Masks -Unlisted Brand - Egg yolk
SHeust 5/9/2013 2:32:00 PM
THIS REVIEW IS FOR A HAIR MASK. I kept seeing pins about using egg yolks on hair for a natural protein treatment. I finally broke down and tried a mask using 2 yolks, 2 tbsp of olive oil, and 1/2 c water. I poured it onto my long hair and let it set for 15 minutes before showering. I shampooed my hair twice, using a lot of shampoo, and it was still kind of a tangled mess. After conditioning and rinsing some more because I wanted to be sure I had rinsed the mask out completely (using just barely warm water) I got out of the shower to discover LITTLE PIECES OF COOKED EGG IN MY HAIR. It was DISGUSTING. They really clung to it too. I rinsed more and then had a helluva time combing through the tangles (which is not something I usually have). Combing through, my hair felt rough and as though it had been stripped, and I still found a few pieces of egg. I was running out of time to get ready by then so I blow dried it hoping they would come out. They did, as far as I can tell, and when my hair dried it felt soft enough though I did not notice an increase in shine. I will be sticking to plain ol' coconut oil or my store-bought masks in the future. This was not worth the mess. And I'm pretty sure my hair still smells like egg.
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Lip Treatments -E.L.F. - Studio Lip Exfoliator
SHeust 5/7/2013 8:09:00 PM
Another great E.L.F. product! I continue to be impressed by the high quality and low prices of this brand. This lip exfoliator makes lips softer and smoother without scratching or irritating them, and leaves behind a sheer, slightly sweet layer of moisture. It's great as prep for lipstick or even on its own. The sloughing stuff is not too harsh and there is no grit left behind on your lips at all. The packaging is sleek, black and mimics much more expensive brands. For $3 (actual cost!) or $30, you can't beat it! Highly recommend this for anyone and everyone. It's no wonder it has the highest rating of any product I've ever seen on MUA.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - HEMP Body Butter
SHeust 5/3/2013 12:40:00 PM
I really like the body shop butters, and this one is exceptionally creamy and moisturizing of all that I've tried so far. However, I've found that in warmer (not even humid, but just warm) weather the hemp oil feels like it sits on the skin long after the butter has been rubbed in. Perhaps the oil is what is making my skin feel so soft though, so I'm not complaining.
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Top/Base Coats -Ulta - Nail Laquer Base Coat
SHeust 5/3/2013 12:37:00 PM
I finally realized how important a good base coat is after getting a pedicure for the first time in years, but didn't want to pay over $10+ for one. This Ulta base coat (clear/green formula) is pretty good, at least based on my limited knowledge of them. It dries fast, goes on smooth, and makes polish last better and longer, while providing a barrier so nails don't get discolored. The only con is that if you go over the brushstroke of your color polish twice (one right after the other), on top of this, it sort of makes the color dance around, leaving a "hole" in your first color coat, revealing the clear underneath. But since I never do less than two coats with any polish, it isn't a problem.
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Polishes -Essie - Clam Bake
SHeust 5/3/2013 12:30:00 PM
I got this polish from a friend; it wasn't a color I would have picked myself. However, it is a really fun, fresh color for summer! Clam Bake is a coralish shade (orange-red with two coats and tomato red with three coats) that is surprisingly flattering. Great on nails with gold jewelry or on toes for a pool party. The formula, like all Essie polishes, is very smooth and shiny, not too thin or thick and lasts very well.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid- Lotion Sunblock SPF 30
SHeust 4/30/2013 10:11:00 AM
I have been...not great about using daily SPF, because of my combination-sensitive skin over the years. I'd rather risk the sun than greasy, breakout face. However, I am getting ready to go backpacking (my husband's idea, not mine! No flat iron!?) for a few weeks and knew I needed to invest in some good sunscreen. I saw in ad for this in Allure and was intrigued. First impression: AMAZING! This stuff doesn't feel greasy AT ALL. It absorbs super fast, dries with a matte finish and provides a great base for makeup. I used it in between my Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer (which I also LOVE) and Palladio Wet-Dry Foundation Powder (HG) and it was like it wasn't even there. No shine, no rolling of other products into little balls on the skin, nothing. There isn't even that trademark sunblock scent. I'm seriously impressed. It didn't burn my eyes, although I used sparingly in that delicate area, but it did make them water a little bit, very briefly. I've had TMs and lower SPF sunscreens irritate my eyes a whole lot more than this did. This has made me feel like I can and will finally start wearing sunscreen every day. It's $10 a bottle, which is pretty fair for this fantastic product and I'm hoping to stock up on an Ulta sale. Assuming it doesn't cause any skin problems, as it claims