Brows -Revlon - Brow Fantasy in Brunette
clearady 6/7/2010 12:26:00 AM
I thought this was it, this was the one, and then I tried every other brow product esteemed, and found better ones. Namely, CG eyemakers pencil and Anastasia brow pencil; however, don't let this gem pass you by as it is one of the best that the drugstore has to offer. Very convenient. Although I have an undying love for CG's eye makers (as those are simply THE BEST), I have respect for this one as it has a gel on one end and liner on the other. Don't care so much for the brow pencil though, and bought it mainly for the Brown Gel part of it. However, next time, to save myself from wasting the pencil each time (which comes out a little too dark for me), I will buy Mac's eyebrow gel as i hear that one is the best, and couple it with CG's eye makers in Midnight Brown. That will be a dreamy combo, and will only repurchase this if I got stuck on a trip and forget my eyebrow set at home, as this is a bargain for a gel and pencil all in one. Also, packaging is great, and the gel holds well.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Cover Girl - Brow and Eye Makers
clearady 6/7/2010 12:21:00 AM
I really, really have an intense love affair for this pencil. DON'T USE IT FOR AN EYELINER! that being said, if you use it for what it does best --- eyebrows --- you cannot not love it. i have tried so many brow pencils/pots, highend and lowend, and this IS the best. i've tried laura mercier's eyebrow pencil, anastasia brow pencil, model set of 2 eyebrow pencil, nars eyebrow, smashbox eyebrow duo, and the list goes on and on. I EVEN prefer this to Revlon's Fantasy Duo, which I find to be convenient and decent. The rest of the drugstore eyebrow sets, powders, pencils are crap haha This is a virtual bargain since you get two for such a bargain price. It's convenient, blendable, lasts forever, cheap, easily bought (target, walmart, etc), small (fits in purse), and it does not look made up at all and because it stays put so long you can make your eyebrows look longer or closer together depending on what you want, and it holds and looks believeable, not drawn in at all! Get this now, run--don't walk!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Ole Henriksen - African Red Tea Exfoliating Lip Salvation
clearady 6/6/2010 4:23:00 PM
I think this product does not have more reviews because people just simply forget to review it lol. i know everyone finds it amazing, as it is simply the best out there.
I am a lip balm junkie, and have tried everything out there that is reputable --- La Mer's $45 one, Kiehl's #1, Dior, Smiths, CO Bigelow, Mark, Badgers, Aveeno, Nivea, Blistex, Burt Bees, Fresh, Softlips, and the list could go on for days on end.
However, this one beats them all by a mile, and comes amazingly and ridiculously close to my favorite lip product of all time: Avon's Anew Clinical system.
However, that has been discontinued and La Mer (my 2nd favorite) is crazy expensive, so I use this every night before I go to bed, and always (ALWAYS!) wake up with soft luscious lips.
Don't apply too much as the texture is a little grainy (i don't mind it), but it gives the cutest pink/red pout, and a little goes a long way. I suppose I'll have it around for at least a year or two before I have to repurchase. Whenever I really, really want to pamper myself, I just grab out Mary Kay's lip mask (not balm!), exfoliate, then put this on as a base, and put on La Mer's balm on top, and my lips are unbeatably soft and full.
It really isn't a question as if I'll repurchase, because I'm thinking of buying five or six more next time around so i don't ever have to be without it. It's that amazing.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - positively nourishing moisturizer
clearady 6/6/2010 4:10:00 PM
Generally speaking, when it comes to skincare like moisturizers, i always stick with organic as the majority of the drugstore brands of lotion ceased to impress me: Vaseline's cocoa butter lotion, Nivea's smooth sensation, Olay's purple bottled one, that Aloe one from a separate brand, etc. The only reputable lotion from the drugstore is Ocean Potion's Aloe lotion, other than that they're usually not amazing.
