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.
“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
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:
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.
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.
Today I’m reviewing some products I received from NatureLab Tokyo. Here’s a little bit about the brand from their website:
Through our own research and discovery, all NatureLab products use active Botanical Stem Cells to maintain scalp health, improve follicle strength and promote hair growth at a cellular level.
Free of harsh Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Gluten, Mineral Oil and other harsh chemicals that not only damage hair, but the environment. Cruelty Free and Never Animal Tested.
Their shampoo and conditioner bottles are really cool. They sort of look like round-bottom flasks that you see in science labs. They also sell refillable pouches so you can reuse the bottles. The bottles are made of a harder plastic (not squeezable).
They have four different collections that target different hair types.
I chose to try products from the SHINE collection – Antioxidant-rich Stem Cells from Grape regenerate scalp papilla cells and revitalize shine. Hyaluronic acid seals in moisture while Pearl Extract stimulates enzymes for an iridescent finish. Shine on.
When I first received the products, I obviously smelled them right away. The scent was a bit strong (sweet and floral) from the bottle, but once you rinse it out, it’s a lighter scent. In the past, I’ve used shampoos that gave me headaches because they’re too strong.
The shampoo and conditioner made my hair look so shiny and sleek. The violet scent is pleasant, but I prefer fruity scents over florals.
I don’t really like using hair oils because my scalp is already oily. It’s definitely easy to go overboard. The first time I tried it, I sprayed too much and it looked greasy instead of a healthy shine. The scent of the oil is stronger since you don’t rinse it out like the shampoo and conditioner.
Get back to your roots with this deep conditioning treatment masque that restores dull hair from scalp to strand. Smart Keratin technology fortifies the hair cuticle and penetrates the cortex to rebuild body and revitalize shine. Potent plant Stem Cells from Bamboo strengthen the hair shaft and promote healthy hair growth while antioxidant-rich Argan and Prickly Pear oils add a protective luster. Damaged hair is visibly improved and new hair sprouts stronger.
In addition to the shampoo, conditioner and hair oil mist, they also sent samples of the Repair Treatment Masque. I really like the smell of the Repair collection. It’s green tea and cyprus. It smells similar to the Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo (which is green tea and cucumber). I really liked the masque and it also made my hair look shiny and healthy. I don’t do much with my hair, so it’s not damaged. I’d be interested to see if it works well for someone with damaged hair.
Extracted from the nuts of the shea tree native to the North Region of Ghana, our unrefined shea butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F as well as the essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for smooth healthy moisturized skin and hair.
Benefits include: • Helps cover the look of Acne/Blemishes • Helps Reduce the looks of wrinkles and aging • May help reduce Itchy/Peeling Skin
I put the shea butter into a jar for easier access. I’ve never used shea butter on its own before. One time I got shea butter as a sample from another brand, but the texture was very different – It was hard! This shea butter came in plastic wrap inside of a resealable bag. It has the texture of cookie dough. From the heat of your hands, it melts down making it easy to rub into your skin. I tested it out on my feet as a patch test and they felt so smooth the next day. It can feel a bit tacky and that’s not my favourite feeling since it makes your clothes stick to your skin.
RATING: 4/5
I like to use it on the drier areas of my skin like my feet and elbows. In the winter, I’ll probably use it on my hands with cotton gloves at night. I’ve heard some people use it on their hair. My hair is already oily enough, so I haven’t tried it. I think shea butter is especially great to use during the colder months (which is most of the year in Canada).
Today, I’m reviewing the Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick. I received this from Topbox to review on their website, but I thought I would do a blog post on it as well.
Clinically proven to help heal dry, damaged skin
TSA-friendly, on-the-go dry stick that you can bring with you everywhere you go
Delivers targeted healing for hard to reach spots
Great for protection against friction and preventing chafing
Can be used on dry skin, stressed skin, and sensitive skin
Non-greasy and mess-free formula, you don’t need to rub in anything
There’s 40g / 1.4 oz in the tube. It retails for $8.49 CAD at the drugstore.
This is a body balm stick, but I’ve been keeping it next to my computer and apply to my lips throughout the day. I like to wipe it down every now and then since I apply straight onto my lips.
I know this is more expensive than the regular tubs of Vaseline, but it’s not as messy and you don’t have to stick your fingers into a tub.
By the end of the tube, I’ll probably need to use a spatula or something to scrape out the remaining Vaseline (like everything else that comes in a tube)
RATING: 4/5
I know they have the lip therapy tins, but I don’t like sticking my finger into a tin especially when I’m out of the house. It would be awesome if they made a tinier version for lips in the tube format.
