Hey everyone! In August, I had a mojito that had an interesting ingredient called Elderflower inside. I wanted to learn more about it and that is when I did a quick Google search. I found many amazing benefits that I wanted to share with you today!
What Is It?
Elderflower comes from the flower of the tree. The extract of the flower is what is used to make medicine. The flowers and the berries can be used but the leaves, roots as well as sticks, should not be used whatsoever. There are different species of the Elderflower plant and interested enough, 10 identified species are found right right in North America!
Benefits:
- Used in traditional medicine in different countries and in various cultures
- Known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties (can use as a mouthwash or a gargle)
- Typically used for colds, the flu and sinus infections
- Can help manage allergies and boost your immune system
- Can help reduce pain and swelling in the joints for those suffering with certain forms of arthritis
- Apparently it can help with constipation (it acts as a diuretic/laxative)
- Allegedly, it can act as insulin and help reduce blood sugar levels
Using & Consuming Elderflower:
I wasn't able to find any Elderflower supplements and that is why I purchased that tea instead. As mentioned earlier, Elderflower can be used as a flavouring component in food and drinks such as my mojito. Elderflower extracts can be found in perfumes and Elderflower water is used in the eyes (to reduce redness) as well as on the skin.
Until next time,
STAY CLASSY
Berrz
FTC: This blog post is not sponsored and I purchased this herbal tea myself. All opinions are my own and are truthful. Some links are affiliate.
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Hey everyone! I have mentioned this awesome recycling program that Origins has in several of my blog posts and today, I wanted to bring you along with me when I dropped off my empties!
In my Project 10 Pan blog posts that I feature on my blog, after I take the photos, I take all the empty containers and put them in a large freezer bag. When it gets full enough or if I know that I will be in the same area that an Origins is located, I take the bag with me and conveniently drop it off in their recycling bin.
If you are a person that does recycle household products on a regular basis, why not take it a step further and recycle your empty makeup containers? I usually bring my empties to the Origins counter located in the Toronto Eaton Centre or Yorkdale Mall at Hudson's Bay. The great thing about this program is that you can recycle empty makeup containers from any brand!
I am also going to link the Origins web site that tells you more about the recycling program. Don't forget to find a location that is convenient for you to recycle your empties! The bins located inside Origins, are available at all retail and department store locations (except at Ulta or Sephora,) with the exception of the state of California. Update: I went to the Origins counter inside The Bay at the Eaton Centre today (March 12, 2019) and was told that they no longer have this program! I'm very sad about this and if anyone knows where I can drop off my makeup empties, please let me know!
Until next time,
STAY CLASSY
Berrz
FTC: This blog post is not sponsored and I have been recycling my empty makeup containers here for a few years now. All opinions are my own and are truthful. Some links are affiliate.
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Hey everyone! This is going to be a rather large empties post as you can see that I have gone through quite a few products this month. Get a snack and a warm beverage and let's get started!
Face
Yves Rocher Smoothing Cleansing Milk - I like using this in the morning. It really doesn’t do a good enough job at removing my makeup (in my honest opinion,) and this really helps to hydrate my skin. I found an interesting article for you to read on the different botanicals.
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes - I really did thoroughly enjoy using these! They did a great job at removing my makeup and were gentle on the skin. Also, the cloths were very soft on the skin. I will definitely be repurchasing these wipes in the future! My only complaint is that when there were 2 or 3 makeup wipes left, the closure to open and close separated from the pack. This is turn slightly dried out those last few wipes but not severely.
Dr. Jart+ Brightening Infusion Hydrogel Mask - I have an entire review on this hydrogel mask, but I found it nice to try-out once, and it will not be replacing my go-to sheet masks from The Face Shop. This mask is: on the more expensive side, it is slippery on the face, you need to lie down when it is applied and it is great for people with dark circles or those with an uneven skin tone.
Teeth
Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste Gel - I think that I am going to stop featuring these in my empties because it is just getting repetitive at this point and it really isn’t even my favourite toothpaste.
Equate Flosser Picks - These did the job and did not break when I was using them. They are very inexpensive and you can purchase them at Wal-Mart.
Hands
Bath & Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Oh Snap! Jolly Gingerbread - I have featured this several times in the past and I really enjoy using this scent around the holidays.
