Eyes -Lancome - Oscillation Powerbooster Primer
yumi1 1/26/2010 10:06:00 AM
Love. Worth every penny, too bad it's not cheaper though!! Seriously makes your lashes look almost fake. Lengthens, thickens and holds shape ALL DAY. I use this with Chanel Inimitable mascara with truly amazing results. Cons: price, and wish the brush (bristle part) was just a tad less flexible. Overall, it has beaten every other mascara primer I've used (my last fave was Kate Mascara Base). Will for sure repurchase unless something of equal quality and lower price comes out.
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Cleansers -Clinique - Liquid Facial Soap Extra Mild
yumi1 8/19/2009 7:09:00 AM
Recently moved overseas and ran out of my beloved Paula's Choice One Step cleanser. Had to do a quick improvisation with not a lot of options, and narrowed it down to this or a cleanser by Lancome. This was far cheaper than Lancome, so I decided to give it a try. At first, I didn't really like it. It has a good texture, and it didn't break me out, but my skins initial reaction during the first several uses was a slight (very slight) burning- like it might be too harsh or drying. I think my skin may have gotten used to it though (? is that possible??) because I do not experience this anymore. It is not drying, removes dirt/makeup well- though I use a washcloth to get it off, but I do that with all cleansers. Still have not broken out, have not dried out because of it.. so all in all, I really like this! If my first love, Paula's Choice, were more easily accessible to me, of course, I would buy that, but for the convinience factor for me, this is a great option. Love the pump too. I only gave it a 4 because it's not "love" or HG status for me :) But, very, very good!!
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Sunscreen -Hawaiian Tropic - Oil Free Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50 Spray Lotion
yumi1 5/26/2009 7:09:00 AM
I am always on the lookout for a sunscreen that can fit everyone in my family, rather than spend the money to buy multiple bottles. I think my search is over. Let me start by telling you that I have two small kids, one of which is extremely fair and sun-sensitive (turns red easily, burns easily) and the other is like me, tans easily- but still can get a slight burn if the sun is too intense or she's out too long. We also just moved from Washington state to Italy where they've seen more sun in 2 weeks than they have in 2 1/2 years!! 2 and 4 year olds don't like to stand still for too long, so I needed something that would apply quickly. This is an aerosol spray lotion, and it does just that. Stand the kid on a towel (otherwise you'll get lotion overspray on the floor) spray it on, rub it in. Just that easy. Spray is also convienient with a family because you don't spend so much time rubbing in and waiting for it to absorb- you can spray and go. No thick, sticky mess. The up/down side to the aerosol is that when you spray it on, it's very cold. If you're in the hot sun, that could be a plus. My kids thought it was funny :) And for their faces, I just sprayed some into my hand and then applied. They went out in direct sunlight, in a pool for at least 2 hours and had one re-application in the middle, and neither of them burned or got any tan lines. Also, my husband didn't burn- and his shoulders always burn, no matter how much SS he puts on, and I didn't get tan lines. I really like that it doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky or tacky, and that it doesn't take a long time to absorb, like many sunscreens. The cost seemed average for sunscreen, the DS brands all usually run 6-8 dollars and I think this one was 6 or 7 (6 oz). Overall, this is a HUGE winner for me and I will be repurchasing all summer long! *Other info: SPF/UVB 50, Alcohol free, Avobenzone 3.00%, Octocrylene 8.00%, Oxybenzone 6.00%*
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Moon Valley Organics - Lip Treat
yumi1 3/7/2009 2:31:00 PM
I stumbled across this recently while taking my in-laws around Pike's Market in Seattle. I normally don't buy much there, finding much of it overpriced and touristy, but we happened to stop by the booth to sample some organic honey, and of course my eye wanders over to the bath and body items. I initially tried the lotion bar (another review to come) then saw this. Always a sucker for a new lip treatment, I sampled some and was fairly impressed. It comes in a tin, not my fave, but I don't mind. If you just swipe the top layer with your finger, you don't get much product, I prefer to dig a little chunk out with the outside of my fingernail (sorry, gross, I know). It literally MELTS on contact with your lips, and feels moisturizing, not greasy. It really feels like its sinking in. There is no distinguishable taste or smell. Really pretty nice stuff aside for the packaging. And I think it was about $2 for .5 oz. I think Moon Valley is actually pretty readily available in larger health food stores (Whole Foods etc.) , you can do a store locator at their website www.moonvalleyhoney.com, or you can purchase on the site as well. (I am not affiliated w/ them at all) Ingredients: Organic Safflower and/or Organic Sunflower oil, organic beeswax and beeswax, organic lemon balm, organic comfrey, organic calendula, natural vanilla flavoring, organic lemon essential oils, organic licorice root and natural vitamin e from soybean. 85% organic.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Soap and Glory - The Righteous Butter
yumi1 2/10/2009 8:47:00 PM
Awesome, hydrating, luxurious moisturizer. Agree completely with previous reviewer- smells identical to Miss Dior Cherie.
