Lotions/ Creams -Neutrogena - Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
sjm15 1/11/2012 10:47:00 PM
This is the answer to all my dry hand problems in the winter. I work for a dermatologist, so we have a bunch of samples of lotion at all times. I use random ones all the time, but the bin for this one is always empty in the winter. Every time I use this product, I wonder why I ever use anything else when my hands are rough and cracked from the winter and constantly washing my hands. When I do use it I remember why I love it so much. My hands are transformed, literally. My hands get dry, cracked and itchy in the winter, and if I use this I don't suffer nearly as much if at all during the cold months. Even if you do use a little too much, it absorbs well and pretty quickly, even the excess. I will always use this and I hope they never D/C it. Highly recommend and I will repurchase forever!
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
sjm15 4/7/2011 10:16:00 PM
This palette is amazing. There's no other word for it. You would think that a palette of neutrals would be boring, but there are endless possibilities and combinations that you can create! I don't own much from UD, and I would say this is the perfect introduction to their products. I waited and stalked Sephora for the Naked palette and I am so glad I did. I ordered it the minute I got a "limited re-stock" email about it from Sephora.com, just because of the raves I read about here on MUA. (MUA usually has the right idea!) I am so glad I did! The shadow wears well, especially with the primer that it comes with (but it wears well with my own combination of eye priming too!) and is it ever richly pigmented! I would definitely repurchase, it's an amazing deal for the amount of eyeshadows you get. I will probably get a backup of this, since it is a great go-to everyday palette and would be great for travel because of the many options it gives you. Love this and recommend it to everyone!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Top/Base Coats -Seche Vite - Dry Fast Top Coat
sjm15 10/4/2010 10:42:00 PM
I don't know how I survived before I found Seche Vite. This is HG status for me. I do my own nails, usually at night before I go to sleep. This topcoat allows me to get in bed within 10-15 minutes after I'm finished polishing if I'm careful. I wake up with a perfectly glossy mani in the morning. My mani is smooth to the touch within minutes of applying SV to the last nail. I think the application is crucial - while the polish is still very wet, not too many brush strokes, and to allow it to just level itself, it really makes a difference. A large-ish bead is just perfect for my nails, a little more for my thumbs and it's perfect. A coat of Seche just makes every mani better, and sometimes if I find a rare smudge or dent the next day, another coat of Seche can camouflage it until I get a chance to change my mani. I do sometimes get shrinkage, but I can deal with it, especially since it's not usually too bad. I love this topcoat, and I don't think I could ever use another one without feeling like I've betrayed the most perfect topcoat ever.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Liquid Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Formula
sjm15 10/4/2010 10:32:00 PM
I've been using this cleanser forever, my mom has used it for as long as I can remember. It was always in the bathroom/shower, so I would use it. It's been repurchased at least 100+ times over, and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a simple basic cleanser. It removes makeup well, and it is gentle. Sometimes I feel dry after using it, but I tend to feel dry after using some cleansers sometimes, so I don't think it's just from this. The scent is not that bad, it doesn't linger at all. In fact, I like the smell! I have also used this in bar form and I don't feel that it smells any different or better/worse. My skin always feels super clean after using this, it doesn't leave a residue or leave my skin parched either. I love this cleanser, I always end up coming back to it. It's reasonably priced, and I will continue to repurchase as long as I can!
