Eye Shadow -Rimmel - eyeshadows
vanbergc 10/28/2004 9:05:00 AM
I've never bought an eye shadow with NO pigment...but Rimmel has set a record. No matter how I tried to pick up color...with a brush, with my fingers, with a sponge...there was absolutely NO pigment transfered. Wow! Thought an English company could do better than this.
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CD/Books/Movies -Paula's Choice - Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me 6th Edition
vanbergc 10/27/2004 9:18:00 AM
I have such mixed feelings about this book. To its credit, I love having a reference and an initial review of a product I'm thinking about (or an entire line, for that matter). But I just don't agree with Paula's take on botanicals and essential oils. I feel like she hasn't done her research and flaunts her ignorance...there are numerous studies on the chemical identities and benefits of EO's (see "Advanced Aromatherapy" by Kurt Schnaubelt), and eons of emperical "research" on natural products...who could go a lifetime without using rose oil? This makes me suspect of the rest of her evaluations. So, I just take her recommendations with a grain of salt, and ignore what I know to be incorrect. I've also just ordered a few of her skin care products because I'm SO curious to see if they work better than my favorite products. If they're great, I'll forgive Paula her arrogance and cynicism...but if they're just average (see the smiley face with the straight mouth)...I'll have no need to refernce this book again.
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Styling Products -Phyto - Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray
vanbergc 10/17/2004 12:48:00 AM
Of all the products I've tried in the Phytologie Line, this is the only one I wouldn't buy again. When I applied this product the first time, I winced because the alcohol burned my scalp. Ouch! Not to give up so easily, I tried this several times with the same outcome. I also don't like the "crusty", fly-away feel this gives my hair. Kind of defeats the purpose of using the Phyto line which leaves the hair super-soft, shiney, and healthy.
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Shampoo -Phyto - Phytojoba Shampoo
vanbergc 10/17/2004 12:38:00 AM
The whole Phytologie line is m HG. I mostly use the Phytojoba shampoo, but switch out with others when my hair needs something different. I can use the shampoos w/wo conditioners, and have no trouble combing out my long hair, but I always finish with Phyto-7 (or Phyto-9). I don't mind the glass bottles at all... feel like the product and botonicals are kept pure and intert rather than stuffed in some cheap, plastic leaching bottle.
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Cleansers -Yon-Ka - Gel Nettoyant
vanbergc 10/16/2004 10:49:00 PM
I tried this product because I was curious about the "natural", French line that was filled with botonicals and essential oils. This cleanser is not natural, and is pretty stripping, even for my oily skin. I do love the subtle smell, but good scents don't make a good product. I've relegated this cleanser to my current "makeup remover", after which I feed my skin with Dr. Hauschka cleansing cream or my favorite rose cleanser from Rosa Y Fruta. I see no reason to spend this amount of money for a makeup remover again... won't repurchase.
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Eye Primer -Jane Iredale - Lid Primer
vanbergc 10/15/2004 6:19:00 PM
Like the other reviews, I didn't have much luck with this product and wouldn't buy it again. It felt "wet" all day, and slid around my eyelid. Wouldn't try to put eyeshadow over it...can't imagine a good outcome. Love the other JI products though...
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Blush -Jane Iredale - Pure Pressed Blush
vanbergc 10/15/2004 6:07:00 PM
Love this pigment rich blush! I own several colors, and they're all very natural and lovely when applied. They last all day too. I use the fan brush to pick up a SMALL dusting of powder and apply to the apple of my cheek... finish my face by spritzing with "Balance", and I'm good to go!
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Mascara -Jane Iredale - Pure Lash Lengthening and Thickening Mascara
vanbergc 10/15/2004 5:39:00 PM
I had an eye infection with this mascara. I've experienced this with other mascaras, but haven't yet pinpointed the ingredient that's responsible. Also had flaking and run-off under my lower lashes (from my top lashes...don't use mascara on the bottom). Anyhow, I love the other JI products, but won't use the mascara again.
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Cleansers -Dr. Hauschka - Cleansing Cream
vanbergc 10/15/2004 5:08:00 PM
I am a Dr. Hauschka born-again convert! These products have been under my nose for years, and I was so afraid of the oil in them, that I wouldn't use them for my oily skin. Silly me! I wish I'd been using them for the last 30 years. The cleansing cream is a dream...my skin has never felt so lovely as after using this. I must admit that I do scrub a bit with the grains...I find it helps exfoliate my coarse, oily skin. My pores pucker up and nearly disappear for a while, and there is no oily residue left on my skin. I also have to say that I use a Retinol product and a Vit C product every day along with the soothing and distinctly sweet smelling (the earthy, rosey smell really grows on you) Dr. H products. My skin looks better than it has in years. Amen!
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Treatments -Phyto - Phyto 7
vanbergc 10/15/2004 4:52:00 PM
Love this product! I wash with PhytoJoba, condition with PhytoKarite, and then use this to finish/protect the ends of my long hair. I let my hair air-dry a bit, flip my head/hair upside down, and apply Phyto-7 to the ends. Makes my natural curls frizz-less and tight. Love it! Also love the natural oils/botonicals in the Phytologie products. The less chemicals on my skin, the better. I've tried nearly all of the health-food store brands, and except for the Morrocco Method products (which are not quite as good IMHO), nothing can touch this.
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Liquid -La Prairie - Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF15
vanbergc 10/15/2004 4:15:00 PM
Tried this as a sample before I "Invested"... I took on faith from some of the reviewers with oily skin like mine that this was a wonderful foundation. I didn't find it so. This product stayed matte for only a few hours and then melted much worse than most, probably because it's thicker and more opaque than most. This is a foundation for dry skin. My next problem was the color match... couldn't find a shade for my fair blue/red-toned skin. The closest color was much too dark and orange. Can't imagine that I contemplated spending $150 for this product... glad I tested first.
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Lip Treatments -Dr. Hauschka - Lip Balm - stick
vanbergc 9/23/2004 6:36:00 PM
Likewise, My HG lip balm product...the one product I'd take to a desert-isle. This product is super-softening, doesn't pull your lips off your mouth when you glide it on, has a perfect texture, and lasts a long, long time. Perfect for under lipstick too. When I pay money for other brands of lip balm, I'm always dissapointed and feel like I've wasted my money, even though I'll pay the whopper amount it takes to buy this product. It's irreplacable.
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