BB Cream -Revlon - Photoready BB Cream SPF 30
jenn8779 5/17/2013 11:43:00 AM
About me- 44 yrs old, lily white/ultra fair coloring, neutral to cool undertones, combination, sensitive skin. BB creams have been hit or miss for me, mostly due to shade selection (or lack there of) and/or the finish of the product isn't what I want. I decided to give this one a shot and at first, I didn't really like it. I had been using Palmer's BB cream, which had become my favorite, but I find that it can be dry and can cake a bit, although the ingredients are exceptional. I have also liked the Maybelline BB cream for its "luminous" finish and that it didn't really cause me much oiliness however, it has almost no coverage while the Palmer's has a bit more. My skin had become drier over the winter and I had started using a facial oil which I love and have seen major skin improvement from using. After starting with the facial oil, I began to have issues with using any type of base product as they either separate on the skin or become very oily or both, even the 2 previously mentioned BB creams, even though the face oil sinks into my skin completely. I pulled the Revlon BB back out and tried it again. I have found this to work the best over the face oil and now I love this product! It seems to have more coverage than most without caking up or separating. It is thicker than the Maybelline but not as thick feeling as the Palmer's. It seems to ahve more coverage than tinted moisturizers as well but hydrates as well as TM's. The bonus of having an SPF 30 is fantastic as the face oil has none and I use it daily as my moisturizer. For the most part, my skin is pretty clear and even, with the occasional breakout, and some redness around my nose. This product gives me enough coverage to even out my skin, gives a luminous finish that is not as shimmery as the Maybelline (more "healthy glow"), doesn't irritate my skin or cause me to breakout. Anything it doesn't completely cover, I can hit with a concealor. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for sheer coverage, with good SPF. One note- please keep in mind that BB creams are not full coverage foundations nor are they a complete skincare product either. Know what to expect from what you're buying and there will be less disappointment!
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Mascara -Maybelline - The Falsies in Black Drama
jenn8779 5/6/2013 11:07:00 AM
Over the weekend, I bought this on clearance at Target for $3.00 and figured it would be okay for when I want major volume and really deep color. Daily, I usually go for length and definition. I was pleasantly surprised at how much lashes this created, how long they were, how well it curled and how long this lasted once applied. Major requirement to avoid clumps- you MUST wipe the wand before applying and wipe between coats!! Now, as a general rule, I do this with ALL new mascaras but its mandatory with this one. However, if you do wipe the wand and are careful in application, you will get some crazy full, long, dark lashes that last about all day. I didn't find that it smeared around my eyes, either on my lid or underneath, and my combination skin can get oily around the eyes/lids. It did seem to "fade" as they day went on but I didn't see any noticeable flakes. If this continues to perform as well, I'd buy it again.
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Highlighters -Revlon - Age Defying Spa Illuminator Pink Light
jenn8779 4/25/2013 2:37:00 PM
Oh, this was such a great find! This is probably as close to a dupe for Benefit's Highbeam as you can find in a drug store. Yes, the brush applicator is highly annoying but I just pulled on it until it came off and the applicator under it is perfect for getting just the right amount. This is so multi-use too. You can mix it with either foundation or moisturizer and apply all over the face and/or you can highlight just the areas of the face recommended for contouring. I like to highlight the face areas, especially my inner eye corners and cheekbones. This looks so identical to Highbeam that I will now buy this instead and you get enough for the one package to last at least a year, if not longer. It didn't irritate my skin or wear off too quickly. Highly recommend!!
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Highlighters -Revlon - Age Defying Spa Face illuminator in Pink Light
jenn8779 4/25/2013 2:34:00 PM
Oh, this was such a great find! This is probably as close to a dupe for Benefit's Highbeam as you can find in a drug store. Yes, the brush applicator is highly annoying but I just pulled on it until it came off and the applicator under it is perfect for getting just the right amount. This is so multi-use too. You can mix it with either foundation or moisturizer and apply all over the face and/or you can highlight just the areas of the face recommended for contouring. I like to highlight the face areas, especially my inner eye corners and cheekbones. This looks so identical to Highbeam that I will now buy this instead and you get enough for the one package to last at least a year, if not longer. It didn't irritate my skin or wear off too quickly. Highly recommend!!
