Styling Products -Nioxin - Volumizing Reflectives Niospray Power Hold
kbrand 3/5/2012 8:35:00 PM
I love this stuff! I would definitely not categorize this as a volumizing spray since there's really no such thing: how you style your hair gives you volume, not your hairspray. And even if I were trying to use this as a volumizing spray, it would be a bad idea. It's way too strong for any style involving your hair being down. I have my hair in a bun a lot and it keeps it up no matter what. When I wear my hair down, I use it for my sweeping bangs to keep them in place. I like to know that my bangs are behaving themselves! If you want a more flexible hold, try the Volumizing Reflectives in the Extra Hold. It's lighter but still gets the job done. I accidentally purchased it once and it turned out fine. It does have a weird smell, a little like Ivory soap, but it's benign and doesn't bother me. Best of all, it washes out and doesn't leave build up.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Dr. Dennis Gross-Trifix Acne Clearing Lotion
kbrand 3/5/2012 8:17:00 PM
This is just alright. I find it incredibly drying (and I use Persagel). On top of that, it smells quite bad and it lingers. I was looking for a more gentle spot treatment (even though this is an all-over treatment) and it just wasn't for me. I really like the other Dennis Gross products but this is just sitting in my drawer.
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Eyeliner -Maybelline - Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
kbrand 3/5/2012 8:14:00 PM
This is great! I've been using pencil since The Dawn Of Time but decided to give this a try for my daily eyeliner. I got brown since I'm fair skinned and like a more natural look. I was amazed at how easy it was to apply, especially when you're trying to get it into your lash line. Doing this with pencil is a pain. This is my first experience with a gel liner so I have nothing to compare it to, however it lasts all day, plus two hours of ballet class worth of sweat and what not. So I'd say that's pretty good! It's fairly blendable but I don't think something can be long-wearing and super-blendable at the same time: it's either one or the other. The only downside was the brush. The way the protective sheath was positioned it caused some of the bristles to crease permanently. The brush is still usable but for $10.99 I kind of want some basic quality control on the product.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Boscia - BB Cream SPF 27 PA++
kbrand 11/8/2011 9:48:00 PM
I'm a little torn on this product. This is my first experience with BB cream and I'm not sure what to think. My makeup routine? Moisturizer, some mineral powder here and there and concealer here and there. That's it. I don't like a full face of makeup since I work out a lot, nor do I like the look. This product has the same problem that a lot of tinted moisturizers have: it can't decide if it's a skincare product or a makeup product, and the "one size fits all" approach to color is never quite right. Although, I have to say it's one of the better combo products I've come across. Even though it's supposed to blend into every skin tone, that's kind of a joke. It's definitely not for the lightest of light skins, nor anything between medium and dark. I guess it falls into that "fairly" light category. As for application, you need to work fast. It doesn't stay moist for long so you have to do your best to get it blended right away. I'd definitely use your finger since a sponge is going to absorb all of that product. Maybe a brush would be better? And since it is so quick drying, it is also a rather matte product, so not good for dry skin types. If you like the feeling of your face being protected during the day, of having an spf in your makeup and something that's rather matte, then this is for you (providing that the color works). If you lean your face on your hand it's definitely not going to come off like a liquid makeup would. I'd definitely get a sample at Sephora or something before you buy. And if you're not sure, go back and get another. For the price, it's not worth buying it only to find out it's not for you. **EDIT** took it back to Sephora. The color was just too weird and I found it to be very drying despite my oily skin. I highly recommend going outside with a mirror when you're trying on makeup at Sephora. The lighting in there is so weird.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Eyelights Brow Highlighting Pencil-Matte Camille
kbrand 11/8/2011 9:38:00 PM
Ugh, I'm so torn on Anastasia products because they're so expensive for what they are, yet they're great and I buy them! In short: put this right under your brows and blend. That's it. If you have a simple makeup routine, this makes you look just a little more polished since it allows your brows to appear freshly groomed. I also like that it's a highlighter without being sparklie at all. Definitely for lighter skin tones since it's a very light pink. Took off a lippie due to price and packaging. I really do hate expensive pencil products since you lose product when you sharpen.
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Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Brow Fix
kbrand 11/8/2011 9:32:00 PM
I like to keep my makeup routine very simple, but this is one of those products that seems excessive yet a must-have. Before I get into it, I will say I bought one of these TWO YEARS ago and am almost out of it after using it daily. I have really light brows that definitely need to be filled in. I use this first and then apply brow powder over it. I think it helps the brow powder to stay put rather than eyebrow gels. Honestly, you can't really screw it up. I took off one star because it is ridiculously expensive for what it is. Also, as with other products that come in pencil form, you lose quite a bit of it when you go to sharpen the pencil, which is that much worse when it comes to an expensive product.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Yes To Carrots - Yes To Cucumbers Face Cleanser Towelettes
kbrand 11/8/2011 9:27:00 PM
This is my HG makeup remover/cleanser. As I've said in other reviews, I've significantly paired down my skincare routine to only a few products. I use the towelettes to remove makeup and when I need to freshen up after a workout (or just a dirty day). I have acne and rosacea-prone skin and this doesn't burn, sting or otherwise irritate my skin. They have a mild scent. I've used them around my eyes without any irritation either. They definitely don't moisturize or do anything other than clean and freshen. If you're prone to dry skin, definitely use a moisturizer afterwards.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Argan oil
kbrand 11/8/2011 9:22:00 PM
Over the years I've paired down my skin routine quite a bit. Instead of multiple types of cleansers and moisturizers, I'm down to one moisturizer, one cleanser, and one occasional exfoliating treatment. When I heard about Argan Oil, I had to try it. It sort of makes sense that oil would "trick" your skin into thinking it's hydrated enough so that the cycle of overproduction of oil would cease. Our hormones work the same way, so why not our skin? And the idea that I could use this on my hair, nails and body was intriguing. I checked out the Josie Maran line and concluded that it was WAY too expensive. I ended up getting one off of Amazon and have been using it for about 6 months. Seriously: TWO drops moisturizes my entire face. I initially was mixing one drop with my regular moisturizer but slowly phased out my old moisturizer. I've had blackheads on my nose for 10 years that have never gone away until I started using argan oil. The acne scarring I did have has been greatly reduced. I use it around my eyes as well and my dark circles have been helped by it as well. I also combine this with my body lotion. Once every other week, I get an exfoliating mitt and put oil on my body in the shower and scrub away. When I'm done, my skin is perfectly moisturized AND exfoliated. I use it on my nails. I mix it with my conditioner. I even got my husband to put it in his conditioner and his scalp is so much healthier. If you're weary, get a small trial/travel size. Start with SMALL amounts and work your way up. Maybe you need 2-3 drops on your face. Maybe less. Try mixing it with your other products so you can gradually become accustomed to the texture. I think that rule of "too much of a good thing" applies here. While others have said it absorbs quickly, it certainly doesn't for me when I apply too much. I appreciate a dewy look, but I definitely don't want to greasy! I'm trying to think of any downside to the oil and the only thing I can think of is it's a little expensive. However, the fact that it's a Fair Trade product and rather strictly distributed is a huge plus for me. BUYER BEWARE: Look at the ingredients carefully. There's a big difference between "100% argan oil" and "Contains 100% argan oil." If it's truly argan oil and nothing else, it will only have one ingredient listed!
29 out of 29 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Alba Botanica - Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea Oil Free Moisturizer
kbrand 11/20/2009 3:15:00 PM
My usual moisturizer is really expensive so I was looking for an alternative. My acne-prone skin doesn't like a lot of acids, so vitamin C and other antioxidants are out. This was oil free and $12 at my local drugstore. I like the consistency, the smell and the price, but it made me break out. Worth trying if you're not acne-prone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -John Frieda - Brilliant Brunette Light Reflecting Conditioner
kbrand 11/11/2007 4:45:00 PM
This is my HG conditioner. I'm almost positive it doesn't contain silicones, but somebody please tell me if it does. I like the shea butter in it a lot. I was nervous that it would make my hair greasy but it doesn't. My hair color is really here nor there: i've been called a blonde, a brunette and a redhead all in one day. So I thought the Amber to Maple shade was the best for me. I really think that the conditioners in this line have more to do with the color/shine after you style. I have shoulder blade-length hair and I use this on the length of it and just shampoo the scalp. It's really help keep my ends looking great between haircuts. Since I plan to grow it a little longer, I'm trusting that this conditioner will keep it looking great. I'll update either way, but so far this is a great product! Note: If you want to color you hair, go to a salon or dye it. If you want to just accentuate the highlights and lowlights in your hair, then this will do it. And finally, I love the smell. It's sort of cinnamon spice & vanilla smell.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -John Frieda - Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Volumizing Shampoo
kbrand 11/11/2007 4:41:00 PM
This is my HG shampoo. I have long brown hair that needs a basic shampoo and conditioner and this is the perfect balance. My scalp can get a little oily so I use this and just shampoo the scalp. Before, I was using Big Sexy Hair but I switched to this because it seemed like my hair was getting dull. After a week of using this (along with the moisturizing conditioner) people were commenting on my shiny hair. I think it really does add dimension and shine like it says. The volume was about the same as big sexy hair. The price is a little high for a drugstore brand, but I use so little of it it doesn't matter.
