I'm back! But not really...

It's been 6 months without a new post/review from me, but wait...I can explain.  My baby bundle of joy was delivered in June and it's been busy busy busy ever since (those of you with babies/kids can relate, I'm sure!).  Plus, after delivery, my skin went haywire so I have not been putting on makeup or trying out any new skincare products in my attempts to get things back on track (Cetaphil, Aveeno, and CeraVe have been my go-to products of late).  However, I promise once things have returned to some sort of normalcy, I will continue to post my reviews as I have a pile of stuff that's waiting to be used.  Thank you for your patience and happy holidays!

finished goods - may

May was a slow month for using up products, mostly because I've been so tired I haven't been as diligent on my evening cleansing/moisturizing and morning primping routine.  Here are the finished goods for the month of May:

• H2O+ sea salt body wash
• H2O+ bath aquatics shampoo
• Skoah smooth talk body lotion
• Laura Mercier perfecting water rich hydrating water
• Skoah klearity mask (sample - not pictured)
• The Mentholatum Company lip ice lip balm (not pictured)

Here's hoping next month's finished goods post will be a tad more exciting.

 

beauty box five - may 2013

I finally received my BB5 box yesterday.  On top of the delay in receiving the box (mail-outs were a bit later for the month of May - I was expecting this box at the end of May/early June), I was extremely unimpressed with the products provided this month.  Here is what I received (amounts listed are the sample values based on full-size retail value and are listed in USD):

1. Jean Pierre tanning towelettes. 2 towelettes, $1.78

2. Model Co black eyeliner.  Full size, $18

3. Coolway transform styling spray.  3.3oz, $12.29

4. La Fresh deodorant wipes.  2 wipes, $0.83

5. Brazen ultraglaze lip gloss in Centerfold.  The container received does not look to be the full-sized version, which retails for $8.99.  I am going to estimate the sample received is worth about $2 in retail value.

The total estimated retail value of the box was $41.89, mostly inflated by the Model Co eyeliner (I would never pay $18 US or Canadian for a plain ol' pencil eyeliner, whether or not it comes with a built-in sharpener).  However, overall, I found the contents of the box very disappointing as there isn't a single product that I'm actually excited to try.  Come on, BB5 - I don't mind receiving products from the same handful of companies (I like the Tree Hut and H2O+ products I have received so far in earlier boxes), but at least send me something I can use!  Hopefully, next month's box will be better (or at least on time!).

Product reviews to follow.

klorane frequent use extra gentle protection oat shampoo

I had seen Klorane products advertised in magazines for years (especially for the oat shampoo and the dry shampoo) but had not gotten around to giving them a try since they were a little on the pricy side.  A couple months ago, I was at Shoppers Drug Mart and saw a bonus-sized bottle of this shampoo for a great price and immediately snapped one up.

The extra-gentle shampoo is paraben-free and is intended for those who wash hair often (i.e., daily) and/or those with fragile hair.  It contains oat milk, which is supposed to soften and protect both the scalp and hair shaft.  Given that I have had positive results with other skincare/beauty products containing oats (especially Aveeno products, which worked miracles on eczema that I had as a child), I had pretty high hopes for this product.

And boy, did the shampoo deliver.  I've been using this product pretty much daily for a few weeks (alternating once in awhile with a couple other shampoos currently in the rotation) and am loving it.  The shampoo is white and milky in texture.  A quarter-sized dollop is typically what I use for my shoulder-length hair.  The scent is not overpowering and reminds me a bit of Dove or Ivory soap - just a nice, clean, scent.  The shampoo rinses clean out of my hair without leaving it feeling sticky or weighed down (even without blow drying or heat styling!).  My hair feels soft and clean, but not dry afterward.

Verdict: it's rare to find a shampoo I love, but this one pretty much fits the bill.  If I notice any changes over the next couple months (due to pregnancy/baby hormones), I will provide an update, but this product is definitely a keeper!  ~200mL bottle, C$12

 

*Above picture from Klorane product website.
 

yves rocher ultra matte shine reducing moisturizer

This moisturizer was purchased back in February along with a bunch of other stuff from Yves Rocher.  Even though my skin gets dehydrated in the winter (or so they keep telling me at Skoah), the T-zone tends to get a bit slick by mid-day.  When I saw this product and the positive reviews on the website, I decided to give it a try.

The lotion contains scutellaria extract, sandalwood essential oil, and alphloia purified extract.  Scutellaria is a type of flowering plant in the mint family and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support the immune system - not sure how that fits into a mattifying product.   The sandalwood essential oil definitely stood out to me as soon as I opened up the container as that was pretty much all I could smell.  Although the scent is definitely strong and squarely in the "herbal" category, it thankfully dissipates once applied.  

Now on to the important stuff - does the product work?  I've been applying a layer of this all over my face as a base moisturizer, then layering BB cream on top.  While the product does not deliver skin that stays matte all day long as advertised, my face did not resemble an oil patch by noon.  Blotting papers and/or powder were still required for a quick T-zone touch up to avoid excess shine in the afternoon.  I also wish the product contained SPF, but I have a feeling that would cut into the mattifying properties of the cream, considering many sun protection products tend to be on the greasy/thick/creamy side.

Verdict: The strong scent, lack of SPF, and marginal mattifying benefits of the product means I will not be repurchasing this one again.  There's nothing like good ol' powder to cut the shine, but this doesn't mean I won't keep trying out other products that claim to do the same.   ~50mL jar, regular C$27 but with the frequent YR sales, likely closer to C$11-16.

finished goods - april

It's almost the end of May - I know I'm very behind on my posts, but there's something about pregnancy fatigue that makes everything but sleep seem a little less important.  Excuses aside, here are my finished goods for the month of April:

• Skoah invigor-mint shampoo
• Skoah smooth talk body wash
• Skoah refresh body wash
• Cake velveteen hand creme - unsweet
• Benefit moisture prep toning lotion
• Aveda invati exfoliating shampoo & conditioner
• Proclaim cocoa shea butter hand and body lotion
• Lancome bi-facil double action eye makeup remover
• Dior hydration jeunesses serum 
• Biotherm aquasource deep hydration replenishing gel
• It's a 10 miracle hair mask 

May's going to be a light month for finished goods but I'm going to keep chipping away at it.  And for those who like reviews, I will try to catch up as soon as possible.  Thanks for your patience!

h2o+ bath aquatics natural spring shampoo

I received a deluxe sample of this shampoo in the February edition of BB5.  Other than being a devoted fan of their Mariel fragrance all throughout high school and most of my university years, I haven’t had an opportunity to give H2O+ products a try, so I’m quite happy to see various products from their bath/skincare line show up in my last few BB5 deliveries.

The Bath Aquatics natural spring shampoo is formulated specifically for fine hair, which I was happy to discover.  Most drugstore and salon shampoos have proven to be too heavy for my hair, leaving it (especially my bangs) limp and slightly greasy looking even immediately after washing.  This version contains Iceland moss, watercress and pro-vitamin B.  Although the website says the fragrance contains hints of water lilies, fresh-cut greens, lemon, mint and jasmine, the shampoo just has a nice, clean scent to me.

What I loved about this shampoo was how it seemed to rinse cleanly out of my hair without making it feel dry or knotty afterward.  A little bit of the product goes a long way, as it foams up nicely with water.  I’ve been using my [size] sample for over a week and haven’t reached the halfway mark yet.  I did not feel the need to use conditioner or detangling spray to comb through my hair afterward.  Even without blow drying, my hair did not look or feel greasy once it had completely air-dried. 

Verdict: A bit on the pricey side, but I can see myself alternating this one with my other hair-thickening shampoos.  Definitely a strong candidate on the full-size purchase list.  ~250mL bottle, US$14   

h2o+ spa sea salt body wash

A sample of this product came in the March edition of BB5.  Since I’m making a conscious effort to use up some of the sample sizes in my stash before buying any new full-sized products, I decided to start on this one (plus, I thought it would be a nice complement to the H20+ shampoo I was also trying out).

