Shampoo -Joico - K-Pak Reconstruct Shampoo for Dry or Damaged Hair
hags101 9/30/2009 7:24:00 PM
This set is great. It compares to my Brocato Cloud 9 protein shampoo and conditioner, but this one is lighter. It would be Kick Butt for someone who is looking for protein and a good shampoo/conditioner set, but does not want the wieight (like for fine haired gals). I have fine hair (but TONS of hair) with a frizzy outer texture (and natural waves if I let my hair dry naturally). Like Brocate Cloud 9, this left me with lots of SHINE (natural luster), but tons more bounce (without the added frizz that some shampoos give me). It also felt pampering to my hair (gentle -but still got my hair clean and I get greasy roots, but I had to use more shampoo than usual -even compared to Brocato). It does not suds up like high sulfate shampoos and I feel that it is gentle on my color treated hair. The best part is that JcPenny was having a liter sale 2/21.99 of this stuff and TradeSecret did a price comparison for me. I do not know what I am going to do when it is nolonger on sale/or runs out..... I can't see paying $60-80 for this set regular price......I will have to shop around. I do however swap this with my Brocato so it should last a long long time.
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Treatments -Joico - k-pak deep penetrating reconstructor
hags101 9/11/2009 7:12:00 PM
I tried this one week before I got my hair foiled blonde. I thought that the thick texture and slight banana smell was nice. After rinsing it out (left it on for 40 minutes with a shower cap) I used my usual Biolage Conditioning Balm to add moisture back in since I read that protein treatments can be drying (note: I now replaced the conditioning balm with L'Oreal Natures Therapy Mega moisture because it is awesome!). I really could not tell right away if it had strenghtened my hair, but even after the conditioning balm my hair was dull dull dull! I had my hair foiled blonde (basically bleached) and the stylist turned my hair brassy. I had to go in the next day and get a color correction in which they had to turn me blonder to get most of the orange out of my hair. Earlier during the day I had the Aveda based salon do a protein treatment (Aveda one) under the dryer (cause I knew how much more hell my hair was going to go through!). Later that day they did a bleach wash (washed my hair with shampoo mixed with bleach to reopen the cuticle) and than dried my hair. From there they added in foils (two blondes: one with a 10 volume and the other with a 30 vol. developer) and semi perminate low lights (ashy color). Than when they were done they dried and restyled my hair. I must note that they dried and styled it earlier after the Aveda protein treatment. Anyways, the stylists (all of them in the salon that day) were surprized at how well my hair stood up to the harsh bleaching and correction bleaching and I think that 1/2 the credit goes to Joico and the other 1/2 goes to getting another protein treatment before the color corection (although I do not think the brand matters!) WOUILD I BUY THIS AGAIN? NO!!! Why??? do you ask since it probably saved my hair? Because it was $27.95 for an 8oz bottle and I found a replacement from Sally's called GVP (Generic Value Products) Reconstructing Conditioner which is an EXACT DUPLICATE of Joico K-pack for only $6.99/8oz! The generic one also left my hair shiny with the conditioning balm after.
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Conditioner -L'Oreal - Nature's Therapy Mega Moisture Nurturing Creme
hags101 9/11/2009 6:55:00 PM
I fell in love with this stuff! I tried the GVP version of Clariol Shimmer Lights (from Sally's) and did like the directions said and washed twice. After my long hair (middle of back) was a complete rat's nest (sticking up everywhere with crazy snarls). I just had my hair foiled blonde and the stylist turned my hair brassy. I had to go in the next day and get a color correction in which they had to turn me blonder to get most of the orange out of my hair. Anyways, I used this after the purple drying shampoo (which I will continue to use as all of these types of shampoo are drying) and I was breathless as to how thick and creamy this is! It is so drenching with moisture it is almost an oil -without the oilyness. It moisturized and coated my hair perfectly without being heavy. I rinsed it out (I started leaving my hair a little slippery from deep conditioners so they can lock in the moisture) and was surprized at how much of the moisture was still there from the conditioner without my hair being weighed down. This stuff is my new HG and it completely blows my previous HG Biologe Conditioning Balm out of the water! Besides, doesn't everyone want a deep conditioner that still conditions and softens their hair after they rinse it out? I do! My hair was left shiny and super moisturized! This will also be my new after deep protein treatment deep conditioner (I will stop looking because I will not trust anything else to drench my hair with moisture!). It was also only $2 more for the 16oz jar (making it $12.99 from Sally's) and I love it so much I would pay $40 a jar (shh...don't tell!). Try it! You will not want anything else!
