Hair Styling Tools -Solano - HAI Convertable Flat Iron
dtzybrunette 9/28/2009 3:22:00 PM
WARNING: Do NOT try to use a foreign adapter with this. Although I checked the Voltage limits of both my US to UK adapters and it should have worked, both times I've tried to use it it kind of exploded (the second time because I thought it was the adapter's fault and I wanted to see if the HAI was broken), and I got a power surge so badly it automatically turned off power to my room. I've used this straightener in America for about 3 or 4 years. It still works well, and the plates aren't worn. However, if you are travelling to Europe do not bring it with you. For the $100+ I paid for it that is really unacceptable. I'm not sure if it's permanently broken and I won't be able to find out until I go back home in a few months. :( That's why I gave it a 3. If any British people have a recommendation for a good straightener I can get here please PM me.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
dtzybrunette 9/13/2009 2:57:00 AM
Only mascara I have ever rebought more than once. EVER. I have been consistently using it on a daily basis for at least a year and a half. I've never gotten compliments on my eyelashes until I started using this.
This mascara makes me look like I have fake eyelashes on. I'm not even kidding. However, if you want to have "natural" looking eyelashes, this isn't for you. But quite frankly, that is not what I look for in a mascara, I'm young enough to get away with it, and I do not have stubby lashes that can't take it. I'm happy to wear this out at night or to class.
Great staying power, it lasts all day. Doesn't clump, doesn't flake, doesn't smudge onto my face. I curl my eyelashes, then just 1 or 2, sometimes 3, coats with a light hand and I have thicker, longer lashes that stay curled by the end of the day. For even better results I use Lancome's primer.
I have to say, I can't believe this doesn't have an average rating of at least 4. This stuff is amazing.
I'll answer some of the criticisms:
- I've had 3 different tubes of this stuff, used it at the very least 400 times. I've NEVER had the scraper pop out, or any other design problems. On the contrary, I love the design. I think it's cute, and I absolutely love bushy applicators. In my experience, it's really the only kind that will make my eyelashes "wow." Rather than "meh." I actually can't stand the orange one (Lash Blast) that's so popular with the *rubber* applicator. If your scraper is popping out, it is probably something you are doing, considering with all my use I've never had a problem.
- I've never had flaking onto my eyes or face either, and I have one of the oiliest skins on the planet.
- It does smudge onto my *finger* sometimes if I feel my lashes at the end of the day, but I don't see how that is a catastrophe. Just don't rub it.
It's not waterproof; what do you expect? It's super easy to take off and does not take my eyelashes with it.
- The smell? Really? It's a freaking mascara. Who cares? I didn't even notice it had a smell until I read the reviews. It is not that bad or strong, and it definitely should not make you smell like it or drive you nuts all day.