Other/Miscellaneous
Nature’s Bounty Hair Skin & Nails Gummies with Biotin (80 count) - You already know how much I love these gummies and I talk about them quite frequently. I have an entire dedicated blog post to this fabulous product for you to read.
Cotton Rounds (100 count) - These are made with 100% pure cotton and I purchase these at Wal-Mart. These are my go-to and my current favourite cotton rounds with the exception from the ones sold at Target.
Bath & Body Works Scent Portable in Caribbean Escape - I have purchased this scent in the past and I really do enjoy it! It brings me back to my time spent in Jamaica! This is a pleasant and nostalgic scent for me that I will continue to repurchase for years to come.
Samples/Promo
Makeup
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Fluid Foundation Sample Pack (4 shades) - In my last Project 10 Pan (Round 5,) I feature a deluxe sample in the shade 117=Y225 (marble,) and the verdict was that it was a great match for my skin tone, however, it made me feel too greasy despite blotting as well as powdering throughout the day. I only like it mixed with another foundation. I used the lighter shades mixed in with another foundation and the darker shades were used for contouring. Shades included in the quad were: 117=Y225, 127=Y335, 128=Y415 & 177=Y505.
Too Faced Shadow Insurance - I used this products years ago and it didn’t work for my eyelids at all. The tube I had actually went bad and it started leaking everywhere. Now, I was hesitant to try this out again but I did and I received good results this time around! I don’t know if they reformulated this product but my shadows did not crease on my eyelids and I am very happy about that because the old tube I had would crease on me in a matter of minutes!
Skin Care
Kate Somerville EradiKate To-Go - I had never used anything from her line before and I was going in with an open mind. I do love the concept behind this product, the name is very clever and the packaging was fun! I understand where they were coming from with this product but it didn’t WOW me. It was easy to snap the swab at the blue line, but the pink product reminded me of ointment that my mother dotted on me with a cotton puff when I was a child when I had the chicken pox. I also expected a form of liquid to come out after I snapped it but that didn’t happen. In my opinion, the cotton swab is too hard to put on a pimple and on acne prone face. Again, I wanted to love this product and it is great for taking when travelling, but I did not like it sadly.
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil - I have used this product in the past and I really enjoyed it! I like to apply this before bed but you can also mix it in with your moisturizer if your skin is very dry. I received this in my Sephora Sample Bag that I redeemed online using the promo code: PARTYON after spending over $35 CAD. Check out my Challenge Video that I created using all Sample Sized & Travel Sized Products!
Face Masks/Sheet Masks
Pure Derm Sheet Mask - This lovely smelling face mask is infused with Collagen and Vitamin E. It made my face feel soft and smooth after use! Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask with A Vitamin Fruit Complex - Let me start off by saying that if you favour a face mask that goes on smooth, then this is not the one for you. If you are allergic to citrus, please do not use this mask because it contains lemon and orange! There was a cooling sensation on my face when I did wear this mask. I also want to mention that it is recommended on the back to remove this product with a wash cloth. I tried using just warm water and my hands, but when the mask dries on your face, the chunks are hard to get off. You really need to use a warm wash cloth to remove everything completely off your face. It can get a bit messy as there are chunks that can be hard to spread, but I quite enjoyed using this face mask. My skin felt fresh, smooth and very soft after-use. I am not completely sold on purchasing the full size because I am not a huge fan of the chunks in the product, but I did thoroughly enjoy using my sample from Sephora!
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask - This helps clear pores and it advises to use this once a week. This is for all skin types and helps with: dryness, dullness, uneven texture and also, it helps with your pores. They use Bamboo Charcoal which acts similarly like a magnet to help draw out anything clogging your pores. Another key ingredient is White China Clay that absorbs environmental toxins. Lastly, it contains lecithin which is a fat essential in the cells of your body. You can find lecithin in foods such as egg yolks as well as soybeans. Lecithin helps dissolve impurities in this particular face mask and flushes out: dirt, debris as well as environmental toxins which can make the face look less radiant thus clogging pores. This mask is more on the messy side and I recommend applying it with a brush because it goes on thick! I also suggest removing it with a warm washcloth.
I want to address the obvious that this sample is not opened in my photo but I will be using it either tomorrow or the following day and it will be used up before December 1st. I am quite busy and wanted to get up this Empties Blog Post while I can!
