TARTE Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 in Medium

Canadian winters. My skin hates them, I hate them, everyone i know hates them yet we still stay here.

There was a VIB sale back in november, i took this chance to try out a new foundation. I love my MUFE HD but just wanted to see what else is on the market. And since it's rising in price, i don't really want to use it as much.

Found this Tarte full coverage foundation in .08 oz (which is more then plenty) in a little kit. The kit costs $41/CAD, comes with a rollerball of maracuja oil and a full size mascara.

This is the first Tarte Product i've ever tried. And I love it. This is a great foundation, i think its a bit light for my skin but its not too noticeable unless i'm in bright light or in photos.




One thing that's been bugging me about MUFE HD is that sometimes it gets a little hard to blend out, if I look closely at times I notice I didn't blend too well on my chin or cheek and can see the foundation vs my skin. And since its dries pretty fast it can be hard by that time to blend it out. Whereas this Tarte product is very easy to blend into my skin.

It provides great coverage up for almost 12 hours without touch up. You don't need that much product for your face. It goes on very smooth, I've used it with a stippling brush and a flat top brush. I've heard the Tarte airbrush finish brush does make a difference for application. But since its such a steep price, at the moment i'm content with my flat top or stippling brush...
I have pretty dry skin and it didn't dry my face out anymore, look cakey (unless i cake my face) or cause those little darn flakes.

I have yet to try out the maracuja oil or mascara but I think this kit is great! So far I am loving this foundation almost over my MUFE hd... almost.

After

Before

8 hrs later. Noticeable wear off in forehead, a little shine / fade

NYC Cream Blush in Berry Newyorker

 HELLO!!!! Happy Canada Day!!!

Back with my opinion on these NYC creme blush sticks. These things range for around $3-4/cad in "Berry Newyorker", great bang for its buck. I love the convience of these, swipe it on and the quickly blend it out. The only thing is that im a bit tan and it doesnt show up as pigmented on my skin. It is very buildable with a few quick swipes of product. It seems to hold up for about 4 hours.

These are very affordable blushes, great for anyone starting out in make up and want to try cream blushes.

Heads up.. sorry for my displacement of photos.. I have the worst time centering/placing photos on here :S Cant seem to figure it out smoothly...

unblended

blended

Burts Bee's Herbal Blemish Stick vs Saje's Zap Blend

I love these herbal blemish sticks! I first discovered it from Saje and fell in love with their blend, recently I was shopping around and saw that Burts Bee's offers one for a bit cheaper. I ran out of the one from Saje so i thought might as well give Burts Bee's a try, since most of their products are a hit with me!

Saje on Left, Burts Bees on right

Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick clocks in at 12.99 / cad at most retail stores. Saje's Zap blend comes in at 19.95/ cad. It has a more potent scent, much more stronger / lasts longer then Saje's Zap blend. The scent is so much more stronger, If i put it on my cheek or around my nose I really have to watch how much i put on or the ecualyptus/tea tree scent hits my eyes and makes them water. Blemish/zit diminishing power wise, i found it took longer with Burts Bees vs Saje's Zap. It does diminish blemishes and clears up zits but not that fast. maybe a week or so to get rid of a significantly large zit. Simple packaging, glass roll on with white lid where as Saje has a more sleeker apealing Packaging. Dark Brown glass.
Saje clock is at .30 oz while Burts Bees at .26 oz

Overall, I prefer Saje's Zap Blend. It clears blemishes much more faster I found then Burt's Bees. As well as the scent wasn't as potent. I would have to put it right under my eye for the tea tree/eucalyptus blend to make my eyes water. It's more expensive but in the long run you'd use less product making it be worth the price.

Burts Bee's Herbal Blemish Stick:
alcohol denat., calendula officinalis (calendula) flower oil, borago officinalis (borage) seed oil, achillea millefolium (yarrow) oil, carum petroselinum (parsley) seed oil, aqua (water, eau), salix nigra (willow) bark extract, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, foeniculum vulgare (fennel) oil, juniperus communis (juniper) fruit oil, eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) leaf oil, citral, geraniol, limonene, linalool
Reference: Ingredient List

Saje's Zap Blendingredients: essential oils of lavandula angustifola (lavender), melaleuca alternifolia leaf (tea tree), anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile), pogostemon cablin (patchouli), myrtus communis (myrtle), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus), pelargonium graveolens (geranium) and thymus zygis (white thyme).
Reference

Shiseido - Translucent Loose Powder Review

I thought I liked loose powders because its usually the better bang for the buck. But after this product, I realized my big dislike for loose powders and will not continue to purchase pressed powder.
I've heard many good things about this Loose Powder by Shieseido, I've been trying to find something comparable or similar to MUFE's HD finishing powder. You can find this usually around 40/cad at a local beauty counter comes with .63 oz of product... which is a lot! This will last you a good while.

Personally, I am not a big fan of this product. It has very sheer coverage, and was not long lasting because of that fact. You really have to pack this onto your skin to make it last most of the day, which I'm not really use to doing. And i found it wasn't really mattifying because it was so sheer. I have fairy dry skin, never really oily. But even after 12+ hour days a girl will produce oil with a full make up face, unlike MUFE's HD powder, this one would only last maybe 1-3 hours before you start seeing a shine or your make up isn't looking as fresh.

