Product Review

Retro-Lush – Shave The Planet and Cosmetic Lad

Instead of reviewing another Lush product for the ladies (psst..I’m sure I will be back to reviewing products for the girls next month!), I wanted to include the male perspective. I wanted a very manly review of a few beauty products. I'm kinda curious to know what the fellas like.

So I eagerly enlisted the help of a supercool guy (he’s probably one of the few guys that can handle my incessant teasing. You rock, Frederico!) and asked him to tell me what he thought of Lush’s Shave the Planet and Cosmetic Lad. In true Frederico form, he felt the only way to express his opinion was through poetry. Check it out!

Shave the Planet

I never thought
I would find out
What it is like
To smear shortening all over my face
I now have an approximation.

Charged by Simone (aka Michelle) with sampling and reviewing Retro-Lush’s Shave The Planet and Regular Lush’s Cosmetic Lad (Facial Moisturizer),
I tried both
Shave the Planet is a goop you could eat
Acai juice from palm trees in Central and South America
Coconut and wheat germ oil
Pumpkin seed oil
Bamboo infusion (you probably can’t eat this)
All of it blended into a dense smoothie injected into a mini-bucket
I slather it on a face covered with a 5 day fuzz, scooping out glops
I begin to shave
It works. Generally.
The blades are becoming jammed with glunk
Some hairs aren’t cut
But act of shaving feels so smooth
Where once my jaw was covered by coarse hair
It is clean, moisturized
And yet, and yet
so greasy, so greasy
And now because of using the glurp called Retro-Lush’s Shave The Planet
I have no reason to use Regular Lush’s Cosmetic Lad (Facial Moisturizer)
because it would be as if I dumped butter, margarine and olive oil into a Teflon-covered skillet to fry up bacon: It would be too much
My clean, moisturized face feels swell, smells fresh
And I will remember
To use plenty of hot water
To clean out
The blades

Cosmetic Lad (Facial Moisturizer)

I used it twice with regular shaving cream and it was fine
Such a fresh smell
Some say there is a whiff of lavender
Some say honey water
Or even tangerine
I say it smells fresh and fruity, like papaya
And smeared on my face, it feels good, soft
As if I had just put very over-ripe papaya all over my jaw
It is impossible to use this moisturizer with Retro-Lush’s Shave The Planet
(Too much greasy, moisturizing goodness)
I will alternate between the two in order to enjoy the two
in this crappy little apartment which lacks proper air flow and treated/varnished floors


Thanks for the sexy poem, Frederico. I will admit that your flowery words worked some magic on me and I am thisclose to caressing your skin to see if it is as smooth as you say it is! LOL

Michelle

Affordable summer dresses for work and play

Joe Fresh

Hi, my name is Michelle and I am addicted to Joe Fresh dresses. Seriously, my closet is overflowing with a ridiculous amount of dresses that I have bought over the past 4 years. Yep, I’m hooked and I don’t care who knows it!


I can’t help my addiction. It is soooo easy to plunk down a few dollars on anything Joe Fresh from their cosmetics to their shoes. However, their classic yet chic dresses are my absolute weakness.


On my most recent visit to one of the few stand alone stores in the city, I honestly felt like a kid in a candy store. Colourful, stylish clothes surrounded me. I was intoxicated by the amount of clothes that I had to choose from.  I didn’t know what to try on first.


I did manage to find 2 super cute dresses that I can add to my wardrobe. I know I don’t NEED another dress, but they were just too precious to pass up—not to mention inexpensive!

This is what I got on my last Joe Fresh visit.

This blue, patterned shift dress is perfect for work. I can pair it with a fitted blazer and an understated necklace and I’m good to go. It’s also something that I can wear to happy hour. All I have to do is toss the jacket, add some heels and a dangly necklace and all eyes will be on me! This cute little number cost just $29.00.

This flirty dress is my fave dress so far. It may look like a simple sun dress, but once I put it on, I realized its potential.

It completely hugged my body and accentuated my curves. I thought that I would be able to wear it to work, but the plunging neckline may be more appropriate for a hot date! LOL!

Although this dress cost a measly $19, it made me feel sexy and feminine. If I wanted to totally upgrade the look, all I have to do is pair it with an edgy wedge heel and a bold necklace.

So that's my latest buy from Joe Fresh.  I'm sure by the end of the summer I will have bought even more dresses!



Have you shopped at Joe Fresh recently? If so, let me know what you bought!






Michelle

Song of the Moment- Rihanna: Man Down

I’m sure you heard about the controversy surrounding Rihanna’s latest single, Man Down (psst...there’s a “graphic/violent” scene in the accompanying video that has some Parental groups concerned). And since I’m nosey and love to know what everyone’s talking about, I had to watch the video.



So, early last week I sat down in front of my laptop and watched all 5 minutes and 40 seconds of the movie-like video. But instead of looking out for the “graphic content”, I started to sway in my chair. I thought to myself, “Forget the video, “I freaking love this song!” Seriously, it took me all about 5 seconds before I embraced my inner dancehall queen and started to shake my booty in the privacy of my room!


I love that Rihanna cleverly injects her fiery Caribbean swagger in Man Down, rather than putting out yet another pop song. Good call, Rihanna!


The reggae vibe lends a layer of sultriness and spice, but the grim lyrics create a serious tone to the single. Rihanna speaks (it’s not necessarily an autobiographic tale - it could be a story from any female) about being assaulted and then taking matters into her own hands (she guns down her attacker on a crowded street).


Although the single tackles powerful subject matter, it is still a very fun, party song. The mellow reggae rhythm lessens the severity of the song and allows you to enjoy the song. If nothing else, the l hypnotic lyrics “Rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum, Man Down, Rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum Man Down” have me singing the song all.the.time. This song will be the song of the summer. Trust me!


