Innisfree Cleansing Sponge

The beauty world is full of gadgets that are getting more high-tech every year. We now have so many options when it comes to cleansing our face that picking the right tool might take you longer than actually washing your face. I have always been a fan of using a soft washcloth (keeping it simple you know) and while fancy face brushes have their appeal I never took the plunge. Recently however, I welcomed a new addition to my beauty cabinet and this simple tool has become a permanent fixture in my routine. Say hello to the Innisfree Cleansing Sponge.

This little sponge is made of 100% konjac root and once you run it under water, its hard surface turns into the softest almost jelly-like sponge. I find that this is a much gentler way of cleaning your face, you can add the cleanser directly to the sponge, but I like to use it to massage the cleanser that is already on my face and it helps removing it without causing redness or irritation. It is lovely to use in the morning when you don’t feel like splashing your face with water. It is said to very gently exfoliate your skin (it is more textured than your hands) and I think any of you with sensitive skin would like it.

I own two versions made by Innisfree, the white one which is a basic konjac sponge and the brown one which also contains volcanic scoria to offer more exfoliating properties. Honestly the difference between the two is minimal but the brown one is larger and is great to use on your face or body. Innisfree also offers a body sponge and it looks like it is larger and more textured.

As you would with any other cleansing device you do need to wash these regularly and try to hang them so they can dry properly and don’t get moldy (they come on a little string). I was very impressed with these sponges, they work well and unlike the ones from other brands, they are super affordable which is great considering that they won’t last forever. They are natural after all.

If you are interested you can find all of the Innisfree Cleansing Sponges on their website with prices varying from 4$ to 10$ (a real steal).

Clear Total Care Shampoo and Conditioner

Even though I have already sung my love of Kérastase hair products (here), it does not stop me from trying products from more affordable brands. When Miranda Kerr was made a spokesperson for Clear Scalp and Hair, I knew right away I needed to try something from the brand. I know… this is not the best reason to buy something, but what can I say I just love Miranda Kerr. So to the store I went and came back with the Clear Total Care Shampoo and Conditioner. 

As it turned out, these are some of the best hair products I have ever used. Both the shampoo and conditioner promise smooth hair with shine and body and they deliver on all claims. Every time I use them, my hair feels nourished, moisturised and has great shine. I would not call them volumizing but they do not leave my hair flat and frizz is replaced by smoothness.

Clear really focuses on the health of the scalp and not just the actual hair, making it great if you have a sensitive scalp like mine because each use left it feeling well-balance. I have been through about 4 bottles of each and I every time I go back to it I’m impressed by the result. I can’t quite put my finger on it but my hair just looks great and my scalp feels better. Drugstore shampoos and conditioners don’t always live up to their claims but this dreamy duo could easily pass for a high-end product, it is that good.

Clear offers a wide variety of affordable haircare products and you can find the Total Care Shampoo and Conditioner in most drugstores as well as a list of online retailers on their website. 

Tea Tuesday: Kusmi BB Detox Tea

The main reason I like to drink tea is for its known health benefits, but as with everything else, certain teas are much better for you than others. Luckily, choosing a healthier tea does not mean you have to drink something weird and grass-tasting. Kusmi makes some of my favorite teas and its BB Detox Tea is my pick for today’s Tea Tuesday.

This is the first detox tea that actually makes sense to me in terms of ingredients. This blend contains a base of green tea (antioxidants), mate, rooibos (anti-inflammatory), guarana, dandelion (detoxifies the liver) and it is flavored with a hint of grapefruit so it tastes great. The taste is quite light and sweet with a definite citrus base and I surprisingly enjoyed even though I am not typically a fan of citrus fruits. It is great to have in the morning as the grapefruit scent/taste is very uplifting and energising.

In all honesty, I have not experienced any spectacular effects from drink this, but I haven’t been drinking it daily. Kusmi does not state you should use this for a tea cleanse or a detox so it is different from other detox teas on the market. In my opinion this more like a great tea that can have health benefits over time and that contains ingredients that are known to have positive effects on the body. It can be a healthier option for your morning drink of choice and it is simply a good-tasting tea.

I have almost finished my little tin and I will purchase the larger size when it is done. Out of all the Kusmi teas I have tried, this is my favorite and the one I would recommend most. You can find the Kusmi BB Detox Tea on their website as well as in many health food/tea stores.

Disclaimer: I am not a health specialist, I just listed some of the known effects of the ingredients in this tea. Before making any substantial changes to your diet or starting a cleanse/detox you should talk with a health professional. 

Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Manuka Honey Sheet Mask

By now, you all probably know that I love a good sheet mask (preferably from Innisfree), but I also happen to love honey. So when I was last ordering from the brand and browsing through their mask selection I simply had to add the It’s Real Squeeze Manuka Honey Sheet Mask. After saving it for the right time, I finally used it and I have the resulting review for you today.

