Cleansers -Dr. Hauschka - Cleansing Milk
manderly 4/24/2011 5:47:00 PM
Gross. Just, gross. And I like a cream cleanser - Evan Healy was lovely. This one doesn't rinse off well and leaves a seriously slimy film on my face. I've done OCM, so I get having a film, but don't tell me to rinse something off if I should use a warm washcloth to remove. I was really surprised not to like Dr. Hauschka - I've been dying to try it for years, and I thank the saleswoman who talked me into trying Evan Healy instead. I have not liked a single product in the Dr. Hauschka kit I purchase. Overpriced and unimpressive.
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Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous Lipgloss - Firecracker (Summer 2010)
manderly 4/24/2011 5:42:00 PM
Firecracker = Love. This is a great color. It's absolutely garish in the tube, but it goes on so sheer that it just makes for a great brightening of my lips. It's an orangey-red, but again it's so sheer that all it does is enhance my lips from dead to WOW. Just enough shine and no stickiness. I've even dabbed it on my cheeks for a cream blush and it worked beautifully to make my cheeks just glow. I may have to buy all the tubes I can find if this is a SE - but since I bought it in Spring '11 it must be here to stay.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous in Coral Reef
manderly 4/24/2011 5:36:00 PM
I like this very much. I ran out with the intent of purchasing this & Nude Lustre. They were all out of the Nude Lustre so I ended up with this and Firecracker. This is a very pretty coral/peachy color. It looks a bit garish if I put too much on - I like my lip color's sheer and shiny. Scraping the doe's foot applicator off the side of the the tube works best of me. It gives me a lovely pink pop to my lips - very natural but very pretty and versatile. I can't wait to get my hands on the Nude Lustre, but I have to say Firecracker = Love right now.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
manderly 7/20/2010 9:06:00 PM
I'm surprised by this foundation! I have it in the Buff for dry skin. I'm highly impressed that I managed to find a drugstore foundation that matches my skin quite well. It also looks quite natural. I had been using MUFE prior and the color is now too light since I've tanned a little. I was also not as happy with it as I had previously thought. It stands up surprisingly well and my Cetaphil doesn't remove it so I have to bust out my Ponds cold cream, which isn't a problem at all. My skin is doing quite well and it doesn't settle into pores or fine lines. I apply either with my fingers or my beauty blender and it looks great. I can't believe I've waited so long to try out this foundation since it has consistently received glowing reviews here at MUA. My only issue so far: IT NEEDS A PUMP!! I don't mind tipping a bottle onto my hand, but it's the perfect consistency for a pump and it would make this product perfect for me.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Copperplate
manderly 7/20/2010 8:57:00 PM
Ok, I hate hate hate to bring the ratings down on this. I LOVE the color, it's a fantastically versatile and flattering color. It looked great on my mom's baby blues, and pretty good on my hazel greens. BUT, there is something in this color that I'm allergic to *sigh*. I have several MAC shadows and none have ever given me a problem. I've tried to love this one. I've used bases and foundation in a feeble attempt to protect my lids from the reaction this gives me, but alas, nothing has helped. This makes my eyelids break into hives, which then scab up and then flake off. My eyelids suffer for 3-4 days after wearing this pretty eyeshadow. I have to post this as a warning to others. I don't know what my eyelids don't like in this particular shade, but they just don't get along, and I've resisted tossing it. I say this as I sit here with cortisone cream and neosporin on my eyelids. Woe is me! It glides on like a dream, so smooth and silky, and it's such a perfect color for everyday wear, and if you build it up it can go to a wonderful evening color. Just be warned, of all my MAC shadows, this one I cannot wear.