Thoughts about the video

I did see the scene that has caused concern, but it didn’t seem gratuitous to me. It wasn’t included for shock value—there was some reasoning behind her actions.


In the video Rihanna’s character goes to a reggae club, dances with a guy, she leaves, he follows, and he assaults her. Feeling angry and wanting to retaliate, she gets her gun and shoots him on a crowded street.


Yes, it is extreme, and I in nooo way condone violence, but this is how she chose to tell the story. The lyrics express sorrow for what she’s done


“I didn't mean to end his life


I know it wasn't right


I can't even sleep at night


Can't get it off my mind”


and does not glorify what has happened. Just like in countless movies, the victim takes matters in their own hands. This video is no different from any average avenge type movie.


Overall, I think the video is well done, and is complements the song perfectly. Good job, Rihanna!  What do you think about the video and the song? 


Michelle

Ask Michelle

Michelle, I am soooo in need of your help. I’m super confused.



About a month ago a new guy started working at the office I currently work at. He’s cute, about my age and we have similar personalities. Basically, we get along and act like we’ve known each other for a million years!


The problem is that I’ve developed some feelings for him. What makes this a little complicated is that I am not exactly single! I have been in a relationship with my man for over 5 years! I feel bad because I love my boyfriend and I wouldn’t want to hurt him, but I can’t seem to get this new guy out of my head. What should I do?
Signed, in love with 2 guys


Dear in love with 2 guys,
Ooh girl, now that’s some juicy gossip! Thanks! Kidding. I’m just trying to make you laugh so you’re not too bummed over your current situation.


I will admit that your dilemma is kinda rough. You really need to give good thought to what you want/need to do.


This might help you come up with an answer:


If your office boo is just a piece of hot eye candy that makes your day go faster, then that’s okay. You’re able to appreciate his good looks, but you know he is off limits.


If you are completely planning your day around hanging with your office man, and you run to his office as soon as he shows up to work, then that might be a problem. You may need to look closely at your relationship with your boyfriend. What is making you think about someone else? Perhaps your relationship with your boyfriend is not satisfying as it once was or has run its course. Only you will know the answer.


Let me know how everything works out. Good luck!



Michelle

Pop of colour!

Blue

I’m not the girliest of girls, but I do love me some pink. I know it’s super girly, but it’s the one shade that immediately brightens up my day. I looove it sooo much that I recently bought a pink scoop neck A line dress that I can’t wait to wear to a wedding this weekend!



Although I love the feminine and playful nature of the colour pink, I’ve been gravitating towards a not-so-girly shade—blue. I’m not usually drawn to this hue; however, I have been craving all shades of blue lately. Everything from, turquoise to teal to cobalt.


When purchasing nail polish, I always grab a “safe” colour (Read: pink, lavender, beige—I’m sooo boring!), but I daringly bought a teal coloured nail polish (Sally Hansen- Calypso Blue) on my last visit to the drug store.


I wore it to work and I received tons of approval. Okay, I exaggerate, but it definitely updated my look and made me look ready for summer. It’s such a vibrant colour—it practically screams fun, fun, fun! This is my new go-to shade.


I love the nail polish that I bought, but I still wanted more blue. I went back to the drugstore and located a blue eye shadow combo that didn’t look too tacky or “clownish.” It’s a bright teal shadow paired with a muted navy colour (L’Oreal eye shadow Duo - Showy) that has endless dramatic possibilities. I could play it down with a gold tone or I could totally own it and wear it with shades of green.

Those 2 purchases have helped me in my “blue period,” but I still want more. I’m thinking of buying a cobalt blue form fitting dress! I’ll let you know when I find it!

Michelle

Beauty 411

Sweet Lips Lip Scrub – Lush

Spring has finally sprung (well...sorta) and I am ready to get my spring fling on! I’ve been hibernating all winter long and it’s time for me to have some fun! Yes, you read correctly, there’s a happygrrl on the prowl! LOL!



To prepare myself for the summer heat, I decided to start with my lips. My poor lips have suffered from the dry, cold weather all winter long, and are in need of some attention. Buh-bye chapped lips!


As luck would have it, Lush sent me their Sweet Lips Lip Scrub (thanks, Perry!) a week ago, and I was more than happy to try it out. I have never used a lip scrub before, so I was curious about how my mouth would look and feel.


The scrub is completely vegan and is lovingly made with Castor sugar, organic jojoba oil, vanilla extract, cocoa absolute and Tagetes oil ( psst.....the scrub smells like a chocolate brownie!).


Not only does it smell delish, it’s super simple to use. I applied a little of the product to my lips and fought back the urge to lick it off! Kidding! I scrubbed my lips for a minute and then took it off with some warm water. My lips felt moist and ready to be kissed!


Looks like this lil product is a winner and something I will be using all summer long! Now all I have to do is find a cutie to kiss!


Michelle

Song of the Moment: Price tag- Jessie J featuring B.o.B

I like this song, but I’m not totally crazy in love with it just yet. I’ve heard it a number of times, but when the lyrics started to seep into my sub consciousness, I felt that it was worth mentioning on the happygrrls blog.


I chose this to be my Song of the Moment because I am completely lovin’ the message.


This single may seem like the typical super fluffy pop song, but it is way deeper than the dance beats.

Jessie J‘s (psst..she’s a rising UK pop princess) single Price Tag is all about the philosophy that money can’t buy you happiness—which I agree with wholeheartedly.


Sample lines:
Why is everybody so obsessed
Money can't buy us happiness
Can we all slow down and enjoy right now
Guarantee we'll be feeling Alright

Okay the lyrics aren’t that profound, but I like that she was able to mask her positive message in a sugary sweet pop song. 


Check the video here.


Michelle