mamaluv
Member Since: September 8, 2006Reviews
Benefit Cosmetics Ooh La Lift Eye Cream
I received Benefit's Ooh La Lift to review (there. Disclosed.) This is the best under-eye concealer I've tried so far! Just a few dabs of the pearly coloured cream and soft taps with the ring finger, and dark circles were gone. It sits... +
I received Benefit's Ooh La Lift to review (there. Disclosed.)
This is the best under-eye concealer I've tried so far! Just a few dabs of the pearly coloured cream and soft taps with the ring finger, and dark circles were gone. It sits lighter than Benefit's Erase Paste, which I will certainly use for those days when I need the extra help; for everyday I prefer Ooh La Lift. I did not find that the product settled into my faint lines and added just enough brightness to make me look a lot more awake than I actually felt.
And that is what sold it for me. Highly recommended!
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Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste Concealer
I have to admit, in the past I would never shell out top dollar on makeup. I recently received a goodie bag from Benefit to review for ChickAdvisor, and I now may have to rethink my penny-pinching ways... at least with respect to concealer. In the... +
I have to admit, in the past I would never shell out top dollar on makeup. I recently received a goodie bag from Benefit to review for ChickAdvisor, and I now may have to rethink my penny-pinching ways... at least with respect to concealer.
In the pot, this product looked suspiciously orange. Once on my face, I was surprised at how well it blended. There was almost no need to worry about perfect distribution, except that heavier application did make the product settle into the faint lines I'm starting to notice (grr). I think I prefer Benefit's Ooh La Lift just a little better, but Erase Paste is no slouch.
A flawless result that stayed put all day - I recommend it!
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Bloomex
I ordered flowers for my sister and mother from Bloomex. It was a quick process online and they received their blooms in perfect condition. Recommended!
I ordered flowers for my sister and mother from Bloomex. It was a quick process online and they received their blooms in perfect condition. Recommended! -
The Piano Teacher (by Janice Lee)
This book was featured for the ChickAdvisor Book Club recently. The story switches between late WWII and the early 1950s in Hong Kong, a tale of secrets, betrayal, survival, and the loss of innocence. The title suggests that the piano teacher... +
This book was featured for the ChickAdvisor Book Club recently. The story switches between late WWII and the early 1950s in Hong Kong, a tale of secrets, betrayal, survival, and the loss of innocence.
The title suggests that the piano teacher, Claire, is the main character. She is more of a metaphor of change, how pliable we could become in certain situations. She begins an affair with an emotionally distant man, unaware of how his past will affect her future.
The book is rich with details of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during the war, a hodgepodge city filled with many different nationalities and customs - and how each responded to the situation. The characters are well-developed and the story is engrossing. It asks the question: "what would you do if ___?"
This is Janice Lee's first novel. For a debut I'm quite impressed; but she does get a little bogged down trying to weave her intricate plot together. This is a great book for discussion and multiple read-throughs to sort out all the nuances. If you're looking for a fun, snappy read, this is not the book for you.
I heard it compared with Memoirs of a Geisha. Not an unfair comparison, but Geisha does read a little easier.
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Abreva
I am fortunate not to suffer from cold sores except on the rarest of occasions. My husband, however, gets them often when he's stressed and the weather is dry and cold. Until recently, he jumped through the hoops of getting a prescription... +
I am fortunate not to suffer from cold sores except on the rarest of occasions. My husband, however, gets them often when he's stressed and the weather is dry and cold.
Until recently, he jumped through the hoops of getting a prescription for Zovirax every time he had a new sore. One day he decided to try Abreva and hasn't looked back. It's not quite as effective as Zovirax but darn close. I always buy it when it goes on sale or I find a good coupon for it. I have also seen it recently on Amazon for around $11 (with free super saver shipping!), so now that winter's on the way it will be time to stock up.
Recommended!
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The DivaCup
This product is a Game Changer, girls. I can't believe I allowed my squeamishness to delay trying it out! Ok, it's true: it's a little tricky to use and it can be difficult for those times when you're in a public bathroom. You... +
This product is a Game Changer, girls. I can't believe I allowed my squeamishness to delay trying it out!
Ok, it's true: it's a little tricky to use and it can be difficult for those times when you're in a public bathroom. You need to be comfortable with your body, because just like the first time you tried to use a tampon you know that nervousness makes you clench up inside and makes it really hard to insert properly.
There is a learning curve. The first 2 cycles or so I wore a panty liner because if it's not "just right" there will be a little leakage (but then, I always had to wear a liner with tampons as I never did find one that was completely fool proof). You do need to give it some time before you decide if it's for you or not. You may need to experiment with different ways to insert (instructions are in the package) and depending on how you're shaped "down there", you may have to angle it up, down, or to the side a little. Same as when you're using a tampon.
TMI alert...
I have a really heavy cycle, so I have to empty once in morning and once in the evening. Sometimes I empty it right before leaving the house, just to make sure I won't have to change it in a public bathroom. Either way, you should be good for at least 6-8 hours.
