Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Active Naturals Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream
swtkisses 6/7/2011 7:18:00 PM
As far as I can tell, Aveeno re-released this, changing the words "eczema care" to "eczema therapy." Plain and simple, this is a moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin. Applied right out of the shower, it kept my eczema-prone skin moisturized and filmy/sticky (more on that) for the day. It did nothing to soothe my itchy skin or treat my eczema any more than my current lotion did. Keep in mind that this is a cream, which would be ideal for dry, winter weather. Unlike Aveeno's Active Naturals Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion, this cream does not absorb easily, and sits heavily on the skin surface. This can cause uncomfortable stickiness for areas like the inner thighs. You might consider trying it just on problem spots. Will not repurchase.
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Skincare - Face -Amore Pacific - Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel
swtkisses 8/22/2010 1:00:00 PM
pros: light feel not sticky cons: absorbs a little too slowly strange fragrance my experience: used a sample of this, and was a little put off by the fragrance and how goopy it was. It takes a little longer than lotion to absorb because it's a gel, but it leaves my skin dewy, smooth and hydrated. No allergic reactions and quick results within a half hour of application. Fragrance lingers a bit longer than most scented lotions, but eventually disappears by half-day. Retail price is unstomachable. Pass!
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Lotions/ Creams -Clarins - High Definition Body Lift
swtkisses 8/22/2010 12:51:00 PM
pros: light feel, absorbs immediately with a cool tingly effect not sticky effective within a few hours cons: none my experience: tried this as a sample, and was amazed at the immediate results. Even more amazed that I had found something effective for my crazy-sensitive skin. Those of you who are allergic to menthol, however, steer clear. My fanny and the backs of my legs have never been this smooth. I was nearly an immediate believer until I saw how much this costs full-size. Yikes! Maybe if I spend a summer in Hawaii on the beach, I'll purchase.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic in Carbon Black
swtkisses 8/22/2010 12:43:00 PM
pros: true black color dries quickly holds curl lengthens and volumizes lashes cons: difficult to get mascara evenly distributed on the mascara wand sticky formula that can keep lashes clumped if not applied evenly the first time around (even after using a lash comb) my experience: I wear this every single day. So long as you brush the bottom of the spherical mascara wand against the rim of the tube to remove the excess mascara on the wand, it "should" apply evenly. It's very annoying when the mascara coats the wand unevenly, because then your mascara'ed lashes will clump together like nobody's business. No problems removing it at the end of the night, and I like that the brush is spherical because I can get really get into my top and bottom lashes with ease. It just emphasizes and extends my lashes, and it holds a curl better than any other mascara I've used.
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Lip Gloss -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Lipgloss - Joie De Vivre
swtkisses 8/22/2010 12:33:00 PM
pros: can be layered for a more intense color payoff light feel not sticky shine lasts all day cons: Color wears off after a few hours weird fragrance...just weird my experience: I don't often wear lip gloss, because I like lipstick, but this was a welcome change. No problems applying this with the little brush on the wand, and no problems keeping the lip/rim of the tube clean of gloss buildup. In the tube it's a strawberry/ruby red with gold flecks. The swatch on sephora's website is fairly accurate. My only qualms are that it has a very odd fragrance (it dissipates, thank goodness), and that it leaves a residue on my lips at the end of the night.
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Lipstick -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain
swtkisses 8/22/2010 12:24:00 PM
pros: absorbs fairly quickly easy to apply can be layered for a more intense color payoff long-lasting and stays put ingenious packaging...no mess in your makeup bag cons: Applies and wears off a bit unevenly my experience: I got this in Waltz, and I like applying it on bare lips. I have not tried any other lip stains before. Easiest to apply if you run the the length of the marker tip across your lip vertically (if you dot on the color with the tip of the marker, it takes a lot longer and it's a lot harder to apply evenly). It dries fairly quickly, but there's plenty of time for you to use a q-tip or your finger to blend a spot you've applied unevenly. Go over your lips more than once if you want the color more intense. I let the marker set for a minute while I do other makeup and then apply a dab of balm or vaseline over my markered lips so the color is not as matte. This also helps diffuse and disguise any uneven spots. The color stays through the day, and the next day my lips remain tinged with a rosy pink color. I plan to try Flamenco next, because I like how this vivid lip color doesn't stain my clothes or my boyfriend.
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Lipstick -Clinique - High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 - Honey Blush
swtkisses 1/19/2010 7:57:00 PM
another great clinique product. It just isn't for me. Creamy, moisturizing, non-irritating, pigmented lipstick that is simply just not my color. a coral/pink/deep salmon/blush color with too much frost and gleam for my liking. After a few hours, I'd notice more frostiness than color had lasted on my lips.
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Polishes -OPI - Malaga Wine
swtkisses 1/19/2010 7:46:00 PM
I have been wearing this non-stop on my toes all year. A quintessential red nail polish that looks amazing on tanned or pale toes. I've layered it on for a darker red and have also used it as a base for other reds to achieve great looks. The first application out of the bottle was a much brighter red than I liked...every application after that has been better. will repurchase.
