Styling Products -Davines - Volu Mist
sarah7855 3/5/2013 9:22:00 AM
My stylist used this on my fine, colored, shoulder length hair that doesn't hold style for anything. She sprayed it all around my roots and worked it through, then dried and flat ironed my hair into this great voluminous style. The style held for the rest of the day, which is absolutely unheard of for my hair. I went back and bought a bottle of this stuff the very next day. I've used it since (about 3 weeks) and it gives me loads of volume that has serious staying power without drying my hair out or fading my color (which other volumizing products tend to do). I have found that spraying it on my hands and working it through my roots really well right before blow drying gives the best results. It contains the following: Alfalfa extract - strenghtening and anti-aging action; Sorbitol - a sugar to add moisture; and Wheat proteins - restoring and fortifying action. The spray bottle is environmentally friendly and is pretty much the perfect packing for this product. Also, it smells nice and fresh, always a plus. It is a salon product, so not the cheapest in the world (I paid about $20 for 250ml) but it'll last awhile because I don't have to use very much. The results are worth it!
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Cleansers -Acne.org - Cleanser
sarah7855 1/10/2013 4:20:00 PM
I've been using this cleanser along with the treatment gel for the past 6 years. It is the only thing that has ever, and I mean ever, gotten my skin clear. Sometimes I get fussy about having to pay the higher than normal shipping prices and try to switch to a drugstore cleanser only to break out again. This cleanser is very mild, lathers and rinses nicely, and the packaging is about as good as it gets. If you are not familiar with Daniel Kern's acne.org treatment regime, do go check it out. You must be gentle with your skin in order for it to clear up. I have proven this to myself time and time again when I follow this regime vs. when I don't. Overall, this is my HG cleanser and one I will always repurchase.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Biotin (All brands)
sarah7855 1/10/2013 4:14:00 PM
I have been trying to grow my hair out lately and had read so much good stuff about biotin online, so I picked up a bottle of 1000mg tablets at Target for like $2.49. They were small and easy to swallow which is always nice because so many supplements are like horse pills. I started taking one along with my daily multi and within a week noticed that my nails were growing like weeds. They were very long, insanely strong and very pretty. I was psyched. My hair began falling out less and less and seemed stronger. Even more psyched. Then...my face went absolutely crazy. I broke out with these huge cystic pimples all over my face which were so painful and embarrasing. I did a quick google search and sure enough, excess biotin is known to aggravate acne. I stopped taking them about 2 weeks ago and my skin is now back to normal. The difference was so noticable-I stopped taking it, and within three days all the inflamed pimples were not swollen anymore and well on the way to healing. My nails are back to normal too though, they've all broken off. I gave this a 3 because it does what it's supposed to with the hair and nails, but it has the unfortunate side effect of bad breakouts. I'll take normal hair and nails over acne any day.
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Lip Treatments -Chapstick - green apple
sarah7855 7/24/2012 4:12:00 PM
I am a lip balm addict. Always have to have something with me at all times or my lips go crazy. However, my guy isn't big on stuff on my lips. This one has proven to be the exception due to its great apple jolly rancher-like smell and light flavor. It's not too heavy and leaves your lips looking and feeling great.
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Scrubs -St. Ives - Apricot Scrub Blemish and Blackhead Control
sarah7855 7/24/2012 3:02:00 PM
I've been using this scrub for about 13 years and love it. I've tried a few others over the years but they never stand up to this one. It's thick but not too thick and the grains really do their job. I don't feel like exfoliants with the rounded beads in them always do the most thorough job at getting your face smooth. I use this stuff about twice a week, and also on my neck and upper chest about once a week. It rinses clean, leaves my skin as smooth as can be, and helps reduce breakouts and blackheads. I have learned a trick over the years of using this: it works MUCH better with the steam in your shower. I wash my face, then rub this stuff on and let it sit for a couple minutes while I shave my legs and stuff, then rinse. Maybe the salicylic acid has more time to work or something, IDK, but I notice that my skin is much smoother and softer using it this way vs. just rinsing it right off. Overall, my HG scrub and one I will always repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Powder Brush
sarah7855 7/10/2012 9:05:00 AM
Ok, so I've always read about ladies using powder brushes as foundation brushes on this board, and I thought they were crazy, lol. I tried to visualize just how that would work, and could only picture globs of liquid foundation caking up a brush, and that would not make for a good application. So, after reading so many good things about this powder brush, I picked one up from Target and used it for powder. It is soooo soft and works really well. And it's $3 so how can you go wrong?!Anyhow, I kept looking at it each morning after applying my powder and asking myself how the heck it would work for foundation, and decided to just give it a try one day. I picked up a new one from Target and used it to apply my Colorstay whipped foundation. OMG. Perfection. I am so happy to say that I was so wrong! It is so easy to apply with this brush! It took me no time to pick up the technique because it was just so easy, self explanatory really. And the best part...it took half the time of using sponges, flat foundation brushes, or fingers. It buffed away lots of imperfections that I normally would have to go back and use concealer on, so I used much less of that too. When I was done, I looked at the brush, and there was next to nothing on it-no caking, no mess. And no shedding. Awesome! HG brush for foundation AND powders!
