Today, I’m reviewing the Tony Moly Super Peeling Liquid Shiny Foot.
I’ve tried a foot mask before from Grace & Stella. It was the Dr. Pedicure Foot Exfoliating Mask* and it worked wonders! The disgusting pictures of peeling feet that you see online are real. I wanted to try a different brand to see if it worked as well as the other one. Since the weather was getting warmer, I thought it’d be a nice way to get my feet ready for sandals. So, I bought the Tony Moly mask, when I ordered some products from Chuusi.ca and I was expecting the same results as the Grace & Stella mask. Unfortunately, I did not get the same results…keep reading to find out what happened when I used the Tony Moly mask.
After using the mask, it peeled a bit on my heel and pad of my foot, but not the arch. There wasn’t any peeling on the top of my foot and between my toes like I did with the Grace & Stella Mask.
For the Grace & Stella foot masks, you open up the package and put on the booties that are soaked in liquid. Then you keep them on for an hour and let your feet soak. The Tony Moly mask was different because you pour the liquid into the booties yourself which I was excited about because then the outside of the bootie wouldn’t be wet. The Grace & Stella ones were wet on the inside and outside (similar to a sheet mask). Because you pour the liquid in yourself, I think that’s why it didn’t work as well because the whole bootie wasn’t concentrated and therefore the tops of my feet weren’t ‘soaking’ in liquid. The Tony Moly also came with a very fragranced foot cream that I didn’t really need.
RATING: 2.5/5
I’m disappointed in this one because it didn’t peel as much as the Grace & Stella mask, but my feet did feel fairly smooth after using it. I’d rather pay a few extra dollars and repurchase the Grace & Stella one because I know it works well.
Have you tried foot masks? I’m interested in trying the boscia one at Sephora.
**Note: The website is no longer available and the Instagram account has been inactive for a year.**
Today I’m reviewing two products that I was sent from ANHYD Organics.
ANHYD Organics (Founded in 2017) – All organic, vegan skincare bursting with essential nutrients; sealed with nature’s secrets to beautiful skin.
Free from harmful toxins, ANHYD Organics healing properties nourish body and soul working to rejuvenate skin cells, hydrate skin and restore optimum balance.
Derived from the term Anhydrous, the essence of ANHYD Organics is to filter out impurities, ensuring our ingredients are never spoiled thus preserving the organic properties in their purest form.
Organic Rose Water Facial Toner
Wipe away problem skin to reveal a luminous glow.
Restore harmony and maintain optimal skin pH balance with the Organic Rose Water Facial Toner. An Anti-inflammatory healing solution for acne, dermatitis and eczema. Essential ingredients of Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Natural Rose, Flower Water, Certified Organic Witch Hazel and Grape Seed Extract combine to create equilibrium.
RATING: 5/5
I’m personally not a huge fan of rose and I also think I’m allergic to witch hazel (read my post). So, I gave the toner to my mom to try. She enjoys rose-scented products. My mom has tested it out and she loves the rose. It has the perfect amount where it smells like rose, but doesn’t smell old lady-ish. After cleansing, she uses the toner to remove any remaining makeup that she missed and then applies her moisturizer. She is really enjoying the toner because it doesn’t feel tacky after applying. She said that her face feels nice and refreshed after using the toner.
Organic Facial Moisturizer
Rejuvenate uneven skin tone and diminish fine lines, scars and dark marks with our Organic Facial Moisturizer. A silky formulation that is perfect as a makeup primer and protection from the elements. Discover all day hydration for normal skin. Filled with essential vitamins of Hydrating Algae, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Chamomile and Lavender Oil, Vitamin A, C, E and B3. A conditioning formula that will revitalise skin, regenerate skin tissue and hydrate skin.
RATING: 5/5
This moisturizer has a very light scent that doesn’t linger which is great for me. I really like the light texture of it. I’ve been mixing this with my facial oil and my face feels hydrated and dewy. Initially, it’s tacky for a bit, but eventually dries down. My skin feels so smooth after using this.
As someone with dry skin, I think it’s great as a makeup primer. For those with oily skin, it might be too slippery since it’s so hydrating. Foundation and concealer layer on top of it nicely. It reminds me of the Sonia Roselli Water Balm because it’s a moisturizer that can double as a makeup primer (read my review). I don’t think it would necessarily help prolong makeup wear, but it definitely primes the skin for a smooth canvas.
I’m impressed by these two products from this new skincare brand.
During the Sephora sale, I purchased the Youth Mini Travel Duo which includes a mini of the Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and the Superfood Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer. I’ve seen Youth to the People all over Instagram and finally decided to try it to see if it’s worth the hype.
