Hair Color -Clairol - Nice 'n Easy - Root Touch Up
FunnyValentine 6/13/2009 11:39:00 PM
This is a review of the Root Touch Up color "Medium Brown/Medium Ash Brown". I used this last night, and it was easy enough to use, and did seem to cover most of my grays, but it looks a bit reddish in my mirror. I look bad in red. But until I find something else that is just as easy to use (it comes with the little touch-up brush, and the instructions say that you don't even have to shampoo it out, just rinse), I will continue to use this to cover my grays. Meanwhile, I'll read up on Frederic Fekkai hair colors which I think are sold at Sephora.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Mineral Basics Australian Emu Oil
FunnyValentine 6/13/2009 7:10:00 PM
Disgusted. I am disgusted at myself for buying it, and disgusted by the product itself. I'm not sure which Emu oil I ordered, but it was an Australian one, which I ordered online because I'd read that it was a by-product of the emu meat which is eaten in Australia. Shame on me. I guess I deserve the cystic acne which erupted after one night's use, and the scars which it left. I felt so bad wasting it, that I attempted to use it on my legs, but the smell was revolting. There is no way to forget that this is the oil from a living creature, and shame on me for purchasing it.
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Moisturizers -Arcona - Magic White Ice
FunnyValentine 5/28/2009 5:19:00 PM
I can't figure out how this could break me out, but after using it, I broke out in tiny pimples. The ingredients look so benign (although I am allergic to apples, maybe the apples in it did it--but that seems strange to me). Bummer, because it's got such a nice texture and it's all-natural (and they sell it at the spa on my block ;-) Ingredients: Agua (Distilled Water), Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (Witch Hazel), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract (Cranberry), Camellia Sinensis Extract (White Tea), Totara Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract (Apple), Allantoin, Beta Carotene (Vitamin A), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Ascorbic Acid Ester (Vitamin C), Tocotrienols (Vitamin E), Grapefruit Seed Extract (Citrus Grandis)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Kimberly Sayer of London - Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF 25
FunnyValentine 5/28/2009 5:16:00 PM
Bummer, bummer, bummer. I had soooo wanted this to be my HG, that I continued using it for a week, despite the tiny pimples I was getting. But today I awoke to 2 larger ones, and I gave up. Shoot. I love that it's only got physical sunscreen, and that it's an all-natural and even organic moisturizer, and it's also nearly invisible on the skin. But the ingredients list oil, and I guess I just can't handle oils other than jojoba oil. What a bummer. I guess I'll use it on my arms until I finish the bottle. Edit: While I am using this on my arms (because I can't see wasting it), both I and my friend noticed that I look tan. So this is a bummer of a product for me all around. Ingredients (which I couldn't find anywhere on the web): Purified water, high-oleic safflower oil, Cetearyl glucoside (coconut), Arachidyl and behenyl alcohol (coconut), Sea algae extract, Squalane (olives), Vegetable glycerin, Shea butter, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Undecylenoyl glycine, Japanese honeysuckle extract (preservative).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Solbar - Zinc Sun Protection Cream SPF 38
FunnyValentine 5/28/2009 5:03:00 PM
So far, in my never-ending quest for the perfect sunscreen, this is the best I've come up with. I like that there's zinc (7.5%), and, even though there's chemical sunscreen (octoxinate and homosalate, which I'm not crazy about), so far it hasn't burned my skin or my eyes, or made me break out (knock on wood!), fulfilling the company's claims that it's non-comodegenic and non-irritating. It does have silicones, which I've heard aren't good for the skin, but it doesn't have any parabens (I guess b/c it contains silicones, instead of water). It does go on quite white and shiny/greasy, but I like that I can skip moisturizer. Anyway, so far, if I don't use too much, it settles in pretty well. I do have to dust powder over top, to mattify. The bottle says it retains its effectiveness after 80 minutes in water, so if that's true, it's great. I have a feeling this will, however, slide off my face when I exercise, so it's not my HG. I had liked Sofina for those times when I need my ss to stay put while I exercise, but I developed a rash on my face the last time, probably from the chemicals in it (or it was a heat rash--I don't know). Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide (Z-cote HP1) 7.5% Octyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Homosalate 10% Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Isobutyl stearate, Glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, glycerin, glyceryl dilaurate, PVP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, DEA-Cetyol Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Cetyol Alcohol, Benzyol ALcohol, CItric Acid, Xanhan Gum and Disodium EDTA.
