Reviews by Friends of Shawnrouggly

Buggheart says "The only thing missing is the spider." about LUSH Cobweb Bath Bomb

Buggheart — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:27:59 GMT

I'm not a huge bath bomb lover, but I was totally sucked into buying LUSH Cobweb Bath Bomb at a recent LUSH event and I am sure glad that I did.

I bought Cobweb without having any idea what it smelled like, just based solely on the fact that it's a Halloween product (I LOVE Halloween) and it has a cute spider web shape.

I had heard that it smells just like LUSH's Black Pearl bath bomb which a lot of people don't like. And that it, obviously, turns the water a dull grey color which is not very visually appealing.

Still, I had to give it a try, so I ordered it. And yesterday was its lucky day. I had spent the majority of the day outside and needed a hot bath to take away that chilled to the bone feeling. So I ran a hot bath, got in, and dropped Cobweb in with me. Well I don't know if it's because of it's disklike shape or whether Black Pearl does the same, but Cobweb fizzed like crazy! It fizzed and rolled around the tub for a few minutes before it completely dissolved, leaving the...

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Buggheart says "So tempted by the apple!" about LUSH So White Bath Bomb

Buggheart — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:17:00 GMT

Although I'm not a huge fan of bath bombs, I had to give So White Bath Bomb a try when I placed a recent LUSH order.

What tempted me so?

Well, the description on LUSH.com, of course. So White is described on the LUSH website as a frothy blanket of apple scented "snow" for your bath.... inspired by the tempting apple a certain wicked stepmother tricked her beautiful stepdaughter into eating. We assure you however, that this Bath Bomb is not full of poison to put you to sleep. It is made with an uplifting fragrance of refreshing oranges, apples and romantic rose and is meant to awake you if you've been under a spell (or are just feeling tired). This one is quite a frothy bath as we've grated in some bubble bar mixture, so you can bathe in apple scented snow and feel fairest of them all.

I LOVE apple scented products and anything that smells fruity, so I had to give this one a try. I was also drawn somewhat by the idea of a frothy blanket of apple scented "snow".

So today I spent a lot...

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Buggheart says "Finally a way color my hair without coloring my face too." about Repelle Skin Shield Wand

Buggheart — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:00:58 GMT

I've been coloring my hair for years. Back when I used to go blond, getting hair color on my skin wasn't a big deal. But since I switched to a darker color I found that it's really hard to not get any haircolor on my skin. No matter how careful I was, it always got on my skin.

Then one day when I was buying color at the beauty supply school I found a product called Repelle Skin Shield Wand. It's like a little ChapStick tube but more oval shaped than round. It can be used on all skin types to protect skin from being stained by haircolor.

Before I color my hair, I apply Repelle all around my hairline, ears, and neck, then apply the color. It creates an invisible barrier that is not greasy like lotion or Vaseline. When I've rinsed it out and all is said and done, I don't have any color stains on my skin. One think I like is that if I get a little Repelle on my hair, it doesn't prevent the haircolor from sinking in and it washes off of my skin very easily.

The Repelle package states...

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BayouBengal says "Prilosec OTC is a Great Choice for Controling Acid Reflux" about Prilosec OTC

BayouBengal — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:53:09 GMT

Prilosec OTC became my husband's standby when he ran out of his prescription for Zantac 150 mg. Both can be obtained over the counter now, but in the case of his prescription, it was cheaper to get it at the pharmacy than buy over the counter. His doctor would not refill his prescription without an office visit (dumb since he has been on this for several years), so that led to him trying Prilosec OTC. Why switch? Because I already had some at the house and it worked for me so he decided why not?

Prilosec OTC comes in boxes of 14, 28, and 42 count. The product works by blocking the acid with one dose a day. It is also great for frequent heartburn sufferers.

Active Ingredients

Omeprazole magnesium delayed-release tablet 20.6 mg (equivalent to 20 mg omeprazole)

My Thoughts on Prilosec OTC

The worst thing about starting Prilosec OTC is that it doesn't work immediately. You have to take it for a couple of days to two weeks for the medication to really kick in and prevent heartburn/acid...