With 100% vegan ingredients, YTTP is a clean brand at Sephora.
Clean at Sephora is formulated without: Sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban. All skincare, hair, and makeup brands with the Clean Seal have less than one percent of synthetic fragrances.
Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
A daily green juice cleanse for your face with cold-pressed antioxidants to remove makeup and prevent build-up in pores, while keeping skin’s pH balanced.
RATING: 4.5/5
It makes my face feel really clean. I’ve been trying to use it only twice a week at the most since it’s so cleansing. Would I repurchase the full-sized? Possibly. While it is a great cleanser, it’s also quite expensive for the bottle that you get. I do like that the full size comes with a pump, so it’d be a nice reusable bottle for hand soap or something.
Superfood Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
A multifunction, lightweight face cream loaded with superfoods—kale, spinach, and green tea—and hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin.
RATING: 5/5
I really enjoyed the moisturizer! I like that the smell isn’t too strong and doesn’t linger. My face feels nice and hydrated. I’ve been using it day and night mixed with my facial oil and I think I would definitely buy a full size pot of this cream.
I am definitely interested in trying out more products from Youth to the People. I love that it’s clean and also they products come in glass containers which are so useful to reuse!
Today, I’m comparing two different jelly highlighters. These were both gifted to me and I thought I would do a review comparing the two. Jelly highlighters are interesting, but they’re not great for every day use since the shimmer is a bit chunky (for my liking). I would say this jelly is good for a festival/unicorn/halloween look. Keep reading to find out which one I prefer!
Almay Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite in 24K Dreams
This gorgeous jelly highlighter with an addictively bouncy texture gives your skin a dewy, holographic glow that’s utterly irresistible.
There are 2 shades available.
from left: 24K Dreams 004, Unicorn Light 003
Both of these highlighters are fun shades – yellow gold and pink. Although once you apply it, it’s not as pink as it looks in the tub. It’s like a sheer, jelly glitter. I’m not a huge fan of this one because when I press my finger into it, the jelly breaks up and crumbles (for lack of a better word). I’ve noticed that the gold one has a firmer texture whereas the pink one tends to crumble more.
NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator in Luminous
Dip right into our new A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator. Available in three shades swimming in sparkles, this jelly-like formula feels and looks seriously amazing. Just scoop some up with your finger and pat the water-based gel onto the face or body. It slips on like a dream as you smooth it onto the skin, leaving behind a lightweight wash of radiance—that glistens even after it dries down! Gettin’ a bit jelly right now? Same, this dewy glow is lit.
There are 3 shades available
From top: Opalescent, Bronze, Luminous
I have the shade Luminous and it’s a champagne shade with blue glitter. This highlighter is a water-based product which washes away easily with water (which makes me think it might just melt down your face if you sweat). I would suggest spraying any setting spray before applying this highlighter. The texture of it is nice – when I dip my finger into it, it doesn’t separate or become chunky. It’s almost like a putty because it moves with my finger which is a good thing because then you don’t get any jelly chunks on your face when you apply it.
Luminous (top), 24K Dreams, Unicorn Light
WINNER: NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator
I think between these two jelly highlighters, I prefer the NYX A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator. Both highlighters jiggle when you tap the containers. You can feel the jelly bounce back. I think jelly highlighters are fun, but I don’t think I would purchase any myself. I would consider trying jelly eyeshadows because I’ve seen a few on Instagram and they’re so pigmented. Obviously jelly highlighters wouldn’t be pigmented because you’d have a coloured streak on your face, but it feels like I’m just putting wet glitter on my face. I’m also not a fan of glittery highlighters and would prefer a liquid highlighter.
I was sent some products from Derma Roller System to try out. I’ve always wanted to try a derma roller. I always see them at Winners, but since they’re only like $10, I feel like those aren’t made with stainless steel. Keep reading to find out what I think about derma rollers!
The patented, award-winning Derma Roller System® provides a natural way to improve the appearance of skin. By painlessly rolling 200 gamma-sterilized stainless steel needles over your skin, the Derma Roller creates tiny microchannels to stimulate and trigger the skin’s natural healing process and increase collagen and elastin production (the two proteins that help make up the structural components of skin).
Performing treatments with the Derma Roller once every few weeks results in visibly firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin.
The Derma Roller has been clinically proven to help treat common signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, cellulite, scars (including acne scars), and stretch marks, providing smoother skin and promoting hair growth (when used with Minoxidil 5%).
