wonderwhatif
Member Since: January 26, 2015Reviews
Knorr Taste of India Concentrated Bouillon
Knorr Taste of India concentrated bouillon has a really strong taste and aroma that makes me think of Indian spices. That also translates over to the food you cook with it, which has a rich, smoky flavour to it. This bouillon is particularly well... +
Knorr Taste of India concentrated bouillon has a really strong taste and aroma that makes me think of Indian spices. That also translates over to the food you cook with it, which has a rich, smoky flavour to it. This bouillon is particularly well suited to making curry, as it’s similar to a vegetable stock but with a lot more punch to it. On the flip side, if you’re making a dish that isn’t Indian, this stock can give you a very interesting blend of flavours that you wouldn’t get otherwise.
If you’ve always wanted to try Indian recipes but were unsure about whether or not you could pull it off, this stock is also a helpful cheat to get you the flavour you need, as it definitely helps to spice up even a bland curry for a beginner who is still learning the ropes.
The one downside to this, and just about every other concentrated bouillon, is the high levels of sodium. I do wish the amount of salt in this stock was lower, but that’s an issue I seem to have with almost all the store-bought stocks I buy. I personally found it delicious and it's a great way to add something extra to fast and simple dishes.
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Lunata Give Me Life Volumizing Dry shampoo
My experience was very decent. I will say that if you’re looking for something to tackle really greasy hair, this isn’t going to do it (and maybe you should shower, no judgement though, we’ve all been there!). It has a more subtle effect than... +
My experience was very decent. I will say that if you’re looking for something to tackle really greasy hair, this isn’t going to do it (and maybe you should shower, no judgement though, we’ve all been there!). It has a more subtle effect than cheaper dry shampoo brands, but there’s a lot to like here.
For a start, it doesn’t leave any white residue in your hair. While your hair gets harder and has a medium hold hairspray kind of feel, there’s not any white. The downside is it doesn’t tackle as much oilyness. As you can see from my photos, I was probably due to wash my hair that day and it brought it back to ‘acceptable’, but it was still a little shinier than I’d like.
You can also see the volume it gave is fantastic. I have thick, naturally wavy hair, so my ‘short’ hairstyle sits very crazy and wild, somedays being quite curly and others with subtle waves. Lunata ‘Give me Life’ certainly gave my hair life and lifted it a ton. For long hair in updos or short wild styles, it’s a fantastic volumiser, but if you’re looking for a Dry Shampoo that will tackle the greasiest of hair, it’s not this.
It does have quite a strong, perfumed smell, but I actually liked it and it’s not as cloying as the cheaper brands and there are some truly awful smelling cheap dry shampoos. If you’re looking for volume with grease reduction and to maintain a little shine, this would be perfect for you.
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NOHJ Modeling Mask Serum Pack
I’m not too picky about sheet masks, I’ve never had a bad reaction and I use them primarily to destress and relax, having a home ‘spa night’. These NOHJ masks are the most unique and dare I say, cool, I’ve ever seen. They have some... +
I’m not too picky about sheet masks, I’ve never had a bad reaction and I use them primarily to destress and relax, having a home ‘spa night’. These NOHJ masks are the most unique and dare I say, cool, I’ve ever seen. They have some seriously fierce art both on the packaging and the decorated masks themselves. The packaging has a holographic effect that had me turning it back and forth in awe, as it really feels very AR, like the holographic effects are floating above the surface of the packet. It’s an incredibly cool experience before even opening the masks.
The masks themselves have a lovely design that varies for each type of mask. They are all beautiful and would be fantastic for social media and any kind of fun spa event or girls (or boys) night! They’re as effective as any mask I’ve used, but the experience is just really fun and unique.
They are very wet so squeeze some of the liquid off if you prefer a less dripping mask. Like most asian masks, I also had to widen the mouth to a comfortable size.
Overall, a must-have for any sheet mask fan!
