Gels/Soaps -Avalon Organics Botanicals - Refreshing Bath & Shower Gel - Peppermint
JInglygypsy 10/19/2010 1:21:00 AM
My usual body was is no longer being sold here, so I was forced to find something comparable. After trying all the usual store brands, and finding most of them overly greasy and hard to rinse, I gave this body wash a try, and I LOVE it! 1. It lathers well! I hate a body wash that doesn't get bubbly, but this one has plenty of refreshing lather! 2. The scent is truly invigorating! I love minty things, and this natural peppermint fragrance really provides a nice tingly experience in a hot shower. And, because it is made with natural peppermint oil it does not irritate sensitive areas. 3. IT RINSES EASILY! This has been such a problem with many other body washes, but this one rinses fast with no greasy residue. And, yes, it moisturizes the skin just a bit so one isn't left with a dry itchy feeling. In fact, my skin feels soft and supple after a shower. Unless you are looking for a heavily moisturizing body wash, I strongly suggest this one as it will give you a balanced clean feeling without a bit of dryness!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Boots - Expert Anti-Blemish Serum
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 5:55:00 PM
Occasionally, I have to deal with (read: I constantly battle) breakouts along the jaw line. Not little surface whiteheads and pimplies (i.e. tiny, barely there bumps), but the more painful types that hover under the skin and never come to a head, causing skin to look red and irritated. While the rest of my face has improved thanks to some lovely facial products, my jaw line refuses to cooperate. After hearing some great things about Boots' Expert line at Target, I bought this serum. I figured if it didn't work, I wouldn't be out much money because it is so cheap. Well, it DOES work. The thin, watery consistency might have you thinking there's not much to this serum, but that's the good thing about it. It is light, and it sinks in fast with little to no evidence that it is there. After a few weeks of nightly use under a moisturizer I am seeing less of the aforementioned jaw blemishes and more of clearer skin!! Definitely worth trying for yourself! PROS: Everything from price to effectiveness! CONS: Nothing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Aveeno - Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 5:37:00 PM
A mere 30 minutes after applying, my face was slick and shiny to the point that I looked sweaty! I tried blotting, but it didn't help. I never attempted applying make-up over this, but I don't think it would stand a chance against this greasy mess. I did give it several chances to redeem itself, but no matter how, when, or where I applied, it left me looking lacquered and waxy. Aveeno makes some darn good products, but this isn't one of them.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Lotion
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 5:27:00 PM
This lotion is a permanent fixture in my bathroom. I have been using it forever. In short, an all around great lotion that really works. No strong scent to compete with your other fragrances and no greasy residue left behind. The consistency is perfect for day use because it absorbs quickly and keeps your skin hydrated for quite a while. I have also found that, when really piled on, it makes for a great nighttime foot moisturizer! Out of all the body lotions I have tried, this is by far the most effective.
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Brows -Revlon - Colorstay Brow Enhancer
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 5:06:00 PM
This is best for those who have plenty of brow hairs and just need a little enhancement. This is not me. I have thin brows that need to be filled in and defined, and I just didn't get that from this product. There is very little pigmentation and a waxy texture, so don't expect precise definition here. If you are, on the other hand, looking for a subtle boost to your already gorgeous brows, then grab this product now! Unfortunately, I don't think it lasts as long as Revlon's other Colorstay products (which I love), and if you have oily skin you might notice it sliding off midday. On a positive note, the highlighter end of this is lovely! Use it under your brow arch or the inner corner of your eye for a nice effect.
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Styling Products -Clairol - Tousle Me Softly Mousse
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 4:50:00 PM
I have a short pixie cut, and when I don't want to really style it I throw some of this in my hair and use my fingers to define little pieces. There isn't too much hold, and it adds terrific shine! Once it dries it doesn't leave any annoying residue, so the hair feels clean. I don't know that this would do anything for me if I had longer hair. But, I do think if you want just the slightest bit of definition for a natural day look and you have short hair, then this just might be for you! It smells wonderful, by the way!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -TiGi - Bed Head Manipulator
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 4:19:00 PM
Meh. I mean, I don't know, I guess I thought I would be more impressed. I have super short pixie hair, and I always heard this is great for that, so I decided to try it out. It does define the different textures and layers of my cut, but it doesn't really perform all that well. After applying just a little of this on it's own my hair looks heavier and more solid (or helmet-like). I have been experimenting by combining a little of this with other similar products in my hand before applying, and that seems to help things a bit, but my expectation of this product was that it could stand alone. I will not be buying this again as it is too pricey for such a lackluster product. Oh, it smells good, though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Beeswax Lip Balm
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 4:03:00 PM
Desert island? One product? Right here, baby! I can't live, nay, I won't live, without it.
