Sunday, December 29, 2019

Color Wow Kale and Coconut Dream Cocktail Leave-in Treatment Review!


I recently heard about Color Wow's Kale infused cocktail which is supposed to prevent hair breakage. I had to give it a try as I have a lot of hair breakage from bleaching and colouring my hair. Plus, the fact that my hair is naturally very fine, frizzy and dry to begin with, this makes breakage even more of an issue.

I decided to also try Color Wow's Coconut Bionic Tonic as it's supposed to provide a lot of moisture and the Kale and Coconut cocktails can be mixed together to tackle both breakage and dry hair.

There is a 3rd product in this line called "Carb Cocktail" which is designed to provide body to the hair. I did not try this one yet as it's not my main concern at the moment.

Color Wow Dream Cocktail Kale-Infused for Breakage (200ml / $24USD)

"Color wow cocktails are potent, leave-in supplements that counteract the major problems caused by color-processing. Kale cocktail is a strand-strengthening superpower, clinically tested and proven to make hair twice as strong after a single application. Key to this bionic tonic is sulfur-rich sea kale, which helps reinforce damaged sulfur bonds, essential to strong resilient hair. Loaded with protein-building amino acids plus b vitamins, it smoothes, detangles and helps guard hair against uv ray damage."

The Kale Infused Cocktail claims: Supplements and restores key internal bonds to strengthen hair, reducing breakage by over 50% in just one use.

My results:
In the past, I haven't had much luck with products that claim to reduce hair breakage. This product has some pretty strong claims since they say this product will reduce breakage by over 50% in just one use. 

I used the full 3 pumps (after shaking the bottle- don't forget to do this!) for my collarbone length hair. I washed and conditioned my hair with my usual products and applied the Color Wow Kale leave-in treatment as well as the Coconut leave-in treatment to my towel-dried hair. I was more than pleasantly surprised that this product does live up to its claims! After the very first use, I had almost no hair in my hairbrush! I couldn't believe it. I've been using the Kale Treatment for a couple of weeks now and I continue to see very little hair in my brush... Just amazing! I use to having a brush full of hair all the time. Not since I've been using this though. So happy with it!

I used the Kale with the Coconut Cocktail to hopefully add a lot of moisture to my hair and make it look and feel softer. Unfortunately, I did not notice an improvement in the look and feel of my hair as it wasn't softer, and still felt dry.

$24 (Shop Now)





Color Wow Dream Cocktail Coconut Infused (200ml / $24USD)  Note: I received the old packaging in the silver bottle.

"Color wow cocktails are potent, leave-in supplements that counteract the major problems caused by color-processing. Healthy, virgin hair has a natural lipid layer (made up of a unique molecule, 18-mea) that coats and protects the exterior of every strand, locking in moisture and keeping hair’s cuticle smooth and tight so hair has slip and suppleness. When hair color chemicals destroy this layer, hair loses moisture, becomes rough and frizzy. Coconut cocktail’s proprietary complex of 18-mea and coconut oil bonds to hair’s surface, supplementing and replacing the lost lubricating membrane. This leave-in bionic tonic instantly restores gloss, silkiness and humidity resistance plus enables hair strands to slide and move in unison with fluidity of motion.'

This product also has some amazing claims. It also has almost all 5-star reviews on Amazon. It sounded like it was just what my hair needs since my hair is so dry, frizzy and has a rough texture. 

My Results:
I tried using the Coconut Leave-in Treatment along with the Kale Treatment as well as on its own to see if there was any difference. I applied the Coconut leave-in product to my towel-dried hair after shampooing and conditioning. It's also recommended to shake this bottle before use, and I did that with each use. Unfortunately, this product did not leave my hair looking or feeling any better than usual, whether used on its own or with the Kale Treatment. My dry, frizzy, and bleached hair was still dry and frizzy after using the Coconut Treatment. I was so disappointed, especially after reading so many great reviews on it.

