Treatments -Clearasil - Ultra Rapid Action Pads
jessiflower_x 5/16/2013 2:01:00 PM
I use these pads as a replacement for toner because I'm usually half asleep by the time I'm washing my face and can't be bothered with all the cotton wool. I use one pad after washing my face in the evening and I'm glad I started to because they've shown me how much makeup is still left on my face even after double washing! These are really great and are working well with the other two Clearasil products I have to help clear my skin up and leave it looking calmer and clearer. As I mentioned in another review, I have tried anything and everything; even though I associate Clearasil with spotty teenage years, it gets my skin's arse into gear and looking somewhat normal again. I also travel a lot and they're handy to take on their own when I don't want cleanser bottles exploding everywhere!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Clearasil - Clearasil Ultra Face Scrub
jessiflower_x 5/16/2013 1:54:00 PM
I do really like this product but I have to say I was expecting it to be far more abrasive. My skin is sensitive to ingredients but not necessarily to exfoliating formulas so I love a good scrub! I use this every evening after I've removed my makeup and it leaves my skin feeling soft with fewer spots. I'm not sure whether it's my makeup or that I need to up the anti on my makeup remover, but I still have foundation residue after using this that I see on my toner pad - I thought this scrub would have helped to get all of that off seeing as it is 'Ultra'. Nevertheless, it's good. I think Neutrogena Deep Clean Scrub is better, I only used it once at a friend's house but it was very cooling and had more OOMPH.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clearasil - Ultra Acne + Marks Wash and Mask
jessiflower_x 5/16/2013 1:36:00 PM
(NOTE: THIS IS FOR THE NEW FORMULA) Contrary to the majority of previous reviews, I really like this product! The breakouts people are experiencing, if they've used the new formula, are most probably due to the two clays that are second on the ingredients list. But I love that they make up such a large part of the formulation, along with Niacinamide, which doesn't appear too much further down the list and is a Bingo! for spots and the marks they leave behind. My skin has vastly improved with Clearasil products, I'm usually a high-end junkie but was getting fed up with being an oil slick and spots appearing every day. Trust me, I've tried everything from both the chemical and the natural world of skin care, the oil cleansing method left me in a hot mess. I use this particular wash in the mornings only, sometimes leaving it on as a mask if I have the time, and it makes my skin look instantly clearer and calmer without drying it out. I follow up with a light moisturiser and am all set for makeup application :)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -The Body Shop - Concealer
jessiflower_x 3/26/2013 1:38:00 AM
Hands-down best concealer I've ever used, I don't know why I forgot about it. I apply it directly to blemishes, redness, and the under eye area then use a small flat brush to blend it. Unlike other concealers I've tried, it actually stays on the skin when I blend rather than rubbing off and revealing the mark again, which is fantastic. It lasts all day, even in the high heat of a Mediterranean summer and through exercise. The colour is a good neutral hue, which is again something that's fantastic as my green-olive skin can't take too much warmth or coolness - this actually looks natural rather than splotchy. I'm NC20 and I use the lightest shade. Definitely repurchasing.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -The Body Shop - All-In-One BB Cream
jessiflower_x 3/26/2013 1:32:00 AM
Contrary to many of the other reviews here, I actually love this BB cream. I have it in the lightest shade and it really makes my winter-sallow skin look healthy. The water-based formula is light, not heavy or cakey, it doesn't clog my pores and leaves no sheen, which means I can pass on powder - that's huge for me as my skin gets very oily, hurrah! I apply this after my moisturiser (Evening Primrose Oil) with my fingers and add extra to areas that are blemished or scarred; I wasn't expecting much coverage with this and was therefore pleasantly surprised with how much it evens out my skin, covers redness, and smoothes pores. The product lasts well, even through exercise, I'm looking forward to using the darker shades in summer to see how it looks in the heat. Definitely a happy customer.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Wet 'n' Wild - Reserve Your Cabana
jessiflower_x 3/2/2013 3:33:00 AM
LOVE. While summer is an easy time to slap on any old bronzer, I don't get on very well with them during the winter. The olive undertone in my skin really comes out when my skin is pale and I have to be so careful to keep colours from being too cool or too warm (for reference, I am NC20 at the moment). This is the lightest bronzer I've seen in drug stores and I came across it by chance, with such a low price I thought why not! I'm so glad I bought it. This gives me a healthy glow that looks natural - not muddy or orange - just lit from within and fresh. It lasts extremely well and doesn't cause any skin reactions. I recently tested the MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul and, while it's pretty, it pulled a little too orange on my skin and the hefty price tag wasn't worth it for a 'maybe' product. I would say this is a wonderful dupe.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Mineralize Blush - Gentle
