Styling Products -Aveda - Pure Abundance Style Prep
aquarianrabbit 5/21/2013 12:05:00 PM
I really like this stuff, actually. It smells nice; very herbal and natural, albeit strong. It's a spray and comes out as a slightly sticky liquid, very easy to spritz into hair. I'm lazy with my hair so all I want from a product is to be able to put it on while my hair is wet, comb through and blow dry without much fuss. This allows me to get body without going through a lot of work. I use it in conjunction with Aveda phomollient styling foam and I'm pleased with the results. I put the phomollient on my roots and spray the style prep on the rest of my hair, then comb it through and blow dry. I've tried getting the same results with just one or the other product (put on crown and in body of hair, comb through, blow dry) and it doesn't work nearly as well. My hair was never as full using only one product. I can't say how well this product works if you actually style your hair because I never curl it or anything, but for what I used it for (getting body), it worked really well. I also did follow the directions of spraying it on on non-shampoo days to re-activate the volume and it worked decently. I prefer dry shampoo for volume and sopping up oil on non-shampoo days, but this works in a pinch. Overall, would definitely repurchase along with the phomollient.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Ojon - rare blend oil total hair therapy
aquarianrabbit 4/4/2013 10:32:00 PM
I have long, straight hair that can get really oily at the roots. I'm often looking for something to smooth the ends (leave-in conditioner or smoothing oil) and so far my favorite thing is John Masters Organics Detangler. I tried the Ojon because it looks cool, smells good, is easily accessed at Sephora and has some nice natural oils in the ingredients list, although it's mostly made of silicones. I like this hair oil, but I don't love it. And I'm not sure some olive oil or argan oil wouldn't do the same thing. I only use this on the ends of my hair before I blow-dry and it does work to smooth out my split ends, but it also weighs down my hair. It smells very pleasant, but I dislike that it smells so strongly because it ends up competing with any body lotion or perfume I might use. All-in-all, not a must have product.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Green Beaver Company
aquarianrabbit 12/19/2012 3:17:00 PM
I'm reviewing Green Beaver Natural Deodorant in Wild Yam. I'm no stranger to natural deodorants and I have to say this is the absolute worst one I've ever used. It smells great, goes on clear, doesn't cost an arm and a leg (I paid $6.99), but that's where the good ends. It magically makes my body odor worse than if I didn't wear deodorant at all. I thought it was all in my head at first, so of course I experimented. I went without deo and it was not good, but I didn't reek. I went out with this stuff on and I reeked. I kept trying it hoping that my body just needed to acclimate, but no dice. I wear this, sweat and STINK. It actually amplifies my stench. It's unfortunate because what am I going to do now with this except throw it away? I'm going back to using plain coconut oil until I find something better.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Pangea Organics - Eye Cream
aquarianrabbit 10/10/2012 1:34:00 PM
Overall, a decent eye cream. It's a "natural," white-colored, thick lotion with a nice fluffy feel. However, after having used the whole tube, I can't say it moisturized that well. It's very expensive and I don't think it's worth the price. The skin around my eyes isn't any more plump or smooth than before. I don't expect miracles, but some results would've been nice.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Ren - Micro Polish Cleanser
aquarianrabbit 10/10/2012 1:30:00 PM
I give this product a meh. It's no miracle worker, didn't change my skin texture or lighten any sunspots. I do like Ren, but this is just your average mechanical scrub. I much prefer a chemical exfoliant, so will continue to use their glycolactic mask, which is worth the money and has improved my skin. If you're desperate for a mechanical scrub, I would just add some sugar or salt to a face wash instead of shelling out the bucks for this. Pass.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Kiss My Face - Big Body Shampoo
aquarianrabbit 10/10/2012 1:27:00 PM
This is my go-to shampoo. I discovered it a few years ago and have repurchased it several times. I dislike using shampoos with SLS, so this is a great alternative. I have lots and lots of hair, but it is very fine and very straight. This helps to boost the volume without stripping it, and it hasn't irritated scalp (I have mild dandruff). I do buy other shampoos to try once in awhile, but I come back to this in between. It doesn't lather too much, but I don't mind. It smells of lavender, but it's not super strong and I like the natural scent. Overall, a solid shampoo, decently priced, easy to use, recyclable container, smells good, works well. I'd say get it to try. I use the conditioner, too.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Guerlain - 'Lingerie de Peau' Invisible Skin-Fusion Foundation
aquarianrabbit 8/5/2012 2:17:00 PM
Pretty much the best foundation I've ever used. I'm very sensitive to cyclopentasiloxane so I'm always looking for foundation without it, and this has none! This doesn't break me out, feels great on my skin, comes in lovely packaging, smells good and looks awesome. It really does blend well with my skin and works over my moisturizer. I'm half Chinese and half Caucasian, so my skin is an odd pale color and I use 02 and it's a really good match. It IS an expensive foundation, but it took me forever to use up, I'd say at least a year of daily use. The pump is great, too, very easy to control. I use one pump for my whole face, two if I feel like I need more coverage. This is a medium coverage foundation and easily sheered out to a tint. Honestly, I love it and would totally buy it again. Good job, Guerlain!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
aquarianrabbit 7/31/2012 4:12:00 PM
