Conditioner -Jason Natural Cosmetics - extra rich biotin conditioner
missrachelkennedy 4/9/2010 7:41:00 PM
Already reviewed the biotin shampoo as I use them together, so here's what I wrote there (as for the conditioner in particular, I think that's the part of this pair that helps me comb through my hair more easily and helps prevents splits and breaks): Firstly, I am glad I read many reviews as well as the direcions on the bottle BEFORE trying this shampoo. It says to use a small amount of shampoo to do a light lather first, then wash your hair regularly for good reason. If you don't follow the directions, this shampoo doesn't lather. That being said, when used correctly, I got a very rice lather. I love the smell of this product and the light tingling sensation when rubbing into my scalp. I used this daily with the biotin conditioner and achieved some very nice results. After a few days, my hair was more manageable and felt softer to the touch. After a couple weeks, just taking a section of hair in my hand and gently tigging at it - I could tell both strencth and thickness had imporved. Only two bad things can be said. 1 - I can't find this anywhere where I live, so I have to order online. And 2 - I can't stop touching my own hair after I use this shampoo/conditioner duo! Bottom line: reccomended.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Jason Natural Cosmetics - extra rich biotin shampoo
missrachelkennedy 4/9/2010 7:38:00 PM
Firstly, I am glad I read many reviews as well as the direcions on the bottle BEFORE trying this shampoo. It says to use a small amount of shampoo to do a light lather first, then wash your hair regularly for good reason. If you don't follow the directions, this shampoo doesn't lather. That being said, when used correctly, I got a very rice lather. I love the smell of this product and the light tingling sensation when rubbing into my scalp. I used this daily with the biotin conditioner and achieved some very nice results. After a few days, my hair was more manageable and felt softer to the touch. After a couple weeks, just taking a section of hair in my hand and gently tigging at it - I could tell both strencth and thickness had imporved. Only two bad things can be said. 1 - I can't find this anywhere where I live, so I have to order online. And 2 - I can't stop touching my own hair after I use this shampoo/conditioner duo! Bottom line: reccomended.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Burt's Bees - Garden Tomato Complexion Soap [DISCONTINUED]
missrachelkennedy 4/9/2010 7:29:00 PM
After using the Garden Tomato Toner for a while and really liking it, I searched around until I found somewhere to buy this soap (had to order online). I really like the smell (more tomato leaves/plant than actual tomato) but at first felt like it dried out my skin a bit too much. I kept at it (alongside the toner and my usual moisturizer) and am so glad I did. This soap leaves my skin very soft and the drying subsided after about a week of use, and my face is clearer than it has been in years. For a while I was searching for a good facial scrub for when I need some extra exfoliation, but I think I may just prefer to use this soap with an exfoliating cloth instead since it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all and keeps it so clear. Will definitely repurchase.
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Hair -Beauty Without Cruelty - Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 4:28:00 PM
By far the best leave-in conditioner I have found. I have hair that get's so tangles it's almost impossible to run a comb through it, but it also is prone to getting VERY greasy if I use too much product or heavy conditioners. With this leave-in, my hair was easy to comb, appeared less damaged, wasn't weighed down and did not get any greasier than it usually does by the end of the day. And it smells great. Will Definitely buy again. And again.
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Shampoo -Jason Natural Cosmetics - Jason Natural Lavender Shampoo
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 4:22:00 PM
I have been using this shampoo for a few months as it has been on the shelves at the Grocery Outlet in my town for super cheap. I like the light smell, though it's not very strong on the lavender - if you really want a lavender scent, this is not for you, but I like that it doesn't clash with my other hair products. This also lathers better for me than other Jason shampoos and I have had no problems such as builup, dryness, oiliness, etc. It's a good shampoo though I don't know that I would ever buy it at full price. As long as it's on a good sale though, I don't see why not.
