Makeup
- girlwomanbeautybrainsblog » See my profile
- Points: 11850
- Reviews: 231
Here are all my reviews:
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Spending most of my day teaching exercise classes or training in a gym wreaks havoc on my skin. Add the humid summer weather to the mix, and I have a nasty recipe for acne. With a small area of acne dancing on my forehead, I followed this routine for two weeks: I washed my face every night with the cleanser and then applied the acne treatment twice a day. I was happy to see that the acne had vamoosed after the two-week period. iQ Purifying Cleanser contains "intelligent ingredients" that consists of Multifruit BSC, Phehydane, and Botanesse. It is gentle enough for dry skin but removes dead skin cells to keep pores clean. iQ Derma Acne Treatment Lotion contains 2 percent salicylic acid and "intelligent ingredients" that include iQ101, Farmesol, Flavenger Complex, and Phytic Acid, and is designed to normalize oil production and decrease bacterium; exfoliate dead skin cells to reduce clogged pores; deeply hydrate and soothe stressed, dehydrated skin; and reduce acne scarring and promote more uniform skin tone. Over-the-counter salicylic acid products are found in strengths ranging from .5 to 2 percent. With iQ treatment lotion containing 2 percent salicylic acid, it works great offensively and defensively. Salicylic acid is especially helpful in treating acne because of its ability to penetrate the follicle. It encourages the shedding of dead skin cells from within the follicle, helping keep the pores clear of cellular debris. In this way, it reduces the number of pore blockages and breakouts on the skin. iQ Treatment Lotion is best used on women with oily or combination skin.
August 2, 2008
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Beauty Product Review: With sparse, short lashes, I either have mascara on or my sunglasses on. I was tickled to try a product that advertises volume and clump-free mascara. With a gentle and slow swirl, twirl, and a whirl, the rotating rubber brush left my lashes well coated, a little more voluminous than usual, curled, and no clumps. But seriously, it took me as much time to apply my own mascara to the Spinlash wand and swirl and whirl as it does in my normal non-whirling and non-swirling routine. Novel but I don't reach for this very often.
August 1, 2008
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A reader asked what product helps keep hair tame in humid weather. Following the lead of 40-year-old beautiful and pregnant Nicole Kidman who swears her beauty secret to tame her mane is John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum ($9.09), we bought the Frizz Ease and gave it a test-drive. Prevents future frizz for polished, smooth hair. Corrects moderate frizz for polished, smooth hair. Daily use helps prevent future frizz. Instantly eliminates frizz. Infused with silk protein this formula polishes frizz-prone strands, delivering a layer of crystal-clear gloss for amazingly shiny, frizz-free results. Daily use helps prevent frizz from worsening over time. Repels humidity, leaving hair silky, glossy & incredibly manageable whether you style straight or curly. Beckie: It eliminated my unruly gray growth at the roots and smoothed my flyaways. When I inadvertently poofed my hair, the serum helped my straight bob quiet down. Jamie: I wear my hair both curly and straight, and Frizz-Ease worked for both styles. My curly style can be uber dull, but the serum added major shine. Celebrity gossip: It was reported that Nicole Kidman was going to join the likes of Britney Spears and Demi Moore and pose nude while pregnant for an unknown magazine cover. Nicole has denied this rumor, calling it nonsense. It’s total nonsense. It was not that kind of a shoot. It’s madness to think I did that or was even asked to do that. I’m just looking forward to having and caring for our baby.
