Other -Unlisted Brand - blueprint cleanse
righteousred 11/29/2012 10:55:00 AM
I need to be upfront and say I am not a cleanse fanatic, but after the major eating holidays, I like to do something that feels healthy to get rid of all the bloat. So far I have done two 3-day cleanses (and I'm starting another in 2 days to atone for Thanksgiving. Anyway, like the previous reviewer stated, these are $$$$ but I don't feel bad about the splurge because the quality is very high (all organic, delivered to your door). The green juice isn't even scary (I buy stand-alone green juices from Whole Foods simply because I like them. Which is just crazy.) The pineapple-mint juice might be the most delicious thing in the entire world, and the cashew milk is lovely (though I sneak in a pinch of salt). I don't love love the spicy lemonade, but it's fine. I haven't tried the beet. It could all be in my head, but I feel less crappy afterwards and I am always inspired to eat a little healthier which makes a huge difference. Periodically they email discount codes so you might want to try it then. I would give 5 lipsticks for taste alone, but I took one off because the price can really give you sticker shock.
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Mascara -Smashbox - Lash DNA 
righteousred 11/16/2010 12:48:00 PM
I can make almost any mascara work with a little work, but this was abysmal. Two coats left me with stringy, spidery lashes . . . No volume whatsoever. To add insult to injury, it smudged ALL over after about 1/2 a day (and I rarely have smudge issues) AND was difficult to remove with cleansing oil to boot. The ridiculous brush shape made it impossible to get the bottom lashes and the corners - and because of the weird bristle shape, you're in danger of poking your eye if you wiggle it as the base. I honestly can't think of one nice thing to say about it!
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Shampoo -Shu Uemura - blue muroto volume shampoo
righteousred 11/5/2009 10:09:00 AM
I bought this (along with the conditioner) on the spur of the moment as part of a birthday gift to myself splurge (I got a Shu Uemura Art of Hair ceremony). I'm not sure I expected that much performance out of it - it was just the pleasure of having bought such a luxurious product y'know - but really, I can't say enough good things about it. I have very fine, wavy hair that is normal/oily at the scalp and drier at the ends and I've tried MANY a volumizing shampoo - most feel like they've "over cleansed" and I'm left with crispy, straw-like hair. I mean, sure, you have volume, but it doesn't feel that nice. Enter Blue Muroto - I can't speak for the hype, but I do know that it lathered VERY well (a very little goes a long way which is nice at $40 per bottle) and YET managed to not leave my hair feeling dry. So far so good. However, I felt *something* different about my hair . . . it is like a very mild version of beach hair in a way, but not product-y and sticky. I guess it has to do with the mineral content of the shampoo. Anyway, as for results: I got a perfect, swingy, volume filled blow dry out of this. Obviously it's pricey. Really pricey. However, it does what it says and if you have the ready cash you could do worse with it. The bottle is sleek and beautiful and the smell is fresh and inoffensive. Overall, I'm very pleased with it.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara in Black
righteousred 2/15/2009 2:24:00 AM
I like the concept of tube mascara in general - sometimes you just want to be able to do a makeup 'quick change' (say you're removing makeup at the gym) and not have to fuss with removing your mascara and making a mess. Previously I used the spendy Kiss Me mascara by Blinc (I think it's up to $27 now? vs. ~$8ish) and I don't like that HALF as much as this one. Beauty Tubes has a primer + mascara configuration - which really does do a great job of volumizing and lengthening the lashes (especially for a tube mascara - it's not their strong suit). Plus it rinses clean. I take off my makeup with an oil cleanser and then just wipe off the little tubes. It won't smudge a BIT during the day. REALLY. No smudges. And it "hardens" enough to maintain a curl without looking too stiff. It has a glossy finish and doesn't tend to clump. Doesn't bother my contact lenses. Actually, I'm so pleased with it, I've started wearing this as my primary mascara (not just when I know I'll be going to the gym later). I'd choose something else for a nighttime mascara for extra drama, but for daily wear, this one's great.
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Misc Beauty Tools -DHC - Silky Cotton
righteousred 12/5/2008 7:29:00 PM
I can't believe I'm reviewing cotton pads, haha. But seriously - these are really the most awesome tools I have to take my makeup off/apply toner with. They are very very soft and silky (just like the name says) and just glide over your skin. Best of all, they don't leave any fibers all over your face (which is very good for me since I wear contacts).
Even my H (who is quite oblivious to most things beauty related) commented on them and now I have to order double because he uses them with his salicylic acid toner ever night, too!
A bit pricey for cotton pads ($4.50 for a box of 80), but I really do love them. If you're ordering something else from DHC, why not try a box?
PS - they're excellent for taking off nail polish too.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
righteousred 10/9/2008 5:27:00 PM
I must preface review by saying I am a bit of a foundation ho. I have tried just about everything and have rarely repurchased, since I'm always looking for something better. I have become (and still am) a big fan of mineral makeups since most liquids fail to live up to expectations - they don't cover enough, or they settle into my pores or they melt off or whatever. This one made me revise my opinion of liquid fxs though.
This is truly a full coverage foundation that covers a LOT (see the pics at the end of the review) but without feeling heavy and gross on my face. I don't even really need concealer with it. The staying power is better than average also - I truly don't find that it's slid around much by the end of the day. I do have normal skin that is not particularly oily though, so that might have something to do with it. I like the "glowy" finish - matte foundations are aging IMO. Love the pump bottle.
As some previous reviewers suggested, I did NOT apply this with a foundation brush. I dot approx 1.5 pumps foundation on my face and then spread it out with my Px Buff Brush (much like a flat head kabuki - a dense natural hair brush). The choice of brush is KEY. I do not get the same even/natural application with my fingers or a regular foundation brush.
