Misc Beauty Tools -Trader Joe's - Antiplaque Toothpaste
Thumbelina1 11/7/2012 10:04:00 PM
Love this. A great, basic, peppermint toothpaste for a good price (ahem, Tom's, expensive). Has baking soda in it too, which I like.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Trader Joe's - French Liquid Soap Orange Blossom Honey
Thumbelina1 11/7/2012 10:03:00 PM
OMG, this is my HG body soap I use in the shower. I've tried it on my face and for my scalp and it created some buildup there, so it wasn't good for those places, but as a body soap and shave soap it's fantastic. The pump isn't super, but if you have trouble with it just unscrew the whole top and remove it from the soap bottle. Then, using a towel to grip the bottom part that goes in the soap bottle, try to move the top nozzle until it catches and then open it that way. Anyway. I LOVE orange blossom, and this is true to how it's supposed to smell. It smells fantastic, doesn't dry my skin out, lathers wonderfully, and is heavenly to use, and is very reasonably priced. I could go on and on about how awesome this is. And, the ingredients list is very simple and good.
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Powder -Alima - Satin Matte Mineral Foundation
Thumbelina1 11/7/2012 9:43:00 PM
Best mineral powder foundation I've ever tried, period, and I've used Bare Minerals, I think something called Joelle, and Susan Posnick. Great match for my skin, beautiful texture, buildable coverage, wears very well. Excellent. Also lasts me for a while.
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Deodorants -Trader Joe's - Unscented Deodorant with Cotton
Thumbelina1 11/7/2012 9:40:00 PM
Wow, a lot of polarity on this product, seems like people either love or hate it. I will try to add some perspective. I really, really like this product a lot and use it in summer and winter. I've tried other natural brands (Tom's included) that haven't worked as well for me. Some things to consider: --What are your expectations? If you're someone who wants the perfumey smell and totally dry underarms, this is not for you. I believe it's healthy to let my pores breathe a bit. This mitigates, but does not totally eliminate sweat. I am a lot drier with it, but if I work out I will sweat. Also, while I don't have noticeable BO when I wear it, if i stick my face in my underarm and smell, yes, it will smell like...an armpit! Lol. --How much do you sweat? I do not sweat heavily, but this may not be enough for someone who does. --How are you using it? This can vary the performance of the product a lot for me. The most effective way I've used this is after a shower on dry underarms, then let it absorb for 5 or 10 minutes before getting dressed. If I use it mid-day or before I go out somewhere it doesn't absorb and makes me feel sticky. In summary, not a good product in my opinion for those who sweat heavily or for those who are used to the results of aluminum-containing scented brands. Also to be noted, I haven't had any negative reactions or rashes with it, but that skin under there is sensitive so be sure to keep your receipt in case you have any problems with it, and maybe do a test patch first. Hopefully this was helpful. :)
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Shampoo -Trader Joe's - Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo
Thumbelina1 11/7/2012 9:30:00 PM
Great clarifying shampoo if that's what I need, and also a great brush cleaner for makeup brushes.
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Conditioner -Trader Joe's - Nourish Conditioner
Thumbelina1 11/7/2012 9:28:00 PM
I agree with Nicky. Although the ingredients list on this is awesome, I've used this product for quite a while now and it's really good, but doesn't have quite the level of slip and moisture that I need. My hair is also very fine, though, but there's lots of it, so it may work better for someone with coarser hair. I find the Tea Tree one has more oils in it and seems to soften my hair up, so after I use this one up I'll switch over to that exclusively.
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Lips -Unlisted Brand - Morpho Cosmetics Lip Stain
Thumbelina1 12/28/2011 1:24:00 AM
This is the ultimate if you're looking for a lip stain. Very high quality and not drying at all. Nice and tingly; I agree with the other reviewer that it helps to plump the lips a bit. I tried this in Snap Dragon, which starts off as a gorgeous blood red and gradually fades to a Merlot color throughout the day. Once it's dry you can lightly apply a lip balm without disturbing the color, but be sure to exfoliate your lips and moisturize them before application, of course. Keep in mind that although it's opaque and can go dark and vampy, this is still the look of a stain and it won't give you the pinup, classic red lip look unless you use it with her lip liner. Janine gives superb customer service - every question I had she answered promptly herself and in detail.
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
Thumbelina1 9/10/2010 5:32:00 PM
Wow. I'm sorry to slam on what seems to be a good product, but not for $30, no. This is no better than cheap barely functional drugstore mascara, at least on me. And to top it off, the scent really bothers me. This does almost nothing for my lashes. I don't spend that to get a "natural" look. MUFE has a much better mascara for less. Yikes.
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Shampoo -Davines - Love Smoothing Shampoo
Thumbelina1 9/10/2010 5:21:00 PM
This caused a lot of itchy buildup on my hair that I ended up scrubbing off with Pantene one evening in globs (eww!). This is more for people who wash their hair daily. CG's who do only a weekly shampoo, I'd stay away.
