Lips -Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Lip Tar - Strumpet
Sophaholic 10/26/2012 11:25:00 AM
I was so disappointed in these Lip Tars. It dried & cracked my lips, no matter what I layered under or over it & wore off within an hour. The description of 'crushed red grape' was waaaay off for me (might just be my weird lipstick-altering powers...): Strumpet came out a hot raspberry pink! Not what I was after at all. I would strongly recommend against buying a colour in Lip Tar you haven't tested personally, as hours of online research comparing loads of different pictures & reviews showed me that the colours look very different on different people. A bit obvious I know, but there seems to be a BIG changeability factor (what, that's a word...!).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Lip Tar
Sophaholic 10/26/2012 11:23:00 AM
I was so disappointed in these Lip Tars. It dried & cracked my lips, no matter what I layered under or over it & wore off within an hour. The more pink/red/purple ones seemed to wear down to a faded hot pink that looked like you'd smeared it on yesterday! I would strongly recommend against buying a colour in Lip Tar you haven't tested personally, as hours of online research comparing loads of different pictures & reviews showed me that the colours look very different on different people. A bit obvious I know, but there seems to be a BIG changeability factor (what, that's a word...!).
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Lipstick -Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Lip Tar - Trick
Sophaholic 10/26/2012 11:20:00 AM
I was so disappointed in these Lip Tars. It dried & cracked my lips, no matter what I layered under or over it & wore off within an hour. I found Trick to be nice colour-wise, but a little too peachy for cool skin tones. I would strongly recommend against buying a colour in Lip Tar you haven't tested personally, as hours of online research comparing loads of different pictures & reviews showed me that the colours look very different on different people. A bit obvious I know, but there seems to be a BIG changeability factor (what, that's a word...!).
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Hair Color -Unlisted Brand - Naturtint Permanent Hair Colorant
Sophaholic 1/15/2011 10:54:00 AM
Love this dye. I used 4I (deep mahogany?). There was barely any smell - maybe a faint medicinal one, almost like TCP! Once you mix the two bottles, you get a FULL bottle of dye (something others could take note of. I'm looking at you, Schwarzkoff Live...). It had a thick gel-like consistency making it very non-drippy - I think this is about the least mess I've found a dye to make. The bit that did get on my skin wiped off easily with wet cotton wool. Finally I love the colour - a dark, plummy brown. And very shiny! One downside - the gloves! Haven't we moved past the cheap petrol station ones?!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Une - Healthy Glow Enhancer
Sophaholic 8/27/2010 11:21:00 AM
I am so over the moon that Boots has FINALLY decided to carry a natural make up range. It is a pain ordering online all the time. Although disappointed that it had to be from make up giant Bourjois, not one of the many fantastic smaller, independant companies. Sorry, off topic :) I bought the Healthy Glow Enhancer hoping it would be a nice light alternative to foundation on days I didn't want to go the whole hog. It is marketed as a tinted moisturiser basically, despite the fancy shmancy name! Pros: It was easy to find a good match, their palette is pretty wide ranging. The ingredients are 99% natural and certainly haven't caused any reactions after a week's constant use on my highly-sensitive skin. It blends easily, despite looking frighteningly thick at first. The packaging is simple and appealing, and crucially not bulky. It did soften the appearence of my skin slightly. But...and it is a BIG but... Cons: Basically, it's glitter. Bourjois, take note: your target market here is different to your usual one and you'd do well to remember that the inclusion of a high concentraton of glittery mica is not going to appeal. It doesn't give a healthy glow so much as a disco ball shine! You also need to make sure any additional moisturiser has REALLY soaked in - I'm talking a full 5 - 10 minutes here - or the product 'balls' as you try to blend it in. BUT! Don't write it off. Because, in an attempt to cover up the glitteriness, I bunged on my usual mineral powder fundation over the top. And whaddya know. Unintentionally, Une seem to have provided me with a really good natural PRIMER. Thank the make up gods, because I dispaired of such a thing ever existing. My make up looked much better and was more effective than usual. It stayed on better and longer - pretty much all day in fact. I am able to use less foundation. Because of this I had trouble rating this product. If I were to rate it based on what it is sold as, it gets a 1. As a primer though, it gets a 4.5.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Clairol - Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10 
Sophaholic 8/28/2009 4:57:00 PM
