Treatments -John Frieda - Daily Nourishment leave-in fortifying spray
Crabtwix 1/15/2009 11:48:00 AM
I have long, very fine straight hair that is bleach highlighted and colored. After the latest round of highlights, I noticed my hair was more tangle-ie, and that the last two inches wanted to frizz. I tried a couple different de-tanglers, but they just didn't seem to be enough - or they were WAAAY too much, leaving my hair extra flat, dull and greasy. I struggle with products that are too heavy for my hair - this one seems just right. I condition with a regular creme conditioner (currently using Garnier Sleek & Shine), but once I towel dry, my hair is VERY tangled (and yes, I am using a microfiber towel!). My hair literally makes knots. A few sprays of this, especially hitting the ends, makes combing out sooo much easier - and in the rare instance where there is a knot, I can spray a little on my finger tips and rub it into the knot and it will practically dissolve. I can tell there is something in my hair - but it leaves my hair shiny right to the end, and tangle-free all day. I can see where it wouldn't have much impact on very damaged hair, or hair with a ton of texture - it's going to be too light for that. I, however, will definitely repurchase.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
Crabtwix 1/11/2009 5:37:00 PM
No mascara is perfect, but this one comes close for me. I have fairly long lashes naturally, and usually go with volumizing mascaras, but I hate the way they make my lashes feel, and find most are so hard to wash off (even the non-waterproof ones). Stiletto feels natural, lengthens extremely well and makes my lashes extra black and glossy. It also washes off easily with the gentlest cleaner. The wand works well, tho if I grind it too much into the base of my lashes, it does make my eyes momentarily itchy. I like the more liquid quality of the formula, as it glides on very smoothly. I am, however, taking a lippie off due to the extreme rose smell. It is an OK smell, but it's very strong - I can still smell it hours later. All in all, I would definitely buy again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
Crabtwix 1/20/2008 4:04:00 PM
Coconut oil rules. I have a jar - Spectrum unrefined - and have been using it for my face for a while now. I have had acne my whole life and have really struggled with solutions... lord knows how much money I've spent - THOUSANDS is an understatement. I started using it with a couple drops of castor oil - I use a little metal spatula to scrape some out of the jar, and drop that into my palm with the castor oil. I press my palms together and in moments, it's liquified. I rub that all over my face, really rubbing it in, until it feels like it's absorbing. Then I either steam with a hot washcloth (about every third day) or use a damp washcloth to gently wipe the residual away. It smells like an almond joy - which I am just fine with. Recently, the weather has been super dry, and I've had to start using grapeseed oil to supplement. It's much lighter, and stays with my skin a little longer. I can see the coconut oil being PERFECT for summer months tho. No cleansers. No moisturizers. No eye cream or acne gels or serums. I now realize the whole skin-care industry is a big scam. Get thee some oil.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Aura Cacia - Grapeseed Oil
Crabtwix 1/20/2008 3:44:00 PM
I am using GrapeOla brand grapeseed oil... I have just recently discovered the Oil Cleansing Method after years and years of horrible acne and unbalanced skin... dermatologists, thousands spent and never feeling great about my skin. My method - To remove eye makeup - I put a little oil into a cotton pad and rub the makeup off... this removes every kind of waterproof makeup with little fuss. Then I put oil in my palm,(about a quartersized amount) and rub my hands together (clean hands!) and start rubbing my dry face I'll rub and smooth the oil in for several seconds - to the point where I am giving myself a mini-facial. After it starts to feel like the oil is getting absorbed, I use a wash cloth with as hot water as I can stand, mostly rung out, and place that over my face to steam. As soon as the cloth cools (this takes seconds), I'll do it again, then after that, I very gently use the freshly rinsed out cloth to wipe away any residual oil. That is it. No cleanser. No soap. No moisturizer. Then, in the morning, I just rinse my face with water in the shower. The lines on my forehead (I am 35) have already nearly disappeared. My skin has never, ever felt better. I have had some very minor pimples pop up -- I think more of individual pores finally getting really clean. Once whatever is in the little spots is pressed out, they heal up by the next day. It's pretty remarkable. I highly recommend it! OH - and I only do the steaming about every third day... otherwise it's actually too harsh. If you have a lot of acne, you may want to add a little caster oil (a VERY LITTLE) or a drop of tea tree oil (in a 4 oz bottle of oil, literally one or two drops) - this will help disinfect your skin, and break the cycle. These oils get down into the pores and pull the dirt and oil out to the surface to be wiped away. It's genius. OH - and I've used coconut oil as well --- it really absorbs into the skin, but my skin was actually a little too dry (when I used to be a grease-rag!)....
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Prescriptives - Super Line Preventor
Crabtwix 8/1/2007 9:10:00 AM
Long ago, I used this product regularly, and loved it... and had to stop using it because of the price - she ain't cheap. Recently, a friend gave me a ton of samples she had, and a nice sized sample of this was in the mix, and I thought I'd give it a go, once again. And, of course, I am back in love. I am 35, and my skin leans towards acne, and unevenness in general. The SLP DID make me break out more heavily at first - so for all of you who've used it for 4 days or whatever, and given up, you didn't use it LONG enough. It takes about 3 weeks for my skin to go thru a full cycle with a new product --- the reason that this one causes those of us who are prone to breaking out have flare ups is because it is purging the skin of nastiness. After about two weeks, my skin was calming down (even at THAT time of the month)... and now it's been 5 weeks and my skin is MUCH more even, no breakouts, and smoooooooth. So - looks like I'll be off to the store for a full sized. I know about the glass bottle, and am not thrilled about it - but I'll keep my little sample bottle to refill for travel - and don't be afraid to ask for a sample bottle to go with your new purchase for this very reason - the sales people are usually great about that stuff.
