - its literally a perfect product
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Clinique - pore minimizer
gizmondo 2/16/2013 2:16:00 PM
The cream was an ok consistency and absorbed into my skin but this didn't work for me at all.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - 4711 Echt Kolnisch Wasser (Original Eau de Cologne)
gizmondo 2/16/2013 1:54:00 PM
By chance I had a spray of this when was in a shop and decided to buy it. It immediately brought back childhood memories. It has a very clean fresh citrus smell - definitely a unisex fragrance. Only downside is the fragrance doesn't last very long
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -L'anza - Lanza - Healing Smooth Glossifying Shampoo
gizmondo 2/16/2013 1:45:00 PM
Who would thought a sulphate free shampoo could lather so well. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and a side affect is dry skin & hair. My hairdresser suggested this shampoo and conditioner. I spent over £40 on the pair but online they can be bought much cheaper. But even at full price, I think I would buy again as you only need a pea size amount to wash your hair. My hair has added bounce, shine & is really well conditioned. I think a bottle will last 6 months at least
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