Jolen Cream Bleach Review

*Jolen Cream Bleach ad in Elle Canada

Thanks Kristina Wells at Wells Fashion and Beauty for the photos featured above.

*The Claims for Jolen Cream Bleach*

The simplest and safest way for woman to not only lighten their excess dark hair but also give fairness to the skin and complexion. Nourishes and moisturizes your skin to give you that smooth and silky feeling. Why settle for less when we have the best for you.

• Camouflages facial hair
• Cleans Skin
• Unique gas flushing action to cleanse skin pores
• Strong antiseptic to prevent infection
• Quick & Convenient
• Suitable for all types of skin
• Available in 9g, 18g, 35g, 140g & 300g
• Affordable price

  *My Experience with the Cream Bleach:*

•  Price: ~$12
• How to use: Mix the creme bleach with the "accelerator" powder with the plastic spatula. FYI: Don't use all of the 7g "accelerator" powder in one go! Apply to area and leave on for ten minutes then remove with cream with a damp wash cloth.
• Effectiveness: The product lightly and evenly lighten my arm fuzz and the cream did not irritate my skin at all. I didn't experience any red blotches and  itchiness from the product, which I'm quite happy about. 
• Cons: It's very stinky - smells like sulfur
  
• Bottom line: I won't repurchase the cream because I strongly dislike the smell. I can live with a bit of fuzz on my arms. ;)
  
• *Grade: 4.5/10

My Bachelorette Pad - Dream Kitchen

 This or....

this! Irregardless of the cabinet color, I would love to have a kitchen with an island.

I am so happy to announce that I'll be able to move out and live by myself by May of 2012! Yayyyy! I've been saving like a squirrel, investing wisely, and working multiple jobs to keep my student loans down.

So I've been looking and planning for my new home. I think one of the most important rooms to have nicely decorated and furnished is the kitchen, because I'll be entertaining guests there. I've already picked out several key pieces of kitchen furniture and my all time favourite piece are adjustable bar stools.

I would love to have four or five of these modern black chic bar stools in my kitchen. Not only would these classic stools look fantastic but they are excellent for my guests as well.

Ohhhh, so sleek and shiney...Soon I'll be able to have you!

LUSH Happy Blooming Bath Melt Review

*The Claims for Happy Blooming Bath Melt*

Blooming soothing cherry melt.

Heaps of calamine powder.

Inventing Happy Blooming took a careful eye for perfection. Helen, inventor of the bath melt, tinkered with the formula for months. She wanted to create a smooth feeling on the skin, like a dry oil, so she used 50% calamine powder to create just the right effect on the skin.

Cherry chops.

The happy, mouth-watering, fruity fragrance is down to Simon's 'Cherry Chops', named in honour of beautiful cherry blossoms. You get three baths out of each one ? just snap off one segment per soak and its blend of calamine, ylang and cocoa butter will leave your skin silky and non-greasy. We think it's blooming marvelous, and we're sure you will too.

Passion flower seed oil

Passion flower oil forms part of that sweet scent and encourages a sense of happiness and calm.

Calamine powder

Powdered calamine soothes and creates a smooth feeling on the skin.

 *My Experience with the Bath Melt:*

•  Price: $6.95 for 60g
• Effectiveness: I break the decadent bath melt into 3 chunks - it breaks into perfect pieces easily.  The rich melt gives off a wonderfully relaxing creamy pink hue and makes my skin smell amazing. The product leaves me with ultra smooth and soft skin  all over without causing chest and back break outs.
• How to use:  I held the product directly under the running tap for a bit before the Happy Blooming Bath melt disolved. 
• Scent: Cherry candy
  
• Cons:It's pricey!
  
• Bottom line: A must have!
  
• *Grade: 9.2/10

Aviva Organics Conditioning Body Polish Review

*The label is flaking off and it creates a terrible mess

*The Claims for Aviva Organics Conditioning Body Polish * 

Conditioning Body Polish: Look Healthy. Feel Confident. This creamy body polish contains organic botanicals, antioxidants and essential oils designed to condition, soften and evenly exfoliate your skin. Ideal to help your sunless tan will look darker, fade more evenly, and last longer. The invigorating particles smooth and prep your skin for a truly exceptional sun-free tanning experience.

