Treatments -Giovanni - Direct Leave in Conditioner
SHADOWSCODE46 12/31/2007 2:21:00 PM
If been in search of a leave in conditioner (since I didn't own any) so after several good raves and reviews, I decided to head to my local Whole Foods and pick this up to try it. I knew the reviews were the truth when after 3 different locations it was all sold out. I mean the rest of the Giovanni line would be fully stocked and the section for the direct leave in would be an EMPTY GAP. The manager told me that I would have to wait a few weeks for the reorder because 'they go fast'. I finally got my hands on a bottle this weekend and as soon as I ran it through the length of my hair I decided to stock up on another bottle. It just feels silky and soft in my hair but not greasy or weighed down. The great thing is it dries that way, leaving my hair soft. I have waist length hair and I only need a half dollar amount to do the job. Being all natural and organic is an added bonus to it working so well. A new staple for me.
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Moisturizers -MAC - Strobe Cream
SHADOWSCODE46 12/13/2007 9:02:00 PM
My skin is combination, with it being the extreme of both oily and dry in the effected areas. I never expected my perfect moisturizer to be found in this cream. I got a sample from my M.A.C store and used it for a few weeks and I fell in love with it. What makes this perfect for me is that I can use it all over my face and it keeps my skin very soft and matte, with the subtle glow as an extra bonus (since I don't wear makeup). My skin has a uniform smoothness and glow, even on my oily t-zone! So it has become a primary moisturizer for me. And the funny thing is based on its thick texture I really thought it was going to break out my skin, but my skin surprisingly looks like it's improved in tone. The only thing I can complain about is the smell. Do you know what what hot fresh copied paper smells like? Thats what it smells like. But other then that I love this stuff.
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Shampoo -Aveda - Shampure
SHADOWSCODE46 11/14/2007 12:28:00 AM
I had originally given this shampoo a bad review based on the sulphate in it, but after a simple e-mail Aveda assured me that their sulphates/foaming agents are plant/naturally derived so I no longer worry about the natural integrity of their products. Being that this is their cheapest shampoo, I am thinking about using this as my clarifying shampoo with a little help from some added baking soda. This shampoo still doesn't do anything special for my hair but used as a clarifying shampoo will end my search for a natural/sulphate free clarifer.
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Hair Styling Tools -Unlisted Brand - Denman Grooming Brush
SHADOWSCODE46 11/5/2007 3:23:00 PM
Tangles? What are those? I own a D200 and after years of using a comb to detangle my hair, I did back flips in the shower the day I married this brush to my hair. I have very thick, unruly and curly hair and I would have to painfully section my hair and rake a stupid comb through. What would take me 25 minutes to do is now done in 3 and I wish I was exaggerating (and my hair is well past my waist). This brush leaves your healthy hair ALONE and just goes for the shed hair which causes the tangles. I swear shed hair is all you will see in this brush. Instead of a big ball of hair when I detangled with a comb, I clean out only a pinch full of hair in this from my ENTIRE head. I am currently going to add a D4 brush for styling & curl definition and I am looking forward to getting that brush. Once you go denman you will never use a stupid comb again for anything expect to part your hair.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Roux - Fermodyl
SHADOWSCODE46 11/5/2007 3:11:00 PM
I cracked open a vial of this treatment, saturated my hair with it and detangled my hair with my mouth open the entire time. The tangles were non existent and my detangling brush glided right through. I was hooked for life. If you have highly textured and/or curly hair this is a must leave-in (they have different formulations for all types of hair). I use the 619 (both extra strength and regular) mixed together in a spray bottle for easy application. The extra strength is superior at detangling, while the regular formula helps with softness and moisture. My hair is thick curly and an inch or two from my tail bone and I can detangle all of my hair in less than 2 minutes. If they ever stop making this I will cry.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Coco Mademoiselle
SHADOWSCODE46 10/2/2007 6:31:00 PM
I absolutely adore this scent and I am not even a perfume person. I have since made this my signature scent; it is so sensual and sophisticated but not too powerful so I can see why it's geared to the younger woman. However it is super expensive and I am currently using a sample of this from Sephora because of the price but... PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS ON EBAY. To the poster that said she purchased hers on eBay and isn't crazy about the smell it is probably 100% fake. Please read a photo guide made by eBay member 'virus02310' that has photo comparisons on this fragrance (or do a search for this fragrance on eBay and you should see on the left a link to the guide entitled PHOTO GUIDE FAKE CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE). For example the authentic perfume logo is sandblasted into the bottle and the cap is glass where as the fake is a sticker logo that is centered and the cap is plastic. Go to Sephora and sample the real thing and take notes on the details of the bottle. For me, this fragrance is worth the price tag, cause it's so easy to fall in love with. To enjoy this perfume it is best to get the real deal, and also have someone else pay for it :-)
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Skincare - Face -MAC - Blot Film
SHADOWSCODE46 10/1/2007 12:46:00 PM
I was so happy to find a blot sheet that doesn't have oil in it. I was always baffled why the blotting papers needed mineral oil to combat oil?! I am in LOVE with these sheets. The texture of them is weird (sort of plastic like and not tissue papery like others), I didn't know how it was going to work. After taking it from the make-up artist I sampled it and bought it on the spot. I pressed it on my forehead, nose and chin, looked in the mirror, and immediately saw oil spots on the sheet. When I peeled it off, I rubbed my skin and it felt smooth, matte and oil free! I think it's a good idea to cut them in half as they are a bit expensive but they are amazing! I want to marry these things.
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
SHADOWSCODE46 10/1/2007 12:35:00 PM
This product is raved about and voted the best in magazines, but based on the reviews online, I really want to know were that information is coming from. I sampled this at Sephora and I was turned off just by the texture of this liquid alone. It feels like oil and powder mixed together and it goes on very SLICK and Gritty. I have combination skin with it being mostly oily and I immediately wanted to wash my face. The surprising thing though is that about 15 minutes later, it did dry into a matte finish and felt smooth on my skin. I noticed because I only used it on one side of my face. The side that I didn't apply it to was oily and slick as usual as opposed to the soft matte feel that had the primer on it. Based on this I plan to get the oil free light version to this and try it out, but I can see with continued use of this formula, how this would cause breaks outs for some, especially with already oily skin.
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Shampoo -Aveda - Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo
SHADOWSCODE46 9/28/2007 1:37:00 AM
The shocking thing about this shampoo for me was the moisturizing effect it had on my hair. I have tried many shampoo's in my life time, and moisture isn't something I associate with any of them. I was actually starting to think that it was impossible to have a shampoo do anything but strip my hair. I didn't realized how good this shampoo was until I clarified my hair and then lathered with this after. My hair is so stripped after a quick lather of ANY shampoo (even with a 'moisturizing' formula) that it squeaks and will snap off during the rinse. The creamy lather of this was amazing. It makes my hair so soft after rinsing that it feels like I could skip conditioner and safely detangle my hair. My rich, black color pops and it just feels so soft. The only bone to pick is the smell and the price. I am not in love with the smell and the price is extremely expensive (8.5oz = $24), but it's a sacrifice I will make to use a shampoo that cleans well and provides the moisture my hair craves.
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Fragrances -Calgon - Morning Glory
SHADOWSCODE46 9/20/2007 12:48:00 AM
I fell in love with this scent in 02' when I was 16 and just started developing an interest in fragrances. It's kinda been my signature scent ever since I sampled it and bought it for $8 in the pharmacy that day. It's very fresh and clean, just like a fresh shower (like everyone else has been saying). Like you had a bath in a tub full of flower petals. It's never over powering, even if you spray too much it always seems to settle and balance well with the natural scent of your skin. The scent has become very nostalgic for me too, and I will always continue to buy this. Very relaxing.
