Inner Sparkle Beauty

The List: 5 Top Invisible Beauty Must-Haves No One Talks About!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 04:42:00 +0000

There are some products that are essential to flawless makeup application, but you'll never see them listed among must-haves for beginners or products people don't travel without. Today, I'm bringing you a list of the unsung heroes of the beauty world! While these aren't flashy, they can make a huge difference in any makeup look.

1. Clear Mascara

Something simple, like Maybelline's version, does so much. You can use it on your eyelashes, to make them look naturally longer and more well separated, or to set your brows when you don't want to add any extra colour. And if you're in a rush, simply run the clear mascara through your brows in an upwards motion, to naturally fill them out and make them look their best.

2. Undereye primer

While moisturising with an eye cream can help concealer apply with less tugging and creasing, nothing can compare to an undereye primer, which is designed just to brighten and smooth around the eye area. Apply this after you've blended in your face primer, and you're guaranteed a better makeup application. I love the one from Smashbox, because in addition to being hydrating, it has a luminous finish that helps brighten underneath my eyes, without being sparkly or flashy.

3. Setting Spray

If you're having trouble with the longevity of your makeup, especially your foundation, try a setting spray. Simply spray your entire face a few times before and after foundation application, and it will last better throughout the day, with less fading and creasing. You can also use this mid-day for a makeup touch-up, or after you've applied powder foundation or setting powder to create a more hydrated, natural look. Either way, something like Urban Decay's De-Slick is a good bet for keeping oil at bay, as well as making your foundation look more like skin.

4. Neutral/Base Eyeshadows

These are absolutely essential to almost any eye look. A neutral eyeshadow is amazing for blending out darker colours, or even applying all over the lid as a base to even things out. A light cream eyeshadow looks great under a sparkly one, and can really make it pop. A plain matte brown is a must for the crease. These are the kinds of eyeshadows that you probably won't miss until they're gone! My pick to make sure you have what you need? Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette.

5. Nude Eyeliner

This is great for opening up your eyes, and making them look brighter and less tired. Apply a little bit of this on your waterline for a brightened, fresh, wide-eyed appearance. It'll look great on any eye colour, and it hardly looks like you're wearing any eyeliner at all; natural beauty at it's best. If you want to pick up a nude eyeliner on a budget, grab the version from Maybelline or Rimmel.

I hope you enjoyed my picks for "invisible" beauty, and that these help give you some new ideas!

The Review: Clarisonic Mia 2 - Does It Really Work?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 02:44:00 +0000

By now, it seems like almost everyone in the beauty community owns a Clarisonic. There are several imitations available from drugstore brands, as well. If you're unfamiliar with the Clarisonic, it's a professional-quality skincare brush that promises to cleanse your skin far better than any typical washcloth routine. The premise sounds interesting, and the buzz surrounding it is hard to ignore. But is the Clarisonic really something you'll use every day? Is it worth the high price tag? And will it honestly do a better job of cleansing your skin? I went ahead and bought one to figure out if the cleansing brush could live up to the hype.

First of all, keep in mind that Clarisonic is just the brand-name; they manufacture several different skincare brushes. Some of the most popular ones are the Mia and Mia 2, among others. Each one has different features. The Mia 2 features 2 cleansing speeds, and reminds you when to move the brush around your face. The Mia is an earlier edition and does not have those features. I opted for the Mia 2.

Packaging: The Mia 2 comes in a box which describes what it can do. Inside, you'll get several products along with your brush - the magnetic charger, a brush head designed for sensitive skin, a 1 oz bottle of Clarisonic gel cleanser, and a travel case for the Mia 2. It also contains an instruction booklet that gives specific instructions on how to use and clean your brush. Overall, the packaging is compact and well-organized.

Claims: The main reason most people look into purchasing something like the Mia 2 is because of the claims that accompany the product. Clarisonic states that the skincare brush will cleanse six times better than your hands - and remove 30 times more pollutants. It's designed to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that other methods of cleansing, like using a washcloth, will leave behind. The brush is gentle on skin, and works with its natural elasticity, so that there's no pulling or tugging. After using it for 60 seconds, your skin will be able to better absorb moisturisers and serums, so that they can work more efficiently instead of just sitting on top of impurities. With continued use, Clarisonic also promises smoother skin, as well as a reduction in dry patches, oily areas, and blemishes over time.

How It Works: When you first open your Clarisonic, you'll need to charge it for 24 hours. The charger is magnetic, so it doesn't actually need to snap into your brush. First, remove your eye makeup and wet your face and Mia 2 with water. Then, you simply apply cleanser to either your face or your brush (in my experience, it doesn't make a difference). Turn on the Clarisonic, and move it in small circles across your face. The timer will prompt you to cleanse your forehead for 20 seconds, each cheek for 10 seconds, and your chin for 20 seconds, totalling one minute.
There are 2 speeds - the default slower speed, and the faster speed for deeper cleansing. You can switch between these by pressing a button. The brush is extremely soft on my skin, and I had no problem with roughness. Best of all, the Clarisonic handle is waterproof, so you don't have to worry about damaging it (you can even use it in the shower). Personally, I don't use the cleanser that comes with the product - I'll usually stick to my Vichy Normaderm or Neutrogena Deep Clean.

Results: I notice a difference when I cleanse with the Mia 2, as opposed to just a washcloth. I get a feeling of a deeper clean within my skin. While this probably won't help with hormonal acne or severe cases of hyperpigmentation, it can make a huge difference for those with an uneven skintone, dry or rough patches, excess oil, and small acne scars. My favourite part about using it is that because of it's gentle exfoliation, I really believe it helps my skincare products to be absorbed more quickly. If you're using a brightening serum to combat scars, or an anti-bacterial gel or toner to get rid of acne, the Mia 2 might be just what you need to help your products do their job.

Who Would Like It: Who wouldn't like it? The Mia 2 is designed to work with any and all skin types. Every 3 to 4 months, you have to replace your brush head in order for it to work properly. There are several different brush heads you can purchase - the Sensitive skin one comes with it - but specialized variations for deep pore cleansing and acne-prone skin are available, among others. This makes it a great and diverse tool for anyone, whether you're looking to brighten, get rid of blackheads, or banish acne. And it works with any cleanser, making the products you already own more effective.

Overall Value: At Sephora, the Mia 2 (complete with everything that comes in the box) will cost $180 CA/$149 US. While that's a lot to spend on a single skincare tool, it's designed to last for at least two years. You can also purchase the Mia 2 in several skincare sets offered by Sephora, featuring additional products like those from Fresh and Kate Somerville. You can use it with any cleanser you choose, making it a versatile and valuable purchase, especially for those who wear makeup daily (it removes any remnants of foundation, in addition to creating a smoother surface for makeup application). The Mia 2 comes with a 2-year warranty, making it a good investment.

Conclusion: I'm glad I was intrigued by the Clarisonic hype. Beyond the buzz of the beauty world, it really does work. It makes all of my skincare products more effective, from my cleansers to my serums. I have no problem recommending this, as my experience with it has been extremely positive. It takes your skin and makes it better - and who doesn't want that?

If you've tried the Mia 2, or any other Clarisonic product, let me know your thoughts!

The Review: YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Illuminating Foundation!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 01:57:00 +0000

Hey everyone! Summer has been crazy, and unfortunately I haven't been able to post as often as I'd like! However, as we move towards the end of August, I'm working to bring more reviews, recommendations, and skincare/haircare routines to Inner Sparkle. I can't wait!

Today, I'm going to talk about a famous foundation with a near-cult following: Yves St. Laurent's Le Teint Touche Éclat. It's inspired by their hugely popular brightening concealer, which I use frequently when doing a more natural look. After seeing countless beauty bloggers rave about this foundation, I had to brave the high price tag and try it out for myself.

Packaging: It's gorgeous. Just as stunning as you'd expect a YSL product's packaging to be. It comes in a clear, cylindrical glass bottle with a gleaming golden cap. You remove the cap to reveal a high-quality, matching gold pump. The entire aesthetic is extremely luxurious. It's classically stunning without going over the top. Every time I reach for the foundation, I have to take a moment to revel in the packaging's beauty.

Formulation: The foundation is described as weightless and illuminating, designed to provide enough coverage to correct imperfections and perfect skin texture, while still allowing for a natural, your-skin-but-better finish, and creating a gorgeous, healthy glow. It targets and brightens shadowy areas, while highlighting the contours of the face. It also includes SPF 19 to protect skin from the sun. In my experience, the foundation didn't oxidise, so I was impressed with that. In addition, the product is free of heavy fillers, including parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals (no mineral oil, yay!), which is exactly what I'd expect from a brand like YSL.

YSL's Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation in BD10 (Packaging)

Application: Thanks to the high-end pump that the foundation comes with, application is a breeze. The product has a thin, gel-like consistency, which makes it effortless to blend out. You can use a brush, a beauty sponge (my pick), or even your hands. One pump will give light coverage, while two pumps will provide something closer to medium coverage. I got around 6 hours of wear out of it. Make sure to set the foundation with powder if your skin is naturally oily, as this will definitely prolong the wear time.

Who Would Like It: This is the perfect foundation for those with already good skin, who are looking for something to brighten and even out their skintone. It will cover minor imperfections, like slight redness. It's likely best for those with drier skin, as it's hydrating, but wouldn't be too dewy for people with combination skin. I'd skip this if you're looking to cover issues like acne or moderate hyperpigmentation, or if your skin type is extremely oily, as this provides light, moisturising coverage. It's something I'd be likely to recommend to people with aging skin, as it's extremely forgiving on fine lines. Sephora currently carries the product in 16 variations, so you're likely to find a good shade match. For each distinct shade, there's a neutral option, a Rose option (for more cool-toned skin), and a Dore option (for more warm-toned skin).

Overall Value: For 1 oz, this will cost you $57 US/$62 CA at Sephora stores, and around the same price at boutiques and YSL counters. While the price initially seemed high, I was thoroughly impressed with the product; everything from the packaging to the ingredients to the texture feels luxurious. And a little goes a long way. I'm confident that I can make this last quite a while, and for the quality of the foundation, I'm willing to pay a higher price.

Conclusion: I loved YSL's Touche Éclat foundation. It glides over dry patches and uneven skin tone, making it one of my top picks. It truly is illuminating, and brightens my complexion in a way that really does remind me of its famous concealer counterpart.

Tried it? On your list of products to check out? Let me know!

The List: Best Budget Beauty Buys For All Skin Types!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 03:40:00 +0000

Hey guys! I'm so sorry I've been away for a while; I was under a lot of pressure at school. Now that summer is here, I plan to continue posting and reviewing makeup and beauty buys! Thanks for sticking with me.

Everyone is always looking for a good deal, especially on things like makeup and other beauty products. The truth is, many cheaper brands just don't meet the quality of those with higher price points. Even when a less expensive product works well, it still might be full of harmful ingredients like parabens! But it's also true that with a little digging, you can find excellent makeup that is not only inexpensive, but contains great ingredients as well. Welcome to my list of the ultimate Best Budget Beauty Buys!

Foundation
The trick: Be careful with foundations. Cheaper versions will often contain harmful fillers or irritating ingredients, because they're easier and less expensive to use. Watch for things like parabens and mineral oil, which can make issues like uneven skin tone or acne worse.
My pick: Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation. Not only are the ingredients on par with more expensive brands, but it's a beautiful product that really works. While at first, I was a little taken aback by its claim to be a primer, foundation, and concealer in one, I came around once I realized how wonderful the formula is! It provides non-cakey, natural-looking medium coverage, feels light on skin, blends out easily, keeps my combo skin matte without over-drying the more sensitive areas, and lasts all day. If you buy one foundation from the drugstore, let this one be it.

Nail Polish
The trick: You want to find a nail polish that applies well, stays on, and comes in many high-quality formulas, from mattes to glitters. While not all drugstore nail polishes are created equal (many pastels are too sheer, many glitters are too gluey or tacky), there are some that stand out from the rest. Be aware that many polish formulas contain potentially hazardous chemicals, so do your research on the ingredients list.
My pick: Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish. These are the closest thing I can find in the drugstore to the beloved Deborah Lippmann nail polishes, which are famous for their high quality. A hallmark of the Deborah Lippmann line are glitter polishes with an excellent formulation - the glitter is within the colour, rather than just sitting on top of the nail. I experienced the same effect with many of the Revlon polishes, notably Wintermint and Autumn Spice. Plus, they have pretty scents that you'll only be able to smell once the polish is dry (it's not overwhelming, don't worry).

Multi-Purpose Concealer
The Trick: Many drugstore concealers have poor coverage or staying power (sometimes both) and the ones that don't often contain parabens or, more commonly, mineral oils. Watch out for all of those things! When looking for a multi-purpose concealing product, you'll want something with enough coverage to mask blemishes, enough staying power to last all day, and the ability to work under eyes without creasing or looking heavy.
My Pick: Revlon Colorstay Concealer. This reminds me a lot of Kat Von D's Lock It Tattoo Concealer. It has great medium coverage and blends out easily. I also love using this under my eyes when I need a little extra bit of coverage or I'm out and only have one concealer on me. The ingredients in this make it one of the best drugstore options, and it doesn't contain parabens like it's foundation counterpart. If you pick up just one concealer from the drugstore, this would be a great option.

Lip Gloss/Lip Colour
The Trick: There are so, so many lip products to choose from in the drugstore. The truth is, a lot of them are great! The problem lies in choosing the best one. In my experience, if you're looking for a general lip colour you can wear anywhere, it's best to avoid the super-sheer and super-heavy formulas. Look for something in the middle, with buildable colour that lasts for a reasonable amount of time. Make sure that it's also hydrating for days when your lips are chapped or dry (which can even happen during the Summer, sadly).
My Pick: Maybelline's Color Whispers. This lip colour/lip gloss hybrid is gorgeous, moisturising, and natural-looking. Apply it very lightly for a wash of sheer colour, or slightly build it up for a more intense pigment. There are so, so many shades to choose from - there's a pretty colour to complement every skintone. I love the coral-pink shade Pin Up Peach, as it allows me to wear a coral without the colour overwhelming my face. Plus, you can apply this anywhere on the go without having to worry about a precise application, as you would with a lipstick.

Eyeshadow
The Trick: A lot of powder eyeshadows from the drugstore can be sheer or powdery. Some quads (notably ones from Maybelline and Wet n' Wild) are actually quite high quality, but it's always a guessing game. You'll want something that's a sure bet - highly pigmented shadows that stay put, look gorgeous, and are easy to blend out and apply.
My Pick: Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow. You can't go wrong with these gorgeous cream shadows that come in a variety of pretty shades. They blend out easily with fingers or a brush, make great bases, and simply stay on all day. No creasing or fading here! In my opinion, they're on par with many high-end brands in terms of quality. And if you look in drugstores now, you might be able to pick up some of the fabulous neutral shades that Maybelline has released as part of their limited edition nudes launch.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow

Brightening Concealer
The Trick: When choosing a brightening concealer from a drugstore brand, you'll want to make sure that you pick something that actually has some coverage to it. Many products on drugstore shelves these days blend out so sheerly that it almost looks as though you haven't applied anything! You'll also want to make sure that the product won't look too heavy or cakey, or crease under your eyes where you need that extra pop of radiance and light.
My Pick: L'Oreal Touche Magique Concealer. Not only does this come in a variety of colours for both warm and cool skin tones, it's a great pick all around. It's the closest thing I can find at the drugstore to Mac's Prime and Prime Highlighter, which is a great brightening concealer. L'Oreal's version has light-to-medium coverage, and is actually pigmented enough to make a real difference radiance-wise, without looking unnatural or heavy. It blends out super easily under eyes and on top of cheek bones to sculpt the face.

All-Over Face Brush
The Trick: While there are some great brush sets at the drugstore (my favourites are from RealTechniques), sometimes you're just looking for one amazing multi-purpose brush that you can use for many purposes. It can be a challenge to pick just one when you're trying to stay on a budget, but it's definitely not impossible to find a wonderful and useful brush at the drugstore.
My Pick: Ecotools Bronzer Brush. This big, fluffy brush can be used for so much! Buff out liquid or cream foundation easily for an airbrushed finish, blend out powder or loose foundation products, dot on and blend out cream blush, set your makeup with a finishing powder, blend out contour creams or powders, apply powder bronzer or blush, or even set undereye makeup with a light powder. This truly does it all. And it's eco-friendly, super soft, available at nearly every Walmart makeup section I've been to, and is durable and lasts. What more could you ask for? This is my personal favourite brush for setting my makeup when I use my Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder. It gives a gorgeous airbrushed look that no other brush I've tried can achieve.

I'm so excited to be back with you guys! Look out for more posts soon.

The Review: Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 01:49:00 +0000

Until recently, I'd always finished my makeup with a pressed powder or powder foundation, like Mac's Mineralize Skin Finish Natural or Physician's Formula CC Powder. However, I purchased a small Tarte set around the holidays and it came with a tiny sample size of their Smooth Operator Finishing Powder. I decided to give it a try, and I was absolutely shocked with the results.

In short, I loved it! It was a brand new way to set my makeup, and it was a total gamechanger for me. Even though my little sample is still going strong, I purchased the full size!

Packaging: The product comes in a round container with a top that simply twists off. It features a pretty design which is the hallmark of all of Tarte's Amazonian Clay products (the same design can be found on their blushes). To apply, you can simply shake some powder onto your brush, and dust off the excess. It's one of the most nicely packaged loose powders I've seen in a very long time.

Formulation: Tarte describes the product as a translucent, silky finishing powder with Amazonian clay that sets makeup and eases the look of imperfections. It promises to keep makeup in place without giving a white-cast or looking thick or chalky, and mattifies skin without the dreaded cakey finish. You can also use it alone to mattify your skin and blur imperfections. As with all Tarte products, the ingredients are impeccable: no parabens, mineral oil or gluten here!

Application: The silkiness of this powder makes it effortless to apply. I simply swirl my brush in the product (I always use the Ecotools Bronzer Brush) and then pat gently all over my face. It applies smoothly and evenly, almost melting into my skin. Afterwards, my skin is mattified and looks airbrushed, but also keeps the radiance that allows for a natural-looking finish. There is absolutely nothing cakey or thick about this powder - in fact, it's nearly impossible to tell that you've set your makeup at all. It won't disturb the pigments in foundation or concealer, either, making it a top pick.

Who Would Like It: Anyone. Really, anyone. It mattifies on oily skin, but wouldn't be too drying on skin that needs extra hydration. Those with acne-prone or uneven skin will enjoy this even more, because it gives an airbrushed effect and helps to improve the look of skin's surface.

Overall Value: I paid $35 CA for this at Sephora, and I was happy to do so. A little goes such a long way - I've been using my sample size for weeks now without it running out, and I set my entire face with it every time I apply makeup. A great value for anyone looking for a flawless finishing powder.

Conclusion: This may just be one of my favourite makeup discoveries in years. Let's just say that you'll never find me without this, no matter what makeup look I'm doing. I don't think I'll ever buy another finishing powder, because this is perfection.

Have you tried this or any other Tarte products recently? How do you set your makeup? Let me know!

The Review: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 20:12:00 +0000

I've had my eye on Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser for so long! When I was at Sephora recently, I finally decided to pick it up. I was really pleased to see that Nars has recently added two new shades to the lineup. One of these new shades is called Terre Neuve, and it's lighter than their previous lightest option, Finland. If you had trouble finding a shade match before, it might be time to take another look at the Nars counter, as there are now 11 colours to choose from.

I'll be breaking my review down into different parts so that it's a little easier to navigate!

Packaging: Just like all Nars products, it comes in gorgeous, sleek black packaging with the iconic 'Nars' logo. The bottle has the same matte feel as Nars compacts, like their blushes. While the packaging looks and feels high-end, it is easy to get these dirty, as they seem to attract fingerprints and other makeup smudges. In terms of dispensing, the product comes out through a small opening, allowing for controlled and sanitary application.

Formulation: Nars promises that this tinted moisturiser is lightweight and provides hydration to thirsty skin. It evens skintone with a formula infused with naturally derived ingredients (including polysaccharides which support cell turnover, and mineral rich seawater which adds vitality to skin). It's proven to help minimize the appearance of scarring, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and discolouration for a brighten complexion within 4 weeks. In addition, it helps to blur the look of fine lines, pores, and wrinkles to give skin a natural, glowing appearance. It's oil-free and contains SPF 30. I'd also like to note that it contains no parabens or sulphates, which is wonderful to see and exactly what I'd expect from a brand like Nars.

Application: The texture feels creamy without being overly heavy or thick. I'd liken the feel of it to Gosh's CC Cream Illuminating Foundation. This can easily be applied with your hands, or you can use a brush or beauty sponge. It blends beautifully into skin, leaving no streaks. It has a light-to-medium coverage that's easily buildable, and perfects skin nicely without looking unnatural.
It faired very well on my combination skin after all-day wear. It didn't disappear in my oilier areas, which was nice. Overall, it provided quite a bit of comfortable, non-greasy hydration to my skin that lasted for hours after I first applied it. The only negative thing that I noticed was that after many hours of wear, it sank in to my dry patches a little and made them more noticeable.

Who Would Like It: I think it's safe to recommend this to almost anyone! If you have oilier skin, you'll want to prime underneath it and set it with powder. If you have obvious dry patches on your skin, make sure you prime first as well. Other than that, I think it would make a beautiful, universally-flattering base for almost anyone. The only reason I'd suggest skipping this would be if you have severe hyperpigmentation or acne, which this won't cover.

Overall Value: Whether you buy this from Sephora or a Nars counter, it's not going to be cheap. That said, I was incredibly pleasantly surprised to realize that this product contains 1.9 oz instead of the typical 1 oz you usually see with bases. That's almost double! Therefore, I think that this is definitely worth buying. You get high-end quality, whereas the amount of product you get with your purchase likely makes this one of the most inexpensive tinted moisturisers from Sephora.

Conclusion: Nars Radiant Tinted Moisturiser is a winner all around. It perfects skintone naturally, while hydrating and allowing skin to keep a pretty glow (without ever getting oily). It's suitable for a variety of skin types, and now with the addition of new shades, it's great for many skin tones as well. I'm loving the fact that Nars understands and appreciates the diversity of its' customer base.

Will you be trying out one of the new shades? Let me know!

My Vacation Part 3: Makeup, Nails, and Haircare Haul!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 19:18:00 +0000

I stayed in Ottawa for ten days, and while there I picked up quite a bit of new makeup! I shopped at stores like Sephora and Shopper's, as well as smaller cosmetic shops and drugstore chains. In addition, I also grabbed some new haircare products and nail polishes. In this post, I'll be going over my purchases. Soon, you'll see in-depth reviews of many of these products!

Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Auburn, Lorac Pro Palette,

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Auburn

Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel: I heard Rachel Whitehurst (87daysbefore) mention that this brow gel was an excellent colour for people with red or auburn hair. While that should have been obvious to me, I was scared to try such a warm brown for my brows, and in the past I used only shades in light, ashy brown or dark blonde. I've had the chance to try this out and it's amazing! A great brow gel for anyone, but this colour is particularly awesome for those with red hair.

Lorac Pro Palette: Who doesn't want one of these?! With so many gorgeous, pigmented shades in both mattes and shimmers, I had to get it. I haven't had the chance to try it yet, but I'm so excited! I just needed to add this to my eyeshadow palette collection.

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo: I picked this one up in Auburn as well! Before, I was using the Anastasia Beauty Express eyebrow palette, which features a powder duo as well as wax and highlighting eyeshadow. However, that powder was in Brunette, so I bought this when I switched to using Auburn. I love it! I'll still get use out of my Beauty Express palette too, but I mainly reach for this now.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Porcelain, Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow

Enhancing Powder, Benefit Porefessional Agent Zero Shine

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation: I haven't used this yet, but I tested it in the store and fell in love! It has an amazing consistency, and feels super light and natural. Plus, this was the perfect shade for me (props to Bobbi for making a shade this light!) and I'm a foundation addict.

Diorskin Nude Tan: I picked up this glowy bronzer for summer, when I want to add some warmth and dimension to my face, as opposed to just contouring. This also features a little bit of a peach colour within the bronzer, so it'll add a pretty warm glow! I'm excited to test it out.

Benefit Agent Zero Shine: I've heard a lot about this. As a person with combination skin and larger pores, Benefit's Porefessional primer is an all-time favourite of mine. When they came out with a powder to go over it, I had to have it.

Joe Fresh Highlighter and Bronzer Duo, Joe Fresh Cream Eyeshadow

Highlighter/Bronzer Duo: I picked this up from the Joe Fresh beauty line. I've never bought anything from there before, but this was adorable and looks like it'll be an awesome summer staple! I haven't tested it out or tried it, but the bronzer looks light enough to be natural on my pale skin, while the highlighter is so pretty and glowy.

Cream Shadow: I love the Maybelline Colour Tattoo eyeshadows, so if this is anything like those it's worth a try! It'll be a great base. The neutral colour with a bit of shimmer is so nice.

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque, Pantene Overnight Miracle

Macadamia Masque: After hearing Youtubers and beauty bloggers rave about this for years, I finally got my hands on it! I can't wait to test it out and see if I can add it to my permanent haircare routine. It's a little pricey, especially if you have longer hair as you'll need a lot per application. But it was worth a try for sure!

Pantene Overnight Miracle: This is supposed to help repair damage overnight, when used as a mask. I'm excited to see if this lives up to the hype. It would be amazing if it works out well, because it's so affordable.

Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Terre Neuve,

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, Smashbox Photo Finish Undereye Primer

Tarte Finishing Powder: After receiving this as a sample size in a tiny Tarte Christmas set (the little sample is still going strong, by the way!) I realized how wonderful it is for setting makeup. It adds absolutely no cakiness or heaviness to your makeup, while still setting it beautifully and giving you an airbrushed finish. Try it!

Nars Tinted Moisturiser: As a lover of Nars (it's my favourite high-end brand), I had to pick this up! I'm so glad I did, because it's wonderful. The few times I've tried it, it's applied beautifully, stayed on very well, and looked natural. Again, props to Nars for creating a shade this light for all the pale skinned people out there!

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: I've heard everyone talk about this, from Essiebutton to NikkiTutorials, so I knew I had to pick it up eventually. I've only used it once, but it's excellent! The colours that Nars do always match my skintone so well, and this was no exception. It's a gorgeous, creamy concealer with serious staying power (yet it doesn't feel heavy).

Smashbox Undereye Primer: I love all types of undereye concealer, and with deeper-set eyes I really need it. So I decided to pick this up to see if it could prolong the wear time of my concealing products, as well as minimize creasing and fading. Time will tell if it works out!

Wet n' Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells, Cake Sweethearts Hand Cream,

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Pure Nude, The Balm Nude'tude Eyeshadow Palette,

Hard Candy Lite Bright Concealer, Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Nude Compliment

Wet n' Wild Trio: I saw a review for this little trio, comparing shades to some in Nars palettes, and these really stood up to those! After that, I knew I had to have it. I love browns, beiges, creams, and pinks, so this is the perfect nude palette, and it's great for on-the-go. The pink shade is similar to Nars' Nepal.

Cake Hand Cream: I love Cake! It's a Canadian brand that uses all-natural ingredients, and you can trust that none of their products will contain parabens or mineral oils (which is important in a hand cream - you need to be able to touch your face without worrying about blocking your pores!). This smells amazing, and it's a great purse size. Go Cake!

Maybelline Color Tattoos: I love, love, love Color Tattoos! They're gorgeous, creamy eyeshadows which in my opinion, rival Mac's Prolongwear Paint Pots. When they came out with their new limited edition nude collection, I was so excited! I went on the hunt and managed to locate two shades, Nude Compliment and Pure Nude. They also had the black one there, too (Stroke of Midnight), but as I don't do black liner or deep smokey eyes I skipped out on that one. Still looking for another three shades though!

The Balm Nude'tude Palette: Who doesn't need another nude palette? Essiebutton talked about this in a video a few months back, and I was in love. I've had my eye on it ever since, and I'm excited to give it a try.

Hard Candy Lite Bright: I picked up this brightening concealer from Hard Candy because I love concealers, and I'm always looking for the next best thing. At less than $6, I can totally take a gamble and give this one a fair chance!

Essie Nail Polish in Buy Me a Cameo, Absolutely Shore, Fiji, and East Hampton Cottage,

Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish in Autumn Spice, Wintermint, and Beachy

Essie Polish: Essie's displays always get me! Just looking at all those pale pinks and rose-gold hues lined up...I always have to buy something. Recently, I've picked up the gorgeous, rosey warm Buy Me a Cameo, the pretty pale minty green Absolutely Shore, the girly light pink Fiji, and the shimmery, creamy East Hampton Cottage.

Revlon Parfumerie Polish: I was surprised at how much I liked this! When I found these in stores at first, I was unimpressed because I couldn't smell any scent other than nail polish from the bottle. But then after buying one, I realized that the smell only comes after you've applied and it starts to dry! These are truly gorgeous shades, and in my opinion, they're quite comparable to Deborah Lippmann polishes. Wintermint is a total dupe for Mermaid's Dream, while Autumn Spice reminds me of another one of her shades, because the glitter is dispersed so expertly throughout the polish, instead of just sitting on top. A great drugstore buy!

Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil, Benefit Coralista Blush,

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Foundation, Benefit Coralista Lip Gloss

Josie Maran Argan Oil: I'm addicted to this stuff. I mix this in with both hair masks and face moisturisers, and it works every time. This is like a drink for your skin and your hair. I've gotten so many compliments on my skin after using this at night! Plus, it's great to have around in case you have a dry patch on your face or your body. I finally gave in and bought the large bottle instead of living off the small bottles that come with Sephora sets!

Benefit Coralista Blush: After seeing so many Youtubers use this, I had to buy it! Coral is my best blush colour, as I have such warm skin, so after testing out all of the Benefit boxed blushes, I decided that this would be the most flattering colour and went for it. It's gorgeous, but what else would you expect!?

Lancome Foundation: I really wanted to try a foundation from Lancome, so I went for Teint Idole. After already buying the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, which is lighter and natural, I wanted something with a little more coverage. Everyone said that this was a little better coverage-wise, without being heavy or noticeable, which is something I'm always wary of. After wearing it once, I have no complaints! Great colour range, too.

Benefit Coralista Lip Gloss: I had to buy this to match my blush, as I'm always looking for ways to make my face look more natural and my makeup more synchronized. Wearing the same shade on lips and cheeks makes Coralista look like my natural colour!

Mac Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost

Mac Pro Conceal and Correct Palette in Light

Prep and Prime Highlighter: I've seen tons of Youtubers talk about this, so I finally went for it. It's supposed to be great for brightening the undereye area, and I'll definitely give it a go with my new Smashbox undereye primer as well! The girl at Mac who sold it to me told me I'd never go back to any other undereye concealer or brightener again! This is going to be interesting and fun to try out.

Pro Conceal and Correct Palette: I've wanted this palette forever! I even ordered it online once, only to be told that it was sold out. I finally got my hands on it, and I love that in addition to featuring 4 concealers, it also comes with two correctors! This is the concealer lover's dream, and I love Mac's formula. I'm so excited to see how this works, and to mix and match concealer concoctions for different uses!

I hope you guys enjoyed my collective makeup, nails, and haircare haul from Ottawa! I'll be back soon with in-depth reviews of many of these products and palettes.

My Vacation Part 2: Museums, Parliament, Gel Nails, and Cupcakes!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:10:00 +0000

As part of my series on my trip to Ottawa, I'm bringing you a quick peek into some of the things I did during my ten day stay in Canada's capital!

I was staying in Ottawa with my friend Zoe, so we decided to go on a tour of parliament! It was amazing to see where MPs come to work every day. The architecture of the building was beautiful, and the homages to Canada's history displayed throughout parliament really made it special.

Standing outside parliament!

While visiting the building, you can take a quick elevator trip up to the Peace Tower, the tallest part of parliament. You'll see a truly beautiful view of Ottawa, including the Museum of History, which is actually located in Quebec! It's definitely worth the trip.

Taking pictures from the Peace Tower!

Here's part of the view.

In front of the Peace Tower.

Next, we went to the Museum of History, also known as the Museum of Civilization. It's actually located in Quebec, but it's only a quick taxi ride away from downtown Ottawa. The entire museum was fascinating, with models of different times during Canada's history, including pioneer villages and boats for whaling expeditions. Sometimes it even looked like I was outside, but I promise that it was just the museum!

Next, I went to The Cupcake Lounge with my sister and Zoe! It's a cute little cupcake shop with the most delicious desserts you can find in Ottawa.

As if all of that wasn't enough, Zoe and I got passes to go to The House of Commons in parliament for Question Period, where opposition members can ask the government questions about policy. Portions are often played and discussed on the radio, so it was interesting to actually be there! Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take any photos, but I did snap this one of my pass:

While in Ottawa, Zoe and I also decided to get our nails done! Here`s the end result of mine (I opted for gel 'stiletto' nails!):

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the things I was able to do during my trip to Ottawa! It's truly a gorgeous city with plenty to see and lots of fun tourist attractions, as well as a fair amount of places to shop. If you've been to Ottawa, leave me a comment letting me know what your favourite thing about the city is!

My Vacation Part 1: Clothing Haul!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:18:00 +0000

So, as many of you know, I've spent the last ten days in Ottawa! Thank you so much for being understanding about my inability to keep the blog updated during my holiday; I promise I'll make up for it with some extra special posts this week. Stay on the lookout for my makeup haul, new nail stuff, a post about my visit to parliament, a skincare haul, individual reviews on products I've purchased, and all the details on the Head and The Heart concert that I was lucky enough to have the chance to attend! I can't wait to update you guys on everything that's been going on. Let's start with my clothing haul!

The particular pieces above were all purchased at Forever21! I picked up three tank tops (two are pictured, in black and pink) that are perfect for wearing alone with yoga pants, or underneath a baggy t-shirt or sweater. I love the material of them, as they remind me of athletic wear but still cost less than $5 each! I also got a pair of Forever21's yoga pants: they're made of a durable, stretchy material, and feature a pretty band with a black-and-white design. Also in this haul are a baggy mint cropped t-shirt, a lace-front peach tank, a pretty polka-dotted tank top with a sweetheart neckline, a floral crop top, and a pretty peach scarf. In addition to the cute eco-friendly bag, I picked up some jewellery as well, which I've yet to unpack.

Trying on the floral crop top at Forever21!

Next, I headed to American Eagle! They actually had a really great buy one get one 50 percent off sale, as well as their usual sale racks where you can often find nice pieces.

All pieces are from AE, except the sweater in the top right corner (from Aeropostale)

Here, I decided to pick up this gorgeous cream, beige, and black scarf with peach and pink tassels. Because I love coordinated outfits, I also bought a pink and cream heathered sweater, a loose peach t-shirt, a taupe sweater, a light beige knit top, and a warm rose long-sleeved t-shirt. All can be worn with the new scarf!

My scarf with the peach t-shirt!

Believe it or not, this next item was purchased at Walmart for under $15! I don't usually think of Walmart as a store that carries nice clothes, as I mostly only shop there when I'm looking for specific drugstore makeup. But while on vacation, I popped into a Walmart to check for the new Maybelline Color Tattoo limited edition cream shadows, and I found this:

It's a gorgeous, lightweight wind-breaker/raincoat. The waterproof material is perfect for spring, and the polka-dot pattern totally drew me to it. It reminds me of an item from Forever21, Zara, or H and M. They appeared to be going fast at the store I visited, so if you see one near you, I'd pick it up quickly! I found mine in the Junior's department.

$14 at Walmart? Yes please.

Next, I popped into H and M:

Here, I saw the floral tank and warm pink Fabuleuse cropped sweater on a manikin. While I normally wouldn't try on the tops, I loved how they looked together! After trying both on, I loved the look, so I tried on some sweaters with the tank to make sure it was worth buying. Turns out both cardigans (in yellow and light peachy-pink) were on sale; 2 for $25! The tank top can be worn with all the sweaters, so it was a great buy.

