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    Mario Badescu: Special Cucumber Lotion

    *note: this looks worse in the photo than it really does. In real life, it looks like urine. In the photo, it looks like the urine of a dying person!

    Mario’s Special Cucumber Lotion was supposed to be great. Supposed to be.

    What they say: Refreshing, disinfecting and deep cleaning astringent that is effective in drying up existing acne blemishes while preventing new eruptions. Sulfur and soothing Cucumber based, acne fighting formula that is non-drying and non-irritating.” (for combination or oily skin)

    At first sight: As mentioned: it looks like pee. Also, it’s a yellow liquid, and though it’s “lotion”, it’s actually a toner. And it smells funny. Like a decaying baby. See my hopes? They’re all dead now.

    At first use: The weird smell seems to be stronger on my face, and you can smell a touch of alcohol as well. This didn’t do anything remarkable; I don’t have very oily skin to begin with, and my skin and I get along pretty damn well. So, um, aside from smelling funny, this didn’t do jack.

    The verdict: zzz. One more boring product with a strange scent that doesn’t live up to it’s claims.

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    Keys

    Look at all my clean keys! (cleaning them was much fun.)
    Um, but here’s the thing… no one has bought one yet. I am starting to get very bored with this.

    Please order one! This was a scheduled post, so I know that I’m not at home right now – but I’ll get your emails once I come home, and they will make me happy! Remember, it doesn’t have to be a money/necklace swap! It can also be almost anything else – even a necklace/necklace, or a cosmetics/necklace (I WOULD LOVE THIS)!

    I just really need something to do in August, and I like making stuff! :P

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    Mario Badescu: Hyaluronic Eye Cream

    Badescu’s Hyaluronic Eye Cream was the third thing I tried. By this point, I basically thought the company sucked, and wondered why they’re not totally bankrupt.

    What they say: Hyaluronic Acid formula helps lock in the skin’s own natural moisture without the use of heavy, greasy oils. Absorbent, medium weight cream for use day or night. Aloe based formula makes this cream suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.” (for all skin types)

    At first sight: Finally, a normal-looking lotion! White and unscented, this was by far the most promising-looking product!

    At first use: No glitter, no smell = happy Rae
    !! However, this felt a bit heavy and tacky, but a little goes a very long way. I can’t vouch for the eye-cream-properties of this, as my eye area’s still young and pretty youthful – no wrinkles or fine lines to fill up here, though this did keep my dry corners moisturised! (The outside corners of my eyes tend to get dry, uncomfortable, and flaky)

    The verdict: This is a fine product in my books! I used it a dozen-odd times, and that was just off the product on the lid! I didn’t even need to touch the product in the jar :) It’s not for me, but only because I don’t need an eye cream! I think it would be a great first eye cream for someone in their mid twenties, because it’s simple and does what it promises – keeps your eye area supple and hydrated. No big claims here, so it lives up to it’s aspirations!! Also, at $18/jar, this is much more reasonably priced than many anti-ageing creams.

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    Quick Under-5-Minuite Post

    Okay: I’m feeling better, miss blogging, am sick of driving, and am currently in Vancouver. We leave tomorrow morning for Seattle, I’ve read and moderated all of your comments, but probably will not have time to respond to them – sorry! I think that’s all – took about thirty seconds. How proud of me are you?? :P

    EDIT: Okay, so I have another 20-ish minutes to kill. I’m off to respond to comments! <3

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    Mario Badescu: Seaweed Night Cream

    After my Orange Cleansing Soap disappointment, I waited a few days and tried my next sample: Seaweed Night Cream. I don’t actually need a night cream, but I figured, what the hell, right? I mean, why not?

    What they say: “A non-greasy, oil-free night cream enriched with Seaweed, Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to soften, hydrate and nourish the skin without clogging pores. It leaves the skin feeling soft and silky.” (for combination, oily, and sensitive skin types)

    At first sight: I was super-excited to try this pearly green night cream, because it’s not often that you find a product suitable for both combination and sensitive skin types! However, when I took a wiff, I was a little dissuaded – mom described it as an “old lady” night cream smell. She was spot-on.

    At first use:
    This cream was thick, and (get this!) sparkly. What the hell, Mario! It’s a friggin night cream! Anyhow… the old lady scent was strong and stayed strong, and it felt heavy on my skin – a feeling that didn’t go away all night. I would have put up with both of these if it was nice and hydrating, but it wasn’t – lots of weight, no payoff. My skin didn’t look any better the next morning, it just felt gross!

    The verdict: Another disappointment.
    I didn’t like the look, feel, or smell of this, and it really was disappointing. I don’t know how many uses you’ll get outta the sample, because I only used it once. If you’re older and like this scent, though, you might like the cream – never know. I’m guessing I don’t have any 65+ readers, though – that’s how old you’d have to be before you could pull off this scent!!

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    Mario Badescu: Orange Cleansing Soap

    The first review? Mario’s Orange Cleansing Soap. *note: though it looks white in this photo, it’s not!

    What they say:
    Orange Extract makes this gentle, cream cleanser mildly exfoliating and very refreshing. Non-oily, non-detergent formula is safe and effective for all skin types to remove make-up and build-up from the skin’s surface without drying.” (for all skin types)

    At first sight: This was a pearly, light orange. It has a light scent that I couldn’t quite pace – a bit like clay and synthetic oranges, maybe? Either way, it’s not my favourite scent in the world.

    At first use: This cream cleanser didn’t lather at all! Personally, I love a lot of lather in my soaps – makes them fun. If they don’t lather, they better be amazing in other areas, or it’s right to the bin with them! Unfortunately, this product was rather unremarkable – it felt like it left a light film on my face, and the smell stuck around, even after I rewashed with my normal cleanser! My face felt sticky, which was annoying to no end!!

    The verdict: I only used this once before throwing it into a swap. I hated it, personally. (I hope the swapper likes it, though!) I wouldn’t buy this, or recommend it to anyone!

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    Mario Badescu: the series

    Mario Badescu sends free samples to anyone that completes this questionnaire – so, of course, I took advantage of it!! I’m pleased to introduce the Mario Badescu series, which will be scheduled posting until I come back. It will consist of seven reviews, one for each product, and a company review at the end.

    As a teaser/intro, here are the photos:

    The Package

    The booklets (click to enlarge)

    And finally…the samples!

    The cleaned up, labelled samples (erm, the BACKS of the samples!)
    EM sample for size comparison :)

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    Popping my MAC cherry

    Can you believe that, the junkie I am, I’ve never bought anything at MAC? (Actually, I can…)

    So. As an early birthday gift, my aunt brought me into MAC and told me that I could pick out anything (or multiple anythings, but I didn’t want to tax her – she had already brought me some gorgeous pottery from LA. She has her own oven-thingy and everything!) (Also, I am aware that “anythings” is not, in fact, a word.)

    Though I didn’t care for the SA too much, she wasn’t terrible. Like most of them, she was a little pushy, but she was also helpful enough to make up for it. The fake-happy voice and motions were a little too over the top for me – can you say “irritating”?

    I ended up with Harmony, to contour. I have light Asian skin – you’ve all seen it, right? (Or is that post still in backlogs…?)
    It’s perfect! Very pigmented, and though it definitely wears through the day, there is a noticeable difference when I wash my face at night – I ran a q-tip with baby oil through it to check at the end of the night, and I could see an obvious pale streak! Points for wearing time – it’s pretty great.

    I can see this lasting me next-to-forever, even with almost-daily use. A little goes a very long way – now I just need a small contour brush. The one I’ve been using thus far spreads on too much of this product!!

    The verdict: Fabulous!

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