Top 10 in Skin Care Under $20.00

I personally love splurging on fancy beauty products. Weather it’s a fancy lipstick or an expensive moisturizer, nothing feels better then pampering yourself in luxury. Well that is a lie… there is one thing that feels better and that is the bargain beauty buy. To be bargain beauty buy a product has to be inexpensive, but it also has to rival the luxury beauty goods too. So today let’s step into the world of skincare and talk about all the amazing, kick ass products you can get under $20.00.

Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel $17.00

I love this cleanser! It’s effective at removing makeup, yet doesn’t leave your skin feeling stripped. If you were looking for a really good everyday cleanser this is one you must check out.It also neutralizes hard water and smells really nice too!

You can see my whole review here.

NSPA Hot Cloth Polish $13.97

If you wanted to dabble with the double cleanse this is a great inexpensive option to try. Its creamy texture melts makeup off your face while giving your skin the nourishment it needs. This product truly feels like a luxurious treat for the skin and comes with a beautiful muslin cloth too.

Review here!

Super Facialist Skin Renew Cleansing Oil $11.99

Again another double cleanse product but this time in a form of an oil. I have tried luxury cleansing oils in the past and they do not measure up to this bargain beauty buy. Beauty bloggers and editors go nuts for this product which is a testament to how amazing this cleansing oil is. I love that this oil is slick enough for facial massage, yet doesn’t leave the slightest residue on your skin when you wash it off.

A new must have product for me, you can see my in depth review here.   

Palmers Skin Thearpy Oil $10.00

With a handful of anti-aging ingredients, including retinol and rosehip this oil is perfect for those who want to eliminate those pesky lines. Even if you weren’t worried about fine lines this is a great preventative product to pick up. For $10.00 this you get chemical free oil, that boasts skincare ingredients found in products over ten times it price.

I genuinely can’t believe this oil is as affordable as it is, see my in depth review here.

Caudalie Grape Water $19.00

From setting your makeup to cooling you off in the heat of the summer, face mists are a handy product to have around. My personal favourite way to use a face mist is as a toner and my favourite out of the bunch is the Caudalie Grape Water. This light mist reduces redness, while mildly moisturizing the skin. I’m not going to lie face mists might be a diva step, but thoroughly look forward to using my Caudalie Grape Water every night.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $15.00

With ingredients like shea butter and oatmeal this face cream is a dream come true for dry- sensitive skin types. Personally this is a go to for me during harsh winter months and for $15.00 for almost 60ml it should be yours too.

This cream also works wonders on the body, so if you’re prone to eczema on the body you really need to check this stuff out.

Nivea Honey and Milk Lip Balm $1.99

Like most beauty obsessed ladies I always have an assortment of beauty products floating around my purse. BUT when it comes to really dry lips I always resort to my Nivea Milk and Honey Lip Balm. If you have severely dry, cracked lips this lip balm is more hydrating and more repairing then any high-end lip balm I’ve ever tried. Move over Le Mer and make room for a little Nivea.

Bioderma Sensibio $19.95

When it comes to gentle makeup removers Bioderma has it going on. This water like formula doesn’t irritate the eyes nor does it leave any residue on the skin. Personally I don’t think many makeup removers measure up the Bioderma, which is probably the reason it’s been in every empties post I’ve ever done. If you were looking for a gentle makeup remover give this cult product a go.

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm $17.00

To be honest this gritty, matte lip balm isn’t a day time favourite for me. However when it comes to bed time this lip balm has it going on! If you were looking for a nourishing night time treatment for the lips I highly, highly suggest the Nuxe Reve De Meil.  

I love this stuff…

Boiron Homeoplasmine/Cicadermine $4.99

Homoplasmine (Cicadermine in North America) is a thick ointment that soothes, products in hydrates the skin. If your familiar with Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream this is basically the french version of it. In my opinion I find Homoplasmine less greasy and better smelling then the 8 Hour Cream, but that is just my opinion. Excellent repairing cracked skin, hydrating dry lips, smoothing eyes brows or even as a primer there are so many uses for this multi-tasking product. Trust me one of this 5 dollar bargain will be in every purse, jacket and makeup bag you own.

Cicadermine can be a pain in the butt to find in stores, so talk to your local pharmacist they can usually order this in for you with ease.  

5 Must have MAC Shadows

My beauty goals this year were to buy less makeup and to condense my collection. This is not a post on organization, but you have to believe me when I say this my eye shadow collection was terrifying. My old stash came complete with a healthy amount of duds, broken shadows and a MAC pallet with only neon colours. These days my collection only has the best… well at least in my opinion. So with only a few MAC shadows on hand here are my top 5 must have MAC shadows.

MAC Shroom

Shimmery beiges eye shadows can look too metallic, while matte beige’s can look chalky. Shroom however is the perfect subtle shimmery beige eyeshadow. It the kind of eye shadow that dances between a shimmer and a matte and does it extremely well. For my pale skin Shroom works best as an all over lid shade, but darker skin tones might really like this as a highlight shade. The formula of Shroom is pigmented and buttery. This classic shade has been a favourite of mine since high school continues to be a favourite over 10 years later.

Holy hell does that statement ever make me feel old… next shadow!

MAC Patina

I’ve tried to describe Patina so many times, but no words can capture just how pretty this shade is. But in a nutshell Patina is a cool toned golden brown. This stunning shade also has a slight irradiance to it which makes it almost impossible to dupe. This shadow works well paired with other shadows, however it’s interesting enough to be worn alone too. Unique, flattering and beautiful Patina is a stunning product that has to be in every makeup lover’s collection.

MAC Satin Taupe

Another classic MAC shade however this one makes my list not because it’s unique or special. Granted it’s a stunning taupe, but there are tons of similar colours out there. What makes Satin Taupe is amazing is the quality of this shadow, its pigmented, buildable and very bendable. Personally I think taupe is a handy neutral to have around and MAC’s Satin Taupe one of the best out there.

MAC Soba

Soba is a mustardy brown coloured shadow, which I have to say doesn’t look all that flattering in the pan. On the eyes however Soba makes a beautiful crease shade, especially paired with a gold shadow on the lid. Soba is an almost matte which make it the perfect complement to both shimmery and matte eye shadows.

MAC Tempting 

Tempting is one of the newest shadows in my collection and darn is it ever pretty. I would describe Tempting as a brown- bronze shimmer that is pigmented and bendable. If you find MAC’s Woodwinked too orange toned this is a great option for you. With a quick swipe on the lids and a little blended through the crease you can create the perfect Olsen twin bronze smoky look.

With my collection sorted I have to say I have thoroughly given these 5 shadows good use over the past few months. What are some of your favourite MAC shadows?

 Leave me a comment below.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant Review

I have very fond memories of Aveda. Come to think about it every product I’ve tried smell like a spa and it’s hard to make bad memories when you’re feeling so darn relaxed. Their body care range is amazing, there haircare products are outstanding and there composition oils are on another level of excellence. Surprisingly although I’ve been using Aveda products for over a decade I have yet to dabble with the skincare. So feeling like a little risky and in need of a good chemical exfoliation I purchased the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant.

Chemical exfoliating is the act of using an acid to remove dead skin cells. Why would you want to remove dead skin cells you ask? Well firstly it will make your skin glow, because you’re seeing the newest purist skin. Secondly, it will improve the performance of your skincare. Thirdly, makeup will apply smoother and with more ease. Fourthly (I can go on for days) basically exfoliation is a vital part of a skincare routine it you want to achieve healthy beautiful skin.

Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant dead skin sloughing ingredients are salicylic acid and lactic acid. Lactic acid is that mild chemical exfoliator that literally eats its way through dead skin cells. Sounds like a horror story, but this gentle ingredient has to be one of my all-time favourites. The other acid this uses is salicylic which is commonly used in products for oily prone skin types. I found the combination of acids mild yet effective at reducing shine, increasing clarity and give you that sought after glow.

Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant also boasts Witch Hazel. Personally, I think many skin types can seek benefit from a little witch hazel. Oily skin types will find Witch Hazel helps reduce the size of pores, removes blackheads and prevents spots too. In addition Witch Hazel has also been found to treat psoriasis and eczema too.

Witch Hazel and a duo of acids? Sounds intimidating, but rest assured Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant is gentle, glow inducing goodness. Aveda suggests this product can be used on every skin type and I couldn’t agree more.  I also have to say the relaxing lavender scent is a nice spa-like touch to my nightly skincare routine too. At $30.00 CAD a bottle I can’t recommend this affordable, effective treatment enough.

A Bobbi Brown Correction

I have been using Bobbi Browns corrector on and off for about 3 years now. Its thick consistency combined with its intense pigmentation made it ideal for those heavy concealer days. I had used porcelain bisque for years and although it offered full coverage concealing I can’t say it ever corrected those blue-ish circles.

Makeup artists, friends, family and the online beauty world claim that this corrector, correctors like no bodies business… Was this a case of a difference or had I been using this product wrong the whole time?

On a recent trip to Sephora my world got shaken and I’m not talking about the premature Christmas displays people. I’m talking about my beloved Porcelain Bisque was sold out. I’m really making this sound dramatic, but as a dark circles sufferer I didn’t want to frighten my co-workers, friends or family. So what is one with such circles to do when in time of need? Settle for the next shade!

Light Bisque undeniably is pinker in colour then my original porcelain bisque. The orangey- pink colour actually looks a little terrifying if you ask me. However I took the risk and …

PEOPLE I have been using this corrector in the wrong for years. See I totally get that this salmon toned correctors neutralize dark circles, but I was afraid to the plunge. The fact of the matter is I shouldn’t have been frightened at all. The pinker porcelain bisque once applied doesn’t look so pink, yet my dark circles are completely eliminated. I liked Bobbi Browns corrector even when I was using it wrong, however I have been loving this corrector since I've been using it right.

So ladies … take a chance and get pink with your Bobbi Brown Corrector you will discover the miracle product that this truly is.

October Favourites

 Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Baby Showers and Halloween… October has been a very, very busy month. I’m not going to lie a part of me hates to see it go, but the other part of me welcomes a slower paced November. As far as beauty goes, when things get hectic I always find the best beauty products. So grab your favourite Halloween Candy because here we go!

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien  

Since there release the beauty world had been going crazy over these lip pencils. Call me crazy but a pencil that you have to sharpen and then put on your lips just didn’t appeal to me.

Pencil shavings are kind of disgusting if you ask me! Also if you were anything like shavings can also be very messy too.

BUT Satin lip pencil is downright amazing, it’s long lasting, creamy and comfortable to wear. The shade Rikugien is beautiful wearable Rosey Pink that would complement most skin types. Thank you Sephora for introducing me to the world of NARS Lip Pencils, I’m sure my new found love will turn into full-fledged addiction some time soon.

MAC Fix Plus

I’ve used Fix Plus in the past, but between you and me it was a long, long, long time ago. It was so long ago where I am now starting to question if this even occurred?

I was under the impression that Fix Plus was an alcohol based setting mist. Well people I’m happy to report this mist is not alcohol based.  Instead Fix Plus is filled with hydrating and soothing indigents that aim to hydrate and replenish your skin instead of drying it out. In addition to feeling soothing and hydrating this setting spray does an excellent job at setting your makeup too.

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb

Flowerbomb is not the typical woodsy, rose scents I am usually drawn too. With that being said Flowerbomb has its time and place and this October has to be one of them. To me this smells like warm vanilla, musk with hints of patchouli. The patchouli note in Flowerbomb is very wearable and non-intimidating, which is why I think so many people are drawn to the fragrance.  There is something about Thanksgiving pies, Halloween candy that makes October so sweet… Flowerbomb is the perfect complement to it.

Bubbles and Squeak Belly Butter

A growing belly and itchy skin is very much a real thing during the 8^th month of pregnancy. The key to relief is moisture so I bring my belly butter stick with me everywhere. The ingredients are hydrating yet non-sticky meaning it was transfer on to your clothing. I love this stuff so much… My cousin bought this belly butter at a small shop by her cottage, if I find a website I will add the link below. If your pregnant or know someone who’s pregnant these belly butter products come highly recommended.

Link to website here! 

What are some of your favourites? Leave me a message below!