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Concealers -Sonia Kashuk - Hidden Agenda Concealer Kit
sarah7855 7/2/2012 4:39:00 PM
I have been on a travel friendly makeup mission lately, and was very happy when I came across the reviews for this. I stay over at my boyfriend's house a lot, so I want makeup that is going to be portable, quick and easy to apply, and not mask-like. I really like this concealer palette. It's small and thin, easy to fit into the makeup bag. The mix of colors is great, the formula is nice and creamy but covers well, and it's easy to apply since it's all right there in a palette (versus, say, a tube or wand). I use a small brush to apply concealer, so the palette is especially helpful. If I had a choice, I'd probably replace the powder with another concealer shade to make this even better, but it's not the end of the world. This doesn't *always* last a full day on me, but I do have oily skin so not a lot of things do. Overall, I'm very pleased and will definitely repurchase.
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Bronzers -Sonia Kashuk - bare illuminating bronzer
sarah7855 7/2/2012 3:44:00 PM
Love this stuff! It looks so pretty in the packaging with the alligator-like design pressed into the bronzer, and the compact has a full mirror and a good magnetic closure. It comes with a wide brush applicator, but I apply this with my standard bronzer brush at home. It is highly pigmented and gives a gorgeous shimmery bronze glow-not fake at all, and I think this would be very flattering on a wide range of skintones. I like that this is *shimmery* without being *glittery* too, that is a pet peeve of mine. I use this on my cheeks and lightly on the points where sun would naturally hit. I've also used it on my eyelids on those weekend days where I am doing a super quick makeup application and don't feel like messing with eyeshadow. It looks great and holds up very nicely. Will definitely repurchase!
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lemon Juice
sarah7855 6/21/2012 11:35:00 AM
I'm actually pretty amazed by this stuff. I like using home remedies for my acne prone skin, but always thought lemon juice would be way too harsh for it. After reading all the reviews on here, I decided to give it a try. I bought a bottle of 100% lemon juice for less than $2.00 and gave it a whirl one night. I put a little water on a cotton ball and then followed with the lemon juice. It did sting slightly on the couple of open breakouts that I had, but nothing too bad at all. But the amazing part is that it actually made those areas less red and smoother. I totally thought that the acid would make them all red and angry looking. Then the next day, they were reduced to nearly nothing and my hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts was less noticeable. I've never had a product work that fast. It took two huge pimples on my forehead down to very light little leftover spots in about 3 days. I use it each night before going to bed and have noticed a big reduction in breakouts, lightening and smoothing of hyperpigmentation, less oil overall (and I'm super oily normally) and an allover brighter appearance. I'd easily pay $$$ for that, but nope..it's less than $2.00 and that bottle will last me months. And-no worry of it being discontinued :) UPDATE: I just have to add on to this review. I've been using lemon juice each night before bed for a couple months now, and in the 16 years that I have struggled with acne and crazy oily skin, I have never seen my face react so well to a treatment. I am utterly amazed at how much smoother my face is, the dramatic reduction in both the frequency and severity of my breakouts, and the overall lightening of leftover acne marks/scars and brightening of my skin. It's incredible. It amazes me how quickly this stuff kills a pimple and also prevents one that's forming from actually showing up. My skin just seems to be behaving sooo much better since I began using this. For example, I normally get at least one, usually two big cystic pimples and a handful of smaller ones around my period, and the hyperpigmentation from these lasts a couple months or more. My skin's texture usually changes noticeably as well, becoming more oily, pores much larger, and all over just "rougher". Since I have been using the lemon juice, I got zero cystic pimples and only two very tiny ones during my cycle that went away in one day. Literally. My pores didn't get big, and my skin during my cycle is now just like my skin during a regular week prior to using this. I can't sing the praises of lemon juice enough. It may not work for everyone, but if you are looking for something inexpensive, natural, or just something that plain WORKS, give this a try. It may be just what you are looking for!
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Boots - Botanics conditioning clay mask
sarah7855 6/13/2012 10:24:00 AM
This was another product that I picked up because of the good reviews on here. I wanted a mask to use around the time of my cycle when my skin starts to go haywire, but wasn't having much luck. I am allergic to sulfur so can't use a fair amount of them. This one is a pretty thin liquid consistency. Be careful when opening as you must shake this well before use. My bathroom counter ended up with green spots all over it when I first tried this, unaware of the consistency. Anyhow, it glides on really well and feels nice. You leave it on for 10-15 minutes as it dries and then it washes off easily. You can see darker spots on your face where it's absorbed excess oils and other yucky stuff, which I did like. After use, my skin felt nice and soft and refined, and it does seem to help lessen the breakouts around my period. Will definitely be repurchasing.
