PIXI - The art of #multimisting*


We have always heard of misting products to set the face, or prep the face as a primer - however it never dawned on me that you can multi-mist. I already practice the art of multi-masking, which is to get a different type of mask and apply it on different areas of the face to address different concerns...why wouldn't I do it with my sprays? 

I was sent four of the Pixi Sprays you see here - in the below pics, from left to right in the pictures above we have: 1) Glow Mist 2) Hydrating Milky Mist 3) Makeup Fixing Mist and 4) Vitamin Wakeup Mist 

Glow Mist
This product is said to give a glowing, luminous complexion to your skin and to smooth it out. It contains 13 natural oils plus propolis, aloe vera and fruit extracts - which is why you see the separation in the product. There is a layer of oil that floats on the top that some people may misunderstand as product damage. No, it's not - I saw some YouTubers confused by that - it's litearlly oil. You should shake this product before using to combine it all together and get the true benefits of the product. This product also claims to hydrate, protect and nourish while setting makeup and adding a dewy finish and is said to suit all skin types. 

Thoughts: If you do not like a dewy look, please do not use this product. Also, I think that this product really isn't suitable to all skin types, I am combination skin with an oily T-Zone and I found this product to make me look really greasy - like a sheen was over me. While this is hydrating, it did move my make-up around after 2-3 hours. Out of the 4 sent to me, 


Vitamin Mist
This is considered a boosting treatment toner - it gives a revitalized and awakened effect to your complexion. The orange blossom water base is blended with skin-loving citrus fruit extracts, lavender, and arginine. Before moisturizer: strengthens & tones. After makeup: adds hydration & A protective veil. Anytime: cools, refreshes, & wakes up skin.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed using this as a toner as opposed to a make-up setting spray. The citrus scent really wakes you up, refreshes and acts to brighten your skin.

 
 

Makeup Fixing Mist
As stated on their site, this product was created to prolong makeup wear, provide a soft-focus finish and keep it from moving, melting, and settling into fine lines or pores. The rose water and green tea infused formula comforts, protects and balances skin for a fresh face. It contains a blend of black oat, provitamin A, and linoleic acid makes this rejuvenator the perfect first layer of moisture before serums or makeup. 

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this product - the scent of the rose water and green tea was very refreshing and light, not obnoxious. I used this to set my make-up and it gave me about 7-8 hours of wear (basically the duration of my work day). It is hydrating, but not dewy and does not leave a sheen like the Glow Mist. I cannot really speak to the "soft focus" claims, but I did overall enjoy this product and being from the drugstore, I think it's an added bonus.


Hydrating Milky Mist
This is described as a featherlight mist provides an instant surge of hydration with hyaluronic acid to plump skin. If you are a follower of my blog,  you will know that I am a HUGE fan of hyaluronic acid. I love the literal "surge of hydration" it pumps into your skin leaving it plump and youthful. Ever since I started using products with hyaluronic acid in my skin care routine about 2 years ago, I notice an almost reverse in time affect on my skin. So I recommend this as well for after you cleanse the face after your toner.


Of the four products sent to me, I would recommend the Hydrating Milky Mist as well as the Makeup Fixing Mist. Have you tried any of these products before?

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were sent for my review, all opinions are my own. 

Essence Nail Polish Swatches*

I was given the opportunity to try out a few of the products from Essence. I decided to split up my review of their products and focus on the Nail Polishes first (two of them are new shades that were just released). So What? A purple light grey tone and Jeans On! a true blue jeans shade.  

For those who have not tried Essence products, or know what they are, you are truly missing out. I have introduced this brand to a lot of my friends and honestly, it is one of the better, if not the best, bang for your buck in terms of quality to cost at the drugstore. Polishes are around $2 and are pigmented and lasts for a week without chipping. The brush is thick with rounded corners and fits perfectly in the cuticle bed. Typically one coat is enough for me to get a smooth layer. I add a top coat on top and it looks like a salon - gel type manicure. 

  
  
 

I would suggest that you try these out asap and if you're from Canada, head on over to your local Shoppers Drug Mart! 

