Category: Review

Beauty, Review

Colourpop Zodiac Palette Review + Four Makeup Looks

by LeaLeave a Comment on Colourpop Zodiac Palette Review + Four Makeup Looks

Hey friends! So today’s post is a little different. I got the Colourpop x Kathleen Lights Zodiac palette right when it released last summer. When I got the palette I knew I wanted to do some fun looks with the palette, but I didn’t have time when I first got in. Fast forward to today, I have finally completed the four looks for the palette! First I am going to explain my looks and then I will give my full review of the palette.

Photo 2019-03-07, 1 56 47 PM

So for those of you who don’t know much about astrology, there are twelve signs that fall under four elements – fire, air, water and earth. I decided to do a look for each of the four elements, using the three shades for each element.

First I did fire. Fun fact: my sun sign is Aries and my rising sign is Sagittarius (my moon sign is Pisces lol I have a weird combination) so there is a ton of fire in my birth chart. So of course I started with fire! For this look, I put the Sagittarius in my crease and lower lash line, then I put the Aries on my lid and the Leo in my inner corner. I liked this look because it was bold and colourful, just like fire signs!

The next sign is earth, which includes Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. With all these neutral shades I decided to do a smokey eye. I used the Taurus and the Virgo in the crease, and then put the Capricorn all over the lid. This look was so easy to do and I think it turned out so great! I would totally wear this on a night out. Also the liquid lipstick I am wearing in this look is the Ofra Cosmetics Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Verona.

The third look is for air, which includes Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. I was originally thinking of doing a blue liner with the Aquarius, but it wasn’t working out so I put it on my lower lash line. I put the Libra in my crease and then the Gemini all over my lid. I think the final look was quite airy and elegant.

The final look is for the water signs, which includes Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. All of the other signs had matte shades that went together, but the water signs were all very different. Since I needed something in my crease, I used Sagittarius. Then I put Pisces on the inner half of my lid and then Scorpio in the outer half of my lid. I then put Cancer in my inner corner.

And now for the full review of the palette. I just going to start the review by saying that while the palette was fun to play with, I wouldn’t recommend everyone to go out and get it.

The quality of the eyeshadows are like any other Colourpop shadows, which if you haven’t tried them is pretty good. I find that the mattes are pretty pigmented and blended out really well. The Aquarius shade was the only one that I was slightly disappointed with. I expected it to be very bright and found it was very muted. The shimmers are really nice. I find that they are a really nice wash of colour, but I can wet them with setting spray and they are really foiled and pigmented.

I was able to create some really cool looks with this palette, and I also created a few wearable looks as well. I like to use the Taurus or the Libra in the crease and then a some of the shimmers on the lid. That being said, this is not the best everyday palette. I think this is a fun palette that encourages me to be creative, but for the average person this palette is a little out there. If you like astrology or Kathleen Lights, then I recommend this palette. Otherwise I would recommend some of Colourpop’s other palettes.

And that is my full review of the Colourop Zodiac palette! This post was a really fun way to do a review of an eyeshadow palette. I hope you enjoyed my looks, let me known which one was your favourite!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Review

March Boxycharm Review 2019

by LeaLeave a Comment on March Boxycharm Review 2019

Hello friends! Today’s post is my favourite of the month – my Boxycharm! My box came in very late this month, but Boxycharm did send an email letting me know about this. I think all Canadian subscribers got this box late this month. So I have only tested these products for about a week, but overall I really enjoyed this box! I am also living for the theme, which is La Vie en Rose. Most of the products are rose/pink coloured, which I think it cute. I am really enjoying these cohesive boxes!

