Conditioner -Palmers - Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack
pnnylne 2/20/2013 8:08:00 PM
I relax my hair and generally tend to stretch out my relaxer for 3-4 months at a time. So I deal with two textures (relaxed and my natural textures which is a mix of 3b - 4a) I was experimenting with my regimen when my hair started to break and feel dry and crunchy. So I saw this product and purchased for $1.62. I shampooed my hair, added only half of the product from tip to roots, left in for 20 minutes and rinsed out. I then deep conditioned with a separate product and sat under a hooded dryer for 30 minutes. After regular styling, my hair is no longer crunchy/dry feeling and is not breaking from styling. This product contains protein so if after you rinse it out and your hair feels hard (which is a good thing - means your hair has been strengthened), you need to moisturize with a deep conditioner (so it won't break from lack of moisture). It smells great, is readily available, cheap, and effective. I highly recommend and will repurchase myself.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Shea Moisture - Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
pnnylne 11/28/2012 11:49:00 PM
For reference, my hair is relaxed and I stretch for 12 - 16 weeks in between relaxers (my natural hair could be classified as 3C - dense, corkscrew curls). I purchased this product at Target for $9.99. I tried to incorporate this into my regimen as my moisturizer, but found it too heavy and it made my hair hard. The reason for the hardness was because this product contains protein (too much protein & not enough moisture = hard hair). So now I use this as the basis for a bi-monthly protein treatment (2 tsps of Smoothie, 1tsp of honey, and a cheapie water based conditioner). It is excellent for making your hair stronger because of its protein, it just didn't work for me as a moisturizer. I have repurchased (on my second container) and would recommend.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Garnier - FRUCTIS Sleek and Shine - Leave-in Conditioning Cream
pnnylne 10/1/2012 9:58:00 PM
I purchased this on sale at CVS for about $3-4 USD. I have really dry/relaxed hair and I use this as my leave-in/base for pre-poo mixture. When I first got the product I noticed that it has a really thick formulation and felt heavy on my hair (especially when I applied it to my dry hair). So now I've begun to dilute it with 3 teaspoons of water to thin it out. I apply it as a pre-poo (with 3 teaspoons of water and 1 teaspoon of honey) for more moisture. After my conditioner, I take the diluted form of the product and apply to my damp hair and seal with an oil/serum. The result is really moisturized hair that it is soft (after it dries via air dry/blow dry). If you intend to apply this product on dry hair, I definitely recommend diluting it with water. It has an okay smell, is readily available, and cheap. I would recommend.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
pnnylne 9/14/2012 11:49:00 AM
I purchased MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC45 for 18USD. The best thing that can be said about this concealer is that you get a lot of product for the size. The packaging has a nice closure so there is no chance of it drying out. Now for the bad. I have combination/oily skin with hyperpigmentation marks from acne. SFC in NC45 is a yellow-based concealer so instead of concealing my dark spots; it highlighted them. Since my skin is combination oily, mostly oily where the dark spots are, the concealer only lasted for a few hours. I recommend this for a dryer skin type and be sure to get the right undertone of concealer. I won't repurchase after I run out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -New York Color - Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny 720
pnnylne 8/26/2012 10:32:00 PM
For reference, I'm an NC45. I bought this product after seeing reviews on it and decided to give it a try. I paid roughly around $3 USD for this product. At first I thought it was way too light for my skin tone, but I swatched it and it is excellent. The consistency is smooth and not chalky. The pigmentation (on my skin tone) is not orange. The packaging came with a mirror, a little sponge (that I don't use), and a sturdy snap closure. I also don't think you can beat 3 bucks for a decent bronzer. On my skin tone, I think it provides a subtle contour to the face without looking like a stripe of bronzer. I would definitely recommend. Edited to add: It's matte! A matte drugstore bronzer! *squeee* I also wanted to add that I swatched this on my wrist prepared with foundation (Maybelline Fit Me in 320 - close to an NC45) and set with translucent powder. The product came up as a subtle bronze color.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -MAC - Fix+
pnnylne 5/8/2012 4:43:00 PM
Fix + is a facial spray containing minerals and vitamins for the skin. It is really light and subtle scent. I think this is perfect if you have skin that is looking a bit dull/dry. Usually after I've washed and toned my face, I spray Fix + all over and while the skin is still damp, I apply liberal amounts of moisturizer and allow it to dry. Afterwards there is a noticeable radiancy to my skin. My skin is a bit sensitive/acne prone, and I have not had any problems with this product. I also use this to foil pigments and apply the Mineralized Skinfinish powders. Also contrary to popular belief/what MAC says, I don't think this can double as a finishing spray. If after you're done with your makeup and you spray it with Fix +, the result will be makeup that looks polished, more worn in. In my experience, though, it did not help the makeup stay on any longer. I purchased the 100 ml bottle for $20 USD and it has lasted for almost 2 years with liberal use. I would definitely recommend and repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Maybelline - Dream Bouncy Blush
pnnylne 4/1/2012 10:45:00 PM
I have this blusher in Hot Tamale, which is a warm toned red blush. It is very pigmented. I apply with a blush brush with a light hand for a nice flush of color, but I can also build up the color to wear it a bit dramatically. It blends easily, it is affordable (I think I paid $5-6 USD each), and is pigmented. The packaging can be a little difficult to open, but this is a very good product and I intend to purchase in other colors.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Revlon - Nail Enamel - Flirt
