Lip Gloss -Alba Botanica - Terra Gloss in Garnet
TiffanieJean 8/2/2012 4:00:00 PM
I bought this for $2.50 and loved it so much that I went back to the store the next day and bought 1 for my friend as well. It's so hard to find a lip color that looks good with my skin tone AND my hair color. Garnet's color definitely overrules my dislike of the smell/flavor. Chemical Free + PERFECT color and shine + excellent lasting power = HG Lip Gloss!
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Powder -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30
TiffanieJean 8/2/2012 3:50:00 PM
I bought this powder in translucent after comparing it to the 'fair' shade in the store and noticing that it certainly didn't look fair at all.. I was right - even the 'Translucent' is too dark for my skin tone. Especially after it oxidizes something horrible. I have never had a problem with oxidization until I used this powder. I was genuinely shocked to see that I had the dreaded cake face a few hours after I used it for the 1st time! lol I always use a Kabuki brush, so I'm guessing that the powder reacted to my liquid foundation. It doesn't look good over liquid or on it's own.. It's only getting 2 stars because I love the SPF 30 and natural ingredients.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen with Helioplex SPF 45
TiffanieJean 8/2/2012 7:38:00 AM
If you have ACNE PRONE or SENSITIVE SKIN DO NOT BUY THIS! AVOID HELIOPLEX like a plague.... Helioplex uses a chemical reaction to deflect the sun's rays from your skin. The reaction can create heat bumps on sensitive skin and is particularly problematic for people with acne. Look for a sunscreen with fewer chemical (titanium or zinc oxide is a good alternative). Also avoid fragrance... (paraphrased from the Mayo clinic). I wish I would have taken the time to research sunscreen and the chemicals that are used BEFORE I tried this product... Could I get a HELL NO option for 'would you buy this again'? I used the body mist version 1 time and got - literally - 100+ white heads that slowly turned into cystic acne for months (TMI, but it's worth saying)! It's finally clearing up, but because of my fair skin I'm left with scarring and red marks all over my jaw line!!! I'm also completely traumatized.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen SPF 60 with Helioplex
TiffanieJean 8/2/2012 7:34:00 AM
If you have ACNE PRONE or SENSITIVE SKIN DO NOT BUY THIS! AVOID HELIOPLEX like a plague.... Helioplex uses a chemical reaction to deflect the sun's rays from your skin. The reaction can create heat bumps on sensitive skin and is particularly problematic for people with acne. Look for a sunscreen with fewer chemical (titanium or zinc oxide is a good alternative). Also avoid fragrance... (paraphrased from the Mayo clinic). I wish I would have taken the time to research sunscreen and the chemicals that are used BEFORE I tried this product... Could I get a HELL NO option for 'would you buy this again'? I used the body mist version 1 time and got - literally - 100+ white heads that slowly turned into cystic acne for months (TMI, but it's worth saying)! It's finally clearing up, but because of my fair skin I'm left with scarring and red marks all over my jaw line!!! I'm also completely traumatized.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+ with Helioplex
TiffanieJean 8/2/2012 7:30:00 AM
If you have ACNE PRONE or SENSITIVE SKIN DO NOT BUY THIS! AVOID HELIOPLEX like a plague.... Helioplex uses a chemical reaction to deflect the sun's rays from your skin. The reaction can create heat bumps on sensitive skin and is particularly problematic for people with acne. Look for a sunscreen with fewer chemical (titanium or zinc oxide is a good alternative). Also avoid fragrance... (paraphrased from the Mayo clinic). I wish I would have taken the time to research sunscreen and the chemicals that are used BEFORE I tried this product... Could I get a HELL NO option for 'would you buy this again'? I used the body mist version 1 time and got - literally - 100+ white heads that slowly turned into cystic acne for months (TMI, but it's worth saying)! It's finally clearing up, but because of my fair skin I'm left with scarring and red marks all over my jaw line!!! I'm also completely traumatized.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 100+ with Helioplex
TiffanieJean 8/2/2012 7:23:00 AM
If you have ACNE PRONE or SENSITIVE SKIN DO NOT BUY THIS! AVOID HELIOPLEX like a plague.... Helioplex uses a chemical reaction to deflect the sun's rays from your skin. The reaction can create heat bumps on sensitive skin and is particularly problematic for people with acne. Look for a sunscreen with fewer chemical (titanium or zinc oxide is a good alternative). Also avoid fragrance... (paraphrased from the Mayo clinic). I wish I would have taken the time to research sunscreen and the chemicals that are used BEFORE I tried this product... Could I get a HELL NO option for 'would you buy this again'? I used this product 1 time and got - literally - 100+ white heads that slowly turned into cystic acne for months (TMI, but it's worth saying)! It's finally clearing up, but because of my fair skin I'm left with scarring and red marks all over my jaw line!!! I'm also completely traumatized.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Mega Plush
TiffanieJean 7/25/2012 2:38:00 PM
I picked' The Mega Plush' up because I really liked the idea of using a formula with less hard wax for less flaking and a lighter feel, and that is what you get. Although the look is not as thick as I would like, the formula is great. HOWEVER, the main thing I look for in a mascara is the brush. My eyelashes are naturally long and I like the thick dramatic look. The whole flexible brush thing sounded awesome but in reality it's a horribly flimsy mess. It feels like you accidentally snapped the brush in half and even though it's hanging on by a thread your still trying to use it. The brush ruined the mascara and is the reason for the low rating. I hate it. UPDATE - I've been using this for 3 months now and the brush is slightly less annoying. The mascara has dried out a bit and it's made the formula a lot better. I'm bumping the rating up to 3/5 stars.