Benefits
Improves the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles
Firms skin
Evens out skin tone
Increases the effectiveness of topical skin care
Great for all skin types
I chose the 0.5 mm size because I thought it’d be best to start with the smallest size. They also sell 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5mm. Below is a chart from their website to show you what the benefits are of each needle size.
I’ve been using the derma roller for a few months now and I think I’m noticing a difference in my skin. On my nose, I have some little ‘pits’ from being bad and squeezing out whiteheads. I noticed that after a few weeks, one of the larger pits looks smaller. I will admit that the dermaroller kind of hurts because you are poking skin with tiny needles. I don’t apply any pressure. I’m rolling it over my face or body with the lightest touch. I’ve used it on my leg where I have a dark spot from eczema and I think it has lightened it a bit.
To clean it, I place the derma roller inside a cup and pour in some isopropyl alcohol (just enough to cover the head of the derma roller). I let it sit for about 30 minutes (as instructed).
A powerful anti-aging serum highly concentrated with vitamin C (creates elastin and collagen) and vitamin E (antioxidant and moisturizer) to minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles and reduce the look of age spots and discoloration.
RATING: 3/5
The anti-aging serum smells nice from the Hyaluronic Acid and doesn’t feel too tacky. I like that it doesn’t pill like one of my other Hyaluronic Acid products. However, it’s not that different from other skincare products on the market.
Today, I’ll be reviewing some products from Sdara Skincare. They sent me a rose quartz roller and some eye gel patches! Keep reading to see what I think about these products!
Rose Quartz Roller
Get the glow – Be blown away by a younger and more radiant YOU. Prepare yourself to see even skin tone in the mirror that it might shock you, until you remember that you used our Sdara Skincare Rose Quartz Roller! Slow down aging (if you want to) – Bless yourself with aging gracefully. You’ll think, “Woah! What happened to that wrinkle? Why are my pores so small?” Because that’s the power of collagen reproduction and lymphatic drainage from our little pink miracle worker. Product Penetration – Your products will apply effortlessly with increased absorption! Massage products into your skin for increased effectiveness. Treat Yourself – You’ll want to roll our roller all over your body! That’s what one of our Sdara beauty gurus had to say. It’s the best to soothe irritated skin.
RATING: 5/5
I am loving the Rose Quartz Roller! I love the colour and the coolness of the roller just feels so nice on the skin. It makes your face feel nice, refreshed and ready for your skincare and makeup. The coolness from the roller is also great for those hot summer days. It’s also useful when you’ve already applied your skincare and it helps work it into your skin.
Eye Gel Mask
For days when under-eye concealer just won’t do, (no one has to know you didn’t relax the night away), Sdara Eye Gel Mask acts like a soothing second skin to immediately target and soothe the area. Promoting brighter, plumper, and more youthful-looking skin, preventative ingredients like natural snow mushroom, sodium hyaluronate, peptides, and gold restore natural moisture, boost collagen production, and firm your skin. Puffy, tired-looking eyes, we’re coming for you.
RATING: 3/5
The eye gel patches are also quite nice. They feel cool on the eyelids and undereyes and my skin feels smooth and soft after using it. Although I could do without the glitter that comes off the eye masks.
I am impressed with the products I received from Sdara Skincare. I would be interested in trying the microneedle roller (0.25mm). While I already have one from a different brand that has 0.5mm needles, it would be interesting to try one with smaller needles. Maybe have one for the body and one for the face.
I was very generously sent some of the new summer arrivals for NYX and I’m so excited to share my thoughts on them with you! This is not a sponsored post. Although I did receive these products for free, I was not asked to review them on my blog.
Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil
Reveal your freshest self with our new Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil! Simply smooth this weightless formula onto the complexion for light, breathable coverage with a seamless and satiny finish. With 12 forgiving shades formulated to accommodate a wide range of skin tones, each flexible hue feels like a second skin and delivers up to eight hours of hydration.
WHAT IT IS
A lightweight tinted cream with a seamless, satiny finish.
Available in 12 shades, I received Pale Light, Vanilla Nude and True Beige Buff.
I think this is perfect if you already have beautiful skin and want to wear something very light. True Beige Buff is a good shade for me (I could probably go up a shade or maybe mix it with one of the darker shades that’s available). This tinted cream blended out very nicely, but it didn’t cover redness. Comparing this to the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, the coverage isn’t as good, but it still looks really pretty on the skin and you can go in with concealer to cover any redness. The first time I tried this, I applied it on my cheeks and forehead, but didn’t apply on my nose and chin (which is where I have redness). Instead, I just applied concealer in those areas because I was going for a more natural look and didn’t want to have too many layers. After about 7-8 hours, the areas where I applied the Tinted Skin Veil looked good still except it looked a bit cakey where I had bronzer.
Vanilla Nude (left), True Beige Buff
Bare with Me Hydrating Cheek Tint
Keep it real with our limited-edition Bare With Me Hydrating Cheek Tint. Available in three sheer and ultra-lightweight shades, each portable stick gives you that post-workout flush—minus the sweat! The fresh-looking color glides and blends easily onto cheeks for a diffused glow that leaves skin hydrated for up to eight hours. Take your essential aloe and cucumber-infused hue on the go and touch up any where the wind takes you.
WHAT IT IS
A limited-edition cheek tint infused with aloe and cucumber extracts.
Available in 3 shades, I received all 3 in Do Me Right, Creative Cleanse and Detox Me.
RATING: 4/5
A cheek tint is the perfect choice for the summer time. The shade Do Me Right is the perfect berry shade for a naturally flushed look. I apply it directly onto my cheeks and then blend out with my fingers.
California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer
Here comes the fun: it’s our new California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer! This massive bronzer comes in six sun-kissed tones that are gonna turn up the heat. Featuring a creamy texture, our all-over powder delivers a warm faux glow with a flattering satin finish. Each carefully curated shade blends smoothly across the face or body and allows you to create an airbrushed, second-skin effect.
WHAT IT IS
A jumbo bronzer designed to be dusted all over the face and body
Available in 6 shades, I received 3 in Free Spirit, Beach Bum and The OC.
RATING: 4/5
I have mixed feelings about this one. I use the shade Free Spirit which is the lightest of the 6 available shades. I’m still working on my bronzer technique, so I think it has more to do with me than the product. On the other hand, this bronzer has a sheen to it and a bit of shimmer (more of a sheen than Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer). I prefer either matte or satin finish, but I don’t love shimmer in my bronzer. One thing that I do love about this though is that it’s really pretty as an eyeshadow and on the body for a bronzed glow.
Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil
The boyfriend jean of the eyebrow world has arrived! Our new dual-ended Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil features a retractable, teardrop-shaped pomade bullet for shading, plus a micro paddle brush for blending on the flip side. It comes in eight matte colors with a smooth, waxy texture and pigmented finish. Perf for drawing the effortless “boy brow” look and building controllable volume, our arch-styling duo is just what your makeup routine needs to up your brow game.
WHAT IT IS
A first-of-its-kind brow pencil featuring a smooth, waxy pomade for shading, and a tiny paddle brush for fluffing and blending.
Available in 8 shades, I received Ash Brown.
RATING: 4/5
This is a happy medium between pencils and pomades. Instead of a spoolie, this comes with a tiny paddle brush that fluffs out the product. The paddle brush is cool, but it kind of sucks that it doesn’t come with a spoolie to brush my brows into place before I use it. I actually really liked this product because it made my brows look filled, but fluffy and natural at the same time. I just used my Benefit pencil’s spoolie to brush out my brows. I already love the Micro Brow pencil which is a great drugstore alternative to higher end pencils. Since this is a pomade pencil, it was harder to clean off than regular brow pencils.
I still prefer pencils for natural everyday looks, but this is a good one if I wanted to go full glam or take a pic for IG. The perfect combo was using the Fill & Fluff Pomade Pencil and then using Colourpop’s Brow Boss Clear Gel to set my brows in place.
Bare With Me Prime. Set. Refresh. Multitasking Spray
Put on a fresh face with Bare With Me Prime. Set. Refresh. Multitasking Spray. Infused with aloe and cucumber extracts, our sensitive skin-friendly spray has your complexion covered every step of the way. Just a few spritzes preps or sets your makeup and perks up any look. This multipurpose mist also gives skin a dewy glow, minimizes the appearance of pores, and provides up to eight hours of hydration.
WHAT IT IS
A multitasking face spray that doesn’t dry out the skin.
WHAT IT DOES
Primes the complexion for makeup application and sets or refreshes your finished look.
RATING: 2/5
I was watching one of Tati’s recent videos and she mentioned that this has salicylic acid in it. I had no idea. I read the ingredients, but my eyes must’ve skipped over it somehow. It also has Alcohol Denat. It has a pleasant smell (like cucumbers, but also sorta smells like hairspray). It sprays a very fine mist (better than MAC Fix+ and UD All Nighter Spray). I don’t really want a setting spray to have salicylic acid in it.
