• june 2022 makeup inventory

    My Makeup Inventory | June 2022

    June 7, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I have an updated makeup inventory list. These posts are more for me to track what products I have/had at a given time. The items in BOLD are unopened/barely used.

    Primers: 3

    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
    • Pixi +C Vit Brightening Perfector*

    Foundations: 3

    • Maybelline Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in Classic Ivory
    • Maybelline Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation in Natural Beige
    • Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation in Fair Lady T2N

    Concealers: 2

    • Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-2: Fair To Light Skin Tones
    • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Neutralizer

    Powders: 3

    • Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
    • Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder (mini)
    • Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in Translucent

    Blushes/Highlighters/Bronzers: 10

    • Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho
    • Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Base
    • Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in 2 Fair
    • Honest Beauty Crème Cheek Blush in Rose Pink
    • Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek (mini) in Werk
    • Burt’s Bees The Luminizer in 1906 Starlight*
    • Milani Strobelight Instant Glow Powder in Afterglow
    • Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in Blossom Glow
    • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Nude Bronze Light
    • Pixi Summer Glow Palette*

    Brows: 3

    • Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ebony
    • Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt, Mascara for Brows in Clear
    • Uoma Beauty Brow-Fro Blow Out Volumizing Gel in 6

    Eyeshadows: 6

    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Intense Gaze
    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Rosette
    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Single in Sunset
    • Catrice Self Made Bae Palette*
    • Charlotte Tilbury Easy Eye Palette
    • Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Single in Half Baked

    Eyeliners: 3

    • Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in 116 White
    • MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil 502 Infinite Sand
    • MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil in 100 Whatever Black

    Mascara: 2

    • L’Oreal Bambi Eye Original Mascara in 407 Extra Noir*
    • L’Oreal Bambi Eye Original Mascara in 400 Blackest Black*

    Lips: 5

    • Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm in Tropical Pineappple*
    • Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in 400
    • L’Oreal Colour Riche Les Nus Intense Nude Lipstick in 173*
    • L’Oreal Rouge Signature Matte Lipstick in I Create 416
    • elf Glossy Lip Stain in Fiery Red*

    TOTAL NUMBER OF ITEMS: 40

    I have quite a few items that I bought last year, but still haven’t opened yet. From the ones I’ve tried so far, I would probably repurchase the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer and the L’oreal Rouge Signature Matte Lipstick.

    Products marked with * were sent to me.

    Read More
  • concealers & colour correctors

    Concealers & Colour Correctors | My Hits & Misses

    April 3, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m sharing my hits and misses for concealers and colour correctors that I’ve tried.

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

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

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

    Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.

    HITS

    Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer – This has become one of my favourites. I still need to try the Radiant Creamy Concealer.

    Maybelline Fit Me Concealer – This is a great concealer, but it needs more shades.

    Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer – This is another great concealer from Maybelline, but I feel like I finished it really quickly compared to other concealers.

    Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer – Love this concealer and would definitely repurchase.

    Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer – I really enjoyed this concealer and would definitely repurchase.

    concealers

    LIKES

    Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer – I tried this before I started beauty blogging so I never tested it out in different ways. I really enjoyed it, but I need to try it again to see if I would bump it up to my “Hits List.”

    Cle de Peau Concealer – This is a really nice concealer, but I don’t think it’s worth it for me.

    Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette (read my review) – I liked the colour correcting shades from this palette.

    Milani Retouch + Erase Light-Lifting Concealer – I liked this concealer, but it needs more shades.

    Colourpop No Filter Concealer – I know this concealer is affordable, but it’s hard to find the perfect shade match online. Also, this concealer oxidizes which I didn’t love.

    Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector in Brick – A Sephora associate suggested this corrector to cover a dark spot I had on my leg for my sister’s wedding. It was a very nice, blendable corrector when I bought it in 2016.   

    Hard Candy Sheer Envy Concealer Palette – I liked the colour correcting shades in this palette. It was very emollient and not too thick. The concealer shades weren’t quite right (even when I tried to mix them to get my shade).

    Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Green – I liked this colour corrector. It was nice and creamy.

    RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up – I liked this concealer, but it started to smell different after a few months.

    Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Concealer – This concealer was okay, but I prefer the Fit Me Concealer.

    NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in Green – The shade of this colour corrector is very minty-green compared to the Urban Decay one (see swatches).

    Physician’s Formula Concealer Twins 2-in-1 Correct and Cover Cream – I tried this when I was first getting into makeup. It was a great starter concealer and colour corrector.

    concealers

    MISSES

    Marcelle CC Concealer + Corrector (read my review) – This was probably the worst concealer I ever tried. It was gritty!

    Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer – This was too thin to provide any coverage for me. It also settled into lines and made my dry under eyes look even drier.

    Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer – This was way too tacky for me. I also got the wrong shade in this one.

    Revlon Colorstay Concealer – I didn’t like the smell of this concealer. It was an okay concealer, but it doesn’t have a very wide shade range.

    Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer – This is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t like this concealer at all. This is too full coverage for me and the scent is way too strong for me.

    Sephora Bright Future Color Corrector (read my review) – I didn’t like this colour corrector.

    Cover FX Correct Click Color Corrector in Yellow – I don’t know if they changed the formula since I purchased the shade Brick in 2016, but the Yellow would pull on my skin and it wasn’t as blendable.

    Concealers I Own, but Haven’t Used

    • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer
    • Laura Mercier Secret Concealer

    To Try

    • Bare Minerals BARESKIN Complete Coverage Serum Concealer
    • Bare Minerals BAREPRO 16-Hr Full Coverage Concealer
    • Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer
    • First Aid Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer
    • Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
    • Kosas Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
    • Milk Flex Concealer
    • Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
    • Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer
    • Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer

    What are your fave concealers?

    Love,

    Read More
  • hera black cushion foundation

    Foundations | My Hits & Misses

    March 17, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m sharing my hits and misses for all foundations that I’ve tried (that I can remember).

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

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

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

    Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.

    Just a heads up that there are quite a few cult fave foundations that I don’t love as much as everyone else. There are more foundations that I’ve tried samples of, but 1) this post would be way too long and 2) I don’t have a full opinion on them since I only used them a handful of times. This post will only include liquids/creams/cushions/sticks. I will include powder foundations in my Powder Hits & Misses post since I haven’t tried as many. It will also only include foundations that are still available. I’m going to keep my little reviews as short as I can especially if I have a full review of the foundation. I will link them so you can read them if you’d like.

    In no particular order, here are my Hits, Likes and Misses:

    Hits

    Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick (read my review) – This might be my favourite stick foundation I’ve tried to date. I even had the wrong shade. It was perfect for a girls trip. I packed this to use as foundation/concealer. This is one of my favourite Bobbi Brown items (Bobbi Brown Hits & Misses). I  bought it at the MAC Warehouse Sale and would definitely pay full price for it.

    Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 – This would be my 2nd favourite stick foundation.

    Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation (read my review) – Love this. Even though it’s labelled as a foundation, it’s more like a tinted moisturizer. If only they had more shades available (I’m in between shades).

    Lancôme Miracle Cushion Foundation – I need to find the right shade because the one I was using is too pink for me.

    Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – I feel like this has a little more coverage than what I’d consider a tinted moisturizer. It’s a great product though.

    dior backstage face & body foundation

    Likes

    Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation – Beautiful foundation and one of the closest matches I’ve ever had. It does have fragrance in it and oddly enough, it doesn’t smell that great. I would rather try the self-refreshing one that doesn’t have any fragrance in it.

    Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation (read my review) – While this was a beautiful foundation, it just didn’t last long on me. I don’t know if the primers I tried were just too slippy or something. It looked beautiful on the skin, but I just couldn’t find the right shade match. It was either too pink or too orange.

    Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF50* (read my review) – Nice cushion foundation, but I’m between shades.

    Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation – Can’t find a good shade match, but this is a nice foundation.

    Maybelline Fit Me Hydrate + Smooth Foundation (read my review) – I wish this had a pump. I’m also not crazy about the scent of this. Not my fave foundation.

    Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick (read my review) – I liked it, but didn’t love this enough. It was just too full coverage for me (even when I used a very thin layer).

    Hera Black Cushion Foundation – My sister got this for me in Korea. I just picked a shade that I thought would be okay based on pictures. Even though I’m quite light, the shade is too light for me. Plus, this is very fragranced (like a lot of K-Beauty products). The foundation itself is nice, but the fragrance is just too much for me. Plus, it’s hard for me to get in Canada. If it is available, it’s more than I’m willing to spend. So, I’d rather spend the money on something else.

    The Ordinary Serum Foundation (read my review) – not my fave, but not my least fave.

    The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream (read my review) – At the time I wrote the review for this, I really enjoyed it. Since then, I’ve tried other products I prefer more.

    Perricone MD No Foundation Serum Broad Spectrum SPF30 (read my review) – Nice foundation that looks natural and provides sheer coverage.

    shiseido synchro skin luminizing glow foundation

    Misses

    For the foundation misses, there are ones that either just didn’t impress me much, didn’t provide enough coverage or had too much coverage.

    Almay Clear Complexion Make Myself Clear Makeup* – I don’t really want makeup that has salicylic acid.

    NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil* (read my review) – not my shade and coverage was too light for me.

    Bali Body BB Cream (read my review) – This provided no coverage whatsoever.

    NYX HD Studio Photogenic Foundation – Broke me out and smelled like plastic.

    Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer – Was way too thick for me and shade range wasn’t great.

    Garnier BB Cream – Shade range is terrible and it made my eyes water. Too much alcohol in it??

    Nars Velvet Matte Foundation Stick –  I bought this at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale and it just didn’t wow me. It sounds kind of mean, but there’s a reason that this is rarely on lists of Fave Stick Foundations.

    Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation – Washed off easily with water and looked patchy on dry spots. What would happen if I wore this when it’s raining or went on a Maid of the Mist boat tour??

    Nude by Nature Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation* (read my review) – Not enough coverage.

    Nude by Nature BB Cream* (read my review) – Not enough coverage.

    Wet N Wild Photofocus Foundation – Shade was wrong, too matte for me. I know they came out with a dewy version, but I also didn’t like the smell or the fact that it used a spatula instead of a pump.

    The following foundations are ones I can’t give a definitive opinion on:

    Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation – I think I had the wrong shade and also knew nothing about applying it. I ended up throwing this out despite not using it very often.

    Holika Holika Gudetama Photo Ready Cushion Foundation – wrong shade. Wasn’t my fave cushion though.

    Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation – This was one of the first liquid foundations from the drugstore that I bought. It smells like chemicals, but I remember it being nice (I had the wrong shade though).

    Nars Sheer Glow Foundation – I can’t say if I like or hate this because I bought the wrong shade. I bought this before I knew what I wanted in a foundation. I never fully tested it out. I would prefer a foundation that has a pump (instead of buying one separately and NARS has nice foundations that come with a pump).

    To Try

    • Bite Changemaker Micellar Foundation
    • L’Oréal Infallible 24Hr Freshwear Foundation
    • Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
    • Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
    • Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation

    What are your fave foundations?

    Love,

    Products marked with (*) were sent to me for review.

    Read More
  • milani baked blush empty

    January 2020 Product Empties

    January 31, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    Here are my first empties of the decade!

    Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink – This was a beautiful blush that had the perfect amount of pink and shimmer.

    Repurchase? Absolutely! I would also try other shades.

    Sephora The Cleanse: Daily Brush Cleaner – I bought my first bottle of this years ago and it took me a while to finish it. It was probably expired by the time I finished it, to be honest. It had a pleasant smell when I first bought it, but they’ve since changed the scent of it. It smells more like chemicals which I don’t like. Although it does clean brushes well (for a quick clean).

    Repurchase? No.

    Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer in 21 Cinnamon – I really enjoyed this concealer. I bought it last year during the Sephora sale, so as you can see, I used it up pretty quickly. It looked really nice on the skin.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation Stick SPF21 in 260 Bisque N – I decided to declutter this because I’ve had it for a while. I peeled off the sticker on it and it said it expired in 2018 which was when I bought it! I liked it, but I think I actually prefer the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick. I liked this one better than the Hourglass Vanish Stick though. The Hourglass was just too full coverage for me (even using it sparingly).

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    1 newbie, 1 empty

    Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème – I just featured this in my monthly favourites post. I really liked this eye cream. I don’t have dark circles, so I don’t know if it helps with that, but my under eyes felt moisturized and smooth. No reactions to it at all! I have heard that people have used it for a few months and all of a sudden, they had a terrible allergic reaction to it. Their eyes would get puffy and red 🙁 

    Repurchase? Sadly, no. If it causes reactions after using it for a while, I don’t want to repurchase.

    Rael Miracle Patches (read my review) – Love these hydrocolloid patches!

    Repurchase? Already have.

    What did you finish this month?

    Love,

    Read More
  • makeup of the day

    My Makeup Routine | Fall 2019

    September 23, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I thought I’d share my makeup routine lately. My skin has been getting better so I’ve been doing more No Foundation looks when I go out. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that my Makeup Of The Day posts all look the same because I keep using the same products. I’m trying to finish some of my current collection before buying any more.

    Below is a list of most of the products in my makeup collection. Some products aren’t included (like eyeshadows and my contour palette because I don’t use them every day). Any product that was sent to me will have a (*) after the name:

    PRIMER/SPRAY

    • Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer
    • Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer
    • Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer
    • Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizing Primer (Nourishing)
    • Nars Tinted Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base in Medium (if I’m wearing eye makeup)
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (didn’t use in Summer, but will use in Fall and Winter)
    • Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
    • Cover FX Dewy Setting Spray

    For primers, I might use a mix of two (hydrating and blurring). I’m enjoying the Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer and Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer.

    FOUNDATION

    • Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation in Golden 3
    • Nars Velvet matte Foundation Stick in Fiji
    • Lancome Teint Idole Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 in 260 Bisque N
    • Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Full Coverage Powder Foundation in Light Neutral

    CONCEALER

    • RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up in 11
    • Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Custard
    • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer in 21 Cinnamon

    Sometimes I might just use concealer and pop on some Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder to mattify.

    POWDER

    • Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light
    • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in 2 Medium
    • Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

    BRONZER

    • Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Boogie Down Bronzing Powder in J217 Safari
    • NYX California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer in Free Spirit

    BLUSH

    • Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
    • Nars Liquid Blush in Luster
    • Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho

    HIGHLIGHTER

    • theBalm Mary Dew-Manizer (mini)
    • theBalm Cindy Dew-Manizer (mini)
    • Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 01 Highlight
    • Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7

    Sometimes I’ll use my bronzer or highlighter as my eyeshadow. The NYX California Beamin’ Bronzer has a bit of a sheen, so it’s really pretty on the eyes.

    EYES

    • Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
    • Art Deco Eyeshadow Single in Off White (to set eyeshadow primer)
    • Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadow in M549 Dark Taupe
    • Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 502 Infinite Sand
    • Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 100 Whatever Black
    • Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
    • Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara*
    • Benefit BADgal BANG Volumizing Mascara

    BROWS

    • Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette
    • Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define in 6*
    • Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel in Perfect Brow
    • Colourpop Boss Brow Clear Gel

    I haven’t been doing a lot on the eyes lately. I might just put a light brown and blend or use my bronzer. I’ll use a nude eyeliner along the lower waterline to brighten the eyes. Then I might tightline the upper lashline with a brown/black. For brows, I’ll either use just the Charlotte Tilbury eyebrow gel or use one of the pencils and follow up with one of the gels.

    LIPS

    • Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Balm
    • Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Grapefruit*
    • Dr. Paw Paw Original Clear Balm
    • Perricone MD No Lip Gloss Lip Gloss*
    • Pixi On-The-Glow Multi-Use Moisture Stick*

    I have been preferring lip balms/glosses over lipsticks lately. Just adding a bit of gloss to the lips leaves them looking plump and moisturized.

    What products are in your makeup routine?

    Love,

    Read More

  • My Beauty Faves of 2018

    January 1, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    It’s my first post of 2019!!!

    From now on, I will be posting on Tuesdays & Fridays. Posting Mon-Wed-Fri was getting to be too much for me, so I think cutting down to twice a week will be okay for now.

    Here are 19 beauty faves that I will definitely repurchase once I’ve finished these:

    • Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette – UPDATE: I no longer plan to repurchase this palette or any products from the brand. I do want to find a similar contour shade to sombre from this palette though
    • Tula Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel
    • Tula Discovery Kit
      • Purifying Cleanser
      • Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel
      • Illuminating Face Serum
      • Hydrating Day & Night Cream
    • Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
    • Kopari Coconut Deodorant
    • L’Oréal Skin Pure Sugar Scrub (Kiwi)
    • Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Butter Bronzer in Deep
    • Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter in Pink
    • Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick in 260 Bisque N
    • Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer
    • Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Light Neutral
    • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Treatment Concealer in Light
    • Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
    • NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Custard
    • Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel
    • Make Up For Ever Lustrous Palette (Limited Edition, but the shadows are available in singles) – I love the transition and shimmery shades in this palette. I need to work on using the darker shades more. I took these shadows out of this palette and put them into an empty MAC palette. The black part surrounding the shadows was made of foam. Every time I opened the palette, I would get a whiff of plastic/foam. Luckily, I was able to take the shadows out since it was just glued onto another layer of foam.
    Make Up For Ever Lustrous Palette

    What were your faves of 2018?

    Love,

    jen
    Read More

  • November 2018 Product Empties

    December 3, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Here are last month’s product empties:

    Amika Nourishing Mask – I got this on Amazon, so this is the old packaging. The new one looks pretty much the same (design-wise), but the font is a bit bigger. This mask made my hair smooth and shiny.

    Repurchase? Maybe. I did really enjoy it, but I think I would rather get a hair mask from the drugstore because I really enjoyed the Garnier ones I’ve tried.

    Sephora Yuzu Micellar Cleansing Water – The lemon scent makes me think of dish soap. While it does the job to remove makeup, it kind of makes my eyelids tingle. I gave it to my mom (who doesn’t have sensitive skin) and she noticed that when she used it, her face would be red after removing her makeup. She rarely has reactions from products, so it was weird. I used what was left in the bottle to clean my makeup sponge.

    Repurchase? I don’t think they sell it anymore. Even if they did, I would not repurchase.

    Tarte Maracuja Oil – I love this oil! I use it as a moisturizer and a primer.

    Repurchase? I already repurchased a supersize bottle! The supersize is available on Tarte and it’s $22 more than the regular size, but twice the size. I got it during the Black Friday sale when it was 20% off!

    Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Redness Correcting) – I love the MUFE primers, but this one is kind of useless. If you want to colour correct redness, get an actual concealer that corrects instead of a primer. I’ve written a This or That post comparing this to the Smashbox primer. While this one performs better than the Smashbox one, it still doesn’t do as much as an actual colour corrector.

    Repurchase? Not the redness correcting primer, but I have already repurchased other MUFE Step 1 Equalizer Primers.

    The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Exfoliating Gel Body Scrub (read my review) – The gel texture of this made me use it faster because it was easy to just scoop some out with my hand and get too much.

    Repurchase? No.

    BCL SPA Lavender + Mint Dead Sea Salt Soak – I enjoyed this a lot and it made me feel very relaxed.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    BCL SPA Lavender + Mint Sugar Scrub (not pictured) (read my review) – I loooved this; it smells amazing and makes your skin feel baby smooth. I’m sad I used it up so quickly because it’s so expensive.

    Repurchase? Probably not. I just can’t justify the price tag, but I will try to duplicate it with a DIY sugar scrub or find one that’s more accessible and affordable.

    Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner (conditioner is not pictured) – I liked the smell of this and it made my hair feel soft.

    Repurchase? Possibly.

    Johnson’s Baby Shampoo – I used this to clean my makeup brushes and sponges.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Lady Speed Stick Invisible in Cool & Fresh – The smell is very nice, but after a while, it started to smell different; not as fresh. I want to start using natural deodorants that don’t have aluminum.

    Repurchase? No.

    Delectable by Cake Beauty The Everything Powder – When I first tried it, I loved it. It doesn’t have talc and it was great to use as a setting powder, but I just don’t love the smell that much. I’ve said it multiple times, but it smells like this toy that my cousin had. It was a baby that comes with a bottle and spoon and you put the spoon in the bottle and it ‘fills’ up with cherries and you feed the baby and the cherries disappear.

    Repurchase? No.

    Delectable by Cake Beauty The Everything Balm – I enjoyed this when I got a little tube from a Topbox, so I bought a full-sized bottle. The full size comes with a pump, but the pump sucks. It doesn’t dispense the product and it smells a bit different from when I used the small tube.

    Repurchase? No.

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) – I love these. They’re amazing.

    Repurchase? YES!!

    Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel Cream (read my review) – This didn’t hydrate my eyes as much as other eye products I’ve tried which was disappointing because it’s a good price for an eye cream.

    Repurchase? No.

    Essence The False Lashes Extreme Volume & Curl Mascara (read my review) – This mascara held the curl of my lashes well, but it was quite flaky.

    Repurchase? No.

    Rimmel Moisture Renew Universal Transparent Lip Liner in 001 Universal – This is a clear lip liner that you can use for any lipstick. The only problem with it was that I could see where I was drawing on my lips. Also, it’s retractable and I prefer a pencil that you can sharpen so I can get a more defined line.

    Repurchase? No.

    Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 855 Berry Smoothie – This was a gorgeous shade, but I just didn’t like it on me. It looked like my lips were stained from eating berries and I always wore it with Vaseline on top or underneath to sheer it out.

    Repurchase? I would consider repurchasing a Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick, but not in this shade.

    Bourjois Twist Up The Volume Mascara (read my review) – This was an interesting mascara, but if I were to spend over $20 on a mascara, I would get one from Sephora that I like better.

    Repurchase? No.

    Milani Color Statement Lipstick in 26 Nude Crème – I loved this shade. It was a “My Lips But Better” shade, but I didn’t love the watermelon scent of the lipstick.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Check out my Black Friday Haul!

    What did you finish last month?

    Love,

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  • October 2018 Product Empties

    October 31, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Happy Hallowe’en! Here are this month’s product empties.

    Dove Advanced Hair Series Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil (read my review) – I don’t do a lot of things to my hair, so it’s in pretty good shape. I don’t think I really need a hair oil, but I think every now and then I’d use a hair mask. This did make my hair feel soft, so if you need something to help smooth and soften your hair, I’d recommend this.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – I got a little sample of this and it lasted a long time (probably because I liked it and I was saving it until I bought another). I mostly used it on and around my nose to moisturize those areas. It could sometimes look cakey in those areas after a few hours of wearing foundation. So, I learned to be light-handed with it and make sure it absorbed before applying my makeup on top.

    Repurchase? Absolutely. Although, right now, I’m using the Tarte Maracuja Oil instead (it’s cheaper because it has more in the bottle for the price).

    Milani Keep It Sweet Sugar Scrub (read my review) – Initially, I really liked it, but I realized it was kind of just moving the loose skin on my lips back and forth instead of actually scrubbing it off. I would rather use a warm, wet cloth to exfoliate or use the elf lip scrub.

    Repurchase? No.

    Sonia Roselli Water Balm (read my review) – When I first got this, I used way too much of it. I learned that a smaller scoop went a long way because when you rub your hands together, it turns to water beads.

    Repurchase? Absolutely!

    Bobbi Brown Intensive Long Wear Makeup Remover – This was a really good makeup remover, but there are tons of drugstore brands that are more affordable. I only had this because I got it free when I purchased a palette from Nordstrom.

    Repurchase? No.

    First Aid Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer – I don’t really love the smell of this. I’d rather get the Sonia Roselli Water Balm if I’m going to get a 2-in-1 moisturizer and primer.

    Repurchase? No.

    Live Clean Biotin Extra Body Shampoo & Conditioner – This shampoo says it thickens and volumizes. While I could use some volume in my hair, it definitely doesn’t need to be thicker. I liked the smell of this shampoo and conditioner. I didn’t really notice if it did, in fact, thicken and volumize my hair. I noticed that this conditioner was the thickest of the Live Clean conditioners I tried.

    Repurchase? No, my hair is already thick.

    Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water (Waterproof) – This micellar water is great to remove makeup. Although, it does have an oily feeling. So, if you prefer not to have that feeling, get the pink one that’s not for removing waterproof makeup.

    Repurchase? Absolutely, but I want to try other micellar waters.

    Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam – This had some type of bead in it which I didn’t like. If I’m using a foamy cleanser, I want it to be nice and smooth. This was very fragranced and I’m not sure if my skin had a reaction from it.

    Repurchase? No.

    Earth Therapeutics Purifying Foot Scrub – I bought this a loooong time ago at Winners. It’s a good scrub and it made my feet and hands feel smooth, but I don’t know if they still sell it. One thing that I didn’t like is that it was really hard to squeeze out product, I don’t know if it was a flaw in the design or something, but I always had to use both hands to squeeze out the scrub.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub – I think this was an old formula, so it still had the plastic beads to exfoliate. I was using it every day which was too much for me. If I use it a few times a week, I think it would’ve been okay. I didn’t really love this product.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash – This product worked well. It concerned me that it said not to use on the face though- how much stronger is it than their other tea tree products?

    Repurchase? Possibly.

    Essence Get BIG! Lashes Triple Black Mascara (read my review) – This mascara does darken and volumize my lashes…and it’s a great price! The brush is just too big for my lashes.

    Repurchase? No.

    Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Lipglossy Lip Gloss in Pinky (read my review) – This is a beautiful lip gloss shade, but it’s so expensive and I don’t really like that it’s scented.

    Repurchase? No.

    Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer in Warm Ivory – I did not like this concealer. I would rather get a drugstore one than use this one. I got a bit of a reaction from using this concealer under my eyes. When I swatched on my hand and blended it out, it would look beautiful, but when I used it under my eyes, it would just look terrible. I’m glad I didn’t pay full price for this (bought it at the MAC Warehouse Sale).

    Repurchase? NO.

    Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Balance Stick Foundation in 130 Buff Beige (read my review) – I actually really loved this foundation (I think I preferred it to the liquid Fit Me). It lasted throughout the day on hot summer days. Of course, I would still get shiny in the t-zone, but it still looked really good after 8 hours of wear. I don’t know how it would do on someone with oily skin, but it worked great on my normal-dry skin. I’ve compared it to the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation stick (read my review).

    Repurchase? If I were going to continue buying drugstore foundations, I would definitely buy this again.

    bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation in Cashmere – This was a sample size and I really liked using it to pop in my purse (because of the size of the sample) for spot conceal touch-ups. I also liked using it to clean up my brows.

    Repurchase? I prefer loose powder foundations, but I would definitely consider bareMinerals.

    OPI Mini Nail Lacquer in Tickle My France-y – I love this colour, it’s a pinky-purple shade. I have to declutter this mini because the polish was starting to get really thick when I painted it onto my nails.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    What did you finish this month?

    Love,

    jen

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  • September 2018 Product Empties

    October 1, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    This month I went through a lot of products! So, let’s get started!

    Bioré Blemish Fighting Astringent – This would sometimes sting my skin (even if I didn’t have a pimple. The alcohol content was very high and would make my eyes water.

    Repurchase? No.

    belif bergamot Toner – This was a very nice, gentle toner.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Spectro AcneCare Wash – This was a great acne wash that wasn’t too strong.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) – Cannot get enough of these patches, they’re amazing!

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Clinique Pep-Start Quick Cleansing Swipes – These were gentle and removed makeup okay.

    Repurchase? No longer available, I believe.

    The Face Shop Clean Face Clear Away Spot Treatment (read my review) – This wasn’t very strong, I would rather buy the Kate Somerville eradiKate or Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    The Face Shop Jeju Volcanic Lava Self-Heating Clay Mask (read my review) – This was interesting. The self-heating factor might be good for body aches (although it would be a bit messy).

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Live Clean Baby Colloidal Oatmeal Eczema Cream – This cream definitely smelled like oatmeal. I don’t know if it did anything to help. I was using it when I didn’t have any eczema flare ups.

    Repurchase? Probably not, I would rather get a Cetaphil cream bottle.

    got2be Guardian Angel Gloss Finish Flat Iron Balm – I have only ever tried 2 heat protectant sprays, but this did the job and made my hair look glossy.

    Repurchase? I have.

    Remay Shave Gel Bar – I received this for free and while it smelled nice and was very nice to shave with, I probably wouldn’t purchase it.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo – I got this in a Topbox and I knew it was expensive so I kept not using this little bottle. I love the smell of this dry shampoo and I got compliments twice when using it that I smelled nice.

    Repurchase? I finally splurged and bought a new one. I got a mini because the big size was out of stock.

    Live Clean Mineral Clay Rebalancing Shampoo + Conditioner – I liked this shampoo and conditioner.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette (read my review) – This is a good concealer palette if you’re just starting out and don’t want to splurge. You can use it to colour correct, conceal and contour.

    Repurchase? No, because Coastal Scents charges shipping to Canada.

    Colourpop No Filter Concealer in Light 20 – This concealer was bought before they added more shades, so there’s no longer a shade called Light 20. This concealer was okay for me. It oxidized really quickly. I would rather get Maybelline Fit Me Concealer since that’s easier for me to pick up.

    Repurchase? No.

    Milani Retouch + Erase Light-Lifting Concealer in 02 Light – This is a thick concealer that blends out nicely. I wasn’t sure if I would like it because I thought it might cause creasing under my eyes, but I wore it for over 8 hours and it didn’t crease 

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (Colour Correcting- Adjust) (read my review) – This did nothing to cover redness.

    Repurchase? No.

    Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer (read my review) – This was an okay primer, I didn’t love it and didn’t hate it.

    Repurchase? No.

    Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Smoothing) – This is one of my fave smoothing primers.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in Y245 – This was a great foundation, but the shade was too yellow. I think I’d need to mix two shades with different undertones to get the right match.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Foundation in 1025 Natural Beige (read my review) – Because this foundation is very natural, it washed away easily with water. I didn’t like the smell of it either and it lingered after applying it.

    Repurchase? No.

    Fenty Pro’Filtr Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in 150 – This was too matte for me. While it was beautiful, I prefer something more luminous and natural.

    Repurchase? No.

    Coastal Scents Revealed3 Palette (read my review) – These had some great neutral colours if you’re starting out with eyeshadows.

    Repurchase? No.

    Urban Decay troublemaker Mascara – This deluxe sample was hard to judge the full-sized because it was such a short stick, I couldn’t apply the mascara very well to my lashes.

    Repurchase? No.

    Bella Pierre Cheek Stain in Coral – It was pretty, but I feel like I never gave it a fair shot. I think I’d prefer a cheek stain that twists up or in a pan instead of a pot.

    Repurchase? No.

    Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara – While this was easy to wash off, it didn’t do much for my lashes.

    Repurchase? No.

    bareMinerals Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick in Tutu – It was a pretty pink shade, but a bit too pale pink on me. I might consider buying a different shade.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Dior Addict Lipstick in 983 Insoumise – My mom bought this for my sister’s wedding, but it was way too pink for her and had shimmer in it, so she gave it to me. It’s a beautiful pink shade, but it’s a bit too pink for me too. I would sort of do an ombré lip with this on top of a nude/pink lipstick and it added the perfect amount of shine and pink.

    Repurchase? Not this shade, but I loved how hydrating this lipstick was, so I would definitely consider getting the Dior Addict Lip Glow or purchasing a different shade.

    What products did you finish this month?

    Love,

    jen

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  • August 2018 Product Empties

    September 3, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I finished some makeup products which brings me one step closer to streamlining my makeup collection! Yay for progress! → Check out my makeup goals

    Pearlessence Cucumber Water – I bought this at Winners for $10. I liked that it was in a glass bottle, but the mist would sting my eyes. I got it in my mouth a few times and it tasted horrible.

    Repurchase? No.

    Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer in 01 Creamy Vanilla – If you’ve been reading my blog for a while now, you’ll know that I am planning to only purchase high-end foundations from now on. This was a very thick foundation/concealer, if you used a beauty sponge to blend it, it could sheer out a bit. It looked nice, but it was way too full coverage for me. I’d rather use a sheer, dewy foundation and then use a spot concealer on areas that need covering up. I would’ve used this more as a concealer, but the shade I bought was a tad too yellow for me. So, if I didn’t use it all over the face, I would have random yellow splotches on my face. It had a bit of a perfume-y scent to it that I didn’t really like. I didn’t really give this a proper wear test (as a foundation). I mostly used it when I took pictures for Instagram and practised applying my makeup.

    Repurchase? No.

    The Body Shop All-in-One BB Cream Colour-Adapting Tinted Cream (read my review) – I gave this a 5/5 in my review, but since then, I have tried the Lancome Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation which I really love (read my review).

    L’Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in 370 Jennifer’s Nude – This is one of my fave lipsticks! It’s interesting because when I swatch it on my arm, it’s like a sheer peachy-pink, but when it’s on my lips, it’s a beautiful pinky-nude.

    Repurchase? I bought another tube a few months after purchasing the first one because I thought it was going to be limited edition. I think I will wait until I’ve used up some other lipsticks before breaking out the new tube though.

    GOSH Click’N Conceal Pen in 01 Light (read my review) – I liked this concealer, but they no longer sell it at Shoppers Drug Mart.

    Repurchase? Unavailable.

    Repurchase? Probably not. I really like it, but I looove the Lancome Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation.

    Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo – I don’t love the smell of this one, but it does make my hair look shiny and feel soft.

    Repurchase? Not this particular Live Clean shampoo.

    Live Clean Apple Cider Ultra Light Conditioner – Like the shampoo, this conditioner smells like apple juice to me. It doesn’t make my hair feel as soft as the other ones.

    Repurchase? Not this particular Live Clean conditioner.

    The Ordinary “Buffet” Multi-Technology Peptide Serum (read my review) – After my initial first impressions review, I realized just how tacky it made my face feel. I want a skincare product that doesn’t feel tacky or cause my makeup to pill.

    Repurchase? No.

    Love,

    jen

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  • Decluttered | August 2018

    August 29, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

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

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

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

    Repurchase? No.

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

    Repurchase? YES!

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

    Repurchase? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

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

    Repurchase? No.

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

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

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

    Repurchase? No.

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

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

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

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

    Repurchase? Probably not.

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

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

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

    Love,

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  • elf Lip Exfoliator vs. Milani Keep It Sweet Sugar Scrub

    This Or That | elf Lip Exfoliator vs. Milani Keep It Sweet Sugar Scrub

    August 20, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    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).

    What’s your fave lip scrub?

    Love,

    jen
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  • May 2018 Product Empties

    May 30, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I finished quite a few products this month, so here are my empties:

    belif Creamy cleansing foam moist – It smelled like plants and I didn’t notice if it really helped to detoxify my skin or help prevent breakouts. It did make my face feel squeaky clean though (like the other The Face Shop cleansers).

    Repurchase? I got a small travel-size one in a kit so I didn’t know how much a full-size tube cost. After seeing the price, I don’t think I’d buy the full-size when The Face Shop has so many other great cleansers for less.

    COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser – This is a great cleanser for a good price. I know it’s safe to use daily, but I use it a few times a week. It also smells planty/botanical, but that’s no big deal since I wash it off.

    Repurchase? Absolutely!

    Danielle Creations Erase Your Face Tea Tree Purifying Cleansing Cloths – I got these at Winners for a really good price. I liked that it had the plastic that you open and close and it snaps in place so you know it’s closed properly. I don’t like the ones where you just rip off the sticky part and then stick it back on when you’ve taken out your wipes. Sometimes I don’t close it properly and my wipes dry out :/

    Repurchase? These were extremely thick, soft and they smelled nice. I would definitely buy these again!

    Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray – I just had the little travel-sized one that I got as a promo from Sephora. Given the price of a full-size, I’m not sure if I would get it.

    Repurchase? It’s a good product, but I want to try out other ones that are cheaper before I consider repurchasing this one.

    Milani Eye Tech Perfection Liquid Liner – I am terrible at doing winged liner. The shape of this helped me with the flick. I bought a bunch of Milani products on sale (read my review and a swatch of this liner).

    Repurchase? Similar to the setting spray, I want to try out more before I repurchase (not that it’s expensive, but I know there are better liners out there from other drugstore brands).

    Chosungah22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker in Black Brown – I picked this up at Winners after I had returned the Benefit Gimme Brow when it was recalled. It was similar to Gimme Brow, but then it had that sponge tip at the end which I found made it difficult to comb through my brows without accidentally getting some gel onto my skin.

    Repurchase? No.

    Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara – I really liked this mascara (read my review).

    Repurchase? I did love this mascara, but there are so many great ones from the drugstore and I prefer not to spend more than $15 on a mascara. I will be keeping the wand though because I liked the brush.

    Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer – I haven’t tried a lot of shadow primers, but I think I prefer ones that aren’t so thick.

    Repurchase? I hear the Milani primer is really good and there’s other ones I want to try, so I don’t think I will be buying a new one.

    What were your product empties for May?

    Love,

    jen

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  • mac lip pencil

    September/October 2017 Faves

    November 3, 2017

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m starting a new blog series for my monthly beauty favourites. Check out September and October’s faves!

    media-20171103.jpgMaybelline Fit Me Concealer

    This is a great concealer! I just wish they had more shade selections (I have 10 Light and 25 Medium). One of my faves from the drugstore!

    23.jpgMilani products- see my haul and swatches. I’m in love with all of these products. I especially love the lipstick. I have the shade 26 Nude Crème for the lipstick and 02 Light for the concealer.

    media-201711033 Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment

    This has become a fave acne treatment. It’s great for drying out those big, pesky pimples that hurt. Sometimes it takes a few applications over a few days to get them to shrink down. You don’t want to use it too much in the same place since it’s so strong and very drying on your skin. I still have yet to try the similar Mario Badescu drying lotion which I’ve heard works really well too. I also bought one from The Face Shop, and plan to do a dupe it out since it’s a lot cheaper than the eradiKate.

    20170911_025516Pink Perfection kit from Estee Lauder (no longer sold in stores)

    I’m loving this kit. The eyeshadows are velvety smooth and pigmented and the Pure Color Envy lipstick is so creamy and comfortable.

    20170911_031542MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Kittenish

    Sometimes I don’t want a super pigmented lip product like lipstick and a balm doesn’t always have colour. The patentpolish is like a hybrid of a balm and a lipstick. Kittenish is a mauvey pink shade…wish I bought more of these at the Mac Warehouse sale (I’ll have to get more next time).

    lancome

    Lancome Miracle Cushion Foundation in 025 Beige Naturel

    If it’s not obvious from my #motd posts, I love this cushion foundation. It gives you a natural finish and unlike some liquid foundations, it doesn’t look cakey or make my nose look dry. My nose area tends to be dry and foundation can make it look patchy but this cushion foundation doesn’t do that. Originally, my mom bought it for herself but she didn’t like the feel of liquid foundations even though this is a very sheer formula. She gave this to me since we’re the same shade and she opted for the Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Foundation Face Powder (25 Beige).

    media-20171103343434Lush Cup O’Coffee Face and Body Mask

    I am loving this mask. It deeply cleanses pores and buffs dryness to reinvigorate your skin. It’s vegan so it does expire a little faster than a non-vegan one. My face feels super smooth after using this and the coffee grounds aren’t abrasive. Although I don’t drink coffee, I love the smell of it and it makes me feel refreshed and awake after using it. I haven’t used it on my body yet, but I imagine it would have the same effect.

    media-201711034343Buxom Lash Mascara

    This is a deluxe sample (the full-sized one has a silver top). I don’t usually love silicone wands but this keeps my lashes clump-free and my lashes still feel soft after using this. If only the price tag weren’t so high (I usually stick to drug store mascaras since their shelf life isn’t very long). I definitely need to find a dupe for this mascara.

    media-2017110352Garnier’s All-in-1 Cleansing Micellar Water

    This removes waterproof makeup and doesn’t leave my eyes feeling sticky like some eye makeup removers I’ve used. Even though it says you don’t need to rinse, I like to wash my face after using it because it has a slightly greasy feeling (even though there’s no oil in it) after using it. I’ve tried the pink one (not for waterproof makeup) and you don’t have to shake it before using.

    media-23.jpgStep 1 Skin Equalizer Primers from Make Up For Ever

    These are some of my faves. I love these three: Smoothing, Redness Correcting and Hydrating. Sometimes I use them for different parts of my face. When I have some redness around my nose and chin, then the smoothing primer on areas where my pores are more visible and then hydrating everywhere else. I’m not usually one to like scented skincare products, but I love the light scent of these.

    UPDATE: I have recently added the Nourishing primer to my collection and it’s better than the hydrating one.

    What were your faves from September and October?

    Love,

    jen

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