Shampoo -Redken - All Soft Shampoo
squiggles37 1/28/2012 9:55:00 PM
It really does leave my hair soft and shiny and I rarely experience build-up with it. The scent smells like artificial peaches or something, and it doesn't last, which is fine for me. Foams nicely and if you properly wet your hair, you won't need a lot to get it to foam. I generally shampoo every other day, allow my hair to air dry at least 50%, then I'll blow dry it until my hair is approximately 80% dry.
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Styling Products -Oribe - Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray
squiggles37 12/23/2011 12:28:00 PM
Best sexy beach waves creating spray product ever!!! I've tried John Frieda Ocean Waves Beach Blonde, Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist and Frederic Fekkai Waves Creating Spray and Oribe Apres Beach is hands down the best out of all of them! I have no highlights in my hair so I really depend on these types of products to "clump" my hair to give it that piecey definition (john frieda, philip b and frederic all kind of just left my hair greasy looking with no definition).
I have shoulder length, coarse, super straight Asian hair and the crazy thing about this product is that I can apply it without having to first curl my hair (usually necessary for me to even get waves in the first place). I can literally spray this all over my head, scrunching as I do so, and my hair will retain that tousled texture. It's almost as if this were a hairspray + waves spray combined in one product as some of my ends will remain slightly stiff/defined while the rest of the hair moves. This product leaves a soft shine so it really does help amplify the soft sexy waves look.
Apres Beach is delivered via aerosol spray so it's fantastic for even coverage, and can be applied to wet or dry hair (love the versatility!). It has the Oribe signature scent, but the scent is very light (almost non-existent) once it settles in your hair. The packaging is just like all Oribe aerosol sprays but with a deep navy and gold color scheme. Of course with all wave sprays, don't overuse or you'll get some nasty looking hair and yes, this product is capable of doing that! It's all about amount control. Yes, this product is expensive, but you get what you pay for in this case!
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Kevyn Aucoin - The Creamy Moist Glow in Tansoleil (Apricot)
squiggles37 6/4/2011 11:35:00 PM
Don't let this color scare you! It looks almost like a neon coral in the pot but once on the face, it gives such a beautiful flush. By itself, it dries to a soft powder finish, but I like using it as a blush base to give my blush some more dimension (I layer Shu Uemura's Glow On blush in Peach M 43 on top). It not only enhances the color of my powder blush, but it also helps lock it in place so it lasts all day. I'm a NC30 and it works well with my skintone. You only need to use a little bit since the product is so pigmented. Don't use too much or else you'll look like you have a rash or sunburn.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Espresso Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner
squiggles37 6/4/2011 11:07:00 PM
Huge fan of gel eyeliners in general, but I find Bobbi Brown is the only brand out there that offers the widest range of work-appropriate colors. I was looking for a dark brown gel eyeliner for the longest time to wear to work (I reserve black for nighttime events) and I finally found it! I will admit that this stuff did fade a bit by the end of the day but that was because I have super oily eyelids. I remedied the situation by using an eyeshadow primer before applying the gel eyeliner and that definitely helped to lock this product in place. I apply this product with the MAC 263 brush; I find that the brush that Bobbi Brown recommends to use with this product is too bulky/awkward. I can't comment on the shelf life of this product as I've only had it for two months, but it hasn't dried up yet, so that's good!
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Tinted Moisturizer -Tarte - Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Mosturizer (Smooth Operator)
squiggles37 6/4/2011 10:56:00 PM
Pros:
- pretty good coverage if you are looking for light-to-medium coverage
- moisturizes
- has sufficient SPF ingredients
Cons:
- there is mica or some similiar ingredient in the product that makes is somewhat shimmery. it really emphasizes my skin colored whiteheads which usually would not be noticeable! although if you're blessed with clear smooth skin, this could really work in your favor by giving you that glowy supermodel look
- while it is fragrance free, I can sometimes smell the clay in the product (much like how you can smell that metallic smell in physical sunscreens that are fragrance free)
- I wear Agent 10 (NC30) but I feel like it's almost too yellow...
