Today, I’m reviewing my beauty expenses for 2022. I know we’re more than half way through 2023, but I realized that I forgot to do last year’s beauty expenses.
As you can see from the graphs, I started spending money on beauty products again. There was a significant decrease in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID. The majority of the skincare purchases were the Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve and First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser. I’ve been lucky enough to receive skincare products to review. So I haven’t bought many skincare products for my face, but somehow I spent $550 on things like hand cream, body scrubs and pimple patches.
My 6 most expensive beauty purchases of 2022:
Sephora Collection PRO 8-piece Brush Set – $92.80
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow Trio – $70.20
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm (Value size) – $52
Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation – $50
Youth to the People Dream Eye Cream with Vitamin C and Ceramides – $49.60
After seeing how much I spent last year on makeup and skincare, I’m actually quite surprised. It didn’t feel like I spent that much on beauty products. Since we’re in August 2023, I can say that I’ve actually tried my 6 most expensive purchases and I like all of them. I think I’m starting to prefer powder or cream foundations though, so I probably wouldn’t repurchase the Uoma foundation. I like all of the other products though. I haven’t opened the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, but I’ve used it in the past. I really like the Sephora Collection PRO brushes. They’re so soft and fluffy. The ABH eyeshadow palette is a classic, I still need to use it more. I haven’t used the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize shadows as much as I’d like. I chose more smokey shades and I’ve mostly been going out during the day and prefer to do a natural eye look in the morning.
I’m interested to see my beauty expenses for this year. I think I’ve bought more clothes than beauty products, but we’ll see what happens in the next few months when the Sephora sale and Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales come around lol.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted on the blog. It’s also been a while since I’ve done a Hits & Misses post. So here are my thoughts on L’Oréal products. Some of the products I was gifted and marked with a *.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Voluminous Original Mascara – This is one of my favourite drugstore mascaras. I like the wand and it’s a good price.
Rouge Signature Liquid Lip Colour in I Create 416 – I love this shade and it’s a pretty comfortable matte liquid lipstick. Sometimes I’ll put a bit of gloss on in the middle.
Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Varnished Rosewood 904 (read my review) – I bought this one for my mom, it’s a really pretty shade and has a nice shine.
LIKES
Bambi Eye Mascara* – I liked this mascara, the shape of the tube made it a bit difficult to open. I don’t have dexterity issues, but someone who does might have trouble opening it.
Telescopic Intense Lash Length Original Mascara – This is the gold tube one. It works well for bottom lashes.
Brow Stylist Boost & Set Volumizing Brow Mascara (read my review) – This brow mascara was okay. I liked the small brush, but it made my brows feel crunchy.
Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Anti-Redness (read my review) – My mom uses this anti-redness bb cream and it works well. I wish it came in different shades because it’s too brown for me. It also doesn’t smell that great.
Color Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in J Lo’s Nude 370 – I used to looooove this lipstick. I didn’t really love the scent of the lipstick (I think it was the same as the regular Colour Riche lipsticks – either a baby powder scent or a bit floral). I went through 3 tubes of this until I decided to try other products. I prefer lip tints and balms or liquid lipsticks these days.
Color Riche Oil-Infused Nail Lacquer in 554 Carmin Parisien* – Gorgeous shade and the brush works well. I could do without the rose scent of the polish though. I prefer the regular Color Riche Nail Lacquer (if they still sell that).
Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Moisturizer Fragrance-Free* – This is the only skincare product I’ve liked from L’Oreal because it’s fragrance-free. It did a good job as a moisturizer too, but it’s almost the same price as a non-drugstore brand. So I’d rather use a serum or moisturizer from another brand.
Revitalift Triple Power LZR 7-day Treatment Replumping Ampoules* – These were interesting. I would prefer if they sold it in a bottle because it’s expensive for these 7 capsules.
Le Colour Clear Toning Gloss* – I haven’t coloured my hair in years, so I can only judge the claims to make your hair shine. It did make my hair look very shiny and healthy.
Dream Lengths 8-second(es) Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-Out* (read my review) – It detangled hair well, but it didn’t last very long and it was expensive.
MISSES
Unfortunately, a lot of the skincare products has a heavy fragrance that gives me a headache, so I was unable to test how well the product actually worked. The serums were all quite tacky which I didn’t love. Here are 3 of their Revitalift serums that were too scented to try:
Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitaminc C, E + Salicylic Acid Face Serum* – smells like that solution to clean the hair tools at a salon
Revitalift Hydrating Smoothing Serum* – smells like hairspray from what I remember
Revitalift Triple Power LZR 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum* – I may be mistaken, but I could’ve sworn that all of the serums had fragrance in them. Maybe there was another reason I didn’t like this one because it claims to be fragrance-free on the website
Pure-Sugar Scrub for Oily Skin (Kiwi) – When I first tried this, I liked it, but I don’t really use scrubs on my face anymore because of my sensitive skin.
Pure Clay Masks (Charcoal Brightening Mask for Dull Skin, Red Pore Minimizing 7 Exfoliating for Rough Skin, Green Mattifying Face Mask for Oily Skin)* – As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped using face masks as often out of laziness. I prefer to use a mask that I don’t have to clean off. Also, clay masks can make my skin feel dry and tight and I don’t need my skin to be drier (especially in the colder months).
Concealer Infallible Full Wear, One-Swipe Complete Coverage Matte Finish – This one is too thick for my liking and just made my under eyes look cakey.
Colour Riche Ultra Matte Lipstick* (read my review) – These were a bit too matte for my liking. I probably could’ve added a gloss or balm on top, but the shades I tried weren’t ones I would’ve personally chosen. So maybe if I had tried a shade that I like, I would like them better.
Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara – This is going to be a surprise for some people, but I do not like this mascara’s wand shape. I need a more cone-shaped wand or one that’s wider in the middle, not thinner.
I have an Excel sheet of products I’ve tried and whether I would repurchase them or not. I have a few L’Oreal products that I said I wouldn’t repurchase, but unfortunately, I didn’t write why lol, so these fall into that category:
Voluminous Original Primer – I could’ve sworn I tried this, but I can’t find it in my records anywhere. I know I tried a mascara primer, but I didn’t want to splurge on one, so I got this one. I remember not liking it because it made my lashes feel so heavy once I put mascara on. It was either this or the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer.
Excellence Crème – I’m pretty sure I’ve used one of their hair colours. I don’t dye my hair often, but I tried a few box dyes a few years ago. So I don’t really have a reference for which ones are good
Dream Lengths Shampoo with Keratin and Castor Oil & Dream Lengths Conditioner* – All I wrote in my Excel sheet was “scent was too sweet”
Extraordinary Oil Shampoo Fine Coconut Oil – I’m guessing that I didn’t like the oil in it or I didn’t like the coconut scent.
EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner* – I usually stick to regular drugstore shampoo brands in bottles (sometimes I will occasionally buy an expensive one and use it for special occasions). I think I didn’t love the scent of this and it was expensive
Stylista #BeachWaves Texturizing Mist – I don’t like the feeling of a hair texturizer
Stylista #Curls Defining Spray – I remember this being quite fragranced
I’ve tried a few discontinued products as well:
Sublime Soft Micellar Gelee Eye Makeup Remover (read my review)
Infallible Pro Contour Palette – This was the first contour palette I tried. I didn’t know what I was doing back then lol. I do remember the contour shade being a good ‘shadow’ shade though
Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in 337 Refined Ruby – This was a pretty red (blue-red, not an orange-red), very shiny too
While I’ve tried quite a bit from the brand, it also doesn’t seem like a lot once I’ve written it all down. I haven’t tried much of their face makeup, but I don’t feel tempted to try much from the brand. I have considered trying their foundations, but then I just end up trying other brands. Especially since drugstore prices have gone up and they’re comparable to brands at retail stores.
Today, I’m reviewing three products I received from 107 Beauty. I received these products complimentary to try without any obligations to post a review. Here’s a little information about 107 Beauty that I was sent:
107 is a unique skincare brand that was created with innovative formulations using premium 7-year aged vinegar
We use all-natural ingredients that are known to work effectively and synergistically with our exclusive vinegar ingredient
Our products include essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help attain healthier and rejuvenated skin
Chaga Jelly Low pH Cleanser
CHAGA JELLY’s gentle jelly texture and skin-friendly 4.0-5.0 pH helps create a refreshed, clean canvas without unnecessarily irritating the skin’s outer layer or stripping natural oils that keep skin hydrated. Formulated with our special 7-year aged vinegar, chaga mushroom extract and ten different botanical extracts (including German chamomile flower, paper mulberry root, apple, Japanese camellia leaf and green tea leaf), it helps soothe skin and boost glow while it cleanses. The speckles of green tea leaf powder found in the jelly also help to provide a soft and mild exfoliation when massaged onto the skin. Wash away the bad and keep in the good with this non-stripping cleanser!
It was a nice cleanser, but I didn’t find anything particularly special about it. I liked that it didn’t make my face feel dry/tight after using it. This lasted for about 2-3 months of every day use (once a day).
Dewy Glow Serum Mist
DEWY GLOW’s convenient mist form makes it easy to get probiotic nourishment any time of the day. Made for ease, it’s handily sized so you can get an instantaneous dose of glow straight from your vanity or handbag. Combining over 60% probiotic ferments (aspergillus/saccharomyces and lactobacillus), safflower extract and our special 7-year aged vinegar, this balanced formulation helps hydrate, nourish and soothe skin as well as stimulate cell turnover to promote a smoother, brighter complexion. Unlike other water-based mists or sprays, it’s a true serum that helps keep skin feeling dewy and radiant. It’s perfect for glow on the go!
Aspergillus/Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arbutin, Water, PEG/PPG-18/4 Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Adenosine, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Leaf/Stem Extract, Pimpinella Anisum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Vinegar, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol (0.36%).
RATING: 4/5
I liked the fresh, fruity scent of this mist. I would prefer if this was more serum-like and not a mist. As I sprayed it, I would obviously hold my breath so I don’t inhale it, but a few times, I breathed in too quickly and I would still breathe some of the serum into my nose. Maybe that’s just a ME problem lol. If this was more viscous and came with a pump or dropper style, I would like it more. I would use 2 spurts per use every day.
Everyday Plump Hydro Cream
EVERYDAY PLUMP’s playfully light yet richly moisturizing formulation is charged with vitamins, amino acids and probiotics. The perfectly balanced formulation of our special 7-year aged vinegar, sunflower seed oil, squalane, moroheiya leaf ferment and three types of lactobacillus ferments, helps provide daily nourishment while also protecting skin from water loss and external stressors without clogging or weighing down skin. Its smooth and silky texture glides on the skin for a glowy moisture barrier that also primes the skin for sunscreen and makeup, without feeling like it’s weighing down your skin or clogging your pores. For moisturized plump on the inside, and nourished glow on the outside!
The Everyday Plump Hydro Cream was my favourite of the three products I was sent. It had a pleasant, fresh scent and it lasted a while (5 months of daily use during nighttime routine). My skin felt hydrated with it and my face was relatively clear while I used it.
When I was first asked if I wanted to try these products, I wondered if they would smell like vinegar, but I was very pleasantly surprised that they did not. In fact, they had a light, fruity scent. If I were to purchase any of the products myself, I would get the Everyday Plump Hydro Cream and maybe try the Micro Drizzle Hydro Toner.
Love,
*Descriptions and ingredients in italics were taken from the 107 Beauty website.
Today, I’m reviewing the WetBrush Speed Dry Brush. I bought this in January, so I’ve been using it a few months. Here are my thoughts on the hair brush!
Upgrade your styling routine and protect your hair from damage with the game-changing Wet Brush® Speed Dry® Brush. Its vented design allows for air to pass through the brush, expediting your drying time and lessening your hair’s exposure to heat. HeatFlex® bristles flex as you style, preventing pulling or snagging strands and protecting against breakage.
Vented design removes excess moisture and speeds drying time
HeatFlex® heat-resistant bristles gently detangle while blow-drying
I bought the hair brush on Amazon.ca (not an affiliate link). The handle is a good size, not too wide. This brush is great, it’s so much easier to clean than the paddle brush I was using before. I never liked how my paddle brushes would get water in them when I cleaned them. Usually I just get whatever is on sale at the drugstore, but after seeing RachhLoves mention it on her channel, I decided to try it. I’ve accidentally dropped it a few times while using it (so it’s dropped about 5 ft) and it hasn’t cracked or broken a bristle. It’s easy to clean and dry off. With my old paddle brushes, I would have to dry them out, bristle side down, to make sure the water drained out properly.
RATING: 5/5
I also still love the Tangle Teezer brushes (read my review), but I don’t use them while drying my hair. Before getting the Tangle Teezer brushes, I bought one from Claire’s (an accessory store) and it melted into my hair when I was blow drying it.
Today, I have an updated makeup inventory list. These posts are more for me to track what products I have/had at a given time. Products in BOLD are unopened.
Primers: 7
elf Vitamin C-Bright Putty Face Primer (mini)
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
Physician’s Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer (mini)
Pixi +C Vit Brightening Perfector*
Tula Prime of Your Life Smoothing & Firming Treatment Primer
Foundations: 7
bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF15 in Light
Heimish Artless Perfect Cushion in 23 Natural Beige*
Maybelline Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in Classic Ivory
Maybelline Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in Natural Beige
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream in No. 21 Light Beige
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation in 220 Linen
Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation in Fair Lady T2N
Concealers: 4
L’Oreal Infallible Full Wear Concealer in 340 Fawn
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-2: Fair To Light Skin Tones
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer in 202 Light
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer in 203 Light
Powders: 4
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder (mini)
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder (mini)
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in Translucent
Blushes/Highlighters/Bronzers/Contour: 13
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho
Burt’s Bees The Luminizer in 1906 Starlight*
Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Base
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in 2 Fair
Honest Beauty Crème Cheek Blush in Rose Pink
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light
Jane Iredale PurePressed Powder Blush in Barely Rose*
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Joy
Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek (mini) in Werk
Milani Strobelight Instant Glow Powder in Afterglow
Too Cool for School Artclass By Rodin Shading #01 Classic*
Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Blossom Glow
Wet N Wild Dual-Ended Contour Stick in Light/Medium
Brows: 7
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Ebony
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in Shade 6 Cool Black
2x Colourpop Clear Brow Gel
Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt, Mascara for Brows in Clear
Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil in Stone Gray 05
Uoma Beauty Brow-Fro Blow Out Volumizing Gel in 6
Eyeshadows: 9 (I’m counting the palettes as 1)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Intense Gaze
Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Rosette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Sunset
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette
Charlotte Tilbury Easy Eye Palette
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Champagne
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Chocolate Bronze
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Oyster Pearl
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Single in Half Baked
Eyeliners: 4
Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in 116 White
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in 100 Whatever Black
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil 502 Infinite Sand
MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in 612 Dimension Dark Brown
Mascara: 3
Blinc Original Tubing Mascara*
L’Oreal Bambi Eye Original Mascara in 400 Blackest Black*
Pacifica Activist Volume Volume & Curl Mascara
Lips: 14
Burt’s Bees Gloss and Glow Glossy Balm in Winning in Pink*
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm*
Etude Fixing Tint in #05 Midnight Mauve
Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in 400
Honest Beauty Lip Crayon in Rose
L’Oreal Rouge Signature Matte Lipstick in I Create 416
One Thing Moisturizing Lip Essence*
Pacifica Vegan Collagen Complex Lip Balm*
Pixi Botanical Collagen Lip Gloss*
rom&nd Glasting Water Tint in Brick River
rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint Bare Juicy Series in #22 Pomelo Skin
rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint Bare Juicy Series in #23 Nucadamia
rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in #25 Bare Grape
rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint in #07 Jujube
rom&nd Zero Velvet Tint in #16 Burny Nude
TOTAL NUMBER OF MAKEUP ITEMS: 72
I’m also including my nail polishes and perfumes, but not including them in the makeup item inventory count.
Nails: 13
CND Vinylux Long Wear Polish in Black Pool
CND Gel Like Effect Top Coat
Dior Base Coat Abricot
L’Oreal Color Riche Le Vernis à Huile Gel Nail Polish in 554 Carmin Parisien*
Revlon Ultimate Shine Top Coat
Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer Perfect Sheers Set (minis)
Today, I’m sharing what I got from Black Friday and Holiday sales! In the past two years, it seems like I do the most damage in October and November because I just can’t resist a Black Friday sale!
I’m not going to put the prices up because I’d rather not see the grand total of what I spent during the sales, but I will include the discount.
Sephora – 20% off
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF15 in Light
Shiseido – 30% off when you spend $200
Eyelash Curler (comes with replacement pad)
2 x Eyelash Curler Pads (2 replacement pads per pack, so I got 4 in total lol)
Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer in 202 Light
Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer in 203 Light
Overnight Wrinkle Resisting Cream (for my mom)
Kiehl’s – 25% off
Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser
2 x Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Bottom left is Blondo, middle is Skechers
Mejuri – 20% off when you spend $150 (I believe this is the only sale they have throughout the year)
Twist Ring in 14k White Gold
2x Single Mini Hoop in 14k White Gold
Last year, I bought the Single Mini Hoops and I’ve been wearing them ever since. I decided to get 2 more for my second piercings. To bump it up to $150, I also got the Twist ring. Last year, I got the Braided ring. I haven’t worn it much though, because it looked a bit plain on its own. So now I have the twist one to stack. Their diamond huggies are super cute too.
Old Navy – 50% off code for being a Navyist Rewards Member
Dynamic Fleece Pullover Hoodie in Icelandic Mineral
Vintage Long-Sleeve Sweatshirt in Inkwell
Printed Flannel Pajama Pants in Red Fair Isle
La Vie En Rose – 2 for 1
Soft plush Robe in Lilac Cloud
Soft Plush Robe in Black Buffalo Plaid
Naturalizer – 30% off
Blondo Skylar Waterproof Combat Boot in Black Suede (wide)
I have wide feet unfortunately and I’ve realized it’s ridiculous to put bandaids on my pinky toes when I wear my winter boots. I was on the hunt for a nice pair. I got these Blondo boots in wide. I read a few reviews, but it’s hard to decide based on a few website reviews, so I just decided to try them. They were definitely not wide. I know Blondo is known for having a narrow fit, but I thought maybe these would be okay. These were probably what would be considered a regular fit for other brands. I was wearing regular, thin socks and while my foot fit into them, they would be super uncomfortable. You could also see the shape of my foot in the boot and it just didn’t look nice. Unfortunately, they only accept returns online which means they charge $8 to ship it back to them (taking it off your refund).
The Shoe Company – 30% off?
Skechers On-The-Go Glacial Ultra-Woodlands Wide Winter Boot in Black Suede
Skechers is a brand that I own quite a few running shoes from. Even with their regular fit, they’re very comfortable. I recently purchased a wide fit sneaker and they are super comfy for me. So I got these knowing that Skechers is a brand that I like.
Spanx – 20% off for regular priced items, I think. I got something from the sale section, so it was 50% off
Spotlight on Lace Regular Waist Brief in Vintage Rose
Clockwise from top left (gray): ribbed cotton, cotton cable lace, pointelle high cut, cotton eyelash lace, period underwear
Aerie online order – 30% off sale or something
AerieREAL Period Underwear (I will be posting a review on this once I’ve tried it out)
AF Super Cropped Scoop Neck Cami in Black
Wrap One Piece Swimsuit in Black
High Neck Henley Tank Top in White
I bought the swimsuit because I realized I sold all of my swimsuits on Poshmark. Even though I haven’t gone swimming/to the beach in 6 years lol, I thought it’d be good to have one just in case. I was disappointed when I tried it on and ended up returning it. I don’t think I have a particularly long torso, but the body was so short (it was cutting into my butt). I can’t imagine a taller person wearing it. Even though you can adjust the straps to make it a bit longer, it would make the bust lower and the wrap part just wasn’t flattering to begin with…It wasn’t giving any lift to the girls. When I was thinking about buying it, I was a bit worried about whether it would stretch from wrapping it all the time, but I wanted to try it anyway since they have free returns. Back to the drawing board for this one.
Aerie in-store purchase – 10 for $40
Pointelle High Cut Bikini Underwear (high cut, peek of cheek)
Cotton Cable Lace Boybrief Underwear (regular rise, no cheek peek)
Cotton Eyelash Lace Boybrief Underwear (low rise, no cheek peek)
Ribbed Cotton Boybrief Underwear (low rise, no cheek peek)
I have previously purchased Aerie underwear a few years back and the boybrief underwear were really stretchy and too big. I got the same size in all of the underwear I bought and it just didn’t fit right. I’ve had time to try all of the underwear I bought and they all fit nicely. The Cotton Cable Lace ones are my favourite. A lot of my underwear are low rise and I’ve realized how much I like a regular rise.
With all of the online orders, I managed to get about $20 cashback from Rakuten.
(not sponsored or anything, but this is a referral link to sign up. You get $30 if you use the link and I will too).
Did you pick up anything during the Black Friday sales?
I know it’s a bit late, but I’m sharing what I bought from the Sephora Holiday Sale!
I picked up a few things in store on the first day:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette – I know I’m super slow to buy this, but I’ve been debating which eyeshadow I wanted to get for years. I finally decided to get this one.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation (left – 220 Linen, right – 250 Sand)
And I ordered more online after browsing:
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation in 250 Sand – I bought the shade 220 Linen for my mom during a sale last year. She hadn’t started using it until recently. She realized it was too light for her so she gave it to me and asked me to order a darker shade. So I chose 250 Sand. Comparing the two, 250 Sand looks lighter than 220 Linen – 220 Linen looks more orange. So I ended up returning 250 Sand and getting 310 Silk which looks a bit darker.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover (variety size – 200mL)
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum – I wanted to try a new perfume and I sprayed this one in person when I went to the store. Apparently I wasn’t paying attention because I sprayed the Eau de Toilette in the store. There was barely anything left in the bottle, so I didn’t notice the colour was different. I don’t know why, but I didn’t spray it on me and just decided to purchase it. This was a mistake lol. The Eau de Parfum is too sweet for my liking. It gave me a headache. I went back to the store and sprayed the Eau de Toilette, but it was a bit too powdery for my liking. I actually preferred the Gucci Bloom one, but I’m going to keep browsing until I make a decision.
Today, I’ll be reviewing products I received from BeautySense.ca! This post was sponsored by BeautySense.ca and the products above were sent to me for review, but all opinions are my own. The links below are NOT affiliate links.
Beautysense.ca is a Canadian-owned website that sells beauty and cosmetics products.
We have deep roots within the beauty industry operating successful spas and salons in Canada.
BeautySense.ca was launched in 2013 with a vision of providing Canadians with a trusted and reliable source of beauty products while contributing the same customer service and education found in our spas and salons.
BeautySense.ca currently offers well over 4000 quality products from top Canadian and International brands and we continue to add new brands every month. We cater to each of you, our customer, to reach a goal of 100% satisfaction.
They sell a wide variety of skincare, home, bath & body, makeup and wellbeing products.
Free shipping on all orders within Canada, no minimum!!
They have promotions every now and then. A free gift with purchase, discounts on certain brands, etc.
I don’t know if they have sales throughout the year, but I have signed up for the newsletter to email me. So I will update this post if I am notified of any sales throughout the year.
They have a loyalty program. Receive 1 point for every $1 you spend
BeautySense let me choose the products to try out so I went with a 3 products from brands I’ve never tried before and 2 products from amika (love the scent of their dry shampoo and soulfood nourishing hair mask).
Colorescience: Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Flex SPF 50 | $63
A lightweight mineral sunscreen with tinted color coverage immediately evens skin tone for a flawless look. Available in four uniquely flexible shades for a range of skin tones, it features innovative, tone-adapting pigments that offer medium, buildable colour coverage with a natural finish.
This is drier than I thought it would be. I think I could’ve tried the medium shade instead of fair because it’s very white on me. For sunscreen, I usually just squeeze it out onto my hand and then apply to my face, but I think maybe it’s better to do a little at a time for this one. Instead of trying the medium tinted shade, I think I would just try the original (non-tinted) one next time.
Amika: The Wizard Detangling Primer | $34.50
A weightless, multi-benefit priming spray that detangles, cuts blow dry time and protects against thermal and environmental damage. Leaves hair smooth, soft and radiant.
This detangled my hair so quickly and my hair felt smooth and sleek. It looked shiny and smelled really nice. It has the same scent as the normcore conditioner and dry shampoo.
Amika: Normcore Signature Conditioner | $26
Boost hydration, softness and shine daily with this everyday conditioner, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
I used to love the Perk Up Dry Shampoo, but I stopped buying products with aerosol cans. Since this has the same scent description, I figured this would be the same and it is. At the time, the shampoo was out of stock, but I would definitely get the shampoo. My hair is healthy because I don’t dye it and I don’t use styling tools all the time. So I usually stick to buying shampoos and conditioners from the drugstore. I have bought a few expensive shampoos and conditioners and I use them every couple weeks when I feel like a pick-me-up.
Jane Iredale: PurePressed Blush in Barely Rose | $41
A silky, easy-glide pressed blush that builds like a powder and blends like a cream for seamless, long-lasting color and a fresh, healthy glow.
The blush is a pretty pink shade that looks like a natural blush to my cheeks. I did notice that the blush had faded by the 6 hour mark though. I purposely applied more blush than usual just to see how it wore throughout the day. So, by the 6 hour mark, it was no longer noticeable and by the 9 hour mark, it was definitely gone. I used a cotton pad to wipe the makeup and no blush came off.
Blinc: Ultravolume Tubing Mascara – Black | $32
Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your sweaty workout then out to dinner, Blinc Tubing Mascara Ultra Volume will make your lashes look as good in the evening as they did when you first applied it in the morning.
I have typical Asian lashes that don’t keep a curl for very long so I was surprised at how well this mascara kept the curl. I was wearing the mascara for about 9 hours and my lashes were still curled. They might’ve gone down a little bit, but they definitely had a curve to them still (not sticking straight down). I did notice a few flakes on my eyelid and under eye by the 9 hour mark. I think I may have touched my eye at some point. The mascara removes easily with warm water. I would say to remove the mascara with warm water before removing the rest of your makeup. So the tubes don’t get all over your face.
They have a number of brands that I’ve never tried, so I’d be interested in buying those in the future and reviewing them on my blog.
For me, they all performed about the same. I don’t wear waterproof mascara or eyeliner, so I can’t say how well these cleansing balms work for those. I cleanse with a regular cleanser after using the cleansing balms, so I don’t mind if there’s a film from the cleansing balm.
Texture
Youth to the People (YTTP)’s cleanser is the most crumbly and it’s not as emollient as the others. Due to the texture being more crumbly, it didn’t remove my makeup as well. I had to work it in longer than the others. The Inkey List one comes in a tube, so it’s a more runny texture. I have to make sure to massage the tube first before squeezing any out. I was sent the Juno & Co cleansing balm and it came melted . They sent me a new one, but I’m worried about how easily it melted.
Comparing the textures to food: The YTTP one is like mashed potatoes (with nothing added in). The melted Juno & Co one was like melted butter that had cooled down a bit (still runny, but not completely liquid). The new tub I was sent still wasn’t as solid as the other ones.
Packaging
The K-beauty cleansing balms come with spatulas, while most of the others don’t come with one. Glow Recipe wins for best packaging since it comes in a glass jar that closes nicely. I wish the spatula could fit inside the jar, but I understand why they have a larger one since the jar is quite deep. I keep all of my spatulas in a little glass container, but it’d be nice to have it in the jar if you travel. The Youth to the People one also comes in a glass jar, but when I unscrew the lid, it doesn’t feel as smooth as the Glow Recipe. The Clinique, Heimish and Banila Co. cleansing balms come in sturdy, plastic containers. When you open the lids of the Heimish and Banila Co balms, there is a spatula inside. The Juno & Co one is a cheaper container that I sometimes have trouble closing if the inner lid isn’t perfectly aligned. The Inkey List one comes in a tube. This is my least favourite packaging since the cleansing balm is already more emollient than the others. I would not travel with the Inkey List or Juno & Co ones. A few times, I’ve had to wash off both of them because the products got onto the packaging.
Cost
In the table below, I’ve calculated the cost per mL for the cleansing balms I’ve tried. I also added others that are available on Sephora and K-beauty ones I want to try.
Price (CAD)
Size
Cost per mL
Packaging
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original) - 100mL
25
100mL
0.25
plastic with spatula
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original) - 180mL
Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm
45
100mL
0.45
glass jar, no spatula
Looking at the cost per mL, I was surprised which ones were more expensive. The Drunk Elephant one actually isn’t the most expensive one on the list.
The Clinique one was the first one I tried. I finished it before trying other ones, so I wasn’t able to compare them side by side. I liked it a lot because it doesn’t have a scent and I don’t remember it having a filmy feeling after using it. I will buy it again once I’ve finished my current ones and update this post with a final verdict. For now, I will exclude it from the ranking. My favourite is the Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm. It is on the more expensive end, so for the lower range, I would pick the Heimish All Clean Balm. It doesn’t have any added fragrances and you get more in the tub (120mL vs 100mL for most of the other brands).
Have you tried these cleansing balms? Which is your fave?
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review.
I’ve actually enjoyed all of the products that I’ve tried from Volition Beauty. So, I don’t really have any for MISSES. Although I’ve been sent a lot of the Volition products, I plan to repurchase some of them in the future.
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
HITS
Strawberry-C Brightening Serum* (read my review) – I really liked this serum. My skin looked dewy and fresh after applying this serum.
How long does it last? 1oz bottle – about 120 uses (half pump per use) = 4 months, once daily OR 2 months, twice daily
Snow Mushroom Water Serum – I really liked this serum too. It does have a slight smell to it that I can’t really describe. It’s not strong and doesn’t linger though.
How long does it last? 1oz bottle – about 10 uses (half pump per use) = 4 months, once daily OR 2 months, twice daily
Unspottable Hibiscus Correcting Oil* – I really enjoyed this oil and it lasted about a year of daily use (twice a day). I think it did help fade a dark spot I had on my nose too.
How long does it last? 1.1oz bottle – about 320 uses (1-2 drops per use) = 10 months (twice daily = about 4 drops daily). Drops are a single droplet, not a full dropper’s worth.
Skin Rhythm Balancing & Clearing Serum* – This is a great product, but I think they should put it in a bottle with a pump. The product is so thick that the dropper mechanism is harder to use (comparing it to the unspottable hibiscus correcting oil’s dropper, it sticks more). I had a painful pimple on my chin and I used this for two days and it was no longer painful and angry. It also didn’t feel dry or itchy.
How long does it last? 1.1oz bottle – I’m still using this one, but it’ll probably last a while. The consistency of this serum is different from the oil and I use it as more of a spot treatment to target the areas with hormonal acne and acne scars
LIKES
Yaupon Tea Glow-Awakening Moisturizer* – This moisturizer has been perfect for the spring weather. I’ve been keeping my morning routine fairly simple with this moisturizer, the Skin Rhythm Balancing & Clearing Serum and an eye cream. It has this gel cream texture that makes it bouncy.
How long does it last? 2oz pot – I’m still using this one, but using the other products’ calculations, it should last 3-4 months.
Neroli Complete Crème* – I think this one is meant for oily and/or aging skin. While it was nice and it had a pleasant scent, I prefer the serums from the brand more.
How long does it last? 1.7oz pot – Since it comes in a pot, it’s easier to use more or less each time. I used it once a day. It took me about 2-3 months to use.
Celery Green Cream* (read my review) – This is more geared toward oily skin so it didn’t quite give me the hydration that I need for my dry skin.
How long does it last? 1.7oz pot – Since it comes in a pot, it’s easier to use more or less each time. I think I used it once a day. It took me about 2-3 months to use.
Helix AM/PM Eye Gel (read my review) – I didn’t dislike this, but it was more of a silicone/smoothing eye cream than a hydrating or moisturizing one. I didn’t get to try it under makeup which I wish I had. For a while, I only used this eye cream for morning and night. I think if I used a different eye cream during night time, this might’ve worked for me. Also, I probably should’ve tried it during a warmer season because my under eyes get dry in the winter and this eye gel did nothing to help it. I previously purchased this eye gel when they sold it in a pot. They now sell it in a bottle with a pump.
How long does it last? 0.5oz pot – For a couple months, I used this in the morning and night and then I added another eye cream. So it lasted about 4 months. It could probably be stretched to 5 or 6 if you only use it once a day.
I don’t really have any products on my wishlist. I’ve tried all the ones I wanted so far. The Orangesicle Balancing Daily Cleanser sounds nice, but lately I prefer using a cleansing balm as my first cleanse and the Cetaphil or Cerave cleansers for my second. I don’t really want to spend more than $20 on a daily cleanser.
Love,
Products marked with * were gifted to me. Illustrations on featured image by me.
Today, I’m comparing Pimple patches! I’ve only tried hydrocolloid patches. I’ve never tried the microneedling ones and/or the ones with salicylic acid. I just use spot treatments instead. I may be missing out on the other types of pimple patches, but they’re so expensive for one time use.
The COSRX acne pimple master patches were the first one I tried. Then I tried the clear fit ones, nexcare acne absorbing covers and last, but not least, Rael.
I have tried eight different acne patches from six brands:
Tapered patches
COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch
Rael Invisible Spot Cover
Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot Patch
Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patch
Non-tapered patches
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches
Rael Overnight Spot Cover
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches
Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers
I was sent the Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patches and PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches to try, but all other patches were purchased by me.
Even though some claim that you can wear them with makeup, I wouldn’t. They’re less noticeable without any makeup (see my reviews for some pictures).
I’ve written about five different reviews/comparison reviews on my blog, so I thought I would collect all the information and update my thoughts in one post. You can check out my previous posts below:
type - hydrocolloid only vs. hydrocolloid with salicylic acid, tea tree, etc.
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid with salicylic acid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
hydrocolloid
perforated sheet?
perforated
not perforated
not perforated
not perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
not perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
not perforated
perforated
perforated
perforated
Tapered vs. non-tapered
non-tapered
non-tapered
non-tapered
non-tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
non-tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
non-tapered
tapered
tapered
tapered
# in a pack
52
24
36
40
48
18
18
18
28
26
30
36
20
39
18
22
7mm
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8mm
16
-
24
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9mm
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
-
28
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10mm
20
5
-
-
24
18
9
18
-
-
18
-
-
24
9
12
12mm
12
9
12
20
24
-
9
-
-
-
12
24
-
15
9
10
13mm
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
14mm
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12
-
-
-
-
9x13mm (oval)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
-
-
-
11x16mm (oval)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
-
-
-
-
-
-
15x23mm (oval)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
thickness
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.2mm
-
0.4mm with 0.39 mm edge
-
-
-
-
-
COSRX Acne Pimple Master patches are the cheapest in terms of cost per patch. I didn’t take into account the sizes. There are more 7mm ones in the pack, so if you don’t use those as often, maybe one of the other brands is more cost effective for you.
Cost (CAD)
Cost per patch
Subi Beauty Perfect Pimple Patch (54 count)
$24 USD from subibeauty.com
0.44
Rohto Mentholatum Blemish Cover Patch (28 count)
$9 from chuusi.ca
0.32
Rael Overnight Spot Cover (52 count)
$15.99 from amazon.ca
0.31
Rael Invisible Spot Cover (96 count)
$24.46 from amazon.a
0.25
Rael Invisible Spot Cover (72 count)
$21.40
0.30
Rael Invisible Spot Cover (48 count)
$14.52 from amazon.ca
0.32
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches (80 ct)
$20.99 from amazon.ca
0.26
PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches (40 ct)
$11.99 from amazon.ca
0.30
Nexcare Acne Pimple Patch (36 count)
$13.40
0.37
Nexcare Acne Pimple Patch
$12.49 from shoppersdrugmart.ca
0.347
Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Clear Spot Patch
$5.99 from thekshop.ca
0.33
Mighty Patch Original Hydrocolloid Patches (36 count)
$12.77 from iHerb
0.35
COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch (18 count)
$4.80 from chuusi.ca
0.26
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (24 count)
$5 from chuusi.ca
0.208
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (10 packs of 24 count)
$37 from amazon.ca ($3.70 per pack)
0.15
COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch (26 count)
$7.00 from chuusi.ca
0.27
JUMISO AC Cure Vegan Cover Patch Blemish Care (30 count)
$6.99 from thekshop.ca
0.23
BY WISHTREND Clear Skin Shield Patch (36 count)
$9.99 from thekshop.ca
0.278
Some By Mi 30 Days Miracle Clear Spot Patch (18 count)
Ranking the hydrocolloid patches in different categories:
Ease of use
Both Rael patches have perforated backings to make it easier to peel off the patches without folding them or ruining the side of the patch. One time I accidentally folded a bit of the side and then the patch didn’t lie flat on my skin. COSRX Clear Fit, Nacific and Subi Beauty patches also have perforated backings. PanOxyl and Nexcare do not have perforated backings.
Packaging
The Rael patches and the Nexcare patches come in boxes. The COSRX patches comes in a shiny plastic pouch, as does the Subi beauty (holographic) and Nacific which can’t be recycled. They all come in a little sleeve that keeps the patches sterile. My least favourite is the PanOxyl ones, it’s almost similar to the packaging of a bandaid where it’s hard to slide it back in because it’s a bit tacky.
Variety
The Rael and COSRX patches are best for variety of sizes and tapered vs. non-tapered. Rael also offers larger sizes (for body) and micro-crystal patches. COSRX also sells AC Collection ones that are oval-shaped.
Accessibility
COSRX and Rael can be bought on multiple sites. Nexcare is available on Amazon.ca and the Shoppers Drug Mart website. Subi beauty, I think, can only be purchased on their website. Nacific patches are pretty accessible to Canadians, but they’re more expensive than the others that I like.
Most of the patches perform the same, but the Nexcare ones weren’t sticky enough (stuck to my hair in the middle of the night) and the PanOxyl ones are almost too sticky that I’m afraid it’ll pull off some skin (especially if the pimple has popped and it’s an open wound.)
My top choices out of the brands would be Rael and COSRX. For me, the Rael ones are slightly more worth it because of the sizes available for both tapered and non-tapered. I rarely used the 7mm COSRX ones and, for some reason, they have more 7mm ones in their pack than the other sizes. I also like that Rael switched from a pouch with foil to a recyclable box.
This is a 4-in-1 ultrasonic skin spatula for deep cleansing, exfoliation, lifting & serum infusion to reveal radiant skin.
Cleaning Mode – deeply removes and cleans dirt and oil from the skin and unclogs pores
Ion+ Technology – removes dirt and debris from your skin at a particle level using water to help rid your pores of buildup
Ion- Technology – apply your serums/cream or moisturizers so the products get deeper in the skin
Lifting Mode – tighten and lift your skin + electronic muscle stimulation
The Lela comes in two colours Pink and Mint (currently unavailable). It retails for $29.99 USD. I have the mint AERO device, it might be slightly different since the AERO is shiny and the LELA has a different texture. The pink appears slightly different from my pictures.
I had only seen pictures of it straight on, so I didn’t realize the device would be so flat. I thought it would be similar to my AERO device. It’s good that it’s flat because it allows you to hold it at all angles. Especially if you’re using the lifting setting. The lid goes on tightly, I think it could use a ridge/ribbing so it’s easier to grip when you pull it off.
The ultrasonic sound from the device might affect some people. It’s different from just having the device on, but when you make contact with your skin, the ultrasonic sound is obviously much closer and you can feel the vibrations/sound in your head (if that makes sense lol). One time, I was using my noise cancelling headphones and I couldn’t hear it as much, so you can block out the sound with music.
When I used the cleaning and ion+ technology mode, I noticed that there was a fine mist of water spraying when I lifted the spatula off my face. It did remove some buildup from my face. It was cool and gross at the same time lol.
Sometimes when I apply my nightly skincare, it FEELS like I have a layer of products on my face, but since I’ve been using this, I haven’t felt that.
RATING: 4/5
Is this device absolutely necessary? No, but I think it’s a fun one to use every now and then.
Have you tried any devices from Spa Sciences?
Love,
This product was sent to me in exchange for review. No obligation to post on my blog.
Live Clean Cool and Fresh Deodorant – I liked this deodorant, it smelled fresh. I had to declutter since I had it for too long though.
Repurchase? Yes.
How long does it last? Don’t know, I had to declutter it since it dried out.
The Beauty of Eczema Skin Wash* – Sometimes the body wash had random globs of product (similar to when paint dries in a bottle). This body wash was a bit runny so I think I used more than I needed to use.
Repurchase? No.
How long does it last? The 200mL tube lasted two months.
The Beauty of Eczema Bathing Oil* – I used it once a week to relax. I don’t know if I used a lot. Once I found out how much it cost, I made sure to use less. You can either pour it into a running bath or apply directly to your skin and then rinse it off. I think the best way to figure out how much to use is to apply it to your body. When I first read the words ‘oil,’ I was a bit unsure about it, but when I read the directions, I found out it turns into a milk.
Repurchase? Maybe.
How long does it last? The 200mL bottle lasted two months (about 10 uses).
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask – I love the scent of this hair mask. I don’t use it too often though since it’s expensive.
Repurchase? Yes.
How long does it last? I had it for a year because I kept forgetting about it. I started using more of it later on. I recorded that I used it 20 times, but that could probably be doubled. I think I was using a lot.
Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner Alcohol-Free* (read my review) – I found the petals in the toner unnecessary. I did notice that I didn’t have as much redness when I used this, but I don’t know if it was just because of the toner or if it was other products I used too.
Repurchase? No.
How long does it last? I had some compressed, dry sheet masks lying around, so I started using them with the toner. I think I used this toner quite generously. I will add a few uses to mine. I would say this 250mL bottle would last about 6 months.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-Aging Serum*(read my review) – This serum was too scented. I got a headache from it, so I started using it on my feet. I would apply it after a shower and then put socks on. My feet did feel smooth while using it.
Repurchase? No.
How long does it last? I can’t say how long it would last since I didn’t use on my face.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M Eco Tube* (read my review) – I wasn’t a fan of the smell (it smelled like school glue). I also used it up quickly.
Repurchase? No.
How long does it last? The 200mL tube lasted for a month of daily use (full body). I cut it open when nothing came out after squeezing the tube, I got a few days’ worth of product.
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser* – I didn’t find anything special about this cleanser. I would rather use the more affordable Cetaphil or Cerave cleanser that comes with a pump.
Repurchase? No.
How long does it last? This cleanser was more fluid than others (Cerave, Cetaphil), I feel like I tend to waste more when it’s fluid. Especially when it’s in a bottle with a cap that you turn sideways/upside down, it just flows out easily. This 150mL bottle lasted about 4 months.
Today, I’m reviewing the Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner. I was sent the Limited Edition holiday bottle.
Our cult-classic Calendula toner is formulated with hand-picked Calendula flower petals to visibly reduce redness, oiliness and minimize the appearance of pores. Our gentle, alcohol-free toner, gently cleanses and soothes skin for a balanced and refreshed-feeling skin!
Helps visibly reduce redness, excess oil and appearance of pores
Gently soothes, calms and refreshes skin
Cleanses skin without harsh or synthetic drying agents
For normal-to-oily skin types, including sensitive skin
The limited edition bottle is no longer available since it was a holiday collection. The original bottle retails for 500mL ($98 CAD), 250mL ($57 CAD), 125mL ($35 CAD), 75mL ($26)
It comes in a plastic bottle. Sometimes I find the bottle cap a bit hard to open. I think the calendula petals floating around are unnecessary. It’s cool to have on display, but when I pour the toner out onto a reusable cotton pad, the petals stick to the pads and I have to pick them off.
Looking at the website, the 500mL bottle comes with a cap too. It’d be nice if it came with a pump because lifting a 500mL bottle each time would be a bit heavy. I have a 250mL bottle which is fine, but the cleanser I used was 500mL which was quite heavy when full. Plus, turning the bottle sideways or upside down might waste some product if it spills out.
I’ve been using this toner for four months now (I use it every night). It’s a nice toner that doesn’t make my skin feel dry and tight. It doesn’t feel tacky. The toner smells like iced tea (the pure leaf or gold peak iced tea). I’ve previously used the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash which I liked. From what I remember, the cleanser smelled like tootsie rolls. The toner itself is brown, so it did slightly stain my reusable cotton pads.
I usually have redness around my nose and chin, so I was hoping that the claims of reducing redness were true. I have noticed the redness has gone down, but I don’t know if it’s only from the toner or if other products I’ve been using have helped as well.
Even though it says this toner is for all skin types, I think it’s more geared toward normal and oily skin types since it claims to reduce oiliness and shine.
RATING: 3/5
I had to dock some points for the floating calendula petals and the fact that I have trouble opening the lid sometimes. I don’t think I would purchase this once I finish this bottle.
Have you tried the Calendula products from Kiehl’s? What are your faves?
Love,
*I received this product complimentary from Kiehl’s with no obligation to review. Description and ingredients taken from Kiehl’s Canada website.
Today, I’m reviewing three products I received from La Roche-Posay. I’ve always seen this brand at the drugstore, but I never got around to trying it. Find out what I have to say about these three products!
CICAPLAST BAUME B5
Thanks to its quick-absorbing texture and invisible, non-oily and non-sticky finish, all activities can be immediately resumed after application.
Soothing Repairing Balm: Optimal skin recovery for sensitive skin after dry skin irritations and superficial cutaneous heating sensations.
I like that the product comes in a tube. Usually for products that have a thicker formula, they come in tubs/pots with a spatula. I find this balm a bit too thick for my liking, but I have noticed that my skin doesn’t look dry at all. Sometimes I’ve applied it and then looked in the mirror a few hours later and realized I missed a spot blending (because it’s so thick). When you apply it, it looks like it has a white cast, but as you work it into the skin, it goes away. I’m not a huge fan of the scent of the two cream products. I find that my face still feels tacky hours after application. It doesn’t feel greasy though. They both have this school glue smell to them and also a similar thick, sticky texture. Luckily, you can’t smell it once you apply it (or maybe it’s because I apply an oil that has a light, fruity scent). I guess it’s better than an overly scented product. I’ve been using the tube for about a month and a half now and I think I’m getting close to finishing it. I use about a pea-sized amount (sometimes a bit more) in AM and PM (rounding up, I’ve used it about 100 times).
RATING: 3/5 → 4/5
I’ll give this a medium rating since my skin has been pretty clear lately, but I probably wouldn’t purchase this on my own in the future.
UPDATE: After writing this review,my skin had a breakout and I think this balm helped it heal faster. So I’ve bumped this rating up because I like it more. I don’t think I would use it as an everyday moisturizer since it’s so thick, but I think I would use it when my skin needs it. It would probably be good for the winter time. I WOULD repurchase.
HYALU B5 ANTI-AGING SERUM
The dermatological correction for wrinkles and fine lines, loss of volume and elasticity. This intensely hydrating face and neck serum is clinically proven to replump skin, accelerate skin repair and significantly reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The unique pro-skin recovery formula helps repair by replenishing the skin’s moisture barrier and activate skin renewal. It combines concentrated pure hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and madecassoside for optimal effectiveness while also being suitable for sensitive skin.
The smooth, fresh, and rich water-gel texture leaves skin feeling plump and hydrated to the touch.
The serum comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. For some reason, the top feels kind of cheap to me. It also might be hard for people to open since it’s all smooth. It would probably be better to have some ridges to grip it.
RATING: 2/5
I will say that I couldn’t give this a proper test because the product is so scented, that it gave me a headache. When smelling it from the bottle, it is a nice, refreshing scent, but it’s too overpowering once it’s on the face. I tried applying it on my face, away from my nose, but the texture of it was too tacky. I know it might sound like a waste, but I tried it out on my feet so I could test how it makes the skin feel. My feet do feel quite smooth so I won’t give this one a super low rating, but I wouldn’t repurchase this one.
LIPIKAR BAUME AP+M ECO TUBE
Lipikar Balm AP+M is a moisturizing body balm clinically proven to immediately soothe dry to eczema-prone skin for less itching. The new AP+M triple-action formula has a reinforced anti-scratching, anti-relapse efficacy and helps rebalance the skin microbiome. This balm replenishes skin’s essential lipids to strengthen its moisture barrier and provides long-lasting 48-hour hydration. It can be used on the face, hands and body and is suitable for adults, children and babies as young as 2 weeks.
Our NEW ECO-CONSCIOUS TUBE uses 45% less plastic than the previous AP+ 200ml plastic tube.
Non-greasy, non-sticky finish. Skin is soft and comforted from sensitivities.
I love that they’re being eco-conscious by using less plastic, but I used this tube up so quickly since I used it on my whole body after showering. I finished the 200mL tube in a month (used one daily). Once it started getting low, it was hard to squeeze out. I cut the tube open and I was able to use it for a few more days. Similar to the balm, this also smelled like school glue and I could smell it more. It also had a thick texture that kept my skin moisturized.
RATING: 3/5
At $26 for the tube, I can’t justify purchasing it again when other products are the about the same in terms of moisturizing. During the winter, Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion and Cerave moisturizing cream have both worked well for me.
Have you tried La Roche-Posay products? What are your faves?
Love,
*Products were sent to me with no obligations to post. Slideshow pictures taken from Google search. Descriptions and ingredients lists taken from La Roche-Posay Canada website.
