Review: Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift

I'm blessed with double eyelids but the depth of the cut was different on my two eyes.  As I get older, the droopiness seems to make this difference more obvious.  Hence, my search for a good eye cream began.

So far, the only eye cream I've used is the Olay Definity eye illuminator which only helps with discoloration.  After reading some reviews, I ordered this Avon Eye Lift gel/cream.

Lid off~ The container is pretty small and cute. 

There is a protective cover to prevent the gel and cream from leaking or mixing.

Top: upper eye gel, Bottom: under eye cream

Information on the packaging:

 Product information about the gel and the eye cream.

Ingredients

The first time i tried this, I thought I saw immediately result after sleeping with this serum on.  However, I'm not sure whether I was just seeing things.  I have been using this serum/cream for 4-5 months and I don't see too much difference anymore. 

What I found

• Nice texture: the lower cream is super moisturizing and very soft
• Upper gel glides on your lids nicely 
• Not sure about the lifting effect. 
• The duo-pocket packaging is not really practical.  Some mixing of the gel/cream near the lid occurs very easily. 

Score: 3.5 out of 5

Overall: I'm not sure what to think about this after so long.  I was using it continuously for a few months.  However, even after stopping for 2-3 weeks, I don't really notice much difference.  Maybe it wasn't that much effective on me to start with.

Review: Clean & Clear finishes pore perfecting moisturizer

I can't resist showing you a lovely pic of my newly-acquired stuff animal. Ta da~  Squirt from Finding Nemo. Unfortunately he is not the main focus of this post. Look closer, closer, much closer! I actually want to talk about the moisturizer in its hands (or perhaps feet?).

So here it is...Clean & Clear finishes pore perfecting moisturizer

 

According to Clean & Clear, 

it softens the appearance of pores with light diffusing minerals to give you a beautiful, smooth finish. It’s lightweight, oil-free and won’t clog pores.

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (1.7%), Oxybenzone (3%)

What I like about it....

• SPF15
• oil free but fairly moisturizing
• no heavy or sticky feeling on the skin
• mattifies the skin
• very cheap 
• no sparkles (although it mentions about light diffusing minerals, not visible to my eyes at least)
• hygiene packaging: sleek squeezable tube

This moisturizer is fairly moisturizing even for the Canadian fall weather.  However, I did have to put on a bit more than during the summer time.  I am not so sure how it would perform during the upcoming winter time though.  I would say this is a cheap and effective moisturizer.  Don't expect anything fancy but it'll do the job.  I didn't experience any noticeable changes to my skin, which is not very sensitive to begin with.

Score: 4 out of 5

Overall: Great day moisturizer for the ones with skins that don't require special treatment.  I would recommend giving it a try.  I might repurchase it if I run out of my moisturizer stock.

Lastly, we have Squirt again...

Flexi Flats...Lifesaver for high heel lovers

Recently, I won a pair of Flexi Flats from the giveaway hosted by fellow makeup bloggers, Lisamarie and Christelle at Beauty Crazed.  I was super lucky to have won this.  Thank you Lisamarie and Christelle!  The shoes were mailed to me quickly from the company.

According to the company, 
FlexiFlats are emergency fold-up ballet flats designed to give your feet a well-deserved break from high-heels. These little saviours will give you a few extra hours on the dance floor or a more comfortable commute home.

Four sizes were available: 

• SMALL - USA 5/6 - EUR 36/37 - UK 3/4 - JAP 22/23
• MEDIUM USA 7/8 - EUR 38/40 - UK 5/6 - JAP 24/25
• LARGE - USA 9/10 - EUR 41/42 - UK 7/8 - JAP 26/27 
• XL USA 11/12 - EUR 43/44 - UK 9/10 - JAP 28/29

Don't you think it's such a GREAT idea?  I mean, how many of us have days when we left the house all proud and stylish in those NEW and AMAZING LOOKING heels, but towards the end of the day wishing that you can just take off those evil shoes and give your blistered feets some break?  Well....I am definitely one such gal.  To be honest, I can barely walk in heels and when I did, I can always predict what my day will end up like. 

Without further ado, I present....the FLEXI FLATS!   
Warning: image heavy!
You can also skip to the end to see the actual review.

Review: Oh so smooth, Pantene medium-thick shampoo & conditioner

We all have been using various different brands and types of shampoo & conditioners.  Yes, the one that's supposed to maintain your curls, keep your highlight or volumize your hair.  The list goes on.  But seriously, how many of them have actually done something amazing to our hair OR make you say, it WORKS?