According to H2O+’s website, the body wash contains European sea salts, red marine algae, Japanese green tea and pro-vitamin B.  The product feels like a typical body wash – not too thick nor thin – and it lathers up nicely.  The smell of the body wash took me by surprise.  I knew the product contained sea salt, but I wasn’t quite expecting the scent of the body wash to be so sharp.  It definitely reminded me of body scrub treatments that I have had in the past.  The scent doesn’t seem to linger after the product is rinsed off, but the sharpness of it takes away from the whole bath/shower experience for me.

Otherwise, the body wash was decent – there were days where I doubled up on showers and the body wash did not leave my skin feeling tight or dry.  However, I would say that this is pretty standard compared to other body washes (including drugstore brands) that I have used in the past. 

Verdict: The scent was a little off-putting and the product itself was really nothing special – I will not be purchasing this in the future.  ~60mL travel sized-tube, US$5 [note: no full-sized version appeared to be available on H2O+’s US website at the time this was posted].  

beauty box 5 - april 2013

This month's BB5 box arrived just over 2 weeks after shipping, which is an improvement over last month.  

Here is what I received in this month's BB5 box (amounts listed are the sample values based on full-size retail value and are listed in USD):

1. La Fresh instant body soother wipes. 2 wipes, $0.83

2. Brazen Cosmetics eyeshadow in Birthday Suit. 0.18oz (assumed full size received), $7.49

3. Minxxette brush hanger. Small, $4.69

4. Jean Pierre Cosmetics oil absorbing tissues. 50 sheets, $1.99

5. Model Co illusion lip pencil. Full size, $20

The total value of this month's box was $35.  With the exception of the brush hanger (which I likely won't get much use out of) and the Brazen eyeshadow (loose powders are messy and I already received one in last month's box), I'm pretty happy with the products offered. 

Product reviews on the above to follow. 

kiehl's ultimate thickening shampoo

I am always (and I do mean always) in the market for a product that will (i) prevent or at least minimize some of the seasonal shedding that I go through or (ii) make my hair appear a little fuller.  Kiehl’s products have a pretty good reputation based on user reviews floating around on the Internet, so I decided to give the hair thickening shampoo a try.

According to Kiehl’s website, the shampoo is "infused with a blend of thickening polymers, naturally-derived proteins and an Omega-6 essential fatty acid derivative to fortify and texturize thinning hair. Combined with these is a blend of nurturing Vitamin E and Rosemary, Peppermint, and Cedarwood essential oils (for a stimulating sensation on scalp), to create a gentle formula that helps reinforce hair strands for a noticeably thicker, healthy-looking appearance and improved scalp coverage."

The product is white and creamy, with a peppermint scent.  Because of the scent, I half-expected to feel a little tingly when applied, which turned out not to be the case.  The shampoo rinses off clean and does not leave much of a lingering scent.  

In terms of thickness – did it work for me?  When I take the time to blow-dry my hair properly after using the shampoo, it does seem to add a little bit of extra oomph to my hair and definitely cuts down on the static that normally strikes in winter weather.  However, if I don’t blow-dry (which is the case on most days), there is no noticeable thickness in appearance or by touch. 

Verdict: Provided it’s used consistently (I typically alternate this with a couple other shampoos) and you actually take the time to properly style your hair, this product can have an amplifying effect on hair.   I am currently on my second bottle of this product so I clearly like it enough to have repurchased it! ~8oz bottle, C$25

yves rocher 3 minutes fresh mask with lemon zest

This was one of the things I picked up in my February Yves Rocher purchase.  Yves Rocher frequently offers its products at low, low prices, which makes it very hard to resist buying them.  This little baby only rang in at C$3.99.  (Note: I’ve since had to unsubscribe from the company’s mailing list because the product offers it kept sending me were gradually chipping away at my willpower.)

