Treatments -Avon - Anew Alternative Intensive Age Treatment SPF 25 Day [DISCONTINUED]
sparkleprincess81 6/30/2009 11:17:00 PM
I love this! Finally, an Anew product that I can use without breakouts or greasiness. After using this for only 3 days now I can actually see some changes in my skin texture and lines are looking a bit softer and not as deep. So for me, this is a keeper for sure and I don't ever want to be without this again. I am pitching the expensive crap that didn't work and caused more problems than it helped and sticking with this product for now on - that's how good it is and how much I like it.
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Cleansers -Ponds - Deep Cleanser Cold Cream
sparkleprincess81 5/8/2009 12:06:00 AM
This is perfect for removing makeup, especially the longwearing kind. I've been using Pond's for years to remove makeup and after removing the cream and makeup with a wet washcloth will then soap up with a gentle foaming cleanser to remove the cold cream residue. I was taught by a facialist a long time ago that it's not effective cleansing or good for the skin to remove makeup with soap and water, which by itself doesn't remove all your makeup well and leaves makeup residue behind to clog pores, which I used to have a huge problem with before. I've been doing the cold cream makeup removal plus following that by washing with soap and water for years now and Pond's is a great inexpensive cold cream cleanser. True, it's as old as the hills but it's been around all these years for a reason - it works! Love this stuff and would definitely repurchase. I find that it's easier to remove this from the jar with a small plastic spatula or a tongue depressor instead of sticking my fingers in the jar and by not sticking my fingers in the jar the cold cream stays a lot cleaner and fresher.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear
sparkleprincess81 4/30/2009 11:54:00 PM
I had been wanting a long wearing foundation since summers here are subtropically hot and humid so to consider any foundation that wasn't long wearing would be a waste of time and money. I looked first at the Revlon Color Stay foundations but really didn't find a shade that wasn't too ghostly pale or too dark and I didn't want the hassle of mixing 2 shades to get a match. Was at the EL counter last week and saw their foundation tester display. On an impulse I asked for a sample of the Double Wear. The SA was very obliging and even gave me a couple of different shades to try. The Bone was waaaay too light, gave me that ghostly look, so not good. But the Desert Beige was perfect with no pink, yellow, orange or chalky undertones. I applied the DW and went to work out, where I really sweat buckets and this foundation held up very, very nicely with no rub off or streaking at all! Didn't need to blot or powder during the day and at the end of a 14-hour day with wearing the DW it looked just as nice as it did when I first applied it. Removal takes a bit more effort, but I use a cream cleanser to remove my makeup anyway and it took the DW right off. No breakouts either, so far. The only caution I can think of is that if your skin has any dry areas be sure to moisturize well first, I noted that if I moisturized the drier parts of my face then this went on easier and also might be a good idea to exfoliate first in drier areas as well. Went back to the EL counter today and purchased the full size DW in the desert beige shade and I think this foundation will probably last me a long time. I will definitely be repurchasing this when I run out. All in all, great product that really delivers on its promises. EDIT 5/8/09 - I have found through some trial and error that for me, the best way I have found to apply the DW is with a makeup brush. It goes on really well with a makeup brush and is easily blended, much easier than a makeup sponge or my fingers. Still loving this foundation and have had absolutely no breakouts or reactions so far!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Merle Norman - Powder Base
sparkleprincess81 4/10/2009 11:19:00 PM
I can't believe I am actually writing a review for Powder Base, much less using it. This was my first exposure to Merle Norman foundations back in 1987 and at the time, I hated everything about it, the smell, the colors, the texture, just everything. Fast forward 22 years.....I just happened to stop by my Merle Norman studio to pick up some cleansing cream when just on impulse decided to try the powder base and got some samples as well. I love this stuff now, go figure. The shade ivory is perfect for my fair-medium skin, the coverage is great and after 12+ hours on my combination oily skin it still looks impeccable. I just used my regular light moisturizer under this and powdered with just a little Clinique face powder to set it and haven't had to retouch or blot all day long. I cannot believe that for a product that seems to have been around almost as long as dirt that this stuff is so good and so inexpensive. Will definitely buy the full size when my samples run out. A plus product for a very nice price.
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Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper [DISCONTINUED]
sparkleprincess81 4/10/2009 11:12:00 PM
I love this mascara! I'm a major mascara junkie and usually buy several different brands each month to try. Thus far, 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper has been great. It really fattens up my skinny, sparse lashes and gives me that false lashes effect without the nasty glue. Don't care for this on the bottom lashes but that's not a deal breaker, I just use a waterproof mascara with a smaller brush for them. I've had no flaking or clumping and this really looks good all throughout the day. Would most definitely repurchase this mascara and I hope Max Factor never stops making it!
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Cleansers -Signature Club A - Vanilla meltdown makeup remover
sparkleprincess81 2/27/2009 11:49:00 PM
I've been using the SCA meltdown cleansers for several years now and I really have to say that the vanilla is my favorite and the one I always reorder. I absolutely love taking off my makeup at the end of the day with this, it smells and feels great and does a good job at getting my makeup off too. One word of warning though - do not use this to remove eye makeup, I don't care if it's advertised that you can use this for removing eye makeup, it stings and burns terribly when it gets in or near the eyes. I just use a separate eye makeup remover so as to avoid the burning reaction. Otherwise a pretty decent, good smelling, inexpensive makeup remover cream.
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Concealers -Signature Club A - Big 7 Wonderwheel Compact
sparkleprincess81 2/26/2009
Quite simply the worst product I have ever used. The colors are all terrible and the texture of this crap is not to be believed, greasy is an understatement. The packaging is hideous also, cheap and tacky. Would never, ever repurchase and the one I did buy is going into the trash.
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Treatments -Joico - k-pak deep penetrating reconstructor
sparkleprincess81 2/25/2009 11:11:00 PM
This product has saved my hair so many times over the years and I will definitely always have K-Pak in my bathroom. I have found through trial and error that this product works best if the chelating shampoo is used before application of the K-Pak. The times I have tried to use K-Pak without clarifying first have definitely not given me as good of a result as when I do the chelating shampoo first. Good product, only complaint is that this is some expensive stuff, but ultimately is worth it.
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Foundations -Max Factor - Pan-Cake [DISCONTINUED]
sparkleprincess81 2/25/2009 12:10:00 AM
I love Pan-Cake foundation! This is really good makeup, if you take the time to learn to use it correctly. It is flawlessly matte, covers almost everything and lasts for hours without touchups!! I will definitely be repurchasing this foundation, as it is the only foundation makeup that will last on my oily skin in the summer months. It's also great for nights out especially since touchups aren't needed so you don't have to carry anything in your bag or worry about your nose being shiny. Great stuff for the price!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No