Reviews by PattyTherre

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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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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PattyTherre says "Hydrating but doesn't come close to living up to its hype." about Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

PattyTherre — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:57:54 GMT

Quick View: I was sent a jar of Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream from a group called Vocalpoint that I belong to. I was excited to try this cream because, at 45, I want to stay as youthful as possible and this cream made promises of being AS EFFECTIVE as Retin A (although they can't say the name. They use "prescription wrinkle cream" when making comparisons). I was disappointed in its performance.

My Take on Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

This cream is thick and very rich. It has a subtle fragrance and smooths on nicely. My face always felt soft and hydrated when I used the cream - and I used it every night for about 4 weeks. It did tend to pill a little for some reason but I used it at night so it really didn't matter.

As a smoothing, hydrating cream, Olay Pro X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is great. It works well to add moisture to dry skin and to plump parched skin. I have no issues at all with how this product hydrates.

What I have issues about are the claims that this cream will rid...

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PattyTherre says "It kept rollin, rollin, rollin. Just rollin, rollin, rollin..." about Maidenform Contol It Firm Control Nipper Tube

PattyTherre — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:52:11 GMT

Quick View: I'm thin and I practically kill myself to stay that way with a low fat, low calorie diet and plenty of exercise. But I still have times when I feel like shapeless. I bought a dress that was all about clinging and accentuating the waist. The one I feel I don't have. I am boy shaped and rather straight up and down. I bought the Maidenform Contol It Firm Control Nipper Tube for that little bit of waist nipping I needed. Well, it was a disaster. It worked fine if I stood completely still. Otherwise, it would roll from the top or bottom and look terrible and drive me crazy. It was off and in my purse within 90 minutes!

My Take on the Maidenform Contol It Firm Control Nipper Tube

This nipper is basically a tight tube top that slides on over the hips and wraps the torso in nylon and spandex. It comes in sizes medium to 2X. I bought the Medium. You can wear your own bra and panties with it or wear a shaper over it for double the control. I wore my own bra and panties then slid the nipper...

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PattyTherre says "Jemma Kidd does color adapting right with this beautiful blush." about JK Jemma Kidd Cheek ID Colour Adapt Blush

PattyTherre — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:43:42 GMT

Quick View: A quick scan of JK Jemma Kidd reviews here on Viewpoints will probably tell you that I am a big fan of this British makeup artist's new line. Well, new to the US line. Everything I have tried has been superior. This blush is no exception. It really does adapt to my skin, is natural looking, and super long wearing.

My Take on JK Jemma Kidd Cheek ID Colour Adapt Blush

This blush, and the whole JK Jemma Kidd line, is sold only at Target stores and target.com. It's a fairly high end brand and this little blush will set you back $18.00. The blush is in a small plastic compact with no unnecessary packaging. It's funny. When I got it home, it looked kind of dusty pink in the container. Now that I have used it several times, it looks much rosier. I have no idea why.

At any rate, the blush is NOT clear like many products that claim to adapt to skin tone. It is a rose color. But when you put it on, it becomes the color that you would blush if you really did blush. A little more and you'll...

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PattyTherre says "Works for plunging styles but the girls feel lonely so far apart" about Vassarette Real Sexy Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra

PattyTherre — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:36:44 GMT

Quick View: I am a bit of a bra snob. I expect my bras to fit well, have good support, give me a great looking silhouette and, most of all, be comfortable. I really am not brand loyal and will wear cheaper brands and well as pricey ones ifd they give me what I want. This bra was a "necessary purchase" in that I needed a plunge bra right away and had little time to choose. It is OK but not as flattering as I would like.

My Take on the Vassarette Real Sexy Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra

I must have at least 10 plunge bras but of course when I needed one, I couldn't find the right one. I was on my way to an event and put on my new designer cowl neck top and the cowl part plunged too far in the middle for me to wear a regular bra. I needed a deeply plunging one so I went into my big ole bin of bras and started searching. I gave up and went to KMart, rushed in, saw the Vassarette Women's Real Sexy Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra and picked my size in nude, and left all within a few minutes.

The bra is a...

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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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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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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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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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PattyTherre says "Very good results but way too runny and I need too much!" about Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner

PattyTherre — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:45:59 GMT

Quick View: I like Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo and I also like Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner but this somewhat pricey conditioner is very watery and I need a load of it to cover my long hair. I like the results but it's not worth the price when I run out so much sooner than I do the shampoo.

