Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Avocado Oil
Sanzibar 7/1/2012 3:18:00 PM
I bought avocado oil to use under my eyes as I read it was a good moisturizer and easily absorbed. I haven't tried it on my skin yet but I have found a great use for it. I have long hair and color it often. Needless to say, I am always conditioning my hair and trying new treatments to prevent further damage. Last month when I was getting my hair cut I was asking my beautician if I should make any changes to my color. (We're old friends, she doesn't mind giving me tips). She said she now puts oils into every color mix she uses. She specifically mentioned avocado oil. Yesterday I colored again with my tried & true Revlon #04. I always need 2 boxes because my hair is long. Before I started I mixed up 1 Tbsp of jojoba oil & 1 Tbsp avocado oil First I coated the ends of my hair any any extra dry sections with the oils. Then i mixed about half the remaining oil into my color. I preceeded to color the new growth ... always a lot to do, my hair grows fast. When it was time to do the rest of my hair, I mixed the rest of the oils into that. When I got to the conditioner stage, I left that on about 2 hours before rinsing out. This is the best at home color I have ever done. Believe me, I've tried all the name brands. I stick with Revlon because I've always gotten the best color results from it. I think the addition of the oils to the color as well as applying it to my dry ends made a huge difference. The color is great, my hair is soft, shiny and looks & feels like it's in even better condition. I always do a neutral protein filler on my hair before coloring too. But I really think it was this mix of oils which made the huge difference. I will continue to use it this way when coloring my hair. I can't wait to try the avocado oil on my skin next!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Alberto Vo5 - Alberto V05 Conditioning Hairdressing
Sanzibar 4/23/2012 5:01:00 PM
I use the purple formula in the silver tube for blonde/gray hair. Years of dying, processing and using various heat appliances on my hair has left it extremely damaged. I have tried various conditioners and treatments over the years. Even though some initially seem to work, my hair always seems to revert back to the same state. I simply could not stand how dry and damaged my hair looked anymore. It's below my shoulders but I was seriously considering chopping it all off. I didn't expect much from Vo5 but I decided to try it anyway. This is definitely a HG product for me. The key to use on dry hair is to use just the tiniest amount, applying only to ends and out of control areas. My hair instantly smoothed out and was shinier. I have had even better luck using it as an overnight conditioner. I still don't use much but I really coat my hair with the Vo5. My hair just absorbs it. After washing it out, I use another tiny bit as a leave in conditioner. I can't believe how much better my hair is looking. Smooth, shiny & dare I say ... healthy! For blondes, this formula is especially effective. My hair tends to go a yellow/brassy hue after coloring. Leaving the Vo5 in overnight really helps to neutralize those tones and lets the blonde shine thru.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Dove - Dove Nourishing Care Shea Butter Beauty Bar
Sanzibar 11/30/2011 1:22:00 PM
I've liked every Dove Bar I've tried. The Shea Butter Beauty Bar is great for winter time. Like the other versions, it leaves my skin feeling clean without drying it. This is extra moisturizing so it's helping me avoid the dry & itchy skin I usually get every winter. The scent is light which I also like. I haven't found the Dove Winter Care bar yet so I can't compare them. The Shea Butter bar is a little hard to find and so far I've only been able to purchase in large multi packs. That works for me but may be a problem for someone who just wants to try it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Unlisted Brand - Colorful - Neutral Protein Filler
Sanzibar 11/30/2011 12:19:00 PM
I've used this the last 3 times I've colored my hair. I've consistently been coloring my hair some level of blonde for years now. I'm a natural blonde who has hair which has faded into dark mousy brown roots with gray. Along with all my processing and aging, my hair has become significantly damaged & much dryer. My hair is long and it takes at least 2 oz of this protein filler to saturate my hair. Application is easiest when I put this in a spray bottle since it's a liquid. I spray it onto damp hair, trying to cover it as evenly as possible. I then comb it through and put it up in a towel for awhile until it's no longer dripping wet. I've been letting it air dry prior to coloring simply because I don't like to use heat on my hair if I don't have to. Finally I apply the color to my dry hair and deep condition afterwards. The results are worth the effort. The color takes evenly but I still get the multi-tonal effect so it doesn't look flat. My hair looks & feels less damaged. I was previously worried about how much hair I was losing in the shower. I know I'm losing less now. I will continue to use this each time I color my hair (monthly). The directions say you can also mix this into your hair color but I think that would make the color so much thinner it would be more difficult to apply. I think I'll stick with the spray on method. I buy the 4 oz bottle at Sally's so it lasts me through 2 colorings.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Dove - Cool Moisture Beauty Bar
Sanzibar 9/29/2011 2:13:00 PM
I love all of Dove's bar soaps. Now that I've switched from liquid body washes to the bar, Dove is the only brand I'll use. It always leaves my skin feeling clean but not dry & tight. I especially like that it's multi-purpose. It works just as well on my face as it does on my body. I'm for anything which cuts down the need for extra products. Typically, I will use the Sensitive Skin version as my facial bar but I've also used this one with no problems. I especially like showering with this in the summer as it truly does feel cooling on my skin and it has such a fresh, light scent.
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Moisturizers -Avon - Nurtura moisturizer
Sanzibar 9/29/2011 12:46:00 PM
This is one of those Avon staples I will buy again & again. I wrote off this cheap line of creams long ago, opting for the more expensive moisturizers & night creams instead. But a great sale (3/$10) tempted me to try it again. For mature, dry skin ... this cream is amazing! I do not use it daily as a moisturizer as I have other treatment creams but I will use this a few times a week. It is a heavy moisturizing cream so not using it daily avoids any negative reactions with my skin. When I do use it though, my face is left feeling so, so soft. In the winter I like to mix in a drop of Jason's Vitamin E Beauty Fluid and my skin just plumps right up. It eliminates the dry, dull look. It's also great to use anywhere your skin requires extra moisturizing. The other day before I gave myself a manicure, I realized I'd been neglecting my hands. They looked dry, wrinkled and ... old. I've been rubbing some Nurtura in every day and they are looking & feeling so much better. I also use it on my elbows and next I'm going to try it for my feet. Even if you don't use it on your face, this is a great & cheap cream to have on hand because I'm sure you'll find a use for it. I know I won't be going into this winter without it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Clairol - Nice 'n Easy Intensive Treatment For Color-Treated or Highlighted Hair
Sanzibar 9/15/2011 10:22:00 AM
Of all the post coloring conditioning treatments I've used, this is by far my favorite. It leaves my hair soft, shiny and really brings out the highlights. It's great to use in between colorings to keep my hair looking fresh. I'm glad Clairol is selling this separately from the color kits. I use this conditioner even when I don't use the Nice'N Easy color.
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Gels/Soaps -Bath and Body Works - Dancing Waters Shower Gel
Sanzibar 9/15/2011 10:16:00 AM
This was given to me as a gift and I like it much better than I thought I would. It lathers extremely well and leaves my skin feeling soft. It has a fresh, clean scent which lingers without being at all overpowering. I only use it on a occasional basis as I prefer my Dove soap for regular use. I do enjoy using this bath gel though when I feel like a change.
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Misc Beauty Tools -E.L.F. - Studio Makeup Mist & Set Spray
Sanzibar 9/13/2011 12:03:00 PM
I've never tried another setting spray so I can't compare this to another product. I typically use this misting spray after I apply my mineral make-up for the day. It really does increase it's lasting power. My make-up will last into the evening with only a little touching up. But .... the scent is too much. I am not one who is normally sensitive to smells. This does have a very distinctive vomit smell though. Yes, it does dissipate a few minutes after applying. Even though the product is good, I dislike like the smell so much, I don't use this often. Unless E.L.F. fixes the scent, I won't re-purchase. I think I may try some of the DIY recipes though. I did discover a setting spray does extend my make-up so it's worth trying others.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Fusion water resistant
Sanzibar 9/12/2011 11:39:00 AM
I've been searching for a good mascara once I found I could no longer buy Max Factor in the stores. I tried several L'Oreal versions which I hoped would be similar in quality but I was always disappointed with the formulas. My daughter's make-up is always flawless and she recommended Lash Blast. I really like it. I like the brush because it feels like I'm coating all my lashes evenly without getting them all gloopy or spidery looking. A couple coats creates noticeable volume on even my fine lashes. I'm not sure how water resistant this is as I top it off with a coat of my waterproof mascara to set it for the day. I've always had problems with mascara smearing, flaking & leaving me with raccoon eyes. I haven't found that with Lash Blast. It leaves me with nicely full lashes (but not over the top) for daytime. I will definitely re-purchase and may try some of the other versions as well.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Banana Boat - Sport Performance™ Sunblock Lotion SPF 50
Sanzibar 9/10/2011 9:22:00 PM
I recently was on vacation for a week at the beach. Normally, I work a daytime office job so I don't get a lot of sun on a daily basis. My pale skin requires serious protection. The first sunscreen I used was not only ineffective at protecting me from burning but also stung when it melted off my face & ran into my eyes. I switched to the Banana Boat and it worked great for me. I found it easily applied and absorbed into my skin on my body & face. It didn't melt & sting my eyes like the cheaper store brand I used. I always reapplied after being in the water and also reapplied frequently during the day. It saved my skin from any more burning. My husband has a darker complexion but he was concerned about getting too much sun so he used it too. It worked just as well for him. I would re-purchase and use it again for extended periods in the sun.
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Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Heat Protection Spray
Sanzibar 9/10/2011 6:42:00 PM
This is the only heat protection spray I've tried so I can't compare to other products. My long, dry, damaged & color-treated hair responds very well to this product. I spray it very LIGHTLY on the bottom half to 2/3 of my damp hair. I spray a little in my palms and then pat lightly through the rest of my hair. I work it through my hair and then comb. It immediately gives my hair amazing shine. I only dry and style my hair with the lowest setting of the dryer. This spray leaves my hair very manageable, shiny and soft. I can see and feel major improvement in my hair when I dry it after using this spray. The trick with this product is to use it very lightly. At least with my hair, it takes very little to be effective. If I use too much, my hair looks oily. I have only tried it on dry hair once and it didn't work for me but I may have sprayed to much and not worked it through evenly. I don't know if it's the best heat protection spray on the market but I would repurchase because I like the results I get.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Roux 233 Treatment & Shine
Sanzibar 9/10/2011 4:57:00 PM
This has become my HG leave in conditioner. I'm now halfway through my second bottle and ready to review. Since I picked this up at Sally's Beauty Supply for around $8, I was surprised to find no MUA reviews. My hair is very long, dry, damaged and color-treated. A leave-in conditioner is a must for my hair. I spray this treatment all over my damp hair after shampooing. It's very easy to comb thru and leaves my hair soft & shiny. While I that should be true of any leave-in, with this, I have had visably, noticeable results from the first time I tried it. I know from experience it takes a really good product to penetrate my mess of hair and make a positive diffference. This conditioner does not weigh my hair down at all. Though I have fine hair, there's a lot of it. I don't want to condition it to the point it just becomes limp. This never leaves my hair feeling oily or slick because I've overdone it. I can even use it on my hair when dry. In between shampoos, I often spray a little through my hair to detangle and style. It freshens up my hair & my style nicely. I have found no faults in this product. The price is reasonable and it delivers what it advertises. I will continue to repurchase as my hair loves it.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Suave - Professionals Almond & Shea Butter
Sanzibar 9/7/2011 9:04:00 PM
I haven't been a huge fan of Suave products. I had this and the shampoo sitting in my cabinet unused. I tossed it in my bag when I went on vacation recently. It was a pleasant surprise. This is a decent, light conditioner. It smells good, de-tangled my hair and left it soft. For normal hair, it may be good enough to use on a regular basis. My hair is dry & color-treated so I typically need a deeper conditioning product. This will work for me on an occasional basis though so I'll keep it in my rotation of products.
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Shampoo -Suave - Professionals Almond & Shea Butter
Sanzibar 9/7/2011 8:49:00 PM
I bought this shampoo and conditioner based on reviews I'd read. Still, Suave shampoos have been hit & miss with me. It sat in my cabinet untouched for months. I recently went on vacation and decided to take this because I could just throw it away and I'd never miss it anyway. I was surprised at how much I liked it. It smells good, cleansed my hair gently and left it feeling soft and well conditioned. I ended up bringing it back home with me. I'm going to keep it in my shampoo/conditioner rotation.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No