The Cheap Girl

WHAT:

Marcelle Essentials 1st Wrinkles Eye Contour Cream

THE PROMISE:

From the website:

“Prevent the first signs of aging with this ultra-light and non-sticky cream that penetrates skin instantly; allowing you to apply your make-up immediately.”

“Enriched with high performance ingredients, this unique care will increase micro-circulation, reducing puffiness and dark circles. It deeply moisturizes and protects the delicate eye contour area.”

PRICE:

$27.50 CAD for 15 ml

PROS:

An eye cream that does it all! Hypo-allergenic and perfume free. Affordable price

CONS:

The light texture might not be suited for really dry skin. The pump also dispenses a little too much per application and you end up getting more than you need. With eye cream, I find that a very little amount is suffice.

THE VERDICT:

This is a good start-up cream that battles the first signs of aging for people who want to kick start their skin care routine. The cream provides  hydration (it got rid of my dry lines   and combats fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. I don’t think that this cream will cure everything but as a basic eye cream, I think that this is a very good choice. It has a gel-cream texture so this is suitable for people with normal and combination skin.

4/5 ****

Visit Marcelle.com for more details.

Save $3 on your purchase of the Essentials 1st Wrinkles Eye Contour Cream. Click here for the coupon

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The Cheap Girl Contest: Win an Essentials 1st Wrinkles Eye Contour Cream

The fabulous people at Marcelle is giving away an Essentials 1st Wrinkles Eye Cream to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment below about your favourite Marcelle product or your favourite budget beauty tip.  This contest is open until December 17, 2009 to all Canadian residents. The winner will be contacted via email.

Good luck!!

XOXO

P.S A special thank you to Isabel for the contest!

Budget Beauty Review: Ponds Cold Cream

WHAT:

Pond’s Cold Cream

THE PROMISE:

The cool classic that removes make-up as it thoroughly deep cleans.

What does it do?
The classic rich cream deep cleans down to the pores to remove even the most stubborn make-up and impurities, while leaving skin soft and smooth.

How does it work?
Cold cream cleans thoroughly and gently, without stripping or drying and without harsh detergents. It’ll add essential moisture to dry skin, without leaving residue.

(ponds.com)

APPLICATION:

Slather the cream generously and remove with a cotton pad

Rinse if desired

Add an additional layer if using as a moisturizer

PROS:

Soothing, non-greasy texture. Great for removing make-up.  Left my face moisturized.

CONS:

It might be too heavy for people with oily skin.

PRICE:

Under $10 ($9.49 at Well.ca–Free shipping, anywhere in Canada)

THE VERDICT:

A wonderful classic! It doubles as a cleanser and moisturizer, a great 2-in-1 product.  I like to use it when I am too tired to wash my face. It takes less than 5 minutes to slather and wipe the product off. I love the texture and the price! My grandma used this product everyday and she had great skin!

Dove Spa Review

I booked an appointment with the Dove Spa in Toronto a month ago. They have a fantastic promotion for first time visitors where you can try their facial services for free. You basically sign up on their website and you will receive an email confirmation/voucher to present upon your visit. You also have the option of upgrading your service time for just $20.  I had such a wonderful experience. Their staff is friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. The place is squeaky clean, modern and so relaxing. It was such a lovely treat!

I went with a friend and we were ushered to their all-white lounge filled comfy chairs, mints, info packages and fruit infused water to fill out the health assessment form. On top of that we were told that we can choose a treat to go with our facial. We had an option of nail treatments, neck and shoulder massage, eye brow clean up and many more. We felt so spoiled

We changed into the fluffiest white  robes and we were each greeted by our personal Esthetician. Kayla was in charge of my service and she was fantastic. We were taken to another room where the hydration, oil level and sun damage level of our skin was checked. A personalized facial was created to meet the needs of our skin. Kayla gave me more details about my facial and the tools and she was going to use.

We decided to go for a hydrating facial plus extraction. My face was steamed, exfoliated and massaged.  She used a blue-light-vibrating tool that drained any congestion and pushed the products that she used deep into my skin. I absolutely loved it because it felt like a deep facial tissue massage. After a blissful 60 minute treatment I was  gently nudged back to reality. My friend and I were walked back to the lounge where we were told to sit back, relax and take our time. We  both felt that we each had a dose of zen and felt so relaxed.

It was such a wonderful experience!

Thank you Kayla and to the staff at Dove Spa in Toronto!

Dove Spa currently has 2 locations in Canada. Click here to view their services and product list.

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