Review: Dr. Mist Deodorant Spray

Dr. Mist Deodorant Spray

I know, I know, I said I would review hair products. But I just had to review this product first. You'll see why.

Natural deodorants...they suck, right? Most of the ones I've tried do. I've tried several brands (which I won't name here, because that's not nice and I'm not reviewing them), and all of them left me stinky, wet, and sometimes worse off than wearing nothing.

I got a little bit of a scare at work the other day when my boss showed me an expensive silk blouse that had had anti-perspirant stains in the underarms. After washing the blouse, the anti-perspirant had actually eaten away at the fabric! The ingredients that help you stay dry are natural fabric-eating monsters. I wondered what it was doing to my skin. I also found my underarms to be itchy when I sweat and sometimes have red bumps. Not razor burn bumps, but ones that looked like pimples. I asked my doctor about it and she suggested I switch to a deodorant rather than an anti-perspirant. Preferably one without alcohol, which can be drying to skin.

After work, I hopped the bus to the health food store. On this particular street, there are two side by side. I visited each one and stared at the selection. Priced anywhere from $3.99-$7.99, I was terrified of spending my precious cash on something that didn't work (yet again). I asked the cashier if he had any recommendations, and he polled 3 of the staff. They all mentioned the crystal rock. It's basically a mineral salt rock that is supposed to neutralize odours. I tried it many years ago in my natural deodorant forays, but it gave me a red rash. I used my phone to frantically Google each brand to see reviews and they were all disappointing.

Until I noticed Dr. Mist on the shelf above...

Dr. Mist had been on Dragons Den (click the link to watch the video), and was a Canadian company. The mother-daughter duo from Quebec were one of the only contestants I've seen accept a deal on the show: $100,000 for 20% of the business, plus 5% royalties from every sale to the investor.

The bottle claimed it won the Geneva International Award for Invention. I Googled the award and apparently it's pretty significant: one can only submit their invention once in a lifetime. The reviews of this product were astounding: 4 or 5 out of 5 stars and many commenters saying they purchase by the case. Read reviews here and here.

There were lavender and fragrance-free versions. I chose lavender, just in case it didn't work and I needed something to cover up the smell. It was $8 CAD, a little more pricey than the other deodorants, but I thought it must be worth it.

I took a shower that night (3 days ago), and applied it. I read it could be drippy, since it is a spray-on, but didn't find that. I used 3 sprays to cover the whole armpit area and rubbed it in like the bottle instructed. It took a few minutes to dry and felt like I had sprayed water on my pits. However, it dried to a powder-y like finish, which is apparently the secret of the deodorant spray: the water evaporates, leaving the mineral salts on your skin which neutralize the bacteria. And voila! No smell!

Usually in the morning I smell funky. Not so after using Dr. Mist! I even went out for the morning without showering and smelled just fine until I took a shower at 1 pm. I used Dr. Mist again and did several covert sniff checks throughout the day. Nothing noticeable. Not even the lavender scent. And I was pretty dry to boot. Even with my regular anti-perspirant, I get wet under my arms. The other bad thing about anti-perspirant is that it makes your clothes yellow in the underarms and it's hard to get out. (Bleach makes it worse; the only thing that's worked for me is OxiClean).

It lasted all day and into the morning. I took a shower this morning and applied again. And whaddayaknow? No smell, no funk, no wetness. Even after a typical weekend of running errands, walking for exercise, and even sitting in the 12 degree (C) sun wearing a hoodie and jacket and scarf for a couple of hours. 

I have to say, Dr. Mist rocks so far. Tomorrow I'll test it in my hot, humid work environment and let you know how it goes via an update to this post. I have my fingers crossed.

Edit: You can purchase Dr. Mist at many health food stores, London Drugs, and Superstore.

Edit 2: The day has come! I have applied Dr. Mist and I'm good to go. Oh yeah, the bottle and website also say you can use it to treat a number of other ailments like cuts and athlete's foot. It also states it works as a fabric refresher. One reviewer on Amazon said he used it on his bruises and it helped them fade. I squirted it between two of my toes where there is a cut. It's drying up already! I'm going to try a spray in each of my boots next. Yeah, Dr. Mist!

Important Update

So, I tested Dr. Mist with just one application in the morning in a hot, humid environment. I'm talking steam fogging up the windows and condensation running down. We keep the door open in the winter. I'm surrounded by gigantic irons, pressing machines, a steam tunnel...so yes, it gets hot where I work. Not only that, but I'm running around serving customers. I sweated. A lot!

I forgot to spray my boots since I got home late last night, but I will spray them this morning and see how they fare at the end of another work day. 

The results: some wetness (normal with my anti-perspirant), clear (not yellow), and no smell. The sweat smelled like nothing - like water. And I wasn't itchy at all! And no bumps when I checked at home.

I declare you, Dr. Mist, a win in my books. Yay!

The Whole Kit and Caboodle: A Review of all things Face

Oh boy, where to start? 

Well, I've been obsessed with having healthy, glowing skin and perfect, bouncy ringlets so I've been on an (expensive), never-ending journey to find the right products for me. I think I've got it! It's working so far - for me, anyway. It does mean that I've given up the Curly Girl method (for now), and have been using a couple of products with silicones. I've also tried to save some money now that I don't have any more Optimum points to redeem. Here are the reviews of the face products I'm currently using. The hair products will be in the next post.

I'm still using Aveda Kinetics Gel Cleanser to wash my face and I've added Clinique's Mild Clarifying Lotion as a toner/BHA (beta hydroxy acid) topical product twice a day. Clinique's website states that it's for "Very Dry to Dry" skin, but I read about it on BeautyPedia where it was touted as an effective BHA (salicylic acid) product for oily/acne-prone skin. The BHAs actually cut through oil and get inside the pore to kill germs that cause breakouts as well as exfoliate skin.

