Recently I became aware to the amount of waste the beauty industry creates and how much waste my own beauty routine was creating, specifically with single-use makeup removal wipes. Previously I was using makeup wipes for multiple things, including removing swatches on my hands/arms, complete or partial makeup applications and even for makeup touch ups throughout the day. Then I reduced my usage to only using a makeup wipe if I had a full face of makeup, opting for liquid makeup remover for targeted makeup removal.
I had researched several options to replace my makeup removing wipes and I feel like I have finally come to a solution that is not only more eco-friendly but also efficient. A simple microfiber cloth I bought from my local dollar store.
I am now using a liquid makeup remover on a microfiber (polyester) cloth, or breaking down the makeup with a makeup removing lotion then wiping it off with the cloth which I can use multiple times and toss in the laundry when it's dirty.
This method requires more rubbing than a typical makeup removing wipe, but the cloth is soft so it doesn't hurt as long as you're gentle. I have yet to find a product that this method will not remove, aside from mascara (which I almost never wear anyways). The only downside is that it strips a lot of oil and moisture out of the top layer of skin, so a moisturizer after is beneficial.
Hopefully in the future we are able to come up with a biodegradable makeup removing cloth that isn't drenched in chemicals and doesn't harm the environment - but is still efficient. Even those "flushable wipes" don't entirely biodegrade and are causing major problems in sewers across North America.
I've been very proud of the reduction in waste this simple change produced and am looking for ways to further reduce the environmental impact my beauty habits have.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Product Review: St.Ives Naturally Soothing Body Lotion
This lotion is very light and gentle without being oily, it absorbs into the skin in less than a minute and leaves no residue on the surface. It spreads across the skin quickly and easily, making it perfect for giving a quick boost to the skin. It is not an intensive moisturizer, so it won't help dry skin but is great for average every day skin. My skin feels soft, without being too overloaded with product. The scent is very natural, but the fragrance is strong and tends to interfere with any additional scented products. Due to this, I choose to use this lotion right before I go to bed to help maintain moisture in my skin. The container size of 600ml lasts a long time, even with frequent use. Plus it's affordable and easily accessible!
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Cities Skylines: Island Hopping Scenario TOP 5 TIPS
--Something a little different from my usual, I've decided to attempt making video gaming videos, here's the script for people who prefer to read instead of listen or watch. --
Today I wanted to give you my top (5) tips on how to beat the Island Hopping scenario
in the game Cities: Skylines. Scenarios were released within the Natural Disasters expansion pack.
When you enter the scenario you are given an empty map with one highway connection, this is
the first square you start with, but you can purchase up to 8 more later on. You'll notice most
of the map is water, with small islands here and there.
The first tip is to start off as cheap as possible, here I'm only building the cheapest roads
and trying to maximize the space as best as I can. Zone as much residential as possible in the beginning,
since you can change the zoning later and our only concern right now is building our bank account.
Tip Two: This is going to sound a little bit crazy but tip number two is to ignore all
services. The first two natural disasters hit early on in the game, and if you have any
service buildings they will collapse and need to be replaced entirely. It's much cheaper
to ignore all services until later on in the scenario.
You WILL encounter issues with buildings becoming abandoned due to high crime rates and fires,
but it is cheaper in the long run to demolish those buildings as they become abandoned than
it is to replace the service buildings. As you can see, they tend to regenerate pretty quickly
anyways.
Tip Three: Raise the taxes. Citizens won't complain about taxes until they reach over 12%.
This allows you to raise funds quickly and efficiently without doing too much work or spending
what little money you currently have. You could also lower the budget for electricity and water
but since the building area is so spread out it's best to raise taxes instead.
The first natural disaster to hit is an earthquake, it will completely level any buildings
nearby and will ruin your roads. To avoid additional expenses, I don't suggest building anything
on this island here until this earthquake passes. As you can see it splits the island right
down the middle, so it's best to wait for it to pass before building on it.
