Gothique

Just over three months ago now I posted that I was going to give this product a try.  And then I went and took a vacation on you and never followed up…

Personally I think it was worth the wait.

Did this product work for me? Yes.

I was pretty surprised, but after one month of daily use, some days using it in both the morning and the evening, I noticed significant lengthening and thickening of my lashes.  I wondered maybe I’d just found a really nice mascara, but even without, my bare lashes are much thicker and there are certainly more of them.  Even my little lashes that sort of get missed when I apply mascara, on the very outside of my eyes, are longer and easier to get to now.

Although they do recommend you use this under your mascara as a primer, I didn’t like the way it made my mascara look goopy and no matter what mascara I tried it seemed to flake after a few hours.

After three months now of daily use I’d say that although I don’t think they’ve gotten any longer after the initial spurt after one months use, they have stayed much thicker then they normally are and seem much denser.

Would I purcahse L’Oreal Lash Boosting Serum again?  Yes, I’m actually on my second tube!

Over the past few months I’ve been on a quest for the perfect vegan shampoo.  I won’t lie, I dye my hair often.  Currently it’s dark and turquoise.  But that also means I need to take extra care of it to keep the color bright and the actual hair not like straw.  It was a long hard quest in which I slayed many frizzy demons, and in the end I was sort of shocked at what I learned.

Gear Head Shampoo and Conditioner from Ethically Engineered

Inspiration led me to hunker down and develop a saponified natural sudsy shampoo bar that requires no plastic packaging and swirls natural, organic suds down your drain and returning these natural ingredients to the nurturing bio-sphere.

Inspiration led me to use this once and bin it.  It left my hair so dry no amount of product would help.  I quickly ruled it out as a possibility even though it’s both vegan and sulfate free.

Shipping was slow, the afternoon I finally convoed them to ask if it was shipping my package arrived.

Body and Shine SLS FREE Nourishing Protein Shampoo and Conditioner set from Crystal Wood

• No SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate)
• No SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
• No Sulfates of any kind
• No Harsh Detergents
• No toxic MEAs or TEAs
• No Parabens
• No Harsh Chemicals, Artificial Fragrance or Color

Your hair will instantly respond to our natural, plant-based shampoo and conditioner with nourishing avocado and jojoba oils and strengthening wheat protein. The shampoo cleanses gently, yet thoroughly while the creamy, nourishing conditioner leaves your hair revitalized, soft and manageable without feeling heavy, greasy or sticky. Natural Essential Oils of Mandarin Orange impart shine and luster while Patchouli soothes and moisturizes lackluster locks. Your hair will be pleasantly fragrant with incredible shine and body.

I loved the scent, and that’s about all I can say about this set.  I used the entire bottle, I didn’t give up after one use, but I honestly can’t say my hair was improved at all.  It wasn’t dried out, but it was just… just.  I’d like to think that this shampoo cleans well, although the conditioner wasn’t all that nourishing.  I certainly didn’t notice any improvement in the body, and it wasn’t shinier at all.

Shipping was quick, and I also received a couple of small samples.

Solid Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner Syndet bars from Arcadia Aromatics

This is a very innovative, unique concept in shampooing. Why bother paying for a bottle filled with water? Our Solid Shampoo Bars are so rich and moisturizing, yet very cleansing, mild & gentle. Don’t clutter up Mother Earth with empty bottles. Stop paying for water. Try our Solid Shampoo. You’ll never go back. One Solid Shampoo Bar will last a very, very long time. Great for travel. No muss, no fuss. Small, compact & no liquid to leak out in your luggage. Highly concentrated, a little goes a LONG way!

Again, I love the way these smell.  But in this case I actually liked the product.  The shampoo doesn’t dry my hair out, and the conditioner actually seems to condition.  I also love the ‘bar’ sort of formula, and it’s true, they seems to last a long time.  I used them for about two weeks and it didn’t seem to make a dent in them.  However, after that two weeks I didn’t see any improvement in my hair.  While it didn’t get any drier nor did the color didn’t obviously fade, it wasn’t silky or smoother or stronger.

Shipping took a little while, although not long enough that I was worried.

And the winner is…

L’Oreal Ever Pure

Advanced sulfate-free color care

100% vegan with natural botanicals

Free of harsh sulfates and salts to help keep color pure even after 32 washes

Shampoo from L’Oreal

Features Natural and Botanical Ingredients

Ideal for Color Treated Hair

8.5 oz.

