Reviews by Friends of Gamma

PattyTherre says "Nine tasty soda flavored lip balm tins to keep or share!" about Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

PattyTherre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:22:55 GMT

Quick View: This gift set of ten soda flavored lip balms is tasty, hydrating, and fun. Keep some and give some away or keep them all! I got a great deal on these at HSN.com. They were on sale for just $10.00 a set. They're incredibly tasty in flavors i remember as a kid.

My Take on Schweppes Gold Medal Lip Balm Gift Set

This set comes boxed and has nine separate time of old school Swhweppes soda flavors. The balms are tinted in the tins but have very little color on the lips. Although they have a novelty look to them, they contain good ingredients like organic extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, rosemary and Vitamin E. And boy do they taste great!

You get the following:

# .35 oz. Schweppes' Cider SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Dry Grape Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Raspberry Ginger Ale SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Black Cherry Seltzer SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Balm.
# .35 oz. Schweppes' Sarsaparilla...

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Caprig says "Like A Commercial For A Bad DJ" about Barbie and the Three Musketeers

Caprig — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:43:24 GMT

My daughter was SO excited to finally have a chance to see the BARBIE AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS, having been a fan of the original story. She has enjoyed most of the Barbie movies and I have even found some of them to be entertaining and rich.

This time, however, I have to say that next to the Christmas Carol which was one of the WORST BARBIE Movies I have ever seen, BARBIE AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS was substandard. The movie was poorly scripted and dumbed down in contrast to the higher level of entertainment value of previous Barbie movies such as the Dancing Princesses, or the Swan Lake movies.

My daughter, who is 10, likes the movie because of the colors, action, and the storyline, but she is annoyed at the inconsistent music and the cheesy lines that are really outlandish and lack substance.

I have to say that I am not enjoying this movie- and I gave it two chances. The music goes from traditional classical style music from adventure movies to really lousy modern music that brings...

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Caprig says "What To Do When Your Laundry Pile Becomes A Toilet" about OdoBan Concentrate

Caprig — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:14:15 GMT

We have this cat.

Well, rather, there is this cat that owns us.

You see, the neighborhood cat that our little daughter used to hang around with when she was little was killed by coyotes. Since that day, she has prayed for another kitty. Since we really could not accomodate an indoor cat, every night our little girl would pray for God to bring a kitty to us-the perfect kitty. My husband would tell her that when the time was right, God would bring the right kitty to our door.

Apparently July of 2009 was the right time.

Tom showed up at our door completely terrified and starving. He would not come near any of us, but would run away shaking terribly and we did not know if he would ever come out of it. After a few weeks of patient attempts, Tom decided that he would adopt us as his family.

Because he is an outdoor cat, he apparently has never used a litter box. At night when it is cold, he hates to go outside to go potty, so when we brought in a nice perfect litter box, Tom decided...

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PattyTherre says "A VERY sweet soap that doesn't strip my hands like the others." about Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:46:55 GMT

Quick View: I like Bath & Body Works' hand soaps and I recently bought nine different scents and types (I had a great coupon!). One that I bought was Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple. Normally I'm not a fan of the deep cleansing soaps and go for the moisturizing ones but I didn't see this scent in the moisturizing hand soap area so I bought the deep cleansing one. It is VERY sweet but doesn't seem to dry my hands out like the other deep cleansing soaps from BBW.

My Take on Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap, Winter Candy Apple

I never smelled this scent but I knew candy apples are very sweet. I guess the name intrigued me. Winter Candy Apple. Is there a difference between summer and winter candy apples? I had to know so I bought the hand soap.

When I first tried this eight ounce pump soap, I was overwhelmed with the sweet candy scent. I smelled no apple at all, just the candy coating that the apples are dipped into. It...

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PattyTherre says "Everything's better when it's baked - even blush! " about Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact, Golden Apricot

PattyTherre — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:08 GMT

Quick View: I have been a fan of Laura Geller's line of cosmetics for years. Her line of baked products is great. I have TONS of blushes but tend to stick with rosy hues. I decided it was time for a change so I picked up Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact in Golden Apricot. I thought I would look orange it doesn't at all. I love this shade and the formula is really great. I'll be buying more shades soon.

