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.
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!
Hey guys! Today we’re talking all about luxury beauty. I don’t think you need to spend a lot to get good quality makeup. There are a lot of products available at the drugstore that are just as good if not better than some luxury makeup. Sometimes it’s nice to splurge and get something pretty. It’s called luxury makeup for a reason. Generally, the ingredients are better and the packaging is nicer. Today I’m going to share five products that are worth the high price tag. So let’s get into it.
Eyeshadow palettes can be hit or miss in the luxury category. A lot of times the quality is great. But sometimes you’ll find quads that are the same price as a 12-pan palette and I think that’s ridiculous (*cough* Tom Ford *cough*). But I think the Natasha Denona palettes are amazing. I have her Bronze Eyeshadow Palette, which retails for $87, and one of her mini palettes (mine is exclusive to Boxycharm).
The formula is just amazing! All the mattes are so pigmented and blend so effortlessly. And the shimmers are quite nice and aren’t finicky. I can just use my finger and they apply beautifully.
I was unsure when I first bought the palette if it’s worth the price but I think is it. The colour story of the Bronze palette is quite simple so I know I’ll get lots of use out of it. But Natasha Denona has lots of other eyeshadow palettes, some quite colourful, so I think there is a palette for everyone. So if you’re looking for a luxury eyeshadow palette, then check out this brand.
The next product is the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. Hourglass is known to be a luxury beauty brand. This powder retails for $60, which is $10 more than the Laura Mercier powder and significantly more than my Maybelline and WetnWild powders. But I do like this powder!
There is a smoothness to this powder that I haven’t found in other loose powders. I’m not sure if it’s just more finely milled but it just makes my skin looks so smooth and soft. This is also one of the few powders I would recommend to someone who has dry skin. This powder just sets the skin and smooths it, so someone with dry skin wouldn’t have to worry about it looking cakey.
I also love the packaging with this powder. Unlike other powders where it just comes out easily and gets all over the place, this powder dispenses the perfect amount so I’m not wasting any of my precise powder. If you use lots of powder, I think this Hourglass powder is worth the investment.
The next product is one I haven’t mentioned on my blog before. But I love the Dior Lip Glow Oil. This is expensive, like it’s $44. (BTW I got this while working at Sephora). It’s soooo good though.
This lip oil gives the hydration of a lip balm with the shine of a lip gloss. But unlike a lip gloss this is oily (duh it’s lip oil). So it feels so comfortable on the lips. I find it lasts a surprisingly long time. I have the shade Rosewood which adds the slightest pink tint to the lips.
This is perfect for those no-makeup-makeup days where I want to add something to my lips but I don’t want to deal with lipstick or lip gloss. If you’re going to invest in a makeup product, something like this is great because it’s something you can use every day instead of just for special occasions.
The next product is one I reviewed a couple of months ago: the Auric Glow Lust. This was pricey for me to purchase because I had to pay exchange rates, shipping and duties. So it took a pretty penny to get this product into my hands but I love it.
This Glow Lust can be used in multiple ways, which is what makes this a great product to purchase. Having multiple uses brings down the cost-per-use. I can add this into my foundation, use this under or over top of my foundation as a highlight. It also just looks so pretty on the skin.
I also think it’s nice to note that when supporting Auric, you’re supporting a Canadian Youtuber who also cares about inclusivity and sustainability with her brand. A major issue with luxury brands is that they often have trash shade ranges, but there are seven shades in the Glow Lust so there is a shade for everyone. I love this product and I think it was worth the high price tag.
The final product is a skincare product that I love. The Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is one of the few vitamin C serums that I’ve tried so far that I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin. I notice a difference when I stop using this oil and try a different one.
This oil not only helps reduce the looks of my acne scars but also adds such a healthy-looking glow-from-within dew to my skin. I was scared at first implementing an oil into my regime, because ya know I have oily and acne-prone skin. But rose oil is great for acne-prone skin because it’s anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and low comedogenic.
I know with brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List are quite popular right now. But their products are often one ingredient whereas the Biossance oil has multiple great ingredients. So I’m able to buy one serum instead of three to get similar effects.
I also think it’s nice to invest in skincare. If my skin is looking clear then I’m less inclined to wear makeup or wear less of it. Plus it’s something I use every day so the cost-per-use is low and therefore worth it!
And those are my splurge-worthy makeup products. Let me know in the comments what some of your favourite luxury products are.
Hey guys! The Sephora Sale is in full swing and I wanted to share with you guys what I got in my order. If you still want to place an order yourself, you have until April 19th to participate in the sale. I also filmed a video trying out some of the products on my face. That video will be going up Sunday, I’ll update this post with the link once it’s live. I’ll post a follow-up in a couple of weeks reviewing all the products so stay tuned for that. Today’s post will be mainly first impressions.
The first item is the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. I mentioned in my wish list that I needed a new sunscreen. This one is supposed to be invisible on the skin, great under makeup and oil-free as to not break out skin. I’ve worn this once so far. And I will say that it doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin and wore well under makeup. I still need to test to ensure that it protects my face from the sun and doesn’t break me out, because I only wore this sunscreen for an hour. I’m really hoping this works out!