Moisturizers/Eye Creams
Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar - This was also a sample that I received from Sephora. It was one of the 3 free samples with every order that you can pick-out for yourself. I feel like it did do a good job at hydrating my skin and I applied it in the morning before I applied my makeup onto my face. It did not break me out and it did not leave my skin more oily than it already is.
Tarte TarteGuard 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion - I did enjoy applying this on my face and I love that there is an SPF of 30! The product does go on white but it sheers out when you massage it into your skin. I am going to look into purchasing a full bottle of this product! I also do like the packaging!
Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer - I have never heard about this company until I received a sample of their moisturizer! I am going to take a guess and say that they are an American company because we don’t have any green apples in Canada and the ones that are for sale in the stores, are Granny Smith apples imported from the USA. The scent of this is rather unique and I quite like it! I used this in the morning before I applied my makeup and it absorbed quickly into my skin. The formula felt luxurious and this is more on the thicker side. I want to say that I do have extremely oily skin and I can’t give credit to this product alone, but when using this in conjunction with other beauty items, my face was not oily! I did not have to do my regular blotting and powdering my shift half way through the day!
Tatcha Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream - This is a gel cream that claims to work on: normal combination and dry skin. It doesn’t state that it works on oily skin. You only need a dime size amount of product for your entire face. A little goes a long way. It is extremely lightweight, does not feel heavy whatsoever, it absorbs well, it feels luxurious and it had a pleasant smell to it! The full sized version retails on the Sephora web site for $180 CAD for 1.86 oz/55 ml of product. Yes their products can be costly, but there is a great reason behind this! They have a partnership called ‘Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Futures’ which allows them to send a girl to school upon purchasing one of their skin care products. Ingredients in this cream includes: green tea extract (which is a powerful antioxidant,) Okinawa red algae extract (good for long-lasting moisture retention as well as texture improvement,) and also Japanese rice bran extract (an age old multi-tasking ingredient that is a great antioxidant which offers nourishing moisturizing benefits. I received this in my Tatcha Kyoto Cleanse Set that I purchased on the Sephora web site which I featured in my latest haul!
Olay Eyes - Ultimate Eye Cream - This is great for people who have: dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness. I only get puffiness underneath my eyes sometimes and this product didn’t completely eliminate that, but it did help. This is the second sample of this particular product that I have tried out and I still am not sold on it. It is a standard eye cream in my honest opinion.
Cleansers/Makeup Wipes
Nivea Creme Care All-in-One Facial Cleansing Lotion (x2) - This product claims to be able to take off your makeup and I would disagree with that. I was really working this product into my skin and it just helped loosen the makeup - it didn’t remove it well. I feel like this is a similar situation with my Yves Rocher Smoothing Cleansing Milk as I like to use it in the morning and not at night to remove my makeup.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths (x2) - I seem to keep getting these as samples but I am not complaining because you already know that I like this product very much and have bought it in the past. These are great wipes for taking off your makeup and as it suggests in the name, they are very gentle!
Sephora Express Eye Makeup Remover Wipe (x2) - I received these as samples and they were very gentle on my eyes as they did not irritate or burn my eyes. The wipe was thin enough and not thick. In my opinion, it was the perfect size as you can unfold it all the way if you wish. However, it did not fully get off my eye makeup underneath my lower lashes. I was going over it quite a few times and it wasn’t coming off which was annoying. I had to go in with a Q-Tip and my YSL Eye Makeup Remover to fully get everything off.
Hair
Schwarzkopf Omega Repair with Omega Oil Shampoo (x2) - The scent of this was lovely and more importantly, I love how it worked on my hair. The formula is described as rich which I would have to agree with and they use Ultime-4-Complex which includes a combination of: pearl essence, panthenol, refined protein and keratin.
Schwarzkopf Omega Repair with Omega Oil Conditioner (x2) - I wasn’t aware but this product was developed with Claudia Schiffer! This was a great conditioner for me hair and this product is targeted to those with damaged or depleted hair.
Body
L’Occitane Milk Concentrate with Almond Milk - I have used another one of these samples in the past and I love how it feels on my skin! It is very moisturizing and nourishing!
Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion in Cocoa Butter - I have tried this product in the past and I honestly wasn’t a fan. Now that I’m trying it again, I like it slightly better but not enough to go out and purchase the full sized version. It smells great and it is moisturizing but I do have psoriasis and I need to be careful when choosing skin care products especially for my hands.
Carprina Fresh Goat’s Milk Soap with Shea Butter (x2) - I received two samples of this product and I really did enjoy using it! My skin felt very smooth after use and it did not irritate my psoriasis! I felt very skin afterwards and left a nice subtle smell that lingers for a awhile after.
Fragrance
Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette - I have used one of these samples in the past and I really liked the scent! The notes are: Yuzu, Iced Accord, Pomegranate, Peony, Magnolia, Acajou, Lotus Flower, Musk and Vegetal Amber. The main groups of notes consist of: flower, fruity and musk.
Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau De Parfum Spray - This scent is described as: sultry, luxurious and indulgent. Marc Jacobs really did a great job at advertising this product because I specifically remember last year when this was all over the tv commercials and I seen a lot of in-store demo-ing to show this product off that was mainly done in department stores such as The Bay.
Revlon Love is On Fragrance - I really wasn’t expecting anything much from this scent but I actually really enjoyed it! I will be looking out for the full sized version in stores!
Food/Beverages
Starbucks Hot Cocoa Double Chocolate - My friend gave this to me and it is very indulgent! On the packaging, it tells you to make it with hot milk. The only thing that I didn’t like is that even though I kept stirring it throughout I was drinking it, there was a lot of the powder leftover at the bottom. I would just go to Starbucks to purchase their hot chocolate instead of buying their mix.
Ozery Bakery Morning Rounds Muesli - I tried these out in the past and they weren’t my favourite. This time around, I put my morning round in the toaster and it made a world of difference! I absolutely love these now! It is filling and very flavourful. I did not add anything to it and I will definitely be purchasing these next time I am at the grocery store! I ate mine in the afternoon with a bowl of soup!
Nutri-Grain Fruit & Nut Medley in Harvest Blueberries & Mixed Nuts - This was an awesome snack! It was chewy and soft! The flavours were delicious and I would definitely purchase a box of these bars! This was one of the items included in my SampleSource Fall Box.
Also, I have decided to start taking multiple photos and breaking it up into categories (like I do with the subtitles,) for easy visual reference. Meaning that I would take a picture of all the skin care items that I used up that month which would be followed with my opinions and I would do that for every single category.
Until next time,
STAY CLASSY
Berrz
FTC: I purchased some products and others were given to me or were samples. All opinions are truthful and I am not paid to speak about any of these products. Some links are affiliate.
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Hey everyone! Today I am sharing with you two new COVERGIRL products that are for the eyes! I will be talking about their new Intensify Me! Liquid Liner as well as their So Lashy! Mascara that is designed for all types of lashes!
This product really speaks to me because I have both Straight as well as Sparse lashes! It can be difficult for me to find a mascara to help me out in both departments! I have high hopes for this product and can’t wait to see what it will do to my lashes! Applying fake lashes is a quick fix, but this mascara would be ideal for when I go to work or for days that I don’t have the time to apply falsies on.
Pros:
- An innovative product
- I am drawn to the packaging and really like it!
- It is a drugstore item that can be found at major drugstore chains
- This is a plastic wand for those of you who are fond of them
- It comes in 5 different shades: Extreme Black, Intense Black, Jet Black, Black & Black Brown
- It is also available in a waterproof formula (according to the COVERGIRL web site,) for those of you who prefer that formula. I personally do not use it so therefore, that doesn’t affect my opinion on this product.
- The ball tip is designed to get even your smallest lashes
Cons:
- This mascara is more on the expensive side for being drugstore
- Certain areas in the brush lacked bristles to be available to actually coat my lashes which can cause clumps because it is depositing too much product
- The bristles are quite stiff which can raise concern for people with sensitive eyes
Product Features/Claims:
- Lash Fibers
- Mascara can be used for all lash types (Curly, Sparse or Straight)
- 3-in-1 brush head
- Long lasting
- A volumizing mascara
- Bold and dark volume for any type of lashes (their darkest formula to date)
- COVERGIRL is claiming that it is a unique product and there are none that compare to this one
- Smudge, flake and smear resistant
- Great for contact lens wearers
- Easy to remove at the end of the day
Price:
It retails for $11.99 USD on the Ulta web site and $12.99 CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart. This is definitel more on the pricey side for being a drugstore mascara.
