Fake Nails: Kiss Gel Fantasy Press On Nails

Guess what?  Not a fan of fake nails or long nails.  I guess it’s because I type on the computer a lot, or because I’ve just never liked the look of fake nails.  They kind of make you seem frivolous?  And … yeah, I’m writing that on a beauty blog, so I recognize the irony there, but that’s ok.

But then I saw these Gel Fantasy nails by Kiss, and they were just the perfect shape for my hands, and I heard that the Gel Fantasy nails are actually thinner than the regular Kiss nails, so I thought I would try them, because I do have quite thin nails.

So check out my nails.  I think they looked pretty great, and I wore them to a dinner party and got tons of compliments!

But, they did not last. I ended up doing tons of dishes that day, and at the party, and by the end of the day, I had lost a couple of nails which was not a cute look.  I did apply the nails with the glue that came with it, and I think that water ended up getting under the nails again and again and again and cause the glue to loosen and the nails came off. I think the glue that comes with the nails is pretty much like crazy glue which is meant to come off with hot water, and lots of doing dishes = nails coming off.

I did like that they gave me 24 nails and there were lots of size options for my nails.  In some cases, i could use more than one size for my nails, because the options were that close together in size.  I also had the option of doing a feature nail (the gold glitter one that you see) or just keeping them all the same colour.  I was impressed with the sizes and the options so I think that there are options for everyone.  Even though there were 24 nails in the package, there weren’t enough to do my nails twice.

Would I use these again?  For sure.  But only for special occasions, and I wouldn’t expect them to last more than a day. Think of them for the holidays.

Check them out at the drugstore.

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Super Mario Bros. x shu uemura Art of Hair Collection

Anyone who grew up with Super Nintendo wayback when will love the whimsical packaging for Shu Uemura’s holiday collection. It features Super Mario and characters from the game as a throwback to the times when I just used whatever shampoo my mom bought for me.

The Super Mario Bros. x shu uemura Art of Hair collection is limited edition for the holidays and the packaging is good, but what’s inside the bottles is even better.

The collection includes:

shu uemura x Super Mario Bros. cleansing oil shampoo, 400ml, $56.00
shu uemura x Super Mario Bros. cleansing oil conditioner, 250ml, $56.00
shu uemura x Super Mario Bros. essence absolue oil, 150ml, $69.00
shu uemura x Super Mario Bros. master wax, 75gr, $42.00

I’ve been bouncing around from shampoo to shampoo for the last little bit, trying to find something that’s not too heavy for my fine hair but still not too drying, and I have to say that the Cleansing Oil Shampoo is it. This is a gorgeous formula and I wish I had tried it earlier. Formulated with no silicones, but castor oil and glycerin, this shampoo foams but also leaves your hair super shiny and smooth. I used the Cleansing Oil Conditioner aftewards, and that made my hair super smooth and easy to comb through but still washes clean and leaves hair feeling light.

Finally, the Essence Absolue Oil is so good that I’ve added it to my limited counter space, because I’m going to continue using it until it’s done. It’s formulated with camellia oil (and silicone) to smooth your hair, but it’s super light, so it adds tons of shine and moisture, but doesn’t weigh hair down.

All in all, this is a collection to gift to someone who loves their hair care products, but probably hasn’t tried this line because they fly a little under the radar.

Pick it up onlineor in salons.

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Dior Skinflash: My Favourite Highlighter

Ok so meet the least hyped highlighter ever.  This is not brand new, but I’ve had it for a long time and have bought many refills of it but because it’s not so hyped or talked about, I haven’t really mentioned it either.

It’s Dior’s Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen which comes in just one colour which is a peachy glow.  Check out the packaging: sleek and slim, this fits into most makeup bags, and I house it in my cup with brushes on my vanity so that it’s easy to reach for.

Check out my swatch.

Yes, they call this a peachy glow, but it’s not really too peach.  It’s almost like a light golden, which makes it look like a candlelight glow on almost any skin tone.  I tap it directly from the dispenser, which is a little brush, on to my cheekbones, and then I press it in with my fingertips to blend.  I also use a bit on my chin and on my brow bone.  It has a cream-to-powder formula which makes it look nice and natural on your skin.  It’s glowy but also kind of subtle and I think that’s one of the reasons that I keep reaching for it, because I can wear it without it looking too obvious.