It can be a little bit messy, it being a loose powder and all. I usually just tip it upside down, give it a few shakes and then just use the power on the lid. More even pick up of product on brush that way. It being white/translucent it does not have any color effect on your skin.. that is unless you put a big glob of white powder on your face... it'll be a bit hard to blend out. I didn't notice a difference in my pores either as the product says it would keep it concealed.

Overall, not impressed with the performance of this product. I have moderately dry skin, producing oil after a lonnnng day of work and this product did not help the shine or lasting power of my make up. You can't see in the photos but there was no significant difference between the two sides of my face, with or without powder.
Would not recommend this nor repurchase.

Pointing at the side with powder
4 hrs into wear

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right after application, left side is with powder.

Make Up Forever - Smokey Mascara

Received this mascara as a gift with my purchase. Its a more dry formula which i usually do prefer. It is not a flakey dry formula. It says it will curl,volume, lengthen and give intense pigmentation. Quadruple threat. Who doesn't want lashes like that?? It didn't holy my curl perfectly but it didn't deflate it either. I didn't notice much volume but i did notice a bit of umph with my length. And with the intense pigmentation, I didn't notice it my lashes being darker then with other regular mascaras.

My lashes didn't clump unless i was super slow/distracted and basically tried to layer my mascara. Never had any problems of it smudging on me, its a more a natural looking mascara. Find it around $27/cad for a full size mascara. Comes in different colors.

Honestly, its a pretty average mascara. It didn't do anything stunning that made it stand out from all the other mascaras. Won't be repurchasing it.

Top without mascara,
Bottom with

Urban decay Deluxe Palette

Before this I've never tried anything from the highly raved line, urban decay! So when i saw this deluxe palette floating around on sephora for around $15 CAD i picked it up to try it out. It came with a very small sample size of the urban decay primer potion for eyeshadows (not much product in it) and this palette! While reading online, apparently this palette offers the "deluxe" shadow.. which are suppose to be more pigmented vs their regular ones.
Its a neat packaging, usually urban decay has some fun snazzy packaging for their palettes and products. This one has this sort of silvery chain mesh product, which is pretty neat and on there securely.
It has a nice sized mirror in it, i don't understand why some palettes include a mirror the size on my pupil in them.. why bother?
Personally, im more of a neutral eyeshadow gal... can't give me enough of those brown shades!
But i thought it would be fun to have some funky colors in my collection... you never know ;)
Urban decay has about five colors in this palette that

will most likely not use... can you guess which ones? ;)

I honestly rarely use this palette but I don't regret buying it.

Overall, this is a great palette to get if you are starting off your collection or just want to try out urban decay products. The eyeshadows are smooth, well pigmented and do last a while without any primer. This palette has been floating around for a couple years!

Nivea Soft Face Cream

Hey there,

Back here with a review for my new holy grail moisturizer! The Nivea Creme line! Love the scent of it, reminds me of my childhood since my mom would always use that cream.With this product, you get your bang for the buck! A tub lasts for a very long time!
I love the original version, Nivea Creme (around $10 CAD / 200ml) which is extremely moisturizing. It was perfect for those Canadian winters when your skin takes a beating! Especially with my eczema its harder to keep my dry skin contained, this works perfectly!
For the summer I was looking for something a little lighter. I decided with Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme for around $10 CAD/200ml. Was super happy with my decision, it was still moisturizing and had that signature scent! As well as it was easier to moisturize into my skin and was not as thick as the original.
Light weight, non greasy, sinks in easily, moisturizing and smells wonderful? HG summer item!

I love Nivea Cremes and how it hasn't changed throughout the years. My mom has used the product, and now I do... I think this shows what a consistent wonderful product this is in the market.

http://www.en.nivea.ca/products/NIVEA-Soft

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Sephora - Makeup Made Simple Palette

Was eyeing this "Makeup Made Simple" Palette when it came out but passed. Recently went to Sephora and it was on sale for $18 CAD from $34.

You basically get three mini palettes which are portable, they include a little travel case for a palette which is super handy. 27 eyeshadows, .028 grams each. 6 blushes/bronzers. No eye catching colors though. Super sleek packaging.

Most of these eyeshadows are pretty pigmented, comes with a variety of colors. Comes with a couple face charts that show you a couple looks.

The removable palettes that you can snap onto the compact case is a huge seller for me!
If you find it on sale I would definitely recommend you pick one up!

Side note: has anyone else seen Captain Phillips? Tom Hanks = amazing actor. 

Hard Candy - Sheer Envy Primer

I've been on a lookout of an affordable good primer, who isnt? This is the first product i've tried from Hard Candy. From what i've heard, they have mostly good products for decent prices.

This is lightweight and blends in nicely into the skin. It comes out clear, except it does come out a bit.. chunky(?) from the tube but once you mix it with your fingers it's smooth.
I notice that my make up does go on smoother and last a bit longer before having to touch up.
It doesn't shine from any other primers i've tried but for its price of $6-7/cad its a good steal for alot of product.
I most likely will repurchase to have on hand. Its a good product to try out.

