Product Review - Totally Twisted

I've been a huge fan of Herbal Essences' products since I began using their Hello Hydration Conditioner.

If you've read my posting on it, there wasn't anything that this conditioner did wrong. It became my number one staple product. Until now...

While my hubby was surfing the net, he came across a deal to get me a Herbal Essence coupon for a free product. He doesn't want to encourage me to get more products but he is also glad that I'm not spending hours in the salon and am much happier with my hair.

So I get the coupons and go to where else, CVS to get more Hello Hydration. But I didn't, I picked up Totally Twisted. I'd read about how great it was and decided, why not?

I tried it the next day. Can I tell you that I ran out the next day to get another one? Yes, I did!

Why didn't I try this before? Although I am not too keen on the scent... I prefer fruity smells. But I can't get over what it does to my hair. Not only does it moisturize, it gives my hair shine and enhances my waves/curls. When I use this, I don't even add gel on most days!

This is my routine:

I wet my hair, add Totally Twisted, comb it through my hair, let my hair air dry a bit, and then spray on Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray.

That's it!

Now I do miss my Hello Hydration, but it doesn't compare in the enhancing department. So this will get pushed to weekend use.

Yes, I have my power products that I use daily because I know how they will work on my hair. Then on the weekends, I use my other products so as not to waste any of them.

To tell you how much of a performance conditioner this is, my son is using it to help with his waves.

Now about my sons, I have tried to get their opinions on other hair products and I just get an ok. No real opinions.

But with Totally Twisted even he is admiring his new waves. My other son is currently following Dad's bald look.

So if you are looking for a drugstore available product that is reasonable. You may want to check this out. I don't know of any other conditioner, that moisturizes, adds shine, detangles and enhances your curls.

Product Review - L'oreal Ever Pure Shampoo

Hello All,

A couple of weeks ago, I was going through my hair care supply and noticed that I needed shampoo and more deep conditioner. Although I've been going to the salon every couple of weeks or so for a blow-out, I still would like to work with my natural hair and save money.

Also, I am still learning how to use Kinky-Curly custard and the Carol's Daughter products which I am somewhat enjoying when I don't straighten my hair.

More updates about those other products in future posts to come.

I still have a large bottle of CVS brand shampoo in my cabinet but I've been really curious to try a no-sulfate type of poo. My kids can continue to use the CVS shampoos.

So I did a search to see what was currently out there, is inexpensive and easy to get my hands on. I found L'oreal's Everpure product line.

I went to CVS (where else do I go?) and quickly snatched up Everpure's Moisture Shampoo.

I love this shampoo. My hair felt great afterward. It has the lightest scent and my hair wasn't tangled.

Now my hair is color-treated. I've had grey hair since I was about 15 and never really sweated the grey until a few years ago when my grey was coming in very prominently in the front. I like my grey, but I also still like to have fun with my hair and enjoy my temporary rinses. I can go from black to dark brown to light brown and even still rock some of my grey.

As I was shampooing last week, I was watching the color rinse out. This is ok, because this is expected of temporary color. But when I dried - I didn't have any grey strands.

I used this shampoo for a second time today and I still have 90% of my color. So this poo does not strip the hair at all. This poo even rinses out well.

I am hooked and will probably bring it with me on my next salon visit too.

Product Review - Dove Shine Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner

So I decided to wash my own hair instead of going to the salon.

I checked my product basket and found some samples from Dove. This is their shine therapy shampoo and conditioner.

I was not happy with the shampoo. It actually was ok on the natural portion of my hair (the roots) but it made the rest of my hair hard and tangled.

I was so glad that I had my CVS shampoo to get in a good washing. This CVS brand is a copy-cat cheaper version of Pantene. I may have mentioned on a previous posting that I was in CVS a few months ago and grabbed a bunch of these products. I couldn't pass up the price (less than a buck). This gave my hair and scalp a good cleansing. I really needed it because I kinda got heavy handed the past week with olive oil and coconut oil on my scalp. This gave me a slight build-up.

Back to the CVS shampoo, to my surprise it undid the damage of the Dove shampoo. My hair easily untangled and felt soft.

I followed with the Dove Shine Therapy conditioner. It is pretty good. Its light and creamy. But the end results still didn't knock my socks off.

I still deep conditioned with my Pantene Pro-V Replenishing Mask to get my hair to feel really nice. This is the deep conditioner that replaced my use of regular conditioners and I use it every time after washing. It leaves my hair soft, smooth and manageable. I can't wait to finish it up to try Pantene's other conditioners.

My feeling on Dove's Shine Therapy - no shine, no great results and a shampoo that tangles my hair - No thanks!

Product Review - Alba Cocoa Butter

I was able to get this item on sale at CVS (of course) and was glad to have tried it.

At first when I smelled it - I wasn't too thrilled. It has a very heavy cocoa butter and tropical scent. After I started using it, I got used to it. It doesn't linger strongly after applying - which is good if you are using perfumes/other scents.

This is a very thick and creamy lotion. But what is great is that it rubs into the skin very nice and smooth. It's not greasy, leaves a nice sheen on the skin and does the job of moisturizing the whole body. Its also long lasting, so no mid-day dryness.

At this stage in my life (over 40) my skin basically stays dry. So I have been experimenting with skin care products. My feeling on a lot of lotions is that they offer a lot of smell and little in the moisturizing department.

This product is great for someone with dry/normal skin. It's also hypo-allergenic and I would definitely recommend for the whole family.

Alba did get my attention with this product and I do look forward to trying more of their products.

Product Review - CVS Gentle Skin Cleanser

As a user of skin care cleansers since I was about 13; I can truly say that most products are crap! Either they dry out the skin too much, are too expensive, are too messy or just don't produce any results.

So imagine my surprise at finding this great inexpensive product that cleans and moisturizes!!!

I was in CVS when they were reducing prices on a number of their products. (Yes, I know, CVS again).

I stumble upon this skin cleanser that states on the label 'softens as it cleanses'. The label also states that it can be used on babies, is for sensitive skin and can be used on the whole body. For $1.20 for 4 oz. - I say why not? I'll try it.

Well, this is the number one product in my skin care shelf. I am so upset I didn't purchase more of this item.

A bit about my skin - for the past several years, I've just used witch hazel, soap occasionally and a moisturizer. Although the witch hazel is a bit drying it doesn't make my skin feel uncomfortable and it is a great toner. My skin is dry - very dry!! And I know I shouldn't use soap but I like to feel clean.

But this product actually leaves my skin so smooth. It is a light cream that evaporates on contact, i leave on for a minute or two and then rinse. It rinses off easily and my face feels great! My face feels clean, refreshed, soft and moisturized! Its effects are long-lasting too! This product is a miracle!

Usually I don't post my opinions about products until I've tried them well over several times. This way I can give a true opinion about a product over time and see if it produces results. Well, with this product I haven't used it over a week and a half and I had to write about it!

I will definitely buy this product no matter what the price!

CVS

I love shopping in CVS.

I love shopping in all of the retail pharmacies - CVS and Duane Reade are the best. They seem to get all the new products and keep a wide variety of makeup, hair products, soaps, vitamins, etc.

Also, these stores tend to stay very neat, bright and everything is labeled which makes it easier to shop.

But since living in upstate NY I can only get to CVS; which is fine.

Recently, CVS has been offering a lot of sales on a ton of products. I bought Crest toothpaste for under a $1.00 and a whole lot of other products that I might not have ever tried.

Check regularly I will be listing the items and my reviews!

So check out your local CVS, sign up for their ExtraCare Card, grab a circular and enjoy the bargains!