TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY

reviews of stuff

[reviewcatalogue]

Shiseido Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edge Meister Japan Mascara

I’ve been using Majolica Majorca mascara for a couple of years now. The wand is genius. Instead of a bristle brush, you have a fine toothed comb that has a straight edge - perfect for getting the middle lashes, and a curved edge to help the outer fringes. I’ve seen other versions of a comb wand but this version has been the best I’ve used. The wand holds just enough product, not like others where the mascara can build up between teeth and lead to excessive amounts of mascara applied to lashes.

The formula of this mascara is incredible. It’s thin, not at all waxy. It does not weigh your lashes down. It’s waterproof and the other version of this that I love has tiny fibers in it. I don’t recommend the fiber version to anyone who has sensitive eyes as fibers may loosen and fall into the eye. This rarely happened to me, and when it did, it was during application and I could easily remove the loose fiber with my fingertip.

The mascara will hold your curled lashes. The comb helps to prevent your lashes from clumping and it also allows for even distribution of the mascara from roots to tips.

I cannot recommend this mascara enough. I’ve given this away as gifts and will continue to use this brand. No other mascara compares. I’ve tried all of the drugstore brands, Chanel, Dior, Guerlain. They all pale in comparison.

[reviewcatalogue]

AQUAPHOR HEALING OINTMENT

After reading a bunch of articles about people claiming Aquaphor was a miracle drugstore item, I bought one. I had no idea it was going to look and feel exactly like Vaseline. It’s very thick and greasy. That being said, it does work. If you have dry skin, use this for a couple days and you won’t notice that your skin was patchy and dry. The glaring elephant in the room is... it’s OINTMENT. This product is not something you put on and go off for a night on the town. Wherever the ointment is applied will be shiny, greasy, and sticky. I only use this when I’m about to go to bed. I have used it on my shins to get rid of dry patches, elbows to keep them soft, my cheeks when they got really dry from using this serum that was way too strong, and on my heels (wear socks to cover your feet if you try this).

I can see why there’s a cult following - the stuff really works, but it’s also almost 50% petrolatum. If you want to try something that works and doesn’t leave you feeling like a greasy mess, I’d recommend YuBe.

[reviewcatalogue]

Neutrogena - Hydro Boost Water gel

After using Shiseido’s PURENESS gel cream on my face, I felt like it was nice, but didn’t really moisturize my face the way I wanted it to. Which is moisturize, give me a dewy look, but not feel greasy. Shiseido’s product is good, but it’s expensive.

I read about Hydro Boost and while at Target, I decided, why not! It’s less than $20. I’ve been using it for two weeks and it’s amazing. My skin is hydrated, doesn’t get oily during the day, the gel is faintly scented and it’s a rather large container of gel. I am already a supporter of this product. I use it all over my face and neck and it’s pretty amazing how I literally do not get greasy. My skin is soft and hydrated and I cannot tout this product enough.

Go get it!

[reviewcatalogue]

Korres - Greek Yoghurt

Purchased off Sephora after reading about how this product not only removes makeup, but also has a toning agent in it. I’ve been using it for a few weeks to only realize that despite it’s great scent (slightly citrus) and smooth consistency, it does very little to remove waterproof mascara. Once the bottle is done, I’m done with this product.

[reviewcatalogue]

Nivea In-Shower Body Milk

I read about this product and thought, hey. I could use some moisturizing in the shower. I set out to Target and bought the bottle for ‘extra dry skin’. First use, I felt nothing. The lotion rinsed off and left my skin feeling like it regularly does after I wash with body wash. The true results were only evident AFTER I dried myself off. My body didn’t have that dried out feeling that can happen when it’s colder here in CA. I touched my legs, and they were soft and supple. Could it be.. magic?

I’ve used nearly the entire bottle within a month. I use it daily and am pretty generous with the amount I massage all over myself. The scent is unobtrusive - faintly jasmine - but there is no residual scent once you’ve dried off.

I bought another bottle already.

[reviewcatalogue]

Ferulic + Retinol Anti-Aging Moisturizer & Eye Cream by Dr Dennis Gross

I bought this duo from Sephora because a while back I tried the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel in original strength. The peels worked wonderfully well on me and I did notice a significant improvement in my skin. So I thought these creams might work well as well. 

They do and they don't. The ingredients are good, but the strength of them is a bit lacking. Considering there's retinol in a cream base and add to that fact it's in a jar - it's not going to be working wonders fast by any means. That being said I do get a bit of tightening on my face after using these, which does mean that some of the ingredients are doing their thing. I do notice some drying if I use this constantly so I usually add a moisturizer over this. While it's not the worst product I've used I'm not overly impressed by it. I'm not sorry I bought it, but I don't think it's worth repurchasing. 

