This post is sponsored by VIIcode, a skincare brand that focuses on eyes. A few years ago, I reviewed their VIIcode O₂M Oxygen Eye Mask for All Night Repair (read my review). Today, I’ll be reviewing the VIIcode O₂M Oxygen Eye Mask for Dark Circles.
These individually wrapped gentle oxygen eye masks are designed for continuous 8 hour use overnight. They contain a natural, alcohol-free, non-irritating formula and are completely safe to use. Each mask is infused with a potent blend of nourishing ingredients that work hard to reduce dark circles and puffiness so you wake up looking youthful, refreshed and well-rested.
VIIcode recommends wearing the patches for 6-8 hours. On the back of the pack, it says to “let the masks work their brightening and hydrating magic no more than 8 hours, then remove.” Make sure to follow their instructions, since you don’t want to have any irritation (especially to your sensitive under eyes).
Comparing these to the All Night Repair masks, these also have a cotton-y side and the other is like a gel-like membrane. It’s been a few years since I reviewed the All Night Repair ones, so I don’t know if they’ve changed the shape. The ones for Dark Circles are symmetrical, while the All Night Repair masks had one side that was slimmer. I prefer the symmetrical ones since it covers more surface area. Also, I like that both eye masks aren’t scented.
To apply, your skin should be clean and dry. Make sure to put them on carefully because repositioning them will make them less tacky on the sides and they might lift while you sleep. I tried wearing them both before bed and overnight. Some people might wear a sleep mask to bed, I don’t so I’m not used to having anything on my face while I sleep. While wearing them, you can definitely feel them on your face, but it’s not uncomfortable. They aren’t like pimple patches where you can’t feel them once you put them on. I can definitely tell they are on since they are quite big and right under my eyes. So when you move your face, you can feel them.
If you’re wearing them to sleep and you’re a side/stomach sleeper, I would make sure to take them off a good amount of time before you leave the house, they left a mark on my face once or twice. Like when you wake up from a good sleep and realize you have a line on your face from your duvet.
I like that these are dry eye masks. They won’t slide down your face and because of the cotton-y side, you can wear them to bed without getting serum/product all over your pillowcase. The gel makes them stay in place, but they aren’t so sticky that it leaves a sticky residue after. It just feels tacky like you applied some eye cream, but it goes away once it absorbs into the skin and feels smooth. I didn’t get a chance to try, but I think makeup would apply nicely after wearing the masks overnight.
The gel of the eye masks makes them feel nice and cool. These would be great to use during the summer. Sometimes I throw my sheet masks into the fridge to cool them down, so I tried putting a pair of these eye masks in the fridge for half an hour. On the initial application, they felt quite cold. After a few seconds though, I got used to the cold and it didn’t feel that much different from the eye masks at room temperature. I also found it a bit harder to peel the backing off when they were cold (the gel seemed stickier), so I prefer keeping them at room temperature.
RATING: 3.5/5
I think you would have to do more than 6 treatments to know whether these help in the long-term. You would have to be using them for a few months instead of just a few weeks. A box of masks comes with 6 pairs which is only enough for three weeks if you use them twice a week.
I think I prefer the All Night Repair Masks since I don’t have dark circles. For me, these are more of a self-care item than a treatment since I’m not trying to target dark circles or wrinkles.
Today, I’ll be reviewing products I received from BeautySense.ca! This post was sponsored by BeautySense.ca and the products above were sent to me for review, but all opinions are my own. The links below are NOT affiliate links.
Beautysense.ca is a Canadian-owned website that sells beauty and cosmetics products.
We have deep roots within the beauty industry operating successful spas and salons in Canada.
BeautySense.ca was launched in 2013 with a vision of providing Canadians with a trusted and reliable source of beauty products while contributing the same customer service and education found in our spas and salons.
BeautySense.ca currently offers well over 4000 quality products from top Canadian and International brands and we continue to add new brands every month. We cater to each of you, our customer, to reach a goal of 100% satisfaction.
They sell a wide variety of skincare, home, bath & body, makeup and wellbeing products.
Free shipping on all orders within Canada, no minimum!!
They have promotions every now and then. A free gift with purchase, discounts on certain brands, etc.
I don’t know if they have sales throughout the year, but I have signed up for the newsletter to email me. So I will update this post if I am notified of any sales throughout the year.
They have a loyalty program. Receive 1 point for every $1 you spend
BeautySense let me choose the products to try out so I went with a 3 products from brands I’ve never tried before and 2 products from amika (love the scent of their dry shampoo and soulfood nourishing hair mask).
Colorescience: Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Flex SPF 50 | $63
A lightweight mineral sunscreen with tinted color coverage immediately evens skin tone for a flawless look. Available in four uniquely flexible shades for a range of skin tones, it features innovative, tone-adapting pigments that offer medium, buildable colour coverage with a natural finish.
