Fragrances -Parfums de Coeur - Body Fantasies Twilight Mist
kinkaju 4/26/2013 11:39:00 PM
This little bottle turned out to be a surprise gem. I knew right away this was a Twilight Woods copy but I honestly have come to love it even more than the original. It smells so good - sweet, sexy, and comforting, with that hint of woodsy powder. This actually reminds me of what I remember the original Cover Girl Navy perfume to smell like, but sweeter. I went through my tiny bottle of this very fast since I sprayed it all the time - even on my sheets. This is a definite repurchase!
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Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Beautiful
kinkaju 5/25/2012 4:59:00 PM
As soon as I sprayed this on my wrist I knew I hated it. I immediately recognised the scent. It's one I smell on ladies in public from time to time and I dislike it every time. I couldn't wait to scrub this off. It reminds me of moth balls, stuffy closets full of old fussy clothing and stale urine public toilet odor, and I am not trying to be snarky or insulting to those who like and wear this scent. I guess I just don't get it. I have always thought the ad with the bride was pretty and feminine and while I wasn't expecting Beautiful to be a childish fruity candy smelling number, what I smell definity doesn't evoke images of a beautiful bride. To each his own, as I'm sure there are scent I love that others find revolting. This one is just not for me.
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Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Pure Ice - China Girl
kinkaju 4/29/2012 10:53:00 PM
I have several other Pure Ice polishes and love that they're cheap and come in so many colors. I picked up China Girl today, as I was looking for something pink. When I got it home the color seemed more of a peach than pink and I was a little disappointed since I'm a cool skin tone and was worried this would pull too warm. However, after applying I saw how beautiful it looked and I cannot stop looking at my hands! As the reviwer below said, it can get a little clumpy so I also found that dipping the brush and gently shaking after each nail keeps it flowing smoothly. Small price to pay for such a pretty polish. It does still have a peach tone to it, I find. It's a nice cross between a pink and a peach and it's very metallic so it catches the light so well and is stunning. It reminds me of pink satin ballet slippers. I didn't do a base coat but had previously buffed my nails smooth to get rid of the ridges. I'm left with perfect pink/peach foil looking nails. I did a clear top coat for added shine and protection.
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Candles -Yankee Candles - Meadow Showers
kinkaju 2/19/2012 12:41:00 AM
This review is for the tart, which I just picked up this week and have been melting all weekend. I will DEFINITELY be repurchasing multiple tarts in this scent. It's a fresh, clean scent that actually doesn't give me a headache! This scent reminds me of summer days as a child, and being at my friend's house and her 70's brown and white giant plastic pitcher of iced tea. I find the scent hard to describe note for note. I just know it reminds me of summertime as a child. This tart was also very fragrant. I melted half a tart and it scented the whole place. I love the green color too.
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Conditioner -Alberto Vo5 - Moisture Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Moisturizing Conditioner
kinkaju 12/18/2011 12:55:00 AM
I use this for CO-washing and it's one of my favorites. Out of the bottle the scent doesn't seem anything special but after I used it I kept getting whiffs of this lovely, light almost effervescent peachy scent, and realized it was my hair. I will repurchase this one for as long as it's available. It makes my hair feel clean and soft, and the smell is divine.
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Conditioner -Alberto Vo5 - Strawberries & Cream smoothing conditioner
kinkaju 12/18/2011 12:48:00 AM
I love the texture of all VO5 conditioners and this one is no different. It makes my hair smooth and clean feeling after CO-washing. The ONLY thing I'm not crazy about is the scent. It's not that I hate the fragrance, but it reminds me of the scent of strawberry Quick powder and the scent lingers on me. I am so pleased with the performance but there are other VO5 scents that I like better so I probably won't repurchase.