The “3 Minute” aspect was what appealed to me.  Of late, since I zonk out shortly after dinner on weeknights, I was looking for something that I could slap on and wash off quickly.  This mask is a translucent yellow gel that squeezes easily out of the tube.  I typically end up applying about 1-1.5 tablespoons’ worth to my face for coverage.  It has a pleasant lemon scent – not like dishwasher or laundry detergent, but fresh.  The gel does not dry up in 3 minutes, although I suppose it would if a much thinner layer of the mask was applied.  The only minor downside is that the product doesn’t rinse out that well at the sink (it could, but I would be hunched over my sink for about 5 minutes to do it); however, it rinses off in the shower in a snap, which is a concession that I would be willing to make.

After rinsing the product, my skin feels a little tighter (in a good way) and seems to “glow” a bit more.  I usually follow up with a little toner and moisturizer before hopping into bed.  I’ve used the mask about three times over the past month and a half and my skin has felt good immediately after using it.  The mask provides a nice pick-me-up after a long and/or tiring day. 

Verdict: Yves Rocher offers a number of other facial masks in their product lineup that I wouldn’t mind trying.  However, based on the positive experience I’ve had with this particular one, I would purchase this again in the future (especially if it’s still $3.99!).  ~50ml tube, C$3.99  

 

clinique vitamin c lip smoothie

I feel like I’ve written an overabundance of reviews on Clinique products, but I blame it on the gifts with purchase I’ve accumulated over the years.  The Clinique lip smoothie in came in a GWP from early 2012.  I had tried a lip gloss in similar packaging (twisting the tube to release gloss through a brush applicator) by a different brand in the past and was not very impressed with the mechanics of the design, so I was a little wary of how the Clinique version would compare.

One of the issues with this type of applicator is that the amount of product that actually gets released is quite hard to control.  This is likely due to the fact that there is a significant delay (about 10 seconds, which in makeup time can be a lot, especially when my daily makeup application typically takes about 45 seconds).  In moments of impatience, I will give the tube a couple more twists, hoping to hurry the product along, which inevitably leads to a huge glob of gloss (much more than would be required for a single application) to eventually be dispensed.

Another issue with this type of applicator is that it does not travel well.  Throwing the gloss in my purse does not seem to be a great idea, as gravity causes the gloss to slowly leech out this way or that, resulting in a goopy mess the next time you take the cap off the product to use.

The packaging seems to be the product’s downfall, which is unfortunate, because the gloss itself is actually pretty good.  The gloss does not contain any scent or flavor.  It is moderately pigmented, so it provides a sheer-to-opaque wash of colour that doesn’t overwhelm.  The colour has moderate staying power – a faint tinge of the colour was left after my morning coffee.  While the gloss is slick, it doesn’t have that bubblegum-pop vinyl shine, which I appreciate.  

A quick look on the Clinique US site shows the lip smoothie is no longer among the brand’s lip offerings.  However, this product still seems to be readily available on ebay, for anyone who is interested.

Verdict: The applicator just does not work for me.  I like being able to toss a product in my purse and not have to worry about it making a mess the next time I reach for it.  I will not be making a purchase of this product in the future (even if it’s only $5 off ebay).  

benefit moisturize moisture prep toning lotion

This “deluxe sample” came in one of my Luxe Boxes back when I was a subscriber.  Given the travel-sized portion, I had always meant to save it for a vacation, but when it came down to packing, the clunky (but attractive) glass bottle never made it into my cosmetic bag.  Since I recently finished the Clinique clarifying lotion sample I had, I decided to switch over to this version.

I knew nothing about this product prior to using it, so imagine my surprise when I tried to pour some onto a cotton pad and out came this clearish, lotion-like substance.  Unlike other liquid toners, which are meant to remove lasting traces of cleanser and/or impurities and restore the skin’s pH balance, this version is supposed to prep skin for moisturizer.  I’m not crazy about the texture of the product – it’s slimy/gooey when applied, but it does absorb into skin pretty quickly.   

