Treating Cracked Winter Lips with Carmex

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Angee Johal

Carmex lip balm was introduced to me back in high school by a friend that had severely dry skin as a result of taking Accutane. She swore by Carmex to keep her lips moisturized, and I can see why.

My lips have been really chapped because of the winter-induced dryness and the only thing that’s kept them hydrated is the little red-and-yellow magic wand I keep close at all times – I’m addicted to my Carmex lip balm.

It goes on a tad tingly, but it works instantly to make my lips smooth and moisturized. I like to apply it over a lip tint, but it works just as well under a lipstick. It has a medicine-y smell (like menthol and Chapstik), but that’s worth the compromise because it works!

All in all, Carmex lip balm is a product that has staying power, both on the shelves and on my lips.

Here’s a link to get it in a stick so you don’t have to stick your hands into a jar.

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Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Henna

Neutrogena Clear FaceSunscreen for your face is the most difficult to find, am I right? I’m always looking for something that goes on matte not greasy, clear not white, light not thick, and that I can layer my foundation on top of. It’s a process, but I’m finding that there are some great options out there, and the thinner the formula, the better the product.

I’m loving Neutrogena’s Clear Face sunscreen because it seems to be formulated for me in mind. This is a very thin, sheer formula sunscreen that feels absolutely light and powdery on the skin. Makeup layers on top so easily and I can honestly say that this sunscreen is comparable to more expensive Elta and Obagi sunscreens that I’ve tried… maybe even better than those, since they’re not even on my vanity right now.

I also love that there’s the option of SPF 60 or 30… so if you burn very easily, there is an option for you.

Also, Neutrogena sunscreens are made with Helioplex technology which means that they are very photo stable and will provide adequate sun protection for as long as they say they will.

Clear Face is for those of you who normally break out after wearing sunscreen… they claim that this one won’t clog pores, but to be honest, there’s no guarantee that it won’t because everyone’s skin is so different. As I mentioned, the formula is lovely and I enjoy using it so give it a try.  It works well under a mask too.

Available online, about $20.

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Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Henna

Check out the Kiss manicure I did yesterday, just because I had some time on my hands and my nails were short.

The nails are super pretty but not a shape that I would normally go for.

I like my own nails to be more curved.  You can see that I put the curved end of the nails towards my cuticles because my cuticles are curved.  Also, the glue in the package was dried out so I used the nail stickers to put these on.

Unfortunately, the nails feel off within the house.  Possibly because my nails weren’t as clean as they could have been.  For best results, it might have been a good idea for me to rough up my nail with the nail file before I applied these on.  It’s no replacement for a professional manicure.

Have you tried press-on nails?

 

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Lise Watier Portfolio Corrector Reformulates and Relaunches

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Henna

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CD_0Z9Up5Lb/

Corrector palettes use basic colour theory to help correct colours in your skin – use orange pigment to combat dark blue shadows, use green to counteract redness, etc.  This Lise Watier Portfolio Correctors has been reformulated to be ultra smooth and blends like a dream.  I follow up with a concealer on top of them – in this case I used the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger.

I love this palette, but you can see how light it swatches on my hand, and if you’re my colour or darker, I’d go to for the Dark Portfolio.

You can find Lise Watier at Shoppers Drug Mart, or online. $36 for this palette and I think it’s fully worth the price.  It’s the price of a good concealer, and if you’re correcting your colour situation first, you’re likely to use less foundation and concealer which means a more natural look where you can actually see your skin!

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Altilis Beauty

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Henna

I want to introduce you guys to Altilis Beauty.

They use breadfruit extract as a key ingredient in all their skincare.  I’ve only used the body butter and face wash so far, but both are luxurious and nourishing on your skin. Breadfruit extract has antioxidants in it which makes it a powerful defense against free radical damage.

You can find them online.

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Byredo Gypsy Water Review

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Henna

This is the perfect fall scent.  Woody, warm, and comforting but different too.  Highly recommend Gypsy Water by Byredo.

I’ll be honest, I was ready to hate Byredo Gypsy Water because it’s one of those scents that I figured would smell too warm or too sweet on me.  The notes are: bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper, incense, orris, pine needle, amber, sandalwood, and vanilla.  Nothing that I haven’t smelled before and nothing that really reached out to me.  Amber and Vanilla together are often too much for me, so there’s that.

But maybe that’s exactly why I need to stop reading the notes all together.  Clearly, I need to smell everything and wear it and see if I like it, because the truth of the matter is that Gypsy Water smells amazing on me.