Pick it up at Dior counters for $48.

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Live Clean Festive Holiday Soaps Are Here

If you like all things holiday to change up the flavour of your home, then @LiveCleanCan Festive Hand Soaps are for you, and I know I look for them every year because I love how they smell and the packaging is so pretty.

The two scents this year are Vanilla Peppermint, and Holly Berry.  The Vanilla Peppermint is my favourite because it definitely reminds me of a peppermint cookie.  They are also less drying than regular soaps and feel nice on your hands.

The packaging is so pretty and when my kids see that there’s a new soap they’re so into washing their hands which is definitely a good thing.

Also!  They’re in a huge 500 mL bottle which lasts forever!

$5.99 available at Walmart, Amazon.ca and Well.ca

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Fragrant Friday: Aerin Tuberose le Jour and Tuberose Le Soir

Tuberose is what many consider to be a classic perfumery note.  It’s a white flower that some people really do associate with that “perfumy” smell and it’s absolutely beautiful.

The new Tuberose collection by Aerin also features a body cream and a body wash, and 2 tuberose fragrances, one for day (jour) and one for night (soir). 

Aerin Tuberose le Jour is bright and fresh with the tuberose note bring front and center.  It’s a brighter thanks to the citrusy notes that open with it, but the drydown stays bright and floral.  These scents really are all about the Tuberose.

Aerin Tuberose le Soir is a bit deeper than le Jour, but it still features the fresh tuberose note front and centre. Even though this scent is meant for the night time, it’s fresh enough to still work during the day.  Ylang ylang is blended with the white flours, and this has a drydown with vanilla and sandalwood.  It’s definitely a bit more sophisticated than Tuberose le Jour.  It’s like a funky older sister of the other, while le Jour smells more fresh and innocent.  Both are so pretty and floral.

Available at Aerin counters or online.  $275 for 1.7 oz/50 ml.

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Just Hit Pan on My Favourite Setting Powder from Make Up For Ever

Shoutout to @MakeUpForEverCA’s Ultra HD Microfinishing Powder which is so light and silky smooth that I use it even when I’m not wearing makeup, and so I’ve hit pan on it.  The amount of powders I’ve hit pan on are few and far in between, and the fact that I kept using this and thought that it didn’t make my skin look too powdery means that this is an amazing powder.

You can read my full review of it here – and I’ve been using it nonstop since that review and haven’t gone to anything else, but basically, the banana shade is the best for my skin tone because it brightens but doesn’t look actually yellow.

It’s also totally matte so it’s great for using on top of foundation or moisturizers that’s too dewy.

Available at Sephora for $45. 6.2g in a compact.  

Actually, recently a sales associate pointed out to me that it’s way cheaper to get loose powder because you get more.  The loose Ultra HD Microfinishing powder is $44 for 8.5g, so it seems that she’s right about this, but it’s only available in 1 colour, so it might not be for everyone.  I’ve never hit pan on a loose powder – just don’t ever like them enough to keep using them, so I’m sticking with the compacts.  I also sometimes like to pack on the powder because then you get a bit more coverage, but that’s just me.  

What do you guys think?  Let me know in the comments!

 

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Basd Body Care

Plant-based food is the new trend, and I’m slowly jumping on board, and plant-based skincare is here too with Basd Body Care.  This line of body products is completely organic and based-out of Waterloo, Ontario.

The products in the line are available in a Creme Brulee and Invigorating Mint scents.  I’ve got the Creme Brulee and wow, it smells so good.  Like freshly-baked sugar cookies.  

Here is what’s available in the collection:

Body Wash – 450ml – $15.99 –  with a hydrating and refreshing formula that contains organic aloe vera juice to moisturize and tone the skin, calming organic green tea.  This body wash is creamy and moisturizing so it’s perfect for the winter.