A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator
Dip right into our new A Bit Jelly Gel Illuminator. Available in three shades swimming in sparkles, this jelly-like formula feels and looks seriously amazing. Just scoop some up with your finger and pat the water-based gel onto the face or body. It slips on like a dream as you smooth it onto the skin, leaving behind a lightweight wash of radiance—that glistens even after it dries down! Gettin’ a bit jelly right now? Same, this dewy glow is lit.
WHAT IT IS
A sparkly gel illuminator that is water-based and lightweight.
Available in 3 shades, I received Luminous.
RATING: 2.5/5
This is a champagne shade with blue glitter. Jelly highlighters are interesting, but they’re not great for every day use since the shimmer is a bit chunky (for my liking). I would say this jelly is good for a festival/unicorn/halloween look. This is a water-based product which washes away easily with water (which makes me think it might just melt down your face if you sweat). I would suggest spraying any setting spray before applying this highlighter. The texture of it is nice – when I dip my finger into it, it doesn’t separate or become chunky. It’s almost like a putty because it moves with my finger which is a good thing because then you don’t get any jelly chunks on your face when you apply it. The swatch above isn’t the best representation of what it looks like in person. In the picture, it just look a bit like shimmery Vaseline or something.
After wearing a full face of these new NYX products, I had a huge pimple under my nose that wasn’t there when I first put my makeup on and I also had a few whiteheads pop up on my nose and chin. I think it was caused by the spray because I had used it the day before as well. I haven’t had a lot of luck with NYX complexion products in the past (their HD Foundation broke me out), but it couldn’t have been the Tinted Skin Veil because I didn’t even apply it on those areas. I think the salicylic acid from the spray may have brought some pre-existing blemishes to the surface.
Despite the huge pimple, I am really impressed with the new arrivals! I enjoyed the majority of the products I tried. While I received more than 1 of the different products, I didn’t swatch all of them because some of the shades aren’t my style or are too light/dark. I will be putting the ones I haven’t touched into a future giveaway, so stay tuned on Instagram!
Today, I’m writing about the Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. I got it during a Family & Friends sale on Kiehls.ca for 20% off.
This nourishing under eye cream offers creamy hydration suitable for all skin types. Formulated with Avocado Oil, this rich treatment smoothes on the eye area for rich hydration. This eye cream features a creamy texture that does not migrate into your eyes.
It retails for $66 (0.95oz/28g) or $42 (0.5oz/14g)
RATING: 2/5
The eye cream has a kind of weird texture that’s kind of sticky like glue, but when you use the right amount (just a small dab), and warm it up on your fingers, it will blend out and feel like water as you apply it to your under eyes.
While potted creams aren’t my favourite because it’s easier for bacteria to get in, this is a great eye cream. It’s kept my under eyes fairly hydrated and it doesn’t have a scent which is a plus for me. It doesn’t do anything for dark circles though. I have sensitive skin and it hasn’t caused any milia, but I do notice that whenever I use it, I get 1-2 red spots under my eyes.
Have you tried Kiehl’s skincare products? What are your faves?
Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.
I’ve put each of the products I’ve tried into three different categories: Hits, Misses and Likes (not my faves, but would consider repurchasing).
I’ve tried quite a few different products from TULA. I purchased all products myself and am not affiliated with them in anyway. So, when I first tried the brand, I decided to buy the Discovery Kit and then when I finished that, I tried the other kit and also purchased some of the full-sized versions of the products I enjoyed in the Discovery Kit.
HITS
Illuminating Face Serum – I think this has to be my favourite from TULA. I bought the full size of this after trying it in the discovery kit. It targets dark spots and I had a spot on my cheek from a blemish that just wouldn’t go away. I thought I would have the dark spot for years, but I think this has helped it slowly disappear.
Kefir Replenishing Cleansing Oil – I liked this cleansing oil a lot and it lasted a long time for me.
Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel – I used to use this twice a day and it was drying my skin out. Now I use it as more of a spot treatment when I see some blemishes emerging.
LIKES
A lot of the products are in between for me. While I enjoyed using them, I wouldn’t say I NEED them in my life.
Exfoliating Treatment Mask – While I like this mask, but it is pretty expensive for a mask that you wash off. I would rather spend more on a sleeping mask or serum.
Dual-Phase Skin Reviving Treatment Pads– The exfoliating pads came in one of the kits I tried and while they were interesting and made my face feel smooth, they are so expensive (16 pads for $75 CAD).
Purifying Cleanser – This is a nice cleanser that makes your face feel clean, but not stripped of its oils, but there are cleansers that are cheaper that work the same.
Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Gel – This resurfacing toner gel is great. It’s nice and gentle and doesn’t irritate my skin, but it’s so expensive compared to other toners.
Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream – I would use in combination with the illuminating face serum. As someone with dry skin, I don’t think it was hydrating enough to use on its own, but it was a very nice and light gel cream if that’s what you’re looking for.
Hydrating Day & Night Cream – I liked this cream, but I didn’t love that it came in a pot. I prefer the illuminating serum because it comes in a bottle with a pump.
Have you tried TULA products? What were your faves?
MISSES
There’s only one product that was a miss for me and that was the eye cream.
Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum – Both my mom and I tried this and it made our under eyes itchy.
Today, I’m reviewing the Origins Ginzing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff. This one and the Ole Henriksen are super popular brightening eye creams. I thought I’d give this one a try first.
A refreshing eye cream that visibly brightens the eye area by diminishing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
It does illuminate the under eye because of the peachy tint. When I first started using it, I used too much and it brightened my under eyes too much. It would also dry down quickly and wouldn’t blend out well. Now that I know how much to use, it does brighten the under eye nicely. I don’t love the smell of this and I think I had a reaction to it because I got a milium (singular of milia since I only got one).
RATING: 3/5
I need a more hydrating under eye cream because my skin is so dry. I won’t be repurchasing this one.
I haven’t tried a lot of products from Almay. I was sent 10 Almay products to review (5 different products with two different shades of each). While that was very generous and all of the products look really pretty, not all of the shades are ones I would personally choose and if I opened them, I would just end up wasting them. So, I’m going to review the products that I’ve decided to keep for myself and I will be putting the unopened products in a future giveaway.
Several of the products have that iridescent, unicorn vibe – especially the Jelly highlighters and glosses. These products are greatt for a fun makeup look, festival or Halloween…they would’ve been perfect to use for Coachella.
I received 020 Smoldering Embers and 030 Coppery Blaze.
When you swatch the shadows with your fingers, they’re not the most pigmented. When you apply them though, they are very nice. For the Smoldering Embers palette, the shimmery bone shade is perfect to highlight the brow bone and I really love the brown shade because it’s smoky, but also perfect for an everyday look (this shade swatched the best out of the three shadows). You can add a bit more smoke by adding the purple shade.
From top: Smoky Eye Trio Eyeshadow in Smoldering Embers (top to bottom), Shadow Squad Eyeshadow in 160 Thrill Seekers (swatches are clockwise from top left)
Shadow Squad Eyeshadow
Your favorite shades, in each of four finishes: matte, satin, metallic, glitter
Mix it up in monochrome
Soft texture for beautiful color payoff
I received 160 Thrill Seekers and 100 Unicorn.
The Unicorn shades are either not going to show up or look weird on my skin tone, so I will be giving that one away. The Thrill Seekers teal shades are more my style anyway. Again, swatching them, they’re not the most pigmented shades. If you want to add some more pigment, apply it on top of the Velvet Foil Shadow (the Lunar Disco shade is the perfect shade) or make sure to use a shadow primer that will brighten it up.
I prefer the bottom two shades from this palette. I usually prefer if my brightly coloured shadows are metallic or glittery because I’m not exactly going to use a matte green or teal as a transition shade. The matte shade was also a bit patchy.
Velvet Foil Cream Shadow
Wear each shade individually or combine for a dramatic customized eye look. Quick and easy application – apply with fingertips or an eyeshadow brush. No shadow fall-out during application.
Long wear formula – up to 24 Hour wear
High intensity color
Crease-proof, smudge-proof, fade-proof all day
Infused with Vitamin E and a botanical blend of ingredients
I received 070 Astro Girl and 060 Lunar Disco
I first swatched this on my hand (see below- it looks kind of black in that lighting, but it is more blue) and found it very difficult to wash off. It made me worry how hard it would be to remove from my eyes. I don’t have waterproof makeup remover, if you do, you’re probably fine, but it took me a bit more effort to remove it. Astro Girl is a white shade so that won’t really look good on my skin tone. I opened up Lunar Disco which is a blue shade. I tend to go for more neutral shadows, but this looks nice when you pair it with the Shadow Squad Eyeshadow in Thrill Seekers.
Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite 24K Dreams, Unicorn Light, Velvet Foil Cream Shadow in Lunar Disco
Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite
Jelly highlighter that illuminates and shimmers, giving you a celestial glow.
Iridescent glitter sheen complements all skin tones
Instantly illuminates and adds moisture to skin
Buildable highlight for customized level of radiance
As always, hypoallergenic & fragrance free
Pro Tips!
