Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 3 Colours Smoky 571 Smoky Nude Palette
halimeade 11/11/2011 7:36:00 PM
This review is for the new Dior Smoky eyeshadow palette in the shade Smokey Nude. Unlike a normal compact, this compact slides backwards to reveal a pop-out mirror and the three shadows: a satiny creamy base shade and two warm nude browns, one matte and one shimmery. Out of all the new palettes in this range, this one is by far the most understated, and I think is great for daily wear. You aren't going to get a dark, dramatic, all-out smoky eye with this palette, but that's fine by me. To create a daytime look, I put the shimmery nude shade all over my lid, the matte (and slightly darker) nude color in my crease, then used the base shade as a highlight. The shadows themselves are easy to work with, and the compact is quite sturdy and gorgeous despite its plastic packaging. The only downside I can see is the high price tag, $48. I purchased this product during the Sephora F&F sale, which made the price more reasonable to me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Estee Lauder - Daywear Plus Cream for Normal/Combination skin
halimeade 11/7/2011 7:35:00 PM
I'm acne prone, dehydrated, combo skin, and this has become my unexpected HG. I think my problem before this product was that I was not using a hydrating enough moisturizer, as I am combination skin with some major oily spots, and afraid I'd look like a shiny mess, or get greasy from a moisturizer with SPF in it. I use the normal/combination skin version, which leaves my skin soft, supple, hydrated, and glowing. It has a subtle cucumber smell, but it does not linger on the skin long. I only need about a nickel worth of product for my face and neck. Just finished a 0.5 oz sample jar which lasted about 1 1/2 months for me. The SPF 15 is more than enough for daily use for me, and does not make me greasy, a first for me. Yes, this comes in a pot, but I really like pots, as I have full control over how much product I scoop out and I can get every last scrap out without the hassle of cutting a tube open. As long as you wash your fingers before you apply the contamination argument is moot. My one negative is that this stuff IS crazy expensive. I also use EL's Advanced Night Repair serum at night. The combination of the two is magical. I've had people tell me I look perky and refreshed, even without makeup on. And that is worth the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Clinique - Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector
halimeade 11/7/2011 5:29:00 PM
Background: I have combination/oily skin, with large pores on my t-zone and at my temples. I am also prone to hormonal acne and clogged pores. In one word: FINALLY! I have been looking for a primer to help with my large pores and mattify my t-zone for quite a while. I'm not sure why I never looked to Clinique, but I was finally introduced to this product when my local counter did an event on my university campus. I use this product every day on top of my moisturizer to minimize pores. I am fair to light (MAC NW15-20) and I use Invisible Light, which is completely undetecable on my skin. As I said, it also has the added benefit of helping mattify my t-zone. Yes I will get a 'glow' later in the day, but I actually like that. It's not greasy at all. Anyway, I smooth on a very small amount to my face with fingers, and get great results every time. My face feels velvety smooth. It also comes off very easily with my Origins cleansing oil in the evening. No clogged pored and no breakouts. I'm happy with the tube packaging. The small nozzle makes it very easy to get just the right amount of product. Try it out!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Kate Somerville - Nourish Daily Moisture
halimeade 11/7/2011 5:14:00 PM
I'd say this moisturizer is more of a 3.5 than a 3 for me. Background: I have combination/oily skin, with large pores around my t-zone and the sides of my face. I am also prone to hormonal acne and clogged pores. I actually really loved applying it, the cream has a lime/lemon verbena that is very refreshing and left my skin feeling very moisturized. I also really like the ingredients, which are both anti-aging and stress relieving for the skin. I did not experience any breakouts or clogged pores while testing this product. However, it did leave my skin feeling quite shiny and a bit greasy after awhile. This would be fine if I wanted to use it as a night moisturizer, but my night routine is already very firmly set, so this product would be superfluous. It also wouldn't work well as a day moisturizer for me because of the lack of spf, as I don't like to wear my sunscreen separate. Price was not so much of an issue for me, as I currently use a daily moisturizer of comparable price from another department store brand (which is HG for me.) So, this was just not a good fit for my needs or routine, but I think it might be worth it for others who have drier skin types or don't care about the lack of spf.
