Listerine Smart Rinse

It has been a week since my daughter has been using the mouth wash.
I have even tried it myself.
It tastes fine.  Not harsh as the adult version.
Regardless what kind of mouth wash it is I always add a bit of water to dilute it.
The bottle recommends the child to be at least 6 years old or older because they dont want the child swallowing it.
My daughter does not mind the taste.
She does NOT like mint flavoured so this is ideal for her to use.

What I really like about this bottle is that it is kids friendly.
Instructions written on the bottle: "remove cap and hold bottle upright. Fill to 10 ml line by squeezing the front and back (not the sides) of the bottle. Stop squeezing. Excess liquid will drain back into bottle. Pour out."
So the solution is squeeze out into the "cap" and then you pour it out into a cup to use.
That way, the child does not accidentally empty the whole bottle out when he/she tries to pour it into a cup.

My daughter really like Tinker Bell on the bottle.
I named it "Fairy Water" that will help clean her teeth.

Would I recommend this?  Yes.  It adds an extra step to help to protect their teeth.
Would I re-purchase it?  Yes, if it is on sale.

Retails C$5.99

*Received this product from PR - the opinions are my own*

Great Deals

Why cant we find these great deals at our Canadian Sephoras.
Here are a few advertised deals I would like to get my hands on.

I love Marc Jacobs' Daisy.

Save almost 65% off - crazy

Now Sephora carries WEN

What do you think?
Going shopping in the US soon?

Empties!!

These took awhile for me to finish.
I had that crazy phase of over purchasing Bath and Body Works products because of their great deals.
Now have too much and just want to finish them all up.
I think I have about 3 or 4 more unused body lotions I have to go through.

I really like the Glysomed foot cream.
After a few night of applying the foot cream it really hydrates my feet.
I know I will be purchasing this again when it goes on sale.

Yes, I have finished another Carmex lip balm.
I apply this every night.
I have not found another product out there that could replace it.
I just have to remember to pick another one up when I am in Walmart.

The tin was Satsuma & Shea Body Butter.  I bought it during the Spring One of a Kind Show.
I cant believe it is all gone...

Does the 3 sample tubes count?
1. Orlane
2. Caudalie
3. Glam Glow
I dont like all of them.

I cant wait to do another Empty post.
I hope one of the item will be another Bath and Body Works lotion.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear

Occasionally I get the odd break outs.
I was looking for something that will do the job.
I have tried Clean and Clear but I have noticed it does jack for me.
I bought this when I was in Loblaws Superstore and I think it was on sale for C$6.99.
I wanted results.
I applied it all the time and right after I wash my face.
It said 8 hours but really I would say about 24 hours I start seeing results.
Would I purchase this again - yeah
Is it better than Clean and Clear - double yeah.

Going to the Movies

After a few months of craziness I've treated myself to the movies.
Last weekend I watched "The Avengers"
Great movie.
I have seen "Iron Man 1 & 2" and "Thor".
Never saw "The Hulk" or "Captain America".
I still enjoyed it because I kinda knew who the Hulk was and Captain America.
Who doesn't?
I really enjoyed watching it and I know the audience did too because at the end of the movie we all clapped.
There has been only a few occasion that has happened before so you know you are not the only one who enjoyed it.

This weekend I watched Pixar's new movie "Brave".
I love all movies done by Pixar.
Since this was the opening weekend, the theatre was packed.
Before the movie there was a mini-movie which I really liked.
It was a kind that puts a smile on your face.
"Brave" was also very enjoyable to watch.
I cant wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it with my daughter.
No, my daughter didnt come with me since this is my "me" time.
I needed it to re-energize myself.

Any movies you watched or want to watch?

Gold Bond

Sometimes I wonder if some things will work as describe on the bottle.
I hate wasting my money on products that sucks.
One time I had this skin irritation on my neck for days.
No idea what happened.
I was dying because the itch was driving me insane.
So I picked up Gold Bond...guess what, this stuff really works!
I put this on after I wash my face or a shower.
I have no idea if I was allergic to something that caused it but I am glad it was gone.
I didn't know if its meant to used on the face but as long it is not near my eyes I should be fine.
The stuff smells like medicine but after awhile the smell goes away or faint that you dont noticed it much.

