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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Featuring: Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

I am a lash and lash-growth junkie so I was extremely excited when I stumbled upon this product. Not only is it all natural products (and hence, does not need the FDA approval), I've seen some great before and after photos. Even though this is a bit pricey compared to say Urban Decay's Lush Lash System, Rimmel's Lash Accelerator, or what have you, it is about the same price as the "real deals" like RapidLash or Latisse. It was definitely a “it's-meant-to-be” moment because they were having an Easter promo when I stumbled across this. With that promo, I received 20% off my order. Shipping to Canada is at a reasonable flat price at $8. They shipped using FedEx and I did not get charged customs on it.

The material of the box reminds me of the material of the NARS powders. The tube itself is a long, grey-chrome tube. Very sleek. The girls at Lashem also has a YouTube channel. They have a little commerical on there that you should check it out. It's pretty funny! Give their website a look if you are interested in a new lash growth product. This one seems promising. I will update you guys later (I am currently still using my Talika Lipocils).



Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel Serum

XO Nicole

Monday, May 20, 2013

Sephora Haul (Clarisonic, Shiseido, Josie Maran)


I placed this order because I was running low on my Cover Fx Pressed Mineral Foundation powder. Although I love that Cover Fx provides great coverage without being cakey and the shade matches me amazingly, I was ready to try a new powder. The reviews on this powder are nothing but great so I had to try it out. 

Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation (in shades O20 & O40) - What is cool about this product is that the powder is sold separately from the compact itself (although I believe a lot of Shiseido (powder) products are sold like this). I really like Shiseido for doing this; not only it is more eco-friendly, and I think it just goes to show how confident they are in their products to believe that customers will keep repurchasing. The case is sold separately for $8 CAD. I did not buy the case just yet because I wanted to make sure that I did like the powder enough to repurchase it in the future.

I bought two shades because I was not sure how I matched – this is an online only product so I had no way of swatching and seeing it in person. 

Cleansing Brush Head Value Pack (TYPE: Acne- excellent for acne-prone skin types) I am down to my last Clarisonic brush head so I was happy to see that they offer this value pack of 4 brushes for $75 . Of course, I chose the acne brush heads. This is a great deal because one brush head is $29 CAD (and a twin pack is $48) .

When I placed this order (prior to the Sephora ChicWeek sale), they had a promo for a deluxe sample of the new Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil. I have been so curious about her products so I thought this was a great opportunity to try a product of hers.

Having made this haul, I controlled myself and skipped the Sephora ChicWeek sale, which is fine with me since I didn't have much that I wanted and needed to get. (Random fragrance rant ahead!) The only real thing I need is a new spring/summer fragrance. Last year, it was Marc Jacob's Lola. I was thinking about LaVanila Pure Vanilla but it does not lasts on me and I barely smell it throughout the day. I am really falling for Victor & Rolf's Flowerbomb. I love the bottle (hello, it's a pink grenade!) but at the same time, every girl out there wears it! I'm quite torn! 

Clarisonic Cleansing Brush Head Value Pack

Clarisonic Cleansing Brush Head Value Pack

 Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation

 Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation

 Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation

 Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation



Sephora Haul Samples

XO Nicole

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational Review, Photos & Swatches

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational is a fairly new line of lip products. The concept of this line is that there is less wax yet the colour payoff and the gloss factor is still to be amazing. I am not much of a lip product person so it did take me a while to try these out. I purchased these three when they were on sale for $6.99 CAD and on a buy 2 get 1 free promo. London Drugs (a Canadian drugstore) had only a limited selection so I had a bit of a hard time deciding which ones to choose. A lot of them were the red shades so I had to stick with the nudes and a mauvey pink one. I picked up Lust for Blush 25, Some Like it Taupe 15 and Petal Rebel 60. I intended to pick up Bare to be Bold 10 but I accidently got Some Like it Taupe instead. I have since exchanged Petal Rebel for it.

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational

I rarely use Some Like it Taupe because it is a bit too brown and orange for me but Lust for Blush is the one I keep in my purse and is a lip product (besides lip balm) that I actually use.

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational

I prefer my lip products to slightly blank out my lips and I perfer them to be not be super glossy and shimmery (ie. With glitter – which is a problem I find with the Revlon lip butters and L'Oreal's Colour Riche Balms and Colour Caresse).

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational

Lust for Blush is perfect because it is a mauve pink so it's not like a bubblegum pink like Petal Rebel and I can just tap it onto my lips if I don't want a full out pink lip and if I don't want too much of a gloss. I love how it looks on my lips because it blanks out my lips just a little bit without making me look dead. I never thought about using pinks to blank out my lips but I really love the look I get with this product.

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational

XO Nicole

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Drugstore/Whole Foods Skincare Haul



Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner 


Heritage Products Rose Petals Rosewater Spray


Calgon Ageless Bath: Exfoliating Mineral Scrub and Soak -  Exfoliating your body is key to achieving a more realistic and seemless tan with gradual tanning lotion, which is my method for a sun-kissed glow in the summer. This scrub sounded like it would be really pleasant - "scrub and soak" - and it's a really large tub and it was on sale; I couldn't say no.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation - I searched high and low for Bourjois' Healthy Mix Foundation, specifically in SDMs because they are the only ones that carry Bourjois here in Canada, but it seems that they only have the serum version. I was desperate for a new foundation so I purchased this one anyway. I got this in the shade 52 Vanilla. Hopefully, the shade matches and that it won't turn out to be a hot mess on my oily skin. 

I am aware that Asos.com sells this in addition to the original/non-serum version but they are all out of my shade at this time. I contacted Asos about restocking the shades but they told me that they don't restock their items. I believe it was an automatic reply because I don't think that this is true for beauty products so I will be keeping my eye on the product page. This cost me $27 CAD whereas it only costs $19 ($17 for non-serum version) on ASOS and they ship for free.

XO Jenny

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Drugstore Haul (Spring Empties Follow Up)


This shopping trip was well needed to replace most of the "necessities" that I have used up (see previous posts). Some stuff were extra but nevertheless, justifiable. Most of these items were purchased at Walmart with an exception to a couple things that were purchased from London Drugs.

Goody Classics Mini Claw Clips - I love these mini claw clips and must have them with me at all times. Needless to say, I break these easily and even though I can do with one missing claw, it always bothers me, I don't know why. I am glad that Walmart had these again (for a period of time, I couldn't find them anywhere or they were too expensive). This pack costs $4 CAD and comes with 9 clips.

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil - The two organic lip balms that I finished up  during last semester left me wanting something more exciting. While people may not think Burt's Bee is exciting, I was really looking forward to trying their lip balms because I have never done so. London Drugs was having a Buy 1 Get 1 promo on this duo pack so I decided that it was a sign for me to finally try them. Of course, I get tired easily and need something new so I am not anticipating that I will use all four chapsticks by myself, unless they're life changing - which I am doubtful.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Face Powder in Translucent Light - I've gone through 2 Dream Matte Powders (by Maybelline) and so I was ready for a change. I decided to try this powder because it had good reviews (on MakeupAlley) and because it is made by PF, I thought it would have good ingredients. Though I have never really tried PF products before (because it is quite pricey for a drugstore brand) but I was under the assumption that they had this kind of a philosphy. However, this product contains parabens (as does the Dream Matte powders), but every powder that I have looked at (that are also affordable/from the drugstores) contains some kind of paraben so I guess I will have to live with it. I also wanted to try Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder but that does not come with a puff or a mirror. The puff and the mirror is essential for me in a pressed powder because it's the one face product that I am most likely to bring with me so I want it to have dual-function.

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Expert Face Brush - I got overly excited when I saw that London Drugs now carries the individual brushes (both LD and Walmart initially only carried the collection sets). We all know that I do not need anymore brushes, especially buffing/synthethic foundation brushes because not only do I have my Sigma brushes waiting for me to use but also because I don't even wear foundation on a day to day basis - though I have recently been longing to buy a new foundation. I guess this was a sign of my itch to start wearing foundation again.

Aveeno Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer - This was crazy expensive for a drugstore moisturizer but because I have been breaking out for some unknown reason, I wanted a moisturizer that would help with my breakouts. This moisturizer has salicylic acid in it.

Plus White 5 Minute Speed Whitening System - Trying a new whitening system/impulse buy (I was initially going to buy Crest Whitestrips but this was on sale so I took that as a sign...)

XO Jenny

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Spring Empties Part 5 - Face Makeup


Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm - I had a pleasant experience with Dr. Jart BB cream but I ready to move on. Even though it was good, I wanted to try something else. I really liked this BB cream but it did not last on my face and it felt kind of “filmy” and it does have a strong pink undertone to it. Look out for a comparison post between this BB cream and the new one I have been using. Read my full review here. Also look out for a post where I compare this BB cream with Missha BB cream.

CLEAN & CLEAR Soothing Eye Makeup Remover - I am so happy that I finally finished this makeup remover! I purchased this on a whim because I needed some kind of makeup remover so I didn't have time to read the reviews on this. This is probably the worst makeup remover that I have ever tried. No matter how much I use and how long I leave it the cotton round on my eye, nothing comes off – even with a little bit of rubbing. Keep in mind that I do wear a bajillion layers of waterproof mascara but the fact that this barely removed even one layer is a bit ridiculous. This did do the job of removing makeup on the skin (ie. Mascara on my eyelids) but again, I have tried better. Read my review on a new makeup remover that actually works on me!

Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Setting Spray - This makeup setting spray does nothing for me. I still get oily half way through the day (I don't have overly oily skin either) and my makeup does not last all day. My days can start from 6am – 12am and even though I am not expecting my makeup to look exactly the way that it did at 7am, this spray does not keep my makeup looking great halfway through the day. That being said, I have 2 more bottles of this to go. One of them is the bridal version so hopefully that one will deliver.

Maybelline Dream Matte Pressed Powder - Another Dream Matte powder done! Although this does a great job in mattifying the face, I am ready for something new. I do recommend this for very oily skin. It's a great powder - I just hate the packaging.

XO Nicole

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Spring Empties Part 4: Eye Makeup


COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara - Thank goodness it's time to throw this mascara away. My feelings for this mascara have not changed even though my lashes are a bit longer than when I first tried this a few years ago. The brush is way too big and fat for my eyes so the mascara just ends up everywhere. I am partial to lengething mascaras and the fibre bristles over the plastic ones.

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes - On the other hand, I love L'Oreal's Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara. I had a Maybelline (Illegal Length Fiber Extensions) backup waiting for me so I couldn't go repurchase this one for the time being but I will definitely be going back to this. The brush on this mascara grabs all of my lashes and extends them nicely. The fibres aren't crazy and they don't clump as bad as the Maybelline one when I layer them.


Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Original) - I don't wear a lot of eyeshadow so this mini sample of UDPP took me a while to get through. I even took out the stopper to get every inch of product I could. I haven't tried any other primers so I cannot really compare it with anything else. It does a great job of what it is advertised to do; it keeps my eyeshadow on and helps with the vibrancy.

Zino Eyelash Enhancing Serum - I showed this in my Asia Beauty products haul (read here). Although this lengthened my lashes, I really noticed its potency once I switched to Talika's Lipocils. Compared to Lipocils, this only lengthened my lashes just a little bit. There are definitely better and more potent lash enhancers out there so I would not recommend this if you are looking for something to give you really long lashes.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Featuring: MAC Strong Woman Lipstick (Photos, Swatches)

MAC Strong Woman Lipstick

Strong Woman is a dark matte purple lipstick from the MAC Strength Collection. It is very opaque but because it has a warmer and red undertone, it makes it less dramatic. 

(I wanted to feature this lipstick because it is so different than what I am used to! Excuse the super messy lipstick - it's been through the ringer)

MAC Strong Woman Lipstick

MAC Strong Woman Lipstick

MAC Strong Woman Lipstick

MAC Strong Woman Lipstick

XO Nicole

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Spring Empties Part 3: Facial Care


Sophyto Balancing Daily Moisturizer - This moisturizer cost me ~$32CAD but I really don't know what is so great about it. It's moisturizing and it has good ingredients but it is way overpriced for what it is. I am sure that there are cheaper alternatives out there that offer the same benefits.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum - Wow, did this serum go fast or what? This is my first full sized serum so I wasn't sure what to expect. I guess this is probably the time span of 30ml of products when you use one pea-sized amount each night. Overall, this serum helped my face through the winter months. I have oily skin so I was able to get away with using this but if you have really dry skin or live somewhere colder than Montreal, I would suggest going for something more moisturizing. It smells really nice and absorbs in your skin really quickly so I was able to use this in the mornings too prior to putting on my makeup. I would repurchase this again sometime in the future for the spring or summer. It smells amazing and I love the packaging; the bottle is made out of glass and it has a plastic pump which dispenses the perfect right amount.

Caudalie Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-Crème - Unlike the serum, the moisturizer did not smell at all.  I felt that even though this moisturizer did absorb into my skin relatively fast, it left my skin a bit shiny until I put powder over my BB cream. The consistency is more of a lotion rather than a "creme" so this was a bit too light to wear as a night time moisturizer. I wore this in the morning underneath my makeup. I probably would not repurchase this on its own again.

Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel – I went through this mini full sized bottle quite fast. The thing with this is that it did not work for me. It did not dry up my pimples as fast as I hoped for. In fact, it works the same as my drugstore spot treatments. Needless to say, I will not be spending another $16 on this mini product. Next up is the Mario Badescu drying lotion!

Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head (Delicate) - This is the first acne Clarisonic brush head I tried and it so much softer than the original. After having to go back to the original, I think I much prefer this brush head better because it is more gentle.

XO Nicole

Friday, May 3, 2013

Spring Empties Part 2: Facial Cleansers

Empties - Cleansers

Clearasil StayClear 3-in-1 Deep Cleanser, Ultra Cleansing Gel Wash && Ultra Overnight Wash - I believe Clearasil keeps my acne at bay so that is my acne cleanser of choice. I prefer their gel cleansers over their cream ones (which also have gentle exfoliating beads in them) even though the cream/3-in-1 line smells less offensive. The night version and original gel cleansers both work the same for me – same ingredients, just different look to the gel. I will be repurchasing Clearasil Ultra.

Boscia Clear Complexion Tonic with Botanical Blast – This did not helped me achieve a “clear complexion” but I didn't think it was really suitable for me anyways. I think this is more targetted toward those with minor imperfections. I will say though that the smell of this is really straight up chemicals – it actually reminded me of the smell of some cleaning products.

Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - I finished another sample bottle of the Simple cleanser. I wouldn't repurchase this because it only does a OK job of removing all my makeup, and it doesn't have additional benefits. It also has parabens in it.


XO Nicole

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Spring Empties Part 1: Body Care


Here is part one of my spring empties series! Let's start with the "boring" stuff first.

Softsoap Milk Protein & Honey Body Wash & Vaseline Total Moisture Cocoa Radiant - Nothing special about these products. They both smell great but the scents don't last. The funny thing about the Softsoap body wash is that the soap itself is a gooey/slimey consistency that you can actually throw it up in the air and catch it in your hand and it would still be one long blob. It's pretty fun but weird at the same time.

Dr. Bronner's Organic Peppermint Lip Balm - I enjoyed this lip balm. It is moisturizing and is made up of all organic ingredients. The scent however, I am not too crazy about. The peppermint is a bit too strong for me. I would repurchase this in a differnt scent. Also, because this is very moisturizing, it leaves my lips looking more glossy than I usually perfer it to be, so I wouldn't mind trying something that is just as moisturizing but absorbs more quickly into the lips! It does a great job though.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve - I really enjoyed this hand lotion. It has eucalyptus in it so it's soothing as well as very moisturizing. This was a real saviour for me during the winter. It does absorb into your skin better than the average hand cream and even though it has a thicker consistency, you do not need a whole lot. The only thing that is keeping me from buying a full sized tube this is that it does contains parabens.

La Senza Hello Sugar! - I do not believe that they sell this at La Senza anymore but I bought this when  and I was just getting into perfumes and this was on a 40% off sale. This reminds me of a much cheaper version of Aquolina's Pink Sugar. I am so glad to be done this because it just smells cheap – nice but cheap.

XO Nicole