Author: Lea

Beauty, Haul, Review

Sephora Haul 2019

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora Haul 2019

Hey guys! I am back with a Sephora haul! I got a gift card for Christmas and I really took my time trying to figure out what I wanted to spend it on. And of course I got extra stuff on top of spending my gift card haha! I got a mixture of makeup and skincare as well as a mixt between new launches and older favourites.

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First, I got two sheet masks. One was the GLAMGLOW BUBBLESHEET Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask. The second was a Sephora Collection Eye Mask, specially the Perfecting and Brightening one. I haven’t tried either mask yet, I usually hoard masks and then save them for later. I might just post a mini review of them on my Instagram once I use them – what would you guys prefer?

I repurchased another Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. If you read my recent empties you would know how much I love this cleanser. I find it does a great job of cleaning my skin and has an amazing smell. I decided to buy the small size because it fits better where I store my skincare, and it’s also cheaper (like $30 cheaper!).

The other skincare product I got was the Laneige Water Bank Hydrating Gel. I believe I mentioned this in a previous post, but I was looking for a good medium hydration moisturizer. I currently have the Origins Matte Moisturizer and the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, but I wanted something in between very matte and very thick. I think the Laneige is the perfect in between. This gel is lighter than their sleeping mask, but just as hydrating. I have only used it for a week, so I might change my opinion but so far I love it. The gel consistency feels like I’m applying water to my face. It also works well underneath makeup. The only thing is that this jar is glass, so it’s very heavy and I’m always afraid I’m going to drop it and break it. If you have normal, combo or oily skin I think you would like this, but people with drier skin might want something thicker.

The first makeup product I got was a mini size of the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. I always get the smaller size of powder just to try them out without having to commit to the larger size just in case I don’t like it.  Now I had heard a bunch of people rave about this powder, and many people put it in their favourite products of 2018 so I thought it was time for me to try it out. I didn’t notice the difference between this powder and other ones until I put this powder on one side of my face and a different powder on the other side of my face. This powder is soooo smooth, it’s incredible. This powder has this little particles, I wouldn’t call it glitter but it just gives the most beautiful glow to the face. This powder doesn’t make you look super matte and cakey, but instead leaves a smooth, satin finish. BUT this powder isn’t the best at keeping my skin from looking oily. I understand why so many people with dry skin love this powder. Even though I have oily skin, I like this powder because I don’t always want to look super matte. If I need my makeup to last, I think I will continue to reach for my Cover FX powder, but when I want to look glowy I will use this powder. I will definitely buy it in a bigger size once I finish the mini one.

Next up was the Fenty Gloss Bomb in the shade Fenty Glow. I almost bought this gloss when it first came out, and for some reason I decided not to. I have have almost bought this gloss so many times, and I honestly can’t believe I wanted so long. THIS GLOSS IS AMAZING. I got Fenty Glow because I prefer warmer tones and this is just the perfect shade of lip gloss for me. It’s super shiny but doesn’t make your lips feel gross and tacky. The scent is also so nice and not too overpowering. The gloss lasts a decent amount of time on the lips compared to some other glosses I own. If Fenty came out with a peach or coral shade I would definitely buy that too.

Finally a new foundation! This year I want to spend less money on eyeshadows and lip products and invest more into face products. So getting a new foundation was on the top of that list. I have a bunch of matte, full-coverage foundations. I wanted to try something a little lighter with a satin finish. The Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Hydrating Foundation just ticked off all the boxes for me. I got a sample of the foundation and liked it enough to buy a full bottle. I also choose this foundation because it had neutral undertones, which is what I prefer for myself (I got shade 1.1). This foundation has a very buildable formula, so I can make it lighter or fuller coverage depending on how I am feeling that day. The foundation lasts well throughout the day, it doesn’t slip off my face or break apart. I think the only downside it that I really feel the foundation on my face, but I don’t mind too much since it looks good on my face. I would definitely recommend this foundation to anyone looking for a medium, natural looking foundation!

And that is my Sephora haul! The next product I am looking to invest in is a new bronzer, so let me know down below if you have any favourites!

xoxo

Lea

Life, Tips and Tricks

Self Care Tips

by LeaLeave a Comment on Self Care Tips

Hey guys! Today’s post is going to be a little different than my normal posts. My fellow Canadians know that this past Wednesday was #BellLet’sTalk day. For my international followers, this is a day where conversations about mental health are encouraged. With each text, call and use of the hashtag, Bell donates five cents to mental health initiatives. While there are some issues with this campaign, I believe the core idea of talking about mental health is important. That’s why I am writing this post a few days later because we shouldn’t just talk about mental health on one day of the year, but every day.

I have many close friends who have mental illness, but another important aspect is that everyone has mental health. I have learned about mental health and illness in a few of my classes and different workshops (and I am in no means an expert in the topic), but something I learned was the mental health continuum. On the x-axis is mental illness, and on the y-axis is mental health. Which means someone can have a mental illness and have flourishing mental health while someone can have no mental illness but languishing mental health.

