Moisturizers -Caudalie - Huile Divine
april1976 5/11/2013 4:47:00 AM
Pricey? Yes. But I really enjoy this Lilly of the Valley scented oil, mainly for hair. And skin. My hair gets treated poorly year-round by the Pacific Ocean as I am a surfer girl. Therefore, I try to baby it otherwise. After a dollop of my leave in conditioner I use a few generous sprays of this oil on the length, then comb it through and air dry overnight. The smell is to die for, and it leaves my natural waves soft and not overly greasy.
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Conditioner -TRESemme - Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner
april1976 5/8/2013 11:42:00 PM
My review is based on using this product as a leave-in. My hair is medium thick, naturally curly/wavy and color treated. I use about a dime sized squirt post hair wash and condition,and while my hair is sopping wet. I've found that since using this as a leave-in, I can use less of my routine styling oils and still get a frizz free and soft result. Worth mentioning that I haven't used heat tools in a month and wash at night and air dry. Also makes a good protector before I surf. I just wet my hair and squeeze a quarter sized dollop and then pull it up. When I rinse it out, my hair is much softer and less knotty than is typical after being in the ocean for hours.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -FLOWER Beauty - Easy On The Eyes Long Wear Eyeliner
april1976 4/19/2013 5:25:00 AM
This is a great find. Truly the only low-cost eyeliner that smoothly goes on my waterline and stays put. I purchased both the black and brown, so far. In addition, these liners perform better than Sephora-brand, Bobbi Brown and my MAC liners at half the cost.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Boiron - Homeoplasmine
april1976 12/29/2012 2:39:00 AM
Good news, party people - you don't have to go to France or pay $35 for Homeoplasmine. As long as you have a health food store that sells Boiron products, you're good. Go to said Boiron section and locate the "Calendula Ointment", pay $7, and now you have your Homeoplasmine. It's essentially the same thing, minus one insignificant ingredient. Their Calendula Ointment is made of Calendula and white petroleum. I have Homeoplasmine from France, as well, and cannot tell a difference (well, except for one less stamp in my passport and an extra $28 in my wallet). You're welcome.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Organix - Moroccan Argan Oil Weightless Healing Dry Oil spray
april1976 11/17/2012 4:25:00 PM
Overall, I prefer more expensive hair oils. However, this is great for travel. It does the job, does not take a ton of product, and doubles as a dry oil body spray in a pinch after the shower. In terms of drugstore brands, this is probably my favorite "moroccan oil" style knock-off.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Garnier - Sleek and Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment
april1976 11/17/2012 4:22:00 PM
For reference, I am very persnickity when it comes to hair oils. In my current routine are: Caudalie Divine Oil, BB Hair Oil, and Chi Silk Infusion. I do sort of get the hype on this: it's dirt cheap, it's easily found, and for the most part, it gets the job done. BUT: I found it takes a heck of a lot of this product to "get the job done". And in the meantime, you could have spent a bit more on another drugstore product that works better, with less product waste. Enter Organix Moroccan Dry Oil Spray. It's around $8, but a little goes a long way and it smells just as nice. When I'm traveling and don't want to cart expensive stuff, this also doubles as a nice dry oil body spray after the shower.
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Lipstick -NYX - Round lipstick- Milan
april1976 9/11/2012 7:37:00 PM
I have varying degrees of lipsticks, expense-wise. Milan can top many of those for just under $4. It is a fantastic YLBB color for me, goes on smoothly over a basic lipbalm, and lasts decently. Because of the cost, I feel much better about dragging it to hotel rooms as I travel for my job. And due to the fact it's a lipstick versus a gloss, I can have more room in my ziplock for other "liquids". Works as a good cheek color in a pinch, as well.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Plus White - 5 Minute Speed Whitening Gel
april1976 8/12/2012 1:43:00 PM
Let me preface my review by stating: I have no dental issues. No tooth sensitivity, no gum issues, never had gingivitis...etc. I think this is important to note, as half the online reviews I read that gave this less than stellar ratings had the individual admitting to existing dental issues. Now, from my end: I have found this works very, very well. In fact, I would recommend not spending $$ on Crest Strips or $$$ on a professional whitening and just use this a few times, appropriately spaced out. My useage is: First two days of purchase: 5 minutes on both days. Then once every two weeks for 5 minutes only. I brush my teeth normally, dry them off with a cotton pad, apply the gel with a clean cotton swab, wipe any and all excess product off my lips and gums, then wait 5 minutes. I then rinse and brush again normally. I also believe those with adverse reactions did not wipe the excess off their lips and gums before sitting for 5 minutes. Hello? It's not gum/lip whitening....it's for your flipping teeth. So, wipe that stuff off your lips and gums before you sit with it soaking in your mouth for five minutes.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Sally Hershberger - Hyper Hydration Super Keratin 
april1976 7/20/2012 2:11:00 AM
I want to like Sally Hershberger drugstore products - they're cheap and I like to travel with cheap things I don't mind getting confiscated by TSA should I forget to decant them and/or leave randomly in my hotel room. I travel for my job....can you tell? Anyhow, this product should immediately remove the word "hydration" from it's label. It made my hair feel a tad dry. However, that's not the worst thing by far. The reason I would never buy it again (and pitched it) was due to the lingering fish smell after spraying it. I tried at least 3 times with different hair products on, no hair products on...etc. to determine if it was a weird combination of what I'd used prior to spraying it in or not. Regardless of what I put in beforehand, it still had this odd fishy smell. I'm a vegan so....no thanks.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Eve Pearl - Salmon Concealer
