Beauty – Page 10 – Leave it to Lea

March Boxycharm 2021

March 30, 2021March 30, 2021by Lea2 Comments

Hey guys! Time for my March Boxycharm post! Another month is over – honestly March felt like the longest month ever. Glad that winter is finally behind us and hopefully onto warmer weather. Let’s get into this month’s box.

Boxycharm, beauty subscription box, Limecrime, Limecrime Venus 3, TooFaced Damn Girl Mascara, Maven Beauty, Maven Beauty Setting Spray, Lavish Wet Brush Cleaning System, KAB Cosmetics, KAB Lip Oil

The first product we have is the Limecrime Venus 3 Eyeshadow Palette. This is the perfect spring palette. I probably would have included it in my spring eyeshadow palettes post if I had received it earlier. The Venus 3 palette includes a mix of purples and pinks. There is a nice mix between darker and softer shades. I was able to create a bold eyeshadow look and also softer looks for everyday wear. There is a nice mix of textures as well. The shades Beam and Heavenly are glitters that don’t have a lot of base pigment to them whereas Paradise and Beloved are your classic metallic shimmer. The shade Rapture is unique because it’s more of a matte with glitter running through it. Overall I like this palette, but I don’t see myself necessarily reaching for it everyday. I do enjoy these tones but I usually gravitate towards warm browns. If you’re interested in the palette then go ahead, the quality is great. But I don’t see this being the everyday palette for most people. Price: $38 US or $49 CAD

Up next we have mascara! I don’t have to buy mascaras anymore because I feel like I get a new one every few months. 😂 This month’s mascara is the TooFaced Damn Girl! Mascara. So far it’s okay. I find it hard to rate a mascara at first because I do find that the formula can change as it dries out. This mascara is meant to give volume, lift and provide a curl hold. I will say that it does achieve all of those things, but those aren’t things I necessarily look for in mascara. Similar to how people with different skin types need different foundations, people need different things from their mascaras. I don’t struggle with lift or curl hold. I do like some volume but I prefer length. Not a huge fan of the wand. It’s super large so it’s hard to apply without getting mascara on my eyelid. Overall I’ll continue to use it because it’s not bad. But it’s not my favourite mascara. Price: $26 US or $33 CAD

My favourite product in the box is hands down the KAB Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Oil. It gives the hydration of a lip balm and the shine of a lip gloss. It’s not sticky, if anything it feels smooth and soft on the lips. And it lasts so long on the lips. I’ll apply it and four hours later my lips still have some of the oil on. It has a soft coconut scent which is so yummy and the large doe foot applicator makes it easy to apply on the lips. Mine has a blue shade that goes on clear on the lips, but there are other shades as well. This has become my new go-to lip balm it’s so good! Price: $20 US

KAB Cosmetics, KAB Lip Oil, KAB Hydrating Lip Oil, lip oil, lip balm

The next product in the box is the Lavish Wet Brush Cleaning System. Honestly not sure about the legitimacy of this product because the website is kinda weird. So proceed with caution. The actual product itself isn’t bad. There is a little circle of soap that is meant to clean your brushes. On the back of the lid is a little silicone pad that can help clean the brushes. I have a larger pad that I use to clean my brushes. The soap was okay. It did a similar job of cleaning my brushes compared to other brush cleansers. I did notice that a few of my brushes had some residue left though. You know when you don’t properly wash out your conditioner and your hair is kinda greasy? That’s what a few of my brushes felt like. I guess I didn’t probably wash the cleanser out of those. I also found my face brushes weren’t as clean as my eye brushes because the silicone pad is small so it didn’t have the surface area to clean them. Something I wanted to mention is that I’ve tried the Beauty Blender version of this product and I had mold grow it in. So I switched to the liquid cleanser. Not sure if it would also happen with this Lavish cleanser but just something I wanted to note. Price: $15 US

The final product is the Maven Beauty Rose Water Setting Spray. This setting spray has rose water in it that’s meant to help lock in your makeup and prevent smudging up to 16 hours. When I first tried this in my unboxing video the scent was quite strong. I’m not a big rose person, it’s just not my favourite scent. It also has alcohol as the second ingredient and I could smell that as well. While I don’t like the scent the setting spray itself is pretty good. This is a setting spray that will set your makeup and make it last longer. It is not hydrating. If you have oily skin you’ll love this, but if you have dry skin you’ll hate this. The alcohol in this helps the makeup last but can be quite drying. Overall I think it’s a pretty good setting spray. I think a similar one that is cheaper and easy to purchase is the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. The Milani one also doesn’t have an awful rose/alcohol scent. Price: $22 US

The overall total of the box is $121 US. Overall not a bad box. I mention this in my video but there are a few brands that have been known to be controversial in this box, and I tend to avoid those. If you want more of my opinion on the topic check out the video because I go into more detail. But overall I think this box is decent. I love the lip oil. The rest of the products aren’t bad and I see myself reaching for them again. There were no products this month that were bad, but I wasn’t wowed, that’s all. Let me know in the comments if you agree or if I’m being too harsh.

xoxo

Lea

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Beauty, Favourites, Makeup

My Favourite Eyeshadow Palettes for Spring

March 23, 2021March 23, 2021by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! Back in the fall, I shared five eyeshadow palettes that I thought would be great for that season. Since it’s now officially spring I thought it would be nice to do the same for this season! So today I’ll be sharing five palettes that I think are great for spring. In the spring I like wearing pastels like pinks and purple and in late spring summer I like wearing oranges and golds. Let’s get into it.

spring, spring makeup, spring eyeshadow, spring eyeshadow palettes, eyeshadow palettes, Colourpop, Huda Beauty, Hipdot, Ace Beaute

I think if I would have to recommend one palette, it would be the Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palettes. I have Nude Medium and I think it’s perfect for spring. This palette is pink-toned but has some browns, golds and coppers to balance it out. It’s quite wearable for every day but just adds that flush of pink to spice things up compared to normal neutral palettes. I think the quality of Huda Beauty shadows is great. And it’s a mini palette it’s not like you’ll be getting a bunch of shades that you might not use. A great choice for spring.

Now if you want a small palette but some really fun shades, then check out the Colourpop 5 Star Island Palette. These shades just scream spring and Easter to me. I mean pale pink and bright yellow, those are Easter colours right there. This would be a great way to add some fun colours into your life, but the bit-size and the low price tag make it more accessible. I think putting some matte browns in the crease with a pop of Island Designer or Isabelle in the crease would be an easy, spring look. If you want to know more about this palette, check out my Colourpop haul post.

If pinks and yellows aren’t your thing, then check out the Huda Beauty Obsessions Palettes in Amethyst. This is a palette full of purple eyeshadows. I love wearing purple eyeshadow. It’s so fun and different, and also brings out the green in my eyes. I know this palette might seem dark, but the glitters are quite light and reflective on the eyes. If you have green or hazel eyes, you have to try out purple eyeshadow. Plus this palette is small so it’s not overwhelming.

If you are ready to commit to the springtime shades, then check out the Hipdot Zion Palette. This palette screams spring to me. The light pinks, purples and oranges are perfect to create a pastel look for Easter. And the darker shades are perfect to use in the late spring. The sunset shades are perfect for the nights when the sun is up later and later. This palette is full of fun shades, but also has the basics to be able to create a variety of looks. The Hipdot palette will carry you from spring into summer.

The final palette is the Ace Beaute Grandiose Palette. This is another great palette for people who want the colour to be deeper and darker compared to the Huda Beauty palette. The orange and pink just scream warm weather to me. I love wearing warm shades all year round, but there is just something extra nice about wearing warm tones when the weather is warm outside. Also, the pan size for these shades ia huge so if you like the colour story you’ll never run out of shadow.

And those are my recommendations for spring eyeshadow palettes. Let me know in the comments what your favourite eyeshadow palettes are for spring! I’d love to check them out.

xoxo

Lea

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Beauty, empties, Hair, Makeup, Review, Skincare

Product Empties March 2021

March 19, 2021March 19, 2021by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! I’m back with another product empties! I love product empties because I’ve used up the product so I’m able to give you guys my in-depth thoughts about a product. I also try and not waste products so I feel like I usually have a good mix in between hits and misses. This time I have a good mixture of products, so let’s get into it.

empties, product empties, beauty empties, makeup empties, skincare empties, haircare empties, OGX, Biossance, Josie Maran, Tatcha, Lancome, Briogeo, GlamGlow, Murad, Kypris, Tarte, Laneige, Colourpop

Let’s start with makeup products. First I have a mascara that has reached its end, the Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara. I didn’t like this mascara at first because I felt like it didn’t do much. Once it dried out a bit, I would say maybe a month after I’ve opened it, it got so much better. I would say for me this mascara gave my lashes lots of length with a big of volume. I prefer length over volume, but it’s good to have some volume to balance out the eye. This mascara is perfect for when I wanted a bold lash but I didn’t want to put on false lashes. It’s started to get clumpy on me though which is a sign that it’s getting old and tired. To be honest I’ve had this mascara for a very long time so it was time to get rid of it. I would recommend this mascara if it sounds interesting to you. I would consider getting this mascara again. I have a pretty large open mascara collection currently that I need to go through before considering buying another mascara.

Up next is the Colourpop Freckle Pen. I mentioned this in my Colorupop haul update, but somehow the cap accidentally fell off and it was unopened for an unknown period of time. Instead of drying out, the pen turned to a weird blue-green-grey colour that looks like mold. Not cute. So I’m throwing it out. Kinda pisses me off that the cap fell off so easily and now the product is unusable. So I won’t be repurchasing and wouldn’t recommend it. I think it’s possible to create the look of faux freckles easily with other products as well.

I’ve been trying to use up my primers because I have so many open, half-used primers. The only I recently finished a sample of the Tarte SEA Quench Hydrating Primer. This feels and acts just like a moisturizer. It has a gel consistency and blends into the skin and gives great hydration. It’s literally a moisturizer! I think I could just use my moisturizer and get a similar effect. So far that reason I don’t think it’s worth it. When I use a primer I tend to use it to give me a luminous shine to the face or blur my pores. I don’t need hydration. I wouldn’t recommend this primer. I would recommend just getting a good moisturizer that you can use all the time instead of just priming the skin.

The final makeup product is the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm. I do enjoy this balm! I actually like it more than their sleeping mask. I find the packaging to be so easy to use. I just squeeze it out and I don’t have to dip my fingers into a pot. Where the product comes out is curved so I can rub it on my lips. The balm is super moisturizing and has the most beautiful shine. I can wear it on my lips almost like a lip gloss but it’s way more hydrating than a lip gloss. I have the pear flavour and it smells amazing. It’s more expensive than a drugstore lip balm but it’s lasted me a long time. I will be purchasing it again in the future.

Okay let’s talk about my one hair empty. I recently finished the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Honey Moisture Deep Conditioning Mask. This is the best Briogeo mask I’ve ever tried, which is sad because it’s limited edition. The honey version of their regular Don’t Despair, Repair hair mask came out for the holiday season. I find that the mask does a great job of making my hair feel soft and smooth. I’ve found it difficult to find a good hair mask that doesn’t include silicone and this is the best one I’ve tried yet. It’s been a few years since I’ve tried the original so it’s hard to remember it but I do have a mini of it. So I will try it out and see if it’s as good as the honey version. If they bring this mask back I highly recommend picking it up.

I have two body lotions. The first being a deluxe sample of the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Unscented. Even though it’s unscented, there is a faint argan oil scent to it – which makes sense, it is argan oil. Even though it’s a body lotion is does have an oiliness to it that is quite nice and hydrating. I liked using it after I’ve shaved my legs because I find that’s when my legs are the driest. I think I would have liked it more if it was scented but I got this for free with my Sephora points so I can’t complain. I like using scented body products more. I probably won’t repurchase because for the price I prefer L’Occitane products. But I would use my points to get it again.

The second body lotion is the OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Lotion. I got this at Shoppers. It does smell nice, a combination of coconut and vanilla. It does a pretty good job at hydrating. But what I find annoying is that it takes a while to absorb into my skin. For being such a thin formula I have to work it in and it takes forever to dry. I have lotions that are just as if not more hydrating that I don’t have to work into my skin as much. So I wouldn’t recommend it. I think there are better options on the market.

Speaking of hydration, I finished quite a few face moisturizers. The first being the Kyrpis Antioxidant Dew. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about this but the more I used it the more I fell in love with it. It’s a very thin and liquid formula that comes in a serum dropper. I love droppers because they are easy to use. I put it on my palm and I don’t have to dip my finger into a tub. I hate getting products under my fingernails. It’s quite lightweight but still gives me the hydration I need. I will say that it has an odd scent that I’m not a fan of. Even though I love how this works, I will not be repurchasing it. With taxes and duties, this moisturizer would be $112. That’s insane. I cannot afford that and I would never recommend a product that expensive to you guys. I think there are other moisturizers on the market that do just as good of a job as this one.

Moving onto a moisturizer I wasn’t a huge fan of – the Glamglow MOISTURETRIP™ Omega-Rich Cannabis Sativa Seed Face Moisturizer. There is just something in here that breaks out my skin. I used it on my face and just found that I got breakouts. So I started using it on my body. I do that to not waste any product. But I found it broke out my chest and shoulders. Luckily it’s winter so it doesn’t matter. I thought it did a decent job of moisturizing. It also has a green tinge to help with redness. But as someone who does have a lot of redness, this did nothing for me. Overall not a huge fan of this moisturizer. I wouldn’t recommend it.

Time for another moisturizer. I had a sample of the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. This is a pretty thick formula that I knew wouldn’t work for my face so I used it on my chest and back. If you have oily skin stay away but if you have dry skin then you might like this. It is quite moisturizing. It’s fragrance-free but it has the weirdest scent. I guess it’s the natural ingredients that smell weird? Either way, not the most pleasant scent. Listen I’ll never purchase this for my face, but if you’re interested just maybe try and smell it before you purchase it to see if you can handle the funky smell.

The final moisturizer I have is a sample of the Tatcha The Water Cream. I actually didn’t like it. I tried it on my face a few times and then relegated it to body moisturizer. It goes on very watery, just like the name suggests, but then it dries down to almost a matte finish. Which you think, as an oily person, I would enjoy. But I didn’t find it hydrating at all! While I don’t want something thick and heavy, I still need some hydration. I was shocked because I know this cream is a fan favourite. But I wasn’t impressed and wouldn’t recommend it.

On the other hand, I did enjoy the Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. I got a sample of this along with The Water Cream. I don’t know what’s in it but there’s something that gives a gentle physical exfoliation to the skin. It’s not hard beads – it’s hard to explain but you can kinda see it in product shots. It just gently exfoliates the skin leaving it soft and clean. It’s gentle enough that I could use it every day. If you have sensitive skin and are looking for an exfoliator this is a great one to check out. Something I did notice though is that the packaging is made out of hard plastic making it difficult to get the product out. Wish they would change it to a squeezy tube or a pump. I like it and would recommend this cleanser. But I like the next exfoliator more.

The final product is the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. I got this in my Boxycharm and fell in love. I keep it in the shower and my brother uses it (much to my chagrin), and he loves it! This is a combination of a physical and chemical exfoliator. It has jojoba beads that great rib of any dead skin and debris. And it has salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid to help even the skin and brighten it. My brother and I both have oily, acne-prone skin and find this just helps prevent breakouts and help scars. Highly recommend this one and I am considering purchasing it again.

And that’s my thoughts on some products I recently finished! It’s so funny that I have so many moisturizers. I guess it makes sense since it’s winter and my skin is drier. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products, and if so what did you think!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Haul, Makeup, Review

Colourpop Haul Update: In-depth product review

March 12, 2021March 12, 2021by Lea4 Comments

Hey guys! A couple of weeks ago I posted a Colourpop haul on my Youtube channel. Today I wanted to give you an update on the products that I’ve purchased. I posted an in-depth review on the Pretty Fresh tinted moisturizer last week. I will be focusing on the rest of the products today.

