Lipstick -Maybelline - 24 Hour super stay
cbrandolino 4/5/2013 5:33:00 PM
I logged in today just to write a review on this! So... I have small lips and for some reason, dark lipstick just never looks good on me...especially red lipstick. I've tried several higher-end long-lasting lipstick brands before, and the results are usually the same - I end up with the lipstick coming off in the center of my lips (towards my mouth) and then this red ring that only covers like 3/4 of my lips. Obviously, this happens with lighter lipsticks too, but it's just not as noticeable. My boyfriend really likes the red lipstick, dark black eyeliner look, so I decided to humor him today. On a whim, I stopped at target and this looked like the best shade available (keep up the flame, I think). I really didn't expect to like it so much, but it's seriously awesome! This is seriously my new favorite lipstick!! I've secretly always wanted to be one of those girls that wears red lipstick all the time and now I can! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!
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Conditioner -Alterna - Caviar Treatment Conditioner
cbrandolino 7/20/2012 7:44:00 PM
After writing my first two reviews ever (see Redken Time Reset) I'm actually shocked, yet again, to see the ratings for Alterna Caviar Shampoo & Conditioner. The Redken was literally the worst shampoo experience of my life, yet it was fairly highly rated. So, onto my actual review... It was certainly difficult - to say the least - spending $32 a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, but I was pretty desperate after going from mediocre hair to horse hair in three washes (thanks, Redken!). Starting from the top, I wasn't thrilled with the smell, but it wasn't intolerable, either. The shampoo was surprisingly concentrated, and I'm not newbie to salon products. When I washed it out, my hair felt pretty squeaky clean, which actually alarmed me, because I thought it was drying my hair out. The conditioner was a little thin, I thought. I usually put in conditioner, then comb it through with a wide-toothed comb, then let it sit for a minute or two. Upon rinsing it out, my hair felt super, super soft. I let my hair dry naturally, but it actually seemed to dry a little faster than normal? I don't actually know if this is common, and quite honestly I don't really care either way. Upon drying, I actually was amazed how soft my hair was. After each new product I've tried over the last couple years, I always make my boyfriend feel my hair. His response is always the same: "er, yeah, feels okay hun", usually without him even taking his eyes away from the xbox. After trying the Alterna products, I had him do a feel-test, as usual. His response "er, yeah, feels...oh, wow!....that actually feels really great babe!". He was a little apprehensive on the price originally, but says I should keep buying it now. Go figure. In short, I'm incredibly, incredibly happy I tried this product. My hair feels like I'm a kid again and I couldn't be happier. I'm still incredibly amazed at how many bad reviews there are. I've noticed a there are quite a few reviews that seem to be lower because of the price, and I really don't think that's fair. The review is based upon product performance - price doesn't determine anything but the price.
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Shampoo -Alterna - Alterna Age Free Caviar Shampoo
cbrandolino 7/20/2012 7:43:00 PM
After writing my first two reviews ever (see Redken Time Reset) I'm actually shocked, yet again, to see the ratings for Alterna Caviar Shampoo & Conditioner. The Redken was literally the worst shampoo experience of my life, yet it was fairly highly rated. So, onto my actual review... It was certainly difficult - to say the least - spending $32 a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, but I was pretty desperate after going from mediocre hair to horse hair in three washes (thanks, Redken!). Starting from the top, I wasn't thrilled with the smell, but it wasn't intolerable, either. The shampoo was surprisingly concentrated, and I'm not newbie to salon products. When I washed it out, my hair felt pretty squeaky clean, which actually alarmed me, because I thought it was drying my hair out. The conditioner was a little thin, I thought. I usually put in conditioner, then comb it through with a wide-toothed comb, then let it sit for a minute or two. Upon rinsing it out, my hair felt super, super soft. I let my hair dry naturally, but it actually seemed to dry a little faster than normal? I don't actually know if this is common, and quite honestly I don't really care either way. Upon drying, I actually was amazed how soft my hair was. After each new product I've tried over the last couple years, I always make my boyfriend feel my hair. His response is always the same: "er, yeah, feels okay hun", usually without him even taking his eyes away from the xbox. After trying the Alterna products, I had him do a feel-test, as usual. His response "er, yeah, feels...oh, wow!....that actually feels really great babe!". He was a little apprehensive on the price originally, but says I should keep buying it now. Go figure. In short, I'm incredibly, incredibly happy I tried this product. My hair feels like I'm a kid again and I couldn't be happier. I'm still incredibly amazed at how many bad reviews there are. I've noticed a there are quite a few reviews that seem to be lower because of the price, and I really don't think that's fair. The review is based upon product performance - price doesn't determine anything but the price.