Lotions/ Creams -Alba Botanica - Very Emollient body lotion Unscented
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 3:06:00 PM
PROS: Perfect amount of moisturizing for me (doesn't leave any greasy film but really moisturises my dry skin, especially on feet and legs.) No scent. Natural ingredients. CONS: A little hard to find, although, now, my Walmart is carrying this. The 32 oz. pump packaging doesn't let you easily get the last of the product out easily. I have to end up turning it upside down and messing with it to get the remainder out. (I did give it a bad packaging rate for this reason.) PURCHASING TIPS: I get this cheaper through Walmart or even cheaper through Vitacost. I also get the larger sizes to save money on it, which is 32 oz. pump. APPLICATION TIPS: I like to have at least a little moisture left on me from the shower before applying this. It really seals the moisture in, and I get to use less product. But this works great without the wet too. :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -John Frieda - Flawless Finishing Creme
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 2:47:00 PM
PROS: Doesn't weigh my fine hair down but smooths frizzies great. Wonderful when I use it on dry or almost dry hair. Very inexpensive. CONS: I personally don't have any. It's definitely no-frills packaging; some may want nicer packaging. APPLICATION TIPS: For me, the secret is using this on my ends when my hair is dry or almost dry. Also, using less than you would think you need is a good starting point.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -TRESemme - Vitamin E Moisture Rich Conditioner
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 1:55:00 AM
PROS: Not sure I have any pros for this except that the scent is not terrible. It's very inexpensive. CONS: Not near enough moisture for my dry hair. ALTERNATES: Any of the suave alternates for dry hair would be better, in my opinion. I really like the new Tresemme one for split end repair called Split Remedy, I think.
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Shampoo -TRESemme - Vitamin E Moisture Rich Shampoo
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 1:52:00 AM
PROS: Not sure I have many pros for this except that it's not terrible. It could have been more drying than it was, I guess. It's very inexpensive. CONS: Pretty drying for what is supposed to be a moisture rich shampoo. ALTERNATES: Any of the suave alternates for dry hair would be better, in my opinion. I really like the new Tresemme one for split end repair called Split Remedy, I think.
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Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 1:22:00 AM
PROS: Keeps my shadow on all day. I prefer this to Urban Decay's version of eyeshadow primer because the UD one makes my crepey lids look much "crepier." CONS: Not the cheapest, but I can't find an alternate that's cheaper. It also lasts forever in the tube for me. I thought this made my crepey looks look even drier and crepier, but I found a tip from an MUAer that I've shared below. APPLICATION TIPS: An MUA'er said to only apply VERY little of this (almost trying to apply too little on purpose). And she was right! I'm loving this now. PURCHASING TIPS: I can sometimes find this cheaper at beautybar.com ALTERNATES: Some prefer Urban Decay's Primer Potion, but it's not good for my older, lined eyes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Cork
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 1:11:00 AM
PROS: Love the satin version of their eyeshadows. The texture is divine and blendable. I love this for my N10 (slightly more NC than NW) skin. It's a nice "light/medium to medium" darkness for me. I love it for a pretty natural and buildable crease color. CONS: Not the cheapest (but it lasts in the pan forever). APPLICATION TIPS: The MAC 217 brush is my all-time favorite to apply this with. It even helps blend. I love to use a tiny bit of Too-Faced Shadow Insurance beforehand to keep this in place all day without drying my lids out (like some primers do).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 12:37:00 AM
PROS: Heavenly moisturization . Wonderfully mild on my very sensitive skin. I can't believe this did not break me out. I mean, it's an oil. But I tried it based on MUA'ers advice who were even recommending it to those with acne in some kind of prewash ritual. I have very easily clogged combination skin, so I can't believe this doesn't clog my pores at all. I've used it for months and even did the one side with and one side without test for a month. It's very soothing and smoothing. It's great for removing waterproof mascara because it doesn't leave my eye skin too greasy or bother my sensitive eyes. CONS: I usually try to find at least one con, but I couldn't. APPLICATION TIPS: I use this before or even instead of moisturizing cream at night. ****I've started to use this on dry skin before I cleanse. I put it on and then add water and then cleanser. Helps to keep my cleansing much gentler on my skin. (Also makes makeup removal a breeze.) I have now even started using this to remove waterproof mascara, and it doesn't bother my eyes at all and doesn't leave the eye skin too greasy either. I also like to add a few drops to my bath. PURCHASING TIPS: I buy this cheap at places like vitacost.com or luckyvitamin.com. My favorite is the organic version of this from Desert Essence. There is an organic version and nonorganic (regular) version. .
