Shampoo -Giovanni - Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo
hsm19 10/8/2007 9:04:00 AM
My favorite clarifying shampoo ever! Does a great job stripping out the gunk even without sulfates. I use this about every other day because I use a lot of product in my hair. This never dries my hair out and makes it very shiny. Love the tingly feeling too! I do normally follow with my regular shampoo and conditioner just because I like the extra clean feel. I will say I don't care for the matching conditioner...but I'll buy this forever!!
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Golden Lemon pigment
hsm19 8/24/2007 8:00:00 AM
Love Golden Lemon for darker skinned gals! GGG/NC42 here and this makes my brown eyes pop! I like to wear this in the inner corners with Chocolate Brown in the crease. I wouldn't wear this as an all over wash, but it's a nice highlight for that inner corner. The only drawback, this has a little chunkier texture than some pigments. It will flake a little bit on your cheeks, but that's easily dusted off with a fluffy brush. Overall...great pigment, definitely a must try for darker complexions!
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl
hsm19 12/31/2006 7:45:00 PM
I have never used the original Photo Finish, so I can't comment on the difference. But, I am very acne prone and this has not broken me out at all! I use this under MMU (Alima), and I find it makes the application much easier, and far less chalky looking, as MMU can sometimes get. I stopped using this for about a week just out of laziness (1 extra step, lol!), and I used it again today, and now I realize exactly how big a difference it makes! Makes my skin look luminous, but not greasy, and keeps the MMU from getting that chalkiness. Also helps the MMU to not crease in my smile lines (around the mouth). I don't use this for the sun protection or the aging really, so I can't comment on either. But as far as primers go, this seems to be a good one! I gave it 4 lippies though, bc I have a feeling it will get hard to pump pretty soon, and it's a bit expensive.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
hsm19 4/27/2006 9:54:00 PM
Absolutely great product - I won't take time describing all the awesome things everyone else has described! What I will add is that this is also awesome as a lip primer! I pat it on before putting on lipliner or lipstick, and I feel it really helps the color show through more true and stays on longer. Hope that helps someone!
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Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - Paves Deep Conditioning Shine Milk
hsm19 1/3/2006 9:50:00 AM
I've grown to really love this product!!! I've used it for the past 2 weeks with the matching shampoo, and that is really about the time when I start to dislike new hair products, but I really just like this one more and more each day! I'm not a fan at all of heavy conditioners, and I usually avoid putting them on my scalp at all. This one, however, is really light textured (it is conditioning MILK), so I don't fear putting it all over my scalp and weighing down my hair! The amazing thing is that when I rinse, this leaves my hair feeling smoother and more moisturized than any conditioner I've ever tried! And it's not that gooey, weighed-down moisture, it's really healthy feeling hair! I blow dry and heat style my hair every day, and this really makes my hair feel super soft and shiny. Love this!!
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Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Paves No Sulfates Allowed Repairing Shine Shampoo
hsm19 1/3/2006 9:47:00 AM
I really love this shampoo!! I tried it initially, and then I got scared off by all the reviews that said it stopped working after a bit, so I switched back to my habit of buying and trying and random, and I've most recently been using the Regis Olive Oil S&C that is getting so many raves on the hair board. Well I've come home for the holidays, and since my mother uses this, I do too right now, lol! I have to say, I have fallen in love all over again. I made sure to try it out for at least 2 weeks before writing a review, and in that 2 weeks, I've just grown to love this more. I'm not sure what shampoo other reviewers are using, but mine lathers up really, really well! Maybe it has something to do with the type of water? Regardless, this lathers up great, and my hair rinses totally clean, but without that squeaky clean, ultra dry feeling. I actually like the smell, very light, and also it fades so if you don't like it, you don't have to walk around with it all day. My only gripe would be the flimsy lid they put on this huge bottle...it hangs really loose and after repeated opening and closing it seems like it's going to snap off. But for a great product, and one at such a low price, it's worth it. Sulfate-free, which I love, and so does my mom for her color-treated hair, and it leaves my hair clean, yet moisturized. RAVE!!!
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Conditioner -Oscar Blandi - Jasmine Protein Mist
hsm19 12/5/2005 3:49:00 PM
I had high hopes for this product, but I am really disappointed. I tried this a few different ways. The first time, I spritzed it on before blow drying and heat styling. This is not moisturizing enough to be considered a leave-in, nor does it really leave any shine behind. Next, I tried it on dry hair before heat styling - again, didn't do anything, just made my hair wet! Then, I tried it on dry hair to "revive" my style as it says on the bottle, but all it really did was make my hair smell nice, but even that didn't last very long. If you have super-oily hair, this stuff might be a nice light conditioner, but outside of that, this really is nothing but nicely scented water. As of now, this will probably be going back to Sephora...bummer!
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
hsm19 11/28/2005 4:37:00 PM
***EDIT*** I have to change my review for this...I used it for a week and it broke me out unbelievably, my face was so horrid and covered in zits!!! I thought it was because of dryness so I kept using it, but then I decided to stop to see what happened, and surprise, within 2 days of not using this my skin is totally back to normal. This is going back!!!! Acne prone people, please beware, this is not the way to "makeup optional" skin!
(I ALSO POSTED THIS REVIEW UNDER HOPE IN A JAR FOR ALL SKIN TYPES)
I decided to try this after being so frustrated with my dry, flaky skin. I somehow found a sample around my house along with Purity Made Simple (see my review for that) and decided to give it a go. Alas, it's true, this stuff is STINKY! It has an odd, yeasty smell that is just yuck, but thankfully it doesn't stick around for too long, and above that, the results for this stuff are really worth it. I used this on top of my normal acne meds (BHA and Differin) and I'm not kidding, the next morning every ounce of my disgustingly dry, flaky skin was clear and smooth. It felt incredibly soft as well. I've been using this for the past 4 days, morning and night, and I have not broken out at all...if anything my skin is clearer! I give it a 4 because it's smelly, the packaging isn't the most hygienic, and it's a tad expensive (though not compared to some lines), but honestly, this really is great stuff. I would recommend it for a wintertime moisturizer or to those with dry skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
hsm19 11/28/2005 4:36:00 PM
***EDIT*** I have to change my review for this...I used it for a week and it broke me out unbelievably, my face was so horrid and covered in zits!!! I thought it was because of dryness so I kept using it, but then I decided to stop to see what happened, and surprise, within 2 days of not using this my skin is totally back to normal. This is going back!!!! Acne prone people, please beware, this is not the way to "makeup optional" skin! I decided to try this after being so frustrated with my dry, flaky skin. I somehow found a sample around my house along with Purity Made Simple (see my review for that) and decided to give it a go. Alas, it's true, this stuff is STINKY! It has an odd, yeasty smell that is just yuck, but thankfully it doesn't stick around for too long, and above that, the results for this stuff are really worth it. I used this on top of my normal acne meds (BHA and Differin) and I'm not kidding, the next morning every ounce of my disgustingly dry, flaky skin was clear and smooth. It felt incredibly soft as well. I've been using this for the past 4 days, morning and night, and I have not broken out at all...if anything my skin is clearer! I give it a 4 because it's smelly, the packaging isn't the most hygienic, and it's a tad expensive (though not compared to some lines), but honestly, this really is great stuff. I would recommend it for a wintertime moisturizer or to those with dry skin.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
hsm19 11/28/2005 4:30:00 PM
I was hesitant after reading the reviews here, but I was desperate to try anything on my horribly dry winter skin. I have been breaking out like mad, and I suspected that it was more from my skin being so dry than anything else. I stumbled across a sample of this and Hope in a Jar (see my review for that) and thought that I had nothing to lose. Well, I gained a lot! I used this for the past 4 nights and morning and my skin is so clear and soft and not dry and flaky at all. I'm used to cleansers that don't lather, so that didn't bother me, but unlike most non-lathery cleansers, this one rinsed totally clean! I still followed with my Thayer's Rose Toner even though you don't really have to, and a lot less dirty stuff came off than usual. I'm not sure how this might work out in the summertime, but for winter, or for people with dry skin, I think this one is really a winner!
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Blush -mark - Tint,Tint Lip and Cheek Gel - Petal
hsm19 1/26/2005 12:27:00 AM
I'm a GGG/NC42 and Petal is a great color for me. It's a shimmery deep red that goes on a bit lighter and sheerer. The amount you get looks small, but you use soooo little that I can't imagine ever using this up. I can't give this 5 lippies though, because the pump gives out WAY too much, and the product is a little hard to blend...you'd definitely have to have a moisturizer on underneath. But, the flush lasts amazingly. I've also tried this on my lips, but it tastes really bad so I never would again. Overall, a great cheap buy!
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Cleansers -Queen Helene - Queen Helene Mint Julep Cleanser
hsm19 12/27/2004 10:15:00 PM
This is a nice cream cleanser for drier skin (or winter weather skin). It has a light, almost sweet minty smell that is really nice. However, because this is a cream cleanser, it doesn't lather, and doesn't take off makeup hardly at all. Because of that, I prefer to use this in the morning when I have no makeup to remove. After using it, it leaves your skin feeling very smooth and soft. If you don't rinse well though, it can leave a sort of film on your face. Nothing that can't be fixed with a little toner though. Very gentle and good for dry skin...I'll repurchase!
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Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in Lady Bug
hsm19 11/24/2004 1:34:00 AM
I was really looking for a sheer true red and thought this was my answer. Unfortunately, when I tried it it looked dark and purplish on me, almost fuschia! Maybe I have highly pigmented lips or something, but I was disappointed. I still give it a 3 though because the Lustre formula is great, and I'm sure this would look great on lighter skinned ladies.
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Skincare - Face -Sundari - Neem Night Cream
hsm19 11/22/2004 2:18:00 PM
I won this in the MUA/Sundari promotion, so I didn't have to shell out the $50 for this product, but unfortunately I think I might have to now! I have combo/slightly acne-prone skin and it leans towards the dry side. I really love the feeling of putting a heavy moisturizer on, so I was glad to try this. It has a light smell that's very different, but it's not offensive. I woke up with very smooth, supple skin, and I didn't find that this caused any breakouts, even when I used the essential oil underneath (see my review for that...). I did use my regular acne medication underneath though. This is the first heavy cream I've tried that hasn't broken me out, and I'm vegetarian and use cruelty-free so I think I'll repurchase this. 1 lippie off though because I think this is pretty expensive (the whole line is!), but not compared to La Mer or anything...
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Toners -Thayers - Rose Petal Alcohol Free Witch Hazel
hsm19 11/22/2004 2:13:00 PM
Love, love, love this!! I had been using Neutrogena toner for a while, but I hate the smell, and the alcohol content in it was really starting to overly dry out my skin. I heard about this, and how witch hazel can be an effective acne fighter, so I decided to give it a try. I'm crazily obsessed with rose scents, so the smell is absolutely divine to me! I really feel like this gets my skin clean, and unlike my other toners, it leaves it feeling smooth and moisturized instead of tight. Since using this, I feel like my skin has looked brighter and glowier, and it has helped to fight off my acne just as well as my Neutrogena. The price seems high, but you get much more than you do with any other brand. Definitely worth a shot, and if the smell doesn't do it for you, try the original witch hazel.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No