78% Organic Ingredients:         Organic Rosemary Extract         Organic Calendula ExtractOrganic Ginger Root Extract         Organic Lemon Verbena Leaf Extract         Organic Orange Peel Extract         Organic Rose Hips Fruit Extract         Organic Sunflower Seed Oil         Organic Soy Oil

Directions: Apply product with hands. Massage gently using circular motion, paying extra attention to the elbows, knees, hands, feet and ankles. Rinse thoroughly.

*My Experience with the Body Scrub:*

•  Price: $25 for 237ml Bottle
• Effectiveness: The conditioning body polish effectively removes dead skin cells and stimulates circulation. I noticed a significant difference in my skin tone after the first use; the polish brightens my skin and leaves my skin uber smooth. The invigorating particles preps my skin for my lotion/ self tanner moisturizer.
• How to use: I apply the product with my hands to my legs, elbows, knees, feet and ankle in circular motions.
• Scent:  Light, creamy orange
• Cons: The particles can be more finely milled. I think the scrub may be too harsh for indivdiuals who have senstive and thin skin.
  
• Bottom line: I don't recommend this body polish. Save your money and use St. Ives facial scrub instead of Aviva Organics Conditioning Body Polish.
  
• *Grade: 5.8/10

LUSH Tea Tree Water: Toner Review

 *The Claims for Tea Tree Water*

TOUGHER TONER FOR SPOTTY SKIN.

Ah, tea tree: how do we love thee?

Tea tree is extremely soothing and can work wonders on troubled or oily skin. We've also added juniper berry and grapefruit waters to refresh and tone with natural oils.

Mild antiseptic spray.

Use this throughout the day to help tackle blemishes and lift your spirits.

Juniper berry water

Juniper berry oil has many properties, some of which are very beneficial to the skin. The antiseptic quality of the oil is very good for helping oily, spot-prone and acne skins.

*My Experience with the Toner:*

• Price:$8.95 for 100mL
• Cons: I find that this toner is not as effective as my regular drug store brand toner; the tea tree water does not seem to remove makeup and oils as well as drug store brands.  
• Effectiveness: I really like how gentle the Tea Tree Toner is on my skin; the product is not harsh and does not dry out my skin.  The toner removes some blackheads (after multiple uses) and leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed.
• Bottom Line: I'm on the fence about repurchasing this product or not. I like that the toner doesn't contain alcohol, but the effectiveness is quite mild for me. I'm still searching for "the perfect" toner.
• Grade: 6.5/10

Physicians Formula: Organic Wear Loose Powder Review

*No you aren't seeing double; I bought two containers of the loose powder

* The back of the packaging

*Front view; note the dome shape top

* Back of the container with a dinky mirror

*Top view of the product; flip top

 * Close up for the loose powder

*Bottom of the container

 *Foundation swatch

 *Foundation blended in

 *The Claims for PF-Organic Wear Loose Powder *

• Combines the performance and coverage of a foundation with the blendability and natural finish of a loose powder.
• Innovative sifter lid in the jar allows for mess-free application.
• Natural kabuki brush and mirror included.
• A 100% natural origin loose powder, formulated with 10.6% certified organic ingredients, including safflower seed oil and jojoba seed oil to moisturize and corn starch to mattify the skin.

100% Free of Harsh Chemicals. 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives. 100% Free of Parabens. 100% Free of GMO's. 100% Free of Synthetic Colors. 100% Free of Synthetic Fragrances. 100% Cruelty Free.

• May be worn alone or over makeup.
• Invert jar and gently tap to allow powder to gather in tray.
• Open sifter lid.
• Lightly brush powder on face and neck to even out complexion.
• For the most even application, be sure to tap excess powder from brush before applying.
• For best results on dry to very dry skin, apply moisturizer prior to using powder.