Until next time, XO - M. 

*Products were sent to me for review, all opinions are my own.

Spring 2017 Skincare Routine


With the change in seasons, your skin in turn needs to adjust to to the new environment and elements. For example, in the winter the air is drier, there's less moisture in the air with the added cold temperatures means that the moisture will be sucked out of your face even faster - for me, in the winter time I tend to gravitate more towards cream and oil cleansers, or thicker night moisturizers.

For those who know me, will know that I take skin-care quite seriously. Ever since I was young or even in my early teens, my mom and grandmother would tell me the importance of taking care of your skin. You only have one chance to treat it well - you can't turn back the hands of time, or wish for something else. You have to take care of what is given to you - it's hard to reverse the effects of damage once it comes. Anyways - while I do chalk a big portion of this to genetics, still it doesn't negate the fact that you need to take care of your skin.  

To learn more about my Day and Night time routine, just keep on reading below....

NOTE: For categories that contain two items each, I have offered two options that are half the price of one another,  so depending on your budget it can help you determine which one to purchase :)

DAY TIME ROUTINE 



In the mornings, I prefer a lighter skincare regiment as I typically apply make-up afterwards I do not want to feel like there's a ton of product on my face. I prefer items that are fast absorbing and hydrating. 

The Dior Cleanser is light and refreshing, it keeps my skin hydrated and doesn't strip it. I spritz the Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Tonic after drying my skin to instantly close the pores, add extra hydration and prep it for serum. The Clarins serum is a Bi-Phase one, it contains a light oil component to it that is VERY lightweight - it really moisturizes my skin and the oil instantly disappears into my skin. To add more moisture, I follow-up with a face cream. Which one I use is dependent on my skin that day - if after the serum and it is still feeling thirsty and like everything I had applied prior is gone, then I go for a thicker one like the Nip + Fab Needle Fix which smells of a light citrus scent to really wake you up. If after the serum and my skin is looking plump and well, then I just go for a light-weight one like the Biotherm Life Plankton. Simultaneously I apply the Nip + Fab Eye Cream so that it can plump up the under-eye and it prevents my concealer from settling in fine lines or creasing. If I don't put on eyecream, I find that the concealer really gets patchy and cakey and does not apply smoothly. On days that I just use a powder foundation or no foundation at all, I apply the MyChelle Sun Shield SPF 28. It absorbs quickly and dries down matte. It's really great. I typically uses a tinted moisturizer on most days that has a SPF of 50 so on those days I do not need to use the sunblock.

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NIGHT TIME ROUTINE


Night Time is when I really pack on the moisture - everything I use is richer, more emollient and generally just richer in texture and consistency. The reason for this is because at night I am literally doing nothing but resting with no make-up on, so I can just let all the precious skincare sink into my skin and work its magic. 

I typically take my make-up off with a make-up remover or micellar water, however the Dior Life Oil to Milk Makeup Remover takes off my entire day's make-up without having to go the extra step of the micellar water. The oil really breaks down the eyeliner and make-up and also it does not feel greasy afterwards. I am a huge fan of the Nip + Fab Bee Sting Fix Toning Pads - the pads are textured and work as a liquid exfoliator to even out my skintone, help with uneven texture and to brighten the skin. Next is an oil - at night I go with oils vs. serums - The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair is light and adds a radiance to the skin - it is luxurious and makes you feel like it when you're applying it. The texture is like water! As a cheaper alternative, as the Estee is $100 approx, there is the Poetic Blend - Hero Oil. I discovered this brand at the One of a Kind Show and is a Canadian business - the scent of this oil is very relaxing, very therapeutic and helps you when you're trying to fall asleep. The oil is alot thicker in viscosity compared to the Estee one so if you do not like the feeling of any sort of weight on the face, I'd suggest the Estee. I mean the Poetic Blend doesn't feel that heavy, I personally don't mind it at all b/c I'm sleeping when this is on me. 