Gypsy Water is totally a mood.  It’s easy to wear, it’s not too heavy on any note, and it isn’t too strong but it lasts.  A day after I wore it, I can still smell it on my favourite sweater and I like that.  At the end of the night I can still smell it on my wrist and I like that too.  It’s warm like hugging an old friend or a summer night.  The scent of pine and sandalwood make it slightly woody that makes you think of the outdoors.  It’s friendly without crossing any boundaries and it doesn’t have any strong notes like most of the scents I pick.  Each facet kind of just blends into the next and that’s what’s good about it.

Gypsy Water is unassuming and calm, tranquil, and it’s perfect for fall or winter weather.

$226 for 1.7oz.

 

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L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Review

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Henna

So L’Oreal’s Voluminous Lash Paradise is maybe the most hyped mascara of the season.  You’ve probably seen it everywhere being compared to Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, which itself was a very hyped mascara and worth the coin.

Maybe it’s the rose gold packaging which is inspiring the comparisons and that’s probably on purpose.

The thing is, these mascaras are actually different.  They have different wands, different formulas, and overall different feels when applied.

What made the Too Faced mascara so great was that it went on super thick from the very first swipe and instantly gave you thick and voluminous lashes.

Lash Paradise doesn’t do that, but it does give some volume and length right from the get go, and lets you build as much volume as you want.  I actually like the Lash Paradise formula better than the BTS formula because it builds better, and the colour is a more pleasing carbon black rather than a blue-black.  It also lasts longer during the day and doesn’t smudge on me like the BTS formula did – and keep in mind that I’m trying this during the peak of my summer, and I haven’t had any problems with it.

I found this for a very reasonable $8.95 online.

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Kids’ Masks

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Henna

I’m on the lookout for comfortable masks that can be worn all day.  I find that once you get used to wearing them, it’s really no big deal to have them on, so I’ll continue to be on the hunt and share any good ones that I find.

I bought these constellation masks for my kids and they like them – they have other fun prints, like unicorns and rainbows, so if you’re looking for something for small faces, check them out.

I also found someone on Etsy selling these exact same masks, but I think they are buying from Amazon and then surcharging the shipping.  These are $14.99 each on Amazon.

If you’ve found a mask you really like, tell me in the comments! I think we will be wearing them for a while!

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Roger and Gallet Beauty Vinegar

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Henna

I’ve had a bit of dry skin lately, so I’ve added Roger and Gallet’s Le Soin Aura Mirabilis Beauty Vinegar to my skincare routine.  This is a moisturizing toner that I use in the morning and the night after I cleanse my skin.  You can see that it’s bi-phase.  This beauty vinegar is made up of 18 extracts, and some of them are oils, so they separate from the ones that are watery

Here’s me shaking up the bottle. You give it a shake to mix the water and the oils.

Once the two parts are emulsified, you pour on to a cotton pad and wipe all over your face.  It’s easy to do and the first time I did it, I saw a lot of makeup residue come off my neck.  I hadn’t realized that my cleansing wasn’t what I thought it was.

The Beauty Vinegar smells absolutely amazing, and it’s a scent that I can smell for up to an hour after I use this. Because it’s not stripping at all, I find that my skin is so comfortable after using this beauty vinegar.

The line launched at Sephora in 2017 but isn’t available there anymore, so you’ll have to find it on a site that ships from the UK.

You can read my original review of the whole Aura Mirabilis line here.

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Makeup Revolution Neutrals 2 Palette Review and Video

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Henna

Makeup Revolution is a British brand that’s available at Shoppers Drug Mart, and it’s quite affordable.  This palette is just $8 which is a great price for the range of colours that are in it and for the pigmentations that these have. This palette is the Neutrals 2 palette, so it’s got neutrals but they all have a rust/red element to them.  Even the browns go on a bit ruddy, as do the shimmers.

I liked that there are tons of matte shades to work with in this palette.  They show up on my skin and are very pigmented.  I also liked that the red component pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’m thinking that lots of these colours would work for a more dressed up look but there’s enough muted shades that it would work for daytime too.

My one issue with this palette is that there are no deep dark shades to anchor a makeup look.  I’d love a matte deep brown I could use in my brows or a black for a liner.  If I was traveling with this palette, I would have to carry those colours separately which seems a little silly when there are 15 shades in this palette and some of the matte browns are so similar that you could easily take one out.

I also miss a glitter colour.  I love wearing glitter on its own or as a pop on top of any of these colours, and so this is missing that too.

All that being said, if you’re playing with makeup, this is nice to have and play around with.  Watch the video to see the eye look, and I even used one of the shades as a lip color.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CCHIuvPpc5P/

 

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