Hey guys! Today’s post I am going to be sharing the best products I got in my Boxycharm this year. Unfortunately I still haven’t received my December box so I can’t include it in this post, but we still have 11 other boxes to choose from. So I picked out 10 products that I love from this past year, and we’re going to go in the order that I’ve received them.
January had two of my favourite products. The first is the Ace Beaute Vintage Dawn Palette. This year I’ve tried to give more love to black-owned business and one of my favourites is Ace Beaute. This palette is just beautiful and such good quality. I love the range of shades and I’ve created so many good looks using this palette this year. It’s still a palette I reach for almost a year later.
The second favourite product from January is the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. I really didn’t like this mask at first because it’s not what I expected. But this mask has AHAs in it, so it’s a very gentle exfoliator. I use this mask whenever I had some bad acne scarring going on, and I find that is helps reduce the redness and makes my skin looked hydrated and smoother overall. Some products you just need to test more to like.
From Feburary’s box, I fell in love with the Alamar Cosmetics Complexion Brush Trio. I always love receiving brushes, but these ones are great. I use the blush and the brightening brush all the time. I also will use the bronzer brush on occasion for foundation and it works really well. The brush hair is super soft and I like the tapered look of the handle. All the Alamar cosmetics brushes I own are amazing.
In March I received the Farmacy Beauty Very Cherry Clean Cleansing Balm. I actually just finished it the other day! It’s a great cleansing balm for when I have a full face of glam and need to remove it all. It breaks down liquid lipsticks and stubborn mascara. It doesn’t leave any residue on the face as well. I love prefer the scent of the cherry version over their regular version. It was supposed to be limited edition but it’s still on their website so grab it while you can!
I know I went on a whole rant about the Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice back in April. I really like this moisturizer but it’s hard to get in Canada! So in that sense it’s hard for me to recommend because like there are other moisturizers that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to ship to Canada. But at the same time I love using this moisturizer. It has a convenient pump so I didn’t have to stick my fingers in a jar. And it made my skin feel so hydrated and plump. I have finished this moisturizer and if it was available at Shoppers or Sephora I would have repurchased.
Another Elemis favourite is their Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads. I got this in my May box. I wasn’t a huge fan at first. But recently with having to wear a full face of makeup at work I need to thoroughly cleanse my skin. So after using a cleansing balm I will go in with these pads. It a good way to ensure that my face is easy. And it’s easier than having to wash my face for those days where I’m feeling lazy. I’m really enjoying using them!
The next favourite is from my July box – the Alamar Cosmetics Birthday Suit Lip Gloss. I don’t wear a lot of lip products anymore but when I do I love using a good gloss. This one is the perfect everyday because it’s a beautiful pink with all these shimmers. It also has a soft vanilla scent that reminds me of Lip Smackers.
Probably my favourite colour story of all the palettes I’ve received this year is that of the Hipdot Zion Eyeshadow palette. It’s just so pretty! I can be hard to formulate these pretty pastel colours but they are great quality. I love the soft and dreamy looks I created with this palette. I used it the other day for work and I got so many compliments!
In my October palette I received the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. This came to me at the perfect moment because I needed a new exfpliator. This one is great because it’s both a physical and chemical exfoliator. It took my skin a second to get adjusted but now it loves it. My brother also likes to steal it and use it as well. A great skincare product!
And the final favourite is from my November box – the Natasha Denona Peak Palette. I love this palette. The quality of Natasha Denona’s eyeshadows are amazing. A little goes a long way. And the colour story is perfect for me to use everyday. This would be the perfect palette for someone who works everyday and doesn’t need a lot of shades. It has everything you need in one palette. I think this would be the perfect palette to take with me once I can travel again.
And those are my favourites products that I got in my Boxycharm box this year. Please let me know, if you receive Boyxhcarm boxes what was your favourite product this year? Stay tuned guys, I will (hopefully) have my December boxycharm post going up soon! As well I will be posting my 2020 beauty favourites as well.
Hey guys! I realized I haven’t done a product empties post since September! It has been a while, so today’s post is pretty long. We have twelve products so I will try to keep my thoughts short and concise.
The first product is my DUO Eyelash Adhesive, specifically the white/clear and NOT the brush tip one. This is my favourite lash glue. It’s inexpensive and does the job. I tried the brush on one thinking it would be easier to apply and it sucked. I like this DUO glue because it keeps my lashes in place and it’s easy to remove. I have already repurchased another one because it’s the only thing I use.
The next product is the Tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue Balm. The combination of cold weather and talking while wearing a mask has made my lips super chapped and this lip balm has been a godsend. It’s super hydrating but also feels thin on my lips at the same time. I prefer a wetter, almost glossy, lip balm so this one is perfect for me. The balm has a sheer tint of colour as well. I had the shade Rose which was a nice red. I decided to repurchase the shade Nude which has a slight pink to it. This lip balm is also vegan!
I finished my favourite cleanser 😞. I loved using the OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. This cleanser is a gel formula that is meant to deeply cleanse and refresh the skin. I felt my skin feel clean without being stripped. And it has orange fruit water that gives it a beautiful citrusy scent that is so nice in the morning. I currently have a few other cleansers open that I want to finish, but I will purchase this again in the future and would recommend it.
The next product was one of my November products of the month – the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. I won’t go into too much detail because you could just read that post. But basically, I like this setting spray but decided to purchase something else that I’ve been wanting to try.
Another skincare product that I finished is the Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream. I got this moisturizer in my Boxycharm and I liked it. It’s a gel consistency, which is what I prefer with my oily, acne-prone skin. It goes a good job of moisturizing my skin. I think even people with sensitive skin would like this because it’s very soothing. I would recommend this moisturizer, but I won’t be repurchasing right now because I have other moisturizers that I need to finish.
I am sad to finally throw out my favourite Colourpop Blotted Lip. It’s been discontinued for a while but I continued to use it because I love it. It’s very similar in formula to the Glossier Generation G lipsticks. I’m only getting rid of it because the lipstick fell out of the tube and got covered in cat hair so it wasn’t salvageable. This is a very sad day for me okay. ðŸ˜
The next product was a deluxe sample of the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask. You might remember I picked up a full size of this mask during the Sephora VIB sale. I love using this mask whenever my face is feeling yucky and dry. The name renewing is so accurate. My face just feels so smooth and hydrated after using it. I would recommend this mask to everyone!
The next product is the Garnier Micellar Water. You guys know I love this micellar water, but I haven’t been using it at much just because I haven’t been wearing makeup as much. I find this micellar water is so gentle but does a great job of removing face makeup. It’s also good for getting any leftover mascara as well. I would have repurchased this micellar water, but they were sold out at my store so I decided to try the Bioderma one instead. I’ll report back and let you know which one I like more.
The first of two Lush products is the Sleepy Body Lotion. This is my favourite lotion to apply at night after having a shower or bath. The lavender and tonka scent is just so soothing and it well makes me sleepy. The body lotion absorbs into my skin easily as well and leaves me feeling soft. I have already purchased another one.
The last makeup product is a deluxe sample of the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder. This powder is very fine so it’s great for setting under the eyes for a very smooth and flawless look. It’s also good for touch-ups to help reduce oiliness. I would repurchase this powder except for the fact that my powder collection is excessively large so I don’t need any more ahaha.
My new favourite mousse is the Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse. I’ve been following the Curly Girl Method, so I use products without silicones and sulphates. This mousse has neither. I use this on my damp hair and it helps define my curls. I use this and then a gel to help solidify the curls into place. I’ve noticed a huge difference in the definition of my curls since starting to using this mousse. Highly recommend.
The final product is the Lush Mask of Magnaminty. I do like this mask, it does an amazing job of helping deep clean my skin when it feels gross. But I can’t stand out quickly it dries out. I even got the one that has preservatives and I still found it dried out before I got halfway through it. Maybe if this is the only mask you own and you use it once a week it would be fine, but I have so many that I just can get through it fast enough. I will not be repurchasing it because I don’t think it’s worth my money if I only get to use half of it.
And those are my product empties! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products, I like discussing things with you guys in the comments. 🙂
Hey guys! Today’ post is my November Boxycharm. I would recommend watching my unboxing on Youtube if you haven’t already to see these products in action. I’ve tested the products a bit more and I’m ready to give you guys a more in-depth review.
Up first is the Natasha Denona Peak Palette. This palette is exclusive to Boxycharm, but the brand does have other five-pan eyeshadow palettes. I like the layout because it gives everything I need to great a warm-toned eyeshadow look. Natasha Denona’s eyeshadow formula is amazing – the mattes and pigmented but easy to blend and the shimmers are so gorgeous on the lid. Trying out the mini palettes is a great way to try out the formula before investing in a large eyeshadow palette as well. I definitely see myself using this more in the future. Price: $48 US (but also the mini palettes sell for $33 CAD on the Sephora website).
The next product is actually a new launch – the Dr. Brandt Antioxidant Spray Toner. I love a good toner, but I’ve never tried a hydrating toner before. This is supposed to tone, sooth and purify the skin to leave it feeling soft, hydrated and revitalized. Now I still need to test this out more because I find that it takes awhile to see results with skincare. The toner absorbs into the skin so quickly. The first time I used it I didn’t think I got anything on my face because when I went to rub it in the toner had already absorbed into the skin. What I’ve noticed so far it that the toner takes away that tightness in my skin after using a cleanser. I still need to go in with a moisturizer. This would be great for anyone with dry skin who don’t like oil controlling toners. Price: $40 US
The next product is the Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Gel. I rarely wear brow gel. My brows are naturally decent. There are a few bald spots that I fill in with a pencil but they stay in place pretty well. If you are someone who likes feathery brows or don’t have a lot of brows to begin with, this is the brow gel for you. It has some colour and volume to the existing brow hairs. It’s really easy to get the feathery look as well. Once it sets the brow gel stay put pretty well, unless you aggressively rub it (but why would you be rubbing your brows lol). If you are looking for a brow gel this is a good option. Price: $24 US, $32 CAD
I think my favourite product in this box is the Moda Ultimate Eye Sculptors. I love Moda brushes, I just find they are such good quality at a good price point. These two are unique in shape but work so well. The crease brush is tapered and oval in shape instead of round. This allows the brush to really get in the crease and blend out shadows while keeping the colour the most concentrated in the deep part of the crease. I don’t own anything like the triad eye brush. It’s triangular and cut at an angle that allows the brush to perfectly get into the outer crease. This is perfect for darkening up the outer v of the eye. I’m in love with these brushes and I see myself using the all the time in the future. Price: $15 US (currently on sale for $9!!)
And the final product is the Half Caked Game Changer Lip Fondant Trio. I absolutely love the branding of this makeup company, it’s just so girly and fun. That being said, I wish I had received something else because a liquid lipstick trio. I don’t wear lip products that much right now (because of masks and not leaving the house) and when I do it’s either a lip balm or a lip gloss. So I don’t see myself getting much use out of it. But I do like the fact that it’s a trio, so there are three shades. On the website you can choose any three shades within their range, but I received Theme Song, Low Key and 82′ Bordeaux. I think my favourite is 82′ Bordeaux, which is a deep red wine. The formula is easy to apply and transfer-proof at least. Price: $36 for trio (currently on sale for $32) or $12 for one lipstick
The overall total of my box is $159 US. I think this box is pretty good! Benefit and Natasha Denona are both really known brands. I also know Dr Brandt and Moda from having a Boxycharm subscritpion for awhile. The only brand I haven’t heard of before is Half Caked and I’m really into their branding. Sure I would have preferred maybe a gloss from Half Caked, but I don’t think there were any bad products in this box.
Let me know if you guys have tried any products in my box. And if you guys get Boxycharm, let me know in the comments what products you got in your box!
Hey guys! Today is the first of a few gift guides! I know it’s only November, but I wanted to get these gift guides up early for two reasons. First is next week is Black Friday, so there will be lots of deals (aka perfect time to shop). A second, with COVID-19 I’m sure lots of people will be shopping online so it’ll be best to do your shopping earlier if you want your packages to get delivered on time. So I have this post going up today, a general gift guide going up on Youtube on Sunday, and a book lover post going up on Tuesday. So let’s get into this beauty specific gift guide!
The first thing I’m going to recommend is a gift card. I know that might seem like a cop-out, but let me convince you otherwise. If you are reading this to figure out to get someone who likes makeup and skincare, they probably have a large collection. It could be hard to pick something out that they don’t already have in their collection. My mom doesn’t buy me makeup for Christmas anymore unless I specifically ask for a certain product. So by giving someone a gift card, they can get want they want! As well, the person could pool together other gift cards and money to get a more expensive product that someone might not be able to afford individually. So when in doubt, get a gift card! Okay now into specific products.
The first is the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer. I got a similar one for Christmas last year and it’s pretty good. I know that some higher end brands have their own version, but I’ve seen so many reviews saying that the Revlon one is just as good so might as well get the cheaper one. This is perfect for someone who wants to do their hair but doesn’t know how to do a blowout. I think this is a great present.
One of the best kits when it comes to value is the First Aid Beauty All That Fab set. It’s a $167 value for only $64!! First Aid Beauty has some great skincare products and this set contains all of the best. The brand is also known for being great for people with sensitive skin, so you don’t have to worry about the products irritating someone’s skin.
If you know someone who has been eyeing Charlotte Tilbury products, then the Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Lip Set is the perfect gift. It comes with a full-size of their matte lipstick in the iconic shade Pillow Talk. It also comes with a mini of the matching lip liner. Finally, it comes with two lip glosses – one shimmery and one clear. Listen, if I didn’t already have this lipstick I would pick up this set.
Up next are two gifts for someone who can’t live without doing their eyebrows. Both Anastasia Beverly Hills and Benefit Cosmetics have sets that include both a brow pencil and a brow gel. Brow products are a great gift because it’s something people go through quickly. Also, it can be pretty easy to pick someone’s shade if you know their hair colour. ABH has four shade options and Benefit has three shade options.
The Fenty Beauty gloss sets have now become a staple for the brand. This year’s set includes four new shades – so you don’t have to worry if someone already has these shades. They come in a variety of shades so it matches a variety of tones. A great tip, you can also buy the set and spilt up the lipglosses. So if you are doing stocking stuffers or little gifts for your friends, you can give two to someone, or one each to four people (or to three people and keep one for yourself 😉).
A great skincare set is the Origins Mask Delights Mask Essentials Set. I’ve gotten myself this set in the past (hehe) and I loved it. Even though they are deluxe samples, there is a decent amount of product so I got many masks out of the tubes. This is a great way to try and test out a bunch of masks. I ended up getting the full size of the Out of Trouble mask, and I also loved the Retexturizing mask. This set is great if you don’t know someone’s skin type because there is a range of mask (but I will say it leans more oily). It’s also a pretty affordable gift at $25.
Similar to the Origins set is the Peter Thomas Roth Mix, Mask & Hydrate mask set. The jars are bigger than the Origins set (50 ml compared to 15 ml), but still smaller than a full-size mask (50 ml to 150 ml). This also someone to test and try out different masks. But just based on the size they will probably have these samples for a while. And I find this set more hydrating compared to the Origins set. I have the Irish Moor Mud mask and it’s pretty good, and my mom swears by the Rose Stem Cell mask.
When in doubt, getting a makeup lover a brush set is a great way to go. I picked out this Sephora Collection one because it looks pretty but there are so many great options out there. Brushes are a great option because it’s something that people don’t necessarily purchase for something, but it’s something they can always use more of. Having multiple brushes means I can extend the amount of time I can go in between washing my makeup brushes!
Now I don’t normally recommend perfume because it’s so personal. Everyone likes different scents and how a perfume interacts with someone’s body chemistry can change the scent as well. So I wouldn’t recommend a perfume unless you know exactly what they want. BUT if you know a perfume lover, getting them a sampler is a great option. I found this REPLICA Mini Discover Set. It has different scents so people can test out and see what they like. A bonus is you can offer you purchase the full size of their favourite scent for their birthday!
If you don’t have a lot of money, then getting a couple of Sephora face masks is a great option. This Skincare Surprise Set comes with a nose strip, an eye mask, a face mask and a lip scrub. At $14, this is perfect for a Secret Santa gift. Or you could also divide this up and use it for stocking stuffers as well.
I started with a blow dryer brush and I’m finishing with a legit blow dryer. The Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer Set is the perfect gift for someone who is looking for a blow dryer. It comes with a brush, clips and three of Drybar’s hair products – a serum, a dry shampoo and a heat protector. This set is the same price as the normal blow dryer, so you might as well get all the goodies that come with it! If I wasn’t looking for a diffuser attachment I would ask for this for Christmas.
And that is my beauty lover gift guide! Let me know in the comments down below what is on your holiday wish list this year guys!
Hey guys! So let’s start with the announcement because that’s the exciting part. So I’ve mentioned on both my Instagram and Youtube that I got a part-time job that’s not in PR for the time being. So today I have my first in-store shift at SEPHORA! I know, super exciting! The position is only a seasonal cashier for now. Since it’s only part-time I am still planning to be posting twice a week. But I do want to make it clear that all opinions on my blog, Instagram and Youtube are my own and do not reflect those at Sephora.
So let’s get into the haul. Sorry I didn’t get the chance to post this before the sale was over. This isn’t going to be an in-depth review just because I haven’t had the chance to test the products out. I just wanted to let you guys know what I got quickly so you could pick them up while they are still in stock.
The first item is the Briogeo Merry Multi-Masking Kit ft. Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Honey Bear Mask. I got this set because I’ve heard so many good things about the Honey Bear mask in this kit. Unfortunately, the kit is sold out, and it’s the only way to get the Honey Bear mask. But the other two masks in this kit (the Don’t Despair Repair and Be Gentle, Be Kind masks) are both permanent products so you guys can still pick those up. There are also other kits featuring these masks as well.
The next product I got is the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask. I had a sample of this mask before and I loved it so much that I decided to get a full size. It’s different compared to other hydrating masks because it gets warm and tingly. I would describe it more like a restorative mask. It takes my skin from blah to ahhhh. And the packaging is just beautiful.
The final two products are both Hourglass. The first is the Mini Ambient Lighting Edit. This is a limited edition product for the holidays that features a powder, blush, bronzer and highlight. I have heard so many good things about Hourglass face products so I thought it would be a nice way to try multiple of their products. The second Hourglass product is Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara. It’s a tubing mascara, which means that I only need to use water to wash off the mascara. I’ve never tried a tubing mascara so I thought it would be interesting to try!
I am so excited to play and test out all of these products. Let me know in the comments what you picked up in the Sephora VIB sale!
Hey guys! So today I am sharing a comprehensive list of recommendations for the Sephora VIB Sale. For those who don’t know, twice a year Sephora does a sale where you get anywhere from 10-to-20% off your purchase. This is huge because Sephora doesn’t often do sales. The dates of the sale and the percentage depends on what level of their BeautyInsider program you are (see photo below). I was debating doing this post but then ALL my friends were asking what I was getting and what I recommend. So if you are interested in what I’m ordering head over to my Instagram stories because I’ll show my cart there. I will also do a haul once I get my order. Here I will be doing an in-depth recommendation list. I’m going to go through each product category for makeup and skincare. Unfortunately, I don’t have the money (or have received in PR) to have tested every product under the sun, so I will be listing some products that I haven’t tried but I have heard positive reviews for. I will mark if I’ve tried a product or not. Okay, let’s get into it.
Makeup
Primer
First is a cult-classic, the Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer. This is the primer to use if you have oily skin or if you just want to have a smooth and even canvas for your makeup. This is a primer I will always have in my collection. One that is my wish list is the Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum. I have loved every Laneige product that I have tried and I have heard amazing things about this primer. This serum is supposed to hydrate the skin and keep oils at bay while giving a visible glow to the skin AND helping makeup last longer. That sounds pretty perfect to me.
Foundation
There are so many good foundations on the market and it’s all about personal preference when it comes to foundation. Either of the Fenty foundations, the Matte and the Hydrating are both amazing. Both foundations are full coverage and long-lasting on the skin. A foundation that I have on my wish list is the NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation. I’ve heard Kathleen Lights and Samantha Ravndahl rave about this foundation and they both have dry skin. They say that while it’s matte the foundation is quite natural and looks good on the skin. Sounds amazing to me. Now I’ve had a few people ask me for a lighter coverage foundation/tinted moisturizer. I haven’t tried either of these so sorry if it doesn’t work out. But if you want something with lighter coverage check out the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.
I could be here forever if I were to list all the blushes, bronzer and highlights that I’ve heard good things about. There are just so many good ones on the market. So instead I’m going to give you some tips for picking out a good one. First, decide what formula you want. There is a difference between using a powder vs a cream/liquid. Picking a formula will help narrow down the options. Next, decide what shade you want. Not every brand has every shade. If you want a specific blush or highlight shade then that will limit what brands you pick from. Bronzers some brands will lean more warm-toned or cool-toned. A good list of brands for blush is NARS, Rare Beauty, Hourglass, Charlotte Tilbury, Tarte, Fenty and Nudestix. For bronzers I recommend: Benefit, Charlotte Tilbury, Marc Jacobs, Fenty and Milk Makeup. For highlight: Hourglass, Charlotte Tilbury, Becca. As you can see there are a couple of brands who just do face products well across the board like Hourglass, Charlotte Tilbury and Fenty.
Setting Powder
One of my favourite setting powder is the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. It gives a very soft and natural look to the skin. Not cakey and matte unlike a lot of setting powders. The one I would like to try is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder. Similarly to the Hourglass one, the Charlotte Tilbury setting powder is supposed to blur and reduce shin. It’s not a heavy-duty powder.
You can’t go wrong with a brow pencil from Anastasia Beverly Hills or Benefit. Both the Brow Wiz and Precisely My Brow are fan favourites for a reason. I’ve noticed that a few brands are coming out with their version of the Glossier Boy Brow. Benefit, ABH and Urban Decay all have their version that I would be interested in trying in the future.
Eyeliner is usually not a product I get excited over. I generally don’t go “oh that eyeliner looks so good I want to get it”. So I don’t have any on my wish list. I do have two recommendations. The first is the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon. The second is the Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Pencil. I find the Marc Jacobs eyeliner to be creamier than the MUFE one. This means that the Marc Jacobs eyeliner is more pigmented and impactful, but it’s not as long-lasting. Both have an impressive shade collection so you can probably find the shade you’re looking for between these two eyeliners.
Mascara
I love mascara. It’s one of my favourite products to test out because I’m pretty picky. I have quite a few recommendations. First, any of the Tarte mascaras are good, but my favourite is the Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara. I know not everyone is a fan of the plastic wand, but I never accidentally get mascara on my lid while using this mascara. I think it gives the perfect balance between volume and length. The next is the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. I like the formula but I don’t like the wand. I always get mascara on my lids. The formula gives me defined lashes and intense volume. And then one in the middle brush-wise is the Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara. This gives me long, fluttery lashes. I didn’t like it at first but once it dried out a bit I like it now.
Lip Products
Okay, there are SO many lip products out there so it’s hard for me to have tried everything. I’m going to give a few options for each category. I haven’t tried all of these but I’ve good heard reviews for sure. So for lipliners, I would recommend Charlotte Tilbury or Pat McGarth. For lip gloss, Fenty and Bite Beauty. I also really want to try Tower28. For liquid lipstick, 100% the NARS Powermatte Lip Pigments are my fav. And finally for lipstick the MAC and Charlotte Tilbury.
Skincare
Skincare is hard to give recommendations because everyone has different skin types. I also haven’t tried every single product under the sun because I obviously only use products for my skin type. So please keep that in mind with my recommendations!
My current favourite face serum is pretty pricey ($95 CAD oof) but I love the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. If that’s a little out of your budget, I’ve heard good things about the OleHenriksen Truth Serum. I’ve also heard great things about The Ordinary, but I can’t figure out their brand and what products would be good for me.
Woo and that’s it! I decided not to do any haircare since I don’t really have any recommendations – I buy most of my haircare from the drugstore. I hope you guys enjoyed this post and it gave you some inspo for your shopping cart. Please let me know in the comments what you are getting from the sale this year!
Hey guys! My Boxycharm posts are always some of my favourites to write! It’s fun because there are sometimes really good products and sometimes really bad products haha. Also, I feel like October was the longest month ever. Maybe that’s because I was doing Vlogtober so having to vlog every single day just makes it seem longer. I enjoyed it but I am also excited to have a break in November. Okay anyway, my Boxycharm!
The first product in my box is the Rodial Soft Focus Glow Drops. I’ve never heard of this brand before, but after getting my box I saw that they did a special collaboration with GlossyBox (another beauty subscription box). Anyways, these drops are a skincare and makeup hybrid that is meant to brighten and illuminate the complexion. These drops are not hydrating. The serum dries down very quickly and just adds a nice shine to the skin. So if you are someone with oily skin that wants the look but not the oiliness of a dewy primer this is perfect for you. It’s not the most brightening primer I’ve ever used, I have stronger in my collection. So I will continue to use it but I think there are better on the market. Also just want to know it has a strong candy-like smell. Price: $60 US, I found it at Shoppers for $58 for all my fellow Canadians
The next product is the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. This arrived at the perfect time because I just finished my exfoliator yesterday. This cleanser has both chemical and physical exfoliating properties, so it’s the best of both worlds. It does a great job of cleaning my skin and making it feel smooth. The only thing is that it’s meant to be hydrating and I don’t see that at all. The first time I used this my skin was so dry and itchy because I didn’t apply a moisturizer right after. I’ve tried it twice since then and I haven’t had that itchy sensation again but I am careful not to use it too much. If you have sensitive skin be careful with this a maybe do a patch test before putting it on your face. Since the itchiness hasn’t returned I’m going to continue to use this exfoliating cleanser 2-3 a week! Price: $40 US, $52 CAD
Up next in my box is the Pretty Vulgar Nesting B!#%H Face Palette. If you’ve followed my Boxycharm posts you would know that I get these fall palettes pretty often and I’m rarely fans of them. There is only one palette for all skin tones. This is annoying for me because I can’t use some of the darker shades and someone with a darker complexion can’t use the lighter shades. I think it’s a lazy way to be inclusive. I get that it’s easy for Boxycharm to give this palette because then it works for everyone. But I’m not a fan because I won’t use it all the product. On top of that, I’m not a huge fan of the quality of the products. I found the bronzer and blushes to be too pigmented so it goes on heavy and then I have to work to blend it out. I also find that I get patches of heavy pigmentation as well. I think the quality of the highlights but I don’t like the shades. One is way to white sliver and the other is too deep. So overall not a big fan of this product and I wouldn’t recommend it. Price: $32 US
The next product is the Sol de Janiero Brazilian Kiss Tinted Cupuacu Lip Butter. Okay, I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m kind of disappointed in this lip butter! I thought it was going to be more moisturizing and I find the formula to be stiff and dry. If you have any dry patches or crustiness, the pigment of the lip butter just sticks to those areas and looks gross. I also find myself having to frequently reapply this lip butter. It’s honestly more of a lipstick than a lip butter. I thought this product was going to be more like the Tarte SEA Quench Lip Rescue Balm, where it’s a hydrating lip balm with a bit of colour. I’ll still use it because I love the scent, but I wouldn’t reach for this if my lips were super dry. Price: $20 US
And the final product is the Lavaa Lashes Charm Faux Mink. I like these lashes! The band isn’t too thick so it’s super easy to apply and blends seamlessly with my real lashes. For being super a big pair of lashes they are also not too heavy on the eyes. There are not exactly everyday lashes because they are huge. This isn’t the best pair of lashes if I wanted to show off my eyeshadow. But I think for a simple look they would just bring it to the next level. If I was going out these are the lashes I would reach for. (Except I don’t go out anymore because of the pandemic, ya know). I see myself wearing these lashes many times. Price: $20 US
The overall total of the box is $172 US which is a great value! I’m not a huge fan of the Pretty Vulgar face palette and the Sol de Janeiro Lip Butter. But I like the Murad Exfoliating Cleanser and the Lavaa Lashes. So there were some hits and misses. Let me know what you guys think in the comments!
Hey guys! With the cooler and drier weather slowly arriving in the northern hemisphere, I thought it would be a good time to discuss some of my favourite body lotions. After working at a pool for so many years and constantly having dry skin I have ingrained using my body lotion into my routine. I always apply body lotion after I shower. It helps keep my skin feeling soft and smooth, and if done regularly can help prevent dry skin.
Because of this devotion, I have amassed a pretty decent collection of body lotions and butter lol. I am trying to finish a few that I have before buying any more. I have a few favourites like Lush Sleepy and the Body Shop Body Butter that are not apart of this post just because I currently don’t own any but those two are also amazing. Things I look for in a good body moisturizer is that it absorbs quickly into the skin, makes my skin feel soft and smooth and has a good scent. So let’s get into it!
Up first we have the Hempz Natural Herbal Body Moisturizer: Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Skin Lotion. I discussed this in my August favourites but this lotion ranks near the top of my list. I don’t like pineapple but this scent leans more towards the Honey Melon. The scent is strong while you apply but fades anyway nicely after applied. I love the pump because it makes it so easy to apply. It absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t like any stickiness. And there is a decent amount of product in the bottle. I got this back in June and I’ve been using it quite regularly and I’m only halfway through it. Highly recommend this one.
Lush is planning to discontinue their Karma Kream so pick it up while you still can. This lotion is heavily scented with almond, patchouli, orange, lemongrass and pine. The scent is spicy and almost intoxicating. It also lingers on the skin throughout the day, so whenever I wear this lotion I don’t need perfume. The scent is not for everyone but I love it. It’s very thin so it’s not the most moisturizing but it absorbs quickly into the skin. I like to wear this on special occasions.
The OGX Extra Creamy + Coconut Miracle Oil Ultra Moisture Lotion is like a never-ending lotion. I have been trying to finish this for MONTHS and I still have so much left. The scent is pleasant and is moisturizing, but it takes forever to absorb into the skin. I will rub it all over my body and then have to go back and rub it again because it hasn’t absorbed it. I want a lotion that absorbs quickly so I can get dressed and on with my day. This one takes forever. But because it still does a good job of moisturizing I still use it. I would pass on this one because there are way better ones on this list.
If you have acne-prone skin on your body then I would use the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. This can be used both on the face and the body. It’s meant for sensitive skin so it doesn’t break me out. I have acne-prone chest and shoulder and if I were to apply a heavily scented lotion then it would break me out so much. So I apply this to ensure the area is getting properly moisturized. And it’s from the drugstore so it’s not like I’m breaking the bank using this daily.
If you have acne-prone AND dry skin, then try the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This one is meant for very dry skin. It’s pretty thick so it does take a bit more to work into the skin but it provides the moisturization without the breakout situation. It also doesn’t have a scent. I use this in the dead of winter when my skin is at its driest.
The thickest of all my body lotions is the Nivea Creme. This stuff is thicc. Like it’s almost a paste. It’s amazing for rough spots like hands, knees and elbows. It does take a bit to work it into the skin and I do find that leaves a bit of a residue to the skin. Not sticky but slippery. Not apply this to your hands if you need to open a jar after. I love using this on my feet in the winter but I don’t touch it in the summer.
My favourite night time lotion is the Honest Beauty Face + Body Lotion in Truly Calming. It’s scented with lavender and chamomile so it’s lovely to apply at night to help me feel sleepy. I love that it’s a squishy tube because it’s easy to get out. But similar to the OGX lotion I do find that this one takes a while to absorb into the skin. I have to really work it in. But I don’t mind as much since I’ll use this at night when I’m trying to relax and unwind so I’ll take the time to massage it into the skin.
The final two are the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and the Coco Cabana Body Cream. I find them are both super moisturizing and absorb into the skin easily. I find that the scent is strong while I apply it and it faintly there throughout the day. I like to use these on special occasions just because they are expensive. I like the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream scent just slightly more. But I brought the Coco Cabana Cream with me when I went to Europe so every time I smell the cream it reminds me of my trip.
So that is my round-up of all of my body lotions. Please let me know what some of your favourites are in the comments because I love testing out body lotions!
Hey guys! I am happy that my Boxycharm came earlier this month so I could probably test it out for you guys! If you want to see these products in action go check out my Youtube video where I give my first impressions of the products. Also, I will be giving an update from the skincare products that I got in my August box at the end of the post. Okay, let’s get into it!
The first product I received is the Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry (such a long name). This eye cream is mention to brighten and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. It’s supposed to deliver instance radiance as well. I’m still unsure about this eye cream. I’m pretty picky because my under eyes can be quite sensitive. I’ve had quite a few eye creams react and create bad dry patches when the product is supposed to be hydrating. This one hasn’t negatively reacted but I’m not sure if I’ve seen any benefits yet. I’ve been using an Origins eye cream that also has vitamin C and I don’t see if doing anything more or less than the other one. Maybe I’m too young to see the impact of a good eye cream yet. So I’m on the fence. I’ll give you guys an update in October if I feel any different. Price: $45 US, $58 CAD
The next product is the Hipdot Zion Eyeshadow palette. I’ve never heard of this brand but I was pleasantly surprised by how great this palette is! First, the packaging is beautiful and the colour selection inside is gorgeous. It reminds me slightly of the Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Vol 2 palette, but this one is much more muted which makes it more wearable. All the mattes blend beautifully on the eyes and are quite striking. The only thing is I wish that there were more shimmers. I also find Sublime and Surreal to be quite similar. I would have liked a pink shimmer or a lilac to compliment the shades in the palette. But otherwise, I think this is perfect and I did have a lot of fun playing with it. The palette is also cruelty-free and vegan! The only thing is that is has a weird smell to it that I don’t like. I can’t place what it smells like but a weird combination of plastic and dirt? I asked my brother and he thinks it smells like Crocs. 🤣 Price: $30 US
Hipdot Zion Eyeshadow Palette
PhaseZero Blusher and Bronzer Trio
The next item in my box is the Phase Zero Makeup Blusher and Bronzer Trio. Just want to say that while I do like this product, there is the only shade and that’s not acceptable. The website says that these shades are universal but that’s bullshit. I find the bronzer shade to be a tad light and I’m pretty fair! This would not work on people who even medium skin tones. I don’t understand why they can’t create more shades. They have different blush shades, so why can’t they create different bronzers shades to match everyone’s skin tone? I do like the formula of these shades and I like all three look lovely on the face, but it’s unacceptable in 2020 to come out with just one face product shade and think it’ll work for everyone. Price: $42 US, £35.00 (they are a British company).
The next product is the Laura Geller Lashboss Bold Mascara. This mascara is meant to give length and curl to the lashes. I think this mascara is okay. It’s not a volumizing mascara, but it doesn’t claim to do that. It gives decent length but I have mascaras that give me more. I think this is a good everyday mascara. Like if I only wanted to wear mascara I could grab this one. I wouldn’t use this for a bold makeup look because then my eye shadow would overwhelm my lashes. It’s not bad and I’ll continue to use it but it’s not the best mascara I’ve ever used. Price: $24 US
And the final product is the SFGlow Glam in Paradise Cannabis Sativa 3-Piece Mask Set. I’m not sure if my skin likes cannabis sativa oil. These masks are the second skincare product I’ve tried with cannabis sativa oil and my skin just doesn’t seem happy. It isn’t a strong reaction but I notice that my skin feels sensitive after using it. I also don’t find the products that hydrating. After using the lip mask my lips were bone dry an hour later. I just feel like I’ve had better results using other masks. The gold leopard print is cute though. Price: $18 US for the set
The overall price of the box is $159. I think this was a pretty good box. The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the sheet masks – but they are single-use so I’m done with them haha! I think the palette was the high point of the box. Let me know in the comments what you guys think about this month’s box. There weren’t many well-known brands in this month’s box – is that important to you guys? I don’t need Sephora brands in my box, but I do prefer brands that I have heard of before. But just because I’ve heard of a brand doesn’t mean the product will be good and vice-versa!
xoxo
Lea
*NOTE: Product Update from August* Okay so I have two skincare products that I was testing from August. The first was the GlamGlow moisturizer and the second was the MineTan.Body.Skin serum. One of these products was breaking me out and I’m not sure which one. I think it’s the GlamGlow moisturizer since I was using it more consistently than the serum. I just noticed my skin was getting congested and I was getting texture on my forehead and chin. The moisturizer has cannabis sativa oil in it, and after using the SFGlow masks I think my skin doesn’t like it. I also think it’s the moisturizer because my face would get red after I apply it even though it’s supposed to help with redness. Also reading Sephora reviews on the GlamGlow moisturizer it seems that some people have the same problem as me. As for the serum, my thoughts from my original post still stand. It makes my face feel smooth but not hydrated. I would use this maybe as a primer instead of a skincare item.
Hey guys! I am back with my August Boxycharm! My box arrived on the 31st so unfortunately, I didn’t get much time to test out the products. I will continue to test the products, especially the skincare, and give an update at the end of my September post. So without further ado, my August Boxycharm!
The first product MineTan Body Skin Hydra Glow Sleep Serum. I was confused because this brand seems to be a self-tanner company so I thought this serum was going to be similar to the Isle of Paradise brand. This is supposedly just a hydrating serum. So far I haven’t notice that my face feels smooth after applying it but not exactly hydrated if that makes any sense. I’ll keep you guys updated about it. Price: $44.95 US
The next product is the RealHer Definer Brow Pencil. This brand is one that I often get in my Boxycharm but never heard otherwise lol. So up until I checked out the website I was confused is this was one shade pencil because the pencil just says the brand name and “EYE AM INSPIRING”. Turns out that’s the shade name which is Dark Brown! The pencil matches me well, but RealHer only has three shades which is quite disappointing. It’s also just three different shades of brown. Like what about blondes or redheads? Anyways, I’m not a huge fan of the formula because it’s creamy and pigmented. It applied way to strongly so it’s hard to create a realistic, hairlike stroke. Not my fav brow pencil but it’s usable. Price: $16 US
Swatches of the Trestique Matte Lip Crayons. From top to bottom: Tuscan Twin, Belize Bordeaux, Chile Red, Barcelona Bright Berry, Florence Fig and Nantucket Nude
I think one of my favourite products is the Trestique Mini Matte Lip Crayon Set. This set comes with six different lip crayons in a range of shades from nude to red to pink to wine. I think everyone could find a shade they like within this set, and if they don’t like some shades are least their mini and it’s not a full-size lipstick. The formula is also great on these. For being matte they are pretty creamy and glide on the lips nicely. They aren’t as long-lasting as a liquid lipstick but still have a decent staying power. Overall I like these! I think my favourite shade is Florence Fig.
The Teddy Boy palette.
The next product is the Butter London Teddy Boy Eyeshadow Palette. I didn’t think I would like this palette but it’s not that bad! I’m not a huge cool-toned person, but I think these shades are neutral enough that they are still wearable. I’ve used most of the shades and I prefer the browns over the blues. And I think it makes sense that the browns are a little bigger than the blues because I won’t use the blue shades as often. The mattes are much better than the shimmer shades. I find the shimmers to be pretty underwhelming. But the mattes are pigmented, creamy and easy to apply. I don’t think this will become my new go-to palette but I can see myself grabbing it on those few occasions I want to use cool tones. Price $28 US
Two looks I did using the products in my box.
And the final product is the GlamGlow Moisturetrip Omega Rich Face Moisturizer. This moisturizer has cannabis sativa seed oil that is supposed to calm and soothe the skin as well as reduce the appearance of redness. I didn’t know it’s supposed to reduce redness so I will keep a note of that while I test it. So far I like it because it’s a hybrid between a gel and a liquid. It makes my skin feel hydrated. I will update you guys on how I feel about it after testing it more. Price: $54 US, $75 CA
And the total is $200.95. Overall I’m pretty happy with this box. I’m unsure of the brow pencil and the serum but there are still usable products. There is nothing in the box I absolutely hate and won’t use again. Let me know what you think in the comments!
xoxo
Lea
*NOTE: PRODUCT UPDATE FROM JULY* I mentioned that I would put an update on the Clear Skin Club Vitamin C Brightening Booster. So I’ve used this almost daily since getting it in July. Honestly, I don’t notice it doing much for my skin. It absorbs very quickly into the skin, which is nice. It doesn’t make my skin look glowy, if anything it almost is a little matte after applying it. Also, I do have some acne scarring and I didn’t notice any difference while using this Vitamin C serum. Compared to my Biossance serum, the Clear Skin Club one does nothing. Now I rather a product does nothing much than cause a negative reaction. But if you are looking for a vitamin C serum that makes a visible difference in your skin, this isn’t the one for you.
Leave it to Lea 