pnnylne 4/1/2012 9:12:00 PM
This is a really blue toned bright pink polish. If MAC Pink Friday lipstick were a nail color, this would be the color. It goes on smooth. One coat is semi-sheer, two coats and it is fully opaque. The smell is a bit strong, but I like the color and I would repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm SPF 20 for Normal/Combination Skin
pnnylne 1/29/2012 2:16:00 AM
I purchased this for $11 USD. I'm an NC45 in Mac and I purchased this in Rich Tan (the darkest shade available). I'm not at the age where I need age defying products, but I wanted a foundation with natural/satin/dewy finish. Since most drugstores don't have the finish of the foundation, I just picked one directed at those with mature skin since those are the products that provide luminosity (you lose it with age). Anyway, the foundation is very thick in consistency, so you'll need to apply over freshly moisturized and/or primed skin for it to move and blend. The finish is natural/satin and gives the skin a noticable glow. The coverage is light, despite the thickness of the foundation. I find that it goes on a bit light, but oxidizes to the right shade. I have oily/combination skin, but this foundation holds up suprisingly well. I apply a powder to set, and while it mattifies the skin, it doesn't take away the glow of the foundation.I have minimal shine on my face and touch up probably once per day. The packaging would benefit from a pump since the formula is so thick, but I would recommend.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Revlon Super Lustrous in Fire and Ice
pnnylne 1/29/2012 1:51:00 AM
I purchased Fire and Ice for about $5 USD. I'm an NC45 and it is a very bright red. A lot of reviewers/bloggers classify this shade as a red with a blue undertone, but in my opinion, I find this shade to be really warm with a yellow undertone. The shade compliments my yellow undertone. I consider this lipstick as my "daytime" lipstick, because it's bright but my skin is dark enough that I can wear bright lipsticks and not have it stand out as much as someone with lighter/pale skin (think Rita Ora). As for other features of the lipstick, its finish is creamy and not drying on the lips. Depending on how much you apply, its coverage can range from sheer to opaque. There is none of the weird generic/drugstore lipstick smell or taste. The packaging is functional. I would not recommend if you're not into bright lipsticks. I would repurchase this shade of lipstick.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Organix - Renewing Moroccan Argan Penetrating Oil
pnnylne 12/7/2011 4:41:00 PM
I purchased this product at Walgreens for $7.99 USD. It is a small bottle, but a little product goes a long way. I put this in my hair after I have towel dried it. I blow dry my hair and it feels so soft and it smells so good. I definitely recommend.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - c-thru lipglass
pnnylne 12/7/2011 4:16:00 PM
I got this at a MAC store for USD $14.50. C-Thru is a nude/beige gloss with a bit of shimmer. Alone on my pigmented lips it looks awful, but over a lipliner or lipstick, it's actually very nice. It doesn't dry out my lips and after the initial application still retains the moisture without being sticky. This is my second review of this product (the first time I completely hated this product). After some time to work with it, I do like it and I would repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Farouk CHI - Chi Ceramic Flat Iron by Farouk
pnnylne 12/6/2011 1:58:00 PM
I've had the Chi Iron for about 2yrs now. It has 1 inch ceramic plates and it heats up to 405 degrees Farenheit/207 degress celsius. I think I paid around $ 108-120 USD ($99 USD + Shipping) It works wonders on straightening out the curly/kinky-ness that is my hair in between my relaxers, however if you have straight hair (whether naturally straight or newly- relaxed) the heat may be a bit too much. This iron does not have a temperature adjustment dial (which I took a lippie off for), It has a little LED light which will blink when the iron is fully heated. I don't like the fact that I can't adjust the heat, because sometimes, depending on the state of my hair, I don't need that much heat. If in the future, something happens to my Chi, I would probably repurchase another form of a Chi with a temp. adjustment, but not the Original Chi. I would only recommend this to someone with seriously unruly hair. For those who may be natural (no relaxers), or someone with straight hair (naturally or relaxed), it may be too much to expose your hair to that extreme temp. of heat since relaxed hair has already been significantly altered by chemicals and natural hair is already prone to dryness.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Revlon - ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
pnnylne 12/2/2011 11:46:00 AM
This did not meet my expectations at all. First, I paid 8 dollars for this liner pen only to find that the formula is runny and not opaque, and eerily similar to the Jordana Fabuliner that you can get a Walgreens for 2 dollars. I have to go over the liner with a black eyeshadow to fill the gaps left behind. It's only redeeming feature is the felt tip. Overall, this product sucks and I do not recommend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
pnnylne 10/25/2011 7:09:00 AM
For Reference, I'm an NC45 in MAC. I picked this product up in 320 Honey Beige for about $6-8 USD at CVS. The packaging is nice. The shade of foundation matched my skin tone/undertone perfectly. It blends into the skin almost effortlessly. The coverage is a bit sheer and the finish is dewy (something I like because I don't want to sit in school looking made up to hell). I have acne prone skin and haven't had any problems with my skin while wearing this product. Since I have acne prone/combination-oily skin, I imagine in the summer this would look like a hot mess on me, but I will repurchase throughout Fall and Winter when my skin is drier and it needs a bit of luminosity to it. I took a lippie off for having no pump.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No