getupkid144
Member Since: June 6, 2016Reviews
NOMA Advanced Custom Replacement Bulbs C9 LED 25 Multi Color
These are a great option for anyone looking for coloured bulbs to use in their display. I originally assumed these must have been made of plastic, but they are indeed glass and shatter-resistant at that. Their individual wattage is so minimal that... +
These are a great option for anyone looking for coloured bulbs to use in their display. I originally assumed these must have been made of plastic, but they are indeed glass and shatter-resistant at that. Their individual wattage is so minimal that this 25-pack of lights uses a total of only 1.2 W. They also come with a great two-year warranty, which is handy since I'm always wary of these sorts of bulb lights and their longevity, particularly since they're being used outdoors in all kinds of weather. So far these have held up well in wet weather. Another nice feature that's becoming more common these days is the "constant-lit" technology, which means that even if one bulb burns out, the remainder of the string will still stay lit. Gone are the days of trying to find the one faulty bulb that keeps blowing out the lights. -
Aveeno® Tone + Texture Renewing Body Scrub
I love a good body scrub - something about the rough feeling of the scrub against my skin really makes me feel like the job is getting done. However, as we've learned in recent years, physical exfoliants in the forms that we had previously been... +
I love a good body scrub - something about the rough feeling of the scrub against my skin really makes me feel like the job is getting done. However, as we've learned in recent years, physical exfoliants in the forms that we had previously been using can actually be harmful and cause microtears in our skin. Enter chemical exfoliants. However, the difficulty with using these has been the harshness of some ingredients on sensitive skin. This body scrub from Aveeno relies on PHA exfoliants: polyhydroxy acids. PHAs are ideal for sensitive skin, while still touting the benefits of helping slough off skin and promoting cellular turnover. This didn't aggravate my husband's eczema one bit, which both physical and chemical (AHA and BHA) exfoliants tend to do. Also a huge perk with using this, particularly since it's going all over your body, is that it doesn't increase sun sensitivity in the same way as other acids (especially AHAs). So you can feel free to use as much as you like without fear of it making you more vulnerable to the sun's rays.
This formula is fragrance-free and it holds true to that. It has the signature trace of other Aveeno fragrance-free products - there's something there, but it isn't quite a fragrance as much as just the natural ingredients just...existing.
The ingredients list is also another area where this shines for me. I try to avoid using products with too many chemical ingredients. The listing on this is so brief and so simple. Among its star ingredients are glycerin, niacinamide, and oat flour. It's free of any "soaps" (sulfates), parabens, dyes and fragrances. And if you, like me, enjoy the tactile feel of physical exfoliants, this does still contain some teeny tiny granules (I couldn't pinpoint exactly which of the remaining ingredients), but they're soft and dissolve easily, so as to not damage your skin.
I #gotitfree to try in exchange for my honest review.
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Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Anti-Aging Serum
This is vastly different from other serums I’ve used in the past. While others have been more watery, the consistency of this is creamier and dare I say thicker, more akin to a classic facial moisturizer. Notwithstanding this, it absorbed into my... +
This is vastly different from other serums I’ve used in the past. While others have been more watery, the consistency of this is creamier and dare I say thicker, more akin to a classic facial moisturizer. Notwithstanding this, it absorbed into my skin so quickly upon application and is hardly noticeable. It didn’t leave my face feeling sticky to the touch or greasy whatsoever; instead it leaves behind a comfortably moisturized feeling. I know this is just a serum and is meant to be followed up with a more nourishing facial cream, but I honestly don’t know if my skin needs it – that's how good of a job this is doing. I have no hesitation resting my head/face on a pillow or changing clothes immediately after applying this. It’s really that shocking how well and quickly it absorbed. Application is really simple – there's an interesting twist on a pump mechanism, which dispenses hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ferulic acid all at once, from three different “chambers”, each with its own exit-hole in the applicator (looks like a trio of holes). This way the ingredients are stored separately for stability, but seamlessly combine in your hand when it’s time for application.
