February 2014 "The Look of Love" Ipsy Review

For February, Ipsy brought us an assortment of products to achieve the look of love. My bag came complete with a cleanser to prep my skin, eye shadows to play up my green eyes, and flirty eyelashes to bat at my love. Once again Ipsy delivered an assortment of new brands and products for me to try, all in a convenient pink and leopard print makeup bag.

If you are interested in signing up for your own Ipsy bag, you can do so by clicking here. Each month, Ipsy will send you 5 full or sample size products in a cute fashion forward makeup bag; all for $10USD or $14.95CDN.

J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes in EL13

Value: $3.99
"Cause a ruckus as you bat your voluminous faux eyelashes! Take your pick from 30 styles that you won't be able to resist. Each includes an individual eyelash adhesive for endurance through a night on the town!"

These are the second pair of J.Cat lashes I have received through Ipsy. I gave the first pair to a friend and I might do the same with this pair. My eyelashes naturally look like falsies, so I don't really have a use for these. However, I do have a wedding next week, so I may use these then. 

Zoya Professional Lacquer in Dot

Value: $9.00
"Zoya nail polish in Dot can be best described as a full-coverage pink petal cream (originally released as Dot for fashion designer Zang Toi's SS14 Collection.)"

Of the two polishes available this month Dot wasn't my first choice, however, I am always happy to add another nail polish/Zoya to my collection. I found this polish to be somewhat sheer, with two coats being only slightly opaque. This polish is definitely going to be a 3 coater. The colour is very pretty, albeit somewhat boring, it is a very nice work appropriate pink polish. 

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

Value: $5.11
"Ideal for oily/combination or problem-prone skin, or anyone looking for an extra deep cleanse. Cleanses and detoxifies the skin. Unclogs and minimizes pores. Balances the skin and controls oil production."

I was so happy to receive this sample! I have been seeing/hearing great things about this brand on YouTube. Missglamorazzi raves about this line, so I cant wait to try it. I have been breaking out like crazy lately, and have had excess oil production out the wazoo! Although this cleanser is on the pricier side, if it works wonders I may consider purchasing it. 

POP Beauty Plump Pout in Peony Petal

Value: $7.53
"This plumping put perfector combines the high-shine of a lacquered gloss with the long wear of a stain, and is packed full of lip-plumping peptides and avocado & jojoba oils. Lightweight, creamy texture immediately merges with lips and delivers intense glossy colour for an extremely long-lasting finish."

I haven't loved the POP Beauty products I've received from Ipsy in the past, but I am totally digging this gloss! The muted rose colour is perfect for any day and will compliment any makeup look. The product applies smoothly and provides full colour coverage, that lasts all day. I don't get that painful plumping feeling which is nice, but my lips do look fuller. I am not a fan of the scent but it's something I can get over.

Jesse's Girl 9-Pan Palette in The Eyes Have It

Value: $3.99
"Nine coordinating eye shadows in a sleek plastic case."

This is my first experience with Jesse's Girl cosmetics, and I am neither wowed nor a I disappointed. Although this isn't my first choice colour selection wise, it's nice to add some variation to one's collection. The darker colours in this palette were more impressive than the lighter shades for sure. Overall though, the quality of these shadows are lacking compared to other drugstore alternatives. I will use this palette in conjunction with other shadows, however, I cant say I will be grabbing for this consistently over other shadows in my collection. 

L: Jesse's Girl Palette - Swatched L-R/ R: POP Lip Plumper

Beauty Blender & Mini Cleanser

Value: ????
"The Beauty Blender is the ultimate makeup sponge applicator that lets you look like a movie star without the pricey services of a makeup artist."

It's hard to put a value on this bonus, but I think it is totally worth 1000 Ipsy points. I could never allow myself to dole out the money or one of these, so it's great to try it out for free. I believe this is a mini blender, but I'm not thinking that will affect the results. I'm going to use this when I use my makeup for the wedding next week, and see what sort of results I get.

Total Bag Value: $29.62 w/o Beauty Blender

Although this isn't the highest value bag, I received 3 full size and 2 deluxe sample products. Again, Ipsy proves why they are the bomb dot com of the beauty box world. All of these products will last a long time and give me enough product to test whether I would really purchase the full size.

