Fragrances -Comptoir Sud Pacifique - Aloha Tiare
LucySnow 7/3/2007 5:45:00 PM
I really like this scent, sweet tropical gardenia -- similar to Annick Goutal's Gardenia Passion but sweeter, with subtle hints of vanilla and coconut -- perfect for summer though not an HG. The staying power of this fragrance is nil: less than an hour on me, so I have to subtract a couple lippies on that count. I do like CSP's metal bottles because they are easy to toss and carry in a bag or purse. If you like this scent but don't want to fork out the $$$ for it, Yves Rocher has a limited edition alcohol-free body mist that smells virtually identical to this (Jardins des îles de Polynésie with Polynesian Tiaré Flowers) and only costs CDN$7 on sale.
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Conditioner -Bumble & Bumble - Color Support Conditioner for Warm Brunettes
LucySnow 7/1/2007 1:51:00 PM
This is the best color-depositing condish I've tried. Aveda Black Malva/Annatto dried my hair out and the Annatto condish gave my hair an unnatural orange hue. Bb's Color Support condish deposits a noticeable amount of color after just one use, looks natural, blends with my natural tones, and isn't at all drying. My only complaints are the odd scent which lingers all day and the pump on the bottle which I couldn't get to unlock (perhaps I got a defective one). I will be relying on this for color boosting between my regular colorings.
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Shampoo -Klorane - Henna Shampoo
LucySnow 6/24/2007 11:51:00 PM
This is a very gentle shampoo (it does have SLS, though, if that's a problem for you) that immediately adds auburn highlights to my dark brunette hair. Perfect for boosting color between colorings. Also seems to add some volume and shine, and has a very delicate woodsy scent. Not too expensive either at US$12 a bottle. This product is a keeper for me.
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Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Summer Hair - Zero Humidity Frizz Control
LucySnow 6/24/2007 11:47:00 PM
This product is a total gimmick and waste of $$$. All it does is coat the hair with a milky, waxy substance that makes it next to impossible to blow dry with a brush, and it left my hair dull and dry as straw. Also annoying was that the pump in the spray bottle didn't work after the first couple sprays. I tried "unclogging" it with hot water but the problem seemed to be mechanical. Had to buy a separate spray bottle to put the rest in. Looks and smells nice but that's about it. Don't bother with this.
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Conditioner -Shi Kai - Amla conditioner
LucySnow 6/24/2007 9:07:00 PM
This conditioner is 'da bomb! Results like Terax Crema, my HG, without the animal fat (hydrogenated tallow glycerides) and at a quarter of the price. This has won a place in my rotation permanently.
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Self Tanners -Evian - Holiday Skin Body Lotion
LucySnow 6/23/2007 11:22:00 PM
I've used other gradual tanning lotions like Jergens, Banana Boat and drugstore brands (Shopper's Drug Mart Life Brand) and this beats them all hands down. It doesn't have the synthetic chemical scent these other brands have, which I dislike, and it also seems to produce a "tan" much more quickly. Effects are noticeable after just a couple applications and the tan is more natural brown than the fake orange that tends to be the case with the others I've tried. I don't know why this brand is listed as "discontinued" because the bottles at my local drugstores are labelled "New" from Evian (date on the bottle is 2006). I hope it isn't discontinued because I plan to buy this again.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Global Goddess - Coconut and Amla Oil
LucySnow 6/13/2007 10:26:00 PM
I've been using this as a deep treatment (I'm scared to put even the tiniest amount of oil on my fine hair when dry), applying and combing it through my hair before bed and shampooing it out in the A.M. I'm very happy with the results. Coconut oil is one of the only oils demonstrated to actually penetrate the hair shaft and GG definitely adds a ton of moisture to my hair. My hair soaks it up. The amla oil seems to really add some depth to my brunette. Also, there are several oils in this treatment besides coconut and amla, including avocado, safflower and jojoba oil. Shea butter is listed in the ingredients too. The coconutty-fruity scent is divine. On the negative side, I think this product is seriously overpriced, but then a little goes a long way. I expect the bottle will last me a year. As for the packaging, while I love the look of the bottle, it can be a bit messy if you're not careful squeezing it out of the bottle. I'm only giving it four lippies because it also seems to cause some minor itching on my scalp (not sure if that's the coconut oil or something else in it).
