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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Sibu Cleanse & Detox Sea Bar Facial Soap (& Well.ca & Sibu review)


I am trying to switch my skincare products into more natural ones and Sibu was, admittingly, not one of my first choices simply because I have never really heard of the brand and I did not know where to get it.

I first heard about this products thanks to Michele (YT: michele1218)'s rave about this skincare brand so I did a little research and found that it was available on an online "drugstore" website.


Well.ca and Sibu.com Quick Review
It was my first time ordering for that store and they got my order wrong: they sent me a "face and BODY bar" - which I did not even know existed because it was not even sold on their website and it was nowhere to be found on Sibu's website. Not to mention, I emailed Sibu to ask them if they were the same product but I did not get a reply at all. It's been more than 2 months and I am pretty certain that I will never get a reply back from them, which is crazy because Michele kept saying how she emails Sibu about whether or not they will be coming out with sunscreen, etc. etc. and she gets a response.. I guess that's not surprising because they did send her some products but that's just not cool - not great customer service on that end for sure. For the online drugstore I purchased this from, though the wait was quite slow for them to reply me and to get me the right product shipped to me, at least I did get it. One thing was a bit weird though: the new one I got says "face bar" on the box but the soap inside is exactly the same, smell and look.

Here, the pictures are of the "face and body bar" but the soap inside looks and smells exactly the same as the soap for the "face bar"...



To the review, I do really like the really nice and tangy scent. It lathers quite nicely with little product and while I do not think it is sufficient enough to get off all your makeup, it is a nice cleanser bar.  It does have oil ingredients in it so I was worried it would break me out but it hasn't broken me out so far and at the same time, it is not drying - especially since soap cleansers can be quite drying on the skin.

I use this first in the shower to remove some of my makeup and then I follow up with my Neutrogena skinID cream cleanser for my acne. (I am hoping that I will be able to replace that with Mario Badescu's enzyme cleanser and then I will also use this for my morning cleanser as well).



XO Nicole

Saturday, March 24, 2012

eos Lip Balm


eos Lip Balm Sphere

There is really no need to introduce this featured product. I purchased this lipbalm in Sweet Berry for my sister and she adores it. Not only is this super cute (my sister says that it reminds of a Pokéball from Pokémon) but she claims that it is super moisturizing.

I have yet to go ahead and buy one for myself (because I wanted my sister to try it out first to see how she thinks of it) as I am still contemplating about getting a Burt's Bee one. Regardless, this is certainly one interesting product that also delivers in its moisturizing function.

eos Lip Balm Sphere

eos Lip Balm Sphere
eos Lip Balm Sphere

Have you tried one of these super popular balms?

XO Nicole

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Nordstrom (Mario Badescu, Bobbi Brown), Coach, Las Vegas Souvenirs Haul


My sister went to Las Vegas (NV,USA) during our reading break and while I did not have much in mind for her to help my lug back, I did send her to Nordstrom to help me pick up some new skincare products and a new press powder. She came back with all I asked and some cute Vegas souvenirs that I just had to include in this post.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
I've been wanting to try Mario Badescu's skincare line for a while now. I have ordered and received some samples of the products that they recommended me and I haven't even tried those samples out yet, I had already put this on the shopping list because I was that confident in them. Let's hope I am right! The most raved about product from Mario Badescu is probably their enzyme cleaser. I wanted this because it was recommended to me and the brochure (as well as reviews found online) claims that this is great for removing makeup. Therefore, I am planning to use this hopefully in place of my skinID cleanser in the evening time when I remove my makeup and use my Clarisonic. Of course, a review post will be up as soon as I switch this in my rotation.


Mario Badescu Whitening Mask
Mario Badescu Whitening Mask
When my sister saw this product name on the list, she asked me why on earth do I need a "whitening mask", given that I am super pale already. She is not the only one misleaded by the product name as read on reviews. This mask is not made to make your skin whiter silly! It's actually suppose to "righten uneven skin tones and gently minimize the look of old acne scars and discolorations from the sun", which is the main concern of my skin right now so I cannot wait to break this out. This was really pricey though! It cost $24.00 for a 2oz container.