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Powder -Everyday Minerals - Foundation - Intensive formula [DISCONTINUED]
kbrand 11/10/2007 8:28:00 PM
I've been a Bare Escentuals fan for a couple of years now. I have super acne-prone and with a little bit of rosacea and mineral makeup seems to be the only thing that doesn't break me out AND looks natural.
After reading the reviews on this, I had to try it. A while ago, I got the sampler and had some trouble picking out a foundation color but ended up loving the Intensive Fair concealer. Recently, I was finding that my BE color was incorrect (fair) and the next step up (the lightest one) was way too light. So I went back to the EM site and saw that the Intensive Fair color comes in a foundation color (they call it Fawn but the description says it's a lot like the concealer). So I tried it and I really liked it! I got it in Intensive and Original Glo. I really need the Intensive at the moment and it looks great! It's a little drying but my skin has been a little drier lately so that could be it. The Original Glo was had too little coverage but it could work at another time. I didn't see any sparkles or anything in it like other people have mentioned so I'm not sure what that's about.
I'm going to keep using this for a month or two and then update, but right now this is my new foundation! I never was opposed to the price of BE because it lasts so long for me but it's hard to argue with EM's pricing.
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Treatments -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - Correct & Perfect Spot Treatment
kbrand 7/27/2007 10:46:00 PM
This isn't my HG, but I don't think I'll ever have one single HG spot treatment. I use Persagel for the really big ones. For smaller ones or ones that are more red and irritated, I use this. It seems to really help reduce swelling and redness. I don't think it's strong enough for those giant cystic ones, but it's good for the rest of them. I also really like the tint it has: I actually use it as a concealer and it works great. The smell doesn't really bother me. Honestly, I don't think it smells like sulfur. I'm sure they added something to cut down on that rotten egg smell... whatever it was, it helped. I gave it 4 lippies because of the price in relation to the amount of product it comes with, but that's the only reason.
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Concealers -Laura Mercier - Secret Camouflage
kbrand 5/2/2007 2:03:00 PM
This is an amazing concealer, although I don't think I've experienced its full potential yet. It's definitely a makeup-artist's concealer. I got the lightest one and used my own concealer brush. I warm it up with a hairdryer (while the compact is closed) and it makes it easier to use. Once you've mastered the technique on how to use it, it works wonders! Having two colors really lets you mix the right color for the area you're trying to cover. I feel like I've used a ton of this already but I've barely scratched the surface: I can see that this is going to last me perhaps a whole year. I took a lippie off because it's hard to use, but it really is worth having a SA show you how to use it. **EDIT** I've given up trying to discover the secret to applying this concealer. It's just too temperamental and doesn't wear well over the hours in the day.
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Treatments -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - All-Over Blemish Solution
kbrand 4/12/2007 3:22:00 PM
All of my skincare is by MD Skincare. I mean everything; cleanser, peel, mask, moisturizer, etc. etc.
**Edited** I originally wrote that I didn't like this product. Recently, I had a facial and the esthetician told me to use it. I gave it one week and I haven't had any new blemishes. It doesn't seem to be drying my face out incredibly. I've been using it for three weeks now and still nothing new, despite monthly hormonal changes. This product is WAY overpriced: 84USD for an ounce! I suggest getting it off eBay or Strawberrynet or something because the price is insane. But this product really has helped me. I wish it came in a pump instead of a tube though. Also, I started using it in the AM and mixing it with my Hydra-Pure oil free moisturizer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No