I have been troubled by over-volumized hair forever.  Although my Asian hair is somewhat straight and thick, they are way too fuzzy and puffy.  Especially right after washing & blow drying them, my head becomes a fuzz-ball.  What's the use of having supposedly straight hair when you can't let them down and have them silky and smooth?

So if you have problems like mine, Pantene has found a solution for you.

The new Pantene collection offer customized hair care by hair types and the trouble you want to tackle.  There are 4 lines available: color hair, fine hair, medium-thick hair and lastly curly line. Once you have selected the particular line that suits you, you then choose from a list of possible issue that you want to fix.

Color hair:

• Color preserve shine
• Color preserve volume
• Color preserve smooth
• Expressions for blonde, bunette or highlighting

Fine hair: 

• Flat to Volume
• Dry to Moisturized
• Fragile to Strong

Medium-thick hair:

• Frizzy to Smooth
• Dry to Moisturized
• Breakage to Strength
• Flat to Volume

Curly hair: 

• Dry to Moisturized
• Curls to Straight

 So what did I pick?   Please meet my new love...

Medium-thick hair, frizzy to smooth shampoo & conditioner!  

I found that by using slightly more conditioner, it tames my hair better.  The bottom line is, use sufficient amount of conditioner suitable for your hair length and volume.

Pros

• keeps volume DOWN: no more puffy/exploded hairstyle after blow drying
• makes hair smooth and silky to touch
• keeps hair straight & fresh

Cons

• poor design of the caps, which can accumulate shampoo/conditioner.
• still have fuzzy flyaways 

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Overall: Definitely recommend trying this.  I used to think all (Drugstore) shampoos & conditioners are the same, apparently not with this new line of Pantene. I'm absolutely happy and excited that it tones down the volume of my hair!  I noticed the effect immediately after the first wash.

p.s. review products are purchased with my own money.

Review: Gatsby Oil Clear Sheet...Let's blot those oil away~

If you have oily or combination skin, you definitely want to look into blotting paper/sheets.  Of all the ones I've tried, I have to say Gatsby makes the BEST ones out there.  Their classic oil absorbing blotting sheets (official name: Oil Clear Sheet) are amazing, effective and heavy duty.  Yes you heard me.  Heavy duty!  

What Gatsby website says...

Unique film with advanced micro holes for powerful absorption of facial oil. Matte and cleans skin without stickiness Micro holes on surface of the film adsorbs sebum and user can actually feel the effect.  Soft touch, tear resistant and palm size (9cmx6cm) soft film. 70 sheets per pack. What I like about them... Soft to the touch do NOT break when using...you can TuG and PuLL on it.   Quickly absorbs oil like no other You can clearly see the oil which turns the film transparent Remove oil without drying your face Available in Asia or online.  Made in Japan.  Costs about Cdn $3 in Taiwan and on eBay.  North America stores (Pacific Mall) sell them for Cdn$6.  I usually use one in the afternoon.  My face feels clean and refresh after. Photo of a (kind of beat up) single pack Inside cover shows how you can easily remove a single blotting sheet with the adhesive tape.  I just finished the last sheet so the container is empty.  ^__^  Gatsby In Action... Here is a pretty gruesome photo showing how effective this blotting paper is. Warning: view at your own discretion.  It's kind of GROSS....ha

Review: Revlon Makeup Eraser pen

According to Revlon...
For touch ups on the go or during make-up application, our Make Up Eraser Pen quickly removes smudges, smears and mistakes without disturbing the rest of your make-up. Greaseless formula easily lifts away even long-wearing and waterproof make-up, without irritation.

Remove smudges and mistakes without disturbing the rest of your make-up. Easily lifts away even long-wearing and waterproof make-up.  

Showing the grey pen tip...

From my point of view...
I've used this eraser pen during makeup application to remove e/s mistakes and smudges from mascara.  It worked fabulously.  In the photos below, I've tested the pen on some eyeliners, mascara and eyeshadows.  I think only the Maybelline Studio gel liner is waterproof.  The pen had no trouble removing the makeup except the Covergirl LineExact liquid liner, which is surprising.  It took some good rubbing to get rid of a thin line.  However with proper usage, it can remove pretty everything and leaves you a clean canvas!

The pen tip is fairly hard and work by wetting the "problematic" area of your skin and lifting the makeup onto the pen as you glide over.  There is a limit to how much makeup you can transfer onto the tip.  It can end up pushing the excess makeup across your skin.  