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Conditioner -Alberto Vo5 - Kiwi and Lime Squeeze Clarifying Conditioner
kinkaju 12/18/2011 12:40:00 AM
I have been using VO5 on and off since high school but I began CO-washing about 2 months ago and was shocked yet delighted to read on many haircare sites that this seems to be an HG product for many. After trying it for myself this has become a product I have repurchased over and over. First, I don't think it really smells like kiwi or lime, but rather, it's just a very fresh and fruity and clean smelling conditioner. Very nice! Second, this really leaves my hair feeling clean and fresh after co-washing, more so than the other varieties of conditioner. I love the texture of this, as it's pudding-like and spreads easily throughout my hair. I have fine hair so this has worked for me to leave my hair clean but also moisturized. I will repurcahse as long as it's available.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -St. Ives - Collagen-Elastin Essential Moisturizer
kinkaju 12/12/2011 1:08:00 AM
I have used this facial moisturizer on and off for many years. I remember back when it came in the pink plastic jar! I have experimented with various products over the years but have come back to this one several times. I haven't actually checked the ingredients but the formula seems to be the same over the years from what I can tell. It still smells light and very slightly citrusy. I cannot stand facial products of any kind that smell strong (Coty Airspun Powder.... Pond's Dry Skin Cream.... Cornsilk Translucent Powder....etc.) The scent of this St. Ives product is light and very unoffensive to me. The texture of this product is jiggly and pudding-like and feels very light on my skin. It never feels heavy on my face, and I never feel like it's clogging my pores. Be careful not to apply this to your lips while rubbing it on your face -- it's bitter as heck! I have NO problem with the jar (as opposed to a pump or bottle) and find I rather like the jar actually. I'm applying this after showering or after washing my face, thus my hands are clean. Plus I'm the only one sticking my fingers in the jar. On product performance, my skin feels firm and clean and my pores even seem tighter. Maybe my skin in general has become less oily as I have gotten older but I never get the afternoon greasies these days, and I never feel like this lotion is too heavy. I definitely need moisturizer every time I wash my face and this one is the perfect level of moisturizing for me. I feel that it absorbs quickly and leaves my face feeling fresh, firm, and toned. I just bought a new jar yesterday as I am running low on my current jar and things have been working so perfectly that I plan to use this product until it proves otherwise. The price point is very good too, so I will continue to use this as long as I can.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Equate - Feminine Wash Sensitive Skin Care
kinkaju 12/11/2011 11:35:00 PM
I stumbled upon the MUA reviews for Summer's Eve brand Sensitive Skin wash, and a few reviews mention Equate brand as a less expensive alternative. Truth be told, I have always shunned anything Summer's Eve, FDS, or similar products that are labeled as "feminine cleansing" because my mom always drilled into me the idea that douching and FDS and talc, and perfumed "feminine deodorant" products were evil. I do realize that everyone has their preferences but because of her, I stayed away from that aisle my entire life and used whatever bar soap was in the shower for my entire body. I have never even considered using body wash down there, as I feared perfumed or moisturizing products would bother me, although I somehow felt it ok to use harsh deodorant bar soaps all those years?! Sadly, I discovered a while back that I am pretty sensitive to many soaps and have been searching for a gentle cleanser that's both effective and affordable. I was very attracted to this product after reading that it's apparently pH balanced, and fragrance free. I bought a bottle at Walmart for under $2 (the Summer's Eve brand was almost $4) and have been using it for about a week now. The product is clear and the consistency of shampoo or body wash, and has no scent. It really does lather/foam quite a bit and rinses clean. So far so good, I have not had any irritation. Hopefully this is my answer to sensitivity. It was very inexpensive and if it keeps working for me I will repurchase.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Bath and Body Works - Be Enchanted
kinkaju 11/25/2011 10:21:00 PM
I got the Be Enchanted travel mist and I really love it! It reminds me a little bit of Pink Sugarplum in that it's a bright and fruity scent. But I don't see a comparison to Secret Wonderland as there's no amber base to this one. There's a soft and sweet undertone in the base notes that deepens the whole scent and makes it smell like a real perfume rather than just candyish. I would definitely consider repurchasing this one. I also think the packaging is the most beautiful one that BBW has ever done. With the pastel pinks and the icy branches, it's really something I'd love to display on a dresser or counter top. **Update** I went and bought a full sized mist and shower gel today and just love this scent the more I wear it.
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Fragrances -Bath and Body Works - Vanilla Bean Noel Body Splash
kinkaju 11/20/2011 11:19:00 PM
I am very happy with my purchase and would repurchase for sure. I think the lasting power of this mist is good. Hours later, although the initial strong sweetness has faded, VBN still smells like delicious vanilla on my skin. I sometimes spray my sweatshirt too, and if I wear the sweatshirt again the next day it is infused with the wonderful, spun sugar scent of VBN. VBN is a decadent, rich, caramelized vanilla scent, with no musk, floral, sandalwood, patchouli or incense. It's a straight up sweet, spun sugar scented vanilla. For those who find sweet foodie type scents a turn-off, steer clear of this one. For those who love over-the-top foodie smell-goods, this is worth trying! I also find this is a great layering scent. I wear it alone but sometimes I even wear it layered with another scent and it adds depth and warmth. It seems BBW got it right this year as I've seen many reviews from years past that the lotion in this scent is HG status but the splash had little scent other than alcohol. The fact that it's offered in travel size is also a HUGE plus, as it makes it easier to sample different scents without a commitment, although this scent is so good I would repurchase in a full sized bottle. Also, travel sized make great gifts! (Just for fun I wanted to add that I had some leftover VBN shower gel from last year and some leftover Twisted Peppermint shower gel. I poured the TP into the VBN bottle and shook it up and the combination smelled just like those chocolate thin mint Girl Scout cookies to me!)
