Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Nieves - The Balm
martiyates 2/24/2012 4:01:00 PM
I read about this fabulous balm on a vegan-oriented website and ordered it directly from the shop in San Francisco that makes it. It's called The Balm by Nieves ~ a blend of edible and essential oils. Ever since The Balm arrived a few weeks ago, I've been using it every day on my elbows, cuticles, hands and as a lip balm. It has a delectable natural scent and is super rich and emollient. I wouldn't use it on my face as it's sensitive to oils, but for the areas where my skin is most dry, this balm is perfect. I paid $14 for a 2.5 oz. jar, and a little bit of product goes a long way. The sensual, spa-like nature of this balm provides an instant pick-me-up! Bonus: It's vegan and organic. I will definitely repurchase. Here's the ingredient list: Organic coconut oil, soy wax, organic sesame oil, ylang ylang, cedar and lavender essential oils.
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Blush -Urban Decay - Crush
martiyates 1/16/2012 5:05:00 PM
I love this blush in Crush. I had read the reviews here on MUA and wasn't sure I would achieve the just-off-the-slopes look that several people mentioned... but I did! The color looks super bright in the pan, but with a few quick strokes with my blush brush, I have an instant healthy-looking glow! It's just enough color. Staying power seems pretty good, and so far no breakouts after a week or two. Would definitely repurchase. UPDATE 2/20/12 -- I do think I might be getting some bumps from this, unfortunately. I'm seeing them under the surface just in the areas where I apply the blush. Can't win 'em all, I suppose! If your skin doesn't have a reaction to this, though, I still highly recommend it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Aveda - Salon Hair coloring
martiyates 1/16/2012 9:48:00 AM
I've had my hair colored at Aveda a few times now, and I'm not impressed. I think my stylist probably knew what she was doing, but from what I understand the colors inevitably pull red. I wanted a nice, natural but not too warm darkish brown color. Every time I have had it colored, the dark brown faded after just a couple of weeks, and I was left with reddish medium-brown hair. And I don't even wash my hair every day. I think the whole natural/organic pitch is slightly exaggerated as well. I had better results using Naturtint at home than with the $75 Aveda salon color. Update: I forgot to mention that, like another reviewer here, I asked to see color swatches so that I could pinpoint my color better, but instead the stylist asked me to look through a magazine and find a color that I liked ... not very scientific.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Heel to Toe - Refreshing Foot Spray
martiyates 9/20/2011 10:57:00 AM
I love this stuff -- it's invigorating and has a nice light, fresh scent. I spray it on at the end of the day for a pick-me-up.
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Styling Products -Kenra - Texturizing Taffy
martiyates 4/1/2010 2:42:00 PM
No matter how many hair pomades I try, I always come back to this one. It smells amazing and has just the right consistency to add texture to my hair without weighing it down. Can't live without it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Unlisted Brand - Kumba Made Lip Shimmers - Twilight
martiyates 8/1/2008 2:05:00 AM
I love this lip tint! It' so moisturizing and has just a hint of shimmer. Not a lot of color, but when I play up my eyes more it's especially apropos. The Twilight is a nice plummy shade that makes my natural lip color more intense and makes my lips feel moist and comfy. I ordered it online -- haven't seen it in the stores yet but hoping to try it in another shade soon. Definitely will repurchase.
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Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Zuzu Luxe Oil-Free Liquid Foundation
martiyates 8/1/2008 2:00:00 AM
I so wanted to like this foundation. I was looking for a liquid foundation that was suitable for combination skin and that contained no animal-derived ingredients. I ordered this from a vegan-oriented Web site in shade L-3, and when it arrived I realized it was too light for me. I also wasn't so impressed by the texture -- no slip whatsoever. But I thought it would work for summertime as I live in Fla. where it's super humid. I ordered another one in shade L-11, which was actually too dark, but when combined with L-3 it matched my skin OK. However, even on the most humid of days, this foundation isn't something I would reach for. It is so matte that it almost dries before I even get it on my face, and doesn't apply very smoothly or evenly. I know it's oil-free, but this is ridiculous. I appreciate the pump applicator, and perhaps for a person with really oily skin this might work. As for me, I'm still searching for that perfect cruelty-free liquid foundation.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Unlisted Brand - Herbatint - Permanent Haircolour Gel
martiyates 8/1/2008 1:57:00 AM
Tried this for the first time and was pleased with the results. I chose 4C, a dark ash brown, and the color came out true and left my hair feeling silky. The gloves provided in the kit are those plastic-wrap gloves, so I used some latex gloves instead. It comes with enough product for medium-length hair and doesn't have the strong smell of some other products I've tried. After applying the conditioner that came in the box, my hair combed through easily and seems to be in A-OK shape. Will definitely repurchase, as a lot of hair colors that are labeled 'ash' still end up looking brassy on my hair, and this one didn't.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
martiyates 6/26/2008 7:15:00 PM
Unfortunately,this product did nothing but cause my skin problems. While I have sensitive skin, I hadn't had any problems for several months. In fact, it was looking better than it had in some time. I'd been using Ren calendula cleanser and Derma-E DMAE serum and was looking for a product to add some extra moisture to my skin. After applying the jojoba oil after cleansing before bed for a few days, I developed dry patches of pimples on my chin. Even after I stopped using it, my skin was itchy and irritated for almost a week, and the patches on my chin are still not normal. It may be that I have an allergy to this product. In general, though I was surprised that it wasn't all that moisturizing even though it seems so at first. I don't recommend it, but obviously it works for a lot of folks...
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Derma E - DMAE Alpha Lipoic C-Ester Serum
martiyates 4/30/2008 12:20:00 AM
After using this product for several weeks, I can honestly tell a difference in the appearance (or lack thereof) of fine lines on either side of my eyes (crow's feet) as well as a generally better complexion. Better than any product specificlly designed for the eye area, I might add. My skin is pretty sensitive, so as much as I want to use all the super-fancy face creams, I can't; 99 percent of the time I end up with bumps. I also try to use products that aren't tested on animals and contain no animal-derived ingredients. This one fits the bill. It's a light moisturizer that works well under makeup or alone. No greasy feeling, but enough to keep my skin from feeling dry. Most importantly, no weird reactions. Definitely will repurchase.
17 out of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Ren - Calendula and arctic blackcurrant seed cleansing milk- sensitive
martiyates 4/30/2008 12:12:00 AM
Love this cleanser. My skin is so sensitive that almost every milky-type cleanser makes me break out. And the gel cleansers can sometimes leave my skin feeling dry and uncomfortable. After nearly finishing my first pump bottle of this, I can honestly say I've found the cleanser for me. Definitely would buy again --in fact, I just ordered another from Sephora. Highly recommend for those with skin that needs TLC and isn't very oily.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Neem - Organix South Thera Neem Facial Complexion Bar
martiyates 1/13/2008 10:20:00 PM
I had a nasty breakout recently from some crazy product I used. Although I have an excellent dermatologist who has in the past prescribed topical medications that can clear my face in a jiffy, I've been trying to stick to products that are natural and cruelty free. I found this complexion bar at a health food store and after using it for several days I can honestly see a difference. I first washed my whole face with it and then put some of it on each blemish and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Its antiseptic qualities are apparently doing the trick; the blemishes have gotten much better and my skin looks less red overall. Definitely worth a try, even for those without problem skin, although perhaps not for those with seriously dry skin.
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Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Herbs of Grace - Natural Skin Mineral Foundation
martiyates 12/27/2007 7:26:00 AM
This is a really nice mineral makeup, and I was so happy to find a shade that matches my skin perfectly. I ordered this from the Herbs of Grace Web site in Wheat, which is a light-medium neutral shade, and I love it. It gives me just enough coverage so my skin tone is evened out. I also really like the fact that this product is vegan. Will definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Alba Botanica - Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel
martiyates 12/19/2007 2:34:00 PM
This cleanser really works for me. It probably isn't the best for really dry complexions, but I find that for my combination skin if I don't use too much product and lather it in my hands with water before applying it, it doesn't dry my skin out and does leave it feeling refreshed and clean. Also I make sure to rinse my skin really well afterwards. It has a bit more fragrance than I would prefer (or expect from a natural line) but it hasn't bothered me yet, and I have pretty sensitive skin. Update 3/1/12: Alba must have changed the formula for this, because the last one I bought has significantly more fragrance than before. It smells like men's cologne now, which I don't care for at all. I will not be using this anymore -- switching to Clearly Natural glycerine bar for a while.
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Acid Rain Eyeshadow
martiyates 12/14/2007 9:51:00 AM
Delightful shadow. I wasn't sure it would be for me as they say after a certain age one should stay away from sparkle, but this really comes off nice. I especially like it paired with the Urban Decay liquid liner in Thames.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No