Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - SANTE - Gloss cocomilk & Orange shampoo
bluestar21 10/14/2011 5:43:00 AM
Just purchased this while looking for a natural shampoo. Smells really nice because of the orange oil. Doesn't have much lather, but it also doesn't contain SLS. It left my hair soft and shiny. It was about 3€ for a 200 mL bottle, which looks slightly different from the one in the photo (purchased this in Germany)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Ecco Bella - FlowerColor Natural Mascara
bluestar21 6/21/2011 3:04:00 PM
I like products that are both natural-looking and that have natural ingredients. I like this mascara. Previously, I had been using Almay Pure Blends for about a year or two. Ecco Bella's mascara, in comparison, smudges a LOT. I once was out in the rain, went grocery shopping, and came home to find that I looked like a racoon. It even smudges if you get tiny drops of water near your eye, or rub your eyes. But the brown color is very nice, the packaging is awesome (love the mirror), and it does make my lashes look nice. Ecco Bella seems like a eco-friendly company, so I will continue to buy. I got mine from the website iHerb using the code MEX452. It was just under $12 including shipping, which is a little cheaper than ordering directly from the Ecco Bella website.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Hesh Shikakai Powder
bluestar21 3/9/2011 12:09:00 PM
After more than a year of no-poo experiments (shampoo bars, baking soda, vinegar, castile soap…), I think I’ve found my solution. The traditional method of washing your hair in India is to oil your scalp and hair with coconut oil or your oil of choice. I usually use just a little oil. Some people let the oil soak in 30 minutes, others do it overnight. Experiment with it. To shampoo, I put a little powder (I initially started with 2 T but ended up adding more) into a cup. Then I add enough water to make a paste. It makes a big difference and won't clean as well if you add too much water and it becomes more of a liquid rather than a paste. Rub it into my hair. It feels and smells acidic, but the effect feels like using baking soda, meaning the hair gets rough after you rub it for awhile. But after rinsing, it feels soft and smooth, similar to using a vinegar rinse. Rinsing does take longer for me. It is kind of messy in the shower - looks like a gritty dirt - but you can take the cup you used for mixing to help clean the walls of the shower.
The results? Beautiful. I was worried that the shikakai would stain my blonde hair, but there is no visible change. Somehow the color just looks more beautiful. My hair is clean, soft, frizz-free, and shiny. Then ends are no longer poofy. My hair dries into soft waves. It looks like I used a high-end shampoo and conditioner. Sometimes I supplement with a leave in (see review for Shea Moisture) and more coconut oil for shine.
Oh, and I picked this stuff up at an Indian grocery for $2.99. My first box only lasted 4 washings! But I've learned to ration it and it now lasts a few weeks. I typically wash my hair every 2-3 days.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Everyday Minerals - Foundation Matte Formula
bluestar21 3/8/2011 1:54:00 PM
A word about the samples: try out the “free” kits! I was initially turned off because the colors looked way too bright on my computer screen. In real life, they are more natural looking. I ended up ordering a full size of one of the samples I got – Matte in Linen. The color looks great on me in most types of lighting. The thought of finding a *perfect* match from 34 colors in 4 finish formulations (and supposedly the same color can vary from each of the 4 finishes) is daunting. But I think this works for me. I use a foundation brush to apply it (one from Ecotools – see my review).
I have very oily skin, especially on my temples, forehead and nose. I felt like liquid foundation was contributing to the oiliness. It’s not reasonable to think that a powder can soak up or stop all the oil your skin produces in a day. This definitely helps, but I still need to blot frequently.
Pros:
*beautiful, natural finish in just a minute or two
*great, ethical company that doesn’t do animal testing
Cons:
*You will need to reapply this. It’s powder. It’s not going to stick to your face indefinitely.
*Can look *slightly* dull/overly matte. I can see why the original glow may be appealing now.
*You may still need a liquid concealer under the eyes.
*Could look powdery if you apply too much
Overall, I LOVE this. I’m hoping that this is the foundation I’ll always use (although I might play around with colors and the different formulations)
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo Foundation Brush
bluestar21 2/3/2011 11:15:00 AM
I like that eco tools is “environmentally friendly” and “cruelty free”. I recently started using mineral makeup (Everyday Minerals) and needed a new brush because my old one smells funky. This foundation brush was on clearance for $4.18 at Target (says original price is $5.99…which is still cheaper than the Everyday Minerals version of the brush). The bristles are dense but soft. This is great if you want a heavier application. I was previously used to using a bigger, fluffier brush, so by comparison, this one made me feel like I was almost painting my makeup on. But the application looks great. It’s also good for getting around my eyes. I will continue to use this for as long as it holds up.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -The Body Shop - Facial Brush
bluestar21 11/22/2010 1:08:00 PM
I picked this up on a whim because I had switched to using a solid bar soap on my face, and I wanted something to help make the soap application easier. The first time I used this, my skin felt amazing. And if I go a few days without it, my skin feels rough. Use a very light hand, rubbing gently in circles, to avoid scratching your skin.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Shea Moisture - Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
bluestar21 11/22/2010 11:43:00 AM
Love, love, love this. I have sworn off all commericial hair products because of the questionable chemicals they contain. I made an exception to buy this. I have VERY dry, wavy hair. Adding this conditioner, little by little, to dry hair (or to wet hair as you let it air dry) smooths it incredibly. Almost frizz-free. Very soft hair, and the scent is intoxicatingly good. The first time I used this I went a little crazy and my hair got weighed down. I imagine it would be too much for thin hair. It seems to define my waves too, so it would be great for curly hair.
