Fabulously Broke
Member Since: August 1, 2007Reviews
Breyers Smooth & Dreamy Frozen Dessert
I was already a big fan of Breyers to begin with -- their natural vanilla bean ice cream with the full fat is one of my favourites to eat! That being said, I COULD tell the difference between the full fat and the half, but it wasn't so obvious... +
I was already a big fan of Breyers to begin with -- their natural vanilla bean ice cream with the full fat is one of my favourites to eat!
That being said, I COULD tell the difference between the full fat and the half, but it wasn't so obvious, that I'd you could switch and not feel deprived.
It doesn't taste like a watery (cheap) ice cream, and for the price of $8.50 (yeah, seriously), it better not!
I tried the Vanilla Bean one, but I'm going back to buy the Strawberry one to do a taste comparison of which one I like better (as I do find Vanilla ice creams on the sweet side, and this one was not).
It is pricey, but I eat a scoop every week or less, so it actually lasts quite a while in my freezer (not a huge binge eater of ice cream).
I didn't taste any graininess in the ice cream either (that's what you get from cheap ice creams that just whip in air), and it was wholly satisfying.
P.S. I did receive it as a free sample from the ChickAdvisor club, so I may be biased.. but truthfully it was yummy.
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L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
I got this as a gift from Suzie in a giveaway, but I had been eying buying it for a while. First, I love shea butter. Like.. LOVE IT. I have since found that coconut oil is much better as a body moisturizer, but it doesn't absorb as wonderfully... +
I got this as a gift from Suzie in a giveaway, but I had been eying buying it for a while.
First, I love shea butter. Like.. LOVE IT. I have since found that coconut oil is much better as a body moisturizer, but it doesn't absorb as wonderfully as shea butter
This L'Occitane is not exactly organic or very natural, but it is effective without being greasy and it works.
A little dab from a paint tube-like packaging, and it's enough to cover both of my hands.
The dryness disappears instantly, it smells like a fragranced baby's bottom (I like the soft smell) and the texture and spread is very nice. It absorbs nicely, blends into your skin quickly and feels good.
I'd consider buying a tube of this once it runs out, or trying out another product everyone's been raving about -- Aveeno's Hand Cream -- for about $9 CAD.
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The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Serum
The first thing I noticed is its packaging. It is well designed (the pump is really of a fairly high quality in my opinion). The second, is the wonderful SMELL. It smells like roses to me, and I am huge fan of the Korres Wild Rose line, so this is... +
The first thing I noticed is its packaging. It is well designed (the pump is really of a fairly high quality in my opinion).
The second, is the wonderful SMELL. It smells like roses to me, and I am huge fan of the Korres Wild Rose line, so this is right up in my alley.
They call it a smoothing serum that will moisturize and restore your skin's suppleness.
Honestly, it's just like a moisturizer to me. But a bit more liquidy. I half expected it to be a bit thicker, but I am happy it wasn't because a little goes a long way.
One full pump of the product is a small dollop (smaller than the radius of a dime), but is sufficient to cover your whole face if you dab dots on your forehead & cheeks.
The smell isn't just roses, but it's what I smell the strongest..then it turns into a kind of smoky, sandalwood and orange essence hint. It's something you'd smell if you were in Morocco or Egypt. It makes me think of deserts, spices and fragrant rose & orange water.
99% of the ingredients are "natural" (not that it really matters, because some man-made ingredients can be better than the natural stuff)... and 34% of it is organic (again, it may not matter as much depending on what ingredients you're talking about).
It is eco-certified and made in France.
My only concern would be that there are a LOT of ingredients in here. Like, a crazy amount.
The main ingredients are water and glycerin -- both being VERY good for your skin in terms of drawing in moisture from the air to keep your skin hydrated.
Next is olive fruit oil, jojoba oil -- both good and close to our natural skin's oils, which means it will be less acne-causing.
Then a whole bunch of preservative ingredients (I'm guessing) finishing off with fragrances of Mandarin Orange, Fennel, Vanilla and Rose.