Vichy: Pro Even ~ #Review

Bought this back in April
Wanted to try it to see if it will eliminate my dark spots.
Vichy just launched it during Spring and for C$44 I thought I will give it a shot (hoping for the best)
I asked Vichy how often I should apply this and they said after you wash your face...no more than 2X a day.
What I like about Pro Even is it absorbs quickly, no stinky smells, and makes my skin nice and soft.
I apply this before I moisturize and I always put sunscreen afterwards.
This lasted me about 2 month.
The result...I cant see any change.  I might need a second tube to see any result.
I am not sure if would purchase another one or if I would try a different product.
I only have few days worth...what am I going to do?

Bewildered Bug's Favourite Products ~ #Guest Post

If you may recall, I did a guest post back in May for the infamous Bewildered Bug.
On a whim, I have asked Ms. Bewildered Bug what favourite products she is currently using.
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When Happy Chinadoll first asked me to describe all the products I have been using in my daily routine, I was a bit intimidated.  She has tried so many products and blogs constantly about beauty and makeup that I was a bit intimidated.  Then I remembered what I wrote on my blog recently - all these products and cosmetics are more about improving your self esteem and emphasizing who you are; they are not there to hide or to disguise or to recreate you into someone or something that magazines and social media says you should be.

I took a long hard look at the products I use, and although they aren't the perfect products for me at the moment, they are excellent products and they help me create a quick daily routine that gets me out the door on time looking fabulous.  I am gluten and dairy free and am therefore going to be switching a lot of these products in the near future, but for those of you without my health problems, they have been fantastic and are fantastic products to keep an eye out for.  I have not been compensated for this post in any way by any of these brands, I just truly believe that they will definitely help you to celebrate the diva that is you.

Some of the products

For cleansing products, I currently use the Bioderma Hydrabio & Sebium Collections (yes I'm massacring the french accents).  Bioderma is a French company, and in my limited experience, the French are the top in gently cleansing products.  Every single cleansing line that I have found successful and gentle enough for my intolerant and sensitive skin tend to be from France - most from Paris.  Maybe I should just go live there.  Anyways, I digress - currently I use the Bioderma Sebium H2O for cleansing, and then the Hydrabio Legere cream as a moisturizer.  The Sebium H20 is very gentle and is also a makeup remover and toner in one - so it definitely speeds things up on rushed mornings and late evenings for me.  The cream is a light moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin, prepping it appropriately for any makeup application I may need to do in a hurry.  If it is the middle of winter, I use the Hydrabio Masque at night.  Even though it says "masque" it is actually just a heavier cream that gives my skin just that little bit of extra moisturizing oomph that is so often needed during the dry winter months.  If I break out (we all do) I spot on the Sebium Al or Akn for pimples and blackheads.  Bioderma is inexpensive and readily available at any Shoppers' Drug Mart as well as online.

Some of my makeup (are u crazy? I am a girl, of course I have more than this!)

For makeup, I prefer not to stick with one brand, but rather to go with colours and applications that I am drawn to and can use easily.  I love to try new brands and new makeup but do have my favourites.  Currently, for my everyday face, I do use a full made up face, just because of my allergies leaving some very ugly, dark marks and blisters on my skin.  Yes, I do hide behind my makeup for this reason - that's why I'm changing, because I'm tired of hiding and would prefer to shine.  The everyday person could easily find the following products and use them successfully since they are all "idiot-proof" products.  For my foundation and my powder I turn to Vasanti cosmetics.  Their liquid foundation comes in a little tube with a brush and matches my skin-tone exactly.  It covers just enough for me to feel confident enough to leave the house and accepts the light powder (that is available in the exact colour palettes as the foundation) graciously to create a smooth, flawless and natural look.  Neither of these products feel as if you have caked on makeup and recently I've even had people think I was not wearing makeup when I was.

After the Vasanti base on my face, I usually apply my eye makeup.  I am a pretty simple person - depending on my mood I may just go with liner and mascara or with a dab of shadow, liner and mascara.  I absolutely love love LOVE the Annabelle liquid liners - they come in so many colours, last forever and have a short wand.  This allows easy and mistake-proof application, even for newbies.  I even converted my sister to these!  I use darker colours jbut you can get some pretty neon and fun colours to do a party look easily.  Currently I'm on a quest for ultra-long lashes but am terrified of falsies, so I have been trying out several mascaras.  The one that I found has worked best for length so far, is the Envyderm mascara that I reviewed on my blog a few months ago.  I have to say I didn't expect it to end up being my favourite and I'm not an online shopper so that annoys me.  I did have the opportunity to meet with a promotional team from Benefit recently and their mascara wand looks very similar...so when I do run out of the gazillions of mascara I have in my makeup bag, I will be trying the Benefit mascara. When I feel for a little bit of pizzazz in my everyday, I dot my tear duct with either a cool light blue/white or a warm matte gold eyeshadow.  I don't use a specific brand for this, I just pick up a colour I love.  For nights out, I prefer to do either a smokey eye which I create with various MAC eyeshadows, or with a fabulous shimmering yet natural look which I create with the Urban Decay NAKED palette.

