Tag: review

New Holy Grail Face wash + trying to tame my Mane

Taking care of oneself is essential.  Self care is a huge part of taking care of oneself.  Personally, I enjoy bathing and bathing-related products including skin care and hair care.

Having these items and using these items makes me feel good, even if only for a short period of time.  A nice new shampoo and conditioner combo and/or face care products make me happy.  My most recent “self care” purchase was small but mighty.

I purchased OgX’s “Quenching Coconut Curls” shampoo and conditioner as well as Soap & Glory’s Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash.  Both were items that so happened to catch my eye the night before on good ole’ Pinterest.  And, in my defence I have been looking for something to tame my waves/curly/frizzy hair as well as a new face wash that would not dry my skin out too much but that also would not make my face feel as though it had not been washed.  All of these products seemed pretty promising and had a lot of great reviews so the next morning I got up and walked to my local Shoppers Drug Mart to find my new inspiration to shower.

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If nothing else, I have found my new favourite holy-grail face wash.  I LOVE this face wash SO MUCH, I am so happy now that I walked around the Cosmetics aisle a good 4x trying to find Soap & Glory.  It retails for about $22.00 CAD which is not bad considering the amount you get.  It is a pretty generous helping of face wash that will last because you only need a pea-sized amount to get a good lather going.  It smells fantastic (to me) and I thoroughly enjoy washing my face every morning and night with this product.

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Good for all skin types and is actually NOT a soap but a complexion-friendly, non drying foaming facial wash.  It smells great and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed but not tight, dry, or irritated.  It has caused me zero breakouts (which is something short of a miracle) and actually helped heal some spots that I was battling.   It also has “polishing micro beads” which is a nice little exfoliating bonus.  I give this face wash a solid 5 lipsticks out of 5.

5 out of 5 lipsticks_iDiV

It is definitely my new favourite and something I will hands down repurchase more than once.

 

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This shampoo and conditioner is lovely but in all honesty did not WOW me like the face wash did.  It smells amazing (if your into coconut) but it did not tame my waves/frizz nearly as much as I had hoped it would.  It is possible that I was just expecting entirely too much out of this product.  I like it but I don’t love it.  I am also not as hip on coconut as I once was which is no fault of the product.  I like it enough to continue using it and I want to try more from this line in the future.  For me the price point was a little high at $12.99 each (and wouldn’t you know a few days after I made this purchase this whole line of products went on sale for @$6.99, just my luck).  All said and done I would give this shampoo and conditioner 3 lipsticks out of 5.

3 lipsticks out of 5_iDiV2

It’s good but it’s not great and for the price (when it is not on sale), I feel that I can get more bang for my buck at Sally Beauty, namely with the 180 Pro line, if I am being completely honest.

Granted I was a smidge disappointed with the frizz-taming abilities of my new shampoo and conditioner, the face wash alone has me so pleased that it’s kind of okay.  I actually kind of have the urge to go buy like, 5 to put away.

My New Favourite Shampoo & Conditioner

I recently purchased Garnier’s Whole Blends Shampoo and Conditioner in “Honey Treasures”.  I am a HUGE fan of honey and honey flavoured or scented things.  I walked by this in the store and it caught my eye, I literally stopped and backed up a few steps to go back and inspect.

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To my delight this product line claimed to “heal and protect” and that is something my hair can ALWAYS use.  Healing and protection. PRO.

This product also claims to be paraben free and made with natural extracts.  Never a bad thing.  Another PRO.

Made with Royal Jelly, Honey, and Propolis Extract – most of which I am really not familiar with the exception of the honey… but sounds good and smells UH-MAZE-ING.  I could literally wash my whole self with this scent and then spritz some on for fun – if there was a spritz-on scent available.  There is not.

