suigeneris
Member Since: May 6, 2011Reviews
ChapStick Classic Cherry Lip Balm
I used to think that Chapstick wasn't a terribly good brand since I could find it in dollar stores everywhere, but it seems that in the past few years, Chapstick has increased their prices and are more prevalent in drugstores. (Or is it just me?)... +
I used to think that Chapstick wasn't a terribly good brand since I could find it in dollar stores everywhere, but it seems that in the past few years, Chapstick has increased their prices and are more prevalent in drugstores. (Or is it just me?) Also, it's very difficult to find Chapsticks with SPF nowadays, unless it's the special yellow SPF-30 Chapstick.
I've used the original and cherry-flavored ChapStick, both when they included SPF and now, without SPF. They work pretty well as everyday lip balms, though I usually use them at night since they are sans-SPF, but when my lips are drier than usual, they also do a good job of moisturizing my lips overnight. I'm not sure if it's something in the product formula, but I remember that a years ago, I could have dry and chapped lips, apply Chapstick at night, and have my lips perfectly fine for a few days after that. But now, I have to apply Chapstick at night, and apply Chapstick (or another lip balm) in the morning to keep my lips moisturized.
On Chapstick's Facebook, it seems that they are always releasing new limited edition flavors, but it seems that it's only limited to the US. Here, in Canada, I seem to only be able to find Chapstick in SOME drugstores, and usually only in very limited flavors (like the Original and Cherry), and with SPF. I couldn't even find Chapstick at my local Walmart!
Overall, Chapstick is a pretty decent lip balm. Nothing fancy, but it should serve its purpose well. I just wish there was more variety to it, and that it is more widely available!
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e.l.f. 32 Piece Eyeshadow Palette
Originally, I bought this since I wanted to dabble in makeup, so I wanted a fairly large and inexpensive palette where I could just play around with looks and "get a hang" of applying eyeshadow. It's $5 USD on the E.L.F. website, but since I only... +
Originally, I bought this since I wanted to dabble in makeup, so I wanted a fairly large and inexpensive palette where I could just play around with looks and "get a hang" of applying eyeshadow. It's $5 USD on the E.L.F. website, but since I only wanted to buy this, I didn't want to spend three times the amount on shipping, so I looked around and found this at Winners (albeit at $10 CAD).
The entire palette looks pretty small, but considering how much eyeshadow you use per application and such, it should be able to last a long time. I got the "Cool" version since it had a wider selection of colors (unlike "Warm", which was basically all neutrals), but upon examination, since there are so many colors, it might be a bit difficult to find a group of appropriate, color-matching eyeshadow colors to apply together.
As I said, I'm a newbie to eyeshadows, and I've never tried other eyeshadows yet (though I have some other eyeshadows that are lying around, but untouched for now), so I'm not really sure about the relative quality of E.L.F.'s eyeshadows. This "Cool" set contains a good number of shimmers, but unfortunately the shimmers have a lot of fallout and are less pigmented than the other colors. On the other hand, the non-shimmer colors have pretty decent pigmentation and also have some fallout (but it's manageable). These eyeshadows also seem to be able to blend quite well.
Since I was just experimenting with this product, I literally removed it 5 minutes after application, so I can't comment on its staying power. I sometimes used a primer underneath, but within the short period of time for application, I couldn't really tell the difference the primer made to the eyeshadows.
I would recommend this to makeup newbies or people looking to just be creative and play around with colors/looks. I think that with a good primer and good application skills, it's possible to make it last for a few hours, but I'd recommend reading other people's reviews if you really want it for a "day look" (and not just experimenting with it). If you don't want to spend $10 on it at Winners, then I'd suggest waiting for a sale at the E.L.F. website (there's plenty of those), and then having a number of E.L.F. products shipped to you.
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Exact Apricot Scrub
I bought this product buy accident - I was looking for St. Ives apricot scrub, but when I was comparing the products, I somehow ended up purchasing this one instead. I have yet to use any scrubs with beads that are as large and exfoliating as the... +
I bought this product buy accident - I was looking for St. Ives apricot scrub, but when I was comparing the products, I somehow ended up purchasing this one instead.
