Reviews by DiBellezza

DiBellezza says "Not impressed by this lackluster lotion" about Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme

DiBellezza — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:53:37 GMT

I love Nivea products. They have always been a little pricier than I'd like, but until this product, I didn't mind paying extra for quality. Unfortunately, Nivea's Soft Moisturizing Creme 2.6oz left me high and dry. Literally. What a disappointment (especially at $3.69!)

With its Jojoba oil and vitamin E, it promised smooth, soft skin after only a few uses. In reality, the lotion is thin and watery and moisturizes for minutes only. I live in Minnesota - it's a tough climate here! As soon as the beginning of November, the dry skin problem begins, so I like to find a small bottle of lotion to keep in my purse and use whenever the need arises. Typically a single bottle can last me the entire winter if it's a good quality moisturizer - this bottle of Nivea Soft lasted me a month!

It does have a nice, light scent but as far as pros go, that's the only one I could find. In a different climate it might suffice but in the Northern states, we need something more substantial. ...

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DiBellezza says "Simply Sublime" about Australia's Own Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup

DiBellezza — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:33:00 GMT

Leafing through a magazine quite some time ago, I came across a section of gift ideas. I usually pass by these pages because either I don't know anyone who could use the suggested gifts or they're just way too far out of my budget. On this particular day, however, one item caught my eye. It was Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup and it looked divine! They are wild, edible hibiscus flowers in a light, sweet syrup; placed in a glass of champagne, the bubbles move up and over the flower and it opens, releasing the syrup into the glass and giving the beverage a subtle flavor. I tore the magazine page out and put it in my notebook and promptly forgot about it [as usual!].

Months later in Whole Foods I found them in the wine section and I had to buy them! They were $11 for eleven flowers [although their price can vary from vendor to vendor]. I had no idea that I was buying one of my new favorite cocktail hour treats!

At home, I placed them in their respective champagne glasses and...

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DiBellezza says "Wish the cartridges lasted longer!" about Venus Embrace Razor

DiBellezza — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:51:34 GMT

Whoever had the idea at Gillette to make razor cartridges so ridiculously expensive was one smart cookie! Women still buy them regardless of price, myself included! I used to shave with the original Venus until I saw the Gillette Venus Embrace in the store; desperate to find a razor that worked without drying or knicking my skin, I bought it. It boasted:

five blades for extra closeness
a ribbon of moisture to protect skin and
a soft grip handle for ultimate control.

A lot of these features sounded like they could be nonsense but what is a girl to do?

I wanted smooth legs and underarms and I am happy to report that the Venus Embrace razor did not let me down. The wide catridge head helps lessen shaving time and it also minimizes the chances of missing a spot or two [or three]. I was under the impression that the ribbon of moisture didn't do very much, but the other day I ran out of Embrace cartridges and had to use my old Venus razor and ouch! I missed the ribbon...

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DiBellezza says "Can't stop playing this game!" about Capcom - Resident Evil 5

DiBellezza — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:40:06 GMT

This is a phenomenal game. From the gorgeous graphics to the fantastic soundtrack to the high replay value, Capcom's Resident Evil 5 delivers in every way.

My husband has converted me twice over; I thought I was a die-hard Xbox 360 woman until he showed me the way to the Playstation 3. Similarly, I stood by my Silent Hill series until I played Resident Evil 5 for the first time. I know some people will probably shake their heads and say I'm just jumping on a bandwagon that they've been driving for nearly ten years, and my response is: so be it! Let me stay! Resident Evil IS better than Silent Hill [and might I also add that it came first?]!

There are so few quality co-op games on the market nowadays that my husband and I jump at the chance when a good one rolls out. More and more people are playing with online friends rather than real-life friends, so anyone who wants to sit on the couch with a buddy and play through some levels is left rather high and dry...that is, until...

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DiBellezza says "Too harsh for my skin and my sense of smell!" about Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent for Sensitive Skin

DiBellezza — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:31:02 GMT

I know beauty products can't always smell like roses, but I'm pretty sure Clean & Clear tried to make their astringent smell bad. Deep Cleaning Astringent for Sensitive Skin has a very strong medicinal smell that, coupled with the alcohol in the product, left my eyes watering. That's not the worst of it.

As far as clearing up my skin, I am not impressed. I have been using this product twice a day for nearly three months and all I have gotten is dry skin. I am not convinced that alcohol in toners and astringents is a beneficial thing whatsoever . I have always struggled with oily skin and forever I thought using drying products [like astringents and alcohols] would help me. I learned much later that the dryer my skin gets, the more oil it produces, so by three o'clock in the afternoon, I am having lovely "oily breakthroughs" and needing to powder my nose. Clean & Clear's astringent did not help me with this issue. In fact, it only made it worse.

Upon contact with my skin,...

