Tag Archives: disappointed

Feb6

Nivea “A Kiss of Smoothness” Chapstick Review

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Nivea “A Kiss of Smoothness” Chapstick Review

Hi everyone and happy weekend! Last week my mom surprised me with a new chapstick because I’m seriously always complaining about how chapped my lips are. She came home from the grocery store with Nivea’s “A Kiss of Smoothness” balm and I was so excited because I’ve heard lots of good things about their products. But unfortunately, my new chapstick didn’t quite make the mark so let’s discuss:

My first impression of Nivea’s “A Kiss of Smoothness” chapstick when I put it on was how light it felt. The balms that I usually use tend to be thicker in their consistency which is something that I didn’t realize I liked until now. My number one complaint with this chapstick is that it absorbs much too quickly. To some, that’s a good thing. For me, not so much. I like being able to feel my chapstick on my lips and know that it’s working. Within five to seven minutes the Nivea balm was almost completely absorbed and I was left feeling like I needed more.

Before I snapped some quick pictures of the product, I applied a healthy layer on my lips. By the time I finished preparing the photos, categories, and schedule of this post – I was ready for another helping. What’s the point of a chapstick if you have to keep applying it multiple times per hour? My thing is, is that if the product felt like it was working every time I reapplied it, I wouldn’t have as big of an issue with it. But Nivea’s chapstick leaves my lips feeling dryer than they were before. The way I see it, Nivea’s “A Kiss of Smoothness” balm is giving my lips a few sips of hydration when I really just need a whole bottle!

One nice thing about this product is that it’s not fragranced which is a plus for me. I always end up licking the balm off if it’s scented with a delicious smelling flavor! I can see this balm being great in the summer time when something light is all that’s needed. However, with cold winter weather among us, I need something that really gets the job done and Nivea’s “A Kiss of Smoothness” balm just isn’t strong enough to do that.

All in all, I’m going to rate this product with: one and a half stars. The lightness of the balm and its lack of fragrance is nice. Having said that, it’s extremely inconvenient and annoying to have to reapply your chapstick constantly. Nivea’s “A Kiss of Smoothness” balm might be good for use on occasion but if you’re looking for the cure all product to your chapped lips then this chapstick is not for you…or me, for that matter.

So there you have it, my Nivea “A Kiss of Smoothness” Chapstick Review! What lip balm do you swear by? Who likes to make their own lip care products? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan7

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash Review

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Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash Review

Helloo everyone and happy Thursday! As many of you know, my mom and I have quite the stockpile of bath and body products – lotions, perfumes, shower gel…You name it. Our hoard also includes skincare products like face washes and moisturizers, as well. To me, a face wash is a dime a dozen but I’ve been quite disappointed with Simple’s Moisturizing Facial Wash. I’ve been using this product as of late and have been less than impressed, so let’s discuss:

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My skin type is completely normal – I don’t get break outs, I don’t experience dryness or oiliness, and my skin tone is even. All I really need in a face wash is something that’s strong enough to remove my makeup when I do my daily cleansing in the shower. Usually, I can get away with whatever cleanser I grab from my stockpile but Simple is just not doing it for me.

I understand that Simple’s products specialize in sensitive skin but the facial wash that I’m using seriously feels like it was made for a baby. The texture of the wash is something in between of a cream and a gel and it doesn’t create any type of a lather to cleanse your face with. The lack of lather is evident to the point that it feels like you’re washing your face with nothing. Not to mention, it makes the removal of makeup nearly impossible.

When I wash my face, my skin can always tell. It feels invigorated, supple, and ready for the day. Unfortunately, with Simple, I don’t feel much of anything – except the desire to cleanse my face with another product. Like I said before, I don’t have “problem” skin in the slightest but Simple’s face wash just doesn’t do what I like my cleansers to do…make my skin feel clean! This product had to have been made for those with the most sensitive of sensitive skin…Babies! So if you like your face washes to do a little something extra than Simple is definitely not for you.

I’m going to finish my tube of cleanser because once I start a product like a face wash or exfoliater, I refuse to not finish it. However, the next face wash that I choose will be either strictly a gel or a cream – not something in between. All in all, I’m going to have to rate this product with: half a star. Simple’s Moisturizing Facial Wash receives this low rating for an all around disappointing product as far as cleansing, the texture of it, and the removal of makeup goes. I would not recommend this and do not plan on using any Simple products in the future.

