TheCleanConnoisseur
Member Since: November 21, 2020Reviews
COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara
I have been using this mascara for years as my "value" go-to mascara. I have other mascaras that are higher-end and for different purposes (ex. evening out) but this one is good for daily use and a natural look. I have seen reviewers mention... +
I have been using this mascara for years as my "value" go-to mascara. I have other mascaras that are higher-end and for different purposes (ex. evening out) but this one is good for daily use and a natural look.
I have seen reviewers mention clumping and I find that this tends to happen when the product sat on the shelf too long at the retailer. When this happens I add a 1/2 drop of food-grade lavender essential oil directly to it and it solves the issue. Oddly enough I also seem to find the "Brown-black" shade lighter in consistency and smoother on application then the all-black shades.
Application: I am always careful when applying mascara and I do follow a specific technique so unless this is very dried out when I purchase it then I don't have issues with clumping. I have also used this for layering under more pigmented glam mascaras (think cobalt blue or bright purple) and it worked well. I have sensitive eyes (ocular rosacea) and it doesn't cause me irritation and removes easily with eye wipes.
Effectiveness: I use the regular version (waterproof mascara of any brand irritates my eyes) and unless I use a heavy moisturizer or sweat excessively then it stays put. I have naturally long eyelashes and this mascara defines them and plumps them up in a natural-looking way making it good for daily use. I only apply one layer and I don't use a primer or any type of glue-on lash extensions. I have used magnetic lash extensions with this mascara and it was worked great.
Shade selection: I had tried several shades and liked them all. My only con is that previously this mascara was available in a navy blue shade and it was stunning on blue eyes. I have not seen it for a few years now and wish it would be brought back as I have a hard time finding a blue mascara I really like.
Overall for the price and availability (I live in a Northern area that can make it difficult to obtain a lot of product brands) I like this mascara and have yet to find a better value-based option.
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Method Dish Soap - HollyBerry
If I could subscribe to purchase this dish soap over and over again I would! I came across this scent on Well.ca while searching for the other holiday scent (Fraser Fir) in the hand soap that I love from Method. I didn't know this came in a dish... +
If I could subscribe to purchase this dish soap over and over again I would!
I came across this scent on Well.ca while searching for the other holiday scent (Fraser Fir) in the hand soap that I love from Method. I didn't know this came in a dish soap and since I love the Mrs. Meyers dish soap seasonal scents and I love the other Method holiday scents I decided to give it a try.
I received it within a few days along with some other kitchen items (including the Swedish dish sponges - see my other review, they are amazing!) and upon opening and catching a hint of the full scent?....oh....my.
Scent: For me the Hollyberry scent is reminiscent of tarte cranberries and a woodsy pine or fir scent. It very much invokes a Winter Holiday/Christmas vibe as I tend to make simmer pots on the stove top with cranberries and we hike a lot outdoors in the winter so berry and woodsy smells are always associated with happy relaxed memories for me. I love it so much I ordered 5 more bottles because it is a seasonal scent and I want to use it all winter long and then some. The scent doesn't give me a headache (certain scents really bother me) or trigger my allergies so I can inhale to my heart's content with no side-effects (again, this is just for me. Everyone is different and for some because this is scented it may still bother them.)
Effectiveness: This soap is great at removing grime and grease, much like my other go-to brand for dish soap (Mrs. Meyers) and doesn't require a lot of product for a full sink. It lathers well and doesn't dry out my skin or leave residue in the sink. The soap is non-toxic and plant-based which is important for me with young children.
Packaging: The bottle is ergonomic and I love pump-style used. It is so much easier to pump rather than squirt to dispense. The pump is easy for anyone to use (small hands, arthritic hands etc) and the shape of the bottle lends itself to staying upright and not being easily knocked over (just ask my 4 yr old!) The design is pleasing with the gold accents and it looks nice next to my sink on my pretty stand :)
Availability: I loved this dish soap and didn't come across it until October 2020. It has sold out for now and hasn't been re-stocked anywhere online. I am hoping this line is re-stocked soon as I love this scent and the Fraser Fir scent from Method's holiday line.
Value: I am content with the purchase price ($4.98 + tax CDN) for the value. It cleans well, smells amazing, looks pretty and stays upright easily so I consider the Method Dish Soap in Hollyberry a winner.
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Ten & Co. Swedish Sponge Cloth Juniper Green on White
I purchased my first Swedish dish cloth or "sponge" from a local Finnish kitchen store several months ago and have since amassed a collection. I have never been so happy with a cloth as I have with this type. If you have family members who refuse... +
I purchased my first Swedish dish cloth or "sponge" from a local Finnish kitchen store several months ago and have since amassed a collection. I have never been so happy with a cloth as I have with this type.
If you have family members who refuse to wring out the dish cloth and leave it in an ETERNAL SOAKED AND MUSTY STATE then THIS IS FOR YOU.
Basically it is a cellulose fibre blend that when wet is super soft and highly absorbent. The description online states that it can absorb 15x its weight in water and after cleaning several large spills I can attest that this is true.
Effectiveness: Simply put, amazing. This cloth never ever holds a smell no matter how long it gets left wet for. We live in the city but have our own well and despite a built-in water softener system our water has hardness which just amplifies any build-up or water stains and smells. My family has a strict "no-wring" policy when it comes to the kitchen dish cloths (grrr) so I am swapping out dish cloths daily to avoid any musty smells. Enter the Swedish dish cloth and now I am so happy to say that these cloths never smell and hold no build-up of hard water. They dry extremely quickly and when dry act as a great paper towel for sopping up any spills.
Maintenance: The cloths dry quickly and revert back to a hard flat state. For cleaning they can be thrown into the wash machine and left out to dry or you can boil them. I have put them in the wash machine and they come out great.
Eco-friendliness: I love that these cloths are a cotton-cellulose blend and 100% biodegradable. They last for me about 4-6 months of heavy use and then can be disposed of with compostable materials. How awesome is that?!
Affordability: I feel the pricing of these cloths can very depending on the brand and the pattern but considering how much use I get out of this brand, the beautiful patterns available, how amazing these cloths work and never smell + how eco-friendly they are make it a very affordable and worthwhile product.
I have now switched and no longer use any type of cloth for dishes except these type (this brand and others) and the 'World's Best Sponge" for dishes requiring a rougher scrub. I highly recommend you give these and a try. I purchased several brands of Swedish cloths to compare and then stick to my favorites.
I highly recommend this dish cloth to any serious cleaners who are eco-minded and enjoy lovely patterns!
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Sapadilla Rosemary + Peppermint Countertop Cleanser
I purchased this cleaner at the local grocer when it first appeared and ended up loving it so much that after it sold out locally I purchased 5 more bottles of the countertop cleaner and laundry detergent online. Scent: Out of all three scents... +
I purchased this cleaner at the local grocer when it first appeared and ended up loving it so much that after it sold out locally I purchased 5 more bottles of the countertop cleaner and laundry detergent online.
Scent: Out of all three scents offered (Grapefruit, Lavender and Peppermint) the Rosemary + Peppermint was my favorite. It is a very unique scent - the peppermint comes through and smells very fresh while the rosemary also presents a crisp green scent. It is great combination and I would enjoy using it for just the scent alone! The scent does not irritate or cause my allergies to flare which is a requirement for any product I use regularly at home.
Effectiveness: This is where the product shines, seriously. I have used the countertop cleaner on many surfaces (the multi surface cleaner was sold out but I didn't see a huge difference in the ingredient labels and gave it a go) and I must say I am WAY impressed. My glass stovetop sparkles and the counters gleam. There is no residue or streaking. I even used it on my stainless steel appliances and Tassimo surface - the result was better than the products I purchase specifically for stainless steel. I have used it on many surfaces now and it even removes the residual glue from product stickers on glass candle jars really well. I give this cleaner 5 stars for effectiveness!
Packaging: I love the simple, clean white design of the bottles. The spray nozzle works well, there is no clogging and it sprays just the right amount of surface area. The tip is your typical nozzle with on/off function. The bottles is easy to hold and carry or pack into my cleaning bin while moving about the house. I hope the company keeps this design and packaging for a long time - it matches with pretty much anything and will not clash. I also appreciate that the printing color matches the scent so it is easy to locate on the shelves. At least once a month I purchase the wrong type or scent of a product because the labelling is so busy so this a nice bonus is my books.
Affordability: I am 100% happy paying the full price for this cleaner since a little really does go a long way. I have been using it every day at home and am still on the first bottle. It is definitely a fair price for what you receive. Even better is that it has gone on sale several times now and I stocked up.
Availability: This is an important one for me. I live in Northwestern Ontario, Canada and finding products I love consistently can be challenging. So far the countertop cleaner in Rosemary + Peppermint has been restocked locally after selling out at all the stores however I was still able to order it online with reasonable or free shipping. The only product I have had a harder time finding from this company is the Multi Cleaner in the same scent. Otherwise it's been fairly easy to purchase and stock at home.
Overall I highly recommend finding your favorite scent in this product line and purchasing it. It hits all the high points and is now one of my daily go-to cleaners for my kitchen and dining room.
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