Cleansers -Weleda - Baby Calendula Cleanser and Shampoo
cowgurl 9/12/2009 12:10:00 AM
Only two reviews? This body was is ENCHANTING. I don't have a baby, but use it for myself. My skin is sooo hydrated and soft after using that I don't really need to follow with a moisturizer. Decent foaming action, but not really good for washing adult hair, however, so I can't fulfill my fantasy of having only one bottle in the shower. The scent is amazing -- kind of like sweat oranges but really complex and did I say AMAZING? I wish the baby lotion duplicated this scent (smells like lavender). I won't use any other bath wash. Love.
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Moisturizers -Weleda - Skin Food
cowgurl 9/11/2009 11:58:00 PM
I use this as a hand cream and it is pretty good. Can't give it five stars as it doesn't always absorb quickly -- I find I need to rub my hands on another body part to be able to pick up paper without it getting greasy. I'd say it takes about 5 minutes to absorb otherwise and that's not fast enough. Strong scent here also. Really am tempted to slather it all over my face after reading some of the reviews here, but can't comprehend how a cream full of lanolin wouldn't just cause my skin to erupt like a volcano instead of magically clearing the skin. Will update if I every try it in that way. A three star product, but I'm giving it four stars since it lasts a long time.
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Shampoo -John Masters - Lavender Rosemary Shampoo
cowgurl 8/18/2009 12:39:00 AM
Five star product, but 4 stars due to price. You know, sometimes the shampoos you hate using the most in the shower have the greatest effect after you dry your hair. This is kind of astringent -- for lack of a better description -- as you use and rinse it. I have long wavy hair that I can blow dry straight. This did a great job getting me there, Hair dried fast, tangles easily undid themselves and the result was shiny, obedient and straight hair. That works for me. The main problem, which is actually not a huge big deal is that about once a week you need to use a bunch of this to really clean your scalp. It is just that gentle despite its spicy fragrance. I just see money in my hand and washing down the drain on those days. However, this is a staple for me and I stock up whenever it's on sale. One bottle lasts me around two months at 16$ a shot, around 120$ a year -- yikes. It all adds up doesn't it?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -John Masters - Zinc & Sage Shampoo with Conditioner
cowgurl 8/18/2009 12:33:00 AM
I got a sample of this, so sometimes it's hard to tell whether it will act in the same way with continued use, but I found it to be a very adequate shampoo, though not terribly moisturizing. A very strong, yet doable Coconut scent. I tried the lavendar shampoo a day later and my hair looked great. These would probably be good to use alternatingly. I may stick with the lavendar since my hair just seemed more free, while the zinc shamp was a little too weighty for every day.
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Toners -Sukí - Suki concentrated facial toner
cowgurl 8/17/2009 10:57:00 PM
Well. I completely dissed Suki in another review (for the exfo cleanser) but I find that this one product makes up for it. Their cleanser made me break out super fast, but this toner is something I reach for every day. I like the ingredients and the fact that it has vitamin C in it. It is the perfect toner for use before serums and moisturizers. I can't say enough good things about it. It replaced my long-time Hauschka toner and they cost the same. I grew up on German products, so I feel a bit torn -- oh, well. I like that Suki is USA made.
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Cleansers -Sukí - Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser
cowgurl 8/17/2009 6:06:00 PM
Wow. For a signature product, and something that's passed off as a potential daily cleanser, this is way too harsh. The sugar granules are large and feel painful and the brew they are in is just a mess. I used it twice, only lighly applying and using water to melt the sugar, but I still received highly suspicious red, cystic zits within only a day or so of first use and I know these were from Suki since they had that big old red ring around them that only comes from having irritated your face -- I have acne-prone sking, and never get these under ordinary circumstances. At the same time, I don't consider myself to have sensitive skin (which is why I blew off all the reviews complaining that this made them break out) but I sure regretted it. Don't splurge on the full size and buy sample size only. Suki has three products I absolutely love (balancing oil, toner and clay mask/cleanser) but this gets ZERO stars.
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Lip Treatments -Dr. Hauschka - Lip Balm - pot
cowgurl 7/27/2009 4:20:00 PM
Five star product, but price-wise -- are you kidding me??? You will be cursing the sheer balls of Dr. Hauschka when you see that the pot isn't even filled to the top like some of the photos make it appear (BALLS!!!) -- and you just paid 13-16$ for .14 oz!!!The texture of this is soft, even when it's not hot out, so don't dip your finger in too strongly. I'd be worried carrying it around in the summer and then opening the jar when it's all melty, but again, since it's only half full, probably it wouldn't splash out. This is the only balm that works for me. I just love the rose scent, sweet taste, and the calendula works well on my lips to stop chapping. I agree that it's great before bed since the scent and texture are so mild and appealing. Very hydrating (for me)... I am a reluctant slave to Hauschka when it comes to this balm .. and have repurchased.
