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Leaf Life vibrator review, photos | What to ask for this holiday season!

December 9, 2015

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The product: Leaf Life vibrator

The concept: Leaf is a line/spin-off company of BMS Factory, who you may recognize if you already own a Swan or Jopen toy. They’re touted as the brand’s “green” sex toy option, and they are eco-friendly, but not any more so than any other brand that makes rechargeable, 100% silicone, phthalate-free toys.

All Leaf products are designed in Canada and come with a super-cute canvas travel bag, which–and I know this is a weird thing to fixate on–really sealed the deal for me. The entire way that the Leaf line is marketed makes me so happy–it feels cheery and eco-friendly instead of illicit or sexy, and while there’s nothing wrong (at all!!) with brands that ooze sex appeal 24/7, it’s really nice to be able to disentangle “sex toys” with “sex appeal.”

Also worth noting is that there is nothing gendered about the way that Leaf markets its products, which I think is fantastic!

The Life: You’re all going to hate me after I say this, but I can’t help it: this, folks, is the life.

For real, though, it is. I have never become attached to a sex toy as quickly as I became attached to my Life, and for good reason! It’s more rumbly than the Lelo Siri (albeit less rumbly than the We Vibe Tango) and is covered in silky-soft silicone.

But, most importantly, it charges (as much as I love the nerd appeal of a magnetic charger) with a little headphone jack-style plug, so you never have “oh god it hasn’t been charging all this time how am I supposed to get off now” moments.

It’s also waterproof and super quiet, and the motor never rattles around in its case (like the MiMi Soft and We-Vibe Tango do.)

Battery life: The best thing about the Life (aside from its amazingly quiet motor) is its battery life. This little Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery can run for up to 2 hours and 40 minutes on low, which is long enough that even on my worst days, I can use it to get off at least twice without needing to charge it.

Unlike my ex-favourite We-Vibe Tango, which promises 2 hours of battery life but often dies on me (and others!) within 40 minutes. (That evil, scheming BUCKET OF LIES.)

The Life vs. the Life+: All Leaf products are powered with BMS Factory’s delightfully rumbly PowerBullet motor (which is the same in both lines), but the purple Leaf+ line features vibration patterns as well as a press-and-hold “off” button.

I never use patterns, so I’m happy with my Life. The “on” button is weird, though: it’s very sensitive, and instead of turning up when pressed, it turns on/off. So, every time I try to throw this into my purse without turning the travel lock on, my bag starts rumbling, and if I squish the Leaf a little during use, it turns itself off.

To turn the Leaf up, you actually have to press and hold, at which point the levels quickly escalate until released. So, if you want precision controls, go with the Life+, and if you want green, go with the Leaf.

(I decided I wanted green more than I wanted controls that make sense, and I regret nothing.)

The verdict?

I love this little guy a lot. Like, enough that I honestly feel kind of bad for recommending the We-Vibe Tango to you guys once upon a time. Don’t get me wrong, the Tango’s motor is definitely better, but the Leaf pairs reliability, quietness, and great battery life with a pretty rumbly motor, and that makes it hard to say no to. I definitely think that there’s still room for improvement, but of the toys that I own, this one is my current favourite ;)

So, of my three favourite vibes, I’ll say this: if you prioritize rumbliness, go for the MiMi Soft (review); if you prioritize strength of vibration, go for the We-Vibe Tango (review); and if you want a great all ’rounder, go for the Leaf Life!

Availability: $84.99 USD at Shevibe, who kindly sent this in for review! (FYI, that is a hella good price for the Leaf Life — it’s a whopping $139.96 CAD at Well.ca.)

And, for those of you who want to upgrade–or who can’t find the original Life in stock–the purple Leaf Life+ is just $89.99 USD and is just as good (if not better!)

