• nume rise and prime hair primer

    First Impressions with NUME

    October 28, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the NuMe hair products: Classic Curling Wand and Rise And Prime Hair Primer.

    Hair Type(s): Safe for all hair types, including thick, curly, frizzy, and damaged hair.

    Features

    • 100% tourmaline ceramic barrel
    • Clipless design for crease-free curls
    • Heats to 410°F in seconds
    • On/off power switch with indicator light
    • Far infrared heat
    • Negative ion conditioning technology
    • Fully rotating swivel power cord
    • Ergonomic design

    19mm barrel for tight ringlets, 25mm barrel for glam curls, 32mm barrel for beach waves

    • includes a heat-resistant styling glove
    • Far infrared heat – sends a gentle heat directly into the hair follicle and out to the cuticle to protect strands over time.
    • Tourmaline ceramic – offers a smooth, friction-free surface to reduce breakage and naturally conducts far infrared heat and negative ions for healthier heat styling.
    • Negative ion conditioning technology – maintains moisture and eliminates frizz by sealing the hair’s cuticle while boosting shine.

    The classic curling wand also comes in 6 different colours: Black, Pink, Turquoise, Blush, Mint Green and White. The 19mm only comes in Black and some of the colours are currently sold out.

    Currently on sale for $62 USD, regular price is $89 USD.

    HOW TO

    Curl: Wrap small sections of hair around the barrel for three to five seconds. Catch the curl to cool and set, then release. Wear the heat-resistant styling glove for added protection. 

    I chose the 32mm barrel curling wand in black. Personally, I prefer beachy waves because I look older with curls. Also, my hair is stick straight, so it usually doesn’t hold a curl really well.

    This is my first time using an actual curling wand. I’ve only used curling irons with clips. I’d say my hair is pretty thick, but it styles my hair well. I get the waves that I want. I tried using it without applying hairspray because I wanted to see how long the waves would last. I did my hair early in the afternoon and it still had some waves by the evening.

    Pictured is right after curling my hair. I ran my fingers through it to soften the waves. I will try to take a selfie and post it on my Instagram.

    RATING: 4/5

    This curling wand is their most basic one. If you have thinner hair, you may want to choose one that controls the temperature. They have the Magic Curling Wand (retails for $129 USD).

    I wish it had a bit of a stand so that the wand part doesn’t touch my desk after I’m finished using it. Since it’s a bit top heavy, the barrel touches my desk. Luckily, I have a silicone mat heat protector. The fingers of the heat protecting glove are really long. I don’t think anyone’s thumb could be that long. 

    Protect and nourish your strands without weighing hair down. Use Rise and Prime Hair Primer on its own as a base prior to heat styling or on its own as a leave in conditioner.

    Directions: Apply a generous amount onto wet or damp hair directly out of the shower. Use before heat styling for added protection or on its own as a leave in conditioner.

    • Hydrolyzed Silk replenishes hair with amino acids, improves against breakage and forms a protective barrier
    • Sunflower Seed Oil, an antioxidant with fatty acids, rich in beta carotene which moisturizes and controls frizz and prevents thinning of hair; packed with vitamin E and oleic acids which helps nourishes and softens hair
    • Honey Extract prevents drying of hair; natural humectant, keeping hair lustrous and moisturized
    • Isoparaffin enhances texture

    Ingredients: Aqua, cyclopentasiloxane, dimenthiconol, phenyl timethicone, polyacrylamide, c13-14 isoparaffin, laureth-7, hydrolyzed silk, helianthus annus (sunflower) seed oil, honey extract, parfum, phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, citronellol, linalool.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    Straight out of the bottle, the scent is a bit strong for me. It’s a bit sweet for my liking, but once you dry your hair, it’s very faint. It felt like my hair dried faster after using this and my hair feels and looks silky smooth.

    This was a great first introduction to NuMe hair products for me. I would definitely consider buying other products from their collection.

    Have you tried NuMe hair products? Which are your faves?

    Love,

    *Product was sent to me for review. Links are affiliate links. Information in italics taken from the Nume Hair website.

