Skincare -Nivea - Sensitive Body Wash, 3 in 1 Body, Hair and Face
inouerinn 12/2/2012 1:43:00 AM
I stumbled upon this product when i was looking for a good but decently priced body wash. What attracts me most is the ingredients list: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almod) Oil, Bambus Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyquarternium-7, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance. In terms of the actual performance, i) it is indeed very gentle but cleanse very well and rinses off without any residue. The fragrance is very typical of Nivea Men's Product but dissipates quickly as the fragrance contents is very low (listed last in the ingredients list). I used to be freaked out with the word 'sulfate'. I personally will not use anything with Sodium LAURYL Sulfate. Sodium Laureth Sulafte is fine. In fact, it is strong enough to cleanse dirt, oil and sunscreen but gentle enough that it doesn't cause irritation and dryness. and ohhh i use this as shampoo too.
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Lotions/ Creams -St. Ives - Intensive Healing- Advanced Body Moisturizer
inouerinn 12/2/2012 1:02:00 AM
Pros: i) fairly good mix of proven skin healing and repairing ingredients and antioxidants. ii) feels very light yet very moisturizing. iii) cheap and it comes in humongous size. very economical and budget friendly. iv) some people area complaining about the fragrance. 'Fragrance' is listed last in the ingredients list of this lotion. For me it is very light. It is gone after a few seconds. Cons: well there's no cons to be reported. This is definitely a HG. I hope St. Ives doesn't go crazy and reformulate this lotion.
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Primer/ Corrector -Paula's Choice - Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish
inouerinn 12/2/2012 12:41:00 AM
My verdict is; - this is not as matte as Smashbox Anti Shine but it has the same attitude like Smashbox Anti Shine. - it doesn't sit well and/or look good under sunscreen/foundation. - no matter how much less or more I use it, it would just look patchy/streaky/uneven, especially if i am using foundation over it, the foundation would change color - lighter than it supposed to be. - it only looks fairly good on top of my sunscreen but I am skeptical about applying anything non-SPF on top of sunscreen. - in terms of oil control? Because I have very oily skin, it doesn't transform my oily skin into normal skin after using this product. If you have high expectations, you will be disappointed. - in the kind of climate i am living in (summer-ry all year), the oil control ability is +-4hours at its best. best way to use it: - in the evenings as the final step in my skincare routine. - (i wont risk using this alone during the day because I am obsess about sun protection.)
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - RESIST- Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
inouerinn 12/2/2012 12:10:00 AM
Even though this says to be for all skin types, the feel and consistency of this cleanser is best for dry skin. Since I have oily skin, it doesn't really suit me well. I used this on its own and I had minor breakouts. Because I do not want to waste it, I use this as my pre-cleanser and followed with Earth Sourced cleanser.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
inouerinn 12/2/2012 12:02:00 AM
This is one of my favorite products. This is my first purchase and I know I will definitely have a long term relationship with this one. I am only using this at nights. I mix one pump of this and a small squirt of Skin Balancing Antioxidant Concentrate. I do not care about the shiny finish because I am only using this strictly at nights. My nightly routine: i) Earth Sourced Cleanser, ii) Skin Balancing Toner, iii) BHA 2% Liquid, iv) RESIST Skin Brightening Treatment v) RESIST Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum mixed with Skin Balancing Antioxidant Concentrate. Result: healthier and younger skin.
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Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF 30 + Antioxidants
inouerinn 12/1/2012 11:42:00 PM
This is my 3rd tube of using this product. I guess that speaks for itself on how much I like using this. I am only using this as my facial sunscreen, because: ii) it has satin matte finish (and almost absorbent feel to it), so it is perfect for my very oily skin. iii) i am a obsess about sun protection. Recently, I apply SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 on top. The former is rich in antioxidant and the latter has 'drier' and 'matte-er' finish. Match made in heaven. :). bye bye UV. My only complain about RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF 30 + Antioxidants is the packaging. I wish this has similar packaging like the Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish for better control of the outflow of the product.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Illuminare - All Day Eye Color
inouerinn 7/20/2012 4:49:00 AM
i only have this in espresso. this goes on matte. blending have to be quick & precise because like the foundation, this set in no time and stay forever until u decide to remove it. what i like? i) long wearing ii) matte iii) sun protection what i don't like i) makeup application is not always perfect. sometimes i smeared this and because it set very fast, removing the smear is troublesome.
