Tools -Unlisted Brand - Zoom - Whitening System
darlinglilkitten 2/4/2011 2:21:00 AM
OMG THE PAIN!!! Two hours ago, I was literally screaming in pain from this procedure. I have never experienced this amount of physical pain before. Apparently some people experience more pain than others and some feel nothing at all. All I know is that I feel like a huge jackass for putting myself through this amount of debilitating and excrutiating pain for whiter teeth. Yes, my teeth look whiter, but they are were already white enough to begin with. I so should not have done this. Regardless, so not worth the pain. I was screaming to myself in the car on the way home from the dentist's office. Tears came out I was in so much pain. The first "zinger" or whatever they are referred to occurred during the last half of the third (and final) treatment of 20 mins. OMG, from that moment on the pain ensured. I took 3 doses of tylenol (back to back, I don't care - I needed some serious pain killers and I had nothing rx from the dentist), and the pain has subsided somewhat. I cannot open my mouth because the air hits it causing intense pain. I cannot talk for the same reasons. I am pressing my lips down over my teeth, rocking myself when these zingers hit. Seriously, no one should have to go through this for some slight improvement in their appearance. I am kind of ashamed of myself. Anyway, I wanted to share. Please, please, please proceed with caution if you are going to get this procedure done. At the very least, insist on some sort of rx painkiller to take before and afterwards. I certainly will never, ever get it done again. EVER.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -NARS - Casino
darlinglilkitten 1/29/2010 11:57:00 PM
I La-la-la LOVE this! *sings* So I had Laguna before, which was great. 5 stars, but Casino I love EVEN BETTER. For reference, I am a very very yellow toned NC30-35, though right now I am so pale I could probably even be an NC25. Anyway, let me tell you why I love Casino more than Laguna. Laguna is the great, standard go-to of bronzers I think. It will work for everyone. It is a good standard, starter bronzer. It has slightly greenish undertones, which makes for a true "bronze" undertone. Casino, on the other hand, definitely has a red undertone going on. When I heard this, I was afraid because blushes tend to go red on me in a really annoying and unwelcome way. Nonetheless, I heeded the rave reviews here and decided to go for it. Needless to say, I am so glad I did because Casino is an absolutely amazingly wonderful pretty-much-perfect product! It just gives an extra oompf that Laguna just does not. It does more sculpting, more contouring and is just a little bit more flattering than the already flattering Laguna. Additionally, the effect is so pretty, you can pretty much forgo blush when you are wearing it. I have never thought that a bronzer could leave you not needing blush, but Casino does. I think it is because of those reddish undertones. Bottom line: the look Casino offers is totally sculpted but natural. Also, because it is more intense than Laguna, I can see it being extremely cost-effective too. With Laguna, I needed to swirl my brush in it before applying. With Casino, I literally only tap it once with the brush and go. It IS PERFECT. if you are scared because it is too dark or too harsh, don't be! Just apply lightly and be simply amazed....you may, as I did, find you like it much more than Laguna :)
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Kerastase - Bain de Force
darlinglilkitten 11/6/2009 5:14:00 PM
This shampoo is amazing. I was doing sulfate free for a while, and in general I do think that's a really good approach. Overcleaning is really not good for your hair, it dries it out and makes it look bad. Its also less manageable. But I only shampoo twice a week (use OB dry shampoo otherwise) and since moving to LA, I feel grimier in general. LOL. So I wanted to switch it up a bit and because I LOVE LOVE LOVE ciment thermique by this line, and going from all the glowing reviews here, I tried this one out. Within 1 shampoo it made a huge difference in the look and feel of my hair. Is that even possible? I guess so! Probably because this shampoo is so conditioning. My hair was SO soft and shiny and healthy looking afterwards. Also, my hair stays a LOT cleaner for a LOT longer with it. I think I only need to shampoo my hair once a week with it. Plus, it really is a luxury product to use. The texture is lovely (and you only need a teeny bit for it to lather and do its job) and the smell is to-die-for. Reminds me of grapefruit and Japanese candy. I really love using it. I hope it doesn't dry out my hair but I will update if it does. So far, this is HG and I will be repurchasing. Along with the other Kerastase products I have tried, this really works and makes my hair look freaking fantastic!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Deodorants -Lavanila - The Healthy Deodorant
darlinglilkitten 6/1/2009 12:05:00 PM
