Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A Micro
mml2145 6/29/2012 10:36:00 AM
I used to have a long love/hate relationship with RAM .04%, now it is just total love. It cleared my acne, tightened my pores, made me less oily and faded old acne scars. I used to wear very heavy foundation (EL double wear) because my skin was so oily and had lots of discoloration. Now thanks to the RAM I rarely wear foundation except for special occasions. I started out with it every few nights and then gradually increased it. If I felt my skin was too tender for it I would just skip that night. I now use it every other night right after washing. I do not apply it over moisturizer or put moisturizer on it afterwards. Just wash and straight RAM. PLEASE only apply a pea sized amount. I used to think there was no way that amount would cover my face and apply more, but all I did was make my skin angry when I applied more. Cutting my dosage amount to a pea sized made a big difference. I just dispense the amount on the back of my hand and then dot it all over my face and rub it in. But before I fell in love with RAM I did go through the stage of cursing it. It made me purge, peel and flake like there was no tomorrow. I would carry around moisturizer and apply it all day as soon as flakes would start gathering. For a teenager in high school it was pretty embarrassing. My advice though is to hang in there and stick with it. It is so worth it in the end! IMO, when you are using RAM you have to be very gentle with all your other skincare products. I stuck with CeraVe hydrating cleanser and CeraVe moisturizing lotion (both recs from my derm). I liked both but I was not completely satisfied. My face still felt a little tight after washing. So one day I was cruising the SCB and saw the mineral oil craze started by lovely jetfan lol I figured I would give it a shot since I love cold cream and that did not break me out. Well cleansing with mineral oil was amazing (see my review for more details on that) but it totally eliminated all the flakes RAM left me with and did not dry out my skin. Since switching to MO cleansing my face is soft and smooth. Oh, I also switched my moisturizer from the CeraVe to Solvere. Thumbs up for Retin A Mico!! :D
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Mineral Oil
mml2145 6/27/2012 1:00:00 PM
YES! YES! YES! Mineral oil is the BEST thing I've done for my skin. I have acne prone skin and am on two acne medications (Benzaclin and Retin A Micro). Both of them are pretty harsh on my skin so I am always looking for gentle cleansers. I was using CeraVe hydrating cleanser but it still left me a little dry. I went to the SCB and jetfan suggested I try mineral oil. I figured, why not? I used cold cream in the past and had no problems with it. Well, it has been over 6 months (and countless bottles of MO later) I am forever hooked. I use it as my cleanser and makeup remover. It doesn't break me out or dry my skin out. For my face I wet my skin, pump some MO in my hands, rub them together and apply. I rub it all over my face for about a minute. I used to do 5 minutes when I first started because I could feel blackheads coming out and flakes balling up. When I am done I take a muslin cloth with warm water and wipe it all off. That's it!! Then, I either apply RAM or my moisturizer which is Vanicream. I also use mineral oil for shaving. It has totally transformed my legs. When I was using shaving cream I would always get razor burn, so bad that I never wore shorts or skirts. Now that I use MO my legs look so much better! I do get a tiny bit of razor burn but I just use some witch hazel when I get out of the shower and I am good to go. Even DH has commented on how great my legs look and how smooth they feel. I get my mineral oil from Garden of Wisdom (N/A). It is cosmetic grade so it is just the right consistency. Plus an 8 oz bottle is about $4. I have gone through 7 bottles or so, I always order 3 at a time and store them in my vanity. Oh and the last thing is that when I do wear foundation, it goes on so smooth!! Before I couldn't get foundation to look good because of all the flakes from the RAM. Now it is perfection :D Hooray for mineral oil!!!!!! *\o/*
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -St.Tropez - Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
mml2145 6/27/2012 11:22:00 AM
