Mascara -Wet 'n' Wild - MegaLength Double Action Mascara
Mudlark 9/24/2008 1:39:00 PM
The worst of all the WnW mascaras I'm in process of trying. I used the primer, then I applied the mascara. Ok so far so good, the mascara was dark and glossy and everything seemed fine. BUT, I quickly felt my eyes feeling irritated so I applied some eye drops and this stuff ran like crazy and all the little fibers got into my eyes!!! Yuck, totally useless. Oh and the tiny little tube with two wands (one on each end) was annoying; if they are going to put two wands in one tube, at least make the tube longer. Each end was about 2" long with made it awkward to apply with it. Also I didn't like the bulky brushes very much. So far I'm liking the WnW MegaLash the best of the ones I've tried.
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Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Perfection
Mudlark 9/21/2008 6:33:00 PM
This goes on really nicely--smooth and amazingly clump-free. All the store had was soft black so I got that, and that's how it looks. (I would have preferred a "very black" or even just regular black, but anywho). This was my first mascara with the new rubber brush and I loved it...AMAZING control. The brush is tapered to almost no "spines" at the tip so you can get very close to the corner of your eye. I also made no mess applying w/ this very cool brush design. Not sure if it was the brush or the formula or both but it was wonderful to apply this mascara. Anyway, unfortunately this mascara started to irritate my eyes throughout the day. I do'nt wear contacts but my eyes are starting to become irritated easily by mascara(s) (hence I am on a search for the HG of mascaras). I have to be able to use artificial tears throughout the day and prefer WP mascara for that reason--but found recently that they are more irritating. (Even my tried and true WP Grand Curl which I still have a stash of, irritates my eyes now!). Trying to find something gentler, I've moved on to non-WP varieties. This didn't smudge and I loved how it wore but it did still irritate my eyes. I only used it once (maybe twice?) so I will probably give it one more try, but if it continues to irritate, it's going back to Rite Aid. It was one of the more expensive drugstore mascaras I've tried, too (it wasn't on sale). On a strong positive note though, this did allow me to try the new rubber brush, which I love...as long as it's the thin brush and not the big fat one (I tried CG Lash Blast WP and the brush was so fat I could barely use it(and that formula irritated my eyes as soon as I put it on and I had to wash it off). Therefore, 3 stars for this nice mascara which unfortunately irritates my eyes.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Panoramic Curl - Waterproof
Mudlark 7/8/2008 11:45:00 AM
I reviewed the non-waterproof version too, see that review for more comments. This is a great mascara in WP. It really does hold a curl. It goes on smoothly and dries quickly but not too quickly. I'm a klutz when applying mascara (I always make a bit of a mess) but w/ this mascara I don't make much of a mess at all. It might be the brush, or the formula, or a combination. At any rate it is nice to be able to put it on almost like a pro, lol. There is no strong scent to this and I really like the pearl-blue tube which feels nice in my hands and is easy to hold. The brush with the fat middle took some getting used to (Grand Curl Extreme has the same brush, and I was using that before), but once you get used to it it works fine. This mascara stays on and holds a curl all day. It doesn't irritate my eyes although my lids can get a tad itchy at the base of my lashes. But that's minor. The drawback is this stuff does not come off. I'm not a fanatic about getting all the mascara off my lashes every night, but I would like it to come off eventually and this just doesn't seem to. Still, I really like this mascara and am glad to have found a replacement for my fave, Le Grand Curl (original waterproof version) which long ago was discontinued by L'Oreal. I prefer WP mascara because I get dry eyes often and have to use lubricant eye drops. I also tend to cry quite a bit. So I need something that won't smear and run. This normally sells at Walgreen's for $8.99 a tube but they have BOGO or BOGet one half off sales a lot. I've also found it cheaper online sometimes. UPDATE 8/19/08--I'm lowering my rating to two stars, because this stuff is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get off so after a few days my lashes are clumps which look terrible. I tried everything--coconut oil, vaseline, mineral oil, Clinique Eye Makeup Solvent--all of which usually will take off any mascara, and this stuff wouldn't budge. It was like tar. If I went w/out using it for a few days it would eventually all come off, then when I started over it looked good again...but the buildup and clumpiness would start again too. I always use WP mascara (usually other Loreal ones) and never had this much trouble removing any. So, not recommended after all.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Panoramic Curl
Mudlark 7/8/2008 11:38:00 AM
I've only used this once but so far I do not like it. It doesn't hold curl when I put it on after using my eyelash curler. It didn't go on smoothly, although it wasn't too dry (for me) as other reviewers' have said. The color is nice, dark black. My eyes feel a little irritated and since it isn't waterproof I can't use my eyedrops for fear it will smudge. In short I'm not excited about this. My lashes are fairly average, not too long, not very thick, light colored, and straight. I need a mascara that will curl, darken, and lengthen and/or thicken. This darkens but that's about it. I do love the packaging...the tapered smooth tube feels nice in my hands, make it easy to hold the wand, and the brush with it's odd shape (fatter in the middle, tapered on the ends) works fine once you get used to it. By the way the formula of this mascara is almost identical to L'oreal's Grand Curl Extreme (which I believe is discontinued). The brush shape is the same as well.