jessiflower_x 3/2/2013 3:22:00 AM
After waiting around at the MAC counter for half an hour with no assistance, I ended up swatching all the blush colours and attempting to choose one myself. I'm annoyed because A) I had money to spend on their cosmetics but I was ignored and B) When I finally received assistance, they didn't listen to my concerns about colour. I have light skin with a strong olive undertone and choosing a blush is so difficult, because if it leans too cool or too warm, I either look like a clown or as though I'm really ill. This blush catered to creating the former appearance. It makes me look very childlike and seems to clash with my skin tone, even when applied with the lightest (and I mean like a feather!) touch. I can see it working in summer when the depth of my tan will be able to balance everything out, however for my winter paleness it's not great. I also don't think it's worth the cost. I've had blushers from the drug store which are just as pigmented, just as pretty in colour, and far less expensive. I'll be returning this and definitely sticking to cheaper brands for my blushers!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -MAC - Mineralize Foundation
jessiflower_x 2/25/2013 3:58:00 AM
This is my first MAC foundation and I've been very happy with it. I don't usually buy non-drugstore products but I was at my wits end with trying to find a yellow base and therefore, knowing their good reputation with shades, I chose MAC. I have fair skin with a strong yellow/green undertone and was matched to NC20. This is lovely for both day and night and has great staying power on my skin (which is oily). I apply it only where needed for sheer coverage (with fingers) or build it up for medium coverage in the evenings (with the sponge, which gives FLAWLESS coverage!!) Either way, I find it always looks natural. I then apply Bare Minerals Veil over the top and it lasts me all day which is AMAZING - with my previous foundation I was oily after only a couple of hours. This does not break me out either, which is a big concern for me. My skin is sensitive in terms of both acne and redness and I know after one application whether or not a product is suitable. I have had no reaction to this whatsoever and will definitely be testing out some of the other mineral products. I've knocked one star off because the size of the compact is misleading in terms of how much product you get, it looks like there will be more than there is. I do think, however, that spending a little extra was far better than wasting even more money on drug store foundations that I'm never happy with!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Neutrogena - Pore Refining Toner
jessiflower_x 2/25/2013 3:36:00 AM
Despite the protests from the eco warrior sitting on my shoulder, this toner is really working for my skin. I used to wake up to new blemishes every morning and would also develop them throughout the day but this has completely cleared them away. I still have blackheads on my nose, which are stubborn as muck anyway, but this at least helps to really loosen them up and make them easier to extract. My skin is now as smooth as marble and also looks a lot more refined due to the glycolic acid and I have been able to cut down on foundation and concealer. This has also controlled oil; before this my face was oily after only a couple of hours, with and without makeup, but now I can go all day without blotting or powdering! I've knocked a star off the rating because I'm concerned about some of the ingredients in there, I'm usually extremely careful and using this is breaking some of my non-toxic rules!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Burt's Bees - Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
jessiflower_x 2/8/2013 4:13:00 AM
This is my healer. It's my go-to overnight rescue treatment for spots or dry areas. A thin application on problem areas before bed ensures a good clear up of acne and scales by the morning. I've always used diaper creams as a treatment due to the high percentage of zinc oxide in the ingredients (an alternative for acne if skin doesn't respond well to SA or BP like mine) and for a few years now I've only used non-synthetic products - this ointment marries my two loves together! Full of skin-friendly ingredients (I love the base and essential oils they've used) for an affordable price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
jessiflower_x 12/1/2012 6:42:00 PM