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Polishes -OPI - Jade is the New Black
halimeade 11/7/2011 5:07:00 PM
This is my absolutely favorite jade green polish hands down. It has a cream finish, no sparkles or sheen, and looks exactly like real jade. OPI is not my favorite polish brand (I dislike the wide brush for my personal use) but the formula of this color is excellent, opaque in two coats. Would highly recommend for those looking for a classic shade that is not muted but dazzling.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shave Products -eos - Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss
halimeade 5/4/2011 12:20:00 AM
This stuff sucks. Its a very thin cream that does not cushion your skin at all while shaving, and rinses away with the tiniest bit of water, before you even shave! I have to use 4 pumps for just half a leg! I've had it two weeks and the bottle is already half gone, and I only shave twice a week! I don't use cheap razors, and since using this product I've had more razor burns and nicks than even the cheapest shaving cream you can buy at Target. (And yes, I always shave with a cream not a foam) It's also not moisturizing at all, leaving my legs extra dry afterwards. Only good thing I have to say is that the packaging is nice, and pump works well. Just say no!
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex
halimeade 5/4/2011 12:15:00 AM
Not much to add that has not already been said, this stuff is great. I use the serum at night, and EL Daywear Plus SPF15 for Normal/Combo skin during the day. In the last two months the two have made my skin radiant, smooth, soft and supple. My hormonal acne has also been reduced, and blemishes I do get heal more quickly. I'm young yet, so I cannot comment on any effects on age spots or wrinkles. My only negative is that this stuff is CRAZY expensive. I've been using GWP 0.24 and 0.5 oz sizes, and the former lasts about 3 weeks of nightly use. Not a cheap habit. But the results are worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Estee Lauder - Daywear Cream SPF15
halimeade 5/4/2011 12:11:00 AM
I'm acne prone, dehydrated, combo skin, and this has become my unexpected HG. I think my problem before this product was that I was not using a hydrating enough moisturizer, as I am combination skin with some major oily spots, and afraid I'd look like a shiny mess, or get greasy from a moisturizer with SPF in it. I use the normal/combination skin version, which leaves my skin soft, supple, hydrated, and glowing. It has a subtle cucumber smell, but it does not linger on the skin long. I only need about a nickel worth of product for my face and neck. Just finished a 0.5 oz sample jar which lasted about 1 1/2 months for me. The SPF 15 is more than enough for daily use for me, and does not make me greasy, a first for me. Yes, this comes in a pot, but I really like pots, as I have full control over how much product I scoop out and I can get every last scrap out without the hassle of cutting a tube open. As long as you wash your fingers before you apply the contamination argument is moot. My one negative is that this stuff IS crazy expensive. I also use EL's Advanced Night Repair serum at night. The combination of the two is magical. I've had people tell me I look perky and refreshed, even without makeup on. And that is worth the price.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Olay - Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System
halimeade 3/14/2011 8:21:00 PM
Background: Combo skin, oily t-zone and normal to dry cheeks. Moderate hormonal acne on chin and nose area, but prone to get them in other areas of my face at any give time. I have been using this brush for almost a month now and am on the fence about returning it or not. While I feel it does a fair job exfoliating and keeping pores clean, I think its also been doing some damage as well. I can only use it once every other day*, because even on the low setting it was tearing my cheeks raw (and I don't have sensitive skin) Also, I've been getting pimples, especially whiteheads, in places I normally never would on a daily basis. So while my skin looks clearer and its less oily, I've got all these new acne scars to deal with. Worth the trade off? I've kept the box and receipt this long, so I must be leaning towards no. I still think I might get a Clarisonic instead. *I would note that I did not use the cleanser it came with, rather a free full-sized bottle of the new ProX cream cleanser, which I have already reviewed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Giovanni - triple treat tea tree conditioner
halimeade 3/1/2011 3:20:00 PM
