Showing posts with label Brands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brands. Show all posts
Here are a few knickknacks that I picked up at the local Mercury Drug. 
What do I say? Sachets are a perfect way to get familiar with a product without having to shelve out a big amount of money.
These iWhite Korea products caught my eye because of their cute and attractive packaging. Despite coming in sachets the manufacturers still poured in some good amount of creativity. They are made in Korea and I don't know about you but whenever I chance upon any K Beauty product, it's enough to spark my curiosity. 
I actually forgot if how much each of them cost but I paid a total amount of about Php 60.00 so I wager they're about Php 20.00 each.
Having sample products in sachets isn't enough to make a full review so I'm just giving my first impressions about these products.
Padayon!


iWhite Korea Aqua Moisturizer Whitening Vita
Price: 
The iWhite Whitening Vita Aqua Moisturizer: What is it and what does it do? Check the label hun.
In Action & My Take

A picture can paint a thousand words and I know that the effect of applying this Aqua Moisturizer Whitening Vita is very VERY VERY visible in these photos. The second photo has not been edited; I swear. My dark circles are very much in place in the second photo but everything else has smoothed like some sort of miracle just happened. Hello pores, where you at? Even the scarring has been minimized. This blue-tinged moisturizer is also very lightweight on the skin and it just melts upon contact. It's perfect for oily skinned gals like me. It's ideal for those "polbo and cheektint" days when you just want minimal stuff on your face. If there's a teensy bit of complaint that I have about this product, it would be the lack of Sun Protecting Factor (SPF).

iWhite Korea The Original Nose Pack
Price: 
iWhite Nose Pack: What is it? What does it do?
In Action & My Take
One a scale of one to 10, how excited are you to see if how many blackheads or whiteheads can a nose pack pull out from you nose? With bated breath I waited for 15 minutes just like the what the direction says. And voila! It was able to remove a few blackheads and whiteheads naman but not a monumental amount.


iWhite Korea Vitamin Sleeping Gel Mask
Price: 
iWhite Korea Vitamin Sleeping Gel Mask list of ingredients and other details.
My Take
This gel mask is packed with so many beneficial ingredients. I would love to be able to use it for a longer time to see the full results but as of now, even when I just used it once, I literally woke up with baby soft and smooth skin, and not the greasy type. 

To Cap Things
After using these three, I think I would be able to say that yet again I found some golden products in the drugstore aisle. Of the three though, I would most likely want to purchase the iWhite Aqua Moisturizer Whitening Vita and the iWhite Korea Vitamin Sleeping Gel Mask based on my experience. I'm also glad to say that none of these products broke me out. I checked Google and I saw that the full-sized version of the Aqua Moisturizer is less than Php 200.00 which is definitely a steal.  Two thumbs up! I hope to try other iWhite Korea products and I will definitely blog about it too.

XO,
Carissa

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. The views and statement above are my honest opinion and my personal experience using the product.
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I just saw a stolen photo of me on Facebook. Stolen because I was not the subject of the photo; I was more like a photo bomber in this case. But I was giggly when I saw that my highlighter was blinding even from a distance and it caught the light even on a dim, disco lit night. Like what?! My face was on a side view and my cheekbone looked lovely. It's addicting to stare at.
Can you guess what product I used? 
?
?
?
Okay, no need to guess. 😃 
I'm telling you I used the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Moonstone and I'll talk about it after the jump!
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
Shade: Moonstone
Price: Php 1, 150 for Mini (2.4g)
Where To Buy: Online at Sephora Philippines (www.sephora.ph)

 What Is It?
A best-selling creamy highlighter powder to light up the features you love with a high-shine finish. - from www.beccacosmetics.com

Up Close
Sometimes I need to remind myself that I buy makeup to use it and not just to stare at it. LOL. But seriously, fresh, right off the box products are hypnotic. Every single glitter is in place. 