Again, I have not reacted to any or my eye makeups so they may be the last thing I convert to gluten-free-ism - but that's my personal choice.

For blush I do not use a particular brand, but I do like MAC as well for their choice of colours and their cute packaging.  The same for bronzer - although my MAC bronzer is glittery and more for going out (and sometimes doubles as eye shadow), so I reccently purchased a Smashbox bronzer that has only a little shimmer in it and not glitter.  I use it when I want to dress up a little more but stay natural, and use it just below where I put the blush to emphasize my cheekbones and give it a little bit of that glow that is so popular in today's makeup trends.  I am not a lipstick lover/gloss love, so I cannot really recommend any to you.  I have found a lipstick that I love from a small Canadian brand named Momo that sells out of a specific spa - but the reason is sorta silly.  The lipstick smells like chocolate....and I love the smell.  Otherwise, I may go with a lined lip with just plain Vaseline or just plain Vaseline....and when it's been eaten/drunk off or kissed or off or whatever I go au naturelle!

Funnily enough, I just realized that most of the brands I have chosen to use are Canadian - MAC (best known) is from Toronto, Annabelle/Marcelle is under Le Groupe Marcelle from Montreal and Vasanti is a Toronto based cosmetic company that focuses on South Asian skin.  How interesting.....I'm going to be in trouble when I move out of Canada :S

My favourite hair products (of course I have others - but these are the ones I actually use!)
Goldwell shampoo & conditioner,Kerastase Chroma Thermique,Moroccan Oil

Other than just face products, I've always had an affinity for trying new hair products.  My hair has been my one feature that I've always loved and therefore I've always spent a lot of money on it.  Currently I've found a routine that really works for it.  I use the Goldwell shampoos (for coloured/damaged hair) that you can buy in bulk from your salon or a beauty supplies outlet, follow it with the Kerastase Chroma Thermique Leave In Hair Conditioner and then follow my blowdry/straightening with Moroccan Oil at the ends.  I've recently bought curl cream to try - it's a gluten free product called Desert Essences - just cause it's summer, I'm blowdrying my hair less and I'd like to emphasize the natural curl a little bit more. The only way to do that is to infuse as much moisture as possible and finger twirl sections - and curl creams are perfect for this.

I hope I've given you a bit of insight into my daily routine and that it has been some help for you.  If you are choosing products, in the end, use what you love and love what you use.  You have to remember that this is not an effort to cover yourself up, but to make you and your personality shine, so my advice is to find colours and products that enhance the real you without making you feel uncomfortable.  Good luck and I look forward to seeing photos of you lovelies!

What products do you find the most useful in your daily routine?

Serena is a 30-something, PR-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, “smug-married”, self-proclaimed people-watching allergy-queen just trying to navigate this obstacle course called life. Her blog, Bewildered Bug, is her attempt to relay her everyday experiences. Feel free to contact her there, on Facebook or on Twitter.
         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you Ms. Bewildered Bug for this wonderful post.  She has given me more than I have expected.  It was a pleasure working with her.

June 2012 Glymm box

I have to admit, every since their rebranding, their service and quality of the box had improved...keep it up.

This month's box:

La Fresh: Eco Beauty Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover
Full Size: 18 packs @ $9.99, Sample Size: 2 packs @ $1.11
These will be very convenient if I was travelling or on the go.  Instead of taking a bottle of nail polish remover (even a small one) I could have a few of these handy packages in my purse.  However, I think these are too expensive for me.  I will stick with the bottled nail polish remover.

Clark's Botanicals: Smoothing Marine Cream
Full Size: 50ml @ $115, Sample Size: estimate 3ml @ $6.90
This smells really good.  It really did make my skin all nice and smooth.  Unfortunately, I cant afford the price tag...ouch!

Salvadore Dali: ItlsDream
Full Size: 60ml @ $54, Sample Size: estimate 1.2ml @ $1.08
It has a "fruity-floral-woody" scent - it is OK.  I am very picky so I will pass on this...

