I’ve previously reviewed the Tea Tree Oil Targeted Gel Blemish Stick from The Body Shop. Since the stick comes in such a small tube, I wanted to try something that I could use in my everyday skincare routine and I chose the daily solution. I decided to go with the daily solution instead of the cleansers because then the solution can soak into my skin throughout the day. It has the same smell as the blemish stick; kind of medicinal and a bit strong, but I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve been using it every night and in the mornings when I’m not leaving the house. I think the scent is quite strong and I don’t want my face smelling like medicine when I go out. After it has time to soak in, my face feels incredibly soft and not at all tacky like some facial products I use.
It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. I usually drop the solution onto my fingers and then pat onto my face. The consistency is like a toner.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution
A lightweight, pre-serum concentrate that combats blemishes and improves the overall condition of your skin. After 4 weeks, skin looks and feels: purified, clearer, smoother, healthier, clarified, mattified and soothed, with reduced redness and imperfections.
Can be used as a serum for oily skin types
Gentle enough for daily use
Pairs perfectly with our Tea Tree 3-IN-1 Wash Scrub Mask & Tea Tree Oil
Enriched with Community Trade Organic Tea Tree Oil from Kenya
RATING: 5/5
The smell is a bit medicinal, but it has been working wonders for my acne-prone skin. It gets two thumbs up from me!
UPDATE: I was using it everyday until it ran out and my face was relatively clear, although it was a bit dry because I wasn’t mixing it with anything else.
I was contacted by REMAY, a company that sells shave gel bars. Their mission is to ‘make shaving quicker and more enjoyable.’ They designed a shave gel bar that easily glides on your skin by adding water. It says you can use it on your legs, under arms, bikini area, head and face. You wet the gel with warm water and it will create a “translucent micro-barrier to protect your skin from the razor.” It’s Made in Canada too which is a plus for me.
Shave Gel Bars
Protects the skin from nicks, bumps and razor burn
Allows for a quick application with no mess
Contains real coconut and tea-tree oil
Paraben-free and sulfate-free
Vegan and cruelty-free
Works with any 3, 4 or 5 blade razor
RATING: 4/5
It made my skin feel incredibly smooth and it smells really nice (like coconut). It’s like a bar version of those strips that come on fancier razors that help to protect your skin. It’s great because it’s travel-friendly and more eco-friendly compared to shaving creams that come in cans. It is a bit expensive, but if it prevents nicks, bumps and razor burn, I think it’s worth it. They gave me a discount code for my lovely readers. Use code JEN20 to get 20% off your order!
Back when H&M first came out with makeup, I bought a contour powder palette and a BB cream because I wanted to try their makeup. I think I bought a shade that was too dark for the BB cream, but the powder was pretty good. I think it was $14.99 for the contour palette, and about the same for the BB cream. The contour palette had four shades (2 light, 2 dark) and the bb cream had a selection of 2-3 shades. Since then, H&M has come out with a lot more makeup: foundations, eyeshadows, mascara, eyeliners, nail polish, etc.
I bought the shimmery shades of eyeshadow because I have so many browns and taupes already and I wanted to get some more shimmery ones. The shadows are soft and buttery. I got the shades Paradise Lost (rose gold) and Over the Moon (silver). These are kind of glittery, it’s very easy to get it all over your face and might take a few swipes to remove it with your makeup remover. It reminds me of a pressed version of MAC pigments because of how much can fall onto your cheeks. If you use these, I would definitely suggest doing your eyes before foundation because you can wipe it off if it gets on your cheeks. I swatched the matte shades and those were beautiful and velvety too. The best way to apply is with your fingers.
The highlighter powder is a baked highlighter and it’s beautiful, but it is a bit powdery if you swatch with your fingers. Also, the swatch doesn’t look as pigmented as the eyeshadows, but in person, it’s a nice peachy pink highlight. It might seem expensive for a non-designer brand, but it’s huge and since it’s baked, there’s even more than what you’d get in a regular pressed highlighter. Since it is a bit powdery, I think the best way to apply is with a fan brush and lightly swipe your brush, don’t swirl your brush or the product will get all over your desk.
Spotlight Glow Powder Sheer Coverage Radiant Shimmer in Sumptuous Peach
Infinite Impact Eye Colour in Paradise Lost & Over the Moon
RATING: 4.5/5
I think the shimmery eyeshadow shades I bought will be pretty for a party or night out and I would definitely use the highlighter for every day makeup to give a pretty peachy glow.
Have you tried H&M makeup products? What are your faves?
I was contacted on Instagram by Soo’Ae Canada asking if I liked sheet masks. My answer was: Absolutely! They were very generous and sent me their line of face masks. They never asked me to review the masks, but I wanted to write a review. So, here are my thoughts on the masks. Each of the masks retail for $4 CAD.
They have several different types of masks:
Sheet Masks
Hydrogel Mask
gel-like texture, thin, two-piece (eyes/nose and mouth)
I liked that it had two pieces because then you can move the mask to fit your face properly (sometimes eye, nose and mouth holes don’t line up with my face)
Premium Essence Mask
thin, stretchy material
Skin Friendly Mask
thin, regular material (like other masks you get)
Skin Gel Mask
very durable, won’t rip (I tried pulling and it barely stretched)
Hydrocell Mask
thick, fibrous
Peeling Mask
exfoliating mask
Oxygen Bubbling Mask
carbonated mask that foams up
Sleeping Mask
like a serum that you apply before bed and wash off in the morning
This all-in-one mask instantly purifies troubled skin with the combined power of activated binchotan charcoal, kaolin and bentonite clay, and oxygen bubbles. Active binchotan, powerful enough to purify water, is a renown anti-inflammatory known to refine and brighten skin.
This was the first time I used a bubble mask. My face felt tingly when I used it from the bubbles. It had the consistency of a clay mask and when I applied it to my face, after a few seconds, it would start to bubble and puff up a bit. It didn’t puff up as much as some pictures I’ve seen of bubble masks. When I would touch it, it would go back to the clay mask consistency and then start to bubble again after a few seconds. I rinsed it off with warm water and applied my moisturizer. My face felt clean and very smooth after using it.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the tingling sensation, but that’s to be expected of the bubble masks. If you like bubble masks, give this a try. I would rather stick to a sheet mask or clay mask.
This silky and lightweight sleeping mask, formulated with acai berry, blueberry and niacinamide, improves the appearance of dull, lackluster and fatigued looking skin overnight for visibly youthful glowing skin.
Combines the potent benefits of black charcoal with peat water, bamboo water and birch sap to detox and replenish hydration in skin. Licorice root, green tea, omija (magnolia berry), and coptis japonica root extracts provide an additional boost of nourishing moisture to soothe dryness and fatigue helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This luxurious overnight sleeping mask delivers the benefits of nourishing moisture to skin suffering from dryness with Donkey Milk. Infused with the added benefits of 5 potent plant extracts (Soybean, Licorice Root, Camellia Seed, Japanese Yam and Snow Mushroom), the lightweight yet rich and silky texture absorbs quickly and deeply, improving dry and tired looking skin overnight.
Innovative ‘skin gel’ mask hybrids traditional sheet masks with hydrogel to improve delivery of active ingredients to the skin. Donkey’s Milk, referred too as “white gold” has been valued for its immense benefits, revered by the likes of Hippocrates and Cleopatra and helps the skin look more nourished. With the added benefits of Green tea, Salmon Egg, Sugar Maple and Mushroom extracts, skin looks radiant and youthfully plumped with moisture.
Honey and propolis restore moisture and nourish skin while hyaluronic acid provides hydration. This nourishing essence formula is infused into a unique tencel fabric to provide optimal comfort during application and effectively delivers nutrients to the skin.
Smooth away lip lines, dry, cracked lips in 15 minutes with the nourishing and moisturizing benefits of sea kelp and super berries. Soo Ae’s My Collagen Hydrogel Lip Patch is infused with a special blend of collagen, nutrient-rich fruit and plant extracts to soothe and plump with moisture.
Charcoal’s potent detoxifying and brightening abilities fuse with cultured green tea and green caviar extracts to provide instant clarity and moisture to relieve dry and tired looking skin. Formulated based on traditional Korean herbal medicine known as Hanbang, Soo Ae’s unique blend of herb and plant extracts helps to improve the appearance of beautiful, youthful and supple skin.
Formulated with eco-cert certified moisture-rich natural cellulose, to deliver superb and extra gentle exfoliation with the added benefits of vitamins C + E and fruit extracts. The moisture enriched cellulose helps to gently lift dead skin cells and unclog pores to restore skin clarity and radiance while allowing for improved absorption and efficacy for skincare applications that follow after use.
This hydrogel mask combines the potent benefits of black charcoal with peat water, bamboo water and birch sap to detox and replenish hydration in skin. Licorice root, green tea, omija (magnolia berry), and coptis japonica root extracts provide an additional boost of nourishing moisture to soothe dryness and fatigue helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Formulated with Soo Ae’s Moisture Revival Complex, a unique blend of botanical extracts and 17 complex amino acids, this hydrating formula helps to improve moisture and skin clarity for radiant and smooth skin. This moisture-rich essence formula is infused into Soo Ae’s unique eco-friendly Hydrocell mask fabric and allows for significantly improved absorption and delivery of powerful ingredients into the skin, exceeding those of a traditional sheet mask
Healthy collagen level in the skin can help to achieve the plump and smooth appearance of a youthful complexion. As a key ingredient in this mask, it restores hydration while protecting that moisture from breaking down that may lead to dryness, and improves elasticity and resilience. In addition, each mask is also formulated with Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Witch Hazel, Natto Gum, and Wheat Amino Acids, to provide additional hydration and skin care benefits.
Charcoal helps to detox and purify skin. Plant extract delivers and nourishes skin. Hologram mask is soaked in a unique double-sided black charcoal and hologram sheet.
An effective hydrogel eye mask meets Soo’Ae’s cute panda to deliver a fun way to hydrate, soothe and smooth tired looking eyes. Formulated with Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract and Dipotassim Glycyrrhizate. this nourishing formula provides excellent moisturizing and soothing benefits, helping to chase those sad panda eyes away.
RATING: 4.5/5
These masks are a little more expensive than other sheet masks, but you can definitely see and feel that they are better quality than other brands. They all smell really nice.I think the hydrogel, skin gel and peeling masks were the best.
My face felt incredibly soft and plump after using the Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask and the Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel (I wou. You could definitely get two uses out of one package of the peeling gel and the sleeping mask can last a while since a little bit goes a long way.
I think my favourites were the Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask, Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel and the Black Charcoal Hydrogel Mask. I will definitely be purchasing those in the future.
The Super Intensive Hydrocell Mask was my least favourite one. I didn’t love the fibrous feel of the mask.
The lip patch made my lips feel super smooth and a bit tingly. It was also thicker than other lip patches I’ve tried and it didn’t really lay flat against my skin. It’s best to lie down when using it because it fell off while I used it.
The premium essence and skin friendly sheet masks were a similar material to the ones you get at The Face Shop. So, I wouldn’t purchase the nature essence ones since you can get similar ones for cheaper at The Face Shop or in packages at Winners. I think it’s more worth it to pay $4 for the peeling gel, hydrogel, and skin gel masks.
What are your fave face masks? Have you tried Soo’Ae masks?
Like every other beauty enthusiast, I wanted to try The Ordinary’s Foundation, but I waited a bit to read reviews and see which one I’d prefer: Coverage or Serum.Both foundations come in 21 shades. The Serum Foundation is described as a “Lightweight Pigment Suspension System with Moderate Coverage” while the Coverage Foundation is described as a “High-Spreadability Pigment Suspension System with High Coverage.” The foundations come in a plastic bottle with a pump. The pump is matte black which is kind of harder to keep clean than non-matte pumps, but who can complain when it’s less than $10 for the foundation. They also have a glass dropper you can purchase separately if you prefer.
After swatching both, I decided on the Serum Foundation because it’s more lightweight and not as thick. I prefer lightweight foundations especially since my face has been relatively clear recently. I used to prefer medium to full coverage matte foundations, but I think now I prefer sheer to medium coverage with a natural or radiant finish.
Serum Foundation in 2.0N – I decided to get the shade 2.0 N (Light Medium Neutral). Usually for foundations that have different shades for each undertone, I’m either yellow or neutral. I think that neutral suits me better because yellow can sometimes be a bit too yellow. They were sold out of 2.0 N at Hudson’s Bay (they had plenty of stock at the Queen Street location, but, of course they’re sold out of my shade…just my luck). My sister was able to pick it up at the Abnormal Beauty Company store downtown.
Serum Foundations are lightweight medium-coverage formulations available in a comprehensive shade range across 21 shades. These foundations offer moderate coverage that looks natural with a very lightweight serum feel. They are very low in viscosity and are dispensed with the supplied pump.
I apply the foundation after using a sponge or my fingers since it’s so liquid. If you read my First Impressions Review on the Buffet serum, you saw that I applied this on top of the Buffet and it started to pill when I used my fingers. So, if you use Buffet, keep that in mind when applying this foundation- it didn’t pill when I used a sponge.
Wearability
To test the foundation, I didn’t powder my t-zone to see how well it held up. It set to a nice, smooth finish. It started breaking up and getting shiny after the 2nd hour on my chin and around and on my nose. My skin isn’t very oily, so if you do have oily skin, you should definitely powder your t-zone.
Shade 2.0N
Number and Letter Meanings for the Shades
The shades range from very fair to deep: very fair to light (1.0-1.2), light medium to medium (2.0-2.1), medium dark to deep (3.0-3.3). Each shade is followed by a letter to indicate the undertone: Neutral (N), Pink (P), Yellow (Y), Red (R). They also have three shades that have a second letter: Silver (S) indicates silver highlights, and Gold (G) indicates gold highlights. For example NS listed below is Neutral undertones with Silver highlights and YG is Yellow undertones with Gold highlights. The S and G shades “use natural-looking and exceptionally fine dispersions of metallic effect pigments for added highlight,” and the description on The Ordinary’s website says they plan to “introduce individual enhancers and highlighters in the near future to customize all shades.”
Shade Range
N
P
Y
R
NS
YG
1.0 Very Fair
x
x
x
1.1 Fair
x
x
1.2 Light
x
x
x
x
2.0 Light Medium
x
x
x
2.1 Medium
x
x
3.0 Medium Dark
x
x
3.1 Dark
x
x
3.2 Deep
x
x
3.3 Very Deep
x
RATING: 4/5
I love that it comes in a pump and it’s super affordable. It covered up redness around my nose and chin really well. I think I would prefer a foundation that gives a more luminous finish, but I can always add something to it to give it a pop (check out my beauty hack using the white/silver ‘concealer’ from the Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette). You definitely can’t go wrong with this foundation’s price.
I was contacted by Palmer’s Canada to see if I was interested in writing a review for three of their new products from their Coconut Oil Formula line. I was sent the Body Cream, Lotion and Oil. I received these products for free, but my review is my honest opinions on the products. I’ve also been given the opportunity to hold a giveaway where 3 winners will win the same products I received: Coconut Oil Body Lotion, Cream and Oil.
Nature’s best kept secret for superior skin hydration is raw, natural Coconut Oil. Palmer’s new Coconut Oil Formula products drench your skin with decadently rich moisture for dewy, radiant skin that looks lit from within.
Quick Facts
Free of Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Gluten and Dyes
Provides 24-Hour Moisture
Contains Ethically and Sustainably Sourced Ingredients
Drenches skin with decadent moisture for a dewy, glowing, allover healthy radiance
Key Ingredients:
Raw Coconut Oil – Sourced from South East Asia this super ingredient is antioxidant rich and has inherent antibacterial properties. Loaded with naturally occurring skin health Lauric Acid, Proteins, and Vitamin E
Tahitian Monoï – From the ancient Polynesian word for “scented oil” the native star-shaped Tiaré flowers are harvested for their delicately perfumed petals and then soaked in unrefined coconut oil for days
Sweet Almond Oil – Collected in small cooperatives in Spain, the almonds are harvested in summer and pressed for their rich oil. Almond oil naturally soothes skin irritation and detoxifies
Vitamin E – This antioxidant powerhouse combats free radical damage, keeping skin looking youthful and rejuvenated
Coconut Oil Body Lotion
The bottle’s cap is a bit difficult to open, I don’t know if it’s just me (I guess it’s a good thing that it seals so tightly). I can definitely smell the coconut milk. I hope they decide to come out with a larger size and a pump like their Cocoa Butter Formula.
Contains rich, skin-conditioning coconut oil and coconut milk that infuse skin with deeply penetrating moisture and an instant hydration boost. Natural Oils and botanical extracts immediately begin rehydrating depleted skin on contact, creating a breathable barrier that locks in moisture for long-lasting softness. Use as an all-over-body lotion after shower everyday.
RATING: 4.5/5
Coconut Oil Body Cream
This moisturizes really well, but I don’t personally love it because it’s so thick and I don’t love products that come in tubs. I understand it has to come in a tub because it’s too thick, but I prefer products where I don’t have to stick my hand into a jar to use.
Contains Raw Coconut Oil and a blend of rich, natural butters including Mango, Shea, Macadamia and Cocoa to drench skin with deep-penetrating moisture and rehydrate even the toughest, driest skin. This indulgently creamy formula is perfect for at-home spa pedicures, revitalizing moisture thirsty elbows or maintaining soft, supple skin all throughout the dry weather months. Apply Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Cream after shower everyday.
RATING: 4/5
Coconut Oil Body Oil
It absorbed into the skin pretty quickly and it didn’t give my clothes any oil stains. I’ve used Vaseline to moisturize and it stained some clothes and bedsheets with the oiliness.
Instantly boosts hydration and gives skin an overall healthy-looking glow. Raw Coconut Oil and a blend of precious, natural oils including Grape Seed, Macadamia and Argan Oil deeply penetrate and immediately begin rehydrating depleted skin on contact, creating a breathable barrier that locks in moisture for long-lasting radiance. Apply Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Oil after shower everyday.
RATING: 5/5
Comparison of the Body Lotion (top) and Body Cream (bottom)
I am very sensitive to smells especially when it comes to lotions. I don’t like using scented lotions on my hands because I can get nauseous. I had this one shea butter body butter that was quite strong and I applied it after my shower and it was so strong that I could smell it on my bed sheets the next day.
I like the smell of coconut, but any heavily scented product could make me feel nauseous. When I first smelled each of the Palmer’s products, they had a very strong scent in the jar/bottles. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to stand it, especially since it says to use it after a shower (I shower at night). When you smell the products out of the jar/bottles, they have a strong coconut and slight floral scent from the Tahitian Monoï (or maybe it’s the sweet almond), but once it absorbs into the skin, the scent fades leaving a faint scent.
I decided to try the body lotion and the body cream on my hands and feet to start. On the first night, I put the body lotion on my hands and put on some cotton gloves. I woke up and my hands were incredibly smooth. The tops of my hands are usually okay, and my fingers tend to be dry, but when I woke up that morning, it was like a baby’s bottom! That night, I decided to try the body cream on my hands and feet. I then put on my cotton gloves again and put some socks on. I woke up the next morning and my feet felt very smooth. Since both products did amazing things for my hands and feet, I decided to try the body oil on my whole body. I admit, I’m a little wary of using oils because I’ve used Bio Oil before and my skin reacted badly (at least I think it was from the Bio Oil). After using the Palmer’s body oil, my skin feels super soft.
Out of the three, I think the body cream is my least favourite because it’s so thick, but I will use it on my hands, feet and elbows as it suggests. I think the oil is actually my favourite because it has the lightest scent of the three and it’s great when the steam of your shower keeps your pores open and helps the product absorb into the skin better.
If you love coconut, I definitely recommend the Palmer’s Coconut Oil line. I’m interested in trying out their other lines since coconut isn’t my favourite scent: Cocoa Butter, Shea and Olive Oil.
Have you tried Palmer’s products before?
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Winners have been announced on Instagram and contacted via DM.
Open to Canadian residents only
Palmer’s has been generous enough to let me run a giveaway. Three lucky winners will be selected and each of the three winners will receive all three products (Coconut Oil Body Lotion, Cream and Oil)! Giveaway ends at 12:00 AM EST on February 15th, 2018. Winners will be announced the next day on this post, Instagram and contacted by email.
To enter the giveaway, you must be 18+ and a Canadian resident. If you are under 18, please get a parent/guardian’s permission. Winners will be randomly selected. Once announced, the winners have 24 hours to respond and you must have a Canadian address or another winner will be chosen at random.
For additional entries, enter the giveaway on my Instagram!
Today, I’m comparing two stick foundations: Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation Stick and Maybelline’s Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation. The Maybelline is obviously a lot cheaper than the Bobbi Brown and normally I would consider it a dupe, but the Bobbi Brown claims to have a natural, skin-like finish while the Maybelline stick has a natural matte finish and an anti-shine powder core that helps to mattify. For this reason, I am doing a This or That comparison instead of considering Maybelline’s stick a dupe for the Bobbi Brown one.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Ivory 0.75 – I got this at the MAC warehouse sale in September. They didn’t have a lot of shades left, I swatched it in the warehouse and it looked pretty close, turns out I was wrong. It is way too light and I need to go up a few shades.
Update: They’ve changed the corresponding numbers of the shades. I don’t know if they’ve reformulated, but I’m assuming Ivory is still the same shade. The corresponding number has changed from 0.75 to C-024.
Designed to look and feel like skin, this award-winning foundation is formulated with a unique transparent base and skin tone correct pigments for the most natural-looking, skin-like finish. A Bobbi Brown original, the innovative formula features Smart Technology for targeted moisturization or oil control depending on what skin needs. Delivers medium to full coverage and comes in a convenient swivel-up stick for at home and on-the-go application.
Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in 130 Buff Beige – I had the liquid Fit Me foundation in 130 Buff Beige, so I decided to get the stick in the same shade. Even though the liquid is a bit too dark/pink for me, there is a smaller shade selection in the stick foundations.
This lightweight gel foundation has an exclusive anti-shine powder core that instantly dissolves excess oil. Pores look minimized and skin stays shine-free for ten hours. This oil-absorbing foundation stick goes on creamy and blends into a natural matte finish. Medium coverage. Dermatologist tested. Allergy tested. Non-comedogenic. Suitable for sensitive skin. Fragrance-free.
I used my Make Up For Ever Step 1 Hydrating Primer and I didn’t apply any powder to test the wearability. Both of the sticks set to a velvety smooth finish. If you get an oily t-zone, I suggest powdering because both foundations started to break up on my forehead and chin, and my nose was super shiny by the second hour.
Both foundations are buttery and easily glide on your skin. The Bobbi Brown covered up more of the redness around my nose, but still gave a natural, skin-looking finish. The Maybelline stick didn’t cover up as much redness and I could still see blemishes coming through, but a good concealer can easily fix that.
WINNER (Higher Coverage, Natural Finish): Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
WINNER (More Budget-Friendly, Natural Matte Finish): Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Balance Stick Foundation
The Bobbi Brown stick has a more natural finish, yet offers more coverage than the Maybelline stick. The Bobbi Brown stick is also more buildable which makes sense because it claims to offer medium-full coverage while the Maybelline stick says medium coverage. The Maybelline stick evened out my skin tone, but didn’t cover up dark spots from blemishes.
I think the Maybelline is a good everyday foundation for those who just want a natural matte finish and you can pair it with a good concealer (Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer is a great drugstore option if you can find a match for your skin tone). I think it would also be good for summer because it looks natural, but mattifies at the same time. Since the Bobbi Brown stick is more expensive, I would save it for evenings (dinners or special occasions) because it did give a very beautiful finish.
Have you tried stick foundations? What are your fave brands?
As you all know, the Canadian brand, The Ordinary, has become really popular over the last year for it’s amazing skincare at even better prices. My sister bought me the ‘Buffet’ because it’s usually sold out so she grabbed it when she got the chance. I had no idea which ones to try, but I do want to try the Salicylic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid when I get a chance. She also bought me the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA which I will write a first impressions once I’ve tried it out.
The Ordinary is known for being super affordable and the fact that their products don’t add any fillers or misleading ingredients to their skincare.
“Buffet” Multi-Technology Peptide Serum comes in a 30 mL glass bottle with a dropper. Originally I was wondering what was the best way to apply it: drop onto my hands and then pat it onto my face? Once I opened it, I realized it was thicker than I thought. It has the viscosity of maple syrup (Canadian, not regular syrup like Mrs. Butterworth’s). So, I use the dropper to put three small drops on my forehead and cheeks (or one big drop on my forehead).
The Ordinary’s website has a product description that has a whole lot of words I don’t understand and I’m sure a lot of people are on the same boat. So, I chose to go with the simple description on the Sephora website:
Apply to the entire face in the AM and PM after cleaning.
A multi-peptide serum with syn-ake, matrixyl synthe-6, matrixyl 3000, argirelox, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and bio-derivatives to target multiple signs of aging.
RATING: 3/5
Since I have acne prone skin, I prefer using serums and skincare that aren’t too thick. The more liquid the better for me or my skin gets a reaction. This is a good consistency for me and so far it hasn’t caused any reactions. I’ve been using this for about two weeks now- day and night. My face feels softer from using this and usually around my nose is dry, but since I’ve started using this, it hasn’t been dry. The one thing I don’t love about this is that it feels a bit tacky after applying and I don’t love the smell (it’s almost like a wet smell- like if you left out a wet towel for too long). It’s great for the price and the glass bottle will be useful once I’m done.
AM– I apply it after waking up and washing my face with my morning cleanser.
PM– I apply it after my shower. Usually I shower a few hours before bed, so it gives the serum time to absorb into my skin and then it’s not too tacky when I go to bed.
I tried using this under The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation (read my First Impressions Review). I applied the Buffet serum, then used one of my smoothing primers and applied the foundation with my fingers. The serum started to pill (when it balls up and resembles dry skin peeling off). I know it was the serum because I’ve used the foundation and the primer before and they’ve never pilled. The serum didn’t pill when I used a sponge to apply my foundation. Obviously, this makes sense since you dab/tap your face with a sponge, but you rub foundation in when you use your fingers. I prefer that I have no chance of pilling when applying my foundation, so I prefer to use the Buffet on days where I’m not wearing makeup or just for night time.
Have you tried products from The Ordinary? What are your faves?
In my search for BB and CC Creams, I came across the Erborian CC Creme High Definition Radiance Face Cream. I thought it was so cool because then you don’t have to get a horrible colour match from a store (where you always get one that’s too light because you’re under all these bright lights instead of natural sunlight). Of course, it’s popular and it’s hard to get in Canada. They have the Erborian Pink Perfect Creme at Sephora for $51. It has a floral scent which I’m not a fan of and I’m sure the CC Creme also has a similar scent. So I looked to see if any other brands had a colour-adapting CC Cream and I found The Body Shop’s All-In-One BB Cream- Colour Adapting Tinted Cream. It comes in 5 shades and it’s half the price of the Erborian one. I chose the shade 01 Lighter Skin Tones. It has the typical BB/CC Cream scent. When I got it, it was $23 CAD. Right now they’re having a sitewide 40% deal, so it’s $13.80 at the moment.
When you’ve got no time to spare, our award-winning All-in-One BB Cream is a must-have beauty product for super-speedy results. Enriched with 24hr hydration, our hardworking, multi-tasking BB cream does it all, leaving your skin gloriously glowing and (almost) picture perfect. Pigment-filled capsules burst when applied to the skin, releasing the colour inside. Just blend for a perfect match and an even, undetectable finish.
Non-clogging
Offers light to medium coverage
Illuminates and evens appearance of skin tone
Enriched with Community Trade organic aloe vera
As you can see in the pic on the right, the bb cream is white with little specks (the pigment-capsules that burst when you apply it).
I don’t know about the 24 hour hydration because no one would be wearing it that long. It’s definitely light-medium coverage, but it gives your skin a nice, dewy finish. I add a bit of powder on my t-zone so that I don’t look shiny (keep in mind that I have normal/dry skin). I don’t know how well this would perform on oily skin.
RATING: 5/5
I really like it for days where I don’t want to put on a full face of makeup, but I want to even out my skin. I love how it has a natural finish and it doesn’t FEEL overly oily, but it can make you LOOK shiny if you don’t powder.
Have you tried Pixi products? I just started using them last year. I first got the Glow Mist. I’ve bought a few other products and I’ll post reviews on them soon. I’ve heard rave reviews about the Hydrating Milky Mist, so I had to give it a try.
A deeply hydrating mist that provides an invisible layer of skin-soothers, making it the ultimate remedy for dry skin.
I love this mist, it smells so good and doesn’t make my face feel sticky. It’s super refreshing and the nozzle disperses the mist just right. I usually spray it 1-3 times. It is quite pricey, but it lasts a while.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I’ve tried the Glow Mist and I had a like/dislike relationship with it (it wasn’t love/hate because I didn’t hate it). Sometimes the glow mist made my face feel sticky, other times it didn’t (maybe I didn’t shake it enough). It did make my face feel hydrated because of the Argan Oil, I think. It had a citrus smell, which I wasn’t a huge fan of.
I definitely want to try more Pixi products, like the Makeup Fixing Mist and the Glow Peel Pads.
UPDATE: Out of nowhere, the nozzle has suddenly stopped misting the product and now it’s a stream that can shoot across the room/squirt me in the face. I tried cleaning the nozzle and tried rinsing it with water which helped a bit (it’s not as strong of a stream now), but it’s still not back to how it used to be. Anyone else experience this with their Pixi mists?
Today, I will be comparing two different brands of oval brushes: Simple Glam Girls and iBeauty (that I bought from Winners). Oval brushes are the brushes that resemble toothbrushes, made popular by the Artis brushes. I’ve never tried an Artis brush so I can’t compare the quality of the Simple Glam Girls and iBeauty brushes.
I’m going to start by saying that I prefer damp beauty sponges to apply my foundation and concealer, even though sponges absorb a lot more product than a brush. Comparing oval brushes to regular brushes, I feel like it’s harder to clean them because the bristles are packed so tightly.
Lush Rose Gold Oval Brushes (set of 10)
10 high-quality oval shaped brushes made with grade “A” synthetic nylon hair.
Contoured oval shaped brushes with different sizes allow you to blend makeup onto any part of your face effortlessly.
Rose gold neck handle & a firm & anti-slip holder for that extra hold when applying makeup
iBeauty Oval Makeup Brushes (set of 3)
Very easy and comfortable to use for putting on your daily makeup
Used for: contour/setting powder, contour/blush, & concealer
Gives a flawless air-brushed finish of all types of skin makeup formulas
I have 3 brushes that are similar to the ones in the link, but they are slightly different (same sizes though). Even though it says it can be used for setting powder, I wouldn’t use an oval brush to set my makeup because it would blend out all the foundation and concealer I just applied. A fluffy brush is best to set your face.
Both sets of brushes are very soft. The Simple Glam Girls brushes are packed more tightly than the iBeauty ones and therefore less streaky. You can tell from the picture above, the top brush is the iBeauty one and the bottom is Simple Glam Girls.
For the swatches, I used liquid foundation and a powder bronzer, the top swatches are the iBeauty oval brushes and the bottom ones are Simple Glam Girls brushes. The liquid foundation swatches look similar (although the iBeauty brushe absorbed a lot more of the liquid). For the powder bronzer swatches, you can tell the top swatch is a bit more patchy and uneven. The smallest oval brush in the iBeauty set is a bit thicker than the Simple Glam Girls brush so it gave a thicker swatch.
Since the iBeauty ones aren’t packed as tightly, it absorbs more of the liquid foundation and when you clean the brushes, it takes longer to clean them. When I run my finger along the brushes when they’re wet from cleaning, the Simple Glam Girls brushes’ bristles spring back into place, whereas the iBeauty brushes’ bristles clump together. The neck of the brushes is also sturdier on Simple Glam Girls brushes. The iBeauty ones, the neck of the brushes bends really easily. The oval brushes are so soft, I can’t wait to try the Unicorn or Perfect 10 brushes from Simple Glam Girls.
WINNER: Simple Glam Girls Lush Rose Gold Oval Brushes
The iBeauty brushes do a decent enough job, I think they are better with powdered products (like for contouring) since it absorbs so much liquid.
Have you tried oval brushes? What are your thoughts?
Love,
*I received the Simple Glam Girls brushes for free (just paid shipping) as part of their ambassador program, but I was not paid to write a review of any sort nor do I receive any commission if you use the discount code.
If you have acne-prone skin like I do, you probably know about Kate Somerville’s EradiKate Acne Spot Treatment and Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. Last year, I bought The Face Shop’s Clean Face Clear Away Spot Treatment thinking it was a dupe, but it contains different ingredients. The EradiKate and Drying Lotion contain sulfur, whereas the Clean Face Clear Away Spot contains salicylic acid and tea tree extract.
It works in the same way as the Drying Lotion and EradiKate, you use a q-tip to pick up the sediment at the bottom and dab it onto your problem areas. Because it doesn’t have sulfur, the smell isn’t nearly as strong, it smells more like rubbing alcohol and tea tree oil.
I bought the acne treatment for $17 CAD for 18 mL (at the time of purchase last year, price may have gone up).
A special care product that instantly soothes and controls breakouts
Contains Tea Tree Extract that soothes the acne and purify the skin, and Salicylic Acid that removes dead skin cells effectively
Provides soothing effects and controls the excessive sebum production with Calamine Powder
Prevents inflammation, pigmentation, and anti-aging concerns such as wrinkles and dehydration
To compare, I have the EradiKate (I’ve never used the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion). I have acne-prone and sensitive skin, so my skin gets very dry from products that contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide.
I wouldn’t suggest using this overnight because after a few minutes, it hardens and gets very flaky. If your face makes the slightest movement, it will start to flake off.
RATING: 4/5
Obviously it doesn’t work as well as the EradiKate, but if you’re looking for something gentler than the EradiKate or Drying Lotion, this is a great alternative because of the salicylic acid.
Last year, I first heard about the hair cords that leave your hair dent-free. They were the brand Invisibobble and they sell at Sephora for $10 for 3. I thought that was a bit expensive, so I went on Amazon looking for dupes. I purchased a pack of 3 black and 10 mixed colour hair cords for $6.99. They’re very big (size of a wrist- they look like those cords that people put their keys on) and thick like a telephone cord. When I wrapped it around my hair three times, it’s still a bit loose.
I found out about GummiBands, based in Vancouver, from a blogger group on Facebook. They were had a casting call for Contributors, Partners and Ambassadors. For Partners and Contributors, you need a certain number of followers and they had a limited number of spaces. So, I applied to be a contributor for GummiBand and they sent me a variety of their hair cords. Although I received the bands for free, the following review is my honest and unbiased opinion on the GummiBand hair cords.
Light Pink, Brunette, Clear, Purple, Black, Dark Pink, Teal
They offer Clear, Black, Brunette, Blonde, Light Pink, Dark Pink, Teal and Purple (I received a few of each colour except blonde). They retail for $7.99 CAD for a set of four hair cords and have free shipping in Canada. They gave me a code ‘BONUS38‘ for my readers to receive 2 extra GummiBands with the purchase of a 4-cord pack.
Hypoallergenic (They do not absorb water or sweat so they do not breed bacteria)
Suitable for all types of hair (Long and thick hair? Use 2 GummiBands for extra hold!)
Gentle on hair, reducing breakage and styling damage
Reusable for years. When the cord stretches out, warm it up with hot air from a hair dryer or hot water to return it to it’s original shape!
GummiBand hair cords come with a 1 year full replacement warranty
My hair is quite thick, so I wrap the cord around three times. I love that they’re plastic so if you get them wet, you don’t have to leave it out to dry like you would for an elastic. They don’t pull at your hair and they stay put (unlike regular hair ties where I have to adjust my ponytail after a few hours). After using them for a whole day, they are stretched out, but they get back into shape after a few minutes. When you put them around your wrist, they don’t make an indent around your entire wrist like a regular hair band. Although, they still make some indents from the spiral but it’s not as tight as a hair elastic.
UPDATE (Feb 2018): I’ve been using one hair cord basically every day for a month and a half. I wrap it around my hair three times and after a month or so, it was starting to curl like a figure 8 (but it wasn’t stretched out at all). I filled up my sink with some hot water and soaked it for less than a minute and it sprang back to place. It’s like new again!
UPDATE (Aug 2019): I have since purchased a few packs for myself and family. I had put quite a few of the Gummiband hair cords in giveaways, and found myself with only a few left.
RATING: 5/5
GummiBands are a great stocking stuffer or for birthday party loot bags. I love the variety of colours that they have, they have both fun colours and colours that blend in with your hair if you don’t want it noticeable.
Have you tried hair cords? Do you like them better than regular hair bands?
I bought the Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush for $40 CAD at the MAC Warehouse Sale in September. It normally retails for $111 CAD and the replacement heads are $54 CAD for a set of 2 of the purifying ones. Last week, I went to the December MAC Sale and I found the replacement heads for $10, so I got 2 purifying cleanser ones and the Airbrushed Finish Liquid Foundation Applicator brush head (which normally retails for $34 CAD).
In the box, there is the brush, a charging dock and two replacement heads. It’s a nice cleansing brush, it fits in your hand easily and doesn’t slip. I like how it’s not battery operated so there’s not backing that water can accidentally get into. Once I brought it home, I started to charge it. It takes a while to charge, but once it’s charged, it lasts for a while. I admit that I hadn’t used it a lot because I didn’t want to pay $54 for the replacement heads and it says to replace after a few months. After 30 seconds of use, it will automatically shut off. This is useful because you’re not supposed to use it longer than a minute or so, so two cycles is the ideal length of time to keep it running. The brush heads snap onto the brush, and the purifying brush heads are oval-shaped and stick out from the top of the brush so you can grip the top and take it off easily.
The cleansing brush is good, the sonic vibrations deeply cleanse the skin. It’s best to use a more liquid cleanser, I used one that was a bit too thick and it took a bit of rinsing to get it out of the brush. Obviously, the best cleanser to use is probably one of Clinique’s. The white bristles are softer than the green ones. The green ones are meant for areas like your T-Zone and nose, while the white bristles are gentler for your cheeks.
The brush is great to use when I take a shower after wearing makeup. I use makeup wipes, micellar water or makeup remover to remove my makeup, but my brush still gets dirty from the leftover foundation that I missed or that got into my pores.
I saw the foundation brush head and knew it retailed for $30 or more, so I thought I’d try it for $10. I dabbed some liquid foundation on my face and turned the brush on. It was going on really smoothly and looked really good. It still looked like I was wearing foundation, but it looked as if I used a damp beauty sponge. I’m not sure how much of the foam sponge absorbed my foundation, but I think it was about the same amount as a normal beauty sponge. If you’re not careful, the foam sticks out a bit from the plastic on the head and it caught on my cheek as I was moving the brush. After using it, I realized the foam brush had ripped. It broke after one use! Also, the brush head is round, and unlike the purifying brush head, it was hard to grip and pull off. Also, since the brush head is just foam, you have to be careful or you might rip the foam. I had to use a letter opener to get it off. It definitely wouldn’t be worth $34, I’m upset that I even paid $10 for it.
RATING: 4/5
The brush is great, but I take off a point because the replacements are so expensive and also the foundation applicator was terrible. I’ve heard the Clarisonic foundation head is good (theirs is similar to a brush, not made of foam like Clinique’s) and hope that Clinique comes out with something comparable.
Have you tried a sonic cleansing brush? Which do you prefer?
Today, I’m reviewing the Coastal Scents Winterberry Palette and a few Shadow Pots that I purchased. I previously received the Coastal Scents Revealed 3 Eyeshadow Palette in a TopBox so I knew that the shadows were pretty good (for a beginner). In the Revealed 3 Palette, some shadows were better than others which is also the case for the Winterberry Palette and Shadow Pots that I purchased. The 5 shadow pots I purchased looked beautiful in the pan, but when I swatched them (without primer), they were a bit disappointing. When you swatch them with primer and/or wet your brush to apply, the pigment improves, but it takes some time until you get the shade you want. This wasn’t the case for the Winterberry shades, most of them were beautiful even without primer or having to wet the brush.
For the shadow pots, I purchased greens, teals and blues. I wanted to get some fun colours, but ones that I’d actually wear. Reds, oranges and yellows wouldn’t go well with my skin tone, I think I would just look ill.
Clockwise from top left: Fresh Chive | Electric Blue | Jewel Teal | Indigo Dream
Teal Green is not pictured because it broke a bit during the shipping process, so I fixed it with some alcohol, but it didn’t look very presentable.
Below are swatches without primer (using my fingers to swatch).
Originally, I wanted to get the empty palette with a mirror that fits 12 shadows for $5.95, but I thought, “For $4 more, I could get 12 eyeshadows that are all really pretty purple/wintery shades.” So I chose the Winterberry palette instead of the Think Pink one because how often will I use pink eyeshadows. Once you finish the shadows, you can replace them with other 26mm pans. The palette itself contains built-in magnets and gives you easy access at the upper-right corner of each pan to take out the pans (I can easily use my finger to take out the pans).
Top Row: Light Pink | Silver Lilac | Light Plum | White Silver
After trying the single shadow pots first, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the ones in this palette. But the Winterberry shades are much creamier and a lot more pigmented than the singles ones I purchased. For the greens/teals/blues, I had to dip my finger back into the pot a few times just to get the swatch that colour. For the Winterberry ones, I just had to do it once or twice (just to get it to cover the length of the swatch). Out of the 12 shades, 3 of them aren’t as pigmented and metallic looking as the rest. For $9.95, I think it’s a really good palette, the shades are gorgeous and the swatches are what the shades look like without primer. The 9 other shades feel super creamy and are very pigmented. The shades that I probably wouldn’t purchase individually are: Light Pink, Light Plum, Tyrian Purple and Regalia Purple (which is a shame because all of them, especially Regalia Purple are beautiful in the pan).
RATING: 4/5 for the Winterberry Palette
RATING: 3.5/5 for the Shadow Pots
The Winterberry Palette gets 4/5 because the majority of the shades are beautiful and pigmented, the others just need a bit of help by wetting your brush. The Shadow Pots get 3.5/5 because they are pretty, but it takes some time to get the colour you see in the pan. Definitely use a shadow primer and wet your brush! For the price right now though (even when it’s regular priced), they’re amazing for beginners or if you just want to get some funky colours!
For my fellow Canadians, shipping is not free for us, but luckily there’s NO extra fees (COD) after you’ve paid at checkout.
Serum Foundation in 2.0N – I decided to get the shade 2.0 N (Light Medium Neutral). Usually for foundations that have different shades for each undertone, I’m either yellow or neutral. I think that neutral suits me better because yellow can sometimes be a bit too yellow. They were sold out of 2.0 N at Hudson’s Bay (they had plenty of stock at the Queen Street location, but, of course they’re sold out of my shade…just my luck). My sister was able to pick it up at the Abnormal Beauty Company store downtown.
Coconut Oil Body Lotion
Coconut Oil Body Cream
Coconut Oil Body Oil
Designed to look and feel like skin, this award-winning foundation is formulated with a unique transparent base and skin tone correct pigments for the most natural-looking, skin-like finish. A Bobbi Brown original, the innovative formula features Smart Technology for targeted moisturization or oil control depending on what skin needs. Delivers medium to full coverage and comes in a convenient swivel-up stick for at home and on-the-go application.
The Ordinary’s website has a product description that has a whole lot of words I don’t understand and I’m sure a lot of people are on the same boat. So, I chose to go with the simple description on the Sephora website:
