Review: Ology Soothing Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

After my bottle of Disney Baby Daily Renewal Naturals Baby Shampoo finished, I headed over to my local drugstore to find that  Garnier Pure Clean was out of stock... again. After being unable to find a suitable replacement, I went over to Walgreens to grab either Pure Clean or the Disney Baby Shampoo since they always seem to have it stock. (I always go to the first one since it's so close however with that being said, the Walgreens is really just across the street). Anyhow, as I was about to grab the Disney Baby version, I noticed the ology brand which had a lovely "No Harmful Chemicals" notice right along the front of the bottle. Ology is a Walgreens brand, so I figured that I'd give it a shot.

I grabbed the Lavender & Chamomile version since that's one of my favourite scents. On the back, it states that it has no parabens, silicons, dyes, phthalates, or animal byproducts. It also states that the bottle is made of 100% post-consumer materials. 

I've been using this for a few weeks now (and yes, in the image just behind the bottle of ology is Pure Clean) and overall, I love it. Sometimes the shampoo is a bit hard to wash out, but truth be told, I've found this with a lot of shampoos that are similar in nature. The only catch about this one versus the Disney Baby is that this one does not claim to be sulfates free. So if that's an issue for you then this is something you're going to want to pass on.

Overall, while I think it's almost on par with Pure Clean or the Disney Baby (Naturals) Shampoo, it's not quite on that level. The texture is fine, the lather is as expected, and it's performance is okay. However if I mess up and neglect to fully wash my hair out then it dries in a stringy manner which looks like it's incredibly oily (when it's not). Plus there's still the issue of sulfates, which my hair does not get along with when there is prolonged usage. I do love the scent which is wonderfully subtle and great if you have a headache (lavender is simply amazing to me). 

If sulfates were not an issue, I'd probably say this was on par with the Disney Baby Naturals (or Pure Clean) simply because with the latter I can use it for a long period of time without having to worry about switching it out. Sulfates in the past have led to considerable damage to my hair -- it is not bad in itself as it is surfactant and all it does is assist with the lather. It is particularly damaging to my hair because my hair is wurly and pretty dry so sulfates don't quite work out for me. For my mother (who has a gorgeous head of hair, I might add), this has never been a problem but she also has hair that is of a different texture. So don't be quick to write this one off unless sulfates really are a problem for you.

---

Product: Ology Sooth Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Price: $5
Stars: ★★★☆☆
Takeaway: Overall, a solid shampoo that is free of parabens, silicones, dyes, and phthalates (but not sulfates). Works well and would be a great contender were it not for the sulfates part. It is about the same level of difficulty to wash out as others that are similar and nature and good to have on hand. 

An Update on Wedges

It's been a little bit over a year now that I've made the switch from makeup brushes to cosmetic wedges so I figured I'd post a bit of an update. Almost a year later, the wedges are finally starting to show some wear and tear which has caused me to have to throw some of them out (but certainly not all). I still have half of the pack left so I imagine that it'll be a while before I need to actually go out and buy a whole new set. 

I will warn you that if you're trying to figure out if wedges (or sponges) are for you, then do keep in mind that they do tend to waste more of the product however as a result, they are able to give an even application. I love them because they seem to do more for me in terms of application (seriously, the application with a brush versus these wedges are very noticeable) but you do need several in rotation since it takes a few days for them to dry (and I tend to wash them after every use).

Soapy Hauls

I generally reserve hauls for my tumblr but I just got my haul from FizzButter not too long ago, I wanted to share since I think that the bath bombs are amazing. Since I've mentioned Bubbles Up Soap Boutique  before, I figured I'd share my previous hauls from that etsy store.

FizzButter Bath Bombs

Back in December, Kara's Way (the monthly subscription box) gave me a bath bomb from FizzButter to try out (you can read the review here). Bathtimes are generally a bit too drying on my skin but these bath bombs are amazing since they are so moisturizing since they are packed filled with shea butter and cocoa butter. After sadly having to go on vacation to Disney World without these bath bombs, I decided that I needed to stock up. So today's haul from FizzButter includes 8 bath bombs: Lullaby, Tranquil Lilac, White Chocolate Truffle, Mango Coconut, Sandalwood Vanilla, Lush Jasmine, Vanilla Butter & Pineapple, and French Lavender.

Previous hauls from Bubbles Up! (I'm actually going to be ordering pretty soon from her again so you can be on the lookout for that in the future) are as follows:

On November 11th, 2012 I received my second order from Bubbles Up! which included:

• Gingersnap Cookie
• Warm Vanilla Sugar
• Eggnog
• Witches’ Cauldron
• Candy Apple
• Candy Corn
• Chocolate Fudge Marble
• Cinnamon Coffee Cake.

I've never actually written a review about these soaps on my blog but I love them. I joke around about how I'm perpetually on a diet and as a result, I indulge in savoury and sweet scents in the shower. My skin has never been dried out by these soaps and honestly, I love treating myself during the seasons with her special limited edition soaps.

