Showing posts with label John Frieda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Frieda. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Product Empties #2

I know that it seems like a short amount of time in between these product empties posts, but believe me, I have not used up all of these products in two month's time. The last empties post was delayed, because of my laziness. The pictures were taken, edited and added to a new post, just waiting for me to write everything out. And I didn't. While the last empties post was waiting to be completed, I collected my empties products for the next Product Empties post. Well here it is, un-dulated in all it's timely glory. Keep reading to see what I have used up in the past couple of months and a mini review on each of the products. 



ProductAmore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact (sample)
Where to get it: I received this in my New Beauty Test Tube September 2013 box. It can also be purchased at Sephora.com and the Amore Pacific website.
How it worked:When I received it I didn't know what this product was. I ended up checking out some reviews on the product and realized that it is a CC cream - just not in a cream form. I really liked this product. It gave me light to medium coverage and felt really nice on the skin. It lasted all day long. The only thing that people might have an issue with this product is that it's is very dewy. Almost to the point of looking oily. Oily skinned ladies should not use this product. I was able to somewhat tone down the dewiness with a setting powder but I still retained a dewy finish, which I did like. Repurchase?: YES! I have a few BB creams and foundations that I need to get through and I may end up picking up a full size of this product. The only issue is that it sells for $60.00.  According to the reviews on the Sephora site, it comes with two cushions in the product so it's basically like buying two foundations for the price of one. 



ProductRevlon Lash Potion mascara in Black
Where to get it: Drugstores
How it worked: I really liked this product. I got the waterproof version to help keep the curl of my lashes and it worked to keep most of my curl. It doesn't work as well as my Urban Decay Cannonball mascara, but it's a cheaper alternative to my high end holy grail. I really didn't like the brush on this product, it was too big for my short lashes and I prefer a smaller brush. 
Repurchase?: Maybe, I liked the mascara formula, but hated the brush. I am on the lookout for a drugstore mascara formula AND a brush that I like.



ProductBare Minerals Prime Time foundation primer. (I cut the top corner to get more of the product out)
Where to get itBare Escentiuals stores and website, Ulta and Sephora. I received a sample of this with the starter set when I first purchased the powder foundation. 
How it worked: I didn't really think that this primer worked for me. I didn't notice a difference on how my foundation lasted with and without using this product. 
Repurchase?: No.



ProductLancome Clis Design Mascara
Where to get itLancome website or counters. This product is not currently sold anymore.
How it worked: I liked this product. Lancome is famous for their mascaras and this mascara held up to the hype. I think that I liked the design of the mascara more than the formula on this one.  The mascara came in two parts. One side had a skinny mascara wand and the other side had a tiny comb.  The comb could be used to apply mascara to the bottom lashes, or if you area like me and don't have enough bottom lashes to put mascara on them, you can use the little comp to define your top lashes and get in the inner corners of your eyes. I have had this mascara for a while and am making a conscious effort to use up all the samples and older makeup items that I have. This is one of them that I had and hadn't used up.
Repurchase?: No - only because it is not for sale. 



ProductBatiste Dry Shampoo in Floral and Flirty Blush
Where to get it: I get my bottles from T.J. Maxx or Marshall's. They are usually the lowest price for the product.  I get it for $6 as opposed to the $8 or $9 that you will usually pay at other places.
How it worked: This is my favorite dry shampoo. I think that it works the best and comes at a really good price. 
Repurchase?: Yes. I already have repurchased another bottle of this dry shampoo in a different version.



ProductReNu Contact Solution
Where to get it: I get my contact solution from Costco. It usually comes with two full sized bottles and either/or an extra contact case or a travel sized bottle of the solution.
How it worked: It's contact solution. As I said above, I am trying to use up my sample products and was able to get through two of the travel sized bottles of this solution. 
Repurchase?: Yes. 



