Herbal Essences: Honey I'm Strong - Honey, You Ain't Lyin'

Metric Jenn

I haven't had much luck with shampoos and conditioners, you guys. I try and I try...but my hair is very crabby. It could be due to the fact that I haven't gotten a haircut in ages; but with my tight budget, some things take priority. 

*ahem*doggyhaircutsinstead*ahem*

Anyhow, as I was waiting in Safeway for my prescription to be filled, I wandered amongst the hair care aisle. The Honey, I'm Strong by Herbal Essences catches my eye, simply because I'd never seen it before as a part of their product line.

GOSH Professional: Curl It Baby! Defining Cream

Metric Jenn

Please excuse the crappy picture of this product...but it seems to be a rare enough find to not have any results on the Google Image search! Well, lah-dee-freakin-dah. It looks like I've finally hipstered a hair product. I started using this BEFORE it was cool. "But Metric Jenn," you are all asking, "What on earth is that a blurry photo of?" To which I reply, "Don't end your sentences in a preposition, that's just bad form. Oh, and it's this Curl Defining Cream I randomly picked up for like 18$ at Shopper's Drug Mart."

So as long as you stop ending your questions in prepositions, I will gladly introduce you to my new go-to product to stop fly-aways and give a bit more definition to my spirals.

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin: Spin For Me, Baby

Pinky McLadybits

I have only two hairstyles: ponytail and flat-ironed. My hair is super-thick, slightly wavy, and an asshole that resists cute styles that other people are able to wear. If I make a huge effort, play around for at least an hour or more, and use a butt-ton of bobby pins, I can wrangle my hair into something cute for a few hours. 

Yes, only a few hours. After my wedding, bobby pins were shooting from my hair and pinging into the cabs windows and seats. That's how thick my stupid hair is, y'all. BOBBY PIN EXTRACTING THICK!

I was stoked when I received this Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin set from Influenster in my Fall VoxBox. I've been wanting to try these but have been wary of spending the money and having them unable to bear the weight of my hair.

Mirra Renew Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths: Pickle Juice?

Pinky McLadybits

I have been sick for nearly three weeks now. I totally manned up and waited until a couple of days ago to see the doctor, which is totally stupid. It also means that I have been lazing around the house for those three weeks, coughing until my buns are sore and my ribs feel cracked. It also means that I've looked super good. Did I type good? I meant LIKE DEATH. I HAVE LOOKED LIKE DEATH.

I still had to grocery shop and decided that I would be snagging some facial cleansing cloths to make myself feel a bit more human. Based on the dry skin accumulating around my tissue ravaged nostrils, I decided to go with Mirra Renew Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths. It was later that I realized these were Kroger brand cleansing cloths. Not that this mattered to me at all. Do they work? That is the question.

Hot Minute Review: Quilted Northern Ultra-Plush Toilet Tissue

Dixie

Toilet tissue is increasingly resembling the Saturday Night Live razor sketch - many ridiculous options that don't really mean a thing. Do I need the ultra roll or the mega? How about the big roll? Is that better for my butt? Well, now you have more options. When contemplating the best tissue for your tushie, now you have to choose between one-, two-, and three-ply.

Until my husband came home with a package of the Quilted Northern Ultra-Plush Toilet Tissue, I had only even seen one-ply and two-ply paper. Three-ply is just so ridiculous that I had to share here on Hot Ink.

And, you know, it's a good tissue. It doesn't fall apart, leave little rolled up bits on your bits, and it's soft and cushy. Other than the sheer craziness of an extra, and let's face it useless ply, I can find no reason not to recommend it. 6/8 tentacles, docking two tentacles for the crazy. You can find Quilted Northern Ultra-Plush Toilet Tissue for between $7 and $20, depending on package size, at most stores that sell home goods, such as Target, Wal-mart, and your local grocer.

Rating: 6/8 tentacles

A Jack Black That Doesn't Pull Faces: Jack Black's Double Duty Face Moisturizer

Rusty

I ask very little of facial moisturizers. Mostly, that they absorb well and actually impart enough moisture to my skin so that it doesn’t feel like someone grabbed the back of my skull and pulled it tight. Sunscreen protection is a bonus. Jack Black’s Double Duty Face Moisturizer hits all the right notes*. 

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Control Shampoo: Shea What?

Dixie

A good hair cleanser is the foundation of a good hair day. The curly-haired gal or guy needs a shampoo that not only gently cleanses the hair of oil, dirt, and hair product but they will need one suited to their hair type. I'm a big fan of the Shea Moisture brand, so when I saw a gift set with the Coconut & Hibiscus products on clearance at Target earlier this year, I snatched it up.

