Conditioner -Trader Joe's - Balanced Moisturizing Nourish Spa Conditioner
everitt4 9/20/2012 5:45:00 PM
I'd really like to give 3.5 stars. I'm amazed that a $3 conditioner from TJs is comparable to most other moisturizing conditioners that cost 5x this. Smells good, feels nice and thick going on, and smooth right after. With a leave-in conditioner or serum, my hair is pretty happy, although still frizzes a bit. My favorite is still Matrix sleek. But wow, for those times you run out, this is great. If I straighten my hair again, this will be my go-to conditioner. For now, with the frizzies, I'll stick to something a little more smoothing.
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Lotions/ Creams -Mario Badescu - Papaya Body Lotion
everitt4 9/20/2012 5:40:00 PM
Not a huge fan. Much prefer yes to carrots body butter for my keratosis pilaris. Pros: 1) smells good (Yes to Carrots smells like baby powder, which is nice but I like the papaya smell better) 2) moisturizes 3) cheaper than Yes to Carrots Cons: 1) KP was more inflammed after using it. Tried it for several weeks in a row just to make sure it wasn't one of those inflames first and then settles down things. 2) feels tacky after applying, similar to AmLactin lotion/cream (but smells way better)
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Lotions/ Creams -Yes To Carrots - Super Rich Body Butter
everitt4 3/16/2012 1:43:00 PM
A friend recommended this to me for keratosis pilaris to the back of my arms, and I used it pretty faithfully for the last 1+ years with amazing results. I do _not_ use it elsewhere (so it lasts a long time), as I don't think it's particularly hydrating. Pretty much after the first few weeks, the back of my arms were noticeably less bumpy, and after a few months, pretty darned smooth! I've been through about 4 tubs of this (?) since I started and only find that when I stop for a week or two (either I've run out, gone on vacation), that the KP returns. Also, when I was pregnant, i was a bit worried about using it too much, and my skin was pretty amazing anyway, so that was pretty spotty usage. Anyways, love this stuff, surprised there are no reviews for it. I think some people have been adding this to a different Yes to carrots product (C through the Dry spell?), but this is the one that they are currently selling (on yestocarrots, drugstorecom websites and target) and I've been using for last few years.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Mario Badescu - Glycolic Acid Toner
everitt4 1/31/2012 9:28:00 PM
I started using this when I had to stop my retin-a use pre-pregnancy. I found it was helpful a few times a week at keeping my skin looking healthy and exfoliating in a similar manner that retinol products work. It was too strong to use daily, though. Throughout pregnancy I've used it on occasion when I get a little pimple, although I've been lucky to have the best skin of my life (save for those accutane days!). I'm hoping that I can just keep up this regimen post-partum, as it's so much simpler! Enzyme gel in the morning, with either seaweed/cucumber/glycolic toner right after, and then the herbal gel on top. At night, just some cetaphil cleanser and off to bed! Life is much simpler in my 30s now!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Mario Badescu - Enzyme Cleansing Gel
everitt4 1/31/2012 9:24:00 PM
I've been using this for years, and now that I'm getting older, it's my go-to facial cleanser. During pregnancy, it's been perfect for my morning routine. Not too tightening, gentle enough now that I've got more of a "glow" to my face and am overall less oily than before.
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Sunscreen -Shiseido - Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF38
everitt4 6/15/2009 1:52:00 AM
I'm not a usually HG product person, since I feel like my skin is so variable depending on birth control, weather, cycle, etc. But thus far, this is it for facial sunscreens. I haven't had any break-outs that I can attribute to this product, and although I started it around the time the pill was probably taking some effect, it definitely makes my skin matter when I wear it vs the indoor days when I don't. It's thick, and it seems whitish when applied, but it sets into the skin and doesn't leave a cast behind. My skin has been clearer since using it (again, not sure if that's the estrogen from the pill, but honestly, I think overall it's better since starting this product). I love the scent, even though it's very fragrancy going on, it doesn't seem to last. And it definitely makes my skin feel smooth. I've been skipping my primer, and just doing touch-ups. Not using my concealer at all. God, it's just so nice. Love it. Got it at the airport, so duty-free, a few $$ cheaper than people have been posting. I use it. Which I think makes it so much more worthwhile than all the other sunscreens/moisturizers I've tried.
