Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
youwillneverfindme 5/7/2013 1:15:00 PM
If you haven't tried coconut oil yet...you need to. Never before has a product been so versitle in my life that I daresay, if it were to be taken away, I'd be lost as to what I'd do. I buy organic, virgin, cold pressed (sounds so neo-hippie)...usually Trader Joe's brand, 16 oz for like $5 or something. Skip the Louana brand from the superstore, it's been so refined that all of the health benefits of it will be negated. I will tell you that when you get a jar of *good* coconut oil, it will add the faintest flavor to your food (so that bland things, like tortillas, will pick up the slightest hint of it, but most foods with any minimal flavor (mashed potatoes) will not), and it also carries a light and expected, coconut scent (the ultra refined coconut oils like Louana's that I recommend you stay away from, are completely odorless and tasteless). Keep in mind that it is solid at room temp, and then liquefies around 76 degrees Fahrenheit and there is also an expiration date. There's no need to refrigerate after opening, but it should be stored in a cool place, like a pantry. (Store in the fridge if you want, but there's no need and it gets pretty hard.)
Like every product beauty, diet and health related, everyone will react differently to it. Some, like myself, may love it, some may hate it. I separate some coconut oil into small jars with a spoon for my cosmetic needs and use the rest for cooking, to keep it as clean as possible. These are just a few of the uses that I find for it:
-Cooking: used daily
-Skin: as a makeup remover, moisturizer and facial cleanser (honest to god, it's the only thing I use on my face aside from actual makeup)
-Spa: add some essential oils to it for a massage oil
-Hair: the smallest bit worked into the ends of hair add healthy shine
-Nails: rubbed into the cuticles
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Polishes -OPI - Bubble Bath
youwillneverfindme 4/30/2013 11:28:00 AM
I always come back to Bubble Bath, it's HG status..."white bubble bath" or "pink bubble bath", doesn't matter much to me. The benchmark for a sheer, pale pink manicure, foolproof for pretty, always appropriate, polished nails, good for short or long, super sheer one coat or more opaque and pale in three. Wear is about a week for me with three coats and no base or top coat. Dry time is slightly shorter than average, shine is standard (shine can *always* be better for any nail polish I think :P), or matte it out for a more natural look. There are three nail care items I must have: a side trimmer, a glass nail file, and OPI Bubble Bath, all the rest is just details.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Matte lipstick in Mauve It Over
youwillneverfindme 4/30/2013 10:53:00 AM
Mauve it Over has replaced MAC's Velvet Teddy as my most amazing lipstick...I didn't think this was possible...when I wear Velvet Teddy get complements from women AND men about how great my lips are (and my lips really aren't anything special, it's the lipstick that makes them look amazing)...what woman doesn't love that? But Mauve it Over gets the complements, it flatters my complexion more and the formula is better (doesn't dry out my lips, wears wonderfully and I can sheer it out), it goes with everything, no scent or taste...oh, and it's less expensive, what's not to love? I've got several tubes and plan on repurchasing forever.
Compaired to MAC's Velvet Teddy: Not the same color although very similar (Velvet Teddy is touch more brown), different enough that I'll keep a tube of Velvet Teddy even though Mauve it Over will get more wear. Mauve it Over seems to pick up a little peach and hence, work with the ruddy parts of my super pale skin better, like another reviewer said, seems to brighten my face (Velvet Teddy doesn't do that). I also agree that I don't quite know where Revlon gets “mauve” from...it's more of a browned-peach-nude on me.
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Shampoo -Ion - Color Solutions - Color Defense
youwillneverfindme 3/24/2013 5:57:00 PM
YES
PROS:
1) Cruelty free
2) Sulfate free
3) Nice scent
4) Around $7 for 12 oz
*I think the clerk at Sally's said this was vegan...not sure how true that is...
CONS:
1) I can only find it at Sally's
I've been reading the reviews for this and wonder if I'm even using the same product! Granted, my hair care routine might be a little different: BLS, fine/dense waves/curls, all over “sunkissed” highlights. I've been co-washing most days of the week and trying to make shampoo bars work for me (used once a week), and this process is SO gentle to hair...but every once in a while, I need a more heavy duty shampoo, and this is my go-to. Read: I use this probably once every 2 weeks and have been doing so for a few months now.