The scent is very light, a little floral (some may say a bit more mature), but doesn’t particularly bother me. I could see how those who are more sensitive to fragrance might take issue with it. I personally don’t mind a little bit of scent to my creams, as it ups the luxe feeling of it. Speaking of luxe, the packaging of this serum is very nice, but it is plastic, which is a little surprising given the price point. At the end of the day, I care more about its contents than its packaging though, so I’m willing to forgive this, but glass would have been a much more welcome vessel, again considering how much a full-size bottle retails for. I do love that this was made in France – European skincare (and cosmetics) are fantastic and really take care/pride in the ingredients that are being used.
After using this for around 10 days, I’ve noticed my skin looks visibly plumper, something that I’ve never been able to really see with other facial products. My usually overly-dry skin (which creates a lot of fine lines) finally looks healthy, which in turn is giving me more of a glow than normal. The laugh lines around my mouth are less pronounced and my ever-present forehead and frown lines are absolutely softened to the point that they’re nearly gone. For reference, I’m in my mid-30s, so I do think that a lot of these lines are also the product of being underhydrated, which this serum absolutely addressed.
If I’m looking to seriously repair my skin, I would turn to this again. The only thing giving me pause is the price point, but given the results, I could see myself occasionally returning to this.
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Orbeez Mixin’ Slime Set
This kit is a must-have for any kid who’s into slime. This elevates the generic slime experience to the next level, introducing Orbeez (water sensory beads) into the mix. The kit comes with over 2500 already grown Orbeez. I had previously only... +
This kit is a must-have for any kid who’s into slime. This elevates the generic slime experience to the next level, introducing Orbeez (water sensory beads) into the mix. The kit comes with over 2500 already grown Orbeez. I had previously only been around kids using the Orbeez seed kits (they’re small “seed” balls that need to be put in water to grow larger), so this was an interesting experience to already have grown Orbeez to use. Within these 2500 Orbeez, there’s also a lot of variety; you have glow in the dark ones, shimmery glitter balls, marbled, rainbow, and micro sized. You also get a number of neat accessories for play: a “crusher”, an injector tube and scoop, a mixing dome, and pull hooks. This is to help create your slime + Orbeez concoctions. The slime included comes in both clear and blue colours and I didn’t notice any staining from the latter. It’s also worth noting that Orbeez likewise do not leave stains. In any event, the kit is housed in a case whose blue base serves as “slime station”, so you’re not running all these experiments directly on any household surfaces. Be warned that the slime was incredibly sticky, so definitely keep it away from any dusty areas or spots where it can pick up debris. The amount of slime included was okay – for two kids it was a decent amount for an afternoon of play, but I don’t know how this will stretch out in the long run. I also found that everything in this set was really well-hydrated. Nothing was dried out (and in the case of Orbeez, you can revive them using water) and everything seemed incredibly “fresh”. The biggest hit was the ability to “inject” Orbeez into the slime – it was like making your own stress ball – and my nieces especially loved doing this with the glow in the dark Orbeez.
My nieces had a blast trying out countless combinations of Orbeez and slime. I may have dipped my hand in there on a couple of occasions - the tactile feel of Orbeez is unparalleled. If you’re looking to destress, water beads provide a gentle squish with a cooling sensation that can lower even the most stressed person’s blood pressure ;)! After playing around with this I took a deeper dive and discovered that there’s an Orbeez spa set, which is designed to roll feet around in....I’m sold!