[reviewcatalogue]

Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads by Peter Thomas Roth

In my search for good acid peels and treatments I came across these peel pads. I rather liked the convenience of everything being in a pad to swipe across the face and the ingredients list looked good. 

I discovered that using this every day ended up drying out my skin in areas that caused itching and redness. It's recommended to build up to this - only using it a few times a week as you get used to it, but my skin never got used to it enough to do every day. It is rather strong and a definite warning needs to go out with regards to the eye area. You don't use it near the eyes and for good reason - it'll burn. It also makes my eyes water a bit. But do I like it? Yes. When I need to give my skin a boost I use these pads. They are a bit scratchy on my skin and I will add DO NOT use them after a manual exfoliator unless you want to feel like your skin will itch/burn/peel off in a horrifying melty manner. This isn't something you leave on your face either. Swipe the pad over face (AVOIDING EYES), neck (mine was too sensitive for it), and backs of hands (these actually did WONDERS for my hands). Then wait for up to 3 minutes and rinse with warm water. That short treatment is more than enough and I use these pads maybe twice a week now when I need to give my skin some oomph. I do recommend them, but be sure to look at the ingredient list since some might be allergic to a few things in it. 

[reviewcatalogue]

Supple cream by Tatcha

Over the summer I bought the Tatcha Beginner's kit. It had the rice enzyme powder cleanser, the pure camilla oil cleanser, a serum, and the cream shown above. 

I find myself reaching for this cream when I need a light-weight moisturizer to use under makeup during the day. It's a bit too light for nighttime wear, but it works wonderfully as a base before a primer or foundation. I'm still debating on whether or not it's worth purchasing a full amount, but I am enjoying this sample. The smell is pleasant and it absorbs quickly. The first few times I tried it I noticed a tingly sensation, but I realized this was due to using a manual exfoliator or using a strong acid peel beforehand. Otherwise, I've not had any reactions to this and do like it. 

[reviewcatalogue]

Yu-Be lotion

A while back I got a huge sampler from Sephora with the usual amounts of sample packs all prettily packaged in slick plastics with elegant or minimalist designs and font. And then there was the oddball from the bunch. It was a tiny tube of cream that looked very dated, had a flimsy cellophane around it and even included an old fashioned folded paper brochure. It was Yu-Be cream. I read up on the product and found out it's a cream made by a Japanese company and the recipe is still pretty much the same as it was when the pharmacist created it in 1957. It's got a hefty dose of glycerin with vitamins E and B2 and camphor. The simplistic recipe for this cream intrigued me and after reading rave reviews online I decided to try it on my face. I had the more concentrated cream version in the tube and was utterly amazed at how incredibly well it moisturized my skin overnight. It's good for the whole body, including lips and face - according to the brochure - and that's very true. It does work well on the face (albeit with a bit of shine and sticky, so best as an overnight cream) and worked wonders on my lips. 

I have eczema issues on a few spots on my legs and hips and the cream treated those problem areas instantly as well. It's also helped quite a bit with getting my feet back into shape. I'd bought the large cream tube and was going through it so fast I decided I'd go all out and get the body lotion too. It is now my go-to lotion this winter and I even took it with me on vacation because it works so well I don't want to be without it. I've been completely shocked at how wonderfully good my legs have looked this winter due to this lotion - even after shaving quite a bit since I was on vacation in Florida. The camphor smell might annoy some and even has a rather old-fashioned scent to it - like I'm some old lady making sure there's a vat of menthol-y vaseline in every room - but to be honest, the smell fades very fast and does not get in the way of perfumes or other body scents. This is a Holy Grail moisturizer for me. 

[reviewcatalogue]

Argan Oil

Over the past year or so argan oil has become one of the new "wonder" treatments for skin. It nourishes! It soothes! It moisturizes! It makes skin supple! It softens cuticles! It shines hair! It does your taxes! (just seeing if you're paying attention)

I tried the Josie Maran argan oil kit a while back. It included a mini of the pure argan oil and a mini of the argan oil cleanser. I ended up using the oil, which came in a glass bottle with a handy little dropper, a lot more than I thought I would. When used consistently I did notice a change in my skin for the better. I didn't have nearly as many episodes of eczema and it does help maintain skin moisture. I usually put it on at night and by morning my skin was set and I wouldn't need any extra moisturizing before putting on my make up. I tend to use it more for seriously dry areas like my knees, elbows and feet, but it's not overly greasy and absorbs easily on all areas of the body. I have used it under makeup and not had any shine problems. I haven't put it in my hair, but I've heard it can help with split ends and adding luster to dull hair. 

