• november 2019 empties

    November 2019 Product Empties

    November 28, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I’ve got quite a few empties this month! Keep reading to find out which ones I’d repurchase.

    Tula Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel – I like this gel. It doesn’t dry out my skin or irritate it like other salicylic acid products. Unfortunately for me, Tula stopped selling outside of the United States.

    Repurchase? I would if I could.

    Dr Paw Paw Original Balm (read my review) – This product was okay, but it didn’t do much more than Vaseline (which is a lot cheaper).

    Repurchase? No.

    Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Grapefruit* (read my review) – I liked this lip balm, but it tasted like artificial grapefruit.

    Repurchase? Yes, in a different flavour.

    Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes* (read my review) – I really enjoyed this eye cream. I didn’t really notice if it brightened my under eyes, but it didn’t have any scent to it and wasn’t too thick. It didn’t cause any reactions under my eyes. It wouldn’t be hydrating enough for Fall/Winter, but I liked it for Spring/Summer.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser – This was an okay cleanser, but I don’t think it’s worth splurging. It didn’t do anything special compared to cheaper options.

    Repurchase? No.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer – This is one of my favourite primers. I’ve already repurchased one to replace this.

    Repurchase? Absolutely.

    Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer – This is one of Tati’s (GlamLifeGuru) favourite pore-filling primers. It is a great primer, but it comes in a jar and it’s a bit thicker than other pore-filling primers. You also have to make sure to press it into the skin, don’t rub it in or it will pill. If you use too much, it can get cakey. It’s a great pore-filling and blurring primer.

    Repurchase? Probably not since I’ve found others that are easier to use.

    Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge – This was denser than I thought it would be. I didn’t love it and didn’t hate it.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    What did you finish this month?

    Love,

    Products with (*) were gifted to me.

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  • Unboxing Look Fantastic Beauty Box | November 2019 Hygge Edition

    November 19, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I was sent the November Look Fantastic US Beauty Box – Hygge Edition.

    This month is all about finding comfort and contentment in life’s simple pleasures.

    The box contains 6 items to pamper yourself:

    Espa Smooth & Firm Body Butter

    Lather the body in this nourishing body butter, leaving skin soft and supple. Enriched with hydrating Larch and smoothing Pumpkin Seed Extract, this body butter deeply moisturises and evens skin tone. Delicately fragranced with Rose, Patchouli and Mandarin Essential Oils, indulge in a moment of self-care with this body butter.

    This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

    Get a great night’s sleep with this pillow spray – proven to help you fall asleep quicker and wake up feeling refreshed. Infused with a superblend of Lavender, Vetivert and Chamomile, this pillow spray helps to calm mind and body – soothing you to sleep.

    Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Riche

    In just one step, achieve nourished, softer and comfortable skin. Combining intense nutrition with a subtle fragrance, this riche oil nourishes, repairs and leaves a satin finish. Able to be used on face, body and hair, this multi-use oil is a cold weather saviour.

    So Eco Konjac Sponge

    A sponge made from vegetable fibres of the Konjac plant, this biodegradable sponge helps to gently cleanse and exfoliate with every use. Designed to help balance the pH of the skin, this sponge is suitable for all skin types.

    Dr Botanicals Hemp Infused Natural Nutrition Moisturizer

    Infused with Hemp Seed Oil and Cocoa Butter, this day moisturiser protects, nourishes and hydrates the complexion. Containing 2% Hemp Seed Oil, this whipped moisturiser provides essential fatty acids that help provide the skin with essential vitamins and minerals.

    View this post on Instagram

    REVIEW // Happy #selfcaresunday ! I tried out this glove mask from the @lookfantasticus box and really enjoyed it! It's a "revitalising serum enriched with shea butter, Aloe Vera & hyaluronic acid in an innovative glove mask." It was my first time trying a glove mask. My fingers were really dry after taking off my nail polish, so I thought I'd try it out to see how well it worked. They're plastic gloves with an inner lining (that's like a face sheet mask) soaked in serum. The most saturated parts of the glove were probably the fingers. After 20 minutes, it does kind of feel like when you're in a bath/swimming pool too long. Any longer than 30 minutes, and my fingers would definitely feel pruny/wrinkly. Since there was an inner lining, the outer part of the glove wasn't wet at all and I was able use my phone with the gloves on (bonus!). It definitely made my hands feel softer and not as dry. It's been a few days and my hands still feel pretty soft and smooth. It would definitely be nice to put these glove masks on while doing a face mask, then you can just sit back and relax. I would definitely consider buying this one. It's definitely on the pricey side, but they have a 4 pack available where you can get 4 for the price of 3. . . . . #gifted

    A post shared by Jen (@jencatbeauty) on

    Skimono Beauty Hand Mask for Intense Nourishment

    Designed for hardworking hands, this unique mask soothes and moisturises the hands. A unique bio-cellulose glove inspired by a multi-layered Kimono, this hand mask is saturated in a formula rich in Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid to promote supple and smooth skin.

    Before receiving this box, I had only heard of the Nuxe oil. I’ve only tried 2 of the 6 products so far, but I really enjoyed the Skimono mask. My hands (especially the pads of my fingers) were really dry and I used the mask and they felt a lot smoother after I used it.

    Have you tried the Look Fantastic Beauty Box?

    Love,

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  • laneige lip sleeping mask vs lip glowy balm

    This or That | Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask vs. Lip Glowy Balm

    November 12, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m comparing two Laneige products: Lip Sleeping Mask vs. Lip Glowy Balm. The lip sleeping mask came out first and it was the first lip mask I’ve tried. Then they came out with the Lip Glowy Balm which could be considered the travel-friendly, daytime version of the Lip Sleeping Mask. They do have some differences (not just the packaging). I received the Lip Glowy Balm from Laneige Canada and won the Lip Sleeping Mask in a giveaway, but I would’ve bought both on my own.

    Lip Sleeping Mask

    A leave-on lip mask that soothes and moisturizes for smoother, more supple lips overnight. Lip Sleeping Mask has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. A generous layer of this soothing mask at bedtime helps reduce flakiness so you can wake up to lips that feel refreshed, supple, and soft to the touch.

    Lip Glowy Balm

    A lightweight, moisture-coating lip balm for hydrated, tinted, and kissable lips throughout the day. The perfect daytime partner in crime to the cult-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask, Glowy Lip Balm is pocket sized for easy, on-the-go application. The formula contains murumuru and shea butters that provide powerful hydration and lock in moisture longer.

    Lip Sleeping Mask

    $26 CAD (0.7oz/20g)

    Comes in a pot with a spatula, not as travel-friendly

    Available in Berry (Original), Vanilla, Apple Lime, Grapefruit, Mint Chocolate Chip (Limited Edition)

    Lip Glowy Balm

    $20 CAD (0.35oz/10g)

    Comes in a tube, easy to pop in your purse/pocket

    Available in Berry, Grapefruit, Pear, Peach

    I have the Berry Sleeping Mask and the Grapefruit Glowy Balm. So, I can’t say if the berry and grapefruit scents smell exactly the same. Before I got the Glowy Balm, I had worn the Sleeping Mask in the daytime. Looking at the specs, the Sleeping Mask is twice the size for only $6 more, but it’s too bulky to throw in your purse. After every use, I like to wipe down the spatula that came with the Sleeping Mask. The Glowy Balm is easy to apply straight from the tube.

    I’ve found that the Sleeping Mask doesn’t taste like anything (when I’ve licked my lips), but the Glowy Balm DOES taste like grapefruit. Since I don’t have the same flavour in both lip products, I can’t say if all glowy balms have a taste or all grapefruit ones have a taste. At some point, I might have to buy the Berry flavour in the Glowy Balm to see.

    WINNER: Lip Sleeping Mask

    I think I prefer the Lip Sleeping Mask over the Glowy Balm. I also prefer the Original Berry flavour over the Grapefruit. I can use the Sleeping Mask during the day or night, but I personally don’t want to use the Glowy Balm at night because it’s tinted and I don’t want it getting on my pillowcases or duvet cover. Also, the Sleeping Mask is more cost effective. It may not be as travel-friendly, but I have other lip products that I can throw in my purse.

    Which Laneige lip product do you prefer?

    Love,

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  • Review | Bali Balm Lemon & Black Pepper Lip Balm

    November 5, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the Bali Balm Lip Balm in Lemon & Black Pepper! I received this product from Calissa.

    An invigorating blend of citrusy lemon and spicy black pepper which give this luxurious lip balm its signature zing. Lemon oil is often used to rejuvenate dull skin and the aroma is said to reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity. Black pepper has a warming effect and is a natural antibacterial.
     
    INGREDIENTS: Coconut Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, Kukui Nut Oil, Sugarcane Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Black Pepper Fruit Oil, Lemon Myrtle Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil, Rosemary Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, Vanilla Fruit Extract.

    Calissa sells 3 other lip balm flavours: Bergamot & Grapefruit, Sandalwood & Ginger and Cinnamon & Burnt Orange. I think the Bergamot & Grapefruit One would be my fave.

    The tube has a simple design. The lip balm comes in a nice, sturdy rectangular box that you can re-use. It’d be perfect to store your jewellery when you travel.

    A lot of lip balms are quite colourful, so I think men might enjoy using this one since darker colours in packaging are considered masculine. The lip balm itself has a thicker formula. I have to squeeze it harder than my Jouer or Laneige lip balm. I think this is good because if you have this in your purse, it’s less likely to ooze out if it’s squeezed. The lemon and black pepper has a fresh, yet a little spicy scent. I don’t know if it’s black pepper or if it’s the peppermint that gives it a bit of a kick. The balm gives a sheen to the lips, but not too glossy. When you apply it, you can feel a little tingle, but it goes away after a while.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    I find lemon-scented products can easily smell like a kitchen cleaner. So, I don’t love this one, but I think I’d enjoy the bergamot & grapefruit one. This is on the pricier side of lip balms, but it’s free of mineral oil, beeswax and fragrances.

    If you would like to make a purchase on Calissa.com, use code 10FRIENDSOFCALISSA to get 10% off! (This is not an affiliate code, just a code for you to get a discount!)

    Check out my other posts on products I’ve received from Calissa!

    Love,

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