Reviews by MellaView

MellaView says "A 0 Calorie Sugar Substitute: It Just Takes Some Getting Used To" about PureVia All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener

MellaView — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:45:15 GMT

When I was given a box of PureVia I was excited to get to using it due to the fact that it contains 0 calories, and that it promised to pack enough sugary power that 2 teaspoons of real sugar would.

I use about 6 packets of sugar in my 32 ounce cup of coffee every morning, so I figured substituting real sugar with a packet of PureVia would keep those extra ugly calories away. If I liked PureVia I would exchange my normal sugar intake with PureVia permanently.

The PureVia packets come in long packets which I think every single sugar, and sugar substitute company should be doing. The longer packets make it easier to pour the sugar into your cup without it spilling everywhere, and it also makes it easier to bring along with me when I'm on the go. So kudos to the genius who thought that one up.

Now you are probably wondering what this one taste like. If you are a fan of Splenda I will say that PureVia is not quite that good, but PureVia still wins due to the fact that it is much safer for...

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MellaView says "It Rips, Pulls, and Barely Heats Up! " about Conair Infiniti Instant Heat Ceramic 1" Straightener

MellaView — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:20:32 GMT

I bought the Infiniti by Conair, Instant Heat Ceramic 1" Hair Straightener at the same time I bought the Hot Air tool by Conair. I thought the I would be keeping the straightener, and returning the Hot Air Styler...how ironic that my initial thoughts were dead wrong, I ended up keeping the styler, and returning the Infiniti by Conair, Instant Heat Ceramic 1" Hair Straightener.

The reason?

Gosh, there are many.

The first reason though was the fact that the iron barely got hot. I mean it did give off heat, but there was no way in hell that it was heating up to the maximum 395 degrees. My hair needs the extra heat in order to flatten out, otherwise it's left wavy and puffy. This straightener though only felt mildly warm, and the lack of heat kept my hair from straightening out.

Besides just that huge issue though, I ran into another issue while trying to run the iron through my hair. I realized that 8 out 0f 10 times when stroking it through my hair, it would pull pieces of hair right...

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MellaView says "I Had Such High Hopes...Instead I got Pimples" about Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse

MellaView — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:02:06 GMT

I was at one time a huge fan of Maybelline's Matte Dream Mousse, and when commercials began springing up about their newest Dream Mousse Liquid Foundation, I went straight to my local superstore looking for it!

I figured the new Maybelline Liquid Dream Mousse would be as feathery airy as the concealer that came in a glass jar would. Figured it'd give me the same gorgeous airbrush flawless finish, and figured it would be worth the $7.99 I was about to spend on it.

Maybelline's New Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation comes in a glass stand up tube, but the plastic push down pump attached to it seemed a little flaky and cheap. I knew if I left it in my bag it would most likely break.

The cap it came with is also so pathetic, that I honestly think they could have saved resources by not adding it at all. It's a half cap!? Yeah! Can you believe that, a half cap!?

Anyhow, when I got home, I washed my face and exfoliated to make sure the foundation would spread evenly.

I pushed some of the foundation...

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MellaView says "Thick Hair, Straight In a Flash!!! You Must Try This One!!!" about Conair Infiniti Hair Designer by Conair Hot Air Styler

MellaView — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:49:11 GMT

When I came across the Hair Designer by Conair Hot Air Styler; I honestly did not think it would work at all. Hot air brushes have never done anything but puff up my thick hair and make it even thicker, frizzier, and frankly- ugly!

However the whole package intrigued me, it made me curious, and I figured at $39.99 it was not a huge splurge. I also figured if it sucked I could at least return it. Package it up, and send it back to the store I bought it at.

I also knew if it sucked, I'd write reviews about it, and warn people of it's shame.

There is nothing bad to say about the Hot Air Styler by Conair though!

Now mind you, I have very, very thick hair. Not just average thick hair, I'm talking so thick that if my hair is not straightened it has a frigging wing span!