Tip Four: Tsunami's will not affect your roads, so if you are going to splurge on anything
it should be your roadways. Traffic control is very important in Cities Skylines in general
so build 4 or 6 lane roads along your main routes. I like to have one main road connecting
my islands, and have all my bridges be 6 lanes. Remember to go in and adjust the amount of
stop signs versus stoplights as well.
Tip Five: As soon as you can, start zoning high density residential. This will help bring up
your population and make up for the losses you will experience during the natural disasters.
Don't rezone any low density residential until you have the population to sustain losses though
as you will lose people when rezoning. Do NOT zone any high density commercial or office space yet since your population won't be educated enough to fill those positions and they will become
abandoned before earning any money.
The second natural disaster is a tsunami with the intensity of 5.0, it will begin in the north west
corner of the map, and sweep straight down the entire map. Any buildings that sustain extensive
flooding or are under water for awhile will be abandoned. Raise your speed to 3 until the tsunami
passes your first island space and then lower it back to 1.
Quickly begin to demolish all of the abandoned buildings on the first island. Some may
have survived and you can leave those alone, but the majority will become abandoned and
require demolition. Luckily the demand should be high and they will begin to generate
quite quickly.
Only begin working on a space once the tsunami has passed and all the flooding has dispersed.
Otherwise you will encounter buildings generating and almost immediately becoming abandoned again. This step is vital to balancing out the losses of both population and money. If you are too slow,
you may go bankrupt or lose your entire population. If you get overwhelmed, feel free to pause the game and complete the process one island at a time.
Follow this pattern until the entire map has been cleared of abandoned buildings.
Today I wanted to give you my top (5) tips on how to beat the Island Hopping scenario
in the game Cities: Skylines. Scenarios were released within the Natural Disasters expansion pack.
When you enter the scenario you are given an empty map with one highway connection, this is
the first square you start with, but you can purchase up to 8 more later on. You'll notice most
of the map is water, with small islands here and there.
The first tip is to start off as cheap as possible, here I'm only building the cheapest roads
and trying to maximize the space as best as I can. Zone as much residential as possible in the beginning,
since you can change the zoning later and our only concern right now is building our bank account.
Tip Two: This is going to sound a little bit crazy but tip number two is to ignore all
services. The first two natural disasters hit early on in the game, and if you have any
service buildings they will collapse and need to be replaced entirely. It's much cheaper
to ignore all services until later on in the scenario.
You WILL encounter issues with buildings becoming abandoned due to high crime rates and fires,
but it is cheaper in the long run to demolish those buildings as they become abandoned than
it is to replace the service buildings. As you can see, they tend to regenerate pretty quickly
anyways.
Tip Three: Raise the taxes. Citizens won't complain about taxes until they reach over 12%.
This allows you to raise funds quickly and efficiently without doing too much work or spending
what little money you currently have. You could also lower the budget for electricity and water
but since the building area is so spread out it's best to raise taxes instead.
The first natural disaster to hit is an earthquake, it will completely level any buildings
nearby and will ruin your roads. To avoid additional expenses, I don't suggest building anything
on this island here until this earthquake passes. As you can see it splits the island right
down the middle, so it's best to wait for it to pass before building on it.
Tip Four: Tsunami's will not affect your roads, so if you are going to splurge on anything
it should be your roadways. Traffic control is very important in Cities Skylines in general
so build 4 or 6 lane roads along your main routes. I like to have one main road connecting
my islands, and have all my bridges be 6 lanes. Remember to go in and adjust the amount of
stop signs versus stoplights as well.
Tip Five: As soon as you can, start zoning high density residential. This will help bring up
your population and make up for the losses you will experience during the natural disasters.
Don't rezone any low density residential until you have the population to sustain losses though
as you will lose people when rezoning. Do NOT zone any high density commercial or office space yet since your population won't be educated enough to fill those positions and they will become
abandoned before earning any money.