I bought this because I know that Aveeno is supposed to be a gentle brand, the packaging was appealing (sleek with a pump and light blue all over), and it read BLUEBERRY (love blueberries) goji on the cover. The advertising "refreshing, positively nourishing, 24-hour body moisturizer, luxurious soft smooth skin" didn't get me at all, as they go overboard with the claims and adjectives, as most drugstore/department brands do.
I was disappointed. It was not money well spent, as I barely make use to this comparatively to my Mi Voga Acai lotion (which is organic) and simply divine.
Pros:
1. easy to buy at Target, cheap price
2. beautiful packaging (perhaps its strongest point)
3. very nice light scent (although when you put it straight to your face, you can smell the chemicals).
Cons:
1. Isn't organic
2. Isn't superbly moisturizing like it claims
3. It smells like chemicals (as i put my arm over my eyes when i sleep, and that's all i could smell)
4. No difference in my skin texture the next day
5. Still feeling a little greasy after it sinks in
Would I buy again?... No, I will get enough of the beautiful packaging sitting on my shelf for a good two years from now. Blah.
UPDATE: i still don't use this more than my Mi Voga nor more than my Mountain Ocean coconut lotion as those are the best organic lotions I've tried by far (even better than Albas), but this one is not half bad. I still won't repurchase, but if I had to recommend a few drugstore lotions, they would go in this order, Jergen's cherry almond, Noah's Naturals body lotion, and this one of Aveenos. Though, I'm sure using the one that controls how fast your body hair grows makes more sense, unless there is a scent of this one that you can't pass up. I saw results with that other Aveeno lotion, and can say I would recommend it to someone, because after all, everyone else has different priorities, standards, and needs, and i'm sure one of my friends would love that she doesn't have to shave often.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Black Raspberry Vanilla Lotion
clearady 6/6/2010 3:08:00 PM
I liked this lotion. Pleasant scent and excellent packaging.
I'd look elsewhere if your main focus is moisture (Mi Voga's Acai lotion).
It's my moms, and I would not buy this for me as it's not organic, but most likely for her again, as I love smelling it all around the house when she's out of the shower. Very sweet scent. Bath and Body works is opening in Hawaii for the first time in a couple months! can't wait.
UPDATE: it has petrolatum, and the scent became offensive to me after a while.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Stila - Fig Lip Glaze
clearady 6/4/2010 3:02:00 AM
If it were for a review on the color alone, perhaps, i'd give it a four. However, the gloss itself is sticky, not moisturizing. Lasts long, and the packaging is not smart, but indeed nice to look at. No doubt will leak. You don't get a whole lot for the price, but ah well, I will enjoy the color while it lasts. Very natural pink violet that is almost transparent. Love that.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Elizabeth Arden - Deep Cleansing
clearady 6/4/2010 2:54:00 AM
Firstly, I think it is unfair how you can't comment something because people deem it discontinued, when it's still being sold all over the internet. Origins scrub, Elizabeth Arden's mask, etc have been discontinued, but are readily available, Maybe Baby scent however is not.
I think MUA gave it a fair rating. 3 stars is what it deserves.
I was ready to give it a shaky four stars, as it truly is deep cleaning like it claims. Also, love the packaging, nice and sturdy (light blue). However, a few hours after I took it off, i was a tad oily on my nose.
Also, it is rather expensive for a mask that doesn't trump the 3 dollar Queen Helene (and far below the Deep Down Detox), also, and a big ALSO, it is not organic.
I will enjoy finishing it off, but won't look for it once it's done.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -The Body Shop - Exfoliating Gloves
clearady 6/4/2010 2:34:00 AM
Bought two for 9 dollars, and if I could categorize 100 of the best dollars i've ever spent in life, i'd have to say 4.50 dollars was spent exceptionally well on one glove. Love that i have two though! Never knew what i was missing, and this are as gentle as you make them. Make any scrub go on neatly and quickly. Very convenient thing to have, will always have around, although I will probably buy a darker color next time. White shows everything my body sheds, which is all right, but ignorance is bliss haha. Black or red should do it, red will add a nice pop of color to my shower.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Nature's Gate - Oh What a Night
clearady 6/4/2010 2:23:00 AM
Got this in a swap, and am as pleased as I expected to be from these glowing reviews.