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Gels/Soaps -Mrs Meyer's Clean Day - Aromatherapeutic Hand Soap
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 3:53:00 PM
The best hand soap in the world! This is the only soap my husband and I use on our hands! Why's that, you ask? -It doesn't dry out our already dry hands! -It cleans great and rinses quickly and easily! -Every scent they offer smells delightfully fresh! There have been times when we have been out of town and unfairly forced to use other hand soaps, and we were subsequently faced with the horrors of dry knuckles and scraggly cuticles. Well, maybe that's an embellishment, but once you use this soap you will become even more aware how drying other hand soaps can be. From now on, and I don't care how spoiled I appear, I am bringing Mrs. Meyer's with me whenever I leave town.
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Foundations -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex SPF 6 for Combination/Oily Skin
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 3:31:00 PM
I never truly enjoyed using foundation until I tried this. I have oily skin, and while I may have liked other products in the short term, they quickly found their way into the trash. With Revlon's Colorstay, I can go all day without having to worry about my makeup getting gross and greasy. It took me a little while to understand how best to apply it, but once I got the hang of it I was hooked. I use a wedge sponge for this, not a brush, and I apply little bits at a time to small sections so that I don't over do it. It is full coverage, after all. Once it sets, I apply a pressed powder to give it that finished look. The colors match really well, too. I have fair skin with reddish undertones, and I use Buff (150). It neutralizes the red and gives a smooth, even appearance, and it never changes to a weird color as the day progresses. Since I've been using this, I have had several friends comment on how nice my skin looks. I always say, "oh, it's the foundation" because it really does improve the look of my skin. Oh, and a huge plus is that it has never caused a breakout, nor does it feel as though it's suffocating my pores. In a nutshell, it's the best foundation I've ever used.
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Moisturizers -Soap and Glory - Catch a Wrinkle in Time Moisturizer
JInglygypsy 2/9/2010 3:11:00 PM
I've been using this for a few weeks now and I absolutely love it! I have oily skin that sometimes breaks out around my chin and jaw line, and this is always a concern of mine when considering a facial moisturizer. Well, since I have pretty much fallen in love with several of Soap & Glory's products, I decided to give this little moisturizer a try. Happily, I can say this product lives up to its claims! From first use my skin was soft and supple and not greasy. After only a few days I noticed my skin looking a tad more refined and even (dare I say?) a little glow-y! Fast forward a few weeks and my skin is looking clear, even, and overall just great! I even think it's already working on those few fine lines I've been noticing at the sides of my eyes! Honestly, I have used a lot of different facial moisturizers over the course of my adult life, and I do believe I have found a real gem in this little product. It wears well alone or under make-up, and it can even stand in for a night moisturizer, if you are so inclined. *If you really want a fresh pick-me-up, try S&G Scrub Your Nose In It as a 3 minute mask, and then slap on some Catch a Wrinkle in Time. You will feel like you had a mini-facial! It's my new favorite routine!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Soap and Glory - Clean On Me Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel
JInglygypsy 8/19/2009 2:57:00 PM
Ah, now I know what all the fuss is about! For quite some time now, I have repeatedly walked past and given the side-eye to the Soap & Glory section at Target with the assumption that it is an overpriced, gimmicky company that focuses on packaging rather than what's on the inside. Why did I assume such a thing? Because the packaging is so cute, it must be trying to overcompensate for something. Well, I was wrong -- dead wrong. Upon reading the reviews here, I decided to put an end to my judgmental behavior and give Clean on Me a try. I skeptically eyed the last bottle perched perkily on the shelf before reaching out to grab it. I picked it up and began to untwist the pump to take a whiff, as if the smell alone could really tell me anything. Immediately, I was floored by the delicious aroma that wafted out. "Alright", I said to the cute little lady on the bottle, "You got me there." I placed the generously sized bottle in my basket and headed for my next destination -- the "real" body wash aisle. Because I was still feeling a bit skeptical, I grabbed a trusty backup body wash which I figured would bail me out once I realized I didn't really care for the Soap & Glory. Cut to my morning shower the next day. There I am, soapy and sudsy as a sink full o' dishes, hypnotized by the heavenly scent and happy as a clam in the sand. Only as the precious product is being washed down the drain do I begin to come out of my haze and realize that I have spent just a little too much time in the shower. Another thought enters my mind; this body wash and I can no longer exist separately. This is the Good Stuff, and I am hooked! That was 2 weeks ago, and I am happy to report that Clean on Me has proved itself in every way! It is moisturizing, but not oily or greasy, clean rinsing, and the gorgeous scent lingers on the skin for hours. Soap & Glory, you have hit the nail right on the head with this one! Don't ever change! UPDATE: February 2010 I continue to use this product religiously. It lasts so much longer than any other shower gel I have used. Simply put, I can't be without it!
