Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
-
If there were such a thing as a rehab clinic for those addicted to cosmetic palettes, I would be the first to sign up. I just wonder--would a thirty-day treatment plan be enough to cure me of my color mania? When I was in high school and my sister had her first job during college, she bought me a range of lip glosses which smelled as good as they looked. I still remember opening her no-occasion gift and dancing around the house. I used every bit of those glosses and was the envy of my girlfriends. Some other notable palettes I had were from Ultima II (when they created "kohl" hues--smoky, seductive shades) and Borghese (I wish they had not abandoned their eye shadows, as they were deeply pigmented, vibrant, and wonderful). I have to admit that I wasn't completely "sold" on Urban Decay's "Naked Palette" at first ($50.00 at Ulta or Sephora, with a small size of "Primer Potion" included). The shades appeared too much the same, possibly--should I say this?--bordering on boring. But this palette is anything BUT boring. The hues come in a range of finishes, from matte to gentle shimmer to all-out glitter (wearable glitter, however). You can create a look which is perfectly becoming for the office or running errands to one which is all-out glamour for evening. Some of my favorite colors? "Virgin" (tender shimmering beige) is great as a base all over lids and useful for blending with others (UD's formula slips on very easily, making mixing a breeze). "Half-Baked" is a gleaming golden dream, especially when used with "Smog" (medium bronze) and "Darkhorse" (a glistening, delectable deep chocolate). "Toasted" is a lovely pink-bronze and works very well with "Hustle" (decadent deep purple). "Gunmetal" gets into glowing gray, for the ultimate "smoky eye." This palette, along with UD's "Naked II," is never far away from me. It's worth the price and flattering for every woman's complexion. A suggestion: Nix the applicator included and work with brushes to make the most of this set.
March 13, 2013
-
Since I was a teenager, I have used a "trick" to de-puff my eyes which many other women also probably do: I place several ice cubes in a wash cloth and hold the cloth over them for brief periods of times. I also place it over my skin; pores contract and I am left with a radiant glow and a smooth feel (careful not to hold it on your complexion too long or you will look like you have a bad case of sunburn). It works--and it's free! It may not be the best treatment for inflated eyes, but it's been the most effective solution I've had so far. When Garnier came out with their "Anti-Puff Eye Roller," my sister and I were caught up in the tremendous hype going on about this product. Wow! We could get rid of both bags and dark circles with the sweep of a wand. We laughed like crazy when she came to my house and gave me one she had bought for me; I had had one ready for her. It contains caffeine, which works to constrict blood vessels and reduce distended skin. Another ingredient included is a form of Hyaluronic Acid, adding some moisture to skin. Pro-Vitamin B5 is meant to hydrate delicate skin here as well. It is oil-free, and thus you don't have to worry about any residue left behind. I have to admit that the roller ball is wonderfully cooling and refreshing. Both of us felt that our stressed eyes had been greatly relieved and were anxious to look in the mirror for the results--NOTHING! We used this roller religiously as directed, morning and night, over a rather lengthy period of time. This is trickery! Besides giving us a good feeling, dark areas remained dark, and there was no reduction whatsoever in puffiness. It took at least a year for me to try another Garnier product. This is not worth the $12.99 we each paid. Actually, we both found it COMPLETELY WORTHLESS!
March 12, 2013
-
Yes, I am drawn to Lancome's "Bi-Facils" as my favorite product to rid my eyes of all cosmetics, but these pads are a treat. They work swiftly and very gently to remove every trace of color with no irritation, burning, or oily residue left behind. They are an exceptional value at about $5.00!
March 11, 2013
-
When I had to have Prednisone nerve blocks for the treatment of intolerable headaches (the result of a mistake during eye surgery), my hair and nails suffered badly. My tough nails grew weak. They peeled as easily as onions. After showering, even contact with a thirsty bath towel would cause them to break. I switched from a nail file to emery boards, but it seemed that all I was filing were short, split ends which used to resemble real nails. I tried a multitude of products, all to no avail. Since I've always been a fan of Sally Hansen items, I experimented with their "Nailgrowth Miracle," a polish which you apply every other day (before color). The ingredients held promise for me: This unique formula contains Soy Protein to bind moisture to parched nails. Keratin protects nails against tearing, splitting, and peeling, while Collagen and vitamins encourage new nail growth. Results are guaranteed in five days; moreover, I saw some of my favorite words--money-back guarantee! I could get my $7.50 returned if it didn't work. BUT IT DID! Within a week, there was more strength and pliability (I kept the polish on my nails at all times). Nails actually began to show signs of growth (the box claimed 30%; I don't know how much I noted, but I was thrilled!). About a month later I had short but even nails which I was able to file into attractive oval edges. As time went on, there was a major renewal and increased length and strength. I highly recommend Sally Hansen's "Nailgrowth Miracle" if you bite your nails or have any problems in keeping them long and strong.
