thepinksimsboard
Member Since: December 13, 2009Reviews
L'Oreal Professionnel Intense Repair Shampoo
The Loreal Professionnel Intense Repair duo is really nice. I was a little intimidated about the "intense" title, so I called Loreal's customer service to ask if it was safe for everyday use and all they said was that regular use was fine... +
The Loreal Professionnel Intense Repair duo is really nice. I was a little intimidated about the "intense" title, so I called Loreal's customer service to ask if it was safe for everyday use and all they said was that regular use was fine. "Regular" doesn't exactly mean daily, but I figure they would've warned me if there was any cause for concern.
So I've been using this pretty much every day for about 10 days. For hair my length (about 24"), the conditioning mask won't go too far, but I'm hoping to make it last by alternating with other products.
First Impression
The packaging is appealing, but if there is a bigger size available, I would opt for that. Both are highly fragrant, but smell really nice... a little banana-y, maybe, with a fresh perfume fragance. I can't say I've noticed this scent in my hair when it's all said and done, however.
Use
The shampoo is thin, but an average size works well. It lathers nicely and rinses out easily. The conditioner is really thick and rich - I love the texture.
One thing I don't like is that the instructions for the conditioning mask say to apply it to towel-dried hair. Wierd, I thought. I did it the first few times, but honestly, the extra time and effort it took to wrap my hair up in the middle of my shower proved to be more of a hassle than anything. Now I just squeeze as much water as I can out of my hair before I apply it and I don't notice that it works any differently.
Results
These treatments definitely pack a punch. I enjoy the set and I do think it helps to restore some moisture in my hair - which is crucial this time of year in central Alberta! My hair was softer after one use, but I didn't notice that it made my hair much smoother. The benefits seemed to plataeu after the first few uses, but I'm happy with the healthier level that my hair seems to have reached.
One undeniable benefit, in my case at least, is the crazy shine my hair has after I use these products! I really can't believe it - it catches my eye every time I pass by a mirror! Also, the shampoo label boasts "spectacular detangling", and that definitely checks out here! I was so surprised at how easily the comb ran through my hair the first time I tried these!
I'd like to say thanks to the Product Review Club for choosing me to try this product :)
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Oral-B Pulsonic Power Toothbrush
I've been using the Oral-B Pulsonic power toothbrush for 8 days now and I am loving it!! My teeth have never felt so smooth and clean! Initial impression When I first opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised by just how slim and sleek this... +
I've been using the Oral-B Pulsonic power toothbrush for 8 days now and I am loving it!! My teeth have never felt so smooth and clean!
Initial impression
When I first opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised by just how slim and sleek this toothbrush is.
I was able to mount the holder on the wall in my bathroom, which I like because it keeps my toothbrush off the counter so I'm not always knocking it over.
Operation
The controls are simple - press once for regular mode, twice for sensitive teeth, and again to turn it off - which is good and adds to the aesthetic appeal. The brush heads vibrate like crazy and I can really feel it getting to the hard-to-reach areas like behind my molars, where it is difficult to use that brushing motion that a manual toothbrush requires.
I wanted to fully charged the handle so I could report how long it could go on a single charge... but... all I can say at this point is that it has lasted longer than 5 days haha. I will try to update this later if I remember!
Effectiveness
For me, it's hard to get used to the fact that it produces such little foam. I tend to think it's not working as hard as I do with my manual brush when bubbles are erupting from my mouth haha... but the noticeable clean feeling proves otherwise.
The Pulsonic also comes with a Precision brushing head - a head with a small round patch of bristles about 4 mm wide. Honestly, I thought this was useless at first. But let me tell you, it came in handy on Friday night after I when to a movie! I flossed to get the inevitable residual popcorn hulls out of my gums, and then decided to try the precision head to get that gritty feeling out from my gums and between my teeth. Worked like a charm! A worthy investment for any movie buffs :)
I received it just over a week ago, so I haven't yet seen the if it will whiten my teeth in two weeks, as the brochure claims. But, even if it doesn't brighten my smile in just 14 days, I am confident that my oral health will improve with consistent use of the Pulsonic.
Recommendations
I would recommend this slick little unit to anyone that can afford it. I realize it's not the most expensive power toothbrush out there, but well.ca sells it for about $100 and that is beyond many people's toothbrush budget. But, like I said, it's worth the splurge.