My Take on Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush Compact, Golden Apricot

This blush is baked and has a somewhat uneven texture. It isn't one color throughout. There are shades of deeper apricot and lighter all swirled within the compact. I like that because blush really shouldn't be one flat color. A little variation makes skin look better and the blush look more realistic.

This compact of hard packed blush looks peachy but also has deeper apricot hues. I was totally afraid that my pale olive skin would look like a pumpkin when I applied the blush. To the contrary, the shade actually...

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Caprig says "Yep. The Box Was Smashed, Alright." about Smashbox Wish For The Perfect Palette

Caprig — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:00:50 GMT

When I first saw the Smashbox Holiday Palette in the Ulta Brochure, I thought to myself, "Yep, another cosmetic company dumping their junk into a cheap palette and pawning it off for Christmas."

The palette set up reminded me of those CVS palettes that have brick hard eyeshadows and pigmentless makeup in them for $9.99. The problem is that this palette is not $10- it is $52.

After the Tarte Treasure Chest Palette, I figured that nothing else this holiday season would catch my eye. However, as a true makeup artist, I never pass up an opportunity to play and discover when it comes to new products.

WHAT IS THE SMASHBOX WISH FOR THE PERFECT PALETTE LIKE?

SMASHBOX WISH FOR THE PERFECT PALETTE is an amazing array of color and texture. Smashbox has a tendency to be a bit more translucent than other brands. They have excellent pigmentation but their translucence allows them to compliment the face and eyes without drawing attention to wrinkles, crepe, or creases.

What comes in the SMASHBOX...

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PattyTherre says "I can't drink this but it's an effective throat soother for you!" about Yogi Tea Throat Comfort Organic, Caffeine Free Tea

PattyTherre — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:55:09 GMT

Quick View: I discovered this tea while browsing around online and, because I have sore throats a lot in the winter, bought a box. As it happens, I got a sore throat soon after and tried the tea. It's not bad and does sooth my throat. I can't drink it though because it lowers my potassium level. However, in general, this tea is safe and effective.

My Take on Yogi Tea Throat Comfort, Organic, Caffeine Free Tea

This tea comes16 bags to a box and is naturally caffeine free. It has natural sweetness to it and it tastes like black licorice. I don't like that taste very much but, with a little honey and lemon, the tea is just fine. When I drank it, my throat was coated and soothed. My mucus membranes opened up and my sinuses drained which relieved my stuffy head.

This tea can be drank as often as one wants and kids can benefit from it as well. It contains nothing artificial and has a blend of many herbs and spices to coat, soothe, and relieve sore, scratchy throats. Singers and speakers often...

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PattyTherre says "Watch out Carmex, you have stiff competition from ChapStick!" about ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint

PattyTherre — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:57:44 GMT

Quick View: In New York, you need lip balm. Period. The summers parch your lips and the winters dehydrate and chap them. I have a tin of so many balms, you'd think I was ... a lip products junkie! And I am. However, I sometimes need more than a pretty color or flavor on my lips. I need deep hydration. I get that and more with ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint. And it's inexpensive!

My Take on ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint

This lip balm comes in the traditional stick form and is clear. It glides on easily. It isn't waxy like the original ChapStick. It's quite thick and immediately starts working. I can feel it tingle like crazy! The mint is strong and actually wakes up my senses. Although there is no flavor in this balm, the scent is great. I love tingly balms like Carmex and ChapStick Fresh Effects Lip Balm - Invigorating Green Tea Mint rivals even Carmex's tingle.

My dry lips feel protected and hydrated and the balm lasts for...

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PattyTherre says "I believe in fish oil but I don't want to taste it constantly!" about PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules

PattyTherre — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:57:35 GMT

Quick View: I strongly believe that fish oil is a necessary supplement for nearly everyone and I take them daily. When I ran out of my Natrol Fish Oil Softgel Capsules, I asked my husband to pick me up another bottle. He came home with PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules. They were the same as far as active ingredients, milligrams, and even how they looked so I took them. Ugh. Every time I belch or even hiccup I taste fish. GROSS. Back to Natrol for me!