The Hair Designer by Conair Hot Air Styler made claims to dry, detangle, and straighten my hair simply by running the brush through my hair.

I thought it would be awful, thought it'd puff my hair up, knot it up,...

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MellaView says "They Labeled It Black-Gold, Yet All I See is Black!?" about Cover Girl CoverGirl Exact EyeLights Mascara, Black Gold

MellaView — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:35:32 GMT

After falling head over heels in love with CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation, I decided to give an old enemy of mine another try. CoverGirl. Her and I go way back. Way, way back. I decided to stop using CoverGirl products because every time I did, I ended up with breakouts on my skin.

When I ran across CoverGirl Exact EyeLights Mascara in Black Gold, I was intrigued. CoverGirl recently impressed me with their newest foundation, so perhaps their newest mascara line would impress me as well.

I purchased Black Gold, which is designed for those with hazel eyes.

That is the interesting thing about the new Exact EyeLights Mascara. They have a color that is made with your eye color in mind. There are colors for those with blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes, and hazel eyes.

My eyes change color, so I pretty much had my pick of the entire litter. Black Gold though interested me the most. I imagined the mascara would have a base color of black, and a nice shimmery glittery effect...

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MellaView says "CoverGirl and Olay Teamed Up To Create a Wonder" about Cover Girl and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation

MellaView — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:24:52 GMT

For years I have avoided CoverGirl due to the fact that no matter what I use from them, I end up with break outs.

I am however a huge fan of Oil of Olay, and when I stumbled upon a foundation that was created by both parties, I admit it, I was intrigued. So much so that I ended up shelling out $12.99 to try the new CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation.

The thing that made this foundation so dang interesting was it's appearance. The foundation base color has swirls of white formula throughout it. You can see it right through the glass packaging, and it looks like candy for your face! Like an old fashioned lollipops!

I went with #220 which is a medium light color. There are many different colors to choose from, but frankly I think they could add more, especially seeing that the colors that are available are all very off tone from what real skin color looks like. One color in particular has far too much pink hue to it, and another is too orange. Like an oompa. At any rate though,...

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MellaView says "Angel's Breath..." about Glow by Jennifer Lopez Eau De Toilette Spray 1oz

MellaView — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:15:37 GMT

JLO Glow has been one of those fragrances that I find myself buying each and every time I run out.

Why?

1. First off the fragrance has dropped in price quite significantly since it first released. Although, I'd still pay top dollar for it.... lowering the price and introducing the scent on to Walmart shelves helps me obtain it a heck of a lot easier.

2. The scent is the most angelic heaven sent musk I have ever sniffed. It is seriously as if someone bottled up some angels breath and called it Glow.

3. The scent not only is gorgeous, it is also long lasting. It is not uncommon for me to be able to smell the scent on my jacket a week after spraying it! Yes, I'm serious when I say that JLO Glow is LONG LASTING....

4. The bottle is even sexy! Jennifer Lopez claimed that the woman's figure inspired her to create the bottle to look like a woman's body.

Overall JLo Glow is a gorgeous fragrance that just about anyone would enjoy. I recommend it for everyday wear. Its soft, sweet, and powerful all...

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MellaView says "That's Not Plumping, That's Irritating!" about L'oreal Glam Shine Sorbet Dazzling Plumping Lip No. 300 Jubilee

MellaView — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:02:26 GMT

I've actually had L'oreal Glam Shine Sorbet Dazzling Plumping Lip No. 300 Jubilee sitting in my makeup box for quite some time now.

I picked it up, because it looked like something I'd like. Glittery, pretty pink color, gloss, oh my!

The flavor was nice and fruity, but nothing spectacular from any other fruit flavored lip gloss.

The application wand was what I loved best. Most of my lip glosses, or high shine lip products are either metal squeeze tubes, or roll on applicators, which I have always hated.

The applicator on L'oreal Glam Shine Sorbet Dazzling Plumping Lip No. 300 Jubilee, is actually a dip in wand, with a soft sponge like application tip. A dip into the plastic container, and wallah, you are ready to apply. No finger dipping messes necessary.