I did get my perfume, the Replica By The Fireplace. I forgot how good this smells. It has a smokiness similar to a real fire. But underneath this is a nice spiciness from the clove and chestnut as well as a slight sweetness from the vanilla. This is a fall/winter scent so I probably won’t wear it much right now since I prefer cleaner scents in the spring/summer. But I’m happy to have picked it up!
As soon as I applied the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint I knew I was going to like it. It’s a lightweight, buildable light-to-medium coverage. It just looks so skin-like. I’ve been testing out lighter coverage foundation lately so I’m excited to see how this compares to the other ones I have. I’m planning on doing a dedicated post for this foundation so stay tuned for that. I will say that a lot of the shades are sold out, so you might want to hurry if you want to get this before the sale is over.
The next product is the Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. I have yet to test this out since I’m been testing out other skincare products. I generally avoid trying a bunch of new skincare products at once just in case I break out. If I tried three new things and break out it can be hard to know what caused it. So once I finish testing out some other products I’ll introduce this cleanser.
I’m on the fence about the scent of Summer Fridays Summer Skin Nourishing Body Lotion. In the tube, it smells nice like coconut and almond. But when I’m rubbing it into the skin I get that Play-doh like smell that people mention in the reviews. I don’t think Play-doh smells bad, it’s just not the yummy scent I expected. But I will test it more to see what the formula is like. Because while smelling good is nice, the formula is technically the most important thing.
The next product is the Tower28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss in Cashew. When I first applied it I wasn’t sure if I liked it. This is quite a unique formula because it’s a hybrid between a gloss and a lip balm. The first time I wore it I just lined my lips and it looked funny because this gloss is quite sheer. But I’ve worn it again by itself with nothing underneath and I prefer it more that way. I’m excited to continue testing out this gloss. I also love the shade I got, which is described as a rosy brown. It matches my natural lip well.
I decided to go with the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in the shade Love. I’m really happy with my decision. The shade is a matte terracotta, so it gives me a sunkissed look. It’s a create shade for putting all over the face. I think I’m going to get so much wear out of this blush this summer. The blush is quite pigmented so I’m going to play around to see what’s the best way to apply the blush, will update in the follow-up post.
Besides that, I got my birthday gift that includes a mini Nars bronzer and lip balm. I also redeemed my points for a set of Fresh products.
And that’s my Sephora Sale haul! Let me know in the comments what you guys got during the sale.
Hey guys! The semi-annual Sephora sale is coming up. So this year I thought it would be fun to share my wish list. I will not be getting all of these products because my cart would probably be $1000s if I did. But I thought it would be nice to share some of the products I had my eyes on for two reasons. First to see if anyone has tried the products and if you recommend them. And second to maybe inspire you and show some beauty products that you haven’t see before. So I’ll be sharing some makeup, skincare and body care. Let’s get into it!
The first thing on my wish list is the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. I have both the Fenty matte and hydrating foundation and love both of them. So I just know I will love this skin tint. This foundation is lightweight with light-to-medium coverage and a natural finish. It sounds right up my alley lately. I have been into lighter foundations so this just makes sense. There is a really good chance that I’ll be getting this foundation unless they sell out of my shade before I can pick it up.
Next, I’ve heard quite a few good things about the Benefit The POREfesssional Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray. This setting spray sounds like a dream: sets makeup, smooths skin, natural-looking and hydrating. Sign me up! I see Allana Davison using this like crazy. And with a 4.6 rating on Sephora, it sounds like a good spray! I haven’t purchased a new setting spray in a while so seems like a good product to pick up.
Even though I have so many primers, I want to try the Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum. I’ve tried quite a few Laneige products and their moisturizers are some of my favourites. And it also sounds perfect for me! This serum primer gives that glowy look while also keeping oil at bay and helps makeup last longer. There is a difference between dewy and oily. I want dewy skin, not oily skin. It sounds amazing and I want it.
I’ve had my eyes on Tower 28 products for a while, specifically their ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss. I was going to purchase their gloss during the last sale, but the shade I wanted (Cashew) was sold out. I’ve heard so many people rave about the glosses and I want to try them for myself. There is a good chance that I’ll finally pick it up during the sale.
The final makeup products I have my eyes on are the Rare Beauty blushes. I haven’t decided which formula I would prefer, the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush or the Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush. It’s hard for me to decide. Because it seems like Liquid Blush is more long-lasting, so that would be nice for days when I’m wearing more makeup and want my blush to last. Whereas the Cream Blush seems to be more natural and would be nice for everyday makeup, especially going into the summer. I do know what shades I want. If I got the Liquid Blush I could get the shade Love, and if I got the Cream Blush I could get the shade Nearly Apricot.
Now let’s talk skincare. I have heard so many good things about Youth to the People. I do need a new cleanser so there’s a good chance I’m going to be picking up the Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. I know this is great for oily and acne-prone skin aka my skin type. I just like testing out hyped products to see if it’s worth it. So as long as it doesn’t sell out I’ll be getting this.
