Aldi used to carry Kerrygold irish butter and then they stopped. Now they carry their own brand of irish butter. I’ve had both of them before but not at the same time. So I went out and got one of each (and two others) to compare them side by side.
Watch my Aldi irish butter review
Aldi Countryside irish butter vs. Kerrygold
Both of these butters have the same two ingredients, cream and salt. When I unwrapped them, they looked identical in color. They were a medium shade of yellow. When it comes to butter, just like with egg yolks, the deeper the color, the richer the nutrients.
The texture was the same also. And when I tasted them, they tasted exactly the same to me. There’s no way I could tell one from the other in a blind taste test. It makes me wonder if they come from the same supplier.
Bonus review: Irish butter vs. european pasture raised butter
When I was shopping for irish butter, I happened to find this Danish Creamery european pasture raised butter.
It also has the same ingredients, cream and salt. The box implies that their pasture raised butter is better than grass fed because their cows are grazing all day on a “rich and varied natural diet.”
The color is definitely lighter than irish butter.
But the color is slightly deeper than your average supermarket butter. Here it is compared to Kirkland butter.
And the taste is different as well. It tastes more like fat and has less of that butter flavor that I prefer. When checking the box, indeed it does have one more gram of fat per serving.
The verdict: Does Aldi irish butter whip Kerrygold
When it comes to taste, Aldi irish butter and Kerrygold are tied. But Aldi butter wins because of price. It currently is $2.99 for 8 ounces ($5.98/pound). And that’s even cheaper than buying Kerrygold in bulk at Costco ($6.50/pound).
Have you tried Aldi Countryside irish butter? Which butter is your favorite?
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/aldi-butter-post.jpg488650[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2020-02-17 17:35:202020-02-17 17:52:20Does Aldi irish butter whip Kerrygold?
Recently I was doing a little shopping at Aldi and looked to see if they carry any pasture raised eggs. The answer to that is no. But they did have free range eggs that are “sustainably raised” and “raised on small family farms.”
That last phrase especially gave me hope that the hens might have a lifestyle almost as good as pasture raised hens. But the proof of that is in the egg yolk. So I bought some to see for myself how they compare to the Vital Farms pasture raised eggs I normally buy.
The difference between free range and pasture raised eggs
The term “free range” means that hens have access to the outdoors and have less than two square feet of space. They may actually spend very little time outdoors.
The term “pasture raised” means that hens have at least 108 square feet of space and they spend most of the day outside scratching dirt and eating bugs.
The moment of truth, cracking open the eggs
It was instantly obvious which egg is superior judging by the color of the egg yolks. Vital Farms eggs are a deep orange yellow, while the Aldi eggs are yellow with a touch of orange. (They do seem to have a bit more color than regular Goldhen eggs.)
And there is a difference in taste as well, with the flavor being more intense in Vital Farms pasture raised eggs.
My video review
The verdict
Aldi free range eggs DO NOT beat Vital Farms pasture raised eggs.
Even though Aldi free range eggs are half the price at $2.99, I will continue to buy Vital Farms eggs. I feel confident their hens are living their best chicken lives down on the farm which also means their eggs are more nutritious.
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/egg-review.jpg488650[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2020-02-08 13:53:172020-02-17 17:52:35Do Aldi free range eggs beat Vital Farms pasture raised eggs?
I’ve dyed my hair lavender many times but have never used this shade from Arctic Fox. I thought it would be fun to see if girls night was the perfect lavender straight out of the bottle.
Arctic Fox girls night
My silver hair before
My natural silver hair (with a little pink underneath)
I applied the dye all over my hair and used almost the entire 4 ounce bottle. I left it on for 30 minutes before washing it out.
My new lavender hair
I thought it turned out perfect—not too blue, not too pink, not too intense—just right.
The perfect shade of lavenderAnother look at my new lavender hair
The only downside is, being this soft of a color it only lasted one week. Sometimes that can be a good thing if you’re in a mood to change the color again, which is exactly what I did.
But I went out and ordered a large bottle for the next time I get the urge for lavender hair.
Please enjoy this short video of me trying Arctic Fox girls night.
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/AF-gn2.jpg488650[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2019-05-24 15:32:122020-02-17 17:58:16Dyeing my silver hair lavender with Arctic Fox girls night
I’ve been wanting some Jeffree Star makeup and when I saw he had a new concealer out, I just had to get it! When I found out my local Morphe store had my shade, C8, in stock I rushed right down there and got me one.
