Principessa1
Member Since: March 6, 2011Reviews
Mott's Mr & Mrs T Mai Tai Cocktail Mix
I love to serve drinks to my friends when we hangout outside, but I always seem to be missing ingredients to make drinks. This Mai Tai mix is really practical as you only need to have ice and alcohol. There is a pretty big almond taste so make sure... +
I love to serve drinks to my friends when we hangout outside, but I always seem to be missing ingredients to make drinks. This Mai Tai mix is really practical as you only need to have ice and alcohol. There is a pretty big almond taste so make sure you enjoy that before purchasing. -
Mott's Mr & Mrs T Blue Raspberry Martini Cocktail Mix
The blue raspberry flavor is perfect to add some color and taste to all kinds of drinks. Not too sweet when mixed with a lot of ice and some vodka. Wish it was more sour.
The blue raspberry flavor is perfect to add some color and taste to all kinds of drinks. Not too sweet when mixed with a lot of ice and some vodka. Wish it was more sour. -
Dove Refresh + Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo
I've tried different brands of dry shampoos and I was always disappointed with the results. I really enjoyed this product plus you get more for less than the other brand I'm using. The smell is strong but it's not stronger than other kind.
I've tried different brands of dry shampoos and I was always disappointed with the results. I really enjoyed this product plus you get more for less than the other brand I'm using. The smell is strong but it's not stronger than other kind. -
Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips
I'm a big fan of white strips. Any white strips. The easier to use the better. When I heard Crest was getting a new line of whitening products out I knew I would have to try them. The instructions were fairly easy to follow. They directed me... +
I'm a big fan of white strips. Any white strips. The easier to use the better. When I heard Crest was getting a new line of whitening products out I knew I would have to try them.
The instructions were fairly easy to follow. They directed me which strips went on the upper teeth and which went on the lower.
The strips went on smoothly. Sometimes I find with other kits and/or brands that the strips are too thin, making them harder to put on. But the Crest strips went on smoothly and stuck to the teeth that they were supposed to with out bending or getting stuck on my fingers. They felt gooey on my teeth at first but as they began to do their job they felt more firmly stuck to my teeth.
These strips take 30 minutes to do their job but since they fit so comfortably I barley noticed that they were there. I went about my day as I normally would have. One of the good things about these strips were that there was no real taste to them. It was easy to forget that they were there.
After the 30 minutes I went to remove the strips and found some problems doing this. The strips were still bound tightly to my teeth. Since my 30 minutes were up I yanked the strips off regardless of whether they wanted to come off or not. They came off in a couple of pulls, not very willingly, but they did come off. I'm not sure if such pulling was good for my teeth.
However I was happy with the results of the white strips. They did exactly what they promised, make my teeth whiter in 30 minutes.
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Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System with Derma Crystals
I'm 26 years old, with slightly ruddy, uneven-toned combination skin that is showing the first signs of (gulp) aging, so in the last year or so, I've had to make some changes in my skincare routine. I went shopping for skincare products... +
I'm 26 years old, with slightly ruddy, uneven-toned combination skin that is showing the first signs of (gulp) aging, so in the last year or so, I've had to make some changes in my skincare routine. I went shopping for skincare products about 3 weeks ago, and was trying to decide between buying my old standby (L'Oreal Renoviste glycolic acid peel, which I thought was pretty good) or trying something new. I am SO glad I chose this product instead.
The basics: for about $29, you get a 2.2 oz jar of microdermabrasion treatment, and a 2 oz bottle of lactic acid "activator" serum. Olay promises this will last you 16 treatments (at 2 treatments per week, this would be 2 months' worth). The microdermabrasion treatment is orange-colored and has a pleasant, slightly citrusy smell. Its texture is difficult to describe; similar to a lot of exfoliation products, it's grainy, though the derma-crystals have a "soft", not jagged feel. The base is gel-like, but feels somewhat oily too. The activator serum is clear and not too thick, with a sort of medicinal but not offensive scent.
Per the directions, you're supposed to start with clean, dry skin (I recommend using a gentle cleanser for this, especially if you have sensitive skin). The microdermabrasion treatment is step 1. Spread about a quarter-size amount of it onto your face, avoiding your eyes, and massage it in for at least 45 seconds to a minute (I usually go a little longer, but first-time users should be cautious until they know how their skin will react). Your skin will start to feel warm, which is normal. Step 2 is the activator serum. You apply this in an even layer on top of the microdermabrasion treatment and massage it in. It will foam up slightly and your skin will continue to warm. Again, the directions suggest you do this for about a minute, but I've left it on for 2 or 3 without any problems. Yes, this is a little messy -- I usually use it in the bathtub so I can relax while it goes to work without worrying about it dripping on the floor or the sink. When your time is up, rinse it off with warm water. Olay advises not using it more than twice a week and on non-consecutive days to minimize skin irritation.
My results: In short, I've been thrilled with this product. Of course, my skin is softer and baby-smooth -- nearly every mask or peel can accomplish THAT -- but my skintone is much more even and bright, my pores and fine lines are less noticeable, and the slight redness to my cheeks, which I always assumed was just "my complexion", is dramatically reduced. I've had no irritation or breakouts from using it. My skin looks the best it's looked in years, and that's after just 6 or 7 treatments. I've also only used about a quarter of the product, so I expect to get quite a bit more than the 16 treatments/2 months out of it that Olay promises.
