Hey guys! So today I am giving you my update on my project pan. It’s been four months since I picked the products so I thought it was time to do a little review. For those of you who didn’t read my first post and don’t know what a project pan is, I’ll quickly re-explain. I picked five products that I’m trying to either hit pan or finish. I’m going to show you my progress and also decide if I want to stick with these products or switch it up.
So the first product is my Colourpop x Kathleen Lights Dream St palette. Sorry, this product is discontinued but that’s kind of the reason why I picked it. That way I can get some use out of it. I will say though that I haven’t used this palette very much. To be fair, I’ve tested numerous eyeshadow palettes in the past couple of months so I haven’t been able to use it as much. My goal was to hit pan in four different shades and I’m far from it. I didn’t realize how much work it takes to pan a product. I’m going to stick with this palette because I’m determined to hit pan in at least one of the shades in this palette!
The next product is the BareMinerals Translucent Powder Duo – another discontinued product. I have made tremendous progress with the matte side. In the beginning, the powder was still pretty square and was just starting to have some holes in it. By the way, the product has holes in it because it’s a baked powder. Now there is a large dip in the product and it’s covered in holes. I’m pretty proud of the matte side. The glow side, on the other hand, I’m not a fan of. I find the highlight to be very pale and therefore leaves a white stripe on my face. So I’ve given up on that side. I will continue using the matte side until I finish it.
I have decided to pick a new highlight since I don’t like BareMinerals one. I have decided to pick the Temptu Liquid Glow. I got this in my very first Boxycharm – so it’s time to use it up. Also with the weather turning warmer, I thought it would be nice to switch to a liquid since I prefer liquids and creams in the summer. It’s about half full, so ideally I would like to get it down to a quarter by my update in July.
The next product is the Wander Beauty Trip for Two Blush and Bronzer Duo. I’ve made good progress on the bronzer. Even just comparing the two pans, the bronzer is significantly lower down than the blush. I’m surprised I haven’t made more of an impact in the blush. I did test the Colourpop blushes so that could be a reason. I also think I just use less blush than bronzer. I apply bronzer all over my faces and quite heavily, whereas blush I only use a little. I debated whether or not I wanted to switch up these products. Because I am getting tired of using them and I do like using creams in the summer. But I feel like I’m close to hitting pan on the bronzer. I think once I hit pan on the bronzer I’ll switch up my bronzer and blush.
Next product is my lip gloss, the MAC Cremesheen Glass in the shade Calypso Beat. The formula still exists but the shade is discontinued. When the lip gloss is upright and settles, I can see that there is about half of it left. I can also swirl the wand around and see through the gloss. I’m pretty proud of this progress. I want to continue using this gloss and ideally finish it. I think I can do it.
The final product is the Maybelline Lipstick Colour Sensational in Nearly Nude. It’s hard to compare in the photo if I’ve made progress. I should have measured the bullet accurately to tell if I’ve made progress. (For future reference, I have measured it and it’s currently at 1.2cm.) I think I’ve made progress though. I do try to wear this lipstick as much as possible. I’m going to continue to use this lipstick because I think I can finish it. Something I do to help change it up is I pair different lip liners and it helps change the tone of the lipstick. So it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing the same lipstick all the time.
And that is my update on my project pan situation. I haven’t hit pan on anything yet but I’ve made some decent progress. I’m only switching up one product. We’ll see how much progress I can make on it! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about these products.
Hey guys! Time for my March Boxycharm post! Another month is over – honestly March felt like the longest month ever. Glad that winter is finally behind us and hopefully onto warmer weather. Let’s get into this month’s box.
The first product we have is the Limecrime Venus 3 Eyeshadow Palette. This is the perfect spring palette. I probably would have included it in my spring eyeshadow palettes post if I had received it earlier. The Venus 3 palette includes a mix of purples and pinks. There is a nice mix between darker and softer shades. I was able to create a bold eyeshadow look and also softer looks for everyday wear. There is a nice mix of textures as well. The shades Beam and Heavenly are glitters that don’t have a lot of base pigment to them whereas Paradise and Beloved are your classic metallic shimmer. The shade Rapture is unique because it’s more of a matte with glitter running through it. Overall I like this palette, but I don’t see myself necessarily reaching for it everyday. I do enjoy these tones but I usually gravitate towards warm browns. If you’re interested in the palette then go ahead, the quality is great. But I don’t see this being the everyday palette for most people. Price: $38 US or $49 CAD
Up next we have mascara! I don’t have to buy mascaras anymore because I feel like I get a new one every few months. 😂 This month’s mascara is the TooFaced Damn Girl! Mascara. So far it’s okay. I find it hard to rate a mascara at first because I do find that the formula can change as it dries out. This mascara is meant to give volume, lift and provide a curl hold. I will say that it does achieve all of those things, but those aren’t things I necessarily look for in mascara. Similar to how people with different skin types need different foundations, people need different things from their mascaras. I don’t struggle with lift or curl hold. I do like some volume but I prefer length. Not a huge fan of the wand. It’s super large so it’s hard to apply without getting mascara on my eyelid. Overall I’ll continue to use it because it’s not bad. But it’s not my favourite mascara. Price: $26 US or $33 CAD
My favourite product in the box is hands down the KAB Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Oil. It gives the hydration of a lip balm and the shine of a lip gloss. It’s not sticky, if anything it feels smooth and soft on the lips. And it lasts so long on the lips. I’ll apply it and four hours later my lips still have some of the oil on. It has a soft coconut scent which is so yummy and the large doe foot applicator makes it easy to apply on the lips. Mine has a blue shade that goes on clear on the lips, but there are other shades as well. This has become my new go-to lip balm it’s so good! Price: $20 US
The next product in the box is the Lavish Wet Brush Cleaning System. Honestly not sure about the legitimacy of this product because the website is kinda weird. So proceed with caution. The actual product itself isn’t bad. There is a little circle of soap that is meant to clean your brushes. On the back of the lid is a little silicone pad that can help clean the brushes. I have a larger pad that I use to clean my brushes. The soap was okay. It did a similar job of cleaning my brushes compared to other brush cleansers. I did notice that a few of my brushes had some residue left though. You know when you don’t properly wash out your conditioner and your hair is kinda greasy? That’s what a few of my brushes felt like. I guess I didn’t probably wash the cleanser out of those. I also found my face brushes weren’t as clean as my eye brushes because the silicone pad is small so it didn’t have the surface area to clean them. Something I wanted to mention is that I’ve tried the Beauty Blender version of this product and I had mold grow it in. So I switched to the liquid cleanser. Not sure if it would also happen with this Lavish cleanser but just something I wanted to note. Price: $15 US
The final product is the Maven Beauty Rose Water Setting Spray. This setting spray has rose water in it that’s meant to help lock in your makeup and prevent smudging up to 16 hours. When I first tried this in my unboxing video the scent was quite strong. I’m not a big rose person, it’s just not my favourite scent. It also has alcohol as the second ingredient and I could smell that as well. While I don’t like the scent the setting spray itself is pretty good. This is a setting spray that will set your makeup and make it last longer. It is not hydrating. If you have oily skin you’ll love this, but if you have dry skin you’ll hate this. The alcohol in this helps the makeup last but can be quite drying. Overall I think it’s a pretty good setting spray. I think a similar one that is cheaper and easy to purchase is the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. The Milani one also doesn’t have an awful rose/alcohol scent. Price: $22 US
The overall total of the box is $121 US. Overall not a bad box. I mention this in my video but there are a few brands that have been known to be controversial in this box, and I tend to avoid those. If you want more of my opinion on the topic check out the video because I go into more detail. But overall I think this box is decent. I love the lip oil. The rest of the products aren’t bad and I see myself reaching for them again. There were no products this month that were bad, but I wasn’t wowed, that’s all. Let me know in the comments if you agree or if I’m being too harsh.
Hey guys! A couple of weeks ago I posted a Colourpop haul on my Youtube channel. Today I wanted to give you an update on the products that I’ve purchased. I posted an in-depth review on the Pretty Fresh tinted moisturizer last week. I will be focusing on the rest of the products today.
So let’s talk about the Colourpop x Animal Crossing collection, the whole reason why I placed my order. I think the eyeshadow palettes are very cute but I wouldn’t say that they’re complete palettes. There is only four eyeshadow in each palette and they don’t build a complete look. In the What A Hoot palette, the difference between Celestial and WHO! is pretty large. I could use Celestial in the crease and WHO! as a liner, but in the crease I need a shade between the two. In the 5 Star Island palette I could create a little bit more of a cohesive look, but it’s very pink. Using a such as Celestial in What A Hoot creates a more cohesive look. This is just a long-winded way of saying that I like these palettes but I need to use them with other palettes. I don’t mind since I have so many eyeshadow palettes, but that might be something to keep in mind. But as an Animal Crossing fan, I love these palettes and I think they make sense for the characters.
Let’s talk about the blushes. I knew I would like the shade Flower Tender. It’s a vibrant coral that is right up my alley. But I also really like Flower Power, which looks purple but translates pinker on the cheeks. These blushes are a nice level of pigmentation where I don’t have to worry about applying too much but I also don’t have to work to build it up. I will say that there is glitter in the blush but it’s not like highlight glitter. It’s a matte blush with glitter running through it. I don’t mind the glitter, it’s only noticeable up close. Tapping my brush also helps to shake off some of the glitters. Overall I like these and think they’re really cute!
Now for the sparkly products. First I have the Balloon Pop Super Shock Shadow. This is described as an icy peachy pink with hot pink and silver glitters. My shadow did come broken but because of the soft consistency of this formula I was able to mush it back together. I love Colourpop’s Super Shock Shadows and this is no exception. It does have that peach undertone but just adds the most gorgeous and easy to wear glitter appearance to the eyes. If you are looking to wear glitter this is by far the easy formula to do so.
On the other hand, there is the Bellionare Glittery Obsessed Glitter Gel. This glitter is true gold, and unlike the Super Shock formula, this is glitter in a clear gel. There is a combination of large and fine glitters. I will say that I’m not as likely to reach for this compared to other glitters. To be honest I haven’t used this yet – but I do have other Glittery Obsessed glitters so I know what the formula is like. This glitter is nice for specific looks, not everyday use. So unless you love glitter I wouldn’t recommend this. But for $10 I think it’s worth it for me because I do know I will use it, I just haven’t had the chance yet with all these other eye products to test.
Rounding out the eyeshadow category is the Kathleen Lights So Jaded palette. If you want to see me use this palette in action, then check out the three looks I did with this palette on my Youtube channel. I like this palette. There is such a large range of shades. I did three completely different looks and I can think of many more looks for this palette. While I love the fun colours, I notice that some basics are missing. This is a colourful palette that I would use in combination with a neutral palette. I also wanted to note that I did have some trouble with the shade Turquoise, which I’m not surprised because I know blues can be a difficult shade to formulate. But the rest of the mattes I had no problems with. Honestly, I enjoyed playing with this palette and I want to continue playing with it! If you like colour then I recommend this palette. If you’re not a colourful person then I would pass because there aren’t many neutrals.
Now let’s talk lashes. I got two pairs. My favourite of the two is Queenie, which has a fluffy flared look. They create the perfect cat-eye shape and just do a great job of elongating my eyes. Dame, the other pair, is wispy but has more volume. Also, I find that the last band on Dame is thicker and just more difficult to apply. I will still use Dame but I much prefer Queenie. It’s taken me a while to figure out which lash style I prefer, but in general I think I like flared lashes the most. But at $8 these lashes are great and perform just as well as other lashes I own.
And the final product is the Freckle Pen in Dark Brown. I know faux freckles have gained popularity and I was curious what the freckle pen would be like. It’s relatively easy to use. I just dot the pen on my face and lightly tap it to blend it into the skin. The longer I wait to tap the darker the freckles. The only thing is I found that it was pretty pigmented, so it was hard to make them look faint to create depth. Also, I’m kind of sad because my cap somehow fell off the other day so now my pen has changed colour. It’s now a blue-green that looks more like mold than freckles. Unfortunately for me, I will be throwing it okay because I don’t want moldy freckles. I think I’ll just go back to use brow pencils and eyeshadows for my freckles.
So that is my roundup of my Colourpop haul. I think besides the Freckle Pen that this haul was pretty successful. Let me know what you guys think. Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite Colourpop products!
Hey guys! Today I am sharing what I got in my February Boxycharm! I was impressed that I got the box early this month – I got in on the 9th I believe. I’m happy that I got in early because it gave me more time to test the products. And if you want to see these products in action make sure to check out my Youtube video!
The first product is the Frank Body Caffeinated Scalp Scrub. This scrub is meant to exfoliate the scalp to remove product build-up and detoxify the hair. Overall I’m pretty indifferent towards this product. First I forgot to use it quite a few times just because it’s not a product I would normally reach for. I don’t use a lot of hair product so I don’t get build-up. I also don’t suffer from dandruff. Even when I did use the scrub I didn’t notice a difference in my scalp or hair. I have a scalp massager and I think that does a better job of stimulating my scalp. I don’t think this is necessary. Price: $18.95 US
The next product is the Wander Beauty Getaway Eye and Face Palette. It’s funny because I’m currently using a Wander Beauty product in my project pan. Anyway, this palette has six eyeshadow, a blush and a highlighter. Just wanted to note that these shades are pretty light so they wouldn’t work for deep skin tones. And also a lot of the shades in the palette are quite similar. I find that the matte shades Villa and Chateau are very similar as well as the shimmers Bungalow and Roadtrip. For such a small palette I wish there was more variety. I think the colour story works well for a travel palette full of go-to shades, but it’s nothing special. Also something I notice in this palette as well as my other Wander Beauty duo is that the powders don’t have a long staying power. The face powder fades quickly and the shimmers lose their lustre pretty quickly. Honestly not that impressed, I think there are better products on the market. Price: $36 US
This month’s skincare product is the Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask. I was excited when I saw this because I liked their moisturizer. This is a lightweight mask that you wear while you sleep to deliver moisturizer. The mask is also supposed to help with ageing, dullness, pores, stress and texture because it also includes vitamin C, niacinamide and retinol. I’ve tried this as both a regular mask and a sleeping mask. As a regular mask, I found that it didn’t do much for moisture. I still have to apply a moisturizer after taking off the mask. As a sleeping mask, I found it was pretty good. It sank into my skin quickly so I didn’t have to worry about getting it all over my sheets. When I woke up in the morning my skin was soft and smooth. So this mask only works its magic if you have it on all night. I’ll continue to use it. Price: $29 US, $27 CAD
The next product is the NCLA Beauty So Rich Love Potion. This is a limited edition of their cuticle oil that has heart glitter as well as a rose scent. I think the glitter is such a cute addition to the oil. I enjoy looking at it. I usually only use cuticle oil while doing my nails but I know it’s useful to use it every day to see any results. I’ve been applying this oil every night before bed and I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I think my cuticles are softer but I don’t think my nails are any stronger. Also, I’m not a huge fan of the rose scent. It’s too floral and overpowering for me. I can smell it even after I’ve rubbed it in. The dropper is nice and works well. I think any cuticle oil will work though, I don’t think you need to buy this one. You can probably just pick one up from your local drugstore and it would do the trick. Price: $18 US
And the final product is The Beauty Crop Coco Gold Mist. The more I used this setting spray, the more I started to dislike it. This is supposed to be a hydrating, fine mist that can refresh your makeup while also giving a delicate amount of shimmer to the face. This mist is in no way fine. It’s quite powerful so I have to hold it super far away from my face or it will ruin my makeup. One time I sprayed it too close and it moved my makeup and separated it. The shimmer isn’t fine, it’s glitter particles. So while it might be fun for a night out, otherwise I don’t want gold glitter all over my face. I even tried spraying this without shaking the bottle and I still got glitter all over me. It does have a nice coconut scent, I’ll give them that. Ya, I’m not a fan and wouldn’t recommend it. Price: $14.99 US
The overall price is $166.94. Honestly, I’m not very impressed. Quite a few of these products were duds or not something I see myself using often. And after having a great box last month it’s disappointing to get a poor box. Let me know what you got in your box and if you felt the same.
Hey guys! Today I am reviewing the first products of Samantha Ravndahl’s brand Auric Cosmetics. I love Sam, she is one of my favourite beauty influencers and is someone I look up to in many ways. So when she announced her brand I immediately knew I had to pick up some of the products. I purchased three products and I’m going to break down everything for you guys.
So let’s start with the brand itself. Auric is a luxury, sustainable and cruelty-free makeup brand. There is also a real focus on inclusivity, which I’ll go into more detail with the Glow Lust. As with any luxury brand, that means that the products come with a higher price tag. Even though Sam is Canadian, her business partner is American and the distribute centre is in the US. All prices are in American on the site, so while my total was $123 US for three products, I had to pay more because of the exchange rate. I also had to pay $15 for shipping AND I had to pay $43 in duties because they weren’t prepaid. So in total, I paid around $200 CAD for three products. RIP my bank account. The price was in the back of my mind while testing out these products.
Glow Lust in Selenite
Glow Lust in Selenite
The first product is the Glow Lust. This is a liquid luminizer that is meant to give shine and hydration. It can be worn alone, mixed with a product or on top as a highlight. It comes in seven different shades that are skin-tone-based. So instead of it being gold, silver or pink the shades range from light cool beige to deep neutral. I love the shade range and how the shades aren’t numbered as well.
I love this product. The most similar product is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, which just expanded its shade range. The Glow Lust comes with a pump that is easy to control so I can pump out a bit or do a full pump. Also, the packaging is just so luxurious. The bottle is glass and has gold drip detail. The gap is a pain to get off though. The Charlotte Tilbury cream has a doe-foot applicator. So it’s easy to use on top of foundation but not as easy to mix in with other products.
The Charlotte Tilbury formula is shinier but doesn’t dry down completely. Auric’s Glow Lust adds the most beautiful glow from within look but it dries down and sinks into the skin. This helps it last throughout the day. I also loved adding it to my matte foundations because it adds a subtle glow to them. The only thing is that I wouldn’t necessarily say it hydrates my skin. But I don’t mind because ya girl is oily. The Glow Lust is $45 US, which is pretty on par with the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. There is a lot of product so I think this would last me forever. And that packaging is so luxe, so that’s where part of the price is going towards.
Defiance
Temper
Temper
Defiance
The other product I got was two shades of the Smoke Reflect Duos. These duos come with a creamy-matte shadow and a micro-glitter pressed eyeshadow. There are three shades. Defiance is bronze/gold, Temper is rose gold and Ego is silver. I didn’t get Ego since I don’t wear much silver eyeshadow. I will say that these shades are different than what you typically expect with those names. The cream Defiance is browner than orange bronze. Temper’s cream is only slightly pink. But I think the idea of having a cream and a pressed shadow is quite creative. I can think of a dupe for this product that has both the cream and powder off the top of my head.
For some reason, I thought the creams would be metallic but they’re not. They are more matte with a slight glimmer to them. They are also subtler than I thought. When I think of cream eyeshadows my mind goes to Colourpop or Hourglass. These are not like that and shouldn’t be compared otherwise you’d be disappointed. Once I got to understand the formula I grew to appreciate them. They would the best as a base for the glitter. Because by themselves they’re pretty plain – which I guess could be nice for an everyday look. Using a brush applies a sheer wash whereas using my finger is where I can make it look most similar to what it looks like in the jar.
The shimmers are what sold me on this product. It’s the most beautiful glitter ever. I can use a brush to create a gentle scattering of glitter or use my finger to create a very impactful look. They don’t have much basic colour to them, but that’s because they’re designed to go on top of the creams. I’ve worn them with other shadows and they look great. So overall these duos work best when you use the pressed glitter and cream together. These duos are $39 US which is pricey. A product like Hourglass’ Scattered Light could give you a similar effect with one product and it’s much cheaper. So while I do like it and think it’s pretty, I don’t think it’s necessarily worth it.
Wearing the Temper cream on the eyes
So what are my overall thoughts on the brand and what would I recommend. First, if you’re on a budget, you don’t need these products. Auric is a small brand, and I’m sure as they grow the shipping and duties will probably decrease and therefore be more affordable. But if you want to try something, I would recommend the Glow Lust over the Smoke Reflects. I think they are other products on the market that can give you a similar effect. But the Glow Lust is beautiful and there isn’t anything like it on the market. But it’s also a simple product that I see myself using every day and therefore getting my money’s worth.
Do I wish that the products were cheaper? Yes but I also understand why they are pricy. They are trying to be a better option for luxury makeup that is often not cruelty-free or inclusive. Like if you were comparing this brand to Dior or Armani then I would recommend Auric over those others. I am excited to see where Sam’s brand goes. I probably won’t be able to afford to purchase every launch but I will be cheering her on because I love her.
Let me know what you guys think about Auric and these products. What piques your interest? Do you think the products are good or too expensive? Let me know in the comments.
Hey guys! I love testing out and writing foundation reviews. This year I want to share more affordable makeup with you guys, so it only made sense to make my first foundation review this year to be a drugstore foundation! After watching a bunch of best makeup of 2020 videos and seeing the L’Oreal Infallible 24 H Fresh Wear Foundation be on top, I knew I had to try this one out for myself.
This L’Oreal foundation claims to last up to 24 hours (I don’t know anyone who wears their makeup for that long, but anyway). The claims continue with it being long-lasting as well as water, sweat and transfer-proof. The coverage is supposed to be medium to full coverage and the finish is natural. The foundation should feel lightweight and breathable on the skin.
Foundation right after application
On the first application, I realized that I am paler than I expected. I got the shade Vanilla 445, which is their light neutral shade. This shade would probably work for me in the summer when I’m tan but right now it’s a little too deep. Besides the shade mismatch, but I liked it. I would say the claim of medium to full is correct. And the finish is nice if a little matte. It does look like I’m wearing foundation but it’s not cakey looking in any way. And it felt very comfortable on the skin. It didn’t feel heavy or like I was wearing a mask. I did wish it had a little bit more glow to it, but that’s easy to add with primers or highlights.
Foundation after five hours
At five hours I didn’t notice any colour change, it was still the same shade of too-deep-for-me haha – but it didn’t oxidize. The foundation was mostly intact, it had just rubbed out in a few areas that I have the bad habit of touching such as the chin and cheek. But I would say that 80% of the foundation was still there and looking good. I wasn’t looking oily at all, which is often an issue I have with foundations. My bronzer was also still pretty visible which is nice. Overall still loving how it looked.
Foundation after nine hours
After nine hours I finally took my makeup off. By that point, a lot of the foundation had worn off and I was looking greasy. Honestly, this is pretty on par with other foundations, usually around the eight-hour mark is when my foundation is done. The issue with having oily skin is that I find foundation just slides or rubs off the greasier I get. So am I annoyed that I had no foundation left after nine hours? Not really because that’s how most foundations perform.
I wore the foundation a few more times, mixing it with other foundations and serums. I mixed it with a lighter foundation to help better match my current skin tone and it worked just as well. I also tried using a serum to make it glowy and found that the finish stayed about the same. The wear time wasn’t affected by mixing the products with other products.
Foundation mixed to better match my skin
So overall I like this foundation! I like the finish for days when I want more coverage. It also lasted pretty well. I have some foundations that fall apart at the five-hour mark. Nowadays I don’t need a foundation to last all day because let’s be real I don’t wear makeup for that long. I kind of want to get a lighter shade just to better match my skin how it is currently, but I’ll probably wait until it goes on sale for that. If you’re looking for a foundation at the drugstore, I would recommend this one!
Hope you guys found this review helpful! Let me know in the comments what your favourite drugstore foundation is and maybe I’ll test it out myself. 🙂
Hey guys! Just like that, another month is done! Not exactly the most thrilling month, but hey at least we’re another step closer to everything getting better right? Anyway, it’s time for my Boxycharm. If you want to see these products in action then check out my Youtube video.
The first product in the box is the Violet Voss Olive You Forever Eyeshadow Palette. I like this palette! I think it’s unique but still very wearable. Instead of browns and golds, this palette has mauves and greens. I love wearing these tones on my eyes because they bring the green out. I will say that I prefer something a little more brown based if I’m wearing green but I do think the tones of the mattes are unique. The quality of the shadows is amazing. Both the mattes and shimmers are pigmented and easy to apply. A great palette that I’m excited to use more. Price: $34 US
Another moisturizer! I love getting skincare in my box because I haven’t had to purchase a moisturizer in months! The one I got this month is the Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer. This is perfect for all my fellow oily girls. It’s a gel so it sinks into the skin easily and gives the perfect amount of hydration but it doesn’t feel greasy. It also has some fancy ingredients that help reduce shine. So if you prefer matte makeup this is the perfect moisturizer to apply before doing your makeup. I like this moisturizer and will continue to use it. Price: $38 US, $50 CAD
I got a second skincare product in my box this month – the Avant Skincare Bi-Phase Hyaluronic Acid Rejuvenating Micellar Water. I was shocked at how effective this micellar water is. I think it’s because it’s part water part oil, so the combination can break down stubborn makeup. I found it was easy to use, I didn’t have to scrub my face to remove my makeup. My face didn’t feel oily or stripped after. The only thing is that I have to use a decent amount. I’ve already used a fifth of the bottle, but I’ve only used it a handful of times. I think I’ll go through the bottle quickly, which is fine except that this is so expensive. I wouldn’t purchase it myself but I’ll continue to use it since I have it. $90 US
The next product is the Seraphine Botanicals Apple + Baume Glow Lip Mask. This isn’t my favourite lip mask I’ve ever tried. It has a green apple scent but it fades to some weird artificial taste on the lips. It’s also quite thick and oily. Whenever I use my finger to apply the mask my fingers get all greasy and I have to wash them. So I try to apply it straight to my lips but the packaging is just a hole so it’s not very easy to use. The formula isn’t anything special so it’s not worth it. I’ll use it because I own it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase it. I also think it’s overpriced. Price: $25 US
The final product is the Qveen Studio Dragon Duo. The set comes with a pencil and liquid liner. The liquid is pretty easy to use once I got adjusted. It has a sharp tip so it’s easy to do a fine line or a thicker one. It lasts well but is also easy to remove. I’ve only used the pencil once but it seems pretty good. It was easy to apply and pigmented. It’s hard to review eyeliners because it’s obvious when they suck but otherwise they’re all sort of the same. I think it’s a good price for the two liners. Price: $28 US
The total price of my box is $215, which is great! Can’t remember the last time I had a box worth over $200. I think this box was really good! The only item I wasn’t in love with this the lip mask but I’m probably still going to use it. Boxycharm started this year pretty strong if you ask me. If you get Boycharm, let me know if we got the same products! And if you’ve tried any of these products let me know if you feel the same way as me.
Hey guys! I’m back with another product empties! I feel like I go through ebbs and flows when it comes to finishing products. I’ll have so many products and then finish them all at once haha. Today we have thirteen products so let’s get into it.
The first product is the Tula Super Calm Gentle Milk Cleanser. I got this in my Boxycharm and it was alright. As the name describes, it’s a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin. I find that for my acne-prone skin I need something a little stronger than this. I used this as my shower cleanser. I generally use a gentler cleanser in the shower because the hot water can be drying so it’s nice to use something gentler in there. I wouldn’t buy this again because I didn’t think it was anything special. Also I’m not sure if Tula ships to Canada, because at one point I know they didn’t. There are better cleansers on the market.
I finished another bottle of the beautyblender Liquid bleandercleanser. This is what I use to clean all my brushes and sponges. I find the packaging more sanitary compared to their solid cleanser that I used in the past. I just squeeze a drop onto my brush cleaning mat and swirl my brush in it and it’s clean! It does an amazing job at cleaning my brushes and leaves them feeling soft. Because I only use a little bit (and don’t wash my brushes that often oops) so this lasts a long time. I’ve already repurchased!
Moving to body care, I used up a Dove Exfoliating Body Polish. I liked this body scrub! I find a lot of body scrubs can be quite thick, but this one was thinner and therefore easier to use. My skin always felt so smooth and soft after using it. I had the crushed macadamia and rick milk scent and it was sooo delicious. I didn’t repurchase this because I wanted to try body scrubs by other brands but I would highly recommend this one. Especially since it’s available at the drugstore, it’s accessible and affordable.
Another drugstore find is the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. This was my upper body moisturizer. I’ve mentioned this many times but my chest and back are also acne-prone, so I use moisturizer meant for my face on this portion of my body to help with breakouts. This one did the job. It’s a pretty thin and lightweight formula, so it was nicer in the warmer months when I didn’t need as much hydration. Now that it’s colder my skin needs something a little thicker. But overall it kept my skin hydrated and didn’t break me out so I would recommend it.
Moving over to haircare, I finished the Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask. This mask is alright. Something I’ve noticed is that hair masks without silicone tend to not give that soft and silky feeling as much. Which makes sense because the silicone is just coating the hair and not healing it. This mask doesn’t give instant gratification but I did notice over time my hair feeling and looking healthier. I much prefer Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair Honey deep conditioner mask, but unfortunately it was a limited edition product for the holidays so I can’t repurchase it. This mask isn’t bad, but I’m currently testing out other hair masks because I think there are better ones out there.
I got a mini set from Sephora that had the OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub and the OUAI Body Creme. I didn’t use the scrub on my scalp just my body. It had visible, thick chunks that melt into the skin while you scrub. I enjoyed it but I prefer the consistency of the Dove one. It was good but I wouldn’t repurchase. The body creme smells amazing in my opinion. It’s not like other ones because it’s slightly peppery in scent. I enjoyed it but won’t repurchase any time soon because I have so many other body lotions.
Another product that has dried out is the Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eye Shadows. I have the shades Diamond Dust and Kitten Karma. I’ve had these liquid eyeshadows for a couple of years now so I’m not surprised they have dried out. I do enjoy these because they are just so beautiful. They are packed full of glitter and are easy to apply. I don’t wear them as often anymore since I don’t leave the house much lol. But I did repurchase the shade Diamond Dust since I do like it. I have a shade similar to Kitten Karma so that’s why I didn’t repurchase that one.
A classic empty for me is the Fresh Soy Cleanser. This is a cleanser I always seem to have since I always get the mini from Sephora as points perks. I do like this cleanser. Unlike the Tula one, I find this to be gentle but effective. And I love the cucumber scent. I’m not repurchasing it because I have other cleansers but I do recommend it.
I finished two Farmacy products. I finished a full size of the limited edition Very Cherry Clean and a mini of the Green Clean Cleansing Balm. I do like using these cleansing balms when I have a full face of makeup. It does a great job of getting rid of stubborn liquid lipsticks or tough glitter. But it’s also gentle and leaves my skin feeling soft after. I do prefer the cherry version because I find it irritates my eyes less. I’m currently testing some other balms for fun but I do recommend both of these.
The final product is the Origins Original Skin Matte Moisturizer. I bought this a couple of years ago and just finally finished it. I went through a dry phase and just found this too mattifying. True to its name, I find that this moisturizer does visibly mattify the skin and evens out my pores. I have found that my skin has calmed down a little bit and it’s not as oily as it once was so I prefer something a little more hydrating. If your someone with really oily skin or prefer a matte look then I would recommend this moisturizer. I won’t be repurchasing because it’s just not what I want anymore.
And that is my length product empties list guys! Let me know what you have finished lately. And if you tried any of these products do you agree with my thoughts? Let me know!
Hey guys! So today I am giving an update about my product of the month series and introducing my project pan. I have been doing my product of the month series for just over a year but decided I wanted to do things a little differently this year. My product of the month series was good when I was wearing makeup every day and testing out many different products. But my makeup habits have changed and the series doesn’t make sense to me anymore. So I will share my thoughts on my December products and then introduce my project pan, which will be replacing this series.
The first product I picked for December was the Ace Beaute Bronzed in Paradise Palette. I enjoyed using this palette. I’m usually not a huge fan of face palettes, but the shades of this one work perfectly that I can use it on my face and my eyes. The powders blend beautifully and are easy to use. I enjoy this palette and will continue using it.
The second product was the Colourpop Jelly Much Shadow in Whistlin’ Pixie. I picked this product because it’s almost dried out and I wanted to get some use out of it. This is such a beautiful shade. This is a beautiful warm brown and it has gold glitter running throughout it. It’s really pretty and I loved it every time I wore it. But it’s dried out so it doesn’t make sense for me to keep it, especially because I have similar shades in my collection.
Now it’s time to introduce my project pan. For those of you who don’t know what project pan is, it’s a makeup challenge where you try and finish your makeup. The term pan is when you can see the bottom of a powder product. There are many different versions of this challenge, so I’m just going to pick what makes sense for me.
I have picked five products to begin my project pan. These are from categories that I have the most makeup. I am going to try and use these products as much as possible but I won’t restrict myself from using other products if it’s for a certain occasion and/or makeup look. I’m going to give an update every three months. I might decide to switch up a product or continue, depending on my mood. We’ll see how it goes. Today I will be sharing the products I have selected and the goals I have for the next three months.
The first product is the Colourpop x Kathleen Lights Dream St palette. This palette has been discontinued so it’s not very fair of me to use it in normal posts since you guys can’t purchase it. But it doesn’t make sense for me to not use it. So I thought it would be perfect for a project pan. I would like to hit pan on Shooting Star and Magical and one other matte shade. I would also like to hit pan on Moony and one other shimmer as well. We’ll see how it goes!
The next product is the bareMinerals Translucent Powder Duo. I just found out while writing this post that this product has also been discontinued, which seems to be a running theme in my selections. I got this powder in 2017 so it’s old (and probably expired). I picked this because it has a translucent side and a glowy side that I can use as a highlight. I’ve made a pretty good dent on the matte side but would love to use up more of the glow side as well.
I thoughts about using an individual blush and bronzer, but I rarely use my face palettes so I thought it would be smart to use one of those instead. I decided to pick my Wander Beauty Trip for Two palette. I like both the bronzer and blush so I don’t think I’ll hate using this for three months. The bronzer is well used and would love to hit pan on it. The blush hasn’t been used as much so I would love to just make a sizeable dent.
I decided to pick a lipstick and lip gloss since I have a large collection of both that I don’t often use. The lipstick I picked is one of the older ones in my collection: the Maybelline Matte Lipstick in Daringly Nude. I thought it would be good to use a nude since then I can wear it more often. And for gloss, I picked the MAC Cremesheen Glass lip gloss. The shade I have is discontinued so that’s why I want to use it up. I’ve made a pretty good dent in both of these, so ideally I would love to finish or get close to finishing these in the next three months.
And that is my project pan! Let me know if you’ve ever done a project pan before, and if so please leave me some tips to help me out. I will be posting my update at the beginning of April so stay tuned for that!
Hey guys! Today I am sharing my favourite makeup and skincare favourites of 2020! I didn’t necessarily wear a lot of makeup in 2020, but there were still some gems that I discover. If you want to see these products in action, check out the Youtube video version of the post! Okay, let’s get into it.
My favourite primer is the Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Glassy Balm. I got this in my Boxycharm at some point but I rediscovered it this summer when it was one of my products of the month. This primer is a moisturizer hybrid that helps smooth the skin and give it a natural glow. It’s unlike other glowy primers because it isn’t glittery or metallic look. It’s not heavy like other moisturizing primers. If you have acne-prone skin but still want to add a little natural glow to this skin, this is the primer to try.
This year I have two foundations favourites, a new one and a rediscovered one. My new foundation favourite is the Bite Beauty Changemaker Foundation. This is a long-lasting foundation that is medium coverage and has a natural finish. It’s the perfect everyday foundation because it’s not too much nor too little. It provides enough coverage to even out my skin tone and it gives me a bit of glow but still lasts. The Bite Beauty foundation is also clean and vegan! My other favourite is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation. When I started working I need something with good coverage and would last me through my shift. This foundation was perfect. Combining it with a dewy primer, like the Touch in Sol one, helped make the finish less matte and more natural. If you haven’t tried this foundation yet, I highly recommend it.
For once my favourite concealer is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. Don’t get me wrong, I still love it but I have two new ones to mention. The first is the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer. This one reminds me of the Nars one. It’s lightweight and has good coverage, but not so full that it looks odd with a lighter coverage foundation. There is a good shade range as well. The second one is a more recent favourite but I’ve been using the Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer every day single I got it. It’s had serum concealer that is light in coverage than the Makeup Revolution concealer, but still enough to help brighten my under eyes. It also lasts well. I’ll wear it all day and it still looks good.
This shouldn’t be a surprise if you follow my blog or Youtube, but this year I fell in love with creams. My favourite bronzer is hands down the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer. It’s so creamy so it’s easy to apply on the face and blend out. Sometimes if a product is creamy it doesn’t last, but this bronzer lasts so long on the skin. The only downside is that it’s very warm tone, so I can’t use it to contour. If I put it under my chin it looks like an orange strip haha.
Everyone loved blush this year, myself included. I liberally applied blush all over my face. I have two favourites. The first is the Nudestix Nudies Blush in In The Nude. This blush blends so easily on the skin unlike a lot of other cream blushes. It also has a matte finish, which is nice if I’m wearing a dewy foundation and/or primer underneath. And the shade is the perfect neutral. I want to get more shades! The other favourite is the Burt’s Bee Blush in the shade Fresh Apricot. This is such a beautiful shade that has an ever-so-slight shimmer that just adds to the face. It’s pretty pigmented so I just need to go in with a light hand. There are a few other shades as well – and it’s drugstore so a great price!
This year I haven’t loved many highlights. Since I was gravitating to dewier primers and foundations I didn’t feel the need to use a highlight. That being said, my favourite this year is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. This is technically a “complexion booster” so all the shades are skin toned. That leads to the highlight being very natural and blending seamlessly into the skin. It just makes me look naturally glowy. Highly recommend it if you find other highlights to be too strong or unnatural.
Two categories where I don’t have a favourite is powder and setting spray. I didn’t purchase anything new in these categories this year, so I was just rotating through what I already own. Nothing stood out in my mind as a new favourite. Like sure I have my holy grails but nothing worth noting. Let me know what your favourite powder or setting spray was this year.
Up next is brows. This year I tried to diversify my brow selection and found a few gems. But my number one this year is the Glossier Brow Flick. It’s a brush-tip pen similar to an eyeliner that can define and add depth. It’s also amazing at creating a natural, feather-like stroke. I think it’s good for people with a lot or a little amount of brow hair. I know other brands have come out with similar style brow pencils, so maybe that’s something I’ll try in the future.
I tried out so many good new eyeshadow palettes this year. I decided to pick one colourful and one neutral. My colourful palette is the Jaclyn Hill X Morphe Vol II. This is such a gorgeous palette, every time I look at it I’m inspired. I think the layout is smart and all the shades work well together. And the quality is amazing. They blend easily, they are bright and are easy to work with. The second palette is the KASH Beauty Secret Treasure palette. Ever since I got the palette I’ve found myself reaching for it. While it does have some warm shades, I find that two of the browns (Face and Wreck) and quite neutral and therefore great for whatever look I need. The shimmers are also quite beautiful. This is the perfect palette to pair with a sparkly eye topper. It’s hard to create a good neutral palette but this one is the best.
I have two eyeliners this year! The first is the Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner in the shade Brown. I love using brown eyeliner, I just find it softer than black. I like using this to create a nice baby wing on the days where I don’t feel like doing eyeshadow. I also find it handy that there is a liquid and a pencil in one. The second liner is the Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in the shade Boundless Bisque. This is a great beige that works perfectly in my waterline. Sometimes I don’t want to wear a dark colour but want something there. This beige just brightens up my whole eye look. I don’t know how I did my makeup without it.
I am not faithful when it comes to mascara. I generally have a bunch of tubes open and will just rotate around depending on my mood and the look I’m going for. Therefore I have three favourites lol. The first is the Lancome Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara. At first, I didn’t like the mascara because I found it didn’t do anything. But once it dried a bit I fell in love. This mascara is volumizing and is perfect for those days where I want dramatic lashes sans false lashes. The next mascara is the Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara. This mascara is perfect for those days where I don’t feel like wearing lots of makeup just a little mascara. What I like the most is how easy it is to remove. Because it’s a tubing mascara that just peels off with a little micellar water. Just don’t wear this one if you’re planning to watch a sad movie. And the final mascara is the Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara. This was my go-to in late high school/early university. I finished the tube and hadn’t purchased it again so I forgot how good this is. It’s good and lengthening but also separating the lashes to make it seem like your lashes are just naturally long. Oooh I love this mascara!
The final category is lips. Which I didn’t wear a lot because of the pandemic – I don’t leave the house much and when I do I wear a mask. But despite that, I have four favourites. The first is a lip balm, which is something everyone needs. I have many favourites but if I had to pick one it would be the Tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue Balm. The twisty tube makes it easy to apply. This balm is super moisturizing and has a slight tint to it as well. My favourite lip liner is one I got in my Boxycharm – the Steve Laurant Lip Liner in Chic. It’s creamy enough that it’s easy to apply but stiff enough that it lasts long on the lips. And the shade is perfect for me, just slightly darker than my natural lip colour. I don’t use lip liner very often, but when I do it’s this one. For lip gloss, my favourite is the Essence Shine Shine Shine Lipgloss. It’s a clear lip gloss, so it can be worn over top of any lipstick or lip liner without altering the shade. It’s super shiny and almost has an oil consistency so it’s very comfortable on the lips. The first of two lipsticks is the Burt’s Bee Satin Lipstick in the shade Blush Basin. The satin finish means that it’s very comfortable on the lips and has a slight shine. But it’s a lipstick so the colour is opaque. It’s also a great price because it’s from the drugstore! The final lipstick is the Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick. The formula adds just a hint of colour, which I think on more natural days. The matte formula means that it lasts longer than using a gloss or balm. I have the shade Cake, which they describe as a subtle peach but there are some brown undertones to it. I do enjoy wearing this lipstick.
Okay, that’s all for makeup, let’s get into skincare! So let’s get into it with my favourite cleanser: the OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. This has been my morning cleanser for months now. It goes the job of cleaning my skin without leaving it feeling stripped. The citrusy scent is also so nice for the morning. I have oily, acne-prone skin but I could see this working for people with normal and combo as well.
Up next is toner, with my favourite being the OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. This is what helps keep my skin from breaking out and evens out my skin texture. For all my oily friends this is the toner for you. If you have dry skin stay away because this will be too strong for you.
My favourite serum is a very pricey one but it makes such a difference in my skin. The Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is just so good. This oil hydrates my skin making me look so dewy and glowy. But the vitamin c does such a good job helping heal my acne scarring and just brightening my whole complexion. I don’t find it clogs my pores or breaks me out, which can happen with other hydrating serum. I am just so in love with this.
I’m going to be honest, I don’t think that eye cream is necessary. I mean it’s good to hydrate the area but you probably don’t need anything fancy. Unless you are like me and have super sensitive under eyes. A lot of creams burn my skin and give me dry patches. The Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream is one of the few that work for me. I’m going to be honest and say that I don’t see a huge difference with brightness and puffiness, but I’m fine because it hydrates me which is all I need.
This year I focused on finding products that help with my acne scarring. A mask that makes a difference is the Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask. I didn’t like this mask at first because I didn’t get it, but after using it a few times I started to notice a difference. I don’t use it as a sleeping mask but just as a normal mask that I’ll leave on for 15 minutes. I do notice that my skin is brighter, softer and plumper after using it. The fragrance is strong in this so just keep that in mind.
A makeup remover that I loved was the Farmacy Very Cherry Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm. I don’t know why but I find that the limited edition cherry version doesn’t irritate my eyes. If you need to remove a full face of makeup, this is the cleansing balm for you. It does a great job of removing everything from liquid lipstick to glitter. If I’m wearing a lot of makeup I will double cleanse, but if it wasn’t a lot sometimes I just use this and call it a day with cleansing. My skin doesn’t feel dry or stripped after which is nice.
On the days where I feel I need to double cleanse after using a cleansing balm, I will use the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads. I got these in my Boxycharm and wanted to use them up, but I fell in love. Sometimes after using a cleansing balm I don’t feel like wetting my face again but I still want to clean it. These pads are convenient and do the job. For an exfoliating product, these pads are pretty gentle. I know Elemis is hard to get in Canada, but for all my US and UK followers check these out.
And those are my 2020 beauty favourites! Wow, that was a long list! Let me know in the comments what YOUR favourite beauty products were last year. I hope everyone had a good holiday, I am so excited to start this year and kick some ass! Woooo!
Leave it to Lea 