gabyfauchon
Member Since: March 19, 2009Reviews
Karmin G3 Salon Pro Tourmaline Hair Styling Iron
While searching the net for more info and to see what people were thinking of it, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's ranked among the best ceramic flat irons - it's even on the Top 10 Flat Irons list from Hair Products Pro! The first... +
While searching the net for more info and to see what people were thinking of it, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's ranked among the best ceramic flat irons - it's even on the Top 10 Flat Irons list from Hair Products Pro!
The first times I used this iron, I noticed that it tugged my hair quite a lot if I didn't take my time to slowly glide it on my hair, and if I didn't set it to a temperature high enough. This is a little disappointing for a flat iron of this price but appart from that, it does the job quite well as my hair is left nicely straightened and shiny so I think it's a small price to pay.
I'm personally more drawn to 1" plates than any other size because I think it's the most versatile size - it allows you to not only straighten your hair, but also create waves and curls effortlessly.
This iron heats up really quickly and as it heats up to 450 degrees, it alllows you to select the perfect temperature based on your hair type. Another bonus is the swivel cord so you can easily manuever around without the cord tangling - I remember, with my old flat iron, the cord always ended up all tangled - so annoying!
Karmin G3 Salon Pro Hair Styling Iron is currently on sale for $129.95 (normally retails at $300!) at Hair Products Pro.
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Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit
Veet recently launched its most innovative hair removal product to date, Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On. This warm wax hair removal system is the first at-home product of its kind to be available in the Canadian market, delivering salon waxing... +
Veet recently launched its most innovative hair removal product to date, Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On.
This warm wax hair removal system is the first at-home product of its kind to be available in the
Canadian market, delivering salon waxing results at home.
The pack contains:
Self-heating device and cap
50ml roll-on wax refill for arms and legs (Also available refill for bikini and underarm.)
12 non-woven strips
4 perfect finish wipes
Base to hold the device
Electrical cable
Instruction leaflet
This roll-on kit is exceptionally easy to use, even for the first-timer, such as me! I have always been dead afraid of waxing for some reasons, and being blessed with sparse blonde hair, I certainly won't complain to have to shave once a week, and often less. Waxing always rhymed with mess in my head, but that was until I tried Veet EasyWax!
Using Veet EasyWax is as simple as plugging it in and the self-heating device will automatically heat the wax cartridge to the perfect temperature, removing the need to make multiple trips to the microwave or handle jars of hot wax. In the instruction leaflet, it is advised to place the plugged device on its base, and leave it connected for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, apply the wax to a small area first to ensure that the wax applies easily - if the wax does not easily roll onto the skin, let the device warm the wax for an additional five minutes. Eager to try my new "toy", I was disappointed to see that after 20 minutes, the wax was not melted and it came out of the applicator quite streaky. Following the instructions, I replaced the devide on its base for another five minutes, but still, I had the same results again!
After one hour - yes, one hour - the wax was finally ready. I must say my excitment had faded a bit but still, I went at it and applied the wax on my leg. The ergonomically designed roll-on applicator makes it easy to apply a thin layer of wax in preparation for waxing - I was actually surprised at how light and compact the device felt in my hand. I was disappointed again to notice that a lot of hair was left behind everytime I waxed an area, but I attribute this to the fact that I don't have any real experience with waxing.
When I was done, I used a perfect finish wipe to remove any wax residue (the wax can't be rinsed off with water) but the wipe is so oily, it's really messy! After using it, I had to try to remove the oily residues left behind... not fun.
Veet EasyWax is formulated with natural beeswax and the same ingredients used in professional salon
wax. The formula is gentle to use even on the most sensitive skin, and results in incredibly smooth skin
for up to four weeks.
Overall, if you are a noob like me when it comes to waxing, I would highly recommend this handy kit. It contains everything you need and it's really easy to use. Sure it's not perfect, but once you get the hang of it, I'm sure it gets better.
The EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit is available at a suggested retail price of $29.99. Refill cartridges for legs/arms and bikini/underarm are also available for the suggested retail price of $13.99. Veet® products are available at drug, mass merchants and grocery stores nationwide.
Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.
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Time & Again Crackling Wick
Is it weird to talk about a candle on ChickAdvisor? NEOM candles seem to be all the rage on UK blogs so I thought why not, especially since this one has a little somthing that makes it special. Sure, we all love scented candles, but have you ever... +
Is it weird to talk about a candle on ChickAdvisor? NEOM candles seem to be all the rage on UK blogs so I thought why not, especially since this one has a little somthing that makes it special. Sure, we all love scented candles, but have you ever heard of crackling wick candles before? Not me, so you can imagine my surprise - and suspicion - when this genius little thing landed on my doorstep.
The Time & Again Crackling Wick Candles Scented Candles fragrance I received is Sweet Peppermint and let me tell you, this smells delicious even without lighting it up. It's really true to its name as it smells fresh yet not overly sweet, just enough to properly balance the usual heavy candy cane scent it and make it smell perfectly yummy.
Then, the moment of truth arrived - I absolutely did not know what kind of "comforting sound" to expect from a candle, but it is really lovely! If you close your eyes, you can easily imagine yourself sitting next to a fire. It's not a really loud sound - at first, I had to bring my ear so close to the candle to hear it that some strands of hair my burnt - but I don't know how to describe it besides "comforting". It's a stable sound that I'm sure I would have no problems falling asleep to, just like the dishwasher or the rain.
Time & Again Crackling Wick Candles Scented Candles are claimed to burn up to 45 hours which I believe is true looking at their large size (11.85 oz.). I have not used it enough to be able to properly say without doubt if it burns evenly but because the wick is so large, I don't think I will be left with some big chunks of wax randomly hanging in the corners of the container - speaking of container, it is heavy, made of glass and it appears to be very sturdy.
Time & Again Crackling Wick Candles Scented Candles are available in a wide selection of fragrances for $24.00 on the Time & Again website and in selected stores in US and Canada.
Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.
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Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter
I don't even understand why I'm so excited for this review - I mean, who has not heard and read a tons of reviews about Revlon Lip Butters? I must be one of the last one to jump on the bandwagon but the reason I waited so long to try these is... +
I don't even understand why I'm so excited for this review - I mean, who has not heard and read a tons of reviews about Revlon Lip Butters? I must be one of the last one to jump on the bandwagon but the reason I waited so long to try these is because these are usually around $9 and from what I have read on blogs, yes they seemed pretty and pigmented, but they did not appear to be the most moisturizing thing around here and also, there seemed to be such little quantity of product for this price.
I finally caved in when these lip butters went on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for only two days for only $3.99. I could not resist to go have a merry swatchfest at my local Shoppers right after the job, but I have been a good girl though and I left with only one! Yes it was hard because I had a hard time making my mind between Cupcake, Cotton Candy and Strawberry Shortcake, but I really wanted to start by trying one of these to decide if they were really worth the hype.
Let's start with the packaging, which I think is really a hit or miss as from what I have read on blogs, the opinions range from kitschy to classy and fancy. Honestly, a packaging is never a complete deal breaker for me, but I do think this one is cute with the quilted design on the colored cap which resembles the shade of the lip butter, the clear top which allows you to have a peek at the product inside and finally, the sleek metal barrel which contrasts nicely with he plastic cap.
The plastic cap does click firmly onto the base, however, I don't know if it's just mine that was defective, but the edge of the plastic cap are already a little cracked. Another thing is that the barrel tends to dig a bit in the butter, so you are left with a little mess after a few uses, but it's nothing major as you can pick the excess with your finger and apply it.
Cupcake is a pale pink with blue undertones and it does contain few shimmers that are surprisingly not that noticeable once applied on the lips, but I guess they contribute to that beautiful shiny finish. I was surprised at how pigmented Cupcake was as I'm used to apply a few swipes of everything I apply on my lips - whether it's lipbalm, lipstick or lipgloss - but when applied heavily, Cupcake tends to look a bit neon against my pale skintone. With one light swipe, it's absolutely gorgeous and very wearable though!
This lip butter is extremely buttery and glides super smoothly on my lips, which is absolutely delightful. The best part of Cucpake to me is that, surprisingly, it doesn't dry out my lips, but it does not moisturize them either, which is a little disappointing because of Revlon's "Hydrating mango, shea and coconut butter formula boosts lip moisture by 156%" claim. For this reason, and also because it tends to cling to dry bits and settle on the lines of my lips, I would not recommend these lip butters if you have very dry and chapped lips to begin with.
I don't think I have used a lip butter before so I was not sure what to expect regarding the lasting power, but I would say it's average, maybe about 2 to 3 hours? Cupcake does leave a slight stain of color behind after it wears off, so I'm guessing that with the darker shades, you will be left with an even nicer stain.As for the scent of Revlon Lip Butters, I can hardly smell something from Cupcake but yes, there is a very, very slight hint of vanilla, but it's nothing like MAC lipsticks, and you have to really sniff the tube to be able to smell something. I personally could not taste anything though.
I have to mention that Revlon Lip Butters are far from being natural - in fact, Revlon chose to use a widespread marketing tactik that Nivea and Covergirl also used for their respective Pure & Natural and NatureLuxe range, which consists of highlighting natural ingredients but, of course, not mentionning the "bad" ingredients. Yes Revlon Lip Butters do contain shea butter and other beneficial ingredients, but the problem is that they are scattered between chemicals such as Polybutene (first ingredient in the list), Petrolatum, Fragrance, and it also may contain Carmine - yuck!
Overall, I can't say that Revlon Lip Butters are worth $9 at all as they are not the most moisturizing products around but they are not lipsticks either, and I personally think that $9 is completely insane for such a little quantity of product (.09 oz) that barely lasts more than 2 hours on the lips... but yes, I quite liked my experience with Cupcake, and now I'm eagerly waiting for another sale to pick up some more.
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H&R;Tourmaline Ceramic 1'' Flat Iron
Because I don't use heat on my hair regularly, it's a little hard for me to properly test styling tools. Still, H&R Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron is the one I have reached for the most for the last months, and I have been pretty happy with... +
Because I don't use heat on my hair regularly, it's a little hard for me to properly test styling tools. Still, H&R Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron is the one I have reached for the most for the last months, and I have been pretty happy with it.
Honestly, I'm not very complicated and I don't ask for much when it comes to flat irons - I want it to properly straighten my hair without much effort and to be gentle on my hair - that's all! Unfortunately, I have been a little disappointed with H&R Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron on these issues.
The first times I used this iron, I noticed that it tugged my hair quite a lot if I didn't take my time to slowly glide it on my hair, and if I didn't set it to a temperature high enough. This is a little disappointing for a flat iron of this price, especially when it's claimed that it features a "New Patented Suspended Plate Technology" that prevents pulling of your hair during styling, but I guess I only needed to get used to it and appart from that, it does the job quite well as my hair is left nicely straightened and shiny so I think it's a small price to pay.
I'm personally more drawn to 1" plates than any other size because I think it's the most versatile size - it allows you to not only straighten your hair, but also create waves and curls effortlessly. I have also noticed that H&R Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron heats up really quickly and as it heats up to 450 degrees, it alllows you to select the perfect temperature based on your hair type. Another bonus is the swivel cord so you can easily manuever around without the cord tangling - I remember, with my old flat iron, the cord always ended up all tangled - so annoying!
Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.
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BH Cosmetics Lip Gloss
Before starting to write a beauty blog about three years ago, I never thought I would say that I prefer lipsticks over lipglosses, but yes, I was actually surprised with BH Lip Gloss ($3.57). I was sent the shades Office Queen (nude pink/beige with... +
Before starting to write a beauty blog about three years ago, I never thought I would say that I prefer lipsticks over lipglosses, but yes, I was actually surprised with BH Lip Gloss ($3.57). I was sent the shades Office Queen (nude pink/beige with gold shimmers) and Wine & Dine (deep red) and both are really great - they are actually better than most lipglosses I have previously tried.
Let's start with the packaging - I think it looks very sleek with the black cap, and I like the way the name of the shade is printed on the tube, instead of on a peel-off sticker, which is so annoying! As for the smell and taste - nothing, and I really mean nothing, which is so rare. I personally prefer when my products smell and taste something but I guess it's great to prevent you from eating your lipgloss =P
BH Lip Glosses are highly pigmented and easily buildable, they are creamy and incredibly shiny, and the best part? They are non-sticky! They also feel really light on the lips and I even forget I'm wearing them sometimes! I also like their brush applicator which makes it very easy to shape the lips and control the desired amount of product you apply.
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BH Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliners
When I use eyeliner, I like to be able to smudge or blend it for a more natural look - I'm not a fan of a super straight and harsh line. Although BH Waterproof Eyeliners ($2.77) are said to be smudgeable and blendable, I found they were quite hard... +
When I use eyeliner, I like to be able to smudge or blend it for a more natural look - I'm not a fan of a super straight and harsh line. Although BH Waterproof Eyeliners ($2.77) are said to be smudgeable and blendable, I found they were quite hard to work with.
Not matter what I used to blend them on my lid, be it my finger or any type of brush, the result was always patchy and not pretty. I always had to keep on layering more product to hide the uneveness and then try to smudge it again, which is a complete waste of time - and product.
I was sent the shades Midnight (deep dark blue) and Frost (shimmery silver) and I have found that the two are very different in term of formula - while Midnight is pigmented, deliciously creamy and goes on super smoothly, Frost is harder to work with because of the chunky glitters in it. It also goes on much sheerer than Midnight.
I usually tend to shy away from waterproof makeup products because some are impossibly hard to remove, but I didn't have this problem with HB Waterproof Eyeliners. They do are really waterproof - while swatched on my arms, I kept on rubbing them and they won't budge until after a good 30 seconds, but they are surprisingly easy to remove with normal makeup remover.
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BH Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner
Let me be honest from the start - I can't use liquid eyeliners for the life of me! I think the reason why I don't practice enough with these is because I don't like how they look on me - so unnatural and not pretty. I have always preferred the... +
Let me be honest from the start - I can't use liquid eyeliners for the life of me! I think the reason why I don't practice enough with these is because I don't like how they look on me - so unnatural and not pretty. I have always preferred the softer look of eyeshadows or even pencil liner because they allow me to blend and smudge the products, which is not possible with a liquid liner, of course, so I didn't really know where to start with BH Liquid Eyeliner ($3.57).
I must admit it was fun playing with this eyeliner as it really is super precise thanks to its stiff applicator. It is extremely pigmented in one stroke - BH Liquid Eyeliner comes in only one shade which doesn't even has a name, but it's black - and it dries amazingly fast, which is always appreciated because it prevents you from smudging the liner while doing the rest of your makeup.
The day when I really wanted to put this liner's long-lasting and smear-proof claims to the test, I put it on first thing in the morning, I went for a 45-minutes brisk walk (hey, someone is trying to get in shape here!) and I spent the rest of the day outside in the sun by a delightfuly warm 26°C and guess what? Not a single smudge! I'm still not sold on liquid eyeliner but seriously, this one is amazing for the price!
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Borghese Nail Lacquer
Borghese Nail Lacquers are long-wearing, hydrating, stay-true color with exclusive Acqua di Vita® complex to help restore healthy moisture and Micronized Gemstones for brilliance. They are Tolulene, DBP and Formaldehyde free and also, they are not... +
Borghese Nail Lacquers are long-wearing, hydrating, stay-true color with exclusive Acqua di Vita® complex to help restore healthy moisture and Micronized Gemstones for brilliance. They are Tolulene, DBP and Formaldehyde free and also, they are not tested on animals.
The application is great, as the brush is so big - the biggest I've seen, in fact! - and perfectly firm, it basically covers the nail with only one stroke!
The nail polish dries really fast and it is easily removed. I love how this shade looks super shiny and glossy even days after applying it - can you see it in the picture?
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Febreze Car Vent Clips Freshener in Linen & Sky
I'll be honest from the start - I don't think I have ever bought a car freshener in all my life. It's just not something I'm fussy about, and I guess my car never really stinks (hey, I like to keep it clean, OK?). Still, I was interested in... +
I'll be honest from the start - I don't think I have ever bought a car freshener in all my life. It's just not something I'm fussy about, and I guess my car never really stinks (hey, I like to keep it clean, OK?).
Still, I was interested in Febreze CAR Vent Clips Freshener solely because of its "30 days of freshness" claim. I think it's interesting that it comes with various settings but to get the most out of it, I guess you would have to use it on high - which I did for the purpose of this review - and of course, don't expect it to last 30 days on high, I would say, more like 2 weeks or something? Also, some may find that the scent released by the high setting too be a bit overpowering, but I personally did not mind this.
Linen & Sky really does smell lovely, just what clothes that have dried outside would smell. I'm usually more drawn to fruity and sweet scents, but if you prefer clean and fresh scents, this might be just what you are looking for.
Honestly, I thought Febreze CAR Vent Clips Freshener would be more expensive, but $3.99 (or so) is a pretty good deal for what you get (if you use it on the low setting, of course). I must say it beats any car freshener I have used in the past for sure!
Disclaimer: One or more products were sent to me for consideration to review. I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.
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