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Buggheart says "Like trying to wash with a piece of liver." about LUSH Strawberry Santa Shower Jelly

Buggheart — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:07:53 GMT

OK so I don't know that it's EXACTLY like washing with a liver, but it's slippery, slimy, and icky like a liver so it's the first thing that popped into my mind.

I've never been a fan of LUSH Shower Jellies so you may be wondering why I even tried LUSH Strawberry Santa. Well, because I got it for free at a party at my local LUSH store. And thankfully it was free, because I would have been upset if I paid for this awful blob of goo.

For starters, Strawberry Santa doesn't even smell like strawberry. It smells like fruit but if it's called Strawberry Santa, it might be a good idea to make sure it smells like that berry rather than just fruit in general. So I wasn't crazy about the scent. Nothing wrong with it, it's just not strawberry.

Next, the consisteny was very stringy. With other jellies I have been able to reach into the container and squeeze a little blob of the jelly out of the container and wash with it or stick it on my shower pouf to make some lather. With this jelly,...

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Buggheart says "Words cannot express how badly I wanted this one to work." about Patricia Wexler Acnescription Anti-Acne Starter Kit

Buggheart — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:37:43 GMT

I had such high hopes for the Patricia Wexler Acnescription skin regimen, but on this day I officially surrender. I tried this regimen but it did not work for me. In fact, I don't believe there's ANYTHING on the market that can heal my skin and keep it from breaking out so I give up. You win, skin!

Over the years I've tried everything short of Accutane. ProActiv and AcneFree worked great, but only for a few months and I started breaking out again. I've gone to dermatologists, had my hormones checked, you name it. Everything is normal yet I still continue to struggle with acne every day and it's maddening.

About 2 months ago I read an article suggesting products for people who have aging skin yet still break out. That's me. I'm rapidly approaching 40 yet I still break out as bad and as often as when I was 15 years old.

The product line that was suggested in the article is Patricia Wexler's Acnescription regimen which is available at Bath and Body Works. So I visited my local BBW...

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BayouBengal says "Tramadol Keeps Me Going!" about Ultram Tramadol tablets

BayouBengal — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:39:00 GMT

Winters bring more than just cold weather for me, it also means that the aches and pains associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia will be knocking on my door. One of the prescriptions I take to manage the pain for both conditions is Tramadol.

Tramadol is classified as a narcotic-like drug but not considered one that you would get addicted to easily like some other ones on the market. It is also one that is fairly easy on the stomach. Tramadol is commonly prescribed for moderate to chronic pain. The name Tramadol is the generic form of the drug. The brand name is Ultram or Ultram ER, which is an extended release formula.

I have taken both Tramadol and Tramadol ER on and off for several years. I only take it when I need it, as these bouts with the Fibro seem to come and go. Stress seems to be a trigger for it. It has never upset my stomach, although I usually take it on a full stomach, after a meal.

Tramadol should be taken by adults only and only if prescribed by...

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BayouBengal says "Bee M.D. Organic Honey Lemon Throat Drops-USDA Certified Organic" about BestSweet Inc. Bee M.D. Organic Honey Lemon Throat Drop

BayouBengal — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:01:13 GMT

I've been battling multiple symptoms of the cold and flu for about a week and finally gave in and went to the doctor Monday because I was also having trouble with my blood pressure running high. I ended up getting a flu test, which turned out negative but I was still left with multiple issues, one of which was a sore throat, which got worse even with taking an antibiotic. When I got my prescriptions filled, I browsed the store. One of the items I found and picked up to buy was Bee M.D. Organic Honey Lemon Throat Drops.

At the time of purchase my throat was just irritated and not really hurting. I was really glad that I had bought them the following day when I woke up with a real sore throat. It was bad enough to want to stay home from work but my husband thought I should go in since I've missed so much work in the last few months with my Dad's illness. So off to work I went with my bag of Bee M.D. Organic Honey Lemon Throat Drops.

Bee M.D. Organic Honey Lemon Throat Drops contain...

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Buggheart says "I love my little Pumpkin." about LUSH The Great Pumpkin Soap

Buggheart — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:24:28 GMT

A few weeks back I participated in a chat party on LUSH.com and got the first look at some of their new products for Halloween & Christmas. I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket and got so excited about the new Halloween stuff that I soon found myself placing an order even though most of the stuff is now available at my local LUSH store.

