Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Advanced Care Moisturizing Cream
rowenaaine 12/7/2012 5:45:00 PM
Came across this hand creme at Harmon Drug and wanted to give it a try. I had just returned a St. Ive's cream that caused an allergic reaction, so I was hoping for something gentle but effective. Aveeno Advanced Care Moisturizing Cream is fragrance free and has a thick, non-greasy texture. I have been using it at least twice a day since I bought it, also using it in conjunction with argan oil and my hands have never looked better. Soft, moisturized, and supple with healthy pink cuticles. The cream absorbs immediately and has no discernable scent to compete with my perfume or cause headaches. I hope this isn't discontinued, I find it is the best hand cream I've discovered so far. Try a tube and see if you don't draw the same conclusions.
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Treatments -Sally Hansen - Cuticle Remover Gel
rowenaaine 11/17/2012 12:04:00 PM
I had to write a review on this since it does exactly what it claims to do. And how often do you find that? I didn't want the "instant" remover, because anything that should only remain on my skin for 15 seconds can't be healthy. But this remover claimed to work in a few minutes, so I left it on 2 minutes, and then used an orange stick to push back my cuticles.All the dried skin came right off and my cutes have never looked better. Great, light scent (reminds me of sun lotion) and easy to use packaging - tube that allows you to dispense gel right where you want it. LOVE! 5 lippies across the board for being a product that is affordable, easy and actually works.
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Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Confetti Dressed To The 9's
rowenaaine 10/13/2012 8:34:00 PM
Although it looks to have more dimension in the bottle, Dressed to the Nines is still quite beautiful on the nail. Dark burgandy with copper shimmer, this is a perfect color for fall - vampy and dressy. I did sadly have a chip on day one and some tip wear, but the color is so nice, I don't mind the touch ups. Confetti has good color selection and retails for a mere $1.99 at CVS.
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Polishes -Julep - Nail Polishes
rowenaaine 10/9/2012 9:48:00 AM
Sad to see so many negative reviews on Julep polishes. I just started getting their monthly Maven boxes and have been extremely pleased with the three polishes I have tried so far. Especially happy with Claire, what Julep calls a sky-blue creme. To me it's a little darker than sky blue, but truly gorgeous. There were no issues with bubbling during/after application. I've had it on since Saturday, including lasting through a tail-gate football party in the rain on Sunday and putting air in my car's tires this morning, no chips, peels, nor any tip wear. Covered wonderfully opaque in one coat, but I did two just because that is my usual. Perhaps it's my base/top coat combo that keeps the manicure so fresh, which seems to work for every polish I wear (Essie First Base base coat and Revlon Extra Life Top Coat, with Sally Hansen Dry Kwik right after). Other Julep colors I've tried include the red glitter America the Beautiful (have it as a french tip on four accent nails from the NY Giants game this past weekend), again not even a hint of a chip. Previously, tried Chelsea, a purple glitter that was again used as an accent nail and didn't chip or fade. Love the bottle design, have no issues at all with the brush length or type of bristles. If you are on the fence about trying Julep, give them a try. Yes, they are pricey if you buy them at retail, but I rarely buy *anything* at retail. Their subscription makes them more affordable and getting the cute packages and extras make the experience that much more enjoyable. I have nine polishes by Julep, and will continue to try new colors and formulations. Edit 10/12/12: took off my Claire manicure last night after a full six days of wear. Adding topcoat twice during the week, I had no tip wear, and one chip on an index finger (from typing) that was easily touched up. There was no crazing, cracking, bubbling or peeling. I have changed the rating from 4 to 5. LOVE.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Badger - Cuticle Care
rowenaaine 9/28/2012 8:02:00 AM
The absolute best in cuticle oil. It comes in a tub like Burt's Bees (screw off lid would be better so you don't break a nail getting it open), but smells like rosemary and citrus. Unlike Burt's Bees, does not get a rancid smell after having it for awhile. Dip your finger into the waxy contents and it immediately warms and softens to your touch. I put it on my cuticles every night (fingers and toes) and gently rub it in. For my hands, I follow with hand cream. Voila, no more dry cuticles or hang nails. Just wonderful. Yes, it is a little greasy when you first apply, which is why I recommend using it before bed, not so much during the day. But it does sink in pretty fast. I love this stuff, and the cute badger on the tin is an added attraction!
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Lotions/ Creams -St. Ives - Daily Hydrating Vitamin E Body Lotion
rowenaaine 9/28/2012 7:48:00 AM
I wanted to love this, as I was a fan of St. Ives skin care when I was in my 20s. I bought this body lotion and loved how it felt - sank in and moisturized without feeling greasy, and had the most wonderful fragrance. Like another reviewer mentioned, the scent went perfectly with Donna Karan BeDelicious, one of my favorite perfumes. Sadly, within 2 days of using, I had a migraine - which I haven't had in months. I wondered if the heavy (though lovely) scent had brought it on, so after I recovered I went without the St. Ives for four days, then tried a teeny bit of it on my hands again yesterday. By 10 am, a headache was coming on, so I am fairly sure it was this product that triggered the earlier migraine. I don't normally have reactions to fragrance, so I'm sad that I won't be using this. But it is a very hydrating lotion that absorbs well..
