Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Salux Nylon Japanese Bath Towel
MissMelanieM 6/3/2012 12:55:00 PM
Okay. I think I have used probably every exfoliating type item known to womankind and this is hands-down the best I have ever used. When I first read the reviews, I figured this was probably like those little scrubby gloves, but I thought the price was right so why not try it. This is far superior to those gloves! I like a lot of exfoliation... I dont like gentle things like wash cloths. This is not gentle. I HAVE used this soaped up and very gently on my face and neck... but I use pretty strong chemical exfoliants, so it wasn't any shock... the trick is to not apply pressure and just sort of waft it over your face and neck. It does an amazing job! This actually "hurt" more on my upper back than it did on my face! I've been using this on my face a couple of times a day and it feels fantastic! Anything I put on my face simply glides on. I feel that lotions and sunscreens are a LOT less goopy and heavy feeling when I use this before applying. I cant imagine washing without this cloth! And YES you use so little soap/body wash with this cloth. It takes very little to get the job done! Anyway, I adore this cloth. I plan to buy more so I have one with me at the gym and one for travel. Its a must try, ladies!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Clinique - 3 Step System
MissMelanieM 5/31/2012 7:52:00 AM
Out of all of the skincare products that I have used, Clinique three step is the only one that I have gone back to again and again. Its the only line that doesn't wreak havoc on my skin. I love that it can be customized as your skin changes. I have the mild facial soap and extra strength for different seasons. I have 2 different clarifying lotions for the same reason, and I love both the DDML and the gel. Really there isnt anything that I dont like about this line. The trick is using products that arent TOO strong for you with the clarifying lotions. This is where most people seem to have problems, so they throw the whole line out! Even when I am very oily, like right now (its the beginning of summer) I still will use the clarifying lotion 2. 3 or 4 was better on my younger oily skin, but now I find that 2 is great for summer and 1 for winter or if my skin is sensitive from chemical peels/products.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Balm
MissMelanieM 5/26/2012 9:41:00 AM
I purchased Tender Mauve. I thought I would give a shade that wasn't a "nude" a try.... I like it. Its a "mauve nude" on me that looks pretty. It brightens my face a bit. This formula really isn't a "balm" at all. When I think balm I think the waxy matte Chapstick Cherry type balm (which I also love!). This is a sheer shiny gloss type product. Completely non-sticky, but it will need frequent reapplication. I like applying balm, so this is a complete non-issue for me. I like it, but I probably won't repurchase or try another one.
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Styling Products -Paul Mitchell - Super Skinny Serum
MissMelanieM 5/26/2012 9:00:00 AM
This is the absolute best serum for my long straight hair! I've tried so many serums and up until a few weeks ago I was using something else. Then my sister gave me a small bottle of this b/c she didn't want it. I had used it before, but I was really trying to cut back on my expenses as much as I loved it. I just can't live without this serum! First, it helps my hair to dry twice as fast. I love this because I can either not use heat on my hair or when I do use heat I have to use it for a shorter period of time. Second, it makes my hair straight. I mean straight straight. I dont have to use a flat iron, and I feel that it makes my longer than mid-back length hair look healthier. I am getting rid of my other serums and will never stray again. Ever!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara Waterproof
MissMelanieM 5/24/2012 4:55:00 PM
I do not like regular Great Lash but I ADORE this waterproof formula! As I have gotten older I have had to really reduce the amount of eye makeup I wear. When I wear too much it makes me look like a clown... I really look awful! This mascara is the perfect amount of lash building, plus it stays on without smearing, running or smudging. I have worn this through 2 hour workouts and its as good as new at the end. It builds my lashes and lengthens just enough to enhance without looking unnatural. This is exactly the look I am going for. It doesn't build and lengthen a lot, it will just enhance, and it does it so much better than the regular Great Lash formula. Plus, you really *can* afford to replace this every three months. :)
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Borax laundry powder
MissMelanieM 5/24/2012 1:26:00 PM
I actually make my own laundry detergent with this. I use a bar of Fels Naptha, 1 cup Borax, 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (ACE Hardware carries this) and about 1/2 cup Baking Soda. Melt the soap with water after grating it (make sure all of the soap is melted) and then stir in other ingredients until dissolved. Add to a bucket and add about a gallon of water. Stir well. Mine starts to gel right away. You can adjust the amount of water you use to make it more liquidy. My recipe comes out as a pretty firm gel. I prefer it that way. The way that I recommend using this is to fill your washer, add 1 to 2 cups (many say use just a half cup, but I don't think this is enough) let it agitate for a minute, THEN add your clothes. If you feel that this does not get them clean enough, add an additional 1/2" cup Washing Soda to the water (again, before putting in your clothes). Because I do my laundry before it really piles up, I find this gets my clothes *really* clean with less damage to them, it's easy to rinse out, and its super gentle on my skin. I've read complaints that this does not get clothes clean, but I have to believe that these people must wear the same clothes for days at a time (wear them and then hang them back in the closet. Wear them again and then hang them back in the closet. Wear them again and THEN wash them) or they wait weeks to do laundry. If that is you then this soap may not work for you. I work out almost daily and sweat a LOT. This laundry soap takes all of the odors out of my clothes that conventional detergents and odor removers have not.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Viviscal
MissMelanieM 5/15/2012 7:38:00 AM
I've been using this for almost 3 months now and it has definitely improved on the thickness of my hair. Note that there are two formulas of this now, the Damaged Hair Formula and the Extra Strength Formula. I started out using the one for damaged hair and then switched about 2 weeks in to the extra strength formula. The extra strength is 2 tabs a day and damaged hair is one. I continue to notice a lot new hair coming in, especially around my face where I first noticed the hair loss. They don't make this claim, but I have also noticed a change in my gray. I do not have to color as often and it's not as noticeable. I am very pleased with the changes I have seen in a mere 3 months.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Sally Hansen - Quick Cover Makeup + Concealer ~ No Color
MissMelanieM 4/27/2012 10:00:00 AM
This concealer is a dupe of Laura Merciers Secret Camoflage. It has two shades of concealer. They're both pretty dry, but meant to use on the face not on the undereye area. It lasts a lot longer than most conventional concealers. It includes small brushes, but you're probably better off using your fingers to warm it up. Another tip is to put on last, OVER sunscreen, moisturizer and foundation.
