Today, I’m reviewing another mascara! The Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara. I decided to pick it up because I’ve seen so many amazing reviews and I heard that Meghan Markle uses the Luscious one from the Lash Sensational collection (that will be next on my list).
It separates lashes really well giving the “full fan effect” and darkens my lashes. I applied the mascara to my lower lashes and they looked very natural (not spidery at all). If I run my finger under my lashes, you can definitely feel that you’re wearing mascara because the lashes are stiff. The mascara flaked a little bit when I rubbed my lashes.
I like that the brush is curved, it helps lift my lashes. I used to not like silicone wands, but I’m coming around to them. This mascara and the CoverGirl LashBlast have made me like silicone wands more. I think I will do a This or That post comparing this mascara to the CoverGirl one.
I have the washable mascara and it did not hold up after crying a bit. I was re-watching the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies and cried (obviously). I actually forgot I was wearing mascara and wiped away the tears. Later, I went to the bathroom and thought, “OMG! Why does it look like I have a black eye?” (That’s probably a bit dramatic; it didn’t really look like I had a black eye, maybe super bad dark circles). Then I remembered that I had mascara on. My lashes still kept the curl (I used my Shu Uemura lash curler before applying the mascara) despite getting damp from my tears.
To test how well it curls and maintains a curl, I curled the lashes on my left eye and didn’t curl the right eyelashes. After 6 hours, the left lashes were still curled and even the right look like I had curled them because the mascara lifted them. When I was checking them, I did notice a few mascara flakes on my right lid. After 10 hours of wear, it had definitely smudged onto my under eye area and flaked off a bit.
RATING: 5/5
I can see why everyone loves this mascara so much! It has definitely been added to my faves list! I would be interested in trying the Luscious one because it says it makes your lashes feel soft. I think I also want to try the Total Temptation one with Coconut Oil.
Today, I’m doing a first impressions review for two OUAI products I picked up at Sephora: Texturizing Hair Spray and the Wave Spray. When I first heard of the brand, I thought it was pronounced Ou-Ai…anyone else?? I’ve been searching for a texture spray that helps my hair from looking frizzy and gives me volume. I bought the texturizing hair spray in a Sephora favourites kit and I thought I would give the OUAI wave spray a try as well. Let’s get started on the reviews!
Texturizing Hair Spray
Like dry shampoo and hair spray had a baby—this ultra-lightweight hair spray builds incredible volume and texture. Packed with volcanic minerals to absorb oil and refresh hair.
Wave Spray
A weightless texture mist for effortlessly chic, undone hair. Infused with rice protein to add hold and memory for that “just got out of the ocean and my hair dried perfectly” look.
Both sprays have the same mix of fragrances listed:North Bondi: Bergamot, Italian Lemon, Rose De Mai, Magnolia, Lily, Blackberry, Violet, Cedar-wood, Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood, and White Musk.
I prefer the Wave Spray to the Texturizing Spray since it comes in a plastic bottle instead of an aerosol can.
RATING: 3/5
I’m rating them both the same. They both work well to texturize and give some volume, but I had to dock off points for the fragrance. They’re a bit too perfume-y for me, so unfortunately, I will be giving the texturizing hair spray to my friend and returning the wave spray.
I’ve been trying out a lot of mascaras lately. I’m on the hunt for a drugstore mascara that lengthens my lashes and holds a curl (if it also volumizes too, that would be great).
Get a blast of bold, volumizing mascaras! COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara gives you full and voluminous lashes. LashBlast’s patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic mascara formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big-lash look. This amazing volume mascara is now available in waterproof, too!
I find the tube a bit slippery to open. Especially since the top is slanted, so there’s less surface area to open…is it just me?
I love the silicone wand on this, it separates my lashes nicely. From what I remember about the Buxom Lash Mascara, this one could be a dupe for it. Although, I don’t have the Buxom one to do a side-by-side comparison, so I’m not 100% sure.
There’s no clumps and my lashes look natural and don’t feel too stiff. The wand is good for my bottom lashes too, it darkens my bottom lashes without making them look spidery.
