Styling Products -TRESemme - Instant Heat Tamer Spray
Merina 6/5/2013 10:47:00 PM
I absolutely cannot stand the packaging of this product! The spray nozzle is so annoying and I have to bend my wrist all weird like to get it to spray in the direction that I want it to. For that reason alone I gave this a 3/5. Having said that, the product itself is pretty good. Agree with all the reviewers below. I like that it gives a fine mist rather than soaking my hair. I have noticed a difference in my bleach blonde hair. I'm a natural dark brown brunette. My hair is smoother and shinier with the help of this product!
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Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Stain Balm - Crush
Merina 3/22/2013 10:56:00 AM
The color is quite unique. It's a plummy/wine/hot pink shade on me. Goes on smoothly upon application although I hate the chubby stick. Don't really want to whip that out in public. The color lasts A LONG time. I ate breakfast and drank coffee and the color was still on 3.5 hours later. I did have to touch up in one corner, but otherwise it looked exactly the same (even along the inner "ring" of your lips that actually touch the cup). It did make my lips look a little dried out/crumbly as the day progressed, but overall I am quite impressed with these Kissable stains! I quite enjoy the mint flavor in them and plan on collecting more colors.
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Lip Gloss -NARS - Turkish Delight
Merina 3/11/2013 10:33:00 AM
I too purchased this gloss after reading that Kim Kardashian wore it as I love that milky pale pink look. To me it looks just like what she wears and overall I am pleased with the gloss. Cons for me are the cost since it's $25 and the smell. It seems like every NARS gloss I purchase smells funny, like gasoline?? Would it hurt them to put a little bit of vanilla scent/flavor to it?!? The texture is nice as it's not sticky at all and when it fades (which it does so quickly) it leaves my lips super soft. I do love the color but it's not worth the $25 price tag.
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Scrubs -MAC - Volcanic Ash Exfoliator 
Merina 2/15/2013 11:38:00 AM
Where has this been all my life?!?! I used to use MK's microdermabrasion kit and it would leave my skin smooth and silky but it's sooo scratchy and would hurt! Now that I've found MAC's volcanic ash, I will exclusively use this product. It has both cleansing and exfoliating properties. It's not scratchy at all and smells great! The sugar crystals "melt" into your skin and rinse off easily. My skin has never been so smooth and soft! $28 for a large 100 mL squeeze bottle with flip top cap and it was confirmed by a MAC employee that this is in their permanent line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Oh, Oh, Oh
Merina 2/15/2013 10:57:00 AM
This review is for the Archie Betty collection version of Oh Oh Oh which looks to be the same shade as the other reviewers are describing. Absolutely LOVE this lipstick. It's like "O" but a lustre formula. Very moisturizing and it's the perfect nude rose shade on my NC30 skin. Goes great with all looks. I agree with the previous reviewer that it doesn't last long on the lips at all, but it's just such a pretty color that I'm willing to just reapply and move on. :) Would definitely repurchase!
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Conditioner -Pureology - PRECIOUS OIL SOFTENING CONDITION
Merina 1/28/2013 11:18:00 PM
I had used pureology's nano works before this one and nano works is soooo much better for my hair type. I have very thick, course, dry, color treated hair. This conditioner was too "light" for me. I prefer a conditioner that will weigh my hair down and smooth frizzies so it's not so poofy.
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Shampoo -Pureology - PRECIOUS OIL SHAMP'OIL
Merina 1/28/2013 11:15:00 PM
I had used pureology's nano works s&c prior to this one and nano works blows this one out of the water. I have very course, dry, color treated hair and heat style. The precious oil line would be fine for someone with normal hair I think. I need something a little heavier to help smooth down my frizzy hair and the precious oil s&c wasn't cutting it. Ended up exchanging it for the nano works which is more expensive, but worth it to me since it lasts about six months.