Ingredients


Packaging, Details and Other Labels
With pricey makeup products you can understand that you are not just paying for the product itself but also the packaging. In this case, the highlighter comes in a compact with a cover that reminds me of a shield and the material doesn't feel flimsy. It has a tiny mirror inside which comes handy for on-the-go touch ups. 

Swatch
Will you look at that.... the shimmers are so fine. Texture is buttery soft. Becca describes this shade as "Pale Candlelit Gold" and it's really lovely.

In Action
Catching the light. Am I naturally radiant now?

My Take
I don't know who made highlighters famous but I was never quick to catch up on that trend. My makeup routine was quiet simple and I never felt the need for a highlighter. I bought a highlighter once just to try it out but the shimmers were quiet chunky so I decided to put my highlighting game on hold.
And then I saw this Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter on SALE at Sephora during the holidays and I was drawn to it because of the raves. I wasn't quick to decide by hey, December is my birth month so I figured, "the heck, why not?". 
So here we are.
They say once you get a taste of the good thing, it's addicting and it's quiet true. I've been using this highlighter almost every single day and I've made a considerable dent on its once immaculate surface. 
I love the creamy, buttery soft texture and the way it applies smoothly on the skin. Like I said earlier, the shimmers are so fine that it looks natural especially when it finally melts into the skin. Shimmering but never glittery. It applies and blends seamlessly and doesn't cake. I love applying it with a small blending brush but I also use my pinky a lot especially when I'm on the go. A little goes a long way too. Wear time is about 4 to 5 hours on my oily skin. There were other shade options and even if I blindly choose this shade, I'm glad that it fits my light-medium, Filipina skin tone. The box says that it can be used up to 24 months after opening but at the rate that I'm using it, I wonder if there would be anything left after two years. 😉

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Moonstone Rating
Packaging: 4/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Longevity : 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
User Friendliness: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Overall: 4/5

To be honest, even if I love makeups, I am quiet frugal and if this product wasn't on sale, I never would have considered buying it. The original price for a mini is Php 1, 150.00 and that is a lot. Is it worth the price? Well, for some makeup lovers out there, you don't just pay for the product but also for the packaging and the prestige that comes with owning a Becca. If you are not ready to shell out more than a thousand pesos for a 3 gram product, I'm sure there are some good drugstore alternatives out there so fret not. 
For me, I scored this product for Php 560.00, I'll be using this one for the next two years hopefully so I really got the good end of the deal. 😏

 XO,
Carissa
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Here's a review of It's Skin Power 10 Formula Q10 Effector.
It's Skin Power 10 Formula Q10 Effector
Price: Php 390.00, dicounted from Php 720.00
Where to Buy:  ph.althea.kr

What Is It?
It is a lightweight, quick absorbing essence. This Q10 Effector is enriched with Coenzyme-Q10 that's found naturally in the skin to restore vitality and resilience to the skin. This lightweight, fast-absorbing concentrate applies on without leaving behind any sticky residue while instantly hydrating the skin. With anti-aging properties, this product promotes regeneration of skin cells so that you have a supple, radiant complexion.

Ingredients
According to the page at Althea, the following are the active ingredients of this product together with their functions.
Ceramide - Strengthens the skin's barrier and keeps it protected 
Cellulose - Has strong humectant properties that improves the skin's moisture content
Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract - Anti-aging agent that increases collagen and elastin production

Packaging, Details and Other Labels
It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper to dispense the product. I like the packaging actually, it doesn't look or feel cheap, even if the product comes at a really affordable price.




In Action
The watery gel formula is easily absorbed by the skin and doesn't leave behind a sticky feeling.

My Take
The manufacturer of this product It's Skin is touted as "a Korean skincare brand that provides clinical-grade solutions for common everyday skin problems". If you visit the It's Skin page at Althea, you will see that there are about a dozen different serums and essences, they're known as the Power 10 line, and they really target different skin concerns. So there's one for whitening, for anti aging and so on. That being said, now that I am reviewing this product, I am really wondering why I picked up the Q10 Effector one, since I am alien to the concept of this Q10. 😊 I could have went for the pore minimizing one. I bought this last year so my memory is already kind of hazy. But here we are. I Googled the benefits of incorporating Coenzyme Q10 into my skincare routine and into my life so I realized I may have made a good decision after all.

The funny thing is, I didn't immediately fall head over heels about this product. Sure I loved how the lightweight, fast-absorbing concentrate applies on without leaving behind any sticky residue but at first I didn't notice any significant difference on my skin. It took me about consuming half the contents of the bottle before feeling and seeing the effects. You know how it feels, when you wake up in the morning and you love what you're seeing - a glowing, radiant complexion which feels soft and supple to touch. Can't keep my hands off my face. I also noticed that my skin is less prone to pimples. I would love to try the other variants in the Power 10 line but this one is something that I won't hesitate to buy again in the future. 

I also observed that in order to maximize the effects of this product you have to be vigilant about other skincare steps such as cleansing and exfoliating to promote better absorption. I exfoliate about 2 to 3 times a week and together with this essence, my skin feels baby soft.

It's Skin Power 10 Formula Q10 Effector Rating
Packaging: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 3.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
User Friendliness: 4/5
Final Rating: 3.9/5

Have you tried any of the products in It's Skin's Power 10 line? 
Share your experience about them.

XO,
Carissa
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Here's a review of the ZOEVA En Taupe Eyeshadow Palette.


ZOEVA En Taupe Eyeshadow Palette
Price: USD 27.00 (on www.zoevacosmetics.com) or around Php 1, 400.00
Where To Buy: www.sephora.ph

What Is It?
Always en vogue, the ZOEVA En Taupe Eyeshadow Palette is determined by a sophisticated variation of warm and cool-toned taupe shades, complementary to every skin tone. Inspired by precious fabrics and the art of couture, the exquisite brownish-grey, iridescent beige and edgy metallic hues with violet undertones are velvety-soft to apply and indispensable for artistically extravagant beauty statements and elegant contemporary looks.

Finishes: Matte, Matte with glitter, Satin

The formulation of the eyeshadows is enriched with vitamin E and is 100% free of parabens, mineral oils, perfume and phthalates. Made in Italy. - www.zoevacosmetics.com

Ingredients
Up Close
Palette size: 18.8 x 8.8 x 1.0 cm
Diameter per pan: 2.6 cm
Net weight: 10 x 1.5 g / 10 x 0.05 oz
Swatches/Shades Description
Here we go again. :) I'm not that much of an expert in naming shades so I would just call 'em as I see 'em.
Top Row
Stitch by Stitch - matte creamy white; ideal for highlighting the brow bone or just for applying all over the lids
Handmade - duo-chrome peach that shifts into a subtle gold when applied; lovely for highlighting the inner corner of the eye.
Gallery - matte taupe but you get a bit of lilac when you apply it
Hour by Hour - matte sand on the palette but when swatched, looks like pale rosy brown
Old Master - matte dark grey with tiny golden flecks

Bottom Row
Spun Pearl - frosted silver-y white
Sheers & Voiles - duo-chrome light grey that shifts into pale pink when swatched
Outline - shimmery brown-taupe
Wrapped In Silk - shimmery grey-taupe
Exquisite - matte plum

In Action
First Photo : I used Hour by Hour all over the lids, then I topped it with Outline
Second Photo: I used Gallery all over the lids, then topped it with Wrapped In Silk

My Take
Anyone who sees this palette thinks that it's a bar of chocolate. Needless to say, I love how sleek it is. The packaging is made of sturdy cardboard which closes up tight with a magnet. It also has a cardboard sleeve which holds the whole thing together.

The color selection is in the taupe (gray-brown) range but it also includes some silvery, bronzy and plum colors.  Some colors look alright on my light-medium warm skin tone but I can imagine that they would all really look better, and even dramatic on someone who has a fairer skin tone. The shades look lovely actually and are quiet pigmented but some the colors just don't translate well on me. The powder blends well, they don't get chalky, and are easy to apply. Barely any fallout and applies smoothly on my lids. The staying power is great on me. I would apply it in the morning and even up to 6 - 7 hours it's still there.

My favorite shades are Handmade, Sheers & Voiles, Outline and Wrapped In Silk and Exquisite. They are the only ones that I can full off with my warm skin tone. They are basically fragrance-free and according to the packaging, can be used up to 36  months after opening.

To conclude, I will get myself another ZOEVA Eyeshadow Palette in a different range of colors, probably with warmer tones because I love the quality of it. I think I just got the wrong shades, LOL.

Rating of ZOEVA En Taupe Palette

Packaging - 4/5
Pigmentation - 4/5
Quality - 4/5
Performance - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
User- friendliness - 4/5
Over-all -  3.91/5

 XO,
Carissa
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Here's a review of the Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Bug Shield DEET-Free Lotion.

Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Bug Shield DEET-Free Lotion
Price: Php 99.75
Where To Buy: Online at www.humanheartnature.com

What Is It?
This mosquito repellent is 100% free from harmful chemicals. It has no DEET, parabens, synthetic fragrance and other toxic substances. Its active ingredients are citronella oil and soybean oil.

Ingredients and Other Details

 My Take
I will admit that this product has taken a back seat for the last year. I literally forgot about it. However, the recent news related to the Dengvaxia Vaccine has put me on my toes and even though the said vaccine has never been introduced in the Visayas, I want me and my family to be free from mosquito bites, as much as possible.

Our home is not particularly overpopulated by mosquitoes but there was a time when there were one too many and I was having a hard time sleeping. I actually remembered that I had this is my stash and decided to apply it. The packaging said that you have to reapply it every 2 to 4 hours but I never got to reapplying it. You know why? It's because I slept so soundly after applying it. It really kept the bugs away.

The creamy lotion doesn't feel heavy when applied. It just has a little hint of oiliness, which keeps the skin from feeling dry. If there's a downside to this product, it's that it has a really strong scent. It's really fragrant, sharply sweet and a bit tangy, must be because of the mixture of natural oils. Well, if the scent is what's keeping the bugs away, thank you very much, I will take the smell over the bites, itchiness or worse, Dengue.

Am also glad that it's 100% natural and free of harmful ingredients.

Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Bug Shield DEET-Free Lotion Rating:

Packaging: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
User-Friendliness: 3/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 3.8/5

XO,
Carissa
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Here's a review of the Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream.

Price: Php 1, 050.00 for a 100g tube but I got this 20g sample from Sample Room for free


What Is It?
Burt's Bees Deep Cleansing Cream contains Soap bark which deeply cleanses, removing dirt, excess oil, and makeup. It is also formulated with Chamomile and Aloe to gently soften skin. It also has a hint of menthol which gives cooling and soothing properties. It is also 100% natural.



Ingredients
water, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, stearic acid, glycerin, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, sodium borate, cetyl alcohol, silica, glucose, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extractaloe barbadensis leaf extract, anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flower extract, echinacea angustifolia (coneflower) extract, quillaja saponaria (soap) bark extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract tocopherol, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, coriandrum sativum (cilantro) oil, artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, jasminum grandiflorum (jasmine) flower oil, xanthan gum, sucrose stearate, menthol glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase. - See more at: http://www.burtsbees.com.ph/product/p/30.html#sthash.2ZwTnf07.dpuf



Up Close



My Take
Is it just me or is there a general notion that a wash-off facial cleanser is supposed to be soapy and sudsy? Well anyway, that was my expectation. This is a cream cleanser and it doesn't foam up when applied on the face. I even checked the 'How To Use' on the Burt's Bees page just in case I was doing it wrongly. :)

So you take a dollop of the product and apply it on your wet face. You massage your face and you work the product through the grime. About a minute or so you wash it off. First things first, it smells really good. If that is how chamomile smells, it's really good. It's a relaxing scent with a hint of menthol. It has a cooling effect on the face. But honestly, I was still looking for the foamy feeling. It really feels like it doesn't clean enough without the foam.

