MAKING MY OWN NATURAL DEODORANT FEAT. MAKE THIS UNIVERSE
Hey hey everyone! It's been a hot minute - how is everyone doing? I hope you are all well during this crazy time we're living in. Aside from the last two weeks of March where I felt like everything changed (which it did, both professionally and personally), the last few weeks have been a whirlwind and a ridiculously busy time for me. These days I'm constantly trying to find moments of peace in between all of the work I'm doing for Freon Collective (cooking has been a huge stress reliever), and today's blog post is one of those moments!
I was first introduced to Make This Universe at the Winter 2019 One of a Kind Show. I met Jessye (owner and natural deodorant expert) at her booth and got to learn all about her Toronto-brand. I immediately fell in love with the idea of do-it-yourself natural deodorant kits and kept them in mind for holiday gifts.
Fast forward a few months later and I got a message from Jessye on Freon Collective's Instagram! I had forgotten that both of our businesses were featured on the OOAK blog - but we chatted for a little while and I found out that in addition to her online shop, Make This Universe just recently launched on Etsy! After gifting two these sets away a few months ago, I of course wanted to purchase a kit to try myself. I purchased the Vanilla Rose scent in the odor control formulation for my DIY project.
First off I have to say I am in love with Make This Universe's branding and packaging. As a branding geek myself, I love seeing the thought and care that a company puts into their products. From the labeling to the instruction sheet, even the box is branded beautifully and I really appreciate it!
In terms of the deodorant kit, this came with the following:
1 deodorant base
1 clay packet (Kaolin Clay)
1 bottle of essential oil
1 paperboard tube
1 instruction sheet
I found everything super easy to follow, and felt reassured that all of the packaging was either compostable or recyclable. All of the ingredients mixed together relatively quickly, but it was super satisfying to see the mixture poured into the cardboard tube. I waited overnight to see the formula set, and have been using it ever since! The Vanilla Rose scent I chose is perfect and not overly powerful, but I think I would love the Mintchouli scent as well.
This was such a fun little project for me during "quarantine", and I'm always happy to support a local business :) If you're looking for a gift and/or a DIY project to do, I couldn't recommend Make This Universe kits enough. Jessye has also recently launched preorders for DIY candle kits, and offers custom face oils on the main site too.
I plan to use this platform to support more local businesses in the coming months, so if you are a small business owner or know of a brand that you think I should check out, please don't hesitate to email or DM me! I hope everyone is well and stays well, and I'll be back soon!
With love,
Nancy
MIRACLE 10 BODY | FULL LINE REVIEW
As promised I am back with a review of a collection that I have been very eager to try out. A few weeks ago I was invited to the press event for the re-release of Miracle 10 Body products, but unfortunately wasn't able to attend. The team at Miracle 10 was kind enough to send the entire line to me anyways, and I'm excited to share my thoughts!
As a brief introduction, Miracle 10 is a Toronto-based skincare company. Their products are formulated with scientifically proven ingredients, are fragrance-free, paraben-free, not tested on animals and made in Canada. Today I'm featuring the Body collection, which has been released with improved active ingredients and new packaging.
MIRACLE 10 BODY
Body Cleanser | 200ml | $49.00
The Body Cleanser is a hydrating body wash with active ingredients such as salicylic acid, prodew 500, and malachite extract. These ingredients work together to exfoliate, hydrate, and provide anti-inflammatory and protective qualities.
Pros: Is a great all-over body cleanser, foams up well, smells amazing! If you like fennel, there is a hint of it that makes this cleanser the perfect wake-me-up in the mornings.
Cons: My only con about this cleanser is size of the bottle relative to the price. I feel like body cleansers tend to be used the most, and I would run out of this well before any of the other products in the line. I'm not entirely sure I'd pay almost $50 for a 200ml bottle, and would love to see this product offered in a larger size.
Body Polish | 200ml | $56.00
The Body Polish is an exfoliating, foaming skin polish that removes rough texture and promotes a clear and healthy look. The active ingredients in this product are buriti oil, natural wax beads, and aloe vera. Regular use of this product will help to produce collagen and elastin, resulting in firmer looking skin.
