Makeup For View

Review : L'Oreal Telescopic Precision Liquid Eyeliner

2012-05-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

Product Name : L'Oreal Telescopic Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Carbon Black

Where to Buy : Any drugstores (Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, etc)

Retail Price : $9.96 CAD

Product Overview : L'Oreal presents telescopic Carbon Black Eyeliner, for a dramatic defined and intense eye look. It claims to be all day wear, glides on without smudging or smearing, and is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 2 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

I liked the felt tip applicator but I did find that the felt tip was too thick was not fine and pointy enough to make a precise and define line.
Good size product to carry around in your makeup bag.

What I Love About This Product ?

Solid, matte carbon black color.
I'm allergic to most L'Oreal liquid liner product for some odd reason but this one did not give me any allergic reaction.

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Felt tip applicator was not pointy enough which made it difficult to make an accurate and precise line.
Does smudge, fade, and smear very easily
Does not last all day.
Liquid line becomes blotchy after a few hours.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who's looking for a matte black liquid eyeliner.
For someone who doesn't have oily skin since it smudges very easily.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

No, I would not buy this product again, it did not work well for me at all. The search for the best liquid liner continues...

Overall Rating : 1/5.

Tried this product ? Let me know if you know any other liquid eyeliner that you love!

Review : Skindinavia "No More Shine" and "Bridal" Makeup Finish Spray

2012-03-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Product Name : Skindinavia No More Shine and Bridal Makeup Finish Spray

Where to Buy : Skindinavia
Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish Spray
Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish Spray

Retail Price :

$19 USD for 2oz
$29 USD for 4oz
$39 USD for 8oz

Product Overview : Leave your blotting paper and powder at home! The No More Shine Makeup Setting Spray gives you a perfect matte finish without ever making color look dull or having to retouch foundation or shadow. Leave your blotting papers and powder at home, the No More Shine Makeup Finish controls oil while keeping your makeup in place for 16 hours!

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 2 Months . . .

What I Love About This Product ?

Provides a very refreshing feeling
Nice packaging and sprays easily
Doesn't effect your makeup or make it look oily after applications
Dries fast

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Did not keep my makeup in place for 16 hours
Did not prevent any melting, drying out, becoming shiny, or creasing
Clogged pores or cause breakouts
Still using my blotting paper and powder :)

Did This Product Live Up To Its Claims ?

No, it did not live up to most of its claims at all. After seeing many good reviews from numerous celebrity makeup artists and all the hypes about this product, I had very high hopes for this one.

So before and after makeup applications, I would spray in a 'X' and 'T' formations for best results. Throughout the day, I really didn't notice any difference at all; my face still became oily, shiny and my eye makeup still smudged down to bottom corner of my eyes. I really didn't notice any major difference after using this product. I feel like it might have caused a few breakouts here and there after using it. I bought both "No More Shine" and "Bridal" Makeup spray thinking that the Bridal version would last even longer. Hmmm .. no, it was just the same outcome for both bottles.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who has dry or normal skin types.
I have super oily skin, so maybe I'm an exception for this product. But personally, I would not recommend this product for anyone who has oily skin. It does not work. Period.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

Nope, I would not buy this product again.

Overall Rating : 1/5. (1 point for the great marketing that sucked me into buying two bottles of these things)

What did you think of this product ? Leave a comment.

NOTD : American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Office

2012-02-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

So this week, I felt like doing a french manicure but I used a minty green color instead of the plain old white nail polish. I also put a bit of clear glitter nail polish at the tip of the nail to blend the colors out a little bit.

Product Name : American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Office

Price : $7.50 CAD for 1 and $18 for 3

I never knew American Apparel sells nail polishes until one day I was at the store trying to figure out what to buy with my last $15 of the Teambuy American Apparel $50 coupon that I had. That's when I saw these nail polishes near the cashier counter so I bought 3 nail lacquers which worked out to be $6 each.

I thought the colors were very interesting and the nail lacquer collections were all creamy, milky looking colors, so I decided to give it a try since I didn't know what else to buy from AA at that time.

Overall, I really like the quality of these nail lacquers, and the colors last for a long time. <3

Review : February 2012 GLYMM Beauty Box

2012-02-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

Hello Ladies !! Finally, February Glymm box is here ! It took really long for this month's box to come due to to one of their manufacture being late on shipment or something like that. Anyways, here are the products that I got this month!

The February 2012 Glymm Box contains the follow items :

Sula Natural Creme Shadow

"Keep your eyes looking flirty fresh with this trendy, easy-to-use Sula Beauty shadow. Enjoy playfully pretty eye shadow in gorgeous colors. They're long lasting, easy to blend and made with natural ingredients."

