Make Up Kismet

I've Got Mail + Julep Review

2012-01-31T09:41:00.000-08:00

January has been a very strange month. Along with losing my blogging mojo (temporarily!), I also received some very devastating news. But what better way to get my mind off of things than by opening the door for the mail man. This month I received 3 packages, all of which came from Julep.

Julep had a $0.01 deal early in December that I couldn't say no to. BUT I stupidly forgot to cancel the next subscription date and was charged $19.99 for another box (that I did not want!!). The bright side (not really) is that I ended up receiving a free introductory package too. What a delightful surprise (again, not really). Regardless of Seattle being so close to Vancouver, the boxes took forever to get here; 3 weeks, roughly.

But onto what Julep personally picked out for me based on my style, "Classic with a Twist" -

Red is a classic shade, don't get me wrong, but did I have to get one in every subscription? The worst part was the "twist" they gave me; a variety of pink's and one unsuspecting blue. Red AND pink - where is the twist in that? Pink is also a classic shade, isn't it??
Now I know I shouldn't complain because subscription boxes are all about "surprises" and if I had checked my Julep account sooner, I wouldn't have ended up with so many red's and pink's but eh? Why did I end up with two reds that are practically identical?

As for the nail polishes themselves, they're not the greatest and definitely not worth $14 per bottle. Demi (one of the burgundy red's) chipped an hour after I applied it. The formula is also on the thick side but even so, 2 coats is not enough for a seamless finish.

Last note - I hate the bottle shape. It was cool at first but after opening each bottle, I noticed the caps wouldn't align properly with the bottle. The neat freak in me wants to twist the caps a little loose so they bottles look even but that would inevitably make the polishes age and bubble up quicker.

Bottom Line:
If I wasn't clear at all - I do not like Julep's subscription program. Their subscription is the least worthwhile subscription out there for me. While the colours they offer can be enticing, I'd much rather go to the drugstores and pick out my own colours and for less than $20. But hey, if you like surprises and nail polish, this might be the subscription for you.

Have you tried Julep's subscription program? What do you think about them?

Hoarders: Lip Gloss Edition + The Ban

2012-01-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

We've seen the lip balm and the lipstick collection already so now it's time to showcase the lip glosses.

Count: 20.

It may be hard to believe but the lip gloss stash used to be half this size up until a few months ago! Since I rarely wear lip gloss I feel it is necessary to put a plug on the lip gloss hoarding. Welcome Larie and her group no buy/limited buy plan. Without thinking twice about it, I have volunteered to join in this torturous project.

So starting today up until April 30th, I will not purchase the following items:
mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, or lip balm (tinted lip balms do not count!). If the aforementioned items pop up in gift sets or pre-packaged sets, those will not count. Otherwise, the ban is pretty straight forward. I figure the shorter and simpler it is, the less room there is for loopholes and more room for victory!

Buuuuut..... if you count a month long break as a loophole then that's the big one. My birthday month (and Liz' - remember that folks!) is March so a break is oh so necessary. The ban will resume as soon as the month is over of course but still, a loophole is a loophole no matter how you justify it.

Although I have fears of failing, I will be strong for my ban buddies; Larie, Liz, and Makeup Morsels. Let's not forget about Tracy, the blush fiend going on a six month long blush ban!
There are more like us and why we torture ourselves like this, I don't know. I just hope we all make it out of our bans sane and maybe even a little bit richer. Wish us luck!

Review: theBalm Nude'Tude Palette

2012-01-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first post and review of the year on Makeup Kismet! I know I've been quiet on the blogging front but that will soon change. But for today, I will be blessing the first review of the year with theBalm's Nude'Tude Palette.

The Nude'Tude palette comes in two versions: Feeling Naughty or Feeling Nice. Both are identical in price ($36USD), weight (11.08 g), and eyeshadow selection. Which did I order? Feeling Naughty, of course ;)

The risqué artwork may offend some people but I like it. The ladies are wickedly playful and they have beautiful, voluminous hair! Anyway, the eyeshadows covering the lady parts are just as playful and are actually useful.

Although I was expecting the Nude'Tude palette to be perfect day time wear, I find it better suited as a natural, night out palette. Now I expect people to ask me, "Well why not stick with the Urban Decay Naked palette? It will produce day to night looks, all in one palette!" True but only if you can pull of the very, very warm tones that is comprised in the Naked palette. Yes, Nude'Tude is also warm but not as intense as Naked, making it much easier to wear. And although the colours do not overlap, I prefer the variety in theBalm's palette more. The formula of theBalm's shadows is ridiculous too. Ridiculously soft that is. It practically melts like butter on the lids.

Now for the swatches. All were made on bare skin with one to two swipes each.

Sassy / Snobby / Stubborn / Stand-offish

Selfish / Sultry / Sophisticated / Schitzo

Sexy / Silly / Serious / Sleek

Sassy is a frosty white that makes for a great inner corner eye highlighter.

Snobby is a shimmering pale yellow gold. It's applies as a sheer wash of colour because the texture is quite dry. I was expecting a bit more from this one.

Stubborn is a frosty light peachy pink. I love wearing this as an all over colour.

Stand-offish is a light frosty metallic... Okay, this one confuses me. It's almost bronze but then peachy at the same time. What would you call it?

Selfish is a frosted taupe. It's a more mushroom-y taupe when layered and well, who doesn't love a taupe?

Sultry is a matte medium brown. This is a very good matte; easy to apply with great pay off.

Sophisticated is a deep brown with gold shimmers that blends very easily. Must layer lots with this ones or you lose all the beautiful gold shimmer!

Schitzo is a warm golden bronze brown. Applies like a dream!

Sexy is a matte burgundy that is powdery and swatches patchy but when applied with a brush it turns into a whole different story. With a brush, Sexy packs a punch. There is fall out due to the powdery-ness but if you love a good burgundy eyeshadow, this is something to look into.

Silly is a dark brown with hints of red undertone and copper sparkle. This colour was heavily swatched but in reality, it applies sheer due to a drier texture. The copper sparkle is mostly all you'll get.

Serious is a matte black. Not the best matte black out there but still good.

Sleek is a matte black brown. Smoother than Serious but definitely not as dramatic. I must say, this is my favourite matte eyeshadow throughout the entire palette.

Notice how every eyeshadow is named after a feeling or personality starting with the letter 'S'? theBalm paired up the shadows to the words quite nicely. But about the actual product? The eyeshadows are soft and sometimes messy but that could be overlooked because they are also very pigmented. And if all goes wrong, the shadows can be blended out so beautifully.

