Burt's Bee Natural Anti-Blemish Solution: Cleanser and Spot Treatment

Thank you BzzAgent for sending me a Burt’s Bees® Natural Anti-Blemish Solution package to share and review. The package included the Purifying Gel Cleanser, and Targeted Spot Treatment, and $10 off coupons. As mentioned earlier in my previous posts...that as a BzzAgent I have a code of conduct to abide to that is be a natural and honest communicator, a listener, and to have fun! I welcome all questions or comments. If you have them please leave them in the comment section below or send me an email at bioscisweetie[at]gmail[dot]com.

*The claim for the Anti-Blemish Purifying Gel Cleanser *

This cleanser is clinically proven to help wash away blemish causing bacteria, excess oil and impurities without over-drying or irritating skin. Salicylic Acid, derived naturally from Willow Bark Extract, penetrates pores to help reduce blemishes and prevent future breakouts. Evening Primrose and Beet Root Extracts help care for troubled skin resulting in clear and healthy-looking skin, naturally. Dermatologist tested. Noncomedogenic.

My experience with the cleanser:

• Ease of use: A watery-cleanser that I pour a nickel size on to my wet hands. I work up a good lather and apply the cleanser on my face.
• Results: A healthy glow. Reduces redness without drying out the skin, and prevents excess oil on the face.
• Scent: Light herbal-ly and lemony smell.

Bottom line: I would definitely purchase the Anti-Blemish Purifying Gel Cleanser. Since it is 99.4% natural, I feel good using this cleanser. Retail price: $14.99 CAD.

* The claim for the Anti-Blemish Targeted Spot Treatment *

This natural spot treatment is clinically proven to help reduce and improve the appearance of blemishes without irritating skin. Formulated with Tea Tree, Calendula, Yarrow and Parsley Extracts to help care for troubled skin and reduce redness and Borage Extract to promote healthy skin resulting in clean and smooth skin, naturally. Dermatologist tested. Noncomedogenic.

 My experience with the Spot Treatment:

• Ease of use: A watery-liquid that I pour on my finger tips then pat on my blemishes. The dispenser is not ergonomic - the first time I used the product I accidentally poured 25 percent of the treatment out.
• Slight stinging but no further irritations - does not cause dry flaky skin
• Improves the appearance of blemishes by reducing redness
• Results: Gently settles acne over 2 to 3 days
• Scent: Herbal black licorice. The smell dissipates very quickly, and it does take some time to get use to.

How I use the Spot Treatment: After washing my face I apply the watery-liquid to blemishes. I let the product sit for fifteen minutes then I moisturize.

Bottom line: I would only purchase the Anti-Blemish Targeted Spot Treatment if it was on sale. Retail price: $14.99 CAD.

Nabob Coffee: The World's Most Decadent Blends

"Treat the Earth well. It is not inherited from your parents; it is borrowed from your children." - Kenyan Proverb 

Photo 1. The Nabob Coffee kit I received from BzzAgent

Powered by GoodWidgets.com

I apologized for the poor quality of the last two photos; they were taken with my cell phone. Also I add a lot of milk and sugar to my coffee so it alters the natural dark color of the drink. :S

Introduction

Thank you BzzAgent for sending me two tins of Nabob Coffee to review. I have to mention this again, as a BzzAgent I have a code of conduct to abide to that is be a natural and honest communicator, a listener, and to have fun! I welcome all questions or comments. If you have them please leave them in the comment section below or send me an email at bioscisweetie[at]gmail[dot]com.

My Experience with Nabob Coffee

I am a sucker for decadent coffee. By 'decadent' I don't mean expensive, overrated coffee with toppings and severed to me by a barista. I mean coffee that makes me involuntary smile after my first sip, and makes my belly warm and toes tingle.  I definitely found that warm and soulful experience in Nabob's Coffee. The dark roast, Full City Metropolis, is a rich, bold and flavorful brew. In contrast, the medium roast Breakfast Blend is a lighter drink with light citrus tones. I like both blends equally. :) See, I'm not a picky drinker.

More Experiences: Coffee Time for My Family and Friends 

I served the two blends of coffee to my friends, aunties and uncles who stopped by our house and there was a strong preference divide. I had twelve good friends stop by my place for an intensive study get together. There was no significant gender difference, even though the group was female dominant; 7 females and 5 males. All the 20-something year olds liked the Breakfast Blend because there is a light kick and zest of citrus. My friends said the Full City Metropolis is too strong and intense for their tastes. Anyhow it turned out to be a rowdy "study" session...everyone was a tad talkative and excited from the coffee sampling session.

My aunties and uncles who visited us had a high preference for the dark roast. They enjoyed and value the distinctive robust flavor and classic coffee "oomph". My relatives said the Breakfast formula is weak and tangy. The coffee was so delicious that they asked seconds on the dark roast. After I served them second cups I also I gave out my coupons for $1 off the product to my family.

Why I Support Nabob Coffee (in no particular order...)

