Liquid -Lancome - Teint Idole Fresh Wear
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 7:50:00 PM
I have tried several different shades of this foundation, and just can't seem to get the right match. Not really Lancome's fault, but that's why I gave it just a 3 rating. Formulation-wise, this is a great foundation. It's easy to get sheer coverage (what I'd normally do) and build up from there if need be. This finish is natural - not too matte or shiny. Sometimes, I got away without even setting it with a powder! Long-lasting wear too. However, if I didn't use blotting papers throughout the day, I'd notice the coverage fading. Not blotchy though. I first started using this when I was pretty fair, and the shade I was using was perfect. I got noticeably tanner though, and was sick of piling on the bronzer just to keep from looking so ghastly. So I started experimenting with different shades. I've tried about 5 different shades, and none really matched. I know... I could just find the closest and make some adjustments with how I apply it or using correctors. But I'm kind of low maintenance and would rather just have a good match from the beginning. Or is that considered high maintenance? :) One of these days, I'll have to go back to the Lancome counter to see if I'll match one of their shades. I'll up my rating when that happens.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 7:09:00 PM
I've been using coconut oil for all kinds of stuff... love it! I use it as a general moisturizer all over. A little goes a long way. The first time I used it, I put way too much and felt so greasy. So start small, and add more if necessary. I love how it makes my legs look... just a slight sheen. It's also great for nails/cuticles. I rub a dab into my dry hair to tame the frizzies. I have used it a few times on my face when it felt really tight & dry (due to harsh cleansers). I have oily skin with a tendency to break out. I never got a single pimple while using it, although it did leave a little sheen on my skin. However, I would just use it at night before going to bed... so no big deal. I've been using the Trader Joe's brand. It comes in a pretty big jar... so I leave it in the kitchen pantry and just transfer some to a smaller jar for use on my skin, etc. Cooking with it is also great! I make popcorn on the stovetop with it, and I love to stirfry veggies in it. Try it drizzled over vanilla or chocolate ice cream. So good!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Plum Lip Treatment SPF 15
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 6:49:00 PM
This is an expensive lip balm. Really. But the color is so good on me that I don't regret spending the money at all. I can apply this without a mirror and look decent. On a typical day, I use a little bit of foundation, blush/bronzer, mascara, and this. This color is just enough to make my otherwise washed out lips defined against my medium skintone. There is a slight sheen to it, which I prefer to a full-on gloss. I also like that it's not sticky at all. It makes my lips feel soft and moisturized. I love the packaging - screw-top! It just feels like quality. I did find that as I got to the end of the tube (and summer came) it started to get soft. I've tried the berry, rose, and passion colors, but this one works the best on me.
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 6:39:00 PM
I usually get this in the tube packaging from Walgreens... it last time, it was on sale for some obscenely cheap price. Anyway, I can really only use this once a week at most because it's pretty drying for me. I have oily, but sensitive skin. Skin feels pretty tight, but nice and smooth after rinsing it off. It's just OK... it really doesn't do miracles for me. But it's really inexpensive & doesn't break me out. I have monthly hormonal acne. It usually comes & goes away on its own so I really don't know if this mask has much to do with it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Bare Escentuals - READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 6:22:00 PM
I have never been a fan of Mineral Veil, but I thought I'd give the pressed version a try. I think I'm pretty impressed with it! No matter how lightly I apply the "Translucent" one, I think it still looks a little ghastly on me. I have been using the Tinted one, and it really works well for me. I use the Ready foundation in Golden Medium. If you hold this and the foundation side by side, I think the Tinted Mineral Veil actually looks a little darker than the foundation. But since I apply it so lightly, I don't see any noticeable difference after applying. I find that I don't really care for the puff that comes with it. I keep the little plastic protector over the powder so the puff isn't resting on the product. I suppose, on the go, the puff is pretty convenient. But when I'm at home putting my face on in the morning, I usually just apply this with a brush and the finish is very natural. There is slight smell, but it doesn't bother me, and it goes away pretty quickly. Based on how little product I need each time I use it, I think it will last a long time and is worth the price!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals Ready Foundation
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 6:12:00 PM
I really like this foundation! I have used the original Bare Minerals foundation (too "luminous"/shiny) and the matte formula (too cakey). I don't like to look made up. For me, this foundation has the perfect in-between finish. It also hasn't caused any breakouts on my sensitive skin! It took a couple of trial runs to get the application right, and yes, I used way too much at first. But once I found the right amount/application technique, it looks awesome! A little goes a long way. The precision face brush has become my best friend along with this product. I can now apply this way faster than the loose formulas, with more natural results! I was color matched in the store. I was worried that Golden Medium looked way too yellow for me. However, I found that (as long as not over-applied) it really helped with the redness/blotchiness on my cheeks and chin. I just apply a bit more on the red spots/scars. It doesn't accentuate my large pores. For me, the only downside is the oil control. I have pretty oily skin. However, halfway through the day, I can go over everything with blotting papers and still look pretty fresh. The coverage is not affected much. I can go through an entire work day with pretty consistent coverage. Will most definitely repurchase!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Bare Escentuals - Ready Bronzer
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 5:49:00 PM
I use this in The Skinny Dip. I was pretty fair until a few months ago... so this was a great bronzer for my skin tone at that time. I have borderline warm/neutral undertones when I'm not tanned, and this shade was perfect for me. Not too orangey or red. I'm a little darker now, but I still use it after foundation. It gives me just the right amount of color. I was told by someone at the BE store that I should be using a darker color now... but I still use this one because I have plenty left. I'll admit, I use quite a bit now that I'm darker. But I can build up the color easily and it looks very natural. I will probably try a darker color when I finish this one up. I love the packaging in their Ready line! So much easier to use than the loose Bare Minerals!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Application Face Brush
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 5:36:00 PM
I love BE products, but this brush is a FAIL for me. Sad, because it actually applies product decently. This brush sheds like crazy. I've had it for a long time now... always took care of it, washed it on a regular basis using gentle shampoo. But my face and shirt are covered with hairs when I'm done using it. I'm surprised the brush even has bristles left! Like I said... it actually does a decent job of applying product. But having to clean myself up after using it is no fun. I know several people who have the same problem with this brush. Will definitely not repurchase.