For the eyes, because I'm already using items that are richer, I use a lighter product on the eyes to prevent any melia from occuring - if I use anything too oily or rich under the eyes, like the Bobbi Brown eye cream, I get melia. Anyways, the Hylamide SubQ is watery and light weight and works to counter dark circles, wrinkles and de-puffs.  This is the cheaper alternative to the Clarins Multi-Active Eye. This product has an applicator that has a metal tip that works to cool the eye on application of the product - just be mindful when you're capping the product as if you cap it on the wrong end, you may end up squirting more product into the lid. 

For the moisturizer, my favorite is the Eve Lom Moisture Mask - it smells glorious like a blend of essential oils and it's almost like applying soft butter to the face. It melts onto my skin and leaves behind a very light layer that works its magic through the night to repair and hydrate. I wake up with plump and revitalized skin that looks fresh. The more budget friendly alternative is the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream - equally hydrating, but absorbs alot faster than the Moisture Mask. This is a really good hydrating moisturizer and you wake up looking plump and refreshed - but if you like a thicker mask feel, then I would opt for the other. 

Lastly, if my lips are feeling quite dry, I like to apply a lip mask like the Laneige one that smells like a berry cocktail. It works overnight to soothe any cracks to the lips or roughness and gets rid of any peeling. 

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I know that this seems like a very intense and long-winded regiment, but honestly it takes less than 5 minutes to apply everything. I often get compliments on my skin or that I don't look my age, and again while I do have to agree that most of it is genetics, it also is what you use to take care of your skin. Just because you are genetically predisposition-ed to have nice skin, doesn't mean that you can treat it like crap and expect it to work in your favor. Like everything in life, you need to spend time nurturing it. 

What are some of your favorite items to use in your daily skincare routine? Have you tried any of the products mentioned above out? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Until next time, XO - M. 

April 2017 Favorites


It's April and Spring is officially here. That means a change in make-up that is light and fresh with glowing skin and a flush to the cheeks. I have been using the following 10 items (yes I have made it a mission to only select 10 items for my monthly favorites now) almost everyday and if you want to know why, just click the link below to find out :)

1. Charlotte Tilbury - Instant Look In a Palette *
2. Burberry - Nude Pink 101*
3. Real Techniques - Eye Shade & Blend*
4. Fiona Stiles - Brow Sculpting Wax
6. YSL - Babydoll Kiss and Blush Duo Stick* - Purple/Pink
9. Hard Candy - Translucent Loose Powder*
10. Avon - Eyelash Curler*

KMS - ADDVOLUME Hair care collection review*


My hair journey for thicker and fuller hair has been a pretty big journey of ups and downs... mostly downs. As a beauty blogger, I'm lucky enough to have the opportunity to review various products from different companies on occasion, and every time I get the chance to try out anything with the name VOLUME or HAIR GROWTH, I say SIGN ME UP NOW! 

This time, I was kindly sent a few items from the ADDVOLUME collection from KMS to try.
1) ADDVOLUME - Shampoo
2) ADDVOLUME - Root and Body Lift
3) ADDVOLUME - Leave-In Conditioner
4) ADDVOLUME - Liquid Dust  

to read more about my thoughts on each item, just click on the link below...

Teeez Cosmetics Look, Review & Swatch - Cool Cerise, Flirty Pink and Vintage Cacao*


I was sent a few more items to try from Teeez Cosmetics and of course, I had to put them to the test! First, we have the Soft as Sin Cream Blush - Flirty Pink ($27 cad), Read My Lips Lipstick - Cool Cerise  ($26 cad), and lastly Spoiled Rich Eyebrow Cream - Vintage Cacao ($20 cad). I have been trying out their products the last few months, and you can see my reviews on them here. If you'd like to know my thoughts on these few items, just keep on reading below....

SAJE - Ginger-Aide and Foodie Drops Review*


I have been using Saje products for the past few years and am so happy to have the chance to review their new product releases as they are launched. My experience with Saje is mostly in the oil and diffiuser blends and room sprays so when these Foodie and Ginger-Aide drops were released, I had to give them and try and see if they are as good as the other products I already have on constant rotation in my life. 

To learn more about my thoughts, just click below and keep on reading....

ATTTITUDE - review of "Solution for Sensitive Skin" collection for family and home*


ATTITUDE is a brand that I've come to know through my weekly visits surfing on Well.ca, or from visiting my local natural food store. A little bit about the brand itself: ATTITUDE is a Montreal-based company that develops all-natural products of the highest quality and distributes in almost thirty-five countries. They are dedicated to promoting healthy living and offer several lines of products to meet every family’s needs: Sensitive Skin, Bath & Body, Baby & Kids, Household and even.....Pet Care!! They carry over 100 products and they also come in different scents etc.

Back to the collection - did you know that nearly six million Canadians (one in five) will suffer from atopic dermatitis (eczema) during their lifetime? Babies are not excluded from eczema either. Take me for example, I never had eczema until 3 yeas ago, and it''s so localized to my right hand that it just won't go away anymore. I have since been on the hunt for products that would provide me with some relief. ATTITUDE created its Solution for Sensitive Skin, a certified product line with approximately thirty skin care and household products specifically designed to meet the daily needs of people with sensitive, atopic and dry skin. This new ATTITUDE collection is certified by the National Eczema Association and is enriched with colloidal oatmeal, is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and has been clinically tested by dermatologists.

For this product line, ATTITUDE worked in close collaboration with the National Eczema Association in order to receive its seal of acceptance. The seal certifies that its products are free of all ingredients that are known to irritate sensitive skin. These 31 new products are completely safe for use and composed of worry-free ingredients.

To learn more, keep on reading below.....

LUSH Easter 2017 Product Review*


You gotta hand it to LUSH honestly, for consistently coming out with the cutest limited edition holiday specific body products - this time, as the title of the blog would indicate, is all about Easter! For those of you who have been following my blog, will know that I've been a user of LUSH products for years and well yes, while pricier then your typical bath products, who wouldn't want these super adorable and fun items to just make your bath time that much better!

I was sent a few items from LUSH to review and try out and as always, keep on reading below to learn more about my thoughts!

Avon True Color Lip Crayon Review and Swatch*


I was sent these lip balms to try a few weeks ago, and I figured, what better way to showcase them, then to do a lip swatch post of the lippies in action. 

With these lip balms, you get the full coverage of a lipstick in an easy buttery smooth pencil, that doesn't need sharpening at all. Turn the colored part at the end of the stick, and the tube of lip balm twists up. It feels weightless on the lips and does deliver really great pigmentation and it works as liner and lip color at once. Also, these contain Vitamin E and Shea Butter and comes in 12 shades.

Colors from the first row are: Fairest Nude (Cream) and Just Rosy (Cream)


Bottom Row: Pink Premier (Cream), Ready for Me (Shimmer) and Mauve Model (Shimmer)

These lippies come in two different formulas - Cream and Shimmer. Of the two, I definitely prefer the cream. The shimmer was a bit patchy and the shimmer was a bit chunky and I could feel it going on. The glitter was also quite visible so if you are a fan of that look, go for it! I'm just more a fan of the cream look :) Of the shades received, Pink Premier is my favorite - perfect for spring!

These retail for $10 each, however currently from now until April 19th, they are only $4.99! What are you waiting for?! :) 

Until next time, XO - M.

March 2017 Favorites


I had the opportunity to try out tons of new products these last two months because of the spring launches coming out from all the make-up and skin and haircare brands. As I mentioned last time, I am going to narrow down my monthly favorites to only 10 products. 


I have split my products into two different sections below to make it easier for you to navigate and so my reviews and thoughts wouldn't look like word jumble on this post. 


First things first, make-up products:
1. NARS - Soft Matte Complete Concealer (Macadamia)
I took the plunge and decided to purchase this product a few weeks ago and I have never looked back. I actually prefer this cream concealer over the NARS liquid concealer. For a cream, I was at first expecting it to be too thick that it'll crease on my undereye but honestly when I apply this with a brush and apply it to my undereye, it provides a medium coverage while somehow miraculously seeming like its a powder consistency. I recommended this to a friend of mine and she loved it too! 

