Liquid -Lancome - Photogenic Lumessence Light Mastering & Line-Smoothing Makeup
lexileven 2/18/2010 8:40:00 AM
I have to say that I think this is a really good foundation, but it was mis-sold to me. I had shade 010 which is a great match for my very pale winter skin - Lancome are one of the few brands to do pale foundations that aren't far too pink. This goes on smoothly and gives a light to medium dewy finish, it does reflect light but isn't too 'sparkly'. It didn't irritate my skin. So, what is the problem? This is no good at all unless you have very dry skin. I bought it in the airport, and it came highly recommended despite me saying I had an oily t-zone. After about 2 hours it is really shiny and begins to slip, and powder on top just gives that 'waxy' look. I went to my normal Lancome counter and the SA told me she would never recommend this for my skin type, I guess I should not have purchased ina a rush! I gave this to my 60 yr old mother, with very, very dry skin, and she loves it, so not a total waste.I think steer clear if you have any oil at all.
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Moisturizers -L'Oreal - L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer, SPF 15 Lotion
lexileven 1/30/2010 5:44:00 AM
This is sold as 'Derma Genesis' in the UK. I had high expectations of this product. Airtight packaging, good SPF, and a whole lot of hype. However, it's awful - it just does not do what it should, which is moisturise! The pump works well and dispenses a reasonable amount of product. The smell is clinical but fades quickly on the skin. At first application, it sank right in and my skin felt softened, but tight. After an hour my skin felt so dry, and hot, it was as if I'd washed with soap and not put any moisturiser on at all! I also tried this over a serum to give a moisture boost and if anything had a worse reaction. My skin was stinging and looked rough and irritated. The product is also full of large shimmer particles, making me look sparkly which I hate. This is expensive for a 'drugstore' product, about £14. Nothing to recommend it except the packaging - don't waste your money!
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Bronzers -Too Faced - Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder
lexileven 1/22/2010 5:32:00 AM
I love this - like many of the others who love it, I'm fair and don't really go in for an overly bronzed look, but this provides a foolpoof, buildable way to give myself a sunkissed look. The gold, pink and fawn tones work well with my skintone and don't look muddy or dirty. The only problem is that this is shimmery, which I don't mind, but it's not one to go for if you like a matt look. The packaging is very pretty too, but not so good for travel as it is huge!
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Cleansers -Lancome - baume eclat
lexileven 1/20/2010 1:46:00 PM
I like this. The scent is refreshing but doesn't irritate my skin, and it works well to clean my skin without drying. You do need to take the time to massage it until it feels very 'slippy' before rinsing; this stage emulsifies the dirt & makeup and if the product doesn't get there, your face won't be clean. The tube packaging is neat and it's good for travelling when compared with a regular oil. So pricy though, I knocked a lippy off - I need L'Oreal to bring out a version! ;-)
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack
lexileven 1/19/2010 2:21:00 PM
I've been using this for YEARS and I love it. It doesn't smudge or budge, is a really deep 'true black' and makes my eyes pop. You can make this look as dramatic or subtle as you like, using the MAC brush. The pots are sturdy and mine lasts for ages and ages. Definitely recommended.
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Lotions/ Creams -Neutrogena - Body Oil with Sesame
lexileven 12/30/2009 9:17:00 AM
I've got half way through a bottle and this is a 'hero product' for me. I really struggle as I have dry, sensitive skin and most 'drugstore' body lotions are either not moisturising enough, cause an allergic reaction or just seem to form a layer on top of the skin without moisturising. I saw the reviews and gave this a go, and can honestly say I won't ever buy another body product. It absorbs easily, really moisturises, leaves a nice sheen on skin. I'm not allergic to it and the scent is nice, but not so strong it clashes with my perfume. You can also add this to your bath if you wish. Definitely recommended, this is lovely. The only downer is the bottle, the flip top makes it easy to spill!
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Top/Base Coats -Essie - Good to Go! The Fastest Drying Top Coat
lexileven 11/26/2009 2:39:00 PM
Love this. I used Seche Vite for a long time, but I found some polishes bubbled with it, and I often got shrinkage. This is just as glossy, thinner and easier to apply. It dries fast and the wear is comparable with other dry fast top coats. It gives a lovely finish over creme, frost and glitter polishes. Recommended - it's pricy but you get what you pay for!