I was surprised when I checked my cotton pad after toning. There's basically very minimal dirt or makeup residue left on the face. It seems that Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream really does clean deep. Moreover, my face felt uber soft and smooth, I couldn't help touching it. 

It is priced quiet steeply though, maybe that's one of the negative aspects that I can see about this product. I also feel that maybe this product is not best suited for those who want to get rid of acne or blemishes as it doesn't contain ingredients that will combat those problems. It will be great for those who have dry skin because it really nourishes and moisturizes the skin.

XO,
Cassie
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My latest order from Sample Room arrived over the weekend. Thank God I was able to order ahead of the ASEAN Summit days, otherwise I would've had to wait a week more or two to receive my samples.
Here they are!

Vitress Hair Polish (Strengthening)
What is it?
"Vitress Hair Polish Strengthening is a light, non-greasy hairstyling cream that smoothens down fly-away hair as it deeply penetrates each layer of hair strands for intense moisturization without the sticky feeling. Powered with Vita Strength Formula, it also helps tame frizz and prevents split ends and breakage keeping your hair healthy, strong, shiny, and silky smooth anytime, anywhere."

FULL SIZES: 50ml PRICES: PHP 39.00
SAMPLE SIZE: 1 pc. 50 ml (full-sized)

Ingredients
This'll come as handy as my hair is currently in a curly and frizzy state. Well, I'm already a fan of their Hair Cuticle Coat, so I've had high hopes about this product. True enough it really helps smooth out my frizzy hair without the greasy feel. In my case though, since my hair is naturally dry and curly, it doesn't hold for long. This is great though, for those moments when I tie my hair into a sleek bun or a pony tail since it helps in keeping down those strays.

Belo Intensive Whitening Micropeeling Toner
What Does It Do?
The power of Kojic Acid + Traxenamic Acid in one intensive whitening toner. With micropeeling technology that gently clears away dead skin without visible peeling and flaking.
- Exfoliates skin to allow the whitening actives to penetrate deeper
- Reduces the appearance of stubborn dark spots
- Eliminates impurities, dirt, and makeup residue
- Paraben-free. Non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic.

FULL SIZES: 60 ml PRICES: PHP 79.75
SAMPLE SIZE: 1 pc. 60 ml

Details/Ingredients
I've used this a couple of times and I can say that my complexion is clearing up without visible peeling and flaking. It also doesn't sting and it helps in taking out the dirt and residue that is left behind after cleansing. I'd have to observe longer though to find out if it can really help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Dentiste’ Whitening Toothpaste
What Is It? What Does It Do?
Uniquely combined with 14 natural extracts, anti-staining agents, and nano-hydroxyapatite formula, Dentiste’ Whitening Toothpaste is effective not only at removing and preventing stain disposition, but also at restoring the natural whiteness and gloss of teeth in a safe and natural way.

With regular brushing twice a day, Dentiste’ Whitening Toothpaste provides the following:
- Whiter teeth in 2 weeks
- Increases teeth protection against painful sensitivity
- Fights cavities, plaque, tartar, and Gingivitis
- Fresher breath

FULL SIZES: 50g PRICE: PHP 255.00
SAMPLE SIZE: 1 pc. 50g (full-sized)

Details/Ingredients
This is the product in this bunch that I am most thrilled to try out. I've had these stains on my front teeth and I'd like find out if this toothpaste can really help remove it. I'll make a separate post about that in the future.

***
That's about it. 
This whole loot would have cost me Php 374.00 but I got them for free. Thanks Sample Room! I only paid Php 150.00 for the shipping fee.

Visit www.sampleroom.ph for more details on how you can score your own free products.

