Products I use FAITHFULLY

Okay, let's talk about some of the things I can't live without. I won't mention Astonishing Lengths (I just did, didn't I?)

Doo-Gro Oil

I don't really remember how I found out about this, but I am glad I did. I started using it in about 2000. I stopped for a minute, but I eventually went back. I like the anti-itch formula because it has tea tree oil and is very light. I LOVE the fact that it's in an applicator bottle with a nozzle. After drying, I simply oil my whole scalp by lightly squeezing the bottle around my head, just letting the nozzle tip do the "parting" for me.

I know there are plenty of people who don't oil their hair. That's ok for them, but not for me. My hair DRINKS oil, especially by my scalp, and I don't like that tight, dry, itchy feeling, because all it is is dry scalp. So, when your body is dry, you oil it up, don't you? Same difference. The oil is lighter than Kemi oil or something similar, and therein lies the difference. I highly recommend this, and it does help with growth. $5.99

Origins Checks and Balances Foamy Face Wash

My overly sensitive skin is the worst, but it looks the best. The key to nice skin is not makeup - the real foundation is SKINCARE! I have tried many cleansers in a quest to find something that would remove dirt and makeup and not strip my face dry. Some products actually burn, and leave little burn patches on my face (Neutrogena, Clinique) but never this. I have been using this religiously since it's debut. I was working for Origins at the time, but I didn't try this until later, after Toni (hi!) used it and didn't complain. Actually, I was at her house and I used hers. Don't tell! I can't really use a separate makeup remover, but this gets every trace of mascara, powder, whatever. With ingredients like Bergamot, Lavender, Wheat Protein (for dryness), Konjac powder (for oil), and spearmint, how can you go wrong? $17.99

Optimum Care Products

For the life of me, I don't know WHY Optimum had to go and mess up a good thing. This is truly my HG shampoo and Conditioner. This line has been changed twice in the last 3 or 4 years, for no apparent reason. They DISCONTINUED this particular shampoo and conditioner and all hell has broken loose in my life. WHY???? I can't even find any at the you know what beauty supply stores! I went in 4 yesterday, thinking someone would have a bottle. NONE. Now they are pushing the anti-breakage therapy line. But, what if you don't have breakage? (I do, but I don't want that!) This so called new and improved, well first off the packaging is condensed and the price rose! These normal 12 oz bottles have been replaced with an 8 oz. squeeze tube of conditioner and a 10 oz bottle of shampoo. Previously sold in Wal-Mart for $3.65, the new crap is starting at $4.99. this is a conspiracy and a rip off. The formula of the conditioner isn't even the same. I'm writing them a letter. I can't even find any on EBAY!!!!!!! This is a conspiracy!

Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Butter w/Vitamin E

This is the smoking bomb. It keeps me smooth, itch free and hydrated. I used to be a Palmer's addict, but you get so much more of this for the money and it stretches farther. I really can't say enough good things about it, and there's nothing bad to say. Even the price point is great. My skin looks beautiful. $5.99

Isoplus Oil Sheen

To me, this is the best oil sheen in the world. I've been using it since I was 14. I love the smell, the big blue can, the shine, the everything! Surprisingly, I don't really use any other Isoplus products. I used to use Hair Polisher but I haven't used that in a while. $3.79

So, there you have it. I probably have to think about some of the other things I use. Off the top of my head, these are the things I use daily.

All of these items are available at your local Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS, or whatever you have, except the Origins Checks and Balances, which is available at any Origins store, Macy's, Dillards, or Origins.com.

What are some of the things you can't live without?

Mine eyes have seen the glory...

In my search for a new Holy Grail mascara, I have been trying some new things. We've discussed my love for Avon mascaras, and how DISAPPOINTED I am at them for discontinuing Astonishing Lengths mascara, which is arguably the best I've ever used on a daily basis.

I asked Toya from Life of a Ladybug how she liked the new Avon Super Shock mascara and she said it was nice and reminded her of Cover Girl's Lash Blast, which I keep saying I'm going to buy.

I ordered a tube of Super Shock from Damita, my Avon rep, along with Avon's mineral foundation and mineral blush, which I have not used yet because I need to purchase a MAC #182 kabuki brush. I don't have to, but I do. And I'm not paying $45 for one, but I will pay $20 on E Bay. But I digress. When the order came in, I ended up with a tube of Avon's Longest Lashes Ever, something I NEVER would have ordered because I am not a fan of primer then mascara. So, thanks to that error, we will review both today!

Longest Lashes Ever

So, this is one of those mascaras that has a white primer that is used before you put on the mascara. I was first introduced to this concept with Origins (who has nice mascara and EXCELLENT skincare, btw) and I didn't really like it then. Like I said, I didn't know that this is what I was opening, so imagine my surprise when I pulled the wrapper and saw this white tube on top.

Since I didn't want to use the Lash Out anymore (it feels like gel) I decided to give this a try. I did not use the primer, I just skipped it and went straight for the mascara. I liked it! My lashes looked similar to how they look with Astonishing Lengths. Long, separated, and nice. Not as black as I would have hoped, you know, they didn't have that sooty look. But overall, they looked nice, and the formula is wet, which I love.

Drawbacks? The tube is too heavy! Especially if you coat as many times as I do. You either have to use it with one container still on, or take them both off like the picture, but then you'd have to hold it in the middle, which is awkward. I used it another day with the primer, which wasn't bad, but I found that the mascara went on much smoother without it.

My vote? Yes. I would use the mascara but not the primer. It's a keeper, and they are currently $2.99 at Avon.com. But if I'm not going to use the primer, couldn't I just get something else?

Finally, Super SHOCK!

Now, I waited and waited for this and I finally got it last night at choir rehearsal, so after I did skincare last night I decided to try it out. I don't know why they show it with the brush outside the tube, (which was MUCH bigger than I thought it would be) because when you get it, the brush is in there. Probably so you can see what you're getting into. I was really surprised at how big this tube was, and like LLE, the tube is heavy. I don't know what's the deal with making these things so big. Don't they know, you barely have room for the stuff in your makeup bag already, plus, this is HEAVY!!

Anyway, the mascara - it was ok. First, the brush was big, so I kept hitting my lids, which felt odd because the bristles were not as soft as I thought they would be. Anyway, I was kind of twisting the wand to make sure I got everything. This wand is interesting. It grabbed each of my lashes, to the point where it was pulling my lid up with each swipe. Then the formula seemed to kind of dry a little as I was applying, so I had to go back in the tube, which I normally don't do. It did layer a lot of product. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about it. My right eye looked amazing but my left looked flat, so that means I need to work quickly and precisely, but come on, this is mascara application not rocket science, so I shouldn't have to do that. After it dried, it felt kind of heavy on my lashes, like as I was blinking, I could feel my lashes bumping, which never happens.

I'm wearing it today and I don't think it looks as good as it could. Again, I can feel it on my lashes. It is, however, nice and dark and sooty, which is good because I don't wear eyeliner. There's something to be desired, though. I almost feel like my lashes look stiff.

Verdict: Nah. I probably wouldn't buy again. I guess I'm still searching! Both mascaras were ok, but I still haven't found my HG to replace Astonishing Lengths, so guess what?

I'm buying them off of E Bay, 3 for $10. Hooray!

Don't Believe the Hype!

Hello divas of the world!

I have quite a few things to discuss today, so let's get down to business.

I have a lot of hair. Not too thick, not too thin, not too long, just...a nice amount. I do not go to hairdressers, mostly because I haven't found one that I think is reasonably priced in Detroit, and I'm VERY tenderheaded, and VERY picky about my hair. I normally don't let people touch it. And really, I'm more than qualified to do it myself, thank you State of Ohio : ) Anyhoo, I take really good care of my hair and I am always looking for something that will make the process easier, or make my hair look nicer.

That said...

I finally broke down and got a Chi Turbo 2" Ceramic flat iron. I've been lusting after this iron for quite a while but could not bring myself to drop over $100 for an iron (it's covered in red felt!). The iron is currently selling on Folica.com for $119, 65% off the list price, $130 at BeautyGalaxy.com, and $180 at Ulta.

Yeah right.

So, I got mine off of Ebay for $65. Good deal. Well, if you say so.

