Author: Michele Raiyne

Drunk Elephant TLC Happi Scalp Scrub Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 4 Comments

This is a mini review/first impression of Drunk Elephant’s TLC Happi Scalp Scrub; I will update in 2 months (see update below). Happi Scalp Scrub is part of the new Drunk Elephant hair care line developed in collaboration with celebrity hair stylist, Chris McMillan. This product is an AHA/BHA blend that dissolves dead skin cells, oils and product buildup, while biodegradable exfoliating beads sweep them away. According to DE, the scrub should have about 36 uses. The hair line is color safe and is formulated for scalp health. Happi Scalp can also be used on the body and face. The hair and body lines seem more reasonably priced than DE skin care.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cellulose Acetate, Glycolic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactic Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium PCA, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, PCA, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Citric Acid, Aspartic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propanediol, Zinc Oxide, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Happi Scalp uses a 10% TLC Framboos AHA blend (I assume this is similar to the face serum of the same name, which I have not tried). Cellulose acetate makes up the biodegradable spherical scrubbing beads that are very, very fine. This has a number of plant and seed oils and amino acids that nourish the scalp.

Directions: Before showering, on dry hair, apply directly to the scalp. Massage and let sit for 10 or more minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual. Happi Scalp can be used 1 to 2 times a week. There was a clip on Drunk Elephant’s IGTV with Chris McMillan applying the product. He sectioned the hair into one inch sections, applying the product down the part of the scalp, then massaged each section. I think, if done this way, the product would not last very long. It looks like he applied a lot of product. I parted my hair into four sections, applying a thin layer and felt this was enough product.

The scrub has a fine tip nozzle that makes for easy application onto the scalp. This has no added fragrance and smells like sweet almond (quite like almond extract found in the grocery store and used for baking).

I have fine hair. My scalp and hair get oily quite quickly, my scalp can get a bit itchy and I have a few dandruff-like or product buildup flakes. After a hair wash, by the end of the second day/beginning of the third day, it is already pretty oily and in need of a shampoo. I wash my hair once to twice a week, use dry shampoo once a week and a clarifying shampoo once every 3 to 4 weeks. I’ll usually need to shampoo two times each wash to get rid of the oils and buildup.

I’ve used the same products in my hair and have used the same styling process for a few months now – shampoo and condition with Briogeo Banana and Coconut Superfood shampoo and conditioner, apply a leave-in conditioner and Olaplex No. 7. I then spray Briogeo Blossom and Bloom volumizing spray on the roots and blow dry the hair, applying a few more drops of Olaplex No. 7 to smooth any fly-aways.

I used on fourth-day hair. The scrubby beads are very fine and I can’t really feel them while massaging on the scalp. Above, the scalp got a bit reddened due to a combination of the chemical and physical exfoliants and the massaging. Many of the beads seemed to sit on the hair and dropped down onto my shirt and bathroom counter. My scalp got mildly warm for the first couple minutes while the scrub sat on my scalp. The product feels oily on the fingers and the hair. After leaving on the hair for 10 minutes, I rinsed well before shampooing. Despite my hair itself being oily and the plant oils from the scrub added on the hair, as I was rinsing, the hair got much less oily, so this product does dissolve and rinse away some oil buildup even before shampooing.

Usually when I wash my hair, I need two shampoos as the first does not really lather up because of buildup. While shampooing after Happi Scalp, the first application gets quite sudsy and I can use less shampoo. The scrubby beads rinsed well and I didn’t notice any left on the hair after getting out of the shower.

After doing my normal styling routine, the hair looked and felt lighter and seemed to have more volume than usual; same with my next-day hair (usually my next-day hair will be slightly oily and a bit limp). My scalp still had some itchiness, so I guess, depending on the cause, Happi Scalp doesn’t really help with that (at least in my case).

I used Happi Scalp as a body scrub while in the shower. I want to use this mainly for the hair, so just used on knees, arms, elbows, heels and underarms. The scrubbing beads do not dissolve in water and are very fine, so not irritating to skin but also not very effective to smooth the body. On rinsing, the skin does not feel much smoother, but had a bit more moisture due to the plant oils. A sugar scrub works better than this and the pumice scrub from First Aid Beauty works even better. Happi Scalp is not very effective as a body scrub.