August 1, 2008
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Whenever we ask a dermatologist, "What is the No 1 anti-aging cream?" they always answer, "Sunscreen!" Just in time for summer, Philosophy's cult favorite Hope in a Jar has added SPF 20 to the mix. We not only love the snippets of philosophy that are provided on Philosophy products, but we also love the results. What it is formulated to do: Give your skin the drink of water it's thirsty for while protecting it from the harmful effects of the sun with Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20. Hope in a Jar high-performance moisturizer with SPF 20 hydrates the skin, provides a gentle exfoliation, and helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture, and tone. This multi-tasking moisturizer helps prevent further sun-damage with multiple antioxidants and broad spectrum sun protection while inspiring a healthy, rosy glow. 0.5 oz:Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3.00%), Homosalate (3.00%), Octisalate (5.00%), Octocrylene (2.75%), Oxybenzone (4.00%). Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Lauryl Lactate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidene Malonate, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyl Dimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyacrylate-15, Polyacrylate-17, Beta Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Panthenol, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Edta, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol. Unlike the original formula, the world-famous therapeutic moisturizer contains lactic acid, but the orginal formula contained "lauryl lactate," which did not have the exfoliating abilities as claimed. The souffle of ingredients are light and fluffy and are absorbed into your skin quickly, leaving your skin smooth and soft. Brains on Beauty: With the addition of SPF 20 and lactic acid, it's not the fountain of youth, but it is hope in a jar. Any woman's skin should benefit from the exfoliation, and of course, the SPF. Where to buy: Only at Sephora ($18 for half an ounce and $45 for 2 ounces.) philosophy: where there is darkness, there can be light and where there is light, there must be sensibility
August 1, 2008
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If you looked up "life is a bowl of cherries" -- crushed cherries, that is -- in the beauty cliché dictionary, you would find a picture of Stila Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain. I might have named the product "Cherry Popcicle Lip and Cheek Stain." Very yummy either way. What it is? A multi-tasking lip and cheek stain. What it is formulated to do: This revolutionary makeup stain moisturizes, provides antioxidant protection and has a unique look on each person's skin, creating the perfect shade every time. Housed in a berry red click pen adorned with a silver cherry blossom design, Cherry Crush reacts to the pH levels in the cheeks and lips creating a personalized blush and pout. In addition to being scented and flavored like a just-picked cherry, Cherry Crush contains cherry and pomegranate extracts to provide skin and lips with antioxidant protection. Vitamins A, C & E are the cherry on top, as they provide further antioxidant protection and drench the skin in moisture, ensuring skin and lips never feel dry or tight. Here is a swatch of the color on my pale arm skin: Here is a swatch of the color as shown on Sephora's site: The "just picked cherry" scent is not in the least overpowering. Most stains I have tried are very drying, but with the added antioxidants and vitamins, this one provides a lot of moisture. Unlike Benetint, which I used for a couple of years, Stila Cherry Crush doesn't seep into the fine lines on your lips or accentuate wrinkles. The applicator is much easier to use than Benetint, too. (I have spilled and splattered Benetint on every conceivable surface.) Like most stains, the staying power is superior to that of lip liners or lipsticks. Although the color faded as the day wore on, the swatch that I applied to my arm remained even after showering! Cherry Crush overstayed its visit. I was ready for a new guest on my lips. Because the color reacts with the skin's pH and is supposed to "have a unique color on each person's skin," I honestly can't predict how well it will work with your chemistry. As you can see from the swatch above, on my skin it is more sunburn rosy pink than red cherry pink. Reviewed by Beckie Quote du jour: "When a girl ceases to blush, she has lost the most powerful charm of her beauty.†- Gregory
August 1, 2008
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For years I passed by Shiseido Eyelash Curler to ones that were less expensive. I looked at the overall design and thought, "How could Shiseido be better than Maybelline?" Conspicious consumption got the better of me, and I broke down and bought Shiseido. I was a fool for not succumbing earlier. This is the best eyelash curler that I have ever owned. No pinching, great curling, and easy to use.
July 16, 2008
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Falling for the "ionic" marketing, I bought this a few years ago. I have fine, fine hair, so I thought the tourmaline and ionic-ness was worth the money. Since then, I have used other hair straightners that were as effective without the high price tag. Save your dollars for the salon.
June 30, 2008
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The first attempt to test L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist, my aim was too wild for this child, and my roommate looked like a spotted hyena, except she wasn't laughing. After my first botched attempt, the airbrush mist delivered a super-fine mist, and about 45 minutes later, my legs looked like I had spent the day at the pool. I didn't need to rub the product on my legs, so there was no telltale self-tanner on my hands. The color was very natural and worked well on my olive skin. Unfortunately, it only comes in medium, but I reapplied the product three more times that week, and I reached the depth I wanted. L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist is a spray tanning salon in a bottle. 360 Degree continuous spray. Ultra-even application. No rub - quick dry. Streak-free. A first from the L'Oreal laboratories, Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Airbrush Self Tanning Mist gives you professional airbrush tanning results at home. The super-fine mist applies evenly and flash-dries, so there is no need to rub in. Perfect for hard to reach places like your back and the back of your legs. Now you're the pro. Results: Ultra-even, microfine mist applies easily and dries rapidly. 100% Natural-looking sunless tan begins to develop in less than an hour L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Self-Tanning Mist are available at chain drug, food, and mass market retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $9.99.
