Tag: Skincare

Bye Bye Empties, February 2020

littlebeautyloves12 Comments

February was a fun birthday month for me. I spent a week celebrating with family and friends. The weather was cold but not so much in comparison to the years before. We had a few snowstorms but it didn’t stick in the city. Towards the end of February, I went up to Blue Mountain Ski Resort with my company for their annual ski trip. That was a lot of fun. I don’t ski but I do enjoy hanging out with everyone from my office. It was very snowy and beautiful up there. Now it looks like spring is around the corner with rain and milder temperatures.

When I looked at my empties for this month I was surprised that I used up so little items but I thought I’d share regardless. On to what I used up for February!

Skincare

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Vasanti BrightenUp! Glow Boosting Serum. I reviewed this on the blog back in July 2019 which you can read here. I used this to the last drop and enjoyed it so much! This has a very light texture that isn’t oily and absorbs quickly into the skin. It left me feeling hydrated and I feel like after some time of use it really kept my skin radiant. I would repurchase this.

Haircare

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Marajo Anti Frizz Smoothing Serum Capsules. This is an item I received in my December 2018 Boxycharm, and like I said when I first received this the capsules had too much product for my short hair. I’d use only about half the capsule and the rest I would toss out because there wasn’t a way I could store the open capsule without the oil getting everywhere. I really wish they would put this into a pump or tube to make it easier to control how much oil you use. Plus it’s very pricey for only 10 uses ($18 US). Otherwise, this was a really good product. It smoothed out my hair without weighing it down. It did tame my frizz and worked exceptionally well when I styled my hair. I won’t be repurchasing this because of the waste in the product and because it is expensive for me.

Body Care

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Dial Coconut Water Hydrating Body Wash. I can’t recall where I got this from but this body wash is amazing! I loved how it smelled, how it lathered, and how hydrating it is. I even used this as a bubble bath and it was perfect. Sometimes you don’t need a fancy body wash to do all the things you need. I would repurchase this.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Body Lotion. This is an item I reviewed back in April of 2018 which you can read here. Since I’m always rotating my beauty products around, this took a bit of time to use up. I really enjoyed this. Although the consistency is thick is absorbed quickly into my skin and left me feeling super hydrated. I especially loved this after shaving because it would gently moisturize my skin. I would repurchase this.

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There you have it! My little collection of empties for February. Looking at the items, a lot of them were full-sized products that usually do take me a few months to get through so I’m pretty happy with what I used up. I imagine March will have more empties because I have a lot of smaller sized items that I am using up this month.

What items did you use up in February?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Review, Vasanti Cosmetics Brighten Up! Exfoliator

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A few weeks ago I shared a review of the First Aid Beauty cleanser that I have been enjoying as my gentle daily cleanser. You can read it here. I mentioned that every few days or so I also use an exfoliating cleanser for a deep cleanse and today I’m going to be sharing that review. Currently, I’ve been using Vasanti Cosmetics Brighten-Up Exfoliator.

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Vasanti Cosmetics reached out to me back in April to try out their Vasanti Brighten-Up Trio and I was very excited to test them out. I had used other items from Vasanti before and I’m always happy to support Canadian brands. I’ve been using the product ever since receiving them two months ago.

What It Is

An exfoliator with micro-crystals. This papaya and aloe enriched exfoliator will remove dead skin, reveal a radiant complexion and fight common skin concerns like dull skin, dark spots, acne scars, wrinkles & more. (vasanticosmetics.com)

Price

$29.00 CAD (70g) I use a very small pea-sized amount of this product so I think it’ll last me a while.

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Application

I took this on vacation with me to use with the moisturizer and serum booster (more on them in a little bit). I still used an everyday cleanser but every third evening or so I would use this to wash my face. I lathered a pea-sized amount between my hands and gently massaged this over my face. Since this has micro crystals I always ensured that I was gently applying this. I also found that the more water I used to dilute the product the better it worked on my skin. More water helped to loosen the formula and convert the dense cleanser into a soft and liquid cream which helped glide the crystals over my face.

The texture of the crystals is very fine and sand like but if you aren’t careful I can definitely imagine it irritating the skin because the crystals are very gritty. This is also why I used it every few days rather than every day. I have always loved physical exfoliators but if you don’t then this product is definitely not for you. I also don’t think it would be good for sensitive skin. I don’t have sensitive skin, but I was still very careful with how I applied this product. Since I mostly use physical exfoliating cleansers, it’s how I’ve always been with those types of products.