Pros: I love the texture of the wax beads, and they help to gently exfoliate without clogging up your drains or damaging the water system. I also like how if you want a deeper exfoliation, you can just add a loofa or dry brush, and the Body Polish will work even better. Not to mention, bergamot is one of my favourite scents and it's wonderful in this.
Cons: No cons for me! I absolutely love this product!
Body Silk | 200ml | $59.00
The Body Silk is a hydrating cream that literally feels like silk. It works best in conjunction with the Body Polish, and can be used just about everywhere below the neck. The active ingredients in this product at 2% niacinamide, caffeine, coconut oil, shea butter, squalane, and tocopheryl.
Pros: The Body Silk sinks in quickly to my skin, and doesn't leave any oily residue. It's very hydrating and I've been loving using it with the Body Polish and Body Therapy (but more on that later).
Cons: No major cons here - if anything I would say it works best with other Miracle 10 Body products and is probably less effective on its own.
Body Therapy | 200ml | $85.00
Body Therapy is a skin tightening and smoothing gel. This product works by enhancing microcirculation, which helps improve the look of uneven, dimpled, and loose skin.
Pros: Definitely has made my skin feel firmer. I also like that it slowly improves your skin's texture, rather than some body gels I've tried before when you feel your skin tightening immediately, resulting in sometimes dry - botox feeling sensations.
Cons: For what it is and how much product you get, I am on board with the price. I would say though, the packaging can be improved as this is a very liquidy gel, and you have to remember to have your hand ready for the product otherwise it will spill out of the bottle. If this product was in a pump form, it would be perfect!
Intensive Hand Repair | 100ml | $39.00
This is a super rich hand cream formulated with lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and powerful antioxidants. It's a thick cream that has hints of fennel, and feels luxurious on the skin.
Pros: Very decent size, considering it's a hand cream, and it's gonna last me forever. I do have some hand creams that I love, but they tend to leave an oily residue and take a longer time to soak in - the Intensive Hand Repair works similarily to the Body Silk by sinking in quickly.
Cons: No cons! I'd love a travel-sized one though for my bag!
Overall, I've been really enjoying the Miracle 10 Body line. If I had to recommend one product, I would suggest trying the Body Therapy. I love the texture of the gel, and anything that firms up my skin is a plus in my books. For a second choice, I would also give the Body Polish a try, but honestly anything from the line is amazing and altogether they work even better!
Hope you all enjoyed the review! You can find the Body collection and all Miracle10 products on their website: https://www.miracle10.com/
If you've tried anything from Miracle 10, I'd love to know your thoughts below in the comments. See you all next time!
xoxo,
Nancy
Disclaimer* Products featured in this post were sent for review and all opinions are my own.
FREON COLLECTIVE IN INDIGO | LIFE UPDATES
I know I've been away for a while, but trust me when I say I have good reasons for being absent. If you follow me or Freon Collective on Instagram, you'll know that we are now officially available on Indigo.ca! It's been a huge four month endeavor, and trust me when I say that partnering with a national retailer is no easy task, but I am so happy for the opportunity and am excited about the future. Even now a week into the launch, I can't believe I delivered the products, figured out all of the logistical parts like UPC codes, navigated a brand new online system and so much more. Anyway, I won't bore you with the details but I wanted to put this out there because this blog has been a part of my life for the past five years and it's important for me to document my life in all aspects.
You can shop a selection of Freon Collective reusable cotton rounds and scrunchies on Indigo.ca now. You can also continue to shop our entire line on our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/freoncollective
SOME OTHER UPDATES |
If you're a regular reader, you'll know that I look forward to my bi-annual One of a Kind Show gift guides/features every year. One big change this year is that I will be an actual vendor at the show in addition to attending as media! I have always loved OOAK and can't wait to be a part of the community in another way. I'm looking forward to table display building, interacting with customers at the show, and of course, bringing you the best of the best of #madeinCanada. You can find all of the details in the graphic below.
In addition to the Spring One of a Kind Show, I have several market dates lined up for 2020. Follow Freon Collective on Instagram to be notified of all of our market dates!