My Take on PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules

My Natrol Fish Oil softgel caps have lemon oil in them so I never have a "fish burp" which, as anyone who takes fish oil knows, is a side effect of this very healthy supplement. It's a gross side effect.

The PharmAssure Fish Oil 1000mg Softgel Capsules come in several bottle sizes and my husband got me the large 180 count bottle of these things. I usually take two a day but I have been taking one because the fishy taste and even SMELL of these softgels is just too much for...

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PattyTherre says "Sweet & tart lemon body butter hydrates skin and lifts spirits!" about Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter

PattyTherre — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:13:40 GMT

Quick View: When fellow Viewpointer ApriBambino wrote about all of the Avon mark Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Scented products, I knew I had to try them. I love citrus scents, lemon especially, and was in the mood for something new. I had never tried any of mark's (Avon's "younger" products) body products and would never have even known this body butter existed. I am so glad I bought it and the spray. It is light, tart, sweet, and just what I needed to boost my spirits and hydrate my skin.

My Take on Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter

This body butter comes in a 6.7 ounce squat tub. It is thick and rich but not quite as thick as body butters from The Body Shop and Bath & Body Works. Still it has plenty of richness and a little goes a long way. It is a creamy white color and smells divine. It has definite lemon notes with a sweet sugary fragrance as well that makes it both tart and sweet at the same time.

Avon mark Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Body Butter hydrates my skin well with no greasiness....

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PattyTherre says "May work for mild dark circles but can't tackle my tough ones!" about Freeman Professional Vita-K Solution for Dark Circles

PattyTherre — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:43:45 GMT

Quick View: Vitamin K does help dark circles and other skin discolorations and this serum is inexpensive at $15.00 for a one half ounce jar. It didn't help my very dark inherited circles but I have a feeling it will be effective for those battling mild or even moderate ones. Nothing will REMOVE shadows and circles but this product at least doesn't cost a fortune to try to lighten them up some!

My Take on Freeman Professional Vita-K Solution

Because I have battled dark circles since I was a kid, I quickly can spot things that give away how effective a product really will be even before I buy it. Of course, that often doesn't stop me from trying new products in case they actually DO work. This serum's packaging and advertising says: "Light diffusing properties help reduce the appearance of Dark Circles."

Reduce the APPEARANCE OF dark circles. In other words, this doesn't actually work to remove the circles, just make them less noticeable by reflecting light away from them. But even that would...

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Caprig says "They Called the Murder in to the 911 Center" about DuWop Peacock Palette Shades of Decadence

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:16:09 GMT

Matilda sat up in bed like a high powered jacknife, eyes popping open wide and clutching the sheets to her chin.

"HAROLD! HAROLD!"

She shook her snoring husband violently.

Harold sat up groggily in bed to his hysterical wife.

"What is it Matilda?"

"I think someone is being attacked"

Harold plopped back down onto the pillow and started to snore again.

"HAROLD!!! WAKE UP! SOMEONE IS BEING MURDERED!"

At that exclamation, Harold sat up more awake this time as the bloodcurdling shriek pierced the air again. This time he flew out of bed and ran to the window. The sky was still dark, but there was no mistaking the terror filled screaming of what was most likely an attack victim.

Matilda was racing around the room muttering about the neighborhood going downhill when Harold jumped in the air as the screaming seemed to come closer.

"That's it, Harold. I am calling 911"

I quietly added the finishing touches to my peacock painting as my fellow artist finished her story.

... "and so my...

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Caprig says "No Peanuts in My Head, That is For Sure." about Lancome Renergie Microlift Eye R.A.R.E. Intense Repositioning Eye Lifter

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:30:16 GMT

Give me five things and I can be happy:

Face Contour and Eye Contour Serum
Great Skincare moisturizer (I happen to like Absolue for fall winter and spring)
MAC mineralize skinfinish
Mascara
Lipgloss

Take away one of the five- and I am not happy.