Seriously.

I wasn’t even going to consider a ‘commercial’ shampoo and conditioner at all.  I was pretty committed to finding an indie brand and supporting that, but two things about this shampoo caught my eye.  It’s vegan.  Ok, that’s one thing, but they also go so far as to state it on the label.  Which means two things, so there you go.  It means that it contains to animal bits and that it’s also not TESTED on animals.  Which were actually the two main reasons I thought I was going to have to stick with an Indie brand.

The price isn’t all that prohibitive at just around 6$ a tube at Target, although I managed to get it on sale and with a coupon from the weekend paper.

I can’t say enough how much I love this shampoo and conditioner.  I normally use a leave in conditioner after I get out of the shower, as I”m getting ready.  After using this I haven’t had to, my hair is soft and shiny and easy to comb without any extras.  I don’t find that it’s weighed down or greasy or heavy, either.  I can wash it and brush it out and leave it to air dry and it looks amazing, no need to blow it out or add any products, which is both amazing and such a time saver when I’m not really doing anything during the day but running a few errands.

I use the Moisture shampoo and almost don’t NEED the conditioner, but I use the Body formula.  Both have a pleasant clean and slightly herbal scent.  I’ve been able to maintain the color in my hair for about twice as long as I have in the past!

Would I purchase L’Oreal Ever Pure products again?  Yes!

• I dont’ think, bar some emergency, that I’ll use another shampoo in the future, although I’m sure going to try the other conditioners.
• They also make a range of styling products I’d like to try, given my success with the shampoo and conditioner.

I’m going to pretend that this hasn’t actually been out for quite a while now.  Truth is, I only recently FOUND it in in the store.  I had been keeping my eye out for it for a while.

I finally found it in Target this morning while I was shopping for stripped leggings.  It was only $12.49, for some reason I expected it to be way more expensive then that.

So lets call this day one.  I’m going to start using this stuff and see if it does anything or not.  I’ve purposely steered away from reading reviews in the last couple of weeks, wanting to be able to review it as thoroughly as possibly based on my OWN experiences and not influenced by anyone else’s view.

According the L’Oreal website:

Now, the lashes of your dreams are no longer an illusion! Thanks to our new Concentrated Lash Boosting Serum, get visibly fuller, thicker natural lashes with less lash fall-out when removing makeup. The breakthrough formula contains Centella Asiatica Extract and Arginine to reinforce, condition, and protect each lash. Apply daily under your mascara and at night to bare lashes to transform your natural lashes, and see more lashes in just 4 weeks!*

So meet me back here in 4 weeks and I’ll let you know!

1 – L’ Oreal 360 Go Clean Deep Cream Cleanser

The only reason I got this was I had a free coupon.  I wasn’t particularly interested in it, I have a ‘routine’ I like that I stick to for my face.  So it actually sat in the downstairs bathroom for a while.  Since I’ve been sort of out of commission, I didn’t want to have to walk upstairs to wash my face, etc etc.  So instead of using soap on my face (never) I used this, since it was there.

Wow, do I love this stuff.  I’m not even sure if I got the ‘right’ formula for me, but it’s super amazing.  The little scrublet dealy-ma-bobber pops in and out of the actual bottle so I can never lose it.  And it works.  It leaves a really nice tingly feeling, and yes, I realize that doesn’t mean it’s actually doing anything, but I like it.

In the last few days I’ve noticed an obvious change in my skin, the pores around my nose seem like they aren’t even there and the new problem spots I’ve gotten on my chin (long story, but I normally have very good skin) have all cleared up.  I’m actually considering switching from my usual cleanser to this L’Oreal product permanently.

Next time I’m out I’m defiantly going to get the exfoliating version of this as well.

2 – Maybelline Lash Stiletto

There are two versions of this.  One in a red tube with a funny wand and one in a black tube with a normal wand.  Pretend that the red one doesn’t exsist, even though it’s newer and supposedly better.  Between the formula and the brush, it’s crap.  But the original formula in the black tube,  the lengthening formula, is amazeballs.  I usually use Great Lash Big and it makes my lashes nice and fluffy, but this Stiletto seriously makes me look like I have falsies on with only a coat or two.  It doesn’t have the volume I usually get, but the actual ‘voluminous’ formula isn’t all that great, that would be the red tube.