Clinique's Mild Clarifying Lotion

So, after I wash my face (3 times a week I use a scrub or masque), I use a cotton pad to swipe the Clarifying Lotion over my face and neck. Then, in the morning I use Olay's Regenerist Serum in the fragrance-free version and at night instead of the serum, I use Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. I ran out of the Vichy night cream sample I had and was starting to feel it was a little thick and rich for my acne-prone skin. The Cetaphil is much thinner and fragrance-free, which is a huge plus. (I started to become not-so-fond of the smell of the Vichy products.) It's also $12 for a huge bottle of it and I use it on my arms and legs too. 

I can't find an adequate picture of the serum to display, but I'll talk a little more about it. I at first liked the feel of the Vichy serum I talked about in my earlier post. It felt more moisturizing and "dewy" and dried more matte. It was much more liquid: the consistency of a thin shower gel or conditioner. The Olay serum is silicone-based so it is thicker and has a more dewy finish. I thought that would be an oily hell under my makeup. Boy, was I wrong. My makeup goes on smoother with the Olay serum and stays longer. It fills in all my pores for a nicer finish. It's also $20 cheaper than the Vichy serum and almost twice the size!

I've already said as much as I can about the Cetaphil Moisutrizing Lotion: it's a basic, cheap, moisturizer that doesn't irritate skin and doesn't contain any weird ingredients or fragrances. I'm pretty pumped on it. It moisturizes adequately in our rainy, cold-ish weather.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

Now, for a product I tried and hated. It was Nivea's Aqua Effect Nourishing Night Care for Dry to Sensitive Skin. It was $17 (on sale!!!) for a 50 mL jar of the stuff. It smelled horrendous, kind of like their basic skin cream in the blue tub, and was very thick and rich. I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily, so I thought this would be a good bet. I applied it before bed and woke up with a huge breakout. I tried two more nights, but I noticed I broke out about one hour after applying it. And the smell! Cloying isn't the right word. Of course I chucked the receipt and recycled the box, so I put it away for things my Mom might like to try (she has very dry skin and appreciates thick, rich things for her face). 

So onto bigger and better things: foundation and powder. Oh, and blush! All Clinque this time. I ran out of BB Cream and while I enjoyed using the Maybelline Dream Fresh, I wanted more coverage and better oil control. I stopped at the Clinique counter to look for some eyeshadows, but they were out. So I started browsing the foundations and explained my concerns to the cosmetician: I work in a very humid environment (a veritable sweat-box), and get really shiny during the day, so much so it's embarrassing. Since I use a loose powder at home I can't exactly touch-up during the day. 

The cosmetician recommended their Stay Matte Oil Control Foundation. It's a bit thicker than the BB Cream I was using and $10 cheaper than Clinique's BB Cream. I was sold! It offers Light to Medium coverage and the shade I was given (4) looks natural on me and blends well. I actually have to be careful not to use too much or else I get that "made up" look. I want natural-looking coverage; I don't mind if a few blemishes are show through as long as the redness is covered up. I also believe the skin has a natural glow that too much makeup can mask.

Clinique's Stay Matte oil Control Makeup

To touch up during the day, I chose the Stay Matte Oil Control Pressed Powder in Invisible Matte. It's colourless, so I can blot it over my existing foundation and blush and have it look natural. I do a quick touch up and lunch and I'm good to go for the rest of the day. If I go out in the evening, I might do a quick blot of my t-zone.

Clinique's Stay Matte Pressed Powder

And, the blush! Oh, the blush! How I love blush these days! I used to hate it (I thought it looked unnatural) but since being shown how to correctly apply it and given a couple complimentary shades, I'm sold. The cosmetician at Clinique helped me choose two: Blushing Blush in Precious Posy and Smoldering Plum. They are gorgeous! Precious Posy (below) is very pink and I love wearing it at work. It really brightens up my complexion. Smoldering plum is a deeper shade, which I wear out at night. It feels professional, without that "too made up" look.

Clinique's Blushing Blush in Precious Posy

And let me go on about their new Chubby Stick! I wear lip colour occasionally, when I wear only mascara. I have a couple of Clinique lipsticks that were either given to me or a free gift with purchase. I like them a lot. The Chubby Stick is a moisturizing lip colour balm, shaped like a crayon with a twist-up bottom. The cosmetician showed me Pudgy Peony, a bright fuchsia. I was like, "No way, Jose!" Wayyyyy to bright! But, I tried it on and it looked fantastic. I wore it to work the next day paired with basic black mascara and Precious Posy cheek colour and my coworkers complimented me all day on how nice I looked. I even had one coworker ask me to buy her the same shade because she liked it so much! I find the Chubby Stick to be amazingly long-wearing for a lip balm and very moisturizing. Overall, it's a rockin' product and I will buy it again.

Clinique's Chubby Stick in a variety of shades

Lastly, let's talk mascara. I reviewed a few mascaras here, and my fave is still Lash Blast from CoverGirl. I was given 2 Clinique mascaras as gifts with purchase. One was High Impact Mascara and the other was half lipstick, half Lash Doubling Mascara. Both were okay. The Lash Doubling was a very "wet" formula and smeared a lot. It definitely did not "double" my lashes. I was disappointed with it. I liked the High Impact better, it gave good definition to my eyelashes and wasn't too wet. I use it on occasion, but I still love my Lash Blast.

Alright. I think that's it for my face. I'm feeling so pretty now that I've explained all of this to you, dear reader. Next up, hair!

Book Review: Heart of the Revolution

Noah Levine's Heart of the Revolution

I admit it: I'm a "Noah Levinian". I've been to a few of his retreats and talks and generally love the guy. I also love his trained teachers (two of whom live in Vancouver and who I am honoured to call my friends). 

