Category: Review

Beauty, Drugstore, Makeup, Review

NYX The Marshmellow Primer Review

by LeaLeave a Comment on NYX The Marshmellow Primer Review

Hey guys! Today I am giving you my thoughts on the infamous NYX The Marshmellow Soothing Primer. I know this primer was blowing up online earlier in the year. Because of its popularity, the primer has been sold out in my local drugstores for so long. I was finally able to get my hands on it and try it out. So let’s get into it.

NYX Cosmetics The Marshmellow primer

The Marshmellow name is a play on the fact that the texture and smell are reminiscent of marshmallow and because it’s supposed to be mellow and soothing for the skin. It’s also made from marshmallow root extract. It has a long list of claims: smoothes, softens, extends makeup wear, hydrates, soothes, evens tone, minimizes texture, blurs lines, adds a soft-focus finish and keeps makeup fresh. So basically…everything? And it’s vegan!

First I like the packaging – pumps are the best. It’s nice because one pump is the perfect amount for my face. The claims are what you would see from both a hydrating primer and a pore-filling primer (think Smashbox Primerizer and Photo Finish). The texture isn’t at all like pore-filling primers, so if you don’t like silicone feeling primers don’t worry this isn’t like it. It feels much more like a whipped moisturizer – or like whipped marshmallow. It comes out a light pink and goes clear as it’s rubbed into the skin. It does have a sweet scent to it, but I can’t quite place what it smells like. It does have fragrance in it, but it’s listed as the last ingredient.

This primer is pretty incredible. It does instantly blur the skin, helping minimize the look of pores and texture. I would say that the hydration is pretty subtle, if you have dry skin I would recommend pairing this with something more moisturizing. I was pretty impressed because I compared this side by side with my CoverFX Blurring Primer, and the Marshmellow primer is significantly better. It just makes my face look so smooth and soft.

While this primer looks amazing, I wouldn’t say that it improves the wear time any more than my other primers. It performs better than not using a primer at all, but if you’re looking for the key to long-wearing makeup this isn’t it.

Overall I like this primer. I don’t think all the claims are necessarily true, but it does make my face look smoother and blurred. If you like the idea of a pore-filling primer but hate the texture you need to check this one out. I see myself using this primer a lot.

Let me know in the comments if you tried this primer and if so what were your thoughts on it?

xoxo

Lea

Book Review, Review

Book Reviews: The Wives, The Crown of Gilded Bones and Shine

by Lea5 Comments on Book Reviews: The Wives, The Crown of Gilded Bones and Shine

Hey guys! Today we have another book review post! We’ve got three very different books in today’s post. What can I say, I have very varied taste. And if you prefer audio-visual book reviews, my book video will be going Sunday so stay tuned for that (I’ll add the video to this post once it’s up). Let’s get into it.

"The Wives" by Tarryn Fisher

The first book is “The Wives” by Tarryn Fisher. This one was lent by my neighbour and my mom read it before me. My mom’s quick review I got before reading the book was ‘the ending was crazy’. Not very descriptive. This book follows a woman whose husband is a polygamist, but she doesn’t know his other wives. Now I just want to note the synopsis on the back of the book and Goodreads is different. Goodreads says the main character’s name whereas the back of the book doesn’t. So it took me half the book to realize the main character’s name is Thursday and not just a nickname. But anyway, Thursday is curious about the other wives and befriends one. Then Thursday learns that her husband is abusing one of the other wives and becomes concerned. This is an adult thriller.

Unlike a lot of the reviews on Goodreads, I found the first half of the book pretty boring. It was mundane and just about her domestic woes at the beginning. It wasn’t until about halfway through that it got interesting. The more interesting it got thought the more confusing it got. There were a lot of twists and turns right up until the end of the book. I didn’t necessarily enjoy reading it because it’s pretty messed up what happens. But the book itself is written well, with the book flowing and I read it pretty quickly.

I will say that mental illness is a big driver of the plot and I’m unsure how I feel about it. I think mental illness can add to a thriller. For example in the book ‘The Women in the Window’, the main character was unreliable due to her mental illness. But it was not the main cause for the tragedy. In this book, it caused all the tragedy and was put in a negative light, with words like ‘crazy’ and ‘psycho’ being thrown around all over the place. It just didn’t sit well with me.

Overall I gave the book 3/5 stars. It was a thrilling book. But I just didn’t vibe with the reason for all the mess and found the beginning to be boring.