This is my holy grail self tanner!! I have strayed and tried others but I always come back to St. Tropez. It used to take me a good 20 minutes to apply, but now that I have my routine down it only takes me 10. I use the mitt that can with my order from QVC. It truly does blend everything together seamlessly and the color is so believable. I can't apply self tanner without the mitt. It keeps my hands and feet from getting blotchy, even around my ankles look great! The tan lasts a good 4-5 days on me. I only do one coat because I like a subtle tan so I can't comment on how deep you can get the tan. I also don't have any problems with the tan (or the color guide) rubbing off on my sheets or clothes. I also like that it dries fast and you don't feel like you have anything on and there is no offensive smell! I recently went to Punta Cana for my honeymoon and I was constantly applying sunscreen. When we came home we had a graduation party to attend and I wanted color. So I pulled out my trusty St. Tropez the night before and applied. Everyone kept commenting on my fantastic tan, little did they know it came from a bottle and not Punta Cana :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Garden of Wisdom - Skin Buffet Oxygen Rich Anti-oxidant Gel
mml2145 2/7/2011 4:33:00 PM
One word: AMAZING!!!! I will continue to buy this product over and over and over again. If GoW ever stops making this I will be absolutely devastated!! I do not normally write reviews but I just wanted to share my experience with this product in hopes of helping someone. I have been on Benzaclin (prescription BP) for about 10 years. I finally got fed up with the Benzaclin drying out my skin so I started doing research. The lovely MUAers on the skin board pointed me towards GoW and I started reading the forum on their website. I took their advice and slowly started to wean myself off BP ( and yes, I was nervous about doing so!). When I was finally off BP, I started applying the oxygen rich gel every morning at the same step I would normally apply BP. The oxygen rich gel just sinks right into the skin and does not leave any residue. I was so thrilled that day after day my skin started to look better, feel less dry, be less flakey and best of all: no new breakouts! I've been using this product for over a month and have had only had one pimple, ONE! I was amazed! I've struggled with acne since I was 16 (I'm now 26) And (TMI) but I credit that pimple to my cycle :\ Also, my one pimple was tiny and was gone within 2 days. Simply amazing! If you are looking for something other than BP for acne give this a try!! You will not be dissappointed!!! UPDATE- 7/8/11 I went through the first bottle of this stuff and happily ordered a second. I don't know what happened but halfway through the second bottle this product just stopped working! I constantly had huge pimples on my chin, sides of my face and between my eyes. I recently went to back to my prescribed Benzaclin. I would rather combat the dryness than constant pimples and scarring.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Prestige - My Biggest Lashes 
mml2145 1/19/2010 4:54:00 PM
one word: CRAP! I had high hopes for this mascara due to all the positive feedback. However, on me it was smudge city within 30 minutes after application. In the trash can it goes!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Cerave - Moisturizing Lotion
mml2145 2/22/2009 12:25:00 AM
I was given a sample of this lotion from my dermatologist and it is now a HG product for me. I love how it soaks right into my skin and does not make my oily skin look worse or cause any breakouts. This lotion dries to a nice satin finish and makes my skin feel wonderful. I also love that this lotion comes in pump form.
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Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pot Rouge in Blushed Rose
mml2145 2/22/2009 12:11:00 AM
I am not really a fan of Bobbi Brown products, but I wanted to try a cream blush so I picked this up at my local CCO. This is one of those products that really make you go "wow!" I apply this with a skunk brush and it gives me that soft and glowy look from within. I have oily skin and although they tend to fade by the end of the day I can easily apply another layer without any caking. I think these pot rouges may give my beloved NARS blushes a run for their money..
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Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Gel Eyeliner
mml2145 2/21/2009 11:58:00 PM
Best. eyeliner. ever!! This product goes on so smooth and glides across the eye like silk. I can apply this eyeliner at 6AM and it is still going strong at 11PM without any smearing. Thanks for an awesome product Bobbi!