A note about choosing color. The numbers don't necessarily coincide to the "darkness" of the shade - there are different undertones much like Kevin Aucoin's line. I am pretty darn fair and pink (MAC NW15) - I almost always wear the lightest and coolest toned foundations in a line. However, the very lightest one (110 Pink Porcelain) here made me look a little too pale. Strangely, 115 Ivory (which is supposed to be for cool undertones) appeared too dark on my skin, but 117 Marble (which should have been too yellow) was just right. Go figure. Anyway, if you don't find your shade at first, play around with ones that you might not intuitively go for in the beginning.
And now for scary no-makeup pictures:
These were not touched up except to get rid of red-eye, so you can really see what a difference the foundation makes.
96 out of 96 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Laura Mercier - Mineral Powder SPF 15
righteousred 9/18/2008 9:50:00 PM
I have purchased several mineral makeup foundations (BE, Jane Iredale, Px, one other whose name escapes me right now) and this one is so far the best. It is very finely milled so it doesn't emphasize my pores (like Px), it is "pearlized" but NOT sparkly (like BE), it comes in a good color for my skin (Tender Rose, one that is not too yellow like JE) and it has the best packaging I've encountered for a loose powder (a little dial that closes some of the sifter holes so you can control how much powder is floating about. I am a 30 yo normal/dry PPP with redness around the nose and mouth and this covers beautifully and manages to last all day without settling into any fine lines (I do use it with the mineral primer, so that might have something to do with the staying powder) when applied with a BB Kabuki brush. It honestly doesn't look like I'm wearing makeup. I get stopped by strangers and asked/complimented about my skin when I'm wearing this, so that tells you something.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Dermalogica - MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque
righteousred 1/26/2005 6:10:00 PM
Skin type: normal to dry, slightly sensitive This is the first mask that I've bought that I've actually *USED* Everything else, I try once and then forget about, but this one is very special. It really reduces redness in my skin and makes it look fresher and more hydrated. I have not experienced dry skin or breakouts from this mask - I think it has something to do with the Vitamin A.
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Scrubs -Dermalogica - Daily Microfoliant
righteousred 1/26/2005 6:06:00 PM
I'll preface this review by saying that I am a Dermologica lover. It seems that many people either love this brand or hate. Skin type: Normal to dry with occasional TOM breakouts; somewhat sensitive Pros: This product is fabulous for my skin. I initially received a facial in the Dermologica flagship store and the esthetician recommended this product as it is their *signature* product. My skin has never looked quite so clear and transluscent. After using it, any blackheads that I do have (on nose) are much, much "softer" and so easy to extract. I don't find it irritating *at all* and use it every day in the morning after cleansing. Cons: The stupid packaging (as mentioned below). I did not take off any lippies because you get used to it after a week or so and it becomes easy to pour out the right amount and then add the right amount of water.
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Shampoo -Phyto - Phytocitrus
righteousred 8/24/2004 5:53:00 PM
I have fine, wavy hair that is normal at the roots and dry at the ends. It is color treated, but not highlighted. Personally, this shampoo did not work for me because it really seemed to dry my hair out. The shampoo itself is a very thin consistency that tends to over-pour out of the bottle (causing you to waste $$). You leave it on your hair for several minutes and then wash out. Well, then I am left with the herculean task of trying to comb through the *serious* tangles left behind. Practically the only thing that helps is the Phytocitrus mask (hmmmm . . . ) which is way to heavy to be used every day. Plus, as all the previous reviewers have stated: the packaging is HORRIBLE! Stupid wide mouth glass bottle in the shower = pending cut toe disaster. The one plus on this shampoo is the smell: it is a perfect ripe grapefruit smell that is just heavenly. Sigh. Too bad it didn't work out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Chanel - Age Delay Nuit [DISCONTINUED]
righteousred 8/24/2004 3:12:00 AM
I was talked into this by a lovely Chanel SA at *exactly* the moment that I was contemplating a new moisturizer. That's pretty much the only reason I ended up with this. The smell is very Chanel (you know what I mean) and the texture is surprisingly light and non-greasy for a night cream. I happen to have normal, sometimes sensitive skin and nothing in this jar caused me to break out or have a rash (always positive points when considering a moisturizer, no?) However, I just can't quantify what it is actually doing for my mid-20's skin. I've tossed the box, so I don't have the ingredient list but I don't recall any "proven" age fighters (just botanicals). So . . . . I think that the cream is rather pricey for what it is - essentially just a hydrator for my skin. A nice one, but still. Oh! and it's in jar form. I hate sticking my fingers in a jar so that's a point against it also if you are also concerned about that sort of thing.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Tracie Martyn firming serum
righteousred 2/22/2004 10:20:00 PM
I admit it. I bought this product because of that Allure article that had Liv Tyler saying that this stuff was miraculous. I wanted skin like Liv Tyler. We ALL want skin like Liv Tyler. So I sucked it up and ordered the serum (and the mask) from the website and hid the credit card statement from DH. Now, hearing the testimonials from the various porcelin-skinned stars who use this, I had fairly high hopes for the product. I followed the instructions religiously. AND . . . . . . . . . nothing much. Skin felt a little smoother maybe, not quite as dry (was going through a dry phase at the time). Not firmer as far as I can tell. But what I was really hoping to get out of this was that clear/translucent look to the skin. I didn't get that. So needless to say, I just used it and will not repurchase. Also, if *you* are planning on adding this to your skincare routine, be forewarned that you will go through the bottle quickly! I used mine in 2 months (following instructions). As for the smell that everyone's mentioning, I must be a freak because I liked it. Rather herbal, IMO. I guess my review on this product could have been summed up in one acronym: YMMV. BTW: My skin is fairly normal with a tendency towards dryness.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No