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Shaving Vs Waxing: Which Method is Best for Your Legs?

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When the weather warms up and summer is about to burst on the scene, clothes tend to get skimpier and skin becomes more visible. Having smooth legs that are free of hairs and stubble is almost a must to get through the season in a fashionable manner. Waxing and shaving are two of the options you have to get rid of the hairs on your legs. Both methods have pros and cons, and learning about these, might help you decide which method is best for your gams.

The Pain Factor Shaving Vs Waxing
Although you can get your legs waxed at a salon, you can also give yourself a wax job right at home. Regardless who does the waxing, expect the experience some pain, because you're pulling a bunch of hairs out at the same time. When the wax is applied to your legs, it adheres to the hairs. A cloth is then used to pull the wax and unwanted hairs off your legs. As for shaving, the process is pretty much painless, unless you don't have a sturdy hand or shave your hairs when your skin is dry

The Duration Shaving Vs Waxing
Even when done at home, waxing takes longer than shaving and tends to be messier. Heating the wax, whether it's rubbing wax strips between your hands or using the microwave, takes time. At a salon, it might take 30 minutes, if not more, to get the job done. Shaving is quick and easily done while taking a shower. Quick touch ups are easy, and unlike a wax job, which requires hair to be at least 1/4-inch long, you don't have to wait for the hair to grow to a certain length.

The Cost Shaving Vs Waxing
The supplies needed to shave your legs will most likely cost under $10. A sharp razor and shaving gel are all you need. A home wax kit can cost about the same amount, but if you have the process done by a professional, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $70, depending on the salon.

The Risks Shaving Vs Waxing
The biggest risk with shaving your legs are the nicks and cuts that might occur when you're in a rush, and the red bumps that might emerge on irritated skin. Taking your time, using a shaving gel, shaving your legs when the hairs are soft and moving the razor in the direction of the hair growth, can ease the process. Waxing can result in ingrown hairs, and because the hairs are removed root and all, the follicle stays open, increasing the risk of an infection/ This is why it's essential to apply antibacterial lotion after waxing hair.

The Results Shaving Vs Waxing
When you shave your legs, you remove just the visible part of the hair. You cut it off at the point where it meets your skin. Waxing, removes the entire hair including the root, which gives a cleaner, smoother appearance. The latter also lasts longer. A wax job can keep your legs free of hair for two to three weeks, while shaving can result in stubble within a few hours of as soon as the next day, depending on how fast your hair grows.

Hair Extensions for Thinning Hair: Best Choices for Fine Hair or Balding

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Add Body and Coverage to Your Hair with Quality Extensions

Hair extensions can help reduce or eliminate the appearance of thinning hair quickly and easily. Your hair might start thinning as the result of illness, pregnancy, age, or even everyday stress. Both men and women may experience undesirable hair thinning. The challenge is that common types of hair extensions don't look natural in thinning hair because the attachment points are exposed. The following types of hair extensions, when done right, can give you a full and natural look.

Hair extension recommendations for thin with no body

Very fine hair that has no body and appears uniformly thin can look great with glued-in hair extensions on a weft or glued-in plugs. You don't have to worry about unsightly and readily apparent clips or ties. The choices are practically endless for length and style. Bear in mind, however, that any application with very thin hair is even more challenging than regular extensions. If you want to be sure of a good look and little damage to your hair, then trust the procedure to a licensed hair professional.

How to fix a receding hairline with extensions

Most extensions attach to existing hair, but that's not possible with a receding hairline or bald spots. In these cases, a lace-front wig or webbed hairpiece can get you natural looking results. A word of warning - this is one area where you should never go cheap. Some of the inexpensive options on the market look like the faux fur used for stuffed animals. Others have real human hair, but no care has been taken with the direction of the cuticle or how the hair lays. Something that looks really good and natural may be expensive, but it can last a long time. Whenever possible, opt for a custom-made hairpiece that's specific to your hair and your needs.

Add volume and length to thin hair of all types

The best and most popular hair extensions are keratin bonded, or fusion extensions. These can be used on virtually any thickness or texture of hair and produce the best results. As you might imagine, they are also the most expensive by far. You can burn your hair if it's not done right, so go with a licensed stylist with extensive experience in hair extensions. Done right, keratin bonded extensions look like they're truly part of your natural head of hair.

Some of these hair extensions can be done at home, but always proceed with caution. The quality of the hair and the results you will get are all over the map, so make sure to do your research and consult with knowledgeable people to get the right extensions. Bear in mind that extensions can be damaging to your natural hair, and certain types of hair extension glue may be more damaging or will be effective for different lengths of time. Whenever you have any doubts, check with a licensed hair stylist to help ensure that you improve your hair, not destroy it.

Borba:New Alternative to Healthier Skin - by the Bottle

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Improve Your Skin from Within

Ever in the search for the most effective product to treat acne-prone skin, I am always trying new products as they come out. And sure enough I was very eager to try the revolutionary skin care line by BORBA, founded by Scott Vincent Borba, an entrepreneur who developed a line of skin care products that began with vitamin infused drink that now include chocolates and gummies that is formulated with vitamins and minerals that clarifies and/or firms your skin from within. Besides these drinks and candy, the line consists of cleansers, "concentrates" (which serve as toners), and lotion (both one for daytime with SPF 15 and one for nighttime).

In addition, as mentioned, there are several formulas that cater toward different skin types: Replenishing, Anti-Aging/Clarifying, Skin Claming, Firming, Clarifying, and Age-Defying (though not all of these formulas has corresponding topical products. My mother drinks the water supplement formulated for anti-aging/clarifying, with mangosteen extracts, and she stands by the product as well. I, not only drink the supplement formulated for clarifying skin with pomegranate extracts, but I use the corresponding cleanser, concentrate, and lotion, not only because they smell great (like a pomegranate), but because they are truly effective! The cleanser is great because it contains "micro diamond dusts," which are like beads to exfoliate the skin and it lathers really well. At the same time it rinses off very easily! The concentrate is very refreshing and easy to put on, as it has the consistency of a gel and a cooling sensation. In addition, the lotion is not to be outdone, as it goes on very smoothly and disappears. The daytime lotion as mentioned before has SPF 15 to help prevent sun damage, but the nighttime lotion has a higher concentration of the active ingredients, which is why I only use the nighttime lotion - I can always put sunscreen on top of the lotion during the day time. I would rather get a better concentration of the special extracts that help clear my skin.

Besides the revolutionary drinks that improve the skin quality from the inside, the topical products contain "Fiber-Knit Technology that surrounds skin with nutrient-infused ingredients and cosmeceutical-grade fibers," which lock in the active ingredients on the skin and helps it penetrate deeper to the problem areas. In the clarifying series, it contains cotton fibers, which helps absorb excess oil that causes skin to shine and clogs pores, which result in pimples.

