Hey guys! Today I have a product empties post! I know you guys love these posts so I try to do them at least once a month. As usual, it’s mainly skincare, but I do have three makeup products today. So here are my empties!
Up first is dry shampoo. I don’t use that much dry shampoo. Since starting my sort of curly girl journey I have been washing my hair more. The longer I wait to wash my hair, the more my curls fall out and look limp. So because of that I wash my hair every other day and don’t use dry shampoo that much. But when I do use dry shampoo, I like this Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones. I think it’s pretty good. I’m not the best judge for dry shampoo because whenever I do use it I usually also put my hair into some hair-up hairstyle to hide the grease. BUT this doesn’t leave the dreaded white cast and that’s the best thing about it. So I did repurchase it because it works and it’s not a product I use all the time.
Up next is another sample of the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. I have so many of these mini face cleansers because they are often used as rewards at Sephora. I said this so many times but this is a great face cleanser if you want something gentle or if you have sensitive skin. I like to use this cleanser after removing my makeup to double cleanse. I do like this cleanser and I’m pretty sure I have more samples of this haha.
I don’t think I need to explain my love of the ABH Brow Wiz. This is one of my favourite brow pencils and it’s a makeup product that I go through the fastest. Of course, I have already purchased another one.
It’s hard to see in the photo but I used this eyeshadow product until there was nothing left. The outer part of the packaging is cracked from me pushing and squeezing out every last bit of the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer. I know not many people use eyeshadow primers anymore and just use concealer. But if you are like me and have oily eyelids, then a primer is a must. If I don’t use a primer my eyeshadow will crease and move around. This primer helps keep my eyeshadow in place and lasts throughout the day.
I don’t know why but they don’t sell this anymore at Sephora which makes me scared. Because I love the CoverFX Perfect Setting Powder. This was everyone’s favourite on Youtube for a while. It was Laura Mercier and then this CoverFX powder. And that’s because it’s amazing. It doesn’t leave me creasing or with a white cast. It’s so smooth and doesn’t make me look cakey. I like this powder and would like to repurchase it in the future. I currently have too many powders in my collection though so I’m going to wait a bit before I purchase another one.
The next product is the Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice. I got this product in my Boxycharm and I ended up liking it. First, it’s in a pump which makes it so easy to pump out and apply all over the face. Second, it just makes my face look and feel so hydrated. It loved using it! But it’s not easily available in Canada and I don’t love it enough to order it from their website. So unfortunately I will not be repurchasing this.
Up next is the OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. I like this toner and I do notice a difference in my skin when I don’t use this toner. It helps with the overall texture of my skin. It helps get rid of all those little bumps and makes my skin feel smoother and less oily overall. I would recommend this to anyone with oily skin or texture. And I have repurchased it.
The final product is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover. I’ve been using this makeup remover for years so you guys know that I love it. I use this when I’m removing a normal amount of makeup, but my heavy-duty full-face glam. I like it because it’s easy. I just put a little on a cotton round, swipe it across my eyes a few times and I’m done. It removes all liner and mascara I have. And it’s from the drugstore! I have already purchased another one because it’s great!
And those are my recent product empties! Let me know if you guys have tried any of these products and what your thoughts were on them.
Hey guys! I am back with my August Boxycharm! My box arrived on the 31st so unfortunately, I didn’t get much time to test out the products. I will continue to test the products, especially the skincare, and give an update at the end of my September post. So without further ado, my August Boxycharm!
The first product MineTan Body Skin Hydra Glow Sleep Serum. I was confused because this brand seems to be a self-tanner company so I thought this serum was going to be similar to the Isle of Paradise brand. This is supposedly just a hydrating serum. So far I haven’t notice that my face feels smooth after applying it but not exactly hydrated if that makes any sense. I’ll keep you guys updated about it. Price: $44.95 US
The next product is the RealHer Definer Brow Pencil. This brand is one that I often get in my Boxycharm but never heard otherwise lol. So up until I checked out the website I was confused is this was one shade pencil because the pencil just says the brand name and “EYE AM INSPIRING”. Turns out that’s the shade name which is Dark Brown! The pencil matches me well, but RealHer only has three shades which is quite disappointing. It’s also just three different shades of brown. Like what about blondes or redheads? Anyways, I’m not a huge fan of the formula because it’s creamy and pigmented. It applied way to strongly so it’s hard to create a realistic, hairlike stroke. Not my fav brow pencil but it’s usable. Price: $16 US
Swatches of the Trestique Matte Lip Crayons. From top to bottom: Tuscan Twin, Belize Bordeaux, Chile Red, Barcelona Bright Berry, Florence Fig and Nantucket Nude
I think one of my favourite products is the Trestique Mini Matte Lip Crayon Set. This set comes with six different lip crayons in a range of shades from nude to red to pink to wine. I think everyone could find a shade they like within this set, and if they don’t like some shades are least their mini and it’s not a full-size lipstick. The formula is also great on these. For being matte they are pretty creamy and glide on the lips nicely. They aren’t as long-lasting as a liquid lipstick but still have a decent staying power. Overall I like these! I think my favourite shade is Florence Fig.
