The Daily Swatch

Statement Necklaces - AliExpress

2014-06-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

Statement necklaces have been very popular recently and I don't see this trend going away anytime soon! They're a great way to dress up your casual outfits and they can add something special to business or formal wear. I've seen some amazing statement necklaces at Forever 21 for $12-$20 and that's such a great price compared to other stores selling them for $30+.

I recently heard about a few online stores that sell these same necklaces for much cheaper and I thought I would share those stores with you!

The first one is AliExpress. I heard about this site while I was at an Etsy convention. I found so many great statement necklaces on there and I recently purchased some. They are coming from China, so they will likely arrive in 3-4 weeks. Most items had free shipping. Make sure to check whether each seller has a minimum purchase amount and also make sure that the price is for one item only. They sell items in lots as well. Here are photos of and links to the ones I purchased:

This was only $3.74 when I bought it! It's available in an assortment of colours. Click here to view it on Ali Express.

As I have yet to receive these in the mail, I can't say much about the quality, but I will say that I've seen some of these exact pieces in stores and the quality is quite good for the money.

I've really been loving aqua recently! I like the rough texture of this necklace. It was on sale for $5.54 on Ali Express when I bought it.

Apparently I can't get enough blue! Click here to see it on AliExpress!

I thought I'd change things up a bit with this hot pink one! It's around $3 right now!

Mint green is perfect for spring and summer. This necklace is around $3 on AliExpress.

A little more subtle, this necklace has gold roses and peach and crystal accents. Only $4.50 on AliExpress.

Another more subtle statement necklace, this one features a gold braid embellished with crystals. $2 on AliExpress

I think this is a great 'starter' statement necklace! It's also a steal at $2.50 and comes in a variety of colours!

I'll post photos of these when I receive them! I'm really hoping they're decent quality, but for the price, I don't think I'll mind doing some repairs on my own if they break!

GIVEAWAY! Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System (CLOSED)

2014-05-15T19:59:00.000-04:00

Smile Brilliant approached me and was kind enough to provide a Professional Teeth Whitening System! This system includes an LED light, a teeth whitening pen with gel and a teeth guard.

Check out their website for more details on this system!

Please use the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this page for the entry options, as well as the Terms & Conditions. This contest will run from May 16th to May 23rd.

This contest is open to residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Apologies to those in other countries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Beauty Finds from Etsy!

2014-03-11T17:16:00.003-04:00

Even though we're expecting a huge snow storm this evening, the past few days have felt like spring has sprung! In honour of the warmer weather that is hopefully on its way, here are some spring beauty items I've found on Etsy!

Apple Envy Mineral Eyeshadow from Willow Tree Minerals

Spring Has Sprung Nail Polish from Noodles Nail Polish

Spring Butterfly Soap from AJSweetSoap

Earthen Mineral Eyeshadow from Buffalo Gal Organics

Shimmering in the Spring Collection from Tater Rounds Beauty

Ember Opaque Matte Lipstick from ImpulseCo

Mineral Foundation Powder in Wheat from BLSoaps

Eyeliner from Marie Natie

Vegan Mineral Blush in Playful from FiorMineralCosmetics

Mineral Bronzer in Sun Goddess by LaDolceVidaBathNBody

SPF Lip Balm from MysticRootsCreations

Last Minute Halloween Accessory!

2013-10-31T13:52:00.001-04:00

If you're dressing up as a woodland fairy or anything mythical/fantastical, check these out! I found them at Shoppers Drug Mart for around $5. They're made by Wet n Wild so I'm sure you can find them as part of the Fantasy Makers line in the US as well!

They have little butterfly and deer cutouts on them :) They're self adhesive too so there's no mess, no glue and no pain afterwards!

International Summer Etsy Picks!

2013-06-26T14:14:00.003-04:00

Summer officially began last week, so I thought it was time to share my summer Etsy picks! Many of these products are handmade by artisans who may live near you! I have chosen many "summer-y" items from all around the world, many of which can be shipped worldwide.

Nautical Dangle Earrings

$18.00 from Norway (ships worldwide)

The nautical theme is so popular these days! I love that the earrings don't match, but are cohesive.

bike bracelet, "Where there is a will, there is a way"

$8.59 from China (ships worldwide)

This bracelet would be great motivation to keep active during the summer!

APRICOT - Eyeshadow Mineral Makeup

$4.89, from USA (ships worldwide)

Apricot is a great neutral colour to wear in the summer. The peach and gold tones will bring out your summer tan!

HOLOGRAPHIC Nail Polish SPECTACLE Fast dry sparkly Nail Varnish

$8.00 from Bulgaria (ships worldwide)

This bright blue nail polish has tons of glitter and would be great to wear to the beach or on vacation!

Wünderblok Sunscreen Bar

$10.00, from USA (ships to USA only)

Sunscreen is definitely a must if you'll be out in the sun!

Texturizing Sea Salt Styling Spray

$20 from USA (ships to USA only)

If you can't get to the beach, this sea salt spray will give your hair breach waves.

Two Tone Infinity Hemp Bracelet

$6.00 from Canada (ships worldwide)

Hemp bracelets are making a comeback! They come in many different colours and would be great to give as gifts.

Peach Blossom Solid Lotion Shimmer Highlight Bar (Organic) with fine Mica

$10.50 from Canada (ships to Canada and USA only)

This highlight bar will leave subtle shimmer on your skin. This is great if you don't like wearing lotions or gels!

Tangerine lip balm

$4.70 from Greece (ships worldwide)

Lip balms will keep your lips moisturized and prevent them from getting chapped. The tangerine flavour will pair perfectly with a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Airplane charm necklace

$10.00 from the Philippines (ships worldwide)

If you're going on vacation this summer, this necklace will help get you excited about your trip! Even if you're not going on holiday, this necklace is cute and will look great with almost anything,

Barefoot Sandals

$17.00 from Poland (ships worldwide)

If you enjoy going barefoot but still enjoy the look of flip flops, these barefoot sandals will be sure to attract a lot of attention.

White cotton lace dress

$191.00 from Australia (ships worldwide)

This dress is right on trend, while still maintaing its vintage look.

2 BARS Teal and White Polka Dot Soap

$15.00 from South Africa (ships worldwide)

This fun bar of soap will add colour to your bathroom, making it great any time of year.

Vegan Clutch

$27 from Mexico (ships worldwide)

I love this clutch! The brown fabric on the corners helps soften the grey and white print. The little leaf charm is my favourite part!

Pink flowers photograph 8x12

$21.00 from Brazil (ships worldwide)

If you're stuck in an office all day, prints like this one will help bring some summertime to you. The artist also has many other prints in lots of bright colours.

Embroidered Purple Laptop Sleeve

$99.00 from India (ships worldwide)

If you're a purple/fuchsia fan, this laptop sleeve is for you!

Black Cotton Mini Ruffle Bag with Beads Strap

$39.00 from Thailand (ships worldwide)

I bought this bag a couple of years ago and it's still going strong! I asked the Seller if I could get burgundy fabric on the inside instead of red and she had no problem accommodating that! I would definitely purchase another bag from her as she has many designs that fit my style. Also, the prices are very affordable!

Coharu Japanese Label Maker

$84.21 from Japan (ships worldwide)

These label makers are so cute! Definitely a must-have for someone who likes to be organized (or for someone who wishes they were organized!)

Yellow Felt Milk Can Bag

$145.00 from Russia (ships worldwide)

This is one of the most unique bags I've ever seen. Not only is it striking in canary yellow, but it's also in the shape of a milk can!

Chevron Case iPhone 4 / 4S

$8.99 from England (ships worldwide)

Chevron is a popular pattern for this summer. I like this case in coral because it's a colour that I always associate with summer.

Dreamcatcher Nail Decals 36 Ct.

$4.85 from USA (ships to USA only)

Dream catchers are another thing that I associate with summer. The long bird feathers and intricate pattern remind me of the native culture in North America. I love that the seller photographed these decals on bright blue nail polish!

New from bhCosmetics: The Malibu Palette!

2013-03-27T20:06:00.001-04:00

bhCosmetics sent me this palette from the California collection to review. The full review of the palette should be up on the bhCosmetics website soon, but for now, here's a sneak peek!

NEW from bhCosmetics: San Francisco Palette!

2013-03-18T16:27:00.001-04:00

I recently did a review of the San Francisco palette for bhCosmetics. Here are some photos of the palette, but for swatches and more information, check out the full review here. There are two other palettes available in this collection: Hollywood and Malibu

NEW from bhCosmetics: California Palettes! (Hollywood)

2013-03-13T23:52:00.002-04:00

Here are some photos of the new Hollywood palette from bhCosmetics! To read my full review and to see swatches of every colour, click here to view my review which has been posted on the bhCosmetics website! Stay tuned for reviews and swatches of the other two palettes :)

*These palettes were provided by bhCosmetics for review purposes.

Revlon PhotoReady Primer & Shadow

2013-03-08T12:18:00.001-05:00

These are sold pretty much wherever Revlon products are carried. They range from $8-$12.

The idea of a primer eyeshadow was interesting to me and I haven't really seen anything like it before. The sparkle top coat was also intriguing!

Graffiti

Metropolitan

The bottom two eyeshadows are steps 1 and 5. The rectangular eyeshadow on the bottom left is the "primer" eyeshadow. This is to be applied first all over the lid. It has a smoother consistency than the rest of the eyeshadows in this quad. Above it are the eyeshadows which are steps 2 through 4. The eyeshadow pans mimic the shapes of an eyelid, crease and brow bone. The bottom right eyeshadow is the sparkle top coat which is meant to be applied as an accent.

Graffiti (flash)
I've swatched the eyeshadows in the same order as the steps (the primer is swatted first on the left, ending with the sparkle top coat on the far right).

Graffiti (no flash)

Metropolitan (flash)

Metropolitan (no flash)

The primer eyeshadow is smoother than the eyeshadows, but I don't think it acts well as a traditional eyeshadow primer. It definitely helps to hide discolouration on the eyelids, but to me it seems like an unnecessary step if you're like me and insist on applying a traditional eye primer. If you can't wear eyeshadow primers (like Too Faced Shadow Insurance or Urban Decay Primer Potion), then a powder form of an eye primer may work for you.

In my experience, the primer eyeshadow works well for a couple of hours, but does end up creasing. I have oily eyelids, so I'm sure that's the reason why it didn't work as well for me. This may be a great option for those with non-oily eyelids.

The eyeshadows themselves are very smooth and blend effortlessly. They are richly pigmented and will last a long time with a primer. The sparkle top coats are very glittery and/or shimmery. I don't really like the one in "Graffiti" because it doesn't really match the rest of the palette, but the one in Metropolitan is my favourite. Rather than using it as a top coat, I use it as an eyeshadow. You can see from the swatches that it's more than just glitter- it's a rich gold eyeshadow as well.

I definitely recommend trying out one of these quads/palettes if you can. They're great quality for the price!

Back of Metropolitan

Back of Graffiti

Featured on xSparkage!

2013-03-04T12:02:00.005-05:00

Check out my Guest Review on xSparkage.com!

Much thanks to Leesha for featuring me! :)

photo from xsparkage.com

Total Intensity Liquid Eyeliners by Prestige Cosmetics + Mini Giveaway

2013-02-20T16:43:00.002-05:00

I was recently sent these two Total Intensity Liquid Ink Eyeliners from Prestige Cosmetics.

"Stalker"
Matte, opaque green

"Around the World"
Sheer, sparkly purple

"Stalker" freshly applied

"Around the World" freshly applied

"Stalker" dried (dries in approx. 30 seconds)

"Around the World" dried (dries in approx. 45 seconds)

These eyeliners have fine felt tip applicators and come in six different colours. These two wouldn't be my first choice but they gave me an idea of what the others are like. The green one in "Stalker" is matte and opaque and dries rather quickly. The purple one in "Around the World" is sheer and sparkly and takes a little longer to dry.

These eyeliners will not smudge easily. Once they're on, they are staying there until you take it off with makeup remover.

If the black and brown ones in this line are as good as these two, I'll definitely be on the lookout for them.

I'm not sure if these are available in in stores outside of the US, but for a list of retail locations, click here. If you live in Canada, I've seen these for sale at Rexall drug stores.

When contacted by Prestige Cosmetics, I asked if they'd like to include some products for a giveaway.

If you'd like to win the items in the following photo:

Follow this blog

AND

Leave a comment

I'll run this until 5 or so people enter and I'll use random.org to choose the winner.

All About Hair Oils & Treatments

2013-02-15T21:15:00.001-05:00

This post has been nearly a year in the making. Hot oil treatments were very popular years ago and it seems as if they've come back in full force as a leave-in treatment! Over the past few years, nearly every hair care brand has come out with their version of a deep moisturizing hair oil and I've collected quite a few to review on this blog.

Every brand pretty much has their own description of what their product does or what it's for, but essentially, these are all types of moisturizing treatments for your hair.

For each product, I've listed the main oil ingredients, as well as ingredients that may be of importance to some people. Of course, they contain many other ingredients as well, and a full list can be found on the product's website.

My hair is mid-length, straight and fine. My roots are oily in the morning and my ends are dry in the winter.

La Coupe Orgnx Moringa Oil Complex

Moisturizing Styling Crème with Argan, Olive and Babassu Oils

250 mL / 8.5 fl. Oz.

Available at Shopper's Drug Mart ~$10

For all hair types
How to use: "Apply a small amount of styling cream to damp or dry hair and style as usual."
Result: Applying to damp hair leaves ends soft and moisturized. Applying to dry hair can make hair greasy, but in small amounts can moisturize very dry hair. Has a sweet, fruity scent.
Main oils: Moringa, Argan, Babassu
Also contains: Dimethicone
Love it!

Macadamia Natural Oil Nourishing

Leave-In Texture Cream

60 mL / 2 f. oz.

$6.50 from Macadamia Natural Oil

How to use: "Work a small amount through towel-dried, clear hair. Do not rinse. Perfect for every day use."
Result: Applying to damp hair leaves ends soft and texturized. Applying to dry hair can give the same result if used sparingly. Has a sweet scent.
Main oils: Argan, Macadamia, Linseed
Also contains: Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Fragrance
Love it!

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment

Therapeutic oil for all hair types

30 mL / 1 oz.

$13.50 from Macadamia Natural Oil

How to use: "For styling and finishing, work a small amount into damp or dry hair. For extra nourishment, add a small amount to masque or leave-in cream."
Result: I have to be careful with this oil because if I use a little too much, it makes my hair greasy. Applying the smallest amount to damp hair can leave a wonderful result, but applying it to dry hair leaves a greasy feel. Has a very slight soap scent.
Main oils: Macadamia, Argan
Also contains: Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Fragrance
Like it!

Marc Anthony Repairing Macadamia Oil Treatment
Infused with bamboo
50mL / 1.69 fl. oz.
$6.39 Available from Drugstore.com

How to use: "Apply 1-3 drops (depending on hair length and thickness) to damp or dry hair and distribute evenly from roots to ends. Do not rinse out. Style as usual."
Result: This doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy at all, but I don't think it really moisturizes my hair. While it's in my hair, it feels soft, but that softness is gone after I wash my hair. Has a sweet, fruity scent.
Main oils: Macadamia, Coconut, Shea
Also contains: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Fragrance
Like it!

Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil

Dry Styling Oil

100mL / 3.3 fl. oz.

$6.39 Available from Drugstore.com

How to use: "Massage Organix Macadamia Oil Dry Styling Oil between palms of hands and apply to clean, damp hair. Style as desired. Can also be applied to dry hair to moisturize split ends and tame fly-a-ways. Do not rinse."
Result: I'm not a fan of this oil. Applying it to both damp and dry hair in very small amounts makes my hair greasy. Instead, I use it as a deep oil treatments, applying it to most of my hair and leaving it in for 20 minutes or longer. Has a slight fruity scent.
Main oils: Macadamia, Coconut, Avocado
Also contains: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Fragrance
Dislike it!

Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil

Penetrating Oil

100mL / 3. fl. oz.

$6.39 from Drugstore.com

How to use: "Apply a small amount of Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil to palm, rub hands together, then apply evenly to surface of damp (towel-dried) hair working through to ends."
Result: This is one of the better Moroccan/Argan Oils that I've tried. It doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy and it does a great job of moisturizing my ends. Has a slightly sweet floral scent.
Main oils: Argan
Also contains: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Fragrance
Love it!

Live Clean Exotic Nectar
Argan Oil Treatment
110mL / 3.7 fl. oz
~$10 Available at various locations

How to use: "Apply a small amount to wet hair ad distribute evenly. Style as usual. To control frizz, put a few drops in palm and smooth over hair as needed."
Result: This is one of my favourites so far, and I've only tried it a few times. It doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy and it definitely leaves my hair soft and smooth. It also does not contain any type of silicones (dimethicone, for example) as almost all of these other hair products do. Has a slight 'perfumey' scent.
Main oils: Argan, Grape Seed, Olive
Also contains: Fragrance
Love it!

Hask Macadamia Oil
Revitalizing Shine Hair Treatment
with Reparative Antioxidants
18mL / 5/8 fl. oz.
~$2.50 from WalMart

How to use: "Can be used on both wet and dry hair to create a silky, smooth finish. Apply a coin-sized amount evenly throughout hair, avoiding the root area. Style as desired."
Result: Another greasy product for me, however, I've only tried it once or twice. My main issue with this product is the packaging. While I love the price and size, the dispensing part is difficult to work with. There's just a tiny cap on top that pops off, but is difficult to remove. If not careful, it can easily drop out of your hands and make a mess.
Main oils: Macadamia, Jojoba
Also contains: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Fragrance
Dislike it!

Stiff @#!% Rockin' Moroccan

Argan Oil Treatment

100 mL / 3.4 fl. oz

Availability: stiffhair.com

How to use: "Apply a small amount to wet hair and distribute evenly. Style as usual. To control frizz, put a few drops in palm and smooth over hair as needed."
Result: I found this at Shoppers Drug Mart in the clearance section so I'm not sure if it's still available. Regardless, it is actually not a bad product and will moisturize your hair temporarily. However, I do not think it deep moisturizes as my hair is dry after washing it out. Has a slightly vanilla scent.
Main oils: Argan, Linseed
Also contains: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Fragrance
Like it!

Rexall Moroccan Argan Oil
Organic Moisturizer
A daily moisturizer for the face, skin, hair, nails and cuticles.
50 mL
~$10 at Rexall (Canadian drug store)

How to use: "Daily facial and body moisturizer. Hair treatment. Nail and cuticle treatment."
Result: This is 100% Argan oil. If you really want the full benefits or moroccan/argan oil, this is the one to get! This is great if you have an allergy or sensitivity to other ingredients. Although it has a bit of a tangy scent to it, I feel confident using it on my skin and hair because it's a natural and pure product. This is best used as a treatment (leaving it in overnight or for a few minutes, then washing it out) because it's a pure oil and will make your hair greasy. Skin absorbs this product well if applied thinly.
Main oils: Argan
Also contains:
Love it!

Got2B Oil-licious Triple Oil

Argan, White Grape and Marula

118mL

~$5 Available at WalMart and Shoppers Drug Mart

How to use: "Apply to damp or dry hair and style as usual."
Result: I don't really like it. Again, it leaves my hair feeling greasy. I think it does do a bit of deep conditioning, making this better used as a deep treatment. Slight soapy scent
Main oils: Argan, Grape Seed, Sunflower
Also contains: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Fragrance
Dislike it!

Yves Rocher Monoi de Tahiti
Traditional Gardenia Oil
100 mL / 3.4 fl. oz.
$10 at Yves Rocher

How to use: "Composed of 50% genuine Monoï of Tahiti, this rich and scented oil is a pure beauty product for the summer.Ideal for darker skin or those accustomed to the sun, it can be used before and after sun exposure. Applied to the hair, it energizes and brightens hair highlights. It nourishes, giving your skin a marvellous glow, and helps your tan look deeper and more radiant."

Result: This is a multi-use product. When used on my hair, it moisturizes well, even once washed out. On the skin, it leaves a greasy feel but this is all right if applied at night. Strong floral scent. As you can see in the photo, this oil turns solid in colder conditions.
Main oils: Gardenia
Also contains: (I lost the packaging! Sorry!)
Like it!

Organix Revitalizing Pomegranate Green Tea

Anti-Frizz Serum

118 mL / 4 fl. oz.

Available at WalMart

How to use: "Dispense a small amount of Organix Pomegranate Anti-Frizz Serum into palm, rub hands together, and then apply evenly to surface of hair. Apply to damp (towel-dried) or dry hair. Work through hair to end. Let dry naturally, or blow dry for all day style."

Result: This is a great product for controlling frizz. It works best on damp hair and has a great pomegranate scent.
Main oils: Pomegranate extract, green tea
Also contains: Cyclomethicone, Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane
Like it!

After testing out all of these oils and treatments, here's what I've learned:

Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone and any ingredient ending in "icone" or containing "silo" is often the first ingredient. I think these are what make the oils less greasy in hair.
When a product has more than two of these, it seems as if it makes it more greasy!
Macadamia oil seems to be the most moisturizing.
Argan oil (in its pure form) can be used on the skin and cuticles as well.
Better quality oils and treatments cost a little bit more.
All of these are best used on damp hair.
If it doesn't work as suggested, it can be used instead as a deep conditioning treatment.

Have you tried any of these products? Are you interested in trying any of the ones I have reviewed?

Coastal Scents Smokey Palette Review

2013-02-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

I ordered this palette when I ordered the 252 Ultimate Palette. I got the Smokey Palette for $11.97 on sale (regular $19.95).

Click here to see how my palettes were carefully packaged. Everything I ordered arrived perfectly with no damage.

Front of outer cardboard sleeve.

Back of outer cardboard sleeve with ingredients.

Front of palette

Close up of all 36 eyeshadows. They look like the same size as the Hot Pots, but they're actually smaller (about the size of a nickel).

The following are swatches of each group or set of eyeshadows. As you can see, starting from the top left, there is a group of 6 neutrals (gold, copper, bronze), then a group of greens and purples. On the bottom from left to right, there are groups of silver, greys & black, blues and pinks.

The third colour in this group barely showed up on my skin, while the rest were somewhat sheer.

I had trouble working with most of these colours.

This group was all right, but the colour on the far right was terrible.

This group is the most pigmented and blendable. I like that there is a mixture of warm and cool colours.

The shimmery shades in this group were nice, but the matte one (second from the right) was just okay. The 3rd from the right is a unique colour (sky blue with gold shimmer).

This group is great if you like pink!

This palette is very hit and miss. Some of the shimmery shades are very good, but some aren't so great. The same is true of the matte and satin finish eyeshadows. In general, I found the bottom left silver/grey set to be the best pigmentation-wise.

These all need a primer and are definitely good eyeshadows when used with one. Their intensity is a bit below average, but this is great if you only want a hint of colour.

If you have any colourful palette at all, I'd say to skip this one. It's not terrible, but I've tried better. However, if it's on sale and you're interested in some of the decent-quality colours in this palette, it may be worth it to try, especially if you like the looks of the smokey colours!

Coastal Scents Hot Pots Review

2013-02-01T14:38:00.000-05:00

Coastal Scents had a sale on Hot Pots a few weeks ago, so I took advantage! They were on sale for $1.19 each ($1.99 regular). While $1.99 is still very cheap, $1.19 can't be beat!

These are standard size eyeshadows in 26mm pans. They also sell palettes to put them in.

I purchased some Hot Pots from Coastal Scents a couple of years ago and I quite enjoyed them. However, with the release of the 252 Ultimate Palette, each colour in that palette was made into Hot Pots. Some or all of the original ones are still available.

They come in a variety of finishes, the shimmery ones being my favourite. The mattes are also quite good, but I've tried better. Some of the glittery ones are hit and miss and the satin ones are a bit on the shimmery side.

All thirteen! The packaging is interesting. They come in plastic sleeves that snap shut and the top is split and slides together to secure it further. They are meant to be placed in palettes, but this packaging design is sufficient enough if you choose to keep them separate.

Close-up of the packaging

Deep Cider (shimmer), Boca Mocha (shimmer), Deep Roast (matte)

Swatched on bare skin on the right, over primer on the left.
Deep Cider, Boca Mocha, Deep Roast

Coconut Husk (matte), Chai Spice (shimmer), Caramelized (shimmer)

Swatched on bare skin on the right, over primer on the left.
Coconut Husk, Chai Spice, Caramelized

Kodiak (satin), Golden Avocado (satin), Goldmine (shimmer)

Swatched on bare skin on the right, over primer on the left.
Kodiak, Golden Avocado, Goldmine

Deep Eggplant* (shimmer), Edgy Eggplant (matte), Gunpowder (shimmer)
*original Hot Pot, before the 252 palette

Swatched on bare skin on the right, over primer on the left.
Deep Eggplant, Edgy Eggplant, Gunpowder

Gypsy Night (satin), Olivewood (matte)

Swatched on bare skin on the right, over primer on the left.
Gypsy Night, Olivewood

The quality of most of these eyeshadows is amazing for the price! They have great colour payoff, pigmentation and intensity. I would recommend wearing them with a primer as they can crease and fade if worn alone.

Have you tried any Hot Pots before? Do you recommend any that I should try out? What are your favourites? Leave your answers in the comments! :)

Smash Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow Review & GIVEAWAY!

2013-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

I recently purchased a set of eyeshadows from Smash Cosmetics on Etsy to review. I chose 10 samples in varying neutral and green colours (which are my favourite!). Each sample (1/4 tsp.) is about $0.65 each and comes in a 3g jar.

Full sizes are also available. They come in 10 gram sifter jars (which is huge compared to the 5 gram ones that similar stores sell) and they're only $3.60 each! Smash Cosmetics on Etsy has by far some of the best prices for mineral eyeshadows.

Although the colours I chose were quiet neutral, most of them have a fine glitter mixed in.

-----Scroll to the bottom of this post for the GIVEAWAY form-----

Open internationally!
The winner will receive 3 full size eyeshadows and 10 samples of his/her choosing.

Guilded
Gold with slight shimmer/satin finish

Espresso
Antique gold with silver/holographic glitter. Slight shimmer.

Passion
Peachy-pink with slight gold shimmer, few shades darker than a nude or flesh colour.

Strange
Warm, matte medium brown with blue glitter.

Tea Time
Very shimmery purple-silver (almost taupe) with holographic glitter.

Asteria
Matte smokey grey with blue glitter.

Poison
'True' green with golden shimmer. Very shimmery.
(More green than in the photo)

Spruce
Very shimmery. Silver-sage colour.

Envy
Slightly shimmery blue-green.

Plum
More purple than in the photo. Warm, matte (very very slight shimmer) burgundy/red-purple.

The glitter in these eyeshadows is micro-fine and will therefore not leave as much fall-out as eyeshadows with larger pieces of glitter typically do.

As for application, I found that all of these eyeshadows work best if worn with a primer or some sort of creamy base. Applied on their own, the shimmer can easily be wiped away. Wearing them with some sort of base will intensify their colour and shimmer.

Swatches on bare skin

Guilded, Passion, Espresso, Strange, Tea Time

Asteria, Poison, Spruce, Envy, Plum

Swatches over primer

Guilded, Passion, Espresso, Strange, Tea Time

Asteria, Poison, Spruce, Envy, Plum

I think that the price and variety of colours available from Smash Cosmetics is great! If you'd like a chance to win a total of 13 eyeshadows (3 full size, 10 sample size), then enter using the form below! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coastal Scents 252 Ultimate Palette Review

2013-01-26T15:27:00.002-05:00

Coastal Scents had some really good deals in January! I got their new 252 Ultimate Palette for $14.97 (regular $24.95). I ordered it on January 14th, 2013 and received it on January 25th, 2013.

There are many similar palettes out there, from the 88 to the 120 (also sold at Coastal Scents, BH Cosmetics, Ebay, etc), but what makes this palette unique is that each colour is sold individually in full-size. I think that's awesome! They are called 'Hot Pots' and have been around for a few years, but CS recently added each colour from this palette.

Several weeks prior during another sale, I had purchased 13 Hot Pots, choosing colours that I knew I would wear. I loved each one and when I saw the 252 palette on sale, I figured it would be cheaper than purchasing more Hot Pots.

I also purchased the Smokey Palette as I've heard rave reviews about it from various vloggers and bloggers.

I loved seeing this bright pink box in the mail! A couple years ago when I last ordered palettes from Coastal Scents, the box was quite plain.

This was on top. Full text:
"To Whom It May Concern: This letter is to confirm that all ingredients used in our products are fully compliant with the directive and its amendments. The concentration of parabens (Methyl, Propyl and Butly Paraben) in our products is less than 0.8% and Titanium Dioxide is less than 25%. In accordance with relevant international cosmetic regulations, our products contain minimum amounts of preservatives while ensuring optimal efficiency. Naples, Florida, May 11, 2012. Sincerely, Reto Kramer, President"

Great packaging- nothing was damaged!

Free stuff! Bumper sticker, business cards and a mini quad.

The front of the outer cardboard sleeve.

The back of the outer cardboard sleeve.

Front of the palette

Back of the palette with ingredients.

First tray
I like that it's wrapped!

Second tray, also wrapped.

Third tray, wrapped as well.

After unwrapping each tray, there was a clear plastic sheet on top of each tray to protect them and keep the fall out from spreading amongst the trays.

First tray, up close: cool-toned
Primarily green, neutrals and blue

Second tray, up close: warm-toned
Primarily yellow, orange, red, pink and neutrals

Third tray, up close: mixed
Primarily neutrals, pastels

Swatches on bare skin without primer. Some applied heavily to show up on camera (mostly the matte ones).

Swatches of some of the green colours from the first tray.

Neutral swatches, first tray.

Blue swatches, first tray.

Orange and yellow swatches, second tray.

Pink and red swatches, second tray.

Neutrals, second tray.

Random colours from the third tray.

Overall, I like this palette, but I don't think it's necessary if you already have some 88 or 120 palettes. The quality is much the same, but the pots are smaller (dime-sized) which makes them a little more difficult to work with.

Most of the eyeshadows are shimmery, but there are some matter, satin and glittery ones too. By far, the shimmery ones are the most pigmented and the matte ones are hit and miss.

If you don't own any multi-palettes from Coastal Scents, BH Cosmetics or Ebay, then I'd say to get this one as it has the most and is roughly the same price as the rest. And if you find that you really like certain eyeshadows, you can purchase the full size from Coastal Scents rather than buy another palette.

The third tray is kind of random. I think it would have been better if it were designed like the first two, but including a purple and jewel-toned gradient.

I'll be doing a comparison of the 252 Ultimate Palette and the individual Hot Pots soon, but so far I can say that I think I like the Hot Pots better. Perhaps it's because they're bigger, but so far the quality of the matte Hot Pots is much better.

The 252 Ultimate Palette and others like it are also available on Amazon:

What are your first impressions of this palette? And if you already have it, do you like it? Let me know!

The Original Tangle Teezer: Review

2013-01-23T15:37:00.000-05:00

After hearing EssieButton rave about the Tangle Teezer, I decided I would give it a try. A Google search lead me to the Tangle Teezer website. It is a UK-based brand which carries many different types of hair care products, specifically ones for detangling.

I have fine hair that often gets tangled and brushing out it out wet or dry can be a mess.

I purchased the Original Tangle Teezer in Bubblegum Pink for £8.50 plus £3.13 shipping to Canada (same shipping price to US). This worked out to be approximately $18.00 CAD in total.

I placed my order on January 10th, 2013 and received it today, January 23rd, 2013.

The Original Tangle Teezer has a layer of short bristles and a layer on longer bristles. They are plastic and flexible. This way, the bristles work with your hair, instead of against it.

The Original Tangle Teezer is big enough to fit in your hand, but small enough that you can grip it.

I tried this out as soon as I opened it. My hair was already washed and dried but because of the cold weather, it's been dry recently. The Tangle Teezer went easily through my hair and made it nice and soft. The packaging stated that it could be used on both dry and wet hair so I'll be sure to use this when my hair is damp!

Overall, I really like this brush. It's easy to use and doesn't make that "ripping" sound that some brushes can make when you use them. A few loose strands got caught in the bristles and they were very easy to remove. I think this is a great user-friendly product that is not only extremely affordable, but effective as well!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics: Lip Tars

2013-01-22T21:06:00.005-05:00

photo: occmakeup.com

I received the (currently sold out) Pro's Picks Lip Tar Set by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) and the Clear Lip Tar Primer for my birthday.

The set comes with 5 Lip Tars in the shades:

Pretty Boy
Melange
Vintage
Stalker
Grandma

While the set may be unavailable at the moment, each colour is available individually:

In addition to being available on Amazon, these are also available from occmakeup.com, Sephora.com and Sephora.ca.

All Lip Tars are vegan meaning that none of the ingredients used were tested on or derived from animals. They all have peppermint oil which gives them both a minty taste and scent. They come in a variety of colours and are meant to be mixed to create colours of your own. The Lip Tars in this set do not contain shimmer or glitter.

Instructions on the back of the packaging.

Lip Tar shades (L-R): Pretty Boy, Melange, Vintage, Stalker, Grandma, Clear

Lip Tars (L-R): Clear, Melange, Grandma, Pretty Boy, Stalker, Vintage
The Set came with a full-size lip brush while the Clear Lip Tar (and all single Lip Tars) came with a mini version.
I arranged the Lip Tars from lightest to darkest in this photo and in the folowing swatches.

Clear Lip Tar
According to OCC: "Prime lips with OCC 'clear' Lip Tar and allow to absorb. Dab the tiniest bead of Lip Tar onto the tip of the brush. Apply Lip Tar to the center of the lips and blend outward to the lip line. Top with 'clear' Lip Tar if additional sheen is desired."
'Clear' is mint-flavoured.

Melange Lip Tar
This is the most 'wearable' colour in the set. It's a couple shades darker than a nude colour and has a bit of a peach tone.

Pretty Boy Lip Tar
Pretty Boy is a hot pink and a bit darker than the signature 'Barbie' colour.

Stalker Lip Tar
Stalker is a bright cherry red that is more pink than a true red.

Grandma Lip Tar
The name for this Lip Tar is perfect! It's a colour that I can see almost any grandma wearing. It's a pinky coral colour, almost salmon.

Vintage Lip Tar
Vintage is a vampy dark red with hints of burgundy and brown.

I put varying pea-sized amounts of each lip tar on my forearm to demonstrate the pigmentation of these Lip Tars. From left to right: Melange, Grandma, Pretty Boy, Stalker, Vintage and Clear

As you can see, these are very pigmented! Everything you've heard about only needing the tiniest amount is definitely true. These swatches were thick and could have been blended further if I had more arm space.

I definitely recommend any of these Lip Tars if you are interested in trying them. They seem like a lot of money at $16.00US/$19.00CAD but because you only need to use a tiny amount, one will last you a very long time.

I don't think that the Clear Lip Tar is necessary, but it is a nice product. I will say that exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub (or some sugar and a bit of olive oil) is necessary (as chapped lips will look more pronounced while wearing a lip product). Remember to apply lip balm after exfoliating, too. This will essentially work the same as applying the Clear Lip Tar.

As for the longevity of Lip Tars, I tried them out a few days ago and after applying a little too much of Pretty Boy, I wiped it off with some tissue. While much of the brightness disappeared, I was left with just a tint of pink, which is what I was trying to achieve. That being said, these will stain your lips (or anywhere you swatch them) so I'd recommend applying them with care.

I did notice that when I wore the lighter colours, the colour faded significantly after eating and drinking.

Will I purchase more Lip Tars? Probably! They've just come out with a new Metallic line of Lip Tars.

photo: occmakeup.com

5 Days Left in the GIVEAWAY! [closed]

2013-01-12T11:13:00.001-05:00

FIVE free full-size eyeshadows from Madison Street Beauty on Etsy

Click here to view the rules and enter!

Madison Street Beauty GIVEAWAY! [CLOSED]

2013-01-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

The Daily Swatch and Madison Street Beauty are teaming up to bring you the first giveaway of 2013 on this blog!

Congratulations to the winner, Paola!

The Giveaway is for FIVE (5) full-size eyeshadows (a $25 value)!
*Use Rafflecopter at the end of this post to keep track of your entries!*

Here are a few of my favourite colours (but if you win, you get to choose which ones you want!):

Rose Gold
MadisonStreetBeauty on Etsy

Espresso
MadisonStreetBeauty on Etsy

Golden Olive
MadisonStreetBeauty on Etsy

Gold Leaf
MadisonStreetBeauty on Etsy

Champagne
MadisonStreetBeauty on Etsy

RULES:
You must be 18+ or have permission from a parent/guardian. This is because MadisonStreetBeauty will need your name and address in order to send you your prize.

The following rules are mandatory meaning you must complete all of them in order to qualify for this giveaway. The 'extra' entries are optional, but will increase your chances of winning.

You must 'LIKE' MadisonStreetBeauty on Facebook: www.facebook.com/madisonstreetbeauty AND comment with a link to this giveaway = 2 entries
You must 'tweet' about the Giveaway: www.twitter.com/madisonsbeauty, mentioning BOTH @MadisonSBeauty and @TheDailySwatch and this link: http://tinyurl.com/a4gj37o = 1 entry
You must FOLLOW this blog using Google Friend Connect (link on the left hand side, towards the top) = 1 entry

EXTRA entries:

Follow @TheDailySwatch on Twitter = 1 additional entry
Follow @MadisonSBeauty on Twitter = 1 additional entry
Leave a comment on this post = 1 additional entry
Refer a Friend to The Daily Swatch (friend must follow using Google Friend Connect) = 5 additional entries

Please use Rafflecopter below in order to submit and keep track of your entries. If you don't submit them to the Rafflecopter below, they won't count!

This Giveaway will run for two weeks, starting on January 4, 2013 and ending on January 18, 2013. A winner will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter. I will contact the winner personally and put him/her in touch with MadisonStreetBeauty. He/She will be able to choose the colours of the five full-size eyeshadows and MSB will send the prize directly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Upcoming Giveaway for 2013! [closed]

2012-12-22T10:11:00.003-05:00

Photo from Madison Street Beauty's Shop

In the first week of January, I'll be holding a Giveaway from Madison Street Beauty! They've been kind enough to offer 5 regular sized eyeshadows to the winner!

The winner will be able to choose all give colours.
The colour Cocao is shown above.

Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for the Official Giveaway post so you can have your chance to enter! Make sure that you follow this blog as it's the first mandatory requirement to enter :)

Happy Holidays!

Etsy Favourites 2012 and Wish List for 2013

2012-12-20T18:23:00.001-05:00

As 2012 comes to a close, I thought I'd share with you what my favourite products were from Etsy! I've also included some items that I'm thinking of purchasing in 2013.

Vianne Mineral Eyeshadow from BadBitchCosmetics

I bought a few samples from BadBitchCosmetics earlier this year and it's definitely one of my favourite makeup brands from Etsy. The samples come in clamshells (about the size of a quarter) and come with enough eyeshadow for 4-5 applications (probably even more). They are very smooth and have great pigmentation. The lasting power is great, especially when used with a primer.

Shimmer Stick Cream Eyeshadows from Performance Colors

Another favourite brand of mine, Performance Colors has been an up and coming makeup brand on Etsy over the past year. These Shimmer Sticks (formerly known as ColorPots) are one of my favourite cream eyeshadows to use. In some cases, they surpass the quality of higher end cream eyeshadows. There are many colours to choose from and they work great as bases and on their own.

Black Open Crochet Knit Leg Warmers- Boot Socks from DesignerScarvesWorld

I just ordered these leg warmers for my sister for Christmas. They are a perfect addition to any pair of books and come in many designs and colours! These are great to wear in winter or whenever it's cold.

Pale Peach Blush from MadisonStreetBeauty

I'm looking forward to trying out this blush from MadisonStreetBeauty! This store has a lot of mineral makeup products and a huge following on Etsy (over 11,000 admirers!). Stay tuned this January for a giveaway from this shop!

Hotaru Mineral Eyeshadow from BadBitchCosmetics

This is one of many eyeshadows from BadBitchCosmetics that I'm definitely going to purchase in the new year!

Dark Matter Nail Polish from Spectrum Cosmetics

Hand-mixed nail polish has exploded on Etsy and the nail polishes from Spectrum Cosmetics will be the first ones I try. This one in Dark Matter caught my eye. It's black with holographic glitter.

Kanto Starter Pokemon Set Amigurumi from GeekyCuteCrochet

These are the cutest things I have seen on Etsy so far! I used to love Pokemon as a kid (and still do!). I'll definitely be getting these for my family as birthday presents :)

What's your favourite shop on Etsy? Is there anything you've been meaning or wishing to buy? Leave a link to it in the description! I'd love to see what others are looking at :)

Christmas Gift Ideas: Makeup ($40-$60)

2012-12-07T04:30:00.000-05:00

Beauty Blender Holiday Cheer Set $49.95

It's hard to resist this 3-pack of Beauty Blenders! It comes with one in the classic hot pink, a white one and a new black one as well. The Beauty Blender is an egg-shaped sponge that has very tiny pores. This makes it great for evenly applying foundation and other cream products. A favourite amongst makeup artists and beauty lovers, this is a great gift to give someone who has a love for all things makeup. Available from Cherry Culture.

Bumble and Bumble Stylist Editions Kit $48.00

This luxurious set of four hairstyling minis is a great way to introduce someone to Bumble and Bumble. This brand has received many rave reviews and claims to thicken, tousle and texturize your hair with these products. It comes with the Bb. Shine On Finishing Spray, Surf Spray, Bb. Texture, and Bb. Thickening Hairspray. Available on Amazon.

COACH House of Coach Coffret Set $48.00

This set comes with four mini sizes of some of the best selling COACH fragrances. It comes with Legacy, Poppy, Poppy Flower and Signature Fragrances. These mini perfumes are great to give because they are miniature versions of the full size fragrances. They are portable and will look great anywhere! Available from Sephora and Amazon.

The Body Shop Deluxe Almond Hand Care Gift $55

This Almond Hand Care Gift comes with just about everything you need to have soft, moisturized hands. This gift is ideal for just about anyone who uses their hands often or has naturally dry skin in general. This would also be a great gift for a couple as it comes with a variety of products, some of which are gender-neutral. Available from The Body Shop.

LORAC Eye Candy Full Face Collection $59.00

This is definitely one of the top things on my wish list this year. The packaging alone is enough to get anyone excited! It looks like an expensive box of chocolates and when you open it up, it looks like there are 6 chocolate bars. These 'bars' are actually small palettes filled with eyeshadows, eyeliners and lip colours. If you're looking for an amazing gift, this is it! Available on Amazon.

Bath and Body Works Lavender Vanilla Aromatherapy Large Gift Box $45

This time of year is stressful and many often forget to take care of themselves while they stress over pleasing everyone else. Show your friends and family that you care by giving them the gift of relaxation. This kit comes with body lotion, body wash, massage oil, aloe infused socks and a candle. Scented with lavender and vanilla, this set will definitely be much appreciated. Available from Bath and Body Works.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette $50.00

A sequel to the original Naked Palette, the Naked 2 features cooler neutral shades. It comes with a dual-ended brush and a small lipgloss. This palette (and its predecessor) have been hugely popular the past few years. It comes in a metal case and a full-size mirror. It's almost a 'perfected' version of the original Naked Palette, aside from the colours. Available from Urban Decay and Amazon.

Too Faced Shadow Bon Bons Set $42

Slightly cheaper with the same number of eyeshadows as the Naked 2 Palette, the Shadow Bon Bons Set has a totally different look. While the eyeshadows are neutral in both, this palette comes with an eyeshadow primer and a mascara and comes in box-style packaging. This would be a great gift for a teenager because it has a younger look to it. Available from Too Faced and Amazon.

Tarte Carried Away Collector's Set $54

I couldn't wait until Christmas to get this set. I bought it about a month ago and it was definitely a good deal! At the time of writing this post (Dec 5th, 2012), it is sold out on the Sephora website (check your local Sephora!). This shows how extremely popular this set it this holiday season. Named one of the best holiday makeup palettes by several beauty gurus on the internet, this set contains a little of everything. It comes with 24 full size eyeshadows, 8 lip glosses, a mascara, a brush, a blush, a setting powder and a great carrying case with room for more products. This makes it great for travel! If you're looking for a gift that will shock and amaze, this is definitely it! Available from Sephora.

Tarte The Luxe List Amazonian Clay Color Collection and Woven Clutch $44

If you can't get the Carried Away Set, this set is the next best thing from Tarte! It comes with an eyeshadow quad, a brush, a mascara, a finishing powder, a luminizing wand, an eyeliner, a lip ouster and a clutch. Available from Sephora.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Makeup ($15-$40)

2012-12-06T04:30:00.000-05:00

Tarte Picture Perfect Curler and Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara $16.00

Available from both Sephora and Amazon, this set is a great gift for someone who is all about lashes. The eyelash curler alone is $16.00 at Sephora, but in this set, you also get a sample of the Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara. They are packaged together in a great box and is sure to spice up any stocking or gift.

E.L.F. Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection $30.00

These makeup brushes from E.L.F. are great quality for the money and include a variety of brushes. Almost every brush you could need is in this set from a powder brush, to a liner brush to a shadow brush. It also comes with a case! Best of all, the brushes in this set can be purchased individually from the E.L.F. website for just $3.00 each. If $30 is a bit much, E.L.F. often has some great sales and deals (a new one almost every week!) and sometimes these brushes go on sale. It's also available on Amazon for a bit cheaper.

Beauty Blender Sponge + Cleanser Duo Pack $39.95

If you're a part of the beauty community on YouTube and the blogosphere, you probably already know about this little hot pink sponge. It's an egg-shaped sponge that had tiny pores which allows for a smooth and even application of foundation. The packaging is great and with the cleanser included, this is a great gift to give a makeup artist or a makeup lover in general. Available from Cherry Culture ($39.95) and Amazon ($35.00).

Too Faced Beauty Editor Darlings Set $19.00

This set from Too Faced contains a deluxe sample size of some of their best-selling products. It has a mascara, an eyeshadow primer, a lip gloss, a lip primer and a face primer. This gift is great for anyone who loves Too Faced. Even if they already have these products, giving them a sample size allows them to take their favourites on the go with ease. $19.00 at Sephora or $18.10 on Amazon.

bareMinerals Cool As Ice Lipgloss Set $25.00

A great gift for any lipgloss lover, this set comes with six lip glosses in bold and subtle shades. These are perfect to give as a set, or to split up and use as stocking stuffers. These are paraben-free and do not contain sulphates or phthalates. They come in the following colours: Hot Ticket (electric pink), Dare Devil (sparkling raspberry), Fashionably Late (sparkling opal), Socialite (sparkling pink), Gutsy (fuchsia berry), Rebel (pink mauve). Available from Sephora and Amazon.

Philosophy Home for the Holidays Set $38

This is another set that is great to split up amongst friends and family. It comes with four lip glosses and four containers of shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath. Splitting this up into four pairs can make great stocking stuffers or an addition to other gifts. This set as a whole would also be a great gift to give on its own!

NYX Soho Glam Collection $25.00

With a little bit of everything, this set is sure to please just about any makeup lover. This is a great 'starter kit' for someone who is just getting into makeup. It comes with a great combination of neutral and bright eyeshadows. In addition to these 52 colours, it also comes with 4 blushes, 8 lip colours, a lip liner and 2 lip glosses. Available from Cherry Culture for $25.

Makeup Geek Teen Gift Set $29.99

Put together by Marlena from Makeup Geek, this set is specifically designed for teens (but that doesn't mean only teens can use it!). It comes with 4 Makeup Geek eyeshadows, 2 Makeup Geek brushes and a NYX lip gloss. This is a great little kit for teens just getting started in makeup. It's also a great kit for anyone who is a Makeup Geek fan. Again, you could split the eyeshadows up and give them individually, or give this set as a gift all on its own.

Ciaté Sequined Manicure Kit $19.00

Similar to Caviar Nails, this Sequined Manicure Kit will add texture and shine to your nails. This is a fun gift to give someone who likes to paint their nails fun colours and designs. It comes in several colour combinations and is available from Sephora.

Fresh Sugar Perfection Duo $22.50

This duo from Sephora and Amazon contains a sugar lip polish and a lip balm. This gift says luxury with its attractive packaging. This will definitely please anyone around this time of year as the lip polish will exfoliate chapped lips and the lip balm will moisturize and protect from further dehydration.

Is Ebates Legit?

2012-12-05T15:22:00.000-05:00

Whether you've heard of Ebates or not, you may be skeptical about it. I definitely was at first, but I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised.

If you're like me and you shop online a lot, you know that it can be time consuming and addicting. While you may be able to find a lot of great deals online, coupons and discounts are always a good idea.

By signing up with Ebates.com or Ebates.ca, you'll be able to view many online stores that offer a percentage of 'cash back' through Ebates. All you have to do is click on the link to the store you'd like to shop at (ex. Sephora, Amazon, Ebay) and that's it! Ebates will take you to their website and once you place an order, a percentage of what you spent will be added to your Ebates account. Every couple of months, the money you've saved and accumulated will me mailed to you in the form of a check/cheque (Canadian spelling!).

It definitely sounds too good to be true, even as I'm writing this (and this isn't a sponsored post!). Here's how Ebates explains it:

1Start at Ebates

Always start your shopping trip at Ebates.

2Shop at Your Favourite Stores

Click through to your favourite online store, and shop as you normally would and earn Cash Back.

3Get Cash Back

Ebates keeps track of what you buy, and records your Cash Back in your account balance. Every quarter, we send you a BIG FAT CHEQUE in Canadian dollars.

4Celebrate

Start every online shopping trip at Ebates Canada, and you'll always earn Cash Back!

So how does Ebates make money? Here's what I think: Ebates gets a commission on every sale that they refer to a specific store (like an affiliate program). Then Ebates shares a portion of that commission with you. On top of that, the fact that they have a list of stores on their website is kind of like an advertisement for each store. If I see that Sephora is offering 8% cash back through Ebates and I buy something from them, Sephora has Ebates to thank because I used Ebates to get to the Sephora store.

The first time I used Ebates, I did it just to see if it was legitimate. This was back before there was an Ebates.ca. I bought a few things from E.L.F.'s website and a few months later, I got a cheque in the mail for about $3.00. This was the 'cash back' that Ebates promised.

I'm writing this post not as a spokesperson for Ebates, but as a fan. I like saving money and I like it when companies want to help me save money. I just thought I'd write a post to show that Ebates is legitimate and can genuinely save you some money!

If you're interested, you can sign up at Ebates through my Refer-a-Friend link:

Canada: http://www.ebates.ca/referrer?referrerid=lvp5caxG%2FA0%3D

USA: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=3%2F3d8Nih7akuvPKyCCvm3A%3D%3D

Have you shopped with Ebates before? What was your experience like?

The Daily Swatch

Statement Necklaces - AliExpress

GIVEAWAY! Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System (CLOSED)

Spring Beauty Finds from Etsy!

Last Minute Halloween Accessory!

International Summer Etsy Picks!

New from bhCosmetics: The Malibu Palette!

NEW from bhCosmetics: San Francisco Palette!

NEW from bhCosmetics: California Palettes! (Hollywood)

Revlon PhotoReady Primer & Shadow

Featured on xSparkage!

Total Intensity Liquid Eyeliners by Prestige Cosmetics + Mini Giveaway

All About Hair Oils & Treatments

Coastal Scents Smokey Palette Review

Coastal Scents Hot Pots Review

Smash Cosmetics Mineral Eyeshadow Review & GIVEAWAY!

Coastal Scents 252 Ultimate Palette Review

The Original Tangle Teezer: Review

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics: Lip Tars

*5* Days Left in the GIVEAWAY! [closed]

Madison Street Beauty GIVEAWAY! [CLOSED]

Upcoming Giveaway for 2013! [closed]

Etsy Favourites 2012 and Wish List for 2013

Black Open Crochet Knit Leg Warmers- Boot Socks from DesignerScarvesWorld

Christmas Gift Ideas: Makeup ($40-$60)

Christmas Gift Ideas: Makeup ($15-$40)

Is Ebates Legit?

1Start at Ebates

2Shop at Your Favourite Stores

3Get Cash Back

4Celebrate

5 Days Left in the GIVEAWAY! [closed]