I like smoothing it on my hands, because it doesn't over moisturize, and if I accidentally touch my face with my hand, it won't transfer heavy moisturizers onto my face & cause acne.
I've only used it for a couple of days, but so far, it's almost like a light serum to infuse into your skin, rather than being something that will really replace your night or day moisturizer.
I'd use this at night, in the summer, when you don't need as heavy of a moisturizer as let's say in the winter.
The lotion absorbs nicely, and doesn't seem to leave a huge amount of residue, but I do feel something there (although my face doesn't feel weighed down).
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The Body Shop Shea Body Butter
I have to tell you I am a HUGE FAN of Shea Butter and this is the Body Cream. I do have to say, that I use a lot of organic and natural shea butters but they tend to be hard and difficult to melt and absorb into your skin (kind of like actual... +
I have to tell you I am a HUGE FAN of Shea Butter and this is the Body Cream.
I do have to say, that I use a lot of organic and natural shea butters but they tend to be hard and difficult to melt and absorb into your skin (kind of like actual butter or crystallized honey).
This shea butter version from The Body Shop is really easy to spread in, emollient and moisturizing without a doubt.
I did find the fragrance to be quite strong. But then again, I have a really sensitive nose and you may not feel the same about it as I did.
It smells a bit like perfume. Not a foody kind of smell but almost like a men's cologne.
I do love that in the ingredient list, Shea Butter and Cocoa along with Glycerin is one of the first 5 ingredients, which means the product is mostly made up of those items.
Ingredient List:
Water (Solvent/Diluent), Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii) (Emollient), Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Butter (Emollient), Cyclomethicone (Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), PEG-100 Stearate (Surfactant), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Babassu (Orbignya Oleifera) Oil (Emollient), Beeswax (Emulsifier/Emollient), Lanolin Alcohol (Stabiliser/Emollient), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Fragrance (Fragrance), Methylparaben (Preservative), Propylparaben (Preservative), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Caramel (Colour), F D & C Yellow No 5 (Colour).
I recommend it for those of you who aren't really freaked out about chemicals, want something easy and really moisturizing to absorb and rub in, and don't mind strong fragrances.
The price is really good for what you get, and a little goes a long way.
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Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor
I am usually NOT a fan of lipsticks, no matter how many I've tried. I tend to be more of a lip gloss or lip balm girl, but this has turned me into a believer! 5 reasons why: 1. It smells really, really good First thing I noticed, was when I... +
I am usually NOT a fan of lipsticks, no matter how many I've tried.
I tend to be more of a lip gloss or lip balm girl, but this has turned me into a believer!
5 reasons why:
1. It smells really, really good
First thing I noticed, was when I opened the gorgeous packaging, that it smelled AWESOME. Like coconut mixed with.. vanilla. Definitely a step up from other plasticky smelling lipsticks.
2. The colour goes on fabulously
It makes me think it IS a lip balm, it is that moisturizing.
3. It stays put and pretty
I have a tendency to rub my lips together a lot, and the colour hasn't faded an ounce.
However I guess if you eat it, then you have to re-apply it again. But generally speaking? No problems here.
4. It doesn't wipe off easily
I put on the super red one, and it didn't wipe off easily. Which I like. It turned it into a psuedo-lip stain so it doesn't look strange as if you have half coloured lips and the other half totally nude.
5. The range of colours is FABULOUS
I am drooling over the 48 colours they have! I fall more into the Pinks or Neutrals range, but there is literally a shade for everyone.
I think Pink of Me or Pink Quartz are my favourites at the moment.
Head into the nearest drug store and experiment, because these are incredible.
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J.R Watkins Apothecary Lemon Cream Shea Butter
I. Love. This. Stuff. It smells like lemon cake (or pie) and it spreads wonderfully on my skin. I am also a freak about lotions being more natural and less chemical-y, so I'm always on the search for a good lotion that doesn't have extra... +
I. Love. This. Stuff.
It smells like lemon cake (or pie) and it spreads wonderfully on my skin.