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, Swan, The Gift Guide

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The Organic Skin Co. review: The Good Oil, Set the Tone

April 12, 2022

Rae Chen

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I’ve recently started to worry, almost obsessively, that Fern Girl is developing separation anxiety. I’ll leave her alone for an evening, or a day, and the entire time, I’m overwhelmed by how lonely and scared she must be. Like any other millennial who’s been staying at home with their pet literally 24/7 since the start of the pandemic, my guess… Well, my guess is that I’m probably the one developing separation anxiety. Let’s chat about it while we discuss these gorgeous new skincare products from The Organic Skin Co., which used to produce some of my (now discontinued) favourite makeup products.

The Organic Skin Co. The Good Oil review: I want to take this everywhere (but I can’t)

Like Fern Girl, I want to take this oil everywhere. I want to pack her into a little under-the-shoulder carrier and take her with me to get groceries; buy plants; go for dinner on an empty patio. Similarly, I want to toss this oil into every bag I own, adding it to everything from hand lotion to face cream. When I’m staying over somewhere else, I genuinely miss it with an ache in my chest.

(I think I need to start leaving my house more. And probably do so without my skincare, or my cat.)

It’s hard to speak ill of packaging that’s a) completely gorgeous and b) very eco-friendly, but I’m just not sure that this bottle hits the spot for me. Underneath its bamboo cap, which is difficult to screw on and off, it has a finicky little plastic oil-stopper to prevent spills. I find myself having to wipe down the opening of The Organic Skin Co,’s The Good Oil every time I use it, fumbling its lid shut and screwing the cap back on with one hand cupped around my oil, still waiting to be applied.

And yet—I really wish that I could take this oil with me everywhere. With jojoba and caprylic/capric triglyceride (my favourite) as a base and calendula, turmeric, rosemary, and honeysuckle to enrich, this oil is rich and hydrating. The calendula works to calm irritated skin, and turmeric softens with anti-oxidant effects. Rosemary extract acts as a natural preservative, and CO2-extracted honeysuckle gives this serum an incredible scent with some vitamin C and antioxidants to boot.

The glow of The Good Oil

The Organic Skin Co. The Good Oil ($34.95 USD) gives me just the most incredible glow—when I wake up. I find it’s best as a nighttime oil. Two drops of this deliciously fragranced, vitamin C-rich oil mixed into my moisturizer leave me smooth and greasy, with an effect that slowly sinks in over the course of about an hour to reveal just the most beautiful, soft, sweet-smelling skin.

Packaged in responsible materials (with tips for recycling, reusing, and upcycling each product), this oil is a wonderful overnight treatment for skin types lacking a little lustre. I think it shines for dry or dehydrated skin types, and though it’s tough to travel with, it looks beautiful on the sink side.

And hey. Even though its packaging is a little finicky, it’s a lot easier to take with you than your grumpy tortoiseshell cat.

The Organic Skin Co. The Good Oil ingredients view

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, prunus dulcis (almond) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) seed oil, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract*†, curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract*†, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract†, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract†.

* Organic Ingredient

† CO2 Supercritical Extract

72.2% Organic Ingredients

Pair The Good Oil with The Organic Skin Co. Set the Tone

In my first review of The Organic Skin Co., I talked about how their (now-discontinued) cream eyeshadows somehow made my eyeshadow last for longer without creasing. This toner is much the same: it’s magical.

Set the Tone ($34.95 USD) is made with aloe leaf juice instead of glycerine. It’s the first toner I’ve used that hasn’t broken me out with long-term use, and I think the glycerine-aloe swap is the reason why. It has a beautiful, dense, lush mister that doesn’t seem to be capable of piling on too much product. No matter how many times I spritz, my skin never gets sticky.

And, as a result, I haven’t broken out since I started using this toner.

In general, my skin loves the first few days of any toner, but then I need a little break before I can continue. With this one, however, I’m fine. It adds a little hydration and a gentle rose fragrance before I moisturize, and that’s it. No breakouts.