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Lotions/ Creams -Vaseline - Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy Skin Protectant Body Lotion
manderly 6/8/2009 3:10:00 AM
I'm a bit surprised by this lotion. I received a sample size in the goody bag I got from a recent Target opening, and I tossed it in my medicine drawer, as yet another little lotion tube for me to forget. I am a lotion junkie. I think I have about 10 different types of lotions in various spots in my house right now. I don't think I've ever finished off an entire bottle of lotion, and I certainly never run out before purchasing another one. And I NEVER buy the same lotion twice. Well, I grabbed some aspirin last night and I had just finished doing the dishes when I spotted the little sample bottle in my medicine drawer, so I smoothed some on. It was a strange texture, very light and non-greasy. It feels like it's one of those runny lotions that absorb into a whole lotta nothing and you'll be left with dry skin. My hands, arms, and elbows are now soft and kind of powdery feeling, not sticky or greasy. Very nice. When I popped onto MUA and started browsing the recent reviews, I saw this one and did a double take on the mini bottle I had. When I realized it was the same one, I figured I should post about it since it was different enough for me to take notice. I'm not sure what the cost is since I got a free sample of it. I haven't tried it on my legs and I'm not sure if I'd like it for that application because I like to have a heavier, "shinier" looking lotion on my freshly shaved legs, but for everything else this seems really nice. I will probably get a bottle of this next time I wander into the lotion section, and keep my Palmer's Cocoa Butter for my legs :)
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara
manderly 6/8/2009 2:45:00 AM
This is my favorite for a "plain black" mascara. I went through several different brands looking for a good daily black mascara. I don't like Great Lash, Lash Architect is total crap, nothing but flakes all day long, and other random drugstore finds over the years. I picked up this little gem after reading about it here at MUA and being totally annoyed with the stupid flakes I was getting with everything else. This is a great mascara. It does what it says, makes your lashes full and keeps them soft. None of that stiff eyelash syndrome you get from other mascaras. The first thing I did upon purchase was pull the wand out to the start of the bristles and bend the applicator at about a 130 degree angle or so. Soooooo easy to apply this way! The color is great, it coats the lashes really well without clumping or giving me spider eyes. This is my favorite staple mascara.
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Moisturizers -evanhealy - Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum - Blue
manderly 6/7/2009 1:03:00 AM
Fantastic! I've been cleansing with oils for a while now, and I've had so-so results with it. I stumbled upon Evan Healy's line a few weeks ago and I am hooked! I received this in the Blue line trial size box which also included the cleansing milk, hydrosol, day cream, and green tea face mask. My skin was improved after the first wash. My redness was gone. I have not worn foundation since I began using this line. The rosehip oil seems to be the cornerstone of this system, and it is multipurpose. Here are the ways I use it: patted onto face after washing massaged into "trouble areas" while steaming in prep for the mask rubbed into lips dabbed around eye area dabbed onto pimples/zits/scabby spots This oil has exceed my expectations in every aspect. I prefer it to emu oil for eyes and lips. I've also read that it's fantastic for scars, but have not tried it on any. I did break out a tiny bit about a week after starting this line, purging, I suppose. I finally decided to dab an extra bit of oil onto these spots and - voila! - they are almost gone. Why didn't I think of that sooner? Blackheads, which have always been a mainstay for my cheeks, nose, and chin, are all but gone. As for the packaging, I can't say much about the regular packaging for this oil because I have the sample size that came with the starter kit. All her packaging is clear glass (except for the sample green tea mask) with black pumps/sprays/lids. Beautiful. Simple and elegant. The packaging works very well. The sample bottle of oil has a little plastic insert that allows for a drop at a time, so you don't waste any or make a mess. I just dab it on my fingers several times until I get the amount of oil I wish. I believe the regular size comes with a pump, which I'll assume is similar to the cleansing milk, which works great. I will most definitely be purchasing this oil again when I run out (which at the rate I'm going won't be for a couple of months!). The product works wonderfully and for the price, it lasts and lasts.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -evanhealy - Blue Lavender Cleansing Milk
manderly 6/7/2009 12:51:00 AM
