Hair -Unlisted Brand - KIRKLAND SULFATE-FREE CONDITIONER
carinnemj 5/21/2013 12:13:00 AM
What a fantastic cheap buy. I got a liter each of the shampoo and conditioner for $25 total and it will probably last me and my husband a year. The shampoo gives the richest lather I've ever gotten from a sulfate-free formula and the conditioner is just divine, thick and creamy but clean rinsing. I've been using the pair of them for about two months and my hair (shoulder length, fine, color treated) just loves it. And it smells like some fantastically decadent dessert. Win-win-win.
$12.49 for a 1 liter plastic pump bottle.
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Hair -Unlisted Brand - KIRKLAND SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO
carinnemj 5/21/2013 12:12:00 AM
What a fantastic cheap buy. I got a liter each of the shampoo and conditioner for $25 total and it will probably last me and my husband a year. The shampoo gives the richest lather I've ever gotten from a sulfate-free formula and the conditioner is just divine, thick and creamy but clean rinsing. I've been using the pair of them for about two months and my hair (shoulder length, fine, color treated) just loves it. And it smells like some fantastically decadent dessert. Win-win-win.
$12.49 for a 1 liter plastic pump bottle.
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Eyeliner -Cover Girl - Queen Collection Eyeliner
carinnemj 2/14/2013 10:26:00 PM
Bought this in Espresso on a lark from a $1 bin and now I'm on the hunt for the other colors. It's a self-sharpening liner, meaning it's in a plastic tube (not a wooden pencil). The formula is what sold me: It's creamy and blendable right after you apply it, but once it sets, it stays. It's easy to make a thin line or a thick one, and it doesn't drag on delicate eyelid skin. The sponge smudger worked well the first time but it got gunky after a few uses so I just blend with my pinkie now. Espresso makes my blue eyes pop; it also comes in Black, Charcoal, Midnight Blue, Grey Khaki, and Chestnut.
Regularly $4.99 at drugstore.com.
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Andalou Naturals - Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask
carinnemj 1/4/2013 11:05:00 PM
What a find! This all-natural mask totally deserves its perfect 5-star rating. It does sting a bit when you first spread it on, but the tingle dissipates after a minute. I love that it smells like pumpkin pie, but I love even more how smooth and even my skin feels for hours after applying it. I've been using it twice a week for about a month and have had no breakouts since I began -- something of a rarity! My skin does well with glycolic acid and if yours tolerates it as well, it's a great treatment to add to your arsenal. $15 for a 1.7 oz heavy glass jar at Whole Foods.
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Bath Treatments -Alaffia - Everyday Shea Shea Butter Bubble Bath
carinnemj 1/4/2013 10:58:00 PM
I was searching for a gentle bubble bath for my toddler in the aisles of Whole Foods, and most of the options were super pricey. But then I came across this behemoth of a bottle, which was only $8.49 (on sale, marked down from $10). I figured since it was fair trade and contained no parabens or synthetic chemicals, I'd give it a shot. Blew all my expectations out of the water, so to speak. It manages to create a mountain of suds from just half a teeny capful in the infant tub, but the moisturizing shea butter keeps my son's skin from drying out in the winter air. It comes in two scents: eucalyptus mint, and lemon lavender. I prefer the eucalyptus, but I may try the other one once I finish this bottle a year or two from now. Really fantastic stuff. Will be buying some for my friends' upcoming baby showers! $10 for 32 ounces at Whole Foods. Also available at Alaffia.com.
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BB Cream -Garnier - BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector - Light/Medium
carinnemj 9/20/2012 12:36:00 AM
I like this a hundred times better than the Missha BB cream I bought on Amazon last winter. It doesn't have greyish undertones and the texture is creamy, not pasty. It blends seamlessly and gives my skin a dewy look without looking greasy. The SPF seems to work well too -- I don't have to wear additional sunscreen underneath to prevent a burn. Will definitely repurchase.
Bought a large tube for under $10 on Amazon.com.
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Lips -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Balm
carinnemj 4/11/2012 2:13:00 PM
I agree with the others that this product is good but not great. I really wanted the new Fresh tinted lip balm in Coral but when I saw these on sale at the grocery store, I picked one up in Caring Coral to see if it would satisfy that craving. I like the buttercream scent, the pretty gold and translucent peach packaging, the nongoopy formula, and the SPF 15, but the color payoff just isn't there. It shows up as nothing on the back of my hand, and just shine on my lips. It's also very lightly hydrating, so it won't heal cracked lips or work miracles. I'm happy enough with it for $5.99 but I wish it were either a better balm or had a better tint.
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Shave Products -Trader Joe's - Honey Mango Shave
carinnemj 2/23/2012 1:47:00 AM
The scent alone makes me look forward to shaving. I picked it up on a lark and had no idea it was a cult favorite, but I understand why. My legs and underarms are criminally smooth. Will repurchase in bulk!
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
carinnemj 2/18/2012 5:37:00 PM
I don't know what is wrong with me for putting off trying this for so long, but it is a *perfect* tinted lip balm. I got it for free in Sephora's birthday gift (part of a mini duo with the classic Sugar Lip Treatment) and I'm obsessed. Love the smooth texture, love the pinky-red hue, love the SPF.
$22.50 for the full size at Sephora.
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Polishes -Sephora - Sephora by OPI Meet for Drinks
carinnemj 2/18/2012 5:34:00 PM
This is my favorite pedicure color for cooler months. It's a rich, metallic magenta-tinged berry with a muted shine that looks sophisticated. I love the OPI for Sephora formula and brush, too -- applies easily and wears well.
$9.50 per bottle at Sephora.
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Blush -Stila - Peony Convertible Color
carinnemj 11/16/2011 10:03:00 PM
Peony is a great product for a quick, natural look you can basically put on without a mirror. The light rose color blends seamlessly and doesn't look obviously blush-y. I like a little on the lips as well for a monochromatic look. My skin is MAC NC25 and it's subtle on me; it probably wouldn't show up on anyone with darker skin, but if you're pale, it's a winner.
$25 for a .15 oz compact.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Mama Mio - Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil
carinnemj 6/28/2011 2:57:00 PM
I received a bottle of Tummy Rub from a friend who just had her first child. She had used it once and hated the fragrance, but I liked it. At first. It smells like citrus and roses and the base oil blend (sweet almond, borage, wheat germ, and rosehip seed) is clear and isn't too greasy so you can dress immediately after applying. Unfortunately, I got really sick of the smell and stopped using it after a month, so I now understand why my friend regifted it.
I also don't buy that any stretch-mark oil is going to do a thing to prevent scarring if you're prone to it, but I like that the formula contains skin nourishers like omega 3s and Vitamin E. But holy hell is it expensive: $35 for a smallish glass bottle. I wouldn't buy it for myself.
$35 for a 4.1 ounce tinted glass bottle from Drugstore.com.
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Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Mama Bee (by Burt's Bees) Belly Balm
carinnemj 5/16/2011 12:28:00 AM
I suspect Burt's Bees reformulated this product around the time they changed the name to Mama Bee Belly Balm because it does not now contain willow bark as mentioned in the review two down. It's all olive oil, beeswax, and pumpkin seed oil. It's a little too thick to apply directly to skin but I get better slip when I layer it over a body oil (especially Kiehl's argan oil). I knocked off two stars because I can't use it on its own.
$9.99 for a generous 85 g tin at Target.
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Lips -Burt's Bees - Rose Tinted Lip Balm
carinnemj 5/16/2011 12:22:00 AM
What an improvement over the hugely disappointing BB Lip Shimmers! I love this smooth, slick formula -- it actually hydrates while imparting richly pigmented color. And the Rose shade is a juicy, sheer pink-red that is flattering on pretty much everyone. My only complaint is that the cardboard outer packaging is more luxurious than the cheap plastic Chapstick tube that actually holds the product. I'd like to see less go into the wasteful cardboard, especially given Burt's Bees' eco-schtick.
$6.99 for a .15 ounce plastic tube at Target.
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Shampoo -Clairol - Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo
carinnemj 3/5/2011 11:22:00 AM
This is my first foray into dry shampoo and since it was so cheap, I felt I had nothing to lose. Yes, it comes out with a whitish cast, but in my blonde hair it disappears. You spray it at the roots, let it soak up the grease, and then brush out. My hair doesn't feel freshly washed like the can promises, but my scalp feels markedly less oily within minutes. The scent is fresh and vaguely tropical. I keep the bottle in my gym bag for after a sweaty workout when I don't want to shampoo and restyle my hair. FYI, I don't know if Clairol bought Freeman or vice versa, but the brand on my can says Freeman, not Clairol. Paid $6.79 for a 5.3 ounce aerosol can at my supermarket.
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