Conditioner -Jessicurl - Jessicurl - Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 3:57:00 PM
I really loved this for a time, and do think it may be what turned my hair for the better, but alas, the ingredients are a bit too rich and it breaks out my arms and neck even though I wash my body after. It is pricey when you add in shipping. I have switched to DevaCare.
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Shampoo -Jessicurl - Hair Cleansing Cream
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 3:52:00 PM
Edit 6/10~I returned to this after my experiment with Devacare LowPoo~my hair definitely needs the moisture this provides...I just need to be vigilant in cleansing my neck/back after using this and the Too Shea Conditioner. I've also used the Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo, which is good for a bit more cleansing power, while still not drying out the hair.~end I really liked this for a time, and used it regularly, but have found the ingredients too rich at times and alas gives me acne on my normally clear neck and arms, even though I wash my body afterward. Very pricey when you add in shipping. I have switched to DevaCare.
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Treatments (Eye) -Philosophy - Eye Hope Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream
dragonflygirl7 1/12/2010 3:48:00 PM
I got a sample of this with a web purchase so I eagerly smoothed some on that evening. I am not terribly sensitive and cannot understand what in this stung my eyes, but I did have to wash it of within minutes, it was that uncomfortable. I did not have any irritation going before I tried this, so maybe it is the sandalwood oil or the bark extract or the niacinamide...? I do like many of their other products, though. Too bad on this one ...for me anyway.
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Hair -Aveda - Salon Hair coloring
dragonflygirl7 12/13/2009 4:17:00 PM
I've been going to my local little Mom and daughter salon to have my hair colored with Aveda color for at least 2 years, and I cannot say enough good things about my experiences there. The ladies are very sweet and even since they redid the whole salon over, they haven't changed their prices. It is no more than any other color I've ever gotten, but it agrees with my hair (and scalp) tremendously. I love the shade we've picked for my dark brown hair; a warm brown 2 shades lighter~the only grey I ever see is the regrowth. I've gotten many samples of product (I am not that impressed with many of those, but do have a few favs), and much advice (and I ask for a lot of it) and they never have any hint of attitude, unlike the huge expensive salon at the other end of town where just the haircuts are $75 and up, and you get to pay extra for the prima donna garbage.
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Conditioner -Aveda - Dry Remedy
dragonflygirl7 12/13/2009 4:06:00 PM
I'm pretty conflicted on whether I'd purchase this again because for the price, I expected more... more vitality to my hair, more shine...something to justify the price. I try to stay cone free, but this does contain them. It does add lots of moisture to my dry wavy hair, and softness, too, but I think all the conditioning ingredients (and no, this is not without some serious chemicals) do build up and I can only use this a few times a week along w/the shampoo. My stylist at the Aveda salon annoys me continually by asking me whether I'm using Aveda or not, in a way that seems as though she feels all of my hair issues are due to the fact that I do not use Aveda only. I use Jessicurl, Giovanni, and Abba sometimes and think maybe some of those are better...but my hair is very capricious and I tend to change it up based on how it's behaving (or not). I do love my Aveda color, though, and have been getting it colored there for a couple of years~and I do like the company~it's just not the end all, be all my stylist thinks it is.
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Shampoo -Aveda - Dry Remedy
dragonflygirl7 12/13/2009 3:59:00 PM
I'm pretty conflicted on whether I'd purchase this again because for the price, I expected more... more vitality to my hair, more shine...something to justify the price. I try to stay cone free, but this does contain them. It does add lots of moisture to my dry wavy hair, and softness, too, but I think all the conditioning ingredients (and no, this is not without some serious chemicals) do build up and I can only use this a few times a week along w/the conditioner. My stylist at the Aveda salon annoys me continually by asking me whether I'm using Aveda or not, in a way that seems as though she feels all of my hair issues are due to the fact that I do not use Aveda only. I use Jessicurl, Giovanni, and Abba sometimes and think maybe some of those are better...but my hair is very capricious and I tend to change it up based on how it's behaving (or not). I do love my Aveda color, though, and have been getting it colored there for a couple of years~and I do like the company~it's just not the end all, be all my stylist thinks it is.
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Styling Products -Paul Mitchell - Paul Mitchell -Extra Body Sculpting Foam
dragonflygirl7 11/25/2009 6:10:00 AM
A girl I work with has similarly curly/wavy hair to mine and she recommend I try this since my regular Aussie mousse wasn't giving me the hold and volume I wanted. She uses this with a couple other PM products, but I just tried this. Unfortunately, it left my hair feeling coated and slightly sticky, and after a few uses, my hair looked and felt dry~not smooth or conditioned like when I used the regular PM sculpting foam (which I now use and love). I actually felt embarrassed that my hair looked so bad and ended up having to put it up in a clip! I'm perplexed as to how her hair looks so good with this, but that's why there are so many products out there~not everything works for everyone. Quite pricey, but there's a discount hair supply store nearby where it's at least a few bucks cheaper than CVS or salons.
