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Monday, January 23, 2012

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector Review

Hemp Hand Protector

I thought I'd feature and review this while most of us are experiencing the winter temperatures (below freezing where I am!). Moisturizing is the first and foremost most important step in your skincare routine especially during these winter months as obviously, the cold winter dries out skin very intensely (I will be doing a review on my current sunscreen - another important product for the winter, believe it or not).

Since the most of us cannot go a minute without texting and checking our phones, we sacrafice our hands to the cold a lot and because mittens and gloves just get in the way of our very important text messages, most of us skip the accessories and bare our hands in the cold. This undoubtely leaves our hands super dry and flakey. I know for me personally, I hate moisturizing my hands as it turns greasy so I skip that step too! Needless to say, my hands get so dry in the wintertime.

This can all be eliminated though, with a good hand lotion such as The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Protector. Although it does not smell like your typical, florally sweet hand creams, this hand lotion is worth the grass-like smell - some people can't get past it but for me, I do not mind it at all. It not only moisturizes your dry hands but it forms almost a barrier such that even after you wash your hands, this lotion remains intact. This way, your hands are always to trap in moisture (ie. from the lotion) and to keep out the cold dry wind that will take away your own natural oils from your hand. This is one of the very unique features of the product; here is an insert from the website:
How it works:
  • Community Trade hemp seed oil has an unusually high concentration of essential fatty acids that help to repair skin's moisture barrier, so skin is smooth and supple.
  • Community Trade organic beeswax moisturizes and conditions; acts as a barrier to seal in moisture.


Hemp Hand Protector x2

Hemp Hand Protector
The consistency is quick thick but can be easily distributed and is quickly absorbed in the skin. The packing is very unique too. As you can see, it is made out of some kind of aluminum-ish material but it is not a big deal. My first lotion lasted me for a year .. thankfully, my sister purchased me another one as a Christmas present as she saw that I was running out of it! :) This is a very great product to have if you have very dry skin.


ETA: HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!!

XO Nicole 

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Paula's Choice Skincare Haul

Paula's Choice Skincare
I've been hearing a lot about AHA exfoliators and on the research on AHA, I realized that I am actually needing BHA for my acne so when they had a sale of 25% the exfoliators and free shipping for over $50, I decided it was meant to be because I've been breaking out like crazy!

EXPERIENCE: Ordering on Paula's Choice was great, I loved that they you get five free samples of your choice! Also, if your order does not qualify for

I'll do a review post once I test the products out!
  • Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid
  • Exfoliating 8% AHA Gel
  • Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser
  • Skin Balancing Cleanser
The Samples
  • Free Sample - Exfoliating 2% BHA Gel    
  • Free Sample - Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion
  • Free Sample - RESIST Clearly Remarkable Skin Lightening Gel
  • Free Sample - Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
XO Nicole

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme Just Enough Buff Photos, Swatches and Review

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme, Just Enough Buff

BLABBLE:  I already have very pigmented lips and I just don't want to add even more colour to it so lately, I've been really getting into more "nude" shades.

THE GOOD: This lipstick shade is not too nude that it will wash you out like the way say, Nude Attitude (also by Revlon) would, however, there is an orange tinge/undertone to it. For my lips though, as I mentioned, because they are pretty red, they seem to cancel it out so it ends up being a good nude for me. It has shimmer to it but not a crazy amount.

THE NOT SO GOOD: There are some more downsides to this lipstick though. This shows every flakey skin on your lip so beware! Also, it is quite sheer - but it is buildable!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme, Just Enough Buff
OVERALL: I really like the fact that it mutes out some of my natural deep lip colour but reading other people's review, the turn out really results depending on skin tone and natural lip colour so just make sure to swatch this in stores before purchasing - and it's also definitely not a creamy formula.


Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme, Just Enough Buff
 XO Nicole

Monday, January 16, 2012

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase.
― Martin Luther King Jr. 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Benefit Finding Mr. Bright Photos

Finding Mr. Bright
Finding Mr. Bright
This Benefit kit comes with everything you need for the glow-y skin. This sampler kit is travel-friendly.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Body Shop Honey Bronzing Powder Photos, Swatches and Review

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer

While the Body Shop’s Honey Bronze collection includes many products with a lot of shimmer and glitter, a bronze collection just wouldn’t be complete with out a matte bronzer, would it? The matte bronzer prouder in the collection are available in four convenient shades: 01 light matte, 02 fair matte, 03 medium matte, and 04 deep matte.

I generally only use matte bronzers for contouring purposes so I do not find this particularly useful for that field because the shades all have orange undertones. However, I do like the formula as it is not powdery and is very pigmented and it glides smoothly on the skin. Therefore, I think these bronzers are great for giving your skin a nice quick tan, but for contouring, it may not seem as natural for some. As for the packaging, I am indifferent about the packaging as it is a typical compact, but I should mention that the compact is very sturdy and comes with a large round mirror.

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 02 Fair Matte
The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 03 Medium Matte
The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 04 Deep Matte
Fair Matte, Medium Matte, Dark Matte
The Body Shop Honey Bronzers
The Body Shop Honey Bronzes

XO Jenn

Sunday, January 8, 2012

My Collection: NYX Blushes


As you may have seen/read from my previous post on my NYX haul, I decided to do a collective swatch/comparison on all the NYX blushes that I own. Though I only own a few, I feel like the collection is going to stop there. They are very affordable and they do have a lot of different shades to choose from but I think I own all the shades that I am interested in. Until then, I am content with my collection.

 Swatches of the powdered blushes:
NYX Powdered Blushes in Natural, Angel, Mauve, Raisin, Taupe
NYX Powdered Blushes in Natural, Angel, Mauve, Raisin, Taupe

nyx powdered blush raisin
Raisin

Though I am not going to review all of these blushes (as I have talked about them previously) I will make notable mentions on some of them.

My favourite out of the bunch would be Raisin - I love that is mauve-y enough that it can also act as a contour. It is a muted colour with a matte finish so it is definitely OK to use this alone.



nyx rouge cream blush natural
Natural
NYX Rouge Cream Blush Natural - This is one of my first cream blusehs and I though since this was so affordable and the colour is so wearable, you cannot really go wrong about giving cream blushes a try. I have never actually worn this blush just because it is really scarey for me as this thing is so so pigmented. You need the lightest hand to apply this, so I have since given this to my sister. She enjoys it and it looks really nice and natural on her.

XO Nicole

Saturday, January 7, 2012

FEATURING: New Traincase


I finally got myself a train case and even though this may not be the best quality train case, I figured I needed something to store my makeup and it's not like I will be needing to carry this around anyways.



Check it out! I know the quality does not look great, and to be honest, it isn't but I'm only using it as storage. I am not planning to be taking it anywhere so it's prefect for storing all the makeup I am not using in my room. I got this from the Shopping Channel; however, I do not believe they still have this as I cannot find it on their website!

XO Nicole

Friday, January 6, 2012

REVIEW: Hard Candy - Primer


BLABBLE: I haven't been using primer for the past few months just because I've been trying to wear 'less' product on my face.. however, because I was close to the end of my SmashBox PhotoFinish primer, I picked this one up for a 'backup'. For a while, I've been using the primer everyday.

I'm Bloglovin'

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume IV Photos

Book Of Shadows IV
This is my first Urban Decay Book of Shadows so I am really excited and naturally, I just had to do a blog post on it.

This is the fourth book of shadows by UD, and as I mentioned, it is MY personal first. My Urban Decay collection has definitely expanded this year for some reason - no doubt to the NAKED/NAKED2 palette!

Book Of Shadows IV
First of all, even with my obsession with anything New York and hence my desire for the third book 'Urban Decay Hearts NYC Book of Shadows III', I got to admit that this packaging is gorgoeous too! Based on the packaging itself, it's like a must-buy!


I love that this book has a wide range of shades. They are Blue Bus, Gunmetal, Cobra, Baked; Bender, Gravity, Lost, Hijack, Midnight Cowgirl, Sin, Midnight Rodeo, Crystal; Bust, Missionary, Skimp, Zephyr.

Book Of Shadows IV
Along with the eyeshadows, this book of shadows also comes with 
- 0.058 oz 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion (carbon black)
- 0.18 oz SuperCurl Mascara in black
- 0.13 oz Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Mini Keychain Speaker
24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion



SuperCurl Mascara in black
SuperCurl Mascara in black
Eyeshadow Primer Potion
USB Cords & Mini Keychain Speaker
I thought I'd also include an insert from the Sephora website as they describe this very well:
  • -Any phone with a browser and a camera can access Urban Decay's exclusive how-to videos.
  • -If you don't already have an application that reads QR codes, download one at your carrier's application store (many of them are free).
  • -Open the application.
  • -Hold phone over the code and center. Hold it still, and make sure you have enough light and no glare.
  • -Hit "scan," or the video may just pop up.
  • -Your video will load instantly and then start to play.
  • -Place phone in holder to watch the video hands-free while you follow the steps.
  • -The added bonus: the portable speaker delivers big sound. Attach it to your keychain so you can whip it out whenever you demand better sound from your phone and MP3 player.
  • -The Book of Shadows IV display features a two-way cradle so your smart phone can play video in either a vertical or horizontal position. 
Book Of Shadows IV

.... and of course, swatches to come!
XO Nicole

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Laura Mercier Sandstone Eyeshadow Photos, Swatches and Review

Laura Mercier Sandstone Eyeshadow Photos, Swatches and Review



I did get this in my LuxeBox a few months back as a full sized product. I love this as a highlight colour for the inner corners and the brow bone. It is quite pigmented, which is awesome because I tend to find most highlight colours lacking and the need to have to pack it on really good. This colour is a mix between a light pink and a peach which makes it great to use on cheekbones as well. And also because of this, you can throw this on your lids if you don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup that day to make you more awake and fresh - I love using this product for this! (BTW, this is under Laura Mercier’s “Sateen Eye Colour” line.) This retails for $22 on the Laura Mercier website which can be a bit pricey, but I do really love this and so I recommend it for those looking for a go-to versatile hightlight shade!

Laura Mercier Sandstone Eyeshadow Photos, Swatches and Review


XO Nicole

Monday, January 2, 2012

Sephora (feat. Benefit, BareMinerals, OPI..) Haul


How is a shopping trip complete without dropping by Sephora? Now that all most of the malls in my area have Sephoras in them, it’s hard to resist just causally dropping by to do some swatches, smell some perfumes.. do a little touch up, etc. etc. You know what I mean girls.

Anyhow, we picked up just three simple things on the trip.

bareMinerals SPF 15 Matte Foundation (Fairly Light)

bareMinerals SPF 15 Matte Foundation (Fairly Light)

bareMinerals SPF 15 Matte Foundation (Fairly Light) - My sister finally went ahead and purchased this. I can’t wait until she uses it and tells me what she thinks as I am wanting to make that transition from liquid to mineral!

Only Gold For Me Top Coat

Only Gold For Me Top Coat

Sephora: SEPHORA by OPI Only Gold For Me Top Coat - I just cannot resist this polish! The glitters are so chunky, which is something I may not be really used to but this looks so major to pass up - especially for the holiday season: gold & glitter!

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer (image not shown) - Going to give this a try! I usually do not use a primer but it can’t hurt to have one laying around for those long days/nights!

Finding Mr. Bright
Benefit: Finding Mr. Bright - I love these gift sets that give you a chance to try all the different items! This set comes with
This set contains:
- 0.08 oz High Beam (luminous pale pink)
- 0.11 oz Erase Paste No. 2 Medium
- 0.13 oz Posietint (poppy pink)
- 0.25 oz Girl Meets Pearl (pearly golden pink)

P.S. I will have a separate blog post on the individual items!

XO Nicole

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Years!


May the year of 2012 be filled with joy, love, success and happiness!


May 2012 be filled with only good things!


Heres to the new year!

xoxo

Jenny