Mascara | Hits & Misses

June 10, 2020

Hi Everyone!

Today, I’m reviewing mascara! Find out which ones I love, like and wouldn’t repurchase.

Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Brows

SKINCARE || Eye Creams

BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

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

Buxom Lash Mascara – I really loved this mascara when I tried it and seeing the cost per ounce, it’s actually a better price than other high end ones.

Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara – This is an expensive one, but I bought one of those Sephora Favorites kits and redeemed a full size tube of this mascara. The mini size had such a short wand, so I look forward to using the full size wand.

L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara – This was one of the first drugstore mascaras I tried. I know the first mascara for everyone would probably be the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, but I skipped straight to trying this one. It’s still one of my faves.

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara – Here’s another mascara that I tried a mini of, but the curve of the wand made it easy for me to apply to my lashes. I would purchase the full size of this one.

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara – I really loved the wand of this mascara and it separated my lashes nicely for a natural look (but with an extra oomph). However, this is the most expensive mascara on this list (cost per ounce).

Essence Volume Stylist 18 hr Lash Extension Mascara – I tried this one out because Tati recommended it. If Tati, someone who tries out tons of mascaras, likes this then you know it’s a pretty good one.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara (read my review) – This is a great mascara that lifts the lashes. I tried the washable one, but I’m sure the waterproof one would be even better.

Revlon Mega Multiplier Mascara (read my review) – I know there are probably better fiber mascaras out there, but this is one that I’ve tried and enjoyed. It easily washes off with warm water.

LIKES

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara – I tried this mascara before I started reviewing products. From what I remember, this was a great mascara. I’d have to try it again to see if it would get bumped up to my HITS list.

Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara – Maybelline mascaras are some of my faves. This one isn’t my fave out of the ones I’ve tried, but it’s still a good mascara.

L’Oréal Telescopic Intense Lash Length Original Mascara – My friend recommended the telescopic mascara, but I bought the wrong one. I think she likes the black one and I bought the gold tube. This one has a nice, thin wand that’s great for bottom lashes.

Essence The False Lashes Mascara (read my review) – This mascara is not my favourite. While I rated it 3.5/5 in my review, I probably wouldn’t purchase it again. Even at its low price.

Essence Get BIG! Triple Black Lashes Mascara (read my review) – This brush is too fat for my lashes.

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara (read my review) – While I liked this mascara, I would prefer if the wand was a bit more tapered. It’s quite a fat wand and my lashes aren’t that long.

Clinique High Impact Mascara – I think this was one of the first mascaras I tried. My mom used to buy mostly Clinique makeup and she would buy the makeup during the bonus makeup bag at Hudson’s Bay. The ones that come with eyeshadow, lipstick, perfume and mascara.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Smart Gifted Mascara (read my review) – This is a great mascara for a natural look.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – I liked this mascara, but I probably wouldn’t buy the full size. There are ones I prefer more.

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara – The makeup artist for my sister’s wedding used this one. If a makeup artist uses this, then you know it’s a good one.

Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara – Benefit mascaras and brow products are some of the best. I enjoyed this mascara and would get it again.

Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara – I’d say this one is my least fave of the Benefit mascaras, but it’s still a good mascara.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara – This makes your lashes look darker and not clumpy at all. This is one of the few mascaras where I’ve tried a mini that has a fairly long wand.

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara – I was excited to try this one because I know a few people who really like it. It wasn’t anything special for me. I’d rather buy a drugstore one that I like more.

Bourjois Twist Up The Volume Mascara (read my review) – This one is cool because you can get two different looks by twisting the brush. It’s not my favourite though.

MISSES

L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (read my review) – I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like the shape of the wand. I need a cone-shaped/smaller wand because I don’t have long lashes.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (read my review) – This mascara dries out too quickly (the tubes I’ve tried at least) and I don’t like the shape of the wand.Covergirl Total Tease Mascara (read my review) – While I did like this mascara, I didn’t like the tip of the wand.

Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara – I didn’t love the smell of this one (not that it really makes a difference because you can’t smell it on your eyes). The brush was quite hard and there are better mascaras for a similar price.

