L'Oreal EverPure and EverCreme Shampoo - Updated

For the most part, I believe that conditioner is more important than shampoo.  I have been lucky to find one that, even though expensive, works great on my hair.  And I love the coordinating shampoo but the price for the two of them is kind of ridiculous so I am always searching for a less expensive one.  In the past couple years, I go back to L'Oreal's EverPure moisturizing formula.  It is a creamy shampoo that gives a good lather (not necessary, of course, but nice) with a Rosemary Juniper scent that is refreshing and not overpowering.  After shampooing, my hair feels clean and it is very easy to comb my conditioner through.  I even gave some to a male friend with longer curly hair and he is hooked.  He says it makes his hair nicer than it has ever been.

It was only out of curiosity that I tried the new EverCreme.  Texturally it is even creamier than the EverPure.  The scent is called Camelina which is a flowering plant that produces oil.  It doesn't smell as good as the EverPure but it isn't bad.

The good thing about both these shampoos is that they are sulfate-free so they are good for color-treated hair and keratin treatments.  I'm not sure if I will go back to the EverPure after I finish the new one (I just saw the EverCreme has an "intense nourishing formula!) but both are excellent products are drugstore prices and availability.

Update:  After using the EverCreme for over a month, I've decided it doesn't seem to easily spread through my hair.  I always feel like I am missing spots.  I will finish this bottle and then buy more EverPure.

Pureology Super Smooth Shampoo

Note to self: do not ask for a shampoo recommendation from a new stylist.  They will just push on you whatever the salon is hawking that month.  That's how I discovered Pureology Super Smooth Shampoo.  I told her I was looking for a less expensive alternative to Alterna (Alterna alternative...hehe).  She recommended this for my hair type and I didn't ask about the price because I told her how much the Alterna costs ($32).  When they rang it up, it was $27!  I guess I should have been more specific that I was looking for a more significant reduction in cost. 

So, to the chase.  It is an ok shampoo although my hair did not seem any smoother.  The smell is a little strong for me and sort of smells like flowers only fake.  The worst part is that it made me break out terribly on my shoulders and back.  I have to be careful because I have issues with that but as long as I keep my hair off my back and shoulders until it is dry, I am usually ok.  Not so in this case.  I had all these painful bumps not to mention how bad it looked.  No one wants that but it is especially bad in the summer time.  I really wouldn't recommend this shampoo.  You can get something better in a drugstore for a quarter of the price.  I don't think I'd try any of their other products either.  Aside from this bad experience, their packaging is boring and doesn't catch the eye.  And sadly, it is that that usually gets me!

http://www.pureology.com/systems/super-smooth/shampoo

Sephora Collection Age Defy moisturizer and eye cream

I originally got the moisturizer as a sample when I was at the store.  I have a little bit of an issue with the Sephora brand considering they started out as a retailer for other beauty brands.  I feel like they could stock more variety in the stores if they took away their own products.  However, their products are usually cheaper than the others they sell (sometimes significantly) while keeping the quality of higher priced brands.

Although I love Oil of Olay, I still don't feel like I've found the moisturizer for me so I figured I'd give it a try.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  This is one of the first moisturizers I've ever used that showed an immediate difference.  And it was just moisture vs. non-moisture.  It really seemed to smooth away the fine wrinkles on my cheeks.  It's very thick and creamy but does not feel that way once you put it on.  It also has spf 15 which isn't really enough but better than nothing.

It worked so well I tried it on my biggest problem area, under my eye.  I have a bunch of small wrinkles which I just found out is called cross-hatching.  What?  Could we think of more insulting names for wrinkles?  Crows feet?  From here on out, I will only refer to them as fairy trails and sunbursts.  So, it did a really decent job on my undereye fairy trails but stung my eyes somewhat.  When I went to buy the full size, I saw they also had an eye cream and bought them as a duo hoping the eye cream would be gentler around the eye area.  Unfortunately, it is not.  I rub my eyes too much (probably explains the fairy trails) and they would sometimes start to sting and water for what seemed like no reason.  I can only think it is the eye cream.  So, even though it works better than anything I have tried so far, I can't use it.  But if you don't have sensitive eyes, it's definitely worth a shot.

I am sticking with the face moisturizer until it is empty but I will probably try other products when it runs out.  It works really well but I still don't think it is the ultimate moisturizer for me.

http://www.sephora.com/age-defy-moisture-cream-spf-15-P276328?skuId=1259894
http://www.sephora.com/age-defy-eye-cream-P276325

The Mascara Wave #9 - eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara

This mascara was gimmicky enough to catch my eye ;-) and I'm so glad it did!  Two major things immediately set this mascara apart.  First, it comes in a soft tube.  I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make since you are supposed to renew your mascara every three months but the idea is to get as much as possible out of the product.  It is also easier to tell when you are running low.  The second thing is the eyeko mascara shield.  This looks like a guitar pick and you are supposed to put it between your lashes and eyelid to keep the mascara from getting on your eyelids.  What a brilliant idea.  Unfortunately, I'm not brilliant enough or coordinated enough to make use of it.

