Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - CSI Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cream
klow9 6/3/2011 6:23:00 PM
Wow! I'm surprised by the other review of "1". I just received this from Vitacost and I am very pleased with it so far. I have used it twice, and it really seems to plump up my skin. The price is right, also. I will update after a while, but I have dry skin and live in dry, southern California, and I don't understand the other review. Next I'm going to try the Vit. C serum by CSI; it's gotten good reviews also.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Smith's Rosebud Salve - Smith's Rosebud Salve
klow9 2/10/2011 1:27:00 PM
I'm just not that crazy about this product. I like the smell and the texture, but as a lip balm it has much to be desired. I usually keep a pot of lip balm on my table when I'm watching TV. With this one I find myself applying and re-applying often. It just doesn't stick around very long. Sorry cult followers, this just doesn't do it for me. Believe it or not, my favorite product for lips is Burts Bees Cuticle Cream. It's thick and it lasts. It's totally natural (Rosebud is made of petroleum) and the price is right.
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Styling Products -Alterna - hemp seed thickening compound
klow9 12/8/2010 3:31:00 PM
Love it! I have shoulder length fine blonde hair, but lots of it. I had been using a concoction of Pureology Root Lift and Aveda Smooth Infusion after shampooing, but this product seems to be all I need. I worked it into the roots underneath and then very lightly through my hair when damp. I blew dry and then put up the sides as usual in a couple of velcro rollers. When I woke up this morning it would shiny, bouncy with lots of healthy looking volume. Just as good as any of the root boosters I've used including Pureology, Aveda, John Frieda etc. The bonus part is that this in no way dries out my hair or matifies it. I like my hair to look shiny. P.S. Stole it from Trade Secrets for about $5 on their 75% off sale. They are discontinuing the line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Redken - Color Extend Shampoo
klow9 10/6/2010 4:11:00 PM
This shampoo and conditioner combo was on Allure's best list for 2010. That is why I purchased sample sizes from Ulta in both the shampoo and the conditioner, and I'm glad I did. I've always sworn by Aveda Color Conserve, but now I realize it was weighing down my fine but thick highlighted blonde hair. Redken says this shampoo helps dissolve the mineral deposits in hard water and that is what we have here in Southern California. After using this one time it seems like all of my styling products are working again. My hair has great body, even at the roots. (I use Pureology root lifter...it's okay). I'm now on day four and really don't need to shampoo yet. With Color Conserve, I would be greasy by now. I'll edit if I change my mind, but so far, so good. I'm very pleased. Too early to comment on the color "extending" properties, though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -John Frieda - Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster
klow9 9/16/2010 5:52:00 PM
Every once in a while I take this product out hoping that it will redeem itself. I give up and will donate it to charity. I makes my fine, thick, highlighted hair dry and does very little for volume. It also significantly darkens the highlights. In this case, you get what you pay for. I wish I had read the review on MUA before purchasing. This product was recommended as a great buy in a magazine, but MUA knows better!
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Single in Brulee
klow9 9/13/2010 6:29:00 PM
Thank you MUA for saving me big bucks on a matte base color. I had to go to three stores to find this, but it was worth the trip. FYI, Walmart and Target no longer carry Wet N Wild in S. Cal. I cannot believe how creamy and pigmented this is. Sent back my Bobbi Brown Shore cream eyeshadow. It was fine, but not worth the $22 when $1.99 did the trick.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Shore
klow9 9/10/2010 6:59:00 PM
I'm still on the fence about this color, but I do love the actual product. I'm blonde, blue eyes, NC 30, and this is the exact color of my lids. In that regard it does not do anything except provide an excellent base for other shadows. My disappointment is that it does not brighten my eyelid area at all. As advertised, the formula does last all day and does not crease. I've only used this three times so will update after more use. Sometimes I'm initially underwhelmed by Bobbi's products but then grow to love them in time. EDIT: I returned it after discovering Brulee by Wet N Wild. Why pay $22 for a nice base color when I can pay $1.99. Thanks MUA.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo Foundation Brush
klow9 6/29/2010 5:21:00 PM
I loved this brush when I first bought it about a year ago, but now the bristles are flying out with even the most minimal use. This morning I used it with some tinted moisturizer and I literally had bristles all over my face. I only cleanse it in gentle soap, so I guess it's just run through it's short life. I'm disappointed.
