Styling Products -TRESemme - Thermal Creations Volumizing Mousse
heathermrm 10/25/2012 10:19:00 AM
Big poufy hair (I have an inverted, layered bob, fine, color treated hair), cheap price, easy to find, so what's not to like? Only the fact that my hair feels sticky w/ it in (after blow-drying), but I can partially counteract this w/ Frederic Fekkai's Brilliant Glossing Cream. So why did I say "no" to re-purchase? Because I get the exact same results w/out the sticky feeling from John Frieda Luxurious Volumizing Mousse. However, for me, the JF is getting harder and harder to find so, I will probably re-purchase, but only if my JF is no longer an option.
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Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant
heathermrm 10/15/2012 10:18:00 AM
If I have a skin irritation under my arms (which happens occasionally), my HG (Crystal roll-on) seems to further irritate, so I grab this and use for a few days. It works relatively well for me (as in I can get 8 hours w/ no smell/stink vs my Crystal which gives me 24 hours of no smell/stink), so I'm not as confident as when I wear the Crystal, but when I need a break from Crystal, this is the only other natural non-aluminium containing deo that does work for me. I have gotten to a point in my life that I crave confidence so I won't re-purchase, but I will use up my 1 backup (I keep it in my gym bag) and the other is up for swap.
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Hair Styling Tools -Revlon - Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline 1875 Watt Retractable Cord Hair Dryer
heathermrm 10/15/2012 8:52:00 AM
This thing rocks - I am now on my 2nd one!! (my first one died after 1.5 years of daily usage which yes, that is a drawback, but not enough for me to deduct a lippie. Its 1875 watts = powerful. It combines ionic, ceramic and tourmaline technology w/ not only a retractable cord BUT the hand folds in = GREAT for travel!! It imparts some shine, seems to dry my hair faster and I notice less damage to my hair over the long haul compared w/ my prior dryers. My 1 suggestion to the company = make it so all grills can come off for cleaning (you know, that fuzz that inevitably accumulates in the screens - the back one screws off, but not any on the sides). I no longer need a separate travel dryer = BONUS!! LOVE LOVE THIS!! There are 2 speeds and 3 heat settings + a cool shot button.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -John Frieda - Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse
heathermrm 10/15/2012 8:38:00 AM
Am experimenting w/ volumizing products since my HG was d/c a year ago and I am running out of my backups (David Babaii Volcanic Ash Sculpting Clay). This stuff workx!! I do get volume that in conjunction w/ my hairspray = lasts all day. If I want INSANE volume, I add in a volumizing root powder. The only reason I'm giving this a 4 instead of a 5 is that it does leave my hair a bit sticky - I can tell there is product in it- but I cement my hair w/ hairspray anyway, so this is most definitely not a deal breaker. If you have long straight hair that you want people to run your fingers thru, be advised this may not be for you. But if you want all day volume, I recommend trying this. However, be warned, there is no lid w/ this bottle (at least there wasn't w/ mine so I'm assuming this to hold true for all) = no traveling w/ this product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
heathermrm 10/1/2012 5:01:00 PM
Well I don't have oily skin, but I only wear long-wearing products and while I have several HGs currently in my rotation, I, like a lot of other ladies, am always interested in trying the latest/greatest (I could save a lot of money if I stopped this!) :) I purchased in Buff which is the same color I can wear in the regular Colorstay foundation (normal/dry version). For reference, I'm NC15 in MAC, Fairly Light in EM, Ivory in Rimmel 25 hour Lasting Finish. Skin: 47 years old, wrinkles - not yet (except around my eyes THANK GOD), combo skin (slightly drier cheeks, slightly oiler t-zone), not acne prone (2 zits during TTOTM, but can clog w/ wrong product), subtype 1 (blushing) rosacea on cheeks, chin, nose, and a few melasma spots. I insist in high pigment saturation in my foundation (be it MMU or liquid) to cover my melasma + rosacea w/ out having to use a trowel. I love the consistency of this foundation; I hate the packaging. I've tried it now 3x w/ 3 different application methods: fingers (which while workx the best, I hate blending w/ my fingers); damp beauty blender sponge; flat top foundation brush. It doesn't settle in my few fine lines, does last ALL DAY even w/out a setting spray, but for me, it doesn't have enough pigment saturation = I can still see my melasma and rosacea slightly which to me, is more than enough. Also, I could never get it blended to that airbrushed look (which if I experimented a few more times, I bet I could get, but not going to work that hard.) I guess I should have learned from my foray into the regular Colorstay that it wouldn't cover enough for me personally. O well - both are up for swap so hopefully they will find good homes :) PS - no breakouts, no clogging, not bothersome to my rosacea in the 3x I tried.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
