MelRichard
Member Since: April 9, 2015Reviews
NIVEA 2-in-1 Moisturizing Primer Dry to Sensitive Skin
I received this product compliments of Chickadvisor to try for free in exchange for my honest review. My skin is combination regular/dry - and quite sensitive. I was very surprised when I opened the jar that this product is very heavily scented!... +
I received this product compliments of Chickadvisor to try for free in exchange for my honest review.
My skin is combination regular/dry - and quite sensitive. I was very surprised when I opened the jar that this product is very heavily scented! It's a fake floral/perfumey smell that I really, really don't like. I think most of us that have sensitive skin prefer scent-free products (or at least way more lightly scented).
Fortunately, despite the strong smell, this product did not/does not irritate my skin.
I do not particularly like the packaging, I would have preferred that this come in a pump bottle. The jar is messy and I feel like I am contaminating it every time I dip into it.
A little bit of this product goes a long way. It spreads evenly and easily over the face, and feels light and smooth. I really liked the feel of it on my skin.
As a primer, this product was a fail for me. It wasn't moisturizing enough (weird, considering it is designed for dry skin and mine isn't even THAT dry). A few hours into the day EVERY SINGLE TIME I wore it, my makeup had lifted and was sitting on top of visible patches of dry skin. GROSS! This NEVER happens with my usual moisturizer that I wear underneath my makeup. No matter what I tried (exfoliating, leaving at least a half hour between primer and makeup application...) nothing worked. This "primer" just caused my makeup to separate from my face. Very strange. I actually had to wash my face in the bathroom at work and just go makeup free because that honestly looked better than the weird patches this stuff left on my face.
I would not purchase this product, nor would I recommend it as a primer for anybody with really dry skin - you're better off with a great moisturizer, in my opinion.
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Venus Swirl Razor
I usually use a regular Gillette Venus razor but decided to give this one a try. I cannot compare this to a disposable razor, because it has multiple blades (I've never found a disposable with more than 3 blades), but I can compare it to my usual... +
I usually use a regular Gillette Venus razor but decided to give this one a try.
I cannot compare this to a disposable razor, because it has multiple blades (I've never found a disposable with more than 3 blades), but I can compare it to my usual razor.
I love the color of the razor - it is beautiful and purple and goes well with my bathroom décor. The first few shaves were good, but no better than any other razor I have used. The blades seem to get dull faster than my usual Venus razor, maybe because you have to PUSH to active the roller ball? The roller ball idea is a flop. You have to push SO HARD on the razor to activate the roller ball. Shaving with this razor hurt my wrist. This idea is a flop. Stick with regular Gillette Venus, it is less expensive and works better. This gimmick is not worth the extra cost.
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Air Wick Stick Ups Sparkling Citrus
My hubby came home with these as he found them at Walmart for $1. The smell is very strong - and very chemical-y. I really like the linen smell by Airwick but this citrus scent is just way too strong and way too fake. It smells like really gross... +
My hubby came home with these as he found them at Walmart for $1.
The smell is very strong - and very chemical-y. I really like the linen smell by Airwick but this citrus scent is just way too strong and way too fake. It smells like really gross floor cleaner. I wouldn't recommend this scent.
That being said, the stick-ups stayed super smelly for about a week. I couldn't justify spending full price ($3.50 or so usually at Walmart) but for $1...maybe. If the queen was coming to stay.
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Oikos Greek Yogurt
I (like many other millennials) have been really into greek yogurt for the past few years. I eat this yogurt often because it goes on sale frequently for prices lower than other brands. I'm a cost-efficient shopper. My favorite flavors are blueberry... +
I (like many other millennials) have been really into greek yogurt for the past few years. I eat this yogurt often because it goes on sale frequently for prices lower than other brands. I'm a cost-efficient shopper. My favorite flavors are blueberry and key lime. They're creamy and delicious - I absolutely love to mix them with berries for a treat! -
Gold Peak Tea - Raspberry
I was at No Frills and I spotted the 1.75L bottle of Gold Peak iced tea in the refrigerated section for $2.99 so I decided to give it a try. I am A HUGE iced tea fan and I absolutely adore Pure Leaf. This Gold Peak product is made by Coca Cola and... +
I was at No Frills and I spotted the 1.75L bottle of Gold Peak iced tea in the refrigerated section for $2.99 so I decided to give it a try. I am A HUGE iced tea fan and I absolutely adore Pure Leaf. This Gold Peak product is made by Coca Cola and supposed to be an equivalent (natural brewed tea, lightly sweetened).
