Today, I’m doing another comparison post on lip scrubs (see the first here). I’m comparing lip scrubs again. This time, it’s elf Lip Exfoliator against the Tarte lip Facial Lip Scrub.
elf Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac
Gently exfoliate lips to remove dry, chapped skin with our Lip Exfoliator! A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. This Lip Exfoliator treats and smoothes lips for a conditioned and revitalized feel.
Tarte lip Facial Lip Scrub
Pamper & perfect your pout with this at-home lippie facial that exfoliates & treats dry, cracked lips & provides instant hydration, all in one easy-to-use pencil. The 2-in-1 lip scrub sloughs away dead surface cells, allowing moisturizing ingredients to penetrate deeply thanks to micro-fine sugar granules suspended in a conditioning treatment balm. The raw sugar acts as a natural exfoliator, gently rolling over surface imperfections to polish & improve lip texture.
This felt so rough, my lips did not like this one. I tested it out by swatching on my hand to see if it was just in my head, but it actually made my hand red from applying it on my hand (not wiping it off). I would rather make my own sugar lip scrub than by this. Thank goodness I got this for free.
WINNER: elf Lip Exfoliator
Again, the elf one wins because it’s just so affordable and the Tarte one just felt so rough and abrasive on the lips.
Today, I’m reviewing products that I ordered from TULA skincare. I had been seeing TULA products all over Instagram and wanted to give them a try. The products are cruelty-free and they are formulated with probiotics. Now, I’m not a scientist and all I really know about probiotics is that it’s sometimes in yogurt and cheese. I know that it provides health benefits and help with digestive problems.
Pictures taken from TULA website
I purchased the Discovery Kit to start out. The products are all travel-sized and meant to last about a month. I also decided to buy the Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel as well.
Since I had 5 new products, I wanted
to ease into using it just in case I had a reaction. I started with the
Purifying Cleanser, two weeks later, I started the Illuminating Face Serum,
Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel. A few days later, I started the Pro-Glycolic
Resurfacing Gel and then a week after that, I started the Hydrating Day &
Night Cream.
Originally, I was using just the Tula
products, but since I started using the Hydrating Day & Night Cream last,
my face still felt fairly dry. So, I incorporated a few drops of the Tarte
Maracuja Oil to the routine.
For the Face Serum, Acne Gel and Resurfacing Gel, I use 1 pump for each application and just a dab of the Day & Night Cream. I used all products every day (AM & PM) until I finished them. They all lasted a little over a month.
When I started using the products, I had
a cluster of dark spots from clogged pores on my cheek. After I finished 3/5 of
the products, the dark spots were almost gone. My NARS Soft Matte Complete
Concealer used to be unable to cover them, but now, my foundation can conceal
what’s left. I don’t know if it was a result of the serum or the acne gel, but
I was very impressed. I expected that I’d have the dark spots for months until
they faded.
Purifying Face Cleanser $35
This refreshing probiotic gel cleanser goes deep into pores to remove impurities and helps condition skin, without stripping or over-drying.
RATING: 4.5/5
Hydrating Day & Night Cream $65
Delivers deep hydration to help revive dull skin. This nourishing cream, full of naturally derived probiotics and superfoods, reveals an even, glowing, youthful-looking complexion.
RATING: 4.5/5
Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel $42
This alcohol-free toner uses probiotics, glycolic acid, and beetroot extract to gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it looking smooth, hydrated and more even.
RATING: 5/5
Illuminating Face Serum $98
This lightweight serum expertly targets the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and dull skin, revealing a youthful glow and brightened complexion.
RATING: 5/5
Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel $36
Clear skin, zero irritation. Our acne gel contains 2% salicylic acid to clear up acne, prevent breakouts & brighten marks left by past acne.
RATING: 5/5
I think out of all the products, the Hydrating Day & Night Cream is my least fave. Even though the texture is actually quite light, I think it’s a bit heavy for my skin. I also don’t love creams that come in pots; I would prefer a tube or bottle with a pump. I am going to try their gel creams to replace it.