February Empties

So this post is a little late...but I guess better late than never! This month I was pretty successful in using up full size products. Next month I want to try and use up a bunch of samples that I still have kicking around.

eos Shave Cream in Vanilla Bliss
This shave cream is just OK. I don't find it moisturizing at all. I actually find that I need a lot of moisturizer after using this, because my legs are left so dry. It also clogs up the razor like crazy. The only thing I really like about this is the smell. Repurchase: No

St. Ives Apricot Cleanser
I bought this cleanser because I really like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. However, I didn't really like this. I feel that it really didn't clean my skin and it left a residue that made me want to wash my face all over again. The consistency was weird and I had to force myself to use it up. Repurchase: No

B. Kamins Bio-Maple Lip Balm
I really hated this lip balm. I found that the ultra thick consistency turned really liquidy on the lips and I was eating more of it then what was staying on my lips. The smell and taste were off-putting and I am happy this tube is finally finished. Repurchase: No

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles
So this product isn't actually empty. The packaging on this sucks, in my opinion, and broke when a quarter of the product left. I depotted it cause I didn't want to just throw that much product away. I do like this concealer but I feel like the colour is a bit to dark for me. It does a great job at concealing under eye circles and other blemishes. I wish it was packaged differently. Repurchase: Maybe

Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
This is my Holy Grail Top Coat! If  it was up to me I would only use this forever and ever but at its cost per mL my bank account wants me to find something cheaper. It leaves my nails super glossy and my mani's last at least a week. Repurchase: Yes

Korres White Tea Facial Cleanser
I found this cleanser to be very liquidy and non-foaming. I found I had to use double the amount of product because it kept slipping right through my fingers. I didn't overly love the smell and cleansing wise I wasn't wowed. A big step down considering how well the scrub worked. Repurchase: No.

Korres Pomegranate Scrub
I got this deluxe sample as part of a complete sample skincare set at Winners. I loved this scrub! The smell was amazing and so were the scrubby bits. It reminded me of the texture of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. It left my skin feeling ultra clean and smooth. Repurchase: Yes, if I could find it on sale.

TRESemme Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner
I don't normally gravitate towards Tresemme products but I really enjoyed these samples. My hair smelt great and I noticed less fly aways and frizz. Repurchase: Yes

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner
This product has always intrigued me but I wasn't wowed by these samples. They really left something to be desired. However, I want to try them again for a longer period of time because they are a hair therapy duo, so one use isn't going to show instant results. Repurchase: Maybe


Have you used any of these products before? If so, what are your thoughts on them?

What's in my Overnight Bag??

I've seen many different variations of this post but thought while packing my overnight bag that I should do my first "What's in my bag?" post. I slept over at my boyfriends last night so I packed extremely light. Normally I would pack more but seeing as I was just 10 minutes away from home I didn't think I needed that much.

Here is everything that I had in my toiletry bag. When I travel I like to bring sample sizes of almost everything in order to use up my sample stash before they go bad.

Although this toiletry bag works well for small trips, when I go away for more then a couple days it just doesn't do. I found a great train case at Walmart, it's on my Christmas List so hopefully I get it.

• Marcelle Essentials Makeup Remover
• B.Kamins Lip Balm
• Dove Cleartone Deodorant
• Contact Solution
• Contacts & Contact Case
• Glasses

• Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion
• Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
• Estee Lauder Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum
• Cotton Rounds
• CyberDerm H2O Hydration Face Cream
• Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub
• Mario Badescu Special Mask for Oily Skin

• La Fresh Waterproof Makeup Remover Wipe
• Biore Pore Strip
• Garnier Body Shea Body Lotion
• Free Your Mane Shampoo & Conditioner

• All over eyeshadow brush
• Definer eyeshadow brush
• Blending crease brush
• Powder brush
• Blush brush
• Foundation brush

•  MAC Concealer (depotted)
• Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller w/Concealer
• PUR 4-in-1 Mineral Makeup in Light
• Revlon Colorstay Blush in Roseberry
• Caryl Baker Visage Mineral Eyeshadow in Pillow
• Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Sandstone
• MAC Painterly Paint Pot
• Essence Quattro Eyeshadow
• Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in Black
• L'Oreal Linear Intense Liquid Eyeliner
• Annabelle Le BIG Show Mascara

My Skincare Routine

 

I love reading other girls skincare routine posts so I thought that I would do one of my own.

 

Here is a little background on my skin type. I am a Combination/Oily skin girl. My cheek area is kind of dry to normal, but my T-zone gets extremely oily. I can get quite congested in the nose area but I don't get many breakouts. I never really had bad acne but I feel that over the past few years my skin has gotten a lot better.

 

Now I am not picky about skincare. I don't really have many Holy Grail products that I buy all the time and my routine isn't consistent. I buy whatever is on sale and I try to buy new products all the time if I don't see any results.I wash my face every night in the shower and have a routine that follows and then I lightly cleanse and tone in the morning with a different routine.

 

These are the products I have been working with on a daily basis, however, I do substitute other product samples into the routine from time to time, in order to use up my sample stash.

 

Night Time Routine

 

Step 1 - Every other day I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub to give my skin an extra deep cleansing. Sometimes I go longer between uses but I can always tell when my skin needs some exfoliation. This gentle yet effective scrub is really the best one I have ever used and will continue to use for a long time.

 

Step 2 - My current facial cleanser is the Nivea Natural Beauty Exfoliating Daily Peeling Cleanser. I bought this cleanser at the Dollarama for $2 which is a steal compared to its price at Walmart or Shoppers Drug Mart. It has tiny exfoliating beads that you barely notice when you compare them to the beads in the St. Ives Scrub. It has a fresh scent and froths wonderfully with only a little bit of product. My skin always feels very clean, moisturized, and refreshed after I use this.

 

Step 3 - On the days that I am not using the St. Ives Scrub I use step 2 of the Clinique 3 Step System. This Clarifying Lotion is a liquid exfoliator. I find this can be quite harsh on my skin so I use this sparingly and make sure that I am not putting it too close to my eyes. This is a product that I find has really helped my skin since I started using it years ago. I will probably always use this.

 

Step 4 - Every night I apply Caryl Baker Visage Firming Eye Gel. I'm only 22 years old but I would rather prevent now then try and reverse later in life. I haven't noticed huge results from this eye gel so I will probably buy something different next time that is maybe a bit cheaper then this gel was.

 

Step 5 - Lastly I finish with Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This has been my go to moisturizer for the last year and a half and I will probably continue to use it. This moisturizer gives enough moisture to my cheeks that are dry but isn't too heavy for my T-zone.

 

 Morning Routine

 

Step 1 - Even though I thoroughly cleansed my face the night before I like to use a makeup remover in the morning to get any last possible speck of makeup off my face before toning and applying new makeup for the day. Right now I am using Marcelle Essentials and I do enjoy this product but I might try something different once this bottle is empty. This is an oil free makeup remover and I recommend it to any other oily skinned girls. This stuff leaves no residue at all.

 

Step 2 - Toner! I used to use the Clean & Clear Astringent but found it extremely harsh and drying. I switched to Nivea Refreshing Toner for Combination skin because it was on sale and I LOVE THIS! It smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling cleansed and refreshed.

 

Step 3 - Like at night I use my eye gel again in the morning. The firming action makes my eyes ready for concealer and I feel that my concealer goes on better when I use my eye gel compared to when I don't.

 

Step 4 - Like every night, every morning, I moisturize with Clinique Dramatically Different Gel. If I am wearing foundation that day I will mix it with this moisturizer to make more of a tinted moisturizer.

 

 

Once a week I use a mask. My current favourite has been the St. Ives Timeless Skin Mineral Clay Firming Mask. This mint green, mint smelling mask feels cool on your face and, when I wash it off my skin feels tight but not in a bad way. My pores seem smaller when I use this mask and I feel like I just had a facial.

 

 

Here are swatches of some of the products. From right to left: St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Nivea Cleanser, St. Ives Firming Mask.

 

 

What are your favourite skincare items? Which ones do you recommend for me to try out next?

 

 

 

June 2012 GlossyBox

So this post is a little late and it's not because I've been lazy like last month, it's because I just received my GlossyBox today! I definitely think that this box was worth the wait though. I was hearing and seeing a lot of comments on the GlossyBox.ca Facebook Page about it being a "drugstore box" and people were not happy about it. I on the other hand am really excited to get these products and try them out. This month there are a lot of full size products of things I can actually afford to buy if I like them.

The thing I don't like about Glymm is that the samples are super tiny and of products that are way out of my price range. If I end up liking them I can never have the full size because of the price. The products in GlossyBox are more drugstore, but if I like them it won't break the bank to buy the full size, and I would rather get a large or full size sample of something drugstore then a one time sample of some unknown super high end brand.

If you are looking for a sample box that delivers deluxe and full size samples every month no matter the brand then definitely checkout GlossyBox, you wont be disappointed.

Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser

Sample Value: 200mL/$9.99

Full Size: 200mL/$9.99

On the Card: Have skin that can't make up its mind? Achieve the clean you want, without disturbing natural moisture your skin needs - more balanced skin in just 2 weeks!

My Thoughts: Ever since I got a free 7mL sample from the Biore Facebook page I have been wanting to buy the full size of this cleanser but could never justify it because I have so many cleansers at home already. Now I get to and I'm very excited.

Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz

Sample Value: 150mL/$16.99

Full Size: 150mL/$16.99

On the Card: Free your hair with irresistible chunky texture achieving that matte, carefree, beachy hair look.

My Thoughts: I am so excited to see this product! Not only is it a full size higher-end product, but I was actually just looking at some texture sprays the other day.

Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex

Sample Value: 7mL/$4.34

Full Size: 50mL/$30.99

On the Card: Advanced micro-fillers instantly smooth the look of fine lines. The anti-aging formula, with a Bio Peptide and B3 complex hydrates and improves the appearance of deep lines in just 14 days!

My Thoughts: I was seeing a lot of girls getting samples of this in their Luxe Boxes. I don't have a need for this so it is either going to go in my giveaway bin or I'm going to give it to my mom.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55

Sample Value: 14mL/$2.54

Full Size: 88mL/$15.99

On the Card: Ultra-light and fast absorbing, and voted #1 best-feeling sunscreen by Canadian Dermatologists. Contains HELIOPLEX which provides photostable UVA/UBV protection.

My Thoughts: I got this exact sample for free in my Neutrogena 60th Anniversary Sample Box. Although you can never have too much of a good sunscreen, I didn't really like that in a box I paid for I got a sample that I got for free from a company's website.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Sample Value: 1/$1.25

Full Size: 8ct/$9.99

On the Card: Pore Strips are the deepest way to clean your pores. In just one use, you remove a week's worth of built up dirt - and it only takes 10 minutes (isn't that great?)

My Thoughts: I already use these so it was nice to get another one.

Cover Girl Flipstick - Blendable Lip Duo

Sample Value: 3.8gr/$12.50

Full Size: 3.8gr/$12.50

On the Card: NEW! This Double ended lip color stick has a side for shimmer, and a side for colour. Blend shades together to create endless lip looks.

My Thoughts: I have seen these on TV and in stores for a while now. I have always been interested in purchasing one so it was nice to see one in this month's box. I am so glad that I got the Whisper colour. Two nice pink colours instead of the brown and gold that a lot of girls received this month.

Gillette Venus Embrace Razor

Sample Value: 1 kit/$13.43

Full Size: 1 kit/$13.43

On the Card: Get ready for the shave fit for a goddess. Our first women's razor created with 5 blades hugs every curve to get virtually every hair even bikini hair. An ultra-close shave and incredible Venus smoothness.

My Thoughts: I forgot to take a picture of the one I received. I love getting razors in these boxes because razors are so expensive! Maybe next month they can put some cartridges in the box for us cause those are really expensive as well.

Value of June Box: $61.04

Overall, I am extremely happy with this month's box. I will use almost everything in this box and I am excited to find some new favourites. I still recommend that everyone try this box for at least one month because you wont be disappointed.



January Project 10 Pan

I was bad again this month. I hauled...sorry... hoarded a bunch of products and didnt use up as many as I bought. And again this month I didnt use up an makeup products. I have been trying really hard to finish up products, but after a while of using the same thing over and over I get bored and start using something else. I mean there are only so many days in a row that I can do a smokey eye, or bold liner, or neutral eyes. I am so close though to using up some makeup products that I think my project 10 pan post next month will finally include some.

I also am going through my collection and picking out things that I am just going to throw away. I know that I spent money on these products and it's kind of a waste to throw them out but, they are just things that I have had for too long and are not hygenic anymore, or products that I can honestly say I will never use again. I am thinking of doing a separate blog post on those products... like a products i regret buying post.

Here are the products that I used up this month:

Herbal Essences Body Envy 2 in 1 Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

Repurchase: Yes

My Thoughts: I really like Herbal Essences shampoos and conditioners and when I buy them I usually buy the 2 in 1 bottles because I am too lazy for the 2 steps required when they are separate. I like buying these shampoos because they are really inexpensive at Walmart and I like how they make my hair feel. I dont usually buy the same kind everytime, I like to buy a different one of the smaller bottles because I get bored of the same shampoo all the time. I definitely recommened this shampoo for someone looking for more volume. My hair is naturally wavy and this really helps promote that.

Replacement Product: John Freida Brilliant Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner

Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent

Repurchase: Yes

My Thoughts:  This is a type of product that I always buy. I dont always buy the same brand or kind but I always have astringent at home. I use it in the morning to cleanse my face before I put my makeup on. Just to get rid of any oils and residual makeup. I always buy oil-free astringents because I have such oily skin and I dont want to add to it. I found this kind though, very harsh and over drying, it felt like my skin made more oils to make up for this product. The current one that I am using is made for sensitive skin and so far I am liking it.

Replacement Product: Clean & Clear Astringent for sensitive skin.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse Off Formula

Repurchase: No

My Thoughts: This was actually a deluxe sample that I got in one of my Clinique Bonus Time Gift with Purchases. It is just okay, in my opinion. Because it isn't the type made for my skin it was a little too moisturizing for my skin and it felt like there was a film on my skin after I used it. The exfoliating quality was nice but not harsh enough for my skin. It was nice to try and lasted me a lot longer than 7 days but, it isn't something I can see replacing my Holy Grail Exfoliator.

Replacement Product: St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

What products did you use up this month? Let me know in the comments below.

Disclaimer: All products were bought by me with my own money except for the Clinique which was gifted with purchase. All opinions are honest and my own.

Project 10 Pan - November Products

This post is a little late but nevertheless here is my Project 10 Pan post for November. These are the products I completely used up during the month of November and my thoughts on them. I found it really hard to use up makeup products, even doing the same look with the same products for 90% of the month. It seems like even the smallest eye shadow pan has a never ending amount of product. Here are the products I used this month:

Lush Tea Tree Water Toner

On the bottle - Tone and detoxify with Tea Tree, grapefruit, and juniper. Take control of those troublesome pores! A best seller for normal to oily skin. Use on cotton wool to remove excess cleanser and refresh the skin.

Repurchase? – NO
My Thoughts – I bought this toner during my crazy Lush phase because I was in need of one and thought something more organic and chemical free would be better for my skin. In actuality this was probably the worst toner I have ever used. It didn’t help take off excess cleanser or makeup from my face but left a film over my skin that caused me to break out. Some people swear by this product but it just didn’t work for me.

Caryl Baker Ginseng Toner

On the bottle - The soothing and restorative powers of ginseng and chamomile tea gently purify the skin while removing all traces of cleanser. Comfrey and Wheat Amino Acids ensure a softer, smoother complexion. To use – saturate a cotton pad and wipe over face with upward strokes. Avoid eye area.
Repurchase? – NO
My Thoughts – While using the Lush Tea Tree Toner I went for a facial at Caryl Baker Visage and had my skin analyzed. The cosmetician told me that my pores were clogged and whatever toner I was using was the issue. Based on my skin type she suggested this toner and I bought it because I wanted my skin to stop breaking out. This cleanser smells really good but after using half the bottle I didn’t see a change in my skin so I switched to the Clinique 3 Step system and it has been my holy grail ever since.

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula

On the bottle - Thorough cleansing developed by Clinique’s dermatologists for the needs of skin comfortable in the cheeks/oily in the t-zone, or oily all over. Leaves skin feeling fresh and clean.  Prepares skin for Clarifying Lotion and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. Non-drying. Use twice daily.
Repurchase? – Maybe
My Thoughts – When my skin was at its worst I started researching cleansing systems from different brands. After many YouTube videos I decided to try Clinique’s 3 Step System. Initially I went through a phase where my skin was amazingly clear, and then I went through a purging phase and actually stopped using the products. I switched to my original Holy Grail cleanser and kept using the Clarifying Lotion and Moisturizing Gel and my skin has greatly improved. I would maybe repurchase because the cleanser did work, the only downside I had was that it never took all the makeup off my face.

Rimmel London Sexy Curves Full Volume and Curve Mascara

On the bottle –  A black mascara to give you fuller more curly lashes.
Repurchase? – YES
My Thoughts – I really liked this mascara, the formula looks really good on my lashes and I really liked how full my lashes look at the base. The only thing I didn’t really like was the brush. It was really flimsy and the shape didn’t work for me. To use this mascara I applied it with the brush it came with but then used a clean Lash Blast brush to shape my lashes.

Disclaimer: All products were purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are honest and my own.