• March 2019 Product Empties

    March 29, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I finished quite a few things this month (including some products from my Project Pan) and also retired a few eye/brow products. Keep reading to see what I would repurchase!

    Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream (travel size) – This is a great cream. It doesn’t feel oily or too heavy. I used it both AM & PM like the name suggests. I don’t love that it comes in a pot. I prefer squeeze tubes or pumps. 

    Repurchase? Probably not (because it’s in a pot).

    Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly – I finally finished a huuuuge tub of Vaseline. I used it all over. I would put tons on my hands and feet before bed and wear cotton gloves and socks to bed.

    Repurchase? Obviously. Doesn’t everyone always have some form of vaseline in their house? Whether it’s a huge tub or a squeeze tube.

    KORAI Cloud Cleanser (read my review) – I enjoyed this cleanser, it has Black Soap, Shea Butter and it was very gentle.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    KORAI Amber Oil (read my review) – I also enjoyed the Amber Oil. It didn’t break me out and my skin felt very hydrated.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in 100 Molten Gold – Beautiful highlighter, but not the best shade for my skin tone.

    Repurchase? In a different shade, absolutely!

    Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter in Pink – Similar to the Maybelline Master Chrome, beautiful highlighter, but would get in a different shade since pink doesn’t look that natural as a highlight. It was nice as an eyeshadow though.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Picture was taken before I finished the Lancôme Skin Feels Good Foundation. I took the picture before cutting it open and scraping out the rest.

    Ariul Glam Mood Maker Mist (read my review) – While this is a really cute, compact facial mist, I think it’s quite expensive for such a little amount. I kept it beside my computer and would spray my face when I needed a little refresh and I finished it fairly quickly.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation in 01N Nude Vanilla (read my review) – This is a great light coverage foundation. It’s hydrating and looks like skin, but the only thing I don’t like is the shade range! This shade is too light and the next shades up are too warm. I had to mix it a lot and lost a lot of product by doing that which is probably the reason I finished it so quickly.

    Repurchase? When they have a shade that matches me better.

    Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara (read my review) – I liked this mascara, and I would consider trying the waterproof one because it might hold a curl better. I’m still on the hunt for my Holy Grail mascara, but it’s a great drugstore one. Maybelline has some of the best drugstore mascaras I’ve tried.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Diorshow Bold Brow in 002 Dark – I love this brow gel, but the shade was just a little too gray for my liking. The currently have 3 shades in the Bold Brow.

    Repurchase? Yes, when they have a darker shade.

    Love,

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  • Dupe It Out | Quo Luxury Facial Cottons vs. Shiseido Facial Cottons

    March 26, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m comparing two facial cotton pads: Shiseido’s cult fave vs. Quo Luxury Facial Cotton Pads (the dupe). Quo is the brand by Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.

    So, I’ve tested these two different facial cottons and love both of them. Both come with 165 cottons and based on the look of the packaging, the Quo is obviously a dupe of the Shiseido cottons. The Quo cotton pads sell for $7.50 and Shiseido cottons sell for $11.

    One thing about the packaging: the Quo package has a pre-made tear, so you don’t need scissors to open and it closes like a ziploc bag. The Shiseido package needs scissors and does not have a slider.

    I got my mom to do a blind test to see which one she likes. She preferred the Quo ones because they were softer (and also they were fatter – more layers). I tested them out and agree that the Quo ones are actually softer, but the Shiseido ones are stronger. When you try to tear them, it takes more force to pull the Shiseido ones apart and are therefore better to use for eye makeup (especially waterproof makeup). If you’re only wearing face makeup, the Quo ones are a great way to save some money. You can use the Quo ones for toner and removing face makeup, and buy the Shiseido ones for eye makeup.

    WINNER: Quo Luxury Facial Cotton Pads

    If you wear eye makeup and use micellar water instead of cleansing oils/balms, you will probably prefer the Shiseido ones since they are harder to rip and less likely to curl up on you. If you love the Shiseido ones and you live in Canada, I think it’s worth it to give the Quo ones a shot.

    For me, the Shiseido ones are very nice and I see why so many people love them. I don’t wear heavy or waterproof eye makeup very often and when I do, I use a cleansing oil or balm to remove makeup instead of a cotton pad. I’d rather save $4.50 to spend on something else.

    Love,

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  • revlon quilted tweezers mens vs womens

    Men’s vs. Women’s Tweezers | Is There Actually A Difference?

    March 22, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I was watching a Kathleen Lights video and she said the best tweezers are the Silver Revlon Quilted Slanted Tip ones. I’ve found that cheaper brands like Revlon and Sally Hansen have performed better than Tweezerman. So, I was at the drugstore and I saw the Revlon’s Men’s Tweezers on sale for about $20 (it came with a dual-ended nail clipper, nail file and a little case). The Men’s tweezers are $10.49 on their own while the Women’s are $17.49. So, I wanted to know if there is a huge difference in the performance. I know that men’s hair is coarser, so are the tweezers made to cater to that? Here are my findings:

    They are shaped and look exactly the same from a distance. Upon closer inspection, the women’s tweezers are slanted a little more and the tips are just a little skinnier than the men’s.

    I asked my mom to do a blind test and tell me which she likes better. She chose the Women’s saying that it plucked the hair better and she also noticed that the women’s are ‘spring-ier’ when you squeeze them. I tested them out and did notice a very slight difference in the tension. I have been using the men’s tweezers for a while and I do notice that sometimes it breaks the hair instead of plucking it out. It’s fine for my eyebrow hairs because those are obviously thicker than my mustache hairs.

    I’d just like to mention that the minor design differences (slant, thickness of the tips and ‘spring-y-ness’) could be intentional or maybe it’s because they were made at difference places or times and it’s a design flaw. For all we know, they could just be making them in the same place and labelling one as Revlon Men’s Series and the other Women’s and charging them different prices because women’s products are always more expensive. And the very minor differences in the designs is just a fluke.

    So, to sum up, that extra $7 does make a slight difference, but the men’s tweezers will do the job if you want to save the money.

    Love,

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  • First Impressions with No Pong All Natural Deodorant

    March 19, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I was sent two deodorants from No Pong, an Australian brand. Here’s a little info from the website:

    “pong” is an Australian/British term for an extremely strong, unpleasant smell. 

    No Pong is an extremely effective, All Natural Deodorant

    Made from delicious, all natural ingredients, blended together to create a ridiculously effective, sweat resistant, all day deodorant that does exactly what it says on the tin!

    Guaranteed to be 100% paraben, aluminium, cruelty and plastic free.

    No Pong is simple to apply, just like a lotion or a sunscreen.  Just take a dab on your fingertip, and apply to your armpit.

    They currently sell two: one with baking soda and one without. I decided to try the low fragrance one without baking soda. The consistency is similar to a sunscreen; it’s thicker than a lotion, but not waxy like a balm. Based on how it looked before I touched it (like the top one in the picture), I thought it would feel more balmy, so I was surprised when it felt creamy.

    It’s great that their deodorants have a gender-neutral scent. For me, I mostly smell the lemongrass which I’m not a huge fan of, but the deodorant works well and the scent is subtle enough that you can’t smell it (unless you apply too much). Obviously it’s not going to be like an anti-perspirant that will counteract sweat from a rigorous workout. But, I have sweated a little while wearing the deodorant and it help up well.

    I noticed that when I accidentally used too much of it, I got that white residue under my arms (like when you wear anti-perspirant). You really only need a small amount.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    I like how compact it is and that there’s no aluminium, it’s affordable and there’s no added fragrance (only essential oil). I also like how there’s a no baking soda option because I have sensitive skin. I’m not a huge fan of the lemongrass scent and I don’t love that you need to use your finger to apply it. I always have to wash my hands after and before I apply it whereas a deodorant stick is easy to pop on without having the need to wash my hands before and after.

    I’ve put the Original one into my 5K Instagram Giveaway because I already have another natural deodorant and didn’t want the ununsed one to go to waste before I got a chance to use it.

    What’s your fave natural deodorant? Have you tried No Pong?

    Love,

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  • Luxury Haul | March 2019 Giorgio Armani

    March 15, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Giorgio Armani Beauty was having a 15% off sale and the Luminous Silk Powder Foundation was on my list of things to purchase from Sephora for my mom. I decided to take advantage of the sale to buy from Armani. I recently made my first purchase from Lancôme as well. I decided to spend $5 extra to get the gift box because who wouldn’t want to have a beautiful Giorgio Armani gift box? My plan is to eventually buy from the luxury brands that I want to try and also get their beautiful gift boxes.

    The package arrived really quickly. I ordered it on the 12th and received it yesterday. I also love that they’re smart: they ship it in a regular brown box that doesn’t have any logos on it (so no one is going to know that it’s Armani and steal it). It was shipped from L’Oréal in Québec.

    I ordered three products to make the order over $150:

    • Fluid Sheer in #7 (I’ll write a review on it once I’ve tried it out)
    • 2 Luminous Silk Powder Foundations in 5.5 for my mom

    If you spent over $150, you got a little gift:

    • Sì Eau de Parfum Mini
    • Mini Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in 400

    This is a gorgeous red! My kind of red (blue-red) because I don’t like orange-red lipsticks on me.

    The order also comes with 3 samples and I chose:

    • Luminous Silk Foundation in 5.5
    • Power Fabric Foundation in 3.5
    • Luminessence CC Cream

    What are your faves from Giorgio Armani Beauty?

    Love,

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  • Haul | March 2019 Korean Skincare

    March 15, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    It’s been a while since I did a haul blog post and because I’ve been on a low buy, there’s been no reason to do one. I’ve almost run out of my current cleanser (KORAI Cloud Cleanser – read my review) and my COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review), so I decided to order a bunch of different ones to try. Hopefully, these will last a while because I bought so many. I purchased the products from Chuusi.ca (a Canadian online shop that sells Korean beauty and skincare). I’ve previously bought from them and they ship things out really quickly. Last time, I ordered and then received a notification 3 hours later. This time, it was the next day since I ordered on a weekend. I’m really excited to try the products I ordered:

    • 3x COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches
    • 2x Benton Goodbye Redness Centella Mask Pack
    • Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser
    • COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
    • Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash
    • Heimish All Clean Balm
    • Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original)
    • Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel
    • NEOGEN Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling (Green Tea)
    • Tony Moly Shiny Foot Super Peeling Liquid.

    I’d love to try other acne patch brands. So far I’ve only tried COSRX and Nexcare ones (read my This or That post comparing them)

    Update: Click here to read my review comparing the two cleansing balms.

    Have you tried any of these products? What are your fave K-beauty products?

    Love,

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  • Review | Ariul Beauty Mood Maker Masks & Mists

    March 12, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I received some products from KOODING.com by Ariul Beauty. Today, I will be reviewing the Mood Maker products! They generously sent me the Chic, Glam and Cute sheet masks and mists.

    All Ariul products, the Mood Maker Mist is formulated without artificial coloring, mineral oil, benzophenone, talc, or sulfates.

    They have different ‘moods’ depending on what you want:

    “Glam” is designed to vitalize the skin while protecting its natural moisture barrier.

    “Chic” is designed to tighten pores, calm, and soothe the skin.

    “Cute” is designed to give ultimate hydration while protecting your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

    The sheet masks are fragranced, but it’s not too strong. They use the hydrogel material which I really like. There is a lot of essence in the masks which is great because it won’t dry out too fast when you’re wearing it.

    These are quick, easy sheet masks that provide skin-loving benefits in only *5 minutes*! These are perfect right before events, parties, or just a good ol’ lazy day. The light-as-air Lyocell sheet allows for quick essence absorption, making these a breeze to use.

    I liked the Cute masks because I have dry skin and I need some moisture. The Cute mask has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a proprietary berry complex that’s packed with vitamin C. After using the cute mask, my face looked brighter, felt smoother and refreshed.

    RATING: 4/5

    The masks are great. They have a lot more by Ariul beauty on the Kooding website.

    Consider these your new secret weapon! These adorably packaged facial mists provide relief in just a few sprays and work perfectly in between skincare steps, as well as before and after makeup. Their compact size make them perfect for makeup bags, travel, and portability — hello, glow on-the-go!

    How To Use: Spritz in between skincare steps or before or after makeup. Can be used daily.

    Like the sheet masks, there are three different Mood Maker mists: Chic, Glam and Cute. Ariul also has 3 Jeju Lava Water Mists. The mists come in cute, compact packaging (like a card case) which makes it easy to pop into your bag. I’ve never seen facial mists come in this type of packaging, so they get points for being so innovative! They’re not scented which is great. You can use it like any other facial mist: apply before makeup, apply after makeup, refresh your face if it’s feeling dry, wet brushes to get more pigment out of your highlighter or eyeshadow.

    RATING: 3/5

    Love,

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  • First Impressions with Bali Body

    March 8, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I will be doing a first impressions review on some Bali Body products that I received from the brand. It’s an Australian brand…I think I’m getting contacted by Australian brands because I follow quite a few Australian beauty accounts on IG lol.

    I love the pastel matte bottle for the bronzing lotion and the rose gold and champagne-y gold tubes of the BB Cream and Lip Balm are so pretty.

    If you live in Canada like I do, it took exactly two weeks to arrive from their distribution centre in London.

    Before I start the reviews, I’d like to mention that just because certain products don’t work for me, it doesn’t mean that they’re bad. I’m just very sensitive to certain scents (especially coconut) and these products all have a scent.

    Coconut Lip Balm with SPF15

    A Coconut Lip Balm with SPF15 to hydrate and plump the lips while providing long lasting protection.

    This natural lip balm is packed with nourishing oils to smooth & repair dry & cracked lips day or night.

    RATING: 3/5

    I like that it comes in a squeezy tube with a plastic tip. As far as lip balms go, this is quite expensive when I’m used to buying Vaseline. This does feel very hydrating and makes your lips look very glossy, but not sticky. I would definitely throw this into my makeup bag to apply during the day. The coconut scent is a bit too strong for me to use at night time, but it’s okay during the day. I also don’t like the taste of it (not that I’m purposely eating it lol, but you know when you accidentally lick your lips or maybe you’re eating something and taste your lip balm).

    BB Cream with SPF15

    A multitasking beauty cream that combines hydrating skincare benefits to protect, correct and perfect the skin.

    Treat your skin in one easy step with this light-weight ultra-hydrating BB cream that provides perfect natural coverage instantly, while giving a healthy dewy glow.

    They have 4 shades: Fair, Natural, Tan and Dark

    I received the shade Natural and after reading reviews, I was excited to try this BB Cream.

    RATING: 2/5

    I don’t have a lot of luck with BB Creams on their own. I need more coverage than what BB Creams offer because I have dark spots from acne. So, this isn’t the type of base product I’m looking for, but if you want a very light coverage with SPF, you’ll love this BB Cream.

    Bronzing Lotion

    This antioxidant-rich moisturiser will provide a hint of tint while smoothing the skin with Vitamin E and natural oils.

    Enriched with organic caramel extract to provide an instant bronzed glow.

    This product isn’t a self tanner. It’s a lotion that’s tinted to give you a temporary bronzed look. It will wash off in the shower, so I wouldn’t go to sleep with this lotion on.

    Before using, make sure you exfoliated the night before because you want it to go on nice and smooth. It’s also better if you aren’t too hairy wherever you apply it. I applied it on my arms and the bronzing lotion was kind of collecting around my hairs. It dries pretty fast, so make sure to blend it in evenly. If you are wearing this, do NOT get it wet. A drop of water got on my arm and it obviously left a water drop in the ‘tan’.

    RATING: 3/5

    My skin felt moisturized with this lotion. But I have a very sensitive nose and I wasn’t a huge fan of the scent which smells like coconut and almond. It looks very intimidating when you squeeze it out of the bottle, but once you blend it out, it gives you a nice, bronzed glow. If you are pale like me, you will definitely see a difference. Personally, I think I would prefer to use a self-tanner that will stay on for a while instead of just a few hours.

    Final Thoughts

    I always love trying out new brands and I’m always grateful when I am sent products for review. While these products didn’t work for me, there are a lot of positive reviews on the site and other blogs that rave about Bali Body’s products.

    Love,

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  • This or That | Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil vs. Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil

    March 5, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I have another brow pencil comparison review for you! I have previously compared the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define with the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. Check it out below:

    DUPE IT OUT

    Today, I’m comparing the Benefit Precisely, My Brow with the Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil.

    Benefit, Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define in 6

    Available in 8 shades, twist-up & retractable pencil with a spoolie on the other end (mini doesn’t come with a spoolie).

    This ultra-fine eyebrow pencil draws incredibly natural-looking, hair-like strokes that last 12 budge-proof hours.* A few strokes of the rich yet blendable colour will transform brows from shapeless & undefined to filled & defined eyebrows.

    Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil in 09 Soft Black

    Available in 9 shades, needs to be sharpened & comes with a spoolie.

    A powder pencil that softly fills in and defines brows with quick, easy strokes, and features a spoolie brush at the other end to help create a neatly-shaped, natural finish.

    As the name suggests, this pencil is like a powder. It’s not waxy, it’s very much the same feel of the Benefit pencil, but your brows are filled in more because it mimics the look of using a powder.

    The two shades (6 for Benefit and 09 Soft Black for Lancôme) are very close. It may not look like it in the picture, but when you just do a hair stroke, they look very similar. The Benefit one might be just a tad cooler (it might match 10 Black in the Lancôme). Both brow pencils are the same price at $32 CAD, but the Benefit one is probably a better value since you don’t have to sharpen it. I feel like you’ll lose a good amount of the Lancôme pencil when you sharpen it.

    I have to say that the Lancôme’s spoolie is fatter, but it’s also firmer. Personally, I prefer the Benefit spoolie. The Benefit one is also easier to travel with since you don’t need to carry a sharpener.

    WINNER (if you like the filled in look while still being natural): Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil

    WINNER (if you prefer hair-like strokes): Benefit Precisely, My Brow

    I think it really depends on what you want. While the Lancôme pencil does fill in your brows, it still looks very natural and it’s easy to comb out if you make a mistake. For me, I don’t like brow pomade because it just scares me, but this is a good alternative for a starter. If you like powders, you might want to consider this pencil because it can fill in like a powder, but you get more precision with the pencil tip.

    The first time I used the Lancôme pencil, my brows looked the best they’ve ever looked! A clear brow gel looks great with it because it already fills in the brows really well. With the Benefit pencil, it’s more precise so it’s useful for filling in gaps. The Benefit pencil can fill in your brows, but it just takes more time to do it since the pencil is so thin. Sometimes I go a bit overboard and my brows are just way too dark. I think I need to get a lighter shade in the Benefit one (especially if I were to use it on the head of the brow).

    I know Lancôme has a Brow Define Pencil that’s similar to the Benefit one; it’s retractable and has a spoolie. I wonder how that one compares.

    I would definitely repurchase both, but if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I have #NoRepurchaseRule this year. Brow products take me a long time to finish, so I will probably just keep trying out different brow pencils until I’ve tried as many as possible. If you can believe it, I still haven’t tried the Anastasia brow products. I think those are next on the list!

    What’s your fave brow product?

    Love,

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  • First Impressions with KORAI Skincare

    March 1, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Update: There aren’t any items listed on their Etsy shop.

    I’m back with another review! I was generously sent two products from a new skincare brand called KORAI. It’s a Canadian brand that sells on Etsy. They currently sell the Cloud Cleanser and Amber Oil which are the two products I received.

    Spoiler Alert: both products are awesome!

    Amber Oil

    Nourishing, fragrance-free, and multipurpose. Amber Oil can be used from head to toe. A full dropper can melt away a face of makeup or environmental pollutants. 2-4 drops on damp and clean skin can seal in moisture without the worry of clogging your pores.

    Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E Oil)

    I’ve been using the Amber Oil on my hands and face and they both feel soft and smooth. It hasn’t clogged my pores and it has a very light scent which is great for me. I tried removing my makeup with it, but I didn’t like it. It did remove my makeup, but obviously, it didn’t rinse off very well since oil and water don’t mix. So I will stick to using it as a facial oil.

    RATING: 5/5

    Cloud Cleanser

    • Deep cleansing
    • Sulfate free
    • Lightweight

    How to Use: Apply 1-2 pumps into freshly washed hands and rub onto dry

    skin in gentle circular motions for a minimum of one minute. Rinse with cool water and gently tap excess water into the skin until dry.

    Featured Ingredients:

    Authentic Ghanaian black soap contains ingredients that carry naturally anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is high in antioxidants, vitamin A and E. These nutrients aid in healing skin ailments like acne, eczema and psoriasis as well as balancing the skin’s tone and texture.

    Cold-pressed vitamin E oil can block free radicals and replenish the skin’s natural oils which help slow the process of aging signs. It is also known for assisting in healing wounds, preventing/minimizing the appearance of scars, and moisturizing the skin.

    Ingredients: Water/Eau, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Pod, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Plantago Major (Plantain) Skin, Moringa Oleifera (Moringa) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E Oil)

    RATING: 5/5

    This cleanser is great. It makes my face feel clean, but it’s also gentle enough for my sensitive, acne-prone skin. I love a foaming cleanser.

    Love,

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