Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
cmhwi 5/24/2011 1:19:00 AM
Heavy, cakey, hard to blend even when using moisturizer. Suffocates my pores and very difficult to remove. Hate the screw cap too.
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Hair Color -Clairol - Natural Instincts Rich Color Creme in Medium Brown (#21)
cmhwi 5/14/2011 5:58:00 PM
I typically don't stray from Ion Color Brilliance from Sally Beauty. I've also used Wella demi in the past. This is my first drugstore hair color, which I was a little reluctant to try. I like applying the color using the squeeze bottle; the creme dispenses well and without running all over the place. It's also easier to dab on if you want to do that (using included gloves). I have a lot of gray on the top, so I made sure it was on about 20 min. I know it says to apply dry, but I didn't want my porous hair soaking up too much of the color, so I dampened the length with a water/condish mixture and then applied the rest of the color for another 7 to 10 minutes and then washed out. This left my hair a medium brown shade (no brassiness), which I like (looks perfectly natural and not too dark). The accompanying hair condish in the box is pretty decent. There is also a color refreshening packet to use in 2 weeks and another spare pair of gloves. My hair is thick and barely to shoulder length and this had just enough to do my hair. If your hair is any longer, you may want 2 boxes just to be safe. Left my hair in basically the same condition as Wella or Ion. Will report back on how it fares over time.
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Shampoo -Nexxus - Therappe Shampoo
cmhwi 5/2/2011 9:24:00 PM
Can't recall if I've ever tried this over the years. Many products either are too perfumed for me or cause a rash or itching. After a couple of uses of the coconut-scented Therappe Shampoo, so far...so good. I just picked up the small travel size and it leaves my coarse, color-treated hair feeling so much softer and smoother. This does have sodium laureth sulfate in it, however. I compare this to Biolage, but I cannot tolerate Biolage due to the perfumey scent. (My all-time fav shampoo is Malibu Wellness, but as long as this doesn't cause any itching or reaction, I will use it in the rotation here and there). Note: I figured my conditioner wasn't doing a good enough job, but maybe the shampoos I've been experimenting with were too harsh. I am using one of the Ion conditioners from Sally Beauty and this works well with it. For the record, I do like Humectress condish as well. I also like the Paul Mitchell Lavender & Mint line for very dry hair, although I can't use it every day bc it is so moisturizing.
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Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverPure Smoothing Shampoo
cmhwi 4/29/2011 4:40:00 PM
Average performance, didn't notice any smoothing effects. At first the scent was ok in the tube, but upon shampooing, this emitted a cheap cologne-cedar scent that is so prevelant in fragrances today. The entire bathroom reeked of it and it lingered on my hair. No thanks. If you are looking for a really great shampoo, try the Malibu Wellness.
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Conditioner -Aveda - Dry Remedy
cmhwi 4/24/2011 11:14:00 AM
6.7 oz. for $24. Yes, kind of pricey. I have color-treated, coarse hair which is mostly straight. Regular drugstore cheap stuff simply doesn't work for me. Picked up the small sample of this, rec. by my stylist. A little goes a long way and completely moisturizes my hair and makes it easy to comb. The scent is herbal/earthy and I've grown to love it, especially since fake scents give me migraines and an itchy nose. Aveda uses botanicals and essential oils which really make the difference for me. Definitely will buy again since my hair is responding to the actual moisture and buriti oil in this product.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - One n' Only - Argan Oil Treatment
cmhwi 4/17/2011 6:53:00 PM
I had been using Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum with ok results. This works better for my coarse hair and is mostly 'cones. Argan Oil is a ways down on the ingredient list. This smooths and add shine to my hair, but I don't consider it very moisturizing. Too much will give you an oily look. I picked this up at Sally Beauty (usually around $8.50 with the card). Comes in a plastic bottle you can squeeze out as much as you need. It is alcohol-free which is nice. The scent is a wood-smoked, slightly perfumed scent. I tried it on dry hair and then on wet hair. I found for me, my coarse (slightly wavy) hair responds better when applied wet, then blow-dried. For thick unruly hair, this may help you out. If you have thin or oily hair, probably not recommended or just use a touch on the ends.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara
cmhwi 4/11/2011 9:23:00 PM
This was about $5 at target. Smudgeproof. Didn't have any flaking. Keeps curls. Removes easily with Neut. Eye Makeup Remover. This has a nice formula for every day definition (sorry not very thickening with one coat, but the trade-off is no clumps). Quite nice!