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Polishes -Essie - Little Brown Dress
sjm15 9/21/2010 9:11:00 PM
This polish is part of Essie's Fall 2010 Collection. It is a gorgeous dark brown creme, reminds me of luscious dark chocolate or espresso on my nails. It's beautiful and opaque with 2 coats, even deeper with 3. The formula is great, the coats are opaque and the perfect consistency. The brush could be better, but that just goes with any polish (sometimes you get a wonky brush). It's a great color for someone who wants something different than the usual black or dark eggplant. I like it because that's exactly what it is, different. Would definitely repurchase!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
sjm15 9/20/2010 10:27:00 PM
This mascara is amazing. I realize it doesn't work for everyone, but wow. It really gives me length and volume like no other mascara I've tried (and I have tried MANY). I used to use a combination of mascaras, layering a few just to get my desired effect. Not with this mascara - I just use a few coats and voila, amazing lashes. I'm talking lashes that when I look up, they touch my upper lid/lower brow area. My eyelashes aren't naturally long, but they are a decent length. This mascara just makes them glam and gorgeous. It isn't too much for daytime, and it's still dramatic for night. The blackest black color is just that: really really black. My lashes stand out when I wear this mascara, and it doesn't weigh them down at all so they uncurl. The brush will take some getting used to, though for some. I use both sides, I start with the concave side, and then finish with the convex side. In fact, if this mascara had the wand of, say, Colossal Volum' mascara from the same brand, it would be 100% perfect. I don't get a lot of clumping, but I do wipe the brush off on the side of the tube as I remove it. I have no problem removing this mascara with my regular cleansers. I love this mascara, and I have repurchased several times over (and will continue to)!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Organix - Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner
sjm15 6/22/2010 2:12:00 AM
This is nowhere near nourishing, as the titles implies. I am a fan of delicious-smelling coconut products of any kind, and this smells amazing. There is nothing else I can say about this product that is positive. It does not moisturize my hair, in fact my hair was more tangled than it's ever been after getting out of the shower. I used it after using the matching shampoo. I have long (to the middle of my back), fine but thick, highlighted blonde hair and this did nothing to help moisturize or "nourish" it. It was hard to get a comb through my hair while the conditioner was in, and even harder after the shower. I'm sure I lost a lot of hair attempting to detangle after this shampoo and conditioner combo. My hair didn't feel smooth or silky after dried and styled. I feel like I had to use more products than usual to help my hair feel less like hay and more like the texture that I'm used to. I wish it worked for me, it smells fabulous but it did nothing good for my hair.
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Shampoo -Organix - Coconut Milk Shampoo
sjm15 6/22/2010 2:05:00 AM
This product smells amazing. I am a huge fan of coconut scented products, and this is a true coconut smell. It's not that fake, plastic-y smell that some coconut products can have. That is where the good things (or should I say thing) end for this product. I feel like it stripped my hair of oils, did not moisturize as it claims to do, and I could feel my hair squeak as I rinsed the shampoo out. I guess it's good if you have severe product build-up, but I wouldn't recommend it even for the oiliest of hair types. My hair was so tangled after I got out of the shower when I used this, that I would not consider using it again. For reference, I have long (to the middle of my back), fine yet thick (if that makes sense), highlighted blonde hair. I normally use Dove shampoo and conditioner for highlighted hair most often out of my rotation of those products, and this pales in comparison to Dove. I would not repurchase, I would not even give this a second or third try because I feel it does much more harm than it does good. Shame, because it smells so delicious..that's the only reason I gave it two lippies, otherwise I would have given it just one.
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Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave - Dry Skin
sjm15 4/2/2010 11:29:00 PM
This gives an amazingly close shave, I will give it that.. but, the cream will gunk up your razor like no other. Be sure to use a THIN layer - it takes me a few extra minutes to clean my razor off after using this, but it is worth it. My legs have never felt so smooth, I was shocked the first time I used it. I actually thought there was product left on my legs that needed to be rinsed they felt so smooth! I have sensitive skin and this does not irritate my legs, even though it is fragranced. I would definitely repurchase this, as I have never gotten such a close shave with lathering shaving cream/foam. Normally I have to go over an area two or three times to really get every last hair. Not with this stuff, it's unbelievable how close of a shave you get. The price is kind of high (for me, close to $4) compared to half that for foam, but I can get past that! I also don't love the packaging - really hard to open and close with a razor in one hand and the cream in the palm of the other! Nevertheless, I would recommend this product! :)
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Hair -Moroccanoil - Moroccan Oil
sjm15 6/1/2009 2:58:00 AM
I used to be a slave to BioSilk, but this has changed my mind for good! I was introduced to this by a coworker who used to work in a salon and she'd been raving about this great new oil that she discovered. I have color-treated (highlighted) hair that's long-ish, I usually keep it either to my shoulders or to my bra strap in the middle of my back and it's on the fine side. I use Moroccanoil on wet hair mostly, and I've noticed a huge difference - my hair air dries much quicker, less frizzy and shiny as ever. When I don't use it on wet hair to air dry, I use it on dry hair after flat ironing. What a difference it has made! The ends of my hair get dry and frizzy when I air dry with nothing in my hair, but when I use Moroccanoil there's none of that. My hair is soft, easy to get a brush through, and I can't even speak of the shine. This product is amazing, and I will never use another hair oil, Moroccanoil is the end-all, be-all of hair oils. The soft fragrance is delicious, I can't even describe what it smells like but it's perfect. I wish the scent lasted longer. I agree with other reviewers, I do not like the packaging - the glass bottle is not the most convenient, and I almost always pour out too much. Despite that, this is the best hair oil I've ever used and I will keep rebuying!