heathermrm 10/1/2012 4:50:00 PM
I was fortunate to get in a swap (fresh product) as I wanted to compare w/ my own cheap blend of grapeseed/ sweet almond/ castor/ vitamin E oil blend w/ emulsifier that I created which works great, but like a lot of other ladies, I'm always looking to try the next best thing. :) I have 47 year old. combo, not acne prone unless TTOTM (= 2 zits), but I can clog w/ the wrong product, subtype I rosacea (blushing) on cheeks, nose, chin and some spots of melasma. The first 3 nights I used I REALLY loved!! Of course, it removes EVERYTHING (and all I wear is long wearing products), but I noticed that after night 3, my face felt kinda dry/tight = NOT a good feeling. I did like that fact that it had more slip than my concoction (not sure how that's possible, but its true) and completely rinses away. I did break out or clog from those 3 nights nor did it bother my rosacea. I will not purchase, I am adding to my own concoction to use up, (and now weeks later = still no clogs/breakouts or problems w/ my rosacea) but I think when all is said and done and all my oils are used up, I'm going to try MO w/ an emulsifier just to cut down on the # of products I use. HTH!
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Hair Styling Tools -Conair - Infiniti Spin Air Brush
heathermrm 10/1/2012 4:43:00 PM
Meh - I purchased at Walmart (the red more expensive color at $53 because they were all sold out of the cheaper black color at $39). It's OK. It's not heavy IMO, it definitely puts out the heat, but not enough to burn my scalp. The 2 way rotation takes a bit of getting used to - there is a learning curve, but if I can master in a few minutes, so could you cause I'm a hair idiot! I have an inverted bob (shorter/stacked in back, longer along sides) fine, colored, but lots of hair. It has a slight wave to it now (post pregnancy). I was looking for something to replace my 2 handed method of blow drying w/ round brush. This won't do that. Yes, it dries, but a lot slower than my regular dryer which I knew going in, but I did not get the promised volume and shine. So, kind of pointless for me. Yes, I got a little volume, but it took me 2x as long to dry my hair so unless I was going to get sky high volume, not worth the extra time for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Skinceuticals - Physical Fusion SPF 50
heathermrm 8/28/2012 9:37:00 PM
Well poop!!! I had such high hopes for this...I am limited to either a completely or almost completely physical sunscreen for my face. This has received such good press, I had been dying to try. I purchased towards the end of June. As others have mentioned, it is very similar in container and texture to some of the Japanese SS (I personally find it very similar to Sofina Perfect UV Lucent spf 50 and Biore Moist UV Face Milk spf 50+ PA+++. Same slender bottle tip, must shake prior to dispensing, little bottles that are expensive, works like a SS and primer in one.) This particular product has a beige tint that completely melts away on my NC 15/Everyday Minerals Fairly Light/Colorstay Buff/Rimmel Ivory skin. It feels LOVELY going on, but don't let the wonderful slip fool you - you still need to use 1/4 teaspoon of this to get adequate protection just like any other SS, but the slip can easily make you think you can use less due to the fabulous ease w/ which this product spreads over your face. I love the fact that it is a physical and is spf 50. I know the company claims a really hi PPD due to its other ingredients besides the actives - personally I'm VERY skeptical of this claim because not only does the SS calculator = 5.3 - 6.3 PPD (depending if ZnO and TiO2 are in water phase or oil phase which I have no way of knowing, so did calculations using all possible combinations) but (and this is why I've d/c using it and its up for swap), my melasma got darker = NOT GOOD!! I'm going back to my tried/true BurnOut - Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen SPF 30 because even though the PPD is only 7.3 if ZnO is water phase and 9.4 if the ZnO is oil phase, my melasma NEVER gets darker when I use this. Granted, I will use a primer now before foundation which I don't have to do w/ Skinceuticals, but since I have discovered (thx to MUA) Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel (very cheap, very effective primer), I don't mind the extra inexpensive step if it keeps my skin happy and my melasma at bay..
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -NYX - HD Photogenic Concealer Wand
heathermrm 8/14/2012 1:32:00 PM
Love love love this! I love it so much, I have 1 shade for fall/winter and 1 for spring/summer. (I'm a NC 15 in fall winter and NC 20 in spring/summer. I will revise this tonite w/ the shades I use.) This effectively covers my undereye circles w/out looking cakey + covers my occasional pimple, doesn't cause breakouts. I do always spray my face w/ UD All Nighter so I can't speak to its lasting time w/out this, but w/ the UD, it does last all day (and not all concealers do even w/ the UD). Will re=purchase for sure!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Urban Decay - Cannonball
heathermrm 8/14/2012 1:29:00 PM
Apparently I'm going to be one of the few that was disappointed in the waterproofness of this. It lasts thru rain showers and crying, but only lasted about 15 minutes in the pool (granted this is longer than most, but for the price, I expect it to last until I take it off.) The quest to replace CG's Marathon mascara continues...:( For this price I will not re-purchase. I gave it a 3 because I do like the look of my lashes w/ this on (length + some volume) but again, I can get this same look from my regular ds mascaras....
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Method Pure Naked Moisturizing Body Wash
heathermrm 8/14/2012 1:18:00 PM
Love this! I have it in the Magnolia scent that I got at Target = 18 oz bottle for like $5. It has a lovely scent that is not overpowering, it actually does moisturize my skin slightly (not many bath/body products do that in the shower) and only takes a teeny tiny bit on my pouf to give me A LOT of lather = will most definitely re-purchase!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Mega Plush Waterproof
heathermrm 8/14/2012 1:13:00 PM
3.5 is my actual rating - this mascara is OK - while I do get nicely lengthened and slightly volumized lashes, its not all that waterproof. It will last through a cry, but not through swimming (at least IME) = it gets a meh rating. I put I would re-purchase, but in actuality, its a maybe (why doesn't MUA allow for a "maybe" option?)
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Monistat - Chafing Relief Powder-Gel
heathermrm 6/13/2012 1:51:00 PM
I recently decided to pull out an old primer I had for a few years (llooking for a way to give my MMU more slip on top of my SS.) The primer is MyMineralGlitters a/k/a Joelle Cosmetics Velvet Veil - see my reviews) but am starting to run out and wondered if there was something comparable I could get locally w/out have to spend a lot of $. I recall reading reviews for this product = I had no trouble finding at my Target (and Walmart too I think.) This stuff is awesome!! No skin irritations/breakouts, great slip over my kinda sticky SS, MMU and regular MU stays on longer. Also controls the minimal oiliness I develop as the day goes on in my t-zone. = LOVE it!! I will re-purchase!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - MyMineralGlitters Velvet Veil
heathermrm 6/13/2012 1:42:00 PM
This company is aka Joelle Cosmetics. I purchased this product a few years ago, used it a few times and put it away in a drawer. Fast forward several years (and life changes) later, I pulled back out looking for a way to give my MMU more slip on top of my SS. This stuff is da bomb! No skin irritations/breakouts, great slip over my kinda sticky SS, MMU and regular MU stays on longer. Also controls the minimal oiliness I develop as the day goes on in my t-zone. I have only used 2 primers, but between the 2 (other being Monistat - see seperate review), I have no intention of trying any others - very pleased. I put I would re-purchase, but I will only do so if Monistat disappears from the shelves since the M is a few dollars cheaper (still this product at $14 is a LOT less than the HE ones I see advertised)... I have added the ingredients from my bottle - no idea if these are still the ingredients as there wasn't any info on the website, but if truly interested in verifying, contact the company directly.
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Joelle Cosmetics Velvet Veil Primer
heathermrm 6/13/2012 1:41:00 PM
This company used to be known as MyMineralGlitters.com. I purchased this product a few years ago, used it a few times and put it away in a drawer. Fast forward several years (and life changes) later, I pulled back out looking for a way to give my MMU more slip on top of my SS. This stuff is da bomb! No skin irritations/breakouts, great slip over my kinda sticky SS, MMU and regular MU stays on longer. Also controls the minimal oiliness I develop as the day goes on in my t-zone. I have only used 2 primers, but between the 2 (other being Monistat - see seperate review), I have no intention of trying any others - very pleased. I put I would re-purchase, but I will only do so if Monistat disappears from the shelves since the M is a few dollars cheaper (still this product at $14 is a LOT less than the HE ones I see advertised)... I have added the ingredients from my bottle - no idea if these are still the ingredients as there wasn't any info on the website, but if truly interested in verifying, contact the company directly.
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