Good lather for a sulfate-free shampoo. I definitely need to follow this with some sort of leave-in conditioner (I usually use a tiny amount of Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tangle to leave in after using this shampoo). The scent in the bottle is just ok, but the scent in my hair is quite lovely and something I've had a difficult time finding: super gentle, sulfate/cruelty free shampoos seem to lack on the pretty scents. I don't find that it dries out my hair too much, as I'm only using it rarely. My waves/curls don't seem to notice a difference when using this vs. my regular co-wash. Again, I wonder if because I use this so infrequently and my routine is a little different that others, perhaps this is why I love it so much. Will undoubtedly repurchase.
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Conditioner -Trader Joe's - Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
youwillneverfindme 3/24/2013 5:01:00 PM
PROS:
1) cruelty free (a huge point for me as I'm attempting to go cruelty free)
2) $4 for 16 oz
3) great for co-wash
CONS:
1) only available at Trader Joe's (maybe hard to find for some)
2) May not provide enough conditioning for regular shampooers
I love this stuff, it's great for co-washing...and really, I only use this for co-washing on days that I don't use some sort of shampoo (I try to only shampoo once a week, during the rest of the week, I'll co-wash usually every day and no less than every other day). My waves/curls have looked slightly better, honestly, (they're a little on the fizzy side and not quite as defined when I use TJ's TTT), but still far better than washing with a regular sulfate shampoo and other conditioner. Scent is typical of tea tree/eucalyptus...a medicinal mint, but it's not strong, and your hair will only smell lightly of it when dry and pushed right up to your nose. I agree that for those of us with small hands, the bottle can be oddly difficult to hold/squeeze.
I need to note that I have BSL, fine/dense waves/curls...and my little rental apartment only affords *maybe* ten minutes of hot water, so the fact that I can use this conditioner, work it in, wash my hair with it and have enough time to wash the rest of my body and do a super quick shave, is HUGE. There are some “co-wash” conditioners that you have to spend 5+ minutes alone, just working them in and massaging etc etc etc. I do use quite a bit, one bottle lasts about a month for me. I have, and will continue to repurchase.
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Shampoo -Yes To Carrots - Nourishing Shampoo
youwillneverfindme 3/17/2013 1:01:00 PM
This is a basic shampoo that is cruelty and sulfate free...these are the selling points to me...otherwise there's nothing special about it. $10 from Walgreens for 16.9 fl oz. I experimented with it for only a week (three washes).
Not bad but it's too drying for my hair and scalp. If it wasn't advertised as a sulfate free shampoo, I would have thought it was a super cheap, regular (read: sulfate) shampoo...that's how it strikes me: it lathers very well and cuts through oil and hair products as well as any sulfate shampoo. Scent is plain and undetectable on dry hair. Although I'll keep it around, I'm not sure about repurchase since I feel that the shampoo is too drying for my hair and scalp. I don't hate it but I'm sure there are better options out there.
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Shampoo -Chagrin Valley - Soapnuts
youwillneverfindme 3/17/2013 11:03:00 AM
Soapnuts: Citrus Mint
PROS:
1) bar form is easy for travel
2) Even the sample lasts almost a month of washing EOD, so the price may seem a little steep at first, but it evens out fine ($2.70 for 1 oz sample, $7.75 for full sized 5.8 oz bar)
3) Vegan and certified organic
4) I really don't need a conditioner after this (although I do follow with a ACV rinse)
5) sulfate-free
6) aides in transforming my overly processed waves into beautiful, natural curls
7) If used properly (i.e. washed out correctly) I love the way my hair feels
CONS:
1) must spend A LOT of time soaping and rinsing hair
My little sample bars came in simple, tiny, folded, brown paper bags with a sticker on the front with the name of the soap. Shipping charges and time were reasonable. The sample bars are IDEAL for travel...and given that I travel a lot, I'm excited to make a switch to them.