I mostly focused around my nose since that’s where I find my skin needs the most attention. I would then massage this over my forehead and chin and spread whatever remained over my cheeks. I find that starting from the middle of my face and moving outwards is the best cleansing method for me.

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Since this is a physical exfoliant, I always made sure I thoroughly rinsed my skin. Nothing is worse than putting on moisturizer with leftover crystals (ouch!). After rinsing my skin I applied the Boosting Serum and then the Moisturizer.

After a couple weeks, I started to notice a difference in my skin. It wasn’t as dull and looked a lot more clear. My nose area especially was clear. I usually have a hard time reducing the appearance of blackheads on my nose, but this really helped to diminish their appearance. My skin felt really soft and I found that it was much smoother. I hardly break out in the first place but it just felt like my skin was looking a lot more vibrant.

Glow-Boosting Serum and Amplify Moisturizer

While using the Brighten-Up Exfoliator I also made sure that I was testing out the Glow-Boosting Serum and Amplify Moisturizer, all are part of the Brighten-Up line. I think that the combination of the three really made a difference on my skin so I wanted to talk about them as well as they are part of my skin care routine.

Glow-Boosting Serum

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The serum is supposed to help give you glowy skin. After cleansing, I would shake the bottle to the oil and serum together and place one or two drops on my hands and massage it over my skin.  It has Arbutin which has anti-oxidant and anti-ageing ingredients to help reduce dark spots and shadows. It also has Abyssinian oil to hydrate the skin and aloe vera to soothe the skin. For my dry skin, this serum is a dream because it’s pretty moisturizing. Sometimes I just wear this and it’s enough for me. Serums that I’ve used in the past can be more gel-like so they quickly dry onto my skin but I don’t feel like they do much. This guy, however, leaves me feeling moisturized all day. It’s a pretty thick serum.

Amplify Moisturizer

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I really like this as an everyday moisturizer and I use it with both my everyday cleanser as well as the Vasanti Exfoliator. This is infused with aloe, vitamin C, and arbutin from bearberry leaves to keep your skin hydrated and protected. It’s very light-weight too which is why I enjoy this for every day. Even during the day if my skin is feeling extra dry I will apply this to re-hydrate it. Since it’s really thin I don’t feel like I’m wearing a lot of products if I then add my sunscreen over it. It works very well on top of the Glow-Boosting Serum, so I do enjoy wearing these two products together.

My Thoughts

Since I love physical exfoliators I know that I’m probably going to repurchase this product myself when the time comes. I feel like I see a difference in my skin and I like that this has been working really well for me.

Have you tried this product? Do you use physical exfoliators?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Review: First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

littlebeautyloves13 Comments

I keep two types of cleansers on my vanity. One is always a gentle, every day type cleanser. The other is a gritty, exfoliating deep cleansing one. Throughout the week I’ll switch through them. Most days I use a gentle cleanser and then I’ll use my exfoliating cleanser a few times a week inbetween. Then, on lazy days I just use micellar water or a makeup wipe and call it a day! Hehe!

If you wanted to read my makeup remover post you can here.

Next week I’ll share a review of my Vasanti Cosmetics Exfoliating Cleanser but today I wanted to share a review of the gentle cleanser I’ve been enjoying. My First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser.

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What It Is

A fragrance-free, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt, and grime, leaving skin soft and supple. (Sephora.ca)

I read that this is good for dryness and redness. I suffer from dry skin so I always love cleansers that are designed to be hydrating. This has aloe and glycerin which nourishes, and hydrates the skin and FAB Antioxidant Booster to help with environmental agressors.

This is Allergy-Tested, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Oil-Free, Soy-Free, Suitable for Sensitive Skin, Vegan, Nano-Free. (FirstAidBeauty.com)

Price

$14.00 CAD (2oz). This is pretty reasonably priced especially since you need very little when washing your face. A pea-sized amount is enough for me.

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Application

This is a very creamy cleanser that doesn’t foam up too much. The texture reminds me of Origin’s Checks & Balances cleanser because it’s a thicker consistency. Whenever I use it I find that it feels more like cleanser/moisturizer hybrid. It feels very good.