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Hair -L'Occitane - Artemisia Conditioner
LucySnow 6/13/2007 10:01:00 PM
I agree with other reviewers who've said L'Occitane's "essential oil" conditioners are a bit of a gimmick. I bought this because I like the scent and the quality is about what I expected: decent but nothing special. It "moisurizes" very well for a condish marketed for normal hair, but I think the so-called moisture is just its high silicone content. The second and third ingredients in this conditioner are silicones, which is both good and bad. Good because this kept my frizz at bay on two hot, humid days recently. Bad because, after only two uses, the build-up on my hair is palpable. I hardly want to have to clarify every third shampoo. Also, the consistency is runny and you have to use a lot. Still, I'm sure I'll find myself using this up through the humid summer days ahead.
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Treatments (Eye) -Philosophy - Hope in a Tube - High Density Eye and Lip Firming Cream
LucySnow 6/13/2007 9:54:00 PM
Tried a sample of this from Sephora and was wowed by it's cosmetic line-filling effect, so I went out a purchased the full-size tube. The consistency of the cream in the sample was a bit thicker (maybe because of the packaging it had dried a bit -- to good effect) and the cosmetic effect more immediately apparent than what I'm experiencing from the regular product, though I don't know why that would be. For anyone with dryness and fine lines around the eyes, make sure you follow the instructions and apply your regular moisturizing eye cream first then layer this on top. This is primarily for firming and filling fine lines, not for dryness. I also really like this as a lip plumper. Haven't decided if I'll repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Yves Rocher - Riche Creme Wrinkle-Smoothing Night Cream
LucySnow 6/13/2007 9:51:00 PM
Got this as a freebie with an order of bath products from YR and wasn't expectng to be impressed. But my skin just soaks up this night cream without greasiness *and* without the flaky, dry patches on my cheeks flaring up by morning. In fact, the effects of this cream seem to last through the following day, although I apply a lighter moisturizer in the A.M. Haven't had dry patches on my cheeks since I started using this about a month ago and I've tried Lancome, Shiseido and other supposedly better quality skin care lines. Great stuff. On the cheap side too. Will definitely be repurchasing.
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Treatments (Eye) -Yves Rocher - Riche Creme Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Creme
LucySnow 6/13/2007 9:46:00 PM
I'm fairly impressed with this no-nonsense eye cream. It is non-greasy and truly moisturizes the crepey areas around my eyes. Not the best I've used, but not the worst either, and for the price I think it's a decent product. Would buy it again.
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Hair Color -L'Oreal - Natural Match haircolor [DISCONTINUED]
LucySnow 6/9/2007 10:03:00 PM
My natural *and* current color are dark auburn, so according to the box that should be my "natural match". Not so. I tried the Dark Auburn and ended up with hot roots. Turned my roots a bright cherry red and I had to color again immediately to cover them. Not impressed. The SA at the drugstore when I went to complain said NM is not a good choice for covering greys; too bad the box advertises this for grey coverage. Despite L'Oréal's claims that this is a gentle coloring system, I found it very harsh and drying. I'll stick with my old standby color, Garnier Belle Color in Dark Brown/Brown (I mix these colors) for a truly natural dark auburn.
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Lotions/ Creams -L'Occitane - Shea Butter Foot Cream
LucySnow 6/9/2007 9:56:00 PM
Tried a sample of this and far prefer it to Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream. Leaves my feet soft and moisturized. Unlike Burt's Bees, this can be applied in the morning, something I find vital in the summer when I need sandal ready feet. Didn't make my feet greasy or slippery, so it's perfect for summer footwear. I'm only giving it four lippies because if you apply it too soon before you go out, it does seem to attract the dirt. I plan to get a full-size tube of this with my Shopper's Drug Mart Optimum points :-)
Update 29/02/2008: just finished of my second full-size tube of this and I love it. No other foot cream holds a candle to it!
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Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Coconut Foot Creme
LucySnow 6/9/2007 9:50:00 PM
I wanted this for the longest time, so I hate to say I've found it to be a big disappointment. I like the coconut-peppermint scent, but after using it for several weeks, I have to say that's the best thing about it. It's very greasy, so you have to use it before bed with socks. I think most of it ends up on the inside of my socks and I don't find it leaves my feet terribly moisturized. Regular lotion works just as well if not better. In the summer, I need a foot cream that can be applied in the morning so my feet are sandal ready for the day. Burt's Bees just doesn't cut it. I tried a sample of L'Occitane's Shea Butter foot cream and think it's a much superior product.
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Hair -Aubrey Organics - Primrose Tangle-Go Hair Conditioner, Lusterizer, & Styling Spray
LucySnow 5/31/2007 8:10:00 PM
This doesn't work well as a leave-in. Does nothing on that count in fact. But it does work very well as a refresher and to tame late-day frizzies and I love the floral scent which definitely lingers on my hair.
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