Before going on, can we just have a moment of awe for the magic wand packaging? I adore stars and crystals and the color pink. And this is a work of art!
Magic star concealer, C8
Anyway, $22 is a splurge for me. I don’t buy high-end makeup. The closest thing I’ve had is the IT cosmetics bye bye undereye concealer. And I have to say that one didn’t impress me much.
Recently I’ve been using Maybelline instant age rewind concealer in the shade neutralizer with good results, and by that I mean it doesn’t crack on me. It also doesn’t cover as well as I would like.
I wanted to see if the JS concealer has better coverage as well as being crease proof. To test this out I wore JS on one eye and Maybelline on the other eye.
Note: I did not purchase the setting powder because I never put powder under my eyes. It just ends up looking dry and cracked. This test is for the concealer alone.
Product details and comparison
Color: The neutralizer is a bit darker than C8 which is for light to medium skin with olive undertones.
Instant age rewind (neutralizer) and magic star (C8)
Volume: Comparing the amount in each product, the age rewind is 6 ml and magic star is 3.5 ml.
Ingredients: Chemically they share many of the same ingredients when it comes to silicones. They have different anti aging ingredients (two each) which show up at the end of the ingredient list.
Magic star may contain mica, an ingredient with light reflecting properties that makes you look younger.
Wear test: Jeffree Star magic star concealer vs. Maybelline instant age rewind
I applied a minimal amount to each eye, trying to keep it confined to the tear trough area, then blended it with my finger. Magic star went on smoother.
Beware: magic star concealer wand holds a lot of product
I also applied it on the nasal labial fold, an area I usually skip because makeup tends to break apart and crack, making it look even worse. However, for this experiment I wanted to see how it performed.
Maybelline was on my left side and Jeffree Star was on my right. I applied it at 1:30 pm and then went on about my day.
Magic star on right eye is brighter than instant age rewindConcealer swatch: (L) instant age rewind, (R) magic starConcealers blended out. Magic star covers the vein better.
During the day I kept looking in the 10x mirror to see what was happening but tried not to touch either side.
Final thoughts
The Jeffree Star eye was brighter right from the start because the color was lighter and it did appear to be reflecting light. There was better coverage as well. A little goes a loooong way and I could have applied even less.
After eight hours of wear
After eight hours of wear, there was no creasing under the eye. There was a tiny bit of breaking up along the smile line though. I’d like to try that area again using less.
My verdict
Magic star concealer has my seal of approval for mature skin! It glides on silky smooth, has great coverage, resists creasing and gives the illusion of younger looking skin.
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/magic-star.jpg488650[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2019-04-25 14:04:502019-04-25 22:36:38Is Jeffree Star’s magic star concealer good for mature skin?
Fleas have not been a problem around here for several years. But recently my dog started scratching like a maniac, and that could only mean one thing. My dog has fleas!
The ugly truth was confirmed when I ran my fingers through his fur and felt gritty flea dirt. Also known as flea poop. Also known as my dog’s digested blood. Nasty! Those fleas gotta go!
In the past I’ve used poisonous flea medications, flea bombs and noxious yard sprays. They became ineffective as the fleas became resistant. I stopped using those nasty chemicals and found safe flea treatments that really work.
The war against fleas requires a comprehensive plan to get rid of them and prevent new infestations in the house, yard and on the dog. I put together a new system that knocked out those fleas fast. Here’s a breakdown of what’s working for us.
Safe and effective flea control
Indoor treatments: flooring and furniture
Fleabusters orthoboric acid powder for flooring of all types. I had used this a few years ago on my old carpet. It worked so well I only had to apply it once.
Fleabusters keeps fleas away for years
It works by lacerating their nasty little bodies to make them die from dehydration. It kills fleas at every stage, from eggs to adult. Also works on other bugs like ticks, mites, ants and roaches.
To apply, you sprinkle it on the carpet (or hardwood, tile, etc.), work it in with a broom then vacuum the excess after 24 to 48 hours. Make sure it gets into all the baseboards, cracks and crevices where flea eggs end up.
I spread this on my carpet then applied it to my mattress and couch, two areas where my dog loves to sleep.
Fleabusters will keep working for at least a year or until you clean your carpet. Then you have to reapply after the carpet dries.
Check out this video showing Fleabusters powder being applied to hardwood floors, carpet and furniture.
Vet’s Best flea and tick home spray. This natural nontoxic spray, made from peppermint oil and clove extract, kills fleas on contact. In two seconds or less they’re dead!