I applied it to my lips, and fell in love with the high gloss look, and the pink color. However the lip formula, whatever it was, felt really thick, greasy, and gunky on my lips. Hated it.

On top of that, my lips also began to feel...

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MellaView says "They've Always Been a Family Favorite" about Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Family Size Tub

MellaView — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:53:19 GMT

Feeling down? Someone hurt your feelings? Craving a way to fulfill your empty feeling?

Grab a cookie... Nestle Tollhouse Cookies that is.

I have no problem admitting it. Whenever I am feeling a little blue, snack foods are my comfort. I know thats just awful, solves nothing... but hot steamy melting chocolate chip cookies always warm me up and will at least put a temporary fix on the issue. So long as I don't over indulge though, all is well.

When I came across a family sized tub at our local Warehouse Club, I tossed it in the cart. Besides these making great comfort snacks for when I was having a bad day, they would also be awesome for parties. Besides the tub is huge,,, enough in there for a frigging bakery sale.

The dough is packed into the jug, and is supposed to be spooned out, and shaped (if you want).

What I love about Nestle Toll House Cookies is that the chocolate chips are hefty large chunks... nothing small or piddly like other cookie dough brands.

Overall, they taste great,...

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MellaView says "Love My Lips" about MAC Lipstick - All Formulas

MellaView — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:40:45 GMT

MAC Lipsticks are by far my favorite brand of lipsticks. usually do not like wearing lipstick because they feel thick, or leave behind a dry, or greasy residue.

Besides that most also do not pack long lasting color.

MAC Lipsticks however glide on with ease, colors are vibrant, and long lasting. Best of all though, out of the 4 or 5 colors I have used so far, all of them look natural no matter what skin tone you have.

My favorites have always been the light matte pink hues.

Another excellent thing I wanted to mention was the fact that MAC Lipstick will not dry out your lips, or leave a nasty thick residue behind. It goes on light, but colors are vibrant. A winner in my opinion.

I highly recommend MAC Lipstick.

Visit the website for a list of colors to pick from.

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MellaView says "A Gorgeous Musk Scented Conditioner" about Umberto Beverly Hills Moisturizing Conditioner

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:11:16 GMT

Recently I had all of my hair chopped off, for good reasons. I donated to Locks Of Love. This is a ritual I do nearly every 2 years.

Usually when I get my hair cut though, I love the results. However this time around I'm less than happy with my new doo. You see I have been told that if you get a hair cut with dull scissors, your hair will pay the ultimate price.

Split ends, dry ends, broken ends... and all of that other terrible, horrible hair woes.

I imagine my hair was cut with a dull scissor, because my ends are dry and dull looking. Not to mention there has been breakage.

I wanted a fix, a mend, a relief to the course feeling fur of mine! Immediately!

So...while gallivanting around my local Target I first hit up the hair care isle. I came across a slew of products but seeing how I was mostly after dry hair therapy I went straight for the first product that had the word moisturizing on it.

That was how I met Umberto Beverly Hills Moisturizing Conditioner. A hair care company I had never...

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MellaView says "My Dryer Lights Up...Does Yours?" about Bed Head Bh400 1875 Watt Fiber Optic Tourmaline Active Ionic Dryer

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:57:43 GMT

This would be the third blow dryer that I have gotten this month. My first being one that I borrowed from my mom, the second being my Conair (which I still love)...and the third being the Bed Head Bh400 1875 Watt Fiber Optic Tourmaline Active Ionic Dryer.You see my brother broke my Conair (long story), and my heart nearly stopped when he came home with the Bed Head Bh400 1875 Watt Fiber Optic Tourmaline Active Ionic Dryer.

He never replaces anything he breaks, so it was seriously like a miracle. A cold day in hell, and all of those other sayings for when people do things they normally don't do.

The box was the first thing that I fell in love with. It seriously was as if this dryer fell from another era. Not only that it also had an awesome LED light attached to the box. I thought it was some sort of special light up key-chain. You know a little gift/incentive for buying the dryer.