My Experience with the Powder:

• Price:~$12.39 CAD for 22g
• Effectiveness: This is a versitle powder that can be worn alone or on top of foundation and concealer.  The loose powder provides me with continuous full coverage for the whole day.  The product minimizes my pores and soaks up oils, thus giving me a nice matte and natural finish all day. I haven't expereinced any irritations or break outs from using this powder.
• Cons: No SPF protection. I dislike the stiff and rough kabuki brush and the useless tiny mirror. The powder smells like funky virgin olive oil.
• Bottom line: A must have. I would recommend this gentle product for individuals who have oily or combination skin. This is my fave powder. I hope PF does not discontinue making this product. 
• Grade: 9.2/10

Happy Valentine's Day

*Calgary Zoo lights

Jergens® Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Review

 *The claims for Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer*

Natural-looking color that lasts longer than the leading sunless tanner

Jergens^® natural glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer delivers fabulous, natural-looking color that lasts twice as long as the leading sunless tanner lotion.

• Gradually infuses your skin with a blend of effective moisturizers, antioxidants and Vitamin E
• Designed for Fair to Medium and Medium to Tan skin tones
• For best results, use daily as your body lotion. Smooth on evenly, allowing several minutes to dry prior to dressing. Wash your hands after application. You will begin to see a subtle development of color within several days. If color change is not as noticeable as desired, apply more frequently. 

*My Experience with the Moisturizer:*

• Price: ~$5 (I purchased the product when it was on sale)
• Effectiveness: The texture is like any regular moisturizing lotion. The product is greasy - the product does not appear to sink into my legs - it is not an effective moisturizer for my dry legs.  For me the color is not noticiable until the second application then I can see a subtle light tan. The color is definitely buildable, but be warned that an over application of the product may cause an orangey tan. Trust me I learnt the hard way. 
• For best use:  Use after showering and exfoliation. Let the product dry before dressing!
• Cons: I dislike the fine red iridescent sparkles in the cream and the Dr. Pepper scent.
• Bottom line: I personally would not repurchase the product, because the smell of the product is a major turn off for me. However, I would recommend the Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer to my readers, friends or family if they want a cheap and cancer-free tan.
• Grade: 6/10

LUSH Cosmetics Skin Nanny Review

*The Claims for Skin Nanny*

Protects your face from the effects of the sun

Skin Nanny is the natural way to protect your skin from wrinkles. If you are going out in the sun and want to look after your skin, you've got to choose a moisturizer with some protection. Skin Nanny has natural AHAs from the fresh apple juice, helping to combat free radicals. It's all part of our holistic approach to keeping your skin bright by using the whole fruit.

Heavy duty moisture soak.

Starflower oil moisturizes and hydrates your skin. Skin Nanny's C and E vitamins come naturally with almond and hibiscus oils to penetrate your skin and smooth wrinkles.

Cold-Pressed Oils

We use cold-pressed oils because they are the finest quality available and combine to make skin instantly soft.

*My Experience with the Moisturizer:*

• Price: Original size - 45g for $48.95 CAD;  Sample size: $5
• Texture: The rich moisturizer is very heavy, thick, and creamy kinda like Vaseline.  The product melts on contact with my skin i.e. the cream turns into oil.
• Effectiveness: I have combination skin; oily t-zone in the spring and summer, and super dry skin in the winter. It's a great night cream but the product is too heavy for day use for me. Suprisingly the cream doesn't clog my pores (yayyyy)! With Skin Nanny my skin is blemish-free, and much smoother and softer.
• Scent: Heavenly like a combination of sweet exotic flowers and lavender
• Cons: It's expensive! 
• Bottom line:I would recommend this product for people who have dry skin and those individuals who are looking for a luxurious night cream.
• Grade: 8.5/10

LUSH Enzymion Moisturizer Review

 *The Claims for Enzymion Moisturizer *

Balances oil production.

Enzymion goes straight for those oils and makes them disappear. Helen's amazing formula of cleansing papaya, blended with soothing aloe vera, absorbs oils naturally. Our inventors worked hard to get the right amount of papaya and lemon on the skin, and this moisturizer is the fruit of their labour. Its name pays homage to a classical poem by John Keats.

