Top/Base Coats -Essie - No Chips Ahead
kamo12 8/25/2012 2:00:00 PM
Wow, did I get the same formula as everyone else? This stuff has been awesome so far. I'm only on my second manicure with it, but the first was chip free for a good five days (without re-application) and my current is on day seven (reapplied every third day) with only one chip that I fixed. This is by far the longest I've had a nearly wear-free manicure. It takes longer to dry that my other fast-dry top coats, but it felt good enough to go after maybe 20min of being careful. Have not had the hours after sheet print problem. Maybe I really do have a newer formula, but I would recommend it.
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Moisturizers -Yes To Carrots - Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
kamo12 10/13/2011 1:12:00 AM
I want to like this product. Awesome pump, goes on smoothly, has SPF, doesn't make me break out... I liked it quite a bit this summer when I use a lighter moisturizer, but if my skin is feeling particularly dry, it just doesn't feel like it is really penetrating/hydrating my skin. I've had to stop using it though because it makes my skin flake like crazy. Like a thin, even layer of flakiness all over where I apply it, most noticeably on my eyelids and under my eyes. I don't use a separate eye cream, but seriously. That shouldn't happen. I'm not sure which ingredient causes this, but I wish I knew so I could avoid it in the future!
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Crème -Maybelline - Dream Smooth Mousse
kamo12 8/24/2011 2:10:00 PM
This foundation is growing on me, considering I wanted to return it as soon as I brought it home. I wanted a non-liquid foundation for air travel and picked this up because of a good review online (granted, the reviewer's skin was mature and dry where mine is combination/break-out prone...) but it was there, and not too expensive. Bought the lightest shade. I brought it home and it was waaaayyy too dark. I am NC15ish, so this is not unexpected, but it went on cakey and orange. I tried it with the included sponge, my fingers, and a paddle-shaped foundation brush. Felt like Snooki. I put it in a drawer and regretted throwing away the receipt. A few months, a slight tan, and a very good foundation brush later, this is working for me. I've been using the Sephora Pro Airbrush #55 which is able to pick up a tiny bit of product and buff it into perfection. My sister saw me apply it once and said "wow, what is that?" It has moderate coverage and a nice velvety finish. Honestly though, I feel like this is more attributed to the brush than the foundation. I'll keep using it while I have a slight tan, but I wish Maybelline would expand their color selection and rework the bulky, waste-of-space packaging.
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Polishes -Essie - Splash of Grenadine
kamo12 7/11/2011 12:15:00 AM
I bought this shade because it instantly reminded me of Natalie Portman's pink Rodarte dress from the '09 Oscars (I know that's a random reference, but I love that shade of bright lavender pink). Splash of Grenadine is very similar to this shade, and has a lacquery, almost-jelly texture that is my absolute favorite. I also have Peach Daiquiri and the formula seems the same - It's thinner and glossier than some other Essie polishes I've tried. Dries in just a few minutes, opaque in two coats. It dries slightly darker/more magenta than the bottle color. I currently have it on my fingers and toes and hope it lasts me through the summer!
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Polishes -Essie - Tart Deco
kamo12 5/27/2011 1:49:00 PM
I bought Tart Deco because of the beautiful color, a summery peach, and despite it's deficiencies I've been able to make it work. Honestly, the formula is not up to snuff compared to other Essie polishes. When I first bought it, I was excited to swatch it on a few nails (without basecoat or anything) and was kind of horrified. It was thick and goopy, and the brush somehow delivered way too much polish without actually covering much. The few nails I swatched were chipped by the next morning. Hot mess. Thankfully I gave it another try, this time with a good basecoat and topcoat. I used Sally Hansen "Double Duty." This made application much, much easier and smoother. It still required a two coats + touchups to cover bare spots, but it was not the nightmare it had previously been. I'm amazed to say, that almost five days later it is perfectly intact minus some slight tip wear. Impressive! Regarding the orangeness, it may skew more towards a peachy/cantaloupe orange than how it appears in the bottle, but it's definitely not a neon orange polish. I have Bright Tights and they're really not similar at all.
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Polishes -Essie - Peach Daiquiri
kamo12 5/9/2011 3:26:00 AM
Loving this color so far! I went searching for a shade that matched dita's dress in this picture: http://tinyurl.com/3tsdh4s and i think i got pretty darn close. Peach daiquiri is a real shape-shifter of a color. in natural light, it seems to have a blue-based hot pink tinge, with that "cherries in the snow"-esque brightness. In incandescent light, it's a definite orange/peachy coral. It's very flattering on my super-pale neutral-toned skin. I think the contrast between my skin and the color is enough that it reads like a very youthful red, rather than peach. It's awesome on both fingers and toes. I've only had it on for two days, but it's 100% intact. We'll see after a week how it goes. The formula is one of my favorite cremes - it's thin, opaque, and very lacquery, not at all goopy or heavy. Only complaint is that the cap on the bottle I bought was smashed to pieces, only held together by the price sticker. Ugh! My fault for not checking it.
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Moisturizers -Garnier - Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV Lotion SPF 15
kamo12 3/3/2011 4:10:00 AM
i bought this after running out of my more expensive lancome moisturizer, and needed something cheap to hold me over for a while. It was the least expensive SPF moisturizer I could find in my local grocery store, including in the organic section. I didn't really know what to expect, but the lotion quality is not bad at all - it hydrates quite well upon applying and has enough slip to rub into skin well. I've had no problems wearing makeup over it, though I do use a foundation primer. The smell is cucumbery and light. I really like the pump top. My pores have seemed a bit more clogged than normal, especially on my nose. I can't say this is because of the moisturizer, but it is something I will keep an eye on. No drastic breakouts or rashes, though I do not have very sensitive skin in this regard. Overall I'm impressed for my impulse $7 purchase, though I wouldn't keep using this in place of other products.
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Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverPure Smoothing Shampoo
kamo12 3/3/2011 3:31:00 AM
My hair is shoulder length 3A curly/wavy, naturally blond that I dye reddish. Super fine, prone to frizziness and greasiness. I've been using this shampoo for about a year and have only regretted when I stray. Though my hair is dyed, it doesn't typically feel any worse or need any special care, but the lack of the stronger sulfates does seem to make my color last longer. What keeps me using this product is that it is very gentle on my hair without over-moisturizing it, so my hair and scalp stay in that perfect balance point. Many other shampoos either don't get my hair clean enough, or leave that awful squeakiness. After traveling for a week without bringing shampoo (I know... I figured I would use my sisters - she didn't bring any) I had to use ancient (literally, like probably under my aunt's sink since 1998) holiday inn travel size things that were basically dish soap. My hair was MISERABLE for about three weeks, because I was stupid and just used my boyfriend's shampoo after returning. Point of this story: after three weeks of worrying that I had somehow stripped off some protective layer of my hair that would never come back, I bought this shampoo again and THANK GOD my hair was back to normal in a matter of days. Soft, clean scalp, no squeakiness, no dried spaghetti hair. My only complaint is that for some reason it can be difficult to squeeze out of the tube, especially the last 1/3 or so.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
kamo12 4/3/2010 10:19:00 PM
this made my eyeshadow look *perfect* even after 90 minutes of 106F sweat-drenched birkam yoga. 'nuff said! i will elaborate slightly though. as far as performance, it does everything you would hope for and more. my only issues are the poorly thought out packaging and the price, which seems about 20% too high. but i'm sure UD knows that customers are willing to pay for it, because it is kind of the best ever and will change your relationship with eye shadow.
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Polishes -OPI - Ocean Love Potion
kamo12 2/14/2010 10:08:00 PM
one of my favorite formulas in my favorite color! there seems to be more than one version of this polish - i have the creme. i think the polish is actually better than a lot of regular OPI's, it goes on 95% opaque in one coat, and sort of melds together so it's almost impossible to get streaks or thin spots. you can easily get away with one coat, but two works if you're feeling meticulous. the color is so beautiful, it manages to be muted but bright at the same time. it dries FAST. by the time you've painted the last finger of the first coat, the first finger is dry and ready for a second. slow drying speed is a big deal-breaker for me because i am constantly jamming my fingers into fuzzy blankets and sharp corners (apparently) and can completely f*ck up a manicure if it doesn't dry two minutes. so this gets an A+. lasting power is good, about the same as most OPI's. will look fine after a week, but goes down hill from there. the only minor complaint i have is the width of the brush - it's super narrow and i usually prefer wide brushes, but the formula is so perfect that it goes on without a problem.
