Givenchy Interdit Mascara Review

The other day I received a Givenchy package in the mail and my first thought was ‘drinking and online shopping are a dangerous mix’. However my nerves about financial doom where quickly subsided when I realized that this was in fact a PR package. 

People, I cannot stress this enough but I am not a blogger who gets a whole lot of PR. So naturally this box sat on my kitchen for over a week and when I finally had the courage to crack it open I realized this was the weirdest mascara I’ve ever seen in my life.  Firstly the thing you need to know about this mascara is that it bends into an L shape. The second and final thing the Givenchy Interdit Mascara brush resembles that of a hair brush.

Black and red marble lipsticks and jet black moisturizers there are some weird things happening at Givenchy and I’m happy to report this mascara although strange really works. For me this mascara comes down to two things the brush and the formula.

The stiff brush does a great job at separating and evenly coating lashes. Actually with a little practice I’ve also become pretty good at getting this right down to my lash line. Meaning it gives the look of eye liner but without all the work. My only knock on this mascara is the bendy brush, as my personal preference is to use this linearly.  So if your a mascara traditional-est like myself you will be happy to hear the brush locks straight you don't have to worry about this flopping back and forward. The final thing you need to know about this mascara is that the formula is flawless. Personally I find this one of the most long wearing mascara's I've ever tried because even after over 12 hours of wear time I find my lashes look just as good as when I first applied.

Drugstore to highend end I think that there are a lot of excellent mascaras out there. However when it's comes down to long, curly, fluttery lashes that meet an extremely long lasting formula Givenchy Interdit Mascara is among one of the best. The packaging, the scent, hell even the tube feels nice when you open and close it! Givenchy Interdit is what a good mascara should be. So if your looking at this and thinking I'm not sure I say give it a try and let it surprise you.

Meteorites Baby Glow Sheer Liquid Foundation Review

I am on a real foundation kick so my second review this week is all about Guerlain's Meteorites Baby Glow Sheer Liquid foundation. I wish I had a cool story to tell you what attracted me to this foundation but between you and I, I am an embarrassingly simple person. My first thought was cute packaging, which was shortly followed second thought ‘babies have beautiful skin' and next my love for Guerlain really sealed the deal. And this is how I became the proud owner of the Meteorites Baby Glow foundation.

Let's begin. 

The first thing you need to know about this foundation is it's super luminous. It’s the kind of product that makes your cheek bones look high and gives an almost ethereal look to the skin. In fact Guerlain describes this as "liquid light" and I have to whole heartily agree its breath taking. However with all this light and luminosity comes great responsibility! Kidding, but you might want to consider sampling prior to purchasing, especially if you have oily skin.

The second thing you need to know about Baby Glow is that the formula is extremely hydrating. Application almost feels more like applying a moisturizer rather than a foundation. The combination of the hydrating formula along with the luminous properties this leaves the skin supple, plump and juicy. A part of me seriously thinks this might be the perfect winter foundation. 

With its enjoyable violent scent, and its handy easy to use tube I have seriously loved Guerlain’s Baby Glow foundation. The formula suits my dry skin and the product blends in with ease. I have to I’m glad my simple mind ‘made me’ pick this up. So if your reading this thinking I need to get my glow on and you want something with sheer to medium coverage, Baby Glow is worth a try.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream Review

I held out on this foundation for a while. However between you and I, I personally found the colouring of the "light" shade a touch too orange, yet had an alarming grey grey cast at same time. So while the whole beauty world (and my very own mother) was singing CC cream praises, I was avoiding looking like an ompa lumpa. Staying stubborn to take the plunge for years, somehow I got my hands on a tube and here we are today.

As mentioned it above, the colour of the Light shade is incredibly strange. When swatched on the hand it looks a crazy shade of orange, but still remains to look slightly dull and grey at the same time. I'm not going to lie I was really hesitant to wear this to work, or anywhere for that matter. So after building enough courage on a lazy (stay-at-home) sunday afternoon I gave the mysterious CC cream a fair go...

