Makeup
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- Points: 4280
- Reviews: 61
Here are all my reviews:
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Many people resort to styling products and lots of hair spray to keep their hair styles, intact. But the downside of using a lot of product is that, over time, they tend to build up and coat your hair, making it dull and sometimes, even sticky. And, if you get a pricey blow-out and then don't wash your hair for a while, natural oils, plus dirt and other pollutants, can also coat your hair and make it hard to clean thoroughly. But one product that has been on the market for 30 years, quietly sitting on store shelves, can help: it's Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo is just $5.99 for a 6 oz, bottle. This shampoo looks nearly clear in it's minimalist, plastic bottle, but it can help remove all kinds of styling products, shampoos and conditioners, dirt, yuk, gunk, spray...whatever is coating your hair and making it dull. Although I can't quantify this claim, Neutrogena says that the shampoo used once a week can remove 90% of dulling residue build-up, instantly. The shampoo is super-foamy with that Neutrogena fresh scent. There are no artificial dyes or colorants. Neutrogena says it is good for all hair types and it is fairly mild. However, if you have fresh color on your hair, you might not want to use it. If you do, use it only when your hair really needs it--maybe bi-monthly (or consult with your hair colorist before using any clarifying shampoo). Because my hair is colored, I let my husband try this product. He LOVED it --the foam, and the soft, clean, shiny results. While his opinion is just that--his opinion--I could see the difference in how his hair looked and felt. The evidence was undeniable. In case you want to know what is in this product, here are some of the key ingredients: Water, ammonium lauryl sulfate, cocamide dea, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, citric acid, fragrance.... You can find Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo at your favorite mass market retailer or online at http://www.neutrogena.com/
December 21, 2010
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This scent is significant and lasting, undeniably lush and floral, but also sophisticated and sexy. It's a woodsy floral with some classic notes: Damask Rose, violet, peony, cranberry, patchouli, vetiver, musk and sandalwood. But it also has some interesting and more unique notes: vinyl gloss (in homage to the stiletto heel), and lacquer -- the scent of cosmetics, and of a hot night "up on the roof." Put it all together, and you've got the essence of a French woman! At first sniff, the scent feels strongly fruity, but not in the ordinary, top heavy citrus that so many fragrances, feature. Instead, you can really smell the berry. But it mixes quickly with powdery violet and rose. As the scent dries down, you really notice the rose. This type of mix can often become too sweet, depending upon your body chemistry, but in Parisienne, the notes are artfully blended into the patchouli, sandalwood and musk, to create a romantic fragrance that has staying power and packs a romantic punch. I think this scent will be a great special occasion or evening scent. If you want just a bit of naughty with your nice, and some sophistication in a grand floral, this is absolutely for you.
October 12, 2009
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L'Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Makeup
Super Bledndable and Budget Minded, But Still Hard to Match Color Perfectly
If you can’t find a color that suits you from L’Oreal's True Match Foundation, perhaps you are a chameleon, or have purple skin! All kidding aside, this budget-minded foundation takes some of the sting out of not just the cost, but the irritation of buying a product that you get home only to find that it's doesnt look good on your skin. This foundation comes in a cute little vial with a silvery screw cap (although I do wish it had a pump top). True Match gives you 24 light to dark, warm, cool and neutral options. The best way to tell if a foundation matches your skin tone is to put it on the jaw line and blend into your neck. If you notice the difference between your face and your neck then it does not match your skin tone. However, if you're buying product in a drug store where you can't try it on first, L'Oreal has given you some clues about how to pick your perfect shade. They offer a little plastic chart at the L'oreal display that has tiny color swatches of all the shades. Place the chart near your jawline, and pick the one that seems closest to your own coloring. If you're unsure, you can also try using the skin on your wrist, or the top of your hand. It helps to know whether you have a cool, warm, or neutral skin tone. A professional will color-drape you to find out, but you can do a quick test like this: hold a white and an ivory fabric up to your face. If your skin "lights up" it's the with white, you are cool, and if it looks better with ivory, you have warm skin. If the white or ivory makes your complexion sallow or ruddy, you've got the wrong one! Alas, even though I am a certified image consultant, trained in color typing, I still picked the wrong shade. It was in the right category, but way too light for me. But at less than $10.00 A bottle, if you do pick a shade too light or dark, you're not making a major investment. Also, these days, if you don't like the product, most drug stores will allow you to return it. So it's pretty much a no risk proposition to try L'Oreal True Match. The good news is that once you have found your perfect shade, L'Oreal has made it easier to identify other products in your color and tone range, using a letter/number ID system. So you can more easily find your perfect concealer or blush, too. The foundation itself is opaque, but also very blendable and creamy–unusually so for a modestly-priced foundation. It will quickly and easily cover flaws and even freckles. The foundation gives you a polished look that goes well with bold lips and carefully made-up eyes. I like the foundation's cute glass vial with a screw cap (although I wish it had a pump). SPF 17 is another bonus, to help protect skin at least a little, from the sun’s damaging rays.