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Skincare - Body -Dr. Hauschka - Body Oil
cowgurl 7/26/2009 6:00:00 AM
I heart these oils. I've tried two so far. My favorite is the Blackthorn -- it has a woodsy scent, somehow like spruce -- but really sophisticated and not terribly strong. It's great for tired gams and feet but has a lot of tannins and vitamins so it's apparently used to avoid stretch marks. I can see how this would be true, it's very toning and hydradting, yet not oily. I can't say enough good things about it. Apply to moist skin and the container will last forever. I keep it in the fridge so it stays fresh. I've also tried the rose oil, This is a light rose scent with a white pepper note, so you won't smell like grandma, but I so much prefer the first one.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Evening primrose oil
cowgurl 7/26/2009 2:37:00 AM
GLA in the form of Primrose or Borage works best when taken with Lecithin. Also, small doses of Selenium help to protect the oils as they work their way through the body (you may get enough Selenium for your diet and I think this is something you should consider, but definitely it's safe and important to take the Lecithin with the GLA). You must also take these oils with meals, preferably with fats -- and you may want to take a fish oil (or a good 3-6-9- combo) with it - for proper absorption. Good information is available on the web.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Dr. Hauschka - Lip Balm - stick
cowgurl 7/25/2009 10:54:00 AM
I have been looking for a lip balm to replace the one I got as a gift at a spa in Germany. The jojoba in this creats a lip gloss effect hard to find in other chap sticks. It's not the best as far as for healing chapped lips (mine are chronic), but it's great if you are in the mood for some gloss from a healthy product line. Eco-lips has a similar glossy formula, for a lot less, but I just love Hauschka since the brand comes close to letting me realize my fantasy of using products from only one line. There is a video online about Hauschka and how they run their factory -- "the holistic production of Dr. Hauschka products" -- of course, it's a commercial, but it gives you an understanding of the products' high cost.
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Cleansers -Dr. Hauschka - Cleansing Milk
cowgurl 7/25/2009 9:20:00 AM
I have used this with a Clarisonic -- no press and roll for me -- and it works great. My skin has gotten sensitive since I started on Juice Beauty Apple Serum, so I have to move on due to the alcohol content in this. I still like to use it with the clay mask though and will go back to it if I ever stop using AHAs. Unfortunately, due to my combo/acne skin, I have got to use those. FYI - to enjoy this product, you must use a moist washcloth to rinse off completely. For Haushka, I had a great experience ordering from Dusson and Beautorium which often have great sales. Regularly, this retails for 36 USD..
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Sunscreen -Boscia - Illuminating UVA/UVB SPF 30
cowgurl 6/26/2009 10:57:00 AM
I think this is a great physical sunblock that I enjoy using. The scent is powder soft and it goes on with a matte feel. It's not drying and has a slight pink tint, presumably to counteract white cast. This seems to work, unlike many physical blocks I've used. I have downgraded one lippie, because it contains alumina (one of the last ingredients) and I'm not too sure about the safety of that. I have applied this with Boscia SPF 15 lotion (which I really think is great also, but not strong enough SPF), and they work great together. I have finally settled on this over MyChelle since this is not sticky.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Boscia - Purifying Cleansing Gel
cowgurl 6/25/2009 11:28:00 PM
I had some hopes that I could buy all my face care from one line (an AR fantasy I have), and I'm experimenting with Boscia, but this cleanser just doesn't fit. It doesn't feel like it rinses clean since it's too heavily perfumed, so it feels like it's lingering, kind of drying. I think it is making me break out. Grrrr. So, it's become a very expensive body wash. My cream DermaE glycolic cleanser is more gentle. This is very "detergenty" and just not as gentle as this line would suggest. It needs to be more subtle. I don't like a perfumed face wash. Since this is the median cleanser, it's giving me doubts about the quality of this line.
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Sunscreen -MyChelle - Sun Shield SPF 28
cowgurl 6/15/2009 7:09:00 PM
In my quest for a physical sunscreen, this is pretty good and at a very decent price. Easy to find at Whole Foods or Vitacost. I will try Boscia's new higher SPF block, but unless that blows, I will stick with this. The directions recommend that you use this over a moisturizer, so that could be the reason for the complaints about dryness. Physical sunscreens bite the big one, but I am actually pleased with this purchase. No scent, matte application and no white cast. I did not find it sticky. EDIT: I tried Boscia and it's better in feel, but I think the MyChell is better in protection. MyChelle is somewhat sticky and you need to follow with a powder. I have blown so much money trying sunscreens. I have also tried Juice Beauty sunscreen since it has better ingredients, but similar feel. I know that my search is not over. Sigh.
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Cleansers -Derma E - Glycolic Facial Cleanser with Marine Plant Extracts
cowgurl 6/4/2009 12:24:00 AM
This is much more gentle than other cream glycolics out there -- the added marine extracts help to keep balance -- if you're not alergic to them. This is PERFECT for use with a clarisonic brush. My skin has cleared up dramatically. I have used it 2x a day without problems. I messed around with other cleansers but feel confident that this is my absolute HG for controlling acne and evening skin tone. It's non drying and added fragrance free! Cost is about 10$ and last 4ever. I have found it particularly useful after I do OCM to ensure that all the oil is rinsed. This what's in it: Purified Water, Chamomile Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Spirulina, Sea Weed, Aloe Vera Gel, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Citricidal, Phenoxyethanol
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No