Before 

After

Tips

• After erasing over the mistakes, pad the area dry with tissue or a cotton pad.  Then reapply makeup. 
• Cleans eraser tip by wiping with a cotton pad.  Stay away from tissue if you can, it leaves lints on the tip.
• For erasing bigger area of skin, clean eraser tip a few times in between.

Pros

• Easily wipe away mistakes.  No more Q-tips.  
• Precise. 
• Very travel friendly
• Cheap.  Avaialble in drugstores.  
• Good for smudge-proof eyeliners including UD 24/7 eyeliner and Maybelline studio gel liner.

Con

• May need a few strokes to remove makeup, which is perfectly fine in my opinion.

Score: 5 out of 5

Overall: Great product to precisely erase mistakes while you apply makeup OR to remove any possible smudges/creases afterwards.  Everyone should have this in their makeup bag.

Review: Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey body lotion

According to Burt's Bees....

This naturally mourishing lightweight lotion feeds your skin with milk to soften, and honey, a natural humectant, to deeply moisturize.  It's enriched with vitamin E to soothe and emollient coconut oil and beeswax to retain skin's moisture.  Long-lasting, nourishing moisture for naturally soft, smooth, and healthy skin.  It is 98.3% Natural and paraben free. 

Ingredients: water, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, coconut oil, stearic acid, beeswax, fragrance, non-fat dry milk, honey, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sweet orange peel wax, rosemary leaf extract, tocopherol, beta-carotene, xanthan gum, sucrose stearate, glucose, sodium borate, soybean oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase, benzyl benzoate, limonene, linalool, coumarin, butylphenyl methylpropiona. 

What I found...

The product I reviewed is actually the sample version found in their travel pack.  

To be honest, I was disgusted by the smell of this lotion.  The color of this lotion is a light beige color, which reminds me of foundation or tinted moisturizer.  However, the color disappeared once it was rubbed onto the skins. 
 
Pros

• Moisturizing effect is not bad. 
• Absorption is fast.

Cons

• Weird fragrance smell is way too strong for me.  It smells a bit like coconut mixed with some chemicals.  Actually I HATE IT~
• Watery when you first applied for about 20-30 second.  The lotion then gets abosrbed, leaving a slight oily feeling.
• Doesn't give your skin a smooth feeling.  I'm sorry, but when I touched my hands, there is a strong resistent feeling that prevents my hand from gliding across.  About 2 hours after the application, the resistent feeling was gone and my hands DID become soft and smooth to the touch.
• A bit pricey.  Full size Cdn $15 for 8oz (236mL).

Score: 2 out of 5

Overall: To me, the smell of this lotion outweighs any benefit it offers.  I tried using this lotion a few times but still can't bring myself to like it.  I wouldn't buy this again nor recommend people to buy the full size product without testing this first.  Sorry Burt's Bees, this lotion is just not for me.

Review: Biore Cleansing Pore Strip

Every time my family goes back to Taiwan, me and my sister would request PACKS of Biore Pore Perfect Stips be brought back for us.  It wasn't an essential part of our skincare routine but more of a fun thing to do when we have the time.  Although we only use them once in awhile, we just like them enough to stock up on these.  However, this past weekend, I have learnt something new about these strips and discovered how powerful they can actually be.  I was really amazed by it.

As you can see below, the packaging for the pore strips is quite different between ones sold in Taiwan and in Canada.  It is a lot cheaper in Taiwan so we never purchase them in Canada (another reason to stock up). 

It functions as a quick fix to unclog pores and remove the dirt, oil and blackheads.  What I recommend is to combine this with your pore-cleansing routine.  After all, prevention is always better than cure. 

How to use them?
These pore strips worked to lift off pore-clogging dirt.  You wet the nose area slightly with water then press the strip onto the nose, removing any air bubbles.  Wipe off excessive water with a towel and let the strip air dry [usually 10 minutes, depending on temperature and humidity of your location].  Peel off the strip from one edge.  Wash face with water and carry on with your typical skincare routine. 

Useful Tips...maybe these can explain WHY it didn't work for you.

• Don't over wet your nose.  Splash your nose with handful of water then let excess water drips off.  Make sure all areas of your nose are wet.  The strip needs the water to bind properly to your skins. 
• IMPORTANT!  Pull off the strip as slowly as you can.  I saw a HUGE difference.  Hmm...I think I took about 45-60 seconds.  
• Buy the version for men.  They are bigger!  
• You can cut off the edge and place these mini strips below your nostrils or wherever you wish.

