Today, I have a review for a clay masque. I was generously sent the Ocean Mineral Complex Masque by Oceà Natural Skincare.
At Oceà we have one very simple goal: to shift the skin care industry to natural, safe, and effective ingredients that eliminate the need for harsh chemicals.
The masque comes in a glass pot and the masque itself has a whipped texture. It doesn’t have much of a smell, if anything it smells faintly of clay.
Deeply healing clays of Kaolin are infused with detoxifying ocean minerals to naturally clarify and exfoliate your skin.
Seaweed, Kelp, Irish Moss and Spirulina naturally restore your skin’s firmness and elasticity.
Safflower, Sweet Almond, Rice Brand and Grapeseed oils then provide the deep hydration your skin deserves!
This natural and organic product is gentle enough for all skin types and can be used several times per week.
RATING: 3/5
Since I have dry skin, I liked that this clay masque didn’t make my face feel dry after. My face felt nice and soft after using it, but I don’t know if it did anything to be honest. It didn’t exfoliate or bring out impurities like some clay masks I’ve tried. I like that it comes in a glass jar so I can re-use it after I finish the masque.
I was sent two deodorants from No Pong, an Australian brand. Here’s a little info from the website:
“pong” is an Australian/British term for an extremely strong, unpleasant smell.
No Pong is an extremely effective, All Natural Deodorant
Made from delicious, all natural ingredients, blended together to create a ridiculously effective, sweat resistant, all day deodorant that does exactly what it says on the tin!
Guaranteed to be 100% paraben, aluminium, cruelty and plastic free.
No Pong is simple to apply, just like a lotion or a sunscreen. Just take a dab on your fingertip, and apply to your armpit.
They currently sell two: one with baking soda and one without. I decided to try the low fragrance one without baking soda. The consistency is similar to a sunscreen; it’s thicker than a lotion, but not waxy like a balm. Based on how it looked before I touched it (like the top one in the picture), I thought it would feel more balmy, so I was surprised when it felt creamy.
It’s great that their deodorants have a gender-neutral scent. For me, I mostly smell the lemongrass which I’m not a huge fan of, but the deodorant works well and the scent is subtle enough that you can’t smell it (unless you apply too much). Obviously it’s not going to be like an anti-perspirant that will counteract sweat from a rigorous workout. But, I have sweated a little while wearing the deodorant and it help up well.
I noticed that when I accidentally used too much of it, I got that white residue under my arms (like when you wear anti-perspirant). You really only need a small amount.
RATING: 3.5/5
I like how compact it is and that there’s no aluminium, it’s affordable and there’s no added fragrance (only essential oil). I also like how there’s a no baking soda option because I have sensitive skin. I’m not a huge fan of the lemongrass scent and I don’t love that you need to use your finger to apply it. I always have to wash my hands after and before I apply it whereas a deodorant stick is easy to pop on without having the need to wash my hands before and after.
I’ve put the Original one into my 5K Instagram Giveaway because I already have another natural deodorant and didn’t want the ununsed one to go to waste before I got a chance to use it.
What’s your fave natural deodorant? Have you tried No Pong?
I received some products from KOODING.com by Ariul Beauty. Today, I will be reviewing the Mood Maker products! They generously sent me the Chic, Glam and Cute sheet masks and mists.
All Ariul products, the Mood Maker Mist is formulated without artificial coloring, mineral oil, benzophenone, talc, or sulfates.
They have different ‘moods’ depending on what you want:
“Glam” is designed to vitalize the skin while protecting its natural moisture barrier.
“Chic” is designed to tighten pores, calm, and soothe the skin.
“Cute” is designed to give ultimate hydration while protecting your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
The sheet masks are fragranced, but it’s not too strong. They use the hydrogel material which I really like. There is a lot of essence in the masks which is great because it won’t dry out too fast when you’re wearing it.
These are quick, easy sheet masks that provide skin-loving benefits in only *5 minutes*! These are perfect right before events, parties, or just a good ol’ lazy day. The light-as-air Lyocell sheet allows for quick essence absorption, making these a breeze to use.
I liked the Cute masks because I have dry skin and I need some moisture. The Cute mask has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a proprietary berry complex that’s packed with vitamin C. After using the cute mask, my face looked brighter, felt smoother and refreshed.