april1976 7/20/2012 2:06:00 AM
Hi, my name is April, and I have dark circles.... I believe I've tried what amounts to a small mountain of concealers in the hopes of finding one that would remedy the dark circles, serve as a decent overall spot concealer in a pinch, and not make my face feel "caked" with makesup. So far, this is the one. I do not wear foundation, rather tinted moisturizer, and really just need that added coverage in the under eye area. I find that this spreads evenly, does not feel dry and cakey and remains in tact over the work day. I have also used it lightly on the bridge of my nose and chin with no issue. It's not cheap, but I can find it in most beauty supply stores in L.A. (the ones geared towards professional movie/t.v. makeup artists) and therefore have not had to deal with the additional shipping cost.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Chantecaille - Ultra Sun Protection SPF50 PA+++ Anti-Glycation Primer
april1976 6/2/2012 3:32:00 AM
A good primer with an SPF of 50 probably shouldn't cost $85, but it does. I have combo oily skin and I happen to like this a lot. Let me tell you why: I highly dislike any of the sunscreens on the market made for the face (caveat: Dr. Raj Kanodia just came out with one that's pretty decent, but only an SPF 30). Every single ofther facial SPF product I've tried breaks me out. I don't know what the hell it is in the products that cause my face to redden and blemish, but without fail, it happens. Until, on a whim walking through the Beauty Habit headquarters (yes, it's in my neighborhood, and yes, they let you come in the warehouse and shop!), I picked this up and put it in my basket. I'm not a huge fan of other products in this line. Mainly because I already have a favorite tinted moisturizer, lipstick brand...etc. But, I will most likely suck it up when this tube is finished and replace it.
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Skincare - Body -NADS - Hair Removal System - No-Heat Hair Removal Gel
april1976 6/2/2012 3:26:00 AM
After a ten year, self-imposed home waxing hiatus...NADS has me back in the game. I live in L.A. where a good bikini wax can cost between $70 (Melrose) and $35 (the valley). I have no problem paying for a good wax, but it's really not that difficult to do yourself, unless you want some freaky shape or vajazzling. In college, I jumped on the NADS wagon and it was an epic fail. Somewhere in between college and now, I started to actually read directions. Wow...game changer. So, here's my experience in a nutshell: You need to make certain the area is clean and free of body oils and lotions. Let the product warm in the sunlight, and use a delicate hand when applying (meaning, don't glob it all over like wax). The thinner, the better. Take a good 4-7 strokes over the cloth strip to make sure it's sufficiently warmed to the skin. Then riiiiiippppppp! Actually, it's like pulling off a band-aid. The hair pulled out cleanly, and my bikini line is bump-free. I did a great job my very first time, since rediscovering NADS. I purchased my tub of green gooey wonder for about $10. I buy my own replacement cloth strips and sticks at Sally's. Thanks for saving me about $60 a month NADS - now I can spend more time at the Korean spa with my extra moola!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -eos - Lip Balm
april1976 6/2/2012 3:11:00 AM
Great idea. Neat shape. Love that it's eco-friendly to an extent. But it smells AWFUL. I gave it the old college try and have now purchased 3, just to make certain the first 2 weren't just a bad batch. Sadly, no. I detect what it's intent to smell like is, but all three of my little spheres had an overwhelming rancid/plastic-like smell/taste to them. The last one I bought in Strawberry I had high hopes for. It had such an nasty underlying odor it gave me a headache. Never again.
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Bronzers -Too Faced - Aqua Bunny Cream to Powder Splash-Proof Bronzer
april1976 6/2/2012 3:06:00 AM
Love. Luv. Lurve. The smell is coco-nutty goodness, the bronzer is creamlike, yet stays put. It's not shimmery and I like it that way. Easy to use - I don't often reach for the brush it comes with, rather I use my fingers or stippling brush. Animal friendly company. Made in the USA. Yay.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Guerlain - Loose Kohl in Noir
april1976 6/2/2012 3:03:00 AM
Yes, it's messy. Yes, you'll need to apply the "It takes a village" philosophy to get this off at night. But, oh my it's awesome. I have a major issue with eyeliner staying put and not wandering downward, making me look like a baby panda. Guerlain is no joke. It does take some practice, but it's much like riding a bicycle: once you get it, you won't forget how to do it. My technique is to tap the excess powder off inside the container while I simultaneously remove the applicator stick. Then I do an initial line to my waterline. This helps get much of the product off, and is more precise. Next, I follow the lessons I observed on You Tube and Into The Gloss, and put the stick in the center of my eye, gently close the lids, and swipe outwards. Perfecto. This stuff stays put. It does not irritate my eyes or my contact lenses. Be forewarned that the first few times you try this, you're going to look like Marilyn Manson. That won't last. I don't even baulk at the $32 price tag because it simply rocks my world. In a nutshell, my boyfriend (who notices nothing) stated: "that totally changes your look. your eyes pop out and are even more beautiful." I use the Noir and the Brun consistently.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No