Same Product, Different Scent - The Body Shop - Body Sorbet - Pink Grapefruit

Has a strong acidic, grapefruit scent which is quite pleasant and fresh.
It, again, falls short with its pilling formula.

Sudoku - This Is What I Do (directed at PU2)

Ok, PU2, I know you don't like sudoku. You do crosswords (which I can't do).
But I think you will enjoy sudoku once you know how to solve it.

You already know the basic idea, that all the squares need the numbers 1-9 without repetition.
Each line must also have the numbers 1-9 without repeating.

The following methods are what I use to solve sudoku puzzles.
These are not the be all and end all, and you can probably find better methods online, but this is me telling you a little bit of how I think.

1: Look for obvious number placements. First I go through each number individually and look in each line and box if there is only one place that number can go. This is particularly useful for easier sudoku puzzles when there are more numbers filled in and when there are many of one number already filled in.

3 can only go in the top row without clashing.

2: Try to fill up each line. Some lines (both horizontal and vertical) will have more numbers already filled in than others. Go along the lines and see if there are any spots that certain numbers have to go.

The only number left to be added to this row is 3.

3: Try to fill up each 3x3 box. This is like the lines, but gives you a different frame of reference. 

The only number left to go in the highlighted box is 3.

4: Cycle through steps 1-3 a few times, filling in as much as you can.

5: Write all possible numbers in superscript in each space. As you fill this in, you will see places that numbers have to go that you may not have deduced before. Cross numbers out as they are ruled out as possible solutions.

Filling in the possibilities shows that 7 can only go in one spot.

And that should lead you to a solved puzzle!

Good luck PU2!

Revlon - Ultra HD - Matte Lipcolour - Love

This is my go-to colour to wear at work. 
(It may seem a bit bold for work, but trust me, it really works)

This is a true fire-engine red, not too blue or orange.
It isn't what I would call a true matte as it keeps some shine.
I'd call it a satin.

Science Fiction, Double Feature!

It has a really good colour intensity, lasts at least 6 hours (with eating), isn't drying, and does stain a little. 
(Which I like, I always want to hide my blue lips. I don't have anaemia, my lips are just often blue)

A swatch!

Just know that the container is a bit frosted, so the shade that goes on your lips doesn't look like it does from the bottle.

It also has a faint vanilla cake smell, which is nice!

Price: 3/5 ($23.95 for 5.9mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

The Body Shop - Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion

This is a sweet peppermint scented lotion that smells so divine!

This can be used on places other than just the feet and is a great cooling lotion for summer.

It is a moderately thin lotion and absorbs so well.

My only wish is that it i purchased the bigger bottle. <3

If you love peppermint, this is a must-have!

Price: 2/5 ($17.95 for 250mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

The Body Shop - Spa Fit - Toning Massage Oil

Oh, this has the wonderful citrus smell that I love! <3

It isn't cooling like the gel from the same line, so don't worry, this won't freeze you.

It absorbs well and leaves the skin moisturised and nicely scented.
As far as 'toning', I don't think this does that. But it is a nice body oil.

I have a second bottle of this, because I love the scent so much... all I need is someone to massage it into my back ;) 

Price: 3/5 (~$14 for 150mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 4.5

Lacura Essentials - Detox Me - Sculpting Overnight - Body Mask

Nope, this isn't a repeat post, this is the pairing body mask to the lotion mentioned in the last post.

This is a body mask, which suggests you leave it on your body overnight (implying you wash it off in the morning).
Wouldn't it get all over your sheets? 
I'm not about that life! I put it on half a hour before a shower.

It claims to have the same 'silhouette-refining complex' as the lotion, but this is a nonsense idea in itself.
I felt no tightening or toning.
It also contains acai berry, goji berry, blueberry and green tea.

Interesting idea but ultimately rubbish.

Price: 4/5 (~$7 for 200mL)
Scent: 1/5 (some sort of buttery scent)
Effectiveness: 1/5

Lacura Essentials - Detox Me - Firming Body Lotion

This claims to help firm, tighten and tone using a 'silhouette-refining complex' (that is some next level bullsh!ting). 
I didn't feel it did these things, but it was still nice.

It also contains goji berry, acai berry, blueberry and coffee. 
It smells like macadamia and coconut.

It is thin (like a lotion should be) but doesn't absorb as well as I would like.

Price: 4/5 (~$7 for 200mL, I really should record the price)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 2/5 

Masquerade! - Real Nature - The Face Shop - Blueberry

This smells so nice, came with a good amount of serum, and I liked the material of the cloth mask.
I would buy more, but staff at the Face Shop can be really rude (so I don't want to go into the store) - looking at you Melbourne Central store!

Lacura - Luxury Body Butter - Orange Blossom

This smells soooo nice!
Like a buttery, sweet orange scent.

It was also super thick!
It absorbs well, is really moisturising, and non-irritating for sensitive skin.

Price: 5/5 (~$5 for 200mL)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Purple Prairie Botanicals - Organic Olive Oil Lotion - Frankincense & Myrrh

This smells AMAZING! It is herbal and spicy.

It contains olive, sunflower, coconut, frankincense, myrrh, orange, and rosewood oil.
It also has witch hazel, black willow, and rosemary extract.

I really wanted to love this, but my skin on my torso didn't agree with it. 
But you better believe it was all used up on my legs!

It absorbed well and left my legs well moisturised.

Price: 3/5 ($15.89 for 237 mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 3/5

Nature's Own - Complete Sleep 

I meant this to be used alternatively with Valerian to prevent habituation.

It contains Lactium (milk protein) and Ziziphus (used in Traditional Chinese Medicine).

I personally didn't feel any effect from taking these. No relaxation, no reduction in muscle tension, no sleepiness.
It wasn't worth my money.

Valerian works so much better.

Price: 1/5 ($24.95 for 30 tablets)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real scent)
Effectiveness: 0/5

D.I.Y wasn't this done before?! - The Cupboard Door

This cupboard door has been wonky since I was young. Now I am home, sick of looking at it, and going to fix it.

To fix it, I need to make the wood firmer (this all sounds so dirty XP).


For this, I'm using wood glue and match sticks.

I had a little 'helper':

And a surprise guest!

That is a damn red back spider!

The first screwdriver I found was broken :(

This is meant to be a flat head screwdriver!

I wanted to take the door off properly, but the bottom screw of the top hinge was tightened by Hercules himself. 

I could get it out, but I'm trying to fix things, not destroy them.
So I just worked around it.

Once the glue dried, I flattened off the matchsticks and put the screws back in.

Adding a third screw.

And done!

Verdict: It's much more secure now and doesn't feel like it will fall off in your hands.
I wish I had power tools, it would make this all so much easier!

Premium Spa Australia - Body Butter - Coconut & Vanilla

I got this over a year ago to keep at my desk.
I have to say I really don't like the scent, it is very strong on the macadamia and coconut notes.
It is very heavy and oily, but surprisingly doesn't feel very moisturising or rich when it is on the skin.

Also, the container has a false bottom!!!! There is not as much as in the container as you think D:

Even though it is a good price, it isn't that effective and hence not really worth buying.

Price: 5/5 ($9.99 for 190g)
Scent: 0/5
Effectiveness: 1/5

Masquerade! - Real Nature - Peony

Another aeroplane mask (think I used this on the way home from Germany).
It smelled really nice, floral and sweet!
Loved this one!!!

The Body Shop - Drops of Light - Pure Healthy Brightening Day Cream

I loved using this, although to be fair, I used it as a night cream.
It has a fresh, clean scent and absorbs well.
It doesn't feel to heavy, so you can wear at during the day.

I love how this made my skin look!

The packaging is sleek and has a nice weight (the jar is made of glass)

Price: 3/5 (RRP $42.95 for 50mL)
Scent: 4.5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

The Body Shop - Spa Fit - Firming & Toning Gel-Cream Massager

I got this because it had a citrus on it, I like citrus.
But is doesn't really smell of citrus, it is more of a menthol scent.

And this menthol comes into play later... I put this on my skin after a shower (it was a cool night) and within 5 minutes I felt like I was freezing! 

I guess it works as a toner by cooling the skin and causing it to tighten.
There is also some caffeine in it, which is meant to help tone skin.

The massager is quite stiff and I don't think I will use it much on myself, it is a bit too rough for my skin. 

I'm a delicate flower!

As far as a body moisturiser, it was ok but I prefer the body butters from this store.

Price: 2/5 (~$35?? for 200mL)
Scent: 3/5
Effectiveness: 2/5

Turns Of Fate - Know yourself, know your status

I ideally like to live like a nymph at the moment, I have a lot of affection to give ;)
But on the flip side, I understand the importance of  being safe.

Yes, this is about sex, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), and getting tested.

Most of us can agree, sex is fun!
But it can be fun and safe. I am a huge advocate for condoms, they are the only thing that will prevent you from catching/passing on an infection.
(If a guy refuses to wear one, get a new guy, your health is worth more)

In addition to playing safe, may I encourage all of you to get a baseline test for STIs.
Within the next month, make an appointment with a doctor/clinic and get a blood/urine test.
Sure, you may think that you don't need it, you have no symptoms... but not all STIs give symptoms.

Some STIs cause infertility and can lead to cancer. Do you want to be unknowingly spreading that noise? Or have that in your system?
So many STIs can be treated/cured now days. So why not know and be in control?

I know my status, I get checked regularly, I play safe with condoms and prefer partners who also know their status.
(At this point in time, I am free of STIs and not afraid to say so, just had a test.)
Even people who have less partners/playmates than me, even people who have only ever had sex once could have an STI.
Condoms break, partners have their own histories that can affect you, but you can know your body.

It may be a bit scary, but knowledge is power.

Also, let's say you do have something that stays around.
Let's start breaking that stigma down! You are not any less because you have an STI.
Knowing, managing, treating it, and keeping partners informed is not only responsible but you get power of the situation back.