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I think it’s super effective at removing makeup. Like, really effective. It might be one of the best makeup removing cleansers I’ve ever tried. It’s very gentle and doesn’t sting my eyes which makes it a dream for removing makeup around my eyes and lashes which is where I tend to wear the heaviest makeup. Even if a little gets in my eyes, it won’t sting them like other cleansers have in the past. It leaves my skin feeling super clean, when I rinse it off. I dry my face with a white towel and a rarely get makeup residue on it. I don’t even need to use a makeup wipe before or after, it’s really good on its own.

My skin always feels really clean, but unlike a harsh cleanser, it still leaves it feeling supple. I find that my skin just feels good and clear and I usually just apply a serum or moisturizer afterwards and call it a day.

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My Thoughts

I’ve tried sample packets of this cleanser and liked it but this is my first time using a whole tube of it consistently over the last few weeks. Generally, my skin doesn’t feel tight or dry and it hasn’t been irritated by this product. It’s very good. I would wholeheartedly recommend this! If you are looking for a good every day, gentle cleanser, this is the one!

Have you tried the First Aid Beauty Cleanser? What are your thoughts? Have you tried anything else from this brand?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Bye Bye Empties, April 2019

littlebeautyloves8 Comments

Soooo….. This is being posted later than I usually upload my empties but I was away at the end of April and I’ve been in vacation mode even after I got back! haha!

April was such a fun month for me. Earlier in the month, I travelled to Quebec to my favourite spa for a super relaxing weekend and at the end of the month, I took a trip to Jamaica for an unplugged week in the beautiful sun! If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen photos and stories of my time there. April was all about shifting the focus onto myself and just hitting reset. I have more fun planned for May so I’m just excited to have this year rolling!

What are your personal highlights from April?

Now on to what I used up!

*Note: I’m on a no-buy this year. If I mention repurchasing an item, it just means that I really liked it and would buy again, just not in 2019.

Body Care

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Bath & Body Works Forever Sunshine Shower Gel. I love summer scents from Bath & Body Works so this one is definitely a favourite of mine. These body washes lather up so nicely and are great for cleansing the skin. I am on a no-buy BUT I think I’m going to need body wash soon which is perfect timing for me to get new B&BW shower gels in summer scents!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen SPF 50. I used this up on my trip to Jamaica and let me say that it is amazing! I wish it came in a large tube because it really is all I need for the summer. The gel formula blends into my skin quickly and left me hydrated without that greasy feel that I usually experience with sunscreen. It also has a pleasant scent which I greatly enjoy. I think I have another half-full bottle of this that I can use up. I currently have enough sunscreens for this year that I won’t need to purchase a new one but I would repurchase this and totally recommend it if you have dry skin like me.

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Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme. This is a good hand cream, especially if you like them a little bit thicker like I do. It’s a sample size tube so I can easily carry it with me in the winter months to apply on the go. I used this a lot during the last few months and I was impressed by how long this lasted. I have a lot of hand creams so I won’t be repurchasing this.

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Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum. This is a really hydrating serum. Sometimes, I would apply just this product and skip moisturizer because it’s that good. It has a concentration of the Vichy Thermal Spa Water and hyaluronic acid which is perfect for my dry skin. I would repurchase this.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. Again, I’ve used up another one of these cleansers. It’s one of my favourite every-day cleansers that is so gentle on my skin but super effective at clearing it of makeup and impurities. I think I have another one to use up but right now I have other cleansers that I’m enjoying and need to use up before I open another one. I would definitely repurchase this.

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L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Cleansing Scrub. I always keep a daily cleanser and scrub available for use on my vanity because I love to alternate between to two so that I can ensure every few days I give my skin a deep skin but also give it a break by using products without exfoliators. This one from L’Oreal is great because it has large granules and glycolic acid. I would repurchase this.

Haircare

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Novex Bamboo Sprout Leave-In Conditioner. I got this in my November 2016 Topbox which is a pretty long time to be holding on to a product. I got four uses out of this product because I was really trying to use it up. I thought it was alright, it doesn’t leave my hair has silky soft and hydrated as other Leave In Conditioners I’ve tried so I won’t be purchasing this.

