momto6pluspup
Member Since: June 7, 2016Reviews
Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
I wouldn’t think twice about laying down $200 to purchase a sweet pair of shoes… Why does spending $200 on a product you use each day on your skin feel like such an investment? I would like to apologize in advance to your bank account... +
I wouldn’t think twice about laying down $200 to purchase a sweet pair of shoes… Why does spending $200 on a product you use each day on your skin feel like such an investment?
I would like to apologize in advance to your bank account. Vintner’s Daughter is costly, but in my opinion…amazing! I wouldn’t recommend buying any $200 skincare product with testing it first, and ensuring it works for you and your specific skin type. I tried Vintner’s Daughter twice before I purchased the full-sized bottle.
Simply put, I love the way Vintner’s Daughter makes my skin feel. The first morning after using Vintner’s Daughter, I noticed huge improvements in hydration, plumpness, and appearance of pores. I have redness prone, combination to oily skin. I struggle with the balance between hydration and oiliness. This product makes my skin feel incredibly soft from the inside out, but never oily. I’ve had great success combatting areas of congestion with this serum… like when you wake up the day after eating an obscene amount of chocolate… and you see the effects all over your face?
The scent of Vintner’s Daughter is strong. I enjoy the scent (stress relieving and transformative -lemony bergamot) My partner intensely dislikes it… but such is the price of beauty J
In the morning, I like to mix Vintner’s Daughter with SPF (Current choice is Consonant Perfect SPF). I haven’t experienced any photosensitivity with this serum. At night, my somewhat oily skin doesn’t need additional hydration when I use this product. Drier skinned folks may need to layer more moisture… but perhaps not?
The push/press technique is awesome! I feel like an idiot that it took me this long to discover this method of applying facial oils. DUH! For me, the recommended 6-8 drops of product is overkill… I use about 3-4 drops. I anticipate Vintner’s Daughter lasting a long time since I require very little per use.
For a lush skin treat, try mixing Vintner’s Daughter with your choice of manual exfoliation product (I love it with May Lindstrom’s the Clean Dirt).
Vintner’s Daughter… I heart you! I’m sad this is the only product available thus far, and find myself imagining what other gorgeous creations might come from Vintner’s Daughter in the future (Body Oil? Cleansing oil?)
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Andalou naturals 1000 Roses floral toner
This is a beautiful natural product at a great price-point. Andalou Naturals never ceases to impress me with quality ingredients and beautiful product formulations that don't break the bank. 1000 Roses floral toner is a light, hydrating facial... +
This is a beautiful natural product at a great price-point. Andalou Naturals never ceases to impress me with quality ingredients and beautiful product formulations that don't break the bank. 1000 Roses floral toner is a light, hydrating facial toner that is lightly scented with rose. I use to underneath facial oils, as a midday spritz or to activate or reactivate clay based face masks.
Overall, a winning product from a winning company! Thanks Andalou, for making natural products accessible to the masses! I love that I can pick this up at my grocery store :)
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May Lindstrom - The Blue Cocoon
The Blue Cocoon is “a beauty balm concentrate that melts on touch providing nourishment and relief to delicate, inflamed and irritable skin.” I do believe it is my favourite skin product of all time. My favourite way to use The Blue Cocoon is... +
The Blue Cocoon is “a beauty balm concentrate that melts on touch providing nourishment and relief to delicate, inflamed and irritable skin.” I do believe it is my favourite skin product of all time.
My favourite way to use The Blue Cocoon is to spritz with The Jasmine Garden and slather on to seal in moisture as a finishing step. Sometimes I warm a touch in my palms to inhale and press into my face, purely as a mental health ritual. I like to leave the full-sized jar in a safe, cool place and I decant it into little sample sized jars for daily use so the product doesn’t become contaminated. On the skin, The Blue Cocoon is a light textured oil that absorbs well. My skin feels like velvet the morning after a nighttime slather of The Blue Cocoon… never greasy… just soft and hydrated.
The Blue Cocoon has become like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce to me: I put that #$#% on everything! The smell transports me. I’ve been using it as a bedtime balm for myself and wakeful children. I’ve been putting it on my son’s rosacea, with great results. Using The Blue Cocoon liberally required a mindset change for me… like pulling out your beautiful ‘good dishes’ and using them on a daily basis. It’s indulgent, but a game changer. I didn’t want to love this product, primarily because it’s super $$spendy$$! I ordered samples on three separate occasions to be certain I was ready to make the investment… and I have decided that I am worth it.
I have recently begun a wonderful new job … but my previous workplace was toxic. I kept a tiny sample of the Blue Cocoon in my desk drawer and used it liberally when stress/office drama threatened to unglue me. It costs an arm and a leg… but The Blue Cocoon is more than skincare… it’s self-care. After melting The Blue Cocoon in the warmth of my hands, I hold them under my nose for a few moments and just breathe… and everything is right with the world
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Lipton Berry Hibiscus Herbal Tea K-Cup Packs
This is a great fruity flavoured tea; perfect for a mid-day pick-me up... and amazing served cold as an iced tea. PS Mixed with a wee splash of vodka and chambord, this is a wonderful afternoon beverage (aka mother's little helper). Enjoy!