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Sunscreen -Shiseido - Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector for Face SPF 42 PA+++
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 5:21:00 PM
LOVE THIS STUFF. I have oily, sensitive skin, and this has been my favorite sunscreen so far. The finish is perfect - not too matte and not too shiny/sticky. No white cast. No breakouts. I can leave the house just like that, or I can wait a couple of minutes and apply makeup right over it with no problems. I tend to sweat more than the average person... and found that the sun protection was long-lasting and not even affected by that. Only downside is the size of the bottle! I wish it came in the bigger size (like Shiseido's blue bottle sunscreen). I've gone through several bottles now, and will keep using it as long as they make it! Price-wise, I wish it was priced the same as their other sunscreen... I think it was $30 for a 1oz bottle. Kind of pricey. But for what it does, I'll gladly pay the $30. The bottle lasts a surprisingly long time, considering the size. You can't really see through the bottle though, so I always make sure to have a backup on hand in case I run out.
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Fragrances -Philosophy - unconditional love
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 5:06:00 PM
My first impression of this one is straight-up cotton candy. I was using this for a while, until I stumbled across something that I felt was a little more "grown up". The bottle I have says "spray fragrance". So that may have something to do with the staying power (lack of it). I had the lotion and body wash at one point too. I thought it would help with the staying power. But when using everything at once, I felt it was just overkill of this cotton candy scent. If anything, I will use just a little of the spray fragrance and let it fade throughout the day.
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Fragrances -Hanae Mori - No.1
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 4:59:00 PM
This is one of my favorite scents. I have several different perfumes to suit different moods; but I find that I go for this one more than any other. It's like my happy, everyday scent. Prior to finding this, I was into philosophy's unconditional love. I think No. 1 is similar, but a little more "grown up". I think unconditional love is more cotton candy-like, while No. 1 ends up a little more "creamy". First spray is kind of harsh, but dries down quickly to a really pleasan, berry-dominant scent. Lasting power is not the best. But I like that I don't have to worry about overdoing it - it's not super strong from the get-go. The packaging is simple and works well, but I wish it came it other sizes (i.e. for travel). Regular price is pretty steep... so I agree with looking online for a better deal than in the store.
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Cleansers -Purpose - Gentle Cleansing Wash
jamieeimaj 11/24/2012 4:32:00 PM
I'm on my second bottle of this stuff. And while I don't hate it, I am certainly not in love with it. PROS: - No strong perfumes - It's cheap enough that I don't feel guilty for using more than I probably need - Doesn't break me out CONS: - Leaves a weird film on my face, but can still be drying - I'm not a fan of the packaging... it's not really good for traveling, and be aware if it's knocked over. It is a pain to clean up! For me, it's just "meh". But since it doesn't break me out, I'll keep using it until I find something better.
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Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Go Brow - Universal Brow Pencil
jamieeimaj 5/27/2009 4:54:00 AM
I really don't wear much makeup, and this is the first brow pencil I've found that I can wear by itself and still look natural. The color is a perfect match for me. I have light skin with dark, sparse eyebrows. Yeah, it has some sparkle you can see in the pencil itself; when it's on my skin though, I don't even see the sparkle. The highlighted side is okay. I wish that there was more brow pencil than highlighter - the pencil is split evenly in half, and I think I go through the brow pencil side WAY faster than the highlighter.
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Cleansers -Cetaphil - Daily Facial Cleanser (Normal to Oily Skin)
jamieeimaj 9/25/2008 8:18:00 PM
My dermatologist recommended this product for my oily skin, so I went out a bought a big bottle. (Good thing it was on sale!) The first day or two went fine... but after that, my face was stinging like crazy all day. I thought it was something else I was using; I eventually was able to narrow it down to the Cetaphil. Even after stopping use for 2 weeks now, my skin is still super oily but flaky. Weird! I think it dried out my skin so much that it's flaky, but my skin is also over-compensating for lack of moisture by getting even more greasy! This just wasn't the right choice for me.
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