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Moisturizers -Burt's Bees - Intense Hydration day lotion
jenn8779 2/28/2013 3:15:00 PM
OMG...this product has been a godsend to my uber pale, sensitive, combination skin that gets extremely dry in the winter. I started with the sample jar, just like the prior reviewer, and then purchased the full size product. The full size comes in a pump bottle, not a jar, and its great packaging. My skin was so dry, very itchy cheeks and it was looking really, really dull. After a week of using this product, my skin was glowing (and getting major compliments!! LOL), no longer itchy, felt incredibly smooth and supple. Its definitely a cream, even though it says "lotion", and is definitely heavier than most day lotions. However, as the prior reviewer stated, it soaks in very quickly and didn't cause me any breakouts. I'd be careful if you tend towards oily skin though, as this is probably too much moisture for oilier skins.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Mary Kay - Peach Satin Hands Hand Cream
jenn8779 1/22/2013 1:21:00 PM
I am really loving this hand cream! My hands and cuticles are always dry, even in the summer. But they crack and bleed in the winter time. I can't count the number of creams, lotions, butters, etc that I have used over the years, most of them not really being effective either or, they're just too greasy for the hands. I got this for Christmas and was impressed with it from the 1st use. I don't like the scent of the original satin hands but I love anything that smells like peaches. Now, the scent is strong so if you don't like scent, or don't like the scent of peaches, this is not for you. This product has cured my horrible, dry cracking hands! My cuticles are even soft and moisturized as well. I have been complimented several times on the scent too. I will definitely buy this and highly recommend!
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Treatments -L'Oreal - Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm
jenn8779 1/22/2013 1:05:00 PM
I bought this product as my fine (but a lot of it), very curly, very long hair has looked just so awful in the past few weeks, even after a recent cut. My ends are dry, frizzy and not behaving at all. My hair has been dry, lacked shine, gets frizzy and generally has been looking very damaged all over. In the past, I've used obscenely expensive repairing treatments (hello Kerastase) that while helping for a short time, have proven to definitely NOT be worth their prices. I decided to try this one since its a whole lot cheaper than the high end ones and am thrilled to say it works beautifully! I could feel, and see, a dramatic difference after the 1st use. After the 2nd and 3rd uses, huge, dramatic difference in my hair, that even lasts when I use other products for normal, daily use. This has restored my shine, made my ends feel like baby's hair and it just looks over all much healtheir than its looked in months. I have a whole lot of product left, as you only need a small amount, and will have it for several months more. I paid approx $5 for this and its now my HG deep conditioning treatment. I am going to purhcase the shampoo and daily conditioner as well.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -L'Oreal - Everstrong Overnight Repair Treatment
jenn8779 11/20/2012 11:29:00 AM
Oh, wow....this stuff is so amazing and was from the first use! My hair is very long, very curly but fine in texture and I have a lot of it. Being that my hair is long, even though I don't heat style, I am prone to split ends and some breakage. I used to use the Neutrogena Split End repair serum but now I can't really find it. I was looking for something else, and since I use the Ever products for shampoo/conditioner and styling, I figured I'd get this, especially after reading the great reviews. They don't lie! I use this at night and it does soak in as they state, makes my hair super soft but not weighed down and actually creates more body for my days when I don't wash my hair (I only wash it about 2-3 times per week). It also seems to reduce frizz, although it isn't specifically for that, and definitely smoothes my fuzzy ends. I also use it as a leave-in after washing my hair. This stuff is really great and RiteAid frequently puts the line on sale and there are coupons frequently in the sunday papers. Ladies with long hair, please try this!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -TRESemme - Nourishing Rituals Cashmere Touch Hydrating Serum
jenn8779 11/19/2012 2:21:00 PM
Oh this is one really awesome product! I have very long, very curly hair that is fine in texture but I have a lot of it. I love the new hair oils but some can be kind of greasy or don't smell all that pleasant...and lets not forget how expensive some of them can be. This product has argan & coconut oils but feels like a non-greasy serum, instead of a heavy oil. It smells simply amazing, NO FRIZZ, can be applied on wet or dry hair and didn't pull out my curls. It sealed my split ends and made my hair super shiny and soft too. And, unlike the Garnier oil, this comes in a pump top container so its much less messy and travels better. I can see this being a part of my daily routine for years to come!
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Lip Treatments -E.L.F. - Lip Balm SPF 15
jenn8779 11/14/2012 11:33:00 AM
I have been looking for a sheer, "true rose" MLBB shade for the Fall/Winter that had a decent amount of moisture to it since my lips have been so dry. None of the L'Oreal or Revlon tinted balms had the shade I was going for and I don't think the Burt's Bees tinted balms are worth their price. My friend had this product in Nude and she loves it. I saw the Rose shade in Target and figured for $3, I couldn't really go wrong. The Rose is that perfect MLBB sheer shade I wanted for daily wear. I like the scent and feel of the mint so that isn't an issue for me. I can even apply this without a mirror and ended up buying 2 more so that I have one on me at all times. After reading the other reviews, I think I will order both the Nude and the Peach shades. The SPF 15 is also a really nice added bonus. And, like other reviewers have said, the packaging is awesome.
