Tinted Moisturizer -Aveda - Aveda Inner-Light Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF15
tragicglamour83 11/21/2009 1:52:00 AM
I work at an Aveda salon/spa so I've had the opportunity to try a lot of the brand's makeup and skincare products without purchasing them. I cannot stand this TM!! I've tried it 3 different times, just to make sure, and have had the same result every time. This doesn't full "dry"- I definitely feel like it sits on top of my face, and it has a sort of sticky/tacky feeling that lasts until I wash it off. I found this to be hard to blend in, although the color looked very natural. This contains oil, left me more than a little greasy, and I definitely feel with extended use it would break me out. The smell is strong and a little off-putting. The two good things I can say about this product are that it is convenient/low maintenance for those who arent big on foundation, and it has the added bonus of SPF.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -L'Oreal - Burst of Cherry Kiwi shower gel
tragicglamour83 11/21/2009 1:39:00 AM
I've purchased this off and on for years. The scent is heavy on the cherry (I really dont detect any kiwi)- as others have said, like cherry pie, or in my mind, like the Wild Cherry Lifesavers I loved as a kid. This is dirt cheap and does the trick. It's gentle on my sensitive skin, and leaves me feeling clean and refreshed. It's not particularly moisturizing but its certainly not drying. A great buy!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Glove You So Much
tragicglamour83 11/21/2009 1:32:00 AM
I am having a serious love affair with this shade. I dont have much to add that others havent already said- GORGEOUS, glam, holiday color with an edge-- and quite long-wearing. Stunning with pale skin...Fabulous!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Mary Kay - Ultimate Mascara
tragicglamour83 11/21/2009 1:28:00 AM
I recieved this as a freebie from a friend who has Mary Kay connections. I've been perfectly content with my HG mascara (L'Oreal Voluminous) for years, but I'm always up for trying something new. This stuff is so middle of the road! It doesnt do much for lengthening or thickening- very basic, although somewhat defining. The formula/brush makes for easy application, but after wearing for a few hours this stuff flakes offeverywhere. Needless to say, it is not very long-wearing (although I'm a diehard waterproof girl, so I didnt exactly have high expectations). There is nothing "ultimate" about this. Save your money for something fabulous!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -New York Color - In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish
tragicglamour83 8/9/2009 3:47:00 PM
I just purchased this in "Times Square" (hot red/pink coral) and am loving the color. This polish is somewhat thicker/stickier than others, which makes for messier application, BUT it dries SO fast (I always end up with a smudge or nick while waiting around for my polish to dry- not with this stuff). This definitely needs a good topcoat to prevent chipping and peeling. The price is killer- around $2 a pop. This is great for a quick polish change when you're feeling lower maintenance. One coat is all you really need and your nails are good to go in under 5 minutes. Not the highest quality, but I will buy again only because its cheap and conveniently fast drying, plus the colors in this range are great.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Aveda - Volumizing Tonic
tragicglamour83 8/9/2009 3:38:00 PM
I am in LOVE with Volumizing Tonic! I've been using this in conjunction with the Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother, and have been having some really good hair days! This really does give you incredible lift, and makes your hair look thicker. This is a must have for ultimate bombshell hair! I just spritz some on either side of my part at the roots, lifting up the hair and aiming the product underneath, and on the back of my head. I work it in very well with my fingers and then style. I prefer this on towel-dried hair, then go over the roots with a blow dryer/round brush on low heat. The volume and bounce I get from this lasts until my next wash. This is really great to spray over natural curls for extra shine and bounce as well. This product is truly weightless and doesnt leave hair stiff or sticky. It's sooo good, I wish I wouldve found it years ago. The glass bottle is quite attractive, but I am afraid its going to get broken somehow. For what this does, the price ($14) is totally worth it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Aveda - Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother
tragicglamour83 8/9/2009 3:28:00 PM
I've come to preach the gospel of Style Prep Smoother...this is hands down one of my favorite hair products EVER! I use this on damp hair and whether I blow it out or let it air-dry, my hair is smooth, soft, and frizz free. I have fine, naturally curly/wavy hair that is hard to keep straight (it will begin waving up/frizzing at the slightest hint of humidity) but this actually helps my hair stay smoothed out longer. This is like a combination leave-in conditioner and styling cream- it doesnt weigh hair down at all. I use it in conjunction with Aveda's Volumizing Tonic and am seriously LOVING my hair right now. It smells good and I love the pretty pump bottle (which locks to prevent seepage/spillage!). Its a bit pricier than I like to pay for styling products ($24 for 3.4 oz), but I get an employee discount so its not such a big deal. This has literally been flying off the shelves at the salon I work for. I think it will last awhile, because it really doesnt take more than a quarter size blob of product to coat my long hair. I highly recommend this product!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Aveda - Madder Root Conditioner
tragicglamour83 8/9/2009 2:36:00 PM
I recently started working at an Aveda concept salon/spa and have been experimenting with a lot of the company's products. My stylist recommended this conditioner to use once a week on my naturally red hair to kick the color up a few notches. I usually leave it on for about 5 minutes before rinsing.I do think it noticeably adds a bit of oomph to my red without changing the color drastically.I havent used this in conjunction with the MR shampoo. The one thing I'm not thrilled about is that it temporarily stains your scalp, so one lippie off for that. I didnt have any issues with this staining my hands or shower/tub, as others have mentioned. As for the conditioning formula, its not the most moisturizing, but the days that I use this I just follow up with a leave-in conditioner before styling. Usually in the fall and winter I start dyeing my hair a slightly darker, brighter, and more vibrant red, so here in a month or so I will be using Madder Root to maintain my color between appointments. Overall I think this is a really nice, effective product, if a bit on the pricey side (at least I get a generous employee discount!).