There is a learning curve with Soapnuts. This shampoo bar insists on quite a bit of work to rinse out completely (much more work than a standard shampoo or even liquid sulfate free shampoos), even though the lather is thick and rich, although minimal; if you love lather, be prepared. Otherwise, if not rinsed completely, it leaves my hair feeling waxy and mushy when wet (sounds nasty, and it is nasty in the shower), and oily looking and gross when it dries. Interestingly, I never had an issue with this looking oily/dirty in the ROOTS of my hair (the only place I intently put the shampoo), it was solely an issue for the ends...odd? So I work the soap into the roots of my hair and rinse, while paying even more attention to the lengths during the rinse (I wonder if it's the residue from the soaped up roots that would stick to the lengths?) in order to make sure I work it out of the length. It's a lot of work for my BSL, thick, tangley hair...I need at least 10 minutes to spend washing/rinsing...considering I barely have 10 min of hot water, I feel like this is a ridiculous amount of time.
However, if washed out correctly, my hair looks and feels amazing after. My waves are magically transformed into curls and my hair looks and feels SO healthy and perfect. No fly-aways, no static, just pretty, pliable, curly hair much in the same way that TiGi's Manipulator seems to make my hair. If only I was able to reach this result most of the time.
I will be experimenting more with my sample bar and if my thoughts change, I'll update. As of right now, I won't repurchase.
From the Chargin Valley website:
When using the bars, one thing that is very important is to LATHER WELL! Our shampoo bars are superfatted and thus contain extra oils and butters to nourish your hair. If you rub the shampoo bars on your hair (like I do), you are coating your hair with superfatted soap. If you do not lather up really well, you will have areas that remain coated with the soap oils, which will; make it look "gummy." The most common spot, especially for people with long hair, is at the nape of the neck. You need to work the shampoo into your hair with water and lather up so that the dirt and extra oils not needed by your hair can be washed away.
Some find it helpful, especially in the beginning, not to rub the bar directly on their hair. They use a puff or a sponge to create foam, and only use the foam to wash. It can be very helpful in making the hair less tacky until the adjustment takes place.
If you are used to commercial shampoo and shampoo twice, you will have already noticed that the second wash produces a lot more lather. The first wash is mixing with the dirt and excess oil in your hair so the second wash is working on cleaner hair. The same is true for our shampoo bars.
So lather up, once, twice, maybe even three times at first. Then be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse!!! Again, if you have long hair, pay special attention to the middle back of the hair so that you rinse all of the soap out of your hair.
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Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Glossing Cream with Olive Oil
youwillneverfindme 2/4/2013 2:09:00 PM
No, thanks. In short, this is an expensive product (about $20-$30 depending on size) that doesn't do anything for me that my tried and true leave-in conditioner (Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream) doesn't do a million times better...and it's more expensive and doesn't smell as good. Now, does it make a difference in my hair?--Maybe a little bit, but the “glossing” effects are minimal, akin to a cheap “glossing” spray: it doesn't help soothe poof or frizz on textured hair. In fact, this acts more like a mediocre leave-in conditioner, and if too much is used, even my super-dry, poofy hair can end up looking greasy. (I'd recommend only using the product minimally on the ends of your hair due to this.) I'd also recommend using a small amount at first, distributing it through the ends of damp hair. Needless to say, I won't be repurchasing.
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Shampoo -Suave - Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray
youwillneverfindme 11/1/2012 4:42:00 AM
Ok, so all the dry shampoos I've tried have the white powdery look (Pssst!, Tresumee, TiGi), so I've just learned to deal with it and brush it through/out. What I like about Suave's dry shampoo so much is the scent: similar to TiGi, sort of citrusy and much more fresh smelling than the others I've tried. Results are pretty much the same no matter what brand I try: hair that is no longer greasy, but much of the shine is reduced, hair feels slightly gritty, but holds better than before and slightly added volume. I have not had a problem with a faulty can (although I'm only on my second). The scent and the price are what keep me with Suave. Will repurchase.
For reference: I liked the TiGi but packaging caused a short life for the product and it was expensive. Next in line is Pssst!, but Suave beats it due to the scent and slightly better price. Tresemme and Batiste scents were offensive to me.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Aveda - Large Paddle Brush
youwillneverfindme 11/1/2012 4:19:00 AM
I loved this brush when I owned it, it was amazing. I left it at a special someone's place for him to use on his long hair; he loved it so much (and I loved him so much), I just let him keep it. It easily sorted through my long/tangled, messy, dense waves without breaking my hair and massaged my scalp at the same time. HOWEVER, before you run out to buy this, you should try Conair's version: Similar chic/natural design, same amazing performance and feel, better feeling bristles (some claim that the Aveda's bristles dig into their scalp...ouch!), and less than half the price of Aveda's (Conair about $7, Aveda about $20).