March 11, 2013
-
Two years ago, I was a complete wreck. My once-thick, strong, lively tresses were dry beyond belief. Even when handling hair with care, the ends became as parched as tumbleweeds. Gone was the volume. There was some slight thinning beginning at the crown. One stylist after another was appalled as he/she began to trim the ends, asking how I was "frying" my hair. It was simple but sad. I had had a surgical mistake made during eye surgery which left me with such intense headaches that I was unable to function. I started to have nerve blocks for the pain. They were done with Prednisone every three months, and I was also given large amounts of the same medication orally. It basically destroyed my hair (my nails were adversely affected as well). One stylist said to me in exasperation, “Well, there’s one solution we all used in cosmetology school. If we really needed to fix a hair disaster, we turned to pre-natal vitamins and Nioxin.” The salon was selling some of the systems; she directed me to System 3 for fine, chemically treated hair (you can find what system suits you best on Nioxin’s web site itself when you take their “quiz”). I was shocked at the cost--$36.00. But I was willing to give anything a try, and Nioxin comes with a thirty-day money-back guarantee. That was the beginning of my year of using this brand alone, and I have to say that my hair has improved GREATLY in terms of strength, supple feel, and volume (you can find lower prices at Amazon and e-Bay). The “trial” system includes shampoo, conditioner, and a treatment serum. The shampoo is not particularly moisturizing, but it did not dry my hair. The conditioner added a soft, silky feel I hadn’t experienced in a very long time. The serum was completely without oil; you spray into roots and work through to ends, using a wide-tooth comb for best results. During this period I not only experienced a huge improvement in my hair, but the products allowed me to shampoo every third day and my hair never, ever felt or looked greasy or heavy. The worst days are over and my hair is on its way to normalcy (and I’m done with Prednisone). Thank you, Nioxin!
March 11, 2013
-
Looking good is getting easier all the time! I do get very frustrated with the mind-boggling number of products available because I have to fight the urge to buy; I do research my purchases, most especially when they are pricey. The seductive hype that comes in the form of continual print and media advertisements is hard to fight (look at how Maybelline's campaign for "Stiletto Mascara" made you think your glossy lashes would be lengthened so as to touch the ceiling!). Ultimately, though, you can find an item to correct and/or conceal whatever beauty problem(s) you have. When I was a teenager and young adult and wanted to look good for a special occasions, I would prep my face with a commercial or homemade oatmeal mask. After cleansing, I would blot a washcloth full of ice cubes over my skin briefly to shrink pores, de-puff my eyes, and give me a radiant glow. It worked! Now there is a plethora of foundation primers which do the same job and then some. They work at everything from disguising pores and fine lines and creases to helping foundation adhere to skin for long hours and through tough conditions (heat, humidity, etc.). I didn't research Smashbox's "Photo Finish Foundation Primer" (for shame, I now realize). I had heard through my friends that this was the best product to hit the market since proverbial sliced bread. I paid $36.00 for this without a second thought. My skin would be flawless and porcelain-like. NOT SO! The texture was heavy and mask-like. It was a hindrance to the application of foundation, not a help. That is mainly because of the large amount of silicone included which fills in furrows. I gave it away and turned to other varieties; Smashbox's much-applauded product did nothing for me but subtract from my budget. Since then, I have been pleased to learn that Smashbox has also added versions in "Light" (for oily and blemish-prone skin), "Hydrating" (additional moisturizers give a cool feel while adding moisture), "Correcting" (to balance undertones), and "Luminizing" (for all-over shimmer). I still wouldn't buy another version. Fool me twice, shame on me!