ProductCVS Skin Purifying astringent in Deep-Clean
Where to get itCVS
How it worked: This is the cvs store brand version of Sea Breeze's astringent. I use this in the mornings to clean up my skin, especially if I used my Mario Badescu Drying Lotion the night before.  The Drying Lotion is an overnight spot treatment that has a pink tone. When I wake up in the morning after using this product, there is usually traces of pink all over my face. I use the astringent to get rid of the pink spots and clear up my face. 
Repurchase?: Yes.



ProductJohn Frieda Radiant Red daily conditioner
Where to get it: Most drugstores and super stores will have this brand in the store. The red version is hard to find and the same chain of stores will have different stock of this product in each store. 
How it worked: I didn't really like this product. I have colored, red hair, which is hard to maintain.  This conditioner has a slight red tint to maintain the red hues in colored hair. I didn't think that the product maintained my red hair and it dulled with this product. It was also really drying. My hair was so dry that it was at the point of constant frizziness. Because the product was so hard to find, when I did find the product (shampoo and conditioner) in a store, I stocked up when I initially dyed my hair red. I still have shampoo and conditioner bottles to get through. 
Repurchase?: No.



ProductYes to Cucumbers trial size facial towelettes
Where to get it: I received this in my Fab Fit Fun Summer 2013 box. 
How it worked: I liked the scent of this product and that's about it where the accolades for the product ends. I thought that the size of the product was too small. It was about the size of half of a normal sized face wipe. The small size made it hard to handle in your hand. I also felt that the product was a little dry. I wish that there was more product on the individual wipe. 
Repurchase?: No.

Product: Kirkland daily facial towelettes 
Where to get itCostco 
How it worked: I like this product. I like that the opening has a plastic snap closure instead of the regular sticker opening. The wipes are big enough and saturated with the cleanser that I am able to wipe my whole face without the towel drying out. These wipes come in a boxed set from with multiple packages of the product in it. 
Repurchase?:Yes.

ProductNeutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit
Where to get it: I got my wipes from Walgreen's when they had a buy one get one 50% off sale.
How it worked: I liked these products.  They are specifically made for acne prone skin.  The Pink grapefruit line from Neutrogena are all catered to treat acne. The scent doesn't really smell like pink grapefruit to me and I initially did not like the scent. Eventually I got used to the scent and didn't mind it as much.
Repurchase?: I will probably repurchase these in the future, but right now I have enough of the face wipes from Costco that I don't need any more at this time.



Product: Status nutritive hair mask
Where to get it: I got this from T. J. Maxx  or Marshall's. I can't remember which one. 
How it worked: I really liked the smell of this mask and it lingered on my hair. I usually applied this mask in the shower and then put on a shower cap while I finished taking my shower.  
Repurchase?: ...if I knew where to get it from - I haven't seen this mask anymore in stores.



Producth2o plus Anti-Acne Calming Corrector
Where to get it: I got my bottle from T.J. Maxx
How it worked: This product technically wasn't empty, but I really didn't like the product at all and had to throw the rest of it out. Firstly i didn't see any noticeable results from using this product. Secondly and most probable was that when I used the serum, it would ball up on my face and ruin my makeup.  
Repurchase?: NO.



ProductOrigins 'A Perfect World' Age-defying moisturizer.
Where to get it: I received this sample size from the Sephora Sun Safety Kit that I hauled.  
How it worked: This was a nice moisturizer. It has the added bonus of having the SPF in it, so that was nice. I used this in the morning because of the SPF. 
Repurchase?: Maybe. 



ProductMario Badescu Whitening Mask
Where to get it: I received this mask as a sample with purchase from Ulta.  
How it worked:
I really liked this product, I felt that it worked nicely to help even out my skin tone.  This is a clay mask that applies soft and hardens as it dries. I did notice a difference in my skin after using this product. I have a slight issue with "whitening" products though. I just think that it's really weird to basically be bleaching your skin to even it out.
Repurchase?: Maybe. Once I get over the whole skin bleaching issue.



