A Maze of Reviews
  • Home
  • Beauty
    • Skin Care by Brand >
      • 180 Cosmetics
      • Baie Botanique
      • Beauty by Earth
      • Belle Azul >
        • Belle Azul: Bio Smart
        • Belle Azul: Body
        • Belle Azul: Face
      • BioSphère Naturel
      • Bodi Skincare
      • Nailine
      • OZ Naturals >
        • OZ Naturals - Video Presentation
      • Radiant Life
      • Simon & Tom >
        • Simon & Tom (2)
        • Simon & Tom: (3)
        • Simon & Tom: Hair
        • Simon & Tom: Pure Hydra
        • Simon & Tom: Smart Genesis
      • Sinivalia >
        • Sinivalia - Video Presentation
      • Spa Technologies UK
      • Sweetsation Therapy >
        • Sweetsation Therapy: Anti Cellulite
      • Yoffee
      • Zaffiro Organica >
        • Zaffiro Organica (2)
    • Skin Care by Type >
      • Argan Oil Based Products
      • Multi-product Treatments
      • Rose Based Skin Care
      • Serums
    • Grooming & Personal Care >
      • Body Weight Scales
      • Cash & Bash (Gents) >
        • Cash & Bash (Ladies)
      • Konjac Sponges
      • Nail Care >
        • GRÜV: Ultimate Nail Lacquer >
          • GRÜV: Accessories
        • Nail Polish & Base
      • Toothbrushes
      • TopNotch Brushes
      • Ultrasonic Beauty
    • Anti-cellulite creams
    • Cosmetics >
      • Cosmetic Applicators
      • Cosmetic Organizers >
        • Kurtzy Organizers
      • Eye Make-up
      • Face Makeup
    • Essential Oils >
      • Aroma Diffusers
      • Aromata Essential Oils
    • Fitness Equipment >
      • Earth Therapy Magnetic Jewellery
      • Electrostimulators
      • Home Gym >
        • Capital Sports
        • Elite Body Squad
        • Just be...
      • Microfibre Towels
      • Pain Relief Gels
      • Swimming Gear >
        • ANGGO
      • TempIR
      • TomTom TOUCH
    • Fragrances >
      • Blaviar
    • Hair Products >
      • Hair Colouring
  • Fashion
    • Accessories >
      • Apparel North
      • Cyxus Anti-glare Glasses
      • Duco Anti-glare Glasses
      • Ecosusi
      • Handbags
      • PLEMO
      • Sunglasses
      • Wigs by MelodySusie
    • ACEVOG (1) >
      • ACEVOG (2)
      • ACEVOG (3)
    • Activewear & Sport Braces >
      • Bracoo and Fytto
      • Jimmy Design >
        • Jimmy Design Sports Bras
        • Jimmy Design Women's Gym Leggings
        • Jimmy Design Women's Gym Tops
      • Lorata
    • Alexis Leroy: Dresses >
      • Alexis Leroy: Men's Shoes
      • Alexis Leroy: Sandals
      • Alexis Leroy: Women's Shoes
    • Demon&Hunter
    • L'Alysse
    • Lingerie & Underwear >
      • Avidlove
      • Corsets & Waist Cinchers
      • Ekouaer Lingerie >
        • Ekouaer (2)
      • Lapasa
      • Loveryoyo
      • Surenow
    • Meaneor (1) >
      • Meaneor (2)
      • Meaneor (3)
      • Meaneor (4)
    • Relleciga
    • Senfloco
    • ZLYC
  • Household Products
    • Bathroom Items
    • Clothes Drying
    • Furnishings >
      • Apalus
      • Dayton Home & Office
      • Furniture
      • Soft Furnishings
    • Garden & Gardening >
      • Blumfeldt Solar Birdbath Fountain
      • Swimming Pool
    • Home Office >
      • Laptop Bags
      • Printers, Scanners, Laminators
    • Household Appliances >
      • Dehumidifiers
    • Kitchen Stuff >
      • Bottles
      • GreenPaxx
      • Kitchen Appliances
      • Kitchen Utensils >
        • Silicone Mats & Moulds
        • Spice Grinders
      • Kuuk
      • Stoga
    • Lighting: Indoor Fixtures >
      • Desk Lamps
      • Fairy Lights
      • Indoor Motion Activated
      • Light Projectors
    • Lighting Outdoor: Battery-powered >
      • Camping Lamps
      • Solar Continuous Lighting
      • Solar Sensor Lighting
    • Pet Products >
      • Super Design by ThinkPet
    • Sewing Supplies
    • Travel Organizers & Bags >
      • Bago
      • Ecosusi Travel Bags
    • Wireless Doorbells
  • Photography
    • Action Cam - Dazzne P2
    • Action Cam - DBPOWER SJ4000
    • Action Cam - SooCoo S60
    • Binoculars & Endoscopes
    • Cleaning Kits & Accessories
    • Flash accessories
    • GOBE
    • LED Projectors
    • Softbox Photo Lights (Amzdeal)
  • Tech
    • Bluetooth Speakers >
      • Audio Dynamix
      • iDea USA Taco Dual
      • Bluetooth Transmitters
    • Chargers
    • Computer Mice & Styluses
    • Data Cables
    • External & Flash Drives >
      • USB Hard Drive Enclosures
    • Headphones >
      • Earbuds
    • Keyboards
    • LED Monitors
    • Media players (DVD, mp3, mp4)
    • Power Banks / Battery Packs
    • Tablets & Phones >
      • UMI & Divoix
    • USB Hubs & Adapters
  • Everything else
    • Art Supplies >
      • Creoly Journals
      • Daveliou Art Supplies
      • Daveliou Paint Colours
    • Car / Vehicle Specific
    • CDs & DVDs >
      • Movies
      • Music
      • Music - Concert for George
      • Music - Laura Sullivan
    • Food & Supplements >
      • Fairvital
      • Gourmesso Coffee Capsules
      • Incite Nutrition
      • Ma Devlin's Coconut Oil and Supplements
      • Matcha Green Tea
      • PacificCoast NutriLabs Supplements
      • Teasire Herbal Teas
      • Vitamintrend
    • Music Related >
      • Auna / OneConcept Audio
      • Microphones
      • Nordic Essentials
      • Tuners
  • Spotlight
  • My Reviewing Credo
  • Request a Book Review
  • Proofreading / Copy-Editing
  • Site Index
  • Privacy Policy