2. Bare Minerals - Broad Spectrum Multi-Tasking Face (Well Rested)
I bought this product after hearing Shaaanxo rave about it for years. In a recent make-up destash video she still explained about how much she loved this and kept it in her collection. This powder is high-coverage! It sets the under-eye and lightens it by at least a shade. I really do enjoy this product and it does not break me out. If you're into the brighter undereye look, you definitely have to try this out.

3. Cover FX - Custom Cover Drops (G30)*
I was so lucky to have a one-on-one meet to learn all about the history of CoverFX, their entire collection of products and was even given some goodies to try out. I found my perfect mix of the CoverFX custom cover drops - I like to mix it with a dime sized amount of a gel base moisturizer, apply two drops of the Custom Cover Drops and one drop of the Custom Enhancer Drops. It gives me medium coverage with a subtle glow within that makes people ask me why my skin looks so radiant. The drops do take getting used to, remember this is a highly concentrated pigment product so once you find your perfect concoction it's a beauty.

4. Cover FX - Custom Enhancer Drops (Sunlight)*
As mentioned above, I use this product to mix in with my Custom Cover Drops. I am not one to do a crazy bright highlight but when lightly tapped to the cheekbones or mixed into the foundation, it gives you a beautiful glow.

5. Fiona Stiles - Multidimensional Color Palette
I learnt all about this product from Tati (GlamlifeGuru) and she gushed about this product. I told my friend about this and she was so sweet enough to gift this to me as a surprise since I can't get this in Canada she bought it at Ulta (Thank You Lil!! xoxo). This palette is thin, easy to take with you and has a good sized mirror. In addition, the colors are pigmented, finely milled and deposits a beautiful wash of color that is not patchy. It's just beautiful to have a palette that actually contains colors that I will use - the blush, bronzer and highlighter are all shades that are practical and effortless.

When I was first sent this product, I was a bit scared to try it out. 1, It does look very intimidating in the jar it is a dark shade of brown and 2. it mentions that the powder, when applied, will darken over time and gives you a tan that will last 5 days. This is the world's first powder tanner. I picked to try this on a weekend so that if this does fail on me it wouldn't be so bad after a weekend. I used the large fluffy kabuki brush to apply a light layer to the skin, I put one layer on in the outer perimeter of the face and also on my cheekbones and nose. When done, I had a subtle bronzed look to the skin like regular bronzer, however by the time it was around lunch, I no joke look like I just got a fresh tan. With this product, a little goes a long way - do not apply it liberally and keep piling it on, a sheer layer and a few hours later you WILL see it develop and will last you a few days :)

7. Dior - Dior Addict Lacquer Stick (Turn Me Dior)*
I had reviewed this recently on my blog and was kindly set a few lippies to try and this was my favorite. A pop of raspberry red and it just lifts my mood and gets me ready for Spring/Summer. It's buttery smooth, pigmented and well let's just say I WANT MORE! :) 


 Hair and Skincare Products
1. BVSpa - Sugar Scrub (Pink Grapefruit)*
After my trip to the Dominican and getting sun burnt, I mean hey I can't complain, I became 3 shades darker in one day hahaha but that also meant I cooked in the sun. Sure enough, I started peeling and this sugar scrub worked really well to help buff away the dead skin. The granules are big enough that it was able to remove the snake skin layer - and this was also very gentle and nourishing.

2. Pai-Shau - Opulent Volume Spray*
If you've been a reader of my blog, you will know that I've been using the Aveda Thickening Tonic but this has replaced it. This feels even more light-weight and provides me with volume that lasts all day without weighing down my hair or making it greasy.

3. Aveeno - Eczema Care 
The eczema on my right hand has always been an on-going concern and problem for me. The last 2 years has been a search for me to find the one item that could help me ease the irritated skin. Most of the products I've tried works only for a short period of time or is really expensive, and my husband recommended this to me. I was skeptical at first, but seriously I love it. If I don't use it daily, I can immediately feel the difference and my skin flares up again. This works well to calm the skin and keep my eczema in check.

What were some of your monthly favorites? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, XOXO - M.

products marked with an * denotes products that have been sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.

Mark by Avon - Be Beauty Brave with Lucy Hale*


Lucy Hale has been the brand ambassador for Avon for a while now and I am quite enjoying the collaboration they have. I was introduced to her when I first started watching Pretty Little Liars and I am currently re-watching the entire series on Netflix in preparation of its final 10 episodes coming soon in I think about 2 weeks? Who is A going to be?! anyone have any theories?

Anyways - I received a few of the products to experiment and try out and keep on reading below if you're interested in learning more about my thoughts!

#becrueltyfree - LUSH New Shampoo Bar Re-launch!*


I have been a user of LUSH haircare products for the last few years, especially the NEW Shampoo Bar - you can even read my post here back from 2 years ago. Everyone who I recommend the NEW bar to, who is suffering from hair loss whether it be from stress or from a thyroid problem, loves this. 

LUSH is re-launching its global best-selling New Shampoo Bar to encourage consumers to get behind Humane Society International's global campaign to ban cosmetic animal testing and trade. You can show your support by signing their petition at www.endanimaltesting.org

The shampoo bars have the organisation's #becrueltyfree message in both English and Simplified Chinese (the two most commonly used languages on social media). It is rolling out in Canada on FEb 27th online and March 27th in stores. 

More than 1 million people worldwide have signed #becrueltyfree petitions calling on their governments to ban cruel cosmetic testing on animals. or sales bans in their cosmetic laws - including the European Union, Israel, India, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan and most recently Switzerland. Currently in Canada, it is still under consideration in the senate before moving to review by Members of Parliament. So please, fellow Canadians you are encouraged to contact your MP and Prime Minister to make Canada the next country to #becrueltyfree.


Onto a bit about the shapmoo bar itself, honestly it works wonders - it has helped me grow back SO much of my hair. After going to university and living in residence, the water there with the stress made CHUNKS of my hair fall out. My hair dresser saw that I was getting increasingly concerned and so she had told me about this specific shampoo bar. She had said that alot of her clients who were experiencing the same issue as me, had told her about this bar and how it helped changed their lives and she thought that maybe I could try it out as well. Let's just say since the first bar back in 2014? I've never looked back. It smells of cinnamon and cloves and is refreshing and feels a bit tingling to the scalp. You wet the bar and rub it directly onto the scalp focusing on the roots and then massage it in - I highly suggest giving it some time to saturate and sink in - so lather up the rest of your body in the mean time. 

Full disclosure, this product does dry out the ends of your hair - so make sure you get a good conditioner or hair mask to keep your hair healthy and bouncy :) I like to pair it with the Macadamia Hair Mask.


I was sent the Veganese Hair Conditioner which is made for people like me with fine hair. It is also vegan friendly! It smells like lemons (it contains lemon oil and juice which delivers glossiness to the hair) and is made with a rich agar agar gel base to soften hair. It also contains herbal rosemary and lavender to promote a healthier scalp.

You do not need alot of the conditioner, just maybe a loonie size? You should just slather it on the ends, and then wash it out. You don't actually feel it in your hair as you apply it into your ends - like that slippery feeling? so just because you do not feel it, don't think that you need more.- once you actually wash it out with water, you will feel that slippery feeling you are typically used to with conditioner.


Next up, I as sent the R& B Hair Moisturizer which is like a hair styling product. NOTE - you do NOT need a lot of this product to see its effects - one little dab, warm it on your palms and run it thorough the ends of your hair and that's it - it'll get rid of frizz and keeps it soft and shiny. This product contains avocado butter, olive, jojoba and coconut oils and candlilla wax. It smells of orange and jasmine that is quite strong, so the scent paired with all the rich oils can weigh down your hair a lot if you use too much - so make sure you only use a light dab. 

Until next time, XO - M. 

Spring Pastel Pink Lip and Neutral Eye ft. Brand New Make-up Items*


The last time I did something like this, a post featuring brand new make-up items, it received some good feedback. So I decided to do it again :) Being a beauty blogger, I am fortunate enough to get new items to test out - what better way to see how they perform, then to just use them all together.

Below features the before and after:
  
To see what my thoughts are on each item used, keep on reading below...