PIXI Beauty has honestly outdone themselves and sent over this beautiful travel-bag filled with all of their rose-infused skincare items for me to try out. Not only were they so generous in doing so, they even went as far as to customizing the travel bag with my name on the inside - I really do love it when companies take the time to add these personal touches. I have had the opportunity to try some items out below, not all of it, but I will be providing my thoughts on what I have tested out, so if keep on reading below if you want to learn more about these items.
Review: Newness from First Aid Beauty (2019)*
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
First Aid Beauty, is a brand that I have been using on and off for the past few years, I have reviewed their products before here on the blog and if you're interested in reading about it, then click the link here. One of my favorite products from them is their Radiance Pads and the Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration. The Radiance Pads are great at clearing up my skin whenever it is acting up - like if I see some bumps, or if I'm breaking out, I will see this calm it and smooth things out. It is a liquid exfoliant that clarifies the skin and also brightens it. The Ultra Repair Cream has been my saviour in the colder months when my eczema is flaring up. It isn't thick, it feels weightless and hydrates my hands and doesn't irritate it. I keep a tube in my purse as well as my washroom and nightstand because I go through this stuff QUICK!
When I had the opportunity to try out some new items from FAB, I was very excited to see if I would like them as much as the two mentioned above. I was sent four things total to try, so if you're interested in reading my thoughts on them - then keep on reading below.
Review, Swatch & Tutorial: Urban Decay - Naked Reloaded Palette*
Monday, February 18, 2019
I still remember that the first palette and item I ever purchased at Sephora, was the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I loved it and gravitated towards it because of how neutral it was, filled with brown and gold hues that were just effortless to work with. When they decided to discontinue it, I was a bit sad about it but deep down I knew it was because they had to have something planned - something perhaps better?
Well look what we have here! A brand new baby that is now available as of February 17th - the Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Palette, which retails for $55 cad. I must admit that the photos I had seen drifting on the internet before did not do this palette justice - when I opened the palette, I was so pleasantly surprised to see the range of colors within - both in its standard matte and metallic formulation.
Review and Swatch: Zoya - Innocence (Spring 2019)*
Friday, February 15, 2019
Zoya brings to us this Spring, the Innocence Collection, which is a set of 6 polishes that is said to evoke the feeling of nature and the "transitions from Winter to Summer. Complete with its own thunderstorm in the color Theo, this collection is stormy and subtle, yet features a touch of brightness and softness". I would have to say that the description of this collection is pretty spot on - I am really feeling the grey-ish hue vibes of all the polishes.
Agnes: A powder pink in its cream formula
Birch: A grey toned lavender in a cream formula.
Fern: A saje green with an iridescent pearl shimmer that also subtly reflects a champagne hue.
Aire: A periwinkle blue in a cream formula.
Evette: Grape Purple in cream formulation.
Theo: A dark grey with irregular silver flakes throughout with a mix of dark blue glitter.
What I really appreciate in Zoya polishes, is their consistent attention to their formulations. In the above polishes, I could get away with one layer if I wanted to - but just to make sure I get a thoroughly even application, I always just do two to be safe. The shade Theo for sure needed two, and even perhaps three coats if you wanted it fully opaque as it is a glitter formulation. Each shade retails for $10 usd each.
Just a reminder, that you can now order the Z-wide brushes to provide you with an even easier application with its wider brush.
Out of all the shades, my favorite would have to be Fern and Birch, Agnes too is quite beautiful but Fern and birch are really beautiful shades. Fern is something I haven't seen before, and I have alot of nail polishes in my collection!
Until next time, XO - M.
*products were sent to me for review consideration, all opinions are my own.
My Favorite Make-up Primers for Winter (2019)
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
I fully believe that as the seasons and weather changes, your skin reacts differently and in turn that affects how your make-up sits on your face. I always have a drawer of primers in rotation, depending on the timing of the year (yes I'm high maintenance), but honestly if I'm going to spend the time to do my makeup, then why wouldn't I make sure it would last? I wouldn't want my work to go to waste!
In this post, I will share with you my tried and true favorite primers for the Winter months and why they work for me.
Hydrating Primers
1. Make Up For Ever - Hydrating Primer*
This provides my skin with an instant boost of hydration leaving behind a supple and plump canvas to work with. It evens outs any dry patches and eliminates it and quickly sinks into the skin, therefore not delaying the rest of my make-up application.
2. Lancome - Prep & Hydrate Illuminating Make-Up Primer*
This primer also provides all of the hydrating goodness as mentioned above and also gives a bit of dewiness and brightness without being overboard. It feels luxurious on the skin without being heavy.
1. Make Up For Ever - Hydrating Primer*
This provides my skin with an instant boost of hydration leaving behind a supple and plump canvas to work with. It evens outs any dry patches and eliminates it and quickly sinks into the skin, therefore not delaying the rest of my make-up application.
2. Lancome - Prep & Hydrate Illuminating Make-Up Primer*
This primer also provides all of the hydrating goodness as mentioned above and also gives a bit of dewiness and brightness without being overboard. It feels luxurious on the skin without being heavy.