I wish I could go back and spend the extra $1 for my Pure Leaf. This iced tea was a huge let down. It is raspberry flavored but the flavor is very weak. And it is sweetened with cane sugar, which as it turns out, I don't really like the taste of. This product is too sweet! I was expecting more natural tasting and refreshing - this product is way too sweet to be refreshing.
Overall, I don't taste much of a difference between this product and something like Nestea (not natural brewed tea).
I will be sticking with my Pure Leaf. Nice try, Coca Cola - but this product is a big fail in my book. I will not be repurchasing.
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Vasanti Monoi Magic Oil
I purchased this product from the Vasanti website as I had always wanted to try a facial oil and this one had good reviews. It has a nice, light smell that I enjoy when I apply it. The oil is nice and light and absorbs into the skin quickly. My skin... +
I purchased this product from the Vasanti website as I had always wanted to try a facial oil and this one had good reviews.
It has a nice, light smell that I enjoy when I apply it. The oil is nice and light and absorbs into the skin quickly. My skin is sensitive, but it doesn't bother me at all. Most of all - I didn't break out from using this oil, which is a huge plus as I was a bit scared to be putting oil on my face!
I have to drop stars for this product because of the terrible packaging. At $16 for a tiny little bottle, you would expect it to last, right? Wrong. The nozzle on the bottle is loose and flies off easily - spilling oil everywhere each and every time I have used it. I've had the product a week (using only on my face, with nice plump hydrated skin as a result) but my bottle is almost gone because the packaging is so terrible that the product ends up wasted (and I've been very, very careful not to squeeze too hard - it just seems to pop off!)
Overall, I really like the product but I would neither purchase it again nor recommend it due to the huge amount of waste attributed to the terrible packaging. Ladies, until they change their packaging, don't bother with this one!
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live clean professional healthy balance
I have been using this product (shampoo and conditioner) for about a month now and I am very happy with it. I purchased it for $6.99/bottle at Shoppers Drug Mart. The bottles are 350 mL each. I quite like the look of the packaging - a nice, clean... +
I have been using this product (shampoo and conditioner) for about a month now and I am very happy with it.
I purchased it for $6.99/bottle at Shoppers Drug Mart. The bottles are 350 mL each.
I quite like the look of the packaging - a nice, clean looking white bottle with dark blue print.
The product has limited smell - nothing floral or fruity here! But I do detect a bit of peppermint. I have a very, very sensitive scalp and was very interested in trying SLS free shampoo and conditioner to see if it would help. It definitely seems to be helping - my scalp hasn't been itchy or sore since using this product.
I wish that the conditioner was a little bit more moisturizing as I have very LONG hair and it doesn't provide quite enough moisture for my ends, but I have just been applying coconut oil to them pre-wash and it seems to help.
If you are looking for a natural hair product at a GREAT price then I highly recommend this duo. My scalp is sooo happy, and my hair feels good too! Plus...96% natural ingredients. I've had several miscarriages and I am really hoping that switching to more natural products helps me carry a pregnancy to term. Certainly can't hurt to remove as many chemicals/toxins from our lives as we can, right?!
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Cold-Fx Capsules
Growing up, my mom was a huge fan of this (very expensive!) product. She really believed that it worked and gave it to us kids at the first hint of sickness. Funny enough, it never worked. During my studies for my microbiology degree at university... +
Growing up, my mom was a huge fan of this (very expensive!) product. She really believed that it worked and gave it to us kids at the first hint of sickness. Funny enough, it never worked.
During my studies for my microbiology degree at university, I did quite a bit of research on this product. Guess what? There is absolutely NOTHING in there that has been proven to help/decrease cold severity or duration. I even contacted the company and found out that the directions on the bottle aren't "optimal" and that adults should take this product for a minimum of four MONTHS to get the effects - SIX MONTHS for seniors. This equates to HUNDREDS of dollars! Cold FX has even done their own research and found that Cold FX does not help with severity/duration when taken at the first sign of cold symptoms (then why do they claim that on the bottle?!) This product is purely a placebo and false advertising. Do not waste your money on this, Chicks!