UPDATE: I lost my lovely Conair dupe during a move so I repurchased the Aveda brush. However, I like the Conair so much better (the feel of it in my hand, the more gentle bristles), that I repurchased it to use instead.
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Styling Products -TiGi - Bed Head Manipulator
youwillneverfindme 11/1/2012 4:03:00 AM
Love it. I've loved all five Bed Head products I've tried, but this stuff is like, the ultimate HG hair styling product and makes my hair so well behaved. Everything from adding volume/thickness at the roots or to my ponytail, to taming fly-aways, defining my waves and adding texture, this is IT. No greasy mess, no difficulty combing through my hair at the end of the day, no gooey, sticky mess if I get caught in the rain. Just lovely, well behaved, polished hair with just a touch of added shine.
I don't find that this adds any “hold”...but I don't really need a product with hold (i.e. hairspray) when I use this. My hair just kind of stays together beautifully and effortlessly.
Yes the product is messy (I would much prefer this gooey, sticky stuff in a tube rather than the pot it comes in...but once it's worked through my hair, there's not a hint of the original texture of it in the pot), and the scent is so-so (kind of a strange mix of laffy-taffy and...coconut?) but light and pleasant enough that if it could be smelled by someone ultra-close to my hair, I wouldn't be shy about it. Around $19 from the salon (but can be found online for much cheaper)...will undoubtedly repurchase.
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Hair Styling Tools -T3 - Featherweight 
youwillneverfindme 11/1/2012 3:31:00 AM
EDIT: I've needed to edit this review for a few months now. I hate this dryer. Dry time takes FOREVER, it looks "cheap", and it's not light enough to be called "Featherweight", especially when needing to hold it for so long. It does make a small difference in the end result for my hair, but I so rarely use it mostly due to the dry time, it's been a virtual waste.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
THE SHORT: Doubtful repurchase...I'm too interested in what other high end dryers will do for me. This is my first high end dryer and the results are good (much better than my "expensive" drug store dryers), but I was hoping for something more, honestly. A few hours after I've used the featherweight, my hair settles down and becomes more healthy looking, but I was hoping this T3 would do better at helping to control the freakout that my hair seems to go through with dryers (poofy, frizzy). Dry time, noise and weight of the dryer are all roughly equivalent to about a $60ish dollar drug store “ion”/”tourmaline” dryer. I do have to add, that for a $200 dryer, I think T3 cheaped out on the aesthetics of the dryer...nice looking, but it just doesn't look as expensive as it is. Ladies with dry/damaged/poofy/frizzy hair, this won't replace your flat iron.
MY HAIR: Damaged, bleached, colored, bleached, colored, BSL (and growing), poofy and frizzy tight waves. Fine/dense etc etc.
THE POSITIVES: The blowout I get from this is decent: frizz and poof are substantially reduced.
THE NEGATIVES: Price, obviously, at $200, this is an investment. It doesn't dry my hair any faster, the weight and noise are about average as well.
EXTRAS:
-Do use the nozzle.
-Do learn how to use a round brush for a blowout (youtube).
-Do buy from a store with a good return policy.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Skin Cleansing System
youwillneverfindme 11/1/2012 3:09:00 AM
THE SHORT: Probably the most expensive beauty investment I've ever made...and I would not repurchase this model (I would buy the Mia, however). Yes, there is a slight (oh so slight) improvement in my skin, but is it worth the $230ish price?--No. If you have trouble prone skin and can keep the Clarisonic from irritating it, you might see better results If, like me, you have decent skin to start with, the Clarisonic Plus may not make enough of a difference to warrant the price. If interested in a Clarisonic model, I would strongly urge you to consider the Mia, unless you know for sure you need all the speeds of the Plus. I also made the mistake of buying this from a place that I can't return, so since I'm “stuck” with it, I will continue to use it.