June 21, 2008
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Did you know that your hands age faster than your face? The skin on the backs of the hands are much thinner than the skin on your face. When even a tiny amount of collagen begins to break down, it can leave the skin on your hands wrinkly, crinkly, crepelike, with bulging veins, which also grow larger over time! Since I was treating my face with Hyalis, for this review, I decided to test the skin on my hands. For as long as I can remember, I have had wrinkly, crinkly, crepelike skin and veins that bulge so much that the back of my hands look like a 3D road map of the United States. This genetically inherited curse flys in the face -- or skin of my real age. genesis: beginning; the coming into being of something; the origin. To cut to the chase, Skin Genesis was a new beginning for my hands. After weeks of applying both products two times a day to my hands, I didn't see a substantial difference in the bulging veins, but I did see a significant difference in the level of softness. I annoyingly asked friends and family to participate in my Soft Hand Analysis Test. Amazingly, my hands were significantly softer than their hands! Seriously. It was a Miracle on Hand Street. But this is where the miracle ends. Unfortunately, my baby boomer hands didn't morph into hands of a hand model (channeling George Costanza on Seinfeld). In my humble opinion, only two options exist to mitigate the bulging veins: Like George Costanza, wear oven mitts; Plump the hands with Juverderm, and I'm not going there. Okay, I could easily fall hard for the tempting title "ALLURE Best of Beauty Beauty Breakthrough in October 2007" and the L'Oreal verbiage that promotes their product, but I have fallen hard for other seducing verbiage and have suffered a broken heart. I'm a born-again sceptic. Brains on Chemistry: Pros: Contains sunscreen - titanium dioxide. Cons: In an earlier post, Ways to Deal with Toxic Chemicals in Beauty Products, one of the suggestions was to consult Skin Deep and the Environmental Working Group. TRIETHANOLAMINE, according to the site, has the worst score in the ingredient analysis. The group also suggests triethanolamine is linked to cancer, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). According to blogger extraordinaire/dermatology student Future Derm, the research found in L’Oréal Skin Genesis is truly novel. It stimulates the skin to produce more glycoaminoglycans (GAGs), polysaccharide chains composed of repeating disaccharide units linked to a core protein in the dermis. The major purpose of GAGs is to defend against water loss, as they bind large quantities of water, up to 1000 times their volume. For this reason, GAGs are also known as “natural moisturizing factors,†or NMFs. Although topical application of hyaluronic acid to the skin has been shown to moisturize the skin effectively, stimulating aged skin to mimic younger skin with the production of GAGs is a new advancement, as Dr. Debra Jaliman states in the October 2007 Allure magazine: “The research is amazing. It proves that these products produce long-term results by boosting the skin’s production of GAG, which are crucial in fighting aging.†A full review of this product is available from October 04, 2007 here. Brains on Green: L'Oreal's patented Pro - Xylane™, a superior naturally - derived molecule so small it can penetrate skin's surface layers, is extracted from the beech wood plant, an environmentally friendly process known as Green Chemistry. Brains on Beauty: Determinants used in analyzing if L'Oreal Skin Genesis products are efficacious in the following claims as indicated by L'Oreal: Hydrates skin Promotes collagen production Adds fullness It's my belief that Skin Genesis will hydrate skin, produce collagen and add fullness as a result of the hyuralonic acid, but it will not reverse the signs of aging. As per the Softness Test, it will soften the effects of the skin, which will make your skin look younger. It's more of an anti-aging product than a reverse-aging product. Start young. Use often.
June 18, 2008
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Empties are a great concept. You can fill them with DIY product, melted down lipstick, et cetera, but for a fraction of the price, you can buy six containers for a dollar at a beauty supply store.
June 11, 2008