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Fitbit Luxe
The Fitbit Luxe does stand out in some ways from the rest of the Fitbit lineup, but it’s also tied down by a lot of the same issues that come with being part of the same group of products, with the same limitations and additional... +
The Fitbit Luxe does stand out in some ways from the rest of the Fitbit lineup, but it’s also tied down by a lot of the same issues that come with being part of the same group of products, with the same limitations and additional microtransactions/subscriptions. Its biggest advantage is aesthetic, so if you’re not immediately sold on the look of the product, you should probably just look elsewhere right away.
To be very blunt, the Fitbit Luxe is just your basic Fitbit device with no added functionality (in fact it lacks some of the functionality that other models have) in order to make it look slim, trendy and fashionable. There are only three colour options here, but they have some collaborations with jewellery brands, so there are Luxe devices being sold with things like gold and silver chain to make them look even more stylish. They are meant to look good on your wrist while at the office, or even at a dinner party, without looking like a garish piece of fitness technology for nerds. And to be fair, that’s something that definitely makes sense for some customers. If you work in a high-class office and wear a suit to work, you don’t want a huge, clunky, black-plastic fitness watch on your wrist standing out from the rest of your outfit. You want it to blend in with the rest of your look, and the Luxe will do that for most adults in an office job, or for seniors who want a nice-looking fitness tracker. But if you’re all about the gym and don’t care about your watch standing out, there’s not much to love here.
Having such a slim design also means having a tiny screen, which is where the drawbacks start. The screen on the Luxe is so narrow that reading any notifications at all is a huge pain, as almost every other word has to be moved down to a new line. This means even a short e-mail subject line becomes two pages of scrolling to read, and the screen on the Luxe is not the most responsive at the best of time. You also lose out on all the basic functions that are becoming standard with the more versatile fitness trackers: no touch payments, no counting stairs climbed, no GPS, etc. On top of that, when you tell the Luxe that you’re starting some kind of physical activity, for some reason it refuses to enter any kind of “lock-screen” mode, so I found myself constantly activating the screen while playing sports of exercising, and often would finish what I was doing only to find that the Luxe had misread my movements and stopped tracking the activity ages ago.
On top of all this, you have the usual Fitbit issues that I really do find annoying. Half the functionality of this device, as with most Fitbit devices, is locked behind a subscription service that you must pay for. So not only do you pay a premium for your Fitbit Luxe, a stylish product with little functionality, but if you want access to basic information about your own activity you have to pay them every month. No thank you.
Overall, the Luxe is a product that looks nice but doesn’t do much to justify the cost. Basic functions that it does provide like counting steps or measuring your heartbeat can be done for a fraction of the price elsewhere, in some cases even on your own phone. I would not recommend it. However, if you love Fitbit already and want a prettier one, this should at least be a consideration for you. If you need a band to match every outfit and wear your Fitbit daily, this is clearly aimed at fashionable people who do so.
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Holy Crap Cereal
I love blueberries, apples, and Chia, which are three of the major ingredients found here in this cereal, though I cannot stand cranberries (which they do include but don’t advertise) but there are few of those in a single serving, so I can... +
I love blueberries, apples, and Chia, which are three of the major ingredients found here in this cereal, though I cannot stand cranberries (which they do include but don’t advertise) but there are few of those in a single serving, so I can tolerate them.
This cereal, bizarrely, is pretty bland if you eat it as a cereal, but is actually very good if you use it as a topping. Drown it in milk and eat it like that? No thanks. But sprinkle a bit on top of your yoghurt or your oatmeal? Absolutely delicious. It gives you a great crunchy texture, the flavours stand out much more, and the chia blends in very well.
In terms of nutritional benefits, just 2 tablespoons of this cereal has 6g of fiber and 4g of sugar, which can be a great boost to your digestive health and also helps to make my breakfast much more filling without also making it much sweeter.
Overall this cereal is better suited as a topping, but if you use it right it tastes great, isn’t too sweet, and is good for your health.
