Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Cat Reviews: Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Aloha Friends!!!  Long time no blog...  I promised you guys that I'd post more since I was on winter break from school, but turns out I will super busy and didn't have time to post.  I'm so so soooo sorry, but I'm back today and I have a special review for you guys!!!

Today's special Cat Reviews is of Maple Holistics's Tea Tree Oil ShampooMaple Holistics was super nice and reached out to me and asked if I'd like to try their products, and of course I just couldn't say no.  Their Tea Tree Oil Shampoo claims to keep your hair soft and dandruff free, while also moisturizing your hair and scalp to promote hair growth.  It also claims to be soothe your scalp and skin if it's irritated, as well as fight lice.  It is cruelty, parabens, GMO, and gluten free too!

When I received the shampoo, I was really excited because tea tree oil is known for it's amazing healing and restorative abilities.  You can use it to treat wounds, heal scars, etc., so I was literally over the moon when I got to try it in a shampoo form.  The first thing I noticed about the shampoo was the smell.  You definitely can't miss it, it's smells really strongly of tea tree oil, which is what you'd want it to smell like, of course.  Though the smell was really strong, it showed me that this is definitely an all natural shampoo that didn't include any fragrances or chemicals that could potentially irritate my scalp and skin.  When you're in the shower, the smell is SUPER STRONG, it's inevitable (aka why your farts smell stronger in the shower lol), but it wasn't unbearable or anything.  Surprisingly, the shampoo lathered A LOT more than I expected, since natural and "free-of-everything" shampoos rarely lather well, it was really nice.  I like shampoos to lather because it feels like it's actually doing a job.  Is that only me??  I conditioned my hair with my usual L'Oreal conditioner after using the shampoo since I have generally pretty dry ends.  Once I got out of the shower, I noticed that my scalp was pretty pink, but that happens to me often when I try a new hair product since my scalp is sensitive.  Aside from the redness, I noticed my scalp was actually pretty flaky too.  I'm sure if I didn't wash the shampoo out well enough, leaving residue, or it's a result of my overly sensitive scalp reacting to the new shampoo.  I gave it a second try, and the same thing happened, so I decided to discontinue use and gave it to my brother, who actually REALLY LOVES IT.

My brother has been on the hunt for a good tea tree oil shampoo that will help him with how oily his scalp is, as well as to promote more hair growth, and THIS WAS IT.  He wasn't a huge fan of the scent, like me, but loved everything else about it.  He had noticeably thicker and less oily hair after using the tea tree oil shampoo; it was honestly amazing to see.  He was so impressed with the shampoo, that he went and purchased the tea tree oil conditioner to use along side the shampoo and GOD HIS HAIR IS SO GREAT NOW.  He already asked me to help him purchase another bottle of the shampoo soon!

Overall, Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Shampoo was a huge hit for my brother, but sort of a miss for me.  I really wanted to love it.  My hair felt nice and clean after I washed my hair with the shampoo, but it just didn't look great and my scalp didn't react well to it.  I'm really happy that it worked for my brother and that the conditioner is the perfect partner for the shampoo!

Thank you so much to Maple Holistics for sending me their awesome Tea Tree Oil Shampoo!  They are such a wonderful brand that makes amazing natural products from human shampoo to pet shampoo, and you'd like to try them out, CLICK HERE where you'll be able to explore their brand and request free samples!!

As always, thanks so much for reading!!!  I hope you all have the chance to give Maple Holistics a try, whether through their free sample program, or by purchasing something.  Let me know what you thought about any of their products that you've tried too!!

With Love,
Caitlyn

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Friday, January 5, 2018

Cat Reviews: SnackFever LOVE K-POP Box

Aloha friends!!  Sorry for missing Wednesday's post - I was busy at work so I didn't have time to write a post - but to make up for it, I'll be posting Monday, Wednesday, AND Friday next week!! Whoooooo!!!!  Anyways, today's post is my review of the SnackFever LOVE K-POP box!

This isn't my first time receiving a SnackFever box, I got one last June (that was also KPop themed) and loved it, so when I saw they were offering a K-POP box, I had to snag it.  This Kpop box isn't just any Kpop box, however.  It is EXO themed!!!  Aka, another reason I needed it in my life.  I was hesitant to buy it when I saw the price, it was $56.99, but thank god for coupons so I didn't have to pay that much lol.  It was a one-time box, which is different from SnackFever's usual subscription boxes, and featured 7 Kpop goodies, including premium items, 1 Korean snack loved by EXO, and a special sticker by SnackFever.  It shipped from Busan, South Korea, and took a little while to ship, which is understandable since I did order around the holidays, but once it did ship, it arrived really quickly!  Below are all the goodies that came in my box!

I really loved the way the box was set up, and that incredible detail that went into it.  The box is custom to the theme, which is different from my last box, which was just a regular SnackFever box, so I really appreciate the effort and care that went into designing the packaging.  It was difficult to take a photo of everything while it was in the box, so enjoy this fun little quick-unboxing video (featuring my cat who always wants to be the center of attention...)

