TaisMendes
Member Since: June 24, 2008Reviews
Biolage Hydratherapie Ultra Hydrating Shampoo
I've used Biolage Hydratherapie Ultra Hydrating Shampoo on my thick, curly and often dry hair. And though I've been advised by hairdressers and numerous hair articles that moisturizing shampoos are best for curlier hair types, the effect of this... +
I've used Biolage Hydratherapie Ultra Hydrating Shampoo on my thick, curly and often dry hair. And though I've been advised by hairdressers and numerous hair articles that moisturizing shampoos are best for curlier hair types, the effect of this shampoo can wear off over time.
At one point in time, I shampooed with this product every 2-3 days. I didn't find it's cleaning properties to be strong enough, especially as I work out daily. I found myself lathering up more than three times to get hair gel and any other daily hair product out of my hair, products that the average "curly girl" uses (gel, leave-in, hair spray, etc.). My scalp wasn't cleaned at all and I eventually had to shampoo with a clarifying shampoo later in the week due to product build-up.
Speaking of build-up, my hair was HEAVY after using this shampoo and took nearly forever to dry. And the silicones and other products left on the hair aren't good for those who plan on heat styling, since build-up can cause breakage in combination with styling.
My ends did feel soft after using the shampoo, but not having a clean scalp defeated the purpose of shampooing altogether. My ends were moisturized, but having to lather more than once takes away from the value of the product, considering Biolage products are priced in the $20 and up range.
Overall: Johnson & Johnson makes a baby shampoo that's better than this and costs $3, and will probably get the hair cleaner and more moisturized.
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COVERGIRL TRUblend Naturally Luminous loose Powder with Minerals
Finding a powder that matches your foundation (let alone your skin) can be quite difficult. It can be even more difficult if you have a tanner, redder skin tone like mine. I am neither the darkest of skin tones nor the fairest so finding a color for... +
Finding a powder that matches your foundation (let alone your skin) can be quite difficult. It can be even more difficult if you have a tanner, redder skin tone like mine. I am neither the darkest of skin tones nor the fairest so finding a color for my year-round tan skin has always been quite a hassle, until I found this product.
I've used Cover Girl foundations and powders before, many of which caused acnes cosmetica (break-outs due to cosmetic usage). After several failed attempts, I braced myself to use their new line of TRUblend products, one of many product lines birthed from the mineral makeup craze in the U.S.
Desperate for makeup and on a tight budget, I tried the TRUblend mineral loose powder in Translucent Honey over my CG Clean Makeup liquid foundation. For $7.00, It gave great coverage with very little used, just by using the pouf. It wasn't so easy to blend in the first time, but after investing in a Kabuki hair powder brush, the powder goes on very fine and airbrush-like. This prevented me from using too much and giving me a "powdered down" look.
The avalable shades, however, can be questionable. CG doesn't carry a mineral loose powder any darker than Translucent Honey (which isn't very "dark" at all, especially for women of darker, ethnic skin tones) The colors are only slightly richer than the original loose powders but still tend to leave a "powder faced" look if too much is used. On CG's web site, some women have posted having even experienced an "orange glow" and "pumpkin face" effect. I, too, have experienced the "red face" upon my first attempt at using the powder. With the limited selection of available colors, no wonder some women have trouble finding the right shade. Once again, use a brush when using this product. This helps me look "natural" by avoiding the "pumpkin" look.
Of course, like all loose powders, it can be quite messy and you could end up wasting product if not careful. To avoid wasting product, I use my Kabuki brush (since it helps blend while using less powder). It is easy to wash off (only one wash does it for me) and doesn't cause breakouts (at least for my combination skin) since there's no talc. The ingredients aren't too far off from the original loose powders, but many of the irritants listed on the labels were exchanged for minerals like "zinc oxide". I wouldn't go so far to say the powder is "natural", but in my opinion, it's better for the skin most cosmetic powders in the $7-8 range.
Overall: If you're a college student (like me), on a tight budget and have a hot date this weekend, buy this product. Hopefully you don't have very pale, olive or very dark skin, or else you will be disappointed.
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