Makeup
- GigiSD » See my profile
- Points: 438580
- Reviews: 1103
Here are all my reviews:
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Adult acne is so frustrating, so annoying! I think it's worse than when one is in their teens or early twenties. It is normal to see a young person with blemishes, but once you pass the age of forty it is rather unusual and certainly embarrassing. For the most part, my skin was quite good in high school, but I had cyclical and occasional breakouts when my routine changed. I knew how to deal with them: I pulled out my Neutrogena "Facial Cleansing Bar for Acne-Prone Skin" to gently but thoroughly deep-clean skin. I would follow with Bonne Bell's amazing "Ten-O-Six" astringent. For tough blemishes, I used Benzoyl Peroxide. Usually by morning or the next day the defect(s) would be on their way out. I would use a mask or an exfoliator to rid my complexion of any dead skin which was left behind. Skin at that age is much more resilient, far more able to handle heavy-duty products. (Keep in mind that Benzoyl Peroxide, while highly effective, will actually bleach the color out of clothing!) But breakouts at an older age are not so easy to control--Benzoyl Peroxide is much too harsh for my skin now and would leave me with horrific, scaling skin. Enter Mario Badescu's revered "Skin Care Drying Lotion." It works directly on blemishes without over-drying and causing havoc. It contains Salicylic Acid (basically just aspirin), Calamine Lotion to comfort, Camphor, Zinc Oxide (an agent present in diaper-rash ointments to dry skin with tenderness) and Glycerin. To achieve best results, wash the affected area(s) and apply moisturizer as usual. Do NOT shake the bottle to mix the pink sediment with the rest of the product. Using fresh Q-tips, dot only the pink substance on blemishes and allow to dry. Keep on overnight and remove by washing in the morning. Blind pimples will disappear; those which have already come to a head will diminish as well, without affecting your entire complexion. This works well for acne on your back and décolleté. It is also highly effective as a treatment for mosquito bites.
March 28, 2013
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There are few things as refreshing as washing one's face. This summer we were at the shore for a vacation. I love the beach more than I can say and enjoy time in the ocean, but I couldn't run fast enough to the bathroom sink when we reached the hotel. I was wearing a strong sunscreen, lip balm, and some cosmetics for a touch of color (pictures were being taken). Sand particles attached themselves to my face during the hours we were there; brushing them away didn't quite do the job. I had brought a sample, travel-size bottle of Ole Henriksen's "African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser," and I still recall the fresh feeling I had when washing with it, the one I have EVERY time I use it. An incredible cleanser is wonderful as a morning pick-me-up and a soothing way to end the day. This particular product is dispensed as a light, frothy, delightful lather with a clean citrus scent. Antioxidants like African Red Tea, Vitamin C, and Borage Seed Oil (an astringent and anti-inflammatory) are blended with Grapefruit, Orange, and Tangerine Extracts. This is a formula for every complexion, oily or dry and even sensitive. It deep-cleans to remove the last traces of makeup and grime, but it does so in a calming way. There is no taut feel, just soft, purified skin. With use of this over time, your complexion is more clarified and luminous. Ole, you're a genius!
March 27, 2013
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I grow more infatuated with Ole Henriksen's skin care line with every passing day! My skin, already in good shape, looks and feels better since I've been using their products than it did in my late teens or early twenties. These irritant-free items are meant for every skin type. They moisturize, correct and diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, prohibit blemishes from forming, increase radiance, and make your skin more taut (what else could you possibly ask for?). What I love the most is my skin's perfected appearance, a new and very visible clarity. And others are noticing it as well. I was stopped in the supermarket the other day by a woman who asked me what I use on my skin. I gave her a brief description; she had never heard of the brand. The next day a clothing saleswoman at a department store complimented me on my complexion. My husband is using these products, and he looks like a new man. Henriksen's "Truth Serum™ Collagen Booster" seems to be the "key" item in this line. It is packed with Vitamin C, which smoothes furrows and prevents further skin damage. Vitamin E, a known antioxidant, increases the efficacy of Vitamin C. Green Tea Extract protects against damage, while Sodium Hyaluronate binds moisture to skin. Vitamin C itself has been shown to be far more effective to encourage the production of Collagen than to apply creams containing Collagen itself to your face and neck. This lightweight, sweet-smelling gel should be applied to face and neck in the morning and evening after cleansing. Allow some time to pass for absorption, and then follow with the luscious "Truth Revealed™ Super Creme SPF 15" or the lightweight, highly effective "Sheer Transformation™" Moisturizer. Your face will be smooth, and makeup (even powder foundation) applies easily over this mix. In the meanwhile, you can smile, knowing that you are nourishing and repairing your skin, all the while looking beautiful!
