getupkid144
Member Since: June 6, 2016Reviews
Wizarding World Harry Potter - Magical Collector Mystery Wand
I’ve always been impressed by Spin Master's various toy collections and new releases. I expected more of the same from this Wizarding World Magical Collector Wand, but surprisingly found myself let down. This line features collector wands from... +
I’ve always been impressed by Spin Master's various toy collections and new releases. I expected more of the same from this Wizarding World Magical Collector Wand, but surprisingly found myself let down. This line features collector wands from major Harry Potter characters and are meant to be (I presume) decorative collectives. They’re offered as blind boxes, meaning you won’t know which character’s wand you’ve received until you open it up to be surprised. My nieces were disappointed to have received Ginny Weasley’s wand, particularly as she’s not really a main character in the series. The wand itself is around 12 inches and seems to be made only of plastic. I honestly thought there would be a bit more heft to it – I think I was distracted by the “Die Cast Icon” label on the front of the packaging. I just assumed the wand would also be die cast metal of some sort. It also comes with a display base/stand and a corresponding die cast icon that’s unique to each character. In the case of Ginny, it was a mini Arnold the Pygmy Puff accessory. All this being said and my disappointment over the materials aside, my nieces did have a good time playing pretend with the wand and acting out various spells that they had picked up from the movies. I think this is a great addition for role-playing and Halloween costumes, but it falls short as a purely ornamental collectible for HP fans.
I received this as a #freeproduct in exchange for my honest review.
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Chapman's Super Premium Plus Chocolate Lover
I've been a long-time customer of Chapman's, from their frozen yogurt to their ice cream "lollys" to their classic ice-cream. Their Super Premium Plus line is the latest to come out of their Willy Wonka-esque factory. This ice cream is more akin to... +
I've been a long-time customer of Chapman's, from their frozen yogurt to their ice cream "lollys" to their classic ice-cream. Their Super Premium Plus line is the latest to come out of their Willy Wonka-esque factory. This ice cream is more akin to premium, "small tub" (as I refer to them" brands like Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Dazs, and boy, does it ever give them a run for their money. Chapman's take on premium, black-label ice cream is smoother and softer than these other brands. No more bending a spoon while trying to scoop a thimbleful out of the tub. The Chocolate Lover flavour was rich and decadent, touching more on dark chocolate notes. It's widely available and easy to find in stores, but the only downside is the more "premium" price tag that goes along with it. The reason why Chapman's is so popular with my friends and family is a combination of their great taste and excellent price points. This may have missed the mark on the latter. I also would really like to see a broadening of the flavours available in this line - I think the introduction of more unique pairings can really set this apart as a home-grown, Canadian competitor to those other premium brands, but the current range is a bit lackluster.
All this being said, it's an excellent (somewhat) locally-produced premium ice cream that's well-stocked and easy to find, great-tasting, and velvety smooth.
I received this as a #freeproduct to try in exchange for my honest review.
