The Body Shop - Vitamin E Overnight Serum Oil

Dry skin will always be my worst enemy. Moving to Saskatchewan has not helped it at all. I've been using it a couple months now, almost done the bottle and thought its time for a review.

This is one pricey bottle for $28/CAD for a 28 ml. I've tried other brands such as Josie Maran Argan oil, which I will review later.

This is an alright product. A little thicker/ not as light as the Argan Oil and not overly greasy. It didn't last me as long as I thought it would, I bought it back in September and I am just about finished with it. Its not as moisturizing as I thought it would be, which maybe is why I've been using more product. Others I've talked to about this have said that they've had a bottle for over a year. It has the signature Vitamin E rose scent that is present in their Vitamin E line.

I like using oils before my moisturizer every night but personally this one didn't really do any priming for me. It's not really moisturizing and for it's price I can get a bigger bottle of just regular Vitamin E oil... which I'm planning to do.

I wouldn't recommend this product, it's pretty pricey and doesn't have a great performance.

FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Concentrate Review

At first, I did not like this product at all! I thought it was greasy and did not moisturize my skin..
But, after a few weeks, during a very dry winter and a bad eczema flare up, I gave this cream another try... and I love it! I felt bad how I treated this product when I first got it and I do hope it forgives me! You can purchase the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Concentrate for around $35/Cad at Sephora.

This is great for eczema, it does a great job moisturizing... just need to give it time to sink in!

It is a bit greasy but then again its a concentrate and at times when I apply too much, I feel a residue on top of my skin... Sort of when you use those heavy body butters and sometimes it can be a bit sticky. I don't use this all over my body, only on extreme dry spots and on my face. You really have to take the time to rub this moisturizer in. It is a bit calming, I noticed it soothed the red or itchiness overnight.. it doesn't completely get rid of the redness or itching when you apply it but it does help.

Overall, it adds a long lasting moisturize to your skin, can be a little greasy at times and you need to take the time to rub it in... best to apply it at night. But it is a great product for dry skin and I will definitely repurchase it. I'm really curious on other products by First Aid beauty as well..

Nivea Soft Face Cream

Hey there,

Back here with a review for my new holy grail moisturizer! The Nivea Creme line! Love the scent of it, reminds me of my childhood since my mom would always use that cream.With this product, you get your bang for the buck! A tub lasts for a very long time!
I love the original version, Nivea Creme (around $10 CAD / 200ml) which is extremely moisturizing. It was perfect for those Canadian winters when your skin takes a beating! Especially with my eczema its harder to keep my dry skin contained, this works perfectly!
For the summer I was looking for something a little lighter. I decided with Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme for around $10 CAD/200ml. Was super happy with my decision, it was still moisturizing and had that signature scent! As well as it was easier to moisturize into my skin and was not as thick as the original.
Light weight, non greasy, sinks in easily, moisturizing and smells wonderful? HG summer item!

I love Nivea Cremes and how it hasn't changed throughout the years. My mom has used the product, and now I do... I think this shows what a consistent wonderful product this is in the market.

http://www.en.nivea.ca/products/NIVEA-Soft

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Hard Candy - Sheer Envy Primer

I've been on a lookout of an affordable good primer, who isnt? This is the first product i've tried from Hard Candy. From what i've heard, they have mostly good products for decent prices.

This is lightweight and blends in nicely into the skin. It comes out clear, except it does come out a bit.. chunky(?) from the tube but once you mix it with your fingers it's smooth.
I notice that my make up does go on smoother and last a bit longer before having to touch up.
It doesn't shine from any other primers i've tried but for its price of $6-7/cad its a good steal for alot of product.
I most likely will repurchase to have on hand. Its a good product to try out.

The Body Shop - Hemp Products

Back with a review on a couple products from the Hemp line by The Body Shop.
This line is popular for people with eczema or psoriasis, or just super dry skin! First off, i've had pretty bad eczema throughout my life. I'm slowly growing out of it as I get older but my skin is still dry and sensitive. For me, a good moisturizer is one where i only have to apply once or twice and I'll feel comfortable in my own skin. Most moisturizers I have to layer it up a couple times and then top it off with other products in order for that to happen :(
I finally tried this line out since there has been some buzz for it.
I dislike the smell of all the hemp products, smells like... plastic mixed with random incense.

Hemp Body Butter:
$20/cad per body butter.
Repurchase: No
I've used a bunch of body butters' from The Body Shop before. None are really moisturizing but i was suggest to try the hemp and that it will be more soothing and comforting.
Sadly, it was a no go for me. It wasn't any more moisturizing then the other body butters nor was it any help to my rashes or irritated skin. Didn't like the scent. Didn't like the price. Didn't like the moisturizer it provided (which is bare minimum by itself)

Hemp Moisture High Balm
$15/cad (not sure since it is not for sale anymore?)
Repurchase: No
This item is kinda like vaseline petroleum jelly except not as bad. Sadly I did not like this product, its very greasy - does not absorb into the skin easily. I thought it would help and dry flakey areas but it didn't do much. Preferably i would use an actual body oil for the dry patches since it would be more effective then this product. Another weird thing is that, I didn't touch the product for a few weeks and then when i went to try it again it developed a weird .. skin like film on top. Equivalent to if you left pudding out, you'd have to break through the skin to actually get to the pudding.

Hemp Hand Protector
$20/cad for regular size, $10/small
Repurchase: Most Likely Not
One of the Body Shops Best sellers! Its actually a pretty good hand moisturizer, doesn't take too long to soak in. But the smell puts me off, its different for body products since I usually can't smell whats on my arm. But i do smell my hands often (leaning my face against them, rubbing my nose etc) and the smell of this hemp line just isn't worth it. There are other good hand moisturizers for a lesser value that smell better.

Overall I've tried enough of the Hemp products in that line, to know I will not like any of the others....
None of the products really worked for me even if they did, the smell of the products would turn me off from using it.

http://www.thebodyshop.ca/en/shop-by-line/hemp.aspx#/hemp.aspx

Butterfly Weed Herbals - Green Wisdom All-Heal Salve

Hey there,

I've been using this for a few months now on my eczema, any rashes, cuts, dry itchy skin...
I love the idea of this, since the alternative that works is steroid creams which isn't too good for the skin in the long run.
I picked this up at Rocky Mountain Soap for about $16/CAD. Product was all made Canada, which is a nice change.
I love the smell of tea tree.. most people hate it. But that medicine smell of tea tree and eucalyptus... its comforting as odd as that sounds. The scent on this balm is very faint!

Overall its a decent product. It is moisturizing and does help the healing process!
The only thing is that it the Chickweed Herb works for anti-itching.. that part I didn't find work...
Little goes a long way.

I could see myself repurchasing this. I was looking at other products they offer, may pick up a few of those too!

Update March 2014 (Nine months of use); Would honestly not repurchase.. sometimes i find myself itching even more....
Update July 2 2014 : Have finished the whole product, recently my eczema has been flaring up pretty bad and i used up this trying in order to stop myself from using my steroid cream... it hasn't had much effect on my skin. Like i've mentioned before, I do find myself still being itchy in some areas or even at times, even more itchier. Won't be repurchasing this for the lack of performance it has shown in the long run...

http://grassrootsblog.ca/2011/09/butterfly-weed-a-herbalists-story/

Best Headache/Pain Reliever - Peppermint Halo from Saje

I'm not a big fan of popping advil or any of that pain medication. Nothing wrong with it but personally unless I had a fever I never really took Tylenol or Advil. Here comes a healthy alternative remedy : Saje's Peppermint Halo!
I do occasionally get the headache and cramps/stomach aches and realized that this peppermint oil does the trick! And not to mention I love the scent.

Saje Peppermint Halo Wand

I purchased this Peppermint Halo which as a mix of rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint and a few other essential oils. I love how versatile this is, and everyone i've showed this too loves it as well!
Saje has this little concoction in a roll on form which makes it very easy to apply and easy to refill!
Instant relief from any pain or discomfort. I roll it on to any sore muscles, roll it on my sore throat, roll it on my headache, roll it on when i have stomach aches or cramps, roll it on when i feel hung over!
i love it! Its around $25 CAD for a roll on.

The only downside to this is that the smell is pretty powerful and sometimes I feel like i can't use it because the peppermint smell might bother others since its so strong. I love peppermint/eucalyptus scents, that cooling medically smell is comfort to me. But when you put it on, people know you put it on and some people just don't like that scent. So if i'm at work all day I don't or put very little on.

I think when I run out i'll try just regular peppermint and see if its different from the mix that saje offers.