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First up are two Moda Brushes – a Powder brush and a Soft Glow brush. For those of you who do not know, Moda Brushes are a brand by Royal and Langnickel, who also make art brushes. I really like the other Moda brushes that I own. The handle on these are rose gold, which matches the theme but I excepted them to feel heavy like the other Moda brushes I own. The actual brush hairs are soooo nice though. They are super soft, and my other Moda brushes have continued to stay nice after many washes so I except these to last as well. The powder brush is a nice balance in between tense and fluffy, which is nice to putting powder on the face. The Soft Glow brush is fluffier compared to other highlight brushes I have used. Since the brush is less dense, it doesn’t put on as much product so it gives a nice soft glow. Honestly I have never used a brush like this before so I am not used to the soft effect it gives, but I am really liking it! I also think the price point on these brushes are quite fair. Price: $29.99 USD

Next is the Appeal Liquid Eyeshadow in the shade gold. At first I was shade that I didn’t get the rose gold shade because in the tube it looks very yellow gold. But honestly I think this is my favourite product in the whole box. This eyeshadow is more like a liquid glitter, it has a rather colourless base and is packed with gold glitters. I just dab it on my eyes and adds some very wearable sparkle to the lids. It reminds me of a limited edition Colourpop Super Shock Shadow that I own. This eyeshadow also lasts on the lids forever. It didn’t flake off or anything, it looked good all day love. Would definitely recommend these! Price: $21 USD

I was a little hesitant about the Wander Beauty Lift Off Purifying and Brightening Peel Off Mask at first. The last time I used a peel off mask I have little bumps all over my face for a week. The first time I used it I applied a thin layer all over my face. The thin layer meant that I didn’t hurt too much while peeling it off, but it kept on breaking off into tiny little pieces. I tried it again, this time using applying a thicker layer. The second time it was way easier to remove, and barely hurt at all. While my face felt smooth I didn’t notice a huge difference in the look of my pores. What I like the most is that this mask didn’t make my face felt dry after, like some other peel off masks that I have tried. I think this is a nice, gentle peel off mask – I will definitely continue to try this. Price: $34 USD

Next is the Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Monaco. This shade is not my thing really at all. It has a metallic finish which I am not a big fan of. It also is cool toned, which I don’t wear very often. Honestly not impressed by the shade, but as I have mentioned before I really like the formula of Ofra’s liquid lipsticks! Dear Boxycharm, please just send me nudes!! Price: $20 USD

 

The final product is the CoverFX Perfector Face Palette. First, I am very happy that Boxycharm is finally taking into account our customization quizzes so I can get products that match my skin tone. I got the shade light/medium which is perfect for me. I really like this product. I find that contour shade is more of a bronzer but I really like it. It is pigmented but not overwhelmingly so, easy to blend and not too powdery. The blush has the same formula. Not a huge fan of a really pink blush, but it’s still quite nice on the skin. The highlighters are amazing! There are two shades, one pink and one more gold, are so beautiful on the skin. Then the brightener shade in the middle is an interesting icy-champagne. This palette has all the highlight shades I would ever need. The only powder I haven’t used is the finishing powder. It has little glitters within the powder, but is feels very nice and smooth. I don’t know if I would use this powder under my eyes, but it could look nice on the rest of the face? Honestly I would have preferred a matte setting powder. The package is hard and sturdy, and it comes with a nice big mirror. This would be great for travelling since it has everything in one palette and has a good mirror. I am really happy with this product! Price: $45 USD, $57 CAD

And that is my March Boxycharm! Honestly really impressed with this box! What did you guys think of this month’s box? Let me know 🙂

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, empties, Review, Skincare

Product Empties March 2019

by LeaLeave a Comment on Product Empties March 2019

Hey friends! I am back with another product empties! I have a ton of beauty products, and I am trying to use up what I have since I am moving at the end of April. I have finished 13 products since January – I’m pretty impressed with myself. Quite a few I have mentioned before, so I will keep the reviews of those pretty short.

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First we have three body lotions/body butters. I have a large collection of body lotions and butters because I like to keep my skin moisturized, especially in the winter. The first is the Delectable by Cake Beauty Lemon & Cream Body Lotion. This is a great drugstore lotion. The scent is amazing, a lemon scent that is more sweet than citrus. I have a lot of body butters which are thicker, but sometimes I like to use a thinner lotion like this one. Very moisturizing and dries down quickly. This lotion also lasted me awhile, which I enjoy since I use so much. Definitely recommend if you like sweet lotions.