I first read his book Against the Stream in 2007. I was looking for more in my life and a way out of the constant battles and struggles I found myself in. Relating whole-heartedly to his writing, I dove into meditation right away. My "monkey mind" wouldn't sit still. I expected I would flip this switch and my mind would be clear and serene. It wasn't until I went on one of his retreats that I learned this was false. There is no magic switch. There is no such thing as a blank mind. The thoughts will never stop. It's just a matter of letting them arise and fall away with a friendly attitude towards yourself.

I found meditation very difficult at first. I had pain in my legs and I didn't want to sit upright. I thought it was more spiritual to sit on a cushion, legs crossed in a half-lotus position. Years later, I would finally succumb to sitting in a chair and not give a shit about being "spiritual". I just wanted to be comfortable and able to focus on my meditation than constantly shifting my position every minute. 

I found out about a local group called D.I.Y. Dharma from a participant at one of the retreats. After I returned from my retreat, my best friend and I tried to find the "Dharma Lab", located in the industrial part of the city. We walked around and around the block, finally interrupting a man working on a car in the back alley who told us the entrance was around the front. I recognized a lady from the retreat opening a non-descript green door. She invited us in. About 10 people showed up for the meditation. Having had a little instruction from the week-long retreat I was just at, I felt ready to meditate without guidance. Boy, was I wrong. I felt panicked and restless. All I could think about was that bell ringing, signalling the end of the meditation. 

It's been an interesting six years since then and I have kept up with the group, forged relationships, and my own meditation practice. I've gone deeper than just focusing on my breath and expanded my practice to having compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance for others.

That's why I was so excited when Heart of the Revolution came out. It explains the Buddha's teachings on forgiveness, compassion, and kindness in great detail. Noah calls it being "1 %s of the heart" (like the biker gangs). It's less of a memoir like Dharma Punx and more of a practical guide like Against the Stream. 

Heart includes the metta (loving kindness - universal love) sutta and breaks it down. Noah explains each verse practically in a way you can apply to your own life. He talks about personal love: love we have for our friends and family, and romantic love: love we have for our sexual partners. He talks about the clinging that accompanies each, how each type is conditional, and with expectation. It seems pretty grim: love brings pain. But a solution is presented! There are practical meditation guides for everything from forgiveness to metta. You can sit on the cushion and apply these techniques and get results. Noah says it took him 10 years of meditation practice to feel like he'd forgiven everyone everything and that it's still a struggle at 22 years. 

I especially liked the chapter "Hurt People Hurt People". Apparently it's a line from a movie that stuck with Noah. It's true: people who are suffering hurt others. I know I have. This chapter talks about having compassion and forgiveness for those who have hurt us. It also includes the forgiveness meditation. I practiced one at a retreat and cried. It felt good to forgive and let go. 

This book also tells you to question everything you hear. Question your teachers and only trust  your own experience. It also talks about the trap of religion and not getting caught up in "Buddhism" and not being that person who stares into others eyes proving how serene and meditative they are. 

Overall, this is a sweet book. It's a quick and easy read and Noah writes very eloquently and with a sense of play and humour. He also relates his own experience of pain and how meditation has given him real results in his life. Also included are experiences of his own folly; ways that he hurt others and how he amended it. 

I highly recommend reading this book if you want to learn more about your own capacity for forgiveness, compassion, and kindness. This is a way out of suffering. This is a way to help others and be of service. What better life could there be?

My Own "Skinscription"

I've gotten one facial in my life. It was at Aveda and it was very nice. It was also very expensive and I will probably not get one again for a long time. In the meantime, though, I can take care of my skin and do my own mini-facials at home.

I have friends who go to Skoah and get facials every season. They also use their products. The products aren't any more expensive than Aveda or even any high-end drugstore line like Dermalogica. One of the features of the website is that you can get a "Skinscription": you fill out a form that asks you questions about your skin type and concerns and then a Skoah representative emails you with a list of products and a regimen for you to follow. I decided to try it out. 

The person who emailed me back (let's call her Sally) said that I was doing a great job with my Aveda products (cleanser, toner, scrub), but that I needed more exfoliation and moisture. She recommended 3 products: their Face Kream, Skin Boost Serum, and AHA Mask. In total these would cost me $145 plus tax. That's a little rich for my blood right now. Especially because Sally told me I needed to use the mask 3 times a week, 2 squirts of serum a day, and the cream twice a day. The mask is only 60 g...not a lot. And the serum is $75 for 50mL. Two squirts a day would go fast.

So I decided to do a little research on Makeup Alley and find similar products for at least half the price. I also had 60,000 Shoppers Optimum points at my disposal. I asked the cosmetician at Shoppers Drug Mart for her recommendation of an AHA mask. She pointed me in the direction of Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Mask with glycolic and salicylic acids. It can be used as a cleanser, scrub, mask, or all three. The directions say to put it on dry skin for a few minutes and then use wet fingertips to activate the exfoliating action and rinse. It can also be used straight-up as a cleanser. It was only $20 for 125 mL. Score!

I then asked her recommendation on a serum. I had done some research and read good things about Olay Regenerist Serum ($33 for 50 mL) and was all set to purchase that. I asked her about it and she said she preferred the Vichy one (Vichy Lift-Activ Serum 10), which had won a few awards from beauty magazines. We tried both on the back of my hand and I definitely preferred the feel of the Vichy serum. It dried more matte. We also tried a Vichy moisturizer for the same price and I didn't like it as much as the serum, which I planned to use in the daytime under makeup. My BB Cream is already quite slick and I didn't want to add any more shine to my face. 