Love this. Great alternative to Advil/Asprin.


Saje offers a numerous amount of natural wellness products : www.saje.ca 

Rocky Mountain Soap Body Butter

Hihi,
I've heard a lot about how natural and good rocky mountain soap items are! I decided to try it out the lemongrass body butter!
I love the scent of lemon grass, the taste not so much (had lemon grass chicken one time).
I was quite pleased with this product, you rub it on and then rub in it more with your hands. It does leave a residue on the surface that sinks in through the hours but you know it's moisturizing when...
The scent of this product is not too strong, it lingers for a bit.. Strong lemongrass scent.

Lemongrass Body Butter

When I was in the store, the sales associate said that they were all going to become organic, which is neat.
I liked this body butter and will probably repurchase it every once in a while.. Use it when I need that deep moisture by layering it on top. I prefer to use this at night so it sinks it.
For the price of the product ($13/55g) and it's size (I can see myself going through this pretty fast) it wouldn't be a staple in my moisturizers.
Thanks guys!

Menthol Lip Balms and Glosses

Hello! :)
You know what I love in Lip Balms and Glosses? Menthol. 

I quite enjoy that cooling feeling on the lips, and usually menthol is paired with a minty flavor which is an additional benefit! And with eczema, I sometimes have an allergy reaction on my lips, making them really itchy! Any one of these products does help that feeling!
When I see a product that boasts cooling or medical properties, I end up buying it and end up loving it!
Here a list of products that contain menthol:

EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint 
$3-4 CAD / 7g

Most product for its price, extremely moisturizing. Nice mint flavor.

Blistex Lip Medex
$3-4 CAD/ 7 or 3g

Alot of product for its price as well. Comes also in a Cherry flavor in a tube (10g)
I found that if I kept using this product consistently my lips became really dry whereas with other menthol based products that did not happen. But this really did heal my chapped and split lips faster then other products.

Burt's Bees Original and Medicated

$4-5 CAD
The medicated uses eucalyptus oil instead. I quite enjoy both of these products, the medicated one only comes in a tube form which can be very expensive, around $4.50 CAD. But i have found this product at dollar tree for only a $1.50 which is a great steal. 

And the original one uses peppermint oil for the cooling feeling.

Both are great products but pricey.

C.O. Bigelow's Lip Gloss Mentha's.
$8.00 for .05 oz
Lasts a while, never actually finished a tube. I do perfer lip balms vs glosses but these are very nice. Most cooling/refreshing out of all of them and the feeling does last a bit longer. Leaves a nice shine...
Its been a while since I've bought one but they did come out with tinted lip glosses in the same line.

There are usually Buy 2 Get 1 free which is a decent deal, $16 for three lip glosses.
I like using them when I am going out and want a cooling lip gloss. 

And thats all I have discovered so far! If you have any favorites, please let me know I would love to give them a try! Can't go wrong with a cooling, breath freshening lip balm/gloss! 

St. Ives : Oatmeal and Shea Butter body lotion

Hey there!
Bought this a few weeks ago the St. Ives : Oatmeal and Shea Butter body lotion! Was on sale for around $4 at shoppers. You'll be able to find this around for a decent affordable value.
I love st Ives products, esp their infamous apricot face scrub, which I always have on hand! Thought I might as well try their body lotion that says it is naturally soothing and relieveing!
Sadly, I didn't fall in love with this product as much as I fell for the apricot face scrub.
It's not greasy but it is not moisturizing. It sinks into the skin easily, but disappears easily. Has the pleasent oatmeal scent, not irritating at all.
But the biggest problem a body lotion that isn't moisturizing in the tiny bit.
Lot of product for the bang, but I will not repurchase and will stick to the face scrubs!

Clinique - Blended Face Powder

Hello! Hello!
Back at it with a review on the Clinique Blended Face Powder, described on the site as a

" signature blended powder. Loose, lightweight texture is right for every type of skin. Sets and perfects makeup, makes pores seem to disappear. Airy, skin-hugging formula delivers a reliably flawless finish. "
I bought #04 in Transparency, its a tan translucent powder. It does come in another colors. I was looking for a loose finishing powder.
Its light weight and provided a great matte finish. My make up did lock in longer with a great powder finish.
It can get a bit messy as well, which is expected with any loose powder and the brush that came with it is deemed useless like any other brush included product!