This is drier than I thought it would be. I think I could’ve tried the medium shade instead of fair because it’s very white on me. For sunscreen, I usually just squeeze it out onto my hand and then apply to my face, but I think maybe it’s better to do a little at a time for this one. Instead of trying the medium tinted shade, I think I would just try the original (non-tinted) one next time.
Amika: The Wizard Detangling Primer | $34.50
A weightless, multi-benefit priming spray that detangles, cuts blow dry time and protects against thermal and environmental damage. Leaves hair smooth, soft and radiant.
This detangled my hair so quickly and my hair felt smooth and sleek. It looked shiny and smelled really nice. It has the same scent as the normcore conditioner and dry shampoo.
Amika: Normcore Signature Conditioner | $26
Boost hydration, softness and shine daily with this everyday conditioner, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
I used to love the Perk Up Dry Shampoo, but I stopped buying products with aerosol cans. Since this has the same scent description, I figured this would be the same and it is. At the time, the shampoo was out of stock, but I would definitely get the shampoo. My hair is healthy because I don’t dye it and I don’t use styling tools all the time. So I usually stick to buying shampoos and conditioners from the drugstore. I have bought a few expensive shampoos and conditioners and I use them every couple weeks when I feel like a pick-me-up.
Jane Iredale: PurePressed Blush in Barely Rose | $41
A silky, easy-glide pressed blush that builds like a powder and blends like a cream for seamless, long-lasting color and a fresh, healthy glow.
The blush is a pretty pink shade that looks like a natural blush to my cheeks. I did notice that the blush had faded by the 6 hour mark though. I purposely applied more blush than usual just to see how it wore throughout the day. So, by the 6 hour mark, it was no longer noticeable and by the 9 hour mark, it was definitely gone. I used a cotton pad to wipe the makeup and no blush came off.
Blinc: Ultravolume Tubing Mascara – Black | $32
Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your sweaty workout then out to dinner, Blinc Tubing Mascara Ultra Volume will make your lashes look as good in the evening as they did when you first applied it in the morning.
I have typical Asian lashes that don’t keep a curl for very long so I was surprised at how well this mascara kept the curl. I was wearing the mascara for about 9 hours and my lashes were still curled. They might’ve gone down a little bit, but they definitely had a curve to them still (not sticking straight down). I did notice a few flakes on my eyelid and under eye by the 9 hour mark. I think I may have touched my eye at some point. The mascara removes easily with warm water. I would say to remove the mascara with warm water before removing the rest of your makeup. So the tubes don’t get all over your face.
They have a number of brands that I’ve never tried, so I’d be interested in buying those in the future and reviewing them on my blog.
For me, they all performed about the same. I don’t wear waterproof mascara or eyeliner, so I can’t say how well these cleansing balms work for those. I cleanse with a regular cleanser after using the cleansing balms, so I don’t mind if there’s a film from the cleansing balm.
Texture
Youth to the People (YTTP)’s cleanser is the most crumbly and it’s not as emollient as the others. Due to the texture being more crumbly, it didn’t remove my makeup as well. I had to work it in longer than the others. The Inkey List one comes in a tube, so it’s a more runny texture. I have to make sure to massage the tube first before squeezing any out. I was sent the Juno & Co cleansing balm and it came melted . They sent me a new one, but I’m worried about how easily it melted.
Comparing the textures to food: The YTTP one is like mashed potatoes (with nothing added in). The melted Juno & Co one was like melted butter that had cooled down a bit (still runny, but not completely liquid). The new tub I was sent still wasn’t as solid as the other ones.
Packaging
The K-beauty cleansing balms come with spatulas, while most of the others don’t come with one. Glow Recipe wins for best packaging since it comes in a glass jar that closes nicely. I wish the spatula could fit inside the jar, but I understand why they have a larger one since the jar is quite deep. I keep all of my spatulas in a little glass container, but it’d be nice to have it in the jar if you travel. The Youth to the People one also comes in a glass jar, but when I unscrew the lid, it doesn’t feel as smooth as the Glow Recipe. The Clinique, Heimish and Banila Co. cleansing balms come in sturdy, plastic containers. When you open the lids of the Heimish and Banila Co balms, there is a spatula inside. The Juno & Co one is a cheaper container that I sometimes have trouble closing if the inner lid isn’t perfectly aligned. The Inkey List one comes in a tube. This is my least favourite packaging since the cleansing balm is already more emollient than the others. I would not travel with the Inkey List or Juno & Co ones. A few times, I’ve had to wash off both of them because the products got onto the packaging.
Cost
In the table below, I’ve calculated the cost per mL for the cleansing balms I’ve tried. I also added others that are available on Sephora and K-beauty ones I want to try.
Price (CAD)
Size
Cost per mL
Packaging
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original) - 100mL
25
100mL
0.25
plastic with spatula
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original) - 180mL
Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
45
100mL
0.45
glass jar, no spatula
Looking at the cost per mL, I was surprised which ones were more expensive. The Drunk Elephant one actually isn’t the most expensive one on the list.
The Clinique one was the first one I tried. I finished it before trying other ones, so I wasn’t able to compare them side by side. I liked it a lot because it doesn’t have a scent and I don’t remember it having a filmy feeling after using it. I will buy it again once I’ve finished my current ones and update this post with a final verdict. For now, I will exclude it from the ranking. My favourite is the Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm. It is on the more expensive end, so for the lower range, I would pick the Heimish All Clean Balm. It doesn’t have any added fragrances and you get more in the tub (120mL vs 100mL for most of the other brands).
Have you tried these cleansing balms? Which is your fave?
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review.
I’ve actually enjoyed all of the products that I’ve tried from Volition Beauty. So, I don’t really have any for MISSES. Although I’ve been sent a lot of the Volition products, I plan to repurchase some of them in the future.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Strawberry-C Brightening Serum* (read my review) – I really liked this serum. My skin looked dewy and fresh after applying this serum.
How long does it last? 1oz bottle – about 120 uses (half pump per use) = 4 months, once daily OR 2 months, twice daily
Snow Mushroom Water Serum – I really liked this serum too. It does have a slight smell to it that I can’t really describe. It’s not strong and doesn’t linger though.
How long does it last? 1oz bottle – about 10 uses (half pump per use) = 4 months, once daily OR 2 months, twice daily
Unspottable Hibiscus Correcting Oil* – I really enjoyed this oil and it lasted about a year of daily use (twice a day). I think it did help fade a dark spot I had on my nose too.
How long does it last? 1.1oz bottle – about 320 uses (1-2 drops per use) = 10 months (twice daily = about 4 drops daily). Drops are a single droplet, not a full dropper’s worth.
Skin Rhythm Balancing & Clearing Serum* – This is a great product, but I think they should put it in a bottle with a pump. The product is so thick that the dropper mechanism is harder to use (comparing it to the unspottable hibiscus correcting oil’s dropper, it sticks more). I had a painful pimple on my chin and I used this for two days and it was no longer painful and angry. It also didn’t feel dry or itchy.
How long does it last? 1.1oz bottle – I’m still using this one, but it’ll probably last a while. The consistency of this serum is different from the oil and I use it as more of a spot treatment to target the areas with hormonal acne and acne scars
LIKES
Yaupon Tea Glow-Awakening Moisturizer* – This moisturizer has been perfect for the spring weather. I’ve been keeping my morning routine fairly simple with this moisturizer, the Skin Rhythm Balancing & Clearing Serum and an eye cream. It has this gel cream texture that makes it bouncy.
How long does it last? 2oz pot – I’m still using this one, but using the other products’ calculations, it should last 3-4 months.
Neroli Complete Crème* – I think this one is meant for oily and/or aging skin. While it was nice and it had a pleasant scent, I prefer the serums from the brand more.
How long does it last? 1.7oz pot – Since it comes in a pot, it’s easier to use more or less each time. I used it once a day. It took me about 2-3 months to use.
Celery Green Cream* (read my review) – This is more geared toward oily skin so it didn’t quite give me the hydration that I need for my dry skin.
How long does it last? 1.7oz pot – Since it comes in a pot, it’s easier to use more or less each time. I think I used it once a day. It took me about 2-3 months to use.
Helix AM/PM Eye Gel (read my review) – I didn’t dislike this, but it was more of a silicone/smoothing eye cream than a hydrating or moisturizing one. I didn’t get to try it under makeup which I wish I had. For a while, I only used this eye cream for morning and night. I think if I used a different eye cream during night time, this might’ve worked for me. Also, I probably should’ve tried it during a warmer season because my under eyes get dry in the winter and this eye gel did nothing to help it. I previously purchased this eye gel when they sold it in a pot. They now sell it in a bottle with a pump.
How long does it last? 0.5oz pot – For a couple months, I used this in the morning and night and then I added another eye cream. So it lasted about 4 months. It could probably be stretched to 5 or 6 if you only use it once a day.
I don’t really have any products on my wishlist. I’ve tried all the ones I wanted so far. The Orangesicle Balancing Daily Cleanser sounds nice, but lately I prefer using a cleansing balm as my first cleanse and the Cetaphil or Cerave cleansers for my second. I don’t really want to spend more than $20 on a daily cleanser.
Love,
Products marked with * were gifted to me. Illustrations on featured image by me.
Today, I’m comparing Pimple patches! I’ve only tried hydrocolloid patches. I’ve never tried the microneedling ones and/or the ones with salicylic acid. I just use spot treatments instead. I may be missing out on the other types of pimple patches, but they’re so expensive for one time use.
The COSRX acne pimple master patches were the first one I tried. Then I tried the clear fit ones, nexcare acne absorbing covers and last, but not least, Rael.
I have tried eight different acne patches from six brands:
Tapered patches
COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
Rael Invisible Spot Cover
Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot Patch
Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patch
Non-tapered patches
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches
Rael Overnight Spot Cover
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches
Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers
I was sent the Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patches and PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches to try, but all other patches were purchased by me.
