Hair Color -Clairol - Nice 'n Easy Hair Color
ccj36 12/24/2012 6:09:00 PM
This is the second time I've colored with Clairol Nice 'n Easy #114, Light Natural Ash Brown. Nice 'n Easy must be pretty gentle for permanent hair color b/c the first time I used it was a back-to-back color situation, and it didn't damage my hair. (I'd heard the shades run dark, so I colored with a "dark blonde" shade. It turned out slightly red, so I recolored with #114 to correct it the next day, which it did. Wouldn't recommend back-to-back coloring, though...) My natural hair color is light-to-medium brown with some grays around my hairline, and it had not been permanently colored in about 8 months prior to the most recent application. (I'd been using "Root Touch-Up" on my grays only.) I always refrain from washing my hair for at least two days before I color (whether I go to the salon or do it myself). I left #114 on my hair for the whole 25 minutes. Since I know that the shades can run dark, I washed my hair with a small amount of dandruff shampoo immediately after rinsing out the color, but before I applied the conditioner that comes in the kit. Doing this lifted just enough color for it to be the right shade for me. The good: color is even, good color match, no "hot roots," smell is okay, seems to be gentle, there is enough product in one kit to amply saturate my hair, love the conditioner that comes in the kit. The bad: the liquid is runny and somewhat messy. I put a thin layer of Vaseline around my hairline before I colored to prevent staining. Will most likely repurchase since it works for me shade-wise and doesn't damage my hair.
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Crème -Cover Girl - AquaSmooth SPF15 Make-up
ccj36 12/8/2012 10:16:00 AM
This is my favorite creme foundation. Literally.......you can slap it on your face and go. It applies smoothly, feels lightweight, is moisturizing without being greasy, and has SPF 15. I have normal skin, and it still looks okay at the end of the day. Definitely a keeper.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Mary Kay - Eyeshadows
ccj36 3/31/2012 6:06:00 PM
MK Mineral Eye Color is my favorite brand of eyeshadow. I was using Alima eyeshadows, which I also like, but they aren't as easy to use as these are. MK offers many colors, and they apply easily and blend like a dream. (love to blend Lavender Fog with Hazelnut to create a unique purpley-brown) They also stay on all day without creasing. I always apply them dry with either an eyeshadow brush or a sponge-tip applicator, and both methods work equally as well. Love 'em!
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Powder -Mary Kay - Mineral Powder Foundation
ccj36 3/31/2012 5:56:00 PM
I've used MK Mineral Powder Foundation off and on for about 5 years. (I am fickle when it comes to foundation) I've noticed that I've reached for this foundation more often in the past year than my other MMU. It does not provide as much coverage as Alima or Bare Minerals, but that has been a plus for me lately as I have noticed that the tiny lines around my eyes are more pronounced when I wear the heavier MMU. I usually apply this over either a sunscreen or a light tinted moisturizer that contains sunscreen (I use CG Tinted Moisturizer; MK sells a TM, but it is a little thick for my taste.) It looks better after it has been on your skin for awhile than it does when first applied. I've used both Ivory 1 and Ivory 2, and they both have pink undertones, which works for my cool-toned skin. I use the MK brush. If thicker coverage is what you're after, this may not be your preference, but if you just want light coverage that applies quickly, smoothly, and evenly, give it a try.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Cover Girl - CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer Fair to Light
ccj36 3/12/2012 8:23:00 PM
CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer in Fair to Light is a nice TM/sunscreen for very fair, cool-toned skin. It is truly a tinted moisturizer as opposed to a foundation; it is VERY sheer. It is has pink tones, so it would not be good for warmer skin tones. I am pretty fair, and I can only use this shade in the winter months. (I switch to the Light to Medium shade the rest of the year) It doesn't provide a ton of moisture, so those with dryness might not get what the hydration they want, but the sunscreen works very well. Since I have normal skin that tends to be slightly oily in the summer, I love the light moisturizer and good sunscreen protection. Again, it is VERY sheer. If you have major blemishes, etc, to cover, this won't do it. However, if you are just wanting a light, non-greasy, effective sunscreen that also provides the slightest bit of color to even out your complexion (or wear under mineral makeup), this is a great buy.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -L'Oreal - Sublime Mousse
ccj36 6/23/2011 10:02:00 PM
Well, dang it. I should have come here before I tried this hair color. I was just trying to cover the few grays that I have and lighten my hair just a little for summer. The haircolor on the model on the box for #60 Pure Light Brown was exactly the color I wanted, and that shade is about a shade lighter than my natural color. The hair color is extremely easy to prepare and apply----I followed the directions on the box and had no problems with the hair color dripping while I had it on my hair. The mousse is great! It smelled fine, no stinging or itching or anything like that. You're supposed to leave it on for 30 minutes, but a quick check in the mirror after 20 minutes made me rinse mine early. The colors apparently run VERY dark. On me, #60 darkened my hair at least one shade. The color is pretty, and fortunately my skin tone can handle dark hair, but I wanted the shade on the box! The positives are that my grays were covered, my hair feels soft and looks shiny, and (as I said before) the shade it turned out to be is pretty---- kind of a medium/dark chestnut brown, not brassy at all. However, I would not repurchase since the results are so far from what they were *supposed* to be.