So let’s talk about the Colourpop x Animal Crossing collection, the whole reason why I placed my order. I think the eyeshadow palettes are very cute but I wouldn’t say that they’re complete palettes. There is only four eyeshadow in each palette and they don’t build a complete look. In the What A Hoot palette, the difference between Celestial and WHO! is pretty large. I could use Celestial in the crease and WHO! as a liner, but in the crease I need a shade between the two. In the 5 Star Island palette I could create a little bit more of a cohesive look, but it’s very pink. Using a such as Celestial in What A Hoot creates a more cohesive look. This is just a long-winded way of saying that I like these palettes but I need to use them with other palettes. I don’t mind since I have so many eyeshadow palettes, but that might be something to keep in mind. But as an Animal Crossing fan, I love these palettes and I think they make sense for the characters.

Let’s talk about the blushes. I knew I would like the shade Flower Tender. It’s a vibrant coral that is right up my alley. But I also really like Flower Power, which looks purple but translates pinker on the cheeks. These blushes are a nice level of pigmentation where I don’t have to worry about applying too much but I also don’t have to work to build it up. I will say that there is glitter in the blush but it’s not like highlight glitter. It’s a matte blush with glitter running through it. I don’t mind the glitter, it’s only noticeable up close. Tapping my brush also helps to shake off some of the glitters. Overall I like these and think they’re really cute!

Now for the sparkly products. First I have the Balloon Pop Super Shock Shadow. This is described as an icy peachy pink with hot pink and silver glitters. My shadow did come broken but because of the soft consistency of this formula I was able to mush it back together. I love Colourpop’s Super Shock Shadows and this is no exception. It does have that peach undertone but just adds the most gorgeous and easy to wear glitter appearance to the eyes. If you are looking to wear glitter this is by far the easy formula to do so.

On the other hand, there is the Bellionare Glittery Obsessed Glitter Gel. This glitter is true gold, and unlike the Super Shock formula, this is glitter in a clear gel. There is a combination of large and fine glitters. I will say that I’m not as likely to reach for this compared to other glitters. To be honest I haven’t used this yet – but I do have other Glittery Obsessed glitters so I know what the formula is like. This glitter is nice for specific looks, not everyday use. So unless you love glitter I wouldn’t recommend this. But for $10 I think it’s worth it for me because I do know I will use it, I just haven’t had the chance yet with all these other eye products to test.

Rounding out the eyeshadow category is the Kathleen Lights So Jaded palette. If you want to see me use this palette in action, then check out the three looks I did with this palette on my Youtube channel. I like this palette. There is such a large range of shades. I did three completely different looks and I can think of many more looks for this palette. While I love the fun colours, I notice that some basics are missing. This is a colourful palette that I would use in combination with a neutral palette. I also wanted to note that I did have some trouble with the shade Turquoise, which I’m not surprised because I know blues can be a difficult shade to formulate. But the rest of the mattes I had no problems with. Honestly, I enjoyed playing with this palette and I want to continue playing with it! If you like colour then I recommend this palette. If you’re not a colourful person then I would pass because there aren’t many neutrals.

Now let’s talk lashes. I got two pairs. My favourite of the two is Queenie, which has a fluffy flared look. They create the perfect cat-eye shape and just do a great job of elongating my eyes. Dame, the other pair, is wispy but has more volume. Also, I find that the last band on Dame is thicker and just more difficult to apply. I will still use Dame but I much prefer Queenie. It’s taken me a while to figure out which lash style I prefer, but in general I think I like flared lashes the most. But at $8 these lashes are great and perform just as well as other lashes I own.

And the final product is the Freckle Pen in Dark Brown. I know faux freckles have gained popularity and I was curious what the freckle pen would be like. It’s relatively easy to use. I just dot the pen on my face and lightly tap it to blend it into the skin. The longer I wait to tap the darker the freckles. The only thing is I found that it was pretty pigmented, so it was hard to make them look faint to create depth. Also, I’m kind of sad because my cap somehow fell off the other day so now my pen has changed colour. It’s now a blue-green that looks more like mold than freckles. Unfortunately for me, I will be throwing it okay because I don’t want moldy freckles. I think I’ll just go back to use brow pencils and eyeshadows for my freckles.

So that is my roundup of my Colourpop haul. I think besides the Freckle Pen that this haul was pretty successful. Let me know what you guys think. Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite Colourpop products!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Makeup, Review

Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer Foundation Review

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! If you have been up to date on my Youtube videos then you might have noticed I posted a Colourpop haul. I mentioned that I was going to write a few blog posts on the products. I decided to do an in-depth review of the tinted moisturizer since I know you guys enjoy my foundation reviews. I’ll post an update next Friday on the rest of the products so stay tuned for that.

Colourpop has released a few foundations, but I decided to pick up their Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer. I’ve heard many good reviews on this product. I’ve also been leaning towards lighter coverage products lately so I thought this would be fun to try. And finally, my friend was interested in this product and so I decided to be the guinea pig for her.

