xoliana
Member Since: July 31, 2016Reviews
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
I received a sample of this with an order from Sephora. I had never used a product from the Josie Maran brand, nor had I ever used argan oil, but I immediately fell in love. Although the packet was small, there was enough oil for me to use three... +
I received a sample of this with an order from Sephora. I had never used a product from the Josie Maran brand, nor had I ever used argan oil, but I immediately fell in love.
Although the packet was small, there was enough oil for me to use three nights in a row. I was able to spread it over my entire face and neck during those three nights. I've been suffering from dry skin lately, and this felt wonderful. My face felt hydrated and nourished each morning, and my makeup went on so much more smoothly, with less caking and flaking.
Because this is 100% pure argan oil, the product had no harsh fragrance or irritants. My very sensitive skin tolerated this very well. I was afraid that putting an oil on my face might break me out because I have suffered from combination skin in the not-so-distant past, but this didn't cause so much as a single pimple.
Unfortunately, the price for a full size held me back from buying the product. I ended up going with the Kella Cosmetics argan oil instead, but if you can afford it, I see no reason not to buy the Josie Maran oil. There is also a light version which is probably more suitable for oilier skin types.
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Angelos Gluten-free Hamburger Buns
These gluten-free hamburger buns come from the Angelos bakery. They come in a package of four at the cost of $3.99. After my favourite gluten-free bakery closed down, I had to go on the hunt for some new gluten- and dairy-free buns. These were... +
These gluten-free hamburger buns come from the Angelos bakery. They come in a package of four at the cost of $3.99.
After my favourite gluten-free bakery closed down, I had to go on the hunt for some new gluten- and dairy-free buns. These were some of the first I came across, and although specified as hamburger buns, I figured they could be used on their own or as sandwich buns as well.
I've gotten so used to the hand-made buns at the bakery that these just don't hold a candle. These very much taste like "store-bought" buns. They're not particularly soft or squishy in texture, even when warmed up, and they don't have too much flavour. They're by no means bad, but I would definitely describe them as average.
If you have no other option available to you, these buns are fine. If, however, you have a specialty bakery in your area, they will probably offer something with better flavour and texture than these.
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Funko POP
The Funko Pop Vinyl Figurines are a line of collectible figures. They're known for their unique design, with big heads and smaller bodies. They come out with new lines all the time to add to their already-existing lineup of Marvel, DC, and... +
The Funko Pop Vinyl Figurines are a line of collectible figures. They're known for their unique design, with big heads and smaller bodies. They come out with new lines all the time to add to their already-existing lineup of Marvel, DC, and popular film/TV figures.
I myself own a small Sherlock figure from the BBC Sherlock line, as well as a Cosima Niehaus from the Orphan Black line. I've taken them out and displayed them in front of their boxes, but some people prefer to keep them in their packaging in case the value increases over time (sometimes they become collector's items!).
The quality on these figures is truly excellent. They're very sturdy and well-made, with no loose pieces that are likely to break off. The heads are quite large and heavy, making them kind of off-balance, so I suggest propping them up if you do take them out of the box.
The overall detail on the figures that I own is really great. Even though the features have been skewed to look very cartoony, the likeness is still their. For example, my Sherlock comes with a little violin, and his hair curls in the exact same fashion as the character's. My Cosima figurine has dreadlocks, cat-eye glasses, and a little labcoat with an ID badge! They're great.
With so many different figures to choose from, you're sure to find something that you'll like. The figures are all so cute and well-made. I would definitely recommend them for anyone looking for a new decoration for their shelves.
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Sweet Shoppe Strawberry-filled Candy
These strawberry-filled candies are available in packages at various dollar stores. These are hard candies with a chewy centre, individually packaged to resemble little strawberries. They're artificially flavoured, so while the strawberry flavour... +
These strawberry-filled candies are available in packages at various dollar stores.
These are hard candies with a chewy centre, individually packaged to resemble little strawberries. They're artificially flavoured, so while the strawberry flavour is strong, the taste is not really authentic. They're very sweet, but as you continue to suck them, I find that the sweetness kind of gives way and becomes a little more tart -- though not sour, by any means.
As I mentioned, there is in fact a chewy centre to these candies. I find that when you do get to the middle, they have a tendency to get stuck in your teeth. The centre is pretty sticky, so just be mindful that you may get little bits of candy attached to your molars for a few moments before fully dissolving.
Because these candies are basically all sugar and artificial flavouring, they offer nothing in the way of nutritional value. These are fine as a little freshener after a meal, but since they're pure sugar and they can be hard on your teeth, it's probably best not to eat too many at once.
I would recommend these candies in small doses for those of you who like sucking on fruit-flavoured treats.