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  • Bubble Fresh Start Gel Cleanser

    Review | Bubble Fresh Start Gel Cleanser

    July 2, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    Today I’m reviewing Bubble’s Fresh Start Gel Cleanser.

    “Bubble is the first skincare brand made for Gen-Z.” Even though it has Gen-Z in mind, people of all ages can use it.

    • Science-driven products that are sustainable, vegan and cruelty-free
    • What you won’t find: harsh chemicals, additives, fillers or fragrances
    • Partnered with Better Help to offer 50% off of online therapy with each initial purchase
    • Donate 1% of their profits to organizations that support teens facing mental health difficulties

    Our everyday cleanser purifies skin without drying it out. This gel-based formula cleanses away pore-clogging impurities while simultaneously soothing skin—and without any harsh ingredients that can strip it of essential moisture. The end result: A complexion that feels fresh, clean, and balanced.

    Price: $16 USD for 4.2 FL OZ 125 mL

    • For all skin types
    • Free of denatured alcohols, parabens, artificial color & added fragrance materials
    • Made in the USA

    Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Caffeine, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

    The packaging is cute. I like the baby blue and the fact that it comes in a pump. There are two things I don’t love about the packaging:

    1. When you push the pump, it dispenses onto the side of bottle if you keep it upright. So I need to tilt the bottle (90°) to make sure it dispenses onto my hand.
    2. I don’t know if I’m just not strong enough, but it’d be nice if the bottle could open so that when I’m closer to finishing it, I can see how much is left.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    I like that it’s a gel cleanser. There’s no added fragrance, the natural scent isn’t my favourite, but since it’s a cleanser, it’s not a big deal. I have dry skin and I tried using it out every day for a week. It didn’t make my skin feel dry. Since it has PHA (polyhydroxy acid) which is an exfoliant, I like to use it a few times a week as my night cleanser. I use about 2-3 pumps each time, So I will keep track of how often I use it to see how long it takes to finish up.

    Back in high school, I had no idea what BHAs or AHAs were. I don’t even remember what I used as a cleanser, I might’ve just used bar soap and water. Just thinking about it makes me cringe. I barely had a skincare routine. I would use the same moisturizer as my mom (she has oily skin and I have dry). I wish I had been more interested in skincare when I was a teen. I only knew about drugstore brands like Clean & Clear and Neutrogena. Even then, I barely used anything.

    Have you heard of Bubble?

    Love,

    *This product was sent to me to try out.

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  • perricone no foundation serum

    First Impressions with Perricone No Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF30

    February 4, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’ll be reviewing a product I received from Calissa. It’s the No Foundation Serum from Perricone MD.

    Perricone MD’s No Foundation Serum instantly softens imperfections and minimises the appearance of wrinkles and pores with Neuropeptides without settling into fine lines. A luxurious fluid texture leaves a semi-matte suede finish with a breathable second skin effect.

    It’s really nice, the only thing about the one sold at Calissa is that it comes in 1 universal shade. The Perricone website has multiple shades, but it’s SPF20. I don’t know if the formulation is different or if it’s just a slightly lower SPF.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    It wore well and it looked like skin. It has a nice, soft matte finish. By hour six, it was breaking up a little bit. I set it with the Charlotte Tilbury powder. It’s really good for someone who has dry skin like me. I don’t know how it would work on someone with oily skin. It would probably start to break up a lot sooner. I have mostly dry skin, but I do get an oily t-zone. It didn’t look cakey around my nose which was great. I prefer a more dewy look which can be achieved by mixing in a liquid highlighter. I give this specific “universal” broad spectrum serum a lower rating. If I tried a shade that matched me, I might give a higher rating.

    Perricone MD replied to my Instagram review saying: We have another formula, No Makeup Foundation (vs. Foundation Serum) that we think you may like better based upon this feedback!

    If you would like to make a purchase on Calissa.com, use code 10FRIENDSOFCALISSA to get 10% off! (This is not an affiliate code, just a code for you to get a discount!)