So, if neither of the gimmicks are very useful, why is it so great?  Because it works!  Fancy that.  This is a very black mascara that creates dramatic long and thick eyelashes.  The thin brush makes it very easy to maneuver.  It smudges just the tiniest bit if you are sweating a lot but not enough to negate how wonderful it makes your lashes look.  A word of caution:  this is a very dramatic look.  Probably not suitable for daytime use.  But, when the sun goes down and you need to get your freak on, you'll be ready with this awesome mascara.

(The one on the right.  I will probably try the others at some point)

http://www.eyeko.com/eyeko-skinny-brush-mascara-p-187.html?colour=6

Tools of the Trade

As much as I love beauty products, I am usually satisfied with whatever method of application they come with.  However, there are a few essential tools that every woman should have.  The most important is a good pair (or two) of tweezers.  As far as I'm concerned, buying anything besides Tweezerman is a waste of money.  You would think tweezers would be fairly standard and I don't know why Tweezerman are so much better...I just know they are.  I have a pair in my make-up bag and one at home.  I have a friend who keeps them in her car because you often see so much more in the harsh light of day.  I personally prefer the slant edge because you can use the tips for ingrown hairs or splinters but you have a larger surface for plucking eyebrows, etc.

My second recommendation would be a good blush brush.  The ones that come with blush are never fluffy enough to do a good job.  More often than not, you end up with two streaks and most people cannot pull that off.  I like a retractable brush because it keeps it shape better and keeps your make up bag cleaner.  I like this travel one from Sephora because it's big enough to work but compact enough to fit even in your purse.

My third suggestion is an eyelash comb.  None of the mascaras I've reviewed (and there are more to come!) has been able to perfectly separate all of my lashes.  A quick run through with an eyelash comb can turn an otherwise so-so mascara into something great.  I went with Tweezerman on this too but I think any brand would work.  Just be careful when using them because they are very sharp.  I've ended up with tiny finger punctures more than once!

Last but not least, most women will want to have an eyelash curler.  I am lucky enough to not need one but I have seen what a difference it can make.  I've read that you are supposed to use it before applying mascara but I think it lasts longer if you do it after (and after you use your eyelash comb too).  Make sure to clean it before each use or you will end up with dried clumps on your sexy new lashes and no one wants that!

Of course there is a huge array of beauty tools available but, in my opinion, these are the ones that are essential to looking your best.

Moroccan Oil Frizz Control

Just when I thought I was done with frizz control products (because they never live up to their promises), a co-worker gave me a bottle of this to try.  I knew of the Moroccan Oil brand from a friend who uses it but, knowing that Moroccan Oil and argan oil are the same thing, I figured I would forgo the pretty packaging and just use pure argan oil.  Well, I am so glad fate stepped in.  Whatever they use in addition to the argan oil must help.  This product does amazing things for my hair.  I feel like it does a much better job than any of the keratin treatments or products I have used.  It says to spray 3-5 pumps on damp hair but that isn't enough for me.  I use as much as I need.  If I am combining through my hair and encounter a big tangle, I just spritz a little more in the spot and the comb glides through.  Even letting my hair air dry, the frizz is significantly minimized.  I've also used it as a treatment by spraying it in dry hair and leaving for several hours to overnight before shampooing.  Keep in mind that I have a lot of hair and most people will probably not need to use as much although, except when using it on dry hair, I have never gotten an oily feeling.  I will definitely be trying some of their other products.

http://www.moroccanoil.com/en_US/products/Frizz-Control

Alterna Sparkling Champagne Spray

I am always trying to do something different with my hair but, when your color is coffee brown, it's hard to do anything that doesn't involve bleach.  Although I've used it to put a couple streaks in my hair, I am not prepared to do that kind of damage.  I was looking for temporary highlights that would show in my hair when I came across this product.  It's in my favorite caviar line so I had to try it.  It is supposed to give a subtle, sparkling look to all hair colors.  They are right about the subtle part but it does show.  You have to hold it as far from your head as possible or it ends up looking a little wet/greasy.  It does give you all over shimmer but I did have to point it out to people when I was out.  However, I still like it.  It has a nice scent and, even if I'm the only one who knows it's there, it makes me feel like a sparkly princess and, really, isn't that what we all want?

http://www.alternahaircare.com/stylist-champagne-spray/