As a result of using BORBA's line of 4 products, the clarity of my skin has vastly improved and has resulted in less acne overall. But because I believe that skin, like hair, gets used to the same products after repetitive use for a long duration, I also rotate the usage of the BORBA line with Proactiv's 3-step system (extra-strength) which also contribute to the improvement of my skin.

If anything, the drink contains plenty of vitamins that benefit you on a daily basis and give you energy such as vitamins A, B, E and C, among other key healthy ingredients such as magnesium and zinc. It is a win-win situation - clarifying your skin and making you healthier by providing vital nutrients. For me, it is a product worth the price!

Starting a Home Based Mineral Make-Up Business

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Taking Advantage of the Mineral Make-up Trend


With the promise of all natural ingredients and flawless skin, mineral makeup is the hottest new makeup fad in over a decade. Women everywhere are flocking to brands from the cheapest drugstore brand all the way up to the more well-known (and more expensive) Bare Minerals. Mineral makeup can not only improve the appearance of your kin,it can improve your bank account, too. Setting up your own home based mineral make-up business is easy and takes very little start-up money.

The first thing you need to start a successful mineral make-up business is a love for the product. If you've used mineral make-up in the past, this probably won't be a problem. Learn everything you can learn about mineral make-up, its ingredients and their effects on the skin. Women everywhere are curious about what minerals can do for their skin, and if you can offer sound, practical answers, your business will be more successful.

Some home based mineral make-up entrepreneurs mix their own cosmetics at home, but many more buy products that are already mixed and labeled for private resale. Products are available in bulk containers for you to transfer to your own containers, or for a little more, you can purchase prepackaged mineral foundations with or without a custom label. The more customization you can do on your own, the larger your profit margin will be. Wholesale mineral make-up can be found from several different companies, including Element 5 Mineral Make-Up and Alternative Make-Up.

To have a successful home based mineral make-up business, you must determine the best way to get your products in the hands of customers. There are many small mineral make-up companies on the Internet. This is a good way to take advantage of repeat sales, but there are so many companies selling this way that it can be hard to carve out your own niche. To truly establish your mineral make-up business, you must meet your customers in person. If there are spas or beauty salons in your area, taking samples to the owner is a good way of getting your products in front of people that are looking for high quality make-up. Another way to build business is by selling mineral make-up through at home parties. If you can learn to apply make-up well, having a model to demonstrate the products will convince skeptics. After establishing a personal customer relationship, a website can make it easy for your customers to re-order products.

You can start your mineral-make-up business for as little as $200, set your own hours and make women feel and look beautiful. It is the perfect home based business for the beauty conscious woman.

Sheer Cover vs Bare Minerals: Battle of the Mineral Powder Foundations

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Two Great Products with One Unique Make Up

One of the newest crazes in foundation makeup is the invention of mineral powder foundations. Products like Sheer Cover and bare Minerals dominate this market. Mineral powder foundation makeup is 100% pure natural ingredients, free of oils, irritants, talc, and preservatives. Basically, products like bare Minerals and Sheer Cover are answers to a growing demand for natural products that work. Mineral powder foundations go two steps further than traditional liquid foundations and one step past those powder foundations that go on like a powder but cover like a liquid. By offering the amazing coverage of a liquid foundation, but eliminating the messy bottle, breakouts, and caked on look that many liquid foundations have, products like Sheer Cover and Bare Minerals have virtual taken over the mineral powder foundation market.

Although you might be tempted to believe that companies and products like bare Minerals are relatively new, you would be mistaken. Bare Minerals has been around since 1976. Personally, I just began seeing these products on infomercials about five years ago. There are many knock offs of these two great products, but I personally don't see why anyone would settle for less than the real deal. You can buy bare Minerals online at their website or locally in their stores. To buy Sheer Cover you have to purchase it online or over the telephone directly from the company. I will provide ordering information at the end of the article. First though, we have to get down to the battle royal of Sheer Cover versus bare Minerals.

Ease of application and coverage would be the two major key points for any foundation liquid or powder. Sheer Cover goes on easily in a two-step process for their basic foundation. The first step is the actually powder mineral foundation. The second step is a white/ clear powder that sets and holds in place the mineral powder foundation. It really is as easy as that. I have to admit I did not believe this when I saw the somewhat cheesy infomercials for Sheer Cover early one Sunday morning. I had to get beyond these somewhat longwinded and not very believable testimonials and just tell myself I was willing to try anything to capture my old great looking skin.

I ordered Sheer Cover online and it came within five business days. The original powder foundation can be chosen in fair, medium, and dark tones, just like bare Minerals. I bought the fair powder. Sheer Cover came with two containers of foundation power. For me it worked to mix them evenly together half and half. The instructions do say you may want to play around with your combination to see what works for you. I took the application brush, swirled on some powder, and then completely repented of any negative thoughts I had had about the Sheer Cover commercials. I have to say I spent the next ten minutes staring in the mirror at my freakishly even toned skin. It was absolutely bizarre to see such even skin tone without a super caked on look. I quickly followed with the second step of the clear setting powder and applied the rest of my normal makeup.

In all fairness Bare Essentials goes on just as easily with almost exactly the same great coverage as Sheer Cover, with the addition of one step. So although Sheer Cover may win the application battle, bare Minerals does take the prize for coverage.

Bare Essentials offers the basic powder foundation, the setting powder, and then something they refer to as a warming powder. In the end I would have to say that Bare Minerals wins the coverage battle of Sheer Cover versus Bare Minerals due to the addition of the warming powder. It adds a nice glow that is very uniform and realistic. When I use Sheer Cover I just use my own bronze powder after applying the powder foundation minerals. When I use Bare Minerals I use their powder to make it look like I have been in the sun.

Both Sheer Cover and Bare Minerals are equally easy and quick to apply. They are both long lasting and actually do look extremely natural. Both Sheer cover and Bare Minerals come with their own application brush and require you to mix your basic foundation powders to get a match that is closest t your skin tone.

Skin Care Products that Will Keep Your Skin Happy and Healthy

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My Top 5 Skin Care Products on the Market

Your skin is the largest organ of your body so it is important to take good care of it. There are millions of products to help you do this, so I am going to help you make this task a bit easier. Whether you are suffering from acne issues, dry skin, or just want some products to pamper yourself, I've got you covered with an overview of 5 products that are currently on the market right now.

Neutrogena Wave

When I saw commercials for the Neutrogena Wave I was like, "wow, I wonder if that really works?" I didn't rush out an purchase it, but eventually gave in and got one. I was surprised at how much I liked it and how great my skin felt after using it. Once I used it I noticed how my skin felt tingly and clean and I really liked that feeling. My skin also felt softer and my complexion looked better. The Neutrogena Wave kit comes with a 2 week supply of pads, a battery operated power-cleanser, and a battery. You can purchase a Neutrogena Wave at retailers like Wal-Mart.

Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

As a sufferer of random breakouts I am always grateful to have a product like Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment. I noticed that upon use my face looked clearer the next day. I'm sure that there are numerous products that do this same thing, but this is the first one I have found that I'm not allergic to (does not contain benzol peroxide). If you have the same skin sensitivity as me then you might want to give this product a try. I purchased my treatment from Wal-Mart, but you should be able to find it at Walgreens and other stores similar to it.

Skin ID Acne Treatment

First came Proactiv, then came Murad Acne Complex, next it was the various over the counter copycats, and finally we have Skin ID. So what makes Skin ID different from the aforementioned products? Well first off, Skin ID is tailored to each individual who needs the product. You can head over to www.skinid.com and take the free skin evaluation test. The makers of the treatment determine what medicines you need based on factors such as your skin type, breakout spots, stressors, and a few other factors. If you feel that over the counter products are unable to give you what you need then you might want to give Skin ID a try. Hey if you don't like it you can always send it back, since it has a 100% money back guarantee.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion

The winter itch gets me every year but I always turn to Aveeno to help me battle my dry skin. It is the first lotion that I have found that soothes my dry skin. After using it my skin feels all cool and tingly and very refreshed. I would recommend Aveno to anyone looking to sooth their dry skin as well. The active ingredient in Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is natural colloidal oatmeal. You can purchase this product at most local retailers like Walgreens or Wal-Mart.

Any of the products at Burt's Bees

If you are looking for natural skin care products then you need to head over to www.burtsbees.com and check out their line. They sell products for your lips, face, hands and feet, and hair. Burt's offers products for both men and women and baby and mom. If you are looking for some great lip balm then you might want to purchase one of their seven types of balm. You can even get Burt's Bees lip balm in some local drug stores. There are so many great products on the site that you should head on over there and check it out for your self!

Skin Irritation?: Try Witch Hazel

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Do you suffer from skin infections or itchy skin? Witch hazel might be able to help. Witch hazel sounds like a nasty substance but it is actually very helpful with skin problems. When witch hazel is applied to skin it leaves skin feeling clean, fresh, soft and healthy. It is an old skin remedy that has lost some popularity I think because of it's name but it is really good for skin.

Witch hazel can be hard to find. I have found it in the drug store and some health stores. Even though witch hazel is hard to find it is inexpensive and a bottle can last a long time.

If you suffer from a skin ailment you might find it beneficial to try some witch hazel. My son had an unidentified skin infection that plagued him on his hands and feet. The doctors told me they had never seen anything like it before and put my son on antibiotics. The antibiotics did nothing for the infection. Being a mother I had to investigate and find a cure. I found it in witch hazel. I put witch hazel on my son's sores and the infection started to heal up in one application. The infection was gone a three days.

All we did was put the witch hazel in a spray bottle and we sprayed his skin ever so often during the day. It had to adverse effects on him and it did even sting or hurt to use it. It felt cool on his skin when we put it on and felt better right away. His skin just got better.

You can use witch hazel on a daily basis. You can put witch hazel on your face to feel fresh and clean. If you have an insect sting or bite you can put witch hazel on it to relieve the itching.

It you have dry cracked feet witch hazel can help your feet feel fresh and clean and the cracks heal up in time.

Witch hazel can be good for aching muscles. You can make a massage mix and rub it into your aching muscles. You mix one cup of witch hazel and a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol together and massage it into the aching muscle. This mix helps to relax your muscles.

Witch hazel seems to easy to use to correct some really big problems. It really seems like a miracle cure.

The Best Budget Beauty Products for Oily Skin Under $25

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Oily Skin Cleansers, Cosmetics, & Toners for $25 or Less

Having oily skin may be a blessing and a curse. The blessing is, generally speaking, it's slower to show fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration. The curse, on the other hand, is the frequent breakouts, or acne, large pores, and a greasy facial appearance. Makeup doesn't stay on or it fades away, there is the infernal oily shine on your forehead, nose and cheeks, plus the constant washing of the face to get rid of the oiliness are just a few of the problems with oily skin.

Unfortunately, many of the top quality beauty products for oily skin tended to be on the expensive side. That may have been the case, but not anymore. Thanks to the Internet, and some highly informative websites, you can find what you need to fit your budget perfectly.

One online site in particular, Total Beauty, which is trusted by more than seven million women, is the place to go to find out the latest beauty products for any skin type, how-to tips, and reviewed products by other consumers. You can also find beauty products specific to your budgetary needs. For the best budget beauty products for oily skin that are under $25, I have broken it down into cleansers, toners, powders, and other skin care needs necessary for oily skin.

Cleansers

1.) Dove White Beauty Bar - $3 (4.25 oz.): I have oily skin and this is by far the best and most reasonable way to clean oily skin off your face as well as the entire body. This has been my beauty routine for many years now. It moisturizes your skin better than any soap, plus you can use this on any skin type, including oily skin. Initially, this was recommended to me by a dermatologist and I have used it ever since. You can easily purchase this extraordinary bar of soap at any drug or grocery store. Also, go to their website to learn more about other Dove products.

www.dove.us

2.) Dove Deep Moisture Facial Cleansing Cloths - $5.99: Speaking of other Dove products, this removes make-up as well as hydrates the skin. This is gentle enough for all skin types. All you need to do is add water to release the lather that helps lift away make-up, oil and dirt. www.dove.us

Toners

1.) Prescriptives Immediate Matte Skin Conditioning Tonic for Normal/Oily Skin - $18.50: It tones, refreshes, and absorbs excess oil to a matte out shine. This oil-free beauty product helps reduce oil production in the skin by clearing away the oily build-up that can cause blemishes. Also, Prescriptives gently unclogs as well as tighten pores. Simply apply a small amount to a cotton pad, and then pass gently over the cleansed face and neck. www.drugstore.com

2.) Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Toner Normal to Oily/Combination Skin - $15.95: The anti-inflammatory ingredients calm the skin and help reduce redness. It fortifies the skin with potent antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients to help restore damaged cells. This is excellent for stabilizing and reinforcing the skin's intercellular structure while eliminating dryness or flaking after too many facial cleanings, especially for oily or combination skin. www.paulaschoice.com

Powder/Foundation

1.) Almay Clear Complexion Pressed Powder for Oily Skin - $7.47: This helps cover blemishes, absorb excess oil, and keep away the shine. Almay's pressed powder is infused with meadowseed to purify and clear the skin.

www.almay.com

2.) Maybelline New York Shine Free Oil Control Loose Powder - $5.70: 100% oil-free powder that gives you a fresh, no shine look all day long. To get the best results touch the puff to the powder and shake any excess powder off gently. Then, pat the puff lightly over your face and use puff to whisk away any loose powder. www.maybelline.com

3.) Avon Magix Face Perfector SPF20 - $10: Banishes the oily shine up to 10 hours. Minimizes pores with their patent-pending Optix Light-Diffusing Technology. A magical light, gel-powder colorless formula that makes all skin tones look flawless for invisible coverage and instant perfection. This even reduces the look of fine lines for mature skin. Apply evenly before sun exposure or as needed. www.avon.com

Skin Care

1.) Dove SkinVitalizer - $12.39 (massager & pillows kit): Their first-of-its-kind daily facial cleansing tool with a high-tech advanced method that produces a deep cleaning, massaging, and exfoliating for beautiful healthy skin. You can use it in the shower, bath, or at the sink. May be used for all skin types. www.doveskinvitalizer.com

2.) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - $17: A genie in a bottle that provides three wishes: eyeshadow that stays on, vibrant and lasting color, and no creasing. These are very difficult to achieve with oily skin. Simply apply this primer to the eyelids prior to your shadow application. Immediately it dries down virtually invisibly, creating smooth lids that are nicely powdered. www.urbandecay.com

3.) Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets - $4.76: What better way to have beauty on the go. It's softer than paper and instantly blots away excess oil by saying goodbye to the shine. When you use these sheets it leaves no residue or smudging of make-up whatsoever. Use them anytime, anywhere throughout your day.