ProductClairsonic Deep Pore brush head (blue) and Acne brush head (lime green)
Where to get it: I'm pretty sure that I got my brush heads from Ulta when they were having a sale or a coupon. 
How it worked: I use these with my Clairsonic Mia 2. I didn't really see or feel a difference in these two versions. 
Repurchase?: Yes. I already have repurchased the Acne brush heads. 



ProductSephora Age defy moisture cream SPF 15 Sunscreen
Where to get itSephora stores.  I received this from the Sephora Sun Safety Kit that I hauled in May of last year.
How it worked: This worked well enough. Nothing about it was very memorable. 
Repurchase?: Probably not.


Product:  True Blue Spa Grin and Bare it body lotion
Where to get it:Bath and Body Works. Although I received this from a hotel that I stayed in. 
How it worked: I really liked the scent of the lotion. 
Repurchase?: I don't think that I would purchase a full size of this product, mostly because I took multiple sample sizes of this product that should last a while. I also wasn't really impressed in a memorable way with the efficacy of the lotion.



Productboscia Self-Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Where to get it: I received this in my Sephora Sun Safety Kit that I hauled back in May.
How it worked: I liked this moisturizer. I know it's weird, but I really liked the applicator for this product. I also like the packaging. 
Repurchase?: Maybe.



ProductStri Vectin Get Even Brightening Serum
Where to get it: I received this in my New Beauty Test Tube November 2013 tube. 
How it worked: AMAZINGLY! I have acne prone skin (as evidenced by all the acne clearing products in the post) and when I get a zit the mark left after the zit leaves lasts for a really long time. I used this product to help with the acne marks and I have seen a difference since using this product and notice when I miss application.  The serum helps with my redness and evens out my skin tone as the product claims to do. 
Repurchase?: I have already repurchased this product from T.J. Maxx. Stri Vectin is repackaging their products so I was able to get these for a really good deal. I think that I need to get even more backups since it's such a low price and I won't be able to get them again. The bottles at T.J. Maxx are in the old packaging. 



ProductNeutrogena Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit
Where to get it
How it worked: Oh look I found another one of these in my empties pile. This is the second package of these wipes that I purchased at Walgreen's on the buy one get one 50% off sale.  See the review above.
Repurchase?: Probably.



ProductDelon Premium Cotton Rounds
Where to get it: I got these from Costco in a pack of eight.
How it worked: I really like these cotton pads.  These flat cotton pads are two sided. One side is a soft cotton, the other side has a mesh netting over it to scrub the face a little bit more. Even the side that has the rougher netting is soft. 
Repurchase?: I will definetley be repurchasing these after I run out. But with the amount that I got from Costco that won't be any time soon.



ProductPhilosophy Hope n a jar moisturizer
Where to get it: I'm not sure where I received this sample from. But this brand is fairly easily found from Sephora to QVC to everywhere else in between.
How it worked: This was a really light moisturizer. I have dry skin so I tend to prefer heavier, thicker moisturizers, but this did keep my skin hydrated. 
Repurchase?: Probably not, in favor of a thicker moisturizer.


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

New Beauty Test Tube November 2013

I received my New Beauty Test Tube in the mail!

The tube ships bi monthly for $29.99. 

Keep reading to see what I received in the most recent box.

First Look!

The Test Tube has a booklet describing all of the products featured in this months tube. They also sent out a reminder that the magazine that used to be sent with the box when it was a quarterly service will be sent in the mail, which is included in the subscription price. 


Votivo holiday tin candle in Icy Blue Pine


0.25 oz. Vaseline 'Lip Therapy' in Rosy Lips

1.25 oz. John Frieda 'Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation' Smoothing Creme


1 fl. oz. StriVectin 'Get Even' Brightening serum. This sample is worth $50.00 which is crazy high. I ended up needing a daytime serum so I started using this immediately. I was so happy with the effectiveness of this product. I have a lot of acne scars on my face and this product has helped diminish the redness and scarring a lot. I have already repurchased this product. I ended up finding a set at TJ Maxx for $40.00 for two 1 fl. oz. bottles. 