Doesn’t leave sticky residue anywhere. It’s only active when it’s wet. After it dries there’s no residual killing effect. Leaves a fresh clove scent for a while.
I sprayed this on areas of the carpet where my dog likes to lay to instantly kill fleas until the Fleabusters worked its magic. I sprayed it every day for about four days, vacuuming in between.
And I sprayed it on the bedspread.
Vet’s Best flea and tick home spray
I also use this on my dog if I find a flea on him because it’s easier than trying to catch them. I go through his fur with my hands and if I see a flea, I hold it down with my fingers while I grab the spray. Then just one little squirt and BAM, it’s dead.
Outdoor treatment: all surfaces
From the same people who make the incredible flea and tick home spray, Vet’s Best has a flea and tick yard and kennel spray. Also nontoxic and made with peppermint oil, clove extract and sodium lauryl sulfate.
You simply attach your hose to the bottle, spray then let dry. The 32 oz size covers approximately 4500 sq ft. It’s also supposed to be safe for plants.
As an added benefit, it kills and repels mosquitos.
Flea control for the dog
Garlic tablets
The goal is to keep fleas from jumping on your dog by making him less tasty to them. The best way to do that is to give the dog brewers yeast and garlic tablets.
I had been using this one brand that worked extremely well for a few years until they changed their formula. The new formula was responsible for this latest outbreak of fleas. So I found Nutri Vet brewers yeast tablets that were well reviewed on Amazon. They have to be taken for a while before they’re fully effective.
Nutri Vet brewers yeast and garlic
After a couple of weeks using the pills I saw improvement but there were still too many fleas so I switched to raw garlic.
This worked great and the only downside is the slight inconvenience of preparing raw garlic every night. I have to chop it up, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and give it to him right away. The amount for his size is ⅔ teaspoon.
Now, he doesn’t like to eat the pills or fresh garlic so I put it in some peanut butter and down the hatch it goes!
Chopped fresh garlic–me no likey 🙁
Fresh garlic mixed with peanut butter
Me likey!
After a couple of weeks the fleas were gone so I started to alternate raw garlic with the tablets. He gets the pills three or four days a week and that’s working well.
Flea comb
I had never used one of these before but I got one to use while waiting for the garlic to kick in. Not only is it much faster than manually picking off fleas, it’s also easier to remove flea dirt.
The key to using a flea comb is to have a dish of water handy that has a splash of soap in it. The soap allows the fleas to sink to the bottom and drown, otherwise they can float around and sometimes crawl out.
Flea comb
I prefer using the flea comb dry because I don’t want flea dirt to dissolve on my dog. When I pull the comb through his hair and find a flea, I put my thumb on top of it before it can jump off. Then I hold it above the dish and flick the flea into the water. I also pull out the hair and flea dirt and put that into the water as well.
When I’m finished, I just take the dish and flush the contents down the toilet. Easy peasy.
Safe flea control is possible and highly effective without harmful chemicals
Well there you have it—a detailed plan to eliminate fleas safely and effectively in the house, in the yard and on the dog. We went from this…
Scratching
Biting
To this…
Finally things are back to normal!
Ahhh, now that’s a happy dog. Peace once again reigns supreme in the Makara kingdom!
I hope you find this information helpful. Please comment below if you have any tips to share about safe flea control treatments that worked for you.
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/no-fleas.jpg488650[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2017-06-28 20:32:092019-08-26 15:40:12My dog has fleas! Safe products to kill, repel and control fleas
We always hope for miracles from our beauty products but how awesome is it when you find a company that actually promises them.
I’m talking about Swell Skin, manufacturer of sea buckthorn berry oil and soap. And results are guaranteed or your money back.
You are not only guaranteed a miracle, you can expect one overnight. No need to wait weeks or months.
Fantastic, right? That’s what I thought so I decided to put their products to the test.
Promising airbrushed skin in 24 hours
Now what is it we’re supposed to see after just one application? The company claims that 90% of skin’s needs are met within the first 24 hours. As to what it’s really supposed to do, this is what they say:
“Sea buckthorn oil has a reputation for softening lines, plumping skin with moisture, healing skin inflammation including acne, rosacea and many more serious skin conditions.”
Founder Kelli Klus goes on to say, “Regardless of my skin’s occasional challenges, age, sun, infections, spots, acne, rashes, redness etc. the products work immediately to heal each and every one of these problems.”
They sum it up by promising airbrushed skin.
What will Swell Skin do for me? Putting it to the test
Now I’m fairly happy with my skin’s texture, hydration and elasticity. But I do have a few brown spots, hyperpigmentation and sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) bumps that I’d like to see go away. And occasionally I get keratosis pilaris (KP) on my face.
I took before and after photos (something that’s lacking on their website and on 99.9% of outside reviews).
I decided to test these products for either one night or one month. (One month if the overnight miracle did not occur.) And at the risk of becoming lopsided, I used them only on the right side of my face and neck.
Excitement was building as I prepared to use Swell Skin soap and oil for the first time. Would I really see overnight results?
I prayed to the god of skin miracles. Oh magic sea buckthorn berry, please take away my brown spots and bumps!
The soap felt cool like mint and has minimal lather. It has a mild, pleasant smell.
Afterwards my skin felt very clean but not dried out. I was surprised to see it removed virtually all of my makeup. None of my other cleansers can do that.
Using the sea buckthorn berry oil
Swell Skin sea buckthorn berry oil
The bottle contains 100% pure sea buckthorn berry oil and is listed as .05 fluid ounces. That’s INCORRECT and I’m surprised nobody’s caught this big boo boo.
The actual measurement is .5 fluid ounces, or one-half ounce, which equals one tablespoon of oil.
And to prove that I poured my brand new bottle into a tablespoon. The picture is below.
Bottle contains 1T oil, or .5 fluid ounces, not .05
Moving on from that.
The oil has a faint smell, like some type of grain. It looks a bit orange and it feels like…well, oil. Yes, it feels like oil, it looks like oil and it does not completely absorb into the skin. It did not, however, turn my skin orange.
Expecting an overnight miracle. Did I get one?
The next morning there was still a little bit of oil on my face and neck. And I had only used a small amount. But it was easily rubbed in to reveal the fact that my skin looked exactly the same as before.
No miracle for me. The experiment continued for 29 more days, only using the products on the right side.
My results after 30 days
So here’s what happened. Nothing. Nada. Zip.
There was no overnight miracle.
There was no miracle after 30 days.
I see no difference whatsoever. My brown spots and SH bumps remain.
During the course of the trial period I did get a couple of pimples and also a couple of KP spots on my cheek. The pimples did not go away any faster. There was, however, faster healing with the KP, drying up in about five days.
My before and after photos
Forehead before (L) and after (R)
Eye before (L) and after (R)
Cheek before (L) and after (R)
Airbrushed skin? I think not.
Conclusion and final evaluation
Sea buckthorn soap
The soap is very good at removing makeup, better than any other cleanser I’ve ever used. But it didn’t make my skin look or feel any better. I would recommend it for being a very gentle, effective cleanser.
The bar will last me for many months.
Sea buckthorn oil
The oil might be soothing if I had irritated skin which I don’t. It left my face a little oily in the morning. The only condition it seemed to help at all was the KP which I mostly get on my body. However, it’s too expensive for me to use on that and I would not repurchase.
After using it for a full month, I still had half a bottle left. If I had used it on my entire face it would have lasted one month.
So is this is a miracle product or hype? My verdict: Hype.
Buy the soap if you want a good cleanser but forget the oil.
If you want to see how well Swell Skin worked on someone with acne, please check out this video. It’s the only review that I could find that actually has before and after photos.
For more information about Swell Skin, visit their website.
Have you used Swell Skin sea buckthorn oil or soap? Please share your experiences below.
What looks like cotton candy but feels like straw? My hair after being bleached from brunette to platinum.
My silky hair was so damaged that no amount of conditioners, oils and serums could tame it. Every time I brushed my hair, my lap was covered in little broken bits. I wished I could rewind the clock to go back in time to when my hair was soft and smooth. Well guess what. I discovered with Olaplex, you can go back.
Yes, Olaplex really does work. It’s a three-part system. Parts 1 and 2 are meant to be used in the salon during chemical processes but can also be used as a standalone treatment. Part 3 is to be used at home for ongoing maintenance.
I got the three-piece kit and did the standalone treatment myself at home which is as easy as putting conditioner on your hair. Anyone can do it, and you should do it yourself because you’ll save a lot of money. I’ll get into the details later and show you my before and after photos.
Before I went ahead and plunked down $100+ for a kit, I had a few questions that you may have as well. Here’s what my research uncovered, in brief and simple terms, to answer the most commonly asked questions about Olaplex.
The most asked questions about Olaplex
What is Olaplex?
Olaplex is a compound called Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. Its purpose is to repair bonds in the hair that are broken during chemical processes. It was invented by chemists and patented.