The scrub can be used on the face, keeping in mind other acids and retinols used in the skin care routine, and using the scrub on alternating days. I applied to clean, dry skin; this was too harsh even massaging very lightly, so I added some water, rubbed gently onto the skin and let sit for about 5 to 7 minutes. My face did not sting or get warm, but my cheeks got a bit red. The beads rinsed well, but I was left with an oily layer on the skin, so cleansed the skin again before applying a hydrating toner. My skin was very smooth and had a bit of a glow. I think I will likely use this on the face again once a week, but would use on my skin in the morning (since the skin is cleaner than in the evening) before cleansing and continuing with the rest of my routine.

I’ve only used Happi Scalp once (I will be using once a week) and will post an update here in 2 months. Thus far I really like this product and it might become a favorite. Happi Scalp Scrub is not a shampoo and does not have surfactants like that of a clarifying shampoo, but I can probably do less clarifying shampoos since the scrub does a good job of removing oil and product buildup on the scalp and roots. I likely will not need as much shampoo when I use this product.

Update (June 9, 2020):

I have been using Happi Scalp for 2 months now twice a week. When zooming in on the photos, in the before picture, I have a few flakes and what looks like oil sort of attached to the hair follicle, both of which have improved over the 2 months. The hair has continued to have more volume and feels lighter on the scalp. I am not sure how necessary the exfoliating beads are to this product and I wish it was a little thinner or at least more easily spread. I did end up sectioning the hair into 1-inch sections and applying a thin layer, as the product does not really go a long way. My scalp still gets mildly itchy a few hours after washing.

I’m not sure I can call this particular product a favorite, given that I’ve not tried any other scalp scrubs, but rather more of a favorite concept to add to my routine.

I am still happy with the scalp scrub and my scalp health has improved. I would purchase again, but feel the formula could be improved a bit.

Thank you for reading.

The Chemistry Brand Hand Chemistry Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

Hand Chemistry is a hand lotion from Deciem’s The Chemistry Brand that claims to target 8 signs of hand aging (brightness, elasticity, firmness, smoothness, density, evenness, hydration and texture), with noticeable results in 11 days.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Copper Lysinate/Prolinate, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Methylglucoside Phosphate, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Betaine, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool

Some unfamiliar ingredients – Plukenetia Volubilis seed oil, also known as sacha inchi oil, is from the Amazon rainforest rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Copper lysinate/prolinate is an amino acid/mineral complex that has the potential to target signs of aging. Plantago Lanceolata (also known as plantain) leaf extract has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Hand Chemistry contains fragrance and limonene and linalool are used as fragrance as well.

Directions: Apply to clean hands morning and evening.

I am 39 years old and have noticed fine lines and dull, thin and dry skin on my hands over the last couple years. I’ve used Hand Chemistry for 2 months so far, morning and evening, a bit less than one pump.

This is quite a thick cream. The fragrance itself is not bad or particularly overpowering and fades after a bit, but there is something about it that really bothered me for the first few uses, so much so that I got headaches (which is unusual; I am not generally sensitive to smells). After a few uses I guess I got used to it and no longer get headaches. The scent is an odd, sweet, cherry, bubble gum smell.

The lotion absorbs quite quickly with no greasy or heavy residue that leaves a protective moisture barrier after massaging into the hands. If I use too much product, or continue to massage in after the lotion is mostly absorbed, the product pills on the skin. The hands feel immediately hydrated, smooth and soft, however, this feeling does not too long, nor lasts past a hand wash (or even just a rinse with water) as with some other hand lotions I’ve tried.

Hand Chemistry provided some surface hydration; I expected a better level of moisture after 2 months of twice-a-day use. My hands still feel dry.

I didn’t feel or notice any improvement in brightness or smoothing of fine lines just looking at my hands, but in the photos above, there is noticeable improvement in these areas, particularly with brightness around the knuckles and an overall smoothed appearance of fine lines on the hands. My skin does not feel like it has improved density.

I am undecided about this product; I had hoped hydration and moisture to be better, but there is improved brightness and smoothing of fine lines. I recently got a hand/body lotion with 10% glycolic acid, so maybe using this or another more hydrating lotion (my favorite is from Akita Rosewater) under the Hand Chemistry would show more improvement. I also wonder if I can get similar benefit with using a routine similar to facial skin care with hyaluronic acid, a toner, niacinamide and a hydrating lotion perhaps; so a few things to try in the coming months.

Thank you for reading.

No Pong Deodorant Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

No Pong is an all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant (not antiperspirant). No Pong started in Australia and then set up manufacturing and shipping in Canada. No Pong comes in baking soda and baking soda-free versions. No Pong claims to last 12 hours while reducing underarm bacteria that causes odor, absorbing sweat and allowing skin to breathe.

Ingredients (original): Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Corn Starch, Beeswax, proprietary blend of 100% pure, Canadian certified organic essential oils consisting of Lemongrass Organic, Orange Sweet Organic, Vanilla Oleoresin (4 fold) Organic, Cedarwood Organic, and Geranium Organic

Ingredients (baking soda-free): Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Magnesium Hydroxide, Diatomaceous Earth, Beeswax, reduced concentration of proprietary blend of 100% pure, Canadian certified organic essential oils consisting of Lemongrass Organic, Orange Sweet Organic, Vanilla Oleoresin (4 fold) Organic, Cedarwood Organic, Geranium Organic

According to the No Pong website, the scent is citrus with a hint of vanilla. To me, it had a very mild lemon grass/citrus scent. I think I read on Instagram that the baking soda-free version has half the amount of fragrance to the baking soda version.

Directions: Apply a pea-sized amount to the underarms to create a thin, invisible layer.

Having recently run out of my Kopari deodorant, I thought I’d try No Pong as I kept seeing this on Instagram ads. It comes in a little tin and should last about a month. Having used Routine Cream with baking soda, I found my skin does not like baking soda and my underarms turned quite dark with use, so I got the No Pong baking soda-free version.

No Pong is a very thick cream deodorant that is applied with the fingers. I applied a pea-sized amount and rubbed in, let it warm up, and rubbed in a bit more. Once rubbed in, it is invisible. It does not transfer to or stain clothing. The scent is very subtle and the scent itself lasted about 4 hours. After the 4 hours and continuing to about 10 to 11 hours just hanging out at home, my underarms were not stinky, so the ingredients continued to reduce underarm bacteria even though the scent did not last. I applied 2 hours before a workout and after exercising the fragrance faded, but there was no underarm odor. Continuing through the day, the deodorant continued to be effective. While No Pong claims to absorb some sweat, I’m not sure I was any less sweaty than usual.

I usually have a shower in the evening and apply deodorant at night also, as I can get relatively sweaty/stinky through the night. No Pong was not effective at night to reduce underarm odor; the Kopari deodorant worked very well for this purpose.

I do not like the packaging. The deodorant is filled to the top of the tin and being a cream that is not solid, the lid and outside the tin gets messy. I like the jars with the screw-top lids that Routine Cream has.

No Pong deodorant is quite effective, however, I wish the fragrance lasted longer and that the tin was not so messy.

Update (April 1, 2020): After posting a photo and mini review of the product on Instagram stating how messy this product is, the company sent me a message saying that it looks like I received a tin that had been repeatedly frozen and thawed during shipping, which has happened a few times. The softening does not affect the effectiveness of the product, but does affect texture as there are no chemical stabilizers. They kindly offered me a replacement. I declined because the effectiveness is unchanged and I imagine the same thing happening. I notice too that when it is warmer in my house, the oils in No Pong separate, so if shipped in warmer weather with no repeated freezing and thawing, there would be separation.

This is not my favorite deodorant that I’ve tried, but it is effective and I might consider repurchasing. Thank you for reading.

First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 13 Comments

KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub by First Aid Beauty is a scrub that contains pumice as a physical exfoliant and 10% glycolic and lactic acids as chemical exfoliants. This is safe for all skin types and is fragrance-free. This claims that the AHAs loosen the top layer of skin and decongest pores, while the pumice sweeps it away, helping improve rough, dry bumps and dry skin, revealing smooth, healthy-looking skin. Despite this product being called KP Bump Eraser, this makes no claims on nor mentions keratosis pilaris on the packaging or website.

Ingredients: Pumice, Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lactic Acid, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitol, Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-20, Steareth-21, Myristic Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, EDTA.

Bisabolol and colloidal oatmeal soothe the skin. Feverfew and licorice root can help red irritated skin.

Directions: Using one to two times a week, apply to wet skin and massage on affected areas. Rinse and pat dry. Follow with a moisturizer. Do not use on the face.

Keratosis pilaris is the result of a buildup of keratin that clogs the opening of the hair follicles and causes bumpy, rough skin, often affecting the upper arms, thighs, buttocks or cheeks. KP is also called chicken skin or strawberry skin. There is no cure or preventative, but the skin can be made to look better by exfoliating and moisturizing.

I have had KP on my upper legs and upper arms and small pimples and whiteheads on my chest for the last 10 or so years and bought KP Bump Eraser in hopes of smoothing and improving the appearance of my skin. I used once a week for a month and then twice a week for the remaining 2-1/2 months. After massaging, I let this sit on my skin for a couple minutes while washing my hair to get the benefit of the AHAs, and followed with a moisturizer.

The product has fine-grain pumice that is not irritating when massaging on the skin. It has a mildly acidic scent. This rinses off well in the shower.

From the first use, my skin felt very smooth. I use sugar scrubs regularly and while my skin feels smooth, the KP Bump Eraser works so much better to exfoliate the skin because unlike sugar, pumice does not dissolve in water so it can be scrubbed for longer. My arms had some improvement in overall skin tone and smoothness of the bumps. I was hoping for more improvement for the breakouts on my chest. My legs, being the most affected, had the most improvement in redness and overall appearance of the bumpy skin (the worse the skin is, the more noticeable the improvement will be). My shins are often quite dry and this sloughed off the dry skin.

I wonder how much the AHAs in the scrub have an effect on the skin, being a rinse-off product, and if I would get the same results without the addition of the chemical exfoliant. I’ve just purchased the Skin Smoothing Body Lotion with 10% AHA from Reversa to see if I get further improvement.

With First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser, the smoothness of the skin is very good, the look of dry skin is improved, overall skin tone is a bit better and bumps are generally improved. I would repurchase.

Thank you for reading.

The Chemistry Brand Heel Chemistry Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 3 Comments

Heel Chemistry is a lotion by Deciem’s The Chemistry Brand that can be used on the heels and other areas that are very dry. This formula claims to hydrate cracked skin and provide hydration below the surface to improve hard skin, while providing a cooling effect, with results within 2 weeks.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Betaine, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Linalool.

Heel Chemistry contains a marine complex proven to improve skin texture and hydration and counteracting extreme dryness. Calendula provides healing and regeneration for short term and long term results. This does not contain urea or acids.

Directions: Apply to dry areas twice a day for 14 days and then as-needed thereafter. This can be used on heels, hands, elbows, knees and other very dry areas.

This is a thicker cream that has a minty scent. It is not oily or greasy. It absorbs after a couple seconds and has a cooling effect from the menthol and menthyl lactate.

I have very dry feet and heels with layers of hard skin on my heel and a callous on my big toe. I used Heel Chemistry twice a day all over the feet for about 17 days and once a day for the remainder of the month.

I didn’t take a photo at 14 days, but there was improvement in hydration and the rough feeling of the skin.

At one month, my skin felt softer, more hydrated and the roughness was gone. The callous on my big toe was more hydrated and softer, but still felt thick.

Heel Chemistry comes in a 100 mL tube and lasted me one month, using as above. I hope Deciem makes a larger size at some point. Once I ran out, after a couple days, my heels started getting a bit drier and a bit rougher. Overall, the results are pretty great and I will repurchase.

Thank you for reading.