    Check out my other posts on products I’ve received from Calissa!

    Love,

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  • First Impressions with MOR Emporium

    October 9, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Last month, I received a box from Calissa with 3 products and today, I’ll be reviewing the MOR Emporium Trio of Treasures. The trio includes: a soapette, hand cream and perfume oil. They sent over the Lychee Flower scent. It looks like Calissa doesn’t have the Trio of Treasures, but they do have the soap and candle in the lychee flower scent as well as a variety of other products from the brand.

    First of all, I love the beautiful design on the products and the tin is such a cute little container.

    All 3 products smell very strongly of lychee especially the perfume oil and hand cream.

    Hand Cream

    Enriched with Vitamin E, Shea and Cocoa Seed butters for smooth, soft and perfectly perfumed hands.

    I don’t like using scented hand creams, so I gave it to my mom to use. She tried it on and she said the cream felt very nice and moisturizing, but it was a bit too strong for her. So, she ended up giving the cream to my grandma who loves scented hand creams.

    RATING: 3/5

    While it is a nice scent and the hand cream itself is nice, the scent is so strong that you wouldn’t be able to wear it in an office.

    Perfume Oil

    Bountiful with Rosehip, Vitamin E, Sweet Almond Oil and flourishing with fragrance for silky-soft skin and perfectly perfumed pulse points.

    The perfume oil is a rollerball and as soon as I applied some to my wrists, I could instantly smell the lychee. The product felt very nice (not too oily). After a while, it started to mix with my body chemistry and faded a bit after I washed my hands. By the end of the day, it smelled quite nice. Personally, I love fruity fragrances, but this one is a bit on the sweet side for me.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    Soapette

    Housed in a collectable tin, each precious Soapette creates a decadent lather that leaves skin brilliantly refreshed.

    • Enriched with nourishing Shea Butter and Vitamin E
    • Velvety Triple-Milled soap for a smoother, creamier and more luxurious lather

    I think the soapette is my favourite product. It smells like lychee, but when you walk into the bathroom, you can’t smell it. You can definitely smell it when you use it though and it’s the most subtle of the three products. I’ve been using it for a few weeks as the soap on my sink and it hasn’t softened (like some soaps I’ve tried). There’s still quite a bit left.

    RATING: 4/5

    All of these products were nice, but if you have a sensitive nose like I do, you probably won’t like these. If you don’t mind stronger scents and you like lychee and sweet-smelling products, you’ll like these products.

    If you would like to make a purchase on Calissa.com, use code 10FRIENDSOFCALISSA to get 10% off! (This is not an affiliate code, just a code for you to get a discount!)

    Check out my other posts on products I’ve received from Calissa!

    Love,

    *I was sent this product by the team at Calissa. All opinions are my own.

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  • elle erm anti-stress age perfecti=or rejuvenating and brightening cream

    First Impressions with Ellé Derm Australia

    August 23, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today I am reviewing an All-in-One Day and Night moisturizing cream. I was sent the Anti-Stress Age Perfector Rejuvenating & Brightening Cream from an Australian brand called ellé derm. A little bit about the brand:

    Founded by a pharmacist with over fourteen years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, we saw market demand for a product that is effective, derived from natural ingredients and have multiple benefits to fit in with our busy lifestyle.

    Anti-Stress Age Perfector Rejuvenating & Brightening Cream

    Designed to help improve skin clarity, brighten skin complexion and reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

    Benefits:
    · Provide skin hydration for softer skin · Brighten skin complexion · Reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

    Skin Types:
    All skin types, except very sensitive and eczema

    Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Inulin, Fructose, Stearic Acid, Squalane, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Oleate, Oligopeptide-68, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol [Natural, ECOCERT], Water, Cantella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Fragrance [Essential Oils], Potassium Sorbate.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    Based on the description, it’s probably not the best for my skin type since I have both sensitive skin and eczema. I tried it out anyway and while I don’t have fine lines and wrinkles, I do have acne-prone skin and this cream has squalane and salicylic acid. I had a bad breakout on my chin from my period and the cream seems to be helping. It doesn’t have much of a scent which I like. It stays a bit tacky throughout the day, but that just means it doesn’t absorb too quickly and keeps your face hydrated. I used to use salicylic acid products all the time, but now I’ve cut it down to using it only when I need it.