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DiBellezza says "Get ready to fall in love with your hair!" about Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream Sleek & Shine

DiBellezza — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:59:07 GMT

As I read the other reviews for this product, I realized they were written mostly by women looking to control their curls and frizz. Many wrote about their thick, unmanagable hair and that the Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream Sleek & Shine worked wonders for them. I am about to write the same thing, but to the product's credit, I have incredibly thin, very straight hair! That is good news for women everywhere - a product that works across the board!

My relationship with leave-in conditioners is a long and painful one. My search for a product that conditions deeply but doesn't weigh my hair down was totally fruitless. Nothing was working; either it didn't condition at all or it left me looking greasy [one of my biggest pet peeves]. I had given up. Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream entered my life by pure chance; my mother was re-stocking her guest bathroom and picked some up because it was so well-priced. I went to stay with her and figured I'd give it......

DiBellezza says "Gently heals and softens" about Avalon Organics Vitamin C Soothing Lip Balm

DiBellezza — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:44:03 GMT

I am pretty picky when it comes to lip balm. Once in a while, I'd just like some softness and moisture without the sticky color and fruity flavor of gloss. I usually feel like Goldilocks in my pursuit, too, because either the balm is too dry or has too much menthol or is just too...manufactured.

Tired of the same old choices at CVS, I decided to try the organic section of the Whole Foods mart that just opened in our neighborhood. My mother used to buy all of our household products at co-ops and organic always worked. There was a huge selection but Avalon Organics Vitamin C Soothing Lip Balm stood out - not only because of its bright orange color, but because it was a good deal larger than the other tubes.

When I got to the cash register, the woman ringing me up fished her very own Avalon Organics lip balm out of her green Whole Foods apron and sang its praises. I was bolstered by this and as soon as I tried it, I was hooked. With a soft, light, pleasant feel and a very...

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DiBellezza says "Breathe deeply and get invigorated!" about Bath and Body Works Orange Ginger Aromatherapy Energy Shampoo

DiBellezza — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:15:21 GMT

My hair is pretty pathetic. If you've read my Herbal Essences review, you'll know why [it's just the straightest of the straight, the limpest of the limp]. So I am ultra-excited when I find a shampoo that actually works - and Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Orange Ginger Energy Shampoo falls gloriously into that category!

Bath and Body Works has been the "in" place to shop since I can remember. In school I always coveted the "Sun-Ripened Raspberry" body lotion that other girls had because in our house, that was just way too expensive for a middle schooler to use!

As an adult, I am finally free to pay the extra money for the quality that I believe B&BW has [and who said getting older wasn't any fun?!]. When they came out with the Aromatherapy line, I was thrilled to discover that the scents and combinations were actually soothing, energizing or even sensual! I think the key to aromatherapy is the subtlety of the scent - if it's too overpowering it can just be dizzying. ...

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DiBellezza says "Comfortable and sexy - what more could a girl ask for?" about Victoria's Secret Body By Victoria Demi Bra

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:06:34 GMT

I remember being so excited when Victoria's Secret introduced the "Body by Victoria" line. I thought if it was nearly as comfortable as it looked, then women everywhere were in for a treat. Ta-da! It is! The Body By Victoria Demi Bra offers great support and comes in functional colors as well as sexy hues, so when "lights out" happens you don't have to change into your "other sexy bra."

Some critics have claimed that Victoria's Secret products are overpriced. I have to agree - but only partially. If you comb a Marshall's or TJMaxx for an inexpensive bra, you'll probably find it. What you won't find, however, is a complimentary bra-fitting! A friend once told me that when she was a Victoria's Secret employee in college, she was shocked to find out how many women do not know how to choose a bra that fits properly. I sheepishly admitted that I was among their ranks.

And that is why I pick Victoria's Secret. I've gotten so hooked on their different lines that even if department...

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DiBellezza says "Spectacular! " about Playstation 3 - 60GB

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:03:40 GMT

Our Sony Playstation 3 is everything! It's our DVD Blue Ray player, our game console, our photo album, our video store - it can do just about anything and was worth every penny we spent. We used to have an XBox 360 but it died three times so we said "enough!" and got a PS3. We'll never look back!

With it's customizable themes, access to the internet and great new games, it's a wonderful product that is a serious technological heavyweight. Each family member can create their own profile on either the Playstation 3 console or through the Sony Playstation Network [or both!]. That way, everyone in the family can individualize their experience but still share the fun of downloadable content.

The interface couldn't be simpler and allows for an administrator to control parent locks and content. No more worrying about your kids surfing the internet or watching adult movies! There is also a new feature called "Life with Playstation" developed by Sony's Folding@Home. When you're connected...