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Eye Shadow -E.L.F. - Mineral Eyeshadow
everitt4 12/3/2008 11:19:00 AM
Bought 4 of these. Favorite is definitely Elegant- it really is elegant, a nice light cream, makes your eyes pop just enough without being over the top. Celebrity is just a tad more mauve/pink than Elegant, so I don't tend to wear it- they're similar and the Elegant is just nicer on my skin. I have Sassy and Socialite as well- both are rather dark. So I tend to apply very lightly just to the outer edges. Socialite is more of a shimmery grey-black. Sassy is browner. The photos on their website are not demonstrative of the actual colors, but at $3 a pop, it's like a grab-bag. Debating which one to get next.... Packaging wise- made the mistake of traveling with them and all the shadow got into the lid, the holes are on the humungo side, so beware.
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Pressed Powders -E.L.F. - Clarifying Pressed Powder
everitt4 9/20/2008 3:04:00 AM
Light coverage, I bought the tone 3 and tone 2 since they were $1 each and I couldn't decide. I'm definitely a tone 2 (asian-y skin), but I like the tone 3 for a little bronzing color. I use a brush to apply the darker tone, so I don't glow orange on the face. It doesn't last all day, but it does get rid of the shine. I don't think it's making me break out... but it's hard to say, since i tend to use all powders/foundations more when I'm hiding something...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Aveeno - Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
everitt4 5/26/2008 9:05:00 PM
I like the smell... that's about the only thing. Well, and a high SPF. I agree with the eye burning when you sweat and it runs just enough to get into your eyes. But the single worst part is that it makes me break out. Few products do this anymore, but seriously, I think every time I find myself using this, I break out again. I hate the pump- it's always too much product, and then it's hard to get the top back on. So over this one.
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Gels/Soaps -Fresh - waterlily bar soap
everitt4 5/26/2008 11:54:00 AM
I received three of the Fresh soaps as part of an xmas gift. They are very prettily wrapped as the previous reviewer describes... and the scent is nice as well. Where I differ in my review is that I was more impressed once I actually started using the soap in the tub. It's huge, first off, and heavy- do not drop on your foot! I use it with a puff sponge and the bar of soap has lasted months, months! I don't think I started using it until Feb or March, but it's now almost June and I'm bored with the scent (it is subtle once you use it, but this to me is good, I don't want to be overpowered by a bar soap- I think I'd feel less clean if it left a very long lingering scent) because it's practically all I use. I finally just opened bar # 2 (vanilla) and wrapped the 1/3 that's left of the waterlily in it's wrapping paper. For later use... I figure I'll just keep swapping them in and out until I finally find myself at xmas again... maybe requesting different scents to add into the regimen.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
everitt4 4/8/2007 2:52:00 PM
I'm only writing a review to be the 801st person to say that this stuff rocks. I never used primer before, so no comparison - except that now, instead of getting those lines of eyeshadow from my oily lids, it stays in place. Even through sweaty yoga classes (i sometimes forget to wash it off before), i come home to find it steadfast. Amazing. Period.
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Skincare - Face -Mario Badescu - Herbal Hydrating Serum
everitt4 1/25/2007 12:44:00 AM
Finally bought this recently after a few samples in the past. Didn't have a use for it until this winter, with drier skin around my nose/cheeks (s/p Accutane a few years back). Now with a few clogged pores again, I'm using AHA more often, so my skin reacts more as well. Use it over a light moisturizer/SPF for those areas that still need a little more help. It's light, non-greasy. Don't know if it's the best there is to offer, but it fills my need. Will definitely go the distance. Littlest drop used per application. UPDATE: I use this all the time as my go-to moisturizer. Especially in winter (in california), especially when traveling (airplanes!), and now esp during pregnancy for a light moisturizer. A little still goes a long way, but I love this stuff!!!
