Hair Color -Unlisted Brand - Roux White Speed Bleach
siouxie 11/19/2012 8:39:00 PM
Bought this for $2.29, although you can buy a full one pound tub for around $20-24 dollars depending on where you buy it. Ok, you mix this sachet with 4 ounces of developer. For reference, I used Clairol Soy 4Plex 30 volume and foiled my bangs and painted some stripes on the rest of my hair. Left in around 30-35 minutes, as I have dark blonde/25-30 gray at the roots lift resistant hair). The instructions tell you to mix with 4 oz. of developer, and you will find it results in a rather soupy mixture. As instructed, left it stand one or two minutes for applying to allow mixture to thicken. I always add some hair oil to the mixture. This bleach supposedly conditions while it's bleaching. Did a nice job, but some might want a thicker/creamier formulation.
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Conditioner -Suave - Mango Mandarin
siouxie 9/6/2012 5:04:00 PM
First off, this stuff smells gorgeous! I'm an orange freak and lean toward the citrus fragrance wise. I used this for CO washing, and it worked great. Love the fragrance of this so much I plan to buy another bottle to use as a skin lotion. Add some sesame, vegetable or olive oil to this baby, and I'll be in mandarin heaven : D
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Hair Color -Wella - Frosty Ash
siouxie 8/2/2012 3:36:00 PM
Heard Wella had reformulated their Color Charm line. Had used this a couple of years back because Color Charm was (and is) widely heralded for its color range, gray coverage and fade resistance. Unfortunately, the original formula left your hair extremely stripped. Like uncombable! So the great news is the new formula, featuring "Liquifuse Technology" is light years better! I used one bottle of Frosty Ash (white blonde) plus 2.8 ounces of 30 volume Clairol Soy4Plex cream developer (it's a 1:2 ratio). My natural hair is dark blonde (level 6) w/ 20-30% gray. Left the mixture on one full hour (although Wella advises up to 45 minutes). Still chasing the white blonde look. Okay, the smell. It's not awful, but it's strong. Box says this features a new floral fragrance. This nose detected no fragrance at all except strong chemicals! Had minor tingling/itchiness of the scalp. (Nothing compared to what I used to tolerate in my earlier days of hair lightening.) Results: 100% Gray coverage, yeah! For reference, I have pretty thick hair below the shoulders so preferably should have gotten two boxes of Frosty Ash. The lift was really nice (although not white blonde), and my hair was hardly damaged at all considering the ultra blonde formula. Next time I might add Wella's Cooling Violet which tones down red/warm tones. And if I'm really brave, I could use 40 volume developer to get the white baby blonde shade I'm still craving. But beware because 40 volume is a real hair killer. Used it some years ago, and afterwards my hair would constantly get knotted like crazy from damaged hair getting tangled together. Conclusion: kudos to Wella because they did a wonderful job of reformulating an old favorite. I paid $2.99 for a bottle of Color Charm, and anyone in this economy would call that a fab deal. Lastly, I highly recommend using Infusium 23 Repairology treatment post coloring. It does a fab job of restoring your hair after any chemical service.
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Lipstick -Unlisted Brand - Nicka K Creme Lipstick
siouxie 7/27/2012 3:44:00 PM
My go to lipstick is Nicka's Raisin. For reference, I am very pale, ivory complexioned. This color is a nice brownish red, and I prefer to wear it as a stain. Just prime your lip with a moisture stick or cream, maybe blot some of it off, and then just dab this lipstick onto your lips. I hate the look of heavy application, and being a certain age find that look very aging. Recently, I had a picture taken while on vacation, and even though I hardly put any of this on, in the photo - which wasn't taken at close range - the color showed and looked great. Certainly not like a 99 cents lipstick. Great range of colors - some highly wearable and other not, depending on your complexion.
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Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Pretty Hot
siouxie 7/18/2012 9:18:00 PM
The packaging is nice, and at first I thought I liked this. Until today that is. Seriously, this stuff smells like BEER on me. Don't think so!
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Single - Envy
siouxie 2/4/2012 3:15:00 PM
This green doesn't exactly show up as very green once applied. That's okay actually, making it more natural. It leans toward the neutral on my gray eye. It's applies and blends like buttah, but the packaging isn't too good. For $1.99, I ain't complaining exactly. What I find is that, if I shut this little compact open, I'm going to have to go and get a kitchen knife to pry this thing open. Like trying to break into Fort Know. I use this all over the lid, but Envy would also be a nice contour in the V-zone outside each eye. W/ Wet & Wild, why should anybody pay serious money for eyeshadow?
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Hair Color -Clairol - Soy 4Plex 30 Volume Creme Developer
siouxie 1/30/2012 5:00:00 PM
Being on a mission for platinum highlights - I'm naturally dark blonde w/ say 20-25% gray for reference - I reached for this stuff. I wanted more lift to my bleaching session. A couple of things I've noted first off on the label - Extra Lift and Deep Conditioning. That's what I want! So, I combined one packet of L'Oreal Oreal Super Blanc powder lightener w/ 2 ounces of this 30 volume developer. Left on my bangs w/ foil probably around 45 minutes. By the way, it is strongly recommended that you neutralize after bleaching. I use Bantu Neutralizing Shampoo, follow that w/ Roux's Porosity Control and then deep condition for around an hour. That said, my highlights came out real nice - and my hair was still in very good condition. I think this developer worked beautifully. I paid $2.79 at Fantasia Beauty Supply (Fordham Road, Bronx) for 16 fl. oz., so I would call that a deal.
