June Favourites

Every June I have a moment where I ask my self where the heck does time go and this year has been no exception. Working Mom, new job, I've also been eating a lot healthier as of late too which is crazy as I will always have a strong passion for all things deep fried. Who is this girl? There has been big changes this year, but never have I been so excited for the future... So I welcome the rest of 2017 with open arms. 

Sorry I got a little carried away there, self reflections aside we are here to talk favourites and that is what I plan on doing. So let's get the show on the road people, because I have some amazing summery things to share with you! 

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

I love a good acid exfoliator, but the truth is every now and then we all need a good, gritty, get your circulation going kind of scrub. Let Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub be that scrub for you. This scrub is gentle yet provides enough grit to really deep cleanse the skin. I also really like that scrub is not stripping, in fact the formula really nourishes your freshly cleansed skin. For more information you can read my full review (here). 

Hard Candy Colour Correct Cushion Wonder 

This corrector is excellent, lightweight, easy to blend and neutralizes the heck out of dark circles. I would even go as far as to say this is one of the best correctors I've usedboth drugstore and department store. Up there with the ranks of Bobbi Brown, Hard Candy's corrector is amazing and should be every makeup bag! 

Skin So Soft 

Sure, Skin So Soft can be used as a bath soak, but if you had a clever mother with a Avon lady you would know this product also doubles as a mosquito repellent.  It does work well as a bath soak and makes a great dry oil but for me this smells like summer vacation in a bottle. The ingredients could be better in this product, however the scent keeps me reaching for time after time again. 

NARS Laguna 

Last but finally not least, my ultimate summer product is hands down NARS Laguna Bronzer. This bronzer gives the right kind of bronze without making me look orange. On the other hand the slight shimmer makes my face look alive but without looking like a disco ball. Over the years I've probably gone though over 10 of these and I keep on coming back for more. Better then rest, I love Laguna its the perfect touch of bronze for those who are pale like me. 

L'Oreal Lash Paradise

Last but most definitely not least is L'Oreal's new Lash Paradise. This mascara is perfect, because it last's all day, gives amazing volume and awesome length. To make things better the formula is super black and very dramatic. Lash Paradise has been taking the internet by storm recently and for good reason because it's seriously that good! Review here.

Bronzer, mosquito repellent and a correct for when you've consumed to many glasses of rose... I feel like this has been a quint essential summer favourites post! Thank you all for taking the time and reading today and I wish you all a happy and safe long weekend. 

Paula’s Choice Radiance Renewal Mask Review

If you were thinking I sit here all day testing face masks and eating bonbons you’ve got the wrong girl. My recent favourite face mask trial area is my car (I wish I was joking), but I figure since I’m stuck in traffic I might as well pop on a mask before I make my journey home. On a recent spa induced rush hour car ride home I actually tested a bright green face mask. Somewhere between avoiding road rage and looking like a sea monster it crossed my mind that I wish that was clear like my ‘Paula mask’ which was shortly followed by the realization that I have never even mentioned it on my blog. So today we are talking about one of my all-time favourite mask’s Paula’s Radiance Renewal Mask.

Let’s talk about the basics. I love this mask for many reasons but I have to say its convenient pump and clear finish mean I can pop this on at any time. Also, don’t let the ‘overnight’ thing confuse you because you could wear this for a couple of hours during the day too. Personally my favourite way to use this mask is on a lazy Sunday, where I just apply a generous amount on my face and forget about it.

Despite being a friendly, easy to use mask, this mask is loaded with fantastic ingredients. Where do I even begin? Let’s start with hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisturizing olive oil and willow bark extra which is perfect natural way to control oil. This mask also contains vitamin c which is one of the best ingredients for healthy, radiant skin. Along with all the goodness this mask doesn’t contain any nasties like parabens.

If didn’t want to look like a green monster during rush hour this one is for you!

Kidding, Kidding…With its clear, effective formula and its convenient pump this mask that you can pop on just about any time and anywhere. On me this mask doesn’t leave a greasy residue, and furthermore the gel texture isn’t messy and washes away with ease. If you were looking for a mask that really packs in nutrients and leaves your skin looking plump, radiant and more even toned you need to try Paula’s Radiance Renewal Mask.

L’Oréal’s Voluminous Lash Paradise Review

There have been some excellent, exciting makeup releases as of late, however the one that has truly caught my eye is L’Oréal’s Voluminous Lash Paradise. This mascara claims to give lashes “voluptuous volume and length”, furthermore the internet has gone wild about this mascara and between you and I happens to look awfully similar to TooFaced Better Then Sex mascara. So without further talking let’s get on with the review.

There are three things you need to know about Lash Paradise:

1. I originally and mistakenly bought the waterproof version of this mascara. On a complete side note, every time I buy mascara I without fail always buy the wrong formula. Does that happen to any of you? 

I digress the waterproof version is… well water proof and I personally think it’s too much of a pain to get off. In addition I found the formula of the waterproof tacky, which resulted in lashes sticking together which gives that spidery lash look. Not to my liking, however I have never been a waterproof mascara type of girl.

2. After purchasing the correct formula and in the right colour, I have to say I really, really like this mascara. It makes lashes extremely long, and dare I say almost fake looking? As for volume this Lash Paradise makes lashes extremely curly and extremely black. On me this mascara wears easily for 8 hours without smearing, or flaking.

So if you’ve been seeing raves about this mascara it’s definitely for good reason as it’s probably one of the best I’ve tried from the drugstore. In comparison to the Better Then Sex mascara I personally like this one better. I find the formula, the brush on both of them extremely similar however since Lash Paradise is half the price and don’t half such a silly name, I like it better.

3. The third thing I wanted to point out is application. I find this formula works the best with a slower application. Also the brush might look overload with product, however avoid brushing off excess product. Surprisingly I’ve only experienced clumping when I’ve messed around with the brush and been in a brush. 

Despite not liking the waterproof formula, the original Lash Paradise is nothing short of amazing. It makes my lashes look super long, fluttery and almost fake looking. It’s also long lasting and even through the hotter weather I haven’t noticed and smudging. Lash Blast, Dior Show, Roller Lash, Great Lash, there are some amazing mascara’s out there and for me Lash Paradise without a doubt holds its own.

Tata Harper Purifying Mask Review

The last time I tried a Tata product I had a magical experience. Yes, I’m fully aware that this is one bold of a statement. However Tata’s Regenerating Cleanser (review here) is so good and so immediately effective that it gives you that healthy skin glow even within the first use. Tata’s products are 100% natural and non-toxic, 100% of the time. It’s the kind of range that is natural but without a doubt the textures, the scents and the results are complete luxury. So today I’m back with my second Tata review, so without any more chit chat let’s get started.

The Purifying Mask is a clay mask and before you start thinking purifying must mean ‘oily skin types’, this mask is actually intended to fight visible signs of aging and is intended for all skin types. Tata’s website claims that this mask ‘tackles visible signs of aging causes by environmental stressors’ and it does this by ‘purging build up and impurities’.

The first ingredient to this mask is aloe and I have to say I whole hearted love that. Aloe is perfect at calming redness to soothing really irritated skin. It also has the benefit of being suitable for every skin type and (my favourites thing) feeling really refreshing too. The next notable ingredients are healing arnica, hydrating calendula and antioxidant rich prickly pear extract. However my favourite component has to be brown algae. Brown algae naturally encourages the skin to develop collagen, promotes moisture retention, has anti-bacterial benefits and purifies the skin… it’s more or less a superfood for your skin.

Even after one use I noticed my skin looking more even toned, refreshed and hydrated. Unlike most clay masks Tata’s Purifying Mask feels undeniably refreshing, making it the perfect  skincare option for hot summer days (for even for kissed skin). The ingredients of this mask are well thought out, suitable for every skin type and non-toxic. The feel of the mask is luxurious, the scent is heavenly and the weighted pot happens to fit ever so nicely in the palm of your skin. If you were have dry skin, sunburnt skin, acne or if your skin just needs a little extra TLC Ta ta’s Harper’s Purifying Mask is the perfect SOS mask to keep on hand.  If you get a change to visit a Sephora store or Tata Harper counter, I can’t recommend the Purifying Mask enough!

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub Review

Over the past few years chemical exfoliants like BHA or AHA’s have exploded.  Don’t get me wrong I love a good acid exfoliation treatment, however every once in a while a get the urge to scrub the crap out of my face. A good physical exfoliant helps makeup apply smoother, increases circulation and studies have indicated that it helps stimulate collagen production. So I’m putting aside my love for lactic acid, and I’m talking about my new bestie Acure’s Brightening Facial Scrub. 

Acure’s Brightening Facial Scrub is a walnut shell based scrub but before you think this is a one trick pony, it’s not! This scrub features a ton of amazing ingredients such as soothing aloe, anti-oxidant rich acai fruit extract and one of my favourite natural anti-aging ingredients rosehip extract.  This scrub also features hydrating olive oil and nourishing Argan oil. Basically while you’re busy sloughing off dead skin cells this scrub really packs in the nutrients to your skin. The end result is dramatically smooth skin, that’s baby soft to the touch yet not stripped at the slightest. 

On a side note for us beauty geeks out there this also contains Madonna leaf, lemon peel, green clay, sage extract, kelp, calendula extract … I can seriously go on for days. The formula is remarkable and if you’re interested you can check out the ingredient list here. 

A physical exfoliator is a critical part to beautiful looking skin. However since the market is littered with ‘micro-beads’ or extremely harsh formulas I’m always hesitant to recommend one.  Acure’s Brightening Facial Scrub is not one of these scrubs. In fact it’s very gentle, especially if used on wet skin. This vegan, chemical free scrub goes for 13.99 (here) making it not only an excellent product but a very affordable one at that. Cost efficient, gentle, effective and loaded with excellent ingredients Acure’s Brightening Scrub is nothing short of amazing!