Moisturizers -Jurlique - Calendula Cream
jlee2 2/20/2012 11:39:00 PM
I like this product a lot. I would describe it as more of a balm than a cream. It sinks into my skin quickly and is non-greasy. It moisturizes deeply (even for my dehydrated skin - I am on a prescription retinoid cream that has made my skin very dry), is very gentle (I apply it on the undereye area and it does not sting unlike many other products I have used), and is a fair price. It is a better quality product than the Bobbi Brown products I have been using (Intensive Skin Supplement, Extra Repair Balm SPF25), and cheaper as well. I will repurchase.
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Mascara -Shiseido - Nourishing Mascara Base
jlee2 1/22/2012 9:03:00 PM
This is a HG item for me - I am very impressed. With two coats of this mascara base, my eyelashes stay curly, separated, long and defined throughout the day. I have stick straight eyelashes and monolid Asian eyes, so getting my eyelashes to stay curled has always been an obstacle. Applying the base and letting it dry before putting on another mascara also reduces the inevitable smudginess that comes with 8 hr+ wear. I will definitely repurchase. EDIT: I have found that when I use an eyeshadow primer, such as Stila Prime Pot or Urban Decay Primer Potion, the curl does not last all day - maybe five hours. Since I have monolid eyes, it is inevitable that the eyelid rubs against the eyelash and transfers the product. So I took off two lippies.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Yves Saint Laurent - TEINT RESIST Long Wear Transfer Resistant Foundation
jlee2 1/18/2012 8:27:00 PM
My HG foundation. It provides medium to full coverage and makes my skin looks flawless. I would give it 4.5 lippies. It is quite expensive though, and I have to blot my skin a couple of times throughout the day, as I have very oily t-zone, so half a lippie off. As with any foundation, make sure your skin is thoroughly moisturized and primed before application. I am Asian and NC25 in MAC, and I find number 4 to be a good shade for me - the color is very yellow-based and a fit for my skin tone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Laura Mercier - Silk Creme Foundation
jlee2 1/18/2012 8:16:00 PM
I like this foundation a lot - it provides medium to full coverage and the creme texture makes it easy to work with. I apply it with a buffer brush. This is a welcome relief from Bare Minerals, which was simply too sheer in coverage no matter how many layers I put on. I wear Make Up Forever Mattifying primer beneath and set with Laura Mercier Translucent powder, and blot throughout the day (I have an oily t-zone). I am also a fan of the tube packaging. Make sure your skin is moisturized before putting this product on - it accentuates any dry patches. I will repurchase. For reference, I have tried Make Up Forever HD Foundation, CoverFx Water Based Foundation (similar to Laura Mercier Silk Creme, but I find LM to be superior), and various MAC products. Almost as good as YSL Teint Resist, my HG.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Boscia - MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil
jlee2 1/18/2012 8:09:00 PM
Almost HG status. This is very gentle and gets all of my makeup off - my liquid eyeliner does require a separate eye makeup remover though. Does not dry out my skin. For this price, will repurchase.
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Treatments -Bobbi Brown - Intensive Skin Supplement Serum Anti-age Multi-action
jlee2 1/18/2012 7:42:00 PM
I received a sample of this product and really like it. I cannot comment on its anti-aging properties or whether it fills in fine lines, but it is extremely moisturizing for my skin. I layer this under the Hydrating Intensive Night Cream and Extra Repair Moisturizing Balm SPF 25 and get smooth, moisturized skin throughout the day (I am on a topical retinoid cream and as a result my skin is very dry and flakey). It is pricey but worth it. EDIT: I am subtracting two lippies from my rating. I think the Hydrating Intensive Night Cream and Extra Repair Moisturizing Balm SPF 25 were moisturizing my skin - the serum really was not doing much. I have recently subtracted it from my skin care routine and there is no difference - this is literally just water. I will not repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Dermalogica - Barrier Repair
jlee2 1/17/2012 10:33:00 PM
This is a decent moisturizer, but definitely not enough for my skin during the winter, especially with the topical retinoids that I use. Perhaps for the summer this would be a better fit for my combination skin. I do like the anhydrous, silicone-based texture.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
jlee2 1/17/2012 10:31:00 PM
A nice tinted moisturizer with SPF, but this is way too sheer for my taste. Definitely does not provide enough coverage for my NC25 skin. Will not repurchase.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack
jlee2 1/17/2012 10:28:00 PM
This smears on my Asian monolid eyes by the end of the day, despite having used an eyelid primer. The texture is also thicker, smudgier, and harder to apply than with some of the Fluidlines in other colors - I would not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Everlong
jlee2 1/17/2012 9:00:00 PM
Ironically, Everlong mascara did NOT stay on my eyelashes...rather, it smeared and left me with panda eyes by the end of the day. That said, the packaging and scent of the mascara are quite nice, but the formula is disappointing.
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Mascara -Givenchy - Phenomen'eyes Mascara
jlee2 1/16/2012 10:37:00 PM
This smudged and ran, and I looked like a panda six hours after application. Definitely not for monolid Asian eyes. The only plus is that the packaging is cute.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Ziana
jlee2 1/16/2012 10:34:00 PM
I have mixed feelings about Ziana - I would give it 3.5 lippies. I have been using the product in conjunction with the antibiotic Doryx for the past three months, and have seen a VERY GRADUAL decrease in my acne - previously, I had some large cysts/nodular acne particularly around the chin and mouth area, in addition to numerous whiteheads on my forehead. The first month and a half, I experienced a purging process in which my skin got worse; more zits surfaced and my skin became dry and flaky. Now after three months, my cystic/nodular acne has decreased and overall amount of new breakouts has dwindled, although I definitely do get new pimples. Whiteheads remain on my forehead. I have had to switch to heavier moisturizers and balms given the drying effect of the medications. I am not completely satisfied with the product and expected greater improvement given the amount of time I have used it, and am switching to Tazorac.
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Treatments (Eye) -Bobbi Brown - Extra Eye Balm
jlee2 1/2/2012 11:10:00 PM
Extremely moisturizing eye balm. This product has really helped me this winter; previously, I had very flakey, irritated skin around the eye area, and using this balm twice a day got rid of the problem. I was using Caudalie Eye and Lip Treatment and Lancome R.A.R.E. before, and these do not compare for hydration purposes. The product is expensive, but I will be repurchasing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No