I am also a freak about lotions being more natural and less chemical-y, so I'm always on the search for a good lotion that doesn't have extra chemicals like parabens or petroleum in there to spread on my skin.
I'd rather have as much natural stuff absorbing into my skin than chemicals that may cause cancer, or problems later on. Did you know that our body sucks up and absorbs pounds of lotions in our lifetime!? Scary.
This one hits the spot. It spreads really easily (I bought 3 each of the bottles pictured above)
3 Hand Creams in Lemon Creme, 3 Body Lotions in Lemon Creme, and it was on sale at Shoppers for $8 each.
The better deal is the Body Lotion, you get triple the amount for the same price, but I needed a small squeezable tube to carry around with me and make people go "Mmmmmmmmmmmm" when I put it on. :P
Once, I accidentally licked it, it smelled so good.
I do notice that it isn't as silky or as spreadable as other chemical-laden lotions, but for the naturalness, the smell, AND THE PRICE, it is totally worth it.
I spread it on my legs and arms nightly, and after I get out of the shower.
It will leave a bit of a waxy film on your skin, but that's meant to keep in the moisture.
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Mario Badescu Drying Cream
I got a free sample of it (a small tub) online from the site to review. I liked it a lot when I first got it, it was like a paste, and it WORKED. I spread it on my pimples and it got rid of them. The active ingredient is the sulfur, but you can... +
I got a free sample of it (a small tub) online from the site to review.
I liked it a lot when I first got it, it was like a paste, and it WORKED.
I spread it on my pimples and it got rid of them.
The active ingredient is the sulfur, but you can get the same effect for cheaper (and more of it) if you just buy the Proactiv Refining Masque instead.
The Proactiv version is $31 for 2.5 oz and it will last you 2-3 years.
The only reason why I am not thrilled about it, is because it seemed a bit more chemical-y than the Proactiv (with more ingredients than required), it dried up into a rock hard solid really quickly (adding a bit of water into the pot over night will help soften it back up again), and it's TOO EXPENSIVE for what you get!
Try Proactiv. Works just as well, is cheaper, and you get more.
Search my profile and you can read my review on the Proactiv Refining Masque.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
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Proactiv Refining Mask
I was so skeptical when I first bought this. Seriously, I thought it was a bunch of BS again, that sulfur could actually clear up any acne. And it was EXPENSIVE at $31 (I thought) for 2.5 oz. Turns out, I was SUPER wrong, and I couldn't be... +
I was so skeptical when I first bought this.
Seriously, I thought it was a bunch of BS again, that sulfur could actually clear up any acne.
And it was EXPENSIVE at $31 (I thought) for 2.5 oz.
Turns out, I was SUPER wrong, and I couldn't be happier.
I am still on the bottle, and it has only gone down a little bit (barely noticeable, still very heavy), because I use it ONLY as a spot leave-in treatment overnight.
I think this bottle could last me a good 2-3 years. And $31 for 2-3 years for an instant acne treatment? Totally worth it
It is also cheaper than the Mario Badescu Drying Cream, which also has Sulfur in it, but is more expensive, and seemed to have more chemicals in it that may have made my skin unhappy.
It works on all pimples.
You know how you sometimes get those deep, under the skin, cystic acne bumps that hurt, or just won't come to a head (or never will) and take weeks to disappear?
This masque zaps them. It's not immediate, but within 3-5 days of dabbing one some of the masque onto the spot and leaving it over night, it will DEFINITELY go down and dry up.
You can also spend a day wearing it around the house, and then washing your face before you sleep, if you feel squeamish about leaving it on at night.
If you have smaller pimples (with or without white heads), you can also dab a bit on there, and they go away quicker than if you just leave them alone.
It does smell a bit, but I don't care. Kind of smells like cold cream, the stuff your grandmother might use.
What I suggest NOT doing, is to cover your face in it as a masque for 10 minutes, as directed.
1. It uses up too much of the masque and wastes money in my opinion
2. It doesn't do anything (at least, not for me)
3. It works much better as a spot treatment
4. It seemed to dry out my cheeks a lot, and caused more pimples!? :)
Totally psyched about this product. I will definitely buy it again if in 2-3 years my skin keeps acting up.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
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Hugo Naturals Conditioner Vanilla and Sweet Orange
I raved and gushed about their Vanilla and Sweet Orange Shampoo, and their conditioner was good. I mean, it works JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER conditioner out there, just greener and better for the environment. Their Vanilla & Sweet Orange Conditioner is... +
I raved and gushed about their Vanilla and Sweet Orange Shampoo, and their conditioner was good.
I mean, it works JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER conditioner out there, just greener and better for the environment.
Their Vanilla & Sweet Orange Conditioner is sulfate-free, cruelty-free and contains no parabens, petroleum products, animal fats, alchohols or artificial colors or fragrances.
This is really difficult to find in a conditioner because animal fats and petroleum somehow always show up in conditioners to make your hair feel silkier and smoother..
I've tried other chemical conditioners before I went green, and they were just about as effective as this one
Maybe I've been spoiled by hoarding my old hair dye tubes of conditioner to use as a weekly treatment on my hair, but with this one, you really need to leave it on for a good 2 minutes, and to NOT rinse it all out completely to make it feel like your hair has been conditioned and soft
If you really wash it out, for my hair, it felt dry at first
However, after my hair dried, it settled into really healthy looking natural waves that I did NOT get with other conditioners (maybe they were too heavy?)
This conditioner is a good, light conditioner that smells amazing and is most importantly of all.. GREEN.
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Hugo Naturals Shampoo Vanilla and Sweet Orange
I am always on the look out for a REAL green shampoo that is truly eco-friendly. Lots of shampoos out there (especially ones sold in drug stores) claim that they're "green" but they're not. I put Hugo Naturals' ingredient list through... +
I am always on the look out for a REAL green shampoo that is truly eco-friendly.
Lots of shampoos out there (especially ones sold in drug stores) claim that they're "green" but they're not.
I put Hugo Naturals' ingredient list through the wringer and I've determined that they were the best green shampoo out there that really meant it.
I know everyone says that chemicals are safe, as they have been tested, bla bla bla... but we haven't really tested these products for more than 200 years now have we?
It's only been 30-50 years that we've been testing these products, and the long-term usage of these chemicals can't really be proven. I also seem to be hearing more about problems in our bodies with cancer and other diseases...
Over our lifetime, our body will ABSORB anything you put on it. Our skin is like a sponge.
If you put on lotion, it gets absorbed into your body, and over time, that stuff adds up!!
The main problem with buying shampoo is trying to avoid the ingredient: SLS
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate comes in many different names and versions, so even though Sodium Laureth Sulfate may be a gentler version... it is still essentially an "SLS" ingredient, that can harm the environment by poisoning the water, and the animals who live in or on the water.
Their Vanilla & Sweet Orange Shampoo is sulfate-free, cruelty-free and contains no parabens, petroleum products, animal fats, alcohols or artificial colors or fragrances.
I mean.. C'MON!!! It's exactly what I have been searching for.
SLS free, Cruelty Free, no Parabens, Petroleum (a coal byproduct), animal fats, alcohol to dry out your hair or artificial colours and fragrances.
This stuff smells INCREDIBLE. I almost want to eat it when I am in the shower. It's light, sweet, and not overly cloying like some other chemical shampoos.
Smells a bit like chocolate, my BF says. :)
They also ship to Canada, so don't be scared about ordering trials online. Totally worth the money
I should note that it doesn't really get foamy or sudsy in the shower, but TRUST ME, it is working
It doesn't get foamy or sudsy because it doesn't have SLS in it, but to be honest, foaming shampoo may feel nice on your head or feel like it's actually working, but the foam actually doesn't do anything at all.
What gets your head clean is your fingers rubbing your scalp and the product clinging on to your hair's natural oils and wrapping them up so they rinse off easily.
Shampoo does NOT need to foam, to be effective, and you'll see, once you get out of the shower and dry off.
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