DelyanaM
Member Since: March 13, 2015Reviews
Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Hair Treatment with African Macadamia Oil
I'm completely smitten with this product! I received it from ChickAdvisor for reviewing just as my bottle of MoroccanOil had the last few drops left in it. I've used MoroccanOil religiously for the last six years, never going more than a week... +
I'm completely smitten with this product! I received it from ChickAdvisor for reviewing just as my bottle of MoroccanOil had the last few drops left in it. I've used MoroccanOil religiously for the last six years, never going more than a week without it and applying it after every shower. I haven't found any other hair oil/leave-in product to be up to par with it, yet I decided to give Dove Dry Oil a try before I purchase another bottle of my usual. I'm as happy as I am surprised to say that I'm a total and complete convert!
Dove Dry Oil is completely weightless, which doesn't mean it's not deeply moisturizing! I love the way it makes my hair look (and feel!). I've had numerous people comment on how glossy and healthy my hair looks! My hair is very prone to frizz and I usually have to quickly run the straightener trough it after washing to get it to stay straight and smooth (which is very damaging), but I haven't had to do it since I started using Dry Oil. It turns my hair into pure silk without weighing it down and I haven't noticed any extra oiliness. It has the most luscious smell, and is also much more affordable than most products of its kind on the market.
The final touch that ultimately captivated me was the very high-end bottle. It's made of glass in a chic, slightly vintage-y design that will look beautiful on any vanity table. It's also surprisingly travel-friendly for a glass container - I've taken it with me on vacation and have had zero problems.
All in all, Dove Dry Oil is a fantastic product. It has completely replaced MoroccanOil in my hair care routine and I can't be more in love with it!
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Brookside Chocolate Tablet Bar in Tart Cherry Crisp with Pomegranate Flavour
I received three Brookside dark chocolate bars from ChickAdvisor to review. This one is the Posh Spice of the trio. :) The perfectly balanced flavor combo results in a sophisticated, airy as a whisper taste that caresses the palate and sends me to... +
I received three Brookside dark chocolate bars from ChickAdvisor to review. This one is the Posh Spice of the trio. :) The perfectly balanced flavor combo results in a sophisticated, airy as a whisper taste that caresses the palate and sends me to my happy place. I simply couldn't stop devouring it! :) I'm not the biggest fan of dark chocolate, but this one is mild and sweet (yet not overwhelmingly so) and with the tiniest hint of zestiness that offers an authentic and polished aftertaste. Even the youngest family members, who usually prefer milk chocolate, gave their roaring approval. :)
As for the packaging, the sturdy cardboard box and the additional wrapper underneath are very luxurious and fit for a high-end product. I love that the asymmetrical chocolate blocks are stamped with the Brookside logo and different patterns, it gives the chocolate an artisanal feel. Each bar retails for $ 3.69, which I find reasonable for premium chocolate!
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Brookside Chocolate Tablet Bar in Blueberry Almond with Açai Flavour
I received three Brookside dark chocolate bars from ChickAdvisor to review. This one is the darkest of the bunch, with the almonds lending it a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth, marzipan-y bitterness. The berries are subtle, giving it an almost tea-like... +
I received three Brookside dark chocolate bars from ChickAdvisor to review. This one is the darkest of the bunch, with the almonds lending it a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth, marzipan-y bitterness. The berries are subtle, giving it an almost tea-like aroma. It lacks the chewiness of the other two bars, but the small almond chunks make the texture just as exciting.:) Unlike with the other two, the additional flavors in this one are a secondary accord meant to complement the chocolate and amplify its richness. It will satisfy even the pickiest dark chocolate lovers with its deep and complex aftertaste.
As for the packaging, the sturdy cardboard box and the additional wrapper underneath are very luxurious and fit for a high-end product. I love that the asymmetrical chocolate blocks are stamped with the Brookside logo and different patterns, it gives the chocolate an artisanal feel. Each bar retails for $ 3.69, which I find reasonable for premium chocolate!
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Brookside Chocolate Tablet Bar in Mango Coconut Crunch
I received three Brookside dark chocolate bars from ChickAdvisor to review. This one is the most fun of the three. Simply heavenly! It is delightfully fragrant, with the cheerful scent of summer hitting you immediately upon opening the package. The... +
I received three Brookside dark chocolate bars from ChickAdvisor to review. This one is the most fun of the three. Simply heavenly! It is delightfully fragrant, with the cheerful scent of summer hitting you immediately upon opening the package. The coconut flakes and chewy mango chunks make for a sunny and tropical combo, like a mango smoothie on the beach. The fruity taste dominates over the chocolate, but the overall result is not too sweet, just slightly tart and perfectly refreshing.
