New Favourite Products

I haven’t done a favourites video in years, but I thought it was time to bring it back.

https://youtu.be/6XRcmw_B9to

I definitely won’t make one of these every month, but maybe a few times a year?

Here are the things that I’m reaching for.

Trinny London Balm Cleanser

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50

The A Method Tranexamic Acid Serum

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, Beautiful Skin Foundation (I’m shade 7 warm),

Boscia Vitamin C with Caviar Lime

Boscia 0.6% Pro-Retinol @moogooskincare.ca products. (https://amzn.to/3xMx8ms)

Bare Minerals Pressed Translucent Setting Powder (from @shoppersdrugmart)

I hope you enjoyed this video! Let me know if you have tried any of these and what you think!

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Physican’s Formula Diamond Melt-allic Liquid Eyeshadow

Dragonfly eyeshadow today… I was tempted to take it all the way up to the eyebrows just for the ‘gram but I had a brunch to go afterwards and I didn’t want to look like an influencer.

Physician’s Formula Diamond Melt-allic liquid eyeshadow actually goes on pretty subtle and is totally wearable. This is your basic liquid eyeshadow and it dries to a long-wear finish. I like it for dressing up and going out.

What do you think, would you wear it? I’m wearing the purple duo-chrome shade on my eyelids and I love it. Purple just makes brown eyes pop a little bit more.

And yes, I almost got blinded taking those selfies in full sunlight but the eyeshadow just wasn’t showing up otherwise.

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New Products from Aveeno, Mineral Fusion, and Boscia Eye Masks

TextA few things that I’ve been trying out. First of all, this Aveeno collection of skincare.

Smooth and light from beginning to end. I’m such a sucker for a gel cream because of that smooth texture. I’m using this in the morning under my sunscreen. The cleanser is non-foaming and very gentle. Not great for removing makeup but if you don’t wear makeup then this is a good one.

Boscia under eye masks. There microcrystal mask pricks your skin and dissolves in it delivering skincare benefits along the way. Yes, it really works but you have to leave it on for 2 hours. That’s a long time, but overnight is even better. I can’t leave them on overnight, but I’ll throw them on while I’m watching Netflix.

Mineral Fusion Nail Polishes. I like them but the brush is super annoying. The formula is definitely long-wearing and I noticed that I had very little chipping even when I wore the black colour. Of course, I always use a primer and a top coat. The light pink shade Is called Sweet Dreams and it’s the most perfect pink ever.

Have you tried any of these?

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Empties: Bumble and Bumble, Murad, Strivectin, Ameliorate, Nars

TextThere’s rain coming today 🌧

I will always love rain.

Ok, things I finished. The best foot cream. I am definitely going to get this again. I got it from LookFantastic.ca. If you shop there, tell me what you get so I can get free shipping.

A couple of things from Bumble and Bumble and I know people asked me about them. The Post-Workout spray is amazing and I use it after working out. You spray on sweaty hair and kind of just let it set. You could blow-dry or heat style after if you needdd to.

The Blonde Shampoo is ok. It makes my hair so shiny and I think it would be great for blonde hair because it would get any build-up out and just make highlights brighter.

Murad Intense Recovery Cream. This is the second jar I’ve gone through and it is so nice. It melts into an oil in your hands.

Favourite sunscreen from Strivectin. Vitamin C and Sunscreen in a jar. Love it.

Nars lipgloss… I’ve gone through at least 1 a month, which lets me make room for new lipgloss or balm. This one was nice and not sticky.

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Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk and Pillow Talk Intense Lipsticks

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk and Pillow Talk Medium lipsticks.

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So many brown women have told me that the regular Pillow Talk washes them out, but it’s actually pretty close to my natural lip colour so I like it. The Medium shade is more mature-looking on me. I might wear it if I want to feel dressed up but otherwise… no.

The finish is satiny, verging on matte. They both go on very creamy and are easy to apply. There’s no taste which is another plus. These are definitely staying in my makeup stash for now.

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Valentino Donna Born in Roma Review

This is one of my most-saved Instagram posts, so I guess this review really piqued people’s interests, and they’re probably going to go to the counters to smell it now.

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I got gifted this bottle of Valentino Born in Roma, and I’ve been delaying wearing it. I’ve sprayed it on paper, and kind of thought about it here and there, but I just couldn’t bring myself to wear it. I tried it on a sweater, and then had to change my clothes because I couldn’t stand this. I sprayed on a scent strip again, and it gave me a head-ache so I had to throw it in the garbage, and I still couldn’t get rid of the scent. I really wanted to give it a fair chance this weekend, but Born in Roma is just so syrupy sweet, with that generic sweet base note that all perfumes seem to have these days.

Apparently, the notes include black pepper, blackcurrant, and jasmine but I couldn’t make out much other than the syrupy sweet vanilla. Maybe this would appeal to someone younger, or someone who is anosmic or not as sensitive to those base notes, but I can’t wear it and I don’t think I’d like to smell it on anyone else either.

We will see… maybe I’ll put it on my desk next week and see if anyone tries it on or asks for a decant.

Anyway, what do I know. An SA told me that this is a best-seller.

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Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Colorado Review

This is for your friends (he/she/they) who have half a dozen tattoos and those cute micro-piercings filled with little twinkling gemstones. They don’t shop at those big box stores but that’s ok, because the corner store stocks all the best-sellers from Costco anyway. They play guitar, or at least a ukulele, and once a month pile into a friend’s car for a trip to the mountains. Colorado by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz is for them.

I don’t have tattoos or a ukulele, but when I wear Colorado, I’m eating lunch with those kids.

This smells exactly like a trip to the mountains in the spring sunshine. Bright citrus in the opening, immortelle, pine needles, dried bark, crisp dried sap. You’re on a hike as the snow melts and you can smell possibility in the air.

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Most Complimented: Le Labo Santal 33

TextOne of my most compliment scents, so not one that I can really hate, but compliments never compel me to get anything.

No need to describe Santal 33 since everyone has heard of it or smelled it. I’ve gone through more than 1 sample of it but never felt a need to buy it. This is such a ubiquitous, heavily-copied scent that even if I don’t have it, I find myself smelling it here and there.

Do you own this? Have you smelled it?

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Favourite Skincare Balms

TextThree balms that I’m using right now. I just have them available all over the house and I love them.

Murad Intense Recovery Cream which is a moisturizer more than a balm. I use this at night.

ChanV Hemp Ointment smells like lavender and tea tree so I like it on my cuticles and hands more than anything else.

Ren Skincare Overnight Recovery Balm which is a little oily but my skin absorbs it so nicely. It’s labeled for sensitive skin but truly sensitive skins should beware that it is scented.

I use these at night especially if my skin is peeling or dry. They seem to be gone in the morning.

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Gucci A Winter Melody

TextMy sister got me a present – Gucci’s A Winter Melody is one of them. It’s a super-pretty, very light mist of a fragrance. No sillage or projection, hardly any staying power, but it’s charming with a blend of bergamot, cypress (almost camphorous, very green) and rose. I apply it on repeat and enjoy for as long as it’s there… and then I apply more.

Available at Holt Renfrew in Canada for $275.

This is part of Gucci’s The Alchemist’s Garden collection – have you tried anything from the line? Do you have a favourite?

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