Friday, March 31, 2017

New! Essence Satin Touch Blush in Satin Love | Review with Swatches


I'm a huge fan of Essence cosmetics. They are so affordable, accessible, and they make some pretty awesome products. Not to mention they are cruelty-free!

I have several of their Silky Touch blushes and love them! So, when they came out with some new blushes, you know I had to try at least one.

I picked mine up at Shoppers Drug Mart, and by the time I got there the only shade left was this one in Satin Love (it comes in 3 shades). It's the shade I had in mind anyway. It was only $3.99.


This shade looks like a rosy nude shade in the pan. Applied to my face I get a natural flush of colour as if I worked out or was out in the cold. It's the kind of shade that goes with any makeup look.

I was surprised when I came home and got to swatching and realized that I have nothing like it in my collection. That's always a great thing when you have a rather large makeup collection. 😊


The shade almost morphs itself. At times it looks rosy nude and other times it appears peachy nude but either way, it will end up going with whatever makeup look you choose. I love that!


This blush is very pigmented, you really need a light hand if you have fair skin. I'm sure it would look just beautiful on medium to darker skin tones as well as it is so pigmented. I didn't realize how dark it is until I compared it to my other blushes at home.

I find that I can use this as a sort of blush/bronzer too. I think it's going to look even better on me when I have a tan.

It's also very long-lasting. It stays on until I wash my makeup off at the end of the day! Pretty incredible for only $3.99. It acts like a high-end blush in my opinion.

This product is another winner from Essence (linked here)  Now I'm curious about the other shades!

Have you tried any of these new Satin Touch Blushes?! If so, which one?


*not sponsored. no affiliate links. purchased by me and all thoughts are my own.

Monday, March 27, 2017

New! Real Techniques Multitask Limited Edition Set, 3 Brushes + Case #crueltyfree


I wanted to share this deal with you all asap, as I know I'd be upset if I missed out on it. I know many of my readers love makeup and beauty products like I do, and who doesn't love a deal.

I've been using Real Techniques brushes for years and love all the ones I have, so I had to jump on this deal for this LE set while it's on sale! I ordered this set on Thursday and received it today!

This Real Techniques 4 piece set is limited edition and includes 3 brushes and a carrying case. I saw this set listed on Walmart.ca for around $35. It's on sale right now on iHerb.com for $10.99 USD. This price is good until Wednesday, March 29th, 10am PST. After that, I believe it will still be on sale for approximately $12.21 USD but right now they are offering an additional 10% off, making it only $10.99 USD. The regular price on iHerb is $19.99 USD.

Actually, ALL of the Real Techniques products are an extra 10% off until l March 29, 2017, 10am PST.

What's included:
This limited edition multitask set simplifies your makeup routine. 
The collection has 3 brand new, exclusive brushes with unique cuts and sizes, 
to make you a multitasking pro. These versatile brushes are ideal for liquids, powders, or creams.

1. exclusive multitask face brush: angled cut can be used to set powder, 
apply bronzer and contour face
2. exclusive multitask cheek brush: extreme tapered cut can be used to apply color to apples 
of the cheeks, highlight the cheekbone and contour
3. exclusive multitask eye brush: soft tapered cut can be used to apply color to the crease, 
highlight the brow bone and softly smudge along lash line
4. exclusive design panoramic case: dual carrier and stand keeps brushes organized 
on your counter or on the go




When you order from iHerb, you will receive a 5% credit of your order total towards a future purchase. I had a $2.50 credit from my last order, so that brought my total down as well.

If you want to get this set you can click here to order. 

I'm really looking forward to using this set. I will probably review this set in an upcoming post.

Have a fabulous week!

ps. Real Techniques is cruelty-free!

*Not sponsored. Product(s) purchased by me. Referral links in this post, thank you if you choose to use them!

Sunday, March 26, 2017

How to Remove Brassiness From Blonde Hair | Pravana Toning Masque Review


Featured Product:
Pravana The Perfect Blonde Purple Toning Masque/ 5 OZ / Retail Approx $23 USD

Recommended use: 
Once a week for 5 minutes

About:
  • Dual ultra-violet dye system increased levels of pigment in this hard-working masque immediately eliminates any yellow or brass
  • coconut oil infuses strength, incredible shine and moisturizes

I was looking for an alternative to my purple shampoo, which I like but it can be drying. I've heard that this toning conditioner by Pravana is not only better for your hair but that it's a pretty potent product and really gets the brassiness out of blonde hair. 

You'll see in the photos that I have many tones of blonde and even some brown in my hair.


Here are my results after using the product one time for 5 minutes.

I followed the directions and applied the Perfect Blonde conditioner for 5 minutes after shampooing. The product is a very deep purple, almost indigo colour and you can tell how potent and pigmented it is as you're applying it. 

After towel drying my hair, I swear that I could already see that it had been toned, so I was getting excited. After a quick blow dry. my hair definitely looked toned, but I didn't know how much until I saw the before and after photos that I took (shown below).


Before and after photos are both on the same side and section of my hair. Photos were taken right before treatment and right after the 5-minute Perfect Blonde treatment and quick blow dry. 



After comparing the above before and after photos, you can really see the orange tones in my hair in the before photo, especially on the right-hand side of the photo (just hover over the photo and you'll see what I mean). Then, as you scroll down to the after photo, that entire area is no longer orange, it's been completely toned by the Perfect Blonde conditioner. I'm so happy that I took the photo's, sometimes it's easier to see changes if there are any.


Bleached and/or blonde colour treated hair is notoriously dry from all of the chemical processing. This product is definitely a lot less drying on my hair than my purple shampoo.

I highly recommend this product if you need to tone down any brassiness in your hair. It's much more effective than my usual purple shampoo that I use once a week. By looking at my before picture, it appears that my purple shampoo wasn't doing its job. 

Although it's pricey, I will continue to purchase this product. I spend a lot of money on my hair and by using this product, I can keep it looking fresh and new.

In this line, they also have a daily use purple shampoo and conditioner (different from the masque) which are immediately going on my list of items to try! This may prevent the brassiness in the first place. 😊

ps. It's been 7 months since my last cut and colour, so my hair isn't looking it's healthiest, to say the least. But at least with this product, I've gotten rid of a lot of the brassiness in just one use.

I purchased mine for around $18 on Amazon.

Have you tried this product!?





*Not sponsored. All opinions are mine. No affiliate links.





Friday, March 24, 2017

Iherb Haul | Health, Supplements, Vitamins, Antioxidants, Superfoods!


I am so behind with all my hauls! I have both health and beauty ones to share, today I'm sharing my health haul from iHerb.com.

Most of these are repurchases for me, so I already know they are good! I will share links to the products in the product name. I'm not going to list the prices here as they seem to be ever changing.

MD Formulas BioAstin Astaxanthin Hawaiian 60 Vegi-Softgels / 6 mg
Lately I'm into antioxidants and superfoods. This is a good one!

BioAstin Supreme is a superantioxidant featuring our pure Hawaiian Astaxanthin, BioAstin, the most powerful natural antioxidant known. This formula was developed by doctors and nutrition experts to deliver superior natural antioxidant support for:

  • Joint & Tendon Health
  • Skin Health
  • Eye & Brain Health
  • Recovery after Exercise
These are Vegan, gluten-free, and non-gmo


Alive Once Daily Women's Ultra potency Multi-Vitamin 60 Tablets

These vitamins pack a punch and are loaded with good for you ingredients. Below, is just a bit of info. Click the heading if you'd like to learn even more. I also love that these are one a day!

Description

  • Premium Formula
  • Energizer with Food Based Blends
  • Orchard Fruits / Garden Veggies & Daily Greens Powder (80 mg), Enzymes, Bioflavonoids
  • Multi-Vitamin Supplement
Ultra Potency 1x Daily
Complete, nutrient diverse Alive! multi with CranRx and food-based blends:
  • Orchard Fruits / Garden Veggies blend
  • Cardio blend · Citrus Bioflavonoid complex
  • Daily Greens blend providing amino acids
  • Digestive Enzyme blend · Flax Lignan blend
  • Hair, Skin & Nails blend
  • Mushroom Mycelium Defense blend

These are Gluten Free. No sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Jarrow Max DHA 90 Softgels
I've tried many fish oils, but I always come back to this one. It's my favourite for brain health, skin, joint and more..

Max DHA contains omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil highly purified and concentrated by molecular distillation.
DHA is the predominant fatty acid in the brain, nervous system and retina of humans. DHA is important for fetal and infantile neurological development. DHA also supports neurological function in seniors.

No wheat, no gluten, no soybeans, no dairy, no egg, no shellfish, no peanuts/tree nuts, no chemical solvents.


Now Foods XyliWhite Cinnafresh Toothpaste 6.4 oz 
This is my favourite toothpaste by far. It is worth the extra money. I've had better dental checkups since I started using it years ago, and I've stuck with it since.

XyliWhite is a remarkable fluoride-free toothpaste gel that uses natural Xylitol as its main ingredient.
  • Formulated with the purest ingredients
  • Free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)
  • Uses vegetarian/vegan ingredients
  • Clean and fresh, cinnamon taste
  • Whiter, stronger teeth
  • Contains 25% Xylitol, one of the highest contents available!
  • For adults and children
Paraben free, gluten free, sls free,

This also comes in mint and other formulas, the Cinnafresh is my favourite!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I purchased this time. I have a couple more orders on their way with some new products that I'll be sure to share once they arrive.

iHerb is my favourite online store for health and beauty products. It's like a giant online health store! They have the best selection of natural, vegan, and cruelty-free products. They also have the best prices and service. Note: They recently increased their shipping costs but substantially lowered the prices on all of their products. 

If you shop iHerb, check the links to see what's on sale... you can get some great deals! I just ordered a Limited Edition Real Techniques brush set with 3 brushes and a carrying bag for $10.99 USD. I saw this same item on Walmart.ca for $35!!

Click here to see the latest deals and shop iHerb.

*Prices may show in CAD dollars when using the links on this page



**All products purchased by me. Not sponsored. Some links are affiliate





Thursday, March 23, 2017

New! ELF Beautifully Bare Liquid Highlighter Illuminating Dewy Drops

ELF Highlighting Dewy Drops in Illuminating

Featured Product: 
Elf Highlighting Dewy Drops/ 0.5 oz/ Retail approx. $6 

ELF Highlighting Dewy Drops in Illuminating

I was on a mission to find an affordable non-powder face highlighter, either cream or liquid that would be subtle but give me a dewy look without accentuating texture or dryness. I went with this new ELF product as it was just under $6.00

Looks beautiful swatched here on my arm.

ELF Highlighting Dewy Drops in Illuminating

At first, nothing but oil oozed out of the little squeeze tube. Once I got past the oil to the actual highlight, it was a pretty champagne colour that looked pretty universal. 

The swatch of the product looks beautiful once blended out. In some lighting, as shown in the photo below, it has some tiny glitter particles. You cannot feel the glitter at all, the product feels smooth to the touch. That's a plus!

Unfortunately, it swatches better than it performs on my face. And, that clear, greasy oil oozed out every time I went to use this product, not just the first time.

As far as face application is concerned, that's a whole other story. The issues that I encountered when using this product on my face was a lack of control in applying it; I tried my fingers, small brushes, cosmetic wedges, you name it. It always ended up in places where I didn't want it and I would have to spend time trying to clean up.

The other big issue for me was that it looked and felt greasy on my face and it wouldn't dry down. I wanted my face to have a glow, not look greasy! For some reason, the swatch on my arm dried down much more than on my face where it remained greasy looking and feeling.

A little goes a really long way with this product but I was still left greasy looking even with a small amount. 😒

In the lighting below, you can see the fine glitter particles, pretty!
ELF Highlighting Dewy Drops in Illuminating

Conclusion:
This product is not for me. The constant separation of the product where it would ooze out oil was a little annoying- How much product am I wasting!? The lack of control in applying this product and the greasy look and feel is the final deal-breakers for me. I have to pass on this product. Maybe this product will work for someone with a different skin type than mine, and someone who has the patience to work with this product.

I have ELF's Illuminating palette with the 4 powder highlights which I have reviewed here, and I highly recommend it! Now that's a 5-star product!!

Alas, my search for the perfect, affordable cream or liquid highlight continues. I think I will be better off with a cream highlight as I think it will give me more control. Stay tuned for an update, as I happened to find an affordable cream highlight at the store tonight which I will be testing out and reviewing very soon!

You can purchase this product here.

ELF is a cruelty-free and mostly vegan company!

Let me know if you've tried this product? Did it work for you?




*not sponsored. purchased by me. all opinions are mine. some links are affiliate.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7 in 1 Mascara Review


Featured Product:
Pacifica Natural Minerals Dream Big Mascara / Retail $16USD / 7.1 grams

I was so excited to try this mascara out, not only do I love the Pacifica brand, but it's the first mascara I've tried that has an adjustable wand that allows you to choose length or volume plus anything in between. I thought gimmick? Turns out it's not. With a twist of the tube, it really does allow you to choose length or volume. You can see the size and shape of the wand change with a twist of the tube (see images below). 


Claims:

This beauty is 7 in 1:
Lash Serum
Instant Length
Lash Lifting
Volumizing
Conditioning
Rich Color
2 in 1 Brush

Amplify your lashes instantly with all natural plant fibers that build and build and build... Clinically studied peptide has been shown to help improve natural lash length and volume. Natural ingredients help condition lashes.

Top photo: for volume / Bottom photo: for length

I'm not sure if I got a bad one, as the formula seems a bit dry to me and the wand doesn't grip my lashes very well. I've tried both the lengthening setting and the volumizing setting and everything in between. What works for me to get the most impact is what Pacifica recommends in their instructions: Using the length setting first, then applying a second coat with the volume setting. Using that method, I am able to get nice big lashes, which is what I love! But, you can also get very natural looking lashes with this product if that's what you're after by using just one coat. 

Another plus is that the product stays put all day and night with zero flaking or smudging and is easy to wash off.

I also love that this product is natural, with healthy lash-loving ingredients, is 100% vegan, and is cruelty-free. 



2 Coats of Pacifica Deam Big Mascara: Length 1st, then Volume
Note: I am not wearing any eyeliner or mascara on my lower lashes
Conclusion:
I love that this product has ingredients for healthy lashes, is vegan, and cruelty-free. And, that with a twist of the tube I can choose volume, length or both. I am also able to get natural looking lashes with one coat or bigger lashes using two coats by using the length and then volume settings. I do find the formula rather dry for my liking and the wand doesn't grip my lashes very well so it took a bit more work than I like to try and get my desired impact- I like big lashes! This product would be great for anyone who likes more natural looking lashes as you can achieve that very easily with this product:

Repurchase: 
I probably wouldn't purchase this formula again but I would definitely try another formula by Pacifica as I know they've got some other new formulas that are supposed to be great!

You can purchase this product here.


Have you tried this product? Love or leave?!




*Not sponsored

Thursday, March 16, 2017

New! Live Clean Biotin Extra Body Shampoo & Conditioner #Giveaway X 3 {CLOSED}



Live Clean is on a roll with awesome new product launches!

Their new Biotin Extra Body Shampoo and Conditioner are some of those new winning products. At least in my books. I've been using these for several weeks and I'm really impressed.

I'm so impressed that Live Clean and I have teamed up to giveaway their Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner to 3 of my readers!

About: 
Combining Biotin with ginseng and lavender, these products increase volume, impart shine, and strengthen hair. Biotin or B7 is a key nutrient for healthy hair. Ginseng and lavender restore depleted moisture and impart beautiful shine. The result; thicker hair, added volume, improved elasticity, and moisture retention for all hair types! Made with plant and natural based ingredients that are renewable and sustainable.

My Experience:
These products worked immediately on my hair. Although they are touted as "extra body" products, the most notable difference for me was the manageability of my hair. My hair was immediately more manageable, and I have THE most unruly hair.

The scent is delicious as I find is the case with all Live Clean products, just fresh and clean, nothing overpowering. The shampoo lathers up beautifully to clean my hair without stripping it as it's free of SLS and other harmful chemicals. The conditioner instantly detangles my hair and makes it silky, smooth, and soft without weighing my hair down. Where was this product when I was a kid and my Mother spent hours trying to get the tangles out of my hair!? This would have saved us both a lot of grief.

In my experience, most hair products designed to give my hair more body or volume end up making my hair MORE tangled and difficult to manage, yet these products do the exact opposite for me.

I don't notice a huge difference in volume, although I do notice some. But, the biggest advantage to me has been manageability. And with my unruly hair, I cannot ask for more.

As always with Live Clean, these products are natural, plant based, cruelty free, affordable, eco-friendly, and free of nasty chemicals!

Live Clean products are free from: 
  • SLS/ Sulphates
  • Phthalates
  • Petrolatum 
  • Silicone
  • Dye
  • Parabens
  • DEA
  • Phosphates
  • Mineral Oil
Size:
350 ml each

Price:
$7.49-7.99 each

Availability:
Walmart, Walmart.ca, Shoppers Drug Mart

I can't wait for 3 of you to be able to experience these products for yourself!

Enter via the Rafflecopter below. As always, the only mandatory entry is to leave a comment. You can increase your chances with the optional entries.

This post is not sponsored. Live Clean is generously providing the products for this giveaway. Products will be shipped directly from Live Clean to the winner.


This giveaway is open to Canadian residents who are over the age of 13 or have parental consent. This giveaway will run for 1 week. The winners will be notified by email.


Good Luck, Everyone!!!

New! Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss | Review #TFSWEETPEACH

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Gloss in Pure Peach

Featured Product: Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Lip Gloss in Pure Peach/ Retail $24.00 CAD/ 4 ML / Available in 8 shades

I happened to be at Sephora recently and when I saw the new Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Lip Oil Gloss available for Beauty Insiders for 100 points, I had to try it out!

As far as I know, there was only one colour available to sample using Beauty Insider points, as I wasn't given an option. I received the colour Pure Peach. It looked pretty orange and almost neon, so I was a bit concerned but I really wanted to try this before deciding if I want to shell out the $24 for a full-size product. I'm attracting to anything with oils or with moisturizing claims since I'm so dehydrated.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Gloss in Pure Peach

Even the cap is cute with a little peach puffy sticker 

The Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Glosses are available in 8 shades on Sephora.ca for $24 CAD.

This colour, Pure Peach, is described as a peachy pink on Sephora's website. When swatched it looks peach/orange and I don't see the pink. This is where the pigment of your lips comes in. Once on the lips, it is definitely a peachy pink, at least with the pigment of my lips and I love the colour that I get.

It's pigmented for a gloss but sheer as well, so you get a good dose of colour without it being too much.
Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Gloss in Pure Peach

The wand has a doe foot applicator

These lip glosses are formulated with peach oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E. 

Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil has a moisture-rich formula that feels lightweight and creamy. It features shades in nudes, peachy pinks, and corals. Silky and smooth, it’s infused with the skin-loving essence of peach, coconut oil, and vitamins, and each shade smells just like peaches. 

Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates 

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Gloss in Pure Peach

In person, this swatch looks more orange than it appears in the photos. 

This gloss has a sweet peachy scent which is a bit strong at first but the scent fades away completely (at least to this nose!).

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil Gloss in Pure Peach

I find that this colour brings a youthfulness to my aging lips/face.

I find it very hydrating and comfortable. Despite the fact that it has oils in it, it doesn't slide around on your face as you might expect. It's not sticky either. And, it lasts for a decent amount of time for a gloss.

I reach for this constantly and if I were to have just one gloss, I would be happy with just this. The only caveat is the thought of spending $24 + taxes for a gloss with only 4ml's of product!


Too Faced Peach Lip Oil Gloss in Pure Peach

This product is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and free of gluten. 

This product is a real winner for me, I'd love to try ALL the colours!! 

Click here to purchase.


Have you tried this product? If so, which colour?

#TFSWEETPEACH


*Not sponsored. no affiliate links. opinions are my own.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

New! Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb! The Super Hydrating Sheet Mask Review

Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask

Recently, I posted a little beauty haul (linked here). This Garnier mask was one of the deals I scored at Shoppers Drug Mart. It was the last mask left and with a name like "Moisture Bomb," I had to have it!

The Mask: Garnier® SkinActive® Moisture Bomb The Super Hydrating Sheet Mask. 1 sheet mask, retail $3.99.

The Claims: 
  • This water-based sheet mask with Hyaluronic Acid, an ingredient naturally found in skin, floods skin with intense, weightless hydration. Free of mineral oil and petrolatum, this non-greasy formula, with pomegranate extract, provides a soothing burst of hydration and a fresher, softer, more radiant look.
  • Half a bottle of hydrating serum in 1 mask
  • Delivers 24-hour long-lasting hydration
  • Helps prevent moisture loss throughout the day

How to Use:
1. Start with clean skin. Gently press the mask onto the face with the blue side on top.
2. Peel off the blue film. Adjust and smooth out the mask to fit the contours of your face. 
3. Leave on for 15 minutes. 
4. Remove the mask and gently massage the remaining product into the skin. No need to rinse.



Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask (scary mask selfies!)

My Experience:
Before applying the mask, I did a light exfoliation, as I always do before using a hydrating mask. This assists in better absorption of the mask's ingredients into the skin. If you don't have an exfoliator on hand, you can use a baby washcloth or use one of my favourite DIY face exfoliators using rice flour.

The mask was easy to apply. There are 2 layers (as shown above), the outer layer is blue in colour and is removed once you get the mask in place. Then you can reposition the thin white sheet mask that is left behind and mold it to fit the contours of your face really nicely.

The mask is very saturated and stays in place without sliding around. I left it on for just over 15 minutes. After I removed the mask there was a lot of product left, I massage it into my skin until absorbed. This took a few minutes as there was so much product and it wasn't easily absorbed into the skin.

My skin was left feeling hydrated but with a tacky/ sticky feel on the surface. I waited for a bit but the tackiness remained. I went ahead with my usual makeup routine. My tinted moisturizer did not go on very well after this mask, it wouldn't meld into my skin, instead, it kind of balled up in places and slid around in others. Based on this, I would recommend using this mask before bed or well before an event since makeup doesn't seem to work well right after this mask.

Overall, I found that my skin did look and feel softer and smoother after the mask. I found that my skin looked plumped and refreshed, even my smile lines looked plumped up. My skin looked younger overall thanks to the intense hydration (I can see why they call it "Moisture Bomb"). The stickiness eventually went away and my skin was left feeling hydrated all day long.

I would definitely repurchase this mask as a treat or before an event for a fresh, plumped look.

Click here to purchase.

Have you tried Garnier's new Moisture Bomb line? What do you recommend?




*Not sponsored. Product purchased by me. All opinions are my own.

Friday, March 10, 2017

La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra - Reactive Skin #ultramicellar

La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra 400ml $19.95


Featured product: La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra for Reactive Skin. Size 400ml, Suggested Retail $19.95.

Ever since micellar waters have been becoming mainstream and accessible, I've made these products a part of my daily beauty routine.

I was offered the opportunity to try out La Roche-Posay's new Micellar Water Ultra for reactive skintypes via ChickAdvisor. Of course, I couldn't pass it up!

Claims: Ultra effective make up removal yet ultra gentle cleansing. ✅ Tailored to dry, intolerant skin experiencing discomfort. Leaves skin feeling hydrated. ✅ Soothes and reduces redness and tightness. ✅

How to use: Soak a cotton pad, apply to face and eyes to remove makeup, cleanse the skin, and re-hydrate. No rinsing required.

I have aging, dehydrated, and reactive skin that is very acne prone. This micellar water lives up to it's claims. I found it to be very effective at removing all face and eye makeup while at the same time being very gentle and hydrating to my skin. It feels so good and so soothing to my skin that I find myself wanting to apply it to my skin all the time, just to refresh and hydrate my skin.

I didn't experience any reactions, dryness, or breakouts. It is also very gentle on my eyes and didn't cause any irritation or stinging. It removes my eye makeup completely- no need for a separate eye makeup remover! It's also safe to use on the lips and works great to remove liquid lipsticks that are usually hard to remove.

I generally use this as a first cleanse but when I'm too tired, I also will use it as my only cleanse, especially in the morning when I don't have any makeup to remove. It does a great job at makeup removal as well as cleansing my skin and adding hydration.  I also find myself using it as a toner after cleansing. It's a real multi-use product.

I also appreciate that it's free of soap, colorants, alcohol, and parabens.

This product is also available in formulas for oily skin and normal/sensitive skin.

I'm excited to try more from this brand as I find the quality and effectiveness to be above par.

You can learn more and purchase this product here.

Happy Friday, everyone!



*Not sponsored. I received this product free for trial purposes. All opinions are mine. #gotitfree #ultramicellar       

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Sephora 2017 Birthday Gift | Tarte Paaarty Blush + Tartiest Lip Paint Birthday Suit with Swatches



This year Sephora is offering some great choices as their birthday gift for Beauty Insiders. One being this Tarte set that I'm featuring, and the other is a skincare set by Caudalie (shown below). I believe in the USA they have a 3rd choice of a Jack Black set.

You can get more info on the birthday gift choices on Sephora's website.


Photo credit: Sephora.ca

 As much as I love skincare, the choice was easy for me. I've never owned a Tarte blush and have always been curious.

The Tarte package includes their Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Paaarty (1.5g) as well as their Tartiest Creamy Matte Lip Paint in Birthday Suit (1 ml)- both aptly named.



Tarte Blush in Paaarty | Tartiest Matte Lip Paint in Birthday Suit
The Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes are "long-wearing, solar-baked blush that lasts up to 12 hours." They are formulated without parabens, sulfates, Phthalatespetrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, and triclosan.

Sephora's website does not offer a colour description for the colour Paaarty. Although it looks mauve in the pan, I would describe it as a peach/pink with a rosy tone. This shade would go with most makeup looks. 

I'm so happy with my choice. The Amazonian Clay blush definitely lives up tot they hype! It's beautiful, pigmented, and long lasting. The colour Paaarty is a perfect peachy-pink matte colour that would be suitable for many skin tones.
Tarte Blush in Paaarty | Tartiest Matte Lip Paint in Birthday Suit
The Tartiest lip paint in Birthday Suit goes on MUCH darker than it appears in the tube. Far too dark for me. But, I can see how this colour would appeal to those who are younger or have medium to deep skin tones. I prefer much lighter nudes so I won't be using this lip paint. I also found it to be too drying for my aging and dehydrated lips. However, it is a very nice dark nude shade that I'm sure many would appreciate.

Swatches: Tarte Blush in Paaarty | Tartiest Lip Paint in Birthday Suit
Although I won't be using the lip shade, I'm still very happy that I chose the Tarte birthday gift as the blush alone is worth it to me.

Tarte is a cruelty-free company.


You can purchase this duo here.




* This post is not sponsored. No affiliate links are used.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Fun Weekend Makeup & Beauty Haul | Garnier, Wet N Wild, Essence, Infusium 23



I feel like I haven't purchased some new beauty products in a while. This weekend while out running errands I came across a few beauty products that were new to me, they were all pretty affordable so I thought I'd give them a go.

I'm so excited to test all these products out! I plan on reviewing most, if not all of these, so stay tuned for upcoming reviews.

Essence Blush in Satin Love

The first item that I purchased is Essence's new Satin Touch Blush in Satin Love. It was the only colour left at the Shoppers Drug Mart I was shopping at. It appears to be a beautiful everyday shade that will go with any look. I've never tried this formula by Essence, but I've tried their Silky Touch blushes, which I own many of, and they are some of my favourite blushes. Essence is a Cruelty-free brand. This blush was only $3.99

Garnier Moisture Bomb Mask Sheet Mask

The next item that I picked up during my Shoppers Drug Mart trip is this Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb "The Super Hydrating Sheet Mask." This also states that it's new, and it was the last one left in the store. It was on sale for only $2.99. Love that they call it a "Moisture Bomb" mask, we'll see about that. I can wait to try this! Update: Full review linked here!

Infusium 23 Dry Shampoo

I also found this Infusium 23 Color Defender Dry Shampoo at Shoppers Drug Mart. It was on sale for $3 and it was also the last one left. I used to use Infusium 23 leave-in conditioner all the time and I really liked it. I'm really excited to try another Infusium 23 product and see how it compares to my DIY dry shampoo (made from cornstarch).

Wet N Wild Nude Awakening Eyeshadow Palette

I had to stop at Walmart as well, I love to check out their beauty aisles and see what's new. I was happy to see that they had some new Wet n Wild products, including this Au Naturel eyeshadow palette in Nude Awakenings #754A. I haven't read any reviews on this product, so I'm hoping for the best. It has a lot of pink shades and it looks like it has several matte shades too. The other aspect that sold me is that there are a lot of light colours in this palette, as that's what I wear mostly these days. Wet n Wild is also #crueltyfree This palette was $7.50

Ion Leave-in Conditioner

My last stop was Sally's Beauty Supply. I picked up this Ion Styling Solutions Leave-in Conditioner. This 3oz size was around $4.00. I've tried other products by the Ion brand and remember being happy with them. I use a leave-in conditioner every time I wash my hair since it's so dry and damaged. I appreciate this trial size so I don't have to make a big commitment to see whether or not it works for me. This product is 100% Vegan!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed seeing my new beauty buys!

Have a great week ahead!







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