Treatments -Aesop - Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque
laurentothemax 12/23/2012 9:01:00 PM
I want to like things from the Aesop line but I just can't. Although the packaging and scents are beautiful, they just don't do what I need them to do, especially at this price point. The rose hair and scalp masque is no different. The packaging although seriously lovely is annoying. Its a struggle to get any decent amount of product out once you get half way down the tube. Also, the cap broke on mine after the second use. The effectiveness of this masque is sort of whatever on my dry long wavy hair. I suppose for fine hair it might work ok. My hair smelled good afterwards but thats about it.
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Cleansers -Nuxe - REVE DE MIEL Face Gentle Cleansing Gel
laurentothemax 5/22/2012 12:33:00 AM
I hate to be the lone voice of descent on this one, but Im not a huge fan of this stuff. It cleanses ok. Its not especially gentle but considerably better than most stuff on the market. But, it was the smell that completely killed it for me. I feel like I'm being assaulted with honey from african killer bees that have been fed a steady diet of baby powder. Don't get me wrong, if it was a miracle worker, I'd tough it out. But its an average cleanser and I'm only a mild masochist.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clean & Clear - makeup dissolving facial cleansing wipes
laurentothemax 5/22/2012 12:25:00 AM
These are the only makeup wipes I will even mess with anymore. They remove waterproof mascara, gel eyeliner and whatever else I've piled on that day pretty much instantly without much tugging or rubbing. Completely non irritating even for my highly sensitive skin. I usually follow with my cleanser but have used the towelettes alone when I'm lazy without any disastrous consequences. These are really similar to the MAC makeup remover towelettes but they cost like $6 bucks.
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Fragrances -Tom Ford - Tom Ford in Black Violet
laurentothemax 12/3/2011 9:23:00 PM
when the woman with the strong eastern european accent at the neiman marcus counter said "darling, this is BY FAR the sexiest fragrance on the market," i caved. Its devastatingly sexy. Its dark, floral-chypre that is intoxicating. Lovely on its own, and damn amazing when layered with tom ford's black orchid.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - The Olive Branch
laurentothemax 12/3/2011 9:09:00 PM
I absolutely love this shower gel. I started off with a sample, then purchased the medium size. Once that bottle was finished, I upgraded to the largest size of 16oz or so. My boyfriend and I are both cracked out, addicted to the scent. I don't know why some people complain about the smell unless its a body chemistry thing. We both have pretty discerning taste in fragrance and it smells neither like axe or wet dogs. This body wash in my opinion is on par in scent and feeling of the kiehl's "coriander" and "pour homme" body washes. Its leaves my skin softer than any other gel or soap I've tried in recent memory without leaving a scuzzy film. For as much olive branch as we use in our household, it gets a tiny bit pricey but its one of those worthwhile indulgences. Will repurchase again and again...
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Mario Badescu - Enzyme Cleansing Gel
laurentothemax 7/3/2011 8:35:00 PM
My favorite facial cleanser ever. Great with my clairsonic but also amazing just using my fingertips. Gentle, effective, reasonably priced and smells great. It does not irritate or dry out my super sensitive skin. I've used this exclusively for the past year. The Bf and I have probably gone thru 6 bottles of this stuff, and it works equally well for his less sensitive more oily skin. The ONLY reason I deducted one lippie is because its pretty ineffective for removing eye makeup.
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Skincare - Body -Dr. Bronner's - Lavender Liquid Soap
laurentothemax 5/24/2010 1:26:00 AM
There isn't a lot to say that hasn't already been said. I've gone through 3 16oz. bottles of this already. The lavender scent is calming, light and not at all synthetic. The formula is non-drying and lathers nicely. I've even used this stuff as a shampoo a couple times when my hair was feeling especially scuzzy. its good, period.
