Polishes -Essie - First Timer
rcmann 5/16/2013 11:25:00 AM
I've never gotten as many compliments on a nail color as I have when wearing this one. First Timer is a flat, pastel, minty green that's eye-catching without being distracting. It's part of the Resort 2013 collection, which has several fun colors.
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Polishes -Essie - Shake Your $$ Maker
rcmann 5/15/2013 4:51:00 PM
This is a beautiful kelly green shade with no sparkle. The formula is more watery than I expected, but each coat dried quickly and I was able to put on around four or five coats in the same amount of time that two or three coats of another brand would have taken. Make sure to use a clear top coat, or else the color looks flat.
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Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Up & Up Smoothing Shave Gel with Soy
rcmann 11/16/2012 10:59:00 AM
This is the Target house brand that is supposed to be comparable to Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel, which I haven't tried. I picked this up thinking it was just the "natural" version of Up & Up's shave cream. It wasn't until the next day in the shower when I realized I didn't need to shave that I actually read the container and saw that it's supposed to keep legs smoother for longer! I typically shave every morning but can go every other morning now without seeing much of a difference. The gel isn't as thick as the cream I'm used to using, so I did nick myself the first couple of times I used it--but that's not a problem with the product and I only mention that as a caution to others who may switch from a thicker cream. The product does what it says it will and is reasonably priced, so I'd definitely recommend it.
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Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Facial Cleansing Towelettes
rcmann 8/16/2012 1:55:00 PM
I've been trying to place the very strong smell of these towelettes, and the closest I can get is a mix between children's aspirin and smarties candy. Neither of these are things I want to smell like. On the up-side, the packaging of the towelettes is excellent, with a plastic "door" that snaps shut to keep everything from drying out. The towelettes are also a good size and thicker than others I've used. The downsides are, of course, the overpowering and gross smell, and the fact that these aren't too great at removing eye makeup. Most cloths of this kind don't seem to do especially well with mascara removal, though, so it's probably no worse than other brands. In the future I might try the sensitive skin version of these towelettes, but I wouldn't recommend the standard version.
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Lips -Burt's Bees - Tinted Lip Balm Red Dahlia
rcmann 12/12/2011 10:40:00 AM
Yes, this tinted lip balm costs more than Burt's Bees balms. But it's a far better product and--like others have said--costs far less than similar, non-"natural" products sold by other companies. The silky consistency of the tinted lip balm sets it apart from the standard Burt's Bees balms and shimmers that, although nice, are stickier and thicker. Red Dahlia is better on my fair skin and pale lips than Clinique's Black Honey. It seems to stay a truer dark red even after wearing off while Black Honey sometimes turns a bit fuchsia on me as the day goes on. I'll definitely purchase again and will try other colors in the line.
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Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Orange Essence Facial Cleanser
rcmann 12/2/2011 1:18:00 PM
This is some impressive stuff! I've used Burt's Bees' Orange Essence Facial Cleanser for the past week and a half and am surprised at how much better it removes eye makeup than any other product I've tried--even ones specifically designed to remove eye makeup. It does leave a "film" behind as other reviewers have said, but I think it's moisturizing. And you could always use a toner after if you want a squeaky clean face.
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Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Deep Cleansing Cream with Soap Bark and Chamomile
rcmann 12/2/2011 10:38:00 AM
I've been trying to switch over to more natural products, and ones made in the US. Burt's Bees wins on both counts (although I wish it was still independently owned). Most of what I've tried of theirs is great, but the Deep Cleansing Cream doesn't suit me as much as their other products do. Like other reviewers have said, it can burn your eyes. The first time I used it, I thought I had gotten some of the product into my eyes. So the next time, I took care to apply it no higher than my cheeks. My eyes were burning just as much before I even got to putting it on the rest of my face. I love Burt's Bees' Radiance products and their orange essence face wash, but won't be purchasing this cream again. ***Edited to add: I gave this another shot and am thinking either I've quickly gotten used to the menthol in this, or maybe I got more of it in the first couple of doses than the more recent ones. At any rate, I'm finding it less irritating now and it works very well at cleaning out pores. If you've got oily or combo skin and aren't particularly sensitive to menthol, this could be a great product for you.