I normally use a Jilbere 1" tourmaline iron (also felt-covered). I shampoo my hair every 4 or 5 days or so, unless I'm really busy. I can never take it to 7. Well I could, but I don't like the smell of dirty hair. So, I shampoo, condition (more on the discontinuation of my favorite 'poo and conditioner LATER), blow dry, oil, and flat iron. I curl my whole head with the flat iron, to the point where no one can really believe I used a flat iron because it's so curly. People, it's all in the wrist! I don't curl again until I shampoo again. I can't stress this enough - if you do it right the first time, you do NOT need to curl your hair every day. I haven't done that in YEARS. I use Isoplus oil sheen and wrap it in a circle every night. The curls look better each day, they may not be as fluffy but they keep their pattern and fall into a deep wave. Beautiful and so convenient! This is just how I do it, and honestly, yes, it will work for you.

So...I used the Chi Turbo iron this past Sunday, and I was less than impressed. I don't think it got hot enough, it took forever to get hot, and my hair just looked blah. It looked very full, but I expect so much better. Truthfully, it didn't do as good as my old Gold n' Hot 2" flat irons, which I used faithfully until I got the Jilbere. Seriously, I had NO CURL. I had a lot of volume at the roots, but not a curl. That's never happened before. My hair looked like I had been wrapping it for 2 days.

I guess my point is, don't believe the hype. Chi irons are touted as the best thing since sliced bread, but I beg to differ. Mine will be on EBay this weekend. That Jilbere (and even the old Gold n' Hot) works 10 times better than that, and the Jilbere was $40 with my Sally Pro card. The Gold n' Hot as only $10.

What beauty tool failed to live up to YOUR expectations?

Aphogee Protein Treatment

This is hands down a #1 staple. My hair is very temperamental. It breaks easily and sheds a lot. It reacts to product however IT wants to react! Well with this cold dry weather, the breakage has been crazy. I decided to revisit an old friend, Aphogee. Instead of investing in the full sized bottles, I opted to purchase the handy pak containing the shampoo, treatment, and balancing moisturizer. I did this because I wasn't sure if I wanted to make the investment again. Well, I do. for one, there wasn't enough shampoo in the pack for my hair, and for 2, I need to do this every six weeks or so. My hair looked silky and radiant after I finished. I got a LOT of compliments on it at church yesterday. Even my hubby said it looked really pretty, twice! I could feel the difference as soon as I had done it. After blowdrying, it looked 1000% better!

This protein treatment would EASILY set you back a pretty penny in the salon. This product retails for...$2.79. THAT'S IT!!!! This is easy enough that you can do it yourself! I don't go to the salon, but I am a former hairdresser. I choose to take the time and research what works for me. You can too! I really don't have the time and prefer to do other things with my money...especially since I shampoo often. There's no one to blame when it doesn't work, and there's no better feeling than saying "I did it myself!" After all, who can take better care of you...than you?

L'Oreal Lash Out

Hello divas!

I know it's been a while but here I am! I have been trying a lot of new products lately. don't you hate it when you finally find a product you like, only to have it discontinued? Some thing are better left alone. You know there's a new mascara revolution now, too. Everyone is going for that funny plastic brush and adding those crazy fibers to their mascaras. I can't use that wacky brush, and the fibers always end up in my eyes! Since my HG of mascaras (Avon's Astonishing Lengths) has been discontinued, I've been on the hunt for something new. My lashes are thin and sparse, and without lots of mascara, it looks like I don't have any. Seriously.

I am currently trying L'Oreal's Lash Out mascara. So far, I'm pretty satisfied. It does make my lashes long and fanned out, but there isn't much in the way of volume. The tube is pretty long, too. That took a little getting used to. It features what they call the "teddy bear" brush, meaning the bristles are full and they catch mostly all the lashes. The formula itself feels almost gel-like. As I am coating my lashes, I almost feel the weight of the product as I pull the brush through. Surprisingly, I have had NO problems with flaking, smudging, or excessive tearing. It's okay. I will give an update after it has been one full week.

Tonight, I will be purchasing a tube of Cover Girl's Lash Blast. I've heard rave reviews but I have yet to try it, particularly because I was so disappointed with that Lash Exact. Next to mark Make it Big, this was the driest formula I ever used. I have a $1 coupon, courtesy of the Sunday paper, and it's on sale at Walgreens for $6.99. So, we'll see soon!