Back in May of 2012 for my first order, I got the following below. I have finished the all and I thought they were all amazing. I couldn't say that I had a favourite (have you read the name of some of these?! They are delicious [scented]!)

• Almond Biscotti Cookie Soap with Almonds and Coffee Beans 
• Blackberries and Sage Honeycomb Soap with Real Honey
• Caribbean Coconut Soap with Real Coconut
• Chocolate and Raspberry Gourmet Coffee Soap
• Chocolate Milkshake Soap with Real Dark Chocolate
• Cinnamon Coffee Cake Soap with Coffee
• Molasses and Brown Sugar
• Cup of Joe Soap with Coffee
• Going Bananas Yogurt Soap with Real Coconut
• Hot Cross Buns Soap with Crunchy Pecans
• Oatmeal - All Natural Unscented Hot Process Soap
• Oatmeal Milk and Honey Soap
• The Great Pumpkin Sugar Scrub Soap with Pumpkin Puree and Brown Sugar

---

Product: FizzButter Bath Bombs
Price: $3.69 each
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: I would absolutely recommend this. After trying out one (thanks to Kara's Way!), this has become something that I need for any bath. It's great for those with drier skin since it has shea butter and cocoa butter and the scents are great. (Do be careful getting out of the tub though!)

Product: Bubbles Up! by Bethie B
Price: $5 - $6
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: I will be placing my third order with them soon so that should be pretty telling! I love these soaps as they have great scents and don't dry out my skin. 

Review: The Body Shop Rounded Handle Facial Brush

I was having one of those "needless spending" days and after darting around to different stores, largely unsatisfied with my findings (or rather, lack of spending), I decided to wander into The Body Shop because I recall seeing an exfoliation brush that went for $3 (thanks to /r/SkincareAddiction). Turns out they were having a sale... more on that later, but I did pick up the exfoliation brush that I intended to get.

 I've never used an exfoliation brush before so I don't have much to compare it to. My facial routine is very basic and goes like this:

1. Wash my face with a cleanser (either a foaming type or Noxzema) and rub it in with my fingers in a circular motion.
• I dry my skin afterward by wiping downward on my face with a towel.
2. Apply moisturizer and follow up with eye cream.
3. Once a week I do an intensive facial mask (at the moment I'm using a generic mint julep mask which I leave on for 20-30 minutes).
• Dry by dabbing (rather than using strokes).
• Follow up immediately with a toner.

So my routine doesn't utilize much exfoliation in it. I still get the occasional acne but in general it's not anything that is bothersome. I never really thought about getting a brush but I figured it was worth the shot especially since the instructions of use is very similar to what I already do (utilizing small circular motions and most recommend that you focus on the problematic areas and try to not to be too rough). I'm still in the process of testing it out (it's only been two weeks now and I'm keeping it down to exfoliating 1-2 times a week) so this review is based on the initial impressions.

Well, to start it's a very small brush (I missed it quite a few times when I was in the shop even though there was a whole basket filled with them). It's about the same brush size as other brushes (such as the Sephora Complexion Brush) but the handle is small which makes it seem even smaller. Nonetheless, I liked how cute it looked. Plus the container itself allows for the brush to hang in the correct way so that it can dry better.

Please note that if you have a cat (particularly kittens) they will think that it's a toy. On the first night that I got it, I walked to get my camera and came back to the two of them going to town on it. So, keep it away from them since it's small enough to register as kittens to be within the toy category.

Moving on, it was a bit small and took a bit to get used to although that didn't take too long. The bristles are incredibly soft which makes it easy to use, especially with a foaming cleanser. I have yet to try it with the Noxzema so hopefully I can follow up with an update about that.

Overall, for the value and for it does, I'm pretty amazed by it. My roommate had been exclaiming the goodness of the Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System and after reading the thread about having  an exfoliation brush, I just had to give it a shot. I'm pretty happy that I did; my face felt not as tight or dry after I was done (I actually can't explain why that happened, so let's pretend it was a fluke). 

---

Product: The Body Shop Rounded Handle Facial Brush

Price: $3

Stars: ★★★★★

Takeaway: For $3, you can't really go wrong with this experiment and while that might not be a huge pro, consider that exfoliation is one of those things you need to do once in a while and so long as you have that circular motion down, you're doing it lightly, and that you follow up with a toner, it's not too bad to at least try it. For me, I enjoy it once or twice a week (and never after I've done a mask because I don't need to stress my face out too much) so it's been a great "investment." 

Review: Native Touch Warrior Bear Rub Mini

Since Kara's Way May 2012 box, Native Touch has become one of my favourite brands for moisturizers. I still have the Native Touch Rooting Bear Rub because I've been hoarding it and a while ago, Maria of Kara's Way gave me a sample of the Warrior Bear Rub Mini which was part of the December 2012 box.

Like the Rooting Bear Rub, this one is very moisturizing which has been great for me (especially at work) since I tend to wash my hands a lot. This blend uses a base of shea butter and has tea tree oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil in it which gives it that extra moisturizing boost. If you find yourself frequently washing your hands or if you have dried cracked skin this would be an amazing addition to your line up of skincare.

It can be a bit greasy and as work I tend to find my fingerprints all over after I've used it, but it's nothing that isn't too bothersome. I've somewhat gotten used to it and I'm actually okay with my shiny keyboard. If greasiness is something that bothers you, I'd recommend switching to overnight use to pack the moisture back in and likely not using this as a hand lotion during the day.

If you've been following this blog, then you might already be familiar with my never ending quest to find and use several different hand lotions. I wash my hands frequently whether I'm at home or at work which means that my already dry skin needs to have moisture packed back in (even if I'm going to wash my hands 1-2 hours later). Like the Rooting Bear Rub, I love this one and while I try to use it sparingly due to my love, I end up using it a lot because it works so well. It's pretty comparable to others that I use frequently, if not better. It's definitely worth the greasiness in my opinion but that's something you'll have to contend with if you deal with dryness and/or don't like the greasiness. A little of this product goes a long way so the miniature version is most certainly worth it.

---

This product was featured in the December Kara's Way box and was given to me complimentary for my evaluation.

Product: Native Touch Warrior Bear Rub Mini
Price: $2.99 (for the Mini Size)
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: I love this product though I will admit that it's a bit greasier than most that I've encountered -- it is way more moisturizing and great for dry skins (or even those that wash their hands frequently). The greasiness can be annoying if you aren't used to it but I still think it's great to have -- if even just the small version.

Quick Look: Comparison of the Sephora Cinderella & Jasmine Line

Here's a quick look of the items that I have from the Sephora Disney Reigning Beauties which so far includes Cinderella and Jasmine. 

Sephora + Jasmine, Haul

When the Disney Jasmine Collection was released and the email went out for Beauty Insiders, I jumped on the Jasmine collection. She's one of my favourite princesses (nods to Ariel, Belle, and Rapunzel) so I didn't even give it a second thought. (Especially since I lost out on getting that Disney Designer Princess doll back in 2011). My shipment arrived on Wednesday, but due to my violin lessons and a trip to the California Academy of Science (Nightlife), I wasn't able to properly compile everything till tonight.

This post is just about the haul and hopefully I'll have swatches soon. Enjoy!

The Palace Jewel Compact - $20

Closeup; there is a slight imperfection along the top
right by my ring finger.

"Shut your eyes and take a chance."

I have the Cinderella one, which I loved so I had high expectations for this one since Jasmine is my favourite. Overall, the casing (specifically the filigree design) feels a bit flimsy on the outside but it's got a good weight to it. 

The filigree design is intricate and behind it you can just make out the palace behind it. On the inside along the bottom says "shut your eyes and take a chance," which I think is adorable. 

As I mentioned in the caption, there is a slight imperfection along the side where it feels as though there's a bit too much plastic. Overall though, that does not hinder the product or decrease the love that I have for the compact mirror.

Once is Never Enough Nail Set - $24.50

I can never get enough of a nail polish collection especially one that has a few favourite colors in there. While the only colour in this collection (in terms of the pieces that I own from the collection) that is true to Jasmine is the turquoise, I do love the hues of purple. There's only one that would be a bit hard for me to work with so overall this set is a welcomed addition to my growing nail polish addiction. The colours in this set are listed below.

•  Berry Tale Romance (dark berry)
• Your Wish Is My Command (lilac)
• Fit For Royalty (pearlized purple)
• Dream Princess (clear with light sparkles)
• All That Jasmine (light turquoise)
• Aladdin's Girl (pearlized, glittery dark orange)  

Three Wishes Eyeliner Set - $42

Finally, when I saw the promotional images for this collection, I knew that I had to get my hands on this eyeliner set. If you've followed the blog for long or even if you look at the cloud of tags you'll notice that eyeliners and mascara are my mainstays. While I may not have much luck with any other makeup, those are my staples. Plus in this set, which has a liquid eyeliner, gel eyeliner, and a pencil eyeliner (which seems very kohl like), there's also that adorable little brush for the gel. I'm a little hesitant to crack these open just yet because I have so many gel eyeliners, cream eyeliners, liquid eyeliners, and pencil eyeliners open at the moment but soon... Soon, I shall crack them open for swatches.

---

Image of Jasmine belongs to Disney.

Here's my feeling about this collection: While I do love it, I'm a little sad about the "artistic interpretation  of Jasmine, rather than sticking to her classic blue. My assumption is that on heels of the Cinderella collection, they didn't want to put out another blue inspired set but that makes me worry about some of the princesses down the line such as:

Image of Jasmine belongs to Disney.

• Green: Ariel, Merida, and Tiana
• Pink: Aurora, Mulan, and Rapunzel

It remains to be seen which other princesses will be selected for the Sephora honours but either way, I can't wait. The ones I'm still hoping for are Ariel and Belle. Strangely, I'd love to see Rapunzel since she's been growing on me quite a bit. Either that or I really just want to see a Pascal compact mirror. 

Anyhow going back to the deviation, you have to admit, there is a difference between the blue suit and the red suit. :)