it won't (and if it does, I will update this) I am going to be recommending this to everyone I know! UPDATE: At home, where I was using this product for a few weeks and very pleased with it, it was spring time (75 - 90 degrees) and the climate is very dry. However, using it in Costa Rica on my trip, where it is the same temperatures but very, very humid (80% humidity and up) I found that this product made my skin feel like it was burning when my face was hot and sweating. It would become so uncomfortable that I would have to wash it off. However, my husband started using it since I couldn't continue to and he had no such problems. So, the conclusion I can gather from that is that this may be irritating to those with sensitive skin in humid climates. (I am sensitive combination, my husband is oily, as far as skin type.)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Rimmel - BB Cream Beauty Balm 9 in 1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup
SHeust 4/25/2013 10:14:00 AM
I was looking for a BB cream with good SPF levels AND a mattifying effect as it will be the only makeup I'll be wearing on a long, humid trip. Matte finishes with BBs are hard to find, so I was very excited to try this one for just $7. Pros: Matte finish SPF 25 - sunscreen doesn't sting eyes or leave white color Good coverage - natural-looking but does even out skin Lasts for a long time, even in the heat Price is super reasonable Didn't irritate my sensitive skin (itchiness or redness) Cons: Dries really quickly, sort of tough to work with Light color is JUST a little too orange to blend in with my skintone I had two new, minor blemishes after using this for just one day, when I hadn't had any breakouts in two weeks. Although this is not the worst BB, the cons outweighed the pros for me and my search continues. If you're not as white as I am, aren't acne-prone and are very deft with fast application, this may work really well for you.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Blush Brush
SHeust 4/16/2013 6:03:00 PM
I really don't know why anyone pays for pricey brushes when the ELF studio brushes do the job quite well for a couple bucks. I picked this brush up to use for contouring and it works perfectly for the purpose. It's fluffy enough that the contour powder doesn't look like war paint/stripes but narrow enough that it doesn't go all over the place. The brush itself looks fine, the bristles are nice and soft and have the right density. Recommend it.
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Bronzers -E.L.F. - Studio Golden Bronzer
SHeust 4/16/2013 5:59:00 PM
ELF products always have quality that exceeds the price point, in my experience, and this bronzer is no exception. The color is really pretty, fairly light and not orange at all. The powder goes on very evenly and blends beautifully. The compact has four different pans that comprise it, which you can swirl together or use the colors individually. The packaging is sleek and holds up well. It has never caused me any skin problems. You can't beat it for $3! But, a word of advice: this is not an all-over-the-face sort of bronzer. It is VERY shimmery, which makes it lovely as a highlighter, for cheeks, collarbones, cleavage, what have you. However, if you try to apply this all over you will end up looking like a gold robot. Seriously, too much and your skin looks metallic.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Simple - Light Moisturiser
SHeust 4/4/2013 10:17:00 AM
This review is for the PROTECTING LIGHT MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 15. If you don't want to read the long review, then just read this: GENTLE & EFFECTIVE! I LOVE this lotion. I'd been using Clinique DDML for almost ten years and in the interest of adding an SPF to my daily routine, as well as saving money, I switched to the Olay Daily Lotion for Sensitive Skin with SPF 15. It worked fine, but the SPF often caused my eyes to water and burn, and it wasn't quite as moisturizing as I needed it to be, leaving me with a few visibly dry patches. I decided to try this, as it sounded really good and had great reviews on Target's website (it's not on here as it's own thing yet, which is why I'm reviewing it under the Light Moisturizer). This is a FANTASTIC lotion for those of us with sensitive skin. The SPF never stings or burns and you can't even tell it is there - no white film left behind. I do use it around/on my eyelids and no problems. It has a bit of a sunblock scent the first few uses but it's not strong/bothersome and you stop noticing it pretty quickly with regular use. The lotion feels wonderful with a gel-like consistency, that isn't thick, oily or gloppy at all. This stuff absorbs quickly, is a great base for makeup and moisturizes very well (no dry patches)! It doesn't irritate my combination/sensitive skin at all, nor has it caused any breakouts. This natural formula is so great. I feel like even in the relatively short time I've been using it, it has improved my complexion; my skin looks more even and feels really smooth. At only $10, this lotion is affordable but has the quality of a department store brand. This is the first Simple product I have tried but based on how good this is, I am definitely going to be trying more. I highly, highly recommend this!
