Treatments -Phyto - Phyto 9
andijan 1/18/2013 11:19:00 PM
Heaven. My hair is in heaven... and I can hardly believe it was always right there in front of my eyes! My hair is soft, shiny, soft with out any frizz. But let me tell you, I kind of cocktail it up. I take a pea size of Phyto 9 and the tinest drop or 100% pure Argan oil and mix together in my palms. I smooth it in my ends. Then, for a little bit of silicone on top - I use Aveda Light Elements Smooothing Fluid (because it takes me forever to get through one). I love this stuff. I get not wanting to use tons of silicones, because my hair usually ends up just being coated but not moisturized. Moisture is key for my hair. Phyto is simply the bomb. I've tried tons of other leave-ins, but they were just not right. I miss Aveda's Elixir, but this is even better than that. I only use a pea size and I have enough hair for two people. My hair is shoulder length. Anyway, try it from somewhere you can return it just in case. but I am so happy to have found this little gem.
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Gels/Soaps -Dove - Beauty Bar
andijan 1/5/2013 9:14:00 AM
I've tried vegetable oil based soaps for years. I've spent the big bucks on L'Occitane and Triple-milled olive oil soaps, etc. They all made my skin so dry. I went back to Dove, which I stopped using due to the tallow (beef fat). I went back and am so happy despite the tallow. It works and I can't see how something that is on your skin for seconds can do too much internal harm. I'm far more mindful when it comes to my moisturizer. With using Dove Sensitive, I feel that I don't have to use so much moisturizer. I have tried the body wash/liquid version, too. But, I don't like it so much. I've tried the scented and it seems to irritate my skin. I love DOVE sensitive. Simple, easy, affordable, no nonsense.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
andijan 1/5/2013 9:01:00 AM
I previously tried the More expensive version, but it was just too much time on my sensitive skin. I wanted to be able to get rid of my micro congestion and still use a very affordable cleanser. I use it with Purpose Gentle Wash. I love the Mia! It is small and the one minute time frame works far better for my sensitive skin. If I want to use it more, I just restart it, which I find far less annoying than hearing the time beeps to move it to another section of your face. I take the brush head off after every use, to let it dry. I charge it maybe once a week? Also, I found it at DermStore.com and got it for 20% off during a promotion with free shipping and no tax. Can't beat it. Very happy.
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Cleansers -Purpose - Gentle Cleansing Wash
andijan 1/5/2013 8:56:00 AM
I went to this cleanser after much toying around with other cleansers. I used it before as a teen, but I find myself wanting to simplify my routine and avoid hype. I've been using this cleanser for about 6 months. Sometimes, I mix a tad of baking soda with it for a scrub. Two months ago I purchased the Clarisonic Mia. I am pretty sensitive, but get micro congestion in the T-zone. This combination with the Purpose Cleansing Wash and the Clairsonic Mia has greatly cleared up my skin. I find it a bit drying for winter time in Michigan, but I don't want to risk any change. I'd rather add a hydrating serum. I only wish is was more particular about the preservative Quanternium 15 - which is a formaldehyde releaser. I have tried the head-to-toe baby wash, too... while the ingredients are very close, it is far more watery and doesn't provide the savings one might think. I love the smell.
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Conditioner -Aveda - Dry Remedy
andijan 8/22/2012 9:13:00 AM
I tried this conditioner off and on for over a year. I came here to read reviews and second guess myself, but I have to acknowledge that this product really wasn't suited for my hair or my body. I felt that it immediately coated my hair with dimethicone (the 2nd highest ingredient) and broke my back and neck out and even the area around my jaw and ears. My hair did not look hydrated. My hair is brown/greying, extremely prone to frizz, wavy and I have a TON of it. My strands are fine to medium. I recently tried some dimethicone free conditioners by Acure (bought at Whole Foods). My hair seems hydrated! Hallelujah!
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Cleansers -Trader Joe's - Nourish All in One Facial Cleanser
andijan 11/28/2011 11:05:00 PM
I love this cleanser. I thought I'd give it a try and I was skeptical. I've tried everything under the sun, department store, Whole Foods, drugstore. I was liking CeraVe and I was using very pricey cleansers from GlyMed and DDF. The CeraVe is great, but a little too basic and the GlyMed and DDF both had glycolic acids that I think were a wee bit too aggressive for everyday use. This TJ's Nourishing cleanser for $5.99 for 8 oz. is a real treat at a steal. It is loaded with antioxidants and exfoliates just the right amount. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!
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Shampoo -Trader Joe's - Balanced Moisturizing Nourish Spa Shampoo
andijan 9/22/2009 11:07:00 PM
I really like this shampoo. It took a little bit to get used to, but it is very nice and simple. I wanted something gentle, mild fragrance, hydrating and leaving my hair shiny. Most of all, I didn't want something with lots of wax that builds up on my hair. You won't get crazy lather with a sulfate-free shampoo, but I am used to it. My hair is wavy and tends to frizz. So far I'm liking this much more than anything I tried from Whole Foods and the Aveda shampoo I used for almost 2 decades. A lot less money down the drain at $2.99 a pop. I can't see why anyone wouldn't like this, unless they had a very oily scalp or had tons of buildup from using Pantene or other very waxy products.
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Treatments -evanhealy - Pomegranate Repair Serum
andijan 8/25/2009 3:30:00 PM
I think I have found my holy grail. I have been using this for 2 months now - and it has delivered all the promises. I did have a scary purging, but it was miraculous how fast that healed with this serum. I mix one drop with several sprays of a hydrosol in my hand and it is my moisturizer. I LOVE IT!!!!! Read the evanhealy blog if you want to know more. I can't say enough good things about it! My skin is more even, pores smaller and cleaner, skin glows and I even say my skin is truly becoming makeup optional - and really not necessary. Maybe, mascara and gloss for fun - but that is about it! :-) JOY! Edit: Ended up being too heavy for everyday and I started breaking out.
