minala
Reviews
AVEENO® Tone + Texture Renewing Night Cream
I received this #freeproduct to review. It’s meant to even out bumpy skin so I tried it for a couple weeks and it worked well enough! Just depends on where though. For my tenacious 🍓 legs, it had mildl results: the texture got better but it... +
I received this #freeproduct to review. It’s meant to even out bumpy skin so I tried it for a couple weeks and it worked well enough! Just depends on where though. For my tenacious 🍓 legs, it had mildl results: the texture got better but it didn’t take off the strawberry part 🙃 For my arms however, it worked wonders. I just a bit of a bumpy texture and that took care of it. So happy with it. Now, this cream has a very dry and thick texture when applying but no smell. Personally I didn’t mind it! -
Aveeno® Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator
So I received this #freeproduct to review. Honestly, I quite liked it. I used it in the morning when my face was a little irritated and sensitive and I had no issue. Its texture is very creamy and it doesn’t foam, which I prefer. Just one... +
So I received this #freeproduct to review. Honestly, I quite liked it. I used it in the morning when my face was a little irritated and sensitive and I had no issue. Its texture is very creamy and it doesn’t foam, which I prefer.
Just one thing though, I’m a bit wary of the term "exfoliator". I know chemical exfoliator can be quite gentle on the skin in low concentration but I’d rather not have any in a face cleanser meant for sensitive skin .I didn’t feel any tingling or burning when my skin was irritated but I also understand that you can’t always feel irritation per say. So I’m not sure what to think.
Also, I know doesn’t claim to be able to wash off make-up and… it really doesn’t 🤣🤣 I just used it at night as the second step after my Tatcha cleanser, which does, and it fit in nicely.
I’d say that overall it’s a decent product!
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Aveeno® Calm + Restore Skin Therapy Balm
I received this #freeproduct to review. The balm was soooo nice! The texture is a little thick and hard to distribute but oh boy did my skin like it! It was a tad irritated and when I applied it, that made the irritation subside and left it feeling... +
I received this #freeproduct to review. The balm was soooo nice! The texture is a little thick and hard to distribute but oh boy did my skin like it! It was a tad irritated and when I applied it, that made the irritation subside and left it feeling quite hydrated 🥰
Now I tried this balm in the summertime; its real test will come in winter when I reaaaally need it!
Still, definitely a product I’d purchase!
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Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Anti-Aging Serum
I’ve been testing this #freeproduct for the past couple weeks. I enjoyed it. It made my dull skin look a little brighter, added a bit of plumpness to it and. went well under my moisturizer. Surprisingly, it also gave me a beautiful nearly poreless... +
I’ve been testing this #freeproduct for the past couple weeks. I enjoyed it. It made my dull skin look a little brighter, added a bit of plumpness to it and. went well under my moisturizer. Surprisingly, it also gave me a beautiful nearly poreless look. So I was happy with the result 😊
However, it’s definitely not a serum I’d apply if my skin is already irritated and sensitive. On that aspect the Généfique was better. I made the mistake and it tingled enough that I preferred to wash it off. Tried it again when my skin was in better shape and I was good to go!
Another ick is the pump. When I first received it, only one of the three substances was distributing. I had to store it upside down for a couple days for it to work properly. Honestly, I feel that the 3 pump system is a little gimmicky and definitely unnecessary.
So I like the serum, but not the pump.
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Nicorette Quick Mist
I received this #freeproduct to test as I am in the process of quitting. I’m quite satisfied with it. When you spray it, it has a quite overwhelming strength to it and then mellows down. More importantly it’s truly quite fast acting... +
I received this #freeproduct to test as I am in the process of quitting. I’m quite satisfied with it.
When you spray it, it has a quite overwhelming strength to it and then mellows down. More importantly it’s truly quite fast acting, craving wise. In a mere few seconds, I already felt them ebbing away. Mind you, it’s not a magic tool. You still have to practice some self awareness and understand the underlying cause of the problem, a.k.a the cravings (whether it’s exhaustion/stress/hunger/anxiety) and try to remedy them. This is only a tool, an effective one, to use as a crutch as we try to find different ways to cope.
Overall I’d definitely recommend this product.
Ps: If it’s still not enough, patches might help. Good luck on your journey!
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Nicorette Gum
I received this product to test as I am in the process of quitting. “In the process” being the keywords. I tried the gum and it’s suprisingly useful as a tool to manage the usual cravings. It tastes wayyy better than a lozenge I’d tried... +
I received this product to test as I am in the process of quitting. “In the process” being the keywords. I tried the gum and it’s suprisingly useful as a tool to manage the usual cravings. It tastes wayyy better than a lozenge I’d tried previously (other brand) and the act of chewing keeps me busy. The only reason I took off 1 star is that while it’s useful…for the days when I’m overly exhausted/stressed/anxious, it’s not quite enough. I prefer to use a patch and a few gums throughout the day. Still a good product and I think while practical now, it would be of more prevalent use in the later months when quitting. -
PADERNO 5-Ply Copper Core Stainless Steel 12-pc Cookware Set, Oven Safe
I got this #freeproduct to review. I’ve been cooking with it for the past couple weeks and I have to admit I quite like the set. It’s made of sturdy steel, the handles are nicely shaped, the cookware holds a constant temperature well, no steam... +
I got this #freeproduct to review. I’ve been cooking with it for the past couple weeks and I have to admit I quite like the set. It’s made of sturdy steel, the handles are nicely shaped, the cookware holds a constant temperature well, no steam escapes from the lids once covered and nothing sticks to it.
Honestly I’m quite a happy camper over here. I managed to get a beautiful sear on my beef, deglazed it to perfection afterwards and ended up with a lovely Ragu. I used the pots as well. The small one was perfect for my sauce béchamel and the bigger one for my improvised dahl soup (normally the dahl sticks a little at the bottom but I forgot it a little longer than I meant to and yet nothing happened so I’m quite pleased)
Mind you, I’m used to stainless steel cookware. It’s a material that’s a staple in any kitchen…as long as you follow a few rules. So it’s not beginner friendly but the rules are simple.
The main rule of cooking with stainless steel: it doesn’t play well with big variance of temperature ( a.k.a you can’t drop cold water/oil on hot pan or hot water on cold pan). You risk damaging/warping the metal, plus risk your protein sticking to the pan.
How to avoid it sticking:
- Before adding oil to the pan you have to wait till it reaches the right temperature. To check just drop a bit of water in the pan. If it sizzles, the temp is too low but if the water turns into beads that dances on the pan you can add your oil
- After adding oil, wait for the oil to heat up then add your meat/vegetables.
- After adding them, don’t move them. They will naturally unstick after leaving it to cook for a bit.
- When you’re done cooking, don’t pour cold water in the pan, again damage.
Also, when washing the set, use a gentle dish soap ( like bar keepers), leave the cookware to soak if needed, don’t scrap the rougher side of the sponge on it. Afterwards, dry it immediately. It’s the best way to ensure a stainless steel stays for ages. Also, this set is not dishwasher friendly (maybe because of the copper). As an apropos, even without the copper, I’ve always been taught not to put any stainless steel set in a dishwasher.
The only 2 negatives if you’re looking for some would be that the handle on the lids can get quite warm. The manual provided mentions it and advises to always use a cloth when touching it. Personally, that didn’t bother me too much. The side handle of the cookware though are made of very thick metal that’s quite pleasant.
The second point would be that for a comprehensive set, I could have done with one less pot and added instead a larger pan. I honestly think the 9,5 inch pan here is too small. It only leaves enough space for two small pieces of steak or a regular sized chicken breast. Anymore than that and you’re overcrowding the pan (temperature drops too low and steam forms which kinda defeats the purpose). It’s fine when I’m cooking for myself and my partner but otherwise I prefer to use my other bigger pan to cut on time.
I’d definitely recommend this beautiful set if it’s meant for two people.
Note: however much I adore my many stainless steel cookware, there’s one thing I would never use it for and that’s eggs…unless you like them very crisp and brown. It’s a free world but personally scramble eggs always equals non-stick pan.
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PanOxyl PM Blemish Brightening Patches
I love the idea of spot-treatment. For those of us who suffer from acne, after awhile you can generally tell when a break out starts. Whether it’s because of stress, lack of sleep, acne cycle, periods or just eating something that exacerbâtes it... +
I love the idea of spot-treatment. For those of us who suffer from acne, after awhile you can generally tell when a break out starts. Whether it’s because of stress, lack of sleep, acne cycle, periods or just eating something that exacerbâtes it (dairy, sugar,etc). I generally use a salicylic acid wash to help, it’s partially effective but it also dries out my combo skin.
This little beauty didn’t dry out my skin. It small yet large enough to be effective. I started to get a painful spot, a sign of inflammation & of a big pimple coming, right before my period, and decided to apply it. Woke up in the next morning and no comedone formed! I was so glad. I could still feel that the spot was a tad inflamed but compared to what usually happens this is nothing. I applied 2 nights in a row and that did the job.
Overall, I really liked the product. One small note, it says the patch is transparent but it’s actually a beige colour. It’s meant to be used overnight, but just wanted to mention it in case someone wants to use it during the day
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PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches
I love the idea of spot-treatment. For those of us who suffer from acne, after awhile you can generally tell when a break out starts. Whether it’s because of stress, lack of sleep, acne cycle, periods or just eating something that exacerbâtes it... +
I love the idea of spot-treatment. For those of us who suffer from acne, after awhile you can generally tell when a break out starts. Whether it’s because of stress, lack of sleep, acne cycle, periods or just eating something that exacerbâtes it (dairy, sugar,etc). I generally use a salicylic acid wash to help, it’s partially effective but it also dries out my combo skin.
This little beauty didn’t dry out my skin. It small yet large enough to be effective. I started to get a painful spot, a sign of inflammation & of a big pimple coming, right before my period, and decided to apply it. Woke up in the next morning and no comedone formed! I was so glad. I could still feel that the spot was a tad inflamed but compared to what usually happens this is nothing. I applied 2 nights in a row and that did the job.
Overall, I really liked the product. One small note, it says the patch is transparent but it’s actually a beige colour. It’s meant to be used overnight, but just wanted to mention it in case someone wants to use it during the day
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Batiste Overnight Deep Cleanse Dry Shampoo
I received this #freeproduct for reviewing. For curly hair, the upkeep is always finicky but easier to maintain in winter than summer. Summertime is honestly dry shampoo season. So I always like to try different brands and Batiste is nice discovery... +
I received this #freeproduct for reviewing. For curly hair, the upkeep is always finicky but easier to maintain in winter than summer. Summertime is honestly dry shampoo season. So I always like to try different brands and Batiste is nice discovery. I applied it at night, pretty for my head, on my roots only. When I woke up, my scalp felt refreshed, with no white residue from the spray and most of the shine (read oil) had been soaked up. I doesn’t soak up as much though for the sections where I had added scalp oil though. I think more product would be needed but then you’d get product buildup, which is counterproductive.
Overall, a good experience for when my curly hair routine doesn’t include hydrating oils.
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