I got some samples of Mario Badescu end of last year 2008 and I'm finally reviewing them.
Here are the products I got from top to bottom, left to right: Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Aloe Lotion, Apricot Super Rich Body Lotion, Summer Shine Body Lotion, Seaweed Night Cream, Strawberry Face Scrub, Frust and Vitamin A & D Hand Cream, Buttermilk Moisturizer, and Product Guide
Product Review: Mario Badescu Skin Care
Where to purchase: ULTA and online at mariobadescu.com
How do you get samples: I tried looking on their web page but I can't find it anymore. They have a questionnaire you answer about your skin care, and then they send you some samples to try. I'm sure if you look around, you will find it. :) Anyways with my luck, I had to answer the questionnaire three times and finally contacting them worked. :X
My thoughts: I had some good experience and average experience. Some products are definitely worth trying out and some aren't, but that's usually the case with many brands or at least for me... hehe~
Enzyme Cleansing Gel:
What the product guide says: This non-foaming, gel cleanser thoroughly removes the day's make-up, dirt, and oil without drying the skin. Papaya Extracts are exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help break down dulling build-up, leaving skin fresh and healthy.
Price: $12 for 8 oz. and $20 for 16 oz.
My thoughts: It felt weird using this cleanser because I'm use to foamy cleansers. It just felt like I was splashing water on my face... lol~ This is psychological more than anything. :P Other than feeling like it didn't wash my face, it smelled kind of waxy. Of course the smell goes away, but I didn't like the initial smell.
Aloe Lotion:
What the product guide says: Soothing Aloe and 2% alcohol make this mild astringent effective for deep cleaning combination skin. Disinfects skin's surface and removes residue that can clog pores.
Price: $15 for 8 oz., $26 for 16 oz. and $45 for 32 oz.
My thoughts: I wasn't too keen about this product when I received it, because I saw white precipation on the bottom of the container. Anything that isn't mixed in makes me a little wishy washy... hehe~ I tried it though to see if I would change my mind. Let's just say my initial reaction was right... hehe~ ;) For only 2% alcohol, it sure didn't smell that way to me.
Apricot Super Rich Body Lotion:
What the product guide says: Our delicately scented, non-greasy body lotion moisturizes dry skin and leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft while leaving behind a luscious Apricto scent.
Price: $10 for 6 oz. and $14 for 16 oz.
My thoughts: The lotion smelled delicious, very fruity which I love in moisturizers and perfumes. It's also very creamy and moisturizering to my dry skin especially during this winter months. This product was a good one! :)
Summer Shine Body Lotion:
What the product guide says: Enriched with Vitamin A, this greaseless body lotion softly shimmers to give a radiant glow while nourishing and moisturizing the skin. Reduces the appearache of dull, dry skin.
Price: $10 for 6 oz. and $22 for 16 oz.
My thoughts: This is definitely something you use in the summer not during the winter weather like I did... lol~ It wasn't moisturizing to my skin during this tough, winter weather and I was so sparkly. The bad part was everywhere I touched after using this lotion, I saw glitters... eek~ If you don't mind glitters, then this one is fine for you. It'll definitely be perfect for the night out.
Seaweed Night Cream:
What the product guide says: A non-greasy, oil-free night cream enriched with Vitamin A and Collagen that reduce the effects of aging. A high concentration of emollients along with Collagen help to preserve elasticity.
Price: $20 for 1 oz.
My thoughts: My initial reaction was it smelled bad. I guess you can say it smelled like seaweed... hehe~ The shocking thing was how moisturizing this product is especially during this tough, dry skin, winter weather I was having. The concept little goes a long way was definitely true for this moisturizer!!! It's also an interesting product. It felt like paste on my face instead of a creamy texture most moisturizer has.
Strawberry Face Scrub:
What the product guide says: Made with real Strawberry seeds that gently buff away flaky skin while natural AHA's breakdown dull build-up to unclog pores. It improves overall texture to the skin by revealing healthy, glowing skin while preventing blackheads.
Price: $15 for 4 oz.
My thoughts: You can see the seeds inside the scrub. I've heard great things about the strawberry seeds from whitening your teeth (grab a strawberry and brush it against your teeth) to exfoliating. I didn't noticed any exfoliating on my face, as well as, my nose pores getting smaller.
Fruit and Vitamin A & D Hand Cream:
What the product guide says: Vitamin-rich Fruit Extracts smoothes and softens skin while providing protection from harmful sun damage. Made with Orange Extract to rejuvenate dull skin.
Price: $10 for 4 oz.
My thoughts: It definitely healed my dry hand skin, but the weird thing is it didn't heal my chapped, cracked hands. Yes, my hands crack from doing the dishes. I have very weird hand skin during the winter weather... lol~ :P It felt very oily, was very creamy, and it smelled waxy.
Buttermilk Moisturizer:
What the product guide says: Lactic Acid is the rejuvenating AHA in this absorbent and soothing daily moisturizer for combination skin. Formulated with non-pore clogging Carnation Oil and Allantoin, an anti-inflammatory, botanical ingredient.
Price: $18 for 2 oz.
My thoughts: It didn't help my dry skin during this winter weather. I recommend it during the summer weather for combination to dry skin people like me. It also smelled waxy and I never seen a blue product before. I love blue (my favorite color) but not in my products... hehe~
What I recommend:
* Apricot Super Rich Body Lotion
* Seaweed Night Cream
What I don't recommend:
* Enzyme Cleansing Gel
* Aloe Lotion
* Summer Shine Body Lotion
* Strawberry Face Scrub
* Fruit and Vitamin A & D Hand Cream
* Buttermilk Moisturizer
Would repurchase: Maybe.
Rating:
2.5/5 Tobey's PawsCouple of weeks ago, I posted my swap with Miracle (click here to see the post). One of the things I swapped with was a Majolica Marjorca eyeshadow palette in BR751.
Look #1:
* MAC Paint Pot in Cash Flow (I put it in the Benefit container since I got a sample of it)
* Majolica Marjorca palette in BR751:
- gold color (top left) in inner, upper 2/3 and inner, bottom 1/3
- brown color (bottom left) on the outer "V", crease, and outer, bottom 2/3
* CG Sugar Rush as highlight
* L'oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Black
* Smashbox Cream Eye Liner Duo in Smashing Beacon on the inner corner and inner, bottom 1/3
* CG LastBlast Luxe mascara
Look #2:
* NYX Jumbo Pencil in Strawberry Milk
* Majolica Marjorca palette in BR751:
- pink color (bottom right) in inner, upper 2/3 and inner, bottom 1/3
- purple color (top right) on the outer "V", crease, and outer, bottom 2/3
* CG Sugar Rush as highlight
* L'oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Black
* Smashbox Cream Eye Liner Duo in Smashing Beacon on the inner corner and inner, bottom 1/3
* CG LastBlast Luxe mascara
Look #3:
* MAC Paint Pot in Cash Flow (I put it in the Benefit container since I got a sample of it) in inner, upper 1/3
* NYX Jumbo Pencil in Strawberry Milk in outer, upper 2/3
* Majolica Marjorca palette in BR751:
- pink color (bottom right) in inner, upper 1/3 and inner, bottom 1/3
- gold color (top left) in outer, upper 2/3 and middle, bottom
- purple color (top right) on the crease
- brown color (bottom left) on the outer "V"and outer, bottom 1/3
* CG Sugar Rush as highlight
* L'oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Black
* Smashbox Cream Eye Liner Duo in Smashing Beacon on the inner corner and inner, bottom 1/3
* CG LastBlast Luxe mascara
Thank you Miracle!!! :)
I had fun playing around with the MJ palettes... wheee~ This isn't actually my first MJ palette. I actually own two more which I never posted or mentioned about... hehe~ I bought two end of last year at Adam Beauty. I got them in BR788 and BR799.
BR788:
Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my money except Mario Badescu and Majolica Marjorca. I am not affiliated with the companies nor getting paid to advertise the products. This post is written with my honest opinion.
