Styling Products -Suave - Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream
MissRubyJones 12/27/2010 2:22:00 AM
I had always been underwhelmed by all Suave hair products, aside from the Clarifying Shampoo, but I found that I'd forgotten my Sally Beauty Supply Ion Solutions frizz cream once when on a trip, and bought this because there was no Sally's nearby. I fully expected to throw this away after the trip, but imagine my surprise when I found that I preferred it to the Ion frizz cream! This is the perfect frizz cream for my medium-thick, wavy-to-curly hair. It's not too heavy, it's not at all sticky, and sort of disappears into my hair after I put it on. Works great with Freeze It hairspray to hold and define my curls for two or even three days. The smell is light and pleasant. If I could change anything, it would be the size of the tube it's packaged it - I always buy two at a time, because the tube is small, but for the pittance you pay for it, it's a great deal. EDIT: When I went to repurchase this last week, the packaging was different, but I assumed it was the same product. IT IS NOT THE SAME PRODUCT. Far from it. The new stuff is HORRIBLE. It makes my hair feel greasy if I use it on wet hair, yet somehow makes my hair feel like straw if I use it on dry hair. The best part? In one use, it left a whitish residue on my hair. I definitely will NOT repurchase after this, unless they go back to the original product. I have taken off four lippies in protest!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Freeze It Mega Hold
MissRubyJones 12/27/2010 2:13:00 AM
I can't believe I haven't written a review for Freeze It Mega Hold before. I have been using this hairspray, along with a frizz cream (usually Suave Professionals Anti Frizz Cream) for years now to add lift and hold to my medium thick, wavy-to-curly hair. This stuff holds curl like nobody's business, and unlike every other hairspray I've ever used, it adds shine like you wouldn't believe. The scent is light and unobtrusive. It doesn't build up or look dirty, either - I usually only wash my hair every two to three days, but I can add a little more of this to my roots and bangs every day in between without my hair looking grungy. And when I do wash it out, it washes out easily, without leaving my hair a tangled, matted up mess that's difficult to wash. It will make your hair feel a little crunchy if you use it on wet hair or use too much; I just put a little dab of frizz cream in my palms, rub my hands together, then pull my hair back as though I were putting it in a ponytail, and the crunchies are gone. If I could change anything, I would adjust the nozzle so that the spray comes out a bit finer, but aside from this, Freeze It's the best hairspray I've ever used, hands down. I've recommended to numerous people, all of whom have also raved about it, as well. Try Freeze It - you won't be sorry! UPDATE: Yes, the bottle has changed for this product, but as far as I can tell, the formula is still the same. I've gone through about four bottles since the change, and can't tell any difference. Those who have complained about the change have possibly gotten a bottle from a bad batch.
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Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Emjoi Epislim Epilator
MissRubyJones 12/22/2010
I have been cursed with lots of snow white, fine hair all over my chin and upper lip. The hair is so fine that it is impossible to wax without taking a layer of skin off. I read about this little tool on Folica, and when I saw it at Sally Beauty Supply, decided to give it a try. The good news is, it gets rid of the hair on my chin. I use it about once a week. It's not at all uncomfortable, and works really well at getting all those little hairs, which are too fine and white to see to tweeze. The bad news is, when I tried this thing on my upper lip, I thought I would cry like a baby. It was unbelievably painful. I can't recommend it for that.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
MissRubyJones 12/21/2010 11:55:00 PM
I'm on my second tube of Colossal Volum' Express in Glam Brown. If you, like me, loved Max Factor's 2000 Calorie mascara, you'll find this a similar product. All in all, this mascara does add plenty of natural-looking volume without clumping. The only reservation I have about this mascara is the weird, florist-shop smell. I had never noticed a mascara having a scent before I used this, really, but this one is definitely scented. I was actually afraid it would irritate my sensitive eyes because of the smell, but I've not had any problems.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Hair Off Facial Buffer
MissRubyJones 8/26/2010 11:01:00 PM
The Hair-Off Facial Buffer is the ONLY thing I can use to remove my fine, snow-white mustache. I see this has lots of bad reviews; I would advise everyone who tried it and had a bad experience to try it again, only use MUCH LESS PRESSURE. I learned my lesson the hard way! It only takes very little pressure to buff away fine facial hair - more coarse hair I have no experience with. Once you get the hang of it, the Hair-Off Buffer is so quick and easy to use you'll love it. That being said - I COULD NOT get this to work on my chin. I'm not sure why :(
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Mascara -Maybelline - Define a lash volume WATERPROOF
MissRubyJones 7/21/2010 1:31:00 AM
This is by far the WORST mascara I have ever used. It looks clumpy and unnatural. Feels like plastic once it dries. And speaking of plastic, the rubber/plastic/device of torture brush is ridiculous. Last but not least, this stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to remove. I tried cold cream, baby oil, waterproof eye makeup remover - you name it. I would only use this again if it were the LAST MASCARA ON EARTH.
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Conditioner -Alberto Vo5 - Moisture Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Moisturizing Conditioner
MissRubyJones 7/21/2010 1:18:00 AM
As others have noted, this conditioner is a GREAT buy for the money, but is too thin and runny. Surprisingly enough, despite the watery texture, it really does condition well. I'll probably buy again, but I do wish VO5 would do something about the texture...
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Shampoo -Alberto Vo5 - Passion Fruit Smoothie
MissRubyJones 7/21/2010 1:16:00 AM
I hadn't used any VO5 products since I graduated from college and could actually afford something that wasn't dirt cheap - turns out I've been throwing money away! For a basic shampoo, this is a great option. Smells wonderful, lathers well, isn't overly drying. What's not to love? I only gave it four stars because the name is a bit misleading - it would be a stretch to call this a "moisturizing" shampoo. It's great for normal hair, though!
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Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Mascara
MissRubyJones 5/27/2009 10:56:00 AM
Absolutely the best mascara ever. Perfect coverage, perfect wear, gives you eyelashes like you wouldn't believe. As someone with very sensitive eyes, I can vouch for this product's hypoallergenic properties, as well. Bonus - you can find this stuff ANYWHERE and it is DIRT CHEAP.
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Eyeliner -Jane - Be Pure Mineral Gel Eyeliner
MissRubyJones 5/12/2009 11:45:00 AM
I was hesitant to try a gel eyeliner, because I have never been able to use a liquid eyeliner without making a big old mess, but I am so glad I gave this Jane Be Pure Mineral Gel liner a try! It goes on in a snap, stays on well, and is so CHEAP. I still can't believe how easy it was to put on - I guess I'm still traumatized by my attempts to use liquid liners, lol - there was no practising whatsoever!
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Powder -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear Translucent Light Organics Loose Powder
MissRubyJones 4/8/2009 12:05:00 PM
I have really mixed feelings about this product. Pros: - It is the only MMU I have ever used - and I've tried everything from Bare Minerals to Aromaleigh to L'Oreal - that didn't turn terribly oily on my face after several hours. It has a matte finish that lasts, and lasts even better if you use one of the Physician's Formula Mineral Veils after applying. -Unlike most other MMUs I've tried, this one stays true to color. No orange or yellow face in the afternoon. - This makeup covers perfectly without a lot of buffing. - One of very few MMUs that doesn't make me itch or break out. - There is almost TOO much powder in the container, meaning you can use the same container for months. Some people have commented that this makeup is expensive for drugstore makeup, but the amount you get is more than twice that of Bare Minerals or L'Oreal. CONS: - THE SMELL. What in the world?!?! Why does this stuff have such an odd smell!?!? The only caveat is that the smell does not seem to linger - i.e., I can't smell it after applying. - The packaging. Brush is useless - throw it away. The squared-off oval shape of the container makes it hard to use with a 'buki brush. All in all, I think I'll try the Physician's Formula Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder next, simply because of the heinous smell of the Organic Wear Loose Powder. However, if the Talc-Free doesn't work as well, then I'll buy this again, and just attempt to hold my breath while applying!
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Walgreens - Alpha Hydroxy Lotion 8%
MissRubyJones 2/24/2009 1:35:00 PM
After reading the rave reviews of the Walgreen's AH lotion here on MUA, I just had to go buy it. Let me just say that it is everything I was led to expect and more. I actually bought this product in order to do something about recurrent small bumps/pimples on my neck and chest. Not only has this completely eradicated them, it has made the skin on my face, neck and chest so soft, smooth, and utterly luminous that I truly wish I had taken before and after photos to put up here. A few notes: - I have sensitive skin, so I started out using tiny bits of this every other night, before moving up to using it every night. It has never irritated my super-sensitive skin. - Like others have mentioned, this stuff is great for the bumps on the backs of your arms. - Walgreens AHA is one of the best beauty buys I have EVER made. Not only is it dirt cheap, but I have been using this product for over two months now, and have not even used a 1/4th of the product in the jar - this stuff apparently lasts FOREVER! All in all, I'd recommend Walgreen's AHA unreservedly.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Halston
MissRubyJones 1/13/2009 2:56:00 PM
After reading the rave reviews for Halston here at MUA, I decided to give it a try. I'll admit that at first, I was underwhelmed, but considering I only paid $10 for it, not too upset. But then... hours later, I discovered that the the dry down on this is fantastic. I couldn't stop sniffing my wrists, lol. It's unlike anything else I've ever smelled. A sophisticated, altogether lady-like scent that is nothing like most of today's fruity-sweet scents. If you like a deep, layered, and again, SOPHISTICATED scent, you'll love this. I only gave Halston 4 stars because at first spray, it's definitely in the perfumey, old-lady category. However, once it's spent a little time with you, you'll find that it's well worth the wait...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Queen Helene - Cocoa Butter Solid
MissRubyJones 10/13/2008 1:09:00 AM
If you're a fan of Palmer's Cocoa Butter, then look to this as a cheaper alternative that still manages to beat Palmer's on several fields - price, scent, and texture. Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter solid has a subtle, rather than overpowering scent, and it actually melts into the skin without a lot of sticky residue, neither of which Palmer's does. This stuff is great for elbows, heels, cuticles - any place you have rough, dry spots that need a little extra work. As for stretch marks and scars? It would be a stretch to say this actually reduces stretch marks, but it will temporarily reduce their appearance in many cases. And if you're using it for scars, remember to massage it in for as long as possible - the massage more than the cocoa butter will help soften the appearance of scars.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Queen Helene - Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion
MissRubyJones 10/13/2008 1:02:00 AM
After reading the rave reviews for this product here at MUA, I decided to give this stuff a try. One word - WOW. Who would have though that this HUGE bottle of lotion that I paid less than $3 for would end up being one of my favorites? This is the perfect summer moisturizer, as it sinks in and doesn't feel greasy. The subtle cocoa smell reminds me of being on the beach. And did I mention the price? I'm not crazy about the bottle, and I'm not sure that this would be moisturizing enough for winter time use, but for the price, those are trifling complaints.
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