I discovered Evan Healy's line in a local healthfood store a few weeks ago. I started with the blue line in the little starter/sample package. This was the included cleanser. It's absolutely lovely! My skin leans to the irritated & acne prone. I have very oily skin with lots of blackheads and occasional blemishes. The first wash with this cleanser (along with the accompanying hydrosol and rosehip oil) immediately calmed the redness and made my skin soft and supple. I have not worn foundation since I began using this product, as I feel I don't have to. I even put light foundation on a couple of times (either a light dusting of MAC StudioFix or MUFE Face & Body) and I actually washed it off because it made me look drab and dull. My skin has very poor turnover, so I accompany with either my Clarisonic or a small face brush every couple of days to remove dead skin. The blackheads on my cheeks and nose have all but disappeared, and the ones on my chin are rapidly vanishing. I've been cleansing with oils and other natural "products" for a while, but I am definitely hooked on Evan Healy. I have barely made a dent in my sample size (which comes in a lovely glass bottle with a pump). At the rate of use (2 pumps or so) the cost of a fullsize bottle is very economical. A lovely product line, and I can't wait to get my mother hooked on it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - toilet seat covers
manderly 10/25/2008 2:24:00 AM
Oh good! I've been wondering if MUA had heard the glorious news of the toilet seat cover! I've been touting this to people for YEARS. They find it hilarious that I sit there with a toilet seat cover pressed to my face while I'm peeing! Heee Just use them at your convenience, or grab a few, cut them up into pieces (so no one knows what they are at first glance) and keep them in your purse or desk drawer. I could never understand why anyone would BUY something like this when they are free in public restrooms around the world!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Laura Mercier - Flawless Fix Pencil
manderly 6/20/2008 4:51:00 AM
I think this was my first HE product purchase because of MUA reviews. What do I think of this pencil? Meh. Ok ok, lousy review, let me break it down: Pros: nice color transportable sharpener in the cap (woo!) fast and easy to touchup Cons: has absolutely no staying power on my oily skin, over or under foundation expensive have I mentioned it has no staying power?? If this stuff could hold onto my greasy-grimy-gopher-gut skin I would HG it's status, but as it is, I have to touch it up many, many times per day or just give up and admit defeat to my pimples and old acne hyperpigmentation. I've moved on to MUFE full cover, will review after I have more time with it.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Active Hydrating Cream - Sensitive Skin [DISCONTINUED]
manderly 6/20/2008 4:45:00 AM
HG! I always venture into the arms of other tempting moisturizers, only to return to this one. I am reviewing the Sensitive in the jar. I've used the originial pink lotion (dear god that stinks!), the combo/oily lotion (dry, dry, dry!), and the "complete" line with sunscreen (irritated my skin and kind of greasy). I can put gobs of this stuff on and not get too greasy. A small amount is perfect for daily use, and I like to wear it heavier at night as a "treatment". The only product I've used in this manner and woke up with "soft" instead of "grease monkey" skin the next morning. It also helps keep my skin matte throughout the day unlike any other product I've used. I do understand what other reviewers said about if feeling like it actually dries out your skin. Just rub a little more in if you get that feeling and you will have softness :) This is also the only moisturizer that I can put on without making my face turn pink. I've gone through most of my life not realizing I had sensitive skin, I always treated it as oily/acne prone. It wasn't until I started treating it as sensitive that it started to turn around into something lovely. I rub my Neutrogena sunscreen onto my face immediately after putting this on, it helps with spreading the sunscreen and not using too much (which causes the greasies). I think it also forms a protective layer, keeping the sunscreen from irritating my face. As for the jar, I love it! My hands are clean because I just washed my face anyway, and it is a thicker product than the lotion in the bottle. The jar seems more luxurious to me too, and I feel like I have better control of the amount of product I'm using. Why do I stray? This stuff takes good care of me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -LUSH - Catastrophe Cosmetic
manderly 6/20/2008 4:34:00 AM
I'm not really sure how I feel about this mask. I went in looking at buying Love Lettuce or Crash Course, but the LUSH SA talked me into this one. I was having some skin issues, breaking out and that caused me to go nuts on trying to get rid of them, causing my whole face to be a red, irritated mess. The reason I don't know how I should feel about this mask is that it soothed my skin (lovely putting it on right out of the fridge) but upon rinsing, I discovered it totally exfoliated my skin, but not in a good way! Looking in the mirror I could see a dead layer of skin all over my face. I could rub this off with my fingers. Now, ususally I would say "WOOHOO" to something like this, only the dead gobs of skin forced me to rub myself smooth with a towel, kind of un-doing any "soothing" effects. Of course, now I can't stop touching my skin, because it is as smooth as a baby's butt. Nothing has ever exfoliated me so effortlessly. But my soft baby's butt face is red and kind of raw in spots. Pooh :( There, you understand my dilemma. I put that I would buy again, but I'm going to try out the other LUSH mask offerings first.