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Brows -Unlisted Brand - castor oil
TiffanieJean 6/14/2012 3:51:00 PM
Castor oil is my new found love. I finally bought the Heritage Products brand from Vitacost ($10 off referral at bottom of review) for $9 about 5 months ago . I have been using it in my hair masks and have noticed improvements in a couple areas. I started to go into a shedding cycle about a week or so before I first tried it, and the shedding immediately decreased. Overall, my shedding is very minimal now, even for a non shedding period. I have quite a few little hairs growing around the crown of my head now too. After I do a hair mask my hair feels very strong. The strands actually feel like they are thicker and breakage/split ends have decreased which means that’s not just in my mind! The shine is off the charts too (not in a bad way). Background - Castor Oil (Ricinus communis) is a vegetable oil extracted from the castor bean (actually a seed). It is very thick and has a slightly sticky texture. It appears as a clear to pale yellow liquid depending on the level of refinement (colorless being the most refined). Castor Oil is very useful for dry, brittle, damaged hair and particularly for hair loss because of the verity of beneficial Acids it naturally contains. For the Scalp - Castor Oil has strong antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties because of it‘s high level of Ricinoleic Acid which inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, viruses and yeasts. This is an acid rarely found and makes Castor Oil especially good for treating dandruff and other scalp ailments. The small molecular size of Castor Oil allows it to penetrate deep into the scalp and roots quickly along with any other ingredients it is mixed with. At the same time Castor Oil clarifies your scalp and roots by dissolving any material that is causing clogged follicles and built up (accumulation of products, bacteria, dirt, hard water or excess sebum) while leaving behind vital nutrients and long lasting moisture. It naturally contains Oleic, Palmitic, Linoleic and Linolenic Acid’s which are commonly used in many hair loss products. Oleic acid is used to strengthen and make hair thicker as it grows. Palmitic Acid helps to prevent hair loss and is very good for nourishing, repairing, and protecting hair. It’s used in many conditioners and other conventional products. Linoleic and Linolenic Acid’s block DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is a common cause of hair loss. High levels of DHT can be caused by stress or male/female pattern baldness as it increases in your follicles over time. This is why using Castor Oil decreases shedding and strengthens your hair follicles while stimulating your hair to grow faster, thicker and stronger over time. These properties of Castor Oil also make it ideal for preventing post natal hair loss. For the Hair - Many of the same reasons Castor Oil restores the health of your scalp and hair follicles apply to your hair as well. It’s ability to sink deep into the hair shafts can help to reverse damage done by heat styling, weather, products corrosion and stripping of moisture.The lasting moisture protects further damage, prevents frizz, makes your hair softer and appear healthier overall (unfortunately, there is no way to truly repair damaged hair other than letting it grow out). The added strength prevents split ends and breakage. How to Use Castor Oil - Because of the thickness of Castor Oil, I mix it with other oils for hair masks. It can be used on it own as well, but I find that it’s easier to wash out when mixed. Allow the oil to soak into your hair and scalp for at least an hour or two. The longer the better. Always test new oils on a small section of your skin before you apply it to a large area. Just in case. If you experience any irritation it could be because of the concentration of the oil. Mix a higher proportion of another oil for the next use. It could also be an allergic reaction.
15 out of 16 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Giovanni - 2Chic Brazillian Keratin & Argan Oil Ultra-Sleek
TiffanieJean 6/10/2012 5:14:00 PM
While washing my hair I noticed that the shampoo had a vaguely familiar smell... All of a sudden I realized what it smelled like. PLAYDOUGH! Yes, it smells exactly like playdough. The conditioners smell is not as strong, but it's still there. Even after blow-drying on warm/cool there was a slight smell left over. Overall this conditioner is pretty good. I like it a lot more than the shampoo. It left my hair shiny and moisturized. There was a slight improvement in elasticity and tangling, but I was hoping for a little more. Giovanni's Root 66 is still my HG conditioner.
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Shampoo -Giovanni - 2Chic Brazillian Keratin & Argan Oil Ultra-Sleek Shampoo
TiffanieJean 6/10/2012 4:59:00 PM
While washing my hair I noticed that the shampoo had a vaguely familiar smell... I was washing and washing and washing (3rd paragraph...) when all of a sudden I realized what it smelled like. PLAYDOUGH! Yes, it smells exactly like playdough. I really love Giovanni. I've tried quite a few of their products now, and have never been horribly disappointed. I would hate to give it a bad review, because I can see how it would work very well for someone with coarse or curly hair but I have fine hair and it did not work for me... It definitely made my hair feel moisturized, shiny and seemed to have a little added elasticity. Those are the results that the 2Chic line is made for. So, it works. For my hair moisture and shine is not a problem. It's more about strengthening and detangleing. I had higher hopes in that area I guess... I had the same amount of frizz after blow-drying on warm/cool as I would with anything else. No improvement there. The consistency of the shampoo is an improvement to all of their other shampoo's I have tried. It's creamy as opposed to watery, but as soon as I put it in my hair I realized that wasn't such a great thing. The lather is very thick and borderline sticky. I really had to work it in and around and then had to resort to watering it down in order to move the product away from 1 spot. If you pile your hair on top of your head while you wash, this could be a tangled disaster! Luckily, I don't. The only other observation is that my natural hair pattern is a little more relaxed after it dried. I don't think I will be getting this product again.
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Shampoo -Giovanni - Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo
TiffanieJean 6/10/2012 4:35:00 PM
Giovanni has become one of my overall favorite companies in the last year. All of their products are Organic/Vegan, Sulfate, Paraben, Phthalate, Artificial Fragrance, Dye and PEG free. This makes them stand apart from 95% of the competition and is the reason I use it for my son's hair as well as my own. Tea Tree triple Treat is my second Giovanni shampoo, and I love it just as much as the Root 66 Max Volume! I saw a jumbo sized bottle of this stuff at TJMaxx. It was $12 I believe (SCORE). Now I use this for him and alternate it with the Root 66 for myself. My scalp tends to be dry and gets flaky with most SLS free shampoo's. Giovanni seems to be the exception. The clarifying nature of the Tea Tree Oil removes build up, makes my hair squeaky clean and gives it a little extra body too. The only thing I dislike is the consistency which is on the watery side. The packaging on the smaller bottle sizes is a little annoying because the shampoo runs out too quickly, but the bottle I have has a large pump. Much better! One surprising advantage to using this shampoo is that bugs HATE it! Bug season in Maine can be pretty brutal. The noseeums and gnats are horrible.. Neither my son or I have had a bite anywhere close to our hair, neck or face this year after using this. That alone makes me want to stock up on this for every early summer! If I use a different shampoo they attack me as they normally would. Good job Giovanni, Tea Tree triple Treat is another great product!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
TiffanieJean 4/9/2012 2:44:00 PM
I have been using Jojoba Oil for about a year now. It's probably the best thing that has ever happened to my scalp. Not to mention the advantages to using it for my hair. If you are looking for something to add moisture into your hair/scalp or achieve stronger healthier hair, this is the stuff you need to get! It can be used on any hair type, but is especially good for brittle and dry hair. Background - Jojoba (ho-HO-ba) Oil comes from the seeds of a shrub (Simmondsia chinenisthat) that is found in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Although it is called an oil, it's technically a liquid wax or a wax ester. Of all of the compounds in nature, Jojoba Oil is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum). It's hypoallergenic, non-irritating and non-comedogenic. It also contains vitamin E and has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. No wonder Jojoba Oil is one of the most used ingredients in hair products! For the Scalp - Jojoba Oil seals in lasting moisture to your scalp without leaving an oily residue. It balancing PH levels and strengthens you hair follicle shafts to promote stronger and healthier hair with less shedding. It also helps control the sebum production of the scalp, effectively balancing the natural oil's your body makes and preventing dry scalp flakes (commonly mistaken for dandruff). For the hair - Dry hair is one of the biggest causes of split ends and breakage. Jojoba Oil protects your hair by infusing long lasting moisture. Unlike most water based product, it does not evaporate but instead soaks into your hair shafts. This makes your hair stronger and gives you a long lasting healthy shine. How to Use Jojoba Oil - . You can use Jojoba Oil as an ingredient in a hair mask or as a mask by itself. This is probably the most effective way to use this oil, because it allows an adequate amount of time to penetrate your hair shafts and soak into your scalp. You should message it into your scalp and leave it in your hair as long as possible. Cover with a shower cap or saran wrap to keep in heat and speed up absorption (and keep in the mess). . You can add a couple drops (a little goes a long way!) of Oil into your normal conditioner. This will give you more of a deep conditioning effect every time you shower. . If your hair is looking frizzy or dull you can use a small amount of Jojoba Oil to smooth out the cuticle and make your hair shiny and healthy. If you plan on buying Jojoba Oil make sure it is organic, with no preservatives or additives. Because this oil is naturally high in Vitamin E it is very stable, and has a long shelf life. Desert Essence is the brand I use. As far as facial purposes, Jojoba Oil was a huge bust for me. It made me break out something horrible. I tried to use it as a moisturizer and as an ingredient in OCM.... Good thing it's so great for my hair! lol
