Hey guys! If you’re like me (aka single) then you really couldn’t care less about Valentine’s Day. But Galentine’s Day, on the other hand, I love it. I’ll take any excuse to show my friends with love and adoration. I wanted to share a few cute ways to celebrate! There is a combination of gifts to parties. So let’s get into it.
1. Cocktail Competition
I always see girls online doing cocktail competitions and I think Galentine’s Day is a great time to do it! The idea is for everyone to bring the ingredients for a different cocktail and make one for each guest. This is better for a more intimate get-together unless you and your besties are down to have a bunch of drinks (or you make them non-alcoholic). If you need inspiration for drinks, check out Pinterest!
2. Dress Code
If you have a bigger group of gals (or want to include some of the guys as well) then do a dress code! To stay within Galentine’s theme, doing pink and red clothes only is a great option. Or it can be whatever floats your friend group’s boat.
3. Rom-Com Movie Night
There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with your besties and watching a cheesy or corny romance film. My friends and I have down the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy the past couple of years. This idea can be easily adapted to do over Zoom if you have wanted to celebrate with your long-distance besties (or based on lockdown restrictions in your area). Grab some snacks and a glass of wine and I’d call that a perfect night.
4. Send cards
Sending out cards to people isn’t exclusive to Christmas. I think sending a card to someone is a pretty inexpensive way to put a smile on someone’s face, especially if they don’t live near you. I love to send cards to my friends who live far away that I can’t see in person. You can also easily make a handmade card and then you only need to pay for postage!
5. V-Day Brunch
Maybe you and your friends all have partners in your life and are too busy in the evening. Well going to brunch is the perfect way to squeeze some time in with your gals! As someone who loves brunch, I will take the opportunity to eat some eggs benedict.
6. Baking Exchange
This is a great combination of a gift and a party. The idea is everyone brings one baked good and then shares it with all the other guests, so everyone goes home with a variety of delicious desserts! Or if you have a few close friends, you can also bake something together.
7. Personalized jewelry
I always tell guys to never buy their girl jewelry unless she specially asks for something. For girls though, as long as you know your bestie’s style, you’re set. I think getting something personalized, either their name or zodiac or birthstone is a nice added touch. And if you want to go the extra mile, getting yourself a matching piece so that way you can twin is super cute and memorable.
8. Secret Cupid
Everyone knows about Secret Santa, but why not do a Secret Cupid? The principle is the same, everyone gets randomly assigned a person and gets that person a gift. Then exchange gifts at the get-together! Make the budget as high or low as your friends are comfortable doing.
9. Self-Care Kit
If you have a friend who may be feeling particularly down during this time of year, get them a self=care kit! Throw in some skincare products, some makeup, some candy. Bonus points if you get everything pink or red to match with Valentine’s Day!
10. Spa Day
If you want to amp up that self-care kit a bit, then do a spa day! This is easy to adjust to your price point. For a more budget-friendly option, you can organize a spa day at home and invite the girls over. If you have a mid-tier budget, then going to get a treatment down, such as a pedicure or a facial with a friend is a great idea. And if you want to go all out, planning a whole girls spa weekend is another great option. Getting out of town and spending some time at a spa with your friends is a great way to make some unforgettable memories.
And those are my 10 cute ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day! If you have anything fun planned for you and your friends, let me know in the comments!
Hey guys! It’s time for the first Boxycharm review of 2022. It’s crazy to me because I’ve been subscribed to Boxycharm since November 2016… that’s insane! I’ve received my fair share of boxes so you can expect me to always be honest and upfront about my thoughts about Boxycharm. So let’s get into this month’s box.
The first product in my box is the NARS Blush in Orgasm. I just want to mention how incredible it is to get this product in my box. NARS is a huge brand and Orgasm is one of their best-selling products so it’s cool to get it in the box. I have a mini of the shade Deep Throat, so I was already familiar with the formula. This powder is very light so it gives a more subtle look to the skin. I much rather have a subtle blush that I can build up than a super pigmented blush but it can be easy to overdo blush. The shade Orgasm is a peachy pink with a subtle shimmer running through. I almost don’t have to wear highlight with this blush. I like this blush and I’m excited to have it. Price: $30 US, $39 CAD
Now a product that I wasn’t excited to receive is the Chella Slanted Tip Tweezers. I have received these tweezers before, back in October 2019. It’s not very often but it sometimes does happen that I get a repeat product. As I mention in the intro, I have been subscribed for over seven years. I think I’ve only received a repeat product twice before, which is pretty good considering I know repeat items are an issue with other subscription brands. I will be giving those tweezers away since I still have my other pair. And I use these slanted tweezers to help me with my cross-stitching haha. The grip and the slant help me tie knots with tiny embroidery floss. Price: $20 US
Nars Blush in OrgasmRealher Dreams So Big Eyeshadow Palette
The next product in my box is the Realher Dreams So Big Eyeshadow Palette. Now, something I’ve decided this year with my Boxycharm is I want to be more mindful with the products I’m testing. Often in the past, I would try a product even if I think I won’t like it for the sake of my video and these blog posts. I would use a product a few times and then never use it again. Going forward if I don’t think I’ll like a product I won’t test it so I can donate it. I was on the fence about whether or not I would like this palette but decided to test it out anyways. And I’m glad I did because I think this is a great everyday palette. The mattes and shimmers are soft, so there is quite a bit of kickback in the pan. But on the eyes, they are also soft, which is perfect for everyday wear. I’m not going into work with a super bold smokey eye, I want something soft and natural. This palette is perfect for achieving that look. This palette also leans a more rosy tone so it stands out in my collection. I don’t think you need to necessarily go out of your way to get this palette because the colour palette isn’t anything special. But I see myself reaching for this palette now that I have it in my collection.
