Garnier HerbaShine Review

I chose HerbaShine since it was on sale for $7.XX at my local drug store. From the 18 shades on the rack I picked Soft Black (200) because I wanted to cover my annoying gray hairs without changing my natural hair color. I was quite excited that the gentle formula contains bamboo extract and it is ammonia-free.

I find that the smell of HerbaShine is mild; the scent reminded me of vanilla and roasted nuts. The dye is rich, creamy, and thick so I had no dripping. I left the product in my hair for exactly ten minutes (as mentioned on the package) and then washed it out in the shower. The product did lightly stain my scalp and the tub but it didn’t cause significant damage. The light stain can be washed out. Thank goodness the product did not ruin my white towels! My hair color is now a healthy deep black. Yay! No more grays. The color is very natural looking and has a brilliant glossy shine. My hair feels incredibly soft and manageable.  I would recommend this product and I would repurchase it in the future.

Final Grade: B-

M.A.C. Lipstick Glaze in AC9 (Hue) Review

*M.A.C. Lipstick Glaze*

Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made M·A·C famous.

 *My Experience with the Lipstick:*

•  Price: $25 for 237ml Bottle
• My thoughts:AC9 is a very moisturizing lipstick with a pretty soft creamy pinky- nude color.   It’s semi-opaque with a great coverage. Hue is a classic MAC shade, which I grew to like.  I think nude pink lips are best paired with dramatic smokey eyes without looking washed out.
• Cons: Scrub your lips well before applying the color on your lips or else the product will clump up on the dead skin.
• Bottom line: I *heart* M.A.C. but I won't repurchase this color before it's too played down for me. I personally like bright bold lips and subtle eye colors.
  
• *Grade: 6.8/10

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

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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-

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 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"

Blog Under Construction

I am currently updating my blog so please bare with the technical difficulties you may encounter the next 3-4 days. Also, I have added new widgets on the right-hand side so check those out. :)

Ttyl.

LUSH Cosmetics: Vanilla Dee-lite (Body Lotion)

Body Lotion: Vanilla Dee-lite

Photo 1: My bottle of Vanilla Dee-lite

1.) Likes/Pros:

-Pleasant smelling (exotic, scrumptious, sweet, creamy vanilla scent)

-Scent lasts all day

-An extra light but moisturizing and hydrating lotion

-Fast absorbing

-Non-greasy, non-oily, non-sticky

-Improves skin texture and appearance

-Skin appears brighter

-No sheen

-Travel size

-Flip-top lid

-Great for people with normal or oily skin

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Product has a very thin consistency

-People with dry skin need a heavier moisturizer

Overall Grade: A

Final thoughts: I'm a big fan of this product .I always have this product in stock and use it as a hand lotion. I would recommend you to try it out.

LUSH Cosmetics Gift Set: "From...With Love"

Gift Set: From...With Love

I received this classy collection of eight body care products from my dear brother. Thank you for the wonderful present. :)

Photo 1: Gift Set--From...With Love; slightly unwrapped. I was too eager and pulled off the red ribbon before the photo taken.

Photo 2: Gift Set--From...With Love; opened. Gift set contained Snow Fairy 100mL, Up You Gets 90g,  Heavanilli 55g, Snow Showers 100g, Sugar Babe 100g, Father Frost 100g,  Snowcake 100g, Honey Trap 10g, and 15% discount card--one time use (not featured in my photo).

Photo 3: Dates on the bottom of the gift set.

Recommendations: Money saving tip is to purchase the items separately.

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 Shower Gel: Snow Fairy 100mL

Photo 4: Snow Fairy 100mL

Photo 5: Shake well before use!

1.) Likes/Pros: 

-Pleasant smell (Sweet, fruity, grapefruit scent)

-Light lingering scent on skin and in hair all day 

-Skin and hair feels squeaky clean after-use

-Not greasy or oily

-Easy application

-Luxurious lather (22)

-Travel size

-Safe for daily use

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Sparkles adhere to skin, and hair 

-Challenges to clean up in the tub

Overall Grade: B+

Final thoughts: I would repurchase this item for occasional use before I go out to casual parties.

 

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Emotibomb: Up You Gets 

Photo 6: Up You Gets 90g

1.) Likes/Pros: 

-Pleasant smell (Citrus: Lemon-lime, grapefruit scent)

-Great value (~$3.XX)

-Easy to break or cut into chunks

-Food for the soul ;)

-Mentally refreshing

-Product placed on shower floor: Oils released makes feet smooth

-Placed on soap rack: Product lasts longer; slowly releases oils and scents

2.) Dislikes/Cons:
-Light scent in shower
-Product wasn't strong enough to give me that wake-me-up kick in the morning :(
-Scent does not linger on skin but lingers in the bathroom
-Placed on the shower floor: Product disappeared quickly ( ~ 45 seconds)

Overall Grade: C-
Final thoughts: I would repurchase this item in lieu of air fresheners.

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Massage Bar:  Heavanilli

Photo 7: Heavanilli 55g

1.) Likes/Pros: 
-A pleasant sensational smell (Yummy, musky french-vanilla scent)
-Lingers on skin for several hours
-Easy application; Melts on contact
-Oily and greasy initially but sinks into skin
-Soothes flakiness, hydrates skin and moisturizes
-Works great on elbows, knees and ankles
-Doesn't get messy (Yay!)
-A little bit goes a long way; product lasts much longer than bottle lotions
-The pink on the product does not stain the skin 

Overall Grade: A

Final thoughts: I would repurchase this item and recommend it to others.

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Shower Jelly:  Snow Showers

Photo 8: Snow Showers 100g top of container

Photo 9: Snow Showers Jelly!

Photo 10.  Empty canister. :(

1.) Likes/Pros:

-A fun squishy jelly! (Reminds me of Jell-O ^__^)

-Pleasant smell (sweet, spicy, orange-lime scent)

-Light linger scent for a few hours

-Safe to use on the face

-"No more tears"; Product does not sting or irritate eyes

-Cleans effectively

-Does not dry skin out

-Rich lather

-Product tastes salty, not bitter

-Keep in fridge or freezer for a more solid soap

 

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Messy

-Chunks of the product ends up down the drain

-Long shelf-life (greater than 12 months)

Overall Grade: B+

Final thoughts: It's a must try product! 

 

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Body Scrub: Sugar Babe

Photo 11: Sugar Babe 100g

1.) Likes/Pros:

-Pleasant smell (a creamy vanilla-coconut scent)

-A granulated sugar scrub

-Gentle exfoliant

-Super soft and smooth skin after-use

-Easy to cut up and use (divide into 4 pieces) 

-Use on elbows, knees, legs, ankles and feet

-Non-greasy, non-oily

-Great value

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Melts upon contact with water 

-Slightly messy; crumbles easily

-Does not moisturize skin

Overall Grade: B-

Final thoughts: I will repurchase this item and recommend it to others. 

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Soap: Father Frost

Photo 12: Father Frost 100g

1.) Likes/Pros:

-Pleasant smell (elegant flora scent; unisex)

-Easy to use

-Cleans effectively

-Moisturizing, but not greasy or oily

-Skin feels silky smooth after-use

-Luxurious lather but not creamy

-Product lasts a long time; doesn't just melt away quickly

-Soap doesn't stain your skin or tub

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Scent does not linger on skin

-On LUSH's website the soap is suppose to be indigo blue, but my bar is black...what happened?! :(

Overall Grade: B-

Final thoughts: I product that I will purchase again because it makes a nice hand soap or gift.  

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 Soap: Snowcake

Photo 13:  Snowcake 100g still in packaging

Photo 14. Top view of product.

Photo 15. Side view of the bar.

1.) Likes/Pros:

-Pleasant smell (yummy, sweet almond scent)

-Easy application

-Cleans effectively

-Moisturizing, but not greasy or oily

-Doesn't strip natural oils from skin

-Rich and creamy lather

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Scent doesn't linger on skin

-Soap melts away fast :( 

Overall Grade: B-

Final thoughts:  I will repurchase this product when it's on sale.

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Lip Balm: Honey Trap

Photo 16: Honey Trap 10g   

1.) Likes/Pros:
-Moisturizing
-Prevents wind burn 
-Treats chapped lips
-Fast absorbing
-Tingly feeling after application

2.) Dislikes/Cons:
-Heavy musky honey scent
-After application I received comments from friends and family about a "funky" smell (it was my lip balm! *sad*)
-Difficulties in application; product is a hard solid and does not melt easily on to finger tips
-Slightly gritty
-Tastes salty
-No SPF protection

Overall Grade: D

Final thoughts: A disappointing product it was not creamy or rich. I would try other LUSH lip balms but I would not repurchase or recommend this item.

LUSH Cosmetics: Aqua Marina

Facial Cleanser: Aqua Marina

Photo 1: Aqua Marina; a nickel size amount for one time use 

Aqua Marina is quite similar to A.O.B.S. (Angels on Bare Skin) except...  

- it is an ultra creamy cleanser 

-does not provide any exfoliation 

-it is invigorating; leaves skin feeling clean

-good for acne troubled skin; balances our natural oils
-calms redness

-does not smell like lavender but instead a strong medicinal scent (yuck!)

Overall Grade: B+

My final thoughts: The smell of the product needs to be altered but the results of the product is excellent.

LUSH Cosmetics: Angels on Bare Skin

Facial Cleanser: Angels on Bare Skin

Photo 1: Angels on Bare Skin; a nickel size amount for one time use

1.) Likes/Pros:

-A gentle and creamy cleanser

-Does not strip skin of its natural oil 

-Grounded almonds serves as a light exfoliant

-Leaves skin feeling moisturized and soft

-Improves skin texture and complexion
-Reduces blotches on skin

-Safe to use daily use and twice a day

-Great for sensitive and dry skin, also good for combination skin

-A light and pleasant natural/organic lavender scent

-A little goes a long way

-Fairly long shelf-life; several months depending on when product was made and purchased

-Good value

2.) Dislikes/Cons:

-Takes time, effort and skill to make the right consistency

-Sometimes gets messy; lavender seeds are left behind in the sink


3.) Use
I take a dime size amount of A.O.B.S. then wet my face. I rub the product on to my skin in a circular motion and then I rise the product off.

Overall Grade: A-

Final thoughts: Product provides a unique experience. Definitely worth a try. I would purchase this product over and over.