This tinted moisturizer is supposed to be hydrating, will give a light coverage and natural finish that will even the skin tone. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid and coconut water to hydrate the skin. Colourpop recommends using a sponge to apply a light layer and a brush to build the coverage up to medium. They are 24 shades in total. I purchased the shade Fair 4N which is supposed to be neutral for fair skin tones. The price is $14 US.

The first thing I noticed when applying the tinted moisturizer is that while the shade matches me well the toned pulled more pink than neutral. Not a huge deal since the coverage is lighter. I’ve noticed that Colourpop doesn’t have a true neutral. I’ve found the shades to be either pink or yellow. But like I said it’s not super off so I can still wear it.

I found that the finish was quite nice and skin-like. It didn’t lean too matte or too dewy. It makes it look like you’re not wearing any makeup from a distance. The coverage was pretty light which was expected. It just created a smooth even colour on my face. I had some series breakouts and scarring the past couple of weeks while testing this tinted moisturizer out and it did nothing for covering those. So keep in mind if you want something to cover acne or pigmentation this isn’t the product for you.

I will say that I’m surprised by its lasting power. It doesn’t claim anywhere to last long but I found that it did a pretty good job of staying on my face. I think because it’s a natural finish it just grips to the skin and doesn’t slip off like a dewy foundation. It sinks into the skin and doesn’t feel heavy at all either. It’s a comfortable foundation to wear.

The only thing I’m a little confused about is the fact that this is a tinted moisturizer but I don’t find it moisturizing. I didn’t get any hydration. I found that it’s more similar in consistency to a foundation than a moisturizer. It’s just a light coverage foundation. So just something to keep in mind. If you’re looking for something hydrating with a little coverage then this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a sheer foundation this is a good pick.

Overall I like this tinted moisturizer. I see myself using this more in the summer when I want something lighter and fresher on my face. If you’re looking for something with light coverage I would recommend it, especially since it’s a reasonable price. The only downside is that Colourpop doesn’t do returns so if you get the wrong shade you’re kinda stuck So I would recommend doing some research, maybe watching some Youtube videos to help you determine what shade to pick up.

And that’s it for this review. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this tinted moisturizer. I’m also curious, do you guys prefer lighter or fuller coverage foundations? I find that my opinion varies based on the season and how my skin is. But what about you?

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Review, Skincare

February Boxycharm 2021

February 26, 2021February 26, 2021by Lea3 Comments

Hey guys! Today I am sharing what I got in my February Boxycharm! I was impressed that I got the box early this month – I got in on the 9th I believe. I’m happy that I got in early because it gave me more time to test the products. And if you want to see these products in action make sure to check out my Youtube video!

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The first product is the Frank Body Caffeinated Scalp Scrub. This scrub is meant to exfoliate the scalp to remove product build-up and detoxify the hair. Overall I’m pretty indifferent towards this product. First I forgot to use it quite a few times just because it’s not a product I would normally reach for. I don’t use a lot of hair product so I don’t get build-up. I also don’t suffer from dandruff. Even when I did use the scrub I didn’t notice a difference in my scalp or hair. I have a scalp massager and I think that does a better job of stimulating my scalp. I don’t think this is necessary. Price: $18.95 US

The next product is the Wander Beauty Getaway Eye and Face Palette. It’s funny because I’m currently using a Wander Beauty product in my project pan. Anyway, this palette has six eyeshadow, a blush and a highlighter. Just wanted to note that these shades are pretty light so they wouldn’t work for deep skin tones. And also a lot of the shades in the palette are quite similar. I find that the matte shades Villa and Chateau are very similar as well as the shimmers Bungalow and Roadtrip. For such a small palette I wish there was more variety. I think the colour story works well for a travel palette full of go-to shades, but it’s nothing special. Also something I notice in this palette as well as my other Wander Beauty duo is that the powders don’t have a long staying power. The face powder fades quickly and the shimmers lose their lustre pretty quickly. Honestly not that impressed, I think there are better products on the market. Price: $36 US

This month’s skincare product is the Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask. I was excited when I saw this because I liked their moisturizer. This is a lightweight mask that you wear while you sleep to deliver moisturizer. The mask is also supposed to help with ageing, dullness, pores, stress and texture because it also includes vitamin C, niacinamide and retinol. I’ve tried this as both a regular mask and a sleeping mask. As a regular mask, I found that it didn’t do much for moisture. I still have to apply a moisturizer after taking off the mask. As a sleeping mask, I found it was pretty good. It sank into my skin quickly so I didn’t have to worry about getting it all over my sheets. When I woke up in the morning my skin was soft and smooth. So this mask only works its magic if you have it on all night. I’ll continue to use it. Price: $29 US, $27 CAD

The next product is the NCLA Beauty So Rich Love Potion. This is a limited edition of their cuticle oil that has heart glitter as well as a rose scent. I think the glitter is such a cute addition to the oil. I enjoy looking at it. I usually only use cuticle oil while doing my nails but I know it’s useful to use it every day to see any results. I’ve been applying this oil every night before bed and I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I think my cuticles are softer but I don’t think my nails are any stronger. Also, I’m not a huge fan of the rose scent. It’s too floral and overpowering for me. I can smell it even after I’ve rubbed it in. The dropper is nice and works well. I think any cuticle oil will work though, I don’t think you need to buy this one. You can probably just pick one up from your local drugstore and it would do the trick. Price: $18 US