The Teddy Boy palette.
The next product is the Butter London Teddy Boy Eyeshadow Palette. I didn’t think I would like this palette but it’s not that bad! I’m not a huge cool-toned person, but I think these shades are neutral enough that they are still wearable. I’ve used most of the shades and I prefer the browns over the blues. And I think it makes sense that the browns are a little bigger than the blues because I won’t use the blue shades as often. The mattes are much better than the shimmer shades. I find the shimmers to be pretty underwhelming. But the mattes are pigmented, creamy and easy to apply. I don’t think this will become my new go-to palette but I can see myself grabbing it on those few occasions I want to use cool tones. Price $28 US
Two looks I did using the products in my box.
And the final product is the GlamGlow Moisturetrip Omega Rich Face Moisturizer. This moisturizer has cannabis sativa seed oil that is supposed to calm and soothe the skin as well as reduce the appearance of redness. I didn’t know it’s supposed to reduce redness so I will keep a note of that while I test it. So far I like it because it’s a hybrid between a gel and a liquid. It makes my skin feel hydrated. I will update you guys on how I feel about it after testing it more. Price: $54 US, $75 CA
And the total is $200.95. Overall I’m pretty happy with this box. I’m unsure of the brow pencil and the serum but there are still usable products. There is nothing in the box I absolutely hate and won’t use again. Let me know what you think in the comments!
xoxo
Lea
*NOTE: PRODUCT UPDATE FROM JULY* I mentioned that I would put an update on the Clear Skin Club Vitamin C Brightening Booster. So I’ve used this almost daily since getting it in July. Honestly, I don’t notice it doing much for my skin. It absorbs very quickly into the skin, which is nice. It doesn’t make my skin look glowy, if anything it almost is a little matte after applying it. Also, I do have some acne scarring and I didn’t notice any difference while using this Vitamin C serum. Compared to my Biossance serum, the Clear Skin Club one does nothing. Now I rather a product does nothing much than cause a negative reaction. But if you are looking for a vitamin C serum that makes a visible difference in your skin, this isn’t the one for you.
Hey guys! Sorry, this post is so late this time. My Boxycharm arrived the day I left for my cottage so I wasn’t able to open it until I came back. This review is more of a first impression since I didn’t get much time to test the products. I will leave a note in my August Boxycharm if my thoughts changed on any of these products once I have tested them more.
The first product is The Creme Shop Next Gen Blender Set. I’m going to test this out more but after only using them twice I don’t think I will like these. They double in size when they get wet and are soft. But they soak up all my product! These sponges look dirtier than my other sponges because they absorbed so much product. I also found when I was applying my concealer it would lift off my foundation. I also tried to blend out a cream bronzer and that was a mess. So far these are a pass. Price: Okay here’s the weird thing. Boxycharm’s card says the set is $22 while The Creme Shop’s website says $12… interesting.
The next product is the StudioMakeup Endurance Cream Eyeshadow. I’ve only used this once but so far I like it. It’s basically liquid sparkles. There isn’t a base colour to it so in the future I would apply this over top of gold eyeshadow. It was easy to apply and dried quickly. This is similar to the Stila glitters that were popular a couple of years ago. Overall I think this is cute. I won’t use it every day because I don’t wear glitter every day. But it’s an easy way to apply glitter for when I do want it. Price: $25 US
Up next is the Alamar Cosmetics Birthday Suit Lip Gloss. This is a limited edition which is a shame because this is beautiful. It’s a gorgeous pink lip gloss with a subtle amount of purple glitter. It looks great by itself or applied on top of another lip product. This lip gloss is shiny and thick but isn’t goopy. It wears a decent amount of time as well. I think this is going to be my new favourite lip gloss. Price: $15 US
The skincare product this month is the Clear Skin Club Vitamin C Brightening Booster. I’ve never heard of this brand before but excited to test this serum out. I obviously need to test this serum out to really have an opinion. I can smell the green tea in this, which is fine by me because that’s a pleasant scent. My other Vitamin C serum makes my face look dewy and glowy. This one dries down completely and almost matte. I will test this other and leave a more in-depth review in my August post. Price: $50
The final product is the Ace Beaute Bronzed in Paradise Palette. I am so happy to have received this product. You guys know that I like this brand. Now you guys know that I’m not a huge fan of one palette for all skin tones. But a lot of times I won’t use all the shades. BUT I prefer a bronze palette over a bronze and highlight palette. It’s really hard to use highlighting powders that are the wrong shade for me. But with bronzers, I can just use the deeper shades as eyeshadows! I was able to use this palette to do an eyeshadow look and bronze my face. These powders are amazing. They are the perfect level of pigmentation and last long on the face. And the packaging is beautiful! Price: $30
The overall value of the box is $142 according to Boxycharm and $132 according to my research. Either way, I think this was a pretty good box! I love everything except for the sponges. And I much rather love four products and hate one than have a bunch of mehs. Let me know what you guys think in the comments!
Hey guys! I am back with another round of product empties! I know you guys love these posts, so let’s get right into it.
First, we have the Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash. I got this in a pack with another Fresh cleanser. I don’t like this as much as my St Ives exfoliator. It’s very gentle so if you have sensitive skin you would probably like this! I personally like a bit of a strong exfoliator but it was still good enough that I finished the product. But I love the strawberry scent so that’s a plus. I did not repurchase this face wash.
The next product is the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm. I really like this cleansing balm – even more than the Farmacy Green Clean! It does an amazing job of removing all my makeup. Even if I’m wearing a super colourful look or waterproof eyeliner it just dissolves everything. The balm leaves my face feeling so clean after that sometimes I would not even double cleanse. I would repurchase it if was available at Sephora. I received it in a giveaway so I have no idea where to get it in Canada expect from their website. So for that reason, I won’t repurchase it.
Another skincare empty is the Sephora Collection Brightening Eye Cream. This eye cream is pretty average. I have sensitive under eyes (wait until the next product) so many eye creams give me dry patches. This one doesn’t irritate my skin BUT it also doesn’t do anything special. I don’t notice a difference whatsoever between using it and not using it. Now I know at my age using an eye cream is mainly preventative but I would hope it would at least do something. My main concern currently is darkness under my eyes and this did nothing. So I have decided to not repurchase.
This next product is not empty but I am throwing it out so I am mentioning it here. I got the QMS Intensive Eye Care Cream in February Boxycharm. I was using the Sephora Collection one at the time but switched to the QMS one to test for my blog. After switching I started to notice dry patches on my lids and my under eyes being super sensitive and almost having a burning effect. I thought it was just because it was winter and once I was done testing for my blog switched back to my Sephora Collection one. Once I finished it though I started using the QMS one again. I started getting dry patches and sensitivity again. I was also putting it around my mouth because I’ve heard that eye cream can be good for preventing fine lines around your mouth. Well, I started to get breakouts there too! So I finally realized it was this QMS eye cream and stopped using it immediately. I don’t know what’s causing it because I looked up the ingredients and there is nothing really bad. It’s also £120, that’s almost $200 CAD! Either way, I don’t like this eye cream and would not recommend it.
I have two setting sprays. First is a sample of the Tarte Rainforest of the Seas 4-in-1 Setting Mist (which they have since repackaged). I honestly can’t remember if it made any difference in my skin. I own another Tarte setting spray and don’t find it’s very effective. It does have an interesting scent though. I decided to not repurchase and instead get another of my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. I finished another one and this is a setting spray that I feel makes a huge difference in my makeup’s longevity.
The final product is the Nivea Hydro Care Lip Balm. This used to be my favourite lip balm but they have reformulated it. It used to be thick but not as thick as the original. Now it’s waxy and not as nice on the lips as before. I’m so sad that it’s changed. Also, it seems like everyone on Nivea’s website agrees with me that the reformulation sucks haha. I will not be repurchasing this one.
And those are my product empties for this month! Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what your thoughts were.
Hey guys! I thought I would share an updated skincare routine since it’s been about half a year since my last one and I have changed up the products I use a bit. I’ve been using this current routine for over a month and I find that my skin is just so healthy and glowy! Also just wanted to note that I do this routine in the morning. I know most skincare pros say to do the bulk of your skincare at night but I’m lazy in the evening. I just remove my makeup and call it a night. I like doing my full routine in the morning because it helps wake me up. If you are interested in knowing what products I use to take my makeup off let me know and I can do a full post on that!
So to start I wash my face with the OleHenriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. I was using the oil control cleanser from this brand but I’ve noticed that my acne is *finally* started to settle a bit. Don’t get it wrong, I still get hormonal acne and certain products can cause flare-ups, but it’s definitely not as bad as it once was. So I find that I don’t need an acne control cleanser and toner. So I chose this one because it’s meant to cleanse and brighten. This is perfect because it cleanses my skin to help prevent acne but also brightens my dark spots from past breakouts! I also love the citrusy scent for using it in the morning.
The second OleHenriksen product I am using is the Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. I tried the OleHenriksen dark spot toner but I noticed my skin was getting textured and clogged so I switched to this oil control one. This just helps control my acne and skin texture. I use a few shakes on reuseable cotton round and wipe it around my face.
I’ve learned online that the product you want to penetrate the skin the most you should apply first after toner. So if I am having a nasty breakout I will use my prescription acne cream. I use DifferinXP, which has 0.3% of adapalene, a type of retinoid. Differin does sell gels over the counter that have 0.1%, so less strong than mine. I do find using a retinoid gel helps heal my acne faster and also helps it leave less of a scar.
The next step is a vitamin C serum. Generally, you want to apply your serums before moisturizers. Since my last post, I have purchased a full size of the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. This shit is expensive and I could definitely get a vitamin c serum for cheaper BUT I really do like this one. I visibly notice a difference in my skin. It just looks brighter and feels softer. It’s also lightweight so it doesn’t clog my acne-prone skin. Like it brightens my skin so much that some days I don’t apply highlight because my face is just naturally glowing. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT.
The final product is one that I am just trying to use up, which is the Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice. I received this in my April Boxycharm. And since I’ve received the item and it’s not bad I’m going to use it up. But I’ve mentioned this in the blog post that Elemis is hard to buy in Canada. So because of that, I wouldn’t recommend it to my Canadian readers. But for those who can easily purchase Elemis products, it’s a pretty good moisturizer! I love a good pump and I love a gel moisturizer. This one hydrates my skin, dries quickly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling sticky. So ya that’s my moisturizer.
I finish off my skincare routine with an eye cream. I just recently finished my Sephora Collection eye cream (stay tuned for my next empties post for a full review) and so I tried this QMS one that I got in my Boxycharm. I remember when I tried it it was winter, so I thought the dry patches on my eyes were just because of this weather. But I recently tried it again but I had such a bad reaction to it. So please let me know if you have any good eye cream recommendations. I have sensitive eyes and my biggest concern is darkness and fine lines.
And that is my skincare routine guys! Please give me some eye cream recs in the comments. And let me know if you have any questions about any of the products.
Hey guys! Today I have an extra special Boxycharm post – I am reviewing both the base box and the premium box! I’ve mentioned in my last post that I was curious about the difference between the two boxes. So I decided to get both. I will review the products in both boxes and then let you know my thoughts between the regular and premium.
So first the base box. I just want to mention that I have been testing quite a few skincare products and I have noticed that my pores are a little clogged right now and I have some small breakouts on my face. I believe it’s from the BB cream, but it would be the face wash or the masks. Unfortunately, I don’t know.
Base Box
Base Box
The first product is the Foaming Face Wash by Kylie Skin. This face wash is supposed to be gentle, leave skin feeling moisturized and brighten skin’s complexion. This cleanser is okay. I do think the fact that it’s foaming is fun. I also only need half a pump to wash my face. But it’s quite gentle. My acne-prone, combo skin needs a little more for a daily cleanser. This would be a good shower cleanser when I don’t want something stripping by will still clean my face. I also wouldn’t say it’s necessarily moisturizing. Overall I think it’s a pretty mediocre cleanser. I’ll use it because I have it, but wouldn’t go out and repurchase it. Price: $24 US
Next up is the Purlisse Beauty Perfect Glow BB Cream SPF 30. I really like this BB cream, except for the fact that I think this is what broke me out. This is the perfect tinted moisturize. It gives enough coverage but still looks like skin. It just looked so nice and other products applied beautifully on top of it. I would wear this if I was going to be outside but still wanted to wear a foundation. I believe that this is breaking me out because I have had issues with sunscreens breaking me out in the past. I think if I were to wear it once in a while my skin would be fine but since I wore it every day for almost two weeks it was too much for my face. I would still recommend this BB cream though because it looks amazing on the skin! Price: $35
I really like this product but I don’t think it’s for everyone. I received an Artist Couture Diamond Glow Powder in the shade Conceited. It’s a bronze/gold highlight with golden shimmering pearls. I actually like to wear this as glitter on my eyes the most. When I do wear it as a highlight, I just apply a little bit to the top of my cheeks. Because it’s a very glittery highlight. So if you like glitter you will love this. If you perfect a dewy, glowy look I would pass this. Price: $27 US, $36 CAD
The next product is insanely priced. The QMS Medicosmetics Lip Line Corrector is £155. That’s $260 Canadian dollars!!! Like what the fuck. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT, IT IS NOT WORTH IT. This lip line corrector is supposed to target fine lines and wrinkles as well and hydrate and plump the lips. I was skeptical but I read good reviews about it, saying it has instant results but continued usage makes a significant difference. And then I tried it myself and it worked! Almost instantly my lips looked smoother and significantly plumper. And it didn’t have any tingly feeling like plumping glosses. The only annoying this is that a full pump is way too much product and it’s hard to half pump it so I feel like I’m wasting product. Listen, this shit might work, but I would never recommend spending that much money on a cosmetics product. Like at that price point you might as well get lip injections. Price: $200 US (that’s what the card says)
The final product is my face box is the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA. This is a hard product for me to review because I don’t have KP bumps. I used this scrub on one arm and a regular body scrub on the other and didn’t notice a difference. Both left my arms smooth. But maybe if you do have KP bumps and use this it’ll be strong enough to make a difference? I’m not sure but one of my friends used it and loves it. So overall I will be passing this product along to someone else who will get better use out of it than me. Price: $18 US, $36 CAD
Premium Box
Premium Box
The first product Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Mask. This mask is just … average. Like it’s basically just a super thick moisturizer that takes a little longer to sink into the skin. Like sure it makes my skin feel smooth, but I don’t wake up in the morning going wow my skin is amazing! Like it did its job but it’s nothing special. I think the Glow Recipes Watermelon Sleeping mask is better. Price: $49 US, $66 CAD
The next product is the Too Faced Cocoa Contour Palette. I’ve mentioned this before but I am not a fan of this brand. Just so many controversies that I don’t think they handled well and a lot of products that they have realized lately haven’t impressed me. But I tried to keep an open mind about this product. First I love this packaging. It looks nice, feels nice but isn’t too bulky. It also smells amazing. Like every time I open it smells like chocolate but the scent doesn’t carry over to my face. It also has a big mirror. What I don’t like that there is only one palette for every skin tone. Like I’m glad that they are shade inclusive, but I will never use the deep shades. I wish it only had the shades I need so it was cheaper and less packaging for me. I find the highlight shade not very pigmented so I have to use a lot. The contour isn’t bad, but what’s the point of the palette if I only use one shade? So while it’s not a bad product, it just doesn’t suit my personal tastes. Price: $44 US, $59 CAD
The lip product is the NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in the shade You’re No Good. I love the formula of this lipstick. I own this lipstick in the shade Light My Fire (which is an orange-red) and I love it. It is a very liquidy liquid lipstick that dries to be more of a stain. What I like is that I can apply a little and sheer it out for a wash of colour or apply a thick layer for a bight impactful look. Because it’s also more of a stain, it doesn’t look dry or cakey on the lips and lasts so long. I’m not a huge fan of this shade. It’s a deep red fuchsia, and I just prefer an orange toned than a pink. I will still wear it but probably sheered out. Price: $26 US, $34 CAD
The next item is the Grace & Stella Anti-Wrinkle + Energizing Face Masks. It came in a six-pack which is pretty great. These face masks are very slippery and slimy, so I have to lay down otherwise it falls off. It’s kinda annoying because then I can’t do other things, but on the other side that I am forced to relax at least. I think that they do a good job of moisturizing my face, but I don’t see how using one sheet mask can do that much for anti-ageing. Overall I will use them all, but I wouldn’t recommend these over other face masks.
I love getting face brushes! These Powder and Contour Brush Set from Battington Beauty are pretty nice. The hairs feel very soft and apply powder very well. The powder brush is just a little big for my under eyes, but applies powder to the rest of my face well. The contour is a great shape for chiselling out the face. I will say that for $90 (so $45 for each brush) that the handles are pretty cheap feeling. They aren’t heavy and honestly feel like my Morphe brushes. If you want a nice brand of brushes, go with Luxie because I feel that those are worth the price. Price: $90 US
The final product is the Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In. This leave-in treatment is supposed to help dry and damaged hair. I have heard great things about Living Proof so I was excited to test it out. It’s paraben and phthalates free, and I believe it’s also curly-girl approved but I’m not 100% sure. If you guys don’t know, I’m kinda on a curly-girl hair journey where I am trying to bring out and enhance my normal curls. So I think this Living Proof treatment is great at what it claims, but it’s not what my hair needs. It left my hair feeling smooth and soft but didn’t do anything to help my curls. So I will keep this treatment for when my hair does feel dry (like after going in the pool or sal water) but probably won’t be using it on the daily. Price: $30 US, $40 CAD.
Full face using products from both boxes
Comparing the Boxes
So my base box was $25 US with a value of $304. Now keep in my the lip corrector is $200, so that product inflates the price of the box. The premium box was $35 US with a value of $264. Once again I think those brushes are over prices. So this shows that getting the premium box doesn’t automatically mean that it’s worth more than the base box.
If what brands are included in the box, then I think the premium box is better. In the premium box, 4 out of the 6 products are available at Sephora and therefore more ‘mainstream’. Whereas in the base box only 2 out of the 5 are available at Sephora, but I would argue that Kylie Skin is still pretty mainstream. But on the flip side, I don’t necessarily subscribe to Boxycharm to get products that I know about. I like testing out new brands, especially ones that are not always easy to get in Canada. For example, one of my favourite products in both boxes in the Purlisse Foundation, a brand that I’ve only heard about from Boxycharm.
So either way, I think both boxes are pretty great. I don’t think the premium box was so much better than the base box. It was one more product, so it makes sense that it would therefore be more expensive. I have decided in the end to stick with my base box. I don’t have a ton of extra cash and would rather spend the extra $10 US on buying products that I know I will like then on a surprise. But I think in the future I would consider getting premium again as a treat.
And that is my very long Boxycharm post for June! Let me know in the comments which box you think was better!
Hey guys! Time for my favourite post to write every month – my Boxycharm! This month’s box was delivered on average of when I usually get it. Glad that it wasn’t too delayed because I know the post has been crazy lately. This month’s theme is Mother Nature. I also love that on the info card is says “packaged with gloves and love”!
The first item I received was my choice for the month. Because I selected a day late my only choice was the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads. I would have preferred the Glam Glow mask but oh well! These pads are both chemical and physical exfoliant. The first time I used them my skin was super red after. My skin has slowly adjusted to them, but I can’t say if they’ve made much of a difference. I’m also using a new cleanser right now (I had to because I finished my other one) so it’s hard to tell if it’s the pads or the cleanser. Also, I hate using these pads because they’re not reuseable so I have to throw them away. If you read my April Boxycharm post you would also know my thoughts about getting Elemis products in Canada. I was able to find these on Amazon though if you are interested. I just don’t think it’s worth paying that much for a single-use product. Price: $59 US, $75 CAD
The next product is the Studio Makeup Ease to Wear Eyeshadow palette. At first, I was unsure how I felt about this palette, but after using it a few times I’ve come to realize this is a GREAT beginner eyeshadow palette. Sometimes eyeshadow palettes could be pigmented or have crazy colour stories which I love but aren’t great for the average wearer. This colour story is pretty for the average person wearing makeup just to work every day. The eyeshadows are the right amount of pigmentation to create a soft, day time look. I might not use this when I’m going out at night, but I would recommend this to any of my friends looking for something that is no fuss and easy to use. Also for all my GTA friends, you can get Studio Makeup at Rexall. Price: $35 US
I will say it’s hard to test an eyeshadow primer and palette at the same time. So I’m still on the fence about the Pretty Vulgar Uncaged Eyeshadow Primer. A little goes a long way with this product. If I apply too much my brush would stick or skip while blending shadows. I will say that it’s pretty long-lasting and my lids didn’t crease at all while using this base. So I think I like it, but it’s not replacing my Smashbox primer. Price: $22 US (Also sidenote it isn’t available at Sephora, they barely have any Pretty Vulgar products there!)
This is the second Seraphine Botanicals products that I have received from Boxycharm. I don’t care about getting repeat brands, but the products are nearly identical. This month I received the Whimsical Wisteria Conditioning Lip Polish. I have received the Daikon + Dreams Lip Exfoliator with Radish Extract in the past. There is literally no difference between these products except the scent. So that’s kinda a bummer to get this product. Also, it’s a lip polish/exfoliator. Like how many of those do I need! Pretty disappointed about this. Price: $24
The final product I received is the Gerard Cosmetics Lip Pencil in the shade Peachy Keen. Good lip liner but I’m not a fan of the shade. It’s creamy and pigmented enough that I can fill my lips in no problem. But it’s not too creamy that it smudges all over the place. I love peachy shades, but this one is just so pale. It’s lighter than my natural lip colour. I prefer to wear lipsticks that are either the same shade or darker than my natural lip colour. But that’s more of a personal preference thing. This would have been great when I was doing my 1960s makeup look ahaha. Price: $16 US
And that is my box this month! The total is $156 US. Not my favourite box. Something I’ve noticed is that ever since Boxycharm has come out with their different box options, the quality of their base box has gone down. I’ve signed up to be on the waitlist for their premium box. I’m curious whether the premium will be better than their normal box. I will definitely let you know my thoughts once I am off the waitlist and receive a box!
Hey guys! My Sephora VIB Sale order has finally come in! I ordered one of the last days of the sale which is why it took so long to come in. I usually do full reviews on the products, but since it took so long for the products to arrive I thought it best to just do some first impressions so I could get this post up asap.
The first product is a Beauty Blender set! I’ve mentioned this before but every sale I always buy a new Beauty Blender. They are great sponges and I use them almost every time I do my makeup. This one came with a red sponge and a solid cleanser. It’s a good deal because it’s the same price as a regular Beauty Blender.
The next product is the one I was waiting for the most! I got the OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. I finished my other OLEHENRIKSEN cleanser the other day so it was great timing. I tried it this morning and I think I like it. It smells like orange which I love. It lathers up nicely and left my skin feeling soft. I need to try this cleanser a bit more to say whether I love it or not, but so far so good.
I got two eyeliners. The first is the Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner in the shade Brown. I have been wanting a brown liquid eyeliner. I thought this one would be good because it also has a pencil on the other end. Now this is a felt tip, which I’m not as good at using. But I was able to create a pretty good wing with it. But I will say it’s darker than I expected. I think I like this and will get some good use out of it.
The second eyeliner I bought was the Makeup Forever Artist Color Pencil in the shade Boundless Bisque. I like to put white in my waterline, but sometimes white can be a little too bright. I thought this nude would be a good shade. And I was right! I used the pencil and it make my eyes just look so awake and bright. I’ve only had it in my waterline for two hours but it’s still there! I think I will like this liner.
The final product is the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer. I have heard so many good things about this bronzer and have had it on my wish list for awhile. I thought now was the perfect time to get it ahead of summer. I’ve only used it once but I am already it love. This bronzer blended out so easily. I also love that it’s a matte formula. I find that sometimes creams can make me look greasy, but this one just looks so natural. It’s also a great shade match for me. OH I LOVE THIS ALREADY!
And that is my Sephora VIB Sale haul. Let me know in the comments what products you guys got during the sale!
Hey guys! So I did a poll on Instagram and A LOT of you wanted to see my Sephora VIB Sale recommendations. I also decided to throw in my wish list. I probably won’t pick up everything (if anything) on my wish list, but I thought it would be fun to share it with you guys. I tried to keep things pretty general, but if you want specific product recommendations feel free to DM me! My friends ask me all the time products for their specific skin type or my thoughts on a specific product. I want you guys to make well-informed decisions with your money, especially during this crazy time we are going through.
Sale Recommendations
1. Beauty Blender and brush cleanser
I love my Beauty Blender. It’s a great sponge and I use it almost everyday. But they unfortunately don’t last forever. I buy a new Beauty Blender every VIB Sale. While you can clean a sponge to help it’s longevity, eventually the sponge either breaks down or because unsanitary. So if you like using Beauty Blender, the sale is a good time to get them.
I also recommend getting a brush cleanser. It’s important to clean your brushes, and might as well get a boring product when it’s on sale. I currently use the Beauty Blender Liquid Cleanser but they are many on the market.
2. Restock favourites
Sale time is a great time to restock on favourites. These are products that I use all the time and can’t live without. They are also ones that I go through quickly. A few restock classics are:
Mascara – I love all the Tarte mascaras, but specifically Tarteist Lash Paint
Skincare is another great thing to stock up on if you have a favourite product. If you want some skincare recommendations just send me a DM.
3. Face masks
I love a good face mask. Sometimes masks can be pricey if you are not using them on the daily. So that’s why buying them during a sale is a great time to get them. I have three that I love and would recommend:
Origins Out of Trouble – if you have oily skin get this mask. It is amazing at helping heal and deal with active breakouts.
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask – this mask if great when your skin just feels blah. Resets the skin and leaves it feeling smooth and clean after. Also it’s pink!
Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Sleeping Mask – I don’t like this as a sleeping mask, I only use it for 10 minutes. It does a great job of evening my skin texture. My face feels like a baby’s bottom after.
4. Palettes
Eyeshadow palettes can be expensive. So that’s why getting them during a sale is the best time to get them! Everyone likes different things when it comes to eyeshadow palettes, so it’s really personal preference. But if I had to recommend one, I would say the ABH Soft Glam palette. I have gotten a lot of use out of it. They colour palette is also very approachable and wearable for both everyday and glam looks.
5. Perfume
Once again, perfumes are expensive. So might as well get it while it’s cheaper. I wanted to add this recommendation because I recently got a new perfume for my birthday! I got the TOCCA Florence. I got it as a sample with Sephora and I fell in love. I don’t normally like florals, but this one is so fresh. The bergamot and pear balance out the gardenia so it’s more clean than sweet floral. This is a great spring/summer scent.
My Wish list
I have quite a few items on my wish list. The first is pretty random, but I wanted the Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream. I love body lotion and I use it all the time. This one is described as “a relaxing body lotion created to spread warmth as tangy ginger embraces your body and nourishing oils surround skin in softness.” Like YUM sign me up. The reviews are also amazing! The only thing holding me back is that its $50 CAD, ugh. One day I’ll purchase it.
I have been loving cream blush and I have my eye on two others. The first is the MAC Glow Play Blush. I have seen a few people use and love this blush. It is said to apply like a cream and finish like a powder, which I love. They are currently sold out of a lot of the shades so I will probably wait. The other blush is the new Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush. I have seen a bunch of people talk about them but not a lot of reviews. But I just know that these would be good.
Continuing the cream train, is the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer. I have so many people rave about this and I have almost bought it so many times. I will one day buy this product as well.
I have heard everyone and their mother talk about the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. This is apparently one of the best hydrating masks and it’s suitable for combo/oily skin folks as well. I do have a sample of it, so I will try it out and if I like it I will probably purchase it.
The final item on my wish list is the Olehenrikson Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. As soon as it launched I knew I wanted to try it. I have been loving all the Olehenrikson products that I have tried. It’s supposed to be purfying and brightening AND smell amazing. I think once I finish my current cleanser I’m going to pick this one up.
And those are my recommendations and my wish list. Let me know in the comments what you guys are thinking of getting or have already purchased!
Hey guys! Today I am sharing some product empties. This month is on the smaller size, only eight products this time! Maybe for once, this post won’t be super long haha. (*edit* it’s still kinda long oops!)
The first product is the Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Body Butter. I love these body butters. They are thick but soak into the skin easily. They leave my body feeling soft and moisturized. I have had many different scents and this one is near the top of the list. Almond has become one of my favourite scents, it’s very calming and soft. Overall love this body butter, highly recommend. Once the mall opens again I am definitely stopping by the Body Shop.
The next product is the Benefit Porefessional. This was apart of my March products of the month. I finally finished it last week. This primer is good at what it claims to do, but I have come to realize that I prefer other primers. It does a great job of smoothing my skin, but I want my skin to look dewy. I recommend this primer for anyone looking for a smoothing primer, but I will not be repurchasing myself.
Next is a sample of the Biossance Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil. I got this sample in a Sephora rewards kit. I wanted to add vitamin C to my skincare routine and thought I might as well use a sample I had. Well, I loved it. It was the only thing I added to my routine and I noticed a huge difference. My skin looked brighter, my dark spots were reducing and my skin was so plump and dewy looking. And once I finished the oil my skin lost its lustre. Now it pains me to love this because it’s $95 CAD. That is a lot of money for oil. I debated trying another oil, but since doing returns right now is difficult because stores are closed I decided to bite the bullet and repurchase it. Now I did use my birthday gift card to do so at least!
Another makeup empty is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. Now in the picture is actually my repurchased tube, because I can’t find my empty one. But it looked empty, trust me you could see that I scarped the sides haha. This is my all-time favourite concealer. I recently tried a bunch of drugstore concealers. And while some were close, nothing beat my Nars Concealer.
The next product is the St. Ives Radiant Skin Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange Scrub. My mom accidentally picked up this one instead of my favourite apricot one. Now it’s described as having a lessen exfoliating factor than my favourite apricot one, so I can’t be made about it. While it did exfoliate my face, I was always left wanting more. I don’t think you would be surprised when I say that I picked up the apricot scrub from St. Ives instead of this one.
The best nail polish remover is the Quo Nail Polish Remover Dip. This is the easiest way to remove nail polish. Inside the container there is a sponge with holes in it. I stick my finger it, rub it against the sponge and it comes out completely clean! I also does a great job of removing stubborn nail polish like glitter. I also like to rest my hand on the tub while I paint my nails as well. I highly recommend picking it up, it’s available at Shoppers!
I will miss these lashes. I love the Battington Lashes in the style Monroe. I got them in my Boxycharm awhile ago and they lasted a really long time. They are good quality and are easy to apply. I accidentally ripped mine in two while trying to take off lash glue, so sadly it’s time to get rid of these lashes. I love these lashes, but not worth it to order to Canada. RIP my Monroe lashes.
The final product is my favourite moisturizer, the Laneige Water Bank Hydro Gel. I miss this moisturizer. It’s so hydrating and the texture is amazing for my skin. I have decided to not repurchase this moisturizer for now and use other ones I have in my collection. But I miss it dearly and will repurchase in the future.
And those are my product empties! Let me know what’s the product you finished most recently in the comments below!
Leave it to Lea 