AKT The Deodorant Balm SC. 01 Orange Grove Review

 

I thought I was done reviewing more high end deodorants- but somehow and someway this ended up in my cart, checked out and shipped to me. Maybe I just thought some of the scents sounded interesting? Not sure. But I bought two of them. This being the first one I opened. 

AKT claims: 

The Deodorant Balm is a multi-award winning personal performance essential, infused with DEO-BARRIER COMPLEX™ for professional grade protection that lasts all day. Tested and perfected on stage in London’s West End and on Broadway, AKT's revolutionary, aluminium-salts free formula transforms from a luxurious, skin-nourishing balm into a dry, invisible powder: actively protecting, deodorising, and absorbing perspiration to keep you feeling dry and confident – without breaking character. Ever.

Midday sun beats heavily on the grove. Sweet aromas burst from the freshly peeled orange. Neroli blossom dances, alive on the breeze. Another negroni over ice – it’s summer after all. 

AT FIRST 

Sliced orange, sweet mandarin, Tuscan sun 

AND THEN

Bitter negroni, neroli blossom, afternoon siesta 

FINALLY

Italian cypress, petitgrain, la dolce vita

Made in England 

First things first- the price for the size is outrageous. I was expecting it to be small- but NOT THAT SMALL. This is literally what I would call a sample size and if I must pay for it- the product itself should be no more than $1-3 or so. Even something like $4 is too much. It's 5 ml or .17 ounces.

It does come packaged nicely though. In a little box and you get a metal tube. Which is completely plastic free. Love to see plastic free packaging. I'm not sure of if the pricing comes in because it's a custom packaging but you can definitely do more affordable plastic free packaging- for instance a glass jar with a metal lid. I would rather cheaper packaging than paying crazy prices for a deodorant because of the packaging.

The smell is really nothing memorable though. It reminds me of petitgrain and ingredients. Nothing as transportive as the description. Just pleasant, light and mainly forgettable scent- perhaps slightly reminiscent of oranges.  I used it a few times and as recently as yesterday and I don't have anything to really say about the scent. Except if I were to buy more ( I bought another one) I would probably opt to try other scents rather than buy it again. 

I have used it sporadically...and I have to say- it does work. Probably the best of any deodorant I have ever tried. But I do notice it has baking soda in it and with consistent use- baking soda gives me the worst reaction/rash. This might not- I can't say for sure since you only get a sample size and I have only used it sporadically. Maybe at some point I will get a full size and really test it out but that won't be anytime soon! 

It is all natural. Another thing that is nice to see. 

Ingredients: 

Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Magnesium Oxide, Diatomaceous Earth, Parfum (Fragrance)**, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Behenate, Zinc Oxide, Limonene*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil*, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Juniperus Virginiana Oil*, Pinene*, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Linalyl Acetate*, Linalool*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil*, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil*, Geraniol*, Beta-Caryophyllene*, Anethole*, Citral*, Terpineol*, Geranyl Acetate*, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract*, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil*, Terpinolene*, Alpha-Terpinene*, Citronellol*, Farnesol*

Overall, it works. It works very well. Probably the best of all the deodorants I have ever tried- natural or traditional. But that price! I do wish it were more affordable. Sustainability should be affordable and accessible for all. Just sayin'.

Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Bath and Shower Gel Review

 I am really quite excited for today's review if only because I'm going to tie it in to Bridgerton. I have tried a few Bridgerton collabs here and there. I really enjoy the show and have seen it multiple times. I'm watching it now actually. I know they did a soap collab with Beekman (was tempted but never picked it up) and they also had a collab with Dove. But that was only available in Target and I don't shop at Target. Also the Dove collection looked a little uninspiring. 

Molton Brown claims: 

Bring the essence of island bliss to your bathroom with our iconic white-floral body wash, sensuously filled with lingering notes of lively ginger, elegant lily and soft musk.

According to the googles- Ginger Lily is a real flower. But from what I have seen from Molton Brown- the scent is more so named because it's a combination of Ginger and Lily. Unexpected combination but really quite lovely. 

Floral scents in the shower are really growing on me. Especially when they are well done as Molton Brown scents tend to be. I wouldn't have thought it had Ginger in it...but now that I know it is there I can definitely pick it up. It's just so expertly blending in with the Lily. Speaking of Lily,  I really enjoy the scent of Lillies. I guess this is Lily scent? There are just so many different types. I'm not sure..but it does smell quite lovely. It makes perfect bath/shower scent. 

Everything else about it is nice. It's medium strength. Lathers well. Rinses clean. Doesn't dry my skin. And it lingers a bit.  The try it size is good for about 2-3 showers for me. It is one I would be interested in trying in the hand soap.....or  a larger bottle of the shower gel...and even trying the perfume. Might even gift a bottle or two. 

The reason I thought about Bridgerton: I love that show- particularly season 2. I have seen it multiple times times and could finish watching it and restart it. My favorite Bridgerton couple is Anthony and Kate. I just love watching them SO MUCH.

What made me think this would be the perfect Kate scent was when Kate is stressed out from all the stuff going on with her sister/Anthony her mother tells her to use the Lily soap.

Side note: That copper bath tub is gorgeous. If I had the money for it, I would absolutely have a clawfoot copper bathtub. 

But anyway...Lily soap is not common. At least not that I have seen. And here Molton has been producing this for quite awhile. Then I thought the ginger twist is so Kate. Traditional Chai has ginger in. And when I think of Indian cooking- I always think of ginger. Kate is from India. And she vastly prefers chai to traditional British tea. She says so at least twice in the series. 

So to me- this is the scent of the soap that Kathani Sharma Bridgerton uses. 

Then of course you remember when Anthony sniffs Kate? That part sends me. It's more towards the end of this video. 

I don't know if I'm being fanciful. But this is where this soap scent took me. 

Ingredients: 

Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance/Parfum, Coco-Glucoside, Glycerin, Laureth-7 Citrate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Polyquaternium-7, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Blue 1/Ci 42090, Red 33/Ci 17200, Red 4/Ci 14700.

Overall, I was sad when the bottle ran out. It would definitely be top 5 for me as far as Molton Brown. If the scent combo appeals to you...or you just like Molton Brown it is definitely worth a try.

Danessa Myricks Lightwork VIII First Impressions/Swatches

 It's here! I went to pick up the palette yesterday.  Which means it's time to do some first impression/swatches and share my thoughts thus far.

This palette coming out might just be my favorite thing about the fall season. As soon as August hits, I was thinking about what we might get this year. I think this one came a bit later than last year...

As far as this years colors- I can already tell this will not be my favorite of my DM collection. The neutrals just bring it down for me. I know there are a lot of people excited for the palette because of the neutrals- which I can't say I understand at all. You can get neutrals anywhere and I'm sure most of the people happy about the boring brown/beige shades likely have shades very similar to these already. For the price of the palette I want it to be all special and unique shades like when she first dropped the Lightwork shadow palettes. That's really what drew me to the brand in the first place. I think if the trend continues and they continue to increase the amount of neutral shades I likely won't be purchasing Lightwork 9.  

Another thing- the price increase kinda bothers me. I have been watching just about every Instagram video I can on the palette as mine was making its way to me through the mail. I noticed a lot of micro influencers (that don't even wear colorful or interesting make up) received the palette in PR. That and the price increase just makes me side-eye them a little bit. 

And the last criticism I have before we get into the swatches- I like the Freedom palette system. But I don't think it's being used to its full potential. She doesn't sell single pans or refills. Nor the option to opt out of the plastic casing- I would very much like the freedom to choose just the special shades and opt out of the large plastic casing- since I have bought the palette every year I now have three of them. It's getting to be too many. 

Each shade is 1.2 gram. I was thinking there is not a lot of shadow in each (since I hit pan on one of the shades in my other palettes) but that's a decent amount considering a MAC shadow is 1.5 grams.

And now let's get into swatches and first impressions of the shades. 

Starting with the first palette.

Bedrock- I It's a boring brown. These type of shades rare a dime a dozen. Quality is nice--- but I really don't want these shades in this type of palette. 

Ember Glow- A beautiful sparkly red shade. I love shades like this- I'm not sure it will top my favorite red (Sonic from Urban Decay) but I'm excited to compare it. It's a bit of a more muted red. Very sparkly with a lot of gold shimmer/glitter. 