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Moisturizers -L'Oreal - Skin Expertise Collagen Moisture Filler Daily Moisturizer Day Lotion SPF 15
laurentothemax 5/24/2010 12:32:00 AM
you know when you just wander around the drugstore and buy useless stuff because you're bored? my purchasing of this product was the direct result of exactly that. tried it once. greasy, irritating, and completely ineffective spf. I'm throwing it a bone for good packaging. but seriously l'oreal...seriously?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -L'Oreal - Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Cleansing Towelettes
laurentothemax 5/23/2010 11:58:00 PM
not terrible, but mediocre at best. removes light facial makeup and sunscreen decently but practically useless for mascara and eyeliner. While they didn't break me out, they made my sensitive skin mildly pink and irritated until i used my nightly cleanser and moisturizer. Sometimes the clean tingle feels more like slight burning probably due to the denatured alcohol. I did end up using the entire package, which by the way towards the end got pretty gnarly. I've since moved on to greener pastures.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Avene - Eluage Cream 30 ml
laurentothemax 7/29/2009 12:42:00 PM
I've been a longtime user of the ystheal emulsion with much success, however my skin was starting to look a little lifeless and i could see some fine lines creeping up so i decided to upgrade to the eluage. Although, I was hesitant at first since its meant for people twice my age I have not been disappointed. Although my skin was slightly dry and flakey the first couple days it quickly went away. Now my skin is firmer, more even and has a glow to it i haven't seen since i was in my late teens. Loves it!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Earth Science - A-D-E Creamy Cleanser
laurentothemax 7/29/2009 12:27:00 PM
I've been a fan of oil cleansers for a while now but they always seem to have some sort of draw back when it comes to packaging, ingredient quality, price, availability, or effectiveness. This cleanser however is absolutely TOPS! I've got dry, sensitive, rosacea prone skin that flares up at even the sight of anything harsh or lathering but I've had no problems using this and have actually seen a pretty significant improvement. It removes all makeup, including mascara, eyeliner and sunscreen.Ingredients all appear to be nonirritating/clogging and contains some pretty high quality oils, despite the tiny price. Rinses off easily and comes in a nifty pump bottle. I found this at whole foods for less than $10.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Caudalie - Cleansing Water
laurentothemax 4/2/2009 10:16:00 PM
I'm surprised by how much i like this product. I've used this morning and night for about 6 weeks and my overly sensitive skin has had zero problems. Its gentle and leaves my skin feeling soft and not stripped. I prefer to use an oil cleanser first in the evening before this product though because it doesn't remove all waterproof eye makeup; thus the minus one lippie. still, highly recommended and nearing HG potential.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Albolene cleanser
laurentothemax 11/6/2008 2:05:00 PM
Once I discovered that my cleansing oil had been discontinued I set out on a quest for something affordable, easily accessible and containing good ingredients. i definitely hit the jackpot with this one. A bit tricky to use at first but this stuff gets off foundation, powder, sunscreen, eyemakeup...everything. My method is to emulsify a nickle sized amount of product, rub all over my face then let it sit while i brush my teeth at night. Then i remove it with a warm washcloth. excellent. I'm very clog prone and sensitive. I've had absolutely no problems using this product. My skin actually seems to have gotten a lot better. I only wish it came in a squeeze tube so I didn't have to stick my fingers in the jar. This is still my HG night time cleanser/makeup remover.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Mascara
laurentothemax 10/27/2008 12:58:00 AM
WTF 2000 calorie, where have you been all my life!? This stuff gives me the big doe-eyed sixties-esque lashes I crave but never thought I could get with a drugstore mascara. Long, feathery, blacker than black, big eyelashes. The waterproof version doesn't clump, flake or run, ever. not even in the shower (i tried.) If you do purchase this, do yourself a favor and pick up some industrial strength makeup remover as well. Max Factor, please don't ever stop making this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Yardley - Natural Oatmeal & Almond Moisturizing Soap
laurentothemax 10/27/2008 12:48:00 AM
My mom used to buy this for me as a kid so I could feel fancy without her blowing tons of cash. Its still my everyday shower soap. Its basic, pleasant, and comforting. A big sentimental thumbs up.
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