Pros

• Quick fix for those ugly blackheads
• Easy to use
• Fun to examine the yucky things that get pulled out from your pores.  I'm not ashamed to say that I can spend a few minutes staring at all those nasty white and blackheads on the strip.  ^__^ 

Cons

• Expensive in North America but cheap in Asia.  
• Won't remove all blackheads.  But with patience, you can improve the success rate.  

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Overall: I would definitely recommend this if you have oily skins, whiteheads or blackheads on your nose.  These work great to quickly unclogged some pores however, you need to follow up with regular face cleaning.  Be persistent in your routine to thoroughly clean out your pores everyday.  Can't really comment on its effect in reducing pore size, as I only occasionally use these.

Review: Got 2b dazzling Shine Spray

I purchased this Got2b dazzling shine spray (175mL) from drugstore awhile back.  Although I have straight black hair, it is frizzy with fly away.  According to my hairstylist, my straight hair actually is slightly curly, hence the messiness.  A lot of Asian actually get straight perm to flatten their hair further.  However, I hate damaging my hair so I resort to hair product. 

I usually spray 7-8 times onto my damp hair then blow dry and smooth with a brush.  I have been using this now and then for awhile and currently, I'm applying this every time I wash my hair.

What I found

• Light flowery Fragrance was pleasant.  Most smell quickly goes away after blow drying.  
• Light weight & not sticky at all
• I tried applying this only to half of my hair.  No difference when I compared to the side without the product.  The comparisons were done immediately after styling and a couple of hours after.

Score: 1.5 out 5  I like using this product but it doesn't give you any obvious result.  I will finish this bottle but I won't repurchase.

Review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist sunscreen SPF60

I noticed a lot of higher SPF sunscreens this year and Neutrogena was among the brands that are advertising for their high SPF sunscreens.  I purchased a bottle of body mist sunscreen instead of the traditional lotion type due to laziness.  ^____^  I can't emphasize the importance of protecting your skins from UV damage more.  Although tanned skins might portray you as a healthy outdoor gal, in reality, you are more prone to skin cancer than the non-tanned ladies.

Blogger Beautiful with Brains have talked a lot about sunscreen including some misconceptions.  Read up on these postings if you are interested:

• Facts about sunscreen
• Applying sunscreen the Right Way
• 6 Common Sunscreen misconceptions
• Sunscreen Myths busted 

Now, moving on to the review.  Note: I'm not a sporty gal.  I used these for walking between bus stops and places I go.

 

According to Neutrogena's website...
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 30, 45 and 60 provides broad-spectrum UV protection in an ultra light sheer mist. Stabilized with HELIOPLEX, it provides photostable broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays in an ultra-light, non-greasy finish. This weightless formula applies easily to even hard-to-reach areas. It is waterproof, sweatproof and resists running into eyes. This one-touch continuous spray works at any angle.  You CAN apply this sunscreen to face. 

Pro

• Lots of product: 141g
• Quick and easily sprayed over the body
• "Fairly" light weight....IF you don't touch your skins afterward.
• "Fairly" matte finish.  I wouldn't say this is 100% oil free.  It doesn't feel greasy but then it doesn't give you a fresh, completely dry feel either.    
• waterproof + sweatproof. 
• Offers high UV protection.  Bear in mind that the sun protection factor tells you how LONG the sunscreen can protect you.  Unless you are going under the sun for extended amount of time, You actually don't really need very high SPF.   
• Bottle is really light for carrying around.  High quality packaging.  I like the feel of the bottle finish (ha~)

Cons

• If you rub your skins, you will feel some resistent due to the sunscreen.  So to me, this is not 100% light weight.  At the end of the day, this feeling doesn't go away.  So you probably want to shower before you go to bed and not in the morning.  
• The spray bottle is really wasteful.  I would say half of the sunscreen has landed somewhere other than on my skins.  Environmental polluting?  Plus, you might miss a spot without realizing. 

Score: 3.5 out of 5
I would recommend purchasing the lotion type if you want a full protection.  The spray version would definitely be useful for quick reapply during the day or when you are on the go.  I haven't try this sunscreen with makeup but I would not recommend it on face if you apply a lot of makeup.

Raving about a Toothpaste?

