curlysue10
Member Since: November 5, 2008Reviews
Gillette Venus Embrace Razor and Razor Heads
I am pretty faithful to my razor brand and have been using Schick Quatro for years now. I enjoy the sturdiness of the handle (it is heavy like a men’s razor), the dependability of the blades, and the convenient holder that attaches to your shower... +
I am pretty faithful to my razor brand and have been using Schick Quatro for years now. I enjoy the sturdiness of the handle (it is heavy like a men’s razor), the dependability of the blades, and the convenient holder that attaches to your shower wall with suction cups. I will compare my experience with Venus Razors to my usual brand throughout my review. I should also mention that I use conditioner in place of shaving gel/cream when I shave, as this did affect my experience with some of the razors. I have organized my review into several categories based on the type of razor and the ease of use.
3 blades – Original Venus, Venus Divine
I used to use the original Venus razor when I first began shaving. The Venus Divine is a slight improvement on that original with intensive moisture strips. I think that these two razors are best suited to the no-fuss type girl who likes things plain and simple. They have 3 blades, and provide a clean and effective shave. I think they are perfect for girls who have just started shaving.
3 blades with shave gel bars – Proskin MoistureRich, Breeze and Spa Breeze
After trying each of these razors I have to say that I am not a fan of the shave gel bars. I find that I don’t know how to prime my legs for shaving. Do I use my typical conditioner which just made the surface of my skin slick and slippery with the added shave gel bars, or do I leave my skin wet but bare, and use the razors on their own? I found both undesirable because in the first scenario my skin would be too goopey to get an even and close shave, but relying on the built in shave gel bars alone wasn’t enough because I got razor burn and again didn’t get an exceptionally close shave. Also, I didn’t find the shave gel bars to last more than about 3 shaves which I was not impressed with. I loved the scent of the Spa Breeze razor but ultimately I need more in a razor than a yummy scent.
5 blades – Embrace, Venus & Olay, and Venus & Olay Sugarberry
In terms of getting a close and even shave I found the 5 blade Venus razors to be the most reliable. My favourite is the Venus & Olay original which smells amazing while also giving my legs some moisture, even if I choose not to moisturize after showering. I was extremely impressed with this! However, I found the width of the razor to be quite large and clunky, and like the shave gel bars, the moisture strips did not last more than about 3 shaves. I also had the same dilemma with deciding whether to prep my legs with conditioner or not; the moisture in the Olay razors got really goopey when I used conditioner. I did however find that the moisture strips were excellent for sensitive skin areas such as the bikini line and underarms and will definitely continue to use this razor in these areas.
Moisture strips vs. Shave gel bars – Moisture strips hands down. They were more reliable, provided the best results, and the least amount of fuss.
Interchangeable handles/razors – I love that you can change the handles and the razors. This really provides you with flexibility that other brands do not offer. My favourite combination is the Venus & Olay razor with the Spa Breeze handle.
Shower cartridge (suction cups) – I like that that Venus ProSkin, Breeze, Spa Breeze and Olay razors all had suction cups with little hooks to hold up the razors in your shower. I really like these better than my Schick Quatro holder because they are not as clunky, take up minimal space and hold your razor far enough away from the wall that it can dry properly. I loved the Venus Embrace pod because although it is large it is sturdy and holds extra cartridges. The original Venus and Venus Divine also hold extra cartridges but I found their suction cups to be a little bit weaker.
Repurchase / recommend?
Overall I am unsure if I would repurchase these but I would certainly recommend them to a friend. I liked them but I feel like I enjoy how sturdy and reliable my Schick Quatro razor is – I like the sturdy handle and the extremely close shave. While I enjoyed many aspects of the Venus razors (particularly the scents, the flexibility of them being interchangeable, and the moisture they provide) ultimately I think many of the perks are just bells and whistles – fun and enjoyable, but also frivolous and unnecessary. In my opinion, the most important thing about a razor is that you get a close and long lasting shave, and for this alone I think my Schick Quatro does a superior job. I would still recommend these to a friend however because I acknowledge that they were easy to use and effective, but I just don’t want the fuss.
I received these razors (generously!) to try from ChickAdvisor and Gillette.