I have yet to use any scrubs with beads that are as large and exfoliating as the ones found in this product (though I haven't used any scrubs to date anyways), and I find that they are pretty good as a very deep facial exfoliator. This product says that it's made with Swiss botanicals, is suitable for all skin types, hypoallergenic and is oil-free, and since it doesn't say that it shouldn't be used on the face, I use it every few weeks just to do a thorough exfoliation of my face, and get rid of some blackheads. (I find that out of all the products I use, this one does a relatively good job at removing the blackheads on my nose - less than 50%, or even 25% on some days, but it's better than any masks I've tried.)
As a body exfoliator, it is also pretty effective, though of course not as exfoliating as an exfoliating glove body wash.
The formula is on the creamy side, but contains lots of exfoliating beads, so it spreads well initially, and then there's still beads left to actually exfoliate! (I find that other exfoliators do not have as many beads as this product does, so it's hard to exfoliate properly and quickly with those other products.)
I haven't tried the St. Ives apricot scrub yet, but I would recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a good, strong exfoliating scrub, and doesn't want to spend too much. I bought this product at the Real Canadian Superstore for about $3, I think (but that was a year ago), so it's an effective scrub that doesn't break the bank
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Olay Pore Minimizing Cleanser and Scrub
I got this product free as part of an Olay Facebook promotion a while ago, and it was the first cleanser that I used. (I usually just use a washcloth water.) I use a pea-size amount of this product and then massage it into my face. The smell is... +
I got this product free as part of an Olay Facebook promotion a while ago, and it was the first cleanser that I used. (I usually just use a washcloth water.)
I use a pea-size amount of this product and then massage it into my face. The smell is nice - clean and refreshing - and I quite like the slightly foamy texture of this product after massaging. The beads in this product are tiny, but I can definitely feel them physical exfoliating my skin, and if I massage it too hard into my forehead (where I seem to have little bumps that just won't go away, no matter what), the next day, that area becomes a bit red/inflamed.
This product is definitely a time saver since it combines a cleanser and a scrub into one. However, because of the scrub component in this product, I only use this at night, since I've heard that using a scrub in the morning will make dirt and bacteria more likely to seep into your skin since the skin's just been physically exfoliated so it's a bit more vulnerable than usual.
Although this product claims to reduce pores, I haven't noticed any significant changes after using this product regularly for a period of time, but that may be because my pores aren't very large to begin with. (Also, if you were curious, this product also doesn't do anything for blackheads. But sincethis product doesn't claim to reduce blackheads, I wouldn't hold it against Olay.)
Overall, I quite like this product, but I wouldn't purchase this at regular price - maybe if it's on sale, and when I'm finished with my current cleansers. This product does its job as a basic, time-saving cleanser scrub, so I would recommend it to people who like multi-tasking products, or who would like to save time in their daily cleansing routine.
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Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
I've heard many great things about this product, but the price was a bit high for me at the time, so I tried another nose strip product. That one didn't work out, and so wondering if perhaps the other brand was just a cheap imitation of Biore, I... +
I've heard many great things about this product, but the price was a bit high for me at the time, so I tried another nose strip product. That one didn't work out, and so wondering if perhaps the other brand was just a cheap imitation of Biore, I decided to try Biore to see what the hype was all about (it seemed that Biore was the gold standard for nose strips and removing blackheads).
However, after following the instructions closely (and also doing some research online, just to make sure that I was doing everything correctly), I came to the conclusion that nope, nose strips don't work - at least not for me.
These Biore nose strips are pretty flexible, and adhere pretty well to the skin, though I did find it strange that there was no bit of strip to cover the tip of the nose and the area slightly below that (where I seem to have the most blackheads). But after waiting for the strip to dry, when I removed the strip, not even the blackheads that were clearly under the strip were removed! Whatever the strip had removed (IF it had removed anything at all), was something that I did not care to have removed in the first place, as the more prominent blackheads were still there. In fact, not only was this product practically useless, my nose felt itchy in the half hour after removal, and so I'm sure that dirt and bacteria was introduced to my open pores when I tried to scratch my nose to relieve the itch!