I’ll be honest with you guys, I was scared to try the Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum. I follow a few skincare influencers online and they all say to proceed with caution when it comes to retinol since it can often cause purging, irritation and dryness. I have never used retinol because I’m still young and most professionals don’t recommend it until your mid-20s anyways. Well, I’m turning 25 this year and I have this retinol so I was like okay it’s time. Except my face wasn’t ready for it. I’ve been dealing with some gnarly breakouts and didn’t want to start a new product until it calmed down. So I’ve been trying it on my neck! Retinol is meant to help with lines and I’m starting to get some tech neck lines already so why not? I’ve used it twice so far. The first thing I noticed is that the dropper is very loose (not sure if that’s the right way to describe it) but a lot of serum comes out very easily. It goes on quite sticky and takes a while to turn down, but does eventually dry down. I’ve only used it twice so I can’t give much of a review. I would keep an eye out for my product empties because that’s when I give in-depth reviews. Price: $39 US
And the final product in my box is the PUR Fully Charged Mascara Powered By Magnetic Technology. I want to first state that mascara is all about personal preference. Everyone has different lashes and most people want their lashes to look different. So far for me, this is not my favourite. This mascara is described to thicken, volumize and separate lashes. I am much more of a length over volume type of girl. I give that it gives good volume at the root of my lash but barely any length or curl. I also find that it doesn’t do a very good job of separating my lashes, if anything it clumps pretty easily. Finally, the wand is pretty thick so I always get mascara on my lids. Now I won’t completely write this mascara off, because I often find I like mascara after it dries out a bit. So I’ll give it more time. But so far it’s not my favourite. Price: $22 US, $29 CAD
The overall total of the box is $129 US. While there were some great products in the box it was also disappointing to get a repeat item. I also wanted to mention that I didn’t receive any of the products that Boxycharm was promoting on their social media in my box, which is somewhat disappointing since some of those items looked nice! Let me know what you guys think of this month’s box and if you receive Boxycharm let me know what you go in your box!
Hey guys! One of the things I look forward to every new year is watching my favourite YouTubers’ do their 2021 favourites (if you haven’t read mine yet, check it out!). I feel like yearly favourites are some of the best recommendations because the product made it to the top of someone’s list. I decided this year to pick up a couple of products that made some influencers’ faves list and test them out for myself. I did a YouTube video trying the products for the first time and also mentioned some products that were already in my collection. Today I’ll be giving you my follow-up to that video after using the products a few more times.
Let’s start with the product that inspired this post. I had seen Allana Davison rave about the Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil for quite a few months now to the point where I was like I HAVE to try it out. Allana is not only my favourite Youtuber but also this lip oil just seems right up my alley. Merit describes the product as a sheer slick of colour with rosehip oil and shea butter to create healthy-looking lips all day long.
I have to say their description is pretty accurate. The pigmentation is enough that I can wear it by itself for a very natural look or wear it on top of a lip liner for a more defined lip look. It’s not sticky whatsoever since it’s an oil and it’s very comfortable on the lips. Unlike some glosses, it doesn’t look gross if my lips are dry and crusty. Since it’s a lip oil it’s not the most long-wearing, it obviously goes away if I’m eating or drinking. I picked the shade Taupe because I am obsessed with browns and I love it. They have a beautiful range. I might pick one up for my mom for her birthday because I think she would really enjoy this formula. Allana was 100% right with this product.
The next product was a recommendation from Tati. If you watched my video, then you might have seen that I was on the fence about the shade I picked up in the Catrice True Skin Hydrating Foundation. Once I went into different lighting I realize I did get the perfect shade for my winter pale skin. I got the shade Neutral Ivory and I’ll give the brand major products because this foundation is neutral. I often find with drugstore foundation that the shade can lean either too yellow or too pink but this one matches me perfectly.
The foundation is described to be a long-wearing, medium-buildable coverage foundation with a natural ‘real skin’ finish. The foundation is also supposed to be hydrating, is vegan and cruelty-free and comes in 20 shades. I’ll be honest guys, this really isn’t a hydrating foundation. I find that it leans more matte. If I use a hydrating primer it’s not as bad. But because it’s matte, I find that it takes a bit more work to blend out cream products on top. That being said, this foundation is very long-wearing. I have very oily skin and I didn’t really need to powder until the 8-hour mark. If you have dry skin I would pass on this foundation. But if you need something that will look good all day, then check this one out.
The foundation and concealer when I first applied itThe foundation and concealer eight hours after I applied it
The other base product that I got was the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer. This was another recommendation from Allana. I wanted to try out a new concealer and thought this would be right up my alley. The concealer is described as creamy, with a natural, medium and buildable finish. It also is supposed to have a self-setting formula with up to 12-hour, crease-free wear. I’ve been having issues with my concealers creasing lately so thought this would be a good one to try.
With some concealers, a little goes a long way. Not with this one. Where I apply it is where I get coverage and it doesn’t give much more. This just means that I have to apply more than I usually would. But once it’s applied and blended it’s amazing. The concealer does a good job of neutralizing the blueness I have under my eyes without being really stark and high coverage. I’d be lying to say that it doesn’t crease, especially because I have a very expressive face. But it took a while to crease and didn’t crease that bad. I would say it more just settled into my lines that high creases. From afar you really don’t notice it. I’m not the hugest fan of their shade range because I find that they have more undertones than shades. I wasn’t too confident when picking out a shade, but luckily the shade 20 Soft Sand worked for me. Overall I’m enjoying this concealer and excited to use it more.
The product I’m still on the fence about is the NYX Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen. Both Allana and RachhLoves raved about this brow pen. This pen has a micro-brush tip pen that is supposed to be buildable to create hairlike strokes. The pen is supposed to be smudge and transfer-resistant with 16-hour wear. I got the shade Espresso because that’s what I use in NYX’s other brow products.
I think this is a good brow pen, I’m just not sure I like brow pens. When I first tried the pen it had been ages since I’d gotten my brows done. I had to be so precise since my eyebrows didn’t have much shape so it took forever for me to do my brows. The pen is quite pigmented so it created a bold brow very quickly. I have since gotten my brows done so now it’s just a case of filling in the bald spots. I once again find that because the pen is so pigmented that it creates a very bold brow. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if I was doing full game and wanted something to balance out my face. But for every day it’s too much since I naturally have a lot of brow hairs. I think if you’re someone with not a lot of natural brow hairs you’ll love this because it’s easy to create the hairs. I’ll continue playing around with the pen because maybe there is just a learning curve, but for now, I’m not sold on the whole brow pen train.
And the final product I picked up was recommended by THREE Youtubers – Tati, Rachhloves and Jamie Paige. And that is the Maybelline Lifter Lip Gloss. This lip gloss was going around the internet as being a dupe for the Fenty Beauty lip glosses. Maybelline describes their glosses as having hyaluronic acid to deliver lasting hydrating and fuller-looking lips. I got the shade Moon, which is supposed to be a dupe for Fenty’s Fussy shade.
This might be crazy, but I think I prefer the Maybelline formula! The glosses look very similar on the lips, giving a subtle sparkle to the lip and a very juicy and shiny look. The Maybelline gloss is slightly thinner than the Fenty one, which I prefer. I don’t like a very thick and sticky gloss, I prefer something I little thinner and smoother. That being shade, the Fenty one does last longer so it depends on what you rather have. There is no doubt you can’t bet the Maybelline price. The internet loves this gloss and I’d have to agree with the internet that they are pretty great!
And that’s my thoughts on the beauty products I picked up based on beauty YouTuber’s recommendations. If you enjoyed this post let me know and maybe I’ll do a part two? And if you’ve used any of these products let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts!
Hey guys! In the past few years since moving back to my parents’ house, I’ve gotten into baths. I consider myself a water person – I love swimming, being in the water or being by the water. So it only makes sense that I enjoy sitting in a hot bath for long periods of time. I would probably have more baths if we had a deeper bathtub and a bigger hot water tank haha. Right now bathtime is a special treat for me, so I like to create a luxurious spa-like moment when I do have a bath. I wanted to share a few of my favourite products to create the ultimate bath experience.
First, lighting sets the mood for bath time. I usually like to watch Youtube videos on my laptop (which I keep on a stool far away from my bathtub haha) so I don’t need to worry about good lighting. I will usually dim my overhead lights and light a couple of candles. Now the Bath and Body Works 3-wick candles are my usual go-to, but I recently got a single wick candle and it’s great! It’s just as potent but then I don’t want to worry about tunnelling. The other great thing is that the single wick candle is smaller so it perfectly fits in the corner of my bathtub. I have the scent Peach Bellini but B&BW has so many scents that you can find one that fits your fancy.
The next essential is Epsom salts. Epsom salts contain magnesium, which is known to help with joint and muscle pain. The other day I went skiing and had a bath with a bunch of Epsom salts and it was divine. Helped relieve my achy muscle and tired feet. My current jug is Rexall’s brand, Be Well. But I’ve also used Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts before and they also work great. I often like to get almond or eucalyptus scented salts since it’s neutral enough to do with my other bath products.
Call me a child, but I have to have bubbles with my bath. It just makes the experience more fun! Like you can’t tell me that you don’t enjoy bubbles. I enjoy the Dr. Teal’s Foaming Bath Oil because not only does it add bubbles but the oil makes the water softer and more luxurious. Some bubble baths I have to use a bunch but I only need a bit of the Dr. Teal’s to get a ton of bubbles. And similar to my Epsom salts, I usually get a simple scent to not clash with my other bath products.
No bath is complete without a bath bomb. I like to go unscented or naturally scented with the salts and bubble bath to allow the bath bomb to be the star of the show. If you’re looking for an inexpensive option, then check out the Supertrip Bath Bomb Gift Set on Amazon. The gift set has 9 bath bombs for $25, which means that each bath bomb is under $2. Another great option for affordable bath bombs is looking for some at Winners. But when I want to treat myself, I get a bath bomb from Lush. I find that I don’t get much of a scent from cheap bath bombs, but the Lush bath bombs are strongly scented. They’re also very strong in colour pigmentation, meaning that the baths are always colourful when I use one. Some of my favourites include Sex Bomb and Intergalactic (both make super pretty baths) and Twilight (which is lavender scented and perfect before bed).
When I have a bath I will often use the time to do a big body scrub, since it’s easier when I’m sitting down than standing in the shower. One of my favourite body scrubs is the Dove Exfoliating Body Polish. They have a ton of scents but the Macadamia & Rice Milk scent is my favourite. I love nutty scents. I’m not a big fan of sugar or salt scrubs, but I often find they’re so dry that they crumble away before I can scrub my skin. This scrub is quite creamy and hydrating, but still has the exfoliating bits to help buff away dead skin. It’s also quite affordable which is always a plus!
And those are my favourite bath essentials! Let me know what some of your favourite bath products are, especially bath bombs because I’m almost out and need to buy some more soon!
Hey guys! Today’s blog post is reviewing the last of the books I read in 2021. I didn’t have the chance to fit this in December, but still wanted to share my thoughts. I did already rank this in my 2021 book rankings post so you might know how I feel about a few of these books. So let’s get into it!
Code Name Verity
We’re going back to early November with this book! Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein is a YA Historical Fiction about two women who worked for the British Army during World War II. It’s hard to describe the novel because the characters’ names are an integral part of the story, so sorry if this is confusing. One of the girls is a spy who gets captured in Nazi-occupied France. The other girl is a pilot who flies the spy into France. The first half of the book is the written transcription of the spy’s interrogation and the second half of the book is told from the pilot’s perspective.
As you can tell from this description, the book is a little confusing. Add to the fact that I don’t know much about the British military and there were a ton of acronyms and places I didn’t know. It took me a bit to get into the book, to say the least. BUT once I did get it, I was hooked. And at the end there was a major plot point that completely shocked me.
Overall I thought it was a really interesting book and I learned something new. The World War II genre is quite saturated, but I think this was an interesting part of history that I didn’t know much about. I have the book 4/4 stars and recommend it to any World War II history lovers.
This Lullaby
I was feeling a bit of a slump so I wanted a fun book, and nothing is more fun for me to read than YA Contemporary Romance. I decided to read This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. If you were like me and my friends, we grew up reading Sarah Dessen novels in high school. I had this one on my shelf and hadn’t read it yet! This story is about Remy and Dexter. Remy is a little pessimistic when it comes to love, after seeing her mom go through many failed relationships. That is until she meets Dexter, a musician who changes how she views everything.
I liked Remy because she’s not perfect as some of Dessen’s other characters. She’s a bit of a heart-breaker and does things like drink and have sex. She’s a little bit more relatable to me to read as an adult. While Dexter wasn’t my favourite love interest, I still appreciate his and Remy’s relationship. Just want to note if you prefer slowburn books, this isn’t for you. Remy and Dexter have more of an off-and-on again romance. Just something I wanted to note because I know people prefer certain tropes over others.
Overall I enjoyed this book! This book came out twenty years ago so it’s interesting to see how different certain things are while some things are the same. Like sure most people don’t use landlines anymore but friendship and relationship struggles are still the same. I gave the book 4/4 stars. I’ve also decided I want to read all of Sarah Dessen novels, so expect to see some more reviews this year.
Thirteen Days to Midnight
After having two good books I hit a snag. I did not finish (DNF) Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman. I decluttered the book, that’s why the image is not the book in front of my bookshelf. The premise of the book is that Jacob gets this power that he can transfer that makes someone indestructible. He meets this new girl Ophelia who convinces him to use the power for good until he realizes that this power is more of a curse.
I found that the actual plot wasn’t lining up with the premise. I read about a 1/3 of the book and felt like the plot was going nowhere. The other big issue I had with the book was the characters. I found Jacob, the main character, to be super bland. It’s a pretty well-known comment within the online book community that white men often suck at writing female characters. And while that is not always the case, this book is not the exception. Ophelia is one of the manic pixie dream girls that you often see in early 2010s novels.
I just couldn’t stand the characters and the book wasn’t going anywhere so I decided to put it down. It’s not often I DNF books since I’m pretty stubborn and like to follow through on things. But since I had been in a slump recently I didn’t want to into one again just for the sake of finishing a book I wasn’t enjoying. So I put it down. I did not rate the book since I DNFed it. I would not recommend it to anyone.
Angelology
I got pretty unlucky because the book I read after that I also DNFed. Angelology by Danielle Trussoni is the first book in an uncompleted series, so I was a little hesitant going into it. The story is about Evangeline, who was abandoned at a convent as a child. As she assists a scholar she uncovers a disturbing secret related to her family. This is an Adult Fantasy.
It’s an interesting story and I found the cast of characters to be unique. It’s beautifully descriptive and the passages flow easily. But man, the book is boring. Trussoni often has the habit of meandering, going back in time or writing long passages from books or the bible. I got about a 1/3 of the way through the book and barely anything had happened.
I decided to put down the book because it was boring. Also, the fact that the series was unfinished because the publisher didn’t want to produce the last book was not motivating me to continue. I didn’t want to invest more time into a story I wouldn’t know the ending of. I did not rate the book since I DNFed it. Unlessyou’re really into religious fantasies, I would pass on this book.
And those were the last of the books I read in 2021. After having two duds I decided to go through my physical TBR and declutter some books. There were quite a few that just didn’t interest me anymore or had bad reviews online. Hopefully, I won’t have to DNF a book again in the near future. If you’ve read these books let me know your thoughts in the comments. And with all my reviews let me know if you have any suggestions for me!
Hey guys! I wanted to give you an update on my project pan products. As the title suggests, this is going to be my final update as I won’t be doing a project pan in 2022. I’ll be sharing the update on my products first, then I will explain why I have decided to not continue doing a project pan. Let’s get into it.
If you don’t know what a project pan is, the idea is to focus on a few products and either hit pan or finish the product. I started doing a project pan in January 2021 but switched products in June. In today’s update, I’ll be showing you the final progress pictures of the products I picked in July. I forgot to take progress pictures a couple of months so sorry about that!
The first product is my Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Eyeshadow Palette. I hit pan in one eyeshadow during my last update and haven’t really made much progress since. I think there is a decent dent in the shade beside it but I still have far to go before hitting pan. It’s much harder than I realized to hit pan on eyeshadow.
I hit pan in my   Maybelline City Bronzer & Contour Powder, but I did it accidentally. I was tapping my brush against the side of the compact and the bronzer cracked. Part of it fell off and on my leg. I threw out the part that cracked and fell out but the rest of it is pretty solid so I feel comfortable keeping it. But in all honesty, I was nowhere near close to hitting pan. When I look at the bronzer at the side there is still a good amount left. Probably wouldn’t have hit pan if it hadn’t broken.
A product I actually did hit pan on is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in the shade Paaarty. I can’t remember when exactly but pretty sure I hit pan while I was filming. I’m pretty happy that I hit pan, but to be fair I’ve had this blush for years and it’s a mini so I feel like it’s easier to hit pan.
I said in my last post that I’m tired of using the TooFaced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder. And that feeling has only grown since my last update. It just leaves a weird yellow cast which I’m not a fan of. While there is a little bit left, I’m at the point where it’s difficult to get it out of the sieve. I am throwing out this powder because I don’t want to use it anymore.
Another product that I’m sick of is the Temptu Liquid Glow. I’ve been using this highlight since April. Except I actually gave up in late November and just started using other products. The cap is absolutely disgusting and I could clean it but I think I’m just going to get rid of it. I believe it was a limited edition product anyways, so there is no point in promoting something you guys can’t get. That being said, I did make pretty good progress, but this just shows to me that it takes forever to get through liquid highlights.
And that’s the update on my project pan products. Now before I share why I’m not doing my project pan anymore, I wanted to share a few things I did enjoy about doing a project pan. First, while it does take a while to hit pan on things, it’s pretty satisfying when I do. Second, it made my decision-making process pretty easy in the morning because I knew what products I was going to use. If you have a big collection this can be helpful if you feel overwhelmed. Finally, it helped me realize that I actually didn’t really like some products and that it was time for me to either throw them out or pass them along to a better home.
Now onto the reason why I am not continuing a project pan. As you can tell by some of my thoughts above, I got pretty sick and tired of using the same products over and over again, especially when I wasn’t very fond of them. Another downside is that I have a very large collection, so I felt weird using the same thing over and over again and therefore neglecting everything else I own. I also wasn’t just the most practical all the time. I often wouldn’t pause my project pan to test products out for my blog. Or sometimes I just wanted to use something else to create a certain look.
I think there are pros and cons to doing a project pan but ultimately won’t be continuing to do it. That being said, while I might not be doing a project pan, I think I still want to focus on using certain products. I did find it helpful to have a few products set out that I want to use, but I think I want to rotate them more frequently than a project pan requires. Doing a project pan requires a long-term commitment to actually hit pan on anything. I think I want to switch up my products every couple of weeks. I have a large collection so I want to give equal love to all my products instead of a select few for the year.
So those are my thoughts on my project pan. If you’ve ever done a project pan before, let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts, I’d love to discuss!
Hey guys! I’m back from my unannounced break! Sorry about that, I did announce it on my Instagram but didn’t say it on here or on my Youtube. Originally I was going to take a break between Christmas and New Year but pre-film and write to still have posts go up during that period. Since I got COVID-19 I was too tired to work ahead so I had to work during that week. I was just going to muscle my way through going back to work and making content but when Ontario announced another lockdown I knew I needed a break. I’m back now, but I think in the future I need to be better at planning and announcing my breaks. Something to add to the goal list.
Speaking of goals, the past couple of years I’ve shared my goals with you guys so I thought I would continue the tradition. I like to call them goals versus resolutions because these are things I’m planning to work on all year instead of an immediate change. Some of my goals directly impact my blog and Youtube and others are just about my life, but I like sharing them as an accountability thing but also to give you guys inspiration for your goals. Let’s get into it.
1. Pick a new healthy habit each month
In 2021, I had a goal to do some form of movement five times a week. This could include going to the gym, going to yoga or even walking my dog. And I have to say I did a pretty good job of accomplishing that! There were some weeks here and there but I would say I exercised pretty consistently, even during lockdowns, so I felt satisfied enough that it’s now a habit and doesn’t need to be a goal.
I want to continue improving my health but couldn’t figure out one area that I thought deserved my attention the whole year. So that’s why I came up with the idea of picking one healthy habit each month to focus on. If I’m successful, hopefully I gain 12 new healthy habits by the end of the year. For January, I’m trying to up my water intake since it’s pretty poor right now. The goal is a litre a day, which might not be a lot for some but it’s way more than I was drinking before. If I’m successful I’ll pick a new habit, if not I’ll carry it over to February.
2. Read 20 pages a day & 20 books this year
I was pretty ambitious last year with a goal of 50 books. Maybe if I was unemployed all year I could have hit that goal. But as soon as I got a job (which I am very thankful for and rather have than read more books), my reading rate when down. I ended the year with 36 books. So taking into consideration the rate I read while working, my goal for this year is 20 books.
Along with that goal, I want to read 20 pages each day. One of the things that affected my reading rate was that some nights I was too tired (or spent too much time on TikTok) and didn’t get the chance to read anything that day. By reading at least 20 pages a day, I’ll read around 600! I often find that once I get into the rhythm I often read more than the 20 which will just help me read more books!
3. Track my expenses
A big goal in 2021 for me was to get a job and have some money coming in. Once I accomplished that goal, I decided that I needed to be smart about my money and not spend it all at once. I created a budget for myself and was trying to take my expenses.
Like many people, I found that budget went out the window come the holiday season. I want to get back into the tracking and saving mode I had created last year. I don’t currently have any savings goals, but that might be something I add later in the year.
4. Do one big self-care moment a month
I got this idea for Sierra Schultzzie. She’s a new mom and one thing she’s doing is once a month she leaves the house and does something special for herself such as get her nails done, get her hair done or go to the spa. I’m not a new mom, but the idea of treating oneself to a big thing each month sounds pretty good to me.
I have a bad habit of spending on frivolous things in the name of self-care, such as getting a Starbucks drink or buying a new shirt. But I think it would be smarter to channel that money into one big thing that is more of an experience. I’m not going to remember when I bought a new eyeliner but I will remember when I treated myself to a spa day. I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing this month since I’m not sure what’s open with the lockdown restrictions but I am very excited to do something for myself.
5. Increase my income from my blog
If you guys are unaware, I do currently have it set up that I get some money from the ads on my blog. At this point it’s a pretty small amount – I make a few pennies each day – but I want to continue increasing that amount to where I can finally get paid out and earn some money from my blog.
I also want to start doing some sponsorships and partnerships as another way to increase my income from my blog. This is a goal that I’ll probably be working on later in the year, but I want to push myself to start pitching myself to brands instead of waiting around for opportunities to come to me. I have some specific goals and objectives around this, but I want to keep those to myself for now.
6. Increase my social followings
And finally, I want to increase my social followings. Obviously, numbers aren’t everything and it’s not something I follow on the day-to-day level. But I do like to track my followers month-to-month and also see how much I’ve grown over a year.
Instagram is where I’m currently struggling the most. My growth has really stagnated and I’m really unsure what direction I want to take my page on that app. I do have a goal but it’ll take some serious work to reach it. My TikTok page really grew last year but unfortunately also stalled because in the fall I really dropped off posting as much because I just wasn’t reading as much! I want to try and diversify my TikTok to help me have more content to continue to grow. Finally, for my Youtube, I think I did pretty well last year. I have two videos that got over 1000 views, and my overall average is going up. I think just being consistent with my Youtube channel will hopefully have the best impact.
And those are my goals for 2022 guys! I would love to know what some of your goals are for this year. And if you have any advice for me I’d be happy to hear it!
Hey guys! I was getting worried that I wasn’t going to get my box in time to write this post. But my box arrived yesterday!! So keep in mind that today’s since I just got my box my thoughts are more first impressions than in-depth reviews. Let’s get into it!
The first product is the Algenist Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm. I love getting eye creams in my box, it’s been ages since I’ve had to purchase one haha. This eye cream is meant to help reduce basically everything – undereye circles, bags, puffiness, lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. Obviously going to take me a bit of use to notice a difference. I will say that the circle doesn’t have much of a scent which I prefer over a bad scent. It’s quite thick but it blends on easily on the skin and doesn’t feel heavy so I was able to easily apply makeup over it. Excited to continue testing. Price: $68 US, $87 CAD
The next product is the Seraphine Botanicals Happy Hibiscus Palette. This palette is meant for all skin tones. I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again – I don’t like palettes meant for all skin tones. The palettes either skew too dark or too light and therefore not for everyone OR have shades for everyone but people can’t use all the shades. I find that this palette skews a little dark, like two of the shades are almost bronzers on me. All these shades are ‘luminous’ so they have shimmer running through it. The shade Dewdrop is a straight-up highlight – but it’s a very pretty highlight! The only shade I could use as a blush is Petal, which was quite nice. But it’s just annoying to only like one shade in a four-pan palette. I would pass on this palette and instead get one blush you really like instead. Price: $48 US
The next product is the Whish Vanilla Bean Lip Mask with Bakuchiol. The texture is much more similar to a lip balm/chapstick than a lip mask. It has a bit of a waxy consistency so it’s a little difficult to get out of the jar. It glides easily on the lips and feels very nice. I will say that this is not intense enough for me to use overnight. After an hour or two, my lips are chapped again. The vanilla scent is quite light so good if scents irritate you. It’s not a bad lip balm but it’s not a very good lip mask. Price: $32 US
The next product is the Araceli Beauty Bella Sponge Duo. I love getting sponges because sometimes I’m too lazy to wash my sponges so it’s nice to have more in my rotation haha. These sponges have the classic Beauty Blender shape with a round bottom and a pointed tip which is the shape I prefer. The round bottom is great for blending foundation whereas the point is great for under the eyes. I find that the sponges do soak up a fair bit of product so I would pull these out for full coverage products to help sheer out. The only downside is I find that the sponges don’t have a very smooth texture, which means it’s not very good with powder products. I don’t think these will replace my Beauty Blender but I’ll keep them in the rotation. Price: $24 US
And the final product is the Mellow Cosmetics Gel Lip Pencil in the shade Rose. First just want to mention that the pencil arrived with the tip broken so I had to sharpen it before even using the pencil. The formula is very creamy, it glides on very easily on the lips. The formula reminds me almost of lipstick just in pencil form. I haven’t worn this for long but just based on the initial application I don’t know how long-lasting it will be. I love the shade but I will say the name is descriptive. When a shade is called Rose I always think it’s going to be pink when instead this is a warm peach. It’s a nice shade just not what I anticipated. I’m excited to wear this more. Price: $15 US, $20 CAD
The total of the box is $187 US. That is a decent value!! While the products might not be my favourite I will say that there is a good variety of products in this box. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. And if you’re subscribed to Boxycharm let me know what you got in your box this month!
Hey guys! Today I will be ranking all the books I read in 2021. I read 36 books this year, which is under my goal of 50 but still pretty impressive. I slowed down in the second half of the year, which is expected since I started working again. Today I will just be ranking the books, but I will be including links to all the book reviews, except the three I finished that I haven’t written yet. Those reviews will be posted in January and I will update this post once the reviews as up. One more thing before I get into the post – I personally rate the series together. So while I read 36 books, this post will have 23 spots. I believe that series should be read and rated together so that’s how this post will work. Let’s get into it!
Books I Did Not Finish
23. I have two books I did not finish. The worst book I read this year is Thirteen Day to Midnight by Patrick Carman. If you like this book I’m happy for you but there was personally nothing about this book that I enjoyed.
22. The second book I did not finish was Angelology by Danielle Trussoni. The writing was quite beautiful but the story was meandering and not going anywhere. This is also the first book in an unfinished series and I didn’t want to get involved with an unfinished series.
Two Star Books
21. My only two-star book is You by Charles Benoit. I almost hate this book more than the two I didn’t finish because I feel like I wasted my time reading the book. I gave it two stars because there was potential but it just wasn’t executed well. I don’t recommend this book to anyone.
Three Star Books
20. I get that Wuthering Heights is a classic but does anyone actually like it? I gave the book three stars because they were some good sections and it was very poetic, but I had to use Sparknotes to understand what was going on.
19. I was very underwhelmed by Emotions Revealed by Paul Ekman. I thought this book would focus on recognizing faces and improving communication when in reality t was more about the psychology of emotions. I also knew a lot of what was in this book already. Not a bad book just not what I wanted.
18. Another underwhelming book is The Wives by Tarryn Fisher. Based on the description I thought this book was going to be very different. The first half of the book was boring and then the second half of the book was confusing. While there were some good parts, there were also some sections I didn’t enjoy. Not the best thriller.
17. I think I would have liked Debutants by Cora Harrison if I was younger. It gives me middle-grade Downton Abbey vibes. I also guessed the mystery super quickly. Perfect for younger readers who are getting into historical fiction.
Three-and-a-half Star Books
16. I had high expectations before reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. I had heard good reviews and I was a little underwhelmed. I think the story is great but the writing style meant that I wasn’t very emotionally connected to the characters. If you love World War II then I would recommend checking it out, but otherwise I would pass.
Four Star Books
15. I kind of forget I read The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout this year, which is why I put it so low on the list. It took me a while to remember what was going on and then was thrown all this new information right at the beginning of the novel. I think the second half of the book was way better. Overall I didn’t love the book but I see how it’s important in the overarching series.
14. The next book is The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine. This was a fun book to read. The writing flows well, I read this book in five days! Liv was able to make me root for Amber, even though she was the antagonist. I would say this is more of a drama than a thriller, but would still recommend it to all my thriller fans.
13. I’ve read a lot of World War II novels, but I think Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein manages to be a wonderful, unique edition to the genre. The beginning was confusing but it’s meant to be. It was interesting trying to piece out what was happening and I was shocked by the ending. If you’re interested in spies, check out this book.
12. I’ve read a few thrillers/dramas/mysteries this year and funnily enough a YA one was my favourite. Shine by Lauran Myracle was a well-written mystery, it took me quite a while to piece out the criminal. I also think that Myracle did a good job of painting what it’s like to live in rural North Carolina. It’s a bit of a darker book but it was well done.
11. Sarah Dessen novels will always have a soft spot in my heart, and This Lullaby is no exception. While I like the main character Remy, I will say that the love interest Dexter wasn’t my favourite. The couple got together rather quickly and was on-and-off in the book, just something to note. I love that while this book is almost 20 years old I can still relate to the characters. If you like YA contemporary romance you need to check this one out.
10. Moving into the top ten, we have The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book was super hyped online and I will say it’s pretty good. I think Evelyn, the main character, is quite complex which is interesting to love. I wasn’t a huge fan of the main love interest but I can appreciate their love story. I think the lessons in this novel are quite important and would recommend the book.
9. I’m putting the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas at number nine. I liked some of the books in the series but didn’t enjoy other books in the series. I liked the series and enjoyed reading it but I can’t deny that I liked SJM’s Throne of Glass series so much more.
8. It’s been almost a year since I’ve read the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo. Even though I’m putting the series at eight, it holds a special place in my heart because of the spin-off duologies. There are some great parts to the book and some more slow parts in the book. I think overall the magical world that Leigh created is just amazing and would recommend it to others.
7. Another series that has a special place in my heart is The Outlands Pentalogy by Rebecca Crunden. Rebecca was kind enough to send me the first book but I purchased the rest of the book myself. I think for a self-published series that this was magnificent. This was a refreshing take on the dystopia genre that I believe deserves more recognition.
Four-and-a-half Stars Books
6. The next book is King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. I know that the sequel is out but I can’t read it yet because I’m waiting for it to come out in paperback. So my review might change but so far I loved it. There is something so comforting about returning to a cast of characters you already know. I also think Leigh took the world to the next level and loved the book!
Five Star Books
5. Breaking into the top five is Beauty Queens by Libby Bray. I know this book would not be everyone’s cup of tea but I absolutely loved it. This book was super funny and campy, it is a satire so it makes sense. It pokes fun at a lot of late 2000s pop culture which is when I was growing up so it was fun to read. This book is ridiculous but it’s my kind of ridiculous.
4. I am sorry to everyone who can’t stand this series, but I did enjoy Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. The book requires the suspension of belief a bit. But the romance is just so good! I think this series introduced a lot of people to smutty romances and while I didn’t necessarily fully jump on board I want to read more romances in the future.
3. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab took my heart and shattered it into a million pieces. I do recommend this book because I think it’s beautiful and has so many great lessons in it. But maybe take a day off after you finish it because I wasn’t emotionally stable a couple of days after finishing this book.
2. I, like the majority of people online, absolutely fell in love with the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo. Leigh was able to add a whole new layer to the world she created in Shadow and Bone but managed to create six wonderfully amazing and complex characters. This book series made me laugh and cry and think at the same time. If you haven’t read this series already I highly recommend that you do. The only thing that is keeping it from being number one is that is a companion series and I think it’s necessary to read Shadow and Bone first which makes it a little less accessible.
1. And my number one book this year is The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. This is a hug and a warm cup of tea in book form. There is just something so magical reading about a book of women who love reading books as a woman who loves reading books. Is the book a little predictable? Yes but I still loved it nonetheless. I think all bookworms, especially those who love historical fiction, need to read this novel.
And those are all the books I read this year! If you want to hear more about my rankings, check out the video I will be posting on Sunday where I will be going more in-depth in my top 10 books this year. Let me know in the comments what were your favourite books that you read this year!
Hey guys! It’s finally time to share my 2021 beauty favourites! If you watched my newest Youtube video, you might have noticed that I only mentioned makeup products. Well in this blog post I’m going to be talking about everything. I have makeup, skincare, haircare, body and perfume! I will try and keep things brief because I know this is going to be a long post. Let’s get into it.
Makeup
I feel like 2021 was the year of base products for me, so I don’t have many eye products. The one eyeshadow palette I picked is the Violet Voss Olive Your Forever Palette. I also featured this in my Best of Boxycharm 2021 post. I love the colour story and the quality is amazing. It’s one of the few palettes I reached for over and over again.
My eyeliner favourite is the same as 2020, the Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Pencil in Boundless Bisque. In the past, I gravitate to wearing browns and blacks in my waterline. This year it was all about nude eyeliner for me. I just wanted something to brighten my eyes and this always did the job. Or if I didn’t sleep a lot and my eyes were red this helped as well. I want to get more into eyeliner in 2022 because I have a bunch in my collection that I want to use more!
My two mascara picks are both from the drugstore! The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara has easily become my everyday mascara. I love a lengthening mascara that adds a little volume as well and the Maybelline Sky High Mascara delivers exactly that. It adds some length to my lashes but isn’t too dramatic. My favourite mascara for my lower lashes is the L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara. My lower lashes naturally curl down so I often must mascara wands too big to coat my lower lashes. The L’Oreal mascara’s wand is super thin so it’s easy for me to coat my lower lashes. I also like using this after I apply false lashes to help everything blend together as well. Two great mascaras!
When I thought about which pair of false lashes were my favourite I couldn’t pick one. So I picked four haha. When I want something BIG I reach for the Lavaa Lashes in the style Flirty. There is something about big lashes that make it seem like your makeup is impressive even when it’s just a crease and shimmer. These lashes are super feathering which I like. When I want something a little less big but still long I reach for the Elise lashes in the Kash Beauty Secret Treasure Luxury Lash Set. These lashes have a beautiful wing to them so it gives a cat-eye effect which I love. A very similar-looking lash is the Colourpop Queenie Falsies Faux Lashes. The Kash Beauty lashes have a thicker band so it’s harder to conceal compared to the Colorupop lashes but a thicker band makes it’s easier to apply and more comfortable. I would recommend either. My favourite pair of lashes for more soft glam looks are the Ardell Faux Mink Demi Wispies. I love these because they’re wispy and the band is clear so people often don’t even realize I’m wearing falsies. I always get compliments when I wear them AND they’re from the drugstore. All of these lashes get two thumbs up from me.
This year when it came to brows I went back to the pencils. I find pencils the quickest and easiest to use. My favourites are Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil and NYX Precision Brow Pencil. My favourite brow gel is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. I already have thick brows so I don’t need to use a tinted brow gel and then I don’t have to worry about matching the gel to my brows. This ABH one is strong enough to keep my brows in place but not too stiff that or crunchy. And that’s it for brows, pretty simple.
I have three primer favourites this year, all of them I was madly in love with at different parts of the year. The first is a continuation from 2020, the Touch In Sol Pretty Filter Glassy Skin Balm. If you’re looking for a primer that delivers glowy and smooth skin, then you have to check this one out. I think it’s all the skincare ingredients that stop this from looking greasy but instead dewy on the skin. I can wear this all over the face no problem. Another dewy primer is the Rodial Soft Focus Glow Drops. This primer makes me look SO dewy. I keep this on the periphery of my face because it does have a bit of shimmer that I don’t want to emphasize my pores. But this is so dewy that sometimes I can skip highlight when I’m using this serum. The final primer favourite is the NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer. This is for everyone who wants a pore-filling primer but hates the silicone texture. This primer does an amazing job at smoothing and creating an even base on my face. The texture is very similar to marshmallow fluff, probably why it’s named after it haha. A great drugstore primer that I recommend everyone check out!
I also have three foundation favourites! The first is the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. I think this foundation is going to be on a lot of people’s 2021 favourite’s list. This skin tint is one of the best light coverage foundation I’ve tried. I think it’s because it has a buildable formula so it applies a light wash everywhere but I can build up the pigment where I had some redness or discolouration. And it’s Fenty Beauty so you already know the shade range is amazing. My dewy foundation pick is the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation Dewy. It has good coverage but the dewy formula means that it doesn’t look cakey or dry on my skin like some other full coverage foundations. It’s got a decent shade range, but it’s such an affordable price that I can buy multiple shades and mix to create my perfect shade. The final foundation favourite is a hidden gem. Not enough people talk about the Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Oil-Free Hydra Foundation. I think a lot of people would like this foundation because it’s right in the middle with medium coverage and satin finish. It’s not too much or too little of anything. It’s long-lasting and has a great shade range, what more could you want!
It wouldn’t be a favourites post without mentioning the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I love this concealer and I’ve talked on and on about this concealer. My other two favourites are the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer and the ELF Hydrating Camo Concealer. The Makeup Revolution concealer is quite similar to the Nars one just a little less creamy. But it’s not too high coverage and lasts well. The ELF concealer is the wrong shade for under my eyes but I’ve been using it constantly on my face. Even though it’s hydrating I’ve found it stays put and does an amazing job of concealing any acne I have. I would recommend all three concealers!
Powder is the category where I haven’t fallen in love with anything new. My favourite that I kept on returning to is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder. This powder has been a staple in my collection because it’s creamy but does a great job of mattifying any shininess I have going on. Whenever I’m looking greasy I just use a touch of this and the grease is gone without making me look cakey. I also pack this with me when I need a powder to touch up. And it’s drugstore so it’s quite affordable!
My two bronzer favourites are both cream! My more expensive favourite is the Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer. This cream is so easy to blend but lasts long on the skin. And the shade is the perfect bronzing shade for me. My affordable favourite is the ELF Putty Bronzer. The formula is a little stiffer but I find that it dries down almost to a powdery consistency. This makes it extremely long-wearing, especially under masks. I can also apply powders on top of it no problem. If you haven’t tried cream bronzer yet you need to!
I have a lot of blush favourites. This was the year of blush for me. A continuation from last year is the Nudestix Nudies Blush. I love this blush formula because I can easily swipe it on my face and blend it out easily. My favourite shades are In the Nude (a warm peach) and Picante (an orange coral). In the Nude and the Milk Makeup bronzer are what I wear together almost on the daily because they go together so well. My other cream blush favourite is the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in the shade Love. The formula is a little more difficult to work with, I usually have to put it on the back of my hand or a palette and then onto my face. But this shade is so gorgeous I work around that. It gives the most beautiful flush to the face. I blush very red so it looks quite natural for me. And it dries down matte so it lasts a long time. My favourite blush favourite is the Colourpop Pressed Powder Blush in Flower Power. This was a collab between Colourpop and Animal Crossing. I thought I would like the other blush shade in the collab but I have been loving Flower Power. This lilac shade is quite unique for cool tone blushes but I think it gives the most amazing fresh-faced look. Whenever I want something cool toned I always reach for this blush.
My two highlights are both cream and are quite similar. A carry-over from last year is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. My other favourite is the Auric Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer. If you want to know the differences between the two, I would read my original Auric Glow Lust review. But what I like about both of them is that the shades are more skin tone and therefore very natural. It looks like my skin is dewy than some shiny stripe on my skin. They are also both easy to blend. Both are expensive highlights but they come with so much highlight that I will never run out of product!
Four setting sprays favourites may be a little excessive but I do love all of them. My holy grails are the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ and the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray. My first newer favourite is the Maven Beauty Rose Water Setting Spray. I’m not a fan of the rose scent but I love the way it helps my makeup last longer. I like pairing this with a face full of creams because it helps set everything and keep it locked. My other favourite is the Benefit The POREfessional Super Setter Setting Spray, which you may remember from my Sephora haul. This setting spray actually blurs my pores, which I think is just incredible for a setting spray. Whenever I want to look smooth and flawless I grab this spray.
Skincare was hard for me to pick because I go through products a lot quicker compared to makeup. I decided to focus on what products I truly loved and that is products that I have repurchased or would consider repurchasing in the future. So let’s get into it.
For cleansers, I have three favourites. My cleansing balm is the only thing not pictured above, but I picked the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm. I loved this balm so much that after I finished it I repurchased it. I don’t currently have it in my collection because I have other balms I’m trying to finish up but I would get this one again. It’s quite oily so it does a great job of dissolving makeup but it doesn’t leave an oily residue on my face. It’s so good that if I’m not wearing a lot of makeup I can skip a second cleanser. And it’s available at the drugstore so it’s a great price! My second cleanser is the Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser. This cleanser was great because it cleaned my skin but didn’t strip it. Whenever I used this regularly I barely had any breakouts. I’m currently using a different cleanser but I don’t like it as much as the Youth to the People cleanser. I will be repurchasing in the future. The final cleanser is the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. I treat this more as an exfoliator, using it only about once or twice a week. This cleanser has both physical and chemical exfoliants so it helps clean away any dead skin. This helps keep my skin feeling smooth and soft.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you will know my love of the OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. This is one of the products that has helped the most with my texture. I use this every single day. If you suffer from acne, oily skin or texture you need to check this toner out.
I have two more products for everyone who suffers from acne. The first is the Benzagel 5% Acne Gel (not pictured because forgot to photograph it oops). I switched from my prescription acne gel to this one and it has done wonders for my skin. I apply this daily to the areas where I usually get acne and I’ve noticed a decrease in the amount of acne I get. I still get some but it’s better. When I do get some zits I will apply the Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots on top. These dots help pull all the gunk out from any whiteheads. It helps get rid of a whitehead without having to pop it, which helps prevent any scarring. They are a little pricey but they are the best I’ve tried on the market.
My favourite serum is a pricey one but I do love the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. This is one of the best Vitamin C oils I’ve tried so far. I’m still on the hunt for a more affordable option that gives me similar results. This oil helps reduce any pigmentation or dark spots that I have on my skin while also giving my skin some moisture and shine. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this oil.
And finally my two favourite face masks. These two do quite different things. Whenever my face is freaking out I reach for the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin. This helps dry up and clear out and breakouts that I’m having. If you have oily or acne-prone skin you have to check this mask out. The second mask is on the opposite end of the spectrum, being very hydrating and rejuvenating. The Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask goes on yellow and turns white and it heats up and helps the skin. If you ever want to turn your skin from blah to wow, then use this mask.
Haircare
Now moving on to haircare. I have been pretty consistent with my haircare products, haven’t tried many new products. But I’ve been loving how my hair looks so I want to share the goodies!
The first product, not pictured, is the Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In. This is my favourite heat protectant. If I’m going to be diffusing my hair, I always like to add a heat protectant and leave-in products work since they coat your hair. I love leave-in because it doesn’t make my hair feel greasy or weight down my hair. And it smells amazing! I’m trying to finish up some other products but I will repurchase this leave-in in the future.
The two products that have transformed my curls are the Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel and Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Hair Mousse. The mousse adds definition to my curls and the gel helps the curls keep their shape. My hair is soft and bouncy and shinier. The products are Curly Girl Approved AND available at the drugstore. Herbal Essences, you are never allowed to discontinue these products.
My form of self care is buying myself millions of body scrubs and lotions. I have tried many bodycare products but narrowed down my list of favourites to three.
My favourite body scrub is the Dove Exfoliating Body Polish. The Macadamia & Rice Milk happens to be my favourite scent. I love this body scrub because unlike a lot of scrubs it’s actually quite creamy. I had scrubs that are dry because I find them more irritating than soothing. This scrub gets rid of all the dry skin but also moisturizes at the same time. And it’s available at the drugstore!!
It was hard to pick a favourite body lotion but I decided that the Hempz Natural Herbal Body Moisturizer is probably my favourite. It checks off all the major boxes for me: it smells good, it moisturizers my skin, it sinks quickly into the skin, it has a pump and it’s affordable. There is a great range of scents so you can find one you enjoy!
I’ve mentioned this before, but I get bad acne on my chest and shoulders. For this reason, I usually use a face moisturizer on this part of my body because fragranced body lotions usually irritate the skin there. I’ve been using the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion and loving it. It moisturizes the skin, dries quickly and isn’t sticky. I love the big bottle with a pump because it’s easy to use. And you guessed it, it’s affordable!
Perfumes
The final category is perfumes! This year I got into wearing perfume on the daily. I had a decent perfume collection but I never wore it until one day I realized I shouldn’t let my perfumes go to wear and now I wear them more. I switch up my perfumes based on the season and my mood but these three have been my favourite.
The first favourite is the Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine. I enjoy fresh-smelling perfumes but there is a complexity to this perfume that I adore. The orange scent is sweet but there is a bit of sandalwood that adds some spiciness to this perfume. I find this perfume is great year-round as well. Finally, it lasts quite a long time on the skin so it’s worth the expensive price tag.
The second favourite is the Maison Margiela ‘REPLICA’ By the Fireplace. This scent won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I love it. This is more of a fall/winter scent for me because it’s very spicy with clove, chestnut and vanilla. It’s also a unisex scent which I’ve noticed that I do enjoy wearing more unisex scents. This perfume gives me dark academia vibes which I love.
And that is my extremely long 2021 beauty favourites post! Let me know in the comments what some of your favourites products were this year. As well just wanted to mention there won’t be a new blog post this Friday since it’s Christmas Eve. Hope everyone who celebrates has a wonderful Christmas!
Leave it to Lea 