March 11, 2013
-
When I was a newborn, my mom used Johnson's "Baby Oil" on me daily. While doing so, she discovered a new supple feel to her hands. Her brittle, ragged cuticles began to heal. Then she experimented and used it on her face as a cleanser and a moisturizer, with superb results. She telephoned management at the company and suggested that they recommend that mothers use "Baby Oil" as well. They literally scoffed at her, calling the idea ridiculous. They told her that there were products made especially for women and that this was simply for babies. How utterly ridiculous! I never use an oil-based product without thinking of my bright mother's idea and how Johnson now highly recommends the use of this oil on people of all ages. And then something else comes back to me: Modeling school. We spent literal hours piling on cosmetics of all sorts, most of them heavy-duty and professional. After my first day of working with such intense color, I heard a long but fascinating lecture from a makeup artist on how to remove all traces of products from our skin in the most tender way possible--with oil. She recommended a cold cream (oils themselves were not really fashionable then) and explained that lipids bond with lipids, drawing out all remnants of what we had just applied along with any other remaining dirt and grime. I bought a sample of DHC's cleansing oil and was most impressed. It thoroughly cleans pores and removes even stubborn, waterproof eye makeup (careful here--you don't want to pull out delicate lashes or tug skin around eyes, and this oil makes removal ultra-gentle). Even lip and cheek stains disappear instantly. With my previous experience, I'm surprised that I didn't begin using this years ago. I suppose I feared a greasy residue afterward, but there is none. Your skin is simply soft and radiant, and you can rest assured that you have handled it well.
March 11, 2013
-
Should I admit this? Years ago I was teaching in a high school and we had a new principal, a woman. As I met with her and she explained her expectations from my department for the year, all I could think of was how amazing she smelled. Was it soap? Powder? Possibly a new fabric softener? It was ultimately tender yet sensuous and musky. Once she and I became friends, I asked her what her signature scent was and she confessed that it was Paul Sebastian's "Design." I bought it immediately and had people come up to me and ask what I was wearing. This is a distinctive, memorable aroma, with notes of honeysuckle, spicy carnation, citrus, rose (ahhh!) and musk. I met my husband the year I began to wear this. I am never without it. He loves it so much that he ensures that there is always a new bottle on my tray table.
March 8, 2013
-
I wrote in a recent review that my once dependable, rock-steady hand which could apply eyeliner in moving vehicles and over rocky roads is now a bit shaky. I've often found myself with liner on my cheeks and nose as well as my eyes. A friend advised me to try these chubby sticks as an easy-to-use, wonderful alternative. She is an all-knowing beauty diva, and I couldn't understand how such an unwieldy instrument could create thin lines. I examined the colors--they are dazzling and opulent, from "Fig" (plum) to "Golden Black" to a fascinating "Moss" and "Smoke." I considered the cost--$22.00 was a tad steep for one pencil, but at the time when I first purchased these Sephora offered five colors for a low discounted price. The formula is waterproof, free of irritants, and contains Amazonian Clay, a complex ingredient which works to improve skin's clarity, elasticity, and texture. The clay is also touted to remove oil from your complexion's surface, allowing products to work better and last longer. So I caved and bought a set. And then I bought another for my sister. And then I bought a third for my best friend . . . These liners are simply stunning! You have to experiment with them, but the rounded tip actually creates any width of line you want, from the most fine to outrageously wild. The colors locks in for all-day and all-night wear. There is a built-in smudger to soften color; I like to use this under my bottom lashes for a sultry appearance. A sharpener was included with the set, and I appreciated that. My eyes simply "pop" with these hues; try it--yours will as well!
March 8, 2013
-
While Tarte's "Amazonian Clay Powder Blush" is a hit with me, sometimes I prefer a more dewy look. Tarte created a COMPLETE WINNER with this stain in a highly portable tube! Available in a number of wildly flattering shades (from warm peachy-pink to deep plum to watermelon, some delightfully scented), it leaves enough of a glow to make you look like you're just been complimented, have fallen in love, or completed a stroll in the brisk winter air. This product is alcohol-, paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free (so relax, you're not harming your precious skin in any manner). Better yet, there are five active anti-oxidant super-fruits to treat your complexion while enhancing it: Goji, Acai, Maracuja, Acelora, and Pomegranate. Their are no oils to clog pores or cause breakouts. The pigments are derived from minerals known to soothe and soften. Because color goes on softly, you decide just how much depth you want. Coverage is buildable. While you're at it, swipe some on your lips for a complementary look. Thirty dollars may seem steep for a cheek (and lip) stain, but it lasts a long time. And it will stay put on your face for hours!
March 8, 2013
