Holistic Judith
Member Since: June 28, 2020Reviews
Maybelline New York TattooStudio Brow Lift Stick
In short, PASS. I confess this product slightly confused me. As a freebie, it wasn't one that I could have chosen to try on my own. For starters, I am a survivor of the brow plucking tragedy of the 1990's so I don't have much to work with. I do... +
In short, PASS.
I confess this product slightly confused me. As a freebie, it wasn't one that I could have chosen to try on my own. For starters, I am a survivor of the brow plucking tragedy of the 1990's so I don't have much to work with. I do use a liquid brow mascara to add colour and depth to my brows so when I received this clear brow lift stick I wasn't sure how to partner them up. I would prefer a coloured stick to get the job done in one product. So, I applied my brow colour and then went over top with the clear coat. I did like the rubber brush as it gave a nice pattern to the brows, but I found the brow stick overly waxy and it did not really add anything more than my brow liquid already did. If you do not use a coloured brow product, then this will give a good waxy hold. If you use a brow liquid, this may complete and even remove some of the colour from the brow. In light of this, I will pass. I just don't see this as a necessary product in my make-up bag.
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NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Setting Spray
If you are looking for an all-day hold for your make-up, this is a great option. A matte finish, it reduces any shine and sits lightly on the skin, so it doesn't make your face feel caked, tight or dry. Only a light misting is needed, but not... +
If you are looking for an all-day hold for your make-up, this is a great option. A matte finish, it reduces any shine and sits lightly on the skin, so it doesn't make your face feel caked, tight or dry. Only a light misting is needed, but not up-close or before other products on your face have dried. As someone with very sensitive skin, I am careful with what I put on it. Smothering my face with an added layer of product on top of my make-up isn't really something I want to be doing daily. For me, this is a special event sort of use. I also had a small acne break-out with use, so even though it is a breathable formula, my skin wasn't having it. I gave it a good test run at a wedding - it left the shine behind and my make-up stayed in place after many hours of laughter, tears and lively dancing. I suspect this is a full win for anyone with less sensitive skin than I have but I will keep this in my make-up bag for those special moments. -
L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara
In short, YES! I really liked this product. I am a mascara girl - won't leave the house without it, so I know my mascaras. This lash product ticked all my boxes - a smudge-proof, small brush, lengthening, safe for sensitive eyes. I like the small... +
In short, YES!
I really liked this product. I am a mascara girl - won't leave the house without it, so I know my mascaras. This lash product ticked all my boxes - a smudge-proof, small brush, lengthening, safe for sensitive eyes. I like the small brush as it gives more control over individual lashes and minimizes clumping. I also allows you to get close to the lash line without accidental pokes to the eye balls. While the promise of 60% longer lashes is a bit of a stretch, it does give good lift and it is buildable for thicker lashes as well. There is no flaking or smudging and it removes with relative ease considering it is water-proof. The wand fits tightly in the tube, so caution required when pushing the thin wand back in; on the upside, it's pretty airtight so mine did last a few months. The price-point is very good, which is a bonus. After a long run with another brand, this one has me now. WINNER!
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Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
In short, TAKING A PASS As a regular user of Maybelline products, I was happy to try the Superstay Matte Ink liquid lipstick. The colour was right in my shade zone - a soft pink. As I opened the top and pulled the stick out, it was an obviously... +
In short, TAKING A PASS
As a regular user of Maybelline products, I was happy to try the Superstay Matte Ink liquid lipstick. The colour was right in my shade zone - a soft pink. As I opened the top and pulled the stick out, it was an obviously thick formula, fine stringy strands pulling out from the gloss like hot cheese on a pizza. And, I say gloss, though this is supposed to be matte. There was a shine to it. It went on my lips in a heavy coat, almost goopy. It felt sticky and gummy, and even when speaking, I felt like I had to 'unstick' my lips to talk. Futher, there was a minor burning sensation, though this is not a plumping product. The look on the lips was less than desireable; it sat so heavy that it wasn't like a nicely coloured lip, it was like an add-on accessory that seemed to highlight wrinkles and befriended my front teeth. I cannot speak to the staying power of this product because I wiped it off after a short time. I could not stand the feel of it. Even after a tissue wipe, I had to use water and a bit of a scrub to get it off. Yet, a residual stickiness remained, so I had to go back with soap, and I could STILL feel it. So, I am a NO for this product, a surprising 'miss' from Maybelline. Gloss, yes. Lipstick, yes, This hybrid liquid lipstick, HARD NO. I actually wonder if I had a bad batch, it was that bad! (See awkward photo for a gross visual!)