Vitamine and Sea: Perfect Skin Solution
Full Size: 45ml @ $68, Sample Size: estimate 1.5ml @ $2.27
This has so much oil ingredients that I have to pass.  I tried it a bit and it just made my face too greasy.

Belvada: Harmony - Duo Lipstick
Full Size = Sample Size 3.4g @ $20
This is actually really nice.  This reminds me the CoverGirl duo lipstick that they launched awhile back...but this is much better.

The approximate value of this box is $30+

The Bottom Line
My experience with this month's box - 4/5
Product received - 4.5/5
The surprise - 5/5
Favourite product received - Belvada Duo Lipstick
Brownie Points - Many good size products
Overall reaction - Wow!

Do you like this month's box?

Living Proof

I popped over to Winners the other day.
Saw this display in the front of the beauty isle.
Both trial kits are for C$19.99.
I am not sure if these are any good.
I received an email from MyGlam that their exclusive deal is US$35 from Living proof's website.
I was not interested so I didnt purchase it.
I just have too much hair product I need to go through first.

June 2012 topbox

I received mine really late than usual.
My box took a mini detour.

This month box:

Stila: Forever Your Curl Mascara
Full Size 0.24 fl oz @ $29, Sample Size 0.12 fl oz @ $14.50
It is a good size sample.  I really like the applicator.  It does not irritate my eyes.  Not sure it lengthens my lashes as it claims to do.  I doubt there are any mascaras out there can lengthen Asian eye lashes.

Pari Beauty: Precious Glow
Full Size 10ml @ $15, Sample Size - unknown
At first I thought it was a lip gloss when I saw the applicator until I read the information card that it is a liquid shimmer lotion.  It can be used as a eye primer or highlighter.  I love these make-ups that has more than one uses.

Get Creamed Body: Naked Decadence Salon Hair Wash
Full Size 240ml @ $22, Sample Size 60ml @ $5.50
Wow!  Did you smell the stuff?  It has a strong medicine smell.  I have never heard of the company so I will give it a whirl...I wonder if it is like Wen...

Bread & Butter SkinCare
Full Size = Sample Size 90ml @ $11.67
This is the father day sample I asked to receive.  I might be keeping this instead of giving it to my hubby...and I know I am not the only one.  I saw that if you didn't choose a gift for father's day you would have received the Stila: BB Cream...I guess I would have like that too.

*Bonus*
Simple Eye make-up remover
Full Size 125ml @7.97 (Walmart.ca), Sample Size 56ml @ $3.57
Already received this from May's Glossybox.  I dont mind it.  I think it is really good.  I am even thinking of purchasing the full size when I am all out of my makeup remover.

Garnier BB Cream
Full Size 75ml @ $15.97 (Walmart.ca), Sample Size 1.5ml @ $0.32 x 3pkg = $0.96
I already have the full size...it is OK, nothing special.  I noticed others have the Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Daily Conditioner if you didn't choose the Father Day gift option.  Too bad, I would have love to try it.


The total value of this box is $36+

The Bottom Line
My experience with this month's box - 4.5/5
Product received - 4.5/5
The surprise - 5/5
Favourite product received - Bread & Butter
Brownie Points - Many good size products
Overall reaction - Finally!  Stupid Canada Post...

Do you like this month's box?

Hello Mail

I had a good mail day this week.
Want to see what came for me?

1. My Costco BrandSampler came in.
One of a few benefits of having a Costco membership.  I believe this comes out twice a year.

2. Nursery Purified Water was giving away X amount of name tags each day.

3. Are you getting enough calcium?  Did you know many Asians ends up having osteoporosis?  I am not sure how accurate this information is but it could be true.  I have tried their chewable calcium pills and it tastes like chalk.

4. Happy 60th Birthday Neutrogena!
To celebrate their birthday, Neutrogena's Facebook page was offering samples or coupons for a limited of time.  These are decent size samples.  I assumed they will be smaller.  I cant wait to try them.

I hope I would able to receive more freebies/samples soon.  I missed out on the Olay freebie from their facebook page on Mother's Day.  Boo!

Vasanti Cosmetic: Bahamas

This tinted lip balm was included in my ebeauty Birthday bag earlier this year.
I thought it will be like Burt's Bee tinted lip balm but this is 10X more better.
Smooth as butter and it has this wonderful berries smell I could sniff all day.
There are six different shades you can choose from but their Bahamas is their top seller.
It hydrates my lips and I have been using it almost every day.
Lucky me - I have a spare so I dont have to worry when I finish this one.

