Hair -Shea Moisture - Overview
rainydays1234 1/21/2013 1:25:00 PM
I have only tried two SM products but I can't wait to test out some others!! I'm so excited that I finally caved and decided to try this brand. I've always looked at these products at Target but since I can purchase Garnier Fructis and other brands for way less, I always put these back on the shelf. One day, my frizzies and I couldn't take the crazy cold weather that we've been having (frost with 29 degree days) so, I splurged and bought the SM Moisture Retention Shampoo and the SM Coconut Hibiscus Moisture Mist. The shampoo is really nice (you can click over to the other reviews and find mine) and the CHMM is AMAZING!! Holy cow, I LOVE the moisture mist, it's smells so wonderful and tropical-floral. I definitely want to try the body products in this scent. It's literally the yummiest coconut scented products that I've ever smelled. The MM is such a great product for my dry/curly/wavy hair. It's a great curl refresher for 2nd day hair and it's a nice sealant for after blowdrying. I also like to spray my hair with it for an added yummy scent or just for an extra bit of moisture before going to bed at night. I seriously am addicted to this stuff. LOVE!
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Shampoo -Shea Moisture - Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
rainydays1234 1/21/2013 1:19:00 PM
I have heard a lot of good things in the past about Shea Moisture products but always thought they were for really kinky, coily hair which I don't have. I do have wavy/curly, very dry hair and a very sensitive, dry scalp. After I spotted Shea Moisture products on sale at Target for buy one, get one 50% off, I decided to try the Moisture Retention shampoo and the Coconut Hibiscus Moisture Mist (which is another review). SM shampoo is sls free, paraben free, mineral oil free...basically all the bad, nasty stuff free. It's loaded with argan oil, shea butter oil, vitamin e, coconut oil and is organic. I usually don't care what I uses in terms of shampoo b/c I've been co-washing for about three years now and I use a "regular" sls shampoo about 2x a week. However, with this shampoo, I can now shampoo every other day without causing dryness, damage, and itchy scalp. This shampoo is really great. I LOVE using it! It is $10 for a 12 oz. bottle but it's definitely worth the splurge since I only shampoo my hair about 3-4 times a week. I find that i do have to use more than I normally would because I like a lot of suds and due to it being sls-free, it doesn't suds up that well for my hair. I'm not gonna lie, I'm not a big shea butter person, I like the moisturizing properties but I absolutely hate the smell of shea and cocoa butters so I had to get used to the nutty shea butter scent but it's not that bad and it doesn't linger in my hair. I'm anxious to try the Coconut Hibiscus shampoo when I run out of this. I'm not sure if I would buy it again due to the scent but I really love the way my hair curls, stays nice and moisturized and frizz-free after using it. If I can't find the Coconut scent then I would buy this one again. Overall, a great shampoo for dry/curly/way hair that needs loads of moisture without creating an itchy, dry scalp. And bonus if you enjoy shea butter fragrances...you'll love it.
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Lip Treatments -Smith's Rosebud Salve - Smith's Rosebud Salve
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:48:00 AM
I love the packaging! I'm a sucker for anything Victorian and this makes me feel like I'm using something that Jane Austen would have used :) This lip balm is so nice and I love the rose scent. It's such a quality product that after over a year, I'm still using the same tin and it still has a nice scent. This gives my lips a faint rosy glow and keeps them very moisturized and glossy. I love to use this on bare lips or over a lip stain. I will continue to use this for many years!
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Treatments -Aussie - 3 Minute Miracle
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:42:00 AM
This is an okay conditioner. I really would not consider this a deep conditioner for my dry, curly hair. This would probably be heavy enough if you have ultra thin or oily hair but it's just like a regular conditioner IMO. It smells really nice, almost tropical and I do love the packaging. It's super cheap and it easily found in most drugstores. I've never really been wowed by Aussie products but it's good in a pinch if you can't find anything else.
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Conditioner -Pantene - Nature Fusion Moisture Balance
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:39:00 AM
This is my favorite conditioner for my dry, curly hair. I have gone through about a dozen bottles of this and decided to write a review. It smells so clean and delicious. It's a nice, thick conditioner that does such an amazing job when I CO-wash my hair. I follow the curly girl method to keep my frizzies at bay. I hate slippery conditioners and this one has very little slip. It's super thick and stays put in my hair while I shower. It lathers nicely when I'm ready to scrub it out and makes my hair fuller and curl so well! LOVE!!