This is totally going to sound dramatic but, somehow and almost magically this strange orange-grey foundation just works on the skin. With just a single pump my skin was instantly more luminous, more hydrated and with a surprising amount of coverage. Personally, I like the light to medium coverage of one pump. It Cosmetics however recommends two pumps for a fuller coverage look. 

On the skincare front this foundation has a boat load of goodness going on. Its got anti-aging antioxidants, hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin firming peptides, moisturizing grape seed oil and anti inflammatory turmeric extract. So could you skin about on your skincare if you use this? I personally wouldn't, but if you were lazy about these sorts of things this might be a go to for you. One thing you can skip out on while using this is sun screen, because It Cosmetics CC cream packs an hefty SPF of 50.

I love this foundation it has amazing ingredients, blends into the skin with extreme ease, has a high SPF and the bottom line is it really looks beautiful on the skin. True fact but I also really the packaging as its lightweight and the pump is super practical. So if you've been thinking about trying the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream, I say give it ago.  Living up to all of the hype is this CC cream, it's one of my all time favourite foundations and for that reason you need to stop what your doing and get your hands on a tube. 

You can get this product here. 

Perfume Shopping Tips & Tricks!

 Chanel Coco is a fragrance that has been with me though every single monumental life event. It's a scent that I've worn at every single christmas, easter, anniversary, family weddings ... I even wore it for Everleigh's first birthday.While makeup and skincare are a passion of mine, it all started with perfume. Don't get me wrong buying a new face mask or moisturizer is exciting but there is nothing in this world like treating yourself to a perfume. So before you invest in a fragrance you should really think about these 5 things.

Go alone

Remember your buying this fragrance for yourself, which means you are the one that is going to be living with it. So if your mom wants you to get a classic fragrance, while you best friend is telling you to smell like vanilla icing my advice to you is shop alone. Think about perfume shopping as a treat, grab lunch, maybe a glass of wine and shop at your own speed.

Head to the mens department

If you can't find anything in the women's department I highly suggest checking out the mens. Often times 'mens' fragrances can be fresher and slightly more easy to wear. Remember perfumes don't come with gender detectors so if you like a more masculine scent go for it girl!

Forget the idea of a seasonal scent

Fresh in the summer and spicy in the winter is generally what look for when picking out a scent. However don't let this old rule stop you, because it's all about wearing what yo like. If you want to wear a lemony scent in the winter theres no reason why you can't.

Ask for samples

Perfumes are expensive and prior to purchasing I always ask for a sample. Stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Sephora can actually make samples for you and generally they have exceptional customer service. Should samples not be available I reccomend spraying and letting it work it's magic on your skin. Generally within two hours I know if a scent works for me or not.

It's okay to leave empty handed

Don't rush it and don't settle for a fragrance your not in love with. Since perfume can be such a personal thing it is absolutely fine to walk out empty handed.

I think generally it's good to have an open mind when purchasing a perfume. Don't worry about your friends or partners, don't worry about the time just go for sometime you really love. If you have any perfume shopping tips I would love to hear them in the comment section below!

Thank you all for reading and we will catch up soon.

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.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Pallet

I love experimenting with new skincare, however when it comes to makeup I can be rather reserved. While I still get excited for new makeup collections, I don’t purchase nearly as much as I once did. Even experimenting with ‘new’ looks is regrettably a thing of the past. However just like a seasonal cold, every now and then I catch the makeup bug. This time, my makeup induced condition had me craving all things bright and all things spring and summer. So like so many of us that craved a bright, cutesy eye shadow pallet I had my eye set on Too Faced Sweet Peach eyeshadow. So after weeks of trying to locate this sold-out everywhere pallet and another few weeks formulating my thoughts here are my thoughts. 

Firstly, this eye shadow pallet is peach scented. Which is super cute, but in my head I was expecting a perfumed product so close your eyes to be irritating. However after months of use I am happy to report that the scent is not in the slightest way irritating. In fact its peach scent is something that I thoroughly look forward to. Dare I say the peach scent enhances the overall experience?

Scent aside, my overall feelings on the quality of the pallet is most of the shades are pigmented and easy to blend. Is it the best eye shadow pallet I’ve ever had? No, shades like Delectable and Georgia are a little slacking in the pigmentation department. However whatever they lack shades like Cobbler and Caramelized make up for it. The packaging is not only charming but it’s also durable and practical.