According to the website, they buy directly from women's groups in Africa, giving them fair prices, and the company donates money to community projects. A lot of the ingredients are organic.
It's available only from Target and it's $9.99.
Ingredient list
Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea
Butter)*, Argan Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying
Wax, Sea Kelp Extract, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5),
Essential Oil Blend, Avocado Oil, Lonicera
Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera
Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower extract,
Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Hyssopus Officinalis
Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf and Equisetum
Arvense Extract, Soybean Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa
(Carrot) Seed Oil. *Denotes Certfied Organic
Ingredient
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear - Light to Natural 
bluestar21 11/22/2010 11:27:00 AM
This looked nice at first, especially in natural light. It felt light. But my one problem with it is that it contains a lot of oil. And considering that I have oily skin and purchased this in July....it didn't work so well for me. The oiliness might be tolerable, but the color is very off on this. I don't know how to describe it, but it's kind of pink/gray/orange. I looked at photos taken of me after I wore this outside for the first time, and m forehead is very oily and there is a slight pink/orange(?) cast to it. But the coverage was decent. MAYBE this would work in another shade. Now that I've had this for 4 months, it's starting to squeeze out of the cap a little too much, so that it becomes very messy and wastes a lot. And yes, it smells strongly of lavender for the first few minutes. The ingredient list looked okay to me, but I probably won't give this another try.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Chagrin Valley - All Products
bluestar21 10/23/2010 7:23:00 PM
I was browsing MUA top picks and was really surprised to see this near the top of the list! But I must agree, these soaps are really nice. I discovered Chargrin Valley when I was looking for alternatives to shampoo. Solid shampoo is a completely different experience, so if you try them, please read up on the concept first. I am using the only solid hair conditioner they sell (Butter bar conditioner) as a shampoo right now and I love it. It's hard to run my fingers through my hair after washing with it, so a dilute apple vinegar mix at the end does the trick (about a capful or two in a big cup, and don't rinse it out). I don't think you can make a bad choice when ordering from CV. The lotion bars are great too! I used mine as an eye cream and on my hands and legs in the winter. I love the all natural ingredients. As for soaps, I recommend Dead Sea Spa. It smells citrus-y and has been great on my face. I look forward to trying even more of their products.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Unlisted Brand - Generic Value Products-GVP 1'' Hair Straightener
bluestar21 7/25/2010 4:18:00 PM
I bought this after using a bulky, very cheap straightener for years. This one is so sleek and easy to handle in comparison. I bought this with Beyond the Zone - Turn up the Heat spray and it leaves my hair very soft, shiny, and straight. It also leaves the ends of my hair looking nice. The cord on this is super long too. My complaints about this is that sometimes hairs will get stuck in the plate and you end up yanking out a few hairs. Also, it is annoying that you can't tell exactly what temperature it is or when it is done heating up. I hope to use this straightener for years, I really like it!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Almay - Pure Blends Mascara
bluestar21 10/22/2009 6:19:00 PM
I bought this based on the "natural" appeal and the little amount of excess packaging. Although the most natural and least wasteful is not to buy anything at all, this is great if you want a little eyelash boost. I bought the brown-black color because my eyelashes are blonde/brown. I use very, very little mascara in general. I like to look like I have none on, yet I want lashes a little darker and longer looking. I did not have a flaking problem like the other reviewers (I saw maybe two tiny flakes- not a big deal). And it was a little clumpy the first time I used it, but again it's not a big deal if you use your fingers to rub it in and use very little in the first place. Overall, it's not bad and I'm happy to see the recycled packaging and natural ingredients.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Acne.org - Treatment
bluestar21 6/4/2009 4:25:00 PM
This is a nice BP product. It's much more like a gel than other similar products I've used. It feels light and fresh on my face. Everyone reacts to BP differently, but I am not irritated by it and feel like it helps keep my skin clear.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Acne.org - AHA+
bluestar21 6/4/2009 4:22:00 PM
This is supposed to be good for fading scars, clearing up your skin, and moisturizing. I have been using is since September and my skin is finally looking good. My skin scars really, really, really easily and the scars last forever. This is doing a decent job with keeping the scars from lasting so long. It also works as a moisturizer, even in the winter. I've used it on other parts of my body, like my arms and legs, too. Just don't get it into any cuts because it will sting.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Acne.org - Cleanser
bluestar21 6/4/2009 4:17:00 PM
Love this stuff. The first time I used it, I was disappointed. There is no scent, no tingle, not much foam, nothing novel about it. But I've come to love its simplicity. I love that it has no fragrance, no color, that it is pH balanced, not tested on animals, and the simple packaging. I don't think it does anything amazing for my skin, but it is a wonderful cleanser that doesn't do any damage either.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
bluestar21 1/1/2009 11:43:00 AM
Greatest moisturizer ever. It makes my skins incredibly soft. It reduces those little bumps I used to have. My skin doesn't react well to lotions with dyes and perfumes in this, but with coconut oil there is no irritation. Plus, this stuff smells great and you can eat it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No