Gives skin a matte finish.

An infusion of brightening fresh lemons and sweet grapefruit and lime oils refreshes and tones your face. Then, we whisk in the organic butters to moisturize and soften your skin.

Lemon

Lemon refreshes and brightens.

*My Experience with the Moisturizer:*

• Price: Original size - 45g for $36.95 CAD;  Sample size: $5
• Effectiveness: I used this product when I was suffering from cystic acne and was in the early phase of taking Accutane.  It's a light but hydrating moisturizer which I still use and only in the morning. Enzymion Moisturizer helps brighten my skin and even out my complexion. The product helps me regulate shine and greese! My skin is calmer in that I'm breaking out less.
• Scent: Refreshing citrus 
• Cons: It's a bit pricey and no SPF protection.
• Bottom line: Recommended for individuals who have combination skin and oily skin. Enzymion Moisturizer is waaaay better than any drug store moisturizer. You won't regret trying this product.
  
• Grade: 7.8/10

Review of Physicians Formula: Talc- Free Mineral Wear Foundation

* The foundation was a bit darker than my natural skin tone, which is okay - I just looker tanner with the product on. I should have brought it in a shade or two lighter.

 *Swatch of the foundation

 *The foundation blended in
 

*The Claims for the Talc-Free Mineral Wear Foundation*

* For extra sensitive or breakout-prone skin!
* Ultra-gentle formula helps reduce irritation and breakout.
* Anti-microbial sponge delivery system for effortless application and easy blending without the mess or contamination.

*My Experience with the Foundation:*

• Price: $10.45 CAD
• Effectiveness: I hate Marcelle's Matte Finish foundation, because their product makes me break out. Thankfully, I found PF Mineral Wear! This foundation is great for people who have acne prone skin and/or sensitive skin.  The medium coverage foundation has a smooth and creamy texture. The product glides on and it was very easy to blend. Also, the Mineral foundation is comfortable to wear for the first 6-8 hours, and the product didn't irritate my skin at any point of the day.  You only need to use a very small dab of this foundation to cover the whole face and acheive a smooth and natural complexion. 
• Cons: Smudges, feels a bit heavy as the day progresses, no SPF protection.  
• Bottom line: This is the best foundation that I know of for people who have sensitive or acne prone skin. 
• Grade: 7.5/10

Happy Chinese New Year!

It's the year of the rabbit!

* Zodiac sign box

* The velvet case

*My beautiful Canadian Royal Mint Rabbit Lunar Coin!

Review of Physicians Formula: Multi-Reflective Face Powder

*The Claims for The Muli-Reflective Face Powder*

 Information from their site:

Tag line: Self-adjusts to even out skin tone with a luminous glow

* Hypoallergenic, Oil-free, Fragrance free, Non-comedogenic, Dermatologist approved

• Multi-reflective pigments contain chameleon-like properties, which diffuse light to optically minimize the appearance of fine lines and imperfections.
• Rich concentration of multi-reflective pigments brighten up complexion with a subtle sheen of color for a healthy-looking glow!
• Made with the finest Italian talc for a soft and ultra-smooth finish without irritating sensitive skin.
• Compact contains a mirror and powder brush for ultimate convenience!

 *My Experience with the Face Powder:*

• Price: Approx. $10 CAD
• Net Weight: 0.42 Oz./12g   
• Effectiveness: The neutral and translucent reflective powder brightens up the face and highlights facial features.  You get a dewy complexion and natural finish with the product.  I love that the formula doesn't look dry and powdery on the face, and it diminishes the appearance of pores. 
• Cons: I personally can't use the powder on my whole face without looking oily or greasy. I wish this had SPF coverage then I can skip a step and I don't need to apply sunscreen.
• Bottom line: It is a product I occassionaly use when I go out or photo day at school/ work.  It is something can live without and I would only purchase the product if it was on sale.
• Grade: 7.2/10
  

Diagram 1. areas to apply the product to highlight facial features. For best results I apply the powder on my (upper and lower) brow bones, the bridge of my nose, cheek bones, chin, and cupid's bow, as illustrated in the picture above.