wonderwhatif
Member Since: January 26, 2015Reviews
Remington studio thermaluxe ionic hair dryer
Full disclosure, I have short hair, so keep in mind that I'm reviewing this from the point of view of someone with short hair. I often wear my hair naturally wavy, but use a blow dryer when I want it to be straight and neat. Simply put, this hair... +
Full disclosure, I have short hair, so keep in mind that I'm reviewing this from the point of view of someone with short hair. I often wear my hair naturally wavy, but use a blow dryer when I want it to be straight and neat. Simply put, this hair dryer delivers everything it promises. I did notice a big difference in terms of flatness and frizz reduction when compared to my 'normal' hair dryer.
The third heat setting I found to be far too hot, but the second was a good temperature and if you keep it at the first, it's lovely and cool. This does make the cool shot button a little redundant. Sure, it's colder with cool shot, but I prefer a button I don't have to hold in. They also have a couple of 'power' settings so you can choose how forceful you want the air.
The only small negative is this hair-dryer is a little heavier than a cheaper 'normal' one. I wouldn't describe it as lightweight, but perhaps for this 'ion' type it is. Something to keep in mind.
For me, the two standout features (other than more smooth hair) were the tangle-free cord and the inclusion of accessories. A lot of hair-dryers don't come with both a diffuser head and a concentrator head (2 heads total), but this one does. Since I like to vary my hair from wavy to straight, this makes it perfect for someone like me. The tangle-free cord actually works and has a good length too.
Lastly, it just looks awesome. The gold and purple is gorgeous and undeniably cool (Saints Row anyone) and the design is sleek and well put together. A+ dryer with great results.
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VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Race & Play Adventure Park
I was really surprised to see how low the price was. Comparing it to other toys of this size and type, it's a really, really fair deal that makes this a 'buy' in my opinion. While there's some room for improvement, the fact that it's not over-priced... +
I was really surprised to see how low the price was. Comparing it to other toys of this size and type, it's a really, really fair deal that makes this a 'buy' in my opinion. While there's some room for improvement, the fact that it's not over-priced makes a big difference.
So let's get the really bad stuff out of the way. That would be assembly. This might not be a dealbreaker for everybody, but certainly, you should be aware. While the text of the instructions is clear, the pictures (greyscale and super zoomed in when you need to see a bigger section) and leaflet are just poorly done. It's one of those 'foldable' leaflets where you are always turning it and opening it trying to find the next instruction. You'll need a long thin crosshead screwdriver (not provided) and if you don't have the exact right one, you're going to fit a speed bump right away.
The straightforward truth is that with two people, assembly on this was two hours of straining nightmare. Don't even attempt if you have a bad back. The stickers are also required to be applied by you and while it's not nearly as nightmarish as some (they don't immediately stick and refuse to budge), it takes up a fair bit of the assembly time. The other issue is the size of the toy makes it a bigger job.
That being said, once it's all assembled and works properly it's a riot. The idea is you can take the car up the ramp and then onto the catapult (the most fun part) and then it flies around a little track. The annoying part comes in when it doesn't work as intended. Depending on speed (which there's no way to control) the car often flies past the catapult bit or flips when going down the track. Both of these require picking the car up and placing it again. When it does work and can be done 'all in one' it's so much fun, it makes me wish it worked perfectly every time.
That said, my little testers did have tons of fun with it. I didn't find it too noisy and 'Gavin the Go-Kart' has plenty of sounds and phrases. He's the only part that takes batteries, they come included and he can be turned off if the noise annoys you, those are all big pluses for me. The age states 1-5, but I personally feel 1 is a little young for this toy. It's not designed for different types of cars, but you can use them nonetheless and there's also add-on tracks you can buy.
Overall, it's a good toy and worth the price, but could be improved a little by coming with stickers pre-stuck and more finesse so the track works perfectly everytime. Don't forget to put time aside for assembly!
