10/31/2022

Madura Camomile 20 Enveloped Tea Bags, 1 x 30 g

Good camomile bags. The herb produces a clean tasteful chamomile tisane. I tend to use one bag for average mugs and two for my larger ones. Nicely packaged and designed all over, from the tea bags, the tea tags, to the container box. Not organic, which is disappointing. 
 
There is no way on the packaging that it says it is organic. For the rest this is an average chamomile, not better than the cheapest brands, which, by the way, are organic. 

SECOND VERSION 

Camomile teabags are always in my pantry as I swear by it for stomach upsets. I gave this brand a try just because it's a local brand. The packaging and design of the packet and teabags is excellent. However, the product itself, the chamomile, it is too weak for my taste. It is a nice clean chamomile to taste if I just want to have a healthy drink, but not enough if I have stomachache or tummy upset as it isn't strong enough for the purpose.  Also, I always want my chamomile to be organic, but this packet has no indication of that being the case, something that find really disappointing. 

I WON'T BUY EVER AGAIN :)

NB = The review has been deleted thrice from Amazon, despite being completely honest and having nothing that you would consider against Amazon guidelines. I tried the second version, to no avail. Like they have blocked me for saying that the chamomile is too week and packaging isn't clear about the ingredients in it, which is against Australian food regulations. I guess that the people declining publication are Madura company themselves, as it takes my reviews at least two days to be published but when I publish these, they come up as negative immediately afterwards. That's kinda dodgy and I won't buy from these people every again, mediocre products, bad labeling and manipulative ratings.


10/30/2022

Madura Green and Papaya 20 Enveloped Tea Bags, 30 g

This a good green tea tisane, made with a mix of green tea and papaya leaf. The packaging design is great overall (from the containing box to the sachets to the tea tags system) and the quality of the herb is good. However, I was expecting something that does taste a bit of papaya not just of green tea, and this is what this tea tastes of to me, green tea. The package doesn't list the percentage of papaya leaf in it, but I think it's very small because of what I've said. This tea is still very nice, but not what I expected. As any green tea, the tisane has a small amount of caffeine in it, but nothing that keeps me awake. There is no way on the packaging that it says it is organic.

SECOND VERSION
In a few words, not my cup of tea. It is a nice very-light green tea with some papaya leaf added but the taste of latter is not noticeable to taste. The packet doesn't list the percentage of papaya leaf in it, something that is a red flag to me. Besides, I like my green tea to be organic but there is nothing on the package to indicate that this is the case.  It has a tiny amount of caffeine but nothing that prevents me from falling asleep if I take it at night.
 
NB = The review has been deleted thrice from Amazon, despite being completely honest and having nothing that you would consider against Amazon guidelines. I tried the second version, to no avail. Like they have blocked me for saying that the chamomile is too weak and packaging isn't clear about the ingredients in it, which is against Australian food regulations. I guess that the people declining publication are Madura company themselves, so I won't buy from these people every again. 

I WON'T BUY EVER AGAIN :)

10/28/2022

Australian Natural Care 500mg Korean Ginseng Super Strength Capsules (50 Count)

  I have been using these capsules since I bought this bottle, 4 weeks ago or so. I was feeling tired and sluggish at work, especially mentally, with low stamina and needed of an energy boost as, for the rest, I'm a healthy person. I have never taken a Ginseng supplement on its own, so I decided to buy these bottle as advertise as 'energy support' and the product seemed to provide the support I need. The bottle has a good clean design (by the way, it has changed from the one on the photo in the product page), the capsules are good quality, easy to swallow, have no after-taste and my stomach hasn't shown any sensitivity to them, all of which is great. Although I noticed a slight improvement in my energy levels at a physical level, my stamina hasn't shown a significant improvement either physically or mentally . That being the case, I won't buy this product again.