Body Lotion – 450ml – $24.99 – with a moisture-rich, silky-smooth and long lasting formula that contains organic virgin coconut oil and organic shea butter to soften the skin and reduce puffiness along with organic aloe vera juice and organic sunflower oil.  This body lotion is silky smooth and feels refreshing on your skin.

Coffee Body Scrub – 180g – $19.99 – with a skin improving formula that contains organic coffee grounds to reduce puffiness, sea salt for exfoliation and organic sweet almond oil and vitamin E to hydrate and leave skin glowing and feeling healthy.  I’m a huge believer in scrubbing with something that’s not damaging to the environment, and coffee grounds fit that description.  

Available at select health food stores across Canada and online at basdbodycare.ca.

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New Live Clean Aromatherapy Bath Foams

As you run about this holiday season, getting everything ready for you and yours, don’t forget to take care of yourself.  I indulge by sitting in the hot tub every Monday and Wednesday as my kids go to their swimming lessons, but as those come to an end, hopping into a warm bath may be my go-to.  

Live Clean’s Aromatherapy Foam Baths help get all the senses engaged with their three lovely scents – Tropical Coconut, Lavender Vanilla, and Fresh Water.  I seriously have a hard time picking a favourite.  Tropical coconut is fruity but still fresh, Lavendar Vanilla is calming and not too floral, and the Fresh Water version is refreshing and mildly inspiring.  

The best part has to be that these foam baths give you TONS of bubbles that last and last.  If you like to hang out in the bath for a while, then this is for you.  

Of course, all versions are hydrating and in earth-sensitive eco-friendly formulations.

Almost everyone is already a fan of Live Clean, but here’s what you may not know:

98% plant and natural based ingredients

Enriched with certified organic botanicals

SLS and silicone free

Petrolatum, paraben and phthalate free

DEA free

Phosphate free

Dye free

Vegan formulas

Never tested on animals

Hypoallergenic

Contains biodegradable ingredients

recyclable packaging,

Pick up the Aromatherapy Foam Baths at Walmart, Walmart.ca, Well.ca, Sobeys Ontario, Overwaitea.  $9.49 for 750ml bottle.

 

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Winter Exfoliator

Exfoliator isn’t just for the summer when you’re showing more skin – research actually finds that exfoliating regularly helps product absorbs into your skin, and if you want to hydrate your skin more deeply, then you need to exfoliate regularly.

For skin that’s always dry, try switching to a more creamy formula of exfoliator this time of year.  Vita Liberata’s Super Fine Skin Polish Moisturizing Exfoliator is perfect for this time of year.  It’s in a super creamy base that has different seed powders as the scrubby bits, in a base of oils and shea butter, as well as glycerine, that helps moisturize your skin as you scrub.

Use it in the shower and then follow up with a good moisturizer and a self-tanner if you want – it’ll go on smoothly and streak-free.

Available at TheShoppingChannel.com or VitaLiberataCanada.com for $28.

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Glowing Skin with Laneige

It’s winter time, and I’m layering on the retinols and acids, so my skin is dry and needs extra hydration.  Even my kids, who normally have perfect skin, are feeling the dryness.

For my face, I’m using Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask ($32) which is filled with hyaluronic acid.  This Sleeping Mask is gel-like and watery so it absorbs into your skin easily and doesn’t interfere with any of skincare you might have used before.  Although it says that it’s a sleeping mask, I actually use it in the daytime too, before my sunscreen, and I’m finding that it’s perfect because it’s not so heavy.  

As much as I rely on the retinol to brighten my skin and get rid of discoloration, I’ve found that proper hydration really adds to the overall brightness of my complexion, probably because my skin is healthier overall.  

Laniege’s Lip Mask ($24) is amazing. Pricy for a lip balm, but a jar will last you a while, and it works so well that it’s worth it. It is hands down the best lip balm I’ve ever used, and it’s the one I apply on my kids any time I can pin them down because it cures chapped lips so easily.  I also put it on a super high shelf so that they’re not dipping their dirty fingers into it – it’s that precious to me – I want them to use it but I don’t want them to waste any.  

Sephora has a Good Night Kit ($13) so that you can try both of these night time masks before you invest in the full-sized versions.  

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