Misc Beauty Tools -Tweezerman - callus smoothing stone
yossarian 10/3/2011 2:24:00 PM
If not for FaireMaiden's review here and the raves on amazon.com I would never have tried this. Just wanted to start by thanking her for turning me on to this absolutely fantastic product. I have always battled rough and scaly callused heels. I live in the city and walk absolutely everywhere. Have tried pedicures, moisturizing treatments, acid treatments, Heeltastic, diamond files, Microplane, pumice stones, misc implements from Germany, scrubs etc. This stone does by far give me the best bang for my buck. I was honestly shocked at how well this stone worked. I used it wet in the shower. First I scrubbed with the rougher green side and then finished off with the finer white side. Even after a summer of wearing open sandals my feet now look great and feel soft. Hoping that this followed by a nice emollient treatment will finally maintain the beautiful feet I've been seeking for years. I can't believe this cost me less than $5 at my local drugstore.
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Treatments -Avene - Diacneal Acne Treatment [DISCONTINUED]
yossarian 7/28/2011 11:57:00 PM
This is for the updated version of Diacneal... Triacneal. I never used the original version but from what I understand this newer version simply has an added anti-irritant. I've used retinoids (prescription and otherwise for years) so perhaps that's why I'm underwhelmed by this product. Like Diacneal, this comes in a tube and is a yellow tinted cream gel that is fairly thick and waxy. If you use more than a bit this will leave a yellow tint on the skin till washed off. Positives: No significant purging. Negative: No significant improvement, can sting upon application if your skin is sensitive or you have any irritated or broken skin. I really have nothing bad to say about this other than I did not see a significant improvement in my skin even after using an entire full sized tube. I did see some exfoliating however the improvement I wanted to see in my blackheads/mild acne just never happened. If anything my blackheads seemed a bit worse after this product and my skin would seem irritated if I used this too many days in a row. This might be the holy grail for some women but just not for me. In terms of OTC retinoids I prefer PTR's Retinol Fusion. It's extremely liquidy and more difficult to apply but the improvement to my skin tone is significantly better than the Triacneal for the price with less irritation. FYI I ordered from http://www.pharmamundi.com/. Great prices on Avene & LRP.
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Skincare - Body -NADS - Hair Removal Strips
yossarian 12/30/2010 4:07:00 PM
Ugh. I've used strip waxes for years and I honestly can't remember any with worse performance. Usually use Moujan but these were inexpensive and available at the CVS down the street. So many issues... 1)The box is too short for the strips so they come out of the packaging all bent and squished. 2)Don't warm up well and often wax sticks to only one of the strips when separated. 3)When applied, in most cases the wax sticks to the skin and you're left with a strip with nothing on it or the strips themselves tear. A total pain. 4)The totally unnecessary artificial apple scent. This would have bothered me less if these actually worked as well as so many other strips on the market. If you prefer strip wax I'd suggest the Moujan or Parissa brands.
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Palettes -Stila - Perfectly Sage Palette Fall 2005
yossarian 12/2/2010 3:38:00 AM
Don't know how I've never reviewed this one before. Previous reviewers have done a great job describing why its so fantastic. This is a really gorgeous palette. As a fair redhead I'm thrilled with the versatility of these shades (3 shadows & the blush). Works beautifully for dramatic night and subtle day looks. Shadows blend seamlessly. The darkest green shadow makes a beautiful liner wet or dry, alone or over a pencil liner. I have never received so many compliments on my eye makeup as when I've used this palette. Thumbs up!
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Hair Color -Redken - Shades EQ
yossarian 4/12/2010 10:20:00 PM
I'm a natural redhead and wanted something not too dramatic that would help blend out my grays and perk up my color. I've never colored my hair before but have helped my mom over the years to do her hair. Was considering henna but after talking to the folks at the beauty supply store was convinced to try EQ. Looked through the color book and the consensus was "cayenne" would be a safe choice. Purchased some shower caps, sectioning clips, and used some gloves I had at home. The process was super easy. Washed and towel-dried my hair, carefully applied the EQ (mixed 1:1 with the developer in a squeeze bottle), popped on a cap and waited 15/20 minutes. I actually rinsed a few minutes early because I was so nervous. I followed with a deep conditioner only as suggested by the beauty supply store (shampoo only before). (FYI purchased everything at Ray Beauty on 8th Ave in NYC. No frills but they service many who work on Broadway and they really know their stuff. Been there over 50 years. They couldn't have been more helpful. http://raybeauty.com/) I can't tell you how pleasantly surprised I was with this product. My color looks brighter, my white hairs are blended in and my hair is beautifully shiny and healthy looking. Have received more than a few compliments and am only 3 days out. Can't wait to see how this color lasts but so far I am very happy with the results.
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Mascara -Max Factor - Volume Couture Mascara in Auburn [DISCONTINUED]
yossarian 9/2/2009 1:11:00 PM
After Paula Begoun suggested this as one of the best inexpensive mascaras in the drugstore I figured I'd give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised that it came in auburn. As a natural redhead it's always a challenge to get a mascara that comes in anything other than black and that doesn't look too harsh. Over the years I've used a number of auburn mascaras (Estee lauder, Revlon, Just For redhead etc.) and every formula was either sub par or discontinued. I'm happy to report this one is really excellent. The brush does an amazing job separating my lashes with no clumps and I don't look like a raccoon at the end of the day. A fantastic drugstore find. I really hope ericaleigh777 is wrong about Max Factor being discontinued in the US. I definitely plan on buying this one again.