10/24/2022

Kopiko Sugar Free Coffee Candy, 75 g

I'm a fan of anything Kokipo does, as their coffee lollies are my all-times fav. I was a bit hesitant to buy this sugar-free version as I love the original. However, I'm delighted that these lollies aren't only sugar-free but the flavour is almost the same as the original Kopiko. I'll definitely buy them again.

10/23/2022

Aromatherapy Coffee Essential Oil 10 mg

I'm quite disappointed with this essential oil. This smells and feels a bit alcoholic (to call it something) not properly oily and not a 100% pure oil for sure. I put a drop on my fingers and it is not oily at all. The smell is more like sweet latte than coffee, still lovely, but it's too subtle to perfume the room area where I have the diffuser/humidifier. This doesn't happen with other 100% essential oils I have. My diffuser is average, so that might be part of the issue; however, my other oils work beautifully in it nevertheless. I love the bottle brand packaging and logo; the bottle looks classy and luxurious, but the results are disappointing. I won't buy it again.

Olive Oil Sprayer for Cooking

This oil spray bottle looks stylish and expensive and, beforehand, this was what I was looking for. The glass bottle is good quality but has a very small mouth, so I had to use a tiny funnel to fill it in. The top part. which is the pump and spray, looks metallic but it's actually good-looking cheap plastic, and badly assembled. I put rice bran oil in it, which is lighter than other oils, and the pump would not pump it up or spray. The top seemed a bit loose, so I tried to move it in different ways to see if it would work but without any luck. Besides, The photo of the bottle on the container box doesn't match what I received as the middle 'neck' is missing, so I wonder whether this is the issue that prevents the pump from working. I had to empty and wash the bottle as I will be returning it. Most disappointed.

10/22/2022

Western Digital My Passport USB3.0 External Hard Drive, 2 TB, Black

This is a good-quality surprisingly-light USB portable drive that allows me to store 2 TB.

I have gazillion files in my computer, both of work and personal nature, plenty of photos included, so this is super handy to back up my files and, also, to save files that I don't want to have on my laptop because they consume too much hard drive space.

The drive comes with a short USB plug to plug it to my laptop but it's too short for a normal desktop computer. It comes very nicely packed in an inner plastic sturdy structure that I'm keeping to have the drive insulated.

No installation necessary. It took about 1 minute for the drive to set up itself in my computer. My computer came with a pop up window asking me to reformat it, but that's not necessary whatsoever and I think it came up because I tried to open the drive before the set-up was finished.

Transfers of large files is fast and reliable.

I wanted to buy this model in another colour, but really it is more than 10 dollars up, so this black one is still lovely and easily recognisable by the embossed lines on the top.

I have had, an still have, some other WD drives, and they're very good quality and have lasted me for years so I hope this does the same good job.

I will update the review in the future if necessary but, so far so good.

The Face Shop Cotton Swabs 3P, 1 count

This package contains three smaller packages with cotton buds. They are a bit shorter than the average ones I usually use (see photo), but they're still good and do the job. The handle is not plastic or flexible but wood and rigid, yet I have no problem using them as the others. Instructions and description at the back are written very faintly with little contrast between the background and the lettering, therefore barely readable even using my phone camera 3x zoom. I find the small packages great k for my impending trip as they come in handy zip mini bags and can be stored anywhere. On the downside the wood part, which is not flexible, tends to halve if a bit of pressure is exerted.

Maped 119430 Study Compass Mechanical Pencil

I paid little money for this minis compass, so I was pleasantly surprised upon receiving the item. It's truly portable and is beautifully compactly packaged. Besides, the compass is made of good quality metal and comes with some spare leads. Unfortunately, the barrel that holds and pushes out the lead out wasn't working and also broke all the leads I put in. What's more, it does not push the lead out enough to get it out the barrel. As it was breaking the spare leads, I used good quality leads of my own, which are a bit longer, and I got the same results. It seems that the barrel is faulty; therefore, the item not usable. Returned.