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Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - MYHoney Child Banana Creme
Mudlark 12/31/2007 10:39:00 AM
I believe that MyHoney Child products have 'healed' my hair. My hair is virgin, and was already in fairly good shape, but it's very prone to split ends. It's mainly straight, thick, about BSL, and medium texture. I am caucasian. But this line of products created for "women of color" works great on my hair. The Banana conditioner, especially when used with the Banana scalp cleanser, leaves my hair amazingly shiny and healthy-feeling. The frizz is reduced, too. I thought the high protein content would not agree with my hair, but I haven't had any problems. [ I should add that I don't use this every day (too many other products to use!), there might be too much protein in it for everyday use for those sensitive to protein. ] This is a thick, light yellow conditioner made of natural ingredients. The smell isn't so great, a mild strange banana scent...not the usual cloying artificial banana scent you find in many banana-scented things...maybe it's a more natural banana scent, which, if you think about it, is pretty mild. I use this after the Banana Creme scalp cleanser, as a regular conditioner in the shower (leave it in about 3 mins). I don't have to use very much to coat my long thick hair. It rinses easily, and comb through is a breeze. Since I"ve been using MyHoneyChild products I've noticed my hair feels moisturized all the way to the ends, almost all the time. It's shiny and healthy, less frizzy overall, and I'm noticing less split ends. I HIGHLY recommend these shampoos and conditioners. Ingredients--Purified Water, Soy Protein, Oat Protein, Organic Sunflower Oil, Vitamin A ,Panthenol, Biotin, Glycerin, Organic Extracts Of Corn silk, Comfrey, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Banana Fragrance, Vanilla Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vanilla Bean. Update 1/22/08--Still love this entire line, but I took one star off because the packaging SUCKS. It's in plain white bottles which is fine, but the labels are just slapped on and aren't laminated, so very quickly they become smeared, torn, and start falling apart. The owner of MyHoneyChild has been asked to address this but so far doesn't seem to find it important enough to do much about! So one star comes off.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Alba Botanica - Plumeria Replenishing Hair Wash
Mudlark 10/31/2007 10:54:00 AM
Bought this because it was raved about on the hair board. It's way too drying. It lathers nicely and rinses easily but doesn't moisturize. And the smell, to me, is nothing special at all. Bought two bottles, wish I'd bought no bottles.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Le Grand Curl Waterproof [DISCONTINUED]
Mudlark 10/16/2007 1:26:00 PM
The best drugstore mascara ever. No, it doesn't curl (what kind does?) But I love it. Naturally, it's discontinued. : \ I do not buy high-end mascara...replacing them every 3 months, that would be too expensive. I haven't found a replacement mascara that I like as much as Le Grand Curl. Luckily, I still have some stockpiled!
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Hair -Aubrey Organics - Mandarin and Gingko Moisturizing Jelly
Mudlark 10/2/2007 10:21:00 AM
I have thick, somewhat coarse, slightly wavy hair, BSL. This is a great 'all natural' gel. It smells wonderful, with a faint scent that doesn't clash with other hair products. What I love is that it doesn't make hair feel crunchy or stiff, and doesn't flake or build up. If I put this in wet/damp hair and airdry, I get very shiny waves. It adds a bit of weight, which my hair needs. For fine hair this might be too much...or, just use a tiny amount. On my thick hair, I still only use about a nickel size or less...a little goes a long way. Highly recommended if you use gels. I'm about half-way through my first bottle, probably will buy again.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Desert Essence - Italian Red Grape
Mudlark 8/5/2007 10:03:00 AM
At luckyvitamin.com this only cost $5.12. I bought this because I love the smell of grapes (I also got the matching shampoo). Wow does it smell great! The shampoo seemed a bit stripping or strong, (probably because I was used to Cream of Nature which is very heavy and moisturizing), but then I used the conditioner (I did have to use a lot, I have very thick, bra-strap length virgin hair, mostly straight and prone to frizz and split-ends) and that calmed my hair right down. After rinsing my hair combed beautifully (I dont have much trouble with tangles as a rule). I air-dried the first time and had beautiful shine and the glorious grape scent lingers and lingers..I love it. I've used the s/c combo a few times since and love it every time. I even use the conditioner as a leave-in on dry ends before braiding and going to bed. I notice less damage and split ends when I use this, and although I still badly need a trim, this product helps my hair look and feel (and smell) lovely and healthy. I have shiny hair anyway, but this really brings out the shine! As others have said, this is an everyday sort of conditioner, it is not heavy duty and not intended for deep treatments or that sort of thing, but for me, it's better than many a conditioner that claims to be "deep". If you love the smell of grapes, you should try this. I think it would work on thin hair as well as thick like mine. I'm definitely going to try the other scented s/c combos Desert Essence makes..Red Raspberry, and the Apple Ginger. Maybe the Lemon Tea Tree too.