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray. Thanks to BoxyCharm and Ipsy, I’ve been able to build a nice little collection of Briogeo products and I’m not mad at that. I love their products! What I really love about a leave-in spray verse a cream like the Novex one is that I can use this AFTER I get out of the shower. What I do is apply this to my hair when it’s damp and then style it. Even when I don’t style my hair I like applying this because it really rehydrates my hair. I would repurchase this.

Fragrance

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Marc Jacobs Daisy. If you want my thoughts on this you can read my review here. I still have a full-size of this so I won’t be repurchasing this anytime soon, but I always love having a fresh scent like this around.

Gucci Gucci Premier. I love these little samples because then I get to test out a scent and they are so perfect for travelling. I brought this and my sample of Daisy above to my trip to Jamaica and they were perfect sizes for a one-week trip. This scent is sweet but still has a very fresh element. It has top notes of orange blossom (I love this scent) and Bergamot. I had never tried it before but I really love the smell so I would definitely repurchase.

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Compared to last month, I used up more items which I’m really happy with. It’s mostly due to me taking a lot of the items above on vacation so I ended up only using those items whereas at home I’m always using different things! haha!

What items have you used up for April?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Unboxing Topbox, March 2019

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Price: $12.00 CAD (plus tax, free shipping) 4 items.

Topbox is a Canadian monthly beauty subscription service. Each month you have the option of getting a surprise box or to swap it for a prive box where all the products are from one brand or fall within a theme and you know what they are. This month I got a surprise box!

March will be my last Topbox for 2019. Until I end my no-buy for this year I’m going to put this hold for now.

ALL PRICES IN CANADIAN DOLLARS.

Chapstick Total Hydration Lip Balm in Vanilla
$4.97 (3.5 g), this is a full size item

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I’ve been using lip balm quite a bit the last few months and I’m happy I have this new one to open once my current chapstick is used up! This has advocado oil, coconut oil and shea butter. I think it’s supposed to smell and taste like Vanilla. The only thing I would have liked better was to get one of the tinted balms, but I’m really happy to have this.

MesmorEyes Lashes
$5.99, this is a full size item\

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Topbox had asked if I would want to try lashes when I was completing their monthly survey before receiving the box. I said yes because I always like to keep a pair of lashes on hand. I don’t wear lashes often, only during special occasions. These are designed to fit the shape of your eye which is great if you have issues with lashes cooperating to fit.

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The style I have is 220 and is designed to fit almond, monolid, and hooded eyes. Since I have almond eyes I’m excited to try lashes designed to fit me. The style is natural but full so it will look really nice when I wear them out. I’m excited to give these a try.

Doucce Ultra Precision Eyeliner in Blue
$22.00, this is a full size item

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I’m happy I got a blue liner to wear as we roll into spring! Spring is always a time I’m into wearing brighter and more colourful makeup.

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I would wear this in my waterline or as a winged liner. The blue is really pigmented and the formula seems really good. It glides on easily and doesn’t smudge. The Liner is long wearing and waterproof.

Delia Organics Nail & Cuticle Oil
$11.99 (10mL), this is a full size item

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Another item I enjoy, cuticle oil! I received a nail & cuticle oil in my BoxyCharm some time ago and I use it quite a bit. Since I don’t actually paint my fingernails, I like keeping the nail and cuticle area healthy and shiny with these oils, they also help with preventing cracked skin around the nail. This has sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, rosehip oil, to name a few ingredients.

Manna Kadar Beauty Miracle Balm
$25.28 (6.5mL), this is a full size item

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This is designed to be an all over balm that you can use on your lips, nails, and other areas of the body to rehydrate. It’s enriched with Argan Oil, Vitamin A & Vitamin E. I have received balms like this before from Cake Beauty and Dr. Lipp and I absolutely love them because I just keep them at work or in my pocket and use as needed.

My Thoughts

Overall, this is a really great box. I’m so happy with every item and know I’m going to use them right away. I’m most excited about the eyeliner and the chapstick. I’m also impressed that this is the first time I’ve received all full-size items in Topbox!

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Total Value: $70.23 (I think this is the highest value I’ve ever received in a Topbox)

Did you get Topbox this month? What was in your box?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Laline Review, My Little at Home Spa

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I love having a spa day at home every once in a while. I set aside some time to draw up a nice bath, play music, drink tea or a healthy smoothy and pamper myself with nice body care and face masks. It’s pure magic!