The only flaw I see in this pallet is I wish it had included some cooler shades. Granted, this is a peach pallet and I get peach is a warm toned colour. However I find really warm shades (especially pink) on my pale skin can make me look ill. So to counter balance warm shades I often pair them with a cool toned colours and since this pallet doesn’t include this I feel like I’m always reaching for other things.

Too Faced Sweet Peach is a nice pallet. It’s the kind of beauty product that is fun and for the most part will perform well. I like that this pallet has a wide variety of different shades making it perfect for formal events to casual weekend looks. With that being said I this pallet included some cool toned colors. So where does that leave us? If you’re looking for an enjoyable spring-summer friendly eyeshadow pallet that’s fun and travels well you might want to stop and the Too Faced Peach Pallet a try. If your looking for an eye pallet contains the best formula, the best finishes and the best longevity I would give this a pass. 

Guerlain’s Lip and Check Tint

Some people get cravings for chocolate or ice cream I had a full out craving for a blush. Not any kind of blush, but more specifically a sheer blush with a dewy finish. I wanted this blush to look like a natural ‘I got a little sun’ flush as opposite to an obvious shimmery powder. I was very specific in my needs and yet I found nothing! Believe me when I say this there are slim pickings when it comes to cream blush out there and the vast majority has a matte or sparkly finish. After thinking I was going to have to explore Korean beauty options I ran into Guerlain’s Lip and Check Tint and it appears to be just the thing I was looking for.

Firstly let me state the obvious this blush is packaged in a nail polish bottle. Some might see this as cute, playful, and innovative, but I hate the idea of the brushing blush on to my cheeks. A part of me dislikes this method due to the fact it’s unsanitary and another part dislikes it because it makes it difficult to apply evenly. Not that the people at Guerlain would take my suggestion, but I really wish this came in a tube, or a small bottle with a pump. To make application as sanitary as possible I swipe this gel on the back of my (clean) hand and then apply to my face either with fingers or a blush.

Packaging aside, this blush has a fantastic formula. The formula itself is a gel and as you rub this into your cheeks the product gives the prettiest tint of colour. For more of a dramatic effect you can layer this product with ease. With the slight dewy finish and the pretty pink natural flush this blush is undeniably fresh looking. On the lips this gives that desirable ‘I just ate a popsicle’ stain, its seriously stunning. Whether it is on the lips or on the cheeks Guerlain’s Lip & Cheek is the perfect product to create that natural, flattering blushing from within look.

Despite my issues with the packaging this is one fantastic product. Put it this way if Guerlain released more colours I would without a doubt buy more based on the fact that I love the formula so much. If you’re looking for that dewy, fresh blush look or crave a seriously pretty lip stain this spring/summer you need to try this blush. Likewise if you like the idea of a natural looking, multi-tasking product you need to check this out too. A new spring and summer favorite for me I can’t recommend Guerlain Lip and Check Tint enough.

Conair Infiniti Pro Elite Collection Hair Dryer Review

I love skin care, fragrance, body care, and nail polish. Put it this way if it’s beauty related more times than not, I love it. However despite my love for all things beauty there is one genre I can’t get on board with, and that my friends is hair! Embarrassingly I am a ponytail girl through and through.

So what am I doing reviewing a blow dryer? Hear me out!

The root to all my frustration is my hair takes forever to dry. This irritation becomes a downright problem, due to the fact that my hair dryer is embarrassingly over 10 years old. Yes you heard that right! I own my body weight in makeup and skincare, but I am embarrassingly the proud owner of an (near) antique blow dryer. To be honest, despite it’s inability to get hot I’m seriously surprised it’s lasted this long. I’m getting way off topic here, but what I’m trying say is I was desperate for new hair dryer.

As low maintenance hair gal, my blow dryer needs are pretty straightforward.

1. It must dry hair fast.

2. It must be lightweight, as drying hair shouldn’t be an Olympic sport for my arms.

3. I want something cute. Yes, I realize this has nothing to do with performance, but I just can’t help myself I like pretty things.

