Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
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Before I tried Paula's Choice lip exfoliator, I tried ELF's. There is a LOT to like about this version. It has a slick, sleek black lipstick-like container. It is easy to apply. The smell is so sumptuous that you want to eat it instead of using it. After following instructions, dry skin did come off my lips. I found that Paula's Choice was a tad more potent, but I am still loving this product!
January 26, 2016
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Lancôme Dual Finish Multi-Tasking Powder & Foundation in One
My Go-To Foundation; Why Don't You Go, Too?
A hard-to-believe but strange story: Years ago I was running late and actually forgot all of the makeup in my tote (I was going to do my face in the car as my husband drove). I refused to go anywhere without makeup, and thus we stopped at a nearby drugstore to pick up "essentials" which would see me through the day. The most difficult decision was foundation. I am fair; a color too light leaves me looking like a ghost. Just one shade darker gives me "the dreaded orange mask." At that time, Olay made cosmetics as well, so I snatched up their "Complete Day Radiance Powder Foundation." It was summer; we were in a hurry and I wanted to do my routine as quickly and easily as possible. I had never used a powder foundation, and this turned out to be one of the best foundations ever made. This "good thing" came to an end when Olay pulled the line. Replacing Olay's jewel (I was actually stopped in the street and asked the reason why I was glowing!) was quite a task. The next best thing? Lancome's "Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup." Fifteen years later, I have one in my vanity, another in my purse, and a third in my desk at school. This incredible innovation comes in thirty-two hues, with a range of undertones and intensities (one is certain to match your complexion seamlessly). The completely oil-free formula can be sponged on over clean skin, primer, and/or moisturizer for a flawless, natural look. Coverage is buildable yet weightless--"powder" seems a misnomer here! Dampen a sponge for the full effect and to completely erase any discolorations, blemishes, and even skin's tone perfectly. It is beyond long-wearing, especially over a good primer. Your skin will have a subtle radiance for long hours and take you from the office to a night on the town without the need for a touch-up (you may just want to take a look in the mirror to admire your faultless, impeccable skin). And your face will be soft to the touch. There is no build-up or flaking whatsoever. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that this never leaves the market!
January 15, 2016
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My sister has used this moisturizer since she was in her early twenties. I tried it about two years ago. I like the texture; while it's creamy, it absorbs instantly and hydrates well. No wonder it's been part of Clinique's "Three-Step System" for such a very long time . . .
January 14, 2016
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There is an excellent article on this site in which a woman bemoans the aging process. She humorously explains that she thought she "peaked" in terms of beauty at age 27 and then once again at 35. Although she is not superficial and goes on to explain that beauty is indeed skin deep, she hates the fact that women become "invisible" with age. I don't consider myself superficial, but I remember being able to walk out of the house sans foundation or concealer and receiving compliments on my skin. My hands--ah, my hands! There were so lovely at one time. My fingers are long and thin, and the skin was taut and plump, with no wrinkles. I am now noticing tiny brown spots; there are some on my left cheek and a few on my right hand. Oh, no, I am fighting brown spots all the way. I will kick and scream until they disappear! There are basically two ways to do this: You can go the natural route and try ingredients like Niacinamide; it inhibits the production of melanin and "communicates" with cells (one great, effective product with this is Pond's "Clarant B3 Moisturizer"). Products with this often contain Licorice and Mulberry Extract. These are great for purists. Or you can try Hydroquinone, once a prescription-only drug which fades dark spots, age spots, freckles, and works to lighten acne scars as well. Murad's "Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum" falls into the latter category, as the main ingredient is Hydroquinone. It also contains Glycolic Acid, an AHA which breaks down and removes dead cells, allowing the Hydroquinone to penetrate more rapidly. I like this product--a lot! It is a sheer serum with a slight citrus scent. It claims to reduce the appearance of dark spots by 33 percent in just one week. I used this both on my face and on my hand. I have to admit that my skin was indeed lightened after one week, although the spots were still there. With continual use, I expect it to take these away completely. Just a hint here: When you use Hydroquinone, you may want to give it a break after three weeks and use Niacinamide so that you don't damage skin. I'm pleased with this; looks like I don't have to kick and scream after all.
