wonderwhatif
Member Since: January 26, 2015Reviews
Viva Naturals Organic Shea Butter
There isn't much to say about this Shea butter. Whether you've used Viva Naturals products extensively (like I have) or are a newbie to this brand, the important thing to know is that they deliver on what they say. Simply put, this is shea butter in... +
There isn't much to say about this Shea butter. Whether you've used Viva Naturals products extensively (like I have) or are a newbie to this brand, the important thing to know is that they deliver on what they say. Simply put, this is shea butter in a tub, just as is listed in the product description. One of my fave things about it is that it's fair trade, sustainably sourced and also extracted in a more unrefined manner. All of this makes it perfect for my use, which is making homemade beauty concoctions both for myself and as gifts. In spring (as we are now) this has a kind of thick, buttery texture and a medium nutty smell that is easily disguised with scents, natural or otherwise. I don't like to use it straight, but it's been working great mixed in with other ingredients in my beauty recipes.
The expiry is in about two years and the jar is a decent size, I'm happy with this and would buy it in the future! My only small complaint is that I wish they made the inner seal easier to peel up (maybe a tab to pull) as it can be difficult to get open the first time.
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Clean & Clear ESSENTIALS Dual Action Moisturizer
While I had some good effects and some bad effects from this moisturiser, overall I was happy with the results, so let's start with the good. I felt like after only a week's use, my pores were a lot less noticeable and my overall skin tone had... +
While I had some good effects and some bad effects from this moisturiser, overall I was happy with the results, so let's start with the good. I felt like after only a week's use, my pores were a lot less noticeable and my overall skin tone had improved. I also felt like there was a lot less oil and shine to my face. Since I have combination skin, I liked that it dried out the oily areas without causing issues with the drier parts of my skin. Comparing pictures as well as my own feelings, it's inarguable that this moisturiser improved my skin over using no moisturiser (my regular routine is exfoliating wipes, toner and a vitamin C anti-aging serum, I switch in moisturisers as I test them). It's a good consistency, more runny than some, but not too watery and easy and fast to apply and absorb. I also like that the bottle locks.
The bad? I did have a few small zits when first using this. I'm talking less than 3, so it didn't seem to tackle those, but it really seemed to clean out my pores and reduce my blackheads. I don't have acne, but am prone to random breakouts. For me, the worst part of using this moisturiser was the menthol. I didn't realise until applying it the first time, but it has some kind of menthol or something that was very uncomfortable on my skin. I don't do well with those kind of ingredients and the first night it was so uncomfortable on my skin, especially if you get it too close to the eyes. Fortunately, it settled down over the next few nights, but I still didn't enjoy the burning/tingling sensation and for that reason I don't know that I'd use it again, even though I really liked the effect on my skin. Overall, I liked it, but I wasn't a fan of the mentholated sensation so if you don't like that, this might be a pass for you.
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Tom's of Maine Whole Care Fluoride Natural Toothpaste
Is this my dream toothpaste, no. But is it better than any natural toothpaste I've tried, absolutely yes! In other words, I wouldn't choose this over my regular non-natural brand, but if you're looking for a natural toothpaste that doesn't taste... +
Is this my dream toothpaste, no. But is it better than any natural toothpaste I've tried, absolutely yes! In other words, I wouldn't choose this over my regular non-natural brand, but if you're looking for a natural toothpaste that doesn't taste awful, this is a brilliant one! For that, I have to give them a lot of props. Let's talk texture, this has an odd one, it comes out looking and feeling like silicone caulking, but the second water touches it, it starts to bubble. Bubble, not foam, so it has the appearance of soap. Stay with me here, because even though it looks odd, the texture in the mouth is fine and it basically melts instantly and foams up a lot as you begin to brush with it. There is a slight gritty feeling, but nowhere near as much as in other natural toothpastes I've tried.
Flavour? Well, it's minty, but also has that slightly weird taste that natural toothpastes have (baking soda) maybe. It's definitely bearable and while maybe not pleasant, it's not in unpleasant - flavourwise I'd say it's ok and for a natural toothpaste, pretty good! It does have an alcohol peppermint kind of aftertaste that some people might not love, but I use mouthwash afterwards anyway.
Lastly, even the folks in our house with sensitive teeth weren't bothered by this toothpaste, so unless you have extreme sensitivity this is also a good option. For all these reasons, this is by far the best natural toothpaste I've tried and in the future I'd definitely buy it!
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John Frieda Frizz Ease Forever Smooth Shampoo
Hair type: Thick, naturally wavy, greying brunette hair. Frizzy. I used this shampoo alongside the matching conditioner and I have to say that I did like it, but it doesn't do what it promises. At least, for my hair, it didn't. I found it pretty... +
Hair type: Thick, naturally wavy, greying brunette hair. Frizzy.