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Treatments -TRESemme - Split Remedy Leave-In Conditioning Spray
jenn8779 11/14/2012 10:51:00 AM
I like to use spray leave-in conditioners and detanglers on my fine but very long and curly hair, instead of leave-in cream conditioners since they tend to weigh my hair down. This product sounded like it would be my HG but it just wasn't right for my hair. 1st- I also had issues with it being too thick to spray correctly, it also came out in a stream and not a true "spray" and I also had to spray it into my hands to apply it. Now, this wouldn't have been a big deal except that it defeats the purpose of buying a spray on product. It also left a film like feel on my hair and weighed it down considerably, even more so than most leave-in creams. It does smell wonderful though and I think those with thicker hair, or who do daily heat styling/straightening, will get better results.
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Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverStrong Hydrating shampoo
jenn8779 11/13/2012 11:55:00 AM
After looking at the reviews, it seems this is one of those "love it or hate it" products. Personally, I love it and I love the scent, which I find to be refreshing. I found my scalp was dry and itchy and dandruff shampoos were making it worse. I went to the dermatologist and she suggested that I may have an issue with sulfates and recommended I find one without them. I started using the EverCreme cleansing conditioner, and while I do like it, I find the scent to be a bit overwhelming. I also found that it built up on my hair after a few weeks and I wanted a "regular" to alternate with it. I picked this one due to the scent being much more mild & pleasant, the strengthening ingredients and that its moisturizing. My hair is curly but fine in texture so anything too heavy will weigh it down but anything not moisturizing will dry it out. This works as the perfect "happy medium" for me. I like the effect- no itchy dry scalp, hair is silky and soft and not weighed down. It doesn't take a whole lot to cleanse either, maybe a quarter size dollop. In general, I am very pleased and will continue to purchase. Note to other reviewers- this product does contain a considerable amount of keratin and keratin tends to make the hair feel like its dry when really, its just stengthening the strands. For those who did not like this product, your hair may not need the keratin as much as it needs moisture and so this would not be the correct product for your hair type and needs. Try the EverCreme line.
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BB Cream -Palmers - Eventone BB Cream SPF 15
jenn8779 11/12/2012 4:53:00 PM
I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this product. I think this product is closest to a "true" BB cream than any of the other US BB creams out there today. I have tried them all and have found they fit into one of three categories: 1) just a tinted moisturizer; 2) the color selections are awful; 3) No SPF or "true" skin care ingredients. This product conatins cocoa butter, soy, Synovea, niacinamide, vitamin C and licorice extract. It moisturizes, plumps fine lines, evens skin tone and reduces redness and dark spots and protects with SPF 15. It only comes in 2 shades though and the lightest, while matching me perfectly, is VERY light and the 2nd shade is very dark so some may have color matching issues. I have very fair, very sensitive, combination skin and the lightest shade is a perfect match for me and it hasn't irritated my skin or caused any excessive oiliness. Its also only $10.00 too. My one issue is that it dries fairly quickly and isn't as blendable as I'd like but I'll deal. After trying all the new drug store brand's BB creams and the higher end ones too, I am most impressed with this one.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Garnier - Curl Calm Down Anti-Frizz Cream
jenn8779 10/15/2012 10:40:00 AM
Okay, I'm in the minority who LOVE this product! I have very long, very curly hair, and its fine in texture, but I have a lot of it. I have issues with so many products I've tried for curly hair that either leave my hair crunchy (OMG...I HATE that! UGH) or, they weigh it down and pull the curl out and leave it flat. This product doesn't do either. It moisturizes and defines my curls, without weighing them down, and leaves my hair silky and shiny. Its also great for 2nd and 3rd day hair as it controls the frizz and seems to re-energize my curls. My one main complaint is the pump....product tends to "creep" out as you pump it. However, for results like these, and a price much less than salon with better results, I can suck it up and deal.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Garnier - Sleek and Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment
jenn8779 10/12/2012 12:59:00 PM
OMG........this stuff is so awesome!!! Again, thank you MUA reviewers for helping me find such an amazing product! I can't believe how well this works for its price. And it works better than similar products I've used from salon brands, and they cost 2 to 4 times as much. This defys the humidity, works on wet or dry hair, doesn't build up or get oily and leaves my very long, very fine, curly hair shiny and perfectly conditioned. I think it helps my curls form better too and I don't need as much styling product now. I only use about a pea sized drop and will have this one bottle for months. Cool tip- take a small amount and put it in a microwaveable bowl/cup, heat for about 10 seconds on 50% power and apply to dry hair before you wash it. This has eliminated all my splt ends!! Highly recommend this product!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No