sunnydelight
Member Since: February 28, 2007Reviews
Chocolate Plus: Sweet Dreams
WHAT'S ADVERTISED "White chocolate enriched with 980 mg magnesium oxide and 400 mg valerian to encourage restful sleep." Chocolate Plus, a line of chocolate bars sold by Smart Confections that was launched in Canada last year and sold... +
WHAT'S ADVERTISED
"White chocolate enriched with 980 mg magnesium oxide and 400 mg valerian to encourage restful sleep." Chocolate Plus, a line of chocolate bars sold by Smart Confections that was launched in Canada last year and sold exclusively by Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, is marketed as a natural health product infused with flavonoids, calcium, probiotics and multivitamins. The Sweet Dreams bar is advertised as "white chocolate and toffee".
Directions: Adults: 1 bar as needed
THE REAL SCOOP
The Sweet Dreams edition is one of many flavours of the Chocolate Plus family that is marketed as a "wellness" product at Shoppers Drug Mart. That all said, it is sold in the confectionery aisle of the drugstore and worse still, the medicinal and nutritional values of the bar are not listed! (300 calories per 50 g bar)
On a lark and craving chocolate, I grabbed this bar at the local Shoppers Drug Mart as something new to try. The look of the packaging is pretty, however, the bar itself is rather chemical-tasting and not really a chocolate-y treat. Moreover, it's important to note that although the company makes health claims about its chocolate bars, it hasn't yet received Health Canada approval.
Truth be told, it looks and feels like a ploy to capture consumer interest in chocolate by implying that it has healthful properties, when the additional calcium or medicinal properties are negligible. In my mind, this crosses the boundary of artful spin into the territory of questionable marketing. The greatest sin for the product though, is that it doesn't taste good! It's chalky and not flavoured well, which deprives me personally of the greatest joy in guilty indulgences: the thrill of tasting something good.
In my mind, something that tacks on the calories/fat/cholesterol without proven health benefits and doesn't taste good is definitely not worth the investment.
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Nestlé NOIR Mousse Delicate Milk Chocolate
Tasked with the difficult job of rating chocolate for the product review club, I'm pleased to report that my taste buds and palate were up to the challenge! Reviewers were asked to sample both the dark and the milk chocolate 100g versions of... +
Tasked with the difficult job of rating chocolate for the product review club, I'm pleased to report that my taste buds and palate were up to the challenge! Reviewers were asked to sample both the dark and the milk chocolate 100g versions of Nestle Noir Mousse Delicate (10 pieces per box).
What's Advertised:
Arouse all your senses with Nestle Noir Mousse Delicate: a unique and intense dual-sensation of deliciously light dark-chocolate mousse enrobed in a shell of decadent chocolate. Shaped with the contours of your mouth in mind, each perfectly portioned piece delivers great pleasure.
SEE: the subtle lines and elegant curves
SMELL: the gentle aroma of cocoa
HEAR: the soft break of the shell as you bite into it, releasing the fine dark chocolate mousse within
FEEL: the light, creamy, real mousse texture melt in your mouth
TASTE: the harmonious blend of rich cocoa flavours and creamy milk chocolate
Repeat for continued pleasure..
The Real Scoop:
The product is being launched at a great time, as consumers scale back on purchasing discretionary luxury goods like imported chocolate, the product fills a niche between run-of-the-mill chocolate bars and expensive $50 boxes of chocolates.
The packaging is a sleek, elegant looking box that flips open to reveal 10 chocolates that are nestled in a gold tray. There is a rich feel to the experience, which begins when you lift the gold foil away from the tray to reveal the smooth individual chocolates.
From a taste perspective, I am decidedly neutral about this product (and would recommend the 52% cocoa dark chocolate version). The taste is an average milk chocolate (neither the best or worst I've had), which tastes a touch too sweet for my liking. The results is a chocolate that is good in a pinch, but will not likely trigger cravings. It's slightly reminiscent of Lindt chocolate truffles, although this has a mousse centre and Lindt has a smoother tasting chocolate. Still, for a mass-market product at the $3.99 price point, it has hit a good recession-era price point.
Of the two products, the milk chocolate mousse tastes a bit too sweet, but this dark chocolate version has a pleasing smooth taste. As it is pre-portioned into 10 bite size pieces, it would make a nice little treat to share at the office.
For more information, check out the official product website: http://www.nestle-noir.ca/
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Nestlé NOIR Mousse Delicate Dark Chocolate
Tasked with the difficult job of rating chocolate for the product review club, I'm pleased to report that my taste buds and palate were up to the challenge! Reviewers were asked to sample both the dark and the milk chocolate 100g versions of... +
Tasked with the difficult job of rating chocolate for the product review club, I'm pleased to report that my taste buds and palate were up to the challenge! Reviewers were asked to sample both the dark and the milk chocolate 100g versions of Nestle Noir Mousse Delicate (10 pieces per box).
What's Advertised:
Arouse all your senses with Nestle Noir Mousse Delicate: a unique and intense dual-sensation of deliciously light dark-chocolate mousse enrobed in a shell of decadent chocolate. Shaped with the contours of your mouth in mind, each perfectly portioned piece delivers great pleasure.
SEE: the lustre of the intense dark chocolate shell
SMELL: the rich aroma of cocoa
HEAR: the soft break of the shell as you bite into it, releasing the fine dark chocolate mousse within
FEEL: the light, creamy, real mousse texture melt in your mouth
TASTE: the intense dark chocolate combined with subtle flavour of vanilla
Repeat for continued pleasure..
The Real Scoop:
The product is being launched at a great time, as consumers scale back on purchasing discretionary luxury goods like imported chocolate, the product fills a niche between run-of-the-mill chocolate bars and expensive $50 boxes of chocolates.
The packaging is a sleek, elegant looking box that flips open to reveal 10 chocolates that are nestled in a gold tray. There is a rich feel to the experience, which begins when you lift the gold foil away from the tray to reveal the smooth individual chocolates.
At 52% cocoa, the dark chocolate does not have the requisite bitter taste that is found is dark chocolates with higher cocoa content. The end result is a pleasing chocolate that feels like an indulgence to bite into, with light mousse inside. It is a smooth chocolate and although it does not rival chocolates from Godiva or Maison du Chocolat, it is a mass-market product that is well worth the $3.99 price point.
Of the two products, the milk chocolate mousse tastes a bit too sweet, but this dark chocolate version has a pleasing smooth taste. I imagine the purported benefits of polyphenols in the cacao as listed are negligible but it is a bonus. I would not consider this a "fine chocolate" however, it is a nice tasting chocolate at a reasonable price. As it is pre-portioned, it would make a nice little treat to share at the office.
For more information, check out the official product website: http://www.nestle-noir.ca/
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Dior Show Blackout Mascara
What's Advertised: DiorShow Black Out Mascara gives your lashes a little more oomph and a lot more drama. Intensified by ultra-black, kohl pigments, the formula glides on smoothly and draws each lash out to show-stopping lengths. Wear it alone... +
What's Advertised:
DiorShow Black Out Mascara gives your lashes a little more oomph and a lot more drama. Intensified by ultra-black, kohl pigments, the formula glides on smoothly and draws each lash out to show-stopping lengths. Wear it alone, or layer it over DiorShow to glamour-eyes in an instant!
The Real Scoop:
Wow, if ever there was a mascara that would stop men in their tracks, this is it! The DiorShow Black Out Mascara is a high-drama, high-glam product that is highly pigmented for that "oomph". The mascara only comes in one colour: Kohl Black 099 (rich black), which is perfect for glam eyes.
I curl and prime my petite lashes with Lancome Cils Booster XL Mascara Enhancing Base for length and volume, and then lavish a couple of coats of Diorshow Black Out Mascara. I recommend combing out the lashes and letting it dry between each coat to minimize clumps. Instant va va voom results! Huge bombshell lashes that you flutter to set hearts a-flutter ;D
Perfect for special occasions, nights out painting the town red, first dates, or whenever you feel like giving your eyes a boost! ($24 USD for 0.33 oz)
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NARS Aqua Gel Hydrator
What's Advertised: An ultra-luxurious, lightweight gel-cream mask comprised of 87% water to deliver intense hydration to dull, dehydrated skin. Once massaged into the skin, exclusive technology ensures optimal moisture delivery to provide... +
What's Advertised:
An ultra-luxurious, lightweight gel-cream mask comprised of 87% water to deliver intense hydration to dull, dehydrated skin. Once massaged into the skin, exclusive technology ensures optimal moisture delivery to provide hydration throughout the night. This water-rich treatment enriched with skin conditioners imparts skin with a soft and smooth, luminous appearance. Benefits include:
* Hydrated skin
* Increased luminosity
Directions:
Apply a generous amount of product over face and throat. Massage using circular motions until product has absorbed into skin. For best results, use in the evening and leave on overnight. Use as often as needed to supplement skin with moisture. Dermatologist tested.
The Real Scoop:
This is one of my "holy grails" in skincare - the NARS Aqua Gel Hydrator is a lifesaver in the dry winter months, which can wreak havoc on a girl's skin. The price point is decent ($76 USD for 3.4oz), because a little goes a long way and the product works fabulously.
The gel texture because absorbs instantly and hydrates my skin efficiently. I use this on a nightly basis as my night cream, and in the morning my skin feels plump and hydrated. The faint smell is pleasant and the product does not clog pores. Highly recommended!
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COVERGIRL Outlast Lipstain
What's Advertised: The water-based colorants of Outlast Lipstain give lips a beautiful, lightweight flush of color that won't come off, lasting for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick. Its pen-like precision... +
What's Advertised:
The water-based colorants of Outlast Lipstain give lips a beautiful, lightweight flush of color that won't come off, lasting for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick. Its pen-like precision applicator makes it easy to define your lips-just draw on color without any hassle!
The Real Scoop:
I actually really liked the way the Outlast Lipstain looked and felt on. It's available at mass market drugstores everywhere, and I purchased mine at Shoppers Drug Mart (approx $10 CAD). The colour I chose was Berry Smooch (#405), which gives my lips gorgeous definition without feeling dry. The fragrance is light and fruity, and the colour is very pretty on! It does feel like drawing on your lips with marker (which is not a bad thing, considering the precision you will be able to define your lips with).
My biggest gripe is that the marker itself dried out after only 4-5 uses, which means you cannot expect a lot of use from it. It's a viable option for those that need a quick fix of pretty colour and are looking for something to throw in the purse.
Some tips:
I primed my lips with lip conditioner, let it settle for a bit and then put on the Outlast (to prevent dryness and "bleeding" colours). Once the product is on, you have to let it settle for a few minutes to dry and then it will last all day.
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Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint
What's Advertised: Bobbi’s new Sheer Color Cheek Tint gives cheeks a sheer tint of natural-looking color. The translucent, light-weight formula glides on smooth and blends evenly onto skin and comes in a swivel-up stick for convenient and... +
What's Advertised:
Bobbi’s new Sheer Color Cheek Tint gives cheeks a sheer tint of natural-looking color. The translucent, light-weight formula glides on smooth and blends evenly onto skin and comes in a swivel-up stick for convenient and easy application.
The Real Scoop:
I picked these up at Nordstrom in the US on my last trip over ($22 USD for .13 oz) but it is available in Canada at Holts. It's similar to Tarte cheek stains, with the BB Sheer Color Cheek Tints being a translucent creamy gel stick housed in a swivel-up container. Unlike Tarte's product, the package is much smaller, which means it is more portable.
Bobbi Brown's Sheer Color Cheek Tints are everything they say it is - sheer, super wearable and blends very easily. The result is a dewy, translucent color enough that makes you look like you have modelesque skin. I tried them in Sheer Mauve and Sheer Coral. Sheer Mauve is a pretty neutral shade that will be wonderful for work, but Sheer Coral works extremely well on my NC30 asian skin. It's pretty bright warm pink tint with a golden shimmer. Due to the sheer nature of these products, they would be suitable for most skin tones.
Tip: In a pinch, these look pretty on your lips and on your cheeks for a pulled together look!
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Clarisonic Mia
I wanted to share with you girls one of the new gadgets I've been playing with over the past 5-6 weeks.. it's the Clarisonic skin brush and it's amazing! I'm going to sound like an infomercial, but this thing seriously works. It... +
I wanted to share with you girls one of the new gadgets I've been playing with over the past 5-6 weeks.. it's the Clarisonic skin brush and it's amazing!
I'm going to sound like an infomercial, but this thing seriously works. It uses sonic technology to get your pores clean, so all the dead skin, sunscreen, pollutants in the air, etc are cleaned. I have extremely dehydrated skin that's prone to flakiness in the dry winter weather. Since using this to clean my face, I've noticed that my skin is more supple and soft, with no signs of flaking. It's super easy to use in the shower, and you come out feeling like you've had a facial.
There are several versions of this available; the pink version I bought at Sephora donates a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research. The only reason why I took points off is because the pricepoint of $200 CAD can be a bit steep, but the results are definitely worth it. The other caveat is that the brushes need to be replaced every 3 months.
Some tips:
- You don't need to use too much pressure for it to work; the key is making little circles so that the sonic action can work around your face.
- It can be drying, so I only use it once a day for best results.
- There is no need to buy any special facial wash, so long as the product you are using is non-abrasive. I use Philosophy's "Purity" facial wash and it works quite well.
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