Product Review: pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: pHisoderm
Name: Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads
Size: 60 pads
Price: approx. $7 CAD

pHisoderm is recommended by dermatologists for all skin types and uses pH-balancing ingredients to help maintain the skin’s delicate balance.

New this year is the Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads. The active ingredient, Salicylic acid is said to work continuously even between washings.

Other things of note:
- pH balanced
- made for oily, blemish-prone skin
- Dermatologist recommended
- 0.5% salicylic acid exfoliates dead skin cells
- prevents clogged pores
- Refreshing fragrance

To Purr About:
- convenient cleansing pad
- scent is light and not overpowering
- not that drying for an acne product
- did help minimize the oiliness in my T-zone area (I have combination skin)

Claws Out:
- none really

Final Comments:
I love the convenience of the cleansing pad. It's neat, easy to use and is so much better than a bottled product, which you often waste quite a bit of when pouring it out. I like the scent, but would prefer a fragrance-free version (difficult because of the chemicals though). I'm lucky in that I've passed my acne years, so I can't tell how effective this would be on a major breakout, but it did keep my oiliness in check without drying out my skin.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: phisoderm.com

Product Review: CK One

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: CK
Name: One
Size: n/a
Price: approx. $50 CAD

The super popular CK One unisex fragrance was recently relaunched. I remember trying this fragrance when it first came out and I really liked it (as I do most CK fragrances), but I decided it was time to re-visit this scent.

"The idea behind relaunch of the ck one fragrance is about bringing people together, regardless of their differences in age, culture, race or gender. It's about coming together, through the common and universal language of music."

To Purr About:
- light, fresh scent
- unisex appeal
- good lasting ability

Claws Out:
- not feminine enought for many of my friends, although I like it

Final Comments:
I always find it hard to review fragrances, because scents are a very personal choice, but I still love CK One. It's light, fresh (perfect for spring) and is unisex. It's definitely not the most romantic scent but it's perfect for days on the go or hanging out with friends.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: press kit

Clinique Bonus Time at Sears

Canadians - It's Clinique Bonus Time!

Retailer: Sears
Minimum amount you need to spend: $26.50 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: April 24 to May 12, 2009

This time, you get your choice of a Bonus for Eyes or Bonus for Lips.


What You Get in the Bonus for Eyes:
- Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, 15 ml
- Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Rock Violet, 2.4 g
- Different Lipstick in A Different Grape, 4 g
- High Impact Mascara in Black, 4 g
- Eyelash Curler
- Liquid Facial Soap Mild, 50 ml
- cosmetics bag


What You Get in the Bonus for Lips:
- Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, 15 ml
- Liquid Facial Soap Mild, 50 ml
- High Impact Mascara in Black, 4 g
- Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarplump, 2.4 g
- Different Lipstick in Angelic, 4 g
- lipstick pouch
- cosmetics bag

image: e-flyer

Product Review: CoverGirl TRUConceal

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: CoverGirl
Name: TRUConceal
Size: n/a
Price: approx. $8 CAD

Shade Tried: 2

I enjoyed CoverGirl's TRUblend Minerals Pressed Mineral Foundation so much that it has become part of my daily routine. So when I decided to find a new concealer I thought I'd try another of CoverGirl's other products.

From their website: "Creamy formula TruConceal blends perfectly to cover imperfections and undereye circles for a natural, no-makeup look. Specially designed to work with TRUblend foundation, pressed powder, and blush; select your concealer, 1 - 6, then look for the corresponding foundation, blush and powder!"

To Purr About:
- convenient brush tip applicator
- easy to apply
- colour was really close to my natural skin tone
- no major scent
- affordable price

Claws Out:
- none

Final Comments:
Firstly, let me mention that I am using this concealer not to cover acne, or dark under eye-circles, but just to cover some redness around my face and some beauty marks. I think you will find different results for different applications.

That being said, I am pretty happy with this concealer and am really am impressed with CoverGirl’s skin products overall. Their products are affordable and very good quality at their price range. I don’t use concealer super often, so I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a product that I would have to toss after only using it a few times (due to makeup expiry rules).

It was also no hassle to choose my shade, since I just picked up the same number as my pressed mineral foundation and it matched my skin tone perfectly.

I found the coverage pretty well-blended, but of course as with most concealers you have to use with the appropriate foundation with it. I could see however that it might be a bit too heavy for major coverage or the area under the eye and doesn`t bode well for re-applications (does any concealer though?).