Cat Canvas Pouch Pen Holder


This is a cute pen holder, that can hold a good quantity of of pens, pencils and markers. It's made of good quality sturdy canvas, and the up-down sleeve is just great to keep the pens safe when not in use. It stands still well. As it's made of uncoated fabric, I don't put it on my table when using acrylics. I wish it was a bit taller and large to accommodate larger markers (Townbows for example). For the rest, a great stationary holder.

Derwent Academy Watercolour Pencils 24 set tin

Derwent Academy Watercolour Pencils, Set of 24 in Tin, Multicolour Artist’s Pencils, Ideal for Wet or Dry Colouring, Drawing & Illustration, Premium Hobbyist Quality 
 
This is a good started watercolour pencil pack. It has a good selection of primary, secondary and neutral colours and the tin box is just great to keep them organised or to use it with markers or other stationery. Perhaps because I own some good-quality watercolour pencils, comparisons are unavoidable; these pencils falls short re intensity of the pigment and water solubility. Yet, they are decent quality for the price a great pack for beginners.

10/16/2022

HASK Argan Oil Deep Conditioner Sachet, 50 g

These sachets are perfect for travelling, as they don't spill, are easy to pack and they have a tear to open the sachet without the need of scissors. I have long wavy hair and this sachet gives me two generous treatments. The texture is very creamy and thick, i.e. buttery not runny, and it is very nourishing. The smell is the classic Hask mandarin scent that I love so much. I leave the treatment for a few minutes on, that is, I don't remove the product just after detangling my hair, and then I wash it out. I tend to use the oil from the same brand as finishing touch once I have towel-dried my hair. The results are excellent re detangling and nourishment of my very dry hair. I'll buy it again.

Crayola 24ct Colors of The World Crayons Skin Tones

Great collection of crayons, brown and skin colour tones (from the Nordic whitest people to the Blackest African). Great price and a huge amount of crayons. I think that half the number of crayons would have been enough, but, on the other hand, I can use these for everything not just to paint faces or skin. They are a great selection of neutrals. Like all crayons by this brand, I have to be careful not to exert too much pressure or they break in half. Good value for money and they can be stored anywhere.

The Wild Unknown Journal Hardcover by Kim Krans (Author)

I was super excited to get this art journal as I love Krans' tarot imagery and artwork. The excitement lasted while I browsed the book, but then, when the reality of the journal quality sank in, I felt equally disappointed.

EXCITED
> The whole journal design, colour scheme and Krans' artwork are very much my liking.
> This a great practice journal to get your creativity started, flourished or regained. You can use the journal to write, paint or collage, or all of them, whatever you want.
> I see this journal as suitable for children and beginner artists.
> The cover image (an eye in the centre of the labyrinth) really resonates with me because the creative process is just an insight into a soulful labyrinthine path that expresses itself through our eyes, psyche, and hands.
> Great hard-cover binding. The journal can be fully opened without you feeling that the pages are going to come off at the turn of the page. Besides, the hard cover makes the journal more elegant and durable.
> Fear of white page no more.
> I can use some of the pages in the book as collage paper into my artwork.

DISAPPOINTED
> The journal is intimidating, in a way, as the author's artwork is already done, and, in my case, I feel like a frog beside a princess.
> The paper is not especially good for anything liquid or inky unless you apply translucent/white gesso primer beforehand. Pencils are OK. Oil pastels need of a fixative as they don't hold well onto this paper surface.
> I don't find that prompts help me create anything meaningful to me. In that regard, to me, the journal is more a level-up colouring book than a journal.
> The hieroglyphs (decipher exercises) in the book, which I find delightful, are wrongly done. If you create a symbol and give it an equivalent letter, as Krans does, you then transcribe any text following this system. However, that's not the case and if you use the same equivalents you won't be able to transcribe some of the texts because the same symbols are given different equivalents in different pages.
> No ribbon bookmark. How could the editor forget that?!