If I could change a few things in the palette, it would be the amount of frost and shimmer in the lighter colours or add in a matte vanilla companion. The frost in the lightest colours combined with the shimmer of the browns is a little too strong for a natural, day time look.

Bottom Line:
While I wish to say theBalm's Nude'Tude is a must have, it isn't in my books. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice palette but not exactly a "nude eyeshadow palette". The quality is there though so if you're looking for a natural night out palette, give Nude'Tude a go. All the colours are there for you and the packaging is so cute!

Ingredients

I'm Feeling Empty - Part 3

2011-12-30T16:57:00.000-08:00

I lied. Before 2011 comes to an end, I want to pump out one last empties post for 2011 so that next year will start on a fresh slate. Plus, neither part 1 or 2 features any makeup (excluding mascaras) but part 3 will!

Up first are the skincare empties:

Avène Thermal Spring Water - I finished a much larger size early in the year which made an appearance in Pt. 1 but this travel sized lasted much longer (say what?!). It's a staple, much better than the Evian spray but I'm going to branch out next year.

St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser - Too drying and strongly scented. In the end, I used it as a brush and wash cloth cleanser. This happens to all bleh facial cleansers.

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask - When did the Volcanic Ash collection last come out? Well whenever it was that's how long I've had it for. The tube is actually 50% full but I'm tossing it. Never EVER listening to the certain Youtube guru that raved so highly about this mask ever again. It's expensive and.. IT DOES NOTHING AT ALL.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - Technically, this was the SO's and it was about 1/5th full when he left it with me to finish. Absolutely hate the smell which is very much like an ebi sunomono. The consistency kind of grosses me out too; reminds me of boogers and slime.

Etude House AC Clinic Acne Foam Cleanser - Almost as good as my beloved HadaLabo Tamagohada Face Wash but this one stings my eyes. Strangely enough, I enjoy the Glysomed-like scent.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream - Nooooo! This is my last travel sized tub of this cream. At first I didn't think it was worth it is. It has saved me from a lot of scarring. Must repurchase this ASAP in case of emergencies!

Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum - Seems like all the Murad products I've tried finish off extra quickly. If you haven't already read my full review, don't bother. In short - I don't recommend this serum.

Hair Care:

Earlier this year I made a P5P for shampoo's & conditioners. Well, I broke that project but I finished everything but the humongous Shiseido Tsubaki conditioner. Since I also finished a few other hair products this year, I'll say the P5P was successful. Hurray!

Essential Nuance Air Shampoo and Treatment - A year after I bought this pair, Kao reformulated the line. Not sure how the new formula compares but the shampoo was very meh. The SO loved how the shampoo smelled but all it reminds me of is the $12 Cut & Wash salons. Read: cheap hairspray.

John Freida Frizz Ease Serum - I'm trying to cut out silicone's from my hair products so after I finish my back up of this serum, I'll be leaving John Freida behind. Can't believe I used to call this stuff HG - it did nothing for me this fall!

Body Care:

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Extra Strength - Be gone! Finally finished off the LAST bottle of the Intensive Rescue. The first bottle made an appearance in Pt. 1 and the last bottle makes an appearance in Pt. 3. Good riddance, I hate this lotion but the SO loves it. Must convert him to something animal friendly next year!

The Body Shop Raspberry Ripple Bath & Shower Gel - The scent, oh the scent! If you like raspberry and cotton candy, this is a sweet mix. I want to gulp this shower gel down - it smells that good but burping out bubbles isn't lady like. Plus, I hate the taste of soap. How people willingly eat soap candies baffles me...

Makeup Removers:

There was a P7P made earlier this year on all make up removers in my stash. Well, I broke that project too... I know, I'm horrible BUT I finished all but one remover which was the humongous bottle of Shu Uemura's cleansing oil. I'll also claim this as a successful run because I finished a few new makeup removers.

Kracie Naive Cleansing Oil - This is a good cleansing oil and far better than the cult favourite Shu Uemura cleansing oils. For no more than $15, I'd buy this again but it's hard to get a hold of. I bought this of YesAsia.com almost two years ago!

Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water - Read Rae's review on the Marcelle cleansing water and I jumped aboard the cleansing water train. Best enabled purchase of 2011!!

Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes - The pack probably has about 20 left but into the trash they go. This year I have learnt a lot about myself like how I despise cucumber scented products. Aside from the awful vegetable scent these towelettes strung my face red. That's no good!

Miscellaneous:

OPI Matte Nail Envy - MUST review this nail strengthener! Forget about Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Salon Strengthening Treatment, Nail Envy is 100x better. It's slightly more expensive but ooooooh so much better. Yeah, I seriously need to review this soon.

eos Medicated Lip Balm in Tangerine - Where is the tangerine scent in this lip balm? WHERE? eos has some of the best smelling drugstore lip balms around but Tangerine is not it. None of the eos

Masks:

A stack of empty My Beauty Diary mask packs. This collection started back in August (or September?) and up until today there are 17 masks here. That is nearly one used each week up until today! They all smell amazing and hydrate well but my favourite is the new My Beauty Diary mask in Royal Jelly.

Samples:

Who else is swimming in samples? I still have a drawer full of samples but these were the first ones I decided to clear out. None of them were impressive enough to warrant future purchases but that's all good because I clearly do not need anything for a long, long time.

And what everyone has been waiting for.... the makeup!

Too Faced Eyeshadow (depotted) - This eyeshadow is from the Too Faced Naughty or Nice palette which came out in 2009(?). It's a beige eyeshadow that I used as an all over colour. After 2 years, it's FINALLY finished. This is the first eyeshadow I have ever finished but truth be told, I don't think the pan it was held in was all that big... *hangs head*

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Not bad but the Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is better and cheaper. Good thing I never splurged on the full size!

Baviphat Magic Girls Plus BB Cream - I won this on an eBay auction earlier this year. Funny how I finished this one first but not the other dozen BB cream samples I've had since 2010. Then again, Magic Girls Plus is the only BB cream that matched my skin tone!

Skin79 Diamond The Prestige BB Cream - Grey. Grey. Grey. Next!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - So... this eyeshadow primer is still 50% full but I've had it since December... of 2009. Now to go through the two back ups. In my defense, the back ups came with two Too Faced palettes I have. - I don't hoard that badly, really!

Shiseido Eyeliner - Tossing this. It's from 5 years ago, need I say more?

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes - There is no way I could ever finish up a full sized eyeliner which is why I'll admit the Quickliner is a sample. The sample lasted three uses but each time it would smudge.