At Christmas, I received a few body care items from Laline and I instantly wanted to try them out the next time I had a spa day at home.

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Laline is brand from Tel Aviv that focuses on invoking pampering through scent. They have a range of body, face, fragrance and tools in a variety of scents to help you leave behind the every day and enter a world of pampering and tranquillity.

I’m not sure how long they’ve been in Canada but I noticed their store at the mall nearest me a few months ago and decided to take a look at what they offered. The stores are very elegant and make you feel like you are stepping into a spa. I love it! And yes, the various fragrances are just amazing!

I instantly fell in love with the scent Musk. Now, I know that musk usually brings to mind men’s cologne but this is not like that. It’s very soft, sweet, kind of nutty, and very delicate. Fragrance notes include; vetiver root, musk, lily of the valley and ylang.

I guess Santa noticed I had been eyeing their items and decided to gift them to me 😉

I love that Laline also has a list of values they want their products to invoke. One of their values is The greatest pleasures are the ones that you create for yourself. I agree so much with that. You make your own happiness and pleasures, like setting aside personal me time when I have a spa day at home.

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I started my spa day with a bubble bath and tried out the Body Scrub. This has dead sea salt to deeply cleanse the skin with natural minerals, and it nourishes with avocado and grape seed oils. Having dry skin I appreciate the oils because they are very nourishing. When you first apply the scrub it feels oily, however, it quickly absorbs into the skin.

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The scrub itself is a bit gritty because they use salt grains so I wouldn’t recommend it if you have sensitive skin. I find a little under a tablespoon scoop is perfect for my whole body. It leaves my skin feeling super exfoliated.

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After my bath, I applied the Body Cream and Hand Cream. These are both thick and creamy which I absolutely love. They are enriched with Aloe Vera extract, Jojoba, Calendula and Borage oils.

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I definitely feel like I’m pampering my skin when I put them on and they leave me feeling hydrated.

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To end off my pampering session, I spritzed myself with the Body Mist. I love this because it’s soft and subtle so I can enjoy it all day. Usually, when I’m just relaxing at home, I like to keep my scent light as I feel like it envokes a sense of calm for me. I don’t like anything that is too sweet or harsh, just really clean and barely there.

I feel like the ingredients in these products are so nice and really do remind me of products that you might get at a spa. My skin is left smooth and hydrated and the scent is oh-so-good.

Have you tried any items from Laline? How do you like to pamper yourself?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Ole Henrikson SkinCare Review

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Over the last few weeks, I’ve been testing some items from Ole Henrikson. Whenever I’m on Sephora searching for skincare, this brand always seemed to pop up with a lot of positive reviews. I thought why not give it a try and bought one of the skincare favourites pack to test out. I also received an item to try as well so I figured why not test it all at the same time.

Cold Plunge Pore Mask

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I used this cooling clay mask about once or twice a week when I was looking too deeply clean and exfoliate my skin. It has a nice cooling effect which feels really good, especially after a long day. I would apply this all over my face and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, using a little bit of water I would work this into a lather and wash it off.  A lot of clay masks can be a bit messy to take off but I found that this rinsed off easily. Even though I have dry skin this still worked really well for me.

This is a bright blue mask with different ingredients to aid in skin care.  I’ll include all the active ingredients of each of these products and what they are meant to do for the skin. Note that I got this information off Sephora.ca.

  • Clay: Aids in purifying pores.
  • Snow Lotus and Alpine Willow Herb Extracts: Rich in antioxidants to help nourish and condition skin.
  • Green Fusion Complex™: A proprietary blend of potent active botanicals—including green tea, eucalyptus, algae (kelp), and Irish moss extracts—with natural antiseptic properties to absorb excess oil and refine pores.
  • Lactic Acid (AHA) and Salicylic Acid (BHA): Help lift and loosen dead skin cells that clog pores.

The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser

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I love foaming cleansers. I think since this was a deluxe sample size one pump didn’t give me my desired amount of cleanser so I would pump this 3 times to get a nice dollop. It is very creamy and bubbly and smells like fresh oranges. It’s gentle on my skin and I have been using it every day with no signs of irritation. I’ve been using this since the beginning of October and about three quarters of the way through the bottle so I think the size I have (50mL) should last 4-6 weeks. I think it’s good if you want to test the product out.

