gingercorsair
Member Since: December 9, 2008Reviews
Breyers Creamery Style Dark Chocolate Velvet Frozen Dessert
MMm, I got this as part of the ChickAdvisor's review club. I'm a little late with the review because I had difficulty finding all 3 flavours in my local stores. Now I think I know why! I really enjoyed this ice cream. Generally I don't... +
MMm, I got this as part of the ChickAdvisor's review club. I'm a little late with the review because I had difficulty finding all 3 flavours in my local stores.
Now I think I know why!
I really enjoyed this ice cream. Generally I don't eat it because I find ice cream too sweet, but I liked how the dark chocolate was sweet, but not too sweet. The texture and colour was really rich and melted on my tongue delightfully.
It's a little too chocolately for me to eat all the time, so I started making milkshakes out of it--fantastic! Add in some strawberries, blueberries and milk and you've got a refreshing shake for the summer!
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Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
I received this as part of the Chickadvisor review club. I haven't worn a liquid foundation for a couple of years, since I switched to mineral makeup so this might be a little biased! I tried this product out for a couple of days, applying... +
I received this as part of the Chickadvisor review club.
I haven't worn a liquid foundation for a couple of years, since I switched to mineral makeup so this might be a little biased!
I tried this product out for a couple of days, applying after moisturizing and using a proper foundation brush to put it on. The first thing I liked which may seem like a small detail was that the spout of the container could actually be twisted open and shut, which would help prevent leakage in your bag. Very nice!
The product went on nice and smooth and blended well with my fair skin--evening out some of the red tones as well. I don't know what the results would be with a sponge or finger application, but with a foundation brush I felt it went on very well. It had a dewy finish and took a while to dry though, so I would recommend setting with a powder.
It had decent staying power, but like most liquid foundations it rubbed off easily and also felt a little bit heavy on my face. It did not hold up to sweating, either. Remember, I'm used to featherweight mineral makeup, so this was a bit different!
Overall I felt this foundation did a decent job, it is certainly better than the old formulas I used years ago. I think I'll keep it around for when my skin is particularly dry--however I still prefer mineral makeup!
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Nestlé NOIR Mousse Delicate Milk Chocolate
Nestle has developed a nifty new chocolate treat for us fanatics to revel in, called Nestle Noir Mousse Delicate. Wow. Even the name sounds delicious. I was provided two flavours of the dru... I mean product to try out; Milk Chocolate and Dark... +
Nestle has developed a nifty new chocolate treat for us fanatics to revel in, called Nestle Noir Mousse Delicate. Wow. Even the name sounds delicious.
I was provided two flavours of the dru... I mean product to try out; Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. Both versions have a dark chocolate mousse inside.
The packaging was nice, though a little bit excessive I thought. I suppose it must be neccessary to protect the delicate little shells of chocolate inside--because that's what I found. Each package contains 10 individual "pillows" of soft dark chocolate mousse inside a hard shell of chocolate. According to the press release they're each worth about 55 calories, which ain't bad! Depending on what diet you follow you could safely have 2-3 as a small snack.
But who cares about diets. Give me chocolate!
The little chocolate treats were pretty good in terms of taste and texture. I was a little bit wary of the combination of mousse and hard chocolate, but Nestle has combined them well. The shell gave a satisfying crunch and the mousse was nice and smooth, not at all like the Aero bar-feeling I thought it would be.
The pillows melt at a good rate in your mouth; and while they look bite-sized they're just a tad too large to fit whole in your mouth! I recommend you take a few smaller bites and slowly savour the feeling and flavour for what it is.
I actually took these along with me on my trip to Las Vegas. I figured my friend and I would need a nice pick-me-up on all of our various plane rides. Boy, was I right!
We had the fortune of bringing some salted nuts with us... I love sweet and salty things so I took a bite of the Mousse Delicate and then popped a cashew in my mouth--Heaven! I really suggest trying out some salted nuts or any other type of sensation with these bad boys, it makes a good thing even better!
Overall I thought these were decent chocolates if you're looking for something from the drugstore or supermarket that's more luxurious than a plain old Mars bar. They can't really be compared to the high-end stuff like Rheo Thompson or Godiva, but they are definitely a nice, affordable (suggested retail price: $3.99) way to indulge from time to time!