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Littlest Pet Shop Cruise Ship
The three pets included, an octopus, a cat, and a turtle, are all very cute and can be added to a much larger group of collectable pets that kids are encouraged to collect. The octopus is the smallest of the three, and along with the small drinks... +
The three pets included, an octopus, a cat, and a turtle, are all very cute and can be added to a much larger group of collectable pets that kids are encouraged to collect. The octopus is the smallest of the three, and along with the small drinks included, it's small enough to be a potential choking hazard, so I wouldn't give this to a child under the recommended age of four. As seen on the front of the box, a hat is included for the turtle to wear, but I was disappointed to find that it can't actually wear it. At best it can be bent to wrap around his head, or it can balance on top of his head, but either way it tends to fall off if he's moved at all. Similarly, items like the little drinks have a bad habit of falling over and getting lost, as they're easily tipped and there's no place intended for them to go. My little testers were quite annoyed by this and I have to say, I almost wish there was more of a 'peg' system for items. I would prefer less places to put them and that they don't get knocked over or lost and since my kids were a little older, this bothered them too.
Probably the best part of this cruise ship set is the little moving surfboards on the top deck, because there are three boards with pegs for each of the three pets included, and because you can turn a little knob to make the boards bounce up and down. The slide and the little basket elevator were also particular favourites of ours. You can use even non Little Pet Shop toys on the slide. Most of this toy is about the imagination, but the surfboard movement and slide are fun on their own.
There are only a few areas of the ship with pegs to attach the pets, and the surfboards are one of the only areas that include an interactable element. Kids with a good imagination will probably have a great time making up their own games to play with this cruise ship set, but otherwise there's very little for kids to actually do with this toy, as it's mostly static. In my opinion, this makes it better for kids around the age pictured in the promo materials. That's the perfect age when they are making up stories. The fact that it's a boat is a nice novelty as a lot of 'house' toys are available, this is a bit different.
The cruise ship can be sealed up when not in use, which makes it easy to store without creating a mess. Even elements that fold out, like the set of three platforms on the bottom, can fold back inside for easy storage. The additional pieces, like the drinks and the lounge chair, can be kept inside as well to avoid losing them.
Overall, I like the design of this cruise ship set, and the pets themselves, but I wish it was more interactive and less prone to having parts that fall all over the place if moved at all.
Note: Assembly is mostly easy, but stickers must be applied
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Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil, Hexane Free for Skin and Hair, 16 oz / 473 ml
I'm always continually impressed by the quality of the Viva Naturals products I've used and this one is no different! The ingredients are simply 100% sweet almond oil. That's it. Nothing questionable, but exactly what it says on the label. For those... +
I'm always continually impressed by the quality of the Viva Naturals products I've used and this one is no different! The ingredients are simply 100% sweet almond oil. That's it. Nothing questionable, but exactly what it says on the label. For those curious, it's 'sweet' not because of the taste, but because there are two different type of almond trees and this comes from the sweet one. In fact, this oil is completely colourless and tasteless. Even my crazy tastebuds couldn't detect anything. It's also completely fragrance-free. This is the right product for those who can't stand all the colour and fragrance additives or are sensitive to them.
I've been using it mostly in homemade cosmetics and face potions, it's a great carrier oil, but I also tried some of the suggestions on the bottle. It makes a great massage oil, but it is still an oil. As such, don't expect it to absorb completely, it takes time. It's not greasy or weird feeling, but it's an oil and thus feels oily.
I found it worked better on certain parts of my dry face skin, it did a great job on the peely edges of my eyebrows, but didn't work as well on the edges of my nose. I noticed an immediate difference in my cuticles and finger skin. Worked great to remove my lipstick too. This stuff really has a lot of uses, but it works best if you look up some recipes and combine it with other stuff.
Feels really good quality and I love that it comes with a pump cap and well as a regular cap. More importantly, the pump cap can be turned 'off' so you don't accidentally spill it.
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The Motherhood Collection 6 Pack ULTRA SOFT Baby Bath Washcloth
One thing I will say is that, true to claim, these are incredibly soft and thus suitable for babies (or anyone with sensitive) skin. That was probably the only positive thing I could say about these cloths sadly. They look and feel cheap. They have... +
One thing I will say is that, true to claim, these are incredibly soft and thus suitable for babies (or anyone with sensitive) skin. That was probably the only positive thing I could say about these cloths sadly.
They look and feel cheap. They have a shiny short of texture that makes me think of cheap sheet and towels. They are incredibly thin (one layer only, with a folded over sewed edge, like those you would make at home from scraps) and absorb water well, but water also drips out of them very quickly so it doesn't really hold it. I will say that they are very gentle and soft to wash with, but feel a little on the 'dryer' side once wrung out, so if you prefer a thicker, wetter cloth they might not be right for using both with baby's skin and yours.
