Treatments -Boots - Expert Anti-Redness Serum
vvalencia 5/2/2009 2:12:00 PM
Recently my skin is starting to exhibit a lot of redness and irritation, especially on the cheeks. I don't think it's full blown rosacea, but it looks unsightly and basically made me switch the foundation I was using, because it has gotten so obvious. I have been on a quest to find makeup and treatments that help in lessening redness or at least covering it up. My goad is obviously to find products that might help reduce it rather than just covering up cosmetically. I just got on the Boots bandwagon about a couple months ago and saw this product. I was immediately drawn to the Ant-Redness claim. I've been using it for a little over 2 weeks day and night and can confirm it has not really done anything to prevent or assist in lessening the redness in my face. It's a little disappointing, because the texture is very light and makes for a great moisturizer that feels soothing. That is why I am not giving it the worst rating, but at this price you are just paying for an expensive moisturizer!
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Shampoo -ENJOY - Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo
vvalencia 5/11/2008 3:46:00 PM
All I can say is what a great line for hair. My hair has never looked better or felt better. I am using everything in this line and all the products are superb. The shampoo and conditioner are awesome as well as all the styling products.
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Foundations -Giorgio Armani - Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup
vvalencia 5/11/2008 3:43:00 PM
Like a lemming I had to go check this out at the South Coast Plaza GA counter. I beelined to the display and the SA immediately picked #3 for me and applied it to one side of my face and then decided #4 was better for me when she tried it on the other side. Wow, I can't believe how much this evens out the skintone and softens any blemishes or redness. What I like to do is use it as my base and then brush a mineral foundation or Besame powder on top with some bronzer and I am honestly summertime ready! I am definitely going to try the previous reviewers suggestion regarding using AirTouch on top. Now that it's summer I am finding my BR-6 a tad too light, but am thinking this will even out the color better. At first I was thinking this was all just marketing hype, but Face Fabric truly delivers!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -SKII - Advanced protect essence UV
vvalencia 5/11/2008 3:37:00 PM
In my search for HG daytime moisturizers with SPF this is definitely up there. It is pricey, but a little goes a long way. I have been using this since I had originally tried the Air Touch foundation. I'm not sure what it is, but it helps to illuminate the face and foundation just simply looks better on my face when I use this. I have tried Air Touch, Face Fabric, Besame and Chanel Waterlights on top and they all look great when I use this underneath. Really a great makeup base at the same time...I didn't realize how well it worked until I had switched to another moisturizer with SPF product and then switched back!
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Crème -Chanel - Waterlights foundation stick [DISCONTINUED]
vvalencia 5/11/2008 3:30:00 PM
What a bummer this is discontinued. Out of curiousity from the reviews I was lucky enough to find a seller on eBay. This is actually the BEST foundation stick I have ever used. I have oily/combo skin and was afraid this would transform into an oil slick at the end of the day, but not at all. There is a definite hydration effect and it looks absolutely natural. I have tried many other foundation stick type products like Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and Chantecaille. Either it looked to harsh and masky or it just didn't provide enough coverage or just slipped off to easy. I just don't understand why they would take a product like this off the market. I'll just console myself with the fact that this will probably last quite a while!
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Cleansers -Vichy - Purete Thermale Calming Cleansing Wipes NEW
vvalencia 5/11/2008 3:23:00 PM
These are hands down the best cleansing wipes I have ever used. If you love the regular Calming Cleansing Solution these are basically the portable version! It only takes one wipe to get EVERYTHING, but GENTLY...Usually when I've tried Ponds or Olay or even Bioderma there is something in the formulation that is not agreeing with me. They are not sold in the US, but I was lucky enough to find some on eBay.