Whenever I hear about an all natural deodorant, I run to investigate! My mother has long been allergic to the aluminum in anti-perspirants so I am always on the lookout for one for her that ACTUALLY WORKS. That and I understand the value of not stuffing your pores full of metals and chemicals in order to stave off sweat/stench. Anyhoo, when I heard that Lavanila put out a deodorant and it was getting raves on Sephora.com, I knew I had to run out and grab one for her (and myself). The deo comes in a variety of different Vanilla fragrances, but the Sephora stores I visited only had vanilla lavender. I am normally not a huge fan of lavender, but this smells absolutely fantastic! I really can't describe how good it smells. It must be the vanilla...anyway, the packaging is also very gorgeous and I LOVE how it is domed at the top. For the first time, this deodorant has the dry feel of an antiperspirant. Most can feel wet or slimy upon application :( My mom has tried everything from the crystal rock deodorant, Trader Joe's brand, 3 different kinds from Lush, Adidas absorbant deodorant, Kiss My Face, Tom's, and probably a few others that I have forgot to mention. Anyway, this blows all others way out of the water because - guess what?! - it actually works! Don't expect the performance of a hard-core anti-perspirant, but for an all-natural deodorant this one is unequivocally top-notch! It is $18.00 but you can't put a price on the wonderfully pleasant experience (and peace of mind) of using this lovely and effective natural deodorant.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Masquintense
darlinglilkitten 5/27/2009 12:46:00 PM
Amazing deep conditioner. I used Terax Crema before this, but I must say this is much better! I used the thick formula for my coarse, Asian hair. I left it on for 5 minutes under a shower cap. Texture is super thick and really nice. Scent is perfume-y but actually very lovely, IMO (the scent does linger so that may bother you, but I like it). Packaging is a somewhat fugly (looks very drugstore), but honestly who cares?! My hair felt silky smooth and looked ULTRA shiny and manageable. I was worried there would be weight but there is actually none at all. In fact, there is quite a bit of healthy bounce to my hair. Each strand looks super shiny and healthy. I am in love! I now understand what the hype is all about with Kerastase! (I paired this with the Ciment Thermique leave-in) Finally, now I feel my hair is healthy enough to reap all the benefits of my expensive hair styling tools and products. Move over, Crema -- there is a new HG in town!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Ciment Thermique
darlinglilkitten 5/22/2009 11:06:00 AM
I have a T3 hairdryer and no matter what, I my hair looks parched and poofy after I blowdry it. I guess my hair was more damaged than I thought. After being curious about Kerastase products and researching the reviews here, I picked this up. I have to concur with everything said here: this stuff is amazing. My Asian hair is uber thick, coarse (like horse hair, not kidding), and somewhat damaged due to highlighting. No matter what expensive tools (aforementioned T3 dryer and iron), shampoos and conditioners (Terax), styling products (Oscar Blandi, the entire B&b store, practically), my hair never looked as good as it should. Products would just soak into my hair, make it sticky or crunchy no matter what I did. I couldn't figure out why, until I realized it was the internal health of my hair that needed repair before it could look good and the products I used could actually do their job. Well, this is the missing link. It instantly transformed my hair into a healthy mass of shine, and surprising texture and body. Zero weight, zero grease. I can feel that this is actually improving the health of my hair versus just sitting on top of it. My hair no longer looks parched and weird after I shampoo it or dry it. Give it a try. This is amazing, amazing stuff.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Instant Root Lifting Spray
darlinglilkitten 5/1/2009 4:19:00 PM
Nothing instant or root-lifting about it. Waste of money and overhyped, as I have found all FF products I have tried to be. I'd give it a 2 if it were a drugstore volumizer, but it isn't. FF is touted as exclusive and effective and therefore worth the cost. But it isn't. AT BEST, his line competes with a drugstorel line. Maybe. So for the money and the lack of performance, it gets a 1. I will admit, I do not seem to have much success with volumizers in general...SIGH. I'm gonna cross this one off my list along with Rusk volumizing spray, the one from Aveda, Ojon and countless others. The best one yet is B&b thickening, but even that is still not HG. I'm open to suggestions!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Glossing Cream with Olive Oil
darlinglilkitten 5/1/2009 4:03:00 PM
Drugstore product, that's really all I have to say. I hate to be the wet blanket here, but this entire Glossing line from FF, IMO, kinda blows. The shampoo was horrid and coating. Conditioner was meh. Lastly, I found this to be only *okay* but pretty unimpressive. And its expensive as f**k, too. I don't mind spending a lot of money on my hair and face products, as long as they work. But I think you could get something very similar to this from just about any line in the drugstore. For reference, I have extremely thick, coarse Asian hair that's mildly damaged. I will never buy anything from FF again. I have had much more success with B&b, Oscar Blandi and Terax. Moving along.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Frederic Fekkai - Glossing Conditioner
darlinglilkitten 5/1/2009 3:56:00 PM
IMO, this is not as bad as the shampoo from the same line, but I found it very underwhelming. It's just a very light conditioner, nothing more. Smells kinda sickening, doesn't do anything for shine. And it builds up big-time. FF is super expensive and purportedly very exclusive, but I bet you can find something much better in the drugstore. I don't get why this Glossing line gets such rave reviews. I found the entire line to be incredibly coating and very disapointing. I have thick, coarse Asian hair, color treated but not very damaged.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Frederic Fekkai - GLOSS Glossing Shampoo
darlinglilkitten 5/1/2009 3:51:00 PM