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One downside to this product is that it does sting my eyes so I couldn’t use this to remove my eye makeup. That’s a huge drawback for me. I would use this in the morning to prep my skin before applying makeup. I don’t think I would repurchase this cleanser again since I can’t use it to remove my eye makeup.

  • African Red Tea Extract: Helps invigorate skin with antioxidants.
  • Vitamin C: Helps brighten skin.
  • Carrot Seed, Orange, and Grapefruit Peel Oils: Help cleanse without stripping or drying skin.
  • Pumpkin Fruit and Chamomile Extracts: Help condition and soften skin.

The Truth Serum

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Before applying any moisturizer I would pump a little pea-sized amount of this all over my skin. I think of all the items I’ve tested from Ole Henrikson, this is my favourite. After using it for the past few weeks, it looks as if this has brightened my skin. My skin also feels plumper, areas such as my smile lines seem to be less pronounced which could be due to the collagen in this formula. The serum is a thin oil consistancy that melts into the skin fairly quickly. Even if I’m using a different moisturizer that day, I made sure I would always use this serum in the morning and evening as part of my skincare routine.

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The pump itself isn’t the best as the product tends to squirt out from it, but that could be the flaw of just the deluxe sample.

  • True-C Complex: Helps brighten the skin and fight visible signs of aging; also delivers antioxidants.
  • Collagen: Improves skin’s youthful elasticity.
  • Orange and Green Tea Extracts: Nourish skin.
  • Aloe Juice: Softens and conditions skin.

Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer

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During the day I like applying moisturizers that are thinner and lighter in consistancy because I layer on foundation and don’t like thick-feeling creams. This has a whipped-like feel and no scent which I like for during the day.

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Once applied, it has a slight tackiness that goes away after a few minutes once absorbed into my skin. I then like to apply my makeup on top of this. It’s also very hydrating and you only need a small amount to feel it moisturize the face. This antioxidant moisturizer is formulated with multi-fruit acids, licorice and pea extracts to help gently refine uneven skin tone and texture (sephora.ca)

Nurture Me Moisturizing Cream

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In the evening once I’ve removed my makeup and applied my serum I would apply this generously over my face. The Nurture me cream is pretty thick but unlike other moisturizers this didn’t feel like it just sat on my face. It melted right into my skin and is extremely hydrated.

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  • Multivitamin Blend (Vitamins A, B5, C and E): Nurtures and soothes skin.
  • Sunflower and Rosehip Fruit Oils: Provide rich hydration.

This has an orange creamsicle scent which I completely love.

My Thoughts

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All together, I enjoy using the Ole Henrikson line and feel like over the past month it has helped to hydrate and brighten my skin and has even improved the appearance of any fine line on my skin. I am most in love with the truth serum and the moisturizers for my skin and what I’m looking for. I think I would repurchase all of the items I’ve tried, except for the cleanser because they work really well together and on my skin.

Have you tried anything from Ole Henrikson? What is your favourite skincare line?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Milk Makeup Hydrating Oil Stick Review

littlebeautyloves8 Comments

I was surprised by this product that I thought I just have to share! I bought the Milk Makeup Hydrating Oild Stick at a Sephora sale and really didn’t think much of it. I was curious about the gel formula and trying something from Milk Makeup since I had not tried anything from the brand. This sat in my unopened collection of makeup and skincare for about 6 months before I finally took it out of my stash and started using it.

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What It Is

A face and body oil in stick form for instant moisture and a subtle sheen. Packed with apricot, avocado, calendula, jojoba, and orange peel oils, and housed in a travel-friendly stick. (Sephora.ca)

Price

$29.00 CAD (1 oz). For a moisturizer-like product, I think the cost is not too bad. It’s about mid-range between drugstore and beauty store. Plus, I bought mine at the Sephora VIB Sale so I saved 20% off the price.

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Packaging

It’s a large tube which makes it easy to apply all over the face and body, albeit not the most hygienic applicator, but I only use it on myself. I like that it’s twist-up which exposes more product as needed and the lid screws on tight so I don’t have to worry about it drying out. A lot of Milk Makeup products are housed this way which makes them good for quick application.

