Category: Review

Beauty, Haul, Makeup, Perfume, Review, Skincare

Sephora Sale Haul & Reviews

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora Sale Haul & Reviews

Hey guys! It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for – my Sephora Sale haul and reviews! If you haven’t seen it already, I posted my Sephora Sale haul on my Youtube channel last weekend and that was filmed a couple of weeks ago. I’ve now used the majority of the products and am now ready to give you my thoughts on all the products. If you haven’t, I would check out my wishlist post so that way you can see what products I was thinking of purchasing and can compare to this list. Let’s get into it!

Up first I decided to get a mini of the Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. The cleanser is a product that takes me a while to get through so getting a mini allows me to try more products. This is a gentle cleanser with hyaluronic acid and AHAs to help with pores, oiliness, acne and blemishes – everything that I suffer with! This is a nice cleanser. My skin feels soft and also hydrated after I use this. I think if you have normal or combo skin and suffer from acne then you’ll like this. I’ve found lately that my skin has been looking oilier by the end of the day. I’m not sure if it’s because of this cleanser or some other products but it’s something that I wanted to note that if you have oily skin like me it might be too gentle. I’ll continue to use this but if I notice that the oiliness doesn’t improve this might be relegated to a second cleanser.

I am already in love with the Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Super Setter Setting Spray. I have been using this setting spray every day since I’ve received it. It does make my skin looks smoother and poreless. Not sure if it necessarily makes my makeup last longer but I love it for the way it makes my face look initially. The mist is very fine so I do use a good amount to properly cover my face. I wish I had picked up the full size!

I like it but I’m not quite in love with the OLEHENRIKSEN Cold Plungeâ„¢ Pore Remedy Moisturizer with BHA/LHA. It has an interesting texture that is not quite a gel but not quite a cream. I find that my skin feels more smooth than hydrated with this moisturizer. Much more of a summertime moisturizer than for the dry winter months. Also because it has active ingredients in it, I just need to be careful not to apply it over top of other actives otherwise it’s too much for my face and I get a reaction. I will continue to use the moisturizer because at this point I wouldn’t necessarily repurchase it.

The next product shouldn’t be a surprise – I picked up the Briogeo Honey Hydration Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair Repair Kit. I have not used the products in this kit yet oops! I have used this deep conditioner before and I absolutely love it so I didn’t need to try it again to let you guys know you need it to try it! It’s one of the most hydrating deep conditioners on the market that is Curly Girl Approved. The scent is also magical. I haven’t tried the shampoo and conditioner yet just because I have other ones open and I try and avoid having multiple shampoos and conditioners open since I have limited space in my shower. Once I finish the products I’ll update you guys in a products empties post.

I did end up splurging and getting the L’Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Milk Concentrate. And I’m so happy I did. I used their Almond Delightful Body Balm last year and I loved the scent but found it was a little too thick for me. The Milk Concentrate has the exact same scent but is just a lighter cream compared to the balm. It’s still very moisturizing don’t worry! It also comes with a lot of products so I know this will last me a while.

For lip balm, I ended up getting the Laneige Dream Team Lip Set. It’s the same price as the Tarte one I was looking at as well but I get two products for the price of one! I do like the Lip Glowy Balm formula and it’s been forever since I’ve used the Lip Sleeping Mask. The Lip Sleeping Mask comes in Peach Iced Tea and I like that scent (or flavour?). The Lip Glowy Balm is in Berry. I like the slight tint it gives the lips but I do find the Berry to be slightly medicinal. At least it doesn’t linger on the lips. This is a great set and I’m happy with my purchase.

The final product is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder. First I want to say while the packaging looks absolutely gorgeous, I was surprised by how light it feels. I always expected the compact to be super lux since it’s expensive. But at the end of the day, it’s what’s inside that matters. This is an ultra-fine powder so when I first apply the power it goes on so smooth and looks so good. My face looks flawless and not too cakey. But because it’s just a fine and lightweight power, but at the end of the day I’m a greasy mess. It does touch-up well. I can apply this to do touch-ups and it looks good. But if you’re like me and have oily skin this isn’t going to keep you locked in all day. I think this powder is perfect for dry, normal and combo skin people who need a powder to set everything in place but not necessarily keep the oils at bay. I will continue to use this because I love the way it makes my makeup look but if I need something long-wearing I’ll pick up something else.

I also did want to mention that I picked up the Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur Eau de Parfum, but it’s going to be a Christmas present so I haven’t used it. I sprayed it in-store and liked it! It has a clean and slightly earthy scent. I can’t wait until Christmas when I can wear this more!

And this is my haul and reviews! Let me know in the comments what you guys picked up during the sale!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Review

Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Divine Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette Review

by Lea2 Comments on Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Divine Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette Review

Hey guys! I am a big Jaclyn Hill fan and her other two collabs with Morphe are some of my favourite palettes I own. So when I saw she was coming out with another palette with Morphe I knew I had to pick it up. I purchased the Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Divine Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette when it first came out. But it’s taken me a while to test out the palette and give you guys a thorough review. But I have finally figured out my thoughts so let’s get into it.

When I first saw the palette I thought it was gorgeous. I’ve been into wearing neutrals more lately so the palette concept was right up my alley. After chatting with my friend about the palette I realized that it does skew pretty dark, especially in person. This might be a neutral palette but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s an everyday palette for me. If you’re someone with a deeper complexion though this would be perfect for you.

I think there is a good range of matte shades. There is a light shade for me to set my eyeshadow primer. There are some lighter shades for the crease and some darker shades to deepen the crease. The shade “Cinnamom Roll’ is the perfect dark shade for doing wing liner. My issue is that all the shimmer shades are quite deep and rich. This is perfect for evening looks but just too much for me for everyday use. I also find the shade “Awe Lux” a weird addition. All the other shades are very warm toned whereas “Awe Lux” is pink and doesn’t match as much.

Besides the colour story is the quality of the shadows. I love the matte shades. They are pigmented but also easy to blend. I also find that the shade in the pan and the shadow on the eye look the same. Sometimes an eyeshadow can look different once it’s blended out but these shades are consistent.

I find the shimmers to be a bit finicky. With my Jaclyn Hill Vol 1 palette, the shimmers can be packed on using a finger or a dense brush AND can be blended out softly with a fluffy brush. I often like using a fluffy brush with shimmers during the day to create a softer look. I find that the shimmers in this Divine Neutral palette look great packed on but barely show up on the lid when I try to do a soft look. I’m a bit disappointed because it feels to me that they changed the formula.

I know it seems like I had a lot of criticisms for this palette but that’s because I had some fairly high expectations for the palette. I thought it was going to be the perfect everyday palette and the quality would be the same as past palettes. It’s still a good palette. For me, it’s more of a special occasion palette than an everyday palette. You can’t bet the fact that it’s a 12-pan palette for $25. That’s an amazing deal.

If you have a deeper complexion or you’re looking for a special occasion palette then this is a great pick. But if you have fair skin and you’re looking for a good everyday palette then I would skip this one. If you guys have purchased this palette let me know what you think in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Book Review, Review

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series

by Lea1 Comment on Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series

Hey guys! Thought it was time to take a break from Sephora Sale content and post a book review! I know it’s been a while since my last blog post but it’s taken me about four months to finish this series oops. Today I will be sharing my review of Sarah J Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses (shorten to ACOTAR) series. For those of you who don’t know, ACOTAR is a very popular series online. I had heard a lot about the books before reading the series which affected my opinion. I will do a review on each book, which will contain minor spoilers – such is the nature of reviewing series since each book builds on each other. At the end of this post, I’ll do a spoiler-free overview of the series. So let’s get into it!

A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns is the first book in the series. It follows Feyre, a human who accidentally kills a fae and must go live with a fae lord to make up for her actions. This is a new adult fantasy series.

I heard a lot about this book on book Tiktok before reading it, so I had a lot of preconceived notions. I knew a lot of people didn’t like the love interest, Tamlin, so because of that, I didn’t like him.

I spent a good part of the book waiting for the action that I hear everyone online talk about to happen. It wasn’t until the last 100 pages that the action picked up and I was into the book. I think it sets up nicely for the next book in the series.

I think Feyre is a pretty neutral main character. I don’t hate her but I don’t love her. There are a lot of big side characters in the series, so it helps that she’s tamer.

I gave this book 4/5 stars. It was good but had a real slow start.

A Court of Mist and Fury

A Court of Mist and Fury was much better compared to the first. There is more action and the characters introduced in this book as very interesting. The best part of the book is the romance. I love Feyre and Rhysand’s relationship and how it builds and grows through the book.

I like how Feyre’s mental health struggles are a big part of the book. I felt like the depiction is quite realistic and it was amazing to see it improve throughout the novel.

My only complaint is that the book is quite long. This is a reoccurring complaint I have for the series.

I gave this book 4.5/5 stars.

A Court of Wings and Ruin

I’m still not sure if my reading slump just coincided with reading A Court of Wings and Ruin or was because of the book. Whereas the first two took me about 10 pages to get through, the third book took me a month to read.

I found the beginning to be boring after the excitement of the second novel. This book also has a war in it. I’ve mentioned this before but I’m not a huge fan of war novels and this one was no exception. I found the middle section dragged on. As well, a lot of new characters were introduced and it found it confusing to remember everyone.

The last 150 pages were good and redeemed the novel from being a complete flop for me. For reference, I read the last 150 pages in two days.

I gave the book 3.5/5 stars. I was debating not continuing with the series, but I already owned the other books, so I decided to continue.

A Court of Frost and Starlight

A Court of Frost and Starlight is a novella that is supposed to be a bridge between the Feyre, who is the main character in the first three novels, and Nesta, who is the main character in the next novels.

I don’t think this book is necessary for the grand scheme of the series. There are only a few big plot points that could have easily been included at the end of the last novel or the beginning of the next novel.

The book just had a bunch of unnecessary fluff. It’s set in the world’s version of Christmas so I think it could be nice to read around the holiday to get in the spirit. But otherwise, I don’t think it added that much to the series.

I gave the book 3.5/5 stars. It was quick to read but not the most interested.

A Court of Silver Flames

Like I mentioned, this book switches to Nesta (Feyre’s sister) and Cassian’s point of view and focuses on their relationship. A Court of Silver Flames is probably tied with A Court of Mist and Fury as my favourite books in this series. I’ve always liked Nesta but this book made me fall in love with her. She’s just more complex than Feyre.

Similar to ACOMAF, this book is about Nesta processing her trauma and I felt it was quite realistic in the ups and downs and the long period of time it takes to process trauma.

I love Nesta and Cassian’s relationship. I also love the friendship that Feyre develops with Emerie and Gwen. They’re probably some of my favourite side characters in the whole series.

This book was really really long. It was 750 pages but I think this book could have easily been 500 pages. It was just a little long and repetitive in some parts.

This book was also quite character-driven. It focused mainly on Nesta’s growth, otherwise, not much happened plot-wise. I also found the ending to be a little rushed and the conflict resolved a little too quickly.

I gave this book 4.5/5 stars. It was great and I’m excited to see where the series goes.

Overall Thoughts

If you are not familiar with Sarah J Maas, she also wrote the Throne of Glass series, which I absolutely loved and gave 5/5 stars. I had high expectations going into this series. Overall I think it was good but not as great as Throne of Glass.

First, like I mentioned this series is a character-driven book. This means that the growth and development of the characters are what drive the book forward. Whereas Throne of Glass is a plot-driven book, where the plot and conflict are what drive the book forward. Both are acceptable, I just prefer plot-driven books which is why I didn’t like ACOTAR as much.

For this being a character-driven series as well, I found that I didn’t connect to the characters as much compared to Throne of Glass. I loved the characters in that series. I do realize that ACOTAR isn’t finished yet so this might change but it is something to note.

Finally, I find that ACOTAR is quite long and drawn out. I don’t think long books are inherently bad. But I think if your book is going to be long it better be action-filled or just interesting the whole book. I think the books could easily be 50-150 pages shorter and would still be good books. So if you struggle with long books beware.

I think this is a good fantasy and romance series but I don’t think it transcends the genre. Some books are so good that I think everyone should read them. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy but if you’re not a fan of the genre I would pass. I give this series 4/5 stars. I will continue to read the future books that come out.

And those are my thoughts on the ACOTAR series! If you’ve read this series let me know your thoughts in the comments. And with all my book reviews let me know if you have any recommendations for me in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites, Hair, Makeup, Perfume, Review, Skincare

My 2021 Sephora Sale Recommendations!

by Lea2 Comments on My 2021 Sephora Sale Recommendations!

Hey guys! As promised, here is my Sephora Sale recommendations list! The Sephora Holiday Savings Event runs from November 5-15 for Rouge, November 9-15 for VIB and November 11-15 for VIB. The savings range from 10-20% off depending on what level you are, so it’s the perfect time of year to pick up something you’ve been eyeing. Today I’m going to be doing something similar to my wishlist, where I’ll be sharing Makeup, Skincare, Hair&Body (and maybe a few miscellaneous in Hair&Body). So let’s get into it!

Makeup

Starting off I have two foundation recommendations, and if you’ve been following my blog and Youtube these probably won’t be a surprise to you. For lighter coverage, I recommend the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. I love this skin tint because it somehow manages to be light coverage but also helps reduce any redness I have going on. It looks and feels good on the skin and it’s easy to apply. Win, win, win. If you want something with more coverage than the Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation. This is medium coverage and has a natural matte finish, so it just looks like skin. But best of all is that it’s sooooo long-lasting. I can wear this all day at work and not look like a greasy mess at the end of the year. Not enough people talk about this foundation, it’s so good.

My favourite bronzer is still the Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer. I feel like everyone launched new cream bronzers this year and I just stuck with my Milk Makeup one! The shade Baked is perfect for my complexion. It blends so easily and seamlessly into the face. And it’s long-lasting, which isn’t always the case for creams.

For blush, I have two recommendations. If you’re newer to using cream blushes, then try out the Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush. They have a great selection of shades. The formula is creamy enough where it’s easy to apply but they are matte so they last a long time on the skin. I can swipe these blushes on my face and blend them on in three seconds. If you’re experienced with blush and want something impactful, then check out the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. This blush is pigmented, so it’s not for the faint of heart. I always apply some to a palette or the back of my hand and then go into my face. But I can get a flushed look and it lasts long on the skin. I love the shade Love because it’s a terracotta that gives me that almost sunburnt look which was gorgeous in the summer. I think you’ll be happy with either blush.

Sticking with the cream theme, my highlight recommendation is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. I was in love with this product for a while then took a break to focus on my project pan highlight. Well, I recently went back to the highlight and fell in love all over again. What I like is that the shades are based on skintones so the highlight is very natural and gives the glow-from-within look. Also, the bottle is huge so you’ll never run out.

For eyeshadow, I’m going to give a shoutout to Huda Beauty, especially her nine-pan palettes. I feel like everyone raves about her big palettes but I love my Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette. It’s small and compact so it’s easy to store. The colour stories are all gorgeous and there is a nice mix between mattes and shimmers. The mattes are so easy to work with. The glitters are a little bit more finicky, but wetting them with setting spray does the trick. There are so many different nine pan palettes that I’m sure you’ll find a colour story to match what you’re looking for.

Another underrated product is the Tarte Double Take Eyeliner. I have the shade brown and reach for this all the time. I find it super handy to have both the liquid and pencil liner in one product. I will often use liquid liner on my lid and then the pencil in my waterline. I’m usually not a fan of felt tip liners but this one is easy to use. And the pencil is easy to apply and lasts a long time. If you’re looking for a new eyeliner check this one out.

For lipstick, I have to go with a classic – Mac Cosmetics Matte Lipstick. The formula is creamy enough where it’s easy to apply but because it’s matte it stays put. It doesn’t make my lips look dry or cakey. It doesn’t last through lunch but I can sip a drink no problem. And the shade range is huge so you can find a shade that you like. My two favourites are Velvet Teddy and Down to an Art.

The final makeup product is Tower28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss. I love this lip gloss – and fun fact, a video I took of this lipgloss was reposted on their Instagram! 🤩 I like that it’s a semi-sheer lip gloss, so I can wear it by itself or overtop of a lipstick. It’s not sticky, if anything it’s quite moisturizing. I have the shade Cashew which is a gorgeous rosy brown, I just love it!

Skincare

I just want to preface this section by saying that most of these recommendations are for my skin type, which is oily and acne-prone. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you might not like these products and that’s okay! I do have a few recommendations for dry skin people though so make sure to read ahead!

I have four different cleansers because I love trying and testing out cleansers haha. First, we’ll start with normal cleansers. A great daytime cleanser is the Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. It’s a gel cleanser that helps clean the skin without stripping it. And it has a delicious citrus scent that is amazing to smell in the morning. Next for cleanser, we have the Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. This is for all my acne-prone people who want something that helps fight acne but doesn’t strip their skin. It’s a nice rich gel as well but lathers up well. And it has a scent that reminds me of pine (I don’t know why because there is no pine in it) but it’s a great cleanser.

Now for cleansing balms. My first recommendation is the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. If you find that cleansing balms irritate your eyes or skin then you need to check this one out. This doesn’t irritate me at all but removes even the most stubborn mascara or glitters. They also have a limited edition holiday set with fun scents that I’m tempted to get. If you have drier skin, then check out the Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser. This stuff is great at removing makeup but also feels milky and hydrating at the same time. It’s very gentle so might even be good for sensitive skin people!

If you want a good vitamin C serum and don’t mind splurging, then check out the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. This oil not only helps reduce my acne scarring and redness but also leaves my skin looking dewy and healthy. I’ve tried other vitamin C serums and nothing has compared so far.

I have two moisturizer recommendations. For something more lightweight I recommend the Laneige Water Bank Hydro Gel. This gel is hydrating but lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. Perfect for underneath makeup for more my fellow oily gals. For something a little thicker and with more hydration, then check out the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration. My mom swears by this stuff. It’s super thick and super moisturizing. If you have sensitive skin First Aid Beauty is a great brand to check out. The tub is also huge and will probably last you a while.

For eye cream, this recommendation comes from my brother. He loves the Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry. I got this eye cream in my Boxycharm and he stole it from me and loved it haha. He said that it moisturized the area and didn’t irritate him like some other eye cream. So if you need a new eye cream, this is brother-approved.

Finally, if you’re looking for face masks, check out my top five face masks for acne-prone skin blog post. Three of the five masks are available at Sephora!

Hair & Body & Miscellaneous

For hair masks, I have to recommend the Brigogeo Honey Hydration Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair Mask. It pains me that this mask is limited edition. It’s just so much better than their original Don’t Despair Repair mask. You guys already know I’m picking up the set during the sale. This is the best Curly Girl Approved hair mask I’ve used. It makes my hair feel soft and hydrated. Highly recommend it.

My next hair recommendation is the Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In. I love using this as a heat protectant before I blow-dry my hair. It just helps my hair stay smooth and not become super frizzy. I also love the scent it’s delicious. And it’s Curly Girl Approved so win-win-win!

The next product isn’t Curly Girl Approved so I use it sparingly, but I do like the Moroccanoil Treatment. Whenever my hair is super frizzy, usually on the second hair, I’ll just take a dime size amount in my palm and run it through my hair. It helps tame the frizz. If you’re not following the Curly Girl Method you need this in your life.

I feel like everyone and their mother has recommended the Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops. I do like them and would recommend, but I will give a warning. The nice thing about these drops is that you can add it to your body lotion and don’t have to rinse it off. The only downside is that after a couple of hours and the tan develops I find that it creates a weird smell. It’s not very strong but if my hands or arm is near my nose I can smell a distinct smell. I can only describe it as a combination of rotting flesh and chlorine. It does go away after the tan starts to develop so I recommend using it overnight or taking a shower if you are planning to go out the same day you use this tanner. But besides that, I find the drops easy to use, the tan looks nice and wears for a long time!

I have two perfume brand recommendations. Perfumes are very subjective so it can be hard to recommend them. But from what I’ve experience so far from these two brands I’m impressed. First is Masion Margiela Replica line. I have By the Fireplace and man is this stuff strong. Two sprits and I smell this perfume all day long. I also find the scents to be super unique and unlike anything else on the market. The other brand is Atelier Cologne. I own two perfumes by them – Vanille Insensee and Orange Sanguine. Unlike the Maison Margiela scents that are super complicated, I find that Atelier Colognes have one strong note with supporting scents. The Vanille Insensee smells like vanilla and Orange Sanguine smells like orange. It’s not fussy, very straight to the point scents which I enjoy. They don’t last as long as Maison Margiela but long enough for my tastes. I would recommend these three scents and would consider purchasing more from the brand.

The final product recommend is the Forvr Mood candle. I have a whole blog post about these candles but to summarize these candles are intense. They are also super long lasting. I’ve had mine since August and I’m still not done it. If you know someone in your life who is a candle lover, get this for them for the holidays.

And that my friends is my very long Sephora recommendations list. I left off some classic products that I mention a lot (Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, ABH Brow Wiz, Urban Decay All Nighter, Olehenriksen toner). But I hope you guys found this blog post to be helpful! Let me know in the comments what you’re planning to get during the sale.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

October Boxycharm 2021

by Lea1 Comment on October Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! We’re back with another Boxycharm post! Unrelated to Boxycharm but can you believe that October is already done?! We only have two more months in 2021. That’s crazy to me. Anyway, this month I got my box pretty early so I had time to test out the products. This month’s box was interesting since I got two primer-like products. Let’s get into it.

The first item was my pick for this month, the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. I had my eyes on this serum for a while so it’s exciting to get an item in my box that I wanted for myself. This serum is a hybrid between skincare and makeup, meant to hydrate and give the skin a reflective, dewy glow. It also has niacinamide which is meant to reduce hyperpigmentation over time. I thought this was more like a makeup product but it’s much more of a skincare product. It helps improve the look of my skin but doesn’t do anything to increase the wear or longevity of my makeup. I like to put this on for no makeup days or use it in combination with another primer to add some dew to my skin. If you prefer more natural makeup you’ll love this because it makes your skin look amazing. Very excited to own this and continue to use it. Price: $34 US, $45 CAD

The next product is the Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate. This primer is meant to be a moisturizer and primer in one. It’s meant to hydrate the skin and also create a smooth base for makeup. If you hate the feeling but want the look of silicone smoothing primers, this is the primer for you. The texture is like a moisturizer but it dries down to have the smoothing feeling. It makes my foundation look great. I see myself using this a lot, especially as we head into the drier winter months. Price: $32 US ($41 on website, unsure if that’s Canadian or just a different price).

The next product is the Hanalei Beauty Company Matte Bronzer. It’s an okay bronzer. I find the packaging to be a little cheap and hard to open. If the product itself was stellar I could get past that. But the powder is quite sheer so I find myself having to work hard to build up my bronzer. I like a strong bronzer so it can be a pain to use a sheer powder. I think you can find better bronzers at the drugstore. Price: $25 US

I’ll be honest with you guys, I haven’t tested out the Haus Laboratories Glam Attack Liquid Shimmer Powder much. This is a shimmer shadow with a bunch of glitters running through it. It’s absolutely gorgeous but I don’t wear glitter on the regular so it was hard for me to find the time to use it. I did play around with it one night before bed and I found it easy to blend out. I have the shade Angel Baby, which is a pale pink with pearl tones. This shade matches my skin tone so it blends in quite seamlessly. I didn’t wear it for a long time so I can’t confirm the longevity. While it’s not a product I’ll use often, I’m excited to try it for fun occasions. Price: $20 US, $26 CAD

The final product is the Julep Makeup Remover Towelettes. Makeup wipes are a product that is nice to have around but aren’t exactly the most exciting product to receive in a box. I often use makeup wipes to remove my makeup because it’s not the best for your skin. I’ll use them to remove swatches or I’ll bring them with me to the gym or yoga if I’m going after work. The wipes are a good level of saturation – not dripping wet but not too dry. They have a nice scent, a combination of witch hazel and olive oil. It did a good job of removing my face makeup but didn’t get all my mascara off. Honestly, I think drugstore makeup wipes are just as good if not better and are a fraction of the price. Price: $20 US

The overall total of my box is $131 US. But I have to say I think a couple of the products are overpriced, mainly the bronzer and the makeup wipes. On the other hand, I like the Glow Recipe serum and Laura Geller primer. So overall I would say this box is average. Some hits and some misses. What do you guys think? Did you receive this box or something different? Have you tried out these products? Let me know!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Haul, Makeup, Review

What Products from Elf Cosmetics Are Worth The Hype – Elf Cosmetics Review

by Lea1 Comment on What Products from Elf Cosmetics Are Worth The Hype – Elf Cosmetics Review

Hey guys! A couple of weeks ago I posted a haul and first impression video of a bunch of Elf Cosmetics products I ordered. It’s been a couple of weeks so I wanted to give you a follow-up review of the products. There are some hits and there are some misses, so let’s get into it.

First, let’s start with the brushes. I got the Mint Melt Eyeshadow Brush Set and the Putty & Cream Blush Brush. The brushes are good but you kinda get what you pay for. The handles are plastic and are very lightweight. The brush quality is nice but I find all the brushes to be a bit small. I would say if you’re to makeup and need to get some brushes then Elf is a great brand to buy from. If you love makeup and want to invest in some good quality brushes then I would pass on these.

By far the most disappointing product is the Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow. I thought this was going to be a dupe for the Stila Magnificent Metals but they just don’t compare. The Stila shadows are full of glitter but still have a base shimmer to the shadow. Whereas the Elf eyeshadow is just straight glitter. So I could apply the Stila eyeshadow to my bare eye but I need to put the Elf eyeshadow overtop another eyeshadow. The glitter is pretty, don’t get me wrong. It’s just glitter in a clear gel. I would recommend the Stila eyeshadows over the Elf ones.

The second eye product I got is the Bite-Size Eyeshadow. There are eight different palettes but I got the Cream & Sugar palette. I think the eyeshadows in the palette are amazing. The mattes blend well and the shimmers are easy to use and look great on the eye. I’m just not sure if I like the colour selection. I find when there are only a few shades in a palette it’s important which ones are included. This palette has only four shades so I would want to be able to do a full eyeshadow look. I personally find that I’m missing a good crease shade. The beige is too light and the brown is too dark to use in the crease. I need to use another eyeshadow to be able to do a full look. I almost always use a crease shade for my eyeshadow looks, so since this palette is missing one I don’t see myself using it very often. That being said, I’d be interested in getting other palettes if the colour story piques my interest.

One of Elf’s most popular products right now is the Poreless Putty Primer. This is a dupe of some more expensive primers such as the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer. I haven’t tried that one so I can’t compare. I got the regular Putty Primer but almost wish I got the Matte Primer. I feel like the primer does a great some of making my skin feel smooth but doesn’t do much for helping my makeup longer. I think the Matte one would just work better with my skin type. It’s a fine primer but I’m not blown away.

The next product I tried is the Flawless Finish Foundation. I LOVE the way my face looks when I first apply this foundation. It’s medium coverage and has a semi-matte finish. It just makes my face look flawless – just like the name suggests! It comes with a pump which is handy. I was able to shade match myself quite easily. I would say that it looks great for around five hours, but after that I look super oily. The excess oil means it’s also easy to rub off the foundation. So if you need a foundation to last all day and can’t powder then maybe pass on this one. But if you’re fine powdering or don’t have oily skin then this is a great foundation.

While I did a great match with my foundation, I didn’t do a good job picking the correct shade in the Hydrating Camo Concealer. So I haven’t worn it much under the eyes since it’s the wrong shade. I’ve worn it on my face and it’s great for spot concealing. It doesn’t look cakey and stays in place. Sorry, this isn’t the best review. It’s such a great price that I might get another shade for under my eyes.

I decided to pick up their new Putty Bronzer and Putty Blush. In the bronzer I got the shade Tan Lines and in the blush I got the shade Tahiti. If you are new to creams these are the products for you. These are very lightweight and very easy to blend. I find I have to build it up to get the blush and bronzer to the intensity that I like. But what I also like is that they dry down to a semi-matte finish so my face doesn’t feel sticky. The fact that it dries down means that it lasts quite a long time on the skin. If you are looking for drugstore cream products then you HAVE to check these out.

The final product is the Sheer Slick Lipstick. I got the shade Golden Pear. I expected the lipstick to be sheerer but despite that I like this lipstick. It’s very nourishing and feels very nice on the lips. While it’s not the most long-lasting it fades nicely from the lips. I’ve been using this a couple of times a week and I can see myself continuing to use it in the future.

And that is my round-up of all the products that I purchased from Elf Cosmetics. Let me know in the comments if you tried any of these products. And also let me know what your favourite product is from Elf!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Makeup Brushes, Review, Skincare

September Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on September Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t posted in a week. As soon as I decided I wanted to come back to blogging, I became insanely busy at work. As well, I got my Boxycharm super late this month, hence why this post is going up in October. But I thought I would still share my thoughts on the products just in case you were curious about them. Let’s get into it!

The first product is the Glamglow Youthmud Glow Stimulating & Exfoliating Treatment Mask. This mask is meant to smooth the skin and help with fine lines. This is meant for people with oilier skin types, so if you have dry skin stay away. As well, if you have sensitive be careful because this mask tingles. I’m not a huge fan of the tingling sensation but it did do a nice job of smoothing my skin. Haven’t noticed any difference with fine lines, since I feel like that’s something that takes time to fix. Overall it’s a good mask but it’s not my favourite mask I’ve ever tried. Price: $60 US, $78 CAD

The next product is a duo, so two products in one! The Half Caked Best Friends Forever set comes with the In Bloom Blush and Duo Fiber Brush. The shade I got in the blush is Freshly Squeezed. I love getting brushes in my box and this one is super soft. The blush is super pigmented, so I have to use a very light hand. But it’s very long-lasting which is impressive for a powder blush. The shade Freshly Squeezed is quite a bright red – not exactly a shade I reach for often. But I think this shade would look gorgeous on deeper skin tones. I’m impressed with this set. Price: $22 US, $29 CAD

I got a second set of products, the Pinky Rose Cosmetics Multi-Use Makeup Base Sticks Jazz & Hip Hop Duo. These sticks can be used as either eyeshadow or an eyeshadow primer. Hip Hop is a creamy beige and Jazz is a shimmery copper. The pigmentation and bendability are great on both of these, but they crease so much. I wore Hip Hop as a primer and my eyeshadow creased. I tried Jazz by itself and it creased. If you don’t have greasy eyelids you’ll be fine, but if you’re like me then these sticks still just slip and slide everywhere. Price: $20 US, $25.17 CAD

The next product I received is the Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter. This is such a cool product. I’ve used many cleansing balms before but the texture of this is very different. The name butter is quite accurate because it’s much creamier. It does an excellent job at removing all my makeup but not stripping my skin. If you have dry skin you’ll love this cleanser. Price: $38 US

And the final product is the Give Them Lala Beauty Mascara. First I must say that the packaging is a little odd. The tube itself is just plain white, with just the brand name on the cap. The wand of the mascara is nice, on the smaller side which I prefer. I like how my lashes look, they’re long and voluminous. But I find the formula to be very wet so I always get mascara on my lid which is very annoying. I’m curious to see what this mascara will be like in a month once it’s dried a bit and if it’ll still be wet. For now, it’s an average mascara. Price: $20 US

The total value of the box is $160, which is pretty good. I’m most impressed by the fact that there were two sets, so I technically got seven products in my box this month! I’m excited to continue using and testing out the products. Let me know in the comments what you think of September’s box. Was it worth it? Did you get the same or different products? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

xoxo

Lea

Home Decor, Review

My 3 Favourite Bath and Body Works Fall Candles

by Lea2 Comments on My 3 Favourite Bath and Body Works Fall Candles

Hey guys! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you will know I’m a HUGE candle person. Whenever I’m in my room I always have one burning. Bath and Body Works makes some of my favourites because they’re strong and smell really good. And fall scents are some of the best. So today I’m going to share with you three of my favourites that I think you need to get this fall.

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin

If you’re looking for a quintessential fall candle, then you need to get Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. It has pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, vanilla and brown sugar so it’s all the warm and yummy scents that you associate with fall. I find that the cinnamon and clove balance out the candle so it’s not too sweet. I know with a name like Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin that you might think that this candle is too sweet but trust me when I say it’s not too bad. This just gets me in the fall mood.

The Perfect Autumn

If pumpkin scents aren’t your thing but you still want something reminiscent of fall, then check out The Perfect Autumn. The notes are cranberry, apple and clove so it’s much fresher and crispier compared to pumpkin scented candles. Because it’s a much crispier scent this would be nice in a kitchen because it wouldn’t be too overwhelming. It’s a nice balance to the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.

Spiced Cardamom

Spiced Cardamom is a White Barn candle so it’s not technically a part of their fall collection. But trust me when I say that this is perfect for fall. The notes are cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and nutmeg. This candle is quite spicy and quite powerful, but the spices still remind me of fall. If you don’t like sweet scents this is the fall candle for you.

And those are my three candles recommendations! Let me know in the comments what you’re favourite Bath and Body Works candles are this fall. Or if you have a fall scented candle that you absolutely love from another brand let me know and maybe I’ll try it out!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Makeup, Review

Makeup Products That Missed The Mark (I Never Use These Products)

by LeaLeave a Comment on Makeup Products That Missed The Mark (I Never Use These Products)

Hey guys! Today’s post is inspired by a video that I saw by Samantha Ravndahl, where she talks about products that missed the mark for her. The products aren’t necessarily bad but just didn’t work or live up to the expectations and therefore don’t get any use out of them. I decided to share a few products that I felt personally missed the mark for me for one reason or another. All of these brands have products that I adore, just these specifics products weren’t it for me. Let’s get into it.

Makeup products that missed the mark: Dior Backstage Eyeshadow palette, Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel and Colourpop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer.

The first product is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel. I remember when this product came out there was so much hype around it that I bought it right away. This wasn’t necessarily the smartest decision for me since I don’t often use brow gel, let alone tinted brow gel. I have pretty naturally thick eyebrows, so all I need is a little pencil to fill them in. This Dipbrow Gel is very pigmented so it makes my brows look very dramatic very quickly. I also find the brush holds a lot of product so I have to wipe so much off otherwise my brows will look super bushy. And finally, if I ever mess up then I have dark brown on my face that I have to try and wipe off. Honestly, I just don’t use brow gel a lot to begin with but when I do I just prefer using a clear one than having to deal with this one.

The next product that I never reach for is the Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette in Rosewood Neutrals. It’s a gorgeous palette, don’t get me wrong. But there are two reasons why I rarely reach for it. First, I like using a brown shade in the crease as a transition shade with the majority of my makeup looks. This palette doesn’t have one so I would have to use another palette along with this one. Second, most of the shades are shimmer finishes, which I don’t often use in the crease. So it’s another reason why I would use another palette along with this one. So because I have to use another palette to use this one, I just find myself reaching for another palette entirely and not using this one. This is a real shame because the palette is gorgeous and very expensive.

This product might be a surprise because I initially loved it, but I’ve used the Colourpop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer in months. This was one of the first lighter coverage foundations I had tried so because I had nothing to compare it to I thought it was great. But as I’ve tried other tinted moisturizers I’ve just preferred them over the Colourpop one. My biggest gripe is that puts an even layer of a tint all over the face but does nothing for redness and dark spots. Maybe if you had perfect skin you would love this. But I prefer the Fenty Eaze Drops because while it’s light coverage it still does something for my redness and dark spots. There are just better products on the market.

And the final product is the Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick. I bought this because Allana Davison was raving about these last year and I got her favourite colour, Beaming Strawberry. I shouldn’t have got this shade because it’s a cool tone pink and I rarely wear cool-toned pinks to begin with. But the combination of this shade and how sheer the formula is just doesn’t work with me. It looks like the colour is sitting on top of my lips and you can see my natural lip colour peeking through, so it looks so weird. I also find that the formula bunches up in any lines on my lips or if I have any dry spots. So the combination of the colour and bunching product means that any time I put this lipstick on I just immediately wipe it off. I’ve loved the majority of the recommendations that Allana has given but this ain’t it.

And those are four products that missed the mark for me! Let me know if you have products in your collection that missed the mark. And should I do a part two?

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, empties, Makeup, Review, Skincare

Product Empties September 2021 (What Beauty & Makeup Would I Repurchase?)

by LeaLeave a Comment on Product Empties September 2021 (What Beauty & Makeup Would I Repurchase?)

Hey guys! It’s time to show you my beauty trash. ✨ I always love doing product empties posts because I have a good sense of the product since I’ve finished it. We have a few makeup products in today’s mix which is always fun so let’s get into it.

First I finished a mini version of the Olehenriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner. If you’ve read any of my other product empties posts, then you would know that the Balancing Force Oil Control Toner by the same brand is one of my all-time favourite toners. So I thought I would try this one out. This toner has AHAs to help brighten the look of dark spots, which I have a lot from acne scars. Now it would be too much for my skin to use two toners at the same time so I switched from the oil control to the dark spot toner. I found that my face just really missed the oil control toner. It became more textured and oilier. I decided to switch back from the dark spot toner to the oil control toner and only used this toner when I was doing pamper routines in the evening. Overall it’s not a bad toner but it just doesn’t match my current skin needs so I won’t be repurchasing right now.

The next product is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I don’t know if anyone else is like this, but I have a good makeup-removing routine and a lazy makeup-removing routine. When I’m being good and doing my full evening skincare routine I’ll use a cleansing balm and double cleanse. When I’m feeling lazy I’ll use this Neutrogena makeup remover and some micellar water to remove my makeup. This stuff is great at removing makeup, especially stubborn mascara and eyeliner. Even though it’s supposed to be oil-free, it does leave my face feeling oily so I’ll just use some micellar water after to get rid of the oily feeling and any leftover makeup. I think this is a great affordable makeup remover and I have already repurchased another one.

The first makeup empty I have is the Tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue Balm. You know it’s a good product when I purchased it in November and finished it within a year. That’s unheard of when it comes to lip products. There are many reasons why I love this lip balm. First, it’s in a twist-up tube so it’s easy to apply. Second, it’s very hydrating but also leaves the lips looking nice and shiny. And third, it has a nice tint to it so I can just add a little something to the lips. The only downside for me is that it has a mint scent which isn’t my favourite. But it doesn’t linger after it’s applied at least. This was the second one that I repurchase. I haven’t repurchased another one yet but I think I will once the weather turns colder.

The next product is a mini of the Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews of this product so I was excited to try it out. This moisturizer is a lightweight gel that is supposed to give a ‘burst’ of hydration and then quickly absorb into the skin and leave a smooth finish, ideal for oily and combination skin types. I didn’t find it hydrating enough surprisingly. I did find that it leave a smooth finish instead of leaving my skin looking hydrated. If you don’t like looking dewy then this is the moisturizer for you. I want a lightweight gel moisturizer that will still make my skin look dewy instead of oily and this just wasn’t it. So not a bad product but just not what I was looking for.

I finally finished The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum!! If you read my review on The Inkey List products, then you might remember that it wasn’t my favourite vitamin C serum that I’ve tried. I just found that it wasn’t as effective compared to other vitamin C serums that I own. I get that it’s more affordable compared to other vitamin C serums. But I rather use a more expensive serum and see results in two weeks than use a cheaper serum and see results in a month. I also didn’t that it made my face feeling sticky and tacky as well. I finished it but won’t be repurchasing it and honestly wouldn’t recommend it.

The next makeup empty is a mini of the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I honestly can’t remember much about this powder because it was almost empty when I found it in my collection so I only used it twice haha. It’s also a powder – if it sets my face and doesn’t look weird then it’s good haha. I mean this Laura Mercier powder is a cult classic – it has nine thousand reviews on Sephora and a 4.5/5 star rating. If you are ever looking for a good high end powder this is a good one to check out.

Another mini sample I finish of the Moroccan Oil Night Body Serum, which has unfortunately been discontinued. Which is a shame because I did enjoy the oil. I feel like their Dry Body Oil might be similar though. Using a body oil instead of a lotion is nice if you don’t like the greasy feeling of lotions. I haven’t tried the Dry Body Oil so I can’t recommend it but I would be interested in trying it in the future since I liked the Night Body Serum.

The next product I’ve had in my collection forever – the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. I think I’ve had it for over four years? I just didn’t know what to do with it for a while. The spray is just too aggressive to use with makeup so I never used it. Until I figured out that I like using a facial spray before applying hyaluronic acid. So I started using it for that and finally finished this spray. Honestly, I find that it didn’t do much for my skin except make it wet. Also, I know there was a lawsuit against Mario Badescu for some of their skincare products so it makes me hesitant to repurchase any of their products.

The final product is the MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix +. You guys know this is one of my favourite makeup products. I will always have some Fix+ in my makeup collection. This spray is just the best at setting the face. It helps melt the products into the skin and make the makeup look more skin-like. It’s also great for intensifying any eye products. I have already repurchased another Fix +. If you haven’t tried this setting spray yet, I highly recommend you try it out.

And that’s it for my product empties this month! Let me know in the comments if you tried any of these products, and if you did what you thought of them!

xoxo

Lea