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Dial clean and gentle
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this as my experience with scents has been mixed, but it seems like Dial have a good restraint when it comes to scents (possibly as it’s gentle). This scent was not only lovely, but it wasn’t overwhelming or fakey... +
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this as my experience with scents has been mixed, but it seems like Dial have a good restraint when it comes to scents (possibly as it’s gentle). This scent was not only lovely, but it wasn’t overwhelming or fakey smelling like many scents these days. It’s a nice gentle floral smell that I enjoyed.
I also love the foaming effect. I normally need two pumps or one big pump of soap, but the foaming soap spreads easily and lets you clean more efficiently with just one small pump.
I would definitely buy this in the future!
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Silk'n toothwave
It’s unusual to associate Silk’N, a famous skincare and hair removal brand with teeth cleaning, but the Toothwave is a new direction for them. It’s clear from their other products that they’ve been researching the science of Radio Frequency... +
It’s unusual to associate Silk’N, a famous skincare and hair removal brand with teeth cleaning, but the Toothwave is a new direction for them. It’s clear from their other products that they’ve been researching the science of Radio Frequency technology and have discovered a novel and fascinating use for it; cleaning teeth. Dental Radio Frequency is so new that this is the first device of its type. Previous to this, Ultrasonic was the top of the line, I believe.
While this toothbrush will be out of the budget range for some, it’s not that much more than a top of the line Sonic brush and for those who are willing to flash the cash, it promises some incredible benefits including removal of tartar over time, reduction in staining and whitening of the teeth, as well as above standard cleaning. I can’t say if this is accurate, but even though my teeth weren’t that bad, I’ve definitely noticed some whitening and stain reduction in the mere three weeks that I’ve been using the Toothwave (twice a day).
My experience has been very positive, with only two small negatives other than cost to say about this novel new toothbrush technology. Firstly, The instructions and introduction could use improvement, especially at this price point. They are simple and easy to understand, but actually too simple! I’m a classic overthinker, but I wasn’t sure if I should use this like a manual or like a sonic toothbrush (brushing or holding against tooth) and had to ask Silk’N support. I also found a good video on Youtube which explains how to use it, info which isn’t featured in the product. They do answer a lot of questions and describe the product well, but adding some key info such as method of brushing and why use vibration versus turning it off, should be considered.
I do love that they allow you to use the Radio Frequency without vibration as I found the vibration far too high-pitched and ticklish on my nose and mouth roof. But I also wasn’t sure if I was missing out on any extra ‘cleaning’ by turning the vibration off. It’s great that the Dental RF is on all of the modes, regardless. It does take some getting used to brushing without the buzzing, but it’s also great to get your teeth really clean without that noise, especially if you need quiet in the mornings and evenings.
I found my teeth felt as clean as with my other high end brushes, but I did notice some whitening and stain removal over the time as well. Since I have sensitive teeth I can’t use traditional whitening methods, so this made me very happy! I have metal fillings and experienced no pain or discomfort, though they do say you might experience that if you have a cavity and should see a dentist if you do. While brushing, you do feel the squeaky ‘rubber’ feeling of the toothbrush moving against your teeth, if that will bother you then you won’t love this.
The second small negative is the expense of replacement heads, which are quite pricey.
On the plus side, the battery lasts a really long time and the design is comfortable to hold. Whether or not Dental Radio Frequency becomes the future standard of toothcare is unknown, but I think it did a really good job and look forward to seeing if this technology progresses or is further proven in the future! I think this brush is a good buy for those who want the best tech soonest (especially health tech) or who have a large budget and really want to care for their teeth.
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Stoked Oats Run of the Mill Rolled Oats
Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast or snack option and this is a yummy oatmeal for sure! If you need gluten-free oats (they are often processed in factories with gluten items), organic and non-GMO etc, all that fancy stuff, these are a good choice... +
Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast or snack option and this is a yummy oatmeal for sure! If you need gluten-free oats (they are often processed in factories with gluten items), organic and non-GMO etc, all that fancy stuff, these are a good choice based on taste.
While I don't always go in for the most natural stuff and I feel GMO's have their uses, I really appreciate the commitment of Stoked Oats to certain things. From protecting people with gluten intolerances or allergies to their insistence on local, carbon negative, pesticide-free and rainwater grown oats; I'm impressed. While non-GMO is kind of a buzzword, I think we can all get behind buying locally and protecting our planet from the impact we have on it.
