Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Dormer 211 Cream
msCullen8685 8/27/2012 4:10:00 PM
For Canadians, I found this at Rexall Pharmaplus, however I have never seen this product at Shoppers Drug Mart before. I was looking for a simple, no-frills moisturiser that wouldnt break out my clog prone skin. This has definately delivered! The hyaluronic acid and other moisturising ingrediants in this moisturiser plump up my skin upon application and it is great for under makeup. This really is a staple moisturiser for me now and I would really suggest you try it if you have sensitive or acne prone skin!
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Toners -Neostrata - Toning Solution Level 2 (10% Glycolic Acid, 2% Salicylic Acid)
msCullen8685 8/27/2012 4:02:00 PM
I have been using this product for a few months now. I am no stranger to bhas or ahas and liked that this toner contains both. However, I bought it mostly for the salicylic acid in it as I have other products that are my main glycolic acid skincare items. I am clog prone, and my skin is almost completely clear most of the time with salicylic acid. I use this everyday and while it does sting a bit upon application it is not so bad. I follow up with a moisturiser or a pure oil such as argan oil or sweet almond (both of which are godsends to my skin!!) or else my skin would be way too dry. I can definately say that this has greatly contributed to clearing up my skin! Now for the bad part and the reason for 4 lippies.....it contains so much alcohol!!!! I typically try to avoid alcohol completely in my skincare as it contributes to cell death, photosensitivity, and causes the skin to produce more oil. Smells usually dont bother me in skincare but this toner really does have a strong alcohol smell. Other than the alcohol this toner contains minimal ingrediants, so I just wished they would take it out! Once I finish this toner I am going to try finding another bha toner with no alcohol but if I cant find one I would probably repurchase. Its a shame because this does great things for my skin and would be HG forsure were it not for the high alcohol content. If alcohol doesnt bother you in skincare or you have very clog prone skin I would still say to give this a try, however remember to use a sunscreen with this!
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Cleansers -Avene - extremely gentle cleanser
msCullen8685 8/27/2012 3:44:00 PM
I think this cleanser is a very decent one for sensitive skin. I have very clog prone skin and this did not contribute to any breakouts. Although it has SLS in it, it really does not feel drying or stripping at all. This cleanser is marketed as one that does not need rinsing off but my skin feels much cleaner and without residue when I rinse it off completely. I have used it on both wet and dry skin with good results. For cleaning off makeup, however, it is not the best: you may need to cleanse twice or start with an oil cleanser or follow up with a toner. I would not repurchase as I have started oil cleansing with sweet almond and grapeseed oil with amazing results. If you have sensitive skin, I wouldnt hesitate to give this a try.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Peter Thomas Roth - Glycolic Acid 10% Moisturizer
msCullen8685 8/27/2012 3:34:00 PM
I feel that I can write an informed review on this product as I have just finished the whole tube. I bought and started using it in either November or December of 2011 and it is now the end of August 2012. During this time, I would say that i used it very frequently: there were some periods of time where I wouldnt use it too much and other, longer periods of time where I used it almost every day. During the period of time that I was using this product I tried out several other products, but used this pretty consistantly. This past year I have done a ton of research into skincare with the help of the Skin Care Board on MUA and Paula Begoun at times (even though she can be biased). That is how I found this product, Paula Begoun rated it as one of her top picks on Beautipedia for AHA and it had good reviews here on MUA. I already knew that my skin liked glycolic acid so I was not worried about using a 10% product. After doing much research on skincare, looking into the products I had been using and learning about my own skin in the past year I have realised that my skin is quite clog and acne prone when treated with the wrong products. So after using this product for close to a year, I feel I can definitively say that this product did not contribute to any breakouts. Upon application, I did experience a slight stinging sensation but I was used to this having used glycolic acid before. It is not incredibly moisturising but does the job, atleast for my skin, and upon application sinks right in to a matte finish. However, with all glycolic products you should only use it at night and a sunscreen in the daytime to prevent aging and sun-damage as a glycolic product makes your skin photosensitive. Now, as for the results I experienced? Over time I did notice an evening of skin tone and more clarity and brightness to my skin. However, it is worth noting that I am young (early 20s) and I dont have extreme hyperpigmentation or sun damage. Therefore, I view this product as more of a maintenance and preventative product for myself. If you are looking for a nicely formulated glycolic acid product I would say this one is worth trying.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Tarte - Dark Circle Defense Under Eye Corrector ] [DISCONTINUED]
msCullen8685 10/2/2010 4:52:00 PM
I have been using this product for probably about 2 months now and I am ecstatic, because i can FINALLY stop searching for a concealer that works. It blends fabulously, covers like a dream, and has botanical ingredients that ACTUALLY de - puff me eyes! the claim lives true! I look like I am punched in both eyes without concealer,as I have terrible hereditary undereye circles. I have probably tried over 50 different concealers, but with similar levels of success (or failure, a more appropriate way to describe it). While this is the most expensive one I have tried, it lives up to what it says AND de puffs the eyes, an amazing added bonus. In this case you are getting what you pay for, and if your bags are a real problem like they are for me...then although the pricetag is hefty, you really are getting your money's worth. Plus, it comes with a great brush that actually works. You do need to set it with some sort of loose powder, but you would need to do this anyway with all concealers under the eyes so that they do not crease or melt off. This has very minimal creasing, but because it is a moisturizing formula in an area of your face that is being moved constantly, it will melt off or wear throughout the day. I top this with Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder, the same as a reviewer below. This combo brightens my eyes phenomenally, and stays put all day. I think this is truly the first HG I have ever found. Ladies with terrible raccoon bags that have tried everything, this is for you.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -mark - Gloss Gorgeous stay on lip stain in Pop
msCullen8685 8/3/2010 9:58:00 PM
Love this! A perfect MLBB colour. It applies as a smooth, totally non - sticky, slightly minty, balm like gloss. I find this really keeps my lips hydrated, which is AMAZING considering lip stains are usually very drying. When the gloss fades away, you are left with a lovely, natural looking stain that has not sunk into creases or left you with a line around your lips. Overall, wonderful! I would recommend and repurchase!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -mark - Powder Buff powder foundation
msCullen8685 8/3/2010 9:31:00 PM
This is a decent powder. It's marketed as a powder foundation but I used it to top my foundation. I still have a ton left, but stopped using it and have moved on to MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder. First off, let me just say that the packaging SUCKS. It is a really thick and bulky compact, but that wouldn't have bothered me so much except it BROKE within a week of usage, and I didn't drop it or handle it roughly, the hinge just completely broke off in two spots, making it impossible for me to carry around on the go. A good thing is that you really get alot of product for the price. Since the pan flips over, you can really see that you get quite a bit, Plus, it's only like 10 bucks. So it's economically good. I find that this powder runs on the orange side. Plus, it has talc and mica, which are known to irritate acne. I noticed that the mica caused the powder to have an artificially shimmery effect in natural light...not so attractive, since it hi lights pores. It does have pretty good coverage though. Except it doesn't layer well and ends up looking cakey. It doesn't keep you matte long, either. Overall, I wouldn't repurchase. A decent product, not the best for sure.