Another Youth to the People product I’ve heard a lot of hype about is their 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum. I feel like everyone and their mother has been raving about this serum. This serum is meant to brighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation and even the skin tone. You know, everything that a vitamin C serum does. Honestly, if I didn’t already have three open vitamin C serums open I would get it. But I’m going to wait until I finish up some products before purchasing this. (Side note: I didn’t realize how expensive it was until I was getting the pictures for the post organized. Wow it’s expensive!!!)
A brand that I love is Ole Henriksen, and because I love their products I want to try the Lemonade Smoothing Scrub. I find that my skin can get really clogged and textured quite easily. Using exfoliators help with this. And I do enjoy something that has a bit of a physical exfoliation it in. One of my recent favourites is the Murad one that is both a physical and chemical exfoliator. This Ole Henriksen one sounds similar with sugar and AHAs to both physically and chemically exfoliator the skin. It sounds like a product I would enjoy using.
A product that I’ve seen a lot of hype around is the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. This is a hybrid between skincare and makeup. It can be used before moisturizer when doing skincare or right before putting on makeup as a primer. The Dew Drops can also be used mixed into foundation or over top of makeup as a highlight. To be honest, it seems quite similar to the Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum, so I probably wouldn’t purchase both.
And the final skincare product is a new sunscreen. My current one is almost empty and it might even be expired. So it’s time for a new one. I’ve had my eyes on the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen for a while. I believe it finally launched in Canada last year but was always sold out. I struggle with face sunscreens. They either have a white cast OR break me out. I’ve heard many people say this is the best sunscreen out there so I’m willing to try it out myself.
There are two more products on my wish list. The first is the Summer Fridays Summer Skin Nourishing Body Lotion. I love body lotion. If you’ve read any of my product empties you’ll know that I use body lotions religiously year-round. Since I’ve finished a few I am allowing myself to purchase another one. Since we’re going into the warmer months I don’t need something as thick as body butter, so I think the texture of this lotion would be perfect. There are mixed reviews on the scent, so that makes me a little hesitant but I think I’ll still get it.
And the final product on my wish list is the REPLICA By the Fireplace perfume. I asked for this for my birthday but told my mom she could also just wait until the sale to be able to get it for a cheaper price. So I’m unsure if I’ll be getting it before or during the sale – I guess we’ll know on Sunday when it’s my birthday. Either way, I’ll be getting this perfume. I’ve sprayed this on myself so many times, and every time I get compliments. When I was working at Sephora, one of my coworkers also taught me about layering scents, using a vanilla perfume to tone down By the Fireplace and I loved it. The nail in the coffin though for me was when I was watching Kathleen Light’s zodiac perfume video and she said this was the perfect scent for Aries. I said to myself “this is a sign I need to get the perfume”. So I will be getting it.
And this is my very long Sephora Sale wish list. As I said, I won’t be getting all the products on this list. Please let me know if you’ve tried any of the products to help me narrow down the list.
Hey guys! I’m back with another product empties! I love product empties because I’ve used up the product so I’m able to give you guys my in-depth thoughts about a product. I also try and not waste products so I feel like I usually have a good mix in between hits and misses. This time I have a good mixture of products, so let’s get into it.
Let’s start with makeup products. First I have a mascara that has reached its end, the Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara. I didn’t like this mascara at first because I felt like it didn’t do much. Once it dried out a bit, I would say maybe a month after I’ve opened it, it got so much better. I would say for me this mascara gave my lashes lots of length with a big of volume. I prefer length over volume, but it’s good to have some volume to balance out the eye. This mascara is perfect for when I wanted a bold lash but I didn’t want to put on false lashes. It’s started to get clumpy on me though which is a sign that it’s getting old and tired. To be honest I’ve had this mascara for a very long time so it was time to get rid of it. I would recommend this mascara if it sounds interesting to you. I would consider getting this mascara again. I have a pretty large open mascara collection currently that I need to go through before considering buying another mascara.
Up next is the Colourpop Freckle Pen. I mentioned this in my Colorupop haul update, but somehow the cap accidentally fell off and it was unopened for an unknown period of time. Instead of drying out, the pen turned to a weird blue-green-grey colour that looks like mold. Not cute. So I’m throwing it out. Kinda pisses me off that the cap fell off so easily and now the product is unusable. So I won’t be repurchasing and wouldn’t recommend it. I think it’s possible to create the look of faux freckles easily with other products as well.
I’ve been trying to use up my primers because I have so many open, half-used primers. The only I recently finished a sample of the Tarte SEA Quench Hydrating Primer. This feels and acts just like a moisturizer. It has a gel consistency and blends into the skin and gives great hydration. It’s literally a moisturizer! I think I could just use my moisturizer and get a similar effect. So far that reason I don’t think it’s worth it. When I use a primer I tend to use it to give me a luminous shine to the face or blur my pores. I don’t need hydration. I wouldn’t recommend this primer. I would recommend just getting a good moisturizer that you can use all the time instead of just priming the skin.
