Lip Treatments -Smith's Rosebud Salve - Smith's Rosebud Salve
suggrr 5/7/2006 2:39:00 AM
This lip conditioner seems to me to be pretty pedestrian and boring. The tin? Cute, but nothing special. The product? Pretty pink and slightly smoother and creamier than Vaseline. Multitasking uses? Other products can do the same things. The price? More expensive than other products that do the same jobs.
I believe that Smith's Rosebud Salve is overhyped, as it provided very little moisturization to my lips. I had put it on before going to sleep and woke up with dry lips; my lips were worse off in the morning after wearing this all night. Kiehls Lip Balm #1 also does nothing for me, too, so perhaps these more expensive lip hydrators just don't work on me. Pity, as I don't mind paying more for something that really works. Cherry Chapstick is actually more effective for me, and it's incredibly cheap.
Note: Cottonseed, one of the oils found in this product, is one of the substances that you may see on an allergy scratch test. I did test positive for an allergy to it when I took my last scratch test (after trying this product.) I didn't have any odd reaction besides dryness with this, though, and false positives absolutely do happen with allergy tests for food products. If you think you may be having a reaction to this product, definitely discontinue use of it. Sure, it may be cute, but you can definitely find something that works better for you.
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Skincare - Face -Clinique - 3 Step System
suggrr 5/3/2006 12:03:00 PM
The most important thing with Clinique's 3 Step System is to make sure that you are typed right. I tried Level 2 in 8th grade (due to being typed wrong) and again this past winter (thinking that I might need to change to something less "harsh" in my new environment) and it did not work for me. While I didn't have many significant breakouts this winter, the Level 2 toner was making my skin rough and flakey. The Level 3 toner works much, much better on me, and it feels less harsh to me than the Level 2 toner.
After trying Proactiv out and it not working for me, I figured I'd give the Clinique 3 Step system another chance. I'm sure there was a GWP (gift with purchase) event that factored in there, too. After being labeled a Type 3 - go figure, I've always been oily and breakout prone! - I bought the soap and toner for Level 3. It works wonderfully for me, and I don't anticipate switching anytime soon.
The liquid facial soap works pretty well and is less drying than the bar soap, but I like both. The bar lasts forever, and the liquid soap seems to be the same way. The astringent, Clarifying Lotion 3, is amazing and I feel it's definitely the star of the 3 Step System. Even if I wash my face with something else (like Cetaphil), I will always follow up with the Level 3 toner. It really does deflake my skin, and with better exfoliation comes fewer breakouts on my skin. On the flip side, I must admit that you can use the Level 3 toner to remove stubborn sticky spots around the house, like sticker residue on CD cases. One might say, "Gee, it must be a harsh toner if you can do that!" But again, I don't mind because I feel that the exfoliation helps keep my breakouts at bay.
I did not buy the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, but you can always find a sample in the GWPs. I find that I don't need moisturization until wintertime, and even then, there aren't many days I need it. The DDML feels awful - just rub it into your hands - but works in small doses. I haven't tried the gel yet, which was introduced after I started the 3 Step System, but it is more suited to oilier skin.
Again, the best advice I could give is to make sure that you are typed right. Anything too mild or too harsh will not work with your skin and you certainly won't happy with the results.
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Conditioner -Terax - Crema
suggrr 5/3/2006 11:34:00 AM
The only time I've ever received a compliment from a hairdresser was the day after I had shampooed with Neutrogena's T-Gel (incredibly drying) and then conditioned with Terax Crema (hydrating.) While the scent is off-putting, this conditioner does a great job at detangling and does not weigh down my fine hair. I apply it for a few minutes in the shower to let it soak in and that's all the conditioning I need after using a clarifying shampoo. Crema makes my hair slippery and smooth, moreso than anything else I've used, and I just can't stop touching my hair after using it. :-) Other conditioners just don't measure up.
This product is very expensive, though I did find a jar at Costco for $26. However, for the job it does, I'm more than willing to pay for another jar or even a tube. The jar I bought had to have lasted me at least a year, and it didn't grow mold or get disgusting at all. There is another thick plastic lid inside of the screw-off top, so the jar is protected twice from any moisture that may seep in while you shower. Just make sure to open and close the jar outside of the shower stream and you'll probably be fine.