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Mascara -Avon - Super Extend
msCullen8685 8/3/2010 9:11:00 PM
This was a pretty good mascara. It didn't clump at all, and the brush was pretty good. It didn't flake or irritate my eyes. It lengthened my lashes a decent amount, and separated well. Do not buy if you are looking for volume. This isn't marketed as giving volume, so don't be disappointed when it doesn't. Overall, a cheap, decent lengthening mascara. I would probably repurchase if I see it on sale in Avon, but I wouldn't consider this hg.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Aveda - Aveda Inner-Light Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF15
msCullen8685 8/3/2010 9:05:00 PM
An Aveda SA recommended this tinted moisturizer to me. I had been wanting to get into TMs for a while, and I generally think that Aveda has good quality products. Although this was a little on the pricier side, I purchased it anyways. Generally, I do not like this TM. A few other people have mentioned it here, but it applies greasy and sticky and does not fully 'dry'. After a few minutes, when it has sunk in a bit more, the sticky feeling goes away although you can still feel it while touching your face. This can probably be remedied by topping it with a finishing powder, although I would have preferred to use this as a standalone product. I find this difficult to blend, and gives almost no coverage. I understand that TMs are meant to be sheer however this did not even out my complexion in the slightest, and gave it a rather white cast. However, this does moisturize relatively well. I can not attest to whether this would break you out at all as I have not worn it enough. It is supposed to be oil free but it is greasy in texture, and on hot days turns the t zone shiny, so it could possibly break oilier skins out. It was relatively expensive and came in a small tube, so it wasn't very economical. This was sort of a flop by Aveda. I would say to skip this, unless you have dry, next to perfect skin that doesn't need alot of coverage.
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Self Tanners -Marcelle - iBronze Self-Tanning Cloths
msCullen8685 5/6/2010 6:18:00 PM
What a waste!! as others have said, NO COLOUR, NONE AT ALL. the sheets are WHITE!! plus, they are expensive! i'm going to try to return these. what a dissapointment.
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Polishes -Avon - Nailwear - Cotton Candy
msCullen8685 3/27/2010 1:11:00 PM
I'm blown away by the quality of this nail polish. I can even say that the quality is better then more expensive brands like OPI. The colour is beautiful, and even without a base or topcoat it lasted me a week with minimal chipping and touchups. With 2 coats you get even, opaque colour. I will definately be purchasing more Avon nailpolishes.
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Eyeliner -Arbonne - Virtual Illusion
msCullen8685 1/16/2010 7:52:00 PM
I have this in Hepburn, a dark brown. This packaging itself is nice but my twister must be faulty, because I can't twist the eyeliner down again. The eyliner itself is pretty good. It lasts a relatively long time, however it isn't anything special. I liked it though, and I will repurchase.
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Lip Gloss -Nivea - Nivea Lipcare Caregloss and Shine
msCullen8685 1/16/2010 7:48:00 PM
Perfect combination of a gloss and a balm. It's cheap and it smells great and hydrates like nothing else. It isn't sticky or thick either. The colour is a great, subtle, natural pink on my pigmented lips. I love this, and will repurchase over and over.
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Concealers -mark - good riddance hook up concealer (all)
msCullen8685 1/16/2010 7:33:00 PM
I wouldn't use this on undereye circles. But for discoloration, reddness around the nose, and pimples, this is great for touching up throughout the day! Opt for something that is creamier, has better coverage, is more blendable, and has ligh reflection properties for dark shadows instead. Take it from the raccoon herself, who has tried every concealer on the planet :)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -mark - On the Edge Hook Up Eyeliner - Cleo
msCullen8685 1/16/2010 7:26:00 PM
I love this liquid eyeliner. You can make the most precise line EVER. Plus, this literally lasts FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER on your eyes. I have greasy eyelids so the fact that this lasts at all is amazing. It is also dead cheap, and I love how it is a hook up. This makes tricky liquid liner application a peice of cake, for those who are inept with liquid liner application like me. Buy this!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No