According to Benefit's website, the toning lotion contains vitamin E acetate, natural oat & meadowsweet, aloe leaf and yeast extract, all of which are meant to clarify/purify and sooth skin. 

After using this for about a week, I haven’t really noticed much of an improvement in the overall moisture content and elasticity of my skin – the Skoah face kream I’ve been using has taken care of most of the dry patches, so there were no other problem areas to improve.  

Verdict: When I want a “toning lotion”, what I really want is a proper toner, not an additional moisturizer.  I did not like this product enough to add yet another step to my nighttime cleansing routine, so this will be a no for repurchasing.  ~6fl oz bottle, US$30  

aveda invati exfoliating shampoo and thickening conditioner

Knowing my penchant for hair thickening and hair loss prevention products, my sister passed on a sample of this to me when she popped by for a visit earlier in the year.  I had seen the Aveda invati line widely advertised in magazines but had not taken the plunge yet since I still had a generous supply of Nioxin, Kiehl’s, and other shampoos in my collection.

The invati line consists of a shampoo, conditioner, and a scalp revitalizer (treatment).  The little sample kit I had only came with the shampoo and conditioner (and very tiny ones, might I add, coming in at a whopping 10ml each).

My first impressions of the product were not great.  Based on the ads, I knew the line contained turmeric and ginseng, so I was prepared for the “spicy” smell.  What I was not prepared for was the runny consistency of the shampoo, which flowed freely from the sample tube.  The shampoo did not foam up like most other shampoos, although the conditioner consistency was more like “regular” conditioner.  I noticed when using the shampoo and conditioner together that my hair felt pretty greasy after, so I also tried using the shampoo only, without any conditioner. The roots of my hair still felt a little greasy, so the shampoo does not feel like it rinses out clean.

To be honest, I didn’t end up minding the smell much – it reminded me a bit of ginger and while the scent does stick around for awhile, I couldn’t smell it unless I actually held a piece of hair up to my nose, so I’m pretty sure people in my vicinity would not have found it offensive.

The level of hair loss for me fluctuates by season, and right now, I’m going through a pretty good spell (i.e., not losing too much hair despite washing everyday).  Based on this, there was no drastic reduction of hair loss and/or breakage for me during the four days I tried out the shampoo and conditioner.

Verdict: I wash my hair to get rid of the greasy feeling, not to add to it.  The shampoo and conditioner were pretty underwhelming, which is consistent to the results from other Aveda shampoo/conditioner lines that I have tried (rosemary mint, shampure).  That, when added to the heftier price tag of Aveda products, mean I will not be purchasing a full-size version of this product.  ~shampoo & conditioner, 200ml bottles, US$25 each

 

lancome bi-facil double-action eye makeup remover

I had a sample of this eye makeup remover kicking around as part of a Lancome gift with purchase from awhile back.  Up until about a year ago, I had relied on the ol’ scrub-with-a-washcloth method to remove eye makeup but realize now that it’s probably not the way to go in the long run since the skin around the eyes is more delicate than say, the cheeks.  Since then, in an attempt to preserve my youthful good looks (ha!) and to use up my beauty stash, I’ve been diligently removing eye makeup before my nightly facial cleanse. 

The Lancome eye makeup remover separates into two layers in the bottle – one is presumably an oil, and the other, some other form of liquid that is denser than oil.   The bottle is meant to be shaken up to mix together all that eye makeup-removing goodness (actual terms: the "bi-phase" formula) before use.  I liberally sprinkle this stuff on a cotton pad and dab along my eyes.

This product pretty much instantly dissolves eyeshadow, but takes a few firmer swipes to fully remove eyeliner.  This is the downside, because the product does sting if it gets into your eyes.  Nothing that a couple splashes of cool water can’t take care of, but still an unpleasant feeling nonetheless.  I can’t comment on its effectiveness on mascara (waterproof or otherwise) as I currently do not own any.  Because there is some kind of oil in the formulation, the product leaves behind a slight greasy residue that is easily removed with any facial cleanser.