Even though some claim that you can wear them with makeup, I wouldn’t. They’re less noticeable without any makeup (see my reviews for some pictures).
I’ve written about five different reviews/comparison reviews on my blog, so I thought I would collect all the information and update my thoughts in one post. You can check out my previous posts below:
type - hydrocolloid only vs. hydrocolloid with salicylic acid, tea tree, etc.
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid with salicylic acid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
perforated sheet?
perforated
not perforated
not perforated
not perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
not perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
not perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
Tapered vs. non-tapered
non-tapered
non-tapered
non-tapered
non-tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
non-tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
non-tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
# in a pack
52
24
36
40
48
18
18
18
28
26
30
36
20
39
18
22
7mm
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8mm
16
-
24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9mm
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
-
28
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10mm
20
5
-
-
24
18
9
18
-
-
18
-
-
24
9
12
12mm
12
9
12
20
24
-
9
-
-
-
12
24
-
15
9
10
13mm
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
14mm
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12
-
-
-
-
9x13mm (oval)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
-
-
-
11x16mm (oval)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
-
-
-
15x23mm (oval)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
thickness
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.2mm
-
0.4mm with 0.39 mm edge
-
-
-
-
-
COSRX Acne Pimple Master patches are the cheapest in terms of cost per patch. I didn’t take into account the sizes. There are more 7mm ones in the pack, so if you don’t use those as often, maybe one of the other brands is more cost effective for you.
Cost (CAD)
Cost per patch
Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patch (54 count)
$24 USD from subibeauty.com
0.44
Rohto Mentholatum Blemish Cover Patch (28 count)
$9 from chuusi.ca
0.32
Rael Overnight Spot Cover (52 count)
$15.99 from amazon.ca
0.31
Rael Invisible Spot Cover (96 count)
$24.46 from amazon.a
0.25
Rael Invisible Spot Cover (72 count)
$21.40
0.30
Rael Invisible Spot Cover (48 count)
$14.52 from amazon.ca
0.32
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches (80 ct)
$20.99 from amazon.ca
0.26
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches (40 ct)
$11.99 from amazon.ca
0.30
Nexcare Acne Pimple Patch (36 count)
$13.40
0.37
Nexcare Acne Pimple Patch
$12.49 from shoppersdrugmart.ca
0.347
Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot Patch
$5.99 from thekshop.ca
0.33
Mighty Patch Original Hydrocolloid Patches (36 count)
$12.77 from iHerb
0.35
COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch (18 count)
$4.80 from chuusi.ca
0.26
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (24 count)
$5 from chuusi.ca
0.208
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (10 packs of 24 count)
$37 from amazon.ca ($3.70 per pack)
0.15
COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch (26 count)
$7.00 from chuusi.ca
0.27
JUMISO AC Cure Vegan Cover Patch Blemish Care (30 count)
$6.99 from thekshop.ca
0.23
BY WISHTREND Clear Skin Shield Patch (36 count)
$9.99 from thekshop.ca
0.278
Some By Mi 30 Days Miracle Clear Spot Patch (18 count)
Ranking the hydrocolloid patches in different categories:
Ease of use
Both Rael patches have perforated backings to make it easier to peel off the patches without folding them or ruining the side of the patch. One time I accidentally folded a bit of the side and then the patch didn’t lie flat on my skin. COSRX Clear Fit, Nacific and Subi Beauty patches also have perforated backings. PanOxyl and Nexcare do not have perforated backings.
Packaging
The Rael patches and the Nexcare patches come in boxes. The COSRX patches comes in a shiny plastic pouch, as does the Subi beauty (holographic) and Nacific which can’t be recycled. They all come in a little sleeve that keeps the patches sterile. My least favourite is the PanOxyl ones, it’s almost similar to the packaging of a bandaid where it’s hard to slide it back in because it’s a bit tacky.
Variety
The Rael and COSRX patches are best for variety of sizes and tapered vs. non-tapered. Rael also offers larger sizes (for body) and micro-crystal patches. COSRX also sells AC Collection ones that are oval-shaped.
Accessibility
COSRX and Rael can be bought on multiple sites. Nexcare is available on Amazon.ca and the Shoppers Drug Mart website. Subi beauty, I think, can only be purchased on their website. Nacific patches are pretty accessible to Canadians, but they’re more expensive than the others that I like.
Most of the patches perform the same, but the Nexcare ones weren’t sticky enough (stuck to my hair in the middle of the night) and the PanOxyl ones are almost too sticky that I’m afraid it’ll pull off some skin (especially if the pimple has popped and it’s an open wound.)
My top choices out of the brands would be Rael and COSRX. For me, the Rael ones are slightly more worth it because of the sizes available for both tapered and non-tapered. I rarely used the 7mm COSRX ones and, for some reason, they have more 7mm ones in their pack than the other sizes. I also like that Rael switched from a pouch with foil to a recyclable box.
