Styling Products -Aveda - Control Paste
mandicandi412 2/19/2012 2:02:00 PM
I bought this to help with flyways and control those stubborn "baby hairs" that stick straight up on my hairline. It didn't really work for either- it seemed to just slip out of my fingers. The smell reminded me of men's cologne and the color was odd- a light orange, maybe? I think this would be better for people with short haircuts as I think it would probably help with getting a "piece-y" look. It just didn't work for what I needed. Would not repurchase.
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Self Tanners -Origins - Faux Glow
mandicandi412 5/5/2011 12:05:00 AM
I picked this up because I've recently tried several Origins products and been very happy with them! I noticed this was oil-free and contains no mineral oil, so I thought I would give it a go. I have used this for 3 nights in a row so far and see no chain in my skin tone and definitely no 'faux glow.' For reference, I am NC 25 in the winter months and tan very easily. I have been feeling a little pasty and wanted to be a shade or two darker but this really didn't deliver any visible results. I am returning it... however, for a self-tanner, I found this product's smell to be very mild. It was easy to apply, didn't rub or make me feel greasy, and also did not irritate my skin. I would recommend this to the very fair-skinned as it may work for them.
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Fragrances -Lolita Lempicka - Lolita Lempicka
mandicandi412 5/2/2011 8:11:00 PM
Just had to comment on this before I return it... obviously, scents smell differently on most everyone; this fragrance was definitely not for me! It settled to what i can only be described as melted jolly ranchers mixed with musk and something old and musty... it was not pleasant and I could not wait to get home and shower. The packaging is so adorable and this smelled tastefully fruity and warm to me at first sniff, but back to the store it goes!
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Styling Products -TRESemme - Instant Heat Tamer Spray
mandicandi412 5/2/2011 7:55:00 PM
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me. It weighed my hair down even when used very sparingly and made my hair just feel dirty. I do not have very fine hair, either. I liked the packaging and was hopeful that this would bring me good results but unfortunately it just didn't deliver and mesh well with my hair, I think. I would not repurchase but am glad i tried it because it obviously works for others! I will by trying Nexxus Heat Protexx next...
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Styling Products -Nexxus - sleek memory straightening smoothing spray
mandicandi412 4/24/2011 2:10:00 PM
This is my first Nexxus product and I am very impressed! I have wavy, fine hair that gets greasy pretty easily. I blow-dry and flatiron my hair at least 5 times a week. I needed a smoothing product to help tame frizz and flyaways and make my hair all-around sleeker and healthier-looking, and this really fits the bill. It makes my hair look like I've used a shine serum but doesn't make my hair flat, greasy, or weigh it down. I love that this is a spray so I don't get any product on my hands. I have only used it a short time so I can't comment on it's abilities to 'train' hair to be smoother, and I'm not sure I buy into that promise anyway, but I will definitely keep using and repurchasing this product! I spray on my hair when it is damp, prior to blow-drying. Highly recommended- give this a try!
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Eden
mandicandi412 10/23/2010 12:56:00 PM
I got this as a GWP at Ulta. I purchased the original UDPP and recieved this in a travel size for free. This flaked on my lids within 5 minutes of applicatiob. I have combination skin and would not describe my eyelids as dry, but this provided no "base" whatsoever and made my lids feel, quite simply, dry, flaky and uncomfortable. The color just looked like a deep beige concealer on me, kind of like the mineral primper by e.l.f. I did not like the packaging, either. I think a lot of the product ends up going to waste with the wand applicator. That being said, I will not purchase the full-size version of this.
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Tinted Moisturizer -LORAC - protecTINT SPF30 Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer
mandicandi412 9/19/2010 7:22:00 PM
I was looking to try out a tinted moisturizer and it was between this, Tarte's, and Laura Mercier's. This had pretty good reviews on Sephora.com so I ordere dit in 'Tawny Temptress.' I found that it did not blend very well- I actually had to mix it with my everyday (colorless moisturizer). It is definitely not a miracle product- no super moisturizing properties, no coverage, etc. However, I thought it worked pretty nicely in the summer and I did not "sweat" it off easily. This was not a bad product, but I am looking for something more blendable. I won't repurchase but still am a fan of LORAC products.
