Shampoo -Redken - Color Extend Shampoo
PabloHoney 8/30/2006 1:49:00 AM
Maybe I have the older version of this (red translucent bottle, clear shampoo) but it's probably the most useless shampoo I've ever used. I have medium thick, color treated (red) wavy hair and a fairly oily scalp (I have to wash at least every other day even though I wish I didn't need to since it strips the color). Not only does it not lather, which I can forgive since I think that's part of the mechanism by which shampoos strip color, but I can barely distribute it enough to clean. I think it may be fine for finer, dryer hair, but in order to get it to clean my scalp I need to use a ton and it also wasn't cheap here in Spain. The smell is not my fave either; it's not offensive, but it's just a nondescript fruity-ish clean-smell, like a drugstore product. If I pay that much I want the fragrance to be unique, or at least smell expensive (for example, I think Kerastase products have a "salon," somewhat nondescript shampooey scent, but it is more "high-end" IMO -- my stylist friend calls it "sophisticated French lady".) But I digress - if this stuff cleaned, I could stand the boring scent. On top of that I think I might be allergic to it, because it seems to cause some kind of breakout or skin reaction that makes my scalp itch. Sometimes that happens to me, but it seemed to happen especially quickly with this shampoo. I have relegated it to a "foot wash" (I hate to use my nicer shower gels on my feet) - it seems to be OK for that! So from now on my feet will retain their color nicely even in the sun, I guess... ;-)
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Fragrances -Hermes - Terre d Hermes
PabloHoney 5/30/2006 2:35:00 AM
I just bought this for my DH - on the plane thru duty free! - and I'm so excited to give it to him because I love it...I hadn't thought of using it for myself though I will consider it, because it's true that I can see its being earthy-unisex, kinda like some of the Comme des Garçons... I definitely get the vetiver in it, which I adore - in fact I didn't even know the notes and I was like, "hmmm, vetiver...yep, this one's going into our collection!" Actually it reminds me a bit of the CdG Man that DH is currently wearing and almost out of, which I also adore and never get tired of even though he wears it frequently, so I'm sure he will like this one too. I have to wait a couple of weeks to give it to him so I guess I'll just keep sniffing the strip I sprayed it on in the meantime... teehee...
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Treatments -Clean & Clear - Advantage Acne Spot Treatment
PabloHoney 3/27/2006 12:50:00 AM
It seems to work OK, but only OK...I bought this as a substitute for my Paula's Choice 2% BHA because I was only in the states for a couple of weeks and didn't have time to order it before I got there. (I really wish Paula would get a retail distributor...) Anyway I digress...so I figured this stuff would be about as effective, since it has 2% salicylic acid in it. As I say, it's marginally effective but nowhere near the PC product. Cons: the smell is totally overwhelming to me, and drives me crazy. When are skincare companies going to learn that it is not only unnecessary in a product like this, but can be irritating??? Con #2: it dries to a shiny gel that can peel off. Why?? Who needs to highlight their pimples with shine? Then the peeling keeps it from being a practical daytime product, since any makeup applied to cover the shine will peel off when the gel inevitably does. Con #3: I don't have very sensitive skin, and even I notice a little burning with this. So the summary is, it's another one of those products that works pretty well but has a lot of questionable attributes. I'll stick to my Paula's Choice next time.
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Fragrances -Yves Rocher - Yves Rocher Gardenia Eau de Toilette [DISCONTINUED]
PabloHoney 10/10/2005 12:59:00 PM
This is the only gardenia fragrance I've ever smelled that isn't too sweet/fake/cloying to me. It smells more green, like the petals of the real flower and its leaves. I will add I have mostly tried the solid perfume, bath gel, and deodorant, but all three are lovely. The staying power is moderate for these three, but I wasn't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. For the price, you can layer!! I may be going back for the EDT - I've always liked gardenias but find perfume renditions of them sadly lacking.
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Conditioner -Joico - Color Endurance Conditioner
PabloHoney 10/2/2005 9:27:00 AM
This conditioner was just okay on my color treated (red) wavy hair. I don't really know if it helps with color retention because it doesn't moisturize very well so I haven't used it regularly. It doesn't seem to smooth my hair as much as I like from a conditioner or add enough moisture. I gave it to my husband (who doesn't even need a conditioner most days, lucky guy!)...
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Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios Gel Non Greasy SPF 20 (IPD 23 - PPD 10)
PabloHoney 9/2/2005 2:47:00 AM
I have oily skin, and this "gel" makes my skin look shiny and greasy - not the grease of oil, but not the look I want all the same. I guess I will keep looking!! Good sun protection factor ( mine is the 30 SPF, but I suppose all the protection levels have this problem ), which is why I gave it a 3.
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Styling Products -Kerastase - Elasto Curl Mousse
PabloHoney 7/26/2005 2:52:00 PM
I share the bewilderment about this product - most Kerastase products have lived up to their claims for me so far, but this one barely did anything. I have color treated, medium thick, wavy hair that curls very easily. However, this only helped the curl slightly and I am not fond of the scent either, which is very alcohol-ey and smells like a much cheaper product! It works a little, hence the 3 lippies, but definitely not worth the price. I haven't tried any of the rest of the Elasto-Curl line - maybe the mousse just isn't thick enough for my hair and one of the heavier creme-based products would be better...