So there you have it, my review of the Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash. How many of you have used Simple products before? How do you feel about them? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec10

American Horror Story: Hotel “Lil Red’s Farewell”

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American Horror Story: Hotel “Lil Red’s Farewell”

Helloo everyone and a very happy evening to all of you! Alright, guys. No one can say I didn’t try. NO ONE. But, on this ninth episode of American Horror Story: Hotel, “She Wants Revenge”, I am throwing in the towel. I refuse to spend any more time on this season. Therefore, I’m renaming tonight’s episode, “Lil Red’s Farewell”.

boohoo

Week after week you guys have tuned in for my reviews and opinions on the new episodes of AHS and I am so humbled and appreciate it greatly. However, it doesn’t feel right putting aside an hour for a television show that’s below sub par. During tonight’s new episode, all I could think of was how much I wanted to crawl into bed and crack open Stephen King’s “Cell”, which I began rereading yesterday. I was craving genuine horror as opposed to the soap opera dramatics that AHS has been delivering every week with episodes that have consistently disappointed.

Not only has this season bored me to tears BUT these posts have been boring me as well. Don’t get me wrong, if I was loving the season it would be different – but it’s so hard to crank out similar posts for every episode when nothing exciting is really happening. During Freak Show, I lived for my Wednesday night articles on the new episodes…So you know something is wrong when I dread firing up the ol’ laptop after epis of Hotel!

I gave this season my best shot and the benefit of the doubt for nine weeks, but enough is enough. I now plan on spending my Wednesday nights tucked in with a good book or perhaps watching some old slasher films. I have an insatiable urge to absorb entertainment of quality and Hotel has done nothing to satisfy this. So, that’s that. I bid you farewell, American Horror Story: Hotel because I’m breaking up with you for good this time. Better luck on season six! Now cue the music!

So there you have it, the final post on American Horror Story: Hotel, “Lil Red’s Farewell”. Now if you’ll excuse me, Cell and a midnight snack is calling my name! What are your opinions on this season of AHS? Who has given up on the show? Who is a die hard Hotel fan? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: Don’t you worry about what I’ll be filling the Thursday and Friday slots on lifewithlilred with! I have some very fun upcoming posts up my sleeve! ❤ 🙂

Nov27

The Body Shop Black Friday Disappointment

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The Body Shop Black Friday Disappointment

Helloooo everyone and happy Black Friday! I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving doing whatever it is that you do. As I mentioned in a previous post, my mom and I love hitting up The Body Shop on Black Friday but unfortunately due to a raise in their prices, we’ll be staying home today. Let’s discuss:

For forever and always, The Body Shop has run their “3 for 30” deal but this year the price got jacked up to “3 for 36”. Not only did the promotion increase in price but so did the gift that you can purchase if you participate in the 3 for 36 deal. Instead of the usual $25 gift bag filled with product that you can buy, it is now $35. This increase in prices equals sixteen extra dollars that you will be spending at TBS if you decide to shop their sales.

Now, “sixteen extra dollars? That isn’t bad,” you might think and I guess maybe it isn’t. BUT STILL! For years and years I’ve looked forward to shopping the 3 for 30 deal so this raise in prices seems cruel and unusual. Have they not heard of the motto “if it isn’t broken then don’t fix it”? The 3 for 30 promo always seemed too good to be true and now it is just a figment of my imagination. Shameful.

In all reality, the deal is okay if you’re buying more expensive items BUT I’M STILL BITTER!! Their Black Friday promotion for 2015 is definitely not worth venturing out to the mall for. In my opinion, I’ll be better off shopping their deals online when they are running one of their beautiful “50% off site wide” promotions. I plan on waiting until the holiday season is over for a promo like that to happen so I can stock up on all of my necessities as opposed to doing so today.

shame

^^^ This basically sums up my feelings about the Black Friday promotion price increase. I’m boycotting!!

Please tell me that I’m not the only one who feels pissy about The Body Shop’s new Black Friday deal. PLEASE?! Who is going out shopping today? What store has the best deals? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov20

I’ll Tell You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought (AHS Episode 7)

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I’ll Tell You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought (AHS Episode 7)

Alright everyone, I need you to know that I’ve tried – but I can’t do it anymore. I’m going to go right out and say it: This season SUCKS. Believe me, I’ve tried SO hard to get into it. I’ve had faith week after week that the episodes are going to get better, but alas, they’re not and I’m thoroughly disappointed. The newest episode of American Horror Story: Hotel entitled “Flicker” will receive my lowest ratings of the season with: half a star. “Why?” You might ask. Well, let me tell ya:

Where is the horror?!: Yes, this season has boasted some terrible and shameful scenes, however, I wouldn’t classify Hotel as “scary” in the slightest. Yes, things get a little bit gory on the show – but is that truly frightening? No. There hasn’t been one moment during season five where I’ve truly been scared and therefore, I’m not a fan. “Flicker” offered quite a lengthy back story on the Countess as well as a possible lead on the Ten Commandments Killer and that’s about it. Did anything really “happen” in the episode? No, not really. I was bored to tears. #sorrynotsorry

Where is the plot going?!: What is this season even about? Lol, seriously someone please enlighten me because the multiple plots that have been introduced are going nowhere fast. There hasn’t been one solid and steady plot throughout the entire season and to me, that’s unacceptable. I have no idea where the episodes are going and what they have to do with the big picture. It’s so evident that Ryan Murphy bit off more than he can chew and I think it was a big mistake casting Lady Gaga. All the Countess seems to do on the show is offer a fashionable presence, which I feel is exactly what she wanted. As I’ve said multiple times, give me Jessica Lange or give me nothing because this show is a flop without her.

boohoo

Where is the acting?!: As a person who loves the theater, I hate “hating” on actors – but the acting on Hotel is sub par at best. Sarah Paulson is dull. Wes Bentley is dull. Chloe Sevigny is dull. Lady Gaga is dull. It’s all very very boring. All of the characters seem to be talking but saying nothing and frankly, it looks like all of the actors were half asleep when they were shooting because their eyes are all glazed over and they look just as confused as the viewers. What drew me in to American Horror Story was that it was a television show that had really phenomenal  actors – and most of the actors on Hotel are phenomenal but they just aren’t bringing it. No one is doing it for me and I’m just completely over it.

*Breaths deeply*…Wow, I really needed to get that off of my chest because it’s been building up for a PHAT minute. As mentioned earlier, episode seven – “Flicker” received half a star for poor acting, a crummy story line, and an overall snooze fest of an episode. Better luck next week, AHS.

I Told You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought of episode seven of American Horror Story: Hotel, “Flicker”, and now it’s your turn! What are your thoughts on the episode and season in general? Who do you think is the Ten Commandments Killer? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: For the record, I don’t think that John Lowe is the Ten Commandments Killer. I know a lot of people think so but it just seems like too obvious of a choice for him to be the TCK. #quotemeonit

Nov13

I’ll Tell You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought (AHS Episode 6)

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I’ll Tell You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought (AHS Episode 6)

Helloooo everyone and welcome to my opinion post on the newest episode of American Horror Story: Hotel, “Room 33”. To be frank, I wasn’t a fan. This episode had me questioning whether or not I wanted to continue watching season five – but fear not, I wouldn’t do that to my readers who tune in to these posts! :*) There was a lot that I just didn’t care for in “Room 33”, so let’s get to it:

Jumpy story lines: “Room 33” was all over the place. The story lines of season five being jumpier than a rabbit on Ecstasy has been one of my complaints since the very beginning, but the newest epi was just too much. We were going from time period, to location, to person, to plot quicker than you could wrap your head around the previous scene. This would all be fine and well if they gave the individual story lines time to develop but that really isn’t happening. In almost every episode we’re introduced to something that could be a potentially cool plot to delve further into but it’s either A) not mentioned again or B) brought up again too late into the season to the point that it feels irrelevant.

Now usually I’m a huge fan of intricate episodes and story lines but there comes a time when it feels like overkill. In almost every episode of Hotel thus far, I feel like Ryan Murphy has bit off more than he can chew. The flimsy plot feels more like unfortunate sloppiness rather than a build up of instances that are going to lead to one major turning point in the season. #whompwhomp

boohoo

A sub par cast: Sorry, but I’m not blown away by any of the actors in this season aside from Denis O’Hare. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is doing an okay job – but that’s just it, they’re just okay. I haven’t seen one stand out performance by a leading character all season and that’s just unacceptable. Wes Bentley is delivering a similar performance each week, so is Chloe Sevigny (Alex), Lady Gaga, Finn Wittrock – basically everyone. And don’t even get me started on Sarah Paulson. Despite Paulson’s lack of being featured in each episode, I’m still very disappointed in her performance. All of the Hotel tenants just seem very lackluster and dull. If you’ve seen ten minutes of acting from each character, you’ve seen it all.

Murder House similarities: “Room 33” felt like I was watching an episode of Murder House that wasn’t very good. I loved the dead and living interaction in Murder House and I never minded it when it showed up sparingly in Hotel. However, the newest episode revolved around the interactions of the living characters and those who died in the Cortez and I felt like I’ve seen it all before. The episode felt too familiar and not in the good way. I understand that the plot calls for the dead to wreak some havoc on the living in the Cortez. BUT, the dead in “Room 33” were being featured more than the living, which I feel is so unnecessary. Had they cut out some of the scenes with those who passed in the Cortez (IE: the woman in the bath tub) and focused a little more on the characters who are still alive, then the episode might have been more cohesive.

All in all, I’m going to have to give episode six, “Room 33” a rating of: one star. This episode did nothing for me and received such a low rating for dull performances and a plot that was too jumpy to be enjoyable. Better luck on episode seven! #disappointed

I Told You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought about the newest episode of American Horror Story: Hotel and now it’s your turn! What did you think of “Room 33”? What character would you like to see more of in the next episode? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

I’ll Tell You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought (AHS Episode 1)

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I’ll Tell You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought (AHS Episode 1)

Hi hi hi everyone and happy Friday! So as you guys know by now, I’m an avid American Horror Story fan but unfortunately, I was very underwhelmed with the season premiere of Hotel which occurred this past Wednesday. There were a few things that really rubbed me the wrong way so let’s discuss:

It was SO jumpy: The season premiere, “Checking In” jumped around so much to the point that it was dare I say, unenjoyable. We were moving from different years, characters, and locations quicker than you could even get used to the people being introduced. I think what I loved so much about season one, Murder House, was how well it flowed. Each episode and story line developed so nicely into one another and I wish that AHS would fall into a more simple but effective story line. I’m not saying tone it down by any means – I’m saying that they shouldn’t bite off more than they can chew for each episode. Am I still thrilled for the future episodes of this season? Hell yes, but the premiere just missed the mark for me. It was hard to establish the tone of each character and at least some semblance of a cohesive plot…Whomp whomp.

The blood orgy: Yeah, yeah maybe I’m a prude BUT the graphicness of the sex filled blood bath between The Countess, Donovan, and their victims just seemed so unnecessary. And here’s the thing, AHS has gone graphic before but it wasn’t something that they just threw a character into willy nilly. I get that they wanted an edgy “here I am” scene to debut Lady Gaga’s arrival as the Hotel leading lady but it could have been done differently. I feel like the “here’s my butt and boobs, let’s have a romp” scene cheapened Gaga’s character and she didn’t even have any lines. Just my opinion!

Scarlett Lowe entering a crime scene house: Seriously, AHS? SERIOUSLY?!!! A child following after his or her daddy detective into a crime scene is SO overdone that I was kind of shocked that they went for it. I actually feel like a lot of the images and narratives of the episode were things that I’ve seen before. Like the Ten Commandments Killer who John Lowe was probably speaking to on the phone after he read to his daughter…Hello! That’s fresh out of Zodiac. And yes, I have to bring up The Shining even though I’m sure everyone has already. As the saying goes, “steal from the best and make it your own” and AHS really did nothing to make The Shining-esque scenes that they copy-catted unique. When I think of American Horror Story, I think of a show that creatively pushes the envelope and there didn’t really seem to be any “wow that was crazy” moments in the premiere…Just a lot of moments that were worthy of an eye roll.

Was the episode “Checking In” completely awful? No, it was still quite good. Was it totally awesome? No, not even close. So all in all, I would give the season premiere two and a half stars. I think that everyone got a little too over zealous with episode one. I’m really hoping that in the future episodes the plot will be more cohesive and the extreme Shining vibe will disappear.