"The Crown of Gilded Bones", the third book in the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The next book is “The Crown of Gilded Bones”, the third book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series. I won’t go into too much detail about the plot as to not spoil the other books in the series. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the book so I was hesitant going into the book. This is a new adult fantasy.

I can say I understand why the book got mixed reviews. First, there is a lot of info-dumping at the beginning of the book. I read the other two books in November so it was a lot to try and remember the old information and process the new information. It took me almost 200 pages to get into the book. And second there just wasn’t as much spice compared to the other book. Like don’t get me wrong, there are spicy scenes, but they weren’t as memorable or special compared to the first two books.

I think the second half of the book was much better. The world was developed at a much more even pace and some really big plot twists happen in the end as well. While the book might not be my favourite in the series, I can see how it’s going to be important in the overarching series. Lots of both plot and character development happens in this book so be prepared for that.

Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars (for reference I rated the other books in the series 4.5/5 stars). If you are into fantasy and want something spicy I highly recommend this series. But be prepared for a long read, because each book is over 600 pages long.

"Shine" by Lauren Myracle

And the final book I read in May is “Shine” by Lauren Myracle. This book follows Cat as she tries to discover who committed a hate crime against her gay friend Patrick. This book is a YA mystery.

The mystery is the best part of this novel. It took me a while (but not as long as Cat) to figure out who committed the crime. I kept on going back and forth on who did it. And I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading the book. If you’re looking for a good mystery this is it.

But the book overall is quite sad. This book is set in rural North Carolina. There is a lot of hate, homophobia, poverty, drug use, abuse, violence – the list goes on. It’s not necessarily enjoyable to read about all these awful things but it’s important in some ways because this is life and reality for many people. Made me think and reflect on my privilege.

Overall I gave this 4/5 stars. Pretty dark subject matter but the mystery is really good. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good mystery. And don’t be fooled by the fact that this is a YA book because it’s still a serious novel.

And those are my book reviews! Let me know in the comments what you thought if you read any of these books. And always let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations for me!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

May Boxycharm 2021

by Lea1 Comment on May Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! I always love writing my Boxycharm reviews. I think because it’s always a surprise – I never know if the products are going to be good or bad. And because I take the time to test the products out I feel like I can give you guys really good reviews on the products. So let’s get into this month’s box.

A variation of Boxycharm's May box, a beauty subscription box.

The first product is the one I selected for this month. A while back Boxycharm introduced the ability to choose one product in your box. I don’t always remember to choose, but this month I picked the Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer. It was between this moisturizer and a concealer, and I didn’t want to pick a concealer and get the wrong shade. With a combination of antioxidants and vitamin C, this moisturizer is meant to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. And it’s has a thicker consistency meant for drier skin types. So this isn’t exactly the moisturizer I would necessarily pick for myself but I still like it. It’s quite thick, which is fine since it’s meant for the nighttime anyway. It has a nice, lightly citrusy scent. I like the packaging because it has a special pump so I don’t have to dig my fingers into a tub. It’s a good product, but overall I prefer purchasing moisturizers I can use both day and night instead of just at night. So I will use this up but I don’t see myself repurchasing it. Price: $74 US, $95 CAD

The next product the KAB Cosmetics Day + Night Eyeshadow Palette. I was excited to test out this product because I got the KAB Lip Oil in my March Boxycharm and I love it. The colour story is nice, but also quite similar to the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk palette (on purpose or a coincidence? 👀). I think the mattes are quite nice in the palette. They’re pigmented and blend easily on the eyes. The shimmers are hit and miss for me. They swatched beautifully. But on the eyes, the eyeshadows don’t show up much. I was using the shade ‘Sunset’ and was struggling to get the beautiful duo-chrome effect in the pan on my eyes. I tried using my finger, a brush and wetting my brush and it was all same – mediocre. The shades ‘Golden’, ‘Stella’, and ‘Luna’ worked well but all looked similar on the eyes. I haven’t tried out the purples or darker metallics yet, but so far I’m a little underwhelmed, especially considering the higher price tag. Price: $52 US