Ingredients "Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Benzophenone-3, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol,Flavor (Aroma). [+/- (May Contain): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850:1), Red 22 Lake (CI 45380:3), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410:2), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140:1), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985:1), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090:2), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Carmine (CI 75470)]."

C$15

Clean & Clear Body Wash

Recently Clean & Clear launched their new body wash.
Three choices:
Charge: Pomegranate & Orange zest
Boost: Mango & Papaya
Splash: Wildberry & Guava

At Shoppers Drug Mart they cost about C$7 but at Walmart they cost C$5...so go to Walmart...Hahaha
It smells great and lathers up really nice but in the end it is just another old body wash.
I could not tell the difference from this body wash to my usual brand of Softsoap.
Luckily I had some coupons to bring it down to C$3 each or I would have never bought them.

It advertises that it will "leave your skin clean and refreshed"...
I think all body wash can do that so I doubt I will purchase this body wash again.

Have you try them?  What do you think?

Upgraded

So you must have heard that Loosebutton is now going to do a quarterly boxes instead of monthly ones.
I guess there is just too much customers that they cant handle the pressure of the monthly boxes.

There are 3 payment plans:

$26 per quarter ($26 per box)
$50 per semi-annual ($25 per box)
$96 per annual ($24 per box)

The schedule of the boxes will be the Fall (Aug), Winter (Nov), Spring (Feb), Summer (May)

You have the choice of receiving the last June box and then opt into the quarterly program or opt in into the new seasonal boxes so I wont receive my first box until August.

After some consideration I have chosen to receive the seasonal boxes and picked the quarterly payment plan.
Unfortunately I am sure if I will continue with Loosebutton but let's see what happens after two boxes.

The Luxe box will now be the most expensive box of the four companies (topbox, Glossybox, and Glymm box).

So in the end we will be paying more for less.
Better be a damn good box.

What did you choose?

We are back!

Wow, after more than two days of cleaning and purging I have finally finished.
It is not the best but it is the best I could do at the moment with two young kids.
After all that work a few didnt show up to the party and I am left with all that food...I was so worried that there was not enough...Boo.

Hopefully starting next week or so, things should go back the way it should.

Left you a big piece of cake...anyone?

Red velvet cake

Progress!

There has been a bit of progress during the past few days.
I have made a dent in my cleaning frenzy.

I ended up with this huge donation pile.
I mean huge enough that filled the truck and back seats of the car.
Now I have some living space back.
It is not perfect but it is a start.
Can't wait for the kids to out grow their toys and clothes so I can start selling them.

No, that is not our car...Hahaha

One more cleaning day then I have to get ready for the party...rushing to get everything done.

Busy, busy, busy

The past few days I have been so busy cleaning and purging.
My yard looks better than ever before.
I want the house to look decent before this weekend because we are having company over.
I don't want them to come in to see if I had a tornado or something...

Why?
It's going to be my baby girl's first birthday.
Even though she wont remember it but it is a milestone for the me to say - "Yeah! I made it..."

It was a bit bumpy but I have everything under control...sort of.

Great Mail Day

It is always nice to find my mail box full of great things to try.

1. P&G Brand Sampler
I have been waiting for this box. I wanted to try the Downy's unstopables.
My husband will really like the Febreze for the car and a spare razor to keep in his gym bag.

2. DHC samples
You need to call in to request it at 1-800-DHC-CARE (1-800-342-2273)
Tiny samples, they are free so I cant really complain.

 3. This is my 2nd sample from Biore's Facebook page.  Too bad I didn't receive the full size sample like some people did.

4.  I've purchased a Kellogg cereal that gave me a choice of a free breakfast item. Of course I will choose the Almond milk.

Inspire Cosmetics: Dune SPF 18 Corrector Stix

Inspire Cosmetics is based in Toronto.
Discovered them when I was at the Baby Soiree Event.
The Corrector Stix blends really easily and it is so light it does not feel like you are wearing it.
It provides me decent coverage.
I could wear this alone or with a powdered foundation.
To apply, put it on your finger and blend away.

I don't know if it will last me 8 hours because my skin just absorbs it away.
At lease it does not crease like some concealers do.

This stick cost C$24.50 and comes in 5 tones - Silky Beige, Creme, Sandy, Dune, and Hazelnut

Ingredients:

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Dimethicone, Silica, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Nylon-12, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ethylhexy Salicylate, Octyldodecanol, Ozokerite, Benzophenone-3, Butyrospermum Parkll (Shea Butter), tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, (May Contain Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxides)