Palettes -Too Faced - Fun In The Dark
kiwikiwidragon 7/30/2010 7:04:00 PM
Got this on sale at Sephora. $16.25! I think it retailed for 32-38. The colors online look really harsh, but the colors are fairly neutral in person. The lights in the palette are kinda unnessesary, for me personally. they are piercing to the eyes and not really practical to use. the colors are really nice though and I plan to use this a lot.
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Crème -BeneFit Cosmetics - Some Kind-a Gorgeous Lite
kiwikiwidragon 7/30/2010 6:50:00 PM
I really wanted to love this and I am aggrevated that it didn't work for me. I had received a mini of the original color a few years ago and thought it was an ok match, but sadly it wasn't, too dark and DH pointed it out when it was too late to fix. So when Benefit announced the Lite, I was over the moon. Well, either my skin has gotten drier since then or the formula for the lighter version is different. When I applied this, it made every single flake, every texture issue, and any other imperfection stand up and wave! Plus the effect was actually quite drying to my skin. I tried buffing it out and applying it with a wet sponge. My face still felt tight and looked terrible. I returned it the next day. For the record, my skin is uber dry, neutral in tone and very pale. I exfoliate once a week, so I know it isn't my skin.
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Treatments -Boots - Expert Sensitve Hydrating Serum
kiwikiwidragon 7/25/2010 6:50:00 PM
This product burned when I applied it. Bummer too, it was fairly inexpensive and available locally. Sigh....I would not reccomend this to anyone who has sensitive, dry skin or if products make your skin hot or burn. The quest continues...
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Treatments -Lumene - Sensitive touch Instant Relief Serum
kiwikiwidragon 6/27/2010 10:51:00 AM
Bummer, I was really hoping to get some usage out of this line, I haven't tried the other items and may not even bother after trying this serum. Bottom line, it burned on the first application. It didn't feel moisturizing either, it disappeared and left red cheeks. it was on sale at Target for $16 (US), regular price $19.99. I won't buy this again, skincare shouldn't burn and I haven't been able to determine what reacts on my face to cause the burn. Sigh...the sensitive skin quest continues...
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Lotions/ Creams -Alba Botanica - very emollient body lotion - daily shade formula
kiwikiwidragon 6/24/2010 2:08:00 PM
Ugh, this smells like sunscreen, hands down. There is no other odor and it doesn't fade. I was looking for coverage from incidental rays and this sucks! If I wanted to wear sunscreen, I would get regular smelly sunscreen/block. If you are looking for both worlds, moisture and some incidental protection, try something else and recommend one to me while you are at it. I don't even know if this lotion is as good as the unscented regular formula, I couldn't get past the gaggingly awful smell. Ok rant over. Onward the quest goes.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Cover Girl - Cover Girl CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
kiwikiwidragon 6/14/2010 12:10:00 AM
I have to say this is one of the better products I have used in forever it seems. I have uber sensitive skin and most products give me a reaction, burn, or dermatitis. While I don't find it to be perfect, its a far cry better than all the physician formula ones that are just too dark for me. It has spf 15 which dosen't have the dreaded sunscreen smell, so that's a bonus and you can generally find it BOGO 1/2 off at either drugstore.com or CVS. The tube it comes in is hard to get all product out, but it could be worse. Hats off considering it's a covergirl product.
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Palettes -Unlisted Brand - By Lauren Luke My Vintage Glams
kiwikiwidragon 5/24/2010 10:14:00 AM
I was super excited to use this palette. It had two shades of primer, three eyeshadows, blush, black eyeliner, and two lipsticks. Plus I got the one from sephora with the lip gloss as well. The primer has petroleum and for that I was disappointed. It went on very heavy even though I used a light hand with it, knowing that most primers only take a little bit. It still felt tacky after letting it dry,but I went with it. The silver and purple eyeshadow apply beautifully, but used in conjuntion with the primer creased in about two hours. I used the light pink eyeshadow to highlight my cheekbones instead of around the eyes, pink colors around my eyes don't look right on me. The blush is on the neutral side and more matte than shimmer, this is a great place for the pink eyeshadow to be utilized. The black eyeliner is the worst item of this palette. After two hours on, it has melted into the eyeshadows (that have creased) and is pretty much gone. It applies easily and quickly, but those are the only attributes. The two lipstick colors are very pretty and go on a tad dry, but over all are decent. Of course you would have to haul the entire palette around to touch up the lipstick, maybe next time some of those little mini tubes would be better, or a removable envelope with just the circles of lipstick inside. The overall palette is ok, no offensive odors, it's not made in china (like so many palettes are, even when the brand doesn't manufacture in china) its very slim, but not on the small side at all, probably close to 5"X7". The mirror is a joke, it looks like one of those fun house mirrors, all wobbly and distorted, gave me a headache looking at it. It didn't come with applicators which is fine by me, I hate losing space or product to inferior brushes or sponges. You can get travel brushes, very inexpensively and that are much better than applicators that really seem like an afterthought. I am going to try the eyeshadows with a more reliable primer, like Urban Decay and see if that helps. I would not repurchase this, unless it was on clearance. I really wanted this to be great, I love palettes and the idea that everything I need is all in one place and I just open and go.
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner
kiwikiwidragon 4/26/2010 4:46:00 PM
I like this eyeliner overall but there are a few things I would do different if I produced it. The brush/applicator: I really hate pointy eyeliner brushes, IMO, they should be flat like a paint brush, or at an angle. The container: I would make it more a of a dispenser instead of a dip stick style. All that being said, the formula is great, once you tap it out on a hard surface and apply it with your own brush, it sets wonderfully and doesn't transfer to the upper eyelid at all. It withstands some moisture, but not completely waterproof. If you get the un-set liquid into your eye, it burns, so i would not recommend it for the waterline at all. Overall, if you are used to cream/liquid eyeliner this is inky black and has great color payoff.
