Colgate Optic White: Toothbrush + Built-In Whitening Pen & Mouthwash

A bit of a different review for y'all today! I recently agreed to receive some newly launched whitening products from Colgate, their Optic White Toothbrush + Built-in Whitening Pen and an Optic White Whiteseal Mouthwash to go along with it. Both claim to contain a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, which is the whitening agent typically used in this type of product. 

Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Built-In Whitening Pen: 

$16.99 cad

This toothbrush is the 'soft' bristles (which could definitely be softer), and the whitening pen pops out the bottom for use. To be honest at first I thought the whitening product was like, in the bristles or something and would explode when you brushed your teeth (is that silly...). 

So I would apply the gel right after brushing my teeth, at night only, and I felt like I had to keep my jaw clenched with my teeth showing for a few minutes while the gel dried a bit. Even then I could still taste it a bit, and it just wasn't pleasant for me to go to sleep. The hydrogen peroxide is very minimal but you can definitely tell it's there. To be honest, I just don't like the idea of having to use this regularly, I just want to brush and be done!

Results? I do see that it's lifted a bit of the yellow staining on my teeth, but not as drastically as I'd hoped. And not to mention, I'd used the whitening pen at least a week and a half in total. It just started to feel like a tedious task to me and I ended up getting lazy.

I didn't know this until after reading some fine print, but it's actually recommend to use the Optic White Sparkling Mint toothpaste before using the whitening pen. After trying it twice I do think that the whitening pen is most effective when used with the mouthwash as well. And maybe I would have seen more results if I used the Optic White toothpaste? This may work better for some but regardless I just prefer to use a whitening product with quicker results.

Colgate Optic White Whiteseal Mouthwash:

$5.38 for 250ml, $8.63 for 1L

So this new mouthwash contains hydrogen peroxide as well, 2% to be exact. You are supposed to use this before the whitening pen and after brushing your teeth. It leaves a film in your mouth which when used with the whitening pen will likely create a better result. But I just didn't like the film this left in the mouth and the taste! It tastes very chemically, with a bit of a minty sting to it and I just can't stand it. I prefer Colgate's other mouthwashes over this one.

I am a huge fan of Colgate's toothpastes (it's all I will use!) and their toothbrushes, but I couldn't see myself purchasing these products. The whitening pen just didn't give me drastic results as I'd hope, and the mouthwash...well I don't like it! I'd like to see them bring out an actual whitening kit or strips, something where you can see noticeable results. I'd stick to their Optic White toothpastes, if you want to try something from the line.

Have you tried anything from Colgate's Optic White line? Are you a fan of their toothpastes too and would you try their new whitening pen?

Both of these products were received for consideration from Colgate-Palmolive. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade & Brow Wiz Review

If you've heard of Anastasia Beverly Hills, you have to have heard of her ever so popular brow products! Dipbrow Pomade and Brow Wiz are probably the most talked about brow products you can find in Sephora. A little while back, I actually picked up the Dipbrow in Chocolate. I wasn't interested in the Brow Wiz originally, but shortly after I was given another Dipbrow and the Brow Wiz from Anastasia Soare herself at a small event! I am so obsessed with using these products on my brows and might not be able to go a day without at least one of them!

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Chocolate - 4g, $23 cad

I apologize for the ugly pictures but I failed to take a photo before using this stuff. It's literally my favourite brow product ever! I can't go a day without this. It is basically a gel liner for your brows. So creamy, easy to work with, and super super pigmented. It doesn't claim to be waterproof but this amazing stuff lasts all day! I've worn it on days where its blistering hot and it just doesn't budge. I use any thin angled liner brush to apply it. I think I've been using mine for almost a year and was surprised it has lasted this long. A little goes a long way with this stuff and I am cautious not to pick up too much product. As you can see in the first shot, mine actually started to get really dry so I mixed a drop of Argan Oil in the pot and this stuff is as good as new now!

This does takes practise though. I have literally had days where I tried to do my brows quickly, and totally effed it all up. You have to remember to use a light hand with Dipbrow. This stuff is definitely not ideal if you've only got a minute to do your brows and in that case I'd play it safe and just pencil on some Brow Wiz. There are about 11 shades in the range and none of them are out of the ordinary, so there is definitely going to be something to suit every brow colour. 