The serum was $10 more than the Olay one but because it's the end of the holidays, they were clearing out gift sets and I managed to snag a box of the serum, a cleanser, and a night cream for the same price. So that takes care of the cream and serum and I got a bonus cleanser! I tried the cleanser (Purete Thermale), but did not care for it. It contains mineral oil and left a film on my face. A boon if you have dry skin, but I'll stick with my gel cleanser for my acne-prone/sensitive skin. 

The total for the mask, cleanser, serum, and cream came to half of what I would have paid at Skoah. After redeeming my points, I paid $15 for the whole kit and caboodle. Not bad!

I immediately rushed home to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. I had a nice bath, deep-conditioned my hair, and tried out the products. The Tri-Activ scrub is not as abrasive as my Aveda skin refiner, but still did the trick. It is also clay-based, so it absorbs oil and is mattifying. 

After blotting my face dry with a towel, I use a pencil-eraser size of the serum on my face and neck. It felt smooth and silky and dried quickly. I used a small amount of night cream on my face next. My skin felt soft and not greasy or sticky.

I had a little redness in my cheeks from exfoliating, like I always do, but that calmed down in half an hour. 

The results are awesome and I'm really happy with my purchases. I'll update you a little further down the road on how the products are benefiting my skin, since I can't tell much from just one use. I'll also see how the serum works under makeup and if I break out from the night cream. But, so far so good.

More to come! 

Review: Spanx Higher Power Briefs

Spanx Higher Power Brief

Alright. Let's talk about our unmentionables. Well, they're not so unmentionable anymore - we see bras and panties everywhere: on mannequins, hanging in store windows, on TV, and in catalogues. But we don't see shape wear hanging around. There's some sort of stigma attached to trying to look 10 lbs thinner - you just don't want people to know your secret. Spanx is #1 on the market in shape wear. They have an array of products from leggings to briefs and full-body shapers. They're designed to be durable and comfortable for everyday wear and most importantly, invisible. They come in different shades, like nude and black, to be camouflaged underneath whatever you're wearing. 

Most of my friends wear shape wear on special occasions only: when they squeeze into their little black dresses. Most of my friends are also of average weight and height and have maybe a bit of a tummy they don't want poking out of their evening wear. I'm more than your average weight for my height and my tummy pokes out of everything I wear. Short of actually losing 10 lbs, I felt like it was high time to do something to look a bit more sleek and shapely.

I bought my first shaper panty at Penningtons. It was $30 and served me well for 2 years. It gave me a smooth figure, but the nude colour got discoloured from my favourite dark wash jeans. It also rolled down in the back and I was constantly hiking it up. I tried to tuck it under my bra, but it would just slide down. However, it allowed me to wear pants one size smaller and that felt good.

I got sick of always fussing around with it, so I decided to ditch it for a couple of years . When I met my boyfriend, I was embarrassed wearing it. I had someone once mention it after a hug because they could feel it under my shirt. I was mortified.

Fast forward a year and a half. I was shopping at London Drugs with my Mom and we found a display rack of Spanx products next to the pharmacy. My Mom picked up a pair and I thought, "why not?". I had heard good reviews of the Higher Power panty and had specifically read a story in a magazine about a woman who felt more confident and sexy wearing it under her clothes. It was $50 - $20 more than the generic Penningtons brand. It promised not to roll down and to be comfortable and invisible. They only had black, but I decided to give them a try.

I wear them every day (with panties underneath) under my work clothes and I no longer have a roll over my jeans. My blouse that was pulling on the bottom button now fits smoothly. The bottom part is cotton and very comfortable. Panty lines are non-existent. The elastic top has a thick band around the top that fits under my bra and doesn't roll down. I hand wash them several times a week and they have held up great and have no runs or tears.

Overall, I give this product a great rating. It was well worth the $50. I feel more confident and sleek. I also feel more professional at work - not sloppy with my un-tucked blouse pulling at the bottom.

I thought long and hard about my motives for wearing Spanx. And I've basically come to the conclusion that I don't know if it's not feminist to wear them. I think whatever makes you comfortable is okay. I'm not wearing them to impress the patriarchy or my boyfriend or my boss or anyone else. I wear them to feel comfortable and confident. My pants fit better and I can breathe easier. That's worth $50 in my opinion.

3 Reviews: Maybelline Mascara and BB Cream and Down Under Naturals Conditioner

I used 3 new products today: Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream, Maybelline's The Falsies mascara, and Down Under Naturals Hypo-allergenic Conditioner. All 3 were part of an early Christmas gift, so I decided to try them all in one day and write one big review.

First, the BB Cream.

I first tried BB cream when I was given a sample of it at the Clinique counter when I purchased some other makeup. BB cream ("beauty balm" or "blemish balm") has exploded on the Western markets. It hails from Asia, where it's been touted as the "secret weapon" of Korean actresses. It's supposed to be a sunblock and light foundation in one, covering blemishes and imperfections and leaving your skin looking flawless.

I liked the Clinique BB cream - I found it similar to their foundations, just a bit lighter. It's quite liquid-y, unlike my Aveda tinted moisturizer which is thick. 

Since I had run out of the sample and was nearly out of my tinted moisturizer, I decided to give the Maybelline version a try. I read promising reviews online and was tempted by the 8-in-one benefits: everything from sun protection to acting as a serum and primer to concealing imperfections.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

The price was definitely right: $9 for 30 mL of goop. I chose the medium shade out of the 5 available. This BB cream is liquid and only a small amount is needed. I dotted my chin, cheeks, and forehead and blended with my fingertips. The cream felt smooth and had no odour. It felt a bit dewy after, like I had applied sunscreen. The medium shade blended perfectly with my skin tone. I covered it with a light dusting of setting powder because my skin is a bit oily and I work in a hot, humid environment. I wasn't sure if I believed the BB cream could stand up to a full working day and a visit to a friend's after.

Fast forward 14 hours: my skin is dewy and slightly shiny. I still have a polished look and imperfections are still covered, but my face is oily to the touch. Not bad for a sheer tint that's supposed to do 8 things. 