The second natural disaster is a tsunami with the intensity of 5.0, it will begin in the north west
corner of the map, and sweep straight down the entire map. Any buildings that sustain extensive
flooding or are under water for awhile will be abandoned. Raise your speed to 3 until the tsunami
passes your first island space and then lower it back to 1.
Quickly begin to demolish all of the abandoned buildings on the first island. Some may
have survived and you can leave those alone, but the majority will become abandoned and
require demolition. Luckily the demand should be high and they will begin to generate
quite quickly.
Only begin working on a space once the tsunami has passed and all the flooding has dispersed.
Otherwise you will encounter buildings generating and almost immediately becoming abandoned again. This step is vital to balancing out the losses of both population and money. If you are too slow,
you may go bankrupt or lose your entire population. If you get overwhelmed, feel free to pause the game and complete the process one island at a time.
Follow this pattern until the entire map has been cleared of abandoned buildings.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Review of Garnier Skin Active Soothing Facial Mist - Rose Water
Right off the bat I love the packaging of this product, it includes a lot of helpful information without being overwhelming or confusing. Some interesting facts mentioned are that this product is 99% derived from natural ingredients and it is 100% vegan! On the back it also says the bottle is made of 30% recycled plastic and can be recycled itself, as long as you remove the pump.
The mister is gentle and disperses the product evenly - no super-soaker action with this one. I like it so much I will actually refill the bottle and use this pump for other products with undesirable pumps (such as other facial mists or makeup setting sprays).
This mist feels nice on the skin, but can be slightly tacky for up to a minute before it dries on the skin. I have found this product is ideal for refreshing my makeup throughout the day and reducing the look of powders, however I didn't notice any additional skin benefits. It does provide immediate moisture, but it doesn't last very long. I believe it is supposed to be rose scented, but it comes off more like the smell of damp laundry. Slightly unpleasant while spraying, but it doesn't linger around so it's not a huge issue.
While I did find a good use for this product, I don't think I would repurchase it, especially not for the retail price of $15.99. There are other facial mists that do the same thing for less money.
The mister is gentle and disperses the product evenly - no super-soaker action with this one. I like it so much I will actually refill the bottle and use this pump for other products with undesirable pumps (such as other facial mists or makeup setting sprays).
This mist feels nice on the skin, but can be slightly tacky for up to a minute before it dries on the skin. I have found this product is ideal for refreshing my makeup throughout the day and reducing the look of powders, however I didn't notice any additional skin benefits. It does provide immediate moisture, but it doesn't last very long. I believe it is supposed to be rose scented, but it comes off more like the smell of damp laundry. Slightly unpleasant while spraying, but it doesn't linger around so it's not a huge issue.
While I did find a good use for this product, I don't think I would repurchase it, especially not for the retail price of $15.99. There are other facial mists that do the same thing for less money.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Product Review: Ofra Cosmetics Peptide Brightening Mask (Pink Edition)
I received this product as a GWP (gift with purchase) from CountOnUsStore.Ca. I have not let this bias my review. Any opinions stated below are mine alone.
The text on the front is simple and easy to read but uses a lot of words that became off as confusing for someone like myself who isn't very educated on skin care. Luckily the back has the information I was looking for laid out in simpler terms.
The texture feels like shaving gel. It comes out like a cream but thickens into a rich
mousse. It is easy to spread across the skin evenly, and can be built upon itself if desired. It doesn't dry down or get tight on the face. The mask isn't really pink, despite that being a big claim on the tube, rather it's white with the faintest hint of a pastel pink.
The scent reminds me of the sweet grass braids we used to have at the cottage. Its a gentle but noticeable fragrance that invoked major nostalgia. The scent did linger on my skin for a little while but dissipated within a few minutes.