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Tools -Urban Decay - Grind House (sharpener)
MissMelanieM 4/21/2012 10:39:00 PM
I used to think that a sharpener was just a sharpener, till I bought the Grindhouse to get my UD order up to the minimum for free shipping. There really is a difference. This one is super sharp and doesn't waste product. Worth every penny. 5 3 3 Yes
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Fragrances -Clinique - Happy
MissMelanieM 4/18/2012 6:12:00 PM
I love Happy (and Happy Heart, but that's another review) I'm very surprised at the bad reviews. This is just a basic, fresh and classic scent. I think it smells "just showered" clean. I don't think that people will walk into a room with someone wearing Happy and think "who has perfume on?" It doesn't assault you like some heavier fragrances. My favorite everyday frag is CK One (and all of its offspring) and to me this falls in the same category. When I want something sophisticated and heavier I get out my Chanel Chance or Coco Mademoiselle. Happy is perfect for summer. Purchased and will repurchase. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
MissMelanieM 4/17/2012 8:46:00 AM
I purchase this at Trader Joes for about 10 dollars (as of 4/2012) I use this mostly on my hair and then on my neck to moisturize because it gets dry. I feel that this actually helps my hair growth! I was starting to lose my hair in the front and this helped to grow out the superfine hair at the temples and I noticed a lot of finer hair growing in in general. Although I don't think there are any studies to substantiate this, I would highly recommend trying this (apply to scalp and hairline in the evening before bed. Massage in gently) if you are experiencing hair loss. It may not help, but it won't hurt!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Lily of the Desert - Aloe Vera Gel
MissMelanieM 4/17/2012 8:37:00 AM
This is the only aloe vera gel that I can use. It's not fragranced, its almost completely pure and it doesn't irritate my skin. I use aloe vera gel for everything! I took a bottle of this with me to Brazil to deal with sunburn and boy am I glad I did! I got a crispy sunburn one day, but I piled this aloe gel on when I got back to my hotel... miracle healing!! I was able to go in the sun a couple of days later (with better sunscreen). I use this after my 25% TCA peels to help heal and keep my skin cool and comfortable. I put this on as my moisturizer in summer, and I use this before moisturizer in winter. I get eczema and it helps to heal that up much faster. The only thing with this aloe gel lately is that I feel that it leaves a film on my skin (I use it a LOT) but this is easily washed off, of course. This is the best of the best in aloe gels. I've purchased probably 20 to 30 bottles of it since I've discovered it, I always carry a small container of it with me, or the full bottle when I travel. For someone with sensitive skin and lifetime skin problems, this has been a lifesaver!!
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Powder -Physicians Formula - Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation
MissMelanieM 4/7/2012 8:06:00 PM
This is a powder sunscreen and foundation in one. It comes in a two compartment compact with a sponge included for application. Its similar to Heliocare at about half the price. Watch for sensitivity with this. You need to apply this with the sponge to get enough application and you may need a darker shade than you normally get. I use the light and I have to use the light bronzer over it to help it not look as chalky. I also have the bronzer in tan for cheeks and eyelids to add a touch of color. I'm about an NC25. Love this!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Cover Girl - Classic Color in Natural Glow
MissMelanieM 4/3/2012 4:54:00 PM
I'm an NC20 and I LOVE this blush. Ive included a copy of the original 1967 ad for this product when it was called Glow Lightly. Natural Glow is the only original color (I think Tawny Glow and Amber Glow are no longer made... wouldn't swear to it though) I can swipe this on using the included brush, no mirror and do it while I'm running out the door with no fear of clown cheeks. It leaves the faintest hint of color (read the ad... thats what its supposed to do "more glow than show"). I love it and I hope that they never discontinue it! Its probably also true that the Cover Girl of today needs to note this information about how sheer its supposed to be on their packaging if they don't already. It seems plenty of people aren't aware! Glow on people!
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Concealers -Maybelline - Cover Stick
MissMelanieM 3/27/2012 11:03:00 AM
I really like this concealer. Its probably not good for very dry or very oily skin, but I'm neither of those so this works for me. I've bought it for years. Its a great concealer for touch ups during the day. I really don't expect most of my makeup to last all day except for liner and mascara. What has to be inside something when it sits on your face and doesn't budge through the days activities? Right now I'm using MAC Studio Fix, but when I run out I'm going back to this concealer stick.
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