My lashes looked so natural that when I asked my mom if she could tell I was wearing mascara, she said she didn’t notice until I mentioned it. The mascara makes them look natural, but darkens my lashes. I have the shade Very Black.
Some time after the 4th hour mark, the mascara had transferred onto my eyelid. Hopefully, if you get the waterproof version, it won’t do that.
Weirdly enough, I was wearing this on a different day during Black Friday weekend. I was at the mall most of the day, I got hot and sweaty from wearing my coat and it was raining (spitting, not heavy downpour), my mascara didn’t smudge at all.
RATING: 4/5
I would prefer if the wand was a bit more tapered so I could get the inner corners of my eyes a bit better. So, I don’t think this is my new, absolute fave mascara, but it definitely goes into the top 5 drugstore mascaras I’ve tried.
I definitely prefer this mascara over the CoverGirl Total Tease (read my review).
If you have any drugstore mascara recommendations, I’d love to hear them! I’ve already tried the L’Oréal Lash Paradise one, and it’s not one of my faves.
Today, I’m reviewing the Kopari deodorant. I was previously using Lady Speed Stick ones from the drugstore, but I wanted to start using a deodorant without aluminum. I decided to try out this Kopari one.
The clean, non-toxic deodorant that really works! This aluminum and baking soda-free deodorant works with your body’s natural functions to aid in odor reduction. This invisible formula glides on smooth and will outlast your longest days. It’s guaranteed to leave you smelling like fresh coconut milk.
No Aluminum. No Baking Soda. No Parabens. No Silicone. No Phthalates. No Kidding.
I don’t do super rigorous workouts, so this deodorant works for me. I did some exercises to work up a sweat and it still smelled nice and coconut-ty. I’m interested to see how well this deodorant performs in hot summer weather. I will definitely try it out when the weather gets warm again.
RATING: 3/5
At $18 CAD, it’s pricey for a deodorant, especially when I’m used to paying about $5 at the drugstore. If you stock up during a sale, it’s a little more reasonable. I do want to try other natural deodorants out there, but I really like this one and would definitely buy it again (during a sale). I’ve gotten a few recommendations from fellow beauty lovers and I’m interested in trying those brands once I finish this one.
Today, I am reviewing a few Saturday Skin products that I purchased during the Sephora sale. I got the No Bad Days kit ($48 CAD) that includes 4 travel-sized products:
Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist
Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream
Featherweight Daily Moisturizing Cream
Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
I’ve seen this brand on Instagram and I wanted to try it. I love the pink packaging that they use. Although, it can be quite tricky to photograph without washing out the pink or making the SATURDAY SKIN labels illegible.
Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist
Hit refresh. Concentrated extracts of kiwi and grape quench and nourish, drenching skin in a veil of moisture.
RATING: 4/5
It’s a 2-in-1 product – a toner and an essence. I like that it’s not scented. With the travel-sized bottle, it disperses the liquid so well that you could spray your whole face in one spritz. Originally, when I saw the price for the full-sized bottle, I thought it was expensive, but it’s almost the same as MAC Fix+ or the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist. It even comes in a larger bottle than those two mists.
Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream
Brighten up. Date Seed extract illuminates and refreshes the area around the eyes.
RATING: 4/5
I like the consistency of this eye cream and I like that it doesn’t smell like anything. It feels a little bit tacky after you’ve applied it, but it’s not as bad as another eye cream I tried once. My under eye area can get dry sometimes and this has helped to keep them smooth.
This lightweight formula still packs a punch. Avocado protein extract strengthens skin’s own moisture barrier, sealing in hydration to protect and soften skin.
DERMATOLOGIST TESTED. NO PARABENS, SULFATES, SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE OR SYNTHETIC COLOR.
RATING: 3/5
I like that it’s lightweight and doesn’t make my face feel greasy or tacky. I don’t like the smell of this cream; it’s not scented, but it has this plastic smell. I don’t know if it’s from the tub it comes in or if it’s the product itself. I’ve seen other reviews that mention the smell, so it’s not just me.
Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
Start over by gently rubbing dullness away. Natural cellulose lifts impurities from the skin and aloe extract soothes skin. Packed with papaya and bromelain (pineapple) to help remove impurities.
RATING: 4/5
This product made my face feel nice and smooth. While I did like it, there are similar products on the market that are cheaper. I prefer to spend more on skincare products that stay on my face. Since this product is a peel, I’d rather save some money.
I’m glad I got this kit to try a handful of Saturday Skin products. Although if I had bought the individual items, I’d be able to return them easily. I’m not sure how it works with returning a kit…are you even allowed to return kits?
Since this is a first impressions review, I will continue to use these products and update you on any changes. Based on my initial thoughts, I would repurchase 2 products from this kit: the Wide Awake Brightening Eye Cream and the Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist.
Have you tried Saturday Skin products? What were your thoughts on them?
Today, I’m reviewing another mascara! I also have two more mascaras that I haven’t opened yet. Here’s my review for another Essence mascara!
Extra volume, extra curl! Essence’s The False Lashes Mascara Extreme Volume & Curl fiber brush ensures maximum volume and curved lashes with a false lash look.
My lashes feel very soft after using one coat and when I lightly rub my lashes with my finger, nothing transfers. It removes easily with micellar water without giving the raccoon eyes.
After about 3 hours, it was getting a bit smudgy on my under eye and I only applied the mascara to the top lashes. After 4 hours, the my left eye was definitely smudged and flaky. I don’t know why it was just my left eye…do I blink harder on that eye? Did I accidentally rub it without noticing? My right eye was a little smudged, but not as bad. While it did smudge pretty badly, it managed to keep the curl of my lashes better than other mascaras I’ve tried. I won’t be repurchasing this mascara because of the flaking.
RATING: 3.5/5
Comparing this to my review of the Get BIG! Lashes Triple Black Mascara, I think I prefer this one for the brush, but I prefer the other one for the formula.
Have you tried Essence mascaras? Which is your fave?
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.
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.
I bought a 2-pack of Hair Turbans from Winners for $10. They’re from a brand called Tru Spa. I thought I’d give it a try because my hair is long and I dry my hair all the time. I don’t do much else to my hair, so it’s okay for me to dry it all the time.
Gently dry hair faster with extra-absorbent TRU SPA Turban Hair Towels. Soft microfiber absorbs moisture to cut down on blow drying, while keeping hair up and away from face.
easy to use
one size fits all
perfect for all hair types
reduces blow drying time
simply twist, flip and button
for use at home, gym & more
As I was looking up hair turbans online for this post, I realized I’m an idiot and I was using them BACKWARDS! I had been putting the button in the front. I used it twice and each time I was like, “this is so difficult…this must be better for people with shorter hair”…nope, just using it wrong.
Lol, you would think that it would’ve occurred to me that when you do a hair turban with a regular towel, the twist is in the FRONT. But, no, this did not occur to me. I did notice that it did absorb a lot of water from my hair (even when I was using it wrong). In my defense, I have seen pictures of hair turbans where the button is in the front. The hair turban is about 10x lighter than a regular bath towel. It’s probably better for my hair line too because I’ve worried my heavy towel has been pulling at my hair and changing how my hair lies on my head. I already have a fairly large forehead, I can’t afford to have a receding hair line.
Once I started using it correctly, it did dry my hair a lot faster because it wasn’t bunched up into a ball on top of my head. It works well if you come out your hair before putting the turban on.
RATING: 4/5
I give it a high rating because it does work well, but do I think they’re worth it? No. I think it would be better to just buy some microfiber material at a fabric store and maybe make them yourself or buy microfiber towels. At $5 a turban, I don’t think these are worth it.
Today’s review is on the Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer! I bought this because it’s one of Tati’s favourite primers. When it comes to flawless looking makeup, I can always rely on Tati’s recommendations. I love getting recommendations from Beauty YouTubers. They try so many different products and brands, so if they have a favourite, then you know it must be good. Of course, not everything they love will be something I love too, but sometimes you just have to give it a try. So, when I bought some products from Tarte, I popped this into my cart. Keep reading to find out what I have to say about this primer!