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Foundations -Sally Hansen - Airbrush Legs- tan glow
Merina 7/29/2012 6:03:00 PM
I uploaded two pictures (before and after) so people can see the type of coverage it gives. I have several spider veins on the back of my calves and this product does a good job helping to cover them up. They're not entirely covered, but it's much better! The "after" picture was using Deep Glow which is their darkest shade. I actually prefer Tan Glow because it's not as orange. It's my skin color, just better. :) I'm a MAC NC35-40 for reference. I am not a fan of the sparkles but you can only really see it in the sunlight. It is definitely transfer and water resistant. I went swimming with this stuff on and it stayed on until I started drying my legs off with a towel! Amazing! No noticeable scent and it doesn't spray all over the place. Just in the palm of my hand, where I want it. $12.49 at ULTA.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Sally Hansen - Airbrush Legs Deep Glow
Merina 7/29/2012 5:59:00 PM
I uploaded two pictures (before and after) using this product. Wow! It does help to cover up my spider veins. I am very pleased. I can do without the sparkles but you can only really see it in the sunlight. I love its staying power and that its transfer resistant. I even went swimming with this stuff on and it stayed put until I started drying off my legs. There's no noticeable scent which I like. I like this product better than MAC's sundressing because it dries almost instantly! I did end up exchanging the Deep Glow for Tan Glow because the Deep Glow was a bit too dark for me. My legs were several shades darker than the rest of my body. Not a good look for me! I'm a MAC NC35-40 for reference. $12.49 at ULTA.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
Merina 7/20/2012 2:39:00 PM
WOW! The Mia really does clean my skin. I used to wash my face with my hands and then follow up with a toner on a cotton ball only to find that a bunch of makeup was still on my skin. I decided to give the Mia a try after hearing raves from my friends. I'm so glad I did. My skin has never been softer and it's now CLEAN! I'm oily during the humid summers here in the midwest and I do think that this is helping out a bit in that department. I don't have to touch up nearly as much throughout the day. I have normal combo/oily skin with the occasional breakout during "that time of the month" and am currently using the sensitive head. Soft bristles and not scratchy at all! I started using it once a day at night but after several weeks of use have now started using it twice a day.
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Liquid -Lancome - Teint Idole Ultra 24h
Merina 5/15/2012 8:58:00 AM
I am a HUGE fan of Lancome foundations. I've used their Ageless Mineral powder foundation, Photogenic, Teint Idole Ultra, and Teint Idole Freshwear. PROS: Coverage is amazing (medium to full), helps minimize the appearance of pores, love the pump bottle, no noticeable fragrance, has SPF 15 in it, silky texture when applying, controls oil well, and dries to a velvety soft matte finish. My skin feels incredibly soft and smooth. I didn't *have* to touch up throughout the day, although I did once as I had a little bit of shine on my forehead but that was it. Even after sweating/working out, my face looked pretty much flawless. Also, it was easy for the Lancome artist to match me up since the shades are comparable with the original Teint Idole Ultra. CONS: Dries quickly on the skin so have to work quickly, is NOT transfer resistant although they claim that it is, price ($44), and the worst part was that it made my jawline itch. It gets "tighter" on my skin as the day goes on so it just reminds me that I'm wearing foundation. Weird. *EDIT* Now that I've figured out I have to moisturize the heck out of my skin, the foundation is working nicely and there's no tight/itchy feeling. I have combination/oily skin and actually prefer MAC's Studio Fix Fluid. FYI: I'm a MAC NC30-40 (depends on if I applied sunless tanner the night before) and was matched up with 320 Bisque W and it matches really well. In the original formula I was a Bisque 4 W.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -MAC - Eye Shadow X 4-Interior Life
Merina 2/23/2012 2:06:00 PM
I'm so glad I purchased this quad. The colors are gorgeous and give a perfect smokey greyish/plum look. The texture of the shadows are kinda chalky but they show up well on the skin. I won't describe the colors since that's been done already by a previous reviewer. If you're on the fence about this quad, I say definitely get it!
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Lipstick -MAC - Dish it up
Merina 2/15/2012 6:49:00 PM
This is a great starter bright pink lipstick for someone who wants to try hot pink but is scared to. It's a great rosy berry shade on me with just a little hint of fuchsia. This lustre formula has great color payoff, unlike some of MAC's lustre lipsticks. Limited edition and part of the MAC Shop collection. I got the last one at the counter, so grab it while you can!
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Pro Longwear - Full Speed Ahead
Merina 2/8/2012 7:08:00 PM
This is definitely the brightest pink-magenta I've ever owned! Love it! Good staying power, but don't expect it to stay on through eating and drinking. It's not like MAC's pro longwear lipcolour. $19.50 but one tube will last you a while. I love the applicator. It's not the typical doe foot applicator. It's larger, flatter and flexible. I love it as it moves with the shape of your lip allowing maximum coverage. I'm a huge fan of their longwear lipglosses! The finish is super shiny (not glittery/sparkly at all). Just has the shine of patent leather. Also, it's very creamy and moisturizing on the lips.
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Blush -MAC - Mineralize Blush - Subtle Breeze
Merina 2/5/2012 10:02:00 AM
This is my go to "baby pink" blush. Looks very natural on my NC40 skin. I recommend using a light hand because the first time I used it, I looked like a clown. I forget how pigmented these mineralize blushes are! I especially like that this blush doesn't have any frost or sparkle to it.
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