• Review | Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer

    October 24, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Today’s review is on the Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer! I bought this because it’s one of Tati’s favourite primers. When it comes to flawless looking makeup, I can always rely on Tati’s recommendations. I love getting recommendations from Beauty YouTubers. They try so many different products and brands, so if they have a favourite, then you know it must be good. Of course, not everything they love will be something I love too, but sometimes you just have to give it a try. So, when I bought some products from Tarte, I popped this into my cart. Keep reading to find out what I have to say about this primer!

    The one that I bought is the Limited Edition (LE) one. The packaging is different, but I checked and the ingredients are the same as the regular primer from the permanent collection. The LE primer comes in a frosted glass pot that has a pink and green glittery lid. Although the top of the lid looks glittery, it’s smooth. The regular primer comes with a gold lid. Personally, I prefer the gold because it looks more luxe than the LE, but the LE was on sale for $9 less.

    It’s quite expensive for such a little pot at $47 CAD, but hopefully it lasts a long time (assuming it doesn’t dry out or anything). You really don’t need very much especially if you’re only priming certain areas of your face. I only prime the areas that have larger pores.

    This skincare-infused primer with innovative blurring & filling technology gives a more youthful appearance while prepping the skin for makeup. Formulated to fade out your biggest beauty boundaries such as large pores, fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidant-rich formula gently melts into the skin delivering a surge of moisture, peptides and other naturally-derived elixirs for a firmer, smoother appearance. Has a lightweight texture and fresh powder scent as it provides the perfect blank canvas to enhance the look and wear time of makeup.

    When I first opened it, I was looking at it and went in to sniff it. I tilted the pot a bit and the all of the primer plopped out (in one blob) of the pot. Luckily, it only fell onto my chair and I quickly picked it up and popped it back in. I pressed it down a bit so that it would stay, but now I know not to do that just in case. I am a bit worried that since it comes in a pot and it’s exposed to the air whenever I open it, it will dry out faster. By the way, it has a scent that smells kind of citrus-y.

    I noticed that it takes a little more effort to work this primer into the skin than other smoothing primers I’ve tried (Smashbox and MUFE). I use my finger to pick up a very small amount (just enough to coat the pad of my finger) and then I use a finger from my other hand to warm it up a bit. Since this primer is a bit thicker than others I’ve used, I’ve found that I can’t just press it into the skin. I need to press and also spread it a bit to make sure there’s no clumps. The consistency is kind of like butter, so it’s like you’re spreading butter onto toast in small strokes. With other smoothing primers, you have to make sure to press it into your skin, but you can’t rub them or they will pill. With this primer, you need to smooth it out a bit.

    I’ve used this with both liquid and powder foundation and it makes my makeup look flawless. It really does blur pores and make your skin look super smooth. It doesn’t claim to extend the wear of foundation or anything, but my Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation still looked flawless after being on for hours.

    RATING: 5/5

    This primer is definitely on my faves list!

    Have you tried this primer yet?

    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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  • real techniques miracle complexion sponge vs sephora total coverage sponge

    Dupe It Out | Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge vs. Sephora Total Coverage Sponge

    August 3, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m back with another Dupe It Out. It’s been a while since I’ve done one. Today’s duel: Real Techniques vs. Sephora! Recently, I purchased a 4-pack of the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponges at Winners for $20. I was already using the Sephora Total Coverage Sponge, so I thought I would compare the two. I know Sephora wasn’t the first to come out with a beauty sponge and the Real Techniques one isn’t a dupe for it, but they’re both makeup sponges and they have similar textures and density.

    real techniques sponge

    Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – If you pick up the sponge from the drugstore, this sponge could be $10 each, but if you pick it up at Winners, and get the 4-pack, it’s $5 each.

    This versatile beauty tool was designed with a revolutionary foam technology to evenly blend makeup for a smooth, enhanced finish. Use damp for a dewy glow or dry for a full coverage.

    • rounded sides blend large areas of the face with a dabbing motion
    • precision tip covers blemishes and imperfections
    • flat edge for contouring around the eyes and nose
    • ideal for liquid foundation
    • latex-free

    For best results, replace your makeup sponge every 1-3 months.

    sephora sponge

    Sephora Total Coverage Sponge – I bought the sponge that comes with the bar soap. Before buying this one, I had only bought ones from Winners that are $4-6.

    This sponge is specially designed to give makeup an expert boost. The wide base can cover the larger surfaces of the face, while the pointed tip is perfect for contouring around curves, and precision application around the nose, chin, and under the eyes. This sponge is intended to be used wet. The wetter the sponge, the more sheer the coverage. It is formulated without natural latex.

    real techniques vs sephora

    Both have the same feel and density (how squishy they are when wet). I’ve used some sponges that are denser and basically bounce off your face because they’re so hard. Most sponges I’ve picked up at Winners have the same feel and density (if you want a cheaper version of the Sephora one).

    I tested out both sponges with liquid and stick foundations and they both performed the same; blending the foundations beautifully. The only thing that sets them apart are the price, shape and size.

    WINNER: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge won for the following categories:

    • More budget-friendly
    • Faster blending because it’s bigger
    • Easier for baking because of the flat side
    • Better blending for stick foundations

    WINNER: Sephora Total Coverage Sponge won for the following categories:

    • Easier to blend under eyes because tip is smaller

    If I had to choose, Real Techniques would win. I can’t say if it would win against the beauty blender because I’ve never tried one (and I don’t really plan to spend $20+ on a sponge in the near future), but it wins in more categories than the Sephora sponge. If you like smaller sponges, I also saw another Real Techniques pack that had 2 of the regular orange ones, 3 mini ones and 1 pink one that’s shaped more like the Sephora one, but it also has a flat side too.

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    OVERALL WINNER: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

    Which makeup sponge is your favourite?

    Love,

    jen

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  • First Impressions with b.liv Bio-Cellulose Sheet Masks

    May 18, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I was contacted by b.liv skin to write a review for their bio-cellulose sheet masks. I was sent three masks: Hydrate Away, Age Eraser and Soothe Me Now.

    The masks retail for $35 US for a pack of 4 masks.

    Bio-cellulose is a specialized nano scale fiber structure that fits perfectly like your second skin. It serves as a high volume serum reservoir i.e. holds moisture while allowing air to transfer freely and skin can breathe better. Its 30 nanometers fiber increases extra contact surface area for crevices and wrinkles ; maximizing the absorption of effective essence.

    The masks were folded between two pieces of net-like material to make it easier to unfold. The bio-cellulose material was very soft and although it was thin, it’s strong.

    I loved these masks! They made my skin feel hydrated and it didn’t leave that tacky feeling after I took it off. It also didn’t have a strong smell. I loved that the remaining essence in the pouch was thicker than the usual watery liquid that I get from other sheet masks. I used it on my legs and arms and my skin feels so smooth. Sometimes sheet masks dry out after wearing them for the 15-20 minutes, but this one was still hydrated. I used the excess essence on the mask on my arms. My face feels incredibly smooth (except for one dry patch I have, but the rest of my face feels really soft after using it).

    The first mask I tried was the Hydrate Away. It didn’t really have a scent. The Soothe Me Now mask had a slightly medicinal scent. I used the remaining essence after my shower and it was great.

    Hydrate Away

    Refresh yourself with an instant infusion of moisture and revitalizing nutrients. Made from Organic Spirulina, a deep sea blue-green algae, this moisturizing bio-cellulose mask is power-packed with minerals and amino acids to hydrate, repair amd clarify skin. In addition, it helps protect skin from free radical damage.

    Benefits: Moisturizing + Revitalizing + Hydrating

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    Age Eraser

    Turn back the clock and restore skin to its original youthful radiance. Thanks to a unique formulation of Multipeptide, this youth preserving bio-cellulose mask reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while preventing premature skin aging. The result is maximum skin regeneration and a firming effect.

    Benefits: Youth preserving + firming + fine line reducing

    Soothe Me Now

    Allow the power of flower to bless your skin with a calming touch. Deeply infused with Organic Immortelle Flower Extract which has wonderful restorative properties, this soothing bio-cellulose mask effectively helps repair and rejuvenate skin.

    Benefits: Soothing + Repair + Rejuvenating

    RATING: 5/5

    I would definitely repurchase these and I’m interested in trying other products b.liv sells. Since these are bio-cellulose masks and are on the more expensive side of sheet masks, I would probably use them once a month at the most.

    Have you tried b.liv skincare?

    Love,

    jen

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  • Review | TheBalm Batter Up Eyeshadow Sticks

    February 17, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Lately, I’ve been frequenting Winners because they have name brand products for really good prices. Sure, the products might be discontinued and older, but they’re still good. A lot of people open up the packages to see what the shades look like (I’m guilty of this), but I don’t swatch them like some people do. I’ve seen eyeshadows, blushes and powders with a finger smudge in them…gross! As a rule, I don’t buy anything that’s liquid (mascara, lip gloss, liquid lipstick, etc.) because you don’t know if people have tried them on. The only time I will buy any liquid products is if it’s clearly packaged up in plastic or if it’s in a security container (the higher end products are stored in these to prevent people from opening up the boxes). I haven’t found any shades that I like for lipsticks, but I would only buy if it’s untouched. I’ve seen some really high end brands for $10-20- Kevyn Aucoin, Bobbi Brown, Burberry, etc.

    media-20180216asaqs.jpg

    I picked up several things during my last shopping trip, but today’s review is on The Balm’s Batter Up Eyeshadow sticks. I picked up a 2-pack at Winners for $9.99! The shades are Dugout and Shutout. According to The Balm’s website, they go for $17 each and I’m guessing that’s in USD, not CAD.

    Introducing Batter Up, the long-wearing cream shadow sticks from theBalm Cosmetics! These high-pigment shadow and base multi-taskers come in eight blendable and buildable shades.

    Dugout is a metallic brown shade while Shutout is a gold shade (both are shimmery). Both the shades are beautiful on their own, but I like them together too. I’ve tried them doing gradient looks where Shutout is on the inner corner and Dugout on outer and Dugout smudged along my lashline and Shutout above. They glide easily and they’re very blendable.

    JC (NEW) titles

    I was wearing both shades yesterday. I used the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eyeshadow Primer, then used powder to set the primer. I applied Dugout along my lashline and blended with my fingers, then applied Shutout above it and blended that with my fingers. It created a very nice gradient look. I was wearing them for about 8 hours and the shadow didn’t crease at all.

    Below are swatches of Dugout and Shutout swatched straight from stick, and then the bottom swatches are Dugout and Shutout applied from stick and then blended with a brush. I didn’t use an eyeshadow primer/base under the swatches. As you can see, Dugout is a brown shade, but when blended, its a bronze shade. Shutout is a gold shade, but when blended, it’s like a champagne shade.

    the balm batter up sticks swatchese

    RATING: 4/5

    I really like these and they are so beautiful. It’s like each stick gives you a 2-in-1 shadow because you can apply directly without blending or achieve a lighter eye look by smudging them out.

    I hope everyone has a great long weekend!

    Have you tried cream shadow sticks? What are your fave brands?

    Love,

    jen

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  • Taco Fest Toronto 2017

    June 18, 2017

    Hi Everyone!

    I hope you’re having a nice weekend and Happy Father’s Day! Yesterday, I went to Taco Fest Toronto (located at Ontario Place) with my friends.  Here are my thoughts on going to food festivals and the food:

    Food Festivals

    First of all, I think food festivals are a nice thing to try with friends, but it’s quite expensive because you have to pay to get in ($10 for a ticket). You choose a 2-hour window when you have to enter, and you can stay as long as you want once you’re in. Once you leave, you can’t go back in. You pay for food and drink tickets once you’ve passed security and check-in. Plus, if you add the subway and streetcar rides to get there and back, that’s another $6 (if you’re using tokens, $6.50 for cash). So, you’ve already paid almost $20 just to get in the festival and to make it worth it, you buy a few strips of tickets to try at least 3 or 4 tacos and a drink. I paid $30 for 15 tickets and most of the tacos that appealed to me were obviously the tacos that were worth 3 or 4 tickets (so I got a booze popsicle, 4 tacos and a bottle of water for 15 tickets). The one good thing about food festivals is that the vendors are all in one spot so you can try them all and know which ones you would go visit their restaurant or food truck.

    It was a fun experience with delicious food, but I probably wouldn’t go to another food fest. I think you could easily have a mini food fest with your friends by finding restaurants that are in close proximity and sharing a meal from several restaurants.

    The Tacos

    IMG-20170617-WA0017IMG-20170617-WA0019IMG-20170617-WA0022

    Sav

    There were 24 vendors at the Taco Fest (2 popsicle/slushie drink stands, 2 dessert stands, 1 corn on the cob stand and the rest were taco vendors). Amongst the three of us, we tried 12 different vendors. The servings were pretty good (especially the Mexican Poutine, they sold out at around 5pm, I don’t know if they restocked for the evening crowd). Despite the good portions, it was still quite expensive to pay the equivalent of about $4-6 for one taco.

    What I tried:

    Avocado Tempura Taco from The Food Dudes

    Avocado Tempura Taco from The Food Dudes – creamy poblano sauce, grilled corn salsa, pickled cabbage, hot sauce, cilantro (I asked for no hot sauce because I can’t handle too spicy. I’m sure the hot sauce gives it extra flavour, but it was delicious even without it) 

    Watermelon Margarita Boozy Pop from Chill Pops

    Fish Taco from Buster’s Sea Cove

    Fish Taco from Buster’s Sea Cove – fish, roja, creamy coleslaw, pico de gallo, and sour cream on a corn tortilla shell

    Beef Short Ribs Taco from Playa Cabana

    Beef Short Ribs Taco from Playa Cabana – Ontario beef shortrib braised in ancho chiles wrapped in fresh corn tortillas. Served with pico de gallo, guac and homemade crema

    Carolina Fried Chicken Taco (rated #1 in 2016) from Fidel Gastro’s – Carolina BBQ sauce, corn and tomato salsa, fried chicken

    I can honestly say that I would get all four tacos again. It’s hard to choose a fave but I think I liked the beef short ribs the best (I love my beef/steak). The battered fish from Buster’s Sea Cove was good, but there wasn’t a lot of toppings. The fried chicken from Fidel Gastro’s was yummy and the Avocado Tempura taco would be a good vegetarian choice.

    My friends tried other things:

    Bulgogi Ground Beef Taco from The Food Dudes

    Bulgogi Ground Beef Taco from The Food Dudes- FD cheese sauce, kimchi spicy slaw, cilantro, mint, scallions, taro crisps

    Mexican Poutine from Heirloom

    Mexican Poutine from Heirloom– crispy potato, local cheese curds, pickled jalapeno, chipotle and lime aioli and cilantro

    Lobster Taco from Buster’s Sea Cove

    Lobster Taco from Buster’s Sea Cove – chunks of lobster claw and tail, coleslaw, pico de gallo, chipotle mayo, and roja on a corn tortilla shell

    Tuna Sashimi Taco from Frida Restaurant & Bar

    Tuna Sashimi Taco from Frida Restaurant & Bar – fresh raw tuna, pineapple, and white cabbage with chipotle mayo

    Shrimp Ceviche Taco from Little Fin

    Shrimp Ceviche Taco from Little Fin – citrus-y Wild Northern Pink Shrimp, avocado, tomato, and srirach a-lime aioli

    Banh Mi Chorizo Taco from Los Vietnamita

    Banh Mi Chorizo Taco from Los Vietnamita – spicy chorizo sausage sauteed with green peas and spices, served in a soft flaky taco shell layered with lettuce, cucumbers, scallion verde, pico de gallo, and pickled carrots and daikon- spiked in-between with our famous ancho chipotle sauce

    Pollo (Chicken) Taco from Taco.TO (not pictured, forgot to take a pic)- homemade corn tortilla filled with shredded chicken topped with fresh vegetables, salsa and homemade taco sauce. Garnish: cilantro and lim

    Yummy Mango Lassi from Kathi Roll Express- mango and yogurt smoothie

    Mango Lime Ice Pop from The Pop Stand

    Both of my friends liked the lobster roll and would get it again. A favourite was the Bulgogi Ground Beef Taco from The Food Dudes. Both of them have gone to a few food fests: Brunch Fest and Mac & Cheese Fest. They both liked the taco fest.

    We didn’t get any of the desserts (they had funnel cake and ice cream) or corn on the cob because you can get those at any fair .

    Where do you get your tacos and what are your faves?

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    Love,

    jen

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  • Review | Tangle Teezer The Original Detangling Hairbrush

    November 15, 2016

    Hi Everyone!

    I’ve previously posted about a detangling brush that I got from Claire’s which I accidentally got too close to a hair dryer and melted…and I also had a brush from Forever21, but hadn’t tried it yet. Since that post, I tried the one from Forever21 and it was so hard that it hurt to comb my hair with it. The one from Claire’s wasn’t as hard and didn’t hurt when I combed my hair. However, the Claire’s detangler was quite small and didn’t have any grip to it, so I dropped it a few times.

    I got a Tangle Teezer brush for my birthday. It’s the original detangling hair brush for $20. I asked for the black one since I didn’t like the colour combos of the other brushes. Originally, I thought these were too expensive, but I have to confess that I like it.

    Save

    Save

    The Original can be used on wet or dry hair and is suitable for all hair types and textures. It banishes tangles, knots and helps prevent breakage and damage thanks to its unique two-tiered system technology – the long teeth detangle and the short teeth smooth the hair cuticle for healthier-looking, glossy hair.

    It’s a lot bigger than I thought it’d be, but that’s a good thing because it is ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of your hand. I like to use it to detangle my hair after a shower to get out the knots and then I use a regular paddle brush to dry my hair (don’t want another melted detangler on my hands…especially at these prices). I would definitely recommend it for anyone who is willing to splurge a bit. Just remember not to get it too close to the heat!

    RATING: 4.5/5

    I give it a 4.5 because even though it’s shaped to fit your hand, it’d be better with a handle (they now have combs with handles too).

    UPDATE: They come with handles now and I won two in a giveaway! I am absolutely loving it and would rate them 5/5!

    Love,

    jen

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