When my bottle of LANCOME HIGH RESOLUTION COLLASER 5X EYE serum began to run REALLY low, I was getting a bit nervous. I really like my eye creams, and if I don't have those, makeup does not go on well and I feel icky.

I was about to try to figure out a way to get another replacement, when I saw that LANCOME had FINALLY come out with another eye lifting serum in the RENERGIE line. It is called (get ready for this ridiculous mouthful ...)

LANCOME RENERGIE MICROLIFT EYE R.A.R.E INTENSE REPOSITIONING EYE LIFTER.

Okay, who names this stuff? Can they NOT exercise some imagination and make a simple title that does not take half a day to utter?

WHAT IS RENERGIE MICROLIFT EYE RARE INTENSE REPOSITIONING EYE LIFTER LIKE?

In contrast to the HIGH...

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Caprig says "My Hair NEEDED to Gain Weight " about Aubrey Organics Bga Protein + Shampoo Liquid 11 oz

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:05:47 GMT

Sometimes natural products are not necessarily GOOD products. Sometimes, however, they are AMAZING.

One of these cases is the AUBREY ORGANICS BGA PROTEIN + STRENGHENING SHAMPOO.

WHAT IS AUBREY ORGANICS BGA PROTEIN + STRENGTHENING SHAMPOO LIKE?

AUBREY ORGANICS BGA PROTEIN + Shampoo is called BGA because it stands for Blue Green Algae.

BGA PROTEIN + Shampoo is designed for oily, thin, and damaged hair. Another in the AUBREY ORGANICS all natural shampoo line, BGA PROTEIN+ shampoo has no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it. It still will suds up just enough to let you know it is working, but it does not strip hair at all. Because it does not have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it (or derivatives) color will stay in hair much longer than with traditional chemical laden salon shampoos.

BGA Protein + Shampoo comes in an 11 oz container for around $10. It has a pop top for easy use and a squeezeable plastic container. The fragrance is herb in nature, making it appropriate for men or women to use. ...

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Caprig says "All This Needs is a Whistle and a Tan" about Aubrey Organics Gpb Conditioner Liquid 11 oz

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:49:44 GMT

A very good friend of mine was in trouble. Their hair was brittle, frizzy, and severely damaged. All of the salon products in the world would not touch this dear one's hair. Usually their hair was very luciously wavy and curly and full. What they had at this point was a brittle crunchy straight mess of yuck.

Since I had been the one to do my friend's hair for a long time, I felt partially responsible to help my friend get their hair back to where it should be. Prematurely gray, they had to dye their hair in order to get respect at work (sad but true) and due to lots of stress factors, their hair was in desperate straits.

One day I was doing research on the internet and found a blog by a woman who said that she had the same exact problem and NOTHING worked - until she found AUBREY ORGANICS JAY SHAMPOO and GPB CONDITIONER.

Her long description of her hair coming back from hopelessness was very interesting and inspired hope in my friend that they would not have to cut their hair...

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Caprig says "Who is the Biggest Sucker?" about Lancome Renergie Microlift RARE Intense Targeted Repositioning Lifter

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:22:56 GMT

"NNNNOOOOOO!!!!"

I wailed mournfully as I tried to get the last of my miracle face lifting serum from the pump bottle.

"NOW I HAVE TO LOOK DROOPY AGAIN!"

My very patient husband who is finally getting the hang of woman talk after decades of marriage came in and patted my back patronizingly.

"That's okay, honey. You are always beautiful to me."

I glared angrily at the empty bottle of face lifting serum.

Yep, LANCOME did it again- they discontinued a product that I loved and left me with nothing to substitute for it.

Finally, I saw that LANCOME had released a new product for anti aging- RENERGIE MICROLIFT R.A.R.E. INTENSE TARGETED REPOSITIONING LIFTER SERUM.

(Let me stop for a moment and ask rhetorically- Do these people NOT have any sense of imagination? I mean, come ON! They keep adding this verbal clutter to all of their product titles making it take an entire review just to give the title of the product to you...)

