Lkins Skincare Coconut & Honey Aloe Cleanser (read my review) – I didn’t love the smell of this (like coconuts and almond oil), but it was a very gentle cleanser that didn’t strip the natural oils on my face.
Repurchase? No.
Lkins Skincare Hydrating Toner (read my review) – This was also a nice and gentle toner, but I didn’t love that it came in a spray bottle because it didn’t mist nicely since it’s a thicker product.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Lkins Skincare Vitamin C Eye Gel (read my review) – This didn’t hydrate my dry under eyes enough, but it was very gentle and light on the under eyes.
Repurchase? Probably not.
No Pong All Natural Anti Odourant (read my review) – I liked that this was all natural and didn’t have aluminium or baking soda, but I didn’t love that I had to use my hands to apply it. I’d rather use a roll-on type of deodorant where I don’t have to touch it.
Repurchase? No.
TULA Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream – This was a nice and light gel cream and I liked it as much as the TULA Hydrating Day & Night Cream. However, I don’t think I would purchase the full-sized.
I finished quite a few things this month (including some products from my Project Pan) and also retired a few eye/brow products. Keep reading to see what I would repurchase!
Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream(travel size) – This is a great cream. It doesn’t feel oily or too heavy. I used it both AM & PM like the name suggests. I don’t love that it comes in a pot. I prefer squeeze tubes or pumps.
Repurchase? Probably not (because it’s in a pot).
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly – I finally finished a huuuuge tub of Vaseline. I used it all over. I would put tons on my hands and feet before bed and wear cotton gloves and socks to bed.
Repurchase? Obviously. Doesn’t everyone always have some form of vaseline in their house? Whether it’s a huge tub or a squeeze tube.
KORAI Cloud Cleanser(read my review) – I enjoyed this cleanser, it has Black Soap, Shea Butter and it was very gentle.
Repurchase? Yes.
KORAI Amber Oil (read my review) – I also enjoyed the Amber Oil. It didn’t break me out and my skin felt very hydrated.
Repurchase? Yes.
Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in 100 Molten Gold – Beautiful highlighter, but not the best shade for my skin tone.
Repurchase? In a different shade, absolutely!
Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter in Pink – Similar to the Maybelline Master Chrome, beautiful highlighter, but would get in a different shade since pink doesn’t look that natural as a highlight. It was nice as an eyeshadow though.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Picture was taken before I finished the Lancôme Skin Feels Good Foundation. I took the picture before cutting it open and scraping out the rest.
Ariul Glam Mood Maker Mist (read my review) – While this is a really cute, compact facial mist, I think it’s quite expensive for such a little amount. I kept it beside my computer and would spray my face when I needed a little refresh and I finished it fairly quickly.
Repurchase? Probably not.
Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation in 01N Nude Vanilla (read my review) – This is a great light coverage foundation. It’s hydrating and looks like skin, but the only thing I don’t like is the shade range! This shade is too light and the next shades up are too warm. I had to mix it a lot and lost a lot of product by doing that which is probably the reason I finished it so quickly.
Repurchase? When they have a shade that matches me better.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara (read my review) – I liked this mascara, and I would consider trying the waterproof one because it might hold a curl better. I’m still on the hunt for my Holy Grail mascara, but it’s a great drugstore one. Maybelline has some of the best drugstore mascaras I’ve tried.
Repurchase? Yes.
Diorshow Bold Brow in 002 Dark – I love this brow gel, but the shade was just a little too gray for my liking. The currently have 3 shades in the Bold Brow.
I finished quite a few makeup products this month. Check out my monthly empties:
MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite – This is a great product to put on before foundation to give you that glow from within.
Repurchase? Yes.
Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer– When I got a sample of this, it worked well. I could tell that it illuminated my under eyes. After buying the full size tube, I don’t know, it didn’t really do that much to illuminate and I don’t think it’s that different from other hydrating primers.
Repurchase? No.
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer (Hydrating) Primer – I enjoyed this product, but I tried the nourishing primer and it hydrates better because it’s for dry skin.
Repurchase? No, but I love the MUFE primers.
MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance – If I wanted to get a glowy look, I would use the strobe cream.
Repurchase? No.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in 0.75 Ivory (read my review) – This was beautiful. I really liked it even though I had the wrong shade.
Repurchase? In the correct shade, yes.
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (read my review) – I liked this mascara a lot.