The second skincare product in this box is the Skin Inc My Daily Dose of Uplift. I love getting skincare in my box because it can be expensive. The only thing is sometimes I get products like this that are good but I wouldn’t necessarily purchase myself. This serum is an anti-ageing cocktail with collagen, coenzyme Q10 and hyaluronic meant to help smooth and firm the skin. Now at the age of 24, I’m more concerned with fighting acne than anti-ageing to be completely honest. I’ve been using it for almost two weeks now and I don’t notice a difference. I think because my skin is already pretty smooth and firm. I was looking at reviews online and everyone who liked it was 30+, so I think in a couple of years I would like this more. Price: $65 US

The next product is the Trestique Refillable Brow Pencil + Gel. I love that this product is refillable because brows are the product I go through the quickest. That being said I wouldn’t say this is my favourite brow pencil I’ve tried. The pencil shape is quite large so I have to be quite careful and precise when filling in my brows. I’m surprised but I like the gel side. Because I have thicker brows naturally, it’s a slippery slope when using a brow gel. I can easily go from groomed to a mesh if the gel is too pigmented or wet or difficult to use. I think this gel just adds the perfect amount to my brows. I like the brush because one side is longer and the other side is shorter giving me more control. I can’t testify to the hold because I don’t brush my brow hair up to create a fluffy look. Overall I see myself reaching more for the brow gel than the pencil. Price: $26 US

The final product is the Sophia + Mabelle Hydrating Hybrid lipstick, in the shade Weekend Getaway. The website has no description of this shade, but I would say this is a berry shade. The formula is described as a hybrid between lipstick and lip balm and I would say that’s pretty accurate. It has the pigmentation of a lipstick but the look and feel of a lip balm. I like that I can apply a little and get a sheer wash or apply a full swipe and get a pigmented lip. Because of the consistency, it isn’t super long-lasting but it’s comfortable on the lips. And I like the packaging, it’s easy to see the colour and the pink-tinted plastic is cool and unique. Price: $18 US (the card that came in my box says $15 but the website says $18).

The total of the box is $235. That’s a high value and I do think it’s reflective in the products in the box. Overall I’m pretty impressed by this month’s box. While there were some minor issues with some of the products, overall I see myself continuing to use all the products. Let me know in the comments what you think about the box. And if you’re subscribed to Boxycharm, did we get the same box? Curious to see what the different variations are.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Review

Nudestix x Allana Davison Collab Review: Picante + Send Noodz

by LeaLeave a Comment on Nudestix x Allana Davison Collab Review: Picante + Send Noodz

Hey guys! Today I wanted to share my thoughts on some of the collab products that Allana Davison did with Nudestix. If you’re not familiar with Allana, do yourself a favour and check out her content! She is not only hilarious and beautiful (and Canadian!), but in May she’s posting every day on Youtube as well. Since I’m a huge fan of Allana when I saw her collab I immediately purchased it.

Nudestix x Allana Davison collab. Picante cream blush and Send Noodz lipstick.

Allana has done a previous collection with Nudestix but I didn’t pick it up since there were pieces I already owned included in the kit. The only original product was a lip product called Send Noodz. But recently she announced the launch of Picante, a new blush shade she created along with Send Noodz being sold individually. So I picked up Send Noodz and Picante.

So let’s talk first about Picante, but it’s so bright and eye-catching. Picante is a new shade to the existing Nudies Matte blush range. I own a shade in this range and am already in love with the formula. It blends so easily that I can apply it straight to the face. And because it’s a ‘matte’ formula (I put matte in quotations because it isn’t super matte like a powder) it’s quite long-lasting.

Nudestix x Allana Davison Picate blush. A beautiful orang cream blush.

The shade Picante is a bright orange coral. It’s quite intimidating in the tube but it blends out so well on the face. I love warm orange tones, especially in the summer. It blends so seamlessly with cream bronzers. It just made me look so bronzed and tanned. I see myself using this so much this summer.

The lipstick, Send Noodz, is Allana’s special edition of their Gel Colour Lip & Cheek Balm. This is a hybrid between lip balm, lip gloss and lipstick. It has some good pigmentation to it but also quite balmy and slippy. But not sticky whatsoever. It’s very comfortable on the lips, the perfect everyday lip product. The shade is also glorious. They don’t have any descriptions of it but I would describe it as a warm pink-peach nude. For my skin tone, it’s a great everyday nude.

Swatches of Nudestix Picante (top) and Send Noodz (bottom).
Picante (top) and Send Noodz (bottom)

Overall both of these products are amazing and I can see myself using them every day. I highly recommend both of these products. Not only are they good quality but you’ll be supporting a Canadian influencer and a Canadian brand!