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PanOxyl PM Blemish Brightening Patches
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more... +
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more confident that it would fully cover any problem areas. I tended to use the smaller patches if I knew I was leaving the house. Both sizes, however, blended in with my skin so seamlessly. They’re transparent and after you tap them on to your face, all that’s visible is a slight flesh-coloured bump. The adhesion was amazing. There was absolutely no risk of these coming off! One night I even wet my face accidentally and the patch didn’t budge an inch. Unfortunately that does mean that you need to tug on them a little bit to get them off when you’re done. I would use the tip of my fingernail to catch the patch and then peel from there. I quickly found out that this doesn’t work on cystic acne. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting any results or seeing anything come off on the sticky side of the patch. For regular surface pimples, however, the results are unmistakeable. I left a patch on for around 5 hours and after removing it, I could clearly see a defined whitehead (similar to what you would see when using the old-style nose strips). The pimple itself was noticeably drier and had a crust. By the next morning, it seemed like it had come back a little bit, so I would probably use these for maybe two days in a row to really get at a difficult pimple. -
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more... +
I’m pretty new to the world of pimple patches, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with these initially. These patches come in two different sizes: 9mm and 12mm. I found myself reaching for the larger 12mm size more often, as I felt more confident that it would fully cover any problem areas. I tended to use the smaller patches if I knew I was leaving the house. Both sizes, however, blended in with my skin so seamlessly. They’re transparent and after you tap them on to your face, all that’s visible is a slight flesh-coloured bump. The adhesion was amazing. There was absolutely no risk of these coming off! One night I even wet my face accidentally and the patch didn’t budge an inch. Unfortunately that does mean that you need to tug on them a little bit to get them off when you’re done. I would use the tip of my fingernail to catch the patch and then peel from there. I quickly found out that this doesn’t work on cystic acne. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting any results or seeing anything come off on the sticky side of the patch. For regular surface pimples, however, the results are unmistakeable. I left a patch on for around 5 hours and after removing it, I could clearly see a defined whitehead (similar to what you would see when using the old-style nose strips). The pimple itself was noticeably drier and had a crust. By the next morning, it seemed like it had come back a little bit, so I would probably use these for maybe two days in a row to really get at a difficult pimple. -
PADERNO 5-Ply Copper Core Stainless Steel 12-pc Cookware Set, Oven Safe
My go-to cookware at home is an eight year old Paderno set that’s strikingly similar to this one, right down to the copper stripe. However, this is a superior set in that it contains a copper core in its 5-ply construction. Having seen just how... +
My go-to cookware at home is an eight year old Paderno set that’s strikingly similar to this one, right down to the copper stripe. However, this is a superior set in that it contains a copper core in its 5-ply construction. Having seen just how durable my older set of Paderno stainless steel pots and pan have been, I was eager to give this a try. My experience with my existing set is that these hold up incredibly well under everyday use – they still look as good today as they did the day I opened the box. This new set, however, boasts superior craftmanship that is immediately evident. The profile of these lids is lower and slimmer, making them easier to store in cupboards, and the riveted handles lend them a very luxe look. I love the fact that Paderno cookware is still made in Canada, as that’s incredibly difficult to find for stainless steel pots and pans these days. The set includes all the sizes that you’ll need – small (1.6L) medium (2L), and large (3.2L) saucepans, a dutch oven (5.4L), a medium-sized (9.5 inch) frying pan, a steamer, and matching lids for all. I use these on an induction cooktop and it works seamlessly, but they’re also safe to be used on every other type of stove – electric, gas, ceramic, and halogen. I far prefer cooking with stainless steel over non-stick coated products – if you know how to use these properly, your food will absolutely not stick to them and they’re very easy to clean. In the event that you do end up with some sticking, you don’t have to think twice about scrubbing them clean since it’s just stainless steel. It’s super easy to get these looking good as new, no matter how far you think you’ve taken things. These are also well-weighted, so they’re not just slipping all over your stovetop (particularly induction stoves). That does mean they’re a little heavy for storage and movement, but it’s just a sign of good quality materials. You can also safely bake using them in the oven up to 500 degrees F. I have not been disappointed with my previous Paderno set and am even more thrilled with this one. Their cookware sets are truly worth the money and an investment in kitchenware that will last a lifetime. Quality over quantity, they say, and this set means that you won’t be running out and throwing money at shoddy pots and pans over the years, all adding up to the same cost. -