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

I just recently purchased the Smash box Full Exposure Palette from sephora for around $58 CAD. I've been eyeing the Lorac Pro Palette forever, but its always sold out and they took the brand out of stores.

The smashbox palette reminded me much of the Lorac Pro. Neutral colors with matte and shimmery shades.

I don't mind the shades, all neutral which I can't go wrong with. But honestly, the palette doesn't really stand out from all my others. I don't find the shadows too pigmented and the shimmery ones do have some fall out.

Overall it's an okay palette, not amazing doesn't make me reach for it everyday. Could have gone without it to be honest.

Vaseline Spray On Lotion

Wanted to love it. It does what it says, is convenient - you spray and go! Its fast, the spray nozzle hasn't clogged on me yet which i am surprised.. it sprays an adequate amount and has a very fine mist. Only thing that i dislike about the sprayer is that when my hands are wet, its hard to get/keep a good grip on it while spraying therefore hard to get my back.

Its a very very light moisturizer with a wet formula (expected since it is coming from an aerosol can) so it does sink into the skin very easily without leaving any greasy residue. I bought the aloe version for around $6.00/cad at most places. Steep ass price. This is a pretty expensive lotion for the amount of product you get. I can see why the would hike up the price because of the spray but for the amount of product... not worth the price. It does go on sale every once in a while for around $4 at shoppers and walmart.
The aloe version has a nice aloe fresh scent that is not overpowering and does not linger for too long.


Sadly it did not perform for my skin. Felt like i didn't put any moisturizer on and that can't be happening for this canadian weather! And honestly, I don't find pumping lotion from a squeeze bottle time consuming, since after you spray it you still do have to rub in the lotion.. maybe not as much since its such a wet formula but you still have to rub it in. So for me the convenient part doesn't really apply. Honestly most likely will not buy it again.

If you are looking for something light weight, easy to rub in and you do not like pumping lotion from a bottle then this is for you.

Spray just a few inches from skin

Haul Time!

Haul from Sephora VIB sale and from ELF!

The Body Shop - Hemp Products

Back with a review on a couple products from the Hemp line by The Body Shop.
This line is popular for people with eczema or psoriasis, or just super dry skin! First off, i've had pretty bad eczema throughout my life. I'm slowly growing out of it as I get older but my skin is still dry and sensitive. For me, a good moisturizer is one where i only have to apply once or twice and I'll feel comfortable in my own skin. Most moisturizers I have to layer it up a couple times and then top it off with other products in order for that to happen :(
I finally tried this line out since there has been some buzz for it.
I dislike the smell of all the hemp products, smells like... plastic mixed with random incense.

Hemp Body Butter:
$20/cad per body butter.
Repurchase: No
I've used a bunch of body butters' from The Body Shop before. None are really moisturizing but i was suggest to try the hemp and that it will be more soothing and comforting.
Sadly, it was a no go for me. It wasn't any more moisturizing then the other body butters nor was it any help to my rashes or irritated skin. Didn't like the scent. Didn't like the price. Didn't like the moisturizer it provided (which is bare minimum by itself)

Hemp Moisture High Balm
$15/cad (not sure since it is not for sale anymore?)
Repurchase: No
This item is kinda like vaseline petroleum jelly except not as bad. Sadly I did not like this product, its very greasy - does not absorb into the skin easily. I thought it would help and dry flakey areas but it didn't do much. Preferably i would use an actual body oil for the dry patches since it would be more effective then this product. Another weird thing is that, I didn't touch the product for a few weeks and then when i went to try it again it developed a weird .. skin like film on top. Equivalent to if you left pudding out, you'd have to break through the skin to actually get to the pudding.

Hemp Hand Protector
$20/cad for regular size, $10/small
Repurchase: Most Likely Not
One of the Body Shops Best sellers! Its actually a pretty good hand moisturizer, doesn't take too long to soak in. But the smell puts me off, its different for body products since I usually can't smell whats on my arm. But i do smell my hands often (leaning my face against them, rubbing my nose etc) and the smell of this hemp line just isn't worth it. There are other good hand moisturizers for a lesser value that smell better.

Overall I've tried enough of the Hemp products in that line, to know I will not like any of the others....
None of the products really worked for me even if they did, the smell of the products would turn me off from using it.

http://www.thebodyshop.ca/en/shop-by-line/hemp.aspx#/hemp.aspx

Benefit - Pore Minimizer

Back with a review on Benefit's Porefessional. Says to minimize apperances of pores. 

So you may have noticed, i got this in a kit from benefit, small sample but lasted me a long time!
I really enjoyed this primer. Made my skin super smooth before make up application, it did minimize my pores a bit but not overly.
It did make my make up last longer and well as controlled my oil while being lightweight.
Honestly its a great primer. Only downer is that it's a bit pricey $36/.75 oz BUT one good thing about benefit, is that they also have great gift sets for a great value!
A lot of value sets they offer, have either full size or sample size (which can last a while (2 months for me!)) with other products of theirs to try out!
If you want to try it out, I suggest getting a value set!
I would definitely repurchase!