RATING: 4/5
The masks are great. They have a lot more by Ariul beauty on the Kooding website.
Consider these your new secret weapon! These adorably packaged facial mists provide relief in just a few sprays and work perfectly in between skincare steps, as well as before and after makeup. Their compact size make them perfect for makeup bags, travel, and portability — hello, glow on-the-go!
How To Use: Spritz in between skincare steps or before or after makeup. Can be used daily.
Like the sheet masks, there are three different Mood Maker mists: Chic, Glam and Cute. Ariul also has 3 Jeju Lava Water Mists. The mists come in cute, compact packaging (like a card case) which makes it easy to pop into your bag. I’ve never seen facial mists come in this type of packaging, so they get points for being so innovative! They’re not scented which is great. You can use it like any other facial mist: apply before makeup, apply after makeup, refresh your face if it’s feeling dry, wet brushes to get more pigment out of your highlighter or eyeshadow.
Today, I will be doing a first impressions review on some Bali Body products that I received from the brand. It’s an Australian brand…I think I’m getting contacted by Australian brands because I follow quite a few Australian beauty accounts on IG lol.
I love the pastel matte bottle for the bronzing lotion and the rose gold and champagne-y gold tubes of the BB Cream and Lip Balm are so pretty.
If you live in Canada like I do, it took exactly two weeks to arrive from their distribution centre in London.
Before I start the reviews, I’d like to mention that just because certain products don’t work for me, it doesn’t mean that they’re bad. I’m just very sensitive to certain scents (especially coconut) and these products all have a scent.
Coconut Lip Balm with SPF15
A Coconut Lip Balm with SPF15 to hydrate and plump the lips while providing long lasting protection.
This natural lip balm is packed with nourishing oils to smooth & repair dry & cracked lips day or night.
RATING: 3/5
I like that it comes in a squeezy tube with a plastic tip. As far as lip balms go, this is quite expensive when I’m used to buying Vaseline. This does feel very hydrating and makes your lips look very glossy, but not sticky. I would definitely throw this into my makeup bag to apply during the day. The coconut scent is a bit too strong for me to use at night time, but it’s okay during the day. I also don’t like the taste of it (not that I’m purposely eating it lol, but you know when you accidentally lick your lips or maybe you’re eating something and taste your lip balm).
BB Cream with SPF15
A multitasking beauty cream that combines hydrating skincare benefits to protect, correct and perfect the skin.
Treat your skin in one easy step with this light-weight ultra-hydrating BB cream that provides perfect natural coverage instantly, while giving a healthy dewy glow.
They have 4 shades: Fair, Natural, Tan and Dark
I received the shade Natural and after reading reviews, I was excited to try this BB Cream.
RATING: 2/5
I don’t have a lot of luck with BB Creams on their own. I need more coverage than what BB Creams offer because I have dark spots from acne. So, this isn’t the type of base product I’m looking for, but if you want a very light coverage with SPF, you’ll love this BB Cream.
Bronzing Lotion
This antioxidant-rich moisturiser will provide a hint of tint while smoothing the skin with Vitamin E and natural oils.
Enriched with organic caramel extract to provide an instant bronzed glow.
This product isn’t a self tanner. It’s a lotion that’s tinted to give you a temporary bronzed look. It will wash off in the shower, so I wouldn’t go to sleep with this lotion on.
Before using, make sure you exfoliated the night before because you want it to go on nice and smooth. It’s also better if you aren’t too hairy wherever you apply it. I applied it on my arms and the bronzing lotion was kind of collecting around my hairs. It dries pretty fast, so make sure to blend it in evenly. If you are wearing this, do NOT get it wet. A drop of water got on my arm and it obviously left a water drop in the ‘tan’.
RATING: 3/5
My skin felt moisturized with this lotion. But I have a very sensitive nose and I wasn’t a huge fan of the scent which smells like coconut and almond. It looks very intimidating when you squeeze it out of the bottle, but once you blend it out, it gives you a nice, bronzed glow. If you are pale like me, you will definitely see a difference. Personally, I think I would prefer to use a self-tanner that will stay on for a while instead of just a few hours.
Final Thoughts
I always love trying out new brands and I’m always grateful when I am sent products for review. While these products didn’t work for me, there are a lot of positive reviews on the site and other blogs that rave about Bali Body’s products.
Update: There aren’t any items listed on their Etsy shop.
I’m back with another review! I was generously sent two products from a new skincare brand called KORAI. It’s a Canadian brand that sells on Etsy. They currently sell the Cloud Cleanser and Amber Oil which are the two products I received.
Spoiler Alert: both products are awesome!
Amber Oil
Nourishing, fragrance-free, and multipurpose. Amber Oil can be used from head to toe. A full dropper can melt away a face of makeup or environmental pollutants. 2-4 drops on damp and clean skin can seal in moisture without the worry of clogging your pores.
Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E Oil)
I’ve been using the Amber Oil on my hands and face and they both feel soft and smooth. It hasn’t clogged my pores and it has a very light scent which is great for me. I tried removing my makeup with it, but I didn’t like it. It did remove my makeup, but obviously, it didn’t rinse off very well since oil and water don’t mix. So I will stick to using it as a facial oil.
RATING: 5/5
Cloud Cleanser
• Deep cleansing • Sulfate free • Lightweight
How to Use: Apply 1-2 pumps into freshly washed hands and rub onto dry
skin in gentle circular motions for a minimum of one minute. Rinse with cool water and gently tap excess water into the skin until dry.
Featured Ingredients:
Authentic Ghanaian black soap contains ingredients that carry naturally anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is high in antioxidants, vitamin A and E. These nutrients aid in healing skin ailments like acne, eczema and psoriasis as well as balancing the skin’s tone and texture.
Cold-pressed vitamin E oil can block free radicals and replenish the skin’s natural oils which help slow the process of aging signs. It is also known for assisting in healing wounds, preventing/minimizing the appearance of scars, and moisturizing the skin.
Today, I’m doing a first impressions review with Joanna Vargas’ Exfoliating Mask. I was sent this for review and here are my thoughts:
An enzymatic exfoliating mask that sweeps skin clean for brilliance and glow.
Apply a thin layer to cleansed and dampened skin. Scrub gently for one minute or leave on as a mask for 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water.
This mask looks like liquid gold. It’s more fluid than other exfoliating masks I’ve used which I’m not sure I love because I feel like I’ll accidentally use more than I need. It has a citrus scent mixed with a bit of sweetness.
The mask has something that has a sandy feel (I’m guessing it’s the Pumice/Volcanic Rock) which I’m not sure is the best for my sensitive skin. The first time I used it, I think I scrubbed a bit too hard and I noticed my face was a little red after and I hadn’t even scrubbed for a minute. I think it’s just a bit too rough on my skin (even when I do it gently), so I will probably use this for the body instead.
RATING: 2/5
While the mask made parts of my face feel soft, it made other parts feel really dry. I’m sorry to give it such a low rating, but there are more affordable exfoliating enzyme masks out there that are also more gentle on my skin.
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.
So, I received 6 products from Topbox Circle and I’ve tried them all out and here are my thoughts. First of all, I love the rose gold packaging of the products. The frosted glass of the foundation bottle is also beautiful.
HITS
Mattifying Pressed Setting Powder* – This mattifies and provides coverage nicely. It’s great to throw in the purse to touch up throughout the day.
Matte Pressed Bronzer* – I was intimidated by the shade of this, but if you use the right brush, it will diffuse and blend it out beautifully.
MISSES
Sheer Glow BB Cream* – Similar to the foundation, this provided no coverage and just made me look very dewy.
Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation* (read my review) – This provided no coverage for me at all. It was like the BB Cream.
Sheer Glow Colour Balm* – This was patchy and I don’t like the taste/smell of this on my lips.
LIKES
Perfecting Primer* (read my review) – This primer was okay. It wasn’t the worst, but also wasn’t the best.
Liquid Foundation Brush* – I prefer using sponges, but this is a very nice brush and I would consider getting other brushes from Nude by Nature.
If I were to buy anything, I would get some of the Nude by Nature brushes, and I would get the powder products again. I will be giving the liquid foundation and BB cream to a friend who likes sheer coverage.
Have you tried Nude by Nature? What are your faves?
Love,
Products marked with * were sent to me for review.
I received a few products from Nude by Nature for testing purposes and I have the first honest review for you. Today, I’m reviewing the Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation.
I have previously received the Perfecting Primer from Chick Advisor. I reviewed it on the blog: read my review.
A sheer liquid foundation that delivers light to medium coverage with a dewy radiant finish.
Benefits
Hydrating formula
Skin nourishing ingredients
Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
Helps fight visible signs of ageing
Fragrance-free
I love the frosted glass and rose gold packaging with the pump. I liked the dewy finish and the whipped texture of the foundation, but that’s about it. It just doesn’t work for me; it’s a good match for my ski tone (I received the shade N1 Shell Beige). The coverage is exactly as described: sheer. If you already have perfect skin and just want to add a bit of dewiness, then you might like this. I need something that is more buildable because I have redness under my nose and chin. If I’m wearing foundation, I want it to at least cover up a bit of the redness so that my concealer doesn’t have to do all of the work. I also found that it kind of dried weirdly where it would get patchy. This doesn’t have any added fragrance, so it smelled like paint. Also, since it’s so natural, it washes off really easily with water. Similar to the Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Foundation which also rinses off with water. So, make sure you don’t get caught in the rain or to drench your face in setting spray.
RATING: 2/5
I didn’t even do a wear test because this foundation had barely any coverage, so anything I would be testing would be my concealer or powder.
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.
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.
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?
I received a sample of the Juicy Couture OUI Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum from Topbox Circle.
Get hooked right from the start with the tart freshness from a fusion of watermelon and lemon in a special water lemon note. The chic sophistication of jasmine absolute paired with provocative wild tuberose creates an iconic duo, while a modern sense of addiction is born through sleek techno woods. Just say OUI to addictive energy and movement that don’t stop.
Top notes: watermelon, acai berry, tea and pear
middle notes: jasmine, tuberose and honeysuckle
base notes: woodsy note, amber and musk
When I test perfumes, I like to test it in different ways:
Longevity
Scent
How it smells after a few hours on my skin (after reacting with my body oils)
How the bottle looks (this isn’t super important, but it’s a plus. If a perfume smelled amazing and lasted long, I would still purchase even if I didn’t love the bottle).
I did one spray of this perfume in the morning and I went to the dentist and went shopping. I asked my mom how it smelled and she said she couldn’t smell it when she was sitting right beside me (only an hour after spritzing it on). With my two signature perfumes, she can always smell them sitting beside me.
I love a fruity perfume, especially if it’s a bit aquatic and similar to my Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia perfume, the OUI perfume has jasmine. I don’t know what it is about the OUI perfume, but it has something (possibly the musk) that makes it smell like a more mature woman would wear (no offense to anyone who’s younger that likes this perfume). You know how there’s certain scents that older ladies usually wear? Like Chanel No. 5? The OUI perfume has something that makes it smell a bit too mature for me.
After wearing the OUI perfume for 6-8 hours, I couldn’t smell it at all. I tried rubbing my sweater on the spot I sprayed it and sniffing it, but I couldn’t smell anything. I even asked my mom to sniff me again and she said she didn’t smell anything. Usually with my Armani perfume, I can still smell it after a whole day and sometimes it still lingers after I’ve showered.
I think the bottle is a bit gaudy. I would’ve liked it a lot better if they had chosen either pink OR red (not both) and if they hadn’t added the gold chain that says ‘OUI.’ To be completely honest, I’ve never liked any of the Juicy Couture perfume bottles. If I were to buy the full size of a perfume, I want it to smell good, last long and come in a pretty bottle that I can display. I love the simplicity of the Jo Malone perfumes, but I find all of the scents a bit too strong for me.
I received the Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint in Naughty Mauve complimentary from Topbox Circle.
• The look of a stain and comfort of a balm. • Infused with coconut oil so lips feel moisturized and smooth. • Pillowy soft cushion tip gives a touch of color and builds for more impact. • Juicy tint with a balm-like finish, dries to a blotted lip look.
It glides on smoothly and feels very moisturizing from the coconut oil. It has a light vanilla scent which I don’t mind. The shade is a bit dark for my personal preference, but it’s a beautiful shade especially for fall.
I don’t love cushion products especially if it’s a lip product. The sponge is always wet because of the tint unless you wipe it off every time, but then you waste a lot of product. I also feel like because you have a sponge, you’re twisting a lot more product out than you need.
I’m excited to write this review for the Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF50! I was gifted this product, but they didn’t ask me to review it. Since it is a new product, I decided I would share my thoughts on it! Read on to see what I thought about this BB Cushion!
It retails for $49 CAD on Sephora and it comes with a refill and an extra puff! At the moment though, I don’t think you can just buy a refill for when you finish the two Cushions. Cushion foundations are great to just pop into your bag to touch up throughout the day.
I chose the shade No. 23 Sand (for light medium skin with neutral undertones); No. 23 is a bit light on me at the moment, but No. 33 would be way too dark. It’s available in 6 shades (neutral undertones): fair porcelain, light, light medium, medium, medium dark and dark.
It has a very fresh scent that smells like the Laneige Water Bank products.
A radiance-enhancing, ultra-hydrating version of LANEIGE’s global award-winning BB Cushion, this formula features Melacrusher™ and double-coated pigments that instantly brighten and moisturize.
I’m not 100% sure if I’m just imagining this, but when I pat the puff into the cushion sponge, it doesn’t seem to saturate the puff as much as other cushion foundations I’ve tried. Perhaps they don’t put as much product in them because they provide you with a refill? Or maybe it’s because the sponge is stiffer than the other ones I’ve used and therefore I’m not pressing my puff into the container as much.
I tried this product in a few different ways. I wouldn’t say that it’s super long-wearing (in hot weather). I’ll have to try it out again when the weather is cooler. It’s very lightweight and you can see your skin under it.
I have a bit of redness on and around my nose and it didn’t do the best job of covering it. If you have hyperpigmentation or acne/acne scars, this BB won’t cover those areas, so you’ll definitely need concealer.
I also tried using this BB cushion with my Dior Backstage foundation and it still looked very nice. You could still see my skin underneath and it had a nice, dewy finish. I used the Dior foundation to help cover up some of the redness that the cushion didn’t cover.
I think this product will be great for the winter time because it can hydrate dry, winter skin. Plus, I didn’t find it particularly long-wearing in the hot weather, so if I use it in the winter, it won’t be as likely to melt off my face.
RATING: 4/5
I think this BB Cushion is best for those who already have nice skin and you just want that extra, dewy glow. As someone with acne-prone skin, I do need to pair it with a good concealer to cover up redness and acne/acne scars, but I love the look of it. At the moment, I don’t think it will become one of my makeup staples because I prefer a foundation that can cover the redness around my nose.
In February, I selected 10 makeup products to finish before the end of the year and here’s an update! I chose products that I’ve had for a while and I wanted to use them before they went bad or dried out. I tried to pick at least one product from each category: Face (Foundation, Concealer, Bronzer, Blush), Eyes/Brows, Lips.
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville – This shade is way too light for me. Of course, it looked fine in the store under the bright lights, but I look like a ghost when I wear it. I mix it with my Maybelline Fit Me Foundation to darken it.
STATUS: Finished!
Bella Pierre Mineral Blush in Autumn Glow – This was the first non-drugstore blush I bought. It was kind of a pinky-brown shade that looked really nice when blended out.
STATUS: Decluttered
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess – This is a pretty bronzer, but since it was Made in China, I wouldn’t repurchase (read my post: Where Were Your Beauty Products Made?). If I’m spending that much money on a bronzer, I want it to be made elsewhere.
STATUS: Finished!
Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Light/Medium – I won’t be repurchasing this concealer. I don’t like the smell of it and I prefer the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer anyway.
STATUS: Finished!
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light – One of my fave concealers.
STATUS: Finished!
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black – I really like this brow pencil, it fills in the gaps and it’s not too dark.
STATUS: Finished!
Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara – I liked this mascara. The brush was good and it gave me very natural looking lashes.
STATUS: Finished!
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – I liked this mascara. I kept the wand.
STATUS: Finished! (I must’ve forgotten to include this in a Product Empties post)
Too Faced Mini Chocolate Bar – This was redeemed from Sephora Rewards. I love this mini palette, the champagne truffle shade is beautiful.
STATUS: Decluttered (the shadows and bronzer were starting to smell off)
L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Nude Lipcolor in 370 Jennifer’s Nude – I think this is my favourite lipstick. I bought it when it first came out and fell in love with it. The makeup artist who did our makeup also used it on my sister and me for my sister’s wedding reception in Toronto. This is my go-to and that’s why I sort of want to use it up so that my other lipsticks have a chance of being used.
STATUS: Finished!
What’s on your list of products you want to finish before the end of 2018?
Here are August’s favourites! I was a little behind the game trying the Real Techniques sponges, but I am loving them. I got a 4 pack on sale at Winners.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (read my review) – This little guy is going in the favourites for this month!! I picked up a pack of 4 for $20 at Winners!!
elf Matte Lip Color in Tea Rose – I got this free for review and I liked the pencil, but the shade wasn’t me.
LANEIGE BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF50 (read my review) – This is a really nice cushion foundation if you have nice skin already since it’s sheer coverage. I wish it came in more shades though.
Soo’Ae Juicy Mango Glow Mask (read my review) – This one is a light orange-coloured microfiber one and it’s so soft. It smells like mangoes, but not too overpowering. There was a lot of essence in the pack (definitely juicy), I used it on my arms and legs- It is a bit tacky after using it though. Most of the other masks say what they’re meant to do, i.e. nourish, hydrate, brighten. This one is just called the juicy mango glow mask, so you assume it just makes you glow, but it made my face feel soft and plump too.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – I use this on my chin, nose and around the nose to hydrate my dry skin. It prevents my foundation from showing the dry, flaky skin on my nose. It looks beautiful with both powder and liquid foundations. I will definitely be purchasing a full-sized bottle.
Morning Glamour Aqua Satin Pillowcase – I’ve heard that you should switch to a silk/satin pillowcase because cotton ones damage your hair and cause wrinkles. Since silk ones seem a bit expensive and I didn’t want to splurge on something that doesn’t actually make a difference, I picked this satin one up at Winners for $10. In the description of the pillowcase, it says that cotton absorbs your skincare products. I have noticed that I don’t wake up with bed head (usually my hair sticks up at the back or something) and my face does feel more hydrated. I was worried that my head would slide around, but it didn’t. The one thing about this particular pillowcase is that you don’t slide it in like a regular pillowcase, it has flaps so that it stays put. Therefore, you can only use one side of the pillowcase because the other side has a line/seam down the middle. So, if you like flipping your pillow over, find one that doesn’t have the flaps. I would consider getting a silk one in the future.
Today, I’m comparing Lip Scrubs: elf vs. Milani. I received the elf lip exfoliator from Topbox Circle and I purchased the Milani scrub in a haul last year. Both have sugar granules that help to exfoliate. The elf one is packaged like a bullet lipstick and the Milani one comes in a jar.
elf Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac
Gently exfoliate lips to remove dry, chapped skin with our Lip Exfoliator! A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. This Lip Exfoliator treats and smoothes lips for a conditioned and revitalized feel.
This exfoliator comes in different ‘flavours,’ I received Mint Maniac, but they also have Brown Sugar, Sweet Cherry, Coconut, Pink Grapefruit and Rose. I think I would’ve chosen the mint one anyway. I might’ve considered brown sugar, but to be honest, it looks kind of gross since it has specks of the brown sugar.
Since the instructions say to use on moist lips, I prefer to use my finger to get some of the scrub and then use my finger to exfoliate instead using the tube. I think using my finger is a little more hygienic especially because my lips are a wet. After exfoliating, I can feel the slight tingle from the mint.
Milani Keep It Sweet Sugar Lip Scrub
Smoothes and exfoliates lips for an instant polished and revitalized look. Natural sugar granules soften skin with a kiss of sweetness, leaving lips feeling nourished and prepped for color. Use 2-3 times per week and follow with Keep It Smooth Luxe Lip Treatment for the ultimate lip luxury experience.
Since this scrub comes in a pot, it’s a bit chunkier and the consistency is like a body sugar scrub. It has a sweet scent that’s not too overpowering.
WINNER: elf Lip Exfoliator
For the Milani scrub, my fingers feel greasy after using it- I guess it’s to help moisturize the lips after, but I don’t like the feeling. Personally, I think I prefer the elf one because of the way it’s packaged. Also, I felt like the elf one did a better job at sloughing off the dry skin and it feels gentler (the Milani lip scrub is more chunky and messier).