And that’s it for today’s makeup review. Let me know in the comments what products you’d like to see me test out. I need to restock some skincare products from Sephora soon and maybe I’ll pick up a few more things to test out, so let me know what you’d like to see!

xoxo

Lea

#amazonfinds, Fashion, Review

Amazon Dupe for Lululemon Align Leggings

by LeaLeave a Comment on Amazon Dupe for Lululemon Align Leggings

Hey guys! If you’ve followed me for a while, you might know that Lululemon makes my favourite leggings. Specifically the Align leggings. When my friend told me about this Amazon dupe I purchased it right away. I want to share that dupe with you guys.

So for those who are unfamiliar with the Lululemon Align leggings they’re unique compared to other leggings. The Align collection is made with their Nulu fabric that is buttery-soft and lightweight. The design is also quite minimal as well with few seams. I love these leggings because they feel soft and they don’t look shiny. I don’t mind shiny fabric for workout leggings, but for everyday wear I prefer something without shine. I like wearing these leggings for every day or light exercise such as yoga. Because of how often I wear these leggings I have numerous pairs, in different colours and different lengths.

The only downside about these leggings is the hefty price tag. The crop leggings are $88 and get more expensive as you add length and pockets. So I have looked for dupes to help my wallet. I have tried a few but found they never lived up to the originals. The fabric was either shiny or quite thick. But when my friend, who loves Lululemon just as me, told me about this dupe I decided to check them out.

The Sunzel Leggings for Women are described as having a ‘naked’ feeling, with the fabric being lightweight and breathable. They also have pockets! (Note, the Align leggings do have a version with pockets, but I don’t own any). They have a variety of colours as well. And the price is $29.99 – way cheaper than Lululemon.

Something to note is that both Lululemon and the Sunzel have limited sizes. Lululemon has made progress with expanding its size range, now offering up to size 20 in certain styles – but most products go up to 14. I wear a size 12 in their leggings. When looking at Sunzel they have even fewer options, they have only x-small to x-large. I got the XL (and I want to note that my size is currently sold out in most colours right now).

Right away I was impressed with the fabric. It’s quite soft and the closest dupe I’ve felt. There is a faint shininess, it’s not completely matte but it’s much better than the vast majority of the leggings I’ve tried.

The leggings fit pretty well if slightly small. It was mainly in the calf and ankle area where I felt it was slightly tight. I have pretty large calves so that wasn’t too much of a surprise. I’m sure with a couple of wears the fabric will stretch a bit.

The pocket is a good size. I have the iPhone 8 Plus and it fits perfectly. But if your phone is bigger than that it might not fit.

I haven’t worked out in these leggings yet but I did some squats and walked my dog in them and had no problems. I will note that these aren’t compression leggings so I wouldn’t use them for high-intensity workouts. I have also washed these once so far and they still feel good after washing.

Now the real test is to see how long they last and unfortunately I can’t answer that because I’ve only had them for a week. Now I can attest to Lululemon’s quality. I’ve had several pairs for years now and they last well. I have one pair that I wore to work all the time and they have chlorine stains on them. 😂 I will say if you’re like me and have thick thighs then expect some pilling between the legs. Also Lululemon has a really good warranty. If there is a hole along the seam they’ll fix it for free. I got a pair fixed before this current lockdown! So something to consider, if the Sunzel ones wear down they won’t fix them.

So my final thoughts on the Sunzel leggings are I think they’re a great dupe but I’ll hold off from buying more until I see how they last long term. I think if you can’t afford the Lululemon ones then these are a great pair to check out. But I can attest that Lululemon’s products are good quality, will last a long time and they have a good repair warranty.

I hope you guys found this post helpful! If you have a pair of these Sunzel leggings or other Lululemon dupes let me know, I’ve love to hear your thoughts or try them out!

xoxo

Lea

#amazonfinds, Home Decor, Review

The Best Glass Mugs for Tea and Coffee

by LeaLeave a Comment on The Best Glass Mugs for Tea and Coffee

Hey guys! Today’s post is not my usual sort of review. Recently my family got some new glass mugs. We had another set and they both broke so we picked up another set from Amazon. My mom loves them so much that she said I have to share them on my blog. So here we are.