September 24, 2009
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Stila Cosmetics have been an Advice Sisters favorite for years. The colors are always trendy but wearable, the packaging, and extra treat and the formulas, effective and easy to use. Stila's palettes have always pleased me. For example, the Stila Smoky Eye Talking Palette, while not brand-new, lets you actually hear how to create a perfect smoky eye in just a few steps. Open the top of the silvery, cardboard compact with "winky eye" that even Sarah Palin can't rival, and press the button. A voice recording tells you what colors to use, where, and even suggests what Stila makeup brushes work best for that particular task (*read a review some of Stila's makeup brushes in our Beauty Tools section) Each of five different palettes give you four shimmery, pressed powder eye shadows. We tried "The Bronzes," with colors that give you an edgy alternative to the standard black/grey combo, featuring a peachy-pink base, bronze lid color, khaki crease, and aubergine liner. All work together, and you can't mess it up! Try the Sapphires, The Grays, The Emeralds, or The Platinums, too.
August 19, 2009
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This lovely lip color does a lot more than just look good. These creamy lip colors feature soft, rich color, that feels like silk on your lips. They have pampering, soothing, emollient Shea Butter and skin conditioner that actually improve your skin, not just sit on it! I've always been a huge fan of Bobbi Brown's lip products. I love their high quality, high performance, and of course, great colors that look natural, but better! There are four new ones: Retro Pink, Rose Brown, Coral Pink, and Pale Mauve. As with most of Bobbi Brown's color choices, these are fairly soft. Retro Pink, for example, is a sheer blush pink for your lips that works almost like a soft blush would on your cheeks, boosting your own coloring up just a notch, with a hint of tint. Rose Brown is a universally flattering color that adds a bit more intensity, but still won't look too obvious or overpower a natural look. Coral Pink is slightly brighter, Pale Mauve, more subdued. Get the entire Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color review on the Advice Sisters Blog.
August 19, 2009
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If you love the scent of lemon, and you want a great, thickening shampoo and conditioner, you're in luck! We have just discovered new Paul Mitchell Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner Along with an amazing, fresh and lemony scent, these products a blend of thickening agents and natural extracts such as lemon, sage, peppermint, and tea tree oil. The Shampoo has a nice, rich lather and panthenol to help strengthen damaged hair and reduce split ends. The Conditioner is a lightweight and yummy smelling product that protects and adds shine, while it improves manageability and reduces static. The combo is pleasant to use, reasonably priced, and a wonderful boost every time you use them.
August 19, 2009
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Shaving your skin can dry and irritate your skin, but Whish makes products that soothe it! My favorite is Whish Body Shave Crave. This unique, super-gentle, shaving cream isn't the harsh, soapy detergent you know from a can, commonly found on the market. It has all natural and organic ingredients, and pampers and moisturizes your skin with natural squalene (Omega 3--helps to banish roughness) and organic shea butter (super moisturizer); soothes with organic green tea and organic coconut oil, and nourishes with organic jojoba seed oil. Use the jar with a traditional shaving brush, or get the pump bottle. This round column of clear plastic with shiny black pump top and cap, comes in a round, hard-sided, cardboard tube, color-coded to the scent--and the scents are amazing: almond, pomegranate, and lemongrass. After Shaving, Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel helps moisturize, soothe irritation after shaving, waxing or laser treatments (use it after sun bathing, too), and actually slows hair growth! The product features larrea divaricata (chapparel) extract to inhibit hair growth, organic aloe, organic shea butter and panthenol to moisturize, and hyaluronic acid and retinol palmitate to renew. We tried "Lemongrass," containing lemongrass oil to soothe muscle aches, ease stiff joints, and improve muscle tone. Now that's what I call a major multi-tasker!
August 19, 2009
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reviewed the EverPure Sulfate Free Color Care Line of products by L'Oreal in my March/April SPRING 2009 What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column. These products do what the pricey ones do, for a lot less. You won't get the fancy labels or scents, but for budget-minded fashionistas, they are a good "find." If you color your hair, sulfates, surfactant and salts can dull color and strip much-needed moisture from it , but every product in this line is sulfate-free and gentle to color-treated hair. They have UVA/UVB filters in the conditioners and masques to help prevent color from fading in the sun. For summer, there's one particular product in the line that may be your newest "must-have": EverPure UV daily protection spray for all hair types. It's got a bit of a chemical smell, but it quickly dissipates, leaving a light coating on your hair that provides affordable, additional protection against sun, salt, chlorine, and other "bad stuff." The line is also 100% Vegan - Not tested on animals, and contains no animal byproducts. Those attributes give it even higher marks.
August 19, 2009
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I reviewed this product in tandem with the five other Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Products. I just have a spot spot for all of the Herbal Essences shampoos. I have just loved the scents, the packaging, and the gentle cleansing action on every one of the Hertbal Essences shampoos. My affinity goes back decades. This new product is supposed to be for a touseled look, and it will certainly make your hair soft, while cleansing it. Ladies, men will want to come in closer for a sniff of your hair (check it out when you're sitting close enough for him to lean in towards you--it is pretty funny!). The shampoo is still just a shampoo that does it's job well, nothing fancy. But for the cost, I can't say anything but "well done!"
August 6, 2009
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I reviewed this product in tandem with the five other Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Products. I think it's is a good hairspray and a great price. You'll get control (and a nice, fresh scent) without too much "crunch" and guess what? Use a modest amount of this hair spray and your style might last longer than you think. I don't use a lot of hair spray, but this one will work for the messy, tousled look or any look.. If you want a touseled look, the right products are a must-have. This spray will do it's job perfectly well, for less than the cost of a large latte
August 6, 2009
