pinkcrush
Member Since: July 8, 2009Reviews
Marc Anthony Instantly Thick Hair Thickening Cream
As someone who has excessssssively droopy, flat and otherwise uninteresting hair texture [and as someone who can't afford to get hair extensions on a whim], it's imperative for me to milk my post-shower hair products for all they've got... +
As someone who has excessssssively droopy, flat and otherwise uninteresting hair texture [and as someone who can't afford to get hair extensions on a whim], it's imperative for me to milk my post-shower hair products for all they've got.
The "on a budget" me uses Garnier Fructis Curl Enhancing Gel (which is more of a cream gel) and "that'll be on my Visa" me likes MoroccanOil but because I couldn't find anything new and exciting at Shoppers Drug Mart and I really had to go to the bathroom, I grabbed the first thing I could find: Marc Anthony Instantly Thick Hair Thickening Cream.
And it wasn't the worst thing I've ever done.
Although the texture isn't at all pleasant to run through damp hair and the blow-dry experience is just as unfun, I felt like my hair actually did go a bit bigger than it normally does once I was entirely done my blow out.
The price wasn't terrible (although spending any money on any product to make my hair not suck upsets me) and although you have to use a decent amount of the stuff to actually make a difference, you're getting your $9.99 worth.
Thin hair beware, Marc Anthony Instantly Thick Hair Thickening Cream just miiiight have you figured out.
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L'Oreal Paris Collagen Filler Lip
Collagen scares me. It sounds so medicinal and so clinical. It makes me think of Joan Rivers. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm on the fence. On one hand, I don't think I'm at an age where I need to use a product like... +
Collagen scares me. It sounds so medicinal and so clinical. It makes me think of Joan Rivers.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm on the fence. On one hand, I don't think I'm at an age where I need to use a product like this and on the other, I felt kind of special applying it in front of the mirror. Maybe my lips could use a little plumping and rejuvenating.
Although the 2-step process kind of confused me (yeah, yeah, 2 steps confused me, leave me alone), it didn't have the crazy burning sensation that other plumpers are known for. I'm back and forth, but I got it (and 5 for other people) for free, so how badly can I complain about free stuff?
To be honest, it's something that's going to sit in my makeup bag, unused and taking up space. Because when making my lips look cute takes longer than 15 seconds and the result isn't instant hydration and shine - I'm going to be honest - it's not going to be a hit with me.
"The results: plumped, younger-looking lips with beautifully defined contours."
...But I'm only 24. How much younger do my lips need to look?
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NIVEA Lip Care Light Kiss
I can't say as I've ever really tried a Nivea product before to gauge my review of this product but for $3.49 tax, I got an entirely new experience with a lip product. I'm used to Lip Smackers - babysitting my chap stick tube and... +
I can't say as I've ever really tried a Nivea product before to gauge my review of this product but for $3.49 tax, I got an entirely new experience with a lip product.
I'm used to Lip Smackers - babysitting my chap stick tube and reapplying every 10 minutes or be forced into biting my lips uncontrollably. With Nivea Light Kiss Lip Care, I found it tasted kind of like I was putting body lotion on my lips. Although you may be confused at the thought, the fact of the matter is it kept my tongue and my teeth away from my lips because no one wants to eat body lotion (except maybe Satsuma Body Butter from The Body Shop).
At first feel, it's almost like you're putting water on your lips. It feels wet and light and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere and before you know it, it feels silky and tingly and marvelous. I never knew a lip balm could elicit so many lip sensations!
Factoring in cost, look and ability to keep me from biting my lips, I'd give it 2 thumbs up. And an A for effective name - it does feel like I'm getting a light kiss every single time I apply.
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Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion
There's one thing I know about Vaseline - it's greasy. Should I have expected anything less from Vaseline's Sheer Infusion body lotion? Probably not. But when it's free it's free. Nobody says "no" to free swag! I didn't... +
There's one thing I know about Vaseline - it's greasy. Should I have expected anything less from Vaseline's Sheer Infusion body lotion? Probably not. But when it's free it's free.
Nobody says "no" to free swag!
I didn't mind the product, initially. I thought it was fantastic for a whole 5 minutes. It goes on smooth, doesn't smell too horrendous, but its flaws really sneak up on you at the 5 minute mark. All of a sudden, my hands are sliding off the keys as I'm typing (this) and I feel like I broke a bottle of perfume and proceeded to roll around in it.
For someone with relatively normal skin, I'm finding I don't need the extra 'sheen' it provides. And although I'm not one to complain about scented body lotions, this one is very potent and very "Great Aunt"-esque.
But the bottle is deceptive. And so was my initial analysis of the product. It looks sleek and pretty and would absolutely be something I'd pick up off the shelf. And with a trusted name like Vaseline, why wouldn't I?
That is why I'm here, ladies (and gentlemen?), to advise you not to judge a body lotion by its bottle. I will fully continue to use this product until it is done because it was given to me for free and because it is a recession and I cannot afford one that doesn't have people turning their noses at my scent as I walk by. But that doesn't mean I'll enjoy it.
And yes, it might also mean my mother gets one in her stocking. And I can only assume she probably won't love it either.
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Lip Smacker Pink Lemonade
I am 23 and get made fun of ALL the time for still using Lip Smackers. The inner-girly girl inside me just can't seem to let them go after all the years they've really been there for me. I swear, there's some kind of addictive in it... +
I am 23 and get made fun of ALL the time for still using Lip Smackers. The inner-girly girl inside me just can't seem to let them go after all the years they've really been there for me.