Wait! There's more!

Mascaras galore! These are all of the mascaras I have used this year; nearly one tube per month. It seems kind of wasteful but I had to toss half of it due to a) flaking b) smudging c) curl killing.

My favourite mascaras out of the bunch:
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl - Long & Curl is a waterproof mascara that volumizes, lengthens, and holds a curl. It will flake later in the day but there is virtually no smudging. Two words: HOLY GRAIL.

Imju Dejavu Fiberwig - Fiberwig will forever be my favourite lengthening mascara and it's so fun to remove too!

Prestige My Longest Lashes - My Longest Lashes deserves an honorable mention. While it isn't waterproof and it smudges (only a little), it thickened my lashes and held a curl better than any other Western mascara I've tried all year.

Pheeeewf, all done! After all of this emptying and tossing I realized the tallying system needs to be revised but only slightly. From now on, every two travel/deluxe sample sized items will equal to one full size and every ten sample packets will equal to a full sized product.
In total, there is 20 sample packets, 10 deluxe samples, and 11 full size which equals to... *drum roll* ... 20 empties (37 if you including the sheet masks!) and 9 tossed!

Sweet relief! Now I feel a whole lot less guilty about the never-ending shopping & splurges since November. Until next year (for serious this time)!

I've Got Mail - December 2011

2011-12-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

December has been an unbelievably amazing month, even more so than November!
The month kicked off with my one year anniversary with the SO and the following day I had the greatest pleasure of meeting Dani and Tracy (two very cool Lipstick Bandits).
The amazing-ness didn't stop there of course. I also received a bunch of packages!

From Beauty Crazed:

Ummmmmmm.... So I won the Beauty Crazed Fall contest winner... The SO mentioned with all these "wins" this year, people would start to think I'm hacking the contests in some way. I AM NOT, I SWEAR! But er, enough about this prize. Staring at it makes me feel guilty!

From Sigma:

Sigma was offering free worldwide shipping for Cyber Monday so I ordered the F80. The reviews aren't wrong - this brush is good. It gives my $46 Sephora brush a run for it's money.

From Sasa:

Sasa had free shipping again so I ordered two back ups and a new facial wash. It took two visits to the post office to finally get my package. The first time I went the worker said I came a day too early but the delivery notice clearly stated that my package would be available on that day. What a waste of my time but better my time wasted than having my package lost or stolen!

Lastly, the last package of the year from the awesome SO:

This is by far the best package from the SO this year. The Urban Decay Naked2 palette is an anniversary gift and a great one at that. Then we've got miscellaneous online steals, Sephora orders, Cyber Monday orders - the usual.

It's been a crazy ~~month~~ year, no? Words can not describe the happiness I feel. I am so grateful for everyone I've "met" through blogging this year. Hopefully I meet many more of my beauty blogger friends in 2012! Thank you all for continuously supporting Make Up Kismet, see you next year!

Dear Not-So-Secret Santa,

2011-12-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We were finally allowed to open our gifts this week and Jamilla, my Secret Santa, gifted me the Nars Yorokobi Super Orgasm Set!

Technically, Jamilla got me my first ever Nars makeup because her package came before the SO's (more on that in I've Got Mail - December). Can you tell everything is miniature sized? The blush, lip gloss, and nail polish fit in my tiny hand with room to spare. I absolutely love this set, it's too cute for words!

Thank you (again and again), Jamilla. You have made Christmas extra sparkly for me!

If you want to see what Jamilla got from her Secret Santa or what I got for my Secret Santa-receiver(??), check out the rest of us:
D (my Secret Santa-receiver/gift getterer...)
Evie
Jamilla
Jian
Kat
Lulu
Rosalia
Vicky
Yinnie
Vonnie

It's Mine and I'm Never Letting Go!

2011-12-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

Do you have that one amazing, limited edition (or not), beautiful makeup treasure you have always wanted? The one that has been on your wishlist since forever? Of course you do and so do I!

When I found out of the Urban Decay Book of Shadows - early in my makeup collecting years - the Alice in Wonderland (Vol. II) was the first limited edition palette I had ever wanted.
By the time I had hopped onto the Urban Decay train, I was too late and missed my chance on the palette. Until now that is!

The palette goes for $90, brand new and in box, on e(vil)Bay but I paid $40 for mine through Sheila's blog sale. It's not new but it's in fantastic condition. Look at it!

*sigh* So, so, so, so beautiful. After years of lusting for it, it's finally mine. All mine! If there was ever a fire, I'd grab this palette before running to safety. I love it that much.

Do you have a special treasure you could only dream of owning one day? What ever it is, I hope you two find each other and live happily ever after!

Review: Soulstice Spa Vegan Nail Polish in Montreal

2011-12-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

The sponsored swag bag at the VBB meet up covered all my bases - nails, makeup, and skincare. Stephen from Nail Polish Canada provided two nail polishes by Soulstice Spa; a vegan, cruelty-free, Big 3-free nail polish brand. In my bag was Odessa and Montreal but today I'll only be featuring Montreal.

Soulstice Spa names each polish after a city or place across the world. Montreal is a rich deep purple that is absolutely fitting for the colder seasons. Whether or not the colour matches the city, I think it's a cute idea and the fact that Montreal is a one coater (two if I'm sloppy) melts my heart even more.

Montreal; 2 coats
The downside is the drying time (a full hour) and signs of tip wear show by the second day. A quick-drying top coat fixes the problem easily but it's something to think about.

Overall, Soulstice Spa is a good brand to look into if you're interested in vegan polishes. At $8.50 a pop, it's not the greatest pricing but obviously not the worst. It's worth the investment especially if you're sensitive to certain ingredients.

* Product in this post was provided in the Vancouver Beauty Bloggers Swag Bag. I am not obligated to write a review nor compensated. All opinions are my own.

Dear (Secret) Santa,

2011-12-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

I found your present ~~under the Christmas tree~~ in the mail box a week ago and now I'm itching to know who you are and what's inside this lovely package....

It's a daily struggle trying not to rip open my present but I can do this! Only 18 more days to go...

Thank you Secret Santa!

Hoarders: Lipsticks Edition

2011-12-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

If there's one makeup product I don't own much of, it has to be lipsticks. They aren't my favorite makeup to play with but of course that doesn't stop me from hoarding them...

The Stash:

Count: 14.

In my defense, most of my lipsticks were free! But maybe 14 is a lot for a gal who doesn't wear lipstick often. And no thanks to the Lipstick Bandits, I now want to expand the stash. Thankfully I've got willpower... No really, I do! I'll be sticking to tinted lip balms and stains from now on. They're just so much more easy going!

Now it's your turn, tell me your lipstick count. No judgement here, promise!

Review: Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel

2011-12-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

My love for gel moisturizers will never die. I believe everyone should have at least one favorite/holy grail-status gel moisturizer that works all year round. My holy grail was the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief but that's all changed because of Marcelle's Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel.

F.Y.I. Marcelle is a Canadian brand garnering a lot of attention lately. I'll admit the brand hasn't been high on my "to try" list but their hydrating gel has converted me. They'll also be the first Canadian brand to launch their own BB cream!

But first, let me draw you in with the Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel (what a mouthful!). Marcelle's hydrating gel contains cucumber, green tea extracts, Vitamin C and E; all good ingredients you should find in any moisturizer. The formula is refreshing and lightweight but the texture isn't a runny which I prefer. I find firm jelly-like moisturizers plump up my skin better. The bonus(es)? The gel is non-sticky, non-greasy, and unscented. This makes it the perfect 5 minute moisture mask and I can use it to top up on make up on drier days without ruining it.

Price wise - $23.95 - it's not great but more affordable than my previous holy grail and it works just the same. Thus, I won't be going back to Clinique Moisture Surge, ever.

Bottom Line:
Marcelle is always going on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs but don't hesitate trying this jar of gel-love at full price. I promise you won't find anything better, highly recommend this one!

Ingredients

* Product in this post was provided in the Vancouver Beauty Bloggers Swag Bag. I am not obligated to write a review nor compensated. All opinions are my own.

I've Got Mail - November 2011

2011-11-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

November's lovely package came from Che of lovefemme. Che hosted a three winner giveaway awhile ago and I was the lucky first prize winner.

The first prize contained the Color Club Back to Boho Collection in Set A and two holographic polishes in Revvvolution and Fashion Addict.

The Back to Boho collection A nor B has made an appearance at my local Winners and neither have I seen Alter Ego, another Color Club collection I've been lemming.
The others or what I refer to as "the bonuses"; Benefit One Prime Day, Urban Decay All Day Setting Spray, NYX The Caribbean Collection 5 Color Shadow Palette, and an adorable Forever 21 necklace!

Not pictured is the Konad stamping set included in the prize. This means I can finally have pretty designs on my nails! (I am one of those unfortunate people with no freehand skills.)

All in all, despite the fact my parent's ditched me at the start of November, this month has been incredible for me. With the SO's visit, mail, shopping, eating... What more could a girl ask for?

Hong Kong Haul - 2011

2011-11-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

The verdict is in and it looks like The Ultimate Splurge is going to go unpunished and today, I hope the same goes for the Hong Kong Haul. This haul is planned and only happens once a year too! So again, please remember that I do deserve to spoil myself now and then so.... go easy on me (again), okay? *Inserts innocent puppy dog eyes and hopeful smile here*

Before I begin, I want to share my favorite products from last year's haul:
1) Nexcare Acne Dressing - I will review this soon!
2) Hada Labo SHA Face Wash + SHA Lotion + Tamagohada AHA + BHA Face Wash
3) Panasonic Heated Eyelash Curler
4) Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara in Long & Curl + Volume & Curl
5) Cure Natural Aqua Gel

Big things like the mascaras were never formally reviewed but I'll eventually talk about them. But alas, onto the haul... *Insert whimpering here*

Dejavu Fiberwig Extra Long, Lash Knockout; Fairydrops Platinum Film, Platinum Waterproof, Volume Burst, and HbG (LE)
Now before you judge me, I've got one thing to say: Asian mascaras work best for me so I stock up whenever I can! With that said, I will now decrease my experiments with American/Canadian mascaras. The drugstore aisles can tempt me all they want but I will show restraint, promise!

Canmake Cream Cheek in Sweet Orange [10] & Heavenly Heart [11], Melty Nude Lip in Creamy Nude [02], Baby Pink [03], & Peach Beige [04]
Couldn't resist asking for more Canmake Cream Cheeks though... To confess, I haven't even gone through all of the cream cheeks from last year. I do plan on giving a few away though. Perhaps one or two may even make an appearance in a blog giveaway ;)
But everyone needs the perfect nude lipstick, right? The Melty Nude's are my attempt to find "The One"!

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence & Watery Mousse SPF+ PA+++
The "MOM, YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO FIND THIS FOR ME" purchase were the Bioré sunscreens. Sunscreen is a top priority and after reading countless rave reviews, I knew I HAD to try these.

Hada Labo Air BB Cream, SHA Moisturizing Milk, SHA Moisturizing Cream; Beauty Formula Cucumber Body Cream; T-Sing Magnetic Nail Polish
Lastly, the items pictured above were accidental buy's. This happens each and every year, despite my very clear wishlist! Actually, none of these items were even on the wishlist so this is entirely not my fault.

Fortunately for my mother, this will be my last "big" Asian-cosmetic haul for the next year or two. What with The Ultimate Splurge and a few more items coming in the mail, I simply cannot justify any more make up or skincare. I am a sick, sick person but at least I'll admit it, that counts for something right?

Right!?

Review: Vasanti Ultra Luxe Lipstick in Denmark

2011-11-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

Since my lip glosses are already quite bold and lip tints are very natural, there just isn't much of a point in buying lipsticks, for me. Now this sounds unthinkable but when you also have lips with many and wide vertical lip lines, it's near impossible to find a lipstick that doesn't magnify the issue.

Then comes along Vasanti's Ultra Luxe Lipstick in Denmark; a "rich cranberry magenta".

In direct and indirect sunlight, Denmark comes off as a bright red and nothing like Vasanti describes. However, indoor lighting will truly expose the rich cranberry color. Still, I see no visible signs of the magenta tone.

Putting aside the colour issues (especially the one in the swatch -___-"), I love the Ultra Luxe formula. It migrates a little due to the creaminess but I find a lip liner fixes that easily. It's hard to find a moisturizing lipstick without the slipperiness but Vasanti did good with this one! You can tell some of Denmark has slipped into my lip lines but that is inevitable for me. The bright side is that it's not as rigid looking and more plump than usual.

Also, because the colour is so opaque, it leaves a slight stain after. The stain resembles more of magenta than cranberry so actually, I guess I am still getting the whole cranberry/magenta that Vasanti describes. As for actual wear time, the lipstick only lasts about 4 hours on me. Keep in mind that I'm a 24/7 munch; no lip product lasts more than 6 hours on me. This would definitely last longer for those who don't eat or drink much throughout the day.

