Sephora Haul & First Impressions!

Did you participate in the Sephora sale?  I did and although I didn’t get everything I intended (as usual) and made a few impluse purchases, I generally stuck to my shopping list.  Here’s what I picked up:

L’Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil – $52 CAD:

From the website: A quickly absorbed indulgent body oil formulated with more than 50 percent almond oil to help skin feel firmer, smoothed, and hydrated.

I first heard of this from Youtuber Brianna Fox, I believe she mentioned it in a monthly favourites post.  She said it was great for using after you’re out of the shower and it leaves your skin soft and smooth.  I mentioned it to my Mom and she said she uses it and loves it.  Since my skin has been feeling exceptionally dry lately, I decided to treat my skin.  The price was a little hard to swallow but I figured if it was that good, it’d be more than worth it.

First impression:  I’m not sure about this quite yet.  The oil itself is lovely – it absorbs quickly as it claims, it smells beautiful and my skin feels supple, soft and smooth afterwards.  However, the packaging is my biggest gripe.  The oil is housed in a beautiful thick glass bottle with a spray pump – normally this wouldn’t be an issue but it takes quite a bit of effort to push the pump down and that combined with my oily hands feels like a disaster waiting to happen.  I was using this every other day but I’ve since cut back to every 3rd day because I’ve already used about 1/5 of the bottle.  Given the price I can’t really justify buying a bottle of this every month and I was hoping it would last a while.  So while I like this, I think next time I’d try the Almond Milk Concentrate instead.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation – $47 CAD:

From the website: A lightweight, full coverage hydrating foundation infused with tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea™ complex.

I kept hearing everyone and their dog rave about this foundation and when I saw it in store, I couldn’t resist.  The packaging was beautiful, the shade (light neutral) was a perfect match for my skintone and the coverage looked amazing.

First impression: I obviously still have not learned my lesson to not buy foundations without trying a sample first.  I have sensitive, combination skin with an oily t-zone and dry, dehydrated skin everywhere else.  There are very few foundations that work for me, and unfortunately this is not one of them.  A few minutes after applying it, I loved how it looked, it literally made my skin look flawless.  Then it set, and that’s when the problems began.  It highlighted every dry patch and pore on my skin, and as the day went on, it only got dryer.  I tried applying it with various beauty sponges and foundation brushes, with primer, without primer and I just couldn’t get it to work.  On top of that, it was making me break out (not that that’s anything new).  So I unfortunately I had to return this which was disappointing.

Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe -$45 CAD

From the website: A six-piece, high-impact blush palette with shades that last for 16 hours.

I’m a big fan of Too Faced products and I’ve yet to try their blushes.  I’ve also been wanting a blush palette for a while so this killed two birds with one stone.  I swatched each one in store and they all looked like shades I would wear regularly so I was sold.

First impression: So happy with this purchase!  All of the blushes have just the right amount of pigment so you don’t need to use a light hand but you can easily build them for a more intense look.  They have a silky soft texture and tend to last about 6-8 hours on me, depending on what I’m doing.  My only complaint would be the packaging – it’s beautiful but it’s cardboard so I won’t travel with this – despite the fact that it’s super light, I know it’ll get scuffed and scratched in a second.  That’s no where near being a deal breaker though, so if you’re looking for a blush palette, I’d suggest you highly consider this one!  Note: this is limited edition.

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette – $48 CAD

From the website: A limited-edition, colored clay eye and cheek palette for day to night looks.

I did a post a few months back on multi-purpose palettes as I was trying to decide which one I should buy.  I looked at a few options but ultimately narrowed it down to this one and Tarte’s Showstopper palette.  I ended up choosing this one because it had everything I was looking for (eyeshadow, blush, bronzer and highlighter) and the shades are on the cooler side so I felt it’d work better with my skin tone.

First impression: Another satisfying purchase!  This is a great palette, I’m so happy with it!  The eyeshadows are fantastic – super buttery and pigmented and I absolutely love the shades.  The blush, highlight and bronzer are also gorgeous.  I’m going to be traveling with this soon and will do a more in-depth review sometime in June so stay tuned!

Original Beauty Blender – $28 CAD

From the website: An edgeless, non-disposable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator.

If I’m being honest, I really did not want to buy another one of these.  Paying $28 for a makeup sponge kinda kills me!  But I’ve tried many of its dupes and I still like this the best – nothing applies my makeup quite the same.  My last one lasted me a year which I’m pretty sure is much too long but I took pretty good care of it. We’ll see how long this one holds up!

First impression: Still great!

Buxom Eyeshadow Bar Single Eyeshadow (No Faux) – $15 CAD

From the website: A primer-infused, powerfully pigmented eye shadow refill with intense color payoff.  Described as a iridescent snakeskin.

I’ve been eyeing this shade long before I even purchased my Buxom palette, and I’ve been waiting for it to come back in stock at my local store for months. Luckily there was one left when I visited and I couldn’t wait to get it home and try it out.

First impression: No Faux is a duo-chrome, warm-toned brown eyeshadow with a pale and dark green shift. I found the texture to be a touch dry compared to my other Buxom shadows, which was a little odd.  I’ve worn this several times since I purchased it and I love how beautiful and unique it is.  I do find this works better pressed into the lid rather than blended all over – the duo-chrome tends to disappears when it’s blended out too much.  Overall though, very happy with this purchase!

Tarte Tarteist Lash Paint (sample) – Full size $28 CAD

From the website: A jet-black, volume-packed mascara so anyone can master the tarte of the fringe.

I usually buy my mascara from the drugstore but this was a 100 point perk so I can never resist trading in a few points to try something new.  I’m pretty picky about what I look for in a mascara, so anything with a heftier price tag really has to blow me away to convince me to buy it.

First impression: Damnit – I love this!  This is an amazing mascara  – it’s super black and it adds crazy length, definition and volume to my lashes which is exactly what I look for in a mascara!  On top of that, it doesn’t flake or smudge.  My other favourite higher-end mascara is Too Faced’s Better than Sex and I think (I think!) I might like this better because thus far (knock on wood), I haven’t experienced any flaking.  The only drawback is the packaging – there’s no edge at the end of the tube to wipe the excess product off on, so it gets pretty messy pretty quick.  I think this is specific to the sample size though, the full size appears to be different.   If this continues to be awesome, I’ll be adding this to my full-size purchase list for sure!

Clinique Take it All Off Set – $17 CAD

From the website: A duo featuring a dramatic, black mascara and a creamy cleansing balm to remove makeup and refresh.

I’ve been wanting to try Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm since last year and I finally decided I was going to do it.  I was happy to find this little set in that always dangerous area before the checkouts and I figured this was a perfect way to try it out without committing to the full size.  Plus it included a mini High Impact mascara as well.