4. It must be ‘inexpensive’, because refuse to pay $500.00 for a hair dryer.

So ladies and gents, my search lead me to Conair’s Infiniti PRO Elite and I have thoroughly loved it. First and far most important this blow dryer, dry’s your hair fast. Secondly, it’s super lightweight. Thirdly and most surprising I love the diffuser attachment. It makes my hair look like natural beach wives and minimizes lots of frizz. I also find the cool blast function does a really good job of setting your hair (after styling).

The Conair Infinitie Pro Elite looks cute, it functions like a dream and it won’t cost you an arm and leg. Are my ponytail days over? Not a chance, but I have thoroughly enjoyed doing my hair with the Conair Infinite Pro Elite and I can’t recommend it enough.

Yardley the Floral Classic's Review

The first thing that comes into mind when I think of Yardley London is my grandmother. Sitting in a porcelain soap dish for all to see, never touched and slightly dusty was her collection of Yardley individual wrapped soaps. Maybe this was the eastern European in her? Maybe this is just a ‘grandma’ thing? Whatever the reason, Yardley is a brand I have had some serious history with. Today however, I am not reviewing their classic soaps, which still remain some of my all time favourites. Today it’s all about their fragrances and two of them, which I have absolutely adored. Let’s begin…

Yardley English Lavender 

Yardley’s English Lavender is a perfect example of the various faces of lavender. Yes, it can smell spa like, but it can also smell masculine and fresh too. The lavender notes in this eau de toilette give a masculine edge to the overall scent. At the same time the notes of geranium and violet give it a slight floral edge too. The overall effect is a very clean, almost cologne like fragrance that is perfect for everyday wear. Personally I love using this English Lavender after my morning shower, its clean, easy to wear and to me it smells like running though a lavender field with cologne on! 

Yardley English Rose

Yardley London has some incredible history in fact they have been around since 1770. But don't get things twisted English Rose is a very modern scent.English Rose has a sweet rose-y onset with undertones of warm woods and soft musks. Dare I say, this isn’t your Grandma’s classic heavy red rose perfume! Yardley’s English Rose is a airy modern fragrance perfect for those who want a quick splash of fresh rose. 

The Yardley Eau de Toilettes are modern and easy to wear. The brand itself has rich in history, and to make matter's better these fragrances are super affordable too (less then $20.00 Canadian). So if you wanted to pick up a cute little gift for your mom, or wanted a new fragrence for you self I can't recommend these easy to love eau de toilettes enough. 

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Review

I have always loved the world of beauty. In fact one of my first jobs ever was working as a perfume demo at a local department store. Yes I was one of those ladies! but I have to say despite the majority of shoppers finding us perfume demonstrators annoying I loved it. Demo-ing allowed me to talk to people about all things beauty, play with different luxury makeup and to discover the world fancy fragrances. Now I’m not one to knock a Brittany perfume, but while my friends were wearing Fantasy my access to fine fragrances allowed me to dabble in Chanel, Dior and Hermès. One of my favourites of the time was Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier and between you and I it still holds its own today and here’s why… 

The juice. Classique is a what I would call a traditional spicy oriental. While it’s not as spicy as Dior’s Addict or Chanel’s Coco it has that subtle warmness kind of like a cashmere sweater on a cool spring day. The notes also include warm vanilla, a subtle dash of rum and a touch of rose. The overall effect is smooth, slightly powdery with a slight touch floral. It’s a the kind of fragrance that’s a feels like a comforting hug, from a well-groomed lady. It’s classy and as it wears the vanilla, and amber make this one hell of an intoxicating fragrance. 

I wish I could sit here and say that it was the scent that attracted to me Classique, but the truth is it’s all about the bottle. I think over the years this women silhouette bottle has been replicated time and time again. However between you and I it’s never looked quite as good as the original Classique. While I’m not one to purchase any fragrance based on bottle shape I have to say I thoroughly enjoy displaying this on my dressing table. 

Classique is warm, easy to wear and inviting. While it might not be as popular as Chanel No 5 or Dior’s J’adore, Classique holds its own. It’s both loveable and kind to its wearer and the bottle is a standout. If you’re looking for a new fragrance put that bottle of celebrity fragrance down and try Jean Paul Classique, I can't recommend this stuff enough. 

