Conditioner -L'Oreal - Hyaluronic Power Moisture Hydrating Conditioner
amyhuskiewicz 4/20/2013 1:22:00 PM
First, the cons: this conditioner has the touted ingredient listed LAST. One lippie off for that! It has fragrance fairly high up, and this may bother some. The scent is a very synthetic floral-ish fabric softener type of scent. I find it pretty non-offensive. The pros: This stuff leaves my hair (wavy, fine but copious, dry-ish) soft, silky and tangle-free. It is full of body with minimal frizz/fly-aways. Kind of like the old All Soft. And it's cheap. Around $5-6 for 24 ounces in the Philly area. The bottle is the type that stands on its head, which is great for dispensing product. It is stable and doesn't tip over in my shower. Good stuff!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -L'Oreal - Hydracharge Cleansing Conditioner
amyhuskiewicz 4/7/2013 3:42:00 PM
In comparison to the EverCreme cleansing conditioner, this has a few advantages so far. Its scent is a sweet, synthetic coconut/white floral that is much less cloying to me than the vanilla/amber of EverCreme (and I LOVE vanilla) although it still is not my favorite smell.I t is a little less heavy and leaves my wavy, moisture-loving hair a bit less waxy. For some reason, the pump on this seems to dispense product more easily and I need less product than the EverCreme. Also, there is a slight lathering effect as opposed to EverCreme which had none for me. I still do not love the fact that the pump means you can't get all the product out easily at the end of the bottle and the pump means you can't easily turn the bottle over and stand it on its head to get the last bits out. It's a bit pricy for the amount, but for occasional use it leaves my hair soft, tangle-free and not flat and greasy like EverCreme. I don't think this would be an every day product for me, but I like it for days I need a quick shower.
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Shampoo -Garnier - Hydra Recharge
amyhuskiewicz 4/7/2013 3:25:00 PM
Bought this,shampoo and conditioner and gave them a try. Too drying for my wavy, mositure-loving hair. I read the ingredients - rubbing alcohol!? In hydrating shampoo/conditioner? Why?!
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Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pastel Pink powder blush
amyhuskiewicz 4/6/2013 2:54:00 PM
As others have mentioned, a great cool pink for the pale ladies. Or guys, if you're into that. It is almost too cool for me (neutral, pale skin) but gives a lovely doll-like effect that does not overwhelm. It is silky and applies smoothly. I love that you can put the blushes in the Bobbi Brown palette pans! Most convenient.
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Shampoo -LUSH - Gentle Lentil solid shampoo
amyhuskiewicz 3/11/2013 7:46:00 PM
This,comes in irregularly shaped chunks as opposed to the pucks that most of LUSH's solid shampoos come in. I usually break my chunk into 2-3 smaller chunks and use one at a time to prevent premature melting and so I have smaller pieces to travel with. First of all, this is a great travel shampoo because it is not liquid and can go right in your carry-on. Secondly, I think it is a great shampoo, period. It smells delish - like a soft vanilla. It lathers richly on my wet hair with a few rubs across my scalp. It is creamy and moisturizing and leaves my hair soft. I noticed the wonderful difference right away when I came back to it after using a different shampoo. I always use conditioner afterwards (I have a lot of fine, wavy, tangly hair) and have not experienced waxy build-up or loss of body. I find this to be gentle, as the name implies, and it is my favorite solid shampoo. I don't use styling products, so perhaps it may be too gentle for those who do. A good sized chunk can last for months, although if you leave it out in the shower you will lose some to melting - so get something to store it in and you'll be fine!
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Hair -LUSH - No Drought
amyhuskiewicz 3/10/2013 10:27:00 AM
OK, this smells delightful but I get scalp pain and irritation from it. Not sure which ingredient is responsible. Also do not like the packaging - impractical and messy. Maybe it would be better in one of those sifter containers they use for body powders? I am hoping they come up with a mist-on hair refresher!
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Lips -Sephora - Cream Lip Stain- all shades
amyhuskiewicz 1/27/2013 7:59:00 PM
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this little gem yet! This is exactly what it says it is - a matte cream stain. It is not moisturizing, glossy or translucent by any means. This is full-on, full-coverage color that doesn't budge once dry. It comes in a range of colors, mostly bold and a range of finishes. I like to dot just a few small drops on my lips and then blend and smudge it with my finger for sheerer, softer color. I especially love the dark purple and fuschia shades. They recently came out with a really nice burgundy as well. These are reasonably priced at $12 and even when used in the lightly applied manner they last hours and hours, though eating, drinking, etc. with no transfer. Although they are not moisturizing, I don't find them drying, either. No noticeable taste or smell. I started buying these when they came out and they are still a staple product - I use them several times weekly. Like a previous reviewer posted, I would give these 10 lippies if I could!
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Crème -Paula's Choice - RESIST Instant Smoothing Anti-Aging Foundation
amyhuskiewicz 1/5/2013 1:03:00 PM
I purchased in the 2 lightest colors - neither were a perfect match, but more concerning was that this was not blendable over my physical sunscreen no matter what I did. It would just streak and ball up and cake up. I am sure it works better over chemical sunscreens, but it did not work for me so I returned it. They have lovely customer service.
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BB Cream -Clinique - Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30
amyhuskiewicz 11/4/2012 8:22:00 PM
I tried decent-size samples of this from Sephora. Unfortunately, neither was a good color match for my pale, neutral skin. The textue was thick and it settled unflatteringly in lines and pores, emphasizing flakes. To be fair, I have dry skin and think this product is geared more towards those with oily skin - and for them this may be a wonderful product. I like that there was more than one color option. The finish was quite matte on my skin. It did cover imperfections.