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -TRESemme - Shine Spray
tragicglamour83 8/2/2009 2:56:00 PM
I'm disappointed in this product. It does nothing if I use it on damp hair then blowdry- I end up with just as much frizz as usual. If I use this to "clean up" dry, styled hair later in the day, it works to cut down on pouf and adds shine, but its not the greatest for frizz. Unfortunately the results just dont last that long- I end up having to use this multiple times as the day continues. I don't feel that it makes hair greasy, but as other reviewers have pointed out, the alcohol in it will dry your hair out after extended use. I would recommend this more for shine pick-me-up than for any true frizz-fighting purposes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Clean & Clear - Soft In-Shower Facial STEAM [DISCONTINUED]
tragicglamour83 6/3/2009 2:23:00 AM
I bought this because my sister recommended it, and because of my current financial status. I wanted something that was more reasonable than my usual $15 facial scrub, and at around $6, this is definitely worth the money! Ive been using this in the shower about 3 days a week, and my skin has been quite soft and smooth, and mostly clear. I have had no issues with irritation, despite my sensitive skin. I took off one lippie because although I love what this does for my skin overall, I'm honestly not sure if it "detoxifies" as it claims. You're supposed to stand there with it on your face for 1 minute prior to scrubbing, letting the steam do its work to purify and detoxify your pores. I feel like it should heat up or something, because I can't tell if this actually makes a difference. Still, this is very reasonably priced and a nice scrub overall.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Coppertone - Ultraguard SPF50 Quick Cover Spray Lotion
tragicglamour83 6/3/2009 2:14:00 AM
I recently picked this up in the Oil Free formula for the Indy 500. I love the convenience of a spray sunscreen, and liked that this was not only SPF 50 but also waterproof. The actual protection this gives is great, I applied once in the morning and once more mid-afternoon, only burning where I missed a section of my shoulders. It was very hot that day and I was outside the whole time, but this seemed pretty sweatproof. I made the mistake of choosing this lotion formula instead of a "no rub" version, so even though the product sprays on, you still have to rub it in- meaning you still need someone else to thoroughly coat your back- resulting in less convenient application. This sunscreen is very lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving a slightly greasy finish but not worse than most sunscreens. I didnt have any trouble with it getting in my eyes and burning, an issue I have had with other brands. The worst part about this is the packaging- the nozzle clogs, and the you have to push extremely hard on the button to get anything to come out! Also, the can gets very slippery and it becomes even harder to dispense product because you have it all over your hands from rubbing it in. I wont be buying again, because I definitely prefer a no rub formula, not to mention easier to use packaging.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Cajun Shrimp
tragicglamour83 5/24/2009 12:39:00 AM
I generally love OPI polish; I really don't think there is a better brand on the market! Everything from the brush, consistency, and lasting power is top notch. I chose "Cajun Shrimp" for a recent pedicure, to try something a little different. With the weather getting nice and warm, I figured a coral shade would be a cute, summery alternative. I have extremely pale skin, and this actually looks great with it- although I'm sure it would look absolutely phenomenal against a nice suntan. As others have mentioned, this is a bright red-orange coral. It actually has more red in it than I expected, but thats not a bad thing. It's a beautiful shade that is sure to become a warm-weather staple for me!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Trader Joe's - Lavender & Chamomile "Cleanliness Next to Godliness" Hand Soap
tragicglamour83 4/29/2009 6:37:00 PM
I'm here to add another rave review for this product. The hand soap that we use everyday is such a basic, essential thing, but its great to find something that really covers all bases. This soap is all natural, chemical free, and smells light and fresh. It simply gets the job done, cleansing without drying your skin! You get a large bottle for under $3, of quality product- how can you beat that?!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Top/Base Coats -Sally Hansen - Ultimate shield fortifying base and top coat
tragicglamour83 4/29/2009 6:27:00 PM
This is a great top coat for preventing chipping and peeling, plus it provides a UV shield. My manicures really last with Ultimate Shield on top, and it creates that extra shiny finish! I've been using it for a long time, and have had no problems with it bubbling up as others have mentioned. I don't use it as a base coat, but put a thin coat on top of my color when it is 3/4 or so dry. This dries very quickly to the touch, and can be sped along with a few quick sprays of nail dryer. The only issue I have with this is that it thickens up fairly quickly, so I can never get through a whole bottle before I have to replace it. Once it has started to thicken you have the problems with the brush dragging, or applying too heavy of a coat. Still, Im a big fan of this stuff and am surprised at its low rating.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Organix - Tea Tree Mint Shampoo
tragicglamour83 4/29/2009 6:09:00 PM
The only reason I've tried this is because my fiance uses it, and being a product junkie I couldnt resist the bright green bottle sitting in our shower! I had run out of shampoo and used this for a few days before I went to the store to get something for myself. In those few days of using this, my hair seemed dry and dull, and less manageable than it had been in awhile. The smell is very strong and sweet, but good- like mint chocolate chip- I did like that part of the product, but I still dont really need my hair to smell like candy every day. This shampoo is probably fine for guys with short hair to use, but for girls like me with long, processed hair, it was a huge disappointment.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No