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm

I’ve done so many skin care reviews lately I thought today let’s keep thing simple and talk lip balm. Not that skincare is complicated, but just because lip balm is one of those products that doesn’t require much research, testing or insight. It’s the kind of product that you can try once and even in the first application formulate some sort of opinion on. So with its cute mauve and mint green packaging let’s tackle Pixi’s Shea Butter Lip Balm. 

While Pixi calls this a lip balm, I would consider this an anti-lipstick. Meaning you’re getting all the pigmentation you would in a lipstick but as far as texture goes this is as light and as hydrating as a lip balm. The formula features moisturizing shea butter as well as protective vitamin C. In comparison to many glossy finished tined lip balms I’ve tried Natural Rose applies semi-matte on my lips. Actually I have to say natural rose is a stunning true your lips but better colour. Which is perfect if you want to get on the matte lipstick train but fear having dry prune like lips all day. 

Pixi’s Shea Butter Lip Balm the kind of lip product that you can just throw on, making it a perfect low maintenance product for girls on the go. In addition the packing is cute, the formula doesn’t contain any nasties and at $10.00 a pop it’s an excellent budget friendly lip product. For all those MAC lipstick lovers out there I find the scent almost identical. If you’re on the market for a new lip product or if your just a balm addict like myself, definitely check out the Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm.

Benefit Wow Your Brows Review

At the end of last year Benefit launched a massive brow collection. This brow collection is absolutely massive and it comprises of new launches and older fan favourites. Among the 10 products I’ve tried 4 and let’s just say I have some strong opinions to share with you. So ladies if you wanted to know the in’s and outs of Benefit’s Wow Your Brows collection keep reading. 

Goof Proof Brow Pencil 

Let’s start with one of my favourites products out of the lot! Over the past few years of have tried a number of eye brow pencils. Now I’m no beauty scientist, but to me brow pencils have to be the perfect mix of pigmentation and creaminess. With that being said overly pigmented brow products can make you look like your constantly frowning. Goof Proof has that perfect balance of pigmented definition but at the same time it doesn’t make you look crazy. To make matters better the triangle shape makes the pencil easy to grip and the fine spooly brushes through the brows with precision. If you looking for a brow product Goof Proof is an absolute win. 

Gimme Brow 

Gimme Brow is a tinted fibre brow gel. It seems like every blogger loves this stuff but I am honestly not a fan. I get that this can add fullness to sparse brows, but on me the fibers get everywhere. If you were looking to tame, add colour and fullness to the brows this might be something worth checking out With that being said try it before purchasing because you’re anything like me it might cause a hot fiber-y mess. 

Browvo! Conditioning Primer 

In recent years I have tried my hardest to buy less makeup.  Typically I’m pretty good, but even after years of self-taught discipline I still have a soft spot for new products… basically what I’m getting to is I never heard of a brow primer before so the beauty lover in me had to try it. Now I wasn’t sure what to expect from a brow primer but Browvo is pretty good. Benefit describes this product as a clear, nutrient rich formula that primes and conditions for fuller healthier looking brows. Now I’m sort of wishy washy on this because while I do love how this smooths my brows and keeps them in place, I don’t see any additional fullness in my brows. 

Ready Set, Brow! 

My second favourite product is this clear eyebrow gel. I love this this keeps your brows in check all day, but doesn’t give you that hard crunchy feeling some eyebrow gels do. In addition I love the brush, the small brushed side allows for sculpting, while the larger side allows for you to brush through your brows with ease. Ready, Set Brow is an excellent product and in my opinion a highlight out of the collection. 

With its hits and misses there we have my thoughts on the Benefit Brow Range… I think overall this massive range of products has you covered no matter if you need to tame, plump up or fill in your brows. However just like all things beauty I can’t stress testing and sampling the range prior to purchasing.   