You may find it pops out some when you're going #2. Just wiggle it back in and you're set. No need to take it out all the way and reinsert unless it comes out really far (in which case, you probably didn't put it in deep enough in the first place). If you're in a public setting (public bathroom, friend's house), I suggest you carry a travel pack of Wet Ones wipes or whatever to make sure your hands are clean (a) while adjusting the Cup, and (b) for coming out of the stall (!)
Follow the package instructions for insertion to the letter. One in particular - you must rotate the cup before it's all the way in or it won't pop open properly. I learned that the hard way! Also, resist the urge to push it in as deep as you'd wear a tampon. It makes removal really difficult.
Sex on the Cup? Not gonna happen. But I'm not generally in the mood during my Time Of The Month anyway.
Re: sterilization - I think this is an insurance liability dodger for Diva Cup. I know several women who use the Cup and only occasionally sterilize it. Using a fragrance-free clean rinsing soap (like Ivory) or the Diva Wash you can buy will get your Cup quite clean. I'm sure there are many out there who would insist on sterilizing every time, so please don't just take my word for it. Not sterilizing every time will also prolong the life of your Cup substantially (but don't NOT sterilize just to save the money on a new Cup). This is like sterilizing a baby bottle nipple or pacifier - the more you boil it, the shorter the lifespan. Also, if you have hard water you may want to use distilled (can buy it at the store) so there won't be mineral build up on your Cup.
The bottom line? NOW I have a happy period! I still keep pads and tampons in the house for those times when I don't want to wear it (ie. if I'm concerned about changing in public), but otherwise I think I'm converted for life. You can find it cheaper online or sometimes women's health clinics have them stocked. Organic grocery stores is also a good place to look.
Try it! I love it!
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Colgate MaxWhite toothbrush
Normally I buy a toothbrush based on whatever is on sale. After all, you're supposed to swap them out every three months, or after you are ill - whichever happens first. I never could imagine buying an automatic, as the sound alone would drive... +
Normally I buy a toothbrush based on whatever is on sale. After all, you're supposed to swap them out every three months, or after you are ill - whichever happens first. I never could imagine buying an automatic, as the sound alone would drive me batty and I'm not a morning person to begin with ;)
And so it happened that Colgate's MaxWhite was on sale one time, so I bought it. Game Changer.
My sister recently asked me which bleaching system I was using. Truth is, I haven't bleached in over 2 years, and I'm a regular coffee drinker. My secret is simply the MaxWhite toothbrush and Sensodyne Whitening paste (it's not the best whitening toothpaste out there, but I have really sensitive teeth and can only use Sensodyne).
The polishing star in the middle keeps stains off your teeth and leaves it a natural beautiful white (not chicklit white, but I wasn't going for the glow-in-the-dark look anyway). I'm so glad to leave the bleaching systems behind, as they were terrible for my tooth sensitivity!
This toothbrush is a game changer for me and I will buy it again and again and again!
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Queen Takes King by Gigi Levangie Grazer
The society wife of a Manhattan billionaire flips open the New York Post. One picture is of the handsome couple dancing at their 25th wedding anniversary bash; the accompanying photo captures her husband with his mistress in an intimate moment... +
The society wife of a Manhattan billionaire flips open the New York Post. One picture is of the handsome couple dancing at their 25th wedding anniversary bash; the accompanying photo captures her husband with his mistress in an intimate moment. Let the divorce games begin.
This story is Candace Bushnell meets The War of the Roses. Dirty tricks, Humiliation. Humiliation, Dirty Tricks. Oh? You've met? It is a deliciously naughty read from the author of "The Starter Wife": sexy, engaging, and outrageous without being contrived. Grazer does not play favorites with her characters - each shows their sweet and repulsive qualities in a scheme where there are no clear winners or losers.
Recommended!
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Life of Pi by Yann Martel
This book is a "thinker". Philosophy, metaphor, and all the other stuff you learned in 20th Century English Lit will be required prerequisites before you pick this book up. It's not a light read, because what you think is going on, is... +
This book is a "thinker". Philosophy, metaphor, and all the other stuff you learned in 20th Century English Lit will be required prerequisites before you pick this book up. It's not a light read, because what you think is going on, is not.
Actually, this would make for a fabulous book club pick. A beach read? That would really depend. I personally liked it, but can certainly see why the previous reviewer did not.
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The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
As a die-hard Sophie Kinsella fan, I had to read this. Every time I pick up one of her books, I hold my breath in anticipation that this - yes maybe this - book will meet my beloved Shopaholic standard. This book did not. However, it is a fun... +
As a die-hard Sophie Kinsella fan, I had to read this. Every time I pick up one of her books, I hold my breath in anticipation that this - yes maybe this - book will meet my beloved Shopaholic standard.
This book did not. However, it is a fun light read that I enjoyed when I relaxed my prerequisite. Will anything come close to "Confessions of a Shopaholic" in the chicklit genre? Hard to say. Read this without prejudice and you will enjoy it.
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