Treatments -Skinceuticals - C+AHA serum
reesycakes 5/8/2006 2:07:00 PM
I have been using this serum for the past two months and can already see the difference. Prior to using this, I have used regular C serums (Skinceuticals and Cffectives), which were good b/c they made my skin seem brighter somehow (Cffectives was better than Skinceuticals though). But with the C+AHA, my skin tone also seems to have evened out much more quickly, in conjunction with Obagi Clear. I'm guessing the AHA helps lighten my red marks and the C helps my sunscreen work more effectively so as to prevent new spots. This does not burn/irritate my skin at all. I am fairly acne-prone and this has not made me breakout once. There is a slight sticky sensation that goes away quickly. I never feel it on underneath my lotion and makeup. After using for two months, it is still the slightly deep champagne color (def not brown) it was when I received it. I highly recommend this.
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Skincare - Face -Dr. Denese - Exfoliating Facial Firming Pads
reesycakes 2/15/2006 9:20:00 AM
I've been addicted to QVC lately, and after watching Dr. Denese about a dozen times, I was finally suckered into buying this. I was between chemical exfoliation products at the time, so I could tell the difference rite off the bat. My pores definitely felt cleaner and my skin smoother (my foundation looks much better now). as for being firmer--if there is a difference, it is miniscule. This is not a miracle worker, but it will give good exfoliation in a quick swipe. I could do without the slightly sticky residue, but like a previous reviewer said, you won't notice it when you're sleeping and you shouldn't be touching your face anyway. Despite that sticky feeling, I haven't broken out at all in the past few months, and I do have problematic skin. I think the biggest problem people have with this is the price. It is rather pricey, but since each pad is soaked through with a LOT of liquid, I can cut each pad in half and still have enuf to lightly go over my neck and hands. Once you cut the cost in half like that, it's really quite affordable. And if you get it as part of a kit, it's dirt cheap. Cheaper than drugstore products, IMO.
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Liquid -Lancome - Teint Idole ULTRA [DISCONTINUED]
reesycakes 10/17/2005 11:15:00 AM
My skin is pretty sensitive/acne-prone, so I waited a couple months before reviewing this. I'm happy to report that this never once broke me out! =) The only other long-lasting foundation I've tried is Revlon Colorstay, which isn't bad for the price, but it was getting too exp looking for the right shade. I found a reasonably good color match with the Teinte Idole Ultra--out of all the medium-full coverage foundations, this looks best in pictures (the Colorstay looked pretty mask-ish). It's not totally full coverage--I will still need to find a good concealer to completely cover up my old acne marks, but this covers them adequately. I do love how light this feels on my skin and how long it lasts. I've never tested it the full 14 hrs, but it lasts a full day of work and maybe a quick shopping trip afterwards with only slight slight fading. My T-zone is fairly oily (but not too too bad), and this holds up fine in that area. Surprisingly, it also wears fine on my drier cheeks and chin (no flaking). It gets a rare 5 from me.
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Lipstick -Kevyn Aucoin - Expert Lip Tint in Dantique
reesycakes 10/17/2005 10:59:00 AM
I'd been searching for the perfect sheer red lipcolor for my Asian complexion, and after reading the reviews for this, I decided to try it. I wasn't sure what to expect, especially since I had no idea what shade of red I needed, since nothing I previously tried had looked good against my skin. This definitely is not a red red...when I swipe it across my lips once, it comes off as a slight burgandy-red and fades quickly to a very pretty MLBB pink stain. This is pretty pigmented for a sheer l/s, so it will get significantly darker with each swipe. My lips are extremely dry, and it seems Px lipsticks are the only ones that will moisturize them enuf, though this certainly does not dry them out...it just doesn't moisturize much. I put this on w/ a lip balm or Aquaphor. I'm not used to handling the square tube (feels a bit too light and flimsy), but it is unique and very attractive. I really do love this color (it gives my lips a plump and healthier look), but since it's not quite red, IMO, I'm giving it a 4. Still on the search for the perfect red.....
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Lip Gloss -Neutrogena - Moistureshine Lipgloss in Glam
reesycakes 8/12/2005 11:14:00 AM
i don't have much experience with lip gloss--mostly b/c the ones i have tried on have felt too sticky and messy for me to deal with. but i think i'll be repurchasing this one. the color is great. very bright in the tube, but you only get a wash of that color on your lips unless you really pile it on. i'm Asian with medium skin tone, but i imagine this color going well with lots of skin tones. oh, and the color stays for a good bit too--mine stayed on from morning till lunch. it's moisturizing enuf on my constantly chapped lips. while the fragrance isn't bad, it reminds me of that numbing stuff the dentist uses...so it's not entirely pleasant either. it's def bearable and fades quickly enuf anyway.
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Lipstick -Maybelline - Moisture Whip Lipstick
reesycakes 5/25/2005 9:25:00 AM
This is the first drugstore l/s i've been able to find that rivals Prescriptives, which was the only brand that wouldn't dry out my lips. I've found that the "pearl finish" is more moisturizing than the "cream finish" (you can see which is which on Maybelline.com), as you'd prob expect. The color lasts surprisingly long for the moisture level, and the selection is pretty good. Best of all, it's about a third of the price of Px! Definitely will be repurchasing. **UPDATE** While I still like this l/s, i can't stand the tube. The cap loses its grip after a while. Def need to keep this in a separate makeup bag, so it doesn't mess up your purse.
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Treatments -Estee Lauder - Idealist Micro-D Thermal Refinisher
reesycakes 8/3/2004 10:43:00 AM
i must have very tough skin b/c i didn't find this to "burn" at all. in fact, i would have been happier if this were stronger. the warming sensation can be described (to me) as a warm to very warm feeling. not hot at all. the scrubbers are small and gentle. i'm still on the fence about this product. i feel like i'm giving it the benefit of the doubt b/c it's an expensive product...but in reality...i'm thinking a normal scrub could produce the same results. i may use this in combination with real microderms, which are SO much more intense. for those people who complained about the redness--you're lucky--that's what you get with real microderms. to be able to get that effect with Micro-D is awesome for the price!
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Lip Gloss -Estee Lauder - Pure Color Gloss
reesycakes 7/1/2004 4:03:00 PM
i have this in Star Pink, which is a great light color for combining with a lipstick (i wouldn't wear this alone). while i like the feel of it on (not too sticky), it does not stay on a very long time. it comes rite off when eating, unlike the Chanel Glossimer i test drove. there is a scent, but it's not overpowering and fades away soon, so it does not bother me. no taste as far as i can tell. packaging is nice! i would buy this again if there's another color i have to have, BUT in general, i'd rather spend $6 more on a Glossimer b/c of the staying power.
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Aquaphor Healing Ointment
reesycakes 5/20/2004 12:01:00 PM
LOVE this! my lips have been dry ever since i had Accutane (several yrs ago) and this is the only thing that has worked and stood the test of time. i wish i knew of this -during- Accutane! price is just okay. i have both the tub (home) and the tube (purse), which is more sanitary. i just wish the tube came in a travel size.
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Treatments -Advanced Skin Technology - Green Cream by AST
reesycakes 5/3/2004 10:51:00 AM
i used to go to the derm who shared the same clinic as Dr. Terezakis--why didn't they tell me about this earlier?? well, i found out about this cream on the boards and have been test driving a sample size (which lasts a really long time for a sample, i have to say) for the past month. don't be expecting a miracle. after all, these things do take time. but i'm loving the cream so far and am seeing its potential. the first two weeks, i used it twice a week. then i upped it to every other day. by now, my skin def looks better, though i won't say the hyperpigmentation is close to leaving...but there is some slight improvement. i'll give them another year, maybe less if i added a skin lightener to my regimen. also, my texture seems smoother and more healthy (less dull). as an added bonus, i love the smell! *UPDATE* i've been using this for several months now and i am loving it more and more. in conjunction with CDLM, my skin is noticeably smoother and more even-toned. my hyperpigmentation and red marks are not gone, but somehow my skin just looks healthier. i still love the way it feels/smells when i put it on. i have upped it to 1x/day.
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Cleansers -Eucerin - Pore Purifying Foaming Wash ] [DISCONTINUED]
reesycakes 3/30/2004 5:52:00 PM
i normally review products on MUA before purchasing, but i had gone to two drugstores without finding the st. ives purifying cleanser, which i had used a while back with success...so i ended up getting this as a last min resort, thinking it would be similar. i have combo skin, which is a tad drier than it is oily. this product really dried out my skin. it didn't give me flakes at least, but it was dry to the touch...and when i leaned close to the mirror, i could see the tightness. i slather on the moisturizer after this and alternate with MK timewise cleanser--there's no way i could use this morning -and- nite. also, the packaging could be better if it were in pump form. the consistency is also very runny. at least it takes off just about all my makeup, so it gets a 3. i'll be using it till it's gone, but won't repurchase.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara
reesycakes 12/15/2003 12:00:00 PM
my HG mascara, used it for years. this does exactly what it claims to do--thickens and lengthens my lashes without making them stiff. i have pretty watery eyes, but the waterproof formula stays on through it all. if i rub my eyes hard, some will smudge off, esp if it hasn't been long since i applied it. i haven't found a mascara that doesn't do that, so i find that to be normal. the price is good for the quality. i replace my mascara at least 2-3x/yr, so i don't want to spend all that money on an equally or slightly better mascara at the dept store.
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Eyeliner -Revlon - Colorstay Eyeliner
reesycakes 12/15/2003 11:50:00 AM
i have this in black, black/brown, and charcoal. they're all great colors and serve diff purposes. black/brown is my most recent purchase, but it's gonna be my HG everyday color for my HG e/l. black is good for a nite out. charcoal is very light, so it's good for when i want to wear light and pastel-y colors. in comparison to maybelline, this lasts better without smudging, wearing off, or tearing off on my oily eyelids. i usu wash my face in the middle of the day to let my skin breathe and then reapply fresh makeup. but yesterday, i applied the black/brown over a jane e/s powder and left it on all day, from 9am (church) all the way to 11pm (end of christmas party). it lasted till i removed it at nite! i did occasionally wipe at my undereye to get rid of any shadows, but there really wasn't anything obvious there. i highly recommend this! i just wish it were cheaper...it IS still a drugstore brand, after all.
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Powder -Maybelline - PureStay Powder Foundation
reesycakes 12/10/2003 9:01:00 AM
i've had this for several months. at first, i thought it was just okay. but now, i've grown to like it much more. i'm a bigger fan of the dewey look, which this obviously doesn't give, so i only use this when i want a quick fix. PROS: 1. CONVENIENCE!! 2. no flakes on my dry areas. 3. feels silky on my skin. 4. doesn't rub off! (i can run my fingernail lightly down my skin, and nothing will come off.) 5. natural-looking coverage (sheer to med) evens out my blotchy skin tone. 6. SPF15. 7. no breakouts!! CONS: 1. doesn't exactly match my skin tone, but what can you expect from a drugstore foundation. 2. compact broke on me (of course, i dropped it...hehe). i didn't have the oxidization probs that others have had, or the need to pre-moisturize, although i do anyway. i have combo/acne-prone skin.
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Lip Treatments -Neutrogena - Lip Moisturizer
reesycakes 12/4/2003 10:16:00 AM
this is the best for wearing under lipstick. or wearing anytime during the day, thanks to the SPF. however, for -real- moisturizing, i prefer others.
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