Mascara -Clinique - Naturally Glossy Mascara
jarymackson 2/8/2009 1:55:00 PM
For years, I used Maybelline's Full & Soft, with no complaints whatsoever. However, I started having problems with clumping, even with a brand new tube. So I tried a few other drugstore mascaras, with poor results. It's as if my eyelashes evolved into clump-prone lashes. Anyway, I read some good reviews for Naturally Glossy, and decided to give it a try, even though high-end mascaras have never really worked for me in the past. I was definitely surprised with my results this time. This mascara doesn't clump at all, even with several coats. It definitely gave me a natural look, and I received a very high compliment soon after buying it when I was told by a friend that my lashes looked so naturally beautiful. My friend couldn't tell I was wearing mascara, and thought my lashes looked that way on their own! Unfortunately, that's part of the downside. Naturally Glossy doesn't give you lots of volume and length...but it isn't meant to. This mascara is meant to make your lashes look "naturally glossy," as if you weren't wearing makeup. Therefore, I'm still trying other mascaras out there, but I'll keep using this whenever I want that "natural" look.
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Shampoo -Aussie - Cleanse and Mend
jarymackson 2/8/2009 1:40:00 PM
This is a good (but not great) shampoo that leaves your hair soft and manageable for the rest of the day. After spending way too much money on professional shampoo that just didn't do the trick, I decided to take a break from it all and purchase a dirt-cheap shampoo to save money. I was pleasantly surprised with Cleanse & Mend, and I've repurchased several times. Having said that, I still haven't found THE shampoo, and I'm still looking for something better. Cleanse & Mend, on rare occasion, leaves my hair feeling a little dry, so I'm less than fully satisfied with it. I recently heard some great things about Shiseido's Tsubaki shampoo, and I'll be trying that next (as soon as it arrives in the mail). But until then, I can say that Cleanse & Mend is probably the best non-professional shampoo I've tried yet.
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Conditioner -L'Oreal - Feria Color Moisturizing Treatment.
jarymackson 2/8/2009 1:26:00 PM
Cons: Doesn't come in a larger tube than 6 oz, and while $7.99 is a pretty good price for a conditioner that works better than most professional, $20-$30 conditioners I've tried, it is quite expensive to have to keep repurchasing (I use it often). Pros: Makes my hair silky, soft, and incredibly shiny. I can't stop running my fingers through my hair (and neither can my boyfriend). For a deep conditioner, I've been using Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask; and while I would still heavily recommend that product, I was in the mood for a change and happened to see all the excellent reviews for this conditioner. I'm really glad I did, as this works much better than the Neutrogena tub on my hair. While I've only colored my hair once or twice, I've straightened and curled it so much (with a GHD straightener that gets very, very hot) that, on days when I don't style it, it looks a little frayed and frizzy. This conditioner makes my hair feel and look so incredible, even when I don't take the time to style it or straighten it. I'd like to see L'Oreal package this in a larger tube or bottle. This stuff sells pretty well at my local Sally's (they're sold out quite a bit, much to my dismay), and I'd like to avoid making the trip to buy it so often. Having said that, it is worth it. :-)
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Cleansers -Garnier - Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Detoxifying Gel Cleanser
jarymackson 1/8/2008 5:17:00 PM
My skin dries out very easily, so I was looking for something that would be more gentle. This cleanser leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft, and I've noticed that I don't have to use as much moisturizer when I wash my face with this. Definitely purchase this if you're looking for a good, inexpensive cleanser that won't dry out your skin.
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Conditioner -Neutrogena - triple moisture deep recovery hair mask
jarymackson 1/8/2008 5:13:00 PM
Instead of using this once a week like Neutrogena suggests, I use this about three times a week (pretty much every other day) with excellent results; I shampoo, apply this over my hair (avoiding the roots) and leave it on for about 5 minutes. After drying, my hair is soft, smooth, and easy to manage. I'd definitely recommend this, and I only wish it came in a larger container (considering I use it so much).
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Hair Styling Tools -GHD - IV Styler (all sizes)
jarymackson 1/8/2008 5:05:00 PM
I've been wanting this styler for a while now, but I was worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations. It certainly did! If you can afford it, it's definitely worth your money. It used to take me about half an hour to straighten my hair, but this takes about ten minutes, and it looks ten times shinier and silkier! The curls take some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to use a curling iron again. My curls last all day (I use Got2Be glued hairspray for extra hold), and they always look great. I've gotten so many compliments on my hair already, and I've only had the styler for two weeks. Definitely buy this! Update 2/8/2009: I've been using this for over a year now, and I'm delighted to say that it works just as well as when I first bought it! Definitely worth the money, and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara 
jarymackson 12/24/2007 11:59:00 AM
I've been using this mascara for about 2 years now, and I've never thought about switching. With this mascara, I never have problems with clumping or smudging accidentally. And it's so inexpensive! I used to spend three times as much for mascara that didn't even work well! I would definitely recommend this product, and with it's low price-tag, you don't have anything to lose. -->UPDATE 2/8/2009: Over the past year, Full & Soft hasn't been cutting it. Maybe it's my eyelashes, and not the mascara, but I've had too many problems with clumping. I decided to try something a little more high-end, and I've been pretty pleased with Clinique's Naturally Glossy mascara so far. It doesn't clump at all...but it doesn't give me quite the volume that Full & Soft gave me, either. If only I could have the best of both worlds. :-)
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