Can we have a moment for Tarte’s new mermaid-inspired collection…
Okay, so when it comes to beauty brands, I always get so excited for what Tarte and Too Faced come out with, since they tend to release such fun, totally out-of-the-box collections.
Last year it was unicorns, this year it’s all about mermaids (okay, and unicorns too, they don’t seem to be going anywhere soon). This huge collection contains an eyeshadow palette, brushes, serums, repackaged favourites like their Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara, and so much more.
Since I love any festival-inspired collection, I was so excited to get my hands on a few items and channel my inner Ariel. First up is my favourite item from the collection, the brushes. The Minutes to Mermaid Brush Set (C$54) contains five brushes, complete with mermaid tail handles and plush hot pink bristles. The brushes include a large powder brush, a cheek brush, a highlighter stippling brush, a domed eyeshadow brush, and a pencil brush. I am obsessed with the handles on these as they are teal to purple ombre and are just so luxe to look at (plus there’s little mermaid tails on the end!!).
I couldn’t wait to try these and have to say that the selection of brushes they included is awesome, at first I was a little sceptical about the choice in the brushes, especially the highlighter stippling brush, but after using it, I’m loving how it is applying my liquid highlighters. The only thing this is missing is a good crease brush, but all in all, if there is one thing you need to pick up from the collection, it’s these.
Along the same lines as the brushes, they also have the limited-edition Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler & Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. This duo, which retails for C$25, has the same mermaid-inspired packaging as the brushes (you obviously need this to complete the set), as well as a travel size of their fabulous Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. I really like this set, especially at that price, but I will note that I’m used to having holes in the handle of my eyelash curlers, so the fact that this one doesn’t have it makes it a little tricky to hold (especially on my left eye as I’m right handed). Aside from that, the eyelash curler really lets you get to the base of the lashes and leaves them nice and curled.
Speaking of the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara (C$30), they have released their cult-worthy mascara in a stunning green glitter packaging. I love this mascara already, so I was super pumped to see it’s under the sea makeover (although this one is not waterproof, might I add). If you’ve never tried this mascara before, now is the time to pick it up, since the casing is so beautiful and really sparkles.
If you want to give your lashes a major boost (and some mermaid flair), then pick up the Mermaid lashes (C$18), which are synthetic lashes layered with multicoloured fringe for a mystical look. These are cute, but definitely not for everyday use since there is colour in them. Save them for a fun vacation with the girls or a festival, if you’re hitting one up.
Lastly for the eyes, the piece de resistance of the collection, the Be a Mermaid & Make Waves eyeshadow palette is a seashell-shaped iridescent palette that opens up to 14 matte and metallic shadows. This palette is incredibly summer appropriate since it contains lots of golds, pinks, and blues. Although this does have some beautiful shadows in it (especially those metallics and glitters), I do have to say that I wish there was more selection in here. For example, there’s no matte browns for a crease, and there’s no true brow highlight (although Nude Beach is stunning as an inner-corner highlight). This palette is perfect for lid colours, but if you are looking for a well-rounded palette, then I would look at other options (their Tartelette in Bloom palette is amazing).
For some flawless mermaid skin, take a look at their Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic H2O Serum (C$55), which is a water-light hydration serum that deliver moisture to parched skin. Apply this before your moisturizer for a blast of hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and marine plant extract that will help plump skin for a dewy look.
If you’re looking for a little shimmer, then take a look at the Mer-Mist Shimmer Spray (C$29), which is a shimmer spray that adds a little bit of glimmer to the skin. This is not a setting spray, but instead is perfect for the chest, arms, legs, as well as hair (I wouldn’t necessarily spray it on your face as it does you some shine). I was really impressed with how this made my skin look and will definitely be packing it for some hot vacations I have coming up. Best of all, it has a yummy light coconut scent to transport you directly to the beach.
Finally, for those mermaid waves, you’ll definitely want to pick up their Mermaid Waves Salt Spray (C$27), which is a hair-texturizing spray that is loaded with sea salt for easy, mermaid waves. Get that “I just got back from the beach” look by spraying this in damp hair and then braiding it (for all you straight-haired gals, like me), or just let those curls air dry if you have them already. Pair this with the Mer-Mist Shimmer Spray for the ultimate mermaid look.
If you need more mermaid goodness, then Tarte also has gems, primers, glitters, and more to get you fully into and under the sea vibe. If you can’t tell already, I’m completely obsessed with this collection. Everything is just so cutely packaged, and as always, the quality is top notch. If you want to pick up a few items, and not break the bank, then definitely the brushes, the eyelash curler set, and the limited-edition repackaged mascara are must haves!
Are you planning on picking up any items from Tarte’s mermaid collection?
Products provided by PR, all opinions are my own.
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So anyone else have major Coachella FOMO?
I’ve been to EDC Las Vegas, but Coachella has been on my bucket list for the past few years. Every time this part of the year rolls around I always say “okay, next year for sure” and then it never happens (to be fair I was actually in LA this time last year, and it sucks they don’t do one-day passes!). My friends and I have been chatting about it, and maybe next year will be my time to go (*fingers crossed*).
Anyways Coachella is typically the kickoff to festival season and in case you haven’t noticed, all the brands are rolling out their festival-inspired collections. First it was Too Faced, then Tarte (their Mermaid collection is coming up soon on the blog), but if you want to rock the festival trend easily and at home, then L’Oreal Paris has you covered.
Okay, so I’ve chatted about their Colorista line of temporary hair colour, and they actually sent me the one-day sprays last year. I’ve had these sitting on my “desk” (aka dining room table) for the past six months as it wasn’t really an appropriate time to bust these out… until now. I absolutely adore the Colorista temp hair dye, but since I work in an office, it would be nice to rock the pink hair on weekends only. Well, now I can!