Quick Thoughts About This Product : Hmm.. not sure if I like the greenish color so much.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tiger Lily

"This Tinted Lip Balm by Burt's Bees gives your lips a hint of color with a soft sweet flavor. It was also voted Best New lip Product by Consumers. It's made with natural ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips. This stuff really is the "balm""

Quick Thoughts About This Product : I've always liked Burt's Bees' products, so cant wait to try this one.
GLAMGLOW Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask

"Lights, Camera, Action! Designed for Hollywood's entertainment industry, it tingles, tightens & lightens in 15 minutes, so you're always camera-ready. Volcanic rock, French Sea Clay and real pieces of Green Tea Leaf will give you super sexy, super radiant skin"

Quick Thoughts About This Product : I really like how my skin feels after using this mask. It also comes with a coupon code to buy the full-size for $50 instead of $78.
Mai Couture 2-1 Oil Blotting/Bronzing Papier

"Beauty on-the go? Mai Couture has the solution. This lightly powdered bronzing paper eliminates oil and gives your complexion a shimmery glow. No need to worry about carrying your makeup bag and brushes around with you all day. Grab a 'papier' and keep your face flawless"

Quick Thoughts About This Product : Kinda wish that there were more than one piece of blotting paper.

Overall, I was quite disappointed by the products that I received this month; there were nothing too special in here that made me want to try it out right away. Products were not as good as before, there are more sample size and coupon ads now. Oh yeah and where are the small jar of jelly bellies !? :P

How did you like your February Glymm box ?

Review : Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit

2012-02-20T22:51:00.004-08:00

Product Name : Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit in Sand

Where to Buy : Sephora, Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit

Retail Price : $65 USD

Product Overview : Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit combines all of the essential formulas and tools needed to create a flawless face into one convenient travel-size zippered case. Prime, moisturize, and cover up your way to complexion perfection. It's dermatologist-tested.

Each Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit includes :

1.0 oz Foundation Primer (Step 1)
1.0 oz Tinted Moisturizer (Step 2)
0.21 oz Undercover Pot Shade #3 (Step 3 and 4)
Secret Camouflage Brush
Camouflage Powder Brush
Velour Puff
Egg-shaped Sponge

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 6 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

All the items were packaged nicely in a decent-sized clear makeup bag.
The kit also includes an instruction guide on how to apply each step without making it complicated; very dummy proof!

What I Love About This Product ?

Provides excellent coverage without using too much makeup
Moisturizing
Doesn't clog pores or cause breakouts
Flawless, natural finish
Great value for a starter kit
Love the concealer in the Undercover Pot

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

The plastic cap for the brushes cracked after a few uses
Can easily "squeeze too much" product out at times
Only two color : "Nude" and "Sand" option are available

The Overall Product Quality Of This Kit ?

Everything in this kit are high quality products! There were definitely enough product to last for a long time. You can travel very easily with this kit since it has all the essential items that you need. I have oily to combination skin type and I just love how it provides a flawless finish without making my skin feel greasy.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who wants to achieve a flawless looking face without using too much makeup.
For someone who wants to look for a moisturizer, foundation-like product to use during drier seasons.
Good for all skin types

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

Yes, I absolutely love the flawless face kit and am planning to buy the full size product.

Overall Rating : 5/5.

What did you think of this product ?

Comparison Review : Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara ...v.s... Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

2012-02-11T21:24:00.003-08:00

I've always heard good things about Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara and how it has been around for 40 years! At first I was skeptical but after giving the Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara a try and totally fell in love with this mascara, I decided to give the original Great Lash Mascara a try as well.

Product Name : Maybelline Great Lash Mascara ...v.s... Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

Where to Buy : Any drugstores (Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, etc)

Retail Price : Both mascaras ranges from $3.99 - $7.99 CAD.

Product Overview :

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara : America's favorite mascara conditions as it thickens. Lash-doubling waterproof formula glides on smoothly to build great-looking, smudge-proof lashes. The lash-building brush makes it easy to get a full lash look. Contact lens safe. Hypoallergenic.
Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara : Maybelline's favorite mascara even after 40 years, now with a heart-shaped brush!! The exclusive Great Little Grabber gets to each and every lash with precision for lots of volume from corner-to-corner. Volume builds with each coat - no clumps, no mess. Safe for contact lens wearers.

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 3 Months . . .

Any Similarities Or Differences Between The Two Products ?

Overall the two brushes are about the same size and small. The "Great Lash" Mascara has the original Great Lash brush whereas the "Lots of Lashes" Mascara comes with the heart-shaped brush.
Both mascaras contains the original mascara formula that has been popular for the last 40 years!

Pros Of The Two Products ?

Maybelline Great Lash	Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes
A so-so brush Waterproof Holds up curls Volumizing Inexpensive	Great heart-shaped brush Defining Lengthening Volumnizing Lifts, Curls and Separates lashes Little to no Clumps Inexpensive

Cons Of The Two Products ?

Maybelline Great Lash	Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes
Gets very flaky Does smudge Does not lengthen Gets clumpy very easily Hard to build up without clumps	Does smudge Does flake

So... Which Product Is Better ?

The "Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara" is definitely the better choice. I just find that it separated and lengthened my lashes a lot better than the other one. It wasn't as clumpy and flaky as the original Great Lash mascara. Most of all, I love the heart-shaped brush which is the main reason why it's so easy to separate and add definitions to my lashes. For some reason, I felt like the formula between the two mascaras were really different. I guess the heart-shaped brush really makes a big difference.

For a detailed review, check out "Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara".

Have you tried these mascaras ? Let me know what you thought about it.

Aritzia Snooze You Lose Sale – 50-70% Off – February 2012 is on !!

2012-02-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hello ladies ! just wanted to let you all know that the Aritzia Snooze You Lose Sale is on now ... !! I've been waiting for this sale for the longest time, .. ok not that long :P but I can't wait to go check out what kind of stuff they have on sale !