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Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Conditioner
I love this conditioner! I received it from Chickadvisor's Aqua Light event and am very happy with it. I use it with the Aqua Light shampoo and conditioning shake and my hair really does look lighter and my curls are bouncier. Pantene... +
I love this conditioner! I received it from Chickadvisor's Aqua Light event and am very happy with it. I use it with the Aqua Light shampoo and conditioning shake and my hair really does look lighter and my curls are bouncier. Pantene conditioners are my absolute favourites because they really make my hair feel soft, shiny and healthy. You know a conditioner is good when your hair feels soft and silky even when you run your fingers through it in the shower, and that's exactly what this product does. I love it and would certainly purchase it in the future. -
Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo
I love this shampoo! I have used Pantene for years, but I am always tempted to try other brands. No matter how many times I stray though, I always come back to Pantene. My hair just looks its best with Pantene products. Usually I use the curl... +
I love this shampoo! I have used Pantene for years, but I am always tempted to try other brands. No matter how many times I stray though, I always come back to Pantene. My hair just looks its best with Pantene products. Usually I use the curl shampoo and conditioner but I received this shampoo from Chickadvisor's Aqua Light hair event and I love it. My hair is actually finer than it used to be so anything that boosts the volume by not weighing it down is a great product for me.
I find that the shampoo itself is light, and it lathers a lot which I love. My hair feels squeaky clean afterwards and is ready for the Aqua Light conditioner, followed by the conditioning shake.
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Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Conditioning Shake
I really like this product. As a curly haired girl I blow-dry my hair with a diffuser every morning so a heat protector spray is essential for me. I had been using one by TresEMME, but replaced that with this product when I received it from... +
I really like this product. As a curly haired girl I blow-dry my hair with a diffuser every morning so a heat protector spray is essential for me. I had been using one by TresEMME, but replaced that with this product when I received it from Chickadvisor's Aqua Light event. I don't think it's dramatically different than any other heat protector spray but I like that it also acts as a leave in conditioner which my other product did not. It did not weight down my hair and made it feel lovely and soft. Overall I think it works best when you use it with the Aqua Light shampoo and conditioner. Overall I think this is a good product and I would likely purchase it in the future. -
Revlon Crazy Shine To Go Nail Buffer
I am meticulous about my nails. If they're not painted, they're always shaped and buffed at the very least. I had purchased the Revlon Crazy Shine in it's regular size previously and was very happy with it. These little guys are as effective as... +
I am meticulous about my nails. If they're not painted, they're always shaped and buffed at the very least. I had purchased the Revlon Crazy Shine in it's regular size previously and was very happy with it. These little guys are as effective as the regular size format, and in such a cute and convenient little package!
The green side buffs, and it does it quite well. I would say that I have used better buffers but the shine more than makes up for the mediocre buffing job. The printed size polishes your nails to an insane shine! We're talking mirror like shine, seriously. I am very impressed with this product! It even says you can use the shine side to revitalize polished nails. I don't find it to be quite as effective on painted nails however.
My only complaint about this product is the AWFUL squeak the shining side makes. To me it's a bit of a nails-on-a-chalkboard kind of sound, so while these are tiny enough to put in your purse, I don't think I would use them on the go because I feel like it would just annoy everyone around me.
I received this product to review from Chickadvisor's Product Review Club but would certainly purchase it again.
