Lotions/ Creams -Lubriderm - Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion
kellybug 11/19/2006 5:22:00 AM
I use both the name brand Lubriderm and the Target store brand, and I think they both work equally well. LOVE LOVE LOVE the baby powder scent. Fantastic. This is the perfect moisturizer for me, as my skin is not super dry, it just needs a little help. It sinks in within minutes. By the time I'm done moisturizing my arms, my legs are totally dry and non-sticky. I don't know if this would work well for someone who had super dry skin though, it might not be moisturizing enough. For someone with mild/moderate dry skin, I think its just perfect. I will definitely buy it again and again, and I totally recommend the Target knock-off. As far as I can tell, it's the exact same stuff and 2-3 bucks cheaper.
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Hair Color -L'Oreal - Natural Match haircolor [DISCONTINUED]
kellybug 10/15/2006 4:20:00 AM
I tried this for the first time in #8N, which was I think medium natural blonde. The smell of this is very inoffensive, I guess because there's no ammonia. It also did not leave my hair feeling dried out and crunchy the way most home haircolors do. Overall, I am happy with the color itself. It completely got rid of the brassiness that had started to plague me, and it's a nice natural looking shade. However, two things in particular that bothered me a bit: One, it didn't completely even out the difference between my medium blonde hair and my light/medium brown roots. It's not really noticible unless you're looking for it, but I can definitely see it. So this really will not work to make big changes to your haircolor. I think at most it can lighten 2 shades. Next time I might go one level darker to dark blonde to hopefully get the roots to match better. Another thing, is that when I first rinsed out the color, I was left with this odd pencil gray sort of hair, and thought I had suffered a dye disaster. However, over the course of about 3-4 subsequent shampoos, the darker ashy color washed out/lightened, and I was left with a nice shade of blonde. So, don't freak out if your hair looks greyer/darker than you thought from the box. Try giving it a few shampoos with hot water and see if things improve. Now I like the color a lot.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Active Breathable Sunblock SPF 45
kellybug 7/5/2006 4:02:00 AM
I bought this because I am using Retin-A for acne, and you need increased sun protection. I have mixed feelings about this sunscreen. I like the silky, powdery finish the silica provides, it's broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and a little seems to go a long way in terms of coverage. However... for a sport sunblock, it is NOT sweatproof and waterproof like it claims to be. I put this on, wait 20 minutes, go out in the sun, and immediately I've got stinging rivers of sunscreen in my eyes. It also stings my skin if I sweat while wearing it, but I'm sure that is the fault of the Retin-A and not this product. While I think this would probably be servicable as a body sunscreen, I will not be repurchasing it for my face. I've switched to big floppy hats and sunglasses for the time being. I wish I could afford La Roche Posay or Shisedo or something that really DOES stay put.
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Aquaphor Healing Ointment
kellybug 7/3/2006 4:41:00 AM
I am on tretinoin for acne, and Aquaphor has saved me from cracked, scaly, flaky skin. I actually put it all over my face as a nighttime moisturizer every 3-4 days or so. Use a tiny amount, like half the size of a pea, and pat it all over the dry areas. In the morning, Poof! beautiful skin, no breakouts. This is also nice on chapped skin in general, and as a lip treatment. It's spendy, so keep your eyes peeled for coupons/sales, and a little tube lasts a long long time. Fantastic product.
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Shampoo -Garnier - Long and Strong Shampoo
kellybug 7/3/2006 4:20:00 AM
aaaah.... No words could adequately describe how much I love Garnier's Long and Strong shampoo and conditioner. They moisturize, they don't weigh down my hair. wonderful, wonderful products. Sometimes on a whim I buy something else that's on sale or whatever, and I always end up kicking myself for my stupidity. I come back to these products again and again, and I can't imagine using anything else on my fine, curly hair. I would give these eight trillion lippies.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A
kellybug 7/3/2006 4:00:00 AM
Wow. This is my sixth week on generic tretinoin, and I am absolutely kicking myself for not doing this a decade ago. I have struggled with moderate cystic acne pretty much since I hit puberty, and I have spent hundreds (thousands?) of dollars over the years on OTC products that never did anything. Finally I decided to suck it up and see the derm. To my delight, I found out that generic Retin-A costs $25 for a three months supply (30g tube), so I said sure. The derm also put me on a 30 day doxycycline scrip as well. Basically, from day 1, the zits stopped forming. I did go thru the icky scaly skin, but Aquaphor as a night moisturizer and Purpose cleanser fixed that right up. It took about 3-4 weeks for my skin to get retinized, and now I have far fewer problems with dryness. My face did have a minor eruption when the antibiotic course was done with, but the zits were gone in 3-4 days, and I have not had a single breakout since. My skin is clear and smooth and glowing now. I hope hope hope this continues to work this well. The current regimen that has worked so well is: AM: Purpose cleanser, Neutrogena Active Breathable sunblock SPF 45 PM: Purpose cleanser, tretinoin .025% gel applied 3-4x weekly, Aquaphor as needed for dry spots. (oh yes, I am also on low-dose BCP to help control the monthly breakouts. It helps a little.) I HIGHLY recommend this for acne. It is the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me in 10 years of fighting off cysts. Give it time, purchase the generic gel and some Aquaphor, prepare yourself for a few weeks of dryness... but it WORKS.
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Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Veet's Bladeless Razor hair removal kit
kellybug 6/20/2006 1:58:00 AM
I have mixed feelings about this product. Basically, when I used it, it did exactly what it claimed to do. It got every single hair off of my legs in about 4-5 minutes. When I use this product, I really only have to re-depilate about once every three weeks or so, but I think this is also due to the fact that I have very fine, blond hairs that tend to grow slowly anyway. There are some significant cons to using this stuff. It's messy. It does burn. I stayed an extra 5 minutes in the shower rinsing with cool water to lessen the irritation. However, my skin did calm down after a night's sleep and being slathered in St. Ives 24 hour lotion. If you have sensitive skin, don't use this all over until you've patch tested--- PLEASE! I have pretty damn hardy skin, and I had a fair amount of irritation from this. That having been said, the hair comes off and stays off. Since I have to use this product so infrequently, it is worth the hassle. If I had to use it more often than once a week, I wouldn't do it. And I think it's rather expensive for the amounts that you get. I tend to buy it only when I can get a 2 for 1 deal or something like that.
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Cleansers -Desert Essence - Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi
kellybug 5/6/2006 2:37:00 AM
I have been using this wash for about three weeks now, as I've decided to make the switch to 100% natural/organic skincare products. So far, I am liking it a lot. It's drying, but I found that massaging my face first with jojoba oil (to remove makeup and dirt) and then using the wash to clean away the dirty oil leaves my skin extremely clean, but not dried out. Additionally, for ladies like myself who have facial piercings, all natural products are essential so as not to irritate the site. Some people have complained about the wash having flimsy packaging, but I haven't found this to be the case. I just twist the pump to lock it when I'm done, and have never had problem with it leaking. My skin is breaking out horribly right now, but I think that is due to the jojoba oil I'm also using as a moisturizer, and not to this product, which I plan on purchasing again when I run out. ***EDIT: I discontinued this because it was too harsh to use in combination with tretinoin. I use Purpose now which is great. I still would recommend DE to someone w/ oily/broken out skin, though***
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Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
kellybug 5/6/2006 2:31:00 AM
I decided to change my skin care routine recently as I have decided that my skin has an overall lack of tolerance for chemical, synthetic products. I have tried hundreds of washes and moisturizers to improve my dry, acne prone skin, and have had negative reactions to almost every one. I cannot use benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinols due to allergic reactions. I have been using jojoba oil mixed with a few drops of vitamin e to moisturize every night for about 2 weeks now. My results thus far are mixed. My chin and lower cheeks (my most acne prone areas) are going through the most unholy purge right now. I probably have about 20 zits. However, I have read of other people on MUA experiencing this, and I am going to continue the jojoba and give it time to do its thing. On the positive side, the skin on my upper cheeks, nose, and forehead (where I am not at all acne prone) has never looked better. The skin tone has improved, pores are tighter, and there is not a dry patch to be found. If the oil continues to break me out like this, I will discontinue it, but I'm going to wait a few weeks before making the decision. It's also that time of the month, which I think is contributing to the rash of zits. I also wanted to add, for ladies with facial piercings, jojoba is a great product that does not irritate the piercing the way chemical products can. I am using this in conjunction with Desert Essence Awapuhi & Tea Tree Oil face wash, which I also like a lot. ******EDIT****** After a consultation with my derm I am giving tretinoin another shot to solve my acne problems. Jojoba oil never really helped clear up the breakouts that I got, but I definitely think it did not encourage acne, which is a plus. I am now mostly using jojoba oil as a sunscreen/makeup remover. I need a heavier moisturizer to use with the tretinoin.