It comes as a three-part system, labeled as #1, #2 and #3. The same ingredient is used in each part, with #1 having the highest concentration of the active ingredient and #3 having the lowest. Number 1 is called a bond multiplier, #2 is called a bond perfector and #3 is called a hair perfector.
Olaplex is free of silicone, sulfates, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, and is never tested on animals.
Why should I use it?
Because it mitigates the damage done during a chemical process. While the bonds are being broken during bleaching, Olaplex #1 is repairing them at the same time. Not all of the bonds are repaired during this step so #2 is used right after the chemical process.
How can you use it to repair hair?
Besides using it in a chemical service, you can also use it to repair damaged hair as a standalone treatment. If the hair is really damaged, you can do a treatment using #1 and #2. After that you can use #3 once a week for maintenance and to repair ongoing damage done to the hair.
What’s the difference between Olaplex and knock off brands?
All the knock off brands only coat the outside of the hair and mask the damage. They don’t mitigate or repair the damage. Olaplex is the only product on the market that can actually reconnect broken bonds in the hair shaft.
Will I get any benefit from using #3 even if I don’t get my hair colored?
Yes, it’s good for everyone. When Olaplex was tested on virgin hair, the hair sample that was treated had more shine and felt softer to the touch than the original untreated sample. It had an overall healthier appearance than the control sample.
Are the effects of Olaplex permanent?
According to the manufacturer, the reconnected bonds will not break again unless compromised by additional thermal, mechanical or chemical services.
My experience with the Olaplex standalone treatment
Olaplex traveling stylist kit
I ordered the Traveling Stylist Kit which contains one bottle of #1, two bottles of #2, one bottle of #3, along with an instruction card for standalone treatments and for use with chemical processes.
I did the standalone treatment following the instructions on this card:
Olaplex standalone treatment instructions
Here are some pictures taken during the first treatment.
Squeezing .5 oz of Olaplex #1 into the tube
Pouring the contents into bottle with 3 oz water
Putting Olaplex #2 on my hair (looks like conditioner)
My hair saturated with Olaplex #1 and #2, waiting 30 mins
It’s important to note that, contrary to what Kim K has said, sleeping with the product in your hair is not necessary nor more effective. After the product dries out it stops working, therefore the maximum time to leave it in your hair is 30 minutes. No further benefit will be gained by leaving it in longer.
Step by step Olaplex video tutorial
This brief video shows how to do the standalone treatment. When you do this at home by yourself, you should put a towel around your shoulders because the first part is very drippy.
My hair before and after Olaplex
My before and after photos are a little different from most people’s. The before photo shows my hair after flat ironing and with serum, and it still looks like a hot mess.
The after photo is my hair without any heat styling, oils, serums or conditioners. With flat ironing it looks even smoother but I wanted you to see it in its raw state.
Before Olaplex and with heat styling and hair products
After Olaplex. No heat styling or hair products.
After the treatment my hair was so soft, I couldn’t stop touching it! And the breakage—gone.
My evaluation of the claims made by Olaplex
I did the standalone treatment twice the first week, followed by weekly maintenance treatments of #3 for the next two weeks. Then I didn’t do any more treatments for six weeks.
During that time I only washed my hair once a week and used the flat iron once a week on the lowest setting. I let my hair air dry, something I was unable to do before using Olaplex because my hair would turn into a puffball.
My point here is that I did not do a lot to damage my hair, but after six weeks with no treatments it started to break off a little bit more. So I started doing weekly maintenance treatments again.
While my hair’s strength improved dramatically following treatments, it was never quite the same as before being damaged by bleach. And the restorative effects were long lasting, but not permanent.
Olaplex is the most remarkable product and I don’t want to be without it. It’s allowing me to keep my hair long while the bleached part grows out. The kit I got will last many months and I will definitely repurchase once it’s gone.
Update after using Olaplex for a year
It’s been nearly a year since I started using Olaplex and I wanted to show you how great my hair is looking now. It doesn’t break off in little pieces any more when I brush it and it’s gotten longer. So let’s take a look at some pictures.
Ten months of using Olaplex. Styled with flat iron.
I only do a treatment every month or two and I still have quite a bit left from the kit I purchased. I’ts definitely been worth the money!
Additional information
To find answers to more questions about Olaplex, please visit their education center.
To buy maintenance treatment #3 directly from the manufacturer, please click here.
For a more technical evaluation of the product, please read this report.
Please add your comments
Have you used Olaplex? What do you think of it?