Next is the Coconut Oil Body Butter from The Body Shop. If you follow me on Instagram you would know that I just purchased the Mango Body Butter. I really love the coconut scent and was tempted to buy it again. This coconut scent is really nice, not too heavy or sunscreeny. It is also not too overpowering that I smell strongly of coconut the rest of the day. This body butter is also very moisturizing but also absorbs quickly. Finally, a little goes a long way with this product. It took me almost a year to finish this body butter. I highly this body butters, especially since they are a reasonable price for the amount of product you get.

The final body butter is the Lush Sleepy Body Lotion. I love lavender, and I would say this lotion is more of a sweet lavender than a pure lavender. The consistency is right in between the other two body lotions/butters I have mentioned. This not runny but it’s not a super thick cream. When I used to shower at night I really liked this product. I would take the time to rub it in and it helped me relax. Now that I shower in the morning I didn’t use it as often. The lotion is decent, it’s really the scent that makes it amazing. I do think I will pick up another one, but I would only recommend this to those that really love lavender.

The only makeup product I have is another Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown. I probably have one of these in every empties post because it is just my favourite brow pencil. It’s the best and I am very faithful to my brow pencil haha.

Next up is a whole bunch of skin care products. One that I will NEVER use again is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Sunscreen. If you have been following me for awhile I used to really like the moisturizer, and then I thought it was breaking me out so I stopped using it for a bit. I started using it again on my back. I don’t like to use my regular lotions on my back because it is acne prone and I know that heavily fragranced products wouldn’t be good for it. I should have known that this wasn’t going to work out well. Within a couple of days of using this on my back it broke out so badly. Honestly my back hasn’t been this bad since before I started birth control. I know that people love the Hydro Boost line, and I believe that the reason my skin doesn’t like this one is because of the sunscreen. My skin is super sensitive to sunscreens so that is probably what is breaking me out. I wanted to try and finish this product, but I am throwing it out. Be careful with this one if you have acne prone skin.

Next is another product I always seem to have in my empties – the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. My friend had a sample and knew how much I love this cleanser so she gave it to me. It is just the best gentle cleanser that makes my face feel clean. I use this in the shower and sometimes at night as well. I recommend everyone try this cleanser.

Another repeat product is the Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner. I like this toner because it makes my skin feel clean but not stripped. Some toners can be really intense and leave my skin feeling tight. I would say this leaves my skin feeling refreshed. I have repurchased this toner and I would definitely recommend to all my fellow oily skin girls.

Next is the Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator. I actually received this product in my Boxycharm. While I did finish this product, I will not be repurchasing it. This is a chemical exfolitaor, and I much prefer psychical exfoliators. I just personally felt that I got a better exfoliation from my St. Ives one compared to this. Also if you have dry skin or any dry patches do not use this. I used this once when my skin was feeling a little dry and I got a bad reaction from it. I had a red patch that felt raw for a couple of hours after using this product. This exfoliator is also super expensive, so I will be buying a different exfoliator.

Next up are my two favourite makeup removers – the Garnier Micellar Water and the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I used both of these products every night to remove my makeup. While I love both of these, I am looking into maybe switching up to a cleansing oil. I use so many cotton rounds with these products, which is really not sustainable. I currently have a bunch of cotton rounds, so I will continue to use these products while I have them. But once I finish my cotton round supply I might be switching it up.

Another Body Shop product is the Satsuma Shower Gel. It’s funny because I don’t like the Satsuma Body Butter but I really liked the shower gel! I found the scent to be citrusy and bright but not too overpowering. This shower gel was really nice, it suds up nicely. I personally prefer soap bars so I will not be repurchasing it, but if you like gels then this one is a good one!