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
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.
Today, I’m reviewing the L’Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out. This was sent in a box from L’Oréal for TIFF.
A new generation of hair treatment. Our liquid formula disperses instantly on wet hair. It works in 8 seconds and visibly transforms hair from the first use. With moisturizing agents and amino acids, our formula targets damaged areas of hair, forming thin layers called lamellas that smooth the hair’s surface with no weigh down.
How to Use: Apply directly to wet hair. 2. Massage for 8 seconds. 3. Rinse out, avoiding contact with eyes. Frequency of use: Use 2–3 times a week on wet hair after shampoo. 1 dose for fine to medium hair. 2–3 doses for thick to curly hair. Add 1 more dose if you have long hair.
This smells nice and even smells good the day after I use it. At first, I thought the smell would be too sweet and give me a headache, but it’s not. I usually prefer fruity scents. I’m not exactly sure what scent this is (I’m bad at identifying scents, sorry!!) Like the instructions say, when you squeeze it out onto your hand, it feels warm.
RATING: 3/5
It was cool to try out, but I wouldn’t purchase this on my own. I’d rather spend the money on a conditioner. It does detangle my hair well, but at $10 a bottle (for a 200 mL per bottle), I don’t think it’s worth it. Each time, you’re supposed to use 20 mL which means you only get 10 doses out of it (fewer if you have thick hair). I would say I have pretty thick hair and it’s also pretty long at the moment, I’ve only used the recommended 20 mL.
If you’re wondering about the other products that I was sent in the TIFF box, the Gourmaïs popcorn was good. I was sent the Intense Caramel & Salt Flower flavour. It had the perfect balance of salty and sweet.
I did not like the Gruvi Alcohol-free Dry Secco. I’m not much of a drinker, so please take that into account. It did taste like wine though if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option and don’t want to get ginger ale or sparking grape juice. It had a bit of an aftertaste that I didn’t like.
As for the other products, I think most people have tried Lindt Lindor chocolates, I’ve already reviewed the Lash Paradise mascara (read my comparison review) and I had to stop using the Revitalift Triple Power LZR 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum. I know it can be common for peeling to occur for retinols and you’re supposed to wait it out, but my cheeks were so peely, I had to stop.
Love,
*This product was sent to me to try. Links are NOT affiliated links. Description and ingredients in italics were taken from the L’Oréal Paris website.
Today, I’m reviewing two products I received from SkinCeuticals. I know I included these in my empties posts, but I thought I would do a separate review. I received the Blemish + Age Defense Potent Treatment for Aging Skin and Phlorectin CF. I had heard of @skinceuticalsca before, but didn’t know a lot about the brand. Their mission is to “provide advanced skincare backed by science.” Thanks to @bnation_bicom and @skinceuticalsca I get to try these two products out.
Their products come in simple packaging which I don’t mind. While it’s fun to take pictures of pretty skincare bottles, I’d rather spend my money on effective products than pretty pink/blue/purple packaging.
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Potent Treatment for Aging Skin
Skin Type: Oily, Combination
Skin Concern: Acne, Aging
Blemish + Age Defense is an oil-free, targeted approach for aging and blemished-prone skin. This first-to-market acid blend uniquely combines 2% dioic acid with an optimal alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid formulation to reduce the formation of acne and clogged pores, while improving the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.
Retails for $112 CAD on the SkinCeuticals.ca website
RATING: 4/5
I did notice that my skin looked better while using this and it didn’t make my skin too dry or too oily. Since my skin is already dry, I made sure to use a hydrating serum with it and I only used it on my problem areas instead of using on my whole face (to save product).
I used a couple of drops morning and night. I like that it doesn’t have a scent. When you first put it on, you can smell the Alcohol in it (that’s the ingredient that’s listed first), but the alcohol smell dissipates after applying it. Unlike some other acne care products, this treatment doesn’t feel as tacky as other products I’ve tried and I like that. It’s one of the few products I’ve tried that has salicylic acid that hasn’t made my face red and/or itchy after using it. I can’t say how well it works for anti-aging since I don’t have wrinkles or fine lines. Before using this product, I have had a bit of texture on my forehead, I don’t know if it was from products I was testing out or diet (or maybe a bit of both). While I used this product, my forehead cleared up.
Skinceuticals Phlorectin CF
Phloretin CF features a patented unique combination of 2% phloretin, 10% pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid), and 0.5% ferulic acid for enhanced protection against atmospheric skin aging – environmental stressor damage and premature signs of aging caused by free radicals from infrared radiation (IRA), UVA/UVB, and ozone pollution (O3). In addition to antioxidant protective benefits, Phloretin CF visibly enhances the appearance of discoloration, reduces fine lines and uneven skin tone.
Retails for $190 CAD on the Skinceuticals.ca website
RATING: 2/5
This product isn’t really geared towards my skin type since I have dry skin. I didn’t like the smell of this one. It smelled sweet like brown sugar. It also made my face feel tacky the whole day and I didn’t notice a huge difference in my skin either. Even if this was a more reasonable price (it’s $190 CAD for 30 mL), I wouldn’t purchase because of the scent.
I think I would consider using SkinCeuticals products when I’m a bit older since they are quite expensive. I might consider repurchasing the Blemish + Age Defense serum again.
Have you tried SkinCeuticals products? Did you think they were worth the high price?
Love,
*Products were sent to me for review. Ingredients and descriptions in Italics were taken from the SkinCeuticals.ca website.
With 1.9% Pure Hyaluronic Acid, our highest concentration of hyaluronic acid in a treatment. Visibly replumps skin after 1 use, and reduces the look of wrinkles in 7 days. Suitable for sensitive skin.
Our 1st anti-aging cream enriched with the legendary Centella Asiatica to hydrate and resist signs of aging. Recognized by the Canadian Dermatologie Association
Our lightweight, protective formula, with CENTELLA ASIATICA and PRO-RETINOL, strengthens and replenishes skin’s moisture barrier to hydrate, fight the look of wrinkles and resist the signs of aging
I was able to get 3 uses out of each ampoule (2 mornings and 1 night). Depending on how much you use, you could probably stretch it out to 2 days and 2 nights. I really liked it. My face looked nice and hydrated. It didn’t pill on me which was nice. I would definitely consider repurchasing these if it came in a bottle, but they’re quite expensive if you buy it in ampoule form (it’s almost $5 for each ampoule). Also, I don’t love how you use the tip as a plug because it was previously exposed to dust before flipping around.
Even though I enjoyed trying these ampoules, I wouldn’t repurchase because of the price. Lately, I’ve received a few L’Oréal skincare products. With so many skincare brands out there, L’Oréal isn’t really one of the top brands that I would consider. To my surprise, I have liked a few of the products I’ve tried so far (from the Revitalift collection). I’m not a huge fan of strongly scented products and some of the products I tried are a bit too much for me. I did enjoy these ampoules and the Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Moisturizer Fragrance-Free. The Revitalift Hydrating Smoothing Serum and the Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Moisturizer were way too fragranced for my liking.
Elevate your morning routine. This first-of-its-kind clinical-grade 15% vitamin C serum is boosted with clean, plant-derived caffeine from superleafs yerba mate and guayusa to immediately brighten, visibly reduce morning puffiness, and hydrate.
15% Vitamin C Complex: Visibly brightens to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation give skin a firmer appearance
Yerba Mate and Guayusa (Clean Caffeine): Naturally high in caffeine and antioxidants to visibly depuff and contour
Passion and Dragon Fruit: High in antioxidants to help scavenge for free radicals and replenish moisture
How to Use: In the morning, apply 2-4 pumps to cleansed face and neck. Follow with Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream or Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream. With daily use, this super dose of antioxidants helps reduce the look of hyperpigmentation, even skin tone, and visibly firm.
I like that it comes in a glass container with a pump. The spout has a bit of a lip on it where the serum tends to collect and dry down. So I often have to use my finger to wipe it clean which I find a little annoying. Also, I don’t know if I have a faulty pump, but instead of pumping out smoothly (I can hear it make a sound) onto my hand, sometimes the product spurts out.
I’ve been using it for a while now and I haven’t noticed anything different in my skin. To me, it just feels like a serum which is quite expensive for $90. I haven’t noticed any pilling with the products I use, but this serum can make your face a bit tacky. Most vitamin C products I’ve tried have a citrus scent, so I was surprised when I smelled this serum. It smells like ginger, but it’s a light, pleasant smell that isn’t overpowering. Considering the price, I wouldn’t purchase this when I’m finished this bottle.
What’s your favourite Youth to the People product?
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo formulated to realign the hair scalp to eliminate 100% of visible dandruff*. You can now break up with flakes, itch, and irritation associated with dandruff and dry scalp. Up to 6 week anti-relapse promise. Recommended by dermatologists.
The Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo exfoliates and treats visible dandruff on the scalp from the very first application. More importantly, this professional product is the best dandruff shampoo to prevent its return. Results are continuous for up to six weeks post-use. Efficacy tested under dermatological control.
In the past, I used to wash my hair every day, but now I try to do every other day. Sometimes I’ll stretch it to 2 days, but that’s my limit because my hair will get greasy and I tend to get headaches easily. I can easily wash hair every other day and I don’t have any dandruff, but if i stretch it to longer, the oil can build up to cause dandruff. TMI, I’m also prone to acne on my scalp (usually the back of my head), so I was hoping that this shampoo would help since it has salicylic acid and it did!
I followed the directions and tried using it twice a week (the website advises using it 1-3 times a week). So I went for twice to see. On the second time I used it, I noticed the next day that my hair was oilier than usual. I think my scalp was over compensating for the active ingredients in the shampoo. I decided to decrease to using the treatment once a week which worked best.
RATING: 3/5
Whenever I used the shampoo, I noticed that my hair looked quite shiny (healthy shine, not oily shine) the next day, but I just don’t love the scent. It smells a bit like chemicals to me, so I would use the Vichy shampoo on my scalp and then follow up with a nice-smelling shampoo/conditioner on the ends. I wouldn’t purchase this one on my own and I I’d rather try a different shampoo that’s not as expensive. I know Head & Shoulders shampoos have come a long way since I last tried it (probably like 10 years ago). Now they have scented shampoos instead of just the regular Original Head & Shoulders scent.
Have you tried Vichy Dercos shampoos? What are your faves?
Today, I’ll be sharing my first impressions review of a gadget from a brand called TrueBloom.
Hydrodermabrasion combines a 2 stage process into one quick and easy treatment for clearer and healthier skin. Stage 1 is the Detox and Exfoliation process. The warm water polishes and deeply cleanses your skin while the strong yet gentle vacuum unclogs your pores and removes toxins from your skin! Stage 2 is the Revitalization and Brightening process. The vacuum suction increases blood flow, triggering natural collagen production while stimulating new cell growth. Collagen is the essential protein which provides the elasticity in the skin, helping your skin look and feel young and healthy.
Easy 5 Minute Weekly Treatment
Sucks Dirt & Makeup From your Face
Unclog Pores, Remove Blackheads & Whiteheads
Stimulates Anti-Ageing Via Collagen Production
Improve Skin Tone & Texture
Reduces Wrinkles & Fine Lines
Suitable For All Skin Types
I’ve always been curious about these types of devices. You put warm water into the device which cleanses the skin while the vacuum removes toxins and unclogs skin. The vacuum is meant to increase blood flow and stimulate new cell growth. The device comes with 6 different attachments – 3 silicone ones and 3 hard plastic (different sizes for each). The instructions in the box aren’t the most coherent, but it gets the message across.
The suction on this device is very strong and I’m a bit concerned about it causing bruising on the more sensitive areas of my face. I made sure to read instructions carefully before using it. I tested it out on my arm to see how strong the suction was and it got a bit red. After a while it went away, so I tried it out on my face. I got a red mark on my forehead and jawline which stayed there for the rest of the night. On the website, there’s before and after shots of the water. There’s one compartment for the clean water and another for where the water goes after. I’ve seen the water look cloudy and kind of yellow in some pictures. I’m assuming the person who used it had removed their makeup with the device. When I tried it, the used water was a little cloudy and there were a few hairs in it, but I didn’t see anything else.
I’ll continue to try it out on my arms and legs just to see if it helps with blood circulation. I don’t get a lot of blackheads, but if I do, I will test it out. I’m curious to see if it’s strong enough to pull out a blackhead. For now, I will just have to test it out long-term to see if it does improve blood circulation and improve skin tone.
RATING: 2/5
At the moment, I’m not convinced this product is necessary for your skincare routine. It feels like it’s just another gadget that I’ll use for a few months and then forget about, but we’ll see. Especially with this being gadget from a brand that’s not well-known. Maybe one from a better known brand would have a gentler suction.
Have you tried one of these gadgets?
Love,
*This product was sent to me complimentary for a review. All opinions are my own.
Revitalize and energize tired, puffy eyes with this soothing eye gel from Good Molecules. Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel is rich in yerba mate extract, a natural source of antioxidants and polyphenols that fight oxidative damage for brighter, more radiant skin.
This eye gel retails for $6 USD on the Good Molecules website, $8 CAD on the Beautylish website.
Brightens, depuffs and hydrates
Can be applied AM or PM
For all skin types
Targets under eye puffiness and tired eyes
Ingredients
%
Water
74.15%
Propanediol
9.94%
Butylene Glycol
4.5%
Glycerin
4%
1,2-hexanediol
2.03%
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
2%
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
2%
Corn Starch Modified
0.6%
Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
0.4%
Cetearyl Olivate
0.3%
Sorbitan Olivate
0.2%
Panthenol
0.1%
Allantoin
0.1%
Tocopherol
0.07%
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
0.03%
Hyaluronic Acid
0.02% (200 ppm)
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.02% (200 ppm)
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
0.02% (200 ppm)
Caffeine
0.01% (100 ppm)
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
0.01% (100 ppm)
Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Root Extract
0.004% (40 ppm)
I’ve been using this for about two months now. I like that it comes in a tube. I’m not a fan of using a pot for eye creams, even though a lot of eye creams come like that. I think it’s cool that Good Molecules has started showing the percentages of the ingredients in their products.
I like that this eye gel doesn’t have a scent. It does have a faint smell from the ingredients, but there’s no added fragrance. I can only smell it if I sniff the tube, I can’t smell it when I’ve applied it. I like that it’s a gel so it’s not too heavy. My under eye area is still tacky even after a few hours which is probably a good thing because it means it’s keeping my under eyes hydrated. You only need a small amount, so I think this tube will last a while. I’ve been using it for two months now and I haven’t even reached half way yet. A lot of eye creams I’ve tried have given me milia. I find that eye gels have been the best for me since they’re not as heavy.