1. The decadent coffee is amazingly affordable. 311g-326g canisters the retail price is approximately $5.29 and the 915g-930g tins cost about $11.49 (from my Bzzguide).
2. The canister wall is made from 100% recycled material. Do I need to elaborate more? 
3. There is eight distinct flavors to choose from. Aside from the two mentioned blends there's also Espresso, Summit 100% Columbian, Tradition, Sumatra, and Traditional Swiss Water Decaffeinated.
4. 60% of the coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified with the exception of the Sumatra Blend. Nabob Coffee Company's endeavor is to increase their amount of certified coffee to 100%. I highly approve of their goal because sustainability is vital. Like I mentioned in my previous post about Green Works detergent...it is crucial that industries make quality products that meets our needs, meanwhile being respectful of our earth. 

Connection to Lecture Material

I highly recommend my readers to watch the documentary Black Harvest (1992). It's about  cash crops, exploitation,coffee-plantations in Papua New Guinea, and global and local dynamics. It is a spectacular documentary that I have watched three times! Check out a more comprehensive review of the motion-picture. After watching the film you will have a greater understand why I support fair-trade.

 Conclusion

Nabob Coffee Company has further heightened my consciousness about sustainability. If we unify on an individual level and on an institutional level we can avoid tragedy of the commons. I am ecstatic to see companies like Nabob Coffee Company being environmental, economically, and socially responsible. I will continue to be a loyal consumer of their fine coffee.

Thanks for reading! Also I want to thank everyone for being really patient with me these past couple of weeks. I promise to post more regularly now that I'm done exams. ^____^

A Review on Your Shape and Just Dance for Wii

I would like to thank BzzAgent for sending me two Nintendo Wii games to test and review.  As a BzzAgent I have a code of conduct to abide to that is be a natural and honest communicator, a listener, and to have fun! I welcome all questions or comments. If you have them please leave them in the comment section below or send me an email at bioscisweetie[at]gmail[dot]com.

Photo 1: BzzAgent Letter

*************************************************************************

*****************************************************
******************************

**************

Just Dance from Ubisoft

Photo 2: Just Dance for the Wii 

Photo 3:  Main menu

Photo 3:  Song selection screen 

 

Photo 4: One player round. Also, notice the (scrolling) lyrics on the left-hand corner..it's just like karaoke. :D

Summary  Just Dance retails for $39.99 (from my Bzzguide). The game requires one Wii remote per player and it can accommodate up-to four players. Players simply follow indicated moves and the character on the TV screen to score points. There are 32 songs to bump and grind to. A comprehensive list of the songs can be found on Amazon.

Pros  Just Dance breaks the ice and really livens up my house parties. The audience will get an entertaining dancing and singing show. People on the sideline will surely get belly-fulls of laughter with the players. In my personal experience the stiffest, and shyest person becomes silly and fun by the end of the night.  

Cons The graphics, selection of songs, motion sensor, and uniqueness can be further enhanced. In other words, the graphics should show more variety and depth instead of having a person dancing on the TV screen. Second, the range of songs is nice but it's limited in diversity. Next, the motion sensor could be refined by increasing its sensitivity. Lastly, the uniqueness of Just Dance may be improved by allowing players to dance free-style.

Bottom line The game is family-orientated, super easy to follow along, and suitable for all genders and ages.  From my parents to my twenty-something year old friends and even my youngest (12-year old) cousins enjoyed playing this game.

Recommended Yes, it worth the investment to get your friends and family feeling like a kid again.

Overall Grade: B-

*************************************************************************

*****************************************************
******************************

**************

 Your Shape from Ubisoft

Photo 5: Your Shape BzzAgent Kit

Photo 6: Close up of the cam on my TV; I circled the built-in light

Summary  Your Shape retails for $74.99 (from my Bzzguide). The one player game doesn't require any Wii remotes because it uses a cam! You just plug the cam in the USB port and voila; you are all set to go. The game is easy to navigate and control. Your Shape takes your needs and fitness goals into consideration with 500 exercises like cardio, toning, strength training, etc. to choose from. A virtual coach, Jenny Mccarthy, provides real-time feedback on exercise moves which helps correct your form right away.

Pros My female friends and I were stoked on taking turns to play the game. A personalized workout game is a brilliant idea and concept. I appreciate that throughout my exercise routines the coach offers feedback, and encouragements. I was also intrigued that I could incorporate my own exercise equipment into my workout routines. Spicing up my workout really motivated me to play again and again and again!

Cons The camera is laggy at times, and super picky about distance and lighting. My male friends did not even attempt to play this game because they thought it was too feminine. 

Bottom line The game is fairly easy to navigate through and the tutorials are fun to learn from. Observations based on my personal experience reveal that only certain demographics, like females who are twenty-something, seems to be interested in the game.

Recommended Yes, go get Your Shape if you don't have a gym membership.

Overall Grade: C

Thanks for reading!  Here's a sneak peek of an upcoming review. 

Photo 7: LUSH Cosmetics "Love Soap"