Product	Price in CAD	Size (oz)	Cost per ounce
Essence Get BIG! Lashes Triple Black	3.99	0.41	9.73
Essence Volume Stylist 18hr Lash Extension	4.99	0.4	12.5
Covergirl Lash Blast	9.99	0.44	22.7
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies	9.49	0.31	30.6
Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect	10.49	0.32	32.8
L’Oréal Voluminous Original	10.49	0.28	37.5
Revlon Mega Multiplier	10.99	0.28	39.3
Burt’s Bees Nourishing	15.99	0.4	40
Maybelline Total Temptation	11.49	0.27	42.6
L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise	14.49	0.28	51.8
L’Oréal Telescopic Intense Lash Length Original	13.99	0.27	51.8
Buxom Lash Volumizing	28	0.37	75
Urban Decay Perversion	32	0.4	80
Bourjois Twist Up The Volume	23	0.27	92.9
Clinique High Impact	26	0.28	92.9
Hourglass Caution Extreme (mini)	18.5	0.19	97.4
Lancôme Monsieur Big	33	0.33	100
Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay (mini)	16	0.16	100
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 (mini)	16	0.16	100
Too Faced Better Than Sex (mini)	17	0.17	100
Hourglass Caution Extreme	36	0.33	109
Benefit BADgal BANG!	33	0.3	110
Benefit Roller Lash	33	0.3	110
Benefit They’re Real!	33	0.3	110
Too Faced Better Than Sex	32	0.27	118.5
Benefit BADgal BANG! (mini)	17	0.14	121.4
Benefit Roller Lash (mini)	17	0.14	121.4
Benefit They’re Real! (mini)	17	0.14	121.4
Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay	30	0.24	125
Lancôme Monsieur Big (mini)	17	0.13	130
Urban Decay Perversion (mini)	18	0.13	138
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye	41	0.2	205

What are your favourite mascaras?

Love,

Brow Pencils & Gels | My Hits & Misses

May 8, 2020

Hi Everyone!

Today, I’m sharing my favourite brow products!

Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Mascara

SKINCARE || Eye Creams

BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

My brow products of choice are pencils and gels. A few times I’ve used an matte shadow as eyebrow powder, but I prefer pencils. I’m not patient or skilled enough to use pomades.

Two years ago, I wrote a similar post reviewing brow products I’ve tried (read my post). I’ve tried quite a few products since then and found some that I like more.

I’ve also written a few comparison posts (with swatches), check them out below:

Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil vs. Benefit Precisely, My Brow

Dior Diorshow BoldBrow vs. Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel

I don’t think they sell the Dior Diorshow BoldBrow anymore, they came out with a new product to replace it.

HITS

Colourpop Brow Boss Clear Gel – My friend recommended this clear gel and it’s my favourite clear gel that I’ve tried. It comes out of the tube white, but dries down clear. It leaves my brows feeling soft and not crunchy at all!

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in 5 Deep – One of my favourite tinted brow gels.

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define in 6 (read my review) – This has been one of my favourite brow pencils I’ve tried.

NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black – A great drugstore micro brow pencil. This is a fave of mine as well.

LIKES

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel – This brow gel does get a bit crunchy, but it keeps my brows in place. I just wish the wand wasn’t so huge. It’s like a mascara wand. I would prefer a thinner one.

Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil in Soft Black 09 (read my review) – I liked this brow pencil, but it felt like a waste to sharpen so much of it away. I prefer retractable pencils that you don’t have to sharpen. This pencil is nice for a natural look.

Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette – I wanted to try a different brow pencil, so I grabbed this Kevyn Aucoin one. It’s the first product I’ve tried from the brand. The shade is a good match for me, but it wipes off more easily than other brow products. I wouldn’t repurchase it.

NYX Fill & Fluff Pomade Pencil in Ash Brown – In my NYX Hits & Misses post, I put this in the HITS, but this is going into the LIKES section for this post. It’s a HIT for the products I’ve tried from NYX, but there’s other brow products I prefer. This is another pencil that I like from NYX. Although I prefer the Micro Brow pencil because it comes with a spoolie. This one comes with a little oval/paddle brush so you can diffuse what you drew on. You get a more filled in look with this pomade pencil.

MISSES

Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel (read my review) – I don’t know if it was just the sample I got of this, but it was kind of tacky. When you pull the wandout, you would see a string of product from the wand to the tube. It kind of reminded me of clear lash glue in that way.

Benefit ka-BROW! Cream-Gel Eyebrow Color in 5 Deep – I got a deluxe sample of this and it’s just too intense for me.

Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape & Fill in 5 Deep – I prefer micro pencils so this was too thick for me. I prefer hair-like strokes instead of the filled in look.

Burt’s Bees Natural Brow Pencil in 1610 Brunette* – This only comes in two shades and the darker shade is too light for me. It was too waxy for my liking.

Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Precise Shaping Pencil in Deep Brown – This pencil was way too waxy for my liking and it never sharpened nicely.

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel in Perfect Brown – I just wanted to try some Charlotte Tilbury products so I bought this during the sale. I love the size of the brush and the colour was nice. It’s a nice product, but I don’t think it’s anything special and it’s the most expensive gel I’ve tried.

Brow Gels

Product	Price in CAD	Size	Cost per gram	# of shades available
Colourpop Brow Boss Clear Gel	7 USD = 8.85 CAD	3.10g	2.2	clear, 4 tinted
Anastasia Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel	29.50	7.85g	3.8	clear
L’Oréal Brow Stylist Boost & Set Volumizing Brow Mascara	13.49	3.2g	4.2	4 tinted
Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel	32	7g	4.6	clear
Anastasia Clear Brow Gel (mini)	12	2,5g	4.8	clear
Benefit 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel (value)	51	6g	8.5	3 tinted
Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel (mini)	19	3.5g	5.4	clear
Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel	32	3g	10.7	10 tinted
Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel (mini)	18	1.5g	12.7	10 tinted
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel	30	1.33g	22.6	4 tinted

Brow Pencils/Pomade Gels

Product	Price in CAD	Size	Cost per ounce	# of shades available
Benefit ka-BROW! Cream Gel Eyebrow Color	32	0.1oz	320	8 shades
Burt's Bees Brow Pencil	13.99	0.04oz	349	2 shades
Mini size Benefit ka-BROW! Cream Gel Eyebrow Color	19	0.05oz	380	3 shades
Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Precise Shaping Pencil	10.99	0.02oz	550	4 shades on Maybelline, 2 shades on Shoppers Drug Mart site
NYX Fill & Fluff Pomade Pencil	12.49	0.007oz	1784	8 shades
Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape & Fill	32	0.01oz	3200	12 shades
Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape & Fill (mini)	19	0.005oz	3800	3 shades
NYX Micro Brow Pencil	12.49	0.003oz	4163	8 shades
Anastasia Brow Wiz	28	0.003oz	9333	10 shades
Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil	32	0.003oz	10667	4 shades
Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil	35	0.003oz	11667	9 shades
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define	32	0.02oz	16000	12 shades
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define (mini)	19	0.001oz	19000	12 shades

To Try

I have the Anastasia Brow Wiz in my collection, but I haven’t tried it yet. I bought it earlier this year and wanted to finish my Kevyn Aucoin pencil first.

Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil
Dior Diorshow Pump ‘N’ Brow
Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler
Hourglass Arch Brow Micro Sculpting Pencil
Hourglass Arch Brow Shaping Gel
Milk KUSH Fiber Brow Gel
Nudestix Eyebrow Stylus Pencil & Gel

What are your fave brow products?

Love,

Products marked with (*) were sent to me.

Concealers & Colour Correctors | My Hits & Misses

April 3, 2020
Hi Everyone!
I’m sharing my hits and misses for concealers and colour correctors that I’ve tried.

Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Brows | Mascara

SKINCARE || Eye Creams

BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

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

Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer – This has become one of my favourites. I still need to try the Radiant Creamy Concealer.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer – This is a great concealer, but it needs more shades.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer – This is another great concealer from Maybelline, but I feel like I finished it really quickly compared to other concealers.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer – Love this concealer and would definitely repurchase.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer – I really enjoyed this concealer and would definitely repurchase.
LIKES

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer – I tried this before I started beauty blogging so I never tested it out in different ways. I really enjoyed it, but I need to try it again to see if I would bump it up to my “Hits List.”

Cle de Peau Concealer – This is a really nice concealer, but I don’t think it’s worth it for me.

Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette (read my review) – I liked the colour correcting shades from this palette.

Milani Retouch + Erase Light-Lifting Concealer – I liked this concealer, but it needs more shades.

Colourpop No Filter Concealer – I know this concealer is affordable, but it’s hard to find the perfect shade match online. Also, this concealer oxidizes which I didn’t love.

Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector in Brick – A Sephora associate suggested this corrector to cover a dark spot I had on my leg for my sister’s wedding. It was a very nice, blendable corrector when I bought it in 2016.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Concealer Palette – I liked the colour correcting shades in this palette. It was very emollient and not too thick. The concealer shades weren’t quite right (even when I tried to mix them to get my shade).

Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Green – I liked this colour corrector. It was nice and creamy.

RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up – I liked this concealer, but it started to smell different after a few months.

Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Concealer – This concealer was okay, but I prefer the Fit Me Concealer.

NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in Green – The shade of this colour corrector is very minty-green compared to the Urban Decay one (see swatches).

Physician’s Formula Concealer Twins 2-in-1 Correct and Cover Cream – I tried this when I was first getting into makeup. It was a great starter concealer and colour corrector.
MISSES

Marcelle CC Concealer + Corrector (read my review) – This was probably the worst concealer I ever tried. It was gritty!

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer – This was too thin to provide any coverage for me. It also settled into lines and made my dry under eyes look even drier.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer – This was way too tacky for me. I also got the wrong shade in this one.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer – I didn’t like the smell of this concealer. It was an okay concealer, but it doesn’t have a very wide shade range.

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer – This is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like this concealer at all. This is too full coverage for me and the scent is way too strong for me.

Sephora Bright Future Color Corrector (read my review) – I didn’t like this colour corrector.

Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector in Yellow – I don’t know if they changed the formula since I purchased the shade Brick in 2016, but the Yellow would pull on my skin and it wasn’t as blendable.

Concealers I Own, but Haven’t Used
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer
- Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
To Try
- Bare Minerals BARESKIN Complete Coverage Serum Concealer
- Bare Minerals BAREPRO 16-Hr Full Coverage Concealer
- Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
- First Aid Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer
- Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
- Kosas Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
- Milk Flex Concealer
- Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
- Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer
- Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
What are your fave concealers?
Love,
Read More
Foundations | My Hits & Misses

March 17, 2020
Hi Everyone!
I’m sharing my hits and misses for all foundations that I’ve tried (that I can remember).

Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Brows | Mascara

SKINCARE || Eye Creams

BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

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.

Just a heads up that there are quite a few cult fave foundations that I don’t love as much as everyone else. There are more foundations that I’ve tried samples of, but 1) this post would be way too long and 2) I don’t have a full opinion on them since I only used them a handful of times. This post will only include liquids/creams/cushions/sticks. I will include powder foundations in my Powder Hits & Misses post since I haven’t tried as many. It will also only include foundations that are still available. I’m going to keep my little reviews as short as I can especially if I have a full review of the foundation. I will link them so you can read them if you’d like.

In no particular order, here are my Hits, Likes and Misses:

Hits

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick (read my review) – This might be my favourite stick foundation I’ve tried to date. I even had the wrong shade. It was perfect for a girls trip. I packed this to use as foundation/concealer. This is one of my favourite Bobbi Brown items (Bobbi Brown Hits & Misses). I bought it at the MAC Warehouse Sale and would definitely pay full price for it.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 – This would be my 2^nd favourite stick foundation.

Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation (read my review) – Love this. Even though it’s labelled as a foundation, it’s more like a tinted moisturizer. If only they had more shades available (I’m in between shades).

Lancôme Miracle Cushion Foundation – I need to find the right shade because the one I was using is too pink for me.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – I feel like this has a little more coverage than what I’d consider a tinted moisturizer. It’s a great product though.
Likes

Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation – Beautiful foundation and one of the closest matches I’ve ever had. It does have fragrance in it and oddly enough, it doesn’t smell that great. I would rather try the self-refreshing one that doesn’t have any fragrance in it.

Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation (read my review) – While this was a beautiful foundation, it just didn’t last long on me. I don’t know if the primers I tried were just too slippy or something. It looked beautiful on the skin, but I just couldn’t find the right shade match. It was either too pink or too orange.

Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF50* (read my review) – Nice cushion foundation, but I’m between shades.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation – Can’t find a good shade match, but this is a nice foundation.

Maybelline Fit Me Hydrate + Smooth Foundation (read my review) – I wish this had a pump. I’m also not crazy about the scent of this. Not my fave foundation.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick (read my review) – I liked it, but didn’t love this enough. It was just too full coverage for me (even when I used a very thin layer).

Hera Black Cushion Foundation – My sister got this for me in Korea. I just picked a shade that I thought would be okay based on pictures. Even though I’m quite light, the shade is too light for me. Plus, this is very fragranced (like a lot of K-Beauty products). The foundation itself is nice, but the fragrance is just too much for me. Plus, it’s hard for me to get in Canada. If it is available, it’s more than I’m willing to spend. So, I’d rather spend the money on something else.

The Ordinary Serum Foundation (read my review) – not my fave, but not my least fave.

The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream (read my review) – At the time I wrote the review for this, I really enjoyed it. Since then, I’ve tried other products I prefer more.

Perricone MD No Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF30 (read my review) – Nice foundation that looks natural and provides sheer coverage.
Misses

For the foundation misses, there are ones that either just didn’t impress me much, didn’t provide enough coverage or had too much coverage.

Almay Clear Complexion Make Myself Clear Makeup* – I don’t really want makeup that has salicylic acid.

NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil* (read my review) – not my shade and coverage was too light for me.

Bali Body BB Cream (read my review) – This provided no coverage whatsoever.

NYX HD Studio Photogenic Foundation – Broke me out and smelled like plastic.

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer – Was way too thick for me and shade range wasn’t great.

Garnier BB Cream – Shade range is terrible and it made my eyes water. Too much alcohol in it??

Nars Velvet Matte Foundation Stick – I bought this at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale and it just didn’t wow me. It sounds kind of mean, but there’s a reason that this is rarely on lists of Fave Stick Foundations.

Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation – Washed off easily with water and looked patchy on dry spots. What would happen if I wore this when it’s raining or went on a Maid of the Mist boat tour??

Nude by Nature Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation* (read my review) – Not enough coverage.

Nude by Nature BB Cream* (read my review) – Not enough coverage.

Wet N Wild Photofocus Foundation – Shade was wrong, too matte for me. I know they came out with a dewy version, but I also didn’t like the smell or the fact that it used a spatula instead of a pump.
The following foundations are ones I can’t give a definitive opinion on:

Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation – I think I had the wrong shade and also knew nothing about applying it. I ended up throwing this out despite not using it very often.

Holika Holika Gudetama Photo Ready Cushion Foundation – wrong shade. Wasn’t my fave cushion though.

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation – This was one of the first liquid foundations from the drugstore that I bought. It smells like chemicals, but I remember it being nice (I had the wrong shade though).

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation – I can’t say if I like or hate this because I bought the wrong shade. I bought this before I knew what I wanted in a foundation. I never fully tested it out. I would prefer a foundation that has a pump (instead of buying one separately and NARS has nice foundations that come with a pump).

To Try
- Bite Changemaker Micellar Foundation
- L’Oréal Infallible 24Hr Freshwear Foundation
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
- Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
- Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation
What are your fave foundations?
Love,
Products marked with (*) were sent to me for review.
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Project Pan Update | 2019

August 13, 2019

Hi Everyone!
It’s been six months since my last Project Pan update!
Check out my last update and my original 2019 Project Pan post!
STILL IN MY COLLECTION

Marcelle Velvet Gel Lip Liner in Rosy Nude – Still working on this one because I don’t wear lipstick that often.

FINISHED

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Bare Pink – This was a beautiful lipstick shade. I’ve been leaning more towards glosses and lip balms lately, so I probably wouldn’t repurchase this one.

Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation in 01N Nude Vanilla (read my review) – Loved this foundation, but I wish it came in more shades. If they expand to a shade that matches me better, I would definitely repurchase!

DECLUTTERED

MAC Cremesheen Glass in It’s A Strike – I bought this at the MAC Warehouse Sale in 2017 and it started to smell different, so I decided to declutter it.

MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Kittenish – I also bought this at the MAC Warehouse Sale and I liked it, but again, I am leaning more towards glosses and balms.

TheBalm Batter Up Eyeshadow Sticks in Dugout and Shutout (read my review) – I decided to declutter these because I just didn’t reach for them when I would wear eyeshadows.

So, my 2019 Project Pan kind of failed since I ended up decluttering quite a few of the products. It did make me realize that I need to think twice before I go and buy something that I can’t return (from a warehouse sale or Winners – TheBalm Batter Up sticks were from Winners).
Love,

Read More
July 2019 Product Empties

July 30, 2019

Hi Everyone!
I have quite a few cleanser empties this month! I use several at a time (one for morning, one for night). I also switch them up to test different ones out for a bit so that I can post a quick review on Instagram. I also have a few makeup empties for you this month, keep reading to see what products I’d repurchase!
Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser – I didn’t love the herbal smell of this cleanser. It cleansed well, but I’d rather use Cetaphil which is unscented.

Repurchase? No.

Pixi Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel* – This cleanser was okay, I tended to squeeze out a lot more than I needed because the cleanser was more liquid than other cleansers I’ve used. The scent of this cleanser reminded me of kitchen cleanser because it smelled like lemons.

Repurchase? No.

Youth to the People Superfood Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer (read my review) – Love this moisturizer! It’s clean at Sephora and has no added fragrance which is great for my sensitive skin.

Repurchase? Absolutely!

Holika Holika Pig-Nose Clear Black Head Massage Gel – I wouldn’t say this worked super well for blackheads, but in the beginning, it worked okay as a peeling gel for my nose. It would moisturize my nose and also get rid of some of the dead skin.

Repurchase? Maybe.

Holika Holika Golden Monkey Glamour Lip 3-Step Kit – I really enjoy this 3-step lip kit. It turns chapped lips into smooth, ready for lipstick lips. First, you exfoliate your lips and then put a lip mask on and follow up with some honey to moisturize. Personally, I could do without the honey. I’d rather just put some lip balm on my lips because the honey is so sticky.

Repurchase? Yes.

Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel – I enjoyed this peeling gel. It sloughed off dead skin well and it was a good price for the amount. I’ve used others that work a little better, but this is a gentle one that’s inexpensive.

Repurchase? Maybe.

Rael Acne Healing Patch (read my review) – I love these!

Repurchase? Yes.

Lancôme Miracle Cushion Foundation in 025 Beige Naturel – I really enjoy this cushion foundation. It’s a lightweight, buildable coverage. The shade is a bit off though – it looks a bit orange sometimes, so I might have to find a better shade match.

Repurchase? Yes.

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Setting Powder – This is a translucent pressed powder that’s supposed to give you a glow from within like the Hourglass Ambient powders. I’ve swatched the Hourglass ones before and they look beautiful, this Bobbi Brown one just looked like I had shimmer on my face.

Repurchase? No.

Catrice Light Illusion Loose Powder in Yellow Matt – I didn’t like this powder. I wanted to try a banana powder, but I prefer translucent powders.

Repurchase? No.

Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals (read my review) – This is a cult favourite for good reason. I was only able to get my hands on the shade Precious Petals which was too dark for my skintone, but it was still beautiful. I used it a lot as an eyeshadow instead because it was just a bit too golden for me.

Repurchase? Yes, in a different shade.
Love,
items marked with * were gifted to me.

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June 2019 Product Empties

June 28, 2019

Hi Everyone!

I tried a few new skincare products this month and I also managed to finish some makeup products that I’ve had for a while. Keep reading to find out which ones I’d repurchase!
Fourth Ray Beauty Rainfall 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum – I enjoyed this HA serum. It smelled nice and kept my face looking dewy. If I used too much, I found that it would pill, but I eventually found the right amount to use each time.

Repurchase? Yes.

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Bare Pink – This is a pretty beige pink shade. While it is beautiful, it isn’t my fave lipstick.

Repurchase? Maybe

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light – This is a great concealer.

Repurchase? Yes.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – I wouldn’t say I’d never buy this again, but I feel like it doesn’t make my makeup last that much longer than it normally does.

Repurchase? Possibly.

Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Gel – This is a great, gentle toner. It is more expensive than liquid toners, but it was very gentle on my skin.

Repurchase? Tula no longer has a Canadian website, but I would buy again if I could.

Tula Illuminating Face Serum – I’m so sad I’ve finished this because it’s a great serum. It helped make some dark spots on my cheek go away a lot faster than I expected.

Repurchase? Definitely would if I could.
Youth to the People Superfood Face Wash – I just wanted to try the mini of this cleanser because I’ve heard good things about it. I think it’s almost too cleansing for me because my face feels kind of dry after using it. It’s definitely not an everyday cleanser for my dry skin, but I would use it maybe twice a week (especially since it’s so pricey).

Repurchase? Maybe.

Nature Republic Soothing & Moisturizing Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser – This cleanser had a smell that reminded me of something from my childhood, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. This was an okay cleanser, I don’t hate it, but don’t love it either. It’s one of those squeaky clean cleansers that are maybe a bit too cleansing.

Repurchase? No.

What were your empties from this month?
Love,

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August 2018 Product Empties

September 3, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I finished some makeup products which brings me one step closer to streamlining my makeup collection! Yay for progress! → Check out my makeup goals

Pearlessence Cucumber Water – I bought this at Winners for $10. I liked that it was in a glass bottle, but the mist would sting my eyes. I got it in my mouth a few times and it tasted horrible.

Repurchase? No.

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer in 01 Creamy Vanilla – If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you’ll know that I am planning to only purchase high-end foundations from now on. This was a very thick foundation/concealer, if you used a beauty sponge to blend it, it could sheer out a bit. It looked nice, but it was way too full coverage for me. I’d rather use a sheer, dewy foundation and then use a spot concealer on areas that need covering up. I would’ve used this more as a concealer, but the shade I bought was a tad too yellow for me. So, if I didn’t use it all over the face, I would have random yellow splotches on my face. It had a bit of a perfume-y scent to it that I didn’t really like. I didn’t really give this a proper wear test (as a foundation). I mostly used it when I took pictures for Instagram and practised applying my makeup.

Repurchase? No.

The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream Colour-Adapting Tinted Cream (read my review) – I gave this a 5/5 in my review, but since then, I have tried the Lancome Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation which I really love (read my review).

L’Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in 370 Jennifer’s Nude – This is one of my fave lipsticks! It’s interesting because when I swatch it on my arm, it’s like a sheer peachy-pink, but when it’s on my lips, it’s a beautiful pinky-nude.

Repurchase? I bought another tube a few months after purchasing the first one because I thought it was going to be limited edition. I think I will wait until I’ve used up some other lipsticks before breaking out the new tube though.

GOSH Click’N Conceal Pen in 01 Light (read my review) – I liked this concealer, but they no longer sell it at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Repurchase? Unavailable.

Repurchase? Probably not. I really like it, but I looove the Lancome Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation.

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo – I don’t love the smell of this one, but it does make my hair look shiny and feel soft.

Repurchase? Not this particular Live Clean shampoo.

Live Clean Apple Cider Ultra Light Conditioner – Like the shampoo, this conditioner smells like apple juice to me. It doesn’t make my hair feel as soft as the other ones.

Repurchase? Not this particular Live Clean conditioner.

The Ordinary “Buffet” Multi-Technology Peptide Serum (read my review) – After my initial first impressions review, I realized just how tacky it made my face feel. I want a skincare product that doesn’t feel tacky or cause my makeup to pill.

Repurchase? No.

Love,

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This or That | Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick vs. Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation

February 4, 2018

Hi Everyone!

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?

Love,

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HITS

LIKES

MISSES

HITS

LIKES

MISSES

Brow Gels

Brow Pencils/Pomade Gels

To Try

HITS

LIKES

MISSES

Concealers I Own, but Haven’t Used

To Try

Hits

Likes

Misses

To Try

STILL IN MY COLLECTION

FINISHED

DECLUTTERED