Repurchase? I want to try others and there’s so many to try. I did enjoy this though, so I definitely would consider repurchasing.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Smooth Operator Finishing Powder – This made it look like I had a filter on my face. It instantly blurred pores.
Repurchase? I want to try others, but I definitely would repurchase.
elf Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac (read my review) – I chose this exfoliator as the winner in both of my This or That lip scrubs.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Soo’ae Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel – This gel sloughs off dry skin. It makes your face feel so soft after using it.
Repurchase? Yes.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm – Loved this!
Repurchase? Yes.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Light – This is a pretty good concealer (if you are wondering, I took off the sponge). I think this shade was a bit too brightening on me, I might try the Neutralizer shade next time.
Repurchase? Yes.
Tarte Maracuja Oil– I bought the supersize bottle of this (which is twice the size of the regular one) and I poured half of it into the regular bottle because I was worried I would be clumsy and knock it over and then I’d have a huge mess to clean up.
Repurchase? Yes.
TULA Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel – This is a great acne gel with salicylic acid that doesn’t irritate my skin. This bottle lasts 3 months using 1 pump night AND day. If you only used it during the day OR night, it could last 6 months. I think I will cut down to just using it at night because it’s probably not good to use it as often as I have been.
Repurchase? I already bought two replacements. It sells out quickly, so I thought I would stock up on 2 bottles.
Since I’m on a Low Buy this year, I won’t have a lot of new favourites for my weekly “Feature Fridays” on my Instagram. So, I’m going to do my favourites posts every two months from now on.
I really love both of these mascaras because they look very natural, but they also darken my lashes! I’ve used both on my lower lashes and it looks very natural (not spidery at all). Between the two, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara (read my review) is great for keeping the lashes curled because of the curved wand and it makes my lashes look darker. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (read my review) is great for a more natural effect; it didn’t keep the curl on my lashes as well as the Maybelline, but it’s still a great mascara for adding a lil’ something extra to your lashes.
I have another Maybelline fave to add to the list. I am in love with the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder!! Earlier this month, when there was a snowstorm and I had to go out, I just popped on some concealer and used it as foundation and it was beautiful!! It can get a bit messy. I think next time, I will only pull off half the sticker when I’m opening up a new one. The powder is finely milled and the shade 15 Light is a beautiful match for me. As you may know, I love the Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation, but that’s a bit dark for me right now. Maybe I will use a mix of the two to lighten it. I definitely want to try the pressed powder since that one is actually meant to be used as foundation. My sister uses the loose one because her skin is flawless and she just needs something to mattify and provide sheer coverage. I wouldn’t travel with this one though because it’s already a bit messy just sitting in my drawer, but if you haven’t picked this up yet, I definitely recommend giving it a try!!
I am looooving the Smashbox Primerizer!! It keeps my skin hydrated all day. Around my nose usually starts to look a bit flaky, but this keeps my makeup looking good. Once I finish this little guy, I’ll be sad I can’t repurchase it for a while because of my #NoRepurchaseRule (can’t repurchase any makeup products for the next year or two so I can see what’s out there).
I’m really liking this Lancôme Brow Powdery Shaping Pencil in 09 Soft Black. It made my brows look so natural. I had one of my best brow days wearing this with a brow gel. I need to test it for longevity, but this might be a new fave!!! It has a spoolie on the end which is great. You sharpen the tip which could be a bit of a pain if you’re travelling because you’d need a sharpener.
Here are this month’s empties! Can’t believe it’s already the end of the month. I probably say that each month, but January really went by so quickly!
Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel– I really liked this toner, it didn’t cause any irritation or additional redness to the areas of my face (nose and chin) that are already red.
Repurchase? Yes! I want to use up my Pixi Glow Tonic before I repurchase this though.
Tula Illuminating Face Serum – LOOOVE THIS! It was light and it helped lighten some dark spots on my face!
Repurchase? Already did!
Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream – Although this is fairly light in texture, it’s a bit too heavy for my personal liking. Also, I prefer a tube or bottle instead of a pot for hygienic reasons. I’m going to try the gel products from Tula to see if I prefer those.
Repurchase? Maybe. If I find a gel product I like better, I would prefer to buy that instead.
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil – I don’t know why, but the smell of this oil reminded me of a fruit roll up? I have no idea why. I decided not to use this on my face because I love the Tarte Maracuja Oil so much and it’s been working. I didn’t really want to try a new product and possibly have a reaction. I used it on my hands and feet since they’re so dry from the winter air.
Repurchase? Probably not.
The Body Shop Aloe Vera Gentle Foaming Wash – This is exactly what it says in the title: gentle, foamy and aloe.
Repurchase? Yes, on sale.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (mini) – Love this.
Repurchase? Would definitely purchase a full-size pot.
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay (mini) – I liked this, but I wouldn’t say I loved it (probably because I don’t love rose-scented products). It did make my skin feel very soft after using it.
Repurchase? Probably not, but I would try other Origins masks.
Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder – This powder was great at mattifying the t-zone, but it did make my undereyes looks quite dry when I set my concealer.
Repurchase? No. I wasn’t a huge fan of the minty-herbal scent of it.
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black – On a whim, I decided to try this brow pencil and ended up loving it. This was my second time purchasing it and I will definitely pick it up again.
Repurchase? Eventually. I think I will try the second darkest shade since the Black can be a bit too dark (even on my dark brows). I want to try other brow products before circling back to it though.
Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base – I barely used this because I don’t really wear colourful eyeshadows to begin with. Although I did test this and it did make shadows more vibrant; I’m not sure about longevity though. You would probably need to use this with a primer if you wanted to extend the wear time of your shadows.
Repurchase? No. I don’t need it.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (mini) – I have no idea when I got this, so it’s good I finished it :/
Repurchase? I think so.
The Estée Edit The Edgiest Kohl ShadowStick in 03 Guilt – This was okay, it wasn’t the best shadow stick I’ve ever used. I still have an extra that I bought in the same shade.
Repurchase? Brand is no longer available in stores.
Flower Beauty On Your Mark Liquid Eye Liner in Black – I don’t know why I bought this because I don’t really wear liquid liner. I just saw Flower Beauty at Winners and got excited to try something from the line.
Repurchase? No.
Clio Kill Black Calligraphy Liner in 01 Black – Again, I made an impulse purchase at Winners because I wanted to try a brand that I’d never used before. I had also heard a few YouTubers talk about the Kill Black Liner, but this wasn’t the one. The Clio Kill Black Waterproof Pen Liner is the that people like.
I thought I would do a post revisiting last year’s favourites to see if they were still my favourites. I’ve already done a post for my September to December 2017 favourites.
I’m going to split the posts into 2 parts so it’s not too long. Part 1 for January to June and I’ll post the Part 2 in six months’ time for July to December since they’re still fairly recent. These posts are only going to include my beauty favourites.
JANUARY
Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in 100 Molten Gold – LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
Repurchase? Yes! I want to get one of the lighter shades (since they’ve expanded their shade range) because this one can be a bit too dark on me.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm – Love this balm!
Repurchase? Yes.
Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – I enjoyed the metal applicator and it kept my under eyes soft and hydrated.
Repurchase? I would buy it again, but I want to try other products. I’ve only tried a couple eye creams and it’s the best one I’ve tried so far, but I know there are ones that people rave about even more.
Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush – I haven’t used this in a while, but I still love it. I think I’m just worried the bristles will come off and I’ll have to get a new one.
Repurchase? Yes, but I would get one with a handle. (UPDATE: I won a giveaway and now I have one with a handle!)
Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo – I love the smell of this. I was surprised to read reviews about it smelling too much.
Repurchase? I’ve already repurchased it.
MAC Vamplify Gloss in What’s Going On – I loved the applicator of this lip gloss, but I didn’t like this particular shade. The only shades available are bright colours.
Repurchase? No. If MAC made a lip gloss with this applicator in a shade I liked, I would definitely get it though.
FEBRUARY
MAC Strobe Cream – I love the Pinklite!
Repurchase? Probably.
Pixi Glow Tonic – LOVE THIS!
Repurchase? I already have. (UPDATE: I have since realized that I may be allergic to witch hazel which is in the glow tonic).
Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder – The powder itself is great and I love the puff. I don’t love the smell of the powder though.
Repurchase? Probably not.
MARCH
Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette – I enjoyed this, but I feel like I only used a handful of shades. Even at $5, it felt like a waste. Plus, you could tell the quality of the packaging was not great because it was basically just foam that had a piece of plastic material glued onto it. It started to peel.
Repurchase? No. Shipping to Canada is an extra charge. I’d rather spend the money on the product instead of shipping. I’ve been using a Hard Candy palette that has a fraction of the colours, but I will be able to use all of them.
LOVE OPI XOXO Mini Nail Lacquer 10 Pack – This pack had 4 colours that I wasn’t a fan of, but it was a good price at Winners.
Repurchase? I wouldn’t have bought the pack at full price, but I would buy individual shades at full price.
Dove Advanced Hair Series Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil – It made my hair super smooth, but I think I’d rather use a hair mask.
Repurchase? Probably not.
APRIL
Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Butter Bronzer – Great bronzer.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter in Pink – Pretty cream highlighter.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Soo’Ae Caada Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel – LOVE!
Repurchase? Yes!
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Ivory 0.75 – This is a beautiful foundation!
Repurchase? Undecided. I want to try other stick foundations to see how they compare. If I do end up buying this again, I need the right shade.
MAC Pigment in Stardream – It’s a beautiful shade!
Repurchase? No. Pigments are too messy for me.
Miniso Flawless Baked Blusher in Rosy Pink – I decided to declutter this. This was a pretty shade, but I didn’t love that it was made in China. If you’re on a budget and you don’t mind where your products are made, this was a really pretty blush.
Repurchase? No.
MAY
Bobbi Brown Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover – This easily removes eye makeup.
Repurchase? No. Too expensive for a product that will be on your face for seconds. I’d rather spend money on a moisturizer.
INGLOT x Jennifer Lopez LipGlossy Lip Gloss in J225 Pinky – I liked the colour of this lip gloss, but I don’t think it’s worth $28. Plus, the smell reminded me of drugstore lip glosses.
Repurchase? No.
Cake Beauty (Delectable) The Everything Powder – I used this to set my makeup and it works beautifully. It doesn’t have talc…it’s basically just corn starch! But, it had a smell that was quite powerful (like the Baby All Gone dolls where you feed the baby cherries from a spoon – anyone old enough to know what those are?) This was annoying to use as a setting powder because I had to use an old setting powder container to use it (since this is shaped like a baby powder bottle).
Repurchase? No.
Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner – This made my hair look shinier and smoother. Although, I’m not a huge fan of the scent of Argan Oil, I didn’t mind this.
Repurchase? Possibly.
JUNE
Clinique Sonic Systems Purifying Brush– I enjoy this brush and the charge lasts a really long time! I got this at the MAC Warehouse Sale for $40 and the brush heads were $10.
Repurchase? Although I like the brush, I wouldn’t pay full price for the brush heads. If I ever go back to the MAC Warehouse sale, I will pick some up.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (read my review) – I gave it a 5/5, but I’m not sure if it actually helped to clarify and exfoliate my skin. When I wake up the next morning though, my skin does look quite refreshed and hydrated.
Repurchase? Yes.
Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser – If I wanted to replace the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, I could buy this to use as a makeup remover. I love that they changed the packaging from a tube to a bottle!
Repurchase? Possibly.
Clionadh Cosmetics Mother of Pearl Highlighter – This is so pretty!
Repurchase? Yes, but without the scent.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel Blemish Stick – I’m so torn. This blemish stick worked well, but it felt unsanitary to stick the wand back in after using it on a pimple. Plus, it’s expensive for a small stick.
Repurchase? Undecided. But if I do, it has to be on sale.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution – I believe this is no longer available, but it felt like it was the same product as the tea tree oil from The Body Shop.
Repurchase? Unavailable.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash – This worked okay, I would still get a pimple here and there on my back.
Repurchase? Probably not.
Burt’s Bees Blush in Shy Pink– This is a pretty matte shade, but sometimes I go too heavy-handed and have to really blend it out.
Repurchase? Probably not. The shade is a bit too pink and I’m not a huge fan of the packaging. Since blush lasts so long, I’d rather pay for a high-end one with nicer packaging.
This is my last post of 2018! I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year’s Eve!!
I only finished a handful of products this month:
Aussie Hair Insurance Heat Protecting Shine Spray – I don’t even know how long ago I bought this, but I finally finished it! I thought it smelled nice and it definitely made my hair shiny and not at all sticky or anything. One thing I didn’t like was that I thought the nozzle was weird because it was squirting out instead of misting. I transferred it into another spray bottle and it did the same thing. So, it must’ve been the product. I don’t know why though because it was liquid (looked milky, but it wasn’t thick). Instead of spraying it directly into my hair, I would spray it onto my hand and work it into my hair.
Repurchase? Since it didn’t spray out nicely, I don’t think I would repurchase.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm – I love this stuff! Although, I do want to try other cleansing balms to compare. This removes makeup easily and didn’t irritate my skin.
Repurchase? I just started using another mini, but I would definitely purchase a full-size pot when I’m done.
Tula Purifying Cleanser – This was a nice cleanser. I bought the Tula Discovery Kit and I started using this product first to ease into using the Tula skincare. While it cleansed well, I don’t know if it made a huge difference in my skin. I think once I started using the other products, that’s when I noticed my skin was improving.
Repurchase? Probably not. I would rather use a cheaper drugstore cleanser and then splurge on serums, oils and other products that stay on my face for longer than a minute.
The Face Shop Beauty Tools Multi 5 Layer Cotton Pads – I got these for free after spending a certain amount of money at The Face Shop. I like the peelable, multi-layer cotton pads. I use two (layers) a day for my skincare regimen and then to remove my makeup I can use up to 5 layers (1 cotton pad).
Repurchase? Assuming they aren’t too expensive, I would buy them again.
Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel (read my review) – This performed the same as other peeling gels I’ve tried, but I think I prefer other ones because they are cheaper (like the Soo’Ae Purifying Brightening Peeling Gel – it has more in the tube and it’s half the price).
Repurchase? No.
Saturday Skin Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist (read my review) – The sprayer on the small bottle was good. The mist would disperse the product onto my face very evenly.
Repurchase? Undecided.
I decided to give the Saturday Skin Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream and the Featherweight Daily Moisturizing Cream to my sister because I wanted to try the Tula products and lately, the Tarte Maracuja Oil has been helping to keep my under eyes hydrated.
Bio Oil Skincare Oil– I bought this to help with stretch marks on my hips, but when I was using it, I would breakout with bumps on my hips. I’ve used this on other areas like my thighs and knees and I didn’t break out there, but I don’t know if it made a huge difference. I think the only way for stretch marks to fade is with time. I’m not a huge fan of the smell of this oil.
Repurchase? No.
Etude House Eye & Lip Remover – I really liked this makeup remover; while I didn’t have waterproof mascara to test out how well it works, it removed regular eyeshadow and mascara well without leaving behind raccoon eyes.
I can’t believe it’s time for my monthly faves again! ANNND, it’s the last one of the year!
I could’ve sworn that I chose the @narsissist Soft Matte Complete Concealer as a previous feature friday…I checked and I haven’t, so here we are! I am in loooove with this concealer. It blends beautifully into the skin. I haven’t used it as an under eye concealer because the shade I have is a bit too dark to use it as one. I use it as a spot concealer (I have the shade Custard). I’ve been using it for a while now and I’ve barely made a dent in it.
I’m really loving this EcoTools shading brush. It’s the perfect brush for applying the base shadow. It’s super soft and blends beautifully. I also like how the handle is tapered which makes it nice and easy to hold.
Foaming face washes are my fave. I love this The Body Shop Aloe Calming Foaming Wash. As it says on the bottle, it’s very gentle on sensitive skin. I use it every day and I got it in September which means it lasts about 3 months. Although, sometimes I have used more than 1 pump, so I could probably stretch it to 4 next time. It is a bit pricey, so I suggest waiting for a sale if you plan to pick this up.
I know Kat von D is controversial at the moment and people are boycotting the brand because of her personal choice to not vaccinate her child. I also know that so many people love this palette that I decided to put aside whatever conflicting views I may have with her own personal views and try the Shade + Light Contour Palette.
While I haven’t had the chance to try all of the shades, I love the shade sombre for my contour (true taupe contour). It’s the perfect one for my skin tone. The others look a bit dark, but I can use those as eyeshadow or maybe use them for when I just take Instagram selfies so that you can actually see the contour in pictures. I would definitely consider buying the shade sombre when I finish this one or maybe I can find a dupe from another brand.
I made these brown sugar cookies for Christmas and they are so yummy. Especially when you use them after they’ve cooled down enough to make ice cream sandwiches. I just used vanilla ice cream because we had some for apple pie, but since the cookies are plain, you could use any ice cream!
Today, I’m revisiting my favourites from 2017. I’ve posted Part 1 of revisiting my Best of 2017 post (read here). There’s some overlap in my monthly favourites and Best of 2017 post, so if they aren’t listed below, they’re in that post.
SEPTEMBER
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer – When I used this, I never tried it as an under eye concealer. I need to buy it again and compare it to the Age Rewind Concealer.
Repurchase? Yes.
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in 26 Nude Crème – I love the shade, but I don’t really like that it smells like a watermelon jolly rancher.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Milani Keep It Sweet Sugar Lip Scrub – Initially, I liked this, but I didn’t really like it after a while. It would just make the dead skin move back and forth and not slough it off.
Repurchase? No.
Milani Eye Tech Perfection Liquid Liner – This was a great liner, but I just don’t use liquid liner that much.
Repurchase? No.
Milani Retouch + Erase Light Lifting Concealer – I liked this concealer; it was thick, but it blended nicely.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Estee Lauder Pink Perfection Breast Cancer Awareness Kit – If you’ve read my post on Products I Regret Buying, this kit is on it. The eyeshadows were nice, but the shades they chose weren’t useful for me. I need a transition shade that’s matte and this didn’t have one. I did enjoy the lipstick, but not in the shade that came with it.
Repurchase? Unavailable because it was limited edition. But I wouldn’t if it were still available.
MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Kittenish – I really like this lip pencil. It’s a hybrid of a balm and a lipstick.
Repurchase? Yes.
OCTOBER
Garnier All-in-1 Cleansing Micellar Water – Love this!!
Repurchase? Absolutely! I do want to try other ones first to see how they compare.
NOVEMBER
Clean and Clear Morning Burst Fruit Infusions Purifying Cleanser – I really liked this cleanser. It woke me up in the morning with the citrus scent.
Repurchase? I don’t think you can buy this anymore.
Dove Nutritive Solutions Coconut and Hydration Shampoo – So, a few years ago, I got eczema on my hands and legs and I stopped using a bunch of products to rule them out as a cause of the eczema. I stopped using Dove products and haven’t started using them again. I used to use Dove products all the time and had no problems, so I don’t think it was the cause, but I just haven’t purchased anything since I finished this shampoo.
Repurchase? Maybe.
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler – I love this!! I wish I had bought this when I first started using lash curlers.
Repurchase? YES!!!
DECEMBER
Tory Burch Perfume (Original) – I love this. It makes me feel grown up, but it’s not old lady-ish.
Repurchase? Yes!
GummiBand Hair Cords – I love these. I use them every day!
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.
We’re starting this month with something a little different from my usual favourites. I think everyone is always on a quest to make their skin look healthy. Last year, I took spin classes for two weeks with my friends and I was drinking a lot of water then. My skin was probably the best it ever looked because I was staying hydrated. In October, I decided that I should make it a goal to drink the recommended daily intake of water (8 x 8 mL = about 2L).
Drinking from a bottle or cold cup with a straw has definitely helped me increase my water intake. (I’m using up the rest of our plastic straws right now, but will definitely be switching to reusable or paper straws in the future). I’ve also been cutting down on sugary drinks. I haven’t bought any 2L bottles of pop or juice in a long time. I mostly drink just water throughout the day and have one cup of tea. If I’m going out for dinner, I usually just get water, but occasionally, I will order a ginger ale or coke.
Last month, I downloaded an app called Water Drink Reminder to help me keep track of my water intake and I think it’s helped my skin a lot. I just chose the first Water Tracker app that I liked the interface. I tried this plant one that had a cute plant and this other one, but both had spelling mistakes which drove me crazy. Apart from the horrible breakout I had at the beginning of this month, my skin is a lot more hydrated and not as dry.
So far I’m loving this Kopari Coconut Deodorant. I haven’t done a rigorous workout with it, but I did some exercises to work up a sweat and it still smelled nice and coconut-ty. I was wearing it for a whole day and I did notice that the scent had faded and I could start to smell a bit of sweat. So, I don’t think this would be good for a rigorous workout and you would definitely have to reapply during a hot day. It is a bit pricey, but deodorant lasts a while, so I think it will be worth it.
The Etude House Lip & Eye Remover is awesome at taking off eye makeup. I use a cotton pad and it took off the majority of my eye makeup in one swipe. I don’t have waterproof mascara, so I don’t know how well it takes it off, but it’s great for regular, non-waterproof makeup.
I can see why everyone loves the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Concealer. I have the shade Light and it’s the perfect shade for my under eyes. It brightens and has a beautiful, natural finish. I took off the sponge because I just don’t think it’s hygienic. One twist is enough for both of my eyes now that the sponge is gone.
Lately, I’ve been using the Tula Purifying Cleanser, Illuminating Face Serum and the Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel. I was slowly incorporating the Tula products to my routine (just in case I have a reaction to one of the products). I still have to add the Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel (which is a toner) and the Hydrating Day & Night Cream to the routine. I am very impressed by the acne gel because it’s one of the few salicylic acid products that hasn’t made my face red, irritated or puffy. Yay!! Usually, my face is fine with salicylic acid cleansers because it’s not on my face for very long. With salicylic acid products that you leave on overnight or during the day, I haven’t been so lucky. That’s why I was using tea tree oil products for a while. I still love my Body Shop tea tree oil products, but the smell is just so strong. So far, I am liking the Tula products I’ve tried. I will write a full review once I’ve started using the other 2 products.
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.
Here are October’s favourites! I’ve also added some non-beauty faves at the bottom of the post. Keep reading to find out what I’ve been enjoying this month 🙂
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Light-Neutral – I have been absolutely LOOOOVING this foundation, although the shade I chose is a bit dark for me. I’ve used it several times now and it looks like I have a filter on my face because it just blurs out my pores. For about a year, I was having trouble deciding which powder foundation I wanted to try and finally chose this one and I’m so happy I did! I wore it yesterday and I wore it for about five hours and it didn’t break up on my chin or nose (yay!) and my bronzer, blush and highlight layer beautifully on top. I use a kabuki brush and take my time to blend the foundation out so it doesn’t get cakey (one time I wore it, it did get a bit cakey). It did get a bit shiny on my forehead, but that’s to be expected.
I love multi-layer cotton pads from The Face Shop. They’re so handy for toner and each pad is 5 layers. I’ve been looking into making reusable pads because as nice as these are, the multi-layer cotton pads can be expensive. I also love these cotton swabs from Winners (just a random brand) that have a pointed end and a flat end. The pointy end is great for cleaning up your winged liner. The flat end is great for using my Clinique acne gel and also it’s easier to use for removing nail polish (for those harder to reach corners that a cotton pad can’t get).
I’m really liking this Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber Toner! It smells refreshing and I’ve been using it in the morning. I’m so glad I spotted this at Winners last month. I’ve poured some into a spray bottle so I can use it as a facial spray. I checked the Thayers website and both the toner and the facial spray have the exact same ingredients, so I’m assuming that it’s the same product in a different bottle.
I broke out while I was using the Witch Hazel Toner.
I guess it’s a Tarte Appreciation month. I have been loving this Timeless Smoothing Primer. I have a Limited Edition one, so the lid is different than the regular primer (which has a gold lid). Check out my full review on the primer.
5 Songs I’ve Been Listening To
These weren’t necessarily released this month, but I discovered them this month.
After hearing this song on Tati’s Halo Launch Party Video, I have been listening to this song non-stop: Ruelle – Hold Your Breath. After listening to some of her other songs and reading comments, someone mentioned The Originals. I looked it up and found out that this song is from 5×03. No wonder I like it. I’ve gotten so many songs from The Originals.
Rita Ora – Let You Love Me
Halsey – Without Me
Nick Jonas & Robin Schulz – Right Now
The Chainsmokers ft. Kelsea Ballerini – This Feeling
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.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Step Right UP! – This is a beautiful sheer pink. Perfect for a bride/bridesmaids.
Diorshow Bold Brow in 002 Dark (read my review)- I really enjoyed this tinted brow gel. You get a bigger tube than Benefit Gimme Brow, but there’s only three shades to choose from and the darkest one is a bit gray (cool toned). If they come out with a shade that’s closer to my brows, I would definitely repurchase it. Until then, I’m trying out other brow gels.
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define in 6 (read my review) – This has become one of my favourites since I received it from Topbox Circle. A good drugstore dupe for it is the NYX Micro Brow Pencil.
Pixi By Petra + Aspyn Ovard Glow-y Powder in Santorini Sunset – I spotted this at Winners and it’s a beautiful champagne highlighter. Unfortunately, since it’s a collaboration, it’s not available any more.