Verdict: this product gets the job done, but the stinging factor is a major draw-back for me, especially since this product is marketed for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers (there is no way I would leave my contacts in when using this stuff).  I discovered a full-size bottle of this in my bathroom vanity, which was a mildly upsetting as I now feel obligated to finish using that before buying any other ones.  After that, though, this product will not make the list for a repeat purchase. ~4.2 fl oz. bottle, C$35     

beauty box 5 - march 2013

This month's BB5 box arrived late again - almost 3.5 weeks after shipping (for which I received no notification this time around...not impressed).  I can chalk up some of the delay to the Easter long weekend, but I am starting to get a little annoyed that each month, it seems to take longer and longer for the boxes to make their way to me.

Here is what I received in this month's BB5 box (amounts listed are the sample values based on full-size retail value and are listed in USD):

1.     La Fresh nail polish remover wipes. 2 wipes, $1.33

2.     Brazen Cosmetics eyeshadow in Suburbia. 0.18oz (assumed full size received), $7.49

3.     Tree Hut moisturizing lotion in Tropical Mango. 2oz, $1.44

4.     H2O+ spa sea salt body wash. 1oz, $1.36

5.     H2O+ eye lift concentrate. 0.13oz, $9.88

I was a little underwhelmed by the dollar value of this month's box $(21.50) at first, but after looking at the products, I'm actually quite happy with the contents, as they are all products that I can get some use from (unlike a couple of the products from last month's box).  While I have a slight preference for more brand variety each month, I don't mind H2O+ products and have read pretty good reviews about the Tree Hut line so I'm happy to give these products a try.  The eyeshadow will be tough to love - I'm not terribly fond of loose powders as I tend to make a mess out of the application process, especially when the powder containers (including this one) do not come with a sifter to separate out a smaller quantity of the product for dipping into.  Nevertheless, an improvement over last month's box! 

Product reviews on the above to follow. 

skoah aha mask

Since my skin gym membership will expire later this year, I feel somewhat compelled to take advantage of my 10% product discount while I still can.  A recent purchase was the AHA mask.  Although Skoah does sell physical (granular) exfoliants, their overall preference seems to be to use a mild concentration of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) instead, which is supposed to be more gentle on skin.  When I go in for my facialiscious treatment, the staff typically uses a minty mask on me.  The minty mask has a higher concentration of AHA, which accounts for the tingly feeling that has become one of the highlights of the facial for me.  Unfortunately, the minty mask is not available for purchase, but Skoah does offer the AHA mask, which has a lower concentration of AHA, as part of its product line.

The AHA mask is a clear gel formula of which you’re supposed to apply a thin layer on your face (post-cleansing) and rinse off after 10-15 minutes.  Given that it didn’t look too messy and didn’t require much of a time commitment, I decided to try this out on a weeknight.  The mask has a familiar peppermint scent (reminiscent of the treatment-only version) and goes on smoothly.  I applied a thin layer as instructed and left it on while I played a couple games of Temple Run (latest mindless addiction).  There was still a slight tingling sensation when I first applied the mask, though not as much as the treatment-only version.  The mask felt pretty dry after 10 minutes, but rinsed off easily in the shower.

How did my skin feel afterward?  Pretty great, actually!  I took a close look at my skin and there were no dry, flaky patches even before putting on moisturizer.  While my skin wasn’t exactly glowing, it looked healthy.  A layer of hydradew on top to add some light moisture back to my skin completed my skincare routine for the evening. 

Verdict: Solid results in 10-15 minutes.  A dollop of the mask goes a long way, so the tub I purchased will probably last for quite some time.  I can see myself using this once a week without any problems.  I’m pretty sure I will be picking up one more tub of this mask before my membership runs out.  ~60g/2oz tub, C$35

 

sally hansen magnetic nail color

Since I started playing volleyball again, I’ve basically kept my nails short and polish-free (not worth the effort to paint if they’ll start chipping 10 minutes into my weekly games).  Even so, it’s always hard to walk by the nail polish racks at the local drugstore without taking a peek – those colours are just too tempting.  I caved for the crackle nail polish fad a couple years ago and more recently, I caved for the magnetic nail polish.  Since the Sally Hansen version was on sale at Wal-mart for about $5, I picked up a bottle in Kinetic Copper and decided to give it a try.

