Martha Lilian
Member Since: December 14, 2006Reviews
Sabon Vanilla/Coconut Body Scrub
I am in LOVE with this scrub. I've previously been a slave to Bliss' Hot Salt Scrub and will always be a loyal fan, but this was definitely a nice change in my regiment. It smells absolutely delicious but more importantly, it exfoliates and leaves... +
I am in LOVE with this scrub. I've previously been a slave to Bliss' Hot Salt Scrub and will always be a loyal fan, but this was definitely a nice change in my regiment. It smells absolutely delicious but more importantly, it exfoliates and leaves my skin soft, smooth and moisturized without being too greasy or oily.
I use it 1-2 times a week and have yet to have a problem with winter skin dryness or flakiness. Though the price is a little steep, I think it definitely does what it is supposed to do and more and would highly recommend it.
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Old Navy Flip Flops
Flip-flops are necessary summer footwear but the just never hold up, so I'm always amazed when stores have the audacity to charge $20+ for plastic and foam. Old Navy has the right idea, I paid just $5 for two pairs, so you can believe I stocked up!... +
Flip-flops are necessary summer footwear but the just never hold up, so I'm always amazed when stores have the audacity to charge $20+ for plastic and foam. Old Navy has the right idea, I paid just $5 for two pairs, so you can believe I stocked up! It is always great to have a pair around the house for pedicure time too. -
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
I am VERY fair, so finding a self-tanning product that works without leaving me orange or streaky is a serious challenge. I've tired every brand in every price range and have never been as satisfied as I am with Jergens Natural Glow for Fair Skin... +
I am VERY fair, so finding a self-tanning product that works without leaving me orange or streaky is a serious challenge. I've tired every brand in every price range and have never been as satisfied as I am with Jergens Natural Glow for Fair Skin. It left me looking a little less corpse-esque without any of the usual side effects of self-tanners. I had a natural looking skin hue and really looked better.
Though, like any self-tanning product, it is necessary to constantly reapply, so that is a downfall. But nothing can beat healthy looking skin without the drawbacks of sun damage!
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Michael Kors Leg Shine
This is a serious must-have product. For one, it smells absolutely amazing. And, more importantly, it leaves your legs with a nice, subtle sheen that is absolutely essential when wearing a skirt or shorts. I also find that it leaves my legs just... +
This is a serious must-have product. For one, it smells absolutely amazing. And, more importantly, it leaves your legs with a nice, subtle sheen that is absolutely essential when wearing a skirt or shorts. I also find that it leaves my legs just as soft, if not softer, than a lot of moisturizing products that I've used.
I also like using it around my cleavage and collarbone to add a nice glow when wearing a revealing top .
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Bare Escentuals 100% Pure Moxie
This set includes: .06 oz bareMinerals Dual-Sided Tropical Radiance/Pure Radiance (coral glow/peach luster) .02 oz bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil (completely sheer with a hint of warmth) .02 oz bareMinerals Blush in Naughty Naughty (blushing... +
This set includes:
.06 oz bareMinerals Dual-Sided Tropical Radiance/Pure Radiance (coral glow/peach luster)
.02 oz bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil (completely sheer with a hint of warmth)
.02 oz bareMinerals Blush in Naughty Naughty (blushing mauve)
.02 oz bareMinerals Glimpse in Kudos (golden taupe)
.02 oz bareMinerals Glimmer in Magnetize (celadon)
.5 oz Lip Guard SPF 15 in Bare Beach (pink mauve)
Heavenly Face Brush
Heavenly Blush Brush
Eye Buki Brush
Yet another absolutely fantastic set from Bare Escentuals. Even if I didn't love every component of this set, I'd still be happy because it is such a steal. You actually save $100 compared to buying everything separately. (Lucky for me, I do love every part of this set!) The colors compliment my skin tone (pale) very well and despite looking very bright and intense, the intensity is easily adjusted by application. I am particularly fond of the Pure Radiance/Tropical Radiance combo in order to give myself a little color and shimmer in the morning, without looking like I'm going out to the clubs. The Glimpse in Kudos is also gorgeous and can be adjusted from very light to quite dramatic depending on how you choose to apply it.
The brushes are fabulous and feel amazing on my skin. Applying my makeup is like a daily trip to the spa with these products.
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Benefit Cosmetics Realness of Concealness
This is a handy little box of Benefit's best concealers and enhancers. Mini sized tubes of Lip Plump, High Beam and Ooh La Lift perfectly compliment the almost magical concealing powers of Boi-ing and Lemon-Aid. The concealers work wonders after... +
This is a handy little box of Benefit's best concealers and enhancers. Mini sized tubes of Lip Plump, High Beam and Ooh La Lift perfectly compliment the almost magical concealing powers of Boi-ing and Lemon-Aid.
The concealers work wonders after a late night on the town, even managing to cover up my severe under eye circles. Ooh La Lift gets rid of the bags that accompany these circles, while High Beam brings a glow to my brow and cheek bones. A little bit of Lip Plump under my favorite lipstick and I am good to go! An absolute must-have for the girl who refuses to give up partying during the week. It even has a mirror in the box for anywhere application. It is also a great way to try out some of Benefits most popular products.
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Advil Liqui-Gels
This is a very effective painkiller and one of the few things that really helps when I have a bad headache, you have to be careful though not to take it if they think they are going to vomit. This may sound like a silly warning, but I used to take... +
This is a very effective painkiller and one of the few things that really helps when I have a bad headache, you have to be careful though not to take it if they think they are going to vomit. This may sound like a silly warning, but I used to take them for migraines and hangovers and when I got sick, the liquid in the capsules tasted HORRIBLE and actually felt like it was burning my throat and mouth. I know that this is gross, but it is something I wish I had known!
Aside from that, I do find them to work well and I personally prefer ibuprofen to products containing aceteminophen. They are also better for cramps and sore muscles than Tylenol, in my own humble opinion.
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Philosophy Makeup Optional
I had run out of my all-time favorite facial moisturizer, Hope in a Jar, when I decided that I would just try out all of Philosophy's most popular skin care products -- and get an absolutely amazing deal! The whole set combined is the cost of the... +
I had run out of my all-time favorite facial moisturizer, Hope in a Jar, when I decided that I would just try out all of Philosophy's most popular skin care products -- and get an absolutely amazing deal! The whole set combined is the cost of the face wash and moisturizer alone, so buying it all together is a real value.
Purity Made Simple: This is by far one of the BEST face washes out there. (I am torn between this one and Bliss' Foaming Face Wash.) It is perfect for my combination skin, taking care of any oily areas without drying out the rest of my skin. It has a great light, citrusy smell that is the perfect pick-me-up when washing my face in the morning.
When Hope is Not Enough: I am always weary of serums because I feel like they'll be too heavy for my skin. This one breaks the mold! I feel like it really does what it claims to do -- lift and tone -- without leaving an oily or sticky residue.
Hope in a Jar: I have previously reviewed this moisturizer, but really can't say enough great things about it. It leaves my face perfectly moisturized throughout the year and has really made a difference in my skins appearance since I have begun to use it. I can't even begin to tell you how many comments I get.
Hope in a Tube: This is a fantastic eye and lip cream. Having recently quit smoking, I've been looking for something to help fade the fine lines around my mouth and this seems to be my solution. Again, it's the perfect weight. Thick while not being too heavy or greasy and gentle enough that it doesn't bother me when I am wearing contacts.
Overall, I can't say that there is a product in here that I wouldn't by separately on it's own. Again, Philosophy amazes me!
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Japonais
This is one of my new favorite places to go, though only when my boyfriend is picking up the tab! It is definitely pricey but that is the norm of trendy restaurants in New York City and unlike a lot of these restaurants, the food at Japonais is... +
This is one of my new favorite places to go, though only when my boyfriend is picking up the tab! It is definitely pricey but that is the norm of trendy restaurants in New York City and unlike a lot of these restaurants, the food at Japonais is definitely worth the price. The interior is aesthetically amazing and really adds to the atmosphere. The circular booths in the back are the ideal place to grab a seat with friends or to cozy up with your significant other. The waitstaff is HIGHLY attentive and really work to make your experience there a good one.
As far as the food and drink go, to begin, they have an extensive sake menu. Both the Ken and the Mizu no Shirabe were wonderful if you are looking for a very mild cold sake, which is what we prefer. They are one of the few places that I've found are currently offering Chutoro (medium fatty tuna) and Toro (fatty tuna) and this sashimi just melts in your mouth. The Colossal Shrimp Japonais cocktail is a great appetizer, with its three different dipping sauces. The Kani Kani was also very good but a little too rich and filling to serve as an appetizer. One thing you can not miss out on is "The Rock" -- thinly sliced marinated New York strip steak that you cook to your liking on a hot rock. With regards to the entrees, the Filet Mignon is to die for. I know that most people don't go to a Japanese restaurant when looking for a great steak, but this is definitely the exception. The uni butter adds a new layer of complexity to the other flavors. The Tuna Steak was also wonderful.
If you are in New York and looking for a great Asian Fusion place, this is it!
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City Sun Tanning
While definitely on the pricey side, this place offers amazing customer service and you know that you are getting the best available services! They have a special when you first sign up that all of the classes you buy that day are 50% off and this... +
While definitely on the pricey side, this place offers amazing customer service and you know that you are getting the best available services! They have a special when you first sign up that all of the classes you buy that day are 50% off and this is totally worth it. What would normally cost me $29 a session (for the standard level), was half the price making it a real value. They do offer multiple levels of beds: Basic, Standard, Premium and Deluxe, as well as a Sunless Spray open-air tan machine.
The place is gorgeous, always clean and they always have the latest and best equipment. They evaluate you before letting you get anywhere near a tanning bed to determine how long you should go in for, so you know that they do care about your health and safety. Nice little perks include the fact that you turn the bed on via a remote inside, they offer headphones so you can listen to music or relaxing beach sounds, they have chilled, scented towels and complimentary water bottles for when you are done tanning and they always lay out a York Peppermint Patty!
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