March 20, 2015

spring cleaning - makeup bag edition.

Happy first day of SPRING! I am beyond excited that winter is behind us and we have sun and warm weather to look forward to! This time of year is usually reserved for cleaning your windows, your closets... but what about your makeup bag? Cleaning out your makeup bag is important in keeping things fresh and (you looking your best), and what better time than Spring to give your makeup bag an update. Out with the old and in with the new!

Here is a handy chart from makeup.com that outlines the lifespan of our beloved cosmetics. If it's past the recommended keep time (or you can't remember when you bought it... i'm looking at you lipgloss with the name worn off) it's time to replace it.





Some of these dates are a guideline, but keep in mind - powder products tend to be safer to keep longer than two years, but mascara is a must-replace every three months due to the sensitive nature of our eyes and the perfect conditions for bacteria to build up in the tube. Here's a tip to help you remember: when you open your new mascara take a marker and write the date of opening on the package and keep this in your makeup bag or drawer, or if you're tech-savvy, set a reminder on your smartphone for 3 months from the purchase date to buy a new one!



Who regularly cleans out their makeup bag? Let me know in the comments below! 








March 5, 2015

february beauty buys!

Finally it's March! And among the arrival of SPRING (we're seriously dying a slow, snow-covered death here in Ontario), this also means it's time to review last month's beauty buys!




L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray
A makeup setting spray was an usual drugstore find, as I've only seen the luxury beauty brands offering them, so when I spotted this one from L'Oreal I thought I would give it a try. I am going to give it another chance, but I can't say I was overly impressed the first time I used it. It's mist isn't "super-fine" as it claims, and I was shiny a couple hours later. For everyday use, it might do the trick, but I still prefer Urban Decay's All-Nighter setting spray for bridal, special events, and all-day/night wear. Considering this one is $17 (not that cheap for drugstore), I would probably just recommend splurging on the Urban Decay one.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $16.99

Marcelle BB Cream
An old favourite! I recommend this BB cream to everyone. It has just the right amount of coverage to make your skin look like it's naturally flawless when you don't want to wear a lot of makeup, plus it has all the benefits of a BB cream... and if you get the 'anti-aging' one it has sunscreen for an added bonus! 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $22.95

NYX Baked Blush + Illuminator
I saw this product in a tutorial and wanted to give it a try, and managed to get these on sale at Target's liquidation sale. Colours are "Sugar Mama" (coral) and "Spanish Rose" (pink). They are baked and have a shimmery finish, which is nice if you want a highlighted look. For a drugstore brand, I was impressed with the pigmentation, and finish.

Target, $10.99 (on sale for $7.69)

St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse
A celeb-favourite! An easy to use self-tanning mousse that gives you a rich bronze colour. Good for maintaining your vacation tan, or for pretending you don't like in such a desolate and depressing climate.  Recommeded for use with the tan applicator mitt. 

Sephora, $38 

Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift Root Spray
This was a re-purchase for me, I've used this product for a while as it really does give volume and body to your hair when sprayed on roots before blow-drying. And I love the hot pink packaging!

Shoppers Drug Mart, $12.99

L'Oreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Colour Riche in "Nude Ballet" 
I'm a sucker for nude lipsticks/glosses/pencils, I legit probably have about 15-20... So what's one more? This was another Target Liquidation find, and something that's been on my radar since I read Kim Kardashian wore this at her last wedding. It's a really pretty colour, not too light, but still considered nude, and has a lot of pigment. It creates a natural look and lasted quite a while! I will definitely try other colours of this product.

Target, $8.99 (on sale for $6.29) 

Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser
A lot of my beauties don't use/understand/know about the beauty blender (foundation sponge that creates a flawless finish!), and that's a blog post in itself, but I recently picked up the solid cleanser for beauty blenders because I was sick of using lathery shampoo that took forever to rinse out. 5 stars for this product!!! If you own a beauty blender I advise you to fork over the $20 for this cleanser - you will not be disappointed. It took every trace of makeup off my BB and rinsed clean in just a couple minutes. 

Sephora, $20

Stila Eyes are the Window Eyeshadow Palette in "Mind"
I love this palette!! The colours are beautiful, the pigment is amazing, and they are all matte finishes which I am obsessed with lately. Don't get me wrong I love a good shimmer shadow, but mattes are so versatile and create a modern, clean, youthful eye look. Every colour you need to create a natural to smoky-eye look is here, and as a bonus it's formulated without parabens and sulphates. If anyone wants to see swatches, let me know in the comments! 

The Beauty Boutique, $60

Rimmel Wonder'lash Mascara
I picked this mascara up after reading a review of new drugstore products to try, and I've used it a few times with mixed feelings. Initially I liked the first application, but have changed my mind in subsequent applications. I like the applicator wand and formula (it contains argon oil), but it didn't volumize (is that a word?) my lashes as much as I would have liked; it's more of a separating and lengthening formula. To be honest, I feel like every mascara that is sold at the drugstore is manufactured in a massive warehouse from the same formula, and then sent to different lines for different brand packaging. THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING. Just a thought I have from time to time.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $8.99 (on sale!)

Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation
I have combination skin and large pores, so anytime a product claims to mattify and minimize pores I'm all over it. I liked this foundation's coverage and finish, but after a couple hours I was no less shiny than usual. I wouldn't say this is a breakthrough in mattifying foundation, but it's worth picking up if you are looking for a good drugstore foundation. 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $6.99 (on sale!)

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If you have used any of these products I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments!


Lianne