Lancome Juicy Shaker Review

One look at Lancome's new Juicy Shaker and I became obsessed. Actually there hasn't been a makeup product that has excited me as much as the Juicy Shaker in a long time. So when the Juicy Shaker hit stores you bet I was the first one at the counter to see the new product up close in person. With over 10 different colours (and scents), an armful of swatches and the Lancome Sales Associate giving me that 'just pick one already' look, I opted for Mango's Wild. 

Mango's Wild is a sheer, juicy fuchsia pink. Personally I thought this colour was a cute pick for the summer, but the truth is every colour in the range holds it's own. Actually I'm very tempted to go get Berry Love too! On the lips Lancome's Juicy Shaker's feel like a lightweight hydrating lip balm. The only down is the formula doesn't last long. With that being said with it's comfrotable sponge applicator and its tasty mango flavour I can't say I mind reapplying every couple of hours. 

Usually at this point I like to highlight ingredients but the truth is the thing that drew me into the Juicy Shaker was the packaging. Is it just me or how adorable would it be if you pulled this out of your purse during a summer cocktail party? However the juicy shaker is not only cute, because since this oil based product needs a good shake before use, its practical too. 

 While I sit there smiling, shaking my Juicy Shaker its a great reminder of just how fun makeup can be. So ladies do you need another lip product? I'm not sure, but if you wanted a lip product that is tons of fun I can't recommend the Juicy Shaker enough. 

Eminence Firm Skin Targeted Treatment Review

"teenagers will give you grey hair, and babies will give you wrinkles" a quote said by just about every mother I know. I have to be honest I didn't buy into this 'myth' then I had a baby and my wrinkle situation hit me hard. Now I don't want to sound overly dramatic here, I'm just about to enter my 30's, I don't have crazy wrinkles, but I have definitely have my fair share of fine lines. So what is one to do? Let me introduce you to to Eminence Firm Skin Treatment.

Firm Skin Treatment. I'm no marketing expert Eminence, but this name of this treatment does not do it justice. Along with firming the skin this treatment also fights wrinkles, plumps the skin and has a generous helping of antioxidants. What I personally like is the fact that this uses a natural retinol because it gives all the anti-aging benefits one could ask for, but without the slightest irritation.

The next wonder ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which if you've read my skincare reviews you'll know has to be one of my all time favourite ingredients. Hyaluronic acid can work wonders for those with dehydrated skin, but in this treatment it works more of a plumping agent. The plumping effects of the  hyaluronic acid is complimented by the anti aging effects of snow algae extract... I know what your thinking, what the heck is snow algae extract? I know this because I too has no idea what it was. Snow algae extract is a fancy ingredient that is found in the Swiss Alps. Now harvested in labs this skincare ingredient is used to repair capillaries, smooth fine lines and reduces the loss of collagen.

I use this treatment on my problem areas (forehead and around eyes) after I apply my serum and before I apply my moisturizer. It's the perfect product to sandwich because it's lightweight cream texture doesn't interfere other products. If you haven't noticed by now there are many things I really like about this product like it's fruity berry scent, its long list of amazing ingredients, the firming effects, but also its hydrating, anti-aging and plumping effects too. Basically what I'm saying is if I had the opportunity to name this product I would call it Purple Berry Smoothie Line Reducing Skin Plumping Firming Treatment Suitable for All Skin Types, Ages and New Mom's... Come to think about it maybe Firm Skin Treatment has a better ring to it. 

Love this product you can find out where to buy it here!

Femme Couture Monster Lash XXL Review

Femme Couture Monster Lash XXL has me at a complete loss for words. I am literally so excited about this product that I'm actually rather scatter brained about it. So lets start from the beginning, shall we?

Around Christmas time I went into a Sally's Beauty Supply. My goal was to see the Hello Kitty OPI collection of nail polishes along with some of there Christmas specials. While glancing through there selection of makeup a sales lady and I got talking mascara. We did the whole makeup girl talk as we expressed our love for volumizing mascara. "Have you tried Benefit's Bad Gal Lash", "Yup, do you like Dior Show?" literally this mascara exchange went on for an embarrassingly long time. Then she looked at me and with eager eyes and said "you need to try this, it will change your life!"

So I did what I was told and bought the product... The next thing you know I had a baby, life happened and I completely forgot that I had left this mascara in the back seat of my car.  

Until now... and ladies... this mascara is really, really, amazing, awesome, out of this world good! 

I've tried drugstore mascaras, department store mascaras and luxury mascaras, but nothing I've ever tried has compared to this.

This perfect mascara starts with a handy curved brush that evenly coats your lashes. Its the kind of brush that doesn't miss a lash, yet it doesn't make your lashes look clumpy either. The formula on the other hand is ultra volumizing and super lengthing. With an amazing brush and perfect formula this mascara gives the effect of beautiful long, curly false lashes. If you wanted a more dramatic look you'll be happy to know the Femme Couture layers really well too. 

Now here comes the scatter brain part... I did a little research about this product and I was bombarded by negative reviews. I was shocked, how can a product thats so good have so much hate? From what I gather the longevity of this mascara seems to be a problem for some. With that being said I have worn this for well over 8 hours without any chipping or flaking issues. So if your looking for a 24 hour mascara you might want to try a longer lasting formula, but as a daily wearer this mascara works great.

No mascara review would be complete without an embarrassing, deer in headlights selfie!

If you haven't noticed I really, really love this product. I would even go as far as saying this is one of the best (if not the best) mascara I've ever tired. If your into volumized, full, fake looking lashes you need some Monster Lash XXL in your life. At $10.99 a pop this affordable mascara should be on everyones must try list. 

Skincare Lies & How to Avoid Them

Behind a very fancy makeup counter a lady told me that I 'needed' to splurge on an eye cream. Now to paint the picture correctly, I had a crying baby in one arm and an extra large coffee in the other. My normal reaction would be to come up with some sort of witty comment, but as a new mom I was sleep deprived and therefore off my game. The next thing you know this women is trying to sell me a eye cream which she says its scientifically proven to replicate the effects of plastic surgery. Standing there like a tired zombie I thanked her for her time and gave her the generic "let me think about it" response. As I was walking away, crying baby and all I started thinking... there is a whole lot of bullshit (pardon my language) people try to sell you out there. So ladies here are my three tips to avoid falling for these lies. 

1. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. 

There are treatments out there that can minimize fine line or help firm the skin. However results of these skincare products are a gradual progression. If your thinking why isn't my serum working typically with any skincare product you should start to see results at the 4 week mark. So the next time someone tries to sell you a instant face lift in a tube, or Botox in a bottle... just think to yourself if a cream could replicate the effects of cosmetic surgery why would people still going under the knife?

2. You don't need the entire range of products.

I hear the classic sales lady pitch "these products are formulated to work together" all the time, which  to me means 'I want to get as much commission off of you as possible'. To be honest I think you would be hard pressed to find a skincare expert that uses everything from the same brand, let alone the same range. Every product in your skincare stash should be an amazing stand alone product. So if you love a high-end serum, a mid ranged face cream and a drugstore exfoliator... go for it and mix it up!

3. Natural, Dermatologist tested and Hypoallergenic...question everything!

There are a few brands that's claim to the skincare game is that there products are "dermatologist tested". Well I'm here to say that doesn't mean much considering there is a doctor somewhere out there to willing to indorse just about anything. There are also a slew of 'natural' skincare ranges that aren't natural at all. My favourite thou us 'hypoallergenic'. This very word was created by the beauty industry to give the illusion of gentle, non-invasive products. There is no certification to this word and yet you see it everywhere! To combat these lies my advice is to question absolutely everything from the price the product to the overall appearance of the brand. Luckily for us we are armed with the internet which is a great tool to get some truthful answers and reviews.

I also venture to www.makeupalley.com and www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia whenever I have a product or brand in question. 

So the next time a sales person tries to push an entire range of natural, hypoallergenic, 'face lift' cream you will be able to spot the lies from a mile away.

Until next time people!

April Favourites

We went from snow storms to summer like weather in two weeks... its been crazy here in Canada. I realize this isn't a weather blog, however nothing effects my beauty favourites more then the change of seasons. So with the forecast all over the place here is my very manic list of favourites. 

c.Booth Vanilla Bean Clean Range 

The ingredients, the scent, the price this body care should be on everyone's must have list. The scent is very similar to the La Vanilla, Pure Vanilla.  I would even go as far as saying shower gel is one of the best I've ever tried. The lotion is really nice too. It's the kind of lotion that you can easily slap without the worry of feeling to greasy. Hands down one of my favourite discoveries this year! You can read my whole review here. 

Guerlain Nail Polish in Rouge D'enfer 

Going back to the weather... some blogs this month are featuring some beautiful summer nail colours.  Maybe it's just me, but it just feels wrong to wear a tropical coral during a winter blizzard. So my go to is a recently has been the classic red, Rouge D'enfer. The quality of this polish blows me away, it's opaque, creamy and just a joy to apply. In addition the formula is shiny and lasts for days without chipping. If you were looking for a true, classic, red that you can wear all year the Guerlain D'enfer is an excellent, excellent choice. 

Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 

Another month another Clarins product! 

When the days start to get longer and the days start to get warmer I make sure to wear an SPF everyday. I've tried many sun screen over the years and my by far favourite is this Clarins UV Plus HP. Not only does it provide ample sun protection, but it feels lightweight and non greasy even underneath makeup. 

Clarins has reformulated this and its now called UV Plus SPF 50... I've only tried the new version in stores, but it seems to be more or less the same (just with a higher SPF). If you've tried the reformulation let me know in the comment section. 

Femme Couture Monster Lash XXL

Last but definitely not least Monster Lash! I've never tried anything from this range before, but this mascara is really, really, really good. If you like long, curly, fluttery lashes that look fake you need to try this! I really want to do a full review of this product with pictures, because this is a product that definitely deserves some extra attention. 

What have been your favourites this month?!