Beauty & Skin

June 14, 2006

REVIEW: Burt’s Bees Shampoo & Conditioner

Posted in Hair

Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo & Conditioner

Sometimes the real test of a product is whether you’re happy with something once the newness wears off.

Other things you know much sooner that the product isn’t going to work for you: like the Burt’s Bees shampoo and conditioner with my naturally curly hair (and local hard water.)

With my hair wet, it was super slick and clean feeling – almost squeaky clean. But when it dried I had to put more product in it than I ever have in my life to keep it from being a giant frizz bomb. I applied mouse and two types of hairspray heavily before my hair looked normal.

Since I had straightened my hair the first time I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and try it a second time, applying mouse while my hair was still wet and letting it curl. It still didn’t work for me … my hair looked ratty.

I will say that since using it and then switching back to my regular shampoo and conditioner my hair has been looking a bit glossier and healthier. It definitely had some clarifying capabilities. I think it would be an awesome shampoo and conditioner for someone with naturally straight hair. I however have already swapped my purchase on makeup alley…

May 8, 2006

“Spin Spa” from Home Trends catalog Guest Review

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Skin Care

Guest review by: Diane Jensen

The Spin Spa is a motorized, long-handled back scrubber, massager, cleanser, and exfoliant. It is for use in the shower only as it cannot be submerged in water. It requires 3 AA batteries and it has two speeds – high and low.

It comes with several heads that can be attached to it – a microdermabrasion head, a massage/cleanser head, a cleanser head, a pumice tool, and a nylon mesh head. With it’s vibrating motion, the Spin Spa not only cleanses your body, but gives your body a blood-moving massage which helps to wake you up and get the blood going.

And, with its long handle, you can easily reach all areas of your back and do your feet and lower body without much bending over.

For only $14.95, I highly recommend this tool.

Spin Spa back scrubber

April 4, 2006

Burt’s Bee’s Orange Essence Cleanser

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Skin Care

Burt’s Bees has changed their formulation on their Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. Now it’s easier to wash off like a normal face soap. I liked the original formulation only because I used it in the shower and used a warm wet washcloth to remove it. I think the original version was a little bit better at cleaning but I know that many people didn’t like it because they felt like they couldn’t get it all off and felt oily after using it – I think a lot of people will be happy with the change.

Burt’s Bees has always had great products, great business and great customer service (though I think their makeup line isn’t up to par with drugstore brands … but that’s not just them, I haven’t found any brand of natural makeup to have the lasting power.)

March 21, 2006

John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Hair

Although I’m not a blonde, I loved Beach Blonde Ocean Waves… if I buy any product more than once I usually really love it. The bad thing is that somehow most of the products I fall in love with get quickly discontinued. Now that I’m getting towards the end of the bottle I have here I decided to write the company to see if they had plans to bring it back or for information on where to find an online retailer that still had some in stock. Below is their response:

“Thank you for your interest in Beach Blonde. All of Beach Blonde is now discontinued due to low sales. We will have a replacement product for Ocean Waves only called Brilliant Brunette Starlit Waves in Feb of 2006. Starlit Waves can be used on any hair color. You may still be able to get Beach Blonde products via medichest.com or folica.com while supplies last.

Please try our Sheer Blonde line for possible Beach Blonde substitutes as follows: Kelp Help – Blonde Hair Repair Cool Dip – Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Shampoos Smooth Seas – Sheer Blonde Glistening Perfection Conditioners

Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.”

Yay! Just thought I would share. 🙂

As for Ocean Waves, it doesn’t create curls when you have none really, it just helps to bring out what you have naturally. Be careful to not apply too much because if you do, you’ll end up feeling and looking a bit oily

February 28, 2006

REVIEW: de-luxe Conditioner, Rosemary Mint

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Hair

I was looking for something to replace my St. Ives Intensive Conditioner Moisture Treatment (since the company has stopped making it) and came across this since it’s rosemary mint.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=138490&catid=47489&tab=1&rvstat=ok

This is a good lightweight conditioner similar to the St. Ives but not the amazing miracle cure. If you don’t like the smell of real mint, you’re not going to like this. If you have fine hair, you probably will love this because it’s very light. Quality ingredient list but I’m going to keep looking. Definately a good conditioner for the $5 price range. 🙂

February 21, 2006

REVIEW: Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Compact Foundation

Posted by By Hilary Baumann

Posted in Beauty & Skin, Makeup / Cosmetics

I bought this locally (from a brand new store so I know it couldn’t have sat around in-store long) and it was too dried out. It wasn’t hard as a brick but it was too thick and dry to get with the sponge applicator it came with (classic porcelain 20 in case there’s a major difference between the dryness based on color but I doubt it.)

I did manage to use it some by applying moisturizer to it or my finger and rubbing to moisten it and then use it but overall I was under-impressed because it became a more time consuming process to use this way.

I used it for a week this way and I didn’t break out more and I also didn’t break out less. Even with the moisturizer it stays on well but I think as a result of the moisturizer needed to apply it, it migrated on my eye where the eyelid creases creating a light line there after an hour or so.

It wasn’t the worst product in the world – might even be good if they could figure out how to keep it moist but I’m going back to using my Covergirl Aquasmooth.