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Treatments -Kiss My Face - obsessively organic breakout botanical acne gel
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 4:15:00 PM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I've been using this for about a year and I am highly impressed with my results. Firstly, I love the peppermint scent and the cooling effect it has as soon as you put it on. I've never experienced any stinging or discomfort despite having very sensitive skin. And most of all: IT WORKS! I use this as a spot treatment daily/nightly and as soon as I feel a breakout coming on. I also use it all over my face any time I feel I've been neglecting my skin or when I just feel like doing some preventative maintenance. My results: If I had to guess, using this in combo with my other skin care products has reduced my acne by about 80%. After having tried everything from home remedies, to dermatologists, to ProActiv, that is definitely saying something. Downsides: I would be willing to pay more to get more per tube - but there just isn't that option :(
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Toners -Burt's Bees - Garden Tomato Toner
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 4:09:00 PM
Of the toners I have tried, this has worked the best for my acne prone, oily, but sensitive skin. I was a bit put-off at first by the high consistency of alcohol since I have avoided using alcohol on my face for a long while. But I gave it a shot after reading some reviews and have been using this for about a month with good results. It helps get any residue my cleanser didn't take care of off my face, only stings where I have any inflamed breakouts (which is my fault for picking!) and seems to have helped the overall clarity of my skin. When this bottle runs out, there is another toner I wish to try to compare results, but otherwise I would definitely buy again. As a matter of fact, the results of the toner have prompted me to try the Garden Tomato cleanser as well (too bad it's in bar soap form - I hate that!).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Alba Botanica - Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea Oil Free Moisturizer
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 4:03:00 PM
Not the best moisturizer for my skin, but a very good one nonetheless. I like the light, fresh scent. It doesn't make my skin feel as oily as some moisturizers do and I have had no problems with increased breakouts. Also, I need so very little to cover my whole face and neck that the little jar will last me FOREVER which makes this a very cost effective product. There are a few moisturizers I have tried that I prefer, but I will use this until in runs out and have no complaints about the product at all.
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Scrubs -Alba Botanica - Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 3:58:00 PM
There is nothing particularly wrong with this scrub, there's just nothing particularly special about it either. PROS: Did not irritate my sensitive skin. Did not cause or increase any acne. Exfoliates alright. Convenient squeeze-tube packaging. Natural and safe. CONS: Seems to leave a very faint residue that I can see pretty clearly on the cotton ball when I apply my toner. Smell is good, but a bit fake and perfumey. Doesn't really do anything in particular and exfoliation is mediocre. I won't bother purchasing again, though if I don't find a scrub I like better before this tube is gone I'll keep using it til then. I think I may find a new face scrub and try to finish this one as a body scrub and see what happens.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Badger - Healing balm
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 3:24:00 PM
LOVE this! I love the minty/woodsy scent. I love that my frequently dry/chapped hands are soothed and healed quickly. I love the convenient tin packaging. I love that it's natural. I just love everything about it. Well, except one tiny thing... I can't really use it on my hands during my work day because it leaves a layer of kinda greasy moisture on your hands for a little while after you apply it (which, in general, I really like) and I can't do any paperwork with it on because wherever I touch paper it leaves an invisible layer that prevents ink from transferring from pen to pad. I also have a tendency to play with my hair a lot and if I have this balm on my hands I end up looking VERY greasy by the end of the day. So mostly I use it to massage into my hands when I am doing nothin else and always apply before bed. Despite that one drawback, I will absolutely buy this again and again. The benefits just from the times of day I DO use it far outweigh the one little problem.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Kiss My Face - Tinted Moisturizer [DISCONTINUED]
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 3:15:00 PM
I am quite pale and wear this in Manila during winter and Beach during summer (NOTE: If "Beach" sounded like a tan color to you, it is not at all. More of an ivory or something one step darker than "porcelain"). I love this product because it gives me exactly the amount of coverage I like, can be layered if I need more coverage, doesn't make my severely acne-prone skin break out, is affordable, and it's natural and safe. During warmer or more humid weather, I can use it as is - tinted moisturizer - without an additional moisturizer. However, in drier weather (which is predominantly what we have where I live) I DO need to apply my usual light moisturizer first to get this to blend properly and feel soft. But the need for additional moisturizer is the only con I can come up with. Also, a little goes a LONG way so one tube lasts me a long time. I actually like this so much that it has replaced my previous HG (Origins Nude & Improved liquid foundation) and I love that it has because it SO much cheaper.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear Concealer Stick - Light Organics
missrachelkennedy 1/15/2010 2:59:00 PM
The only good thing about this junk is that it came for free with the halfway decent Organic Wear face powder. When I first opened it, I tried many means to apply it - brush, fingers, straight onto my face, etc. - and all I got was covered in an extremely sticky, clear substance that: A) Hurt to apply B) Caused an almost instant rash C) Since it was clear, covered nothing and D) Took FOREVER to remove which was just as painful as applying it. I seriously considered that I may have been duped into buying some sort of plastic "for display only" item, but it looks like many of you have had the same issues. NEVER AGAIN.
