ellstar
Member Since: March 4, 2011Reviews
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
It's funny, I'm reviewing a food product here by its "taste" but really and truly I use my apple cider vinegar at least 10 different ways and only one of them is for ingesting! I use diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner, a spot corrector for... +
It's funny, I'm reviewing a food product here by its "taste" but really and truly I use my apple cider vinegar at least 10 different ways and only one of them is for ingesting!
I use diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner, a spot corrector for acne, as part of a cleaning regime in my house, it can help freshen the air, and, it can definitely be used as a tea with honey, lemon and cinnamon when you're feeling sick.
It's a wonder product, but I usually use it for my beauty regime more often than not. I find that most other toners are too harsh for my skin, but a little diluted ACV goes a long way to keeping my skin healthy.
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Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
I, like any other woman who dares to wear a full Zooey Deschanel-esque face of bangs, often have the problem of a greasy forehead. It comes part and parcel with keeping your hair so close to your face! I used to just have to powder my forehead like... +
I, like any other woman who dares to wear a full Zooey Deschanel-esque face of bangs, often have the problem of a greasy forehead. It comes part and parcel with keeping your hair so close to your face! I used to just have to powder my forehead like mad, but a friend dropped one of these babies in my lap and all that changed. I don't have particularly oily skin otherwise, but these sheets help me dry down my forehead to keep my from breaking out, and don't mess or fuss with my makeup if I do run it along the rest of my face too.
I know some people don't like the price, but I usually buy them for 2.99 or 3.49 and with 50 sheets they last me few months. Not a bad trade off and it's better than using tissue paper or paper towel on your face because it's more sensitive and won't leave fibre particles.
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KORRES Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturizing Cream
I was really excited to try a sample of this Korres beauty product because I've heard so many good things about the brand, but me and this moisturizer just don't mix. I'm not sure if it's the 'brightening' aspect of the product or the ridiculously... +
I was really excited to try a sample of this Korres beauty product because I've heard so many good things about the brand, but me and this moisturizer just don't mix.
I'm not sure if it's the 'brightening' aspect of the product or the ridiculously intensity of the parfum, but I reacted to this product like mad. I couldn't quite tell the first day, but by day two of using it, I had completely broken out all over my face and it was tight and inflamed. It took two days of using another gentler product to calm my face down.
If by "brightening" they meant "making your face red and pink" they succeeded. Also, the scent is way too strong and while the product touts it's 'natural' ingredients, it's clear that the product is heavily produced and despite containing some catchy, trendy ingredients, is hardly any more natural than most other brands at that price point.
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CARGO LashActivator Mascara
I received a sample mini size of Cargo's LashActivator mascara in a beauty box not too long ago, and from day one it became my go-to mascara for three specific reasons. 1. The wand is flexible and rubberized, and the length of the bristles was... +
I received a sample mini size of Cargo's LashActivator mascara in a beauty box not too long ago, and from day one it became my go-to mascara for three specific reasons.
1. The wand is flexible and rubberized, and the length of the bristles was quite smaller than a regular mascara wand, BUT that worked in the brushes favour because you could actually drag it along your eyelashes easier.
2. I'm not sure what this "primer" is, but it totally works. I wouldn't use the Cargo LashActivator for days when i wanted FULLY LOADED lashes, but the formula helped separate each lash and the mascara accentuated a day look quite nicely. I also noticed that fewer lashes came out when I wiped my mascara off at night. It always removed neatly.
3. The mascara was durable. I would put it on in the morning and it would last until late at night. Normally I don't find that the less dramatic mascara lasts that long, but the LashActivator does.
I recently finished my mini, but I will totally consider purchasing the full priced (appox $25) when I'm done with my current stash.
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Pandora's Mascara
I received this mascara in a Loose Button box last year, and only unsealed it from its plastic recently to give it a whirl. But what I really should've done first was look up reviews online because then I'd know not to bother. I've obtained more... +
I received this mascara in a Loose Button box last year, and only unsealed it from its plastic recently to give it a whirl. But what I really should've done first was look up reviews online because then I'd know not to bother. I've obtained more results from a $5 product!
