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Reviews
L’Occitane Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm
I have always had always fought painfully dry, cracked skin on my hands. It gets so bad that sometimes it even bleeds. Creams, moisturizers, ointments - no matter how many products I tried, nothing seemed to fully heal or protect my skin - until I... +
I have always had always fought painfully dry, cracked skin on my hands. It gets so bad that sometimes it even bleeds. Creams, moisturizers, ointments - no matter how many products I tried, nothing seemed to fully heal or protect my skin - until I found L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm. It has done what no other product has come even close to doing.
The painful, bleeding hands of my past are just that, in the past.
The difference was immediately apparent upon first use. The balm has a rich, creamy texture that absorbs quickly and leaves my hands feeling soft, but not greasy. A little goes a long way, and I noticed compounding improvemenrs with each use. With short-term consistent use, my hands felt dramatically smoother and more nourished. With consistent seasonal use, their appearance is brighter and healthier looking, too, having completely healed the chronic cracks and dryness that worsen during the colder months, but that were always a problem.
While it does have a slight fragrance, the scent is natural, soft and subtle, and does not feel at all potent or overpowering.
I use this balm year-round to combat the problem dryness I had previously and keep my hands in the best shape they can be, which I credit entirely to the discovery of this product in the first place. It is both an amazing acute and preventative treatment for dry hands (and elbows!)
Additionally, I love that L’Occitane as a brand employs responsible sourcing of their products, commits to sustainable practices, and is dedicated to reducing its environmental footprint.
10/10 would always recommend. It heals, protects, and maintains healthy hands. It is effective, luxurious, and soothing, making it a permanent staple in my routine. I think it males a great gigt, too! Whether the dryness is from the winter weather, or any of the many other stressors put on hands on a regular basis—this hand balm is an absolute must!
- Product gifted by L'Occitane Canada.
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OXY Deep Pore Acne Vanishing Treatment
I'm absolutely in love with this cleanser! It packs the power of Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a total game-changer for fighting acne and keeping breakouts under control. It deeply cleanses my pores, while the SymCalmin® helps soothe any irritation... +
I'm absolutely in love with this cleanser! It packs the power of Benzoyl Peroxide, which is a total game-changer for fighting acne and keeping breakouts under control. It deeply cleanses my pores, while the SymCalmin® helps soothe any irritation, leaving my skin calm and refreshed. The formula is super effective at getting rid of dirt, oil, and dead skin, but still gentle enough for daily use. My complexion has never been clearer, and I love how smooth my skin feels after every wash. If you struggle with acne, this is a must-try! -
Oxy Acne Care Deep Pore Pads
These pads are such a game-changer for on-the-go acne control, and I love the nostalgic feeling for me from using oxy pads off similar nature when I was a wee baby acne prone newbie. They wipe away dirt, oil, and dead skin while keeping my pores... +
These pads are such a game-changer for on-the-go acne control, and I love the nostalgic feeling for me from using oxy pads off similar nature when I was a wee baby acne prone newbie. They wipe away dirt, oil, and dead skin while keeping my pores clear all day. I especially love how they help prevent future breakouts without over-drying my skin, and can be used multiple times a day based on tolerance! They’re also really convenient and perfect for tossing in my bag - we love an elegant to-go product! If you’re someone who needs quick acne relief without the fuss, these are a must! -
OXY Emergency Acne Vanishing Facial Cleanser
I accidentally switched my reviews for the 5% BA cleanser and the 2% SA cleanser! The 5% BA Cleanser review can be found here and under the Daily Pore 2% SA product listing. For completeness, I will also list my Daily Deep Pore Cleanser (2% SA)... +
I accidentally switched my reviews for the 5% BA cleanser and the 2% SA cleanser!
The 5% BA Cleanser review can be found here and under the Daily Pore 2% SA product listing.
For completeness, I will also list my Daily Deep Pore Cleanser (2% SA) under this review (I am sorry - there is no way for me to correct the initial error!)
EMERGENCY ACNE VANISHING FACIAL CLEANSER (5% BA)
This cleanser is my new secret weapon against stubborn breakouts! Its texture it feels so soothing on my skin, yet it packs a punch with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide to tackle acne head-on. I love how it removes oil, dirt, and dead skin while still leaving my skin feeling hydrated - new for a BA cleanser for me. Plus, it’s paraben-free and fragrance-free, which we love and is perfect for my sensitive skin. Acne? Consider her banished, she vanished, was dis-banded.
Note: the next review is for the OXY® Deep Pore Daily Facial Cleanser (2% SA)
🌟 Rating: 5/5
This is my daily must-have! Packed with 2% Salicylic Acid, it clears out pores and fights acne fast. I adore how it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean without drying me out. It’s super gentle but still gets the job done, making it perfect for long term daily use. Highly recommend if you're fighting breakouts all day, every day, like me!
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OXY Deep Pore Daily Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is my new secret weapon to fight against stubborn breakouts! It feels so soothing on my skin, yet it packs a punch with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide to tackle acne head-on. I love how it removes oil, dirt, and dead skin while still leaving my... +
This cleanser is my new secret weapon to fight against stubborn breakouts! It feels so soothing on my skin, yet it packs a punch with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide to tackle acne head-on. I love how it removes oil, dirt, and dead skin while still leaving my skin feeling hydrated - new for me with a BA cleanser. Bonus points for being paraben-free and fragrance-free, (we love!) and is perfect for my sensitive skin. Acne? Please. She was vanished, banished, dis-banded. -
Auntie Kim's Peanut Butter and Jam Treats
Made from human grade ingredients, produced by a local Ontario company, and loved so much by the only guy who loves peanut butter as much as I do - these cookies have me a little bit jealous of my pup! Lando absolutely loves them—the taste is... +
Made from human grade ingredients, produced by a local Ontario company, and loved so much by the only guy who loves peanut butter as much as I do - these cookies have me a little bit jealous of my pup!