Brush onto cheekbones and the bridge of your nose for an iridescent gleam
Apply to collarbones and shoulders to make them pop
Mix with moisturizer or primer for an all-over glow
Add to foundation for customized radiance
I received 003 Unicorn Light and 004 24K Dreams
These jelly highlighters dry down a bit tacky. In the pro tips, it says to apply to bridge of nose, I think it’s a bit too chunky to do that, it’ll look like you had some fallout from an eyeshadow get onto your nose. Similar to the Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Livin’ the Highlight, this is a bit more chunky than I prefer my face highlighters to be. I prefer a wet look instead of shimmery chunks, so I think this would be best as a body highlighter for the collarbone and shoulders.
I’ve compared these to the NYX Jelly Illuminator, check out my post (swatches included).
Goddess Gloss
A spectrum of prismatic lip glosses with holographic effects. Designed to be worn solo, mixed or layered.
Gives lips a holographic, iridescent glow
Lips feel moisturized and smooth, never sticky
Made with pomegranate, grape and raspberry oils
Available in 8 sheer, easy to wear, high-shine shades
As always, hypoallergenic & fragrance free
Pro Tips!
Rock it solo for an iridescent glow on lips
Mix & match shades to create infinite ombré looks
Layer over lipstick for a transformative holographic effect
I received 930 Dreamy and 900 Gilded
These lip glosses really aren’t my style. I don’t really like iridescent lip sticks, but if that’s your style, I think these would look really good.
This Almay collection is very fun and iridescent. I personally prefer a neutral look with a glowy highlighter so my favourite out of all of the products was the Smoldering Embers Smoky Eye Trio…boring, I know. As you may know, I’ve been trying to streamline my makeup collection. While fun shades and products are cool to try out, I don’t think I would’ve bought anything from this collection because I want to have products in my collection that are timeless and neutral (with maybe a nice pop of colour here and there).
Have you tried Almay products? What were your thoughts?
Today, I have a first impressions review for Woodlot products. It’s a Canadian brand that was founded in 2014. They generously sent me three products from their collection: two soaps and a body lotion.
Natural Recharge Soap
A simple antidote to stress and fatigue. Soothing aromas of rosemary + peppermint.
This one smells really nice. I love the peppermint in it.
Natural Wildwoods Soap
Embrace the power of detoxifying bamboo charcoal. Blended with nourishing butters, soothing balsam oil, crisp fir oil, and warming clove oil, this cleansing bar is brimming with benefits.
This one has a nice scent as well, but products with trees tend to smell more manly to me. The one thing I don’t love about this one is the activated charcoal. While it’s great that it detoxifies, it can get quite messy with the charcoal bleeding when it gets wet.
RATING: 4/5
While these are nice soaps, $10 is a bit expensive for one bar.
Amour Nourishing Body Lotion
Scents of floral palmarosa, fragrant rose damask, and spicy black pepper oil make this nourishing and lightweight lotion a romantic treat for your skin.
This lotion made my hands feel very soft, but the black pepper is a little overwhelming for me. I don’t usually use scented lotions because I have sensitive skin and a sensitive nose. I get headaches from scented products easily.
RATING: 3/5
My favourite of the three is the Recharge soap. It smells so good (and I don’t usually like Rosemary), but the mint makes it refreshing.
They gave me a discount code. Use the code JENCAT-XO at checkout to get 15% off!
I’ve tried out the Rael Hydrocolloid Acne Healing Patches (name has been changed to Miracle Patches) and compared it to my beloved COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) and here are my thoughts:
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches
The thin clear hydrocolloid patch feels similar to a hydrogel sheet mask in texture, adhering your skin strongly. It’ll stay on through showering and washing! It treats breakouts by eliminating infection and bacteria, which is what causes them in the first place. It’s able to breakdown debris from blackheads and absorb gunk from whiteheads overnight, so you won’t experience a harsh dry patch from using this. It even helps flatten and heal cystic acne faster!
24 patches per pack (3 sizes):
10 x 7mm
5 x 10mm
9 x 12mm
The COSRX are the first patches I tried and I’ve compared them to the Nexcare ones which I didn’t like (read my review). I buy the COSRX patches on Chuusi.ca for $4.50 each.
Rael Miracle Patches
Our high-grade absorbent hydrocolloid extracts impurities and provides a protective barrier that guards your skin from bacteria and irritants. These super-effective patches reduce inflammation and also prevent potential acne scarring.
