Concealers -Make Up For Ever - Full Cover Concealer
denisemarie 1/29/2011 11:26:00 AM
This worked very well in covering some dark blue bruising from a dermafiller injection. While it didn't cover completely, it was the best I had tried from four or five different concealer purchases. A little goes a long way - this will last forever. I recommend getting help on the color selection from a Sephora makeup artist.
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Hair -Jason Natural Cosmetics - Aloe Vera 84% Shampoo 
denisemarie 3/29/2010 10:18:00 PM
Jason Natural Cosmetics make some of the more affordable sulfate-free shampoos on the market, and the Aloe Vera shampoo is an excellent selection. Cleans very well. The scent is just okay, kind of "soapy", but nice enough. This product does a good job of preserving my colored hair. The product is very thick and concentrated. I would recommend adding a little water in your hand with the shampoo before adding to your hair. Or add a little water to the shampoo bottle itself. A good recommendation for colored hair.
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Mascara -Revlon - Double Twist Waterproof
denisemarie 3/29/2010 10:11:00 PM
Horrendous. Worst mascara ever. I have straight lashes and require a waterproof mascara to hold the curl. This mascara has no thickening power at all. It added no legnth. Worst of all, it didn't matter how many times I used an eyelash curler, this mascara WOULD NOT hold the curl!!! Horrible!! Avoid!!
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Liquid -Maybelline - Dream Liquid Mousse
denisemarie 6/14/2009 7:29:00 PM
This isn't an HG, but for a 40ish lady on a budget, it's pretty close. I have fair olive skin, and shade #1 is a good match, neutral with no pink tones. It blends into skin evenly when using a sponge. The coverage is light to medium, covering most flaws without looking like a mask. It's fairly matte. If you prefer a more dewy look, make sure to use a moisturizer, glow lotion or extra virgin olive oil before application. I have used all of the above with success, and the makeup still lasts a good long time. Overall excellent choice.
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Hair Color -Revlon - Frost & Glow Highlighting Kit
denisemarie 7/19/2007 10:37:00 AM
WOW!! I've used this product twice, both with stellar results. The first time, I processed on my medium brown hair for 15 minutes. It didn't lighten like I wanted, but did break up my hair color nicely with various shades of copper and lighter brown. The second time I used it, I left it on for just over 30 minutes. The result was incredible - gold, copper & light brown higlights all over - and NO RED. It's just what I wanted - for less than $9.00. I strongly recommend NOT using the hook that comes with the package. I got a set of hooks from Sally's that work much better. Make sure you COMB through all the hair you've hooked. I also have a mixing bowl and brush from Sally's (although I found my fingers were the most effective application tool with this product). And you don't need to mix up all of the product. It took 2 Tablespoons powder with 2 Tablespoons of developer for my shoulder length hair. In addition to the price, I love the CONTROL this product gives you. You, and not your hairdresser, can control just how light you want, or don't want, to go. I will NEVER go back to the salon for highlights again!
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Clairol - Nice n' Easy -new formula
denisemarie 7/19/2007 9:49:00 AM
Budget is supreme with me. Got this on sale at Walgreen's for $5.00, with a Walgreen's $5.00 off coupon, so for free, I thought, why not? I have to say, the color is perfect. I have medium brown hair with significant gray upfront. I use Light Natural Brown in any hair color I use, as any Medium Brown tends to go too dark. Nice & Easy came out the perfect shade of light-medium brown. The gray coverage was indeed total. So, the outcome was near perfect. But the MESS!! Uggh. It dripped all over the place. So, one lippie off. I so prefer the formula in my old reliable L'Oreal Excellence, although the color was more perfect with Nice & Easy. Still, with a great sale, I'd buy it again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -L'Oreal - Excellence Creme
denisemarie 3/31/2007 9:49:00 PM
My recent downturn in budget forced me to forego the salon coloring. Having had several bad experiences trying to color my hair myself, I turned to you experts at MUA. Seeing the great reviews on this product, I purchased the Nuetral Light Brown, which is close to my natural hair color. I was shocked to find - this product REALLY WORKS!!! It absolutely covered my stubborn grey, matched my color beautifully, left my hair soft & SHINY, and did not leave my hair totally "uni-color". Root touch-ups are a breeze when using this with a professional hair coloring brush from Sally's. And grays are GONE, GONE, GONE!! Most excellent product, have used several boxes. Looking forward to attempting highlights with it. FIVE RAVE LIPPIES!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -L'Oreal - Smooth Intense with Nutrileum
denisemarie 3/31/2007 8:49:00 PM
Better than average conditioner for dry, frizzy, thick hair. About equal with Pantene. I can't rave about it though. Deserves 4 lippies and no more.
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Shampoo -Citre Shine - Color Brilliance Shampoo
denisemarie 3/31/2007 8:47:00 PM
I'm with the other reviewers. You read the ingredient list, and there's no surfectants that strip away hair color. But, whatever conditioners are there, they aren't making much of a difference either. It is on the drying side. I'm neutral on this one. It's not the best shampoo I've ever used, but it's not the worst either.
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Styling Products -Garnier - Fructis Sleek and Shine Weightless Anti-Frizz Serum
denisemarie 3/31/2007 5:42:00 PM
Silicone serum products like this one are tricky. If you get one that goes on quick and dry - like Biosilk - read the label. The quick and dry comes from a product that is nearly half alcohol. You get a beautiful fix, but you are also drying out your hair in the process. It then becomes a terrible addition - when you use it, you dry your hair out - but when you're hair is so dried out, you think the answer is more of the product...and on it goes... Then, there's our friend FrizzEase, which has absolutely no alcohol, but applies like peanut butter and feels like motor oil in the hair. This product is a good compromise. It does, unfortunately, have some alcohol in it. But it is significantly less "alcoholic" than Biosilk, and it perfoms just as well. It does the job without drying out my hair. And it's dirt cheap with great coupons. So it gets my 5 lippies.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Beyond The Zone - Get N Creamed [DISCONTINUED]
denisemarie 3/31/2007 5:29:00 PM
I've been using Beyond the Zone for years now. This is my favorite product. Combined with a silicone oil, this keeps my very thick, curly & course hair manageable enough to blow-dry and straighten. It's pretty much my HG hair product. But I knocked it down to 4 stars for this review because - the doggone price. Several years ago, I could buy this stuff for $3.99. Now, it's priced at $6.49. That's over a 50% price increase. It's ridiculous. I'm now shopping around for a cheaper solution, because frankly, it's become a ripoff. You don't get much product for that price.
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Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Perfection Waterproof
denisemarie 3/31/2007 5:23:00 PM
Right off the bat, I'll tell you - if you have naturally curly lashes, don't bother reading this review. I've noticed that those who do not struggle with finding a mascara that helps hold an eyelash curler-induced curl do not take this product seriouly. For those of us who mourned the discontinuation of Lashfinity for it's seeming super-power with holding a curl, this item is a god-send. Max Factor is the only mascara brand I've used that works with my eyelash curler in holding a curl all day. I was devastated at the discontinuation of Lashfinity - but Lash Perfection Waterproof appears to be a plausible heir-apparent. On the plus side, this appears to wash off easier than Lashfinity. On the downside, it doesn't appear to thicken as well. And I'm willing to put up with that. I'd rather have less-thick lashes than straight ones...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -L'Oreal - Hydrasoft Deeply Softening Lipcolour
denisemarie 1/2/2006 8:08:00 PM
These are fabulous lipsticks. I hate that everything you find in the drugstores these days are just greasy, glossy messes. Yes, these are discontinued, but they are alive and well on ebay. Hampton Rose is a great color, as is Raisin. I also have Berry Oasis, which is intense The deeper the pigment, the dryer the lipsticks seem to be, though all seem to be both CREAMY and LONG LASTING, and the lipstick must be both to warrant a 5 rating from me. I pray for the day that glossy look goes out. I like the look occasionally, but it's pretty much killed any chance that companies will come out with any more creamy long lasting lipsticks in the drugstore.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Absolutely Fabulous LipCream
denisemarie 1/2/2006 7:58:00 PM
Ladies, do not despair...Absolutely Fabulous LipCreams are alive and well on ebay !! And now, they are dirt cheap. For those who love rich, creamy, "satin" lipsticks with staying power, this is your HG. Pigment rich, smooth, perfect satin finish, lasts forever. If you love MAC Satin lipsticks, these are for you. If you'd rather have a greasy mess on your lips, try the more "highly rated" other lipsticks by Revlon.
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Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Completely Emollient Moisturizer
denisemarie 7/12/2004 10:17:00 PM
I have to say I'm really surprised at all the negative reviews. This is an excellent moisturizer for normal skin, or as a light summer moisturizer. I've used it for years. The only negative is there may be other formulas out in the marketplace more sophisticated, especially for anti-aging. But this is still an excellent product.
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