Once again, Innisfree brings it in the mask department with quite a unique formula. This sheet mask is made with the usual nice cotton, but its essence is unlike anything else I have tried. It boasts nourishing properties to moisturize dry skin and has a sweet florally fragrance. More than being moisturizing on the surface, it deeply nourishes the skin, it is hard to explain but it felt like the essence had really sunk into my skin instead of sitting on top of like a lot of other masks. Because of that it did not leave much of a residue so I think you don’t necessarily need to reserve its use for nighttime.

Apart from the nourishing effect, I also found it had skin softening properties and a bit of a plumping/firming effect. I loved it so much that I will happily repurchase it and I plan on trying out more of the brand’s honey products.

You can get the Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Manuka Honey Sheet Mask on their website and they are currently running a buy 10 get 10 free offer on all their It’s Real Squeeze Mask.   

My New Love Affair With Netflix

Oh Netflix what am I going to do with you. See Netflix and I haven’t always had the best relationship, when it first came to Canada I immediately subscribed, but the selection of shows and movies was not very good (especially compared to the American one). Nonetheless, over the last few years I restarted my subscription on and off for a month at a time. The service was never a fixture in my life, but last month everything changed.

While suffering from a case of “I have nothing to watch”, I decided to go back to Netflix hoping to discover something new and boy did it deliver. The number of great shows and movies that have been added is incredible! For the first time I finally get all the excitement around it and why procrastination is on the rise. Everything is just so tempting to watch, even though there are probably more productive things to do. I would say however that, if like me English is not your first language, watching programs in English is bound to improve your skills and is thus highly educational (I probably “study” a bit too much though).

In all honesty I have seen many shows on there, but I made quite a few new discoveries that were great and led to some marathon viewing. My current picks would be:

- Once Upon a Time

- The Musketeers

- The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

- White Collar

If your past experience with Netflix left you disappointed, I highly recommend you give it a chance again, it might surprise you. Also, you’ll know who to blame if my posting becomes irregular. 

My Favorite Workout Buddy: The iPod Shuffle

When it comes to music players, Apple has dominated the market for years. However not all of their products receive the same amount of love from the press and general public. I know many like to use an iPod Touch or iPhone to both listen to music and track their workout, but personally I don’t enjoy having to wear an armband and prefer something sleeker and cuter. This is why the iPod Shuffle has turned out to be my best workout buddy.

This tiny little device allows me to listen to my favorite workout playlists without getting in the way of my movements. It’s super tiny: 29 mm by 31,6 mm and only 8,7 mm thick. The clip at the back makes it super easy to attach to the hem of your shirt or the band of your pants and it’s super secure so you don’t have to worry about it falling down.

The control pad covers the face of the iPod so it’s very easy to change songs or adjust the volume. I know some might be deterred because it doesn’t have a screen, but it really doesn’t stop me from enjoying it. Since I only use it to workout I know what songs are on there anyway and you can still use features like shuffle play, so being able to have a look at the songs doesn’t really matter. There is however a VoiceOver feature that can tell you the name of the songs and artists but I don’t have a use for it.

To me this is such a great gadget to have when I go to the gym because it is so small and portable. It’s fuss-free and I love that it comes in 8 different colors, making it a colorful accessory. Nonetheless, the best part probably has to be the price, for about 50$ it’s a great way to make your workout sessions more enjoyable.

You can get the iPod Shuffle from any Apple stores and authorized sellers as well as on the Apple website. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

As much as having the sun shining feels lovely after the winter, the heat can have not so fun effects on your skin i.e. excess shine. For this, having a great setting powder can help your makeup stay on longer and control how much of a glow you want. Today I bring you my all-time favorite, the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder.

I first tried it out after seeing Tanya Burr rave about it in multiple videos and boy was she right. This is a sheer powder that does not offer coverage (I use the translucent) which prevents it from looking cakey even if you reapply throughout the day. A light dusting of the powder will take away any excess shine and help your makeup last longer. Rimmel promises 12 hours of shine control and I think this is quite accurate depending on the weather (I rarely needed to touch it up).

What makes the Stay Matte powder so unique in my opinion is its ability to remove the shine but not the glow. The name can be scary and conjure up images of overly powdered, unnatural skin, when it fact it keep it looking luminous and fresh. It’s perfect to combine with a very dewy foundation and it’s a must-have if your skin is on the oilier side. I really cannot emphasize enough how amazing this powder is, especially considering that it is super affordable and from the drugstore. 

You can find the Rimmel Stay Matter Powder in most drugstores, it is readily available almost everywhere and you can also get it online from Feelunique.