Lando absolutely loves them—the taste is clearly a hit! And they are made from a limited number of human grade ingredients, so I feel confident giving them to him. Extra extra extra points for an Ontario brand!
Another standout feature for us is how easily they break into smaller pieces, making them perfect for our walks. I only need to carry a few treats with me, and they break into just the right size for bite size rewards, so I can ditch the treat pouch without the quintessential snacks they carry. He would never forgive me.
While we mostly stick to single-origin treats, the very limited ingredients in Kanine Kookies and their local manufacturing and transparency mean we still feel great about these. Supporting a small business with strong values is important to us, and knowing these treats are made in Ontario with local ingredients just adds to their appeal.
We’re excited to try out the whole line and share what we already know will be a positive experience with the rest of the flavour options with all our friends!
- Product received for free from Auntie Kim's Kanine Kookies in exchange for an honest review.
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L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate
I am thoroughly impressed with L'Occitane's Almond Milk Concentrate Body Moisturizer. The cream's rich texture and delicate almond scent, reminiscent of the quiet luxury found in the corresponding body wash, provide a truly indulgent... +
I am thoroughly impressed with L'Occitane's Almond Milk Concentrate Body Moisturizer. The cream's rich texture and delicate almond scent, reminiscent of the quiet luxury found in the corresponding body wash, provide a truly indulgent experience.
As with other L'Occitane products, the quality is exceptional. The moisturizer absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, leaving my skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and nourished all day long. I appreciate L'Occitane's commitment to origins and nature, evident in their vegan formula, planting and maintenance of almond trees in Provence and the creation of refillable eco-friendly packaging - the beautiful glass container can be reused and refilled with an eco-conscious refill, making this (and many of their other) product(s) both luxurious and sustainable.
I highly recommend to anyone seeking a high-quality, nourishing, and environmentally conscious skincare product.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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Swiss Natural Super Papaya Enzyme
Overall, I had a positive experience taking Swiss Natural Super Papaya Enzyme. The taste continues to stand out the most—it was surprisingly pleasant, a factor certainly not common to all digestive enzymes. This made it very easy to incorporate... +
Overall, I had a positive experience taking Swiss Natural Super Papaya Enzyme.
The taste continues to stand out the most—it was surprisingly pleasant, a factor certainly not common to all digestive enzymes. This made it very easy to incorporate into my daily routine. The chewable format is a definite plus, too, as it may offer faster relief than capsules or tablets. Chewable enzymes start breaking down in the mouth, allowing for quicker absorption and faster relief compared to non-chewable forms, which need to be broken down in the stomach before taking effect.
Also, not having to take chewable pills with water, unlike their non-chewable counterparts, reduces the feeling of fullness before eating, which can definitely help reduce bloating. Anyone dealing with chronic bloating knows that even a small amount of water with pills can make a big difference.
These enzymes are made from a single source, papain, which is great for those looking to keep their supplement routine simple and straightforward. Many digestive enzyme supplements contain a variety of enzymes, and while this can be really beneficial for some people, I know from experience it can also cause more bloating and discomfort, too. Research in this area has shown that depending on an individual's unique microbiome makeup, taking too many different enzymes can sometimes disrupt the natural balance in the gut, leading to increased bloating and gas, which is obviously opposite to the desired effect.
I have chronic IBS that gets worse with stress. Unfortunately, while I was using these for review I had a bad IBS flare-up, which made it hard to tell how well they were working for me specifically. I do think these enzymes have potential as I have used other products from Swiss Natural that have been excellent, but I need more time to see if they truly help with issues.
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L'Occitane Almond Shower Cream
Another winner from L’Occitane. Appropriately named “Delicious Shower”, this does indeed take the shower experience and make it a delectable one, elevating the sensory experience without overwhelming it. As a sensory sensitive and chronic... +
Another winner from L’Occitane.
Appropriately named “Delicious Shower”, this does indeed take the shower experience and make it a delectable one, elevating the sensory experience without overwhelming it.
As a sensory sensitive and chronic headache girl, I have trouble with a lot of fragrances, and body washes especially, finding them too heavily fragranced straight out of the bottle (only to be amplified by the heat and shower steam, but find entirely unscented products are not enough to get me excited about a shower “experience.”
The Amande Delicious Shower is the perfect amount of subtle, quiet luxury in every sense I can think to apply the term to a body wash. The scent is an understated but present delicious (see?) almond-y vanilla that reminds me of the subtle sweetness of the inside of an almond croissant. The whipped texture is airy and light. It lathers, but just enough that the tiny bubbles kiss the skin a bit as they dissipate - not so much that it feels like it leaves that weird film that I find lots of other washes do when they lather up so much.
It rinses off fully, but leaves my skin feeling notably softer than it did before (something I have noticed is a brand hallmark).
10/10 would recommend. It is soft and gentle. Luxe without being loud.
And the bottle is cute, to boot.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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YSL Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balm
I LOVED this! From the luxe packaging to how smoothly it glides on, the moisture boost and shine it gives my lips, the peachy scent, to its perfect pink colour, it even tastes good! Everything about this is a win for me. I found this gave me... +
I LOVED this! From the luxe packaging to how smoothly it glides on, the moisture boost and shine it gives my lips, the peachy scent, to its perfect pink colour, it even tastes good! Everything about this is a win for me. I found this gave me noticeably plumper looking lips immediately, and the balm effect lasted for much longer than other butter balm products I have tried. This will replace my former go-to, and I will definitely repurchase! YSL is known for making a quality product and does not disappoint here. Knowing that is it made with natural ingredients makes me love it even more.! -
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