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Moisturizers -LUSH - Vanishing Cream
missrachelkennedy 2/12/2009 3:55:00 PM
I just tried this for the first time last night so it's too soon to comment on long term effects, but so far, so good. I have a very greasy t-zone and sensitive skin averywhere else and I am extremely acne prone - I tried this moisturizer last night and it was very soothing and sunk into my skin quickly and completely. I always wake up with oily skin but this morning it seemed more "moist" than oily. I like that the frangrance is almost non-existant and that this comes in a little tub so you you can use ALL the product. It's pricey, but it seems a little goes a long way so this should last quite a while. I will update again after I've been using this a little longer, but as long as I don't suddenly start having any problems with Vanishing Cream I will definitely buy again.
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Masks -LUSH - Mask of Magnaminty
missrachelkennedy 2/12/2009 3:25:00 PM
I just tried this mask for the first time last night, so I will have to update again once I have been using it long enough to see if there are any long term benefits or negative effects, but for now... I really, really like this mask. It has the fun, traditional teen movie look - you know, girls sitting around with what appear to be green toxic waste on their faces? Right when applied, I can feel it start tingling and cooling, which, as a huge fan of all mint products, I enjoy. The cooling sensation remains throughout the drying time of the mask and for a little while longer. I can see how many people do not like the scent of this mask, but I do like it. It pretty much smells like what all the ingredients in it would smell like if you threw then all together and got them wet - it wouldn't make a good parfume, but there's a green outdoorsy quality to the scent that I find somewhat therapeutic. When I added water and rinsed this mask from my face, I like that the seeds or whatever they are remain coarse and this mask doubles as an exfoliator when you're taing it off. The overall result: My skin tone looked very even (a small miracle for me!) and even a bit "glowing" and I felt relaxed and refreshed simultaneously. My only gripe is the mess - this mask dried thoroughly on your skin and is difficult to koisten enough to get it off your face - so I ended up with a green mess all over my sink. It's no deal-breaker though - I just think I'll use this before I plan on showering from now on so I can rinse it off in there. I'll update again after I've used it a few more times - I'm curious to see if there are any long term or skin clearing benefits to this mask... But unless anything negative starts happening with more use, I would definitely purchase this mask again and again. UPDATE: MoM DID in fact help clear up my skin and I still think it's a great product. However, for the price, I won't be buying it again. The Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask is just as good (though I do miss the scrubby quality of MoM) and can be found for between 2.99 and 4.99 rather easily.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Medusa's Makeup - Eye Dusts
missrachelkennedy 2/11/2009 3:08:00 AM
Absolutely one of my favoite products for eyes, ever! These eye dusts come in a broad selection of colors - all that I've tried blend together easily to make new colors but can also easily be applied alone or side by side for very dramatic effects. These are a natural, vegan, inexpensive alternative to MAC pigments and I personally like them much better. Also, I have extremely sensitive eyes and have never had an issue with anything by Medusa's Makeup - even when I accidentally stuck a brush full of eye dust directly in my eye (yes, it hurt, but had no lasting negative effect once I rinsed)!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No