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Jojoba Oil
scopingforyou 11/5/2012 12:33:00 AM
PROS: Heavenly moisturization . Wonderfully mild on my very sensitive skin. I can't believe this did not break me out. I mean, it's an oil. But I tried it based on MUA'ers advice who were even recommending it to those with acne in some kind of prewash ritual. I have very easily clogged combination skin, so I can't believe this doesn't clog my pores at all. I've used it for months and even did the one side with and one side without test for a month. It's very soothing and smoothing. I have now even started using this to remove waterproof mascara, and it doesn't bother my eyes at all and doesn't leave the eye skin too greasy either. CONS: I usually try to find at least one con, but I couldn't. APPLICATION TIPS: I use this before or even instead of moisturizing cream at night. ****I've started to use this on dry skin before I cleanse. I put it on and then add water and then cleanser. Helps to keep my cleansing much gentler on my skin. (Also makes makeup removal a breeze.) I even use it to remove waterproof mascara. I also like to add a few drops to my bath. PURCHASING TIPS: I buy this cheap at places like Vitacost. My favorite is the organic version of this from Desert Essence. There is an organic version and nonorganic (regular) version. The organic version seems to be even more gentle on my sensitive skin.
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Treatments -Derma E - Hyaluronic Acid Rehydrating Serum
scopingforyou 11/4/2012 11:42:00 PM
PROS: This feels wonderfully nourishing going on. Remember this is not a moisturizer. If you want a moisturizer on top of this, you still need to use a separate moisturizer. The price is right, especially if you get it somewhere like Vitacost. Paraben free. It has a smell that is from the Plumeria blossom. When I saw that in the reviews, I thought I would hate the product. The scent is somehow quite tolerable (and perhaps even enjoyable). That really surprised me because I normally hate floral scents, even in perfume. But it's mild and soft and fades very fast. Sort of plumps my skin up (as much as a product can) and helps with wrinkles. But I also use other moisturizer. I like to use this when I already get enough moisture from my spf lotion in the morning. But it would be great for someone who doesn't want a heavy cream but still wants to control flakes/dryness. Natural ingredients. Doesn't bother my sensitive skin. CONS: As someone mentioned, it probably should not be in a clear container if it contains Vitamin C, which it does. But I don't keep my bottle near the sunlight, anyway. I think the cones in this might be clogging me. ALTERNATES: I like the night cream version of this. PURCHASING TIPS: I can get this cheaper through places like Vitacost.com
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -L'Oreal - Revitalift Triple Power Concentrated Serum
scopingforyou 11/4/2012 10:31:00 PM
PROS: Looks like it has anti-aging ingredients (but I'm not expert on these. I do tend to trust L'oreal somewhat because I had good results with their Age Perfect line.) Price is okay. The scent is MUCH less perfumey than the age perfect line. Packaging is attractive. CONS: I don't really have any cons on this serum (the cream of this line made my sensitive skin have a burning sensation). ALTERNATES: L'Oreal's Age Perfect line has a serum, but it has caffeine in it, which some won't like. Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase has a Lift & Resculpt Serum. I've recently fallen in love with Derma E's Hyaluronic Serum.
