Treatments (Eye) -Olay - Regenerist Eye Touch of Concealer
mcpalin08 6/9/2009 7:59:00 PM
If you want to skip a step with this two in one product, it fails as concealer. I was hoping for some sort of optical brightening effect, but this is like one shade fits all no coverage flat tint, that is too sheer to cover anything like shadows, or diffuse the way light hits a line. If you like the other Olay products, this may work for you - if you have the matching skin tone and no serious need for cover.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - anthlios 60ultra-light with cell-ox (us version)
mcpalin08 5/31/2009 8:49:00 PM
This version lacks mexoryl, but is comparable to Neutrogena/ Olay in terms of actives. This means stabilized avobenzone, and a decent uva screen (pfa 27), though still behind Euro ss in terms of uva. One reason you might buy this instead of the other US ss is the finish. The lotion is thin, has a slippery feel and goes on easily, without balling, or feeling at all heavy. It dries matte, and virtually dissappears, with a trace of it's powdery slip to the touch, and otherwise invisiable. (This alone raises it way above Neutrogena in my book.) Neutrogena stings my eyes, and sometimes makes my skin burn. LRP Anthelios 60? Never budges, never stings. The bottle has a blender ball and screw-off cap, but could be more friendly with a flip top style. 1.7 oz is $27.50 at CVS.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Softsoap - ensembles
mcpalin08 5/1/2009 8:24:00 AM
This is the recent Soaftsoap hand pump marketed in attractive opaque packaging. The system is designed so that consumers just buy a new base bottle and re-use the pump from the original purchase, thus saving you money, and using less plastic, (though these have a long way to go if you want a 'greener' handwashing system.) There is a serious lack of functionality with the pump. Normal usage consistently twists the pump to the lock position, or more annoyingly, completely off the stem. You have to support the pump while you are using it, so the bottle gets corrupted by whatever dirt and germs you are trying to wash off. (the bottle is not so prettty covered with dirt) The pump is too flimsy to use up the original supply of soap, I don't see how it can hold up through the refill. The actual soap itself is nice, mildly fragrant, no anti-bacterials and non-drying. The package is much nicer to look at than the typical. But as a whole is a total failure. I can't believe this went into production.
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Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - JR Liggett's Old Fashioned Bar Shampoo
mcpalin08 4/5/2009 2:39:00 PM
Soooo good! My hair is fine, and thin. Using this bar has given me the most body and softness of any shampoo ever! I have been using for three weeks, and am still in awe of the daily great results. It leaves your hair squeaky clean, but not stripped. I use a conditioning styling product like Got2Be Guardian Angel, no in shower conditioner, and see how so many others have been weighing my hair down. All I needed for more body was a better shampoo.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner - Eggplant
mcpalin08 3/26/2009 11:16:00 AM
In the pot there are distinct sparkles, but blended on skin, they dissapear. The color looks quite deep, but applies sheer, which makes it very versatile to go day to evening. Makes a very nice smokey eye, and yes you can build up intesity by layering. I like that control. The wear is very long and budge-proof. No serious build-up in fine lines of the 43 yr old eyes here. Exceptional value and quality, even the brush, while not perfect, doesn't scratch delicate skin,and is good for blending out the liner to a shadow effect.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Bumble & Bumble - Styling Wax
mcpalin08 3/20/2009 12:13:00 PM
This is nice for selecting out pieces and tips, especially in shorter styles. Also to scrunch up under layers of hair for volume. It is light weight, but like any wax, can be over-done, esp on fine hair. You really just use a film of this. If you over-work your hair with this (or any wax), it can end up flat and dirty looking. It washes right out, smells light, softens easily w/ warmth of hands. While I have no regrets in buying, it was overpriced at $30. Since I use so little wax at a time, I will get plenty of millage out of this one tin.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear
mcpalin08 3/17/2009 10:34:00 AM
None of us need be surprised by the sheer coverage- that's the point of tm, right? Gives a ysbb enhancement. The finish is satiny, but never greasy /sparkly. I have very unfortunate skin texture, and this product diffuses light in a lovely way to help negate it. Need flaw coverage? This pairs nicely with concealer, and even over other foundations to add it's subtle glow of health to your cheeks. The fragrance is a result of the lavender and botanicals. It's refreshingly real, especially in a marketplace bursting with Jersey noxiousness. Every time I use it, I feel a little positive jolt both because it is a more supportive choice for my body, and it doesn't force any compromise on cosmetic elegance. I wish it had a flip cap, or a pump. At apx.$12 usd, is more costly than many ds items, but worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Pure & Free Baby SPF 60
mcpalin08 2/25/2009 5:43:00 PM