A few words about my "reviewing credo" and star rating system

Since I post most of my reviews on Amazon, it made sense to adopt their Star Rating system of five stars, which goes as follows:
1 Star =      I hate it
2 Stars =    I don't like it
3 Stars =    It's okay
4 Stars =    I like it
5 Stars =    I love it
   
Picture
I try to evaluate and rate each item on its own merits, but also taking into account the description and any claims made by the manufacturer.  Reviewing is not an Olympic sport, where there can only be one winner.  If a product is as described, of good quality, and appropriately priced, I have no problem giving it 5 stars.  If I notice some drawbacks that impact its value and enjoyment, but still make the purchase worthwhile, I rate it 4 stars.  The rating I use the least is 3 stars, perhaps because I tend to be, in my husband's diplomatic-speak, rather opinionated.  If something is no better than okay, I see little point in buying it regardless of price, especially if there are other options.  I also use this rating for the occasional product that performs well for a year or two, and then fails or becomes unusable.  My thinking is that I've had my money's worth, but to keep a top ranking, a product should really exceed the average in both quality and life span.

Most items I have bought online have turned out to be as good or better than I expected.  I think it's down to research more than good luck.  Poor merchants exist, but they are quickly weeded out by the review process.  However, sometimes a purchase disappoints and I try to explain my reasons, as your expectations may be different from mine.  A satisfactory long-distance shopping experience is entirely dependent on accurate descriptions and clear, unretouched photographs.  So I use 1 or 2 stars to flag items that are:
  • misrepresented, described incorrectly or in a misleading way
  • substantially different from the photographs (i.e. of inferior quality)
  • hugely overpriced
  • unsafe or of such poor quality that they are essentially a waste of money.

I try to review only the best products, but share my experience if something disappoints me.  I also try to be realistic about quality versus cost.  Sometimes if you want the best, you've got to spend more money.  A good example would be stereo systems or headphones.

As for free items, samples and vouchers: since Amazon changed its guidelines, I no longer accept those offers.


I hope you find my reviews helpful but if you have a specific product question, I'll try and answer it.


Copyright © Angelica Bentley.  All rights reserved
BACK TO THE TOP
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Beauty
    • Skin Care by Brand >
      • 180 Cosmetics
      • Baie Botanique
      • Beauty by Earth
      • Belle Azul >
        • Belle Azul: Bio Smart
        • Belle Azul: Body
        • Belle Azul: Face
      • BioSphère Naturel
      • Bodi Skincare
      • Nailine
      • OZ Naturals >
        • OZ Naturals - Video Presentation
      • Radiant Life
      • Simon & Tom >
        • Simon & Tom (2)
        • Simon & Tom: (3)
        • Simon & Tom: Hair
        • Simon & Tom: Pure Hydra
        • Simon & Tom: Smart Genesis
      • Sinivalia >
        • Sinivalia - Video Presentation
      • Spa Technologies UK
      • Sweetsation Therapy >
        • Sweetsation Therapy: Anti Cellulite
      • Yoffee
      • Zaffiro Organica >
        • Zaffiro Organica (2)
    • Skin Care by Type >
      • Argan Oil Based Products
      • Multi-product Treatments
      • Rose Based Skin Care
      • Serums
    • Grooming & Personal Care >
      • Body Weight Scales
      • Cash & Bash (Gents) >
        • Cash & Bash (Ladies)
      • Konjac Sponges
      • Nail Care >
        • GRÜV: Ultimate Nail Lacquer >
          • GRÜV: Accessories
        • Nail Polish & Base
      • Toothbrushes
      • TopNotch Brushes
      • Ultrasonic Beauty
    • Anti-cellulite creams
    • Cosmetics >
      • Cosmetic Applicators
      • Cosmetic Organizers >
        • Kurtzy Organizers
      • Eye Make-up
      • Face Makeup
    • Essential Oils >
      • Aroma Diffusers
      • Aromata Essential Oils
    • Fitness Equipment >
      • Earth Therapy Magnetic Jewellery
      • Electrostimulators
      • Home Gym >
        • Capital Sports
        • Elite Body Squad
        • Just be...
      • Microfibre Towels
      • Pain Relief Gels
      • Swimming Gear >
        • ANGGO
      • TempIR
      • TomTom TOUCH
    • Fragrances >
      • Blaviar
    • Hair Products >
      • Hair Colouring
  • Fashion
    • Accessories >
      • Apparel North
      • Cyxus Anti-glare Glasses
      • Duco Anti-glare Glasses
      • Ecosusi
      • Handbags
      • PLEMO
      • Sunglasses
      • Wigs by MelodySusie
    • ACEVOG (1) >
      • ACEVOG (2)
      • ACEVOG (3)
    • Activewear & Sport Braces >
      • Bracoo and Fytto
      • Jimmy Design >
        • Jimmy Design Sports Bras
        • Jimmy Design Women's Gym Leggings
        • Jimmy Design Women's Gym Tops
      • Lorata
    • Alexis Leroy: Dresses >
      • Alexis Leroy: Men's Shoes
      • Alexis Leroy: Sandals
      • Alexis Leroy: Women's Shoes
    • Demon&Hunter
    • L'Alysse
    • Lingerie & Underwear >
      • Avidlove
      • Corsets & Waist Cinchers
      • Ekouaer Lingerie >
        • Ekouaer (2)
      • Lapasa
      • Loveryoyo
      • Surenow
    • Meaneor (1) >
      • Meaneor (2)
      • Meaneor (3)
      • Meaneor (4)
    • Relleciga
    • Senfloco
    • ZLYC
  • Household Products
    • Bathroom Items
    • Clothes Drying
    • Furnishings >
      • Apalus
      • Dayton Home & Office
      • Furniture
      • Soft Furnishings
    • Garden & Gardening >
      • Blumfeldt Solar Birdbath Fountain
      • Swimming Pool
    • Home Office >
      • Laptop Bags
      • Printers, Scanners, Laminators
    • Household Appliances >
      • Dehumidifiers
    • Kitchen Stuff >
      • Bottles
      • GreenPaxx
      • Kitchen Appliances
      • Kitchen Utensils >
        • Silicone Mats & Moulds
        • Spice Grinders
      • Kuuk
      • Stoga
    • Lighting: Indoor Fixtures >
      • Desk Lamps
      • Fairy Lights
      • Indoor Motion Activated
      • Light Projectors
    • Lighting Outdoor: Battery-powered >
      • Camping Lamps
      • Solar Continuous Lighting
      • Solar Sensor Lighting
    • Pet Products >
      • Super Design by ThinkPet
    • Sewing Supplies
    • Travel Organizers & Bags >
      • Bago
      • Ecosusi Travel Bags
    • Wireless Doorbells
  • Photography
    • Action Cam - Dazzne P2
    • Action Cam - DBPOWER SJ4000
    • Action Cam - SooCoo S60
    • Binoculars & Endoscopes
    • Cleaning Kits & Accessories
    • Flash accessories
    • GOBE
    • LED Projectors
    • Softbox Photo Lights (Amzdeal)
  • Tech
    • Bluetooth Speakers >
      • Audio Dynamix
      • iDea USA Taco Dual
      • Bluetooth Transmitters
    • Chargers
    • Computer Mice & Styluses
    • Data Cables
    • External & Flash Drives >
      • USB Hard Drive Enclosures
    • Headphones >
      • Earbuds
    • Keyboards
    • LED Monitors
    • Media players (DVD, mp3, mp4)
    • Power Banks / Battery Packs
    • Tablets & Phones >
      • UMI & Divoix
    • USB Hubs & Adapters
  • Everything else
    • Art Supplies >
      • Creoly Journals
      • Daveliou Art Supplies
      • Daveliou Paint Colours
    • Car / Vehicle Specific
    • CDs & DVDs >
      • Movies
      • Music
      • Music - Concert for George
      • Music - Laura Sullivan
    • Food & Supplements >
      • Fairvital
      • Gourmesso Coffee Capsules
      • Incite Nutrition
      • Ma Devlin's Coconut Oil and Supplements
      • Matcha Green Tea
      • PacificCoast NutriLabs Supplements
      • Teasire Herbal Teas
      • Vitamintrend
    • Music Related >
      • Auna / OneConcept Audio
      • Microphones
      • Nordic Essentials
      • Tuners
  • Spotlight
  • My Reviewing Credo
  • Request a Book Review
  • Proofreading / Copy-Editing
  • Site Index
  • Privacy Policy