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Treatments -SKII - Facial Treatment Essence
vvalencia 10/5/2007 9:46:00 PM
I purchased this and the Air Touch Foundation based on all the reviews. I have to say that this product agrees with me and has definitely made it so I can go without any makeup except maybe a light brushing of bronzer all over my face. I am amazed to say the least because a lot of reviews say that it does nothing for them! I had combination oily skin with dry and flaky patches. Not a fun combo to say the least!...since I have been using this my skin has really normalized and there are no more red blotchy areas!!! It is pricey, but you really need so little. I augment using this with an SKII moisturizer or treatment depending on if I feel I need more moisture. So I will use any of the other products like Signs Treatment Concentrate or Advanced Signs Treatment along with it. It's definitely HG for me because I've never used a product like this continuously. I smooth it all over my face and neck every night and rub the excess into my hands! A little goes a long way!!!
UPDATE: 05/11/08 - I am still continuously using this product and have no complaints. I am half way through the bottle! I was thinking to myself the other night I wanted to add some tips for usage to my review. When I originally purchased this at Saks the SA told me to pour a little bit into my hand (like less than a teaspoon) and pat/push into my face. Basically I spread it around my hands like a lotion and cup my entire face as if to splash ,but really press into my skin. She advised no rubbing and more to just pat into the skin. I wanted to point this out because I am not sure if maybe others are using cotton pads or some other means to where the product would not really get into the skin. Done this way you may not be seeing any benefit at all vs. the way I described. Hope this helps!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Mavala - Double-Lash
vvalencia 11/4/2006 6:55:00 PM
I have been using this and alternating with Talika Lipocils for some time now. I can truly say this stuff works at thickening your lashes! Being asian and not having the thickest lashes or eyebrows I used to try and use mascara, but really hated it and did not like the fact that it seemed to make my lashes more brittle. I use this every night before going to bed and have really noticed a huge difference. It's also way cheaper than the Talika product. I use Talika Lipocils during the day to lengthen and define my lashes, but the Mavala for night time. I believe it's truly a great combination for improving your eyelashes!!!
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Liquid -Cover FX - Cover FX - Natural FX
vvalencia 5/14/2006 10:36:00 PM
I purchased this based on the reviews on this site. I went to Nordstrom and had a MA try the Natural Fx on one side of my face and the Cover Fx Cream Foundation on the other. I really liked the finish of this one much better. So she gave me a sample and I took it home. I tried applying it with my Trish McEvoy foundation brush and felt it wasn't anything great. I liked the idea of the SPF, but felt the coverage was kind of thick. Luckily I was able to swap for the Cover Fx foundation brush and what a difference!!! For some reason the brush picks up just the right amount and allows me to build the coverage. It really looks 10x better! I am glad I did not just assume the foundation was underperforming. I set this with any of my loose powders and it really does look natural! Coverage is great and I really don't need as much concealer when I use this...Definitely has great color range and is worth a try!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Cle de Peau - Concealer - ochre
vvalencia 3/17/2006 4:01:00 AM
I had purchased this on eBay and swapped it away, because I did not feel it was any good. I felt really outraged that I had wasted my money. Well, I'm glad I gave it another chance. Like with anything you honestly have to learn the technique in how to use different makeup brands sometimes!!! The first time I tried it I had just used my fingers and it came out awful. I have found that using this with the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer brush works beautifully!!! You must have a well moisturized face and eyes but I find that loading up the concealer on to the brush tip helps a great deal. Then all you are doing is dabbing with just a little bit of pressure on to the undereye area or around the nose or on to discolorations and using your finger to pat it in and it literally works like an eraser on my face!!! I follow this up with the Teint Satine foundation in O3 on top of this with my Trish McEvoy foundation brush and everything just melts into my skin and looks completely natural and works beautifully!!! Now I know why everyone raves about this concealer. It is the only concealer that I have truly come back to over and over again and that says a lot! Also, with it being in the twist up form it is perfect for travel! Glad I was lucky enough to swap for the one I have now...If you tried before and gave up, you must revisit this concealer again! You may find you made the same mistake I initially made. UPDATE: 05/11/08 - Still the best concealer out there. It really is a great color match and is a godsend on days my skin won't behave. Makes my skin look natural and normalized!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Giorgio Armani - Fluid Sheer #8
vvalencia 3/12/2006 2:27:00 AM
When I first got my hands on this I thought like everyone here that it was too dark and garish. You really MUST use a light hand and use the smallest dab. Now my face looks healthy and not obviously made up. I use it daily now as it is a no-brainer to apply. I never really used to wear blush, but this acts as a blush and natural contour for my forehead, nose bridge and just right under the jawline. I guess I have to designate this as HG because I bring it with me everywhere! The bottle is great for travel and I just put a few drops in a sample jar and it lasts forever! I also have Sheer Bronzer #1 and can use this on top of the fluid sheer if I really want more emphasis and of course to apply to other parts of the body (neck, shoulders, etc.)
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Makeup Brushes -Trish McEvoy - Foundation Brush #43
vvalencia 3/12/2006 2:22:00 AM
I have tried the following foundation brushes: Prescriptives, Giorgio Armani and this one. This IS my HG foundation brush!!! I've used it to apply both YSL Teint Parfait and Cle de Peau Teint Naturel Satine. When you want to apply really light and creamy products such as these you don't want to use your fingers because of the tendency for uneven application. This foundation brush makes it so it applies just enough, lets you build coverage and eliminates product waste on top of avoiding contamination with your fingers. Since the bristles are synthetic, washing and drying is a breeze. I've been using it for a while now and find that since I have become accustomed to using it for foundation application I can no longer apply my foundation any other way!
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Lip Gloss -Cle de Peau - Lip Gloss in #12
vvalencia 11/30/2005 4:13:00 AM
Well, I'll have to add my 2 cents and say that I love this gloss as well. I am currently more of an Armani lip shimmer addict, but this is definitely one I keep in my purse! It's the one I reach for when I want a naturally enhanced lip without too much fuss. It's pricey, but once in a while you might luck out on eBay as I found #14 on there to avoid paying the exorbitant price at Saks!
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Crème -Cle de Peau - Teint Naturel Satine
vvalencia 11/13/2005 3:19:00 PM
This is also known as Silky Cream Foundation...I was only after the lipgloss #12 when I went to the CdP counter at Saks at South Coast Plaza, but I got suckered into trying the foundation. I had just gotten a facial at Georgette Klinger and my face was a little red so the SA applied to half of my face. The coloring looked extremely natural and did not settle into my pores! I usually do not have much luck with cream or liquid foundations (the Classified Cosmetics airbrush in Y5 and the Sally Hansen Fast and Flawless airbrush being the only options I had for any liquid types), but this looked very natural and did not look masky. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I had just gotten the facial and my skin had just gone through some exfoliation, but I loved it and purchased on the spot. She tried some blush and the gloss on me, but I only purchased the gloss and foundation. The price is pretty steep at $110, but should last FOREVER since you only need to use it sparingly. I pretty much apply any liquid/cream products with the Trish McEvoy foundation brush which spreads the product efficiently and eliminates waste...I will definitely use this as the winter season kicks in, because it keeps the skin moist but doesn't overwhelm or clog my pores with oils...My biggest complaint is the packaging. It would be better in a pump type bottle. Also, if you want to find something similar to this, but not as costly you can try Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation which costs half as much!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Yves Saint Laurent - Teint Parfait Complexion Enhancer 5
vvalencia 8/16/2005 3:25:00 AM
I had to review this item on its own. When I first purchased this before the summer months I thought it was too dark. Now that summer is here it really does blend into my skin and give me that even tan look! I have been wearing this all summer with GA Silk Powder foundation brushed on top! Perfection!!! I love the barely there feel. Until I got used to how light the texture is, I actually think I used to apply a little too much! I use the Trish McEvoy foundation brush and a little really goes a loooonng way...This has been my holy grail tinted foundation for the summer months...I figure I will switch back to 4 or 7 when it gets cooler in the season.
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