Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - QV - Naked Fragrance Free Aluminium Free Deoderant
rvmc 11/11/2010 8:38:00 PM
I pretty much agree with the other reviewer on this deodorant. I do like the packaging. I do like the fragrance free and aluminium free. I do like that it doesn't leave any marks on clothing at all. But I don't like the parabens, and it's not as effective as I'd like. It's probably ok for a winter antiperspirant, but definitely not for summer.
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Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Pert Plus 2 in 1 Shampoo + Deep Condtioner
rvmc 10/7/2010 3:27:00 PM
In an attempt to downsize my beauty products I went all-out and got a 2 in 1. I remember my mother using this on me when I was a kid. Why did I not use it? It's quite possibly the best thing I've ever done for my hair. Better than any shampoo and conditioner combo I've found, and it's just a case of one application and you're done! No waiting around with conditioner or anything. I have very frizzy and brittle hair and it has reacted incredibly well to this stuff. Most impressed and will be buying it forever. Packaging is good; nice simple bottle with a flip top lid. Price is dirt cheap. NZ$5.60. Replaces the need for two bottles with one. Would be great for travelling too. Love it!
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Lotions/ Creams -Trilogy - Everything Balm
rvmc 9/13/2010 11:25:00 PM
This stuff is amazing. I use it all over my body and on my lips and around my eyes. It soaks in so quickly and I love how easy it is to control how much I'm using. Personally I like the pot; easy to travel with and less cumbersome than a bottle which may have the chance to leak! It's not exactly cheap but I'd rather buy this than a subpar chemical rich cheapie bottle. Especially seeing as I can use it for my hair as well, to calm the frizzies! I can't speak highly enough of Trilogy products. I will use them for life; this one no exception.
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Conditioner -Clairol - Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Conditioner
rvmc 8/16/2010 4:48:00 PM
Horrible. Made my hair frizzier, dried it out, it feels like straw and looks more disgusting than usual. Will never repurchase, unless I'm feeling horribly masochistic.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Clairol - Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Shampoo [DISCONTINUED]
rvmc 8/16/2010 4:47:00 PM
Horrible. Made my hair frizzier, dried it out, may as well have used ordinary dish soap. Will never repurchase, unless I'm feeling horribly masochistic.
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Cleansers -Simple - Purifying cleansing Lotion
rvmc 8/16/2010 4:34:00 PM
This cleanser - whether used as directed or used in the shower with a face cloth to wash it off - leaves a thick film on your face that makes you feel as though you haven't showered for a week. Broke me out pretty badly too. That said, it's the only one so far which hasn't made me bright red after washing my face. Win some, lose some, huh? The packaging is ok, screw top lid, sturdy, but rather difficult to squeeze out of the bottle. You need to use heaps as well or else it just sort of melts away. Inexpensive as well ($12NZ). Still, wouldn't repurchase, as the downsides outweigh the upsides.
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Scrubs -Skinfood - Exfoliating scrub
rvmc 7/26/2010 5:00:00 PM
Paraben free, made in NZ, really inexpensive, and it works so well! Much better than St Ives scrub - not so harsh but still manages to exfoliate incredibly well. I'd say this is the best scrub I've used. Will repurchase until I die.
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Brows -Maybelline - Expert Eyes Twin Brow & Eye Pencils
rvmc 7/21/2010 4:49:00 PM
I'm surprised these don't have a higher rating. I think they're great. I have been using them for years because the colour is right, the texture is great, and they're inexpensive. I use them lightly for brows and reasonably heavily on the eyes. I like having one product that can multitask and this is it. I don't forsee them discontinuing it considering it's a bit of a staple product.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Tamanu Oil
rvmc 7/19/2010 4:32:00 PM
This review is for pure tamanu oil. I have not been able to find it in shops, only online at gonative.co.nz. Previously I have been on Retin-A for wrinkles and acne. It burnt my skin and made it raw and thin. I bought pure tamanu oil after reading about its medicinal and antibacterial properties. It is a thick green liquid which melts easily in your hands. Has a woody scent to it. I have been using it for a month now and it has improved my skin more than any anti-acne stuff has ever before. My skin is smooth, my pores unclogged, my wrinkles fading. It's amazing. No wonder it has been used for centuries. Trilogy has tamanu oil in their CoQ10 serum, I believe, but I don't know if the concentration is enough to deliver this kind of result. (And it's WAY more expensive.) If you are at the end of your tether with sensitive skin that gets clogged and pimples - try this. It's amazing. It may be worth pointing out that I don't use facial cleanser, just a facecloth, and only wash my face in the morning (occasionally at night with jojoba but I'm usually too lazy for that).