Bai Antioxidant Infusion Molokai Coconut
If you’re a fan of tropical drinks, this one’s for you! The Molokai Coconut flavour of bai definitely conjures up images of palm trees and calm ocean sounds. The flavour is pretty spot-on for coconut, but there’s definitely a bit of a... +
If you’re a fan of tropical drinks, this one’s for you! The Molokai Coconut flavour of bai definitely conjures up images of palm trees and calm ocean sounds. The flavour is pretty spot-on for coconut, but there’s definitely a bit of a sweetener after-taste. This doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners, but still includes erythritol and stevia. I don’t love that lingering taste, but the drink is great in the moment (I should note that my husband didn’t pick up on any sort of after-taste and thought it was all-around great). I do like that each bottle (a whopping 530 mL – talk about value!) contains only 1 gram of sugar, and actually contains a decent amount of Vitamin E and Potassium, which is unexpected for a casual drink. It’s also worth noting that each bottle contains 65 mg of caffeine, so it’s great as a pick-me-up when you aren’t feeling like other caffeinated beverages. I’d say this is perfect for a hot summer day when you need an energy boost, but still want to enjoy a cold, refreshing drink. It’s also a low-calorie drink, so between that and the measly 1 g of sugar, it’s a guilt-free indulgence. Given all this, I’m willing to overlook any lingering taste and try the other flavours to try and pinpoint a favourite that can become my go-to during the summer months. -
PADERNO 12-Cup Coffee Maker
The digital screen is a very nice touch and gives you 100% confidence in the settings you’re using to brew your perfect cup. You can select from two different “brew sizes”, either 2-4 or 5-12 cups and different brew strengths, which is a... +
The digital screen is a very nice touch and gives you 100% confidence in the settings you’re using to brew your perfect cup. You can select from two different “brew sizes”, either 2-4 or 5-12 cups and different brew strengths, which is a feature I've never seen in a coffee maker before, either regular or bold brew. As is pretty standard in these programmable machines, you can set a delay timer so that it starts brewing your coffee fresh, in time for your morning routine. This is in addition to a keep warm feature, which ensures your java remains heated if you’re slowly sipping throughout the day. This machine has a few neat characteristics that I really appreciated, including the fact that the water tank is transparent, making it much easier to spot when levels are running a little low. The ability to make a smaller batch brew is also great, especially as we regularly make coffee in my household for only 2 people. This setting ensures that the brew strength isn’t compromised as a result of the downsized brew. I also hate fussing around with one-time-use paper filters, which I find wasteful and always a hassle to remember to replenish. This machine comes with a reusable, washable filter. It also features a beautiful blue backlighting which, when combined with the smooth chrome-like finish, gives this machine a more elevated, luxe look. It’s very easy and intuitive to use and has quickly become a countertop staple in our kitchen. -
Nair Prep & Smooth Face Hair Remover Cream Coconut Milk
I've used Nair products in the past for easy hair removal on more sensitive areas, like my stomach, but have primary stuck to dermaplaning for my face. With that, there's always the risk of cuts and the need to be extra careful and focused. I didn't... +
I've used Nair products in the past for easy hair removal on more sensitive areas, like my stomach, but have primary stuck to dermaplaning for my face. With that, there's always the risk of cuts and the need to be extra careful and focused. I didn't like the idea of juggling a messy, smelly cream and applying it to my face. Nair's new Prep & Smooth facial "roller" makes it so quick and easy to apply and use hair remover on my face. While the applicator looks like a roller, it's really a tube with a silicone tip that dispenses the cream. This makes it virtually mess-free, since you just glide the tip over your skin while squeezing and are specifically instructed not to rub it in. After leaving this on for around 5 minutes, I removed it with a slightly damp makeup removing cloth and followed up with a water-only wash. It was very effective at removing peach fuzz as well as other darker hairs around areas that are more sensitive, like moles. This was a far superior way to remove hairs in these areas, versus dermaplaning which simply can't be done over this sort of skin, and versus waxing which is messy, time-consuming and oftentimes painful. This was quick, easy, painless and versatile. The scent was very inoffensive and the formula contains coconut oil and collagen, to soothe and help skin recover. After giving this a try, I don't think I'll be going back to any other facial hair removal method. This process is so easy. -
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