Reviews by vivahate

vivahate says "Pretty Good" about Scunci Elastic Natrl 18ct

vivahate — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:36:11 GMT

i have been buying these for a while, but i think i'm going to look for something new. I find that these do tend to pull a bit of hair out for me as well.

They are also slightly off in size for the width of my ponytail: if I wrap it twice it's too loose and starts falling, but if I wrap it thrice it's way too tight. If you are very concerned about losing a few hairs when you take it out, be warned. also, if you have very thick hair like mine, the diameter(?) might give you some problems too.

also, they are incredibly delicious to cats, so keep them in a drawer or out of reach.

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vivahate says "Dumbstruck" about The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

vivahate — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:03:28 GMT

This was my first Murikami book and I was blown away. My friend lent it to me (about a year ago) and I couldn't put it down for the whole weekend (about 600 pages, but don't let it scare you). I have ravenously read every other book of his since then.

I have been informed by my cousin, who is fluent in Japanese, that much of the humor and insight is lost in the translation--even so this book is deeply affecting.

His characters are so real and so fantastic at the same time; psychic prostitute sisters, the sexy Lolita-esque neighbor, the innocent and charming main character with impeccable taste in music.

Murikami's writing is beyond classification or comparison--that's why I am having such a hard time with this review. I'm always disoriented and disappointed when I leave one of Murikami's books and come back to this world.

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vivahate says "Minty fresh, always!" about C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lips

vivahate — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:37:48 GMT

I got this as an X-mas gift from me mum and I have to say that I'm impressed with it.

Normally you couldn't drag me into a bath and body works without me coughing and gagging, but i might put on one of those SARS masks to get another tube when this one runs out (because that place smells, right? maybe i'm just crazy).

More addictive than Carmex tm. and much tastier. It goes on smooth and not sticky--your hair won't get caught up in it. I got tint No. 1137; it's a very light sortve rose color.

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vivahate says "Great for the forgetful" about Neutrogena fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:10:56 GMT

I love this stuff and I always keep a can in the car for when I leave my house and realize I haven't got sunscreen on my hands, arms or chest and I'm going to be driving in the blazing sun for 30 minutes.

I can spray it on real quick and it keeps me free of sunburn. I am trying to be conscious of my hands and always applying sunscreen to the tops of them when I drive because my mom ended up with bad age spots there from her care-free years as a sun worshipper.

If you are acne prone I would not use it on places like your face or back as it is a little greasy.

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vivahate says "Keeps the sun away from my skin" about Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45, Untinted

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:03:08 GMT

I use this every morning under my makeup. It absorbs fast and doesn't make me feel greasy or heavy. It provides a good base for the makeup and protects my skin from the evil gas ball in the sky.

The price is amazing considering what a lot of other products that make the same exact claims charge.

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vivahate says "My face is soooo soft" about Tess Go Undercover Strawberry Face Mask

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:55:48 GMT

I originally bought this with a load of other stuff from sephora to give to my sister for x-mas, but I couldn't resist trying this out while I was in the bath. It smells soooo good. It's full of ingrediants that you would probably want to have on your face like green tea, aloe, and chamomile.

It's not too harsh, but it still exfoliates and softens beautifully. You can leave it on for a long time, the jar says even overnight. I haven't tried that, but I would reccomend this to anyone with sensitive skin.

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vivahate says "Expensive and worthless" about Zeno Acne Treatment Device

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:42:43 GMT

I was so excited when I first read about this device is some fashion rag. I don't break out often (usually just around that time of the month a little), but it drives me crazy when I do.

I bought this as soon as it was available and sat intently in front of the mirror obsessing over my skin and I feel like it just irritated my pimple more than anything. I never once saw one go away overnight while using this thing. I felt stupid just sitting there on the sink, staring in the mirror, holding this hot object to my face and my boyfriend would laugh at me and tell me my skin was beautiful and that I looked hilarious doing that.

Luckily they have a good warranty and I returned it.

Retin-A all the way.

I give it two claws down for being expensive and not working.

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vivahate says "To die for" about Pureology Hydrate System Duo

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:33:07 GMT

I found out about this on a forum for free samples and I requested several of their products and they sent them out so fast and I got a courteous email.

I love the smell of this and the way it makes my hair feel....sooooo soft.

My only qualm is that it is a little expensive and now the only salon near me that carries it is closing down.

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vivahate says "Girl a l'orange?" about Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanning Daily Moisturizer

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:27:28 GMT

I tried this over the summer in the shade for "fair to medium" or whatever is the lightest shade they have and it looked terribly fake on me. I am very pale, but I refuse to go tanning because I don't want to look like a worn out piece of shoe leather when I'm 30.