This is a great fruity flavoured tea; perfect for a mid-day pick-me up... and amazing served cold as an iced tea. PS Mixed with a wee splash of vodka and chambord, this is a wonderful afternoon beverage (aka mother's little helper). Enjoy! -
NIOD Low Viscosity Cleansing Ester
Low Viscosity Cleaning Ester from NIOD was a bit of an unexpected surprise. My first use, I was a little confused by this product. When you pour a bit into your hand, it has the consistency of water (yet it contains no water). Cleansing for me is a... +
Low Viscosity Cleaning Ester from NIOD was a bit of an unexpected surprise. My first use, I was a little confused by this product. When you pour a bit into your hand, it has the consistency of water (yet it contains no water). Cleansing for me is a relaxing ritual, and I tend to be attracted to cleansers with luxurious and relaxing scents. LVCE is not one of those cleansers. To be honest, I find the initial scent unpleasant, like rotting fruit… but it dissipates.
When you smooth it over your skin, it has an amazing slip, like a light, cleansing oil. Instructions say to rinse with warm water. I like to use a washcloth/flannel to rinse off LVCE. Otherwise, I feel like I’m leaving too much residue of product behind. This cleanser is wonderful for removing makeup… even some of the bulletproof stuff I wear as an oily-skinned person.
My skin feels like a million bucks after cleansing with this stuff… plump and hydrated… and never dry or uncomfortable. The science behind LVCE is all about respecting the dermal barrier. When I don’t remove a cleanser carefully enough, I am prone to congestion… but I haven’t experienced any issues with this cleanser at all.
Overall, a great product! I will be ‘cheating’ on LVCE with my other beautifully scented cleansers (hello May Lindstrom Honey Mud!) but I am truly enjoying using this cleanser.
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SK-II FAcial Treatment Essence
So I decided that it SK-II works for Cate Blanchette, it just might work for me. I found a three piece set at Sephora that included toner, the facial essence, and a mask. For some reason, it looks as if SK-II products are no longer available in... +
So I decided that it SK-II works for Cate Blanchette, it just might work for me. I found a three piece set at Sephora that included toner, the facial essence, and a mask. For some reason, it looks as if SK-II products are no longer available in Canada through Sephora? Weird!
First I decided to try the mask. I noticed immediate improvement in my skin. It was softer, and somehow the quality of my skin felt and looked more refined (smaller, less visible pores). I would definitely consider the mask for a special occasion.
Next the toner and the Facial Treatment Essence. The toner is 'meh.' It really didn't feel any different than the micellar water that I use. Certainly not a game changer.
But the Essence... The Holy Grail Product that so many beauty addicts refer to? I have been using the Facial Treatment Essence for 2 weeks now, and my skin has never looked or felt better.
I am 43 (aging skin with oiliness in the t-zone). My skin feels much more balanced with SK-II... no more mid-day oil slick. My skin tone is much more even, and feels moisturized but not greasy. My pores appear smaller, and I haven't had the patchy dryness that I sometimes get between my eyebrows.
It would be an ideal product, aside from a few issues:
1) Unfortunately there is no way I can continue to feed my children and use SK-II. It's incredibly expensive and once I have run out of this product, I will have a tough decision to make.... buy more... or sell a dependant?
2) I spent 2 days at the cottage without the Facial Treatment Essence and in that short time of stopping use, I had tons of tiny whitehead appearing around my nose and chin. Two days later with regular use and that problem has completely resolved. I am afraid of what will happen if I stop using this stuff!
Sadly, (because I cannot afford SK-II!) I really love this product. I don't really know why it works so well. Paula Begoun, my guru of beauty product reviews tells me there is no science backing this product... and essentially it is quackery, but my results have been really great. Please Maude, let me win the lottery so I can continue using SK-II! I would absolutely love to try more products from this line but not in my current income bracket!
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Chanel CC Cream
HERE’S WHAT THEY SAY… With its CHANEL signature, CC Cream combines 5 actions in 1 single step: SOOTHES. Cornflower water comforts sensitive skin. MOISTURIZES. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain hydration level all day long by trapping and... +
HERE’S WHAT THEY SAY…
With its CHANEL signature, CC Cream combines 5 actions in 1 single step:
SOOTHES. Cornflower water comforts sensitive skin.
MOISTURIZES. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain hydration level all day long by trapping and retaining moisture inside the skin.
PROTECTS. SPF 30 and PA+++ sun filters block aging-accelerating UVA-UVB rays. A mineral filter guarantees higher tolerance on the skin.
PREVENTS. An active ingredient of natural origin, Rejuvencia, provides the best shield against external aggressions.
EVENS OUT IMPERFECTIONS. Redness, dark spots and pores are visibly diminished.
PROS
SPF 30, nice buildable texture and coverage
CONS
$$$$ Big bucks! Terrible colour selection! This product comes in two colours, and both are quite light; no options at all for medium or dark skin. For the price, Chanel should put this product in a pump formulation and increase the colour options. The CC cream is highly fragranced, which might pose issues for those with sensitivities.
THE STRAIGHT DOPE
I actually like this product. The colour is a little too light for my summer complexion, but I think it will be perfect for my winter skin. I would say it's medium coverage but very buildable and the product has good longevity
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Blinc Mascara
I have literally tried every mascara on the market from the cheap drugstore brands to the higher end stuff like Lancome Hypnose and Diorshow. I love the way the 'fancypants' mascaras lengthen my lashes... but they melt off my face the same way good... +
I have literally tried every mascara on the market from the cheap drugstore brands to the higher end stuff like Lancome Hypnose and Diorshow. I love the way the 'fancypants' mascaras lengthen my lashes... but they melt off my face the same way good ol' Maybelline Great Lash does. So I decided to invest in a tube of Blinc mascara.
HERE’S WHAT THEY SAY…
If you're looking for a no-hassle, no-smudge mascara that you can take throughout your day with no re-application, blinc mascara is your answer. Instead of painting your lashes like conventional mascaras, blinc mascara forms tiny no-smudge, water-resistant "tubes" around your lashes. Once applied, these mascara tubes bind to your lashes and cannot run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.
Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your sweaty workout or out to dinner, your lashes will look as good in the evening as they did when you first applied blinc in the morning. blinc mascara will add volume and length to give you a radiant natural look that lasts all day.
Only when you are ready for removal, the tubes will effortlessly slide off your lashes into your hand without the use of a harsh makeup remover.
PROS It doesn't smudge, and it doesn't run down your face; not even with removal. Rinse with water, and the tubes slide right off.
CONS It's so wet that application is very difficult. I'm pretty adept with mascara under normal circumstances, but applying Blinc is redonkulous. My entire face was covered with the stuff.
THE STRAIGHT DOPE I had such high hopes for this mascara. I had my fingers crossed that Blinc would be the Holy Grail Mascara that I have been searching for. Blinc is very thin and very wet, and takes quite a while to dry... which makes for an unholy mess when applying. I have never managed to put this mascara on my face without getting it all over the dang place. I don't find that it creates much volume or length, and it is difficult to layer or build. I'm kind of hoping that the product might dry out a bit after a few months and be easier to apply. Blinc isn't cheap and I'm not impressed... definitely wouldn't repurchase.
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May Lindstrom - The Honey Mud
PROS: Ermagosh, this stuff smells good enough to eat! The smell is gorgeous! I do feel like the Honey Mud has had a calming effect on my redness prone skin. I will confess, that I actually might have accidentally/on purpose tasted the Honey Mud... +
PROS:
Ermagosh, this stuff smells good enough to eat! The smell is gorgeous! I do feel like the Honey Mud has had a calming effect on my redness prone skin. I will confess, that I actually might have accidentally/on purpose tasted the Honey Mud, and although it's not for consumption, it is kind of tasty. Why do they make so many skincare items that I want to eat?
CONS:
As a cleanser, this product is a bit of a fail for me. My skin leans towards the oily/combo side of things, and I have to be careful about cleanser residue being left on my face. When I use the Honey Mud as a cleanser, I find the texture a bit sticky/too much grip on my skin. Plus, it’s a little difficult to rinse off, even with a flannel. But as a masque….?! I love this stuff! I have been masking with the Honey Mud quite often, and it leaves my skin soft, hydrated, and alleviates some of my chronic redness.
THE STRAIGHT DOPE:
May Lindstrom products cost an arm and a leg as in you “May” have to sell a vital organ to afford this stuff. The Honey Mud is a luxury cleanser, not a necessity… but a lovely, lush product to add to your self-care ritual. Although I love using this product, I’m not entirely sure I would repurchase the Honey Mud once I run out. I would rather save my beauty investment dollars for products that I do not rinse off my face.
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Tata Harper Purifying Mask
I purchased this mask as a sample from @clementinefields and there was enough for 2 generous uses. This is a deep cleansing detox treatment mask; good for normal, oily, combination, or dry skin. I find most Tata Harper products highly scented, and... +
I purchased this mask as a sample from @clementinefields and there was enough for 2 generous uses. This is a deep cleansing detox treatment mask; good for normal, oily, combination, or dry skin.
I find most Tata Harper products highly scented, and this was no different… it reminded me of citronella. The scent may be a bit much for some users… but I think you know you’re going to get a highly scented product when you buy Tata.
The texture is lovely, and the mask is pink like Pepto Bismol. I found it to be rather tingly without leaving my skin feeling sensitive. In fact, for a clay based mask, this is very hydrating. I definitely noticed that Tata Harper’s Purifying Mask had an effect on my congested areas… unclogging some pores and eliminating some blackheads.
I’ve been a fan of just about everything I’ve tried by Tata Harper. I love that she uses natural ingredients, and the thought and care into sourcing and creating her products is obvious. The Purifying Mask is luxurious and lovely to use. It is also a workhorse… cleaner pores and noticeable boost in radiance. My only criticism is that the full-sized jar (for the price) seems quite tiny, and wouldn’t last terribly long. Overall, a great luxury skincare product!
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