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McCafé® Premium Roast Coffee K-Cup® pods
This medium-dark roast coffee from McCafé is made with 100% ethically sourced Arabica beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. Yay to supporting farmers! This means communities and surrounding rainforests can keep on thriving. The beans... +
This medium-dark roast coffee from McCafé is made with 100% ethically sourced Arabica beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms. Yay to supporting farmers! This means communities and surrounding rainforests can keep on thriving. The beans are fire-roasted and the flavour is full-bodied for any coffee lover, though I did find that it was more medium than dark. The packaging is made from recycled materials, and the front of the box does state that the pods are recyclable and even gives instructions on how to do that, but the (very) fine print on the bottom of the box states that this is only possible in select locations. I checked my local area and the pods are NOT recyclable and must be place in the trash, so the label on the box is somewhat misleading; it should denote with obvious transparency that there are exceptions. It also had a QR code that lead nowhere. So, the taste is there as a medium bodied coffee, the packaging has been and can be recycled, but the pods themselves requires extra work to investigate and in the end may not be recyclable at all. The latter may impact an individual's desire to purchase, regardless of quality of taste. While I generally enjoyed the coffee, I will not purchase based on two factors: 1. A somewhat misleading promotion of a recyclable product, and 2. I prefer coffee that is also organic and Fair Trade. There are other options at the same price point that can deliver better on taste, environmental impact, ethics and overall quality. -
Canada Dry Premium Ginger Ale
I tried the Premium Canada Dry Gingerale. This one is made with cane sugar which is just not enough of a radical change from the original in terms of flavour to warrant the top shelf price. At up to $2 per glass bottle for just 237 ml - less than 1... +
I tried the Premium Canada Dry Gingerale. This one is made with cane sugar which is just not enough of a radical change from the original in terms of flavour to warrant the top shelf price. At up to $2 per glass bottle for just 237 ml - less than 1 cup (250ml) - I will take a hard pass on future purchases. The taste itself was pleasant and familiar, perhaps just a touch sweeter than the original formula and a little less fizzy. This was also difficult to find; I finally located it on my fourth try, though I was looking at 'mainstream' grocery stores. -
Smarty Pants Men's Gummy Vitamins
Smarty Pants – Men’s Complete Gummy Vitamins My man is seriously one of the hardest working people I know. Automotive engineering by day, side hustling with his own business in his spare time, and a jack-of-all trades around the house (and for... +
Smarty Pants – Men’s Complete Gummy Vitamins
My man is seriously one of the hardest working people I know. Automotive engineering by day, side hustling with his own business in his spare time, and a jack-of-all trades around the house (and for anyone else who needs help). Oh, and he plays hockey and runs 10K regularly, just for fun. If anyone could use a vitamin boost to keep going, it’s him.
Men and vitamins. Hmm. Not going to lie, it was a hard sell to start but when vitamins taste like candy, it soon became an easy habit to sustain. Cue Smarty Pants – Men’s Complete Gummy Vitamins. In fact, I don’t even need to remind him to take them. He likes that they are super convenient in gummy form, taken with or without food, and the best is that they taste like sweet berries. While convenience and taste are high on his list of priorities, I am more concerned about ingredients.
I like them because they contain 15 essential nutrients, including:
· Omega-3 EPA & DHA essential fatty acids
· CoQ10 for heart health
· B12 for energy production
· D3 to support immune function
· Lycopene to support prostate health
· Zinc for testosterone production
Ingredients are not just about what is in a product but what isn't included, and this one is junk-free. It contains NO: GMOs, Synthetic Colors, Artificial Sweeteners, Artificial Flavours or Preservatives, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy, Gluten, Wheat, Eggs, Peanuts, or Dairy.
The recommended dose is 6 gummies per day. When vitamins taste like candy, it’s easy to enjoy that many. They do contain 6g of organic cane sugar per serving, which I don’t love, but it is definitely not a deal breaker with all the other targeted, high quality ingredients included.
I am grateful to have found a vitamin that my husband will gladly consume. He sure is one Smarty Pants!
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Shoosha Truly Organic – Organic Lemon Eucalyptus Summer Spray
Is anyone else a target for vampire bugs? I think I have unknowingly put out some sort of invisible welcome mat because if I am outside, it’s a given that I will get nibbled on. As someone who hikes a lot, it’s a real concern. Even just being in... +
Is anyone else a target for vampire bugs? I think I have unknowingly put out some sort of invisible welcome mat because if I am outside, it’s a given that I will get nibbled on. As someone who hikes a lot, it’s a real concern. Even just being in my own yard makes me susceptible to red, swollen, itchy welts. Ugh. And, I LOATHE commercial bug repellent – the ingredients carry a very heavy toxin load. Instead, I ‘shoosha’ the bugs away.