This was horrible. One of the worst shampoos I have ever used. Honestly. After a few uses, I noticed my hair was so flat and dirty (in a bad way, I love when my hair is a few days after being washed) and really grimey and super gunked up. It even made my hair darker at the roots. I actually had to go out and buy a clarifying shampoo to de-gunk after this. (Aveda detox, which is awesome, btw) Using this shampoo, I absolutely detested my hair. Needless to say, I would never purchase this or frankly any other FF product again (I purchased the Glossing S&C set and also the cream and the volumizing spray, though the shampoo was the worst of the bunch) To top it off, the products look cheap. And they aren't. IME, Patene, L'Oreal or Garnier would have been far better. Expected more from such an esteemed line. Ugh. Totally overrated in my book. For reference, I have very thick, coarse Asian hair, not too damaged.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Oh to be 25 Again
darlinglilkitten 3/22/2009 10:19:00 PM
Smooth hot cocoa color. Dead sexy color. I like this color and the name a lot. Most OPIs have super dumb names but I think this is my favorite. Oh to be 25 Again is so fitting. Much better than the earlier twenties, both the age and color are sexy, fun, and sophisticated. Not teeny bopper, not "mom-ish". I'm 25 and I think this is perfect. It is a wonderful age to be and a lovely color to sport on your nails. :) Lighter and less vampy than Suzy Says Da, which is black-brown. Looks awesome on my warm skin. Try this if you're warm, love browns, love vamps or cremes. I do, however, prefer Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ to this, which has a shot of berry/red to make it a bit more interesting versus the straight brown of Oh to be 25 Again.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Calvin Klein - CK One
darlinglilkitten 3/20/2009 1:09:00 AM
I started wearing this 13 years ago, when I was twelve. I still think it is a good scent. Fresh, clean, and was a truly unique concept at the time. It is still a very iconic and distinctive fragrance. Nothing smells quite like it. (Unlike the teeny bopper fragrances of today like Vera Wang Princess and all the Harajuku Lovers that all smell virtually alike. Boooring!) To me, cK1 smells like fresh sweet laundry and citrus with a hint of "man." It is long lasting and quite inexpensive. I also think the minimalist bottle is still super hip as well. I love that when a person wears this, you catch whiffs every now and then of that clean, citrus scent versus being bombarded with a cloud of the person's fragrance. The soapy aspect lends a nice smell to your clothes. Love it. Whatever, the 90s are totally coming back. I wouldn't be surprised if cK1 experiences a resurgence in popularity as people return to the grunge look. I can't think of another scent more suitable to wear with your flannels and ripped boyfriend jeans, can you?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Watermelon
darlinglilkitten 3/19/2009 10:13:00 PM
If I could only wear one color, I'd have to say Essie Watermelon would be it. It is many things all at once, which is why I love it so. A true cross between a darker, warm hot pink and red, it is classy and sophisticated yet girly and fun. It is classic yet definitely on trend. Its bold, but not in-your-face. Its bright, but still professional. It is equally flattering on tips and toes. Looks great during all four seasons. I love the versatility of Essie Watermelon which makes it my all around favorite. The only flaw is that this shade is not made by OPI. I love the pro-wide brush and the smooth and flawless application. This formula is by no means bad, and is one of the better Essie's no doubt, but its not OPI, let's just leave it at that. You can't have it all, but Essie Watermelon comes close. I can't imagine this looking bad on anyone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Suzi Says Da!
darlinglilkitten 3/19/2009 9:43:00 PM
I passed this up so many times because, in the bottle, it looks so blah and like nothing special at all. By now, I've learned to heed the advice of MUA so I went by the rave reviews here and picked up a bottle. This is just uber-beautiful. Perfect, luscious vampy creme. The brown isn't really obvious at all, just gives it some warmth and makes it not black. If you are a vamp lover or a creme lover, you must, must add Suzi Says Da! to your collection. It is a must-have. It has a dumba$$ name, though. Whatever ;)
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Charged Up Cherry
darlinglilkitten 3/19/2009 9:35:00 PM
3.5 lippies for this one. Hot coral creme with some pink tones is what I'd call this color. I definitely noticed that it was less bright after only 2 coats and punched up a notch after 3 coats. 3 coats gives it the pizzaz that it needs. I like this color, but I feel Elephantasic Pink is what I'd reach for when I want a hot pink creme and My Chihuahua Bites is what I'd reach for when I'm wanting a hot coral-red. So, I'm not sure when I would prefer this. Nevertheless, its a nice warm, super bright creme. It does indeed seem dupish of OPI year of the dragon and Essie's Boathouse. I chose Charged Up Cherry over Lunch at the Delhi, which looked sorta blah and mom-ish (maybe I am wrong). Good OPI quality...but I guess I'm not as wow'ed as I thought I'd be by the color. Is there some chalkiness in there that I don't like? I can't quite put my finger on it, but I was definitely expecting more from this. It is certainly in the family of coral, IMO. If you want a true hot pink that's kinder to cool tones, get La Paz-itively Hot or Strawberry Margarity. I'll try Charged Up Cherry once again when I'm sporting a tan this summer, maybe its my sallow pasty March look that's affecting my review of this.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No