March 27, 2013
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After reading some of the negative reviews of Ole Henriksen's "Invigorating Night Gel,™" I feel that this powerhouse of a product is sadly misunderstood by some people. Read the label carefully: This is probably one of the most POTENT, concentrated products available to stimulate cell turnover and expose a younger and firmer-looking complexion. A multi-ingredient AHA complex (including Glycolic, Lactic, Sugar Cane, Sugar Maple, Orange, Lemon, and Licorice Extracts!) go to work to diminish lines and wrinkles, shrink pores, perfect skin's texture, and even inhibit the advent of blemishes. Other ingredients bind moisture to the skin while nourishing it. It is a non-oily gel to be spread evenly over your face, preferably after using Henriksen's superb "Truth Serum™ Collagen Builder" and before the wonderful, comforting soufflé-like "Sheer Transformation™ Moisturizing Crème." You may experience a slight tingling sensation which disappears quickly. After only a week I noticed a far more refined, clarified look to my complexion. This will not be nearly as effective when used alone. It is made to be part of a natural skin care regimen which brightens, tightens, firms, evens skin's tone, and leaves you looking much younger and radiant. I actually scoffed when I purchased several products from Ole Henriksen, but my skin hasn't looked this good since I was in my early twenties! At night my husband asks for these products--in particular the "Invigorating Night Gel™" and "Sheer Transformation,™" because he, too, has experienced a complete turnaround in the look of and feel of his face.
March 26, 2013
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The road to glamour comes in a small but long-lasting tube from Tricia Sawyer ("Smokes and Mirrors Smokey Eye Wand"). It is an opulent, lovely shimmer deep gray-taupe. You simply remove any excess from the doe-foot applicator and smooth over lids. For a more enhanced effect, use a brush to bring corners upward and outward. Especially when used over a great primer, the color will last for long hours, and you'll be smoldering hot!
March 25, 2013
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The chemists at DHC knew what they were doing when they created this under-makeup magic. Even though it contains Silicone and Olive Leaf oil, it smooths on flawlessly, creating a true, velvet-like canvas for products to come. Pores, rough patches, and even fine lines and wrinkles are disguised. The matte finish stays put for many hours, while you simply glow. How nice is that?
March 25, 2013
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Tricia Sawyer's "Eye Slept" is not a traditional concealer. It is a white, green-based cream which you apply very sparingly (emphasis here) under eyes to give a wide-awake look and disguise dark circles. Use a concealer brush or your finger to pat on oh-so-gently. Follow with regular flesh-toned color. Apply a little to the hollows at the top of your eyes, next to your nose. You will appear revived and refreshed, even if you didn't sleep a wink!
March 25, 2013
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I like to be able to have total control over where my blush goes--and where it doesn't. Too many formulas don't blend as I'd like, leaving an unnatural look, harsh look. I purchased Redpoint's "Airbrush Effects Whipblush" in a coral-rose shade ("Glow"). The whipped gel formula is ultra lightweight--you need just a tiny amount on the apples of your cheeks to begin building a youthful, flushed look. The moisturizing formula comforts dry skin, while an anti-aging peptide complex smooths away fine lines and wrinkles. Light-diffusing pigments help to illuminate the skin. Color stays in place through cold, heat, and humidity. It is a bit costly at $28.00, but this is a quality blush well worth the money!
March 25, 2013
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I bought this palette in several hues. These are rich, pigmented, silky shades in different finishes (shimmer and matte) made to complement each other and your own personal eye color. They leave a gorgeous, long-lasting finish and are completely portable in the clever clutch-type cover.
March 25, 2013
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Although there is not one slight wrinkle on my face yet (I'm very grateful for that), I've noted that my neck is not quite as supple and firm as it once was. Tiny lines are beginning to appear but are hardly noticeable. It's not a problem--yet. And so I've decided to go on a search for a product that will improve the skin in this area so that it looks as youthful as my complexion. I turned to DHC, a company I love for their proven products. Their "Deep Cleansing Oil" works wonders at whisking away every tiny bit of makeup and grit from my face while leaving it silky, with no oily residue whatsoever. "White Soap" is a bathroom- and kitchen-sink staple. It cleans so very well, lathers luxuriously, and leaves skin moisturized. When I saw that this company offered "Neck Treatment Essence Peptides" (one ounce for $42.50--ouch), I hesitated. That's a lot of money. But the description says that this "neck and décolleté skin savior promotes the appearance of increased elasticity and skin tone." So I purchased it. I used the bottle of lightweight serum completely, as directed, with absolutely NO results. Skin was barely softened. There was NO increased firmness. Tiny lines remained. This can hardly be called a savior--I would name it a calamity. I'm surprised that a firm with this type of great reputation would promote a product which is so disappointing. Please--don't waste your money like I did!
March 24, 2013