Before going any further, I must stress the importance of knowing your hair type before trying a new hair product. If you don't know off the top of your head what the porosity, texture, elasticity, and density of your hair strands are, go right now to Live Curly Live Free or Naturally Curly, read, and come back. Got it? Hokay.

Venus and Olay Razors: If You Were Really a Goddess, You Probably Wouldn't Need to Shave At All

Rusty

The vast number of options that confront women when they’re trying to decide the best way to remove hair from their legs can be staggering when you think about it. It’s a fairly straightforward procedure, but you have chemicals that will dissolve the hair off, waxing to rip it out, electrolysis to kill the hair at the root, and finally shaving where there’s a truly dizzying array of number of blades, style of razors, and creams to assist you in your goal. 

Curl Up and Dye: L'Oreal's Excellence Creme

Rusty

After a several months long break from dying my hair, I decided to give it a shot again because I had some stuff coming up for which having distinctly two tone hair seemed like a poor choice. (Although that’s sort of “in” now, isn’t it? Well, whatever.) I decided to try a new hair dye this time around and so instead of the Feria dye that I’d been using, I picked up L’Oreal’s Excellence Creme in 8RB.

The first thing I noticed as I was reading through the instructions was that the box included some things I’d never seen before in my years of home hair dying; a comb tip for the dye bottle and a pre-treatment for dry or damaged hair that you were supposed to apply to your hair before you put the dye on. I put the pre-treatment on the ends of my hair, which are prone to dryness and set about mixing up the dye. 

Dry Goods Athletic Spray: Keep Your Goods Dry

Nora

Before reading this review, there's something you should know: despite running consistently for many years, I've never used any sort of athletic powder before now. I have no idea how this stuff is actually supposed to work. I mean, I know that it's supposed to prevent chafing and absorb moisture and all that jazz, but I have no idea how it stacks up against other products (my only experience with Gold Bond was finding it as a child in my parents' bathroom cabinet and mistaking it for baby powder). Just wanted to get that out of the way in case any of you guys are actually, you know, knowledgeable athletes (I'm more of the bumbling, haphazard sort).

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy: ...

Pinky McLadybits

Full disclosure: I was selected by Influenster to receive a Summer Voxbox filled with products to review. I will be reviewing them whether I find them awesome or terrible.

You know how easy it is to write or explain your dislike or extreme enjoyment of something? You can wax poetic all day long on the disappointment or sheer giddiness provided by that experience/person/product/etc.?

It is infinitely more difficult to properly review something that is neither amazing nor terrible. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner is just that: hard to describe because of its inherent okayness.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF30: You Did The Best You Could

Pinky McLadybits

Full disclosure: I was selected by Influenster to receive a Summer Voxbox filled with products to review. I will be reviewing them whether I find them awesome or terrible.

Summertime. I thought perhaps we could remain in that little bubble of sunshine without humidity we had been enjoying. Alas, it was not meant to be and the heat was in full force on July Fourth this year. So much so that I was forced to wear my bathing suit and lounge in a small pool to stay cool. Since I usually stay in the shade, this meant I needed some sunscreen. 

Obviously, I chose the wrong SPF level with Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF30. I am fair-skinned and the sun is hot and full of burning. That's not the sunscreen's fault, though. It is fully my fault. 

My Face is a Drama Queen: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Napoleanita

Have I talked about my sensitive skin enough? I don't think I have. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT SOME MORE. Because I have found the solution. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.


Basically, my skin is a whiny baby even in the summer. This lotion calms it down and keeps it happy without making me feel like I'm wearing some sort of wetness mask. It never causes breakouts and it doesn't smell like anything at all. I would slather my entire body in it, except that it's definitely on the pricey side. Luckily, you can usually find a substantial sample bottle in Sephora, which lasts me about two to three months of liberal application.

npw Vanilla Fragrance Nail Polish Remover Pads

Pinky McLadybits

You may remember me as the Hot Inker with the nail polish obsession. If not, let me enlighten you! I can't stand the natural look of my nails without polish. I'm a sucker for new colors, especially by O.P.I. when I can rationalize the cost. I like to give the different effects topcoats a go and I like to layer the colors that I have for a new look. I'll even give strips, press-on nails, and glue-on fake nails a go.

I have a problem.

