Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Review - Cynos Nano Molding Paste (Apple)


CYNOS Nano Molding Paste thickens and delivers more density to the hair, allowing for more manageable styles with increased volume, body. Heals seals and protects to improve styling control. Contains color preservers.

I'm not sure if there's a difference between the Cynos Nano Molding Paste in the yellow tube and the one in the green tube other than the scent - the yellow version smells like Random Hair Product Smell, while the green tub version smells like green apple Now and Laters. However, since I reviewed the yellow (original?) version, I've chopped off my hair and actually had the opportunity to try this product out myself. The main thing to be aware of with this styling product is that you seriously - seriously - do not need a lot. The first time I used it, I used maybe a dime-sized amount in my hands, which I rubbed together and applied from the back like the boys on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy taught me so many years ago. Dude, you guys - it was waaaaaaay too much. The back of my hair was greasier than my friend Marta after her Canola Oil Wrestling matches. It was not pretty. I put on a hat.

However! I was not deterred, and tried again. When I used the teeny-tiniest amount I could squeeze out of the tube, this stuff worked great! A little bit of texture, a little bit of volume, and very little stickiness. Plus, it smells like green apple Now and Laters! Delish! The green version, like its yellow brother, is only available for purchase in salons. Sad.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Review - Philip B Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo


One of our most acclaimed products, this is a clarifying cleanser and powerfully active aroma-therapeutic scalp treatment in one. Formulated with sixteen pure plant extracts; eleven essential and carrier oils; and a potent, active dose of 2.3% pure Peppermint oil, the shampoo works as a local anesthetic to soothe scalp tension, stimulate circulation, and leave your scalp feeling tingly fresh and clean. PHILIP B® Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo also lifts away product residue -- restoring your hair's natural shine and vitality without without compromising its precious moisture and elasticity.

My brother, as a teen, used to use Head & Shoulders shampoo (what up dry Wisconsin winters), which he for some reason was really into. Like, he was a fan of Head & Shoulders. When they came out with new scents or formulas, he was ON IT. There was one version called "Refresh" that had, I don't know, extra ZING or something, and he used to say that it felt like "toothpaste for [his] head."

That is the best description for this Philip B Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo I can think of: it is like toothpaste for my head. You know when you brush your teeth, and it's SO MINTY that you're like "oh my god, this mint flavor is going to make my head explode," but in a good way? That's this shampoo, but on your scalp. It's super-invigorating, almost painfully so (again...in a good way). The avocado is barely a player in this peppermint assault. Peppermint is George Michael here; avocado is Other Guy from Wham! Sorry, Other Guy from Wham!, and sorry, avocado.

The two main complaints I have about this shampoo are a) the price (are you surprised? I am cheap, y'all) and b) the amount I feel like I need to use to get my head clean. I feel like I need to use twice as much of this stuff as I do of my normal drugstore brand to get a good lather worked up. And at $28 for a 7.4 oz. bottle? This is not going to be my regular shampoo. However, it did get my always-greasy head lovely and clean. I would say if you're going to use this, save it for the day you put way too much product in your hair and then went to the gym - the clarifying properties will refresh your head and get rid of the gunk. But for every day? Even a peppermint explosion isn't worth the money.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Review- OPI Suede Nail Polish

OPI's Suede Collection brings you classic OPI shades with a trendy suede finish.

Everyone has been raving about the latest trends in nail polish, and OPI's Suede Collection lets you get two hot trends in one - the chicness of a matte finish with a slight edge from the subtle pattern. OPI's Suede collection nail polishes are definitely a high fashion look. I tried it in You Don't Know Jacques!, a silver that looks insanely shimmery in the bottle, but dries to a matte finish on your nails. It really isn't an easy look to maintain however. OPI does warn you that the polish is not long-wearing, and using top coats or hand lotion will shorten its lifespan. I have to say that this look isn't quite for me - I just can't get on the whole matte nails bandwagon, but for someone more trend focused this can be your go to Fall/Winter shade.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Review - California Baby Calendula Everyday Lotion


  • Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients
  • Active botanical: Calendula officinalis is well known for its safe skin healing properties
  • Calendula’s anti-inflammatory properties help to relieve irritation and itching due to eczema, poison ivy/oak/sumac, chickenpox, sunburn and insect bites
  • Soothes and helps to heal skin conditions
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Non-greasy and absorbs quickly
  • Helps to loosen and heal cradle cap 6.5 oz $11.49
I have three children and for some reason, they were all unfortunate enough to have eczema. I have tried every possible cream and spent lots of money. I found that Calendula is a strong eczema healer. If used on a consistent basis, you can keep eczema at bay. The great thing about this cream is that its organic and its anti-inflammatory ingredients help with other things too.
It also contains lavender which gives it a great light scent. It goes on smoothly and leaves baby's skin feeling soft. The way it should feel. When it comes to our kids, we will go all the way to keep them from feeling uncomfortable. This lotion is a winner for me.

Friday, November 6, 2009

review- Embryolisse Anti-Ageing Cream


The Anti-Ageing Cream is a smoothing, restructuring vitamin concentrate, for effective firming action. Its nourishing, non-greasy formula counters cutaneous dryness, which speeds up skin aging. Skin is visibly firmer and more toned. $55 for 1.4 oz.


This might be a pun in poor taste but I swear the reason this lotion has "embryo" in it's name is because your face is as soft as a newborn baby's pretty much immediately after the first and subsequent uses. Honestly, I used this before bedtime and the next morning, my skin felt ilike satin. Also, it smells so pleasant-faintly like roses and something vaguely European. I am in the nascent stage of using this lotion so I don't yet know it's potential transformative qualities but my skin did not disagree with it in any way and the softness my face has taken on has had a big impact on my makeup routine in that I do not need any primer underneath my foundation/tinted moisturizer.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Review- La Roche Posay Mela-D Serum


Visibly corrects dark spots and helps even skin tone with a breakthrough formula that delivers professional-grade results. Contains 1% Kojic Acid (helps reduce the appearance of dark spots), 0.2% LHA and 5.7% Glycolic Acid (provides intense exfoliation to help reduce the size and color intensity of dark spots and help even skin tone. $55 for 1 fl. oz.


I have been using this for two weeks now and even though the product details refer to results after eight weeks, I can already see some fading and evening out of my skintone, particularly the inadvertent damage done over this past summer. Now, I presume my more stubborn freckles are going to take some more time but I am going to continue to add this to my nighttime routine until further notice because what I have seen so far is pretty damn profund. To add to this company's greatness, one can buy it with ease online or at the local drugstore, in the best case scenario. The price point is more than reasonable and while this is only the third product in the line that I have tried, they are definitely batting a thousand.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Review- Aveeno Ultra Calming Shave Gel

This uniquely formulated shave-gel helps to calm and soothe red, dry, irritated or sensitive skin. The nourishing formula contains naturally calming Feverfew, an ingredient known for its soothing properties, and leaves skin feeling moisturized and calm long after shaving.

One of my worst beauty sins is shaving with completely random things I find in my bathroom cabinet. Seriously, I've shaved with everything from shampoo to conditioner, shower gel to lotion. I guess I've just been too lazy to use a separate product, so I end up shaving with whatever happens to be lathered on my hands or loofah. But when I came across Aveeno's Ultra Calming Shower Gel, I decided to give it a try. The rich unscented gel foams up to a rich shaving cream that coats every little hair, and left my legs incredibly smooth. This def does the trick much better than any of my random double-duty "shaving creams!"

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Review- Living Proof No Frizz Wave Shaping Curl Defining Styling Spray


A lightweight spray that dries fast and leaves hair with incredible shine without an ounce of frizz. Also contains a lightweight, touchable holding polymer to give your waves and curls a touch of added definition. No Frizz works great on color-treated hair, too. $24 for 3.4oz.

Allure magazine had a write-up on Living Proof when they first came on the scene. The products were brilliantly marketed with the fact that chemists had come up with these revolutionary formulas. Now having a father-in-law who made a living from inventing paint, I have mad respect for those that make life better through chemistry--ha! Anyway, I have wanted to try this based on the idea that this technology does NOT use silicone to make the hair smooth. It's awesome. Even the wavy formula made my hair smooth, like the chance for frizz was 0.00. I did use it before blowing it out so my goal was technically straight hair but that's indeed what I got. About a week later, I let my hair air dry out of sheer laziness but I sprayed this on it and it dried so beautifully. Love it.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Review- Living Proof No Frizz Straight Making Styling Spray



A lightweight spray that dries fast and leaves hair with incredible shine without an ounce of frizz. It can also be used as a touch-up during the day or as an effective detangler for all hair types. No Frizz works great on color-treated hair, too. 3.4 oz.= $24 1.7 oz.= $14

When you go to buy this product, and believe me, you want to buy this product, get the 3.4 oz. size. Because once you've tried it, you'll start questioning if they sell it by the quart. It's just that good. I've tried quite a few frizz treatments over the years, but this one is totally unique. Unlike most serums or spray shine products to calm frizz, I have no fear that I'm using too much of this spray. I cover my whole head in it, concentrating on my part. Not only is my hair not frizzy when I dry it, it's not frizzy later or even the next day. Now I'm not claiming to have especially hard-to-manage hair, but my hair has just enough wave to it that on rainy days it just looks confused. This Straight Making Spray really helps with all of that and it accomplished it without making your hair weighed down or oily- even the next day. I can only imagine how well it would work with a straightener. If you wash your hair every other day or longer and thought you could never use a frizz fighting product because it leaves your hair looking oily the next day, here is your frizz-fighting Holy Grail!

Sultana says: I totally agree with Hillary 100%. Usually I have to wash my hair everyday because it gets very oily. Since my hair is also color-treated, it tends to absorb frizz treatments entirely so I have to use a lot. With this product, I was able to use a normal amount and I was surprised that it didnt weigh my hair down or give it that greasy look.

We had a lot of nasty, rainy summer days and this helped pull me into the sunshine. So trust us ladies, this is one for the keeping!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Review- Citre Shine Anti-Frizz Serum




For lustrous, healthy shine that goes straight to your head. Treat coarse, dry or chemically treated hair with this high-gloss, polishing serum specially formulated with a customized blend of vitamins, silicones and a UV protectant. Shine enhancing citrus extracts effectively protects hair from heat styling damage and environmental stress. Tames frizz and treats split ends for a smooth, soft, shiny finish.

This serum is really quite a steal! You know how much you have to pay for some higher end products that really do much less than this little bottle of anti-fizz serum, and this bottle is less than $7! It has a light clean smell that goes away pretty quickly so it won't clash with your own personal fragrance. It really works miracles on my super straight hair, that can look a bit frazzled after the blow dryer and straightener. I like to apply it after I dry so that I can really tell where its going and where I need it most. My own personal completely unrealistic fear is that I will apply too much product (of whatever kind) and it will make my hair look dirty and greasy (I believe this fear stems from an incident when I was 11 that was completely mortifying) and I can report that none of my fears were realized with this product, even when I used slightly more than I was intending to. All in all this is a really solid product (as with everything else in this line!) and I completely recommend it over products that are twice its price!

Sultana says: I agree! I have loved Citri Shine since I was a teen. I've been using this on and off for a long time. When you need something that works and doesn't cost a fortune, Citri Shine is who you go to. This ranks in my top 5 of hair serums. If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do. It is available in mosts pharmacies and the prices are great.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Review - N.Y.C. Color Metro Quartet Eyeshadow

Highlight, contour and define! Four coordinated, ultra silky textured shadow for endless looks. Color glides on smoothly, evenly and really lasts. Dual ended applicator included for professional results! $3.99

I have this in "South Street Seaport", which is a mix of brown & pink shades. I am truly smitten with this product & the brand overall. Since I am a native New Yorker, I love the fact that I can buy cosmetics from a brand that is in NY too.
How cute are the names?? Chelsea Girl, Lexington Luxury & Union Square are just some examples.
This lets you do the "Smokey Eye Look" without going too overboard. The colors are pretty yet not too dramatic. This is one brand that you can truly trust whether you are in NY or anywhere in the world!

Review- Alba Coconut Milk Body Cream




Signature ingredient: Coconut oil is rich in essential fatty acids. The oil of this tropical fruit nourishes and moisturizes for smooth, soft skin.
Product description: Topical plant emollients with nourishing coconut blended in a rich, luxurious body cream to soften, soothe and smooth rough, dry, flaky skin. 6.5 oz (180 g) $12.95



It's not even winter yet and my body's ready for hydration! Plus, the scent of coconut oil in a lavish and rich body cream instantly takes me away to a tropical island. Major bonus points for giving me the impression that I'm sitting on the beach on a warm and sunny vacation! This Alba Coconut Milk Body Cream is the perfect remedy for those winter blues. Not only is the scent amazingly tropical in a delightfully fresh way, but it leaves your skin feeling so soft and moisturized, you wouldn't even know that the change of seasons has already taken place. I especially like applying this on my elbows, knees and heel areas, as directed, because before things get scaly, I feel whisked away on an island retreat! It is also made with aloe, vanilla, guava, papaya and mango extracts, as well as Kukui and macadamia nut oils, and protective shea butter - the ideal ingredients for your skin's tropical getaway - even in the midst of cooling temperatures!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Review- Sonya Dakar Lightening Mask (Discoloration)


For discolored skin, this lightening mask continues the facial process by absorbing impurities and refining the skin. Formulated to meet eco-friendly principles, this mask is free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, artificial fragrances and dyes. Helps purify skin, brighten discoloration to promote an even-toned complexion. $72 for 2 oz

I had some pretty notorious acne throughout my high school years, and while my breakout days are over, I'm still left with a bit of discoloration due to the post-acne scars. Pesky little pimples tend to leave scars and dark marks, especially when they don't heal properly (yea I'm guilty of popping and picking at them). Sonya Dakar Lightening Mask is is an amazing mask, formulated with licorice and Vitamin C to naturally lighten dark splotches. I applied a thick layer to my skin after washing off my makeup, and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing off. I didn't see any effects after using it 3 times, but usually with a product like this it takes a few weeks before you really see results. The only thing that turned me off about this was the $72 price tag. I can't really say if its worth the expenditure without using it for an extended time period; however I would suggest using it as a spot treatment just for dark marks instead of a full facial mask.


Trish Says: Last week I noticed the beginnings of a tiny pimple starting, so I did what came naturally next - I tried to get rid of it before it grew. Well, suffice to stay the pimple won out and became a worse scar in return! Thankfully, I had a sample of the Sonya Dakar Lightening Mask available, so I gave it try, at least to remedy the damage I created in the first place - and I'm pretty pleased to say, it worked! Of course the scar was pretty tiny and fairly newish, nothing too dark or noticeable yet, and the mask seemed to accelerate the healing and clearing process nicely. It didn't take away the whole scarrring effect all in one use, but a vast and noticeable improvement did result. What could have been a long, drawn out scarry mess became a tiny small mark that gets lighter with every use of the mask. Of course, the mask is on the pricey side still, and the scar doesn't go away immediately, but the healing effect remains remarkable and quite the mistake corrector when we take bold actions against those annoying little pimples!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Jason Natural Antioxidant Rich Lemon Zinger Body Lotion




Energize tired skin and enliven your senses with a burst of aromatherapy. Our Lemon Zinger Herbal Tea-infused lotion blends hibiscus, rosehips and orange peel to nourish with Vitamin C and antioxidants while zingy scent of lemon keeps you on your toes.


Are you a fan of Celestial Seasonings herbal teas? Lemon Zinger is one of my fave flavors from the brand and this creamy lotion perfectly captures everything I love about that tea. It is light and creamy, and absorbs easily without leaving behind any greasy residue. And the smell is just sensational! While some lemon-scented products remind me of sweet and sour lemon candy, this lotion somehow manages to be bright and, well, zingy, without smelling too strong or sweet. The fragrance is definitely much more sophisticated. This stuff sits prominently on my bathroom counter, so I can find an excuse to use it several times a day!