Simple, easy, and gorgeous. It’s just enough to start to shake up my routine with something different. Something that isn’t just sitting at home with my cat and applying the exact same skincare day after day. It sets the tone for a beautiful, bright new beginning.

The Organic Skin Co. Set the Tone ingredients view

Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, rosa damascena (rose) flower water*, betain, caprylyl/capryl glucoside (and) aqua (and) sodium cocoyl glutamate (and) glyceryl caprylate (and) citric acid (and) polyglyceryl-6 oleate (and) sodium surfactin, potassium sorbate, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract †, (and) aqua (and) lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract†, rosa damascena (rose) oil, citral, geraniol, linalool, citronellol.

Tags: /Moisturizers, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, The Organic Skin Co

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Graydon Superfood Serum review: Canadian indie gems for dry skin

August 28, 2019

Rae Chen

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The product: Graydon Superfood Serum

Behind every good skincare review is a little skincare secret. This summer, my secret has been the Graydon Superfood Serum. It’s the first product that I’ve tried from this indie skincare brand, and I couldn’t be more pleased! I’ve been using it to boost my silicone-free sun protection, moisturize under some gorgeous cream products, and amp up silky, all-natural night creams.

If you routinely spend time in the beauty blogger community, you’ll have heard of Graydon before. The brand (founded by Toronto native Graydon Moffatt in 2013) is all about small-batch natural products. Each product is designed to be as natural and organic as possible, with an emphasis on accommodating every skin type, age, and gender. (That’s all genders, y’all!)

I really enjoy the high-luxury feel of Graydon’s packaging, but their line is great for those with particular needs, too. Make sure to check out their curated collection of vegan products or scent-free products if you’re searching for either.

Graydon Superfood Serum ingredients

If you remember from my Lavido review, I largely passed over using the thick, sticky Lavido serum that I was sent. While it’s going to be gorgeous as a winter serum, I needed something lighter (but still really nourishing) for the summer.

Graydon’s Superfood Serum is a callback to the nourish-your-skin mentality of Graydon herself. It’s a rich yellow oil, full of polyphenol antioxidants and anthocyanins to reduce inflammation. The serum is fully vegan and gluten-free, and full of things you’d actually want to eat—things like oat kernel oil, raspberry seed oil, and turmeric root oil. There’s literally kale and goji berries in this serum.

(What? If you won’t eat them, you may as well get them through your skin!)

One more great serum for dry skin: Graydon Superfood Serum

I may have an ever-growing stash of face oils, but this one is currently my favourite. The Graydon Superfood Antioxidant Serum is really lovely. It’s not too heavy, and you can smell how fresh it is. As a result, it doesn’t have that oily note—you know, the one that you sometimes find in delicate oils sold past their best-by date.

I kind of see the serum world as split in the middle. Oils are either rich and nourishing (like this one) or dry-touch and slippery. Because Edmonton’s climate lends itself so well to dehydrated skin, I love rich oils: ones that sink in and leave you a little dewy. If you love the feel and matte finish of a dry-touch oil, this isn’t the product for you. Instead, look to the Graydon Superfood Serum for something nourishing; something that you only need a few drops in your moisturizer of.

Despite using this night and day for the better part of two months, I’ve barely made a dent in the bottle. In other words: this serum packs a punch. You don’t need a lot for great results—maybe 3 drops, both night and day.

The Graydon Superfood Serum verdict?

Okay: I get the Graydon hype. I love the simple packaging of the Graydon Superfood Serum. I love the rich texture; the antioxidant-packed ingredients; the fact that it’s vegan, free of silicones, and gluten-free. Simple, luxurious serums like this one are a little boring because of how basic they are, but you know what? Boring is the backbone of a fantastic skincare regimen. It’s what keeps your dry skin looking healthy and vibrant not just this week, but for years down the line.

I definitely want to try more from the Graydon line this fall—their hair products look tempting, but drop me a line in the comments if there’s anything else from the brand that you’d like to see a review on!