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Hair Color -L'Oreal - Casting color [DISCONTINUED]
kellybug 10/19/2005 8:38:00 PM
I have been growing out my hair from a pixie cut for the last year, it's now about to my shoulders. Since it's all virgin hair, I decided I wanted to ease back into coloring with this semi-permanent dye. I chose a light neutral brown (can't remember the exact name), and so far I'm very happy with the tone and colorfastness of the dye. It's a bit more red than I expected, but it's still neutral enough to cancel some of the ruddiness in my skin and make my eyes look much bluer. I did feel that my hair was a bit dried out after using this product, which I didn't expect from something with no ammonia in it, but I am hopeful that a few sessions with a deep conditioner will fix that. The packaging is cute and functional-- very easy and no spill. My only complaint is that in my particular box the screw top on the color section leaked and made a bit of a mess. will most likely repurchase, unless I decide to go with a more permanent option
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Cleansers -Basis - All Clear Bar
kellybug 10/19/2005 8:28:00 PM
This is the first thing that I've ever tried that actually seems to be curing my cystic acne that I've had for over a decade. I am allergic to BP, and salicylic acid never worked consistently. Apple Cider Vinegar did nothing, as did the asprin mask. Finally I decided to take a straight-up antibacterial approach to fighting my acne with this bar. It contains triclosan and tea tree oil, which are strong ingredients but powerful antibiotics. And I have been free of new acne for over a month. Because this bar IS very drying, and I am afraid to put moisturizer on my face, I only use it at night, before bed. I rub it on my face for a good 2-3 minutes, to make sure the triclosan is on my face long enough to work. I then rinse and apply straight up tea tree oil to the areas of my face that are prone to breakouts. I occasionally will replace the tea tree oil with medical grade chlorine bleach, which also works well. I've been free of new acne for over a month. This bar is a miracle for me. EDIT: Ugh!! I was so close!! I have no idea what happened, but the acne just started coming back and the bar was never able to get rid of it. I have switched to Desert Essence products, and am taking this down to 4 lippies
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Liquid -Almay - Nearly Naked Touch-Pad liquid makeup
kellybug 10/19/2005 8:19:00 PM
an interesting product... goes on VERY sheer, more sheer than tinted moisturizer. I won't buy again because on a few areas I do need more coverage, and this formula is hard to build. But if all you need is to even out some skin tone, this product will probably be fine for you. Make sure you wash your hands before using. good yellow based shades.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Lip Balm
kellybug 10/19/2005 8:16:00 PM
best lip balm ever. I've bought nothing else for the last 5 years. Fresh, minty, and really lasts a long time. Moisturizes so deeply too... Burts Bees keeps my lips soft throughout the ravages of Chicago winter.
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Toners -Unlisted Brand - Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
kellybug 10/3/2005 11:05:00 PM
First of all-- yes, the smell is horrific. Something like a cross between smelly feet and urine. I haven't seen the spectacular, overnight miracles that some MUAers have, but I have seen a number of improvements in my skin over the last two weeks. I use after cleansing my skin with basis clear skin bar soap. I have bad, bad cystic acne (often five or six deep blemishes at a time) and the combo of basis and ACV seems to have slowed down the occurrance of new beakouts, though I don't think it has sped healing of my old ones. My red marks from old acne have definitely begun to lighten, which I am very happy with, and my skin tone in general is more evened out since before using the ACV. I've just been using the Braggs straight up on my face (my skin is not particularly sensitive), but plan to try carekate's recipe soon to see if it boosts the speed of my results. overall, I am happy with my results, particularly for the money I've spent. Though I would caution against everyone expecting the dramatic results people have talked about here. *****EDIT***** UGH! a few more weeks on the vinegar and I was right back to ruddy, broken out skin. did nothing long term to help. will NOT buy again.
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Concealers -Cover Girl - CG Smoothers Concealer
kellybug 10/3/2005 10:56:00 PM
i have rebought this five times in the neutralizer shade-- it is very yellow based and does a good job of blending into my fair to medium skin tone. it's a very smooth, high quality formula that really melts into my skin. covers everything-- dark circles, zits, everything. and can't beat the price. will be repurchasing again and again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No