We decided to pick up the Eparé 12oz Glass Coffee Mugs. They came in a set of two. First what makes these glasses so nice is that they are glass. This allows me to see through the glass. This is great if you have a cute latte or drinking something colourful like matcha.

The glass isn’t just for aesthetics. It’s double-walled which helps keep the drinks hot or cold. I love this because then I can hold the mug without burning my hand. If you’re not a fan of holding mugs, the handle is sturdy and I can comfortably fit three fingers into the handle.

The 12oz is the perfect size because I could put a cup (or 8 oz) of liquid and still have room for milk and sugar. But if 12oz is not right for you they have 2oz, 4oz, 8oz and 16oz.

And the best part, if you ask me, is that they are dishwasher stuff. I have a habit of buying mugs that aren’t dishwasher safe and then having to wash them by hand. This is not a worry with these. We’ve had them for a couple of weeks now and no issues.

So I hope you guys enjoy this mini review. If you like mini reviews like this, check out my recent video, I shared 36 random things I use every day. I shared this mug along with lots of other home, work and lifestyle items. Let me know in the comments what your favourite coffee or tea mug is!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Review, Skincare, Top 5

My Top 5 Face Masks for Acne Prone Skin

by Lea3 Comments on My Top 5 Face Masks for Acne Prone Skin

Hey guys! I wanted to create a new series on my blog called “My Top 5”. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but I will be sharing my top five products in a certain category. I already shared my top 5 luxury products and decided to continue the concept. Today I will be sharing my favourite face masks as someone with acne-prone skin. These aren’t all detoxing, pore-cleaning masks so if you have other skin types you might be able to use some of the other masks. Let’s get into it.

A collection of face masks from Garnier, Farmacy, Versed, Origins and Glow Recipe. Skincare for acne-prone skin.

My first favourite is the Garnier Clean+ Pore Purifying 2-in-1 Clay Cleanser/Mask. I’ve had this mask forever. I use it all the time and I still haven’t finished it so you will get your money’s worth. I like this mask because it dries down quickly and isn’t as aggressive as other clay masks. I can leave this on for 5-10 minutes and my face will be cleaner than using a normal cleanser but it doesn’t feel stripped. I also like using this as a spot treatment as well. I put a bit of the mask on a zit and leave it overnight. And it’s from the drugstore so it’s affordable.

If I have some series breakouts going on, then I reach for the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin. If you have dry skin stay away from this mask because it helps dry out all my pimples when they’re rearing their ugly heads. Also, like the same suggests I only have to wear it for 10 minutes to get the benefits, but if my face is really freaking out I’ll leave it on longer. Thanks to my friend for sharing this mask with me because I love it and as long as I have acne I’ll be using this mask.

Now after the breakouts subside I like using the Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask. This mask has active ingredients that not only hydrate my skin after berating it with drying product, but it helps reduce the appearance of dark spots. I scar very easily on my skin so I like using this mask to help reduce those scars. But it’s not an abrasive mask, it feels quite soft on the skin so if you have dry skin I think you’ll like this as well.

While I do have oily skin, I do have some dry moments. That’s when I like to use the Versed Look Alive Hydrating Plumping Mask. Unlike a lot of hydrating masks, this Versed mask has a gel-like consistency that provides hydration without clogging my pores. It has a cooling sensation as well, which is great if my skin is ever feeling irritating. The packaging is quite deceptive. It seems like there isn’t a lot but it’s only one fluid oz. less than the Origins mask. And it’s available at Shoppers!

The final mask to round out my top five is the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask. I think calling this mask ‘renewing’ is quite accurate. If my face is feeling congested but not necessarily breaking out this is the mask I reach for. The mask starts as a thick yellow but as I rub it into my face it turns white and it gets warm and tingly on the face. After I wash it off my skin feels cleaner and hydrated at the same time. And the mask smells delicious, just like honey!

And those are my top five face masks. Let me know in the comments what your favourite masks are. And also let me know what category you would like to see next, it can be skincare or makeup or whatever you want to see!

xoxo

Lea

Book Review, Review

Book Review: Outlands Pentalogy

by Lea1 Comment on Book Review: Outlands Pentalogy

Hey guys! I’m back again with another book review. Today I am giving you my review of the Outlands Pentalogy series by Rebecca Crunden. I previously wrote a review for the first book in the series, “A Touch of Death”. I recommend checking out that post before reading this one. I will quickly give you my thoughts on each of the books before giving my thoughts on the series overall. I’m going to try and avoid spoilers, so because of that, my thoughts may be a little vague especially for the later books. But I will try and do my best. Let’s get into this!

The Outlands Pentalogy series by Rebecca Crunden

The Outlands Pentalogy series follows three main characters: Kitty, Nate and Thom. Nate and Thom are brothers and Thom and Kitty are assigned partners by the government. Their lives are pretty easy being the children of the society’s elite until Nate and Kitty are infected by a disease that turns them into half-blood mutants. In this dystopian world, there is a second human race that has evolved after being exposed to serious levels of radiation. I would categorize this as a new adult dystopian series.

The second novel, “A History of Madness“, is from Nate’s perspective following the first novel (the first novel is from Kitty’s perspective). I found the beginning to be a bit slow but after it picked up well. This novel gives the details about how the world got to this dystopian point and also get to meet the mutants. While there were moments that I found Nate annoying I overall enjoyed this novel and gave it 4.5/5 stars.

The third novel, “A Promise of Return“, is from Thom’s perspective and what happens to him during the timeline of the first and second novel. This is my favourite novel in the series. I think Thom is my favourite character and I just enjoyed the level of action in this novel. There were some great twists in this novel as well. I gave it 4.5/5 stars.

The fourth book, “A Dance of Lies“, was slower for me. In this novel, we return to Kitty’s perspective. This book is mainly character-driven and how the characters grow and deal with their trauma. Some seriously shitty things happen to the characters through the series and this book is mainly about the repercussions of that. This book also explores Nate, Thom and Kitty’s relationship. The lack of action and confusing ending meant that I gave this book 4/5 stars.

The final book, “A Time of Prophecy“, alternates perspectives between Nate, Kitty and Thom. I found the beginning to be slow but the end was action-packed. I felt like this book did a good job ending the series. My only complaint is that it was slightly repetitive in the beginning and all the side characters returned which made it hard to keep track of who was who. I gave this book 4/5 stars.

Overall I give the series 4.25/5 stars. I’ll break down some of the things I liked and some of the things I found annoying.

First I think this is unlike any other dystopian novel I’ve read before. Yes, you have the tyrannical government but the main characters are from the elite not the poor. They also don’t spend a lot of time in the government but running from it. I also love the whole mutant race plotline. I thought it was well done and it’s a great example of how to treat others who are not like you.

This novel deals with lots of heavy themes such as otherness, but also sexual assault, rape, violence, death, the afterlife and the existence of God. These are heavy topics, so check for trigger warnings (there are some on Goodreads).

There was also great representation both in terms of race and sexuality. Kitty is described as having dark skin and hair, so it’s nice that not all the main characters as white. Thom is bisexual and many of the other characters are either bisexual or homosexual. There is some discussion of physical disability as well.

My only issues with the novel are pacing and repetitiveness. I found the pacing varied throughout the series, with it being slow and fast and slow again. A novel or series doesn’t have to be fast-paced, but I prefer something consistent. I also mentioned that the book did get repetitive at times, mainly with people having issues with their relationship. I won’t say who the couples were because I don’t want to spoil pairings, but man the couples had struggles and I got fed up after a while.

I would recommend this series to anyone interested in dystopian novels. This is unlike any dystopian series I’ve ever read and I enjoyed it. And these books are self-published, so you get to support a small, independent author if you choose to read them!

I hope you guys found this review helpful. As with all my book reviews, let me know in the comments what you’re currently reading or if you have any recommendations for me!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, empties, Hair, Makeup, Review, Skincare

Product Empties May 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on Product Empties May 2021

Hey guys! Today we’re back with another round of product empties. I love doing these posts because I feel like I give the best reviews after using up a product. Lots of skincare and some haircare in today’s trash pile, so let’s get into it.

A collection of empty makeup, skincare and hair products.

First, we have L’Occitane Almond Delightful Body Balm. Almond is one of my favourite scents and I heard good things about the almond range from L’Occitane so I picked this one up. This stuff is thick. It was perfect during the winter months when my skin was drier. I prefer something slightly lighter because it’s less work to rub it into the skin. I would consider buying another product within their almond range because I do enjoy the scent. If you have dry skin I would recommend this one. It is on the higher end price-wise, just something to note.