The one that I bought is the Limited Edition (LE) one. The packaging is different, but I checked and the ingredients are the same as the regular primer from the permanent collection. The LE primer comes in a frosted glass pot that has a pink and green glittery lid. Although the top of the lid looks glittery, it’s smooth. The regular primer comes with a gold lid. Personally, I prefer the gold because it looks more luxe than the LE, but the LE was on sale for $9 less.
It’s quite expensive for such a little pot at $47 CAD, but hopefully it lasts a long time (assuming it doesn’t dry out or anything). You really don’t need very much especially if you’re only priming certain areas of your face. I only prime the areas that have larger pores.
This skincare-infused primer with innovative blurring & filling technology gives a more youthful appearance while prepping the skin for makeup. Formulated to fade out your biggest beauty boundaries such as large pores, fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidant-rich formula gently melts into the skin delivering a surge of moisture, peptides and other naturally-derived elixirs for a firmer, smoother appearance. Has a lightweight texture and fresh powder scent as it provides the perfect blank canvas to enhance the look and wear time of makeup.
When I first opened it, I was looking at it and went in to sniff it. I tilted the pot a bit and the all of the primer plopped out (in one blob) of the pot. Luckily, it only fell onto my chair and I quickly picked it up and popped it back in. I pressed it down a bit so that it would stay, but now I know not to do that just in case. I am a bit worried that since it comes in a pot and it’s exposed to the air whenever I open it, it will dry out faster. By the way, it has a scent that smells kind of citrus-y.
I noticed that it takes a little more effort to work this primer into the skin than other smoothing primers I’ve tried (Smashbox and MUFE). I use my finger to pick up a very small amount (just enough to coat the pad of my finger) and then I use a finger from my other hand to warm it up a bit. Since this primer is a bit thicker than others I’ve used, I’ve found that I can’t just press it into the skin. I need to press and also spread it a bit to make sure there’s no clumps. The consistency is kind of like butter, so it’s like you’re spreading butter onto toast in small strokes. With other smoothing primers, you have to make sure to press it into your skin, but you can’t rub them or they will pill. With this primer, you need to smooth it out a bit.
I’ve used this with both liquid and powder foundation and it makes my makeup look flawless. It really does blur pores and make your skin look super smooth. It doesn’t claim to extend the wear of foundation or anything, but my Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation still looked flawless after being on for hours.
Today, I’m reviewing the Waso Quick Matte Moisturizer Oil-Free. After finishing the Water Balm (read my review) from Sonia Roselli, I started using the Waso moisturizer. If you want to see what else is in my skincare rotation, click here!
I bought it during the Sephora Beauty Appreciation Sale a while back. Originally, I bought this for my mom. Even though the brand is geared toward Millennials like me, I thought I would get it for her because she has oily skin. She decided to go with the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion instead.
Waso is a line from Shiseido. Since it’s geared toward people in their 20s and 30s, Waso’s products are less expensive than Shiseido’s. It’s similar to Dior BACKSTAGE being slightly more affordable than the main Dior brand.
I like the packaging; it’s a translucent light green bottle that reminds me of jade. I don’t really know why the lid has the hole in the packaging (like a water bottle). I feel like it’s a bit unnecessary; it’s not like I’m going to be carrying my moisturizer around, carrying it by the loop like I do with my water bottles. I like that it comes with a pump and the packaging is very simple, yet classic.
My skin is on the drier side, so I’m probably not the best to review this product based on how well it mattifies my skin. When I use this, my skin does look matte, but not dry. It dries down a bit tacky.
I love the gel consistency of this moisturizer, but the scent is a bit too floral for me. When I was at Sephora, I tested out another product from the Waso line, the Fresh Jelly Lotion. I can’t remember what the scent was like, but I would be interested in trying that if the scent isn’t as strong.