WHAT IS LANCOME MICROLIFT RARE INTENSE TARGETED REPOSITIONING...

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Caprig says "They All Had Under Brow Peanuts In Their Heads " about Lancome High Resolution Eye Collaser

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:54:43 GMT

The day that Lancome discontinued my favorite eye serum called RENERGIE LIFT CONTOUR EYE was a dark day indeed.

Gone was my ability to battle puffy eyes in under a half hour.

Gone was my confidence that if I needed a quick fix for my eyes, I could do it in a moment.

And gone was my patience with Lancome for their obnoxious habit of constantly discontinuing excellent products and leaving me with no substitutes for a year or two until they developed a new one.

I searched for a long time for another product to take the place of my wonder eye lift.

One day, I was about at my wits end with LANCOME, and I saw this new eye serum that had been put on the counter display. It was called HIGH RESOLUTION EYE COLLASER-5X SERUM. I had tested out previous High resolution products and was NOT impressed.

I asked my favorite counter girl if this new serum worked. When she turned around to look at me, what I saw literally made me stare.

Under the inner 1/3 of her eye brows were these two peanut...

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Caprig says "Will Not Totally Vanquish the Dragon, Needs Partner" about Lancome Renergie Microlift Eye Cream 1 5g/0.5 oz

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:20:16 GMT

Puff the Magic Dragon does not live by the sea. Sometimes he moves into that tiny little area under the eyeball- that special little annoying resting place where he likes to nest and bring his bags.

This leaves a person feeling rather awful- okay, well, it sure leaves ME feeling awful, anyway.

Nothing is more frustrating than to wake up after a stressful night or a night after having a little wine or crying, or whatever, only to find that Puff has taken residence complete will large bags under my eyes.

Lancome has some great products, but unfortunately, they change products more often than most people change their underwear. If you like something, you might only get to purchase it once before it disappears and you are left wondering why they have left you high and dry with no options.

Such was the case when Lancome changed my favorite eye products and left me with no choices. All of their eye creams left me with burning watery eyes and I was very frustrated. I was about to give...

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PattyTherre says "Smashbox O-Gloss: Pricey, confused color adapt gloss." about Smashbox O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss with Goji Berry-C Complex

PattyTherre — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:47:06 GMT

Quick View: Smashbox products are very hit and miss with me. This clear gloss is supposed to adapt to your natural lip color and enhance the shade. It does. Sometimes.

My Take on Smashbox O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss with Goji Berry-C Complex

This little pricey tube of clear gloss goes on smoothly and does feel lightweight and glossy. It starts out colorless but very quickly develops into a pink shade which is supposed to change on everyone's lips depending on their color. I have fairly rosy lips to start out with and I expected this gloss would enhance that rosiness and look natural.

Well, the first time I tried it, I got a gross super bright pink shade. Not good. The second time, though, I got a very subtle, warm pink shade that did look nice. The gloss didn't last all that long and when it faded, left behind a slight ring around my lips.

I didn't taste anything nasty and the scent is decent. The gloss CAN look quite pretty but I never know when that will be. I either get neon pink, pretty...

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AmyA says ""Straight from the Heart" will grab your heart" about Straight From the Heart

AmyA — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:38:38 GMT

It is very rare these days that there is a movie that will grab me, but Straight from the Heart did just that and it's been weeks and I still can't get the movie out of my head. I had to see it again and found myself watching it on YouTube HA.

The movie was made in 2003 for the Hallmark channel and is now on DVD. Based on the book by Pamela Wallace. Staring: Andrew McCarthy, Teri Polo

A New York photographer (Jordan Donavan played by Teri Polo) was in hopes that the man she has been dating for five years would at last propose, but he just couldn't commit. Unkowing her best friend responded to a personal ad and then Jordan finds herself going to Wyoming for a blind date with (Tyler Ross played by Andrew McCarthy) a Wyoming cattle rancher. His sister is the one that put the ad in the magazine.

The two couldn't be more opposit, but as Jordan finds out more about Tyler's past life she wonders if she will really find love. She falls in love with the family and the people of the area....

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