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/olaplex5a-e1477870812708.jpg263350[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2016-10-30 23:30:512020-02-17 18:00:10Olaplex fixed my fried bleached hair
There’s a fairly new natural way to go blonde and so far it’s been a well kept secret. So secret, in fact, that even after I learned the name of the product I had a hard time finding any information on it. Now I’m going to expose this “secret” as I share my experience getting my overprocessed hair bleached the O-way (Organic Way professional salon products).
I was at a crossroads with my hair color. After four bleachings I was left with yellow hair which is not at all what I wanted. My choices were to cut it and bleach it again or leave it long but yellow. I didn’t want to do either of those and went looking for another solution.
I started reading about how Olaplex can restore damaged hair and allow it to be safely bleached further. My plan was to keep it long and try to bleach it to the right color using Olaplex.
Turns out there’s just one salon in my area using it, but the stylist I asked for was the only person in the salon not using it. Instead she had just switched to all organic, nontoxic, plant-based hair color products—Oway. She convinced me to give it a try.
Oway is the world’s first ammonia-free, cruelty-free line of hair products with certified biodynamic, organic and fair trade ingredients. It’s great for people with sensitive skin. Sounds good, right?
Watch this video to see where the products begin—on biodynamic farms.
Bleaching my damaged hair with Oway organic bleach
Here are before pictures of my level 9 yellow hair.
Before bleaching my hair with Oway organic bleach
Side view before Oway bleach
First I went down to the salon and got a strand test on my hair to make sure the bleach would work. It did. My hair didn’t break off and it got lighter. So I came back in a few days for the full treatment.
My stylist did heavy foils using Oway organic bleach. She did the roots with 20 volume and the ends with 9 volume. On the second batch of bleach she used 30 volume to catch up with the first part. Unfoiled hair got balayage with 9 volume on the ends to bleach the yellow.
The processing time was about the same as for regular bleach. There was no burning or unpleasant smell.
After she washed the bleach out, she used a permanent dye as toner, level 11, shade 17. She had to rinse as we went along because the ends grabbed the color fast.
Here’s a video showing how to color hair with Oway products.
After bleaching and toning with Oway organic hair products
And this is the wonderful result—lighter, brighter hair without having to cut it.
After bleaching and toning with Oway
Side view after bleaching and toning with Oway
The entire experience and the price were comparable to services I had done before with harsh chemicals.
Afterwards, my hair felt pretty silky. If I’d only known about Oway before, my hair wouldn’t have gotten damaged in the first place.
So if you’re thinking about going blonde, I urge you to check out these products. Ask your stylist to give them a try. Why bathe your scalp in toxic chemicals if you don’t have to?
My experience with Oway was a success because it allowed me to go one shade blonder without cutting my hair. I’m very happy about that. However, I’m still left with damaged hair from prior treatments. I gotta say, Olaplex is still on my mind. Stay tuned…
For more information about the entire line of Oway professional salon products, and to find an organic salon near you, please visit this link.
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See what happened when I used Redken Shades EQ platinum ice 09V to tone my stubborn yellow hair. Here’s a hint: it was a disaster.
But first I’m going to answer the most asked questions about this product, and then I will go on to the review along with my before and after photos.
Most asked questions about Redken Shades EQ demi permanent color
What does demi permanent mean
Demi permanent means that it will only deposit color on the hair. It will not lighten hair, just change the tone of hair that’s already been lightened.
How do you mix it
You have to use a Redken Shades EQ processing solution along with Redken Shades EQ demi permanent color. You mix them at a 1:1 ratio. Using 2 oz of each would be enough to cover most hair.
How to use Redken Shades EQ
Apply the solution to clean, damp hair using a hair color brush or applicator bottle.
How long do I leave Shades EQ on my hair
Leave it on the hair from 5 to 20 minutes. Watch the color develop and rinse out as soon as it turns the right color.
How long does the color last
Supposed to last up to 24 shampoos.
My experience toning yellow hair with Redken platinum ice
Starting out my hair was level nine yellow blonde and I wanted a silvery blonde color. Salon toning looks good for about a week and then my hair goes back to yellow. And purple shampoo, the holy grail of many, doesn’t do anything because my hair is too damaged from bleaching to hold color.
My yellow hair before toning with Redken platinum ice
I started searching for a more permanent solution and that’s how I found Redken Shades EQ platinum ice 09V. You can see from the swatch what a pretty color it is, icy but not too gray. To me it looks like it has taupe undertones.
