• Tetley Tea Cold Infusions Strawberry & Watermelon

    Review | Tetley Tea Cold Infusions

    August 13, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the Tetley Tea Cold Infusions which are “flavoured herbal tea water enhancers.”

    Tetley Cold Infusions herbal infusers are specially created to be brewed in cold water. Simply drop in your water bottle (or glass or pitcher), shake or stir and go. No mess – no fuss – just great tasting water!

    There are 3 flavours available:

    • Strawberry & Watermelon
      • Ingredients: Hibiscus, Sweet Blackberry Leaves, Natural Flavours, Strawberries
    • Raspberry & Cranberry
      • Ingredients: Hibiscus, Natural Flavours, Raspberries, Cranberries
    • Mint, Lemon & Cucumber
      • Ingredients: White Hibiscus, Peppermint Leaves, Apples, Natural Flavours, Roasted Chicory Root, Cucumber

    It’s great that there’s no sugar added and they’re caffeine-free. It’s definitely more convenient to infuse it in cold water. You don’t have to do the extra steps of boiling water. It’s great if you’re going out for the day and you can just throw it into your cold water.

    I was sent two: Strawberry & Watermelon and Raspberry & Cranberry teas. The raspberry & cranberry had a bit of a medicinal taste that I wasn’t fond of, so I preferred the strawberry & watermelon. I think the mint, lemon & cucumber one would be refreshing, but that’s easier to make by yourself and you can control the amount of each ingredient.

    I will start by saying that I’m not a huge fan of strawberry-flavoured teas. I’m a bit particular when it comes to fruity teas. I prefer mint and green teas. From Tetley, I like the Lychee Pear Green Tea and the Super Herbal Sunshine Tea – Lemon & Orange with Vitamin D.

    I tried adding club soda to the teas to add some fizz, but it didn’t really do much. Actually, the fizziness overpowered it. So, I tried something else. I made it into a slushie by blending the tea with frozen strawberries and ice. I also added a splash of club soda (I think it was too much club soda the first time). It’s similar to a strawberry daiquiri. For those who are of legal age, you can add a bit of rum to make it more like a daiquiri.

    RATING: 2.5/5

    Honestly, I didn’t love the flavours I tried, but I would consider trying the mint, lemon & cucumber one and any others they come up with in the future.

    Have you tried the Tetley Tea Cold Infusions?

    Love,

    *Products were sent complimentary from Topbox Circle to review.

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  • Vaseline® All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick

    Review | Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick

    May 22, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick. I received this from Topbox to review on their website, but I thought I would do a blog post on it as well.

    • Clinically proven to help heal dry, damaged skin
    • TSA-friendly, on-the-go dry stick that you can bring with you everywhere you go
    • Delivers targeted healing for hard to reach spots
    • Great for protection against friction and preventing chafing
    • Can be used on dry skin, stressed skin, and sensitive skin
    • Non-greasy and mess-free formula, you don’t need to rub in anything

    There’s 40g / 1.4 oz in the tube. It retails for $8.49 CAD at the drugstore.

    This is a body balm stick, but I’ve been keeping it next to my computer and apply to my lips throughout the day. I like to wipe it down every now and then since I apply straight onto my lips.

    I know this is more expensive than the regular tubs of Vaseline, but it’s not as messy and you don’t have to stick your fingers into a tub.

    By the end of the tube, I’ll probably need to use a spatula or something to scrape out the remaining Vaseline (like everything else that comes in a tube)

    Vaseline® All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick

    RATING: 4/5

    I know they have the lip therapy tins, but I don’t like sticking my finger into a tin especially when I’m out of the house. It would be awesome if they made a tinier version for lips in the tube format.

    I would definitely purchase a smaller version if they come out with one. For my own personal use, I probably wouldn’t buy this once I finish my current tube. It’s too big for my purse and I already have tubs of Vaseline that I need to use.

    Love,

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  • makeup of the day

    My Makeup Routine | Fall 2019

    September 23, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

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

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

    PRIMER/SPRAY

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

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

    FOUNDATION

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

    CONCEALER

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

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

    POWDER

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

    BRONZER

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

    BLUSH

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

    HIGHLIGHTER

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

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

    EYES

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

    BROWS

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

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

    LIPS

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

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

    What products are in your makeup routine?