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: covergirl.com

Product Review: Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Clean & Clear
Name: Deep Action Cream Cleanser
Size: 192 ml
Price: approx. $8 CAD

From Clean & Clear’s website: "Experience the ultimate deep clean! This cream cleanser removes dirt, oil and makeup while working deep down to your pores. And it’s gentle enough to use every day. Its oil-free formula won’t clog your pores and it leaves a cool tingle after each wash. Your skin is left feeling refreshed and tingly clean."

To Purr About:
- very cool tingly feeling after washing
- skin feels very clean after cleansing
- doesn’t dry out my skin
- seems to help control acne very well

Claws Out:
- slightly odd medicine smell
- if you get it in your eye it really stings

Final Comments:
I was going to wait until my current face-wash ran out to start using this Clean & Clear product, but decided to start immediately when a large pimple started to develop on my nose. It’s always a trouble spot for me as I have enlarged pores from previous acne issues.

Although it didn’t give my skin any special sheen, I was still pretty impressed with it. I really liked the way it left a tingly sensation on my skin and it didn’t dry my skin as I expected it would. More impressively it actually stopped my pimple from forming in its tracks! It actually went away! So I’m not sure if this was an isolated incident, but it’s enough to convince me to keep using this product – especially when my acne starts to return.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: cleanandclear.com

Lancome Bonus Time at The Bay

Canadians - It's Lancome Bonus Time!

Retailer: The Bay
Minimum amount you need to spend: $34.00 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: April 16 to May 10, 2009


What You Get:
- Renergie Microlift R.A.R.E. Superior Lifting Cream with SPF 15, 30 ml
- Renergie Microlift Eye R.A.R.E. Superior Lifting Eye Cream, 6 ml
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Lip Colour
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Quad
- Le Crayon Khol Eyeliner Pencil in Black Coffee
- Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
- Definicils High Definition Mascara in Black
- Travel Chic cosmetic bag


If you spend $75 or more you'll also receive:
- two lipsticks
- additional travel tote

image: e-flyer

NEW Product Line: NARS Summer 2009 Collection

NARS has recently revealed its Summer 2009 Collection and the colours are vibrant.

"Whether your vision of perfect summer conjures up images of Morocco’s kaleidoscopic bazaars, the pristine Art Deco structures of Ocean Drive or the endless white sand beaches and cerulean waters of a Caribbean island, this season’s vivid yet versatile color palette is the perfect complement."

The collection is available on narscosmetics.com.

Tropic Single Eyeshadow, $22 USD
Longwearing, crease resistant color in sheer wearable formulas. Richly pigmented powders blend effortlessly and can also be used wet for precisely lining the eyes. “The tropics are always inspiring for me,” says Nars.
- Tropic: lush, silver-flecked teal is a precise image of the ocean’s reflective, rolling waves

Scorching Sun Duo Eyeshadow, $32 USD
Designed “to imitate the effect of the burning sun,” according to Nars. The sun-drenched colors allow for surprising wearability. The pair can be blended together to form a rich, burnt orange, or worn in tandem.
- Scorching Sun: glazed apricot and radiant orange

Bronzing Powder, $30 USD
Nothing evokes the feeling of summertime quite like bronzed skin. The newest shade, a rich golden terracotta, offers a flattering faux glow when dusted across the areas of the face where the actual sun would hit.
- Irresistiblement: rich golden terracotta

Lipstick, $24 USD
A wide range of captivating shades designed to provide the look and style the color dictates.
- Falaba: high-shine bronzy rose, with a sweet, carefree quality about it
- Outsider: shimmering burnished coral - a modern take on a classic

Lip Gloss, $24 USD
Serious shine and sexy color in sheer, creamy and semi-sheer formulas. Extremely wearable and versatile shades may be worn alone or over other lip products for heightened drama.
- Orgasm/South Beach: peachy pink and apricot with shimmer

Lipliner Pencil, $20 USD
Longwearing color in a creamy formula that helps define, correct and shape the lips while preventing lip color from bleeding and feathering.
- Tonga: pink amber

Nail Polish, $16 USD
An exclusive formula with technology designed to improve flexibility, durability, wear and gloss properties. This longwearing formula provides a tough, durable chip-resistant finish and also has added UV protection to prevent polish discoloration.
- Adelita: shimmering pearlescent pink

image: press kit

Product Review: Milani Lip Mixer

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: Milani
Name: Lip Mixer
Size: 0.09 oz / 2.7 g
Price: approx. $8 CAD

Shade Tried: Lip-Fuse

From Milani's website: "Three playful social shades of color, shine and shimmer are expertly matched to create one dynamic lip gloss color. The ultimate multi-dimensional shine is achieved when all three layers are mixed together. Contains reflective pearls, high shine polymers & conditioning color."