I'm not sure if I would re-purchase this product, I think I prefer Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer for the color, although this product is $6 cheaper for the same amount and has better SPF ingredients. I'm going to try the newly reformulated Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer once I finish my tube of Smooth Operator.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Shea Terra Organics - Shea Terra Organics 100% Pure Argan Oil
squiggles37 6/4/2011 9:57:00 PM
I'm currently using this as my nighttime facial moisturizer and I absolutely love it. There's no scent, although upon first application, you may smell a very very light roasted aroma, almost like roasted coffee/nut (and it disappears within seconds). To apply, I pump the product into my hand (less than one pump is all I need to cover my entire face), rub my hands together to warm up the oil, then gently pat and smooth onto my face. I no longer get dry patches and my skin is so incredibly soft and dewy looking when I wake up in the morning. This does make you look greasy and will leave a bit of oily residue on your fingers/clothes or whatever you press your face to, which is why I only use it at night before I go to sleep. I have very mild acne but this has not caused any breakouts. Unfortunately it hasn't prevented any breakouts from happening either, but argan oil never claimed to clear/prevent breakouts anyway.
I bought my bottle of pure argan oil directly from the company's website (they have 30% off promo codes available all year round) and they included some great samples with my order. This bottle will probably last me for a whole year, considering I only need a tiny amount for moisturizing my entire face. The $20something price for 2 fl. oz. is totally worth it. There are actually cheaper options out there on amazon.com, for example, but I'm also a huge sucker for product packaging which is why I went with this brand. If you don't care about product packaging, you can actually get 100% pure argan oil for a much much cheaper price.
I'm a product junkie and enjoy using both low- and high-end products (Olay to Paula's Choice to La Mer, etc) but I will opt for more natural alternatives if they are comparable to a commercial product in terms of performance and ease of use. I very much like that this product only has ONE ingredient: organic argan oil! No parabens, fillers, chemicals, unnecessary inactive ingredients, preservatives, etc.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
squiggles37 5/15/2011 10:58:00 PM
I love the sheer to medium coverage that I get with this tinted moisturizer. I have an oily T-zone with normal-to-dry cheeks, yet somehow this stuff just works with my skin, and leaves it with a healthy glow vs. oil slick. I use Nude (I'm a NC30), although straight out of the tube, Bisque is a better match to my skin color. But remember, this product will darken due to the chemical sunscreen ingredients oxidizing with the air + skin oils, which is why you should test this out at the makeup counters or Sephora to help you pick your perfect shade.
I like that this product comes in a tube so that I can bring it along when I travel, but the twist-off cap is a pain in the butt (flip cap that shizz!). I think there's a miniscule space between the opening and the cap because I get product discharge that collects in the cap when I sometimes accidentally store it with the cap facing downwards. However the packaging is very sleek-looking and fits perfectly into my hand when I'm squeezing out the product onto my fingertips.
Paula Begoun recently reviewed this product on 3/13/2011 and claimed it was not a good SPF moisturizer as there was not sufficient enough UVA protection. On the tube, the active ingredients are listed as Octinoxate 7.5% (UVB) and Meradimate 3.5% (UVA). According to cosmeticscop.com, meradimate only protects up to 336 nanometers, which means it's not at a powerful enough level to provide enough UVA protection. I do consult with Paula Begoun's Beautypedia before I buy products, but I truthfully do not care for whether or not this product has SPF protection included as I can always layer another sunscreen product. I am most concerned with getting sufficient coverage that lets my skin look like skin, while providing enough moisture.
Three lippies rating goes to the RIDICULOUS retail price of $42.00 for a 1.7 fl. oz tube! What is this made from, unicorn tears?! If you love this stuff and go through it as quickly as I do, I'd recommend stocking up whenever Sephora has their 30% off Friends & Family promo around Q4 each year.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Milk & Honey Body Lotion
squiggles37 5/15/2011 10:30:00 PM
This is a good moisturizing lotion, almost thick enough to be a cream. It absorbs fairly quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue. I use this mainly to moisturize my hands and it leaves them so soft! But as others mentioned, it all comes down to the scent. It is quite strong, but I find the scent to be comforting and not perfumey: warm, milky with light creamy citrus, plus a hint of honey. Burt's Bees now sells this lotion in a squeeze tube with a flip cap (in 2.5, 6 and 10 oz?), perfect for tossing in a hand bag or bringing along on a trip. This product does not contain any sulfates, parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals, packaging is made from 50% post-consumer recyclable materials, and is not tested on animals. There are obviously other lotions on the market that do just as a good of a job (or better) at moisturizing for a comparable or cheaper price, but this is a nice alternative if you're looking for a little something "luxurious" at a drugstore price. If fragrance in products irritates you, this is definitely a product you should avoid.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Mountain Ocean - Skin Trip Coconut Lotion
squiggles37 12/5/2010 2:06:00 PM
This light lotion is a bit runny, but smells fantastic and absorbs nicely. The scent is a true coconut scent, not pina colada-y as other lotions labeled as "coconut" might smell like. It does feel a bit greasy when initially applied but once absorbed, there is no greasy residue. My skin feels really soft and supple after application. I would treat this as more of a luxury lotion in terms of the quantity you get for the price ($8 for 8 fl. oz.), but it's a high quality product and is definitely something I would buy again.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Chanel - Hydramax Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - Sunlit
squiggles37 11/27/2010 3:04:00 PM
I like the texture of this product (very creamy, non-oily) and it smells fantastic (like green apples) but unfortunately those are the only good things I can say about this product. Out of the tube, the tinted moisturizer has a great color, but once on my face, it immediately turned VERY orange and was incredibly difficult to blend into my skin. The line should also have more shades but it doesn't. The packaging is very chic, but I imagine it would be very difficult to get the remaining product out seeing as how the tube is very structured.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium
squiggles37 11/25/2010 1:07:00 PM
I originally bought this product when it first was released and hated it because it made my skin look super oily. Then I thought it had also caused some flare-ups on my skin (which I later will come to find that it didn't) so I left this in my makeup drawer untouched. I recently decided to give this another shot since my skin has cleared up since then and this product has been AMAZING! When used correctly, this stuff makes my skin look so incredibly flawless and glowy.