Even though it says it can be used AM/PM, I only use it in the mornings.
I don’t have any fine lines, so I can’t comment on that claim. One time after crying for a bit, my eyes got a bit puffy. I’m only mentioning it because it wasn’t like it was the usual puffiness someone would get from eating something the day before. My eyes were pretty puffy and a bit swollen looking when I went to bed. So I wanted to see how well the eye gel worked. When I woke up in the morning, the puffiness had gone down quite a bit (it was probably a mixture of a good night’s sleep and the eye gel). For my morning routine, I applied some more of the eye gel and by mid-afternoon, my eyes were almost back to normal. I haven’t noticed my under eyes being any brighter than usual. This has caffeine in it, but not so much that it makes my eyes twitch. I had this one eye cream that would make my under eye twitch every time I tried it, so obviously I had to stop using it.
RATING: 3/5
I enjoy it and would reconsider purchasing myself. I would say it’s in the top five eye creams/gels I’ve tried. I docked a point because I didn’t notice any changes in brightening my under eyes.
UPDATE: This eventually started making my eyes twitch occasionally. After I stopped using it, my eyes wouldn’t twitch. I’ve bumped it down another point from my initial rating.
Have you tried this eye gel? What are your thoughts on it?
Love,
*This product was sent to me complimentary from Good Molecules, but all opinions are my own.
I know it’s been a while since I last posted. I will try to post more reviews this year. I’ve been trying out a few skincare products so hopefully I will have some reviews in July and August for you.
Today, I have a review for the Winky Lux Marbleous Balms.
With the tint of a lipstick and the hydration of a lip balm, Winky Lux Marbleous Balm is the ultimate hybrid. This luxe formula is enriched with superhero ingredients, including ceramides for plumping and coconut oil for softening. The unique marble design delivers a sheer wash of color for a natural, kissable pout.
Ingredients: Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de Candelilla, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyethylene, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire Microcristalline, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum/Fragrance, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, Ceramide 6, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Citral, Limonene. May Contain/Peut Contenir (±): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet).
It retails for $18 USD on the Winky Lux website. There are 3 shades available:
Giddy: Cool toned baby pink
Delighted: Peachy pink
Dreamy: Natural pink
I put Giddy in a giveaway, so I don’t have the swatch for that one, but here’s swatches for the other two shades.
From left: Dreamy, Delighted
Let’s start with the packaging, it comes in a pretty rose gold tube with a water printed design cap. It’s really pretty and according to the Winky Lux website, each one is unique (no two tubes look alike). I really like the tube, it will be pretty to put on display after finishing them.
RATING: 2/5
When I first opened it, I wasn’t sure how moisturizing it would be. Once it warmed up a bit from my lips, it became more emollient. Since it’s marbled, there could be more of the white swirl which can make the shade appear lighter. So you can just swatch it on your hand or lips to get rid of it. Even after doing this, the shades are still to light for my lip colour. It settles into lines and makes any chapped part of my lips look worse. It does feel a bit moisturizing, but it feels more like a lipstick than a balm. It doesn’t have a scent that smells like anything specific to me. It smells like lipstick (slightly waxy scent). The shades are too light for my natural lip colour, so it just looks unnatural. The shade, Delighted, is better than Dreamy, but I still don’t like it. It looks okay from afar, but up close, I can see how it settled into the lines of my lips. The only way I was able to make it look good was by applying some Vaseline and dabbing it on lightly, but if I’m going to apply Vaseline, I’d rather just use that instead of spending $20 on a balm.
Have you tried these balms? What did you think about them?
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I haven’t had much to review lately since I haven’t purchased anything in a few months. I have been trying some skincare products that I’ve been sent and hope to post some reviews on those products next month.
Reveal smooth, glowing skin from the start of your routine and effortlessly dissolve makeup, dirt, and oil with the PEG-free Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm. This balm-to-milky oil harnesses naturally-enzymatic, actively smoothing papaya to satisfy and gently resurface skin, creating the ultimate baby-soft canvas for skincare and makeup. The mix of exfoliating and calming papaya seed oil, papaya enzymes, papaya extract, and antioxidant-packed blueberry, leaves skin clean, bouncy, and glowing.
I like this cleansing balm! I’ve used it a few times now. I think I like it better than the Banila Co Clean It Zero and Heimish All Clean Balm (read my comparison review). I know the Glow Recipe cleansing balm costs more, but it does come in a glass container which you can reuse. I usually don’t like the smell of papaya, but this one has a very pleasant papaya scent. I don’t use waterproof eye makeup so I can’t comment on how well it removes that. It removes makeup easily, I do see what people mean when they feel a bit of a film after, but it shouldn’t be a problem when you’re following up with your second cleanse (which you should be doing anyway).
RATING: 4/5
I’ve only tried a handful of cleansing balms, but I would say this is in my top three.
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.
