Loose Powders -Jurlique - Silk Dust
gummiibears 12/2/2012 5:39:00 PM
Damn. That's the first thing that came to mind when I looked in the mirror after being out all day after using this powder for the first time. And that was a good "damn". My skin has grown quite oily lately, which is very, very annoying. I was using the wrong cleanser on my face. It stripped out all the oils and made it go into overdrive as far as oil production goes. So I've been taming it for the past month and have been desperately seeking a powder that could keep me from having to blot my face like, two or three times a day. Well--this is it. I put the powder on in the morning before heading out, and then I don't need to worry about looking disgusting and greasy for the rest of the day. It's amazing, it's wonderful, and I wish all problems in life were solved so simply and quickly. This isn't cheap, but it's not nearly as expensive as some. Actually--this is about the same cost as Urban Decay's De-Slick Mattifying powder, which used to be a favorite of mine, except the powder smells so bad and the compact itself was so poorly designed that it kept breaking on me. This compact is quite sturdy, which is nice. The included puff is pretty good also (unlike the crappy scrap of fabric in Chanel compacts). Bottom line: this is the best powder, and I am a powder junkie. I don't wear a lot of makeup, and I have no qualms about splurging on powder. Get the citrus scent if you have oily skin, also.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Dr. Bronner's - Lavender Liquid Soap
gummiibears 6/1/2012 1:14:00 AM
This is easily one of the best purchases I have ever made. Not only is this great as an all-purpose household cleanser (diluted in a spray bottle with water), it's gentle enough that I use it to clean my makeup brushes and to clean my face. At best, most cleansers I've used have done nothing to my face. This actually seems to help it. A few drops of this with some warm water ensure a thorough cleansing, which I do twice a day. I follow this up with Thayer's witch hazel and rose petal toner. Ever since then, my skin has finally cleared up, and my skintone has evened out dramatically, to the point where I hardly feel the need to wear my tinted moisturizer. The smell of this soap can be a little strong, but I love the smell of lavender, so it's very refreshing to me. If used for washing your face, this can be drying on its own, so you must follow up with some form of moisturizer. I've been using a travel-size bottle of this stuff for several months now. I carry it around in my bag frequently, and it's gotten tossed around a fair amount among all of my junk in there. The cap has never come loose, and in fact closes with a satisfying pop that reassures me the bottle is shut securely. The travel-sized bottle I have (two ounces) has been used for several months now--at least half a year--and it's only half depleted. For as much as you get for the cost, this is a great deal, and when I eventually run out, I'll definitely repurchase, albeit a larger bottle. I'm glad to have found a more natural household cleaner without tons of chemicals in it, and I'm glad to have found a great face cleanser as well. I never thought I would be able to use one product for both of those uses though!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -Palladio - Shadow & Liner Herbal Crayon
gummiibears 5/14/2012 2:04:00 PM
I have been looking for a nude/neutral liner to use on my waterline. "Moonstone" is a pretty good match for what I was looking for--not perfect, but pretty darn close color-wise. I grabbed it on impulse while browsing around Ulta, and I must say, I am pleasantly surprised. Unlike another reviewer, I must disagree and say this is just fine to use as an eyeliner. I've used it a number of times and have been out and about in the humid Georgia heat. Come the end of the day, my waterline still bears the color just as boldly or subtly as I applied it in the morning. I must confess that I have not tried using this as an eye shadow though (as this can function as either liner or shadow), so I can't review its effectiveness as such. Application is easy--the crayon texture is very smooth and creamy, so you don't need to exert a lot of effort or pressure to make the color show (which is nice, since I don't want to irritate my eyes). "Moonstone" is a nice nude shade with just a slight bit of shimmer to it. Don't be put off by the mention of shimmer though--it is not ostentatious at all. Being a nude color, this is not nearly as harsh as white eyeliners can be while stillI giving a nice pop to your eyes, and it reflects very nicely. At six dollars, you can't really go wrong, either. I'm definitely happy with this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Korres - Wild Rose 24-Hour Cream
gummiibears 9/18/2011 10:46:00 AM
I was surprised at the small jar, but as others have said, a little of this product goes a long way. The scent is pleasant and not overwhelming. The texture is not too thick or thin. It's great for my dry skin, and it does not clog my pores and cause breakouts as some other heavy moisturizers have done. It is an eco-friendly product, which was a major draw for me--I have been on the search for a moisturizer I could use that doesn't irritate my skin, and this has not disappointed me. I would definitely not recommend this to people with oily skin. I think it is ideal for those with normal to dry skin. The only problem with this is the SPF--what a joke. Make sure you still apply sunscreen. I also wish this came in a pump, but since it's the first thing I apply following my morning shower, my hands are pretty clean, at least. The price is pretty hefty for such a small jar, so look for it on sale. I'll definitely repurchase when I run out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Tarte - Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Mosturizer (Smooth Operator)
gummiibears 9/18/2011 10:32:00 AM