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Lip Gloss -Bonne Bell - Lip Smackers
ccj36 2/20/2011 10:28:00 PM
What can I say? I've used LipSmackers since third or fourth grade. They smell great, and they really moisturize your lips. I use mine every night before bed, and my lips stay soft. My two favorite flavors are Strawberry and Dr. Pepper. (Dr. Pepper has a nice tint, by the way.) My daughter loves them, too. We'll be using them as long as Bonne Bell keeps selling them!
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Lotions/ Creams -Vaseline - Total Moisture Conditioning Body Lotion with Vitamins E & A - Discontinued
ccj36 9/11/2010 12:59:00 PM
This review is for Vaseline Total Moisture Conditioning Body Lotion, the one in the yellow and blue bottle. I've used it every day for the past month, and it is fabulous. Although it is light and absorbs quickly, it really does keep your skin soft, even rough areas like elbows. The price is very economical (got a package of 3 for around $9 at Sam's), too. I am sure that I will have to move to a richer formula when winter arrives, but I plan to stick with the Vaseline line. Good stuff.
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Blush -NARS - Douceur
ccj36 8/18/2010 8:13:00 PM
Gotta agree with the positive reviews for NARS "Douceur" blush. Not too brown, not too pink. I apply lightly for work but can see how it can be intensified for evening wear. Beautiful shade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Merle Norman - Moisture Works Body Cream
ccj36 8/8/2010 12:16:00 AM
The word that comes to mind is "luxurious." This lotion/body cream is very rich, but it does not feel greasy. It has a very light scent that has a hint of lemon to me. It is slightly pricey, so I don't buy it all the time (most recently bought it as a mother's day gift to myself), but it is a special treat when I have a tube on hand. It absorbs well and leaves skin very soft. Great stuff.
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Blush -NARS - Mata Hari
ccj36 7/17/2010 6:00:00 PM
I recently bought this blush, and I have to admit, the color looked intimidating in the pan. Mata Hari is an orchid color---pink with definite blue/purple tones--in the compact, but it is surprisingly sheer upon application. I think it would work best for ladies with cool undertones. I apply with a fan brush very lightly, and the blush seems to brighten my face. I usually wear very muted shades of blush, so this was a radically different color choice for me. The texture is great, too. Count me as a fan of NARS blush!
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Fragrances -Kenzo - Kenzo Amour Eau Florale EdT
ccj36 7/13/2010 3:45:00 PM
I ordered Kenzo Amour Florale by mistake recently (was really after Kenzo Amour). Amour Florale is a nice fragrance; it smells a lot like Britney Spears "Curious" to me. I find the gardenia note to be the most prominent. I agree with the other reviewers who said that it does not last very long. After 3 or 4 hours, I have to really seek it out on my skin/clothes. Since it isn't overpowering and is a nice, floral fragrance, it wouldn't be a bad choice for wearing to the office. I will use up the bottle since I like it well enough to wear it, but I don't know if I will purchase it again.
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Fragrances -Givenchy - Amarige de Givenchy
ccj36 3/7/2010 4:42:00 PM
I used Amarige in the mid 1990s. I find it to be a fruity-floriental (if that makes sense). I can definitely smell a peachy-plum note on me. THIS IS A STRONG FRAGRANCE, as others have noted. I prefer to use the bottle without the spray so I can dot it on my wrist and neck. A little goes a long way! This is one of my favorites, and I usually save it for cooler weather since it is so strong.
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Fragrances -Avon - Rare Pearls
ccj36 9/25/2009 10:50:00 AM
I love Rare Pearls by Avon. It reminds me of Ysatis, only not as powerful and a little more floral. Avon often has the purse sprays (.5 oz.) on sale for 5.99 or so. I used to think of Rare Pearls as my "secret perfume," one that smells good on me but nobody else has discovered, but even my somewhat snooty sister-in-law has a bottle on her vanity. :-)
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Fragrances -Liz Claiborne - Curve Vintage Soul for Women
ccj36 9/12/2009 3:38:00 PM
I like Vintage Soul. I've always liked spicy scents (Cinnabar was my signature scent when I was in my late teens/early 20s). This smells somewhat strong, even masculine, when you first spray it, but it dries down nicely into a floriental fragrance. I think it will work better as a cooler weather scent. Reminds me a tiny bit of Burberry Brit.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No