It's funny that after I tried out this product, I went online and searched up actual collections of reviews (like here, and on MakeUpAlley), and realized that Biore nose strips is no miracle product. In fact, I'm inclined to believe that over time, even with successful removal of blackheads, the pores on your nose will only become bigger and bigger, causing you to need the strips more and more - a catch 22, if you will. So perhaps it's a blessing in disguise that these strips didn't work for me, so I won't get addicted to them. Yup, I'll definitely be looking for better (and probably safer, in the long term) solutions to blackheads, like perhaps masks and scrubs. But meanwhile, I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone.
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Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea
I got this product free (in tube-form) during their Earth Day promotion, but it wasn't until recently that I realized how great this product could be with its added antioxidants for sun protection (infrared rays)! This product isn't the most... +
I got this product free (in tube-form) during their Earth Day promotion, but it wasn't until recently that I realized how great this product could be with its added antioxidants for sun protection (infrared rays)!
This product isn't the most moisturizing moisturizer, but it holds up pretty well if you don't have dry and/or flaky skin. I find the minty scent a bit strong, but it doesn't bother me too much. It is also fairly easy to apply and the fact that it's pretty eco-friendly and doesn't contain a lot of harmful ingredients that other moisturizers include is a bonus!
I think that the price of this product is a bit high for my tastes (though it's about average with other high-end or "natural" brands). I'm also kind of wary since I can't gauge how effective it is against infrared rays (which is mainly what I'm using it for). But for people with around normal skin type, and who don't find this product too expensive, I would recommend this product to them. For me, however, when I'm done with this tube, I'll try to find another less expensive moisturizer that also includes added antioxidants.
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COVERGIRL Professional All-In-One Mascara
I have long, full lashes, but before you can tell me how "lucky" I am, let me say that my lashes don't curve upwards. In fact, they shoot straight out, and don't frame my eyes nicely - at all. Since I wear glasses, I was looking for something that... +
I have long, full lashes, but before you can tell me how "lucky" I am, let me say that my lashes don't curve upwards. In fact, they shoot straight out, and don't frame my eyes nicely - at all. Since I wear glasses, I was looking for something that would make my eyes look more alert by creating a nice curved shape to my eyelashes. So I bought this product in 105 Black Brown.
Unfortunately, no matter what I tried to do, it seems that no mascara is able to defeat gravity and help my lashes curve upwards. I tried another drugstore mascara - I forgot its name - a few years ago, but it didn't do anything for my lashes, but armed with more knowledge about beauty and makeup than before, I thought I'd give mascara another try. I used Revlon's Spotlight Eyelash Curler before using this product (which didn't really do anything for my lashes when I tried it alone - but hey, I decided to give that a second chance, too), and I applied more than one coat of this product.
However, the end result wasn't all that pretty. Sure, my lashes may have gone upwards ("curled upwards" would have been too nice of a phrase) a few millimetres, but this product clumped my lashes together and my lashes felt weighed down even though I tried to apply as little as possible (think, thin coats when applying nail polish). I didn't like the feeling at all, and with my glasses on, I can't say that it made my eyes look any better.
I tried this combination of eyelash curling mascara a few times since it seems that it works for many women, but for me, this product failed to deliver. Maybe it's just my lashes, or maybe it's my technique, but I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone. I don't know what I'll try next - maybe clear mascara or just leave my lashes alone - but I'm definitely not going to be trying (or buying) traditional mascara anytime soon!
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Julep Nail Polish
I quite like Julep polishes, though one of my polishes has a wonky brush. These polishes are beautifully pigmented and their dry time is pretty fast. When the brush isn't acting up, it's very easy to apply a nice, thin layer and there's no... +
I quite like Julep polishes, though one of my polishes has a wonky brush. These polishes are beautifully pigmented and their dry time is pretty fast. When the brush isn't acting up, it's very easy to apply a nice, thin layer and there's no streaking.
However, I find that they don't last very long on my hands, as they start to peel after 3 or so days with 2-3 coats, plus basecoat and topcoat. (My technique may be to blame here, as I don't stop just short of the cuticle when applying. Regardless, I've had less expensive polishes last longer when I apply them.) Also, the way the bottle is designed makes the polish prone to sticking to the body of the brush, so when you've just about done applying a layer to a nail, a big drop of nail polish slides down the brush and onto your nail, and you have to hastily wipe it away.
