Reviews by mduncan83

mduncan83 says "Finally! A product that actually tames my frizz!!!" about Redken Smooth Down

mduncan83 — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:11:07 GMT

Perhaps this review is a bit premature, as I've only used the product twice, but I am thoroughly impressed. This product actually keeps my hair in line and looking healthy. I don't have curly hair, which it seems like most anti-frizz products are geared towards. My hair is just very fine and a lot of products, for whatever reason, send it in multiple directions. This product doesn't. Both the shampoo and conditioner work together to make my hair shiny and healthy. I do, however, wish it smelled a little better. It doesn't smell bad, but considering the expense, I'd like it to smell prettier. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars.

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mduncan83 says "Much better than most drugstore masks!!!" about Biore Self Heating Mask

mduncan83 — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:45:46 GMT

I love the fact that this heats up and changes color. After using it, my skin definitely feels softer and looks more radiant, although the effect is not as dramatic or long-lasting as I would like. As a plus, it smells better than a lot of other products, but it is a bit hard to remove. While you don't get a lot of masks in the packaging, you don't use it everyday, so it does last a bit, but with the price, you can afford to buy more! All in all, I do recommend this product!

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mduncan83 says "Offers an amazing campus environment and excellent education!" about University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

mduncan83 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:13:08 GMT

While Michigan is cold and Ann Arbor is expensive (including tuition), the campus is gorgeous, the environment is welcoming and dynamic, the opportunities available to students are enormous, and commuting around campus is a breeze with the private (and free) bus system. Deciding to attend UofM was the best thing I could have done for myself. I felt welcome and safe coming from out of state.

What I enjoyed other than the sense of community and pride was the enormous amount of activity and student support. Not only is the campus ripe with professional development opportunities, but the university offers additional financial aid to students in need and actively strives to make sure that cost is not a barrier to obtaining a quality education.

I am proud to have earned my MSW from the top-rated school of social work in the country (for more than 12 years running). GO BLUE!!!

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mduncan83 says "Not very diverse, but it's affordable and high quality." about University of Arizona

mduncan83 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:02:54 GMT

I graduated from UofA in 2004 and look fondly upon my experience. The city was amazing; the campus was beautiful; the education was great; and the amenities for students are excellent as well. However, many of the students come from well-to-do backgrounds, which can be a bit intimidating if, like me, you did not. Also, a lot of students were heavily involved with the "social scene" (drinking, partying, etc.), which I found to be a bit annoying. However, the cons are far outweighed by the pros, considering that you can get a quality education for less than $10,000 a year (if you're from out of state) and less than $5,000 a year if you're an Arizona resident....

mduncan83 says "Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!!" about Nature Valley - Yogurt Granola Bars

mduncan83 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:55:20 GMT

I wasn't sure whether or not I would like these, but as soon as I tried my first one, I was hooked. These chewy granola bars have been dipped in vanilla, blueberry, and strawberry yogurt across the bottom and the results are delicious! For me, granola bars need to be chewy (otherwise they taste a bit like cardboard). The yogurt bottom is subtle but amazing. I highly recommend this product! They are really good!!!...

mduncan83 says "Yummy--with built-in portion-control." about Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal

mduncan83 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:44:29 GMT

I'm a big fan of this oatmeal. I was very...cautious...shall we say? about how Weight Control Oatmeal could possibly taste good. But I was pleasantly surprised. I had to buy the Banana Bread flavor first because that was all that was at the store at the time, but more recently, much to my delight, Maple and Brown Sugar is also available. My problem with weight gain has always been portion control, so I am thrilled to know that one pouch (which can be reasonably filling at times) is only 160 calories. Bottom line: they taste good, they're quick, and they have good nutritional value...go for it!!!...

mduncan83 says "Tried-and-true advice and tools--FREE OF CHARGE!!!!" about Sparkpeople.com

mduncan83 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:34:57 GMT

I started out skeptical about whether an online weight loss program could actually be free, but I went to the website and was moved to tears to hear that there really was someone out there who invested his own money into providing a comprehensive program absolutely free.

I joined in November of 2007, after having lost 75 pounds on Weight Watchers (another program that I really enjoyed). I have not lost more weight since that point (I've got about 50 pounds more to lose) but I have come to accept that my body is currently adjusting to the tremendous weight loss I've accomplished. So, even as I cannot attribute my weight loss success to SparkPeople, I can say that I have learned more just reading the articles than I ever thought possible. There is literally a plethora of information at your fingertips...all you have to do is take the initiative to read it.

