New Annabelle Mascara Collection: Beauty for Everyone

I’ve been test-driving the new mascaras from Annabelle Cosmetics; latest launch and I seriously love both of their formulas. The formula for all the mascaras is pretty similar.  It’s a flake-free, smudge proof formula that beats most of the others that I’ve tried. Even the Pat McGrath mascara wasn’t this good and it was 4 times the price.

There’s a few of us around here who are prone to having mascara smudge throughout the day – in fact, I think the only reason my mascara didn’t smudge when I was younger is because I wasn’t wearing enough sunscreen. Now with a few layers on, there are definitely oils that seem to migrate down and make makeup move around.

This Annabelle Cosmetics Skylimit mascara does not move, it’s not tubing, and I like the thin brush because it makes the mascara easier to apply.

I think it looks pretty good, and it lasted the whole entire day on me. Also, just $9.95 at our drugstores. I’ve paid a lot more for mascaras that do a lot less.

TextI’m pretty picky with my mascara because I find they all smudge so easily but these are winners.

I have to say that the curved brush wasn’t for me because I found I ended up with more mascara on my eyelid and I had to be so careful.

Have you tried these? What did you think?

*gifted.

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K18 Review

TextK18. Nothing has been this hyped since Olaplex, so in 2 years, this is the latest and greatest on the haircare scene.

It’s available at Sephora and the first drop sold out within days. After they refurbished their stock, I bought mine, but by then I had already heard from countless people that it had made a difference on their hair.

To be clear, the science is there. This works to temporary repair the broken bonds in your hair. There are three kinds of bonds in your hair, and you damage them through heat styling, hair dying, and daily management. All of that can make your hair look and feel unhealthy. That’s why sometimes the top of our hair often feels healthier than the bottoms. The top just hasn’t been subjected to as much. Because of this, if you have short hair, or don’t subject your hair to much, or if you just wear your hair in a bun, you might not even need k18! My hair is long, highlighted, and I like to straighten it, so something that repairs those bonds is ideal for me.

Actually, Olaplex also claims to do something similar and that’s why hairstylists love it so much. K18 helps with that damage and after using it 5 times, you’re on a maintenance schedule.

You start with one pump… it seems like too little but it spreads easily… (the last picture is 1 pump of k18) I use about 4-6 pumps in total for my hair, but my hair eats product so it’s not surprising that I used so much.

I’ve used this 5 times already… I think it’s ok. I’m sorry, I know people want to hear that it’s a holy grail, it’s not. It does make my hair feel softer, maybe a bit smoother, but for my hair type, I like a product with keratin in it, so if I’m layering that on top anyway, I’m not sure this is worth the coin.

Can this prevent further damage? Maybe? But also limiting heat styling and not washing and blow-drying your hair so often will go further and that’s free.

What do you think? Share your experiences so that others can decide if it’s for them.

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New Vichy LiftActive Serum

When was the last time you found a product that was truly offering you something you didn’t already have?

TextAt the end of every week when I clean up my bathroom counter, I put away 3 or 4 bottles of serums or treatments and I often wish there was one that had everything, roses and contained to work just right.

Well this Vichy serum does it. 5% Niacinamide, exfoliating glycolic acid, and antioxidant vitamin C. There’s also Tranexamic acid which is a newer “it ingredient”. I have a more expensive Tranexamic acid serum but it doesn’t have all these other ingredients too, so I’d rather use this.

It’s a watery formula and a one-and-done kind of situation and supposed to reduce hyperpigmentation. It’s too soon to tell whether it works, but at least the ingredients have successes behind them. Once it has absorbed, I use 2 pumps of the sunscreen as a first layer. I mean, I’ve also upped my retinol so I’m being careful and protecting my skin barrier, but so far so good.

I know a few people have tried this or are using it – what do you think so far?

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Empties: Aveeno, KeratinWorks, Differin,

TextThings I finished! Didn’t go through much this week, and I definitely forgot to do a mask even though I’m trying to use them all up. I started Tret and I’m done my last tube of Differin.

They’re both retinoids but work differently, and the Tretinoin is immediately stronger. Both are prescription only in Canada. Finished my bottle of KeratinWorks BB cream and I have a backup. I LOVE this because it makes my hair so smooth and shiny but doesn’t weigh it down. 10/10 for me.

Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy body wash. Adore this stuff too. It was very gentle. Made it another week if this panini. Hope everyone else is doing ok too!

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Byredo Gypsy Water

Time for a scent I like but I’m not going to buy: Byredo Gypsy Water.

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A sandalwood, vanilla, amber cloud. A friend of mine hugged me, told me I smelled amazing, and was surprised when I pulled out this little sample that I’ve been holding on to for over a year. I love it’s staying power and sillage but I hate the name. Gypsy Water? Meaning what, exactly? The word “gypsy” is a racial slur used by people who are not Romani. Byredo remains curiously uncaring really, so this is not full bottle worthy.

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Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

Non-prescription retinols do have something going for them: the formulas are often cocktails which pair the retinoids with other skin-benefitting ingredients like peptides and antioxidants. If you use your basic prescription retinol you’d have to add these on top via a moisturizer.

TextThis Murad retinol night cream has three gentle types or retinol plus Niacinamide in the formula, so if that’s something you’d normally want in your skincare routine, now you don’t have to add it separately. At $107, does this potentially do the work of 2 skincare products? Maybe. I like that it has both ingredients but obviously, if you’re not a fan of Niacinamide, then this ain’t for you. Personally, I found that I had way fewer breakouts when I added Niacinamide into my routine so it’s staying in. It also seems to keep my skin more matte. No review for the eye serum and eye cream in this image. I have them but I’m terrible at using eye cream. I use my skincare all over my face and then I’m done.

Available online.

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Empties: Aveeno, Bliss, Cerave

Things I finished that I LOVED. And peep that Bliss Niacinamide toner than a few people have asked me about.

TextCerave Cream to Foam Cleanser. Loved it. It’s more gentle than the regular foaming cleanser but still does a nice clean.

Aveeno Calm and Restore Nourishing Cleanser. This one is so underrated. It’s so gentle and slippery, and I love using it every night to take my makeup off. It’s great for a morning cleanse too.

Bliss Skincare Niacinamide Pore Vanishing Toner. Love the huge size of this and I used it every night and every morning. Once it absorbs into your skin, it really leaves your skin nice and matte and so so soft. Worth picking up from Shoppers Drug Mart which is where it’s available in Canada.

Have you tried any of these? Tell me what you think!

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Balmyard Beauty Siren Luster Hair Oil

Why yes, I do want my hair smelling of tropical florals in the middle of winter. I’ve been using this hair oil all week, and I love it.

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The scent is faint and warm, slightly sweet and it’s like wearing a golden halo of light. I used it just on the ends of my hair and not more than a few drops.

Wearing Bulgari Jasmine Noir on the body.

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Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips Lipstick – the Most Underrated Lipstick Ever

Love this lipstick. It’s the Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips. More of a lipgloss than a lipstick, it’s the perfect colour and formula. Completely non-sticky and very moisturizing. I read a review on Sephora that said that this is the most underrated lipgloss and nobody seems to be talking about it and I couldn’t agree more.

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Antipodes Vitamin C Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum

I’m done my bottle of Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C serum, so I think it’s time to review it.

TextI like vitamin C serums to be light and quickly absorbed into my skin so that I can move on to the next part of my skincare routine. This serum does deliver in having a water-like texture thanks to the hyaluronic acid-containing base. Hyaluronic acid is in so many skincare products (serums, moisturizers, etc.) that I often feel that it’s a waste to have a serum that’s just that. I like that this Antipodes serum will give me both vitamin C and the HA so that I can add a dose of moisture-loving ingredients before sealing them in with a moisturizer. It also has some bakuchiol in it. During the day, I top this with sunscreen and I’m finding that it’s the best to have a nice and short routine. What kind of vitamin C is in here? Well, it’s actually kakadu plum extract, which is supposed to be antioxidant-rich. This seems to be a hot ingredient in Australia and New Zealand, and you’re going to be seeing it more and more.

I did show this serum on reels a little while ago – it’s golden in colour which is nice but it gets covered up anyway. Yes, I love the little dose of glow – it makes my skin look light-reflective and healthy. But I would like this serum without it too.

Antipodes is a brand from New Zealand, and is also vegan!

 

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