Molten Magma- I think this is one of the stars of the palette. It's is the most flippy shade. It is a super multi-chrome with a strong flip to a teal/green and some gold orange in between. It's stunning. I am going to wear it work tomorrow. 

Crystal Flame- We have a new finish here. This a red with a surprising lilac flip/marbling throughout. I can't wait to play with it more. If you just barely swirl it the colors can really stand out from each other. There is also a strong green shift. 

Canyon Clay- This is a better color neutral than the others in the palette. But I do have colors similar to it in other brands so I'm not too terribly excited for it. The quality is good though. 

Sahara Glow- A very pretty pink to gold shift. I think it will be a challenge to find how to pair this one...but I'm up for it. 

Island Sunrise- This has the most unique texture. You can really smooth it out and use it as a topper. Or you can keep some texture to it. I used it today and it's nice but I think it leans too white? I don't know how to explain it. I wish it showed up more pink on my skin. The shift is gorgeous though. Lot's of yellow/teal to it. 

Crystal Sands- Gorgeous. I feel like this might be one I can just wear with mascara and go. It has a pretty unexpected pearl (and muted purple) look to it. I can't wait to try it out. 

Horizon Kiss- Stunning. A marbled shade with copper and teal. Another palette stand out. I also cannot wait to wear this one. The teal also has a surprisingly strong shift to purple. 

Coastal Clay- A snooze fest. Boring clay/beige. 

Salted Earth- I think Salted Earth will be a favorite. The metallic/bright finish is stunning. And it's a color I can easily and happily wear every single day. The swatches don't do it justice. But it's not really doing any of these justice. 

Driftwood- A brown. So disappointing getting yet another snooze shade. I have no shortage of these type of shades in my collection....definitely didn't need another. 

Sparkling Glaciers: Stunning pink/green glittery shade. Most of the palette does have seem to shift to the same color is something I am noticing. It's still very pretty but something I am noticing and definitely worth noting. I would have thought with the theming of the palette we would get more blue- specially with a name like Glaciers. Or maybe the glaciers is the super subtle base color? 

Mountain Peak- Earthy color with cool toned shimmer. This reminds me of a color in past light work palettes. I'm not sure I will love it- I like warm shimmer in my warm colors but I'll reserve true judgement for when I try it on my eyes.

Crystal Sky Lagoon- Another of the marbled finishes. It appears to be a pink purple but it shifts to teal/gold and looks stunning. Another one I can't wait to get on my eyes. Looks very similar to Glaciers in the picture-- but they seem different enough in person.

Twilight Sky- The name is really confusing me on this one. Maybe the glitters/micro shimmers are reminiscent of the night sky? But not the base shade. I do really like this one though because the color pairing is very unique. Haven't seem anything similar to it...

Indigo Glow- This is another stand out in the palette. I love a good purple and this type of was missing in past palettes. It is stunning. I have no shortage of purple shades to match this with. I did brush it over what I was wearing yesterday but it diluted so I can't wait to wear it on its own and see if it's as flashy as it looks in the pan. It also shifts to green.

Night Rock- Another snooze of a color. It can provide depth but I have similar colors and really wish she had included something (anything else) it's in place. I really wish she swapped these boring shades out with a fun color matte. Maybe a blurple. Or an earthy forest but still bright green. Or a deep lilac. As is, this shade is my least favorite of the whole palette. 

All of the shades of pigmented, super smooth, and easy to apply with a brush/fingers. The only thing that kinda concerns me is that after swatching them- I'm not sure the shades are different enough from each other and I feel like maybe there could have been more variety. Feels like the looks I make will all end up looking more of less very similar? And it is starting to feel like all of the shades shift to a green/gold although the greens are slightly different.  I'll have to play with it more though. 

And now...a look at all my Danessa palettes. Maybe I'll do a ranking at some point after I get to know this palette This picture makes me so happy. 

I just love colorful, sparkly shades 😍😍😍

Comparison Swatches of the purples from Lightwork Vol 5 and III.

Indigo Glow (8),  Healed(50, Inspiring (5), Twilight Sky (8)

Troy Johnson

                                    

It must be quick post Sunday. Today I just have one song to share. I kinda get this artist mixed up with another. I hoping there was at least a live version of this song. 

It's an underrated bop though. It's that 80's sound that I can't get enough from in music from that decade. 

I was really hoping he had more that hit like this one but this is def worth a listen. 

Burt's Bees Lavender Vanilla Lip Balm Review

I feel liked the rainy cold weather really just came out of nowhere. Which means it's time to stock up on the lip balms to chase the chapped lips away. There was a time when I was trying to buy and review all of the Burt lip balms.  I love a more natural lip balm- bonus if it has my favorite ingredient: Beeswax. Burt is one of the most widely available beeswax/natural lip balms. Usually they have very boring scents and flavors but from what I can see they seem to be branching out. Not that Lavender Vanilla is a very unique scent...

Burt's claims:

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm softens and hydrates your lips to help prevent dryness, cracking or chapping. Infused with nourishing oils, butters and responsibly sourced beeswax, the moisturizing lip balm hydrates dry lips for up to 24 hours. It glides on smoothly, leaving behind a tint-free, matte finish and soft, supple lips. The soothing embrace of lavender mingles with sweet vanilla in this Burt’s Bees Lavender Vanilla Moisturizing Lip Balm. 

• One 0.15 oz. lip balm tube of Burt’s Bees Lavender Vanilla Moisturizing Lip Balm

• Burt's Bees Lavender Vanilla lip balms are infused with responsibly sourced beeswax, nourishing oils and butter to deliver up to 24 hours of moisture

• The soothing embrace of lavender mingles with sweet vanilla in this delicious flavored lip balm

• Flavored lip balm glides on smoothly and leaves behind a tint-free, matte finish

I've tried a lot of lip balms over the years- but never a Lavender one. So when I saw this I definitely wanted to try it. A lot of Lavender scented things in the drugstore don't even come close to the actual scent of Lavender. This does. It smells like they scented it with real Lavender Oil. The only thing is- I don't pick up any vanilla. They should have just called this Lavender. 

It works just like any other Burt lip balm. If you like the original and want to try other scents I think this is almost just as good as the OG. I do think the original hydrates better though- maybe it has more beeswax? I do find I have to re-apply though. I wouldn't say it drys my lips but it doesn't stay all day. That's OK though because it's like I am having a mini aromatherapy session each time I apply it. 

The ingredients are 100% natural. 

Ingredients: 

helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, beeswax, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, flavor(2), lanolin, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, tocopherol, rebaudioside A, glycine soja (soybean) oil, geraniol, limonene, linalool (2)natural flavor

Overall a solid scent. Just don't expect it to have any vanilla scent. If you like lavender (real Lavender)  and you like Burt's Lip balms, I would recommend it. 

Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread and Red Velvet Cupcake Donuts

 Just a quick foodie post today since I have already finished making my two new things for the week. Mostly baking recipes. And baking recipes are usually super easy for me. 

I haven't made a savory cornbread in years but I always have corn meal on hand. So I was happy to finally give it some use. Originally this recipe is a cheddar bacon cornbread- but I have a feeling I wouldn't like bacon so I replaced it with Jalapeños. I didn't have fresh peppers- because I forgot. So I just used the canned ones. I really like the flavor it had- except the cheddar. I don't think the cheddar really made any difference. And I did feel like this recipe was missing butter. But it was still good. Just not the best cornbread I have ever had.  Served with chili. Because what goes better with cornbread? 

It wasn't browned enough in the picture so I did bake it a bit extra after I took this picture. Also..my bad. You can barely see it. Not sure what I was doing that day when I took the picture (and a bite of the bread). 

Then red velvet cake donuts. Finally...another reason to use the cake donut pan I bought ages ago and barely ever use. I don't really get the point of cake donuts though. A slice of cake or even a cupcake are far superior and a bit less fussy since you don't have to pipe it into the pan. Also...I love red velvet cake but it never translates over well into anything else I've tried it in. Like waffles or cookies. But maybe it's just me and the recipes I've tried. This was OK. But I would rather have/make the cake. It tastes significantly better if you let is sit a day. Also...they came out so ugly. And the icing was a little lumpy because the butter refused to incorporate. Oh well.

So ugly...

I guess it was just my week to bake all the ugly things. And now I'm off the go hide the cake donut pan in the very back of the cabinet and hopefully ignore it for an another couple of years.