Shampoo -Alterna - Alterna Age Free Caviar Shampoo
RingofFire 10/10/2010 10:13:00 AM
Probably the best thing for my dry fine (colored due to incoming grays) hair at the moment. I can tell the difference when I used Drugstore stuff and Alterna or my other favorite Pureology. I just hate hate the 30 dollar price tag for a full sized bottle. Would I buy again? Yes when I have a little money or desperate because some cheap ''gentle color safe'' shampoo does not deliver or makes my hair drier or fall out.
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Powder -Physicians Formula - Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation
RingofFire 6/24/2010 1:43:00 PM
It seems fine for extra protection from the sun but I am not totally sure its great for acne prone skin, perhaps its the titanium dioxide which in enough amounts can promote pimples in some people. Got a few added pimples and usually just break out once a month (TOM) I got the translucent in Light and works okay if you apply in layers for evening out complexion, otherwise I would get the more opaque shade in buff or medium. Not much for controlling shine, I had shine break though on my forehead & nose within the hour. I was hoping for a product that did it all. Right now will use it on the more non breakout prone areas of my face like the cheek and around the eye as a added protection (even though it says on the package not to get it close to the eyes but thats where I need protection most) I am skeptical about this being waterproof. How can that be? I like the packaging the orange makes it easy to find in a purse and there is a separate compartment for the sponge. Its better applied with a kabuki foundation brush UPDATE. I am slowly changing my mind tho I still like my usual mineral foundation for coverage this is becoming a go to when traveling or I am in a hurry. Just got the Natural Beige and its working for me as all over fast coverage. Its a nice alternative to greasy sunscreen and does give my face some added color without a fake bronzer look or making it look dirty. I am NC20/Light med(and have yellow undertones) for most of the year. The translucent shade is better around the eyes since it is lighter. Breakout s must have been related to something else as my skin is clearing up & nearly breakout free now *knocks on wood*. I would give it 3 and a half lips. The retail price is around 12.99 (Target)
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Hair Color -Clairol - Natural Instincts Rich Color Creme in Caramel Creme #21G
RingofFire 6/18/2010 6:27:00 PM
Caramel Creme is more like a dark chocolate brown on me.Nice but I agree with one of the reviewers maybe one shade darker than it appears on the box. If your hair tend s to be very dry and absorb color it will make it much darker. Nice but I think I need to go up a shade or two. I have always like Natural Instincts mainly because of there is no offensive ammonia smell. Does not last very long on me and I have quite a bit of gray coming in but very gentle and never dried or fried my hair like perm. hair coloring so every once in a while I go back to this old standby.
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Eye Shadow -NYX - 10 Color Palette - Champagne & Caviar
RingofFire 6/17/2010 10:47:00 AM
So far, I think I am loving this palette. Its only 9.99 at Ulta and half off right now for a second palette( Hello gray palette are you calling me?) for a drugstore shadow wears fairly well. Day one I put on the second to the left shade which is a shimmery taupe. It got me through a 8 hour day with no creasing in my lid that I could detect and lined the upper lid with the charcoal shade. The liner was still the end of an 8 hour shift with not too much fading.Day 2 tried it with my own version of a eyeshadow fixature-Revlon concealer + face powder and it clung to my lids like a charm. I used the dark brown matte shade as a liner this time and stayed on 8 hours plus. My eyes are a bit sensitive there was some watering at the corner lash line but the liner stayed on pretty well. I like the wide variety of neutrals and taupes, most of which seem to be a subtle shimmer as well as the light pink shade (great for lid/highlighting and blending with another color) with a few nice mattes thrown in The white shade can be used with the dark brown (it came out a silvery taupe on me) .I am more of a daytime person and for the most part have no use for wild shades. I also love the soft feel of the shadows that are almost a dupe for a popular dept. brand . Had been lemming this when I first saw this palette in the early spring and finally broke down.
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Powder -Unlisted Brand - MAD minerals - in Light Golden
RingofFire 6/16/2010 12:08:00 PM
I think this is my new HG summer foundation. At first had this up for swap because I thought it too chalky but if you put a light moisturizer or sunscreen under it will hold. Light Golden is perfect for my NC20 Light-Med skin. Perfect color match and now that it is summer works wonderful on oily acne prone skin. Packaging isnt much but who cares at these prices? I also love the fact that Mad gives you more options on what size jar you can order and the prices are the most reasonable I have ever seen. I have been a mineral makeup user for nearly 5 years. I used to be a faithful EM user but they changed their formula and tried to cover it up --hate their new website as well. Mad is easier to order from. Less BS.
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Shampoo -Trader Joe's - Balanced Moisturizing Nourish Spa Shampoo
RingofFire 6/16/2010 9:50:00 AM
I was disappointed in this but I guess I should not be surprised. I thought I could get away with a 2.99 shampoo that might work as well as my favorite salon brand. First its not that moisturizing. I have fine drying & aging hair and color it. There is not enough slip and even though I used a rich conditioner each time I shampoo my hair definitely looked and felt drier than when I used my regular shampoos.Also I color my hair and this does not seem to be suited for dyed hair. I think this would be a better choice for someone with oilier and thicker hair. This is more a clarifying shampoo for me. Sigh. The search for a cheaper alternative goes on... If this is your fav. I am putting it up for SWAP.