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Garnier Sleek & Shine Glass Hair Water
I had been dying to try this glass hair water for some time, but was torn because of the mixed reviews in other markets where it had already been available for some time. For context of the review, I tend to have dry, frizzy hair (occasionally... +
I had been dying to try this glass hair water for some time, but was torn because of the mixed reviews in other markets where it had already been available for some time. For context of the review, I tend to have dry, frizzy hair (occasionally coloured to cover greys, but with a non-bleaching hair colour). The bottle has pre-marked lines to indicate the size of a dose (each bottle contains a minimum of 10 doses - it's a bit tricky to figure out the measurement before you get to the first and after the final line of the packaging). I applied this after shampooing, making sure to wring out my hair first, as per the instructions. I used 2 doses for my upper-back length hair, avoiding the roots. You're supposed to massage it in to your hair and the bottle mentions you may feel a slight warming sensation when it "activates." Since I only had this on my lengths and none was really applied to my scalp, I didn't end up experiencing this. You can also still follow this up with a conditioner, as per usual. Like all of Garnier's Fructis hair products, it also smells fruity and fantastic. After doing my usual styling routing with a hot air brush, my hair did in fact look much shinier than usual. I wouldn't say it was glossy or "glass-like", but it really resembled what my hair looks like after a fresh haircut (after all my dry and split ends are swept away) - a healthy, natural shine. The only concerning part is the number of alcohols in the product - I don't know if I would use this regularly as a result, but certainly would in anticipation of a special event. -
Garnier Sleek & Shine 10-in-1 Leave-In Spray
I'm always keen to try new products that promise to keep my frizzy hair at bay. This leave-in spray is more reminiscent of a leave-in conditioner, owing to its thicker consistency (compared to those more watery post-shower hair sprays). I think... +
I'm always keen to try new products that promise to keep my frizzy hair at bay. This leave-in spray is more reminiscent of a leave-in conditioner, owing to its thicker consistency (compared to those more watery post-shower hair sprays). I think largely owing to its consistency, I found it left my hair feeling nourished and more hydrated than usual. As a result, I noticed significantly less frizz since my hair wasn't gasping for moisture. It was a perfect fit for my frizzy, dry hair! I also appreciated that it doubles as a heat protector since I tend to style my hair with hot tools post-shower. When I was ready to go, my hair looked shiny and healthy, while not being weighed down by the product. It also smells absolutely fantastic - a very inoffensive fruity scent that I couldn't stop smelling.
I #gotitfree to try in exchange for my honest review.
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Gabby's Dollhouse Kitty Camera
This toy was a hit in my household the instant all eyes fell on it! For starters, the Kitty Camera is absolutely adorable from a purely aesthetic standpoint. It’s a great size for toddlers to hold, without being too bulky, and is made of durable... +
This toy was a hit in my household the instant all eyes fell on it! For starters, the Kitty Camera is absolutely adorable from a purely aesthetic standpoint. It’s a great size for toddlers to hold, without being too bulky, and is made of durable hard plastic. The camera has a small viewfinder on the back – you slide in one of the prepared photo “slides”, click the shutter, and Kitty will wink and stick her tongue out on the front side of the camera, to present you with the photo (think of it as a faux-Polaroid) – very cute and super ingenious! There are a few additional buttons on the back, as well, just to help make the experience feel realistic for your little ones. This camera was well-received by my girls and is a great first step towards a real, kids-based digital camera. As with all Gabby’s Dollhouse toys, it was well-made and safe, and has me looking to the rest of their line for other ideas. -
Degree® Men Advanced 72H Nonstop Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray
My husband typically uses dry sprays after working out, but normally sticks to a standard bar deodorant in the mornings. I threw this in his work bag so he could use it for a mid-day refresh or before/after going to the gym. The claim of 72 hour... +
My husband typically uses dry sprays after working out, but normally sticks to a standard bar deodorant in the mornings. I threw this in his work bag so he could use it for a mid-day refresh or before/after going to the gym. The claim of 72 hour protection didn’t fall short! It helped combat his sweat and odour for extended periods where he wasn’t able to hop in the shower. The scent is a little woodsy, which I enjoy, but the amber undertones were not a favourite for either of us. However, it did apply easily and dried practically immediately, so he was able to spray and go, without any feelings of wetness after putting on his shirt. At the end of the day, it did the trick and warded off any sign of sweat over a number of two-day periods, so it was a winner in his books, bar the scent. -
Degree® Women Advanced 72H Nonstop Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray
I'll be the first to admit that I sweat...a lot. That’s why I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in anti-perspirants. I particularly like using dry sprays for days when I go in to the office, as they don’t leave white marks on my... +