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KIT Makeup Brush Cleanser
The KIT Makeup Brush Cleanser is a liquid cleanser in a squirt bottle. You spray the product onto your dirty brushes, massage the product through, and rinse the brush under water. This absolutely did clean my makeup brushes. I could see how... +
The KIT Makeup Brush Cleanser is a liquid cleanser in a squirt bottle. You spray the product onto your dirty brushes, massage the product through, and rinse the brush under water.
This absolutely did clean my makeup brushes. I could see how much cleaner they were after finishing the cleaning process. However, I do have a few issues with it:
- it tells you to rub the product through to "form a lather" -- I found it next to impossible to form any sort of lather.
- very little product comes out with each squirt, so it seemed like I was having to squirt several times for each brush (larger ones, in particular).
- I'm not sure that this process was really any faster or more effective than my normal way of washing my brushes in the sink.
The third point is probably my biggest gripe. I was hoping this would cut down on the amount of time it would take to clean my brushes, but I was still having to stand at the sink for a long time squirting, massaging, rinsing, squeezing out excess water, and laying flat to dry.
Although this definitely did its job, I'm not sure that I would pay $10.49 for another bottle of this when I achieved the same results as I typically so with mild soap and water.
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E.L.F. Studio Hydrating Face Primer
The E.L.F. Studio Hydrating Face Primer is a facial primer that you use as a base before your makeup. It has a mix of vitamins, oils, and silicones to both hydrate skin and help makeup stay in place for long hours. I was very impressed with the... +
The E.L.F. Studio Hydrating Face Primer is a facial primer that you use as a base before your makeup. It has a mix of vitamins, oils, and silicones to both hydrate skin and help makeup stay in place for long hours.
I was very impressed with the appearance of this product. It comes with a pump and has the look of frosted glass. Although the product looks green in the bottle, it is in fact clear when you pump it out and apply it to your face.
I have extremely sensitive skin as well as being overly sensitive to fragrance, so I thought it best to apply a small amount to the back of my hand before even thinking of putting it on my face. It didn't have much of a smell at all, and I didn't appear to have any sort of skin reaction, so I tried it the next day.
The first thing that struck me is how similar in texture this primer is to the Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer. They both have that silky, dimethicone feeling to them. They both glide over skin and leave the face feeling velvety smooth. This one feels just a bit more moisturizing, so if you like the Smashbox one and you have dry skin, I would recommend trying this one.
This made my makeup go on very evenly, without clinging to any of the usual dry patches. My skin is pretty hit or miss when it comes to experiencing irritation with primers, so I was a little unsure of how this would go. The ingredients worked well with my skin, however, and I had nothing to worry about.
This is a very affordable primer which did a great job of providing a smoother, more hydrated canvas for my makeup. I would recommend it to those looking for cheaper alternatives to similar, more expensive primers. Always read the label and make sure the ingredients are right for you.
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Kella Cosmetics 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil
The Kella Cosmetics Argan Oil is 100% pure, USDA organic, eco certified, and fair trade. I had received a sample of the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, and although I really enjoyed it, I found it to be quite expensive. I was able to purchase my... +
The Kella Cosmetics Argan Oil is 100% pure, USDA organic, eco certified, and fair trade.
I had received a sample of the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, and although I really enjoyed it, I found it to be quite expensive. I was able to purchase my 4 oz bottle of Kella Argan Oil on Amazon for $18.99, which is cheaper than a 0.5 oz bottle of the Josie Maran brand, and in my opinion they're equal in quality.
The bottle comes with a dropper, which makes it convenient to get just the right amount. You really don't need much -- a little goes a very long way! I find that one drop is enough for small areas of dryness, such as the patches of eczema I have on my elbow or the back of my knee. I use three drops to mix in with my facial moisturizer at night, and find that this is a perfect amount to add extra hydration to my skin overnight.
There is no discernable fragrance to this oil, aside from a fairly typical "oil" like smell. There are no added perfumes or other ingredients, making it ideal for very sensitive skin types. This is a thicker oil, meaning that it doesn't feel overly slippery when spreading it out over the skin. It sinks in well and doesn't leave a greasy residue.
My only complaint is that there was no seal around the product when it arrived. A seal not only ensures the product hasn't been tampered with, but it provides an extra barrier in case of leakage during shipment.
Overall, this argan oil is very high quality and is easily comparable to more expensive brands. It's very hydrating, and I would definitely recommend it as a natural moisturizer to those who suffer from areas of dry skin.
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Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is an interactive, story-based game. It was released in 2010 for the PlayStation 3, and re-released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4. The story follows four individuals: -Ethan, whose eldest son died in a car accident a few years prior to... +
Heavy Rain is an interactive, story-based game. It was released in 2010 for the PlayStation 3, and re-released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4.
The story follows four individuals:
-Ethan, whose eldest son died in a car accident a few years prior to the events of this story. During visitation with his youngest son, Shaun, Ethan falls asleep and when he wakes up, Shaun is missing. Ethan finds out that his son may become the latest victim of the Origami Killer, unless he follows the directions given to him.