Bottom Line:
After a successful experience with Denmark, I'm going to look into other Ultra Luxe lip colours. I definitely recommend you check them out too if you've had a difficult time finding moisturizing lipsticks without the slipperiness.

*Item was provided in Vancouver Beauty Bloggers Swag Bag. I am not obligated nor compensated to write a review. All opinions are my own.

The Ultimate Splurge

2011-11-23T19:10:00.000-08:00

I did something bad. Like, really really really bad...

You see, it all started when the SO (significant other, for those wondering) arrived a week after my parent's had left for Asia. Dear, sweet, awesome SO came to me with a suitcase filled with goodies from the Sephora Friends & Family sale but we mysteriously ended up in Seattle for a weekend and it was there where I temporarily went insane.

So we innocently wandered into the Sephora in Seattle downtown because I had planned to pick up one Illamasqua blush. But all Hell broke loose at the check out. The sales associate had informed me I had hit VIB status and at the same time, the VIB 20% off discount was going on. The SO saw how ecstatic I was and at that point, all he could say was, "Go look some more.". Best. Boyfriend. Ever. Am I right?!

From one measly little blush, I ended up with four. Add in a few brushes and a rollerball set and somehow I managed to spend over $200 before taxes and discount. To make matters worse, I had already purchased the Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Starter Kit (prior to the VIB status) the day before at another Sephora.

Here's the wreck:

Haul from Sephora F&F Sale:
Too Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection, Jack Black Balm Squad Lip Quad, Tarte Lip Service Limited Edition LipSurgence Collection, nails inc. Special Effects Electric Lane Holographic Glitter Top Coat

Haul from Sephora VIB Sale:
Make Up Forever HD Complexion Starter Kit, Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover + Hussy, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful + Tipsy, Fresh Sugar Obsessions Rollerball Trio

Haul from Sephora VIB Sale:
tokidoki Pittura Brush Set: 24 Karat Edition, Sephora Collection I.T. Natural Foundation Brush
It was like some blush fiend *coughs*Tracy*coughs* had taken over my body. My hands kept picking up blushes and then putting it back. The cycle of "should I, but I shouldn't" was relentless. I'd walk to and away from the same (and last) Jack Black Balm Squad thinking how useful it would be if I had two sets instead of one. My kind kept screaming, "It's meant to be, can't you see? Last set dude, you better get it or you'll regret it!". Then something clicked in my brain. I realized my old hoarding tendencies were kicking in again and I knew what I had to do. I walked away and made a beeline for the checkout. The SO also made sure I didn't step away from my spot or grab any "candy" around the checkout area.

So you see, I was quite strong but also quite insane! The restraint I showed (or lack of) really surprised the SO. Even he thought I could have done far worse!
Keep in mind too that this doesn't happen often. In fact, this is the first time I have ever splurged this much on make up all at once. Putting this all out there makes me feel less guilty but you be the judge....

Should my splurging go unpunished or do I need help?!

All About Me From A to Z

2011-11-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

Tracy of Beauty Reflections did this neat alphabetical get-to-know-me post and I thought I'd join her. Since there are 26 letters in the alphabets, there will be 26 facts about me!

SERIOUSLY.

A for Age - I'm 20 now but I turn 21 in March.

B for Best Holiday - This one is hard... I've traveled a lot since I was born. Hell, I went to Vegas when I was 2 years old (don't remember it but there are pictures to prove it!). I guess the best holiday was when I went to Hong Kong for the second time when I was 15. We also went to Taiwan and Japan on that trip!

C for Chores You Hate - There are only two chores I really hate. The first one is a battle with the dogs: giving them their bath. Then there is the issue of changing the duvet covers. Seems like i can never get the duvet to line up with the cover and this annoys me so much!

D for Dogs - Let's refer to C, shall we? I have 3 dogs in total; 2 adopted and 1 bought. They are indeed a handful but I would not trade them for any other dogs. Okay, so I did try to trade them a while back for a Pomeranian show dog but of course that fell through...

E for Essential Start to Your Day - Don't have anything particular besides to pee. Small bladder, what can I say?

F for Favourite Colour - Sea foam green or teal. I like colours that lay between the lines of blue and green!

G for Gold or Silver - Silver because it's easier to wear. I do have a few favourite gold pieces like this Little Mermaid necklace my uncle stole from a VH1 back when I was a wee toddler. There's also a sun, moon, and stars necklace my dad bought for me when I was a baby. It broke but I kept all the pieces in hopes I can fix it one day for my own daughter!

H for Height - I stand short at 5'1. Sometimes I lie and tell people I'm 5'2, not that it makes a huge difference *sigh*.

I for Instruments You Play - None. I learned how to play the ukulele and guitar back in elementary school but that only lasted for a year.

J for Job Title - From time to time, I will work for my mom at our family-owned insurance agency but for the most part, I am unemployed. So... do you need insurance?

K for Kids - Way too young for this. Next question!

L for Live - Vancouver born & raised. I love this city but eventually, I will have to move to somewhere sunny with lots of sand!

M for Mother's Name - Donna with no nickname or middle name.

N for Nickname - My siblings call me Ash and occasionally Ash-tray if they're teasing me. I also developed the nickname Ashlex late in high school because the English teacher of all people didn't know how to spell my name..

O for Overnight Hospital Stays - Only been overnight once and that was last year, the day before New Year's Eve. Do not want to talk about it... it was terrible.

P for Pet Peeves - Some people have road rage, I have sidewalk rage. I can't stand a slow walker or pedestrian. Listen Miss. I Think I'm Hot Stuff, if you're going to wear heels or wedges to the mall, you better be walking not shuffling.

Q for Quote from a Film - Oddly enough, no quote has stuck to me and I do watch a lot of movies.

R for Right or Left handed - Right.

S for Siblings - An older brother and sister. Also have a sister-in-law and hopefully soon, a brother-in-law.

T for Time You Wake Up - It varies. My school schedule is odd but on my days off it's usually around noon.

U for Underwear - Um... yes?

V for Vegetable You Hate - None, I love my veggies!

W - What Makes You Run Late - Twitter, the ultimate distraction when you're supposed to be getting ready. Also my friend Blondie. She makes everyone run late!

X for X-rays You've Had - Besides the regular dental x-rays I take yearly, I've also taken x-rays for my thumb... It all happened when I was 17 and I had a 7:45AM class. I was so tired I slammed the car door shut on my thumb. Don't worry, no bones were broken and my thumb is intact. There was minor chipping however and it was enough to warrant a week long, dumb looking thumb guard.

