I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more... +
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more confident that it would fully cover any problem areas. I tended to use the smaller patches if I knew I was leaving the house. Both sizes, however, blended in with my skin so seamlessly. They’re transparent and after you tap them on to your face, all that’s visible is a slight flesh-coloured bump. The adhesion was amazing. There was absolutely no risk of these coming off! One night I even wet my face accidentally and the patch didn’t budge an inch. Unfortunately that does mean that you need to tug on them a little bit to get them off when you’re done. I would use the tip of my fingernail to catch the patch and then peel from there. I quickly found out that this doesn’t work on cystic acne. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting any results or seeing anything come off on the sticky side of the patch. For regular surface pimples, however, the results are unmistakeable. I left a patch on for around 5 hours and after removing it, I could clearly see a defined whitehead (similar to what you would see when using the old-style nose strips). The pimple itself was noticeably drier and had a crust. By the next morning, it seemed like it had come back a little bit, so I would probably use these for maybe two days in a row to really get at a difficult pimple. -
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more... +
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more confident that it would fully cover any problem areas. I tended to use the smaller patches if I knew I was leaving the house. Both sizes, however, blended in with my skin so seamlessly. They’re transparent and after you tap them on to your face, all that’s visible is a slight flesh-coloured bump. The adhesion was amazing. There was absolutely no risk of these coming off! One night I even wet my face accidentally and the patch didn’t budge an inch. Unfortunately that does mean that you need to tug on them a little bit to get them off when you’re done. I would use the tip of my fingernail to catch the patch and then peel from there. I quickly found out that this doesn’t work on cystic acne. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting any results or seeing anything come off on the sticky side of the patch. For regular surface pimples, however, the results are unmistakeable. I left a patch on for around 5 hours and after removing it, I could clearly see a defined whitehead (similar to what you would see when using the old-style nose strips). The pimple itself was noticeably drier and had a crust. By the next morning, it seemed like it had come back a little bit, so I would probably use these for maybe two days in a row to really get at a difficult pimple. -
My go-to cookware at home is an eight year old Paderno set that’s strikingly similar to this one, right down to the copper stripe. However, this is a superior set in that it contains a copper core in its 5-ply construction. Having seen just how... +
My go-to cookware at home is an eight year old Paderno set that’s strikingly similar to this one, right down to the copper stripe. However, this is a superior set in that it contains a copper core in its 5-ply construction. Having seen just how durable my older set of Paderno stainless steel pots and pan have been, I was eager to give this a try. My experience with my existing set is that these hold up incredibly well under everyday use – they still look as good today as they did the day I opened the box. This new set, however, boasts superior craftmanship that is immediately evident. The profile of these lids is lower and slimmer, making them easier to store in cupboards, and the riveted handles lend them a very luxe look. I love the fact that Paderno cookware is still made in Canada, as that’s incredibly difficult to find for stainless steel pots and pans these days. The set includes all the sizes that you’ll need – small (1.6L) medium (2L), and large (3.2L) saucepans, a dutch oven (5.4L), a medium-sized (9.5 inch) frying pan, a steamer, and matching lids for all. I use these on an induction cooktop and it works seamlessly, but they’re also safe to be used on every other type of stove – electric, gas, ceramic, and halogen. I far prefer cooking with stainless steel over non-stick coated products – if you know how to use these properly, your food will absolutely not stick to them and they’re very easy to clean. In the event that you do end up with some sticking, you don’t have to think twice about scrubbing them clean since it’s just stainless steel. It’s super easy to get these looking good as new, no matter how far you think you’ve taken things. These are also well-weighted, so they’re not just slipping all over your stovetop (particularly induction stoves). That does mean they’re a little heavy for storage and movement, but it’s just a sign of good quality materials. You can also safely bake using them in the oven up to 500 degrees F. I have not been disappointed with my previous Paderno set and am even more thrilled with this one. Their cookware sets are truly worth the money and an investment in kitchenware that will last a lifetime. Quality over quantity, they say, and this set means that you won’t be running out and throwing money at shoddy pots and pans over the years, all adding up to the same cost. -
If you’re a fan of tropical drinks, this one’s for you! The Molokai Coconut flavour of bai definitely conjures up images of palm trees and calm ocean sounds. The flavour is pretty spot-on for coconut, but there’s definitely a bit of a... +