MY SKIN: 32 years old, light/borderline fair with pink undertones and prone to rosacea which flairs when hot, if I eat incorrectly or as a reaction to sunscreen...I categorize my skin as “combination”. So far I'm wrinkle free with minimal sun damage, although I see a few shallow wrinkles starting on my forehead that don't spring back as easily as they used to. Mostly smooth but susceptible to couple small pimples due to hormones once a month. Pores on nose/inner cheeks can get clogged (no blackheads) and are easily treated with BHA a couple times a week. I use the “sensitive” brushhead.
THE POSITIVES: I do feel like this aides in a “deep clean” and that my skin might be a little more “glowy” than without using this. I also feel like my skin might be just the smallest bit smoother so that treatments and makeup just glide on. I can't say for sure if any of these are true however because the results are so slight and I already had good skin to begin with. Obviously no one else as noticed, but I am complemented on my skin from time to time.
THE NEGATIVES: The price and needing to find a cleanser that works with it, and your skin, and for me, my skin routine has become more extensive.
MY ROUTINE: *Before I start, it should be known that I take a bcp, which I credit for my clear complexion.*
Before Clarisonic: Cold cream applied and tissued off twice a day. 2x a week I use Paula's Choice BHA lotion.
Using Clarisonic: Cold cream applied and tissued off the days that I don't the Clarisonic. Clarisonic used with Cetaphil's Oil Control Foaming Face wash 3-4x a week, followed by Paula's Choic BHA lotion 2x a week and Recovery Moisturizer, before bed.
EXTRAS:
-I bought the “Plus” model....I don't know why. I don't feel like the extra settings really matter all that much unless, perhaps, you are using this on your body. I have used this on my upper arms to combat KP, but thought having to change out the brush head (although super easy) was sort of tedious...I did notice a slight improvement in my skin, even if only because it seemed to make the BHA treatment more effective. If I had researched a little more, I would have just bought the MIA.
-Save the little brush head protectors if you travel.
-longevity of one charge was nice. Using it only a few times a week, I could last for weeks on one charge.
-If you buy, make sure you buy from a store with a good return policy. Nothing feels worse than spending a lot of money on a product that doesn't work out for you.
-Give this enough time to make a difference...I'd say a good month and half/two months...and make sure you have the right brush head (there are many models, from a delicate brush for super sensitive skin, to a body brush).
-Keep in mind that for most, this won't be a miracle product and that results will be slight. Even still, for the skin obsessed like myself, you just may be pleasantly surprised.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear LIGHT Foundation SPF10
youwillneverfindme 5/11/2012 4:06:00 AM
Love this. The look it gives my skin is beautiful and it lasts throughout my sweaty workday on a medical unit...somehow, despite the rough day at work, my skin keeps looking marvelous...I'm just slightly “dewy” after work...which is an unknown thing to this oily skin prior to DoubleWear Light. The fresh application gives a just this side of matte, satin finish...more matte than my natural, shiny skin, but not *matte*. As one who is finicky about foundations or concealers looking cakey or mask-like, I'm impressed with this stuff, I can't feel it on my skin, and on days off/bumming around the house, I look in the mirror and am surprised at how pretty my skin is...then I remember I'm wearing DoubleWear Light :P
I apply intensity 1 (nw20ish here) with my fingers as a light-medium coverage foundation just around my nose and out to my temples to hide my rosacea. The finish is flawless...somehow letting my natural skin show through while covering up the redness beneath. Even on days my skin is slightly on the flaky side (oh the perils of oily, rosacea skin), DoubleWear Light seems to even things out beautifully. Photographs marvelously as well.
Expensive, yes, at around $54 per tube. But just a tiny drop is all I need to cover the areas mentioned above...and the performance and finish is so perfect, it's worth every penny.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Purple Panic
youwillneverfindme 4/3/2012 12:27:00 PM
I do not wear pink. No, I do not.
But I wear this. This 80's “florescent” pink...hot, deep electric pink. Wear it with a black outfit and your set of ten nails become this flashing neon sign, a statement that people comment on. With black heeled gladiator sandals?...yes, please. This is the hot pink color you see the punk girls wearing...in fact, my punk friend told turned me on to the color. My sorta punk/vampy self thinks this all sorts of awesome...on tanned skin or dayglow ghosts like myself.
True to all neon form: quick dry, needs a few coats, dries matte. The matte look is pretty cool and I think I prefer it with this color, but if you like shine, just add a top coat. I have no doubt I'll repurchase. IMO, this looks best on finger-tip length.
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