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Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
yumi1 1/15/2009 3:57:00 AM
This is an initial review on HD foundation, which I have been testing out. I have oily/combo, sensitive, VERY acne-prone skin. I also have uneven skintone and acne scarring. AND fine lines and dry patches :P So far, HD is a very good foundation. I'd say it's light to medium coverage, it evens things out very nicely but doesn't completely cover the bad scarring or very red spots. You'd have to use a concealer in conjunction with it. Sure, I get shiny after a while, but I get shiny with everything- Revlon Colorstay and all. It's nothing too bad. It doesn't seem to be ultra long lasting, but that's ok with me. Just don't go work out or touch your face all day long if you want it to stay on. The finish is very natural looking, which I really like. It's like what I wish a tinted moisturizer would do for me! And by golly, it photographs beautifully. No lie. I know that that is what it was designed to do, but it really works. I used to love LM oil free, it gave me the coverage I loved but man, did it look like poo in pictures. My face was always ghastly whiter than the rest of me, and my foundation matched (in person) perfectly. So I also love that about HD. The price is up there, but it's not the worst, but the pump bottle is good. I don't like that you can only get it at Sephora- points off for that. Not everyone has a Sephora nearby and you really need to sample a few shades IRL before buying. But add points for having a great color selection! I am a Mac NC25/30, LM Silk Creme bamboo beige/LM oil free Sunny Beige and I tried 118, 120 and 123. 120 is perfect for me right now. 123 will probably be great for summer (although I can get away with wearing it right now) but may be slightly light if I get very tan. So far.. haven't broken out. If I were sensitive to this, I would have already broken out so it's probably safe to say I won't. Yay! I think I am going to buy this. I'm really liking it so far. I will update if anything changes! *UPDATE 2/25* I have since bought a full size bottle. Still loving it. One full pump does my whole face and then some. I have just enough left over to go over old scars, areas that need extra coverage again. The texture is phenomenal. Light and silky. Other reviewers are right when they say it will accentuate dry spots, but really, are there foundations that don't?? Just make sure to exfoliate & moisturize (if necessary) before applying. Hasn't caused any breakouts yet either. Again, I get shiny/oily with this, but I get shiny & oily from everything. I wouldn't stop me from repurchasing because there are so many other wonderful qualities in this foundation. *UPDATE 10/10/09* This is still the best foundation I have been using. I tried switching back to Revlon Colorstay (too heavy, caused slight breakouts, not a good color match), L'oreal Age Perfect (eh- so-so, not a wide color selection, good moisturizing properties, gets a little oily) LM Silk Creme (decent, but I prefer MUFE HD). Has not caused any breakouts thus far, so I think it won't. Looks beautiful and natural if your skin is in decent condition. The best remedy to blending in any blemishes or scarring, is by using MUFE Full Cover concealer. MUFE HD 120 is a perfect match with Full Cover #4. I use 123 in the summer and I think #6 is a good match. Still hands down my fave foundation so far.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream (Night)
yumi1 1/6/2009 8:46:00 PM
I decided to give this a try after becoming very frustrated with Rx creams. I have tried plenty, the latest being Differin- which, for the record, didn't make my skin very Differ-ent. Ha ha. But really, not fun. I have suffered from persistant, cystic acne since I hit puberty at about the age of 12. I'm 28 now- just so you get an idea of the kind of products I have tried in those 16 years. I picked this one based on great reviews here and despite the great reviews for the Intensive night version, I chose this soley on the price point. Why not try the cheaper one first, if it doesn't work- then give the other a try. I have been using this faithfully every night for about 5 nights and I already feel a review is warranted. I have made sure to wash my face everynight, and to try to keep the m/u wearing to a minimum so that I know if I breakout, it is hormome/diet/other related. Immediately after the first use, my skin felt softer and more glowy for lack of better word. Presently, my breakouts have been minimal (I think I have gotten 2 teeny "normal" pimples that came and went) and the whopper I already had on my chin shrank down right away (usually they like to hang around at least 2 weeks). It's still red, but it's not painful or swollen like it would be. My fine lines have already started to diminish- they are definately not as noticeable on my forehead (I don't really have too many fine lines except there). My skin is smoother, radiant, less oily,scarring is less noticeable, more even toned and less dry. I never got any burning or itching or adverse reaction, although I did get a small dry patch on my chin but I attribute that to the fact I was already broken out there). I will update this as I use it more because really, this might be jumping the gun- but it has done such a truly amazing job so far that I couldn't NOT write a review!! If this is finally what helps my skin, I cannot believe I didn't try it sooner. PS- packaging is fine, it's metal. Yes you must roll it but the aluminum tube is what keeps the Retinol stable.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Laura Mercier - Perfecting Water - Rich
yumi1 5/9/2008 12:47:00 AM
Hands down the best toner I've ever tried. Only (really big) downside is the price. If you use this daily, or twice daily, you will use it up fairly quickly. And if my memory serves me right without looking up the price.. it's somewhere near $40 a bottle. Steep. When I can afford it, I buy another. When I can't, I suffer through. If I had the money to spend on it all the time, there would be no question as to whether i'd repurchase. LOVE this. I have sensitive, combo, acne prone skin that always has dry flaky spots and oily areas. This is so rich (like the name implies!) and hydrating. I use it after I wash or exfoliate my face. In the summertime, this and the LM Hydrating Primer are enough moisturizer for me. Never, ever have broken out from it, it has never stung either. Did I mention that I love it?? Because I do! I just wish it was a little cheaper, or a little larger.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Laura Mercier - Stick Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
yumi1 1/10/2008 2:21:00 AM
This is pretty good stuff. Maybe not HG but great enough that I will keep one around in my stash til I find something better. I love LM foundations, my favorite being Silk Creme. I find her colors to be extremely good and coverage always seems to be right on to what I am looking for, and nothing of hers to date has broken me out. I tried this for the convienence factor, I am a Mom of two young girls- ages 1 & 2 and I stay at home so that leaves me with not much time to do my MU if I run around to do errands. And I am quite tired of looking like doo-doo most of the time so I figured if I had a time saving product it would help motivate me to look less doo-doo-ish less often. :P Well, it does! It is a snap to apply, you could take your time and use a brush or sponge but I just swipe it directly on my face and blend with my fingers (I see some of you germaphobes cringing in disgust LOL) To use it like a concealer, I just rub my finger on the stick then use my fingertip to apply in harder to reach areas like around my nose, corners of my eyes, under my eyes- so on. I don't need concealer with this although I wouldn't describe the coverage to be "heavy". It just seems to do the job. I normally use powder but it's not a must with this. W/O powder it just leaves a natural looking finish. Color is pretty superb, leaning to slightly a little yellow but in natural light I can't see it. I am using Natural and I am Bamboo Beige in Silk Creme and Sunny Beige in Oil Free. Doesn't make me break out and doesn't look "makeup-y". Price is .. well, pricey but I can't put a price on something that is easy to apply, looks good and matches. Very happy with this product, though I am fency to whether it is HG status. I would say it makes the top ten list for sure though :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Accessories -Unlisted Brand - SPANX
yumi1 12/24/2007 5:40:00 PM
Well this girl is a genius. I don't know how she did it but it works! I got the Higher Power high waisted power panty just for some extra smoothing underneath dresses and it literally shrank me about a size. Nips in my waist, flattens my tummy and it doesn't smoosh my butt (which is good for me because my butt isn't so big and usually pantyhose flatten it out). Also trims my thighs as well. I am not overweight but I have a couple pounds I would like to lose and I still need to tone up after having my 2nd baby but this does the trick til I go back to the gym (SOON! lol). Any "loose skin" I have as a result of pregnancy is smoothed out. Genius. Sheer genius! I also have to agree with many of the previous reviews, I can actually move and sit and eat and breathe in this as well. I would definately try other products by Spanx. As far as price goes- again, I agree with a previous reviewer, compared to other shapewear, this is about the same if not cheaper than most. To address the cheaper sister to Spanx sold at Target, it is not the same. I checked it out, and I have to say I can't imagine that the fabric it is made of will allow most dresses to "slip"over. It is fairly rough and seems like it would snag easily. I skipped over those and just spent the extra $14 or so to get real Spanx and I was not disappointed!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Nicole - Nic's Sticks - Stick With Me
yumi1 12/3/2007 2:09:00 AM