As for the packaging, the sturdy cardboard box and the additional wrapper underneath are very luxurious and fit for a high-end product. I love that the asymmetrical chocolate blocks are stamped with the Brookside logo and different patterns, it gives the chocolate an artisanal feel. Each bar retails for $ 3.69, which I think is reasonable for premium chocolate!
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Coconut DREAM Unsweetened Coconut Drink
I'm commited to a Paleo diet (and mildly lactose-intolerant) and coconut products (milk, water, oil, flour, etc.) are a big part of it. Needless to say, I was very excited when ChickAdvisor sent me a coupon to try Coconut Dream. :) I have since made... +
I'm commited to a Paleo diet (and mildly lactose-intolerant) and coconut products (milk, water, oil, flour, etc.) are a big part of it. Needless to say, I was very excited when ChickAdvisor sent me a coupon to try Coconut Dream. :) I have since made it a staple in my home! The ingredients list is sparse, which is a plus in my book; it's low in sugar, sodium, calories and pretty much everything so it's ultimately guilt-free. :) The flavor is subtle and earthy with a hint of sweetness, which I really like as it is not overwhelming in smoothies and flavored beverages. I blended it with some pineapple (bananas can be added for extra creaminess) and it makes the tastiest, sunniest smoothie ever! It's also great to add to tea (coconut masala chai, anyone?:). I also made coconut rice pudding with it and it turned out delicious (super easy to make - just boil white rice in a few cups of Coconut Dream and a little bit of water and flavor to taste with cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, etc.)! All in all, it's a fantastic alternative to milk to have in your fridge! -
OFFLY FAST Removal Kit
The Shellac Offly Fast kit (which was kindly sent to me by ChickAdvisor) has everything that you need to remove a Shellac application, and more! The removal is very easy and even pleasant – all I had to do was soak the tiny square of cotton that... +
The Shellac Offly Fast kit (which was kindly sent to me by ChickAdvisor) has everything that you need to remove a Shellac application, and more! The removal is very easy and even pleasant – all I had to do was soak the tiny square of cotton that was taped on the foil in some of the remover (which smells like watermelon candy :), wrap the foil tightly around my finger with the cotton square covering the nail, and wait for eight minutes. The foil wraps tightly and securely and gives you the freedom to do anything while you wait for the polish to dissolve, even type (you just have to be careful not to displace the cotton square). After 8 minutes, I just pressed down on the nail and removed the foil with a twisting motion, and voila – the Shellac came right off, leaving my nail clean and smooth! I didn't even have to use the manicure stick that's included in the kit for scarping off any leftover polish (it will come very handy for pushing back cuticles the next time I do an at-home manicure!:). I finished with rubbing some Solar Oil on my now bare nails. Solar Oil is the best cuticle product I've ever tried (I've been using it for years) – it softens, moisturizes and strengthens (and is based on sweet almond oil, so it smells delicious :). Overall, the Shellac removal was completely fuss-free and caused absolutely no damage to my nails (and to my nose :). -
CND Shellac
I used to say that I'm not much of a nail polish person (and I wasn't, mainly because I have the worst nails EVER). I don't wash dishes, garden, or really do anything that can be very damaging to my nails; yet I can't keep my polish on for more than... +
I used to say that I'm not much of a nail polish person (and I wasn't, mainly because I have the worst nails EVER). I don't wash dishes, garden, or really do anything that can be very damaging to my nails; yet I can't keep my polish on for more than two days. I've tried every brand under the sun, from drugstore (Sally Hansen) to high-end (Chanel, Dior), used every top and base coat I saw praised on the Internet, taken supplements; alas, no luck. It looks good for a day or two (if I'm lucky), and after that it's just a huge mess – dull, chipped, nails dry and peeling, just ugh.
Shellac changed all of that for me.