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Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation SPF 15
dragonflygirl7 10/24/2009 8:06:00 PM
update 5/29/10~This is my go to foundation at this point. It works best for me in cooler weather, when my skin is drier. I believe I have figured out how to apply this so that it lasts...I use a brush and then smooth with my fingers, then dust with powder. I think I may have been skimping before, or the retin-a has changed my skin a bit and made it more receptive to this formula...which is definitely dewey. I use about 2 pumps. In the summer I've switched to EL Double Wear to withstand the heat and humidity. (This one you need to skimp on or it's masky!) I tried the BB Long Lasting Foundation (new), but that doesn't withstand the serious summer heat either. I stand by my statement that the BB concealer and corrector are inferior and are not worth bothering with...for me...and it bugs me because she has said it's the most important step to looking fresh.~ *end update* I really liked this for many reasons. It's thin and very pigmented, not thick and goopy, spreads easily, and has a very believable and yes, "skin" -like finish. The natural 4 was a good match for me in my post summer skin tone. I probably would've needed to go a tad lighter in the dead of winter. I even got a compliment on my skin while wearing this, but alas, that was early in the day...by noon this had worn off in my t-zone, which is not oily by any means, but surely not dry either...just normal. I don't mind a sheer coverage, but really hate when a sheer coverage turns to no coverage. From a makeup artist's line and especially for the price I expected a lot more. I also tried Bobbi's corrector with very mediocre results (separate review) I do like her book for ideas, and would try other makeup to see if it's any better, but I'm not dying to do so based on my initial experience.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Vichy - Purete Thermale Demaquillant Integral One Step Cleanser 3in1
dragonflygirl7 10/12/2009 11:10:00 AM
This is a rich "cleanser", and not for those who want a clean feel after rinsing. This was almost impossible to rinse off, although the SA told me it would rinse easily. I felt as though I had a layer of shea butter remaining on my face. it might be great for someone with exceptionally dry skin, or those who don't mind cleansing after, because for me, it's more of a makeup remover than anything.
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Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
dragonflygirl7 9/20/2009 8:39:00 AM
I so wanted this to work! I love BB Skin foundation and was looking for an HG concealer to cover some darkness in the corner of my eyes and below. This is quite thick and "oily" feeling when it first goes on. I have some very fine, barely noticeable fine lines under my eyes, but no matter which way I try this, use more, use less, moisturize lightly, moisturize heavily, set with powder or not, it creases into those little lines and makes me look older. I expected a better concealer from a makeup artist's line, but perhaps there's another BB concealer method that will work for me. Going back to the counter with this one :(
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Kiehls - Creme with Silk Groom
dragonflygirl7 9/18/2009 8:50:00 AM
I am fairly sure that the proteins in this made my hair feel brittle after a few uses. I have wavy shoulder length color treated hair that can frizz in humidity and get fly aways in dry air. This might be OK for occasional use~but I have a DS mousse that I like much better (Aussie). I use a diffuser to dry.
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Fragrances -Chanel - No 5 Eau Premiere
dragonflygirl7 9/1/2009 3:00:00 PM
I wanted to find a scent that was fresh, effervescent, and not sweet ~ like a bottle of fine champagne ~ and I found it in this! Wearing this has me in a great mood and I can just as well wear it with a t-shirt and jeans as a little black dress. Wait...do I have a little black dress? Nevertheless... This is my favorite perfume and it's a good thing because the bottle is huge~and just slightly cumbersome.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - Matte Foundation spf 15
dragonflygirl7 9/1/2009 2:41:00 PM
Update 3/2012~I am upping the lippies to 4 and here's why...this is a simple formula, and not as matte as I thought due to learning to go over this with the brush a little more. It gives good coverage and withstands the heat and humidity without the itchy/burning feeling or shine of the original. I probably won't use this other than in warm weather, but then, my skin requires completely different skin care and makeup in the summer vs. winter. The shade Medium Beige is fairly forgiving on my slightly olive NC30 skin. I do feel as though I should mention that due to the tenacity of minerals buffed into the skin, I think they should be removed with an oil precleanse so as to avoid mineral residue remaining in the pores and potentially clogging them. My favorite for this purpose is Silk Naturals Apricot Cleansing Oil, but there are many others!~End Update This...is...matte. If you are oily, you may like this version of the normally shiny BE. I found it to be too matte, dry and one dimensional. I hear that they added some of the rare minerals to this~perhaps that's oil absorbing. The medium beige in the original is far more neutral than this medium beige, which is more peachy on me. Now if they could come up with a formula for normal skin...
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Christian Dior - Miss Dior Cherie
dragonflygirl7 7/4/2009 8:27:00 AM
I sampled this for 4 days to give it a fair shot. It is an interesting scent in that, for all its syrupy sweetness, there is an overall melange of perfume, alcohol and smoke which reminds me of being in a bar. It intrigues me so because I don't suppose it's what the perfumer was after, but probably my body chemistry with this one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Occitane - Myrtle EDP
dragonflygirl7 4/10/2009 8:01:00 AM
Just absolutely love this fragrance...fresh, soft, light and natural, with some depth and mystery...refreshing. It's artfully combined with cranberry and mandarin, and a very clean patchouli. I think it reminds me of the beach here in the Northeast, as the myrtle note is similar to the bayberries that grow along the shore in most parts of New England...a salt note that lies underneath a penetrating herbal smell, like lavender, but less floral. I could wear this everyday!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No