WHAT WAS IN THE BOX?
Like I mentioned earlier, the LOVE K-POP box featured 7 Kpop goodies, including premium items, 1 Korean snack loved by EXO, and a special sticker by SnackFever.  I was honestly really impressed by everything that came in the box. It was nothing like the KoreaBox I received a while back.  These are quality items.  Although the items weren't official, which would have honestly made the high price of this box more understandable, it wasn't the cheap, poorly made items I've gotten in the past from other boxes.

When opening the box, the first item was the little card with all the info about all the limited edition, one-time boxes that SnackFever offered.  Ours is the LOVE K-Pop box, in case you forgot lol.

Next up is the "special sticker by SnackFever".  It's honestly super cute, and a great memento of getting this box.  If I was still loading my laptop with stickers, this one definitely would make the cut.

Next in the box was this super cute mirror!  One side is EXO's photo and the other is a mirror.  It's the perfect size for your purse or backpack and the quality is actually really great.  Like you know Forever 21 mini mirror quality?  This is like 50 times better.  I couldn't find a similar one to what I got, but here's a Chanyeol one that's a similar style for $1.50!

Following the mirror was this adorable mini 2018 calendar.  This is probably my favorite item in the box because I love calendars lol, and the quality is really great.  The only thing about it however, is that I wish the manufacturer put EXO related anniversaries and important dates in it, like members' birthdays, EXO-L day, debut day, etc.  It's not that it's a bad thing that the calendar doesn't have it, I just think it would've been a great detail to add.  Get the same calendar here for $7.50!

Next is this SUUUUUPER cute pouch!  This is the one item in the box that really impressed me in terms of quality.  The gold metallic that makes up the EXO on the front is not just cheap iron on vinyl that a lot of these pouch often have, but it's like some good quality stuff lol.  The zipper pull is cool too!  It's a little two-sided keychain with EXO's photo!  Get a similar one here for $13.99!

After the pouch, I discovered two sticker sheets!!!  Those who know me well know how much I LOOOOVE stickers, so I was super happy when I saw these, and I was even happier when I saw that one sheet is a standing sticker, and the other is label sticker.  I'll uhm, probably never use them because they're so cute, but I'm glad I can stare at them lol.  Get the same Standing Stickers here for $6.99!  Get the same label sticker here for $5.50!

And FINALLY... A SNACK!!!  The "Korean snack loved by EXO" was none other than Pepero!  This particular one is White Cookie flavored, or basically, cookies and cream.  I was honestly kind of disappointed to see that it was just Pepero, since it's now something you can get in most grocery stores in the States that have an "Asian" section.  Also, I know EXO are brand ambassadors for Pepero right now, but like I've never even seen them eat it other than in the CFs soooo...  All that aside, I'll still eat it because I love Pepero, but does EXO...?  Get yourself some yummy White Cookie Pepero here for $9.99 for a pack of four!

Next in the box was an adorable little EXO name tag, like the ones you see the kiddos wearing at school in Kdramas lol.  This was the one item that had me a little disappointed about it's quality.  The sticker that is sitting on top of the plastic plate is off center and cut a little off too, but I'll still put it on my backpack because I like it.  Get a similar one here for $9.90!

The LAST item in the box was one that I wasn't expecting!  It's a cute EXO mini blanket!!!  We all remember my gripe about the last EXO mini blanket I got, but this one is so much better!!  It has that really soft, plushy feeling on the side with the image and my cat really liked it (I think she likes Sehun lol).  Even though it is SUUUUPER small, like really frickin small, I still like it.  Would I use it?  Idk what I'd use it for so...  But overall, I think the quality is great and it was even better than Chanyeol's face was in the front of the package lol.  Get the same one here for $30! (I don't think it's the same plushy material tho)

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I did really enjoy the SnackFever LOVE K-POP box.  Like I already mentioned, I think the price point was a little shocking at first, but after looking up the items or similar ones, I think the price isn't necessarily fair, but understandable.  Although I think they could do without charging $3.99 for shipping...  I am still surprised by the great quality of the items in the box, and I still really appreciate the time and effort that went into putting this box together.  My only real complaint about this box is that I wish it included more snacks!  It is a SNACKFever box, so I just thought there would be more snacks, or at least a snack that's harder to find here in the States.  Maybe I just love snacks too much lol, but I do think that if SnackFever were to come out with this box again, or something similar, I recommend you snatch it!!  Everything I've ever gotten from SnackFever did not disappoint, so definitely give them a try if you haven't already!

Interested in trying out SnackFever??  CLICK HERE TO TRY IT OUT!

As always, thanks so much for reading!!!  Did you get the LOVE K-POP box too or have tried SnackFever before??  Tweet me what you thought about it @thecaitlynlee!!!

With Love,
Caitlyn <3

Caitlyn's Links:
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