I think I might buy them again in the future... I gotta say I really liked the dark chocolate mousse in the milk chocolate shell, it was just so creamy. The only negative I can think of is that they just disappear too quickly! Bah humbug!
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Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
I've received several trial size containers of this stuff in the past year or so, and there's a reason I keep collecting them! This is a really nifty product. I believe it is finely ground rice that is the exfoliant which is something... +
I've received several trial size containers of this stuff in the past year or so, and there's a reason I keep collecting them!
This is a really nifty product. I believe it is finely ground rice that is the exfoliant which is something I've never seen before. To use the product you simply wet your hands, then pour some powder in and rub together. The wetness on your hands turns it into a slight paste and you gently rub this all over your face.
I love how my skin feels after using this... soft and refreshed with no irritation (I have VERY sensitive skin!). It's a very gentle exfoliant and a little goes a long way.
One issue I have with it is that it is very drying--you definitely want to put some moisture back into your skin after this. I would also recommend only using it once or twice a week depending on skin type.
My other issue is that the price is totally outrageous! It's only available at certain spas or at the Dermalogica office, so it's got a hefty price tag. I think I saw it for $75 at one location.
To get around having to buy it, I keep my eyes peeled for free samples, or I sign up for a skin clinic with Dermalogica--you go to their offices and learn how to take care of your skin and receive a small sample kit and snacks for $10. This seems like a better deal to me.
I think this is a great product and will continue using my samples, but I don't think I'd ever pay full price for it!
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FUZE Beverages
“FUZE is a delicious and smart line of all natural tea and juice drink beverages 'infuzed' with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants” that has just entered the Canadian market. Available for under $5, FUZE is pitched as a fun, stylish and... +
“FUZE is a delicious and smart line of all natural tea and juice drink beverages 'infuzed' with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants” that has just entered the Canadian market. Available for under $5, FUZE is pitched as a fun, stylish and tasty drink that is a favourite among celebrities (such as Ellen Page, Katie Holmes and Julia Roberts) at the moment and comes in a variety of flavours.
I was recently given the opportunity to test-drive some of their drinks, and I thought it was a great chance to try something new and see what all the hype was about. I’m health-conscious and love me a fruity drink, so it was a good idea, no? I’ve also been making an effort to live a healthier, more balanced lifestyle this year (Is that part of your New Year’s resolution?) and these seemed like they may fit right in.
Here’s what I got:
REFRESH
I tried this one first when I had a hankering for something tropical, and it did not disappoint. REFRESH is a thick and smooth concoction of peach and mango, that apparently contains 100% of your daily values of essential vitamins and calcium. It was a huge bottle so I can easily see how they fit all those vitamins in there! I really wasn’t expecting the thickness of the drink, but I like to think that it was due to real peaches and mangoes (thick fruits) being mushed up for it. Make sure you refrigerate it though—I let it warm up a little bit by accident and the consistency and flavor felt a little weird.
VITALIZE
…was the next one I tried. Again with the thickness. I’m not sure if I’d even label these things as juices! I think they have some additives to provide the additional smoothness and thickness that I experienced. This one was an interesting combination of blackberry and grape. Kind of like Welch’s grape juice, but thicker. This one promises a slew of electrolytes and antioxidants to help you re-VITALIZE after activity. Again, make sure this bad boy is ice cold before you drink it.
GREEN TEA WITH HONEY
I liked this one the best out of the bunch, but whether it was because I am an iced tea fanatic or because it was finally a proper liquid I don’t know. I was surprised to notice a very strong honey flavor. Usually when drinks claim that they were sweetened with honey you can’t tell. With this one you definitely can. I found it the easiest to drink and enjoyed the fact that honey was used rather than some bizarre chemical-sugar ingredient, however the sweetness was a little cloying. This was also the drink that had the least amount of calories, about 180 per 547mL bottle.
Final Thoughts:
They were pretty big bottles, but I guess they have to be to justify the price. I like that vitamins and antioxidants, etc. were included in the drink—it made me feel like I was putting more into my body than just sugar-laden juice. I thought the packaging was pretty cool, too. You could almost make art out of those bottles!