It turned out it was pretty much an incentive to make you want the dryer. The lights are actually an example...

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MellaView says "My Skin Looked Worse!" about Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:36:12 GMT

With hotter weather approaching, my face takes on a whole new look. It's called grease, shine, and funk.

Quite disgusting actually. So it is no wonder that I would be on the prowl looking for new solutions to rid my face of such horrors. I hate shine. I've always been one to like a flawless china doll matte finish.

Although achieving a matte finish in the winter months is pretty easy for me, once warm weather pops out, so does my nose and forehead shine. Ugh! Gross! God! Come on!

When I came across Clean & Clears Oil Free Dual Action Moisturizer, I was more than happy to toss it into my cart.

I had high hopes for it. Besides there are tons of things available that can rid my face of shine. I know of quite a few products. But... if you're like me, you like to try new things the moment they hit shelves. With the word NEW boldly written on the bottle, I of course NEEDED to try it. Plus hey, I'll get a review out of it, so why not eh?

The Promise:

Like all shine free products, Clean & Clear Oil-Free...

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MellaView says "Only Works Well With Others" about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Deodorant Stick

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:26:12 GMT

I should have known that after the bad experience I had with Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Deodorant Spray, that the Deodorant Stick would likely be just as bad. Seeing how it only came to around $18.00 for a 1.7 ounce stick though, I went ahead and ordered it on Amazon.

I won a e-certificate to the site, so I figured even if the deodorant sucked, it was free either way.

I didn't realize how small the deodorant would be when it got to my house. On the site it looked like a standard bar of deodorant...but in my hands it looked like one of those trial sized sticks. I was a bit disappointed. I mean come on, $18.00, and this is it!?

I popped off the lid, and raised the deodorant up using the dial located at the bottom. The deodorant was a clear gel solid. I hate gel deodorants, and seeing how it was so tiny, I was feeling less and less confident in my purchase.

The scent though was 100% true to the Light Blue scent. It had that same cedar wood fragrance that I LOVE about Light Blue. A tint of citrus,...

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MellaView says "My Pits Were Crying All Day Long" about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Deodorant Spray For Women

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:14:17 GMT

When I first came across Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue Deodorants, I was thrilled, yet at the same time nervous to make the purchase.

I have a loving relationship with my Degree bar deodorant, and hoped that switching over to Dolce & Gabbana wouldn't upset my pits. They are picky... the littlest change could cause them to cry! Hah!

I went ahead and purchased the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Deodorant Spray for Women, even though I found the price to be a little absurd. Dare I fill you in on how much I threw down on this stuff? Okay...call me crazy, but I dropped nearly $40.00 on the 5 ounce spray can.

Yep...spray can. The Deodorant Spray is your regular ol' aerosol spray can. Although I have never been a fan of spray deodorants, I still HAD TO HAVE IT when I came across it.

Scent:

I was hoping that the Deodorant Spray would have that cedar wood and citrus scent that Light Blue has. The Deodorant Spray did have that initial scent when I sprayed it, but like anything that comes from an aerosol...

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MellaView says "Light Blue Wins Me Over Again" about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Refreshing Body Cream

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:44:11 GMT

I purchased Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Refreshing Body Gel a few months ago. At the same time though I also picked up a more expensive bottle of Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Body Cream.

It sports the same glorious Light Blue scent fans already know and love, however instead of having a runny watery consistency, the cream has a much thicker texture to it. For me I would compare it to a body butter mixed with a body cream.

A very thick texture, but it absorbs with ease nonetheless.

What I love about it, is the fact that even though it is a thick cream, it does not leave behind a greasy residue. It simply absorbs into skin, leaving behind nothing but soft scented skin.

The scent (like all Light Blue products I have used) is long lasting. I find that layering the cream on top of the body gel works best. After applying the cream I will then spritz with the perfume for all day long scent.

Moisturizer?

I can't recommend Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Refreshing Body Creamto those looking for relief for...