I used this shampoo alongside the matching conditioner and I have to say that I did like it, but it doesn't do what it promises. At least, for my hair, it didn't. I found it pretty ironic (in a product tester kind of humour way) that it left my hair waaaaay frizzier than it normally is. I mean, the whole claim of this is to reduce frizz, so it's weird that on my hair it had the opposite effect. That being said, I liked the overall effect on my hair. It did leave my hair soft and really shiny and unlike the other Frizz-Ease I tried, it didn't leave it dull and lifeless. In terms of a shampoo, it's smack bang in the middle and I'd definitely use it again, but if you can't stand frizz it might be a deal breaker.
It's scent is similar to other Frizz-ease products and has a generic, feminine perfume smell. It lathers well and is easy to wash out and the bottle is really good both in terms of not falling over and being easy to open and dispense.
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Casper Pillow
A bit of background, I've never owned an expensive or luxury pillow before, though recently I won a differently branded one in a competition (similar price) and I have to say that the Casper pillow blows it out of the water. I have a sleep disorder... +
A bit of background, I've never owned an expensive or luxury pillow before, though recently I won a differently branded one in a competition (similar price) and I have to say that the Casper pillow blows it out of the water. I have a sleep disorder, my pillows are old and frankly, sleeping is a chore. I'm not saying the Casper fixed all that, but it definitely gave me something to smile about when I first got into bed, because it's incredibly comfortable. I tried the King size, which is really long and measures 18 x 34 inches. I'll admit, I have a queen bed, but really wanted to try this pillow!
It arrives in a cylindrical tube (which, side note, is great for re-using for storage) and almost immediately fluffs up. If you unzip you can see the 'inner pillow' which is the whole thing about this pillow, it's pillowception. I sleep with two pillows and prefer a 'firm but soft' pillow if that makes sense. If I take away my under pillow and sleep with this alone, I find I sink into it too deep. I much prefer it with a thin, harder pillow underneath to give it support while retaining that super comfortable softness. Like that, it's absolutely my dream pillow. I haven't had any problems with it, have barely even thought of it except to notice how amazing it is everytime I roll over. That's how a pillow should be, just there, doing an amazing job and not making a big deal out of itself. I would absolutely buy another of these in the future!
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AVEENO Repairing CICA Hand Mask
I was actually pretty impressed with this hand mask! I wasn't initially expecting much and I already have reasonably soft skin on my hands, but this definitely improved it. Because I wanted to see if it fit bigger hands well, I used one on my... +
I was actually pretty impressed with this hand mask! I wasn't initially expecting much and I already have reasonably soft skin on my hands, but this definitely improved it. Because I wanted to see if it fit bigger hands well, I used one on my partner's large hand and one on my own medium sized hand. Both fitted great because, frankly, the gloves are comically large. The fingers are a little on the short side though and it can make it feel a bit ill-fitting, but easier than most hair-dye gloves. You'll be able to do stuff while wearing them, but will definitely lose some dexterity. I was able to play a tricky level of a video game while wearing, but my reactions were slower.
For those with super dry skin (like my partner) I fully recommend leaving it on 20 mins instead of the recommended 10. Because it's just like a lotion, it won't damage your hands like leaving on a wash-off product for too long. With a 20 minute soak, dry and cracked hands become noticeably repaired and extremely soft! It does feel a bit weird pushing your hand in (like a bag of lotion), but once on I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. My only complaint is that on my partner's hand the 'closure' kept coming unstuck, but I didn't have that problem, so I don't know if it's a poor quality sticker issue, or maybe wrist size. The glove stays on perfectly fine by itself, so the clasp seems a bit redundant anyway.
Afterwards, you just rub the remaining lotion in, your hands will feel a bit lotiony for around ten minutes afterwards, but no stickiness and the softness is massively noticeable. It has a slightly sweet, oaty smell. Given how soft my hand is, I'd definitely use this again!
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Tom's of Maine Long-Lasting Men's Natural Deodorant
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this all-natural deodorant, but I was pleasantly surprised by what a great job it did. It’s free from artificial colours, fragrances and preservatives AND it’s not tested on animals, all things that I’m glad... +
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this all-natural deodorant, but I was pleasantly surprised by what a great job it did. It’s free from artificial colours, fragrances and preservatives AND it’s not tested on animals, all things that I’m glad to know about a product like this. The deodorant itself is a very soft gel with an off-yellow colour. It’s very soft, and goes on extremely smoothly without any irritation or residue. I feel like it uses a lot of product in one application though.
As is the case with most 24 hour deodorants, I found this one lasted closer to 18 hours. I consider this standard, as virtually no deodorant I’ve tried had truly lasted 24 hours. Despite that, I had no trouble with this keeping me scent-free for 18 hours on busy days where I was running around and sweating quite a lot. I kept expecting it to need a re-application during the day, but it lasted from early morning until late at night without any problems or even a whiff of scent.
Speaking of scent, this deodorant has a strong lemon scent. My partner liked it, but I didn't. I thought it smelled like those mosquito repellant bands or candles. A citronella type smell.
