Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
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I can't seem to get my husband to try "Certain Dri" or "Mitchum," my two favorite antiperspirant/deodorants. He likes the ones from Avon, and so I experimented with them, too. "On Duty" kept odor and perspiration at bay for me during some very hot days in my school (I am a teacher). It had to be 110 degrees in the room, but I was able to rest easy that I was protected from odor and wetness. I have to give it a definite "A!"
April 10, 2013
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L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector
L'Oreal, the Spots Remained!
I am terribly troubled by a few brown spots on my left cheek and one hand. I know I'm making much ado about a little, but I do fear it will lead to more discoloration and so I want to treat it and get rid of it NOW. I turned to L'Oreal's "Youth Code Dark Spot Correcting and Illuminating Serum Corrector." I had high hopes for this; it claims to be the result of "ten years of gene research." The chief ingredient which breaks up and clears away melanin is Niacinamide. I've been very pleased with Pond's "Clarant B3 Moisturizer" with Niacinamide; it did soften my skin while lightening my discolorations. I was sure this would work more quickly. The packaging is sleek, attractive, and sophisticated. L'Oreal claims that eighty-six percent of women saw results. It contains Vitamin C, which I enjoy having in products. It has a subtle, pleasant scent and is easy to apply. After weeks of use, I saw absolutely NO reduction in brown spots nor any particular luminescence or clarity to my complexion. There was a little added softness. It looks like it's back to Pond's for me or a product with Hydroquinone, like the serum from Murad. At least Pond's had a noticeable effect, while "Youth Code" did nothing for me.
April 10, 2013
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Inevitably, when I note a woman with an incredible, radiant, virtually pore-less complexion and ask her what she trusts as a regimen, her answer is "Mary Kay." I have used the system on and off for many years and have been more than pleased with the results, so I keep returning to it. The only reason that I started experimenting with other brands in the first place was out of curiosity over the hype. I'm fickle and have a hard time staying with just one company. But if I were forced to stay with one and only one, it just might be Mary Kay. They have products for all skin types, and I have never used one which wasn't highly effective. Mary Kay's "TimeWise® Night Serum" is no different--it is wonderful to use. The appearance is fun; the clear formula has tiny bubbles floating throughout it. The lightweight, oil-free serum will not clog pores, is hypoallergenic, and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily. It is laden with antioxidants and peptides. Antioxidants help protect your complexion from damage that free radicals can inflict. Peptides are short molecular chains of proteins which help to reduce wrinkles and enhance skin. Peptides deliver Copper into the skin, proven for many years to repair damage (I love the taut feel that Copper in an item gives my face, neck, and hands). They also signal your skin to make more Collagen, allowing you to look younger. There are several plant extracts in this, including Geranium, Wild Mint, Rose, Orange, and Jasmine. My complexion drinks it in with no residue left behind. I enjoy the cooling, refreshing feeling as I apply over my cleansed face, neck, and hands (why waste any leftover? Hands need love, too!). Even if I don't follow with Mary Kay's accompanying moisturizer (which I normally do), my skin is left much more velvety. The parentheses around my nose are blurred, and there is an overall clarity. I highly recommend all things Mary Kay. It is a system which works--period!
April 10, 2013
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This hard-to-describe, seductive scent has to "settle" on your skin before it drives you (and those around you) crazy. The top notes are Belladonna, Incense, Apricot, Honey Drops, Tiger Orchidea, and Jasmine Sambac. It makes for a mysterious, fabulous fragrance.
April 10, 2013
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I meant to purchase an online "Cool Water" set for my husband and mistakenly bought cologne and shower gel for myself (is my face red!). What a pleasant surprise! This delightful scent has a hint of citrus and pineapple; it is mixed with woody notes and a breath of "ocean" air for a clean fragrance, perfect for this time of year!
April 10, 2013
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There are several primers I like, but Smashbox is not one of them (please, don't faint here). I like a primer which remains lightweight on my complexion, disguises pores and creases, and preps my face like a canvas for the color to come. I don't want to feel a primer on my skin or even recall that it's there. I do enjoy Too Faced's "Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer," and I also enjoy skin care products from Dermalogica, so I actually paid $48.00 for this product. Why? It is supposed to be a multi-tasker: Not only is it meant to help makeup go on more smoothly and make skin appear more luminous, but peptides in the formula work to rejuvenate skin and treat it. It also has an SPF of 30. I asked myself how I could go wrong with this--but I did. It is tinted. The shade is too dark for my fair skin, and so I found myself using foundation to conceal my primer! Silicones and Soy Protein are supposed to enable your complexion's texture to be more even, with lines disguised. I found the formula to be heavy and artificial, with flaws emphasized. I worked with this several times, but I couldn't wear it alone because of the strange appearance. Foundation used over it looked strangely heavy. Save your money; this is absolutely NOT the miracle it claims to be.
