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.