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Self Tanners -Mario Badescu - Self Tanning Lotion Oil Free
hags101 9/6/2009 9:02:00 AM
I had a stylist bleach my hair and put in ugly brassy and yellow highlights when I wanted to be beige/ash blonde. I had to go in and get highlighted again and they had to go lighter to strip out the copper/orange color. Anyways I am so thankful that I ordered this prior because my hair is now so light it is almost white (more natural looking than the orange, but still very very blonde even with the blue-beige low lights they put in). First this self tanning lotion is more like a watery gel. The ingredients are few and so they do not aggreviate my very acne prone skin. I put it on last night on slightly dewy skin (from misting) as they recommended. I washed my hands good. This morning I woke up and found that I had a natural color to my skin. It is not streaky anywhere and my hands are not stained. This self tanner gives a light natural color, not a dark tan like some self tanners can give -but I also feel that this is a buildable self tanner. I really do not think that this stuff (the color added to the skin) will peel off after a couple days (like other self tanners can do if the color is built up). The smell (reg. self tanning ingredient smell) is light and goes away after you wash your face. I think that at $12 a bottle this stuff will last a long time. I took a nickle sized portion and it worked on my damp face, neck, and chest (area that will show through a deep v-neck shirt). It is made for the face and body and did not clog my pores on my face (like most tanners do!). I would say that this gives a lighter color than Lancomes flash bronzer (but Lancomes bronzer is tinted, tiny tiny tiny, and expensive for how long it lasts!) I am very fair (NC15-NW20) so this may not show up on darker skin very well without building it.
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Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
hags101 9/4/2009 9:27:00 AM
I finally tried this precleansing oil. It made me break out. I got the regular pimples plus whiteheads! I was not impressed with the cleanser. I am happy that I finally got to compare it to my homemade brew of cleansing oil (which knocks DHC out of the water!!!). I use Hemp seed oil high in linolic (35%), Sunflower seed oil high in linolic (35%), Rosemary extract (1 drop per oz of oil), polysorbate 80 (15%), and Peg-7 Olivate (15%). I do not even need a cleanser after with the homemade version (and still no breakouts!) It takes off my heavy sunscreen and eye makeup. It also does not strip my skin while getting it deep down clean. I had to go in to the salon to get a color and cut correction and they had to do 2 seperate appointments (one for cut the other for color). So I washed my face with the cleansing oil in the morning. In the afternoon after my cut I had to rewash my face because they got conditioner on the sides of my face (yikes-cystic pimple haven!). Later that afternoon I had to rewash because they got conditioner on my face again after the color. That evening I had to wash again to take off the sunscreen and makeup off that I had applied for the night out on the town. My face wasn't even stripped (with dry patches) and it did not overproduce oil like it normally would from washing so frequently! My skin was still moist and glowed like usual (from using this kind of cleanser)! I don't even worry about a product breaking me out anymore (major acne prone) because the cleansing oil (homemade) cleans my skin so deep!