If you’ve tried any of Benefit Brow range of product leave a message in the comment section below

Fresh Sugar Lemon Perfume Review

It’s a new year and that means fresh beginnings. For me my new beginning means me concluding maternity leave and going back to work. On a completely unrelated note I have to say I have the upmost respect for working moms, because not only is it heartbreaking leaving you child every day, it’s been a real struggle balancing work life and home life… I am absolutely and utterly exhausted. One thing (besides coffee) that’s put a bounce back into my step is Fresh’s Lemon Sugar Perfume. So I thought why not share one of my new favourites?

When we think of lemon-y scented things the first thing that comes to mind is cleaning products. Now I am no perfumer but I would say there is a fine line between smelling lemony fresh and stinking like cheap toilet cleaner. A part of me can’t believe I said that, because Fresh Sugar Lemon is so far removed from the world of cleaning products that I consider this fragrance a masterpiece. Scent wise this perfume boasts bergamot, lychee flower, caramel and orange blossom.  These notes work together to make a fragrance that resembles the nostalgic scent fresh lemonade, yet the florals elements work to make the overall finish very refined, invigorating and surprisingly addictive.

If you couldn’t tell by now I absolutely love this perfume! The crispness compliments cold winter days to a t. Likewise this juicy lemon scent would be an excellent choice for warmer months too. So while I’m sitting here missing my daughter, sleep deprived and hungry (I forgot lunch) I can’t shake the feeling that this perfume just puts a smile on my face and a bounce back to my walk. If you’re looking to try out a new perfume this winter I cannot recommend Fresh Lemon Sugar enough.

2016 Beauty Favourites

I can honestly say that 2016 was the best year in my life. If you are new to my blog here, I had a baby last January and she wholeheartedly made my year pretty darn epic. From her first laugh to watching her explore the world around her this little girls drive, humour and loving heart brings me to tears. Beauty wise this year has been excellent too, in addition to discovering new products I've definitely rediscovered some favourites loves too. So without further ado let's get this round up started.

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

I have always liked facial mists, but 2016 was the year I fell in love with them. From natural rose facial mists to drugstore finishing sprays I tried just about anything I could get my hands on. My hands down favourite out of the lot was the Clinique's Moisture Surge. In comparison to others this facial mist is more hydrating and the mist just slightly more fine. Personally I love using moisture surge in my skincare routine but you can easily use this as a primer too.

Review here.

c.Booth Clean Vanilla Bean Body Wash and Body Butter

c.Booth makes some amazing products that are not only affordable but have great ingredients too. Out of the lot of products bunch I've tired from this brand my favourite is the Clean Vanilla Bean range. This sexy, musky vanilla scent smells absolutely divine on the skin, while the quality of these products surpass department store brands. At less then $10.00 a bottle the next time your at your local Wal-Mart you must to give these a try.

Review here.

Lancome Juicy Shaker Mangos Wild

This sheer lip oil has an excellent formula, but what makes this product a standout is simple,its fun! I think we often times get too caught up in sleek packaging or revolutionary finishes and at times we forget that makeup is fun. So next time you pick up that tube of lipstick think lip oil cocktail instead.

Review here.

Eminence Firm Skin Acai Cleanser

 If you suffer from dehydrated skin this cleanser is the perfect way to add an extra dose of hydration into your routine. With that being said this cleanser also adds a heavy punch of age fighting antioxidants and skin plumping hylauronic acid too. So if you want more hydrated, more youthful, more plump skin you really need to get your hands on this cleanser. Excellent ingredients with immediate results. Every time I use Frim Skin Acai Cleanser I fall more and more in love.

Review here.

Pat McGrath Lust 004 Lipstick

I've tried some excellent lipsticks over the years, but Pat McGrath's has to be one of my all time favourites. It's rich in pigment, ultra creamy and super easy to apply... it's so easy to apply that you don't even need a lip liner. I'm not sure if these are still available, but if you can find these online I can't recommend these lipsticks enough. 

Review here.

Clarins Blue Orchid Oil 

Oldie but a goodie! To be honest I almost forgot about this oil, it wasn't until I mentioned it to a friend that I had that "I need to get that back in my life" moment. If your looking for something nourishing enough for dry, winter skin you need this in your life. I think a lot of people would like Clarins Blue Orchid Oil because it's easy. Personally I love using this alone on clean skin, but for more nourishment it's also great in replace of a serum too. 

Review here. 

Avene Xera Calm AD Lipid Replenishing Cream

When it came down to fighting Everleigh's eczema I tried everything... natural, medicated, drugstore, department store... literally everything! Nothing worked until I tried this Avene's Lipid Replenishing Cream. Everleigh has now eczema free for months and its truly this cream we have to thank. 

Review here. 

Well ladies there we have all of my favourites! I hope all of you had an excellent holiday's and are throughly enjoying the start of 2017. I would also like to thank each and every one of you for supporting my blog over the past year, your comments and emails me the world to me. 

Cheers! 

L'Oreal Voluminous Review

2016 has been the year where I couldn't stay loyal to a single mascara. Who I kidding this has been a reoccurring theme throughout my life! I remember months back telling myself to 'Tanya go ahead splurge on a tube of Better Then Sex'. Let me be clear by Better Then Sex I mean the Too Faced Mascara not some sort of sexual device that comes in a tube. Erotic toys aside, what I'm getting to here is I had the full intent to purchase the Too Faced and here we are talking about something else. Can you blame me Voluminous was the very first mascara that I ever tried and I craved a little walk down memory lane, so here we go.

From what I remember this mascara made my lashes long, curly and the black formula made my eyes pop. Maybe I had such fond memories my experience in the mascara world was minimal? What I'm getting to here is this definitely does not live up to the hype. The first couple of times I applied Voluminous my lashes were long, fluttery and curly. However not even two weeks into this product and I can throughly say this has gone from perfection to a hot clumpy mess.

The one thing about this mascara I like is the brush. To be honest I find it a refreshing to use a bristle brush especially one that isn't crazy big. Another thing I like about Voluminous is the price, this tube cost me just over $5.00. With that being said I cannot recommend this mascara. It comes down to there are better, less clumpy and yet affordable options out there. So while it was fun to try an old favourite my hunt for the perfect mascara still continues. 

Guerlain Super Lips Review

Some girls like matte liquid lipsticks, while others go crazy for luxury lipsticks. I however am a self proclaimed lip balm addict. I have a selection in my car, living room, bedroom, pockets ... want the kitchen knife? It's right under my kitchen lip balm collection. So when one of my favourite cosmetic companies Guerlain released  an all new lip balm I had that 'I'm going to need that moment'. So let's just into it, because I have a a lot to get off my chest. 

Lets start off with the basics this fancy lip balms costs a staggering $35.00. According to Guerlain this lip balm "soothes in a single application so that lips are left soft, smooth and plumped". The formula features moisturizing grape seed oil and hydroxyproline (line filler). Unlike so many heavily scented high-end beauty products the scent of Super Lips is suprisingly light and citrusy. As for the packaging it's squeeze tube it hygienic and practical. 

A couple of months ago I featured this lip balm in a favourites post. Now I'm not going to say I changed my mind about this one, because I like the sparkle free formula and the citrusy scent. With that being said this product just does't scream luxury to me. The formula is mildly hydrating and despite the packaging being practical I can't shake the feeling that it feels slightly cheap. So without a doubt I will happily use this and eventually finish it. However, with some many better options out there I don't think I will repurchase. 

Christmas Beauty Gift Guide (under $50.00)

The tree is up, the decorations are hung and the lights are out... so it's safe to say I went a little Christmas crazy this year. Personally Christmas is a new obsession of mine. Since having a little one I feel as if though it's my responsibility to make this season as magical for her as possible. Considering the tree has been up for almost two weeks now I've been taken my newly founded role very, very seriously. The only thing missing in this holiday magic is my Christmas Beauty Guide. I'm sure many of you are starting your shopping so I thought I would get this up early. Here we go!

For Organic Beauty Lover- Acure's Moroccan Argan Oil Set $24.99 (here)

I love Acure but most importantly I would love to receive this set as a Christmas gift. This gift set comes with three full sized oils in three different scents (citrus ginger, coconut, rose). These Argan oils can be used as facial serum, a leave in hair treatment, body oil, cuticle oil... basically anywhere you need extra hydration these have got your back. Like all Acure products these are vegan, sulfate free, paraben free and cruelty free. You can break this kit down as stocking stuffers or you can give the full set to any natural beauty lover you know.

For Mrs. Fancy Pants- Chanel Coco Shine Lipstick $43.00 (here)

Chanel Coco Shines have to one of my favourite lipstick formulas ever. They are sheer, easy to wear and the sleek Chanel bullet makes you feel extra special within every application. If you have a lipstick lover, Chanel lover or a fancy pants on your Chirstmas list they will without a doubt love a tube of Chanel. As for colours my personal favourite is the pinky berry toned Antigone. With that being said the universally flattering pinky-nude Boy is an excellent choice too.

For Your Always Traveling Mom -Paula'a Choice Resistant Anti-Aging Travel Kit $39.00 (here)

My mom seems to be booking a new vacation every time I see her, so when I saw this set I thought it was the perfect little addition to her Christmas gift. This set contains a cleanser, exfoliator, daily moisturizer (with an SPF 35) and a night cream. Each mini is a generous size perfect for any travel lover on your list. Likewise this would also be a great set if you have someone on your list that likes to experiment with skincare.

For The Perfume Fein- Sephora's Roller Balls Prices Very (here)

Perfumes can be super expensive, so the perfect budget friendly gift for your perfume loving friend is a rollerball. These small sized bottles usually range around the $20-$40 dollar mark and have the added benefit of being super portable too. Some of my favourites on the Sephora website include the sexy Lady Vengeance (here), the sweet and cozy Pure Vanilla (here) and finally the fresh and floral Stella (here). With tons of different options I think these make a perfect gift.

For Your Man - PC4 Men Travel Kit $30.00 (here)

I am obsessed by these mini skincare kits and this one makes an excellent choice for the man in your life. This kit includes a cleanser, shaving foam, exfoliator, daytime cream and night time cream. Like the Anti-aging kit, this kit features generous sizes and quality skincare. So if your husband, boyfriend, father or roommate with benefits travels, plays sports, or deserves a pamper this is an excellent pick.

So ladies and gents thank you all for reading. To all my American readers I hope of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Let me know what some of your favourite beauty gifts are in the comment section below. 

Birthday Haul

I love beauty hauls and since it was recently my birthday I thought why not keep things light hearted and share some of my recent beauty purchases/presents? Let's begin!

Clarins Blue Orchid Oil

I love this oil, but the truth is I haven't had this in my collection for years. After recommending this to a friend I had a 'I need that back in my life' kind of moment. From what I remember this oil is super moisturizing and leaves your skin looking beautiful. However one of my favourite qualities is should you want to have a lazy skincare moment you can just use this on clean skin and be done. Again haven't had this in my collection for years so I am excited to see if it lives up to the hype.

Guerlain Super Lips

Guerlain came out with a lip balm! Typically I wouldn't splurge, but since it was my birthday I thought this would be a fun little treat. A quick search online lead to mixed reviews so I am excited to share my findings with you. Thus far I am liking Super Lips, but I've only tried it a handful of times.

Benefit Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil

I love my FaceShop brow pencil, but after years of using it I was craving something new. I knew I wanted a slanted pencil, I also wanted something easy to use and long wearing. My list of requirements lead me straight to the Benefit. Again I've only tried this for a week, but thus far I'm loving this! The product itself is the perfect shade for me, the triangle shaped pencil makes it easy to hold and the spooly is perfectly small and tapered. I am loving this!

Samples

This isn't a sponsored post  and there are no affiliate links here. I wanted to mention to my Canadian beauty lovers that I ordered off Beauty Boutique (here) and I have nothing but positive things to say. Firstly shipping was quick. Secondly everything came beautifully packaged. Thirdly there were tons of generous samples to choose from.

Gimme Brow

One of the samples was this Gimme Brow. This brow gel adds fibres to the brows and leaves a slight tint of colour. I know there are tons of people who love this so I am eagerly looking forward to using it.

They're Real! Gift Set

This generous gift came with a mini mascara, mini eye liner and sample sized makeup remover. I've yet to try any of these products, but I look forward to diving in ASAP.

Yup that is my oh so quick birthday goodies haul. I hope all of you had an amazing birthday!