The final makeup product is the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm. I do enjoy this balm! I actually like it more than their sleeping mask. I find the packaging to be so easy to use. I just squeeze it out and I don’t have to dip my fingers into a pot. Where the product comes out is curved so I can rub it on my lips. The balm is super moisturizing and has the most beautiful shine. I can wear it on my lips almost like a lip gloss but it’s way more hydrating than a lip gloss. I have the pear flavour and it smells amazing. It’s more expensive than a drugstore lip balm but it’s lasted me a long time. I will be purchasing it again in the future.
Okay let’s talk about my one hair empty. I recently finished the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Honey Moisture Deep Conditioning Mask. This is the best Briogeo mask I’ve ever tried, which is sad because it’s limited edition. The honey version of their regular Don’t Despair, Repair hair mask came out for the holiday season. I find that the mask does a great job of making my hair feel soft and smooth. I’ve found it difficult to find a good hair mask that doesn’t include silicone and this is the best one I’ve tried yet. It’s been a few years since I’ve tried the original so it’s hard to remember it but I do have a mini of it. So I will try it out and see if it’s as good as the honey version. If they bring this mask back I highly recommend picking it up.
I have two body lotions. The first being a deluxe sample of the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Unscented. Even though it’s unscented, there is a faint argan oil scent to it – which makes sense, it is argan oil. Even though it’s a body lotion is does have an oiliness to it that is quite nice and hydrating. I liked using it after I’ve shaved my legs because I find that’s when my legs are the driest. I think I would have liked it more if it was scented but I got this for free with my Sephora points so I can’t complain. I like using scented body products more. I probably won’t repurchase because for the price I prefer L’Occitane products. But I would use my points to get it again.
The second body lotion is the OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Lotion. I got this at Shoppers. It does smell nice, a combination of coconut and vanilla. It does a pretty good job at hydrating. But what I find annoying is that it takes a while to absorb into my skin. For being such a thin formula I have to work it in and it takes forever to dry. I have lotions that are just as if not more hydrating that I don’t have to work into my skin as much. So I wouldn’t recommend it. I think there are better options on the market.
Speaking of hydration, I finished quite a few face moisturizers. The first being the Kyrpis Antioxidant Dew. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about this but the more I used it the more I fell in love with it. It’s a very thin and liquid formula that comes in a serum dropper. I love droppers because they are easy to use. I put it on my palm and I don’t have to dip my finger into a tub. I hate getting products under my fingernails. It’s quite lightweight but still gives me the hydration I need. I will say that it has an odd scent that I’m not a fan of. Even though I love how this works, I will not be repurchasing it. With taxes and duties, this moisturizer would be $112. That’s insane. I cannot afford that and I would never recommend a product that expensive to you guys. I think there are other moisturizers on the market that do just as good of a job as this one.
Moving onto a moisturizer I wasn’t a huge fan of – the Glamglow MOISTURETRIPâ„¢ Omega-Rich Cannabis Sativa Seed Face Moisturizer. There is just something in here that breaks out my skin. I used it on my face and just found that I got breakouts. So I started using it on my body. I do that to not waste any product. But I found it broke out my chest and shoulders. Luckily it’s winter so it doesn’t matter. I thought it did a decent job of moisturizing. It also has a green tinge to help with redness. But as someone who does have a lot of redness, this did nothing for me. Overall not a huge fan of this moisturizer. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Time for another moisturizer. I had a sample of the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. This is a pretty thick formula that I knew wouldn’t work for my face so I used it on my chest and back. If you have oily skin stay away but if you have dry skin then you might like this. It is quite moisturizing. It’s fragrance-free but it has the weirdest scent. I guess it’s the natural ingredients that smell weird? Either way, not the most pleasant scent. Listen I’ll never purchase this for my face, but if you’re interested just maybe try and smell it before you purchase it to see if you can handle the funky smell.
The final moisturizer I have is a sample of the Tatcha The Water Cream. I actually didn’t like it. I tried it on my face a few times and then relegated it to body moisturizer. It goes on very watery, just like the name suggests, but then it dries down to almost a matte finish. Which you think, as an oily person, I would enjoy. But I didn’t find it hydrating at all! While I don’t want something thick and heavy, I still need some hydration. I was shocked because I know this cream is a fan favourite. But I wasn’t impressed and wouldn’t recommend it.
On the other hand, I did enjoy the Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. I got a sample of this along with The Water Cream. I don’t know what’s in it but there’s something that gives a gentle physical exfoliation to the skin. It’s not hard beads – it’s hard to explain but you can kinda see it in product shots. It just gently exfoliates the skin leaving it soft and clean. It’s gentle enough that I could use it every day. If you have sensitive skin and are looking for an exfoliator this is a great one to check out. Something I did notice though is that the packaging is made out of hard plastic making it difficult to get the product out. Wish they would change it to a squeezy tube or a pump. I like it and would recommend this cleanser. But I like the next exfoliator more.
