John Frieda Radiant Red Luminous Color Glaze

left a thick, greasy film on virgin hair

I have a large amount of fine, dry, curly, virgin hair. I followed the instructions to a tee and was left with what appeared to be a head of lifeless, dirty hair. Still, I imagine that this product's controlling nature has potential for the days on which one wishes to blow her unruly hair straight - if you might use less than the advised amount and avoid applying it near the scalp.

February 4, 2008

Freeze 24-7 Ice Shield

*lovely* idea, but broke me out

How I wish that this had better UVA protection i.e. also contained Mexoryl SX, and that it did not break me out! It is technically non-comedogenic, but it irritated my sensitive skin. INGREDIENTS: WATER (Aqua), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Polyquaternium- Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, Petrolatum Ammonium dimethicone PEG-7 Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate Laureth-4, Acrylates Copolymer, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ammonium Hydroxide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract Panthenol, Silk Amino Acids BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Methosulfate Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Glycerin, Glycol Stearate PVP, Quaternium-91, Silica, Sodium citrate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Stearate, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzoic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Chlorphenesin Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben Methylparaben, Isobutylparaben

January 23, 2008

Lush Shower Jellies

I recently tried the Champagne Snow Shower Jellie and it was uninteresting

A shiny, white, shimmying block, it smells of oranges and fizz, but barely so. One pinches a bit off of the block and rubs it on one's wet hands or bath pouf, and voila - liquid soap! The scent is uninteresting and immediately washes down the drain.

January 6, 2008

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30

I agree with zernelle (below). A thick, white cast and the lack of zinc oxide = not the best physical sunscreen available

The best physical blocks have both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and all but the palest people will not want to be seen in public wearing this sunscreen - unless they enjoy being a white, slimy, streaky beacon! Still, it was extremely gentle and did not cause breakouts. Note: this sunscreen melts unattractively on the skin at the first hint of sweat or humidity.

December 2, 2007

M2 Skin Care M2 Skin Refinish 20%

fades acne scars quickly, but use carefully if you have pigmented skin!

this product used alone did not affect my mild-moderate acne, but, after a few days, it significantly lightened surface acne scars and improved skin texture. i use a prescription retinoid at night, but i rotate that with MaMa a few nights a week. it stings my sensitive skin for 20 minutes after application, but that subsides. NOTA BENE: you may experience some peeling. also, pleaser Read the directions carefully and start slowly, especially if you have pigmented skin!

December 2, 2007

100% Pure Body Cream

Nectarine cream was unimpressive and smelled of oatmeal

While I love this line's facial care and their bath gels, I was disappointed with their Nectarine body cream. The ingredient list looks amazing, but the cream did not sink into my skin, and, as heavy as it felt, barely moisturized. It smelled of cream and nectarines but on the skin, an oatmeal accord soon predominated. Ingredients: Organic White Tea, Organic Cocoa and Avocado Butters, Organic Cabernet Grapeseed, Blackcurrant, and Rose Hip Seed Oils, Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Lavender Honey wax, Natural Nectarine Aroma, Extracts of Nectarine, Cherry, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Blackberry, Grapefruit Seed, Natural Food Preservatives derived from salts and cranberries (less than 0.1% sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate)

December 1, 2007

La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX

It blocks more UVA rays than Avobenzone sunscreens alone, but - it's comedogenic!

Anthelios is photostable and offers better broad spectrum coverage than other American chemical sunscreens, using Mexoryl and Avobenzone to block UVAs, and Octocrylene to block UVBs. This make no claims to be non-comedogenic, and--the travesty!--it completely broke me out.

December 1, 2007

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cream

irritating and ineffective

I was excited to find a drugstore product that contained both retinol and salicylic acid, but this had little positive effect on my slightly oily, sensitive skin when used as a day cream for a 3 month period.

December 1, 2007