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Treatments -Burt's Bees - Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:35:00 AM
SUCH A GREAT CUTICLE CREAM!! My cuticles are SO DRY and this stuff is the only product that keeps them moisturized and heals any cracked, peeling skin around my nails. I love this product so much. It's very moisturizing and smells amazing. A little goes a long way! I love the look of the tin but it also can be a challenge to open sometimes. I've kept this product by my bedside for 3 years now!
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Lip Balm
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:32:00 AM
I LOVE my Burt's Bees lip balm! I refuse to use any other brand and have been using this for years and years. I love that it's made from my favorite state (NC) and with wholesome ingredients. Refreshing and keeps my lips moisturized!
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Skincare - Body -Dr. Bronner's - Lavender Liquid Soap
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:30:00 AM
This is my favorite soap! I love that they make this in travel sizes which is wonderful! The packaging is also a riot to read. I'm not sure about the philosophy of Dr. Bronner but he makes a great soap! I use it in the summer time for a refreshing facial cleanser and body wash. I've heard you can use this as a hair wash but haven't tried it yet. It's also really nice to add to the bath. I have really sensitive skin and Dr. Bronner's Castile soaps have never irritated my skin. Be cautious when using these liquid soaps! They are VERY WATERY and HIGHLY CONCENTRATED! Seriously, a couple of drops is all you need for a velvety lather. I've even used these liquid soaps as a laundry detergent when hand-washing delicates and sweaters. I LOVE the lavender scent, it's such a relaxing scent that really lifts the spirit!
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
rainydays1234 12/4/2012 11:24:00 AM
I discovered coconut oil about 2 years ago after reading about the benefits of using the oil for hair growth and hair health from www.naturallycurly.com. It's been a beauty & cooking staple ever since! I LOVE using this oil twice a week to moisturize my hair. The best coconut oil should be packaged in a glass container to keep any toxins from plastic/resin from being absorbed. Using a teaspoon, I will transfer some coconut oil to a smaller jar that I keep in my bathroom (for hygiene reasons). I usually only use coconut oil on my scalp and hair. I'll warm about a quarter-sized amount (typically it's a solid unless you live in the tropics) in the palm of my hands and then massage the oil into my scalp and whatever is left, coat the length of my hair. I'll then gather my hair up in a clip and leave it to soak into my hair for about two hours before shampooing back out. I have dry, curly hair and I've found that this is such a great deep conditioner that really help de-frizz my hair and it smells SO GOOD! It can be a little pricey depending on where you purchase the oil. You can get a really good deal by purchasing from wholesale retailers such as Costco. I found a 72 oz jar of Nutiva Organic coconut oil for $21 which is such a great deal especially since I was going through a 14 oz jar each month. Buying in bulk is the way to go!
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara
rainydays1234 11/14/2012 7:05:00 PM
I can't understand why the number 1 selling mascara in America gets such a low rating on MUA?! This is THE BEST mascara EVER! I have tried L'Oreal, Mary Kay, Almay, Neutrogena, MAC, CoverGirl, and Clinique and they are all nothing compared to Maybelline Great Last mascara. This mascara has been a staple of mine ever since I began wearing makeup at 13! I've been using this for 15 years! Each tube lasts me about 6 months and I never pay more than $6 at my local drugstore. Blackest black is the best black mascara. The formula is gentle and never makes my eyes water yet the coverage is great! Hollywood makeup artists use this mascara! You cannot go wrong with this product, it's amazing!
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Lotion
rainydays1234 11/14/2012 6:58:00 PM
Cetaphil Mosturizing lotion has been a staple for me off and on for many years now. It has never irritated my super sensitive skin and it's easy to find in most drugstores and grocery stores. It does feel sticky for about 20 minutes and then soaks right into the skin. I have found that when I do breakout, this works really well with my acne spot treatments unlike other moisturizers that either burn or roll off the skin. The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion comes in a 16 oz pump container for around $10-$12 and lasts a really long time. I think I bottle lasts about 9 months and I use about a nickel size amount in the morning and about a quarter size in the evening. I sometimes use this in place of my body lotion if I want to use something fragrance free. It's a nice lotion for after the shower but I find that it's not heavy enough for me. I have ultra dry skin and I like to use body creams as opposed to lighter lotions. The best deal is to get the larger 20 oz. bottles in a two pack at Costco for $15. Such a great price for quality product!