With these simple steps of cleansing, toning, and applying cosmetic foundation, in addition to any other oily skin care needs, you have all the right products that can be purchased immediately at any store in your area or ordered online if not available. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money anymore for these specific beauty products or be time-consuming to take care of.

Buying Cruelty-free Makeup at the Drugstore

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With All the Great Cruelty-free Products Available, You Don't Need to Buy Makeup from Companies that Test on Animals

With all the great cruelty-free products available, you don't need to buy makeup from companies that test on animals. European companies have ceased animal testing on cosmetics, and are demonstrating that it is an unnecessary practice. No matter what your opinion of other animal rights issues or vegetarianism, I think you can agree that testing makeup on animals is unnecessary.

Don't waste your time and money on needless animal testing when there are so many quality products available from cruelty-free companies. How do you know if a product is cruelty-free? Many companies will print "not tested on animals" or "cruelty-free" on the label. Other companies require more research. Check the company's website or contact their customer service. If a company does not give a clear answer to whether or not they test on animals, skip them! Stick with companies that you can confirm as cruelty-free. You will find many products from companies that do test on animals in your local drugstore, but you still have many cruelty-free options.

Revlon: This company offers a wide range of different products, including the popular new ColorStay with SoftFlex foundation. The ColorStay with SoftFlex foundations are available in different formulas for dry/normal skin or combination/oily skin. Their Eyeglide eye shadows are an innovative type of eye shadow applied from a sponge-tip pen. There are some fun colors available in addition to the more conservative neutrals.

Almay: Owned by Revlon, but offers less expensive products. They make makeup easy by offering color coordinated sets of eye makeup and lip makeup. I particularly like their lip gloss, but sadly the color range is limited.

Burt's Bee's: This line of cosmetics only recently began to appear in drugstores, but it has been a favorite at natural grocery stores for years. Their makeup offerings are limited, but their Lip Shimmers really stand out. This tinted lip balm gives a beautiful natural hint of color and feels great on the lips.

Milani: Relatively new to drugstore shelves, this company has a cult-like following. I've heard many people compare Milani to more expensive brands like MAC. In fact, many Milani products are color look-alikes when compared to high end brands. Milani offers many fun, young, hip colors of eye shadow and glitter eye liner. The lipsticks are without a doubt the highest quality and longest lasting lipsticks at the drugstore. Milani blush in Luminous is a less expensive clone of the popular Nars blush in Orgasm.

SinfulColors: This line of nail enamel is bright and fun at a very affordable price. Neutral and conservative colors are also available, but some days we all just need glitter nail polish. The polish applies thick and opaque, giving beautiful color with the first coat.

Bonne Bell: Not just Lip Smackers anymore! Bonne Bell offers lip gloss, lip sticks, eye makeup, blush and bronzer. The lip glosses and lip colors are all very good, but the eye makeup, blush and bronzer are more sheer and natural. This line is targeted to young teens, but someone who is looking for a natural makeup style will appreciate Bonne Bell makeup.

Jane: This is another line targeted to teens, but they offer high quality products that adults will enjoy. This was my favorite brand in highschool, but sadly it has become harder for me to find. Their lipsticks are really top of the line. Eye Zings eye shadows are very popular and come in a variety of fun colors or conservative neutrals.

E.L.F: This is a very inexpensive brand that offers very small sized product packages. The lip glosses are really fantastic, shiny and long lasting. Their makeup brushes are a real treat for such a small price. The eye shadows and blushes are overly fragranced, and too sheer for my liking.

Vital Radiance: This is a new cosmetics line from Revlon targeted to mature makeup lovers. They offer a good selection of foundation shades, and their products are designed to flatter aging skin.

Physician's Formula and Prestige: I am not too familiar with either of these brands, but I have heard good reviews of their products. Prestige seems to be marketed to women with darker skin tones. Physician's Formula seems to be targeted to people with sensitive skin.

Top 6 Eye Makeup Brushes

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How to Choose the Eye Makeup Brushes You Need

When it comes to eye makeup, it's no secret that using the proper brushes can affect the outcome of your eye makeup. There are many types of brushes for eye makeup to choose from. So many, in fact, that sometimes, choosing the brushes you need can be quite overwhelming. You honestly do not need to purchase them all to get the look you are going for. Certain eye make up brushes are crucial to specific looks. It's best to choose brushes that will be beneficial to your specific eye makeup look.

Eye makeup brushes come in all shapes and sizes. There are fluffy eye shadow brushes, stiff brushes, fat or thin, tapered or angled brushes. In order to decide which brushes you need, first you must figure out what look you are going for and which brushes will best suit your eye. There are a few key brushes for eye makeup you should have to create certain looks. You can decide which brushes you need, based on your preference.

Paddle eye shadow brush

A "paddle" eye shadow brush is a good brush to have for looks where you need to pack on the color. These brushes have thin, dense bristles usually shaped like a paddle with a domed or tapered tip. The thin shape and dense bristles are designed for packing on shadow. They work great when you're using bright or bold eye shadow colors. They are also essential for very opaque eye shadow application. When I use this brush I get the best results when I press the eye shadow onto my eye lid, rather than sweeping it across. This brush also works great if you want to use your eye shadow wet or with a mixing medium. I use the same "pressing" method for best results.

Fluffy Shadow Brush:

A fluffy eye shadow brush is best to use for an all over lid wash or when you want your eye shadows to show up more sheer. A fluffy eye shadow brush usually has a large head with fluffy, less dense bristles. When using this brush it's best to buff your shadow on in a circular motion rather than pressing or sweeping. In some cases your fluffy eye shadow brush can double as a blending brush, if the bristles are not too floppy.

Pencil brush

A pencil brush is a brush with a short tapered tip, almost resembling the tip of a sharpened pencil. A pencil brush is a must have tool for pretty much all eye makeup looks. It is a multi-tasker that can be used for a number of things. You can line or smudge your bottom lash line with eye shadow or cream liners using this. This brush also works great for detail work in the crease, especially if you're going for the cut-crease look. It can also be used to apply darker shadows to the "Outer V" area of the eye lid. It's a great brush to use for precision eye shadow application and can be a very good crease brush for someone with smaller eyes and less lid space.