One of the items I bought was a bar of (The Great) Pumpkin Soap. Unlike a most LUSH soaps, Pumpkin is round in shape and has a jack o'lantern face so I could not resist him. I also read in the blurb on LUSH.com that he has the same scent as the recently discontinued Spice Curls soap that I liked so much which was another factor that caused me to order this soap.

Well I'm happy to report that Pumpkin is even better than Spice Curls. It has the same warm, spicy scent blend that screams fall and Halloween and is a joy to use. Pumpkin smells like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and all those great pumpkin pie spices.

Pumpkin is made from the new palm-free...

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BayouBengal says "Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets...Amazing at What They Do!" about Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets 50 ct

BayouBengal — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:42:32 GMT

I've always gone for the "natural" look when it comes to makeup. I don't wear a lot, but I do wear makeup to work. I've been sick for the last two weeks and it is obvious that my body chemistry is all out of whack because I've been experiencing and oily T-zone lately. I found an answer to that with Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. They work wonders!

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets come in a package containing 50 small sheets for around $5.99. The lowest I have seen them are about $4.69 at a local drugstore.

The sheets are somewhat of a mystery, as they feel like a thin sheet of plastic, unlike the paper sheets on the market years ago for absorbing oil. To use these, just press on the area of your face that is oily or shiny. The sheet instantly absorbs the excess oil and is then ready for disposal.

My Thoughts on Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets are great for having in your purse for those times when you...

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BayouBengal says "Schick Quatto Razor for Women--It's a Keeper!" about Schick Quattro for Women

BayouBengal — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:32:32 GMT

Shaving is not exactly fun and it can be a chore, especially for those with sensitive skin. A good razor is a treasure. I would classify Schick Quattro Razor for Women as a treasure. It is an awesome razor!

Schick Quattro Razor for Women

This razor really delivers a close shave. The Schick Quattro Razor for Women has four blades and a conditioning strip on the top of row of the blades and below them. The conditioning strips contain aloe and Vitamin E and help to keep your skin soft.

The head of the razor pivots and allows you to shave in the hard to reach areas like behind the knee. The razor is able to turn to allow for a clean shave without you having to make adjustments to shave in a "curved" area.

The Schick Quattro Razor for Women has rubberized grips on the handle that make handling a razor with soapy hands a little bit easier.

My Thoughts

This is a super nice razor and I have enjoyed using it for about 6 months now. I'll probably never go back to a double blade razor...

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BayouBengal says "Equate Dandruff Shampoo For Everyday Clean Hair" about Equate Dandruff Shampoo

BayouBengal — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:35:36 GMT

Having dandruff is no joking matter, just ask anyone that has it! However, dandruff shampoo isn't just for people who have dandruff. It also relieves dry scalp and itching. Enter an alternative to Head and Shoulders Shampoos....meet Equate Dandruff Shampoo!

Equate Dandruff Shampoo contains Pyrithione zinc as the active ingredient. It is also the main ingredient in Head and Shoulders Shampoo, so you are basically paying for the "big name".

Equate Dandruff Shampoo is safe to use on a daily basis. It is a gentle formula that is also pH balanced. It is also safe for permed or color treated hair. It is recommended for relieving dry scalp, itch, irritation of the scalp and preventing "flakes".

My Thoughts on Equate Dandruff Shampoo

We actually started using this product by mistake. The store was out of Head and Shoulders Shampoo and we found this instead. Rather than buy a more expensive brand of dandruff shampoo, my husband decided to try the Walmart brand. It turned out...

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BayouBengal says "Mainstays 20 Oz. Jar Candles: Nice Price & Scents Too!" about Mainstays 20 Oz. Jar Candles

BayouBengal — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:50:26 GMT

When I am sitting home relaxing in the den or even in my office at home, I love to light a scented candle. It just helps me to settle down and really relax. After a day at work, it's really good to get in your own environment and unwind. Mainstays 20 oz. Candles in a Jar is an easy way to get your home environment in that "mood" for you.

Mainstays 20 oz. Candles in a Jar

These candles come in many different scents. Mainstays 20 oz. Candles in a Jar retail for around $6.99 if I remember correctly. They come in a jar with a lid that you can put back on the top of the candle when not lit. The jar is clear except for the front where you will find the label.

