Greg's ice cream - The Happiest Ice Cream in the World! review

I have FINALLY tried Greg's Ice cream and it is good! No disappointments at all!

Greg's Ice Cream is located on Bloor near Spadina (The Annex). After weeks of hearing my friend talking about this place I knew I had to give it a try.

I went on their website and learned that Greg's ice Cream has been in business for nearly 30 years! After trying their ice cream I think they will be in business for many more 30 years!

Greg's Ice Cream is special ice cream place, with a variety of flavours, They range from "normal" flavours like vanilla to weird flavours like Star Anise. I didn't have the guts to try their Star Anise flavour, instead I got Rum Raisin.

I was really surprised by the amount of Rum they dreneched the raisins in, most of the time, when I order Rum Raisin, they usually taste like raisins + vanilla ice cream. This was not the case at Greg's... I finally know what Rum Raisin should taste like! On top of that, the ice cream was very creamy. I hear their Roasted Marshmallow is extremly popular, the next time I go, I will definitely check it out!

The shop is small with only a few tables, which is alright since it is located in downtown where people would rather go and explore than sit and eat their ice cream.

The downside I would say is that you can order what they offer that day, they do not offer all flavours every day, instead, they have a "what's serving today" and you choose from that. It can be a good thing as you know that the ice cream must be "fresh" but not so if you are going there expecting a specific flavour.

Overall though, this is definitely one of the best ice cream places I have ever tried (especially in Toronto), with a reasonable price and an amazing high quality. I think I will spend much time (and money) at this place this summer!

To see all the "Greg's Ice Cream" reviews I have written, please click here.

website: Greg's Ice Cream

Korean pineapple kiwi popsicle snack review

Summer is here! Which means popsicle cravings are bound to kick in! For those who can read Korean and translate, can you do me a favour and help me translate the name and brand of this Korean Popsicle? (Thanks in advance).

While shopping at Galleria Korean Grocery Store, I came across this popsicle, I have always been a huge fan of "layered" popsicles so this was a must try.

The first layer is kiwi (and I think it is made from real kiwi juice because there are kiwi seeds embedded in the layer), the second layer is a hard layer, I think it must be ice (from water or some very light tasting source); the final layer is pineapple, and it tastes good, it has the pineapple juice, not too sour or too sweet.

This is a very refreshing popsicle! I highly recommend it as it is tasty and the taste is very natural (as in, I don't taste much artificial flavours) and there doesn't seem to be a lot, if any, artificial colouring.

Neutrogena Oil-free fresh moisture review

I was planning to do a review on this moisturizer however, after some research I discovered Neutrogena has discontinued this product. Such a shame! But for those of you who still have this product or you can manage to get this product (somehow) I will do a brief review on this product. I was told that Neutrogena has "improved" this product and replaced it with these as shown in this link. I haven't tried these out yet so I'm not sure how similar/different they are with this product.

I haven't really used Neutrogena products and this moisturizer gives me a reason to buy their products. This moisturizer, Neutrogena oil-free fresh moisture, is marketed as ultra-light moisturizer; leaves skin fresh and soft all day; A light moisturizer that provides optimal hydration for fresh, soft skin all day long.

To me, this moisturizer was "love at first application". The reason being is it is extremely lightweight and it is not greasy. It leaves a wonderful "matte finish" on your skin and makes it so easy to apply make up over it. And that is one of my primary uses for this moisturizer, as I treat it as a light "primer" for my pre-makeup face. It has a light scent to it (but it doesn't feel too artificial). My pores are very sensitive and if they are "clogged" with lotion, I instantly feel my skin breaking out, LUCKILY, I can confidently say it doesn't clog pores. It is water-based so it is very easy to spread (a little goes a long way - the directions indicate you should just apply a dime-sized amount and it will cover your whole face).

Unfortunately, this product didn't make my skin any softer than it was, it helped retain the moisture already present on my face but it didn't make it anymore hydrated (as it claims).

I find that due to it's lightness, this moisturizer is very good for those with normal to oily skin (as it doesn't clog your pores and wouldn't make your face more greasy than it already is). I find it works good during Spring/Summer and not so well during the harsh Fall/Autumn/Winter months.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum review

I have decided to grab this image straight from Clinique's official site since the pictures I took of it didn't seem to look good at all (not appealing), let alone posting them on Instagram.

The Serum is called Clinique repairwear laser focus - wrinkle & UV damage corrector. Although I do not have any wrinkles nor do I go out into the sun too much, I have noticed the significant difference it has made to my skin.

This is officially my favourite serum! I absolutely love how it absorbs into my skin immediately after application and how smooth and soft my skin feels after using it for just 2 days. (I have used this for about a month now, and I love how my skin feels so soft and smooth).

When you first put it on your hand, it feels like milk. Once you apply it on your face your skin instantly absorbs it. What is so amazing about this serum is after you have applied it to your skin it only takes a few minutes for your skin to feel so soft and smooth.

Though it is marketed for those with wrinkles or UV damaged skin, (I have neither of these) I didn't feel it being too strong for my dry skin (and other blemishes, which it did help me get rid of!). Unfortunately, it doesn't help you get rid of large pores.

I highly recommend this serum for those with really dry skin as it does make your skin feel so hydrated. But keep in mind it can be a bit pricey. I would recommend this for those who desperately need their skin to be soft and smooth for major events coming up soon (e.g. prom, formal, weddings, etc) as it instantly "fixes" your skin. It also does a great job in fixing "blemishes" and "bumps" on your skin too.

Collagen Hydrating sleeping mask by Watsons review

First off, what are sleeping masks? Sleeping Masks are facial masks which you put on your face before you sleep and wash it off when you wake up. After hearing about these masks I was really excited to give them a try because they seem very cool (imagine wearing a gel mask for 8+ hours!)

see how white the product is? it is transparent when you put it on your face (skin)

I was acquainted with Watsons Collagen mask (屈臣氏骨膠原睡眠面膜, ) while shopping in Hong Kong so I picked it up after hearing about them from various makeup gurus.

As I learned Collagen is a type of ingredient which helps our skin build its firmness and "bounce".  Collagen strengthens skin and gives it elasticity, it also prevents wrinkles (due to aging of skin), you can see the importance Collagen plays in skin care. This mask also hydrates the skin.

I have to say, I haven't had any other sleeping masks, but after using this one, I have to agree that this will be one of my favorite sleeping masks EVER!! Reason being is

1: it smells good (just lightly scented);
2. It is very affordable (I have been using this for over 6 months and there is still A LOT of product left (as         in, I have only used 30% of the product);
3. I have noticed a significant different after using it just for the first time;
4. it is affordable;
5. Time saving (hydrating and taking care of your skin while you sleep!)
6. You can feel the gel working
7. there is definitely more "elasticity" to your skin after using it

With Pros, you will expect there to be Cons, one of the cons I would say (and this is a comment for sleeping masks in general, not just specifically for this product) would be the fear of leaving this product on your pillows, stuff animals, pajamas, blankets, etc. The first time I used this product, I kept panicking and waking up due to the fear of getting this product all over the place... after doing some research online, I discovered that sleeping masks only require you to apply a small amount (as if you are applying face cream/lotion) instead of "large amounts" as you would with other clay/cream masks.

Before bed, put a small amount of product on your face and wash it off the next morning. After using this mask, my skin instantly felt hydrated and smooth, I also noticed the significant change to my skin's firmness, the feeling is very good, I highly recommend you to put on your favorite toner, serum and moisturizer after washing this product off (as you would after using other masks).

Overall, this is a great mask, I using it 2-4 times a month and with each use, I feel my skin feeling healthier and smoother. I would rate this mask 9/10!

Freeman Beauty Facial Anti-Stress Mask Dead Sea Minerals mask review

I have started to like Freeman products especially after liking their Beauty Facial Peel Off Mask. While I was planning to stock up on those, I came across this product and decided to give it a try.

According to the big yellow label this mask was the recipient of 2012 totalbeauty.com Mask award. After using this mask for the first time, I could see why.

First off, a slight warning, when you apply this mask, I would recommend doing this when there are less people around, I was shocked when I applied this mask for the first time, I seriously look like some actress who walked out of an Avatar movie set. The mask is very pigmented (in a weird blue/green colour). Another precaution is don't apply this mask "too close" to the eye area, the mask is "strong" and even when I left "a big circle around my eyes, my eyes were stinging. eeks...

The product is the scent of an ocean, and the texture is clay-like making it easier to smooth out.

On the back of the tube they introduce this mask as a : 

...calming mask [which] instantly absorbs excess oil while clarifying and purging clogged pores. Dead Sea Minerals contain natural supplements that are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Sea Salts help replenish and balance moisture. Lavender and Bergamot promote relaxing aromatherapy.

The instructions asks the user to apply the mask to face and neck

thoughts:

• easy to use
• instantly feel it working (the next day and day after)
• gets rid of excess facial oil

I only applied it to the face. You will know when this product dries because you won't be able to move your face. You use warm water to rinse. To be honest, I didn't feel the difference when I rinsed the mask away, I felt the oil on my skin was taken away, but it was not a very obvious difference. When I woke up the next day, I felt the difference, my skin was so soft and smooth I loved it! 

I think this is a great mask, The instructions ask us to use it 2 times a week, however, since I hardly have much oil, I only use it once ever 2 weeks and that seems enough. I find that if I use it too often (twice a week) my skin starts to break out because I think it takes away too much "oil" from my skin at once.

I would rate this mask 4/5.

Etude House Juicy Cocktail Graduation Nails review

Korean beauty products have come a long way and they have been expanding their product lines to nails as well. This product was purchased in eBay after seeing their attractive posting. In this picture I am wearing my Etude House Juicy Cocktail Gradation Nails #3 Love Violet.

The Etude House Juicy Cocktail graduation Nails series each include 3 colours, for this "purple" one they included: #1 Soft purple (as their base), #2 Romantic Purple (Middle), and #3 Mystery Purple (Top). The instructions are very simple: apply the base to the whole nail, let it dry, than apply the middle to just half of the nail, then wait for it to dry, finally, you will apply the top to only one third of the nail.

One of the advantages of this nail polish set is that they dry very quickly, I am an extremely impatient person and imagine having to wait before you apply the next coat each time... yeah, exactly, tedious!

One of the disadvantages of this nail polish, and I'm not sure why they didn't mention this in the instructions is that due the sparsity of the polish (which makes it very "transparent") I absolutely recommend you to apply at least 2 layers or else you would hardly see any polish on (it will look like you put on some clear nail polish with "some colour").

Another step I recommend is to apply a clear top coat (which was also not mentioned in the instructions). Because of the "layers" you put on, it is inevitable the surface of your nails will be slightly "unleveled". So a top coat is necessary to bring your nail surfaces to be even and smooth.