In their email, they said that all Fall/Winter merchandise are 50-70% off and the sales are on at all Canadian Aritzia, TNA and Wilfred locations. Make sure you check it out !

Check out their blog post here :
http://aritzia.com/blog/2012/02/snooze-you-lose-sale-now-50-70

Review : Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

2012-02-07T19:57:00.001-08:00

Product Name : Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

Where to Buy : Sephora, Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

Retail Price : $34 USD

Product Overview : This jet-black, mineral-rich mask creates a unique peel-off effect that delivers powerful detoxifying, purifying, and brightening results. Made with a premiere-quality clay, its deep-cleansing properties draw out dirt and oil. Other natural ingredients go to work exfoliating skin and refining pores. Powerful antioxidants shrink pores, firm skin, and reduce inflammation. Once dried, the mask strips away dead skin, impurities and excess oil to reveal immediate and visible results.

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 4 Months . . .

Just applied the black mask on my arm as an example . . .

Peeled off the mask after 10-15 minutes . . .

What I Love About This Product ?

Provides a very refreshing feeling after using the mask
Contains various organic and natural ingredients
Unclogged pores and removes excess dirt or makeup without over extending your pores.
Doesn't dry up my skin
Soothing for sensitive skin type

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Hard to not smile or do any facial expressions while waiting for the mask to dry up, and once it's dried it can be a little painful when peeling it off but not as bad as peeling off a Biore pore strip.

Did This Product Live Up To Its Claims ?

This black mask is not like the Biore pore strips; it is not going to strip off all the blackheads or white heads like those Biore strips does. This is more of an overall cleansing of your face to give it that refreshed feeling while providing a long term even skin tone complexion.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who is looking for a skincare mask product to add into their weekly skincare routine.
For someone who is looking for a product to help clear up their skin problems without all the harsh chemical product.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

Yes, this product is a more of a gentle version of the typical pore strips. I personally don't recommend pore strips for anyone because the long term results of that is just going to make your pores look even bigger. The Boscia Lumizing Black Mask is a better alternative that will help exfoliate and deep clean your pores and help reduce acne problem in the long run.

Overall Rating : 4.5/5.

What did you think of this product ? Leave a comment.

Review : Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

2012-02-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Product Name : Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Where to Buy : Any drugstores (Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, etc)

Retail Price : $3.99 - $7.99 CAD

Product Overview : Infused with mega-moisturizers to seal in color and softness. Find your lip color amongst a dazzling array of 72 fabulous, fashionable shades!

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 1 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

The lipstick package is like a traditional retractable lipstick

What I Love About This Product ?

Gorgeous color selection
Moisturize and doesn't dry up your lip
Very pigmented color.

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Some popular colors are always sold out,I went to 3 stores before I found Primrose

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who is looking for a lipstick that comes in a wide range of colors and doesn't dry up your lip.
For someone who is looking for a great quality drugstore lipstick.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

Definitely Yes, I love this lipstick so much that I went and purchased another one. Primrose is such a nice nude pink color and Luminous Pink is a light shiny pink color. Usually I don't buy drugstore lipstick because I feel like they don't live up to the high end lipstick such as the MAC lipstick. But this one is definitely a keeper!

Overall Rating : 5/5.

Which color was your favorite ?

Review : L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes Waterproof Mascara

2012-02-05T11:31:00.001-08:00

Product Name : L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

Where to Buy : bought mine at Wal-mart but you can definitely find them at any local drugstores.

Retail Price : $8-$12 CAD

Product Overview : L'Oreal introduces their New Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Waterproof mascara, it contains a lash sculpting fiber formula that adheres to lashes for a volumized, sculpted lash effect. This product claims to make your lashes appear fuller, longer, sculpted and curled from every angle. It is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 1 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

The mascara brush bristles are narrow at the tip of the brush which helps to get those stubborn little lashes.
The mascara tube packaging is in an odd shape so kinda weird when you hold it.

What I Love About This Product ?

Waterproof
Smudge-proof
Excellent job on defining and separating my lashes
Great brush to get all lashes especially the hard to reach ones

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Major flake city
Does not volumize
Does not lengthen
Clumpy after a few coats
The fibers were not noticeable after applying it on my lashes

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who already has long luscious eyelashes.
For someone who wants a simple mascara for an everyday natural look.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

No, I didn't like this mascara at all, the only thing it did was making my lashes look more defined. It is not good enough to replace my latest favorite mascara (Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes). As predicted, this mascara didn`t make my lashes look like I was wearing false lashes and was very clumpy and flaky.

Overall Rating : 2/5.

Did you love or hate this product? Leave me a comment !

Review : Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner

2012-02-02T21:35:00.002-08:00

Product Name : Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in Blackest Black

Where to Buy : Any drugstores (Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, etc)

Retail Price : $7-$9 CAD

Product Overview :

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 1 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

The product size is small and easy to carry around with you in your purse.
The brush applicator is similar to a thick felt tip liner pen.

What I Love About This Product ?

Easy to use applicator/brush
Great matte black eyeliner color
Very solid and pigmented color

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Not long-lasting
Smudged and fades within 1-2 hour after application

Product Quality Between "The First Couple Uses" and "After Using It For 1 Months".

"The First Couple Uses" : A good liquid eyeliner, but not the best I have tried. I didn't find myself reaching for this product as much. I still rather use my UD liquid eyeliner instead.
"After Using It For 1 Months" : The consistency of the product stayed about the same and if you shake the bottle really well before application you'll still get a nice black color. I use this product more as a touch up of my eye line throughout the day.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who is looking for a matte black liquid eyeliner color and not the glossy black color.
For someone who doesn't have oily skin since it smudges very easily.
For someone who is new to liquid eyeliner, this is a good product to practice since it's very easy to apply

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

No, I would not buy this product again because I have oily skin and my eyelids gets super oily at the end of my work day! The line smudged after an hour or two and the "wing" of my line was not as sharp looking as compared to when I first applied it. I heard a lot of good reviews for this one, but this is definitely not a long-lasting "ColorStay" product for me.

Overall Rating : 2/5.

What did you think of this product ? Leave a comment.

Review : Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum

2012-01-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

Product Name : Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum

Where to Buy : Sephora

Retail Price : $36 USD

Product Overview : The unique gel-based brow enhancing Serum is a colorless and odorless gel, comprised of a unique blend of top proteins and vitamins designed to help restore thin, over-plucked, and undernourished eyebrows. The deep conditioning action works to help stimulate brow growth, leaving them looking bold and beautiful.

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 1 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

The size of the product is really small, I think it's a bit too expensive for $36
The brush makes it very easy to apply the serum onto my eyebrows or on the spots where I want the hairs to grow more.

What I Love About This Product ?

Easy to use applicator/brush
Provides eyebrow hair growth
Clear, odorless, non-greasy formula

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Too expensive for a tiny 0.17 oz serum tube
You need to have a lot of patience and time for good results to show

Product Quality Between "The First Couple Uses" and "After Using It For 1 Months".

"The First Couple Uses" : The eyebrow serum is very smooth and it's non-greasy so it felt nice putting it on my eyebrows. I usually brush it with a clean mascara brush after applying to massage and stimulate the hair follicles for that extra boost in the hair growth.
"After Using It For 1 Months" : The serum consistency remained the same all throughout the whole tube and it did not dry out. I find that if you brush your brows with a small brow brush after each applications, more hairs will grow.

Overall Results After ...

Results after 1st and 2nd Week : Noticed a bit of growth and my eyebrow hairs were more uniformed.
Results after 3rd and 4th Week : Noticed more little hairs on my eyebrows, but really thin, sparse hair but a few were on the spots where there were no hair before.
Results after 5th and 6th Week : More hair growth on my eyebrows getting closer to my desire brow shape. the tube is practically empty now (as you can see in the picture above) and there are definitely more hair growth but not quite enough yet.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone who over-plucked or has bald batches on their eyebrows and would like to grow them back.
For someone who has lighter/thinner looking eyebrows and wants them to grow a bit thicker.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

Yes, I would definitely buy this product again since I did notice a big difference before and after using this product, even my mom noticed it. My eyebrows didn't get darker but it is definitely more thicker looking than before :) I'm gonna try another tube of this, I'm sure that there will be even more positive results after the second tube.

Overall Rating : 4.5/5.

Have a question ? Leave a comment.

Review : January 2012 GLYMM Beauty Box

2012-01-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

The January 2012 Glymm Box contains the follow items :

Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo Facial Cleansing Cloths

"One Cloth, multiple functional Juicy bamboo facial cloths that effectively and gently sweep away makeup, dirt and oil for clear, fresh skin! Soaked in Vitamins and made with 99% natural ingredients, which make your skin feel soft, instead of stripped and tight. These urban facial clothes are the perfect solution for the girl on the go!"

Quick Thoughts About This Product : One wash cloth was not enough to see results but my face felt very refreshed after using it.
Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

"Alright beauties it's time to dramatically improve your skin's texture to reveal softer, brighter and younger looking skin! This aloe-enriched cleanser brightens with powerful papaya enzymes to give radiance, exfoliates with dermatologist grade micro-crystals which help smooth and hydrate your gentle skin."

Quick Thoughts About This Product : It provides moisture to my skin and did not clog my pores.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

"From the upscale salons of Beverly Hills,we bring you the brow expert, Anastasia's clear brow gel. Awarded as Allure's editor's choice, this brow gel sets your perfect brow look and keeps brows in place all day. This best-selling formula tames unruly brows without leaving them stiff, flaky or sticky."

Quick Thoughts About This Product : I was just about to buy this product! It makes all the hairs on my brows nice and neat without the crusty feeling.
Burt's Bees Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

"Burt's Bees new and improved body lotion is clinically proen to restore moisture and replenish dry skin. Canada's favorite natural beauty brand uses nature's best resources such as milk and honey to soothe, soften, and hydrate dry skin, without making it feel greasy. The coconut and vitamin E deliver beneficial nutrients to the skin."

Quick Thoughts About This Product : Smells really nice and made my skin feel very soft without the greasiness.
CARGO Cosmetics Eye Pencil

"Cargo eye pencils offer a cutting edge formulation! An incredibly high pigment pencil that delivers intense colour combined with a smudge-resistant formula for immediate and long-wearing results. Rich, deep colour that glides on easily with just one application and minimal skipping."

Quick Thoughts About This Product : It glided on easily, but it smudged like crazy.

How did you like your January Glymm box ?

Review : Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

2011-12-13T10:16:00.002-08:00

Product Name : Benefit They're Real! Mascara in Black

Where to Buy : Sephora, Benefit They're Real! Mascara

Retail Price : $22 USD

Product Overview : A jet-black mascara from Benefit that lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts, and separates lashes for a spectacular "out-to-here" look. This mascara claims to give your lashes the look that you never knew you had!

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 2 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

The packaging and ads for this mascara is very trendy and it shows a bunch of consumer results that were convincing enough for me to buy it!
The mascara wand has to be one of the best mascara brushes that I have ever used. It is the major reason why it was so easy to separate my lashes and giving them a panoramic look.

What I Love About This Product ?

Great plastic-y brush
Does lengthen lashes
Does separate lashes
Provides major lash definition

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Does not hold up curls
Does not volumize
Clumpy after using it for a while

Product Quality Between "The First Couple Uses" and "After Using It For 1 Months".

"The First Couple Uses" : It was very easy to build up the effect by applying multiple coats and it provided definition and separation for my lashes with minor clumping. The brush is the best part about this mascara since the bristles would grab closely to the root of your lashes and give your lashes length and definitions. However, I find that the formula is a bit too wet to hold up my curls and instead it just de-curled them.
"After Using It For 1 Months" : I didn't find myself reaching for this mascara very much. I used this mascara for more of a casual occasion when I'm not wearing a lot of makeup. The formula, however, was very consistent throughout the month. It did start to clump a bit more than before, but nothing major. There were minimal flakes after a whole working day.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

Similar to the "Rimmel Lash Accelerator with Grow-Lash Complex Mascara", I would recommend this for someone that is looking for a mascara that lengthens and provides definitions for their lashes.
For someone who already has long eyelashes.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

No, I would not buy this mascara again because I'm very picky about mascara that doesn't curl upward when I curl it with my heated eyelash curler and this product was one of those mascara that didn't meet that criteria.

Overall Rating : 3.5/5.

Have a question ? Leave a comment.

Review : Too Faced Perfectly Pretty Set

2011-12-12T15:18:00.000-08:00

Product Name : Too Faced Perfectly Pretty Set

Where to Buy : Sephora, Too Faced Perfectly Pretty Set

Retail Price : $16.50 USD

Product Overview : A set that includes deluxe, travel-size versions of Shadow Insurance, Primed & Poreless, and Lash Injection, all tucked away in a limited-edition damask bag.

Lash Injection (0.169 oz)
Shadow Insurance (0.11 oz)
Primed & Poreless (0.17 oz)
Limited Edition Damask Roll Bag

Pros and Cons :

Product Name : Too Faced Lash Injection
Pros : Separating, Defining, Volumizing
Cons : Does Not Lengthen, De-curled Lashes, Clumpy
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Product Name : Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Pros : Creamy, Long-Lasting, Smooth, Lightweight, Prevents creasing on your eye lids
Cons : Nothing :) ....its Perfect!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Product Name : Too Faced Primed & Poreless
Pros : Lightweight, Smooth/Silky Finish, Blends and absorbs easily, Contains Retinol which is known to reduce wrinkle and helps reduce blemishes
Cons : No SPF, Minimal coverage; if you have blemishes on your skin, you may need to apply foundation or mineral foundation on top of the primer to achieve that flawless face look

Conclusion : Overall, this is a really good makeup set if you want to try out some of the top Too Faced products available, especially the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. The only thing I didn't like was the size of the samples; I thought they were too small and not even comparable to Sephora's deluxe sample size. If you've already tried Too Faced products before then it would probably save you more money buying the full size products instead of the trial set. The best part about the Perfectly Pretty set is definitely the primers. The Lash Injection mascara is a good mascara for a natural or office look, but it can be clumpy as you apply more coats to create a dramatic look. I personally didn't like mascara very much.

Ratings : 4/5. (-1 point for the small product size)

Did you love or hate this product?

Review : Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara

2011-12-12T15:08:00.001-08:00

Product Name : Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara

Where to Buy: Wal-mart, The Falsies Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

Retail Price : about $5 - $7

Product Overview : This product has an unique flexible wand and patented Spoon brush to help lift and separate lashes to provide the look of more lashes. The special Kera-fiber formula instantly build 5x more volume without clumping to complete the falsie lash look.

Pros :

Waterproof
Defining, Separating, Volumizing
Nicely designed spoon brush
Very dark black color

I like that it provided definition and separated my lashes really well. It did volumize my lashes ... But it does get clumpy after a few coats. The spoon mascara brush is well-designed and very easy to apply. One thing that I would like to point out is that the applicator is flexible, but it sort of caused the application to become less firm compared to other mascara applicators. Also, the waterproof formula is good for those rainy days that we have here in Vancouver :).

Cons :

Can be clumpy and flaky
Does smudge
Does not lengthen
Does not hold up curls

I usually buy the waterproof formula because I think that it just holds up the curls a lot better than the non-waterproof version. However, this mascara de-curled my lashes after application and it didn't give me any lengthening effect, but it did give me some mascara smudge on the bottom outer corner of my eyes. The one major thing that I didn't like was that it was very flaky and those little flakes would fall into my eyes and get stuck on my contact lenses....argh!

Conclusion : There were a lot of buzz about this product and Maybelline kept introducing new version of the falsies (eg. Black Drama, Falsies Flared) so I thought I gave the original falsies a try hoping that I would be amazed by the result just like how everyone did. Well.. in my own opinion... it really didn't do much for me. There was just not enough lengthening power and definitely no Falsies effect. It was super clumpy even when using it for the first few times. Overall I think it is an okay mascara and it's definitely not something I would buy again.

Ratings : 3/5.

Have you tried this product ? Let me know what you think !

Review : Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen

2011-12-11T21:55:00.001-08:00

Product Name : Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black

Where to Buy : Sephora, Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen

Retail Price : $22 USD

Product Overview : A liquid eyeliner from Smashbox that claims to be long-wearing and waterproof.

Pros :

Fine tip
Easy to apply

During the first couple applications, it was very easy to apply and the color was very black. I was able to easily create either a thin or thick line on my upper eyelids.

Cons :

Short lifespan; dries out too quickly
No longer easy to apply after the 15th application
Difficult to shake or "re-moist" the liner tip
Fades very easily, especially if you have oily eyelids

After using this product for a while, I noticed that the liner tip started to become very dry. It became very hard to apply because it was drying out too quickly and the color was no longer dark and pigmented. I tried to shake it as hard I could to get the "juice" out to the tip but nothing worked!! The line became lighter and was fading out after only a few hours or wearing it.

Conclusion : I really wanted to love this product but unfortunately it didn't live up to most of its claims. When I first bought the eyeliner, it worked really well but then it started to dry out, and was fading a lot after a few hours. Overall, I thought this product was too expensive for something that did not last ... (not even for a month). It was definitely a waste of money and I would definitely never buy this product ever again.

Ratings : 1 / 5.

Did you love or hate this product? Share your views and leave me a comment !

Review : Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

2011-12-10T10:32:00.001-08:00

Product Name : Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara in Blackest Black

Where to Buy : Walmart or at any local drugstores

Retail Price : $3-5 CAD (Walmart sells them for only $3.96 CAD)

Product Overview : Maybelline's favorite mascara even after 40 years, now with a heart-shaped brush!! The exclusive Great Little Grabber gets to each and every lash with precision for lots of volume from corner-to-corner. Volume builds with each coat - no clumps, no mess. Safe for contact lens wearers.

Pros :

Great heart-shaped brush
Defining
Lengthening
Volumnizing
Lifts, Curls and Separates lashes
Little to no Clumps

This is one of the best mascara that I have tried in a long time and the best part is that it is super inexpensive. This is a classic formula from Maybelline so it's not likely for the mascara to be discontinued. I love the heart-shaped brush because the tip of the brush is slimmer and designed to get those stubborn little lashes. This is not like the Cover Girl Lash Blast chunky brush where it's too big in the front and sometimes you can accidentally get it on your face.
After applying the mascara, I did noticed that it helped lengthen and separate my lashes. There were no clumping as long as you don't let it dry in between coats. The more coats you layer on top, the more volumizing it is going to be; this mascara is very easy to build up to the desire look that you are looking for. The texture of my lashes after applying the mascara is very soft and it didn't give me that crusty feeling on my lashes.

Cons :

Does smudge
Does flake

There aren't anything bad I can say about this mascara other than that it is not waterproof so it did start to smudge a bit after I did my workout. There were a few tiny little flakes on my face after wearing it for a few hour.

Conclusion : I will admit.. at first I was very skeptical about this product. I mean.. How could something so cheap be any good ? After hearing so many good reviews about it, I gave it a try last night and I absolutely LOVE this mascara... No wonder this is one of the best and classic formula from Maybelline for the past 4 decades. I finally found a mascara that has the potential to replace my favorite mascara...Maybelline unstoppable mascara :) The pink and green packaging is really cute and the mascara wand is easy to grip.

Update: After using it for a month, it was more clumpy than before. I tried to reduce the clumps by wiping the brush before using it so that reduced the clumping a lot.

Ratings : 4.5/5. (-0.5 because the result was not consistent after using it for a month)

Did you love or hate this product ? Leave a comment !

Review : Lise Watier Base Miracle Pore Minimizing Primer

2011-12-10T10:22:00.001-08:00

Product Name : Lise Watier Base Miracle Pore Minimizing Primer

Where to Buy : London Drugs, Lise Watier Base Miracle Pore Minimizing Primer

Retail Price : $30 CAD

Product Overview : Enlarged pores are bores. Make them disappear and give your skin a flawless, silky, matte finish with Base Miracle Pore Minimizing Primer. Just a touch of this innovative Makeup base and voila! Pesky shiny spots and enlarged pores vanish instantly. This is a fragrance free and paraben free product.

Pros :

Smooth and Silky Finish
Temporarily reduce the appearance of pores
Doesn't clog pores
Reduce oil and shine

This is a good primer to use before you put on your foundation or mineral makeup. You don't need to apply it all over your face, just need to apply where your skin tends to be more oily or areas of enlarged pores. A little goes a long way ;-) After applying this product, it gave me a matte finish and the texture was very smooth and silky. My makeup stayed on all day and it made my face less oily and shiny.

Cons :

No SPF protection
Not light-weight ; felt a bit too thick for a base primer
Doesn't provide enough moisture

I usually like primers with at least SPF 15 because sometimes I don't want to wear a lot of makeup on my days off. One thing that I didn't like about this primer was that it felt kind of thick after putting it on. I felt like I had a thick layer of matte, silicon-feeling goo on my face. If you have dry or combination skin, you definitely need to put a layer of moisturizer on before you apply the primer because this primer alone is not going to give your skin enough moisture.

Conclusion : When I bought this primer I was looking for a product that could help reduce the appearance of pores. The sales lady at London Drugs told me that this primer could instantly minimize the look of pores as well as nourishing my skin so my pores would look smaller in the long run. I don't think she knew what she was talking about :-P because the pore minimizing effect is only temporary, definitely not a long term treatment. This pore minimizing promier is not even comparable to Philosophy The Supernatural Poreless, Flawless Tinted SPF 15 which is about the same price. If you are looking for a primer that you could wear either alone of underneath your foundation, definitely go with the Philosophy one because it is very light-weight and an amazing tinted moisturizer and primer.

Ratings : 3.5/5.

Have a question ? Leave a comment !

Review : Best Drugstore Eyes and Face Makeup Remover Products

2011-12-09T22:33:00.001-08:00

As much as we love putting makeup on our faces, it is still very important to know how to properly remove your makeup by the end of the day and which products can help you achieve that. A lot of people make the mistake of tugging and pulling on their eyelids when their trying to take off that stubborn waterproof mascara that just won't come off. BUT that's wrong! If you do that it will create more fine lines and wrinkles around your eye area as you get older.
Here are the eyes and face makeup remover products that I have tried and know that it works wonders when it comes to removing makeup and unclogging all the dirt out of your pores.

For Eyes :

Product Name : Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Retail Price : $6.99 USD
Product Overview : Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover takes off even waterproof eye makeup without leaving an oily residue.
Directions : Shake well to activate. Apply with cotton pad on closed eyelids. Gently rinse with warm water.
Ratings : 5/5.

For a while, I stopped using any waterproof mascara because I was just having such a hard time taking it off by the end of the day, and sometimes I even lose my eyelashes trying to clean it off :(. I decided to give the Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover a try after so many people recommended it and I have to say this is by far the Best and most Inexpensive eye makeup remover I have ever tried.
It really does what it claims to do, it melts away all the waterproof mascara and eyeshadow without tugging and pulling on your eyes. All you have to do is shake the bottle, apply with a cotton pad, and just sort of press lightly on the cotton pad against your eyelashes to get the makeup off. You have to be really patient and wait for a few minutes before you start seeing the makeup to come off, this is because that's when it starts to break off the bonds between the mascara and your lashes so that it can be easily wiped off afterwards.

For Face :

Product Name : Pond's Cold Cream
Retail Price : $6 USD (even cheaper when walmart have B1G1 deal)
Product Overview : Gentle yet effective deep cleansing cream to removes hidden dirt and make-up.
Directions : Smooth generously on the skin with the fingertips. Gently remove with a tissue, cotton or a damp washcloth for a truly deep cleanse or for extra freshness, rinse off with warm water. Even the most stubborn make-up is lifted away while essential oils and emollients replace moisture, leaving skin soft, smooth and supple.
Ratings : 5/5.

Usually I would remove my eye makeup using Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover first and then follow by Pond's Cold cream. All you need to do is gently massage the cream onto your face in a upward and circular motion for roughly 2-3 minutes and then wipe it off with a tissue... sometimes I even wipe the cream off with a warm wash cloth for that extra clean feeling. When you're done you can just clean your face with your favorite facial cleanser.
I have been using this products for years now and it's the only product that doesn't break out my skin. I have combination skin type and a lot of times makeup remover can be too oily and end up clogging my pores. You can also use this as a massage cream if you have dry skin or random dry patches on your face. Pond's classic cold cream will leave your skin soft, smooth, clean, and moisturized and most of all, it is very inexpensive and it gets the job done!

Review : Philosophy The Supernatural Poreless, Flawless Tinted SPF 15

2011-12-09T21:23:00.006-08:00

Product Name : Philosophy The Supernatural Poreless, Flawless Tinted SPF 15 (1.6 oz)

Where to Buy : Sephora, Philosphy The Supernatural Poreless, Flawless Tinted SPF 15

Retail Price : $30 USD

Product Overview : This is an oil-free foundation primer with SPF 15 that could be worn alone or underneath your favorite foundation. It claims to offer a look that is pore-less, flawless and that is almost.. Supernatural! This product is available in one blend-able color that is suitable for all skin tone.
The reason I decided to give this product a try was because I was looking for a light-weight tinted moisturizer that could be worn alone or underneath my Bare Escentuals mineral powder for more coverage when needed. Most importantly I was looking for something that can make my pores look smaller.

Pros :

Non-greasy, light-weight formula
Smooth creamy texture
Instantly minimize the appearance of pores
Excellent primer to be worn alone or underneath foundation or mineral powder

The texture of the primer/moisturizer is very smooth and velvety feeling. After applying it for the first time, I did notice that it drastically minimize the appearance of my pores on my face, especially around my nose. Nonetheless, it also helped even out my skin tone to create a flawless look even without my bareMineral foundation powder. It was very light-weight and soft to the touch, almost felt like I wasn't wearing anything on my face at all.

Cons :

Only available in one color

The only disadvantage about this product is the fact that it only came in one color that is sort of an orange-y, beige-y color. However, it was very blend-able so it was not really a major problem for me, but I have heard from other users that it did not match their skin tone.

Conclusion : Overall, I absolutely love this product because it really does what it claims to do. It will reduce the look of any skin imperfections you may have without the feeling that you're wearing a lot of makeup. I could simply use this product along with my Bare Escentuals mineral veil powder and be ready to go.

Overall Ratings : 5/5.

Did you love or hate this product? Feel free to share your views !

Review : Rimmel Lash Accelerator with Grow-Lash Complex Mascara

2011-11-26T20:48:00.009-08:00

Product Name : Rimmel Lash Accelerator with Grow-Lash Complex Mascara in Extreme Black

Where To Buy :Any drugstores (Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, etc)

Retail Price : About $8 CAD

Product Overview : New Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara contains exclusive natural GROW-LASH COMPLEX with Procapil extends and fortifies lashes. With continued use, lashes not only look longer, but also lusher and more numerous. Suitable for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.

. . . My Thoughts After Using This Product For 1 Months . . .

What I Thought About the Packaging ?

The overall packaging of the mascara tube is very sleek and easy to grip onto. It looks kinda like a round ruler shape design.
The mascara wand looks like the traditional mascara brush but with a modern twist. It is slender on both ends and thicker in the middle of the brush.

What I Love About This Product ?

Provides major lash definition
Does lengthen lashes
Does separate lashes
Holds up curls

What I Didn't Love About This Product ?

Not Smudge-proof
Can be Flaky
No Major Eyelash Growth
Does Not Volumize

Product Quality Between "The First Couple Uses" and "After Using It For 1 Months".

"The First Couple Uses" : After applying two coats of this mascara my lashes looked longer and definitely more defined. The result was not clumpy and the texture of my lashes were very soft and not crusty. After a full 8 hours work day, minor smudging and flaking.
"After Using It For 1 Months" : The quality of the mascara was not as good as before and the formula became clumpier and thicker. It still separated my lashes but it did start to clump a lot. After a full 8 hours work day, there were a lot of flakes and my curls were pretty much gone.

Did The Grow-Lash Complex Make My Eyelash Grow Longer and Thicker?

No; I didn't notice any difference in the length or thickness of my eyelashes.

Who Would I Recommend This Product For ?

For someone that is looking for a mascara that lengthens and provides definitions for their lashes.
Someone who wants to go for a natural or professional office look.
Great for people with shorter lashes that goes straight down.

Would I Buy This Product Again ?

No, I would not repurchase this product again since there are other alternative mascaras such as Lots of Lashes that is cheaper and offer better results.

Overall Rating : 3/5.

Have a question ? Leave a comment !

Review : My Monthly Gift to Myself... November Glymm Beauty Box

2011-11-21T21:15:00.001-08:00

The November 2011 Glymm Box includes :

Lise Watier Flash Lift Radiance Vial

"Introducing your handbag's new bff. This new vitalizing serum comes in a convenient vial. Which can be applied any time of the day. Formulated for every skin type this serum erases the signs of fatigue and smoothes the appearance of wrinkles. Late night out? No big deal, just dab some on for an instant glow."

Rahua (Ra-Wa) Luxury Shampoo & Conditioner

"Gwenth Paltrow's secret to beautiful Lustrous hair is now available to you. Rahua is a natural, organic hair care system which contains the precious Rahua nut oil, found deep in the Amazon rainforest. Sol exclusively in top salons around the world, the gentle Rahua Molecules penetrates deeply leaving your hair luminous and healthy."

Orlane Paris Light Smoothing Cream

"Brighten up your mornings with Orlane's light smoothing cream. This Hypoallergenic day cream is infused with rich vitamins and minerals to defend your skin against daily toxins. Your skin is left smooth, soft , radiant and well protected against irritations."

RGB Designer Nail Lacquer (Full Size)

"In Style magazine named it "America's most wanted nail polish". RGB is LA's hottest contemporary nail care brand, with a modern edge. The chip resistant lacquer is formulated for long lasting ultra Glossy results. RGB is a 3Free lacquer, made in the USA, and has recently collaborated with Celebrity Stylist Jenna Hipp and Urban Outfitters."

Annabelle Smudge Paint (Full Size)

"Annabelle Cosmetics, Canada's leading eyeliner brand launched the innovative Smudge paint eyeliner and shadow this season. The potted gel cream can give you discrete eyeliner for day and a fierce dramatic look at night. The built in brush allows you to glide on smoothly, giving you a more custom look."

Glymm Sweets

$10 off Any Online Purchase at Brownsshoes.com

This is my second month receiving a Glymm box and so far, I'm very satisfied with all the products that I get every month. For the November box, there were a lot of more products than the October Glymm Box. I will admit sometimes you're not going to get the color or shades that you prefer, but it is definitely worth trying out new stuff that you wouldn't normally have picked out once in a while. This way it gives you a reason to try out that new color that you're too afraid to try.
Hopefully Glymm will have a special Xmas Glymm box in December ! :) If you like to find out more about Glymm and how to subscribe, click here to get your own Glymm beauty box !