And the final product is The Beauty Crop Coco Gold Mist. The more I used this setting spray, the more I started to dislike it. This is supposed to be a hydrating, fine mist that can refresh your makeup while also giving a delicate amount of shimmer to the face. This mist is in no way fine. It’s quite powerful so I have to hold it super far away from my face or it will ruin my makeup. One time I sprayed it too close and it moved my makeup and separated it. The shimmer isn’t fine, it’s glitter particles. So while it might be fun for a night out, otherwise I don’t want gold glitter all over my face. I even tried spraying this without shaking the bottle and I still got glitter all over me. It does have a nice coconut scent, I’ll give them that. Ya, I’m not a fan and wouldn’t recommend it. Price: $14.99 US

The overall price is $166.94. Honestly, I’m not very impressed. Quite a few of these products were duds or not something I see myself using often. And after having a great box last month it’s disappointing to get a poor box. Let me know what you got in your box and if you felt the same.

xoxo

Lea

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Beauty, Hacks, Makeup, Tips and Tricks

5 Beginner Makeup Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021by Lea3 Comments

Hey guys! Today we’re bringing back to the basics. I’m going to share five makeup tips that I wish I knew when I started. Makeup is all about personal expression, so if you don’t like or agree with these tips, then you do you boo! But I’m just trying to share some tips that I wish I knew when I started. I also tried to give some tips that you might have not heard before as well.

1. Figure out your skin type

Creams are good for dry skin whereas powders are good for oily skin

If you don’t already know your skin type then take some time to figure it out. This can dramatically change your makeup experience because certain products work better for certain skin types. For example, I have pretty oily skin. That means after a couple of hours my face looks visibly shiny and is greasy to the touch. Using powder products helps my makeup stay on my face and reduces that shiny look. Now that doesn’t mean I only have to use powders, if any I’ve come to love a good cream product. But when you’re starting it’s easy to stick to products that work with your skin type. So just take some time to google what the different skin types are and what products work for them.

2. Invest in some brushes

The best way to explain this is to talk about painting. A painter can be using the highest quality paint, but if they’re using dollar store sponge brushes it’ll be harder to do their job. On the flip side, a painter can be using cheap acrylics, but if they had good brushes they can make a pretty good piece. It’s the same with makeup.

Having some good brushes can make all the difference. And you don’t have to spend an arm or a leg to get good brushes. One of my favourite brands is Luxie which I can find at Winners. Real Techniques has a sponge that’s amazing and available at the drug store. I would recommend having a brush for each product face product and at least a few for the eyes. If you want I can always do a follow-up post on the perfect brushes for beginners.

3. Get an eyelash comb

My eyelash comb may look scary but it works!

I know eyelash combs are pretty common if you have lash extensions, but trust me they are great for mascara. If you find that you have the issue of mascara clumping up, then this tool is a life changer. If I notice my lashes are clumping, I just grab my comb and run it through. It helps separate the lashes and gives a defined look. And it’s not an expensive tool. I have the Morphe M221, but there are a bunch on Amazon. It’s a simple tool that can help if you’re struggling with mascara.

4. Use your current face product to find new ones

All three of these foundations are pretty close in shade

If you struggle to match foundations and concealers this is the tip for you. If you have a foundation or concealer that matches you perfectly right now but you’re looking to get a different one, then bring your current foundation or concealer with you to the store. I put the bottle in my purse and will take it out and put them side by side. This is helpful right now when because testing and swatching isn’t available due to the pandemic.

Another helpful tip is to look up the description of the foundation you like and look for those words in other foundations. For example, I usually go for fair/light neutral foundations because that matches my skin tone the best. If they don’t have these descriptions in store they can be found on the company websites.

5. Use face products on the eyes

If you’re on a budget you might not be able to afford to buy every product for a full face. Or maybe you just don’t have a lot of space and can only have a few products. Well, I’m letting you know that you can skip buying an eyeshadow palette and just use your face products on your eyes. Bronzes are a great neutral eyeshadow that can add a little depth to the eyes. Why buy a brown eyeshadow when bronzers are the same? And if you are feeling a little adventurous then try your blush. It can create a beautiful monochromatic look to have the same shade on the eyes and cheeks. Bronzers and blushes are great to use on the eyes are well for beginners because they’re typically not as pigmented as a regular eyeshadow and therefore easier to control. And if you want a bit of sparkle then use your highlight! I often use my highlighters on the inner corner to create a cohesive look.

And those are five tips and tricks I wish I knew when I started. I have so many other ideas, so let me know if I should do a part two! And let me know in the comments what some of your beginner-friendly makeup tips and tricks are.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Review

Auric Glow Lust + Smoke Reflect Review

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021by Lea5 Comments

Hey guys! Today I am reviewing the first products of Samantha Ravndahl’s brand Auric Cosmetics. I love Sam, she is one of my favourite beauty influencers and is someone I look up to in many ways. So when she announced her brand I immediately knew I had to pick up some of the products. I purchased three products and I’m going to break down everything for you guys.

So let’s start with the brand itself. Auric is a luxury, sustainable and cruelty-free makeup brand. There is also a real focus on inclusivity, which I’ll go into more detail with the Glow Lust. As with any luxury brand, that means that the products come with a higher price tag. Even though Sam is Canadian, her business partner is American and the distribute centre is in the US. All prices are in American on the site, so while my total was $123 US for three products, I had to pay more because of the exchange rate. I also had to pay $15 for shipping AND I had to pay $43 in duties because they weren’t prepaid. So in total, I paid around $200 CAD for three products. RIP my bank account. The price was in the back of my mind while testing out these products.