Overall, I would give this product a good rating. It's definitely easy to blend, covers well (more than a tinted moisturizer), and stands up to a 14-hour day. However, I did use a setting powder with it and my skin was oily at the end of the day as it is with most of the foundations I've used. There are also only 5 shades available, some which might not be suitable for all skin tones.

Maybelline's The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara

I decided to give this mascara a try because I came up to the 3-month cut off of my Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion. A former coworker of mine had long, dramatic lashes and used this one as a base (she used 2 or 3 different mascaras; I'm only interested in using one). It was also $6 on sale, which is hard to pass up when my usual mascaras are around the $11 mark.

The first thing I noticed about this mascara is that the wand is flexible. It was bouncy! It was a little strange to put on. You can see in the photo that there is a gap in the wand; that's where it bends. I don't know the purpose of this - maybe to glide the mascara onto your lashes more effectively?

It did the trick though and I quickly built up 3 coats on each eye without drying between coats. One more and I would have had tarantula eyes. 

I did indeed have long, luscious lashes. They definitely didn't look "false", but they looked nice. Just as nice as the Cover Girl mascara. 

My only gripe is that this is harder to take off than the Cover Girl. I don't use any makeup remover (just cleanser) and I was left with raccoon eyes even after paying extra attention massaging cleanser into my eye area. I improvised by using olive oil on a tissue to remove the excess. It worked great.

Overall, a nice mascara and I will use it for the next 3 months. 

Edit: I used Lash Blast Fusion again today and I find it's a much cleaner mascara. Meaning there's less mess to clean up after applying, it doesn't flake, and it's much easier to remove. The wand is also much steadier and easier to apply. I'll go back to it after I finish with The Falsies in 3 months.

Down Under Naturals Hypo-allergenic Conditioner

I picked up this conditioner because it was CHEAP! $2.48 for a full litre. Amazing! It usually costs me $12 for a third of that. And to boot, this conditioner is silicone and sulfate free! Score!

I used it twice today because I ended up showering both morning and night. I used 3 pumps for my shoulder-length hair. It felt thick, but not rich. Smooth, but not slippery. It smoothed through my hair nicely and I was able to detangle with my fingers. I left it in for a few minutes and it rinsed out clean without any residue like some of my other conditioners. It had a nice, light tropical scent. Nothing overpowering and nothing at all like the coconut on the front of the bottle, but nice nonetheless. 

Today wasn't the greatest day to review a conditioner because A) it was raining heavily and B) I had to leave the house with wet hair (I have curly hair that I don't blow dry, except in emergencies).

I tucked most of my wet hair into a knitted cap and my hair air-dried at work. It was frizzy and I had to use water and a little finger-styling to get it back into shape. My coiff was quite voluminous, but it was soft to the touch and not sticky or waxy. By the end of the day my hair was full and glorious. I had finger-combed it into ringlets and it looked gorgeous. 

My hair is drying right now from shower No. 2 and I have pretty ringlets. I declare this conditioner a super duper WIN! 

If you don't like silicones or sulfates in your conditioners, check this out. I wouldn't use this as a deep treatment, but as an every day conditioner this stuff kicks ass. 

Edit: A friend of mine pointed out that this conditioner is biodegradable and not tested on animals. WIN!

That's it for now, friends. Stay tuned, I'm sure I'll find something around here to write about in the upcoming weeks.

Book Review: When Things Fall Apart and Peace is Every Step

So I have a lot of "self-help" books. Books on love, books on Buddhism, books on maximising your time and achievement, books on martial arts and Taoism, and even a book called "How To Wash Your Face" (Barey J. Kenet, M.D.). 

I've read all or most of these books and have come away from each a little more inspired and with a little more knowledge on how to be a compassionate, wise being. My last read was When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron. It shook me to my core. I mean literally shook me up. The book describes no security in anything, to abandon hope, and to embrace fear. I was afraid. I cried, knowing all the constructs I had put up, my neat little life: all of that could fall apart at any moment. I could be left by anyone, I could lose my job, I could lose face; all things that terrified me. She talks about 6 kinds of loneliness and embracing them. Just being willing to be there, to be lonely, with no resolution. And in that, you will find a vast open space where there can be peace, compassion, and wisdom. I tried to meditate, but I was afraid. My heart felt like a clenched fist, scared to let anything or anyone in or out lest I be strewn apart by the winds of life. 

Well, "fuck that", I thought. I cling tightly to my constructs and the people in my life. I have a job, an apartment, and a boyfriend. I have good friends and family relations and a network of support. I'm not going to throw it all away to be alone and lonely and happy about it. But that's not what she's talking about. She's talking about detaching with love so in the difficult times, it's not so hard. We can still have our life - just without attachment. She's right: there is no security in other people, in our constructs, in our ideas about who we are. The book stirred something in me so aggressively that I sought out help from a friend who is a meditation teacher. I'm calming down now and meditation isn't so scary anymore. 

The latest book I'm reading is Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. It's a short little paperback that I picked up from Chapters for $15. The dandelion on the front intrigued me and so did the foreward by the Dalai Lama. 

Thay (pronounced "tie" and meaning "teacher" in Vietnamese"), writes simply and in short, concise sentences. I first encountered this in Old Path White Clouds, his story of the Buddha's life. The book is written in parts consisting of a few short paragraphs on every subject from doing the dishes to anger and hatred. Thich Nhat Hanh describes useful and practical techniques for dealing with every issue: irritation, anger, disappointment, grief. He talks about turning your anger into compassion, which is hard to do. 

He describes meditation as a calming of the body and mind and recommends smiling as you breathe out. I tried it and felt happy. He says if you smile while doing anything, you can be very happy doing simple work like chores around the house. He says everything you need to be happy is in the present moment.