If you’re a fan of tropical drinks, this one’s for you! The Molokai Coconut flavour of bai definitely conjures up images of palm trees and calm ocean sounds. The flavour is pretty spot-on for coconut, but there’s definitely a bit of a sweetener after-taste. This doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners, but still includes erythritol and stevia. I don’t love that lingering taste, but the drink is great in the moment (I should note that my husband didn’t pick up on any sort of after-taste and thought it was all-around great). I do like that each bottle (a whopping 530 mL – talk about value!) contains only 1 gram of sugar, and actually contains a decent amount of Vitamin E and Potassium, which is unexpected for a casual drink. It’s also worth noting that each bottle contains 65 mg of caffeine, so it’s great as a pick-me-up when you aren’t feeling like other caffeinated beverages. I’d say this is perfect for a hot summer day when you need an energy boost, but still want to enjoy a cold, refreshing drink. It’s also a low-calorie drink, so between that and the measly 1 g of sugar, it’s a guilt-free indulgence. Given all this, I’m willing to overlook any lingering taste and try the other flavours to try and pinpoint a favourite that can become my go-to during the summer months. -
The digital screen is a very nice touch and gives you 100% confidence in the settings you’re using to brew your perfect cup. You can select from two different “brew sizes”, either 2-4 or 5-12 cups and different brew strengths, which is a... +
The digital screen is a very nice touch and gives you 100% confidence in the settings you’re using to brew your perfect cup. You can select from two different “brew sizes”, either 2-4 or 5-12 cups and different brew strengths, which is a feature I've never seen in a coffee maker before, either regular or bold brew. As is pretty standard in these programmable machines, you can set a delay timer so that it starts brewing your coffee fresh, in time for your morning routine. This is in addition to a keep warm feature, which ensures your java remains heated if you’re slowly sipping throughout the day. This machine has a few neat characteristics that I really appreciated, including the fact that the water tank is transparent, making it much easier to spot when levels are running a little low. The ability to make a smaller batch brew is also great, especially as we regularly make coffee in my household for only 2 people. This setting ensures that the brew strength isn’t compromised as a result of the downsized brew. I also hate fussing around with one-time-use paper filters, which I find wasteful and always a hassle to remember to replenish. This machine comes with a reusable, washable filter. It also features a beautiful blue backlighting which, when combined with the smooth chrome-like finish, gives this machine a more elevated, luxe look. It’s very easy and intuitive to use and has quickly become a countertop staple in our kitchen. -
I've used Nair products in the past for easy hair removal on more sensitive areas, like my stomach, but have primary stuck to dermaplaning for my face. With that, there's always the risk of cuts and the need to be extra careful and focused. I didn't... +
I've used Nair products in the past for easy hair removal on more sensitive areas, like my stomach, but have primary stuck to dermaplaning for my face. With that, there's always the risk of cuts and the need to be extra careful and focused. I didn't like the idea of juggling a messy, smelly cream and applying it to my face. Nair's new Prep & Smooth facial "roller" makes it so quick and easy to apply and use hair remover on my face. While the applicator looks like a roller, it's really a tube with a silicone tip that dispenses the cream. This makes it virtually mess-free, since you just glide the tip over your skin while squeezing and are specifically instructed not to rub it in. After leaving this on for around 5 minutes, I removed it with a slightly damp makeup removing cloth and followed up with a water-only wash. It was very effective at removing peach fuzz as well as other darker hairs around areas that are more sensitive, like moles. This was a far superior way to remove hairs in these areas, versus dermaplaning which simply can't be done over this sort of skin, and versus waxing which is messy, time-consuming and oftentimes painful. This was quick, easy, painless and versatile. The scent was very inoffensive and the formula contains coconut oil and collagen, to soothe and help skin recover. After giving this a try, I don't think I'll be going back to any other facial hair removal method. This process is so easy. -
I’ve always been impressed by Spin Master's various toy collections and new releases. I expected more of the same from this Wizarding World Magical Collector Wand, but surprisingly found myself let down. This line features collector wands from... +
I’ve always been impressed by Spin Master's various toy collections and new releases. I expected more of the same from this Wizarding World Magical Collector Wand, but surprisingly found myself let down. This line features collector wands from major Harry Potter characters and are meant to be (I presume) decorative collectives. They’re offered as blind boxes, meaning you won’t know which character’s wand you’ve received until you open it up to be surprised. My nieces were disappointed to have received Ginny Weasley’s wand, particularly as she’s not really a main character in the series. The wand itself is around 12 inches and seems to be made only of plastic. I honestly thought there would be a bit more heft to it – I think I was distracted by the “Die Cast Icon” label on the front of the packaging. I just assumed the wand would also be die cast metal of some sort. It also comes with a display base/stand and a corresponding die cast icon that’s unique to each character. In the case of Ginny, it was a mini Arnold the Pygmy Puff accessory. All this being said and my disappointment over the materials aside, my nieces did have a good time playing pretend with the wand and acting out various spells that they had picked up from the movies. I think this is a great addition for role-playing and Halloween costumes, but it falls short as a purely ornamental collectible for HP fans.