Overall, the scent depends on what you like, but for me the deodorant lasted as well as non-natural ones I've tried and I'd use it again for that reason alone.
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Xlux Soil Moisture Sensor Meter
Ok, so the first thing that needs to be said is DON'T PUT IT IN WATER. It even says it right there on the package and the listing and pretty much everywhere, so that's not a metric at all of if it's accurate. From what I can tell from a few days... +
Ok, so the first thing that needs to be said is DON'T PUT IT IN WATER. It even says it right there on the package and the listing and pretty much everywhere, so that's not a metric at all of if it's accurate.
From what I can tell from a few days use it is accurate. Using it on 'green zone' regular hardy plants that require normal watering showed at dry (though it didn't look super dry, but the sensor is reading internal and we are seeing surface soil), but when I watered it and waited a bit, it immediately went up to the green 'correct' zone. So to me, it seems as though it works. I will say that it takes very little water to increase the zone, so be careful not to overwater your plants and continue to check every day until you get a 'feel' for what each plant needs. Cacti are in the dry zone, as they should be.
It isn't the most extravagant professional feeling sensor. It's chunky plastic with a metal spike, but thus seems more sturdy and let's be frank, it's only 10 bucks (at time of review), so I wasn't expecting $50 quantity. Considering the cost and functionality, I'm perfectly happy with it.
The only flaw I could say is that having the 'list' of plants on the box means most people will toss it. I recommend taking a picture with your phone so you always have it and it might be cool if they had a list or database online somewhere, but over time you'll learn which plants need what. It's clear, easy to read and works, for bargain hunters, this works just fine!
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Burt's Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick
These bronzers (and the highlighter, which I am not reviewing) will not be right for everyone. While it's true they are natural - and more so than many of the natural products floating around at the moment - this comes with pros and cons. If you're... +
These bronzers (and the highlighter, which I am not reviewing) will not be right for everyone. While it's true they are natural - and more so than many of the natural products floating around at the moment - this comes with pros and cons. If you're looking for a really subtle shimmer bronzer that is dewy, soft, creamy and comfortable to wear, while being 100 percent natural, look no further as these deliver on all those fronts. However, take note that they are extremely subtle. Well, on my pale skin. Depending on skin colour, your results will be different, for reference keep in mind that I am Scottish and extremely pale with a tendency to redden if so much as tapped on my skin.
With that in mind, let's continue. These are not long-lasting, I have to assume this is due to them being natural. You'll get a good five or six hours wear out of these, but over time they do absorb naturally. They're not difficult to rub in either and I found a brush or my fingers had the best effect for blending. I don't recommend using this bronzer as a contour either. From what I was able to find googling, bronzer can be used as a contour and many do, but it's not it's intended use. It's supposed to give your skin more of a warm/sunkissed look and can be used in similar areas (cheek, jaw, decolletage) as contour, but I don't recommend applying to nose, chin or eyes. As these bronzers have a subtle shimmer and it definitely looks odd to try and contour properly with it. As a bronzer though, it does its job in making me look more 'warm', though as I said before it's extremely subtle. In super bright light, you'll see the glitter/shimmer, but mostly you will just have a glow that people can't pinpoint. It's so subtle it's actually hard to see with my (cell phone) camera, so apologies for that!
Because if the cream stick format, they are comfortable to wear and while they don't feel oily, your skin definitely has a sort of moisturiser feel where you applied them (like how it feels just after you apply moisturiser). They don't have a scent really, but do smell a bit like 'makeup' if that makes sense. They are perfect for older ladies or those with dry skin, because of the dewy format.
I tried two shades. Golden shimmer and Bronze splash. I felt Bronze splash was maybe a tad dark for me, but I like to use it as a shimmer stick. Golden Shimmer I had the opposite problem, it felt like the right colour, but was insanely subtle. I still like these and would use them, but if you share my colouring, don't expect a bold colour. These are a subtle, natural look, so make sure that's right for you before buying!
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John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Shampoo
I've had a love-hate relationship with Frizz-Ease in the past, I like some of their products and not others, so I keep trying. In this case, I don't feel this line was right for me. I have thick hair with a natural wave and though my hair did feel... +
I've had a love-hate relationship with Frizz-Ease in the past, I like some of their products and not others, so I keep trying. In this case, I don't feel this line was right for me. I have thick hair with a natural wave and though my hair did feel soft after using it, I also felt like it was quite lank and lifeless. To that end, I don't recommend this for those with naturally wavy hair or curls. It also promises frizz reduction, which it mostly seemed to achieve by flattening my hair, but by the next day the frizz was back. I don't mind a bit of frizz (it's my hair type that's so prone to it), but I prefer something that doesn't leave my hair so sad looking, so I probably wouldn't use it again.
However, if you have long straight hair and wash daily, this might work a bit better for you. I didn't mind the smell of the shampoo which had a medium strength perfumed smell. As in, it smelled like a generic ladies perfume, but wasn't too strong. I used it alongside the conditioner.
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