24 patches per pack (2 sizes):
12 x 10mm
12 x 12mm
I bought these on Amazon.ca and got 4 packages for $24.46 which means 1 pack is $6.12
The Rael ones remind me of the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patches (read my review) because they are tapered on the edges, but the COSRX Clear Fit only comes with 18 patches in 10mm size.
Rael costs a little more, but they are better if you are wearing them out of the house. COSRX are cheaper, but they’re a little more noticeable (especially if it’s somewhere obvious like your cheek). COSRX comes with 10 of the small sized patches and I mostly use the medium and large patches. Sometimes when I peel off the COSRX ones, it folds over onto itself (like when you’re opening a bandaid and it sticks to itself and you can’t unstick it). The Rael (and the COSRX Clear Fit) patches are easier to peel off because the sheets are perforated.
I think that since the COSRX ones aren’t tapered, they can absorb more. From now on, I will buy both and use the Rael ones if I need to wear one out of the house and use the COSRX for home.
UPDATE: I’ve started to love the Rael patches more because I get pimples on my face where there’s curves (nose, jaw, chin). It’s easier for the Rael ones to stick since they’re thinner. I have noticed that if you wear the Rael ones for too long and there’s a lot of stuff to absorb, they will get gummy (for lack of a better word). The COSRX ones, since they’re thicker, they don’t get gummy.
Have you tried acne patches? What’s your fave brand?
Thank you to Freon Collective for these reusable 100% organic cotton rounds!
I wanted to find a more eco-friendly alternative to cotton rounds like the Shiseido and Quo ones because let’s face it, those aren’t cheap! Having reusable cotton rounds will be so much more affordable and eco-friendly.
These 100% organic cotton rounds come in sets of 15 and there are 9 different designs. I chose the Grey Marble ones. They come in a mesh bag so you can throw it into the laundry without losing any of them.
They do absorb a little bit more liquid than regular cotton pads and they aren’t quite as soft either, but they are still gentle. After using half of them, I’ll throw the used ones into the laundry so that I have enough to last a few days while the used ones are washed and air-dried.
RATING: 4/5
I still have quite a few packages of one-use cotton rounds in my drawers so I will finish those and then move to the reusable ones. I think I will use my makeup eraser cloths to remove makeup and use these for toners and other skincare products because I don’t want them to get dirty too quickly.
If you want to make the move to be more eco-friendly, they generously gave me a discount code to share with you guys! It’s not an affiliate code, just a 10% discount for my lovely followers! Use the code JEN10 at checkout!
I was contacted by Eileen from LKins SkinCare and very generously sent three products to review.
After purchasing products from local stores and buying the most expensive products from high end department stores she wanted to create her own set of products that she would be proud to use and that would leave her skin hydrated and feeling youthful but most importantly be chemical free.
She has dry, pale and sensitive skin and realized her skin was changing even more like so many others at this age and she wanted to protect it as much as possible. Her products contain natural and organic ingredients such as: vitamin c, aloe, coconut and honey.
Vitamin C Eye Gel
Helps revitalize, soothe and refresh the look of your eye area
Helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffiness
This doesn’t have a strong smell, but it does have a familiar scent that I can’t quite put my finger on. Perhaps it has the same smell as another skincare product I’ve swatched at Sephora. It feels tacky after using, so I think I’d prefer to use this during the day.
RATING: 3.5/5
I like that it’s not strongly scented and comes with a pump instead of a pot like other eye creams, but I find that it’s not hydrating enough for my very dry under eyes.
Hydrating Toner
Rids the skin of impurities, dirt, and dulling dead cells. Revitalizes and soothes skin, leaving it silky smooth, satin-soft, and with a pleasant fresh feeling.
The toner is very gentle and works for my sensitive skin. It doesn’t have much of a scent which is nice. I don’t love the container it comes in because it’s a spray bottle which is kind of unusual for a toner. It kind of spurts out instead of sprays since it’s more viscous than a facial mist. I transferred it over to a glass bottle with a dropper which is working well for me.
RATING: 4/5
Coconut & Honey Aloe Cleanser
This wonderful cleanser is made with aloe and coconut oil and Manuka Honey. An opaque, light gel; it gently foams while it cleanses and moisturizes the skin.
The Coconut & Honey Aloe Cleanser is very a gentle cleanser. My face doesn’t feel dry/stripped of its natural oils after using it. It has a very light scent (I mostly smell the almond, which isn’t a bad thing, I just don’t really smell the honey or coconut), but for a cleanser, that’s not a big deal for me since you wash your face and then rinse it off. It does have fragrance in it which I’m trying to get away from for my skincare products, but otherwise it’s a great product that works with my sensitive skin.
