$21 for 6.7 ounces (that’s a lot!)

P.S. Does anyone else find the name slightly dirty? “Fluid Gel Cleanser”….

I needed to replace my facial cleanser, because I ran out (finally!) and wanted to switch to a more natural one.

The last one I had, was TOO moisturizing. Left a film on my face, and may have caused me to break out in some areas because of it.

Basically, this cleanser smells amazing and cleans without drying your face out.

Whenever I am rubbing it into my face, I am sniffing like a rabid animal because it smells SO GOOD.

The mix is White Tea, but it isn’t herbal-y.

It’s like a litchi (lychee) fruit just finished making love to a cup of white tea.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- GMO
- Triclosan

Ingredients:

It uses a mix of vegetable-based cleansers. None of it seems to be SLS (sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate) specifically, but I can see some faint derivations highlighted in red.

Still, most of it is pretty good considering how well it cleans, and how LITTLE it foams (a sure sign that SLS is not prevalent in the product).

I just love that it doesn’t stink, or leave my skin stripped and dry.

Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Betaine, PEG-40 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sucrose Laurate, Capryloyl Glycine, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrolysed Oats, Arginine, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castoryl Maleate, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Lactic Acid, Linalool, Magnesium PCA, Manganese PCA, Panthenol, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Zinc PCA.

Pros:

• Smells amazing! Honestly, it’s like having aromatherapy while washing your face.
• Cleans without drying out my face
• Is gentle on my face
• Doesn’t foam up very much (I’m not a foaming cleanser sort of girl)
• Has a lot of natural ingredients in it
• You just need a SMALL squirt to cover your whole face

Cons:

• Yes, the packaging is recyclable and cool, but the spout sucks
• If you aren’t careful, you can accidentally pour too much into your hands & waste it
• It’s not very foam-y for those of you who are looking for a lot of lather
• For the price, it’s double what you’d pay for a standard drugstore cleanser
• Is not completely SLS free — has some derivations of SLS in there, but it’s quite faint from the name, and there aren’t any specific ingredients called: sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate (a milder version of SLS).

…but drugstore cleansers have never felt or smelled so good.

I feel a lot better putting this on my face than what I was using before.

I received a free full-sized sample from the company directly, and I like it enough to talk about it here.

Product Blurb:

Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 is a lotion that combines the best features of shielding and sunscreen lotions. This product helps prevent loss of natural oils and moisture, doesn’t allow irritating substances to penetrate the skin and absorbs the part of the UV spectrum that contributes to premature skin ageing and development of skin cancers.

Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 has a proven UVA protection factor of 5+ (over 5 times greater than the skin’s own protection) while the UVB protection is 15+. SPF15 filters 92% of the UVB and delays the onset of sunburn by up to 150 minutes.

Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 is a sunscreen that gently cares for your skin while protecting it from excessive sun radiation. Skin MD Natural + SPF15 is far more effective in treatment of dry skin and related skin disorders, than mere moisturizing lotions or protective creams. It is promptly absorbed without the heavy “sunscreeny” smell, the slightest hint of any greasy residue or oily feeling, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield.

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients (a.k.a. the stuff that makes BF nauseous)

• Octinoxate 7%
• Octisalate 5%
• Homosalate 3%

Other Ingredients:

• Deionized water (Aqua)
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Vera)
• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Dimethicone
• Methyl Gluceth-20
• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
• Arnica Montana Flower Extract (Arnica)
• Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (Comfrey)
• Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract (Chamomile)
• Achillea Millefolium Extract (Yarrow)
• Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
• 1,2 Hexanediol
• Caprylyl Glycol
• Butylene Glycol
• Aminomethyl Propanol
• Phenoxyethanol

I went through the list with a fine tooth comb, and while one or two make me a bit “err what is this?” there isn’t a single ingredient on here that is extremely toxic.

And not a lot of them ARE toxic, which is a good sign.

FB’s Trial:

I wore it for about 10-15 days straight when I was makeup-less, and I liked it a lot compared to any sunscreen I’ve ever used (Neutrogena Dry Touch, L’Oreal’s Ombrelle, Standard SPF suncreens)

The only time BF smelled the ingredients (he smells them in all SPF products), was when we were in close quarters, like in a car.

In the apartment — no problem at all.

I’d wear this all over my face for a day out, wearing no makeup and just wanting to run errands and get things done.

I put a full teaspoon on as recommended by the way. And no matter what you do, whatever sunscreen product you use, you WILL have a shiny face.

So I can’t wear this daily under makeup. The only one that I can wear, is something with a very low SPF.

I’ve experienced this with all SPF products, but this was the first one that didn’t make my skin itch horribly.

Pros:

• Is a natural product without extra additives
• Has SPF 15
• Isn’t very greasy considering it’s an SPF 15
• Very faint smell or scent (although BF is like a bloodhound)

Cons:

• BF hated it. The smell of chemical sunscreen was too much for him.
• Was a bit too greasy for wearing underneath makeup
• If you put on a teaspoon your face is shiny
• $25 for a 4 oz bottle sounds like a lot of money, no? It’s usually $10-$15

Verdict?

Recommended if you are looking for a as-natural-as-possible sunscreen and price is of no object.

Note: Here are their active SPF ingredients

Some readers mentioned concerns that these are not SPF UVA and UVB ingredients

Octinoxate 7% — Is a UV filter & absorber (SkinDeep, eHow)
Octisalate 5% — Blocks out UV (3D Chem, SkinDeep)
Homosalate 3% — Blocks out UV (3D Chem, SkinDeep)

If your skin has been experiencing a lot of problems with normal sunscreens because they’re too heavily perfumed or made your skin itch, you should really give this a whirl.

I am on the lookout for natural products with as little ingredients as possible, to replace my current regimen.

So, on the hunt for a day-time moisturizer that will not:

• smell like sunscreen (BF feels ill when he smells it, because it makes him nauseous)
• sit on my skin like a mask
• not feel oily

..and a moisturizer that will:

• absorb into my skin properly, when I put a teaspoonful on my face (as you should)
• smell great, but not too strong
• work well under a primer like Smashbox’s Primer, or possibly Tarte’s Clean Slate
• make my skin feel soft and moisturized

Enter: Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer SPF 6

I picked up a sample at Sephora, and have been experimenting with it.

First, by just applying it without washing my face — Bad idea.

Second, by applying it after washing my face — Much better.

And trying different types of primers over it to see how the product pairs up:

• Korres Vitamin E Cream Primer
• Tarte Clean Slate that feels like a Smashbox Primer, is more natural & is cheaper

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- GMO
- Triclosan

And their supposedly “active” ingredients:

(Which I don’t care too much about (or believe), I just wanted something more natural and moisturizing but I couldn’t care less if it had that stuff below in it)

-Regenerative Oak Extract: Firms and plumps aging skin, radically boosting collagen and elastin production.
-Quercetin Active: Delivers the most active, well-established polyphenol for maximum antioxidant protection; catalyzes proteasome activity in skin cells, dramatically improving cellular function, and creating more youthful, healthy, elastic skin.
-Mourera Fluviatilis: Constantly regulates the optimum hydration of the cells, maintaining their health and improving their quality.
-Myrtle Active Extract: Enhances intercellular communication, visibly increasing skin density, protecting collagen fibers, and significantly boosting elasticity.

All the Good Things

• It smells heavenly, like a light scent of roses
• It doesn’t make BF gag
• It has SPF 6 in it
• It seems to absorb a teaspoon quite nicely

All the Bad Things

• It isn’t SPF 15, but for its lack of oiliness (which is usually the SPF), I’m compromising
• It costs $35 for 1.4 oz (ouch!)
• You MUST wash your face in the morning before using it, or else face the risk of looking like you dipped your whole face into a bowl of mineral oil

Other than that, highly recommended.

I mean, the SPF is half what it should be, but for everything else I am getting, like the non-gag factor from BF, I am thrilled.

Since I am on the hunt for a natural primer, I also checked out Tarte’s Clean Slate.

I really enjoy the feel of silicone-based primers. They just seem to work, slide on better, and do the job.

Being a fan of Smashbox’s Primer for a while now, I figured it was the closest match.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates

The Good Things:

• Feels JUST like a Smashbox Primer going on (same slippery feel)
• Cheaper than Smashbox by $9 and you get 0.17oz more to boot
• My skin looked instantly dewy and soft, rather than shiny and oily

The Bad Things:

• Umm…….? It has silicones in it?

Tarte versus Smashbox

For the most part, it looks like the Tarte Clean Slate has more oils from fruits and flowers than Smashbox.

The two major ingredients that cannot be removed are Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone Crosspolymer — those are the silicones that give that great, slippery feel to the primer and make them work so well.

Tarte is also paraben-free, which is a plus.

The In-Depth Verdict:

I covered my face half with Tarte’s Clean Slate on the right, and Korres Vitamin E Cream Primer on the left.

It feels much less oily than the Korres side, I also don’t feel it being as heavy on my skin.

When I move my face, I can almost feel the Korres side pulling with the weight of the product on there, but the Tarte side feels light and free.

The real test came when I put on the Bare Escentuals.

Both sides looked perfectly dewy with the Bare Escentuals on.

In fact, Tarte Clean Slate seemed to do slightly worse, but maybe it’s just because that side of my face is not as smooth and poreless as the other.

So far, after 4 hours, both look fine.

No makeup has melted off, and both sides of my face look a little shiny, probably from the SPF moisturizer I have underneath.

I did notice that the Tarte side seemed to have hold on the blush just a tad better, but it might be just be as a result of my amateur makeup application skills.