This book inspires me and hasn't shaken me to my core like Pema's. Both are telling the truth; Thay just in a more gentle way. If we practice mindfulness in every day life, we can transform ourselves into compassionate and wise beings and offer kindness to others and help transform them. In the foreword, the Dalai Lama speaks of world peace starting with the individual. If we can not be kind and compassionate ourselves, how can we expect others to be? He says it is our job to liberate ourselves and to help benefit others. I can jive with that.

Practice extends far from the cushion. Sure, you can take a long retreat in silence and everything will be nice and neat, but real practice happens out there in the big, bad world. I was on the bus yesterday and found it hard to look a homeless man in the eye. I relaxed and smiled at him, and he smiled back. It felt good. 

I look forward to reading the rest of the book and will write an update when I am finished. So far, so good. If you want a short and inspiring read, check it out!

Review: Aveda Tourlamine Charged Radiant Skin Refiner

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner

I'm on an Aveda kick lately and purchased this exfoliant after the facial I mentioned in my previous post. The esthetician used this as part of the routine after cleansing. I liked the feel of the granules on my skin and the lovely herbal scent. 

When I was purchasing the products, she told me I only needed to exfoliate once a week despite the bottle saying it should be used twice weekly. She said once was enough for my skin.  

It's a clay-based scrub (kaolin) and has tourmaline crystals to help refine the skin. Tourmaline, according to Wikipedia, is a semi-precious stone and is made of silica particles. This refiner is supposed to be gentle on the skin and whisk away impurities and imperfections leaving your skin soft, smooth, and radiant. 

I tried this scrub exactly one week after my facial and used a dime-sized amount after cleansing. I scrubbed gently using the pads of my finger tips. The scrub was not overly harsh or grainy; the particles were small and felt smooth on my skin. I did my face, neck, and decollete, as instructed on the tube. I even did my lips. It rinsed away clean and I did not have to "whisk away" particles with a cloth as the tube said. I spritzed toner over my face after exfolitating and my face felt clean and healthy. The next day I noticed my skin was much clearer and felt softer. 

I'm looking forward to exfoliating again tomorrow. The price tag is hefty at $50 per 100 mL, but you only need a tiny amount as with the other Aveda products I've tried. I wasn't an exfoliating type of gal before this, but Aveda's scrub has turned me into a convert.

Review: Aveda Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser and Toner

Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser

First: the cleanser. I purchased this product after receiving an Aveda facial at one of their spas. The esthetician used this gel cleanser as part of the experience (cleansing, toning, exfoliation, masque, moisturizer, and massage - highly recommended!). She told me that just a little bit would remove makeup and impurities and leave my skin soft and hydrated. She wasn't lying. I loved the herbal smell and the smooth feeling of the gel on my face. After the facial, I wanted to purchase the products she used. She told me this cleanser was best suited for my skin type (slightly dry/slightly oily). I was to use one pump morning and night and to rub it in with the pads of my fingers and blot dry with a towel.

I've been using the cleanser for exactly one week now and it's made a huge difference in my skin. Before, I was using black mud soap from Israel as my main cleanser with no toner or moisturizer. My face was riddled with black heads and I was breaking out weekly. The only qualm I have about this cleanser is that it doesn't fully remove my mascara. I have to use a tissue to wipe away the excess after cleansing. It's not a lot, but it's enough to annoy me. But that tells me that this cleanser isn't stripping my skin, which is a good thing. It is plant-based and doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate like most other cleansers I've used that are harsh and drying to the skin. It foams just enough to wash away impurities and has 16 different organic essential oils that make up a sensual aroma. I love the way my skin smells and feels after using it!

The $30 price tag is a bit hefty, but only one pump is needed and this 150 mL bottle will last me at least 6 months. I could buy a $10 cleanser from the drug store every month or two and it would add up to the same amount. 

Now, the toner.

Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist

The esthetician at the Aveda spa told me that my skin wasn't dry enough for a moisturizer and that this toning mist would help replenish moisture and balance my skin tone. It has a light herbal aroma and feels cooling on the skin. The directions say to use it in the morning after cleansing, so that's what I do. I spritz it over my face and let it dry before using their Inner Light tinted moisturizer. It's hydrating and my skin doesn't feel tight or dry after using it. It's expensive for a toner, but a little goes a long way.

I know, I know - it sounds like a lot of hype to promote Aveda. But, I've fallen in love with their products and services. The facial was excellent and so are the products I've purchased. I like them so much, I've considered giving them as gifts!

Edit: Fast forward almost one month later and I would like to report that my skin is flawless. During the first week (and after the first exfoliation), I had some mild breakouts but nothing major. Now, I don't get pimples at all! I'm very pleased with these products. The only gripe, as I said before, is that it doesn't remove all my mascara (specifically Maybelline's "The Falsies"). I use it with Cover Girl Lash Blast and it removes it just fine. Hooray!

Review: Clinque Lid Smoothie

Clinque Lid Smoothie in "Cashew Later"

Hello, friends! I have been away for a while - starting a new job and moving into a new apartment and working on various projects. It's good to be back.

I picked up this product about a month ago after a complimentary makeover at a Clinque counter at the local Sears. The cosmetician used it as a base for a powder eye shadow and told me it would help my shadow last up to 8 hours. When I went back (just for a browse - haha), the cosmetician at the counter told me it gave her eye shadow 14-hour staying power. I was impressed. They come in an array of colours with cute names like "Sassy-fras" and "Pinkgo Biloba" and can be used alone or as a primer. I chose "Cashew Later" (a nude beige with a hint of shimmer), to wear under the eye shadow quad I also purchased ("Purple Haze" - a lovely violet with a silver highlighter and a darker grey for the crease. It also has an indigo to make a smoky eye). 