Product: I have tried full bottles both this conditioner as well as the Trader Joe's dupe. While both products have similar ingredients lists, the original Giovanni Tea Tree conditioner is definitely superior. Has no silicones, which irritate the acne on my body, yet it still makes my hair soft and manageable, with the perfect amount of moisture (even in the dry winter) that doesn't weight down my curls. Furthermore, the tea tree oil and other ingredients are GREAT at helping control the dermatitis/dandruff on my scalp without making my hair smell like chemicals or metals. It works very well in conjunction with the matching shampoo, but of the two, the conditioner is my absolute must have. Price: Its a little bit steep, I've gotta say. About $7 for 7oz. But fortunately my local natural grocery sells this shampoo and conditioner in bulk for much less ($7/lb). Packing: It's okay, but the tapered bottle can easily slip out of your hands in the shower, which can get super annoying. Overall: LOVE IT! My current go to, and I'll be purchasing again for sure.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Giovanni - Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo
halimeade 3/1/2011 3:18:00 PM
Product: I have tried full bottles both this shampoo as well as the Trader Joe's dupe. While both products have similar ingredients lists, the original Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo is definitely superior. Has no silicones, which irritate the acne on my body, yet it still makes my hair soft and manageable, especially with the matching conditioner (which I highly recommend as well). Furthermore, the tea tree oil and other ingredients are GREAT at helping control the dermatitis/dandruff on my scalp without making my hair smell like chemicals or metals. Price: Its a little bit steep, I've gotta say. About $7 for 7oz. But fortunately my local natural grocery sells this shampoo and conditioner in bulk for much less ($7/lb). Packing: It's okay, but the tapered bottle can easily slip out of your hands in the shower, which can get super annoying. Overall: My current go to, and I'll be purchasing again for sure.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Murad - Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15
halimeade 3/1/2011 1:51:00 AM
I sampled this moisturizer twice, once as a packet from a Sephora order and again after mistaking this for the Korres pom moisturizer. It did not do anything bad to my skin, but nothing good either. I felt like it got greasy on my face 1-2 hours after application, but nothing horrendous. I can do better.
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Concealers -Pixi - Correction Concentrate- Brightening Peach
halimeade 2/26/2011 9:13:00 PM
This color is absolutely perfect for lessening the blueish dark circles under my eyes. I had been using my MAC Studio Finish Concealer for this purpose, but it did not look very natural since it did not correct for the blue. This product is very close the same consistency as Studio Finish, a dry cream that warms up and applies easily. It's a bit of a scary peach shade in the pot, but once applied blends in perfectly with my skin tone (NW20). Pixi advertises this as good for all skintones, but I would think if you are a darker tone you'd have to use an appropriately colored concealer over this to reap the benefits of the correcting without looking like an alien with light undereye circles. Its not moisturizing at all, so if you need that you'll want to apply an eye cream first, then the corrector. I use my middle or ring finder, rub lightly on the top of the product, then dab/roll under my eyes to apply. I use 1-2 thin layers, depending on how bad my circles are. Blends in perfectly, does not settle into my lines or migrate (even when I accidentally wore it during a workout). I instantly look more awake and refreshed, so much so that I bought this product after testing it just once in the store! Packing is sturdy and nice, and since I need so little product, I doubt I'll need to buy again anytime soon. The price is a bit steep, but I would definitely purchase again, as it is readily available in my area and works great.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Olay - Restorative Cream Cleanser
halimeade 2/22/2011 5:00:00 PM
I got this cleanser for free at Walgreens when I purchased the new ProX Brush (review pending). It's a very basic cream cleanser; I have nothing bad to say about it, but no praises to sing either. It does feel like it cleans my skin (haven't used it for makeup), not too drying, does not irritate my acne. I feel like at the $20 price point you can do better, and get more product, too. For instance, I LOVE Philosophy Purity, which is $20/8oz. This Olay cleanser is $20/5oz, not nearly as good of a deal, and you aren't getting any special ingredients either. I'll use it up, but once its gone I'm buying another bottle of Purity.
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Polishes -Zoya - Kelly
halimeade 2/21/2011 3:59:00 AM
So I had to get this color, because Kelly is my first name. And honestly, its the exact color I would make for myself if I was asked to- I love gray, purple-blurple type colors, especially when they have a cream finish. The picture another MUAer uploaded is very true to life. I got nearly opaque color with the first coat, smooth full coverage with two. I also think its very flattering with my pale skintone. I might even wear it on my fingernails, and I NEVER do that! By far the best Zoya polish I have ever used, which saying something, because the other two I have did not wow me.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No