Because of this problem, I need a nail polish remover that will quickly and easily remove all traces of color so I can then start the process all over again. I also need remover that doesn't stink like a chemical factory filled with horse shit, set on fire with wet dog hair, and doused with the piss of a thousand asparagus eaters.

Birchbox Treats: Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+

Pinky McLadybits

This tiny little jar of amazing was the favorite item from my very first Birchbox. Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+ was so tiny that I thought I would only get one use out of the cream that promised to protect my skin and diminish fine lines and wrinkles.

My second Birchbox has arrived and the third will no doubt be here as soon as July10th, but I still have my little jar of Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+ sitting in my medicine cabinet.

If you are like me, you probably wonder just what the hell Abyssine is. Straight from the Kiehl's website: Cool Kiehl’s Fact: The Abyssine 657 “survival molecule” is a polysaccharide found in the depths of the ocean. The ingredient is derived from microorganisms discovered near the Galapagos hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 3,000 meters where the algae is able to adapt itself to the harshest conditions.

In the Mood for… Lip Gloss: NYX Cosmetics Mood Lip Gloss

Rusty

You remember mood rings? I remember a period in the 90s when they were everywhere; in goody bags at birthday parties, as prizes at cheap carnivals, as things you could exchange tickets for at Chuck E. Cheese. They reigned supreme. I probably had like seven of them floating around in my bedroom at one point and all of them stayed firmly somewhere between green and blue (causing all my friends to go “ooooooo, you’re in LOVE!” but we were in elementary school and dumb).


Anyway, I haven’t see them in a while which may be because I’m sort of an adult now or maybe they’re just less popular. But my fond memories of them are probably what attracted me to NYX Cosmetics Mood Lip Gloss. 

The Naked Gun: I.C.U.P.: Looks Like The Cows Have Come Home To Roost.

Pinky McLadybits

Stay with me here. I know we haven't reviewed games before, (apps, yes, but not really games) but here I am. I was approached by the producer of The Naked Gun: I.C.U.P., available today on iTunes and next week on Google Play, to review an advanced copy. As I've known this producer since kindergarten, I said YES. Also, I love playing games. WIN WIN! Bonus: If the game sucked I could kick rocks at him like I did in elementary school. I just couldn't lose. So! Officially, we were given this game for free to review. This is my true opinion of the game and a review would not have been done if I thought it sucked. So now you know.

The Naked Gun: I.C.U.P. boasts the writing talents of the original film and series writer and producer Bob LoCash. He has done a great job of keeping the spirit of the Leslie Nielsen franchise alive in this game. As you can see from the promotional photo, that isn't Frank Drebin. Well, it is Frank Drebin, Jr. Yes, Frank had a son! I wonder if Jane Spencer is the mother...

Shea Moisture Shave Coconut & Hibiscus Shave Butter Creme

Dixie

It's no secret that I have much love for the Shea Moisture line. Everything I've used has been high-quality, effective, and most importantly, agreeable with my skin and hair. So when my local Target expanded their stock of Shea Moisture products to include the Shave line, I hurried on down and snatched up a tub of the Shea Moisture Shave Coconut & Hibiscus Shave Butter Creme. The next day during my shower I eagerly slathered my legs with the sweet-smelling butter, eager to see and feel the results of my shave.

Better Yeux For Ye: Biotherm Homme Hydra Detox Yeux Eye Gel

Park

Here to help me stop terrifying small children

I have dark undereye circles.  Not the kind that I used to get after and all-nighter that last for a half an hour and disappear after a giant coffee and a brisk walk to class in my pyjama pants (Ahhhh, University, how I miss your acceptance of elastic-wasted wardrobe choices).

Now I have the type of undereye circles that cartoonists use to indicate that a character is the hapless lazy, alcoholic comic-relief.  Now, I know how desirable that particular image is (watch out fellers) and how fun it is to regularly have well meaning folks tilt their heads at me like a dog looking at tv and ask me if I was getting enough sleep.  However, I am definitely ready to disappear those suckers.

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation: Not Quite a Dream, But Not a Nightmare Either

MelBivDevoe

Via Maybelline.com

Spring is here, and I'm shedding my winter layers. Time for t-shirts and flip-flops! Anything that weighs me down has got to go, and that includes heavy, greasy makeup. What better time than now to try something that claims to be light and clean, like Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse foundation?

This stuff is exactly what it sounds like.  It's a light, airy mousse that looks like it should be on a dessert plate rather than going on my face.  Or maybe that's just my stomach talking.  It does a lot of my thinking for me.