All of this means that mental health is important for everyone. While I do not have any mental illnesses, I have experienced periods of low mental health. This time last year was probably one of the lowest points of my life. I have have come a long way, but I still have bad days sometimes. But I have come to learn how to help myself get through it and feel better, and I thought I would share some of them with you guys.

self care

1. Allow yourself to feel all the feelings

Sometimes you just need a good cry. I know that sometimes I try to hold it in and continue doing whatever I’m doing. But I find it’s better to just let it all out. I will just cry and sob my heart out, and then once I have naturally stopped crying that’s when I pick myself up and keep on going. It’s important to acknowledge your feeling instead of bottling them all up.

2. Talk or Write it out

There are times that even after I cried it out that I am still bothered by something. I often find that I need to talk things out with people to really feel better. Last year I was so afraid of sharing some of my feelings with my housemates that I would literally cry in my room while they were in the living room. I eventually got over that and now I am highly fortunate that I feel comfortable talking with my housemates about any of my worries. But if you don’t have someone to talk to, sometimes it’s also helpful to write it all down. The process of writing can help release all those feeling bottled up inside.

3. Do something you love to do

This probably isn’t surprising, but I love to do my makeup. I find that doing my makeup just helps me relax and decompress. My mind isn’t focused on my worries or anxieties but instead on my makeup application. By the time I’m done my makeup I always feel calmer. But for you this might be something else. It could be drawing or cooking or playing an instrument. Just find something that helps bring you some peace of mind.

4. Get some exercise

There is a ton of scientific research that shows that exercising is a mood booster. I find if I am stressed about something it really helps me get it out of my system. Even just going for a walk and getting some change of scenery can help improve your mental state.

5. Pamper yourself

There is a reason why people joke about doing a face mask as a form of self care. Sometimes you just need to take some time and pamper yourself. I shared this on my story last Friday, but I had such a nice self care/pamper night. I worked out and had a nice long, hot shower (baths are nice too if you have one). I lathered myself in nice smelling lotion and put on my comfy sweats. I ate dinner and then sat on the couch the rest of the night. I painted my nails and did a face mask while watching Netflix. It’s nice to do something just for yourself, but of course not using it as an excuse to procrastinate. I felt relaxed and refreshed, ready to do work the next day.

And those are my five very simple tips to help take care of your mental health. I am by no means an expert here, and I really suggest you do your own research along with seeking professional help if you need to.

I hope you guys liked this post. I love talking and discussing all things beauty and makeup, but mental health is also important to me. Take care of yourself my friends ❤

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Review

January Boxycharm 2019

by LeaLeave a Comment on January Boxycharm 2019

Hey guys! Here we are with the first Boxycharm of the year! I really liked this month’s theme – Boxy and Chill. I found that some of my products matched this month’s theme and colours, which I really appreciate because it makes the box look cohesive. Anyways, this month’s box:

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First product is the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Strength + Moisture Leave-in Mask in a deluxe sample size. If you guys read last week’s post, you would know I wasn’t a huge fan of their deep conditioner. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this leave-in mask, but I did like it! Normally I use a hair oil and a mouse on my hair and then leave it to air dry. I tried this product with my other hair products and by itself. I definitely notice that it makes my hair softer compared to using no product, but I find my hair oil to be even more moisturizing. I will say that the spray on this bottle allows me to coat all of my hair while the hair oil I mainly concentrate on my ends. This leave-in mask isn’t heavy, and it actually helped my hair naturally curl. The only annoying thing is that because I have thick, long hair I find I have to use a lot. Overall I think I will continue using this product, but I don’t think I would repurchase it when I’m done. Price: $16 USD for 2 oz sample, $26 CAD for full size

Next is the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Vol III, which is limited edition. I received the Rainforest of the Sea Vol II in August 2017, and I just gave it away to my friend back in December. I decided to give it away because I just didn’t use it very often, so as you can imagine I wasn’t too excited to receive another one of these Tarte palettes. This one is different because it only has one matte shade and the rest are shimmers. They call the matte shade a ‘nude transition’ but it’s basically just a shade to set your concealer, which I actually really like. I find that this shade is often not included in palettes, so it’s nice to have. The rest of the shades are beautiful shimmers. I find that they are best applied with a finger, but beware that these shades have fallout even when using fingers. The shades are more of a light wash of shimmers than anything crazy pigmentation, so this palette is better suited for everyday lighter looks. I think this palette would be perfect for someone how has a matte palette and is looking for a shimmer palette to pair with it. Overall a pretty good palette, just not sure how much I will reach for it. Price: $36 USD or $47 CAD