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It lathers really well and leaves my hair feeling clean but not overly dried out like most drugstore shampoos do [that are not for severely dry or damaged hair].  The scent is just lovely jubilee.  I really cannot get enough.  It was quite literally the deciding factor.  The conditioner is rich and creamy, it is not one of those run-right-out-of-your-hands-I’m-so-thin conditioners (I’m looking AT YOU Tresemee!).  It left my hair feeling soft in and out of the shower.  I let my hair air dry for the most part and some of my natural wavy curls came poking through.  More PROS.

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One last PRO – It was only $4.99 (CDN/ea.) and with my Shoppers Optimum Points I used I pretty much got these products for free (thank you Shoppers Optimum Card!!! LOVE that thing).

I plan to continue using this and I would like to pick up the deep conditioning mask as well.  I feel this is something I would repurchase in the future, especially if I see it on sale (I loves to nab a good sale!).

One small note, I did find that though these products are supposedly “paraben free”, my dyed-black [areas of my] hair did bleed in the shower.  Now for me personally this is a bit of a PRO.  I knew going in to this endeavour (of buying a more affordable shampoo and conditioner) that there was this possibility and I am ok with that.  I want my dyed black hair to fade out a bit, I find it just a little too harsh too close to my pale pale face.  I think in the future I would prefer black tips instead.  And now I am getting slightly off topic…

All in all I would rate this line a solid 4 out of 5 lipsticks for it’s price point, quality, and amazing scent.

4 lipsticks out of 5_iDiV2

 

It loses a lipstick point for it’s potential risk to dyed hair because even though I like it I don’t know how far it will go in terms of rinsing away colour.

 

Best Bag #WorldFamous #newfave

I have been searching for one of these bags for YEARS!

I had one like it when I was in 9th grade (circa 1999), that I bought with my Dad at an Army Surplus store in Toronto.  Over a decade and a few moves and too many “wardrobe makeovers” to count later and I have no idea what ever happened to my original canvas messenger bag.

This one I found recently online and literally could not order it fast enough :

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My “World Famous” Canvas Messenger Bag.

It is UNBELIEVABLY AFFORDABLE at $12.99 CDN and comes in 4 awesome shades! I purchased mine from GorillaSurplus.com in the shade “khaki”, which is actually more of a yellow – which I like  – I swear my mom had one JUST LIKE THIS back in the 80’s.  It is also available in black, light blue, and army green – I LOVE THEM ALL.  I WANT THEM ALL.

This bag is made from tear resistant canvas, has an adjustable, removable shoulder strap, and heavy duty metal tips and loops.  It is very lightweight and holds everything I need.  The biggest CON I have found [for me] with this bag is that there are no extra pockets.  Well, its a bit of a PRO and a CON actually.  I love the simplicity of just one compartment that is only large enough for me to carry my essentials but at the same time I hate that there isn’t just one inside pocket for my keys or tampons or whatever.  I have improvised with a small makeup bag for all the little bits I don’t need cluttering up my bag.

I like that this bag is small enough to make me carry less but large enough to carry more then I need.  It is strong enough for me to carry cans of Nestea iced tea in there, though that is really starting to weigh on my shoulder(s). Pun intended.

It makes me smile because it is almost the exact same bag as I had in high school.  The one I had in high school wasn’t a World Famous bag though and it cost less.  About $8 CDN at the time.  I am not complaining by any means, for $12.99 I can actually afford to buy another one (if I feel the need… I do like the black – it matches everything!).  And being canvas it is easy to clean should I spill anything in there… I spilled Ranch Dressing in a purse once.  Very unpleasant.  And in a not-easy-to-clean Purse either.

I love this bag SO MUCH I don’t want most of my other purses.  They are not-so-functional for my life.  Unsure if I want the clutter of a crap-ton of purses I don’t need, I am considering selling some online.  Key word here is CONSIDERING.  I am sure I will blog about it if I decide that selling purses is a route that I actually take.  I could use the money to put towards applying for school and my poor, once-loved bags can once again be used and enjoyed… Just a thought.  I feel kind of bad for the little buggers, just sitting in the attic in their Rubbermaid containers.

I like to walk around town, wether I am shopping, taking photos (with my phone), or playing tourist in the historical district, this bag has been a comfortable and functional companion.  Admittedly the front loops can be a little fiddly to work with but again, this is both a PRO and a CON.  At least I know my stuff won’t fall out nor should I fall victim to  any pick-pocketing/pursing.  And as fiddly as the loops can be it sure beats farting around with a stubborn zipper, especially whilst one is checking out and needs to fetch one’s wallet… Yep, been there, done that.

All in all an excellent buy.  I am a very happy and satisfied customer and I will most likely purchase from Gorilla Surplus again. I would rate this bag a solid 5 lipsticks out of 5 for quality, price point, quick shipping and making me smile.

5 out of 5 lipsticks_iDiV

Now.  The Sun is trying to emerge and I am in need of Chocolate.  I bid you adieu.

Happy Friday my friends!

Stay GRooVY 🙂

 

My New Addiction | #QuobyORLY #BreathableNailColor

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Quo by Orly BREATHABLE Nail Color in 3 Spring-alicious shades.
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Happy & Healthy, The Antidote, Beauty Essential

I first started purchasing these nail colours a few weeks ago.  It looked like a new line of Orly polishes so colour-me-happy I bought 2 right off the hop.  Tried ’em, loved ’em, and now I can’t get enough of ’em!

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The 2 that started it all… | Happy & Healthy + Beauty Essential

This polish is a treatment+color as well as the base and top coats.  It’s a one stop shop.  One bottle, 2 coats, your done.  This polish dries fast and has an excellent pigment payoff especially after 2 coats.  It also has excellent wear value.  It does not chip off as easily as other brands (*cough* Essie), I am finding I can go days before noticing a chip.  My nails look pretty farting good all week.

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Grey + Pink | Quo by Orly “Happy & Healthy”

Their colour ranges from clear, baby pink, and mint green to dark purple and a wicked red.  I want them all and I am slowly working on my collection.  I pick one new one up on my weekly Shoppers Drug Mart trips.  It’s a little pick-me-up for getting out of the house and getting errands done.  I might buy the red one next.  I feel like it would look so fab on my toes!

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Dark Purple + Light Pink + Spring Coral = my new FAVES

The formula is smooth with a perfectly sculpted brush for applying professional looking self-manis and pedis.  Easily lasts 7 days with minimal chipping.  Addicting.  Now that I have started to use this line it is the only one I want to use.

My nails these days are hard for me to grow.  They are brittle and break making it hard for me to ultimately shape them the way I like.  Since I started using the Breathable line [4-6 weeks ago], my nails grew out happy and healthy – just as the name suggests! They feel stronger and I have managed to grow them longer then I have in months.  I have actually had to cut them down because they were getting too long for my personal comfort.  Even in trimming I was able to trim my nails nicely instead of taking them down too far because it cut weird on a brittle, dry, nail.  They are not too short and looking much better then this time 6 weeks ago.  Literally the only polish I want to wear on my fingers and toes this Spring and Summer Season! I cannot wait to buy AND TRY (!) the next addition to my colour collection.

Solid 10/10 for this Quo+Orly collaboration.  I have always enjoyed Orly Nail Polish and this line does not disappoint.  I am literally excited to go out tomorrow (Saturday) morning to get me another shade.  It’s a little thing but it’s a happy thing in my little world.

I may not be able to change my past or lift myself out of the depressive potholes I keep falling into but I can change my nails.  It makes me happy to see a pretty colour on my nails [especially if I can GROW them!].  There have been times in the recent weeks I would just be lying in bed staring into space, zoning out into the wonderful world of “what ifs”, questioning everything, and I look at my new pretty nails that I did myself and it zaps me back to a happier thought.  There are days when I may not even wash my face, let alone shower, but I will make time to paint my nails (not everyday, just some days).  It is a small gesture of self care to myself and for whatever reason, it helps.

