REVIEW! | Selsun Blue for Itchy Dry Scalp

Overall score: 5 out of 5 jazz hands

I could hug this shampoo! Recently, my scalp started an uprising in the form of frosted flakes, if you will, front and center along my hair line. I think my scalp was angered by a certain hairspray I've been using when I pull my hair back because this problem began when I started using it more frequently. I tried 4 shampoos and 3 conditioning treatments (one left on overnight) but nothing was helping. Frankly, it was getting embarrassing. What does it say about me when I can't even manage my own scalp? There's nothing like wandering into the ladies' room at work around 3 p.m. to discover billowy dandruff puffs dotting your brown hair. It's one of those "How many people noticed this?!" moments. I mentioned this lovely problem to my mom who not only recommended Selsun Blue with the yellow cap for Itchy Dry Scalp, but who also went out and bagged me a bottle! I've now used it 5 times; my scalp is singing kumbaya and has dropped it's flaky weaponry! The flakes stopped after the first use and the red dry patches by my temples were back to their glorious selves after use number two. I have oily hair and the moisturizing formula doesn't make it limp or greasy.

This shampoo came through in the clutch! If you have any dry scalp issues, this product should be your new BFF.

Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was quite an enjoyable read! The bomb that's dropped on the final page? Nice work, Joanne Fluke!

REVIEW! | Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind

Overall score: 5 out of 5 jazz hands

Spring is upon us, and as an allergy sufferer I thought I'd share one of the products that brings me a little relief during the pollen dust bowl daze. Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind is an essential oil-laden lotion that is to be massaged into the back of your neck, temples and earlobes. It will open you right up so remember - a little dab will do ya! Also, they aren't clowning when they say "Avoid eye area". You do not want to get this in your eyes. I speak from experience and that's all I will say about that, LOL!

I recieved the Origins order containing this magical little lotion it at work on a particularly stressful day, so I sampled it immediately. I was amazed by how quickly it cleared up the tension headache I had (in minutes, people!) and I felt a bit more relaxed. My hilarious co-worker Jason tried it and was pleasantly surprised that it felt a little like a massage every time air would pass over his neck where he'd applied it. I believe it contains peppermint oil, which is what gives you that instant cool feeling and helps open up your sinuses. Unfortunately, I don't know for sure since Origins doesn't list the ingredients on their website (Why?????) and I no longer have the box the product came in. If you have any sensitivity to essential oils, I would definitely steer clear of this. However, if you don't have sensitivities but you DO have tension headaches, this product could certainly be a big help to you!

The packaging is great because the plastic ring prevents it from spilling out into your purse (or man satchel) and the bottle is small enough (approximately 2" tall by 1' wide) to tuck easily away in a desk drawer or night stand.

REVIEW! | Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

Hmmm. Although this is being touted as the second coming of Liberace, I just wasn't impressed. On one hand, it does an excellent job of exfoliating dead skin cells from your lips. On the other, the emollients left behind, even after a heavy rinsing session with a WASH CLOTH, make your lips feel greasy in the worst way. The I-just-had-Captain-D's-for-lunch-and-they-were-all-out-of-napkins kind of way. Every time I've used this, I've ended up applying a gentle facial cleanser to my mouth shortly after use because I can't stand the greasy bonanza that continues to party on my lips long after I've sloughed, rinsed, and wash clothed. According to the Fresh website, they advise you to leave the polish on for 5 minutes before rinsing with warm water. 5 MINUTES? The bitter taste of this scrub would preclude me from leaving it on anywhere near that long. No other lip exfoliant that I've read the product instructions for has advised you to leave it on for any length of time. This product is basically sugar and numerous oils. You could make your own with sugar and any variety of oil you have on-hand and it would taste much better! I read a review of this product in a magazine and the article's author claimed to eat the sugar scrub off her lips - no warm water rinse needed - and she said she enjoyed using it at her desk. I don't see how this is possible as the minute any of it gets into my mouth, I'm lunging for the sink basin to remove it.

Bottom line: This is overpriced ($22.50), like most Fresh products, and while it works well for exfoliating your lips, it doesn't taste good and leaves behind an oily residue that has to be washed off with soap and water. The best lip exfoliant I've come across is available to anyone in possession of honey and sugar. Dab honey on your lips and then follow with sugar. Rub the sugar gently across your lips and rinse with warm water. Voila - amazingly smooth lips (perfect prep before using a lipstick or lip stain, or just for removing any dry skin) with no residue. For free! :D

Uglies by Scott Westerfield

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wish we could award half stars, because I would have rated this 2.5. While I found many elements of this book very imaginative, I thought other parts had been done countless times before (escaping to the wild, the teen love triangle, the complete and utter failure to communicate). I don't think I'll continue reading this series as it didn't have enough intrigue for me to want to see what happens next. I never felt the allure of becoming a "pretty" the way the protagonist does, and I found the love story bit kind of blasé.

REVIEW! | Prescriptives Lip Specialist

According to Prescriptives, this balm "Instantly reverses dryness, flaking and chapping. The super emollient and natural ingredients in Lip Specialist Triple Action Therapy deep condition the lips. Botanicals plump lips and even out lip tone for a healthy, rosy finish." This is a fantastic, non-sticky yet not-too-slick lip balm. Much like Baby Bear's bed in Goldilocks, this balm is just right! For years, my usual go-to balm has been Aquaphor, but this may just replace it! It has a very light minty scent that disappears completely after it's applied and it's color-less, so it's a great buy for both men and ladies. It's flavor-free, which I appreciate because it doesn't tempt you to lick it off and cause habitual reapplication. I have no idea what they are talking about with regard to it having "plumping effects" - there isn't any creepy cinnamon oil in it and your lips don't experience that awful tingling usually associated with plumping agents. I think they mean your lips will be nice and well-conditioned and appear "plump" and healthy. Even Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop, gave this balm the nod on Oprah!

The only negative things I can think to say about it is that it costs $16.00 and comes in a pot. The good thing about the packaging is it's a screw-cap lid, so you can easily gain entry. I really don't like lip pots that just press on because they can be hard to pry open, especially after one has just lotionized. The $16.00 price tag is a little high based on the fact that you could acquire a gargantuan tub of Aquaphor for half the cost, but aren't smooth, happy lips worth their weight in gold? :)

Want one for yourself? Get yours at the Prescriptives site here.