Reviews by elisse

elisse says "OK but still has that artificial aftertaste." about PureVia All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener

elisse — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:34:09 GMT

PureVia All Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener is okay for coffee, tea, etc., but I find it has that artificial sweetner aftertaste which I don't like, and becuase it's stronger than sugar (not equal by weight and measure), you can't use it to replace sugar in regular recipes. Supposedly it's "healthier" than other sartificial sweetners, but the jury is still out on that one for me. I frankly prefer sugar. I do offer it to guests, many of whom need or want to use an artificial sweetner and they like it in coffee and tea.

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elisse says "Great bang for the buck! As good as the more expensive ones." about e.l.f. Plumping Lip Glaze

elisse — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:34:12 GMT

I won a $10 gift certificate to elf so I went on their website and got a whole bunch of makeup to try! Their products are so inexpensive that you don't feel bad buying things to try that you might not try at higher prices... This is the first products of elf's I've tried so far, and I'm pleased with it, especially for the price. No, it didn't give me Angelina Jolie lips (LOL), but none of the more expensive products have, either, and it does that "tingly" thing that all lip plumpers I've tried do (from cinnamon, I assume...). I like that it has both the color and the plumper on one wand and fits into even the tiniest purse or pocket. And I REALLY like that elf is making trendy, fun makeup SO affordable...

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elisse says "Got samples & liked it enough to order the kit; got results!" about Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Kit

elisse — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:21:58 GMT

Bought the Philosphy "Makeup Optional" Kit after reading a lot of great reviews about it, and the Kit came with three sample packet sets of the Microdelivery Peel, and after using 2 of them I liked it so much (in fact it was the best thing for me about the Kit...) that I bought the Microdelivery Peel Kit. It left my skin very smooth, and I liked the bubbling & warming sensation that it was actually doing something! LOL I've tried some of the other over-the-counter "microdemabrasion" products and got no results at all; from this I did see soem immediate improvement. I intend to use the complete "Makeup Optional" program and see if I am happier with my face by the time the products are finished... I will probaly stick with doing this "peel" peridocally even if I don't continue with the rest of the products...

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elisse says "Excellent product- reliable, durable, and has lasted for years." about SanDisk (SDDR-89-A15) Card Reader

elisse — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:04:59 GMT

We bought this SanDisk SDDR-89 ImageMate 4-card reader several years ago, and it is still working great. We use it daily to download digital photos from our camera to the computer, and we've never had a problem with it. In addition, it has been dropped and "kicked around" on my desk for years, and subject to all sorts of abuse from cats & dogs, too! (Note: We've only used one of the four card slots, as all the digital cameras we've had have used the same size card). We are Very pleased with this product and definitely recommend it. We've gone thru 3 cameras, but still have this same card reader!

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elisse says "OK for awhile; it just "died" on us again for no reason..." about Kodak - Easy Share C530

elisse — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:36:16 GMT

The second Kodak digital camera we've had with "problems", and when we bought this Kodak EasyShare C530 new it was NOT cheap... It "died" the first time almost immediately after we bought it, and we had to send it back to Kodak to be fixed; last week it "died" on us again, apparently for no reason. It was good enough for trip snapshots, easy to use, fit in a pocket, but was not good for any kind of "serious" or business photgraphy... or close ups or wide angle photos or night photography... When it "died" on us last week we ran to WalMart and buy another Kodak- a fancier version that was MUCH less expensive than this one had been... the prices have come Way down... Our next step will be up to a digital SLR because the flash on the little point-and-shoots doesn't carry far enough to do any night photography at all, and we want a wide angle lens as well as the ability to do close-ups...

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elisse says "Absolutely THE best stain remover I've ever used." about OxiClean Spray-A-Way Instant Stain Remover

elisse — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:53:48 GMT

I never thought I would say I "loved" a cleaning product, but when we couldn't find OxyClean Spray-A-Way Instant Stain Remover any more at WalMart I nearly had a fit! It's the ONLY thing that gets coffee stains and other stains out from tablecloths, napkins, clothes, bedding, etc., & it works on contact! It is so easy; just spray it on and walk away! :-) It was so great to find a product that actually WORKED! We keep one sprayer in the kitchen for the dining room, and another one or two upstairs for the bedrooms & laundry room. Great stuff!

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elisse says "Excellent non-stick cookware set with stay-cool handles" about Hamilton Beach Signature Non-Stick Cookwware, 8-piece set

elisse — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:38:33 GMT

Our Hamilton Beach Signature Non-Stick Cookware, 8-piece set is fairly new (one month old), and so I don't know how it will wear, but so far I love it, especially for making omelets! I've never been crazy about non-stick cookware as the finish usually gets damaged quickly and doesn't remain "non-stick' very long, but so far these seem excellent- the food slides right out, and they really are easy to clean. The set has a large and a small saucepan, three different-sized pots, and three lids. Remember: do NOT scrub or scrape them if you want to keep the non-stick finish intact- and use plastic cooking tools, NOT metal ones which will scratch up the finish! The lids are heavy, shatter-resitant clear glass, which I like- you can see what's cooking!- and best of all, the the silicone-covered handles really do stay cool.

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elisse says "Old faithful! Sturdy, reliable coffee maker" about Sunbeam 12- cup Coffee Makers

elisse — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:23:36 GMT

This is "old faithful" - a good, reliable, inexpensive coffee maker that makes good coffee! We have a bed-and-breakfast and we have gone thru a LOT of coffee makers, and we have several Sunbeams. I like the "pause" that enables you to remove the carafe while it's brewing, and we've not had a problem with it. No bells and whistles, but that's fine- it does what it's supposed to do: brew coffee. We descale it periodically, running vinegar-water thru it several times followed by several pots of regular water.

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elisse says "Makes very good espresso & capuccino easily " about Cuisinart EM-100 Stainless Steel Espresso Machine

elisse — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:17:22 GMT

We got this as a gift, and so far we're very pleased with it, as this machine makes very good espresso & capuccino easily- we are not "professional barristas" by any means! We hooked it up, followed the directions, and were able to make good espresso & capuccino with foamed milk immediately. I read reviews off it on-line that said not to tamp the coffee grinds too hard, which is true. Use really good coffee ground espresso-fine for a good cup of coffee, & remember that if you run too much water thru you will get awful, weak coffee- espresso shots are small!

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elisse says "a good, solid stove..." about GE JBP24WOK2WW

elisse — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:07:47 GMT

We've had this stove for several years and it is a good, solid workhorse. We have a bed-and-breakfast, so we needed a solid, reliable stove & oven. We had to replace the oven door after the glass shattered, and my husband had to fix the oven door again recently as well- He, is handy, thank goodness! Burners have had to be replaced periodically as well. What I don't like is the plastic keypad for the digital controls- it literally melted & buckled from the heat of the stove burners! It is going to heave to be replaced, shortly, as well. The good things is that we can get parts from GE... The oven heats well and evenly, it is self-cleaning, and it has a clock & a timer. I'm not "in love" with this stove, but we won't be replacing it (hopefully) any time soon!

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elisse says "THE best- the ONLY nail product that worked for me in 40+ yrs!" about Nail Tek Strengthening Nail Polish

elisse — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:05:01 GMT

Found this at Aveda, and it is the ONLY nail product- and I have used them all!- inc. false nails & every "nail hardener' & treatment product on the market- that worked for me, and I now, at the age of 49, have "nails" that I can actually put polish in w/out feeling stupid! YAy! I use NailTek II Intensive Therapy religiously & daily, and Love it. It is not expensive, and it doesn't harm the nail. (I cannot use "nail glue"- i.e. 'crazy glue'; I am allergic to it and put me in the hospital- cynoacrylate absorbed thru the nail bed...)

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elisse says "Excellent sushi- my favorite restaurant in the whole area!" about Kimono - Princeton, WV

elisse — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:30:00 GMT

Kimono is absolutely my favorite restaurant in the Bluefield-Princeton area. They have THE best sushi- better than mosst of the places I've eaten at in NYC, even! They have the fun "Hibachi" tables with the fire-weiling chefs, for those that don't want sushi, & their stir fry is always fresh and good (& cheap!) But I go for the sushi! I've eaten there a dozen times & it's always been super. excellent sushi chef and a lovely, gracious staff. Saki, too! My idea of a perfect evening! (And it's convenient- it's in the WalMart mall in Princeton!)...

elisse says "Love it- makes great bread easy!" about West Bend Stainless Steel Bread Maker

elisse — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:20:52 GMT

We recently got this West Bend Bread Maker (an upgrade from their previous model, which had a 40 page manual and was WAY too much trouble to use), & and I must say that I really like it- it makes great bread EASY! we were actually thinking about "regifting" it when we got it as we thought we'd Never really use it, but we do! The instructions are really simple and easy, and it is truly Simple to use and clean- both Big plusses. You can add herbs and things and get creative, it kneads and bakes and dings to let you know it's done, and it makes it possible to have "real", warm, homemade bead on a daily basis, as opposed to the ucky stuff WalMart sells!

