• Review | Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss

    June 11, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I realized that I never wrote a dedicated review to the Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss.

    This innovative lip gloss combines the comfort and shine of a gloss, the pigment of a lipstick and the lasting power of a stain. Our innovative oil in water emulsion is lightweight and non-sticky, providing up to 6H of wear. Enriched with glycerin, lips feel hydrated throughout the day. The high shine finish and vivid colour payoff are buildable from sheer to full coverage in 1-2-3 coats.

    1) One coat for a sheer natural look witha dewy shine finish
    2) Two coats for an intense look with fresh colour and lacquered shine finish.
    3) Three coats for a dramatic look with audacious colour impact & ultra lacquered shine!

    Originally, I bought this for my mom. It’s the shade 236 Pour Toujours. We bought it based on the online swatch (see below)- it looked more mauve than it does in real life. My mom tried it and it wasn’t quite her colour, so she gave it to me.

    I quickly fell in love with it. This lippie is basically a hybrid of a lipstick and a gloss – pigmented with a glossy sheen. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky like a gloss. It’s the perfect My Lips But Better Shade for me. I love the flat applicator and the slightly pointy/rounded tip of it.

    Top swatch is slightly blended in, bottom swatch is straight from the tube.

    RATING: 5/5

    The name of this shade is perfect because I think I will have this in my collection ‘Forever’ (Pour Toujours). I would definitely consider trying other shades.

    Have you tried the L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss?

    Love,

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  • Eye Creams I’ve Tried

    May 10, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m going to be talking about eye creams I’ve tried. I never realized that I’ve tried quite a few and there’s actually only one that I love that made my under eyes feel smooth and didn’t give me milia. Several of the eye creams were just okay for me. I need one that hydrates because I have dry under eyes, but I also want one that helps with dark circles. Usually eye creams are hydrating OR for dark circles. So, maybe I have to find one to use for the day and one for night. I’m still on the hunt for one. While I do have a fave on this list, it’s the most expensive eye cream out of all of them, but you don’t get a lot for the cost.

    I’ve written a mini review of each eye cream I’ve tried and also said if I had a reaction to it or not. Keep reading to find out which one is my fave!

    Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for Eyes (read my review)

    Unlike the Hydro Boost Cream for the face, this didn’t have a smell and it wasn’t tacky at all, but it just didn’t ‘wow’ me.

    Reaction? No reaction.

    Lkins Skincare Vitamin C Eye Gel (read my review)

    This was a nice gel texture, but it just wasn’t hydrating enough. I have really dry under eyes.

    Reaction? No reaction.

    Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream (read my review)

    This one didn’t do much for me. It didn’t hydrate my under eyes as much as I needed it to and I didn’t get any reaction from it.

    Reaction? No reaction.

    Tula Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum (read my review)

    Both my mom and I tried this eye renewal serum. We both felt itchy using it and it wasn’t allergies or anything because we were using this in the winter time.

    Reaction? No physical reaction, but eyes felt itchy.

    Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream to Depuff and Brighten (read my review)

    I’m not a huge fan of the smell of this. I accidentally bought this instead of another product – I meant to get the Ginzing moisturizer. A little goes a long way and while this does brighten the under eyes, you have to be careful not to use too much or it looks too white. I was using this off and on because I got one spot and I wasn’t sure if it was the eye cream or something else. I stopped using it until it got better and then I used it again and I’ve had a bit of texture under the eyes since. So, I won’t be using this anymore. 

    Reaction? Got a milium (singular of milia) and also got red bumpy spots

    Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (read my review)

    I’ve been using this for about a while now and I’ve been using it on and off because whenever I use it, I get 1-2 red spots under both eyes. Also, it has a weird texture that’s almost glue-y. If you use too much, it doesn’t blend in very well, but if you use a very small amount, it absorbs into the skin and almost feels like water.

    Reaction? Red spots under eyes whenever I used it.

    Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

    I love the metal applicator on this and this is my favourite eye cream I’ve tried so far! It kept my under eyes smooth and hydrated. It also helped with darkness around my eyes for a while, but I stopped seeing results after a while. Maybe it did everything it could or my skin got used to it and stopped working for my dark circles. It still kept my under eyes nice and hydrated though. This is the most expensive eye cream I’ve tried (if you work out cost per mL). I like that it comes in a tube and not a pot which keeps it hygienic.

