Eye Shadow -Almay - Intense i-Color Eye Shadow smoky-i for browns
Bellona 8/10/2012 8:55:00 PM
I got this for free in a contest so I can't complain about the price ;) But regardless, I think Almay is an inexpensive brand. I like that they're also gentle on your skin and hypoallergenic. Nothing scented here. I used the palette for a night out and it gave a nice subtle smoky eye. If you're looking for bold I wouldn't look here. The colors worked well for my brown eyes, which tend to look honey-ish colored or even green sometimes depending on what I'm wearing. I can see this working for many eye and skin tone colors though. The palette makes it easy to use and see where you should place shadow, and they could be used separately as well. Overall a decent shadow.
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Mascara -Tarte - Lights Camera Lashes
Bellona 8/2/2012 1:03:00 PM
I've been really trying to use more natural and socially responsible makeup these days so much of my makeup bag is Tarte now. I really do love this mascara. It gives volume and length, and two coats of this gives a nice dramatic lash that can go day or night. It lasts all day and night with no flaking or smudging. It goes on fluid, a drier formula that doesn't clump. My only wish is that it would give a tad more volume. I find Tarte's mascaras to be really good on the lengthening side, but could use some work on their volume. And I'm not a fan of the packaging. I prefer a sleeker more luxurious look like YSL faux cils. I find the purple snakeskin print to look kinda cheap imo. But it would not deter me from buying this and I'll be sticking with Tarte from now on. Since I've started using this mascara I've gotten alot of compliments on my lashes :)
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Tools -Christian Dior - Dior Show Heat Curl
Bellona 8/2/2012 12:58:00 PM
After going through both pads on my Shu Uemura eyelash curler I went to buy replacements only to find that they don't sell them and instead you have to buy a whole new curler. Unimpressed, I decided it was time to try something different anyways (been using Shu for over 10 years). I went to Sephora to ask about heated curlers as I'd heard from a makeup artist that they work wonders. I settled on Dior on the SA's recommendations. It took a while for me to get the hang of it but I'm loving it now! They still need to iron out some glitches on the curler; the instructions say to wait till the green light goes on but according to Dior this is an error in print and the light will never go on (I learned this after I thought it was broken and went back to Sephora to exchange it) It heats up fast in under a minute and if used before mascara gives you a nice gentle sweeping curl. But if used after mascara it gives the most beautiful curled fringe with no crimping or missed spots! My bf even commented on "something new" with my makeup. Which he never does so I took that to mean that my lashes looked extra lush. I would recommend this to anyone looking to try something new. I've only been using it for a week so I'll edit my review if anything changes.
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Mascara -Tarte - Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara
Bellona 7/30/2012 10:53:00 PM
I'm a huge fan of the Tarte line, given their stance on additives and environmental responsibility etc. So I was in Sephora shopping for a new mascara and thought I'd try this one. Overall, this is a nice lengthening everyday mascara. It does nothing for volume. The rich black formula doesn't smudge, lasts all day, no flakes, and washes off with regular facial cleanser. Overall this was a really nice mascara, but I returned it in exchange for the volumizing formula. I have fairly long lashes already, so this gave me too much length and it kinda looked spidery. I need volume! But I would still recommend this to anyone looks for a mascara without all the chemicals and crap that's in most makeup these days, to add length and great for everyday. I did find it build-able too so if you wanted a more dramatic look you could use this for evening.
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Masks -Dermalogica - Ultracalming Relief Masque
Bellona 7/27/2012 1:05:00 AM
I received a sample of this from a local spa. I used it tonight, after spending all day on the golf course my skin was super red and irritated (despite using spf 45!). It's not sun-burned, but more just irritated from being exposed to the heat and environment all day. The mask felt good on my skin, but it maybe only decreased the redness by 25%. So I guess not too bad, but overall, I don't feel soothed and cooled down. I wouldn't purchase the full size.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - One n' Only - Argan Oil Treatment
Bellona 7/19/2012 12:27:00 AM
I bought this from Sally's after reading the reviews on MUA and I'm so glad I did. This is a less expensive version of Moroccan Oil that imo is better. It smells waaaay less strong than Moroccan Oil, with a nicer overall scent. It costs less, and works just as well. I use it on wet and dry hair. I think those who say it leaves their hair greasy when using it dry must be using too much or have oily hair? My hair soaks this right up and it helps to moisturize and control the frizz (but doesn't eliminate it). If you like Moroccan Oil I'd highly recommend this instead.
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Styling Products -Ouidad - Climate Control Gel
Bellona 7/19/2012 12:22:00 AM
This made my wavy/curly hair hard and crunchy. And in places where it didn't quite cover, the frizz popped right through. I tried so hard to like this and make it work but no thanks. I'll pass on this one.
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Conditioner -Pureology - Nanoworks Conditioner
Bellona 7/19/2012 12:21:00 AM
Hands down the best conditioner in the world :0 I started using this when I worked for the Canadian distributor (before it was purchased by L'Oreal) and obviously got a ridiculous discount on the price. Then when I left that job, I tried every single other shampoo and conditioner and slowly my hair turned back to it's frizzy, dry, unmanageable, unruly self. I finally broke down and bought it. I'm a die-hard Pureology lover so my reviews will show that. But nothing compares to this conditioner. And used in conjunction with the nanoworks shampoo and the results are even better. I feel like it renews my hair back to it's "virgin" days when I didn't color or use hot tools. It moisturizes beautifully, smells amazing, and makes my hair feel and look better than anything else so I will continue to buy even if the price is a bit sickening.