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Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Active Naturals Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
swtkisses 1/19/2010 7:39:00 PM
Excellent for dry and sensitive skin. Keeps my eczema-prone skin moisturized between daily showers, so no reapplying for an entire day. How wonderful is that? This works equally well on the face and the body. I can only speak for the winter months, however. The downside? This leaves an un-absorbed lotion feel on my skin akin to freshly-applied sunblock. The fact that it is one in a million lotions that doesn't irritate my skin, however, wins me over. will repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Cream
swtkisses 1/19/2010 7:19:00 PM
This cream moisturizes sensitive and dry skin without irritation. The widemouthed tub provides easy access to all the product you need in one swoop. Works wonders on hands, feet (don't forget those heels), and winter skin. The only downside? Use sparingly because it is very heavy. Best for use on the body, not on the face.
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Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Mascara
swtkisses 5/9/2009 10:34:00 PM
If you're looking for a volume-boosting mascara, this is it. It doesn't do much lengthening, but the color defines and thickens what lashes I already have. The brush does an excellent job of coating each individual strand without making my lashes clumpy. When I'm lazy or in a rush, I don't even have to use a lash comb. I like using this like an eyebrow pencil too. Great drugstore find...1000+ MUA reviewers can't be wrong.
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Skincare - Face -Pro Activ - 3-Step System
swtkisses 1/1/2009 7:00:00 PM
pros: very effective facial cleanser endorsed by tabloid celebrities (if you care about that sort of thing) cons: too harsh for my sensitive skin exacerbated dry skin condition exacerbated acne problems (did not treat existing acne or prevent future acne) my experience: I used this for a week, watching my skin get drier and more red and irritated. It now sits in my bathroom cabinet collecting dust. The routine is simple enough, but the products did not sit well with my skin. The packaging is iffy. The bottles are fairly easy to hold and are squeezable, but the plastic lids get cracked and the small parts often break off. The scariest thing? Check out the Ingredients on the Revitalizing Toner. What is this imidazolidiniyl UREA business?! I am NOT putting that on my face.
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Eye Shadow -Victoria's Secret - Very Sexy Makeup Silky Eyeshadow - Lights Out
swtkisses 1/1/2009 6:13:00 PM
pros: versatile color that can be layered with other products or individually used chic compact with mirror :) cons: slight fallout during application not long-lasting my experience: Excellent color pay-off. See uploaded photo for swatches. Can be applied in a sheer layer or in a heavier, smoky eye look. My favorite use is layering it over black eyeliner to get an effect which could easily challenge that of Guerlain's Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl for a fraction of the cost. The color can change depending on how you apply it. In the pan it looks like a dark metallic green with olive flecks. Applied, it can be look like the green of a dragonfly wing, a shimmery smoke, or a deep gray-black. Even though the color will smear under my eyes on a long night, the inimitable and amazing color will keep me a longtime user. The versatile uses and changeable color of this product have got me hooked. See uploaded image for swatches.
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Eye Shadow -Victoria's Secret - Silk Eyeshadow in Provocateur
swtkisses 1/1/2009 3:55:00 PM
pros: good quality powder easy to apply long-lasting gorgeous light-reflecting shimmer a chic compact with a mirror? score! cons: do not od or you will look like a preschool glitter project the color payoff is more pink than it appears in the compact my experience: I like using this as an everyday eyeshadow and highlighter. I suggest investing in a quality eyeshadow brush to pick up and apply an even amount of color, because this color is super shimmery. Color lasts all day with minimal fallout and creasing. The only thing about the compact is that it picks up smudge prints from my fingertips. see uploaded images for product image and swatch
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Polishes -Victoria's Secret - Very Sexy Nail Lacquer in Vexed
swtkisses 1/1/2009 3:32:00 PM
pros: glorious deep bluish red/dark brown color upscale packaging cons: streaky nail color formula requires 2-3 coats deceptive overpackaging (a paper box and a square topper hold a smaller, plain bottle of polish) my experience: VS's makeup packaging is generally innovative and aesthetically pleasing. After opening the box, I discovered that the square of plastic cover on the bottle which matches with the square topper had already cracked. I haven't bought any damaged/cracked VS eyeshadow singles, so I won't hold this against them. However, the brush was also slightly damaged. There was a couple of bristles which stuck out at a strange angle. All things in consideration, I think I just happened to get a bottle which had been pawed over by other semi-annual sale shoppers. The color of the polish is great, but the quality of the nail polish leaves something to be desired. I erred on the side of three coats because 2 coats was definitely not enough. The rest of the VS nail polish collection wasn't particularly inspiring or eye-catching. Most were too bright or unflattering. I won't be buying this brand of nail polish again unless there's a particularly gorgeous color worth the extra coating effort.
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