glow tonic Archives

July 2019 Product Empties

July 30, 2019

Hi Everyone!

I have quite a few cleanser empties this month! I use several at a time (one for morning, one for night). I also switch them up to test different ones out for a bit so that I can post a quick review on Instagram. I also have a few makeup empties for you this month, keep reading to see what products I’d repurchase!

Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser – I didn’t love the herbal smell of this cleanser. It cleansed well, but I’d rather use Cetaphil which is unscented.

Repurchase? No.

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

Repurchase? No.

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

Repurchase? Absolutely!

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

Repurchase? Maybe.

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

Repurchase? Yes.

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

Repurchase? Maybe.

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

Repurchase? Yes.

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

Repurchase? Yes.

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

Repurchase? No.

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

Repurchase? No.

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

Repurchase? Yes, in a different shade.

Love,

items marked with * were gifted to me.

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My Skincare Rotation

October 15, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would do a post to show you what’s on rotation for my everyday skincare. The skincare products I use are pretty basic. I don’t use a lot of acids because I know that some don’t pair well together and it’s easier for me to just not use too many. I do use salicylic acid for acne and there’s Glycolic Acid in the Pixi Glow Tonic, but that’s all I use.

Let’s start with my every day cleanser: The Body Shop Aloe Vera Gentle Foaming Wash. It’s a very gentle cleanser that hasn’t irritated my skin. At least once a week, I exfoliate using the Soo’Ae Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel or the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser.

Once I’ve cleansed, I move on to toners. I’ve been using Pixi Glow Tonic. I use it in the morning and at night after I’ve washed my face. I really love it and it has become a staple in my skincare. I used to use it every day twice a day (AM/PM), but since it exfoliates the face, I don’t use it every day because I have sensitive skin and since I also use other exfoliators, I don’t want to over-exfoliate.

I picked up the Thayers Alcohol-Free Cucumber Witch Hazel Toner from Winners. I’ve been using it in the morning and I can see why everyone loves the toners from Thayers. I also bought the Unscented one too, but I’ll wait until I’m finished this one before opening that one up.

I also use the The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner. The smell is quite strong, so I only use this at night time or on days I’m not leaving the house. I will also use the The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil on days I’m not leaving the house because it has an even stronger smell. I was surprised when I first used the tea tree oil because it isn’t oily like other oils I’ve used. It’s similar to another product from The Body Shop that I used to use (I don’t think it’s available anymore, but it was the Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution).

To moisturize, I will alternate between using my Sonia Roselli Water Balm (read my review) and Tarte Maracuja Oil. I use both products in AM and PM. They’re also both great to use as primers before applying makeup. I would use the Water Balm to moisturize the skin and then use a smoothing primer to minimize pores. I also use the Maracuja Oil as a primer to hydrate my nose (and around it), and my under eyes if they’re looking dry. I will take a drop or two and make sure it has absorbed into the skin well before applying my makeup. Lately, I have also been using the Maracuja Oil on my hands and feet before bed (with cotton gloves and socks). It’s made my hands super smooth and helped clear up some dry patches on my knuckles.

I just emptied the Water Balm, so I have been using the Waso Quick Matte Oil-Free Moisturizer (read my review). I love the consistency of it (gel), but I’m not a huge fan of the smell. It’s a bit too floral for me. I will keep using it and write a full review, but I don’t think it will be a new skincare staple of mine.

For my under eyes, I’ve been using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream (Eyes) (read my review), but it’s not a favourite of mine and I won’t be picking up another. For my lips, I just use Vaseline Jelly Original. Before getting the Maracuja Oil, I would use the Vaseline to moisturize my hands by slathering it all over and then putting cotton gloves on. I’m glad I have the oil now because it absorbs faster than the vaseline and doesn’t stain my gloves and bedsheets.

For sleeping masks, I use the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (read my review). I will use this once a week (when I remember). I also have The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Anti-Imperfection Night Mask, I’ve used it once so far and it definitely helped bring some pimples out.

When I feel a pimple coming, I will use the Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. If there’s a whitehead, I will pop on a COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (read my review).

My skincare routine is fairly simple. Since I have sensitive skin, I prefer gel-like products that are light. Heavy creams don’t seem to react well with my skin. I’ve found that these products have been working for me, so why add more when I don’t need it. Every now and then, I will pop on a sheet mask too.

What’s in your skincare rotation?

Love,

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15 Beauty Favourites I’ve Repurchased | 2018

August 13, 2018

Hi Everyone!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What products have you repurchased?

Love,

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YouTubers Made Me Buy It

July 27, 2018

Hi Everyone!

Have you ever watched a beauty YouTuber review a product and they rave about it so you have to go buy it too? Or read a beauty blogger and saw swatches of the prettiest highlighter that you had to get? Well, there have been quite a lot of products that I’ve purchased over the past two years because I saw a cool video or I watched/read reviews. I’ll let you know if I liked the product and if I’d repurchase.

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) – I love these, but I kind of wish they had different packages for different sizes. Sometimes I have a ton of the smallest size left over until I get a teeny, tiny whitehead.

Repurchase? Absolutely!!

Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid – I bought this last year and don’t know if it was working that well. I had to stop because my skin was reacting to something I was using.

Repurchase? Probably not.

Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser – I quite liked this cleanser and it didn’t dry out my skin too much from the salicylic acid.

Repurchase? Yes.

CUCNZN Blackhead Remover Suction Black Peeling Mask – This is kind of messy. If you put too much on, it can drip. It’s very hard to wash off your hands and clothes. The best way is to let it dry and then peel it.

Repurchase? No, I’d rather try a Biore Pore strip for the face.

Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base – I haven’t put this through testing yet, but I like the formula and I have noticed that it does intensify eyeshadows.

Repurchase? Yes.

Essence Volume Stylist 18h Lash Extension Mascara – This mascara is like $5 and it’s great! It does dry out fairly quickly, but it’s not as painful as buying a $30 tube and having it dry out on you.

Repurchase? Probably. I just bought two other Essence mascaras to see how they compare.

Finishing Touch Flawless Facial Hair Remover (read my review) – It removes hair pretty well and I like the light it has attached when you turn it on.

Repurchase? I’d get the rechargeable one if I get another one.

Garnier All-in-One Cleansing Micellar Water – Originally, I was like, “why does everyone love this water? Isn’t it just water?” Oh, how wrong I was to think that. I love this stuff!

Repurchase? Already have!

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (read my review)- I love the smell of this. It smells so fresh and feel so nice on the skin.

Repurchase? Yes.

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder – This powder is very finely milled and comes with a cute little puff. I’m not a huge fan of the mint smell, but it sets and mattifies my makeup nicely.

Repurchase? Possibly.

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise (read my review) – I compared this to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and I’m sad to say that I’m not a fan of either one.

Repurchase? No.

Makeup Eraser The Original Makeup Eraser (read my review) – I saw this in a BuzzFeed video, I believe and had to see if it really worked. I really like it because it’s so soft.

Repurchase? I bought a dupe that was a 4-pack, so it’ll take me a while, but I’d repurchase when I need to.

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter (read my review) – This is a beautiful highlighter that gives that wet, metallic look.

Repurchase? Yes, I really want some of the other shades.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation – I’ve tried the Matte + Poreless and the Hydrate + Smooth, I preferred the Hydrate + Smooth because it gave a dewy finish.

Repurchase? No. No more drugstore foundations for me.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara – I read that the Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, uses this (don’t know if she still does) and I had to try it for myself.

Repurchase? I bought this, but haven’t tried it yet.

Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Concealer + Corrector – This smells like chemicals to me.

Repurchase? No, I’d rather get the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer.

Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Skin-Transforming Foundation – This was the first drugstore foundation I got. I bought the wrong shade and back then, I didn’t know what primer was or that you had to wet the sponge. Knowing what I know now, I could probably get a better match and get a more beautiful application, but no more drugstore foundations for me.

Repurchase? No. I didn’t love the smell of this.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation – If you read my Mid-Year Inventory on Foundations (click here), you’ll know that I’m looking to find high-end foundations with different finishes and coverage. I didn’t love this one and I’d rather get the Lancome Miracle Cushion Foundation as my sheer foundation.

Repurchase? No.

NYX Setting Spray (Matte) – I think I’d rather pay a little more for a better quality setting spray. I don’t know if this helped a whole lot, but it made my eyes water.

Repurchase? No.

Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter – Why pay $50 when you can pay a fraction of that for a gorgeous, butter highlighter?

Repurchase? Absolutely!! I need more shades!!!

Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Butter Bronzer – Blends like a dream and smells so good (which is surprising because I’m not a huge fan of scented things!!)

Repurchase? Definitely!!

Pixi Glow Tonic – I got a pack that had a travel-size bottle of this and I will definitely be picking up a bigger size when I’m done my current toner.

Repurchase? Definitely!! (UPDATE: I think I’m allergic to witch hazel which means I can no longer use this).

Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist (read my review) – I love Pixi and it smells so good and keeps the face hydrated.

Repurchase? YES!

Pixi Peel & Polish (read my review) – I liked this, but it smells like paint to me and I’ve found other brands I like better.

Repurchase? Probably not.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (read my review) – This sponge gets huge when it’s damp and I love that it has a flat side. I bought this at Winners (4 pack for $20) which was cheaper than at the drugstore.

Repurchase? Absolutely! At Winners though.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler – I didn’t know what I was missing until I bought this eyelash curler. Previously, I’ve used a Tweezerman, Revlon and Sephora lash curler, but this one beats all of those.

Repurchase? When I need to buy a new one, yes!! Although I hear that the Shiseido one is good too and you can buy just the refills for that.

Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder – So pretty!! I wish I could get more shades, but Wet N Wild is hard to find in Canada and Rexall only has a selection of Wet N Wild products.

Repurchase? If I can get my hands on it, yes!!

A lot of the products on this list, I would repurchase. For most of these, I heard more than a few good reviews, which made me buy them. So, it’s no surprise that I love them too.

What products have you bought because of a YouTuber’s recommendations?

Love,

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March 2018 Product Empties

March 31, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I finished quite a lot of products this month and most of them are some of my skincare faves. Here are March’s product empties:

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam – I love the smell of this and it gives you that squeaky clean feeling after using it.

Repurchase? Absolutely! This was my 2nd or 3rd tube of the cleanser.

Rainforest of the Sea Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Stick (read my review)- I really liked this. I was recommended it by a friend and I know why she loves it. I compared this to the Pixi Peel & Polish . TIP: You know when you’ve finished a lipstick and you can’t push up anymore, but there’s still a lot of lipstick in the tube? This is the same. I was able to scrape out a full face’s worth of cleanser from my tiny, travel-sized stick.

Repurchase? YES! I would definitely get the full-sized version.

Pixi Glow Tonic – I really liked this. It made my skin look good.

Repurchase? Yes. (UPDATE: I have realized that I am allergic to witch hazel which is in glow tonic).

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Cream (read my review) – I was sent the Coconut Oil products from Palmer’s Canada. Out of the three products I received, this was my least fave. The cream is very thick and good for using before bed on hands, elbows and feet, but I don’t really like how it comes in a tub.

Repurchase? I don’t think I will be repurchasing the cream, but I would get the lotion.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Oil (read my review) – This was another product received by Palmer’s Canada. I really liked using it after showering.

Repurchase? Yes! It made my skin feel as soft as a baby’s bottom!

Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes – I really like these. They are good for sensitive skin and they have a bit of a texture to get makeup off nicely.

Repurchase? I already bought a replacement at Winners for $5.99.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Green – I got a sample of this and it did the job, but I don’t think I’d pay for a full-size version. There are colour correcting concealers that are a lot cheaper that you can get from the drugstore.

Repurchase? I would buy the Naked Skin Concealer by Urban Decay, but not a colour correcting one.

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in 030 Medium – This powder was okay. It was too dark for me. I’d rather get the Maybelline Fit Me Powder (I’ve read good reviews on that).

Repurchase? I don’t even know if they sell it in stores anymore. Even if they did, I probably wouldn’t repurchase.

Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Sandwash Pink – I don’t think I’d get the full-sized at full price. This was a deluxe sample from Sephora. It was a beautiful colour, but too pink on me. When I was at the MAC Warehouse Sale in December, I picked up the shade Bare Pink (which is more of a peachy-pink) for $10 which I haven’t opened yet. If you want to read about the MAC Warehouse Sale, click here!

Repurchase? No.

Essence Volume Stylist 18h Lash Extension Mascara – I love it and it’s less than $6! Although my tube did dry out fairly quickly, it’s half the price of other drugstore brands and a fraction of designer mascaras.

Repurchase? Maybe.

What were your product empties and what would you repurchase?

Love,

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February 2018 Faves

February 23, 2018

Hi Everyone!

Here are this month’s favourites:

Get a gorgeous, healthy glow using the MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite! I bought mine at the MAC sale. They have other shades now: goldlite, peachlight, silverlite and redlite. I love how you can wear it on its own, or wear it under or over foundation to give a beautiul, dewy look. I don’t use it all over my face, I just put it on the places I would put highlighter.

Every Pixi product I’ve tried, I absolutely love. The Pixi Glow Tonic is no exception. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now. After I get out of the shower, I use it before applying my serums and moisturizers. I bought the Glow Tonic as part of the $25 Peel & Reveal kit from Shoppers Drug Mart. It came with the Rose Flash Balm and the Peel & Polish. I wanted to see if I liked them before purchasing full-sized versions. The Glow Tonic has a nice scent to it (not too strong). It has definitely made my skin feel smoother because it gently exfoliates. I am definitely going to purchase the full-sized bottle once I finish the little one I have. After using it for a longer period of time, I noticed that the redness under my nose was worse when I used it. I stopped using it and it got better. I think I am allergic to witch hazel (read about it here).

I love the Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder with Jeju natural mineral and natural originated mint. I bought it from Chuusi.ca (see my haul) for $9 CAD, and I have been using it to set my makeup. It comes in a small plastic container with a twist-off top and a puff. The puff is incredibly soft and squishy and super useful if you like to carry your powder around (or you can purchase the compact which is $16 CAD). The powder is very finely milled and translucent so you don’t have to worry about matching your skin tone. It leaves my under eye area silky smooth and my concealer has never creased. The mint smell is a bit strong and smells like Chinese herbal medicine.

What were your faves this month?

Love,

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