Next are the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Face Masks, which came in a two pack. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a Tatcha product in the box because I know the brand is expensive. To put it into perspective, one of their sheet masks is $15 while most other ones at Sephora are around $10, and drugstore masks are under $5. Anyways, back to the product. Now while my skin has been drier, I still consider myself to be a relatively oily person. So I was worried that this sheet mask was going to be too much for my skin. When putting the face mask on, I noticed that this mask has a strong rice smell (probably because of the rice germ oil). I left the mask on for 15 minutes and then rubbed the leftover serum into my skin. My skin definitely felt tacky at first, but this went away after 45 minutes. I was then left with very soft and healthy looking skin. I would say even if you have oily skin you would like this product, but I would use it at night and not in the morning. I am going to save the second mask for when my skin is looking rather lack-luster and dry. Price: $24 USD for a 2 pack, $15 CAD for one.

photo 2019-01-24, 4 07 31 pm

The next product is the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick in the shade Gin Fizz. I have talked about these lipsticks before because I think they have an amazing formula and I love the brand. But this shade…. The best way to describe this shade is Barbie Pink, which is not look I go for on an everyday basis. Maybe if this shade was matte I would like it a little more, but the creamy formula along with the shade is too much for me. But it’s funny because I posted a photo wearing this shade and I got complimented on it. Just goes to show that makeup is subjective. I might use this shade again for certain looks (I’m actually thinking of a pink monochromatic look), but not something I would reach for every day. I WISH Boxycharm would offer better customization for things like lip shades. But overall the formula on these lipsticks are amazing, so I do recommend them. Price: $26 USD, $30 CAD

Finally is the Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eye Pencil in the shade Aura. Well, there is usually one product in my box I don’t like and this is it… Man, this is a bad pencil. This particular shade is a glittery pink, and it barely looks like anything on my eyes. The glitter in this liner is also sharp, so it hurt my eyes as I was applying it. The other two shades of this eyeliner aren’t glittery so maybe they are better. And this eyeliner is expensive for being so crappy! I did not like this eyeliner and I am going to be decluttering it. Price: $19 USD

The overall price of the box was $121 USD. It’s funny because the two products I was the most unsure about, the Tatcha sheet mask and the Briogeo leave-in mask, are probably my favourites. What products were your favourite? Let me know in the comments 🙂

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Skincare

Product Empties Winter 2019

by LeaLeave a Comment on Product Empties Winter 2019

Hello friends! Today’s blog post I know if a favourite – I am doing a product empties post. I try and do these posts around a few times a year. Most of the products a skin care, but there is some skin care along with two beauty products!

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My first beauty product is a finished an Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (in the shade Dark Brown). This is by far my favourite brow pencil, but too be far I have never tried the Benefit ones so maybe I should try them. I just find this pencil quick and easy to use, and the shade is the perfect match for me. I have repurchased this item, and I am actually almost out of my current Brow Wiz.

The other beauty product is the Laura Mercier Transculent Loose Setting Powder. As an oily girl, I got through powder so quickly, so it didn’t take me that long to finish this mini. The Laura Mercier powder is a cult classic because it was one of the first really nice setting powders that came out. I got another mini in a Sephora 500 points box, but I am currently testing out a new powder (stay tuned for that).

The first of two cleanser I finished is the Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser. For some reason they don’t have it on Sephora anymore, but it’s still available on the Philosophy website. This is my current morning cleanser and I have used it for awhile. I really like the orange smell, it helps me to wake up in the morning. I find that it helps keep my face clean overall, but I still get hormonal acne. I think that I will finish my current bottle and then try another cleanser – it’s nice to try new things.

I finished both a mini and a sample of Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. I just love this cleanser for a gentle clean at night or in the shower. I keep on buying this cleanser just because I love how clean my face feels after using this. The cucumber scent is also amazing. I don’t think I could only use this cleanser because sometimes I need a deeper clean, but if you have sensitive skin you would love this for an everyday cleanser. I will continue buying and using this cleanser probably forever.

Next up for skincare is the Pacifica Kale Luxe Oil-Free Multi Cream. It’s funny because I loved this moisturizer all last winter, and then summer came I stopped loving it. I was super oily in the summer so I switched to a different moisturizer. I just recently started using this on my body just to be able to finish it and get rid of it. I will say, if you are looking for a cruelty-free and vegan moisturizer though, this is a good one. Would I repurchase? No probably not again.

The moisturizer I switched to is the Origins Matte Moisturizer. This moisturizer was what I used all summer and fall. It is amazing for oily skin because it hydrates your skin but makes it look matte. It wore beautifully under makeup. I did repurchase this moisturizer, but I haven’t been using it as much lately because the winter weather has made my skin drier. I am sure once the weather warms up I will reach for the product again.

I had a sample of the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask and as soon as my skin started to get drier I used up all of this sample. This product is amazing and I love it. It has a light, gel like consistency, so it doesn’t feel like it is clogging my pores or anything. It you have oily skin but are looking for something very hydrating, I would definitely check this one out. I haven’t repurchased this yet, but I think the next sale Sephora has I will pick this up.