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Lipstick -Illuminare - All Day Mineral LipColor
inouerinn 7/20/2012 4:35:00 AM
i bought the sample of this. love colors and staying power but i hate the glitters. it would have one been my favorite products.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Illuminare - Fast Application Pad
inouerinn 7/20/2012 4:33:00 AM
this is good stuff. but after washing, the fabric inside the pad mashed up and the pad itself shed like crazy. i thought i made a mistake by popping the pad in the washing machine. so i bought a second one and after several used, i washed the pad gently with a gentle shampoo and warm water to clean it up. it didn't mash or anything but it still sheds. if not for that issue, this is the best tool to apply foundation, hands down, but as per the shedding and mashing; i gave this up.
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Treatments -Earth Science - Deep Conditioning Masque
inouerinn 7/19/2012 11:12:00 AM
upon purchasing my second tube of this hair masque, i found that they have reformulated the ingredients: Olive & Avocado Deep Conditioning Masque (INCI): Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Olea Europea (Olive) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Esters, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum). the ingredient disodium EDTA was removed from the formulation. for me, i want my shampoo and or conditioner to contain chelating agent such as (EDTA, phytic acid or sodium phytate) because chelating agents remove hard water 'deposits' from hair such as chlorine. why do they always reformulate something i love and turn it into a mediocre product?
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Lotions/ Creams -Earth Science - Hand Body and Massage Lotion
inouerinn 7/19/2012 11:02:00 AM
this is the best body lotion at any price. i gag in a good way when reading the ingredients. the texture is quite rich and very moisturizing because the second ingredient is safflower oil. however, it absorbs quickly. my only complain is that earth science is using clear plastic pump tube rather than opaque ones. i make sure that that i store this away from light after every use.
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Toners -Paula's Choice - Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner
inouerinn 7/19/2012 9:00:00 AM
well i bought the earth sourced set and this toner is in it. after a few uses, i decided i'd use it as a light daytime moisturizer. (Earth Sourced Cleanser -> Skin Balancing Toner, Clear Regular Strength BHA, Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner and sunscreens.) It feels light and soothing and i have no issues with breakouts or skin behaving badly after I am using it in combination with other products. But for others who experienced using well formulated and well researched products like this broke them out or make their skin go crazy, all I can say is go back to using your favorite toner containing high amount of alcohol, rosewater, lavender water, witch hazel, menthol and peppermint. as long as you are happy. ;D
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Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Earth Sourced Antioxidant-Enriched Natural Moisturizer
inouerinn 7/19/2012 8:55:00 AM
i bought the whole earth sourced system and this is in the set. i find that it is a bit too moisturizing for my oily skin so i use it as eye moisturizer instead. it does help keep the dryness around the eyes in check and it will definitely last forever because i am only using this around the eyes.
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Earth Sourced Perfectly Natural Cleansing Gel
inouerinn 7/19/2012 8:49:00 AM
i use this after pre-cleansing my face with Earth Science A-D-E Creamy Cleanser at nights and on its own in the mornings. love the texture, love the earthy smell. strong enough to remove oils and other impurities but gentle and kind on skin. it rinses off clean and never feels dry and tight after cleansing. my only gripe is that it is expensive in my country.
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Cleansers -Earth Science - A-D-E Creamy Cleanser
inouerinn 7/19/2012 8:29:00 AM
this is my second bottle using this product. i love it. It has replaced a cleanser that i previously liked (but expensive), which is clinique comforting cream cleanser. OK, i actually don't use this as my sole facial cleanser because i have a very oily complexion. i use it as a pre-cleanser to remove my sunscreens and or makeup. i found that the way to achieve optimum result from this cleanser is to splash my face with tepid water and work the cleanser gently and thoroughly all over my face and neck, including around the eyes and splash with tepid water then use washcloth to gently remove the residue of the cleanser. what do i like about this cleanser? i) it doesn't sting my face and eyes which is great. ii) the whipped-cream like consistency glides through my skin and dissolves everything (except my face) and is very comforting. iii) even though it is a cream cleanser, it rinses off almost without a trace residue (it is hard to believe but it does!). but, because i have a very oily complexion, i'd follow up with gentle foaming cleanser (currently i am using and loving Paula's Earth Sourced cleanser). these combos are excellent! iv) cheap compared to clinique CCC v) the fragrance is not overwhelming at all. it is literally gone when i step out of the bathroom. check the ingredients list. the fragrance is listed last. plus, i personally find that the fragrance is divine. vi) check out the ingredients. it is filled with symphony of antioxidants plants oils/extracts and cell-communicating vitamins but none of the crazy plants extracts/oils like with hazel, lavender, rosemary, lime, lemon, peppermint which irritate my skin and i avoid them like plague. this is definitely a HG for the time being.
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