After a mad moment during which I declared my love for Clinique - very out of character for me as a nature girl - I bought this for my skin that was rejecting the change to English weather after living in the sun for a few years. The most important thing for me is that this is oil-free. One of the reasons I've returned to the less natural side of skin care is because oil is my biggest acne trigger (I don't care what these OCM people say) and oil-free products are rare in the natural world. I like the silkiness this has to the touch, it feels luxurious and a little goes a long way in application. The moisturising properties, however, are a little disappointing as it seems to pick up on all my dry patches and my skin still doesn't feel as comfortable as it could. A random effect is that is seems to encourage me to have a hot flush not long after I've applied it...probably not a good sign in terms of reactions :( So all in all, I won't repurchase, especially as I have my eye on the new Nars Aqua Gel!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clinique - Liquid Facial Soap - Mild
jessiflower_x 12/1/2012 6:21:00 PM
After landing back in England with no skin care to my name and the appearance of my face going quickly downhill, a kind friend gave me her samples of Clinique...that was the beginning of my affair. I say affair, because as one who is aware of the effects of certain chemicals on the human body, I usually go for the more natural product or even something from my kitchen cupboard. With this in mind, for me Clinique's ingredients lists are far from angelic and I can understand, for example, the real reason for that post-cleanse softness just by looking at the chemicals listed on the bottle. Despite this, an oil-free cleanser is hard to come by in the natural world and I have to admit that this does a good job of cleaning my skin. A small amount lathers well, washes away any makeup residue or oil, and I can actually move my face afterwards! In the morning I use a little bead size amount and it helps me to look a little less like the grizzly bear that I do when I get up; then in the evening I remove my makeup with Coconut Milk ;) and follow up with this soap to complete my cleanse. I doubt I'll repurchase at the moment as I'd like to find a more Mother Nature-friendly cleanser, but it will always be on my emergency list because Clinique is so widely available and it's done what it says on the tin :)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -LUSH - Vanilla Dee-lite
jessiflower_x 9/22/2010 11:40:00 AM
I, too, adore this product. It's one of the things I picked up as part of my first ever purchase from there - OHMYGODILOVEITSOMUCH. I bought it because I love all things vanilla, and a friend who has beautiful skin also recommended it! It's perfect for the day time - leaves no tackiness on my skin and sinks right in so that I can get dressed straight after I've applied it. The smell lingers aaallll day :) I was at work and kept getting wind of a lovely warming, vanilla scent - then I realised it was me! ALSO, I use this on my face (the ingredients are WAY better than those that are in some of my face creams) and my skin has never felt so soft, or looked so pretty!!!!! Lush products are great for building up a 'perfume' - I use this after the Vanilla in the Mist soap in the shower :) and then I spend all day sniffing my skin...! GO BUY!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Max Factor - Second Skin
jessiflower_x 5/26/2010 8:56:00 AM
I only wear foundation on nights out and since the sun's been shining and my skin has gone way tanned (yay!) I've needed a darker foundation to match. At my palest I'm between the two lightest shades but this time when I tried the tester it turns out Golden (the other darker shades seemed too pinky peach against my skin) was perfect, which is odd because when I have no tan there are no golden undertones whatsoever (more olive-yellow) and wearing this would have made me look like an oompa loompa. But it's an exact match at the moment! And I figure when my tan fades, I can mix it with one of my lighter foundations :) I agree with other reviewers that their colour range is odd, plus the quality/finish isn't that outstanding but I've used far worse cosmetics - if only Revlon sold a sheer foundation in England! x EDIT: After two weeks the colours separated?! And now I'm left with a weird mix of white and ...orange. It's ok if I open the bottle and really give it a good mix. Also it seems to get darker throughout the day - so I'm not sure about this one anymore!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Dr. Hauschka - Toned Day Cream
jessiflower_x 3/5/2010 6:41:00 AM
This little pretty penny product isn't really floating my boat very far into the lands of fairytale skin, so i'm thankful to the lovely lady who offered a free sample to 'try before I buy'. Although thick and almost glutinous in consistency, it leaves no infusion of moisture for my dehydrated skin and God forbid I wear another moisturiser underneath, that would be ingredient overload for that magical thing called sensitivity. And although it does indeed warm up the complexion (however a little oddly in my case, it is the wrong 'tone' and seems to offer an unhealthy effect), the toned day cream does undoubtedly little in aid of skin texture, pores, and that glowing cast of radiance and health we princesses of the world all wish for upon a star, every night, before bed, so that one day our pleas may come true. But unfortunately this product doesn't do that for me, so it's staying in the harbour.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No