Mascara -Dr. Hauschka - Mascara
Godiva18 2/10/2011 10:45:00 AM
After leaving a review for Dr. Hauschka's Volume Mascara I have to leave one for the original as well. This is by far one of the best mascaras I own and will continue to repurchase. The formula leaves my lashes soft (not stiff and crunchy to the touch) and patent leather shiny! Someone always asks what I have on my lashes when I wear this, without fail! :P and if that is not the ultimate testament of a good mascara, I wouldn't know what is... I will say this mascara isn't for everyone. I am very concerned with the health of my lashes and my health overall, so I am an addict for natural and holistic products. The cons are the scent -- very earthy, some people will not appreciate it, the cost ($25.95 at my local market), and the formula is not waterproof (I don't usually buy waterproof anyway) so it may smudge on the lower lashes. :) The Pros outweighs it for me. My lashes are healthy and separated and fluttery and glossy with this mascara. Basically everything I look for in my mascara. (ps: For some reason I cannot get a good picture uploaded for this review, but the small one up is not very accurate. The brush on the regular original mascara is very standard, getting thinner at the tip, and works really well!)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Dr. Hauschka - VOLUME mascara!
Godiva18 2/10/2011 10:29:00 AM
Dr. Hauschka is a German holistic brand best known for its skincare (if you have the money to invest I would highly recommend trying!). My mother recommended this brand to me and of course I veered towards the comestics. The mascaras, volume and regular, are the standard 10 ml tubes with regular wands. The formulas are what make them stand out -- they are super glossy! Volume mascara: Pros: natural ingredients (talk about "conditioning and lash accelerating"!), glossy formula -- leaves my lashes patent leather shiny!, and pigment (this is very pigmented, my lashes are not just dark, they are BLACK! which makes it very volumizing) Cons: cost $29.95 at my local organic supermarket, location (very difficult to find, although you can purchase from Dr. Hauschka's website now), scent (it has a very earthy smell, which I enjoy but I see other people disliking), and the "wetness" of the formula -- it takes a longer period to dry compared to standard mascaras, and it is not waterproof (will definetely smudge if I place it on my lower lashes). Overall -- up there with my top 5 favorite mascaras, Dr. Hauschka is my cup of tea :3 (I do prefer the regular formula though, because of the brush I think)
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Lip Treatments -Jack Black - Intense Therapy Lip Balm spf 25
Godiva18 2/9/2011 1:52:00 PM
Have never liked lip balm. Always hated it, mostly because it never did anything for my lips -- ... always having to reapply, over and over and over, and blah. :) This lip balm in the other hand is lovely. It is moisturizing, nothing "fancy" or promising about it, just does its job! And I would not have tried it had it not been recommended by a friend, because it is Jack Black -- the line I always associated with my brother's shaving cream. But Jack Black knows what it is doing with lip balm as well. Like everyone has already said -- a little goes a loooong way, and the SPF is a HUGE bonus (every SPF lip balm I've tried previously has left a funny aftertaste, and this does not!) Also -- they have a black tea and blackberry "flavor" now! So.... hooray!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Kate Walsh - Boyfriend
Godiva18 2/9/2011 1:37:00 PM
This perfume is right up my alley :D The name alone caught my attention! Woodsy, more "masculine" smelling scents always grab me. In fact a lot of my favorite fragrances (to use on myself) are very light fragrances advertised for men. That said I don't like to smell like "dude." Too much musk just goes past "sultry" into sleazy, especially on a woman. :) So a perfume geared for women with a manly smell seems like my perfect fit! And Boyfriend by Kate Walsh is definetely that. I love the smell. The downfall for me is the vanilla. It overpowers the woodsy a little more than I would have liked. This fragrance is sophisticated and to my nose more upscale -- either for the office or for a night out, not for every day. Overall -- I recommend it if you're like me and want to smell like a girl but like some musky scents. ^-^' It still doesn't replace my favorite fragrances though.
