acute_RN
Member Since: February 6, 2011Reviews
La Senza ITEC Push Up Bra
I hate to say it but unless you have that super-model body type, La Senza blows. You really have to have certain dimensions to fit into these bras. If you do, all the power to ya. If not, don't even bother - it'll just demolish your... +
I hate to say it but unless you have that super-model body type, La Senza blows. You really have to have certain dimensions to fit into these bras. If you do, all the power to ya. If not, don't even bother - it'll just demolish your self-esteem and make you feel fat/awkward. Try a more reputable place with large range of sizes/shapes, and I agree with the ladies below, get a proper bra fitting so you're on the right path.
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Swiffer Sweepvac
The Reader's Digest Version: Get this product if: 1) you have a pet - pet hair be gone! 2) you have hardwood floors 3) you have less than 600sq ft of floor to vaccum/dust Do not get this product if: 1) you expect it to pick up large items like... +
The Reader's Digest Version:
Get this product if:
1) you have a pet - pet hair be gone!
2) you have hardwood floors
3) you have less than 600sq ft of floor to vaccum/dust
Do not get this product if:
1) you expect it to pick up large items like a regular vacuum
2) you have a massive amount of space to clean
3) you forget to charge things
4) you dilly-dally while you vacuum
This mini vac is for dust, crumbs, pet hair / human hair (bathroom), small bits of food, i.e.: cheerios. The battery life is quite short - about 15 to 20 minutes (you gotta be efficient; no dilly-dallying around while it's running). You have to charge it for at least 24 hours the first time. Ignore the package; a fully 24hours at least and don't use it until the green light is on. Remember to put it back on the charger when you're done.
Fantastic for hard-wood floors when there's a little more than just dust kicking around. It was a god-sent for our 600 sq ft, hardwood condo (with two dogs and two girls with long/shedding hair).
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Centrum Multivatims
This review is a plug CENTRUM FORTE, and rant about supplements in general. Enjoy... Really, you should be getting all your daily nutrition from quality food, i.e.: whole-grain whole wheat bread (preferably stone-milled, not processed, with at... +
This review is a plug CENTRUM FORTE, and rant about supplements in general. Enjoy...
Really, you should be getting all your daily nutrition from quality food, i.e.: whole-grain whole wheat bread (preferably stone-milled, not processed, with at least 3g of fiber per slice!), high fiber cereals (at least 10g of fiber per serving), fruits and vegetables (not juices! too much sugar!) and lean/low-fat protein (skinless chicken, fish). There are two exceptions to this: vitamin D and fish oil.
1) Vitamin D: For those of us in Canada, it's difficult to get the recommended 1,000 IU per day. Centrum Forte has 600UI, leaving the rest up to you, i.e.: get some sunshine if possible. (I know winter is difficult, especially when it's overcast and a burning -40*C). Benefits of vit D include lowering risk of depression and obesity; a definite diet staple for anyone trying to manage their weight.
Now for the rant...
2) Fish Oil, specifically Omega-3. Daily recommended doses are around 1,000mg. The biggest source comes from salmon, but since you're not likely to eat it everyday, a supplement is nice. This oil helps reduce bad cholesterol, LDLs, and boosts good cholesterol, HDL. This has a huge impact on cardiovascular health, eliminating the junk that accumulates in your arteries, eventually leading to stroke or heart attack. Cardiac disease is a top killer of Canadians, so Omega-3 is a great addition to any healthy diet. Unfortunately, Centrum and all other vitamins do NOT contain Omega-3s. You have to get them separately in a capsule. Make sure you check the dosage! Remember ~1,000mg per day!
NB, Registered Nurse
Toronto, Ontario
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Lady Speed Stick Invisible Plus in Summer Citrus
All of the scented Lady Speed Sticks are great, especially when they're on sale at Shopper's. I love love love the smells - it's like putting perfume on your armpits, but it actually lasts all day. Plus it's creamy. Definitely a... +
All of the scented Lady Speed Sticks are great, especially when they're on sale at Shopper's. I love love love the smells - it's like putting perfume on your armpits, but it actually lasts all day. Plus it's creamy. Definitely a personal choice I think. If you're into clear, watery antiperspirants, you won't like this. But if you like perfume-smelly, creamy deodorants that last all day, I would recommend this line. -
Clean & Clear Morning Burst Detoxifying Facial Scrub
This scrub is hardly a "scrub" as it's beads are few and far between. Really it's a lotion cleanser. And that tingly "fresh" feeling is just menthol. Menthol makes your skill feel cool and refreshed, but it does nothing to actually clean the... +
This scrub is hardly a "scrub" as it's beads are few and far between. Really it's a lotion cleanser. And that tingly "fresh" feeling is just menthol. Menthol makes your skill feel cool and refreshed, but it does nothing to actually clean the dirt off your face.
Thumbs down.
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Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Persa-Gel 10
This product is great for those 1-2 zits that sneak up out of the blue. Throw this on at night, sleep on it, and they shrink like magic. For those of us with complex acne, this will likely not provide a permanent solution. It's more of a... +
This product is great for those 1-2 zits that sneak up out of the blue. Throw this on at night, sleep on it, and they shrink like magic.