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Hair Color -L'Oreal - Superior Preference Hair Colour
kinkaju 10/29/2011 11:12:00 PM
I realize all hair dye stinks, but this really knocked my socks off. My eyes really burned and I tried to hold my breath because breathing this stuff in was awful. I even went outside onto my porch to finish the application, hoping the open air would help with the fumes, but it didn't help much. I left the dye on for about ten minutes and had to shower and rinse it all off because I couldn't stand the stink or the tingling scalp anymore and I started to get freaked out. So I can't comment on the results. Maybe I'm just super sensitive, or a big baby, but using this product was so unpleasant I will not repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Revlon - Colorsilk
kinkaju 10/29/2011 10:28:00 PM
Yes I would buy this again. I used #51 Light Brown. It's actually the box on the left in the pic here with the three difference boxes. My natural color is light/med brown that lightens easily in the summer. I lightened my hair with dramatic highlights to golden blonde about 6 months ago. I had some regrowth but didn't mind it. However, the lightened length had become even lighter just from the summer and some strands so light they looked washed out. Also, I was getting bored of the blonde but didn't want to go dark. I wanted to "erase" the blonde parts and blend it in with my regrowth. Normally I would have chosen Natural Instincts for something like this. I have done that in the past when I wanted to tone some highlights and it came out great, and, I like the non-permanent aspect. But truth be told, Natural Instincts has a lot of funky changes happening to it lately. It seems like every few months they have new packaging, a new formula and a new line and I just don't trust it anymore. I decided to give Colorsilk a try for this project. Even though it's permanent, I felt (hoped) it would be more gentle than other permanent colors. Also, it's very inexpensive! I avoided light GOLDEN brown and light ASH brown because on my lightened hair I was afraid the golden may come out red or the ash may come out with a green tint. So, I used plain old Light Brown. I did do a strand test to see what it would do to my blonde length and I was pleased enough with the strand test. This dye didn't burn and didn't have any offensive odor. I'm not knocking the performance of any other hair color but in terms of odor, my eyes burned and teared from the fumes when I used Preference, Garnier and Hydrience. Colorsilk has a mild odor but it's NOTHING like hair dye that contains ammonia. I rinsed after 25 minutes, did a cowash with VO5 moisturizing conditioner and air dried. I'll be honest, I was happy with my results after coloring but the first three days after that, when I was able to see my hair in various lights, it seemed a bit too dark. I figured it must be my hair being very porous due to bleach damage as my hair seemed more of a medium ash brown. But, I cowashed daily and after about three days I began to notice the color fading and it suddenly didn't seem as dark or as ashy. Suddenly I could see the blonde barely peeking through, and the color became more of a true light brown. After about a week, the color is absolutely perfect. It's my natural light brown and not ashy or red. It's light brown with just a hint of golden highlights. It's exactly what I wanted and I'm so glad I did it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sally Hansen - Hard as Nails in Sheer Strawberry
kinkaju 10/2/2011 8:53:00 PM
I recently went out determined to get a new sheer pink polish. I stumbled upon Sheer Strawberry, and for 1.59 I figured what the heck. I am so pleased with the results! This polish applied beautifully, with no streaks, and it dried quickly. I applied two coats and got the most wonderful milky sheer pink color -- exactly what I was hoping for. I've never gone through a bottle of nail polish in my life but if I finished this I would repurchase, and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a nice sheer pink.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Parfums de Coeur - Vanilla Fantasy
kinkaju 10/2/2011 8:45:00 PM
This is the scent of vanilla extract and vanilla cake and when it dries down it reminds me of chocolate pudding. It layers wonderfully with so many things and is also nice to wear on its own. I have to be in the mood for something foodie when I wear this. The price is very nice and this can be found in most drugstores. I would repurchase since I'd like to always have this in my collection. There are other fun Body Fantasies scents too. Hopefully this one sticks around for a long time.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No