April 10, 2013
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I never thought I'd see the day when I would spend twenty dollars for a makeup sponge. But after all of the talk, all of the ads, and all of the hype about the one from Beautyblender,® I caved and handed over my debit card with an audible gulp and a large helping of guilt. I shouldn't have felt so bad--this sponge is very different from most, well worth my splurge! It is completely latex- and allergy-free. The design is ergonomic, with a tiny end so that you can work any and all cosmetics right up into the corner of the eye area with no problem. The bottom is more bulbous, for larger areas. This sponge is to be used damp for best results. One of the interesting aspects is that it doubles in size when completely wet, but it will shrink back to its original dimensions when dry. Use this to keep foundation from looking cakey. It works miracles to set a great powder (like "Make Up For Ever's HD" version) over a concealed blemish or discoloration to keep it disguised. Try using it with eye shadow for dramatic results (never thought of using a sponge with eye shadow, did you?). The longer I have it, the more uses I find. This will last for about four months with proper care; you do not need to purchase the cleanser from this company, as it's pricey. A gentle liquid like baby shampoo will clean it well so that bacteria does not cause contamination. What a find!
April 10, 2013
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Ah, OPI, you make me so happy! I love the different colors, the holographic looks, the matte finishes, the wide range of opulent, rich colors, and the staying power of this polish. If you want to see how a shade will look on your own nails, visit their site (opi.com) and adjust the "hand" their to your own skin tone. Then have a ball virtually trying on colors before you purchase! This is a winner!
April 10, 2013
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Even though I'm not wild about using powder on my face these days, I keep returning to Lancôme's "Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup." It is analogous to pure velvet in a compact. Used wet or dry, it provides complete but seamless, glowing coverage. I was anxious to try Bare Minerals compact "READY® Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20." There is a huge range of shades available. I also thought it would be much easier to use than mixing the original separate powders, with the inevitable powder fallout on my clothing and vanity (I have to tuck napkins under my collar and over hard-to-clean items). Bare Minerals claims that time-released mineral hydration delivers up to a 108 percent increase in hydration after twelve hours of wear and that the condition of your complexion will improve the longer you wear it. It also purports to deliver long-wearing coverage without the feel of a makeup or any traces of visible powder. It is recommended that you have your complexion matched to find your most complementary shade--these shades are lighter than the original loose powders. Therefore, those with fair skin should go with a shade or two darker than they would usually use and so forth. Application is still best done with a brush--a "Precision Face Brush" in long, graceful strokes for light coverage; additional coverage is supposed to work with the "Flawless Application Brush," moving in circles over your skin. I tried both methods of application. The result was a streaky, very noticeable powder which tended to cake in crevices and look unnatural. If anything, my pores were magnified rather than diminished. The finish is artificial, obvious, and heavy on my skin. Twelve hours of wear? It was coming off after only four or five hours, and I had to do emergency touch-ups. Even over Bare Minerals' "Prime Time Foundation Primer" or Too Faced's "Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer" (one of my favorite primers), I could not get this to work for me. Save your money; perhaps you may want to visit the Lancôme counter instead . . .
April 10, 2013
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Wouldn't you like just ONE product to make a huge difference in the way your skin looks and feels? There are probably several out there, but I found one I can't rate highly enough (I wish I could give this more than ten stars here). Murad, one of the premiere brands when it comes to skin care, has created "Intensive-C® Radiance Peel." I would need a small notebook to list all of the ingredients, but they range from Glycolic Acid (a highly-touted AHA to accelerate the turnover of old, dead cells to remove dryness and improve texture) to Vitamin C and Indian Fig (which improve skin's clarity and luminosity and prevent damage from free radicals). Beeswax and Glycerin keep the formula gentle (I have to admit that I was a tad fearful of using a peel for the first time). Inositol, a nutrient which works closely with B Vitamins and has been shown to repair skin and treat eczema, is included in this product, along with Myrtle Extract, which supports collagen production and keeps skin resilient, elastic, taut. This is a peel for ALL SKIN TYPES, including sensitive skin. You cleanse your face, neck, and décolleté and massage a thin layer evenly over all. You will most likely feel a tingling sensation (I find it cool and enjoyable), but let it stay for at least ten minutes before rinsing with a warm wash cloth and gently patting skin dry. I was amazed at the difference! My skin was pink, but it was immediately more clear and much softer. With continued use, you will notice a distinct reduction in the size of pores, a decrease in any ruddiness you may have, and new radiance. Dry, uneven patches become extinct. I've been using this over the last year and can't count the number of times I've been asked what I've been doing to my face. So now I'm revealing my secret right here, just to you . . .
April 9, 2013