As a couple other reviewers have mentioned, this seems to be a 'Marmite' product - love it or hate it! I got this very cheap, on offer in Boots for £4.95. I have always dyed my hair darker at home, or lighter at the salon, because I have such thick hair that I was too intimidated to bleach it myself. However, it is now cut very short, so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm very pleased with the result. PROS: -Creamy, non-drip formula; I'm really bad at getting myself and the bathroom covered usually, not a drop spilt with this -Comb applicator; never used one before, will never use anything else now, particularly with thick hair -Speed; whole point really! -Smell; I detest strong smelling dyes, considering this was lightening my hair as well I didn't mind the smell at all -Gloves; sooo good to have proper gloves that fit and stretch, instead of the cheap clear ones you usually get -Colour; as it is on the box (mostly; limited by strength - see below), didn't think this was actually possible! -Overall ease of use; simple, easy, idiot proof application CONS: -Strength; not the best word but...the coarser hair (nearer back of head) is still pretty dark. The finer at the front does match the box though, so it might well just be my pretty resistant hair (I left for 15 mins with this in mind) -Amount: Hmm, either too little dye, or the applicator dispenses too fast, not sure. Considering I'm usually a two-bottle girl when my hair is long, I know how to eke it out! Plus my hair is maybe 80% shorter than before. The bottle was spluttering with about a third to go. It made it, but for long hair definitely consider buying two. I'd also note that I have a lot of red in my dark blonde hair and the blonde versions of this (even the ash blonde) REALLY bring that out, more so than any others I've used, so do chose your colour carefully if you are using a blonde one. Overall: will definitely use this from now on. The time, applicator, price and colour match with the box make it perfect.
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Scrubs -Unlisted Brand - A'kin Jojo & Corn Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub
Sophaholic 3/31/2009 4:56:00 PM
I love this scrub. After pregnancy I had really dry, congested, flaky skin, which I have to use natural products on as it is also very sensitive to synthetic ingredients (fun!). I have been oil cleansing, but it was no longer really working. This scrub, plus the A'kin unscented moisturiser, have given me baby-soft, smooth skin. The beads are quite sharp feeling, but I use it every morning and it is actually very gentle. It isn't the world's cheapest, but it isn't the most expensive either and for me it's worth it: an HG product.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - A'kin - Unscented 24 Hour Pure Moisture
Sophaholic 3/31/2009 4:49:00 PM
I actually really liked this product. I had very dry skin after pregnancy and this combined with the A'kin facial scrub has completely solved it. My bumpy, flaky, ultra-sensitive skin is now baby-soft and smooth. Totally agree with the other reviews about the packaging, I would much prefer a pump or tube, especially as it's a natural product so isn't laden with preservatives and it certainly isn't cheap, but bar any future problems, this is now my HG moisturiser.
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Liquid -Unlisted Brand - Elysambre Organic Fluid Foundation
Sophaholic 3/31/2009 4:38:00 PM
Do you ever start to write these reviews in your head as you are using a product? :-) Well when I bought this foundation a week ago and used it for the first time, I was pretty much planning to start with: "this is the worst foundation I have ever used...." But I have slowly changed my mind with each use. On the downside: you really have to work quickly, this stuff dries FAST. You cannot dab it all over your face then blend - it has to be one area at a time. You cannot overlap or layer this - it sticks to itself like glue and you end up looking like you just slapped it on without blending. You really need to blend well around the usual easy-to-miss areas, such as hairline, eyebrows, etc and use a concealer for any areas where you need extra. And initially, it looks like it has had no effect coverage-wise.... Ok, so from that it sounds awful! But honestly, the upsides: I LOVE this foundation now! It has taken me a week to get used to it, but now I just accept that if I want the benefits of it, I have to take a little more time applying it. About five minutes after applying it, it starts to look better and better, with a lovely silky, light-powder finish that still looks totally natural. It stays on ALL day, way better than any non-natural foundation I've used. It hasn't broken out my ultra-sensitive skin. Do test the colours carefully - I have to mix the two lightest, as the shades are quite yellow based and it took a little mixing to get it right for my rosy toned skin. If you want a non-synthetic, high performance foundation that looks natural, I would thoroughly recommend this product. You just need to take the time to learn to apply it.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Dr. Hauschka - Clarifying Toner
Sophaholic 11/19/2007 11:03:00 AM
