Showing posts with label tarte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tarte. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Beauty Haul

Hi Everyone! Why does it seem like I haven't put up a post in weeks ... oh wait maybe because I haven't. I think I had a temporary hiatus of inspiration and motivation but I'm back at it now that it is already so many days into the new year. You know what I haven't stopped doing? Shopping. I feel like I might have a little hoarding problem. First it's with jewelry, and  iPhone cases, then I moved on to shoes and now it is most definitely makeup ... it is becoming quite an obsession. Anyways, I thought I might as well put a makeup haul to show you all the goodies I have accumulated in the past 3 weeks.


Laura Mercier Full Face Makeup Kit
I ordered this Laura Mercier package off Hautelook for an amazing price and couldn't be happier with the products. First, can we just talk about the packaging ... it's perfection. I absolutely love how simple and elegant it looks while being not too heavy and excessive but also durable enough. The quality of the products is just wow. I've already heard amazing reviews on the primer so I am very excited to try it out especially now that primer has become incorporated into my makeup routine for days that I wear foundation. The lip glace is very sweetly scented and goes on buttery and smoothly. The eyeshadows are definitely my favourite part and probably some of my top colour picks out of all of my eyeshadow palettes. They are so pigmented and the colours are so beautiful, I can't even put it into words. The bronzer is also really nice, not overly shimmery but gives off a healthy luminescent glow to your complexion. I have yet to try the liner and mascara but I'm sure they will not disappoint.

My first splurge of 2014 is my online order at Sephora. I finally caved and bought the twin pack of replacement heads for my Clarionic who has become a stranger to me. Can someone explain to me why they are so damn expensive...marketing tactic I know. It's been a couple weeks since I started using it again and I've already seen a huge improvement in my skin.

Clarisonic Replacement Heads Twin-pack, $45
Korres Body Butter mini, $12
I also grabbed the Tarte Amazonian Clay blush and bronzer duo which is now sold out. It was such as great deal because the price was just a little over the cost of an individual blush but with more product plus a bronzer. I really love the bronzer already. It is subtle since it's matte and not as dark as other bronzers I've tried which makes it perfect for contouring. Also, it is a true "bronze" rather than some other bronzers that have hints of pink or orange. The blush in this set is a pretty bright pink (it is a lot lighter in person) which is different than any other blush I own.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush and Bronzer Duo (sold out)
Dollface Blush
Park Avenue Princess bronzer

You know you have a problem when you place two orders to the same store two weeks in the row. Immediately after I placed my first order, I realized I forgot to add one item into my cart. Unfortunately for me, the product I wanted is an online exclusive so it left me no choice but to click the checkout once again. Of course, I refuse to pay $10 for shipping so I found some other things I probably shouldn't have gotten but I did.
Benefit How to Look the Best at Everything Kit, $36
Philosophy Amazing Grace Shower Gel, $12 (on sale right now!)
Philosophy Peppermint Stick Shower Gel (sold out)
Cover FX Illuminating Setting Powder, $32
Clean Skin Rollerball, $7
Now let's get into the reason for the second order. I've recently tested the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation in stores and I was impressed. It has buildable coverage and I think the formulation is more suitable for combination or oily skin. One thing about it that stands out is the fact that once it is blended in and sets, it literally feels like you are not wearing any foundation at all. I've also tried the boi-ing concealer and loved the results. Now everyone and their mother raves about the primer so I'm not worried about that. The main reason behind this purchase was to have a portable foundation+concealer set that is easy to take on the go. Since I will be visiting friends and going back and forth from school in the next few months, I thought it would be super convenient to have this little kit with me at any time.
what's included:
POREfessional Primer
Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation
Boi-ing concealer x 2
Hello Flawless powder
Now the best part of the entire haul...samples on samples on samples. Most of these are skincare products which is great because I'm on the hunt for a more permanent skincare routine. Last night I used the Boscia cleanser and moisturizer and my skin has never felt so clean and soft.
SAMPLES GALORE !!! ❤_
Now that life is settling down again, I hope that I will be posting more regularly. Besides, I just got back from one of the best trips of my life so the time for relaxation has passed and gone but will not be forgotten.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

September beauty favourites

I swear at the beginning of every month, I think where did time go? Last month instead of going back to school like I did for the past 13 years, I started a job. This not only means do I have to wear decent clothes, but my face needs to look put together as well. I like to keep my makeup look minimal and simple, using only a few essential products. In September, I made a huge order on Sephora.ca and ventured into Buxom and Tarte and I fell in love. So here are some of my beauty favourites for the past month.