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Loose Powders -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Loose Powder
manderly 6/10/2008 1:05:00 AM
So far I'm really digging this powder. I got a little wary after some of the negative reviews came out, but decided I should give it a go for my own opinion. After application it feels very soft and velvety on my skin. I am pale (#20 in MUFE F&B) but this can still be a little "ghostly" when I first apply it. I think I may use a bit of a heavy hand though, because I have ridiculously oily skin and compensate where others might not. To give a better idea of my oil factor, mufe f&b applied at 6 am and not set, set with Clinique powder (had it for ages) or MAC studio fix and by 8:30 am I have to blot the lower portions of my face, right above my jawline....jowls if you will. I use toilet seat covers to blot, otherwise I would easily go through 4 or 5 of those baby sheets you buy. This is my first full day of work wearing the HD powder and I did use my NYC blot powder once and I do have breakout oiliness on my forehead, but other than that.....miraculous! I have never had my skin and makeup hold up so well. The mill is so incredibly fine you have to even be careful setting this product down on the counter, or you will get puffs of "smoke" out of the sifter holes. I use a small, dense blush brush to apply (I use a big face brush for my blush, call me crazy) but it works well in the small lid area to swirl the powder it and apply it nicely. I haven't experienced trouble with powder in the edges, but I'm sure if I traveled with it or dropped it I would, as with all powders in this type of packaging. As for the "soft focus", yes, it does look lovely after I apply this. It does highlight any flakies I have, so be sure to exfoliate well. The price, well, yes, it's pretty hefty. But I think the amount of product necessary to give me the results I have makes it much less costly. I have not tried any other silica powders (to my recolection), but I am so far very happy with this product. Bottom line: I don't want to marry HD powder and have it's babies, but it makes me a happy little ex-grease monkey.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Mitchum Smart Solid - Rose Petal
manderly 5/29/2008 5:04:00 AM
I've used Mitchum years ago. I strayed for some reason, and I found myself making a beeline for Longs today after work just to pick some up. I had such great success with it in the past, hopefully I will have the same success again. I was pleasantly surprised to see some new scents from when I last used this: Rose Petal, Waterlily, and Papaya. I opted for the Papaya scent which is oh so light (as are the others) and I can't really detect it now that I'm wearing it. I also noticed a very cooling effect when I applied this after my shower tonight. I don't know if I was hallucinating, they changed the ingredients to add something mentholy, or it was always like that and I never noticed, but I found it nice and refreshing. I also adore the texture of this deodorant. It's like a weird solid-jello-bar. No grit like normal stick deodorants, it glides on like a dream, and I have never had any visible residue. I do recall it could leave residue that made my clothes feel a little stiff though, but now they advertise this as no-residue, we shall see. A word of warning, DO NOT DROP THIS DEODORANT!! I have dropped them in the past, whether fairly new or on it's last legs and it BREAKS into pieces. Unlike regular stick deodorants where you can kind of smoosh it all back toghether, you can't do that with Mitchum's solids, so you're stuck using you hand to rub a little Mitchum shard (this stuff ain't cheap!) on your armpits. I've also had the top snap right off if I had it out too far, rubbed a little too vigorously, or it was almost out.
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