Availability: $87 CAD from Graydon; ships free with super quick delivery. ($3.25 CAD/sample.)

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Extremely dry skin, Graydon Skincare, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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The best silicone-free sunscreen: Purito Centella Green Level review

June 18, 2019

Rae Chen

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The product: Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++ and Centella Green Level Buffet Serum

The perfect sunscreen… is this one, right here. You all know that I test products rigorously before reviewing them, and I’ve been using this one so religiously that it’s almost empty. I’m coming up on four or five months of use, and I can solemnly swear that I have never loved a sunscreen as much as I love the Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++. (Oh, and also that I’m up to no good.)

Why the Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++ is so great

It’s hard to find a silicone-free sunscreen—trust me, I know. Even harder, however, is finding one that’s totally weightless and rigorously hydrating. I have extremely dry skin, and I’ve relied on the heavy, comforting Aveeno Fresh Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 15 ($19.99 CAD) for years.

This one is, well, better. It’s just as moisturizing, but offers even more sun protection. And, somehow, it’s magically weightless: it’s one of the lightest moisturizers in my stash, and is literally imperceptible to the touch once (generously) applied. Hell, the Purito Centella silicone-free sunscreen doesn’t even make me greasy after eight hours.

The best part about Purito’s sunscreen is that it’s cheaper than drugstore prices, usually sitting around $15 depending on the retailer. I’ve never noticed a scent while using it—as I type this, I’m sniffing the tube, and it smells lightly fresh—or any flashback in photos. I’m literally so confident in its lack of a white cast that I wore it to a wedding last week. By choice. I had other, SPF-free moisturizers available; I just didn’t want to use them.

I’d trust it with my skin, my unborn children, and my favourite pair of shoes. It is completely without flaw, as far as I’m concerned!

The Purito Centella silicone-free sunscreen verdict?

For a sunscreen that offers the same price & protection as a tube of Neutrogena but the same texture as a jar of moisturizer, get this one. You won’t regret it.

Availability: ~$15 CAD at Purito, Amazon, and YesStyle.

Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++ ingredients view

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
.

Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum: Also pretty good!

This was a product that I was really excited about, but honestly? It’s a footnote in my brain, now.

The Purito Buffet Serum is a lightweight, silicone-free hyaluronic acid serum. It comes in super-cute pump packaging (finally; so many hyaluronics use dropper bottles right now, and I’m over it). The formula contains 49% Centella extract, which is a leafy green used in Asian dishes and medicine. It also contains 3% niacinamide, one of my favourite skincare ingredients — it’s really good at fading scars.

Purito’s Centella Green Level Buffet Serum is nothing special, honestly. It’s one of hundreds of excellent hyaluronic acid serums. But this one is a steal at about $16, performing more like a $60 hyaluronic. It’s truly lightweight, with no stickiness or risk of a breakout, and it smells a like fresh green tea (my favourite skincare scent).

The verdict on the Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum?

This one isn’t a must-have, but it’s also excellent. I’m less likely to re-buy it, simply because I’m already swimming in hyaluronic acid serums, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. It’s the best one I’ve tried for the price, and is really gracefully executed with a side bonus of a little niacinamide.

Plus: these products are silicone-, paraben-, phtalate-, and cruelty-free!

Availability: ~$16 CAD at Purito, Amazon, and YesStyle.

Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum ingredients view

Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Carbomer, Arginine, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ceramide.

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Disclaimer: These products were gifted to me, but I’ve already repurchased the sunscreen on my own! Please note that not all of the Purito (or even all of the Purito Centella Green Level) line is silicone-free, though these two items are. This post contains affiliate links, as well as a high degree of awesomeness.