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Mascara -FairyDrops - FAIRYDROPS Mascara
Godiva18 2/9/2011 1:25:00 PM
How many times have you seen youtubers comment on Asian mascara? :3 I definetely think there is a reason! Asian mascara has amp'd up technology for Asian lashes. In general I would pick an Asian mascara over a high end Western mascara any day. :S I do think there is a bit of an overhype over this mascara in particular though. Yes - it curls, it keeps a curl, it lengthens and volumizes. And this goes for all the fairydrops mascaras -- I've tried them all -- the original (purply plain tube), the platinum, the volume burst (and in regular and waterproof formulas). They are all "good". The wand is nifty (similar to Rimmel sexy curves) - but honestly, does nothing for me. If anything I find myself more awkward with it... My big beef with this mascara -- it's so hard to get off... I find myself scrubbing (and losing lashes in the process) to remove it. Now - one of my friends recommended using a GOOD eye make up remover. Which works! (but I'm more of a low maintenance gal when it comes to my makeup... I like something that goes on easy and comes off easy) Also -- this did give me more dramatic eyes. So if that's not your look, I recommend trying something else. Check out the http://www.fairydrops.com webiste :) it has the story behind the Aya brand. Kinna cool. (although you cannot buy this mascara there) I did get, and it is on my list to try, the new fiber warm-water removal fairydrops available in the US now. High hopes for that one.
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Blush -MAC - Just A Pinch Gel Blush
Godiva18 2/9/2011 10:17:00 AM
Why does MAC not make more products like this? In a more permanent fashion? I love gel blushes and stains anyway, but this LE gel blush is wonderful! Easy to apply, lovely texture, blends beautifully, lovely pinky red for the perfect flush (especially if you're fair and have a tough time with blushes). Not only that but look at the ingredients - I've never said that about MAC products before! :) A lot of good oils! I use this blush on a regular basis when I don't want to wear any makeup. Just a little pinch and out the door ^-^ So MAC -- make more of these! I'd LOVE to try it in different shades! (oh, and maybe make it in a bottle with a pump? More sanitary :))
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
Godiva18 2/9/2011 10:04:00 AM
This is my favorite drugstore mascara! The packaging is really cute (a little heel XD). The brush is amazing -- long and skinny, getting thinner at the end (perfect for getting all the lashes). Honestly, even when it is drying out, this mascara looks good on my lashes. Both formulas don't clump, flake, or smudge (I've owned both regular and waterproof formulas). It is advertised as a lengthening mascara, and I've never seen such length with anything else, but it also gives a little volume (without making the lashes look like they can't breath through all the mascara!). I have the blackest color -- word of warning -- it looks a little greyish on the tube. As you can see by the pictures above though, it is VERY black! The only time someone has stopped me to ask what mascara I am wearing (5 people, 2 strangers, same day) was with this mascara! :( However, big big CON, will not and have not repurchase as this is high on the "Companies That DO Test on Animals" list with PETA. Very very sad L'Oreal! Please stop testing, with all the brands you own, and sign the stupid sheet that you are sorry XP and will never do it again (so I can recommend your products again!)
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Shampoo -LUSH - BIG
Godiva18 2/9/2011 9:48:00 AM
BIG is a combination of sea salt leave in hair volumizers with Lush shampoo! Whoever would think to put salt rocks in a soap? Genius! It took some time for me to learn to love this product. The first time I smelled it I was apprehensive (to me it smells like cleaning supplies!), the first time I lathered I got no "lather," and the first time I used it I had grains of salt in my hair! However, happy to say, this product is innovative and works well. :) Just have to get used to it! The slightest amount of product goes a looong way (belief the Lush salesman when they tell you that!) -- even if you have long hair! Concentrate that small amount on your roots -- just like any shampoo really, this will take the grease off AND get you more volume; use the remaining lather on the rest of your hair. Wet this product underwater a few times, it is not going to wash it off your head, it's going to "activate it" to a good lather :) My hair gets good lift and is literally "squeaky" when I am done. No other way to explain it ^-^ if you tried it you know what I mean! The only CON -- this is slightly drying, but so are most "volumizing" shampoos, it's how they work. I recommend using a mild conditioner to your ends (NOT the roots) after shampooing (as for buying it again -- Maybe should be an option ;). The only time someone has told me "your hair looks huge" without any other product or teasing)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Glogg Shower Gel
Godiva18 2/9/2011 9:36:00 AM
GLOGG is the perfect warm scent for those cold winter days! Cinnamon and clove fight it out with the wine and make this shower gel a winning spicy scent. :) And everyone who loves spicy fragrances should try this out because it's not just cinnamon in there! Cons (to me) include that this was a seasonal/"limited to holiday season"/"is it coming back?" soap, the price (since it expires in about 1 year), and the preservatives (as I try to avoid them), and the texture (very liquid-y, but foams up and cleans well for me). Biggest "pro" to me is this smell actually stays with me all day! It lingers better than any fragrance I have ever tried! :) Not only would I buy this again, I stocked up for the whole year!