I am in love~  I can't believe how a simple toothpaste can be so awesome and pleasant!  I mean it's TOOTHPASTE!  Yes you heard me right.  I can't say how happy I was when I discovered this in Taiwan.  When I tried it at my cousin's place, I was awed by this green tea flavored toothpaste.  Yum~

In the past few years, green tea has become a popular scent and flavour in a lot of products, whether it is food or non-edible things.  Yet, I can never expect to see a combination as this:

Darlie TeaCare LongJing Green Tea essence fluoride toothpaste

Pros

• Refreshing, taste and smells good.  Strong green tea flavor!
• After taste is a fresh slightly sweet green tea flavour, just as if you drank some.  But much better!
• Cheap.  About Cdn $5 for 3x 160g tubes.
• Make brushing your teeth FUN and EXCITING!  Seriously...how many of us hate brushing our teeths and flushing them properly?
• Brand is well known in Taiwan.  Very easy to find in Taiwan.  

Cons

• Not available in North America. 

Score: 5 out of 5 I love love love this. Darlie actually makes a series of other cool flavor toothpastes.  If I have the chance, I might try a few others.  However, I will definitely repurchase the green tea flavour when I finished the THREE tubes I got.

Review: Burt's Bees Lemon butter Cuticle Creme

(Pardon me for the dent in the cuticle creme.  I have been using this for awhile.  At least it shows that it's really being loved by me. ^___^)

Product Info

A soothing blend of natural ingredients for intensive care of dry cuticles, brittle nails and chapped, cracked fingertips.  Massage into and around nails nightly.

95% natural and not tested on animals.

Ingredients: sweet almond oil, beeswax, lemon oil, cocoa butter, vitamin E, candelilla wax, sunflower oil, rosemary leaf extract, beta carotene, vegetable oil.

8.5g/0.3 oz

Lip Balm Marathon Review #2

As I mentioned in my first lip balm review, I have gone through many many lip balm products due to my constantly chapped and I mean SEVERELY chapped lips. Especially during winter when it's very dry, my lips will just go through cycles of drying, chapping, peeling and healing. Sometimes I thought my lips were back to normal, then the next day the nightmare begins again. Not to mention, the intense peeling process which involves my lips changing skins completely! It was not a pretty skins.

If you want to see lip balm products that I love, please see my first reviews. Starting now, I will focus on the remaining strays that I tried now and then. Two lip balms are being reviewed in this post: Nivea Soothing Care and the Blistex Lip Infusion Sheer Liquid Balm. 

So here you go...

Philips Satinelle Ice Premium Epilator HP6517 Review

I got this epilator from the Shin Kong Mitukshi (新光三越) department store in Taipei. It was the latest model at the time so the price is pretty expensive (NT $4000 = around Cdn $130).  This is probably the proudest purchase that I made while I was in Taiwan this January. I have been eying Philips epilators for awhile, hoping to find the solution to a concern of us ladies...hair & more hair! For some reason, the concept of epilators isn't very popular in Canada so I have the hardest time finding a good one in store.  I didn't want to give in to a simpler model that I can get in local Zellers or Walmart.  So I waited and waited. At last~

Lip Balm Marathon Review #1

Due to my easily chapped lips, I have tried many (I repeat many) lip balms available on the market.  Some of them were instant rejects and some being loved.  So here I am, thinking I should try to blog about the loved and hated lip balms out there.

I'm not a lip gloss nor lip stick person as my lips are usually in serious crisis year round.  Therefore, I'm speaking to those who really NEED the care of  a good lip balm.  For the girls that are blessed with perfect juicy lips, what I found to be cons probably won't apply to you.

To start off, I'll list some of my favorite and more effective balms...not in order of preferrence.  Most of these are between cdn $3-5 at the drug stores. 

Review on Ardell Brow Sculpting gel

About one or two weeks ago, I spotted the Ardell Brow Sculpting Gel at my local Winners for $3.99. Since I have been eyeing it for a long time, I didn't hesitate to grab it.

So far I've tried it twice. After applying the gel, my brows still remained soft to the touch. It was more tamed but I wasn't able to fix everything. The scent was a light fruity smell, which was pleasant and not overwhelming at all. However, this weekend when I was reaching for it again, I spotted something weird. The gel around the wand was a bit cloudy (see pictures). From having a lot of experience with bacteria cultures (I was a teacher assistant for several university microbiology courses), I immediately became worried. It really look like contamination to me. Now I am scared to use this cloudy gel. I'm tempted to contact Ardell and ask about this. When I googled, I found out that some people have had their clear brow gels turning muddy and yucky with the use of brow liners. However, I didn't apply any colors to my brows so what changed the gel appearance was from storing or using it.