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Moisturizers -L'Oreal - Revitalift Triple Power Deep-Acting Moisturizer
scopingforyou 11/4/2012 10:24:00 PM
PROS: Price isn't horrible. Smells MUCH less perfumey than the Age Perfect line. Looks like it has anti-aging ingredients (but I'm not expert on these. I do tend to trust L'oreal somewhat because I had good results with their Age Perfect line.) Feels moisturizing but not greasy. Nice, rich texture. Packaging is good-looking. CONS: I am probably in the minority with my sensitive skin, but this caused burning for me. There's only one other moisturizer I've ever tried that caused burning, the alpha hydroxy one that is so popular. But I've tried a lot of different one, and only two have given me the burning reaction. Some won't like that it's in a jar, but I apply with clean hands anyway. ALTERNATES: L'Oreal's Age Perfect line is great but very perfumey. There's a light night cream by Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase at Walmart and Walgreens. My new love is Derma e's Hyaluronic Acid line (day and night cream).
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Moisturizers -Dermalogica - Intensive Moisture Balance
scopingforyou 11/4/2012 10:13:00 PM
PROS: No harsh scent (just a mild, natural scent.) Very moisturizing. LOTS of great ingredients to help with aging and healthy skin. Did not bother the sensitivity of my skin at all. Feels very nourishing going on. CONS: This clogged my pores and even caused blackheads. I took it out of my schedule and put it back in to confirm. It happened again. (I've tried a LOT of moisturizers, even heavier ones, and very rarely have had this reaction.) PURCHASING TIPS: Look around online. You can get this cheaper at places like SkinMedix and Beautybar.com ALTERNATES: My new love is Derma e's Hyaluronic Acid line night cream.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Hask Pure Shine Spray-it Curly
scopingforyou 11/4/2012 9:46:00 PM
PROS: Whenever I try something new, I always end up coming back to this. Price is right and it's easily found at my Wal-mart. Almost no scent to it. Takes my weak waves and amps them up without crunchiness, stiffness or oily-ness. And doesn't weigh my very fine hair down!!! CONS: Wish it was just a tiny bit stronger. But I have tried SO many other things (salon and drug store), and this is the best I've found, by far. If you have very frizzy curls, this may not be for you. This will not moisturize your curls at all. Also this is for someone who wants a natural look, not super defined (crunchy) curls. I also think "shine" in the name is deceiving. This doesn't give me much shine. APPLICATION TIPS: I now use "Spray it Curly" sprayed into my hand to scrunch my ends with. I then take Tigi Curlesque Lightweight Mousse and put a small amount at a time into my hands and work some into my root area (and some mid-shaft too). I could see using this a bit on my ends too.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Million Lashes
scopingforyou 10/19/2012 3:04:00 AM
PROS: Did I give a mascara a 5 rating? Yes, but reluctantly. This was between a 4.5 and a 5 for me, but I rounded up. Very lengthening and volumizing on my thin and very sparse lashes. Quite good at holding curl on my stick straight lashes. Washes off easily when removing. CONS: Can clump if you're not careful in application. Doesn't comb easily. Takes a bit of work. This flakes a bit after about 6 hours but last much longer without smearing than most do. APPLICATION TIPS: Shiseido's primer (even the new one) helps this stay on with less smudging/transfer/flaking and helps the curl last even longer. I am a recent convert to using Shiseido's popular curler too. ALTERNATES: Jordana's Volumizing mascara also gives me volume and length that lasts a long time without flaking. Rimmel's Volume Flash or Max or something like that in the pink tube is very volumizing, but doesn't last as long as this without flaking. I LOVE the waterproof version of this for lasting even longer. (But it just doesn't look quite as thick on my lashes as this regular version.)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Sally Hansen - Thicken Up Strengthening Nail Thickner
scopingforyou 10/8/2012 6:11:00 PM
PROS: Does seem to help with strengthening. CONS: The first coat looked like kind of bad (like almost glossy, but not really - hard to describe.) I tried to follow the instructions, but when I added a second coat (like it said to), it was a very bubbly, raggedy mess.
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