I’ve finished all of the products from the Discovery Kit. I’ve reordered the Illuminating Face Serum and I also bought the Kefir Replenishing Cleansing Oil, Anti-Aging Discovery Kit. I want to slowly try all of the products that interest me. I didn’t repurchase the Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Gel because I still have 2/3 of my Pixi Glow Tonic left. Once I finish that, I will buy the Resurfacing Gel.
Once I’ve tried out the new products, I will write a new review.
Today, I’m reviewing a cult favourite: The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick! This is the first Hourglass product I’ve purchased, but I definitely have other Hourglass products on my wishlist!
I’ve tried a few different foundation sticks at this point: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick, Maybelline Fit Me Stick and the Lancome Teint Idole Foundation Stick. I bought the Lancome one at the same time as the Hourglass one and I’ve been testing both of them out. I asked my IG followers which one to review first and the majority chose the Hourglass. I really love foundation sticks, they’re so easy to pop into your bag and they can double as a concealer! I really loved the Maybelline Fit Me Stick and the Bobbi Brown stick is beautiful, but I don’t have the right shade match. After I’ve reviewed both the Lancome and Hourglass, I will compare them to see which I prefer.
The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is full coverage with a natural finish. For me, it looks more like a matte finish. I have the shade Ivory which is described as a light medium, cool undertone. It’s a very good shade match for me.
The whole tube is so shiny, it’s kind of a pain to wipe off your fingerprints on the outer part and when you take the lid off, but let’s see if the foundation itself is worth it!
A revolutionary foundation stick with the coverage of a concealer, the fluidity of a liquid, and the weightlessness of a powder in a long-wearing waterproof formula for undetectable full coverage. The unprecedented concentration of pigment in this foundation provides maximum coverage with minimum product, concealing all discoloration and imperfections for flawless skin with a seamless finish.
Hourglass advises you to do the following when applying it: Dot 3 triangular dots in the center of both sides of the face – 3 dots on the chin, 3 dots on the tops of the cheekbones and 3 dots on the forehead.
It would be interesting to see if the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush makes a huge difference in how it applies since it’s meant for it, but I don’t really want to splurge on a brush especially when I prefer using sponges over brushes.
Test #1
Base: Tarte Maracuja Oil, Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Smoothing)
Application: Damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Setting Powder: Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder on t-zone and under eyes
After 3 hours, it was getting a bit shiny on my t-zone. My cheeks and forehead still looked really good, but my nose area and chin were breaking up and looking a bit cakey.
Test #2
Base: Tarte Maracuja Oil (applied as moisturizer), Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Hydrating), MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite
Colour Correction: used Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance to cover up some redness around nose
Application: used a dry cushion puff
Concealer: Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Concealer in Light
Setting Powder/Spray: Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder on t-zone and under eyes, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
After a couple hours, it was breaking up, it looked dry and cakey. From far away, it looked flawless, but when you got up close and personal, it looked pretty bad.
Test #3
Base: Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream (as moisturizer), half side of face Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer, other half Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer
Application: Damp Sponge
Concealer: Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Concealer in Light
Setting Powder/Spray: None
Upon close inspection, both sides of my face look the same (The Tatcha and Tarte primers both smooth out the skin for the foundation). Similar to Test #2, it looks flawless from a distance, but up close you can definitely tell I’m wearing makeup. It looks a bit cakey. Feels a bit tacky in the areas that don’t have any powder products. I contoured, bronzed and applied blush and highlighter. I used the Kat Von D Shade & Light Contour Palette to sculpt (sombre) and to set under eyes (lucid). I feel like both primers performed the same.
After two hours, the redness on my chin and under my nose were peeking through.
RATING: 4/5
I was planning to test this out a few more times, but I think I already know what my opinion of this foundation is: I like it, but don’t love it. I will continue to experiment with it and let you know if I find a combo of products that I like.