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Powder -Everyday Minerals - Pressed Powder in Fairly Light Golden
RingofFire 5/12/2010 3:11:00 PM
This a review for the pressed compact in LIGHT with the new plastic compact. First off, I like the almost cream-powder texture of this makeup as well as the new white plastic compact . If you have not bought the pressed powder in the new compact, I think most will be happy with the new design. When you open the lid, there is a plastic divider on top that will hold a thin sponge and help keep the powder clean. UPDATE I have decided to return this as I feel the foundation is now too dark for me and I have noticed EM foundation has added a new ingredient that seems to be causing problems with my skin overnight. Same with the NEWLY FORMULATED LOOSE POWDER FOUNDATION. WTEFF?? Also on moral convictions as their cs seems to be going downhill as far as returns---I dont know if I will ever order from them again. unless they can show they have taken this out or offer an alternative without this ingredient. On another note: Kabuki brushes while soft are coming apart I have noticed eh. This was once my ''go to'' mm company but maybe their are getting too big and forgetting what once made them good.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lipstick in Rosy Nude
RingofFire 4/15/2010 7:54:00 PM
A nice medium toned down rose shade. Not too dark or light for my NC20-25 coloring with peach/yellowish undertone. I got this at Ulta for half price to replace a 15 dollar Studio Gear l/s which *sigh* seemed to have lost. Also got the Soft Rose nice but maybe just a shade too dark for me and daytime wear. This l/p seemed a little drying and not as moist feeling but perhaps I just got an older tube. Thankfully no scent but prefer the feel of the superlusterous l/s. Love the packaging though. 3 and half stars for the lipstick.
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Conditioner -Infusium 23 - Moisturizing Revitalizing Condition
RingofFire 2/11/2010 10:18:00 AM
2 to 2 1/2 stars WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED????!!!!!! Okay I bought the ''new'' version & they have watered down the product or changed the ingredients. BTW I used the ''Frizzologie'' one marked on the bottle. Maybe the color one would have been better. Very disappointing. Looking at the bottle I noticed Proctor and Gamble is listed on the back. Didn't Clairol used to make this? That must explain the lack of quality I guess. If anyone likes this or has oily hair, I will put this up for swap.
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Lipstick -Studio Gear - Lipstick
RingofFire 2/10/2010 8:16:00 PM
This l/s is a nice alternative to some dept store lipsticks. I have this in Bliss a nice semi sheer medium rose shade. Not much staying power but leaves a nice natural stain that compliments my warmish complexion (rare for me ). This brand is available at ULTA.
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Conditioner -Infusium 23 - Conditioner for damaged hair
RingofFire 2/10/2010 1:18:00 AM
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THIS CONDITIONER? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My fav go to drug store shampoo has been ruined! BTW I bought the one that is for frizzy hair. Frizziologie or something on the bottle. Thank you, Proctor and Gamble:Now the cheapest conditioner that retails for maybe 6-7 bucks feels like something from the dollar store. Please tell me I got a ''bad bottle or sumthin'. *Sigh* I knew something was wrong the minute I ran my fingers through my hair and couldn't do ---like in the past that something was ahem, amiss. It had been *reformuled ie: WATERED DOWN* AND I could nt barely get a comb through it after stepping out of the bath. Arrrgh!
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Lipstick -Clinique - Different Lipstick - Rose Aglow
RingofFire 4/19/2009 10:01:00 AM
I was looking for a pink or rose alternative to my usual nude brown everyday lipstick. Its a little darker than I thought it would be but is sheer enough to build up the color or blot down to a natural rosewood shade on the lips. It seems similar in color to Shy (pictured on the reviews) out of the tube, but I think would work on warmer skin tones (Im MAC NC20 with some peach undertones) I can see this working as an everyday lip color for someone with darker complexion. I like it well enough and will probably mix it with my boring nude shades to punch up the color. It gives just enough color and pigmentation without looking goth or harsh on me. The texture is smooth and fairly hydrating and non shimmer-Next to the butter-shines the Different lipstick formula by Clinique is my second favorite. Got this as a GWP so it was dirt cheap.
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Conditioner -Victoria's Secret - so sexy volumizing conditioner
RingofFire 4/2/2009 11:46:00 AM
Tried this once last night and was pleasantly surprised. I brought home the wrong conditioner after I moved and was without anything of my own. Borrowed this from someone and it softened my hair quite nicely. I dont know if it was the conditioner or maybe the soft water which I have yet to get used to, but made my hair manageable and soft. I have fine but thick hair that flys away and this did the job without making it greasy. I noticed Keratin as one of its ingredients and usually my hair responds to anything with this in it. Would consider purchasing it on my own.
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Eye Shadow -Make Up For Ever - Eye shadows
RingofFire 1/12/2009 1:14:00 PM
While I love the pigmented texture my only gripe is with the packaging it is kind of hard to open and ruins your nails. I found the trick is pressing my thumb pad against the middle top part of the lid helps as it is magnetized (there is no latch) and bracing with my middle finger helps. Also I would like to see a mirror if I am going to pay $20 for a single shadow. Yes I am getting picky in my 'old age' and in these hard times more budget conscious. 4 four stars anyway for texture and pigment. Would repurchase if they had more matte or semi matte shades. PS Thank you to the generous swapper who was willing to let go so I could try this brand. The price always scared me away.
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Lip Gloss -Youngblood - Lip Gloss
RingofFire 12/31/2008 6:45:00 PM
Update downgrading to 3 stars. A little sticky for me I do not know if this is common but this gloss seems to dry out faster/wear off faster, maybe because I moved to a drier climate it now lasts only 30-1 hour from 2-3 hours. *Sigh* Not cheap either I paid around 16 dollars I believe. Anyway there are 2 shades I liked. I chose Deja Vu a nice neutral fleshy pink-nude that was neither too pale nor bright for my slightly naturally tinted lips. My second choice was Mesmerize slightly deeper in tone with subtle shimmer. No noticeable scent either, which I prefer.
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