Product Review - L'Oreal go 360 Clean - Deep Exfoliating Scrub

I'm always on the look out for inexpensive, an effective skin care. As much as I'd love to load up my bathroom with expensive creams, scrubs and washes, hit the spa every month for micro-dermabrasion and chemical peels to prevent the signs of aging, I just can't. I don't think that many people these days really can. Between life, and budget I'm going to have to improvise.

I picked up this gem for about $8 at Shoppers Drug Mart. I had a coupon a while back that expired, and I wish I had used it back then (from save.ca).

They say

"Gently exfoliates dull, dead skin cells and unclogs - pore by pore. Removes all traces of oil, dirt, and make up. Pores look visibly smaller."

Now I have oily skin and I don't expect some miracle product to make my pores look smaller. That's the catch though. They say "visibly smaller". When your pores are clean, they're harder to see, therefore visibly smaller. This works for me. Pores are my skin, I can't change the size and shape of them.

This scrub is unique to me because it comes with a "scrublet", as they call it. It's a rubbery scrubbing tool, with soft bristles. The wash itself also has a grit to it, with what I'm sure they would call micro beads or something similar.

This is what's called a mechanical exfoliant. Where physical beads or a tool are used to remove the dead skin. As opposed to a chemical exfoliant, containing ingredients such as AHA and BHA which chemically break down the dead skin to remove it. I like both types, but I tend to gravitate towards a mechanical exfoliant, I feel like it's actually doing more, when really they both do the same thing. It's suggested as we age to go for a chemical exfoliant, as your skin can loose elasticity as you age, and pulling and tugging on your skin can cause more damage.

This product has your typical L'Oreal scent. I don't know what they put in all their face scrubs and shampoos but they all smell the same to me. It's not unpleasant, but it's not fruity or anything like that. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the scrublet. It fits into the bottle and is really easy to hold onto with wet hands. It has a little suction cup on the back so if you wanted to stick it to the mirror or somewhere else it would stay. I like to stick it to the side of the sink while I rinse my face, then I know it isn't running away on me, and won't fall onto the floor, or worse, behind the toilet!

They make a variety of this product, with different cleansing properties. I think I will be picking up more in the future. The price fits and I feel like my skin is getting really clean. Be sure to moisturize after using this sucker, it really leaves your skin open and ready for creams, lotions and serums!

**Disclaimer**
All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. All comments made above are mine, with no outside influence. All photos are mine unless otherwise noted, all images not taken by me (HMU watermark) show a reference source, all rights reserved to those who own them. All links are non-affiliate links, so click away! I have no affiliation with any companies mentioned.

Product Review: Dove Dry Shampoo

Blackest of Black

I'm always on the quest for the best eyeliner, and I had the chance to pick up the famous Urban Decay 24/7 Perversion Waterproof eyeliner. I have zero, and it's been a steady favorite for a few years now but it's no where as near black as Perversion.
In my rotation as well is MAC Smoulder, it's a great pencil to smudge out. Lets take a look at how dark it is.

MAC Kohl in Smoulder

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Zero

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Perversion

L-R MAC Smoulder, Urban Decay Zero, Urban Decay Perversion

They're all pretty dark, but I have to say that Perversion is the darkest I have now. My next eyeliner to hunt down is MAC Feline. That's also rumored to be the darkest black eyeliner.

**Disclaimer**
All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. All comments made above are mine, with no outside influence. All photos are mine unless otherwise noted, all images not taken by me (HMU watermark) show a reference source, all rights reserved to those who own them. All links are non-affiliate links, so click away! I have no affiliation with any companies mentioned.

Products I'm Loving Right Now!

So this was going to be a video, but I can't seem to find batteries right now. So here's just a couple beauty products I'm loving right now!!

1. Schick Intuition Razor


img from google

This razor comes with a water soluble solid shaving cream (? I guess?). It wears down really fast, but it makes it super easy shave!! This has made it way easier to shave my legs, I hate doing it, and I cut myself A LOT. This razor has guards on the blades so if it slips, I don't cut myself.


2. Quo by ORLY - Strong Bond Base Coat



I've been looking for a base coat that works as well as ORLY Bonder, but easier to find. This is the best I've found so far. It's a sticky base coat, so it doesn't really dry. It holds the polish colour on really well, and helps prevent chipping. I had a manicure on for about 5 days before it chipped.

3. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream


img from google

I have oily/combo skin and have a hard time finding a good moisturizer. This by far is the very best I've tried yet. It's a gel cream (hence the name), and it absorbs very quickly, without leaving any sort of oily residue. I can apply my foundation on right after, no problems.

**Disclaimer**
All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. All comments made above are mine, with no outside influence. All photos are mine unless otherwise noted, all images not taken by me (HMU watermark) show a reference source, all rights reserved to those who own them. All links are non-affiliate links, so click away! I have no affiliation with any companies mentioned.

Maybelline New York: the Falsies Flared Volum' Express Review

I have a crazy stash of Maybelline Mascaras in my collection due to coupons and BOGO sales, so over the next while there will be the occasional review.

First up is The Falsies.

Balea Face (and Hair) Masks - 2.0

So as per my last post/video, I got some new (new to me, not to the company) Balea face masks to try out. Here's the ones I got, and the one I'm trying tonight is the first one, Jasmine and Cactus Flower Extract.





The only repeat I got was the "microdermabrasion" duo. Click here to see my previous post about it.



Before I started the mask, I cleansed and exfoliated my face. I used Spectro Jel to cleanse, and Quo Facial Polish with my Sephora facial brush.

Glymm October

So I guess I ordered the re-occurring monthly Glymm box. That was kind of a surprise. Anyway, even though I didn't want it, here's what I got.

When I first opened it:






more annoying paper junk

Skin79 BB Cream - eBay

I wanted to take a moment to let you know where I got my new BB Cream from. This cost me about $59 at Crystal Mall (an asian import mall here in Vancouver), but this only cost me $16 including upgraded shipping with a tracking number. This is everything I recieved:


A 40g container of the BB Cream, a sample of the BB Cream, a sample of the Gold BB Cream, and a sample of what looks like a serum.  Along with a letter addressed to me from the CEO of the company, informing me of a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I bought from http://myworld.ebay.ca/accessorieswhole who had great communication, and quick shipping/feed back. I ordered this late Sunday night and they gave me a tracking number within 2 hours, of course that makes it mid Monday in Korea.The products came in bubble wrap in a perfect sized box, I hate over sized boxes or worse the envelopes.

I have no affiliation with this but just wanted to share my positive experience. If you're thinking of buying the Skin79 BB Cream I suggest this seller on eBay.

Quo Facial Polish

I got this when I was looking for a new exfoliator. My Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant has finally ran out. This cost me about $10 at Shoppers Drug Mart.



 The directions instruct to use after cleansing your face, and massage gently avoiding the eye area. Rinsing after. It also says to use it 1-3 times a week. You really don't want to over exfoliate.

The texture is a thick cream with micro beads that do not dissolve.

At first I really liked this product, it was gentle but I felt like it was doing something, because of the beads. Then I went to wash it away and I felt like it leaves an oily film on my face. My face is combo, leaning towards oily, and I don't really want my face left with a residue after I wash it.

Now I use it but I'll cleanse again after to remove the film. I feel like it does a good job of exfoliating. I don't get red or irritated from it, which is common for me. My skin is very sensitive.

I would recommend this product if you have a drier complexion, and are looking for a little something extra to moisturize. If you're combo/oily like me, take a pass on this one.

Revlon Photo Ready Foundation - Review

e.l.f. Eyeshadow Review and FOTD using e.l.f.

So I opened up all the packaging and took some pictures, and my sad attempt at swatches (I have no idea how bloggers get good swatch pix!!!!)

Here's the deets about the eyeshadows and my over all opinion.

e.l.f. Haul

I received my e.l.f. (eye lips face) package today, finally. I opened it up, and will be posting reviews and swatches soon! Enjoy!





I bought the products using ebates, and earned $6! Yup, on a $16.00 purchase. Wicked deal, I can't believe people are buying online without this!!



All opinions expressed in the above video are mine, and mine alone. I purchased all products with my own money. I am not affiliated with any company mentioned above.

Maybelline New York Super Stay 24 Color

I get coupons online from P&G all the time, and a couple months ago I got one for $1 off Maybelline New York's new lip colour. I thought why not, I hate reapplying my lips all day, lets see if it works.

I picked up the shade "Blush On", at least that's what I think it says, I threw away the box and the print is suuuuuuper tiny.

Balea Face Mask Review - AHA Anti-aging Micro Dermabrasion

Time for another Balea Mask review, forgive me for being away. I'm fighting this horrible cold and noisy neighbours (preventing a full nights rest).

Lets get right to it! Tonight I used the Balea Anti-Aging Micro Dermabrasion Duo.

Balea Exfoliating Treatment

I felt tonight was another good night to try another one of my Balea skin treatments. This time I went with the Cream and Honey Exfoliating Treatment.



First impression was that it smelled nice, sweet but not overly in-your-face sweet. There are tiny exfoliating beads that give a nice feel to the scrub.

The instructions say to scrub lightly then let it sit fr 10-15 minutes. Okay, no biggie.

Balea Face Masks

I was out at Shoppers Drug Mart last week and saw these face masks on for $1.50, I can't resist a good deal.



Tonight I'm trying out the Pore Refining Face Mask, it claims it's anti-aging, but that's not the reason I got it (although preventing aging would be fantastic!)



The instructions say:

Thoroughly cleanse face.  Apply evenly over face, avoiding delicate eye and lip areas. Leave for 10-15 minutes.  Peel off mask starting at the corners, never pull. Rinse off any residue with warm water and pat dry. For best results use weekly as part of your beauty regime.

When you squeeze it out of the  package it's really thick, like honey. It says it's "Siberian Ginseng", the ingredients also include lemongrass and kelp, and oh boy does it ever smell like ginseng. Once you smell ginseng you will recognize the smell anywhere. It also has a very slight lemongrass hint to it as well.

It gets tighter as it dries out and starts to feel funny around the 5-8 min mark.

Removing it was very simple. It came off all in 1 piece for the most part, only some super thin areas on the edges ripped away. After my skin feels very soft but not dry. You have to remember that when it comes to your pore size, there is nothing you can do to make them smaller. It's like asking for your hair to grow a different colour, it's not going to happen. Your pores are what create the oils in your skin, larger pores = more oil. On the plus side oilier skin means less fine lines and wrinkles.

I would definitely buy this product again, for $1.50 why not! It's a fun to peel the mask off. I'd definitely suggest this for younger girls looking for something fun to do at a slumber party.

PHYTO Dry Hair Set - Phytojoba Shampooing Intense Hydrating Shampoo

I've finished another one of my PHYTO products and am ready to share my thoughts on it.

This time it was the PHYTO Phytojoba Shampooing Intense Hydrating Shampoo.

PHYTO Says:

Specially formulated for dry hair, PHYTOJOBA is a gentle shampoo with intense hydrating benefits to enhance the natural protection of hair and maintain it healthy condition. Apply shampoo to wet hair. Gently massage. Leave on for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly. 

 

PHYTO Dry Hair Set - Huile D'Ales Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment

Right now at Sephora you can get the PHYTO Dry Hair Set with 500 points. I decided it was time I spent my points and picked up the set. I'm not going to use all the products at once, so I'll use one product a post. Giving a first look review.

First this is what the set looks like and what it comes with.

Huile D'Ales Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment, Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask, Phytojoba  Intense Hydrating Shampoo and  Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream.



And this is the Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment I'm going to talk about

Japanese Black Biore Nose Strips - A Review

I've had quite the adventurous weekend so far with my BFF in town. We stopped at a T&T Supermarket on our way back to my house and picked up a bunch of candy (pocky and such), I grabbed a box of Japanese Black Biore Nose Strips on my way out.

I heard good things about this, like that they worked better than the typical North American ones, so I had to give them a try.


I got 10 strips in a pack for $11.99, which I don't think isn't too bad. A little more than a dollar a piece.

RIMMEL London Extra Super Lash Mascara Review

I'm forever on the quest for the perfect mascara. If you didn't know, I'm a mascara addict!! As a blonde with naturally thin, short, basically invisible lashes, I NEED something to make them stand out. I'm also broke ass cheep right now and got the cheepest mascara I could find at the drugstore.