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex
lexileven 11/7/2009 9:50:00 AM
I LOVE this product. I bought it after reading the reviews here as despite no change to my skincare routine, I'm very run down and had a medication-related reaction which left me with hives all over my face. Once the hives went down, my skin was a mess, sensitised with pores very visible and texture ruined. After 1 week of use my skin is nearly back to normal. The improvement to texture is phenomenal and the sensitivity has all gone. I love the fact that this doesn't cause breakouts, unlike other serums I have tried. It also comes in such a convenient bottle and only needs to be used once a day. Worth every penny, I'm never going to use anything else.
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Treatments -Soap and Glory - Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Face Serum
lexileven 10/30/2009 12:18:00 PM
I like the airtight packaging of this product, and the pleasant smell. Unfortunately it just didn't do much for me. It went on smoothly and caused no reaction, but there was no improvement in skin tone or texture. You may as well use a normal moisturiser - which is now how I use this, instead of a night cream. Don't cut corners; spend more on something like Advanced Night Repair & you will actually see some results, unlike me! EDIT: This has broken me out like nothing on earth. My skin looks awful after a week of using this a moisturiser. I won't be buying this again.
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Treatments -Sally Hansen - Diamond Strength Cuticle and Nail Oil
lexileven 10/30/2009 12:12:00 PM
Meh. Picked this up at the supermarket as I'd knocked over my beloved OPI Avoplex oil. I like the convenience of the brush packaging, and the price, but that's about it. The oil has a synthetic lavender smell and feels quite greasy, but doesn't really soak in - it gives temporary relief, but makes no long term difference to cuticles. It has also made no difference at all to the condition of my nails. You'd be better off with sweet almond oil than this formula.
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Concealers -Bourjois - Imperfection Concealer
lexileven 10/15/2009 4:50:00 AM
I've been using this product for a few months and it is very 'so-so' - I don't hate it, but I don't love it enough to repurchase. Pros: The shade is good - not too pink or peach, but pale enough for my winter skin The consistency is creamy and easy to blend The packaging is super cute but also practical - lid stays on in my bag, etc Reasonable price and good availability Cons: As others have said, it's thin, and if you over layer it becomes quite obvious on the skin. Good for colour irregularities, thread veins and small pimples but not for very dark circles, spots or scars. The staying power isn't great, and it doesn't blend well over foundation, so hard to reapply The last 2 are kind of major for me, so I won't be repurchasing this one.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer
lexileven 10/14/2009 5:20:00 PM
I decided to buy this after trying to take a more 'scientific' approach to skincare and after reading Beautypedia. This cream in the combo/dry variety seemed to tick all the boxes and I love the neat tube packaging. The cream goes on nicely and sinks in well, but tingles a little on my cheeks. In the morning, my skin is well hydrated, but after 3 weeks of using this with Superdefence in the day I have small blackheads, obvious pores and redness in my cheeks. It may work for some people, but obviously my skin defies the science - I am going back to my much maligned Lancome, which really suited my skin :( Disappointing.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer
lexileven 10/14/2009 5:17:00 PM
For years, I've been using Lancome on my fussy, fair skin. However, I read Paula Begoun, looked at my wallet, and decided that I needed to take a more 'scientific' approach to skincare. First buy was this moisturiser. It has all the right ingredients, high SPF, and goes on OK as a base for makeup. No obvious scent -all so far, so good. However, after using for 3-4 weeks, I notice my skintone has got much worse. My pores are more obvious, I have blackheads I never had before, and I have redness in my cheeks. The only thing that has changed has been the 2 clinique moisturisers (I am using super rescue at night). I'm not impressed - I will finish the tub due to cost but won't repurchase this one. Disappointing.
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Treatments (Eye) -Clinique - All About Eyes
lexileven 10/14/2009 3:43:00 PM
Normally I get on well with Clinique products, but this is terrible. It has a pleasant texture but it doesn't moisturise, does nothing for my dark circles and nothing to hold under eye makeup. It also has made my under eye area feel very rough and I have the beginnings of some milia. Don't waste your money on this.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
lexileven 8/20/2009 4:56:00 AM
I'm impressed with this mascara. Pros: The big brush reminds me of my favourite, DiorShow, at a fraction of the price! Easy to use. Doesn't flake and smudges only after 10 hours or so A good, deep black Lengthens like WOW! and really seperates Buildable Cons: As others have mentioned, this is quite a 'wet' formula so you need to be patient about building coats Not as volumising as promised, though still pretty good - when layered over a primer it's amazing. This gives me pretty, fluttery, dramatic lashes and is perfect for everyday or, with layering, for an evening look. It's also a bargain price with a wand I like....so I will overlook the smell :) A good performer! EDIT: Ok, it seems this varies in quality. First tube was awesome but second one flaked after the first week, looked awful. I've knocked a lippy off and won't repurchase :(
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