If you think it's worth it to do that, then Stoked Oats could be the perfect option for you.
I found these Rolled Oats were nice and thick and yummy and my family definitely enjoyed the taste. The bag design is nice and easily resealed and the fact that they are Canadian grown is just a massive bonus. Would definitely buy in the future!
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Shark® Rotator® Lift-Away® with Self-Cleaning Brushroll Upright Vacuum ZU572
I've been using cordless vacuums for a few years and they come with their own set of problems. Basically, if you prefer corded, or are willing to sacrifice that for a super strong vacuum, you’ll be thrilled with this. The suction power here is... +
I've been using cordless vacuums for a few years and they come with their own set of problems. Basically, if you prefer corded, or are willing to sacrifice that for a super strong vacuum, you’ll be thrilled with this. The suction power here is miles ahead of other corded vacuums and especially cordless ones.
I have mostly hardwood floors, with some door mats that are ‘carpeted’ and I found this did a fantastic job at picking up everything from cat hair, to stray wooden litter, to accidentally dropped craft supplies and food. It will suck up everything, so make sure you lift toys and whatnot before using it!
It does have some downsides, which I’ll discuss, but as well as offering stupendous suction power, the added Pet power brush is amazing at cleaning upholstery. My tufted velvet sofa is notorious for being difficult to clean and so far the best option I’ve found is a roller. The Self-Cleaning pet power brush attachment included is fantastic and even gets the stuff trapped in the ‘tufts’.
Which leads me to one of the negatives. The lightness of the vacuum is actually a double-edged sword. It’s obviously heavier than a cordless handheld vacuum, but considering the monstrous size of this vacuum, it’s actually not that heavy. Presumably this is a result of their newer, lighter model. It’s a bit of a trade off though, because it being so light means when you’re using the ‘wands’ the vacuum easily tips over. This is compounded by the hose not being stretchy or long enough.
I was happy with the cord length, which is really long. While I still prefer cordless overall, you need to pay about double this amount for a decent cordless vacuum.
The versatility of this vacuum is a big plus, I can see it being great for somebody like a cleaner. It’s lightness despite the size and the ability to ‘lift-off’ the top to reach higher areas, is really great. The wand also retains a lot of power as a result, so my bathroom fan has never been more dust-free!
I’m not the biggest fan of the design choice, which I feel is old-fashioned and clunky looking, but I really can’t complain about the function of the Shark Rotator Lift-Away, which prioritises function and strength of suction over everything else, making it a well-rounded, strong vacuum for those who want a serious clean!
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Face Halo X
I don't understand how these work. Is it magic? I mean definitely, possibly yes... Having recently tried (and hated) another Face Halo product, I was very skeptical about these. I had heard insanely good things about the regular Face Halo (and... +
I don't understand how these work. Is it magic? I mean definitely, possibly yes...
Having recently tried (and hated) another Face Halo product, I was very skeptical about these. I had heard insanely good things about the regular Face Halo (and these are just a different shape/size), but beauty bloggers aren't always trustworthy.
Well, I can confirm that these work. They remove makeup. With just water. Even waterproof mascara and I have NO idea how such a thing is even possible, but having used it with my hands...I can't deny it. So I can immediately and fervently recommend them based on my experience.
They are definitely on the pricey side, but since you'd pay around $20-$25 for reusable cotton pads and anywhere from $10-$100 for a good makeup remover...I don't so much mind the cost. It really depends on your budget.
Needless to say I'm impressed. Before trying the Face Halo X, I removed a face-full of makeup and it took me ten cotton pads and my face still wasn't clean. On top of that my skin was burning from the scrubbing and even with micellar water and makeup remover that's gentle, it was very painful. After using this, no pain and nary a trace of makeup. I did have to saturate the pad with water, but that is really...incredibly simple.
So yes, I recommend you buy this without hesitation, if taking off makeup is the bane of your life. Absolutely brilliant.
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