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Deodorants -Philosophy - Amazing Grace deodorant
rcmann 11/16/2011 9:12:00 AM
I love, love, love that Philosophy started making deodorants that correspond to their perfumes. The Grace perfumes are so lightly scented to begin with that having a matching deodorant is a great way guarantee that you'll keep that nice, fresh scent all day. And I hate the guessing game of figuring out what deodorant and other fragranced products to use with scented body lotions or perfumes when there isn't a whole line of products in the same scent. Now if Philosophy would only come out with hair spray in Grace scents, I'd be set!
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Lotions/ Creams -Philosophy - Pure Grace Perfumed Body Lotion
rcmann 11/16/2011 9:04:00 AM
Philosophy body lotions are great because in addition to being nicely perfumed, the actual base of the lotion is high-quality. They're the perfect consistency--not too thick so they sink in quickly, and just as moisturizing throughout the day as thicker lotions. And I love the subtle, clean scent of Pure Grace, although I'm not typically a perfume lover. A few minutes after using the lotion and getting dressed, the amount of scent is just a bit more noticeable than if you use a scented fabric softener. Pleasant without being overpowering.
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Treatments -OPI - Chip Skip
rcmann 11/16/2011 8:56:00 AM
Chip Skip offers a quick, clean, less-drying and less-smelly way of cleaning and prepping nails before a manicure than nail polish remover does. (Not that you would use this to remove a nail's worth of polish--just any bits of residual polish or cuticle cream, etc., that may have been left behind.) It gives a perfectly clean surface for a base coat and I've noticed that it makes my polish go on more smoothly and evenly. I haven't noticed it preventing end-of-nail polish chips, but it definitely keeps polish on longer around the cuticle edge and sides of the nail--where old polish and cuticle and lotion residue are more likely to be found.
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Accessories -Unlisted Brand - Natracare Cotton Tampons Super
rcmann 11/15/2011 11:30:00 AM
I gave this a higher overall rating simply because there aren't many similar products available on the market. The fact that these are all-cotton and chlorine and dioxin-free is why I buy them. As one of the other reviewers notes, the applicator is their biggest problem. Applicators are cardboard with very little "grip" to them, so pushing the base of the cardboard piece into the upper part can be a real challenge. Adding more ridges to the applicator would make this a much better product.
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Styling Products -Victoria's Secret - So Sexy Natural Hold Hairspray
rcmann 11/14/2011 9:56:00 PM
I love the hold and non-stickiness of this hairspray, but the smell is overpowering. Fragrance typically doesn't bother me, but VS products tend to way overdo it. I used a small amount of this (three quick sprays), got in my car five minutes later, and had to open up all the air vents to stop coughing from the perfume. If they ever come out with a fragrance-free version I'd definitely consider purchasing it because the product, itself, is good.
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Palettes -BeneFit Cosmetics - Her Name Was Glowla Palette
rcmann 11/14/2011 9:47:00 PM
What an excellent collection of products! It's rare that I find a kit like this where I like every part of it. I've gotten numerous compliments while wearing the eye shadows in this kit, and the lip gloss, blush, highlighters and mascara are all great. The shadows are very wearable colors and are shimmery but not glittery. The colors also seem like they would work well with a variety of skin tones. I'd definitely buy this again, and would recommend it to others.
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Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
rcmann 11/14/2011 9:33:00 PM
This is a great product for giving skin an extra boost of "awake." I use it on the tops of my cheekbones, just under my eyebrows, and on the inner corners of my eyes after putting on tinted moisturizer. It's subtly shimmery without veering near glittery or chalky (due to its pink tint). It's also thick enough to stay wet until it's rubbed in, so you don't get blotchy coverage (a problem I've had with Benetint and Posietint).
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Shave Products -eos - Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss
rcmann 11/14/2011 9:16:00 PM
I want to like this more because of its ingredients, but it's just not thick enough to have the name "ultra moisturizing." It's a step up from shaving with hair conditioner. The thin formula allows you to get a very close shave, and the pump dispenser is great for delivering the right amount of product.
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