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Polishes -Revlon - Tuscan Sun
cmhwi 4/10/2011 3:57:00 PM
I've only tried one coat, but it seems a bit darker on, than how it looks in the bottle. I would say it's a darker browned coral.. Creme finish. Very pretty. I've had pretty good luck with Revlon polishes.
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Loose Powders -Laura Mercier - Invisible Loose Setting Powder
cmhwi 4/3/2011 4:38:00 PM
This is an initial review. The SA tried various powders on me, and this one looked the most natural on my skin. I'm over 50, so have to be careful what I use. It looks white in the canister, but on my fair NW20 skin it blends in well, thus the label "invisible." It seems to airbrush the look. This is a bit more matte than my Merle Norman loose mineral powder makeup. I am using my regular foundation brush now, but at some point I'd like to get a fan brush. The canister is nice, since there is a plastic covering on the inside which you can twist and control how much comes out and then it also won't get messy if traveling. $34 for the canister and I will weigh in later as I use it more often.
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Gels/Soaps -Unlisted Brand - Whole Foods 365 Citrus Grapefruit Shower Gel
cmhwi 3/27/2011 5:25:00 PM
This has a mild, clean citrus scent and is kind to the skin. This has a gel consistency, not a lot of lather, but cleanses perfectly well. Rinses cleanly and no irritation to my sensitive skin. Highly recommend this affordable Whole Foods brand. I'll be trying the lavender shampoo next.
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Eye Shadow -Rimmel - Color Rush in Fever
cmhwi 2/5/2011 1:57:00 PM
Picked this up at CVS on sale/clearance. Waste of time, not much in color payoff - so I'll stick with my UD and MAC e/s.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Whole Foods 365 Fragrance Free Body Lotion
cmhwi 2/3/2011 7:28:00 PM
Just tried this for the heck of it, since it seemed like a great deal for the money at Whole Foods. I like the idea of this, lots of product for a cheap price, good for the skin and fragrance-free. What I don't like, is that for my skin, it's just not hydrating enough. It seems to sink it really fast and then it's like I haven't applied anything, there is no sense of hydration. I had to add in some olive oil to get the silkiness and hydration I wanted. So, I will stick with my staple, Alba Botanica.
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Lipstick -Jane - Lip Huggers - Vixen
cmhwi 1/27/2011 6:02:00 PM
Overall, I think Jane products are a great buy. This lipstick comes in a black tube which looks decents and actually stays closed. The lipstick spirals down into the tube (some other cheaper brands don't even do that). I have the Jane Best of the Berries which I really like. This particular lipstick (Vixen) is quite sheer, frosty and light pink. On me, it's comes off as peachy/pink bc I have peach colored lips naturally. The texture of this particular shade is half creamy and half oily, so it doesn't have much staying power. I won't repurchase just due to the fact that lately I am preferring cream lipsticks over the frost look. Otherwise, I am pretty satisfied with most Jane products and their prices are super-reasonable.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara
cmhwi 1/25/2011 5:52:00 PM
Used this for about two weeks now - clumpy, makes crispy lashes, and difficult to remove. Really awful!
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
cmhwi 1/23/2011 12:15:00 AM
This settles in the pores and causes too much of a glow. Tried mixing this with Colorstay to no avail. This product doesn't last long at all and needs blotting or powder. Completely over-rated.
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