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King Island Toasted Coconut Chips
These are the tastiest coconut chips I have ever eaten! I order them in a small, individual sized bag all the time on amazon. The coconut flavor is fantastic and they are just a little bit sweet. The perfect snack - I'm glad the packaging portion... +
These are the tastiest coconut chips I have ever eaten! I order them in a small, individual sized bag all the time on amazon. The coconut flavor is fantastic and they are just a little bit sweet. The perfect snack - I'm glad the packaging portion controls for me because I don't know that I could help myself! -
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Bagless Vacuum
I found this vacuum on amazon for $39.99 and decided to treat myself to a new handheld vacuum, as the one I own is cordless and just doesn't quite cut it suction-wise for pet hair. I have a "non-shedding" wheaten terrier that sheds fairly heavily... +
I found this vacuum on amazon for $39.99 and decided to treat myself to a new handheld vacuum, as the one I own is cordless and just doesn't quite cut it suction-wise for pet hair. I have a "non-shedding" wheaten terrier that sheds fairly heavily twice a year and when she does there is fine, curly blonde hair everywhere! It especially likes to come off in clumps on the couch (yes, I'm one of those terrible pet owners that lets my dog sit on the couch).
It has really good suction power! I got used to my cordless handheld vacuum and compared to that this is so, so much more powerful!! It vacuumed things like sand (from the tile by my front door) dog treat/dog food crumbs and residue and food particles in the kitchen up with ease. The grey solid attachment has a nozzle that allows you to direct this unit exactly where you want it to go on solid surfaces. On solid surface - this thing gets a full 5 stars. Great suction, vacuums really well. Downside is that the vents of the vacuum are on either side so it does seem to blow dust around a bit. This vacuum works better for heavier particles than dusty areas for that reason. I had a mess of sawdust by my door that this vacuum blew around quite a bit before I (think?) I got it all vacuumed up. The stand up vacuum is definitely easier/better to use for dusty areas than this little Bissell.
On mats/upholstery, however, it is another story. While you could glide it easily over fabric, it won't pick up everything that you want it to. The purple silicon squishy attachment allows you to get in between cushions (works really well for that) but you have to put in some serious elbow grease. You must push hard! While this unit glides easily over solid surfaces, sucking up everything in its path, vacuuming soft surfaces requires you to put a fair amount of pressure on the unit. If you don't - it doesn't pick up much at all. This vacuum did a great job vacuuming out underneath/between cushions on the couch, but for the most part the dog hair was left behind. Seems kind of strange for a vacuum branded as "pet hair eraser". It works great as a little handheld vacuum (love love love it for vacuuming my hardwood stairs - so much easier than the upright!) but not so great for pet hair removal from anything other than the (hard!) floor.
The shape of the vacuum leaves something to be desired. It is short (like!) and fat (dislike). Because it is so...chubby? it is hard to maneuver into small spaces, which is the whole point of purchasing a handheld. Its stubby little front doesn't reach under things like furniture as the body is way too thick. To vacuum under my couches with this (yep, I sure did!) I had to have my husband lift up one end, just like with the upright vacuum.
I like that the on/off switch is on the handle as it is easy to operate with just one hand. I do not like that the handle points forwards instead of back towards me (the user) as it is a bit uncomfortable to hold, especially when you are vacuuming a soft surface. I really am not sure why they designed it this way!
I wish that this unit had someplace to clip the cord. The cord is nice and long (great for when it is in use!) but it makes the unit a pain to store as you have to kind of awkwardly wrap the cord around the whole unit and then put it down where it sits, unsteadily balancing on the cord.
The canister is large and when vacuuming small areas (which is what this unit is designed for) it takes quite a few uses to fill up. When it comes time to empty, it is very easy - just push the button, pull the canister off, empty it and replace. Note: this unit does use filters that will have to be replaced! But I have already found replacement filters on amazon so no worries there.
The unit is loud, but I am okay with that given the suction power of this vacuum. It really is a handy little vacuum to have around the house, to use for small jobs and furniture. I have found that I can use it for about 10-15 minutes at a time (how much longer would you possibly use a little hand held vacuum anyways?!) before it gets hot.
Overall, I would purchase this vacuum again. For $40 it does a great job on my furniture, mats, and small areas like the tile by the front door and under the couch. It is a lot easier to pull this vacuum out for touch ups than it is to bring out the big upright vacuum! I would not recommend this vacuum to people with really hairy pets, however, as I really wasn't impressed with how it handled (or didn't!) the dog hair in my home. If you are frail or have diminished arm strength and are unable to push on the vacuum/give it some elbow grease, I wouldn't recommend this unit.
Otherwise, if you are a neat freak like me and want to be able to spot vacuum and vacuum in between your couch cushions, it is absolutely perfect, a steal of a deal, and I definitely recommend this item!
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