Blending Brush

A blending brush is used to blend away harsh or unnatural lines in between eye shadow colors and for all over eye shadow blending. If you find yourself with eye shadow that is too dark or harsh, a blending brush will help you sheer out the color. Sometimes a blending brush will have a fat fluffy head, other times it may have a tapered head. Choose your style by determining your eye shape. A tapered headed blending brush works best for those with smaller eyes or a smaller crease. Make sure the bristles of your blending brush are a bit firm. They shouldn't be stiff but if they are too floppy, it probably won't be very good for blending.

Angled Liner Brush

An angled liner brush is essential if want to use gel, cream, or cake eye liners. It is an eye liner brush, often times called a brow brush, with a short and thin angled tip. I think the angled liner brush works the best and is easier to use than a small pointed liner brush. The angled tip helps you to have some control while lining. You can use this brush to get a very thin line or a thick line. For a thin line, keep the brush as close to the lash line as possible while applying, basically pushing the liner into the base of your lashes.

Smudge Brush

A smudge brush is essential for the smoky eye look. Smudge brushes come in many forms including foam tipped and bristled tips. I prefer to use a bristle tipped smudge brush because the foam tips tend to absorb makeup and interfere with application. A bristled smudge brush is usually a very tiny headed brush with very dense bristles and often a domed tip. This brush will help your look by smudging your eye shadows or liners in order to create a smoky effect.

If you choose the right brushes, you can be assured that you will be able to do your eye makeup to your liking. You may find that application becomes easier and you will love the results much more.

Spring Makeup Trend: Tangerine Tango

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Each December the people who know color, Pantone, unveil the color of the following year. For 2012, that color is Tangerine Tango. While shades of orange have been visible in fashion for the past few seasons, orange became a hit last spring as the bold lip color to try. Now for 2012 it is the color trend in both fashion and beauty. Check out some hot ways to wear Tangerine Tango and its complementary colors from the spring palette.

The Tangerine Tango Spring Color Palette

Tangerine is a dark, yet vibrant orange that is a classic summer shade. However, this reddish-orange hue is not the only hot color for the coming spring season. Check out the rest of the Spring Tangerine Tango palette:

1. Solar Power - marigold yellow

2. Bellflower - dark lavender

3. Cabaret - hot pink

4. Sodalite Blue - navy

5. Margarita - light sage or dark mint

6. Sweet Lilac - slightly darker baby pink

7. Cockatoo - muted aqua

8. Driftwood - light pewter

9. Starfish - brassy taupe

Tangerine Lips with a Blue Jean Eye

Last spring, the denim eye was a bold beauty trend. For spring 2012, this look is back but a little subdued. Create a smoky blue jean eye with a navy liner, taupe and pewter eyeshadow. Finish off with mascara in black or navy. Pair your smoky blue jean eye with tangerine lips for a bold spring look that is sexy.

Products to Try from AVON:

• Mega Impact Eyeshadow in Nude Attitude, $8.00

• Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Eye Smokifier in Blue Grey, $8.00

• SuperSHOCK Max Mascara in Black, $9.00

• ULTRA COLOR RICH Moisture Seduction Lipstick SPF 15 in Tangerine, $8.00

Get a Ripened Flush of Color

Spring and summer are when the skin naturally takes on a warm flush of color as the weather gets warmer. A ripe, pinch of tangerine color on the cheeks will add warmth and a pop of color to the face. Since tangerine is a warm color it complements skin tones from fair to deep. Pair those ripened cheeks with a fruit punch lip and a shimmering pastel eye with a bold upper lash line for a vibrant look this spring.

Products to Try from the SEPHORA COLLECTION:

• Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Sweet Candy, Swimming Pool, Fame and Fortune, French Riviera Gold and I Love the 80's for $12.00 each

• Waterproof Smoky Cream Liner in Bewitch Me, Electric Teal, Made in Manhattan, Water Park, Must Have, Rags to Riches or Statue Bronze for $10.00 each

• Lush Flush Lip and Cheek Stain in Pinot or Rose for $12.00 each

• Colorful Blush in Apricot Sheen or Coral Crush for $13.00 each

A Bright Citrus Eye is Bold for Spring

Tangerine makes the biggest and most stunning impact when used on the lips or cheeks for a pop of color. However, don't be afraid to go bold and wear this hot color on your eyes as well. A bold citrus eye goes well with the pale luminous glow seen on the spring 2012 runways last September. When going this bold and bright with eye color it is best to keep lips neutral or pale and cheeks at a pale flush or bare. As I am always one for improvising and know that it may be a bit difficult to find a tangerine eyeshadow, I recommend substituting a tangerine blush or lip color as your eyeshadow. It's all about making it work!

Products to Try from Urban Decay:

• Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original or Greed for $19.00 each

• Matte Eyeshadow in ABC Gum for $17.00

• Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Bang or Indecent for $24.00 each

• Lipstick in 5150 for $22.00

These three tangerine makeup combinations will definitely brighten up your look for spring. The product selections given are simply guides to help you. You can purchase the products listed or use them as a guide to find a similar shade from your favorite makeup brand or at a cost that is more affordable to you. As always, have fun with makeup and play around with the different shades found in the spring Tangerine Tango color palette. You never know what beauty trend you may start.

FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax by Vogue Intl. Is the Best Hair Product for Spiking

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Recently my wife talked me into spiking my hair for the first time ever. Prior to this my choice of hairstyle was the less than glamorous "comb it back" look, which another friend of mine recently commented on that I have had the same hairstyle since I was thirteen years old. So one day I bit the bullet at the local barber shop and asked them to go ahead and spike my hair. So began the quest for the perfect hair care product with which to spike my newly spiky hair. After a number of flops, I settled on FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax by Vogue International, and I have been using it very happily ever since. I can safely say that this is the best hair wax and spiking agent that I have found on the market.

One thing I like about the FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax by Vogue International is its balance between firmness and pliability, as the name would indicate. The wax is firm enough to remain in place all day as long as I do not touch my hair too often, and the pliable hair was is not so firm that it feels like I just dipped my head into a vat of Super Glue. The balance between these two extremes was evident in the wax from the first time I scooped a bit out of the jar with my fingers, even before I applied the wax in my hair.

Another thing I like about the FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax is the fact that I can apply the wax to my hair straight out of the shower with very little time commitment. Since I think of hair care as the most boring thing in the world to have to think about, the styling ease and small preparation time is an important factor for me. To prepare my hair after a shower, all I must do is lightly towel dry my hair, apply a small quantity of the pliable hair wax to my fingers (the exact quantity is a function of how long my hair is at the time), spread the wax out onto my hands evenly, and rub the wax vigorously into my semi-wet hair. The faster and more vigorously that I apply the wax, the spikier and more defined are the resulting spikes.

