Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Natural Deodorant in Honeysuckle Rose & Relaxing Beauty Bar Are a Breath of Fresh Air

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For the last few weeks I have been testing out some natural products from Tom’s of Maine. I think Tom’s is one of the cruelty free and natural brands that have been around the longest. At least they have been one of the more widely available. I can remember going back at least 15 years seeing the Tom’s deodorant’s widely available in local stores here in Ontario which says a lot. I know my mom has been using the deodorant for ages but while I love trying to use more natural products I have always felt that I need the protection of an antiperspirant. I’ve been getting a little bolder with my product explorations though since I work from home most of the time. If I get a little stinky there’s no one here to complain but my kids! I have actually been really loving the Tom’s of Maine Long-Lasting Deodorant in Honeysuckle Rose ($4.99 US). It has a lovely fragrance that isn’t overpowering. It has a gel formula that took a little getting used to as I don’t care for “wet” formula underarm products but it actually sets to quite a dry finish although it does remain a little tacky. I have had amazing days of this product living up to it’s 24 hour claim. I was really shocked. Usually with natural deodorants I find they work for a while and then things start to get a little funky. I have had the odd funky day with Tom’s but for the most part it has worked remarkable well for being an aluminum free natural deodorant. I have a feeling it’s the more “stress sweat” days it doesn’t fare as well with.

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The Tom’s of Maine Natural Beauty Bar ($2.99 US) soap in the Relaxing scent with lavender has become a favourite. I do believe my husband must be a fan as well! Although he hasn’t said anything he has been using it for a couple weeks now. I know because his soap ran out and it has not been replaced yet. He is VERY picky about soap and usually only uses the regular DOVE Beauty Bar’s (manly I know :P ). He has a full supply of them in the closet but must be happy enough with the Tom’s to stick with it. It lathers really well and smells heavenly. I do have very sensitive skin and fragrances in bath products tend to really irritate my, ummm… nether-region. I have experienced a little bit of irritation with this scented soap but as long as I make sure I rinse immediately it’s been great. The moisturizing olive oil and vitamin E has left my skin feeling soft and moisturized and in no way tight after showering.

I’m looking forward to experimenting more with the brand as it’s been such a positive experience so far. Do you have any favourites from Tom’s?

Products provided for my consideration. All review are always my own honest and unbiased opinions.

A Spa Menu of Pampering at Home Thanks to Montagne Jeunesse

Montagne Jeunesse has some amazing new product innovations to make at home pampering an even more exciting, well excitingly relaxing, experience.

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Available now are the revolutionary Clay Spa Masks ($2.49 CAD). These are clay masks but in sheet mask form. The first of their kind! Specially sourced clays are infused into natural bamboo fabric making deep cleansing quicker and easier. After 10-15 minutes (I left mine on for 25 mins because it just felt so darn good) you just peel of the mask and you are left with barely any clay mess to clean off your face. So much more convenient. The masks are 99% natural and utilize a natural preservative system. There are three Clay Spa masks:

Glacial Clay Spa with Cloudberry, Red Grape, and Glacial Clay for antioxidant protection, pore cleansing, and cooling.

Dead Sea Mud Spa with Dead Sea Mud, Dead Sea Salt, Seaweed, and Kelp for invigorating pore cleansing, hydration, and revitalizing. I found this one to have an amazing cooling sensation as well.

Red Earth Clay Spa with Pomegranate, Cinnamon, and Mediterranean Clay for healing, anti-bacterial protection, and detoxification.

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Wearing the Dead Sea Mud Spa Mask. Felt so good I left it on double time!

While these new Clay Spa Masks hit stores this month there are some other new products so fresh they aren’t available yet.

The new Freshly Squeezed Exotic Fruits range of masks includes two Peel-Off’s and a Self Heating Sauna Masque that are the first in the Montagne Jeunesse line to include freshly squeezed ingredients. I have tried the PawPaw Peel of as well as the Dragon Fruit Sauna mask so far. The peel off masque was so fun! While the experience of wearing the mask isn’t as indulgent as the other Montagne Jeunesse masks, after the slightly uncomfortable peeling off of the mask, my face felt UNBELIEVABLY soft and smooth. Softer than a baby’s butt! It left my skin and pores feeling well cleansed and revitalized. The Self Heating Sauna Masque was amazing. I couldn’t believe the heat it was generating. It felt so soothing and relaxing.

I just love the concept of these individually packaged masks. Masks are a thing that are used somewhat sporadically to address a variety of skin concerns or desires for pampering. They tend to be a little pricier than some other forms of skincare and since they aren’t a daily use product jars/bottles of masks tend to last for a long time. Who wants to have ten different jars of mask products cluttering our shelves when we can keep a variety of individually packaged masks at our disposal to suit our whims. In the past masks have been something I haven’t purchased as it felt like too much of a commitment to choose one that I knew I would be using as my “mask of choice” for a period of many months. Now I just love the experience of looking in my drawer of masks and choosing one that suits my mood and skin concerns of the day.

I also got a sneak peek at the new Body Smoothies which are delightfully fruity scented body butters but have a lighter whipped consistency that absorbs easily. I also tried the Tired Leg Gel which is part of the new Foot Tottles range which offers an alternative to some of the clinical products currently on the market. The line also includes a Foot Buffer, Foot Cooler, and Foot Lotion. I’ve been loving using the Tired Leg Gel on my hips because that is where I always experience the tired, achey muscle effects of too much time on my feet or in the car.

The more Montagne Jeunesse products I try the more I love! Have you tried anything yet? You can find them at Walmart and London Drugs as well as select Pharmasave, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familprix, Guerdian, IDA, and Lawtons. Also available online at www.farleyco.ca.

Products provided for my consideration. All reviews are always my own honest and unbiased opinions.

The Emjoi MICRO Pedi is a Pedicure Tool I Can’t Imagine Being Without ~ Review

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I have a new gadget to share with you that has totally won me over. It offers professional pedicure results at home and takes only minutes. The MICRO Pedi is a battery operated, hand-held device with two interchangeable, rotating rollers. Course (pink) and Extra Course (blue).

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The Emjoi MICRO Pedi is ergonomically designed to hug the curves of your feet. Unlike time consuming pumice stones and scary metal scrapers the MICRO Pedi is a safe, effective, and efficient way to easily remove dry, rough, callused skin from your feet. In order to properly test this out I halted my usual foot care of using a foot file in the shower and applying lotions for a couple weeks. Holy cow I didn’t realize how disgusting my feet got in the name of science. The things we beauty bloggers do for our beautiful readers! I must warn you about, and apologize for, the horror you are about to witness in the before photo below:

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Sorry I didn’t manage to angle my foot quite the same in the after shot but you can see the absolutely dramatic results I achieved using the MICRO Pedi. It is like all the neglect I had subjected my feet to was rectified in minutes. This thing works and it works WELL. Now I will warn you that you may want to try using this outside first or over your tub. I wasn’t prepared for the foot dust this thing was expelling. I was tempted to take a pic for you but, as my husband will confirm, it was thoroughly disgusting! On the floor beneath where I was using the MICRO Pedi was a healthy pile of white foot dust. I also felt like I may have inhaled some of my foot dust. Bleck! It was totally worth it though. I had professional pedicure pretty feet in a fraction of the time it would normally take. The device cleans up quickly under water.

The MICRO Pedi retails for $49.99 CAD and is available at Micropedi.ca or at Shoppers Drugmart. Those are the locations given to me in my press material but I am certain I saw it in the Rexall/Pharmplus flyer the week I got it on sale for $39.99 so I would check there too. I think considering this is the same price or less than you would pay for a professional pedicure that it is totally worth having on hand at home!

Product provided for my consideration. All reviews are always my own honest and unbiased opinions.