Pros:
Amazing moisture. you will wake up with soft skin.
Organic.
Decent scent, not to die for, but nice to smell.
Doesn't clog your pores :)
Not more than $20, decent price
There's a spatula!
Nice packaging, like the cute glass jar.
Cons:
It is rather a small amount, comparatively to the equally amazing Merlot moisturizer (which smells better, works the same, is the same price), but Merlot's comes in a much bigger (less attractive) jar (without a spatula).
Will I purchase myself? Definitely. It is, after all, deserving of five stars. That isn't even a question.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Clinique - Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick- Vintage Wine
clearady 5/31/2010 7:02:00 PM
Like this even more than my Clinique in Surprise (which is a bronze burgundy). This is such a deep dark burgundy shade, and it's absolutely stunning. I'm not one for lipsticks in general, and that--dark lipsticks, but will always have this around. Also, it's super moisturizing and lasts forever. Don't pass this gem. :) Will post a pic soon!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Unlisted Brand - Noah's Naturals Exfoliating Face Scrub with Jojoba Beads
clearady 5/31/2010 3:21:00 PM
I try many different products from face, to hair, to body, as I've always been the type not to focus on just one thing, like just my nails for instance. Why not have it all?
Perhaps, though, lip balms, hair conditioners, and facial cleansers are the three I just can't resist. If there is something in those categories that hype surrounds, I have to at least sample it, if not buy altogether. Depending on how promising the reviews.
Anyways, one of my favorite MUAers reviewed on Noah's Naturals face cleanser in the purple bottle found at Walmart. I searched high and low for it, but none of the Walmarts in hawaii seem to carry the brand (such a bummer). So, I did more extensive research on the brand on other review sights, and found people saying that the cleanser in the green bottle (which is this one) is more gentle than the purple bottled one. Gentle is a very Melody type word, I had to have it. I bit the twelve dollar shipping and handling bullet and purchased it online at one of the few sights i could find it on.
I was kind of wary about how i'd feel abut it, as I honestly haven't found a drugstore brand of cleanser that i can safely approve. This one is a winner though, and I can confidently say I will be adding it to my growing list of legit cleansers. The results are noticeable, and if you can find it at your local Walmart, do not pass this gem up. I gave up on drugstore cleansers a while back as most of them are full of chemicals and drying ingredients, but not this!
br>
This leaves your skin soft (thing i love most about it), clean, and over the days, less oily. Jojoba beads are probably the number one thing that i've found to control oil without drying, and really enjoy my Mychelle scrub and Noah's Natural scrub for that. Love the aloe it has, and find it gentle enough to use in the morning time. Will most likely buy again. Try it!
UPDATE: will i buy again? still on the fence, more on the probably than the maybe side. love that it has aloe in it and jojoba beads as those are some of the two amazing things to my skin, however, it is difficult to get and not completely organic (just natural). so it's a toss up.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Alaffia - Rooibos & Shea Butter Antioxidant Facial Cleanser
clearady 5/31/2010 3:09:00 PM
Oh how I wanted to love this? I have tried so many organic cleansers, and continue to try more so as to make sure I don't miss out on anything extra good. Despite my skin being oily, I have found the majority of the cleansers that I enjoy and keep are geared at older skin or drier skin, as those are the ones that are the most luxurious, effective, and comfortable to use (no drying!).
Ok, here we go. The cleanser itself is rather thick, a creamy light brown type of substance (probably due to the shea butter).