One problem that I have with my hair in particular is that my hair gets rather curly when it gets too long. As a result I have had problems with the other products I tried causing my hair to look curly rather than spiky. Since I was after the spikes, an essential criterion for a hair wax is that it succeed in overcoming my hair's tendency to curl. The FX Special Effects Pliable Hair Wax by Vogue International does just that, and actually succeeds in causing my curly hair to look spiky instead of curly or wavy.

One disadvantage to this product is that one must use significantly larger quantities as one's hair increases in length. Since I am notorious for waiting a long time to got get a haircut, I find that I have to purchase the FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax more frequently than I would really like, but that is more a problem with my laziness than with the wax itself.

A final thing that I do like about the FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax by Vogue International is the presentation and appearance of the product itself and its packaging. The FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Wax by Vogue comes packaged in an attractive neon green plastic jar that is just over one inch tall. It has a silver-gray lid with purple lettering on top. Inside, the wax itself is a matching shade of neon green, which I just find to be neat. Because of the bright color of the wax, though, it is essential that one rub the wax into the hair thoroughly so that the greenness of the wax is not apparent in your final styling.

In conclusion, the FX Special Effects Pliable Molding Hair Wax by Vogue International is the best product that I have found for spiking even difficult to train hair. It is the right balance of firmness and pliability, and is effective in keeping one's hair in place for many hours at a time.

Guide to Picking Personal Care Products Without Harmful Chemicals

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Personal Care Products Addiction's Guide


Are you confused about what personal care products you should choose? With so many product brand name, knock-off, natural vs. organic, scents and so on it is no wonder our bathrooms are filled with various products enough for an army to use.

Being a woman, I have to admit that my collection has gotten a little out of control also; I am just as bad as anyone else. It is hard walking into a store and not knowing what to look for in a product to assure your purchase is top quality while also not breaking your bank account. Here are the things that everyone should be cautious of when buying products:

1. Avoid Phthalates: Phthalates are usually found in synthetic fragrances. Try finding products with essential oil fragrances or unscented products to keep away from phthalates. Products that contain phthalates should be thrown away from your current stash of products because studies have shown that this chemical (which is a chemical compound usually found in plastics) can cause liver damage, damage to the lungs and even ones kidneys.

2. Safe Preservatives: All products must contain a certain amount of preservatives to allow the product to keep its shelf life. Without any preservatives all our personal care products would need to be placed in a refrigerator. I am not sure about you however I am not about to place a fridge in my bathroom anytime soon. In addition, a product without preservatives will prevent bacteria, fungi and most types of yeasts from forming in the products. A healthy alternative to preservatives is sodium benzoate which is a natural preservative found in cinnamon, apples, cranberries and so on.

3. Use Cleansing Alternatives: Many products can irritate or cause SLS (a health risk) even for those skin types that are not usually sensitive. There are gentle forms of cleansing and foaming agents so why not take advantage of them. Look for sodium myreth sulfate for body washes, soaps and hair products; sodium lauryl sarcosinate, decyl glucoside, or cocamido propyl hydroxysultaine in shampoos; and sodium cocoyl glutamate in dental products for safe usage.

4. Gentle Foam Products: Foam products are what give your personal care products those tiny bubbles that everyone enjoys. Look for in the product label for products with ingredients that end in MEA instead of DEA. These two types of ingredients have coconut oil as a natural base which is safe for the body however DEA is harsh to the skin and hair. These DEA products are what make your hair and skin dry and flaky. So go with the MEA ingredients such as lauramide MEA.

5. Plant Ingredients: Keeping products as natural as possible is always the best plan for shopping. My usual plan of attack that I teach to others I if you can pronounce it- most likely it's a plant product. Products that have active compounds are roots, plants, flowers, herbs, minerals, enzymes and other vitamins from the earth. Going natural takes the guess work out of shopping.

6. Natural Moisturizers: Natural moisturizers usually come in the form of cocoa butter, shea butter, aloe and panthenol. All of these natural ingredients help increase NaPCA which is what gets your skin to retain moisture.

7. No Animal Testing: Look for products that do not contain animal by-products or ones that are not tested on animals. Many non-testing companies are joining along with the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics. These products will show a leaping bunny logo on the package.

The Best Place to Get Laser Hair Removal in Kansas City

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The Best Place to Get Laser Hair Removal in Kansas City

Cosmetic surgery is no longer for the extremely wealthy. Major cities all across the nation are catering the needs of consumers wanting to eliminate unwanted body hair. Kansas City has two major buildings which serve Ideal Image customers. With two locations one of the Plaza in midtown and the other in North Kansas City, they are in convenient locations and are well advertised throughout the Kansas City metro area.

There are several facilities in Kansas City to receive laser hair removal, however Ideal Image is the best place that adheres to a variety of people and skin types.

Excessive body hair can be an embarrassing situation . For women it can even be a bigger concern of self image. Now that technology is more advanced, more men and women are stepping forward to face the problem and seeking cosmetic treatments.

Laser hair is wanted by many men and women, but few can afford it. Ideal Image's fees are flexible and allow for upfront payments by the area treated and financing. What makes Ideal Image so great is while other company's charge by the amount of time it takes to be treated, Ideal Image only charges a flat rate. Each area of the body has a different rate. By charging by the area, this prevents an unexpected bill to rise as time passes during a treatment. There will no misuse of your time and to be scammed out of thousands of dollars.

Ideal image is the only facility in Kansas City that provides service to all skin types, and they specialized in darker or ethnic skin. Other companies have the problem of only being able to treat fair skin, from their lack of advanced equipment. There have not been heavy complaints from customers or lawsuits disclaiming their results. They workers of Ideal Image promote their ability to remove unwanted hair permanently.

Treatments are normally no more than twenty minutes, with minimal pain during the procedure. Any skin discomfort after the treatment usually only lasts about thirty minutes.

The procedures are performed by an experienced Registered Nurse and the overall facility is headed by a Doctor. The consultants of Ideal image express their knowledge and are well informed of the procedure to meet an individuals specific needs.

The facilities are a clean and friendly environment. Upon entering a free consultation session one can be certain, they are left with plenty of laser hair removal information including the costs and care of the treated areas. As Ideal Image continues to grow their clientele increases and the cost of treatment continues to drop.

The Best Hair Braiding Salons in Irvington NJ

 
Hair Braiding Made Easy

Well if you are interested in getting your hair professionally braided then you will want to travel to Irvington NJ. They have the best hair braiding salons in all of NJ. Amina African Braids is a very nice salon. They are located at 1255 Springfield Ave Irvington NJ 07111. The telephone number is 973-371-9292. The hours vary so I would call before making an appointment. They do an excellent job when it comes to braiding hair. Most women who like their hair braided knows that when it comes to braids it has to be done correctly. It is always crowded so make sure to make an early appointment. I look at it this way, if they stay crowded then you know that they do good hair. They will braid any size hair to any length. It is always done very neatly and with minimal pain. Anyone who has ever gotten their hair braided before knows how important it is not to have them braided too tightly. If it is done too tightly then you will have a headache for days. The shop itself is small but they will soon be moving to a much bigger place since the clientele is continuously growing. They also try to keep the shop looking very clean and neat. The people there are great and they make you feel right at home from the moment that you walk in. And if you have never had braids before they will do there best to help you find the right look and instruct you on how to maintain that look. This salon is well worth the money!

