Styling Products -Redken - Real Control Crema Care
leslielgc 1/24/2013 1:46:00 AM
Amazing product! I have super curly hair and live in a very dry cold climate, and this helps reduce frizz and add moisture. I use a very small amount (I find if I use too much it does separate my curls too much) when I get out of the shower and then use Aveda's Be Curly - Curl Enhancer. After that I scrunch my hair and let it air dry. These two together the past couple years have tamed my beastly hair into gorgeous locks of curly love!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Cirque - Au
leslielgc 1/24/2013 1:38:00 AM
I ordered some nail polishes from Cirque after seeing swatches on a website and fell in love with them. Literally love at first sight. Quick blurb on the brand first: I think it's important to mention the shipping as it seems like one of the few ways to get access to the polishes. They're from the US and I live in Canada, so I had to order them from the website since I couldn't find them anywhere. Usually that kind of shipping makes me weary, but they clearly put effort into processing and shipping my order quickly (without a hitch I might add!) which made me thrilled. I should add that I feel the shipping cost was quite reasonable especially given how far it was travelling. The polishes are 3F (no toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate), they're hand mixed in batches, and they even add organic lavender and clary sage essential oils! (that being said, it won't smell flowery or anything, it still smells like nail polish) A review of the actual polish; Au (the chemical symbol for "gold"). The colour (a clear coat with flecks of "23K gold leaves") looks so amazing I really can't begin to express. I've received so many compliments about it already. Unlike most clear coats with suspended particles, the gold "leaves" are actually evenly distributed and I can put one coat on my nails with it looking beautiful. I have worn two coats for even more goldy goodneess, but one coat definitely does it's job. I wore Au the other day over top of Butter London's Big Smoke (a metallic navy blue) and it looked so regal! I don't think I've ever received so many compliments on my polishes before! This polish IS more expensive than the rest of the brand's polishes (due to the 23K no doubt) which are already quite expensive to begin with. Worth it in my opinion though! My nails tend to chip very easily (I work with chemicals during the day), but the polishes appeared to last just as long as my usual polishes before chipping. Not a miracle length of time but no shorter either. Usually with the clear polishes with suspended particles, it ruins a cotton pad if I try to take it off and have to use the "tin foil" technique. No need here! It was easily removed when I did take it off. All in all, I'm in love with this brand and I know I'll be ordering more polishes soon. This may be my new favourite!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Cirque - Lonesome George
leslielgc 1/24/2013 1:26:00 AM
I ordered some nail polishes from Cirque after seeing swatches on a website and fell in love with them. Literally love at first sight. Quick blurb on the brand first: I think it's important to mention the shipping as it seems like one of the few ways to get access to the polishes. They're from the US and I live in Canada, so I had to order them from the website since I couldn't find them anywhere. Usually that kind of shipping makes me weary, but they clearly put effort into processing and shipping my order quickly (without a hitch I might add!) which made me thrilled. I should add that I feel the shipping cost was quite reasonable especially given how far it was travelling. The polishes are 3F (no toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate), they're hand mixed in batches, and they even add organic lavender and clary sage essential oils! (that being said, it won't smell flowery or anything, it still smells like nail polish) A review of the actual polish; Lonesome George. The colour (a stunning emerald green with holographic tones of blue and yellow) looks breathtaking. The polish goes on easily, and is very opaque after two coats. A third is completely unnecessary. My nails tend to chip very easily (I work with chemicals during the day), but the polishes appeared to last just as long as my usual polishes before chipping. Not a miracle length of time but no shorter either. It has a substantial amount of glitter in it, but was easily removed when I did take it off. All in all, I'm in love with this brand and I know I'll be ordering more polishes soon. This may be my new favourite!
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Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Cirque - Planet Caravan
leslielgc 1/24/2013 1:19:00 AM
I ordered some nail polishes from Cirque after seeing swatches on a website and fell in love with them. Literally love at first sight. Quick blurb on the brand first: I think it's important to mention the shipping as it seems like one of the few ways to get access to the polishes. They're from the US and I live in Canada, so I had to order them from the website since I couldn't find them anywhere. Usually that kind of shipping makes me weary, but they clearly put effort into processing and shipping my order quickly (without a hitch I might add!) which made me thrilled. I should add that I feel the shipping cost was quite reasonable especially given how far it was travelling. The polishes are 3F (no toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate), they're hand mixed in batches, and they even add organic lavender and clary sage essential oils! (that being said, it won't smell flowery or anything, it still smells like nail polish) A review of the actual polish, Planet Caravan. The colour (a beautiful dark eggplant with purple sparkles) looks absolutely stunning on. The polish goes on easily, and is very opaque after two coats. A third is completely unnecessary. My nails tend to chip very easily (I work with chemicals during the day), but the polishes appeared to last just as long as my usual polishes before chipping. Not a miracle length of time but no shorter either. It has a substantial amount of glitter in it, but was easily removed when I did take it off. All in all, I'm in love with this brand and I know I'll be ordering more polishes soon. This may be my new favourite!
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Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - PerspireX
leslielgc 9/9/2012 3:25:00 AM
TLDR: This is expensive, but boy does it ever work. The issue: I'm the type of person who takes a shower, gets ready, and by the time I leave the house my underarms are already sweaty. Not stinky sweaty, but just Niagara Falls. It made a difference in my everyday life because I was embarrassed to wear the shirts I wanted and do simple things like raise my hand in class. I purchased this on a whim about 1.5 years ago, and it works just as well now as it did that first application. I use it once or twice a week, and I no longer have sweat marks on my shirts. Your armpits won't be completely dry forever, they'll get a little bit moist but a NATURAL moist. Not enough to leave a mark in your shirt, but not little enough where you feel the need to put moisturizer on. I honestly can't imagine a more perfect pit situation. I've suggested this product to 10 family/friends since I started using it, and not a single one has felt that the product didn't work. All satisfied individuals. I like to think I'm making the world a better less sweaty place... BE CAREFUL: Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use this product if you've shaved/waxed/epilated/etc that day. It'll burn/itch and cause a generally terrible sleep with the discomfort. I use an epilator and find the earliest time I can apply is the next night.
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Top/Base Coats -Lippmann Collection - Rehydrating Base Coat
leslielgc 10/20/2011 8:45:00 PM
I bought this product based on the other reviews, but I have been very disappointed with my purchase. I gave it a two because it does feel as though my nails are strengthened, but as a base coat it was terrible. Whenever I put this under a nail polish, my nail polish would maybe last 2 days before chipping. The worst part is that it doesn't even really chip, but huge flakes seem to come off. The third time I tried using it, the second day I had no nail polish on my index finger. The entire polish on that nail apparently peeled off in the span of 10 minutes from when I last noticed it on. To make it even worse, I couldn't find it. Hopefully my male roommate doesn't stumble on it and think it's my actual nail. Pros: Appears to strengthen nail. No nail colour appears to bleed into the nail. Dries quickly. Cons: Flakes off within a day or two. I'll continue using this until the bottle is done, but as a solo coat alone. I won't be repurchasing. Far too expensive for a "base coat" that I can only use alone.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Diamancel - Foot Buffers
leslielgc 8/30/2011 1:46:00 AM
My mom bought me a #10 many years ago, so many that I can't even remember how long ago it was! I seem to remember it was an attempt to entice me to fix the hobbit feet I developed as a tomboy growing up. Alas, it worked! She and I both have #10s, and must have had ours for at least 10 years each. They still work as well as they always have, and have always given excellent results. This buffer gives me soft skin that last, it doesn't hurt, and it is very easy to clean. We both have quite thick skin, but nothing serious enough that would warrant using a #20 or #11. This product is a big expense in comparison to the cheap stuff at drugstores to start off with, but I can honestly say it will save you money in the long run. Here's to hoping for another 10 years of soft lovely feet!
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Hair -Aveda - Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
leslielgc 7/20/2011 2:28:00 PM
I have very thick and curly hair. I use this prior to the Be Curly Curl Enhancer and I find it gives my hair a bit more shine and I noticed a difference in softness after a week or two. I think this may be too heavy for thinner hair, especially in summer. But if you have thicker hair, and/or curly hair, I would suggest you try it!
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Styling Products -Aveda - Be Curly Curl Enhancer
leslielgc 7/20/2011 2:24:00 PM
I started wearing my hair naturally about 3 years ago. I have naturally very curly very thick hair and used to hide it with a lot of blow drying and straightening. One day I got fed up and decided that some product somewhere would have to compliment what I have. I tried a wide variety of products that either left my hair crinkly, poofy/frizzy, greasy, lacking curls, or a combination of all of those. After about a year, and almost giving up, I was told to try Aveda's Be Curly products. I never find Shampoo or Conditioner to be very useful, more of a waste of money, and those two weren't an exception (for me at least). The Curl Enhancer though... Oh. My. God. I can honestly say I never thought I would love my natural hair. This product makes me love my hair and regret ever wishing I could naturally have straight simple hair. I used to hate my hair, loathe the genetics that provided me with this nuisance, cringe when my boyfriend touched my dry damaged strands, and now for the past couple years I haven't been able to get over how much I love the way my hair looks and feels. Thanks to this product I don't have to slave over a blowdryer. I can love the way my hair looks AND feels! I also use a bit of Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair prior to putting on the Curl Enhancer. EDIT (01/23/2013): Since writing this review, nothing's changed on the part of Aveda's, but I wanted to add another mini product review for those who've read my review and wanted advice about curly hair. A few months after writing this review, I replaced the Damage Remedy with Redken's Real Control Crema Care (just a very small amount, I found too much will separate your curls). These two work together BEAUTIFULLY. I live in a very dry climate, and I feel the Crema Care added the moisture that I still desired from Be Curly (especially in the winter months!).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Aveda - Be Curly Style Prep
leslielgc 7/20/2011 1:59:00 PM
I found this didn't really do much for my hair. I have naturally very curly very thick hair. I use the Be Curly Curl Enhancer and was told to give this one a shot. It didn't do much in comparison on it's own, and it didn't give any added benefit with my other products or combined with less of my other products. I won't be repurchasing. I think for the price it didn't accomplish much in comparison to the Curl Enhancer.