My real problem with these is the quality. Apart from looking and feeling cheap, they are essentially made up of tiny loops of thread that will immediately catch on everything. Gently opening the paper circle, I somehow snagged three of them, just with my finger, creating a large loop. If you pull, it only gets worse, of course if you cut, you risk a hole. Don't feel these will last at all.
They also have a very strong smell (bamboo maybe) that hasn't gone away even after washing, though it has reduced. Just not very impressive in my experience, though they are soft like they claim
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Viva Naturals Organic Argan Oil
Even though Argan oil is primarily known as a haircare thing (you might have noticed a lot of store brands touting it as an ingredient in their shampoo) it has a lot of other uses too! I found this absorbed into my skin quicker than other oils I've... +
Even though Argan oil is primarily known as a haircare thing (you might have noticed a lot of store brands touting it as an ingredient in their shampoo) it has a lot of other uses too! I found this absorbed into my skin quicker than other oils I've tried to treat drier skin and did just as good a job. It's pure Argan oil, with no rubbish added, but it still smells amazing, so that must be its natural smell.
As always, I love that Viva sources ethically and doesn't test on animals or add anything to their products. I've already been using this on my hair and nails, but I'll definitely add it to some of my homemade concoctions too. Seems to be great quality!
The only negative for me is the cap. It has a tendency to fly straight out (this cap is more of a 'cream' application top) and I think a pump cap, like that on their almond oil, would work a lot better here.
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Pro Beauty Professional Extra Long Curling Wand, 1 Count
I was disappointed that I wasn't able to use this on my (medium-long) pixie cut, so I had to rope in a long haired friend to test it on. The problem is that unlike curling wands that I've used in the past, this doesn't have the part that opens up... +
I was disappointed that I wasn't able to use this on my (medium-long) pixie cut, so I had to rope in a long haired friend to test it on. The problem is that unlike curling wands that I've used in the past, this doesn't have the part that opens up, it's all just one long tube. This means it's really, really difficult to use on any hair that's shorter than a certain length. It's a really good curling iron, but it just won't work with shorter hair, something to be aware of.
On long hair, it's actually amazing. The extra length makes it really good for long thick hair that normally you'd have to curl repeatedly because the wand isn't long enough (my friend has hair like this). I like that they include a glove as no other wand I've used has done that and I tend to get singed fingers from the hot hair. I'm pretty sensitive to heat.
It does have a 'manual' display as opposed to a digital, but I actually prefer that style. I also like that on off switch is a toggle, so I don't ever wonder if I accidentally activated it. The 'stand' is ok, but it can fall over if you don't place it right, so it can be a bit finnicky.
Love, love, love the swivel cord. It swivels smoothly and easily and it makes curling hair so easy. Overall, does a great job, but not for short hair and better for very long hair.
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Breville The One Precision Poacher
I have to say my initial thought was that this was a crazy cost for an egg-making machine. Like most people I make my eggs in a pot. However, after learning that it does sous-vide, the added cost quickly became clear and understandable to me. So... +
I have to say my initial thought was that this was a crazy cost for an egg-making machine. Like most people I make my eggs in a pot. However, after learning that it does sous-vide, the added cost quickly became clear and understandable to me. So yes, this is mainly an egg machine, until you add the sous-vide element. Then it becomes a sous-vide that also happens to make any type of egg you can think of.
Right off the bat, I'll point out that Breville gets it right with their instruction manual. Every setting has a clearly laid out (in a slightly glossy, good quality manual) instruction done in step-by-step format. Even without the instructions, the buttons and the machine are very clear, but with the step by step instructions for each type of egg, I never get nervous about forgetting what I'm doing. As a result, this egg machine is great for those who get brain fog, or otherwise struggle with basic cooking tasks.
Let's break it down to individual cooking types (I've tried most of them at this stage, but will admit I do boiled egg more than anything else). This can boil your egg, poach it, scramble it, steam it, sous-vide it and it can ALSO sous-vide anything else you can fit in it. The non-stick pot is also removable so you get an extra cooking pot out of the deal too. The pot fits six eggs so it isn't massive, but could easily four or five chicken breasts for sous-vide. I often cook for two, so it works perfectly for me. The egg-topper works well (not so great with soft-boiled), but even better is the piercer. I always find peeling eggs a nightmare, I didn't think such a small tool could make a difference, but it's much easier to peel if you use the piercer and doesn't get those tiny shell pieces, it peels very evenly.
