Lotions/ Creams -DDF - Glycolic Body Lotion
sooyoungkim 4/23/2008 2:14:00 AM
I find it a little weird to give this product a high rating given its limitations, but for what it does for me, it has no equal. First, you get a lot of product. So I smoosh it on my face before my shower to get the multi-hydroxy acid action going, then on the bum post-shower. Soft as as baby's bottom. Despite the packaging's claim, I do not use this stuff all over as, for one thing, you smell the acids all day if applied to arms and, for another, it's far too intense, even for my bulletproof skin to wear everywhere, all day.
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Treatments -SKII - Signs Up Lifter
sooyoungkim 4/23/2008 2:06:00 AM
So I've been waiting for MONTHS to see another review of this to no avail, but I think I can confidently say I cannot live without. Very subtle effects, but I just can't visualize my skin being this bumpless without Up Lifter. Occasionally I forget to put moisturizer on top of this and don't end up feeling tight and dry; previously I'd need Orchidee Imperiale or the uberexpensive Shiseido to feel comfortable. So maybe not so subtle. Anyway, I like it.
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Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Blackberry Sauce
sooyoungkim 3/31/2008 2:07:00 PM
Another 6 oz. Drugstore.com freebie... I was quite unenthusiastic about the simple, cheap-candy-like artificial fragrance but compared ingredients to the HG (for shampooing qualities) Fresh Cream and found them identical so I gave Blackberry Sauce a shot. Actually two. Well, Philosophy's done it again: two products with the same identifier (shampoo, bath gel, bubble bath) yet completely different performance qualities. B.S. doesn't lather especially well and whatever mousse you can get going is not all that great and has much lesser conditioning ability. Very disappointing.
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Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Fresh Cream 3-in-1
sooyoungkim 3/14/2008 2:24:00 AM
RUN OUT AND BUY THIS. I have used many, many of Philosophy's shampoos and 3-in-1's and I've always rated them based on shampoo performance over scent as 1) they all seem to have different shampooing qualities and 2) I generally dislike foodie fragrances. Anyway, Old Fashioned Eggnog has been my favorite-- until now. I got a 6 oz freebie of Fresh Cream with my drugstore.com order and was considering swapping it out. Luckily, I didn't. The stuff if a little sweet at first but has a green floral note that gives it freshness while you're actually shampooing. The texture of the mousse is really great- very lathery and yet gel-like at the same time. L:ike a lathering conditioner, if such a thing were even possible. And in fact, my hair (stick-straight, very coarse Asian) feels great- soft, silky, with great movement- without conditioner or Afterparty. QUITE a coup. Totally amazing. I can't rave adequately about this stuff. Run and get!!
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Conditioner -L'Oreal - Feria Color Moisturizing Treatment.
sooyoungkim 2/27/2008 2:20:00 AM
I have the kind of ultra-straight, coarse black hair that basically resists any product milder than contact cement but wow does this stuff make it soft... and shall we say... lithe-seeming? Love it, apparently got a tube in a random haircolor purchase, left it on for like 30 seconds, and my hair feels so so great.
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Lips -Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Brilliance-Sparkling Touch for Lips
sooyoungkim 1/27/2008 7:56:00 PM
Lots of shimmer, very little glossiness, rather tacky, dry texture. I think I bought this in the afterglow of a Golden Gloss purchase. I don't like the click pen format- very little control. I guess one could use this on the center of the lower lip if one need to touch up and finds herslef not within reach of any Vanilla or Golden Lemon (I use the third person here because it would take wild horses for me to consider touching up)
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Fragrances -Chanel - No 5 Sensual Elixir
sooyoungkim 1/21/2008 6:21:00 PM
I am another non-fan of No.5 but this product is, and is about, the "total package." The fragrance is a more up-to-date, fresher, less aldehyde-driven version of the EDP; the silky, moisturizing, gel-like texture is heaven; the bottle is gorgeous; and, because a fair amount of product is used each time and I'm a very sparing user of fragrance, I'll be throwing out a much lesser percentage (if any at all) should the stuff turn. An object of desire that truly delivers.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Borba Clarifying Pomegranate Fiber-Knit Lotion SPF 15
sooyoungkim 1/20/2008 8:33:00 PM
I'm actually reviewing the Clarifying Pomegranate Night lotion but I have to agree about Kayelle's observation about Borba's ridiculously pompous and pretentious names. On the other hand, I bought this husge (3.4 oz) bottle of moisturizer out of morbid curiosity as it was on sale at Marshall's for $14.95 along with its matching "concentrate" and slathered on tons of both an hour or so before a bath and oh, goodness, my skin felt like I had done a peel: baby soft. So, given that I have more moisturizers than I want to admit to, I've been using these two as a pre-shower rub-in, which I guess amounts to something like a creamy cleanser. I should add also that the stuff has a fragrance that reminds me of Gucci Rush (which I dislike) and kinda burns my eyes for a few minutes so I have to fan my face with my eyes closed for a few minutes. An oddment in my stash; works, but will I want to buy again??
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Lotions/ Creams -Origins - Calm to Your Senses lavender and vanilla body souffle
sooyoungkim 1/20/2008 8:14:00 PM
I get a lot of patchouli or some other smoky/earthy note that I don't care for. A slightly greasy texure and the moisture payoff is so-so.
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Cleansers -Peter Thomas Roth - Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel
sooyoungkim 1/17/2008 7:36:00 PM
Four-and-a-half really. Sometimes I just don't want buffing beads and the peach scent is fresh and not overpowering. I keep this on for a few minutes before getting in the shower.
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Lip Gloss -Bare Escentuals - Buxom Lips in Roxy
sooyoungkim 1/17/2008 7:29:00 PM
I got this a part of a set and it is the most pigmented of the four. A slightly brown, very subtly shimmery, moderately pigmented red. I like that it contains antioxidants and peptides and the color and texture are nice. However, I found the mint flavor to be strong enough to be distracting and, walking outside in winter, made me feel colder. Someone else might find the mintiness refreshing. I did not, after a week of use, notice any plumping. While I like this gloss, it will not replace LipFusion for me.
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Fragrances -Trussardi - Skin
sooyoungkim 12/9/2007 3:28:00 PM
I bought this on a whim because I'd read Luca Turin's scathing review of Python and saw Skin for $14.99 at Marshall's. Delighted by the chic-modern chartreuse glass bottle, underwhelmed by the scent. I have to agree with everything BasiaS wrote several reviews ago. A rather nondescript chypre, no warmth though I suppose its lack of oomph could be interpreted as subtlety? Still, the bottle looks fabulous on my shelf.
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Moisturizers -Elizabeth Arden - Extreme conditioning cream spf 15
sooyoungkim 12/9/2007 2:55:00 AM
I love the wonderful cucumber scent of this lotion. On weekends I slather on tons of this and blot off the residue after an hour or so. My boyfriend uses it daily without complaint.
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Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Glossing Cream with Olive Oil
sooyoungkim 12/9/2007 2:52:00 AM
Not the lone dissenting vote but one of few. I have very coarse but quite shiny and almost stick-straight, if no-maintenance, hair and this just makes it feel like I've rubbed a candle all over my head.
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Lotions/ Creams -Bliss Labs - Vanilla + bergamot body butter
sooyoungkim 12/9/2007 2:43:00 AM
Ooohhh Nooooo... this stuff is soooo oily and overscented, and I am not especially averse to highly scented products. This lotion is like having a very loud, obnoxious other person in the room.
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