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Conditioner -Aubrey Organics - Honeysuckle Rose
SHADOWSCODE46 9/20/2007 12:32:00 AM
First off, let's not fight with the bottle, shall we? It's pointless. This conditioner is super duper thick and it is NOT going to come out the ideal way. Take the top off and call it a day :-) Anyways, based on the good reviews of this product here and everywhere else, I figured this would be a miracle conditioner but unfortunately I am not THAT impressed. Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm still seems to have everyone beat in my book when it comes to ultimate moisture (and I am so happy to have discovered it). But overall it IS a good conditioner and it gave me mediocre' results. I deep conditioned with it for 20 minutes. My hair supped this up quickly and it seemed there was hardly any conditioner left to rinse out. It didn't help in the detangling factor either. I guess the only major difference is the way my hair dried. I have never used a conditioner that is 'cone' free and I see the major difference. My hair felt lighter and more airy so to say... almost weightless. It seemed more easier to blow in the wind and I'm sure I would have had the most amazing hair day had I flat ironed it afterwards. But I am a curly headed girl and I need silicones to weight my hair down a little for manageability and volume decreasing. Soo, the verdict is that it won't cut it for me on wash day after I shampoo, but it would be a great conditioner used for conditioner washing during the week (Diluted) as there would be no 'cone' build up in my hair (and which is the only reason why I selected I would buy it again). This is my first time trying an Aubrey product and it will be the last as I have already found my staples in Aveda and Joico and it's pointless spending money in another brand when I am content :-)
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Blush -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Northern Light
SHADOWSCODE46 8/29/2007 11:30:00 PM
This combination of pigments is truly unique to me. Firstly, I don't wear make-up and I've never owned anything from M.A.C (although I was fond of it's reputation), but when I saw this in a swatch for the flashtronic line I immediately became intrigued and said I had to have this. I sampled it at the M.A.C store and as I assumed, it really did compliment my skin tone really well. I mainly use this on my décolletage and shoulders to add shimmer to my skin and it works really well. But I also find myself using this subtly on my face by carefully tapping in each of the 3 shades this is made up of (which is a little tricky). I like the deep brown on my eyelids, the pinkish one on the tops of my cheeks and the lighter shimmer under my eyes. A little really does go a long way however. This pigment is not subtle and the minerals are a lot more thicker then their eye shadow pigments which are grounded more fine. Overall being I love it so much I was worried of running out because it's supposedly limited edition, but the compact will last you forever. This product has opened up a whole world of my interest in M.A.C and what it has to offer :-)
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Treatments -Rusk - Moist Sunflower and Apricot Extract Moisturizing Creme Treatment
SHADOWSCODE46 8/29/2007 11:06:00 PM
The biggest turn off about this product (aside from the fact that it didn't work) is the fragrance. This is coming from someone who enjoys and purchases hair care products based on it's smell. But this fragrance was WAY TOO STRONG for me. I picked this up in Marshall's on a whim to try something new and didn't know whether to lather it on as body lotion or put it in my hair. Smelled very strong like an accompanying lotion in a perfume set. This product gave me mediocre results; I feel I would have gotten the same results had I used a cheap conditioner like VO5 or Sauve. The below poster is right, this conditioner would work well for those with normal to slightly dry hair and not 'very dry hair' as the bottle states. The lesson learned for me is don't bother trying other moisturizing treatments and just stick with Joico Moisture Recovery Balm which could never be topped in my book.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Aveda - Large Paddle Brush
SHADOWSCODE46 8/15/2007 3:40:00 PM
I wanted to try wrapping my hair and I knew a good paddle brush would make all the difference. In spite of the $17 price tag, the label states it's a multi purpose brush for detangling and massage so I justified buying it without too much guilt. I DO NOT REGRET IT! I'm never one to go nuts over combs and brushes like I do shampoos and conditioners but this one takes the cake. It's superior at in shower detangling. It glides through my hair much faster then my Denman D200 which I recently bought and thought was the best. I also find that after my hair is completely detangled, the total hair in this brush is significantly less then my Denamn, which I didn't think was possible (although cleaning the hair out of this brush is a little more challenging) In spite of it's size it is LIGHTWEIGHT and super easy to handle. Detangling is primarily what I use this brush for, so with the constant shower use, it does start to show wear on the wood surface even though this brush is only 2 weeks old. But my hair is thick, wavy and almost to my tail bone and I can get it completely detangled it less than a minute. On my dry hair; after a roller set or flat iron, it feels really good on the scalp. I officially love Aveda.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Pure Glow Daily Cleansing Cushions Combination Oily Skin
SHADOWSCODE46 8/12/2007 3:05:00 AM
Why, oh why, was this product ever discontinued? I have to result to buying these on eBay now after I stopped seeing them in the pharmacy! I truly did fall in love with this product, although at first I figured I wouldn't NEED them because nothing could ever beat using aluminum oxide (microdermabrasion) crystals in their raw form which I did regularly. But on a whim I picked it up one day and fell in love because this product scored points just for being so convenient. I need this when I travel, when I go to the gym and camping. You can take these and wash your face anywhere there is water. And if you scrub hard enough you CAN get that freshly microdermabrased feel to your skin. They cleaned REALLY WELL; you could see all the dirt from your face on the pads. It really kept my oily t-zone in check as well. For someone with pores that create excess sebum (oil) every second, even after washing, I loved the tingly dry feeling that it left my face upon rinsing. It felt so good and CLEAN. I'm truly going to miss this product. What was Neutrogena thinking getting rid of it?? Edited To Add: A lovely fellow member shadowgrlda e-mailed me to let me know these are not discontinued but are newly packaged under Neutrogena Illuminating Microderm Cleansing Pads. So for those that are still looking for it, thats what to look for in your pharmacy :-)!
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