As Cheri, my manicurist, patiently explained (I must have been so annoying with my never-ending questions!:), Shellac is applied after a dry manicure. Cuticles should not be cut cut (it leaves the skin vulnerable to bacteria and infection), but instead dabbed with a cuticle remover (she used Deborah Lippmann) and gently pushed back to reveal beautifully elongated nail beds. A CND Brisa lamp is used to cure the polish for about 10 seconds between every layer (one of Shellac UV Base Coat, one of Shellac Power Polish Top Coat and 2 or 3 layers of the polish of choice in between; mine was Winter Glow from their new Aurora collection). The result is a gorgeous, porcelain-like finish that can withstand a nuclear blast. I'm not kidding!:) I could hardly believe it when two weeks had passed and my polish hadn't chipped even a little bit! I wouldn't have had to remove it at all if my nails hadn't grown out. What's even more astounding is that none of my nails were broken or peeling after I removed the polish. I'm pretty sure I've never gone two weeks without having a nail break on me in my life! Not only was there zero damage, my nails were stronger and smoother than ever after the polish removal.
All in all, I'm pretty amazed with Shellac and plan on making it my new nail strengthening treatment. :) It has turned something I have always been insecure about (my nails) into something I now flaunt. It's fantastic for those like me who can't be bothered with high-maintenance manicures – you just have it put on and then forget about it (except for when you get complimented on it :) for at least a couple of weeks! It's practically everything nail polish should be – super glossy, durable and fortifying. I don't think I'll ever go back to regular polish!
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Upper Village Spa
Upper Village Spa is an adorable, pint-sized salon a two-minute walk from Eglinton West subway station. It drew me in immediately with its cozy and relaxing atmosphere, and the ladies were heartwarmingly sweet and welcoming – even after I was half... +
Upper Village Spa is an adorable, pint-sized salon a two-minute walk from Eglinton West subway station. It drew me in immediately with its cozy and relaxing atmosphere, and the ladies were heartwarmingly sweet and welcoming – even after I was half an hour late for my appointment on a somewhat busy day.
My nail technician's name is Cheri and she was lovely. :) We chatted away the better part of an hour and she had a lot of great advice and recommendations. It's always refreshing to meet someone with a genuine love for their craft (and heaps of experience).
The manicure process itself is very sanitary – as expected of higher-end salons, the nail file and buffer are disposable and opened in front of you, and you have the option of taking them home. The polish application left my nails looking flawless and the grand finale was the hand massage, for which I picked Lalicious Sugar Kiss hand cream (smells as wonderful as it sounds) and Cheri added a dab of CND Solar Oil.
The price of a Shellac manicure ($45, which was kindly covered by ChickAdvisor for this visit) is very reasonable, considering that the application lasts for at least two weeks.
Apart form nail care, their range of services covers everything from facials to hair removal.The brands they carry include oh-so-luxe hair care Oribe, sweet-smelling Lalicious, Montreal-based makeup line Shmink and an array of carefully selected nail polishes, the latest addition a small California boutique line named Smith & Cult. For the home décor fiends, they offer a sinfully soft selection of Kashwére throws. Lampe Berger diffusers and Bkr bottles (a personal favorite, and the popular colors go fast! :).
You can book an appointment online, which is always a plus.
I had never had Shellac before, and I must say that I'm a die-hard convert after my great experience at Upper Village Spa. I can't wait to go back for some more pampering!
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Vichy Idealia Life Serum
Chickadvisor sent me the product to review, and my first impression was that It's a lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that smells great. I use it as part of my morning routine as it contains very finely-ground mica (a subtle mineral shimmer) which... +
Chickadvisor sent me the product to review, and my first impression was that It's a lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that smells great. I use it as part of my morning routine as it contains very finely-ground mica (a subtle mineral shimmer) which completely disappears under makeup and helps skin appear smoother and illuminated. In my opinion, it's a great product for those like me who prefer not to use full-on moisturizer under their makeup during the day, yet their skin still needs something to keep it hydrated. -
Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep
Chickadvisor sent me the product to review and I immediately fell in love. I have very sensitive combination skin and my options are very limited when choosing a moisturizer, so I was a little apprehensive when I first tried this one. Turns out I... +
Chickadvisor sent me the product to review and I immediately fell in love. I have very sensitive combination skin and my options are very limited when choosing a moisturizer, so I was a little apprehensive when I first tried this one. Turns out I had nothing to worry about - I woke up with perfectly behaved skin, sans redness or breakouts. It actually looked refreshed, even after the insufficient amount of sleep I usually get! The cream itself smells great; the texture is a bit sticky, but the feeling disappears quickly. All in all, this moisturizer is a winner for me! -
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