Y for Yummy Food You Make - The high school I graduated from had a culinary program and I almost pursued the art until my parent's talked me out of it. Worst idea ever. Now the only thing I can make without fail is a mean turkey BLT. Does this even count??

Z for Zoo Animal - Pandas or Koalas. I have a thing for bears that look cute but are potentially face-ripping monsters.

Now it's your turn to tell me 26 facts about you!

Review: Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum

2011-11-07T22:40:00.000-08:00

Now and then, Sephora will have guest make up artists or skincare consultants from specific brands to talk to and examine customers needs. Late in July I stumbled upon a very sweet Murad specialist and was swayed by her ravings. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate falling for recommendations by skincare consultants? The products they recommend me usually perform like crap. Case and point: the Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum.

I'll give the Soothing Serum this, it really is safe to use on sensitive skin. When I was fighting the nastiest cold of 2011, I couldn't use many creams or gels around my nose as they'd burn the very raw and irritated area. The serum was safe to use though - no stinging, no burning, nothing.

Where it all goes downhill is the lack of redness relief. Murad claims that their serum will decrease irritation and redness but my redness never went away! No matter what the circumstances were, the serum just didn't work. While I know I have broken capillaries that runs deep under my skin which can never be treated, even the spontaneous blotching couldn't be calmed.

Lastly, this serum should be dubbed "liquid moisturizer" or "lotion" instead as I expect serums to do more than moisturize. The texture is similar to the HadaLabo SHA Lotion but it is slightly thicker and sticky. While it isn't as hydrating as HadaLabo it does do a good job on it's own. I wouldn't wear this under foundation, tinted moisturizers or BB creams though because they'll turn into "eraser bits". I strictly use this as night time moisturizer because of this issue.

As a serum/liquid moisturizer, this stuff is expensive. Imagine paying $49.50 for a 1.0 fl. oz. bottle that lasts a mere 2 months and doesn't live up to the claims.

Bottom Line:
I do not recommend the Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum. It's overpriced for what it does(n't) do and while it certainly didn't hurt my skin , it didn't "soothe" what I needed it to either.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycolipids, Hyaluronic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Algae Extract, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Yeast Extract (Faex), Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 6 (CI 15985)

I'm Feeling Empty - Part 2

2011-10-31T17:22:00.000-07:00

As diligent as I am with plowing through my stash, I just can't get through it fast enough!

Adopting Liz's rule of thumb, every two travel/sample sized items will equal to one full sized product and one jumbo sized product will equal to two full sizes. The first 3 contenders:

Skincare: Korres Pomegranate Cream Gel, Mask, and Scrub

The Korres Pomegranate Cream Gel and Scrub have already been reviewed but the mask deserves no such mention. It's mediocre at best.

Cleansers: Bioré Purify Steam Activated Cleanser + Murad Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser + The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser

I briefly mentioned the Bioré cleanser in my first empties post but this is my second bottle. I don't use it on my face because it's too drying but it's a decent brush cleaner.

Makeup Removers: Soap & Glory Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser + Lancôme Bi-Facil

I will genuinely miss the hot cloth cleanser. I wish it were available at Shoppers Drug Mart but I purchased my tube at Target before the brand was pulled from their stores. Sephora carries it on their website but the price has been raised along with many other Soap & Glory products. I'll give the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser instead of repurchasing Soap & Glory's.
Lancôme's infamous duo-phase eye make up remover - doesn't need further introduction. If you're looking for an affordable dupe of it, try the Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover. I absolutely love it and I have to review it soon!

Evolution of Smooth (EOS) Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream + Shiseido Tsubaki Golden Repair Shampoo

I reviewed the Shiseido shampoo at the beginning of the year but count me excited that it's finally out of my shower caddy! Even though it's a huge bottle, I don't count it as a total success because the conditioner is still half full *sigh*.
The EOS shave cream is good; much better than the average shaving foam. It leaves my legs soft and has helped prevent ingrown hairs. Since it goes on sale often at Shoppers Drug Mart, I'll be repurchasing this one over and over again.

Moisturizers: HadaLabo GOKUJYUN Moisturizing Cream + AmorePacific Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Cream

I actually finished the HadaLabo cream right after my first empties post of the year so this one has been sitting on the counter uselessly for awhile. Click the link above for my first impressions of the AmorePacific cream but if you've already read it, you know I already like it!

Lip Products: Carmex Moisture Plus + C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve + Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm

Now the Neutrogena lip balm is obviously 80% full but it's one of those lip balms that should never be used - it does more harm than good. Stay away - far, far away from it!
The Carmex Moisture Plus Tint and infamous C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve are legitimately empty though. I'm actually really depressed that the Carmex tint has been polished off but that's why I got back ups *maniacal laugh*.
Whether you use Smith's or C.O. Bigelow, a tin of rosebud salve lasts forever. I hope to finish my two back up tins quicker than this one as it is no longer a must have for me.

In total there are 13 empties; 6 samples, 8 full sizes, and 1 jumbo sized product. This has been a very successful run but not as successful as the first. I am still very proud of myself though and I promise to do better on the third run!

What have you emptied lately?

I've Got Mail - October 2011

2011-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Besides the odd coupons here and there or spam mail from Donald Trump, I received nothing throughout September. It was indeed a quiet and depressing month for my mailbox but October has been fruitful.

The alex & von website was having a sale (20% off) on all 100% Pure orders early in September. After reading countless of great reviews, I made an order through Karley of Chic and Green and had the package sent to the SO's which was then sent to me.

Included in the package is the Balm's the balm and the Beautiful palette; a gift from the SO for passing my driver's test!

The most amazingly awesome mail of the month came from the one and only Rae! I won the first of her four giveaways celebrating her four years of blogging. theNotice is one of the very first blogs I started reading when I discovered blogs so receiving mail from her is like... the highlight of my blogging career. How lame am I? Don't answer that.

Lastly, a Sasa order which JUST arrived!

This order came surprisingly fast but it could have came sooner. I ordered it on October 11th and it arrived in Vancouver on the 21st. Customs held it for a day but for no apparent reason, Canada Post kept this package in a facility near me for an extra over a week. At least my package arrived safe and sound. Who wouldn't be excited for facial mist, armpit wash and follow up essence? Don't answer that either.