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Happy Hippy
Godiva18 2/9/2011 9:22:00 AM
This is one of the first shower gels I've ever gotten from Lush :) and it's quite nice! Refreshing, due to the grapefruit, but not in an overbearing citrus scent. The bergamot oil comes through and give this gel a whole other dimension -- almost fresh and dewy, "leafy" - if that makes sense ^-^. The cons are -- this gel expires quickly (not too quickly if you buy a small size and it's your only gel, usually about 1 year shelf life), still has preservatives (not a problem for all but I like my cosmetics natural when possible), and the smell does not linger on the skin very long. Overall :) probably wouldn't buy it again, but would recommend you smell at the store!
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
Godiva18 2/8/2011 3:47:00 PM
Meh. (that's a word now! love it!) However I'm not feeling the love for this mascara. Which is sad, because for some people this is a holy grail! Mascara is a staple for me -- the one thing I like not to leave the house without. I tend to be very fickle - I'll try a new one every week if I don't control myself! Needles to say, I've tried a lot. All I want in a mascara is to have miraculously thick glossy fan looking lashes :3 that's not too much to ask for, is it? Well... "falsies" lured me in with it's name, and I wanted desperately to love it. But I didn't from try number 1 -- it clumped my lashes together into 2-3 monster lashes. It was a disaster. :) Maybe it was just my tube, or my application (though I tried it every which way -- upside and backwards!) so if you're interested try it out! Oh, and needless to say, if you like your lashes natural or even slightly fanned out -- I don't recommend it....
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Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat [DISCONTINUED]
Godiva18 2/8/2011 3:09:00 PM
Petticoat is absolutely LOVELY! If you can get your hands on it -- BUY IT! :) It's one of my favorite MSFs by MAC (and I've tried them all). The raspberry veining is gorgeous, with some smaller golden undertones, in very beautiful light pink powder. Swirled together it makes a beautiful sheen and blush for light to medium skintones. I do have to use a very light hand with this (since I'm transparent) but I LOVE that I can still wear it! And I think it'd look great on darker skintones as a highlight on with a swirl more concentrated on the raspberry veining. (If anyone knows for a dupe for this please let me know >.<)
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Styling Products -Aveda - Be Curly Style Prep
Godiva18 2/7/2011 9:37:00 AM
Best. Product. Ever. I could end the review there. This product is lovely, smells wonderful and relaxing, and definetely makes a good difference in my hair. It's the only styling product I cannot live without! I use about 2-3 pumps, massage between my hands, start with my lower layers and work my hands through to the top layers, while my hair is still damp. I usually just let it air dry from there. Without this product my curls fall apart into waves as soon as I walk out the door. According to aveda.com this product promises to "Adds moisture and curl definition as it seals the cuticle, taming frizz all day. Detangles to reduce breakage from combing. Also makes styling curls easier and helps maintain them longer—while leaving hair soft, not “crunchy.” Boosts the effects of be curlyTM curl enhancer." I will say that, unfortunately, this "tames" but does get RID of my frizzies all together -- but I do have stubborn THICK frizzies (plotting to take over the world). :3 But who cares, this product is still phenomenal and I look fabulous with it! Highly recommend it! ps: Check out your Aveda store, they may have samples of this right now. I got all my friends and family to try it and they love it! And check out their video http://www.aveda.com/product/CATEGORY13953/PROD16779/Styling/index.tmpl
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Bronzers -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish - Pink Power
Godiva18 2/6/2011 11:00:00 PM
:) I really REALLY (in lack of better vocabulary this late at night) REALLY! like this compact. It's nice that it's jumbo-sized, since MAC jumbo'd the price as well. ($35 dollars, instead of the usual $28) I'd agree with the other lovely reviewers before me -- this is more of a bronzer. However, because it's so big, the other 2 colors are not a bad size either. Being incredibly fair I can tell my fellow pale skinned MAC MSF lovers that this is a good one to have. The bronzer, when used with a light hand, did not make me look like an oompa loompa (not that there is anything wrong with that). The bronze goes on pretty matte, which I liked. :) and for everyone else the shimmer highlight is lovely and the pink is very frosty/shimmery! (the only downside to me, and the reason it is not 4 stars, is the price)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No