Product Review: Philosophy The Microdelivery Face Wash

Reviewer: Annabella from Skin Scrubs

Brand: Philosophy
Name: The Microdelivery Face Wash
Size: 8 fl oz
Price: approx. $26 CAD

I was introduced to The Microdelivery Face Wash while I was in Cleveland, Ohio for my second wedding. I packed just about every beauty product I owned when I went back home except I forgot to pack face wash (which is quite essential, yes). Lela didn't live far from the hotel we were staying at so I borrowed hers for a few days while I was there.

This is an exfoliating, foaming facial wash that can be used everyday. The 'scrubby bits' are very fine so they don't scratch, and it doesn't have much of a smell which was fine for me as I put so many fragranced things on my body anyway. I have oily skin and I get breakouts on my chin and this really helped keep them at bay which is pretty amazing considering the amount of stress I was under. James, my husband, used it too, and I think he likes it because again it doesn't smell fruity/floral and just makes your skin feel clean and refreshed. The bottle also states you can use this as 30-second mini peel but I just used it as a normal face wash.

To Purr About:
- convenient easy to use flip top lid
- don't need much to get good lather
- lasts several months
- face feels lovely and smooth afterwards

Claws Out:
- pricey for a face wash

Final Comments:
If you have dry skin or live in a dry climate this might irritate your face. It's says it gentle for everyday use but I personally think that it is for oily skins only. I've just finished my bottle and I wouldn't re-buy this again until the warmer months because even though my skin is normally oil, it has dried up a bit with the winter weather. I used it everyday with no problem while I was on honeymoon in Aruba but unfortunately I don't live there!

Rating (out of 5):

image: cinnamonkitten.blogspot.com

Product Review: Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Spongeables
Name: Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer
Size: 50 g / 2 oz
Price: approx. $14.99 USD

Scent Tried: Citron Eucalyptus Aromatherapy
What it says on their web site:
Infused with healing Shea butter, moisturizing Olive Oil and fragrant aromatherapy oils to refresh and restore tired feet. Fall head over heels for Pedi-Scrubs two distinct textures: one side is soft and gentle to cleans and moisturize, while the other side has a feels-so good scrubby texture that smooths away rough skin and stimulates circulation. For the most papered tooties in town, choose from Citron-Eucalyptus Aromatherapy (green) or Lavender-Tea Tree Oil Aromatherapy

To Purr About:
- gently exfoliates and cleans feet
- lasts 15+ washes
- lathers up well
- doesn’t irratate skin

Claws Out:
- I don’t think it’s hard enough to get rid of extremely hard, dry, cracked skin

Final Comments:

My first impression of Spongeables PediScrub foot buffer was that it was extremely hard sponge and I was skeptical that it would last 15 washes.

I unwrapped the product and wet it and started scrubbing my feet and was pleasantly surprised that it softened up quickly and became sudsy and soft. It is basically a sponge with lather/soap built in to the sponge. It tickeld my feet as I scrubbed first with the “rougher” side and then continued to clean with the “softer” side. It was a nice pleasant way to clean and exfoliate my feet and left my feet feeling nice and clean. After using I left it on the side of my tub and it dried up and became hard again – thus not losing any additional soap.

I don’t suffer from dry, cracked heels, but I am skeptical that this product is actually rough enough to get rid of extremely hard cracked skin.

I am impressed at how long this product has lasted. I’ve been using it for just over 15 washes now and it’s still very sudsy and has at least few more washes left in it.

Since I don’t have problems with dry feet/heels I don’t really want an extra product just for my feet and think I will just stick with my body wash and loofa/body brush. I do however think the body version of this product is quite genius for travelling/trips/camping. It’d be ideal for camping since it dries and hardens after use and is ready and full of soap for the next time you wet it for use. So I’m looking forward to trying the body wash product from Spongeables and think it’d be a great addition to my travel products.

Rating (out of 5):

Disclosure: A free sample of this product was received by Cinnamon Kitten
image: cinnamonkitten.blogspot.com

Product Review: Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Smashbox
Name: Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer
Size: 30 ml / 1 fl ozml
Price: $50 CAD

What it says on their web site:
Give your skin the moisture it needs with Smashbox Hydrating Primer. It delivers long lasting hydration and an immediate cooling sensation on the skin.

Made with silicone, it provides a barrier to help the water from evaporating off the skin. Glycerin also helps to attract and hold the moisture to the skin, so you’ll stay hydrated all day long. And, like all of Smashbox’s Primers, it is oil-free.

For best results, apply a pea-sized amount of Hydrating Primer to cleansed and moisturized skin, then apply your favorite Smashbox foundation.

To Purr About:
- oil-free
- moisturizing
- absorbs in to skin very quickly and is very light weight
- reduces the appearances of lines and pores
- helps create a smooth and supple palette that allows for easy makeup application
- doesn’t irratate skin
- slim package is convenient
- small nozzle is easy to control so you don’t end up with too much product

Claws Out:
- quite expensive
- doesn’t drastically change the appearance of skin alone

Final Comments:
I wanted to pick up a new primer and I’ve heard great things about Smashbox’s photo finish primer, so I headed to the Smashbox shelf. I was a bit confused to find a whole platora of primers which all seemed to have different highlighted qualities, but in the end I decided to pick the moisturizing primer, since I have super dry skin.

Although the primer is a fun bright blue colour, it blends in colourlessly. It is super light weight and absorbs in to my skin very quickly. I used it in addition to my normal moisturizer and it provided a nice extra bit of moisturize which is really great for the drier winter months and the harsh Canadian winters. And because it is oil-free it didn’t add any oiliness to my complexion.

The primer helped create a nice smooth finish to my skin and helped makeup blend easily. And although it didn’t drastically improve the appearance of my skin by itself, it did help extend the life of my makeup.

I really liked the sleek packaging which made it easy to carry in my makeup bag. The tiny nozzle made squeezing out just the right amount easy.

The only downside to this product is that it is a bit pricey. I’m interested in trying some of the other Smashbox primers in the future.

Rating (out of 5):

Disclosure: This product was purchased by Suziesaurus
image: cinnamonkitten.blogspot.com

Product Review: Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Pac

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Montagne Jeunesse
Name: Dead Sea Mud Pac
Size: 20 g / 0/7 oz.
Price: approx. $2 CAD

What it says on their web site:
We’ve harvested ultra-deep cleansing Dead Sea Minerals to penetrate deep into pores drawing out impurities. Our Mud Pac is Nutrient rich with Seaweed & Kelp to help restore skins vitality leaving you cleansed to the core and totally relaxed.
- Gluten Free
- Nut Derivative Free
- No Added Parabens

To Purr About:
- conveniently packaged for 1 time use
- amazingly relaxing and lovely scent
- nice cooling sensation
- left my skin feeling smooth and fresh
- didn’t irritate my super sensitive skin
- more than enough product in a package to cover face and neck
- affordable

Claws Out:
- none really

Final Comments:
I try to make it part of my routine to do facial masks at home during the week to pamper myself. I’ve tried Montagne Jeunesse masks and peels before and had great success with them so I was excited to try their Dead Sea Mud Pack. They come conveniently packaged for 1 time use and there are so many by Montagne Jeunesse to try!

I was immediately taken aback by the wonderfully lovely and relaxing scent when I opened the package. I can’t describe the smell or relate it to anything, but it’s amazingly fresh and relaxing scent. As with all the other Montagne Jeunesse peels and masks – this one comes with a generous portion – enough to cover your face and neck.

I applied the mud pac and let it dry for about 15 minutes. The scent and cooling sensation was very relaxing. And after I washed off the dried mud pac I was left with soft and refreshing feeling skin. I will definitely be picking up this mud pac again. It’s the perfect pick-me-up during those long and tiring weeks. Not only does it leave the skin feeling great, but it helps leaving you relaxed and soothed.

Best of all, these convenient packages are super affordable, so you can try different masks without spending a fortune or committing to one in particular.

Rating (out of 5):

Disclosure: A free sample of this product was received by Cinnamon Kitten
image: cinnamonkitten.blogspot.com

Product Review: Bioré Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser

Reviewer: Suziesaurus

Brand: Bioré
Name: Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser
Size: 200 ml
Price: approx. $8 CAD

What it says on their web site:
Got skin that can’t make up its mind? Achieve the clean you want, without disturbing the natural moisture your skin needs. This cleanser removes all forms of impurities while leaving 90% of skin's natural moisture, giving your face an even, all-over clean.

- Oil-Free
- Non-Comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
- Hypo-Allergenic
- Dermatologist Tested

To Purr About:
- convenient pump dispenser
- nice clean scent that isn’t too strong
- leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed
- doesn’t dry out skin
- doesn’t irritate my super sensitive skin
- affordable

Claws Out:
- none really

Final Comments:
I was interested in trying Biore’s Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser because I’m always looking for a good cleanser for my dry skin that is affordable, but does the job.

My first impression of this product is the nice simple, no frills bottle. It has a convenient pump dispenser that really comes in handy in the shower and in the sink. The cleanser is a cream based (not foamy) and has a crisp clean scent that is not floral or sweet, but more of a traditional cleanser scent. It applies and rinses off easily and leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed.

I’ve been using this cleanser for a couple of months now and it’s quite nice. For a good price it does what it says – cleans and doesn’t strip my skin of its natural moisture.

Rating (out of 5):

Disclosure: A free sample of this product was received by Cinnamon Kitten
image: cinnamonkitten.blogspot.com

Product News: Marc Jacobs Tropical Splash

Brand: Marc Jacobs
Name: Tropical Splash
Price: $49.00 CAD each

Where to buy: The Bay, Holt Renfrew, Sephora and Mural

This collection is available March 2012 for a limited time only.

Rain, 100 ml
Back by popular demand, Rain is a watery floral that's a splash from the past.
Top notes: wet cut grass, wild strawberry, clementine zest
Middle notes: tropical rain accord, passion flower, white orchid
Finishing notes: beech amber, tree moss, musks

Kumquat, 100 ml
A zesty citrus floral, Kumquat is a fizzy and refreshing sensation.
Top notes: tangerine pulp, bergamot, orange zest
Middle notes: kumquat, jasmine petals, tiger orchids
Finishing notes: sun-drenched woods, blond cedarwood

Hibiscus, 100 ml
A sultry, floral that rounds out the tropical trio with lush petals of exotic blooms.
Top notes: raspberry, mandarin, pink peony
Middle notes: hibiscus flower, tiare, pink freesia
Finishing notes: musks, exotic woods, vetiver

image:press release

Product News: Bath & Body Works AntiBacterial Hand Soaps Spring Collection

Brand: Bath & Body Works
Name: Antibacterial Hand Soap
Price: $5.50 USD each

Where to buy: Bath & Body Works stores

What it says in the release:

Inspired by handpicked fruits straight from the vine, this spring soap collection features fresh, juicy, luscious scents. The antibacterial hand washes infuse your home with the fresh scents of mouthwatering fruits every time you wash your hands.

Available scents:
- Fresh Picked Pears: The unforgettable scent of ripe, juicy Bartlett pears
- Fresh Picked Tangerine: The crisp scent of sweet tangerines picked straight from the tree
- Fresh Picked Strawberries: Lightly scented with luscious summer strawberries blended with fresh mango nectar and peach blossom
- Fresh Picked Lemons: Sparkling scent of sweet Meyer lemons fresh from the grove.
- Fresh Picked Cherries: Scented with sumptuous Bing cherries blended with pink champagne, fresh strawberry and star jasmine.

image: press release