I would like to have a little bit more golden color in my skin, especially my legs when I'm in a skirt or dress, but this is not the product to give me that. It didn't go on very evenly and tended to get darker around the ankles and knees where the skin is a little drier. The color it produced is just not one that occurs in nature.

It might be nice for deepening a tan, but I didn't have a good experience, nor did one of my co-workers (a bi-racial girl who used the "medium to dark" or whatever). We were both horrified to watch our legs turn calico as the stuff started to wear off.

I give it one claw up for being cheap.

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vivahate says "Looks natural" about Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Complexion Make-up

vivahate — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:14:15 GMT

So far this is the only makeup I have found that actually looks natural on me and doesn't feel caked on or cause break-outs. It's fast and easy to put on in the morning.

The only problem I have is that every time I screw the cap back on I can see precious dust falling on the counter (and on my pants) so I know I'm wasting product. I would leave the lid open but my cat would knock it on the floor and that would be worse.

Also, I shop in the boutiques because they have incentive stamp cards--buy so much get a little bit off your next purchase--and the sales girls are always cranky and act like you're making such an imposition on them if you ask them any questions or god forbid ask to try something out. They are lucky this product is my favorite because I could probably get better service at the 7-11.

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vivahate says "I love this" about Tab - Tab Energy Drink

vivahate — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:54:09 GMT

I love this; it gives me the perk I need to get to class in the morning and run my errands in the afternoon. It has the right amount of caffeine to give me energy, but I don't feel all crumby with a big crash afterwards.

I really prefer it to coffee as it doesn't stain my teeth (or clothes). I think it tastes great and supresses the appetite for those who are concerned about that.

The only problem is it is a bit expensive for me, but it is about the same as any energy drink--I guess I'm cheap.

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vivahate says "Gets the job done" about Cuisinart Food Processor - DLC-2011

vivahate — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:48:03 GMT

I love this powerful little gadget, but I already have so many on my counter that I have to stow it away on a hard to reach shelf.

The times that I do use it I love it. I makes dicing garlic and onions a snap and it's so powerful that I can use it to make salad dressings and glazes for desserts. It has so many uses.

Be careful when washing the blades.

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vivahate says "Really Works!" about Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3

vivahate — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:26:38 GMT

I got samples of the three step system and I wasn't thrilled about the yellow soap or the "dramatically different moisturizer", but I loved the toner. I always felt refreshed and clean after I used it.

I just purchased the toner on its own and I use it after a mild cleanser (cetaphil) twice a day followed by an SPF neutrogena moisturizer and retin-A at night.

This regime seems to be the trick and I credit the clinique toner for the difference because my skin used to get incredibly flakey from the retin-A, and now it's smooth and blemish-free.

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vivahate says "I love the products, but I hate paying for return shipping." about American Apparel

vivahate — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 22:05:00 GMT

American Apparel has the best clothes in my opinion and I'm willing to pay extra for american made items.

There was a problem with sizing in their "slim slack". I own two pairs in a size 26" already: in peacock and midnight blue which fit beautifullly (except peacock is a little baggy on me). I ordered a pair in black and i couldn't even zip them. I can't understand how three pairs of pants that are "true to size" could fit so differently.

I was a little ticked that I couldn't return them in a store and that I had to pay to ship them back; when I don't think inconsistent sizing is "my mistake".

It's not going to stop me from buying AA items, but I will only do so from their B&M stores from now on so I can try everything on. The folks who work in the stores are friendly and will order anything that is out of stock for you and not charge shipping.

Their website is a nightmare in terms of customer service and shipping.

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vivahate says "Their customer service was terrible." about e.l.f. - EyesLipsFace.com

vivahate — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:56:31 GMT

The products were of average quality but I had real problems with their customer service reps.

I placed an order two weeks before my sister's birthday, assuming that it would arrive in time for me to give it to her. Two days before her birthday I got an email saying "your e.l.f order has shipped". I couldn't believe it took that long. I emailed customer service and they said "well, if you wanted it shipped faster maybe you should have paid for overnight shipping".

Not only that, but I purchased a set of eyeshadow brushes for her along with a palate of eyeshadows and various lip glosses and powders in a "custom kit". They sent me a piece of paper saying the eyeshadow was out of stock. Why on earth would I give my sister a set of eyeshadow brushes with no eyeshadow?!

I had to head down to sephora and pick up a nice eyeshadow there and give my sister her present two days late. I would never shop at this place again, their customer service is terrible and the communication...

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