The Face Shop - Pore Minimizer Controlling Emulsion

I've bought a couple items from The Face Shop since it's made it debut in Alberta. I have pretty big pores and it of course, does not help that I pick at them on a routine basis.

I picked up this emulsion since I've actually always been eyeing emulsions to try out. I didn't get one last time I was in asia and was happy to see that I could buy one here! From what I gathered, an emulsion is a very light weight moisturizer that is just to provide more moisture and protection to the skin. For any skin care routine, you of course apply all products lightest to heaviest. So this goes on after your serum but before your main face cream.

I love the scent of this product, its very fresh and clean smelling yet not overbearing. Has it minimized my pores? Not that I've noticed. Nor has it actually improved the moisture of my skin, it's very light weight and I feel like maybe I'd notice more of its performance during the spring/summer... but as of now it's not holding up/aiding in my main face cream with these Canadian winters.

I also adore the packaging of this, it comes with 130 ml and let me tell you, i've barely made a dent in the past 3 months I've had it. It's such a light cream that you actually don't need much of it to evenly spread across your whole face.

Overall, I would recommend this to people that are just looking to add a bit of extra moisture to their routine but don't have overly dry skin. Its not too expensive and you do get a good amount of product.

I would give the other products in this line a try, purely because of how much I love the scent. Hopefully the other product in this line provide a better performance for my skin.

The Face Shop - Volcanic Clay Nose Strip

I love biore nose strips.. when they work properly and who doesnt? I love clearing those nasty ass black heads, popping those deep zits. Yeah, yeah, shouldn't touch those pimples but it's so hard to resist.

Nose strips are always fun! This one.. not so much. I usually like The Face Shop's products, they recently opened up a store in West Edmonton Mall which I'm happy to see a korean company expand past Asia and into the western side.

This one didn't perform. I've had the biore strips leave some residue before on my nose, but it's white and less messy. This one was messy. The black "volcanic clay" transfers when it's wet to your hands and when you rip it off your nose it does leave black residue on your nose. It didn't work for me, it didn't pull anything out of my pores. It was messier then the biore strips. I will pass on these nose strips. 

 

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..

Elizabeth Arden - Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex Review

It's been a while since i've done a review on moisturizers. With winter coming my skin has already been misbehaving.

I have not noticed any differences in my skin since I've used this. I was assuming this would be like Cliniques "Even Better" moisturizer, which i have briefly used in the past and thought it worked wonderfully, the price on the other hand was not wonderful. I've gone through almost a whole bottle (refer to photo) and I feel like it's long enough to give a review.

First off, its barely moisturizing. My skin doesn't feel moisturized after using this. It doesn't leave a sticky residue or a greasy feeling at all. It has a faint scent, not bother to me. It's light weight.

I bought mine for around $30 dollars at costco for 2 jars. This goes for reg price @ $52/usd on their website for one jar. 2.5 oz/ jar. 

To conclude, I would not recommend this, I have not noticed a difference in my skin since using this and I find this to not be moisturizing. Pass.

I've seen this at multiple costco locations. I would check it out to see if your local location carries it before forking out $52 for a jar. 

OLAY Pore Minimizing Cleanser + Scrub Review

I bought two bottles while on sale retails for around $8-9/CAD, and I have finished one and am almost done the second which calls to share my opinion on the Olay Pore minimizing Cleanser + Scrub.

This product does nothing except wash off most of the make up on your face, even then you would need a couple pumps. This has no minimized my pores and honestly wasn't that good of a face wash.
The scrub part is not too rough on the skin if you want something gentle... I mainly use this with my olay pro x cleanser since I prefer to use something gentle with that machine. It doesn't dry out the skin and does not have an overpowering scent to it.

I've used this cleanser for a couple months now, it hasn't done anything to my skin. Same amount of breakouts/ same pores / same black heads. I'd rather buy a cleanser that I know has an effect on my skin.

Burts Bee's Herbal Blemish Stick vs Saje's Zap Blend

I love these herbal blemish sticks! I first discovered it from Saje and fell in love with their blend, recently I was shopping around and saw that Burts Bee's offers one for a bit cheaper. I ran out of the one from Saje so i thought might as well give Burts Bee's a try, since most of their products are a hit with me!

Saje on Left, Burts Bees on right

Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick clocks in at 12.99 / cad at most retail stores. Saje's Zap blend comes in at 19.95/ cad. It has a more potent scent, much more stronger / lasts longer then Saje's Zap blend. The scent is so much more stronger, If i put it on my cheek or around my nose I really have to watch how much i put on or the ecualyptus/tea tree scent hits my eyes and makes them water. Blemish/zit diminishing power wise, i found it took longer with Burts Bees vs Saje's Zap. It does diminish blemishes and clears up zits but not that fast. maybe a week or so to get rid of a significantly large zit. Simple packaging, glass roll on with white lid where as Saje has a more sleeker apealing Packaging. Dark Brown glass.
Saje clock is at .30 oz while Burts Bees at .26 oz

Overall, I prefer Saje's Zap Blend. It clears blemishes much more faster I found then Burt's Bees. As well as the scent wasn't as potent. I would have to put it right under my eye for the tea tree/eucalyptus blend to make my eyes water. It's more expensive but in the long run you'd use less product making it be worth the price.

Burts Bee's Herbal Blemish Stick:
alcohol denat., calendula officinalis (calendula) flower oil, borago officinalis (borage) seed oil, achillea millefolium (yarrow) oil, carum petroselinum (parsley) seed oil, aqua (water, eau), salix nigra (willow) bark extract, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, foeniculum vulgare (fennel) oil, juniperus communis (juniper) fruit oil, eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) leaf oil, citral, geraniol, limonene, linalool
Reference: Ingredient List

Saje's Zap Blendingredients: essential oils of lavandula angustifola (lavender), melaleuca alternifolia leaf (tea tree), anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile), pogostemon cablin (patchouli), myrtus communis (myrtle), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus), pelargonium graveolens (geranium) and thymus zygis (white thyme).
Reference

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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Vaseline Spray On Lotion

Wanted to love it. It does what it says, is convenient - you spray and go! Its fast, the spray nozzle hasn't clogged on me yet which i am surprised.. it sprays an adequate amount and has a very fine mist. Only thing that i dislike about the sprayer is that when my hands are wet, its hard to get/keep a good grip on it while spraying therefore hard to get my back.

Its a very very light moisturizer with a wet formula (expected since it is coming from an aerosol can) so it does sink into the skin very easily without leaving any greasy residue. I bought the aloe version for around $6.00/cad at most places. Steep ass price. This is a pretty expensive lotion for the amount of product you get. I can see why the would hike up the price because of the spray but for the amount of product... not worth the price. It does go on sale every once in a while for around $4 at shoppers and walmart.
The aloe version has a nice aloe fresh scent that is not overpowering and does not linger for too long.


Sadly it did not perform for my skin. Felt like i didn't put any moisturizer on and that can't be happening for this canadian weather! And honestly, I don't find pumping lotion from a squeeze bottle time consuming, since after you spray it you still do have to rub in the lotion.. maybe not as much since its such a wet formula but you still have to rub it in. So for me the convenient part doesn't really apply. Honestly most likely will not buy it again.

If you are looking for something light weight, easy to rub in and you do not like pumping lotion from a bottle then this is for you.

Spray just a few inches from skin

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/

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!

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.