The final product is the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. I got this in my Boxycharm and fell in love. I keep it in the shower and my brother uses it (much to my chagrin), and he loves it! This is a combination of a physical and chemical exfoliator. It has jojoba beads that great rib of any dead skin and debris. And it has salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid to help even the skin and brighten it. My brother and I both have oily, acne-prone skin and find this just helps prevent breakouts and help scars. Highly recommend this one and I am considering purchasing it again.
And that’s my thoughts on some products I recently finished! It’s so funny that I have so many moisturizers. I guess it makes sense since it’s winter and my skin is drier. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products, and if so what did you think!
Hey guys! Today I am sharing what I got in my February Boxycharm! I was impressed that I got the box early this month – I got in on the 9th I believe. I’m happy that I got in early because it gave me more time to test the products. And if you want to see these products in action make sure to check out my Youtube video!
The first product is the Frank Body Caffeinated Scalp Scrub. This scrub is meant to exfoliate the scalp to remove product build-up and detoxify the hair. Overall I’m pretty indifferent towards this product. First I forgot to use it quite a few times just because it’s not a product I would normally reach for. I don’t use a lot of hair product so I don’t get build-up. I also don’t suffer from dandruff. Even when I did use the scrub I didn’t notice a difference in my scalp or hair. I have a scalp massager and I think that does a better job of stimulating my scalp. I don’t think this is necessary. Price: $18.95 US
The next product is the Wander Beauty Getaway Eye and Face Palette. It’s funny because I’m currently using a Wander Beauty product in my project pan. Anyway, this palette has six eyeshadow, a blush and a highlighter. Just wanted to note that these shades are pretty light so they wouldn’t work for deep skin tones. And also a lot of the shades in the palette are quite similar. I find that the matte shades Villa and Chateau are very similar as well as the shimmers Bungalow and Roadtrip. For such a small palette I wish there was more variety. I think the colour story works well for a travel palette full of go-to shades, but it’s nothing special. Also something I notice in this palette as well as my other Wander Beauty duo is that the powders don’t have a long staying power. The face powder fades quickly and the shimmers lose their lustre pretty quickly. Honestly not that impressed, I think there are better products on the market. Price: $36 US
This month’s skincare product is the Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask. I was excited when I saw this because I liked their moisturizer. This is a lightweight mask that you wear while you sleep to deliver moisturizer. The mask is also supposed to help with ageing, dullness, pores, stress and texture because it also includes vitamin C, niacinamide and retinol. I’ve tried this as both a regular mask and a sleeping mask. As a regular mask, I found that it didn’t do much for moisture. I still have to apply a moisturizer after taking off the mask. As a sleeping mask, I found it was pretty good. It sank into my skin quickly so I didn’t have to worry about getting it all over my sheets. When I woke up in the morning my skin was soft and smooth. So this mask only works its magic if you have it on all night. I’ll continue to use it. Price: $29 US, $27 CAD
The next product is the NCLA Beauty So Rich Love Potion. This is a limited edition of their cuticle oil that has heart glitter as well as a rose scent. I think the glitter is such a cute addition to the oil. I enjoy looking at it. I usually only use cuticle oil while doing my nails but I know it’s useful to use it every day to see any results. I’ve been applying this oil every night before bed and I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I think my cuticles are softer but I don’t think my nails are any stronger. Also, I’m not a huge fan of the rose scent. It’s too floral and overpowering for me. I can smell it even after I’ve rubbed it in. The dropper is nice and works well. I think any cuticle oil will work though, I don’t think you need to buy this one. You can probably just pick one up from your local drugstore and it would do the trick. Price: $18 US
And the final product is The Beauty Crop Coco Gold Mist. The more I used this setting spray, the more I started to dislike it. This is supposed to be a hydrating, fine mist that can refresh your makeup while also giving a delicate amount of shimmer to the face. This mist is in no way fine. It’s quite powerful so I have to hold it super far away from my face or it will ruin my makeup. One time I sprayed it too close and it moved my makeup and separated it. The shimmer isn’t fine, it’s glitter particles. So while it might be fun for a night out, otherwise I don’t want gold glitter all over my face. I even tried spraying this without shaking the bottle and I still got glitter all over me. It does have a nice coconut scent, I’ll give them that. Ya, I’m not a fan and wouldn’t recommend it. Price: $14.99 US
The overall price is $166.94. Honestly, I’m not very impressed. Quite a few of these products were duds or not something I see myself using often. And after having a great box last month it’s disappointing to get a poor box. Let me know what you got in your box and if you felt the same.
Hey guys! I realized that I haven’t given you guys a skincare update since July of last year! So I thought I would share my current morning routine. I’m currently testing out some different makeup removers so I won’t be including my evening routine today. There is one new product that I’m excited to share with you guys. So let’s get into it.
In the morning I like to start with a cleanser. I’m currently using the OleHenriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. I’ve finished a full size and repurchased it, that’s how much I like it. This cleanser is meant to deeply clean without stripping the skin. My skin goes through cycles of breakouts and being calm and this cleanser is something I can use throughout. I also love the citrusy scent, it’s perfect to use in the morning. Highly recommend this cleanser.
The OleHenriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner has quickly become a ride-or-die. Without this toner, my skin just becomes so textured and congested. If you have oily or acne-prone skin this is the toner for you. It gets rid of any dirt or impurities that my cleanser missed. If you’re dry stay away because you might find this stripping. But it evens out my texture so I love it.
A new product to my regime is The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid. If you read my post about The Inkey List, then you would know that I didn’t notice a difference using this product. But I own it and so I want to use it up. The bottle says to apply before any other serums so that’s what I do. Once I finish it I might try another hyaluronic acid, so please leave your recommendations in the comments.
Up next I use a vitamin C serum. I still have the Biossance one that I mentioned in my previous post and I still love it. I’ve been alternating between that one and The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF. I’ve noticed that the colour is starting to change which means that it’s not going to be as effective soon so I want to use it up before it expires. That’s something I’ve noticed is that my Biossance one has a much better shelf life. If you want more details on my thoughts on these two vitamin c serums then check out my Inkey List review.
The next product I use is moisturizer. I’ve been using the Kypris Antioxidant Dew. I got this in my Boxycharm. I’m currently trying to use up some opened products before I buy another moisturizer myself. I think it’s alright. It’s quite liquidy and lightweight, which is perfect for my oily skin. I think it’s good and does the job but I wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase since it’s quite expensive.
I finish off my face with an eye cream. I’ve mentioned this before but I don’t think that eye cream is necessarily needed. I relatively young and while I’m starting to get some fine lines, it’s nothing crazy. Besides hydration, I don’t need an eye cream. Yet for some reason, my eye skin is extremely sensitive so I have to be careful. Otherwise, I get dry patches and a burning sensation. The eye cream I’m currently using is the Origins Refreshing Eye Cream. Does it help brighten my dark circles and reduce puffiness? Meh. Does it hydrate my skin? Ya and that all I really want and need.
The final product I wanted to mention isn’t one I use every day. I recently got the Peace Out Acne Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots and wanted to let you guys know what I think about them. I like them but they work best as instructed. I use them on large pimples that have a whitehead or almost aka a prime popping pimple. I will apply it before bed and overnight it will draw out all the gunk. This is perfect for me because I am a pimple popper, which causes scarring. This will help heal the pimple without causing scarring. This doesn’t work for really deep acne that hasn’t come out yet. This also won’t help speed up the healing process to get rid of a scar. So it’s only good for when a pimple is juicy and ready (sorry for that description but I mean it’s accurate). I know some people say you can use topical spot treatments but they don’t work as well as this. The only thing is that it’s quite because a 20 pack is $25. I will continue to use this and would even repurchase. But I’d love to try other brands to see if there is one that is cheaper and just as effective or even better.
And that is my current skincare routine guys! Maybe next time I’ll let you guys know what my makeup removal process is like. Let me know what some of your favourite skincare products are, I’d love to try them out!
Hey guys! Just like that, another month is done! Not exactly the most thrilling month, but hey at least we’re another step closer to everything getting better right? Anyway, it’s time for my Boxycharm. If you want to see these products in action then check out my Youtube video.
The first product in the box is the Violet Voss Olive You Forever Eyeshadow Palette. I like this palette! I think it’s unique but still very wearable. Instead of browns and golds, this palette has mauves and greens. I love wearing these tones on my eyes because they bring the green out. I will say that I prefer something a little more brown based if I’m wearing green but I do think the tones of the mattes are unique. The quality of the shadows is amazing. Both the mattes and shimmers are pigmented and easy to apply. A great palette that I’m excited to use more. Price: $34 US
Another moisturizer! I love getting skincare in my box because I haven’t had to purchase a moisturizer in months! The one I got this month is the Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer. This is perfect for all my fellow oily girls. It’s a gel so it sinks into the skin easily and gives the perfect amount of hydration but it doesn’t feel greasy. It also has some fancy ingredients that help reduce shine. So if you prefer matte makeup this is the perfect moisturizer to apply before doing your makeup. I like this moisturizer and will continue to use it. Price: $38 US, $50 CAD
I got a second skincare product in my box this month – the Avant Skincare Bi-Phase Hyaluronic Acid Rejuvenating Micellar Water. I was shocked at how effective this micellar water is. I think it’s because it’s part water part oil, so the combination can break down stubborn makeup. I found it was easy to use, I didn’t have to scrub my face to remove my makeup. My face didn’t feel oily or stripped after. The only thing is that I have to use a decent amount. I’ve already used a fifth of the bottle, but I’ve only used it a handful of times. I think I’ll go through the bottle quickly, which is fine except that this is so expensive. I wouldn’t purchase it myself but I’ll continue to use it since I have it. $90 US
The next product is the Seraphine Botanicals Apple + Baume Glow Lip Mask. This isn’t my favourite lip mask I’ve ever tried. It has a green apple scent but it fades to some weird artificial taste on the lips. It’s also quite thick and oily. Whenever I use my finger to apply the mask my fingers get all greasy and I have to wash them. So I try to apply it straight to my lips but the packaging is just a hole so it’s not very easy to use. The formula isn’t anything special so it’s not worth it. I’ll use it because I own it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase it. I also think it’s overpriced. Price: $25 US
The final product is the Qveen Studio Dragon Duo. The set comes with a pencil and liquid liner. The liquid is pretty easy to use once I got adjusted. It has a sharp tip so it’s easy to do a fine line or a thicker one. It lasts well but is also easy to remove. I’ve only used the pencil once but it seems pretty good. It was easy to apply and pigmented. It’s hard to review eyeliners because it’s obvious when they suck but otherwise they’re all sort of the same. I think it’s a good price for the two liners. Price: $28 US
The total price of my box is $215, which is great! Can’t remember the last time I had a box worth over $200. I think this box was really good! The only item I wasn’t in love with this the lip mask but I’m probably still going to use it. Boxycharm started this year pretty strong if you ask me. If you get Boycharm, let me know if we got the same products! And if you’ve tried any of these products let me know if you feel the same way as me.