January 12, 2016
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I had to smile when I saw this item. When I was a reviewer for another beauty site than the one I am now, a wonderful colleague carried a bottle of tea tree oil with her everywhere. When anyone had a problem, she would whip out the bottle and come to the rescue, claiming that there is no ailment tea tree oil can't cure. It became a source of good-natured jokes between the reviewers, but one by one we all bought a bottle from The Body Shop (where you purchase it makes little difference, but you are guaranteed of purity here). This little wonder has amazing antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties and has been used for centuries for its curative properties. The smell can be overwhelming, to be sure, but don't let that keep you away! Have blemishes at any age or anywhere, such as your face, shoulders, or back? Use as a spot treatment to dry and clear them (this is not recommended to be rubbed over your entire face). Nail fungus from too many artificial treatments or just in general? Tea tree oil to the rescue for hands and feet! It also works to help heal minor cuts, cure an itching scalp, and prep skin before waxing to avoid nasty after-effects (it functions as an anti-irritant and "calms" skin against redness, stinging, and bumps). Many women claim it stops dandruff. Others use it in boiling water to handle sinus infections. There is always a bottle at our home for these reasons. I had some vicious mosquito bites recently; tea tree oil stopped the itching and reduced the size almost immediately. They disappeared with no scarring. If you've had too much time in the sun (for shame!), tea tree oil will help with discomfort and healing. Some people claim it is a miracle-worker for removing plantar and other warts as well as unsightly skin tags. Add a few drops to your pets' beds to repel fleas and ticks. I could go on and on; many people mix it in a solution and use as a household cleaner. This product simply works. I'm sorry that I ever teased my friend; she was right all along.
January 8, 2016
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Many years ago, I nearly fainted when I purchased Christian Dior's "Designer All-in-One Artistry Palette." Did I actually just pay what I thought I did for ONE item? I'm so very glad I did! That palette led me to purchase nearly every single one which Dior makes. There is no more buttery-soft, exquisite texture when it comes to application and the ability to blend colors flawlessly. The colors are unique, along with the finishes. Some are highly intense, while others are are so pale that they are barely there or have a fascinating holographic appearance. The hues last all day and through the night. Dior is the bar by which I judge every other shadow; no matter how good others are, they aren't Dior. They have a way of making using and wearing eye shadow a heady, wonderful experience, worth every single penny and then some! LOVE THESE!
January 8, 2016
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My sister and I were recently discussing how brows don't seem terribly important in your teens and twenties, but the need to care for them grows as you age. I generally use "Divaderme" on my brows. It is a mixture of clay and thousands of tiny fibers which adhere to your brows and make them look like your own. Even though I love this product, I am still fickle and bought Too Faced's "Brow Envy Brow Shaping and Defining Kit" a few months ago. For $35.00, it's a great deal, especially if you are unsure of what to do with your brows. The kit includes two blendable brow powders (blonde and brunette), a small brow pencil, three plastic brow stencils, a valuable step-by-step guide, two mini-brushes, and a small pair of tweezers. Mix the brow powders for the perfect color (since my hair is auburn, this isn't always easy, but Too Faced makes it handy for me to do). Use the brushes to apply wax and brush brows upward and outward for a manicured, wide-awake look. I don't need the stencils (I have had plenty of eyebrow training in modeling school and afterward), but I do use everything else. No matter how much you love this kit, please be sure to toss after nine months to a year. Products touching the eye area are especially susceptible for contamination and need to be replaced.