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I don’t know much about Milk Makeup but it just seems like they are a brand that focuses on minimal effort to achieve makeup looks. Most items are in a gel or liquid formula which make it easy to apply onto the skin using your fingers or very few brushes. If you know anything about this brand, let me know! I’d love to learn more!

I like that the packaging is simple. There are no frills, just a simple, sturdy, clear plastic tube with white lettering. I only wish that the lettering was a different colour so I can easily spot this. Sometimes I feel it gets lost among my other products.

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Application & Wear

This applies very easily, I just apply it directly to my face (I have not tried this on my body). I have dry skin and this instantly hydrates. After I wash my face and apply serum, I will apply the hydrating oil to the areas of my face that feel the driest and tight. That’s usually my cheeks, forehead and chin. I then follow up with any other moisturizers and blend it all in with my hand. This is slick and it helps to spread any other product I apply. Even though it’s an oil, it does not feel greasy at all, it is more like a gel moisturizer.

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I like this underneath makeup as a hydrating primer. It helps my makeup stick and reduces the dry look on my face. I have tried it once over makeup and it’s not bad like that as well. It acts like a makeup setting spray that melts your makeup into place, but much more hydrating and you’re left with a bit of glow. What I did was pat it over my makeup and it instantly brought back a glow.

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I am really enjoying this hydrating oil stick. Out of all the moisturizers I’ve been using, this is probably my favourite. My skin feels hydrated and looks healthy. If I want to look glowy without makeup I’ll just apply this guy over my bare face and be on my way.

My Thoughts

For something I threw into my makeup collection and forgot all about I’m pretty bummed I didn’t just open this sooner! It’s a great hydrating product and it has some pretty interesting oil ingredients. I think in the last few weeks my skin has felt great, and I think it might have something to do with this product!

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Have you tried the Milk Makeup Hydrating Oil Stick? What are your thoughts? Is there a product that you recently discovered in your own stash of unopened makeup or skincare?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Unboxing BoxyCharm, October 2018

littlebeautyloves7 Comments

Price: $21.00 USD (+$5.00 shipping to Canada)
Number of items: 4-5 full-size items

Boxycharm is a monthly subscription box of full-size makeup, skincare and beauty tools. The theme for this month is “Alter Ego”. I think it’s a great theme for October, especially since Halloween is a time to be someone/something else!

ALL PRICES IN USD CONVERTED TO CAD AT THE END

IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara
MSRP: $24.00 USD 

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I’ve heard lots of positive reviews on this mascara so I’m really excited to try it. This claims to be lengthening, volume boosting and ultra-conditioning. All sounds good to me!

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I also think that the packaging is really cute. This has an Elastic Stretch Technology (not sure what the means – marketing!) and ultra-black tint to give you the thickest and most defined lashes.

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Balm
MSRP: $22.00 USD

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If you’ve read my review on makeup removers I’ve tried, you’ll know I love balms. I use a balm when I’m wearing a lot of heavy makeup since it just helps it glide right off. This bottle claims to remove long wear makeup while still being nourishing to the skin.

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Farmacy is a brand that uses natural ingredients, is cruelty-free, synthetic fragrance-free, and paraben free amongst other things. I can feel good about using this on my skin.

Dermovia Lace a Peal Black Bamboo Charcoal Peel Off Mask
MSRP: $30.00 USD

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Now I love a good charcoal mask, but I’m not sure what the lace is meant to do here. Supposedly, the lace provides compression to give you spa-like extraction results. I guess I’ll see if that does anything. This comes with two masks which is great to truly test out the product. I think it’ll mostly just be fun.

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What you do is apply the peel off mask first from the tube, then you apply the lace and leave it on your skin for 15-20 mins. I did check their website and this has some positive reviews. Now, tell me the mask itself does not look creepy!!! hehe!

PUR Cosmetics The Complexion Authority Midnight Masquerade Palette
MSRP: $38.00 USD

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I received the PUR The Complexion Authority Eyeshadow Palette in my March 2018 BoxyCharm and I really like it. I used it so much during the spring and enjoy a lot of the colours as base colours to build on other looks. It’s got great pigmentation and lasting colour. I’m sure this palette will be the same.