3 – Fyrinnae Arcane Magic Eye Shadow in Mystic

I have a new favorite Fyrinnae shade every other day.  This time it’s Mystic.

Sparkly deep pewter with shimmer that varies from aqua, pink, lavender, silver, and light green, depending on the light.

It’s beautiful as a liner.  Or all over the lid.  Or in the crease to darken up another shade.  Or just to look at, it’s that pretty.

Target is partnering with celebrated designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte to create the next limited-edition collection for GO International^®, an innovative program designed to provide affordable fashion created by world-renowned designers.

Known for directional designs, intricate detailing and standout, red carpet dresses, Rodarte will launch an exclusive collection on Target.com/go and at most Target stores nationwide on December 20, 2009.  The amazingly-priced collection of women’s apparel, belts and legwear, will be available through January 31, 2010.

My brother called me one morning.  He was dropping his wife’s sister off at work.  Someone had slid into her car overnight (hello, snow) and she couldn’t drive herself to work.  It just so happened this was the day that Rodarte launched.  It was 7am his time when he called me from the parking lot in disbelief.  There was already a line outside the building.

Later that day I stumbled over a lot of posts mentioning it.  I think it was this picture that made me really take notice.  I felt sadly out of the loop and made myself a list of things I wanted to get.
Yesterday was the first time I managed to get to Target.  While they had a lot of pieces left, most of them were in XS or XL, two extremes too much!  After much deliberation I ended up picking out this sweater.  It’s grey, which hey, is totally me.  A lot of the collection is print, and I don’t do print.  Ever, unless it’s plaid.  No florals, no dots, nothing like that.  I don’t even wear printed T shirts.  So I felt like this would be the most versatile piece if it’s the only one I manage to get, although I am actively searching for the stockings.  Sadly most of the items available on the Target site are sold out.

I would probably never wear it like this.

Grey is my new nude.  It’s simple and sleek and this sweater is lacy and delicate.  There are so many possibilities to how to wear it, I went vintage.

Vintage Floral Cocktail Ring – $7.99 from Target

I saw this ring and literally snatched it off the display.  I’ve been collecting these big cocktail style rings and it was exactly what I needed to jump start the vintage feel of this collection.

Hoop Chain Necklace – $12.99 from Target

I typically don’t wear necklaces, but this one was perfect.  It’s long enough that it hangs low onto my chest and sort of makes a pretty clanking noise (like chain mail) when it moves.  What makes this a perfect accessory is that it’s smooth and it doesn’t have any edges or pendants that will get snagged in the sweater or the lace camisole under it.

Lace and Crinkle Camisole – $6.98 (on clearance) from Target

I ended up getting a few of these in various shades as well as a plaid one.  But the black is perfect for this vintage feel look.  It’s trimmed in lace on the top and bottom and the bodice is made of a crinkly material that looks like rumbled lingerie.

OPI Nail Laquer in DS Reserve – $7.99 from eBay

This is a really sweet vintage nude pink shade sprinkled with light silver shimmer.

L’Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipcolor Compact in 120, Geranium – $9.99

Oddly the color on the L’Oreal website makes this look like a dusty pink color.  (I would have actually thought Geranium would have been a bright red, anyway…)  Looking at it at the store it seemed more like a pinky nude.  I’m not a fan of dusty colors, so it was a gamble to buy this, since you can’t test them in the store.  Thankfully on my lips it’s the perfect vintage nude.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipliner in Beyond Pink – $4.99

It’s the perfect light pink / nude match for the lipstick, keeping the gloss edges nice and smooth.  I’m growing to be a pretty big fan on L’Oreal lip products.

Aromaleigh Eye Plush in Pink Negligee – $8.00

The soft nudey pink color is just perfect for sweeping across the lid, keeping the eye pale and neutral.  The plush finish from Aromaleigh is one of my very favorites

1 – Chinese Laundry Arcane Heels.  I love these.  They are man made, so they are vegan.  The heel puts me over six feet tall, and yet they are so easy to walk in.  They are the perfect shoes for the Holidays.

2 – Sparkly White Rose Ring. This is another ring I got from Zambi Candy on Etsy.  It shipped quickly and arrived well packed.  It looks adorable!