Some of the scents the Mainstays 20 oz. Candles in a Jar comes in are: Vanilla, Honeysuckle, Pine, Cranberry Mandarin, Hazelnut Cream, Linen, Pumpkin, Cider, Apple Pie, Orange Grove and many more! In case you are wondering, these candles are available at Walmart.

These candles are very inexpensive when compared to other scented...

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BayouBengal says "Slice of Life Gummy Vitamins for Adults- Vit C + Pomegranate" about Slice of Life Vitamins Slice of Life Vit C + Pomegranate

BayouBengal — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:12:52 GMT

Slice of Life Vitamin C + Pomegranate Vitamins are very unique and in my opinion an outstanding vitamin. I actually didn't know these vitamins were on the market and discovered them when I was contacted by a representative from the company who had read a review of mine about another one of their products. She asked if she could send me some samples of some of their other products. I said "sure!". I wasn't expecting the large size box that arrived a few weeks later, especially to find that it contained all kinds of varieties of vitamins! Most of the vitamins inside were the new gummy vitamins for adults, including this one.

Slice of Life Vitamin C + Pomegranate Vitamins is a gummy vitamin for adults and shaped like an actual slice of fruit. They are flavored with natural fruit flavors and taste great. The Slice of Life Vitamin C + Pomegranate Vitamins formula is a good choice for this time of the year with the weather changing. In addition to the Vitamin C, you are getting...

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Buggheart says "Does this product really protect my hair? Who knows!" about TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray

Buggheart — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:58:00 GMT

A few weeks ago I had plans to go out with a friend and when I got to her house her hair looked awesome. It was all poofy and beautiful so of course I had to ask her how she did it. She said she got the volume with Velcro rollers and some Redken thermal spray. Well I couldn't find the Redken spray she had mentioned locally so I went to the drugstore and found TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray.

It sounded like the same thing as the Redken product but was a lot cheaper at only $4 for 8 ounces. Turns out it was a waste of $4 and I should have just kept looking for the Redken spray.

There were a number of thermal sprays at the drugstore from which to choose, but I selected Tresemme's as it had a nice trigger type spray nozzle rather than a pump.
This product is for protecting hair against the damage that can come from using heated styling tools like dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. The back of the bottle claims that this product protects against heat and friction...

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Buggheart says "The best thing about this product is the cute gift box." about TokyoMilk Sweet Cream Bon Bon Lip Balm 093

Buggheart — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:21:19 GMT

Sometimes my husband just really hits it out of the park, and buying me this lip balm was a home run in terms of great gifts. I only wish TokyoMilk Sweet Cream Bon Bon Lip Balm itself would have hit a home run instead of making it only to first base.

So about 2 months ago my husband was in Baltimore on business and found a cute little town full of antique shops, boutiques, and foofy places like that. Well bless his heart, he actually went into one of those stores and emerged with a wee giftie for his wife.

I tell you I was THRILLED when he presented me with the gift bag containing an adorable little box with glittery cupcakes all over it. Inside was a small glass pot of TokyoMilk Sweet Cream Bon Bon Lip Balm. He remembered that I love sweet cream and especially love lip balm. And he got me the matching candle too! Squeal!

And that's pretty much where the fun ended. This lip balm is just not good. I'd actually prefer ChapStick.

First off, it's in a pot. I don't like balms...

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BayouBengal says "Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Keeps Lips Soft & Smooth Naturally" about Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

BayouBengal — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:23:20 GMT

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is a great way to protect your lips from chapping any time of the year. It is made from "all natural" ingredients, which in my book is a good thing. The less chemicals in it, the better it is for me, my family and the environment.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm comes in a tube like other lip balms on the market (reviewed here) and also a little tin. The balm helps keep lips moisturized and to prevent chapping when used on a regular basis. However, if you find yourself with dry, cracked lips, Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm will also soothe them.

What's In It?

Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Lanolin, Peppermint Oil, Comfrey Root Extract, Rosemary Extract.

My Thoughts

I have been using Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm for several years now. I try to buy natural when I can and you are now finding Burt's Bees in more and more stores. You used to have to hunt down the products in select...

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