Product review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Facial Sunscreen 70 SPF

I have been looking for a strong and effective sunscreen that does not leave a white sheen on my face.  I also prefer unscented sunscreens.  This Neutrogena sunscreen has a very faint scent (not unpleasant) but it goes on totally clear. This sunblock is a creamy white lotion.  It is a little more runny then other Neutrogena sunscreens I have tried, I like its consistency because it is easy to spread.  The bottle is fairly small (attached photo shows it on 1/2" grid), so it fits into my purse and I carry it with me all the time so I can re-apply when I am away from home. I have not noticed any stains on my clothing (especially around the neck where some sunscreens tend to leave yellow stains).  I am pretty pleased and plan to purchase it again.

Ali Julia review

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: Heads You Win, Jeffrey Archer (spoiler alert)

I loved this book, it is quite unique in that it really is two different stories - two alternative lives because it could have gone either way based on the toss of a coin made in the beginning of the story.  Both stories are fascinating and kept me on the edge of the seat until the very end where I suddenly was thrown into a complete confusion "What just happened?"  Only after re-reading the last several chapters again, I saw that Jeffrey Archer did not reconcile the two stories but gave us a dual ending.

I had no trouble keeping the two stories apart up until the very end. One story tells us what happens to Alexander Karpenko when he emigrates to England, the other how he life turns out after he emigrates to United States. I was wondering through out the book how he will resolve the two lives, how will the two story lines converge. But the ending was not what I expected at all.  The book ends with a surprise and a cliff-hanger. The surprise had to be that way to make the story believable. The cliff-hanger, however, is most  unusual.  Through out the book the heros were referred by nick names of Alexander - as Alex and Sasha - where as at the very end Jeffrey Archer began referring to the hero as Alexander so the reader could not really know which one of them the author was referring to.

After I finished the book I search for various "spoilers" to help me resolve the ending, and I found that I was not alone in my confusion. I will not reveal the spoilers here, but if you search for the word "spoiler" and the book title you will find them.

And no, the unresolved ending did not make me like the book less. Quite the opposite, it left me wanting more! What a way to end the story!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Visine Dry Eye (less expensive but not as good)

I normally use Refresh eye drop several times a day for dry eyes.  Refresh is pretty expensive, so I decided to try Visine Dry Eye drops. They are less expensive, but they don't work as well. They provide very short term release. I will no be buying them again.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Product review: BodyGlide Anti-Chafe Balm

For years I suffered with blisters on my pinky toes when I walk for more than 30 minutes. I tried various remedies which did not work until I found Glide. Even orthopedic shoes did not fully cure the issue. But Glide did. I put a little bit between my toes, smooth it out with a finger, and I can walk all day without any ill effects.  Recently BodyGlide introduced FootGlide which works just as well.  I buy which ever one is cheaper when I need a new one.

Glide does not feel greasy or slippery, it just works. My skin feels softer too. My blister covered pinkie toes now look smooth and pretty like baby toes! One large bottle lasts a long time (more than a year of daily use).
I use the smaller 0.45 oz bottle when I travel. I don't leave the house without applying BodyGlide to my toes, it is now part of the routine like applying deodorant.

If you have a problem with blisters on your feet, I highly recommend it!

You can find FootGlide on Amazon by following this link.


You can find BodyGlide on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Lepard Printed 3D Hoodie Sweatshirt

This Hoodie has a super cute design (Leopard). It is all over design (front, back, hoodie) and the colors are vibrant. The hoodie tightens with the cord but overall it is a pull over hoodie, there is no zipper or any other closure on the dront of the sweatshirt itself.  The sweatshirt has no labels, it feels like a stretchy nylon type material. It is slippery to touch. It is has a white nylon liner over the entire inside side.  It feels nice to touch.  I have washed it in cold water and it did not shrink.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Book review: The British Mad Dog: Debunking the Myth of Winston Churchill by M S King

This book might have been interesting if it was not written in such a hateful tone. The book has a large number of photos which I enjoyed. However the tone and the choice of words totally discredits the research as it appears that the author has a personal vendetta rather someone presenting historical facts. The homophobic name calling, racist comments about Jews and other ethnicities appear purposely inflammatory in way that discredit the author as a serious researcher or a person worth listening to.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Product review: TEESTA - Masala Loose Leaf Tea

I like drinking loose black tea, I recently discovered Teesla teas. Teesta is a tea that comes from North-East India. Masala tea is rich and fragrant flavor. After brewing for 2 minutes it has nice copper color. In the attached photos you see Teesla Masala tea after 2 minute of brewing in hot water which is just below boil (90°C/194 °F).

The tea comes in a bag with a zip closure. The closure closes well and it takes a bit of force to re-open it (this is a good thing).

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★