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Shampoo -Pureology - Nanoworks Shampoo
Bellona 7/19/2012 12:18:00 AM
Hands down the best shampoo in the world :0 I started using this when I worked for the Canadian distributor (before it was purchased by L'Oreal) and obviously got a ridiculous discount on the price. Then when I left that job, I tried every single other shampoo and conditioner and slowly my hair turned back to it's frizzy, dry, unmanageable, unruly self. I finally broke down and bought it. I'm a die-hard Pureology lover so my reviews will show that. But nothing compares to this shampoo. It lathers beautifully, smells amazing, and makes my hair feel and look better than anything else so I will continue to buy even if the price is a bit sickening.
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Styling Products -Paul Mitchell - Super Skinny Serum
Bellona 7/19/2012 12:13:00 AM
I tried this based on the high rate here on MUA. I would say for a serum that only contains silicones and no oils to moisturize it's pretty good. It smells great, is light weight, and smoothes my hair down nicely. The only problem I have is like other reviewers have mentioned, the frizz-free result only lasts maybe 30 minutes and then my wavy hair is back to usual bad behavior. It also does nothing to moisturizer or repair hair, it simply coats with silicones to create a temporary "seal". I also noticed when using this I needed way more shampoo to get a lather going. I wouldn't buy this again and would look for something with moisturizing oils in it to hydrate my hair while smoothing for more long-term results.
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Lotions/ Creams -Alba Botanica - Alba Hawaiian Cocoa Butter Hand & Body Lotion
Bellona 7/2/2012 3:24:00 PM
I quite like this body lotion. I usually use Jason Cocoa Butter lotion but bought this when I saw it was on sale. I try to use the most natural, non-chemically products on my skin I can find. I'm pretty sure this is a body lotion, so I wouldn't recommend putting it on your face! Obviously it's going to be heavier if it's made for body skin, not facial skin. Overall, I liked the scent, it was not too strong and didn't linger heavily. It was non-irritating to my eczema and moisturized nicely for the warmer months. I think in the winter I'd still need something heavier, and find my usual Jason to be a bit thicker and more moisturizing. But I would buy this again, and alternate between the two for some variation. I checked the skindeep cosmetic database, and do see that Jason ranks @ 4, and Alba @ 5. So a slight difference there, due to the fragrance in both. I'm not sure if natural vs chemical fragrance is differentiated in ingredients? If someone knows the answer to that I would love to hear it! If a product has naturally occurring fragrance is it still listed as "fragrance" on the bottle?
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Moisturizers -Natura Bisse - NB-Ceutical Tolerance Recovery Cream
Bellona 7/1/2012 4:49:00 PM
I've been using this moisturizer for over a month now and bought the toner and cleanser as well. I'm truly in love with this line, it's done amazing things for my skin. Thank you to vickypollard for her reviews and suggestion to try the line, as it's saved my skin! I was using some products from the Darphin Intral line, but still wasn't seeing the redness of my irritated skin dissipate. Also, I wasn't getting enough hydration. Switching to the NB Ceutical line has soothed my redness and irritation, deeply hydrated my skin without breaking it out, and smoothed my complexion. This cream is beautiful, it just melts into your skin and immediately soothes it. The hydration is perfect for me. My only complaint would be the packaging. I wish it came in a pump instead of a jar that I had to dip my fingers into. But the results are so amazing that I wouldn't let the packaging prevent me from using this line. I've tried everything from drugstore brands like Avene, La Roche Posay to high end lines like Sisley and Darphin with no luck in reducing my redness and sensitivity. I received a facial from the Natura Bisse rep when I purchased the line and that experience in conjunction with the results from NB Ceutical has convinced me that Natura Bisse is a truly amazing line that delivers high quality products with proven results. I'd highly recommend this line and the Natura Bisse brand to anyone.
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Cleansers -Natura Bisse - NB-Ceutical Tolerance Cleanser
Bellona 7/1/2012 4:37:00 PM
Hands down the best cleanser I've ever used for my sensitive skin. I am prone to redness and irritation, and struggle with good hydration as well. Yet, I can break out with little clogged pores if I use the wrong thing. I bought this in conjunction with the NB Ceutical toner and moisturizer. This cleanser works beautifully. The creamy emulsion cleans my skin, removes all my makeup and leaves me with soothed, moisturized and calmed skin. I never feel tight or dry after. My face feels truly clean, as opposed to other gentle cream cleansers I've tried that feel like they leave behing oil and dirt etc. As another reviewer pointed out, it doesn't foam as the product says, but I still love it as well. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
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Toners -Natura Bisse - NB-Ceutical Tolerance Toner
Bellona 7/1/2012 4:32:00 PM
I bought this toner to use in conjunction with the rest of the NB Ceutical line. I am currently using the cleanser, toner and moisturizer. I am absolutely in love with this line, and only wish I had discovered it long ago. The toner has a high concentration of green tea extract, as can be seen from the dark brown color. It is immediately calming and soothing on my skin. It helps with any irritation as well. I don't particularly like the spray, as I feel I waste product. I played with it for a while trying to make sure it didn't spray too much, and really got just on my face. But after awhile I gave up and now I just spray it in my palms and then press it onto my face gently. This works really well and I don't waste the product on cotton pads/balls. I'd highly recommend this line to anyone with sensitive skin that battles redness, irritation and needs hydration. It's truly an amazing line and I would at this point not try anything else. I'm convinced of the Natura Bisse brand, it really works.
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Moisturizers -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan oil
Bellona 6/20/2012 10:02:00 PM
I bought this to use in my hair, hoping it would moisturize and tame my frizziness. It does moisturize, but does zero to fight frizz. It also works wonders as a cuticule oil, and I've tried it on my lips too with good results. Overall, its a nice all-purpose oil and I love that Josie Maran products are social and eco friendly. So if it's in your budget then give it a try.
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