Dr Hauschka is the first thing in forever to sort out my overly-sensitive, acne (and recently cystic) skin (see cleansing review for explanation). It had also started to get very oily and after using this stuff in conjunction with the cleanser and moisturiser, it is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l! No oilies, no spots, no constant blotting (or...shh...picking :-D) and no foundation! However, I am reserving judgment a little more on this one, because it has also turned from summer to winter, so I don't know how much of the oil reduction is down to the toner and how much to the weather! At the moment though, absolutely love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Dr. Hauschka - Moisturizing Day Cream
Sophaholic 11/19/2007 10:53:00 AM
Ok, the short version (the long version is my review of Dr H's cleansing cream!) is that my skin has gone to cystic hell (via sensitive acne-prone hates-the-products-it-once-tolerated mini-hell) over the last seven years. Chin & jawline both covered in big, red, angry pimples, constantly. And now, having used Dr H for a month or so, it is...well, it's almost perfect. I don't even wear foundation any more, something I haven't done since the day I discovered the stuff. This fluid smells lovely, sinks in easily, and you need the smallest bit. I love it. HG.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Dr. Hauschka - Cleansing Cream
Sophaholic 11/19/2007 10:12:00 AM
This is (after seven years of searching) my HG cleanser. Firstly (& apologies for this being long) I have to explain my skin. At ~20, I developed real problems with big, red, angry spots on my chin. After seven years of 'skincare experimentation', I had finally collected a few (Dermalogica, Lush Coalface, Clarins moisturiser) that didn't cause too many break outs. Then I travelled for a bit, ran out of those products & the money to replace them. After a month of using random products, I developed cystic spots along my jawline and all over my chin - I got some sample sizes of the Clarins/Derm./Lush, but by then my skin was so bad that it became sensitised to anything I used; even my failsafe products were now useless. It also began to get horrendously oily, all over. Then my Mum found & suggested Dr Hauschka. Mum, you're the best. My skin started to calm down immediately (if it doesn't like a product, I'll get spots within a day of using it) & it has continued to heal. No more spots. Anywhere. For the first time since middle school, I don't wear foundation. The red scarring from previous attacks is fading. I know full well that I sound like some cheesy ad :-), but I really & truly can't tell you what this stuff has done. This problem that has plagued me has Just. Gone. Away. Of course, as someone else said, it does smell unreasonably like very old beer.... :-D
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Concealers -Dr. Hauschka - concealer 01
Sophaholic 11/19/2007 9:43:00 AM
Hmm, one of those products where I'm not 100% sure. I really like the packaging and I actually really like the scent - it smells kind of...healing! It covers up the pores on and around my nose very well, without sinking into them, and smooths out areas that don't look so good, especially undereye. However, I find it isn't particularly good at covering red blemishes/spots. It works a LOT better at this if you blend it with the tip rather than your finger, but seeing as the tip is the bit dispenses the product (obviously!) it's can be tricky to use it to blend without getting more product onto the bit you're trying to blend. It certainly doesn't irritate my skin, which has become sensitised to almost everything else. I'll stick with it for now - maybe practice will make it perfect!
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Treatments -Clarins - Blemish Control
Sophaholic 10/7/2007 7:43:00 AM
I really love the small size of this bottle. I do agree that if you shake it, a lot of product comes out, and if you don't, you get barely any, but once you find a balance it's ok. It smells very strongly of alcohol to me, so I think it might be a bit harsh on some skins, but it seems to do the job well, dries them up quicker than if left alone, and definitely soothes angry red pimples. But I suspect the basic Boots version does just as good a job. Edit: Sigh. It ended up giving me more spots than it cured. I think it was just too harsh for my very sensitive skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -LUSH - Dream Time Temple Balm
Sophaholic 8/29/2007 10:06:00 AM
100% love. For a couple of months, I've had a very bad sleep pattern, which has resulted in feeling constantly overtired, like a small (grumpy!) kid! As tired as I am, my brain just won't switch off when I get to bed. I finally remembered to stagger into town and buy this tiny tin (perfect size for bedside, or travelling). The scent is gorgeous, lavendery with lemony hints. I applied to my temples (just a tiny bit) and wrists, lay with my wrist on the pillow in front of my face, and I swear I could feel my brain going, "Ahhhh!" My mind just slowed right down. My husband was still wide awake (again, a la small child). After plonking a wrist in front of his face and mumbling, "Shutupsmellwrist..." he went all quiet and sleepy! We were honestly stunned at how strong the effect was (either that or a Lush employee snuck in and doped our tea). For the first time in ages, we both woke up at 6am this morning and were able to get up without any snooze-button-bashing, and I have actually spent an entire day NOT feeling like a zombie for the first time in ages. I'm all excited about going to bed now....
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No