Pros:
1. Darling packaging, glass bottle with a pump. Sanitary and classy!
2. Price. On sale at Whole Foods, for only $11. Excellent!
3. Left my face softer than any cleanser I've ever tried. Wow.
4. Helps support Africa in their working market. Cool.
5. It glided on and felt refreshing on my face.
Cons:
1. I'm no fan of the scent. While not completely overpowering and definitely something I would have gotten used to had it not been for con #2, it wouldn't have made cleansing luxurious, and I probably wouldn't have bought it again because if I don't look forward to it, there's no point in paying for it since I have so many other organic cleansers that are a pure joy to take off the shelf.
2. It was too gentle.
If you know anything about me, cleansers being gentle is a godsend. That is the number one pro for me almost always, and is the reason why I never buy drugstore cleansers (because they're too drying). But this one was exceedingly gentle, and although my face felt relatively clean, I was definitely compelled to use a toner. You should have seen the dirt that cotton ball picked up! I think the warm water it commands you to use to rinse it off does more than the cleanser itself for the actual cleansing! It does soften your skin but it's not a moisturizer?
(i read on another site another person having the same problem, but this site gave it decent reviews) It mildly irritated my face afterward (as in, under my nose, I was getting itchy), but not so much so that I would take it back.
Hence, I was so tired last night, I didn't put on a moisturizer, but woke up with a giant pimple on the right side of my face (which never happens anymore unless I'm going through that time of month, which i was not). And it is significant enough to note that I didn't wear makeup the previous day, so it was just taking off sunscreen, oil, and a little grime. I have a slight feeling that it may have been caused by the COCONUT OIL in it, which makes no sense in a cleanser? in a hair product, yes. but a cleanser geared toward acne-prone subjects would definitely stand a hazard in clogged pores. (did, however, love that it had shea butter and aloe vera---that is what I believe made my skin feel cooled and softened).
Anyways, sadly this has to go back, but really liked the cause and the soft feel. Yet another organic cleanser that is cheap that hasn't worked for me, maybe I should get the hint and stick with the pricier ones lol (john masters is the one medium range exception)
Really liked the pros of this, and wanted to love it as it would have been a great addition to my growing arsenal of legit organic facial cleansers, but this just can't work out. If you have no oily skin in any way, I would give it a try, but definitely stock up on some of Merlot's toner. You will need it.
UPDATE: so disappointed with this, as it wreaked havoc on my skin for three days, and cannot wait to send it back to Whole Foods. Honestly, if you have oily skin, stay far away. it gave me one large cystic pimple, clogged my pores, and made me breakout all over. COCONUT oil should NOT be in any cleanser, and i am so irritated at this as this is the only organic cleanser that i have had such horrible results with. even Avalon's Vitamin C cleanser that i gave a terrible review to was better than this. with such results, all i can say is Nice packaging! forget everything else.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
clearady 5/31/2010 4:06:00 AM
A very boring cleanser. I had a hard time giving it even two stars. Packaging is boring, scent is boring. The price and the results aren't even promising. Try something organic, as they have plenty of gentle quality cleansers.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Clean & Clear - Morning Burst Facial Scrub
clearady 5/31/2010 3:48:00 AM
Unlike the reviewer below me, I am quite glad this did not have salycic acid, as it would have been drying on top of being ineffective. the second ingredient on this list is a kiss of death. this is cheap, yes. effective, gentle, and a pleasure to use, no. even the packaging is pathetic.
don't waste your time and money. only drugstore brand cleansers i've found to produce decent results is Noah's Naturals and Alba. other than that, pick your face washes from great retailers like vitacost or Whole Foods.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -C.O. Bigelow - Rose Salve
clearady 5/29/2010 7:24:00 PM
I like my Smith's rosebud salve as it provides a sheer gloss and really hydrates. This, however, may be good for elbows and other dry spots but I bought it specifically for my lips. But nothing really catches me of this, not the smell, not the product, and not the price. It is a pretty light shade of pink in the can though. That's about it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No