Tags: /Extremely dry skin, Holy Grail, Moisturizers, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, Sun

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LaCoupe Moroccan Rose Naturals Collection review | Re-visiting a drugstore favourite

June 18, 2018

Rae Chen

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The products: LACOUPE Moroccan Rose Volume Loving Shampoo, Conditioner, and Mousse

I grew up on LaCoupe. My family and I rotated through a few different shampoo brands growing up, and LaCoupe was one of my favourites – until I realized that silicones made me break out. I never thought I’d be able to dip back into their super affordable, effective products, but this year, LaCoupe introduced something new: four silicone-free Naturals Collections, including the LaCoupe Moroccan Rose range that I’ve been using for the past month.

The LaCoupe Naturals Collection

The Naturals Collection isn’t just silicone-free, either. It’s “sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, propylene glycol free and petroleum-free,” and all of the products in the range are just $9.99 CAD.

I love it when drugstore brands come out with natural products, because it makes being picky about the ingredients that you put on your body more accessible. It’s not that I don’t believe in paying more for innovative products; it’s that I think that’s a choice that everyone should be able to make – no matter their budget.

The Naturals Collection offers 500ml shampoos and conditioners, plus styling products, in four categories: Moroccan Rose, for giving volume to fine hair; Coconut Milk, for moisture; Fresh Avocado, for frizz control; and Royal Honey, for use on over-processed hair. All of the products are enriched with coconut water and aloe leaf juice.

The LaCoupe Moroccan Rose Collection

The LaCoupe Moroccan Rose Shampoo and Conditioner are nice – but they’re not what makes this collection so special. They leave my hair feeling clean but moisturized, with very few fly-aways and a powdery rose fragrance. (I use two pumps of each).

No: what I love about this collection is the LaCoupe Moroccan Rose Mousse ($9.99 CAD). It’s a pump-top product that doesn’t release VOCs into the atmosphere, which attracted my attention immediately. It’s a bit of a two-in-one, too. The slightly sticky formula helps give volume to the hair, especially through the roots, but it also offers thermal protection – which is great, as mousses perform best when used in combination with heat styling.

My hair is pretty thin, so I find it easy to go overboard with this product. (It’s not quite as luxurious or oops-proof as my other favourite mousse of the moment.) One to two pumps, from roots to ends, should do it, followed by blow-drying with special attention to the root area. It leaves my hair more voluminous than heat styling without any product, and looks especially great on the third (or even fourth!) day, with the help of a little dry shampoo along the way.

To dip into this super-affordable, silicone-free haircare collection, tuck in at Walmart or Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

Tags: /Hair, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Spring/Summer 2018

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Polatam Deep Moist Cream: Another Take Good Care favourite

April 27, 2018

Rae Chen

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The products: Polatam Deep Moist Cream and Simplistic BEGIN Cleanser

This month has been… interesting, to say the least.

So, as it wraps up, let’s take a recap. The number of Sephora orders I guiltily made during the sale is one; the number of times I’ve had the energy to see my cat this week is zero. The number of times I’ve listened to Still Night, Still Light since the beginning of the week is like… I don’t know; a half-dozen? It’s been a lot (in a good way).

Infinity War was fun but not amazing; apparently all problems are caused by men being emotionally immature (NOT SURPRISED, Marvel); and I get to go for my favourite high tea with my favourite person tomorrow.

Polatam Deep Moist Cream ($31 CAD)

As this month closes, a new love is struggling to the forefront of my beauty cabinet: the Polatam Deep Moist Cream ($31 CAD). My friend Shana at Take Good Care sent this over during the winter, and it’s really getting me through!

The Polatam Deep Moist Cream isn’t just affordable – it’s really effective, too. It’s hydrating, unscented, and silicone-free, with oak tree sap and ceramides in its formula for extra hydration. It has a lovely, glossy texture, and reminds me quite a bit of the DHC Extra Nighttime Moisture that you all know I love.

My favourite thing about the Polatam Deep Moist Cream? Check out that tube: it’s cute and lightweight, and it contains a whopping 100ml. That makes it $31 CAD per 100ml, to DHC’s $102 CAD per 100ml.

Simplistic BEGIN Cleanser ($29 CAD)

I also checked out the Simplistic BEGIN Cleanser ($29 CAD) over the winter, but this one gets a “skip” from my dry skin and I. It has a gentle, low pH of 5.5 with no added fragrance, but I just… Didn’t love it. Its natural herbal scent was lovely to use, and its gentle foaming texture was pleasant, but it was just too stripping for my insanely-dry skin.

For someone with normal to oily skin, this would be a great option for sensitive skin – but not super-dry skin.

The verdict?

Take a pass on the Simplistic Cleanser BEGIN if you have dry skin, but definitely think about adding the Polatam Deep Moist Cream to your skincare cabinet! It’s a lovely, simple, silicone-free moisturizer at a great price, and Take Good Care makes it easy to get your hands on in Canada.

And go see Avengers: Infinity War if you want to see shit getting blown up because men are The Worst™. You won’t be disappointed.

Availability: Both products are available (perm) at Take Good Care, who hand-picked them for my skin and sent them in for review!

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Cleansing, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive review, photos

August 31, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive Silicone-Free Replenishing Shampoo, Replenishing Conditioner, and Transforming Leave-in Conditioner

It can be tough to stick to a silicone-free skincare regimen, but it’s even harder to go totally silicone-free in your haircare. The really good stuff (like my fave Matrix Biolage R.A.W. line) can run you a pretty penny – which is why I’m always on the lookout for good silicone-free products from the drugstore, like the Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive range.

Don’t let the Whole Blends name fool you, though: this line isn’t all-natural. The olive oil products are the only Whole Blend products that are silicone-free, including the other shampoos.

Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive Shampoo & Conditioner

The Whole Blends Legendary Olive collection is formulated with virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract. It’s silicone-free and designed to deeply hydrate dry, sensitized hair, and it’s made to be great for fine hair like my own.

For drugstore products, I think that these are great. They leave my hair really smooth and nourished, if a bit flatter than I’d like. The shampoo suds up easily, and the conditioner is easy to rinse out. The basic bottles are easy to hold, too – I actually reach for these over my Kérastase when I’m tired, because while they aren’t quite as nice on my hair, at least they don’t have twist-off lids.

(I hate twist-off lids. Why would you do this to us? Do you want us to get shower water in our products??)

The Whole Blends price point is just right, too: each bottle is $5.99 CAD for 370 ml (pictured here) or $8.99 CAD for 650 ml.

Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive Leave-In Conditioner

As much as I liked the Legendary Olive shampoo and conditioner, the leave-in falls kind of flat for me. It’s generously portioned ($8.99 CAD for 300 ml), but it just … Doesn’t really serve a purpose.

Like, okay. The shampoo and conditioner are great, but they leave my hair SO smooth and flat. Adding in the leave-in conditioner makes no difference for my hair – I actually find I like my hair a lot more if I follow up with a mousse or texture spray through the roots instead of another smoothing product.

If you have a lot of frizz, the Whole Blends leave-in conditioner might be more helpful for you, but on the whole? I say skip it – the conditioner is plenty hydrating.

The Garnier Whole Blends verdict?

I love finding good products at a great price point, and these definitely make the cut. The silicone-free Garnier Whole Blends Legendary Olive line is easy to find and easy to use, and while there’s nothing stunning about them, I don’t always need my hair products to be stunning. Sometimes they just gotta get the job done, you know?

Availability: $5.99 CAD & up at drugstores and mass-market retailers across Canada, or at Amazon.ca with free shipping over $35!

Tags: /Fall/Winter 2016, Garnier, Hair, Product Photos, Product Review

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Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener review, photos

April 27, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener

How the Tatcha Essence works

The Essence is 98.7% made up of Tatcha’s “hadasei-3” complex, which, honestly, I’m a little unclear on. It’s a filtrate of a combination of ingredients, which could mean a lot of things.

From the sounds of it, the hadasei-3 complex is water infused with green tea, rice, algae, and yeast, and then filtered for impurities. (Think Whole Foods asparagus water, but with skin-conditioning agents and antioxidants.)

I am inherently wary of paying more than $100 for water in any context, but the fermentation of the ingredients produces low levels of lactic acid. It’s always nice to have something in your skincare regimen that will gently try encourage cell turnover, and a small amount over a long period of time is a great way to introduce acids if you have sensitive skin.

My experience with the Tatcha Essence

One of the first things that I noticed about the Tatcha Essence (I’m sorry; I just can’t bring myself to say “the Tatcha The Essence”) was that it doesn’t contain any glycerine. Instead, it’s light and hydrating without any heaviness or stickiness.

Beauty essences are basically just fancy toners that you use without cottons, but I really like this one. The packaging is luxurious and easy to use, and it’s easy to press just the right amount of The Essence into your skin. The essence itself pours slowly out of a sculpted spout, and it has the texture of a heavy water.

As a young ~~and spry~~ 24-year-old, I can’t speak toward dramatic anti-ageing results. But after just a few weeks using the Tatcha Essence, my skin does look pretty good. The fine lines that I’m starting to get around my mouth (thanks, super dry skin) are less noticeable, and I’m feeling less dry around the perimeter of my face.

The Tatcha Essence verdict?

I was never a fan of the toner movement, but I’m kind of into essences. They’re a splurge, but they’re lightly hydrating and easy to add into your skincare regimen. Tatcha’s The Essence is beautifully formulated and packaged, and for each bottle sold, some of the profits go to Tatcha’s Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Futures partnership.

The most surprising thing that I learned while writing this review, however, was that the price point for the Tatcha Essence is totally on-par with the market. Niche beauty essences typically seem to run anywhere from $80-140 CAD, and that’s not even the high end. SK-II’s sits at $225 CAD for the same amount, so $114 isn’t that bad–but it’s still pretty crazy.

I think I could definitely live without The Essence in my life, but as far as beauty essences go, I do very much enjoy this one.

Availability: $95 USD/$114 CAD at Sephora, Spring, and Barneys.

Tags: /Indie brands, Moisturizers, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare, Spring/Summer 2017, Tatcha

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LUSH New Shampoo Bar, Veganese Conditioner, R&B: review, photos

April 6, 2017

Rae Chen

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The products: LUSH New Shampoo Bar, Veganese Hair Conditioner, and R&B Hair Moisturizer

I recently got the chance to try out a trio of Lush silicone-free, vegan haircare products, and I wanted to get them up on the blog as soon as possible. Though they weren’t the right products for my hair type, the Lush New shampoo bar shares an important message that I’m happy to see being broadcasted.

#BeCrueltyFree with LUSH New Shampoo Bar ($11.95 CAD; tin $3.95 CAD)

I’ve seen a lot of weirdly named products, but this is the strangest. Lush’s spicy new shampoo bar is simply called “New.” (It’s labelled as “Lush New Shampoo Bar 2017” on the packaging).

Each bar is labelled with a wooden stick reading “#BeCrueltyFree,” in English and Chinese, so I’m not really sure why they didn’t just name it that. It would have been so easily searchable and hashtagable!

I really like having the option of a solid shampoo, and the Lush New Shampoo Bar is par for the course. A little goes a LONG way (two swipes is plenty for my entire scalp), and it smells like cinnamon hearts.

As much as I like the cruelty-free theory behind this bar, though, I didn’t love the execution. While the bar contains rosemary and nettle to soothe irritation, the large amounts of SLS and cinnamon leaf oil dried out my scalp and left my skin feeling sensitized.

I LOVE that Lush formulates all of their products in a cruelty-free environment, but I’d love to see them modernize some of their formulas. The Lush New shampoo bar would have been so much more awesome if it was SLS and artificial dye/fragrance-free!