I couldn't resist this gorgeous coat from Zara! It's so in for spring, and the style of it makes it casual enough for daily wear, but the pretty details dress it up a little and make it feminine. In person, it's actually much more of a deep, intense green. I can't wait to wear this all spring! If you're looking for a similar coat in this style, they had several ones that looked quite alike in a variety of colours, like beige, navy, and red. And the prices were really good for the quality that you get with a Zara coat.

The detailing makes this even prettier!

At Winners, I picked up a pretty new infinity scarf from Jessica Simpson:

And this gorgeous, taupey-brown coat with a leopard-print lining that I love:

Finally, what's a haul without a trip to Pink and LaSenza? I'm a huge fan of VS Pink; as pink is my favourite colour, I really can't get enough of the store. I coordinated some purchases this time!

Here, I made sure everything matched and could be worn together. I picked up a light, pretty top with rose gold sequin detailing, two pairs of yoga pants (one traditional leopard print with 'Pink' in black sequins, one grey sparkly leopard print), a pretty long-sleeved printed top, and a grey sweater with leopard print detailing. At LaSenza, I actually picked up three bras (cream, leopard print, and black), and a few pairs of undies from both LaSenza and Pink to match!

I hope you guys enjoyed this clothing haul. I purchased this over the span of several shopping trips and in no way intend to brag about what I've bought. I hope this gives you a few spring fashion ideas, or just a peak into what's in stores today.

The Review: Avene Skincare!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:50:00 +0000

Avene is a European skincare brand known for quality ingredients, innovative solutions, and excellent products. Today I'm bringing you a review of three of their best-sellers! Is there truth behind the hype? Let's find out!

If you're wondering where you can purchase products from Avene, they're available online from many retailers in the US, and at Shopper's Drugmart in Canada.

Avene Thermal Spring Water

Thermal Spring Water is one of Avene's top selling products, which they're widely known for. I was a little hesitant at first - why buy speciality water in a spray bottle when it's so widely available? But I've definitely changed my mind. This innovative skincare product is designed to soothe and calm irritated skin, and contains an extremely low salt content in order to prevent redness. It can also help those struggling with combo skin, as its pH of 7.5 is the perfect balance to aid with oiliness and dryness. It's also preservative free, and extremely pure. In addition, it has tons of uses! Spray this onto your skin and leave it for two minutes; it can help reduce inflammation after exfoliation and skincare procedures, and the effects of eczema, keratosis (bumpy, red skin), and sunburn. It can be used after cleansing or exercise, during travel (as a hydrating refresher) and even to set makeup! I love this; my skin always feels smooth and balanced after use, and it really does help calm redness and irritation, as well as unbalanced skin. It's the perfect multi-tasker!

Avene TriAcneal for Skin Imperfections and Residual Marks

This product is made for oily, acne and blemish prone skin. It's clinically proven to reduce the appearance of imperfections, using active ingredients like Efectiose, Retinaldehyde, and Glycolic Acid. The combination of all three helps to reduce the onset of breakouts and soothe the redness and irritation that so often accompanies acne. It also helps prevent scarring, while helping to clear up existing marks. Glycolic Acid is also great at retexturizing rough skin. I apply this, after cleansing, to areas where I frequently get oiliness and acne. It can be a little bit drying, and Avene doesn't recommend applying over a moisturiser (as it reduces the effectiveness of the product), so I only use it every second night. It has a bright yellow colour, and stays on your skin overnight without sinking in, so just be aware of that! You have to wash it off in the morning. In my experience, it's done a great job at keeping oil and blemishes at bay and targeting acne scarring (which I have a lot of).

Avene Antirougeurs Fort Relief Concentrate for Chronic Redness

After hearing that Lisa Eldridge uses this on models and celebrity clients with chronic redness, I had to try it out. I have quite a bit of redness in my cheeks, as well as any redness that might accompany the odd blemish. The product is designed to improve microcirculation, and relieve irritation and inflammation. Active ingredients like Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone protect and strengthen vascular walls over time, and Dextran Sulfate provides decongesting properties and minimizes any swelling that might cause redness. It also contains Avene's famous thermal spring water to help calm and revitalize skin. This product has a creamy, yet still thin consistency, and absorbs quickly into skin. It can be used as a moisturiser in the morning or at night, so that you can hydrate while still fighting redness.

The List: Top 5 Common Beauty Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 23:55:00 +0000

We've all done it; tried to apply eyeliner before a party when we had no idea how to create a wing, or gone to bed without washing all of our makeup off. While mistakes are a part of life, there are several common (yet less obvious) beauty blunders that are seriously taking away from our routines. Read on to find out what they are and how to fix them!

Mistake #1: Expecting Instant Gratification

It's great when we test out a product and see results right away. However, some of the best skin serums and hair masks can take multiple applications over weeks or months to show visible improvement. If you're growing out your hair, don't expect your conditioner to add instant length and shine. If you're treating acne, give your spot treatment more than four hours to do its job. Lots of beauty products work best if used over time, especially ones that fight issues like dry hair, acne scarring, or uneven skin tone. If you have the patience and persistence to stick with a product and a routine, you will see results - and they'll be way better than the improvements you can achieve with something that works instantly.

Mistake #2: Being an Overachiever

We all want to recreate a celebrity look or try out a dramatic eye sometimes, and that's totally fine. But keep your skill level in mind - how experienced are you with dark shadows? How many times have you worked with glitter liner? Remember that even the simplest makeup look, when done properly, can be absolutely gorgeous. However, jumping into something new and complicated without practice can result in a look that's messy or hasty. When you're getting ready for a party or a day out with friends, stick to what you know. If you want to test out new looks or expand your skills, set aside some time on the weekend to practice. That way, by the time that you do want to create the look, you'll be a pro.

Mistake #3: Using the Products That Your Friends Recommend
With all the products out there on the market, it's always great when your friend can recommend something that works. And some of the time, that's fine - beauty bloggers dish out recommendations quite often, too. It's not wrong to buy a product based on a rave review or glowing testimonial from a friend, but it is important to make sure that the product is designed for you, too. If a friend with dry skin tells you to check out a moisturiser, and you have oily skin, chances are it'll be too heavy for you. Something might work perfectly for one person, but not every product is effective on every skin or hair type. Instead, look up reviews for products that are specifically designed for your needs, or ask a dermatologist or beauty consultant about what's best for you.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Check the Ingredients
I've seen tons of people (even experienced makeup artists) make this mistake on so many occasions. Before buying anything, from a drugstore concealer to a high end cleanser, always read the ingredients. You should be looking for things like parabens (a preservative which can irritate sensitive skin and make issues like acne worse) and mineral oil (a heavy oil, also found in gasoline, which can block pores and cause negative reactions with skin). If you have other issues or allergies, you might want to avoid other ingredients as well. I don't know how many people I've met who are struggling with blemishes, yet keep using products with irritating ingredients! Make sure that you check everything before you buy, read reviews (even on drugstore products), and educate yourself. If you're in a pinch and can't make sense of the ingredients, download an app like Think Dirty, which allows you to scan the bar-code of a product and see if it contains any toxic or hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Mistake #5: Following Makeup and Skincare Trends
While it's fun to break out pastel colours in spring and play with bright eyeshadows in the summer, it's important to remember that trends are simply designed to make people purchase products. Looking trendy can be fun, but always keep in mind what colours and undertones look best on you. If you have very warm skin, a cool-toned pink blush might not be your best bet, even if it's popular for this season. Make sure that you stock up on classic products that are flattering on you year-round, so that when a trend pops up, you can decide if it's something you want to go for, and incorporate it naturally into your routine. In my opinion, looking classically beautiful and being comfortable with your products always beats looking on-trend.

I hope you enjoyed these quick tips for avoiding common beauty mistakes! If you have any other tips, don't hesitate to share them; I'm always looking to learn something new.

The Review: Origins Skincare Extravaganza!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:22:00 +0000

Ever since the online beauty community became obsessed with Origins' GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, I was desperate to get my hands on some products from the brand. I picked up a set of 5 Origins products from Sephora, and I'm excited to bring you a review for each one today!

Origins is a brand that's all about using the very best natural ingredients, proven by science to create effective and eco-friendly skincare products. You won't find parabens, heavy fillers, strong drying acids, or any other irritants in their lineup. That makes it an interesting brand for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin to try out. They're also environmentally and animal friendly.

Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores: This mask is designed to draw out dirt, toxins, oil, and pore-clogging bacteria from pores, using activated charcoal. Over time, it's meant to help your skin's waste-filtering system improve and work better on it's own. In addition, white China clay helps to remove a build-up of environmental toxins. My experience with this product has been overwhelmingly positive. I love it! I'll exfoliate my skin, then gently cleanse, before applying this. Without over-drying, it tightens on your skin, yet washes off easily after ten minutes. It makes my skin feel incredibly smooth and clean, but never tight or irritated. I'd highly recommend this to people who suffer from frequently clogged pores or dull skin. After you wash this off, it's the perfect time to apply a moisturiser with added skincare benefits - your pores have just been completely cleared, so your skin will absorb products much more easily. If you feel like your serums or treatments aren't working well enough, it might be time to invest in this charcoal mask!

Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion: Origins promises that in just one use of this exfoliator, you'll notice more polished, smooth, and luminous skin. It's designed to be much more gentle than traditional exfoliators, which can be irritating. The product contains rice starch to remove old cells, eliminate rough or uneven patches, and fight signs of discolouration. It also helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and pores. In addition, lemon oil helps illuminate the skin. I've used this product several times, and I really like it. The texture isn't gritty and rough, like a typical exfoliator - it's smoother and more creamy. I feel like it does a great job of exfoliating without making my face red or blotchy. That said, the nearly microscopic exfoliating beads seemed to be difficult to wash off my face. Other than that, though, I had a great experience with it. I'd recommend it to anyone who struggles with normal exfoliators and finds them to be too rough. After washing this off, my face really did seem much more smooth, and my pores looked smaller. I can't speak to the anti-discolouration aspect, as I haven't used it enough yet to be able to comment on that. Again, it's another great pick for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.

Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash: This is designed to be a cleanser for those with combination skin, who need to balance dry patches and oily areas. I have oily/combo skin, so I was excited to try this one out! The product contains broad leaf kelp extract, which discourages oil production, as well as wheat protein to balance and protect the dry patches and areas. Origins say that your skin will never feel tight, pulled, or dry after use, which I agree with. However, I didn't have a very good experience with this particular cleanser. The texture is super creamy, and even a little oily. I feel like it didn't cleanse my skin very well, and it still felt kind of oily and dirty after use. It turns out that my prediction about this not getting all the gunk out was correct, because every single morning after I used this, I woke up with a breakout. My skin doesn't break out very easily, so it really surprised me. I'm unsure what caused the irritation - maybe the wheat protein? I just feel like this product tries to do too much, by balancing oily areas and dry patches. Pick your battles, Origins! It's definitely not an awful product though, and might work better for those with very dry skin who don't need a deep cleanse.

GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream: A beauty blogger favourite, this clinically-proven eye cream from Origins is designed to de-puff the undereye area and reduce the appearance of dark circles. A mix of caffeine from a coffee bean, Panax ginseng, magnolia extract, and optic brighteners help to wake up and refresh your eye area while adding radiance. The texture of this cream is quite rich and creamy, and has a pretty, slightly pinky opalescent colour. While I don't think that this a complete miracle for those with severe dark circles, it definitely helps to hydrate and soften the eye area. I'll use this the night before or after the use of heavy concealer or highlighting products under my eyes. It's definitely one of my favourite eye creams, because it absorbs quickly and is great at hydrating. It helps to add a little radiance, as well.

GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser: This light, gel-like facial cream helps to hydrate skin and add radiance. It's oil-free, and also contains the same Panax ginseng and coffee bean extract that's found in the iconic GinZing eye cream. It's meant to add radiance to the face, while giving skin a look that's refreshed, vibrant, and glowing. I actually think that this is a really under-rated product from Origins. It's truly great for those with oily or acne-prone skin who are looking for something refreshing, light, and non-clogging that still manages to hydrate well. I recommend this for use in the morning, along with the GinZing eye cream, when you want to look wide awake and well rested, as well as energized. It's great for a casual, low-key, light makeup day when you still want to appear polished and healthy. A great morning boost for those who need some radiance and a gentle moisturiser.