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Cleansers -MD Forte - Replenish Hydrating Cleanser
yossarian 1/8/2008 11:25:00 PM
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this one already. Got it at the suggestion of my physician's assistant and am very pleased. Gentle and gets my makeup off. Love that it's paraben and fragrance free. Only complaint... wish it didn't have that huge screw top. Not the most convenient in the shower.
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Cleansers -Bare Escentuals - RareMinerals Renew & Reveal Facial Cleanser
yossarian 1/8/2008 11:16:00 PM
I know alot of you are curious so here is the full ingredients list for BE's new mineral cleanser. Ingredients: Kaolin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Tapioca Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Alluminum Silicate, Citric Acid, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Hydrated Silica, aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Canola Oil, Soil Mineral Concentrate, Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Colloidal Oatmeal, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Leat Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Miedia Limonum Lemon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Jasminum Officiale (Jasmine) Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycin Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Beta-carotene, Cellulose Gum, Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Mica
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Flying Fox Shower Gel
yossarian 12/25/2007 10:47:00 PM
Got an extremely generous sample of this one. Sounded delicious. Jasmine, honey, ylang ylang etc. are all such lovely scents and I love the idea of a scent with natural fragrance oils in it. Smelled extremely strong in the package but I figured it wouldn't linger too much after the shower. It did. Almost 12 hours after my shower I saw my boyfriend and he politely told me that he was going to be sick, it was so strong. He's never said anything even close in the past. Enough said. Tossed the rest. I will never use this again. Extremely cloying. Had to wash my sweater to get the scent out. Ingredients: Honey (Mel), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Perfume, Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum officinale), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), Cypress Oil (Cupressus sempervirens), Palmarossa Oil (Cymbopogan martini), Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
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Treatments -Jason Natural Cosmetics - Vita-C Max One Minute Facial
yossarian 7/21/2007 4:55:00 PM
Wow. Jason really tried to put one over on the consumer this time. Got a new bottle of my beloved Vita-C Max One Minute Facial (now called Vita-C Max Instant Facial) and noticed even though the formula smells and looks the same there are some significant formula changes.
The Original One Minute Facial:
Helianthus Annus (Sunflower Oil), Octylpalmitate, Complete C Complex (**), Lecithin, Squalane (Vege), Camellia Kissi Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Aloe Barbadensis Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (Hemp Oil), Dextrine Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose Oil), Lupinus Albus & Triticum Vulgare (Alpha-Lupaline), Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia Nut Oil), Thea Sinensis (Green Tea Extract), Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 20, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed Extract), Cyclomethicone, Sorbitan Oleate.
Newer Version:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cyclomethicone, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Silica Silylate, Ester-C Calcium Ascorbate, Ester C Sorbitol (and) Glycerine (and) Calcium Ascorbate, Polysorbate 20, Behenyl Alcohol, Sucrose Distearate, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Natural Menthol, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Fragrance.
Notice the new version has added irritating menthol, a ton of cheaper fillers (silicones, triglycerides etc), and removed a whole bunch of the fabulous high end natural ingredients that made the original so fantastic. No more camellia oil, hemp oil, macadamia oil, evening primrose oil, green tea extract, aloe, squalene for example. I've yet to try the product myself but please note the changes if you are a fan of the old formula in the original bottle.
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Cleansers -Cerave - Hydrating Cleanser
yossarian 6/12/2007 2:21:00 AM
I am very picky with cleansers. That said, I really like this cleanser. So much better than cetaphil imho. I have very sensitive skin and am using prescription retinoids yet have had absolutely no irritation with this one. I find it takes off makeup and leaves my skin soft rather than stripped like I find with most cleansers. Lotion consistency. As others have said it almost feels like hair conditioner texture-wise. No annoying scent. No breakout issues. Even my derm is a big fan. Cerave's moisturizers are quite nice as well.
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Lip Gloss -Mary Kay - Lip Gloss- Natural (3134)
yossarian 4/9/2007 1:24:00 AM
Won a basket of Mary Kay and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. Quite nice signature glosses. The only thing... I can't seem to get over the scent. Anyone else think they smell exactly like Play Dough?
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Scrubs -Dr. Brandt - Microdermabrasion in a Jar
yossarian 4/10/2006 12:15:00 AM
I can't believe I never reviewed this one. Once again I'm with the minority here. While it's an effective exfolliator, I don't think I'd ever pay retail for this ($75 for 2 oz). I found it to be very harsh (on the skin and the wallet- thanks to sephora for the great sampling policy) and excessively fragranced. It contains a number of problematic ingredients such as lemon and corn starch that can cause problems in any product. Stay away if you are sensitive. As an aside, has anyone actually seen what Dr. Brandt looks like? Positively frightening. If ever there was ever a case of botox abuse....
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Palettes -Sally Hansen - Color Case - NUDE
yossarian 11/8/2005 5:30:00 PM
While the powders (blush and shadows) are lovely the glosses are just awful. So bad I scooped them completely out of the palette. Perhaps mine had turned but while the glosses looked pretty they had a less than desirable goopy texture and horrible chemical scent.
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Scrubs -Sephora - Super Charged Foot Scrub
yossarian 7/9/2005 3:50:00 PM
This is from sephora's superstars collection. Sephora suggests you use this with their super smoothing foot cream but I only own this product so I can't judge the combined effect. While it really is a nice foot scrub (nice grit, nice foam, not too overpowering tea tree/mint scent) I have a major complaint with it... the packaging. Maybe it's just me but it's almost impossible to get the thick gritty paste out of the tube. When I can get it out of the tube I really enjoy this one. (Retail price: $15 for 2.5 fl oz)
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