The first product is the Glow Lust. This is a liquid luminizer that is meant to give shine and hydration. It can be worn alone, mixed with a product or on top as a highlight. It comes in seven different shades that are skin-tone-based. So instead of it being gold, silver or pink the shades range from light cool beige to deep neutral. I love the shade range and how the shades aren’t numbered as well.

I love this product. The most similar product is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, which just expanded its shade range. The Glow Lust comes with a pump that is easy to control so I can pump out a bit or do a full pump. Also, the packaging is just so luxurious. The bottle is glass and has gold drip detail. The gap is a pain to get off though. The Charlotte Tilbury cream has a doe-foot applicator. So it’s easy to use on top of foundation but not as easy to mix in with other products.

The Charlotte Tilbury formula is shinier but doesn’t dry down completely. Auric’s Glow Lust adds the most beautiful glow from within look but it dries down and sinks into the skin. This helps it last throughout the day. I also loved adding it to my matte foundations because it adds a subtle glow to them. The only thing is that I wouldn’t necessarily say it hydrates my skin. But I don’t mind because ya girl is oily. The Glow Lust is $45 US, which is pretty on par with the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. There is a lot of product so I think this would last me forever. And that packaging is so luxe, so that’s where part of the price is going towards.

The other product I got was two shades of the Smoke Reflect Duos. These duos come with a creamy-matte shadow and a micro-glitter pressed eyeshadow. There are three shades. Defiance is bronze/gold, Temper is rose gold and Ego is silver. I didn’t get Ego since I don’t wear much silver eyeshadow. I will say that these shades are different than what you typically expect with those names. The cream Defiance is browner than orange bronze. Temper’s cream is only slightly pink. But I think the idea of having a cream and a pressed shadow is quite creative. I can think of a dupe for this product that has both the cream and powder off the top of my head.

For some reason, I thought the creams would be metallic but they’re not. They are more matte with a slight glimmer to them. They are also subtler than I thought. When I think of cream eyeshadows my mind goes to Colourpop or Hourglass. These are not like that and shouldn’t be compared otherwise you’d be disappointed. Once I got to understand the formula I grew to appreciate them. They would the best as a base for the glitter. Because by themselves they’re pretty plain – which I guess could be nice for an everyday look. Using a brush applies a sheer wash whereas using my finger is where I can make it look most similar to what it looks like in the jar.

The shimmers are what sold me on this product. It’s the most beautiful glitter ever. I can use a brush to create a gentle scattering of glitter or use my finger to create a very impactful look. They don’t have much basic colour to them, but that’s because they’re designed to go on top of the creams. I’ve worn them with other shadows and they look great. So overall these duos work best when you use the pressed glitter and cream together. These duos are $39 US which is pricey. A product like Hourglass’ Scattered Light could give you a similar effect with one product and it’s much cheaper. So while I do like it and think it’s pretty, I don’t think it’s necessarily worth it.

So what are my overall thoughts on the brand and what would I recommend. First, if you’re on a budget, you don’t need these products. Auric is a small brand, and I’m sure as they grow the shipping and duties will probably decrease and therefore be more affordable. But if you want to try something, I would recommend the Glow Lust over the Smoke Reflects. I think they are other products on the market that can give you a similar effect. But the Glow Lust is beautiful and there isn’t anything like it on the market. But it’s also a simple product that I see myself using every day and therefore getting my money’s worth.

Do I wish that the products were cheaper? Yes but I also understand why they are pricy. They are trying to be a better option for luxury makeup that is often not cruelty-free or inclusive. Like if you were comparing this brand to Dior or Armani then I would recommend Auric over those others. I am excited to see where Sam’s brand goes. I probably won’t be able to afford to purchase every launch but I will be cheering her on because I love her.

Let me know what you guys think about Auric and these products. What piques your interest? Do you think the products are good or too expensive? Let me know in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Review, Skincare

Current Skincare Routine February 2021

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021by Lea4 Comments

Hey guys! I realized that I haven’t given you guys a skincare update since July of last year! So I thought I would share my current morning routine. I’m currently testing out some different makeup removers so I won’t be including my evening routine today. There is one new product that I’m excited to share with you guys. So let’s get into it.

skincare, skincare routine, skincare products, skincare morning routine, cleanser, olehenriksen, toner, the inkey list, hyaluronic acid, vitamin c, kypris, moisturizer, origins, eye cream, peace out, peace out acne patches

In the morning I like to start with a cleanser. I’m currently using the OleHenriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. I’ve finished a full size and repurchased it, that’s how much I like it. This cleanser is meant to deeply clean without stripping the skin. My skin goes through cycles of breakouts and being calm and this cleanser is something I can use throughout. I also love the citrusy scent, it’s perfect to use in the morning. Highly recommend this cleanser.

The OleHenriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner has quickly become a ride-or-die. Without this toner, my skin just becomes so textured and congested. If you have oily or acne-prone skin this is the toner for you. It gets rid of any dirt or impurities that my cleanser missed. If you’re dry stay away because you might find this stripping. But it evens out my texture so I love it.

A new product to my regime is The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid. If you read my post about The Inkey List, then you would know that I didn’t notice a difference using this product. But I own it and so I want to use it up. The bottle says to apply before any other serums so that’s what I do. Once I finish it I might try another hyaluronic acid, so please leave your recommendations in the comments.

Up next I use a vitamin C serum. I still have the Biossance one that I mentioned in my previous post and I still love it. I’ve been alternating between that one and The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF. I’ve noticed that the colour is starting to change which means that it’s not going to be as effective soon so I want to use it up before it expires. That’s something I’ve noticed is that my Biossance one has a much better shelf life. If you want more details on my thoughts on these two vitamin c serums then check out my Inkey List review.

The next product I use is moisturizer. I’ve been using the Kypris Antioxidant Dew. I got this in my Boxycharm. I’m currently trying to use up some opened products before I buy another moisturizer myself. I think it’s alright. It’s quite liquidy and lightweight, which is perfect for my oily skin. I think it’s good and does the job but I wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase since it’s quite expensive.

I finish off my face with an eye cream. I’ve mentioned this before but I don’t think that eye cream is necessarily needed. I relatively young and while I’m starting to get some fine lines, it’s nothing crazy. Besides hydration, I don’t need an eye cream. Yet for some reason, my eye skin is extremely sensitive so I have to be careful. Otherwise, I get dry patches and a burning sensation. The eye cream I’m currently using is the Origins Refreshing Eye Cream. Does it help brighten my dark circles and reduce puffiness? Meh. Does it hydrate my skin? Ya and that all I really want and need.

The final product I wanted to mention isn’t one I use every day. I recently got the Peace Out Acne Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots and wanted to let you guys know what I think about them. I like them but they work best as instructed. I use them on large pimples that have a whitehead or almost aka a prime popping pimple. I will apply it before bed and overnight it will draw out all the gunk. This is perfect for me because I am a pimple popper, which causes scarring. This will help heal the pimple without causing scarring. This doesn’t work for really deep acne that hasn’t come out yet. This also won’t help speed up the healing process to get rid of a scar. So it’s only good for when a pimple is juicy and ready (sorry for that description but I mean it’s accurate). I know some people say you can use topical spot treatments but they don’t work as well as this. The only thing is that it’s quite because a 20 pack is $25. I will continue to use this and would even repurchase. But I’d love to try other brands to see if there is one that is cheaper and just as effective or even better.

And that is my current skincare routine guys! Maybe next time I’ll let you guys know what my makeup removal process is like. Let me know what some of your favourite skincare products are, I’d love to try them out!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Makeup, Review

L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation Review

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! I love testing out and writing foundation reviews. This year I want to share more affordable makeup with you guys, so it only made sense to make my first foundation review this year to be a drugstore foundation! After watching a bunch of best makeup of 2020 videos and seeing the L’Oreal Infallible 24 H Fresh Wear Foundation be on top, I knew I had to try this one out for myself.

foundation, l'oreal foundation, l'oreal infallible foundation, l'oreal infallible 24 hour fresh foundation, drugstore foundation, makeup, beauty

This L’Oreal foundation claims to last up to 24 hours (I don’t know anyone who wears their makeup for that long, but anyway). The claims continue with it being long-lasting as well as water, sweat and transfer-proof. The coverage is supposed to be medium to full coverage and the finish is natural. The foundation should feel lightweight and breathable on the skin.

On the first application, I realized that I am paler than I expected. I got the shade Vanilla 445, which is their light neutral shade. This shade would probably work for me in the summer when I’m tan but right now it’s a little too deep. Besides the shade mismatch, but I liked it. I would say the claim of medium to full is correct. And the finish is nice if a little matte. It does look like I’m wearing foundation but it’s not cakey looking in any way. And it felt very comfortable on the skin. It didn’t feel heavy or like I was wearing a mask. I did wish it had a little bit more glow to it, but that’s easy to add with primers or highlights.

At five hours I didn’t notice any colour change, it was still the same shade of too-deep-for-me haha – but it didn’t oxidize. The foundation was mostly intact, it had just rubbed out in a few areas that I have the bad habit of touching such as the chin and cheek. But I would say that 80% of the foundation was still there and looking good. I wasn’t looking oily at all, which is often an issue I have with foundations. My bronzer was also still pretty visible which is nice. Overall still loving how it looked.

After nine hours I finally took my makeup off. By that point, a lot of the foundation had worn off and I was looking greasy. Honestly, this is pretty on par with other foundations, usually around the eight-hour mark is when my foundation is done. The issue with having oily skin is that I find foundation just slides or rubs off the greasier I get. So am I annoyed that I had no foundation left after nine hours? Not really because that’s how most foundations perform.

I wore the foundation a few more times, mixing it with other foundations and serums. I mixed it with a lighter foundation to help better match my current skin tone and it worked just as well. I also tried using a serum to make it glowy and found that the finish stayed about the same. The wear time wasn’t affected by mixing the products with other products.

So overall I like this foundation! I like the finish for days when I want more coverage. It also lasted pretty well. I have some foundations that fall apart at the five-hour mark. Nowadays I don’t need a foundation to last all day because let’s be real I don’t wear makeup for that long. I kind of want to get a lighter shade just to better match my skin how it is currently, but I’ll probably wait until it goes on sale for that. If you’re looking for a foundation at the drugstore, I would recommend this one!

Hope you guys found this review helpful! Let me know in the comments what your favourite drugstore foundation is and maybe I’ll test it out myself. 🙂

xoxo

Lea