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Cream
rainydays1234 11/14/2012 6:49:00 PM
This is the best product for dry skin! I LOVE this cream. Cetaphil products were formulated by dermatologists so they are all extremely gentle and very effective. For $10, you get a 16 oz jar which is a ton of product for the price due to how little you need to use to moisturize. I agree with others that this isn't the best packaging if you were to use this on your face. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream is intended for face or body however, I would want to purchase a second jar to use exclusively on my face. I just can't bring myself to dip into the jar and smear product on my face after I've touched my feet with it...even though I'm crazy about keeping my hands (and feet!) clean :) This cream is so effective at hydrating my skin because it has glycerin, dimethicone, and sweet almond oil. It is frangrance free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist recommended. Safe for babies and formulated for those with extremely sensitive skin and eczema, this is a great product all skin types. It is a little heavy so, if you don't like cream than I would definitely recommend the lotion. I get severely itchy, dry skin as soon as the weather starts to cool so this is a must for me! I use this as an all-over body moisturizer after my shower and again on my legs, feet, arms, and chest at night. My skin stays itch free, never greasy and my husband is always complimenting me on my soft skin!
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Lipstick -NYX - Femme
rainydays1234 11/14/2012 6:35:00 PM
I decided to clean out my makeup bags and found all three of my NYX lipsticks so I thought I would write a review. Last summer, I went through a lipstick phase. Normally, I only wear chapstick or maybe a nude gloss but for some reason I wanted to try a coral and a red lip. So, off to Ulta I went and found NYX lipsticks for around $6 each. First, I cannot believe I spent $6 for each of these lipsticks because they are TERRIBLE! Each color is way too loud and a little off. The Femme is a beautiful coral in the container but once on, made my fair skin look sickeningly pale and was too orangey on me. Second, the formulation is what I would expect from a .99 lipstick. They are very sticky and get really clumpy when paired with a gloss. I had freshly exfoliated my lips so it was not me! I tried first applying chapstick and then lipstick and I still had clumps. Compared to Revlon, these lipsticks are not a great drugstore buy!
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Eye Primer -BeneFit Cosmetics - Stay Don't Stray
rainydays1234 11/14/2012 6:26:00 PM
I've been using Stay, Don't Stray eye primer for about two months and I can honestly say that it is the second best concealer that I have ever used. Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage is the absolute best but this comes in at a close second. The reason for only 4 lippies is because I think Stay, Don't Stray broke out my chin and around my nose. It is intended as an eyeshadow primer but it's the perfect shade of ivory so I used it as an overall concealer which may have been a mistake. The coverage is beautiful and is so soft and creamy. It's extremely blendable and works well with both my tinted moisturizer and my medium coverage foundation. I even use it alone with a mineral powder and it blends so well into my skin. It's a little pricey, $26 for .33 ounces/10 ml but a little bit goes a long way. I'm not sure if I will purchase this again. I loved the previous mentioned Laura Mercier product so I may purchase that one when I run out of Stay, Don't Stray. It is a great product and I would definitely recommend it!
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Bella Bamba
rainydays1234 11/14/2012 6:18:00 PM
As with most Benefit products, I LOVE their Bella Bamba blush! It is such a gorgeous, girly pink with a shimmer of gold. It is highly pigmented and goes on very smoothly. I have fair skin and absolutely love, love this color. I have found that I need way less than drugstore brand blushes so go lightly the first time you use it. The packaging is so cute with a built-in mirror. It stays securely closed during travels in my makeup bag, which is nice. The first ingredient is talc, so if you have any allergies to talc, be warned. I have very sensitive skin and I have never had any problems from this product. The blush has an extremely delicate, clean floral scent which is a plus but it's so light that you won't be able to tell that it is scented after you first open it. I will definitely repurchase! I love this color and it's a refreshing break from my usual coral-pinks :)
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