Makeup
- volta » See my profile
- Points: 149575
- Reviews: 566
Here are all my reviews:
-
Although I can't tell you how to regulate your skin care routine if you have one, I just recommend that you don't use a manual exfoliator everyday! You want to use it maybe once or twice a week (but no more), because you need to give your skin some time to heal and rebuild itself in between scrubs. Over exfoliating can cause tearing in the skin which can lead to MORE flaky dry skin. This product gets a "B" in my book. It's a wonderful exfoliator that buffs off most of the dry flakes on my face. Like other Clarins products, I don't think it does a remarkable job at removing makeup (DEFINITELY steer clear from using it around the eye area!). I think a good cleanser can remove makeup well and still be gentle to use around the eye area to remove eye makeup (because at the end of the day it's where we still have the most makeup left over!). As far as its purifying claims, I'm not completely sold. Although I do like how my skin still feels clean after using this, it's still to be used no more than twice a week (or once a week if you have sensitive skin). The beads in this ARE silica beads, so I would be aware of that for sensitive or super acne-prone skin. However, I have not had a breakout due to this as of the moment. It's not my favorite exfoliator, it's still a good one. My favorite is Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Buffing Beads because that has jojoba beads as its manual scrubber and glycolic acid as its chemical exfoliant, so you get twice the exfoliating power.
March 20, 2012
-
This cleanser isn't that bad, but it's just not for me. I have drier skin and this is really best for normal to oily skin in my opinion. This doesn't really do a superb job removing makeup (do make sure to avoid the eye area!), so I would still use some kind of makeup removal wipe prior to washing your face. What I DO like about this is that you really only need verrrry little to create a luxurious foaming experience. Therefore, a little goes a very long way. It well better, considering the average price to purchase Clarins products! This does leave my face feeling soft and clean. The thing I noticed most was how squeaky it left my skin feel. If you like that squeaky feeling, then this is perfect for you and I would give it a try. Although this can be used for all skin types, I would still recommend it primarily for normal or oily skin. For drier skin, I would use a milkier cream cleanser. However, I'm not saying that people with dry skin cannot use this because it did not make my skin feel tight or dry. It felt comfortable and squeaky. I'm just weird because I've never been a fan of that squeaky clean feeling so that's why this product is not hugely favorable for me. If you are interested in trying this (I recommend you do so), but aren't sure about splurging the money for this cleanser, then I would definitely go to a Sephora (if available) and ask for a sample. I've had very positive experiences with most of the Clarins products I've used so it's worth the investment.
March 20, 2012
-
My hair is very thick and coarse and I used this because of how much people raved about it. Although the scent is to die for--kind of like a tropical coconut, it does not do an adequate job of hydrating thirsty hair. This made my hair feel coarser and more like straw which led to more breakage. Another thing--product buildup with this line is ridiculous. My hair felt heavy and you can feel the buildup in my hair when it was dry. This also made my hair tangle a bit easier because it had that stickier feeling that the shampoo and conditioner left. Although the product is pretty with the swirls and the scent, I could not finish a quarter of a bottle for either the shampoo or the conditioner. Looks aren't everything! If you have very stubborn and hard to manage hair--then I would steer away from this.
March 20, 2012
-
I wasn't too keen on this scent in the first place, but the more I smelled it on other people, the more I grew fond of it. This is awesome to spray in your hair. It reminds me of caramel or cotton candy. If you like sweet things, then try this or the toilette spray.
March 17, 2012
-
You can ask anyone I know or work with and they will tell you what a Nars addict I am. I absolutely LOVE this brand. Don't get me wrong, there are products within the line that I don't like--that's typical with any brand. I heard amazing things about the loose powder. Normally, I just go with the Make Up For Ever translucent powder which I still LOVE, but I heard amazing things about this. It's "tripled milled" so you get the finest-grained powder imaginable. This comes with a pretty little white puff that is machine washable. A lot of people complain that the puff doesn't fit in the package, but that doesn't bother me at all. The powder has a plastic cover with holes, and then a removable mesh net that fits on top to sift and refine the powder even more. This is the WORST part of this product. This allows the product to get everywhere if you're not careful. One thing that helps is to gently shake it side by side, or to place and press the puff on top of the holes and quickly tilt it. I would love to redesign this packaging if I was ever offered the opportunity (one of my dreams is to work for Nars! LOL!). The case is cute (as with ALL Nars products), but it's a matter of getting used to the packaging. Luckily, there is a LOT of product so you really get your money's worth, even if you waste a little bit. Something that works is to buy a mini loose powder container with a sifter if it really bothers you. Back to the product--I absolutely ADORE this product. The first couple of times I was a little skeptical despite my Nars addiction, but the more I use this, the more I LOVE it. This is NOT a powder foundation like Bare Minerals or Smashbox Halo powder. This is a VERY sheer powder, almost like a tinted translucent powder similar to Bare Minerals' Mineral Veil, except this is much more refined and smoother. This makes your skin look so smooth and poreless. There are several different tints so the sheer powder enhances your foundation (if you wear it, or even if you don't!). This gives you one of the most amazing finishes that most other powders don't even come close to creating. There is a trick to applying this powder--you want to use a sponge or a puff--do NOT use a brush! (you can use a brush but you won't get the best result) These are Francois' words himself! The way the powder is made is that it goes on better when it is sponged on your skin. Even though this will make your skin smooth, flawless, and won't give you a cakey, powdery look--my absolute favorite is to mist LIGHTLY afterwards with a setting spray or Evian spray to adhere the powder together that's going to give you the most natural, smoothest, perfect finish that even my former favorite Make Up For Ever HD setting powder can't match. I LOVE THIS POWDER!!!
March 16, 2012
-
I am a makeup shopping addict. I don't care if it's super expensive or super cheap, if I hear good things about a product, then I want to give it a try. I love the premise of Nyx; an affordable line of quality cosmetics that gives drug store brands a run for their money. This year they have come out with a plethora of NEW items all at the same time and that thrilled me. Normally I have had bad luck with Nyx lipsticks/glosses in the past and I was hesitant because normally Matte lipsticks do NOT go on me very well. I decided to give this a try (at least if I didn't like it, I could always return it back to Ulta). I got the super bright fuchsia pink MLS 02 (because I love bold colors). What I love about this lipstick is that it's VERY pigmented (as with any Nyx products which is what I love about them). However, my lips are VERY pigmented, and this lipstick isn't nearly as pigmented to cover my lips evenly, even with primers. it's not so matte (Which I kind of like). It's more of a semi-matte rather than a full matte (there is a tiny bit of shine). I like semi-matte textures because they tend to go onto lips a little better. What I did NOT like is that this, along with other Nyx lipsticks, do not go on very evenly on my lips. I get a lot of "clumping" with this lipstick and it feathers very easily. Also, it "peels" off any time I press my lips together. I have been extremely disappointed with Nyx lip products overall. I play around with makeup a LOT and I made sure to exfoliate my lips prior to applying makeup; but also I've tried applying this lipstick on top of bare lips, on top of lip primer, on top of eyeshadow primer (a make up artist tip for truer pigmentation!) and on top of lip liner (blended on top of the entire surface of my lips), and I received similar results. I did get the better results when I used it on top of lip liner that had been blended all throughout the surface of my lips (Which also gave it the most matte effect). In the low-down, the norm continues that myself personally cannot pull off matte lipsticks, let alone Nyx lipsticks in general. I know that many women cannot pull off matte lipsticks (especially those with lips prone to dryness). From my experience, matte lipsticks photograph beautifully but in person they do not often appear as nicely. I wish I could be like other women who have had nothing but praise for Nyx lipsticks and who can wear them beautifully. However, it's just not for me.
March 16, 2012
-
I got this in a set. I usually use the handy buki though. This works well, but I'll stick with my buki. Same problem I've had with the buki is that the bristles come off. It does work well to blend and cover your face.
March 13, 2012
-
I've been using the Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel which has 1% glycolic acid in it. I wanted to try this to get that little extra "umph" with the higher percentage of glycolic acid. I tried a few samples of this and I fell in love!! Yes, if you have SUPER sensitive or delicate skin, then you probably shouldn't use this. However, I do have sensitive skin and my skin was not irritated at all using this. In fact, my skin felt better after using this than most cleansers I've used. The trick with glycolic washes is to lather it up on your skin and then let it sit on your skin for about a minute. That way, the glycolic acid can do its magic and eat away at the dead skin. I have VERY dry, flakey and acne-prone skin and this has done something wonderful for my skin after only a few uses. I use this with my clarisonic to get higher performance and exfoliation. Any time my I was my skin with other cleansers, my skin can often be red or not noticeably bright. With this, I noticed an IMMEDIATE brightness that I have not seen with most other cleansers I've used. My skin was NOT red at all despite it normally being prone to irritation and sensitivity. My skin felt remarkably smooth and a bit firmer and plumper after every use. I've always been extremely jealous of people with perfect skin who don't do anything to take care of it; but yet I take care of it and it still looks bad. I was just born with bad skin that I am fighting merciless to improve. Believe me when I say my skin has come a loooong way from where it was, but I still have a long way to go. I have started noticing a smoother surface starting to appear in my normally patchy uneven textured skin and I know that's thanks to Peter Thomas Roth products. He developed these products two decades ago to solve his own skin problems and I am starting to believe in his products because of the changes I have seen in my own skin. I will continue using this wash in hopes that I continue to see improvements in skin clarity and texture.
March 10, 2012
-
Then again, there isn't a mouthwash that's perfect. I do notice a change in whitening. It tastes a bit weird, but it doesn't have alcohol so it isn't drying, It doesn't necessarily freshen my mouth. After gargling, I often I have to rinse out with water because this leaves a lot of foam in my mouth.
March 7, 2012
-
Normally I had been using Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40 prior to my latest appointment with my dermatologist. I like that it was a thinner fluid sunscreen because it went on my face easier. However, it was a hit or miss whether it would cause breakouts or not depending on how frequently I've been using this. SO, the nurse assistant actually hooked me up with a few sample tubes of this sunscreen and WOW!! I'm impressed. Apparently it has a lot of things that people find questionable putting on their skin, but I'm surprised I haven't had a breakout using this, even when I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin, plus rosacea and eczema. This also lightly hydrates too. Since I have very dry skin, most moisturizers tend to be too light for me and thicker creams cause me to break out, so this is a good small added hydration on top of my moisturizer. I like that this absorbs just as well as the Clarins, and you're going to have to shake it verrrry well prior to pouring it out. This stuff is much cheaper than Clarins (Anthelios costs about $30 whereas Clarins costs $38 for the same fluid volume). However, it's a little harder to get as opposed to Clarins; you either have to order it online or buy it at the Pharmacy counter at Walgreens or CVS (you don't need a prescription but your dermatologist can prescribe it to you). Like the Clarins, it's going to leave a slight white veil over your face, but at least this leaves a matte finish. It's suitable to wear under make up, but like any sunscreens, you're going to need oil blotting sheets or a little powder after a few hours. My skin feels very comfortable outside in the sun, I don't feel any burning at all and this is under the strong Arizona sun that will only get stronger as the summer approaches. Yes, it's a small bottle (1.7 oz) for $30 (your doctor may give you coupons) OR you can find it for a few dollars cheaper online (don't know about the freshness or the reliability of the seller). Give this a try! It's a no brainer that sun protection is a must!
March 5, 2012