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Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner
amyhuskiewicz 11/4/2012 8:11:00 PM
I liked this initially for occasional use but soon found the smell to be cloying and overpowering (and I like vanilla!). I was using it on work days, alternating with 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for more conditioning. It did not detangle my copious amount of fine hair and could not be used more than 2 days in a row without making my hair feel "coated". The pump opening is very thin and dispenses very little product - I really had to pump quite a bit to get enough to run through my hair. The pump also prevents you from getting out the last bit of product at the end of the bottle - and it is inconvenient to turn the bottle upside down and balance it on the pump to get the dregs. It is also quite expensive for the amount of product you get. For a much cheaper alternative, try Alberto VO5 Shea Cashmere conditioner (see review) - a vanilla-scented thin, lightly moisturizing conditioner.
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Lip Treatments -Nuxe - Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm with Honey and Precious Oils
amyhuskiewicz 11/4/2012 4:17:00 PM
Rarely do products live up to the hype - for me, this one does. It is a thick, heavy, waxy balm that sticks to your lips and lasts through a whole night of sleep - even if you are a mouth breather. Although it doesn't feel lubricating - in fact you don't want to rub or smack your lips together with this on - In the morning, my lips are soft and plump. I don't know if it adds moisture or just keeps it from evaporating, but it works. Although I am not particularly fond of the plastick-y/rubbery feeling of it on my lips - and it seems to have some particles or clumps in it, too - I can't deny that it gets the job done. The scent is sweet/citrus rather than the honey one would expect and I have not noticed a taste. As others have noted, this is matte, like a Chapstick, not glossy at all It comes in a heavy glass pot and costs too much but it works better than anything else.
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Lipstick -Bobbi Brown - Lip Color - Slopes
amyhuskiewicz 11/3/2012 7:31:00 PM
My desert-island lipstick, for sure. Once in a while, there is a color that wakes up your whole face and makes you look healthy. It goes with whatever you're wearing and can be worn to work, play or special occasions with equal aplomb. This is my color. I think it may be many people's color. Heck, I have even put it on when lounging around the house in my pajamas just to feel prettier - and poof! I am! This is a quiet, neutral flushed red in a chic, minimalistic squared tube that has no scent or taste. Some might find it drying, but I think the formula clings to the lips and stays on for a long time without being sticky - a plus in my book. Sings *I feel pretty*...
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara
amyhuskiewicz 11/3/2012 7:09:00 PM
My usual go-to is Lash Blast Length (yellow tube) which is great for natural-looking definition and this will not replace it - but it has its place. In contrast to Lash Blast Length, this is a more dramatic look - I get noticeably longer, lusher lashes that last all day (say THAT 3 times fast!) without flaking or clumping. The curved brush is not as easy for me to wield as the Lash Blast Length's straight brush because it often ends up smearing mascara on my inner eye as I go for those hard-to-reach lashes. I am willing to concede that this may be an operator error rather than a design flaw. I have had no eye irritation with this and the formula rinses off easily with my cleansing oil. I will keep the Lash Blast Length as my everyday mascara and use the Clump Crusher when I want a little more "oomph". I love that this offers a more dramatic look without veering into scary stiff spider-lash territory. And with sales, BOGO and coupons, I can afford to have both tubes in play at the same time. Forget the silly name - give this a try. Good job, Cover Girl!
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Twilight
amyhuskiewicz 11/3/2012 6:48:00 PM
I think this is a Limited Edition, sadly. For those who enjoy the malty-lavender goodness of Twilight bath bomb or the sweet lavender of LE Twilight perfume, this is a no-brainer i(f you are willing to shell out LUSH prices for a shower gel). I took a chance and ordered the large size and I am glad I did. This is more lavender-y than the perfume or bath bomb to me and will scent your whole shower or bathroom (ok, my bathroom is really small). Although the lavender comes on strong, it is tempered by the sweetness of vanilla/benzoin. While the herbal character is not lost, this is a more of a sweet lavender than a medicinal or eucalyptus-smelling one. It is gloriously calming and soothing in a warm night-time shower. The color is a shockingly deep blue-purple so kudos to the above poster who noted it will probably act as a color-corrector for brassy hair (I never thought of that!). It is not terribly moisturizing but I don't find it to be drying, either. At times I find the lavender almost too aggressive, but diluted on a wet shower puff it is delicious.
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BB Cream -Dr. Jart+ - Blemish Balm Cream (black label)
amyhuskiewicz 11/3/2012 6:35:00 PM
For those with dry, sensitive skin who are hesitant to try a BB cream, this is great stuff (ok, at least for me!). It instantly hides imperfections with a light coat and doesn't sting even in my eye area. I don't think the SPF is high enough to protect adequately with the amount of product most people will use, so if I will be outside, I apply over a physical spf 15 and have not had any issues with caking or balling up of product. The pump dispenser is awesome (although some will have issues with not being able to see how much is left or getting every drop of this expensive product out of the tube). Two pumps gives me flawless, natural looking skin without feeling heavy. This is the only BB cream that has suited my pale, neutral skin. It does have a pinker cast rather than a yellow one, but it perks up my skin. The finish is on the matte side, but in a very natural, non-kabuki manner. My skin looks smooth and is not shiny but not dull, either. By the end of 12 hours it does settle into my creases and pores, but I have dry skin and people standing a normal distance away do not notice it. It will accentuate flakes, but what doesn't? Applying moisturizer beforehand and smoothing this stuff on while my skin is still slightly dewy helps a lot. I have suffered no rashes or breakouts. Keep in mind it is NOT a tinted moisturizer-based formula as so many of the American BB creams seem to be, so expect good coverage and little moisture (although there are skin-beneficial ingredients). This is available in many Sephoras, so you can try before you buy. It is expensive but when something works so well, I think it's worth every penny.
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