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DiBellezza says "After years of bad skin, I'm finally free!" about BeautiControl Skinlogics

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:59:06 GMT

I have been suffering from bad skin since I can remember. When I was very little, my skin was extremely sensitive and when I got to be an adolescent, it only got worse. Every shampoo, bar of soap, body wash or masque just made things worse.

This is the first face wash I have ever used that has actually worked. BeautiControl's Skinlogics has virutally changed my life. I will never go back to bars of soap or drugstore brands and my loyalty to BeautiControl is complete. I had bad skin for so long that I felt hopeless and depressed, but now I can enter a room with confidence and know that people aren't judging my bad skin.

The prices run as follows: [the set comes with cleanser, toner and a facial scrub]

The Skinlogics Maintenance Set for 20s: $68.50
The Skinlogics Maintenance Set for 30s (Gold): $69.50
The Skinlogics Maintenance Set for 40s (Platinum): $71.50
The Skinlogics Maintenance Set for 50+ (Platinum Plus): $116.50

There are also special sets for troubled skin: Sensitive Skin Skinlogics...

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DiBellezza says "The world of music in the palm of my hand!" about Apple - iPod Nano (all generations)

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:56:58 GMT

My Apple iPod Nano 8GB is the best gift I have ever received! Fun, sporty and highly functional, I take it everywhere and can constantly have my music collection at my fingertips. Apple is a wonderful company and I know they will always be there with tech support when I need it. Paired with iTunes, nothing is stopping me from enjoying music and media of all kinds!

I think my favorite part of my iPod is the great display! I have the third generation, so mine is a little shorter and wider than the newest version - but that's what I love! The display is perfect for browsing album covers, looking at photos or even watching t.v. episodes and music videos. It's got great colors and easy-to-read text that make it a must-have.

When I'm in a show, sitting backstage with my Nano is the ultimate way to prepare. I can listen to great playlists, watch inspiring acting moments or peruse photos of loved ones. Nothing helps me quite as much as this little gadget!

If you haven't already...

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DiBellezza says "Unique and fresh so you can be too!" about e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:48:19 GMT

I have been looking for this exact product forever! I don't know how long E.L.F. has been around, but I remember hearing about it and never looking into it (isn't that always how it goes?). Two weeks ago, I got a text from a friend about the great deals on the Eyes Lips and Face website, so I figured I had to have a look. I was hesitant because E.L.F seemed like it was the cosmetics equivalent of Forever 21; anything so inexpensive and in such abundance is immediately questionable. To my surprise, however, the products from E.L.F have totally exceeded my expectations.

I like what another reviewer said about the site: the fact that everything is a dollar makes it "almost goof proof." It's so true! You can try things out, mix and match and never worry about breaking the bank.

My delight was complete when I discovered the Shimmering Facial Whip in Pink Lemonade. I love cosmetics but that doesn't make me a makeup artist! I like things to be simple and you can't get...

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DiBellezza says "Our family would be lost without this veterinarian!" about Dr. Daniel Hartnett DVM - Long Lake Veterinary Clinic LLC - Long Lake, MN

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:24:25 GMT

I can say without a single ounce of doubt that Dr. Daniel Hartnett of Long Lake Veterinary Clinic is the best vet I could ever hope for. His expertise is outshone only by his complete dedication to animals of every kind.

In my experience, people are born to be certain things. So many professions require a certain kind of disposition and passion; I think that's why so many people know what they want to "be" from a young age. Dr. Hartnett was born to be a veterinarian.

Long Lake Veterinary Clinic has been my family's pet hospital of choice since I was a little girl. Even in the beginning, Dr. Hartnett knew our story and our pet's story like it was his own. We had a Portugese Water Dog, a relatively uncommon pet, but the good doctor made sure he knew every last detail of our doggie's health history. When it came time to put our PWD to sleep, Dr. Hartnett was so caring, understanding and gentle. We could see that after sixteen years of caring for our pup, it was hard for...

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DiBellezza says "Coffee isn't just for coffee lovers anymore!" about Starbucks Breakfast Blend

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:36:31 GMT

Starbucks Breafast Blend made even my husband, an avid coffee-hater, into someone who says, "Hmm, this is actually pretty good." That is an accomplishment!

The flavor works for me because it's light, bright and clean; it is the pinor noir of coffees! Unlike some other "merlots" or bold, rich bodied-blends, it is easy and pleasant to drink which is perfect for early-morning risers! In many ways, it is the gateway to the coffee world and it is worth a taste.

I realize there are many people out there who resist Starbucks because it is such a franchise but they're doing a lot of good things! For starters, some of their blends are just simply fantastic! More importantly, they are reaching out on an international level by working with organizations like Global Green USA to spread the word about going green; providing their used coffee grounds [free of charge] to use as compost; fashioning new Vivanno Cold Cups to help reduce their environmental footprint - and the list...