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Chocolate - 0.085g, $27 cad

Although these are named the same shade, this Brow Wiz is slightly lighter in colour than the Dipbrow (see below!). It took me a while to get used to using this but I've been using it everyday lately, alongside the Dipbrow. I use this to outline the shape of my brow because it is very foolproof, which my Dipbrow is not! It just goes on so smoothly. I can use a light hand to make a thinner light line, or apply more pressure to get a slightly darker line. If you make a mistake, you can wipe it a bit to diffuse or erase your mistake, or you can even use the spoolie on the other end to blend your work. The only downside of this product is the $27 price tag! I don't know if I could justify purchasing this.. but I am really contemplating it (maybe when Sephora has a discount shopping event!) 

This does last a little longer for me because I am only using this to outline the shape of the brow I want, and usually colouring in with the Dipbrow Pomade.

To tell you the truth, everytime I tried to take a shot of me wearing the Dipbrow and Brow Wiz, I just didn't like the photo. But in all the shots below I've been wearing the Anastasia Dipbrow while Brow Wiz was usually used to define the line. 

Overall, I would 100% purchase the Dipbrow again, but I would really have to think about splurging on the Brow Wiz! They are both super great products but there are a lot of brow pencils/crayons out there that also work well (ugh, but then again they are not as easy to apply as this one....but they are good for their lower price). I hope mine lasts a little while longer so I don't have to think about that anytime soon!

One of these products were received for consideration. I purchased the Dipbrow myself but also received a second one that wasn't my colour (not seen here). All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil & Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum

Jurlique is a natural skin care brand that has been in the works for over 25 years. An Australian company that focuses on healthy, organic and natural ingredients. They actively give back to the environment and work to reduce and reuse as much as they can. I have here the Purely Age-Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil and Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum. Cleansing oils are quite new to me but so far I've had great experiences with the ones I've tried. They are so essential to a routine especially if you like to wear a lot of makeup and are constantly removing and re-applying. 

Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil (200ml) $38 usd

Jurlique's Nourishing Cleansing Oil contains so many potent and beneficial ingredients to 'replenish, nourish, and smooth appearance of visible lines and wrinkles". Some key ingredients include Licorice Root Extract, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, xSafflower Oil, Caster Seed Oil, Beach Tree Bud, Vit. E. Full ingredients list below. This is artificial ingredient free, so no mineral oil, sulfates, silicones, parabens!

This cleansing oil feels so soothing when it touches my face. Especially if using a makeup remover beforehand, this will be such a treat for the skin. My skin does not feel dry afterwards nor does it feel oily. I do prefer to use this at night because it is a cleansing oil (it just doesn't feel right to use in the morning, does it??) and it is a bit pricey so I want it to last. It did not break me out at all, and I was worried about this because I have had this problem in the past with natural skincare.

It does effectively remove my makeup (foundation, eyeshadow/liner) however it did have trouble removing my waterproof mascara. To be fair, it seems most cleansing oils cannot easily do this so I prefer to remove my mascara with an oil-based remover beforehand. I do double cleanse if wearing a heavier face of makeup (Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, for example) but when I don't have to I won't. I love the soft feeling this leaves on your skin. It won't dry my skin out afterwards and has so many power ingredients. I do not notice any line or wrinkle smoothing however.

INGREDIENTS

Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Water, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Ribes nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Leaf Extract Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fagus sylvatica Bud Extract, Betula alba Leaf Extract, Sambucus nigra Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Fragrance, Squalane, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene*, Linalool*.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum (15ml) $48 usd

This is a nicely scented serum with a light-weight texture. Designed to "help reduce signs of fatigue, combat fine lines, dehydration, dullness, and protect". Containing NaturevivePB18+, a blend of 18+ botanical extracts, essential fatty acids and vitamins to help combat aging. There are many beneficial ingredients such as Black Elder to reduce appearance of redness and soften, Calendula to soothe skin, Echinacea to help rebalance oiliness, Rosemary with skin restorative properties.

There are 3 "Active" Ingredients to energise. Wu-Zhu-Yu botanical to improve skin vitality and radiance, Persian Silk to protect from environmental aggressors and improve appearance of dark circles, and Sacchromyces Cerevisiae to prevent moisture loss. 