Go weightless with the Lush Veganese Hair Conditioner ($9.95 CAD)

Alright, I’m gonna say it: for my hair, Veganese is a crap pairing for the Lush New Shampoo Bar.

If you have baby-fine hair or you’re looking to co-wash, then sure, Veganese is going to be awesome. But I have dry-ish hair to begin with, and these two together turned my hair into straw.

The Veganese formula is really interesting, though. It’s made on a lavender and rosemary infusion base, and thickened with agar agar. You have to use a ton of it for coarser hair, but it’s vegan and optimized for super-fine hair!

Stay smooth with the Lush R&B Hair Moisturizer ($25.95 CAD)

I am nowhere near as smooth as this “hair moisturizer” (AKA leave-in conditioner) smells. It’s perfumed with orange blossom and jasmine, and the formula features fair trade olive oil, avocado butter, and coconut oil.

My hair definitely feels smoother and silkier when I use this, but it weighs it down as well. Lush R&B is ideal for hair that’s curly and thick, not straight and thin. Is it a good moisturizer for thin, dry hair? Yeah, it’s not bad. But the formula shines on curls, and I just don’t have those to give.

The Lush New, Veganese, and R&B verdict?

I really just want to take all of these products and push them at my friends. They’re all great in their own rights–but none of them are ideal for my hair.

New would be fantastic for travelling with, Veganese would be great on super fine hair (think natural blondes), and R&B would do amazing things with naturally curly hair. Actually… As I type that, I think I know exactly who these products should go to.

I’ll see you on Monday, folks. I’ve gotta go be a product fairy for the weekend.

Availability: All permanent products at Lush.

Tags: /Grouped reviews, Hair, LUSH, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Spring/Summer 2017

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Burberry Kisses in Peony Pink, Military Red: review, swatches, photos

April 3, 2017

Rae Chen

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Burberry Kisses in Military Red – swatch

The products: Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Colour in No. 37 Pink Peony and No. 109 Military Red

You know those mornings when you wake up and nothing can fix you up aside from a shot of whipped cream and just the right lipstick?

These lipstick are for those days.

Burberry Kisses in No. 38 Peony Pink review

The shades: The second I opened up these Burberry Kisses lipsticks, I was enamoured with the look of Military Red. It’s such a soft, fresh red. With its creme finish and buildable coverage, it’s one of the most forgiving reds that I’ve encountered thus far.

Surprisingly enough, though, Pink Peony turned out to be the shade that stole my heart. It’s a neutral pink that runs almost a tiny bit coral on me, with a touch of shimmer and… I don’t know. It just does really nice things to my face? It’s springy and brightening and it makes me feel like I’m wearing a Snapchat filter all the time.

Burberry Kisses swatch – No. 109 Military Red

Burberry Kisses swatch – No. 37 Pink Peony

The formula: The Burberry Kisses formula is really lovely and basic. For the most part, it has a soft creme finish, leaving lips looking hydrated but no-fuss. I’ve found that the finish varies a bit from shade to shade. Military Red, for instance, looks a bit glossy, while Pink Peony has a true creme finish that errs almost on the side of “soft matte”.

Both shades settle into the lips well and fade evenly. They slip around for the first few minutes, avoiding the inner rim, but the colour stays put after that. Moisture-wise, I like to top up with lip balm 2-3 hours after applying these, but colour-wise, I can make it to the 4 hour mark with a light, uniform stain.

The verdict?

The Burberry Kisses Lipstick formula is a nice compromise between hydration and a gloss-free finish. They’re lightly hydrating, and they deliver a velvety finish.

Plus, if you’re on the market for a brightening, everyday shade this spring, Pink Peony is a great place to start your hunt. I swear that it’s like a Snapchat filter for my whole (fair, olive-toned) face!

Availability: $34 USD/$38 CAD. Available at Sephora and Nordstrom.

Tags: /Burberry, Lips, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

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