First impression: So at first, I didn’t really like this.  Mainly because I wasn’t following the directions and applying it to wet skin, rubbing it in and then washing my face.  That did pretty much nothing to remove my makeup.  Then I re-read the directions and applied it to dry skin – and I was much happier.  This does work really well to remove all traces of makeup (including stubborn eye makeup!) but it requires patience as it’s a bit of a process.  I’ve found the way it works best is to really massage it to my skin (particularly my eye area), let it sit for a minute or two and then rinse.  The end result is my face is completely devoid of every trace of makeup and feels super soft and moisturized.  I’ve never had a cleanser do both of those things at the same time!  So consider me impressed but also disappointed that I didn’t buy the full size of this! I have yet to try the mascara so I’ll keep you updated on that.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex – $19 CAD

From the website: A daily age-defying moisturizer formulated with Fresh’s proprietary Super 7 Complex, proven to prevent the signs of aging, provide 24 hours of significant moisture, and boost radiance.

This was another impulse purchase – I had no intention of buying this but that darn checkout section got me again!  In fairness I did need a new day cream and I had forgotten about that prior to getting in line so this was a convenient option.  I haven’t tried much in the Fresh line aside from their Sugar Lip Treatments and Soy Face Cleanser.

First impression: The first thing I did when I opened the glass jar was sniff it and I was kind of disappointed with the cucumber scent.  It wasn’t strong by any means but I hate cucumbers and anything that smells like them!  It smells very similar to the Soy Face Cleanser, perhaps a little more muted.  However what really impressed me was when I applied this to my face – wow!  It’s a silky smooth, lightweight cream that just melts into my skin really nicely.  It’s really hydrating but it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave behind that horrible tacky feeling that creams sometimes do.  So while it’s still pretty early to make the determination that this is my new favourite moisturizer, I have to say that it’s definitely impressed me so far.

If you read my Sephora Shopping List post, you’ll notice there’s a few items that I said I was going to buy that didn’t make it home with me, including:

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Lipstick (Firebird): I swatched this in store and I was disappointed.  The colour is pretty but I thought it was going to be more unique. ]

Sephora Kiss Me Balm (Soda Pop): My store didn’t have this shade in stock so I’ll pick it up another time.

Escada Aqua Del Sol Fragrance: Apparently Sephora no longer carries Escada in-store, only online.  Given that the rollerball was sold out online, I couldn’t be bothered to place an online order.

Benefit Coralista Blush: Given that I purchased the Too Faced Blush palette above, I didn’t feel like shelling out more for an individual blush.  I still want to try this though, so it’ll stay on my ongoing list of products I want to try.

Bite Agave Lip Mask: This was something I REALLY wanted but my store was sold out of the clear version and I had no interest in the coloured options.  I was annoyed but I’ll pick it up at some point as I know it’s normally in stock.

My initial plan was to go in store and confirm what I wanted and place my order online so I could take advantage of ebates.  Problem being I was using a gift card to pay for my purchases and guess what?  You can’t use gift cards to pay for purchases online in Canada.  That REALLY ticked me off – like its 2016, why is this not possible?  So I ended up just purchasing everything in store and scaling back on my purchases a bit.

Would love to know what you picked up from the Sephora sale – please share with me below or link to your posts!

Thanks for stopping by!

This & That Fridays – April 15

Have you seen the new Lite Brites collection by China Glaze?  I came across Young Wild & Polished’s swatches on Instagram and wow, they all look so beautiful!  I need to see them in person but I think Bite Me and What I Like About Blue are on my list.

The second season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is out on Netflix so my weekend plans are set.  Hopefully Season 2 is as good as Season 1.

Two things I love for Spring here, lightweight sweaters and ombre.

This is too funny!  And I can relate – out of all the sports out there, I find baseball the most painful to watch.  It’s so slow and it drags on and on…I can’t get into it.  Go Jays though!

I bought this sweater from Joe Fresh a few weeks ago and I can’t stop wearing it.  It’s so comfy and easy to wear and looks great with leggings and jeans.  The only drawback is that it needs to be hand-washed.  But I love it so much I’ll sacrifice a bit of hand-washing.  I bought it in pink but I think I’m going to pick up the green too.

Waffle iron pizza?  Yes please!

Did you hear that Hudson’s Bay is now carrying Teeez Cosmetics?  I have one of their lipsticks that I received in my Luxe Box and I really like it.  And their packaging is amazing!  Excited to try more of their stuff.

Need to catch up on my posts?  Here’s what I published this week:

• Saturday Cocktail – Cherry Limeade
• Sephora Shopping List
• March Loves & Letdowns

Have a great weekend!

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March Loves & Letdowns

I’m a little behind on this month’s favourites – but on the bright side I’m actually doing it this month.  I completely forgot to do February favourites!  Oops!

I’m going to jump right in – here’s what I loved this month:

Gap Open Front Cardi: I love cardi’s any time of year, but especially for Spring and Summer.  This one is super lightweight so it’s perfect to throw overtop of a t-shirt or tank in the morning when it’s still a little chilly out.  They offer this sweater in a wide variety of colours; I selected it in Heather Grey colour but I’m tempted to pick up another in Turquoise or Blue.

Bath & Body Works Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla Hand Soap: I can’t get enough of this hand soap – it smells exactly like my favourite warm drink from Starbucks – their Cinnamon Dolce Hot Chocolate.  Love it!

Tarte Maracuja Oil: This was included in a Tarte set I bought on Black Friday and I was a little hesitant to use it as I haven’t really had much success with using oils on my face.  My skin is super sensitive and I usually break out when I try to use them.  This one is different though!  I’ve been using this off and on throughout the month as a night-time moisturizer and mixed into my foundation in lieu of primer and it works so well!  I totally expected it to leave me greasy and oily by the end of the day when I mixed it into my foundation but it just made my skin look glowy and healthy and my foundation applied like a dream.  Used as a nighttime moisturizer, I couldn’t believe how supple and smooth my skin felt the next day.  I’m about halfway through my little mini bottle of it but I plan on purchasing the full size, or at least another of the same size.

CoverGirl TruBLEND Blush (Light Rose): This might be one of the best drugstore blushes I’ve ever tried.  Be warned this particular shade is quite light so it probably wouldn’t work well for those with darker skin tones.  But for any of my fair-skinned friends, I’d recommend this.  It’s a really soft pink-ish peach and you can build it to your desired intensity.  On top of that the formula is great – it’s silky, soft and buttery.  Highly recommend this!