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Redken - time reset
cbrandolino 7/20/2012 7:24:00 PM
Here goes... I've been a Makeup Alley member for over three years now, and haven't reviewed a single product thus far. I typically just use this site for reference prior to buying a product; however, my awful experience with two new(ish) products (and my exceptional experience with another product - see Alterna Caviar) have caused me to sit down and take the time to write this review. A little about my hair: I'm Italian, so my hair is medium to coarse, thick and wavy. I only wash it twice a week and very rarely use any heat tools. Even still, my ends are always dry and split like crazy, even though I use various oils daily on my ends (typically Moroccanoil, Macadamia Oil or Pureology Previous Oil for those really dry days). I've been searching for what seems like years to find the *ultimate* product to make my hair soft and moisturized. Pureology was decent, but not decent enough to justify the price. I honestly had come to the conclusion that most shampoos and conditioners were about equal. During Ulta's "Liter Sale" I purchased Redken Time Reset. My hair is quite long, so I figured this would be perfect for it. I gave it three washes before writing this review and returning my unused product. I can honestly say my hair has never felt more dry and damaged than after using this! It - quite literally - felt as if I had bleached my hair (I do not color my hair). I actually was to the point of tears. I tried to put an oil treatment on, but then I ended up with an oily, fried, coarse mess. In short - seriously - don't buy this product. I'm actually quite astonished to see so many people happy with it. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Redken was paying them off!! (just kidding, Ladies...but seriously, you liked this shampoo?!). I, begrudgingly, ended up going out and spending the most amount of money I've ever spent on a shampoo, but that's another review.... So, to reiterate, worst shampoo experience of my life. I would give it zero stars if I could!!
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Shampoo -Redken - Time Reset
cbrandolino 7/20/2012 7:20:00 PM
Here goes... I've been a Makeup Alley member for over three years now, and haven't reviewed a single product thus far. I typically just use this site for reference prior to buying a product; however, my awful experience with two new(ish) products (and my exceptional experience with another product - see Alterna Caviar) have caused me to sit down and take the time to write this review. A little about my hair: I'm Italian, so my hair is medium to coarse, thick and wavy. I only wash it twice a week and very rarely use any heat tools. Even still, my ends are always dry and split like crazy, even though I use various oils daily on my ends (typically Moroccanoil, Macadamia Oil or Pureology Previous Oil for those really dry days). I've been searching for what seems like years to find the *ultimate* product to make my hair soft and moisturized. Pureology was decent, but not decent enough to justify the price. I honestly had come to the conclusion that most shampoos and conditioners were about equal. During Ulta's "Liter Sale" I purchased Redken Time Reset. My hair is quite long, so I figured this would be perfect for it. I gave it three washes before writing this review and returning my unused product. I can honestly say my hair has never felt more dry and damaged than after using this! It - quite literally - felt as if I had bleached my hair (I do not color my hair). I actually was to the point of tears. I tried to put an oil treatment on, but then I ended up with an oily, fried, coarse mess. In short - seriously - don't buy this product. I'm actually quite astonished to see so many people happy with it. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Redken was paying them off!! (just kidding, Ladies...but seriously, you liked this shampoo?!). I, begrudgingly, ended up going out and spending the most amount of money I've ever spent on a shampoo, but that's another review.... So, to reiterate, worst shampoo experience of my life. I would give it zero stars if I could!!
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