 3.3 fl. oz. Molton Brown 'Nourishing Body Lotion' in Pink Peppered


18.fl. oz. Dove 'Nutritive Solutions' Shampoo and Conditioner These are not color safe so I will be giving these away.


1.35 oz. Camille Beckman 'Glycerine Hand Therapy' in Midnight Monarch 


1.0 fl. oz. Lumene 'Time Freeze Anti- Age CC Cream' in Light The instructions on this CC cream says that you are supposed to reapply this EVERY TWO HOURS! Ummm, yeah not going to happen.

1 fl. oz. Glo Therapeutics 'Refresh Facial Polish' facial scrub


New Beauty Test Tube continues to include these airplane sized samples in the box. I have found that every box comes with a different set of samples. 


0.03 fl. oz. Rodial 'Stemcell Superfood' facial oil

0.07 fl. oz. Eraclea 'Pure Hydration' serum/zinc

 1 fl. oz. John Frieda 'Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight' semi permanent styling spray for curly hair. I already have super straight hair. This sample will need to be given away.


Saturday, April 13, 2013

New Beauty Test Tube Spring "Box"

New Beauty Test Tube

Price: $29.99 + shipping

Ships out: According to the website it says six times a year, when I signed up it was quarterly (4 times a year) Don't know if they changed the program. I have not received any information about this change. If it did really change, I would think that they would notify their current subscribers to inform them of this change and that they will be charged two extra times this year for the tube. If I don't receive notification of this I will probably unsubscribe. Customer service is an important part of the subscription service that I expect. That's why I unsubed from GlossyBox (great box - horrendous customer service).

The Claim: $150.00 value in each tube

Extras: Ships out with the current issue of New Beauty magazine. Honestly I do not read this magazine. The mag is filled with plastic surgery information.  If you are looking for plastic surgery info this magazine might be great for you. I"m not interested in plastic surgery, so it's not for me.


What I received in this test tube.

.02 oz. Paula Dorf 'Baby Eyes Enhancer' Instructions on how to use this product from the booklet says that you can use this pencil on the inner rims of your eyes to fake the illusion of bigger eyes. I tried lining my waterline, but because the pencil isn't very creamy I was not able to get any of the product on my waterline. 
          Estimated value: $10.00

1 fl. oz. John Frieda 'Fine to Full Blow-Out Spray'
          Estimated value: $1.50

(2)1.7 fl. oz. Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy 'Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Daily Shampoo' I was initially excited to try this, but it's not color safe, so I will be giving this to my sister.
     Estimated value: $0.52 - $0.92

1.77 fl. oz. Phyto 'Phytomist' Leave in Conditioner for Color Treated Hair
          Estimated value: $11.20

1.6 fl. oz. June Jacobs 'Purifying Enzyme Masque' The mask is  clear so it's hard to apply on your face because you can't see where it was applied and not. After I rinsed it off I did not feel or see any difference in my face.
          Estimated value: $31.00

(2) FULL SIZE Forever Young 'Face Wraps' I didn't really see or feel a difference on my face with this mask. 
          Estimated value: $10.00 (for two)

1 fl. oz. Suki 'Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser'
          Estimated value: $8.24

Spa Look coupons These are included in every Test Tube. 

Total Estimated Value: $72.66 Definitely not the $150.00 retail value that they claimed to be in every tube. So far this is the third New Beauty Test Tube that I have received. The first two were great, season's tube is a disappointment for me. There was only one full sized product and the tube had two different masks. I hope this was just a miss month and the next one will be better. If not I might have to unsubscribe.  With the tubes coming out six times a year, it won't be financially feasible for me to keep purchasing disappointing tubes.

There is a QVC version of New Beauty Test Tube. If I keep getting bad tubes, I might have to try that version out. 

What did you think about your tube?