I would definitely purchase a smaller version if they come out with one. For my own personal use, I probably wouldn’t buy this once I finish my current tube. It’s too big for my purse and I already have tubs of Vaseline that I need to use.
It was my first time trying a glove mask. My fingers were really dry after taking off my nail polish, so I thought I’d try it out to see how well it worked. They’re plastic gloves with an inner lining (that’s like a face sheet mask) soaked in serum. The most saturated parts of the glove were probably the fingers. After 20 minutes, it does kind of feel like when you’re in a bath/swimming pool too long. Any longer than 30 minutes, and my fingers would definitely feel pruny/wrinkly. Since there was an inner lining, the outer part of the glove wasn’t wet at all and I was able use my phone with the gloves on (bonus!). It definitely made my hands feel softer and not as dry. It’s been a few days and my hands still feel pretty soft and smooth. It would definitely be nice to put these glove masks on while doing a face mask, then you can just sit back and relax. I would definitely consider buying this one. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but they have a 4 pack available where you can get 4 for the price of 3.
RATING: 5/5
On the Skimono website, they have other sheet masks for your face and they also sell foot masks. I’ve only tried a peeling foot mask, but their foot mask sounds like it would be very nice!
Have you tried hand/foot masks?
Love,
*The Look Fantastic US box was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own.
Today, I’m reviewing Spacemasks! My friend bought me one as a gift and Spacemask kindly sent me one as well. The one with the red packaging is in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity box.
The heating process works by a thin layer of iron filings entwining with the oxygen molecules in the air. It is totally safe. The ever so relaxing jasmine is in a low concentration. So you can enjoy its fragrance without irritating the skin.
The designs on the masks are super cute. The jasmine scent is very very light. It’s meant to help relax and relieve tiredness and eye strain. You can definitely feel the warmth of the mask (it’s not hot, just toasty warm). You slip the loops around your ear and sit back while enjoying the heat. It’s a dry mask, so you don’t have to worry about it being messy. After 15 minutes, you can definitely feel the warmth on your eyes and under eyes. It’s probably best to use it when the weather is colder and when you’re getting ready for bed.
RATING: 3.5/5
It’s a cool idea to help relieve tiredness and eye strain. I think it would be really nice if they were reusable. You know those hand warmers that you can heat up and re-use? It would be great if these were reusable.
Today, I’m comparing two different jelly highlighters. These were both gifted to me and I thought I would do a review comparing the two. Jelly highlighters are interesting, but they’re not great for every day use since the shimmer is a bit chunky (for my liking). I would say this jelly is good for a festival/unicorn/halloween look. Keep reading to find out which one I prefer!
Almay Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite in 24K Dreams
This gorgeous jelly highlighter with an addictively bouncy texture gives your skin a dewy, holographic glow that’s utterly irresistible.
There are 2 shades available.
from left: 24K Dreams 004, Unicorn Light 003
Both of these highlighters are fun shades – yellow gold and pink. Although once you apply it, it’s not as pink as it looks in the tub. It’s like a sheer, jelly glitter. I’m not a huge fan of this one because when I press my finger into it, the jelly breaks up and crumbles (for lack of a better word). I’ve noticed that the gold one has a firmer texture whereas the pink one tends to crumble more.
NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator in Luminous
Dip right into our new A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator. Available in three shades swimming in sparkles, this jelly-like formula feels and looks seriously amazing. Just scoop some up with your finger and pat the water-based gel onto the face or body. It slips on like a dream as you smooth it onto the skin, leaving behind a lightweight wash of radiance—that glistens even after it dries down! Gettin’ a bit jelly right now? Same, this dewy glow is lit.
There are 3 shades available
From top: Opalescent, Bronze, Luminous
I have the shade Luminous and it’s a champagne shade with blue glitter. This highlighter is a water-based product which washes away easily with water (which makes me think it might just melt down your face if you sweat). I would suggest spraying any setting spray before applying this highlighter. The texture of it is nice – when I dip my finger into it, it doesn’t separate or become chunky. It’s almost like a putty because it moves with my finger which is a good thing because then you don’t get any jelly chunks on your face when you apply it.
Luminous (top), 24K Dreams, Unicorn Light
WINNER: NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator
I think between these two jelly highlighters, I prefer the NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator. Both highlighters jiggle when you tap the containers. You can feel the jelly bounce back. I think jelly highlighters are fun, but I don’t think I would purchase any myself. I would consider trying jelly eyeshadows because I’ve seen a few on Instagram and they’re so pigmented. Obviously jelly highlighters wouldn’t be pigmented because you’d have a coloured streak on your face, but it feels like I’m just putting wet glitter on my face. I’m also not a fan of glittery highlighters and would prefer a liquid highlighter.