What do you think of Origins? What are your favourite products? Let me know!

Saturday Special: How to Make Vegan, Sugar-Free Cake Batter Ice Cream!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:55:00 +0000

While browsing Twitter recently, I came across this image for how to create your own dairy-free 'ice cream' at home. I've tweaked it a little to create a vegan, sugar-free option, as well as a sugar-free version with added protein. It's super healthy, can be made in 5 minutes, truly tastes amazing, and is super customizable with other flavours. Read on to figure out how to make it yourself!

What you'll need (makes a medium-sized bowl full):

1 and a half frozen bananas
Pure vanilla extract, to taste
A Magic Bullet, Vitamix, Nutri-Bullet, or other blender
Pure almond extract, to taste
One teaspoon baking soda
Liquid stevia extract, to taste (I used this one - it's hazelnut cream flavoured)
Maple flavoured extract, to taste

This recipe is super easy! Just follow the steps below:

1. Freeze one and a half chopped bananas overnight.
2. Put the frozen bananas, vanilla extract, maple extract, almond extract, and baking soda into your blender. When it comes to the extracts, use as little or as much as you want (I used less than half a teaspoon per extract). Obviously, the more you add, the more it will taste like that flavour.
3. Add in some stevia as well. It's a sugar-free, calorie-free plant extract that you can buy in liquid or powder form (I used liquid), and you can often get it in delicious flavours, like chocolate or hazelnut cream. I opted for the hazelnut cream flavour for this recipe, to add sweetness. If you can't find stevia, you can use Splenda for a sugar-free option, or agave syrup for a natural one.
4. Simply blend all the ingredients together in the blender with a few teaspoons of water and some ice. It might take a couple of minutes to crush up the banana, but it's so worth it! It'll turn in to a delicious, creamy dessert with a mousse-like consistency. Of course, you can always add sprinkles if you'd like!

Variations:

Chocolate cake batter: Simply mix in one teaspoon of pure cocoa powder (available at bulk food stores) with the banana, baking soda, extracts, and sweetener in the blender. Now you have a delicious chocolatey flavour! (I recommend making the chocolate version if you're less fond of banana, as the taste of the fruit is much less apparent.)

Protein version: Along with the other ingredients, add in a scoop of whey protein powder. I don't recommend vegan protein powders like brown rice or Vega, as they don't blend as well. I used Isopure's carb-free cookies and cream protein powder. This is great if you're looking to add more protein into your diet, and it also tastes great.

There are limitless ways to make this dessert! You can always add in sugar-free chocolate syrup and peanut butter for another delicious variation. Or french vanilla coffee for a java-inspired ice cream! Vegan chocolate chips are also a cool option. You can go with mint extract and cocoa powder for a mint chocolate ice cream, too. Have fun with it!

Quick Review: Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot Targeted Spot Treatment!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:39:00 +0000

I'm a huge fan of the Vichy Normaderm skincare range, designed especially for acne-prone or extra oily skin. Their moisturiser is my staple and lifesaver, so when the new spot treatment was released, I was excited to try it out!

Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot Targeted Fast Acting Care is a spot treatment, meant to be applied to an appearing or existing blemish or pimple. It uses hyaluronic acid to create a protective barrier around the surface of the skin where it's applied, a 'bandage effect' to shield the sensitive area against external toxins. That can be really important when you have an inflamed blemish, because more oil and dirt from the outside world will just make it worse! It also uses antibacterial technology by utilising ingredients like salicylic acid and LHA to reduce the appearance of pimples by getting right to the source of the inflammation.

Vichy promises results in just 48 hours; it's designed to diminish the appearance of imperfections and marks more quickly than most spot treatments, while also making sure that the blemish doesn't leave a scar. For people with pale or lighter skin, acne scarring can be a huge problem, as red marks stand out and can take months, or even years, to fade.

Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot Targeted Fast Acting Care (packaging)

Normaderm Hyaluspot spot treatment is hypo-allergenic, paraben and silicone free, as well as non-comedogenic, absolute musts for those with sensitive, oily, and acne prone skin. Vichy definitely got the ingredients right! While I don't usually get pimples, every now and then I need a spot treatment to help take care of the odd blemish. If using this products means that I don't get acne scars every time a pimple shows up, I'm absolutely all for it.

I've had the chance to try this out a couple times now, and I'm impressed. Once applied, it works quickly. It's absorbed into the skin quite easily, as long as you don't apply too much, and you can really forget that it's there. I recommend application at night, so that you don't have to worry about makeup application or the product rubbing off. Whenever I apply this before bed, I always wake up to clearer skin - the blemish looks less inflamed, red, and prominent. And the claim about less scarring? It really does seem to work - the pimple fades easily and gently, never getting infected to the point where it erupts and leaves a red scar. The only thing that you have to keep in mind is that the product can be quite drying, as all spot treatments can be, so use it sparingly and only directly on the area where you need it most. Applying over a light, gel moisturiser is another tip that works for me.

Bottom line? A little dryness for half a day is a small price to pay for a product that easily takes away a blemish and leaves behind no scar. It's like it speeds up the natural healing process! And because the pimple heals so quickly, you can easily moisturise the area where you applied the spot treatment, without worrying about irritation. If you have oily skin, with even the odd pimple, I'd recommend a purchase. Everyone needs an overnight pimple miracle - you never know when it might come in handy! I feel more confident just knowing that this is a part of my skincare stash.

You can view all of my blog posts quickly and easily, as well as follow this blog on Bloglovin.

The Review: L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:13:00 +0000

L'Oreal has definitely released some awesome products lately - from their micellar solution that rivals Bioderma's version, to their Oil-Free Miracle Blur which reminded me a lot of the Smashbox Photo Finish primer - let's just say I've needed to make less trips to Sephora. And who doesn't love getting awesome skincare at their local drugstore for a great price? So when I spotted the Youth Code Texture Perfector, I had to give it a try.

Designed to correct skin's texture, pores, and fine lines, L'Oreal's Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate promises to deliver noticeable results in just one week. With the inclusion of Perline-P, a combination of three perfecting ingredients to help smooth the surface of skin, it assures that pores will be less visible, as well as wrinkles. If you're looking for a product that reduces the appearance of and tightens large pores, while smoothing skin for a velvet touch, this might be for you!

Can we all take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous packaging? L'Oreal certainly did a good job at making this look high end, with a polished pink ombre glass bottle and an excellent quality pump for easy, hygienic application. I just want to stare at this on my bathroom counter all day! I've owned skincare products with triple its $30 drugstore price-tag, and the packaging wasn't nearly as nice.

L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate

The consistency of the product is like a thin, creamy gel - it's hydrating and refreshing, without feeling heavy or thick. It's absorbed extremely well into the skin, without leaving behind any noticeable residue. The serum also has a gorgeous, opalescent pink colour, which adds a bit of radiance to tired or dry winter skin. After applying, you'll notice that your skin feels smoother and more refined, and looks perfected. Pores are tighter and less noticeable as well. Mix this in with your usual daily moisturiser for an added skincare boost.

Personally, I love the product and I'm hooked. I use it at night with my other products in my skincare routine, and in the morning as a primer before makeup. I'm a huge fan of using skincare products as primers - I think they do much more than usual makeup primers, and they're less likely to be irritating or cause breakouts. Plus, this is excellent at priming skin for foundation or concealer application, as a smooth, velvety texture is always ideal. And the added radiance from the opalescent colour makes this my new skincare staple.

Will you be picking up any items from L'Oreal's recent skincare launches? They're so tough to pass up when they remind me so much of high-end skincare! Another big win from L'Oreal.

You can view this, as well as all of my posts on Bloglovin here.

Product Battle: L'Oreal Gentle Micellar Solution VS Bioderma H2O!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 18:11:00 +0000

Everyone knows how popular micellar solutions are recently, especially brands like Bioderma. The water-like solution can be used for cleansing, removing water-resistant makeup, and to sooth irritation caused by harsher cleansers or exfoliators. Sounds great, right? Well, as much as I love Bioderma H2O, it can be extremely difficult to get your hands on. Many people have to order it online. On top of that, it's quite expensive - I pay $22 for 250 ml. So when L'Oreal released a new product - Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution - I was intrigued. Today, I'll be comparing both products to see if the L'Oreal version really can stand up to Bioderma's stellar reputation.

To start off, we all know how wonderful Bioderma's product is. If you'd like to see my in-depth review, it's available here. Basically, Bioderma H2O - both the Sensibo and Sebium versions (made for sensitive and oily skin, respectively) - are excellent at what they claim to do.

L'Oreal's Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution is meant to be more of a dupe for the Sensibo version of Bioderma, one for sensitive skin. However, I've used both micellar solutions from Bioderma, and they're definitely not drastically different. So, I think it's fair to compare L'Oreal's version for sensitive skin with Bioderma's version for oily skin.

Bioderma H20 works excellently as a makeup remover, even on stubborn makeup. It's also great for quick cleansing when you don't have time for a gel or foam cleanser, but don't want to use a harsh toner. It feels like water on your skin, and it's very light, fresh, and gentle. It's a great option to use as a makeup remover because you're not getting the heavy additives, large amounts of oil, parabens, and drying ingredients that can sometimes be found in other removers.

I've been using Bioderma's version for over 8 months, and I've been consistently impressed. That said, I just had to give L'Oreal's version a shot, as it's much more readily available and $12 cheaper. But, it definitely had to perform well to even be close to Bioderma in my mind - and I wasn't prepared to pay less if that meant less quality.

L'Oreal Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution

Right off the bat, L'Oreal has many things going for it. It's more readily available across North America, and it has a significantly lower cost than Bioderma. Still, the formula had to measure up as well! It's designed for dry or sensitive skin, and it's meant to remove makeup and soothe skin, with no rubbing or rinsing. Just like Bioderma's version, it's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, a must for many people. I have to say how impressed I am with this product! After swapping it with Bioderma for just a week, I didn't even notice a change. It has the same light, water-like consistency, and it works extremely well at removing makeup when applied to a cotton round. It takes off everything, from mascara to heavy foundation. And just as it promises, it's non-irritating, fresh, and soothing.

In my honest opinion, there is very little difference between Bioderma's micellar solution and L'Oreal's new offering. Both are excellent at removing makeup without irritating or hurting skin. Both are excellent at cleansing skin quickly in a pinch. The only real difference I noticed was that L'Oreal's version has significantly fewer ingredients than Bioderma H2O, which leads me to believe that it's possibly even more pure and less drying. In my experience with skincare products, less ingredients usually means less preservatives and additives.

I highly recommend both products, as they've both worked extremely well and did exactly what they claimed to do. I think I'll buy L'Oreal's version more often from now on, just because it's nearly identical to Bioderma's version, but way easier to find! If you haven't been able to get your hands on Bioderma H2O, definitely check out the L'Oreal micellar solution.

In conclusion, I really believe that L'Oreal's version can be a great dupe for the beloved Bioderma classic.

Which product will you opt for? Let me know in the comments!

Quick Tutorial: How to Get Cate Blanchett's Oscar Makeup With Drugstore Products!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:32:00 +0000

While everyone looked stunning at the Oscars last Sunday, I was especially struck by Cate Blanchett's gorgeous hair, makeup, and outfit. Not only was the Oscar-winner's makeup look glamorous, it's actually quite universally flattering and easy to create at home. To me, this look is all about celebrating pretty, romantic, and feminine beauty. It features soft pinks and neutrals that so many people can wear beautifully. Today I'll be sharing my steps to get her look using only drugstore products. You definitely don't have to be a celebrity to pull this off and look fabulous!