The concept is simple but the results look pretty impressive (in magazines, anyway!).  The nail polish contains metallic particles.  Once applied, a magnet is placed in the vicinity of the still-wet polish – the magnet causes the particles to shift, creating a pattern in the nail polish before it dries.

The polish itself was a little on the thicker side, but still required 2 coats on my nails.  Positioning the magnet, which is built into the nail polish cap, took a couple tries (and also caused a couple smudged nails) to get the hang of it.  Even though the cap has a little bridge built in to rest on your finger as the magnet hovers over the polished nail, there’s definitely room for error.

The result?  Metallic brown polish with golden arcs.  The effect looks pretty nice, although I can’t help but wonder how much better it would have looked if my nails were actually a decent length.  User reviews I’ve read online seem to indicate that the polish does not have much lasting power.  I found it to have as much staying power as most other “drugstore brand” polishes.  Applying a top coat every other day made my DIY manicure last for about 8 days before it became really obvious that my nails were outgrowing the polish (keep in mind that I’m not very dainty when it comes to my hands). 

Verdict: I’m more of a “slap it on and go” kind of girl when it comes to nail polish.  Even though I liked the finish of the polish, I’m not sure it was worth the extra effort, which means I probably will not be repurchasing this in the future.  ~0.31 fl oz bottle, C$7.99   

finished goods - march

It's pretty scary how quickly another month has gone by.  Since work has been pretty crazy and I've been coming home with just enough energy to make some dinner, eat it, and then get ready for bad, the reviews are a little fewer and further between, but as I still have quite a few products to go through, I have my work cut out for me.

Here are the finished goods for the month of March:

• Clinique clarifying lotion 2
• Coolway boost (not pictured) - see Note A
• Pencil Me In eyeliner in lapis - See Note B
• The Body Shop cocoa butter moisturizing stick
• Ponds cleansing cloths
• Peter Thomas Roth mega-rich conditioner 
• Bath & Body Works shampoo and conditioner - see Note C
• Cake velveteen hand creme in vanilla snow woman  
• The Body Shop vitamin e body lotion       

Notes

A - from my February BB5 box.  Given that my hair is already stick straight, there was really no purpose to using this product, so I passed it on to a friend. 

B - from my January BB5 box.  I had to chuck this one - the eyeliner just didn't work for me.

C - these were hotel-sized bottles from a hotel stay in Canmore.  Smelled great but didn't do a whole lot for me, which is consistent to my general experience with Bath & Body Works products.

I already know April is going to be a slow month as I'm working away on a number of full-sized products, but any progress will be better than none, as long as I don't keep adding to my stash! 

 

skoah gel kleanser

This was a purchase from my last skincare “workout” at Skoah.  The downside of having a different “trainer” each time I go is that they usually recommend different products which may or may not actually be good for my skin, so I usually take their recommendations with a grain of salt.  However, since my skin has been misbehaving recently (oily enough to cause breakouts, but dry on the top layer, making extractions very, very difficult), I decided to switch over to a gel cleanser to see if it would make a difference.

The gel kleanser is oil-free and claims to be free of harsh cleansing agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate (a foaming agent common used in shampoos, soaps and other cleansing products) and alcohol.  It’s actually intended for oily skin, which initially made me raise an eyebrow (I would throw myself in the combination skin category).  The gel is light blue and has a fresh, clean scent that I recognized from my Skoah facials.  It does not foam or lather up when rubbed into skin, but does leave behind a white film to let you know if you’ve missed any areas.  The product rinses off relatively easily with cool water.