My skin was left feeling clean, but neither dry nor moisturized. I didn't notice any reduction in pore size or skin redness. I will have to keep using it to see longer term results, but overall I felt like this mask was a nice treat for myself but not one I was incredibly impressed by.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
My Canadian Shopping Experience: CountOnUs
 |
| My order came with a business card, along with a coupon code on the back for my next purchase |
As a Canadian, it can be hard to find companies that not only ship to Canada for a reasonable price, but also won't incur duties and additional fees upon delivery. By chance I stumbled across a Reddit thread about an online company called "CountOnUs", questioning if it was legitimate or not. A quick google search revealed nothing positive or negative... But their website states they are based in Canada. That coupled with a 40% off OFRA cosmetics sale won me over, and I placed an order.
 |
| My order arrived in a bubble mailer, filled with seemingly endless amounts of bubble wrap |
 |
| My order, wrapped in layer upon layer of bubble wrap |
Everything I ordered made it to me intact, but I felt like the amount of packaging was borderline excessive. My OFRA highlighters came with 5 layers of bubble wrap around them, which was almost an inch thick! Things that had a very low chance of breaking such as a facial cleanser also came wrapped in bubble wrap, although only 2 layers. While I appreciate how much effort went into ensuring my order reached me intact, I couldn't help but think about how bad this amount of bubble wrap was for the environment.
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| Free Sample of Elizabeth Arden Superstar Probiotic Cleanser |
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| Free Gift With Purchase - OFRA Peptide Brightening Mask (In PINK limited edition) |
I received a free sample of an Elizabeth Arden facial cleanser, along with a free gift with purchase. The free gift was a 3oz OFRA face mask, the full size is 6.8oz and has a retail value of $59USD according to the OFRA website.
My order consisted of 1 OFRA liquid lipstick in the shade Pasedena, 2 OFRA Highlighters, one in the shade Pillow Talk and one in Glazed Donut and 1 OFRA Vitamin C cleanser. As far as I can tell all the products are authentic.
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| OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Pasedena |
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| OFRA Highlighters in Pillow Talk and Glazed Donut |
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| OFRA Vitamin C Cleanser |
Overall I was very impressed with CountOnUs! The package label said they ship out of Mississauga, ON, which is important as a Canadian consumer. Their prices were reasonable (especially with the sales) and the free gift with purchase was a pleasant surprise. CountOnUs has a range of product lines that can be hard to find (if not impossible) for Canadians, such as OFRA and TheBalm among others. I'm very excited to have found another Canadian company I can purchase from and I highly recommend them!
If you'd like to place an order with CountOnUs, you can do so here: https://countonusstore.ca/
(Not an affiliate link)
Product Review of Le Petit Marseillais - Mandarin & Lime Extra Gentle Body Wash
Summary: When they say "Extra Gentle" body wash, they mean it.
In the name of full disclosure, I received a sample of this product for free through Influenster.ca. However this will not affect my review, which is always 100% honest and unbiased. All opinions and language are my own and in no way do they reflect either company.
The only grievance I have to air is how misled I felt by Influenster. In all the promotional material it appeared I would be receiving a full sized product to try. However when my samples arrived it was just 2 small (10ml) foil packets of product along with a coupon for $2 off if I decided to purchase the product myself. Luckily the foil packet was enough for 3 showers (when used sparingly) so I was able to give a proper review.
The first thing I noticed was the packaging, it is incredibly plain and straightforward. I personally appreciate the simplicity, as it makes the brand feel more approachable and user-friendly as opposed to more chaotic in your face packaging. The price is also pretty average, running between four and six dollars for 400ml depending on local sales.
The next thing I noticed was the scent, while I do not get either a mandarin or lime scent from this product, I do get a very distinct nostalgic smell. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly that scent was until I went through the car wash... Yup, this product smells like the rainbow car wash soap. This scent could be unisex, as there was nothing overly feminine about it. The scent is very light and doesn't remain past rinsing in the shower which could be a pro or a con depending on your personal preference. Personally I wish it had longer lasting power - or that there was a body lotion in a matching fragrance.
When used with a shower pouf, the shower gel will lather up slightly. If you prefer a thicker lather, this isn't the product for you. It is a very subtle and gentle type of clean, which lends itself well to those with sensitive skin. I was able to use this product over a sunburn without any issues. I didn't find the product to be very moisturizing, but it also didn't strip my skin of moisture.
Overall, I appreciate the effort the company goes through to make sure they stay true to their small-town roots in France. Their selection of products feels well thought out and authentic. However, this specific product didn't quite meet my needs. I would recommend it for anyone who wants a no-fuss, no frills type of wash they can feel confident about their whole family using.
Side Note; Upon reviewing the ingredient list I am a little dismayed. The company portrays themselves as a "natural is best" eco-friendly company, yet they are using synthetic colours in their products.
Additional Info; The company website says they are cruelty free, but in Canada they are owned by conglomerate Johnson & Johnson, which does test on animals. The containers are recyclable, which helps reduce waste.
The company description of this product is as follows:
 |
| The personalized card was a great touch!! |
In the name of full disclosure, I received a sample of this product for free through Influenster.ca. However this will not affect my review, which is always 100% honest and unbiased. All opinions and language are my own and in no way do they reflect either company.
The only grievance I have to air is how misled I felt by Influenster. In all the promotional material it appeared I would be receiving a full sized product to try. However when my samples arrived it was just 2 small (10ml) foil packets of product along with a coupon for $2 off if I decided to purchase the product myself. Luckily the foil packet was enough for 3 showers (when used sparingly) so I was able to give a proper review.
 |
| The free samples I got were tiny foil packets, vaguely misleading since Influenster's photos were of the full-sized product. |
The first thing I noticed was the packaging, it is incredibly plain and straightforward. I personally appreciate the simplicity, as it makes the brand feel more approachable and user-friendly as opposed to more chaotic in your face packaging. The price is also pretty average, running between four and six dollars for 400ml depending on local sales.
The next thing I noticed was the scent, while I do not get either a mandarin or lime scent from this product, I do get a very distinct nostalgic smell. I couldn't put my finger on what exactly that scent was until I went through the car wash... Yup, this product smells like the rainbow car wash soap. This scent could be unisex, as there was nothing overly feminine about it. The scent is very light and doesn't remain past rinsing in the shower which could be a pro or a con depending on your personal preference. Personally I wish it had longer lasting power - or that there was a body lotion in a matching fragrance.
When used with a shower pouf, the shower gel will lather up slightly. If you prefer a thicker lather, this isn't the product for you. It is a very subtle and gentle type of clean, which lends itself well to those with sensitive skin. I was able to use this product over a sunburn without any issues. I didn't find the product to be very moisturizing, but it also didn't strip my skin of moisture.
Overall, I appreciate the effort the company goes through to make sure they stay true to their small-town roots in France. Their selection of products feels well thought out and authentic. However, this specific product didn't quite meet my needs. I would recommend it for anyone who wants a no-fuss, no frills type of wash they can feel confident about their whole family using.
Side Note; Upon reviewing the ingredient list I am a little dismayed. The company portrays themselves as a "natural is best" eco-friendly company, yet they are using synthetic colours in their products.
Additional Info; The company website says they are cruelty free, but in Canada they are owned by conglomerate Johnson & Johnson, which does test on animals. The containers are recyclable, which helps reduce waste.
The company description of this product is as follows:
LE PETIT MARSEILLAIS® Mandarin & Lime Body Wash gently cleans your skin. Its light and easy to rinse foam releases a zesty and citrus fragrance. Skin is left feeling soft, moisturized and refreshed.
The extra gentle pH neutral formula makes this body wash suitable for everyday use.
The Ingredient List:
Water (Eau), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum), Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Yellow 5, Blue 1
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