I’m not a full coverage girl, I prefer sheer or medium coverage with a dewy finish because my skin is dry. I like it enough to finish it, but I do have to make sure to use an illuminating primer/highlighter underneath or maybe mix it with a dewy foundation or moisturizer. Maybe I will use it as more of a concealer.
Have you tried this foundation stick? What did you think about it?
Originally, I featured the Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber Toner in my October 2018 Favourites.
Excerpt from October Favourites post:
I’m really liking this Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber Toner! It smells refreshing and I’ve been using it in the morning. I’m so glad I spotted this at Winners last month. I’ve poured some into a spray bottle so I can use it as a facial spray. I checked the Thayers website and both the toner and the facial spray have the exact same ingredients, so I’m assuming that it’s the same product in a different bottle.
After using it for a while, I noticed I was breaking out worse than I had in a long time.
Chapter 1
Oct 31/17: The Thayers Witch Hazel Toner was added to this list in early October. I’m sad to say that I don’t think I can use the Thayers Witch Hazel (Cucumber) anymore. I’ve been using it for a little over a month and I’ve noticed I’ve been getting acne on my forehead and cheeks and chin. I usually get hormonal acne on my chin, so that’s no surprise, and my face has been relatively clear (with the occasional pimple here and there). I’ve been drinking a lot of water this month which has helped me in the past to keep my skin clear. In the past two weeks, my face has broken out so badly, it feels like I’m in high school again. I haven’t put any makeup on because I don’t want to aggravate it more. This is the worst it has been in a long time. Usually, if I get a breakout, it’s confined to one spot: the chin (when I’m expecting my period). Right now, I have a couple blemishes on my forehead, between the eyes, a breakout on both cheeks and on my chin. I haven’t been eating anything out of the ordinary and I’ve cut down on sugary drinks. I will have one cup of tea and then water for the rest of the day.
I read somewhere that said Witch Hazel is a natural astringent which dries out your skin. I already have dry skin, so I don’t think Witch Hazel is a good product for me anyway. It’s such a shame because I’ve heard such good things about it. I am not 100% sure if the Witch Hazel Toner is the culprit, so I’ve stopped using it for now and we’ll see what happens.
Chapter 2
UPDATE Jan 8, 2019: I was reading a review on the Pixi Glow Tonic and saw that it has witch hazel in it! Now, it’s making me rethink whether the Thayers Witch Hazel Toner was the cause of my breakout or if it was just a coincidence. It’s possible the mix of ingredients didn’t agree with my face, or the amount of witch hazel? Or maybe I broke out from something else and I just attributed the breakout to the witch hazel.
I’m kind of scared to try the Thayers Witch Hazel Toner again, but maybe I should give it another shot and just use it less frequently? I’m searching for the culprit, I’m not on a witch hunt…lol, sorry, I couldn’t not put that pun in there. I have two bottles of it: Cucumber and Unscented. I know a lot of people have the Rose one and love it. I am not a fan of rose-scented things, so I chose the lighter scents thinking it’d be safe. Maybe I will use the toners on the body or something.
Today, I’m doing a review of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I got a sample of the very popular Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I have been seeing it everywhere on IG.
Lip Sleeping Mask has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, its Berry Mix Complex™ offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts to indulge the senses. Its exclusive Moisture Wrap™ technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients. 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.
RATING: 5/5
I can see why people love it so much; unlike Vaseline, it doesn’t absorb into your lips after a few hours. It has the consistency and smell of a balm (made me think of Lip Smackers lip balms), but the look of a gloss (without the stickiness). It made my lips look smooth and plump from the shine and even though it’s scented, it doesn’t taste like anything. I put it on a few hours before I went to bed, so I was wearing it for about 12 hours and when I woke up, I could still feel a bit of the balm on my lips. I could probably get 3-4 uses out of the little sample, so, depending on the frequency of use, I assume the pot will last a very long time and make it worth the price.
Doing a bit of math…I got 7 uses out of the sample size, but I probably could’ve stretched it out to 10 if I used less. The full size pot is about 25 times as much as the sample, therefore the pot would last about 175-250 uses depending on how much you use each time. If you use this once a day, it should last at least 5 months (by my calculations…again, depends on how much you use).
Update: I’ve had the tub for a year now and I’ve barely made a dent. I don’t use it every single day. There was also a month or two where I didn’t use it because I was trying other products.
Today, I’m reviewing another mascara! The Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara. I decided to pick it up because I’ve seen so many amazing reviews and I heard that Meghan Markle uses the Luscious one from the Lash Sensational collection (that will be next on my list).
It separates lashes really well giving the “full fan effect” and darkens my lashes. I applied the mascara to my lower lashes and they looked very natural (not spidery at all). If I run my finger under my lashes, you can definitely feel that you’re wearing mascara because the lashes are stiff. The mascara flaked a little bit when I rubbed my lashes.
I like that the brush is curved, it helps lift my lashes. I used to not like silicone wands, but I’m coming around to them. This mascara and the CoverGirl LashBlast have made me like silicone wands more. I think I will do a This or That post comparing this mascara to the CoverGirl one.
I have the washable mascara and it did not hold up after crying a bit. I was re-watching the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies and cried (obviously). I actually forgot I was wearing mascara and wiped away the tears. Later, I went to the bathroom and thought, “OMG! Why does it look like I have a black eye?” (That’s probably a bit dramatic; it didn’t really look like I had a black eye, maybe super bad dark circles). Then I remembered that I had mascara on. My lashes still kept the curl (I used my Shu Uemura lash curler before applying the mascara) despite getting damp from my tears.
To test how well it curls and maintains a curl, I curled the lashes on my left eye and didn’t curl the right eyelashes. After 6 hours, the left lashes were still curled and even the right look like I had curled them because the mascara lifted them. When I was checking them, I did notice a few mascara flakes on my right lid. After 10 hours of wear, it had definitely smudged onto my under eye area and flaked off a bit.
RATING: 5/5
I can see why everyone loves this mascara so much! It has definitely been added to my faves list! I would be interested in trying the Luscious one because it says it makes your lashes feel soft. I think I also want to try the Total Temptation one with Coconut Oil.
Today, I’m doing a first impressions review for two OUAI products I picked up at Sephora: Texturizing Hair Spray and the Wave Spray. When I first heard of the brand, I thought it was pronounced Ou-Ai…anyone else?? I’ve been searching for a texture spray that helps my hair from looking frizzy and gives me volume. I bought the texturizing hair spray in a Sephora favourites kit and I thought I would give the OUAI wave spray a try as well. Let’s get started on the reviews!
Texturizing Hair Spray
Like dry shampoo and hair spray had a baby—this ultra-lightweight hair spray builds incredible volume and texture. Packed with volcanic minerals to absorb oil and refresh hair.
Wave Spray
A weightless texture mist for effortlessly chic, undone hair. Infused with rice protein to add hold and memory for that “just got out of the ocean and my hair dried perfectly” look.
Both sprays have the same mix of fragrances listed:North Bondi: Bergamot, Italian Lemon, Rose De Mai, Magnolia, Lily, Blackberry, Violet, Cedar-wood, Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood, and White Musk.
I prefer the Wave Spray to the Texturizing Spray since it comes in a plastic bottle instead of an aerosol can.
RATING: 3/5
I’m rating them both the same. They both work well to texturize and give some volume, but I had to dock off points for the fragrance. They’re a bit too perfume-y for me, so unfortunately, I will be giving the texturizing hair spray to my friend and returning the wave spray.
I’ve been trying out a lot of mascaras lately. I’m on the hunt for a drugstore mascara that lengthens my lashes and holds a curl (if it also volumizes too, that would be great).
Get a blast of bold, volumizing mascaras! COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara gives you full and voluminous lashes. LashBlast’s patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic mascara formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big-lash look. This amazing volume mascara is now available in waterproof, too!
I find the tube a bit slippery to open. Especially since the top is slanted, so there’s less surface area to open…is it just me?
I love the silicone wand on this, it separates my lashes nicely. From what I remember about the Buxom Lash Mascara, this one could be a dupe for it. Although, I don’t have the Buxom one to do a side-by-side comparison, so I’m not 100% sure.
There’s no clumps and my lashes look natural and don’t feel too stiff. The wand is good for my bottom lashes too, it darkens my bottom lashes without making them look spidery.
My lashes looked so natural that when I asked my mom if she could tell I was wearing mascara, she said she didn’t notice until I mentioned it. The mascara makes them look natural, but darkens my lashes. I have the shade Very Black.
Some time after the 4th hour mark, the mascara had transferred onto my eyelid. Hopefully, if you get the waterproof version, it won’t do that.
Weirdly enough, I was wearing this on a different day during Black Friday weekend. I was at the mall most of the day, I got hot and sweaty from wearing my coat and it was raining (spitting, not heavy downpour), my mascara didn’t smudge at all.
RATING: 4/5
I would prefer if the wand was a bit more tapered so I could get the inner corners of my eyes a bit better. So, I don’t think this is my new, absolute fave mascara, but it definitely goes into the top 5 drugstore mascaras I’ve tried.
I definitely prefer this mascara over the CoverGirl Total Tease (read my review).
If you have any drugstore mascara recommendations, I’d love to hear them! I’ve already tried the L’Oréal Lash Paradise one, and it’s not one of my faves.
Today, I’m reviewing the Kopari deodorant. I was previously using Lady Speed Stick ones from the drugstore, but I wanted to start using a deodorant without aluminum. I decided to try out this Kopari one.
The clean, non-toxic deodorant that really works! This aluminum and baking soda-free deodorant works with your body’s natural functions to aid in odor reduction. This invisible formula glides on smooth and will outlast your longest days. It’s guaranteed to leave you smelling like fresh coconut milk.
No Aluminum. No Baking Soda. No Parabens. No Silicone. No Phthalates. No Kidding.
I don’t do super rigorous workouts, so this deodorant works for me. I did some exercises to work up a sweat and it still smelled nice and coconut-ty. I’m interested to see how well this deodorant performs in hot summer weather. I will definitely try it out when the weather gets warm again.
RATING: 3/5
At $18 CAD, it’s pricey for a deodorant, especially when I’m used to paying about $5 at the drugstore. If you stock up during a sale, it’s a little more reasonable. I do want to try other natural deodorants out there, but I really like this one and would definitely buy it again (during a sale). I’ve gotten a few recommendations from fellow beauty lovers and I’m interested in trying those brands once I finish this one.
Today, I am reviewing a few Saturday Skin products that I purchased during the Sephora sale. I got the No Bad Days kit ($48 CAD) that includes 4 travel-sized products:
Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist
Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream
Featherweight Daily Moisturizing Cream
Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
I’ve seen this brand on Instagram and I wanted to try it. I love the pink packaging that they use. Although, it can be quite tricky to photograph without washing out the pink or making the SATURDAY SKIN labels illegible.
Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist
Hit refresh. Concentrated extracts of kiwi and grape quench and nourish, drenching skin in a veil of moisture.
RATING: 4/5
It’s a 2-in-1 product – a toner and an essence. I like that it’s not scented. With the travel-sized bottle, it disperses the liquid so well that you could spray your whole face in one spritz. Originally, when I saw the price for the full-sized bottle, I thought it was expensive, but it’s almost the same as MAC Fix+ or the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist. It even comes in a larger bottle than those two mists.
Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream
Brighten up. Date Seed extract illuminates and refreshes the area around the eyes.
RATING: 4/5
I like the consistency of this eye cream and I like that it doesn’t smell like anything. It feels a little bit tacky after you’ve applied it, but it’s not as bad as another eye cream I tried once. My under eye area can get dry sometimes and this has helped to keep them smooth.
This lightweight formula still packs a punch. Avocado protein extract strengthens skin’s own moisture barrier, sealing in hydration to protect and soften skin.
DERMATOLOGIST TESTED. NO PARABENS, SULFATES, SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE OR SYNTHETIC COLOR.
RATING: 3/5
I like that it’s lightweight and doesn’t make my face feel greasy or tacky. I don’t like the smell of this cream; it’s not scented, but it has this plastic smell. I don’t know if it’s from the tub it comes in or if it’s the product itself. I’ve seen other reviews that mention the smell, so it’s not just me.
Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
Start over by gently rubbing dullness away. Natural cellulose lifts impurities from the skin and aloe extract soothes skin. Packed with papaya and bromelain (pineapple) to help remove impurities.
RATING: 4/5
This product made my face feel nice and smooth. While I did like it, there are similar products on the market that are cheaper. I prefer to spend more on skincare products that stay on my face. Since this product is a peel, I’d rather save some money.
I’m glad I got this kit to try a handful of Saturday Skin products. Although if I had bought the individual items, I’d be able to return them easily. I’m not sure how it works with returning a kit…are you even allowed to return kits?
Since this is a first impressions review, I will continue to use these products and update you on any changes. Based on my initial thoughts, I would repurchase 2 products from this kit: the Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream and the Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist.
Have you tried Saturday Skin products? What were your thoughts on them?
This is a first impressions review for the LIVING PROOF Full Dry Volume Blast from the Sephora Favorites Party Hair Kit.
Here’s the description of the product on Sephora:
An instant, long-lasting volume and texture spray designed with lightweight ingredients that won’t weigh hair down.
This product contains patent-pending “expandable, textured-aero-spheres,” called ETAs. They are lighter and bigger than industry-standard ingredients, so they deliver big volume and texture without weighing hair down.
How to Use: Section the hair. Holding the canister 10 inches away, lift and spray from roots to ends. For a desired root lift, you may also spray just the roots. Repeat until the imagined style is achieved, making sure to shake the can between each spray. Tousle the hair with your fingers, then spray onto the finished style for added texture and hold.
I’m going to start by saying that I’ve only used this once. I would’ve liked to have tried this a few times before giving my first impressions review, but the scent of this is so strong, it gave me a really bad headache. I tried this out on a fairly cold day, so I can’t say how well this performs on a hot day. I also have thick, long hair, so I can’t say how it performs on thin hair. The day before using this, I slept with braids in my hair. I used the spray to add some volume and boy, did it add volume. My hair looked like Hermione’s in the first Harry Potter movie. It gave my hair texture without feeling tacky or gritty. It has no parabens, sulfates or phthalates. The product itself was great, but the smell is way too scented for me. It smells like perfume and was starting to give me a headache, so I put my hair in a bun to keep it away from my face and when I took out my Gummiband hair cord, my hair felt really soft and smooth.
RATING: 3/5 The night I used it, I washed my hair because it gave me such a terrible headache. The next day, I could still smell it in my hair. For me, it loses 2 points for having such a strong smell. Plus, it kind of worries me that it says the product is extremely flammable on the Sephora website and it has Butane in the ingredients list. I will be giving this to my friend because I won’t be using this again.
Have you tried this styling spray? What did you think of it?
I received a sample of the Juicy Couture OUI Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum from Topbox Circle.
Get hooked right from the start with the tart freshness from a fusion of watermelon and lemon in a special water lemon note. The chic sophistication of jasmine absolute paired with provocative wild tuberose creates an iconic duo, while a modern sense of addiction is born through sleek techno woods. Just say OUI to addictive energy and movement that don’t stop.
Top notes: watermelon, acai berry, tea and pear
middle notes: jasmine, tuberose and honeysuckle
base notes: woodsy note, amber and musk
When I test perfumes, I like to test it in different ways:
Longevity
Scent
How it smells after a few hours on my skin (after reacting with my body oils)
How the bottle looks (this isn’t super important, but it’s a plus. If a perfume smelled amazing and lasted long, I would still purchase even if I didn’t love the bottle).
I did one spray of this perfume in the morning and I went to the dentist and went shopping. I asked my mom how it smelled and she said she couldn’t smell it when she was sitting right beside me (only an hour after spritzing it on). With my two signature perfumes, she can always smell them sitting beside me.
I love a fruity perfume, especially if it’s a bit aquatic and similar to my Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia perfume, the OUI perfume has jasmine. I don’t know what it is about the OUI perfume, but it has something (possibly the musk) that makes it smell like a more mature woman would wear (no offense to anyone who’s younger that likes this perfume). You know how there’s certain scents that older ladies usually wear? Like Chanel No. 5? The OUI perfume has something that makes it smell a bit too mature for me.
After wearing the OUI perfume for 6-8 hours, I couldn’t smell it at all. I tried rubbing my sweater on the spot I sprayed it and sniffing it, but I couldn’t smell anything. I even asked my mom to sniff me again and she said she didn’t smell anything. Usually with my Armani perfume, I can still smell it after a whole day and sometimes it still lingers after I’ve showered.
I think the bottle is a bit gaudy. I would’ve liked it a lot better if they had chosen either pink OR red (not both) and if they hadn’t added the gold chain that says ‘OUI.’ To be completely honest, I’ve never liked any of the Juicy Couture perfume bottles. If I were to buy the full size of a perfume, I want it to smell good, last long and come in a pretty bottle that I can display. I love the simplicity of the Jo Malone perfumes, but I find all of the scents a bit too strong for me.
Today’s review is on the Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer! I bought this because it’s one of Tati’s favourite primers. When it comes to flawless looking makeup, I can always rely on Tati’s recommendations. I love getting recommendations from Beauty YouTubers. They try so many different products and brands, so if they have a favourite, then you know it must be good. Of course, not everything they love will be something I love too, but sometimes you just have to give it a try. So, when I bought some products from Tarte, I popped this into my cart. Keep reading to find out what I have to say about this primer!
The one that I bought is the Limited Edition (LE) one. The packaging is different, but I checked and the ingredients are the same as the regular primer from the permanent collection. The LE primer comes in a frosted glass pot that has a pink and green glittery lid. Although the top of the lid looks glittery, it’s smooth. The regular primer comes with a gold lid. Personally, I prefer the gold because it looks more luxe than the LE, but the LE was on sale for $9 less.
It’s quite expensive for such a little pot at $47 CAD, but hopefully it lasts a long time (assuming it doesn’t dry out or anything). You really don’t need very much especially if you’re only priming certain areas of your face. I only prime the areas that have larger pores.
This skincare-infused primer with innovative blurring & filling technology gives a more youthful appearance while prepping the skin for makeup. Formulated to fade out your biggest beauty boundaries such as large pores, fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidant-rich formula gently melts into the skin delivering a surge of moisture, peptides and other naturally-derived elixirs for a firmer, smoother appearance. Has a lightweight texture and fresh powder scent as it provides the perfect blank canvas to enhance the look and wear time of makeup.
When I first opened it, I was looking at it and went in to sniff it. I tilted the pot a bit and the all of the primer plopped out (in one blob) of the pot. Luckily, it only fell onto my chair and I quickly picked it up and popped it back in. I pressed it down a bit so that it would stay, but now I know not to do that just in case. I am a bit worried that since it comes in a pot and it’s exposed to the air whenever I open it, it will dry out faster. By the way, it has a scent that smells kind of citrus-y.
I noticed that it takes a little more effort to work this primer into the skin than other smoothing primers I’ve tried (Smashbox and MUFE). I use my finger to pick up a very small amount (just enough to coat the pad of my finger) and then I use a finger from my other hand to warm it up a bit. Since this primer is a bit thicker than others I’ve used, I’ve found that I can’t just press it into the skin. I need to press and also spread it a bit to make sure there’s no clumps. The consistency is kind of like butter, so it’s like you’re spreading butter onto toast in small strokes. With other smoothing primers, you have to make sure to press it into your skin, but you can’t rub them or they will pill. With this primer, you need to smooth it out a bit.
I’ve used this with both liquid and powder foundation and it makes my makeup look flawless. It really does blur pores and make your skin look super smooth. It doesn’t claim to extend the wear of foundation or anything, but my Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation still looked flawless after being on for hours.
Today, I’m reviewing the Waso Quick Matte Moisturizer Oil-Free. After finishing the Water Balm (read my review) from Sonia Roselli, I started using the Waso moisturizer. If you want to see what else is in my skincare rotation, click here!
I bought it during the Sephora Beauty Appreciation Sale a while back. Originally, I bought this for my mom. Even though the brand is geared toward Millennials like me, I thought I would get it for her because she has oily skin. She decided to go with the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion instead.
Waso is a line from Shiseido. Since it’s geared toward people in their 20s and 30s, Waso’s products are less expensive than Shiseido’s. It’s similar to Dior BACKSTAGE being slightly more affordable than the main Dior brand.
I like the packaging; it’s a translucent light green bottle that reminds me of jade. I don’t really know why the lid has the hole in the packaging (like a water bottle). I feel like it’s a bit unnecessary; it’s not like I’m going to be carrying my moisturizer around, carrying it by the loop like I do with my water bottles. I like that it comes with a pump and the packaging is very simple, yet classic.
My skin is on the drier side, so I’m probably not the best to review this product based on how well it mattifies my skin. When I use this, my skin does look matte, but not dry. It dries down a bit tacky.
I love the gel consistency of this moisturizer, but the scent is a bit too floral for me. When I was at Sephora, I tested out another product from the Waso line, the Fresh Jelly Lotion. I can’t remember what the scent was like, but I would be interested in trying that if the scent isn’t as strong.
An oil-free, oil-balancing gel emulsion to instantly mattify and balance skin with 24-hour hydration. Smooths and hydrates skin with a shine-reducing, sebum-absorbing powder to maintain a matte look. The dewy texture feels refreshing and leaves skin feeling smooth, hydrated and less shiny. Formulated with whole Loquat Leaf Cells, which are carefully extracted to keep their wholeness harnessed for an anti-oxidant effect and to help balance skin’s oil levels. Loquat Leaf has an antioxidant effect that is known to help suppress sebum breakdown.
For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Oil-free.
PhytoResist System+ uses the power of botanicals to help heighten skin’s resistance to internal and external stressors while also infusing rich moisture.
Sebum Absorbing Powder helps absorb excess sebum for smooth, non-oily skin, while minimizing visible pores.
I received the Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint in Naughty Mauve complimentary from Topbox Circle.
• The look of a stain and comfort of a balm. • Infused with coconut oil so lips feel moisturized and smooth. • Pillowy soft cushion tip gives a touch of color and builds for more impact. • Juicy tint with a balm-like finish, dries to a blotted lip look.
It glides on smoothly and feels very moisturizing from the coconut oil. It has a light vanilla scent which I don’t mind. The shade is a bit dark for my personal preference, but it’s a beautiful shade especially for fall.
I don’t love cushion products especially if it’s a lip product. The sponge is always wet because of the tint unless you wipe it off every time, but then you waste a lot of product. I also feel like because you have a sponge, you’re twisting a lot more product out than you need.