I received this as a #freeproduct in exchange for my honest review.
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I've been a long-time customer of Chapman's, from their frozen yogurt to their ice cream "lollys" to their classic ice-cream. Their Super Premium Plus line is the latest to come out of their Willy Wonka-esque factory. This ice cream is more akin to... +
I've been a long-time customer of Chapman's, from their frozen yogurt to their ice cream "lollys" to their classic ice-cream. Their Super Premium Plus line is the latest to come out of their Willy Wonka-esque factory. This ice cream is more akin to premium, "small tub" (as I refer to them" brands like Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Dazs, and boy, does it ever give them a run for their money. Chapman's take on premium, black-label ice cream is smoother and softer than these other brands. No more bending a spoon while trying to scoop a thimbleful out of the tub. The Chocolate Lover flavour was rich and decadent, touching more on dark chocolate notes. It's widely available and easy to find in stores, but the only downside is the more "premium" price tag that goes along with it. The reason why Chapman's is so popular with my friends and family is a combination of their great taste and excellent price points. This may have missed the mark on the latter. I also would really like to see a broadening of the flavours available in this line - I think the introduction of more unique pairings can really set this apart as a home-grown, Canadian competitor to those other premium brands, but the current range is a bit lackluster.
All this being said, it's an excellent (somewhat) locally-produced premium ice cream that's well-stocked and easy to find, great-tasting, and velvety smooth.
I received this as a #freeproduct to try in exchange for my honest review.
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I had been dying to try this glass hair water for some time, but was torn because of the mixed reviews in other markets where it had already been available for some time. For context of the review, I tend to have dry, frizzy hair (occasionally... +
I had been dying to try this glass hair water for some time, but was torn because of the mixed reviews in other markets where it had already been available for some time. For context of the review, I tend to have dry, frizzy hair (occasionally coloured to cover greys, but with a non-bleaching hair colour). The bottle has pre-marked lines to indicate the size of a dose (each bottle contains a minimum of 10 doses - it's a bit tricky to figure out the measurement before you get to the first and after the final line of the packaging). I applied this after shampooing, making sure to wring out my hair first, as per the instructions. I used 2 doses for my upper-back length hair, avoiding the roots. You're supposed to massage it in to your hair and the bottle mentions you may feel a slight warming sensation when it "activates." Since I only had this on my lengths and none was really applied to my scalp, I didn't end up experiencing this. You can also still follow this up with a conditioner, as per usual. Like all of Garnier's Fructis hair products, it also smells fruity and fantastic. After doing my usual styling routing with a hot air brush, my hair did in fact look much shinier than usual. I wouldn't say it was glossy or "glass-like", but it really resembled what my hair looks like after a fresh haircut (after all my dry and split ends are swept away) - a healthy, natural shine. The only concerning part is the number of alcohols in the product - I don't know if I would use this regularly as a result, but certainly would in anticipation of a special event. -
I'm always keen to try new products that promise to keep my frizzy hair at bay. This leave-in spray is more reminiscent of a leave-in conditioner, owing to its thicker consistency (compared to those more watery post-shower hair sprays). I think... +
I'm always keen to try new products that promise to keep my frizzy hair at bay. This leave-in spray is more reminiscent of a leave-in conditioner, owing to its thicker consistency (compared to those more watery post-shower hair sprays). I think largely owing to its consistency, I found it left my hair feeling nourished and more hydrated than usual. As a result, I noticed significantly less frizz since my hair wasn't gasping for moisture. It was a perfect fit for my frizzy, dry hair! I also appreciated that it doubles as a heat protector since I tend to style my hair with hot tools post-shower. When I was ready to go, my hair looked shiny and healthy, while not being weighed down by the product. It also smells absolutely fantastic - a very inoffensive fruity scent that I couldn't stop smelling.
I #gotitfree to try in exchange for my honest review.
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