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Eyeliner -Laura Mercier - Cake Eyeliner in all shades
mml2145 2/21/2009 11:22:00 PM
I wish I would have tried this cake liner years ago!! I am NC20 with brown eyes and have this in bleu marine. I love that this blue is a matte deep navy blue..looks very classy and sophicated. I use this to tightline and it is HG all the way for me. It took me a while to play around with before I found the right brush and technique. I use a short stiff angled eyebrow brush (purchased from crown brushes) to apply and it works like a dream! I just dip my brush into some water and then really work it around in the product until my brush is well coated. The look I achieve with this liner is amazing..it really allows you to get right into the lash line. I find this liner does not smudge or budge all day and removes easily when desired. I am definitely going to pick up the black and brown shades. Give it a try ladies!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
mml2145 1/2/2009 11:22:00 PM
This is a HG product for me! I have super oily eyelids and this keeps my shadows on all day and night. I would never even think of doing eyeshadow without using this..it would be a waste of time. I do find it necessary to put a layer of loose powder over this primer else I can not blend my shadows. Also, be sure to only use a small amount else the product can get clumpy and affect the way the eyeshadow applies. Like other have said this does have stupid packaging but I make due since the payoff is outstanding. I transfer from the tube to a small glass jar and do not have any problems with it drying out.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Ed Hardy Perfume - Love Kills Slowly Women's EDT
mml2145 1/1/2009 10:23:00 PM
I do not usually write reviews for fragrances because I am terrible at describing notes but I had to for this one! The fragrance has a fruity smell that I absolutely love. Whenever I am feeling down I just spritz this and it perks me right up. I wear this as an everday fragrance and get lots of compliments on it. Besides loving the graphic designs on the bottle, it came in a cardboard tube with the same designs which I use to store some of my makeup brushes. Will definitely be purchasing again and again!
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Concealers -Make Up For Ever - 5 Camouflage Cream Palette
mml2145 1/1/2009 10:12:00 PM
I am in love with this concealer palette!! NC20 here and I use palette No. 1. Definitely make sure to moisturize the undereye area very very well first else the product will appear very cakey. The peach concealer really is key to covering up my dark undereye circles, then when layered with the correct concealer color my eyes look bright and rested. This concealer really needs to be set with a powder (I use LM secret brightening powder) else it will disappear quickly. I really like the green concealer in here for the red around my nose and to put on top of any blemishes that need concealing. I also get the best results from this product when applying with my fingers. I just warm it up a tad and then tap and press into my skin. Also like the fact that the packaging is thin but sturdy because I keep this concealer in my purse. Definitely give this palette a try!!
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
mml2145 1/1/2009 9:54:00 PM
This is definitely my favorite foundation out there..HG status all the way! Even after trying this foundation and loving it, I tried other foundations (high end to low end) out of curiosity..without fail I would always return to trusty colorstay. This foundation really does last all day, even on my oily skin, and gives a fantastic matte finish. Personally, I only like to apply this foundation using a damp SK blue blending sponge..I find that when applied with a brush (MAC 187) it gives a very thick, unnatural finish. The blending sponge seems to thin it out just enough while allowing medium coverage. The only draw back to this foundation is the stupid packaging as stated in other reviews, but since everything else is great I will deal with it. Also as a reference I am NC20 and use this in the Buff shade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
mml2145 12/3/2008 4:41:00 PM
***EDIT*** I am in LOVE with this foundation now! I changed my skin care routine thanks to the lovely ladies at the skin care board. (They rec'd MD Forte cleanser and MD Forte facial lotion for my oily yet dry surface skin type.) Since using those two products this foundation just melts into my skin and looks like I'm not wearing any foundation at all! I use to have a problem with this foundation sitting in my pores and catching every flake possible on my skin but that is no longer the case. I love the finish on this too, gives a really nice glow to the face. I do have to blot a couple times throughout the day but that doesn't matter to me. OH! And my favorite way to apply it is with my good ol' finger tips. Really makes the foundation look seemless. Give this foundation chance ladies!! I am so glad I kept this in my stash! **ORIGINAL REVIEW*** I really wanted to love this foundation due to all the raves but it just did not work for me at all. I think my skin is just too oily, within 5 minutes this formula was in every single crease, line and pore. I also tired different ways of applying (187, sponge, SK blue peep) but it did not make any difference. I will give them props for all the amazing color choices though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Clarins - Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
mml2145 11/16/2008 1:36:00 AM
This is my HG primer! It definitely lives up to it's name and then some. Before I found this primer my foundation would sit in my pores like a hot mess. But this primer really does fill in the pores (without causing breakouts) and gives my skin a smooth velvety finish. I also like that this primer doesn't dry out my skin nor leave it greasy. It is a bit pricey but it is so worth it to me. I will never another day without using this little treasure!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No