Clinique rinse-off foaming cleanser review

what the product looks like

In French it is called mousse hydro-demaquillante. Clinique has always advertised themselves as "Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free"

info

Impressions

• Light & mild
• product feels like whipped cream
• does not foam up
• No squeaky clean feeling
• no fragrance
• a little goes a long way

Packaging: 
The packaging is ok, but it can be a bit difficult to get the last 10% of the product out.

Product:
The actual product feels very light and mild, sort of like whipped cream. It had a silky feeling and no real foam formed. It did not irritate my sensitive skin (so this is good for those who have sensitive skin).

I did not encounter any squeaky clean feeling and my skin did not feel tight either. HOWEVER, Remember that you must apply toner --> serum --> moisturizer after!!!

score: 9/10
website: http://www.clinique.com/product/1673/6254/Skin-Care/Cleansers-Makeup-Removers/Rinse-Off-Foaming-Cleanser

St. Ives fresh Skin Apricot Scrub exfoliant review

St. Ives Apricot Scrub

So, a little while ago, I posted on my Facebook (add me if you haven't already ;)) the negative effects that exfoliate micro plastic beads have on our environment. 

I have been using St. Ives' Apricot Scrub for over 10 years now, so I can confidently recommend this product to you! It uses walnut shell powder to exfoliate and it does wonders to your skin.

this is what the product looks like

The Tagline is: Exfoliates toreveal smooth, radiant skin.

It also advertises as non-irrirating, dermatologist tested and uses 100% Natural Extracts

Product Benefits (according to St. Ives)

• 100% Naturally Derived Exfoliants 
• No Sulfate Cleansers 
• Paraben Free 
• Oil Free 
• Dermatologist Tested 
• Hypoallergenic

Impressions:

• Smells really nice and natural
• Made of natural ingredients
• Very creamy
• Perfectly exfoliate dead skin cells

Directions: 

1. Moisten face with water
2. Dispense product onto fingertips and massage over face
3. Rinse with water
4. Avoid direct contact with eyes*

*in case of contact with eyes, flush thoroughly with water.

INGREDIENTS:

AQUA, JUGLANS REGIA (WALNUT) SHELL POWDER, GLYCERYL STEARATE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE, ZEA MAYS (CORN) KERNEL MEAL, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) FRUIT EXTRACT, CETYL ACETATE, POLYSORBATE 60, CETEARETH-20, ACETYLATED LANOLIN ALCOHOL, CARBOMER, PPG-2 METHYL ETHER, PHENETHYL ALCOHOL, TRIETHANOLAMINE, METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE, PARFUM, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891).

Where to buy

Honestly, I have been to drug stores in different parts of the world and have found them, this product is affordable (CAD $7; USD $5-6; HKD $45)

This is my always-go-to product because it works, it gently exfoliates all dead skin cells from my face leaving is nice and smooth (remember to apply moisturizer, serum on after though). This product is one of the best, I have sensitive skin and had absolutely no problem using it ever and to put things into perspective, I have tried the $50 Mary Kay exfoliating products and they do not work as well as this one. To date, I have not found another product I can use other than this one (for exfoliating). 

Score: 10/10

Website: http://www.stives.ca/product/detail/775907/exfoliating-apricot-scrub

Santouka Ramen review

photo credits: www.torontolife.com

The ramen craze continues in Toronto despite the hot weather we are getting. I was introduced to this Ramen place by a friend. Outside the shop, they advertise themselves as an Authentic Hokkaido ramen shop. When I went to do some research, I discovered that this place is huge... there are more than 50 Santouka Ramen shops around the world.

The service was amazing... One of the best in Toronto, however, I was a bit disappointed in the ramen...

Shio Ramen (salt flavour Ramen)

Impressions

• Shop has a very nice environment
• Ramen had fresh ingredients
• Ramen is extremely salty and oily
• Ramen portion is too small (compared to other ramen places)

Shoyu Ramen (Soy Sauce Flavour)

Both were so salty and oily and the portions were too small... (compared to other ramen places).

Shio Ramen (Salt Flavour)

This ramen had an extremely creamy soup with salt flavour (hence the name). It had a tasty Japanese pickled plum on top. 