OVERALL
I Love Krans' introduction and artwork, but the bad quality paper and the simplistic prompts do not help me create on this book. However, I owe to this journal the rekindling of my artistic pursuits on proper paper surfaces and with my own intuition as prompt. I will be using some of the pages to transfer images into my artwork or to incorporate them as collage elements into my artwork.

10/14/2022

Orgran Gluten-Free Sugar-Free Cacao Cookies 130g

I bought these cookies because I love the brand and they were on special. I wanted a snack for work that wasn't too sweet and not packed with calories and fat. These cookies are everything free, (gluten, dairy, animal products) even from yumminess. The taste is not too bad, to be fair, as the cocoa flavour is there. I know they're made with many cool healthy ingredients but, overall, they taste like a chocolaty all-bran cereal. Not very popular with my co-workers either, despite the low calories. Not too bad to munch on something when I've been munching on unhealthy stuff, but not a cookie that I will be looking forward to eating. I won't be buying them again.

10/08/2022

John Frieda Detox and Repair Deep Conditioner Masque, 250 ml

I love Frieda's hair masks and this is also the case for this one. It detangles my hair beautifully and my hair looks shiny and healthy afterwards. It has a very pleasant fresh scent, too. However, this is not my fav Frieda's hair mask due to the texture not being as creamy and nourishing as others and to the fact that it takes a bit more of product to detangle my long hair than others. For the rest, very happy with the product. Price is an added bonus.

Crescent N40D Nicholson Soldering Iron

I bought this soldering iron to have it at home in case of need, but, above all, to use it to burn paper that I then use in my artwork. This allows me to make patterns on the paper without creating flames and with minimal ash spread.

The iron takes a few minutes to fully heat up, and the temperature it reaches isn't too high. I know this because, once it does, the tip easily burns rice paper but not as fast average printer 80mgs paper. Yet, I don't put my hand on the tip because I will get burnt.

The stand is too feeble to stand the weight of the iron without the risk of the soldier auto-releasing and hitting me. It's safer when unplugged or when the stand is used horizontally, but when the iron is plugged the weight and tightness of the cable is too much for this paper-thin metallic stand to stand still.

I got what I paid for and it suits my needs and purpose.

MIND
The iron doesn't have an on/off button to switch.

Rimmel London Nail Nurse Base & Top Coat 5 in 1

This is one of those products that I buy when I travel or I'm on a budget. It does the job quite nicely for a fraction of the price I pay for other brands. It is not as good as others I buy, but it's good quality nevertheless. The bottle design is simple and effective as it has the average quantity of product but isn't as bulky as others.

Clairol Root Touch Up, 4 Dark Brown

I use this brand and colour kit on a regular basis between visits to my hairdresser's. It fully covers my very white grey hair and I find it easy and safe to apply. I always let it on more than the time the package recommends, as I've seen that, if I don't let it stay longer, my greys aren't fully covered. I do this as I haven't noticed any allergic reaction when using it for longer. The colour lasts me great about 2.5 weeks, which is OK and what I expect it to do.

I wish the bottle had a bit of more product so that I could cover my back head roots. The quantity in this retouch kit allows me to cover the front and top layers not the back or my hair, which is OK as I have long wavy hair and it would not show much either way.

Unlike the same brand full-regrowth package, this kit comes without conditioner.

The application brush is excellent for the price. I don't put it in the rubbish, but I use it for my artwork, to clean grout or other home purposes.

10/02/2022

Youshares Colored Pencil Case 166 Slots Pen Case Organizer

PROS 
> Beautiful exterior design. 
> Good quality sturdy materials. 
> It accommodates tons of my drawing stuff: different kinds and lengths of markers, pencils, crayons and what's not. See my photos. 
> The elastic bands aren't individual but 2-3 joint together, large ones, which comes handy to put different sizes of pens together still keeping them all secure. 
> Great to carry around. 
 
CONS 
> A bit bulky. 
> Takes lots of space in my drawer and it's not easy to accommodate in small spaces. > Zip area a bit too tight or close to the inner trays.