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Fragrances -mark - Rebel Rose
kiwikiwidragon 4/26/2010 3:43:00 PM
This is a straight up awesome fragrance. I am really into rose scents right now and I am thrilled with this one. No flower shop notes here, you know, that generic flower smell. Not here, a good true rose with a spike of pepper! If you have ever smelled the essential oil of black pepper, you will know what I mean here. I paid $18.00 for this EDT and it lasts and lasts with no morphing or turning sour. I really liked Cassis Rose before the Body Shop disco-ed it, but this is so better and actually lasts. Avon has another Rose fragrance I think they just came out with. It's not bad either, but only comes in a body mist. Fragrance is always a matter of preference and I have a hard time embracing most of Avon's fragrances, but this one has changed my mind.
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Lotions/ Creams -Alba Botanica - Very Emollient body lotion Unscented
kiwikiwidragon 4/8/2010 1:49:00 PM
I have bought this lotion in the gallon jug I love it so much. I think some had problems with the ones purchased at target. The unscented version has no smell, or is considered neutral. If you had a reaction or the lotion smelled bad/soured, that means the lotion is bad. Return it to the seller or contact the company. I have the most sensitive skin imaginable and have had no issues with this, although other lotions/creams have given me that hot, red skin some reviewers have mentioned. I do not use this on my face, I was hoping to, hence the large purchase, but thats ok, I use it everywhere and DH likes it as well, since it isnt greasy and has no scent. I would encourage anyone who liked the properties to try it again from a store that has a fresh shipment like vitacost.com or iherb.com. Or even if you shop a reputable health food store, or WholeFoods. Remeber lotion can be like a food product, it will spoil if not treated right, you wouldn't eat food you left in the hot car for days would you? Same thing with lotion, if it sits in a hot warehouse/store/car and doesn't have a proper preservation system (ie parabens, etc) it will go bad like food.
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Lip Gloss -Yes To Carrots - C Me Shine in Rose Bliss
kiwikiwidragon 3/19/2010 12:27:00 PM
I am really happy with this gloss, there is no thick stickiness to it and it feels great on the lips, but you have to apply more at one time to get that slick cushion. I actually have the color Flirty Pink as well. The Rose Bliss is more of a pearly, very light pink. Flirty pink is more nude pink. One lippie off because I am very selective about peppermint in glosses and not really crazy about it in this formula, i prefer mint to be in a colorless balm more for theraputic reasons but it isn't a deal breaker like the orange flavor in the Burts Bees natural glosses.
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Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Orange Essence Facial Cleanser
kiwikiwidragon 3/18/2010 8:54:00 AM
Let me start by saying I have uber sensitive skin, most products give me either contact dermatitis or some other rash type erruption that looks like tiny clear blisters under the skin in tight little formations that burst and leave scaley dry patches (nice, I know). Most moisturizers burn like fire when applied or give the above mentioned effects. All that being said, I was using Kirks Castile Soap to wash my face at this point, but this winter, having to change my moisturizer due to it being discontinued etc, etc, the soap was now too drying for my skin, that is already uber dry. I had used this once or twice in the past, and really didn't understand it. Now I am back to it, I am quite happy with it. I use it on a cellulose sponge at the end of the shower when all my makeup has had a chance to soften up. I apply it in a circular motion and then swipe over each eye and then under each eye, all with eyes tightly shut! Then a rub my hands over my eyelashes and face under the water and try and get all the excess off. Once the shower is done I apply straight witch hazel toner and Physicians Formula Creams. I have had no issues with rashes or reactions. This is not a traditional foaming cleanser that leaves a sqeaky feeling. I don't think I would recommend it for really oily skin because so many with oily skin like that drier after feeling. I have read that orange oil it very gentle and has mild antiseptic properties. Skincare is a person by person thing, what works for me, or what I like might not work for you or be what you like. If you have the issues I have with finding stuff that doesn't irritate the skin, is readily available, reasonably priced, and performs reasonably well, you stick with it until the discontinue it out from under you. EDIT: I took off one lippie mostly because I can't use this every day, my skin needs a day or so in between. The pleasant oil it leaves behind is great, but needs to be broken through every few days and then I am fine, no build up. It isn't a perfect product, I don't think a perfect, non-drying cleanser exists. I am not looking for one to replace the need for moisturizer, I am just hoping to find something that doesn't make me feel like my skin is trying to pull off of my skull :)
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Eye Shadow -Revlon - Beyond Natural Cream to Powder Eye Shadow
kiwikiwidragon 1/21/2010 1:35:00 PM
I was excited about this product when i bought it several months ago, i am always looking for cream eyeshadows that stay put for those mornings and/or weekends when i am in a hurry. i have one of the cool neutral ones and i use the two lighter shades as highlighters under my browbone. the two darker shades crease, smear, and disappear. as far as eyeshadow goes, avoid this, unless you want to use it as a highlighter as i have.
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Scrubs -Burt's Bees - Citrus Facial Scrub
kiwikiwidragon 1/18/2010 11:20:00 AM
Additional Info: This is not a foamy scrub, nor does it leave that squeaky after feel. This is a scrub designed to be used after cleansing and makeup removal. Use a small amount, use your hands, go slow until you know what your skin can tolerate. This scrub is better for drier/normal skin types unless you don't mind the moisturizer left behind, this is the natural ingredients of the scrub. I use the Orange essence cleanser and this scub together and they are fabulous together! again, after makeup removal. This is the only scrub that I can use on my uber sensitive, dry skin. It leaves my skin soft and fresh. The small is natural and it goes away when you are done rinsing it off. I hope Burt's Bee's never stops making this awesome scrub!!
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