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DiBellezza says "Your bananas will never go bad again!" about Trader Joe's Nothing but...Bananas Flattened

DiBellezza — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:05:54 GMT

Wow! That's all I can say about this product! [wait, no, that's not true - otherwise I wouldn't be here would I?] So now for some lamenting:

There are NO Trader Joe's in Florida! It's awful! So my mother puts together Trader Joe's care packages for my husband and me and it's like Christmas when they arrive in the mail!

That's how Trader Joe's Nothing but...Bananas, Flattened came into my life. I simply couldn't be more excited about a dried fruit product (and I love dried fruit)! I like banana chips but usually they're a little too hard and they don't always have a nice flavor. The flattened bananas, on the other hand, are chewy, sweet and rich with banana taste. They are also only $0.99! The package comes with six servings inside but oftentimes there is double that!

It's so frustrating to buy bananas and then, only a few days later, see them turn brown! There is only so much banana bread a woman can make in a month! Flattened bananas solve this problem - they...

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DiBellezza says "Just doesn't work" about Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Shampoo &; Conditioner

DiBellezza — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:08:24 GMT

Maybe it's because my hair is already so straight (or maybe this product just isn't that spectacular) but Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight Shampoo & Conditioner just doesn't measure up.

I've stopped trying to fight nature now; I have accepted the fact that my hair is so fine and straight that even hot rollers don't do the trick. My hair has two looks: straight and straighter. So, in an attempt to work with what I've been given, I thought I'd try this Herbal Essences line.

I'm afraid you get what you pay for. The shampoo and conditioner are well-priced, but they left my hair dull-looking and limp. I tried using the shampoo by itself thinking perhaps the conditioner was just a bit too heavy, but it was drying and zapped my hair of moisture and shine.

Traditionally I've been disappointed with Herbal Essences, but I keep going back to them in the hopes that they've made something that will work. Their products always smell great but unfortunately, they don't...

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DiBellezza says "Feels fresh and looks natural!" about Dove Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer and Self Tanning Lotion

DiBellezza — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:19:42 GMT

I used to [gasp] use tanning beds. I know, I know! It's horrible. I knew I had to quit, but having a tan just makes me feel prettier and more summer-fresh year 'round. My friends have suggested self-tanners but I was afraid of those orange tiger stripes! It wasn't until my mom used this lotion in the dead of winter that I had to ask how she got a tan (she is a sworn enemy of tanning)! She told me about Dove's Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer and Self Tanner and so far, I'm hooked! I've been using the lotion for medium to dark skin for about two weeks and I am happy with the results!

Granted, the results you get from self-tanner are nowhere near what you'd get with the real sun or even a tanning bed, but it's safe and it keeps you from looking like Casper! Some drawbacks are that you have to be very careful when you apply it - remember to get the backs of your hands but be careful around your wrists and knuckles (otherwise it will concentrate there and get a little too dark). ...

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DiBellezza says "He's one quiet, hard-working penguin!" about Crane Humidifier - Penguin Humidifier - 1 Gallon

DiBellezza — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:03:57 GMT

I love the penguin! Crane's One Gallon Penguin Cool Mist Humidifier waddled into my life as a whimsical gift from my old roommate. We soon discovered, however, that he improved our lives ten-fold!

We lived in an older apartment building constructed circa 1920 and the air was always bone dry. It didn't help that we had to run the radiator most of the year because of the cold Minnesota weather, either. After suffering from dry winter skin and going through gallons of heavy duty lotion, we decided to invest in a humidifier.

One day when I got home from work, I found the penguin on our kitchen table puffing away. His soft, cool mist came right out of his little beak and on the lowest setting, he could go for hours. When we woke up the next morning, there was a marked difference in our skin. Not only that, but when other people were coming down with bronchial infections, coughs and colds, we both felt great!

For $34.99 at your local Target (www.Target.com) the Penguin won't...

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DiBellezza says "A window into another world!" about Plain Truth

DiBellezza — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:13:00 GMT

Jodi Picoult's page-turning novel Plain Truth should not be missed! Picoult always writes us a window into another world, be it through an illness, a relationship or a way of life - and Plain Truth is no different. This book, published in 1999 by Pocket Books, is Picoult's seventh novel and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the Amish community.

Ellie Hathaway is a spirited city-lawyer who, despite her tough exterior, has been strained under the acquittals she's won for guilty criminals. She decides to take a hiatus from law to stay with her aunt in the countryside. When Ellie arrives at the peaceful rural home, she learns there has been a murder on a nearby Amish farm. Ellie's aunt, excommunicated from the Amish community for marrying outside the faith, begs her niece to look into the case.

The situation becomes more complicated when Ellie discovers that the muderer is an unmarried teenage girl and the victim is her newborn baby. To make matters worse, the only way...

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