    Reaction? No reaction.

    Here are some eye creams that I want to try:

    • IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream
    • IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream
    • Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment
    • Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
    • Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum

    What’s your fave eye cream?

    Love,

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  • CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara

    This Or That | CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara

    January 14, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I compared two mascaras: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara and the Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara.

    I really love them both because they look very natural, but they also darken my lashes! I will put up my review at the end of the day, but right after applying them, both eyes looked very similar- curled, lengthened and no clumps. I applied some on my lower lashes and both look very natural and not spidery.

    You can check out my full reviews on both mascaras by clicking the links below:

    Lash Blast Volume Mascara | Lash Sensational Mascara

    CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

    Get a blast of lush, volumized lashes! LashBlast’s patented volume-boosting formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max-out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big lash look. Instant volume and fullness. Smudge and wear-proof. Hypoallergenic and suitable for contact lens wearers.

    Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

    Lash Sensational Mascara from Maybelline is the first patented fanning brush with 10 layers of bristles to reveal a full flourish of lashes. Liquid Ink formula coats from all sides for a sensational full fan effect.

    WINNER: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

    The Maybelline Mascara did a better job at keeping my lashes curled – especially because the wand is curled. Between the two, I think the CoverGirl is great for day time and the Maybelline for night time since it made my lashes look a bit darker and thicker.

    Have you tried these two mascaras?

    Love,

    jen
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  • November 2018 Faves

    November 30, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    We’re starting this month with something a little different from my usual favourites. I think everyone is always on a quest to make their skin look healthy. Last year, I took spin classes for two weeks with my friends and I was drinking a lot of water then. My skin was probably the best it ever looked because I was staying hydrated. In October, I decided that I should make it a goal to drink the recommended daily intake of water (8 x 8 mL = about 2L).

    View this post on Instagram

    F E A T U R E F R I D A Y // Something a little different from my usual feature friday posts. Drinking enough water makes your skin look and feel hydrated. Drinking from a bottle or cold cup with a straw has really been helping me to take sips throughout the day and increase my water intake. (I'm using up the rest of our plastic straws right now, but will definitely be switching to reusable or paper straws in the future). Last month, I downloaded an app to help me keep track of my water intake and I think it's helped my skin a lot. Apart from the horrible breakout I'm healing from right now, my skin is a lot more hydrated and not as dry. #hydrate #water #featurefriday #friyay #tgif #discoverunder5k #skincare

    A post shared by Jen (@jencatbeauty) on

    Drinking from a bottle or cold cup with a straw has definitely helped me increase my water intake. (I’m using up the rest of our plastic straws right now, but will definitely be switching to reusable or paper straws in the future). I’ve also been cutting down on sugary drinks. I haven’t bought any 2L bottles of pop or juice in a long time. I mostly drink just water throughout the day and have one cup of tea. If I’m going out for dinner, I usually just get water, but occasionally, I will order a ginger ale or coke.

    Last month, I downloaded an app called Water Drink Reminder to help me keep track of my water intake and I think it’s helped my skin a lot. I just chose the first Water Tracker app that I liked the interface. I tried this plant one that had a cute plant and this other one, but both had spelling mistakes which drove me crazy. Apart from the horrible breakout I had at the beginning of this month, my skin is a lot more hydrated and not as dry.

    So far I’m loving this Kopari Coconut Deodorant. I haven’t done a rigorous workout with it, but I did some exercises to work up a sweat and it still smelled nice and coconut-ty.  I was wearing it for a whole day and I did notice that the scent had faded and I could start to smell a bit of sweat. So, I don’t think this would be good for a rigorous workout and you would definitely have to reapply during a hot day. It is a bit pricey, but deodorant lasts a while, so I think it will be worth it.

    Check out my full review

    The Etude House Lip & Eye Remover is awesome at taking off eye makeup. I use a cotton pad and it took off the majority of my eye makeup in one swipe. I don’t have waterproof mascara, so I don’t know how well it takes it off, but it’s great for regular, non-waterproof makeup.

    I can see why everyone loves the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Concealer. I have the shade Light and it’s the perfect shade for my under eyes. It brightens and has a beautiful, natural finish. I took off the sponge because I just don’t think it’s hygienic. One twist is enough for both of my eyes now that the sponge is gone.