It’s a little pizzaz in my otherwise pizzaz-less outfit of track pants & my love’s sweatshirt. I would rate this line of nail polish a 4 out of 5 lipsticks for a great formula, being a 3-in-one, and because I am indeed addicted to buying them.  It loses a lipstick, ironically, for it’s price point.  It retails for about $10.99 CDN (when not on sale) and that just saddens me.  I know that “higher-end” polish does indeed go for more then $10 a bottle but I personally prefer to pay LESS then $10 for one bottle of polish, especially at a drugstore.

4 lipsticks out of 5_iDiV2

So now we wait. For tomorrow we will have a new colour to apply to keep me reverting to happy thoughts all week.  Until then take care and thank you for reading about how much I enjoy this new nail polish.

 

The Magic of Bio Oil

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A couple of months ago I purchased some Bio-Oil.  I bought it in the hopes of reducing a nostril piercing scar.  My hopes were high, as always, though in the back of my mind I did not really expect much.

Before and even after purchasing Bio-Oil I did a fair amount of research.  Again, I was mostly interested in what it could do for scarring.  I came upon a lot of anti-aging information and skin benefits but really thought nothing of it.  I just wanted to make this scar look a little less noticeable, to me at least, I’m sure nobody else even really notices it.

I bought the smallest bottle of it that I could find at Shoppers, not wanting to spend extra money on something I may potentially not even really use.  How ironic.  I started applying Bio-oil only to my piercing scar(s) as soon as I got home.  Later, I read the pamphlet in a little more detail.  It stated that one should use the product for a minimal of 3 months to see results.  This lowered my I-want-to-see-it-now happy high I was on.  Three months?!?  Ugh.  It seemed like SO LONG.

Unlike me, I persisted to use Bio-Oil and even began rubbing it into more skin on my face. I read that it is good for uneven skin tone, aging, and dehydrated skin (actually, it says that right on the box!).  So I figured why not try to make my whole face look better and not just my piercing scars.  Even though it is an oil it soaked into my skin and didn’t leave an oily sheen all over my mug.  It’s kind of nice and a little fun to rub it into my skin, it leaves my face feeling SO GOOD.

I got sick recently and umpteen nose-blows later my skin was so dry my poor nostrils were peeling like they were sunburnt.  This encouraged me to up my Bio-Oil game, applying it in hoards pretty much every time I could remember.  Upon feeling better I could not help but notice that my skin looks AMAZING.

Not only is my piercing scar less noticeable but I feel like my pores are less noticeable, my skin tone is not so patchy and my acne scars are fading.  I am hooked.  I never thought that an OIL would be part of my everyday regime.  As someone who suffered from severe acne and needed a 6+ month round of Accutane in my early 20’s to get rid of it, I am not usually keen on rubbing an oily substance into my face.  Bio-Oil has very pleasantly surprised me. It has not made me break out once (knock on wood…).  I have even started using it on my neck, chest, legs, hands, and feet.

It has been a little over 3 months and I can see a difference.  Forget the small bottle, I’m going in for the biggest one I can get my hands on next time.

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I would rate this product a solid 5 out of 5 lipsticks for EVERYTHING.  It feels really good and it WORKS! It does seem a tad pricey (to me) *BUT* a little goes a long way so I feel I am getting my moneys worth.

5 out of 5 lipsticks_iDiV

Please keep in mind that this is my personal review/opinion of Bio-Oil.  I am not telling you that you should or should not use it.  That is up to you to decide.

Also, my apologies I have no photo proof of my alleged change in my skin.  I honestly did not think this stuff was going to work for me at first and never thought to take a few photos.

I purchased this product for myself from Shoppers Drug Mart.  Oh how I loves Shoppers… and now Bio Oil 😉