Conclusion: If you already have naturally fairly long eyelashes (saw it on panacea81 who has long lashes, too and it looked amazing) , are looking for volume and "bam"-level noticeable eyelashes, you for sure NEED to try this. I converted my sisters, too. But really I recommend anyone try this. I'll probably cry if they discontinue this. As of now, it's my HG.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Oil Free Moisture - SPF 15
dtzybrunette 6/1/2009 5:07:00 PM
Oh my gosh, if you have combination or oily skin, RUN from this product. This was in my mom's bathroom and I thought I'd try it. The first time, yesterday, I put it under primer and foundation. Only a few hours later, my skin was WAAAY shinier than normal. Thought it was just my body being weird. This morning I gave it another try with NOTHING ELSE on my skin and a few hours later, I looked in the mirror and my face looked like a freaking oil slick, way worse than the day before. And I literally used only a tiny drop. Totally disgusting. I haven't seen my skin that oily in a long, long time. Will definitely not use again or repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Superbalanced Foundation
dtzybrunette 5/30/2009 12:17:00 AM
So, even though I absolutely love my Lancome foundation, I found out that a girl whose skin always looks amazing uses this and Mac's MSFN. So of course, I went out and bought it in Petal, which the SA said would be the best match. My skin: Very pale, big pores, combination (can be flaky yet oily), redness/acne issues I tried this foundation 3 or 4 times. Every time, I was absolutely frightened at how pink it made my face look. Seriously, it looked like I'd put light blush all over my face, and it was a completely different color from the rest of me. I don't know if it was just because I'm so pale that the strong pink undertones show through so much or what. If you are like NW 15-20 avoid this like the plague. My second issue with this foundation is how sheer it is. It is very, very sheer. I have a few red marks and even with concealer this just did not do the job. If you don't need much coverage this might work for you. Third issue is that it settled into the large pores of my cheeks, what I most want to cover, making them look even more obvious. Fourthly, the packaging sucks. It does not have any kind of nozzle or distributor, and it has thin bottleneck making it very hard to get to the foundation. You either have to reach your finger in there (gross and not a good idea for acne-prones) or bang it onto the back of your hand until enough comes out. Not fun when you are late to class. Fifth, it absolutely hated my Mac 187 brush. They just were not friends. I had to pick little black hairs out of the makeup on my face, which I definitely don't have to do with my Lancome. In conclusion, this foundation just really made me look terrible and I hate it. One day I wore it and went shopping with my sister. I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror and said "I really am not liking this new foundation." My sister replied, "Oh, THAT's why you look so bad!" ...Ya. Will not repurchase. But I won't give it a one because I guess it wasn't a TOTAL trainwreck. There were times when I thought it looked nice. Plus, I think this foundation might really work well for some people who don't have my skin type.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #187 Duo Fiber Face Brush (Stippling, Skunk Brush)
dtzybrunette 5/18/2009 6:30:00 PM
Ok, guys. I completely gave into the hype/cult following of this brush and bought the 187 yesterday at my local Mac. I was absolutely terrified to drop that much on a brush and accidentally ruin it, or not know how to use it, or not be able to keep it clean, etc. (Not unfounded concerns for someone with my makeup skills) But I tried it today with my Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Foundation and I LOVE IT. Ok, I have terrible skin. It gets blotchy, I have huge pores, it's a very weird combination of oily and dry, and I have a few acne marks. I had just been applying foundation everyday with my fingers, and I was actually kind of happy with it. I didn't really see the need for a brush. That changed this morning when I tried this brush. I could immediately see a difference only a few seconds into applying. Pores were minimized, I could not see marks, and it just generally looked a lot better. And once I was done, the brush was NOT a big goopy mess! Because you just use the tips, it still looked great! Just a little bit skin-colored. I know it's intimidating, but using the brush is super easy to do once you see it done (check Youtube). Just squirt a bit of foundation on the back of your hand, dab the very tips of the brush into the foundation, making sure all the bristles are covered, then just repeatedly dap the tips of the brush onto your face, and once you have the right coverage, buff it in a bit with the white part of the brush. Now, about the price. Ok, I know that this is $40. Yes, that is a lot of money. But think about it like this: Your fairy godmother appears one morning and says, "Just for today, your skin will look great. But you have to pay me $__." How much would you pay? $10? $5? $1? 50 cents? Ok, just think of this brush as that fairy godmother, and she will appear whenever you want. MAC brushes, if you take care of them, last for YEARS. The MUA who sold me this said she has had some of her brushes for 10 years. So just take that big one-time price of $40, and divide it out for all the days that you will use foundation, not even counting all of its other great uses. For people with skin like mine, that amounts to pennies. So, if you are thinking about buying this brush, obviously, I highly recommend it. I will never apply liquid foundation with my fingers again. I'll try the 187 with a different liquid foundation and blush tomorrow and see how it turns out!