In other news, my sweet mother & father are abandoning me for a month starting tomorrow. I gave them the Lancaster Ultra Soothing Lotion from Rae's prize to my parent's. They'll need it more than I do considering they're trekking Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other sunny destinations -sobbing to self-.

Enough about me, what about you? What have YOU received this October?

First Impressions: The AmorePacific Moisture Bound Range

2011-10-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

If you asked me a month ago if I've heard about the brand AmorePacific, my answer would be no. As it turns out, the brand is a luxe Korean-based brand available at Holt Renfrew, Neiman Marcus, and Sephora (online). The brand is also the sister to other popular Korean brands such as Hera, Laneige, ETUDE, and Innisfree.

As I mentioned, AmorePacific is a luxe brand. Their products do not come cheap but the results are supposedly fruitful. Today I am giving my first impressions on the Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Serum, Eye Treatment, and Crème.

Starting with the serum - each night after cleansing I would apply the Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Serum and follow with the Rejuvenating Eye Treatment Gel. The serum did very little for my eye area in conjunction with eye treatment but I have noticed major improvement in texture and brightness around the cheeks and the sides of my face.

The Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Eye Treatment Gel used twice daily for two weeks was the greatest let down. While I don't have chronic dark circles, I do need something for puffiness and dryness. The eye treatment did nothing for both my issues.

The Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Crème was exceptional. Imagine a facial cream that is thin in texture and non-greasy. Since the crème is so light it absorbs in a pinch too. My face is left feeling soft but not as moisturized as I like. Even when combined with the serum is not enough but together they really perk up my complexion. My redness has toned down slightly too. Note the mirror on the lid? It's fairly useless but the cap is a unique take on jar packaging and even more impressive for a sample!

My favorite part is that none the products broke me out. The products sounded quite heavy but thankfully they are not. In fact, they are lightweight gel textures. I did however spot a few, very angry cysts the first week of trialing but it's not because of these three puppies. Actually, it has to do with the Moisture Bound Vitalizing Masque but more on that next time.

My two major quibbles are in regards to the scent and price (obviously). Many luxe skincare brands carry a signature scent. Read: perfume-y. The Moisture Bound line smells nice and thankfully it isn't an old lady smell. Too bad it is frightfully strong. I suspect AmorePacific is targeted for more mature skin in need of anti-aging benefits so while I want to say the prices are justifiable, I can't. I also don't need heavily concentrated face creams or eye treatments so I can hold off on trying more of the brand until my 30's!

Overall, AmorePacific is quite an impressive brand. I do have a couple more products to review but so far, so good.

Have you tried AmorePacific? Tell me yours thoughts!

Review: HadaLabo TAMAGOHADA AHA + BHA Face Wash

2011-10-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Looking back now, I see that the HadaLabo GOKUJYUN Face Wash was pure infatuation. Real love lies within the HadaLabo TAMAGOHADA AHA + BHA Face Wash.
"Tamago" means egg in Japanese and "hada" means skin. With TAMAGOHADA, you are meant to achieve egg like skin - the boiled and peeled kind. Clean, smooth, and clear skin? I am all for it.

"HadaLabo TAMAGOHADA Daily Face Wash is infused with some keratin softening agents like AHA and BHA, which help to remove blackheads and impurities inside pores. It also improves dull skin tone and rough texture, leaving skin supple and smooth. Weak acid, low irritation, no fragrance, oil and alcohol."

I don't know which AHA HadaLabo is using but whether it's lactic or glycolic, it's gentle yet effective. The salicylic acid (BHA) must be in a very low concentration too because I haven't suffered tightness after using the cleanser. It painlessly washes away dry patches and fades scars quickly to but if it weren't for the crappy availability (it's essentially an online only product outside of Asia), I wouldn't cheat on it.

Available on Sasa for around $10USD/CAN. It's relatively cheap but adding shipping fees makes it relatively expensive. Look out for $29 free shipping deals but there's the usual $50 free shipping deal if you're impatient.

Bottom Line:
Isn't it obvious I'd recommend this? It's unbelievable how much I love this cleanser but combined with the HadaLabo GOKUJYUN Lotion, I've got the ultimate combination. Some might say it's the bread & butter of skincare!

Review: Face of Australia Face Base Primer

2011-10-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

It feels like eons ago but back in May I received the Face of Australia Face Base Primer from Adeline's 1 Year Anniversary Giveaway. It couldn't have come at a better time but why is it that I always fall for beauty products I can't get a hold of locally?! *face palm*

My foundations and tinted moisturizers weren't holding on at all at the start of summer. It then occurred to be that a primer might help prevent the slipping & sliding. Unlike any of the face primers I have tried, from drugstore to mid-end, Face Base Primer is the best in terms of performance and price (aside from shipping)!

The primer is oil free but boasts Vitamin E and Chamomile as its top ingredients. Face of Australia explains that the Vitamin E strengthens and smooths skin tones while the Chamomile and Yarrow extract protect the skin from free radicals. A sunscreen is always necessary but I appreciate the extra protection the Chamomile and Yarrow provides.

The texture of the Face Base Primer is like a gel-based moisturizer bordering lotion; lightweight and fast absorbing. It's hydrating enough to create a patch-less canvas to work on but unlike a silicone-based primer, it won't smooth fine lines nor add a slippery feel to the face. It's a great prepping step that works to prolong foundation or tinted moisturizer wear.

Sadly, so sadly, Face of Australia Face Base Primer is only available in Australia or online. It's priced around $10-12 for 50ml but if bought online, the shipping is nearly twice the price of the primer. Cringe with me?
There's also a brother (or sister?) primer to this one but all it includes is SPF 15. It's refreshing to see a brand giving their customers a choice in formulas.

If there's one primer Face Base is similar to, it has to be the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. They're nearly identical in terms of texture but I find my make up lasts an hour or two longer with the former. There's no weird scent like the Laura Mercier primer has and it even absorbs a few seconds faster! And call be crazy but even after the exorbitant shipping fees, I still find myself loving Face Base more. You even get the same amount (50 ml).

Bottom Line:
The first Face of Australia product I have ever tried and it's a great hit! Like a make up junkie, I will continue to look for a "better" primer but if nothing compares to Face Base, I'll go back to it despite the scary shipping rates. Combo/dry skin may really benefit from this.

Ingredients

Vancouver Bloggers Meet Up

2011-10-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday, I attended my first annual Vancouver Bloggers Meet Up, held at Sanafir Restaurant & Lounge. None of this would be possible without the organization skills that is Sheila sooooo... a big thank you goes to her first and last!