My Take on Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Hair Conditioner

This conditioner comes in an 8 ounce flip top plastic bottle. It looks exactly like the shampoo and it is really hard to tell in the shower which is which, the ONLY difference is the word Conditioner on the label.

Made with real pressed olive oil, this conditioner smells heavenly. It's a nice change from floral conditioners and very unisex. The consistency is almost like water though. It has a weird kind of blue green tint and it is super thin and runny. When I pour it into my hand, it leaks between my fingers and I lose some of it. I need a lot...

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PattyTherre says "Olive oil isn't just for cooking. It makes my hair shiny & soft." about Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo

PattyTherre — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:43:42 GMT

Quick View: I use olive oil products from The Body Shop, Wei East, and Serious Skin Care. I actually stumbled across a bottle of Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo in my big bin of shampoos and conditioners last week and started using it again. It is a good shampoo that makes my somewhat dry hair silky, soft, and shiny.

My Take on Serious Skin Care First Pressed Olive Oil Hydra-Gloss Shampoo

I found a bottle of this shampoo and conditioner and it looked like I had only used it a few times. I like The Body Shop Olive Glossing Shampoo so I decided to give the shampoo another try. I had no idea if I liked it before or not but I have so many different hair care products that they get rotated often and sometimes even forgotten about.

The shampoo comes in an 8 ounce plastic bottle with a flip open lid. It's green and lathers richly. The scent is like olive oil. It's rich, bold, and unisex. I really love the scent. It's a nice change from the frilly floral shampoos I...

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PattyTherre says "Closest thing to real Uggs I have found and under $25.00!" about Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots

PattyTherre — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:57:06 GMT

Quick View: I have two pairs of "real" Uggs and love them. I wanted at least one more pair this year but my budget's tight. I couldn't justify spending so much on more boots. I tried lots of different "Ugg-alikes" but they all fell way short of the real thing. However, Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots are VERY similar to Uggs in many ways. They are closest thing to the real thing I have found and I only paid $22.00 for mine on sale at Target.

My Take on Xhilaration - Electra Suede Boots

Thse 8" shaft suede boots look very, very similar to Uggs. They come in Gray, Chestnut, Sand, Brown, and Black that I saw. Online, they are selling out and only have Chestnut and Gray left at Target.com. I bought the gray pair at first. They were on sale for $22.00 and it was an impulse purchase.

However, I soon realized that these boots were super warm and super comfortable. Uggs has sheepskin lining whereas these boots have faux fur. Otherwise, it's almost impossible to tell these apart from real Uggs....

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PattyTherre says "I really don't see much whitening with Crest Vivid White Night." about Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste

PattyTherre — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:52:46 GMT

Quick View: I am a tough case when it comes to whitening my teeth because I drink loads of tea every day and have since I was a teen. On top of that, I enjoy Diet Coke and Pepsi daily as well. They stain teeth badly and getting those stains off is no easy task. It doesn't appear that Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste is going to do more than other whitening toothpastes for me.

My Take on Crest Vivid White Night Toothpaste

This toothpaste comes in a 4.1 ounce tube, smaller than typical toothpaste tubes. It promises to loosen stains at night so that you can brush them away in the morning. I love that concept but then on the tube, it says to brush teeth morning and night with the toothpaste so is it a night product or an anytime one?

The toothpaste tastes fine. It is minty and fresh and does a good job cleaning my teeth and freshening my breath. After I brush, I do seem to have slightly whiter teeth but I think that is just because I do a really thorough job brushing at night and my teeth...

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PattyTherre says "For $1, I get the same results as with pricey pet odor sprays." about Powerhouse Pet Odor Neutralizer Spray

PattyTherre — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:42:08 GMT

Quick View: Until very recently, I probably went into any type of dollar store a total of maybe five times ever. I didn't think they had anything but junk. However, times are tough and I'm bargain hunting these days. I was at my local Dollar Tree store when I saw a bottle of Powerhouse Pet Odor Neutralizer Spray. I bought it for the heck of it but found it's a very good product for the price. It works as well as pricey odor neutralizers and has a fresh scent that lasts.

My Take on Powerhouse Pet Odor Neutralizer Spray

This spray comes in a 13 ounce plastic bottle. It says it is safe to use on furniture, fabrics, and in the air. The scent is billed as "clean and fresh" which it actually is. It smells like fresh laundry right out of the dryer only stronger.

I have a dog and two cats. Along with the pets comes odors from two litter boxes (I have a girl's litter box and a boy's litter box and the cats never use each other's.) and odors that a little, messy dog cause. I have been buying brands...

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