Terax Crema's not a must-have for me, but when I finally exhaust some of my backlog of shampoos and conditioners, I'm sure I'll be going out of my way to purchase it again.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara Blackest Black
suggrr 4/30/2006 10:54:00 PM
I was travelling between two states, and I figured I'd save myself the trouble of hauling around makeup. I left some eyeshadows, lip stuffs, and this mascara at home. I was absolutely impressed with this mascara - it's amazing!
Why? It's the only mascara I've ever used that clumped upon *first* application. And every application after that! I hadn't packed an eyelash comb, either, so I had to be very, very careful when applying it. Sure, you should be careful when applying anything around your eyes, but this was ridiculous! The lengthening and thickening was mediocre.
On the plus side, it is indeed a black color upon application, and the pink and green package is cute. This stuff wasn't as disappointing as Prescriptives' False Eyelashes mascara, since I expected this to be bad, but it was just as useless (and with a less fun applicator.)
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Candles -Henri Bendel - Home - Amber
suggrr 2/10/2006 12:19:00 PM
My husband actually bought this attractive amber candle as I was browsing through Bath and Body Works. He said that it reminded him of the way his church smelled during services. I was rather surprised that he'd want to buy a $26 candle, but I wasn't going to say no!
For the first half of the candle's life, the throw was pretty good. I have smelled better throw from cheaper candles, but this scent is a bit more upscale and sensuous than you'd find in, say, a Glade candle from Wal-mart. However, after the halfway mark, the candle has ceased having any throw at all. If you want to smell the candle, you need to actually lean over the candle itself. At $26, this candle should still be able to fragrance a room, even if it is halfway burned!
The wax itself does seem to be a step above, which is pleasing. When I trim the wick, which is EVERY TIME I WANT TO BURN THE CANDLE (what a hassle), I let the rest of the wick just fall into the candle wax. While the candle's burning, you can see the wick pieces in the wax. But after the candle dries, the wax is heavy enough to obscure the wick pieces, which I like.
Obviously I'm not a fan of having to trim wicks. Perhaps this is just something you need to do with a more luxurious, fancy candle, but I'm not a fan of having to bring out the scissors every day, then wipe the scissors off before putting them back. What I find is that if I don't trim the wick on this candle, the candle will flame up and blow soot, which is not an attractive quality in a candle whether it's from BBW or Big Lots.
This candle was pretty good when it was actually scenting the air, but having to trim it daily and putting up with a pretty flame with no smell now is just disappointing.
Edited 5/23/06: Added a lippie because I now have other candles that need to have their wicks trimmed too. I guess if you pay more than $3 for a candle, wick trimming is just something you'll have to put up with. However, the lack of scent after the first half is gone and sootiness without trimming keep this candle in the 3 lippie range.
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Skincare - Face -Pro Activ - 3-Step System
suggrr 10/21/2005 12:55:00 AM
A lot of people really love Proactiv, and it seems like an equal number of people hate it. I myself remember not being impressed with it a few years ago when I tried it, as I was still left with plenty of acne and some facial redness to boot. I get just as much, if not more, help with my acne from drugstore products that are easier to obtain and cost much less.
One thing I'd like to point out is how badly this damaged the fabric I was around. Proactiv was the only thing I was using that could be behind the bleaching. While I could have gotten artsy with the new t-shirts and pretend that the spots are supposed to be there... I could not similarly explain away the bleaching of my towels and bed linens. Sure, you're warned that some discoloration may occur. But I didn't expect anything on the level which I experienced! If this is so bad on fabric, why would you want it on your face?
When I asked for my money back after trying Proactiv, I also asked for the shipping and handling to be refunded as well. Calmly, yet firmly, I explained that I had lost over $250 on clothing, bed sheets, and towels, due to Proactiv. I received a refund that included the price of the set, as well as the shipping and handling. What I got out of Proactiv was nothing compared to what I lost. Feel free to try it out, as it has worked for other people, but be very careful when using Proactiv.
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