The Lid Smoothie comes in a small tube with a metal applicator. I don't use the applicator, I just squeeze out a little bit and apply with my finger. It dries in seconds. Not sticky or powdery - just matte. It also says that it's "antioxidant". The Clinique website states that it protects the eye area and that nourishing ingredients help smooth fine lines. 

I tried wearing the Lid Smoothie on its own with just eye liner and mascara, and found it creased before 8 hours and my eye liner transferred to my eye lid. But when I wear it under eye shadow, it makes the colours pop and keeps it on all day - even when I go from work to a social event. The rest of my face might be shiny, but this stuff lasts and lasts.

Overall, I'm very happy with this product. The $20 price tag is reasonable because this tube will likely last me 6 months with the teeny-tiny amount needed.

It also comes in colours like "Imprompt-Blue" and "Salt and Pepper", so there is definitely something for everyone. If you want an eye shadow primer that works, give this a try. 

Update: Ur Doing It Wrong

So... It looks like I've been crocheting wrong the whole time. I bought some thinner, baby pink yarn on sale and the corresponding hook and was able to actually make a square instead of a weird triangle-circle thingy. After watching the tutorial video again, I realized I had been doing the wrong stitch. 

Here's the right one: 

Much better!

I'm going to keep practicing squares until I can read a pattern and do all the stitches required. Like wtf is a slip stitch? I'm going to have to Google that one. I've joined a couple of crochet communities and am getting lots of help. Who knew Crocheting for Dummies would be so helpful?!

Review: Nature's Gate Toothpaste

Natures Gate Creme de Mint Natural Toothpaste

I have tried almost every toothpaste on the drugstore shelf. From Crest to Aim, I've suffered canker sores, rashes around the mouth from fake flavours (cinnamon, anyone?), and sensitive teeth. For the last few years, I've exclusively used Sensodyne Pronamel to no avail. I still had a sharp pain in my teeth every time I ate something very hot or frozen. I even tried knock-off brands of sensitive teeth toothpastes - again, nothing. 

I've also tried many natural toothpastes on the market, including neem-based ones, ayurvedic concoctions, and fennel and ginger-flavoured toothpastes. I've tried them with and without flouride. I've hated most of them and resented paying almost $7 a pop for each. 

I originally bought this toothpaste 2 years ago on recommendation from a co-worker and returned it to the store because it contained sodium lauryl sulfate. SLS has been known to cause canker sores. I was on the hunt for a nice-tasting natural toothpaste after using a nasty neem one and being sick of the fake flavours of the drugstore choices. Some natural toothpastes cost up to $10 here! Nature's gate was mid-range at $5 (the same price or a little less than Pronamel, depending where you go) and the tube was quite large. I read the ingredients and opened the box. There were 2 changes made: the toothpaste no longer contained sulfates and they changed it from the standard tube to a stand-up one. Bonus!

I decided to give it a shot. The main ingredient is calcium carbonate (chalk) so it doesn't really foam (that's what SLS does) but I wasn't worried about that. I just wanted clean-feeling teeth, fresh breath, and a nice, natural mint flavour. Nature's Gate delivered on all fronts. I even had my Mom try it and she said it was great!

I'm very happy with this toothpaste and will definitely buy it again. The flavour is what gets me the most: a subtle, fresh mint taste.

If you're looking for a natural toothpaste that has bang for your buck, try it out. I'm sure you'll love it. 

In Memory of Rick Hunter

Sept 20, 1957 - Aug 30, 2012

Rick would often quote this song to me when I complained to him about my first-world problems. I'm going to miss him.

Review: L'Oreal Eversleek Reparative Smoothing Conditioner

L'Oreal Paris EverSleek Reparative Smoothing Conditioner

I picked up this conditioner as the companion to my Eversleek Reparative shampoo (reviewed here). It was on sale for $6.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart ($4 off) and I was running low on my Yes To Cucumbers conditioner (another great product I'll review later). I was excited to try the combo of both the shampoo and the conditioner together. I always get excited about little things like that. I liked the smell of the shampoo and the volume it gave my fine curls (although my boyfriend used it and hated the poof it made his hair into [he didn't use conditioner]). 

This conditioner is sulfate- and silicone-free and uses sunflower, argan, and olive oils to moisturize and condition.

I usually use up to a palmful of conditioner for my hair, but I decided to go for 2 quarter-sized amounts. It spread evenly and smoothly through my shoulder-length hair. I left it in for about 5 minutes as I went about my regular shower routine. It rinsed out clean and tangle-free. I followed up with my usual gel (Herbal Essences Set Me Up - a silicone-free gel), scrunched from underneath, and finger-styled my curls. 

My hair dried in shiny, manageable ringlets: frizz free and soft. I had to resist the temptation to run my fingers through my hair (lest I turn my perfect curls into a rats nest). 

I declare this conditioner a win!

Side note: I would not recommend this product to someone with oily hair. This is a rich conditioner and would weight it down, making it limp and oilier. My hair, although fine, is dry and loves to soak up moisture. 

"Meditation is my meditation" - But still, camping is pretty great!

Hi! I missed you. I've been gone for a while: camping for 8 days.

I'm totally listening to Enya right now and sitting in my pyjamas writing this blog post and thinking about meditation and the great camping trip I just got back from.

People often say that running is their meditation. Or knitting or yoga. Or whatever. Some of my friends in my meditation sitting group want to make a shirt that says "Meditation is my meditation". I don't correct people when they say then Zen out on kneading dough or getting a massage, but I prefer to keep my meditation separate from my other activities and just focus on mindfulness as actual meditation. I can see why people say working on their car is like sitting on the cushion - it's an all-encompassing task that requires all of your focus. So much, in fact, that you get lost in it and can think of nothing else. It can seem like a meditative state, especially if it keeps you calm. 