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L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara
I read about this mascara on a Chickadvisor article a while back and decided to try it. I am normally quite loyal to my Cover Girl Lash Blast (the orange tube) but given the rave reviews for this mascara I decided to branch out. I am SO impressed... +
I read about this mascara on a Chickadvisor article a while back and decided to try it. I am normally quite loyal to my Cover Girl Lash Blast (the orange tube) but given the rave reviews for this mascara I decided to branch out. I am SO impressed, I absolutely love it! It does a phenomenal job of thickening your lashes. My only minor complaints are that it takes a teensy bit of work to get your lashes separated because they tend to clump a little more than the Lash Blast wand allows for; secondly that it flakes. I know this is a major deal breaker for a lot of people, but I truly think the results are worth sweeping the odd flake off your face. If you like volumizing mascaras, definitely give this one a try. -
Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips
I absolutely despise this product. I have used other Veet products in the past (mainly the creams and the salon facial wax strips, which I swore by at one time) so I didn't think twice about buying this product. I have used it three times and have... +
I absolutely despise this product. I have used other Veet products in the past (mainly the creams and the salon facial wax strips, which I swore by at one time) so I didn't think twice about buying this product. I have used it three times and have been completely dissatisfied each time. The first time I used it on my bikini line and it left a whole bunch of hairs that I had to pluck out. The second and third times I used them on my upper lip with disastrous results. BOTH times the texture of the wax is what can only be described as gooey; it stuck to my skin and when I removed the strip it looked like I had stuck gum on my face and tried to pull it off (hopefully you can get the visual effect I'm going for here). Tons of wax stayed on my face and when I went back with the strip to take it off, to my horror, it look the top layer of skin off with it, BOTH times. Needless to say I will not be using this product ever, EVER again. I am extremely unimpressed and will probably refrain from buying any other Veet products in the future, despite my previous good experiences with them. -
Oral-B Pulsonic Power Toothbrush
This toothbrush is outstanding, I was completely blown away. I have used electric toothbrushes in the past but the kind that have small round heads. I was not a fan of this type of tiny head so I ended up switching back to my regular brush. I am... +
This toothbrush is outstanding, I was completely blown away. I have used electric toothbrushes in the past but the kind that have small round heads. I was not a fan of this type of tiny head so I ended up switching back to my regular brush. I am incredibly pleased with this toothbrush and would recommend it to everyone.
When I first took it out of the box I feared that the head was too small and I would not feel that my teeth would feel clean. After having used it I feel that the head is a great size because it helps to reach every corner of your mouth. The toothbrush itself is actually surprisingly tiny compared to others I have tried, and it is very light. My only complaint about this is that I feel the handle is a bit slippery and could use some grips. It's difficult to keep a good grip on it during use.
The first time I used the brush I actually felt like I had just come from a cleaning at the dentist. I don't feel like that each and every time but I'm sure this is because the first time I could tell the difference between the clean this toothbrush was achieving versus my old manual one. (I hope my dentist is impressed the next time I go in!)
I enjoy that the toothbrush pretty much forces you to brush your teeth for two minutes. In all honesty I sometimes feel like brushing my teeth is tedious using this brush because it makes me brush for what feels like such a long time. But to put this into perspective the box and manual state in numerous places that it is the DENTIST RECOMMENDED two minutes. It also clicks subtly to indicate the 30 second intervals in which you should brush each quadrant of your mouth. With this in mind I happily brush my teeth each morning and night knowing that my toothbrush is ensuring I brush my teeth for the recommended amount of time without my even having to think about it consciously.
I love using both heads, the regular brush and the precision head that gets between teeth. I feel that this really assists with areas that you normally floss. Another brilliant feature is the two modes, regular speed and slow speed for sensitive teeth and areas. Great idea, and very handy!
I checked out the price in store and the brush itself is 70 bucks, and the replacement heads are 2 heads and a precision tip in a package for 30 bucks. I think this is a reasonable price considering how thoroughly the brush cleans your mouth. I have to admit that before actually using the brush I would not have considered spending so much on a toothbrush but after having used it I can honestly say that I would seriously consider spending that amount on such an effective product. I am not sure how often you would have to replace the head because I have only been using it for two weeks now but I am sure it is a comparable amount of time to a regular toothbrush's life.
Lastly I would like to mention the whitening aspect. Oral B does state that the brush will help to remove up to 94% of surface stains in two weeks. I use Crest 3D White toothpaste regularly (which is another incredibly effective product that I would highly recommend) and I truly think that when used in conjunction with this toothbrush my teeth are a more brilliant white than when just using the toothpaste alone. I am quite happy with these results!
Some final minor details to consider: the charging stand takes up very little room on my bathroom counter which pleases me, and the brush needs no conventional batteries, it has a rechargeable battery, which I think is fantastic!
In summary I think this toothbrush is incredibly intuitive. Oral-B seems to have thought of everything that one would need in a toothbrush and it really is effective at everything they have promised. Highly recommend!
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Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant
Last Friday night my girlfriends and I went out for what was supposed to be a fun get together to celebrate the holidays. We LOVE Mexican food but one of our favourite Mexican bars recently closed down and we've had a hard time finding good... +
Last Friday night my girlfriends and I went out for what was supposed to be a fun get together to celebrate the holidays. We LOVE Mexican food but one of our favourite Mexican bars recently closed down and we've had a hard time finding good Mexican ever since. It is my opinion that there is a sad lack of good Mexican in Toronto (but that's another rant). You know how sometimes you have such a fantastic food/service experience somewhere that you just have to tell everyone you know to go there? But then there are those horrible times when the food, service and overall experience are so appallingly bad that you need to make sure no one you know goes there ... ever? Sadly Dos Amigos falls into the latter category.
WARNING: This will be a lengthy review. But I feel that I owe it to the people of Toronto to chronicle each and every one of Dos Amigos' faults in excruciating detail. I should preface this review by saying that I don't consider my standards to be TOO high, but for the amount of money and time spent at that restaurant I expect good food, service and an exceptional overall experience, none of which we received.
For those of you who don't want the nitty gritty details, here is a summary of our experience:
Likes:
-Fresh Guacamole
-Delicious (strong) drinks
-Clean restaurant and washrooms with charming decor throughout
Dislikes:
-SERVICE (servers were rude, did not go out of their way to accommodate our most basic requests; drinks -- both alcoholic and water -- were left empty and not refilled; there was a lot of time between each course of the meal as if the staff were trying to encourage us to leave and clear the table for the next party)
-Food (much of it was salty, some of it was good but almost nothing was better than mediocre)
-Food and drinks were both quite expensive considering we were all still hungry afterwards
-General awkward atmosphere (we felt like we were outsiders in a crowd of regulars who were inconveniencing the staff with our mere presence)
There were five of us going out for dinner and drinks. We work in the financial district so choosing a restaurant about 10 minutes walking distance from Christie station is a bit of a trek for us (one we would have been happy to make for great food a service mind you). Three of our friends got there early only to discover that the restaurant closes between lunch and dinner, so they had to wait outside until past 5 PM. This wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't winter and there was something in the neighbourhood for them to occupy their time. Regardless, when they were let in they ordered drinks and guacamole. Although their drinks came in a timely manner the staff did not return to ask them for refills or more snacks while they waited, instead they acted annoyed that their other guests had not arrived yet and they could not clear the table. The staff stood and starred at them awkwardly despite the fact that the rest of the restaurant was empty at that time. They did all liked their drinks though and the guacamole tasted very fresh.
When we finally did arrive we ordered our drinks (a lime margarita for me which was strong but delicious -- probably the best thing I had that night, but expensive at 11 bucks a pop; and a pitcher of sangria for my friend, also delicious but expensive at 30 bucks a pitcher). Our waitress took our order with some hesitation over the fact that my friend asked for no mole on her enchilada (she later returned to tell us that the chef had refused to cater to that request and we were forced to have it with mole). Three of us ordered the Pollo Asado "A combination of grilled chicken breast, stuffed chicken mole enchilada and cheese quesadilla, served with black beans, rice and guacamole." The chicken was juicy and tender but not particularly flavourful and the other two dishes were mushy and mediocre. We got some of their homemade hot sauce which was good but tasted mostly like tomato and wasn't particularly spicy. I also got beef tacos to share with my friend; they were salty and did not have any toppings which we found disappointing. I was annoyed that nothing came with sour cream. When one of my friends asked for sour cream they gave her a TINY dish of it (it amounted to about a tablespoon, pitiful), and charged her for it! Lastly one of my friends got the Tostadas (her favourite) which are "A choice of chicken, beef, vegetable or pork stew on two crispy tortillas with a spread of black beans, lettuce, “pico de gallo”, sour cream and “queso fresco". She hated them. They looked amazing and were piled with toppings but we way too salty, to the point that she could only take a few bites. When the waitress cleared away the plates she asked if anything was wrong with her food and she told her they were too salty but the waitress just nodded. She offered no apology, alternative dish or compensation at all. Even acknowledging her displeasure would have been better than that.
Our plates were cleared for more than 20 minutes before we were so much as asked if we wanted to see a dessert menu. We had all planned on eating dessert but were pretty disgruntled at this point. Not only had their ignored us for an unacceptable amount of time, they hadn't asked us if any of us wanted more drinks and all of our water glasses were empty (and they remained this way for the duration of the meal! I think it is worth mentioning though that ONLY the tall gorgeous blonde in our group had her water refilled while the rest of us looked on in shock and disgust. Just an observation.) Against our better judgment we accepted the dessert menus and each chose something off the list. One friend had the Platanos con cajeta "Plantain sliced into coins sautéed with goat's milk caramel sauce" which she seemed to like. Another had churros which she said were too hard and crispy on the outside yet uncooked and doughy on the inside, and two of us had flan which was not right at all. The consistency was more like a cheesecake than a custard and the caramel tasted burnt and bitter.
Finally (and this is my favourite part) the bill came and despite the terrible service we received, the manager (who brought the bill over himself) had the nerve to tell us that "gratuity is NOT included" as he put the bill down on the table. Furthermore, as if we didn't hear him, it was also hand-written with exclamation points at the bottom of our bill. UNBELIEVABLE. In the end we decided to tip them but did so not because they deserved it, but because we knew they would never see our money again, nor would they make money of anyone we know if we can help it.
Other small points to mention: the decor was cute and fun, the music was festive but generic and mediocre and the atmosphere was terrible. It is a very small place and as we sat it because busy to the point that people had to wait in the small entryway for a table. It seems like the kind of place where there are regulars because you could tell that the servers knew some people's names and many people came in to pick up take-out while we sat there. Another note, the bathrooms are downstairs and the door to the women's washroom is impossibly small (I felt like Alice in Wonderland ... I seriously contemplated holding it because I'm so claustrophobic) but inside it's a decent size and very clean. (Our taller friends did struggle with the low ceilings though).
Overall the food is mediocre if not bad, and overpriced. The drinks are good but expensive. The atmosphere is passable but more of a quiet restaurant than an ideal location for a drink night and the service is shockingly terrible. On our way out two different waitresses and the manager each thanked us and wished us a Happy Holidays. They must have sensed our distaste and were trying to save face. Happy Holidays sir but we shall not be back to this establishment, ever.
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Blo Dry Bar
I literally just came back from my appointment at the Blo Bar in Toronto (The King West location, in the PATH) and I wanted to let you all know how happy I was with my experience. A girl named Areti did my hair and she was so sweet and attentive... +
I literally just came back from my appointment at the Blo Bar in Toronto (The King West location, in the PATH) and I wanted to let you all know how happy I was with my experience. A girl named Areti did my hair and she was so sweet and attentive. It was SUPER busy in there (it's lunch time in a busy office building, and it's Friday AND it's the Christmas season) so there were women coming in and out the whole time, and people in every chair. She could have rushed my appointment and hurried me out (indeed a girl who was clearly her next appointment came while my hair was still only about half done. I know this because she asked another stylist if she could wash her hair for her...) but I didn't feel rushed at all! She took her time and did an excellent job. My hair is pretty long and thick so it took a little bit longer than what I assume your average appointment would take so I appreciate her not rushing me.
I won't say that this place is relaxing because it's quite loud and busy, but I think people in the downtown core are generally going for fast and efficient service rather than a spa-like atmosphere so this place gets a thumbs up from me in terms of atmosphere. It's all pink and white and cute on the inside and they handed me some gossip magazines while I got my hair done. I don't LOVE the scent of one of the many products she used in my hair but that's a very minor complaint.
Overall she was attentive (asking me throughout about the temperature of the water she used to wash my hair, the temperature of the blow dryer, the pressure she used to brush my hair, if it was ok to use hair spray ... etc.) and did a great job. I am very happy with the results. A regular wash and blow out costs 35 bucks, and with tax and tip I paid a little less than $50 for everything. Money well spent in my opinion and I will definitely be going back.
**Interesting note, Areti mentioned that if you get your hair done there Monday to Thursday you can get a FREE touch-up on Friday in time for the weekend which I think is fabulous. Also they do your hair on Saturday too but by appointment only.**
blo the path
Exchange Tower - 130 King Street West
Toronto, ON M5X 1E2
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 416.777.BLO9 (2569)
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