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.

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.

Long story short, taking the Megabus is my new preferred way to get to Toronto if I have to.

You can get a one-way ticket from $18 to $55 a trip, and on average a ticket costs $38 for a half-filled bus.

If you go on off peak hours, or when people haven’t bought many tickets, then the price can go as low as $18.

I paid about $100 in total, but that’s because I miscalculated and had to come back a day early to start on a contract in another city…

Comparing it to driving to Toronto ($60 round trip by car)

• About the same length of time to get there (7 hours)
• Same cost of gas as well, but I booked my last ticket at $18!! ONE-WAY! Gas is at least $30
• Kind of sucks worse because you don’t have your own music or space
• …but you don’t have to try and stay awake to drive
• Also cannot bring more than 1 suitcase, 1 carry-on and 1 purse (not great if you were moving stuff, like us)
• Not great for people with motion sickness (me) because it rocks back and forth
• Can’t make any stop or rest anywhere you want to stretch your legs
• Internet is spotty on the bus, but at least you have it for free!!
• Has a table to work on in the lower level (it’s a double-decker) with power outlets

Comparing it to taking ViaRail ($180 round trip by train)

• ViaRail CLAIMS to get you there in 4-5 hours, but they’re 99% always delayed
• Only 2 hours more on the bus, and you’re paying less than half the price for a round trip
• In the end, the bus also drops you right on Bay & Dundas rather than at Union Station
• …which made for a much shorter TTC trip to get to my parents’
• The comfort level is the same — tables, plugs in the vehicle
• …and motion sickness is always a problem because both vehicles rock side to side
• Can’t make a stop or rest anywhere you want to stretch your legs
• The bus doesn’t offer food or snacks to buy, but if you’re organized, you don’t care
• Internet is $10 for 24 hours on the train, and is just as spotty as on the bus
• Both have bathrooms

In conclusion?

If you aren’t picky about amenities like food and drinks available to purchase on board, and don’t mind sitting still for about 3.5 hours (you get a 20 minute break in between halfway through), then go with the Megabus.

It wasn’t bad at all. It was better than I expected, and you even get both seats to yourself in a lot of cases!

I didn’t have to share my row with anyone, and I just listened to my iPod there and back with my Bose headphones to drown out the hum of the bus.

Highly recommended over the train, and on par with the car if you aren’t driving the whole 7 hours.

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)

I was contacted by the jeans company “Not your daughter’s jeans” to receive a free pair of jeans and to review them on the site.

Note: I have to get it off my chest: I really hate the name. But then again, I am not really their specific target market — Moms who want to look stylish and not wear mom jeans.

I picked the Premium Lightweight — #1031 – in a Size 4 in a Straight Leg, after agonizing for an hour over what I wanted.

I just decided to go with something classic.

I normally wear a Size 6, and they said to pick a size larger than you’d normally wear (which would be a Size 8), but I went with my instincts and chose the Size 4, because I don’t have much in the way of hips or a butt, so pants in particular are tricky.

It’s only in my belly area that is a bit larger, but these jeans were a stretch mid-rise, so I figured a 4 would be ideal, and I was right.

The belly area fit perfectly. Not too tight, not too loose.

And surprisingly so did the butt!

I know this isn’t the best picture, but normally jeans make me look like I have the flattest butt known to woman.

This one, actually gave me some curves…

I am just standing awkwardly because BF is taking the picture while I am flattened against the wall trying to keep my balance.

Verdict?

FINALLY.

A company that I can now visit the website of, browse through the HUGE selection of styles, trends, washes and details, and find a pair that won’t be a hip-hugging low rise.

It takes me at least 8 months before I can track down a pair of jeans that are:

• in dark, evenly spread rinses (no weird feathering or striping)
• in straight-leg (or skinny! I couldn’t decide, but went with a classic)
• in different washes (I picked a dark rinse but they had plenty more)
• with different details on the butt

That’s it. It seems so simple that it’s laughable how hard it can be sometimes to find a pair.

The only thing I am not sure about, is that this is an American company, and as such, the jeans seem to differ from the States vs Canada.

So if you want to buy a pair, I suggest you get them in the States rather than Canada. They go under a different name here: “TUMMY TUCK JEANS”

Note: I hate this name even more than “Not your Daughter’s Jeans”.

Now for the downsides:

As for prices, I don’t know how much mine cost, but I did some research and I’m guessing around $130 – $150 USD for a pair of jeans.

The Tummy Tuck ones I scoped out at Simons here in Montreal, were $170 CAD.

So these are really what they’d call a premium denim market.

Their site is also very confusing.

I didn’t know if I was looking at the same pair of jeans 15 times, or if they were REALLY different pairs of jeans.

Site and content consistency is a problem. Not all of the jeans you click on, have a good description.

For example: These are all named “Premium Black”.

Therefore, they’re all the same pairs of jeans to me.

No?

The upside of all of this:

….is that you find the perfect pair of jeans, and I don’t wear them often enough to warrant owning more than 2 pairs (still waiting for my first pair of jeans to finally kick the bucket after years of being patched).

You know where to go to find a great pair of jeans now. It’s just a matter of figuring out which one you want!