The first application of the Tarte Clean Slate, made my skin feel and look less shiny, but now when I look in the mirror, both sides of my face look exactly the same.

When I rub my cheeks, the left side with the Korres is slightly oilier which I am not a fan of.

No makeup has melted off, and both sides of my face look a little shiny, probably from the SPF moisturizer I have underneath.

I think Tarte is great if you want something that is…

• slightly cheaper as a natural primer, in comparison with Korres
• significantly cheaper than Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer
• going to feel exactly like Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer (silicone to fill in the lines)
• won’t make your skin feel oily to the touch after application
• want something that is not a cream that will absorb into your skin

I think Tarte is not to hot if you…

• are uncomfortable with silicones
• want something with vitamin E, jojoba oil and all this other great-for-skin stuff
• don’t moisturize beforehand (moot point for me, I need SPF on my skin at all times)

Enjoy!

(I ended up buying the Tarte Clean Slate primer)

What happens if you want a laptop but with a desktop feel?

You buy a laptop stand and a keyboard, that’s what!

Why would you ever want a laptop to feel like a desktop?

• Screen is raised to a comfortable height so your eyes look forward not down
• Stops the laptop from overheating (allows air to circulate at the back of the base)
• Able to use a full-sized keyboard with it rather than using the cramped keys

Why don’t you just buy a desktop?

It’s too big and heavy to travel with: console, keyboard, mouse & monitor!

This laptop stand & keyboard combination for my laptop, means everything is truly portable.

I can also use it with any laptop, if the client lends me on, or if I decide I want to work on another one.

What I purchased:

• Logitech Alto Laptop Stand
• Logitech Illuminated WIRED USB Keyboard

LOGITECH ALTO LAPTOP STAND

(comes with a wireless keyboard)

Price originally asked: $150 CAD at Future Shop

Price I paid: $49.99 CAD at Canada Computers (almost all sold out)

Price BF paid: ~$80 at Staples before they discontinued it (yes, we own the same things)

This is what it looks like when it’s all propped up and ready to go.

You have to push a latch to pull up the panel and then snap it in.

I don’t use the USB ports or any fancy controls on the laptop stand. I just wanted the stand.

I also scrapped the keyboard because wireless keyboards:

• make me annoyed with their slow response time
• take AA or AAA batteries, which takes almost no time at all to be used up
• take up a USB port anyway
• may die without warning, and leave you with a dead keyboard if you forgot extra batteries

Here’s the side shot of your laptop being propped up.

It may seem odd to have a screen so high, but if you put your laptop on the table, and then sit up straight against your chair, you will see that your eyes don’t go forward, but look down at the screen.

This causes involuntary hunching and slouching to see the screen.

Verdict: I love this laptop stand! 5/5

I wouldn’t suggest you pay more than $50 – $60 for this laptop stand, and if you can get it for that price, jump on it. Even $80 may be worth it to you.

I can already feel myself sitting up straighter as a result.

LOGITECH ILLUMINATED WIRED USB KEYBOARD

Price originally asked: $99 CAD at Future Shop (Web Only)

Price paid: $86.99 CAD at Canada Computers

It’s a bit more expensive than a standard $20 keyboard, but I was looking for:

• Portability (slim and sleek so it can fit into my carry-on when I travel to a client)
• Fast-response keys
• Nothing fancy (no gaming keyboards or strange controls I don’t use)

Why did you buy a wired keyboard? The stand came with a wireless keyboard already!

Not a fan.

As I’ve said above, wireless keyboards…

• make me annoyed with their slow response time
• take AA or AAA batteries, which takes almost no time at all to be used up
• take up a USB port anyway
• may die without warning, and leave you with a dead keyboard if you forgot extra batteries

5 Key Features about the Keyboard:

1. Illuminated keys with adjustable light settings! Once you use it, you’re a fan for life
2. Ultra slim, sleek design — very portable and easy to carry or travel with
3. Keys are spaced out nicely — number pad available, controls at the top
4. Has a palm rest — It’s a grippy one, so your palms can rest comfortably to type
5. Very fast response time on the keys — I am not struggling with them

Compared to the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 Monster for around $70 CAD:

I also bought this keyboard and tried it out, but hated it with a passion.

I originally wanted it because it felt more curved to my hands and typing style, and it seemed pretty good & got a lot of great reviews.

The keys were so slow it was painful.

I felt like my pinky and thumb were getting the workout of their lives (I hit the shift button and the space bar a lot).

The response time was AWFUL. I was typing at half my normal speed, and struggling to go faster.

Verdict: Love this Logitech Illuminated keyboard! 5/5

Logitech, you make gooooood accessories.

It is all it promised and more.

I wouldn’t say I am typing faster on here than I am on my laptop keyboard, but I am typing just as fast, I’d say.