My skin felt pretty good after using this product – it didn’t leave my skin feeling tight, but clean and refreshed.  It removes makeup well (except for eye makeup, which I typically remove separately before face cleansing anyway).  I have not had any new breakouts since switching over to this cleanser – so far so good. 

Verdict: I’ll need to use this cleanser for a little longer to see if it has any long-term benefits for my skin.  However, I can see myself alternating between this one and the Aveeno cleanser between seasons.  ~8 fl oz bottle, C$25  

dr. jart premium bb multi-action skincare + makeup, spf 45

When packing for a recent trip down to Las Vegas, I was about to toss the Dr. Jart Water Fuse Gel BB into my makeup bag, but decided I didn’t want to bring the clunky 1oz container with me.  Then I had the brilliant idea to break into my Dr. Jart sampler from my December Sephora purchase.  Because I had (incorrectly) assumed that it would be nice and sunny in Vegas while we were there, I picked the one with the highest SPF, which happened to be the premium BB.

After finding the Gel BB pretty ho hum, I didn’t have high expectations for this one.  As a result, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this BB cream.  When I first squeezed some out of the tube, I was a little concerned as the cream had a grayish tinge to it, which I though in turn would make my skin look dull.  As soon as I put the BB cream on, however, any trace of concern faded away.  The BB cream, which comes in one "universal" shade, blended easily into my skin without excess blending.  It provided medium coverage, which is more than any of the other BB products that I have tried to date – it did a great job covering up my freckles and would work well on minor imperfections.  The cream provided a semi-matte finished that lasted well into the afternoon, which was great for me, as my forehead typically starts to look like an oil slick by noon.

The staying power of this product is strong.  Maybe even a little bit too strong.  As I was travelling, I opted for the lazy route and used cleansing cloths (Pond’s was the choice for this trip) at night.  I ended up having to use two cleansing cloths (both sides of each) to remove the BB cream to my satisfaction.  When I used the BB cream at home after the trip, I went through two rounds of cleanser in order to pass the toner test (i.e., no makeup residue on toner-soaked cotton pad when used after cleansing).  Considering I don’t actually need to apply very much of the product (not even a dime-sized dollop), I was quite surprised that it required so much effort to remove.

As with other BB formulations I have tried, I did not notice any improvement to my skin condition, even though the product is supposed to be infused with white gold for skin brightening and anti-aging benefits.   

Verdict: Even though the cream seems to stick to me like glue, I really like the coverage, finish, and overall feel of this product and would definitely consider repurchasing in the future.  ~1.4oz tube, C$47

  

the body shop cocoa butter moisturizing stick

One of my sisters-in-law gave this to me for Christmas with nothing but great things to say about how it prevented her from getting stretch marks until her final month of pregnancy.  I had read enough pregnancy-related books to learn that there's really no miracle product that will fully prevent stretch marks from forming (come on, people - it's a baby - how can there be no stretch marks?!), but since I had this tube in my hot little hands, I decided to give it a try anyway.  

The moisturizing stick comes in a deodorant-like twist-up container.  It's got a creamy white colour and has that very identifiable cocoa butter scent.  Also similar to deodorant, it left whitish stains on the black lounge pants that I've taken to sleeping in.  According to the Body Shop website, the product contains Community Trade cocoa butter, which is an excellent moisturizer that melts at body temperature, is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, and is recommended especially for dry skin and pregnant women. 

For almost every night for 2.5 months, I dutifully applied this to my stomach area at night before going to bed.  Even though I'm not crazy about the smell of cocoa butter, I didn't mind the scent - probably because the product was kept well away from my nose and shielded by my clothing.  I wasn't convinced on the product's ability to "melt at body temperature", as it didn't apply smoothly.  Plus, this product goes on colourless and is pretty lightweight, which made it hard to gage how much I had put on or if I had missed any spots.  It did feel moisturizing when applied, although any such effects seem to disappear by morning.

Verdict: Now in month 7, I most definitely have stretch marks on my stomach (surprise).  Sorry ladies - no miracles here.  I'm going to have to take a pass on purchasing this one.  ~75g, C$16