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Conditioner -Desert Essence - Italian Red Grape Conditioner
Mudlark 8/5/2007 10:02:00 AM
At luckyvitamin.com this only cost $5.12. I bought this because I love the smell of grapes (I also got the matching shampoo). Wow does it smell great! The shampoo seemed a bit stripping or strong, (probably because I was used to Cream of Nature which is very heavy and moisturizing), but then I used the conditioner (I did have to use a lot, I have very thick, bra-strap length virgin hair, mostly straight and prone to frizz and split-ends) and that calmed my hair right down. After rinsing my hair combed beautifully (I dont have much trouble with tangles as a rule). I air-dried the first time and had beautiful shine and the glorious grape scent lingers and lingers..I love it. I've used the s/c combo a few times since and love it every time. I even use the conditioner as a leave-in on dry ends before braiding and going to bed. I notice less damage and split ends when I use this, and although I still badly need a trim, this product helps my hair look and feel (and smell) lovely and healthy. I have shiny hair anyway, but this really brings out the shine! As others have said, this is an everyday sort of conditioner, it is not heavy duty and not intended for deep treatments or that sort of thing, but for me, it's better than many a conditioner that claims to be "deep". If you love the smell of grapes, you should try this. I think it would work on thin hair as well as thick like mine. I'm definitely going to try the other scented s/c combos Desert Essence makes..Red Raspberry, and the Apple Ginger. Maybe the Lemon Tea Tree too.
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Treatments -Sexy Hair Concepts - Pumpkin Puree Treatment Masque
Mudlark 7/24/2007 8:23:00 PM
So far, I think this could become my favorite conditioner. I love the scent, the consistency (very thick), and the results. Will update when I've used it a few more times. Update 1/22/08--I've decided this doesn't do much for my hair, and the smell is annoying to me now (lol). I've lowered my rating from 5 to 3; this is definitely not my favorite conditioner. Liking MyHoneyChild products much better than this. This feels greasy, smells fake, and leaves my hair frizzy sometimes.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Le Grande Curl
Mudlark 7/19/2007 3:55:00 PM
My favorite mascara, I've used for years, but naturally is discontinued. It doesn't add curl, true, but otherwise I love it. Now I have to find another kind...sigh.
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Treatments -Kiehls - Lecithin and Coconut Enriched Hair Masque with Panthenol
Mudlark 7/12/2007 12:54:00 PM
I love this. It is SILICONE-FREE. I only use a dab (I have very thick, bra-length hair) on damp hair after shampooing. That in itself is amazing because I usually need to use a ton of conditioner to cover my hair and/or get results. I leave it in about 3-5 mins and then rinse. It leaves my hair soft, shiny and healthy looking. It is 100X better than Kiehl's Intensive hair pak which is mostly lanolins. I don't know if it's the lecithin or what, in this mask, but my hair really likes it. I'll update when I've used this more often. I've only used it 3x so far..but I'm thinking HG here. ..... UPDATE: 7/19/07. I don't think I like this as much as I did at first. The last time I used it my hair felt dry, especially the ends. Definitely not HG at this point! Taking off two lipsticks (from a 5 to a 3). Will update again later. (P.S. It's still a lot better than that crappy Intensive hair pak).
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Treatments -Kiehls - Leave-in Conditioner [DISCONTINUED]
Mudlark 7/12/2007 12:46:00 PM
An MUAer sent a generous sample of this. On first use, putting it in wet hair and letting it air dry, I loved it. Soon I went and bought some from Kiehl's. But...I don't normally air dry. When I tried it and then blow-dried, I didn't like it. After a few uses it seemed to somehow make my face break out, too. I returned it to Kiehl's. Still looking for a leave-in I can like; I don't normally like how they make my hair feel.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Sexy Hair Concepts - Pumpkin Whipped Souffle
Mudlark 7/5/2007 9:59:00 AM
In a word--yuck. I love the masque in this line, but this stuff is horrendous. On dry hair it was sticky and coating. It does provide a tiny bit of styling hold. Used as a leave-in on wet hair I found it almost but not quite as bad. It dulls my hair. I truly think anything with lanolin does this to my hair..although lanolin is pretty far down on the ingredient list so it probably doesn't have much. So I'm not sure what it is, but I don't like it.
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