Yet another fantastic place to go for hair braiding is Pro -Braids. They are located at 1082 Springfield Ave, Irvington NJ 07111. The telephone number to make your appointment is 973-374-4550. This salon is very efficient and they do an excellent job on your hair. On my last visit my hair came out looking just the way I wanted it, and was not at all expensive. They have a television in the shop that you can watch while you get your hair done. The salon is kept clean, and neat. The staff is also very nice and friendly and makes you feel right at home. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Last but certainly not least on my list of best hair braiding salon's is Flokay Hair Braiding Salon. They are located at 1225 Springfield Ave, Irvington NJ 07111. The telephone number is 973-375-5150. They are great. When I went here I could not decide exactly what kind of braids I wanted to get. They took the time to help me decide which I really appreciated. The prices are reasonable, and the shop is always very neat and clean. The staff is very friendly and they treat you as if they have known you for years.

When it comes to getting my hair done I am a very picking person, especially when it comes to hair braiding. Hair braiding is an art, and you really have to know what you are doing. I finally found my three favorite shops, which are listed above, after a lot of trial and error. When one shop does not have any available appointments I then choose the next one from my list. If you are looking to get your hair braided and are not sure where to go then give these three a try. You will not be disappointed.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner - Review

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Recently an excellent reviewer of beauty products (The Pen) did me the honor of including my user name in her Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner, so naturally I felt it only right to at least do her the honor in return and give the product she recommended a try.

My history with Herbal Essences:

I had tried the new products from Herbal Essences and honestly I was not impressed. However that was only with one of their conditioners, so I figured I may as well try more before I knock on the entire new line to the dirt.

The bottle and the promise:

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner comes in an odd groovy shaped blue bottle. The bottle promised to moisturize my dry locks by giving it a drink of lush hydration with it's rich formula fused with moisturizers, orchids & coconut milk.

It all sounded pretty dang delish, and heck my hair could use a drink! I toast to that.

Price:

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner came to a mere $2.76 for a 12 ounce bottle, at my local CVS drug store. For that low price I figured even if the conditioner sucked, it wasn't a drastic loss on my part.

My Use:

I first rinsed out with a cheap shampoo, to see how well the conditioner would work in all it's glory without the help of fancy fine shampoos.

After shampooing I applied about a handful of Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner to my locks (I have thick hair long hair so using a lot of conditioner for my hair type is always a necessity), as I began to apply the scent was the first thing to hit me.

I could smell the light undertone of coconut like the bottle had said; but I also smelled the flowers; the dried out but strong scent of flowers. I myself like flowery scents so long as they don't remind me of old lady perfume. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner didn't remind me of an old lady, but it was a bit strong. I didn't mind though because I knew the scent would tone down and leave traces of the floral scent in my hair.

I left the conditioner in my hair for about 3 minutes, then began to rinse. As I began to rinse I could feel that my hair was in fact a tad more moisturized, but I also was able to tell right then and there that it was not going to make much of a difference as my hair began to dry.

I have hair that is so thick and unruly that if the conditioner is not deeply moisturizing it does nothing for me.

Drying up:

Just as I suspected, as my hair began to dry it frizzed up and puffed up. It was left soft and lightly scented, but as far as moisturization went, it didn't do very much. It added some, but just not enough for my hair type.

Overall:

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner is not for me. I liked the scent it left behind, but in order for my hair to benefit from conditioner and healing dry locks I will stick with Got2b hair products.

Recommendation:

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner will be a bit of a disappointment for those of you with long thick wavy hair; however for those with thinner easier to tame hair, this product would work quite a number on your hair because it did add 'some' moisturization to my hair type.

For those interested, or for those who like the product try the shampoo, or 2 in 1.

My Review of Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair

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Have you ever searched for that perfect shampoo for your hair? I know I have searched for approximately five years for such a shampoo. I had tried many on the market - both the cheap shampoos and the expensive shampoos. Even when I paid top dollar for a shampoo, I was never happy with it. Well, my search for the perfect shampoo ended approximately 3 months ago. I have finally found what I would say is the best shampoo ever. What's the shampoo's name? This fine shampoo is called Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair.

When I was shopping at Wal-mart one day, I noticed a cute, pink-colored bottle of shampoo that for some reason caught my eye. I noticed after picking it up that it was one of the shampoos in the Herbal Essences line. I had tried Herbal Essences shampoo before (about three years ago.) Unfortunately, at that time I was unimpressed by the Herbal Essences line. With that in mind, it's a wonder I even tried the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair, but I did. I bought the pink bottle of shampoo for around $2-$3 at Wal-mart. I thought it would just be another shampoo to add to the collection of shampoos that I didn't really care for (including my old Herbal Essences Shampoo.)

The day after I purchased the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair, I was able to try it out to see if I liked it. To my surprise, this Herbal Essences Shampoo left my hair very soft and silky. It was almost like it had a built-in conditioner in it (although I don't think it does.) I don't even need to use a conditioner when using this Herbal Essences Shampoo. I also find that my hair holds the style I choose to style it in better when I use the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair.

I'm not sure if you would like this shampoo if you haven't colored your hair before, but for color-treated hair, it's the best. I can't really say if the other shampoos in the Herbal Essences Shampoo line work as well as this one does, but this Herbal Essences Shampoo certainly works very well. I can't say that they were very good shampoos a few years ago, however.

I'm not sure whether or not Herbal Essences makes a matching conditioner for their Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo, but I really don't think it's even necessary to use. This shampoo doesn't need a conditioner to go along with it; it feels like it really conditions hair well by itself.

This Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair is an absolutely wonderful product and doesn't cost a lot to purchase. I would give it a five-star rating (out of five stars.)

Review: Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo and Conditioner

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Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship is meant for those with longer hair, but can be used by people growing their hair or anyone else. I love everything about Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship shampoo and conditioner.

Packaging & Cost

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship shampoo and conditioner comes in a wavy, red, plastic bottle and the normal size bottle is 12 fl oz. The bottles dispense the shampoo and conditioner from the bottom of the bottle which is how it sits so you never have to worry about vigorously shaking the bottle to get it out. The packaging is attractive and the design of the bottle makes it easy to get out every last drop of shampoo and conditioner. The average cost of the shampoo and conditioner is $3.99 a piece at both stores.

Scent and Texture

The smell of it is intoxicating. It is infused with satin and red raspberry and the texture is creamy smooth. The color of the shampoo is pink and it lathers easily when applied and massaged into hair. The conditioner is also pink and it is nice and think and easily distributes evenly. They both have a great red raspberry scent that lasts all day.

