Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle SPF 15
rbyars1 4/26/2013 1:56:00 PM
I love this cream and it has been a staple in my routine for years and years (even though I stray to other products I always land back on this one) The texture is whipped dreaminess, sinks in quickly and smooths over pores making it an excellent makeup base although I still do use a separate pore filler/primer as well just to cover some of my larger pores and small scars. Also, I haven't had any problems whatsoever with breakouts from it. Of course SPF 15 is obviously not adequate if you are going to be in the blazing sun for very long so I would suggest one of Neutrogena's higher rated SPFs on those days and this one for average everyday (not in the direct sun for long) moisturizer. I anticipate I will be using this moisturizer for years and year and years..Please Neutrogena DON'T MESS WITH A GOOD THING OR DISCONTINUE THIS....Are you hearing me!?! lol...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Revitalift Miracle Blur 
rbyars1 3/10/2013 7:58:00 PM
Well I was one of the unlucky ones who could't find samples in the store so I paid full price and THEN made the stupid mistake of tossing the receipt sooooo I am stuck with this now...ughh. Where do I start, well first of all it has the same feel as Monistat Chafing gel only much much thicker (like a powdery thick paste) and the sunscreen migrated it's way up to my peepers somehow and burned like Satan himself had just stabbed me in the eye with a flaming pitchfork! Ok ok, maybe I am being a bit of a drama queen on that last part but it did burn...no lie. The "blur" part is somewhat true, there is a soft focused effect to the skin but like many others reviewers for this product, I too felt like my skin couldn't breathe. My face just felt "off" like I had a mask on and I did not use very much at all (maybe a small pea size in the cheek area where my large pores are). Needless to say...I won't be buying again.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
rbyars1 11/9/2012 8:21:00 PM
Most certainly a diamond in the rough ladies! So cheap and yet easily competes with higher end brands. If you can find it, get it! If you don't like it then you're only out 3 bucks :)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Garnier - Moisture Rescue Fresh Cleansing Foam
rbyars1 9/11/2012 8:09:00 PM
Uhhhh yeah....no. This cleanser was a big negative for me and it only took one use to make that determination. It smells kind of nice and did remove makeup but that's exactly where the goodness ends. The cleanser comes out of the tube as a milky colored very thick and gummy cream. The gumminess lingers on the skin even after rinsing several times and left my face feeling extremely dry/tight which translates (at least for me) as STRIPPED of moisture which negates the entire premise of the product and the claims to begin with right? I need to just suck it up and pay $$$ for what I really like which is Boscia Black.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Frutique-Papaya Enzyme exfoliating gel
rbyars1 8/6/2012 4:29:00 PM
I am trying to get on board with this exfoliator, I really am but maybe I am just using it wrong because my face felt neither soft, smooth or exfoliated after using it. I made sure my face was clean and dry before using approx 2.5 pumps to cover my face and then proceeded to rub my skin with my fingers working the product into the skin. Yes I did get the little greyish white balls rolled up (which were a total biotch to get off the skin afterwards btw) but my face felt exactly as if I had done nothing at all. If anything my skin felt dried up and kind of sticky in a way even though I had rinsed thoroughly. I'll keep giving it a few more goes before tossing into the "worthless" pile but so far? Not impressed...
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - SOHO Beauty Sponge
rbyars1 7/11/2012 8:49:00 PM
Would I purchase again, hellllz yes I would! This sponge is nothing short of amazing but let me clarify something, I bought both versions of the sponge (yes there are two, one that looks just like the Beauty Blender we all know and then another version which looks more like a hmmmm football maybe? It's more oblong/ellipitcal) I like the egg shaped one MUCH better, to me it just feels softer and stipples better than the oblong one which is denser/stiffer and doesn't sit well in my hand. I simply wet the sponge with water and it fluffs up nicely, then I squeeze out the excess apply some foundation to random spots on my mug and then bounce the sponge all over blending the foundation in. I swear it blends so seemlessly that I literally looked airbrushed which is quite an accomplishment in my book. I have so many brushes that claim to do the same (i.e. MAC 187,188,130 and the famous Sigma F80) This sponge blends much faster to me and just melts the makeup right into my skin..I love love love this sponge and will be uber sad if it's actually discontinued like the reviewer below said because I need backups asap! haha
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
rbyars1 6/18/2012 7:56:00 PM
All I did was touch my skin and this stuff wiped right off which tells me that even though I buffed it in and it looked nice from afar, it was still just "sitting" there like a mask. I can also feel it on my face which is a huge turn off for me (I am not much of a foundation person to begin with) I will say that the color buff was a pretty decent match for my nw15 skin and the texture is lovely, but again I felt trapped under a mask and not naturally enhanced as a foundation should do. Drugstore foundations just do not work for me period, I need to listen to my gut and not fall to tempation/glowing reviews when it comes to a base. Oh well, 11.00 mistake, back to my tinted moisturizer and mineral powder which is where I feel comfortable and satisfied. For reference I am about nw15, normal to dry.
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Primer/ Corrector -NYX - Pore Filler
rbyars1 6/10/2012 6:44:00 PM
Love Love Love, fills and smooths pores very nicely. It reminds a lot of my now previous favorite Dr Brandt Pores No More, which is like 45.00 bucks a tube. NYX Pore filler comes out of the tube as a light beige mousse, very creamy and smooth (the color translates to the skin as clear so no worries on that). I simply squeeze a little product onto a concealer brush and pat the product into my trouble spots with large pores but I am sure fingers would work just as well. I let the product "set" for about a couple of minutes while I brush my teeth and then proceed with foundation etc..The product does not ball up in anyway and makes the skin look very smooth for the day. I wouldn't say this will give you back pore less baby skin (unless your skin is near perfect and if it is you wouldn't need pore filler anyway) but for us ladies/gents who would like to get back a little of our perfection, even if only temporary, this is definitely a winner!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Garnier - BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-In-One
rbyars1 2/28/2012 11:11:00 AM
Nope not gonna happen for me sadly. The cream was too dark for my nw15 complexion and looked very unnatural (I bought light/medium). Even though I have dry skin, it seemed to be very shiny even after powdering. The cream also did not do much more than barely even out my skin tone but did not cover any marks or blemishes at all (must still use concealer with this).Ohhhh and the worst part? It SINKS into pores something terrible. The BB cream may be right for someone out there, but definately not me; the search continues....
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Treatments -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - Triple Enzyme Peel (pre mixed)
rbyars1 2/6/2012 9:50:00 AM
I adore MUAC peels but what exactly is this one supposed to do? I washed and dried my face, smothered this peel on and proceeded with the rest of my shower. This peel was so mild I completely forgot it was on for like 15 minutes! No tingling, no burning, no sensation what so ever. It was like I had a cream on my face and that's it. I also did not notice any difference in my skin afterwards (tightening, smoothness or brightness) This peel may be good for someone with extremely sensitive skin but for me it's a no go, I need the strong stuff..
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Christian Dior - Nude Compact Gel - Natural Glow Creme-Gel makeup
rbyars1 1/27/2012 10:09:00 AM
Mehhh, not that impressed. I should have known that this compact foundation may have a waxy sort of feel to it, and it does. Somehow it manages to feel powdery and waxy at the same time and it has crappy staying power almost like it never fully sets. I am learning very quickly that creme foundations are not for me soooo back to liquid and mineral powder I go. Sorry Dior, you win some you lose some :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Walgreens - Alpha Hydroxy Lotion 8%
rbyars1 12/11/2011 4:47:00 PM
It's funny how the reviews vary so widely about the product causing acne. I was so scared to use this consistently for that very reason but went ahead and took the plunge and soooo glad that I did because even though I am sensitive to new products and comodegenic ingredients, this aha cream has not caused me any problems at all. It has actually been quite the opposite transforming my skin into a brighter, clearer and "better" version of me. I use the cream at night and yes, it smells like Elmers Glue but dissipates fast and I hardly notice the smell anymore. I have a few small indented scars on my cheeks which are greatly improved and overall appreance is more even and extremely soft. This will continue to be my night cream for a long time to come. The tub however sux royally (wish it was in a tube) but I can get past that for this delightfully cheap alternative to high end promises and lies that the department stores pawn off on us...
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Noxzema - Original Skin Cream
rbyars1 11/17/2011 2:28:00 PM
Noxzema my friend, how have a forsaken thee for so long? It's been years and years upon years since I have used Noxzema and decided on a whim when ran out of my St Ives to give it a go again. I really had forgotten how great this cleanser is, it's refreshing with that nostalgic Noxzema scent that we all know ( I myself love the scent very much) It takes off every trace of makep, including mascara leaving my skin squeaky clean but not feeling stripped of moisture and doesn't seem to break me out. The only reason I gave it a 4 lippie instead of 5 is for the tub packaging, not really crazy about it but I can deal. Will most definately buy again..
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Supermoisture Makeup
rbyars1 9/26/2011 10:53:00 AM
The formula of the actual product is not too bad.It blends pretty nicely, has a nice light airy feel too it and there are lots of color choices.The downside for me is the obvious glitter/sparkle in it (the other reviewers who mentioned this are in fact correct). I am all for a natural glow, but chunky glitter is not a "glow"...it's just chunky glitter. Trust me ladies, swatch this on your wrist and then walk out into the sunlight, you will see it and if that doesn't bother you then I say the makeup is a pretty good choice. If you do NOT like sparkle however steer clear of this one :(
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Pixi - illuminating tint & conceal
rbyars1 9/15/2011 10:19:00 AM
Omg, this stuff is hella sparkly! seriously rub a sample of this onto your hand or wrist and then walk outside into the sunlight, no that's not a natural glow you are experiencing, it's acid trip on Friday night at the rave clubbing glitter. Why do these dang cosmetic companies equate chunky sparkle with "healthy glow or lit from within"? Gimme a break.
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