The final products are hair ones. First is the Garnier Fructis Damage Repairing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask. WOW I really liked this hair mask. I like that this is a one minute mask. Now I usually left it in for a few more minutes, but some masks say you need to keep it in for like 10 minutes and I don’t have time for that. I noticed a different in my hair texture with just the one minute. My hair definitely felt softer. I also love the papaya scent, it’s very refreshing. A great drugstore mask, I would definitely recommend!

The final product is the Tresemme Flawless Curls Mousse. This was the first mousse that I have ever tried and I really liked it! I definitely noticed a huge difference when I didn’t use this mousse. Having long hair means that my curls get weighted down, but using this mousse helps them retain their shape. It definitely takes a few uses to figure out the correct amount to use. I used the full bottle and it lasted me over 8 months of constant use. I really liked this mousse, but I am currently trying out a different brand since this was the first one I ever used. But I would recommend this mousse because it did a good job!

And those are all my product empties! Let me know if you guys have any product recommendations, I am always down to try new products 🙂

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Review

Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Gel Review

by LeaLeave a Comment on Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Gel Review

Hey guys! Today I am sharing my review of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Gel. When I saw that ABH was releasing a tinted brow gel, I knew immediately that I was going to pick it up. I love their brow products, and I have been using the Brow Wiz since high school. There is a wide range of shades, which match with their Brow Wiz range. I got the shade Medium Brown, and it was $23 CAD.

Photo 2019-03-14, 11 05 19 AM

I have their clear brow gel, but I had never tried a tinted brow gel before. Using a tinted brow gel takes some getting used to. This formula is very wet, so it’s pretty easy to accidentally get it on your skin. It comes out pretty easily with some makeup remover if you do mess up. A pro to this wet formula is that can be used with a brush on the skin for a more detailed look. Another issue with the wet formula is that is does take about a minute to fully dry down. The dry down time was longer than their clear brow gel.

I tried the brow gel three different ways. First I tried it by itself, with no other brow products underneath. The gel makes my brows look thicker and fuller. Once I got the hand of using a tinted gel, I was able to pretty quickly brush my brows out for a more natural look. If you are a fan of fluffy brows, you would really like using the gel in this way. My only issue is that I have a few bald spots in my brows, and this method doesn’t cover them.

The second way I used this brow was to set my brows after filling them in. This is method is my favourite way to use the gel. By quickly running my brow pencil through first, I am able to fill in all my bald spots. Going in with the gel makes them look thicker and fuller.

The last method I tried was putting in the brow gel, and then trying to fill in my brows later. This did not work. The brows were very set, so it was hard to run a pencil through after. It just made my hairs go in weird directions. So if you are like me and have bald spots in your brows, fill them in first and then apply the gel.

This brow gel does an amazing job of setting my brows in place, just like their clear gel. I do feel like gel, in a similar way to how you can feel hair gel in your normal hair. It lasted well through the day, unlike my pencil which fades this gel looked the same all day.

What surpised me is that the Dipbrow Gel is smaller than their original gel. The Clear Brow Gel is 0.28 oz while the Dripbrow Gel is 0.155 oz. Now there is a $6 price difference, so you are paying for more product when you get the Clear Brow Gel.

So to summerize, I believe the pros are:

  • pigmented
  • makes brows look thicker and fuller
  • can be used in different ways
  • long lasting

And the cons are:

  • learning curve/can be messy
  • longer dry down time compared to Clear Brow Gel
  • doesn’t cover bold spots

I like the Dipbrow Gel and I am happy that I got it. Would I recommend the product? This is a great brow gel, and I would believe that similar brow gels probably have similar pros and cons. If you are interested in getting a brow gel, I believe that this one would be a great one to try. I believe that is really comes down to personal preference towards brows that will determine whether or not you would like this product. I will definitely continue to use this gel.