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Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
sarah7855 6/13/2012 10:02:00 AM
Wow, I am in love!! HG foundation at last! I have SUPER oily, acne prone skin that not even original ColorStay Oily/Combination formula could tackle. I'd have to blot within an hour of putting it on, but the coverage was good and decently natural looking so it has been my go- to for awhile. I came across this by accident; I have been looking for a compact foundation to keep in my overnight bag for quick makeup application in the mornings at my guy's house. Tried Revlon New Complexion and while the coverage was good and super fast, I broke out majorly from it...and I haven't broken out that badly since I was a teen. So, after giving up on that, I was checking out some reviews on here to try to find something that would work. I noticed this foundation getting rave reviews and had to try it, so I went straight to CVS and scooped it up. I am 300 Golden Beige in the original CS and am Natural Beige in this formula. I got a bottle of the original and used it to help try to select a shade because everyone is right when they say you cannot tell the color through the jar. The ingredients sticker is on the bottom and is huge so you have like a 1/4 inch sliver visible to try to work with. I ended up being lucky and scoring the perfect match on the first try. It applies like a dream, I've used my fingers and a makeup brush and both worked great. It has medium coverage but looks completely natural, even when built up for more coverage. But my favorite part is that it STAYS PUT! I live in Florida, and it's insanely hot this summer. That, combined with my already oily skin, and normally I'm an oil slick by mid morning. Not with this stuff! I'm amazed at how it really stays put and stays fresh looking. That was something I never thought I'd actually be able to have in a makeup, and I am wearing this stuff without a primer or mattifying lotion. Just bare skin with light moisturizer under my eyes. The jar is really, really heavy (and quite large-it's hard to grip in one hand) and is the complete opposite of what I was looking for when I set out on this compact makeup mission, but for the way this stuff works, I will take it. I also like that it contains salicylic acid, which is always a welcome addition for my acne prone skin. I hope this stuff is never discontinued because I will be using this one for a long, long time! UPDATE: I've been using this for several weeks now, and have one big complaint: the packaging! the inner seal around the lid has broken on two jars now, and the lid won't screw closed. Being that a little goes a long way with this foundation, that means I have two half used jars whose lids won't close! It's super annoying. It's not like I close them very tightly or anything, it's just a cheap plastic rim that doesn't hold up against the heavy glass of the jar. I took one lippie off for this.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex SPF 6 for Combination/Oily Skin
sarah7855 10/14/2011 9:32:00 AM
I waited three weeks before writing this review to make sure that this amazing makeup wouldn't turn on my super oily, acne prone skin and break it out. Not only does it not break me out (which is a feat in and of itself), it actually keeps my skin nice and shine free for hours! No joke, I washed a car in the middle of Florida's infamous 90 degree weather and this stuff stayed true. I also ended up accidentally sleeping in it one night and it actually stayed on pretty well and didn’t break me out. Like everyone else has said, you have to learn how to apply it (I use a dampened foundation brush and just lightly brush it on, it works great and gives me a glow, not an oil slick) and it does have the dumb open top bottle which is a bit of a pain. At first, I was startled by the smell of it, but I’ve gotten used to it and it doesn’t bother me. The way this stuff stays on and stays looking great makes up for all of that. It dries to an almost powder like feeling? I don’t really know how to describe it, but you can tell when it has set. I used to have to blot before even leaving the house in the morning, I’m that oily. Not anymore. One blot in the middle of the day and that’s all I need. The coverage is great but yet natural looking. I’ll keep buying this stuff for as long as it’s made!
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Candles -Yankee Candles - Egyptian Cotton
sarah7855 9/30/2011 12:37:00 PM
This is the best smelling candle EVER! I'm sad to see that it's discontinued! Cotton scents are usually too detergent-y for me, but this one is clean and light. Perfect!
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Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base
sarah7855 9/28/2011 1:11:00 PM
Totally made me break out. Very badly. It's thick and in a jar, so also not the most hygenic packaing ever.
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Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
sarah7855 9/28/2011 10:25:00 AM
I have oily, acne prone skin. Lately, it's been mostly under control. I liked the fact that this makeup was supposed to let my skin breathe and all that jazz. I bought shade 230 and it was a perfect match. I liked that it blended really well and was very light and natural looking while still giving decent coverage. It made my skin nice and dewy and even gave me a glow. HOWEVER, that "glow" turned into an oil slick not even 30 minutes after I put it on! I've always had this oily skin so I didn't attribute it to the foundation. I would just blot and apply powder (to no avail). I used this stuff for about 8 months total because I liked the way it felt and didn't make me break out...I'm all for anything that doesn't make me break out. I live in FL and with the summer heat in full swing, I couldn't take it anymore. I read a bunch of reviews on here about different foundations and realized that the oil slick was from this makeup. I went and bought Colorstay yesterday and what do you know...today, 3 hours after applying that, I'm still matte, no easy feat, trust me :) If you have normal or dry skin, this stuff may be great for you. It definitely is natural looking and light. But if you have any oil issues at all, steer clear! Don't make the same mistake I did and go around with a wet looking face for 8 months!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No