Aveeno Active Naturals Nourish + Strengthen Shampoo and Conditioner

Image courtesy of Google

Okay, it's time to come clean about something. I. . . never used Aveeno before. Gasp! Shock and awe! Trust me, I've wanted to, but I never had the extra cash to get their products, and always settle for something cheaper, or on sale. When I was offered free samples of their new shampoo, I snatched that up so fast it was ridiculous.

The samples I got were a generous amount, and lasted me for a good three days. Now, while I've not been pining over this particular products (the tinted moisturizer and brightening facial scrub call my name every time I'm at the drug store), I can't look a gift horse in the mouth.

After the three days I used this product, my hair did feel stronger, and better than it is with my current shampoo. There was MUCH less breakage, and I could actually comb my fingers through my hair without fear of ripping a chunk of it out.

The one downside I found was that it didn't smell much like anything to me. I love my fruity shampoos -- Kiwi and Lime, anyone? -- and found that the lack of scent, while nice for some, was a bit of a downer for me. Coupled with my very mild smelling body wash, I left the shower those three days smelling like. . . well, like clean. You know what smell I'm talking about. Where it doesn't have a particularly strong scent, but it doesn't smell bad at all? No? Just me? Alright then.

I'm positive that if my hair gets really bad one day, as I do dye it often, and don't use the best dye in the world, this will somehow make it home with me, come hail and high water.

Would I repurchase it? ;; Yes.

 Where you can buy it ;; Your local drugstore
Normal Price ;; $7 each

This review is independent and in no way shape or form affiliated with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.

Avon Bubble Delight Bubble Bath in Soft Pink

Image courtesy of Avon

What day of trying to relax and pampering yourself would be complete without a nice, long bubble bath?

When my sister came home with us from Fort Wayne to Columbus for a couple days, she brought with her the tiny bubble bath she'd gotten from an aunt of ours. On accident, or on purpose -- she knew I wanted it -- it got left behind, and after a text, I got the a-okay to use it!

Let's start with the smell. It smelled. . . really kind of gross. Like flowers dipped in chemicals and alcohol. Not pleasant at all. It faded quickly, though, so it was easy enough to overlook. I will admit to squirting in some of their body wash for added scent, though it's not very pleasing either.

The bubbles, though! SO MANY BUBBLES. I couldn't fill the tub past half way for fear they'd start to spill out. Not that I minded very much, I don't usually fill the tub to full.

I would have loved to soak in this some more, but alas, my kitten was screaming at the door and I only got perhaps twenty minutes tops. Not something I would buy for myself -- I'd like a pretty smelling bubble bath, please -- but it did the job, and helped calm me down for even that mere twenty minutes.

NOTE : Soft Pink appears to have been discontinued. Not that I really care, as I hated the scent, but that just shows me that my aunt hoarded them and probably threw them into the bag last minute. What a shame.

Would I repurchase it? ;; No.

 Where you can buy it ;; Avon
Normal Price ;; Discontinued

This review is independent and in no way shape or form affiliated with Avon Products, Inc.

Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Peel-Off Mask in Cucumber

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So today, I discovered I had a phobia. A stupid one, but a phobia none the less. I have a phobia of tongue piercings. I hate them with every fiber of my being. They look gross in my personal opinion, and make me cringe at the thought of getting one. I cannot look at someone that has one while they talk.  I mean no offense to anyone, but I find them utterly repulsive, and the idea of them makes me shake like a leaf and get ill to my stomach.

A friend of mine got one, and so far my only thoughts are 'take it out, take it out, take it out for the love of all that is good remove it and throw it away'. But, I can't say that, and that would also be extremely selfish of me. I'm trying to be supportive, but I've told them that I won't look at them while they speak, and that if they ask for advice, one of my two answers will be to remove it. I'm at the point where I'm willing to say, 'you remove yours and I'll remove mine' because I know my monroe bothers them.

 And that's monumental, as I've had my monroe going on three years, and love it to pieces. ( I literally fought my last job, a sub shop that's is supposedly extremely fast with deliveries, tooth and nail to keep it as we're not allowed any piercings. I kept a retainer in, even though they said not to. I also had to have the back surgically cut out as the piercer tightened it too much and made it so that the lip HEALED around the back).

I've literally been shaking for two days because these past two days have been complaints about their piercing. Anger, fear, depression, PMS. So, I've tried pampering myself. I haven't had time for a face mask what with the holidays this past week, and I decided today would be a good day to pamper myself.

I mentioned having this mask a while back, and have finally decided to review it. I've been using it usually at least once a week, and until today, when I actually had time to sit with it on my face and think, or in other words 'try to get my mind off of the problem at hand'.

It has a strong 'so natural it's unnatural' scent, chemical and cloying. Not NEARLY as bad as that awful Que Bella mask, as I don't think anything could be that terrible, but still it doesn't smell like roses, as the saying goes. It's easy enough to overlook though, and the scent fades within seconds of the finished application.

It is a tad difficult to get it to apply evenly, as it is a gel and tends to go one way when you want it to go another. But once it does apply, it's nice and cooling. It feels wonderful on my skin.

The best part, in my humble opinion, is peeling it off. I am one of those disgusting people that peels EVERYTHING. Nail polish, paint, and yes, sunburn. Though I haven't recently. I find this is a safer, less nasty alternative. I can't get it to peel in one giant sheet, but one day I will!

Once it's removed and I've rinsed my face, my face has a nice, dewy glow to it, and doesn't feel dry or tight. Win on your part, Freeman. I'm definitely willing to try their other masks, and actually look forward to it.

Would I repurchase it? ;; Yes.

 Where you can buy it ;; Your local drugstore.
Normal Price ;; $4 - $6

This review is independent and in no way shape or form affiliated with pH Beauty Labs, INC.

Kirkland Signature by Borghese Hydra Gloss in Sparkle

Image courtesy of eBay

So, I've decided to clean out my room for the New Years, and found this in one of my drawers. I've had this forever and never touched it, and for good reason.

I've never used Costco makeup. I've never wanted to use Costco makeup. My grandmother buys the multipacks and distributes one throughout each of the girl stockings. Two or three years ago, I got stuck with this.

It looks like a shimmery pale pink, it's really just a clear shimmer. It's sticky at first, then watery, and smells medicinal. I wore this for maybe five minutes today before saying 'okay I can't do this' and furiously wiped it off my lips. It might be the fact that I've had it for years, but it's a disappointing gloss that's going straight to the garbage. Sorry, Costco.

Would I repurchase it? ;; No

 Where you can buy it ;;  Costco
Normal Price ;; $12

This review is independent and in no way shape or form affiliated with Borghese.

L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream in Fair

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So, with the weather, stress, and just all around nastiness, I'm finding that my skin is breaking out much more easily, and the pressed powder alone just isn't doing it for me. I'm not a fan of foundation, as I can never find a shade light enough for me, and my sister says the B.B. Cream she had provided just enough coverage for her similar problem, so I decided to give one a shot.

I hear a lot of mixed reviews about B.B. Creams. You either love or hate them. This being my first B.B. cream, I can't say I'm for or against them. But it seems to be working in their favor.

I picked this up, not really expecting much. It wasn't the brand my sister used, they were sold out of the lightest shade of that, and this was the only one they actually had in Fair. Kind of sucks that I didn't get a real choice, but oh well. Beggars can't be choosers.

I decided to swatch it last night, though I didn't take a photo of it, and woah. I wasn't actually expecting what came out. First off, it came out white with these weird little grey beads. It was one of those self-adjusting formulas! I've never owned one before, so I squealed like a little kid on Christmas. It took a bit of rubbing and blending before it changed colors, and on my hand, it fit perfectly.

On my face? It turned a little yellow, but nothing my pressed powder couldn't fix. It covered up all of my imperfections, but it looked a bit fake. I think it's going to take some experimenting to get this to look right, and hopefully I figure it out soon.

It says it's a 4-in-1, so let's take a look at what it actually accomplished, shall we?
Primes - Check
Perfects - No
Hydrates - Check
Corrects - Check

So far, it does three out of four of the promised things. My face didn't look perfect, as it turned yellow, but so far it's doing what it says. Not going to say yes to it quite yet, as today was my first time around with it, but it's worth checking out to see if it does everything for you!

Would I repurchase it? ;; Maybe

 Where you can buy it ;;  Your local drugstore
Normal Price ;; $8 - $12

This review is independent and in no way shape or form affiliated with L'Oreal Paris INC.