Also, I have a friend that's a dental hygenist and when I showed her the Pulsonic, she said she would consider recommending it to her patients. That's a thumbs-up in my books!
Lastly, thanks to the Product Review Club to this product and the chance to review it :)
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Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin
I have been wanting to try Spin Pins for quite some time, but didn't want to spend the money on them if I wasn't sure they'd work. But, I recently found them in a discount basket at my local grocery store and thought I'd take them... +
I have been wanting to try Spin Pins for quite some time, but didn't want to spend the money on them if I wasn't sure they'd work. But, I recently found them in a discount basket at my local grocery store and thought I'd take them for a spin (haha).
I kind of love them! My hair is quite long (below bra-line since I made my donation to Beautiful Lengths!) and very thick. What I like about using the Spin Pins is that I can create a loose bun look. Without them, if I want to put my hair in a bun, I would have to twist and wrap it really tightly and use elastics, clips, and bobby pins to hold it. These magical little devices let me loosely twist my hair up (three cheers for less damage!) and hold it pretty well. I wouldn't expect them to hold my hair up and in place all day because it's so heavy, but they work well for a while if I'm not doing anything too active, and can be easily re-positioned when they do start to slip. Also, you might want to use some basic bobby pins to tuck in the ends.
The dark ones are a little light for my hair but still camouflage well.
They are easy to insert, but I should add that they can be difficult to get out. If you spin them in too far or if your hair is really loosely pinned up, it can be hard to grasp the end and "unspin" them. But, once you can get a hold of it and get it started, it comes out easily.
Give them a try!
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Aveeno Fresh Essentials Anti-Fatigue Eye Roller
This product did nothing for me. I don't have too bad of dark circles or puffiness, so I expected it to clear most of it up. But I saw no results after using the eye roller as directed for about 2 weeks. I did have one very emotional night -... +
This product did nothing for me. I don't have too bad of dark circles or puffiness, so I expected it to clear most of it up. But I saw no results after using the eye roller as directed for about 2 weeks.
I did have one very emotional night - lots of tears :"( - and woke up the next morning very puffy. I washed my face with cold water, used the eye roller, and applied an ice pack to my eyes for about 15 minutes, and I did notice a difference, but I would probably attribute that more to the cold compress.
Probably what's worse than this product being so ineffective was that it was actually irritating to apply. Maybe it's because the skin in the undereye area is generally sensitive, but something in the formula gave me a slight stinging/burning sensation when I rolled it on. It wasn't awful, however, and did go away after a few minutes (probably when the liquid absorbed into my skin or dried up). I tried contacting Aveeno to see if I could store it in the refrigerator to see if that would help, but they didn't address my question and passed me on to Johnson & Johnson Canada to report my experience.
I would not recommend this to anyone, especially for $20. If it couldn't remedy my moderate problem, I can't see it being very effective for extreme puffiness/darkness. Try a cold compress and some undereye brightener!
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Crest 3D White Whitestrips 2-hour Express
The first thing I want to mention is that the photo comparison I added is a little exaggerated - you can notice that even my skin tone is brighter in the "after" picture. Buuut... I never claimed to be a professional photographer! Now on to my... +
The first thing I want to mention is that the photo comparison I added is a little exaggerated - you can notice that even my skin tone is brighter in the "after" picture. Buuut... I never claimed to be a professional photographer! Now on to my review...
When I opened my Crest 3D 2-Hour Express Whitestrips, I was immediately disappointed in the packaging. The four small, flat foil packages and instructions could easily be sold in a small cellophane bag, or at the very least, a box about an eighth of the size of the one in which they came. As an eco-friendly person, I am very irritated with Crest and plan to write the company.
Application of the Whitestrips was quick and easy. I don't think this is mentioned in the intructions, but I dried my teeth before I stuck the strips to them, and I'm not sure if it made a difference but the strips stayed in place really well, and for the entire 2 hours.
During the treatment time, I noticed some slight discomfort, but nothing that stopped me from using them. No sharp pains or anything like that. I was worried about saliva accumulating in my mouth, because that's been a problem for me while I've used other whitening products - I worry about swallowing any chemicals so I find myself spitting a lot during the treatment. With these strips, the gel didn't seem to seep out as much so I felt okay about swallowing as usual. 2 hours seemed like a long time, but I just put on a movie and, for the most part, forgot I was even wearing the strips. I was pretty happy when my timer rang though! Removal was pretty easy, but they left some gunk on my teeth when I peeled them off. I had to brush after the treatment.