-Scott, a former police officer-turned-private investigator who's on the case of the Origami Killer. He seems to have personal reasons for looking into the case.
-Norman, an FBI profiler with some very high tech devices at his disposal. He's also a bit of a drug addict.
-Madison, a reporter with insomnia. She's become involved in the latest incident of the Origami Killer.
During the course of the game, you play as each of these characters at different points in the story. Because this is more of an interactive film, it's not a particularly gameplay-intensive game. You could be investigating a crime scene, or you could be playing with your kid. It's not heavy on shooting, puzzle-solving, jumping, running, anything like that -- rather, the aim is to tell a story where your choices and actions have consequences. There are many different paths and outcomes to this story, making it a unique experience each time.
The reason I'm not recommending it is because I think the writing is incredibly sloppy and riddled with plot holes. I can't specify without spoiling major plot points, but sufficed to say they should have put more effort into constructing a story that made logical sense rather than trying to throw a huge twist at the end. The writing ruined the entire experience for me.
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Beyond Two Souls
Beyond Two Souls is an interactive, story-based video game. It was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2013, and re-released for the PlayStation 4 in 2015. It features Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe. The story revolves around Jodie Holmes, a young... +
Beyond Two Souls is an interactive, story-based video game. It was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2013, and re-released for the PlayStation 4 in 2015. It features Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe.
The story revolves around Jodie Holmes, a young woman who has been tied to a spirit named Aiden since childhood. Aiden gives Jodie special abilities and helps her out when she's in trouble, but there are other spirits that surround Jodie -- ones that aren't so friendly.
The game follows Jodie from childhood to young adulthood, with each chapter bouncing back and forth to a different point in time in a non-linear fashion. You play as both Jodie and Aiden, the latter of whom can interact with certain objects in a way that Jodie can't (such as fiddling with security cameras). When playing as Jodie, you'll be doing anything from attending a birthday party to going out on a CIA mission in the middle-east.
The whole idea behind this game is that it's an interactive film, more than anything else. You'll be presented with different dialogue choices throughout conversations with other characters, and you'll be presented with quick-time events -- a series of specific button presses that must be executed in time -- during more action-oriented scenes. It's not a difficult game, by any means, but it's not meant to be. As an interactive story, it absolutely works, and it works well.
The actors' likenesses is incredible here. They all performed in motion capture suits while filming every sequence, and their gestures and facial expressions were rendered very impressively on screen. The acting is just as good as if you were watching any film, and the story is captivating too.
My only real complaint is the lack of consequence. If you fail at something, nothing bad really happens. You could pretty well set the controller down during a sequence which puts Jodie in some sort of danger, and you would be fine. Likewise, making different choices doesn't impact the story as much as I would have liked -- all roads seem to lead to the same place, save for a few.
I do really love the story, the characters, and the overall experience. I can easily put aside its flaws in order to enjoy the game for what it is. I expect that even non-gamers would like this.
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Tales of Zestiria
Tales of Zestiria is a Japanese role-playing game (RPG). It was released for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC in 2015. The story follows a young man named Sorey, a human who was raised by angelic spirits called Seraphim. When dark beings... +
Tales of Zestiria is a Japanese role-playing game (RPG). It was released for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC in 2015.
The story follows a young man named Sorey, a human who was raised by angelic spirits called Seraphim. When dark beings known as Hellions begin running rampant, Sorey takes an oath to become the new Shepherd, and is bestowed spiritual power by the Prime Lords of the Seraphim in order to bring peace to the world by defeating the Lord of Chaos.
The gameplay consists of real time battles. You'll fight alongside one human companion and two Seraphim, who have their own elemental strengths (fire, water, earth, wind). You can take control of any protagonist on their own, or you can fuse a human with a Seraphim to create a very powerful fighter.
I found this game to be somewhat mediocre. Although I liked the characters and the musical score, I found the story to be quite slow and the gameplay to be pretty sloppy. Whenever I was in a battle -- particularly in close quarters of some kind -- the camera angle would always do something really strange and annoying, making it impossible to see what I was doing. I also found that there was often a lot of lag and pop-in graphics on screen, possibly due to playing on a PS3.
There were only four actual dungeons in this game, none of which were particularly clever or interesting in design. The battles weren't enjoyable for me, like they were in other Tales games. It felt like I was just mashing a bunch of buttons in order to get the job done -- no real tact was required. Additionally, they put into place some sort of action metre which gets depleted every time you move, and you literally have to stand still in order for it to refill. This makes battle all the more tedious and frustrating.
I was expecting so much out of this game after enjoying the previous two games so much. Unfortunately, this was just kind of a letdown. I'm not sure that I would play it a second time. I would suggest skipping this one.
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