Reviews by Friends of Gamma

PattyTherre says "I look like I have rabies when I use this. TOO much foam for me!" about Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

PattyTherre — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:37:27 GMT

Quick View: I received a full sized container of Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste in the Fresh Impact flavor from a program called "She Speaks". It was not sent for me to review, just to use. They send lots of free stuff. I thought I would like this new toothpaste but I don't. It's messy and the dispenser is tough to use. Plus it's pricey and I don't see any difference in the whiteness of my teeth from when I use Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste or Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste and they help my sensitive teeth as well as cleaning and whitening my teeth.

My Take on Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste

This toothpaste comes in an plastic standing tube with a big plastic push down top. The top is tough to manipulate and, when the paste comes out, it's hard to meter how much comes out of the tube. Sometimes a little releases, sometimes a lot. Also, I can't see through the packaging to see how much toothpaste I have left and that bugs me. The dispenser also gets foamy and...

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PattyTherre says "Not enough hydration, weird tint, and wears off too fast!" about Blistex Lip Tone

PattyTherre — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:34:54 GMT

Quick View: i have a load of lip balms but always pick up more. I have dry, often times chapped lips so I need a good balm that heals as well as protects. I don't feel Blistex Lip Tone heals at all and it is so thin that it only lasts minutes on my lips. And the tint? Weird!

My Take on Blistex Lip Tone

This balm comes in a Chapstick-like tube and has a brownish tint to it. I think it is supposed to be lip color but my lips are very pink so the tint makes them look brownish. I don't like or need tint in my balms and didn't realize I was buying a tinted balm when I bought this one.

Moving past the color issues, this balm does have SPF 15 in it and the only active ingredients in are sunscreens. It's a nice plus as our lips can and do burn in the sun - summer or winter.

The balm is very thin and somewhat sweet. It smooths on fine but, if I don't look in a mirror when applying, I get that weird tint on the skin around my lips and I look like a kid who has playing in her mother's makeup kit.

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PattyTherre says "A great value but I wish the primer wasn't so chalky colored." about e.l.f. Studio Lip Primer & Plumper

PattyTherre — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:58:31 GMT

Quick View: e.l.f.'s studio line is a little pricier than their dollar cosmetics but by only a couple of bucks. This dual use product is just $3.00 and works fairly well. I don't love the nude color of the lip primer though. It is a bit chalky looking.

My Take on e.l.f. Studio Lip Primer & Plumper

This little stick costs $3.00. One one side is a natural/nude lip primer that you apply before using lip color to help make the color cling and last and to fill in little lip lines. On the other side is the nearly clear plumper than can be worn over the primer, alone, or over lip colors.

The plumper has cinnamon in it which boosts circulation, giving lips a temporary look of fullness and a flush of color. I like the cinnamon scent and taste and don't mind the slight burning sensation I get when I use the plumper. It's very common for plumpers and this one isn't nearly as bad as many other plumpers.

I often will use the primer, apply the plumper and then color or do it the other way around and...

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LisaCarey says "Lining and filling makes lips plumper and lipstick last longer " about Mary Kay Lip Liner (All Colors)

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:37:54 GMT

I keep it simple when it comes to caring for my skin and using makeup. I admit that while I am willing to pay more for skin care products like cleanser and moisturizer I usually skimp of make up products. After all, all I wear on a regular basis is foundation, lipstick and mascara. and in the summer I don't even do all that. I have full cupid bow lips anyway, so usually don't even bother with lip liner but my friendly neighbor (and Mary Kay consultant) reminded me that I would have to buy long wearing lipstick that can dry my lips out if I would add a lip liner to my make up routine. Here's three Mary Kay Lip Liner's to try so let me know what you think.

Mary Kay Lip Liner is available in almost 12 colors and you can easily find one of them to match your lip color from almost natural to deep dark colors. It is $10.00 a liner which to me is a bit pricey, but with careful application could last you a really long time.

Mary Kay Lip Liner is easy to use. You simply twist the "tube"...

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LisaCarey says "Glowing skin all day and all night " about Lancome AQUA FUSION CREAM Continuous Infusing Moisturizer 1.7 oz

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:15:47 GMT

I really do try to find greener products to use in both my home and for my health. Unfortunately sometimes when i try a new product it's not very good for me and that was the case with something I borrowed from a friend since I had no moisturizer. It stung when I put it on, and continued to sting and get worse throughout the day. Stopping at the Lancome counter to do my gift with purchase the sales lady cleaned my skin and recommended Lancome's AQUA FUSION CREAM for my skin. I had tried a sample before and liked it but needed to finish my other products before making any other purchases. However this was an emergency, red angry looking splotches had made their way to my face.

First she cleaned my skin and then added a sample of Aqua Fusion Cream Continuous Infusing Moisturizer. My skin actually said, "Ahhh" in relief. I had actually already purchased this but they were nice enough to fix my red skin before I left the counter. Within about 30 minutes my skin was looking much better...

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LisaCarey says "I wanted my little monkeys to like the barrel, but they didn't " about Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:59:12 GMT

My children love finger playing out the song "Five little monkeys jumping on the bed." I thought that my little monkeys would also love playing with Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys. I was wrong.

Angela LaFon's review reminded me of all the fun my little brother used to have with the Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys, and I remember my son playing with them much like she describes in her review. But my two girls were just not interested in the barrel, the monkeys, the linking, or the swinging.

Milton Bradley Barrel of Monkeys are cute and I agree with other reviewers that a bigger barrel and more variety in colors is needed. Who knows maybe then my girls would play with it. But when offered this toy, my girls shrugged their shoulders, walked away and went on to play another game, any other game. My three year old while having excellent hand eye coordination finds linking them together frustrating and just wants to dump it out and place on on another. The 4 yr old isn't even...

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LisaCarey says "I won! You broke the ice! My daughter giggles and exclaims" about Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:44:19 GMT

Rainy day at the beach and on vacation it's time to get a little creative to keep the kids entertained but since it's day two I don't want to break the bank quite yet. Roaming the aisles at the grocery store the toy section the game Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game is on sale for $5.00! I remember this game from when I was a kid. My brother loved this game! My husband loved this game when he was a kid! Sold!

Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game comes home and the game is quickly set up. We don't even need batteries! Within minutes, my daughter giggles and squeals, "I won! You broke the ice daddy!" After about 5 quick games she decided to take a break and hit the Barbie Princess coloring book we also bought (1.00) and I am relieved that my daughter loves this game, since she also says, "Can we play again later?"

Milton Bradley Don't Break the Ice Game is easy to set up, easy to play. The kids enjoy it and even mom and dad can have some fun. It doesn't take...

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LisaCarey says "No bells no whistles just brew " about Mr. Coffee Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffeemaker CG13

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:23:17 GMT

The Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffeemaker CG13 is about as basic as it gets. I admit, I am not much of a coffee drinker and when I do drink coffee I usually like the flavored ones, heavy on the cream and sugar (ok milk and sugar substitute now). Anyway, recently I needed the extra morning jolt of caffeine that coffee can bring and pulled out this coffee maker. I only wanted to make about 5 cups or so, thinking that my husband would want to drink some too since I was actually making it.

Using the Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffeemaker CG13 is easy and I do like that there is only one lid I need to flip to fill both the coffee and water filters. The coffee was ok, once I turned it into something that most coffee drinkers would scoff at. It was easy to clean out the pot afterwards and there was no spilling over during brewing. There is a side measure to double check the water amount and an extension cord with storage room in the back when not in use.

But what I didn't like about the Mr. Coffee...

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PattyTherre says "Helps protect sensitive teeth and precious tooth enamel." about Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

PattyTherre — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:58:33 GMT

Quick View: I have a few teeth that are super sensitive. I like Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste very much but I also worry about brushing away the enamel on my teeth which, at 45, is a concern. I switch my use of toothpastes fairly often but I do like Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth. It helps keep my teeth stain free, reduces my sensitivity and protect my tooth enamel.

My Take on Sensodyne PRONAMEL Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

This toothpaste comes in a few fresh flavors and all are great for freshening my breath. A four ounce tube is around $5.00 so this is pricier than usual toothpastes but, if you have sensitive teeth, you know it is worth the extra cost.

The toothpaste is not abrasive so it doesn't cause tooth enamel loss which is really important as we age. It has ingredients to gently reduce tooth sensitivity and it truly works. My dentist says it is only brand made that actually works for sensitive teeth and I believe...

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LisaCarey says "Snoop around before you hit forward and send " about Snopes

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:42:47 GMT

I have been using Snopes every since I can remember getting emails. A few short months after I started using the internet and email daily of course I was hit up with email "chain" letters, scams, hoaxes and sob stories by everyone from a Nigerian who had a million dollars they wanted to give me to free gift cards from Applebees for forwarding this message. A friend suggested using this site, and now, not only am I older and wiser when it comes to recognizing the email equivalent of junk mail, but I am also armed with one of the best scam detectors out there.

Snopes.com is fast and easy to use. You simply type in the subject line or a few keywords of content from your message (or even a story that someone has told you) and find out if it is fact or fiction. You can also find out details about how this so called story started and when. I admit now I work for a consumer protection website, and one of the first things I do before writing about a bogus email message is start my fact...

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LisaCarey says "Sit back relax and enjoy the show " about hulu.com

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:29:46 GMT

I first found hulu.com when searching for a place to watch an episode of "Super Nanny" that sounded interesting. I tried to watch it online, but for some reason my computer just wouldn't work with the site. Doing a search I found hulu,com, but not Super Nanny.

Interestingly enough I DID find the second part to a television show that I had given up on. I DVR'd the first episode, not knowing that it was a two part movie. Here I was hanging in the wind about how the television movie ended and I was able to watch it online for free at hulu.com.

I admit, I enjoy hulu.com and every once in a while visit it to find something unique for my children to watch (they have veggie tales on there) or just to see what is available. I am not exactly as thrilled with it as many of the other reviewers out there. I am much happier just DVRing my shows and planning the week ahead of time.

I find it is easy to get lost on hulu.com, and that it is hard to find what I am looking for. There is...

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LisaCarey says "Who was that? Oh now I know I looked on IMDB " about IMDB

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:17:58 GMT

I am so bad with names. I can remember faces and people (so other Viewpoints writers please don't change your photos too much) and it is so annoying to be watching a movie and think, "I've seen them before, now who is that?" Followed then usually by, "Now what movie did I see them in?" Since my husband is a walking wikipedia, I can usually turn to him for the answer, but when I can't IMDB is the first site I visit to find out about movie credits, actors, story lines, plots and all the other trivia I need for both personal and professional use.

IMDB (the Internet Movie Database) is overflowing with information from both the knowledgeable and the fanatical. It is true that much of the information is accurate and helpful, and quite often far more than I want to know. But one of the most entertaining features about this site is finding out all the other television shows and movies that some of my favorite or just memorable actors have been in.

Visitors can contribute their own trivia...

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LisaCarey says "Pregnant and cruising sickness better than nothing " about Sea Band Morning & Travel Sickness Wristbands

LisaCarey — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:08:47 GMT

The very first time I used the Sea Band Morning & Travel Sickness Wristbands I was not only 6 months pregnant but also taking a cruise (don't ask!). Since any sort of medication was out of the questions the Sea Band Morning & Travel Sickness Wristbands were really my only option.

I didn't think that they would work, so "toughed out" my morning and sea sickness the first day. Upon arriving in Grand Cayman I literally wanted to sit down and kiss the earth that I was walking on.

The next day I thought, I bought them may as well try them. They did alleviate much of my nausea but I found that the longer I wore them the less they worked. I would occasionally have to add pressure to the pressure points to get me through the five star dinners on the cruise - not eating them all mind you but at least keeping my husband company.

Since then I have tried them again from time to time on simply stomach sickness, nausea and vomiting in an effort to avoid using medication. The Sea...

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PattyTherre says "It's a Miracle that I like this pink frilly, girly scent!" about Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray

PattyTherre — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:40:17 GMT

Quick View: I am not a fan of floral fragrances and shun most classic scents. However, after trying Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray, which was given to me as a gift by a friend, I realize that a little bit of a frilly scent can work for me. This is a sexy, very feminine scent that I like for a nice change of pace.

My Take on Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray

My review entitled My Top Fragrances: Fresh, Clean, and Sexy! really says it all about my preferences. I don't like florals and I prefer fresh, clean, or citrus scents. When I was sent a 1.7 ounce bottle of Miracle, I didn't even like that the box was pink. That, to me, seemed like the scent would be very floral and maybe even a rose scent. I like roses but hate wearing their scent on me.

I was mistaken though. Lancome Miracle EDP Perfume Spray really doesn't have a marked floral scent. More, it smells sweet and feminine. It's definitely a girly scent but not at all classic or overwhelming. It's hard to describe the actual scent...

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LisaCarey says "Does your travel search here there and everywhere " about SideStep

LisaCarey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:27 GMT

I was first introduced to SideStep when it was in it's "infancy" about 8 years ago. My supervisor loved using it to make travel plans and found it very helpful in finding and comparing quickly and easily airfares from many major and not so major companies. But Sidestep isn't just for airfare, so I feel it needs it's review broken down into different sections I have used.

SideStep for airfare:

I like that I can quickly and easily compare airfare and check out even ones like JetBlue and Frontier. I like that it tells me how long my search will take. However, rarely do I find that their search provides me with any airfare that is lower than the other sites except by dollars. Not exactly helpful in that way. But good searching tool and fast too.

SideStep for hotels

Although I have searched for hotels on sidestep I have never booked. The prices just aren't that great especially when compared to Priceline, Hotwire or Expedia.

SideStep for car rentals:

Great for searching and the...

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PattyTherre says "Your face will look better if you start with a Tarte Clean Slate" about Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer

PattyTherre — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:57:21 GMT

Quick View: I rarely apply makeup without using a primer first. I have a few faves but wanted to try a natural one so I chose Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer to try. I like it! It gives my face a great canvas to apply makeup and doesn't clog my pores at all.

My Take on Tarte Clean Slate t5 Infused Natural Face Primer

This primer is clear and is propylene glycol free, preservative free, phthalate free, dye free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, fragrance free, and dermatologist tested. It has a load of good for your skin ingredients in it such as avocado oil, echinacea root extract, rosemary leaf extract, and Tarte's exclusive t5 complex which is a blend of five anti-oxidizing fruits.

All that is great but not if the primer doesn't work or causes breakouts. I pretty much stick to just a couple of primers that I know work for me so I was a little leery of what Tarte could do. The primer is clear and has a silicone base. That makes it slide over my skin and fill in little lines...

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LisaCarey says "Hit or miss with pricing, travel and service " about Priceline

LisaCarey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:10:18 GMT

I admit when I was traveling on my own and I didn't care about time, but I cared about the costs, make a offer on Priceline usually got me where I wanted to be for about the price that I wanted to pay. I have used Priceline for airfare, hotels, and car rental reservations and find that normally my results are hit or miss for satisfaction.

I am most satisfied with Priceline's make an offer on hotels option, I can designate a specific star rating and area where I want to stay. I have stayed in New York, DC and San Francisco at places like the Westin, Marriott and Hyatt for at times under 50.00 a night. Now that makes me happy.

However, if you have to know more about your travel plans before you make them Priceline works much like Expedia or Travelocity with prices and airlines listed, you don't make an offer you just choose you airfare and book your flight.

I admit that the majority of my success has been on Priceline. I did manage to get a great last minute airfare for my parents...

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LisaCarey says "My first stop to my travel destination " about Expedia.com

LisaCarey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:26:14 GMT

I admit, whenever I am planning to travel there are two sites I visit first, Expedia and Continental. I like Continental because they have non stop flights from Houston to Dayton, where my family lives. Expedia helps me get started on traveling to my final travel destination by giving me airfares, car rentals, cruise prices, hotel prices, and even amusements in the area. I admit I don't buy the amusements, but they are great for ideas.

What I like about Expedia:

easy to use no matter what type of travel help you need
saves my searches so I can easily visit again
allows me to quickly and easily switch to other local airports
competitive pricing
good customer service

What I don't like about Expedia:

Ok, I admit this is silly but I don't really like the site, I think it's unattractive
they tempt me with all these "coupons" but I never get to use any of them

Expedia helps me get on the road and in the air. And when I am tired it gives me a place to sleep too. I really...

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LisaCarey says "Great when my sister was wondering where she was going to sleep " about Hotels.com

LisaCarey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:50:32 GMT

Let me tell you a little story about Hotels.com. Normally I look at it but find it's not very competitive with its pricing so I take a peek to get ideas and then move on to the hotels own site or someplace like Priceline where I have never been disappointed in my hotel bookings and price. But recently, my sister while traveling on business was in a jam and Hotels.com really took care of her, me and the reservation.

After visiting Hotels.com I found exactly the hotel I wanted (airport Sheraton in Orlando Florida) for $62.00 for the night. They had shuttle service so I didn't have to worry about my sister getting stranded. Her travel arrangements didn't work out, her office was closed and she was scheduled to go into a school fare for college recruitment in minutes so we needed someone who could find and book the hotel for her.

Wanting to make sure she would be safe and secure, as well as make absolutely certain of some other details I called Hotels.com customer service line. The...

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LisaCarey says "Not as "hot" as it used to be for booking travel " about Hotwire.com

LisaCarey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:38:04 GMT

Hotwire used to be my "hot hot hot" travel planning website, about 7 or 8 years ago. Now, not so much. This travel site does offer options for booking airfares, car rentals, and hotels and is often quite competitive but there are some things about the site I just can't get past.

When booking with Hotwire.com:

I don't get my Frequent flyer miles
It is like priceline where you can't see the airline or company name until you book your adventure
the site has made some improvements along the way but it still is a bit of a pain to search and use, especially when going through your booking process
Does give me great car rentals prices almost every time

Hotwire isn't the worst, it isn't the best. It's hard to get a real live person, but that's ok, because they rarely make mistakes in my booking. I do get tired of being "timed" out of the site or my search, let's face it I am a busy WAHM I get distracted and can't always be online as much as I need or want. Overall, Hotwire is one of...

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