With regards to the effectiveness of the product, I do think they made my teeth slightly whiter (maybe it's just wishful thinking or the power of suggestion). But I don't think they're miraculous by any means. I did notice some bright white spots on my teeth immediately after I removed the strips, which was mentioned in the instructions. The pamphlet says they fade within a few hours, so I'm hoping they're gone by the morning. I get compliments on my smile from time to time so I guess it will be a good test to see if anyone comments that my teeth are especially white.
I chose to say I wouldn't recommend this product because I don't think it produces results that are worth $55. Not in my case, anyways!
Lastly, thanks so much to ChickAdvisor for providing this product for me to try!
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Aquafina Plus+ Vitamins 10 Cal
I received Strawberry Lemonade, Black and Blue Berry, and Fuji Apple Pear, courtesy of the Product Review Club. Get quenched: I really enjoyed this product! It's a great *low-calorie* alternative to plain old water! Between the Black and Blue... +
I received Strawberry Lemonade, Black and Blue Berry, and Fuji Apple Pear, courtesy of the Product Review Club.
Get quenched:
I really enjoyed this product! It's a great *low-calorie* alternative to plain old water! Between the Black and Blue Berry and Apple Pear, I can't decide which I like more... the Lemonade, on the other hand, sometimes reminded me of flavoured lip gloss. Not gross, just not my favourite.
An incidental note: the packaging is attractive but I wish the bottles were thinner so I could crush them for recycling!
Get educated:
I have one complaint about this product, and it is that the %DV numbers may be misleading. Daily intake of vitamins - especially those that are water-insoluble like vitamin D, of which excess is not excreted in the urine - should be individual-based. Factors like your diet, your size, and your own endogenous definicies can make for recommendations that differ largely from other people's. One value was of particular concern to me, that the 2.3mg of vitamin B12 contained in each bottle was said to be 120% of your daily value. In the pharmacy where I work, the general guideline we follow is about 6mg for an average-sized adult, obviously more than 3 times the 1.9mg which is indicated to be sufficient by the label (if you do the math). Many people require cyanocobalamin supplements and I would hate for them to be misled into thinking they were getting more than enough just be drinking a bottle of this water every day, when they actually may still be lacking. My advice would be to speak to a professional and see what supplements you actually need, rather than get caught up in these boastful proclamations. If Aquafina wants this beverage to be taken seriously as a 'natural health product', they should probably include some more detailed dosing information beyond 'ages 12 , drink 1-2 bottles a day'.
Bottom Line:
Delicious? No doubt. Beneficial? Jury's still out.
Thanks very much to the Product Review Club for choosing me to test this product!!
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Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Pluggable Air Freshener Lavender Comfort & Gentle Vanilla
The Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Oil Warmer is a great product! At first, I was a little worried that the musky floral scent of the lavender wouldn't appeal to me, but it is nicely balanced with the vanilla so I didn't mind it. FYI - I... +
The Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Oil Warmer is a great product!
At first, I was a little worried that the musky floral scent of the lavender wouldn't appeal to me, but it is nicely balanced with the vanilla so I didn't mind it. FYI - I prefer the "morning walk/cleansing rain" scents.
I found the lavender and vanilla fragances to compliment each other and I love it when the oil warmer switches scents - it's like someone got up and sprayed and different aerosol air freshener, without the hassle!
This product not only sends great scents into the air, it also seems to effectively eliminate odours as claimed -- I had this unit plugged in in my guest bathroom, during a small "social gathering", and it seemed to work wonderfully!
The unit is visually appealing. The lights are a nice touch - they are not bright and distracting.
My only negative comment about this product is that I didn't notice much of a different between the low and high settings. I started on the low and found it was sufficient to scent two large adjacent common areas of my condo (living room and dining room). But I wanted to try to kick it up a notch to high to see what I thought of it and I didn't notice any more scent in the air. I have considered that maybe this particular unit was a little wonky (or maybe it's my nose), but either way, it didn't matter because the fragrance in the air was the perfect amount.
Unfortunately, I only had about a week to try it out, so unfortunately I cannot comment on how long the oil lasts. I can only say that very little seems to be gone after 6 days of continual use.
Bottom line: very pleased with this product! I will definitely be buying refills so I can keep using it!