In terms of blogging... while this blog has been a wonderful hobby for me, I'll be completely transparent in saying that I'm not sure if blog posts will be as regular as they have been in the past. These days I don't take in as much PR, and only share/write reviews on the products that I really truly want to share. I think it's important to recognize over-consumption and especially in 2019, I've slowed down on taking in new products and have been working to clear out my beauty stash. Don't get me wrong - I love all things beauty, but my priorities have changed since making the switch to being self-employed. That being said, I do have a post coming out soon featuring a range of products I have really been enjoying lately - and they're made in Toronto too!
One more final update - at the end of February I will leaving a position that has meant the world to me for the past six years. I feel emotional writing this up, knowing that I will be leaving a pretty wonderful place. As much as I would love to stay, Freon Collective has reached a point where I need to devote 100% of myself into it, and leaving this teaching position will give me the time I need to relax a bit (or work more?).
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my little update. I hope you are all doing super well and I can't wait until my next blog post.
xoxo,
Nancy
ONE OF A KIND WINTER SHOW 2019 | MY TOP PICKS
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The One of a Kind Show has returned to Toronto for the winter and I am so excited to share my annual holiday gift guide. We've got some veteran vendors in this mix, as well as some new vendors that I have had my eyes on for a long time now. As usual, I began the day with the bi-annual media breakfast and ran into Melanie from imnotabeautyg. It was absolutely lovely to catch up with an old blogging friend and we spent a good three hours walking A-Z through the event space.
The One of a Kind Winter Show runs from now until Sunday December 1st at the Exhibition Grounds in the Enercare Centre in Toronto. You can purchase tickets at the site or online here. I also recommend keeping an eye out on special discount days, as well as taking advantage of Late Night Shopping when the show is open until 11pm (I will likely be heading back on this day!).
Below you'll find some of the unique products I picked up at the show. I highly recommend you checking out any of these vendors at the show as they do not only have amazing products, they are also amazing people! Everyone is so passionate about their craft and I had the best time chatting with them. At the end of the blog post, you will also see an exciting announcement from me!
LIVING APOTHECARY | Having just found Living Apothecary a few weeks ago on Instagram, I fell in love with Kara's branding and was thrilled to see that she would be at the show. She is incredibly knowledgeable about holistic health and was more than happy to walk me through their range of teas. I think a jar of any of these teas would make a beautiful holiday gift for someone who not only loves tea, but is also interested in holistic and natural wellness. You can find Living Apothecary at booth D12 for the entire show.
SMALL HOURS WORKSHOP | Through the local maker community, I came across Jenny's Small Hours Workshop a couple months ago and actually picked up a keychain from a smaller market she was a part of. I think these little female form keychains are absolutely adorable and make a perfect stocking stuffer or gift! You can find Small Hours Workshop along with all of her other leather goods at booth R31 for the first five days of the show.
COAL AND CANARY | Press actually received a small candle from Coal and Canary in our media packs. There are so many candle vendors to choose from, so Coal and Canary is just one of my recommendations, but their branding and packaging is so spot on, so I just had to include them in this list. You can find them at booth X54 for the entire show.
HERITAGE BEE CO. | If there was ever a booth to visit, you have to visit Debbie and Jeff from Heritage Bee Co. I've gotten the chance to visit them at every single show they have been a part of and every year, they just prove to be the sweetest duo who are not only incredibly knowledgeable about honey and bees, but are so passionate about their work. Every show I always pick up a jar of their creamed honey, but they also have a line of amazing flavour infused honeys, as well as a new beeswax product for that crafty person in your life. You can find them at booth H22 for the entire show.
LA LICHEE | A couple weeks ago when Beni and I visited Montreal, I popped into a gift shop and this little jar of caramel instantly stood out to me. This is of course, La Lichee's fleur de sel caramel and when I found out they would be at the show, I put them down as a booth I HAD to visit. I got the chance to speak with one of the co-founder's, Karl, and got to learn more about their brand, different caramel offerings, and so much more. I picked up a jar of the fleur de sel caramel as well as several of their smaller jars for gifts this holiday season. You can find them at booth F47 for the full show.