I swear, there's some kind of addictive in it because I just can't stop applying it. But really, with all the variety they seem to have, why wouldn't you want your lips to taste fantastic? And take my word for it, boys LOVE it.
I realize that sometimes all you need is medicated lip balm, but that's not what Lip Smackers are about. They're about making you feel girly and pretty and that's it. Nothing more. Nothing less. And for $1.99 a tube, why not? It's good, cheap fun and nobody is getting hurt. Except maybe the boys who's hearts you break when you break up with them and leave them Lip Smacker-less.
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COACH Penelope Shopper
Dear Coach, We have such a love-hate relationship, don't we? One moment I think you are rare, fantastic, and beautiful, the next, I want to shove you back into your little satin satchel and returning you back to your store for being so... +
Dear Coach,
We have such a love-hate relationship, don't we? One moment I think you are rare, fantastic, and beautiful, the next, I want to shove you back into your little satin satchel and returning you back to your store for being so impractical and useless. But alas, I cannot return you because you are a Coach bag and when they make as big a fuss as they did when I bought you, I'd feel pretty damn ridiculous taking you back. So, in my closet you must remain, until someone buys you from Craigslist.
Sincerely,
pinkcrush.
I guess technically I can't say this isn't a quality item. Sure, it might not be worth the $300 tax but I knew the cost before I bought it and still did it anyway. It's smaller than it looks though and if you're looking for an actual "shopper," you'd be better off going to Lululemon. Because you're paying for a brand and not for a particularly quality item, since most of the material is made out of what appears to be seat belt and not their authentic Coach leather.
If you're looking for an impulse buy that doesn't give you buyer's remorse, perhaps Coach isn't the way to go. Unless you buy something like a wristlet or a scarf that won't give you a complex when you want to return them.
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Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning Lotion SPF 8
Ever come home from the beach, skin more than slightly lobster-esque? I know it's sometimes a pain to cover your body in sunscreen before you lay down for some rays but if you're not overly interested in being sore, peeling, getting skin... +
Ever come home from the beach, skin more than slightly lobster-esque? I know it's sometimes a pain to cover your body in sunscreen before you lay down for some rays but if you're not overly interested in being sore, peeling, getting skin cancer or just looking like an idiot in general, I'd recommend you slather something on.
In the winter, I tan indoors, so I use a tan accelerator to speed up the process. This summer, I was introduced to my newest beach buddy, Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning Lotion SPF 8. Sure, SPF 8 doesn't sound like a lot, but I found it to be the best thing to slightly accelerate your tanning process, while still making sure you're protected.
It costs about the same as regular Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen (with a lower SPF) and even though you have to apply it more frequently than, say, an SPF 30, the chances of you leaving the beach with a golden glow are far more likely. And it doesn't smell like those disgusting self-tanning lotions that only sort of work and end up making your ankles orange and blotchy.
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Red Room
Located at the edge of both China Town and Kensington Market (College & Spadina), Red Room is one of those little, indie places that makes you ask yourself (every time, without fail) why exactly you came back. And then you take a bite of your food... +
Located at the edge of both China Town and Kensington Market (College & Spadina), Red Room is one of those little, indie places that makes you ask yourself (every time, without fail) why exactly you came back. And then you take a bite of your food and completely forget that your server pretty much made you apologize for being there.
I initially went to Red Room because of its proximity to my house (super close). I kept going back to Red Room DESPITE the service I received the first time because I had been dreaming about their rotini with cream sauce. And I will continue to go to Red Room (probably too often) because for the price and the quality of the food, you can ignore the fact that your server hates you.
The portions are enough for you to take for lunch the next day, you can get an appetizer AND an entre for under $10, the variety is plenty, and the music is pretty rad. You'll just have to excuse the servers, they seem to have forgotten their manners.
My recommendation? Maybe go for take-out the first time. Unless you've got really thick skin. Or check out Nirvana (@ Bathurst & Dundas) or Green Room (@ Bloor & Brunswick) - same owners, similar menus, slightly more varied staff ethics.
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Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Mascara
My mother raised me a Maybelline girl so there has always been a place in my heart for their brand. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara and I are old friends so it was a big step for me to pay $11.99 for a tube of Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto... +
My mother raised me a Maybelline girl so there has always been a place in my heart for their brand. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara and I are old friends so it was a big step for me to pay $11.99 for a tube of Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Mascara. But I did it anyway. Because Maybelline has done right by me.
Honestly, the best advice I can give to anyone in the market for mascara experimentation is not to 'judge the book by the cover.' Sure, this mascara might be shaped like a stiletto, but that's where the comparison ends.
I don't mean to tell you that this is a bad product though. In theory, it isn't. The product works fine and would be perfect if every woman out there wanted ONE eye to look fantastic for the night. Instead of both. Or if everyone were pirates. It just seems that by the time you get that one eye perfectly coated, you've run out. And who's going to buy 2 tubes of mascara just to have intense eyes for the night? You might as well buy falsies.
It goes on relatively smooth but it comes off even smoother - which I can't say is really a characteristic I look for in mascaras. Touch your eye the wrong way or break any sort of sweat and it'll be all over your hands or your face. But don't worry, it will only be one eye, because there wasn't enough of it in the tube to do both.
Overall, it's on it's way to becoming a high-quality Maybelline product, but it's not quite there yet. I'll stick to my $6.99 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. It's recession-proof and I only need to buy one tube at a time (except when they come in the 2 packs at Wal-Mart)!
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