Mists/Sprays:
1. PIXI Beauty - Hydrating Milky Mist*
I like to use this product before and after make-up application. It can also be used as a setting spray which is what I did when we had about -36c weather here. It just gave me an extra barrier of hydration and helped my makeup to blend together effortlessly.
2. Urban Decay - Rebound Collagen - Infused Complexion Prep Priming Spray*
This is an amazing primer in setting spray form. It evens out my skin tone and leaves behind a subtle glow and makes it look youthful. The spray is quite fine, so I typically use 1-2 spritz, and it absorbs fairly quickly.
I have been using this everyday, and I am so obsessed with this. I even layer this with the products mentioned above. It has an evening quality to it and helps to fill and blur out my pores and helps keep my oil production at bay. Ever since using this, I haven't had to blot or reapply my make-up throughout the day in my problem area (t-zone), where I used to see my make-up slide off mid-day.1. PIXI Beauty - Hydrating Milky Mist*
I like to use this product before and after make-up application. It can also be used as a setting spray which is what I did when we had about -36c weather here. It just gave me an extra barrier of hydration and helped my makeup to blend together effortlessly.
2. Urban Decay - Rebound Collagen - Infused Complexion Prep Priming Spray*
This is an amazing primer in setting spray form. It evens out my skin tone and leaves behind a subtle glow and makes it look youthful. The spray is quite fine, so I typically use 1-2 spritz, and it absorbs fairly quickly.
2. Laneige - Mini Pore Blur Perfector
This is almost like a moisturizer but with subtle blurring qualities - it is more hydrating than the DIOR, it is more like the MUFE and Lancome primer consistency but with pore filling qualities. On my natural days where I just want to put on some concealer, I just use this to even-out my skin.
3. Origins - Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer with Willowherb*
When I notice that I have some puffiness to the skin or that my skin is looking tired and I'm feeling like I need a perk-up, this is my go-to. It has a foam formulation that is cooling upon application and feels great. It hydrates the skin while also filling pores.
Have you tried any of these products before? What are your go-to Winter primers? I'd love to hear from you!
XO - M.
*products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own.
Review: Klorane - Mango Hair Care Collection*
Friday, February 8, 2019
Klorane has recently launched a brand new line up of hair products specifically aimed at those with dry hair, or in need of hydration (especially in the cold winter weather). Having just balayaged my hair, I have started feeling the effects of it on my hair, especially the ends where they have been bleached. I was really interested in trying this out on my hair to see how they did.
The Mango range includes a nourishing shampoo, detangling conditioner, leave-in cream (that can also be used as a styler) and an intensive mask. They're made with 96% natural ingredients, are eco-friendly and contain recyclable packaging. It is silicone and paraben free and is said to deliver results as quickly as after the first use.
What I really liked about the product is that they hold true to their claims, I did feel the effects right after the first use:
The shampoo was nourishing, but cleansed my hair effectively without weighing it down.
The conditioner was the perfect consistency and helped to moisturize it.
The hair mask which is my favorite just packed so much moisture into my ends that I now use it 2-3x a week and my hair has not felt dry anymore.
Lastly, the leave-in cream helped to detangle and smooth out my hair after towel-drying it.
The shampoo was nourishing, but cleansed my hair effectively without weighing it down.
The conditioner was the perfect consistency and helped to moisturize it.
The hair mask which is my favorite just packed so much moisture into my ends that I now use it 2-3x a week and my hair has not felt dry anymore.
Lastly, the leave-in cream helped to detangle and smooth out my hair after towel-drying it.
I highly recommend that you pick up the hair mask and the shampoo from this collection, they work and are high quality products. What else is great is that it smells like mango ice-cream, drool! Just like the ones you get from the Japanese restaurants.
Until next time, XO - M.
*products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own.
Review & Swatch: OPI - Tokyo Collection (Spring 2019)*
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
This Spring, OPI has launched a brand new collection of 12 nail polishes inspired by Tokyo! I remember going to that beautiful city about 5 years ago now, and I long for the day that I can go back again. I absolutely loved it, from the entertainment, to the culture and the shopping - it's an amazing city.
The Tokyo Collection has a mix of cream and metallic finishes. Though the names of the polishes are a mouthful, they are absolutely adorable - from How Does Your Zen Garden Grow to I'm On a Sushi Roll and Another Ramen-tic Evening. As for the finish, I found that I had to use about 2-3 layers of polish in order to achieve full coverage. The only shade that required one layer was Hurry-juku Get The Color! and Kanpai OPI!.
Overall I am extremely pleased with this collection, and I would definitely suggest that you pick up a few shades that I mentioned above with the names that I love!
Until next time, XO - M
*products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own.
Review and Swatch: Annabelle Cosmetics - Bouncy Collection*
Monday, February 4, 2019
Annabelle Cosmetics has recently included a range of products to their existing line-up, called the Bouncy Collection - it includes shadows, a brow palette, mascara as well as a face and body highlighter. For those of you who appreciate a quick make-up application on a budget will definitely want to stay tuned
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