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Conditioner -Rene Furterer - Karite Nourishing Conditioning Cream
PabloHoney 7/21/2005 6:16:00 PM
This stuff is just ehhhh...luckily I got it at a pharmacy here in Europe so it was cheaper than in the US, or else I would be more annoyed. I have color treated, past-shoulder-length wavy hair, medium thickness. It tends to frizz, especially in humidity, and this product does not help at all for that. I was hoping for a "pharm" hair product it would moisturize better - it's not terrible, but I need something that actually smoothes too. Not bad for an "every day" type of conditioner for those with fewer frizzies, or maybe for straighter hair. Smell is like shea butter (karite) which smells natural but not fresh or fruity or anything, and it doesn't bother me, but it is definitely a smell I can understand others' not digging.
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Primer/ Corrector -Sephora - Skin Smoothing Makeup Base
PabloHoney 7/5/2005 12:24:00 PM
I love this stuff, especially for summer - it really evens out my skin, and my skin is very oily in the summer (and worse when it's humid, as it has been here in Spain recently) so I figured it would be better to go with the "glowy" look most days instead of fighting it so much...(though it also works well under more matte makeup). Gives a smooth texture, isn't greasy, and makes me look healthier. I've never really used any of these types of makeup bases so I can't compare, but it seems like it is the same idea as a lot of the more expensive ones out there. I agree with the poster below though - if it were $22 I would think twice about its necessity. Here in Spain it's about 12 Euro (I think) which is like $15 (at the moment).
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Lip Gloss -Prestige - vinylwear in varnish
PabloHoney 12/6/2004 6:27:00 PM
LOVE the color - very YLBB, rosy peach brown (warm dusty rose?) on me, like a browner version of MAC Ghettoflower Lipglass Stain (my fave pigmented gloss, but was LE!) The smell/taste isn't my fave, but it seems to fade after a bit on me especially if I don't bite my lips (which I shouldn't anyway). It might be enough to keep me from repurchasing, even though the color range is great in this line. I did get it for under $3 b/c of a Walgreen's sale, though, and so I can't complain much. Stickiness is similar to Lipglass also (a neutral for me, as it helps staying power but is less comfortable).
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Fragrances -Rochas - Poupée
PabloHoney 7/26/2004 6:19:00 PM
I only have a sample of this fragrance, but it's very light and pretty for summer. I mainly detect the orange blossom (neroli) and pineapple-fruity topnotes. It doesn't last extremely long, but it is light enough to wear on really hot days (recently wore it on a 102-degree day) without being cloying or overwhelming. I'm not sure if I will purchase a full bottle but I have been looking for some lighter scents lately since it's gotten warmer, so if I find one at a decent price I may... :)
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Slatkin Black Fig and Absinthe
PabloHoney 7/14/2004 2:20:00 PM
I received a large sample of this from the fabulous Tbone, and after my second wearing I have to say I am growing more and more fond of it. This is what Lolita Lempicka should have smelled like! LL is much too sweet and strong for me; Slatkin is subtle and I love the licorice note because it is accompanied by other, drier base notes. I must admit I don't detect much of the fig and the fig I do smell reminds me more of the fig inside a Newton ("fruit and cake!") than the green fig of Philosykos or Premier Figuier. I would consider it to be decadent, though, because it is rich without being cloying. Yay, because I love black licorice and have been searching for a scent with that note that I could love!
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Blush -MAC - Mystic
PabloHoney 6/11/2004 2:56:00 PM
I use this as red eyeshadow (when I bought it, which was a while ago, I think it might have been one of their large pan e/s), but I have also used it as blush with a very light hand (I am a PPP/LLL MAC N3). Lovely warm red color! I don't use it on my eyes without a mitigating color like black eyeliner or brown/gold eyeshadow, but it's very pretty with those. Can be dramatic (obviously) or subtle if blended lightly into crease with other colors (I use Milani Desert Sun with it - stunning!) Great nearly-matte texture. To use as blush I have to dip extremely lightly and either tap or brush onto a tissue.
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Eye Shadow -Milani - Desert Sun (01)
PabloHoney 6/11/2004 2:16:00 PM
Have to add my rave to this - unbelievably good texture and staying power. Creased a little on me but all eyeshadows do on my oily lids...no worse than MAC or any other higher end shadow. Bought this b/c of the recs that it was similar to Amber Lights and I'm glad I did! I wore this with MAC Mystic (matte bright brick red) in the crease and Mulch in the corner, with brown liner (BeneFit babe cake). Great for a warm eye!!
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Lipstick -Milani - Rose Fetish
PabloHoney 6/10/2004 12:05:00 PM
Uhm, WOW! I have been looking for a MLBB rose shade ever since seeing the closeups of Daryl Hannah's lips in Kill Bill II...I was looking for the 1st time @ Milani yesterday because I went to purchase the Desert Sun e/s and couldn't believe I found the shade I was looking for for $2.99!!!! The consistency and staying power are superb, especially at this price - very moisturizing and creamy. Rose Fetish is a pure creamy rose with no shimmer, slightly brownish so that it looks more natural. I deducted one lippy for the scent/taste, which is somewhat annoying, but I can deal with it for the perfect color and texture payoff. Nice packaging for a low end lipstick, too. Milani rocks...I am going back to get more e/s and blush ASAP!
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