    Love,

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  • Review | Colab Sheer + Invisible Dry Shampoo

    July 18, 2017

    Hi Everyone!

    Last year, I got a travel-sized Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo in my 1st TopBox. It smells absolutely amazing and I wanted to save it because a full-size can of the shampoo is expensive (about $30 CAD for a 5.3 oz can). So I thought I would try a different dry shampoo. I went to Winners and to giveaway as prizes for C’s wedding shower, I bought a three-pack of Colab Sheer+Invisible Dry Shampoo Rio Tropical. I saw a full-sized can at Rexall on clearance for less than $4, so I bought a full-sized one too.

    L8640609

    RATING: 4/5

    I give it a 4/5 because it’s a good price and does what it’s supposed to do, but I just didn’t like the smell of this one. Maybe I will try a different scent next time. I did like that it is invisible when you spray it on. If I missed a spot when I was massaging it into my hair, it wouldn’t look like I have white hair or I was recently snowed on. It did what it was supposed to do, made my hair look less oily and gave it a bit of volume.

    I might try a powder one next since aerosol cans aren’t good for the environment. I know batiste is said to be a good brand for dry shampoos, so I might give that a try too.

    Any suggestions? I’d love to hear your thoughts on dry shampoos (aerosol or powder). 

    Love,

    jen

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  • Topbox | July 2016

    July 26, 2016

    Hi Everyone!

    I got my first Topbox in the mail and enough time has passed that everyone should have received theirs, so I wouldn’t be ruining what’s inside for anyone. Topbox sends a spoiler alert email anyway saying what’s inside the box, but since Canada Post was possibly going on strike and the delivery of the boxes may have been delayed, Topbox was sweet enough to include a bonus item as a thank you for waiting. I must say, the container that the makeup comes in is so cute. I even like the pattern. As soon as I opened the box, I could smell the hand cream’s scent.

    The contents of July’s box were:

    • The Face Shop Character Face mask (Pig-moisturizing)
    • Be Delectable Ultra Nourishing Hand Cream (coconut and cream)
    • Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
    • Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo (Sea Buckthorn Berry- Obliphica)
    • Starlooks Gem Pencil Eyeliner (GP5B- Ultra Turquoise)

    I’ve used TheFaceShop’s character face masks (pig- moisturizing) before, so that one wasn’t a big deal for me. They’re moisturizing and my face feels soft after using them.

    The hand cream has shea butter, coconut oil and aloe vera. I’ve used shea butter hand cream before and I find that it smells really nice in the bottle, but once I use it, it smells different. Maybe because my body oils and chemicals are changing the smell, or it’s just how it smells once it’s outside of the bottle, but either way, it always smells nicer in the bottle.

    I’ve heard of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, but I never pay more than $15 for mascara because I would prefer to have multiple mascaras for different uses (lengthening, volumizing, etc.) than only have one mascara. Since I usually stick to drug store brand mascaras like Maybelline and L’Oreal, this mascara was a treat for me, even if it is a travel size one. I compared it with another mascara I have (right now, I actually have about 6 mascaras and most of them were free- I got them from Sephora promos and Beauty Insider points). I believe I used Make Up For Ever’s Smoky Extravagant mascara on one eye and the Better Than Sex Mascara on the other. What a difference! I liked the Too Faced Mascara much better because 1) it didn’t look clumpy 2) my lashes felt super soft 3) When I used my finger to feel the lashes, no mascara came off on my finger (it did for the Make Up For Ever mascara). I probably wouldn’t splurge on the Too Faced mascara, but I definitely see why people love it.

    This was my first time trying dry shampoo, so I read up on how to use it. I absolutely love the smell of the shampoo and the little can it came in is adorable. It’s great for travelling and you want to freshen up a bit after a long drive or something. Given the normal price tag, I would never buy it, but, similar to the Too Faced mascara, I see why it’s popular.

    I got a bonus eyeliner in ultra turquoise. It has a bit of sparkle to it. It’s really pretty on and great for a night out. It’s not waterproof, so the colour smudges easily, but the sparkles stay on your skin. I was cleaning the swatch off my hand and the colour smudged off easily, but the sparkles went all over my hand where I had rubbed it off. There’s still a few sparkles that I missed with the soap on my wrist right now.

    I can’t wait to see what’s in next month’s box!

    What beauty subscription boxes have you tried?

    Love,

    Save

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