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Skincare - Body -Estee Lauder - Bronze Goddess Body Oil Spray
sjm15 4/14/2009 10:45:00 PM
This smells absolutely delicious! I can't quite pinpoint every single note, but what definitely comes to the top is the coconut. Nothing better than smelling like the beach when it's dreary outside! To me, this oil smells like the best suntan lotion ever created. It reminds me of the beach every single time I wear it. I smooth it on my legs so the scent rises throughout the day. Make sure it is rubbed in well or else it can get very messy! I find that this lasts and lasts through the day because it is an oil which prevents it from wearing away easily. I get compliments on this no matter when I wear it. I love putting it on in the winter to remind me of warm, gorgeous sunny days of summer! I love that EL re-released this for 2009, because I regretted not getting a backup last year! I am by no means going to run out of my first bottle any time soon - this stuff lasts! Only a little bit is needed to reach the desired effect. I like putting this on my wrists, inner elbows, behind ears and behind neck - lasts for hours! Definitely recommend this for anyone who loves coconut and anything beachy scented!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Gold Bond - Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion
sjm15 1/15/2009 12:37:00 AM
This lotion is GREAT. I've repurchased this already. I work in a doctor's office (a DERM, no less) and am constantly washing my hands. In the winter, they get really raw, rough, cracked and dry. Sometimes my hands crack so bad they bleed. Not with this lotion! If I'm disciplined enough to remember to reapply this often, my hands stay nice and soft. I highly recommend this lotion to anyone who is looking for something to keep their skin baby soft. I use it on my body as well, which doesn't get nearly as dry as my hands, but it still works wonderfully. You will not regret this purchase - slightly spendy, but definitely worth it!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Vaseline - Vitalizing Gel Body Oil, With Brazillian Nut and Almond Oils
sjm15 10/19/2008 9:57:00 PM
This gel oil is amazing. I was skeptical wheni t first came out, trying to figure out how a gel, which can sometimes be drying, can be an oil which is extremely moisturizing. The smell is just delicious, first of all. I apply it to my legs after showering/shaving and it makes them feel so soft. I think this is going to be perfect now that we're going into the winter months since my legs get very dry after showering when it's cold out. This feels luxurious, like it should be ten times as much as it's selling for (which, for me, was $7.99 at CVS). I would recommend this to anyone who wants a very moisturizing product. The only cons are what the other reviewers have said, poor packaging could be messy and that it takes a good while to absorb into skin. I still love this product and will repurchase!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Parlux - Jessica Simpson Fancy
sjm15 9/8/2008 12:47:00 AM
I am a Gourmand scent girl, and probably always will be, and this fragrance fits the bill for me. On first spray, the top notes are very strong and could be headache-inducing for some (I actually got a slight headache from it, but I think I sprayed too much), but once it dries and mixes with your chemistry, it is delicious. My SO couldn't stop saying how good I smelled when I sprayed this on at the counter. Of course, that will always give a push in the right direction toward purchasing a fragrance for me! I find that this scent lasts a decent amount of time on me, I could still smell it long after we left the mall that night. It does not smell anything like Aquolina Pink Sugar (which I own and wear often), it's much less cotton candy and more vanilla cupcake. Nor does it smell like Britney Spears Fantasy (to me). I can't vouch for Estee Lauder Pleasures Delight, though. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves sweet/gourmand fragrances and loves to receive compliments on how delicious they smell! I would definitely repurchase, at $49 for 3.4oz this is a bargain (coming from someone who owns 20+ fragrances of all different price ranges!). ETA: this fragrance ended up being the cause of several headaches I had while I wore this scent.. I didn't think it was this fragrance that caused it, but when I narrowed it down to this perfume I had to say goodbye and return it. Shame it didn't work out, because it really is a delicious scent and I wanted it to work with my chemistry. I removed one lippie for that.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Angel Food
sjm15 5/26/2007 6:39:00 PM
I just tried this for the first time with a pro mani. It is gorgeous. I didn't like the appearance of it with two coats, so I went out and bought this color and applied a third which made it perfection on my nails. The only problem being that it does look almost identical to the same brand's "Ballet Slippers" (which is an HG). This seems just a touch different, although I can't put my finger on what makes it a little different. It's possibly just a tad whiter than Ballet Slippers. I think Angel Food could be HG material because I really love this type of shade for my semi-long nails. It's a gorgeous pinky-white which is perfection with three coats, like I stated above. It's nice with two coats, but because of the streaky nature, I would think that rarely anyone could get away with wearing just two coats. Overall, this is a beautiful polish, perfect for anyone who wants low-maintenance, amazing looking nails.
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