But sadly, I broke out to this product... not sure what ingredient made my break out :( but it did! Overall its a decent (MUFE HD is still the HG) matte finishing powder with a pretty good lasting power... a lot of product is included as well for the $27 CAD price tag. Too bad it broke me out!

i  k

The Body Shop - Aloe Calming Toner

Hi there blog buddies!

Back this time with my opinion on The Body Shop - Aloe Calming Toner! Sigh, I had high hopes for this toner but sadly it did break me out :(
I'd request a sample of this before purchasing!

Its around $12 CAD, but the body shop always has sales going on so you'll most likely pick it up for cheaper! It has a nice refreshing feel to it when applied and does get rid of any leftover makeup I may have not gotten off from my cleanser.

I would not repurchase this since it did make me break out.

Till next time :)

Laneige - Water Sleeping Pack_Ex

Ello, Ello!
I bought this 'Water Sleeping Pack_ex' by Laneige when I was in Korea a year ago. Finally finished it up :)
I bought this for around $20 CAD when I was in Seoul, South Korea.
I've read rave reviews on this product before. Personally I did not see a difference in my skin while using this product. I had high hopes this would be a great serum but it didnt really moisturize my skin.
It sinks into the skin easily, not greasy and has a pretty not irritating scent. I have pretty sensitive skin but this worked out fine.
I find that most Laneige products have a great mild scent to them.
Personally I would not purchase this product again since It Didnt really Make a difference to my skin.

Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer

Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer by Aveeno.
Love this product, its thick and moisturizing with a pleasant scent yet not greasy!
Its pretty pricey though going at around  $22 CAD.
It also does what it says, my redness/blemish over time was lessened.
Didn't clog my pores at all nor break me out!
I love this product, def. will repurchase... if its on sale or at a decent price. The price tag on this is the only thing that makes me hesitant on buying it! Other than that I recommend this to anyone with dry skin!

Body Shop - Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion

Been using this for a few weeks now as a daily moisturizer($13 CAD for 1.69 fl. oz)... Very light and moisturizing!
Has a slight hint of Tea Tree oil which I do like! It hasn't helped my redness at all,  in the ingredients the percentage of actual tea tree oil is pretty low which is why I don't think this helped my blemishes.

Love the tingly refreshing feeling you get when you put it on! It dries matte, it doesn't go on greasy and is very lightweight! 

Its a great moisturizer but it doesn't do what its "suppose" to which is clear my blemishes...
Wouldn't repurchase just because of the high price and lack of performance.
If you're looking for something to clear your blemishes - i'd skip this product.
** I do love the face mask - will do a review soon!

Lush Mask : Oatifix

Hello Hello! This review is for Lush's Oatfix Mask!

"Use Oatifix to clean and soften dry and sensitive skin. Oats are calming, ground almonds give you an exfoliating scrub, bananas are softning and illipe butter reduces redness. "

- Lush


I have sensitive, and dry skin so I thought 'Hey, could this be my new HG mask?'
No. It wasn't. This mask has a thick consistency a faint oatmeal smell, it wasn't too overpowering. I didn't notice any almond bits inside. Honestly this didn't do anything!


It didn't help my complexion, my skin didn't feel moisturized or refreshed the mask actually left kind of a slimy residue behind that I had to scrub off. And the mask itself did not exfoliate my face at all..

The expiry date does not help this product either, it expires 1 week from the day I purchased and it was the longest one I could find in store. This cost me around $6-7 CAD.
I will not repurchase this, this was kind of ... useless.

Clinique Deep Comfort Moisturizer

Clinique is known for its hypoallergenic items, or at least for me. I have eczema, not too bad since i'm growing out of it but it's still not good. So I have naturally pretty dry skin, easily irradiated and rashy :(
I gotta admit the name got to me, Deep Comfort, oh how i wish i had that.
But the name and product are lies, all lies! :(
Cost : $ 26 CAD
I find that pretty splurgy for a moisturizer! To me it felt like any other moisturizer you can buy in the drugstore for less than half that price but i thought it'd do a great job and I was mistaken.
And the smell was pretty gross at first, it smelt like industrial glue and took a while to get use to.
Not much else to it, not worth the price, not worth the scent, not much moisturizing going on with this product. Repurchase : Never.
I heard the body butter is way better ... but people said this was too.