My skin has become dry and sensitive over the past year. I have some unevenness to my skintone, but no really major blemishes, so I've been on the market for something with sheer coverage and a light feel. Tarte's Smooth Operator is exactly what I have been looking for. On the back of the bottle is a long list of what the product is manufactured without--synthetic fragrances, parabens, etc. Since using this product (it has been well over a month now), my skin has actually gotten better, probably because it is not being irritated day to day by the things I'm applying to it. This product appeared lighter than my skin when I tested on a small area, but once I blended it in and waited a few minutes, it matched my skintone perfectly. This has a bit of a dewy finish, which I normally do not prefer, but it looks so natural and healthy that I'm ok with it. The texture is not thick at all; it applies like a dream, and it feels like I am wearing nothing on my face. Over the course of a day, I did not need any touch-ups. Overall, I am very pleased with this product; it gives me the light coverage I need, does not irritate my skin, and for that I think it is worth the $35; it's not like I am buying a tube of this every week, after all. It'll last quite a while, and when I run out, I will repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Penhaligon's - Bluebell
gummiibears 7/25/2011 12:31:00 AM
I was really hoping to like this, but unfortunately, this scent does not like my skin at all and just becomes a chemical spill. Instead of a crisp floral with a bit of a spicy dry down, like I was expecting, all I get is a really strong, uniformly unpleasant smell, like bathroom cleaner. The only good thing is that this is a terribly weak scent, so I did not suffer long.
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Fragrances -Penhaligon's - Lavandula
gummiibears 7/8/2011 4:38:00 AM
I received a sample of this, and I think I'm going to be purchasing a bottle when my present "everyday" scent runs out. This is a truly lovely lavender scent; it wears nicely on my skin. It started off with a puff of sweet florals, but very quickly morphed into something more complex and tolerable--I was afraid this would smell too flowery on me, since those types of scents tend to clash with my skin, but my worries were unfounded. The spicy middle notes in this really give a lot of body and make Lavandula something more interesting and sophisticated--I love it! It also smells very feminine and clean (almost a very faint soapy scent, I want to say) to my nose. This would make an excellent perfume to wear everyday/to work. It is not terribly strong, so it won't give everybody you come in contact with a headache. That said, the only reason I don't give this five lippies is because the staying power is subpar; perhaps three hours, four max.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Lioele - Beyond the Solution BB Cream
gummiibears 7/2/2011 4:02:00 PM
I really wanted to like this, because I'd heard so many good things about it. After having used it for the past four months though, I think I am going to have to shop around for a new BB Cream. First of all, the packaging on this product is quite cute--very girly, but still functional. I like that it has a pump dispenser. You do not need a lot of product at all, so this will last a very long time. I get medium coverage from this, which is about as much as I ever need. However, it felt quite thick and seems to clog my pores, which has led to slight breakouts and redness. At the end of the day, it seems to have a particularly unsavory effect on my skin, making it feel kind of sticky--definitely not what I want, especially for summer months. I'm glad I found this for a good price (my advice is to shop around on eBay!), but as I mentioned at the beginning of my review, I'm going to be looking for another one soon.
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
gummiibears 12/12/2010 9:38:00 PM
Not much to say about this that hasn't already been said. My skin is usually relatively blemish-free these days, but I do suffer from hormonal breakouts during that time of the month, and recovering from those usually takes a good week in and of itself. I used this mask during said time of month and it didn't magically clear up my blemishes, but it did seem to curb it and accelerate the recovery process. My skin is not crystal clear and perfect, but it certainly is making vast improvements in that direction. Even my skintone, which tends to be pretty splotchy, seems to be evening out--a pleasant surprise. It's weird looking into the mirror these days, but I can get used to this. :) Only thing is--this mask is quite drying. I wipe it off with warm water and a washcloth, then splash my face with cold water. I then apply BioOil to my face, go to bed, and in the morning--wow! The smell is also strong, but I love the smell of mint, so it didn't bother me at all. This product offers a value that far surpasses its price--I will definitely repurchase when I run out. Edit: It's been a few weeks since I started using this regularly (two times per week, three max), and my face is really clearing up. Not only that, but my skintone--which has been blotchy for years on my cheeks--is evening out. Miraculous!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Burt's Bees - Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
gummiibears 12/12/2010 2:49:00 PM
I received this product as a gift a year or so ago and didn't really try it until recently. And--wow. It really makes my cuticles soft, and if they are dry and cracked that is no longer a problem after applying any of this stuff. My only beef with this is that it's rather thick and sticky, even after rubbing it in, and it takes a while for it to sink into my skin. To deal with this though, I just apply it before going to bed at night, and I wake up in the morning with healed cuticles and beautiful looking nails. I have no idea how much this costs since I didn't pay for it, but I will definitely buy it again when I run out of this tin. You don't need much either, so I expect it'll last a while.
