Beauty – Page 2 – Leave it to Lea

July Boxycharm 2022

August 2, 2022August 1, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Sorry for not posting much! I had two trips within a week this year so I’ve been very busy this month! But stay tuned because I will soon post a round-up from my Vancouver trip. I also went to the US and picked up some products there so expect a haul at some point as well. Let’s get into my July Boxycharm!

July Boxycharm featuring Juice Beauty, Phase Zero Makeup, Eloise Beauty, KNDR Beauty and Tresluce Beauty

The first product in the box was the Phase Zero Makeup The Necessities Eyeshadow Palette. This is a really good everyday eyeshadow palette. There is a nice balance between matte and shimmer shades. All the shades work well together. The only thing is I wish there was a darker brown shade to really deepen the crease or do eyeliner with. The mattes blend easily. If you’re looking for a crazy metallic or shimmery eyeshadow, this isn’t it. Instead, it’s great for everyday use to just add a little sparkle to the eyes. I see myself using this on a daily basis. Price: $40 US

The second product is the Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum. This is a very pricey product so it’s great to receive it in my box. I won’t lie guys I’m pretty scared about using retinol. I’ve heard that it can cause purging and I’m currently dealing with some serious breakouts. I’ve only used this twice and strictly on my forehead since I don’t get breakouts there and it’s where most of my wrinkles are. Obviously using a product twice isn’t enough to see results. I haven’t had any immediate negative side effects so I’m going to continue cautiously using it on my forehead and see how it goes. Price: $72 US, $94 CAD

I love getting brushes in my box, and the Eloise Beauty Prism Luxury Eyeshadow Brush Set is no exception. This set comes with our eye brushes. I always like getting new eye brushes since I dirty mine so quickly. The brush hairs are super soft, with all four being made of synthetic fibres. I think the handles are super cute but they are very lightweight – I would call them cute not luxurious haha. Either way, these brushes are right up my alley and I’m excited to use them. Price: $22 US, $28 CAD

The next product is the KNDR Beauty Kind Bronze. They have only two shades of bronzer, which I think is a real shame. I’m finally starting to develop a tan so the bronzer works for me now but I can see that it might be too dark in the winter. It would also be too light for those with a darker complexion. The formula itself is nice. It’s very pigmented so I make sure to use a light hand and tap off the excess. It’s not bad but not the best bronzer I’ve ever tried. Price: $19 US

The final product is the Tresluce Beauty Bold Y Atrevida Liquid Lip Tint. Lip tints are having a moment again thanks to the new Fenty one (which I desperately want but can’t get because it’s sold out). I was very excited to try it out! I have the shade Daring which is a brown/rose nude. The lip tint has a very dewy finish that isn’t quite like a lip gloss but is very comfortable on the lips. I was a little disappointed at the wear time. When I think of a lip tint I expect there to be colour on my lips all day and I found by mid-afternoon there wasn’t anything left on my lips. It lasts longer than a lip gloss but not all day. I will reach for it again but it doesn’t necessarily scratch my lip tint itch. Also, the lip tint reminds me of the fluoride foam that I had at the dentist as a kid, not my favourite scent. Price: $18 US, $24 CAD

The total value of the box is $171 US. The Juice Beauty serum alone makes this box worth it since the product is so expensive! Let me know what you guys think in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

June Boxycharm 2022

June 28, 2022June 26, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today I am sharing with you my June Boxycharm! I can’t believe it’s the end of June already, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing my May Boxycharm. Let’s get into this month’s box.

The first product is the Eloise Beauty Sahara Nights Eyeshadow Palette. I’ll be honest that I haven’t used this palette yet. I want to keep it and use this palette because the eyeshadows look so pretty. But I don’t wear much eyeshadow regularly and it’s even rarer that I wear glitters. Not the most practical item for me but that’s just my personal preference! Price: $35 US, $42 CAD

The next product is the Tula Skincare Glow Hour Brightening & Neutralizing Eye Balm. This balm is supposed to cool, hydrate and brighten the undereye area. It has a peach colour that is supposed to neutralize the blue and purple tones that can occur under the eyes. I was pretty underwhelmed by this product. It provides the same amount of hydration as a regular eye cream would give. I didn’t really notice any difference in the brightness of my undereye. If you’re looking for colour corrector coverage this isn’t it. Maybe over time, it could help brighten but I didn’t see any immediate difference. Price: $32 US

A product that I am loving so far is the Dr. Brandt Backlight Primer. This primer is meant to smooth the skin, help with the appearance of pores and increase the wear time of makeup. This primer reminds me a lot of the NYX marshmallow primer because it gives that smooth skin looks without feeling like silicone. My skin looks smoother and my makeup lasts longer. This is the second Dr. Brandt primer I’ve tried and I’ve loved both of them. I would recommend trying this out. Price: $38 US

Another product I’ve been enjoying is the Viseart Bronze in the shade Noix. There is nothing crazy about this product, it’s just a plain old powder bronzer. But the tone of the bronzer is quite nice. It’s pretty neutral and works well with my fair skin. I appreciate the Viseart has quite a few shades of bronzer instead of one ‘universal’ shade. I hope that Boxycharm gave out different shades to match different people’s complexions! My only complaint is I find the cardboard to be a little cumbersome to unfold but it could be easily depotted into a magnetic palette as well. Price: $30 US

And the final product is the Give Them Lala Skin Stay Calm Soothing Sheet Masks. The pack comes with four sheet masks. These masks are meant to leave the skin feeling hydrated, soft and smooth. The masks are very saturated and lay nicely on the face. It has a very gentle, spa-like scent which I like. After I took off the mask there was an excess of serum that I let soak into my skin. My skin felt hydrated but quite tacky after. The tacky feeling did go away after an hour. The tackiness would probably be helpful if you’re applying makeup after using the mask. Price: $30 US

And the total of the box is $165, which I think is a pretty good price! Like most boxes, I think there are some products that I see myself using often and others that I probably won’t use much. There was also a great mix of brands in this month’s box. Let me know what you guys think in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Review, Skincare

Juno & Co Cleansers Review

June 17, 2022June 14, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Sorry for the sporadic nature of my posting lately. My life has been a little chaotic and it’s been that content creation has taken a bit of a back seat. That being said, I’m here to share a product review!

Back in April, I was kind enough to receive some products from the lovely Juno & Co. This post is by no means sponsored, I’m just writing it to show my appreciation for my first beauty PR package *eek*. Juno & Co is a small skincare brand from California that focuses on clean and sustainable products. They sent me three different products to try. Since I got the package back in April, I’ve had plenty of time to test the products. So let’s get into it.

The first product I tried was their CLEAN 10 CLEANSING BALM. This is an oil-based cleansing balm meant for all skin types to remove makeup. It has only ten ingredients (hence the name). I think this is a pretty good cleansing balm. It’s really good at breaking down all the makeup on my face. I will say it struggles a bit with eyelash glue so I find that I have to use a little more than usual to get rid of any residual glue. It has a nice citrus scent and leaves my face feeling clean. It’s a reasonable price at $20 so I would recommend it!

The second product I tried was their CLARIFYING CLEANSING POWDER. I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical when I first got this cleanser. It’s a powder that turns into foam once you add water to it. The cleanser has papaya enzymes and rice powder to help exfoliate the skin and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin. I honestly thought I wasn’t going to like this cleanser but I do enjoy it! The powder does foam up really well and keeps a bit of the grittiness to gently exfoliate the skin. I think if you travel often this would be a great cleanser because it’s a powder so it won’t count as a liquid for a carry-on! My only negative is that I dropped the cap and it cracked in half, so I had to hot glue it back together. But that might be my fault. 😅

The final product I tried was their CLEANSING COOKIE. I will say that this works but it’s just not my favourite way to cleanse my face. I think that reusable makeup removers are great at cutting down waste. They’re also perfect for those moments when I just don’t really feel like washing my face but still need to remove my makeup. That being said, I find they don’t do as good of a job compared to using a cleansing balm which is why I don’t reach for them often. This Cleansing Cookie does a great job of removing the makeup but I still feel the need to double cleanse after. But if you love reusable makeup removers then check this one out.

And that is my review of some Juno & Co skincare goodies! If you’ve tried this brand before let me know what your thoughts are in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Makeup, Skincare

May Boxycharm 2022

June 7, 2022June 5, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Sorry, it’s a little late but here is my May Boxycharm review! I got the box this month in decent time so I did a thorough testing of each product. Let’s get into it!

The first product is the Skin Inc Serum Glow Filter. The brand claims to be the first ‘skincare makeup’ which I don’t necessarily think is true. The Glow Recipe Dew Drops immediately come to my mind when I think of skincare makeup. Anyway, this is a primer with skincare ingredients that should give a glowy, pearlized finish to the skin and reduce the look of pores and redness. I like this primer but I don’t think it does all that it claims. My skin looks dewy and smooth but I don’t see a pearlized finish nor and reduction in redness. It’s nice and I’ll continue to use it but I think there are better and cheaper options on the market. Price: $50 US

The next product is the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Body 12% AHA/BHA Resurfacing Body Serum. I was happy to receive this body lotion because I was on the market for another one! I don’t suffer from any bumps on my body so I can’t judge that aspect of the product. It has a serum-like consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. The smell of the active ingredients is quite strong, giving the body serum a medicinal-like quality along with a honey scent. Also, I rubbed this on my legs right after shaving and it slightly stung anywhere I accidentally knocked myself. The scent does fade once applied. If you’re looking for a product to help clear bumps, I would recommend checking out other people’s reviews since I can’t attest to that claim. Price: $40 US, $52 CAD

Cream blush is one of my favourite products right now so I was very excited to try the Ciate London Dewy Blush. I received the shade Coconut which is a nude shade. I was a little hesitant because I was unsure how the gel-like formula would work with my oily skin. But it was great! It’s very easy to apply and can even be blended out using just fingers. It is a subtle formula but I prefer that because it’s so easy to overdo blush. My only complaint is that it does fade pretty quickly so it’s not the longest-lasting formula. If you like a dewy and subtle blush check this one out! Price: $22 US, $26 CAD

The next product is the Basic Beauty Eyeshadow Primer. I haven’t been wearing a ton of eyeshadow recently so I haven’t used this product a lot. The few times I have used the primer it’s worked well. I find that setting the primer helps the shadows blend better whereas not setting the primer helps the shadow pop and look more saturated. As the name of the company, it’s a pretty basic primer. Helps prevent creasing but doesn’t do anything special. Price: $18 US

And the final product is V Kosmetik Creamy Liquid Velvet Lipstick. I decided to not test out this product in order to donate it. I don’t often wear liquid lipsticks anymore and if I do I have a few that I know that I like. I much rather pass this product along to someone who could get good use of it instead of just letting it sit in my makeup drawer. Price: $22 US

The total of the box is $152. This box was alright. None of the products were horrible but I’m also not immediately in love with any of the products. Let me know what you guys think in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, empties, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

Product Empties May 2022

May 24, 2022May 23, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! It’s time for another product empties. I don’t know if these types of posts are very popular anymore. I love doing them because it allows me to follow up on products I’ve mentioned before and give my in-depth thoughts. I’ve been finishing a bunch of products lately. I’m trying to limit to 10 products per post but I have another 15 so maybe sometime I should do a Youtube video? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Let’s get into it!

The first product was the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. I’ve mentioned this before but I use a face lotion on my chest and back because those areas are acne-prone. Using my heavily scented body lotions breaks me out in those areas so I use lotions like this CeraVe one. I liked this moisturizer! First, it’s a pump which I prefer for body lotions. The formula is thin but still moisturizing. It sinks very quickly into the skin and isn’t sticky. And best of all it’s from the drugstore! I tried to repurchase this and it was sold out everywhere! I picked up a different lotion but would get this again in the future. This lotion has my stamp of approval.

A haircare empty was the Moroccan Oil All in One Leave-In Conditioner. Just want to note that this isn’t curly-girl approved but I was all out of leave-in conditioner and was gifted this so I was like might as well use it. And I did enjoy it! I did a nice job of adding a little moisture to my hair. I still think my favourite is the leave-in by Living Proof. I wouldn’t repurchase it because it’s not curly-girl approved but I think it’s worth trying out if that is not something you look for in your products!

A mask empty!! It takes me forever to go through masks and the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner Pore Purifying Mask was no exception. I got this mask in a Boxycharm back in 2018… that’s a long time. This mask wasn’t bad it just wasn’t my favourite. The mask is white with little beads that turn blue as you rub it into the skin. This is a pore-purifying mask and I just have masks that do a better job. I won’t be repurchasing and wouldn’t recommend it.

Another Boxycharm product was the Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter. I got this product back in September 2021, not four years ago haha. My initial review was that this would be great for people with dry skin and that thought still stands. It has a very creamy texture that is very hydrating. My only issue is that it wasn’t the most effective cleansing product I’ve ever used. It’s fine for light, everyday makeup but if I was wearing liquid eyeliner or lash glue it wasn’t very good at removing it. I finished the product but I won’t be repurchasing it.

One of the many cleansers I recently finished was the Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. This is a gentle cleanser with AHAs and hyaluronic acid to help with skin texture, oiliness and acne. When they say this is a gentle cleanser they weren’t joking. If you have sensitive skin you might enjoy this. But I personally found it wasn’t strong enough for my skin. I will not be repurchasing this.

The next product was the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. I was a little disappointed with this product. Everyone raved online that this setting spray would help make my makeup last long and I didn’t notice a difference. I was also not a big fan of the scent either, it was very floral which I personally don’t like. Now this might be because I got the mini size, but I found the nozzle often got clogged and would spray big droplets all over my face. If you want a long wear setting spray I would recommend the Milani Make It Last which is half the price of this Charlotte Tilbury one.

A cleanser that I didn’t even finish was the Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser. Unfortunately, this cleanser broke me out so I stopped using it. I know it has Vitamin E in it which does clog my pores but I’m unsure if that was what was causing me to break out. Either way, I would suggest being cautious if you wish to try out this cleanser.

Another setting spray that I finished was the Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray. If you read my Sephora haul post then you would know that I already repurchased this setting spray. Unlike the Charlotte Tilbury spray, I do notice a difference in my skin when I use this spray. It just helps smooth my skin and blur my pores. It’s great after I use powder to just make everything look more skin-like. I highly recommend checking out this setting spray.

The final cleanser I finished was the Glamglow SUPERCLEANSE Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. This was my shower cleanser. I generally keep on cleanser in the shower so I don’t have to remember to bring one from my skincare to the shower each time. I generally relegate cleanser I’m not as fond of or ones that aren’t as strong to the shower. I chose this one to be a shower cleanser because it’s a messy cleanser and it’s easier to contain the mess in the shower. Since it’s a charcoal cleanser it would leave grey water stains in my sink. Also this has a licorice scent which I do not like so I would also hold my breath while using this cleanser. Probably would have returned it if I had purchased it but I got it in my Boxycharm so I was persistent and finished it instead. I will not be repurchasing though.

The final product today is the Frank Body Caffeinated Scalp Scrub. This was another Boxycharm product. This was my first time using a scalp scrub and it was alright. It felt nice in my scalp to use it but I didn’t really see a difference in my scalp or hair after using the scrub. I have a rubber scrubber that I use with my shampoo and I find that stimulates my scalp enough to help with product build up and dandruff. Overall maybe if you use a lot of product in your roots you would like this more but it just wasn’t for me.

And those are my product empties! Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of these products and what your thoughts were!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Review

April Boxycharm 2022

May 3, 2022May 23, 2022by Lea2 Comments

Hey guys! Today I’m sharing my thoughts on my April Boxycharm. I will say that this will be a mixed review because of some products I’ve tested and otherwise I haven’t even tried – oops! Let’s get into it.

The first item is the Beauty Bakerie Sour Ya Doin’? Eyeshadow Palette. I was excited to receive this palette because I’ve heard great things about Beauty Bakerie eyeshadows. I like the colour story but I will say they’re not necessarily the most wearable everyday shades for my skin tone. I think this palette would look gorgeous on deeper skin tones. For me, it’s a more bold, colourful palette. I’ve yet to use the shimmers because they’re a little deep for everyday use. I have used the mattes and they are a great formula. I like the palette so far and can’t wait to play with it more. Price: $38 US

I was just thinking to myself the other day that it’s been a while since I’ve tested a new powder and then BAM I got the Viseart Seamless Setting Powder. I must say that the shifter on this powder is one of the best I’ve seen on a loose setting powder. It keeps the powder locked in when it’s closed but it’s easy to tap some out when I open the lid. So many loose-setting powders either let powder fly everywhere or are so difficult to get the powder out of so I appreciate that. The actual powder is pretty good. It does a good job of setting everything and gives a slight blurring effect to the last. By the end of the day, my face is a little oily and creasy which is pretty good since I have very oily skin. Overall I like this powder and I’m excited to own it. Price: $35 US

I am unfortunately not a huge fan of the Christophe Robin Instant Volume Mist. This mist is supposed to make thin, fine or flat hair feel thicker and have more body. I don’t normally struggle with that but I thought that a little more volume couldn’t hurt. If it did add any volume I didn’t notice because it made my hair so fizzy. Every time I used this mist as well my hair didn’t curl very well. This is quite surprising because this is a curly-girl-approved product. Either way, this mist just didn’t work well with my hair so I will not be using it again. Price: $39 US, $51 CAD

A product I really really like is the Item Beauty by Addison Rae Lash Snack Lengthening Mascara. You guys know I love lengthening mascaras, and this is one of the best I’ve tried yet. I will say that it gives barely any volume but the length is insane. This is great everyday mascara. It would also be great on the lower lashline. My only gripe is that the brush head is quite small so it just takes a little longer to coat all the lashes. But this mascara, along with my new Bite Beauty mascara, are easily my new favourite mascaras.

The final product is the Persona Cosmetics 24HR Waterproof Eyeliner. I’ll have to be honest, I haven’t tried this eyeliner yet. I’ve been keeping the eyes very minimal lately so I haven’t had the chance to try it. I do want to try this eyeliner eventually because I’ve heard great things about Persona Cosmetics. Price: $14 US

The overall total of the box is $141 US. This box is quite hit or miss. I like the mascara and the powder. On the other hand, I haven’t even used the eyeliner yet and I don’t like the hair mist. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. And if you are subscribed to Boxycharm, let me know what products you got in your May box!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Haul, Makeup, Review, Skincare

Sephora Sale Haul + Review

April 26, 2022April 26, 2022by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! I am finally sharing my Sephora Spring Savings sale haul with you all. I know the sale has been long over so sorry about the delay. It’s been a very hectic month, to say the least. I gave my first impressions of the products in my Youtube video that I posted on Sunday. I filmed that video over a week ago so I’ve been able to test the products more. Let’s get into it!

The products I picked up during the Sephora Spring Savings event.

Starting with my one skincare product, I picked up the Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser. I picked this up because I finished my other exfoliator and had this on my wishlist. This cleanser has natural jojoba and carnauba wax to gently exfoliate as well as ginseng and caffeine to boost radiance. I initially liked this cleanser. It’s not too abrasive but still does a good job of leaving my skin feel soft and smooth. I like that it has a slight ginger and citrus smell. My skin has been breaking out lately and I’m not sure if it’s because of this cleanser or some other products I’m testing. I’m going to continue testing it and I’ll give you guys an update if I figure out if it’s this cleanser or another product.

I decided to pick up another perfume this sale. It’s starting to become a thing that I pick up a new perfume each sale haha. This time I got the Ellis Brooklyn SALT Eau de Parfum Travel Spray. I got this travel-sized spray because this is a very summery scent, so I don’t see myself using this much except during the summer. The notes are ylang-ylang, violet leaves, tiare flower, magnolia, ambergris, musk and sandalwood. It reminds me of a beach in the summer but without the coconut. I can’t wait for it to be summer so I can wear this all the time!

If you watched my haul video, you would know I was quite on the fence of the shade I got in the Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick. I got the shade Slip, which they describe as a warm neutral. I find that it’s quite brown on me. I like to wear a pink lip liner underneath to help warm up the lipstick and make it look less like I have chocolate on my mouth. I really really like the formula. It’s a very sheer and satin finish, so it’s very comfortable on the lips. It does wear off easily but it’s super easy to reapply. I love Merit’s lip oils more, but these are still great lipsticks.

A product that I repurchased is the Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray. I got the mini during the last sale and I just recently finished it. I love it so much that I decided to upgrade to the full-sized setting spray. It’s unlike anything in my collection because it visibly blurs my pores and makes my makeup last longer without making my face look matte. Oftentimes long-lasting setting sprays are mattifying but not this one. But it also isn’t dewy or glowy either. It just helps blur everything. This setting spray is starting to cement itself in the hall of fame alongside my Mac Fix + and Urban Decay All Nighter. It’s so good!!

Another product that is quickly becoming a holy grail is the Nudestix Brow Set Gel XL. I wasn’t the biggest brow gel person before. I would only use it if my brows were getting particularly unruly. Since I’ve gotten this Nudestix brow gel, I’ve used it every day. It does an amazing job of putting my brow hairs in place without looking slicked down or like there is something in my brows. Sometimes clear brow gel will have a white cast but not the case with this brow gel! If you’re looking for something to laminate your brows this might not be the product for you. But if you just want to keep everything in place, check out this brow gel!

I’m so happy I placed my order on the first sale of the sale because the Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines – Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush is sold out in the shade that I got! I got the shade She’s Blushing, which they describe as a beige. Not sure why they describe it as beige because I think it’s pink. But I am loving this blush duo! The cream is so pigmented but very easy to blend. And the powder is so long-lasting, which doesn’t often happen with blushes. It’s a little on the pricey side, but it is two products in one in a beautiful compact so I’d say it’s worth it. If you’re a blush fan you need to check this product out.

And the final product I purchased is the JVN Nurture Deep Moisture Mask. If you follow my blog then you would know I’m on the hunt for a good hair mask. I’ve only used this mask once so far so it’s a little early for me to have formed my opinions yet. My first impression is that the mask has a strong scent that has lingered in my hair in the days since I’ve washed it. It’s a unisex scent, almost musky in quality but I don’t mind it. I would say that my hair does feel soft but I want to use it more and compare it to my regular conditioner before making any judgements. I will keep you guys updated on the mask.

And those are the products I got during my Sephora sale! Let me know in the comments what you guys got during the sale. I always love discussing what people got because it gives me ideas for the next time I order hehe.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Review

Bite Beauty Upswing Full Volume Mascara Review

April 19, 2022April 19, 2022by Lea2 Comments

Hey guys! Today I have a mascara review for you! I’m trying to be better about throwing out old, expired mascaras so I’ve recently had to purge quite a few from my collection. Throwing out old mascaras gives me the perfect excuse to pick up a new one! So let’s get into today’s review.

After seeing multiple great reviews, I decided to try the Bite Beauty Upswing Full Volume Mascara. This is a clean and vegan mascara. It’s supposed to be volumizing, deliver lift, length and curl as well as flake-resistant. I prefer a mascara that has that nice balance of length and volume so it sounded right up my alley.

I’ve had this mascara for over a month so I’ve put it to the test. I generally find that I need to test mascara for a longer period of time because I find the formula changes once the tube has been opened for a bit. That was the case with this Bite Beauty mascara. I found that it gave good length right away, but it wasn’t until I had opened the tube for a few weeks that I noticed it helped with volume.

I like this mascara! It gives great volume without looking clumpy. It gives length and most importantly stays curled throughout the day. I hate when my lashes fall through the day. I tried wearing this mascara with bold eyeliner and I was able to still see my lashes so that means that this is a great lengthening mascara for me!

The only claim that I can’t attest to is flake resistance because I don’t normally have issues with mascara flaking on me. But I can also say that the mascara is easy to remove with is also a plus.

Overall I do like this mascara! If it sounds like a formula you would enjoy then I would recommend checking it out! Let me know if you guys have tried this mascara in the comments. Also, let me know what your current favourite mascara is, I’m looking to pick up another one soon!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup, Skincare

My 2022 Spring Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations List

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! With the Spring Sephora VIB sale starting today for Rouge, I thought now would be the time to share my recommendations for the sale! The Sephora Spring Savings Event runs from April 1-11 for Rouge, April 5-11 for VIB and April 7-11 for VIB. The savings range from 10-20% off depending on what level you are, so it’s the perfect time of year to pick up something you’ve been eyeing. During the last sale, I did a super in-depth list and I still stand by all those recommendations so check out that post! Today I wanted to keep it short and sweet. If someone were to put a gun to my head and say “You’re only allowed to recommend five of your favourite products” then these would be my picks.

Starting with my current obsession, the Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil. I picked this up when I did my Testing Beauty Youtubers’ 2021 Favourites post and my love for it has only grown since then. I brought this with me to Vancouver and let my friend try it. She loved it so much she picked one up for herself. I also gave my mom one for her birthday and she also loves it. So I am sharing this wonderful lip product with all of you to go out and get during the sale. It’s sheer but still has enough pigmentation where it’s not a clear gloss. Since it’s an oil it feels so comfortable on the lips. It can be worn by itself or on top of lip liners or lipsticks. I have the shade Taupe and it’s my perfect your-lips-but-better shade. If there is one product from this list you should buy, it’s this lip oil.

The second makeup product I recommend is one I’ve mentioned dozens of times but it’s the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I have tried so many concealers and I’ll love them for a couple of weeks and then I find myself going back to this one. The concealer is true to its name, it’s so creamy so it’s a dream to blend. It’s medium coverage so it helps brighten the undereyes but doesn’t look cakey. Because it’s creamy it can get a little creasy near the end of day but it’s easier to touch up with a beauty blender or powder. If you haven’t tried this concealer yet I highly recommend it.

Moving onto skincare, a product that I’ve been hyping up a lot lately is the Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots. These make such a difference with my breakouts. Whenever I have a gross whitehead I’ll put one on before bed and by the next morning it’s cleaned out all the gunk. I notice my skin doesn’t scare as badly, or sometimes at all, when I use a patch on top of a whitehead. The key is that these are most effective on whiteheads. If you have something that is below the surface it’s not as effective. I know their not the cheapest on the market but these acne patches are by far the best I’ve tried so far.

I recently repurchased the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm and I’ve fallen in love all over again. I’m telling you it’s the best makeup cleansing balm out there. It does the best job at removing all my makeup, including liner, lash glue and glitter. Yet it’s still pretty gentle at the same time. My skin doesn’t feel stripped after. I would say that the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm is a close second, but the Farmacy one just leaves my skin feeling cleaner. I also think that if you wear makeup getting a cleansing balm is one of the best skincare products to invest in because properly cleansing your skin will go a long way to preventing breakouts.

The final recommendation I have is not necessarily the most exciting product but it’s something I use every single day – the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer. I have very oily eyelids and if I don’t prime them then my eyeshadow creases so badly. This primer does an amazing job at ensuring my eyeshadow stays put and doesn’t move around. I know that tinted and tacky eyeshadow primers (such as P. Louise) are popular but I find those so difficult to work with. I just apply a little bit of the primer and then set it with some powder and I’m good to go. I also only need a tiny amount so this tube has lasted me forever. It’s not an exciting product but one that will make a real difference in your final makeup look.

And those are my five Sephora sale recommendations! Let me know what you guys are picking up during the sale in the comments. And of course, I’ll be sharing what I get so stay tuned for that!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

March 2022 Boxycharm

March 29, 2022March 28, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Long time no time from me! I’ve been feeling quite burnout lately when it comes to creating content so I just took a bit of a break. Posting might be a bit sporadic for a bit while I try to find my groove again. But do not worry I have no plans to stop any time soon! With that being said, today’s post is going to be my March Boxycharm. I always filmed my video version, so make sure to check that out to see the products in again. Let’s get into it.

The first product, which was chosen product for the month, is the Korres Santorini Grape Velvet Skin Drink. I’ve heard good things about the brand but haven’t tried any of their products before. This serum is meant for all skin types to help with imperfections, texture and give hydration. It’s kind of meant to do everything. I’ve only used it for a week, so it might take a little longer to notice a difference in imperfections and texture. I will say that it’s a thin serum but still manages to give some instant hydration to the skin. Not as much as a hyaluronic acid serum but still good. It absorbs into the skin quickly which I also appreciate. I’m excited to continue using the serum and see if it helps improve my skin. Price: $48 US, $60 CAD

The next product is the LYS Beauty Secure Skin Gripping Serum Primer. This primer is meant to help with the look of pores and shine control. It’s a serum so it’s a very thin product and I often find I pour out too much. It’s easy to blend onto the skin and is slightly tacky, which helps grip the foundation. I find that the primer works better with matte foundations. When I use this primer and a dewy foundation it doesn’t help keep the shiny at bay. While I find it doesn’t help the look of pores or shine, it does help my foundation last longer which is nice. I’m not in love with this primer but am willing to continue testing it out. Price: $20 US, $26 CAD

The second skincare product I received is the Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask. This mask is packed with active ingredients to help with hyperpigmentation, scarring and fine lines. I’ve only used this mask once and this is something that needs to be used regularly to notice a difference. It reminds me of the Inkey List Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel where it’s using a very strong concentration of active ingredients to help brighten and clear the skin. I prefer using a serum over a mask because I don’t have to rinse it off. But I’m willing to continue trying this mask and see if it makes a difference. Price: $19.95 US, $25.95 CAD

This month I have two products that I have decided not to test. The first product is the Aesthetica Cream Contour Kit. I have quite a few reasons for not testing this out. First I own a powder contour kit that has the same layout of three highlight shades and three contour shades, so I felt like I didn’t need the cream versions. I also don’t use the contour kit that often so I can’t justify having two. Second I already have cream contours so I didn’t feel like I need to test out more. Third, this is a universal kit so I won’t use every shade anyways. Overall I couldn’t see myself using it very often after testing it and therefore thought it best not to open it. Now that it’s unopen I can donate it to someone who will use it more than me. Price: $40 US

The final product in my box is the Styledry Coconut & Fig Hair Mask. I’m trying to be mindful of what products I use on my hair and trying to stay clear of products containing sulphates and silicones. The mask is sulphate free but contains a bunch of different silicones. Silicones often coat the hair to make it feel soft and silky but ultimately weigh down my curls, which I’ve trying to avoid. So I will be passing along this mask to someone who doesn’t mind silicones! Price: $16.95 US

The total value of my box is $144.90, which is great! While I might not be using two products I still got great value I believe. If you guys are subscribed to Boxycharm let me know in the comments which products you received. And if you tried out any of these products let me know what your think of them!

xoxo

Lea