The regular prices for these polishes are extremely expensive - especially when you take into consideration the fact that the bottles are only 7ml (half of normal polish bottles). But trying out an intro box is pretty cool, and for people who love nail polish, the monthly box isn't that bad of a deal.
Overall, I think that the intro boxes are totally worth it (hunt around, and you'll find a code to get it for only a penny), and you get to experience pretty good polishes. But these polishes aren't THAT great (though they are pretty great), and unless you become a die-hard fan, it's not worth it to buy them (unless it's a BOGO free sale, in which case the price is much more reasonable).
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L'Oreal Ombrelle Complete Lotion SPF 30
I've been on the hunt for a good physical sunscreen, but since they are so expensive, and this product was on sale (for $9.99), I decided to try out this product. This product contains some that I know that I am allergic to, but since they seem to... +
I've been on the hunt for a good physical sunscreen, but since they are so expensive, and this product was on sale (for $9.99), I decided to try out this product. This product contains some that I know that I am allergic to, but since they seem to be present in lower quantities in this product, my face didn't outwardly react badly (with the correct application procedure). It has some sunscreen technology from Europe that has not been FDA-approved, so it's not available on EWG (which has me kind of worried about its UVA protection).
As for the product itself, it feels like a cross between the typical chemical sunscreen (very easy to spread) and the typical physical sunscreen (very, very hard to spread). It is a bit greasy, and leaves a white tint after application (my skin color is about medium), which seems to fade slightly after a few minutes. I'm not sure if it disppears completely, but it doesn't bother me as much as the white cast of physical sunscreens. But I had to make sure to always rub it in very well, since one time I accidentally missed a spot on my hairline, and when it dried, I looked like I had powder that wouldn't come off on my hair! Also, this product is pretty drying on me, so I have to first apply a layer of moisturer, wait for it to soak in, and then I can apply this sunscreen.
For people who aren't allergic to chemical sunscreens, I'd say that this product would be a fairly good choice for them. (Just waiting to see what its UVA protection would be, but I'm guessing that it wouldn't be too bad.) But considering its usual price is around $17, which is around the price level of physical sunscreens, I wouldn't recommend this to people who are allergic to ingredients in chemical sunscreen. For people like me (with usually non-fussy skin but which breaks out if I don't put a layer of moisturizer between the sunscreen and my skin), I'd say buy this if it's on sale, but otherwise, invest in a physical sunscreen that doesn't contain any potentially irritating ingredients.
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Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
First of all, let me say that I'm allergic to all chemical sunscreens (to different degrees), but since I can't bear to throw all of my chemical sunscreens away when I had that realization, I've been trying to figure out ways to finish them off... +
First of all, let me say that I'm allergic to all chemical sunscreens (to different degrees), but since I can't bear to throw all of my chemical sunscreens away when I had that realization, I've been trying to figure out ways to finish them off. I've found that putting on lotion beforehand, waiting a few minutes for it to soak into the skin, and then putting on the sunscreen doesn't cause my skin to react badly. Of course, I'm not sure how effective that is, but I figured it's the same as reapplying sunscreen throughout the day to a non-freshly-cleansed face.
This product resembles a lotion more than a sunscreen, and it is very easily spreadable - but don't let that make you apply less than the recommended amount! It is white, but becomes transparent immediately after you spread it around. There is the usual sunscreen "smell", and it's a bit greasy, but I don't mind that too much.
I wasn't too sure how to rate "effectiveness" since we all know that UVB rays aren't what we should really be concerned about (UVA and infrared are more important). I haven't burned while using this product, but then again, I didn't stay in the sun too long - I like to stay in the shade, and I used it while I was outside shopping (so I spent most of my time in the shops). According to EWG, this product's UVA protection is quite bad (which shouldn't be a concern if you don't care about wrinkles), and it also contains oxybenzone. So for the price, this product should work as an emergency sunscreen and I'd recommend this product over not using any sunscreen at all. However, with the long term in mind, I don't think that this product would offer adequate sun protection, so if you're looking for a daily lotion containing SPF, I'd say to look elsewhere.
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