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The colours are super pretty and though I think it’s missing a crease colour, this would make a perfect gift for someone who might enjoy an all-in-one palette so I’m going to save this as a gift to use over the holidays for a friend I think would enjoy this.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick
MSRP: $20.00 USD

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I’ve heard really great things about this formula and I would love to give this a try. The colour is like a cool purply mauve so it might work really well for the cooler vibes I’ve been feeling this Fall.

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This formula is described as highly pigmented, vegan and cruelty-free that coats your lips in one swipe. It’s infused with vitamin E and sunflower seed oil to moisturize. That’s very interesting to me!

My Thoughts

There is a little bit of everything in this box, some makeup, some skincare. That’s always something I enjoy! I’m most excited for the IT Cosmetics mascara and Farmacy cleansing balm which together more than makes up the cost of the box itself. I will be trying out the face mask soon so look out for my thoughts in my October empties!

Total Value: $134.00 USD ($174.56 CAD)

Did you get BoxyCharm this month? Anything you’ve been enjoying in your box?

Lots of Love,
Dal

Unboxing Topbox, August 2018

littlebeautyloves5 Comments

Price: $12.00 CAD (plus tax, free shipping) 4 items.

Topbox is a Canadian monthly beauty subscription service. Each month you have the option of getting a surprise box or to swap it for a prive box where all the products are from one brand or fall within a theme and you know what they are. This month I opted for the Prive Box! Topbox was offering 2 or 3 versions of the Cosmetics Magazine Awards Privé Boxes this year and I wished for the first one and got it!

Prices are in Canadian Dollars.

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 40
Full Size: $34.00 (50 mL), Sample Size: $10.20 (15 mL)

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This was my main attraction to this specific Prive Box. I really enjoy Shiseido products, especially their skincare so whenever I have an opportunity to test them out I always go for it. I think the other boxes had Shiseido products as well but I really wanted the UV protection to take with me on my weekend trip to Chelsea, Quebec. This is an ultra-hydrating, feather-light daily sunscreen for face and body.

Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Pink Bliss
Full Size: $7.98 (6.5 mL), this is a full-size item

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Gosh, the colour on this is sooo pretty!  It’s a rose pink which I thought looked really pretty when I wore it. It has an interestingly shaped applicator, with it being a little more triangular and edgy. The texture is whipped and creamy but it does apply streakily so what I did was apply one layer, allow it to dry for a minute and then applied a second layer.

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Once it’s completely dry it looks pretty and matte. It also was long-wearing, more than I thought it would be. It lasted through my day including drinking and eating which surprised me. I might actually pick up more shades of this formula. 

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Fleur Musc
Full Size: $144 (100 mL), $1.44 (1mL)

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I love Narcisco Rodriguez scents, one of my favourites is the For Her EDT perfume. This has notes of roses, spices, and amber wood. I think it’s very pretty.

Vichy Laboratories Minéral 89 Fortifying and Plumping Daily Booster
Full Size: $39.95 (50 mL), Sample Size: $4.00 (5 mL)

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This was the second item that I was most drawn to in this Prive Box. I really love Vichy skincare and have written about them in previous blog posts and on my Instagram. I had tried a few packet samples of this daily booster serum and really loved it. This is a mix of Vichy’s mineral water concentrated to 89% with natural origin hyaluronic acid. It is made to help skin stronger against aggressors like pollution, stress and fatigue.

Clarins Double Serum [Hydric+Lipidic System]
Full Size: $120 (50 mL), Sample Size (x6): $12.96 (5.4 mL)

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More skincare! Can you start to see why I wanted this Prive Box?! This is an anti-ageing treatment. Although I would have preferred this in one little tube rather than a bunch of tiny packets I do really like this for travel. I’ve actually used this when I’ve been travelling before and this really does re-invigorate my skin. Clarins has so many skincare items, I really want to explore more from this brand!

My Thoughts

Whenever I chose a prive box over a surprise box I know I’m going to love every item because that was the reason why I chose that box in the first place. I really am happy that I got this box because you aren’t guaranteed to get the prive boxes, it’s always dependant on how many they might have to go around. All of the skincare items are ones that are tried and true to me or ones that I really want to try. I’m also really surprised by the Rimmel Liquid lipstick so that’s always nice too!

Total Value: $36.58 CAD

Did you get Topbox this month? What is your favourite skincare item?

Lots of love,
Dal