• L’Oréal Paris | My Hits & Misses

    July 31, 2023

    Hi Everyone!

    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 *.

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

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

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | 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

    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.

    Love,

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  • Review | L’Oréal Colour Riche Ultra Matte & Colour Riche Shine Lipsticks

    December 17, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m sharing some lipstick swatches with you! I was so excited to receive some products from L’Oréal. I received 4 shades of the Ultra Matte Lipstick and 3 of the Shine Lipsticks. All of them are gorgeous shades. Let’s start with the Ultra Mattes:

    Find your perfect nude lipstick shade with intense hydration and a super matte finish. Color Riche Ultra Matte is a highly pigmented, ultra-rich matte collection curated with lip tone nude shades to enhance your natural hue. The end result, your rich nude lips but better. In one stroke, experience rich lip color and comfortable wear.

    According to the website, they have 16 shades in this collection. The ones I received are the more nude shades.

     Colour Riche Ultra Matte are formulated with silky oils providing intense hydration for all day comfort and wear, while feeling light on lips. A luxurious lipstick formulated with a light diffusing gel that brings a soft-focus focus effect on the lips, making lips appear smooth and matte without a dry look. From warm pink shades to skin flattering nudes, find the perfect nude hue.

    974 Full-Blown Fawn, 978 All Out Pout, 981 Cutting Edge Cork, 983 Utmost Taupe

    Personally, I prefer lipsticks with a bit of shine. I often have chapped lips, and as we all know, matte lipsticks emphasize how dry they already are. I did give the lipstick a try and it didn’t feel dry on the lips; drier than I prefer, but it felt like a comfortable matte lipstick. Obviously, since it’s not a liquid lipstick, it did transfer. To me, the lipsticks kind of smell the same as my J Lo one, but other people have said it smells different to the regular L’Oréal lipstick scent. So, if you don’t like the usual scent, give the testers a whiff before buying.

    As much as I love L’Oréal lipsticks, I don’t think the Ultra Mattes are for me. So, let’s move onto a formula that I prefer: the Colour Riche Shine Lipstick.

    916 Luminous Coral, 920 Lacquered Strawberry, 926 Glassy Garnet

    These lipsticks are like a very pigmented balm. They are very hydrating and shiny. Similar to the Benefit Benebalm or the Dior Addict Lipstick. I actually think that the Colour Riche Shine Lipsticks could be a dupe for the Dior Addict Lipstick. The lipsticks have a slightly sweet scent that I can’t quite place (almost like candy).

    Ultra-rich, ultra-radiant lipstick with glossy finish. Oil-infused formula for comfortable wear. In just one stroke, experience a hydrating and lasting shine effect, with rich colour pay-off.

    916 Luminous Coral, 920 Lacquered Strawberry, 926 Glassy Garnet

    I love the packaging of both lipsticks. The Ultra Mattes come in a soft matte nude tube. The texture is similar to NARS products where it feels super smooth. The packaging on the Shine lipsticks are my favourite L’Oréal lipstick tubes I think. The clear plastic has this quilted look that I just love.

    Once I finish some of my current lipsticks, I will be picking up a Colour Riche Shine Lipstick. Varnished Rosewood, Glossy Fawn and Shining Peach look beautiful. After seeing Tati review the lipsticks, I loved those shades. I’ll have to swatch them at the drugstore to see which one actually suits me.

    Have you tried the Colour Riche Lipsticks? What’s your fave shade?

    Love,

    jen

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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,

    jen

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  • Decluttered | August 2018

    August 29, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I decluttered a lot of makeup because I’m sort of just using a lot of products just to finish them. I’d rather be using ones that I enjoy and want to be using. I also decluttered a lot of nail polishes because they’re old. This declutter brings me closer to streamlining my makeup collection! Yay for progress! → Check out my makeup goals

    I finished quite a few products too, check out my empties post.

    Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara – I really liked this mascara, but it’s way too expensive.

    Repurchase? No.

    L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black – This was a mascara I originally picked up in high school and I still love it.

    Repurchase? YES!

    Life Brand Clear Action Medicated Acne Gel (with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide) – I bought this to try as a spot treatment. I would use this before bed and every single time I woke up, I would wake up with red, puffy skin where I applied it (and the surrounding area). My face would be itchy for the rest of the day and part of the next day. I’ve found that anything stronger than salicylic acid will anger my skin. I can use benzoyl peroxide cleansers because you cleanse the skin and then wipe it off, but I’ve tried different percentages of benzoyl peroxide gels, and they’ve all made my face red and/or itchy.

    Repurchase? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

    Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer – I got a deluxe sample of this from Sephora. I had to declutter this because the cocoa smell was starting to smell off. I never reached for it as my bronzer anyway because it was too dark for me. I would use it as an eyeshadow more than a bronzer.

    Repurchase? No.

    Smashbox Photo Filter Powder Foundation in Shade 1 – This powder was way too light. I don’t know what I was thinking when I chose shade 1. I couldn’t even tell if it was any good because I just looked like a ghost.

    Repurchase? It was velvety smooth, I would consider trying the right shade.

    Milani Bronzer XL All Over Glow in 01 Bronze Glow – I had to declutter this because I think the fragrance in it was causing breakouts. Plus, it was too orange for me – if I didn’t blend it out really well, I would look splotchy.

    Repurchase? No.

    I know there’s two Milani products in this list that I wouldn’t repurchase, but I do love other products from the brand → Check out my haul!

    L’Oréal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in 337 Refined Ruby – This is a really nice vampy red shade. Now that I have two MAC ones, I decided to declutter this one because it’s a bit too dark on me.

    Repurchase? I’d consider buying another shade in the infallible lipstick line.

    Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer 42 – I assume I had the shade Blacquer because it was the black shade. Apparently the full-sized crayons don’t dry out as quickly? I saw in a YouTube video (can’t remember who it was) and the YouTuber said she loved the full-sized ones, but the deluxe sample sized ones dried out faster.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    I decluttered 14 nail polishes. I will just list them below instead of describing each one and saying if I’d repurchase. I wouldn’t repurchase any of the ones listed below. The only brand I would purchase again is OPI. Revlon’s brush was flat and thick which I liked. The Maybelline Color Show and Wet N Wild ones were super thin and round which I find useless because my nails end up streaky and it takes a long time to paint.

    I was going to show swatches of them, but they’re all so old that I don’t think they even sell them anymore.

    • Revlon Colorstay 120 Red Carpet (not pictured because I accidentally threw it out before taking the pictures)
    • Wet n Wild Wildshine C485D Black Crème
    • Wet n Wild Wildshine C488B Who is Ultraviolet?
    • Quo by Orly Mega Silver 59397
    • Claire’s Glitter 46813 Click Your Heels
    • Maybelline Color Show Paint the Town 260
    • GOSH 600 Matt Effect Top Coat
    • OPI Louvre Me Louvre Me Not (OPI collection de France)
    • OPI On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Holiday 2012- skyfall collection)
    • OPI Ski Teal We Drop (Fall 2010- swiss collection)
    • Formula X Need for Speed
    • Formula X Racy
    • Formula X Indelible
    • Formula X Flashy

    Love,

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  • 15 Beauty Favourites I’ve Repurchased | 2018

    August 13, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I love a lot of different makeup products, but surprisingly I’ve only repurchased a small number of products and most of them are skincare. There are so many amazing products out there that I want to try and I only really started getting into makeup a few years ago. I mean I’ve always liked makeup, but I’m still learning and hearing about new brands and products.

    Before 2013, I never wore foundation or primers. My first foundation was the Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation. I rarely wore it because it was so expensive and I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know primer was a thing back then and I told the Sephora lady that I wanted full coverage and I liked matte. She told me to buy a flat liquid foundation brush because it’s better for applying full coverage. I learned about using sponges years later and even then, I didn’t know it was supposed to be damp. *idea pops into head*…maybe I’ll do a blog post on things I’ve learned over the past few years. It could help someone who’s just getting into makeup. Watching videos on YouTube and reading other blogs has helped me a lot. There have been so many times where I was like “OOOHHH!!!! that makes so much more sense!!!” Anyway, the Becca foundation went bad before I even finished it (it oxidized- I had no idea what ‘oxidizing’ was back then. I just knew that the foundation had turned orange). Before 2016, I had never worn bronzer or highlighter and didn’t like wearing lipstick; I mostly wore lip balm, vaseline or gloss.

    I have yet to find a lot of my holy grail products. I have a lot of favourites, but I don’t have products in each category that I could safely say, “I only need to buy this mascara/concealer/foundation from now on!” In my favourites list, I have a lot of products that I am planning to repurchase, I just haven’t had the chance to do so. I want to finish up other products I have first (as you’ll know from my mid-year makeup inventory). Since doing my makeup inventory, I’ve decluttered a lot of things.

    Here are the 15 products I’ve repurchased (I’m sure there’s more, but these are the ones I could think of so far):

    L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara – This was a favourite of mine in high school and I decided to get it again. It’s still a fave of mine- I wouldn’t say it gives amazing volume, but it helps my lashes.

    L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in 370 Jennifer’s Nude – I’ve probably talked about this lipstick so much that you’re tired of it by now, but it’s such a beautiful pinky-peachy-nude (it’s peachy when I swatch it, but not on my lips).

    NYX Micro Brow Pencil – I love this brow pencil. It’s a great pencil for the price, but recently, I have been loving the Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil.

    Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser (read my review) – I really like this cleanser and the fact that it removes makeup is a plus. I’ve been buying the tiny travel-sized ones from Winners because it’s hard to get Glow Recipe in Canada (their website ships to Canada, but I’m worried I’ll get charged duties- anyone order from Glow Recipe and know if there’s any duties?)

    Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (read my review) – This sleeping mask smells so good and when I wake up in the morning, my face feels hydrated.

    Garnier Micellar Water – I love this micellar water. I feel like I should try a different brand just to compare it. Maybe I’ll do that once I’ve finished the bottles I have.

    The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Targeted Gel Blemish Stick (read my review) – I bought more of these on sale, but I think I will purchase something else for spot treatments. I don’t really like how it’s like a concealer where you use a doefoot applicator to apply it and then put it back into the tube.

    The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution (read my review) – I used this everyday until I finished the bottle. As a test, I stopped using it for a few weeks and then started applying it again and my face cleared up. Of course, I still have the dark spots from the acne, but it flattened them out which makes it easier to apply makeup.

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) – These things are great. If you haven’t tried acne patches, you should!

    The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rice Bran Foaming Cleanser, The Face Shop Phyto Charcoal Cleanser & The Face Shop 365 Spearmint Cleanser – I’ve bought these cleansers multiple times. I would use them every day when I showered (rotating between the two that I had in the bathroom). I think these cleansers were so good that they were making my face dry because I ran out of these cleansers a while ago and I’ve noticed my face hasn’t been as dry (still dry in some areas, but not as bad). When I buy these cleansers again, I’ll only buy one at a time and use it once or twice a week instead of daily.

    Simple Makeup Wipes – I’ve been buying these at Winners because they’re cheaper there. I really like these makeup wipes and they’re great on the go, but since I’ve been using them, I haven’t been using my micellar water as much. Once I finish my current pack, I’ll go back to micellar water.

    Soo’Ae Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel (read my review) – This peeling gel is awesome. It’s disgusting how your skin exfoliates off in little balls, but it works so well.

    Pixi Glow Tonic – When I was using the little bottle of this from a holiday kit, my face looked brighter and clearer.

    What products have you repurchased?

    Love,

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