I love connecting with vendors at the One of a Kind Show every year, and this year was no exception. Everyone is so happy to be there and I am more than happy to support Canadian businesses, especially around the holiday season. Now onto that special announcement... I happy to announce that I will be joining this One of a Kind community in Spring 2020. Freon Collective has been approved as a vendor for the One of a Kind Spring 2020 show and I can't wait! Of course, when I know more, I will let you all know but for the time being, I hope you get a chance to check out the show this year!
xo,
Nancy
REVLON ONE STEP HAIR DRYER AND VOLUMIZER | REVIEW
Here's a fact about me - I rarely ever do my hair. The most I do is quickly blow dry it every time I wash it, but I don't even attempt a blow-out or anything of the sort. Well, that has changed since I started using Revlon's Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer! Essentially, it's a hot air brush designed to brush, dry, and volumize your hair all in a single step.
I am incredibly uncoordinated when it comes to brushing and drying my hair at the same time. I find it quite difficult to hold the hair dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other (let's just say I did not enjoy cosmetology class in high school), so the One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer is a life saver. The oval brush makes it super easy for me to run the tool through my hair, helping to add volume at the root and then a bouncy, light curl at the end. It literally feels like having a salon blowout every time I dry my hair now.
Other key points:
- Boosted by Ionic Technology, so hair dries faster with less damage
- The brush/dryer is ceramic coated for even heat distribution
- There are three heat settings: high, medium, and cool
- It's super lightweight and ergonomic
- Tangle free swivel cord
I will say the only con I have with this hair dryer is that I don't feel quite comfortable using it alone as a hair dryer. Since I blow dry my hair straight out of the shower, it's still quite damp and I much prefer to blow dry my hair normally, then finish off with the Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer. I find I can't get the brush close enough to my scalp to dry the hair there, but once it's about 75% dry, this tool makes a world of difference!
The Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer was recently featured as a winner in the "Brush Dryer" category in Allure's 2019 best of Beauty Awards! It retails for $64.97 CAD and can be found at all major retailers - Walmart.ca, Amazon.ca, London Drugs & Bed Bath & Beyond.
Hope you enjoyed reading my review on this hair tool! I'm usually not a fan of having so many different hair tools but this one is a definite keeper!
xoxo,
Nancy
*Disclaimer: The Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer was sent for review. All opinions are honest and my own.
MY FAVOURITE LIVE CLEAN PRODUCTS | GIVEAWAY
It's the season of thanks and I'd like to thank all of you for being such wonderful readers and followers, as well as Live Clean for being such great brand to work with and feature. In this blog post, I've rounded up my top products from the brand, a.k.a. my favourite products. I'll give you a quick run through of each product and at the end, there's a pretty cool giveaway featuring every single product in this post!
EXOTIC NECTAR ARGAN OIL RESTORATIVE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER |
This is my absolute favourite haircare line! I love the scent of Argan Oil, and it's also incredibly hydrating due to its high concentration of Vitamin E. Live Clean uses 100% pure Argan Oil to condition long-term and provide maximum shine and protection from environmental factors. This line also includes hydrating oils such as Olive Oil and Grape Seed Oil, but my hair never feels oily after use. I've gone through several bottles of this line even before working with Live Clean and I always go back to it after a couple of months because I love it so much!LIVE CLEAN BODY WASHES |
I've tried almost every scent from Live Clean but these four are my favourite. All body washes contain the best ingredients formulated to cater to different skin concerns while providing the perfect cleanse! My four favourite scents are: Vanilla Oatmeal (soothing), Fresh Water (hydrating), Coconut Milk (moisturizing), and Exotic Nectar Argan Oil (replenishing).Live Clean keeps your well-being and the environment in mind, so all of their products are created with an eco-conscious agenda, using plant and naturally derived ingredients. They are enriched with certified organic botanicals, are free of those chemicals and solvents you often see, are cruelty free, and much more!
Rounding up this blog post, Live Clean was super generous and wanted to give away all of my favourites to one lucky person! One person will win everything featured in this post. Here are the giveaway details:
Giveaway will run from October 15th, 2019 to October 25th, 2019
Giveaway is open to Canadian residents
Entrants must be following @livecleancan and @naancymaac on Instagram
Entrants must enter through the Rafflecopter form below
Winner will be randomly selected and contacted through Instagram
Winner will be randomly selected and contacted through Instagram
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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