The bottle next to the Josie Maran is from Whole Foods. It's a little more than the JM amount and it's half as much in price and can be found in the aromatherapy/ body oils section of the store. There is a slight smell with the WF one, but from what I can tell, it works the exact same way. So for those wanting to try it, there is a cheaper alternative if you don't mind the smell, which fades very fast.

[reviewcatalogue]

INGLOT - EYELINER GEL

I am new to gel eyeliner. I am a complete noob when it comes to using eyeliner that's not pencil or powder.

My friend gifted me with this pot for my birthday and it's an amazing product. I can tell because even for me,  it's easy to use and has incredible lasting power.

Matte black gel applied with a very thin angled brush to get opaque coverage. The product is unforgiving. You either have to be a pro at lining your eyes, or you have to go at it very slow because if you make a mistake, cleaning it up is a pain.

The product is so densely pigmented that trying to wash it off takes forever. It's not easy correctly with a pointy q-tip or brush dipped in eye makeup remover.

I keep practicing, because I want to wear it well, but i can tell it's going to be a difficult journey...

Onto Youtube for more tutorials!

[reviewcatalogue]

YVES SAINT LAURENT - BABY DOLL - KISS & BLUSH

Matte formula that goes on dry. Doesn't last long on your lips. I haven't attempted to put it on my cheeks because I have a feeling it won't last long either.

The color is a very nice rose that looks good on my lips, but I don't like the fact that the formula is so slippery. It's pretty much gone after fifteen minutes of normal mouth activity (talking, drinking).

Disappointed because this is pricey.

[reviewcatalogue]

BUMBLE & BUMBLE - SURF SPRAY

I've never had anything good to say about Bumble & Bumble because I frankly think their shampoo & conditioners suck. But, I received a pack of summer stuff for my birthday, and this spray was part of it.

I curled my hair, spritzed this on, and didn't give it a second thought. Later during the day, I caught a glimpse of my hair in a mirror and took a double take. My hair was piecey, softly curled and looked the way it does when I come home from the beach and let my hair down from a bun. I was surprised.

I used this on damp hair, braided, then unbraided later during the day. Same effect. The chunky, dry, sort of matte kind of "dirty" hair you get after being at the beach/pool.

For a fish like me, this product makes me feel comfortable. Makes me feel like I'm in my own skin and most 'vulnerable'. It's such a strange thing.. 

When I'm at the pool or beach, I am most uncaring about makeup and hair, and I feel most relaxed and "pretty". This product has changed the way I view "beach hair" sprays.

[reviewcatalogue]

HOURGLASS - MINERAL VEIL PRIMER

Liquid that feels dry.

HD White.

Amazing lasting qualities.

I am new to using primers, but I'm now convinced that makeup needs to be applied on top of a primer in order to get your colors and products to stay put.

This formula feels so nice. Light and airy. My skin feels so smooth afterwards.

I will definitely buy this again because of it's matte & smoothing qualities.

[reviewcatalogue]

DIOR - FLUID STICK - RIEUSE

Huge fan of this lipgloss. It goes on kind of thick, and I have to work it around my lips quite a bit, but once on, the color is sheer enough to give me a healthy burst of color.

Rieuse is a bright coral. If you layer on the gloss, the color is pretty vibrant and opaque, but I find that it'd be way too sticky to wear that way.

This is a great color for spring/summer. As we head into autumn, I think I'm going to slowly transition to more dusky rose hues..

[reviewcatalogue]

JOSIE MARAN - COCONUT WATERCOLOR CHEEK GELEE

I love liquid blush. Gel blush is a new thing for me. My skin gets pretty oily, so I wasn't sure how this product would hold up. After a couple weeks of use, I am definitely a fan. The poppy color that I have complements my skin tones and doesn't make me look ruddy.

Application is super easy. I use a primer, use two fingertips to dip into pot and rub color into apples of my cheeks. I layer my powder on top which to me, gives this blush a more natural feel to it. I like that the flush of my cheeks is under my powder, making it seem more like a natural blush.

[reviewcatalogue]

FAIRYDROPS MASCARA

I admit it. I was attracted to the packaging.

While perusing the makeup aisle at Marukai, I couldn't help but notice this bright pink mascara tube. FairyDrops sounds pretty cute too. For $20, I was hesitant, but I quickly looked up the mascara and read reviews. Pretty good.

The wand is shaped like a peanut. This gives me better control of applying the mascara. Mascara formula is pretty thick and goes on kind of clumpy. I find it helps to scrape off as much mascara as possible on edge of tube before applying on lashes.

The mascara is matte black which is great. The only thing I don't like is it weighs my lashes down. The curl disappears. Layered, you can get really voluminous lashes.

Best part: no smudging. No flaking. I was really impressed because of the thickness of the mascara.

I won't be buying another tube unless there's another version that curls lashes. But, I do intend to use this to its fullest potential.