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Other -Paula's Choice - Brighten Up 2-minute teeth whitener
klow9 6/29/2010 5:17:00 PM
This product got such great reviews on Paula's site that I just had to try it. As promised it is easy to use and does not irritate gums at all. However, I have been using it every day for at least a week and have not really noticed much brightening/whitening. I agree that it needs much better directions. I dry my teeth with tissue paper before applying because it says to apply to dry teeth. Then I rub the white stick on my teeth and around the gum lines, where it is more discolored than the teeth. It does foam up in about a minute. My teeth were professionally whitened a while ago and I've been using this as a touch up only, but so far I am disappointed.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
klow9 4/20/2010 5:29:00 PM
EDIT: I'm reducing the rating to a 3. It's now summer in So Cal and this product is so soft that it is melting even when in my office! I fear I must take it out of my purse and save until winter. Be very careful about twisting this up too far; it will lop off. Super moisturizing, and the moisture lasts. I just wish the tint had a bit more "pop" to it. The twist-to-tighten lipstick tube is a great feature. Ridiculously expensive, though. I also use it in a pinch during the day to moisturize my cheeks and give them a bit of color.
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Lip Gloss -Bobbi Brown - Rich Color Gloss in Pink Buff
klow9 2/2/2010 2:12:00 PM
Ugly, ugly color...at least on me. Pink/brown muddy is all I have to say. I got the sample size as a free gift with a Bobbi order. I will give it a three, though, because the formula was nice and I like the doe-foot applicator. However, this color makes me look sick, literally. I am a medium-skinned, blonde, blue eyes. Mac NC 30, and usually wear Beige in Bobbi foundation shade.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Clairol - Natural Instincts - Sahara
klow9 1/25/2010 12:36:00 PM
Blondes BEWARE!! This product gave me orangy/golden roots. This is supposed to be a neutral color, which is what I had hoped for. I left it on for a total of 20 minutes. After walking around yesterday catching myself in different light, I determined that YES YIKES, I was more than "warmer" I was orangy/gold. Luckily, after doing a bit of Internet research, I determined that a blue/violet shampoo would help neutralize the gold. It did. I used the Shikai Blue Malva shampoo, which had been highly recommended by MUA. I left it on my crown for at least 15 minutes in the shower. Today, the tone is better, definitely less oranage, but it still needs to "cool down" a bit more. For reference, my natural hair color is ashy dark blonde. Before using this product, I had a few bleach highlights, but my color felt very dark and ashy and I was trying to brighten it up. On the positive side, I can say that this product was easy to use and did not damage my hair. And it did brighten my hair. Blondes, tread very carefully with this one. Maybe if I left it on only 15 minutes, it would have brightened up the highlights, but not changes the roots. I have no idea.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Everyday Minerals - Intensive Fair concealer [DISCONTINUED]
klow9 1/6/2010 6:37:00 PM
This review is for the Intensive Concealer in Medium. I actually use this as my base powder and not as a concealer. You don't need much, and I find this color and staying power is far superior to the powder. I only use it around my nose, chin, forehead. Very nice. My 24-year-old daughter discovered this when she ran out of powder and began using the concealer as her base. "It's all the same stuff...so why not?" She was right!
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Lips -The Body Shop - Lip & Cheek Stain
klow9 1/6/2010 6:32:00 PM
The stain I bought has a gloss on the other end. I got this for $5 at the San Francisco Airport store while on a layover. It's great! The stain is a great color for me, and the gloss pretties it up a bit. Staying power is decent. My favorite product of this kind is still O Gloss by Smashbox, but this is a great alternative.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -BeneFit Cosmetics - Badgal Waterproof Eyeliner
klow9 1/6/2010 6:27:00 PM
I use this eyeliner to line my upper eyes UNDER my lashes. I push the liner up under my lashes from the bottom to the top. It gives the appearance of a dark lash line, but more natural than a eyeliner look. I love this technique because there is never a space between the lash line and the eyelid. To make this work correctly you need a very dark, smooth eyeliner. This does the trick, and now, eight hours since I first applied it, after working all day and taking a walk at lunch, it still looks great. I have sensitive eyes, and it does not irritate. I would definitely repurchase.
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