November 25, 2015
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I despise dried-out, frizzy hair. At one time, my hair was lush, full, completely undamaged. I needlessly experimented with color, forever losing my gorgeous natural auburn. In my opinion, using hair dye--with its drying ammonia and peroxide--is a huge mistake unless you need to cover gray. Virgin hair is unparalleled in beauty, with multi-tonal highlights, healthy strands, and sheen. The color affected my hair's cuticle and I needed to condition more regularly. And then, to make a very long and convoluted story short, some medical mistakes left me taking large doses of Prednisone to control pain. What came next? Thinning, lifeless, parched tresses which nothing could seem to mend. The shine was a thing of the past; frizz increased incredibly. My frail hair would break very easily, especially after being compromised by washing. I increased the B Vitamins I take, as well as vitamins in general. I used a great deep conditioner regularly. I switched to the Nioxin System for thinning, chemically-treated hair. It worked as well as could be expected, but every time I went for a trim the stylist would look at me, horrified, and ask, "How did you fry your hair?" I was desperate. A tidbit on AOL about John Frieda's "Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Thermal Protection Formula" caught my eye. Evidently one woman had been trying to grow her hair for years with no success. She used the product regularly and eventually had her lengthy, lush locks. For less than $10.00, what did I have to lose? Frizz and delicate hair, for one! This serum is a powerhouse at shielding your strands against the heat of blow dryers, curling or straightening tools, and UV damage. It extends the life of color and imparts a new radiance. After washing (I've learned to use cooler water because it is less damaging), I towel dry gently. Then I pump a dime-sized amount into my palms and work it through my ends and any particularly dry areas, avoiding roots (it will weigh hair down). If more is needed, I adjust it accordingly. I've also invested in an ionic hair dryer to tame frizz with less brutality than a traditional one. My hair is bouncy and shiny; the fragility is less noticeable. A recent trip to the salon had the stylist's mouth agape, asking what had changed in my routine. "Frizz-Ease" uses Vitamin E, mineral oil, and hydrolyzed silk to bring about major results. Occasionally, I use it on dry hair to tame fly-away's. My hair is not greasy; it just feels like hair again, healthy hair. This is easily a ten-star product for me!
May 21, 2015
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Why do women wear foundation? They want to even their skin tone, hide any imperfections, and impart a clarified, lit-from-within finish, right? That's exactly what Temptu's "Airbrush System" does--and THEN SOME! I was fortunate enough to win this from another beauty site, and I was so thrilled that I began experimenting the very night I received it. Foundation flows on seamlessly; you simply slip the small pigmented pod into the brush system and move in circular motions, concentrating first on where you need the most coverage. Less is more. There is no fear of bacterial contamination which you may have with using sponges or brushes for application. You look like yourself--only a much more enhanced version! The foundation lasts all day. That's very important for me, as I teach and have no time to use the ladies room, let alone do makeup touch-ups. Yes, it's expensive, but once you use it, you won't want to return to traditional foundation. There's no fear of having a cakey look or base clinging to fine lines and creases. IT IS A SECOND, MORE PERFECT SKIN. And I am perfectly happy!
November 24, 2014
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How do you know when women like a product? First, there will be a lot of reviews on Total Beauty. A second hint was when I tried to buy it online and it was constantly sold out. It was sold out when I went to my neighborhood drugstores as well. When I finally found it in a nearby city, a $3.99 tube had a giant plastic sensor--the kind you find on clothing in department stores--attached to it! I had nothing but great expectations for Maybelline "Baby Lips." The commercials are alluring. The packaging is cute. I didn't know there were so many options and was mesmerized. Should I choose the clear with in "Quenched?" (great name) or "Peppermint?" No, a color would be a better choice. I purchased my favorite pink, appropriately named "Pink Punch." It has an enjoyable, candy-like subtle scent. The pink is very muted but does give my lips color. I was surprised that there wasn't more shine, but it seemed to be a good product. I like the SPF factor. There was absolutely no tackiness when I rolled it over my pout. I decided to take a much-needed nap while wearing it (my head was throbbing) and lay down for an hour. When I woke up, my lips pretty much peeled right off. I would have expected this from a lip product which promises to exfoliate, but it only lasted a MERE HOUR! It has some good ingredients like Shea Butter and Aloe Leaf Extract, but to keep this in place it has to be continually reapplied. On one site, the claims are that it is a "clinical-strength" lip balm (I think not!). Other claims are that lips will appear 82 percent visibly less dry, be 77 percent better-looking, have an increase of 77 percent in suppleness, and feel 94 percent less rough. I have to question how they come up with these percentages. All in all, I had a nice touch of color and a bit of short-lived softness. I'll keep this and continue to use it--in conjunction with other lip products that perform far better.
October 15, 2014
