Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
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Vitabath-Original Spring Green Original Spring Green Moisturizing Bath and Shower Gelee
I LOVE Vita-AAAH-bath!
When I was in junior high school, my older sister would get a large bottle of "Vitabath Moisturizing Bath and Shower Gelee" (original spring green fragrance) each year on her birthday from her best friend. She and I were close, but she told me that I was permitted to use it no more than five times, as she treasured it. I chose the times when I would use this very carefully--before school dances or when I knew I would be seeing a boy I liked. However, I still felt terribly guilty when I used it for bubble baths, but I fell completely in love with the "woodsy" fragrance, the abundant bubbles, and the softening effect. I am ecstatic that Vitabath has not changed this gem of a product. The smell is both invigorating and relaxing--a "musky" scent, reminiscent of walking in the woods on one of the first days of spring. The ingredients include Vitamins A and D3, Biotin, Lanolin, and Sunflower and Corn Oils. These days, my sister gives me a bottle every chance she gets. This, along with Neutrogena's "Rainbath," making getting up in the morning for work a lot easier and a lot more pleasant when you can look forward to the joy you'll have from washing with these!
April 17, 2013
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How important are beauty tools? I learned this lesson well in modeling school. We worked only with natural hair brushes. Applying lipstick without a retractable natural hair brush wasn't even permitted! I loved the training I received, but somehow I then got caught up in using the applicators which come with products. Later I worked for a makeup review site and had to critique the fantastic brushes created by Profaces (who no longer produce brushes or makeup for themselves--darn!). My modeling school days came back to me. There is a WORLD of difference applying and blending eye shadow, foundation, blush, or even lipstick when you are using high-quality tools. Everything glides on more evenly, seamlessly. Awhile back Physician's Formula "Kabuki Brush" was recommended to me. The company makes the claim that "It is the softest brush you have ever felt! We promise!" So I tried it (available at drugstores for around $10.95). Ohmygosh, this is obviously not composed of natural bristles, but the bristles are incredibly soft, perfect for sensitive or easily irritated skin. The brush is the most dense one I own (and I own a multitude). I love it with loose or pressed powder. It works beautifully when applying a great highlighter, like Hourglass Cosmetics' "Ambient Lighting Powders." Be sure to wash it once a week to keep it clean. A word of warning: Because this is so thick, it takes a little longer to dry, but it is absolutely worth it. Perhaps you may want to keep a second one on hand!
April 16, 2013
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Most of the BEST fragrances do indeed come from Chanel. Chanel's "Chance Eau de Toilette Spray" is a feminine, classic, sophisticated mix of Hyacinth (one of my all-time FAVORITE smells), White Musk, Pink Pepper, Jasmine, Fresh Vetiver, Citrus, Iris, and Amber of Patchouli. A little goes a long way and stays for a long time.
April 16, 2013
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I enjoy this scent. It reminds me not only of laundry, but of clothing dried outdoors with that smell a dryer or laundry sheets cannot give. It's perfect for spring and summer. I have a large bottle, but I refill a small bottle and toss it in my purse wherever I go.
April 16, 2013
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Oh, I'm afraid to count the number of years it has been since I first used Diane Young's "Extreme Dark Circles Hibiscus Concealer." I was using a lot of her products at the time and was extremely pleased with all of them (I suppose I became fickle and moved on to experiment with other brands). When this concealer initially appeared on the market, it sold for $47.00. Translated in today's dollars (that was long ago), I'm still in shock that I paid that much for a concealer (it is now $32.00). But this concealer has a texture like no other--it is LIQUID VELVET. It is available in two shades. "Khaki" works to disguise red or purple undereye circles. Peach is more effective in dealing with brown or grey shades under the eyes. This is a robust formula with full coverage. It has an appealing, light scent. More is less when using this product because of its nature. Diane Young suggests using a pea-sized amount, applying both to the upper eyelid and lower eye area, and then working with your finger (your ring finger, of course, since it exerts the least pressure) or a concealer brush to blend in completely and seamlessly. While this is enhancing your beauty, ingredients are enhancing your skin. Peptides deliver more Copper into your complexion and signal your skin to produce more Collagen. Antioxidants protect from free radicals, while properties of the Hibiscus itself improve fragile, dry skin around the eyes. This is indeed one of a kind; I would give it a hundred stars if I could!
April 16, 2013
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I despise coloring my natural hair. It used to be a brilliant shade of auburn which I cannot replicate--neither can any salon. It was strong, resilient, shiny, and fell into its own cascade of curls, making me look like I had a body wave when I didn't have one. As I grew a little older, gray hairs began to appear. At first I tried pulling them out. Then I used henna. Finally, I turned to Clairol's "Loving Care" because it has no ammonia or peroxide, but that has unfortunately been removed from the market. So now I color to keep my hair a pretty auburn shade, although I will never have one as multi-tonal as the original. Extending the life of my color is extremely important to me, as it means fewer trips to the salon and/or fewer times doing it myself. When I just inhale hair coloring, I realize how much the harsh ammonia and peroxide must be stripping my hair shaft of nutrients and just damaging it in general. I do use L'anza's superior shampoo to keep the color in longer. After, I turn to L'anza's "Healing Colorcare Color Preserving Conditioner." It has Silicone, Glycerin, Keratin Amino Acids, and flower extracts--Cornflower, Hibiscus, Yellow Rose, and Coneflower. What I love most about Coneflower is that it is present in the potent skin care products available from Diane Young (these products work beautifully to keep your complexion, neck, and décolleté wrinkle-free and firm). There are nutrients in this conditioner which I like--Magnesium, Zinc, and Manganese. L'anza gives a guarantee that its "Flower Shield Complex"® will extend the life of your color by 107 percent. I am completely uncertain of the percent by which my artificial color lasts longer, but it is DEFINITELY noticeable. If I use other shampoos and conditioners, I will find myself seeking the color bottle much more often. I love the feel of this conditioner. It is a rich cream; I leave it on my hair at least three to five minutes to reap the full benefits. My hair is glossy and very soft afterwards. I can go days between washing without hair feeling greasy or heavy at all. Thank you, L'anza, for making a despicable beauty duty much more pleasant!