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Masks -evanhealy - Grean Tea Clay
andijan 8/23/2009 5:11:00 PM
I have used several masks and was reluctant to buy a mask I had to mix and skeptical that it would be better than another dry clay mask. It has proven to be worth every penny. I love that it smells like green tea, that it draws out impurities very well and gently exfoliates my skin. I have been using the Clarisonic brush, but am thinking of putting it aside a few weeks to see if there is any difference in my skin. I used the delicate brush head, but according to the Evan Healy philosophy, you are not supposed to disturb the acid mantle of your skin so much. I would definitely purchase this mask again. I found it mixes best in the palm of my hand with a few sprays of the hydrosol. I really love it!
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Moisturizers -evanhealy - Rosehip Treatment Facial Serum - Blue
andijan 7/20/2009 12:13:00 PM
I love this oil - my skin is getting clearer, brighter and glowing. Who doesn't want that? I've been trying to find the right skin care - so I do not have to wear makeup. I want that dewy natural look. My skin is combination/sensitive so I go the blue chamomile. What I really love about this line is that I don't have question what my skin type is. It is pretty much a one-size fits all and suits my mimimalist approach. I've tried Dr. Hauschka and Suki and for some reason had allergic reaction - red rash. I hope that I can continue to use this without problem. I think it is the best thing I have ever found. I use a different cleanser, but also bought the green tea mask, hydrosol and blue chamomile moisturizer! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! Edit: Returned. Ended up being too heavy. My skin just can't handle the constant oil. I stopped using and my skin cleared right up.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Beauty Without Cruelty - Extra Gentle Cleansing Milk
andijan 3/23/2009 11:13:00 PM
My skin after one use is instantly calmed and looks clearer. I use the Clarisonic with the Delicate brush head for only one minute and was having a hard time finding a cleanser that I could use with it that wouldn't irritate my already super sensitive skin. I've tried just about every brand at Whole Foods and the Department stores. I really love this so far, and if my skin remains calm and clear - this will be the staple for me all year around. I don't wear much makeup so makeup removal is not an issue for me. I do work hard at keeping a fresh and clear face. Update: I have been using this for 2 weeks. I love it! My face just keeps getting better.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Extra Gentle Cleanser
andijan 1/16/2009 9:22:00 PM
This is the best cleanser I have found. It leaves my skin clear and perfectly comfortable. I think all the natural/organic cream cleansers I've tried were a little irritating due to the essential oils. The only other cleanser I liked was Origins Pure Cream for approx. $19. - but that was even a little too rich for me. I'm combination to dry and pretty sensitive. I've tried Cetaphil (not cleansing enough), Purpose (burning) and the list goes on. I finally bought my second bottle today.....and for $4 to $5 at Target - I really can't complain. I still use Origins Perfect World moisturizer and LOVE that. For travel, I am going to put it in a small plastic squeeze bottle (since, the pump won't bode well.) Update: I kept getting little red bumps - not really acne. I stopped using this cleanser and all the red bumps went away.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Pro Skincare Brush
andijan 11/23/2008 5:23:00 PM
The expense of this still makes me cringe, but I was desperate for something after having my first baby. I couldn't use retinol for the past two years due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. I used this with the sensitive brush head for three months with numerous cleansers, and my face seemed more irritated, fragile and break-out prone. I recently switched to the delicate brush head and Collective Wellbeing Cleansing Cream. Finally, I think this thing is going to work. My skin feels very clean, radiant and smooth. I'm very relieved that I can say I love this thing. I'm not in a position to waste $200 after going from full-time work to full-time, stay-at-home mom. I bought mine from the Bliss catalog in Bliss Blue. Just love Bliss! UPDATE: I stopped using this and my skin started clearing up. I kept using it because I wasn't sure why my skin was still breaking out. I thought it might be end of pregnancy hormones - but 1.5 years of delivery I would hope that would have cleared itself by now. It seemed as if this tool pushed things in my skin more than it helped remove. That being said, I don't wear a lot of makeup, either. I used the delicate brush on the lowest setting. Finally, I went to the derm and she suggested I stop using the brush. Voila, skin is much better! I returned this thing in hopes that Bliss is understanding that I had too many other things to consider why my skin was still freaking out!
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Cleansers -Collective Wellbeing - Cleansing Cream
andijan 11/23/2008 5:17:00 PM
I love this cleansing cream. I do not wear foundation, so I am not sure how it takes off makeup, but this cleanser instantly improved my skin. I used baby wash on my face and it seemed to really irritate and burn my skin. I've used other cream cleansers that seemed to leave a greasy residue. If you have sensitive skin that tends to breakout from time to time, TRY THIS! It has Rosemary and Sage with antiseptic qualities that do not dry your skin out, but leave it clean. I used the Clarisonic with the delicate brush with this. Love it! UPDATE: This is still a little too active for me. I am now tryiing Shikai's gentle cleanser.
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Treatments (Eye) -Origins - Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum
andijan 3/4/2007 1:52:00 PM
I bought this when it came out and was excited, because I had a very strange rash in the inner corners of my eyes this summer due to high mold count and poor work environment. My irritation had completely gone away for the past 6 months. When I started using this, those symptoms started coming back, my eyelids and the inner corner of my eyes were starting to become red, dry and rashy again. I stopped using it and it went away. I tried the cream, too. Neither work for me, I must be allergic to something in the products. I will stick with Aveda.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No