Pureology Pure Volume Condition

Fantasic for wavy highlighted hair, great smell

While it's a little thick so sometimes getting the right amount out is tricky (and you HAVE to add water towards the end or you lose product - not a great feeling given the price) this stuff just makes my hair happy. I'm a wash-and-go kind of person, and with this conditioner I get that - no frizzes, just enough definition to the waves without anything seeming greasy or weighted down. It is, as mentioned, kind of pricey. Once you get the hang of how much you actually need to use, though, it seems to last fairly well - I buy it at the salon when I get a trim/highlights touched up, which works out about every two months, and I almost always have some left over when I go in and grab a new bottle, and I have very thick hair, so I probably use more on average than someone else with the same length. If you look around, you can often find travel size bottles for a lot less, which I recommend if you want to try it out. Just keep in mind that you WILL need to add some water to get all of the product out of the tiny little bottle.

May 25, 2009

Urban Decay Brow Beater

Quick and easy application, reasonable results

I have a feeling there are probably products which will produce a more 'perfect' brow, and certainly there are ones with a wider range of colors. However, I'm lazy and tend to be in a hurry when I apply make up, and I like my products to be easily portable for travel, so this fits the bill perfectly. I can toss it into the outside pocket of a bag and apply it even in the tiny and poorly lit environment of an airplane bathroom. I have pale skin and dark brown/black eyebrows, (with blond hair) so I wanted a product which would fill in my brows a little without being overly harsh or fake looking, and for that, this works well. I do a few light feathery strokes to each brow with the colored end, then apply a bit from the waxy end and use the brush on the cap to smooth my brows out and make them behave. I get neat and tidy brows with minimal fuss.

April 26, 2008

Nars Lip Gloss

Hydrating and non-sticky

I admit, with dry lips and long hair, a non-sticky lip gloss that actually feels like it's hydrating rather than sitting like an oil slick on my lips is my holy grail, with color selection a secondary consideration, but given the range Nars provides, I don't think finding a decent color should be a problem for anyone, unless you're looking for something really specific. This gloss does the job I want it to while giving a nice not overly shiny look to the lips, and I will be a repeat buyer.

April 26, 2008

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All-Over Brightening Pen

Worth the price for subtle but effective coverage

As someone who is very fair, finding concealer has been an on-going trial. So many are too orange or too pink for me that they actually highlight the area instead of hiding it. I'd pretty much gotten to the point of giving up when I discovered this product, and fell in love. It isn't very heavy coverage, in my experience, but it's just enough, particularly for under-eye circles. Since finding it, I've tried a bunch of the other products which are supposed to be similar, and I keep finding myself going back to this one. My only problem with this product is that the brush can go moldy if you don't take care with it. For something so expensive I wouldn't mind if they re-considered the packaging to see if they could eliminate that problem.

April 26, 2008

Blinc Kiss Me Mascara

One of the few mascaras I can wear without eye irritation

I'm lucky to have eyelashes I'm pretty happy with, and unlucky to have pretty sensitive eyes. With all of the mega-volume-extra-length-super-curl products available these days, I despaired of finding a mascara for daily use that would just give my natural lashes a bit of a finished look. This product was my miracle find. It does enough to my lashes that I can pull off a quick 'natural' look with just some mascara and lip gloss, and it doesn't make my eyes prone to redness or itching. Better yet, when my eyes DO start watering for whatever reason, the worst that happens is a few of the little 'tubes' might come off, and they're easily wiped off. Much better than the smeary mess I've gotten from even waterproof products in the past. So if you want a natural daily-wear mascara, I'd really recommend this one.

April 26, 2008

Nature's Gate Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion For Itchy Dry Sensitive Skin

Best ever for sensitive itchy skin

I have psoriasis quite badly and as a result I've tried nearly every moisturizer known to man. This is the first I've found that actually seems to IMPROVE my psoriasis. (I've used prescription ointments which were not as effective.) It's a fantastic daily product. I don't feel slimey or greasy after application at all- I can go ahead and get dressed right away. If I had all over drier skin I might look for something heavier for night-time use, or layer it over an application of jojoba oil, but for me it's perfect for the day. The one caveat I would offer is that it is unfragranced and therefore not the most nicely smelling lotion in the world. With my skin sensitivity, that's a plus, but for others that might be a drawback.

April 26, 2008