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Jojoba Oil
everitt4 12/10/2006 4:24:00 AM
I thought it would be nice to add this to hair treatments instead of solely in the face/skin/moisturizer category. I've used Jojoba oil for my hair for the past several months (prior to japanese straightening perm) to maintain my healthy locks. A few drops rubbed into my hands while my hair is wet (hair is thick, coarse, lots of fly-aways, lots of volume), followed with blow-drying and topping off with Biosilk. If too much of jojoba, it gets rather greasy. Recommend just to the below the nape and ends of hair, patting leftovers towards the top to avoid the grease look. But amazing results, really enhanced the biosilk and sleekness to my hair. I've given it all up recently, after the straight perm, but it was a hair-saver prior.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -DDF - Sulfur Therapeutic Mask [DISCONTINUED]
everitt4 12/9/2006 2:07:00 PM
Love this for spot- treatments overnight. It _stinks_ but hey, that's the price for getting rid of pesky pimples. After two nights in a row, definitely see huge improvement in redness and inflammation. I've never actually used it as a full-out face mask (I used to use Mario Badescu's Drying mask back in my mega-break out days). Jar lasts forever for my spot treatments- I keep the inside paper/aluminum? lid covering it with the plastic lid tightly screwed to retain the mositure. Had it for years. Roommates borrow for spot treatments too. Great staying power overnight.
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Hair -Unlisted Brand - Japanese Hair Straightening/ Thermal Reconditoning
everitt4 12/9/2006 2:00:00 PM
So I've been a hold-out for years, with my chinese/jewish, ultra-thick and coarse wavy hair (no prior straightening/color/perms). I had my hair down to a science, albeit hi-maintenance hell, but I still had my more tamed waves, and the price of $400+ for straight perm was a bit hefty. But I have always craved straight hassle-free hair. A friend had recently gone to a japanese salon in NYC, loved it, and it was so cheap I couldn't resist ($240 -they use the Liscio system). So I gave in to temptation, and a few weeks later, am still loving the ease. Just wash and go. The salon we used was Toshi & Hairmates, we both had Seiji (?sp) do our hair- his English is fair enough. (No affiliation to this salon, I live in CA now, but was there visiting friends.) Took about 3 hours, including a protein treatment to start ($20), with an assistant helping Seiji with the blow-drying and flat ironing- definitely cuts down on time. Post-treatment, no hair washing for 48 hours, and no bending of your hair (ponytails, tucking behind ears) for a week. My hair is now shinier and smoother - i just shampoo and condition. I think if you've had coloring recently it definitely is more damaging, so I would recommend waiting until your natural hair grows in first. I gave away my Biosilk right after, and my Jojoba oil is just sitting in its bottle, contemplating shelflife. UPDATE: Just got touched up, 9 months later. Had grown out about 5-6 inches, was getting fluffy again and had been blow-drying more often to get the flat effect. Loved it though, had so many compliments and even people who swore they would miss my waves changed their opinions afterwards. Went to a salon in Bay Area, (see Yelp for review "tonie's"), took forever but they were busy with other customers. About 5 hours with a helper. In the can't shampoo/tuck phase. UPDATE # 2: I'm pretty much addicted. I tried to go without for a few months, "missing" the waves. Wow, so not missing it. I went back to Tonie's in SF (after trying out Hairmates- bad idea, on Geary in SF) after about 9 months growth. The ends were a little fried, so I asked her to avoid those few inches at the end. and I also asked her if she could not leave it in so long, since I just wanted it tamed, not stick straight. Love Tonie. She listened, and my hair is just as I want it. not stick straight, but a more natural, less bulky-jewfro look. It can hold a wave (and a pony-tail bump is evident after a day of being held up), but if I want to wash-n-go I can as well. Had to have some of the fried ends trimmed a few weeks later, but I attribute that to the last straightening where I got a bit singed overall.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No