Some things you should know.
-Eggs get sous-vide (sous-vided?) in their shell, for other stuff you'll need a good quality zip-lock or vacuum seal bag to put it in then just clip it to the side of the pot.
- Only plastic and wooden implements (standard non-stick deal).
- Eggspert setting is essentially just in shell poaching.
- I found the soft boiled setting a little hard, but you can adjust timing to get your perfect setting.
Minor complaints:
- Must submerge the eggs very slowly unless you want them to float off of the stand.
- Can be difficult to get the probe in without touching any food as there are only two 'holes' in the pot lid.
- Pot handle on top does get hot, so you'll need a cloth or silicone glove to remove the pot lid when you use the machine.
Things I loved:
- Ability to Sous-vide
- Simple, easy and clear instructions.
- Easy to make all different types of eggs.
- Cord is not too long or messy.
- Probe holster keeps things neat.
Overall, The One Precision Poacher really impressed me, not just for poached eggs, but for all the settings. If you've been thinking about getting a sous-vide and eat a lot of eggs, I think this is definitely worth your consideration.
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Hydrating Care
Skin type: Combination. While I don't have overly sensitive skin, I prefer to use a sensitive moisturiser as they often cut down on un-needed additions and especially on strong scents. For example, La Roche-Posay made a great decision for this one... +
Skin type: Combination.
While I don't have overly sensitive skin, I prefer to use a sensitive moisturiser as they often cut down on un-needed additions and especially on strong scents. For example, La Roche-Posay made a great decision for this one to cut out alcohol and fragrance, meaning it won't irritate or dry out your skin.
This moisturiser delivered for me, in every area. It left my skin extremely soft (compared to a high-end moisturiser I was using) and seemed to really work well with my combination skin. Immediately after applying it sinks in quickly and spreads well and within five minutes you can feel the difference.
Some moisturisers I've used your skin doesn't feel soft the next day, but with this it lasts and lasts and makes a real difference to my skin all day long until re-application.
My husband has very dry skin and as an experiment I also put a little on his dry patches of skin and they cleared right up within a couple of days. This has a light creamy scent, despite being unfragranced it doesn't smell bad or very strong at all. Absolutely love this moisturiser!
Note: I #gotitfree from Chickadvisor to try, but will be buying it again!
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Natural factors stress-relax tranquil sleep
I suffer from a sleep disorder PLMD, meaning my legs kick as I am falling asleep and during sleep as a result I often have poor results with sleep aids, both natural and pharmaceutical. My problem is exacerbated by tiredness, so usually if I take... +
I suffer from a sleep disorder PLMD, meaning my legs kick as I am falling asleep and during sleep as a result I often have poor results with sleep aids, both natural and pharmaceutical. My problem is exacerbated by tiredness, so usually if I take something that makes me sleep, my legs start to kick intensely and I cannot fall asleep. I was really impressed with Tranquil Sleep because it did NOT have that effect on my legs. My legs didn't seem to kick any more or less than usual on the nights I took it.
I would caution to be sure you're ready to sleep when you take it. I found it kicked in very quickly, within ten minutes I was yawning and quite drowsy.
One of the best sleep aids I've tried. The texture is a semi-hard disc style, the same as other chewable tablets and vitamins I've tried, but the flavour is infinitely better! It's very sweet, but there's no unpleasant taste or aftertaste, it almost tastes like a delicious fruit punch. You can take up to two a night, so a pack of 60 will last a while. As always, they recommend you check with your doctor before taking, especially if you have a number of conditions, including diabetes. However, the carb/sugar count is really good on these, only 3.5 grams of Carb per two tablets, 3g of which are sugars, so not a problem at all.
I've continued to take these since receiving them and really enjoy them, definitely helped me get to sleep much faster and when I do wake up with my legs bothering me, I am able to get back to sleep that much faster. I can experience drowsiness regularly due to my condition, so I had hubby take these a couple of nights too and he confirms that they do not make you drowsy the next day. Great stuff!
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