• dermalogica special cleansing gel

    Review | Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

    Hi Everyone!

    Today I’m reviewing the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel that I purchased during a Sephora sale. After a year, I finally finished the 500mL Kiehls cleanser. So, now I’m back to using this one. I did try it out for a week or so just to see what it was like and I got a breakout (which was unrelated to the cleanser).

    Soap-free, foaming gel cleanses all skin conditions. Refreshing lather thoroughly removes impurities, without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance. This iconic cleanser, which contains naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria, gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave skin feeling smooth and clean. Lightweight and mild enough to use every day, it also features calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts to soothe the skin.

    Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Winterianus Herb Oil, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA

    dermalogica special cleansing gel

    It is gluten free, cruelty free, vegan and has no artificial colours or fragrances. I can smell a hint of the mint and sometimes lemon.

    I purchased the 16.9 oz/500 mL bottle which is normally $87 CAD, but with the Sephora sale, it was $74. I wish the pump could dispense the perfect amount of cleanser like the Kiehls one. The Dermalogica cleanser pumps out a lot and I only need half a pump.

    RATING: 3/5

    The cleanser is okay. It’s gentle and my skin doesn’t feel stripped of its oils after using it. I haven’t had any breakouts from using it, but I don’t find it particularly special. Also, I don’t think it’s worth the high price tag. I would rather repurchase the Kiehls Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash (even though it isn’t meant for my skin type).

    Have you tried Dermalogica products?

    Love,

  • Review | Milk Makeup Liquid Strobe Highlighter

    Hi Everyone!

    While I was at Winners, I picked up the Milk Makeup Liquid Strobe Highlighter in Beam for $10! It is a shimmering liquid highlighter and beam is a gold shade. It has interesting packaging because you click the bottom to dispense it (like the YSL Touche Éclat pen) and it’s a rollerball.

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    Swipe along cheekbones, eyes, collarbone, or wherever for shimmering dimension and shine. Goes on easy with a rollerball as quick and on point as you. Crushed pearl elixir-infused formula gives a long-wear effect.

    It has coconut and avocado oil and it’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, oil-free and talc-free. I don’t smell any coconut though.

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    RATING: 2/5

    I wouldn’t pay full price for this liquid strobe highlight. If it was just the gold illuminating highlight, I would give it a 4/5 because then you could mix it with foundation to give you a beautiful glow. Unfortunately, it has glitter which gets chunky (so if you mixed with foundation, your face would be glittery) and that doesn’t look good as a highlight. When you go to blend it into the skin, your finger absorbs the gold illuminating part and you’re left with the glitter. So, if you do use your finger to blend it out, be very light with your hand (use your ring finger). It dries down tacky too. Similar to the Livin’ the Highlight from the Jennifer Lopez x Inglot collaboration, this would be better as a body highlight since it’s a bit chunky.

    Love,

    jen

  • First Impressions with Palmer’s Coconut Oil Products

    Hi Everyone!

    I was contacted by Palmer’s Canada to see if I was interested in writing a review for three of their new products from their Coconut Oil Formula line. I was sent the Body Cream, Lotion and Oil. I received these products for free, but my review is my honest opinions on the products. I’ve also been given the opportunity to hold a giveaway where 3 winners will win the same products I received: Coconut Oil Body Lotion, Cream and Oil.

    Nature’s best kept secret for superior skin hydration is raw, natural Coconut Oil. Palmer’s new Coconut Oil Formula products drench your skin with decadently rich moisture for dewy, radiant skin that looks lit from within.

    Quick Facts

    Free of Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Gluten and Dyes

    • Provides 24-Hour Moisture
    • Contains Ethically and Sustainably Sourced Ingredients
    • Drenches skin with decadent moisture for a dewy, glowing, allover healthy radiance

    Key Ingredients:

    Raw Coconut Oil – Sourced from South East Asia this super ingredient is antioxidant rich and has inherent antibacterial properties. Loaded with naturally occurring skin health Lauric Acid, Proteins, and Vitamin E

    Tahitian Monoï – From the ancient Polynesian word for “scented oil” the native star-shaped Tiaré flowers are harvested for their delicately perfumed petals and then soaked in unrefined coconut oil for days

    Sweet Almond Oil – Collected in small cooperatives in Spain, the almonds are harvested in summer and pressed for their rich oil. Almond oil naturally soothes skin irritation and detoxifies

    Vitamin E – This antioxidant powerhouse combats free radical damage, keeping skin looking youthful and rejuvenated

    Coconut Oil Body Lotion

    The bottle’s cap is a bit difficult to open, I don’t know if it’s just me (I guess it’s a good thing that it seals so tightly). I can definitely smell the coconut milk. I hope they decide to come out with a larger size and a pump like their Cocoa Butter Formula.

    Contains rich, skin-conditioning coconut oil and coconut milk that infuse skin with deeply penetrating moisture and an instant hydration boost. Natural Oils and botanical extracts immediately begin rehydrating depleted skin on contact, creating a breathable barrier that locks in moisture for long-lasting softness. Use as an all-over-body lotion after shower everyday.

    RATING: 4.5/5

    Coconut Oil Body Cream

    This moisturizes really well, but I don’t personally love it because it’s so thick and I don’t love products that come in tubs. I understand it has to come in a tub because it’s too thick, but I prefer products where I don’t have to stick my hand into a jar to use.

    Contains Raw Coconut Oil and a blend of rich, natural butters including Mango, Shea, Macadamia and Cocoa to drench skin with deep-penetrating moisture and rehydrate even the toughest, driest skin. This indulgently creamy formula is perfect for at-home spa pedicures, revitalizing moisture thirsty elbows or maintaining soft, supple skin all throughout the dry weather months. Apply Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Cream after shower everyday.

    RATING: 4/5

    Coconut Oil Body Oil

    It absorbed into the skin pretty quickly and it didn’t give my clothes any oil stains. I’ve used Vaseline to moisturize and it stained some clothes and bedsheets with the oiliness.

    Instantly boosts hydration and gives skin an overall healthy-looking glow. Raw Coconut Oil and a blend of precious, natural oils including Grape Seed, Macadamia and Argan Oil deeply penetrate and immediately begin rehydrating depleted skin on contact, creating a breathable barrier that locks in moisture for long-lasting radiance. Apply Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Oil after shower everyday.

    RATING: 5/5

    Comparison of the Body Lotion (top) and Body Cream (bottom)

    I am very sensitive to smells especially when it comes to lotions. I don’t like using scented lotions on my hands because I can get nauseous. I had this one shea butter body butter that was quite strong and I applied it after my shower and it was so strong that I could smell it on my bed sheets the next day.

    I like the smell of coconut, but any heavily scented product could make me feel nauseous. When I first smelled each of the Palmer’s products, they had a very strong scent in the jar/bottles. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to stand it, especially since it says to use it after a shower (I shower at night). When you smell the products out of the jar/bottles, they have a strong coconut and slight floral scent from the Tahitian Monoï (or maybe it’s the sweet almond), but once it absorbs into the skin, the scent fades leaving a faint scent.

    I decided to try the body lotion and the body cream on my hands and feet to start. On the first night, I put the body lotion on my hands and put on some cotton gloves. I woke up and my hands were incredibly smooth. The tops of my hands are usually okay, and my fingers tend to be dry, but when I woke up that morning, it was like a baby’s bottom! That night, I decided to try the body cream on my hands and feet. I then put on my cotton gloves again and put some socks on. I woke up the next morning and my feet felt very smooth. Since both products did amazing things for my hands and feet, I decided to try the body oil on my whole body. I admit, I’m a little wary of using oils because I’ve used Bio Oil before and my skin reacted badly (at least I think it was from the Bio Oil). After using the Palmer’s body oil, my skin feels super soft.

    Out of the three, I think the body cream is my least favourite because it’s so thick, but I will use it on my hands, feet and elbows as it suggests. I think the oil is actually my favourite because it has the lightest scent of the three and it’s great when the steam of your shower keeps your pores open and helps the product absorb into the skin better.

    If you love coconut, I definitely recommend the Palmer’s Coconut Oil line. I’m interested in trying out their other lines since coconut isn’t my favourite scent: Cocoa Butter, Shea and Olive Oil.

    Have you tried Palmer’s products before?

    GIVEAWAY CLOSED

    Winners have been announced on Instagram and contacted via DM.

    Open to Canadian residents only

    Palmer’s has been generous enough to let me run a giveaway. Three lucky winners will be selected and each of the three winners will receive all three products (Coconut Oil Body Lotion, Cream and Oil)! Giveaway ends at 12:00 AM EST on February 15th, 2018. Winners will be announced the next day on this post, Instagram and contacted by email.

    To enter the giveaway, you must be 18+ and a Canadian resident. If you are under 18, please get a parent/guardian’s permission. Winners will be randomly selected. Once announced, the winners have 24 hours to respond and you must have a Canadian address or another winner will be chosen at random.

    For additional entries, enter the giveaway on my Instagram!

    Enter via Rafflecopter

    Love,