Madison
Member Since: February 14, 2007Reviews
L'Oreal Natural Match
Don't think that just because it says "Natural" on the box, that it is a "go-easy" product. When I got home with the Dark Brown Ash, I realized that it was actually several shades darker than my own hair. I decided to do it anyway, just see what... +
Don't think that just because it says "Natural" on the box, that it is a "go-easy" product. When I got home with the Dark Brown Ash, I realized that it was actually several shades darker than my own hair. I decided to do it anyway, just see what happens. Needless to say, my hair stylist is used to fixing my mistakes, shunning my obsession with box-colors and instant gratification cuts. As it turns out, it really can make your hair several shades shades darker. My hair turned out almost the exact color as on the box, except my ends, which turned out black. The lesson I learned there: put leave-in moisturizer on the ends, or make sure you don't HAVE dried out ends. On the up side, it did leave some pretty nice highlights, so it doesn't look overdone. The conditioner leaves something to be desired. However, the smell is awesome. I was able to sit next to my hubby for the entire set time, without him saying a word. So far, this is my favorite dye because of the color results, the lack of toxic smell, that it did not irritate my skin at all and that it is easy to use. -
Max Factor Pan-Stik Ultra-Creamy Concealer
This little stick is a beauty addict's genie-in-a-stick. This little $7 tube can grant every wish you can think of. Tired eyes? Pimple? Pimple scar? Dry/irritated skin/hickey? Want to lighten up your lips? Yeah. It does all that. It doesn't fix... +
This little stick is a beauty addict's genie-in-a-stick. This little $7 tube can grant every wish you can think of. Tired eyes? Pimple? Pimple scar? Dry/irritated skin/hickey? Want to lighten up your lips? Yeah. It does all that. It doesn't fix your boyfriend twisting it and breaking it off in the cap, which just happened as I write this, but we'll leave that to the real magicians.
This product goes on supersuper smooth, and blends instantly over anything. The tone is perfect, and barely even needs to be rubbed in. It does not feel sticky, and doesn't leave my skin feeling oily even without a mid-day brush-up. I specifically use this stick to lighten up my apple-red lips, which it does easily without looking flaky. It is jam-packed with pigment, so you don't need to lop it on. Like many of my concealers, I buy it in a shade lighter than my actual shade, but this I went for the full-on Natural tone (#101) since I bought it specifically for my lips. I never thought I'd be using it for its actual purpose, but it turns out to be a master of all trades. I highly recommend this product even if you don't need it. For $7, you can't go wrong just shoving one in your bag - one day, you'll need it, and like man's (or girl's) best friend, it will be there for you.
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L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Star Secrets Lipstick
A product of my supermarket splurge, this lipstick is not the downer that I oh-so-often feel on spur-of-the-moment makeup buys. I started with the test-run smear-on. I touched it, went "hm" touched it again, and realized that it was there for good... +
A product of my supermarket splurge, this lipstick is not the downer that I oh-so-often feel on spur-of-the-moment makeup buys. I started with the test-run smear-on. I touched it, went "hm" touched it again, and realized that it was there for good, went on smooth, and felt like chapstick - not like I had just autobaked my lips.
My favorite part - and the reason I bought it - is the color. I have it in #165 Tickled Pink. It is THE perfect spring color. When smeared on, it is very bright (jammed with color, almost looked fluorescent), which you'll see on the in-store sample chip. I mixed it with a little wax-based chapstick and a concealer stick to give it a really nude/pink. It gives you a "wow" without knowing exactly what it is. It did look just fine just dabbed on without the concealer, but I like my lips light. It does have sparkles in, which usually is the reason I chuck lipstick, but it doesn't really show on your lips, and definately does not stand out. If you're looking for a new spring lipstick, this is a good quick buy.
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Jonathan Product Redo Freshen-Up Mist for Hair & Skin To Go
This was one of those products I added to my Sephora order to top off the free shipping qualification. I figured, with my dry hair, why wash it more (and loose beauty rest) when I can just spritz it down? And so it happened. I started off using... +
This was one of those products I added to my Sephora order to top off the free shipping qualification. I figured, with my dry hair, why wash it more (and loose beauty rest) when I can just spritz it down?
And so it happened. I started off using this product int he morning with My Frizz Ease Dream Curl spray, or by itself when I chose to change my style. However, it migrated to my gym bag, and I use I hit the gym during lunch to get rid of the sweaty metal smell. It does very well on my skin after I go tanning - no one likes the smell of toasty plastic skin. It smells fresh, definately not overdone, and the bottle (if you caught the show, you know how much effort was put in to the bottle) is just the right size to jam in to my bag. A quick time saver that you didn't even know you needed.
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SonicAir Speed Styler
Introducing the idiot-proof appliance to start off every morning (or every night). It was probably the hot silver/orange color that sold me, plus the not to bulky, but totally effeciant size. Or maybe that it came with a diffuser and a straightening... +
Introducing the idiot-proof appliance to start off every morning (or every night). It was probably the hot silver/orange color that sold me, plus the not to bulky, but totally effeciant size. Or maybe that it came with a diffuser and a straightening attachment. Ion shine, maybe. Oh wait... but the real seller - it has a detachable vent on the back. What that means to me: When I get so frusterated trying to straighten my hair, and lobs of it get caught in the back, is that you can TAKE THE VENT OFF, and remove the hair chunks BEFORE they get wrapped in the fan and get blown out in molten chunks.
The only downer to this model is that the buttons are on slides, like most dryers, but they are not very grippy, making it difficult to switch on and off, or change heat level (Hot, Warm, Cool) or fan speed. But in the end, it does dry my hair super fast, and leaves it shiny and smooth. I'd easily pay triple for the dryer and still say it was totally worth it.
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Crest Whitestrips
I liked these little dudes. On the up side, I saw a noticeable difference in about three days, and looked totally fabulous by the end. On the down side, they did make my teeth feel slightly sensitive even for a week or so after I had finished all... +
I liked these little dudes. On the up side, I saw a noticeable difference in about three days, and looked totally fabulous by the end. On the down side, they did make my teeth feel slightly sensitive even for a week or so after I had finished all the strips. The WORST part was that - while doing the bottom strips - I would get a shooting pain through my jaw that would make me grab my face and want to scream. The second time around, I found that the pain was bearable, and I was able to finish the strips. I've used them twice, due to being a regular coffee drinker, but I supplement with a whitening toothpaste (think Colgate Total or Crest Pro-Health) and I can keep the whitestrips down to every year or so. For me, the price is worth it, and I've gotten used to just having a super sensitive mouth. -
Planet Fitness
About 5 mos ago I hit my all-time highest weight, and panicked. But instead of grabbing gym shorts and taking a jog around the block like every other person on my street, I googled gyms in my area, read reviews, and signed up with Planet Fitness -... +
About 5 mos ago I hit my all-time highest weight, and panicked. But instead of grabbing gym shorts and taking a jog around the block like every other person on my street, I googled gyms in my area, read reviews, and signed up with Planet Fitness - online, of course.
Why I picked Planet Fitness:
They are all along the the coast, and you get free access to any of the facilities.
$20 a month bought me: unlimited 24 hr gym access, free training sessions, unlimited tanning, and a bunch of other deals including 50% of drinks, bring a friend, etc.
How it worked out:
I had the best experience signing up. I walked in to the gym, the uber-friendly staff gave me my card, gave me tour, and started me on my way. They supply you with data showing how many people on average are at the gym during specific hrs, so - if you're wimpy like me- you can avoid the crowd. The gym is designed for people who are there to work on their insecurities, and shuns attention-seekers. I always feel comfortable. Plus, the free tanning itself is worth $20, even if I never even set my bum on the equipment. All the machines and beds, locker rooms and bathrooms, showers, are totally clean and fresh. They supply 8 TVs with 8 different channels with attached audio equipment. I try to go sometime around my favorite TV shows so I'll at least spend 1/2 an hour on cardio while I watch my show. The gym was one of my best buys last year.
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Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment
Your lip's lifeboat. When all else fails, and your lips are absolutely ravaged, your blistex will always be there for you. I live in Northern Vermont, were we have gone weeks on the down side of zero degree weather. The wind, cold, and drying... +
Your lip's lifeboat. When all else fails, and your lips are absolutely ravaged, your blistex will always be there for you. I live in Northern Vermont, were we have gone weeks on the down side of zero degree weather. The wind, cold, and drying lipstick leaves my lips looking terrible. this product saves me every day. I wipe some on after I've washed my face, then continue with my routine, shoving it in my pocket for later.
It seems to be waterbased - is light and absorbs quickly with no residue. It does not sit on your lips, so you don't have to worry about it interfering with your lipstick. The tip lets it glide on without a mess. You do not need to lob it on, even in the worst of conditions, so $2 will last all winter long.
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John Frieda Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfecting Spray
I've always been jealous of the girls with straight, perfect hair who would roll out of bed and look party-ready. I roll out of bed looking like Annie. However, when I don't have time to take a shower and pull my hair back down to earth, I grab my... +
I've always been jealous of the girls with straight, perfect hair who would roll out of bed and look party-ready. I roll out of bed looking like Annie. However, when I don't have time to take a shower and pull my hair back down to earth, I grab my trusty bottle-o-tamer, spritz, and scrunch. Granted, nothing is powerful enough to tame the beasts in my curls, but this subdues them, leaves it soft and shiny. There is no crunch, and the frizzies disapear. Great for a fast fix. The smell is clean and soft, and is the best way to reamp your curls in a fraction of the time. -
Revlon Powder Blush
Mhm! Perfect! My "Disgards" bag is chock full of blushes I spent days mulling over, inspecting, then finally tossed. I've ravaged every isle of every drugstore in a 15 mi radius, clicked on every color of every type of every brand on sephora, read... +
Mhm! Perfect! My "Disgards" bag is chock full of blushes I spent days mulling over, inspecting, then finally tossed. I've ravaged every isle of every drugstore in a 15 mi radius, clicked on every color of every type of every brand on sephora, read each description, and finally moved on. They were either too hard to apply, too barbie, lacked pigment, sticky, just a bad color match, or - the worst - sparkly. My goal in a blush is to look like a light spring breeze just kissed my cheeks, not like I've been dipped face first in a kindergarten art class.
And here she is - that perfect, natural spring glow. The best advice I've heard regarding blush is to get one that matches your own natural blush - pinch your cheek. Duh. But this was the first blush I bought with that in mind, and it worked. I have this in #04 Softspoken Pink. It looks totally natural, and I cannot mess it up. It blends perfectly, and literally looks just like my skin with no sparkles. I dab a little baby oil on the crest of my cheekbones, and out I go. I'll be sticking with this one.
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