An oil-free, oil-balancing gel emulsion to instantly mattify and balance skin with 24-hour hydration. Smooths and hydrates skin with a shine-reducing, sebum-absorbing powder to maintain a matte look. The dewy texture feels refreshing and leaves skin feeling smooth, hydrated and less shiny. Formulated with whole Loquat Leaf Cells, which are carefully extracted to keep their wholeness harnessed for an anti-oxidant effect and to help balance skin’s oil levels. Loquat Leaf has an antioxidant effect that is known to help suppress sebum breakdown.
For dry, oily, normal, combination and sensitive skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-comedogenic. Paraben-free. Oil-free.
PhytoResist System+ uses the power of botanicals to help heighten skin’s resistance to internal and external stressors while also infusing rich moisture.
Sebum Absorbing Powder helps absorb excess sebum for smooth, non-oily skin, while minimizing visible pores.
I received the Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint in Naughty Mauve complimentary from Topbox Circle.
• The look of a stain and comfort of a balm. • Infused with coconut oil so lips feel moisturized and smooth. • Pillowy soft cushion tip gives a touch of color and builds for more impact. • Juicy tint with a balm-like finish, dries to a blotted lip look.
It glides on smoothly and feels very moisturizing from the coconut oil. It has a light vanilla scent which I don’t mind. The shade is a bit dark for my personal preference, but it’s a beautiful shade especially for fall.
I don’t love cushion products especially if it’s a lip product. The sponge is always wet because of the tint unless you wipe it off every time, but then you waste a lot of product. I also feel like because you have a sponge, you’re twisting a lot more product out than you need.
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!! I have another mascara review for you today! This was my first time trying a Bourjois product. My friend gave it to me and I assume she got it as a free gift with purchase or something.
It’s really interesting because you twist the top and the wand can go from long and straight to shorter and coiled like DNA ← this is probably the extent of ‘science-y talk’ that I will have on my blog.
Twist Up The Volume Mascara in Ultra Black
1 TRANSFORMABLE BRUSH WITH 2 RESULTS: DEFINED LENGTH + OVERSIZED VOLUME Two transformable brushes in one! Use position 1 to lengthen and separate lashes. Use position 2 to volumize and intensify lashes. Its ultra black formula quickly builds full coverage and volume on every single lash.
It’s kind of funny. The fact that you can twist the top part so that the wand is straight or coiled makes me think of going to the eye doctor. Is it a 1 or a 2…1 or a 2? The mascara coats the lashes nicely and it doesn’t look clumpy. The mascara will transfer a bit if you rub your lashes. When I applied the mascara, my lashes were curled. After a few hours, the lashes on my left eye were straight and the lashes on my right eye were a bit curled, but not as much as when I initially applied it. For some reason, the lashes on my right eye can hold a curl better.
The wand definitely give you two different results. When it’s in position 1 (straight), it separates the lashes and makes them look very natural. In position 2 (coiled), you can definitely tell that it intensifies the lashes and gives you a thicker coat of mascara. So, you can get a natural look or smokey look with just one mascara. I think I prefer the natural look on myself. I don’t like when it looks like I’m wearing mascara or when I can feel the mascara weighing my lashes down.
RATING: 4/5
I like the silicone brush and I like the fact that you can get two different looks in one mascara. I think this would be worth splurging on because it’s the same as buying two cheaper drugstore brand mascaras.
I realized I haven’t done a review in a while. Oops! So, here’s my latest review on an Essence mascara.
After trying out the Essence Volume Stylist 18hr Lash Extension, I thought I would try other Essence mascaras to see how they compare. Essence mascaras are so affordable, they’re about $4-$6! This one that I’m reviewing was $3.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart. Essence mascaras, I believe, only come in one colour: black.
Although I love Essence mascaras, they don’t come in plastic packaging (like Maybelline and L’Oréal ones). So, that means they could easily be opened in store, exposed to bacteria and also dry out faster. I know some Shoppers have started to put tape on products that come without packaging to prevent people from swatching/using products which is good, but then you get that stupid tape residue and using oil doesn’t always get it all off. Anyway, I’ll stop ranting about the packaging, and get on to the review of the actual mascara!