My skin is very oily so I can only wear this in the wintertime when my skin is dry and dull-looking. Initially I used it in the summertime (my peak oil/sweat production time) which only made my skin look worse. This is the only reason why I could not give the product a full five "star" rating; if it were truly perfect for me, I would be able to wear it all year long instead of only during the winter season. But when I do wear it, it does wonders for the appearance of my skin. The coverage is light to medium, considering how much you layer on. I use the Sephora brush version of MAC's 187 brush to apply this all over my face as a foundation. I have a dark acne scar under my nose and this stuff makes it light enough to pass as a freckle. I love that this has a bit of shine (due to the mica ingredient) because there is nothing worse than a face that is super matte/dull due to over-powdering.
I am a NC30 and find that MSF Natural in Medium blends nicely, but it could use a bit more yellow undertone. I use this in the wintertime when my skin is in its pastiest state, so it still works for me. I may need to try Medium Plus next.
UPDATE: The Medium definitely has too strong of a pink undertone for my NC30 skin. I went to the MAC counter at Nordstrom and the SA matched me to a Light Medium, which matches my skin beautifully. I definitely wouldn't be able to wear it when I get a tan though.
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Mascara -Unlisted Brand - Blinc Mascara
squiggles37 11/22/2010 11:51:00 PM
Not a bad mascara if you already have full lashes. Very easy to remove (it's actually kind of fun). However I have sparse, short, stick-straight lashes and this mascara did not help. The formula is very liquidy and it made my lashes stick together so that it looked like I only had 10 lashes. Additionally this mascara does not hold a curl. I would only recommend this mascara if you already have a full set of lashes, want a natural look and don't mind if your eyelashes don't stay curled.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Finesse - Enhancing Shampoo
squiggles37 11/17/2010 2:04:00 AM
I've tried everything from Suave to Bumble and Bumble to Oribe and there are just so many good things about this shampoo that high end and other drugstore brands don't even begin to compare: the scent, the softness/shininess/bounciness that I get from using it (in conjunction with its matching conditioner), not to mention that it's incredibly cheap. For some reason the Moisturizing version actually dried out my hair and made it really staticky but this version has been amazing on my hair. This shampoo is now my staple.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Finesse - Enhancing Conditioner
squiggles37 11/17/2010 2:03:00 AM
I very much like how lightweight this conditioner is, yet it has the right amount of slip to thoroughly detangle my hair. It keeps static away and makes my hair soft, shiny and bouncy. I use it in conjunction with its matching shampoo. And ughhh the scent!! I absolutely LOVE the scent! Definitely buying again.
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Lotions/ Creams -Paula's Choice - RESIST Skin Revealing 10% AHA Lotion
squiggles37 4/18/2010 5:25:00 PM
This lotion made my arms so smooth like butter. I can't stop rubbing my arms, it's disgusting how infatuated I am with my arm skin now. It also helped clear up some minor back acne I had on my shoulder blades. It has a weird chemical scent (similar to other glycolic acid lotions) but other than that, there are no added perfumes. I don't like the way the flip top cap is designed (easy for there to be product build up), and the bottle is made out of flimsy plastic (there are dents in the bottle where I've squeezed). But aside from packaging issues, I will definitely be buying again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No