SparkPeople leaves the steps all up to you. There are no tricks or gimmicks...if you want to continue to lose weight, you have to stop...

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mduncan83 says "Easy way to get gift cards for free stuff." about MyPoints

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:10:53 GMT

I have been a member of MyPoints for a little more than a year now and have found it to be one of the easiest ways to get money on the internet. When I first joined, I thought it was a scam. I was really skeptical of anything that claimed to be able to give me free stuff, but it's true! By and large, all I've done on MyPoints is go to websites and click on them. They give you 5 points for visiting a website that they emailed to you. Now, of course, I've done more than that. I've joined survey memberships and signed up for some newsletters, but in exchange, I've been given 3 $10 Burger King gift cards, and 2 $10 Bath and Body Works gift cards. To redeem your points, you just find a gift card you want and enter your address...and the gift cards come to you very quickly! I've gotten mine within a week after requesting them. It's awesome!...

mduncan83 says "Yum!!!!" about Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:44:49 GMT

While they are a bit on the pricey end when they're not on sale, most of the scents are delicious (with the only exception being brown sugar & fig). My husband loves the scents too. I especially like the foaming cleansers and highly recommend those!!!...

mduncan83 says "Good coverage, good quantity, good price." about Physicians Formula Talc-free Mineral Wear

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:40:23 GMT

While other reviewers have given this product low reviews, I completely disagree with them. I really love this product because it doesn't make my skin look flaky and actually covers my big pores when nothing else does. This product makes my skin look gorgeous and you cannot tell at all that I'm wearing makeup. I don't feel it on and it doesn't rub off. I have not used any other mineral makeup before and am quite certain that I will stick with this brand, not only because I love the product but also because it offers almost twice the quantity as other brands at a lower price....

mduncan83 says "Can be fun, but boring at the same time." about Facebook

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:33:30 GMT

While Facebook has some definite positives (it allows you to connect with people you've lost touch with, provides a forum for learning new things about people you know, etc.), I have found that there is just too much going on with this site. There are too many applications and way too many groups. Also frustrating is the fact that so many of the links on the site don't work (especially with the application My Politics, which seems always to be down). But as much negative as I can say about Facebook, I can say even more about MySpace....

mduncan83 says "And the pounds are going...going....GONE!!!" about Weight Watchers

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:27:06 GMT

What I love about Weight Watchers is that the plan allows you to chose your own way to lose weight (either on the flex plan or the core plan). In either case, you don't have to deprive yourself of any food and don't have to buy any specific food that tastes like cardboard. Their SmartOnes lunches are rather tasty, even though I have found their desserts to be...not-so-much. Weight Watchers promotes a lifestyle change that is gradual, flexible, and allows you to make choices about what to eat and when (and if) to work out. You never feel deprived because you can eat what you want, as long as you stay within your points values for the day (and you even have some cushion room there). I am thoroughly convinced that Weight Watchers is the best diet program out there because it allows you to lose the weight and know how to KEEP IT OFF....

mduncan83 says "No different from any other mascara, but more expensive." about Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:20:03 GMT

I love Mary Kay, but the Ultimate Mascara, I confess, seems no different to me than any other mascara, and is hardly worth the $15 price tag. It seems to dry up rather quickly in the bottle and weighs my lashes down a bit whenever I wear it. I really recommend sticking to the basics on this one, or at least opting for something cheaper...spend the money where you really need it....

mduncan83 says "Comparative politics made engaging and entertaining." about Sicko

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:13:14 GMT

While SiCKO is eye-opening for those not already involved in the health care discussion, it caters a bit too much to the American ideals of individualism. I believe firmly that Mr. Moore knows a lot about comparative politics, especially when it comes to health care, but he made it appear as though he was hearing about these things for the first time, which bothered me. In all, SiCKO is still a catalyst for discussion around the important issue of health care as a right rather than a privilege, and that's something that, no matter how much he sells himself short, everyone should respect....

mduncan83 says "This workout routine will push you, but you'll have fun too!" about Yoga Booty Ballet Kit

mduncan83 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:01:03 GMT

Yoga Booty Ballet is a fun but highly challenging workout that will build self-esteem for those who complete it. While it can seem somewhat cheesy in parts, it allows you to use muscles you may not even know you have and provides a total body workout. However, it seems that this product will be most useful for individuals who arguably need it less--those who are not very overweight, as the workout requires a level of flexibility that some overweight people do not have. But for those who are up to yoga, this seems to be an excellent way to combine a variety of workouts into one effective routine....