I Love Cosmetics Signature Scents Hit Shoppers Drug Mart Stores | Exotic Fruits Body Mist

Just in time for Summer, I LOVE Cosmetics' Signature Signature Scents hit Shoppers Drug Mart Stores! I LOVE Cosmetics’ New ‘Signature Scents’ range, includes award-winning Body Wash and Body Mists.

I've been wearing their Exotic Fruits Body Mist for weeks now and I'm loving the light fresh scent, it gives me those summertime vacation vibes! 🌞🍓🍉

I rarely wear perfume anymore as I find them too heavy for me most of the time, so I've been reaching for @iloveofficial Exotic Fruits Body Mist on the daily! It's light and fresh and never heavy or overpowering so I don't get headaches or migraines from it. The keynotes of this scent are Mango, Grapefruit,  Melon, and Pineapple  It's the perfect scent for Summer! Ther are many other scents to choose from so there's something for everyone (see the list below)✨

I LOVE Cosmetics’ ‘Signature Scents’ range includes:

🌸 Elderflower Fizz

🌸Vanilla Milk

🌸Violet Dreams

🌸Glazed Raspberry

🌸Exotic Fruits

I LOVE Cosmetics’ New ‘Signature Scents’ range, which includes bath and body products, are now available in-store and online exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart stores Canada-wide.

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Full-size Signature Scents Body Wash and Body Mists retail for $9.99. They are Made in the UK, are Vegan Friendly, and cruelty-free 💃

For more information on the brand, please visit https://www.farleyco.ca/I-love-Cosmetics/

Which scent would you choose?

Happy Sunday! 

Amy, XO

#Prsample #notsponsored  

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation & Camouflage Concealer Review + Swatches Shade 010

I'm ecstatic that Catrice Cosmetics has finally arrived in Canada! They have some amazing products at super affordable prices AND they are Cruelty-free! I was so happy to receive their HD Liquid Coverage Foundation and Camouflage Concealer for testing and review consideration.

I had a look at their shade chart (see below) and decided that shade 010 in both the foundation and concealer would probably be the best match for my light-medium skin with neutral undertones.

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation Shade 010

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation 30ml/ $13.99 CAD

From Catrice:

• Ultra-light, high coverage foundation for a natural-looking finish
• Covers imperfections and mattifies the skin creating a smooth and even complexion for up to 24 hours
• Features a unique dropper applicator
• Scroll down to our shade finder to find your perfect match
• Vegan

The foundation comes in a glass bottle with a dropper style dispenser. 

The shade 010 was a good match for my skin tone when I don't have a tan. It oxidizes very slightly but not in an orange way, it just gets very slightly darker, so keep this in mind when selecting a shade. I could actually use a slightly darker shade because I prefer my foundation to be just a bit darker on me as I like to add some colour to my face. However, I can also add the extra colour to my face with some bronzer etc. 

This foundation has great coverage and gives you the option of lighter or heavier coverage depending on how much you apply and your application method. Most days, I prefer a lighter coverage, so I use a damp beauty sponge for this type of coverage. I can achieve more coverage by using a brush instead. Note that very little product is needed and I would always start off with less and build from there. 

I didn't find this foundation to be cakey at all and it did not settle into my lines either. It's actually very suitable for my aging skin. I cannot speak for 24 hour staying power as I wash it off before bed, but hey, there are always those times you might want 24-hour staying power (hello, my younger days!) The staying power is great though and I did not become oily throughout the day which is pretty much unheard of for me!

Catrice Camouflage Concealer in Shade 010

Catrice Liquid Camoflouge High Coverage Conclear 5 ml/ $7.99

From Catrice:

• Long lasting, liquid concealer for weightless coverage
• Highly pigmented and waterproof formula instantly hides dark circles, imperfections and redness
• Flock tip applicator for precise application

The Camouflage concealer was also a good match for me in the shade 010. It's lighter than the foundation but has a more pink undertone to it which is great for brightening the under eyes.

The concealer worked well for both my under eyes, redness, and blemishes. I have been wearing this concealer often for lighter makeup days. I just apply some of this concealer where needed and then apply some powder, bronzer, lipgloss and I'm good to go. If I want more coverage for conference calls etc, I add in the foundation so I can look more polished.

I love that this concealer isn't detectable on the skin and that it doesn't settle into fine lines. It states that it's waterproof. I haven't tested out that claim but I have used it on days that I've worked out and it sure stood up to sweat, so I don't doubt that it's waterproof.

A little also goes a long way with this product also, so very little is needed and I start with less and add more as needed. I appreciate that it is not cakey or drying on my combination, dehydrated, and aging skin.

Top: Foundation shade 010

Bottom: Concealer shade 010

I'm so happy with both of these products and think that they stand up to high-end products at such affordable prices!

Catrice has a large selection of shades to choose from, so there should something for everyone. At the time of this post, there are 23 foundation shades to choose from and 17 concealer shades.

I really appreciate that Catrice makes inclusive products that work for all generations including those with aging skin!

These products are cruelty-free, gluten-free, alcohol-free, and oil-free.

Available online at Shoppers Drug Mart.ca

Happy Sunday, everyone!

PR samples kindly provided by Catrice for review consideration. No referral links and this post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own :)

New! Ipsy Beauty Glam Bag April 2020

Hey, Everyone!

Sorry I wasn't able to get my usual Sunday post up. Even though we are still under quarantine, I have a lot going on at the moment and it makes it difficult to keep up with everything. Hopefully, today's fun post will make up for it!

I received Ipsy's beauty bag subscription for the month of April for free thanks to an online buddy, and I think it's a really great bag.

If you're not familiar with Ipsy / Glam bag, they are a monthly beauty subscription service where you receive a makeup bag and 5 personalized beauty products (usually deluxe sample sizes) based on your own individual profile. The subscription is $12 USD per month, which is a great deal! But, if you live in Canada, it will end up costing about $21 per month with the exchange rate and the $2.95 shipping and taxes fee.

I'll share what I received and hopefully, it will help you determine if the bag is right for you.

IPSY APRIL 2020

My bag has a mix of skincare and makeup which is right up my alley! In my Beauty Quiz, I requested not to be sent fragrances and quite a few other items, which pretty much left skincare and makeup which is just what I wanted to receive.

INSIDE THE BAG

Firstly, the makeup bag that came with my subscription is super cute and good quality, I'll definitely get use out of it.

I was happy to see 2 K Beauty sheet masks in my bag by Jayjun Cosmetics. I've never heard of this brand before but I'm looking forward to trying them out. Discovering new beauty brands is my favourite thing about these beauty subscription services!

One mask is for brightening and one for calming- both right up my alley!

Next up, I received a deluxe sample size (30ml) of Pure Heals by Nature Village Propolis Softening Toner. Niacinimide is the 3rd ingredient, so I'm stocked to try this out!

The first makeup item is this beautiful neutral eyeshadow quad by Oryza Beauty in Nude Shimmer and Contour (8 grams). It's another brand I haven't heard of! I actually selected this item before the bag was shipped. I received an email from Ipsy as they allow you to select your first item from a list of choices, the rest of the bag's contents are up to Ipsy. This palette is quite flimsy and doesn't have a mirror but it's great for the purse or travel. I appreciate small packaging more and more as I find it difficult to store bulky items and use up all my products before they expire. 

I also received Estate Beauty's baked highlighter in Dew Me (3.2grams). This is yet another brand that is new to me. It looks to be a bit of a blinding type of highlighter so I'll have to do a lot of blending as I like a subtle highlight (Essence Be My Highlight is my favourite). I'm still happy that I received this to try out and if I don't find myself using it, I can pass it on to someone else.

The last item that I received in this month's bag is this beautiful blush by Kaleido Cosmetics in the shade PrimaDonna (3 grams). I've never heard of this brand before either but the packaging states they are vegan and cruelty-free! 🐰

NOTE: I'm in Canada and my bag shipped on April 8th and I received it on April 21st.

I'm really happy with this bag and excited to play with everything! It's rare that I will use everything in a subscription box but this one is an exception. I know that many of us are going through difficult times for our own reasons and sometimes playing around with some new makeup can make us feel a little bit better, even if it's just for a little while.

If you are interested in trying out Ipsy, you can sign up here.

Did you receive a beauty bag this month? Let me know what you received!

Hope you enjoyed seeing what came in my April Ipsy / Glam bag and that you are all staying safe! 🙏

#notsponsored but I wish it was ;)

Some links are referral, thanks for your support, everyone!

New! Biotulin Supreme Anti-Aging Skin Gel Review | Better Than Botox!?

Eventually, we will all experience a time when we look into the mirror and no longer recognize the face looking back at us. This is the year that it happened to me.

My 51st birthday was at the beginning of February and I had to renew my driver's licence picture. I was actually having a lot of anxiety over it, after all, I'll be stuck with that photo for the next 10 years! I was trying to figure out what I could do to make myself look better. I find a good night's sleep makes a world of difference in how I look, but I don't seem to have much control over that these days, so I purchased some tanning drops and was looking into other products that might help me feel better about the way that I look. That's when I came across this article: This British Serum Works Better Than Botox, According to Kate Middleton, and I immediately emailed it to myself so I could look into it later on. After all, if this serum is good enough for a Princess, it's gotta be good, right!? The article was about a product called Biotulin, developed and produced in Germany and stated "this extract is comparable to needle injections containing Botulinum Toxin. Saying the results are similar, but it’s much simpler to use." Needless to say, I REALLY wanted to try it!

Then, just days after emailing myself that article, I was contacted by Biotulin and asked to test out their product. I couldn't believe the timing! I figured this is meant to be, so of course, I jumped at the chance!

So, what is Biotulin?
A transparent, fragrance-free organic gel developed by a team of scientists led by pharmacist and chemist Dr Claus Breuer. The gel is sold in a dispenser which is 100 percent airtight to ensure hygienic application. One of the main ingredients of Biotulin is Spilanthol, a local anaesthetic extracted from the plant Acmella Oleracea (paracress).

In addition, all Biotulin products serve as effective wrinkle prophylaxis. Regular use prevents the formation of new wrinkles. Your skin looks beautiful, well cared for and young for longer.

Biotulin reduces wrinkles up to 25% within the first hour!

Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel 15ml /49.99€ (Shop Now)

I began the Biotulin right away. I love that it comes in an airtight pump so the product stays protected and is always fresh. I also love that it's fragrance free! One pump is all that I need to cover my entire face and neck. It absorbs nicely into my skin and it works well with my other skincare that I continue to use. That's another great feature of this product, you can use it alone or incorporate it into your regular skincare routine.

Since I've never had Botox, I cannot compare Biotulin to it, but I will say that my face did not "freeze", I was still able to make facial expressions. What I did notice is that my face looked more relaxed. On one side of my face, the muscles always seem to be contracted and it causes the eyebrow on that side of my face to be up near my hairline whilst the eyebrow on the other side of my face is nice and relaxed but much lower, causing asymmetry. After using Biotulin, I noticed that both of my eyebrows were relaxed and at about the same level. I thought maybe I was imagining this... But then I read this....

Biotulin works on several levels at once:

First, the Spilanthol, a local anaesthetic extracted from Acmella oleracea, reduces muscle contractions and relaxes your features. This reduces fine lines, particularly around the eyes and between the eyebrows. Your skin becomes noticeably smoother.

A second extract comes from Imperata Cylindrica, also known as blady grass. This plant grows in the very driest of South America’s desert regions and is able to survive even on saline soils. This extract supplies the skin with moisture up to 4 hours.

The third important ingredient is Hyaluron. Hyaluron occurs naturally in the human body. With age, the body’s own collagen, a component of human connective tissue, gradually becomes less effective at regenerating and replumping the skin from within. Hyaluron’s ability to store large amounts of water relative to its mass has been scientifically proven. This characteristic helps to counter human natural ageing process and maintain the skin’s fullness. Your skin will stay healthy and beautiful.

.....This explains everything! It wasn't in my imagination!

I had both immediate and cumulative effects from using Biotulin. I've been using it every day and most nights for about 3 weeks now, and I am starting to recognize the face looking back at me in the mirror. I look younger overall as my skin definitely looks smoother. I also see the definition returning to my face and symmetry returning as well (something I associate with beauty). Also, I did not experience any irritation or breakouts as I can experience with some products. I am still using this product and I'm excited and hopeful to see further improvements in my appearance. After all, if we look good, we feel good!

And, by the way, I did end up going to get my driver's license picture renewed, and I'm so glad that I started using Biotulin beforehand as I looked more like my younger self and that did help to alleviate some of the anxiety that I was having over the whole darn thing!

Biotulin is free of preservatives, 100% natural, cruelty-free, dermatologist tested, suitable for all skin types.

Learn more about Biotulin HERE and HERE.

Biotulin Supreme Skin Gel 15ml /49.99€ 

(Shop Now)

Note: Each 15ml bottle contains approximately 50 pumps!

This post is in collaboration with Biotulin. All opinions are honest and my own. No affiliate links are used in this post.

Hello Lassie Beauty and Lifestyle Gift Box Veronica Edition | Jan 2020

This is my first box from the new Canadian brand Hello Lassie. Every month, Hello Lassie curates a new gift box available for purchase. The boxes contain a variety of health, beauty, and lifestyle products and the value is always much more than the cost of the box. It's such a great gift idea as there is no shopping required and no commitment since there is no subscription required. You can purchase a box as a gift for someone or you can always treat yourself. Boxes are also customizable and you can request specific products. If it fits into the budget, they will honour your request and add your requested item to the box. This is a great way to gift someone you love with a fun and fabulous box full of goodies and you don't have to step into a single store!

The cost of a box is $49.99 CAD and the value of the contents is always much more. They also have mini boxes available for $25-$35 which normally include about 3 products. Previous boxes are also available until they are sold out.

The box featured in this post is their Veronica Edition gift box.  This box contains so many great goodies from a beautiful scarf to jewellery as well as name brand beauty products. The value of this box is over $107 but retails for only $49.99 CAD!

Victoria's Secret Pure Seduction In Bloom Body Lotion was included in my box (full- size, scents may vary)

Also included was a thermal nail polish by Née Jolie, which changes colours depending on the temperature of your fingernails. Pretty cool! Colours will vary.

My box also included a beautiful, high-quality, sparkly makeup bag (colours may vary)

I was really happy to see a Sephora brand sheet mask in my box! Perfect for a day of pampering.

Each Veronica box includes a leather bracelet that fits most wrist sizes. The stones vary from box to box.

I'm so glad that scrunchies are back in style! Hello Lassie included a beautiful gold speckled large-sized scrunchie which I've been enjoying on the daily!

Lastly, s soft and elegant scarf was included in this box. It's a neutral grey colour that will go with pretty much anything!

Summary of contents:

• Victoria's Secret Body Lotion
• Thermal Nail Polish
• Leather Bracelet
• 1 Sparkly Cosmetic bag
• Beautiful Scrunchie
• Sephora mask
• Elegant Scarf

This box would make such a great gift for a loved one or you can always treat yo' self! 😊

.

Hello Lassie is a Canadian brand! You can check them out and learn more at www.hellolassie.ca

Or, check them out on Instagram @ Hello Lassie

PR sample. All opinions are my own. Not sponsored.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas For Him and Her

If you are behind with your holiday shopping like I am, hopefully, this post will give you some good ideas for some last-minute gifts. 🧦

Whether you need some last-minute items to fill someone's stocking or maybe some host and/or hostess gifts, there is something for pretty much everyone here. There's also a little something for the guys.

Magnetix Makeup Brushes by Profusion ($10.99 and up)

These gorgeous rose gold makeup brushes by Profusion cosmetics are magnetized and can be displayed on the rose gold stand that's included with the eye brush. Storing them this way keeps them secure, accessible, and hygienic. They are super soft and feel like high-end brushes, IMO. They are also vegan and cruelty-free! Full review on these beauties with pics can be found linked HERE.

Available at: Farleyco.ca, Lawtons Drugs, and select IDA Guardian, and Pharmasave stores.

7th Heaven Renew You Face Masks ($2.99 and up)

I love 7th Heaven is one of my favourite drugstore face mask brands. They are not only affordable but amazing quality and cruelty-free! There are several masks to choose from in this line, all have anti-aging benefits.

Shown above:

• Detox & Replenish Hydrogel Mask- Pore minimize and hydrate, with charcoal & 7 berries
• 24K Gold Firming Sheet Mask- Help prevent sagging skin with amino acids & Star Anise 
• Gold Radiance Eye Masks- Targets dark circles and puffiness with Q10 and Soy Bean Extract

Coming to: London Drugs, Rexall Pharmaplus, Pharmasave, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familiprix, Brunet

Modele Plump and Seal Collagen Lip Treatment ($29.99)

I've used this product before and already know that I'm a big fan! I use a lot of lip balms for my super dehydrated lips, so when I finish one, you know it's good. This is the perfect gift for anyone who takes pride in the look of their pout or maybe has chronically dry lips.

Modèle Collagen Lip Treatment restores lip volume, reduces the signs of aging and helps retain moisture.

Clinically proven to:
• Visibly increase lip volume up to 40%
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines up to 30%
• Improve lip hydration up to 60%

Available at: Farleyco.ca, select Pharmasave, Guardian IDA, Jean Coutu, Familiprix, Uniprix, and Brunet

I Love Signature Scents Body Washes ($24.99 for box set)

Give the gift of pampering with these gorgeously scented body washes. My personal favourites are Exotic Fruits and Glazed Raspberry. They are perfectly sweet, and not overpowering at all. They leave me feeling clean and they are not drying. There is a scent for everyone if your giftee isn't a fan of fruity scents.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Lastly, we have something for the guys....

Below the Belt Grooming Fresh & Dry Balls, Active ($9.99)

We may not think about it much (or at all) but guys need to take care of their personal hygiene too!

Available in 3 scents: Active, Fresh, and Cool. Designed to be applied after showering to stay fresh and dry for up to eight hours. Applies as a gel, Fresh & Dry Balls dries to a silky fine layer, leaving the groin area dry and comfortable for hours. This product is dermatologically tested and contains essential oils.

I don't have a review on this yet but I know my guy is intrigued and will be using it. A great gift for the man in your life. Would also make a great host gift for a guy you know REALLY well. I think they'd get a kick out of it. 🤭

Available at: Farleyco.ca, London Drugs.com, select Pharmasave, Guardian IDA, Jean Coutu, Familiprix, and Brunet. Amazon: Fresh, Cool, Active.

Hopefully, these gift ideas were helpful to you or maybe you want to treat yourself!

Happy Holidays and happy shopping! 🎅

Products were kindly gifted by FarleyCo Beauty. This post is not sponsored.

New! Profusion Magnetix Magnetic Attraction Makeup Brush Review!

Profusion Cosmetics is a cruelty-free beauty brand that makes great makeup products at affordable prices. They've just come out with a super innovative line of magnetic makeup brushes called Magnetix Makeup Brushes by Profusion. Talk about the perfect gift for the makeup and beauty enthusiast in your life!

The brush handles are magnetized so they will stand upright on the display stand (included with the eyeshadow brush). The magnets are strong and the brushes are held down securely. The display stand has rubber feet on the bottom which keeps the display stand securely in place as well.

Keeping your brushes upright like this keeps them accessible and hygenic as there is no cross-contamination with other brushes or other nearby items that they may come in contact with. They rose gold colour is also super pretty to display on any vanity.

Pictured above is the display stand with the eyeshadow brush ($17.99), and blush brush ($14.99)

The stand comes with an eyeshadow brush, additional Magnetix brushes can be purchased separately and kept on the stand as well so you can build your collection as much or as little as you like. The brushes can also be stored in another manner if you don't want to use or purchase the stand. The brushes are so pretty and such good quality that I recommend them on those merits alone.

The brushes are SUPER soft and feel like much higher-end brushes, imo. They are made with synthetic bristles and are designed to pick up the perfect amount of product. Vegan and cruelty-free, I really couldn't ask for more. I'm looking forward to expanding my collection.

You can find these products at Farleyco.ca, Lawtons Drugs, and select IDA Guardian, and Pharmasave stores. 

Wishing you all a great rest of the week!

Products were kindly provided by FarleycoBeauty for editorial consideration. This post is not sponsored. #magnetixbrushes #makeupbrushes #profusioncosmetics

'Easy Affordable Festive Holiday Nails!

Festive Holiday Nails

I'm horrible at doing my nails but I recently purchased a new nail polish by Sinful Colors called Let Me Go and it's giving me all the holiday vibes! It's a sheer holographic nail polish that appears mostly silver on camera, but in person, it has a purple, green, and blue shift to it. It has a very neutral look to it as well so it works as sort of a "nude" shade. I added a chunky silver glitter polish to my ring finger for an even more festive look. This one is by L.A Colors. Cannot find the name on the bottle but it's a large chunky, silver glitter in a clear base.

The Holographic polish by Sinful Colors is very sheer but is buildable. I am wearing 3 coats of each polish here. I found it impossible to capture the purple, blue, and green shift with the camera. You can get the idea from the photo of the bottle though (pictured at the bottom of this post).

Every time I look at my nails I have to take a second look, I just love them and they feel so festive! I've shared several pics of this "manicure" (I use that term loosely) 🤭, in different lighting and have not used any filters. As you can see, it looks sheer in some photos and more opaque in others.

Outdoor Lighting

 Indoor Lighting

This mani totally brings me joy! Every time I look at my nails, they remind me of Christmas Tree ornaments. :D

And, btw, I've had these polishes on for days and there is very little wear.

Pictured above: Left: Sinful Colors in Let Me Go, Right: L.A. Colors Silver Glitter Polish.

If you are looking for an affordable festive nail look this holiday season that is easy to do, I highly recommend you give these a try. You can find both online or at select Walmart's and Dollar Tree stores.

Wishing you a great week ahead! 

Xo's, Amy

*Not sponsored. All products were purchased by me. Opinions in this post are mine. :) Some links are referral, thank you if you choose to use them!

New! Live Clean Foaming Holiday Hand Soaps in Fresh Snow + Frosted Apple

Live Clean is back with their holiday hand soaps and they're better than ever! They have 2 new scents in their Foaming Hand Washes made just for the holidays; Frosted Apple and Fresh Snow. I don't know how they manage to capture these scents in bottles filled with all-natural goodness, but somehow they do!

I wash my hands A LOT and these hand soaps actually leave my skin clean but moisturized as they are loaded with skin softening, organic botanicals, and they're free from drying SLS and Sulfates, and also free from Triclosan (a possible hormone disruptor!).

I love both scents and I like that they are so different from each other so that there is something for everyone. Fresh Snow is as fresh and crisp smelling as they come. And, Frosted Apple smells like a fresh-baked apple pie with an extra dash of cinnamon.

As always, these products are all-natural, free of harsh chemicals, cruelty-free, effective, and affordable.

Fresh Snow Foaming Hand Wash 400ml/ $4.99-$5.99

• This scent is as crisp and fresh as they come!
• The rich lather is very effective at cleansing yet leaves my hands moisturized
• Enriched with Vitamin E, Certified Organic Botanicals of Lavender, Chamomile, and Rosemary
• 98% plant-derived, triclosan-free, SLS free, Paraben-free, pure Vegan

Frosted Apple Foaming Hand Wash 400ml / $4.99-$5.99

• Frosted Apple smells like Freshly baked apple pie with an extra dash of cinnamon spice! This one should come with a warning as it may make you hungry :) 🍎
• This one is also gentle yet effective and leaves my hands soft and moisturized
• Also enriched with Vitamin E, Certified Organic Botanicals of Lavender, Chamomile, and Rosemary

Both scents linger just a little bit on my hands after washing, which I quite enjoy!

These products are:

98% plant-derived

Made with certified organic botanicals

SLS Free

Triclosan Free

Petrolatum free

DEA free

Paraben-free

Silicone free

Phthalate-free

Phosphate-free

Hypoallergenic

Dermatologist tested

Pure Vegan

Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny Certified)

Made with Recyclable packaging

I'll never understand how Live Clean makes such affordable, all-natural products for the whole family at such affordable prices, I'm just so grateful that they do!

Suggested Retail $4.99-$5.99 / 400ml each.

These products are available at Walmart, Amazon.ca, Well.ca, Sobeys, London Drugs, Metro, Pharmasave, Loblaws Real Canadian Superstore

www.live-clean.com

Happy Holidays, everyone!