For those of us with complex acne, this will likely not provide a permanent solution. It's more of a touch-up product for people who rarely get acne accept maybe during that time of the month, for example.
Do not buy this product if you're dealing with stubborn, cystic or large area breakouts. It will not help; you need something stronger that will cover all areas affected. (Plus you'll use the whole tube in one go; not what you want.)
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Proactiv Solution Kit
Background: I never had acne when I was a teenager, then adult-hood hit and bam - acne everywhere. Like bad, cystic, painful acne. Tried everything under the sun, nothing worked. At this point I'm desperate and decide to try proactiv -... +
Background: I never had acne when I was a teenager, then adult-hood hit and bam - acne everywhere. Like bad, cystic, painful acne. Tried everything under the sun, nothing worked. At this point I'm desperate and decide to try proactiv - what's the worst that could happen? Three months go by with no results, but the instructions say it takes a while to work, so I keep at it consistently - all 3 steps, twice per day.
Results: After breaking out, drying out, breaking out, drying out, my face starts to get used to the products and my acne clears up. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!
I started to wean off to once/day and this kept my face clear. Eventually, I discontinued the product completely and canceled my subscription. My face stayed clear until some stressful life situations got the best of me and now I'm fully broken out again. BOOurns! So mad.
Moral of the story: Proactiv is pricey, but if you're desperate, it might be worth a try. Just be prepared to make at least a 3month commitment - that's why the guarantee is 90days, because sometimes it takes that long to begin to work consistently. Also be prepared for your skin to dry out. It sounds aweful, but acne bacteria feeds off oil. Until all the bacteria are dead, you can expect dry skin. Then, once you're clear for a month or so, cut back to a "maintenance" dose - the frequency of this will depend on your skin type and "oilyness". Then you can expect to see the drying subside.
Update: Now, I'm on Clindoxyl - benzoyl peroxide (Proactiv's main ingredient) plus an antibiotic (clindamycin). I'm covered through insurance, so the price is zero.
The good thing about benzoyl peroxide is that it doesn't cause resistance like antibiotics. The downside is that it's a free radical. This means it kills bacteria, but it also kills skin cells, hence the drying effect.
Hope this helps anyone struggling with acne. If you choose to try Proactiv, just be ready to stick with it.
Good Luck!
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Garnier Naturals Fresh Invigorating Toner
I've been dealing with some stubborn acne lately, mostly due to the stress of being unemployed, I think. After reading about the benefits of a toner I decided to pick one up. Having tried astingent which essentially sucked the life out of my... +
I've been dealing with some stubborn acne lately, mostly due to the stress of being unemployed, I think. After reading about the benefits of a toner I decided to pick one up. Having tried astingent which essentially sucked the life out of my face, I decided to go for something light, i.e.: grapeseed water, witch-hazel, or low alcohol.
Garnier's "Fresh" toner is very gentle - great for anyone dealing with "dry" acne, like me. I'm currently on Clindoxyl which dries the heck out of my skin, sometimes leaving it sore and iritated. So in this sense, the toner is great.
But I agree with other reviews - you feel like you've just toned your face with water. Because there is no alcohol - the ingredient responsible for wiping up any excess dirt/oil AND for that tingly clean feeling - it doesn't do as good a job as say a 10% alcohol toner or astringent (if your skin can handle it).
You have to find a balance between gentle and cleansing. I would put this toner on the gentle side, good for anyone who doesn't wear too much makeup and has sensitive non-oily skin. Those of us with combination or more oily skin might have to try a low-alcohol toner instead.
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La Senza Body Kiss Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizers have to be at least 70% alcohol to be effective in killing anything worth killing. Any product less than that will dry out your hands for nothing. I tried this stuff at La Senza today (Mom gave me a gift card, even though NONE of... +
Hand sanitizers have to be at least 70% alcohol to be effective in killing anything worth killing. Any product less than that will dry out your hands for nothing.
I tried this stuff at La Senza today (Mom gave me a gift card, even though NONE of their products fit my body properly, so I really loath the store). It reeks, or maybe I just don't like hand sanitizer that smells like you should eat it. If you do, this one's for you. But seriously, it won't kill anything but your skin cells. Get something 70% or more if you're serious about infection control. Otherwise, enjoy!
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iMac
Definitely the best computer I've ever used. The screen comes in two standard sizes - big and massive. We could only afford the big one, but even so, sometimes I look at it and think "holly cr*p this thing is huge!" I converted from PC to Mac... +
Definitely the best computer I've ever used. The screen comes in two standard sizes - big and massive. We could only afford the big one, but even so, sometimes I look at it and think "holly cr*p this thing is huge!"
I converted from PC to Mac and I'm so glad I did. During university I couldn't really afford to be a Mac user, but now that I can I would never go back. Everything is SO user friendly. The computer thinks for you; you attach a camera, it loads everything into its own document automatically - no prompts, no "ten questions."
It's by far my largest asset besides maybe my health and my education, which is saying a lot.
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