The bottle is so cute, it is made of glass and has a weight to it. It comes with a pump and just feels very luxurious. The texture of the serum totally reminds me of my favourite, Estee Lauder Advanced Eye Repair Night Serum (reviewed here). I feel like I am getting quite similar results with this serum, and I would definitely consider is as a slightly less pricey alternative. I enjoy wearing this at night and it works well before makeup application as well. It feels so hydrating and refreshing on the skin, I often don't even bother to add a primer on top. It doesn't feel sticky or too thick, it is perfect for everyday use. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to help with my dark circles but it does hydrate and smooth out my under eye area very well. 

INGREDIENTS 

Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Silica, Ribes nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Albizia julibrissin Bark Extract, Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Althaea officinalis Root Extract, Spilanthes acmella Flower Extract, Rosa gallica Flower Extract, Calendula officinalis Flower Extract, Stellaria media (Chickweed) Extract, Echinacea purpurea Extract, Viola tricolor Extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Bellis perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Lavandula angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary ) Leaf Extract, Taraxacum officinale Extract, Sambucus nigra Flower Extract, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Arnica montana Flower Extract, Panax ginseng Root Extract, Euphrasia officinalis Extract, Evodia rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Lithospermum erythrorhizon Root Extract, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Totarol, Tocopherol, Fragrance/Parfum*, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenethyl Alcohol, SD Alcohol 40-A (Alcohol Denat.), Linalool*, Geraniol*, Citronellol*. *From Natural Essential Oil 

After having great experience with these 2 from Jurlique, I definitely would purchase these products once finished, and I want to look into other products from the brand. The Cleansing Oil is a bit pricey for me but I can justify purchasing the Eye Serum for sure. I feel like I can strongly support the brand knowing how environmentally friendly and 'green' they are, and how beneficial the ingredients in their products are for the skin.Take a look at the Jurlique Story to learn a bit about the background of the brand. Would you dish out $$ for a natural cleansing oil? Do you regularly use an eye serum?

These products were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion Review

25I on left, 20M on the right in all photos

Make Up For Ever has done it again with their new Pro Bronze Fusion Bronzers. Coming in 6 shades and 2 different finishes (matte and iridescent), and containing a waterproof gel-powder formula.

20 M = Natural Matte Sand

25 I  = Soft Iridescent Cinnamon

They are both quite similar shades, 20M and 25I. Both are said to be ideal for medium skintones on Sephora. I have a light skintone (Nc20-ish) but found that these shades worked well on me since they are quite lightly pigmented. I haven't been able to test the lighter 2 shades, but I can imagine they would be similar but slightly lighter. 20M is said to be 'matte' but in reality both have shimmer. 

The compact is beautiful and has a wavy surface to let you pick up product easier.

I really did not like the brush that I was sent alongside these bronzers. It is the 136 Pro Bronze Kabuki Brush with straight & wavy bristles. It really just didn't feel like a Make Up For Ever brush to me, unfortunately. It is super dense and picked up product well, but it was difficult to use on my cheekbones. I just prefer to just use my good old Real Techniques Multi-Tasking Brush.

WORN

(1) MUFE Pro Bronze Fusion 20M worn alone as contour

(2) MUFE Bronze Fusion 20M & 25I worn together

The Pro Bronze Fusion definitely confused me at first because the pigmentation was a bit too light for me. I learnt that for this one you have to use a heavy hand to pick up enough product. It seems to be fool-proof like they claim since the colour is buildable and can be worn light or heavier.

From the swatches you can see the shades are not very far apart and if I had to choose only one I would go with the 25I! It is a warmer shade that you can achieve a better sun-kissed glow with and mine has been getting a lot more usage than the 20M. Be aware that you have to apply more pressure with your regular bronzer brush, or use a bit of a denser brush. 

MUFE Pro Bronze Fusion bronzers and Kabuki brush are available at Sephora.ca, Sephora stores, and Make Up For Ever boutiques.

Make Up For Ever:

Pro Bronze Fusion $42

Pro Bronze Fusion Kabuki 136 Brush $38

These products were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.