Face:
1. To get Cate's feminine, radiant look, you'll need to start out with good skincare. Moisturise with any hydrating cream, and then follow with a perfecting product, like L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate - it'll help to resurface, minimize pores, and smooth skin while giving you a pretty opalescent glow.
2. Prime for perfection! Grab a product like L'Oreal's Magic Perfecting Base and apply a thin layer for a flawless canvas.
3. For foundation, you don't want anything too heavy or overwhelming. Cate has a gorgeous glow, so mix Revlon's Skinlights Face Illuminator in Pink Light with a flattering foundation base - I used Covergirl's Outlast Stay Fabulous because it glides over flaws and conceals imperfections without looking cakey. The addition of the illuminator will make sure your foundation looks natural and radiant.
4. Dust a little illuminating peach blush onto the apples of your cheeks for a healthy flush - I love Quo Minerals Matter Blush in Peach Blossom. This will give the perfect amount of colour and glow without appearing obvious. Contour the cheekbones extremely lightly with a grey-toned, subtle powder - Nyx's blush in Taupe is ideal. Make sure that the contour is well blended and never appears harsh.
5. Add extra radiance with Elf's Baked Highlighter - apply very lightly to the tops of the cheekbones and down the centre of your nose.
6. For a finishing touch, lightly dust a finely milled pressed powder over the t-zone. Elf's Tone Correcting Powder never fails me.

Eyes:
1. Cate's eye look is simple, yet warm and glowing. Pick up an eyeshadow quad like L'Oreal's Colour Riche Eye Shadow in Because I'm Worth It. Apply the shimmering light pink all over your lid, and then add in the sparkly bronze colour towards the outer corner. Blend out Nyx's blush in Taupe (same product used for contouring) in the crease for a more defined eye. You can also run this colour underneath the lashline as a subtle eyeliner.
2. Apply the warm pink shade along the inner corner of the eye to brighten and add a feminine touch.
3. Line your lower waterline with a nude eyeliner, like Rimmel's Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Nude. This is such an easy way to make your eyes appear brighter, bigger, and more open.
4. For a more intense look, lightly smudge a thin line of brown eyeliner, such as Nyx's Retractable Eyeliner in Brown, along your top lashline. This will help to create the illusion of thicker eyelashes, while defining the eye.
5. Curl your eyelashes and then apply several coats of L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara - it'll give you crazy length, plenty of volume, and no clumps.
6. Lightly fill in your eyebrows with Elf's Studio Eyebrow Kit. If you already have lighter eyebrows, consider using a paler colour, like Ash, to match Cate's natural-looking arches. No matter what, keep the eyebrow look fresh and subtle, and don't forget to go in with a spooly afterwards to blend the colour out.

Lips:
1. Start with a moisturising lip balm or lip butter. Nivea's Lip Butter works well, as it's extremely hydrating. Apply, wait a few minutes, and then blot off any excess balm with a tissue.
2. Cate's lip colour is a pretty pink nude; it's gorgeous and feminine, while still subtle and natural. L'Oreal Extraordinaire by Colour Riche Lip Colour in Nude Ballet is a near perfect match to Cate. Best of all, it looks amazing on your lips, stays on, and hydrates well. I can't think of a better lip product for this romantic look!

I hope you guys enjoyed this quick tutorial on how to create Cate Blanchett's red carpet makeup. Feel free to leave me a comment letting me know who's Oscar look you liked best!

The List: BB & CC Creams for Every Skin Type!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:36:00 +0000

After trying countless BB and CC creams over the years, I've found what works. I'm also a firm believer that you can use these skincare/makeup powerhouses, no matter what your skin type. I've tried different formulas when my skin has been extremely oily, pretty normal, combination, and desert dry. Today I'm bringing you a list of the top 4 BB and CC creams for every skin concern. (Bonus? I picked up all of them at my local drugstore.)

We all have different skin types, therefore we all want different things from our makeup. That said, there's a lot we have in common; who doesn't want a quick, easy-to-apply base with added skincare benefits? With all of the BB and CC creams on the market today, there really is something for everyone - you just have to find it. Here are my top picks for each skin type.

1. Dry Skin:
I chose Maybelline's Dream Fresh 8-In-1 Beauty Balm with SPF 30. While this has been called out for its lack of coverage, I still think it's a wonderful BB cream pick. It does, in fact, have some coverage; it's just very light, fresh, and natural. It's perfect for dry skin because of the thin, slightly watery consistency - it's moisturising and won't cling to any dry patches. Plus, this works beautifully over a day cream for times when you need an extra boost of hydration. This only takes seconds to apply, but it creates a your-skin-but-better look that can really help brighten, even skin tone, and hide imperfections. It leaves a dewy (not greasy) finish. Not only does Dream Fresh BB Cream contain skin-protecting SPF, it's also free of oils and harsh ingredients. That's a must for dry skin, which can be extra sensitive and prone to irritation. When my face had been peeling and patchy with dryness and I couldn't even think about using foundation, this saved the day. The smooth texture glides over any problem areas. If you have severe redness, blemishes, or acne scarring, apply a little concealer over the BB cream for a perfected look.
Available: At drugstore and department stores across North America.
Shade Range: Currently, 5 shades are available. While that's not a huge selection, it's fairly easy to find something that works for your skintone as the coverage is light and natural.

2. Normal Skin:
My pick for normal skin is Stila's Stay All Day 10-in-1 Beauty Balm. You really can't beat a multi-tasker like this. This product has a thin consistency and applies really easily, allowing for a quick application in the morning before school or work. It leaves a soft, powder-like finish once it's set. The formula helps to perfect already good skin, by addressing common issues: it helps to reduce pore size, balance oil, control blemishes, and reduce wrinkle depth and appearance. Stila's Beauty Balm also features a complex that aids in reducing redness and irritation, so this should be easy on more sensitive skin. Just like the Maybelline cream, it's oil and paraben free, too. If your skin is already pretty balanced and normal, this should be great for perfecting it while keeping a natural, fresh look. Coverage is fairly minimal, so you'll need concealer to cover any major skin issues. That said, I definitely notice a difference when I apply this - and the skincare benefits make it a must-have.
Available: Directly from Stila, or at stores such as Sephora, Ulta, or Shopper's Drug Mart.
Shade Range: Unfortunately, this only comes in one shade. That said, it's extremely adaptable and the light/medium colour will work for many skin tones. However, those with very pale or dark skin may have issues with the product. That's probably the biggest downside of an otherwise wonderful base.

3. Combination Skin:
For those with combination skin, I chose Gosh CC Cream Illuminating Foundation. Don't let the confusing name fool you! You're probably thinking: So, is this a CC cream or a foundation? And illuminating - doesn't that mean oily, dewy, or glittery? In this case, I don't care what they call it - this product is my HG base. It's absolutely not greasy (it's actually oil-free and has a fairly thin, yet slightly creamy consistency) and I promise you that it's free of glitter or sparkles. The 'illuminating' aspect probably comes in with the way that it brightens your skin beautifully (it contains light-reflecting pigments), while being hydrating enough to use over dry patches, yet matte enough for oilier days. The wear-time is impressive (I get nearly 8 hours set with powder) and the coverage is awesome. I'd still call it light, but it's definitely buildable to medium and provides more coverage than a typical North American BB or CC cream. That's perfect, because those with oily patches often deal with issues like blemishes and acne scars, which can be difficult to cover with other bases sometimes. You'll probably still need a little concealer, but I can apply this with my fingers in under a minute and be good to go if I'm in a rush. It also contains SPF 10 for sun protection.
Available: Directly from Gosh, at Superdrug or Shopper's Drug Mart.
Shade Range: I'm so impressed! While this only comes in four different colours, each one is unique and adaptable. Also, their shade "Porcelain (01)" is much, much lighter than the palest shade in most ranges for BB and CC creams; if you've been having trouble finding something light enough, this might be just what you've been looking for.

4. Oily Skin:
What's better than a BB cream designed specifically for your skin type? If oiliness has made it difficult for you to wear BB or CC creams in the past (too dewy/moisturising, not enough coverage), Garnier's Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination to Oily Skin might be just what you're looking for. The consistency of this product is quite thin, and it has more of a gel feel - it's definitely not rich or creamy. That allows it to provide flattering, lightly hydrating coverage that works well on skin with blemishes or acne scars. The best part? This is the most pigmented BB cream I've ever tried - it's just as easy to apply and blend out as others, but you're left with buildable medium coverage that easily conceals redness and acne. Because the product is a BB cream, not a foundation, it looks much more natural and less heavy than typical bases designed for oily skin. It has an impressive wear time and doesn't fade throughout the day, even in high heat. It also helps to control oil, minimize pore size, and even skin tone. This is truly a miracle for product for those with super oily skin who still want to be able to grab something quickly, apply it within a couple minutes, and get a few added skincare benefits too.
Available: At drugstore and department stores across North America.
Shade Range: The BB Cream comes in two universal shades, light/medium and medium/dark. While having just two shades isn't ideal, most people will be able to make one work - it's those with very pale or dark skin who might have trouble getting a match. In that case, I'd recommend mixing in a lighter or darker BB cream to adjust the colour. With a formula as great as this one, it's worth it.

Hopefully you guys enjoyed this post and got a few ideas about new BB or CC creams to try! I know it can be discouraging when you're trying to find the right formula for your skin type, especially when you have to worry about getting a shade match on top of that. Look for formulas that are targeted specifically for your skin type, and keep checking back for new shade options - many brands will expand their shade range once they know that the product is selling.

The Solution: How to Get Healthy, Long, Shiny Hair - With Stuff You Already Own!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:46:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'm going to be talking about haircare. In the winter, hair can feel brittle and dry, and look frizzy and dull. The cold temperatures outside certainly aren't helping, but when you go inside your hair has to deal with the dry heat and lack of moisture caused by furnaces and heating systems in homes and buildings. Other than running out and buying ten humidifiers, what can you do?

Well, there's a solution that involves using items you already own! That's right, no need to pick up ten new products. It's actually easy to mix up a hair mask that fights dryness and helps your hair shine. Hair products are great, and they often work well, but sometimes you need an added boost on top of a good haircare routine. All you need for this is some stuff from your kitchen, and you're set to go. Read on to find out how to make a rich mask that will transform your hair - and how and when to use it.

Firstly, you'll need a mixer. This will help make sure that your ingredients are blended smoothly and evenly. For this step, you can use a regular household blender, a Magic Bullet, a Nutri-Bullet, as I've used, or any other mixer you own.

Next, you'll need the following ingredients:

A large egg
Pure, natural honey
Oil (you can use avocado, as I did, olive oil, or any other oil you'd like)
Coconut butter or oil
An anti-damage hair mask from the store (this is completely optional)

Don't worry about the amounts you use - just pour in what looks reasonable. If you make too much, you can always save the rest of the mask for next time. It's not about being scientific, it's just about getting the ingredients in there! As for the anti-damage mask, I used one from L'Oreal Evercreme. This ingredient is optional; I just use it to help give the mask a texture and consistency that's easy to work with. If you own a regular, store-bought hair mask, throw it in. If not, no big deal!

This is what the mask looks like so far - I've simply added a couple of tablespoons of the L'Oreal Evercreme mask, along with an egg. Again, don't worry about amounts; simply use what looks right to you.

Here's what the mask looked like before I blended it! All the ingredients are in there. Make sure that you stir the mask with a spoon after adding the coconut oil or butter, as the texture of it is hard and it can stick to the bottom of the container if you're not careful. Stirring will make sure that it's blended in with the rest of the ingredients for the mask. Simply turn on your mixer and blend for about 30 seconds!

When your mask is finished in the mixer, it should have a smooth, creamy consistency. I used a spatula to transfer the mixture from my Nutri-Bullet to this bowl; it ensures that you waste as little of the mask as possible.

Make sure your hair is dry to start out. Next, lean over the sink or tub (just in case it drips!) to apply your mask. Focus the mixture on the ends, and then work your way up. Then take a hair clip and pin up your hair, before covering it with a shower cap. This will make sure that the mask doesn't drip and that your hair can absorb the nutrients. Now, it's time for the waiting game! Leave the mask on for around 2 hours, before washing it out in the shower and starting your regular haircare routine. It's sure to give your hair a boost of shine, and decrease frizz and dryness.

Have fun making your masks! If you've tried a DIY hair mask before, let me know which ingredients you used.

This post, as well as all of my others, is available on Bloglovin.

The Review: Cream Contour Products from the Drugstore (All Under $20)!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 19:08:00 +0000

Today I'll be reviewing two products for cream contouring that I picked up at the drugstore. I know how difficult it can be to find products to contour with at affordable prices, as not much is available from traditional drugstore brands. I did, however, manage to find something for both contouring and highlighting. Let's test these out and see how they work!

I wanted to find a cream product that I could use to contour my face. It had to be matte, easily blendable, slightly ashy (to resemble the grey tint of a shadow on the face), and of course, available at a drugstore. I was so excited when I found Milani's Cream to Powder Foundation.

Milani Cream-to-Powder Makeup in Spiced Almond (02)

This is a cream foundation product that blends out easily and sets with a powder-like finish. The colour is dark enough for many skintones to contour with, yet it's not overwhelming on my pale NC20 skin. I simply apply this with my RealTechniques contour brush, and it works perfectly. The texture is incredible; creamy and soft, but never heavy or greasy, as the product is oil-free. It's quite light, but still provides a nice medium coverage. That's ideal for contouring, as you don't necessarily want anything too full coverage or thick when you plan on blending it out for a natural finish. This also works just as well with a beauty blender or makeup sponge. I'm so impressed! This definitely compares to high-end cream contouring products, but it's available from Milani for around $10.

L'Oreal La Touche Magique Concealer in Ivory Beige

For my highlighting shade, I opted for this concealer from L'Oreal. When you have pale skin, it's usually hard enough to find a drugstore foundation shade that's light enough for you - let alone one a few shades lighter! Luckily, Touche Magique in the shade Ivory Beige works nicely. This colour is yellow-based, but if your skin is cooler there is also a pale pink-based shade as well - there's lots of choices. To apply, I simply click up the pen and brush on directly to my skin, where I want to add brightness. Many people have compared Touche Magique to YSL's Touche Eclat, but that's really an unfair comparison. Touche Magique has much more coverage and is heavier, while Touche Eclat provides a natural-looking, barely there coverage. Touche Magique really works in place of a foundation, while Touche Eclat simply adds luminescence. The texture of Touche Magique is thicker without being heavy; it really shows up on skin, but blends out well too. It's great to use as a lighter colour where you want to attract attention: your forehead, down your nose, cheekbones, chin, etc. It's definitely a staple for me, and a good replacement for high end products. It'll only cost you about $10.

I hope you guys enjoyed my quick review of these two drugstore highlighting/contouring products! There are so many uses for drugstore products, even when they're not marketed that way. When you're resourceful, it's easy to save money and achieve the same look.

The List: Top 5 Elf Products Worth Buying!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:30:00 +0000

Elf is a makeup brand that offers many products (such as eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, etc.) for 1, 2, or 3 dollars. Every single one of their products is super-affordable, as even the foundations come in around $6. While some people swear by the brand, others say that you get the quality you pay for. Personally, I think that the truth is somewhere in the middle. Ultimately, while some products flop (all brands release less-than-perfect items sometimes), many products shine. In fact, some are even comparable or better than high end selections. Today I'm bringing you 5 Elf products that work well, are affordable, and are definitely worth buying. I'll also get into how to get the best deals that the brand has to offer.

The first trick to scoring an amazing deal at Elf is knowing what to look for. Do your research, and check out reviews of every product you plan on buying. While the reviews on Elf's site are usually reliable, I always make sure to take a look at what people on beauty blogs are saying, too.

Next, make sure that you read the ingredients, listed on Elf's site, before you buy. Some of their products do contain parabens or mineral oils, so make sure you avoid those if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Keep in mind, though, that many of their products contain no harmful ingredients whatsoever. It's just important to check before you make the purchase.

If there's a product with three or four shades you'd love to try, start out by ordering just one first. If you like the product, you can always come back and purchase the other shades at a later time. It'll save you the pain of owning 5 lipsticks you're not happy with.

Elf is a good company, and you'll rarely see a product that simply lacks quality. If a product flops, it's usually because it lacks pigment or contains too much glitter or sparkle. That said, those things are subjective. What one person doesn't like might be perfect for someone else. Even if I don't particularly like a product I've ordered from Elf, I can nearly always find a way to get use out of it. So if it comes down to it, simply take the risk and order the product you're interested in - chances are, even if you hate it, you'll be out less than 10 bucks.

There really are some shining stars in Elf's product range. If you can find them, you'll likely end up with makeup staples in your collection that you'll use for years to come. Don't be afraid to test out some Elf products, as it's really the only way you'll be able to see what truly works for you. When you find the perfect blush for $3, it's totally worth it.

Now, I'm bringing you 5 Elf products that have worked for me and are definitely worth a purchase. While everyone is different and looking for different things, I feel that these are universally flattering.

Elf Essential Lip Balm Tint in Nude ($2)

This moisturising balm comes in several pretty shades, which all provide a wash of colour along with a boost of hydration. You can't go wrong with these, as the colour applies evenly, and even the darkest shades sheer out nicely on lips. I love the colour Nude for a my-lips-but-better look. Just pop one of these in your purse and you're good to go all day. They smell like vanilla, they're not greasy, thick, or messy, and they look beautifully natural. A winner all around!

Elf Studio Eyebrow Lifer and Filler in Ivory/Dark ($3)

You've probably seen dual-ended eyebrow pencils a million times before - Nyx has a popular one, and many other brands have offerings as well. While Elf's version doesn't revolutionize the concept, it's still a great product that does what its supposed to. The darker side, meant to fill in brows, is a jumbo-sized pencil with a waxy consistency that does a good job at keeping brows in place. While I wouldn't recommend this for precision work, it's great when you're in a rush and need to darken or thicken your brows quickly. Because of the pencil's large size, it works fast. The ivory-coloured side is the same thickness, making it easy to highlight your brow in one convenient swipe. The pinky-cream colour is great at providing a brightening effect.

Elf Studio Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls ($3)

I'm in love with this product! In fact, I find myself reaching for this instead of the highlighter in my Nars Guy Bourdin palette, because it's so conveniently packaged. This baked highlighter is great to take in your makeup bag or pop in your purse for travel. It's pigmented without being overwhelming, and it provides a warm glow without leaving your face glittery or sparkly. This is beautiful when swiped on cheekbones or across the forehead. It's just as nice as so many high end options.

Elf Studio Glossy Gloss in Ballet Slippers ($3)

Elf really did a good job with the formulation of their Glossy Gloss. It's not tacky, sticky, thick, or heavy. It has an impressive wear time for a lip gloss, and provides a smooth, even shine. As a lover of nude lip products, this pretty gloss is one of my favourites and beats many high end and drugstore brands which cost way more. This comes in several shades, so there's something for everyone. At $3, I really don't think you can pass this up.

Elf Studio Tone Correcting Powder in Warm ($3)

As you can see, I've hit major pan on this one - and I've already repurchased so many times! Elf's Tone Correcting Powder is truly wonderful. It was actually released before all of the CC powders came on the market, but it aims to achieve a similar goal - colour correction by use of several balancing tones. The powder comes in two shades, Warm and Cool. The warm one contains blue, yellow, peach, and brown to balance and neutralize redness and sallowness to create a more even complexion. When I swirl my brush in all four shades before applying over foundation, I really see a difference. Not only is this a finely milled, smooth and flattering powder, it corrects any minor flaws you may have forgotten to conceal. On minimum makeup days, I'll wear this over concealer and be done! While it doesn't have a lot of coverage, it really does help to balance your skintone. When I order from Elf, I buy these in bulk (two or three at a time).

I hope you guys enjoyed my tips and tricks for shopping at Elf, as well as my favourite product selections. There really are some great deals to be found from the brand, so keep looking to find what works for you. Let me know which Elf products you've tried and loved!

The Solution: How to Hide Dark Circles, Discolouration, and Bags!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 17:32:00 +0000

First off, I'd just like to apologize for not getting a review up on Wednesday - I really wasn't feeling well. Thankfully, I'm all better now, and I'm bringing you a brand new post on how to cover undereye circles and bags!

We've all been there; it's an important day and you wake up with puffy eyes and purple and blue discolouration. Tired-looking eyes often create a fatigued look all over the face, and can make your skin appear dull and sallow. However, don't panic! There are tons of ways to hide dark circles, brighten your eyes, and enhance your overall complexion.

When you wake up in the morning looking like you got no sleep, you need something that works quickly and easily, without being heavy, thick, or obvious. Here are my steps to banishing eye bags forever!

Firstly, be prepared. Keep a metal spoon in the freezer for times like these! Just grab the spoon and place it underneath your eye, moving it around like an eye roller. The cool temperature and smooth texture of the metal will soon calm any puffiness down. There's no need to apply a product to do this - a cool spoon works perfectly. Besides, it allows you to use less product for a more natural look. If you're unprepared and don't have a spoon waiting, you can always use a small pack of frozen peas in a pinch.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque

One of the most important things you can do is to correct the blue, purple, and grey tones underneath a tired eye. If you simply apply concealer, it can look ashy. The pink colour of Bobbi Brown's Light Bisque will counteract any dark blue or purple, while brightening the undereye area. Use this product sparingly, as a little goes a long way! Simply apply this (with your fingers) directly where you see discolouration, and along the line of your undereye bags.

Revlon Age Defying Targeted Dark Spot Concealer Treatment in Fair

This concealer is perfect for applying on top of the corrector. It has a thin consistency, so it never looks heavy or cakey underneath your eye. The formula is incredibly easy to blend out as well. For this step, I usually apply with my fingers in a triangle shape underneath my eye, and then take a Beauty Blender or makeup sponge to blend. The best thing about this concealer is that it provides quite a bit of coverage, while actually helping to face discolouration over time. I love using this under my eyes because it feels so light, but packs a lot of punch coverage-wise.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Light

This step is optional, and only necessary on days when you really need some added coverage. I'll apply this with my fingers in the same triangle shape as the Age Defying concealer, and then blend out with a sponge. Although this is a bit thicker in consistency, it's still not overly heavy and can be blended out to quite a natural finish. That said, it provides the kind of coverage that you need on days when your dark circles are taking over your face.

From top to bottom: YSL's Touche Eclat in 01,

L'Oreal Magic Lumi concealer in Fair

This is my final concealing step. By now, you've covered all of your discolouration and darkness. I use either Touche Eclat or Magic Lumi to highlight and brighten my eyes. These don't provide very much coverage, so I simply use them after I've concealed to add a finishing touch. There's not very much difference between the two products - both have a thin consistency and a peachy colour similar to Bobbi Brown's Corrector. To add some light to my eyes, I simply dot this on wherever I still see darkness and blend out gently with my finger. This creates a natural, fresh look.

Elf's Baked Eyeshadow in Moonlight Serenade

If you really want to brighten your eyes and remove all signs of fatigue, there's nothing better than a white or cream shadow on the inner corner of your eye. After you've concealed, take a small shadow brush and apply this along the inner third of your lashline and into your inner corner, taking it all the way up onto the first part of your lid. You can use any light shadow for this, and something with a shimmer or satin finish will really catch the light and help to brighten. I've selected Elf's Baked Eyeshadow because it works just as well as any high end shadow I've used for this job, and it's affordable and easy to access (you don't have to buy an entire palette to get it!). Another favourite of mine when highlighting my inner corner is Urban Decay's Virgin.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post on battling dark circles and discolouration! It may seem complicated at first, but it makes a huge difference and can really change your entire appearance. No one ever has to know how late you were out last night!

The List: Top 5 Products From My Drugstore Haul! (First Impressions)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 19:18:00 +0000

As you'll know if you follow me on Instagram, I went on another drugstore shopping spree this weekend, and I picked up a few exciting products. I've had the chance to test them all, and I'm bringing you my thoughts on the top 5!

Let's get right into the first impressions and mini-reviews!

Essence Match 2 Cover Cream Concealer

This double concealer mini-palette will only cost you around $3, but you'll soon forget that once you test it out! The quality of this product is amazing for the price. It features two concealers, a creamy medium beige on the left, and a light porcelain ivory on the right. Essence says that the concealers can be used on their own, or mixed together to create the perfect colour. Unfortunately for some, Match 2 Cover only comes in one shade selection - so if these colours don't look like something that would work for you, you're out of luck. However, if you think that these would be a good match for you, I'd definitely pick up the product. The concealer is creamy, provides decent medium coverage, and works well under the eyes or on hyper-pigmentation. The best thing about the product? You get two different shades, which you can mix and match or use on different areas (I use the light under my eyes and the darker one on blemishes), and you just can't beat the price. Overall, this is similar in quality to many high end concealers that I've tried.