Thank you to the Product Review Club for providing this item to me to try!
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Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Pluggable Air Freshener in Morning Walk & Cleansing Rain
All-in-all, the Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Oil Warmer is a great product! Although I don't usualy tend towards scents like "cleansing rain" and "morning walk," I gave it a shot and I have to admit, I absolutely fell in love with this... +
All-in-all, the Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Oil Warmer is a great product!
Although I don't usualy tend towards scents like "cleansing rain" and "morning walk," I gave it a shot and I have to admit, I absolutely fell in love with this light, fresh combination. They smell very clean and organic. I love that the scents alternate - it made me sit up and take notice almost every time it switched between fragrances. This product not only sends great scents into the air, it also seems to effectively eliminate odours as claimed -- including my snowboarding boots and gear which were set out to air-dry in the same room!
The unit is visually appealing - you don't have to worry about hiding it in a corner behind your coffee table. I was a little concerned about the lights being too bright for my overnight guests, but the item just uses soft, dim lights to indicate which scent is being used, so it wasn't a problem!
My only negative comment about this product is that I didn't notice much of a different between the low and high settings. I started on the low and found it was sufficient to scent two large adjacent common areas of my condo (living room and dining room). But I wanted to try to kick it up a notch to high to see what I thought of it and I didn't notice any more scent in the air. I have considered that maybe this particular unit was a little wonky (or maybe it's my nose), but either way, it didn't matter because the fragrance in the air was the perfect amount.
Unfortunately, I only had about a week to try it out, so unfortunately I cannot comment on how long the oil lasts. I can only say that very little seems to be gone after 6 days of continual use.
Bottom line: very pleased with this product! I will definitely be buying refills so I can keep using it!
Thank you to the Product Review Club for providing this item to me to try!
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Garnier HerbaShine Hair Colour
Thank you to the Product Review Club for allowing me to try Garnier HerbaShine Hair Colour! I received shade 200 - Brownish Black to try on my loong dark hair. Preparation: This brand of hair dye comes with the one-size-fits-all kind of thin... +
Thank you to the Product Review Club for allowing me to try Garnier HerbaShine Hair Colour! I received shade 200 - Brownish Black to try on my loong dark hair.
Preparation:
This brand of hair dye comes with the one-size-fits-all kind of thin plastic gloves. I gave them a shot but threw them out after I applied the dye because they leaked and were too short on my wrists anyways.
The Activating Creme and Colour Creme were easy to mix.
Formula and Application:
The formula was a pretty good consistency. A little on the thin side, but not so much that it ran all over the place. What I love most about the HerbaShine product is that there is NO ODOUR!! Also, while it was in my hair, it didn't irritate my scalp, like other ammonia-based products which can cause itching or even a burning sensation. Biggest problem: There was not enough dye to colour all of my hair! I have long hair but expected that the product would cover my mane. (Luckily, I'm due for a trim so the un-coloured ends will be cut out.)
I thought there could have been more conditioner included in the HerbaShine package. The instructions said to saturate hair with the conditioner, so I started with half the pouch but ended up using all of it. With other brands, I've had enough left over to do a few weekly conditioning treatment to keep my hair healthy. Not the case with the HerbaShine product, but at least there was enough conditioner to do my hair once.
Results and Colour:
My hair feels and looks healthy, and has amazing shine! The colour is natural and rich - love it! I have very few gray hairs, but those I do have are very coarse and very noticable in my dark hair. The HerbaShine hair colour didn't completely cover my grays, but did mask them so at least they didn't stand out so much.
Final word:
While I think this product might be somewhat less effective at gray-coverage, it's an excellent choice if you're looking for healthy-looking, natural shine and colour! Also, I would recommend this to people who have a sensitive scalp - or sniffer!
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Revlon Double Twist Mascara
Awful! What a let-down! The formula is dry and clumpy - it practically goes on flaky and doesn't stand a chance if you plan on blinking during your day! The brush is a nightmare. Longer bristles are so far apart and so much longer than the... +
Awful! What a let-down!
The formula is dry and clumpy - it practically goes on flaky and doesn't stand a chance if you plan on blinking during your day!
The brush is a nightmare. Longer bristles are so far apart and so much longer than the combs in-between that the brush comes out of the tube caked in mascara, making it impossible to apply a smooth coat!
Save your money!
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