I spotted these at Walmart tonight and grabbed three, figuring if the reviews were horrible, I could return. Well, turns out- there are no reviews so i'm going to be the guinea pig!! This product is nailpolish in a pen- with one end you push to get the np out on the brush- you know, like Touche Eclat concealer. The brush is sort of crappy- so I though at first glance. Sort of chubby and not sleek like most bottled np brushes. Disappointing considering OPI makes Nicole. Ok- well, it actually did it's job with no problem! (We will see if it causes problems with the darker polishes I bought since they need to be more precisely applied). One coat with no base coat on my nails went on like nothing- and by that I mean SUPER easy. And for this color (pale natural sheer nude-y pink- lol, like that description??) there was NO streaking. I am waiting for it to dry more so I can add a second coat. Drying time for this 1st coat was fast as well. The price is a little "eh" I guess because you are mostly paying for the packaging (if it really works then I don't care because I can't apply traditional np for crap)- they were a little over $6 each for 4ml (.135 fl oz) Comparison- a bottle of OPI is around $6-7 for 15ml or 0.5 fl oz. Packaging is decent but nothing to write home about. Looks basically like a marker. But so far the gimmicky product is doing what it's supposed to do. And I did one coat on two hands in a matter of a minute. And I can NEVER EVER paint my own right hand!!! I will update with how the 2nd coat performed and also how the other colors I purchased did as well. *********ONE BIG NEGATIVE... it is extremely hard to tell what color the polish is due to the plastic container the polish is housed in. ***************2nd coat streaked, not horribly but it's there. Maybe a base coat would help me. 1 coat would be good for a natural tint.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Veet's Bladeless Razor hair removal kit
yumi1 8/6/2007 11:19:00 AM
Wow so many bad reviews. I *just* tested it out so I will update my review in a day or so... I patch tested one area on my leg- from ankle to knee. I have a mix of finer and coarser hairs, but mostly coarse. And.. I have extra sensitive skin. No burning. Yes, it stinks a little (nothing like the old Nair smell though) and it's funny cause I thought it smelled worse after I rinsed it off. I left it on for about 5 minutes (just due to the fact I have coarser hairs) and i'd say about 98% of them came off after that. I will be more impressed IF I don't get any stubble there by the end of the day! If it delays the regrowth, then i'm sold. I don't care that it takes a little longer than shaving- just as long as it keeps the stubble away longer than a day! So far so good...
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Conditioner -Clairol - Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Conditioner
yumi1 6/28/2007 4:37:00 PM
So this is just a tenative review.. as today was the first day I used it. I'm not sure why it got such crappy reviews. It smells good, is light yet conditioning (my hair is very soft and silky), detangled my loooong hair and the scent is lingering (always a plus in my book). The price is pretty cheap.. I think I paid $3 something at Target. So not bad! After a few days we'll see though. But right now i'm happy! Oh I should add i'm not sure that it really volumized, but it's very light and rinses clean so I could see how that would be a plus to help the volumizing process.***********UPDATE. This stuff is total crap! After using it more than once it just built up and made my hair nasty and matted and dull.. and I could go on and on. Don't waste your money!
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Crème -Laura Mercier - Silk Creme Foundation
yumi1 4/17/2007 5:01:00 PM
New HG foundation! My previous HG was LM Oil-Free, but sometimes that tended to get tacky on application and it did have its blending/ spreading issues. After reading reviews on the Silk Creme I decided to get some samples and try it out. Wonderful stuff! Lighter weight than the oil free (don't let "creme" fool you- it's not heavy like true cream foundation), spreads/blends beautifully, really leaves a flawless, natural looking finish. I don't even need to set with powder if I don't want to and I have an oily t-zone. (Of course powder touch ups are necessary through the day but that's normal for me). And previous reviews are right, a little does go a long way so don't let the little squeeze tube and price fool you. Totally worth it. LM knows her foundation shades too. I am anywhere from a Mac nc25-30ish depending on what time of year it is, and a LM Sunny Beige in oil free (which can get a tad too yellow when i'm a little paler). Initially the LM SA recommended Beige Ivory, which was beautiful, with a slight pink undertone but nothing too noticeable. I could wear this perfectly in the winter months. I also had a sample of Bamboo Beige and that one was a spot on match- even in totally natural OUTSIDE light!! :P I would call it neutral leaning toward warm/yellow. Absolutely perfect. (for reference i'm more a NC30 right now) Love this stuff. Been using for a few days, no breakouts- nothing. I also love the squeeze tube- travels easy, doesn't take up room. Am going back for a full size tube tonight :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
yumi1 2/6/2007 9:01:00 PM
This stuff is great. No question. Packaging could use some work but the product is worth it. UDPP is so good, I turned my best friend onto it and she's already on her 2nd tube and she's not even a m/u junkie like me :) Nuff said!
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