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Conditioner -Davines - Momo conditioner
Thumbelina1 3/28/2010 4:39:00 PM
See my review of the smoothing fluid purple stuff. I like this too; it's reminds me of mayonaise but much better! It's super thick and moisturizing, which is wonderful for my super dry, very curly hair. I use it with the Love shampoo once a week and I use the purple stuff after. Using these products has really helped my hair be in better condition. I only wish this smelled like the purple fluid, but otherwise it's an awesome conditioner. I would guess this is surely not for people with very fine hair that gets easily greasy or weighed-down. My hair is fine but very voluminous and fluffy and frizzy so this does a good job of moisturizing and calming it. Plus it's so thick you don't need much and it lasts for a long time. Highly recommended line. EDIT: I'm off silicones, and my hair is better for it. This is loaded with them, and basically worked by coating it. It claims to be natural, but I don't care where dimethicone or other kinds of silicone come from, I don't want it in my conditioner. If you have curly hair, use caution with this line, lots of sulfates and silicones. I recommend Trader Joe's instead.
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Treatments -Davines - Momo Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Protective Fluid
Thumbelina1 3/28/2010 4:35:00 PM
EDIT: Stopped using this. As soon as spring went to summer, this no longer had any hold. Too bad, it smells great! Not for humid or dry climates, which is most everywhere. I really like the whole line of Davines products so far, which my stylist introduced me to. I was doing the CG method and didn't want to use silicones or sulfates, but apparently these are plant derived and OK. Anyway, I use the shampoo and conditioner and this afterword. I have very dry, curly hair and only wash it once a week, if that. After a shower when I wash and condition my hair (with Love shampoo and momo conditioner or nounou) I blot my hair with a microfiber towel and start dressing, just letting it start to air-dry and letting the curls start to form on their own. once it's just damp (about half dry or more) I'll smooth this on over it without raking through or changing the curls and it controls my hair well and smells AMAZING. I don't know what this smell is but I love it. Don't expect any style hold of this product; it's just good for moisture and conditioning (and cuts frizz).
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Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Honey Gardens Apiaries - honey house propolis salve
Thumbelina1 3/28/2010 4:28:00 PM
Excellent, all-natural lip moisturizer -HG! If only it had sun protection. I have been on the hunt for one as I have chronically dry lips and don't want to use something with a lot of chemicals in it (thinking about how much of it I would end up consuming). This has only a few ingredients: olive oil, organic or wildcrafted comfrey root, calendula flowers & plantain leaves, beesewax, Apitherapy raw honey, propolis, and Vitamin E. That's it. So it's safer and it tastes wonderful, like honey, and it's just a great salve in general. Can be used on cuticles as well, for example. I purchased at Whole Foods for about $7 to $10. Heals and moisturizes very, very well.
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Toners -Unlisted Brand - Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
Thumbelina1 3/23/2010 1:29:00 AM
I started using this because I read that ACV helps with PMS, bloating, and anxiety. Yes, it does certainly help with bloating, but what I did not expect is how much it helps with acne! I noticed when taking a tablespoon or so of this every day to rid myself of bloating that not only did I completely stop breaking out, but existing breakouts healed and my skin cleared up to perfection. PERFECTION. Does it taste bad? Yes! But I chase it with juice. And it is totally worth it. You can also mix it with water and honey or drizzle it on salad. However, if you choose to take a swig from the bottle as I do and chase with juice, don't do it on an empty stomach or after spicy food (I speak from experience :p). Now I'm trying coconut vinegar to see how that compares. So far seems to work the same. Just make sure it says it has "the mother" in it (natural cultures, etc.) and don't get the Heinz brand as it doesn't have that. Shake well before you take it.
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Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Natural Acne Solutions - Purifying Gel Cleanser
Thumbelina1 3/23/2010 1:22:00 AM
I have been using this product for months and have grown to really love it. FYI, I also have a Clarisonic and use it with that. I use this twice a day with the Clarisonic and it really helps the clarity (read: much fewer breakouts) of my skin without drying it out or leaving any residue. I notice, too, a difference with this (as opposed to using any other facewash with the Clarisonic). I'm lazy when it comes to removing eye makeup and just take some of the lather from my face soap and rub it over my eyes and eyelashes and rinse it off. This takes off the eye makeup (granted, I don't usually wear waterproof anything) very well and I haven't had problems with irritation, although I am very careful. Highly recommended. It is my HG face wash.
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Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisture
Thumbelina1 3/23/2010 1:18:00 AM
I have been using this for quite a while - a few months at least, I would say, which shows that this lasts well. It's a great product. I, too, went off the recommendation from Lucky magazine. I started with the serum, which I found to be way too harsh for my skin, and switched to this and haven't looked back. It does indeed help with acne and is a great moisturizer. Being 23 now, I don't have any pronounced wrinkles as of yet, but I'm certainly trying to prevent ones that are threatening my upper forehead. It's just a great night cream, even for me being acne prone and combo-skinned. And using a retinol product is important. I think it's fragrance-free, too, which is awesome and important, and there is squalene in it, which helps to draw moisture to the skin. The ingredients are good and simple, and the products works so well! Why can't all Neutrogena products be this good??? EDIT: I stopped using this about a year ago at least, didn't really do anything for me and my skin hates Neutrogena and breaks out from it. There are more natural and effective moisturizers out there, like those from 2L/Tuel, or Trader Joe's, or other natural brands.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No