I Told You What I Thought, What I Really Really Thought and now it’s your turn! How did everyone feel about the season premiere of American Horror Story: Hotel? Did anyone have opinions similar to the ones I mentioned? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep29

Gone Girl – Worst Ending EVER -_____-

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Gone Girl – Worst Ending EVER -_____-

I just finished Gone Girl and I am SO ridiculously disappointed in the ending. Like, seriously? The book was absolutely fantastic until the last thirty or so pages. That’s when it just got stupid. Now I can understand the lukewarm reviews on this book, because the ending sucked. The entire novel had so many interesting twists and turns, that the conclusion just seemed like Gillian Flynn gave up. She took an “easy way out” ending. I mean come on, shacking up with your sociopath wife and playing family with her until the day you die? Not impressed. It was obvious that Flynn was trying to end the book with this edgy, dysfunctional family feel, but it just left me feeling like I wasted a lot of time reading the book. Nick tried strangling Amy thirty five pages before the book ended for gods sake and we end with him being cool playing daddy to his and Amy’s child she conceived with his sperm she withdrew from the fertility doctors? What? I’m just so frustrated because I was loving Gone Girl SO much until the end!!! The finale was predictable, anti climactic, and just an all around bummer. In my opinion, it took Gone Girl from a ten to a four, easily. I’m just really confused as to why the book ended like this. Honestly, I wanted Nick to win in the worst way possible. He got shit on the entire four hundred pages of the story. Throw him a bone and throw Amy in jail! Now, I know what you’re thinking – An ending with Nick reining happy and victorious would have been just as lame as the published ending. And in a way that’s true. However, I feel like a lot of readers wanted the book to end that way. Nick was the under dog for a lot of the story, and I for one love a good under dog story. The tables turned on Amy from America’s sweet heart to a total psychopath, and I really wanted her to receive some type of punishment. Get a taste of her own medicine. Sometimes the ending that everyone wants is the best choice, rather than some bogus attempt of being edgy and creative. *Rolls eyes* So disappointed.

Where are all my Gone Girl readers at? How did you feel about the ending? How would you have liked the book to end? Leave me a comment and let’s chat! -Sarah

disappoint

Sep24

The Strain – part two!

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The Strain – part two!

It’s no secret to my followers on here that I’m a bit of a TV show fanatic. My recent obsession has been The Strain, on FX. I deeply enjoyed reading the trilogy penned by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro, and the show has been smooth sailing up until the MAJOR makeup disappointment this week. Any of you who watch the show will hopefully know I’m referring to the SHAMEFUL display of makeup on The Master, as seen below:

thestrain

LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME!!!!! I could have done a better makeup job than that!!!!!!!!!! If any of you have read the trilogy, you’ll know that The Master sounds absolutely horrifying. His looks can only be described as a nightmare come to life. Very often in the book his face is masked by a cloak, which can be seen in my featured image, but when his face is shown, the characters are known to stop in their tracks and stare into his eyes….essentially staring into death. The books leave the descriptions of his appearance fairly vague, because he can jump from one host body to the next at will. The unknown is what makes him so scary. At this point in the television series his host body is a seven foot tall giant man, Sardu. Unfortunately, this disgraceful excuse for makeup read more like a muppet than the staggering appearance of a real life giant. The major problem with these prosthetics is that they literally can’t move. If you watch The Master talk during the show, his mouth only opens and closes, forming no syllables. Which brings me to another problem. WHY IS THE MASTER TALKING?!!?!!!!! In the books, he communicates with his vampire followers and humans alike via telepathy. If they stayed true to this, maybe the makeup wouldn’t have been half as shitty, because we wouldn’t have to see it in action. Just kidding…it would still suck. A quick fix to this makeup malfunction would have just been to keep The Master cloaked. Why display a poor makeup to millions of viewers when leaving our dark lord covered would have given a much more ominous presence? I try to look at the pictures of The Master and make excuses for it, but there’s really no saving this look. That nose. Those ears. Those eyes that practically show the actors actual skin beneath the eyeball. and worst of all THAT MOUTH THAT DOESN’T WORK!!!! I was SO pleased with the television efforts for The Stain until now. What a major buzzkill. I so desperately wanted pure fear when The Master was revealed. I wanted to feel like I was staring into the face of the monster in my closet, under my bed, in the scary furnace room in my basement. But I ended up staring at a poorly applied pull over mask. My suggestions to the current makeup artists on the show: Go to the nearest Halloween store and purchase a mask from there, because it’s sure as hell going to look better than your so called creation! #disappointed #bitter -#Sarah!