Hey guys! I’m back with another product empties! I feel like I go through ebbs and flows when it comes to finishing products. I’ll have so many products and then finish them all at once haha. Today we have thirteen products so let’s get into it.
The first product is the Tula Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser. I got this in my Boxycharm and it was alright. As the name describes, it’s a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin. I find that for my acne-prone skin I need something a little stronger than this. I used this as my shower cleanser. I generally use a gentler cleanser in the shower because the hot water can be drying so it’s nice to use something gentler in there. I wouldn’t buy this again because I didn’t think it was anything special. Also I’m not sure if Tula ships to Canada, because at one point I know they didn’t. There are better cleansers on the market.
I finished another bottle of the beautyblender Liquid bleandercleanser. This is what I use to clean all my brushes and sponges. I find the packaging more sanitary compared to their solid cleanser that I used in the past. I just squeeze a drop onto my brush cleaning mat and swirl my brush in it and it’s clean! It does an amazing job at cleaning my brushes and leaves them feeling soft. Because I only use a little bit (and don’t wash my brushes that often oops) so this lasts a long time. I’ve already repurchased!
Moving to body care, I used up a Dove Exfoliating Body Polish. I liked this body scrub! I find a lot of body scrubs can be quite thick, but this one was thinner and therefore easier to use. My skin always felt so smooth and soft after using it. I had the crushed macadamia and rick milk scent and it was sooo delicious. I didn’t repurchase this because I wanted to try body scrubs by other brands but I would highly recommend this one. Especially since it’s available at the drugstore, it’s accessible and affordable.
Another drugstore find is the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. This was my upper body moisturizer. I’ve mentioned this many times but my chest and back are also acne-prone, so I use moisturizer meant for my face on this portion of my body to help with breakouts. This one did the job. It’s a pretty thin and lightweight formula, so it was nicer in the warmer months when I didn’t need as much hydration. Now that it’s colder my skin needs something a little thicker. But overall it kept my skin hydrated and didn’t break me out so I would recommend it.
Moving over to haircare, I finished the Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask. This mask is alright. Something I’ve noticed is that hair masks without silicone tend to not give that soft and silky feeling as much. Which makes sense because the silicone is just coating the hair and not healing it. This mask doesn’t give instant gratification but I did notice over time my hair feeling and looking healthier. I much prefer Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair Honey deep conditioner mask, but unfortunately it was a limited edition product for the holidays so I can’t repurchase it. This mask isn’t bad, but I’m currently testing out other hair masks because I think there are better ones out there.
I got a mini set from Sephora that had the OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub and the OUAI Body Creme. I didn’t use the scrub on my scalp just my body. It had visible, thick chunks that melt into the skin while you scrub. I enjoyed it but I prefer the consistency of the Dove one. It was good but I wouldn’t repurchase. The body creme smells amazing in my opinion. It’s not like other ones because it’s slightly peppery in scent. I enjoyed it but won’t repurchase any time soon because I have so many other body lotions.
Another product that has dried out is the Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eye Shadows. I have the shades Diamond Dust and Kitten Karma. I’ve had these liquid eyeshadows for a couple of years now so I’m not surprised they have dried out. I do enjoy these because they are just so beautiful. They are packed full of glitter and are easy to apply. I don’t wear them as often anymore since I don’t leave the house much lol. But I did repurchase the shade Diamond Dust since I do like it. I have a shade similar to Kitten Karma so that’s why I didn’t repurchase that one.
A classic empty for me is the Fresh Soy Cleanser. This is a cleanser I always seem to have since I always get the mini from Sephora as points perks. I do like this cleanser. Unlike the Tula one, I find this to be gentle but effective. And I love the cucumber scent. I’m not repurchasing it because I have other cleansers but I do recommend it.