    Lately, I’ve been using the Tula Purifying Cleanser, Illuminating Face Serum and the Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel. I was slowly incorporating the Tula products to my routine (just in case I have a reaction to one of the products). I still have to add the Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel (which is a toner) and the Hydrating Day & Night Cream to the routine. I am very impressed by the acne gel because it’s one of the few salicylic acid products that hasn’t made my face red, irritated or puffy. Yay!! Usually, my face is fine with salicylic acid cleansers because it’s not on my face for very long. With salicylic acid products that you leave on overnight or during the day, I haven’t been so lucky. That’s why I was using tea tree oil products for a while. I still love my Body Shop tea tree oil products, but the smell is just so strong. So far, I am liking the Tula products I’ve tried. I will write a full review once I’ve started using the other 2 products.

    What were your fave this month?

    Love,

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  • Haul | August 2018 Sephora VIB Rouge Sale

    August 30, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I picked up some things from the Sephora Beauty Insider Appreciation Sale, mostly skincare because I’m working on finishing products I have in my current collection. I have so many products in my LOVES list that it was hard to refrain from buying more things. I only bought products I need to replace other things I’ve finished. Although, I did make an order from Tarte as well (first time ordering from them).

    If you haven’t bought anything yet, you still have time! It ends September 3rd!

    What do you guys think of the new updates to their Beauty Insider program? It’s awesome if you’re a VIB or ROUGE, but it’s still kind of the same for Beauty Insiders. I guess it makes sense since they want to reward the people who are spending more money. Somehow, last year, I got to ROUGE status and I’m a a bit mortified at how easy it was to do that. I did buy products for my mom, but the majority was for me…Skincare and makeup tools are expensive. As a ROUGE, I plan to take advantage of it while I still can. I will hopefully only make it to VIB in the following years.

    I bought two things for my grandma too. She loves scented hand creams and a Bobbi Brown lipstick.

    Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick in Brocade

    The gold tube is so pretty and you can tell it’s a luxury item. This is a beautiful “bright purple plum” shade and my grandma can really pull off purple lipsticks. It’s definitely very pigmented and has a satin finish.

    A full-coverage, vitamin C and E-infused lipstick that plumps lips, supports natural collagen, and smooths the look of lines and wrinkles.

    L’Occitane Hand Cream in Cherry Blossom

    I almost wrote “Cheryl Blossom” there lol (character from Riverdale). Anyone else ready for shows to start up again? I thought this one smelled nice. I don’t personally like hand creams that are scented, but I don’t mind sniffing them. My grandma loves the L’Occitane Hand Creams. For Christmas one time, we bought her the Roses et Reines (roses), Pivoine Flora (peonies) and Arlésienne Velvet (rose, violet & saffron).

    A collection of luxurious hand creams to help nourish and protect hands. 

    For the things I got for myself, it’s the first time buying all four products. I’ve tried other Clinique Acne Solutions products, but not this one. I was going to pick up the Benefit Gimme Brow, but I realized that the Dior brow gel is actually cheaper (it’s $2 more, but there’s just a little bit more in the tube) and I mean, it’s Dior. Who doesn’t want to own a Dior product and have that signature CD emblem?

    Waso Quick Matte Oil-Free Moisturizer

    Waso is a new brand by Shiseido that’s geared towards Millennials. Similar to the Dior Backstage line, it’s a ‘more affordable’ line from Shiseido. I originally bought this for my mom because she’s looking for a new moisturizer. She decided to go with the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF18 which we will pick up on Sept 5th at Hudson’s Bay when they have the Shiseido gift with purchase. I decided to keep the Waso moisturizer for myself.

    An oil-free, oil-balancing gel emulsion to mattify and balance skin with 24-hour hydration. This formula smooths and hydrates skin with a shine-reducing, sebum-absorbing powder to maintain a matte look. The dewy texture feels refreshing and leaves skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and less shiny. 

    Tarte Maracuja Oil

    I’ve tested the Maracuja Oil on my hand and I was amazed at how smooth my hand felt.

    A vegan face oil for a healthy-looking, radiant complexion with no greasy feel.

    Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

    I’ve used the Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam and Cleansing Gel and both worked well for me, but they are kind of pricey. Right now, I’m using a Neutrogena one since it’s a lot cheaper. I prefer to splurge on spot treatments and buy drugstore acne cleansers.

    A daily treatment gel for acne-clearing results equal to a leading topical prescription.

    Diorshow Bold Brow in 002 Dark

    It’d be nice if they had more shades. They only have 3: Light, Medium or Dark. Luckily, I can use dark, but I wouldn’t mind if it was a little darker.

    A brow mascara to achieve lush, full, and groomed brows immediately.

    That’s all I got in the Sephora Haul. I’ll write a post for my Tarte Haul once my order comes in and write reviews on these products once I’ve tested them out.

    Have you tried any of these products? What did you pick up from the Sephora Sale?

    Love,

    jen

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  • makeup collection concealers fooundations primers

    Makeup Goals | A Streamlined Makeup Collection

    July 20, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    When I was doing my mid-year makeup inventory, I realized just how much makeup I had. It’s kind of ridiculous how much makeup I’ve accumulated in the past two years. 2016 was when I got more into makeup and it was only last year that started buying products like highlighter and bronzer. I went through my collection and counted how much I have of each type of product. I didn’t want to do a mid-year makeup inventory on all of them because let’s be honest, it would’ve taken a long time to swatch and write a mini review for each one. Especially when I don’t necessarily love all of the products I own.

    I’ve decided to set some goals for myself in terms of buying makeup going forward. As I was doing my makeup inventory, I decluttered a few products that were past their expiry date and/or I just wasn’t using (basically just taking up space). Here are some goals that I have decided to apply:

    Goal #1 | For primers, foundations, eyeshadows and makeup brushes – only buy high end ones

    • Foundations
      • Find a few favourite ones with different finishes (powder, cushion, sheer coverage, medium coverage)
      • For liquid foundations- I need to have sampled it a few times and put it through a testing period (like I did with the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation- read my review) before I take the plunge and buy it.
      • Test them out in-store and see how they look in natural lighting and how it wears for the day

    For the other makeup products, I feel like a mix of high end and drugstore are acceptable. There are some amazing drugstore products that I absolutely love and drugstore foundations are great, but I have trouble finding shade matches and there aren’t always testers in store.

    Goal #2 | Cut down on impulse buying

    I’ll admit that 50% of the time, I am an impulse buyer (especially if there’s a sale). Luckily, most of the items I’ve bought on impulse were okay.

    Goal #3 | Read or watch 3 (or more) positive reviews before making a purchase

    I know this isn’t the best way to tell if I will like something because I might not like something that someone else loves, but it will help cut down the impulse buying too. I’ve bought a few duds (that were planned purchases) because YouTube or Instagram made me buy it (*cough* L’Oréal Lash Paradise *cough*). Before buying a product from now on (especially a drugstore item because you can’t return it once it’s been opened), I will check out some reviews online. Usually, I look at Influenster to see what it’s rating out of 5 is and if it’s rated on their list (i.e. Lash Paradise, the non-waterproof one, is rated #1 in mascaras and 4.56/5). Personally, it’s not my #1 mascara, but I don’t hate it.

    Goal #4 | Keep Track of My Makeup Purchases and Set an Annual Makeup Budget

    This sounds kind of scary, but I think I should set one. Last year, I became a VIB Rouge member at Sephora and I have no idea how that happened. The majority was skincare or makeup tools, but there was a fair share of makeup which is surprising because a lot of my makeup is from the drugstore or Winners. For a lot of products (like makeup brushes or foundation), they may seem expensive, but they last a long time. The initial cost may sting, but once you have it, you don’t need to buy more for a while.

    For my blog, I have a monthly budget ($25) to spend on products that I buy for the blog. I prefer to get drugstore products because that’s the most accssible to everyone. I mean, there are tons of beauty lovers who are students- they can’t necessarily afford to get a Dior foundation or a high end palette.

    GOAL #5 | A Streamlined Makeup Collection

    I was going to plan on a Minimalist Makeup Collection, but after writing the numbers down, I wouldn’t consider what I plan to be a Minimalist Collection. So, we’ll go with a streamlined collection of what I have now. I want to find some favourites that I can always rely on so that I can just buy good, high end products (foundations, concealers, etc.) and not worry about buying all these different products to see what works with my skin type.