3 – Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail Lacquer in Stiletto Red.  I know this exists, I just got it this week, but I can’t seem to find it online anyplace.  This gorgeous red lacquer is the same bright clear red of the L’Oreal Target Lipsticks I’ve been collecting, in a much nicer formula then L’Oreal actually offers.  It does have the ‘pro’ brush, which means its freakishly wide.  But aside from that I’m loving the creamy opaque formula.

4 - More Red Lipsticks. I ended up going back for the Target Red lipsticks in both the Colour Riche  (305) and well as Infallible Plumping Gloss(306) formulas.  The Gloss is very sheer and has that sting of a plumper, but I’m loving it, it’s easy to wear and looks great.  Same with the Colour Riche, I’ve never actually used L’Oreal lipsticks before I got the Target colors, and I’m mighty happy with them.  I’ve been pairing them with a Colour Riche lipliner in Always Red and it’s a perfect match.

Pretend I actually posted this last Friday like it was supposed to

1 – Giant Sparkley Ring.  Again, not to sure what to call this, but I saw it and loved it and had to have it.  I found it in the Holiday jewelry section of Target.  It was 7.99$ and they had a variety of sizes, this was the smallest they had, and at a 7 it’s a little big.  But it works on most of my fingers and adds a little ‘bling’ to my day.  I suddenly have a thing for big jewel rings and I can see myself collecting more.  There were several other styles available, but I loved the snowflake look of this one, although I will wear it year round.

2- L’Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipcolor Compact in Target Red. Yes, you read that right.  Target Red.  L’Oreal and Target teamed up to make a line of lipsticks all in the distinct clear bright red of the Target stores.  While several other formulas were available, I picked the Infalliable compact.  I’ve never used this formula before, so I was excited to try it.  The color is a really nice clear shade that looks great against my very pale skin.  The lipstick stays on forever, although it was a little dry, I needed to touch up on the gloss a few times through out the night.  The compact was nice and easy to manage with the two components, the color and the gloss, so it was all right in hand.  I carry a MUCH smaller bag with me when I’m out, and Friday night we were at the Camp Freddy show at The Roxy and this was a hit.  I’m probably going to see if I can get the other formulas in this shade as well.  I love the cross marketing.

I have never wanted to throw anything out the window as violently as I do this mascara.  I just totally got sucked in by the promos for it.

I’m not even kidding, I was like OMG YES.  I have some odd eyes (I know I’ve said that before, but I’m serious).  The outer corners of my eyes are so tight that the little lashes out there are really next to impossible to get at.  And I LOVE to wing my lashes out with mascara to add to the drama of the exaggerated cat eye I’m almost always wearing.  I’d been watching keenly the reviews of the Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara, which I assume this is a copy of.

Lets take a closer look at this revolutionary little wand.  The ‘flexiglobe brush’.

It seems like no matter WHAT I do the wand is just clumped and covered with product which means no matter what I do to apply it my lashes are clumpy and spidery.  Yes, I can get at all my lashes with fabulous ease, but now they are just clumped in with the others.

So, I figured, blah.  User error.  I took off all my eye makeup and started over.  This time I was REALLY careful to make sure the BARE minimum of product was on the little wand.  I even watched this nifty little tutorial and had renewed hope.

Nope.  I’m still technically challenged with this damn wand.  Does anyone have any advise to share or experience with this product?

Overall :

For now, I’m actually going to try to work on this, I’m sure it’s more my fault then the mascara’s.

My cousin suffers from the same family genetics that I do, cursing us with a smattering of acne in our teens.  While I wasn’t so bad, my little brother looks like he suffered some 3rd degree burning on his back.  But Dianna and I were left with some enlarged pores around our nose on our cheeks.  Mine are not all that bad, I will admit, though that they bother me only when I see the perfectly airbrushed faces of certain people who bother me anyway.  Anyway…

She bought L’Oreal’s Skin Genesis Pore Mimizing Skin Re-Smoother.  She SWEARS that after ONLY  a week, she notices a difference.  She is usually so ambivilent about things, that when she sounds excited, I know to listen.

So count this as Day One of my own trial.  I found the product after searching all over San Diego for it.  Target didn’t have it, Walgreen’s was out, the guy at CVS looked at me like I was speaking Polish, possibly.  I ended up getting it at Wal-Mart even though I HATE shopping there due to their horrible business practices.  It was about 18$, so fairly affordable.

I think I’m going to wear the product on my face at bedtime.  It’s made from some crazy mix of acids and ‘technology’ that usually end up brassing up my foundations.

I plan on posting my results every few day!!