Everyone's hair is different, so the Coconut Leave-in Treatment may work for you, especially if your hair is less dry and frizzy than mine (which sure isn't difficult!) 🀣

Note: These products are heat activated,  so it is recommended to use heat on your hair after applying them, even if it's just the heat from your blow dryer. 

$24 (Shop Now)

Overall:
I do LOVE and will continue to use the Kale Leave-in Treatment as I continue to see so much less hair in my brush since I started using it. I will pass on the Coconut Leave-in Treatment as it doesn't do what it claims for my hair, my hair is still dry and rough. I have many other moisturizing leave-in conditioners that I do like that I can use in place of the Coconut Treatment. For my dry locks, I much prefer AG's Fast Food Leave-in Conditioner. Two other affordable options that I love are Pantene Smoothing Combing Creme ( I can only find online at Amazon these days), and Marc Anthony's Grow Long Super Fast Leave-in Conditioner.  Not sure how I forgot one of my all-time favourites, It's a 10 leave-in treatment! It's such a good one, too! 

What are your favourite products for dry, bleached, and or frizzy hair?



Not sponsored. Some links are referral links. Thank you if you choose to use them!

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Best Affordable Eye Creams for Aging, Hooded Eyes!

I suffer from naturally hooded eyes and with aging and gravity setting in, they just get more and more hooded with time. The skin around my eyes has also become drier with age, so I look for eye creams that will target both of these issues. I do have crows feet and some wrinkling but they don't bother me as much as the dryness and hooding.

I've tried tons of eye creams from high-end to drugstore and the two that I'm sharing in this post have given me the best results in terms of targeting these issues, especially the hooding and they are both affordable!



Olay Ultimate Eye Cream For Dark Circles, Wrinkles and Puffiness 13ml / $26.99

This is the pricier of the two but it is more accessible as you can pick it up at any drugstore. Honestly, this one and the next one that I'll talk about do the same thing for my eyes which is why I'm sharing both. They both hydrate the dry skin around my eyes which helps reduce the appearance of my lines, but more importantly to me, they both help reduce the droop of my upper eyelids. However, with both creams, the effect is temporary. I have yet to find an eye cream that reduces the hooding/drooping permanently.

The one thing that I don't find these help with much is the puffiness underneath my eyes. I have yet to find an eye cream that makes a noticeable difference in my undereye bags. I was told by a plastic surgeon that surgery to remove the pockets of fat is the only way.

From Olay:
Ultimate Eye Cream fights wrinkles, puffy eyes and dark circles in an instant.Get the Eye Cream without paying 2x as much – for dark circles and wrinkles.3-in-1 Decircler, DeWrinkler and DePuffer instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.Contains Olay’s colour-correcting technology, which acts as a touch of concealer.Powerful formula, supercharged with peptides and vitamins.Formula quickly blends with all skin tones.1 jar, 15 ml.



Home Health Goji Berry Eye Cream 1oz / $13

I've been using this eye cream on and off for so long, I remember when it was a whopping $7 per jar! This eye cream gives me the same effects as the Olay one above. It hydrates my eyes and temporarily improves the drooping of my upper eyelids. Neither one helps with my undereye bags/puffiness in a noticeable way.

The biggest differences between the two are that the Home Health one is 1 oz vs. 13ml for Olay. The Home Health one is made with natural ingredients and is cruelty-free, and the olay one is not natural and is not cruelty-free. The only other difference I have been able to think of is the accessibility. I have never seen Home Health's products in stores, so I have to buy it online.

From Home Health:
  • With Organic Arnica and Vitamin K
  • Paraben-Free
  • Fragrance-Free
  • Anti-Aging Hydration Formula
Inspired by the powerful antioxidant protection of the exotic goji berry, Goji Berry Eye Cream represents a breakthrough in anti-aging eye care wellness. We combined the nutrient-rich goji berry [Himalayan Lycium Berry] with specially selected moisturizing and health-promoting skincare ingredients including organic arnica and vitamin K, well-known for reducing swelling around eyes and soothing away puffiness. Use daily to protect, hydrate and improve firmness of the delicate skin surrounding the eyes for a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. Non-greasy. Absorbs quickly.




Bottom line:
Both of these eye creams are fantastic at helping with my dry, aging, and hooded eyes and I get the same effect from both, so you cannot go wrong with either one. If natural and cruelty-free are priorities for you, then Home Health's Goji Berry is the way to go, plus it's cheaper and you get much more product.

Let me know what your favorite eye cream is in the comments. πŸ’—


Happy Holidays, everyone! πŸŽ„



Not sponsored. Some links are referral. Thank you if you choose to use them. 

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas For Him and Her


If you are behind with your holiday shopping like I am, hopefully, this post will give you some good ideas for some last-minute gifts. 🧦

Whether you need some last-minute items to fill someone's stocking or maybe some host and/or hostess gifts, there is something for pretty much everyone here. There's also a little something for the guys.


Magnetix Makeup Brushes by Profusion ($10.99 and up)

These gorgeous rose gold makeup brushes by Profusion cosmetics are magnetized and can be displayed on the rose gold stand that's included with the eye brush. Storing them this way keeps them secure, accessible, and hygienic. They are super soft and feel like high-end brushes, IMO. They are also vegan and cruelty-free! Full review on these beauties with pics can be found linked HERE.

Available at: Farleyco.ca, Lawtons Drugs, and select IDA Guardian, and Pharmasave stores.

7th Heaven Renew You Face Masks ($2.99 and up)

I love 7th Heaven is one of my favourite drugstore face mask brands. They are not only affordable but amazing quality and cruelty-free! There are several masks to choose from in this line, all have anti-aging benefits.

Shown above:

Coming to: London Drugs, Rexall Pharmaplus, Pharmasave, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familiprix, Brunet



Modele Plump and Seal Collagen Lip Treatment ($29.99)

I've used this product before and already know that I'm a big fan! I use a lot of lip balms for my super dehydrated lips, so when I finish one, you know it's good. This is the perfect gift for anyone who takes pride in the look of their pout or maybe has chronically dry lips.

Modèle Collagen Lip Treatment restores lip volume, reduces the signs of aging and helps retain moisture.

Clinically proven to:
• Visibly increase lip volume up to 40%
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines up to 30%
• Improve lip hydration up to 60%

Available at: Farleyco.ca, select Pharmasave, Guardian IDA, Jean Coutu, Familiprix, Uniprix, and Brunet


I Love Signature Scents Body Washes ($24.99 for box set)

Give the gift of pampering with these gorgeously scented body washes. My personal favourites are Exotic Fruits and Glazed Raspberry. They are perfectly sweet, and not overpowering at all. They leave me feeling clean and they are not drying. There is a scent for everyone if your giftee isn't a fan of fruity scents.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.



Lastly, we have something for the guys....

Below the Belt Grooming Fresh & Dry Balls, Active ($9.99)

We may not think about it much (or at all) but guys need to take care of their personal hygiene too!

Available in 3 scents: Active, Fresh, and Cool. Designed to be applied after showering to stay fresh and dry for up to eight hours. Applies as a gel, Fresh & Dry Balls dries to a silky fine layer, leaving the groin area dry and comfortable for hours. This product is dermatologically tested and contains essential oils.

I don't have a review on this yet but I know my guy is intrigued and will be using it. A great gift for the man in your life. Would also make a great host gift for a guy you know REALLY well. I think they'd get a kick out of it. 🀭

Available at: Farleyco.ca, London Drugs.com, select Pharmasave, Guardian IDA, Jean Coutu, Familiprix, and Brunet. Amazon: Fresh, Cool, Active.

Hopefully, these gift ideas were helpful to you or maybe you want to treat yourself!

Happy Holidays and happy shopping! πŸŽ…



Products were kindly gifted by FarleyCo Beauty. This post is not sponsored.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

New! Profusion Magnetix Magnetic Attraction Makeup Brush Review!


Profusion Cosmetics is a cruelty-free beauty brand that makes great makeup products at affordable prices. They've just come out with a super innovative line of magnetic makeup brushes called Magnetix Makeup Brushes by Profusion. Talk about the perfect gift for the makeup and beauty enthusiast in your life!


The brush handles are magnetized so they will stand upright on the display stand (included with the eyeshadow brush). The magnets are strong and the brushes are held down securely. The display stand has rubber feet on the bottom which keeps the display stand securely in place as well.

Keeping your brushes upright like this keeps them accessible and hygenic as there is no cross-contamination with other brushes or other nearby items that they may come in contact with. They rose gold colour is also super pretty to display on any vanity.


Pictured above is the display stand with the eyeshadow brush ($17.99), and blush brush ($14.99)

The stand comes with an eyeshadow brush, additional Magnetix brushes can be purchased separately and kept on the stand as well so you can build your collection as much or as little as you like. The brushes can also be stored in another manner if you don't want to use or purchase the stand. The brushes are so pretty and such good quality that I recommend them on those merits alone.

The brushes are SUPER soft and feel like much higher-end brushes, imo. They are made with synthetic bristles and are designed to pick up the perfect amount of product. Vegan and cruelty-free, I really couldn't ask for more. I'm looking forward to expanding my collection.

You can find these products at Farleyco.ca, Lawtons Drugs, and select IDA Guardian, and Pharmasave stores. 

Wishing you all a great rest of the week!




Products were kindly provided by FarleycoBeauty for editorial consideration. This post is not sponsored. #magnetixbrushes #makeupbrushes #profusioncosmetics

Sunday, December 15, 2019

'Easy Affordable Festive Holiday Nails!

Festive Holiday Nails

I'm horrible at doing my nails but I recently purchased a new nail polish by Sinful Colors called Let Me Go and it's giving me all the holiday vibes! It's a sheer holographic nail polish that appears mostly silver on camera, but in person, it has a purple, green, and blue shift to it. It has a very neutral look to it as well so it works as sort of a "nude" shade. I added a chunky silver glitter polish to my ring finger for an even more festive look. This one is by L.A Colors. Cannot find the name on the bottle but it's a large chunky, silver glitter in a clear base.

The Holographic polish by Sinful Colors is very sheer but is buildable. I am wearing 3 coats of each polish here. I found it impossible to capture the purple, blue, and green shift with the camera. You can get the idea from the photo of the bottle though (pictured at the bottom of this post).

Every time I look at my nails I have to take a second look, I just love them and they feel so festive! I've shared several pics of this "manicure" (I use that term loosely) 🀭, in different lighting and have not used any filters. As you can see, it looks sheer in some photos and more opaque in others.

Outdoor Lighting



 Indoor Lighting


This mani totally brings me joy! Every time I look at my nails, they remind me of Christmas Tree ornaments. :D

And, btw, I've had these polishes on for days and there is very little wear.


Pictured above: Left: Sinful Colors in Let Me Go, Right: L.A. Colors Silver Glitter Polish.

If you are looking for an affordable festive nail look this holiday season that is easy to do, I highly recommend you give these a try. You can find both online or at select Walmart's and Dollar Tree stores.

Wishing you a great week ahead! 


Xo's, Amy





*Not sponsored. All products were purchased by me. Opinions in this post are mine. :) Some links are referral, thank you if you choose to use them!

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Bronzer #Review




I finally "hit pan" on my Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer in the shade Bronzer. This bronzer definitely took time to grow on me. The formula is fabulous, it's soft and buttery just as the name implies. The shade can look a little muddy on me though because I find the Bronzer shade to be more of a contour shade, so I use a light hand. I like to bronze all over for a sunkissed look, because of this, I actually prefer bronzers with a bit of a red undertone to mimic a fake tan. I find the darker shade from this line "Dark Bronzer" (which is waiting patiently in the wings for me to use it) has more of a red undertone, so I prefer that one for an all over bronzed up look . These bronzers do have a sweet tropical scent which fades once applied. I'm really not offended nor sold by the scent. I actually prefer unscented beauty products but it wouldn't stop me from purchasing this product. 

My all-time favourite bronzer is still Laura Geller's Bronze n' Brighten and it's been my favourite for at least 10 years! But since I like to try new products, I had purchased the Butter Bronzers to give them a go. You never know if you'll find a new favourite, eh? Until I use this up, I will alternate my PF Butter Bronzers and my Laura Geller one, which I use in medium, btw.

Overall, the formula is fantastic and now there are 4 shades to choose from Light, BronzerDeep,  and Sunkissed, so there is something for everyone. Physician's Formula is a Cruelty-free brand. Plus, they are accessible and affordable if you wait for a sale. Right now all shades are half price at $7.69 on Amazon.com.


Shop Physicians Formula Butter Bronzers HERE.


What's your favourite bronzer? 

Hope everyone has a great week ahead. 

XO's Amy



*not sponsored. Some links are referral. Thank you if you choose to use them!

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Philosophy Renewed Hope in A Jar Peeling Mousse, Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer + Time in A Bottle Serum Review


I had the pleasure of testing out Philosophy's Renewed Hope in A Jar Peeling Mousse, Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer, as well as their Time in A bottle Resist, Renew and Repair Serum thanks to Topbox Circle

*All links provided in this post contain pricing and product information


Although each sample was only 7ml's they did last me for a week, using AM + PM. Granted, this isn't nearly enough time to gauge any long term effects but it was enough time to notice some results.


Firstly, I love that these products are unscented. Although, I'm not against products with fragrance, I definitely prefer products that do not have any fragrance.  I have aging, combo, dehydrated and reactive skin. I was actually having a breakout all over my face from some other products that I had just started using when I received these samples. I started the Philosophy samples right away and found them very soothing on my skin. When I woke the next morning, my breakouts were going away already! I was already a fan based on that alone.

The Peeling Mousse is similar to some other products that I've used in the past where it's supposed to exfoliate your face as you massage the product into your skin, and your dead skin cells bead up and roll into little balls. I have never been sure if this is actually skin or the product that's beading up. However, I can say that my skin looked clearer, fresher, softer, and brighter after using this exfoliator. 

The Renew and Repair Serum, also unscented, absorbs nicely and doesn't leave my skin with any sticky residue or greasy feel. It's perfect under the Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer and also underneath makeup. It adds a bit of hydration and is very gentle on my reactive skin. I would love to see the long term benefits, if any, of this product as it has some great anti-aging ingredients. 

From Ulta's site:

An exclusive liposome complex stimulates skin's natural repair functions to help repair skin damage at its source. Next, potent vitamin C8 and a patented antioxidant complex neutralize damaging free radicals to help renew skin's protection from daily aggressors; and third, extracts from rare Himalayan red rice, red grape ferment and plantain leaf help reactivate skin's natural age-resisting mechanisms, for results you can see and feel.



The Refreshing and Refining Moisturizer was also a delight to use. Fragrance-free, extremely soothing to my dehydrated skin, and really does provide long-lasting hydration. Again, no sticky or oily residue with this product either. My skin was left so soft that I couldn't stop touching it for a while there. hehe. I know, that's a no-no. The other noticeable difference was the rough, bumpy texture, especially on my forehead was gone and smoothed out after using these products for a week!

In Summary:


My favourite products are the serum and moisturizer. With the moisturizer, I had immediate benefits and it gave me long-lasting hydration. The serum has such great ingredients that I would have like to continue using it in conjunction with the moisturizer to see if I would experience any anti-aging benefits. I could take or leave the peel. Although, my skin did look fresher and brighter after using it, I can get that from most exfoliators. However, I do prefer a chemical exfoliator over a physical one, and the peeling mousse is a chemical exfoliator. Overall, I find that these products do what they claim. They offer fabulous hydration without being heavy or greasy and would be suitable for all skin types including sensitive and reactive skin like mine, and the prices are reasonable.

Have you tried these products? What is your favourite?

Thank you to Topbox Circle and Philosphy for sending over these products for me to test out.πŸ’—


#notsponsored #freesample

*This post contains referral links. Thank you in advance if you choose to use them.


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