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elisse says "The best mattress I have EVER slept on- I want one!" about Serta Hilton Serta Serenity Mattress

elisse — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:11:45 GMT

I have slept on this bed- the HIlton Serta Serentiy- at Hilton Hotels on business trip and I want one- Badly! It is absolutely THE best bed I've Ever slept on- and they do sell it- for about $2000! I want this bed- the whole "kit", from the lambswool matress pad to the down comforter & pillows! both my husband & I have lower back/leg pain and i have problems with my arms falling asleep during the night, and now I KNOW it's not "us" it's our darn mattress! I sleep like a BABY on the Hilton mattress! We are saving our pennies for this one!

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elisse says "didn't see results and it burns on lost enamel areas :-(" about Crest Whitestrips Dental Whitening formula 56 Strips, 14 Day Treatment

elisse — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:55:54 GMT

Got the "professional" Crest Whitestrips kit from my dentist (it was Not cheap, but more potent than the one you get at Wal Mart...) and so had high hopes for it. I used it daily as directed and was disppointed as I really didn't see results. I smoke and drink red wine & coffee, and so wanted to find something I could use periodically to keep my teeth as white as they are after a good dental cleaning, but this wasn't it... It was not easy to use, as the strips kept sliding off, but had it worked I would have kept using it. The other down side was that as I have developed a bit of enamel loss on 2 teeth, the strips eventually became so painful that I finally had to stop using it alltogether.

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elisse says "Best "bang for the buck" nail polish!" about Revlon Nail Enamel

elisse — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:46:07 GMT

Of all the inexpensive drugstore/Wal Mart beauty products, Revlon nail polish is the classic old standby for me, and better than SO many of the other brands out there! "Revlon Red" is THE classic red, and "Wine with Everything" is a great fall-winter color that does truly go with most everything. Their hot pinks are great for summer & their gold is my other fave "neutral". They cover with only 2 coats and last (I use NailTek over and under them), & they're thick enough that I can "touch up" a chip here and there and not have to redo an entire manicure constantly, important for me because I work constantly with my hands....

elisse says "Very disappointed... Didn't do a thing for me!" about La Mer Creme de 2 oz /60 ml

elisse — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:30:31 GMT

I decided to try LaMer based on all the media hoopla stating it was The Best Thing Ever, and bought enough to be able to use it for 3 months. (Thank you eBay...) I was VERY disappointed as it did literally Nothing for me. And it is INSANELY expensive! It was a heavy moisturizer, but there are gazzilions of those out there. I'm 49, and so am always looking for that "miracle face cream", but so far the only product that ever has given me noticable results in the lessening of lines and wrinkles are the Aminogenesis products, and that's what I went back to, as I've used them for several years now.

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elisse says "Great exfoliating bath scrubs with yummy scents!!! " about Bath & Body Works Lavender Vanilla Sugar Scrub

elisse — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:21:00 GMT

I think Bath and Bodyworks sugar scrubs are the best "bang for the buck" out there! I have Psoriasis and salt scrubs burn and sting; these sugar scrubs are rough enough to do real exfoliating, don't sting, and smell divine! And they are a Lot cheaper than the other good scrubs out there... I like that they have a number of products you can layer the scent with, as well. (I actually like some of their other scents better, such as the Ylang Ylang, which naturally they discontinued!). Great stuff!...

elisse says "Love it- it helps my Psoriasis, and has clinical trials as well " about Aminogenesis Cocoon Total Body Rejuvenating Emollient 8 oz

elisse — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:09:31 GMT

I have Psoriasis, and I saw clinical trial photos of this product in a Spa Business magazine and decided to try it- and I've been using it now for several years. It really does help my Psoriasis, and it's the only body lotion I now use. Almost everything else irritates my skin, and this not only doesn't irritate, it actually hjelps clear it 7 keep it clear!!! A totally GREAT product- worth every dime! (I also use several of their anti-aging products, which are the only ones that have ever shown me real results in a reduction in lines and wrinkles)....

elisse says "Perfect Reflection is a great anti-aging cream- works for me!" about Aminogenesis Perfect Reflection Anti Aging Serum 1.3 oz

elisse — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:58:49 GMT

I use several products in the Aminogenesis line, including Perfect Reflection Anti Aging Serum, and have for several years. I love them- because I've seen a noticeable reduction in lines & wrinkles. I use Perfect Reflection at night on my face, Photolagen 2X day on my face, neck and hands, and the Really Really Clean facial cleanser to start with. I started using them after seeing clinical trial result photos of their Cocoon body lotion on Psoriasis (which I have), and it really helped, so I decided to try the anti-agin procts and loved them. I'm 49 and have used a Lot of different anti aging products (inc. LaMer), and this is the Only one I've bought repeatedly!...