Available in 10 on-trend fun shades, the L’Oreal Paris Colorista One-Day Spray is a temporary hair colour that washes out with one shampoo. Unlike the original Colorista, this is a spray that allows for a quick and easy application that instantly transforms your hair colour. The formula contains a white micro-powder to deliver a visibly pigmented colour, so if you’re a brunette that wants to be a rose gold, you can totally do it with these. The colour dries quickly, meaning that even if you’re short on time, you can totally rock the unicorn hair trend in an instant.
I haven’t tried every colour in the line, however, I did find that the ones that I did try worked well. The only complaint I have is that it tends to stain the clothes you wear underneath, so definitely wear something you don’t care about (I still have purple on my robe that is refusing to wash out), and it also gets on your hands, so wear gloves (as you can see in the photo below, I obviously did not follow my own advice). Once you spray the colour on, you’re supposed to leave it for a minute before brushing your hair. When I tried the hot pink, pastel pink and silver on my hair below, it did end up getting pink on my brush as well.
As for wearability, the colour is very bold, however, your hair doesn’t feel as soft as the regular version of Colorista. You can definitely feel that this is a spray product as my hair felt very starchy. Also, in terms of washing it out, I had to apply shampoo twice and even then I still had some pink left over in my hair (which looked more rose gold). I would say this comes out in two-to-three washes, not one, especially if you have blonde hair.
Like I said, I love the original Colorista, however, sporting teal hair for the amount of time it takes to wash out (about a month since I don’t wash my hair that often) isn’t the most professional look. With these sprays you can be a wild child on the weekend and an office queen for the weekdays, and no one will know the wiser.
Have you tried the L’Oreal Colorista Spray One-Day Colours?
Please note, I received this product from PR. All opinions are my own.
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We all have them. And if you don’t, then you’re incredibly lucky.
I’m talking about stretch marks and cellulite. Although I do have my fair share of stretch marks on my arms and hips, they don’t bother me that much since they are as a result of losing so much weight (I used to weigh 170 pounds at my heaviest, which for my 5’2 frame, was a lot), so although they are stretch marks, they are because of a good thing. My cellulite on the other hand is really annoying.
As much as shorts are necessary in the summertime, sometimes I just hate wearing them since all my cellulite is there for the whole world to see. I work out everyday, drink lots of water, eat healthy most days, but still the cellulite will not go away. So when I received Lierac Paris’ Phytolastil Solution Stretch Mark Correction serum and Body Slim Triple Action Body Firming Concentrate, I was super excited to put these to the test.
I’ve used stretch mark serums and cellulite creams before and nothing has worked, and scientifically speaking, you can’t really get rid of stretch marks, you can just make them appear dimmer. In the case of Phytolastil, which is a treatment that you apply morning and night, this helps to prevent stretch marks from developing (for example, through pregnancy). Lierac says that the treatment helps to effectively remove and diminish the appearance of stretch marks on breasts, abs, hips and thighs thanks to its high-performance retexturing botanical extracts. The formula reactivates the synthesis of collagen and increases skin’s elasticity.
I have been using this treatment morning and night since I got it and although the brand recommends eight weeks of usage, unfortunately the serum in the bottle doesn’t actually last that long. I think I got maybe three weeks out of a bottle. I had been using it on both my biceps, as well as hips. I didn’t notice a difference in my hips at all, but did notice that the stretch marks on my biceps looked fainter. I had mixed feelings about this product, which retails for C$60, however there isn’t enough in the bottle to actually use it as directed for eight weeks, especially since you apply it morning and night. The stretch marks on my hips are a little darker in colour than the ones on my biceps, so I want to say that this will work better with lighter-coloured stretch marks. With that being said, those stretch marks are still there, so it didn’t remove them completely, it just made them appear a little fainter.
As for the Body Slim Triple Action Body Firming Concentrate, this cream-gel contains a unique complex to help break down fat, firm, and intensely smooth the skin. Lierac has identified the nerve growth factor, a cell messenger that is able to stimulate cell metabolism in all skin layers by encouraging the breakdown of fat, collagen production, and cell renewal.
You apply this to your trouble areas twice a day morning and night and it’s supposed to help reduce the look of visible signs of cellulite, as well as smooth, hydrate, and beautify skin. Lierac says that after 14 days, dimpled skin is supposed to look up to 31 per cent smoother, skin feels firmer, and there should be a skin reduction.
I’ve been using this the same amount of time as the stretch mark treatment and I have to say that I have not noticed a difference. I have been religiously using this on my thighs (inner and outer), as well as bum, and my cellulite has not diminished. You can definitely feel the product on your skin as there is a slight tingling sensation thanks to the energizing orange active cream-gel texture, which feels nice, but has not done much for my thighs. I also want to note that although the brand says that it has a non-sticky texture, meaning that you can dress afterwards, you may want to skip out on wearing something tight as I did find it hard to pull on tight pants, and it leaves a white residue on your clothing if it comes in touch with your skin.
The Body Slim Triple Action Body Firming Concentrate also retails for $60 and I’m at the end of my bottle right now. Although I was happy to try it out (I’ll do anything to get rid of cellulite), I wasn’t that pleased with the results. It did leave my skin feeling soft though, so there’s a plus there.
I had my reservations prior to trying both products, and although I love Lierac as a brand, I have to say that these just did not perform the way I hoped they would. The Phytolastil stretch mark corrector did surprise me a little bit since it did diminish the marks on my biceps, but if you are worried about getting stretch marks, then definitely give this a try since I think it will help prevent stretch marks before they happen.
Have you tried any anti-cellulite or stretch mark products before? What did you think?
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