7/24/2022

Burt's Bees Lip Balm Chai Tea Tube 4.25g

This is a simple, no-fuss lip balm that makes wonders for my cracked lips. It is very emollient and pleasurable to have on. I always check the list of ingredients in the cosmetics I use as this really matters to me. This lip balm has a huge array of natural wax, oils and plants extracts, something that, to me, explains, why it took me two days to get the cracks disappear from my lips after using this balm. I own other lip balms and lip treatments and this is my fav so far.

I love chai tea, so I chose this variety thinking that it might have a slight similarity with the flavour, but, to my delight, it really tastes of chai tea.

Good value for money.

MASTERPRO MPHB8 Loaf Bakeware Pan Carbon Steel/Black

This a good quality oven tray. I don't use it for bread just to roast veggies. It is quite large, like a fifth larger than most average bread pans out there. See my photo to see the difference. Very easy to use, and it doesn't stick. It cleans super-easy, just with a bit of soapy water even when I put lots of oil in it. Great value for money.

Vicks VapoDrops + Cough Orange Menthol 36 Lozenges

I've used these lozenges to recover from a viral infection with bouts of dry cough. It has really helped me to settle the coughing, especially in early mornings and late evenings. I have another packet of similar lozenges, and these ones are the ones that helped me. I like the mix of menthol and orange flavour as the orange masks the strong menthol and makes it more palatable to me. These lozenges have sugar and are sweet but not overly so. Great value for money. I will buy again.

ermaVeen Sensitive Relief Eczema Ointment 200ml

I have sensitive very dry skin and this ointment works beautifully for me. No fancy packaging or scent, but the cream really soothes my skin contact rashes as well as my very dry hands. I use acrylic paint and mediums for my artwork, working sometimes with my bare hands, so this cream has helped me to counteract the dryness I get as a result. Once the ointment penetrates the skin there is no residue. However, until it does, it is a bit 'oily' if that can be said, and it takes a few minutes for the product to be fully absorbed; something that, on the other side, I expect from any ointment.

The only think I dislike is that the package does not have a list of ingredients on the jar. Coloidal oat is mentioned but, is this the only ingredient? The main ingredient? One of the ingredients? Why not having this fully displayed? I own other Dermaveen skin products and they have the list of ingredients on the back of the package, so I don't know why this cream does not.

It is not tested on animals, something that really matters to me.

Good value for money.

I will buy again
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7/09/2022

Lindt Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Squares

Lindt chocolates are my fav chocolates and I have tried other varieties of dark chocolate and salted caramel so I was expecting this to be as good. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the balance of textures and flavors that I love from the brand. Chocolate is definitely good quality but there is too much caramel and it's too gooey. This being the case, it overwhelms the dark chocolate flavor. I'd rather have the caramel crystallized and less of it because, as it is, it's too sweet for me and I won't buy it again. On the other hand, the pieces are individually wrapped and have the perfect size for a coffee/tea snack and to carry them in my launch bag.

Liquitex Matte Gel Medium Clear 8 oz (237 ml)

I have used many gel mediums brands and textures and this one is probably the best. It has a light Greek yogurt creamy texture, but, once I spread it, it's light and dissolves and spreads beautifully. A bit of product goes a long way, too.

I use it mostly as adhesive and it works greatly with both light papers (rice, tissue, vellum) and with harder papers like printing or average visual diary paper, so it's perfect for my mixed media collage pieces. Unlike other adhesives, it doesn't ruing the paper and it works especially well with tissue paper.

I like the fact that it is in a jar and not a tube, as I can use it to the last drop. On the other hand, I think a wider shorter jar would be better, as use a short brush with my mediums and, now that the jar is getting low in product it's a bit difficult to to put in and out. I will buy again.

Yisan Set of 12 Fineliner Ink Pens Black

This is an affordable equivalent of the pitt markers. Most of them have a bullet nib, but the three larger markers have brush, square and chisel nibs. I use them for everything, for writing on paper, in my collages and paintings; also, to highlight, mark, shadow or draw. They are as good as other waterproof markers that I own. The square nib is good for calligraphy and headings, but it took me a while to get used to it.

The cap is labelled with the nib size, which is really convenient as I have tons of markers in my pen holder and it helps me to identify the markers easily.

I have had these for months, and they haven't dried off.

They are good quality regarding the ink, but the cheap side shows mostly on the three largest nibs, which deform rapidly. This is especially the case with the brush nib. The other downside is in the fact that there are too many extra fine nibs and not as much medium or larger ones.

Overall, a terrific set and great value for money.