April 16, 2013
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I hate hair coloring for myself, whether it's done in a salon or whether I do it myself. I realize that I am damaging the very core of my hair with ammonia and peroxide, but I do not want the gray around my temples or at my crown to show (yes, I've used temporary colors and hennas and they wash out immediately). If one things makes coloring a little less painful, it's being able to use L'anza's "Healing Colorcare Color Preserving Shampoo" afterward. This highly efffective shampoo contains Glycerin, Keratin Amino Acids, Calendula Flower Extract, and Gardenia and Yellow Rose Flower Extracts. I was surprised to learn that it contains Coneflower--Coneflower is a key ingredient in the incredible skin care and cosmetic products I purchase by Diane Young. It lathers abundantly and has a sulfate-free formula. The main reason why I turned to this was to extend the life of my color. L'anza claims that this contains a "Flower Shield Complex"® and agents to protect from the sun's powerful, damaging UVA/UVB rays. Color is supposed to last 107 percent longer than shampooing without it. Once again, I have no idea how they determine these numbers, but I do indeed find myself coloring much less often with this. Moreover, my hair's texture is normally akin to a Brillo pad after washing. Not so with this--I can run my fingers through the strands with no problem. That in itself is a miracle!
April 16, 2013
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Do you like second chances? Are you a big believer in new beginnings? I do and I am! I was taken aback entirely when I used Peter Thomas Roth's "FIRMx™ Peeling Gel," feeling like I have an entirely new, fresh, perfect complexion ($48.00 at Sephora). I have always loved this brand of skin care items, but I was in a "blue funk" recently and turned to a large sample of this (new products get me excited and tend to improve my mood). The active ingredients are the enzymes Pineapple, Pomegranate, and Keritanase, along with Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin. First, you simply cleanse your skin and pat dry. Apply a generous amount on dry skin and rub in easy circles, always being sure to avoid the very tender eye area. The formula is a semi-opaque, fragrance-free liquid with tiny particles in it. As you continue to gently swirl, you will notice very large "pieces" on your face--that is your dead skin itself, being exfoliated! Rinse thoroughly after use. Although my skin rarely breaks out, I do have some annoying, small, and constant blackheads which I battle. Some of the blackheads disappeared the very first time I used this product. The rest are diminishing with regular use, and I couldn't be happier. My skin has not been THIS SMOOTH AND VELVETY since my Baptism, to be sure! There is a new taut feel as well. Best results are achieved by using two to three times weekly, as it is not at all irritating (I will admit that I initially feared this peel of stripping my skin's oils and leaving it red and raw). If you want to experience more potent enzyme action, you can leave the potion on for an additional one to five minutes before rinsing. And you can also use it on hands, elbows, or any other areas where dry patches appear. I'M IN LOVE! This is a new addition to my routine, one I enjoy using greatly and which produces AMAZING results.
April 16, 2013
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Too Faced Cosmetics seldom disappoint. And so it goes with their "Exotic Color Intense Eye Shadow Singles" ($18.00 at Sephora). These are intense, rich shades in unusual colors. I love to wear "Copper Peony" (burnt copper) in the spring and summer. "Enchanted Garden" is a gold-infused espresso, a deep hue. "Petals to the Metal" is perhaps the most unique--it is a metallic brown with hints of blue glimmer. When worn over Too Faced's marvelous "Shadow Insurance," you'll have this color on longer than you'll believe. It applies and blends flawlessly. I intend to collect every single shade!
April 15, 2013
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Very rarely is product packaging more beautiful or enticing than is Physician's Formula "Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls Blush" (about $10.95) compact. The surface of the powder is pebbled, as if small pearls were imbedded in it. And then a faux pearl is at the center, making it remarkably lovely and delicate. It comes in a rosy shade. This is ultra-smooth, finely-milled powder which delivers a radiant glow and a very smooth finish. Don't fear lines of demarcation with this blush--coverage is completely buildable. You determine just how much color you want to wear! There are a lot of benefits to this wonderful innovation. It is hypoallergenic and fragrance- and paraben-free. It is non-comedogenic and dermatologist-approved. The best way to wear this is to first use a brush to swirl the various hues of color together. Tap off any excess on your brush, and then apply to the apples of cheeks and upward from there. If you want a natural-looking highlighter for your entire face, choose this formula in the "Natural Pearl" shade. It will leave you looking like you are sitting under the moonlight or by softly glowing candles. The powder--whether you choose the blush or highlighter or both--lasts a long time, and so reapplication is not necessary. It is simply gorgeous.
April 15, 2013