I really like this stuff. Before I started using it, my skin would never feel quite moisturized enough, even with moisturizer on. The first time I ever tried it, I woke up the next day with plump, hydrated skin. I was actually amazed as that kind of thing never happens to me, not overnight anyway. The way I use it is to wash my face, pat dry, spritz the Avene thermal water, then moisturize. Love it. I bought the 150 ml/5.29 oz and it lasted me a good 2 months of everyday use, sometimes day and night. I'd rec it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Ren - Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask
aquarianrabbit 6/23/2012 10:46:00 AM
So I used the whole bottle and I must say I really do enjoy this peeling mask. It's by no means a holy grail product, but it does deliver. I used to use it right before I headed out to a nice dinner, clubbing, or special occasion. I like it because it's all natural, packaged extremely well and works. I always had baby smooth skin after I used this, and my blackheads were definitely reduced. I dare say it cleaned my pores out pretty well, too. I noticed my makeup would always go on smoother and my skin would look a lot smoother. It never damaged my sensitive skin, made me break out, or gave me a rash. I can't say it disappeared any of my few freckles, but I used it very randomly. I'm SURE I would've gotten better results had I used it once a week or so. I'll probably buy it again and try sticking to a schedule. All in all, a good buy and well worth a look if you're in the market for something to even out your skin texture, diminish blackheads and "shrink" pore size.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Batiste - Dry shampoo - Brunette
aquarianrabbit 5/24/2012 1:04:00 PM
I love dry shampoo. Love it. I was nonchalantly introduced to dry shampoo by a dear friend when I studied abroad in England (ah memories) and it changed my life. I used to have to wash my hair every day and hope it wasn't greasy before 2pm or put it up in a nasty, slick pony tail. Not anymore!! She gave me the original Batiste to try and I love that stuff. When I discovered the brunette one, however, I fell in love with that, too. It's cheap, it doesn't stain clothes or hairline or anything, it works(!), it's easily accessible, easy to toss in my bag and it smells good. I also like that it doesn't have any propylene glycol or isopropyl myristate in it, which irritate my scalp. I would most definitely purchase again and again and...you get the idea. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I wish it would last longer. It's 5.05 fluid ounces, but only lasts a few months for me. Other dry shampoos I would rec are Oscar Blandi loose dry shampoo, Rene Furterer and Klorane loose dry shampoo.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Facial Serum
aquarianrabbit 5/24/2012 12:54:00 PM
I debated whether to give this a 3 or 4 and finally went with a 4 because in the end, it did improve my skin. I used the whole bottle before I decided to do this review, so I could give an accurate review. I don't think the retinol in this product is very powerful as it's retinyl palmitate, which is basically an antioxidant. However, it did make my skin pretty smooth and never broke me out or caused any irritations. I used it under some avocado oil at night and sometimes, I'd use it before my foundation in the morning. It never balled or pilled and mixed well with my day time moisturizer. So, to sum up: progressively smoothed my skin, but didn't do anything for my pores or dark spots. All in all, not a bad product if you're on a budget. It's about $11 at Sally's.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Milani - Liquif'eye Metallic eye liner pencil -black
aquarianrabbit 4/12/2012 9:12:00 PM
I got this in black and really wanted to love it, but no. It doesn't stay on my waterline and smears all over my contacts. It's also very squishy and the tip smushes off or breaks all the time. I will say that it does glide on nicely and is inexpensive, but overall, I won't be repurchasing. I much prefer my Josie Maran Raven eyeliner, which does stay on my waterline and doesn't get on my contacts.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -The Body Shop - Rainforest Volumizing Shampoo
aquarianrabbit 3/27/2012 11:13:00 AM
One of the worst shampoos I have ever used, hands down. I bought this along with the conditioner (which also sucks) because of a deal The Body Shop was having. Man, am I disappointed. At first, I really liked it because my hair felt silky and clean, but after about half a day, it was flat, oily and disgusting. I thought maybe I should give it a few weeks so my scalp could get used to the new shampoo...no. Not only does it not volumize worth a crap, it actually makes my hair flatter, even if I blow dry it. I have long, straight hair with thin strands and this shampoo did absolutely nothing for volume or body. I tried salvaging my hair a couple times with dry shampoo (I tried on separate occasions the following: Klorane, Batiste, Tresemme) and it did not play well. *shudder* Suffice it to say I will never buy this again or recommend it to anyone. It gets two stars for being better than nothing (barely) and smelling amazing. Otherwise, PASS.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -The Body Shop - Rainforest Volumizing Conditioner
aquarianrabbit 3/27/2012 11:05:00 AM
This stuff sucks. I got suckered into buying it because it smelled amazing, I generally like The Body Shop stuff and it was on sale. Sadly, it doesn't moisturize at all. I have long, straight hair with thin strands and this conditioner did nothing for them. When I washed it out, it came off clumpy. Also, it oddly has salicylic acid in the ingredients list. I gave it two stars because it's better than nothing and smells good. Otherwise, don't waste your money, this is terrible.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Dermalogica - Intensive Moisture Balance
aquarianrabbit 3/14/2012 2:07:00 PM
I ran out of my normal moisturizer (Devita Solar Protective spf 30) and was being lazy so I just started using the Dermalogica stuff my bf has and I must say this stuff is pretty nifty. I have combo to normal skin and it moisturized it really well, without causing any break outs. I used it at night, after cleansing and toning, and during the day, mixed with some Guerlain fdtn. It plays well with makeup! I also have eczema and while I'm not sure it helped, it definitely did not make it worse and it kept the flakies at bay. All in all, I'm impressed and I might buy this for myself. I give it four stars only because it's not an HG, miracle worker, the packaging is crappy (tube) and it's really expensive.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No