beauty4all
Member Since: June 23, 2009Reviews
Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer
I am quite happy with this product. I use really simple face makeup for most days, so I like a primer that works both alone to smooth out skintone, and under foundation or blush if I feel like applying them. This primer has almost a powdered feel... +
I am quite happy with this product. I use really simple face makeup for most days, so I like a primer that works both alone to smooth out skintone, and under foundation or blush if I feel like applying them. This primer has almost a powdered feel once it's rubbed in, and even solo it made me feel more polished than a completely bare face. It works very well under loose-powder mineral foundation, and wearing both made my blush colours pop more and wear longer. I'll likely buy the full-sized format once I run out of the trial-sized product, then see how long that lasts to decide if I keep buying. -
Marcelle Essentials 1st Wrinkles Day Cream SPF 15
I've been using Olay's classic lotion with SPF 15 since I was thirteen, so my skin is so used to that formula I was curious to try something different. The Marcelle Day Cream comes in a lovely jar and on sight looks very appealing. I wonder... +
I've been using Olay's classic lotion with SPF 15 since I was thirteen, so my skin is so used to that formula I was curious to try something different. The Marcelle Day Cream comes in a lovely jar and on sight looks very appealing. I wonder sometimes how hygenic it is to dip your fingers repeatedly into a jar of cream, but so many are packaged that I suppose it must be ok.
My concern, however, was that a cream formula was going to be too heavy after so many years of using a lotion. Often the addition of sun protection makes a texture even greasier. The first day I used this, my skin was oilier and shiny across my t-zone by the afternoon. The second time I followed with a light dusting of mineral foundation, which helped a bit, but I still felt like I was 'wearing' my cream all day, instead of having it absorb into my skin. But after a couple more uses, my skin seemed to adjust more to the thicker formula.
Overall, if you like cream formulas, give this a shot: the texture is quite luxurious and it definitely hydrates. That and the minimal SPF should help with developing wrinkles. For me, I think I'll stick to my lotion for the rest of the summer and use this during the winter months, when a richer emollient could be helpful.
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Biotherm Celluli Laser D.Code
I tried to give this product a fair chance by faithfully applying it twice a day, as directed. If I didn't quite manage both applications every day, I almost always got at least one in. The lotion itself is very nice, a thick gel that smoothes... +
I tried to give this product a fair chance by faithfully applying it twice a day, as directed. If I didn't quite manage both applications every day, I almost always got at least one in. The lotion itself is very nice, a thick gel that smoothes into skin nicely. I could tell when I was wearing it but it never felt tacky or sticky. And I'm impressed that a month later I still have a fair amount of product left, even after using a pretty generous dollop each time.
As for results, it didn't eliminate all traces of dimples, but my skin is firmer and smoother, and this at a time when I'm several pounds over my normal weight (I was calling it 'holiday weight' but since we're now March I'll have to rename it). It's effective enough that I would happily continue to apply it twice a day... if it were always free.
So my "you betcha" is qualified. For me, $80 is a big deal and far surpasses any amount I've ever spent on a product. If it were a one-time investment, fine, but as an ongoing part of my routine I would have to pass. But if you can afford it, go for it.
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Conair Heat Chic Cordless Straightener
I cut my hair quite short a few months ago, and I needed a new narrower straightener, as my old one was too wide to get close to the scalp or around my ears and face. Since I was also blowing out my hair more often, I took the opportunity to look... +
I cut my hair quite short a few months ago, and I needed a new narrower straightener, as my old one was too wide to get close to the scalp or around my ears and face. Since I was also blowing out my hair more often, I took the opportunity to look into cordless straighteners so I wouldn't have so many cords cluttering up the bathroom counter. After reading mixed reviews online, I found two in pharmacies that looked interesting, and since I couldn't tell why the Braun model cost $60 and the Conair model only $30 (on sale for $20), I bought the latter to try out. And it's good. It draws power from a butane cartridge, which takes a little getting used to. The on switch ignites a little pilot, much like a barbeque, and it actually emits an audible hissing sound that is a bit alarming at first. But you let it warm up for a couple of minutes, and the straightening power is very good, as it heats to four hundred degrees farenheit. It comes with two butane cartridges, and I'm only finishing the first one now. It does mean keeping a few extra cartridges in the house, which is an extended cost, but they cost about $5 each and last for awhile. It probably wouldn't straighten a full head of long curly hair as well as an expensive electric model, but for straightish hair it works great, and you can throw it in your bag when you're on the go. And the rounded plates make it easy to use as a curling iron - I curled my entire head for New Year's, which saves on another hair tool. -
Dove Ultimate Supreme VisiblySmooth Antiperspirant
When I received this from the Review Club, I wasn't expecting it to radically change my deodorant experience, especially since I was already using a Dove clear anti-perspirant. But I really like it. I used to get reddish dry skin from time to... +
When I received this from the Review Club, I wasn't expecting it to radically change my deodorant experience, especially since I was already using a Dove clear anti-perspirant. But I really like it. I used to get reddish dry skin from time to time under my arms, and I had switched brands several times to no avail. It wasn't serious so I ignored it, but it cleared up immediately when I started using this. The overall performance is as good or better as other anti-perspirants I've tried, and I'm grateful that it's so soothing on my skin. Sold! -
L'Oreal Paris Collagen Filler Lip
There isn't anything wrong with this product, but when it comes to living up to its promises, I don't think it delivers. Sometimes a two-step process really pays off, but in this case it just felt like it amounted to applying two creams for... +
There isn't anything wrong with this product, but when it comes to living up to its promises, I don't think it delivers. Sometimes a two-step process really pays off, but in this case it just felt like it amounted to applying two creams for one average result. The moisturizing aspect is good (but not groundbreaking), but I didn't notice any plumping or anti-feathering effects. It didn't burn, which is something I don't enjoy about other lip plumpers, but it also didn't do anything but hydrate. For the price, relatively small amount of product, and time it takes to follow instructions, I would pass on this in the future. -
Marcelle Essentials 1st Wrinkles Eye Contour Cream
I don't have lines around my eyes, but I do find that I'm more prone to dark circles and puffiness when I'm tired now (I'm turning 31). So I was glad to try a product aimed at brightening up the eye area, instead of targeting... +
I don't have lines around my eyes, but I do find that I'm more prone to dark circles and puffiness when I'm tired now (I'm turning 31). So I was glad to try a product aimed at brightening up the eye area, instead of targeting wrinkles. I haven't used an eye cream before, but I applied an adequate amount before bed and a little less in the morning, and I thought the texture was great (for those that found that too much product came out at times, use the excess on your lips, that skin needs extra TLC too). This is smooth, non-greasy, and doesn't make eye makeup slide around. My only concern is that I may have had a slight reaction to the cream at night - when I woke up in the morning, my eyes had teared a lot in my sleep. After four nights, I applied the cream only to the circles under my eyes and not on the lids, and that seemed to do the trick. Maybe my skin was sensitive because I've never worn cream at night.
Anyway, I'm curious to see if a longer use yields more obvious results. For now, I like the idea of taking care of the delicate eye area, and if it didn't make me look miraculously well-rested, it made my skin smooth and soft, and a colleague at work asked if I had switched to a new mascara. I'll keep using it.
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Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
When it comes to body wash, I prefer lighter formulas, but I'm also really lazy about applying moisturizing cream after showering, so I was interested to see if the Dove Deep Moisture body wash could provide a nice 2-in-1 step. It was much... +
When it comes to body wash, I prefer lighter formulas, but I'm also really lazy about applying moisturizing cream after showering, so I was interested to see if the Dove Deep Moisture body wash could provide a nice 2-in-1 step. It was much thicker than the washes I usually buy, but it did rinse away nicely and leave my skin very soft in the shower and right after.
But in terms of long-term hydration, I wasn't overly impressed. After a week of use with additional moisturizing cream, my legs had a light layer of dry skin. My skin is not generally dry, so I was disappointed that the ultra-thick and lotion-y formula didn't do the trick on its own. And one thing that truly bugs me - the bottle design makes it impossible to leave it upside-down, and you can bet that it will be hard to get all the product out when it's almost empty. Who needs to wrestle with their body wash first thing in the morning?
I wouldn't advise against this, but I won't by it for myself.
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Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish
After falling in love with the brush and formula for Sally Hansen's Insta Dri line, I'm on a bit of a nail polish kick, and I picked up the Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in Celeb City because a) it was only $2.79 and b) the brighter silver shade... +
After falling in love with the brush and formula for Sally Hansen's Insta Dri line, I'm on a bit of a nail polish kick, and I picked up the Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear in Celeb City because a) it was only $2.79 and b) the brighter silver shade seemed like a fresh take on metallics.
And it's gorgeous. The colour is exactly the shade of the matte side of aluminum foil, but with an extremely pretty shimmer. I've read that some colours from this line take a few layers to build up, but if anything Celeb City goes on too thick if you're not careful. I liked the effect of a lighter touch, so used only a very thin coat. The brush isn't as wide as the Insta Dri one, but still wider than classic SH brushes, which is good. And I didn't have any issues while drying. It might be a bit too bright for hands, I'll see.
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L'Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Concealer
I'm not much of a concealer person, as I find it hard to find a shade match, but I tried L'Oreal's concealer from their Bare Naturale Mineral Makeup line and I'm sticking with this. The Light/Medium shade blends well over dark... +
I'm not much of a concealer person, as I find it hard to find a shade match, but I tried L'Oreal's concealer from their Bare Naturale Mineral Makeup line and I'm sticking with this. The Light/Medium shade blends well over dark circles, and while it doesn't totally erase them, your eyes look a lot brighter. But this product's strength is in blemish covering - the stiff pointy brush makes spots disappear really easily without that telltale cakey look. Just don't rub them by accident, the powder formula doesn't 'set' the way a wet one does and you might wipe your coverage off. -
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