Trish says: Celestial Seasonings is one of my favorite natural tea brands on the market! Trying a lotion in the same family of brand had wild reviews for me - only because the scent reminds me so much of how much I love their teas. But, once I got past the scent of "Lemon Zinger" as a lotion, wow, I really fell in love with this lotion. It fully hydrates, leaving my skin feeling soft and nurtured, at the same time I know that quality ingredients went into making this product. If you like the smell of lemons or citrusy products, then this is a definite delightful lotion to have around. Also, if you like knowing that your products are healthy for your body and your peace of mind, then look no further, the JASON lines as well as any Celestial brand delivers top quality in a holistic and peaceful way. I love using this lotion and any product that comes from their line of quality-based products. It makes me feel good inside and out. Two thumbs up for a healthy-minded consumer!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Review-Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel




What is it?A skin perfector that instantly per-fekts and enhances the appearance of the skin offering an easy alternative to traditional foundation, primer, color corrector and powder.
How does it work?This multi-tasking, modern gel-mousse glides on effortlessly to instantly improve skin tone, help maintain hydration, and reduce the appearance of redness and discoloration, enlarged pores, fine lines and shine. Skin Perfection Gel provides natural, buildable coverage and leaves the skin with a smooth, airbrushed finish. Simply pat, smooth and go! $57.50


I tried this product in the Decadent shade, a rich chocolaty brown that I instantly assumed was way too dark for my medium skin tone. I blended a tiny bit onto my left cheek and to my surprise, it disappeared immediately! I finished the application with just a few drops of the creamy mousse, and there was a barely noticeable hint of coverage. It really looked like I wasn't wearing any makeup, but several of my friends kept remarking on how my face suddenly looked clearer, natural glow. I'm not normally into the natural look, but the effects of the Skin Perfection Gel were apparent to everyone.

The Skin Perfection Gel is also buildable if you want more coverage, so just layer it on. It goes on quite smooth, without looking cakey, but it really doesn't give the level of coverage you would get from a liquid or cream foundation. I'm so used to a more polished, glammed out look with my makeup, so I have to say this wouldn't make it into my everyday beauty routine. However I love it for lazy summer days since it takes just seconds to apply, looks totally natural, lasts all day, and really keeps your skin hydrated while controlling oil.

If you have struggled to find the right foundation, or really just hate the look and feel of heavy formulas, you would fall in love with this. The price tag seems a bit much, but it only took less than a dime sized blob to do my layered look, so this tube will definitely last awhile. And considering its like a color corrector, primer, foundation, and powder, you'd save loads of time and money by not having to use all those other products.

Sultana says: I agree 100% that this is a very good foundation for minimalistic coverage. Due to acne scarring, I need a heavy foundation & powder. However, I tried this underneath my foundation and it worked so beautifully on my oily and acne prone skin.
I have this in the 'Rich' shade. It is a pretty mocha that would be suitable for someone with a medium skin tone.
I love products that shrink your pores and give your skin a matted look. This is great for the summer if you want something extremely light weight. If you sweat a little, you don't have to worry that you will look like you are melting. This comes in a nice sized tube that you can carry with you and touch up through out the day.

Amanda S. Says: I agree with Sultana, I often refuse to leave the house without a heavy foundation and powder, so I wondered how much I'd really use this product. But underneath the foundation it actually really fills in some 'blanks' I've always had an issue with: fading, wearing off, sweating off, etc of powders and foundations. It really gave my foundation a good staying power in this super damp humidity lately. When my skin is agreeable and I feel like I can wear less to mask my skin issues, I think this is also great to wear alone because it gives a nice glow to otherwise bare skin.

Trish Says: I'm a perfectionist. So a product like this speaks closely to my heart! I tried the gel in a clear "Translucent" shade, which for me is the way to go with this primer, perfector, foundation, corrector gel. As directed, I applied the gel after using moisturizer, and noticed right away a sudden airbrushed quality to my skin! Since there's no tinted coverage to the colorless gel - (which I prefer as it is difficult to match my medium-toned skin) - I then followed up with a dusting of powder to finish the look - and wow, I absolutely fell in love with this high gloss, flawless look! No kidding, it looked as if my skin somehow stepped straight out of the pages of a high-fashion glossy and onto the streets of New York, without any Photoshopping on my part either! I'm super happy with the results. I find that the Translucent shade doesn't compete at all with my current powder or foundation, but instead it enhanced the quality of my skin. I'm also pleased with how long it lasted - the glowing and sheer effect stayed on for much of the day for me. Because I found this to be a super glossy, glammed up look, most likely I'll reserve this for special occasions or important events where you really want your skin to look ultra flawless and airbrushed for the cameras at least, as well as for yourself!


Movie Maven says: I hate, hate, hate looking like I'm wearing a lot of makeup - my mother never wears makeup and never has, and although I love to do crazy things with my eyeshadow, I feel like a heavy mask of foundation is not something I can get behind. So this "perfector" gel is great for me, because seriously guys: it doesn't look like you're wearing much, but your skin looks instantly better. On a scale of Rachel McAdams to Morgan Freeman, my pores aren't too bad, but this gel got them one step closer to The Notebook. I just put a little on my cheeks to even everything out, top with powder, and I'm good. My only complaint is that it's a little pricey, and how long it will last remains to be seen, but you really only need a TINY bit to give good coverage. Definitely recommended for ladies who like a flawless look with not a lot of effort or product.

Deedlejuse Says:
I feel bad, I have been waiting forever to review this tube of "per-fektion" because I just seriously don't like it. The first time I put it on I looked in the mirror and was shocked by how old I looked. I guess if you use powder, concealer, and the whole works and you want to try a less intensive regime you have found your perfect make-up. For those of us who really like to look balmy and natural (think glowing, not covered with powder) this might not be the product for you. I just felt covered, without the coverage I would have wanted from such a product. I know everyone else likes it, but I can't bring myself to!


Josephine says: I agree with Deedlejuse. I, too, have dragged my heels on this review because the first time I tried it I wasn't into it at all and I thought it might have been the time and place so to speak but when I picked it up again a few weeks later I had the same blah experience with it. It might be that it just does not work with my skin type. The consistency is hard to work with though as not a sponges or synthetic brush seems to be able to spread it well on one's skin. As a plus, it is really lightweight which may be appealing to some and it appears to be all you need if you're a super-simple minimalist grrrl.

Melissa says:
I tried the skin perfection gel in Decadent. I was a bit hesitant because I don't like putting foundation or concealer on my face. At first, I thought it was going to be too dark for my skin and just make me look unnatural. That was not the case! It went on so smooth and effortlessly. Even though it is a gel, I didn't expect that type of texture since it is a colored product. It acted as a good base and it it did help touch up some of the dark circles under my eyes and my uneven skin tone here and there. I could also tell that my skin was moisturized and nice and soft. I also love that it's so small that I can take it with me. Plus, I don't have to worry about this everything breaking on my like my last powder!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Review - BrushLab Blueberry Oval Cushion Boar Bristle Brush


Large oval shaped cushion hair brush with premium natural boar bristles and soft, massaging grip. $11.98 each

I have long and sometimes unruly hair. After I wash my hair it tends to get very knotty. I usually use a brush with the plastic bristles to detangle my hair. With that said, this brush didn't work so well for me by itself. It did work when I combed out all the knots and then used it as a finisher.
Once you use it that way, you are guaranteed soft, shiny and manageable locks!


Review- Rapidlash Eyelash Renewal Serum

"In just 30 days, this innovative high-performance formula promotes the appearance of healthy, natural lash and brow growth with a simple once a day application. Each strand is nourished providing incredible results that improve the appearance of thin, sparse eyebrows, and help transform thin, brittle or short lashes into Thicker, Longer, Healthier-looking lashes and brows!" $49.95

All women with sparse eyelashes and/or brows- Rejoice! Finally there is an affordable eyelash/eyebrow serum that really works. I'm here to tell you that Rapidlash works just as well as a certain more famous, much more expensive serum (you know which one I'm talking about). And another benefit is that they sell it at certain drugstores (I saw it at CVS). I had overplucked the ends of my eyebrows making them too short. After a month of using Rapidlash I'm seeing re-growth. It does take about 3-4 weeks to see an improvement from Rapidlash, but once you do, it is truly noticeable. It also seems to have made my lashes darker somehow. That could be due to the serum making them healthier. I experienced no bad effects from using Rapidlash and it is perfectly safe for those of us with contact lenses. You simply apply it as if it was liquid eyeliner (I only do my top lid) and if you wish, paint it on your eyebrows. I've been using mine for 6 weeks & I still hear more serum sloshing around in the container. Also, once you've acheived your desired length, you can cut back to using it every other night. This is a great, lower cost option which works just as well as it's more expensive counterparts for gals who want to add some length to their eyelashes and fullness to their brows.

Review - Aveda Calming Body Cleanser


Purify and condition your body with a calming gel blend of aloe vera and witch hazel extracts. Soothing plant-derived aromas—including rose, vanilla and lavender—help unwind body and mind.
  • Relaxing aroma
  • Creates long-lasting bath bubbles
  • Leaves skin feeling soft and resilient
Aveda's products are wonderful, and this body cleanser is no exception. The scent is enough to get your attention, and not too flowery - it's like being 50 feet away from a plant store, because you get all sorts of scents but not in an overpowering way. True to its word, it is quite calming - I wanted to go have a cup of tea and snuggle up in bed after my shower, so if you're a morning showerer, don't use this scent unless you're planning to get right back in bed. $14/250 mL @ aveda.com.

Amanda Says:
It's under $15 for a nice big bottle of this super sweet and soft smelling calming body wash that bubbles up great on a poof/washcloth and is definitely OK for guys/girls (read: NOT perfumey). it really does have a relaxing scent, sort of like those massage/body oils or aromatherapy things you can rub into your temples when you feel all tense and stressed out. a little perk which I didn't note on the bottle is that you can add this to scent your bath too and the smell lingers nicely.

Review- King of Shaves Sensitive Skin Shave Gel



Feel the difference - be kind to your skin! Smooth & Sensitive Shaving Gel from King of Shave Woman gives a close, comfortable shave leaving delicate skin silky smooth, gently moisturized and without dryness!

Sooo..... for those of us who are tired of spending a bundle on shaving creams (and feel morally opposed to aerosol) this is the perfect answer to a completely wonderful shaving experience! Its unscented, which is nice, made with soothing chamomile and lavender, and completely abrasive! I am a huge fan, and I'm really not one to spend extra on something that I can achieve with just soap and water, but I promise you will be amazed by how much better your shaving experience will be when you use the tools of the trade. Its inexpensive, and wonderful. Two thumbs up on this one!

Sultana says: The first time I used this gel, I used an old razor. Bad idea!! I learned my lesson after getting some nasty nicks. My second experience was way better. In about 5 minutes I had soft and smooth legs & underarms!
This is great for women who have skin sensitivities. It has a very mild formula that won't cause any rashes or irritation.
Finally, something that makes shaving a little less of a chore!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Review- DDF Advanced Micro-Exfoliating Cleanser





DDF Advanced Micro-Exfoliation Cleanser contains a breakthrough Turmeric Complex with exfoliating rice bran that is designed to accelerate surface-cell turnover and eliminate impurities. The complexion takes on a fresh, healthy, radiant quality as this rejuvenating must-have works its wonders.


This amazing exfoliator really works wonders! The exfoliating beads are super gentle, and the cleanser's Turmeric Complex helps leaves pores flawless and skin bright. Unlike many other exfoliants I've tried, this one doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. Just a warning for those with oily, breakout prone skin - this product contains mineral oil, which makes it better for those with normal to dry complexions. I loved how soft and refreshed my skin felt, and I wasn't dying to put on moisturizer right after I used it. Overall , it is a superb cleanser that meets A LOT of different skin concerns, and is definitely worth every penny!