While I probably wouldn’t buy them for myself (I generally prefer plain water) I think they’re a better alternative to sugary pop and would definitely drink them if they were free!
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Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Mascara
I received this as part of the Chick Advisor product review panel. First off, I thought the packaging was rather nice, I like how the style of the tube played into the name of the product, it really did look like a stiletto heel! I gave this a... +
I received this as part of the Chick Advisor product review panel.
First off, I thought the packaging was rather nice, I like how the style of the tube played into the name of the product, it really did look like a stiletto heel!
I gave this a shot after reviewing the Lancome Oscillation and L'Oreal Beauty Tubes mascaras, and unfortunately it just did not stack up!
There's nothing terribly bad about this mascara--it darkens and separates your lashes somewhat and performs all basic mascara duties. My issue is that it did not go above and beyond at all. It was just ho-hum. No super length, no amazing volume or lash definition, it was average to remove at the end of the day. Nothing really remarkable. With all the new innovations in the mascara field out there, I was expecting something that could at least compete.
I'm not sure how much this product cost so I can't comment on value, but I suppose if it is under $6 and you just want something basic then it's ok. However if you're looking for a mascara that works for you, I would search elsewhere.
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Cake Beauty Milk Made Velveteen Hand Creme
Here's a review of one of the other products I was pleasantly surprised by: Milk Made Hand Creme by Cake. I first received this as a gift from the W Network about a year ago. I had no idea what it was and had never heard of the brand before... +
Here's a review of one of the other products I was pleasantly surprised by: Milk Made Hand Creme by Cake.
I first received this as a gift from the W Network about a year ago. I had no idea what it was and had never heard of the brand before (apparently it's some sort of upscale trendy brand?? And it's Canadian!) but decided to give it a go.
Boy, was I surprised! This hand cream is absolutely divine. It feels creamy and very smooth, and spreads easily on your hands. It absorbs within a reasonable amount of time and doesn't leave that gross greasy residue.
This cream gets big points on the moisture factor: it leaves your hands supple and soft; I particularly like using it on my cuticles and areas of my hand that get the most dry. It is quite simply a pleasure to use.
So what are the major drawbacks?
The Smell: It has marshmallow extract in it, which makes it smell like some sort of super-sweet, somehow creamy vanilla marshmallow. Totally eatable. If you're into smelling like candy and/or baked goods, then you'll probably love this to bits. I, however, prefer a less noticeable scent. Though I must admit that I've gotten used to it now, and the benefits still outweigh this minor detail.
The Price: At $18 a pop for a small tube, it is definitely an indulgence. I have received 3 tubes in succession as Ad Gifts therefore never having to purchase it myself. Will I buy it again once I run out? Possibly. Though I would definitely check for sales, discounts or trades on Makeup Alley, etc. first, and avoid paying full cost if possible.
So where can you get this?
I've seen the line at certain Bay stores. I'll bet its at the nicer Sears locations (Eaton Centre) as well. And Sephora.
Overall I think this is a great product and would recommend it to anyone who's not afraid to splurge from time to time.
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Skullcandy Ink'd Smokin' Buds
I just picked myself up a pair of these babies today at The Source for $24.99 tax and I am impressed! I've seen lots of people around Toronto with various SkullCandy products, and they always struck me as a pretty cool brand. I mean, with a... +
I just picked myself up a pair of these babies today at The Source for $24.99 tax and I am impressed!
I've seen lots of people around Toronto with various SkullCandy products, and they always struck me as a pretty cool brand. I mean, with a name like SkullCandy they have to be pretty cool, right? They've got skulls on them! This appeals to the macabre side of my personality.
Turns out their products are really good too, and deserving of the awesome name!
I got the blue pair pictured here, and was happy to find 3 sets of the silicone inner ear part included "in case you have different ears" (said salesguy James) which is great since I needed to switch out the medium sized ones for the smaller buds.
Performance-wise they're pretty bitchin'. They fit my ears comfortably, block out the majority of external noise and deliver very clear and crisp music straight to my brain!
