Treatments (Eye) -Avalon Organics Botanicals - Vitamin C Revitalizing Eye Cream
junycherry 8/11/2011 1:47:00 PM
This is a nice little eyecream I've been using for about half a year now. It is good for moisturizing the eye area, and it sinks in quite nicely. However, it is mediocre in terms of diminishing the appearance of fine lines. It is probably best using it for preventative reasons with its antioxidants.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - Majolica Majorca Mascara Base
junycherry 8/20/2010 6:40:00 PM
This was my first mascara base, and I have to say it's been such a disappointment. I am still using it up since it's a waste, but I will not be purchasing again. Mascara still smudges and product is clumpy, making it hard to apply evenly on lashes.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -DHC - Eye Lash tonic
junycherry 8/7/2010 1:37:00 PM
At the beginning when I first used this years ago, I would have given this 5 stars. But after going through three tubes and on and off application, I have hit the high point...as in my lashes probably will not grow any lower with this product. Don't get me wrong, my lashes are definitely longer than it used to be pre-eyelash tonic but I'm looking to further volume and length. I will be trying a new product after being loyal to this eyelash treatment for several years. Packaging is cute but not very hygienic.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Fancl - Mild Cleansing Oil
junycherry 6/19/2010 5:49:00 PM
This is my HG cleansing oil so far. I've tried all sorts of cleansing oils, like Shiseido, Kose, Kanebo, etc. as well as vegetable oils such as EVOO. This is superior to all I have tried so far and am on the third bottle. I haven't tried the famous Shu Uemura or DHC (would love to try it in the future though!), but this is excellent - has great slip and just glides across your skin, minimizing skin friction and irritation. It takes everything off! Although this is advertised to take even your eye makeup off, I use a separate eye makeup remover beforehand, and go again over the eye area to remove every trace. Great lip makeup remover too, and I love the fact that it is gentle and preservative-free. Fancl Mild Cleansing oil all the way!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Mary Kay - Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
junycherry 6/14/2010 12:54:00 AM
This is an excellent eye makeup remover at an excellent price. No stinging sensation or allergic reaction, and no milia formed around eye area. It removes most of the makeup with minimal rubbing; I pour generously on a cotton ball, gently press on eyelid for about 5~8 seconds, and gently swipe back and forth. I do not rely on this alone, however. I follow up with Kanebo Mild Cleansing Oil for the face, gently going again over the eye area. I would definitely purchase again! I'm just iffy on the ingredients -- the ingredient list IS pretty long with loads of unfamiliar chemicals, and I'm biased towards more natural and green products.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Boscia - Smoothing Facial Polish
junycherry 9/14/2009 4:45:00 AM
I got the Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish as a sample from Sephora. Caudalie is a creamy exfoliant with more effective beads, this one has a light gel texture (reminds me of aloe vera gel) with gentler beads. Again like Caudalie, Boscia products are botanically-based and preservative-free. Interesting tidbit -- they were created by Fancl, the Japanese brand known for their gentle products :) This scrub is very gentle and light and is perfect for oily and combination skin types. It is an effective cleanser as well, and I prefer this over Caudalie's scrub because creamy products makes me get whiteheads and milia. I would use Boscia in the summer and Caudalie in the winter. At $25, this is not the most economical product in the world, but it is still a quality product. However, I am looking into other alternatives besides scrubs, like Clarisonic Skincare Brush or a microdermabrasion cloth. Means less chemicals being used since you use these with a cleanser.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Perricone - Alpha Lipoic Acid Nutritive Cleanser with DMAE
junycherry 9/14/2009 4:42:00 AM
This was given to me as a gift. The nutritive cleanser contains DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid, which are ingredients that not only provide anti-aging benefits, but also reveal a brighter and smoother skin surface. The target market for Perricone's skincare line are probably middle-aged and older women. I have read a bit of Perricone's books, so I'm a little familiar with his approach to skincare. I agree that you should work from the inside out, eating nutritious quality food and taking important supplements like omega-3, CoQ10, vitamin C, etc. But I do not agree with his cleanser. It has a really strong babypowder smell, and I'm not fond of products with strong fragrances (esp floral, gives me a headache). The cleanser is a clear, slick liquid reminiscent of Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, and you will only need a little bit because it lathers so well. My skin doesn't agree with this, and I don't know why...but it feels like I'm washing my face with kitchen detergent when I use this.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Caudalie - Vinoperfect Radiance Revealing Mask
junycherry 9/5/2009 4:01:00 PM