The final skin care product is the St Ives Facial Scrub (they have renamed/repackaged it but I assume the one I linked is the same as the one I used). It’s funny because I didn’t realize how much I liked this product until I tried other exfoliators. I felt it did an amazing job of exfoliating and reviving my skin. I would use it in the shower, because I find it easier to wash of exfoliators that way, and my skin always felt so smooth after. The scent is so amazing as well. I didn’t repurchase this product because I have other exfoliators I want to finish first, but once I finish those I think I will pick this up again.

The final three products are hair care. First is the Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo in Dark Tones. My mom actually bought me the mini to try, because it said it’s nice to try out new products and I am so happy she bought me this. I was in love with Batiste Dry Shampoo for so long, but I love this one so much more. I think my hair looks a lot nicer after using this dry shampoo – it’s lighter in comparison to Batiste. Also the fact that this dry shampoo is formulated for darker hair means there is no white cast. I purchased a large bottle of this and I am loving it.

Next is the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask. I got this sample in back in my September 2017 Boxycharm and I just finished it now because I wasn’t a huge fan. I used it once when I first got it and then didn’t use it. I am trying to finish open products, so I finished using this sample and I will not be repurchasing. I honestly didn’t notice much of a difference. I have pretty dry ends from years of swimming and drying my hair, so I expect a lot from my deep conditioners. Honestly I see the same results as using my conditioner. Now I do have medium-to-thick curly hair, so maybe someone who has finer hair would enjoy this deep conditioner more. I also know that this deep conditioner is free of a lot of the chemicals found in other deep conditioners. But honestly I don’t want to pay almost $50 on a mask that doesn’t barely anything for me personally. It does smell nice at least.

The final product I also received in my Boxycharm. I received the Marajo Hair Anti-Frizz Serum Capsules in my December box and I already finished all of them. The capsules had the perfect amount of oil, and I found the oil to be very nourishing for my hair. I really liked this oil, but I am not willing to pay $18 USD and however much shipping is for this hair oil. Plus these pods are not that environmentally friendly, so it’s just overall easier to just a different hair oil.

And those were all my empties! I am always down to try new products, especially skincare, so let me you what your favourite products are in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites

My Vanity Tour

by Lea2 Comments on My Vanity Tour

Hey guys! It’s a new year, which is a perfect time to go through and reorganize your vanity/makeup storage. I thought I would share with you guys how I store my makeup. I keep all my makeup on top of my desk and in the first drawer. I actually want to change how I store my makeup, but I don’t have any room currently. Once I move in April I will hopefully have a chance to change it up, so maybe stay tuned for an update!

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On top of my desk I have my mirror, a palette holder, my brushes and a storage organizer box. I usually use my closet mirror that is right beside my desk to apply my makeup most mornings, but if I am doing full glam or more complicated looks I will sit down and use my mirror. I got my mirror last year for my birthday, it is similar to this one from Bed, Bath and Beyond, but mine is white. The palette holder I got from Amazon, I keep more of my palette is my other makeup organizer. Ideally I would like to get rid of this and put my palette is one of my desk drawers, but since it’s currently full of school supplies this will have to do. I will say it’s nice to have my palette in view and easy to grab.

My brush holder is actually a plant pot from Ikea that my friend bought me for my birthday. There were daffodils in the pot, but once they died I decided to use it for my brushes. Most of my brushes are the exact size of the pot, so I decided to add these blue stones from the dollar store to help rise them up. My brushes are now easy to grab and I can see all of them.

Next I got this white vanity organizer a few years ago from Bed, Bath and Beyond. This one is similar, but mine is bigger. I wanted to get something white because all the furniture in my room is white. I do like the look of the white better than clear acrylic, and since I keep mainly powder products in this organizer it doesn’t get too dirty. On the top left section I keep all my setting sprays. Next in the two back cubby-holes I keep all my brow products. The organizer came with a nine lipstick organizer, and then I bought this acrylic organizer from Amazon to have more. I have my most used lip products here. I really like having my favourite lip products out for me to see because I find it easy to decide what I want and to also retouch throughout the day. On the side I have a little container with my mini brushes and my eyelash curler. I also keep my makeup sponges and some of my false lashes here.

Within the drawers are mainly eyeshadows. In the first drawer I have my necessities: my eyeshadow primer, some lip balms and my tweezers along with my magnetic palette with some neutral shades. In my middle drawer I have my ‘fun’ drawer, as I like to call it. I have all my sparkly eyeshadows and glitters. This drawer also holds my single shadows. The next drawer over I have my smaller eyeshadows palettes. The bottom larger drawer I have my medium sized palettes – all my Urban Decay and Too Faced palettes.

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I have the rest of my makeup in the top drawer of my desk. The acrylic organizers I’ve had since high school, but I actually don’t like them that much. I find them bulky, but they work for now. On the left front I have all my powder face products – my bronzers, highlights and blushes. In the back left I have my dark lippies, along with gel eyeliners and more blushes. In the middle front I have my foundations and in the back middle I have a combination of primers, liquid highlights, lash glue and lash tweezers. In the left front I have my mascaras and concealers, in the left middle I have my eyeliners and lip liners and then in the back left I have some more lip products. I also keep some of my other palettes in this drawer as well.