As noted by others, for all physical sun block, this ss offers very good uva screen. Yes, it is thick and certainly does leave a white cast. There is no pleasure to putting this on, you inwardly cringe; but the finish is exceptionally matte, for an all physical block, once it finally incorporates. Foundation over top will handle the white cast, or even just powder bronze. If you have dry skin, I doubt you'll like this; it accentuates even mild surface dehydration. This adheres to the skin very well, doesn't migrate into eyes, doesn't inflame sensitive skin. Since it is all physical, there are no issues about photo stability, and your makeup will never degrade the spf. It is far and away the best all physical ds ss currently available, in terms of finish, durability and protection.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Olay - Professional Pro-X Age Repair Lotion w/SPF 30
mcpalin08 2/17/2009 9:00:00 AM
I purchased the full size of this, after determining that the starter pack was a major rip, considering the sizes they want you to shell out $60 for. Should have been my first clue. I was interested in a ss/anti-aging , multi-pupose lotion so I could save some steps in the routine. The pro-x smells like ss. The texture is creamy,and is a bit too high-gloss in the finish. It doesn't really stay put on the face. Activities like driving and washing dishes had it invading my eyes and burning. There's no way this could work in the summer for me. I have been using it for 3 weeks, below my eyes only, and whatever advantage there may be to it's anti-aging ingrediants (beyond the ss), just isn't enough to justify the cost and the too-shiny finish. There are far batter values in cosmetically elegant ss, with superior uva filtration, on the ds shelf.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Frownies
mcpalin08 2/17/2009 8:32:00 AM
Poor woman's botox. These will decrease the depth of the 11's. I have spent 40 years making those furrows, and after 1 night of frownies glued on, see a serious improvement. They actually alleviate tension for me when I use them on days I'm working from home. It has made me aware of how often I might let a scowl slip unknowingly over my face. ( I'm dreaming of a clear kind that I could wear out.) The adgesive is activated by water, and takes too long to set. I'm going to try other reviewers excellant idea of recycling these w/ eyelash adhesive. So there is room for improvement i this product, but I still give it a 5. Since I don't have the spare change for botox 3x's a year, I have to embrace my chance to amuse the family with a triangle stuck to my head.
17 out of 18 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Orange Essence Facial Cleanser
mcpalin08 2/15/2009 6:53:00 PM
If you don't know what you're getting in advance, I can see where this cleanser could be a fail for you. Typical cleansers strip your skin, making you believe that clean skin feels tight. Oil cleansers emulsify makeup and ss, allowing water to rinse it all away, and leave your skins own barrier intact. There is no foaming or soap involved. Apply the cleanser to your dry face, massaging into the skin as you would use old fashioned cold cream. Then rinse off with warm water, or a warm wash cloth. You don't need to wash your face twice. No clogging of pores or acne issues created. This is my daily cleanser in ss season. I prefer this to a liquid oil cleanser as the packaging is less messy and it won't spill. This will remove waterproof ss, such as shiseido, completely.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -J. R. Watkins - Aloe and Green Tea Dry Oil Body Mist
mcpalin08 2/14/2009 7:26:00 PM
Such a fresh, soothing smell, with notes of cucumber and tea. Actually has some nice throw for just a scented dry oil. The scent changes in dry down to a clean skin scent, with a note of carnation and powder in the finish. It's very unlike any other body spray on the shelf at walmart or bbw. Love that it combines light moisture and scent in one quick step. Major score at 4oz for $5.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Everyday Minerals - Daydream
mcpalin08 2/12/2009 2:00:00 PM
Pale? This will give you a realistic sunkissed contour, without screaming "blingy fake tan applied here." Is light-toned nude, warmed w/ neutral pink tones. While having no sparkles, it does impart that subtle luminous glow, an egg-shell to satin finish that does'nt obliterate you skin tone, but dresses it up. Doesn't accent lines or texture flaws. Just what you need right now to take the corpse out of your winter skin tone.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Everyday Minerals - Foundation - Intensive formula [DISCONTINUED]
mcpalin08 2/11/2009 4:38:00 PM
Great product and easy to deal with company. Did not emphasize textural flaws, like so many minerals do. EDM makes it very easy to try their products with a generous sampler package, that will last for weeks, giving you ample time to judge performance, color etc. This outperforms many high-end brands (Iredale for ex) and is way better than the current ds fare at a very competative price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Alpha Hydrox - AHA Souffle 12 percent Glycolic AHA
mcpalin08 2/11/2009 4:18:00 PM
Everyone over 35 should have this! I used the 8% lotion for a bit, and was unmoved. But the 12% in souffle?? Makes my skin look so much brighter after a few applications.There's no squinting in wonder at the mirror, "is this stuff working??" You see obvious improvement in skins luminosity, and it will help fade acne scars/hyperpigmentation over time. Really helps to banish the surface flake and crinkle that retin-a can produce. I have used this under my eyes with no irritation, but my skin is generally non-reactive. Super value for the result.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No