I feel like I can't give an adequate review of the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Revealing Mask as I have used only the sample. The Vinoperfect Radiance Revealing Mask is a gentle exfoliating mask that you apply on with the built-in brush and leave on for about 10 minutes before washing it off. The benefits are that it tightens the pores, lightens your skin, and gives it a burst of radiance. The Sephora employee told me it was good for lightening discoloration on the face. The sample lasted about two weeks since it's recommended that you use it only once or twice a week. Honestly, I'm not impressed at all and furthermore the price point is a bit high at $42 for a small 1.3 oz tube. I am definitely all for shelling out good money for high performance products, but I'm neutral about this. I do feel like this is one of those products that you have to use consistently and for a long time to see results. The first two times I used it, my face did look radiant and glowy, but subsequent uses afterward there was really no change. And I can't really say anything about the long-term results because I've used it only 5-6 times max. And if smell is an issue for some of you readers, the cream smells a bit stinky... I feel that there are more promising products at more appealing prices out there. I really do like Caudalie though and their brand philosophy.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Alba Botanica - Deep Sea Facial Mask
junycherry 8/23/2009 4:06:00 PM
Ever since I started using Alba Botanica's Deep Sea Facial Mask, the few whiteheads that I had on the side of my face is slowly going away, blackheads on my nose is disappearing gradually, and the enlarged pores to the sides of the nose seems to be tightened. I'm having a lot less skin problems in general since I started using this. This product is a part of Alba's Advanced line, which is formulated with a unique marine complex of five algae extracts. The features and benefits are: "A combination of Chinese kaolin and green clays to purify, with protective shea butter, soothing chamomile and mineral-rich nourishment with its blend of sea enzymes and aloe vera. Results in refreshed, revitalized, purified skin and a glowing complexion. Kaolin clay effectively draws out excess oils and impurities, while aloe vera and Alba's Marine Complex hydrate, nourish and stimulate cell regeneration." The texture is creamy and white, and goes on very smoothly. It's neither thick nor runny, but the mask is substantial and leans a little towards the thick side. I do not like the scent...the mask is somewhat heavily fragranced and irritates me. I don't like perfumed skincare products because I can get a headache. So if Alba can forego the perfume in the list of ingredients, I would be even more pleased. Instead of the recommended 5 minutes, I put it on for 15 min (dry skin can go 5 min as directed) and then rinse it off. Do note that I do not slather this all over my face. I just put it on my acne-prone, oily areas such as the T-zone, nose, side of nose, side of face, and chin. There is a slight tingling but no skin irritation while this is on my face. By the way my skin hates chemical peels, manual exfoliation is the way to go! Although I am debating on Innisfree Wine Peeling Softener because its wine concept seems really interesting. But I am getting off topic... When I wash it off, my face feels so soft and clean because it sucked out all the dirt and bacteria from my pores. It is indeed deep-cleansing, and my skin is prepped for my shea butter. I use this maybe 2 to 3 times a week. I wouldn't do it more often than that because I can see it irritating the skin. It's probably better than most of the drugstore masks out there, but intuition tells me (the strong fragrance + the tingling sensation) that it's probably not as gentle as I anticipated.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Kanebo - naive facial cleansing foam - green tea
junycherry 8/23/2009 2:56:00 AM
I am reviewing the Naive Facial Cleansing Foam in Aloe. This a creamy cleansing foam with aloe vera extract for normal skin. It foams up very nicely so you only need a tiny bit to clean the entire face. You have to wash it off thoroughly and maybe use a toner because it can leave residue. Its creaminess is great for the winter, but not so much for the acne-prone in the summer. Nothing really impresses me about it, so I will probably move onto another cleanser after I finish it up. **Edit: I'm going to chuck this or use it as a body wash to finish it up. I think its richness is giving me whiteheads.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Clinique - All About Eyes Rich
junycherry 8/23/2009 2:44:00 AM
One of my college roommates used to rave about Clinique's All About Eyes. I wanted something more moisturizing, so I decided to purchase the rich version. It's very moisturizing and doesn't form milia near my eyes, which I usually get when I apply rich eye creams. When I wake up the next morning my eye area feels soft and supple :) Other products I have used in the past were too little, too much...but this is just right! It is no miracle product treating deep wrinkles or dark circles but just an exceptional basic eye cream. Perfect for teenagers or the 20-something woman.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Unlisted Brand - Unrefined Shea Butter
junycherry 8/23/2009 2:23:00 AM
"Unrefined African shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the Shea-Karite tree. Shea butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E, and F. Vitamins A and E help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. Vitamin F acts as a skin protector and rejuvenator. Also, shea butter easily penetrates the skin, allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores. In addition shea butter has a high level of cinnamic acid, a natural sun screen. So it provides some degree of protection from the sun." (Treasured Locks) I was given two tubs of unrefined, raw shea butter as a gift that's probably going to last me about two years! Don't get the refined version because it is highly processed, and therefore you will not reap the full benefits of using shea butter. I love this because it's pure and very moisturizing, but if I layer too much on my face it can clog pores in the summer. Shea butter is an intense moisturizer and full of fatty acids, so use sparingly on the face. I don't use this as a body moisturizer because it's hard to spread and takes awhile to melt to your body heat. Just mainly use on my face and lips. At first my skin didn't like this so much (continued to be flaky and dry), but now it just drinks it in!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Butterman's 100% pure raw shea butter
junycherry 8/23/2009 2:10:00 AM
"Unrefined African shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the Shea-Karite tree. Shea butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E, and F. Vitamins A and E help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. Vitamin F acts as a skin protector and rejuvenator. Also, shea butter easily penetrates the skin, allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores. In addition shea butter has a high level of cinnamic acid, a natural sun screen. So it provides some degree of protection from the sun." (Treasured Locks) I was given two tubs of unrefined, raw shea butter as a gift that's probably going to last me about two years! Don't get the refined version because it is highly processed, and therefore you will not reap the full benefits of using shea butter. I love this because it's pure and very moisturizing, but if I layer too much on my face it can clog pores in the summer. Shea butter is an intense moisturizer and full of fatty acids, so use sparingly on the face. I don't use this as a body moisturizer because it's hard to spread and takes awhile to melt to your body heat. Just mainly use on my face and lips. At first my skin didn't like this so much (continued to be flaky and dry), but now it just drinks it in!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Kiss My Face - Face Factor-SPF30
junycherry 8/23/2009 12:21:00 AM
Kiss My Face Face Factor SPF 30 for Face + Neck is a 100% paraben free sunscreen that contains alpha lipoic acid, green tea, and oat protein. This is a gentle and organic sunscreen that doesn't sting upon application, unlike Neutrogena sunscreens I've used (and considered as HG!) in the past. It doesn't have any strong chemical scent, just a mild natural scent that is non-irritating. Absorbs well and is nicely moisturizing. Makes my skin look dewy :3 The consistency is nice as well, neither thick nor runny. I am on my second bottle! However, I have come to realize this is not a good choice for combo and oily skin in the summer. It has poor oil control with no mattifying properties whatsoever. Within 2 hours in hot weather, my T-zone and inner cheek area turn shiny and I have to blot like mad with blotting paper. In a cool, air conditioned atmosphere, I find my face becoming slightly shiny about 5 hours later.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Caudalie - Gentle Buffing Cream
junycherry 8/21/2009 2:21:00 AM
This is not a exfoliating cleanser because it won't be able to wash your face thoroughly and remove dirt and makeup. Its sole purpose is to exfoliate your skin, and nothing else. I recommend using this after washing your face with a separate cleanser. So it'll be all nice and clean to whisk those dead skin cells away! You're supposed to use this sparingly as it is concentrated + it spreads out well -- I use two or three pea-size drops. By the way, I love how Caudalie steers clear of parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oils, and artificial colorings. The texture is pretty runny. But if you rub the cream between your fingers, you definitely feel the grain. I'm not sure what it is, but its not one of those spherical beads. Reminds of St. Ives Apricot Scrub except a hundred times gentler. Smell is rather pleasant. This scrub is really effective at exfoliating your skin but still gentle. In my opinion St. Ives scrubs are over the top rather causing damage, and those wimpy spherical microbeads aren't 100% effective...maybe for dry skin types. I think Caudalie's buffing cream would be great for combination and oily skin types! Any scrub can cause damage if you exfoliate for so long, so use this for about a minute tops, two to three times a week. My skin feels always smooth, fresh and looks radiant after using this. That means it did a good job sloughing the dead cells! No irritated red marks, although one time I exfoliated for a good five minutes and my skin did get a little blotchy. Also I wouldn't use a lot of pressure, I think it has the potential to make microscopic tears in your skin if you press down too hard.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No