The next product is a deluxe sample of the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I like to use cleansing balms if I am wearing a full face of makeup – full-coverage foundation, liquid liner, glitter, etc. you get the point. This balm did a good job of breaking down all the stubborn makeup and leaving my face clean and ready for my second cleanser. I would consider repurchasing, but I decided to get the Versed cleansing balm instead. It’s almost half the price and available at Shoppers!

Another sample I had was the Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel. This eye gel is supposed to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Honestly, I didn’t notice much of a difference. I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again: I don’t think eye creams do much besides hydration. I do have to be careful because I find some eye creams can irritate my under eyes, which makes. After all, the skin is thinner under the eyes. So while the eye cream gets points for not irritating my under eyes, I didn’t notice a difference in puffiness and dark circles. I don’t think you need to buy this eye cream and I wouldn’t repurchase it.

The one makeup product I have is the Laura Geller LashBOSS Bold Mascara, which seems to have been discontinued since I’ve received it in my Boxycharm. This is fine by me because this mascara was mediocre. I don’t remember my thoughts on it because I didn’t reach for it often. It didn’t give me more volume or length so that’s why I didn’t use it. I’m getting rid of it because the last time I used the mascara it flaked on me and it hadn’t done that before, so I took that as a sign that it was done.

My first haircare empty is the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Cream. If you watched my curly hair routine then you would know that I like to use this and a Living Proof Leave-In product as my heat protectant on days that I blow dry my hair. And I have to be honest that I like the Living Proof product more. I like the smell of this Briogeo cream. But I find that it weighs my hair down more and my curls never look as nice when I use the Briogeo cream. I’m not saying it’s bad necessarily. It’s great considering there are so few sulphate and silicone-free heat protectants on the market. But I prefer Living Proof’s heat protectant more.

The other two empties I have are the Briogeo deep conditioners: the Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask and the Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask (not pictured). Of the two I would say the Be Gentle, Be Kind is my favourite. I just don’t find the Don’t Despair, Despair mask to be hydrating enough. I don’t notice a difference when I use it. This is funny because I love the honey version of that mask. But even the Be Gentle, Be Kind is okay. I’m still on the hunt for the mask that will make my hair softer and smoother after using it. Please leave your suggestions for hair masks in the comments.

This product is slightly covered up in the photo, but the next product is a deluxe sample of the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. This is a pretty thick cream so I didn’t want to use it on my face. I used it on my body instead. I don’t have any complaints. It did the job of moisturizing my skin. But I can’t necessarily recommend it since I don’t know what it would be like on the face.

I know a lot of people like The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum but I didn’t notice a difference while using it. I would pause and resume using the serum and I didn’t notice a difference. I have another hyaluronic acid serum that I got in my Boxycharm and I do notice a difference when I use that one. Maybe if you have dry skin you’ll notice a difference. But this is a pass for me guys.

A product I loved is the OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. This is a great morning cleanser. The citrus scent just wakes me up. This leaves my skin feeling clean and smooth without stripping my skin. But it’s strong enough for my acne-prone skin. If you have normal or oily skin then I would recommend checking it out. I decided to not repurchase and tried a new cleanser, the Youth to the People one I got during the Sephora sale.

The next product is the Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya. This moisturizer is for all my oily skin friends. My brother loves this moisturizer. He was using it behind my back and when I found out I told him to buy it himself. He said it was too expensive (but he’ll steal it from me, brothers 🙄). This is a lightweight gel that gives the perfect level of hydration for oily skin. Also, I feel like there is tea tree oil in this because it smells similar, but I can’t find it on the ingredient list so it must be something similar. Overall a good moisturizer. I have others I want to use up but I would consider repurchasing this one.

I finished my prescription acne cream recently and it’s $200 without insurance so I won’t be repurchasing it. 😭 So instead I decided to try the Benzagel Acne Gel. There are different – Differn XP is adapalene (retinoid) whereas Benzagel is benzoyl peroxide. I used benzoyl peroxide as a teen (I used Proactiv) and it was fine. From my research, it seems that the only difference is that adapalene is only available with a prescription but anyone can get a benzoyl peroxide cream. I just use this as a spot treatment. I find it’s too strong to use all over the skin. It does a good job of helping clear up my acne so I’ll continue to use Benzagel.

The final product is the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff. I’ve already explained my grips with eye creams in general. This one has a slight orange tint which I guess helped with the look of darkness. I will say that this took a while to sink into the skin. So I would have to wait for it to sink into the skin otherwise my makeup wouldn’t look right. It’s not bad, but I have other opened eye creams that I will be using next.