And that is how I store my makeup! If you guys want me to go more in depth in certain parts of my makeup collection let me know down below! I can give reviews and swatches of one category – like blushes or eyeshadows.

xoxo

Lea

Life

2019 Goals

by LeaLeave a Comment on 2019 Goals

Hey friends, happy New Year! For my first post of 2019, I wanted to share with you some of the goals I have for this year. I have heard a few people use the terms goals instead of resolutions and I like the term. Goals seem like something more long term, but also something I can come back to and re-evaluate later in the year. Some of these are related to beauty and my blog, and others are more personal goals. I decided to share them with you guys to help keep myself accountable. I have a habit of starting projects and never finishing them. I want to change that this year so I am writing down my goals, and I thought why not share them with you guys.

1. Update Blog

I really want to update the look and function of my blog. I am also looking into maybe buying my own domain. Finally, I want to monetize my blog this year. I bought myself a book about blogging, and I am also going to get my housemate (who is a software engineer) help me with the technical aspects. I think useful to do research before doing major changes.

2. Reach a 1000 followers on Instagram

This was my goal last year, and I didn’t reach it. I got just over 500 followers this year. I think just posting regularly and not forgetting to post when I get busy will make a different

3. Increase posting blog posting frequency

I have finally got into the rhythm of posting once a year. Now I want to work my way up to twice a week. I might try posting twice every other week for awhile, to figure out what other day I want to post. I hopefully want to get to twice a week by the summer.

4. Complete all 12 weeks of BBG

I struggle with keeping consistent with the gym. I decided to try BBG, which is a 12 week program with all the exercises pre-determined. I have a feeling it’s going to be difficult, but having a schedule might help be actually stick to it. I am also setting a reward for myself if I complete the challenge. I am definitely going to write a blog post about my experience to stay tuned.

5. Start budgeting monthly/save money for Europe

I want to travel to Europe this summer, but I need to save up money for the trip. I am the queen of frivolous spending, so I really want to try and curb that this year. Apart of this will include going on a low-buy for makeup – meaning I will only buy makeup and beauty products when I have finished something, using giftcards and as rewards for meeting certain goals. The one exception is going to be my Boxycharm, but that I will budget for. I will probably do this until I have saved enough money for my trip. I really want to use more of my collection that I already own – so stay tuned for throwback product posts.

6. Worry less, be more present

I am graduating this year, and I have no idea what I am going to do. I have a habit of worrying about the future. This year I want to work on staying more present and enjoying the last few months I have in university, and also whatever happens afterwards.

Those are all my goals for 2019. I will probably re-evaluate them once I am done school. 🙂 I want to know YOUR goals for this year, leave them in the comments down below! Here’s to a great year!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites, Makeup, Review

Best Beauty Products of 2018

by Lea2 Comments on Best Beauty Products of 2018

Hey guys! Decided to do an extra post this week to share my favourite products of 2018. Last year I only had five favourites, and this year I am up to fourteen! These products are not necessarily new this year, mainly products that I got this year and I’ve been loving. A lot of people said that this year was the year of palettes, and I definitely tried a ton. For me, there wasn’t one palette that really stood out and was my favourite of the year – which is so funny because last year I had two palettes apart of my favourites. Without further ado, here are my favourites!

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First up, my favourite foundation is all thanks to Kathleen Lights. I heard her rave about the Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation, so I decided to try it out. This foundation is a light-weight, medium coverage and have a nice satin finish. I was getting tried of my full-coverage-matte foundations, and this was a refreshing change. The shade range is not amazing, but I do like that they have a mix of warm, cool and neutral toned shades. I’m not a few fan of the massive doe foot applicator, but this foundation is nice enough that I look past it. This foundation wears nicely through the day and I just really enjoy how this looks on my skin. AND it’s a drugstore foundation, so the price isn’t crazy!

My only palette for this year is actually a face palette. I got the Tarte Tarteist PRO Glow Highlight and Contour Palette during the Spring VIB sale and I have been loving it. I wanted to try a cream contour and this one has been very easy to use. I have no problems blending it out, and it’s the perfect shade – not too warm, not too cool. I might the bronzer very pigmented, so I don’t use it very often but it’s nice to have in the palette. The highlights in here are beautiful. There are creamy and pigmented, and there is a nice range of shades. If you are looking to try out cream contouring, this is great for beginners and it comes with a bunch of beautiful highlights!

While my favourite foundation is drugstore, my two favourite concealers are high-end. I have two favourites because one is my winter shade and the other is my summer shade haha. The first is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. This concealer is a cult classic for a reason. It has a medium coverage, but it can be built up to provide more coverage. I love this concealer because it makes my under eyes look bright and radiant and blends well with my foundation. Some concealers I find don’t blend well with my foundation, so my makeup doesn’t look as flawless. This concealer makes my under eyes look amazing, even during exams! My second favourite is one I have been using for years – I have been using the Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer before I even started my blog. I recently really got back into using it this year, especially in the summer. This concealer is super long-lasting, my foundation would wear away and yet this concealer would still be in place. This concealer is also great for spot concealing, it does a great job of cancelling out redness. I know both of these concealers are expensive, but they are both excellent concealers.