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -L'Oreal - Nutri-Gloss medium to long hair curly or wavy
dtzybrunette 11/25/2007 12:17:00 AM
I have to say, I am floored at the lack of positive comments for this product. I would say this and Redken's All Soft are probably the most reliably GREAT products out there. I have always struggled with my naturally very thick, frizzy wavy hair. I have tried nearly every brand out there. For six years every other day I would either straighten or blow dry it, often fruitlessly. Then I started using this product about a year ago and stopped all of it. I just use this at night and then wake up the next morning with perfect, glossy waves. Really. I used to alternate between hair brands every time I showered, but now I just use this. This really is just that great. And it uses proteins so your hair is healthy too. Seriously, just try it. It's only $4. You will not regret it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Smith's Rosebud Salve - Smith's Rosebud Salve
dtzybrunette 7/3/2006 1:22:00 AM
I love this lip balm. It is truly an HG. The conditioning, soft feeling it gives my lips is truly addictive. If I put it on in the evening, I will still feel it and its effects on my lips the next morning (seriously!). The rosy smell is great, too. I love to use this as a base for lip gloss to lengthen staying power, or just by itself for a hint of gloss. It's just an awesome product that's well worth the price. My only complaint is THE MELTING and THE PACKAGING. Both of which are horrible. I must have gone through (and hardly started to use) about a million of these things.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara
dtzybrunette 7/1/2006 11:25:00 PM
I got this mascara naively believing it would live up to all the hype and publicity. But no. I used it every day in the morning, and in only a few hours, you couldn't even tell I was wearing mascara, yet it still managed to be clumpy. Curling power is absolutely zero. And I use a curler as well. I have oily skin, too, and if I so much as rub my eye I know I'll look like a raccoon. However, I have to give it two because it did make my lashes thicker and darker. So, in summary, this stuff sucks. But if you're looking for a good mascara, you can still get one for a drugstore price. L'oreal voluminous is great.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -TiGi - Bed Head After Party
dtzybrunette 6/29/2006 6:46:00 PM
I got this almost a year ago and I still have like 95% left, but then again I don't use it very often or very much. I regret this immensely. This product does wonders for my hair. I have extremely frizz-prone, thick, and wavy hair. A little bit goes a long way with this stuff, so I think the price is worth it. This makes my hair feel soft and shiny like no other, especially after blow-drying or flat-ironing it. This is really one of my favorite products. And I love the packaging! I think it's so cute. I didn't even think of it like some people apparently do, but I think it's so funny. Anyway, I really love this product.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Neutrogena - triple moisture deep recovery hair mask
dtzybrunette 6/28/2006 12:50:00 PM
I really wanted my hair to be transformed and moisturized to te extent that all these reviews are talking about. But it just doesn't work for me. I have dry, damaged hair from heat-styling every other day, but it's never been colored and it's not exactly a train wreck or anything. After shampooing, I cake this stuff in my hair. Really, I am sure I am going overboard with it, but I have long, very thick hair. I left it in for the full ten minutes, at least, but then when I washed it out, it felt like I had just shampooed it. I put in leave-in conditioner aferwards because it felt so dry, and it turned out alright, but it was still kind of dry at the ends. I've tried it more than once. Maybe I just need to keep it in my hair for 15 minutes, but I don't know how much of an improvement it will be. Like somebody else said, it's really more of an average, daily conditioner.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -TiGi - Ego Boost
dtzybrunette 6/27/2006 12:57:00 PM
This is really a great product. I know it's a bit pricey, but I bought my bottle almost a year ago, using it 3-4 times a week, and it still is not halfway empty (on the skinny end!). A little bit goes a long way. I have pretty dry hair, and it's pretty damaged from my heatstyling it every other day. Ego Boost moisturizes it pretty well. I use it on my ends mostly and sometimes all over. I think it really does a good job of protecting the hair. Although my hair is already VERY thick (I get comments from hair-stylists every time), I think it may have made it even thicker, too. It helps with frizz, but it doesn't completely eliminate it, which I think is pretty reasonable for my hair. I would definitely buy it again unless I found a better leave-in conditioner.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No