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Skincare - Face -Obagi - CLENZIderm MD
mandicandi412 9/19/2010 6:38:00 PM
This review is for the 3 piece system. I purchased the "Normal to Dry" set at my dermatologist's office, which included the Daily Care Cream Cleanser, Therapeautic Lotion and Therapeutic Moisturizer. I also used this in conjunction with Retin A Micro (various strengths). I switched my birth control pill and two weeks later experienced the worst cystic breakout of my life (mostly on my cheeks). At first, I was begging the nurse who saw me to let me try the full-on Obagi system because in addition to my acne I had some nasty hyperpigmentation from teenage breakouts. She told me I would be wasting my money and just upsetting my skin with the other system, because it is not formulated to treat acne like this. I thought this wouldn't be as powerful as the other Obagi system, but I am so happy I splurged on this specific system instead. This saved my skin, and I feel I need to give most of the credit to the products alone, not their use in confunction with the retinoid. I do not have particularly sensitive skin and reacted pretty well to this system from the get-go. The esthetician at my derm's office recommended that I wait at least 10 minutes after cleansing before applying the Therapeutic Lotion at night, and that worked wonders.On nights when I was impatient or lazy and did not wait a full 10 minutes, it burned like crazy and was so uncomfortable I couldn't sleep. Alas, give it a good 10-15 minutes. I did experience some purging in the first two weeks or so, but it was worth it. I peeled horribly and had to pile on the sunscreen. There really wasn't much I could do to avoid the redness and peeling, but I did like the moisturizer. I think there is A LOT of glycerin in it, which my skin really needed during the first few weeks that brought all that peeling. My skin is really under control now, though be aware that this does not treat hypigmentation, acne scars, discoloration (at least I did not see any improvement for myself). I will repurchase the Cleanser and Therapeutic Lotion- while I really like the moisturizer, it is too expensive and (almost) comporable to mixing my Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer and a little Aquaphor. If you are hesitant about buying this due to price, look for sales online or shop around at your local dermatologist offices. I got mine during a 25% off Easter sale. If you are suffering due to acne, make an investment in this stuff! I love you, Obagi!
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Conditioner -TRESemme - Thermal Recovery
mandicandi412 9/26/2009 11:33:00 PM
This works wonders in combating split ends and making my hair stronger and softer in general. I leave it on for 3-5 minutes every other day or so, concentrating on my ends. I highly recommend this to anyone who flat-irons on a daily basis or just chemically treats their hair. This is cheap, lasts forever, and works as advertised. The best intensive conditioner I've ever used- I will repurchase as long as Tresemme keeps making it!
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Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Flush
mandicandi412 8/25/2009 1:37:00 AM
I had this for a while but never tried it out until last Halloween- my friend and I went as Hansel and Gretel and I decided to use this to paint us rosy-cheeked. I applied a half-dollar size circle to our cheeks (what a good sport)- and it lasted the whole night! I was pretty impressed with this stain's staying power and have since used it regularly (granted, in a less obvious and blended way). I'd recommend this to anyone who doesn't have extremely dry skin, as it's texture is jelly-like. This blends much better than Benetint and lasts hours longer.
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Gels/Soaps -Aveeno - Positively Smooth Shower & Shave Cream
mandicandi412 8/20/2009 2:46:00 PM
Pros: Eliminated my razor burn, lathers well with a shower pouf, a little goes a long way (my bottle has lasted 4+ months, far superior to any other shaving cream I've used, non-irritating. Cons: Can only find it online or at ULTA, difficult to get product out of tube I will never buy another shaving cream product again- my HG!
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - MaMa Lotion [DISCONTINUED]
mandicandi412 8/18/2009 5:59:00 PM
I have only been using this for a few days but had to share my results! Right not I'm only using this as a spot treatment over a brownish acne scar on my cheek but plan to use it over my entire face after 2 or so weeks. After just one week, my scar has faded dramatically- so much so that it's no longer brown. This is working great for me so far and has not caused any purging or breakouts in the surrounding area. Worth the money already, IMO!
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Primer/ Corrector -Everyday Minerals - Pick Me Up Pink [DISCONTINUED]
mandicandi412 8/8/2009 12:40:00 AM
When I'm running late I skip my usual mineral foundation and just swipe this wherever I'm looking red or oily. It really does the trick! It's also great for setting your makeup and soaking up oil. Also, it doesn't irritate my acne prone skin. I will repurchase, though I was so disappointed when the container broke (I just put it in an old Bare Minerals case). Still worth it!
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Powder -L'Oreal - Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation
mandicandi412 8/8/2009 12:34:00 AM
I really liked the packaging, though the brush was a little stiff. My main beef with this product was that the powder was far too chunky- mineral foundations should be extremely fine, and this definitely was not. It required a lot of blending, which I think made me use a lot more product than I really needed. It felt a little mask-y for my taste but I must admit the coverage was good. I will not be repurchasing because it just felt too heavy. I still prefer Every Minerals and bare Minerals at this point but am anxious to try Cover Girl's new Tru Blend minerals.
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Bronzers -Stila - Stila Sun SPF 15 Bronzing Powder - Shade 02
mandicandi412 5/7/2009 2:57:00 PM
Unfortunately, this gave me tiny but nonetheless irritating whiteheads. I was initally really happy with this bronzer because it provided very good oil control and was not too shimmery. Use with caution if you're even the teeniest bit susceptible to breakouts...
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