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Sunscreen -Sofina - Perfect UV (UV cut milk Extra Block) SPF 50 + PA +++ [DISCONTINUED]
FunnyValentine 4/16/2009 11:49:00 PM
This ss is not my favorite, simply b/c of the unnatural ingredients and the way that it dries out my skin and burns a bit (I have very sensitive skin). I kind of dread putting it on, and can't wait to take it off when I get home. But since it protects me and doesn't break me out, I use it when I know I'll be out in the sun for long periods of time. Also, as other people have mentioned, it acts like a primer and makes the skin look less oily. I don't know what the ingredients *really* are, but no listing that I've seen has ever mentioned parabens in the ingredient list. I hope that's accurate. Also, it does have zinc, which is great. I hope the PA is as high as they claim, but I read (I think on MUA) that Japanese cosmetics don't necessarily rate the PA in the same we that the US and Europe do, and that they tend to rate it higher than it would be considered in the States and Europe. But I think this ss is brilliant--I only wish it were fully physical and didn't sting.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Boscia - MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil
FunnyValentine 4/16/2009 11:41:00 PM
This product is like a natural version of DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil. Sephora sells it, so it's much easier to find. I love that it's "all natural", and it smells really...clean, almost like mint. My two gripes are that I only recently purchased it, and I'm already halfway through the bottle, and also I wish the company sold refills, instead of wasting so much plastic buying a whole new pump every time. Ingredients: Cetyl Ethylhexanoate (Source: mixed plants), Polyglyceryl 2 Diisostearate (Source: mixed plants), Polyglyceryl 20 Hexacaprylate (Source: mixed plants), Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate (Source: mixed plants), Epilobium Angustifolium Extract (Willowherb (Source: plant)), Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract (Jojoba (Source: organically grown plant)), Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba (Source: organically grown plant)), Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Rose Hips (Source: plant)), Elaeis Guineensis Oil (Palm (Source: plant)), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder (Source: plant), Eucalyptus Oil (Source: plant), Menthol (Source: plant), Dextrin Palmitate (Source: plant), Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (Source: plant), Copper Chlorophyll (Source: plant), Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin (Source: plant)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Boscia - Purifying Cleansing Gel
FunnyValentine 1/12/2009 8:50:00 PM
This is a nice gentle cleanser with healthy ingredients. It's gentle, so I use it in the morning, not when I have to remove makeup. As others have mentioned, since there are no yucky parabens (which I think have been linked to altering hormones), there is an expiration date. Ingredients: Water, Diglycerin, Maltitol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Methyl Gluceth 10, Potassium Cocoyl Glutamate, TEA Cocoyl Alaninate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Lauroyl Glutamate, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract (Jojoba), Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary), Hydrangea Serrata Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
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Cleansers -Origins - Checks and Balances
FunnyValentine 1/12/2009 8:47:00 PM
I just bought this cleanser the other day, but so far I love it. I first use DHC deep oil cleanser, then I wash with this soap. The lather is rich and it smells really nice--and best of all, I think it really does clean my face without stripping it, and all of this without yucky stuff like parabens, etc. Also, as mentioned by others, a tiny bit goes a looong way. I also love that Origins doesn't test on animals. INGREDIENTS: Aqueous (Water, Aqua Purificata, Purified) Infusion, Lavadula Angustifolia (Lavender), Potassium Myristate, Glycerin, Potassium Behenate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Pamitate, Potassium Laurate, Potassium Stearate, PEG-3 Distearate, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Mentha Spicata (Spearmint), Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium), Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Essential Oils (Olea), Tourmaline, Laminar, Saccharin Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone (iln21793)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer spf 30
FunnyValentine 12/1/2008 1:31:00 PM
UPDATE: Ok, I'm less in-love than I was previously, as this burns the dickens out of my eyes when the lotion comes anywhere near it. Ouch! And that's the area that needs the most moisture and sun protection, as it's the thinnest. Arg. Well, other than that, it's a nice natural spf lotion for the body (but it worries me a bit that it could sting so much--how "natural" could it be?). My face did turn red when I wore it (not sure if from the sun or the irritation of the ss), and it had this plastic-y coating, so I will not be using this again on my face. But I keep the jar in my bag for when my hands get chapped.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Bye-Bye Blemish - Drying Lotion
FunnyValentine 7/26/2008 7:03:00 PM
I mix this product in with Everyday Minerals' Silk and Tinted Silk powders to create my ideal face powder. I'm not sure that this actually helps keep acne at bay, but sulfur (it's main active ingredient) supposedly helps, so I figure it can't hurt.
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Loose Powders -Everyday Minerals - Silk Dust (Untinted ) [DISCONTINUED]
FunnyValentine 7/26/2008 7:00:00 PM
This is now my HG powder. I mix the Silk dust with the Tinted Silk dust to match my complexion (the Silk Dust is a bit too pale for me, and the Tinted Silk a bit too dark), and then I mix in a bit of my Bye-Bye Blemish powder and...Voila'! My ideal powder! This supposedly has good-for-you-and-your-skin ingredients, and it wears well and hasn't clogged my pores (knock on wood). It helps to cover flaws in the skin, but doesn't rub off on fabrics/tissues in a skin-colored mess (I hate feeling like I'm "wearing make-up". This helps sop up oil, without settling in fine lines and accentuating them. As many have said, the packaging (with this and most mineral make-up) is messy. I often wind up with powder on my clothes (if I forget to shake it off, I look like I'm shedding dandruff), on my dresser, and on the floor. Until they make a little brush-filled dispenser like Peter Thomas Roth's mineral sunscreen, I'll just continue leaving clouds of powder around my dressing area.
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Treatments -Acne.org - Treatment
FunnyValentine 7/26/2008 6:41:00 PM
This is a review for Dan Kern's cleanser. I wish I had never stopped using this cleanser. Over a year ago, I threw away everything unnatural in my home, and unfortunately that included a bottle of DK's cleanser. That was when all my skin problems started. I can't be sure what to attribute them to, but I know that when I went back to DK's cleanser (which, admittedly, has all sorts of unnatural ingredients), my skin improved a bit. I wish I had not thrown away everything at once, but had started the shift to natural products more gradually. That way I would know for sure what was causing me to break out. But now I'm erring on the side of caution and continuing to use DK's dirt-cheap cleanser (which is ph-balanced, so I don't have to tone afterwards).
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Silkia Camellia Oil
FunnyValentine 7/26/2008 6:36:00 PM
I recently started using Silkia Camellia oil because I read that it can help fill in scars. It's too oily for me to use alone as a moisturizer during the day (although it's more of a silky dry oil than jojoba oil, which I also tried but was just too oily under my sunscreen). So now I mix a drop or 2 of the camellia oil in with my moisturizer. So far, it hasn't broken me out (knock on wood) which is my biggest hurdle with products. I have oily skin to begin with, but if you've got dry skin and are going for a dewy look, this would probably give you that effect. I love that it's organic and has nothing added. UPDATE: I think this might be breaking me out, so I no longer use it on my face. Also, it didn't help with scars, after using if for a couple of months.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Melashade
FunnyValentine 7/26/2008 6:30:00 PM
I received a sample of this product from my facialist (who works at a derm's office). I was hesitant to try this, because just about everything breaks me out. But today I wore it for the first time. It felt smooth (like glass) going on. It just glided right into place. It makes the skin look so much better than without it--or with anything else I've tried (except maybe Sofina, which I also use, but which burns my skin a bit and dries it out so much from the alcohol). I'm still wearing the MelaShade (it's held up well all day), so I can't comment on whether or not I'll be able to get it off tonight (others have commented that it's difficult to remove). But I plan on using DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil to remove it. I hope it works, because I'm so afraid of clogging my pores. Anyway, I love that this is a mineral sunscreen (although I wish there were more zinc) and that it's paraben-free. I guess silicones can't be too good for the skin either, but it seems that everything completely natural makes me look like Casper the Friendly Ghost or like a grease ball. I'll update if it breaks me out. Good luck to everyone else who's also looking for "the perfect sunscreen." UPDATE: I just can't get used to wiping my face and staining the tissue with the shade of Melashade/my skin. It grosses me out. I guess I should get over it, but I really don't like wearing makeup, and this feels too much like makeup to me. SECOND UPDATE: I'm back to using this again on days when I want to look better (it's like undetectable makeup!) This is the best physical sunscreen I've ever worn. I now love it.
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