    This is a nice cream, but it isn’t geared towards my skin type. I will continue using it when I have a breakout. It’s more beneficial for someone who doesn’t have sensitive skin or someone older since it helps with wrinkles and fine lines. Also, it’s an Australian brand and you have to pay shipping for international orders. If you live in Australia, this is a nice brand to try out.

    Have you heard of Ellé Derm Australia? Check them out on Instagram or Facebook!

    Love,

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  • First Impressions with No Pong All Natural Deodorant

    March 19, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I was sent two deodorants from No Pong, an Australian brand. Here’s a little info from the website:

    “pong” is an Australian/British term for an extremely strong, unpleasant smell. 

    No Pong is an extremely effective, All Natural Deodorant

    Made from delicious, all natural ingredients, blended together to create a ridiculously effective, sweat resistant, all day deodorant that does exactly what it says on the tin!

    Guaranteed to be 100% paraben, aluminium, cruelty and plastic free.

    No Pong is simple to apply, just like a lotion or a sunscreen.  Just take a dab on your fingertip, and apply to your armpit.

    They currently sell two: one with baking soda and one without. I decided to try the low fragrance one without baking soda. The consistency is similar to a sunscreen; it’s thicker than a lotion, but not waxy like a balm. Based on how it looked before I touched it (like the top one in the picture), I thought it would feel more balmy, so I was surprised when it felt creamy.

    It’s great that their deodorants have a gender-neutral scent. For me, I mostly smell the lemongrass which I’m not a huge fan of, but the deodorant works well and the scent is subtle enough that you can’t smell it (unless you apply too much). Obviously it’s not going to be like an anti-perspirant that will counteract sweat from a rigorous workout. But, I have sweated a little while wearing the deodorant and it help up well.

    I noticed that when I accidentally used too much of it, I got that white residue under my arms (like when you wear anti-perspirant). You really only need a small amount.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    I like how compact it is and that there’s no aluminium, it’s affordable and there’s no added fragrance (only essential oil). I also like how there’s a no baking soda option because I have sensitive skin. I’m not a huge fan of the lemongrass scent and I don’t love that you need to use your finger to apply it. I always have to wash my hands after and before I apply it whereas a deodorant stick is easy to pop on without having the need to wash my hands before and after.

    I’ve put the Original one into my 5K Instagram Giveaway because I already have another natural deodorant and didn’t want the ununsed one to go to waste before I got a chance to use it.

    What’s your fave natural deodorant? Have you tried No Pong?

    Love,

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  • Review | Essence The False Lashes Extreme Volume & Curl Mascara

    November 7, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing another mascara! I also have two more mascaras that I haven’t opened yet. Here’s my review for another Essence mascara!

    Extra volume, extra curl! Essence’s The False Lashes Mascara Extreme Volume & Curl fiber brush ensures maximum volume and curved lashes with a false lash look.

    My lashes feel very soft after using one coat and when I lightly rub my lashes with my finger, nothing transfers. It removes easily with micellar water without giving the raccoon eyes.

    After about 3 hours, it was getting a bit smudgy on my under eye and I only applied the mascara to the top lashes. After 4 hours, the my left eye was definitely smudged and flaky. I don’t know why it was just my left eye…do I blink harder on that eye? Did I accidentally rub it without noticing? My right eye was a little smudged, but not as bad. While it did smudge pretty badly, it managed to keep the curl of my lashes better than other mascaras I’ve tried. I won’t be repurchasing this mascara because of the flaking.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    Comparing this to my review of the Get BIG! Lashes Triple Black Mascara, I think I prefer this one for the brush, but I prefer the other one for the formula.

    Have you tried Essence mascaras? Which is your fave?

    Love,

     

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