I've had lactic and glycolic acid peels at the dermatologist in the past, and I'd say this product gives nearly equivalent results. Needless to say, at $29 for a few months' worth, it's a LOT cheaper! I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't have unusually sensitive skin. It's one of the products I can't live without!
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Pantene Pro V Volumizing Root Lifter Spray Gel
I have shoulder length hair that, while not baby-fine, is seriously lacking in volume. Without a time-consuming styling effort on my part, involving a large barrel curling iron and hair spray (volumizing formula, of course), it kind of just hangs... +
I have shoulder length hair that, while not baby-fine, is seriously lacking in volume. Without a time-consuming styling effort on my part, involving a large barrel curling iron and hair spray (volumizing formula, of course), it kind of just hangs off my head like limp spaghetti. What's worse, some of the shorter, finer hairs around my face and the crown of my head are prone to frizziness, especially in humid weather, so in attempting to tame its unruliness with "smoothing" products, I end up weighing it down even more.
I've been looking for a solution since the tender age of 12, and I think I've found one in Pantene Root Lifter spray gel. After reading glowing reviews, I picked up a bottle at Wal Mart just over a month ago. I've been extremely happy with the results.
After washing my hair, I towel-dry it, then spray about 8-10 times onto my hair, starting by flipping my hair upside-down and spraying the underside, then hitting the sides and crown. Then I blow dry -- sometimes I start out drying it upside-down as the directions suggest, if I want tons of volume; if I'm in a hurry or too tired to bother with it, I skip this and just blow it dry as normal. Either way, the difference is dramatic. How dramatic? In my opinion, my hair looks nearly twice as thick, and feels noticeably thicker too.
Best of all, this spray leaves NO sticky or powdery feel whatsoever, and it adds texture, so my hair takes and holds a style much better. This cuts my styling time by at least half. The volumizing effect lasts all day, unless it's extremely humid or raining.
It washes out completely with each shampoo. As for the "increases shine" claim, I'd say that it does do that, but only slightly. As my hair is naturally pretty shiny, I don't demand much in that department, especially from a volumizing product.
The scent is nice; clean, but subtle, noticeable only until the product dries.
At just $4 for 5.1 ounces, it's a lot cheaper than Matrix Amplify Root Lifter (about $13 for 8.5 oz.), and uses the same primary ingredient (chitosan). I've used Amplify before, but I think this product works even better. With nearly everyday use, I've gone through only about 1/5 of the bottle, maybe less, so I think it should last me at least five months. Less than a dollar a month for drastically improved hair ... I'm thrilled.
FYI: I've been using Aussie Aussome Volume shampoo and conditioner with this spray, and they work well too.
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L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
I originally bought this for my wedding, because I wanted a spray that would hold my updo in place without flaking, getting sticky, etc. It is pretty expensive for a drugstore hairspray -- I bought it at Wal Mart for $14.99 (at the time, it... +
I originally bought this for my wedding, because I wanted a spray that would hold my updo in place without flaking, getting sticky, etc.
It is pretty expensive for a drugstore hairspray -- I bought it at Wal Mart for $14.99 (at the time, it included a free travel size as a bonus) -- but it's absolutely worth it. It's a true ultrafine aerosol mist, and while it offers strong hold, it still leaves my hair combable, never clumpy or sticky. Also, I've had problems with most aerosol hairsprays building up and blocking the nozzle, or the aerosol mechanism failing altogether, but haven't had any problems with this with Elnett.
Most importantly, it holds up to heat and humidity very well. It was 88 degrees on my wedding day and very humid, with a chance of rain, and the ceremony was held outside. It held my updo perfectly in place for 10 hours, through the ceremony, pictures, a four-hour reception, and afterparty; I had no frizziness or flyaways, which tend to be a problem for me because I have fine hair.
I still use this product regularly; if it were a little cheaper, I would use it every day. It's by far the best hairspray I've ever used.
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Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer SPF 10
I've tried a lot of concealers in the 10 or so years I've been wearing makeup, and I've been disappointed with most of them. I have inherited, from my mom's side of the family, dark under eye circles. No matter how much sleep I... +
I've tried a lot of concealers in the 10 or so years I've been wearing makeup, and I've been disappointed with most of them. I have inherited, from my mom's side of the family, dark under eye circles. No matter how much sleep I get, they're always there. So a good concealer is essential. But finding one that 1) doesn't cake, fade, and/or crease terribly within four or five hours, and 2) matches my cool-toned, very fair complexion, has been a challenge.
I bought this concealer after reading other glowing reviews about it online. I figured for $20 or so, it should be good, but I was amazed at how well it lived up to its promises.
It's just the right shade, blends easily and covers completely. After an eight-hour workday, it still looks good -- fades a bit, but as long as I've applied a bit of moisturizer underneath it, it doesn't cake or crease much at all.
I rarely break out anymore, but this does cover small blemishes very well too.
The only thing I'd change about this product is the price. It's $20 a tube. That said, I've thrown away plenty of money on $5 - $10 concealers I barely used because they were cakey-looking after just a few hours, or because, although they looked like the right shade in the drugstore, turned out to be too dark or too yellow. And one tube will easily last three months.
This, and the Double Wear foundation, are two products I can't go without.
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