Frilly Lilly Argentinian Lemon Shea Butter Creme:  I’ve found my new favourite hand cream!  Frilly Lilly is a local mani/pedi/waxing boutique with locations in Alberta & British Columbia, and California.  I’ve been using this cream for probably a month and a half and it has really helped my chronically dry hands.  It’s not at all greasy – it absorbs quickly but moisturizes really well.  I also love that it doesn’t leave white marks on darker clothes if you touch them before it’s absorbed (one of my biggest pet peeves with hand cream!).  I picked up the Argentinian lemon scent and at first I wasn’t sure about it but I’ve grown to really like it – it’s very refreshing.

NYX Butter Gloss (Angel Food Cake / Strawberry Cheesecake): I’ve talked about how much I love the NYX Butter Glosses before and that hasn’t changed.  I gravitate towards lip glosses and these are some of the best I’ve tried.  They’re glossy and pigmented and so easy to wear.  Angel Food Cake is a lovely nude/mauve shade and Strawberry Cheesecake is a warm medium pink.  I really haven’t been wearing any other lip products aside from these this month!

L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer (Blonde):  I have to admit I’m kind of lazy when it comes to brows – half the time I forget to do them.  However this eyebrow pencil is so good I’ve pretty much done my brows every day this month.  I can’t believe the difference between this and my previously beloved e.l.f eyebrow pencil – they don’t even compare!  Not only is the shade perfect for me, the precise tip makes it so easy to fill and define my brows (hence the name).  I’ve heard others say that this is a dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wiz – not having tried it, I can’t confirm but if that’s true, but I see why everyone was going crazy over them if they are indeed similar.

Letdown:

NYX HD Concealer: I’ve been researching new concealers for a while and I had heard some good things about this one.  Unfortunately this did not work for me.  The reason: it’s ridiculously drying!  It seemed a little dry when I initially applied it but it only got worse as the day went on.  I used this to cover blemishes so I can’t imagine using this as an undereye concealer – it would totally emphasize and enhance any fine lines.  So this was a disappointment and the search for a new concealer continues…

Maggie’s love: Pet Kind Wild Pacific Salmon Treats

Maggie wanted to join in and share her love for the month.  She’s really been enjoying these salmon treats that I found at Homesense for $6.99.  Love that these are a Canadian product and made with wild pacific salmon.  And they stink so of course Maggie just loves them.  This is the second bag we’ve gone through and I haven’t seen these again at Homesense, so I’m going to have to track down a retailer here that sells them.

What were your loves and letdowns for March?

Thanks for reading!

Sephora Shopping List

It’s that time of the year again – another Sephora shopping event is here!  I’m a VIB Rouge so from what I understand I get to start shopping on the 7th, which is tomorrow.  However I still haven’t received an email from them notifying me of the sale.  And, okay, can I just vent a bit?  There really is nothing of any kind of significance that differentiates between being a VIB Rouge and a VIB.  Aside from the fact that as a VIB Rouge, I spend $650 more a year but basically get a few small perks that definitely don’t make spending that much more worth it.  In my mind, for events like these, Rouge should get 20% instead of 15%.  Or we should get more free samples or something.  SOMETHING!  I’m not sure I see myself striving towards Rouge status this year, although I don’t really tend to do that anyway, it just kind of happens.  But I think I might explore other options such as Shoppers Drug Mart where I can actually use my points to get free stuff.  Why isn’t Ulta in Canada?  Ugh.  /end rant.

Okay, now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s move on to what I plan to purchase from this god-forsaken store.  I always love reading/seeing what everyone else is buying so hopefully you’re sharing your shopping list too:

1. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm – $36 CAD: I’m out of an everyday face cleanser and I was going to buy this guy last year but I don’t remember why I didn’t, I think I purchased Sephora’s Green Tea Cleanser instead.  Regardless I’m definitely picking this up this time around, I’m excited to give a cleansing balm a whirl.
2. UD Gwen Stefani Lipstick (Firebird) – $21 CAD: Love this shade, I think it’s going to be perfect for spring and summer.
3. Tarte Rainforest After Dark Coloured Clay Eye & Cheek Palette – $48 CAD: If you read my first What Should I Buy post, you’ll know that this was one of many contenders in the Multi-Purposes palette line up.  I’m 95% sure this what I’m going with, unless something unexpected makes an appearance in-store.  I just love the colours in this and feel they’ll work really well with my skin tone.
4. Too Faced Loved Flush Blush Wardrobe – $45 CAD:  Not sure I really need a blush palette but this looks so pretty, plus I love Too Faced products.  I think I want to take a closer look at this in store before I commit to it though.
5. Sephora Kiss Me Balm (Soda Pop) – $8 CAD: I always eyed this up in the checkout area but aside from the scent, didn’t think it seemed all that great.  However, after reading Stash Matters review, I think I’m going to give it a try.  It helps that I love anything that smells like soda/cola/Coke/Pepsi.
6. Escada Aqua Del Sol – $25 CAD:  Mmmmm this is like summer in a bottle.  It’s warm and bright and fruity and perfect for warmer weather.  I’m going to try it out in the rollerball size if possible.
7. Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Volume Mascara – $33 CAD: This is on my list as a result of this post on Beautezine; I love me a good volumizing mascara and I’m not afraid of clumps!    I’m not usually one to buy non-drugstore mascaras, aside from Too Faced Better than Sex, but I think I’m going to give this a try to see how it compares.
8. Benefit CORALista Blush – $36 CAD:  This has also been on my list for a while, along with the Rockateur and I think I’m going to go with Coralista…I think?
9. Buxom Eyeshadow (No Faux, La La Lavish, Posh Purple) – $15 CAD: I’m loving my customized Buxom eyeshadow palette and I want to add some of their more unique shades to my collection.  I’ve been wanting No Faux forever but it’s always sold out – hoping I can snag it this time around.
10. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask – $30 CAD I’ve been wanting to try this for years and I’m going to bite the bullet this time.  My lips have been feeling really dry lately so I’m hoping this will help.
11. Beauty Blender – $28 CAD:  I bought my first Beauty Blender a year ago and it took me a while to warm up to it but now I can’t live without one.  I’m trying out the Real Techniques and Quo versions and unfortunately I think the Beauty Blender is going to remain my favourite.  Post comparing the 3 coming soon!

What are you buying at the Sephora sale?  Let me know below!

Thanks for reading!

Simple Skincare

I was selected for the Simple Skincare campaign via Chick Advisor a few weeks ago and received a package containing 3 Simple Skincare products.  I’ve never used any products by this brand, but I’ve seen their products in the drugstore and know that they are popular amongst bloggers and Youtubers.

When I received the products I first did a little research on the company; as someone with sensitive skin, I was pleased to learn that all of their products are free from dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh chemicals.  Instead they contain skin-loving ingredients and added vitamins and their products are all are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and pH balanced (source)

While this all sounded great, I was interested to see if they’d deliver.  I’ve tried products meant for sensitive skin before, only to end up with breakouts, redness and irritation.  So needless to say, I’m pretty cautious about trying out new skincare and tend to introduce them slowly and sparingly.