So obtain a greater knowledge of your wonderful body and find out your status :)

Revitanail - Keratin Strengthening Serum

This is another item I tried after seeing my bff using it.

And while Revitanail is a good brand, I don't think this had any real benefit.

My nails aren't any stronger after extended use and I think it is making hangnails more frequent. :(

I think it may have also contributed to some of my nails developing onycholysis D:

My bff hasn't noticed much improvement either (and she has significantly weaker nails than me naturally).

Price: 2/5 ($19.99 for 30mL)
Scent: 2.5/5 (very faint, clean scent)
Effectiveness: 0/5

Masquerade! - Sephora - Pearl Mask

This fibre mask claims to be perfecting (Pfft, I'm already perfect!) and brightening. 
It smells kind of oceanic and acidic, and there was a good amount of serum.
I quite like this one :)

Medi Freeze - Skin Tag Remover

I picked this up because I had a wart on my foot (so sexy, I know).
And I know that this is for 'skin tags', but the treatment can be the same.

This kit came with 8 applicators (foam bits that go against your skin once cold) and 8 protective plasters (which didn't go around my not-skin tag wart), in addition to canister of spray.

It works by spraying something onto the foam applicator, which cools it down to <0°C. 
This can then be used to 'burn' the 'skin tag', via freezing.

I though this kit was quite well put together, but if you are unsure, most doctors will freeze warts for you.

Price: 3/5 (RRP $29.95)
Scent: 2.5/5 (none)
Effectiveness: 4.5/5

Podcast Review - No Such Thing As A Fish

This is a podcast from the QI Elves, the people who research facts mentioned on the show 'QI'.

Which is a great show that I highly recommend.

The format of the podcast is the four hosts mention an interesting fact they have found during the week, and then discuss it.
It is quite funny and interesting, but it feels a little like listening to a private conversation, the hosts aren't great at making the audience feel connected.
I guess that may be because they don't have a background in entertainment? (I can't be bothered researching this to see if this is true about them).

Something that left a bad taste in my mouth was the earlier episodes have been taken down (from everywhere) to be sold as some form of collection.
'QI' is popular and they will already be making a lot of money from books/DVDs... it just seems really greedy. (Especially when there are other MUCH better podcasts out there that are free) 
It seems dodgy that they decided to go back and force you to pay for something that was once free.

Category: Educational
Rating: 2/5

Same Product, Different Colour - Schwarzkopf - Brilliance Intense Permanent Colour - 43 Red Passion

I'm going to level with you guys, I don't recall when I used this one.
But the box is in my blogging box, so I probably did use it.
Since the box isn't covered in curse words, I'm lead to believe that it was much like the other shades in this line.
Schwarzkopf sure know how to offer a range of red shades! (Don't stop ever)

Same Product, Different Scent - The Body Shop - Body Butter - Vitamin E

I got this as a free gift with purchase (love a free gift)!
It was thick, absorbed well, and smells like a oily wheat.

Rimmel - Moisture Renew - 380 Dark Night Waterl-oops!

This is a really nice lipstick!

It is moisturising, has good colour intensity, and lasts ~5 hrs with eating.

The negatives are the stupid colour name (I shall rename it 'Midnight Rendezvous') and it has a faint 'makeup' smell.

Meet me by the bridge at midnight ;)

Price: 3.5/5 (RRP $13.95 for 4g)
Scent: 2/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Neutrogena - Hydro Boost - Water Gel - Moisturiser 

I got this as a sample in a Bellabox.

It is a translucent, hydrating cream which is very lightweight.
While it is hydrating, it is no more so than the average sheet mask.

The smell is faint, clean, and fresh.
I was glad to feel that this wasn't too gelatinous (which would open it up to easy pilling).

I don't feel it gives 24 hr slow release moisture like it claims to do. 

Price: 4/5 ($24.99 for 50g)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 3/5

Neuropathy Update 

I had a second neck injection today.
It all went well, only a bit of a headache and the pressure from the bolus remain.

And this sweet little bandage!

I have hopes that this might be the end of this awful business :)

Herbal Essences - Classic Herbal Essences - Replenishing Shampoo

When I was younger, I formed this association between the rose scented Herbal Essence shampoo and beauty. I guess I must have been exposed to a very effective marketing campaign, although not that successful because I also associate the shampoo with Andie MacDowell and she never featured in their ads (as far as my search can find).

Although the connection may just be because she is also beautiful.

Roses were something in the city could grow, apparently 'the possums would just eat them' where I live.
They were beautiful, pink, and smelled nothing like the baby shampoo I grew up with.

Now that I have some money, I can indulge in this shampoo and it is everything I wanted.

It smells amazing, has no added silicon, lathers and cleans the hair really well.

The only negative is it can pull colour out of dyed hair. Both S and I used this in Germany and our purple/red locks stained some pillow covers.

I got around this by putting it in a 'foaming soap' bottle (it uses watered down shampoo). 

It pre-foams the soap and also makes it easier on my scalp (which like the rest of my skin, reacts badly to too much soap exposure).

Price: 3.5/5 (RRP $9.49 for 490mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 4.5/5