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Giovanni - Conditioner Root 66 Max Volume
TiffanieJean 4/8/2012 3:44:00 PM
I LOVE Giovanni's Root 66 Shampoo and Conditioner. Especially for the price! I bought them for under $5 each. I have been using this conditioner for a couple months now. In addition to being Sulfate free it also has NO phthalates, artificial fragrance, dyes or parabens and is 100% organic. I have fine hair that is easily weighed down and become flat and limp... This conditioner is great for adding moisture without weighing my hair down. I wouldn't call it a deep conditioner, but it's a lot better then just about any other brand I have tried. Before I started using this conditioner I had a huge problem with my hair tangling. It's about hip length and the ends would tangle constantly and cause breakage when I had to brush them out. This conditioner has helped with that problem a lot. I do feel like my hair has more strength to it as well. It doesn't snap as often and there is less breakage overall. I give credit to the horsetail extract (Equisetum Arvense# which is rich in nutrients and silica. Protein, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Aloe Vera, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) and a ton of real fruit extracts (Vitamin B,C,E) are also in the mix. The real fruit extracts are what give it a fruity smell. It's pleasant and not overpowering, but isn't necessarily my favorite. The smell is minimal to non existent after your hair is dry. It certainly doesn't linger. So, I have finally found my HG SLS free conditioner!
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Shampoo -Giovanni - Root 66 Max Volume Shampoo
TiffanieJean 4/8/2012 3:24:00 PM
I LOVE Giovanni's Root 66 Shampoo and Conditioner. Especially for the price! I bought them for under $5 each. I have been using this shampoo for a couple months now and it is by far the best SLS free product I have tried. In addition to being Sulfate free it also has NO phthalates, artificial fragrance, dyes or parabens and is 100% organic. I have fine hair (1c/2a;F;ii) that is easily weighed down and become flat and limp... Of all the shampoos (of any kind) I have tried this one is at the top of the list. I get a lot of volume and bounce and my hair is squeaky clean! It doesn't strip your hair of moisture, but it's still strong enough (with 2 washes) to remove oil hair masks. One reason Root 66 works for volume is because it contains horsetail extract (Equisetum Arvense), a herb rich in nutrients and silica which will help keep your hair strong and thick. Protein (Glycine Soja), Panthenol, Aloe Vera, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and a ton of real fruit extracts (Vitamin B,C,E) are also mixed in. The real fruit extracts are what give this shampoo a fruity smell. It's pleasant and not overpowering, but isn't necessarily my favorite. The smell is minimal to non existent after your hair is dry. It certainly doesn't linger. The only problem I have with this shampoo is the consistency. It's on the watery side and can be a bit of a pain to pour out because of the design of the lid...
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Polishes -Essie - Mademoiselle
TiffanieJean 4/1/2012 1:20:00 PM
I bought Essie's Mademoiselle at Walmart for $7.75 because my old translucent pink had gone bad. I have to say that I LOVE this polish and that I will never use anything else for French Manicures again! It's exactly what I wanted it to look like (I included a pic with my review, at the top of the page). I did notice that of the 6 or so bottles of Mademoiselle, there was a noticeable color variation between them. There were a couple that had a stronger pink tone to them and a couple that were a paler pink. I'm not sure which version is the true Mademoiselle. I chose the Pale Pink because I originally wanted to try Ballet Slippers but they were sold out. I didn't like the darker pink to be honest (I tested a dot of both on my nail before I bought one)... I have noticed the same issue with other colors from Essie before. It's something they definitely need to work on... (1 out of 5 for packaging). I gave this polish a 5 out of 5 because the results were perfect, but the 2 distinctly different colors under the same name does bother me. I wouldn't have bought it if the stronger pink tone was the only option. Anyways, this polish went on smooth and translucent. I hate Essie's thin brushes, but I didn't have a problem with streakiness or spotting with this one at all. If you want an opaque pink THIS IS NOT IT. You would probably need to apply 5 coats... It would be beautiful as an alternative to a clear coat, and it's absolutely perfect for a understated and classic French manicure.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No