During sitting practice, lots of thoughts arise and fall away. The point, in insight meditation, is to observe them, the sensations in your body and around you, and the feeling tones of those thoughts and sensations. Some meditations feel clear and energizing. Others feel sluggish. Others, irritating. Not getting caught up in fantasies, memories, or planning is hard. Really hard. It's not about flicking this switch and your mind becomes this clear, boundless white space. I had that misconception when I first started sitting. 

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I've been trying my hand at a couple of different things: fishing and crocheting, and finding them "meditative". I'm not actually practising mindfulness during these activities, but I sure feel calm and focused. I never understood the appeal of fishing until I tried it. Same with crocheting. Many of my friends fish, knit (or crochet) and I've been happy to watch or tag along and read a book or chat. But when I finally decided to get a hobby or two and faced my fear of things being too hard and that I wouldn't be a pro the first time I tried it, I realized how awesome having something to focus on besides introspecting and thinking can be.

See, I've gone from this:

To this:

I had to start over 4 times. I tied knots or twisted the other ones. I've even done a few more rows since I took the second picture. 

Crocheting was a fun fireside activity, although I needed lots of lantern light to go by. It was relaxing in the evening after hot, long days in the sun. It feels nice to make something tangible, even if it's going to be the most oddly-shaped dish cloth in the world. 

On to the camping trip! I kept my phone off because there was no service and to preserve the battery (turning it on sucks half the juice). I took a few pictures.

First, we camped on my sister's lawn in Vernon from Saturday to Monday. We had barbeques, visited my best friend, went fishing at Mabel Lake (great for swimming, but not so great for fishing without a boat), at the dam at Shuswap Falls, and under this awesome bridge:

I think it's a panda!

My bro-in-law casting his line

After a couple of trips to Surplus Herbys to buy rods, tackle, and a fishing license for me, we set off for Keremeos. Traffic was bad going into Penticton, but we made it by mid-afternoon. We found the town surprisingly empty, especially after the infamous Sober Riders camp out on the weekend. There were a few trailers and tents scattered amongst the many camp sites and we were thrilled to find our favourite spot at the Buckhorn site empty. It's right on the edge of the camp site, very private and right on the river. It's also free! We fished at a couple of different spots and I caught a couple of little guys I threw back. Unfortunately, thunderstorms were in the forecast, so we only camped there 2 days before having to pack up in literally 10 minutes in the pouring rain. 

Here's the red bridge you go over to the road that leads up the Ashnola River:

After Keremeos, we drove into Princeton to stop for gas and ice. The attendant asked if I was from the area and I said we were looking for somewhere to camp and fish. She said Allison Lake was 18 kms north, toward Merrit. We drove up there and explored the site, which is $11 per night. It's all raked gravel and right off the highway. The lake and picnic area is on the other side of the road. We decided to stay the night after not finding anywhere else suitable to hunker down. We couldn't find the turnoff for Kump Lake and found Robertson Lake too remote and run down. There were 2 camp sites there that no one had maintained for a long while and a dishevelled, pieced-together boat launch. There was nowhere to fish from shore.

We fished in Allison Lake in the evening and caught many small trout. Luckily, the lake has a 10 hp limit on boats, so the fish don't get disturbed by the wake. The lake was warm and nice for swimming too. It was lovely fishing in the evenings before bed. You could see fish spotting and jumping all over the place. 

The campsite has cold tap water with a boil-water advisory, so we heated it to do dishes with but it was fine for bathing. It was nice to rinse off after the hot, dusty days up in Princeton. 

We packed up the next morning and headed for Chain, Link, and Osprey Lakes to find camping and fishing spots. These lakes are along the Princeton-Summerland Road, by the Kettle Valley Railway. Each lake had a small, but full camp site with what looked like boat-only fishing. The lake was too reedy to fish from the shore. The bugs were bad, too. We found one spot at Osprey Lake, but it was on a slope and where two trails converged right at the entrance to the camp site. Not a lot of privacy either. And it was $12! A dollar more than the nicely maintained camp site we had just stayed at. We headed back to Allison Lake and stayed 3 more nights. 

So what did we do besides sit in front of the camp fire and cook delicious meals (ribs, tandoori chicken, fajitas, french toast...etc.) on our camp grill? Well, we fished and swam as I already mentioned but we did some other cool stuff like rock hounding. We followed the guides and maps in Rick Hudson's Gold, Gemstones, and Mineral Sites of BC and found sites where we found agates, quartz, fossils, and different geodes and mineral deposits. It was pretty fun driving up old logging roads, following the vague instructions in the book. We explored all over and saw some beautiful views. 

We also found the ghost towns of Coalmont, Granite City, and the mining town of Blakeburn.

Old, collapsed building in Blakeburn

Blakeburn

Blakeburn Creek where we found agates and malachite

Coalmont's Welcome sign

Weird sign in Coalmont

Granite City Cemetery

Colourful grave in the Granite City Cemetery

Nature is pretty amazing and you can see that clearly in rocks and fossils and the way they form. I don't know a whole lot about them, but I'm learning and I love it. 

After 8 days of socializing, exploring, cooking fabulous meals, swimming, fishing, and driving all over hell's half acre, we headed back to the Lower Mainland.

The traffic was easy, until we hit Bridal Falls. There was an accident a couple kms west (flipped trailer), and we spent 1.5 hours in go and stop traffic. It was nice to finally get home, do laundry and take a hot shower.

I wish the trip lasted longer, but it's nice to get back to work and routine too. I'd do it all over again in a second. Maybe next time I'll take 2 weeks. I'd like to get my annual fishing license and try some rivers around here.

And I'll finish off with the song I'm listening to right now. My boyfriend showed me this last year when I started to play uke and it's one of my favourites. Enjoy!