Redken Shades EQ 09V platinum ice
I put 2 oz of platinum ice and 2 oz of processing solution into an applicator bottle and shook it up. The mixture starts out watery and then turns into a slightly purple gel.
I put it all over my hair and massaged it in as if I were shampooing my hair. I piled all my hair on top of my head and watched and waited. Ten or 15 minutes in, it turned into this purple color. I should have washed it off then but didn’t since my hair is resistant to color.
Redken platinum ice after processing for 20 minutes
So I bravely waited the full 20 minutes. I was going to get rid of that yellow no matter what.
As I was rinsing the mixture out of my hair in the shower, I could see it was no longer yellow. Mission accomplished!
I dried my hair and discovered it had turned a strange purple brown color—not even close to the platinum ice swatch.
After toning my hair with Redken platinum ice
Now I desperately hoped that it would wash out fast. And here’s the good news for people who like the color they got, it stays in a very long time. Of course that was bad news for me.
The next washing I brought out my harshest shampoo and scrubbed and scrubbed my hair. About half the color came out. The next time, a little more came out. Finally by the fourth washing it was pretty much all gone. It lasted a month through four vigorous washings with my cheap Suave shampoo. I only shampoo once a week.
Oddly enough, as the color was fading it retained that purple brown hue. It never did fade to silver, or platinum or anything resembling ice.
And I’m back to drab yellow hair.
Redken platinum ice pros and cons
The pros
It’s easy to use The color is long lasting It made my hair feel soft
The cons
Well, don’t do what I did and leave it on too long. And make sure you pick the right color in the first place. I think I would have gotten a better color by mixing 09V platinum ice with 09T chrome.
When I became full weight bearing after broken ankle surgery, my physical therapist told me to get some orthopedic shoes with laces for good support. Not having anything like that I went online and found these amazing Vionic venture women’s mesh athletic shoes.
My left foot and ankle were in constant pain, especially the heel, and I felt I needed extra cushioning there so I paired them with Tuli’s heavy duty heel cups that I already owned from a prior bout with plantar fasciitis.
Together, these are my magic shoes which help me walk without limping and make it easier to do my ankle rehabilitation exercises.
Here are more details on what to look for in an orthopedic shoe and why these Vionic shoes work well for me, as well as cleaning instructions to keep them looking like new.
My magic Vionic shoes for my “bionic” ankle
What to look for in an orthopedic shoe after an ankle fracture
Proper fit
Flexibility
Arch support
Cushioned comfort
Good traction on the sole
Lightweight
Why I love my magic Vionic shoes
These shoes are made true to size with a little extra room in the toes. I ordered my correct size and there was still plenty of room for orthotics which I highly recommend to anyone with foot pain.
The sole is flexible, allowing the foot to bend properly while walking.
The footbed holds the foot in proper alignment and is removable for cleaning. Good support is crucial when learning to walk without limping because the foot is weak during the rehabilitation process. The footbed comes up higher on the side where the arch is and that’s where I feel it stabilizes my foot to keep me balanced through each step.
The shoe is cushioned lightly in the footbed and more heavily padded around the opening. It feels like a little pillow around my sore ankle.
The stretchy mesh fabric keeps feet cooler and more comfortable. I also like that the tongue is sewn in place, making it a little easier to get on.
The rubber soles have little ridges on the bottom for good traction.
With the shoe being so lightweight and properly padded, I can wear them all day and practically forget I have them on.
Finally, they’re just cute and the bright pink color I chose makes me happy!
Vionic shoe with footbed removed
Vionic footbed, the secret to balanced walking
Heavy duty heel cup for extra cushioning
Cleaning my magic shoes
Getting ready to clean my magic shoes
Instructions for this are lacking so I had to do some digging and learned that they can’t be washed in the washing machine or soaked in water. That presents a challenge when you end up with mud all over your shoes like I did one time. So what I did was to let the mud dry and then brush off as much as I could.
Then I used an enzyme cleaner solution that I mixed from powder and placed in a spray bottle.
Biokleen enzyme cleaner
I saturated the shoes with the solution and let them sit in the sink for about 20 minutes.
Spraying Biokleen on my shoes
After that I scrubbed gently with a scrub brush, rinsed with water and put them in the sun to dry for a while.
Long before I knew what it was called, I’ve been suffering with sebaceous hyperplasia. I didn’t know what those bumps were on my face. They weren’t pimples, they weren’t warts and they weren’t moles. It was only after seeing the dermatologist last year, and another failed treatment, I learned the condition is called sebaceous hyperplasia.