Essence Get BIG! Lashes Triple Black Mascara
Black, blacker, triple black! This is the deep black mascara in the popular get BIG! Lashes family by Essence. The large, innovative fiber brush offers maximum volume and adds density to your lashes. Its carbon black texture ensures an expressive look with a triple black effect!
The brush on this is really fat. It’s a bit difficult for me to use (I definitely can’t use it on my bottom lashes). The mascara does darken my lashes and they felt natural. Some mascaras make your lashes stiff and I don’t like that. I wore it for 6 hours and it didn’t smudge at all. After the mascara dried, I gently rubbed my lashes to see if it transferred and it didn’t. It removes easily with micellar water.
RATING: 3.5/5
I’d rather pay $1-2 more and get the 18hr Lash Extension Mascara. I’m still searching for a mascara that will keep a curl once I use my lash curler. By the end of the day, my lashes are usually weighed down and go back to being stick straight.
Have you tried Essence mascaras? What’s your fave?
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.
I was at Winners the other day and I picked up a few things. I kept seeing this Zoe Ayla Makeup Brush Cleaner & Dryer, but the boxes were always destroyed. I know it didn’t really matter as long as everything was inside, but they just always looked so dirty. I finally spotted a few boxes that were in perfect condition and picked one up for $29.99. I don’t think there’s any specific brand name one that’s better than the others, but here’s a link to one I found on Amazon- Makeup Brush Cleaner & Dryer.
This revolutionary electronic tool magically cleanses you brushes in seconds and allows you to dry them in seconds without creating any mess or hassle. Professionals strongly recommend cleaning your makeup brushes every few weeks, but traditional cleaning methods are messy, time-costly and often leave brushes wet and unusable for up to 24 hours.
You just attach any makeup brush using one of eight collars, before dunking it for 10 seconds, spinning for another 10 seconds and then drying for 5-10 seconds.
It comes with a bowl, 8 silicone collars to fit different brush sizes, a plastic stand to hold the collars, 2 spindles to connect the collars to the device and the device to spin the brushes. The device takes 2 AA bateries and you press a button to spin it.
A lot of my Sephora brushes don’t really fit properly in the collars. The best eye brushes that work with the collars are ones that have a tapered end. I found that half of my brushes don’t fit comfortably in the collars and obviously double-ended brushes aren’t going to work. I either have to shove the brush into a smaller collar or I will need to wrap something around the brush for it to fit into a bigger collar.
Obviously when you clean an eye brush, it spins really fast because it’s so small and when you clean a powder brush, it spins a little slower because it’s heavier. Because a powder brush is heavier, the spindle has fallen out once or twice while I’m spinning the brush. I don’t know if I’m just not pushing the spindle in all the way or if it’s as far as it goes. I think I’m supposed to put more pressure, but I’m worried I’ll break it if I push too hard.
This product works best for brushes you use for powder products. For liquid products, it doesn’t get in between the bristles and therefore doesn’t clean it properly.
For liquid products, I use a cleaning mat that I got from Saks Off Fifth. I lightly swirl my brushes to make sure the inner bristles are cleaned.
After my brush is clean, I like to run the brush under the tap to rinse off the soap and then I spin it to dry it. I wouldn’t say that this completely dries the brushes, but it does cut down on the drying time. Usually, I lightly swirl it on a clean towel to get rid of the excess water.
The device fans out the brushes a lot, so I put it back into it’s normal shape before I hang it on my drying rack. I wouldn’t use this on more expensive brushes just in case it ruins the shape of it or something.
RATING: 3.5/5
I think $20-30 is still a bit expensive, I definitely wouldn’t pay more than that. This product is a bit gimmicky, but it does dry brushes really fast. Although I rated it fairly high, I don’t think I would recommend it. One thing for drying makeup brushes that I would recommend is a makeup brush drying rack. This isn’t the specific one I bought, but it looks exactly the same.