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Gels/Soaps -Dr. Bronner's - Peppermint Castille Soap
kamo12 8/19/2009 3:10:00 PM
this is my post-workout lifesaver. sometimes you just feel disgusting, and this is one of the few things that makes me feel clean again. it is no-nonsense, and while not as glamorous as some other bottles in my shower, it gets the job done while making you feel like you're inhaling peppermint patties. the peppermint is *intense* but very realistic - it smells like actual peppermint leaves, not like candy canes. i love the smell now, during the summer, because it's so refreshing, but i'm not sure how i'll feel come the holidays when it's inescapable! the texture is much nicer than i was expecting - it actually reminds me of my favorite l'occitane almond shower oil. it has the same slipperiness that stays on your body, allowing a little to go a long way. it does lather if you use a loofah. it works very well for me for shaving, but my skin is not very sensitive. if you do have sensitive skin, i would suggest diluting it or keeping it away from areas with razor burn, etc. the only thing i deducted a lippy for was that it doesn't always feel like it rinses off completely. you get that super slippery feeling, where i probably end up standing under the water for longer than usual, just making sure it's all gone. however this is definitely a staple in my gym bag, and any other time i need something heavy-duty to feel fresh again.
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Polishes -OPI - Tickle my France-y
kamo12 7/20/2009 10:58:00 PM
this is a wonderful, hard-to-pin-down nude. on paper, it seems like it would be boring and incredibly stodgy, but it's actually luxurious and very modern. it reminds me of la perla lingerie, bobbie brown eye shadows, or some kind of milky, lavender tea. if i were to have a giant cashmere blanket, i would want it in this color. i have pale skin, not overly warm or cool, and it looks nice, though i'd imagine it would be great on someone with a darker, caramely complexion. the pro-wide brush is awesome, and i got the coverage i wanted in two coats. durability is just what you'd expect from opi!
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Polishes -OPI - Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey
kamo12 7/13/2009 6:21:00 PM
i was looking for a polish along the lines of MAC's naked lunch eye shadow, and this pretty much hit the nail on the head. i held my nails next to the shadow and they were pretty much identical - score! this pearly peachy champagne shade is great for me because i have short nails and it makes them look longer. i have pale skin but haven't noticed any yellowish cast to the polish. i did have some problems with streaking and had to use three coats, but otherwise i love this polish and will be using it a lot this summer!
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Scrubs -L'Occitane - Honey & Lemon Sweet Sugar Scrub
kamo12 2/6/2009 3:40:00 AM
i haven't been using this product for long, but i really like it so far. i love the scent of the honey&lemon products (though i can see how some might find it cloying) and have been wanting to try more than the hand cream, which i have. i got the scrub with a gift card, because it was a bit pricier than i'd usually pay for a scrub. i've had great results with it so far. it was surprisingly easy to scoop the right amount out - it requires less than you'd think which is always nice. i'm trying to think of a way to describe the texture... marzipan? lemon curd? (which... is basically what the scrub is, ha.) it's not fluid at all, which is nice so it doesn't get diluted in the shower. it has a nice effective but gentle scrub, and my favorite part about it is that the sugar bits don't dissolve after 10 seconds like some sugar scrubs. it keeps going as long as you keep scrubbing! it leaves a bit of moisturized sheen but nothing too greasy. i still need moisturizer afterwards, but it keeps my skin from screaming "heeellllp meee" right after getting out of the shower! i'll probably get this again, it's definitely worth it!
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Aspirin Mask
kamo12 2/4/2009 2:29:00 AM
aspirin mask, where have you been all my life? i randomly decided to try this after stumbling upon these reviews, i'd never even heard of doing this before. i've tried this in it's three different forms - as face mask (with honey), mixed with face wash (dior foaming cleanser) as exfoliator, and mushed with a bit of water as spot-treatment paste. i've had excellent results with all three variations. the honey mask left my face glowing, like, literally reflecting light. it never does that! the exfoliator made it feel super soft, comparable to my favorite philosophy microdelivery scrub. as a spot treatment, it made several red, below-surface bumps flat and much lighter. WIN. btw, i messed up and bought coated aspirin first - did not work. i then bought rite-aid brand lightly coated aspirin (~$2) and it dissolves with just a few drops of water. i usually put a couple in the bottle cap and add a few millimeters of water, and mix.
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