As an oily girl, I love powder. My favourite I discovered through my best friend. I have just been loving the Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder. This powder is very translucent, it doesn’t change the shade of my foundation. I also love the way it makes my skin look. It gives my skin a beautiful soft finish, and doesn’t make my skin look crazy matte. This powder is just so smooth, I love it. This powder is also great for touch up through the day. Once I finish my mini one I think I might get a full size one. If you are looking for a loose powder, this one is great!

If you read my Best Boxycharm products of 2018 post, then you would know which two mascaras are my favourite this year. The first is the IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara. The mascara is perfect for when I want big, long, full lashes. The second mascara is the Butter London Double Decker Mascara. This mascara is perfect for when I want nice fluffy, natural lashes. Both are great mascaras that I have been loving.

Now I accidentally photographed the wrong highlight. My favourite, which I know isn’t new, is definitely the Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter. I have the shade Rose Gold and I love it. I have tons of gold highlights, but this rose one is different that the other highlights that I own. This highlight is just as creamy and pigmented as my Becca ones. The other highlight I have been loving is a mini I got in a set from Sephora by Laura Mercier. This highlight is a beautiful light champagne shade, and I just love how it looks on my skin. I would recommend both of these highlights.

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I have four favourite lip products – a balm, a liquid lip, bullet lipstick and a lip gloss. First is the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm. This is a thicc lip balm. I use this lip balm when I am in need of some intense lip hydration. What I also like is that the balm is made from food-grade ingredients, and Bite Beauty is a Canadian brand (I love supporting my fellow Canadians). Another product from my Boxycharm was the Girlactik Long Lasting Matte Lip Paint. This liquid lipstick is one of the most comfortable ones I’ve tried. It’s long lasting, matte and budge-proof yet doesn’t leave my lips feeling all dry and gross. I would love to get more shades! Now I totally forget to review the collection on my channel, but I did get some items from Kathleen Lights’ Zodiac collection with Colorupop. The Creme Lux Lipstick in What’s Your Sign was my favourite item. The formula of these lipsticks are just so creamy, and this shade is the perfect slightly-warm nude. My final lip product is the Sephora Collection Outrageous Effect Volume Lip Gloss. This is definitely the best plumping lip gloss I’ve ever tried. It makes your lips tingle a little but nothing crazy that hurts. The shade XXL Nude its a beautiful warm neutral (can you tell what I shade is my favourite).

My final favourite product is actually a pair of lashes! This year I have gotten into wearing false lashes, and PUR PRO Eyelashes have been my favourite. The band is thick but comfortable, and pretty easy to blend in. I just find these lashes so easy to put on, and they look amazing. I have worn them multiple times and they still look good. I definitely want to get another pair!

And these were my favourite products of 2018! Let me know what your favourite products are, I always love trying out new products! I hope you guys had an amazing 2018 🙂

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Review

December Boxycharm Review

by LeaLeave a Comment on December Boxycharm Review

Hey guys! I am back from Mexico and spent the last few days relaxing with family. I hope everyone who celebrates had a great Christmas, and for those who don’t just a nice few days off work. Today’s post is about my December Boxycharm, but on Sunday I will have a bonus post about my favourite products of 2018, so come back for that!

This month’s theme was ‘Tis the Sea-sun, which was the perfect theme for me because I was in Mexico the past week. I brought all the products along with me to test them out.

Photo 2018-12-15, 11 41 32 AM

The first product is the Marajo Anti-Frizz Serum Capsules. I decided to use these capsules instead of my regular hair oil while I was in Mexico. The capsules come with the perfect amount of serum for me, since I have a lot of hair. If someone had shorter hair they might find it’s too much. I had to be careful while opening these, because the first time I got the serum everywhere. The serum did a great job of making my hair soft and shiny, but the serum was no match for the Mexican humidity. My hair was still frizzy, but at least it was soft. Overall I really liked these capsules, and I will definitely use all of them. They were not so life changing that I would repurchase them. Price: $28 on the card, but $18 on the website, so not sure which is the real price.

Next up was the Bodyography Lip Liner. I got the shade Barely There, which is pretty accurate because this shade is literally a perfect match for my lips. I don’t use lip liners very often, so I haven’t really figured out what I like. This lip liner is a wooden one, and a little sifter compared to some other ones I’ve tried. Because it’s the literal shade of my lips, it’s hard for me to see how long to lasts. Overall it’s not bad, but I don’t know how much I would use it. Price: $12

The Tarte Shimmering Lip Paint surprised me. I didn’t know they were sheer at first, so I was initially disappointed by the shade I received, which was Flaming Hot. But then I put it on my lips and I feel in love. This is a thick gloss that adds just a sheer wash of colour and sparkle. The smell is amazing, it reminds me of butterscotch or caramel. I didn’t think I would like this product but now it’s my favourite in the box. Price: $20

The next product is the PYT Mini Hair Straightener. I think it’s pretty cool that Boxycharm gave something different than another palette and instead a hair tool. I brought this straightener with me to Mexico, and it was the perfect size to travel with. This straightener is very mini, the plates are smaller than my thumb. This straightener is better suited for touch ups or people with short hair. I tried to straighten my hair, and I have long curly hair. It took me around 20 minutes to do my full head, longer than usual. Certain stubborn sections I had to pass over a few times. I want to try curling my hair with this iron though, because I think the smaller barrel could create some nice curls. Overall I’m pretty impressed, but because it is mini it does have some drawbacks compared to using a regular one. Price: $75

The final product was the Wander Beauty Dusk to Dawn Blush and Highlight Palette. This palette isn’t bad, but I’m not just wow-ed by it. The blushes and highlight are very pigmented, so I had to use a light hand. I also found the shades were just a bit to dark for me, especially the highlight. I brought this palette to Mexico, and I found myself reaching for other blushes and highlights over this palette. The palette is good quality, but it isn’t anything amazing that makes me choose it over other products. Price: $26

The total of the box was $161, and it was the straightener that really bad this box expensive. I know this month there were many other variations, and I definitely think I got one of the better variations this month so I’m happy! What are your thoughts on this box? Let me know in the comments!

Don’t forget to come back Sunday for my favourite beauty products of 2018!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Favourites, Review

Best Boxycharm Products of 2018

by Lea2 Comments on Best Boxycharm Products of 2018

Hello friends! I am survived exams and I am currently in Mexico! I am writing this post while looking at the ocean, ahhh how relaxing. Today’s post I am very excited to share. This is my second full year of reviewing Boxycharm, so I have received around 60 products this year. Some of the products were amazing, and some were not so great. I have twelve products that I absolutely loved, and at the end I will say which box I think was the overall best in 2018. Now in no particular order, my favourites:

Photo 2018-12-15, 12 06 54 PM

1 – Ace Beaute Grandiose Eyeshadow Palette

This year, Boxycharm put a palette in almost every box. I have tested many palette, and this is one of my favourite one. It was in November’s box (which was overall pretty great). The quality of the eyeshadows are amazing, and it has a nice mix of wearable everyday shades along with some fun pops of colour with the pink and coral. This is definitely a palette I see myself using in 2019.

2 – IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil

Throwing it back to January with this product. I remember when I first used this pencil I wasn’t too sure, and then I proceeded to use this pencil all summer. It was just the perfect match for me. I like this product during the summer because it added some colour and shape to my brows, but it didn’t look like too much. It perfectly matched the makeup-no-makeup look I rocked most of the summer. I will definitely repurchase this pencil when I run out.

3 – Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizer Primer

This is probably a shocker to most of you. I got this product back in January and it wasn’t until December that I fell in love. My skin went through a dry period this much, so I was looking for products that helped bring some life back to my skin. This primer was the only one I owned that wasn’t completely matte, and it did wonders for helping my skin. For all my normal/dry girls out there, or anyone really who is looking for a dewier primer, this one is great.

4 – Sol de Janerio Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

It takes awhile for me to go through products, but I finished this before the month of June was even over. The scent of this cream is just amazing. I bought another one, which is the one in the photo above. If you haven’t tried this cream yet, you are missing out on something amazing.

5 – Butter London Double Decker Mascara

This was the year of great mascara in Boxycharm. The first of two favourites in the Butter London one. I should definitely get a new one because I’ve had this one since March (oops). But it’s so goooood. This mascara gives me fluffy lashes – that is the best way to describe it. It adds a little volume and length without looking too crazy. This mascara is great for every day wear, and removes really easily. I don’t know where they sell Butter London in Canada, but I will find a way to buy this mascara again because I need it in my life.

6 – IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara

The IT Cosmetics mascara is the opposite of the Butter London one. This mascara is the one I wear when I want my lashes to be huge but I don’t feel like wearing falsies. This Mascara really lengthens my lashes and add just a hint of volume. This mascara can be a little stubborn to remove, but the effect is well worth it. This was by far the best product in November’s box.

7 – Alamar Cosmetics Ojitos Brush Trio

I received tons of brushes from Boxycharm this year. Besides the Luxie eye brushes I received in my box last year, these brushes that I received in my September box are my favourite. I just personally enjoy the brush shapes that come in this trio. It has a blending brush, a flat brush and a liner brush – everything you need to do an eye look. The quality of these brushes are great and I reached for them again and again.

8 – Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten

Another product from September, that I am actually surprised I love so much. I received quite a few blushes from Boxycharm, and I don’t like many of them. I didn’t think that I would like this blush since it has a slight sheen to it, but it’s actually what I love so much about this blush. Most of the blushes I own are matte, but this one just adds just a healthy glow to my skin. I love it. Very surprised, good choice Boxycharm!

