Although it's not 2011 just yet, I hope you're all having a great New Years Eve!
I originally planned on doing billions of posts & flooding your Blogger Dashboards but something got in the way of that. I was so stoked about mass updating but throughout the night (last night), I began vomitting & having trouble breathing. I ended up going to the ER & had to stay over night :( I'm feeling much better but I'm still very very weak. I swear I have the worst luck -__-"
I did say I probably wouldn't have time to wish all of your a Happy New Year but now that I'm confined to my bed, I can!
The start of 2010 was very bad for me and I didn't expect the ending to be worse.. All I hope for is that 2011 will treat me well and all of you aswell!
Anyhow, I wish you all a Happy New Year & have fun for me!
Love,
Ashley :o)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
I've been naughty this year so I'm sure I'll be getting a lot more coal than gold this year.
I don't even see the point in going to bed as Santa never stops by my house T____T
But despite my bah-hum-bug spirit, I can't not wish my followers & friends a...
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I'm early on the "New Year" jazz but I probably won't be around to make a seperate post.
I was going to do my Hong Kong Haul post a week ago but work has been craaaaazy. I'll do it after the New Year as I haven't used many of the products yet. I'm actually going to bust out the new skincare stuff on the first of January for a fresh new start with this old face :D
Anyhow, I hope all is well with everyone! Have a safe holiday & stay warm! Or cold if that's how you prefer it..
Love,
Ashley
I don't even see the point in going to bed as Santa never stops by my house T____T
But despite my bah-hum-bug spirit, I can't not wish my followers & friends a...
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I'm early on the "New Year" jazz but I probably won't be around to make a seperate post.
I was going to do my Hong Kong Haul post a week ago but work has been craaaaazy. I'll do it after the New Year as I haven't used many of the products yet. I'm actually going to bust out the new skincare stuff on the first of January for a fresh new start with this old face :D
Anyhow, I hope all is well with everyone! Have a safe holiday & stay warm! Or cold if that's how you prefer it..
Love,
Ashley
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hoarders: Cosmetics Series
Does anyone watch the AE series, "Hoarders"? I haven't but I've seen the commercials. Basically the show features hoarders and people with OCD.. it's a scary show (imo). Hoarders are people who keep things or collect things for many different reasons. The worse part about being a hoarder is the inability to let go of some of the things. I'd say my parent's are hoarders but not to the extent you see on AE's Hoarders.. thank someone.
Since AE's Hoarders has been on my mind a lot lately (& nightmares!), I came up with the idea of doing a Hoarders series on my blog. You see, I hoard makeup and it's bad. I rarely use all of my makeup nor do I use it on friends & family. I've been fiddling with makeup for over 2 years now & I'm still not very skilled when it comes to application. I have no technique to doing anything!
Putting my uselessness aside, I'll be featuring a different post infrequently on the abundance of products I have. Basically, I'll be showing you my makeup collection in segments. The catch is, I rarely wear certain types of products but I want to show you how much of it I have. Of course I've thrown some out along the way because they are utter crap but the one's I've kept are still useless to a person like me. My intention is not to brag but we all have hoarding tendencies & I'm showing you mine. It's hard to let go or products too which makes more trouble by taking up excess space.
Do you think this is a good idea? I'll do it anyhow as it makes myself AND you think about how much you have & think twice about buying more. I hope to become your new conscience; watching you closely and judging your purchases.
"Did you really need that?" Thanks for reading & don't forget to comment!
Ashley :)
Since AE's Hoarders has been on my mind a lot lately (& nightmares!), I came up with the idea of doing a Hoarders series on my blog. You see, I hoard makeup and it's bad. I rarely use all of my makeup nor do I use it on friends & family. I've been fiddling with makeup for over 2 years now & I'm still not very skilled when it comes to application. I have no technique to doing anything!
Putting my uselessness aside, I'll be featuring a different post infrequently on the abundance of products I have. Basically, I'll be showing you my makeup collection in segments. The catch is, I rarely wear certain types of products but I want to show you how much of it I have. Of course I've thrown some out along the way because they are utter crap but the one's I've kept are still useless to a person like me. My intention is not to brag but we all have hoarding tendencies & I'm showing you mine. It's hard to let go or products too which makes more trouble by taking up excess space.
Do you think this is a good idea? I'll do it anyhow as it makes myself AND you think about how much you have & think twice about buying more. I hope to become your new conscience; watching you closely and judging your purchases.
"Did you really need that?" Thanks for reading & don't forget to comment!
Ashley :)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Update Numero Tres
Today's update consists of the beauty products I have collected since November. I'll include mini reviews but if you would like full reviews, ask in the comments. As I did with my second update, I'll start with latest purchases to oldest purchases.
Side note: : I blame weekly sales, coupons, & deals for my obsession with makeup. It's like a force that drives me towards spending money on makeup! And I just can't resist...
After checking my work schedule, I went to H&M to use my $5 off coupon. It expires tomorrow (my excuse for buying something.. again!).
Since H&M debutted their line of beauty products, I haven't taken the initiative to try any. I decided today was the day & paid $2.18 for this pretty palette (My Summer Romance Palette). My swatches look pretty good but those shadows are blended out. I experienced crumbling and fall out whilst swatching. The ocean/baby blue shadow also applied patchy so I had to layer it for evenness. Other than that, this H&M eyeshadow palette is quite pigmented. Would I pay the regular $6.95? No, but if I had another $5 off coupon.. YES!
Quick run at London Drugs on Monday:
Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Lilac Pastelle - $9.99. Most I've ever paid for a drugstore lip gloss but the reviews from Spring/Summer 2010 drove me into a frenzy. I'll pick up Pink Pop when it's on sale and maybe even Coral Reef. I like the texture - milky but not sticky. No taste but I detect is a light vanilla candied scent.
Sally Hansen Nail Nutrition Green Tea + Soy Cutitcle Oil for $4.49. I love cuticle oils but they can be really expensive. This tube is much better than a click pen as you can control how much goes on the applicator and you can see how much you've used up. I need to test it longer to see if it really works. Will review later!
Revlon Spa ILLUMINATE Skin Renewal System - $10.39. Sorry, I already wrecked my box so you'll have to settle for a stock image! The exfoliating brush is surprisingly softer than the facial brush from The Body Shop.
And as mentioned in my previous update about my Sunday adventures w/ the 'rents, here is what I picked up last Sunday. The Body Shop is always offering a great deal. From December 10th - 12th, they had a promotion called, "Spin the Wheel of Joy." It was a wheel you spun that would give you random savings. I spun & got $20 off a $40 purchase whereas my mom received a 3 for $30 deal. I ended up getting 50% off my whole purchase since I spent over $40... woops!
The Body Shop Originals Shower Gel in Green Apple and Fuzzy Peach. I've reviewed Fuzzy Peach a little bit in this post. Green Apple smells like freshly cut apples! I'm thinking of gifting them but... they smell so good! :(
The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush. I need to use up all of my Everyday Minerals samples before they expire. This brush shall help that cause. It's soft on the face but hard enough to buff the powder into the face without scratching and shedding. It is not flimsy or fluffy like the Tokidoki Kabuki Brush.
The Body Shop Luxury Flannel Washcloth - feels rubbery like a foam rubber sheet... It's awkward but I haven't tested it fully. However, I do not recommend using it as a facial cleanser cloth as it absorbs all of the foam from your cleanser!
A lip/eye kohl sharpener for me madre. She also got a Nature's Minerals Foundation to accompany her new Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush. I'm going to practice my application skillz on her later... dun dun dun!
The Body Shop Cheek Color in 05 Tea Rose. I don't need more blush either but I can't be stopped so don't bother. Surprisingly, this blush isn't shimmery like most TBS blushes. I see faint sparkles in the pan but do not transfer on the skin. The blush is fairly pigmented and easy to use. Even with my heavy hands, I don't look too dolled up or clownish.
The Body Shop Round Handle Facial Brush. I don't have the money for a Clarisonic so I'll settle for a $1.50 exfoliating brush. It feels soft on the sides but on the face.. it's a tad hard. The tip of the bristles aren't prickly, they're just not soft... I rather spend the extra $7 for the Revlon kit pictured above but really.. If I had $200? I'd invest in the Clarisonic!
Before my parent's came home, I went to Rexall, London Drugs & Zellers to score some major deals.
JANE Cosmetics are 50% off at Zellers. I heard the brand was being phased out of Walgreens & another rumor about the brand going bankrupt... Not sure what's going on but the selection of JANE Cosmetics at Zellers is quite... old and most items have collected dust! Since the Aguaceutical lines is relatively new, I decided to try some of the eyeshadows and tinted moisturizer. I paid $4~ for each.
READ: JANE Aguaceuticals LipStix in Laguna looks like Nars Orgasm/Super Orgasm Blush in lipstick form. Kind of pornstar-ish to me but it's glamorous in that way.. Never was a fan of Nars Orgasm but apparently makeup fanatics are gaga for gold shimmer and peachy pink cheeks!
JANE Be Pure Mineral Eyeliner in Wine. Reviews say these gel eyeliners are creamy and rich in pigment. Definitely rich in pigment and creamy when applied to the skin. I didn't feel or experience tugging when applying this gel eyeliner but it was hard to get onto my brush because it's hard top layer.
JANE Aguaceuticals Aguashimmer Eyeshadow (quad) in: 02 Sandstorm, 03 Reef, and 04 Bamboo. They aren't rich in pigment but still work and are great for more natural and neutral eye looks. They work best when wet.
During Rexall's 50% Face Products sale, I grabbed the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush for nearly $6 each thanks to a $3 off coupon.
From L-to-R, Top-to-Bottom: Rich Cinnamon and Lushberry. Flash, No Flash.
My swatches are much more accurate than the product photo. It is much softer & less bright than my camera perceives it as. I thank Gianna of NouveauCheap for helping me with my purchase. Gianna can be an enabler sometimes but if she recommends you something, you get it or you'll regret it.
More from Rexall and Superstore:
N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink to complete my collection of Blushable Creme Sticks. I have every color now! I highly recommend these. They apply as cream but blend like powder.
Ultra Last Lipwear in 416B Berry Rich and 407B Smooch. Karen of MakeupandBeautyBlog's review made me run to Rexall immediately to pick up Berry Rich. Lucky me, N.Y.C. lip products were BOGO Free. Too bad my freebie, Smooch, ended up being a frosty pornstar shade. What ever you do, SKIP Smooch!
Ignore the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer as I returned it. I do not recommend it. It's an overpriced moisturizer with a silicone-slick feel to it.
Last but not least, Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel CreamLiner for Hazel Eyes and Blue Eyes. (Geeze what a mouthful...) I found these babies on clearance/sale at Superstore for roughly $7. I grabbed the last two! I haven't seen them them on display since I purchased them and that was almost a month ago... As for the quality of these gel liners; they are SUPERB. I find them creamy and pigmented - better than the Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliners. The brush included is soft but as sturdy as the Maybelline one. The gel's would make great bases for a smokey eye look.
Just so we're clear, I've held off on a lot of other beauty products so I haven't been all that bad! I'd share examples but I feel embarassed enough as it is. I buy loads of beauty products yet... I always want more! I'm so greedy -_____-"
I should mention, I also got a few Sephora goodies from the S.O. but I'll include that in my Christmas gifts post. It isn't even a Christmas present but I don't want to get into it, heh.
Question of the Post:
What was your most recent beauty purchase?Obviously you've seen mine.. now tell me about yours!
I'll be back again, very shortly.. Tata for now!
Ashley.
Side note: : I blame weekly sales, coupons, & deals for my obsession with makeup. It's like a force that drives me towards spending money on makeup! And I just can't resist...
After checking my work schedule, I went to H&M to use my $5 off coupon. It expires tomorrow (my excuse for buying something.. again!).
Since H&M debutted their line of beauty products, I haven't taken the initiative to try any. I decided today was the day & paid $2.18 for this pretty palette (My Summer Romance Palette). My swatches look pretty good but those shadows are blended out. I experienced crumbling and fall out whilst swatching. The ocean/baby blue shadow also applied patchy so I had to layer it for evenness. Other than that, this H&M eyeshadow palette is quite pigmented. Would I pay the regular $6.95? No, but if I had another $5 off coupon.. YES!
Quick run at London Drugs on Monday:
Picked up two Alicia Silverstore EcoTools brush sets for $9.99 each (on sale - regularly $19.99). I paid $14.99 for this exact same brush set at Winners awhile back too, boo! Keeping another one for myself and giving one away for Christmas! The Finishing Brush, Blush Brush, and Angled Eye Shadow Brush are amazingly soft and easy to use. Actually, I love the Angled E/S brush the most!
Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Lilac Pastelle - $9.99. Most I've ever paid for a drugstore lip gloss but the reviews from Spring/Summer 2010 drove me into a frenzy. I'll pick up Pink Pop when it's on sale and maybe even Coral Reef. I like the texture - milky but not sticky. No taste but I detect is a light vanilla candied scent.
Sally Hansen Nail Nutrition Green Tea + Soy Cutitcle Oil for $4.49. I love cuticle oils but they can be really expensive. This tube is much better than a click pen as you can control how much goes on the applicator and you can see how much you've used up. I need to test it longer to see if it really works. Will review later!
Revlon Spa ILLUMINATE Skin Renewal System - $10.39. Sorry, I already wrecked my box so you'll have to settle for a stock image! The exfoliating brush is surprisingly softer than the facial brush from The Body Shop.
And as mentioned in my previous update about my Sunday adventures w/ the 'rents, here is what I picked up last Sunday. The Body Shop is always offering a great deal. From December 10th - 12th, they had a promotion called, "Spin the Wheel of Joy." It was a wheel you spun that would give you random savings. I spun & got $20 off a $40 purchase whereas my mom received a 3 for $30 deal. I ended up getting 50% off my whole purchase since I spent over $40... woops!
The Body Shop Brow Definer in 01 Blonde/Auburn. A little too light for me but I tend to use a heavy hand when defining my brows. I'm still practicing!
The Body Shop Originals Shower Gel in Green Apple and Fuzzy Peach. I've reviewed Fuzzy Peach a little bit in this post. Green Apple smells like freshly cut apples! I'm thinking of gifting them but... they smell so good! :(
The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush. I need to use up all of my Everyday Minerals samples before they expire. This brush shall help that cause. It's soft on the face but hard enough to buff the powder into the face without scratching and shedding. It is not flimsy or fluffy like the Tokidoki Kabuki Brush.
The Body Shop Luxury Flannel Washcloth - feels rubbery like a foam rubber sheet... It's awkward but I haven't tested it fully. However, I do not recommend using it as a facial cleanser cloth as it absorbs all of the foam from your cleanser!
A lip/eye kohl sharpener for me madre. She also got a Nature's Minerals Foundation to accompany her new Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush. I'm going to practice my application skillz on her later... dun dun dun!
The Body Shop Cheek Color in 05 Tea Rose. I don't need more blush either but I can't be stopped so don't bother. Surprisingly, this blush isn't shimmery like most TBS blushes. I see faint sparkles in the pan but do not transfer on the skin. The blush is fairly pigmented and easy to use. Even with my heavy hands, I don't look too dolled up or clownish.
The Body Shop Round Handle Facial Brush. I don't have the money for a Clarisonic so I'll settle for a $1.50 exfoliating brush. It feels soft on the sides but on the face.. it's a tad hard. The tip of the bristles aren't prickly, they're just not soft... I rather spend the extra $7 for the Revlon kit pictured above but really.. If I had $200? I'd invest in the Clarisonic!
Before my parent's came home, I went to Rexall, London Drugs & Zellers to score some major deals.
From the Annabelle Insomnia Winter 2010 Collection, the Annabelle Multi-Dome Baked Eyeshadow Palettes in: Insomnia (pale yellow-gold, green, lavender, violet) and Disturbia (red, blue, red-orange, brown). I've wanted these palettes since their release but the $13.99 price tag hurt. Rexall had 25% off ALL Annabelle cosmetics so these babies were on sale for $10.49 each but $8.49 using $2 off coupons I've been saving! Total: $19.50 for 8, beautifully pigmented baked eyeshadows. SCORE!
JANE Cosmetics are 50% off at Zellers. I heard the brand was being phased out of Walgreens & another rumor about the brand going bankrupt... Not sure what's going on but the selection of JANE Cosmetics at Zellers is quite... old and most items have collected dust! Since the Aguaceutical lines is relatively new, I decided to try some of the eyeshadows and tinted moisturizer. I paid $4~ for each.
JANE Aguaceuticals Sheer Tinted Moisturizer in Light/Warm Tones. A tad orange on me, egh..
READ: JANE Aguaceuticals LipStix in Laguna looks like Nars Orgasm/Super Orgasm Blush in lipstick form. Kind of pornstar-ish to me but it's glamorous in that way.. Never was a fan of Nars Orgasm but apparently makeup fanatics are gaga for gold shimmer and peachy pink cheeks!
JANE Be Pure Mineral Eyeliner in Wine. Reviews say these gel eyeliners are creamy and rich in pigment. Definitely rich in pigment and creamy when applied to the skin. I didn't feel or experience tugging when applying this gel eyeliner but it was hard to get onto my brush because it's hard top layer.
JANE Aguaceuticals Aguashimmer Eyeshadow (quad) in: 02 Sandstorm, 03 Reef, and 04 Bamboo. They aren't rich in pigment but still work and are great for more natural and neutral eye looks. They work best when wet.
During Rexall's 50% Face Products sale, I grabbed the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush for nearly $6 each thanks to a $3 off coupon.
My swatches are much more accurate than the product photo. It is much softer & less bright than my camera perceives it as. I thank Gianna of NouveauCheap for helping me with my purchase. Gianna can be an enabler sometimes but if she recommends you something, you get it or you'll regret it.
More from Rexall and Superstore:
N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink to complete my collection of Blushable Creme Sticks. I have every color now! I highly recommend these. They apply as cream but blend like powder.
Ultra Last Lipwear in 416B Berry Rich and 407B Smooch. Karen of MakeupandBeautyBlog's review made me run to Rexall immediately to pick up Berry Rich. Lucky me, N.Y.C. lip products were BOGO Free. Too bad my freebie, Smooch, ended up being a frosty pornstar shade. What ever you do, SKIP Smooch!
Ignore the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer as I returned it. I do not recommend it. It's an overpriced moisturizer with a silicone-slick feel to it.
Last but not least, Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel CreamLiner for Hazel Eyes and Blue Eyes. (Geeze what a mouthful...) I found these babies on clearance/sale at Superstore for roughly $7. I grabbed the last two! I haven't seen them them on display since I purchased them and that was almost a month ago... As for the quality of these gel liners; they are SUPERB. I find them creamy and pigmented - better than the Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliners. The brush included is soft but as sturdy as the Maybelline one. The gel's would make great bases for a smokey eye look.
Just so we're clear, I've held off on a lot of other beauty products so I haven't been all that bad! I'd share examples but I feel embarassed enough as it is. I buy loads of beauty products yet... I always want more! I'm so greedy -_____-"
I should mention, I also got a few Sephora goodies from the S.O. but I'll include that in my Christmas gifts post. It isn't even a Christmas present but I don't want to get into it, heh.
Question of the Post:
What was your most recent beauty purchase?Obviously you've seen mine.. now tell me about yours!
I'll be back again, very shortly.. Tata for now!
Ashley.
Monday, November 22, 2010
EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Honeysuckle Honeydew and Summer Fruit - Review
Even though I'm a Canadian "beauty blogger", I tend to write a lot of reviews on U.S. beauty products that aren't available in Canada.. Annoying, huh?
Well finally, I have found some great places to purchase certain beauty products not available to us Canucks! Today I am reviewing the eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere's which as we all know, isn't readily available in stores in Canada. These little egg-ish balls have been getting a lot of hype and attention in the beauty blogosphere & no doubt, everyone wants to try it! But do you really need to? Yes and no.
I'll begin by sharing some great news. I've discovered recently that eos Lip Balms can be purchased at RW&Co.! On the eos website, there is a helpful "where to buy" tab that provides a Google Map and list of locations on "where to buy" certain eos products. I haven't checked an RW&Co. store myself but I do know it's a business attire clothing store. Strange, no?? If you're in Vancouver & interested in the lip balms, you might want to check RW&Co. out :)
Review time!
EOS Says:
Can a lip balm make you smile? We think so. That's why we invented this one.
•Long-lasting moisture
•Shea butter & vitamin E
•Smoothes on clear
•New smooth sphere precisely glides on to lips
•Twist-off top
•Gluten-free
•Paraben-free
•Petrolatum-free
•Phthalate-free
eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.
I Say:
Love the ingredients, love the scent and yes these lip balms make me smile! They are so cute and hard to lose! Although, if you tend to pack light or carry a small purse, the Smooth Sphere can be inconvient to carry around.
So far, I have tried Honeysuckle Honeydew and Summer Fruit. Honeysuckle Honeydew reminds me of cantaloupes and honeydew whereas Summer Fruit smells like peaches! Honestly, my favorite part of the eos Smooth Sphere is the scent. Now the downside to these lip balms is that they aren't soft and balm-y like I prefer. Rather, they are hard and waxy. It applies smooth enough and clear but end up feeling waxy and noticeable on the lips. The most important part is that the the eos lip balms are moisturizing but the results aren't long-lasting like promised. I find myself reapplying the lip balm after every drink of water or meal. This stuff wears quickly and there's not a lot of product to begin with. When I'm nearly done with the lip balm, the sphere turns flat and becomes harder to apply.
Bottom Line
All in all, I'd recommend the eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere based on scent and ingredients. I especially like the fact that the eos lip balms come without petrolatum. I find lip balms with petrolatum make my lips drier and dependant on the ingredient itself. Function-wise, these could be better. I'd actually recommend the EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sticks more because they are less waxy, same ingredients and easier to carry around.
Also, check out Citrine's review on the EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit here. She caught something I think a lot of us overlooked.
Ingredients
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract*, Linalool1. 1Component of Natural Flavor. *Organic. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. Patent Pending.
Well finally, I have found some great places to purchase certain beauty products not available to us Canucks! Today I am reviewing the eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere's which as we all know, isn't readily available in stores in Canada. These little egg-ish balls have been getting a lot of hype and attention in the beauty blogosphere & no doubt, everyone wants to try it! But do you really need to? Yes and no.
I'll begin by sharing some great news. I've discovered recently that eos Lip Balms can be purchased at RW&Co.! On the eos website, there is a helpful "where to buy" tab that provides a Google Map and list of locations on "where to buy" certain eos products. I haven't checked an RW&Co. store myself but I do know it's a business attire clothing store. Strange, no?? If you're in Vancouver & interested in the lip balms, you might want to check RW&Co. out :)
Review time!
EOS Says:
Can a lip balm make you smile? We think so. That's why we invented this one.
•Shea butter & vitamin E
•Smoothes on clear
•New smooth sphere precisely glides on to lips
•Twist-off top
•Gluten-free
•Paraben-free
•Petrolatum-free
•Phthalate-free
eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.
I Say:
Love the ingredients, love the scent and yes these lip balms make me smile! They are so cute and hard to lose! Although, if you tend to pack light or carry a small purse, the Smooth Sphere can be inconvient to carry around.
So far, I have tried Honeysuckle Honeydew and Summer Fruit. Honeysuckle Honeydew reminds me of cantaloupes and honeydew whereas Summer Fruit smells like peaches! Honestly, my favorite part of the eos Smooth Sphere is the scent. Now the downside to these lip balms is that they aren't soft and balm-y like I prefer. Rather, they are hard and waxy. It applies smooth enough and clear but end up feeling waxy and noticeable on the lips. The most important part is that the the eos lip balms are moisturizing but the results aren't long-lasting like promised. I find myself reapplying the lip balm after every drink of water or meal. This stuff wears quickly and there's not a lot of product to begin with. When I'm nearly done with the lip balm, the sphere turns flat and becomes harder to apply.
Bottom Line
All in all, I'd recommend the eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere based on scent and ingredients. I especially like the fact that the eos lip balms come without petrolatum. I find lip balms with petrolatum make my lips drier and dependant on the ingredient itself. Function-wise, these could be better. I'd actually recommend the EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sticks more because they are less waxy, same ingredients and easier to carry around.
Also, check out Citrine's review on the EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit here. She caught something I think a lot of us overlooked.
Ingredients
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract*, Linalool1. 1Component of Natural Flavor. *Organic. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. Patent Pending.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer For Eyes - Review
Surprise, surprise! I have a makeup review at last!
I've been holding off many reviews lately as I haven't been wearing much makeup or trying new skin products. Most of the products I've been using are nothing to write home about, so I don't.
Today, I'm reviewing one of the most interesting and multifunctional cosmetic product that Neutrogena carries (to me atleast). It sucks that Neutrogena cosmetics aren't available in Canada but my experience with their products haven't been the greatest. But we'll get to that another time. Onto the review!
What Neutrogena says:
3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes instantly hides dark circles, reduces the look of puffiness and fine lines and helps protect the sensitive eye area with SPF 20.
This multi-tasking concealer instantly camouflages dark circles, reduces the appearance of puffiness and fine lines and protects with non-irritating SPF 20--all in one easy step.
The ultra-blendable, skin-conditioning formula provides natural-looking coverage, won't settle into fine lines and is safe for contact-lens wearers.
*Suitable for contact lens wearers
*SPF 20
*Available in 4 shades (Fair, Buff, Light, Medium)
Tip: You need a spoonful of SPF 30 or higher for sufficient sun protection for the face.
Wooooooooow, right?? Neutrogena promises some mighty things but do they deliver? Nope, not for me. I'll start off with the pro's and fight it with the con's. I like that there is SPF 20 (much better than SPF 15) but I always recommend a minimum of SPF 30 for sun protection. Now since there is SPF in the concealer, I can't recommend using it for night time partaaays and schtuff. It comes in four shades but it's suited for light or light-to-medium skin tones so the darker folk are left out. Boo! I'm using the concealer in Buff but I think Light would suit me better. The formula is creamy, thin but not runny. It turns thicker when I blend it under my eyes and dries to a matte finish. The Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes definitely brightens my eyes but because it's a tad too light for me, it's kind of obvious and fake looking. Actually, I don't have much of a problem with dark circles but on the occasions that I do, a tiny bit of this does concealer helps. I can only use this sparingly. Unfortunately, the concealer does not reduce the look of puffiness or fine lines. Infact, it accentuates my fines lines and can be a tad drying - emphasizing the fine lines even more! Now, I also do not wear contacts so I'm not 100% it's suited for the sensitive eyes. My guess is that it isn't. and I'll go onto that in a bit.
As you can tell, the Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer For Eyes has it's high points and low points. But honestly, it has waaaay more low points. The ingredients contain talc, fragrance, dimethicone and other junk I'm foreign to. However, I will give you the low down on these three. Let's start with talc. Talc is known for being a cheap "filler" ingredient. Talc helps control shine and absorb excess oil but can also be drying, causing breakouts and clogged pores! Fragrance or Parfum can be irritating not just for the nose but for the skin as well. And lastly, dimethicone is silicone-based. Most foundation primers and bases are silicone-based but what you need to know is that "cones" can clog pores and cause breakouts.This concealer is aimed for the eyes and some of these ingredients just aren't safe around the eyes. I've read the concealer can double up as an eye cream because the ingredients are very similar to each other but I'd skip that suggestion. Your eye area and eyes are one of the most sensitive areas on your body. You need to take extra care of it and certain ingredients just shouldn't be allowed around it. Oh but hey! The bright side is that the Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer For Eyes is paraben free! Hmm..
Bottom line: Those with dry undereyes should skip it. The formula is too drying. Those with darker skin tones can't even get a colour match so y'gotta skip it. Sensitive to talc, dimethicone or fragrance? I wouldn't repurchase it or recommend it but it's your decision, right?
What an unhappy ending to this review. I hope you enjoyed it anyhow! I'll be back soon with another one and perhaps it will sound sweeter...
Cheers,
Ashley
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (9.5%)
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl 4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Dimethyl MEA, Cetyl Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Cetyl/PEG/PPG 10/1 Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Ozokerite, Magnesium Sulfate, BHT, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Sodium Methylesculetin Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tyrosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Alumina, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2 Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Carbonate, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum), May Contain (+/-):, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide ((1325-152))
I've been holding off many reviews lately as I haven't been wearing much makeup or trying new skin products. Most of the products I've been using are nothing to write home about, so I don't.
Today, I'm reviewing one of the most interesting and multifunctional cosmetic product that Neutrogena carries (to me atleast). It sucks that Neutrogena cosmetics aren't available in Canada but my experience with their products haven't been the greatest. But we'll get to that another time. Onto the review!
What Neutrogena says:
This multi-tasking concealer instantly camouflages dark circles, reduces the appearance of puffiness and fine lines and protects with non-irritating SPF 20--all in one easy step.
The ultra-blendable, skin-conditioning formula provides natural-looking coverage, won't settle into fine lines and is safe for contact-lens wearers.
*Suitable for contact lens wearers
*SPF 20
*Available in 4 shades (Fair, Buff, Light, Medium)
Tip: You need a spoonful of SPF 30 or higher for sufficient sun protection for the face.
Wooooooooow, right?? Neutrogena promises some mighty things but do they deliver? Nope, not for me. I'll start off with the pro's and fight it with the con's. I like that there is SPF 20 (much better than SPF 15) but I always recommend a minimum of SPF 30 for sun protection. Now since there is SPF in the concealer, I can't recommend using it for night time partaaays and schtuff. It comes in four shades but it's suited for light or light-to-medium skin tones so the darker folk are left out. Boo! I'm using the concealer in Buff but I think Light would suit me better. The formula is creamy, thin but not runny. It turns thicker when I blend it under my eyes and dries to a matte finish. The Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes definitely brightens my eyes but because it's a tad too light for me, it's kind of obvious and fake looking. Actually, I don't have much of a problem with dark circles but on the occasions that I do, a tiny bit of this does concealer helps. I can only use this sparingly. Unfortunately, the concealer does not reduce the look of puffiness or fine lines. Infact, it accentuates my fines lines and can be a tad drying - emphasizing the fine lines even more! Now, I also do not wear contacts so I'm not 100% it's suited for the sensitive eyes. My guess is that it isn't. and I'll go onto that in a bit.
As you can tell, the Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer For Eyes has it's high points and low points. But honestly, it has waaaay more low points. The ingredients contain talc, fragrance, dimethicone and other junk I'm foreign to. However, I will give you the low down on these three. Let's start with talc. Talc is known for being a cheap "filler" ingredient. Talc helps control shine and absorb excess oil but can also be drying, causing breakouts and clogged pores! Fragrance or Parfum can be irritating not just for the nose but for the skin as well. And lastly, dimethicone is silicone-based. Most foundation primers and bases are silicone-based but what you need to know is that "cones" can clog pores and cause breakouts.This concealer is aimed for the eyes and some of these ingredients just aren't safe around the eyes. I've read the concealer can double up as an eye cream because the ingredients are very similar to each other but I'd skip that suggestion. Your eye area and eyes are one of the most sensitive areas on your body. You need to take extra care of it and certain ingredients just shouldn't be allowed around it. Oh but hey! The bright side is that the Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer For Eyes is paraben free! Hmm..
Bottom line: Those with dry undereyes should skip it. The formula is too drying. Those with darker skin tones can't even get a colour match so y'gotta skip it. Sensitive to talc, dimethicone or fragrance? I wouldn't repurchase it or recommend it but it's your decision, right?
What an unhappy ending to this review. I hope you enjoyed it anyhow! I'll be back soon with another one and perhaps it will sound sweeter...
Cheers,
Ashley
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (9.5%)
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl 4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Dimethyl MEA, Cetyl Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Cetyl/PEG/PPG 10/1 Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Ozokerite, Magnesium Sulfate, BHT, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Sodium Methylesculetin Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tyrosine, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Alumina, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2 Hexanediol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Carbonate, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum), May Contain (+/-):, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide ((1325-152))
Friday, November 5, 2010
How To Prepare For: Interviews, Job Orientations
After a lot of debate, I decided to go ahead and make a post about job hunting and how to prepare for interviews (on-the-spot or one-on-one call backs) and job orientations.
I felt a little ridiculous even coming up with the idea as I've only ever been hired to one place other than my family store but it's better to share tips passed onto me and tips I have created for myself and others.
Edit: I was hired for a seasonal part-time position at Bath and Body Works!
I'm extremely nervous and I feel like I'll get fired within the first week of working because of the lack of experience I have. If all goes well, I would love to be rehired for part-time.
Near the end of September/start of October, I went to a job fair at the local mall with a few friends to find new jobs. With my lack of retail experience, I never got a call back. I applied in store at another mall weeks before but I handed in a resume with errors and a wrong contact number.. Not only did I screw up my resume the first time, I screwed myself over on the on-the-spot interviews at the job fair. Now I don't want to yab too much about my personal life cause I'm sure it bores you, let's start!
Note: When it comes to retail, appearance is important. If you do not look well-groomed and lively, you aren't going to be given a second chance. How can your employer expect you to sell something when you can't sell yourself?? You are like a product that your employer wants to buy onto their team!
Things To Do The DAY Before Job Hunting/Job Fairs:
1) Look over your resume for errors and wording. Include a separate reference page if you have any. If you have ideas of where you want to work, print a resume and reference sheet for each store and staple them together. And then, print extras to test your luck at other stores! Remember to carry the resumes in a thin binder or folder. Keep a pen and correction tape as some stores require you to fill out an extra application. Make sure you know what hours you want to work too!
2) Prepare an outfit - SUIT UP! You always want to look professional at a job fair or instore applications. You make a bigger statement than most people as they feel they can go casual before an interview. I recommend: (black or white) blouse, dress pants or skirt, matching blazer and dress shoes -flats or heels. Personally, heels make me feel confident and strong but it can be too dressy and uncomfortable so I recommend flats.
3) Are you going to wear makeup? Find neutral colors that will give you a healthy complexion and appearance. You'll want to keep it minimal. I'll leave the makeup I'm wearing the next day in a box ontop of my table so I don't have to dig the morning of. Recommendations: A brightening eyeshadow for the lid, matte peach for my arch waterline. And a coat of mascara to define my eyes. Don't forget concealer or tinted moisturizer for that even complexion! Skip the blush and opt for a tinted lip balm. Done, bam, I'm out the door!
4) Most interviewers and applications ask, "Why do you want to work here?". Do you know your answer? I like to research the stores I'm applying for to gain insight one what kind of workers the store is looking for. Your employer is looking for a well-informed, confident and, friendly employee! Practice your answers for typical interview questions and ....
5) The Hand Shake - it's an old one but a good one. Everyone talks about the firm but not hard handshake. I don't believe much in it but always initiate the handshake, it shows how confident you are!
6) Get 8 hours of sleep and drink loads of water. This is crucial! Even if you don't think you're dehydrated, it's has a side effect of sleepiness! You really want to feel AND look awake.
7) Confidence, confidence, confidence. Before sleeping, say all of the good things about yourself outload and why your employer should hire you!
Things To Do The Day Of:
1) Breakfast. Never skip breakfast, it's the most important meal of the day. Load up on the OJ! You're going to need all that energy. Job hunting is exhausting, okay??
2) Shower, dress, makeup. This should be easy as your outfit is laid out as is your makeup!
3) Resume, check. Hold that with you instead of in your purse incase of creasing and folding.
4) Keep a pack of gum and Kleenex in your bag. The gum is for the nerves but never chew during your interview. Kleenex is a must, you never know if you might spill something on yourself or catch a runny nose.
5) *Courtest of Shop N' Chomp* Get there early. Being an eager beaver is better than being tardy. There is no such thing as being "fashionably late"!
Honestly, I'm out of tips and ideas. I know and feel I am forgetting a load of them so if you have any to add, comment to share!
Chat Again Soon,
Ashley.
I felt a little ridiculous even coming up with the idea as I've only ever been hired to one place other than my family store but it's better to share tips passed onto me and tips I have created for myself and others.
Edit: I was hired for a seasonal part-time position at Bath and Body Works!
I'm extremely nervous and I feel like I'll get fired within the first week of working because of the lack of experience I have. If all goes well, I would love to be rehired for part-time.
Near the end of September/start of October, I went to a job fair at the local mall with a few friends to find new jobs. With my lack of retail experience, I never got a call back. I applied in store at another mall weeks before but I handed in a resume with errors and a wrong contact number.. Not only did I screw up my resume the first time, I screwed myself over on the on-the-spot interviews at the job fair. Now I don't want to yab too much about my personal life cause I'm sure it bores you, let's start!
Note: When it comes to retail, appearance is important. If you do not look well-groomed and lively, you aren't going to be given a second chance. How can your employer expect you to sell something when you can't sell yourself?? You are like a product that your employer wants to buy onto their team!
Things To Do The DAY Before Job Hunting/Job Fairs:
1) Look over your resume for errors and wording. Include a separate reference page if you have any. If you have ideas of where you want to work, print a resume and reference sheet for each store and staple them together. And then, print extras to test your luck at other stores! Remember to carry the resumes in a thin binder or folder. Keep a pen and correction tape as some stores require you to fill out an extra application. Make sure you know what hours you want to work too!
2) Prepare an outfit - SUIT UP! You always want to look professional at a job fair or instore applications. You make a bigger statement than most people as they feel they can go casual before an interview. I recommend: (black or white) blouse, dress pants or skirt, matching blazer and dress shoes -flats or heels. Personally, heels make me feel confident and strong but it can be too dressy and uncomfortable so I recommend flats.
3) Are you going to wear makeup? Find neutral colors that will give you a healthy complexion and appearance. You'll want to keep it minimal. I'll leave the makeup I'm wearing the next day in a box ontop of my table so I don't have to dig the morning of. Recommendations: A brightening eyeshadow for the lid, matte peach for my arch waterline. And a coat of mascara to define my eyes. Don't forget concealer or tinted moisturizer for that even complexion! Skip the blush and opt for a tinted lip balm. Done, bam, I'm out the door!
4) Most interviewers and applications ask, "Why do you want to work here?". Do you know your answer? I like to research the stores I'm applying for to gain insight one what kind of workers the store is looking for. Your employer is looking for a well-informed, confident and, friendly employee! Practice your answers for typical interview questions and ....
5) The Hand Shake - it's an old one but a good one. Everyone talks about the firm but not hard handshake. I don't believe much in it but always initiate the handshake, it shows how confident you are!
6) Get 8 hours of sleep and drink loads of water. This is crucial! Even if you don't think you're dehydrated, it's has a side effect of sleepiness! You really want to feel AND look awake.
7) Confidence, confidence, confidence. Before sleeping, say all of the good things about yourself outload and why your employer should hire you!
Things To Do The Day Of:
1) Breakfast. Never skip breakfast, it's the most important meal of the day. Load up on the OJ! You're going to need all that energy. Job hunting is exhausting, okay??
2) Shower, dress, makeup. This should be easy as your outfit is laid out as is your makeup!
3) Resume, check. Hold that with you instead of in your purse incase of creasing and folding.
4) Keep a pack of gum and Kleenex in your bag. The gum is for the nerves but never chew during your interview. Kleenex is a must, you never know if you might spill something on yourself or catch a runny nose.
5) *Courtest of Shop N' Chomp* Get there early. Being an eager beaver is better than being tardy. There is no such thing as being "fashionably late"!
Honestly, I'm out of tips and ideas. I know and feel I am forgetting a load of them so if you have any to add, comment to share!
Chat Again Soon,
Ashley.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Have You Hit Pan Recently?
As the title asks, have you hit pan recently? I can't say I have.. I've only ever hit pan on one makeup item of mine and that was ages ago! I'll share more about that later.
Since reading posts like Operation Use It Up! by Haru of Rouge Deluxe and *Monthly* Empties by Shela of Confessions of a Beauty Guru, I have been inspired to dedicate posts on my used-and-abused or finished products. It's a twist on Project 10 Pan as I haven't completely finished every product on one list and some items aren't even on a list to be checked off. A majority of these products were just accidently finished!
I feel unaccomplished compared to Haru and Shela but this will have to do. I really dig Shela's spin on Project 10 Pan but I'm trying to be tougher on myself & I don't mean to say Shela has it easy because she doesn't. My mind always strays and I never manage to focus on one product at a time. The only part of my routine that sticks is moisturizers, eye cream (one for day & one for night) and toner (nightly only). Body care like shampoo, body wash, body lotion, shaving cream.. it's constantly changing. Although I should mention, I've been sticking to one shampoo recently to help my dandruff but it hasn't done jack.
Onwards to less (or more) babbling! I don't have much to say about the products I've finished as I didn't really a majority of them but like Haru & Shela (and many other bloggers) I will add comments and or mini-reviews.
My favorite product of the bunch and the one I'll actually miss is the Vera Wang Flower Princess Perfume. Flower Princess is limited edition (not the orginal) and I believe is the first LE Princess perfume created and then followed suit was Rock Princess to Glam Princess. I don't think it's one of the popular Princesses because I can no longer find it in perfume boutiques or Sephora.. I do have a back-up bottle but since I can no longer find it in stores, I do not want to use it! On the bright side, I can now try another perfume guilt-free.
N.Y.C. New York Color Matte Bronzer in Sunny (720C)
I hit pan for the very first time on my very first bronzer! You can buy this at almost any drugstore for no more than $3. Dulce of DulceCandy or DulceCandy87 on Youtube raves about it constantly so eventually, I caved in and bought it too. I'm glad it was my first bronzer because it's quite affordable and it doesn't make me look orange or muddy. A very good bronzer but very bad ingredients. For the low price, the ingredients are expected to be poor but I need to treat my skin like it's a Goddess or else it'll turn on me! I won't be repurchasing it again but if you want to try a bronzer, do try this one!
Sunday is nearly over and I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was uneventful but I did go to the airport today to see my father off. He'll be gone for awhile but I'll cope, aslong as he comes back safe and sound (with loads of gifts too!).
Cheers,
Ashley.
Since reading posts like Operation Use It Up! by Haru of Rouge Deluxe and *Monthly* Empties by Shela of Confessions of a Beauty Guru, I have been inspired to dedicate posts on my used-and-abused or finished products. It's a twist on Project 10 Pan as I haven't completely finished every product on one list and some items aren't even on a list to be checked off. A majority of these products were just accidently finished!
(From L-to-R: Daiso Cleansing Foam, L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser, Vera Wang Flower Princess Perfume, LG Say Lavender Body Wash, jojoba oil, Caress Tahitan Renewal Silkening Body Wash, Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Moisturizing Shampoo)
*Not pictured: John Frieda Hair Serum – Thermal Protection Formula*
*Not pictured: John Frieda Hair Serum – Thermal Protection Formula*
I feel unaccomplished compared to Haru and Shela but this will have to do. I really dig Shela's spin on Project 10 Pan but I'm trying to be tougher on myself & I don't mean to say Shela has it easy because she doesn't. My mind always strays and I never manage to focus on one product at a time. The only part of my routine that sticks is moisturizers, eye cream (one for day & one for night) and toner (nightly only). Body care like shampoo, body wash, body lotion, shaving cream.. it's constantly changing. Although I should mention, I've been sticking to one shampoo recently to help my dandruff but it hasn't done jack.
Onwards to less (or more) babbling! I don't have much to say about the products I've finished as I didn't really a majority of them but like Haru & Shela (and many other bloggers) I will add comments and or mini-reviews.
My favorite product of the bunch and the one I'll actually miss is the Vera Wang Flower Princess Perfume. Flower Princess is limited edition (not the orginal) and I believe is the first LE Princess perfume created and then followed suit was Rock Princess to Glam Princess. I don't think it's one of the popular Princesses because I can no longer find it in perfume boutiques or Sephora.. I do have a back-up bottle but since I can no longer find it in stores, I do not want to use it! On the bright side, I can now try another perfume guilt-free.
The most disliked products of the bunch: Daiso Cleansing Foam and L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser. I used the L'Oreal cleanser to clean makeup brushes after I hit the half way mark. It wasn't a bad facial cleanser but I disliked the smell mostly. I should have never bought the cleanser from Daiso as I have no clue what the ingredients are and if anything were to happen, who would be to blame?? I used it wash makeup sponges and face clothes. It's heavily scented and drying, I blame the SLS.Now that I look back, 5 out of the 8 products I have finished contain sodium laureth sulfate.
The LG (Life is Good) Say Lavender Body Wash was purchased at a local Asian supermarket (T&T). I paid $7.99 for the whole bottle with a bonus refill pack that I gave to a friend. I'm glad I gave the refill away as I got bored of the scent so quickly.. All it is, is a light,milky-lavender. After finishing off the LG body wash, I finished the Caress Tahitan Renewal Silkening Body Wash shortly after. I've repurchased this body wash in the same scent over two times now. It's tropical yet sensual and I love the exfoliating beads. My skin is much smoother and softer after using it but I won't be repurchasing it anymore as the scent is no longer as enticing as it once was.
Note: Caress is unavailable in Canada. I purchased this at Target.
Snuggled in between the two body washes is a bottle of jojoba oil. I love jojoba oil as I can use it for everything! I added a spoonful to my body washes and lotions, shampoo and a few drops to facial moisturizers. I find it very moisturizing but I cannot rely on it alone. I have to use it in conjuction with other products to sink into my skin well.
Next is the Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Moisturizing Shampoo. I ordered a sample of it off of the Nexxus website and I really enjoyed the scent. In conjuction with the Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner, it made my hair light, soft and smelled like almond milk and a hint of baby powder. I really don't know how to explain scents but it was a niceeee! If it had done anything for my dandruff, I would've bought a full size.
Last is the John Frieda Hair Serum – Thermal Protection Formula. I use this to protect my hair from the UV rays, heat-styling and frizzing. I love it and you need it! It costs a bit much for a drugstore product ($9.99+) but it promises salon-quality results. All I need is one pump or a nickel size amount for my hair (a little past shoulder length). One bottle lasts 3-6 months depending on how much hair you have. I love the smell, the shine it gives my hair, the protection it promises and gives! I looove it and highly recommend it!
Lastly.. oh wait I'm done! But before I go, I wanted to show my one & only "hit pan" product. I have a lot of makeup for a person who rarely wears makeup so this was/is a big accomplishment (for me atleast). I don't know how I hit pan on this particular item as I hardly use its kind but I did. So here we have it..........................................:
The LG (Life is Good) Say Lavender Body Wash was purchased at a local Asian supermarket (T&T). I paid $7.99 for the whole bottle with a bonus refill pack that I gave to a friend. I'm glad I gave the refill away as I got bored of the scent so quickly.. All it is, is a light,milky-lavender. After finishing off the LG body wash, I finished the Caress Tahitan Renewal Silkening Body Wash shortly after. I've repurchased this body wash in the same scent over two times now. It's tropical yet sensual and I love the exfoliating beads. My skin is much smoother and softer after using it but I won't be repurchasing it anymore as the scent is no longer as enticing as it once was.
Note: Caress is unavailable in Canada. I purchased this at Target.
Snuggled in between the two body washes is a bottle of jojoba oil. I love jojoba oil as I can use it for everything! I added a spoonful to my body washes and lotions, shampoo and a few drops to facial moisturizers. I find it very moisturizing but I cannot rely on it alone. I have to use it in conjuction with other products to sink into my skin well.
Next is the Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Moisturizing Shampoo. I ordered a sample of it off of the Nexxus website and I really enjoyed the scent. In conjuction with the Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner, it made my hair light, soft and smelled like almond milk and a hint of baby powder. I really don't know how to explain scents but it was a niceeee! If it had done anything for my dandruff, I would've bought a full size.
Last is the John Frieda Hair Serum – Thermal Protection Formula. I use this to protect my hair from the UV rays, heat-styling and frizzing. I love it and you need it! It costs a bit much for a drugstore product ($9.99+) but it promises salon-quality results. All I need is one pump or a nickel size amount for my hair (a little past shoulder length). One bottle lasts 3-6 months depending on how much hair you have. I love the smell, the shine it gives my hair, the protection it promises and gives! I looove it and highly recommend it!
Lastly.. oh wait I'm done! But before I go, I wanted to show my one & only "hit pan" product. I have a lot of makeup for a person who rarely wears makeup so this was/is a big accomplishment (for me atleast). I don't know how I hit pan on this particular item as I hardly use its kind but I did. So here we have it..........................................:
I hit pan for the very first time on my very first bronzer! You can buy this at almost any drugstore for no more than $3. Dulce of DulceCandy or DulceCandy87 on Youtube raves about it constantly so eventually, I caved in and bought it too. I'm glad it was my first bronzer because it's quite affordable and it doesn't make me look orange or muddy. A very good bronzer but very bad ingredients. For the low price, the ingredients are expected to be poor but I need to treat my skin like it's a Goddess or else it'll turn on me! I won't be repurchasing it again but if you want to try a bronzer, do try this one!
Sunday is nearly over and I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was uneventful but I did go to the airport today to see my father off. He'll be gone for awhile but I'll cope, aslong as he comes back safe and sound (with loads of gifts too!).
Cheers,
Ashley.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!
If you haven't already heard, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog has hosted two donations in the past two years to raise awareness for breast cancer. This year, Karen is hosting a giveway with a prize worth $400.
For more information, check out this link.
I decided to make a sign and and participate. Luckily, I do not have family or have had family effected with breast cancer but cancer does run in my family.
This is the first time showing my face on my own blog so please be nice.
Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog has hosted two donations in the past two years to raise awareness for breast cancer. This year, Karen is hosting a giveway with a prize worth $400.
For more information, check out this link.
I decided to make a sign and and participate. Luckily, I do not have family or have had family effected with breast cancer but cancer does run in my family.
This is the first time showing my face on my own blog so please be nice.
I even made a "sign" at work...
I work with my family and I have my own office so I get to decorate the room however I like. Unfortunately, there's only one free wall so I can't do much. I decided to do spread further awareness and stuck colorful post-it notes on my free wall. I rarely see our customers because I'm more behind-the-scenes but the few visitors I have, really like my sign!
I urge you all to participate. Breast cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, what ever sickness, it affects everyone. Not only should you participate in Karen's giveaway but do your most to donate to what ever organization you choose. I make it a habit to donate atleast ten dollars a month because I know I need it less than others. Thanks for stopping!
Love ♥,
Ashley.
I urge you all to participate. Breast cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, what ever sickness, it affects everyone. Not only should you participate in Karen's giveaway but do your most to donate to what ever organization you choose. I make it a habit to donate atleast ten dollars a month because I know I need it less than others. Thanks for stopping!
Love ♥,
Ashley.
Monday, October 18, 2010
QUICK Post!
Guess who (on accident!) found the highly coveted Urban Decay Book of Shadows III??
I'll give you a hint, her name is Ashley and this is her blog. That's right, I DID!
I know I said I'd quit with the haul and frequent purchase posts but this was TOO exciting to keep to myself. I was really just looking for the Urban Decay Naked Palette (just for kicks, wasn't really thinking of buying it!....) when I saw the Urban Decay BoS III on display. I got the LAST ONE. Next to it was the limited edition supersized Primer Potion... I woulda scooped that up but I think I'll do that when Sephora has their annual Friends & Family sale. Or atleast I think it's annual..
Enough with that here is my pretty picture:
Goodnight,
Ashley :)
P.S. Yes I know, I took my photo on my washing machine!
I'll give you a hint, her name is Ashley and this is her blog. That's right, I DID!
I know I said I'd quit with the haul and frequent purchase posts but this was TOO exciting to keep to myself. I was really just looking for the Urban Decay Naked Palette (just for kicks, wasn't really thinking of buying it!....) when I saw the Urban Decay BoS III on display. I got the LAST ONE. Next to it was the limited edition supersized Primer Potion... I woulda scooped that up but I think I'll do that when Sephora has their annual Friends & Family sale. Or atleast I think it's annual..
Enough with that here is my pretty picture:
For better swatches, I suggest you check out Christine's swatches on Temptalia and Karen's at Makeup and Beauty Blog!
Goodnight,
Ashley :)
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Getting Luckier!
I'm back again and not a month later.. *claps*
I don't doubt anyone has noticed that most of my recent posts are more "haul" type posts rather than reviews but.. no worries! I'm preparing an abundance of them so please bear with me for a little longer. Please??
I remember saying I was on no buy to a llow buy months ago (feels like eons) and I'm still sticking by it but the rules have changed a little. I started to log my purchases weekly since May of this year and I have noticed not much has changed in my spending habits. I'm still buying atleast 1 to 5 beauty products a week. Since May, I've only spent one week without buying any beauty products and it's now October... That's approximately 6 months of cosmetic hoarding! If you're interested in what beauty *junk* I've bought, I'll prepare another blog post for that, just say the word! All that money could have gone into a new desk that I've been trying to save up for!
Anywho, this is going to be my last "haul" update for awhile. The thing is, I feel like I should do these types of posts because I usually run out of reviews to publish and I don't like going weeks without updating my blog. Since my last update, I featured eyeshadows, to blushes, to make-up that wasn't widely or at all available in Canada. I was lucky enough to find Hard Candy at my closest Wal-Mart last Monday. My initial thought was that the Wal-Mart near me wasn't going to stock Hard Candy but they've finally cleared some room for the whole collection. I must mention however that the lipsticks and glitter liner are seperated from the core collection and there are no testers available unlike the first Wal-Mart I discovered Hard Candy at. This does bother me as I want to swatch everything without ruining something someone else might want to buy! The blushes and bronzers are sealed with plastics (safe) but the lipsticks weren't sealed properly (unsafe!). The plastic doesn't cover the whole entire tube of lipstick and infact, you can just pull out the lipstick from the tube like there's not seal at all! I said I wasn't a fond of the Hard Candy blush in Honeymoon or the Welcome Matte mattifying powder. I still stand by that but I will continue to use it or eventually sell it. I picked up another baked blush and this time in Living Doll. There was a fight between Pin Up and Living Doll as I wanted Pin Up before I saw Living Doll but I decided Pin Up can wait. I have many shades just like it! I am a blush fiend, what can I say? I had my primer phase and now I'm onto my blush phase. I hope I run out of phases to go through so I eventually settle into the nothing phase!
I also went to London Drugs to grab an EcoTools brush set for $8.99 (originally $15.99, on sale for $9.99 but I had a $1 off coupon!). It came with a bonus 5x mirror with suction cups on the back to place on a non-magnifying mirror (I think..?). I didn't need another brush set but I figured this set was a steal for $8.99. The brush set comes with a brush roll containing a blush brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow brush, eyeliner brush, and eyebrow comb. In total, there are 6 pieces and then a bonus mirror. I could use a concealer brush as the three I have currently, aren't very good! I also like having loads of blush brushes to go with my lot of blushes. I'm crazy, I know. And ontop of that, I bought a Balmshell lip stain on clearance for $3.97. A short review is coming up shortly on that. Loads of reviews are coming up shortly! LOADS.
(No photos for these!)
On Wednesday, I bought a Color Club nail polish set at Winners for $12.99. I bought two but tonight I returned one. The set I kept was Wild At Heart. Each set contains 7 nail polishes. Here are a few blogs that are spreading the Color Club buzz!
After returning a Color Club set at Winners, I ran into Cara (formerly The Face Shop) because I saw a hugeee poster that said Giractik Beauty products for $5. Turns out it was $5 for ONE product, $8 for TWO, and $10 for 3. I think I might go back for more, is that wrong? The original price of most of Girlactik Beauty products are $20+. Did you know Girlactik was formerly sold in Sephora? This is definitely a good steal and you might want to check it out if you're into shimmer. Most of the Girlactik Beauty products contain a hint of shimmer!
Oh anyway, now I'm babbling. I bought three blushes, all different shades in: Bora Bora, Havana, and Naples.
All in all, a very short loot. I definitely will try harder not to buy all this unecessary make-up. I know I haven't bought anything skincare for awhile so atleast I can pat myself on the back for that (besides the Garnier eye roller!). I even sold some make-up via Craigslist. I'm not rolling in the riches but atleast my make-up lot is lessening. I'll keep trying to get my stuff sold but until then, wish me luck!
Lotsa ♥,
Ashley.
I don't doubt anyone has noticed that most of my recent posts are more "haul" type posts rather than reviews but.. no worries! I'm preparing an abundance of them so please bear with me for a little longer. Please??
I remember saying I was on no buy to a llow buy months ago (feels like eons) and I'm still sticking by it but the rules have changed a little. I started to log my purchases weekly since May of this year and I have noticed not much has changed in my spending habits. I'm still buying atleast 1 to 5 beauty products a week. Since May, I've only spent one week without buying any beauty products and it's now October... That's approximately 6 months of cosmetic hoarding! If you're interested in what beauty *junk* I've bought, I'll prepare another blog post for that, just say the word! All that money could have gone into a new desk that I've been trying to save up for!
Anywho, this is going to be my last "haul" update for awhile. The thing is, I feel like I should do these types of posts because I usually run out of reviews to publish and I don't like going weeks without updating my blog. Since my last update, I featured eyeshadows, to blushes, to make-up that wasn't widely or at all available in Canada. I was lucky enough to find Hard Candy at my closest Wal-Mart last Monday. My initial thought was that the Wal-Mart near me wasn't going to stock Hard Candy but they've finally cleared some room for the whole collection. I must mention however that the lipsticks and glitter liner are seperated from the core collection and there are no testers available unlike the first Wal-Mart I discovered Hard Candy at. This does bother me as I want to swatch everything without ruining something someone else might want to buy! The blushes and bronzers are sealed with plastics (safe) but the lipsticks weren't sealed properly (unsafe!). The plastic doesn't cover the whole entire tube of lipstick and infact, you can just pull out the lipstick from the tube like there's not seal at all! I said I wasn't a fond of the Hard Candy blush in Honeymoon or the Welcome Matte mattifying powder. I still stand by that but I will continue to use it or eventually sell it. I picked up another baked blush and this time in Living Doll. There was a fight between Pin Up and Living Doll as I wanted Pin Up before I saw Living Doll but I decided Pin Up can wait. I have many shades just like it! I am a blush fiend, what can I say? I had my primer phase and now I'm onto my blush phase. I hope I run out of phases to go through so I eventually settle into the nothing phase!
I also went to London Drugs to grab an EcoTools brush set for $8.99 (originally $15.99, on sale for $9.99 but I had a $1 off coupon!). It came with a bonus 5x mirror with suction cups on the back to place on a non-magnifying mirror (I think..?). I didn't need another brush set but I figured this set was a steal for $8.99. The brush set comes with a brush roll containing a blush brush, concealer brush, eyeshadow brush, eyeliner brush, and eyebrow comb. In total, there are 6 pieces and then a bonus mirror. I could use a concealer brush as the three I have currently, aren't very good! I also like having loads of blush brushes to go with my lot of blushes. I'm crazy, I know. And ontop of that, I bought a Balmshell lip stain on clearance for $3.97. A short review is coming up shortly on that. Loads of reviews are coming up shortly! LOADS.
(No photos for these!)
On Wednesday, I bought a Color Club nail polish set at Winners for $12.99. I bought two but tonight I returned one. The set I kept was Wild At Heart. Each set contains 7 nail polishes. Here are a few blogs that are spreading the Color Club buzz!
After returning a Color Club set at Winners, I ran into Cara (formerly The Face Shop) because I saw a hugeee poster that said Giractik Beauty products for $5. Turns out it was $5 for ONE product, $8 for TWO, and $10 for 3. I think I might go back for more, is that wrong? The original price of most of Girlactik Beauty products are $20+. Did you know Girlactik was formerly sold in Sephora? This is definitely a good steal and you might want to check it out if you're into shimmer. Most of the Girlactik Beauty products contain a hint of shimmer!
Oh anyway, now I'm babbling. I bought three blushes, all different shades in: Bora Bora, Havana, and Naples.
All in all, a very short loot. I definitely will try harder not to buy all this unecessary make-up. I know I haven't bought anything skincare for awhile so atleast I can pat myself on the back for that (besides the Garnier eye roller!). I even sold some make-up via Craigslist. I'm not rolling in the riches but atleast my make-up lot is lessening. I'll keep trying to get my stuff sold but until then, wish me luck!
Lotsa ♥,
Ashley.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Spotted: Great Deals & Finds
Remember my Spotted: ELF @ Dollarama post? Well I have another one on random finds and deals I've come across recently. I'm too excited so I'll get right to it...
Rexall is hosting yet ANOTHER 50% off sale on a particular make-up item.. Sometime before the Summer, Rexall hosted a 50% off sale on all LIP PRODUCTS and then they had another one for NAIL PRODUCTS. From October 22nd to the 29th, Rexall will have ALL mascaras 50% off regular price.I've checked their prices and it's similar to Shoppers Drug Mart prices. Don't worry though, with the 50% off, each mascara is either $10 or below. Higher end brands like PUPA, Elizabeth Arden and Emani will be a little over $10, I'm guessing. Be sure to check it out regardless and stock up on your staple mascara!
CARA, formerly known as The Face Shop is having a limited time sale on all Girlactik Beauty products. Buy ONE for $5 or buy TWO for $8. Better yet, buy THREE for $10!
If you don't know already, Girlactik Beauty used to have a stand in Sephora! Prices range from $14-$24+, this is a rough estimate but it is better priced than some drugstore cosmetics!
Wal-Mart now stocks Hard Candy in Canada. I've been longing for it!
I don't know how different the prices are compared to the US but I can give you some of the Canadian prices for comparison. The prices range from $4.98 to $8.98.
Eye Candy (glitter eye cream PLUS glitter liner) - $4.98
Plumping Serum, Hot Smudge eyeliner, Kal-Eye-Descope (baked eyeshadow duos),
Meteor-Eyes (baked glitter eyeshadows), Visibily Wet (shockingly glossy lip pencil), Painted Lady - $5.98
Blush Crush (marbelized baked blush) - $6.98
Button Your Lip (full color liquid lipstick), Outrageously Delicious (flavored body powder),
Nobody's Perfect, Welcome Matte, Moon Glow, Glitteratzi Body Spray - $7.98
So Baked Bronzer - $8.97
Missing prices: Tinted Moisturizer, Sheer Envy Primer, other lipglosses. I think the TM & Primer are $7.98 and the glosses should be $5.98.
Also at Wal-Mart, Wet n Wild products (certain few) are $2, $3, or $4. MEGA LAST Nail Color are $2, MEGA LAST Lip Colors are $3, Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios/Palettes and Blushes are $4 before taxes. I've seen the prices like this for awhile now but I'm not sure if it's on rollback. It may be permanent changes to prices but I wouldn't count on that so jump on it if you're interested!
Winners has Color Club nail polish sets (of seven) for $12.99. I think there are 6 different sets. Before taxes, each polish comes out to be $1.85. That isn't so bad and I hear the quality is beyond decent!
That's all I have for now but head on over to Sparkled Beauty for Weekly Flyer Deals and Canadian Daily Deals for .. well as the name suggests! See you all soon :)Love,
Ashley
Rexall is hosting yet ANOTHER 50% off sale on a particular make-up item.. Sometime before the Summer, Rexall hosted a 50% off sale on all LIP PRODUCTS and then they had another one for NAIL PRODUCTS. From October 22nd to the 29th, Rexall will have ALL mascaras 50% off regular price.I've checked their prices and it's similar to Shoppers Drug Mart prices. Don't worry though, with the 50% off, each mascara is either $10 or below. Higher end brands like PUPA, Elizabeth Arden and Emani will be a little over $10, I'm guessing. Be sure to check it out regardless and stock up on your staple mascara!
CARA, formerly known as The Face Shop is having a limited time sale on all Girlactik Beauty products. Buy ONE for $5 or buy TWO for $8. Better yet, buy THREE for $10!
If you don't know already, Girlactik Beauty used to have a stand in Sephora! Prices range from $14-$24+, this is a rough estimate but it is better priced than some drugstore cosmetics!
Wal-Mart now stocks Hard Candy in Canada. I've been longing for it!
I don't know how different the prices are compared to the US but I can give you some of the Canadian prices for comparison. The prices range from $4.98 to $8.98.
Eye Candy (glitter eye cream PLUS glitter liner) - $4.98
Plumping Serum, Hot Smudge eyeliner, Kal-Eye-Descope (baked eyeshadow duos),
Meteor-Eyes (baked glitter eyeshadows), Visibily Wet (shockingly glossy lip pencil), Painted Lady - $5.98
Blush Crush (marbelized baked blush) - $6.98
Button Your Lip (full color liquid lipstick), Outrageously Delicious (flavored body powder),
Nobody's Perfect, Welcome Matte, Moon Glow, Glitteratzi Body Spray - $7.98
So Baked Bronzer - $8.97
Missing prices: Tinted Moisturizer, Sheer Envy Primer, other lipglosses. I think the TM & Primer are $7.98 and the glosses should be $5.98.
Also at Wal-Mart, Wet n Wild products (certain few) are $2, $3, or $4. MEGA LAST Nail Color are $2, MEGA LAST Lip Colors are $3, Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios/Palettes and Blushes are $4 before taxes. I've seen the prices like this for awhile now but I'm not sure if it's on rollback. It may be permanent changes to prices but I wouldn't count on that so jump on it if you're interested!
Winners has Color Club nail polish sets (of seven) for $12.99. I think there are 6 different sets. Before taxes, each polish comes out to be $1.85. That isn't so bad and I hear the quality is beyond decent!
That's all I have for now but head on over to Sparkled Beauty for Weekly Flyer Deals and Canadian Daily Deals for .. well as the name suggests! See you all soon :)Love,
Ashley
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Getting Lucky
It's Tuesday! Wait, what's so special about Tuesday, you ask? Triple 'O' Tuesdays, duh!
Every Tuesday, Triple O's has their original burger (aka. White Spot's Legendary Burger) for $3.33 (down from the original $4.69). I'm having two for dinner.. don't judge!
You can also make it a combo (fries & a drink) for an extra $2. I assure you, this is waaay better than a McDonalds combo. The Legendary Burger calls itself the "Sauciest, Juiciest, Tastiest", definitely not the juiciest but it sure is tasty and I always ask for extra mayo! the mayo is the best part!
Besides my dinner plans, I thought I'd share some of the beauty related products I bought last week. I have accumulated quite a bit...
Last Wednesday, with no intentions on picking either of these items up, I went home with:
The Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Palette in "LUST" for $4CAD (not including tax). I was more interested in "Greed" but there weren't any left in stock. "Pride" and "Vanity" are nice to have but I don't need them as I hardly use blues or teals and I have an abundance of neutrals. I also find it ironic that Greed features peachy, pastel pinks yet the word itself feels more green. Back to Lust; the palette features 3 matte eyeshadows and 3 sparkle induced eyeshadows:
Both pictures were taken with indoor lighting; left with flash and right without.
After a long debate on whether I should/n't, I ended up grabbing the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller for $11.97 (down from $15.97).
(No picture for this one, sorry!)
Onto Hard Candy cosmetics which felt very promising at the start but led to a bit of "meh" syndrome... It took me a month of searching to finally find Hard Candy stocked at a Wal-Mart, not too far from me but still not as close as the supercenter 5 minutes from my house. It turns out the Supercenter near me isn't stocking Hard Candy... What the ****??? Annoying but at least I know where it is and that it is available to me!
All I picked up from the Hard Candy collection was the Baked Blush in Honeymoon and Welcome Matte Mattifying Powder. I'm not enjoying the baked blush much as a blush but it can work as a great highlighter. I wish I chose Pin Up instead when I was debating either or... :\
Also, the mattifying powder isn't so great. I went home to look for comparison reviews of MAC's Blot Powder(??) & apparently this one doesn't hold up as well. I figured the same, as my t-zone gets oily just as much as without the Welcome Matte. I'm doing a quick short review on that soon, don't worry!
(The Body Shop Cheek & Face Powder next to Hard Candy Baked Blush)
All in all, cute packaging & a friendly price. I only wish the the ingredients were nicer.
My TOP favorite purchase of all is the, The Body Shop 02 Cheek and Face Powder (Berry). I got it for a STEAL of a price at $8.90CAD before taxes. That's almost HALF of the original price *happy dance*!
You can see that I took one photo outdoors in natural lighting and the second photo indoors.
It's actually a cool toned blush despite the warmness of the indoor photo.
Last but not least, I bought the infamous Queen Helene Mint Julip Masque. I had no idea this was available in Canada , why didn't anyone tell me??! Where, you ask? *DRUM ROLL, please??* Alive! Alive is a vitamin and supplement store in Canada. I'm not sure if there are many but I do know (now) that they carry two Queen Helene facial masques and many different oils. If you're in Vancouver, Metrotown has an Alive store next to the pretzel shop, next to Beard Papas! I'm going to test this out for a while so wait for the good/bad news!
(No photo for this one too! Sorry =___=")
Anyway that pretty much wraps up this post. I was very lucky to find all of these half -bargins (The Body Shop, Hard Candy, Wet n Wild..) & unintentional finds (Queen Helene, Garnier..).
F.Y.I. - My intentions are not to brag about my purchases but to inform everyone where to buy things they're interested in and price points.
I will start writing the reviews for all of the products I purchased after a good week or month of testing. I'll catch you all later!
Edit: I apologize for the late, outdated post! I meant to post this on Tuesday but I had a lot of errands to do after work and was not able to publish this on time. At least now I can torture you with a picture of my deliciously half eaten burger!
P.S. Does anyone know how to use Blogger?? My posts are always rearranged after publishing and my font goes small and... ARGH!
Every Tuesday, Triple O's has their original burger (aka. White Spot's Legendary Burger) for $3.33 (down from the original $4.69). I'm having two for dinner.. don't judge!
You can also make it a combo (fries & a drink) for an extra $2. I assure you, this is waaay better than a McDonalds combo. The Legendary Burger calls itself the "Sauciest, Juiciest, Tastiest", definitely not the juiciest but it sure is tasty and I always ask for extra mayo! the mayo is the best part!
Besides my dinner plans, I thought I'd share some of the beauty related products I bought last week. I have accumulated quite a bit...
Last Wednesday, with no intentions on picking either of these items up, I went home with:
The Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Palette in "LUST" for $4CAD (not including tax). I was more interested in "Greed" but there weren't any left in stock. "Pride" and "Vanity" are nice to have but I don't need them as I hardly use blues or teals and I have an abundance of neutrals. I also find it ironic that Greed features peachy, pastel pinks yet the word itself feels more green. Back to Lust; the palette features 3 matte eyeshadows and 3 sparkle induced eyeshadows:
Both pictures were taken with indoor lighting; left with flash and right without.
After a long debate on whether I should/n't, I ended up grabbing the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller for $11.97 (down from $15.97).
(No picture for this one, sorry!)
Onto Hard Candy cosmetics which felt very promising at the start but led to a bit of "meh" syndrome... It took me a month of searching to finally find Hard Candy stocked at a Wal-Mart, not too far from me but still not as close as the supercenter 5 minutes from my house. It turns out the Supercenter near me isn't stocking Hard Candy... What the ****??? Annoying but at least I know where it is and that it is available to me!
All I picked up from the Hard Candy collection was the Baked Blush in Honeymoon and Welcome Matte Mattifying Powder. I'm not enjoying the baked blush much as a blush but it can work as a great highlighter. I wish I chose Pin Up instead when I was debating either or... :\
Also, the mattifying powder isn't so great. I went home to look for comparison reviews of MAC's Blot Powder(??) & apparently this one doesn't hold up as well. I figured the same, as my t-zone gets oily just as much as without the Welcome Matte. I'm doing a quick short review on that soon, don't worry!
(The Body Shop Cheek & Face Powder next to Hard Candy Baked Blush)
All in all, cute packaging & a friendly price. I only wish the the ingredients were nicer.
My TOP favorite purchase of all is the, The Body Shop 02 Cheek and Face Powder (Berry). I got it for a STEAL of a price at $8.90CAD before taxes. That's almost HALF of the original price *happy dance*!
You can see that I took one photo outdoors in natural lighting and the second photo indoors.
It's actually a cool toned blush despite the warmness of the indoor photo.
Last but not least, I bought the infamous Queen Helene Mint Julip Masque. I had no idea this was available in Canada , why didn't anyone tell me??! Where, you ask? *DRUM ROLL, please??* Alive! Alive is a vitamin and supplement store in Canada. I'm not sure if there are many but I do know (now) that they carry two Queen Helene facial masques and many different oils. If you're in Vancouver, Metrotown has an Alive store next to the pretzel shop, next to Beard Papas! I'm going to test this out for a while so wait for the good/bad news!
(No photo for this one too! Sorry =___=")
Anyway that pretty much wraps up this post. I was very lucky to find all of these half -bargins (The Body Shop, Hard Candy, Wet n Wild..) & unintentional finds (Queen Helene, Garnier..).
F.Y.I. - My intentions are not to brag about my purchases but to inform everyone where to buy things they're interested in and price points.
I will start writing the reviews for all of the products I purchased after a good week or month of testing. I'll catch you all later!
Edit: I apologize for the late, outdated post! I meant to post this on Tuesday but I had a lot of errands to do after work and was not able to publish this on time. At least now I can torture you with a picture of my deliciously half eaten burger!
P.S. Does anyone know how to use Blogger?? My posts are always rearranged after publishing and my font goes small and... ARGH!
Ciao,
Ashley!
Ashley!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Remember September
September is the month I always end up growing up; maturing. You'd think I'd be "growing up" in March but I can hardly explain what it is. Before I blog about nonsense, I want to remind everyone that September isn't the month to bicker and complain about our petty issues with the weather and homework. We need to be thankful for all that we have, right now. I'm sorry if I sound a little depressed but after my little vacation with my family, I came home to a nasty surprise. Not every ending to every story or day is perfect but one can dream.
So about my vacation - I took a two day trip to Seattle with my parents & some other family to shop/sight-see. To be honest, there wasn't much sight-seeing but a lot more shopping! Infact, I spent a fair amount more than my parents. I ran to two different Urban Outfitter's to find my precious Deena & Ozzy Treaded Lace-Up Boots in Tan. I ended up finding buying a pair in black the first day & found a pair in tan the next day. I kept them both because.. I'm crazy! I also bought a BDG Primary Satchel in Brown (to match the boots!) which is a affordable alternative for the Cambridge Satchel Company Briefcase. My mom, for some strange reason, was extremly chipper regardless of how grumpy I was... she really spoiled me. Even my dad was being nice but that's because he didn't know my mom bought me more make-up at Sephora. Just an FYI, my mom RARELY buys me anything at Sephora. The last time she bought me something from Sephora was in May of 2009. All my other purchases are from gift cards!
Before I lose your attention, here are non-artistic pictures:
Everything I bought during this trip was in preparation of FALL. I keep almost all of the clothing I buy, even if it grows out of style or season. I like to wear my moneys worth! This year, I'll enjoy experimenting with dark lips and nails. I've also bought a new white coat for the FALL & that's going to really make me stand out. No more dark coats, dark jeans, ankle boots!
I could really do without the make-up though... I have too much. I'm considering selling on Craigslist too. Anyone think I should post the ad links to my blog??
I went to the Cosmetic Company Outlet at the Seattle Premium Outlet too. I really should have bought more there & skipped Sephora. I have no idea what I was thinking. It was my first time going to a CCO & I only walked out with a MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner. It's odd because I'm not much of a lip person either... There's always a first for everything but I don't think I'll be buying MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners in the future. Even for $11.75 (USD), this is just eh for me.
At Sephora, I bought the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden and...... Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude. The Illamasqua is by far my favorite cosmetic purchase from this trip! Illamasqua is still unavailable in Canada as far as I know. I don't know why because their Cream Blusher is amazing! I almost don't want to use it because it's so beautiful!
(Sorry no pictures for this!)
So about my vacation - I took a two day trip to Seattle with my parents & some other family to shop/sight-see. To be honest, there wasn't much sight-seeing but a lot more shopping! Infact, I spent a fair amount more than my parents. I ran to two different Urban Outfitter's to find my precious Deena & Ozzy Treaded Lace-Up Boots in Tan. I ended up finding buying a pair in black the first day & found a pair in tan the next day. I kept them both because.. I'm crazy! I also bought a BDG Primary Satchel in Brown (to match the boots!) which is a affordable alternative for the Cambridge Satchel Company Briefcase. My mom, for some strange reason, was extremly chipper regardless of how grumpy I was... she really spoiled me. Even my dad was being nice but that's because he didn't know my mom bought me more make-up at Sephora. Just an FYI, my mom RARELY buys me anything at Sephora. The last time she bought me something from Sephora was in May of 2009. All my other purchases are from gift cards!
Before I lose your attention, here are non-artistic pictures:
Everything I bought during this trip was in preparation of FALL. I keep almost all of the clothing I buy, even if it grows out of style or season. I like to wear my moneys worth! This year, I'll enjoy experimenting with dark lips and nails. I've also bought a new white coat for the FALL & that's going to really make me stand out. No more dark coats, dark jeans, ankle boots!
I could really do without the make-up though... I have too much. I'm considering selling on Craigslist too. Anyone think I should post the ad links to my blog??
I went to the Cosmetic Company Outlet at the Seattle Premium Outlet too. I really should have bought more there & skipped Sephora. I have no idea what I was thinking. It was my first time going to a CCO & I only walked out with a MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner. It's odd because I'm not much of a lip person either... There's always a first for everything but I don't think I'll be buying MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners in the future. Even for $11.75 (USD), this is just eh for me.
At Sephora, I bought the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden and...... Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude. The Illamasqua is by far my favorite cosmetic purchase from this trip! Illamasqua is still unavailable in Canada as far as I know. I don't know why because their Cream Blusher is amazing! I almost don't want to use it because it's so beautiful!
(Sorry no pictures for this!)
And before I take my leave, I declare Uwajimaya as the best & closest Japanese Supermarket to Vancouver, B.C. that carries some of the most amazing KOBE Beef and... Japanese cosmetics. I bought the Essential Nuance Airy shampoo & treatment there for $30 altogether. I couldn't find the conditioner.. ah well, I find treatments & condtioners are one in the same. My hair is quite soft and light after a week of using the shampoo but I'm on the fence about the salon-esque scent. We'll see if it helps my dandruff and color damage from Palty.
P.S. I dyed my hair again (even though I made an oath not to..). Prettia is finally being sold at the T&T Supermarket so I got a box in *something* black. It's literally a jet black; think geisha doll black. If you're interested, it's on sale for $13.99 but the original retail price is $16.99. I think I'm going to stock up on 2 boxes for my parent's before the sale ends.
I swear that ONE box is good enough for anyone will hair that reaches the small of their back.
Well that's all for today, I hope you enjoyed my super long picture! It had plenty of pictures, no??
I swear that ONE box is good enough for anyone will hair that reaches the small of their back.
Well that's all for today, I hope you enjoyed my super long picture! It had plenty of pictures, no??
Review - The Body Shop Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel + MINI BLOG
Before I begin anything cosmetic or non-school related... I got the iPhone 4 (32G)!! For the next THREE years that I'm signed onto a contract with Rogers, I'm paying $302 (CAD) for the phone AND another $xxxx for the phone bill. I've calculated the total cost of the phone bill after the 3 years are over & you wouldn't believe how much I'll be paying. I dare you to take a guess at my total, the answer will be at the very bottom of this post! Hint: Every month for the next 3 years, I'll be paying $80 unless I change my phone plan or my phone company gives me a special deal (unlikely). I've never had an iPhone before and I'm not a geek but this phone is decent. I absolutely hate people who tell me I'm a fool for buying the iPhone 4 or pressuring me to buy into the BlackBerry but honestly, whatever! Technology is changing day by day & in the end, no ones a winner because there is always something better. Nothing comes without a price or a flaw.
And onto something less depressing but boring, my review! I've been impatient but excited to do this review but I waited a good 2-to-4 weeks before I gave it my good word. I I still have a lot of time to judge & technically this could be another "initial" experience but I think it'll be alright if I did the review now. I will compare the Bioré PURIFY Steam Activated Cleanser to the Passion Fruit Cleansing Gel somewhere along the way, don't worry.
Here's what The Body Shop said about their (Originals) product:
Best for: all skin types
How it works:
- Community Trade honey moisturizes and conditions the skin.
- Passion fruit extract is a gentle ingredient that helps refresh the skin.
- Glycerin helps moisturize the skin.
In Detail
Did anyone notice The Body Shop described the Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel as a, "refreshing cleansing milk"? I don't want to be a grammar snob but it seems like The Body Shop made a few typos. Better higher a new typist, ha!
The Body Shop asserts the Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel is best for all skin types but while I found that hard to believe, it was infact very gentle. I've grown very fond of cream cleansers and wish they made this cleanser in a cream formula but an unscented cream cleanser is key to an ultimate extra gentle cleanser. After being spoiled by the Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser, I gather the Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel isn't as gentle but far better than the Bioré PURIFY Steam Activated Cleanser. I can use this cleanser twice a day without dryness on my cheeks. The Bioré PURIFY Steam Activated Cleanser made my face dry in patches, especially around the nose and eyes. It helps remove all the oil on my forehead but cannot prevent the acne there but atleast it doesn't promise that ability. It's good for removing the heaviest of eyeshadows but fails with waterproof mascara. It can't defeat heavy facial make-up but light make-up? A-Ok. The fruity scent isn't an abundance of tropical fruits, just the aroma of passion fruit! I've also been using the Fuzzy Peach Shower Gel by The Body Shop & that smells equally delicious. If only I could use it for my face! The cleanser comes in 250 ml for $5.99 so it'll last a good 3-to-6 months. My only issue is the lathering. You only need two pea sized squirts to get a nice bubbly but your hands and face should only be barely damp! While it seems like everything is fine and dandy, think again. The Body Shop Passion Fruit cleanser comes housed in a flip cap bottle & could make it or break it for some people. Atleast sell us an individual pump. I'm beginning to hate having to switch my cleansers into different bottles to fit my liking!
In Short-form
Would I recommend this? Sure, give it a try if you're interested. Right now, The Body Shop is having a 2 for $10 deal on their Originals line. You could try a scented shower gel while testing the waters with this cleanser for $10 or pay $5.99 for the cleanser alone.
I like The Body Shop's Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel. It's a simple cleanser that works well against heavy eye make-up or light facial make-up. It doesn't help my acne but nothing can besides better eating habits. I dig the delicious fruitful scent but some may not. I wish it didn't dry my cheeks but atleast it wasn't my whole face. The flip-cap bottle annoys me but luckily, I have an extra pump bottle laying around! The size is well worth the price for all it does too.
I sincerely hope someone found this review useful, there wasn't much to it. If you stuck around for the answer, it's....
$2,800!
And onto something less depressing but boring, my review! I've been impatient but excited to do this review but I waited a good 2-to-4 weeks before I gave it my good word. I I still have a lot of time to judge & technically this could be another "initial" experience but I think it'll be alright if I did the review now. I will compare the Bioré PURIFY Steam Activated Cleanser to the Passion Fruit Cleansing Gel somewhere along the way, don't worry.
Here's what The Body Shop said about their (Originals) product:
Best if you want to: Wash away excess oil, makeup and impurities with a refreshing cleansing milk that gently cleanses without drying to leave skin feeling soft, smooth and refreshed.
Best for: all skin types
How it works:
- Community Trade honey moisturizes and conditions the skin.
- Passion fruit extract is a gentle ingredient that helps refresh the skin.
- Glycerin helps moisturize the skin.
In Detail
Did anyone notice The Body Shop described the Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel as a, "refreshing cleansing milk"? I don't want to be a grammar snob but it seems like The Body Shop made a few typos. Better higher a new typist, ha!
The Body Shop asserts the Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel is best for all skin types but while I found that hard to believe, it was infact very gentle. I've grown very fond of cream cleansers and wish they made this cleanser in a cream formula but an unscented cream cleanser is key to an ultimate extra gentle cleanser. After being spoiled by the Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser, I gather the Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel isn't as gentle but far better than the Bioré PURIFY Steam Activated Cleanser. I can use this cleanser twice a day without dryness on my cheeks. The Bioré PURIFY Steam Activated Cleanser made my face dry in patches, especially around the nose and eyes. It helps remove all the oil on my forehead but cannot prevent the acne there but atleast it doesn't promise that ability. It's good for removing the heaviest of eyeshadows but fails with waterproof mascara. It can't defeat heavy facial make-up but light make-up? A-Ok. The fruity scent isn't an abundance of tropical fruits, just the aroma of passion fruit! I've also been using the Fuzzy Peach Shower Gel by The Body Shop & that smells equally delicious. If only I could use it for my face! The cleanser comes in 250 ml for $5.99 so it'll last a good 3-to-6 months. My only issue is the lathering. You only need two pea sized squirts to get a nice bubbly but your hands and face should only be barely damp! While it seems like everything is fine and dandy, think again. The Body Shop Passion Fruit cleanser comes housed in a flip cap bottle & could make it or break it for some people. Atleast sell us an individual pump. I'm beginning to hate having to switch my cleansers into different bottles to fit my liking!
In Short-form
Would I recommend this? Sure, give it a try if you're interested. Right now, The Body Shop is having a 2 for $10 deal on their Originals line. You could try a scented shower gel while testing the waters with this cleanser for $10 or pay $5.99 for the cleanser alone.
I like The Body Shop's Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel. It's a simple cleanser that works well against heavy eye make-up or light facial make-up. It doesn't help my acne but nothing can besides better eating habits. I dig the delicious fruitful scent but some may not. I wish it didn't dry my cheeks but atleast it wasn't my whole face. The flip-cap bottle annoys me but luckily, I have an extra pump bottle laying around! The size is well worth the price for all it does too.
I sincerely hope someone found this review useful, there wasn't much to it. If you stuck around for the answer, it's....
$2,800!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Lovely Surprises
On certain days, I'll open my mailbox to find a load of goodies ranging from coupons or gifts to magazines. On other days, I'll come home to junk mail. Whichever it happens to be, I love finding mail with my name on it! I especially love surprise mail from close friends but who doesn't, right?? It will always turna bad day into a good one!
Like today for instance, I woke up to a nasty surprise. One: It was 3:30PM when I woke up, Two: I completely ruined a new pair of Hello Kitty boy briefs! Thanks Aunt Flow, you couldn't have warned me atleast??
And no, I do not think this isn't too much info. It happens to all of us ladies! It only seems to happen to me every time... regardless of checking when Aunt Flow is swinging by. I guess you really can't prepare for everything. So after taking an extra strength Advil, hopping into the shower & reheating leftovers, I went to check the mailbox. I was happily surprised to find a package from Jenny of A Haute Passion!
Back in July, Jenny hosted a Nailene Giveaway with three different prizes. (Thank you, Jenny for having such a great giveaway!) I won the second prize which was a Nailene Couture Press-on nails kit.
Besides that, I finally get to go see my niece today after two dreaded weeks without her. I have had a terrible week and little things like seeing a baby smile or mail with my name on it will always makes ME feel better.
Just look, after 2 weeks of wearing Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in Bite the Bullet (207A) on my bare nails... this is what happens:
Like today for instance, I woke up to a nasty surprise. One: It was 3:30PM when I woke up, Two: I completely ruined a new pair of Hello Kitty boy briefs! Thanks Aunt Flow, you couldn't have warned me atleast??
And no, I do not think this isn't too much info. It happens to all of us ladies! It only seems to happen to me every time... regardless of checking when Aunt Flow is swinging by. I guess you really can't prepare for everything. So after taking an extra strength Advil, hopping into the shower & reheating leftovers, I went to check the mailbox. I was happily surprised to find a package from Jenny of A Haute Passion!
Back in July, Jenny hosted a Nailene Giveaway with three different prizes. (Thank you, Jenny for having such a great giveaway!) I won the second prize which was a Nailene Couture Press-on nails kit.
Besides that, I finally get to go see my niece today after two dreaded weeks without her. I have had a terrible week and little things like seeing a baby smile or mail with my name on it will always makes ME feel better.
Just look, after 2 weeks of wearing Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in Bite the Bullet (207A) on my bare nails... this is what happens:
Besides that, I also got to see my niece today after two dreaded weeks without her. Seeing her smile, finding mail with my name on it AND Jersey Shore? I feel much better! If you have any tips or cures for cramps, please please please leave a comment & share.
Enjoy the weekend! It's ALMOST Friday!
Enjoy the weekend! It's ALMOST Friday!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Spotted: ELF @ Dollarama
Let’s skip the fact that I haven’t blogged in over 2 weeks+ because I have good news!
(P.S. I am immensely sorry, I'm a bad blogger)
A little while back, I found out through Fantasia that ELF Eye Shadow and Blending Brushes were being sold at Dollarama for $1.50 a piece! When I found out weeks ago, I went to check straight away but I didn’t find any. I even asked a friend in another city to check out her local Dollarama but she had no luck either.
After weeks of searching, I finally found the ELF brushes at my local Dollarama while shopping with my mother today. While I couldn’t find Blending Brushes, there was the Total Face Brush and Eye Shadow Brush. I bought one Total Face Brush (which I hate…) and three Eye Shadow brushes! I already have one from 2 years ago & I like it very much. For $1.50 it’s a save but if I want to be a little more luxurious, I’ll spend the extra $3.50 on an EcoTools Deluxe Eye Shadow Brush.
When I got home today I immediately washed the brushes. The Total Face Brush shed like nuts and bled profusely! I’m scared to put it on my face as it hasn’t completely stopped bleeding… Meanwhile, one out of the three Eye Shadow Brush(es) has a few hard hairs. I can’t explain it but if you do buy any be sure to take them out of the packages in the store to check the “softness” of the hairs.
Although there’s a little sadness in my experience, I still have more good news to spew!
Zellers now carries a wider range of ELF sets! I’m talkin’ about ELF Beauty Books found at Target (US) and the mini make-up palette. Anyone see the mini ELF black boxed palette at Winners but is ALWAYS damaged because of BAD beauty junkies? Well anyway, the ones at Zellers are completely boxed and protected from filthy fingers so REJOICE!
There is a catch however… All of the ELF sets being sold at Zellers are pretty much double in price compared what the US beauty junkies have to pay! No fair but at least we have something rather than nothing…
I'll edit pictures into this post as soon as I finish cleaning my room. I didn't want anyone to miss out on the amazingness that is happening to us Canadians!
Ciao,
Ashley :)
(P.S. I am immensely sorry, I'm a bad blogger)
A little while back, I found out through Fantasia that ELF Eye Shadow and Blending Brushes were being sold at Dollarama for $1.50 a piece! When I found out weeks ago, I went to check straight away but I didn’t find any. I even asked a friend in another city to check out her local Dollarama but she had no luck either.
After weeks of searching, I finally found the ELF brushes at my local Dollarama while shopping with my mother today. While I couldn’t find Blending Brushes, there was the Total Face Brush and Eye Shadow Brush. I bought one Total Face Brush (which I hate…) and three Eye Shadow brushes! I already have one from 2 years ago & I like it very much. For $1.50 it’s a save but if I want to be a little more luxurious, I’ll spend the extra $3.50 on an EcoTools Deluxe Eye Shadow Brush.
When I got home today I immediately washed the brushes. The Total Face Brush shed like nuts and bled profusely! I’m scared to put it on my face as it hasn’t completely stopped bleeding… Meanwhile, one out of the three Eye Shadow Brush(es) has a few hard hairs. I can’t explain it but if you do buy any be sure to take them out of the packages in the store to check the “softness” of the hairs.
Although there’s a little sadness in my experience, I still have more good news to spew!
Zellers now carries a wider range of ELF sets! I’m talkin’ about ELF Beauty Books found at Target (US) and the mini make-up palette. Anyone see the mini ELF black boxed palette at Winners but is ALWAYS damaged because of BAD beauty junkies? Well anyway, the ones at Zellers are completely boxed and protected from filthy fingers so REJOICE!
There is a catch however… All of the ELF sets being sold at Zellers are pretty much double in price compared what the US beauty junkies have to pay! No fair but at least we have something rather than nothing…
I'll edit pictures into this post as soon as I finish cleaning my room. I didn't want anyone to miss out on the amazingness that is happening to us Canadians!
Ciao,
Ashley :)
Friday, August 13, 2010
Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm - Review
Confession:
In two days, I have bought seven Softlips lip balms & five Joe Fresh Style Frais lip stains...
Why?
I needed a lip balm to replace my EOS lip balm (not available in Canada) and found $2 off coupons for both Softlip products and Joe Fresh Lip Products (via CanadianFreeStuff.com and Halifax of Sparkled Beauty).
I know, I know I went a overboard! I lower my head in shame.
I initially had issues using the Softlips coupon at Wal-Mart where I found the double packs of Softlips but had zero issues when I purchased the Softlips Pure at Superstore. I went to Wal-Mart again the day after where I had issues again trying to buy the same double packs but eventually the store manager gave in. I don't want ot get too into it but coupon-ing in Vancouver sucks, end of story!
Onto the Review (shorter, less sweet review at the bottom):
I can't find this particular lip balm on the Softlips website (US or CA) so I'm not sure if the one I bought is being discontinued. Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm retails for about $5 at Superstore and as much as $5-$7 at Shoppers Drug Mart. With my $2 off coupon, I got the Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm for something like $4.
I generally love Softlips products but I'm surprised that I dislike this one. I had a choice between the Citrus scented or fragrance-free version but I chose the latter. Similar to the Softlips Sweet Lip Balms, Softlips PURE is easy to apply and has a slick feel to it with a bonus gloss-like finish. Unfortunately, the Softlips PURE feels a tad too slick almost as if I melted butter on my lips. Yuck. While it is unscented which I like, this lip balm wears too quickly. I find myself reapplying it every hour! I can't take a sip of water without having all of the lip balm wash right off. It moisturizes well granted it stays on my lips long enough. I use it before I get into bed and I wake up with lovely moisturized lips. I will only use this before bed time as it's not practical to have to reapply every hour during the day. I feel that if I use this 24/7, I would go through one tube too quickly and paying in full would become very costly.
Here's Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm ontop of Joe Fresh Lip Stain in Sheer Pink:
See that glossy finish? It's like wearing a lipgloss that never fades (but it does..).
What I liked
- moisturizing
- unscented
- glossy finish
- light weight
What I disliked
- greasy
- wear time (1 hour)
- expensive
Bottom line is, I wouldn't repurchase and I do not recommend it. Softlips Sweet Lip Balms are much better although I wish they weren't so expensive for such tiny tubes..
P.S. Sorry for the lack of ingredients list! I can't find it online and I've already thrown out the packaging!
In two days, I have bought seven Softlips lip balms & five Joe Fresh Style Frais lip stains...
Why?
I needed a lip balm to replace my EOS lip balm (not available in Canada) and found $2 off coupons for both Softlip products and Joe Fresh Lip Products (via CanadianFreeStuff.com and Halifax of Sparkled Beauty).
I know, I know I went a overboard! I lower my head in shame.
I initially had issues using the Softlips coupon at Wal-Mart where I found the double packs of Softlips but had zero issues when I purchased the Softlips Pure at Superstore. I went to Wal-Mart again the day after where I had issues again trying to buy the same double packs but eventually the store manager gave in. I don't want ot get too into it but coupon-ing in Vancouver sucks, end of story!
Onto the Review (shorter, less sweet review at the bottom):
I can't find this particular lip balm on the Softlips website (US or CA) so I'm not sure if the one I bought is being discontinued. Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm retails for about $5 at Superstore and as much as $5-$7 at Shoppers Drug Mart. With my $2 off coupon, I got the Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm for something like $4.
I generally love Softlips products but I'm surprised that I dislike this one. I had a choice between the Citrus scented or fragrance-free version but I chose the latter. Similar to the Softlips Sweet Lip Balms, Softlips PURE is easy to apply and has a slick feel to it with a bonus gloss-like finish. Unfortunately, the Softlips PURE feels a tad too slick almost as if I melted butter on my lips. Yuck. While it is unscented which I like, this lip balm wears too quickly. I find myself reapplying it every hour! I can't take a sip of water without having all of the lip balm wash right off. It moisturizes well granted it stays on my lips long enough. I use it before I get into bed and I wake up with lovely moisturized lips. I will only use this before bed time as it's not practical to have to reapply every hour during the day. I feel that if I use this 24/7, I would go through one tube too quickly and paying in full would become very costly.
Here's Softlips PURE Natural Lip Balm ontop of Joe Fresh Lip Stain in Sheer Pink:
See that glossy finish? It's like wearing a lipgloss that never fades (but it does..).
What I liked
- moisturizing
- unscented
- glossy finish
- light weight
What I disliked
- greasy
- wear time (1 hour)
- expensive
Bottom line is, I wouldn't repurchase and I do not recommend it. Softlips Sweet Lip Balms are much better although I wish they weren't so expensive for such tiny tubes..
P.S. Sorry for the lack of ingredients list! I can't find it online and I've already thrown out the packaging!
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