L'Oreal Extraordinaire by Colour Riche Lip Colour in Nude Ballet

I only have one important thing to say about this product: it's heaven. This is by far the best lip product I've ever purchased from the drugstore. The product is similar to Maybelline's Color Elixirs, whereas it's a lipgloss with the pigment of a lipstick and the hydration of a balm. This is the perfect consistency, not too heavy or thick, but not thin and slippery. It's creamy without being gloopy or sticky. In fact, this just glides on to your lips like butter. The product is pigmented without being overwhelming; I think almost everyone would be happy with the amount of colour it provides. L'Oreal says that it's infused with micro-oils for hydration, and I believe them. You can feel how soft and moisturising this lip colour is - in fact, it's better at keeping my lips hydrated than some thick balms I've tried. The applicator makes sure that the colour is applied evenly, and the formula is absolutely divine. I also thought that this had an excellent wear time for a lipgloss as well. Go. Get. This. Now. You need it in your life.

Physician's Formula Super CC Pressed Powder in Light/Medium

How cute is this packaging? As part of Physician's Formula's new Super CC line, they released a pressed powder which contains colour correcting pigments. As a fan of BB and CC creams, and the naturally flawless look that colour correction can provide, I had to try this out. Long story short, I love it! Firstly, it contains no parabens or harmful ingredients. And it's finely milled, easy to apply, and incredibly smooth. After applying this with a dense kabuki brush (which I recommend as opposed to the brush that comes with the powder), I noticed that my pores looked smaller, and my skin appeared to have a perfected, airbrushed-like surface. While I don't believe that there's really enough coloured pigments in the powder to truly 'colour correct', I think it's one of the nicest powders I've used in a long time - better than many high end ones. And hey, even a little bit of colour correction helps!

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

You're probably familiar with the Revlon Lip Butters - they're likely single-handedly responsible for the 'natural shine and tint of colour' lip trend that's still going on. I'm happy to jump on the bandwagon because these are amazing! While I already own many of these hydrating, soft lip butters, I had to purchase the new shade, Juicy Papaya. It's a coral-peach that will complement nearly all warm skintones - and it's beautiful. Even if this shade doesn't catch your eye, I'd recommend checking out the multitude of other shades this product comes in. It's easy to apply on the go, gives just the perfect amount of colour, and always looks fresh and pretty. Plus, you can grab these on sale sometimes for as little as $5 - such a bargain.

Stila Stay All Day 10-In-1 HD Beauty Balm

Wait, Stila? Isn't that high end? I know, I know - Stila isn't technically a drugstore brand. But since it's available for purchase at so many drugstores (I got mine at Shopper's Drug Mart), I figured it'd be okay to include it in this haul. Stila says that this all-in-one beauty balm will perfect skin, minimize the appearance and depth of fine lines and wrinkles, control blemishes and oil, and smooth and brighten. The brand recommends wearing this on it's own or under makeup as a primer. Because this only comes in one universal light/medium shade, which is a bit too dark for me, I wear it under foundation or CC cream to help get the right colour match for my skintone. Since trying this out, I really really like it. While I obviously can't see any long-term skincare benefits yet, I love how it evens my skin and keeps oil at bay. The texture is creamy without being greasy, and it glides on beautifully. If this matched my skin, I'd absolutely love to wear it as my BB cream, as it provides natural, fresh coverage. I'll be using this as a primer under makeup for a long time to come!

I hope that you guys enjoyed this post of some of my latest drugstore picks. While I couldn't include everything from the haul in this post, I'll be talking about the other products that I purchased very soon.

The Solution: How to Celebrate Valentine's Day (Beauty Products, Nail Stuff, and More)!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:21:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is finally here! Even though I've always been single on February 14th, I look forward to it every year. It's the only holiday that celebrates pink, my absolute favourite colour! But you don't have to be obsessed with Valentine's Day in order to enjoy it. In this special festive post, I'll be showing you fun ways to incorporate the holiday into your day, from beauty products to recipes - and more! Whether you're in a relationship or not, why not take today to appreciate everyone and everything that you love? A holiday about being grateful and thankful is definitely a day to celebrate.

First off, let's start off with some beauty products that are perfectly festive!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Pango Peach

Apply this alone, or over any other lip colour for a gorgeous pop of pink! Nothing says Valentine's Day like a wearable girly lip look. Applying festive products like this on holidays always puts me in a good mood!

Pink's Sunny & Happy Sparkling Body Mist

Shimmer and shine (and smell amazing!) with this flirty body mist from Pink. It's subtle, but the sweet fragrance is still noticeable and perfect for celebrating. Plus, the bottle is so adorable.

Michael Kors Watch

Throw on your favourite, most feminine piece of jewellery to complete your look today. What's better for a holiday that celebrates pink than a rose gold watch? This Michael Kors one is my girly (yet chic) staple.

EOS Limited Edition Set for Breast Cancer

This limited edition EOS set has been released just in time for Valentine's Day! Wear either gorgeous flavour (Fresh Watermelon or Strawberry Sorbet) for a festive look. The packaging for this set is absolutely adorable - and why resist the temptation to buy when your purchase helps raise funds for breast cancer? It's cute for a cause.

Revlon Graffiti Top Coat 678

When I saw this nail polish in the store, it just screamed Valentine's Day! The red and white glitter looks amazing over a light polish or on its own. Super girly, super romantic.

Remember: it's not all about beauty! There are so many ways to celebrate today without going overboard on the makeup front. Try something cute and unexpected! Here are my ideas:

Bic Velocity Pens in Purple and Pink

It's not all about the beauty products! You can celebrate today by having fun with your normal routine, and that includes bringing these adorable pens to school or work. I bought these just for Valentine's Day because the colours were so pretty and festive.

Valentine's Day Themed Gel Nails

Go for a manicure! Getting your nails done is such a great way to pamper yourself, especially when you make it a trip by going with friends. I got gel nails in pretty, feminine patterns that reminded me of my favourite things about Valentine's Day - and I topped it all off with a romantic rose design for a statement nail!

Cherry Chip Valentine's Day Cupcakes

Gluten-Free, Vegan Donuts (Mint Chocolate Chip,

Double Chocolate, and Pink Vanilla Sprinkle)

Get baking! I enlisted the help of my mom to create and decorate some adorable sweets for Valentine's Day. We created some cherry chip cupcakes with red sprinkles and vanilla icing to bring in to her coworkers. And for our family (my mom and I are both vegan) we made some delicious dairy-free donuts! To create these, I simply followed a vegan pancake recipe, and then added vegan chocolate and mint flavour (for mint chocolate chip), vegan hot chocolate mix, vegan chocolate, and french vanilla coffee (for double chocolate) and Wilton icing colour concentrate in Rose and vanilla flavour (for the pink sprinkle ones). Then I popped them in our donut maker and within a few minutes, we had a Valentine's Day worthy dessert!

Red Rose and Valentine's Balloon

Here's a little snapshot of some of the beautiful gifts I received today from my amazing friends and family - flower bouquets, balloons, sweets and treats, and more. I'm so lucky!

No matter what you guys are doing this Valentine's Day, I hope you're having an amazing time. Make sure to take a few minutes out of the day and celebrate the people you love and are thankful for. Send your friends a quick text to tell them what they mean to you, or leave a note on someone's desk with a sweet message. And don't forget to enjoy a few treats as well!

The Review: L'Oreal Revitalift Oil Free Miracle Blur Skin Smoother!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:26:00 +0000

Next to no one has perfect skin. I certainly don't - so when I come across a product that promises to blur the appearance of pores and fine lines, even skintone, and create a smooth surface, I'm all in. I absolutely had to test out this beauty blogger favourite that's often raved about.

So, what exactly is it? When should you apply it? Does it deliver on the product's claims? I was on a mission to find out.
Products like this instantly entice me, as I love anything that combines makeup and skincare. It's part of the Revitalift lineup, which includes the original Miracle Blur formula, Moisture Blur, a skin-smoothing moisturiser, and as of spring 2014, the Miracle Blur Instant Eye Smoother.

We'd all love to find the perfect product that blurs our flaws, so could this be it? While all of the Miracle Blur products seemed interesting, I was drawn to this one because of the claims. Not only is the formula oil-free (a must for combo skin girls like me!), it's meant to blur the appearance of wrinkles, pores and fine lines while evening skin tone, instantly smoothing, and creating a more youthful look. I'm not terribly concerned about its age-defying abilities, as I haven't developed any noticeable wrinkles yet. But I do have fine lines under my eyes, a less than even skintone, large pores, and skin that has a tendency to be rough. Basically, this is promising to tackle all of my beauty woes in one product!

L'Oreal Revitalift Oil Free Miracle Blur Skin Smoother (packaging)

L'Oreal recommends applying this after you've moisturised, and to wear it alone or under foundation (as a primer). That's a difference between this oil-free version and the original Miracle Blur formula, which was also marketed as a finishing cream that you could apply after makeup. However, I'm perfectly happy using this before foundation or on its own.

This combines the makeup aspect of primer with the skincare benefits of active ingredients. Oil-Free Miracle Blur contains Revitalift's Pro-Retinal A formula to help treat and minimize the appearance of fine lines and pores over time. I love the idea of something treating my problem immediately, while helping to lessen it in the future as well.

L'Oreal Revitalift Oil Free Miracle Blur Skin Smoother

After trying this out by itself and underneath foundation, I have some amazing news: it really works. The hype surrounding this product is completely justified. L'Oreal's Oil Free Miracle Blur really does deliver on its hefty claims!

The texture is quite thick and it has a silicone-y feel and gel consistency, similar to Benefit's Porefessional or a Smashbox primer. The product dispenses by squeezing the bottle, which makes application sanitary and safe. Its completely clear in colour, and disappears into your skin upon smoothing it in. Despite the thick, heavy consistency, it applies with no problems and is instantly absorbed, giving a smooth, fresh finish. My face felt baby-soft after applying this; I really can't think of any other product that smooths skin as well. Being oil-free, this product will mattify and leave behind no traces of shine. That said, I didn't think it was drying at all.

L'Oreal Revitalift Oil Free Miracle Blur Skin Smoother (swatched)

As soon as I applied this to my skin, I noticed a difference. Starting from the obvious, instant smoothing effect that takes care of any unevenness or rough patches, this thing just kept on going. It blurred my large pores in my t-zone so that they were nearly invisible, a feat many pore-minimizing primers have yet to accomplish. My skintone looked more even and refined - redness and small blemishes were less noticeable. And the fine lines under my eyes seemed to have faded.

When worn as a primer under foundation, L'Oreal's Oil Free Miracle Blur performs extremely well. The smooth surface that it creates provides a great base for foundation, concealer, and powder. If you ever forget to exfoliate, simply apply a bit of this and it should take care of any roughness. My undereye concealer applied noticeably better - it didn't settle into fine lines, and seemed to effortless blend into my skin. And my pores stayed hidden underneath the Miracle Blur, even after foundation had been applied on top. Overall, my face looked almost airbrushed. Lines and pores were minimized, and my skin was perfectly even.

L'Oreal Revitalift Oil Free Miracle Blur Skin Smoother is available at most drugstores for $25 US/$30 CA. You get 1.18 ounces, more than the usual bottle of primer or skincare product. This reminds me of many high end primers that I've tried, especially the Smashbox ones - but I like this even more. I feel that nearly everyone can get use out of it, whether you apply it all over or just to a specific area, like underneath the eyes or throughout the t-zone. I'm so impressed with Oil-Free Miracle Blur, especially the product's smoothing and resurfacing abilities. As its not drying, I'd even recommend this (over a moisturiser) to those with dry or ageing skin.

This is sure to be a staple in my makeup kit in the months to come, as its a lovely multi-tasker that really is a one-step beauty fix. Have you tried any Revitalift products? Let me know what you think!