I did a little test with my shitty old Sony $8 ear buds-- listening to Waters of Nazareth by Justice with them first, then swapping in the new SkullCandy. I was blown away! I've got my iPod settings to amp the bass, and this was the first time I was actually able to experience it properly! w00t!
I'm totally digging the sound I have now. My eyes and ears have been opened to the wonder that is SkullCandy.
Thank you, SkullCandy, for bringing the music back to me!
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Rockport Shoes
I just had some awesome service, for some awesome boots. I love Rockport for their comfort and quality, I just wish they had more fashionable shoes to choose from! Oh well, they're better than they used to be! Here's the letter I sent to... +
I just had some awesome service, for some awesome boots. I love Rockport for their comfort and quality, I just wish they had more fashionable shoes to choose from!
Oh well, they're better than they used to be!
Here's the letter I sent to customer service about my experience today:
To Whom It May Concern:
Today I was delightfully surprised by some excellent customer service I received at your Eaton's Centre Toronto location, and I thought you should know about it.
First let me start by telling you that my dad loves Rockport shoes. Seeing as I'm a 23 year old female, I automatically dismiss anything (like comfy footwear) that my dad likes as "fuddy-duddy old people stuff". The first time I learned of Rockport shoes, that was what I thought of them. Comfy, practical and perfect for my dad, but not me.
That was until I tried on a pair of your black Tamber boots last year on a whim. Compared to all other heels that I've tried, these were an absolute dream to walk in. I snapped up my pair and have been a Rockport convert ever since.
I wore those boots just about everywhere last fall/winter/spring. In fact I wore them so much that I had to get them re-tipped and the spikes re-wrapped. It wasn't until this summer when I got my new sandals that I was told that Rockport would repair them for free, next time!
Whoopee! I just broke my boots out again for the fall, and unfotunately managed to scrape the leather binding off of the heel this weekend, getting stuck in a grate in the sidewalk. I was pretty upset, but I knew that I could bring them in and get them repaired at my Rockport company store.
Today I went in to have them assessed, and boy am I glad that I did! I received attention from the store manager Dan MacDonald. He took my boots next door to the shoe repairer to find out how much they would cost to repair. They could be repaired, he told me, but they just wouldn't look the same. So he offered me a brand new pair at no charge. I was thrilled and surprised by this! I was just hoping for a repair, and here I am getting a whole new set of my favourite boots!
Needless to say I am very pleased by not only your company policy, but also by the quality of your staff (and shoes!). I've already told 3 people about my positive experience, and will be featuring Rockport in my series of product reviews on my blog (I am often paid to do reviews of products and services, but will also write reviews on products I love for free).
I hope to be back in the store soon for a few more shoe wardrobe updates this season, too! Hopefully you'll roll out more fashionable and younger additions to your collection.
Please forward this to your company's president/CEO as I am sure they would like to see some positive feedback from a real customer!
Thanks for the great shoes and service,
-Ginger Corsair
So, if you're looking for a great pair of shoes with great customer service, I would definitely recommend Rockport. I seriously can't tell you just how comfortable their shoes are! They've got some special technology to make them uber-comfy and durable. I just can't get enough!
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Sassoon Salon
I went to the Vidal Sassoon salon last night and had a pretty good experience. It's much more posh than I thought it would be. There's a coat check and assistants to get you drinks and stuff... My stylist was good, turns out she teaches at... +
I went to the Vidal Sassoon salon last night and had a pretty good experience. It's much more posh than I thought it would be. There's a coat check and assistants to get you drinks and stuff...
My stylist was good, turns out she teaches at the school at the salon which made me feel much better about using her!
In terms of the cut, she gave me the professional opinion I wanted so desperately. She said that longer hair suited me best, but that I should go with my natural curls and enhance those. Normally I go for a straighter look, so this was different! She cut about 5-6 inches (!!) off, gave me more layers to add volume and movement, and reshaped the fringe at the front.
The best part I thought was that she took the time to show me a simple way to do my hair without too much effort.
I would recommend the Vidal Sassoon salon, if you've got the extra cash and can make it to Toronto! My cut cost me $85 tax, and I also purchased some chi-chi Kerastase product for $40 (ouch!) but I had a 15% off coupon so it wasn't quite as painful.
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