XO,
Carissa
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Here's a review of the PSALMSTRE New Placenta Herbal Beauty Soap. 
Price: Php 55.00
Where I Got It: Mercury Drug
Also available at: Drugstores, Grocery Stores and Department Stores nationwide

I don't know if there are fakes of this product but just to be sure, make sure that you purchase ones with this tag.
The other side of the box.
What Is It? What Does It Do?
A herbal beauty soap that contains plant-based placenta extracts and goat's milk for faster skin lightening and anti-aging results.
Ingredients
For a complete list of how it works, refer to this leaflet.
Expiry date is printed on the box.
Up Close
See here. There's nothing really remarkable about how the soap looks like. It's just similar to a bar of Perla. It's just white; there are no fancy marks nor engraves. BTW, I'm sorry if the bar looks small, this is not the actual size. I'd already cut the bar in half when I took this photo. It's 90 grams in weight and it also came with a freebie which is a smaller version of this herbal soap.

My Take
This isn't the first time that I used this product. I may have already consumed like four or 5 of this in the past. And I keep coming back because I like it and my skin likes it. Hiyang ako. It has a light floral-milky scent. I know the horror of having whitening bath soaps that sting and thankfully I have not experienced that with this product. It lathers well and effectively takes off the oiliness of my face and the grime on my skin.

I have no wrinkles yet but it's good to hear that it helps fight aging. I love how soft and smooth my skin feels after using this. It also doesn't dry me up. I have observed also that it causes micro peeling so there's really some exfoliation going on. It also promises to fight bacteria and I'll say that it helps in calming pimples.

There's also a whitening claim and to be honest, I am not someone who is obsessed about whitening. There's a certain color of my skin that I like to maintain: just a balanced tone that doesn't make me look too white. That being said, whenever I feel like I need to lighten up a bit, I reach for this one and yes, it does help in lightening my skin tone. But not the gluta-level na light, ah. Tama lang.

If you're looking for an affordable anti-aging and lightening soap you can give this a try.

Have you experienced using this soap? Do share your experience in the comment box below.

XO,

Carissa
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Cara Delevingne is the new face of Dior's anti-aging line. She's in her mid-20's so I guess the message is pretty clear: it's never too early to start taking care of your skin, for future's sake. :)
I'm already quiet vigilant about maintaining a skin care routine but I have yet to try anything that's an  'in-your-face anti-aging product', moreso a wrinkle correcting one. When I saw this one on Sample Room I got curious so I decided to try it. Here's my review.
Name: Pond's Age Miracle Wrinkle Corrector Day Cream SPF 18 PA++
Price: Free
Where I Got It: Sample Room//www.sampleroom.ph
Also available at: drugstores and department stores nationwide

What Is It?
In a nutshell, it is a light day cream that releases retinol which works non stop to help reduce wrinkle appearance. It also contains SPF 18 which helps protect against the sun's harmful rays.

Labels and Ingredients



The manufacturing and expiry dates are well printed in the packaging. Just to give you an idea about the size of the tub, here it is. It's really cute.

Up Close
I bet you can see that it's pinkish in color. It contains 10g of product but a little goes a long way with this so you run out of it easily.
My Take
This pinkish cream has a bit of a mousy consistency. It smells sickly sweet, but not in a bothersome way, at least for me. When I used it, I applied it in dots all over my face and then just blended it out. It blends out easily and really nicely; no tugging. After application, the face looks a little bit pinkish and I noticed that my skin looked smooth - no kidding. It minimized the appearance of my pores. I topped it with foundation and it looked great even without a primer. Although my face looked a bit shiny after about two hours, I still looked alright and I just needed to blot out the excess oil. There's no hot or heavy feeling even when I used it under a foundation.

Here's the hitch - after using the product straight for two days, I spotted a few zits on face. That is unusual because I don't break out easily. I had a pimple on my forehead, on my right cheek and on my chin and I'm still far away from that time of the month. So I decided to stop using it. It's a shame though because I thought I could use it as a pre-foundation moisturizer but it turned out that it's not compatible with my skin. 
Have you tried this product?
Do share your experience in the comment box below.
XO,
Carissa
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