Sheer Finish Pressed Powder
Sheer Finish Pressed Powder
I've been staying long nights on campus and therefore, my makeup, whether or not is used with the "longest lasting" claim products while inevitably fade due to my combo skin. My Maybelline Dream Matte Powder and Maybelline Pure Stay Powder & Foundation has hit pan so I thought this would be the perfect time to try out the high-end stuff (I have decided that my face/skin is worth higher-end products. Yes.) As a big fan of Bobbi Brown (a Bobbi Brown collection post will be up soon), this was a no-brainer - and the fact that they have a shade called 'Pale Yellow' - I'm pale and I have yellow undertone. Also, where I live, you can only get this particular BB product at one location!





These are the adorable Vegas souvenirs my sister brought back for me! Though I am not very fond of the idea of having my name attached to my keys where everyone can see and therefore know my name, I have to put this on my keys. .. It's only polite right? Nah, I love these ! The M&M guy kind of looks pervy but still cute nevertheless. He makes it so much easier to find my keys in my bag.

XO Nicole

Friday, March 16, 2012

Oreo Cookie Celebrates 100th Birthday


Here is another food post for my beauty-focused blog? I couldn't resist; the yummy LIMITED EDITION Oreo cookie and it's beautiful gold packaging deserves its own separate blog post. I think it is so fun for them to do something special like this - well, I guess hitting 100 years old is quite a milestone, especially considering their wonderful success (it's still such a one-of-a-kind cookie!).

Not only did they do an excellent job with the packaging, but the flavor of the icing/middle part tastes exactly like a cake! Mr. Christie and the guys are always spot on. Good for them for not messing that up on Oreo's special day! Though I must admit, I think the original is better (ie. if I had both flavors in front of me, the original would most likely be gone first). So maybe it is a good thing they made this LE because if I ever craved Oreo cookies, I would go for the original. You just can't beat it ! But anyhow, happy 100th birthday to Oreo!

Also, I've seen variations in packaging for this birthday cake flavor (for different countries???) but so far, I think this one is the best. I LOVE the gold and the pink. Oh, and did I mention I only got this for it's packaging? So so so silly, especially since it's not like I'm going to keep the box, but maybe it was an excuse ;) !

How do you guys like to eat your Oreo cookies? - I like to dunk them in milk but not to the point where it gets too mushy ... mildy moist/soaked with milk, if you will.

J






XO Nicole

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

March 2012 TopBox

March 2012 TopBox
My March TopBox arrived yesterday and oh my goodness, someone had totally raped it ! As some of you guys know, most of these subscription boxes are delivered by Canada Post and since shipping is free, they usually just leave it at your door (without ringing your doorbell, etc. etc) and someone totally opened up the wrapping and rummaged through the whole thing. Luckily nothing was stolen - but who would freaking even steal beauty samples?

Anyway, here are the products.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash Mascara
I love mini mascara samples and I was really excited to see this mascara as I've heard so many raves about this mascara! I can't wait to try it out but I'm kind of scared that I'm going to fall madly in love with it that I will forever have to keep purchasing a $24 mascara every three months. Mascara is something I don't believe in dropping so much money on - especially since I dry mine out by the third month.

mark. Gloss Gorgeous Stay on Lip Stain in Frilly
I have not swatched this yet as I am contemplating about giving away because this colour, based on the colour indication/panel on the product, seems to not be one of those colours I like to wear. I prefer nude and neutral lip colours but seeing that coral and bright colours are in for the Spring time, this might just make me take the dive and try something new.

mark. Nailed It Trend Mini Nail Lacquer
Love the mini bottles - so cute. I have something like the purple shade but the pink one is screaming Easter to me!


Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Condition
Again, super annoyed that they included shampoo for colour treated hair since not every one colour treats their hair..

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
I was glad to see another product I've been meaning to purchase; I was literally at Wal-Mart (Simple is now sold in Canadian Wal-Marts) just a few days ago and I picked this up but had put it back because I know someone who got a better deal on this prior so I decided to wait. Now, I have a deluxe sample of this to test this out before purchasing! This is great, especially with products like these as some can leave a nasty layer on your face afterwards.

March 2012 TopBox
March 2012 TopBox
Overall, without including the bonus sample, I would have to say that this box was really similar to last month’s in terms of ‘wow’ factor. Needless to say, I will not be continuing my subscription with TopBox. Here are some reasons, I do not like the tube like box it comes in, I’d rather much prefer a regular rectangle box which I can easily reuse and store on a shelf somewhere, the wrapping of the cylindral box in which it is shipped in makes it so easy for people to open it (as like what had happen) and the brands that they carry are just not enticing for me. I also really dislike the fact that I keep getting shampoo samples for color treated hair when I have never colored my hair in my life.

XO Nicole