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Lotions/ Creams -Neutrogena - Body Oil with Sesame
siouxie 12/9/2011 4:15:00 PM
Actually, this review is for the cheapo knock-off "Personal Care Light Body Oil." Got in my local 99 cents outlet. The ingredients are virtually identical to Neutrogena's Body Oil, with the substitution of soybean oil for sesame oil. Also, like Neutrogena's oil, the fragrance could be more appealing, but it's not strong and does not linger. I purchased this for $1.49 for 6 oz. Being extremely dry, I thought I'd give this a try. Turns out I love it, and even use it on my face. After cleansing w/ a microfiber towel and with my face still damp, I apply this oil, sometimes mixing w/ some Nivea creme. Well, my skin has never, ever felt this smooth, and I can't believe a baby's butt feels any smoother! And hear this, after applying this your foundation will glide on and blend to perfection. For $1.49, I am still in total shock at the results.
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Hair Color -Clairol - Kaleidocolors Tonal Powder Lightener
siouxie 11/17/2011 4:14:00 PM
I like this stuff alot but beware it is very dusty. I use the blue w/ a 30 volume developer. Paint on my hair balayage style. Left on around 15 minutes. I suggest in the beginning try 10 minutes developing time. My hair even though dark blonde & gray is highly resistant to lifting, so I really should go more like a half hour. Anyway, resulting color is very nice and not at all brassy. The icing on the cake it is costs me like $2.00! For years I used box color (and I need two), and it was such a hassle. Highlighting is so much easier w/o all that needless packaging. Check out balayage technique - see link below. It's very clear how it's done, but to really do it right someone else has to do it for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4LrEIfN9u4
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Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Hask - Argan Oil
siouxie 9/6/2011 2:27:00 PM
Found this stuff at my local Gem (discount) store. A while back I bought into the hype and purchased Morrocanoil. Didn't really see what all the craziness was about. Now, I just feel gullible. This serum is very poorly packaged - it comes it a vial w/ a snap top - but it only costs $1.99 for 5/8 ounces. For that price, I could by 20 of these for the price of Morrocanoil! The scent is very orange, which I totally love, and it works well. I even think I like this better than that ridiculously overpriced stuff. My suggestion would be to dispense this into another serum dispenser. If you see this, definitely give it a try. For $1.99 it is a very nice serum.
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Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Red Door
siouxie 7/22/2011 2:40:00 PM
Thank God I never bought this. The packaging is the tip-off ladies! Old school in the worst possible way. The fragrance is hot and heavy and would certainly give me a headache if I wore this for any period of time. Other fragrances in this genre, in my mind anyway, would include Dior's Poison and YSL's Opium. Thank God these perfumes fell way out of favor many years ago. The underlying message was if you want it hot and steamy, wear this. Don't! If you want to smell like a clueless throwback, I would recommend giving yourself a spritz of this.
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Fragrances -Marc Jacobs - Bang
siouxie 5/5/2011 4:17:00 PM
Wow, surprised at some of the low ratings. Bang is a masculine scent, but that didn't stop me from trying it on when my boyfriend bought this home from work. He got it for free being he creates packaging for advertising. I'm not as sophisticated as some of the noses here on MUA, but I do detect a lot of pepper in this scent and spice. It's fairly strong but doesn't get in the way if you know what I mean. It reminds me of two of Calvin Klein's older fragrances that I loved wearing: Contradiction and Truth. Anyway, the dry down is real nice on this - it becomes less peppery, and I'm glad my boyfriend doesn't mind me using it ; )
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Treatments -Garnier - Fructis Triple Nutrition Nutrient Spray
siouxie 2/1/2011 12:13:00 PM
OK, I had strayed from using Garnier products a couple of years ago, even though I'm still in love with the fragrance of their various hair care. So, saw all the great reviews here on MU and bought myself a bottle. Smells fab, bottle sprays a fine but effective mist. And the product delivers. Having highlighted hair, I was looking for something sufficiently smoothing and defrizzing while retaining some volume. This Nutrient Spray is nice and light, and I love it. I had been using Morrocan Oil for a while, and while it's very good, it is not worth the cost IMO. Yes, it lasts a long time, but seriously overpriced. Part of the problem for a lot of people, including me, is using way too many products. This is definitely encouraged by all these companies, because more products = more $$$ for them.
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Lotions/ Creams -St. Ives - Mineral Therapy Lotion
siouxie 1/27/2011 6:17:00 PM
First off, this is more like a balm than a lotion, and that is peachy w/ me. I'm dryer than the Sahara, so this thick, beautifully fragrant moisturizer fits the bill for me. I bought this @ a local (non-chain) drug store for $4.99 for 18 oz. size. I'm so glad I did because I love it, and so does my skin : D ! I gave the packaging a 3 because it took some gymnastics to get the pump to spit out freaking anything!
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Blush -Apt.5 Cosmetics - B-08
siouxie 12/28/2010 10:04:00 AM
I got this in a bargain/close out store for $1.99, so I wonder has this brand been discontinued? This blush looks really natural on my fair/ivory skin. I would describe as a medium tawny peach. It's probably a little less creamy than I hoped but there's zero fallout when applying, and it extremely blendable and buildable. I like to use this also as an eyeshadow.
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