Makeup


1. Buxom Full-on lip stick
My most loved and collected makeup product would definitely be lipsticks. If you ever look at my makeup collection, you'd probably wonder why a girl needs that many lip products. The thing I love about lipsticks is that it comes to so many different forms and formulations.  After hearing nothing but positive reviews on the Buxom lipsticks. I decided to go ahead and purchase one myself. I opted for a dusty-pink nude shade because I know I can always work with it rather than a more risky colour. Let me just tell you, this product is amazing! The sweet smell juxtaposes with the minty sensation making this lipstick pen one of the best lip products I have ever tried. It comes in 16 different shades and is priced at $23.



2. Buxom Full-on lip polish
Although I usually prefer lipsticks and lip liners, the Buxom lip polish share too many similarities with the lip stick for me to ignore. It has the same pleasant vanilla scent and tingly after effect. The main difference is that this sheer lip polish leaves lips looking plump and juicy. I find this product to be very long lasting considering the fact that it is a lip gloss. The lip polish is available in 23 colours and there is also a lip cream version that offers a more velvety finish, also at  $23 each.




3. Revlon lip butter 
When the lip butters first came out, there was a undeniable hype surrounding this product and there is a reason why. It is buildable while still remaining creamy and moisturizing. I love how the darker colours are even more versitle because they can act as a sheer tinte or a dark lipstick that's perfect for fall. It is also reasonably priced at around $8 at any drugstore or department store.


4. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush
Tarte - Amazonian Clay 12-Hour BlushBlush is another  one of those products that ranges in price, colour and texture. In the summer, I occasionally wore a little bronzer because the heat would cause a natural flush to my cheeks but as the weather cools down, my skin tone also comes a couple shades lighter. I feel like finishing off your look with a little blush makes you look more awake and put together. I prefer a more coral peachy shade rather than a light or dark pink. So far, I've been loving my Tarte Amazonian Clay blush. I can't back up the 12 hours part, but it definitely lasts 8 hours as it stays on my face the entire day at work. You can purchase this product at Sephora in 15 different colours for $31 each.




Skin Care
              
1. Bioderma Creline
I bought this product a couple of months ago after hearing all the rave about it when it first came out. At first I didn't realize what was so special about Bioderma but when I used it again this month, I quickly realized it is indeed magical. The first thing I do when I get home is wash my hands and take off my face makeup. I love using this product with a cotton round, it even works on waterproof mascara. Also, I love how you don't have to wash your face after using it and it leaves your skin feeling clean yet not at all dry. Overall, I think this is the best makeup remover/cleansing water I have ever tried. However, I do use it sparingly since it was quite pricey for around $28 a bottle.




KNU ANTI AGING FACE LIFT CREAM2. Michael Todd True Organics Knu Anti-aging cream
 I've never been one of the those people who believe in taking precaution when it comes to premature wrinkles and using anti-aging cream could help prevent aging. But as I was browsing Livingsocial , I came across a deal that I couldn't pass up. I purchased it without thinking for $25. The Michael Todd Organics Knu Anti-aging cream retails for $150. For a second, I was in denial that people would actually spend that much money on a product that wasn't even part of a high end beauty line. After reading the reviews on the MT website, it was obvious that many people bought and loved the product despite the 3 figure price tag. The first time I put this product on my face, I immediately felt a tightening sensation in my skin. Now it has become part of my every day skincare routine. I can confidently say that it has been the number one contributor to how much the texture my skin has improved. Although I still experience breakouts, the rest of my skin remains smooth and elastic. This is why I feel justified paying that much money for another once the first was used up after 5 months.


Essie nail polish in  It's Genius, Aruba Blue, Power Clutch.
it's genius - plums By Essiearuba blue - blues By Essiepower clutch - greens By Essie

Personally, I enjoy the look of dark nail polish on my nails so I opt for darker shades year round. But in the fall, I tend towards these 3 colours the most. It's Genius is a gorgeous vampy oxblood with hints of glitter. Aruba blue is a true royal blue which is my favourite colour to wear. Power Clutch looks like a very deep green that appears almost black unless it is in the light. Essie is my preferred brand because I feel like it has the best selection in terms of wearable colours and the formulation is better than most drugstore brands.


Chanel Chance Eau de Fraiche

I've been reaching for my Chanel Chance perfume every morning. The scent is the perfect balance of fresh and sweet. I love how it is not overpowering but still lingers on your skin the entire day. This was my more worn scent for the summer and continues to be my most loved fragrance of all time. This perfume can be purchased at The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart or Holt Renfrew for around $130 for 100ml







September was a month of many firsts and new trials. I hope this month is just as eventful.


P.S. I apologize for using pictures from the Internet. I really wish I could use my own photographed photos but they never turn out satisfying enough to put on my blog. Bare with me as I save up for a good quality camera.