Category: PR Sample


Jul
2018

Makeup Most Wanted June 2018

categories: Bath And Body, Body Care, Cruelty Free Makeup, Hair Reviews, Makeup Most Wanted, Makeup Reviews, PR Sample, Uncategorized

It seems like the weather in Toronto went from winter to middle of summer in two days. As a result June was hot and sticky and the products I loved the most definitely reflected that.

Live Clean Mineral Clay Rebalancing Shampoo

Like my skin, my hair goes a little crazy in the summer. My roots get incredibly oily and itchy and my hair just dries out. Live Clean’s Rebalancing Shampoo has done a really good job of keeping my scalp itch free while moisturizing my ends. The combination of three mineral clays (Kaolin, Montmorillonite and Bentonite) along with apple cider, witch hazel and tea tree have really succeeded in balancing out my head where other products have failed. There’s a matching conditioner that I use along with it but the shampoo is really the star.

L’Occitane Citrus Verbena Moisturizing Body Foam

I really look forward to the new verbena products that L’Occitane releases every summer and this Moisturizing Body Foam might be my favourite yet. I’ve used a few body foams in the past but nothing that’s ever blown me away or seemed like more than a gimmick. L’Occitane’s version however is both cooling and extremely hydrating. It’s like a hair mousse in texture and a little goes a long way. The iconic L’Occitane verbena scent is perfect for summer (and keeps the bugs away) and it’s really easy to throw in a bag if you’re going to the beach or on a road trip.

Beautycounter Color Intense Lipstick in Brunch

I’m generally a matte liquid lipstick person but in the summer I like things a little lighter. This lipstick has insane colour payoff, I got full coverage in one swipe and even when I blotted it down a bit, I still have a ton of colour. There are eight Color Intense shades but my favourite is Brunch, a tawny pink with a hint of coral that comes out when it blots down. Beautycounter calls this long wearing and while it’s a lot better than some creamy lipsticks, you’ll definitely have to reapply. That said, this lipstick is incredibly creamy and comfortable and there’s peppermint oil in it that keep your lips feeling cool. And I love that Beautycounter doesn’t have a whole lot of crap in their products.

Invisibobble Magic Mermaid in Ocean Tango

Onto another one of my all time favourite products. I love Invisibobble so much that I haven’t used another kind of hair tie in about a year. These keep my hair secure and I don’t get headaches from them like I do with other hair elastics. For the summer they’ve released the Magic Mermaid collection that changes colour in UV light. There are two shades; Ocean Tango (light blue to dark blue) and Coral Cha-Cha (pale pink to hot pink). I love the Ocean Tango colours and even though I can’t see it changing colour, it’s fun to know that it does.

Body Fantasies Hearts & Daisies

When the weather is hot, I tend to like a body spray over a perfume since they’re generally lighter. And just in time for summer, Body Fantasies have released Hearts & Daisies, a light, fruity and floral scent. With notes of green apple, pink peony, daisy and creamy woods, this is a great summer body spray.


Jun
2018

Summer Perfume Most Wanted

categories: Fragrance, PR Sample, Uncategorized

Clean Fresh Linens

I honestly don’t know how Clean does it. Every perfume that they make is very specific and right on target. The yellow bottle came to me at the perfect time. It smells like sheets that have been hanging out on the line and put on the bed still warm from the sun. Or fresh warm towels out of the dryer after having a long bath. Unlike other perfumes that have notes of different fruit or florals, this scent is multi-sensory. It’s all about memory and the feeling that it gives you. It’s giving me the feeling of wanting to relax.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Twinkle

Marc Jacobs has developed a new limited edition version of his classic Daisy perfume once again. Daisy is one of my all-time favourite perfumes, like so many other people. I have found that most of the updated versions of the perfume were too light for my tastes. This time, Marc Jacobs has added wild berries and violet to give the perfume a sweet start. It smells a bit more interesting than previous versions of Daisy. It feels like something that would be great for those hot night in August, when you want a rich, but summery perfume.

Thierry Mugler Angel Shooting Star

This limited edition perfume bottle is really impressive when you see it. It’s a bit impractical to actually store, since it doesn’t stand up, but nevertheless it looks amazing! The perfume is spicy and sweet, not what I imagine when I hear the name Angel. The notes of bergamot and patchouli really stand out to me with the sweeter elements being more subtle underneath. It does finish much sweeter, so don’t judge this book by its cover. It’s intriguing and mysterious, maybe great for a late night dinner on the patio with someone special.

Chloe Nomade

This is probably the most elegant perfume that I’ve ever owned. It makes me think of designer runways, chic tailored clothes, expensive shoes and handbags. This is what I imagine Anna Wintour smells like. Unlike other Chloe perfumes, this one has something more raw about it. It isn’t floral and feminine. It has wood tones, without being musky. There is some type of fruit hidden in there, but no one would ever say this is a fruity scent. This is the scent of a modern woman who owns the boardroom and cocktail hour. It’s not just a summer scent, but potentially a new classic.

Stella McCartney Peony

I’ve been using Stella by Stella McCartney as a go-to fragrance for years and it’s the scent I get complimented on the most. That said, I haven’t tried any of the other Stella scents including the previous incarnation of Peony. This new version is a gorgeous woody floral with peony, black pepper, cedar, amber, patchouli and a few others. Peony isn’t quite as girly a scent as Stella is, but it’s interesting and a little daring. While I could wear Stella anytime of day, Peony is more for nights out. It’s a delicious smelling addition to my summer scents and the rest of the year as well.


Jun
2018

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen SPF 50

categories: PR Sample, Reviews, Sunscreen

I’ve been a massive fan of Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line since it was released a few years ago and Neutrogena is also generally my go to brand for drugstore sunscreen, so when I heard there was a Hydro Boost sunscreen coming I was all over it. I’m extremely fair, burn easily and have already dealt with melanoma once, so sunscreen is a pretty important part of my life. I have at least one in my purse at all times and slather it on before I leave the house, even if I’m just driving around the corner. I have a few requirements for a sunscreen to make it into my routine.

It obviously has to work, it can’t leave a white cast behind (I’m pale enough on my own), it can’t have a funky smell and it can’t leave my skin dried out. This Hydro Boost sunscreen checks every box and then some! We have a number of sun care posts coming up but this sunscreen blew me away so much that it had to get it’s own post.It’s not a physical sunscreen, so there isn’t any zinc goop leaving a film and while I don’t really love chemical sunscreens, this one works ridiculously well.It has the same light, fresh scent as the Hydro Boost Moisturizer and it’s fairly runny and absorbs instantly. But it also has Hyaluronic Acid and leaves my skin on my face and body super moisturized and I love that I can use it on both and not break out. I’ve used it in the car and walking around outdoors and I have to say, this is my favourite new sunscreen in a long long time.

It’s a couple dollars more than a typical drugstore sunscreen (at least when I’ve seen it in stores) and at 88mL, it’s not a big tube but results will have me replacing this every time I run out.

 


Jun
2018

The Body Shop Spas Of The World Most Wanted

categories: Bath And Body, Makeup Most Wanted, PR Sample, Reviews

Both of us recently had the chance to visit different Body Shop locations to get acquainted with their new products and to take some home to try out. Luckily both of us left with different products and it just so happened that we received items that both of us loved. Our most favourites so far are all in the ever growing Spas Of The World range, so we thought we’d do a post on our new Body Shop loves.

Alyssa’s picks

French Grape Seed Refining Body Scrub

I have really sensitive skin, so I’m always on the hunt for a good body scrub that will do the job and won’t tear up my skin. When I tried this scrub on my hand in the store I was amazed at how scrubby yet gentle it was. With a combination of French grape seed powder and sugar from Paraguay, you can really get that dead skin off without feeling like you scrubbed yourself raw. The scent, that I assume comes from the grape seeds, is amazingly fresh and because it’s got a creamy consistency, you can decide on the level of scrub you want. If I have a super dry area, I use a washcloth with the scrub to get really smooth skin. This is going to be a necessity for the next few months of shaving and waxing season and then in the winter when my skin gets flaky. One word of warning, this is way too strong for your face, so don’t try it.

Ethiopian Green Coffee Firming Body Cream

If you’re going to use a scrub, you’re going to need a good moisturizer after and this body cream is a match made in heaven with the French Grape Seed Scrub. I’m a coffee person, so I was already sold on this cream just by reading the name but it’s so much more than that. It’s a really lightweight cream that has Italian olive oil and Ethiopian green coffee that just melts into your skin and leaves you hydrated and smelling delicious but not greasy whatsoever. The consistency really surprised me because I usually find Body Shop moisturizers too heavy for me, but this one is absolutely perfect! It’s been a really long time since I’ve loved something from the Body Shop this month. I’ve already made a huge dent in the giant 350 ml tub and I already know I’ll be replacing it when it’s gone.

Stephanie’s picks

Tahitian Tiare Bath & Shower Oil-In-Gel

This body wash is so soft and silky. The oil-in-gel body wash is just the right consistency. Given the name, it’s understandable that you might worry that it would be too oily or even greasy. It’s just smooth on the skin. The scent is really faint and lush. There is a hint of florals, but I wouldn’t call it a floral aroma. There is coconut oil in it, but this isn’t another coconut body wash. After a couple of uses, I was surprised at how soft my skin was. It was undeniable.

Hawaiian Kukui Body Cream Moisturizer

This is the type of moisturizer that I associate with The Body Shop. It is thick and rich. In the past, body moisturizer from the body shop was always thick, but it didn’t absorb well into the skin. It always left some residue on my body. It feels like The Body Shop has corrected those mistakes with this cream. It still has the same thickness, but this time it really sinks into my skin. It works on even the toughest skin like elbows and knees.

Brazilian Cupuacu Exfoliating Scrub-In-Oil

I’ve used a lot of exfoliators, but none as gentle as this exfoliator. The sugar in this scrub is so fine that it works on everything from the sensitive parts to your rough spots. The oil is probably the most surprising part of this. It is better quality oil than a lot of the other drug store exfoliators that I’ve used. It leaves your skin feeling protected and highly moisturized. When paired with the other two products, it’s the perfect trio!


May
2018

R+Co Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion

categories: Hair Reviews, PR Sample

Toronto is starting it’s descent into humidity hell, otherwise known as summer and at this time of year, my fine, frizzy hair generally goes nuts and I give up and leave it up all summer. Even with my hair in a ponytail or bun, the frizz and fried ends need extra care or they poke through, so I’m always on the hunt for something that will make my life a little easier. Enter R+Co’s Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion. Made for fine to medium, long hair (me!); this super light lotion gives you intense moisture without leaving greasy, weighed down hair.

I use it on damp hair as a leave in conditioner/styler and on dry ends to throw some moisture back in my hair. Does it get rid of all my frizz? No. But it gets rid of a good chunk when I use it on damp hair and even more when I apply it to the frizzy areas on my dry hair. I really appreciate that someone gave us fine haired girls something that won’t turn our hair into a greasy mess when we use it on dry hair, because that’s the result of almost anything I put on my hair once it’s dry.

R+Co has a number of scents in their products (you can actually just buy the fragrance sprays) and this one in Waterfall is called Serious Gaze and it’s delicious. R+Co calls it a ‘bright Oriental essence’ and it has juniper berries, blood orange, rhubarb, leather accord, violet and dark woods. The combination of the lotion and the scent are going to make Waterfall one of my hair must haves this summer. And maybe I’ll let my hair down once in a while because of it.


May
2018

Coach Floral Eau De Parfum

categories: Fragrance, PR Sample, Reviews

Perfume is one of my favourite things and I change what I wear constantly depending on my mood. For spring and summer, I like lighter, more floral scents and this year Coach’s new Floral Eau de Parfum is leading my favourites list. Unlike a lot of designer fragrances, Floral isn’t heavy at all. It opens with pineapple, citrus and pink peppercorn notes that are followed by tea rose, sambac jasmine and gardenia and dries down to white musk, creamy wood and Indonesian patchouli.

At first sniff, I definitely get a hint of pineapple, followed by the tea rose. All the other notes combine to make a light, floral, fruity, slightly sweet scent that doesn’t overpower. The bottle itself is quite large at 90mL but the oval shape makes it easy to hold. The classic Coach tea rose charm that’s attached is a fun touch. I love that you can turn the nozzle to lock it and keep it from spilling or spraying accidentally.

I haven’t used a lot of Coach anything in the past but this fragrance was love at first sniff and has piqued my interest in other things from the brand.


Apr
2018

Tarte Mermaid Collection Most Wanted

categories: Cruelty Free Makeup, Makeup Collection, Makeup Most Wanted, Makeup Reviews, Palettes, PR Sample, Reviews

Mermaid and unicorn makeup are everywhere right now and I totally get it. Between the pastels, metallics and all the colours in between; they’re just pretty and fun. Tarte’s new Mermaid collection is pretty big and has everything from an eyeshadow palette, tons of lip options, brushes and skin care and it’s all got mermaid themed packaging. It’s hard to cover a collection that large in one go, so these are my Most Wanted from the Mermaid collection.

Palettes are usually the focus of most collections and the Be A Mermaid & Make Waves collection is definitely a star. There are fourteen matte and metallic shades that range from neutrals to some pops of colour and the pigments are pretty great. Tarte’s shadows are generally my go to’s from day to day and this palette is definitely getting a spot in my routine.

Two of my favourite lippies from the collection are the Limited Edition Tarteist Quick-Dry Matte Lip Paint in Exposed and the Holographic Lip Gloss. Exposed is a gorgeous neutral pink that doesn’t leave your lips feeling dried out and while I don’t love lip gloss, the Holographic Lip Gloss isn’t sticky or tacky at all and so, so pretty.

Exposed, Holographic Lip Gloss, Gloss over Exposed

You can use these separately or layer the gloss over Exposed as a topper.

My absolute favourite from the entire collection is the Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic H2O serum. This vegan serum is packed with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5, Algae and marine extracts and keeps your skin super hydrated and glowing. It doesn’t have a strong scent and literally melts into your skin. It’s on the watery side, so you have to be quick applying it but it’s so worth it. It feels so nice.

Now you’ll have to excuse me while I look into how to become a mermaid full-time.


Apr
2018

Pretty Vulgar Bury Them With a Smile Matte Lipstick Collection

categories: Cruelty Free Makeup, Makeup Reviews, PR Sample

With spring finally here and the weather in Toronto slowly becoming bearable again, I’ve started to come out of my winter hibernation ‘blah-mode’ and have gone into full blown ‘cute-mode.’ You know that mode, where everything pretty and girly and pink just speaks to you on a ‘that would be sooooooo cute – I totally need that’ kind of level.  That mode where you finally want to dress up in cute spring outfits, let your gorgeous locks fly and rock a smile-worthy lip colour. This is where Pretty Vulgar’s Bury Them With a Smile Matte Lipstick Collection comes to play.

Pretty Vulgar is a relatively new brand that has become well-known for their glamorous vintage inspired packaging that never fails to bring that wow-factor. No boring black tubes here, instead the packaging is laced with delicate details that give the collection a feeling of old-time enchantment.

Once I got past the adorable exterior and actually tried out the vegan and cruelty free matte lipstick line, I was impressed. The attention to detail the company puts into packaging definitely wasn’t lost on the lip colour’s formula itself. I thought the lipstick was delicate and creamier than your average brand and a little went a long way. My lips also didn’t dry out at all using this line, probably thanks to the mango seed butter, shea butter, and avocado oil in the ingredients list. Staying power was slightly above average but don’t expect these colours to last through a full meal or night of drinks.

So my Spring search for all things cute has started off with a successful huzzah. My favourite colour of the line is easily 11 – Mood Swing, it really adds an adorable and bright pop of pink to my look and gives me one more reason to smile.

 

 

 

 


Apr
2018

Most Wanted Relief For Dry, Itchy Scalp

categories: Hair Reviews, Makeup Most Wanted, PR Sample, Reviews

We’re back! I’ve spent the past four month stuck in my house due to illness and it’s been taking a major toll on my skin. But it’s also been doing a number on my scalp. My scalp is dry and itchy all year long but once you add in how dry winter has been in Toronto this year and having the heat blasting constantly, my scalp has gone from dry and itchy to unbearable. I have oily, greasy and itchy scalp with super dry hair. So I was on a mission to find something that would help.

Kératase Spécifique Bain Divalent

I’m a huge Kérastase fan, so when I heard they were bringing out Spécifique, a line just for scalp issues, I was super excited. Unfortunately most of the products contain soy and I’m allergic, so I couldn’t try anything but this shampoo. Luckily Bain Divalent was exactly what I was looking for. It balances out my oily roots and my dry hair. It doesn’t fix all my scalp problems but it definitely helps with my hair issues that come from them. It’s really light and fresh and smells delicious.

IGK LOW KEY Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub

I originally got a tiny sample of this scrub from Sephora and the first time I used it, I hated it. It turns out there’s a learning curve to this one and I ended up buying the full size (the only actual beauty product I’ve bought so far this year). Once you get the hang of how to get this scrub to your scalp, it’s the most refreshing thing your head will ever feel. The walnut shells aren’t too large and the minty scent is cooling. I definitely recommend following up with a different shampoo and conditioner after but your scalp will feel amazing immediately after using this. I’m fairly certain this is going to be one of my staples going forward.

Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy collection

Sometimes dry, itchy scalp just comes from sensitive skin and if that’s the case for you, this Oat Delicacy line is hands down the gentlest shampoo and conditioner I’ve ever used. The Oat Milk and Rice Cream blend are super soft and hydrating, while leaving your hair soft and not weighed down. It actually feels gentle when you’re using it. I honestly can’t think of another word for it. I don’t really care for the scent but the results are worth it.

Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment

I’ve been using Moroccanoil for years but I haven’t tried too many of their other products. Unlike the other treatments I’ve used, this one starts before the shower. You apply this to your scalp in sections, wait up to ten minutes and then get in the shower, rinse it out and shampoo and condition as usual. Since this is an oil, I really expected it to get greasy but it really doesn’t. And the more regularly you use it, the less you’ll have to. Moroccanoil also recommends this for anyone sensitive to hair colour before they head to the salon to prevent itchiness and to protect the scalp.

If you use anything for dry, itchy scalp that isn’t on this list, definitely let us know. We always looking to try something new!


Mar
2018

L’Occitane Solidarity Balm 2018

categories: Bath And Body, Makeup Most Wanted, PR Sample, Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews

Happy International Women’s Day! I’ve started to really look forward to this day every year, not just because it’s all about celebrating women but also because it means L’Occitane’s Solidarity Balm is coming. Each year, L’Occitane releases a shea butter balm in a different scent for under $10 (it’s $7 CAD) and all the profits go towards women in Burkina Faso. This year the program for Women’s Leadership in Burkina Faso has three goals:

1. Writing a better future
L’OCCITANE has helped more than 10.000 women to learn how to read and write since 2008. It also supports the education of 450 girls for four years at secondary school.

2. Boosting ambitions
L’Occitane has allowed 8,000 women to benefit from micro-credit since 2009.

3. Revealing leadership
L’OCCITANE launched the “L’OCCITANE pour Elles” program, in 2016, to boost entrepreneur women’s actions and scale up their business.

The scent of the Solidarity Balm this year is apricot and while last year’s violet is still my favourite, this one is a really warm, happy scent. I literally use these balms on everything from cuticles to scrapes to random hair frizz. I currently have the cold from hell and I’ve been using on the chapped skin around my nose and my dried out lips. These last forever too. I still have a lot left of last year’s and even a little from the year before.

For $7, you’re going to want to stock up here, especially if you love this year’s apricot scent. So far I haven’t seen them repeat themselves scent wise. And you can help other women while you’re saving your own skin.

I can’t wait to see what scent comes out next year.