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Polishes -Essie - Scarlett O'Hara
rowenaaine 9/17/2012 3:24:00 PM
Essie's 'Scarlett O'Hara' was my pedicure choice yesterday, and it is a gorgeous metallic red with berry undertones. Very pleased with the depth of color and wish I'd gotten it for my manicure as well! Will try OPI's 'I'm Not Really a Waitress' to make a comparison and repurchase whichever looks best with my pale skin. Very happy with the choice.
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Polishes -Essie - Over the Knee
rowenaaine 9/17/2012 3:19:00 PM
Picked 'Over the Knee' for my manicure this week, and was sadly disappointed in the color. When out in the sunlight, OTK is a lovely toffee color with a subtle bronze sheen. Indoors, however, it just looks like dog poop. And I'm a brown-polish lover, I just find this one to be totally flat unless my hands are on the steering wheel or waving in the sun. In the office, meh. Edit 9/23/12: As much as I was disappointed with the color, I added a lippie because today is day 8 and I've had no chips - just tip wear. I'm impressed with how well Over the Knee wore all week. It did finally grow on me, but will still pass on purchasing it.
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Top/Base Coats -Revlon - Extra Life Top Coat
rowenaaine 9/14/2012 4:12:00 PM
Thanks MUA! I was searching on here for a new top coat that will truly extend my manicure and won't chip in a day or two. Based on the reviews here, I bought Revlon Extra Life Top Coat. Used it on my manicure on Sunday night, put a second coat on Tuesday night (there had been no chipping at all at that point) and on Thursday (Day 4) I had a minor chip on each of my index fingers and minimal tip wear. Today, Day 5, I'm getting tip wear, but HOLY COW, five days for a manicure to last looking this good? Excellent. The formulation is fairly thin, no globs or stickiness. Dries quickly and is pretty shiny. Will definitely buy again.
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Polishes -Essie - Limo-Scene
rowenaaine 9/11/2012 10:17:00 AM
One of my favorite Essie colors. It does take a little patience and concentration to put it on without streaking, but you are rewarded with a beautiful milky pinkish white color. Great for a professional environment and also works with french tips.
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Top/Base Coats -Sally Hansen - No Chip
rowenaaine 9/6/2012 2:15:00 PM
Absolutely terrible. The only redeeming feature of No Chip is the glass-like shine that you get. However, No Chip not only chips, it makes your polish craze like the fissures you see in old porcelain, then crack, then pop off in shards. I suspect the formula somehow "tightens" your underlying layers of polish, which causes the cracking. It's a shame, the glossy finish was very promising - but sadly this top coat is not a keeper. Will not repurchase.
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Polishes -Sally Hansen - Dry Kwik Nail Color Dryer
rowenaaine 9/5/2012 12:56:00 PM
No issues, does exactly what its supposed to do. I'm surprised that other reviewers weren't aware that many quick drying products include mineral oil. It's the best way to set your polish. As soon as I've finished my base coat, 2 or 3 coats of color, and top coat, I brush on the Dry Kwik. Literally within moments, the nails are completely "finished." I run my hands under cold water to set the color and gently pat my hands dry. Voila: perfect manicure. Works every time for me, no exceptions.
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Polishes -Revlon - Sheer Pink
rowenaaine 8/27/2012 1:36:00 PM
My new go-to polish for work. I have been a fan of Essie Limoscene, but on me Revlon Sheer Pink goes on less streaky, dries quickly and lasts longer.Very professional and clean, your-nails-but-better look. Would definitely rebuy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Mascara with Lash Boosting Serum
rowenaaine 7/25/2012 2:46:00 PM
Since 2009, L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tubes has been my HG mascara, but during a recent trip to CVS I gave Double Extend with Lash Boosting Serum a try. While I don't think it builds the same length or volume as Beauty Tubes, it's pretty close. And my lashes remain quite soft after mascara application. Reading reviews on MA, I saw that this version of Double Extend was also being packaged with an evening lash serum so I just picked one up on ebay. I'm interested to see if my lash growth improves with continued use. Just like Beauty Tubes, this Double Extend has two steps: a white eyelash primer followed by colored mascara. The mascara goes over the primer *before* the primer dries. It doesn't remove the same way as tubes, but is easily removed without residue with simple face wash or makeup remover. Would likely repurchase and alternate with the Beauty Tubes.
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Masks -Freeman - Facial Enzyme Mask Pineapple
rowenaaine 3/20/2010 11:19:00 AM
Spring has sprung, and I was looking for something new to freshen up my winter-dull skin. I picked this up at the local Rite-Aid for about $3.59 and figured the fruit enzymes would be just the ticket for a little exfoliation. I put this on after washing my face - it says to put it on generously, which I did: a thick, gel-like layer, avoiding the eye area. What I noticed immediately was an amazing cooling feeling. I mean, my face was literally cold! I loved that! I went about my business doing laundry and what not, left it on about 15 minutes. Still cold! As I rinsed it off, I gently massaged to exfoliate. After fully rinsing, my skin was rosy and glowing, and even after moisturizing, felt somewhat cool. I really like this mask and will use it again soon. And the scent is heavenly. Just a note, though: it is not a mask that will dry. It remains thick and tacky - and I believe that's the way it's supposed to be. If you are looking for a peel off, or something more like a tightening clay mask, this isn't the mask for you.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No