Does it work?

The shampoo thoroughly cleans my hair without leaving it with that dry feeling. Even before I condition my hair feels soft and is mildly easy to brush through. The condition hydrates my hair and I have noticed a significant difference in shine and a great reduction in new split ends. After I condition a fine tooth comb glides through my hair like a knife through soft butter. I recommend leaving the conditioner on for 3 minutes and rinse with cool water for even more softness. My hair moves freely and stays soft all day. Both of these products are also gentle on color treated hair. When I use most shampoos and conditioners they seem to strip the color right out, but this product seems to be quite gentle on my dyed hair. My hair also feels a bit thicker, is shinier and softer.

A few more uses for Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship

The conditioner makes a great shaving cream replacement. My legs were silky smooth and had a nice and light red raspberry scent. If you do not like to shave with conditioner you can massage some on after you shave and then rinse away. You can use the shampoo as a body wash. It is moisturizing and just like the conditioner it leaves a light red raspberry scent.

I would recommend Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo & Conditioner to anyone. Whether your hair is long, you're trying to grow it long or you simply love the smell of raspberries this is the shampoo and conditioner for you.

Product Review: Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner - Is it Worth the Price?

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Having made my own soaps for a couple years, I know the benefits of more natural ingredients going into bath and body products. When I saw Organix line of hair products contained organic active ingredients, I decided to see if it was worth the higher price. I purchased their Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner.

The Cost: Organix shampoo and conditioner each cost $6.99 for thirteen fluid ounces at my local drugstore. At the time, I justified the higher cost with the fact that they were currently offering a rebate for up to $6.99. I basically would be trying it for free. That's always a good thing. Unfortunately, it was a mail in rebate, and being a procrastinator, to date I have yet to mail in my rebate. But the offer was still there.

The Ingredients: Organix hair products have organic active ingredients. Their Coconut Milk line has organic coconut milk to nourish, whipped egg whites to strengthen and coconut oils for hydration. They are also sulfate free. Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or SLS, is a surfactant commonly used in many bath and body products because it is cheap to use, which keeps the cost of the products to a minimum. It is also a foaming agent, and almost everybody associates bubbles with being clean. Rumors were circulating at one time that sulfates were causing cancer. According to snopes.com, SLS does not cause cancer. But it can be an irritant if left on the skin. So Organix has avoided using this ingredient.

However, Organix does contain Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate. It may sound similar to SLS probably because they are both surfactants. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is listed as their second ingredient. For those that don't know, ingredient labels have to be listed in order of volume. This means that Organix shampoo has more Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate in it than any other ingredient (including those organic ones) with the exception of water. Water is the ingredient listed first. As for the conditioner, water is listed first with Cetyl Alcohol coming in second.

For both the shampoo and conditioner, there are a lot of other less than organic sounding names listed before you actually get to the organic ingredients. But the organic ingredients are in there. And to be honest, you are probably not going to find a shampoo and conditioner that is completely organic and without surfactants on your store shelf.

The Scent: Organix Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner has a wonderfully subtle coconut smell. I love the smell of coconut. Organix is not overpowering like other coconut scented bath products tend to be. It has a scent reminiscent of that which you would find in high end salon products. The scent was impressive.

Performance: I decided to use Organix a week before I made my final decision. After reading the ingredients, the soap maker in me wanted to be able to scoff at this product. But I can't. The first few days, I was less than impressed with how it worked. It wasn't that it didn't work, it was just that in the beginning I couldn't see much of a difference between using Organix and a less expensive brand. But after using it for a week, I have noticed a difference. It left my hair feeling clean and soft, without weighing it down. My hair has body, and it is manageable. The conditioner is thick, not watered down, and you can feel a difference in your hair while using it. I have had no "bad hair days" since using it, which is uncommon for me. I have also noticed less breakage and hair loss since I started using it.

The Bottom Line: Despite the presence of those less than organic ingredients, Organix Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner truly is a great product. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is evident in the results you will see while using Organix. The price you pay compared to other less expensive brands is worth it if hair care is a priority. You will notice a difference. And unless you are buying a natural handmade shampoo bar from a soap maker, I doubt you will find a more organic option for your hair. My bottom line...Organix is definitely worth the price.

Product Review: Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner

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Hello Hydration, Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Are you one of those people that sees a new product and has to be the first to try it? Or, are you one of those that likes to have someone else spend their money and time trying it out, before you buy it? Maybe you're like me, a combination of both. I love trying new products, but after being let down by so many, I do tend to buy less brand new items. I don't mind my friends letting me know if a product is worth the money or not. Actually, I have a friend that kind of takes turns with me trying out new things we are both interested in. It is a little easier on the pocket book that way. The product I am reviewing today, I buckled down and tried first. It is a fairly new product from Herbal essences called hello hydration.

Herbal essences has been a product of Clairol for many years now, making our bathing experience a little better by smelling so good. Their hello hydration line is no exception to the rule of wonderful scent. It has a blend of orchid and coconut milk, for an almost summery scent that will have you sniffing your own hair.

Both the shampoo and conditioner bottles appear to be almost the same color blue, but the shampoo is actually in a clear bottle. So, the blue you're seeing is the shampoo itself. The shampoo stands upright, while the conditioner stands upside-down. They both have a green pop-lid on them. Both bottles boast the line "let me soak it to you" on the front. This hello hydration line claims to be all about moisture and says it will quench your hair with lots of hydration. They also claim to leave your dry, damaged hair, silky, supple, and manageable.

Each bottle also has a question, which, they cleverly put the answer on the other bottle. The shampoo asks the question, "On average, how many bubbles are in a bottle of champagne?" In order to get the answer to the question, you have to get the bottle of conditoner. The conditioner asks the question, "What do 15% of women do on Valentines day?" Again, in order to get the answer, you have to get the shampoo. Of course, you could always just look at the other bottle for the answer while you're in the store if you don't want to buy both. I didn't notice the question until I was taking a shower, so a little bit of trivia during my daily routine wasn't so bad.

Now, on to how the product actually performs. I should describe my hair type to give you a better idea of my experience with this product. I have long, wavy hair that goes down to my shoulder blades. It has a mind of its own most of the time, especially if I go to bed with it wet. It curls great, and straightens ok. Now, like I said earlier, I really enjoy the smell. Smell if very important to me, not as much as performance, but very important none the less. The shampoo lathers nicely and seems to rinse completely out without leaving a heavy feeling. The conditioner automatically makes your hair feel very silky. I have a habit of brushing my hair in the shower while the conditioner is in my hair. I leave it on for the the remainder of my shower, then rinse right before I get out. After rinsing my hair, it feels very soft. When my hair dries, it still feels very soft and silky. It does sometimes get a bit poofy though. With additional help from other products, the poofiness goes away.

Overall, I love this product. My hair is definately moisturized like the product claimed. My friend is now addicted to the line also. I will continue to buy this line of affordable, great working shampoo's and conditioners.