I brought my best friend, Jessie, as a plus one but there was a total of 14 attendees, two of which were company reps. It was cool meeting new bloggers and a few "old" bloggers (blogs I've been reading for awhile now) and I'm glad I went. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties (IE. lighting fail), not a lot of us were able to take photos together. Ironically, most of us took our phones out to snap pictures of the food...

Black Pepper Calamari

Cured Meats & Cheese

Grilled Octopus

Ahi Tuna

Besides the great company and good food, I left feeling quite rich with my heavy (sponsored) gift bag. At some point I will review each and every item but for now, I'll just stare in awe...

If there's anything I MUST review immediately, tell me and I will make a note to!

Also, if you need a few new beauty reads, check out any of these ladies if you haven't already:

Maddy Loves

MACnunu

Oh So Vonnie

There's Something About Kerri

alison*elle

High Maintenance Woman (better known as Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy)

Makeup, Shoes and Fashion with Sarah

StyleLove

It was great meeting everyone and I hope we do it again soon!

Review: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

2011-09-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

How many of you are willing to spend big bucks on skincare products? I for one will spend a little to a lot and like always it just depends on the product.

Recently, I purchased a travel size (0.5 oz) tube of the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. I was caught up in the moment of splurging but at least I knew better than to purchase the 2 oz tube at $85. Alright, so paying $19 for the travel size wasn't extremely painful but when I make the plunge for the full sized, I will be shedding pennies from my eyes not tears.

Sephora's Description:

A dual action exfoliation method.

What it is formulated to do
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment is Kate's top-selling product, and the next best thing to seeing Kate in the Clinic! Treat yourself to this at-home facial for fantastic, instant results. This signature formula works both physically and enzymatically to deliver safe, dramatic results in one application. It effectively combats acne and blackheads, reduces discoloration, and polishes skin for a smooth complexion. Welcome to healthy skin, a healthy glow, and a healthy you!

What else you need to know
This expert formula harnesses the power of fruit enzymes to clarify skin by removing dead cells and eliminating bacteria. It is ideal for all skin types, except sensitive skin.

As characterized, ExfoliKate is a 2-in-1 treatment - it works like a mask and exfoliator. The treatment is to be left on clean, wet skin for 30 seconds tops. In the 30 seconds the treatment is left alone, you may feel the enzymes begin to eat away at dead skin cells. While rinsing off the treatment, the minuscule grains in the creamy moss green concoction will slough off the aftermath.

What I find so spectacular about ExfoliKate is not how smooth it makes my face feel but how it also helps raise small whiteheads to the surface allowing me to deal with them sooner than later. After using the treatment, I take a blemish extracting tool to weed out the gunk in the pores on and around my nose. This part while gross really makes a difference in the clarity of my skin.

This is an intensive treatment in the sense it produces temporary redness but I felt no tingling or burning sensations like I've read about. I didn't experience tight, itchy, dry skin after using this either but it's always important to apply a moisturizer after.

Alas, such a promising product comes with two setbacks. First there is the heavy price tag and then a naughty ingredient that goes by the name, paraben. After reading Karley's insightful post on parabens - here - I am wary of buying any more products that contain them.

Bottom Line:
Based on ingredients alone, I don't think I can recommend this. If the other two versions (there are 3) of ExfoliKate yield the same results as the Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, then I would recommend giving those a try as they are paraben free!
Based on price alone, I would still recommend ExfoliKate. It does a far better job than I expected it would and it's well worth the money.

Ingredients
Water, Lactic Acid, Polyethylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pectin, Carica Papaya Fruit, Lactobacillus/Cucurbita Pepo Fruit, Ferment Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Papain, Bromelain, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Mel, Acetic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Salicylic Acid, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cinnamal, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Cinnamal, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Beta-Carotene (CI 75130), Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (CI 75810).

The Summer Buys I Hardly Tried

2011-09-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Liz's "Summer Products" I Never Used post, I decided to write one alike!
How many of you buy "Summer Products" and end up ditching it because it's less than average? I am guilty of doing this every summer.

My least favorite purchases of this summer: the mineral sunscreens.

This summer I attempted to find the perfect mineral sunscreen. I gave the Lavera Baby & Kinder Sun Spray SPF 30 Neutral and Badger SPF 30+ Lightly Scented Sunscreen (not pictured) a try and now I don't want to try anymore! A horrible ash-white cast and greasy finish is unavoidable with these sunscreens. What is worse is that they are both so thick, it's nearly impossible to massage in. Due to the thickness of the Lavera sunscreen, the spray pump has become clogged and deemed unusable. Both sunscreens would be great for impromptu tanning sessions in the back yard but otherwise, I wouldn't recommend them for daily use. They are fairly expensive but the ingredients more than make up for it.

The last sunscreen of the summer was quite nice. However, please do not laugh at it.. or me!

The truth is, I used to be a huge Spongebob fanatic. I had Spongebob bed sheets, t-shirts, socks, pajama bottoms. Yeah, I was cool like that. Late in August I saw this Spongebob sunscreen at Rexall. It was an auto-purchase because I needed a sunscreen I could actually use on a daily basis. Okay and I also wanted to feel like a kid again. It really isn't a bad sunscreen but if you dislike bubblegum scents, skip it. The spray actually works and never clogs. The sunscreen itself is thin and runny which makes absorption quick and painless! But because I bought it late in August, I didn't get to use it much.

Before summer started, I splurged only a little on the Benefit Cha Cha Tint.

This will be my last tint by Benefit. It's still unclear whether or not the brand tests on animals but until there's a PSA, I won't be buying from them any more. The tint itself is unflattering on my cheeks and lips. The Benefit tints never look natural on me anyway so I don't know why I tried this one too.

Another early summer splurge or more like a binge...

I love the Revlon scented nail polishes but the brighter shades (Mad About Mango, Passion Fruit, Pretty in Papaya, Raspberry Rapture, and Sublime Strawberry) aren't flattering against my skin tone and petite feet/fingers.
I also have this 5 piece mini nail polish set by Wet n Wild which hasn't gone to complete waste. I like rocking hot red nails anytime but the burgundy shade is perfect for fall. I might put these nail polishes to good use and start creating my own Franken polishes though!

Last of all, a self tanner.

Summer is not complete without a self tanner right?
After last year's orange fiasco thanks to the Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer I swore I was going to quit self tanners altogether. Yet somehow I ended up getting a tube of the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer. You would think I would have learnt my lesson the first time but I guess I needed a second orange slap on the face to wake me up.

Money wasted aside, now I know what works for me and what doesn't!

So what were your summer fails?