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector [DISCONTINUED]
JInglygypsy 8/13/2009 1:22:00 PM
Of all the concealers I have tried, this one is the best! The concealer is perfect for under eye darkness as it covers completely and leaves a smooth finish. It also makes for a fabulous eye shadow primer, I have noticed, and I love using it on my entire eye area from lid to brow bone. Even on those lazy days when I go without eye makeup, I use a little of this to simply brighten and enhance my eye area. It also works flawlessly in other areas of the face, and I find that it is not quick to fade away. As for the highlighter, I didn't have many expectations. However, I am impressed by the subtle yet effective quality of it! Just a dab in the inner corners of the eyes (over the concealer,even) adds a nice light shimmer that gives a revitalized look. It is also great at the temples and at the peak in the top lip (as recommended by Maybelline), for it really does give that dewy, youthful glow! I never thought I would get excited over a concealer because they never live up to my expectations. Usually, I end up with a cakey, obvious look that screams CONCEALER to the world! But, with this one, I don't have to worry about that. In other words, this concealer conceals and remains concealed! Does the make any sense? ;)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Olay - Total Effects Anti Aging Anti Blemish Cleanser
JInglygypsy 6/8/2009 2:17:00 PM
I have never been a fan of cream cleansers, for the ones I have tried have been poor performers, and they have left my already oily face covered in greasy residue. However, as of late, my skin has been trying to tell me something by way of unevenness, flaky patches, and myriad tiny acne bumps in places they've never appeared before. In fact, I think my skin may be trying to tell me that it is maturing a little, and that it would like for me to stop using harsh products (who doesn't appreciate a good scrub?) on it. I had recently tried another acne cleanser with horrible results, and I was skeptical about trying another. I was skeptical, that is, until I realized that Olay has a cleanser that is not only dedicated to fighting the signs of aging, but one that will also stand by you in your fight against annoying and persistent acne. This Olay cleanser doesn't simply step in, push you aside, and declare war on the battlefield that is your face, causing you more problems than it actually solves. Rather, this cleanser comforts you with confident awareness and a gentle, yet highly effective, plan of action. In other words, it takes care of your delicate skin while eradicating the dreaded acne that has settled in. In only two weeks of using this product, my skin is clear of acne, softer than ever, significantly less oily, and, in a word, radiant. It truly has transformed my skin. Olay says it can be used 1-3 times daily, so I use it morning and night, and I let it soak into my skin for nearly a minute before I rinse it off each time. This little technique, I believe, allows the ingredients to work better. Oh, and by the way, for a cream cleanser it sure rinses easily! I never feel like I have left over make-up or other residue after using it. If you have issues with acne yet don't want to be left out of the anti-aging product extravaganza, then I highly suggest you give this cleanser a try!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Dream Matte Pressed Powder
JInglygypsy 6/8/2009 12:47:00 PM
This is a really great powder. I have been using it for some time now, and I have nothing bad to say. I do, however, have a word of warning: if you already use the Dream Matte Mousse foundation, pick a few shades darker in the powder or you may end up looking like a ghost! I wear the foundation in Porcelain Ivory (Light 1) and it matches my skin perfectly. Yet, I noticed when I first purchased the powder, the shades were a little lighter, so I chose a powder that is still in the Light family, but which is a couple shades darker than the foundation. Although I had chosen a darker powder, it was still way too light! So, I went back and got the powder in Sand (Medium 0-1) and it works like a charm! I have never purchased any powder in a medium tone such as this before because it would have been too dark. So, it seems that this particular Maybelline product may run a little on the light side, and you may want to take that into account when purchasing this otherwise awesome powder for yourself. As for all of the positive claims by previous reviewers, they are right on! Plenty of coverage, long lasting, oil-controlling, and best of all, a flawless looking finish, even on the less than perfect skin with which some of us are destined to deal. ;)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No