I owned rain boots in Kingston but they didn’t last long due to me wearing them in sub-zero temperatures every day (my Uggs simply did not hold up to the snow that seemed to be perpetually melting). Both of them developed small cuts in the rubber that allowed the water to seep in. After I moved back to Vancouver, I just never thought of buying rain boots because of the amazing weather that we’ve been getting all summer long. Before I knew it, it was rainy season and I was in panic mode. I managed to hold off the purchase of rain boots by wearing my suede boots and avoiding puddles, but I knew this day had to come… so come Cyber Monday, I finally purchased them.

I purchased the Equestrian Bit Solid Black Rain Boots by Dav. I’ve been trying to avoid the farmer look so these are perfect for me. Thanks to Vonnie for sending me the link or else I would have never found them, and on sale too!

I love them, they look nothing like rain boots!

They are very nicely padded with fleece and cotton on the shaft and soles so they are warmer than normal rainboots. The problem I have though, is that they are very heavy and bulky. I also do not have big calves but these fit almost too perfectly around my calves that I wouldn’t be able to wear them with anything too thick. I didn’t have this problem with the rainboots I owned in Kingston (or with any other boots) so it means that the shaft is too narrow on these boots. I’m a size 6-8 (US) so anyone bigger than me would not be able to fit in these.

You can see Emmy Rossum wearing them, looking super stylish.

What do you think?

SUQQU Repair Essence

• Texture: Light translucent gel/viscous lotion
• Scent: Subtle floral scent with a bit of alcohol peeking through
• Effect: Absorbs instantly without residue, but isn’t hydrating on its own.
• Price: £85.00 for 50mL
• Overall: This is more of a “preparation” serum than a real hydrating serum. You’re supposed to use this as the first step of your skincare regime after cleansing, even more toner/lotion. The purpose of this step is to help the absorption and effects of all other skincare items you use after this. However, I didn’t really notice a difference in my skin with or without using this product. It is hydrating, but not hydrating enough to use on its own so I usually layer another hydrating serum on top of that, and then my moisturizer.

SUQQU Bounce Barrier Cream

• Texture: Medium-thick cream (not greasy or heavy)
• Scent: Subtle floral scent, very soothing
• Effect: Absorbs instantly, very moisturizing but not at all greasy or heavy
• Price: not sure, but I believe it is about £85.00 for 30mL (will confirm!)
• Overall: I LOVE THIS CREAM!!! This is the perfect cream for wintertime as it is thick and hydrating while also protecting my skin from the wind, but it is never greasy or heavy. It absorbs very well and it leaves my skin feeling very plump and comfortable. I absolutely LOVE it. The only issue is that it is very, very expensive. I don’t know if I will purchase a full-size, maybe when Selfridges is doing their 10% off friends and family sale. This cream is great for those who have dry, normal to dry, or normal skin.

SUQQU Bounce Barrier Gel Cream

• Texture: Thick gel-cream
• Scent: Subtle floral scent, very soothing
• Effect: Absorbs instantly and moisturizing, but much lighter than the Bounce Barrier Cream
• Price: not sure, but I believe it is about £85.00 for 30mL (will confirm!)
• Overall: This is a much lighter moisturizer compared to Bounce Barrier Cream, and as such, it is too light for me in the winter. This doesn’t provide much of a barrier against the cold as it absorbs completely into the skin. I feel this would be a better moisturizer for the summer, or for someone with combination or oily skin.

PRIVE Reparative Shampoo

What it claims (from PriveProducts.com): Enriched with aloe vera and orchid, Herbal Blend #6 delivers rich moisture and silky softness to dry, damaged and chemically treated hair. This color safe formula deeply cleanses, soothes and detangles for maximum rejuvenation and repair.

Price: $21.50USD for 250mL from PriveProducts.com

Texture/Scent: Thick viscous gel-liquid, smells like cucumbers

The good: I love that it leaves my hair clean but not stripped. The scent is very comforting, but not overwhelming, which is good after a long day of work. I like the simple, minimal packaging. The bottle can be reused for other purposes after, which is good.

• Hair is clean but not stripped
• Comforting scent
• Simple, reusable packaging

The bad: I find that it doesn’t foam up as well when hair is slightly greasier than usual. It is not a good grease-fighter. I also need a LOT of this when I had long hair (yes I cut mine shoulder-length, so it isn’t as bad). For the amount of product you get for the price, and the amount you need to use each time, the value is not good at all.

• Doesn’t foam up well with greasy hair
• Must use a lot with long hair
• Pricey

Overall: This shampoo was designed to moisturize and repair and I agree that this is what it does perfectly. While it doesn’t cut grease, it was never meant for that purpose so I still love it for what it can do. I will recommend this product if you have dry, normal-to-dry or damaged (from perm, colouring, etc.) hair.

Product: 16/20
Packaging: 5/5
Value: 2.5/5
Overall: 23.5/30 | B-
Repurchase? Likely not

Ingredients:

Click for the conditioner (which I love) review… 

PRIVE Reparative Conditioner

Ingredients:

In summary…

After a few months of using these products together, I feel that my hair is heavier and not as straw-like compared to before. I especially liked the conditioner, which is moisturizing but light. I would definitely recommend the conditioner to anyone (unless they have oily hair), but I still have reservations for the shampoo.

Some more packaging photos: