• Haul | November 2022 Sephora VIB Sale

    November 23, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    I know it’s a bit late, but I’m sharing what I bought from the Sephora Holiday Sale!

    I picked up a few things in store on the first day:

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette – I know I’m super slow to buy this, but I’ve been debating which eyeshadow I wanted to get for years. I finally decided to get this one.

    TULA Prime of Your Life Smoothing & Firming Treatment Primer (check out my TULA Hits & Misses post)

    First Aid KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA

    Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation (left – 220 Linen, right – 250 Sand)

    And I ordered more online after browsing:

    Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation in 250 Sand – I bought the shade 220 Linen for my mom during a sale last year. She hadn’t started using it until recently. She realized it was too light for her so she gave it to me and asked me to order a darker shade. So I chose 250 Sand. Comparing the two, 250 Sand looks lighter than 220 Linen – 220 Linen looks more orange. So I ended up returning 250 Sand and getting 310 Silk which looks a bit darker.

    Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover (variety size – 200mL)

    Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum – I wanted to try a new perfume and I sprayed this one in person when I went to the store. Apparently I wasn’t paying attention because I sprayed the Eau de Toilette in the store. There was barely anything left in the bottle, so I didn’t notice the colour was different. I don’t know why, but I didn’t spray it on me and just decided to purchase it. This was a mistake lol. The Eau de Parfum is too sweet for my liking. It gave me a headache. I went back to the store and sprayed the Eau de Toilette, but it was a bit too powdery for my liking. I actually preferred the Gucci Bloom one, but I’m going to keep browsing until I make a decision.

    2 x Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponges 

    What did you pick up during the sale?

    Love,

    Read More
  • Revisiting my 2019 Favourites

    Revisiting My 2019 Favourites

    February 2, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    I am revisiting last year’s favourites. There were some products I really enjoyed, but I don’t love them enough to repurchase. Others are favourites and I will repurchase again in the future. Keep reading to find out which products from my 2019 favourites made the list!

    Check out my other posts revisiting my old favourites!

    Revisiting My 2017 Favourites

    Part 1 | Part 2

    Revisiting My 2018 Favourites

    Part 1 | Part 2

    This year, I’ve taken a look at those “Revisiting” posts and reviewed them again. I’ve decided that every year, I will take a look at all of my favourites to see how my tastes change as I get older.

    Revisiting My Old Beauty Favourites

    January/February

    Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara (read my review)

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara (read my review)

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer

    Repurchase? Yes. I’ve bought it twice since I first tried it.

    Lancôme Brow Powdery Shaping Pencil in 09 Soft Black

    Repurchase? No.

    March/April

    Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss in 236 Pour Toujours

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil

    Repurchase? No.

    May/June

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in Medium

    Repurchase? No.

    Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Colourpop Super Shock Shadows

    Repurchase? Probably not. I feel like buying too many of them would take up a lot of room.

    Pixi On-the-Glow Multi-Use Moisture Stick*

    Repurchase? No.

    Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Grapefruit

    Repurchase? I would repurchase in a different flavour. I wasn’t a fan of the grapefruit. I would probably choose the Berry.

    Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Balm

    Repurchase? Yes.

    July/August

    Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Perricone MD No Lip Gloss Lip Gloss*

    Repurchase? No.

    Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer

    Repurchase? No.

    Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

    Repurchase? No.

    Eczema Honey Nut-Free Skin-Soothing Cream*

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Colourpop Brow Boss Gel in Clear

    Repurchase? Yes.

    September/October

    Dolce & Gabbana 3 L’Imperatrice Eau De Toilette

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes*

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Sephora PRO Featherweight Powder Brush #91

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

    Repurchase? Yes.

    November/December

    Volition Beauty Strawberry-C Brightening Serum*

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Good Molecules Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil*

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Do you spot any of your favourites?

    Love,

    Products marked with * were sent to me for review or gifted.

    Read More

  • Makeup Inventory | Jan 2021

    January 20, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    It’s time for another makeup inventory update! I bought a few makeup items in January 2020 (which I haven’t even opened yet). I was lucky enough to be sent some makeup and that’s the reason my collection grew a bit last year. I wasn’t able to reach my goal of getting down to 50 items like I wanted.

    Makeup inventory posts from previous years:

    Dec 2018 | June 2019 | Jan 2020

    I’ve done some posts on my Hits & Misses for a few different categories, check out the posts:

    Primers | Powders | Foundations | Concealers & Colour Correctors

    Brows | Mascara

    I’ve also done a few brand Hits & Misses posts:

    Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | Maybelline | NYX | Nude by Nature

    July 2018Dec 2018June 2019Jan 2020Jan 2021
    Primers1211743
    Foundations137663
    Concealers115654
    Setting Sprays/Powders1111573
    Contour03110
    Bronzers63317
    Blushes145526
    Highlighters139459
    Brows33632
    Eyeshadows12960231716
    Eyeliners129232
    Mascara102322
    Lipstick287741
    Lip Liners75400
    Lip Glosses/Tints/Balms104214
    Makeup Removers131424
    Perfumes54532
    Nail Polishes4319700
    Total Items3401681006668

    Even though I didn’t reach my goal of 50 items, it’s amazing to see that my collection is a fraction of what it was in the summer of 2018.

    The bronzer, blush and highlighter categories went up because I decided to count the pans as 1. Before, I used to count 1 palette as 1 blush/highlighter/bronzer. Even if it was a mixed palette, I just chose to count it as 1 bronzer/blush/highlighter.

    I haven’t used my perfumes since early last year. I bought 2 of them during a warehouse sale and they were probably older inventory at the time. I’m wondering if I will get to use them up. I stopped using one of my old perfumes because the scent changed after a few years. I still have it on display though because it’s such a pretty bottle.

    I haven’t worn nail polish in a couple years now. I would definitely consider buying a neutral colour and maybe a red/wine in the future.

    What are your makeup plans for 2021?

    Love,

    Read More
  • 2019 beauty expenses

    Worth It? | My 20 Most Expensive Purchases

    January 24, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m sharing my 20 most expensive beauty purchases. I wore makeup in high school, but I just wore eyeliner and a dab of concealer if needed. I thought foundation was unnecessary for some reason. My face was relatively clear, I would get breakouts every now and then, but nothing unmanageable. I started wearing foundation in university. Also, I would just use the same moisturizer my mom used…Complex Moisturizer from the drugstore. It wasn’t until a few years ago that we both decided to upgrade from that. Since I started blogging, I’ve tried a lot more makeup and skincare, but I’ve still only scratched the surface. I’ve tried a few higher end products which are on the list. Keep reading to find out if all 20 were worth it!

    1. Sigma Essential Brush Kit (12 brushes) – $99 from Winners
    2. Tula Illuminating Face Serum – $88.30 (15% off)
    3. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation Kit – $83 from Sephora (included full-sized foundation, primer and a foundation brush)
    4. Tory Burch Eau de Parfum kit – $80 from Mac Warehouse Sale (included a full-sized perfume, a mini perfume and a full-sized hand lotion)
    5. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel – $73.95 (15% off)
    6. Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum – $69
    7. Tarte Maracuja Oil (supersize) – $66 (25% off)
    8. Sephora Flatter Yourself Contour Brush Set – $60 (includes 3 brushes – angled blush, duo fiber, buffing)
    9. Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer – $58.65 (15% off)
    10. Clé de Peau Stick Concealer – $55 (more than 40% off, purchased at Shiseido Warehouse Sale)
    11. Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact – $55
    12. Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – $51 (20% off)
    13. Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation – $50
    14. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – $49.30 (15% off)
    15. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – $49.30 (15% off)
    16. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 – $46.75 (15% off)
    17. Laneige Water Bank Serum – $46
    18. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Redness Correcting) – $45
    19. Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation SPF23 – $45
    20. Sephora PRO Featherweight Powder Brush #91 – $45.05 (15% off)

    I don’t know why I was so dumb before, but several items on this list were purchased at full price when I could’ve waited until the Sephora sale. Now I know better!

    Sigma Essential Brush Kit – This is a great brush kit. I’m glad I was able to find it at Winners for $99.

    Worth it? Yes!

    Tula Illuminating Face Serum (read my review) – This was one of my favourite serums, but Tula no longer sells to Canada.

    Worth it? Yes!

    Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation Kit – This was a beautiful foundation, but I still haven’t found my shade even though there are 40+. This is where I first tried the smoothing primer which I love and there brush is nice and soft.

    Worth it? Yes.

    Tory Burch Eau de Parfum kit – I love this perfume. I would’ve paid $80 or more just for the perfume.

    Worth it? Yes!

    Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel – I haven’t used this as an everyday cleanser, but it’s nothing SPECIAL.

    Worth it? No.

    Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum – Loved this perfume! It’s so much more expensive now though and the bottle is different. I don’t know if that means the formula has also changed.

    Worth it? Yes.

    Tarte Maracuja Oil (supersize) – I bought this during a Black Friday sale so instead of $88, it was $66 for the supersize bottle which is twice the size of the regular one.

    Worth it? Yes!

    Sephora Flatter Yourself Contour Brush Set – Sephora Collection brushes are okay, I’ve since bought a Sephora PRO brush which isn’t the same as any of the three brushes in this set, but it’s so much softer.

    Worth it? I would pass on this one.

    Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7 – I was buying my mom the Luminous Silk Powder Foundation and wanted to try the fluid sheer. It’s beautiful and looks great under foundation, mixed with foundation or on top of foundation. I have a shade that’s kind of pinky and it wasn’t the one I wanted originally, but it was all they had in stock. It’s beautiful though.

    Worth it? Yes! Would definitely try other shades.

    Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact – This is a face powder, but I use it as more of a highlight. Although it would be beautiful as a face powder for that glowy/dewy luminous look.

    Worth it? Yes.

    Clé de Peau Stick Concealer – This stick concealer isn’t as emollient as other sticks I’ve tried. I don’t know if it’s dried out because I bought it from the Warehouse sale, but it definitely wouldn’t be worth the full price at $93.

    Worth it? No.

    Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – My under eyes had a reaction to this eye cream. I had to give it to my sister.

    Worth it? No.

    Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation (read my review) – While this was a beautiful finish and looked very natural, it didn’t last very long on my skin. Dior foundations are also very fragranced. I gave this to my friend.

    Worth it? Not for me.

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – This powder is a very finely milled pressed powder. It’s beautiful on the skin, but can look cakey if you apply too much. It also pans really quickly and there’s only 3 shades available. The medium one is the shade that I bought and it’s too orange for me.

    Worth it? Not for me.

    NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – Beautiful tinted moisturizer!

    Worth it? Yes.

    Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 – I really like this foundation stick.

    Worth it? Yes.

    Laneige Water Bank Serum – I originally loved this, but after using it for a month or so, my skin started having a reaction. This is also very scented. Ended up giving this to my sister as well.

    Worth it? Not for me.

    Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Redness Correcting) – I love the Smoothing primer from Make Up For Ever, but this redness correcting one didn’t do a lot. If you want to colour correct, use a colour correcting concealer.

    Worth it? No.

    Lancôme Skin Feels Good Skin Nourishing Foundation SPF23 (read my review) – The shade range of this foundation is crap, but it’s a beautiful foundation/tinted moisturizer. I would definitely repurchase if they came out with more shades because the one I had wasn’t quite right and the shades above are too dark.

    Worth it? Yes.

    Sephora PRO Featherweight Powder Brush – According to the reviews on Sephora, this is called the ‘bunny punch’ because it’s so soft and fluffy. I really like this brush. Although it’s a little top heavy, it’s nice for setting.

    Worth it? Yes.

    As you can see, most of the purchases WERE worth it. Unfortunately some of them didn’t work out for me.

    What expensive makeup and skincare products have you purchased?

    Love,

    Read More
  • signature perfumes throughout the years

    My Signature Perfumes Throughout the Years

    January 21, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    I think I started wearing perfume in high school. I never really wore perfume on an everyday basis until university. Whenever I leave the house, I spray on perfume unless I’m going to be somewhere like the movie theatre where I’m in close proximity to other people for long periods of time. I usually only do one spray and it’s enough for me.

    This is a longer post with three parts so you can scroll down to the parts you want to read:

    • List of Fragrances and their fragrance families
    • My opinions on the perfumes
    • Descriptions of the main accords and notes of each perfume

    These are all of the perfumes I’ve had over the years (in order):

    • The Body Shop White Musk
      • Floral, Sensual
    • Banana Republic Classic Eau de Toilette (unisex)
      • Citrus, Floral
    • Victoria’s Secret Forever PINK Sparkling Apple and Water Lily Body Mist
      • Fruity
    • Ralph Lauren RALPH Eau de Toilette
      • Floral, Fruity
    • Lady Gaga Fame Rollerball
      • Floral, Sensual
    • Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum
      • Fresh, Floral, Aquatic
    • Tory Burch Original Eau de Parfum
      • Fresh, Floral, Citrus
    • Dolce & Gabbana 3 L’Imperatrice
      • Fruity, Aquatic
    Please excuse this super grainy photo. It was taken with an old camera phone.

    For the Banana Republic Classic Eau de Toilette, I really liked the scent of this in-store, but  then it smelled different when I brought it home and I ended up decluttering it after using it a couple of times.

    RALPH by Ralph Lauren was a really nice scent, but I got tired of it after a while and that’s why I picked up the VS Body Mist. The body mist was a favourite of mine even though it was a cheap body mist that I bought 2 for $25. I had this other body mist that was okay, but I don’t consider it a favourite of my collection.

    The Lady Gaga Fame Rollerball was gifted to me for my birthday. I thought it was really cool that the liquid was black (which wasn’t black once you sprayed/rolled it on).  I liked the spiciness of it and only wore it when I went clubbing.

    The Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia is still a favourite of mine, but I had it for 4 years and it was time for a change. It has an aquatic scent, so I only wore it in the spring and summer. It felt weird to use in the winter time which is why I bought the Tory Burch one.

    Tory Burch is sophisticated, but still youthful. It’s not like Chanel No. 5 where it smells like a rich, older lady (no offense if you’re younger and you like it). I bought the Tory Burch perfume at the Mac Warehouse Sale in a set that came with a mini and a body lotion which I gave to my grandma. Before the sale, I researched which perfume brands were owned by Estee Lauder. I went to Hudson’s Bay to smell the different perfumes from Tory Burch, Estee Lauder, DKNY, Clinique, etc. and chose the original Tory Burch scent. Luckily for me, they had it at the sale and I bought it.

    While I was looking for perfumes (before buying Acqua di Gioia), I got different samples at Sephora. I liked the Dolce & Gabbana 3 L’Imperatrice one, but it was an Eau de Toilette and I didn’t want to spend over $100 on it. Last year, when I was at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale, I saw a smaller bottle on sale and I decided to get it.

    Surprisingly, I’ve never finished a bottle of perfume. From university to present day, I’ve always had more than 1 perfume. I’ve had a few perfumes for more than a few years and I stop using them once they smell different. I still have Fame and Acqua di Gioia, but I only use them for display now.

    On me, all of the perfumes are long-wearing. Sometimes I even smell the perfumes AFTER I’ve showered.

    I found descriptions of most of the perfumes’ notes on fragrantica. I am not associated with fragrantica in any way, it was just a website that had all of the perfumes and I wanted to keep the structure of the descriptions the same. People vote on what they smell in the Perfume Pyramid (top notes, middle notes and base notes). I am terrible at identifying scents unless it’s something really obvious like rose. So all of the descriptions are from the website.

    The Body Shop White Musk Eau de Toilette

    Main Accords: musky, white floral, woody, powdery, floral

    Top Notes: ylang ylang, galbanum, basil, jasmine, musk

    Middle Notes: lily, jasmine, musk and rose

    Base Notes: jasmine, rose, iris, amber, patchouli, vetiver, peach, oakmoss and vanilla

    Victoria’s Secret Forever PINK Sparkling Apple and Water Lily

    There’s no description of this one on fragrantica because it’s really old, but there was obviously sparkling apple and water lily in it.

    Banana Republic Classic Eau de Toilette

    Main Accords: Citrus, white floral, fresh spicy, green, woody

    Top Notes: bergamot, grapefruit, clementine, green notes

    Middle Notes: honeysuckle, syringa

    Base Notes: ginger, woodsy notes, musk

    RALPH Ralph Lauren

    Main Accords: floral, fruity, green, fresh, citrus

    Top Notes: Japanese Osmanthus, Apple leaf, Italian Mandarin

    Middle Notes: Magnolia, Boronia, Yellow Freesia

    Base Notes: musk, white iris

    Lady Gaga Fame

    Main Accords: floral, honey, sweet, balsamic, fruity

    Fragrance Notes: belladonna, orchid, jasmine sambac, honey, apricot, saffron, incense

    Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia Eau de Parfum

    I bought my bottle a long time ago. The new one looks different and I don’t know if the scent has changed at all. I would describe the one I have as aquatic and fresh.

    Main Accords: green, citrus, aromatic, fresh, white floral, fresh spicy

    Top Notes: Amalfi lemon, mint

    Middle Notes: jasmine, pink pepper, peony

    Base Notes: French labdanum, Virginia cedar, brown sugar

    Tory Burch Tory Burch Eau de Parfum

    Main Accords: citrus, floral, fresh, white floral, woody, musky

    Top Notes: grapefruit, pink pepper, cassis, Mandarin orange, neroli

    Middle Notes: peony, tuberose, mimosa, jasmine, carrot seeds, alyssum

    Base Notes: vetiver, sandalwood, white musk, cedar

    Dolce and Gabbana 3 L’Imperatrice Eau de Toilette

    Main Accords : ozonic, aquatic, fruity, sweet, sour

    Top Notes: pink pepper, kiwi, rhubarb

    Middle Notes: jasmine, cyclamen, watermelon

    Base Notes: musk, sandalwood, lemon tree

    If you’re still here, thanks for reading!!

    Based on a roundup of all of the signature scents, I seem to gravitate toward fragrances with citrus, musk, pink pepper, jasmine, sandalwood and vetiver.

    What are your favourite perfumes?

    Love,

    Read More

  • Sept/Oct 2019 Faves

    October 29, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m sharing September and October’s beauty favourites!

    Dolce & Gabbana 3 L’Imperatrice Eau De Toilette – I don’t usually like florals, but I got a sample of this from Sephora and really loved it. I saw some reviews on Sephora where people have said it doesn’t last long on them because it’s an Eau de Toilette. While I would agree that it doesn’t last as long as an Eau de Parfum, I can still smell it at the end of the day after using only 1 spritz. I bought this at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale for $35 so maybe that’s why I can justify it. I know this is in my Sept/Oct faves, but I feel like this is more of a warm weather scent. I have another perfume in my collection that I like to wear in the Fall and Winter months, but this will be my new Spring/Summer scent (replacing my Acqua Di Gioia Eau de Parfum).

    Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes* (read my review) – I’m really enjoying this eye cream. I don’t think it’s quite hydrating enough for me in the winter time, but I really like it for the warmer months. It’s one of the few eye creams that hasn’t caused some reaction on my under eyes.

    MUJI Acrylic Storage Case with Sliding Doors – I am loving this acrylic organizer. It keeps my products dust-free and it makes a beautiful prop for shelfies! Also, the fact that it’s clear makes it easier for me to see what products I have in my collection.

    Sephora PRO Featherweight Powder Brush #91 – This brush is so soft! I saw a review on the Sephora website where someone said this brush was called the ‘Bunny Punch’ because “it’s so soft and thick it’s like you’re being punched by a bunny when you use it.” It really is super soft! The only drawback is that it’s top heavy (especially because the handle is tapered). I use it with my setting powder. I don’t swirl the brush around my face, but I tap it using the side of the brush.

    Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder – I am loving this powder! I’ve tried the Laura Mercier one that everyone raves about. I had a deluxe sample of it and it would always come out of the sieve clumpy. I don’t know if it’s supposed to be like that, but it just didn’t impress me. This Hourglass powder, on the other hand, is lovely! I think I even like it better than the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder which was in my faves for July/August. I’ve already hit pan on the CT powder and also the shade doesn’t match (and there’s only 3 to choose from). I like that this Hourglass one is translucent and I think loose powders just work better for me anyway.

    What products have you been loving lately?

    Love,

    Read More

  • Project Pan | 2019

    January 8, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I’ve chosen ten products that I want to finish for my Project Pan:

    • Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer – Hydrating
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eyes Primer
    • Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base
    • MAC Radiant Primer (mini)
    • MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite
    • Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Ivory
    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation (Contour) in Fawn
    • Burt’s Bees Blush in Shy Pink
    • Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter in Molten Gold
    • Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter in Pink

    Here are a few products that I will probably finish before July or declutter:

    • Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Light
    • NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black
    • Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder
    • Laneige BB Cushion Hydra Radiance SPF50 in No. 23 Sand → REVIEW
    • Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder
    • Urban Decay Primer Potion (mini)
    • CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara → REVIEW
    • Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara → REVIEW
    • Diorshow Bold Brow Gel in 002 Dark
    • Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia Eau de Parfum. I’ve had it since 2014, so I’d like to finish it so I can try new ones. It’s still one of my faves, but I’d love to try another one.

    What do you hope to finish this year?

    Love,

    Read More

  • First Impressions with Juicy Couture OUI Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum Sample

    November 5, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I received a sample of the Juicy Couture OUI Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum from Topbox Circle.

    Get hooked right from the start with the tart freshness from a fusion of watermelon and lemon in a special water lemon note. The chic sophistication of jasmine absolute paired with provocative wild tuberose creates an iconic duo, while a modern sense of addiction is born through sleek techno woods. Just say OUI to addictive energy and movement that don’t stop.

    • Top notes: watermelon, acai berry, tea and pear
    • middle notes: jasmine, tuberose and honeysuckle
    • base notes: woodsy note, amber and musk

    When I test perfumes, I like to test it in different ways:

    • Longevity
    • Scent
    • How it smells after a few hours on my skin (after reacting with my body oils)
    • How the bottle looks (this isn’t super important, but it’s a plus. If a perfume smelled amazing and lasted long, I would still purchase even if I didn’t love the bottle).

    I did one spray of this perfume in the morning and I went to the dentist and went shopping. I asked my mom how it smelled and she said she couldn’t smell it when she was sitting right beside me (only an hour after spritzing it on). With my two signature perfumes, she can always smell them sitting beside me.

    I love a fruity perfume, especially if it’s a bit aquatic and similar to my Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia perfume, the OUI perfume has jasmine. I don’t know what it is about the OUI perfume, but it has something (possibly the musk) that makes it smell like a more mature woman would wear (no offense to anyone who’s younger that likes this perfume). You know how there’s certain scents that older ladies usually wear? Like Chanel No. 5? The OUI perfume has something that makes it smell a bit too mature for me.

    After wearing the OUI perfume for 6-8 hours, I couldn’t smell it at all. I tried rubbing my sweater on the spot I sprayed it and sniffing it, but I couldn’t smell anything. I even asked my mom to sniff me again and she said she didn’t smell anything. Usually with my Armani perfume, I can still smell it after a whole day and sometimes it still lingers after I’ve showered.

    RATING: 2/5

    I think the bottle is a bit gaudy. I would’ve liked it a lot better if they had chosen either pink OR red (not both) and if they hadn’t added the gold chain that says ‘OUI.’ To be completely honest, I’ve never liked any of the Juicy Couture perfume bottles. If I were to buy the full size of a perfume, I want it to smell good, last long and come in a pretty bottle that I can display. I love the simplicity of the Jo Malone perfumes, but I find all of the scents a bit too strong for me.

    Love,

    jen

    Read More
  • makeup collection concealers fooundations primers

    Makeup Goals | A Streamlined Makeup Collection

    July 20, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

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

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

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

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

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

    Goal #2 | Cut down on impulse buying

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

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

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

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

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

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

    GOAL #5 | A Streamlined Makeup Collection

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

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

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

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

    • Perfume: 5
    • Nail Polish: 43

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

    NEW MAKEUP GOALS & FAVOURITES

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

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

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

    Would you ever streamline your makeup collection?

    Love,

    jen

    Read More

  • November/December 2017 Faves

    January 19, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Here are November & December’s faves:

    media-20171117Clean and Clear Morning Burst Fruit Infusions Purifying Cleanser is my fave to use in the morning. There are strawberry seeds in it that gently exfoliate. It may not give me that squeaky clean feel like cleansers from The Face Shop, but the refreshing citrus scent helps me wake up in the morning.

    sss.jpgI love the Dove Nutritive Solutions Coconut and Hydration Shampoo. It smells good and makes my hair feel smooth and moisturized. It’s scented with coconut water and sweet lime. I’ve used a few other Dove shampoos, but I think this one smells the best so far out of the ones I’ve tried: Energize, Daily Moisture and Cool Moisture.

    20171115_195053.jpgI bought the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler during the Sephora sale (check out my haul here!) and I must say that I am loving it! I got it for $25 CAD. It just works so much better than the other ones I’ve used and I don’t have to worry about it pinching my eyelid by accident. I’ve used several other curlers, I still have a Tweezerman and a Sephora one. The Tweezerman is a pretty good dupe in terms of how the curler looks, but you can feel the difference when you squeeze the curler to curl your lashes. The shu is almost springy whereas the Tweezerman opens really wide. It’s hard to describe unless you have both and you’re trying them out. I have a purple Sephora one and it’s definitely not suited for Asian/hooded eyes (especially if your lashes are short). I don’t think any of the Sephora ones would be good for Asians (even though they might be $5 cheaper or around the same price, I’d rather spend $25 on the shu. For the Sephora one, I have to hold it at an angle just to get the curler to line up with my lashes.

    media-20180129ee-e1517269390787.jpgI only wish they sold replacement pads separately (it comes with one replacement in the box), but then you need to buy a new curler. I’ve heard the Shiseido ones fit in the curler, but they’re just a tad shorter than the shu ones and Sephora sells replacements for $8 CAD. It’s a bit ridiculous because on the box it says that a rubber pad will last about 3 months and you should replace the whole curler once the refill pad has worn down. I don’t use my eyelash curler daily, but my other eyelash curlers’ pads have lasted longer than 3 months. I wish they sold replacement pads separately. I think it’s too expensive to have to shell out another $25 every six months according to the box.

    media-20180301jjj.jpgSmashbox’s Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer and Essence’s I 🖤 Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base. The Smashbox helps brighten my under eyes and the Essence eyeshadow base makes my shadow colours even more vibrant and it’s less than $6!

    media-20171209ddI love both of these powder bronzers that I got as deluxe samples from Sephora. I would definitely buy the full-sized versions. I have loved everything I’ve tried that’s from Tarte (except for the Opening Act Lash Primer), so it’s no surprise I love this bronzer. I have Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Medium/Deep Matte. Both blend well and are great for contouring.

    cI am loving this original Tory Burch perfume…it’s a mix of citrus and floral and great for winter and fall. I use Giorgio Armani’s Acqua Di Gioia in the spring and summer because it’s got that acquatic, fresh smell. I love the bottle of the Tory Burch perfume and it makes me feel more grown up. It has neroli, grapefruit and peony to name a few notes.

    sdaI’m loving the GummiBand hair cords. They don’t make my hair crease after wearing my hair up for hours and they don’t tug on my hair like regular hair bands. I love the colour variety and they’re a Canadian brand!

    Read my review and get a coupon code for the GummiBand hair cords!

     

    Everyone loves a red lip for the holidays. This L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge lipstick in 337 Refined Ruby is a beautiful satiny blue-red. I don’t wear red that often so finding a beautiful red at a drugstore price was my goal.

    What were your faves from November and December?

    Check out my other monthly favourites:
    2017
     Sept/Oct

    Love,

    jen

    Read More

  • First Impressions with Kat Von D Saint & Sinner Perfume Samples

    July 31, 2017

    Hi Everyone!

    I received a complimentary VoxBox from Influenster Canada with samples of Kat Von D’s Saint and Sinner Perfumes (the little bottles look like poison vials). I was pleasantly surprised by how good they smelled. Apparently Kat Von D released the perfumes 10 years ago and brought them back. I can see why they were a cult favourite. I’m not good at describing scents and I don’t actually know what certain things in this perfume smell like, so I will just leave a description from Sephora.

    I personally prefer fruity or aquatic perfumes instead of floral. If you like vanilla scents, I think you’ll like SAINT and if you like a bit spicy, you’ll like SINNER. Let’s start with the sweet:

    SAINT20170721_230737

    • Fragrance Family: Floral
    • Scent Type:  Classic Floral
    • Key Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Jasmine

    Meet Saint- soft, alluring, and dreamy, this gourmand fragrance sweetens a bouquet of jasmine and tiaré flower with notes of mandarin, caramel, and sparling Mirabelle plum. Vanilla, sandalwood, and creamy musk build to the romance of the perfume. Saint shares the same floral soul as Sinner, with a sweet gourmand twist.

    SINNER20170721_230745

    • Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy
    • Scent Type: Cool Spices
    • Key Notes: Patchouli, Wood, Cinnamon

    Kat Von D Beauty’s most requested collection of all time is returning at last and better than ever. Meet Sinner—dark, sultry, and empowering, this enticing fragrance sweetens a bouquet of jasmine and orange blossom with notes of vanilla, mandarin, and Mirabelle plum. Spicy cinnamon envelops white florals at the heart of the fragrance, while base notes of vetiver, patchouli, and wood form the deeper, darker nuances. Experience confidence in a bottle; Sinner is the fragrant embodiment of the edgy, unapologetic, and outspoken Kat Von D we know and love. Sinner shares the same floral soul as Saint, with a bold, spicy twist.

    The two scents can be worn alone or separately. For both, I liked when I had been wearing them for a few hours and absorbed into my skin and mixed with my natural oils. When I first put them on, they were both too powerful (too sweet or too spicy). I think Sinner would be a good unisex perfume/cologne. I love when guys wear spicy colognes. I used both separately and then together. When I mixed them, I noticed that the first fragrance I applied would be the more dominant smell, i.e. if I put Sinner on first, then it would be more spicy.

    RATING: 4/5

    I give it a 4/5 because both perfumes are a bit too strong for me when you first put them on. (Either a bit too sweet or a bit too spicy, but once I wore them for a few hours, and they mixed with my natural oils, I liked them because they were lighter).Thoughts: I’m not sure if I would buy Saint or Sinner, but I definitely recommend them to someone who likes the scents of either of the perfumes.

    What are your favourite perfumes?

    Love,

    jen

    Read More