And that is my full review of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Gel. I would love to know if you guys have tried this product and your thoughts on it! Let me know in the comments down below!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Review

February Boxycharm 2019

by LeaLeave a Comment on February Boxycharm 2019

Hey guys! Happy March! So for those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram (which is @xoxoxoleelee, you should check it out), I posted a poll about when I should post this review. Last week I hadn’t had a chance to fully test out the products in my box yet, so it would have been a first impressions last week or wait until this week for an in-depth review. In-depth review won, which is why my Boxycharm review is going up today! This month’s theme is Afterglow, which I must say compared to the last few isn’t my favourite. I assume it’s joking around with the fact that they have the TooFaced Better than Sex mascara in the box. Anyways, here is the box!

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So the first big item in the box is the TooFaced Better than Sex Mascara. Now I know this is a classic mascara that is a fan favourite, so I was excited to try it for myself. Now I am going to just say, I’m not a huge fan of this mascara BUT it is still a good mascara. I know that might sound contradictory but here me out. I have realized after trying a few mascaras that most mascaras are either lengthening or volumizing. Rarely will you get one that is good at both. This is a very good volumizing mascara, but I have just come to realize that I prefer lengthening mascara. The only thing is that the brush is very big, so I find it very easy to get mascara on my eyelids. Be careful when applying, otherwise this is a good mascara. Price: $24 USD or $31 CAD

Next is the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer. Primers are a beauty product that take awhile for me decide how I feel about them. I believe because there are so many things that must work with a primer. It’s performance can be affected by what foundation and powder is used with it. I also find some primers are good with some foundations and bad with others. I have been testing this out and honestly I am still unsure about this primer – which I definitely think says something. I didn’t instantly fall in love with it and I didn’t instantly hate it. What I have noticed so far is that it does make my pores look smaller and my skin looks smoother. But I also find that my foundation kind of sits on top of my foundation and doesn’t properly sink into my skin. I also haven’t noticed a difference in making my skin look any less oily. If you were curious about this primer I would say try it for yourself to see how you feel, but this isn’t a primer that I think everyone should go out and get. Price: $18 USD or $23 CAD

Next is the Pretty Vulgar Bronzed B Bronzer in the shade Bronzer Mannikin. Now I didn’t realized that this bronzer is for medium-deep skin tones until I looked it up to link but it makes so much sense now. I was finding that this bronzer was just a little too dark and a little too warm for my skin currently. I think once it’s summer that I would like this bronzer more. The other thing is that this bronzer is very pigmented, so the fact that it is too dark it very obvious. I have to use a very light hand and tap off any excess. For bronzers and blushes I personally prefer formulas that are more buildable than pigmented, because I find it very easy to go overboard with these products. I don’t think this is a bad bronzer, just maybe if I had the lighter shade I would like it more. Price: $32 USD or $39 CAD

I am SO happy that I got this product!!! I know that there was a few variations, and I am very happy that I was able to get the Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream. I love the smell of coconut, so I was thinking of buying this cream. I am glad I waited since I got it in my box. I really like the original, but I think I might like this one more. First the actual formula is different, and I find this one soooo much more mositurizing. I have used it every day I shower and wow I have noticed a difference in my skin texture. The scent is strong but isn’t as lingering which I prefer. But wow the scent. Like I said I love coconut, but this isn’t your Hawiian Tropics sunscreen coconut (which I still love btw). This is a warm coconut smell, which I love for the winter. I already know I will be purchasing another jar once I finish the one I got in my box. I suggest everyone goes and smells this cream for themselves, and if you like the scent definitely buy it! Price: $20 USD or $25 CAD for 2.5 oz

The final product is the Nude Stix Magnetic Luminous Eye Colour. I got the shade Copper Foil, which is a very warm, light copper shade. I am actual very happy to receive this product instead of another eye shadow palette because I actual don’t own any eyeshadow sticks so this was fun to try. I think luminous is really the best way to describe this this stick. I was expecting an intense metallic shade, but instead it a nice creamy wash of shimmer and colour. This pencil is better suited for everyday wear instead of an intense night-out look. I do like this pencil because it was easy to use. I just apply the pencil straight to my lid, and used a matte crease shade it help blend it out. The only thing is that I find that this copper pulls very orange-gold, whereas I prefer a darker copper or just straight up gold. So this is not my favourite shade, but it’s still nice. If there is a shade you like then I would recommend trying it out! Price: $24 USD

The overall total for the box is $118 USD. I really liked this box! There were no horrible products in the box, and I think anything I am not a huge fan of is because of personal preference and not because the product was bad. But the Sol de Janeiro cream just totally made this box though, if I had received a different variation I might feel differently. What are your thoughts on these products? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Book Review, Life, Review

Book Review 002

by LeaLeave a Comment on Book Review 002

Hey guys! I know it’s been awhile since my last book review, and that’s because it has taken me forever to finish the series in today’s post. I started the first book back in August and I just finished the last book a couple weeks ago. To be fair, I do find it harder to read during the school year, especially when I am also binging a tv show. Even though this series took me forever to read, I still absolutely loved it. Today’s book review is going to be on the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard.

feb 2019 002

The Red Queen series is comprised of four novels: Red Queen, Glass Sword, King’s Cage and War Storm. The story is set in the future where the world is divided by two types of blood – red and silver. Those with silver blood have superpowers and have enslaved the regular red bloods. The main character, Mare, discovers that she has a third type of blood which enables her and others to have stronger powers than those with silver blood. Mare is forced to pretend she is a long-lost princess in the first book, and the following books focus on a civil war breaking out through the country.

If I were to sum up this book, I would say it’s Game of Thrones with superpowers. I think my favourite part of this whole series is the world that Aveyard has created. It has many political elements that makes GoT so popular, like having a bunch of different royal houses. The super powers are what makes this novel stand out. Each house a different power, and then the newbloods (which the main character Mare is) all have very unique powers. Aveyard’s descriptions of the powers are amazing, so much that I can picture what it would be like to control fire, water, electricity, etc.

I think Aveyard did a great job of developing the characters throughout the series. The characters had depth and had flaws, making them more life-like. Mare is a quite negative and cynical character, which sometimes made her insufferable but it is also understandable given all that she goes through the series. Also I loved Cal, her love interest. Like I want a Cal in my life haha.

The only negative for me is that this series, especially the last two novels, are very long and drawn out. The third book was definitely my least favourite because I found it pretty repetitive. I honestly found some parts of it boring. The other thing I didn’t was that while the last too books are drawn out I found the ending rushed. *Minor spoiler* there are a ton of battles within the later books, and the climax of the book is a battle scene. Compared to some of the others in this series, I found that the last one was very quick in comparison. I also found the ending very incomplete. Now this might be so Aveyard can produce a sequel series in the future, but either way I was not very satisfied by the ending.

Overall I really liked this series, mainly because of the amazing world that Aveyard created. If you are looking for a fantasy, dystonia novel with some Game of Thrones level politics, then I would definitely recommend this book. I wouldn’t say this would be everyone’s cup of tea, but if this book sounds interesting to you then I would definitely recommend it because then you would probably love it.

And that is my book review! I will hopefully have another book review coming up within a couple weeks of all the books I read in my English class last semester.

xoxo

Lea

Food, Life, Review

Broke University Student Tries HelloFresh

by LeaLeave a Comment on Broke University Student Tries HelloFresh

Hey guys! So one of my goals of 2019 was to try and blog twice a week. The plan is for Friday to still be beauty/makeup/skincare posts, while Tuesday is going to be a whatever-I-want day. Sometimes it might still be beauty related, other days it might be book reviews or other content. There will be a post every Friday, but Tuesdays might not happen every week just as I figure things out.

Today’s post is something a little different. I have seen so many Youtubers do sponsored posts with HelloFresh, and I was really interested in trying it out. But being a broke university student, I was resistant. But when Allana Davison (an amazing Canadian Youtuber who you should totally check out) had a 50% off coupon code I knew it was finally time to check it out.

Just want to preface this whole review by saying that while I am a broke university student, I do consider myself a foodie. My housemates all agree that I am definitely the best cook in the house. I put an effort into planning my meals for the week, making sure to eat healthy, well-balanced meals with a ton of variety. So I was excited to try HelloFresh, so satisfy my food curiosity. (Also please excuse my ugly kitchen, I like in a student house okay).

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What is HelloFresh?

For those of you who do not know, HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service. They offer a variety of meals, from regular to veggie to family friendly. They offer 3-4 meals for 2 or 4 people.

Now the first issue I had with HelloFresh is that they currently do not have a one person option. This meant that I would have leftovers with every meal. Now I personally do sometimes make meals for multiple people, like when I am making pasta, because it’s easier. But other meals, like a burger for example, are just nicer if it was for one meal.

I decided to do three meals for two people, which would give me six meals in total.

Pricing

For a broke student, pricing really makes the difference. The coupon code made the cost $39 CAD. This made it so each recipe would be about $13, or each serving $6.50. Now that isn’t bad for getting a nice, restaurant quality meal but I could definitely make cook cheaper than this. Overall $40 on HelloFresh isn’t bad, but it’s when it’s full price when it becomes ridiculously expensive.

The full price is $79 CAD. This breaks down to $26.33 for one recipe, and $13 per recipe. Now those prices are probably what you would pay if you are going out to restaurants or ordering in food. But $80 is probably what I spend a week for my full grocery bill. HelloFresh only provided me with six meals, so I still needed another dinner plus my food for breakfast and lunch. With HelloFresh, you are definitely paying extra to have everything thought out and shipped to your house.

The Meals

The meals are delivered straight to your house in a nice refrigerated box. I decided to have mine come on Sunday, but you can pick any day of the week you want. Each recipe was in one bag, with the meat separate. Having the meals come in one bag is nice and convenient, but if your like me and share the fridge with a room/housemate it’s a little much. It definitely took up a ton of unnecessary room in the fridge. All of the packaging that was used to shipped the box was recyclable, but there was a decent amount of plastic within the meals.

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Dinner One – Pan-Fried Gnocchi

The first dinner was a pan-fried gnocchi with roasted squash and ricotta. This meal was super easy to make. All the squash was pre-cut, so the only thing I had to chop was the garlic – which I find hilarious because I normally use pre-minced garlic. This meal only took me two more minutes than the time given by HelloFresh, and that was only because my burner wasn’t working properly at first.

This dish reminded me of something I would eat in a restaurant. It was not a flavour combination I would normally cook on the regular, so it was nice to try something new. But having it the second day it was not as good. The gnocchi became gummy and the flavours were just too much. Could have used just one serving.

Dinner Two – Retro Burger

This burger is not your ordinary burger – it’s a fancy burger. It had came with caramelized onions and roasted sweet potato fries. I decided to try the burger because I was curious how hard/easy it would be to turn this in two separate meals. I made half the fries and made the beef patties, but I only cooked one patty and saved the other one for another night. I finished making the burger two minutes shorter than the suggested time.

This burger was similar to the pasta in the sense that it was really nice the first time but a little too much the second time. It was super easy for me to make the fries and the burger a different night.

Dinner Three – Creamy Tarragon Chicken

This chicken came with roasted red potatoes and brussels sprouts on the side. This meal was definitely my least favourite. I already had roasted vegetables the past two meals, so I was tired of it by this meal. As well, my sauce didn’t thicken up and it honestly didn’t have that much flavour. I didn’t even put the sauce on the chicken the second time it ate it. It took me only a minute longer than the suggested time.

Renewing the Subscription

I personally thought that you had to go online to renew your weekly subscription, but it is actually an auto-renew subscription service. So you can imagine my surprise when the following Sunday a HelloFresh box showed up to my house. And of course it was full price. I was just given three random meals. I immediately deactivated my account so it would not ship again.

Overall Thoughts

I understand why people like using HelloFresh but it is not for me. It is super easy because it just comes straight to your house. You can go online and choose what you want to receive, or you can just be surprised. The ingredients in the box are perfectly portioned, so there is no waste. All the meals were great the first time, so if I was cooking for two people this would be great.

