Makeup Most Wanted

29
Jun
2016

Makeup Most Wanted – June 2016

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

June has been a hot one, but these products have been keeping me looking cool!

Lush Yuzu And Cocoa Shower Cream

Lush Yuzu And Cocoa Shower Cream – I wanted this from the second I smelled it! The orange scent drew me in and made me need it in my shower. It has the feel of a chocolate orange to me. There is even a little spiciness underneath it all to bring the whole scent together. In case you didn’t get it yet, I think It smells amazing! I don’t know if it’s just my bottle, but this shower cream is really thin. It still lathers up properly, but it just comes out of the bottle like it has been watered down. Like I said, it could just be my bottle. Either way, it doesn’t matter, I am in love!

Katy Kat Matte Lipstick By Covergirl

Katy Kat Matte Lipstick By Covergirl – Somehow I’m not surprised that I love Katy Perry’s Covergirl collection lipstick. What makeup loving girl doesn’t look at pictures of Katy Perry with those cherry lips and get a bit jealous. If you’ve ever used Covergirl lipstick before, you know the wear and quality of the product. There is no surprise there. It was the colours that have me jumping through hoops.

katy perry lipstick

The purple ‘Cosmo Kitty’ is one of the coolest lipsticks I have ever worn. Yes, it’s purple, but it’s also so wearable in your everyday life any time of day. The ‘Cat Call’ pink is also hot, hot, hot! You have to head to the store to try out these shades. They are just what your summer is missing!

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Sephora 8 Hour Mattifying Moisturizer Sunscreen – I realized that I didn’t have a face moisturizer that I loved and then a few days later this little baby appears at my side. Thank you makeup gods! Not only does this ‘perfect for summer’ moisturizer have SPF 20, but it’s mattifying! Nothing is worse than putting on makeup and still have a shiny nose or forehead. Now I am starting from step one with a face that I can be happy with. It makes all of the makeup I apply feel that much better and last just a little longer.

faceshop-foundation

The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion – While we are talking about stopping oil, reducing shine and getting great matte skin, I have to mention this foundation. I tried the CC Intense Cushion first, but I didn’t like it. It was only when I switched to the Oil Control version that I liked this makeup. This cushion foundation makeup is so light. You will barely even feel it at all on your skin. It almost absorbs right away. The colour goes on a bit lighter than it looks, so try on each shade carefully before you buy. I was still happy with my light shade. The makeup goes on very lightly in a way that is perfect for hot summer days. I never want to wear heavy makeup in the summer and this is exactly the consistency that I need. I did find that for full coverage I needed to wear this along with my favourite concealer, but I would have done that with my other foundations too.

MadeInShade_Box

Dermaflage Made In The Shade Powder Foundation – Despite all of my many makeup escapades, I have never used a loose powder foundation. I just didn’t think that it would work properly. I had no faith that it could give me coverage that I trusted all day. This one by a collaboration of Hollywood SFX makeup artists and Dermatologists. I was shocked when I applied it. This powder covers pretty much everything on your face. It recommends applying concealer afterwards if needed, and I never needed it! I wear concealer every day, so for me to go without is a huge deal! Even though it gives great coverage, this powder still isn’t heavy or cakey. It wears very naturally. I might recommend spraying a finishing spray over top to give it more lasting powder, but you can toss the rest of the makeup you aren’t happy with.

28
Jun
2016

Alba Botantica Sun Screen Lotion Spray

categories: Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews

Alba Botantica Sun Screen Lotion Spray

I want to start this review by saying this sunscreen works great! It’s a bit concerning to use natural sunscreen, because you want one that you can trust. I prefer a name that I already trust for my sunscreen most of the time, because you can’t mess around with things like that! This is one that you can believe in. The Sport version the sunscreen lasted for a full long bike ride in the beating sun with no burns at all!

My problem is with the spray bottle that this sunscreen comes in.

If you are going to make a spray sunscreen, make sure that it really sprays. This sunscreen shoots a thick lotion in one stream at your arm. It doesn’t spray it around at all. To get it on your arms or legs, you have to really aim carefully or you will miss them and shoot it across the room. It’s easier to just spray it in your hand and then spread it. There is also a regular style bottle, which I feel like is just as good.

The morale of the story is great sunscreen, bad spray bottle. Opt for the regular bottle and your summer will be great!

24
Jun
2016

Most Wanted Travel Accessories

categories: Travel

A lot of us are going on vacation this summer and while we usually focus on all things beauty, I decided to be a little more helpful to the travellers and help you out with the accessory necessities.
Atlantic Canadiana Collection Carry-On

Every traveller needs a good carry-on, whether you’re going away for a weekend or a few weeks. This hard case bag has a great Canadiana design that you definitely won’t miss in an airport. The Canadiana collection also has a 24″ and 28″ suitcases.
Sephora Collection The Getaway Bag

If you’re like me and feel the need to travel with half your makeup kit, you need this bag. It has removable pouches to help you organize your stuff, zippered compartments and tons of room. I love that it’s not bulky and can fit into a carry on, plus you can take the removable pouch and throw it in your purse for a night out.
Sephora Collection The Gallivanter

If you don’t need quite as much space for your toiletries, the Gallivanter are three mesh bags that stack into each other. Each bag is a different size and is labelled with toiletries, makeup and touch ups.
Stylize Mini Hard Case Travel Organizer

This small, hard case from Shoppers Drug Mart is the perfect way to carry your phone or sunglasses so they don’t get scratched. The outside might be hard but the inside is soft and has a zippered pocket on one side and a mesh slot on the other. Plus it has a detachable wristlet, so you can either attach it to your carry-on or wear it on your wrist.
Austin House Luggage Tag in Baggage

I’m always looking for luggage tags that stand out and not only does Austin House have a lot of bright ones, they’re cute as well. I love this one called Baggage but there are also ones shaped like flip flops and sun hats. Adorable.
Austin House Neck Pillow With Memory Foam

Getting comfortable on a plane (or in a car) can be pretty impossible sometimes but I find a good neck pillow can make all the difference. Add in memory foam and a completely washable cover and I’m sold. I’ll definitely be using this one on my upcoming trip.

23
Jun
2016

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

categories: Makeup Reviews

Make Up For Ever Charli XCX Aqua Pencil Contents
I’ve been using Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes eyeliners for years and I love them. But the new version; Aqua XL Waterproof Eyeliner is even better. MUFE teamed up with Charli XCX for this collection and there are a ton of gorgeous shades (and some classic) to choose from.
Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencils
These pencils are creamy, easy to use and last forever. Even on waterlines. The pencils are so pigmented that you really only need one swipe of a pencil to get amazing colour. We tried out five shades: M-10 (matte black), D-62 (diamond brown), I-90 (iridescent pop purple), M-16 (matte white) and I-32 (iridescent lagoon green). There isn’t a nude shade available for waterlines or the inside corners of your eyes but the white works great if you blend it in.

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Swatches — M-10, D-62, I-90, M-16, I-32

All of the swatches are one swipe of the pencil. I didn’t go over them at all, that’s how creamy and pigmented they are and they go on just as easily on your eyes. Make Up For Ever also sent me a small bottle of the Sens’Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser to take these pencils off and man does it do a great job. You just need a tiny bit to get off all your eye makeup and it doesn’t sting at all. I also found it didn’t leave my skin dry or greasy, just clean. If you’re having trouble with eyeliner melting off your face this summer, consider this your solution.

22
Jun
2016

Phyto Phytophlage Collection

categories: Hair Reviews, Sunscreen

Phyto Phlage
We all take care of our skin during the summer. We slather on sunscreen, wear longer sleeves or stay in the shade. And with the exception of those that wear hats, we generally let our hair fry. Phyto’s Phytophlage line is a quick way to save our hair from sun, chlorine and UV Rays. Both the Protective Sun Veil and the Protective Sun Oil can be sprayed on dry or damp hair before you head out into the sun or into a pool. You reapply them after you’ve gotten your hair wet while swimming or showering.

The Sun Veil is a little finer, more of a mist that you really don’t notice and the Sun Oil doesn’t leave your hair greasy at all. I haven’t tried either of these in a pool yet but I’ve worn them both while outside and my hair hasn’t gotten that crispy, fried feeling like it usually does in the summer. Keep in mind, these aren’t going to keep your scalp from getting a sunburn but if you don’t want your hair to look and feel like straw by the end of the summer, you might want to give these a try.

20
Jun
2016

Ceramic Glaze Botanical Gardens Summer 2016 Collection

categories: Mani Monday, Nail Polish

I feel like just yesterday I was swatching fall nail polish and now I’m in the thick of summer shades. Where has the time gone? I’m a huge fan of Ceramic Glaze and they have some of my favourite summer shades. This summer’s Botanical Gardens isn’t my favourite of Ceramic Glaze’s collections but there are definitely some pretty garden inspired shades. You can only buy Ceramic Glaze at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, so grab these while you can.
Urbane
Ceramic Glaze Urbane Swatch
This peachy nude was the first shade I tried and right out of the gate I got a one-coater. Urbane is pretty but not my favourite kind of colour. It’s a great alternative to a beige-y nude though.
Heavenly
Ceramic Glaze Heavenly Swatch
Heavenly is a sheer opalescent shade and even with two coats, you’re not getting a ton of opacity. I’m totally fine with that because the huge amount of pink pearl is really gorgeous and this would make a great french manicure.
Impulsive
Ceramic Glaze Impulsive Swatch
I really wanted to love this dark berry shade. Impulsive has a ton of blue shimmer in it to give it dimension and two coats were perfect. Unfortunately while I love the shade, the texture seemed kind of weird to me and I couldn’t get it completely smooth with top coat.
Petal Pusher
Ceramic Glaze Petal Pusher Swatch
Petal Pusher is a gorgeous periwinkle that almost could’ve gotten away with one coat. This one chipped really fast though. I’m definitely going to try wearing it again though because I live this colour so much.
Seize The Day
Ceramic Glaze Seize The Day Swatch
Seize The Day is one of those two coats to perfect shades. This hot pink is a great pedicure shade.
Perfect Peony
Ceramic Glaze Perfect Peony Swatch
Perfect Peony is another great pink summer shade, only it hints a little more coral than Seize The Day. Two coats were perfect but the tip wear started almost immediately.
Surf’s Up
Ceramic Glaze Surf's Up Swatch
Surf’s Up is my kind of minty turquoise that’s so perfect for summer. Two coats were perfect and I’ve already reached for this one again.
French Riviera
Ceramic Glaze French Riviera Swatch
I’m completely in love with this bright cerulean blue and it was a one-coater. And it didn’t stain and I completely expected staining. I honestly can’t get over how gorgeous this shade is and it looks even better in person.

15
Jun
2016

Father’s Day Skin Care Most Wanted

categories: Gifts, Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews

Father’s Day is this weekend and other than posting about the usual gifts, thought we’d make some skin care suggestions for the men in your life.
No7 Energizing Face Wash, Protect & Perfect Intense Serum and Moisturizer SPF 15
No7 Men's line
While men are getting better at taking care of their skin, a lot of times we have to buy the products for them. No7 (available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart) have a great men’s selection and this grouping gives them everything they’ll need for great skin. These are all suitable for sensitive skin and the moisturizer has SPF in it. The serum and moisturizer have anti-aging properties while the face wash will give them a little boost in the morning.
Lush Smuggler’s Soul Shampoo Bar and Multi-Purpose Cream
Lush Smuggler's Soul line
While it’s nice for men to have their own products, it’s even nicer when they have stuff we can share. Lush’s Smuggler’s Soul line smells so good you’ll want it for yourself. With sandalwood, lemon balm and jojoba, the Multi-Purpose Cream can be used for face, body, hair, shaving and pretty much anything else. It also absorbs really quickly so nothing will get greasy. Pair this one with the matching scrub and anyone who uses it will have super smooth skin. The shampoo bar has a similar scent and gently cleanses hair while cocoa butter moisturizes. I would love for this line to stick around because I know a lot of guys (and girls) who are going to love it.

14
Jun
2016

Most Wanted Summer Skin Care – Alyssa’s Picks

categories: Skin Care, Skin Care Reviews

My combination skin is pretty nuts and I have to change my products along with the seasons. Once summer hits, my skin gets oilier but the dry patches never fully go away, do I need to find products that are a little lighter that combat both issues. Add in the fact that I’m extremely pale and sunscreen gets it’s own post.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths
cetaphil-gentle-skin-cleansing-cloths-all-skin-types
My skin isn’t as sensitive as I expect when it comes to skin care, except in summer when allergies are added onto all my issues. These cleansing cloths are the most gentle and effective way I’ve found to take off my makeup. They’re soap and fragrance free and do a better job getting my makeup off than most cloths. I get zero irritation around my eyes and it doesn’t leave a chemical taste in my mouth when I’m taking off matte lipstick. You don’t have to rinse after these and my skin doesn’t feel dried out. Just clean.
L’Oreal Hydra-Total 5 Ultra-Soothing Micellar Water
L'Oreal Hydra-total 5 ultra-soothing micellar water
I didn’t have a great experience when I tried the Hydra-Total Ultra-Even collection and it’s clear that I should’ve been using the Ultra-Soothing routine because my skin likes it so much better. This micellar water does a great job cleansing my skin. I wish the bottle was a little easier to squeeze but you don’t need much of this one anyways. It’s a great makeup remover but I’ll use something else to take off stubborn mascara first. Follow it up with the matching toner and you’re good to go.
L’Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Toner
loccitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Toner
I love toners. I find them refreshing and they’re an important part of balancing my skin out but finding a good one that’s alcohol-free is a challenge. L’Occitane’s Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Toner is a great addition to my arsenal. It gets a lot of stuff that cleansers leave behind while leaving my skin balanced and refreshed but not dried out. I don’t love the peony scent but it’s light enough that I can ignore it.
Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil

First off, I love anything rose. So a rose oil, with actual rose petals in it? Yes please! Luckily this oil actually does something other than look and smell pretty. The sun and heat really make my skin kind of dull and sunscreen build up makes it feel not so great sometimes. This oil really sinks into my skin and gives it a ton of hydration while brightening up my skin. It also doesn’t leave me great at all.
Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Oil-Free Oxygenating Gel Cream
Philosophy-Take-A-Deep-Breath Oil-free oxygenating gel cream
I usually switch to a gel cream moisturizer in the summer because they’re a lot more cooling and more suited to combination skin. Take A Deep Breath might be hitting my top five moisturizers ever. It absorbs almost instantly and leaves my skin really hydrated but feeling like there’s nothing on my face. My skin actually looks a lot better since I’ve been using it and this moisturizer smells amazing. I actually want to use it more often because I love the scent so much. I already have a travel size version of this one put away for my trip next month.

13
Jun
2016

Essie Bridal 2016 Collection

categories: Mani Monday, Nail Polish

Wedding season is upon us once again and this year I have a few weddings to go to myself. Picking nail polish for every member of your wedding party can be an issue. Between brides, bridesmaids, flower girls or just going as a guest can make choosing a shade difficult. Luckily, Essie’s six-piece collection has something for everyone.
Steal His Name
Essie Steal His Name Swatch
cheeky sheer peach
Steal His Name is a sheer peach that’s almost a jelly. It’s a pretty shade but a little too close to my skin tone for me to wear comfortably. I did two coats and probably wouldn’t add another.
Coming Together
Essie Coming Together Swatch
lavish pink bouquet
Coming Together is basically the same formula as Steal His Name but a lot more pink. I also liked this one a lot more. It’s a great subtle shade for a bride.
Passport To Happiness
Essie Passport To Happiness Swatch
whispering spring green
I’ve never seen anyone wear green nail polish to a wedding but if anyone would it do it, it’s me. Unfortunately, I hated this formula. I did one coat, mainly because I didn’t want to deal with it for another one. It was gloopy and didn’t settle well at all. The photo is with an attempt to make it look presentable and that really didn’t go well which is too bad because I love the shade.
Between The Seats
Essie Between The Seats Swatch
romantic grey lilac
I literally had no notes for this one. Two coats went on perfectly for a shade with this much white and it’s such a classic nail polish for a wedding that you definitely can’t go wrong with it. I found it more on the whiter side than a grey lilac, but I don’t always get Essie’s shade descriptions.
Groom Service
Essie Groom Service Swatch
deeply satisfying violet
We don’t get a ton of purple polishes to try out and I really love this shade. It’s pretty romantic if you want an alternative to pink or red. I could’ve gotten away with one coat but went with two for depth.
Mrs. Always-Right
Essie Mrs Always-Right Swatch
fierce terracotta rose
When I originally got this collection, this was the one I knew I’d fall in love with (the name didn’t hurt) and I was totally right. Two coats of this was perfection and it’s just such a stunning deep plummy rose. I’ll definitely be wearing this one to a wedding or two this summer.

10
Jun
2016

OPI Through The Looking Glass Brights Collection

categories: Nail Polish

I usually love when OPI does collaborations but sometimes some of the shades just don’t make sense to me. The Through The Looking Glass collection is one of those times. Some of the shades make perfect sense to me but others I’m really not sure about and considering this was a Brights collection, it makes even less sense. So let’s start off with the odder shades of the collection.
What Time Isn’t It?
OPI What Time Isn't It Box OPI What Time Isn't It Swatch
It’s time for this matte black with slivers of silver. What Time Isn’t It? is considered a special edition polish and the box is pretty nice. I’m not sure how this fits into the movie, but I haven’t seen it yet. But this is neither black, nor matte. This was two coats without a topcoat and while I really like it, I just don’t get it.
A Mirror Escape
OPI A Mirror Escape Swatch
Break free from ordinary in this glittering gold. I don’t like textured polishes and this one goes past that, verging on hate. I did three coats of this one without a topcoat and it’s honestly just ugly. It stayed really lumpy and it felt rough enough that I’m pretty sure I would’ve been catching my nails on everything if it had stayed on for longer than five minutes.
Oh My Majesty!
OPI Oh My Majesty! Swatch
A supremely beautiful pearly alabaster. I get this one, it makes sense to me. But two coats were really sheer and while I don’t hate it, I don’t love it either. It falls into the meh category for me.
I’m Gown For Anything!
OPI I'm Gown For Anything! Swatch
Have a ball in this adventurous, creamy lilac. In case you thought I was going to hate the whole collection, I really don’t. I’m Gown For Anything! is so pretty and I could’ve gotten away with one coat.
Having A Big Head Day
OPI Having A Big Head Day Swatch
Get ahead of the pack in this commanding, hot red. We’re finally heading into bright territory and that’s actually the perfect description for this red. Bright. Two coats went on pretty well but there was a lot of pooling around the cuticles.
Mad For Madness Sake
OPI Mad For Madness Sake Swatch
This fuchsia pink is crazy-hot on you. This pink is gorgeous and bright and perfect for summer. Two coats were perfect and I wore this one for a long time with zero chipping.
The I’s Have It
OPI The I's Have It Swatch
All eyes on ME…and this light powder blue. I love blue polish but this one falls somewhere in the middle of my list, I just have too many like it. I did two thin coats for this one.
What’s The Hatter With You?
OPI What's The Hatter With You Swatch
I’m going crazy for this rich burgundy crème. I love this shade so much and it could’ve been a one-coater but looked way better with two. But this one chipped almost immediately for me and I’m not talking about tip wear, I had full blown chips within an hour of wearing it.
Fearlessly Alice
OPI Fearlessly Alice
A bold cerulean blue with intrepid style. Everything about this shade was perfect for me. It’s bright, it’s a stunning shade and it was perfect in one coat! I wore this one for days without tip wear or chipping and there was no staining when I took it off. I’m in love.