It's a long, standard sized wand, the mixture is quite wet and while it doesn't 'clump', just like it claims, it doesn't do much else either. I've seen better results with the Great Lash clear mascara than this. It doesn't do much of anything overall, and while it's not TERRIBLE, it just doesn't do ANYTHING. I'll be tossing this, as I have many other mascaras to choose from that actually deliver results.
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Essie Luxeffects
It's really no secret that I love glitter, the sparklier the nail the better in my book! The only problem with a lot of drug-store polishes is that the glitter topcoats often require you to really "fish" em out to get good coverage. But NOT SO with... +
It's really no secret that I love glitter, the sparklier the nail the better in my book! The only problem with a lot of drug-store polishes is that the glitter topcoats often require you to really "fish" em out to get good coverage. But NOT SO with the Essie Luxe Effects. Each swipe brings forth a lot of gorgeous glitter, and the one I use, A Cut Above, has a nice mix of small glittery and hexagons to really enhance your nails. I've used this over a creamy white coat to make Easter Egg nails, over a dark coat to add a bit of girlish flash to a vampy nail, it's a really great effect polish to have in your arsenal. You won't be able to look away. -
Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor
I've been on the hunt for a trendy dark-plum lip colour that is long-lasting, not too smudgy and relatively affordable. (For a trend colour, I don't want to spend more than $10 in case it doesn't really work on me.) I'd heard some great things about... +
I've been on the hunt for a trendy dark-plum lip colour that is long-lasting, not too smudgy and relatively affordable. (For a trend colour, I don't want to spend more than $10 in case it doesn't really work on me.) I'd heard some great things about the Color Sensational line by Maybelline and decided to try it out. I looked at some swatches and in the store I debated between Red Revival which is more of a pin-up red, but opted for Plum Perfect which is a matte finish, with great pigment.
It's more of a burgundy/brown than a true purple, but it looks gorgeous. It has GREAT staying power and can be a subtle, soft plum with one coat, or a really dark hit if you want to use 3 coats of it. I ate a whole meal and it barely smudged! I really like the versatility, that you can vary the extremity of the colour, and the payoff. This line has some shimmery colours too, so be careful whether or not the one you get is matte or not. It's a touch drying but that can be easily fixed with a balm.
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Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen
I'm a pretty big Sally Hansen fan, I find their products do almost exactly what they claim, every time. But in the rush to get nail art pens on the market, Sally missed the mark. The polish loaded inside this pen is watered down, you need to go over... +
I'm a pretty big Sally Hansen fan, I find their products do almost exactly what they claim, every time. But in the rush to get nail art pens on the market, Sally missed the mark. The polish loaded inside this pen is watered down, you need to go over your designs again and again to get any real thickness or consistency, and if you don't seal it, it rubs off rather easily. I've purchased a few of these, thinking that maybe I just got a bad pen or something, but no, you're much better off just buying a nail art set, or heck, using a pair of chopsticks and dipping them in nail polish than using this. -
Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
I've tried this product before in a small sample and I was blown away by how just using it for a few days my skin felt fresher and more nourished. I recently received a larger bottle of the product and I have to say that despite the price, a little... +
I've tried this product before in a small sample and I was blown away by how just using it for a few days my skin felt fresher and more nourished. I recently received a larger bottle of the product and I have to say that despite the price, a little goes a long way. It has this very light forest-y scent with the refreshing hint of sage that doesn't cling to the skin but helps add to the freshness when you apply, my skin isn't squeaky-clean afterwards but nicely supple and moisturized!. I think I'm continuing with this product for time to come. -
Sally Hershberger Go With the Blow Thermal Styler
When you have really long hair, thermal stylers really have to be special to actually help you dry and style your hair in a reasonable time frame. Go with the Blow is good because it's not tacky or gummy, it slides easily from your hands to your... +
When you have really long hair, thermal stylers really have to be special to actually help you dry and style your hair in a reasonable time frame. Go with the Blow is good because it's not tacky or gummy, it slides easily from your hands to your hair and helps reduce hair drying time and makes it easier to style right after. It's not my favourite thermal styler, but for such an affordable price, it works in a pinch and is great as a back-up or in-between product. -
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