I will not be getting HelloFresh for a few reasons. First, there is no single person options and I didn’t like the meals enough to want to eat leftovers. Second it’s hella expensive. I am currently trying to save money, and the convenience for me isn’t worth it. I actually enjoy planning out my meals and going grocery shopping, so the convenience is not meant for me.

But just because I don’t want to use HelloFresh again doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s a good idea. If you are someone who currently is spending tons of money going out or ordering in, this is cheaper than that. I think this is also useful for someone who is learning to cook because the recipes were all easy to make. They are also all very quick to make as well, they were all estimated to take between 30-35 minutes and their estimates were pretty accurate. Honestly, I think it is important it evaluate your lifestyle and then decide whether or not HelloFresh is worth it.

And that is my HelloFresh review! I hope you guys liked it, I know this is a little different. Let me know if there is anything you would like to me try or do food wise – I love cooking!

Beauty, Favourites, Review, Skincare

My Mask Collection

by LeaLeave a Comment on My Mask Collection

Hey guys! I am personally always on the hunt for a great face mask. I love getting new masks, but I find good ones can really make a big difference on how my skin looks and feels. So I decided to share with you guys the masks that I currently own. I decluttered my collection a couple months ago so it’s not that large but I really like all the masks that I kept. Just want to mention that I have acne-prone skin, so all of the masks I use are meant for that. If I want something hydrating I generally use sheet masks instead.

masks 2019

The first mask is a great drugstore option – the Garnier SkinActive Pore Purifying 2-in-1 Clay Cleanser/Mask. Now I only use this as a mask, but you can technically use it as a cleanser. I really like how the formula of this one is thinner so it dries faster. I can quickly use this mask for five minutes and see results. The thinner consistency also makes this mask really create for overnight spot treatment. I will say it’s not the deepest cleaning mask that I own, but overall I like it because it’s quick to use and it has a good price.

Next are my two mini Origins masks. I might have mentioned that around the holidays I picked up a set of Origins masks, and these are the two that I kept. First is the Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay. I actually used this mask last night and wow! I like using this mask for cleaning out my pores more than dealing with any breakouts. I really notice a difference in my pores, and I don’t find this mask too drying which is nice. The other Origins mask is the Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin. Now this mask is for all my fellow acne prone friends. I use this mask when my face is freaking out and I notice such a difference in how my breakouts look before and after using this mask. It just does a great job of decongesting the skin and getting all the gunk out. Now I use this all over my face, but my friend with combo skin uses this too but just on her t-zone and she loves it as well. I will say that this mask is drying, so I always apply a nice moisturizer after using it. I think when I finish both of these minis I will purchase the full sized of these masks.

Now if you are looking for something a little more hydrating, I would recommend the Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask. I like to use this mask when I want to help clear my skin but I don’t want to dry it out. This mask doesn’t dry down, so it helps keep my face hydrated. My face always feels smooth and soft after using it. The only thing I don’t like about this face mask is that you can’t just wash it off, but you have to wipe if off with a cloth. I find this to be a bit of a hassle because it takes longer to wash off and it has stained my face towels before. I still really like this mask, and I would recommend this normal and combo skin people would like this too.

The final mask is Lush’s Mask of Magnaminty. Every time I use this mask I am always impressed at how well it cleans my skin. It makes my skin look brighter and feel smoother. It is does dry my skin, so I don’t wear it more than 10 minutes to not overdo it and then just apply a nice moisturizer after. It can be a little messy but I don’t mind that. What I do mind is that I’ve had this mask for awhile, and it’s not expired yet, but it is drying out. So keep in mind that if you don’t plan on using this mask weekly to maybe get the smaller size.

And those are all my favourite masks! Let me know down below what your favourite masks are because I always like trying new ones out!

xoxo

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.

Photo 2019-02-03, 3 34 51 PM

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

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:

photo 2019-01-16, 11 43 49 am

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