Hair -Mane 'n Tail - Conditioner
vball91 2/7/2011 6:19:00 PM
Great conditioner for my long hair. Moisturizing enough but doesn't weigh it down. Gets rid of all tangles. Smell is not too strong or offensive. Cheap which is good because I go through a lot of conditioner. I added a pump to it to make it easier to use. The huge bottle is hard to handle in the shower without a pump. Occasionally I also use it on the ends as a leave-in conditioner as well (use very little).
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Treatments -Alpha Hydrox - Retinol Night ResQ
vball91 2/7/2011 6:12:00 PM
First retinol product I've tried, and it works. It did cause minor flaking at first, so now I alternate this with the AH 10% Lotion at night and make sure I moisturize after the ResQ. I may eventually upgrade to a retinaldehyde or Rx retinoid, but for now this is a great product that gives me good results.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Alpha Hydrox - Enhanced Lotion - 10% AHA
vball91 2/7/2011 6:07:00 PM
This is a great glycolic acid product for me. It's effective, at the right pH, and has a great price for the value. It's moisturizing enough for my slightly dry skin to use alone at night. Will definitely repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Aveeno - Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
vball91 2/7/2011 6:00:00 PM
This review is for the SPF 15 version. I bought and used this before I started doing research about sunscreens. I like the moisturizer portion. It's a good consistency for me, absorbs quickly, wears well under make-up. Then I found out the avobenzone/octinoxate combo in this is not photostable so I'm on the search for another moisturizer with good SPF/PPD.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 With Pure Screen for Sensitive Skin
vball91 2/7/2011 5:48:00 PM
This a terrible product for me. In my search to find a mostly zinc oxide and titanium dioxide suncreen, I tried this. Well, I'm sure it's effective because it creates a white cast on my face that never went away. There have to be effective sunscreens out there that don't do this. Once it dries, you can't touch it at all or it flakes and balls up. So it's not good under make-up at all, even mineral only. It causes the makeup to look uneven and streaky. Will definitely not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Olay - Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash
vball91 1/26/2011 5:58:00 PM
This cleanser removes all of my makeup except my waterproof mascara and rinses cleanly without being overly drying. When I wear wp mascara and/or heavy duty sunscreen I will use a cleansing oil first then this to remove everything. It's great. Fragrance and dye-free. Gentle yet effective cleanser. Dirt cheap. Worth every penny. Will buy again and again and STOP looking at other cleansers.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
vball91 1/26/2011 5:48:00 PM
I am unfortunately one of those people who had a burning sensation using this. Not sure why because I don't have normally sensitive skin. Also it did not remove makeup well and left a film which I didn't like. I know there are a lot of people who love this because it is one of the most gentle cleansers out there, but it's not for me.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Homemade Vitamin C Serum
vball91 1/26/2011 5:43:00 PM
Considering how expensive most Vit. C serums are and how notoriously difficult it is to stabilize the formulation, I figured this was worth trying to DIY. Even though I had never made a skincare product before, this was very easy to make and use. I started with the standard 10% formula and gradually tinkered until I got the consistency I liked and ended up at 20%. I've been making and using this for about 4 months now, and it is making my skin tone brighter and lighter overall. The difference is most notable on the backs of my hands, but even the hyperpigmentation on my face is starting to very slowly fade. I will continue making and using. Thanks MUA.
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Definition mascara
vball91 1/19/2011 7:22:00 PM
I got a good size sample with purchase. It's OK. It gives decent definition and some length. But no volume, and it doesn't hold a curl at all. I would not pay full price for this when there are better mascaras for much less out there.
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - Angel
vball91 1/19/2011 7:18:00 PM
I love these in general, but really like Angel which is a shimmery clear. I like it because you can add your own powder blush or eyeshadow to it and create your own custom colors. I don't wear it on its own because I need some color on my lips or I look sick and pale.
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - Pink Kiss
vball91 1/19/2011 7:14:00 PM
I like these lips glosses in general (love Watermelon) but this color is just weird on me. Way too light and frosty. I can only wear this on top of something else, usually a darker lipstick. The formula seems a little different too from the others. It's more streaky and doesn't apply as evenly as the others. Would not recommend even if you can pull off really pale pink lips.
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - Watermelon
vball91 1/19/2011 7:10:00 PM
I'm on my second tube of this color. I was almost done with the first when the seam split, so I tossed it without a regret and got another since it's $1. The formula is a little sticky, but not more so than most other lip glosses. I love that it is SPF 15. So far, this color Watermelon is my favorite. It's just a great peachy pink pop of color. You can apply lightly for a natural shine or more heavily for a more opaque finish. I like that you can apply this one-handed and quickly (like in the car). The smell is a little strong but it does wear off, and it's not a horrible smell.
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Luscious Liquid Lipstick - ALL
vball91 1/19/2011 7:03:00 PM
I only have one color right now, Ruby Slippers which I love, but it shows up a mauve color on me, not red at all. I am going to try other colors because I really like the formula. They're supposed to a cross between lipstick and lip gloss. It's heavier and more opaque than their regular lip glosses if that helps. I personally like the feel on my lips. It's not sticky and I don't mind the scent although all of ELF's products are too heavily scented for my taste. The applicator is good, but you do have to twist it a lot before any product gets to the top when it's new, and there's not a lot in there, but for $1 it's worth it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
vball91 1/19/2011 6:53:00 PM
This is the first waterproof mascara I've ever tried, and I got it because of the reviews here. I like it because it holds a curl, which no other mascara ever has on my stick straight Asian lashes. It's not the best at volumizing or lengthening, but I prefer a more natural look, so this is great for me. It also does leave the lashes much more soft and feathery than most mascaras which tend to leave a crunchy hard feel. It doesn't clump either. If this would lengthen a little more, it would be my HG mascara.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes
vball91 12/24/2010 1:55:00 PM
I like the tubing because I have dry eyes and when I put in eye drops, I don't have to worry about smearing my mascara. It's not waterproof, but it's good enough for me. It doesn't really add much length or volume on my short Asian lashes. And it doesn't hold a curl at all, especially if you add the white side. I don't like the two step process just cause it takes longer than just applying two coats but it does seem to add more volume for me if I use the white side. I love the fact that it comes off with just water. I rinse my face for about 30 seconds with tepid water, then gently pull off the tubes. No leftover black gunk from mascara! I am going to repurchase for the non-smearing performance but it's not HG by any means.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No