I love the look of this cute lip gloss. The bottom layer is colourful, the middle layer is glossy and the top layer adds shimmer and shine.

To Purr About:
- fruity smell (but not a fruity taste) is nice
- slightly sticky, but not extremely bad compared to many other glosses
- really nice shine and shimmer
- colour is subtle, but really pretty

Claws Out:
- the three layer look goes away after several uses

Final Comments:
The unique look of the three layers is pretty at first, but they all end up mixed together anyway since you have to push the wand back and forth through the three layers. I do love the shimmer and shade that this gloss adds, so it's easy to enjoy it if you want a nice, shimmery gloss.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: milanicosmetics.com

NEW Product: ecoTools Recycled Brow Grooming Set

Brand: ecoTools
Name: Recycled Brow Grooming Set
Size: n/a

Price: approx. $9.99 USD

Launching next momth, this kit is made entirely of renewable and reusable materials.

Set includes:
- Recycled Stainless Steel Safety Scissors
- Recycled Stainless Steel Mini Tweezers
- Bamboo & Lead-Free 5x Mirror
- Bamboo, Taklon & Recycled Aluminum Angled Brow Brush
- Bamboo, Taklon & Recycled Aluminum Spoolie Brush

Both brushes feature animal-free taklon bristles (made of soft and pliable synthetic hair), and a metallic ferrule made from recycled aluminum cans.

image: parispresents.com

Product Review: Gillette Venus Embrace Razor

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Gillette
Name: Venus Embrace Razor
Size: n/a
Price: n/a

"Embrace, the latest razor from Venus, guarantees to shave you closer and get you closer. And closer."

To Purr About:
- handy razor holder that is convenient for use in the shower
- good grip handle that makes it easy to use
- nice clean shave
- affordable price

Claws Out:
- doesn’t come with shave gel built in to shaver like other razors do
- I got some minor cuts near my knee
- hair seemed to grow back just as quickly when compared to my old razor

Final Comments:
I figured it was time to upgrade to a newer razor – as I’ve been using the same old Gillette razor for a very, very long time.

I’ve always been tempted to try the Venus line of shavers, and this slim and sleek razor with five blades (compared to my old three-blade razor) caught my eye.

My first impression was disappointment that this razor didn’t have shave gel built in to it, but then I figured that was a good thing because shave gel isn’t costly and blades with shave gel built in probably are a bit costlier.

After using several times I have to say that while it offered a very clean shave (probably an improvement from my old razor) my hair unfortunately seemed to grow back at a similar rate. However I’m happy with the great grip and handling of this shaver. I guess new technology really is an improvement on the old technology in this case.

Rating (out of 5):



If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: gillettevenus.com

Lancome Bonus Time at Holt Renfrew

Canadians - It's Lancome Bonus Time!

Retailer: Holt Renfrew
Minimum amount you need to spend: $50.00 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: until April 12, 2009


What You Get:
- Secret de Vie Ultimate Cellular Reviving Crème
- Secret de Vie Eye Ultimate Cellular Reviving Eye Crème
- Colour Fever Sensual Vibrant Lip Colour
- Deluxe compact of Colour with Colour Design Sensual Effects Eye Shadows Quad and Blush Subtil Sheer Delicate Oil-Free Powder Blush
- Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
- Virtuose Courbe Virtuôse Mascara in Black
- Tonique Confort Rehydrating Skincare Lotion
- Colour Design Sensational Effects Lip Colour
- a cosmetic case.

image: e-flyer

Estee Lauder Bonus Time at Sears

Canadians - It's Estee Lauder Bonus Time!

Retailer: Sears
Minimum amount you need to spend: $32 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: April 2 - 22, 2009


What you get:
- Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Copper Glow orRich Currant
- Eyeshadow Quad in Truffle or Berry Quartz
- Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black
- Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Crème SPF for Normal or Combination Skin, 7 ml OR DayWear Plus Multi Protection Crème for Normal/Combination, 7 ml
- Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, 50 ml
- Satin-touch travel and cosmetic bag collection in 2 shades

image: press release