Shoyu Ramen (Soy Sauce Flavour)

This ramen tasted heavily of pork broth and soy sauce. The seaweed was a perfect match for this ramen because while you are indulging the seaweed, it helped keep the ramen less salty and giving my tastebuds a chance to savour the pork broth essence. The Cha-Shu tasted really good an authentic. 

Their $2.50 Green Tea

I cringed at the price of $2.50 per cup of tea... the most unfortunate part is this tea didn't taste good... and it was from a tea bag... so... if you don't want to feel ripped off, remember to just ask for water when you visit this place.

I do not see myself returning to this place in the near future as I feel their ramen needs to be improved. Their prices do not match their quantity and they need to make the soup less salty. It took my tongue about half an hour before it can "reset/calibrate" itself to taste again. 

service: 10/10

ramen: 6.5/10

Address: 91 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 1E1 

Phone: (647) 748 – 1717

website: http://www.santouka.co.jp/en/ 

TonyMoly Floria Nutra-Energy Mask Sheet with Argan Oil review

TonyMoly Floria Nutra-Energy Sheet mask

Tony Moly Floria nutra-energy mask sheet with Argan Oil has always been appealing to me because I have heard so much about Tony Moly and Argan Oil has always fascinated me because I always hear people talking about its superb moisturizing properties.

Directions

directions:

1. Cleanse face
2. Apply mask
3. Leave on for 15-20 minutes

how the mask looks like (there is no backing) and it is thicker than most sheet mask

Impressions

• Smells medicated
• Stinging sensation
• hated the size of the mask
• essence absorbs into skin really well

The mask did not fit with my features at all, and I hated the medicated scent. I also found the mask to be too thick.

Pros

• my face felt slightly lifted after
• mask stays on face quite well
• drenched with essence

Cons

• Mask is thicker than other sheet masks
• Does not fit my facial features (took a lot of time adjusting)
• Stinging sensation
• No backing to help you fit the product on
• irritation occurred (my face had slight bumps after using this mask)

I don't think I will be buying these as they not work for me, I enjoyed the firm and lifted feeling but it was not evidently enough for me to consider using them again.

score: 5/10
website: http://www.etonymoly.com/goods/submain.asp?cate=139#cate%3D139%26Listsize%3D5%26PriceRange%3D0%2C98000%26page%3D3

Face Q Red Pomegranate +CoQ10 mask review

packet of mask

product overview:

• amount: 30g
• Product from Taiwan
• Function: Whitening + moisturizing + re-hydrating
• Each Box comes with ten packets of mask.
• Suitable: all skin type especially dry and delicate skin

After doing some research, I discovered that FaceQ is a sister company to My Beauty Diary. 

back of packaging

Translation:

In Turkey, people consider the Pomegranate to be a fruit from heaven because it is rich in nutrients which benefit the skin. Red pomegranate and Anthocyanin are two powerful anti-oxidant ingredients. It fights against dullness and dehydration. Chamomile extracts is also added to avoid further dark pigment formulation, helping skin to restore its natural glow. After application your skin will become supple, smooth. 

Description:

FACE Q MASK SERIES Red Pomegranate +CoQ10 Mask include triple moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid macromolecules potent restore moisture. Hyaluronic acid stays closely with the skin, improving moisture retention even after flushing.

Small molecule hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin deeply, reaching the ultimate moist. Also includes pomegranate extract, with two antioxidants: Pomegranate polyphenols and anthocyanins. Powerful antioxidant helps improving skin dull, dry and adding chamomile to prevent pigmentation, skin look so rosy and revealing a natural bright luster. (Sasa.com)

Ingredients (from Sasa.com): 

• Pomegranate Extract: restoration and maintenance of the skin. Maintain skin‘s vitality.
• Idebenone, CoQ10: whitening effect
• White willow bark extract: conditioning with exfoliating, whitening effect
• Silver Needle Pekoe: natural antioxidants.
• Morus alba extract: whitening effect

how the mask looks like

This mask is made from 100% wood pulp and silk, these ingredients help infiltrate the nutrients into your skin and is more flexible to fit on your facial features. (I did not agree with this though)


impressions:

• has a sweet fruity smell (not exactly pomegranate but smells really nice)
• lots of essence
• mask sticks on face really well (great for multitasking)
• little air bubbles
• gives a stinging sensation to mouth area

I didn't like the material... see the bubbles?

Overall, I think this is a fair mask, as being a sister company to Beauty Diary, I find there are certain similarities (e.g. lots of essence in mask and smells really nice). But I was disappointed that it created a stinging sensation to my upper lip and lower lip area. I liked that the mask fit my features well, but it created small bubble air pockets... I liked to use the remaining essence on my arms and legs (yes, there was THAT much product left).

score: 7.8/10
website: http://www.facequeen.com.tw/ (I couldn't find this product on their website :O)

KFC's Waffle Fries Review

I noticed that I have written a lot of "skin care" and "beauty product" reviews lately, so here is finally a food/snack review for you!

KFC's Small Waffle Fries

I was acquainted to waffle fries when Triple O's first introduced them and I liked them. they are much tastier than "normal" fries :)... I have been seeing KFC's ads about these Waffle fries all over, so I was determined to try them... to be honest, I haven't had KFC for more than 10 years... (that was after they raised their Toonie Tuesday prices and I was introduced to Popeyes and Chick' en Joy).

There are 2 sizes: 

Small = $2.60

Medium = $6.00

Medium's serving size is a standard KFC meal box (and that is WAY too much)... so I just got the small one instead.

including tax: $2.60!

Impressions

• Slightly over fried
• Savoury
• Dry
• Crispy

I can't say I am impressed nor disappointed... the price was quite fair for the quantity, however, quality-wise, it was slightly lower than my expectations. They were made to order, so they were fresh, crispy and hot. But I found them to be slightly over fried, they were almost to the point of being burnt (notice I said ALMOST). I always loved savoury foods, but I found these to be overly salted. 

I would probably give these another try, while hoping they will improve the seasoning and alter the "frying" duration.

score: 7/10

website: http://www.kfcselect.ca/menu/SelectSidesDesserts.aspx

Lancome's Bienfait Multi-Vital 30 SPF High Potency Daily Moisturizing Cream review

product

Has anyone noticed how the sun's rays are becoming more and more harmful to our skin? I noticed this early June where I wore short sleeves and my arms felt irritated after spending a sunny day outside. At first I thought it was some sort of weird allergic reaction to certain plants, but later, I realized it was because of the sun... This has never happened to me before, so I knew things were getting serious.

When I told my beauty consultant at Lancome about my concerns, she suggested I try this Sunscreen Daily Moisturizer cream for my face. As I was just trying this, I decided to purchase a trial size (15 ml).

claims:

• Pure. Potent. Powerful.
• Your Skin's daily source of vitamin enriched moisture and protection.
• This Super-light daily lotion features vitamin enriched Vital-8, an exclusive complex of eight daily essentials, plus full spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 Suncreen. Now you can face the day with radiant, healthy-looking skin:
• See more even skin tone and brighter radiance
• Feel 24-hour, nourishing hydration without greasiness
• Fight the visible effects of environmental skin damage.

ingredients and back of container

Pros:

• lightweighted
• does not clog pores (and no greasy feeling)
• moisturizes skin
• long lasting (on skin protection)

I've been using this moisturizer during daytime on sunny days. I really like this product a lot because my skin absorbs this product quickly. This sunscreen is really lightweight yet it moisturizes my skin. For testing sake, I tried to apply make up on and it stayed on perfectly. This product lasts a long time too... my sample size will last for 3 months.

Cons:

• no brightening effect
• smell of sunscreen

light consistency of cream

I highly recommend this product because it really protects my skin really well... there is definitely a light sunscreen scent to it (it is not obvious to those around you). Although it is called a "cream" it was very light weighted and there was no greasy feeling. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see the effects it had on brightening my skin, it has definitely helped my skin from being tanned.

score: 9.5/10

website: http://www.lancome.ca/Bienfait-Multi-Vital-SPF-30-Lotion/990675,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=skincare-bienfait