9 – Battington Monroe Lashes

These lashes were from June’s box. This year I have really started to wear false lashes more, so it was great to received some in my Boxycharm. These Battington lashes have been great. They are easy to apply, look great on the eyes and can be re-worn multiple times. I have been thoroughly loving these lashes.

10 – Alamar Cosmetics Reina Del Caribe Vol 1 Palette 

Another great products from June’s box was this palette. The quality of the eyeshadows were just amazing. The blue shade, Varadero, is probably the best metallic blue I have ever used. Whenever I wore this palette everyone asked me what I was wearing. Just looking at this palette right now makes me want to go and play with it again. I also saw that they just released new products, so @Boxycharm, if you guys want to give us more of their products I would be very happy!

11 – Girlactik Long Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade Posh

This year was not the year of lippies for me when it came to Boxycharm. I recieved soooo many weird shades, it’s not even funny. But this Girlactik liquid lipstick was by far the best. It is such a comfortable liquid lipstick, my lips don’t feel all dry and gross after wearing it. The shade Posh is just such a gorgeous warm nude. This was another hit product from January, and I honestly want to get more shades because this lipstick is great.

Honourable Mention to Naked Cosmetics Holographic Highlighter Collection

I used this highlighter palette, specifically the blue shade, during my school’s Orientation Week in September. Our theme was a music festival, so I went all out with the crazy makeup. This highlighter was amazing. It colour showed up so nicely and bright on my skin, and it lasted all day through the heat and humidity. I got some many people complimenting me on my highlight, everyone thought it must be Fenty Beauty or ABH because it was so good. If you are looking for a crazy, colourful highlight palette, this is the one.

Those were all my favourite products that I received in my Boxycharm this year. The best box of the year for me is a tie between June and November. For both June and November, the only bad product was the Jonteblu eyeliner – I’m not sure why Boxycharm keeps on giving us these eyeliners because I don’t like them. In June there were a tons of products that I really enjoyed. In November, I really liked that the box had a cohesive look to it.

Overall, I think 2018 was a great year for Boxycharm, and it has definitely gotten better over the years. What was your favourite Boxycharm products this year?

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites, Review

Revisiting my 2017 Favourites

by LeaLeave a Comment on Revisiting my 2017 Favourites

Hey guys! So today’s post is inspired by a video by Diary of a Beauty Guru Wannabe, who was inspired by Alexandria S. The idea is to look back at our favourites from last year and to give our updated thoughts. I thought this was amazing idea, so I am giving you guys my update here!

So last year I had five favourites: The Jaclyn Hill Palette, the Laura Lee Cat’s Pajamas palette, the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation, the Colourpop Blotted Lip in Drip and the L’Oreal Lash Paradise.  Some of my thoughts are quite different!

First, I still love the Jaclyn Hill Palette. I still think this is probably one of the best palettes I own. I just love the shade range, and I have created so many different looks with this palette. I also have convinced a few of my friends to buy this palette as well. Definitely still one of my favourites!

Now anyone who is really into the beauty community knows all the controversy that happened with Laura Lee this year. If you don’t know what I’m talking about you can just Google it. I’m not really sure how I feel about this whole situation, but I will say that I haven’t used my Laura Lee products as much since all of this drama happened. I will say this is still a great palette, and I think the quality of the eye shadows are great. We will see what happens in 2019 with the beauty community…

The Wet n Wild foundation was my favourite for awhile. I think it so much that I bought a second shade. This is foundation is still pretty amazing, especially for the price point.  I do find this foundation to be a little heavy, and sometimes it can look cakey on my face if I apply too much. Lately I have been using a different foundation more, which I will talk about in my 2018 favourites. Overall this is still a foundation I recommend, but I don’t use it as often.

The Colourpop Blotted Lip in Drip was my favourite lippie of 2017, and I still love it. I used it most of this year as well, but sometime in the summer I lost it and now I can’t find it. I decided that I would repurchase it when I eventually make another Colourpop order. Except I just went to check the website for this blog post and it’s been discontinued! I am so upset, Colourpop why did you do this to me?? If you guys know of a sheer but matte lipstick let me know!

The final product is the L’Oreal Lash Paradise. This was everyone‘s favourite mascara last year. I used it most of the year as well, but I haven’t repurchased it since it last dried out on me. I really do like this mascara, and it’s a great price. But I found that this mascara dried up really quickly, and whenever it was starting to go it made my lashes look clumpy. I have been enjoying other mascaras recently, which is why I haven’t repurchased it. I might buy it again in the future though, who knows!

And those were my favourite products of 2017 and my updated thoughts on the products. I find it so funny that I only had five favourites, this year I have way more haha! Also life update: I am officially done exams, but next week I am going to Mexico! I will try to post when I can, but I am unsure what the wifi will be like. But I will have a blog post go up next week 🙂

xoxo

Lea