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Sunscreen -Bath and Body Works - True Blue Spa - Zero Tolerance SPF 50 Sunscreen
hags101 8/24/2009 12:44:00 PM
I was not impressed with this or the 29 and Holding sunscreen. The price was decent (sale 2 for $20), but it was thick and greasy and stung around the creases on the nose. A loose powder took care of the greasy look, but the coverage was just ok. I did get a little pink out in the full afternoon sun (which I do not get with Coppertone spray for the body -which I would not use on the face). I did not get full blown red so it did cover some, but not as much as I would like. It does linger into the eyes (even though I put it above my eyebrows and on the bone under the eye) and stings. The 29 and Holding has a nice scent, but it is really strong for the face and my eyes (that are not sensitive) stung just from the strong scent. I will be using this until I can find something better for under $40. It has not seemed to make me break out (but I do use a homemade pre-cleansing oil to remove it which can be stubborn). I also use around a 1/2 tsp of product to ensure good sun protection. EDIT: I am taking one more lippie off this product. I was at the lake with my family and burned through this on my sensitive neck and chest. I was also horrified because I used this on my son (ran out of the coppertone spray)..... I rubbed it into his skin and made him wait 40 minutes before entering the water (just to make sure it would sink in). After he entered the water his skin looked white with a glue substance on it. It than immediately rinsed off with one swim! Terrible stuff! I can't believe this bottle is $16.99!
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Skincare - Face -Garden of Wisdom - Rosehips Seed Oil
hags101 4/15/2009 8:49:00 AM
I love to use Rosehips Seed Oil as an undereye moisturizer for the day and night. It is also wonderful in an oil cleanser or as a face moisturizer. This oil is organic and is full of nutrients. I like the oil from MountainRoseHerbs a tiny bit better (a little darker color and a tad more fragrant) because it seems a little more nutrient, but there is not much of a difference. Besides, at GardenOfWisdom, this oil (along with other stuff) can be purchased in a 1oz portion for a cheaper price ($3.90) instead of paying $10 for 4oz. Rosehips Seed oil can also go rancid quickly, so I keep 1/2 oz in the fridge and 1/2 oz in a tinted 1 oz pump bottle (also from GOW for $1.50) to keep it from spoiling (from light and air). I will purchase this over and over! Since the oil does not keep for very long, I usually rush to use up the entire 4 oz.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Garden of Wisdom - Castor Oil
hags101 4/15/2009 8:40:00 AM
The consistency of this castor oil is similar to the ones that can be purchased at drugstores (Walmart, Target, Walgreens...). I was expecting the oil to be thinner like the organic castor oils. This oil is cold processed though which is good, and it is only $3.05 for 8oz which is great. In the future I will be buying the organic Castor Oil from MountainRoseHerbs because I really like the thin consistency....the thin stuff is easier to use as a lash treatment and hair oil because it is not thick (and kind of sticky). *****Update: I just ordered my regular organic castor oil from MRH and they are basically the same. The consistencies are very similar. I will purchase this oil from GOW again.
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Skincare - Face -Garden of Wisdom - Chamomile Hydrosol
hags101 4/13/2009 12:29:00 PM
I tried this after I over-processed my skin trying out a new face mask with Balsam Peru essential oil (1 drop) in Rose Kaolin Clay. The EO stung like my face was on fire! It left my skin so red that I had thought the red clay had stained my skin. I rinsed off the mask and had to wash my face twice to get the EO off. My face was left too clean (squeeky clean) and severely irritated. I sprayed this hydrosol on and it made my face feel much better. It took away a lot of the pain and burning. I followed with Mario Badescu Healing and Soothing Mask. This hydrosol has a light herbal scent to it. I did not find it moisturizing (not sure if any hydrosol can be), but it certainly was soothing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Mario Badescu - Healing and Soothing Mask
hags101 4/13/2009 12:20:00 PM
This stuff calms down my face so much. I tried making my own concoction of Balsam Peru essential oil in Rose Kaolin Clay only to find that the Balsam Peru (only 1 drop) burns like my face was in a fire! Even after I rinsed the mask off my face was burning from the essential oil. I washed my face with the MB seaweed cleansing soap and it was gentle to my skin and took some of the stinging away. I was still left with raw chapped and really red skin. My face was so red I was unsure if the red clay had stained my skin! I sprayed my face with some Chamomile hydrosol (from GardenOfWisdom) which made it feel a little more comfortable. It was still red and irritated though.... until I put on this mask. It immediately soothed my over-processed skin and took away the redness. It does leave a slight film, but that is the good products (including a different form of Balsam Peru in a much smaller dose) minus the clay left on the skin. I am extremely acnegenic, and this stuff does not break me out. I will leave it on for a couple of hours.
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Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Proclaim Olive Spray-On Glosser
hags101 4/13/2009 12:11:00 PM
I love how shiny and frizz free this made my hair! I was not impressed with the spray on damp hair (didn't do much for me), but yesterday I tried it on my dry hair. Putting it on dry hair glossed down my frizzy outer texture and made it shine like polished granite! WOW! I have a lot of hair, but the strands are thin with a frizzy outer texture all the way to my roots. I have never found anything that has smoothed down the outer frizz before. My hair is also recovering from a dye job so it has lost its natural luster. I will buy this over and over again. UPDATE**** I stopped using this. I started using this by spraying it on my hands and applying to my hair. My hair looked shiny, but the shine wore off in a couple of hours. Well I decided to spray it on when my hair was 1 day dirty and product free (a day after washing) when my hair is usually still shiny (even more shiny than the day before- and naturally). Well I accidently used a little too much. After about an hour my hair nolonger looked wet (which was great), but towards the end of the day my hair was DULL DULL DULL! What I mean is that THIS PRODUCT TOOK THE NATURAL LUSTER OUT OF MY HAIR AND MADE IT SUPER DULL! I washed my hair the next day and I still do not have my natural luster back (and I scrubbed all my hair -roots and TIPS and deep conditioned with my Loreal Mega Moisture which usually leaves me really shiny!) I also noticed that my bleached blonde hair is getting really dried out from this stuff. It was in great shape....and in 2 wks my hair now has those white dots where it is breaking off and fringed at the end. I am on the lookout for something else. DEFINITELY NOT FOR USE ON COLOR TREATED OR PROCESSED HAIR!
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Lotions/ Creams -Mario Badescu - Super Rich Olive Body Lotion
hags101 4/4/2009 1:40:00 PM
This is a decent thick body lotion..... however it does not last past an hour. I have super oily skin, but dry surface cracks/ashy legs. I did a trial run with this lotion and my trusty Curel Ultra Healing Lotion Intensive formula for 3 days. I put the MB on one leg (same leg each time) and the Curel on the other. The MB one is thicker and the Curel is more emollient. After one hour I can see the tiny spots where my skin has lifted up from shaving with the Mario Badescu lotion (not with the Curel). After 3 hours (maybe sooner -but this is when I checked) My leg with the Mario Badescu lotion had surface cracks back and was looking ashy again. The Curel one was still looking moist and shiny (healthy). I also shaved with regular soap once before doing my comparison (super dry shaving with regular soap). Curel Ultra Healing Lotion works MUCH better than this stuff. I may add extra virgin olive oil to my formula of Curel lotion to make it extra extra moisturizing. The good part about this lotion is that it seems like it would not make my already acne prone back break out.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Curel - Ultra Healing Daily Moisture Therapy Lotion
hags101 4/4/2009 1:32:00 PM
This is for the intensive lotion. This is the best moisturizer I have used. It has a nice and somewhat thin consistency to it. It moisturizes well and keeps working all day. My legs are still smooth and shiny (compared to dry surface cracks and ashy) when I climb in the tub before I go to bed. It even stands up to those days when I shaved with dial soap (super drying). I will purchase again and again. I may even add some extra virgin olive oil to the formula. This beats Mario Badescu's Olive oil body lotion hands down!
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Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Bee Pollen Night Cream
hags101 4/4/2009 8:29:00 AM
I agree with the other reviewer. I liked the smell and thick consistency of this product.... until I woke up in the morning with pimples. This does make an excellent eye cream though.
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Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - buttermilk moisturizer
hags101 4/4/2009 8:18:00 AM
I really wanted to like this one. I have oily/acne prone/sensitive/combo skin. I used this during the day under my sunscreen because my face was dry. By the end of the day I had two whiteheads pop up in the crease of my nose! I haven't had pimples in such a long time (because of my MB product use). A day later I got some whiteheads on my chin. I will not use this again for a facial moisturizer. Maybe on the lips or under the eyes at night though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No