COVERGIRL Intensify Me! By Lash Blast Liquid Liner in #300 Intense Black
Product Features/Claims:
- Paddle Tip - Thick to Thin lines depending on your preference
- Marker-style pen
- No Mess
- That it has the control of a pencil
- Intensity of a liquid liner
- That it is suitable for sensitive eyes which I do have
- Dries quickly
- Easy to remove with soap and water
Pros:
- I swatched this on my hand before applying it to my lids and it was budge proof!
- It was waterproof for about 6-7 hours despite washing my hands multiple times before I finally seen it start to fade slightly
- It is very opaque in colour
- The product glides on effortlessly
- It is very easy to use
- Matte finish
- Very easy to remove with my YSL Eye Makeup Remover. I barely had to rub it off on my skin.
- Delivers a very bold colour onto the eyelids
- Affordable as it retails for about $8-$11 CAD depending on where you purchase it from
- A drugstore product - There are 5 great shades to choose from: Intense Black, Sapphire, Emerald, Blue Topaz & Smoked Amber
Cons:
- The applicator is stiff and can take some getting used to for those who like a flexible applicator tip
- Can feel like you are using a Sharpie marker to line your eyes
- Need to store this tip down in a jar or a glass to prevent this from drying out quickly
- There is a learning curve to using this liner and especially to perfecting using this liner!
Overall Thoughts:
Everyone has a different way of doing their liquid eyeliner. It takes months to master and once you get the hang of it, you become comfortable doing it a certain way. To change the way you are doing it can lead to much frustration. It is inevitable that this product is going to get mixed reviews depending on what your preference is with liquid liner.
#GotItFree #SoLashy
Until next time,
STAY CLASSY
Berrz
FTC: I did receive these two products for free. All opinions are honest and are my very own. I would not speak about a product that I do not believe in. Some links are affiliate.
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Shop Hope's Online - Get 15% off your first purchase *LOOK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE FOR YOUR AUTOMATIC CODE!
Hey everyone! I have been hearing a lot of talk about various hydrogel masks lately and I wanted to put it to the test! As many of you know, my favourite sheet masks are those from The Face Shop. I wanted to compare those to the Dr. Jart+ Brightening Infusion Hydrogel Mask that I purchased on Sephora for $9 CAD.
Pros:
- Easy to apply
- The gel-textured sheet masks comes in two pieces: top & bottom
- It is comfortable once on the face
- Good for all skin types
- The is a nice cooling effect
- Good for people with dark circles, dark spots, uneven skin tone and dullness
- Formulated without parabens or sulfates
Cons:
- This mask is messy
- You need to lie down when it is on your face or it will slip off
- This mask is on the more larger side and it went well past my hairline
- Hydrogel masks in general are on the more expensive side
- You need to leave this mask on for 20-30 minutes which is more than other sheet masks
- There is more waste with this mask than a normal sheet mask because the hydrogel mask is held in place with a hard sheet of plastic and a sheet of cotton shaped like a face mask.
Overall Thoughts:
I enjoyed trying out this mask but it will not be replacing my go-to sheet masks from The Face Shop any time soon. The hydrogel masks are too expensive for me to use on a weekly basis. They are on the messy side and that is why I have no photos of the actual mask itself to share with you. I did enjoy trying it out but I would not go out of my way to repurchase this mask again. I feel that this mask as well as my regular sheet masks, give my skin similar results and one wasn't better than the other. I have oily skin and someone with dry skin may benefit from this more than I would.
Until next time,
STAY CLASSY
Berrz
FTC: This post is not sponsored. Some links are affiliate.
Smile Brilliant - Use code beautybyberrz for 5% off your entire order Uber - Get your first ride FREE using promo code: amandab9033ue
Shop Hope's Online - Get 15% off your first purchase *LOOK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE FOR YOUR AUTOMATIC CODE!
Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you my current 3 favourite fall looks that are on the more casual side. They are perfect for: running errands, grabbing coffee with a friend or going out for a quick lunch! You will be comfortable and cozy all season long!