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Self Tanners -Origins - The Great Pretender
leslielgc 7/20/2011 1:54:00 PM
Short version: One tone, works best on the lightest of skins. A little goes a long way (do NOT use too much). Make sure you apply a very moisturizing lotion to hands, elbows, knees, etc beforehand. Lasts for minimum a couple days. Best self tanner! Long version: This is the most amazing self tanner I've ever used! And believe me, I've used a lot. As this only comes in one tone, and from what I've seen some people believe it doesn't give them enough colour, my assumption would be that this self tanner is directed towards the palest of us. I'm very pale and love this beyond belief. I find it gives me non-streaky, non-spotty, beautiful colour. Trust me, a LITTLE goes a long way with this! I've used too much before, so that it didn't completely absorb into my skin within ~15 minutes, and it ended up being a little streaky with darker spots. I get the best colour from this product using the following steps: I first use a very moisurizing hand cream (I use Kiehls Ultimate Strength Hand Salve) on my hands, specifically making sure to rub a lot into my nails, and on other dry spots (elbows, knees, outer ankles). I let it soak in for ~15 minutes before applying the Self Tanner. I only apply a small amount of the ST (you're better off applying less than applying more. Take my word for it) and rub it in everywhere so that it's pretty much all absorbed by the time I'm done applying it. I also make sure I rub my hands together so that I don't end up with white hands and tan arms. I wait about 10-15 minutes and lightly wash my palms (with soap), and a little bit of water on the skin between my thumb and index finger (that always gets a little dark for me if I don't) and knuckles. This gives me great results that I find last for a few days.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Kiehls - Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser
leslielgc 7/10/2011 11:38:00 PM
I have cystic acne and have been looking without much luck nor hope for years. Sometimes you just realize your skin is doomed to suck. I should explain my acne before going into the review. Usually my cysts pop up and no warm compresses or anything can open them up for a concentrated spot treatment to help. So usually I just have to wait weeks for my body to take care of it, and when it does I'm left with a scab that I have to stick polysporin on and hope it doesn't scar. I've been using this cleanser for a couple months now and so far I've seen less cysts, and the ones that have popped up have actually had openings to the outside world (not common with my acne). They also haven't been as red or inflammed and required a lot less spot treatments or concealer as they usually do. This could just be a coincidence, as my skin sometimes has good months, but I like to think this cleanser is giving my skin hope. I'll edit my review if I find my normal old skin creeps up on me, but for now fingers crossed! (Please note I used this cleanser in conjunction with the Rare Earth Facial Mask twice a week)
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Treatments -Kiehls - Midnight Recovery Concentrate
leslielgc 7/10/2011 11:23:00 PM
I LOVE this product for use at night! Makes my skin glow the next morning and I've seen a drastic improvement in my skin through months of using this. Don't let the big price tag and tiny bottle fool you; you really need maybe 2 drops to cover your entire face. I gave the packaging quality a lower mark mainly because even though I'm no where close to the bottom of my bottle after months of use, I think it will be difficult to access the very bottom as the eye dropper doesn't go all the way down.
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Sunscreen -Kiehls - Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+
leslielgc 7/10/2011 11:16:00 PM
Best facial sunscreen I've found with this much SPF. Doesn't clog my pores at all, soaks in fast, protects, and doesn't leave me oily. Great addition to any skincare collection!
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Treatments (Eye) -Kiehls - Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate
leslielgc 7/10/2011 11:13:00 PM
I usually love Kiehls but was very disappointed with this product. I'll be returning it. It didn't provide my eyes with any benefits against fine lines or dark circles, the latter of which I was told by the saleswoman was their best product for this ailment. Also, it burns. A significant amount. It may work for you, but make sure before you purchase this that your Kiehls will refund you in the event it doesn't work. I've never seen Kiehls not refund you if a product doesn't work, but with a potential expensive flop like this it's best to be sure.
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