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Misc Beauty Tools -Remington - Smooth & Silky Epilator Kit EP 6025
SHeust 4/4/2013 10:09:00 AM
PREFACE: This review is for the Smooth & Silky Trimmer, NOT the epilator. I didn't realize this was for the epilator and not the trimmer until after I wrote it. Oops! Why isn't the trimmer on MUA? It's awesome! ... Confession: I'd been using a men's beard trimmer with the smallest trimmer attachment to buzz off little blonde mustache hairs for years, and it was good enough. When it finally died for good, I just wanted to get something else that was cheap to do the job - and I had to get it fast, as what was previously needing a trim once every 2-3 weeks had increased to about every week as I get older. I picked this up for $10 and was AMAZED how much better it was than my previous, clunky trimmer. This thing has two trimmers - a teeny tiny one on one side for areas around the brow and a longer one on the other side for the upper lip. They work REALLY well, even getting the shortest and/or finest hairs. The trimmers never tug hair or irritate skin. It also has a light, which is great for making those fine hairs easier to spot and remove. The handle is sleek, it runs on one battery and it's pretty much foolproof to use. I highly recommend it!
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Polishes -Maybelline - Color Show in Navy Narcissist
SHeust 3/1/2013 10:06:00 AM
I love this polish color! I was always a pale pink girl on my nails before but I "broke out" and decided to try this navy and it is so pretty. The shine is lovely, the color is a gorgeous, metallic sapphire and it is opaque with one coat. The formula is fast drying, thick but not goopy, and there are no bubbles after it has dried. However, the only problem is that it doesn't hold up very well on nails. On my toes it lasted about five days without chipping, but on my hands it didn't even last a full day - and that's with a topcoat. :(
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Moisturizers -Olay - Complete All Day Moisturizer with sunscreen Sensitive Skin SPF15 (classic gentle formula)
SHeust 2/28/2013 4:24:00 PM
This is a pretty good daily moisturizer for those of us with combination and sensitive skin. I break out/get oily on my chin, am dry elsewhere, and prone to irritation on my cheeks and forehead. I used DDML for nine years and decided to try this because of the SPF and price factors. The lotion absorbs quickly and is an okay base for makeup, though not as even as the DDML was. It does keep my skin from feeling dry all day long and has never irritated it at all. The SPF is low enough so that the lotion doesn't smell or feel like sunblock or cast a white color to my face. However, it can cause stinging/tearing up of the eyes if you use it in the eye area. It moisturizes pretty well, although I have noticed some flaky patches in the drier areas of my face. This is a good, affordable moisturizer. UPDATE: I have since switched to Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 and prefer it to to the Olay (I have a review for it under the Simple Light Moisturiser). This stuff is good, but that stuff is superior.
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Polishes -Maybelline - Color Show in Bold Gold
SHeust 2/28/2013 4:17:00 PM
This is the first Maybelline polish I've bought and I'm pleased with it. You actually only need one coat for it to be opaque (!) - although who uses just one coat ever? But with this you could. The formula is smooth and thick but not goopy. This color is an shiny, metallic cool-toned gold. Bold Gold is an apt name for it. Dries quickly without bubbles, and lasts decently on toes but not as well on fingers.
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Blush -Flirt - Dragon Fly
SHeust 2/12/2013 10:16:00 AM
The Flirt products are usually pretty high quality for the price and this blush is no exception. It's a warm-toned, mildly peachy bronze color with a little hint of shimmer that goes on very subtly and can be built up for more color. It looks great on slightly bronzed skin or to warm up a pale complexion. Very natural-looking blush, good to use for contouring as well. The powder is fine and stays put throughout the day. The packaging is sturdy and the pan lasts a long time. A good, "anytime" blush to keep in your kit.
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