And that is a very long product empties post. I hope this was helpful for you guys. Let me know in the comments what products you’ve finished lately!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Review, Skincare

April Boxycharm 2021

by LeaLeave a Comment on April Boxycharm 2021

Hey guys! It’s time for another Boxycharm review! Also if you’re waiting for my Sephora update, don’t worry I’ll be posting that on Friday. I received my Boxycharm and Sephora order a day apart so it was a lot of makeup to review at once. If you want to watch these products in action check out my Youtube video. Let’s get into it.

On of the variations of Boxycharm's April box, a beauty subscription service. Products include a pair of Flirtacious lashes, Mally Beauty eyeshadow stick, Touch in Sol face primer, Farmacy face oil and KNDR highlight palette.

The first product is the Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Face Oil. This is a fast-absorbing oil that’s meant to give intense hydration and smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles. I’m not exactly the target skin type for this oil since it’s meant for dry skin and I don’t have any fine lines or wrinkles. But I still really liked this oil! It’s thick enough that I just use this as a moisturizer. I wouldn’t stay this is fast-absorbing, but since I wasn’t applying anything over top I didn’t mind too much. It also smells delicious, exactly like real honey. If you have very dry skin you might like to use this along with a moisturizer. I would recommend this product, I liked it. Price: $48 US or $64 CAD

The next product is the Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Icy Sherbet Primer. I didn’t get to use this much because I was testing out the Fenty Beauty Skin Tint and I don’t like to use new primer and foundations together. But I did like it the few times I did use it. This is the perfect primer for people who like the look of pore-minimizing primers but don’t like the texture. The texture is quite thick but as I rub it into my face it turns into a liquid and then sets into the face and leaves a smooth base for makeup. I like how it makes my makeup look, but it has a rose-like smell to it which isn’t my favourite scent. Overall I’m impressed and excited to use this more. Price: $20 US (just want to note on the card I received from Boxycharm the price is $32, but on the Touch in Sol and Ulta website it’s listed as $20).

The next product is the Mally Beauty Evercolour Shadow Stick Extra. I received the shade Timeless Taupe. This is a shadow stick that can be used as a primer, eyeshadow or eyeliner. I found it was easy to apply the stick straight to the eye and blend out. I found I needed to set the shadow with something to ensure it wasn’t tacky and moved around. Once it was set it lasted well throughout the day. I will say it was a little difficult to blend shadows over top. Because the base is tacky I have to be very tactical where I place shadows. It’s not my favourite shade, I found the taupe pulls very grey which is just not a shade I like to wear very often. It gives me a sick look. Overall it’s not a bad product but I don’t see myself using it very often just because it’s not my favourite shade. Price: $25 US

I love getting lashes in my box, and this set came with a tweezer as well! I got the Flirtacious Looks Cosmetic Monarch Lash Pack. I like the look of both lashes. One pair is more of the cat-eye whereas the other is rounded to great a wide-eyed effect. It was a little difficult to get them on the first time but after that they kind of shaped to my eye and was easier to apply. The lash band is on the thicker end so I do have to use eyeliner to help blend it in. Overall I like these lashes and will continue to use them.

And the final product is the KNDR Beauty Kinder Glow Highlighting Palette. I’ve mentioned this before but I don’t like universal palettes. I won’t use all the shades so it’s a waste. But I do realize it’s easier for Boxycharm because then they can send the same one to everyone. Anyway, this one isn’t too bad because it’s small and not that much bigger compared to my single highlights. I like to use the shades Angel and Loving (the top right and bottom left). The other shades are too light and too dark. While the formula is quite smooth it’s also quite glittery. While there is a time and place for glitter, it’s not for every day. So overall I’m not sure how much I’ll use this palette, especially considering I have so many other highlighters that I love. Price: $15 US

The overall total of the box is $146 US (using the correct price for the primer). Overall I don’t think this is a bad box. The only two products that I thought were meh were the highlight palette and the shadow stick and that was mainly based on personal preference than the products being bad. My favourite products are the Touch in Sol primer and the Farmacy face oil, which is funny because those are the only two brands I knew.

Let me know what you guys think about the products in the comments below. And if you’re subscribed to Boxycharm let me know what you got in your box, I’m always curious what the other variations we like!

xoxo

Lea