I'll be the first to admit that I sweat...a lot. That’s why I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in anti-perspirants. I particularly like using dry sprays for days when I go in to the office, as they don’t leave white marks on my nice work-clothes, which tend to either be silk or synthetic fibres. These dry sprays are great for spraying on, letting dry, and then popping on your blouse or dress with no worries. This latest spray from Degree claims to protect against sweat and odour for 72 hours – a bold claim! While I certainly didn’t rely on this to protect me for quite that long without showering, I did find that this dry spray did the trick for my day to day life. I’d be interested to see how it holds up in the summer, with high temperatures and greater physical activities – I think it would be a great addition to a camping trip, where shower facilities aren’t as accessible (though I’d warn against using in an area with bears, since the scent is very strong). As far as cold-weather use goes, I still smelled great by the end of the day/night, with no concerns about odour. When I use typical bar deodorant, I typically am worried later in the day as I start to smell like a mixture of the bar and sweat, and fear that those around me can also pick it up. No such issues with this, which also made me feel more confident to keep going with my plans into the evening. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was this scent, called “Nonstop”. It was a bit much for me and not really my favourite type of scent – it leans heavily into jasmine and amber, which I personally don’t enjoy and find a bit strong. I would definitely pick up this 72h dry spray however in a different scent without hesitation. -
Gabby’s Dollhouse 8-inch Purr-ific Plush Toy
I received the Cakey Cat stuffed toy from the Gabby’s Dollhouse Purr-ific Plush line. The style of the plush is in line with the style of others on the market today – an exaggerated head/top tapering to a smaller bottom. I did like that this... +
I received the Cakey Cat stuffed toy from the Gabby’s Dollhouse Purr-ific Plush line. The style of the plush is in line with the style of others on the market today – an exaggerated head/top tapering to a smaller bottom. I did like that this wasn’t filled with beans, but rather regular polyester fill – it made for a softer, squishier feel and kept the toy light. I was impressed with how high-quality the plush was – Cakey Cat’s facial features and paws were all embroidered (and in beautiful colours). This was a hit in my household – cute, cuddly, and the perfect size for on-the-go (around 8 inches).
I #gotitfree in exchange for my honest review.
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hello® fresh citrus deodorant with shea butter
I’ve used hello’s other, dental hygiene products so I was interested to see them branch out into deodorants, as I like to stick to more natural-based products without harsh additives. The Naturally Friendly Deodorant features shea butter... +
I’ve used hello’s other, dental hygiene products so I was interested to see them branch out into deodorants, as I like to stick to more natural-based products without harsh additives. The Naturally Friendly Deodorant features shea butter, coconout oil, cocoa seed butter, and tea tree leaf oil, just to name a few of its skin-friendly ingredients. What’s important to note is what it doesn’t contain, which is aluminum, parabens, and baking soda (though I’ve never had any reactions to the latter). The fresh citrus scent is really...for lack of a better word, fresh! The smell is reminiscent of something I’ve used in my youth, though I can’t quite put my finger on it – suffice to say, it’s a yummy scent that lasts throughout the day. I tend to use deodorants more in cooler weather, when I’m less likely to work up a strong sweat (and smell!), so I can’t speak for how well this will do in the summer. However, I was really impressed with how it masked my sweat throughout the day, without exposing me to any harmful chemicals. I’m looking forward to trying out the other scents in this line. hello has not disappointed me with any of their other offerings, so I’m glad that this deodorant was no exception.
I #gotitfree to try through Butterly in exchange for my honest review.
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Gabby's Dollhouse Paw-Tastic Pajama Party
My nieces love the Gabby’s Dollhouse line – we were all equally excited to try out a new toy featuring all their favourite charactes. The Paw-tastic Pajama Party Pack features Gabby’s pals Pillow Cat and Pandy Paws and is a great complement if... +
My nieces love the Gabby’s Dollhouse line – we were all equally excited to try out a new toy featuring all their favourite charactes. The Paw-tastic Pajama Party Pack features Gabby’s pals Pillow Cat and Pandy Paws and is a great complement if you also have the Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse. Unfortunately, we don’t, so the toy was lacking a bit just on its own. I think if this was added in to the greater dollhouse, the kids would have gotten more of a kick out of it. On its own, the pack features a surprise toy Dollhouse Delivery and some bedroom furniture (a swinging chair and canopy). It’s fun in that it features the two kitty friends figurines, but my nieces weren’t too enthralled with it beyond using them solely as figures. The swinging chair is okay – it doesn’t swing too well, but is cute to look at. It wasn’t their favourite toy from the Gabby’s Dollhouse line, but I think it makes a decent stocking stuffer or more minor gift.
I #gotitfree through Butterly in exchange for my honest review.
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