Shoosha really should be a verb but it’s a clean product that I use to ward off biting insects, particularly mosquitoes and blackflies. Besides the fact that it works, here is why I like it:
• Smells really nice: lemongrass, rose geranium, cedar wood, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils
• 100% certified organic ingredients, non-GMO
• Vegan and free from nuts and gluten
• Contains no petrochemicals or any other synthetic elements
• Gentle enough for baby,adult and/or sensitive skin, hypo-allergenic
• Safe to use on skin and fabrics (clothing, curtains, bedding)
• Non-drying formula that actually moisturizes
• Doesn’t sit heavy or greasy on the skin
• Environmentally safe and in a BPA-free bottle
This company actually uses food-grade ingredients in their products. You literally could eat it, if you wanted to. I have no idea why you would want to and I am not advocating that one does, but it shows the quality and care taken to create this spray.
While we likely think more about organic food, organic skincare is as valid a consideration. Research is showing a link between illness and chemical loads our bodies carry. It is important to work to reduce this burden on our system if we want to function optimally. This means ditching synthetics and reaching for products that use ingredients that most reflect nature, ones that are plant-based and naturally occurring; even better, ones that are grown organically without the application of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, or grown as GMOs. Yes, it will require more room in the budget as such products tend to be more pricey but commercial grade ones will uptick our toxin load, smother our skin, and increase dehydration. Quite simply, organics are better for us and the environment. Hey, I am not preaching here. I don’t live a 100% purely organic life, but when I can, I do. Shoosha Summer Spray, for me, is one of those times that I choose to live better. (Hint: Always look for the symbol that verifies the product is truly organic. In this case, Shoosha is the first complete USDA certified skincare line in North America.)
I shake and spray every 2-3 hours when I am outside. I sometimes even give a few sprays onto the tablecloth on my outdoor patio table and gazebo curtains. It is so easy to apply from the pump spray bottle.
[ Caution: DO NOT use around cats as they have livers that cannot metabolize some of the compounds in many essential oils, lemon and eucalyptus being two of them. Both cats and dogs have a hyper sense of smell. PLEASE take this into consideration before exposing them to any such products. ]
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Samuraw Organic Complete for Adults
Product: Samuraw Organic Complete There are so many healthy drink powders on the market now. I can’t use all of them so I am quite picky with my choices. There are some attributes that are not negotiable. The powder must taste good, offer a... +
Product: Samuraw Organic Complete
There are so many healthy drink powders on the market now. I can’t use all of them so I am quite picky with my choices. There are some attributes that are not negotiable. The powder must taste good, offer a wallop of nutritional value, mix well and ideally be organic and/or non-GMO.
Samuraw Organic Complete checks all those boxes.
Maximum Nutritional Impact: This powder is a powerhouse. I could never even cram all these ingredients into a salad. Just one scoop offers 7 servings of fruit and veg. The proprietary blend is loaded in 25 micro-filtered organic super foods. And I know what they all are, there is nothing weird or too fancy. Recognize these names? Apple, Acai Berry, Acerola Berry, Alfalfa Grass, Beet, Blueberry, Broccoli, Carrot, Chlorella, Cranberry, Green Cabbage, Kale, Kelp, Maitake, Moringa, Parsley, Pumpkin, Raspberry, Red Reishi, Spinach, Sunflower Seeds, Strawberry, Sweet Potato, Shitake, Tomato.
For me, maximum impact doesn’t just mean the total number of nutrients, though this one has loads of vitamins and minerals from whole, fresh fruits and veggies. It also means that what I am consuming is bioavailable – my body can absorb a nutrient and really make the most of it. For example, Vitamin D is good; D combined with magnesium is even better. The magnesium boosts the level of intake. Our body really likes to work on the buddy system that way. Samuraw Organic Complete has nailed this by offering micronutrient combinations that have the highest level of bioavailability. Talk about bang for your buck - nothing wasted.
Does it mix well? Not bad. It mixed pretty good but some powder settled at the bottom. No biggie. I use a straw so I can easily whip it around. It does recommend mixing one scoop (included) into a juice or smoothie. I am always a bit suspect when a product seems like it is trying to hide. Like, just how bad does it taste? I made mine with water to give it a real taste test. I do like green powders so earthy tastes and smells don’t turn me off. I would say this one is about middle of the road in that regard. I had no problems drinking it with water; others who are just being introduced to this powder or who cannot stomach those earthy notes should probably tuck it in a less neutral liquid. While I do take supplements, I like to mix it up when it comes to the form that I take them in. I take capsules, gummies and powders. Tossing a scoop of powder into whatever I am drinking is super easy, so I appreciate that this is one less thing 'pill pop'.
The ingredients are organic and non-GMO; there are no artificial or synthetic nutrients included. This product comes from nature in its most natural food-state. It also includes the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This one does not require refrigeration as it is very shelf-stable and is backed by over 1,000 scientific studies that show the benefits that this probiotic supports our immune system, oral health, digestion, and respiratory system. This product is also vegan and free from: gluten, yeast, soy, dairy and junk like colour, flavours, sweeteners and preservatives. All natural, nothing synthetic.
It ain't easy bein' green when it comes to the healthy powder market but this one holds its own. Bottom's up!
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Liv Clean Apple Cider Vinegar Multipurpose Spray Cleaner
Product: Live Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner (Apple Cider Vinegar) Clean and green. I like to do my best to eat this way, wear this way and clean this way. As a famous frog once said, ‘It's not easy bein' green!’ Green living can be more costly... +
Product: Live Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner (Apple Cider Vinegar)
Clean and green. I like to do my best to eat this way, wear this way and clean this way. As a famous frog once said, ‘It's not easy bein' green!’ Green living can be more costly, can be harder to find products and down right confusing to always understand if ingredients are based in nature or not.
Why is going green important, especially for cleaning products? A few good reasons:
Health: From endocrine disruptors to carcinogens to other chemical hazards, our health can be impacted in many ways by non-green cleaning products. Too many are a chemical mix for inducing harm. Long term and even temporary exposure can hurt us, our pets and the environment.
Safety: Have you ever noticed all the warning labels on commercial cleaners? I mean, do I want to clean with a product that has a picture of an exploding bomb, a fire, or skull and crossbones? Yikes. Those are the obvious red flags of chemical hazards that we need to avoid. Hard no to products that have the potential to blow up or light up under certain conditions!
Environment: Ideally, green products will be naturally derived, non-toxic, bio-degradable and manufactured with sustainable processes. We want to love on our planet and all inhabitants by leaving the absolute least (or no) adverse footprint.
Live Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner does not have any warning labels. In fact, it boasts: eco-conscious, dermatological tested, 99% naturally derived with certified organic botanicals, and free from ammonia, bleach, dye and residue; no petrol, SLS, triclosan, paraben, silicone phthalate, phosphate, no harsh cleaning agents and no chemical odour. Not tested on animals. (Yay!) Recycled packaging. Well, that’s a lot to consider.
This product promises to eliminate dirt, dust and grime without leaving streaks behind; safe for use on non-porous surfaces such as windows, tiles, counters, non-stainless-steel appliances and mirrors. It has only a faint scent of apple, and no harsh vinegar smell at all. But does it work? Well, yes-ish.
This is not a heavy-duty cleaner. It is not for the tough messes. I found it good for wipe downs and generic cleaning. I do like that it can be used on mirrors without streaking. Truthfully, I often use straight vinegar for cleaning around my home. I keep it in a spray bottle and use it in all the same ways as this one suggests. I honestly did not see the difference between the two, other than the vinegar smell is far less pungent with Live Clean. Speaking of. . .
The ingredients in this product register low on the Environmental Working Group database, except one: parfum (a.k.a. fragrance). This is likely why there is no strong vinegar scent – it is being masked. For a ‘clean’ product, this is a ball drop, IMO. I believe the same could have been accomplished with natural essential oil. (But I am no expert.) Added fragrance is basically a chemical cocktail of substances with limited and/or hard to find safety data, many that have not even been tested for toxic load individually or in combination with other chemicals. I suspect that the reason the details of the fragrance are not clearly listed is because it is considered a 'trade secret’; manufacturers do not need to disclose the actual list. In my books, this lack of transparency is a disappointment in the company.
If you can get past that, then this product may be for you for general clean-up. There is no questioning that vinegar makes for a good surface cleaner. It is an acidic substance, with a pH of 2.0. That means it creates an unwelcoming environment for many microorganisms. Think about how it is used in pickling to stop growth of mold and bacteria. There are many studies that show the power vinegar has to effectively tackle bacteria and viruses. In its natural state, it is biodegradable, edible, and environmentally friendly. Vinegar is safe for just about any surface, and is earth and wallet friendly with a long shelf life. Pretty good all on its own, I'd say.
Do I recommend this product? Again, yes-ish. If you don’t want to use straight vinegar or take the time to make your own vinegar cleaning blend, then Live Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner (Apple Cider Vinegar) may be the product for you.
Meanwhile, clean up! Pet food aisle!
PS - Read more about issues with parfum here: https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-parfum-fragrance/
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