Let’s get into the reviews of each product:

MICELLAR MAKEUP REMOVER WIPES – $6.99 / 25 wipes

Gently cleanses skin, leaving it feeling instantly hydrated and refreshed, with no residue left behind.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau) (Solvent), Cetearyl Isononanoate (Emollient), Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5),Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Glycerin (Humectant), Sodium Citrate (Buffering Agent),Ceteareth-20 (Emulsifier), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier),Ceteareth-12 (Emulsifier), Benzoic Acid (Preservative), Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)

I’m pretty picky about my makeup remover wipes.  I typically only use these when I travel or sometimes if I’m feeling particularly lazy after a night out.  My favourite makeup remover wipes are the Olay Gentle Clean Wet Cleansing Cloths because I can usually get away with using one to remove all my makeup (two if I am wearing heavy/waterproof eye makeup), they stay moist and they don’t irritate my skin or eye area.  So that’s what these were going up against.

I’ve used a half a dozen of these so far and I can say that they are on par with my Oil of Olay faves.  They’re really moist, so I have no problem with removing almost every trace of makeup.  If I’m wearing a particularly stubborn mascara or eyeliner I might have to use a makeup remover just to clean up around my eyes but that’s no different than what I experience with the Olay wipes.  The best thing is that I never experienced any dryness, redness, irritation or breakouts with these – my face just felt nice and clean afterwards! Overall, I’m happy with these and would repurchase these on my own.

REPLENISHING RICH MOISTURIZER – $10.99 / 198 mL

Leaves skin replenished and nourished all day long.  Contains Pro-Vitamin B5, Chamomile, Glycerin & Geranium.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Polyacrylamide, Stearic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Serine, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Sorbitol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol

When I saw the word “rich” in this I groaned a little inside.  Me and rich moisturizers don’t usually get along.  I have combination skin so I don’t typically need a heavy duty moisturizer.  If my skin is feeling particularly parched, I’ll use a heavier moisturizer overnight so my skin has plenty of time to absorb it.

Surprisingly the consistency of this isn’t as thick and creamy as I expected.  It’s actually quite lightweight but once applied to skin it is quite emollient and definitely takes its time to absorb. Unfortunately I tried it out one morning and a few hours in my skin was looking pretty oily so this wouldn’t work as an everyday moisturizer for me.  I have used it overnight however, and it seems to work better for me that way.  So I’ll keep it on hand for those times when I’m needing some extra hydration.  I don’t think I would purchase this on my own though – I prefer skincare with active ingredients (ideally glycolic acid) and lighter moisturizers work best on my skin.  I see they do have a light moisturizer so I think that would probably work better for my skintype if I was looking for a moisturizer with inactive ingredients.

CLEANSING MICELLAR WATER – $6.99/198 mL

A perfect blend of multi-vitamins, skin loving ingredients and gentle cleansers to cleanse the skin while removing make-up. Skin is left feeling clean and hydrated.

Ingredients: Aqua, Hexylene Glycol, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, DMDM Hydantoin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

This box couldn’t have come along at a better time – I was close to finishing up my much-repurchased Sephora Action Cleansing Water and have been itching to try something new.  I had heard some good things about this Micellar Water so I was very interested to give it a try and see how this compared.  I’ve been using the Sephora version for years and I’m very happy with it. I like to use a micellar water in the morning in lieu of washing my face, and after cleansing in the evening.

I experienced 2 drawbacks with this micellar water; firstly, I felt like my skin was slightly oilier than usual by about mid-day when I used this in the morning.  Secondly, I prefer a pump-style bottle rather than a squeeze bottle as I find it’s much easier to dispense and I use only what I need.  Overall though I think this is a pretty good micellar water.  It removes makeup pretty well, leaves my skin feeling refreshed and doesn’t leave any residue behind.  I’m not sure it could replace my Sephora version but I’d pick it up if I was in a pinch.

Overall I was pretty happy with the Simple Skincare products I received.  Even if all the products weren’t a complete match for my skin type and typical preferences, I could easily make any of these work for me and be happy with the results.  Plus I love the fact that they’re from the drugstore and are reasonably priced.

Have you tried any Simple Skincare products?  What were your thoughts?  Let me know below!

Have a great day!

Luxe Box – Spring 2016

Happy Hump Day!  Thanks to the holiday on Friday, we’re already halfway through the week.  Sometimes I find that short weeks feel longer than regular weeks which is annoying.  Thursday at 4:30 PM can’t come soon enough!

Today I’m reviewing my Spring Luxe Box.  Luxe Box is a quarterly Canadian beauty subscription service; included in the box is 7-8 trial-sized beauty and lifestyle items.   The monthly plan costs $26 a month and the annual plan is $96 a year.  I subscribe to the monthly plan as I prefer the freedom to cancel my subscription whenever I please.

So, here’s what my Spring box included:

Smashbox Photo Finish Classic Primer (.25 fl. oz – $44 CAD for 1 oz): I’m not a fan of this primer yet samples of it follow me everywhere I go.  I’ll be giving this away.

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Primer (3.0 mL – $37 CAD for 0.75 oz): A second primer?  Okay I actually don’t mind this one but again, I’ve already got a few of these in my stash already.  Boring.

Jelly Pong Pong Lychee Softening Shower & Bath Gel (30 mL – $15.95 USD): Lychee’s gross me out – I personally think they look and feel like eyeballs. So I can’t say I’m super excited by this but I haven’t tried it out yet.  At first I thought this was a sample size but it appears this actually full-sized.  I can’t imagine paying $15 for this little tube?

POP Beauty Kajal Pen – Inky Purple (0.9 g – $10 USD): This excited me at first as I actually quite like purple eyeliners.  Then I tried it.  This smudged like crazy.  Plus it’s not really all that pigmented so you can’t really tell that it’s purple.  And if you actually want to smudge it out and use the smudger that’s on the end of the brush, it rubs the eyeliner away.  Fail.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor ($12.64 CAD): This seemed like an odd addition to the box but one of the few things that I’m actually going to use.  We typically purchase the value pack of Schick disposable razors from Costco and they work well but every so often its nice to use something a little more luxurious.  I’ve used this a few times and I do enjoy how soft my skin feels after and it definitely reduces the number of nicks and cuts I inflict on myself.  On the down side I don’t find these provide as close of a shave as my disposable razors.

Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer – Eye Candy (15 mL – $15.83 CAD): I always like getting nail polishes and I’ve never heard of this brand before so its nice to try something new.  If only the colour were more unique – I have this periwinkle shade in other brands so I wish they would have included something a little different.  I have tested this out and the formula seems easy to work with so that’s a bonus.  I struggle with the $15 price tag on this though, as nice as the formula is you wouldn’t catch me paying $15 for a bottle of this.

Model Co BB PLUS Cream Daily All-In-One Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – Light (35 mL – $22 CAD): This is what excited me most out of the whole box – I love BB creams for the warmer months when slathering a thick layer of makeup on my face is the last thing I want to do.  This pretty much claims to do it all including cover blemishes and imperfections, maintain hydration, correct signs of dullness or fatigue and help protect the skin from UV rays.  Unfortunately I’ve used this twice and I’m not even the least bit impressed.  The coverage of this is so sheer that it does nothing to cover any blemishes or scaring, nor does it brighten or awaken my complexion. It feels pointless to even apply it. On top of that the shade is really orange/yellow so it gives me a really attractive Oompa Looompa glow. And if that isn’t enough,it doesn’t last on my skin.  Both times I’ve used this I’ve applied it in the morning and hung out at home on the couch all day.  After a few hours, the product dissipates off my face and I don’t have a trace of it left.  I could potentially use this as a primer but that’s about it.  Huge disappointment and wouldn’t recommend this.

This month they also included two coupons; one for a bonus 3500 Shoppers Optimum points if you purchased the full size of the Benefit POREfessional Primer.  I don’t like it enough to purchase the full size so that won’t be going to use.  The second was $5 razor blades for the Schick razor.  I know razor blades are expensive so I might actually use this.

So, if you couldn’t tell, I’m pretty disappointed with this season’s box.  I feel like there wasn’t a ton of thought put into it (2 primers, a razor, etc.) and the products I was excited to try fell flat.  That said, this is only my third Luxe Box and I was happy with the previous two I’ve received.  Here’s hoping the Summer Luxe Box is more impressive!

Have you tried any of these products?  What are your thoughts on the Spring Luxe Box?  Let me know below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lise Watier Hydraforce Hydra-Protective Comforting Creme

Last month I was selected to receive a product from Lise Watier’s newest skincare line HydraForce, courtesy of Glam Sense.  This line contains Gaspé Algae Extract, described as a “…survivor of harsh environments, the Gaspé algae has developed a highly efficient resistance system, enabling it to thrive in severe conditions. Its extract guarantees the skin’s global hydration, transforming it into a veritable defensive shield.” (source).  

I received the Hydra-Protective Comforting Creme, which is meant for normal to dry skin.  Unfortunately this wasn’t really a match for me as I have combination skin so I feel the Creme-Gel would have worked better with my skin type. I do tend to experience dry patches every once and while though so I decided to give it a try.  In addition to the creme, I also received a hydra-detect device that was meant to test the hydration levels of my skin (more on this later).

First up, I have to say the packaging is beautiful.  The jar is a thick, heavy glass and it feels and looks really luxurious and high-end.  The creme itself has a thick, rich and creamy consistency and after applying this before bed for a period of 2 weeks, I definitely noticed a difference in the hydration levels of my skin.

One thing I’m not a fan of is its’ strong, perfumey scent; I have very sensitive skin and I tend to stray away from skincare products that have added fragrance.  I think I could stand the scent more if it dissipated after applying, but it lingers for quite a while after.

This is also just a little too rich for my skin, at least right now. Not much of a surprise, given that it’s for normal to dry skin types. I think if we had more of a true winter here, this may work better for me as an overnight mask, used a couple of times a week.  This has been a very mild winter and we haven’t had much in terms of blustery winds or really cold, dry air so my skin isn’t in need of this level of hydration.  However I think if you struggle with dry, parched skin, this could work wonders on you!

Lastly, I have to say that I find the hydra-detect device a little..okay, a lot gimmicky.  Basically you download the Hydra-Detect app and hook the device up to your phone.  The device has a sensor which is to be place on different areas of your skin before and after applying the product, in order to measure hydration levels.  The problem is – I could only get this to work on my hand.  Its intended to test the T-zone and Cheeks but every time I pressed the device in those areas, it wouldn’t move past the “testing” stage and the results never came through.  So I found that frustrating but I wouldn’t depend on this to determine how hydrated my skin is anyway, because how accurate could this really be?  It did show that my hand was much more hydrated after applying the creme but of course it would be, and I don’t really need a device to tell me that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The price point for this product is $45 CAD for 45 mL; if I compare that to other higher-end skincare brands I’ve used, I find the price reasonable.

Overall, I think this is a decent product and would probably work well for those needing some serious hydration and moisture added back into their skin, assuming you’re okay with the fragrance.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Leaf Cell Extract, Squalane, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Peg-8, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol

Cost: $45.00 CAD for 45 mL

Thanks to Glam Sense and Lise Watier for giving me the opportunity to try out this product!

Drugstore Haul & First Impressions

Happy Thursday!

I hope you’re having a good week – or at least a better one than me!  I had to take a bit of a break from blogging over the last few days as I was down and out with a stomach virus/flu and it literally knocked me out for a little less than a week.  I’ll spare you the details but there were moments where I just wanted to be put out of my misery.  Thankfully it’s seems to have run its course and I’m starting to feel more human again so now the blogging can continue.

So, on to the post at hand!  I did a bit of a drugstore haul a while ago and I’m anxious to share with you what I picked up and what my first impressions are:

CoverGirl TruBlend Blush (Light Rose 100): Love this!  I’m always sucked in by ombre or marbled products and a lot of the time, they never meet my expectations.  This one has defied the odds though!  This is a peachy pink shimmery blush that isn’t super pigmented – but I’m okay with that. I prefer buildable blushes and this falls in that category.  Note that I am quite pale so this likely wouldn’t work well on those with deeper skin tones but overall I’m impressed with it – it’s smooth and silky and blends and builds really well.  I might just pick up another shade!

CoverGirl OhSugar! (Cupcake):  I’ve been using this for probably the last month and a half and it’s 3/4 of the way done.  My first impression was that I didn’t really like it – I know these are supposed to be sheer but this shade in particular has almost no colour (I didn’t even bother uploading the picture of the swatch because there’s literally nothing to see). Which I could live with if I felt like it offered great hydration….but I’m not sure it does that either.  I know everyone is comparing these to the Fresh Sugar lip balms but I personally don’t feel they really match up.  I always felt the lasting effects of the Fresh version for at least a couple hours after application but with this, it’s disappeared not too long after I’ve applied it.  I might try another shade at some point once I’m done with this one but I think I’m going to stick with my tried and true Dr Pepper Lip Smackers! 🙂

CoverGirl Plumpifyier Blastpro Mascara: I’ve only been using this about a week and so far, I think it’s okay.  It gives me decent length and separation but I’m not seeing much volume and thickness.  Ironic given that this is supposed to provide 50% more volume.  I think the problem is the size of the brush – this thing is huge and I personally like big mascara brushes!  It really makes it difficult to get the wand close to the roots of my lashes.  The good thing is I haven’t experienced much clumping with this EXCEPT for on my lower lashes – would not recommend this for them.  The wand is just too big and bulky for that small of a space.   So far though, no flaking or smudging which is nice.  I need to test this out a little more to see if it’s something I’d repurchase though.

Essie Groove Is In The Heart: I have no clue why I picked this up – I just bought 3 pink nail polishes from the Hello Kitty! OPI Collection a couple months ago, so the last thing I needed was another pink polish.  Regardless, I did and I can’t say I’m crazy about it.  While the neon pink shade is gorgeous, the formula sucks.  It’s thick, gooey and gloopy and nearly impossible to apply.  Chipping wasn’t too bad, I went about 3 days before I experienced my first one (and for Essie, that’s actually quite impressive).  I might try adding some polish thinner to see if that helps but I can’t say I’d recommend this.

Essie Lounge Lover: I watched a Youtuber (I think it was Jenny Claire Fox) swatch and rave about this and I had to pick it up – it just seemed like the perfect colour for Spring/Summer.  And it is – it’s a gorgeous bright peachy pink shade and this formula is great: creamy, smooth and if you’re really good at nails, you could probably get away with one coat (I always have to do two).  Pretty happy with this one!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure (Black & Blue):  I’ve had this for over a month now and I’ve used it twice and I was really impressed!  The formula is great – it’s on the thinner side so you need 2 coats minimum but it just glides on my nails like silk!  It also lasted a good solid week without chipping.  I’m a huge fan of SH’s wide brush – it makes it so easy to get perfect application every single time.  I can’t believe I don’t have more shades in this line in my collection, I’m going to have to pick up a few more and see if they’re just as good as this one is.

Hardy Candy So Baked Bronzer (Tiki): This is called a bronzer but I’m not really sure it classifies as one.  I’d consider it to be more of a highlighter given how light it is – and I’m pretty fair!  To be fair (haha!), this is the lightest shade out of their line and there are darker options available.  However I chose this one as I had heard good things about it on Youtube.  I think it’s a decent drugstore highlight but I’m not sure about its longevity, it appears to fade halfway through the day.

Hard Candy Glow All the Way Ombre Blush (Punch): I saw this and I couldn’t not buy it – it’s so pretty!  Again, this is classified as a blush but I kind of see it more like a blush/highlighter.  It’s pretty frosty and shimmery and you definitely don’t need to highlight after using this.  I think the colour is pretty, it’s quite pigmented but I’m finding the lasting power iffy.  Still testing!

Hard Candy Stroke of Genius Marker (Little Black Dress): This might be one of the longest lasting liquid eyeliners I’ve ever tried from the drugstore – and I’ve tried many.  This literally does stay put for 12 hours, or more if needed! It’s also extremely pigmented and glides on smoothly. Two problems: it’s a pain in the @ss to remove.  I have to use an oil-based waterproof makeup remover to take it off and even then I end up with little black flakes everywhere.  Secondly, once it has dried, you cannot go over it again and fix any mistakes; it dries hard so you might as well just start your eye makeup all over again.  I think this is a great option for special occasions, but not for everyday use.  Oh and I’m skeptical about the lash growth serum but I haven’t used this enough to state if it actually does anything one way or another.

NYC Expert Last Satin Matte Lip Color (Creamy Mauve): When I saw these lip products were 2 for $4 I didn’t see how I could go wrong.  I remembered reading a blog somewhere that raved about them and lately there seems to be plenty of favorable reviews on NYC’s products so I didn’t see the harm in trying them out.  I swore I had picked out two different shades at the time but when I got home I realized both were Creamy Mauve.  I didn’t think that would be such a big deal because the colour looked pretty nice.  Then I applied it.  Ick.  On my lips it applied a really unflattering frosty/milky pastel pink.  In addition I think calling them matte is stretch – the formula was really creamy and rich and didn’t dry down to a matte finish at all.  It’s actually a good formula but they need to get the shade description straight.  Anyway, this was pretty much a fail for me, thankfully it was only a $4 fail!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Milan/Ibiza): Me and matte lip products don’t get along, given my naturally dry lips.  However I’ve heard that these are pretty comfortable and now that Shoppers Drug Mart is carrying the NYX line, I couldn’t resist picking out a few to try.  Overall I’d say they are less drying than other liquid lipsticks I’ve tried, but alas, they are still drying.  I have to make sure I’m having a good lip day before deciding to wear one of these – meaning my lips are hydrated, smooth and free from any peeling or flaking.  Even so, they tend to highlight every line and/or imperfection on my lips (although Milan is guilty of this moreso than Ibiza).  However the colours are glorious – so pigmented and rich!  Milan is described as a “mid toned, blue toned pink”…I tend to describe it more as a vibrant rosy pink – either way it’s very wearable.  Ibizia is described as a “matte deep rose pink”…I personally see it as more a vibrant pink/coral.  This seems like a perfect shade for spring/summer but it makes my teeth look so yellow, as orange-toned shades do.  Guess I’ll just wear it and smile with my mouth closed.  😉  Even though I’m struggling to wear these, I love how beautiful the shades are and I want to figure out a way to wear them. so I’m going to try and find a lip primer that I can wear underneath to see if I can make it work (if you have any recommendations, I’d appreciate them!)

NYX Butter Gloss (Angel Food Cake): I’m a big fan of NYX’s Butter Gloss in Tiramisu and I know that Angel Food Cake is popular as well so I figured I’d give it a try.  I applied it once and I was instantly a fan. Both shades are just your lips but better shades and so easy and comfortable to wear.  I’m a big gloss fan though so if you are too I’d recommend these!

L’Oreal Voluminious Superstar Liquid Eyeliner: I love trying new liquid eyeliners, especially from the drugstore.  Okay, I only buy my eyeliners from the drugstore, I can’t justify paying anything over $15 for them.  One of my favourite liquid eyeliners is the L’Oreal Infalliable version below so I had high expectations of this.  I love the shape of the tip on this – it makes doing a wing so much easier.  The problem is, it smudges like crazy.  If I use to line the inner half of my eye and I touch my eye or if my eyes water (which they always do), I’ve got black smudges everywhere.  I’m not sure why they didn’t use the same formula as the Infalliable but I won’t be repurchasing this.

L’Oreal Infalliable Super Slim 12H Liquid Eyeliner: One of my favourite drugstore liners, read the reasons why here.

e.l.f Angled Blush Brush:  I have a few of e.l.f’s brushes and I’ve always been very impressed with them.  This one has been a bit of a let down so far – I’m not sure if it’s just not packed tightly enough or if it’s just the bristles themselves but I have a hard time getting it to pick up product.  It seems works well to blend blush out though!

drugstore skin care – olay gentle clean wet cleansing cloths

Olay Gentle Clean Wet Cleansing Cloths: My favourite makeup removing wipes – details here.

Bonne Bell Lipsmackers (Dr Pepper): Had to pick up a few of my favourite lip balms!  Find out why these are my favourite here.

And that wraps up my drugstore haul.  Have you tried any of these products?  What products have you tried from the drugstore recently?  Let me know below.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Haircare

A few weeks ago Harbinger sent me a PR package that included products from Tresemme’s newest line – the Beauty-Full Volume Collection.  This line is described as a “…game-changing regime that gives your hair amazing body and bounce. For soft, touchable volume everyday.”  It’s based on the concept that “…using conditioner after you shampoo can weigh hair down and leave it flat.”

So a bit about my hair: I have poker straight, colour-treated (highlights/lowlights every 8 weeks), fine hair, but lots of it. I struggle with a lack of volume and my hair falling flat with even a hint of humidity in the air.  My hair gets oily VERY easily and so I’m very careful about the products I use, and dry shampoo is my best friend.  I’m always searching for products that help me create and keep volume and my style intact.  Recently I’ve found a good collection of products that are working with my hair which makes me want to throw a party to celebrate!  Getting to where I am right now has been a long, expensive and painful road!

I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical to give this a try.  My experience with Tresemme products hasn’t been great – actually it’s been horrible.  I’ve never tried anything from them that I’ve actually liked so I had pretty low expectations going into this.  In addition, I’ve been using the condition first, shampoo second technique for about a year now and I’ve seen results with it, just by using my regular shampoo and conditioner. I didn’t really see the need to use a specially designed shampoo and conditioner.

If you’ve never heard of the condition first, shampoo second method (aka the reverse wash), Nouveau Cheap has a great post about how and why she uses this method and how it works for her.  I’ll admit to never having tried her method of not rinsing the conditioner before shampoo – it’s an interesting concept that I’ll have to try out.  The method I use to apply a generous amount of conditioner to my ends and length, and a small amount to my roots.  I let it sit for about 1 minute, rinse with water and then shampoo twice.  I shampoo twice because I only wash my hair every third day and once doesn’t rid my hair of the product buildup I accumulate over those couple of days.  The end result is that my hair feels lighter, with more volume at my roots which is where I need it most.

So on to my review of the products:

PRE-WASH CONDITIONER

TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Pre-Wash Conditioner is designed to be used before you shampoo, to leave hair smooth and polished but still full of bounce.

Directions:

1. Apply 2-3 pumps evenly throughout wet hair.
2. Leave on for one minute. Rinse.
3. Follow with TRESemmé BEAUTY-FULL VOLUME SHAMPOO to wash away weight.

One of the first things I noticed about this was the bottle.  Love, love, love that it has a pump!  I wish all shampoos and conditioners had a pump – so much easier to measure how much you’re using and it’s just easier to get it out of the bottle in general!   You can’t see it in the pictures but the bottle itself is really pretty – it’s got a teal and white duo-chrome thing going on.

I was happy to discover that this had a thin and lightweight yet slick texture – which for us fine haired people, is key.  Anything too thick and creamy is going to wear (thin) hair down and make it greasier sooner.  It had a really fresh and sweet scent too – I would best describe it as smelling like green apples.

The directions recommend using 2-3 full pumps throughout your hair, focusing on the ends.  I did that the first time I used this and that didn’t work well for me.  My hair was super slippery on Day 1 and pretty greasy on Days 2 and 3.  After that, I used 1.5 pumps and I discovered that amount worked best for my hair.  If you’re in need of deeper conditioning, the 2-3 pumps recommendation will may best for you.

VOLUME SHAMPOO

TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Shampoo is designed to come after the Pre-Wash Conditioner to wash away weight. That way, your hair gets the conditioning it needs to feel smooth and silky, but maintains the bounce it needs to look fabulously full.

Directions:

1. Begin with TRESemmé BEAUTY-FULL VOLUME PRE-WASH CONDITIONER.
2. Apply to wet hair from roots to tips.
3. Work into a lather. Rinse.
4. Style with the full TRESemmé BEAUTY-FULL VOLUME range.

This shampoo has the same green apple scent as the conditioner; it has a good texture – not too thick, not too thin, and lathers well, although there’s way more lather the second time I wash (but that’s true with any shampoo).  After washing my wet hair felt basically the same as it did after using any other shampoo and conditioner, so I had no complaints there.

HAIR MAXIMIZER 

Some volumizing hair products leave hair feeling stiff and sticky. TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Volume & Softness Hair Maximizer lets you have hair that’s got bounce and body, but still feels soft.

Directions:

1. Use after the TRESemmé BEAUTY-FULL VOLUME REVERSE SYSTEM.
2. Apply small amount to damp hair from roots to tips, focusing on the lengths.
3. Blow dry your hair using a round brush to create volume.

So I always, always, always put product in my hair after washing it.  Occasionally I will let my hair air dry and do nothing with it but I still put product in it because any style I do on Days 2 or 3 will not have a hope of sticking without it.  I typically use a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant spray on the lengths and ends.  When I saw they had included a cream product I knew right away that it wasn’t going to work for me – I need a product with some “stickiness” for the lack of a better word.

I gave it a try the first time I used this entire line and it worked fine but it’s not something I’d purchase on my own, nor use again.  It did make my hair really soft and silky – but that’s part of the problem – if my hair is too soft and silky, it just falls flat.  If you like really sleek hair, it might be worth a try though.  Note that the instructions state to blow-dry your hair after using this so it’s more of a blow-dry cream.

MY THOUGHTS

So I’ve used the entire line once and followed all the directions, and then I’ve used the Conditioning Rinse and Shampoo a handful of times and made modifications to the directions to suit my hair type.  My opinion after the first use was that these were good products – my hair felt super silky, soft and bouncy.  In addition, it felt SUPER clean – almost to the point where it was squeaky clean, which was a little weird.  Then on Day 2 and 3, my roots became pretty oily and my hair was pretty flat.

After that I lessened my use of the Conditioning Rinse to 1.5 pumps (as mentioned above) and swapped my normal styling products in for the Hair Maximizer.  Huge difference!  My hair still felt silky, soft and clean but to a lesser degree where I could still do things with it.  The one thing I really like is the way the scent lingers in my hair – it’s nothing overpowering or strong, just a nice light scent in my hair that I get a whiff of every so often.

My two caveats with this are 1) I’m not sure it actually creates a ton of volume – at least no more than what I was currently getting with my regular shampoo anyway.  I find I have a bit more bounce in my hair for the first day after washing, but that disappears after Days 2 and 3.  Which is a bit disappointing given that this whole line is centered around creating volume in hair.  But my experience has been that you’re not going to get volume solely from your shampoo and conditioner – you need to add product in to accomplish that.

Second, I think they need to market these products more towards fine hair.  I can’t see those with coarse, thick hair liking this.  Reverse washing is meant to work best for those with fine or thin hair.

So would I purchase this on my own?  I would – excluding the Hair Maximizer of course.  I think the bottles are going to last me a while but I’m going to incorporate these into my shampoo and conditioner rotation (I use a shampoo and conditioner for colour-treated hair every other day).  I love the fact that they are from the drugstore and very affordable ($5.99 CAD/bottle) and I might actually give the mousse in the line a try as well.

Thank you to Harbinger and Tresemme for giving me the opportunity to give these products a try!

Have you tried Tresemme’s new line yet?  Let me know below!

As always, thanks for reading!

What Should I Buy? Multi-Purpose Palettes

I’ve decided to start a new series on my blog called “What Should I Buy?”  I typically like to do some research before I make a purchase and I figured I can expand on that by doing up a post that describes what options I’m considering and hopefully gather some feedback from the blogging community.  One of my goals this year was to be more mindful of my purchases so this is going to help me in ensuring I’m buying things that are worth my hard-earned money!

So my first post in this series is going to be on multi-purpose palettes.  I’ve been wanting one for a while now and after traveling for work last week, I realized how much it would have come in handy.  I was in a bit of a rush when I was packing and it would had been really nice to be able to simplify my choices by having a palette that can cover several bases.

MY CRITERIA: A palette that includes eyeshadows, a blush, a bronzer and highlighter.  I’m willing to sacrifice not having a bronzer, a blush or highlighter (only one) if it means a better overall palette.   I would like a mix of neutrals and a few pops of colour; I’m cool-toned but I’m open to warm or cool toned palettes – although I tend to learn towards cooler tones.  I’m also looking for a mix of matte and shimmery shades, I don’t want just one or the other.

MY OPTIONS:

Tarte Showstopper Clay Palette – $48 CAD

Tarte has the most multi-purpose palette options by far, and this is one I’ve been eyeing for ages.   I keep looking at it but never seem to take the plunge and I’m not sure why?  This set includes 6 warm eyeshadows, a bronzer, highlight and blush.  The blush might be what is throwing me off –  I’ve swatched it a few times and its just so orange.

Pros: Contains all 4 products; good value.

Cons: Blush seems really orange; bronzer seems really dark; only one true matte eyeshadow shade.

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Clay Eye & Check Palette – $48 CAD

I came across this palette when I was investigating the Showstopper palette;  I love plum shades so the eyeshadows speak to me more than the Showstopper palette does.  It also includes 8 shadows, a bronzer, blush and highlighter.  My only gripe is the snake on the front of the palette…I don’t like it.   I know it’s not real but I just wish it wasn’t there.

Pros: Contains all 4 products; 50/50 split of matte and shimmery shades; good value.

Cons: Snake on packaging.

Tarte Energy Noir Clay Palette – $46 CAD

Yet another Tarte option – this one a few dollars cheaper but includes 8 eyeshadows, a highlighter and a blush.  It’s missing the bronzer which is a bit of an annoyance – I can make do without highlighter but bronzer is kind of a necessity for my pale skin.  I find it’s a similar to the Rainforest After Dark palette given that the shades are more plumy.

Pros: Beautiful packaging.

Cons: No bronzer; reviews state matte shades are difficult to blend; unfavourable reviews overall.

Tarte Empower Flower Amazonian Clay Collector’s Palette – $43 CAD

My final Tarte option in the mix and one I don’t think I’ve seen this one in store. I love the pretty packaging but I also hate it because cardboard packaging damages easily when traveling.  This contains 8 eyeshadows, 2 blushes and a bronzer.  It excludes a highlighter but the bronzer is shimmery so it could potentially be skipped.

Pros: Great mix of eyeshadow shades; two blush shades.

Cons: No highlighter included; cardboard packaging; mixed reviews overall.

In the Balm of Your Hand Palette by The Balm – $52.25 CAD

I’ve only tried one product of The Balm’s and I wasn’t impressed (a sample-sized bronzer).  However I keep hearing great things about them so I’d definitely like to try more of their products.  I feel like this palette would be a great way to do so – given that it includes many of their best sellers – 4 eyeshadows, 3 blushes, a highlighter, a nude cheek/lip cream and a lip colour.  I love that it includes lip colours but if I’m being honest, I’ll rarely wear that shade.  Especially if I’m traveling!

Pros: 3 blush shades; love the bronzer and blush shades; cute packaging.

Cons: Not likely to use the lip colours; cardboard packaging; only includes 4 eyeshadows; eyeshadow shades are not my preference.

Balm Voyage Vol. 2 – $53.95 CAD

My second option from The Balm is this palette that contains 9 eyeshadow shades, two blushes, a bronzer, highlighter and two lip and cheek creams.  Again, The Balm has some of the cutest packaging around but cardboard is never my preference (although it is nice and light!).

Pros: Includes cream blush/ lip colours; good shade range on all products (more wearable than above).

Cons: Packaging (damages easily); no matte eyeshadow shades.

Smashbox #Shapematters Palette – $69 CAD

This Smashbox palette is one that I went back and forth on with regards to including it in here – but I love the look of it so I couldn’t bring myself to exclude it.  This palette is quite versatile in that it includes a brow wax, two brow powders, four face powders, nine eyeshadows and a brush.  However it excludes a blush and it’s quite large which doesn’t make it ideal for travel.

Pros: Includes a brush; includes a brow wax; versatile shades.

Cons: Large size; most expensive option; not a fan of brow powders; no blush.

NYX Butt Naked Eyes Makeup Palette – $27 CAD

I was happy to find a drugstore option to throw in here –  and when comparing the price and the quantity of product in this palette to the rest, it’s in its own field.  However the majority of the research I’ve done states that this is a palette for those that like “softer looks” – is that a big deal?  Not really, as I tend to do that anyway.  My concern is related to the quality aspect – the general consensus on this is that it is a good palette, but it doesn’t compare to some of the more popular, higher end palettes.

Pros: Price; quantity of product; variety of shades.

Cons: Quality of products; restricted to “softer looks”

The last option I’m considering is picking up a Z palette and creating my own customized travel palette.  That will involve a lot more research of a different kind and a lot more money, given that a large sized Z palette runs for $27 CAD and then I still have to find products to fill it with.  Buying a Z palette and filling it has been on my wish list for a while now but I’m not sure this is the time to do so.

THE VERDICT: I think I’m leaning most towards the Tarte Rainforest After Dark palette, mainly because it checks all the boxes.  If it weren’t for that damn snake, I’d probably have already purchased it.

If you own any of these palettes, I’d love to hear your feedback on them!  Or if I’ve missed any you think I should be considering, let me know too.

Thanks for reading!