Cleansers -Equate - Age Defying Daily Renewal Cleanser
jennifer_ca 3/25/2010 4:47:00 PM
Like a previous reviewer stated, this smelled like an 'old lady' product (an old fashioned 'rose' scent), which to me was unpleasant, it lingered, and gave me a slight headache. I tried it twice, then returned it to Walmart.
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
jennifer_ca 1/2/2010 12:03:00 PM
Pros: loved the light feel of this foundation, the pump dispenser, coverage was medium, but could probably build up for full coverage. Cons: I'd read about the shimmer, so all day I kept checking my mirror (indoor flourescent lighting at work) and could not detect the sparkles. Outside in the bright California sun, I checked the mirror again and there they were. I had to look for them, but still, it was just too much. I would be embarassed to wear this outside on a sunny day. I don't mind dewy, but not this sparkle. Outside, this did not look like glow, or shimmer, but teeny-tiny particles of craft-type glitter. I'm between colors (Buff and Sand Beige) in Colorstay right now, so I selected 003 Shell in Photoready, which was a little too light. I returned it to CVS.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Alberto Vo5 - Vanilla Mint conditioner
jennifer_ca 10/3/2009 12:39:00 AM
As a co-wash, I thought this was more effective at cleaning than Suave, and obviously much more economical than Wen, but it leaves a 'coated' feeling on my hair and I rinse very well. My hair is highlighted, so maybe it's not great for colored hair because it does work well as a co-wash on my children's (unprocessed) hair. For me, I have switched to Aussie Cleanse & Mend Conditioner for co-wash and I am thrilled with the results (clean scalp & hair with no coating).
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Hair Styling Tools -Unlisted Brand - InStyler-Tre Milano brand
jennifer_ca 10/1/2009 4:42:00 PM
I tried it, but it didn't work for my hair. My hair is a mix of loose waves & tight curls and on days when I heat style, I get better results by blow drying my hair 80%, and then finish slightly damp hair my Conair 1 1/2" barrel hot air brush to get body + smooth, polished look. It was more time consuming to completely blow dry and then use the Instyler, which didn't give me smooth results. I am not very good with a blow dryer and large round brush, so I LOVE my hot air brush. I rarely straight iron because I don't like stick stright hair on me. Note: I shipped the Instyler back within the trial period and found out the $14.99 trial is not refundable. Between their trial cost and return shipping, it cost me $28, waste of money. I prefer buying from companies that stand behind thier products by offering money back guarantees if the buyer is not satisfied.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Aveeno - Clear Complexion Cleansing Pads
jennifer_ca 2/27/2009 11:15:00 PM
I found it best to use these pads in the shower because the pads are textured, foam-up slightly and are large enough to cleanse my face, chest, shoulders, back and upper arms (they got rid of the little red bumps on the backs of my upper arms after a few weeks of continued use - same results on my sister-in-law) probably a result of the SA. They were a little too drying for everyday cleansing (for me) and worked better as 2x week exfoliator. They started disappearing and I discovered my husband was using up my stash (he loved them for his face). I haven't repurchased for a while because I have a few other scrubs on hand, but I would re-purchase if the bumps on my upper arms comes back.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Sweet Almond Oil
jennifer_ca 1/7/2009 6:00:00 PM
I'm LOVING Sweet Almond Oil (SAO). Over the past year I've been experimenting with both Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) & SAO as a make-up remover, cleanser & moisturizer, but felt EVOO was too thick and did not absorb well or quick enough to be a daily a.m. moisturizer. I read that SAO was lighter so I switched. For make-up removal (mascara too) and as OCM, I use several drops of SAO and massage it around my face, then use a warm washcloth to remove. Then I use 2 drops for moisturizing my face and neck. It absorbs within a minute or two, and like the poster before, if I apply this at night I wake with plumper, more glowing skin. I have not experienced any break-out pimples from using this (monthly hormonal pimples don't count). After reading some of the other posters comments, I decided to try 2 drops on my towel-dried hair. I noticed when blowdrying, my hair dried much faster and is styling better too. After I blow-dry, I use a hot air brush to smooth & style. I won't say that it is a miracle worker as I've only used it twice on my hair, so I can't comment on the long term effects, good or bad. I purchased a bottle of the De La Cruz brand from CVS drugstore (see uploaded picture #2). I found it in the Hispanic health section. The price was around $3.00 US. I'm enjoying research & experiment with natural products like home-made sugar scrubs, pinch of baking soda mixed with shampoo as a clarifier, etc. Next I'd like to play around with other oils (coconut, avocado, jojoba, etc.).
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Flirt - Pretty Easy Quick Cover [DISCONTINUED]
jennifer_ca 11/24/2008 4:58:00 PM
I've been using this for a couple of years and it is my HG concealer, but it is so much more than *just* a concealer. It allows me to even my skintone so that I don't have to use foundation at all. It comes in a twist-up stick and is so easy to quickly swipe onto my problem areas (undereye circles, dark acne scars, or slight redness) - swipe, swipe, blend with my fingers, and my face looks flawless in under 30 seconds. Upon application is it very creamy and spreads well, but is still thick enough to get medium coverage. I finish with powder. I have tried many different foundation brands and formulas (liquid, mineral, cream to powder) however I hate to take the time to put it on makeup, and none apply as fast as these. I was ecstatic that I found some shades that match my yellow-ish skintone as everything else is usualy too pink-ish for me. My two standard shades are In The Buff (warm) and My Fair Lady (warm), which I use alone, or if I'm in-between colors I will mix the two shades right on my skin and then blend. They are available at Kohl's Department Store for $10, however they sometimes go on sale. Try it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Unlisted Brand - Mineral Fusion - Olive 2
jennifer_ca 7/22/2008 4:50:00 PM
I bought the Mineral Fusion starter kit at Whole Foods in Oct. '07 for $20 and really liked the products. This review is for the mineral foundation. PRO's - Did not make me break-out, - This mineral foundation is matte (yea!) - no shimmer at all. I don't like shimmer in my foundation. CONS: - Price approx.$32 - Availability (only can be purchased on-line or at Whole Foods). - Coverage is good to even out an average complexion, but I still need concealer for problem areas (undereye dark circles, acne scars). After I ran out of the foundation in the starter-kit, I strayed a couple of times and tried Ulta's Mineral Foundation (too shimmery) and Sheer Cover (heavy, bad color match/orangey) - and I broke-out with both products. I went back to Whole Foods to purchase the pressed foundation, and promptly dropped / broke it. I crushed the remaining product and put it into another container so I can use it as loose powder foundation. I'll buy the loose powder next time because I'm a klutz and alway break my pressed powders. Mineral Fusion works well with my skin, so I'll stick with it for awhile.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Sheer Cover - Sheer Cover - Mineral Foundation
jennifer_ca 7/22/2008 4:16:00 PM
When I applied this make-up it felt heavy, but the coverage was flawless and good color match. We were on our way out the door to start our vacation, however 15 minutes into the drive my face started progressivly itching more and more. When I checked the mirror in the car I realized how orangey the make-up was. Anyway the itching got so bad I had to wipe it all off with baby wipes. I threw away this product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
jennifer_ca 7/5/2008 11:39:00 PM
One coat of Glam Black was nice, and my lashes did look longer. I should preface my review by stating that I don't wear much make-up, have naturally black lashes and don't like a big-lash look on me, so my bad for purchasing a mascara with 'Colossal' in the title (I couldn't resist after reading the MUA reviews, the yellow packaging, and the big displays in every drugstore). Anyway, my poor rating came from when I applied the 2nd coat... I ended up with tarantula legs, yuck! The tube opening seems a bit wider, which made the brush come out goopy with mascara. I prefer a tube with a tighter opening so the brush comes out with less product, then I can build-up more coats. I might try Colossal again (one coat only), but my HG mascara remains Maybelline Full N' Soft, which provides a natural, softer looking lash.
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Hair Color -Clairol - Nice N Easy Color Boosting Glaze
jennifer_ca 6/18/2008 1:34:00 PM
YUCK! Just like some other posters - I used as directed, including the conditioner that comes with it, and this boosting glaze has left the crown of my head a greasy, flat mess after blowdrying. The rest of my hair was left with a strange waxy feel, like I had used too much styling product (which I didn't use any at all). Since initial application, I have shampoo'd/conditioned once but still have the same greasy crown and waxy feel, so in the interim I apply corn starch to the roots of my crown and work it in real well to absorb some of the greasyness and add some volume at the scalp until my next wash. I might try a clarify shampoo today. Typically my hair is combo, and I shampoo/condition every 3 days or so. I purchased this for US $3 as a 'discontinued' item at the grocery store, however I wish I had just passed it by. My intention was to tone down the brassiness of my highlights, and to be honest, my hair feels so gross that I pull it back into a ponytail everday so I don't have to deal with it. Even if the results magically covered the brassiness, I would not repurchase due to the yuck factor I experienced, as some others here did as well.
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