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Pressed Powders -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Powder
rvmc 7/8/2010 6:24:00 PM
I rather like this product. I'm not an everyday makeup person, only using it for special occasions. It does the job. Gives me enough coverage and goes over concealer really well. Stays on well and blends nicely with my skin tone. Haven't had to touch up so I can't say whether that works well or not. It hasn't made me break out and it doesn't feel like a mask. Packaging is compact, I love the sponge it comes with, and it's not flimsy so I don't foresee it breaking or anything. Would definitely repurchase unless my skin changes or whatever. EDIT: after a month or so of using it with no problems, it suddenly went rancid or something and changed in colour to some yellowish concoction... bizarre... spent heaps on that and it goes off after a month? No thanks!
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A
rvmc 5/23/2010 5:07:00 PM
I have had persistent acne for 16 years, since I was 10. (Fun.) Just this year I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which explains a lot, skin-wise. I had been on Yasmin (oral contraceptive pill) for more than six months, and my skin still hadn't cleared up - I had neverending whiteheads around my mouth, the really huge painful itchy ones. I got a prescription for retin-a from my doctor (guess she could tell I was at my wits' end). After a month it had cleared up the whiteheads (nice not to have painful face) but did dry my skin terribly. I have used it for two months now, and while I haven't had the huge whiteheads, my whole face (including cheeks which have never before had spots) is full of clogged pores and looks ridiculously bumpy. I look hideous. Worse than when I had the whiteheads! I've tried exfoliating, tried not using anything, tried using more retin-a, but it just gets worse and worse. So I'm going to stop retin-a and move on to tamanu oil (I'm running out of options here). Also, at $50 a tube, it's a bit much. The plus side is that it did rather improve the wrinkle on my forehead - perhaps I can use it just there, hmm. I think I am just one of the unlucky ones who doesn't react well with it, unfortunately.
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Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
rvmc 5/13/2010 1:53:00 AM
I bought this on recommendation from the pharmacist when I started using Retin-A (previously I had been using Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash and L'Oreal Happyderm cleansers) as they recommended something very gentle and non-medicated. I was considering the oily version, as the Retin-A is for acne, but it had a lot more ingredients, including a few which looked dubious for clogged pores! After using it, I'm not surprised there are so many reviews - and not surprised there are so many differing views on it. It doesn't lather, so your face doesn't feel stripped, but my goodness it's good for sensitive skin - cleans just enough that I don't feel completely filthy, doesn't irritate, and seems to be working well with the Retin-A. There were three different sized bottles at the pharmacy, so I got the smallest one with the flip cap, but next time I will get the largest pump bottle as it's better value for money. As for makeup removal powers - I wear eye pencil and concealer only, and it gets them off easy as pie. Packaging is great; easy to open but not so easy that it would come open on its own without a fight. Overall I have given it a 4, because while it is very good, I don't feel it quite deserves a 5 (I'd give it 4.5 if I could).
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Tinted Moisturizer -Neutrogena - Healthy Defense Tinted Moisturizer in Light SPF 30
rvmc 5/11/2010 6:06:00 PM
Urgh... should have read reviews before buying this. Great moisturising properties, sinks in pretty fast, has zinc oxide. But the tint is weird. It doesn't show up on my t-zone at all, but goes all odd and streaky on my cheeks. Might be ok if I just use it on my t-zone, perhaps. This is my first foray into the world of tinted moisturisers and I'm not overly impressed... however might try doing what other reviewers have and mixing it with another moisturiser (although that probably negates the whole SPF effect)... glurgh. Probably won't repurchase, but I'm not horrified by it, either. I like the packaging (doesn't come open) and the price isn't awful ($NZ25ish).
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Cleansers -L'Oreal - Happyderm Cleansing Mousse Normal and Oily
rvmc 5/3/2010 7:01:00 PM
This stuff was discontinued in New Zealand a while ago, but I found some in a parallel import store (so bought three bottles). How I have missed the Happyderm! It's amazing. Cleans without stripping all the oil. Leaves skin feeling so soft. Gets rid of makeup (I only wear eye pencil and concealer though). Definitely have to be light on the pump though as the mousse seems to be racing out! I'm going to be sad when I run out and can't get any more - the Derma Genesis stuff is so rubbish in comparison =(
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Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream
rvmc 5/3/2010 6:59:00 PM
Got this from a one-day-sale site so it was quite cheap - unfortunately rather expensive when not on sale. I have mild acne and some wrinkles on my forehead. Used the stuff every night for three months, and I can honestly say I have noticed an improvement in the acne (still there but doesn't last as long and not as large) and my forehead wrinkles are definitely reduced. I've changed nothing else so would have to put it down to this stuff. Don't know how it would work for deeper, older wrinkles, but I'm a 25 year old smoker and it did a good job. Will probably repurchase if I can find it cheap enough. Didn't block pores and unoffensive smell (not like the day stuff which smells like vomit). Definitely worth a try.
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