Update: Second Skin Classic treatment January 2020
Watch the video to see how my skin heals following my second Skin Classic treatment for SH.
The good news is that it’s not dangerous in any way, but having a lot of bumps on your face is frustrating, annoying and often embarrassing. The frustration gets compounded when you seek medical treatment and what is proscribed is more suitable to acne, which this is not.
Sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) is inflammation and multiplication of cells inside the oil glands. The cause is unknown.
You can’t get rid of it by any conventional means—squeezing, freezing with liquid nitrogen, using electrocautery, Retin-A and other exfoliants. I’ve tried it all, except for the electric needle.
With squeezing, you can sometimes get something out but the bump soon returns to its original size.
With liquid nitrogen, it’s hit or miss, expensive and can cause scarring.
Retin-A simply doesn’t work and I believe it’s bad for the skin in the long term.
Then one day I found this interesting video for the Skin Classic machine. I knew this was the answer I’d been searching for.
Watch how Skin Classic gets rid of SH and more
How it works
Skin Classic uses high frequency to heat up the sebum which causes it to instantly come out of the pore. The needle doesn’t actually penetrate the skin. A series of light taps are used around the bump.
That being said, this is not a cure because there is no such thing for SH. You may still have new bumps appear, but the ones you are treated for will not return.
Other skin conditions improved by Skin Classic
Besides SH, these skin irregularities can be successfully treated:
keratosis pilaris
broken capillaries
blackheads
cherry angiomas
skin tags
milia
some hyperpigmentation
What it was like getting the treatment myself
To find a practitioner, I filled out a contact form on the RNfaces website.* They referred me to the OC Spa & Wellness Center in Huntington Beach, CA. There you can either get spot treatment or full face treatment down to the cleavage area. I went for the latter since I had quite a few spots.
*As of October 18, 2018, a list of providers can be found here
Normally they clean the skin, then steam it, followed by microdermabrasion and last, the Skin Classic machine. I didn’t want microdermabrasion so my esthetician skipped that part.
During the treatment there’s a small amount of pain involved, but it’s nothing compared to getting liquid nitrogen. Every time she zapped a spot, I thought “ow, ow” and then it was over. It only lasted about one second. After that, there was no more pain or discomfort all the way through the healing process.
Besides getting rid of the SH, she also did a couple of skin tags, a cherry angioma and a dark hyperpigmented spot.
Right after treatment
Right after Skin Classic treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia
Afterwards, my face was a little bit red and irritated looking. The next day scabs started to form and in the following days, they became more and more obvious. I felt like my face was covered with polka dots. I couldn’t really hide it with makeup so I opted to stay at home for the next week.
There was no picking of scabs allowed and I was very careful when I touched my face.
Followup visit
You’re supposed to return in 7 to 10 days to get any spots that might have been missed the first time. Some can get overlooked in places where the bumps are clustered together because the skin starts to get irritated and it’s hard to see what’s been done and what hasn’t.
I went back after seven days but I recommend waiting ten days. Waiting longer is better because at seven days there was still some irritation and a few spots were missed. I will have to go back again one of these days for another treatment.
Ten days after treatment
Ten days later most of the smaller scabs had fallen off. The larger ones took another month to heal.
Ten days after Skin Classic
Right cheek 10 days after treatment for SH
Evaluating the results of Skin Classic
It took about four to six weeks for my face to completely heal, with the largest spots being the longest to heal. None of the bumps that were treated returned. One deep spot on my forehead left me with a slight indentation which took several months to fill in.
The skin tags and cherry angioma were also gone for good. The dark spot, however, lightened up considerably but did not completely disappear.
One year after my Skin Classic treatment
My skin looks much better than it did a year ago. I’m very happy with the results.
One year after Skin Classic treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia
Conclusion: I highly recommend Skin Classic
Finding this solution was a dream come true. I thought I was going to have to live with those awful bumps for the rest of my life. I’m still amazed by how well it worked.
What I can’t understand is why dermatologists are not getting Skin Classic machines to treat SH. Perhaps they have another agenda than providing the best solution for their patients. Just a thought.
For more information and to find a provider in your area, please visit RNfaces.com.
Please note: I have no affiliation with Skin Classic, RNfaces or OC Spa & Wellness. I’m just a customer who’s trying to get the word out to other people suffering with sebaceous hyperplasia.
https://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/sebaceous-hyperplasia-e1433833196865.jpg605650[email protected]http://lyndamakara.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-2.png[email protected]2015-06-09 00:57:032020-02-22 12:59:04Little known treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia