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Skincare - Face -Murad - Acne Complex©
Crabtwix 5/5/2007 10:49:00 PM
I used the products in the "complex" package religiously a couple years ago with a lot of success... I had a long standing appt with a dermatologist (I'd had this appt for almost 6 months) and decided to go, and ended up using the stuff that he'd prescribed with similar success. Since then, I've gone thru another "change" of skin (ever two years it seems) and am back to the Murad stuff. I am in the same camp of folks that absolutely cannot tolerate Benzoyl Peroxide, and it isn't easy finding effective alternatives. All that said, on both occasions of using these products I have noticed a DECREASE immediately in my cystic acne, and a small decrease in the smaller, short-term kinds of breakouts in the first 3-4 weeks of use. For me, I think it's a purging period. After that, my skin becomes remarkably clear, and the lotion is just enough for summer moisturizing. I also dot the moisterizer on the backs of my hands, and the skin now has an amazing texture and look much younger. Will definitely purchase again... and probably branch out into other products as my skin ages (I'm 35).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Palmers - cocoa butter body gloss
Crabtwix 3/24/2005 8:21:00 PM
I LOVE this product. It is perfect for a subtle sheen - and is fabulous over a light tan. It is moisterizing without being greasy. It's so much better - and better for your skin - than the super glittery lotions and gels out there. For those who don't like the sheen on your hands... keep rubbing your skin!!! It really emulsifies into your skin when it's warmer and will wear off. Enjoy!
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Eye Shadow -Aromaleigh - Pure Hue [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:56:00 PM
I have Moire, Tea Rose, Snow, Lichen and samples of about 10 other colors. They have the classic smooth texture of most mineral make-up, and fabulous colors. HUGE color palette of matte to very shimmery. The Tea Rose doubles very nicely as an iridescent blush, and can be put over my lip balm for color (seriously - what more could you ask for?). This stuff is great - the colors are can be bright or subtle, sheer or opaque - and the price is pretty good too. Especially since they last practically forever.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Aromaleigh - Pure Powder Illuminator Finishing Powder [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:52:00 PM
Great powder that delivers a more natural, less matte finish than BE Mineral Veil. The Mineral Veil just sat on my skin, without blending in, but the Illuminator sets my makeup with a fresh dew. It's not glitter or even shimmer - it's hard to explain how such a small amount of shimmer or iridesence or whatever leaves such a nice finish, but it does!
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Skincare - Body -Aromaleigh - Natural Healing Hand and Body Balm [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:48:00 PM
Well - I paid $18 for my 2" diameter tin, and it is worth every bit. My cuticle are like new, an elbow scrape healed in record time and an itchy spot stopped itching. It's an everything balm. I am attacking my heels next. Initially, it was slightly more greasy than I expected, but I figured out that I was just using too much! It takes very little, and a little effort to rub in, but it's an amazing product. Oh - and the lavender/clean scent is great.
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Cleansers -Aromaleigh - Unscented Gel Cleanser [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:44:00 PM
Amazing product. Since using this cleanser (I am about 1/3 through a bottle I got at the beginning of March), my skin has gotten smoother and I break out less. It has such a lovely texture and is gentle, but will remove most of my waterproof mascara. I have tried everything from Perricone to Kiehls to drugstore to clear up my skin - Aromaleigh did what none of the others could do. And, it's natural and non-caustic and lovely.
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Highlighters -Aromaleigh - Perle Illuminating Powder [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:37:00 PM
Again - another fabulous product from the queens of natural at Aromaleigh. I have samples in Aura, In Bloom, Luminous and Splendor. I have used the In Bloom 4 or 5 times, and still have many, many uses left. All of the colors have a subtile shimmer - not glitter, shimmer - very natural and glowy. Aura - mid-tone, plummy, bronzish beige In Bloom - mid-tone, plum with a mauve cast - the shimmer is slightly pink Luminous - mid-tone, bronzy, peachy with the mearest hint of pink Splendor - pale gold with peachy overtones - I added this to my existing loose powder to give it a shimmery glow. Very smooth and fabulous...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Aromaleigh - Verita Pure Rouge [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:32:00 PM
This is the best blush ever! I have been wearing it every day, and it is very natural. The best part, is that as I have added bottle-tan to my skintone, all I have to do is add a teeny bit more blush to get the color I want. It's fabulous. Slightly plummy, rosie midtone in the pot with lovely gold/neutral shimmer. Fabulous.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Aromaleigh - Aromaleigh Pure Shine Lip Gloss [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:27:00 PM
I have this in Allure (a smooth slightly candy pink) and Enthrall (a nudie-pinkie-beigie color - medium tone) and I dearly love them both. The texture is so smooth and stays fairly well for a gloss. Once the gloss wears away, a faint stain of color is left, which is great. I have also noticed an improvement in the texture and smoothness of my lips since using these - a HUGE improvement over most all other glosses, including MAC, which dried out my lips terribly. And, the smell - it's the freshly broken-open scent of a Toblerone Chocolate Orange. Truly fabulous and addictive. I'll be getting more colors ASAP.
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Eyes -Aromaleigh - Eye shadows [DISCONTINUED]
Crabtwix 5/13/2004 9:20:00 PM
The stickers are over the sifters and the packaging has been changed. I have order several colors recently, and haven't had any mess. The colors are amazing - there truly is something for everyone. They are blendable and work wet or dry. The frosts and satins are especially nice. Not over the top and teeny-bopper, but shimmery, lovely and such soft colors. Satin Marigold is a new favorite of mine - a truly pale peachy/gold/ with just a hint of pink - very lovely. I have found the samples to be generous and plenty for several (I mean SEVERAL - maybe even 15-20, depending on how used) uses. And, it is such a great way to try colors that you can't see in person!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No