I finished two Farmacy products. I finished a full size of the limited edition Very Cherry Clean and a mini of the Green Clean Cleansing Balm. I do like using these cleansing balms when I have a full face of makeup. It does a great job of getting rid of stubborn liquid lipsticks or tough glitter. But it’s also gentle and leaves my skin feeling soft after. I do prefer the cherry version because I find it irritates my eyes less. I’m currently testing some other balms for fun but I do recommend both of these.
The final product is the Origins Original Skin Matte Moisturizer. I bought this a couple of years ago and just finally finished it. I went through a dry phase and just found this too mattifying. True to its name, I find that this moisturizer does visibly mattify the skin and evens out my pores. I have found that my skin has calmed down a little bit and it’s not as oily as it once was so I prefer something a little more hydrating. If your someone with really oily skin or prefer a matte look then I would recommend this moisturizer. I won’t be repurchasing because it’s just not what I want anymore.
And that is my length product empties list guys! Let me know what you have finished lately. And if you tried any of these products do you agree with my thoughts? Let me know!
Hey guys! Today I am reviewing a couple of Inkey List products for you guys. I bought a few items back in November and have been testing them ever since. I’ve never tried anything from the brand but I had heard only good things so I was excited to try them out!
The Inkey List has been around for a while but only recently became available on the Sephora Canada website. The brand is similar to The Ordinary in the sense where the products are in simple packaging and are affordable. But unlike the Ordinary, the brand is very simple to understand and pride itself on being accessible. That was something I appreciated when trying to figure out what I wanted to purchase. Every product had an explanation of what it does, how it can help and how to use the product.
The first product I picked out and tested was the Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This serum is meant to help hydrate the skin. I picked this because everyone and their mother is talking about hyaluronic acid and I’ve never tried a dedicated serum that only has hyaluronic acid in it. So keep in mind that I have nothing to compare it to.
I didn’t notice a difference??? I don’t know if that’s because of this serum or if my skin doesn’t react much to hyaluronic acid. I apply it to my face and it doesn’t immediately feel hydrated, if anything it feels sticky. So it’s not like a moisturizer where you’ll get instant hydration. I tested this for a month and I didn’t notice any difference. So I stopped for a month and then started again for a month. NO DIFFERENCE. I don’t know guys, I have pretty oily skin but like everyone, I do get a little drier during the winter months. This time of year is probably when my skin is the driest and I noticed no effect.
I’m also not a huge fan of the packaging. It’s just a top that you flip out and squeeze, so it’s pretty easy to squeeze out too much. I also find that it gets clogged as well. I’m going to continue to use it but once I finish it I won’t be repurchasing it because I don’t notice anything.
The next product I picked was the 15% Vitamin C and EGF Brightening Serum. I have tested out other vitamin C serums so I do have something to compare. This is supposed to help brighten dull skin and help with dark spots. I like the packaging of this more than the Hyaluronic Acid because it comes with a pump that dispenses the perfect amount. It has a slight scent but nothing offensive and it leaves the skin feeling slightly tacky.
Unlike the other serum, I found this one did make a difference in my skin. My skin did look brighter and it helped with some of my acne scarring. But it’s not as good as my Biossance serum. There is a dramatic price difference – the Biossance one is $95 whereas the Inkey List is $18.99. But there is also a difference in quality. Because the Inkey List Vitamin C serum is just vitamin C, I need to use other serums to get other benefits. Whereas the Biossance serum also has squalene and rose oil, which helps heal my acne and hydrate my skin. So my thoughts are if you are looking for just a vitamin C serum and already have other serums then sure this one will do the job. But sometimes it’s nice to get a pricier serum that will do everything than get multiple serums to do different jobs. Quality over quantity.
The final product I purchased was the Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel and this is my favourite product that I tried. This product is perfect for my fellow oily and acne-prone friends. This peel is meant to brighten the skin, reduce redness and refine the look of texture.
The first time I used it I was shocked at how much it reduced the redness of my acne scarring. And even though it’s called a peel, it’s not a mask you have to physically peel off. I just wear it for 10 minutes and wash it off. I will note that it’s meant for scarring so I only use this when I don’t have any active breakouts. The product does tingle a bit while using it, so I would recommend using it once to twice a week as directed. This is a product that I will continue to use.
I’m unsure of my overall thoughts on the brand so far. It has been hit and miss for me, so I would research each product individually instead of saying everything is good. I like that the brand is keeping everything affordable and accessible, but I think that is reflected in the product. The packaging isn’t anything special and the products are pretty basic. They do the one thing they describe. So if you are on a budget or looking to fix one specific need then the Inkey List could be the solution. But if you like luxurious packaging and want to invest in some good products, then this isn’t the brand for you. I see skincare as an investment and I generally do prefer prettier packaging. I also don’t mind paying more for a product if I’m going to get better results. So I’m not saying that I won’t try anything else from the brand, but I just don’t see it becoming my new favourite brand.
Let me know in the comments if you guys have tried out this brand before. And if you have please tell me what your favourite products are. I wanted to try some other things but they were sold out. Okay, that’s it for today’s review!
Leave it to Lea 