    I’ve already shared some of my makeup collection in my mid-year makeup inventory. So, I thought I’d share the numbers with you for the rest of my products. Some of my numbers in this list may be different than the mid-year makeup inventory. This is because I was only counting the products that I had opened at the time. Since then, I have opened a few things and gotten a few deluxe samples. Please keep in mind that not all products are full-sized, but I still counted them as ‘1’. So, here are the inventories for each category:

    • Primers: 12 (includes an under eye primer and eyeshadow primers)
    • Foundations: 13
    • Concealers/Colour Correctors: 11
    • Setting/Finishing Powders & Face Mists: 5
    • Illuminating Powders/Creams: 4
    • Bronzers: 4
    • Blushes: 13
    • Highlighters: 14
    • Brow pencils: 3
    • Eyeshadows: 37
    • Eyeliners: 12
    • Mascaras: 6
    • Lipstick: 25
    • Lip Liners: 7
    • Lip Glosses/Tints: 10
    • Makeup Removers: 10

    I know these aren’t makeup, but I’m going to include them too:

    • Perfume: 5
    • Nail Polish: 43

    I was going to total the whole number of products, but some are double-counted i.e. Bobbi Brown palette has blush, highlighter, bronzer and eyeshadow. Give or take, there are 200 items.

    NEW MAKEUP GOALS & FAVOURITES

    I want to streamline my makeup so that I don’t have 200 items in my drawers. I only have so much space in my room if you include makeup, skincare, hair and nail products. The following numbers are what I hope my collection will go down to once I find favourites in each. Under each category, I have included favourites that I think will be included in my Minimalist Collection.

    • Primers: it’s hard to say a number for this one because you want different primers for different uses (mattifying, illuminating, hydrating, eyeshadow, etc.). I’ll say less than 10 for sure!
    • Foundations: 6 at the most (that should be enough for different finishes and coverage)
    • Concealers/Colour Correctors: 5
    • Setting/Finishing Sprays/Powders & Face Mists: 5
    • Illuminating Powders/Creams: 2
    • Bronzers: 2
    • Blushes: 3 (1 with shimmer, 1 peachy, 1 pink)
    • Highlighters: This is hard to decide because there are so many amazing highlighters out there that are different shades and they can double as eyeshadows (6?)
    • Brows: 3 (2 pencils, 1 gel)
    • Eyeshadows: This is hard to decide too because singles count as 1. I will say that I want at least 2-3 good palettes with matte neutral shades and shimmery shades and I like cream shadows and sticks, so maybe 4-5 of those.
    • Eyeliners: 5
    • Mascaras: 3
    • Lipstick: 10
    • Lip Liners: 2
    • Lip Glosses/Tints: 3
    • Makeup Removers: 3
    • Perfumes: 3
    • Nail Polish: 5

    For all of the categories, they’re estimates of what I think I should own and adding all of those up, it’s about 80 products. So, my goal for next year is to cut my collection in half and maybe I can aim for an even smaller collection for 2020.

    Would you ever streamline your makeup collection?

    Love,

    jen

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  • sonia roselli skin prep water balm

    Review | Sonia Roselli Water Balm

    July 13, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I was asked to review the Sonia Roselli Water Balm by the hair stylist & makeup artist who did my sister’s and my makeup (for my sister’s Toronto Wedding Reception). Vicki from vlmakeup (check out her website and Instagram) wanted to know how the product worked on my skin type. I have acne prone skin that’s normal on my cheeks and forehead, but dry on and around my nose and chin (probably because of acne clearing products) and every now and then, I get dry patches around the mouth and under eye area. Even though my skin is dry, I get an oily t-zone and need to powder to prevent foundation from breaking up in that area.

    I had never heard of the brand before, so I looked into it and read some reviews before I took the plunge and purchased the product. Sonia Roselli has been a makeup artist for over 20 years. In 2015, she decided to start her own line of products. The brand sells mostly skincare products, but they also sell makeup brushes and individual lashes. Since I bought the Water Balm, they’re coming out with more products that you can pre-order. After trying this product out, I am definitely interested in trying other products.

    The question is, is this product worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Read on to see what I have to say about the Water Balm!

    Japanese “Water Bead” technology allows you to use as a toner, serum, day cream, night cream, eye cream and makeup primer all in one. Water Balm is an innovative skin care product that keeps your face hydrated for hours.

    It plumps fine lines and wrinkles, allowing your makeup to look fresh, radiant and youthful.

    Water Balm is not vegan- it contains a small amount of silk, egg, soy and citrus.

    Japanese Spring Water, Japanese Organic Rice, Silk, Soya Milk, Green Tea, Japanese Plum, Soybean

    Formulated without:
    Chemical color, fragrance, parabens and alcohol

    Made in Japan

    As a primer: Place a nickel size amount in the palm of your fingers. Tap together and lightly tap all over the face, then rub in evenly. Tapping breaks open the Water Beads and all the goodness is on your face. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before applying makeup. Apply makeup as usual.

    As a moisturizer: Apply Water Balm as your final step.

    I think it’s so cool because when you apply this, it feels like you’re applying silky water to your face. You can see the water beads once you’ve tapped it onto your skin. Depending on the weather, it can feel a bit tack after, but it mostly dries down after a few minutes. I’m not sure how well this would perform on someone with oily skin since mine tends to be dry. It keeps my face hydrated for hours after applying it. I don’t know about using this as an eye cream; yes, it’s hydrating, but it won’t help get rid of dark circles or puffiness, so maybe keep your eye cream in rotation.

    I tested this with the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation and it looked absolutely flawless (read my review)!

    RATING: 5/5

    This product gets top marks in my books! It’s not too expensive considering it’s multi-purpose. Right now, I have a few moisturizers and serums to go through, but once I’ve finished those, I think I will only be purchasing this product for moisturizer. I will keep it on rotation in my primers, but I will continue to buy other primers because other brands like Make Up For ever, Smashbox, etc. have primers that cater to different things- redness correcting, smoothing, etc. The Water Balm will be my new hydrating primer though. I have the MUFE Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer- Hydrating, so once it’s finished, I won’t repurchase that particular one. I wrote a series of posts on my makeup inventory, if you want to see what primers I like, check out the post on primers and foundations (click here).

    Have you heard of Sonia Roselli products? 

    Love,

    jen

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  • pixi hydrating milky mist

    Review | Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist

    January 18, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Have you tried Pixi products? I just started using them last year. I first got the Glow Mist. I’ve bought a few other products and I’ll post reviews on them soon. I’ve heard rave reviews about the Hydrating Milky Mist, so I had to give it a try.

    A deeply hydrating mist that provides an invisible layer of skin-soothers, making it the ultimate remedy for dry skin.

    I love this mist, it smells so good and doesn’t make my face feel sticky. It’s super refreshing and the nozzle disperses the mist just right. I usually spray it 1-3 times. It is quite pricey, but it lasts a while.

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    I’ve tried the Glow Mist and I had a like/dislike relationship with it (it wasn’t love/hate because I didn’t hate it). Sometimes the glow mist made my face feel sticky, other times it didn’t (maybe I didn’t shake it enough). It did make my face feel hydrated because of the Argan Oil, I think. It had a citrus smell, which I wasn’t a huge fan of.

    I definitely want to try more Pixi products, like the Makeup Fixing Mist and the Glow Peel Pads.

    UPDATE: Out of nowhere, the nozzle has suddenly stopped misting the product and now it’s a stream that can shoot across the room/squirt me in the face. I tried cleaning the nozzle and tried rinsing it with water which helped a bit (it’s not as strong of a stream now), but it’s still not back to how it used to be. Anyone else experience this with their Pixi mists?

    Have you tried Pixi mists? Which is your fave?

    Love,

    jen

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  • Movies & Shows | Faves of 2017 & Most Anticipated for 2018

    January 2, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I thought I would do a a blog post on movies and tv shows I plan to watch this year and my faves from last year. Obviously it won’t be a full list because I don’t know what some shows or movie are about based on the title, but once they are close to coming out, they’ll be publicized more.

    Fave Movies

    I watched a lot more shows last year, so I haven’t seen a lot of movies that came out. I didn’t see Thor: Ragnarok yet, but I’m sure that would be on this list if I had seen it. I didn’t watch very many dramas, comedies or animated films from last year, which isn’t surprising because I prefer action/thriller/fantasy.

    • Logan
    • Wonder Woman
    • Beauty and the Beast
    • Contratiempo (known as The Invisible Guest for English-speaking countries)-  Spanish movie I saw on Netflix yesterday, although I watched it in 2018, it’s from last year. If you like mystery, this is a good one.

    TV Shows I’m Watching

    These are shows that either started last year or that I started watching last year:

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    • Will & Grace– I’ve been enjoying the new season, it’s one of the few revivals where it feels the same as the original run. After the 4th or 5th (maybe earlier, I can’t remember), it started going downhill, but now they have new material to work with and it’s like they never left
    • Rellik– at first it was a bit confusing, but the concept is cool and had an interesting ending. I think it was more of a mini series and I doubt it will be renewed for season two.
    • Young Sheldon– it’s a change from The Big Bang Theory and interesting to see Sheldon’s life when he was younger. I think I also enjoy it because Zoe Perry is the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf who plays Sheldon’s mom on The Big Bang Theory. I love the young actress and actor who play Missy and Sheldon.
    • Manhunt: Unabomber– this was one of those crime/drama shows that’s kind of slow, but it was interesting to watch

    Other shows I mentioned in a previous post → 5 Shows I’m Into Right Now

    2018 Movies I Want to Watch

    I’m sure there’s more that I want to watch, but these are the ones I’m excited to see:

    • Avengers: Infinity War
    • The Incredibles 2
    • Tomb Raider
    • Mission: Impossible 6
    • Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
    • Ocean’s 8
    • The Commuter- can’t Liam Neeson take a mode of transportation without being threatened???

    UPDATE: The Commuter was pretty good! If you like mysteries on a train, Murder on the Orient Express was pretty good too!

    TV Shows I Want to Watch

    tv shows

    UPDATE: I’ve been watching The Handmaid’s Tale- it’s both interesting and terrifying to think of what could happen if a government like that took over the United States. I watched Big Little Lies- it had a very famous ensemble cast and Meryl Streep has been cast for season two, but I don’t know if I liked it that much. It’s not one I would recommend to everyone if someone asked about good shows to watch. I watched one episode of The Good Doctor so far and I think it will be interesting.

    New Shows Coming Out This Year

    Capturel

    I watched Altered Carbon and it was good- hopefully there will be a second season.

    What shows and movies are you looking forward to this year?

    Love,

    jen

    The pictures used above were taken from the internet. I do not own any of the pictures.

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  • Review | Revlon Mega Multiplier Mascara

    June 23, 2017

    Hi Everyone!

    I received a complimentary VoxBox from Influenster Canada with the Revlon Mega Multiplier Mascara in Blackened Brown (803)!

    I prefer using the darkest shade of mascara that they offer. So I would get the black or blackest black mascara from this line. A few times when I looked in the mirror, it almost looked like I had powder on my lashes or in certain lighting, my lashes looked gray because the blackened brown shade is too light for me. This is my first time using a Revlon mascara, but right away I liked the fact that it wasn’t a silicone brush and I liked the shapes of the mascara tube and the brush.

    The mascara tube is sort of almond shaped, so it’s easy to open (unlike the round ones which can be hard to grip). The top part with the wand is shiny while the bottom part is a matte black and feels a bit textured.

    My lashes look natural and there are no clumps. I like slightly tapered brushes that aren’t silicone for my top lashes. This is a great brush and I would definitely keep it to apply other mascaras. Since this is a (fiber) mascara that coats your lashes with tubes, I can definitely feel that there is something on my lashes.

    I prefer non-fiber mascaras for my everyday makeup look, but the fiber ones are good for some extra oomph for a night out.

    Are the claims true? Let’s see!

    Flake-free? I ran my finger along my lashes and no flakes or residue on my finger! (It does flake if you rub your eye, but if unprovoked, it shouldn’t flake just from blinking)

    Smudge-proof? I rubbed my eye and nothing smudged, although a few fiber flakes came off on my finger.

    Water Resistant? It doesn’t claim to be waterproof, but if you get caught outside when it starts raining lightly, you should be okay. As long as it’s dry, it won’t smudge if you use a setting spray. I splashed some cold water on my face and squeezed my eyes shut to see if any mascara would come off, it didn’t smudge. I splashed some more on my face and this time it smudged a bit, but easily came off with a qtip.

    Removes easily with warm water? No eye makeup remover needed! Using warm water, it came off with little effort and unlike other mascaras, I didn’t get raccoon eyes trying to wash it off. I would avoid hot tubs or anywhere with steam.

    Plump and extend lashes for mega volume and extreme length? My lashes aren’t very long to begin with, but I can definitely tell that this mascara has added length and volume. Would I say MEGA volume and EXTREME length? No, but it’s definitely noticeable (the only way I will have long enough lashes to be noticeable in pics is if I wear false lashes).

    RATING: 5/5

    I give it a perfect score because it’s easy to take off and I love the brush. I just need to buy the darkest shade and I will love it even more!

    Thoughts: I really like this mascara! I like that it doesn’t flake and that you don’t need to use makeup remover to get it all off (I hate when I thought I took off all of my mascara and then after a shower, I find that I have raccoon eyes!)

    I always like to have a mix of high-end and drugstore products. I prefer to spend more on the skincare products like primers, moisturizers, toners, foundations and concealers. Since mascara can dry out fairly quickly and you’re not supposed to keep them for too long, I prefer to buy drugstore brands for mascaras. I tend to like drugstore brand mascara more anyways and this way I can buy a few for the same price as one designer brand. I only have high end mascaras because they were deluxe samples or a birthday present. Two of my favourite mascara brands are Maybelline and L’Oreal and it looks like I’ve just added Revlon to the mix!

    What are your fave brands of mascara? Do you prefer high-end or drugstore brand mascaras?

    Thanks to Influenster Canada for sending me this Revlon VoxBox!

    Have a great weekend!

    Love,

    jen

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  • How to Add a Pop of Colour to Your Wardrobe

    September 7, 2016

    Hi Everyone!

    When it comes to my wardrobe, I am kind of boring, I love black and if you open my closet door, you’ll mostly see darkness (with random bits of colour) because I have so many dark clothes and so few brightly coloured clothes. I’m doing my best to buy brighter colours (or just colours, period!). Similar to my wardrobe, my shoe collection is mostly blacks and nudes. I’ve always loved coloured shoes, but was never brave enough to purchase one until now. Blue is my fave colour (especially cobalt blue), so I took the plunge and bought a bright blue pair of shoes. Maybe my next pair of coloured shoes will be red or purple!

    When I was working at Hudson’s Bay, they had this pair of blue/purple suede pumps that I absolutely loved: Vince Camuto (Style: Kain) that I absolutely loved. Back then, I didn’t have a reason to buy them, so I always stared longingly at them.

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    I decided to ask my parents for a pair of blue pumps for my birthday, so we started the hunt for those blue suede pumps. Of course, back when I worked at the Bay, they were on clearance…I missed my chance to buy a pair in my size in that beautiful blue colour. We went to several Hudson’s Bay stores and could only find them in size 9 or larger.

    I was starting to give up on my dream shoes. I even searched on American websites and department stores to see if they had them, but none were to be had in my size. I was about to give up until we went into the Vince Camuto store. I found a pair of Louise et Cie electric blue d’orsay pumps. They were even prettier than the Vince Camuto ones! Also, they were on sale for more than half off! I couldn’t contain my excitement and did a little happy dance in the store as I told D they were on sale. He smiled and said, “excellent!”

    They are a pair of Louise et Cie D’Orsay ‘suede’ pumps (Style: Hermosah in Tulum Blue) with a 3 1/2 inch heel.

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    Love,

    jen

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  • Recipe | Pesto Chicken Focaccia

    May 13, 2016

    Hi Everyone!

    If you want an easy dinner that you can just throw in the oven, this is a great recipe. It’s simple, you only need five ingredients:

    • store-bought chicken
    • focaccia bread or any bread that’s crusty (we use ACE focaccia, and we’ve tried ciabatta, but focaccia is the best)
    • mozzarella cheese
    • parmesan cheese
    • Classico basil pesto

    Cut the focaccia into pieces, our focaccia is fairly thick so we cut it horizontally like a sandwich into three pieces (depending on how crusty or soft you like it, you can cut it thick or thin). Shred the chicken and mix with the pesto and parmesan cheese. Spread the chicken and pesto mixture evenly onto the bread and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 350ºF for about 7-10 minutes until the cheese is melted (if you like the bread soft, take it out earlier- as soon as the cheese melts).

    Love,

    jen

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