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MellaView says "Long Lasting, Refreshing Body Gel" about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Refreshing Body Gel 6.7oz

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:34:46 GMT

When I first fell in love with Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume, I knew right away that I wanted to stock up on everything, and anything that I could find that was made using the Light Blue scent.

I was able to find a slew of products, and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Refreshing Body Gel was one of them.

The Refreshing Body Gel is a little less expensive than the body cream, so if you are in the market for a body lotion/cream, I'd recommend the body gel, simply because it is nearly $20.00 cheaper.

It comes in a 6.7 ounce squeeze tube, and features the very same Light Blue scent that fans already know and love.

I however wouldn't necessarily label this one a gel, because in reality it is more like a more runny type of lotion. It is semi trasnparent white, and works in the same manner body lotion would work.

You do have to be careful though, because the smallest squeeze will release a ton of the gel. It is very runny, so I recommend just tipping it over, and the gel will run out of the top...

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MellaView says "I'd Marry This Scent" about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Women

MellaView — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:21:13 GMT

Oh glorious glorious bottle of perfume, how you've touched my soul, my senses, my life.

Okay maybe I'm over doing it, but seriously by far Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, has been my all time favorite scent since I first discovered it. Period.

My sister was the one who first introduced me to the scent. She said that it smelled like hamster chips, and handed her bottle off to me. I fell in love. How could she not like this stuff? Granted it smells a wee bit like hamster tank....it also has fragrances that no other perfume has ever captured.

Cedar-wood with a refreshing and uplifting hint of citrus. Combined creating the most wonderful scent my nose hairs have ever risen to.

Besides all that yummy nose tickling goodness, Dolce & Gabbana Light Bluelasts, and lasts. A small spritz to your jacket, and the scent will stay all day long, and will even be recognizable into the next.

Overall:

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is a wonderful outdoorsy fragrance. While it is rugged, it is at the same time, also...

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MellaView says "Makes Your Eyes Pop...In a Good Way Of Course" about MAC Eye Shadow

MellaView — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:03:24 GMT

I know it sounds crazy to go out and spend $14.00 on eye shadow. But if you build your collection slowly, it's not that big of a financial deal...so long as you limit yourself to one per visit. Hah!

So I went overboard this week. Shoot me.

My Latest Find:

MAC Eyeshadow in the color Nocturnelle

The Color:

You can't go by the color chart that you see on the MAC website, because they have their shadings way off.

Noctornelle is described on the website as a 'pinked up chrome purple' (with a frost finish)

What you get in the actual store/mail though is a more marooned rose color with flecks of reddish brown glitter. More reddish than brown.

Skin Tone Recommendation:

If you are pale, skip Nocturnelle all together. It is vibrant, and will make your lids look infected, and or give off a stoner appearance.

For those with medium/dark skin tones though Nocturnelle is a gorgeous color for the lids, and will really make your eyes pop.

I recommend you use Nocturnelle, and a dark eyeliner over it, with a lighter...

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MellaView says "Great Taste, Fresh Breath! It's a Keeper!" about Colgate MaxFresh with Mini Breath Strips, Cool Mint

MellaView — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:32:07 GMT

I will be honest here. The only reason I bought Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste with Mini Breath Strips, Kiss Me Mint, was because the toothpaste gel was pink, and it looked as if it had little square pieces of glitter located within the gel.

I'm a complete sucker for the way companies advertise/display their products. Although Colgate has always been a favorite toothpaste of mine to begin with...I likely would of bought something else, had the toothpaste not looked so scrumptious.

When I took a closer look though it was apparent that the square shapes were breath strips, which were white... not glitter. Still though, I think it looks like glitter to me. A toothpaste only someone as glamorous as Barbie could use.

I purchased the paste in Kiss Me Mint. Supposedly this flavor has a minty blast of berry. We shall see ey?

My Use:

I squeezed a decent amount of Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste with Mini Breath Strips, Kiss Me Mint onto my toothbrush and got to brushing. I liked that even the smallest squeeze...

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