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Polishes -Essie - Ballet Slippers
gummiibears 12/12/2010 2:37:00 PM
I love this color--it was precisely what I was looking for. However, I must have tried to paint my nails a dozen times at least with this, and I just can't get it to look decent. Like many others have said, it's horribly streaky, and the formula is very thin and watery. It dries almost too fast. The brush is also terrible for this; it's so small that it's impossible to apply a coat in two or even three swipes like with OPI's brushes, which only makes the streaking problem even worse. Ugh! And this was really the perfect color, too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Coastal Scents - Camo Quad - Light
gummiibears 12/12/2010 2:29:00 PM
I never wore concealer before this, but I'd read so many nice things that I decided to give it a shot. Besides, it was not exactly expensive. Initially I had mixed feelings about this. It did the job well, for the most part. However, it exacerbated the drier parts of my face and made it look really flaky, even though I'd applied moisturizer. Also, after about a week, everything in the palette started drying out really badly, so it became nigh on impossible to apply any. I tried dotting it on my wrist and adding the smallest touch of moisturizer before applying to my face, but it just wasn't the same. I think this had something to do with the packaging--it isn't exactly air tight, so that's probably why it dried out. If they'd make the packaging better, I might consider buying this again, but until then, I'd pass on this one.
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Lotions/ Creams -Elariia - Shea Butter Sweet Almond lotions
gummiibears 12/12/2010 9:56:00 AM
My mother gave a small sample jar of this a few years ago since I love almond scented things. The first few whiffs of this lotion are quite potent, but it dies down to something more tolerable within minutes of rubbing it into my skin. I used it maybe twice before deciding I had to buy a full-size jar. The cream is quite thick, but it is not greasy at all. I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly my skin absorbed it. My hands are instantly left feeling pleasantly smooth--not greasy at all, which has always been an annoyance of mine with lotion. The cream comes in a nice little round jar. At least, it did a few years ago. I can't seem to find it sold in jars anymore, just tubes. That's fine with me though--I just transfer the cream to my jar. I go through about two tubes per year. I've been using this product for years. I'd have to say it's probably a staple for me and will be for years to come.
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Lotions/ Creams -Cetaphil - Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion For Dry Sensitive Skin
gummiibears 12/12/2010 9:45:00 AM
I really like the gentle foaming cleanser by Cetaphil, so I bought the moisturizing lotion as well to use in tandem. I tried using this product for a few months, and I always had the same problem. It never gets absorbed by my skin. Instead, it becomes a bit sticky and leaves an oily, shiny residue on my entire face--yuck! Not only that, but this actually tends to clog my pores and make me break out a bit, which is not desirable at all. This definitely won't be a repeat purchase for me. I'll probably end up using the rest of the bottle on my feet or legs.
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Skincare - Body -Chanel - No 5 After Bath Powder
gummiibears 9/30/2010 2:41:00 AM
I love Chanel no. 5, but have never purchased the perfume since the scent is so universal and, frankly, a little too mature for me right now (I'm only 23). However, I was very anxious to try the after-bath powder when hearing it was the toned-down, softer version of the perfume. The scent of this powder is very refreshing and not offensive or cloying at all. It's a very lovely scent actually, and seems to perfectly capture the essence of femininity. I like using it after a shower/bath (duh) around my neckline in particular. The staying power of this is amazing--even toward the end of my work day I'll periodically catch a whiff of it, which is a pleasant comfort. I don't even bother wearing perfume on days I use this, and I have still gotten comments about how fresh and lovely I smell. I keep my powder stored in a vintage powder jar. Even the application of the powder seems a luxury. As many others have described, it goes on silky smooth and makes my skin feel soft. I was a bit skeptical about the point of body powder for a while, but after using this, I'm afraid I'll never be without it again. The sheer luxury of the product combined with the lovely scent and how soft it makes my skin is more than enough to make me a fan. This powder would make a really splendid gift (I should know--that was how I got mine!) or be an excellent thing to splurge on for yourself. It's expensive, but worth every penny. (If I hadn't gotten mine as a gift when I did, I would have caved soon enough and bought it for myself!)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No