So since basically the start of the year, I’ve only really worn the same nail polishes. In December, I received the first three months of the #ColorCurators collection for Formula X at Sephora. January was Aimee Song of Song of Style, February was Patrick Starr (my favourite collab), and March was Emily Schuman from Cupcakes and Cashmere. All of the colours were absolutely amazing and it was always so hard choosing which polish I wanted to paint my nails with. Aside from swatching a few collections here and there, I’ve only stuck with these nine colours since I am obsessed with them (trust me, this is rare since I have such a big nail polish collection).
Since I only received the first three months, I couldn’t wait to find out who was down the pipe for the rest of the year. Last week I received the April and May collections, and although I can’t tell you who May will be yet (get ready, it’s an exciting one!), April is Ballet Beautiful.
For those not in the know (myself included up until last week), Ballet Beautiful is headed by professional ballerina and fitness trainer Mary Helen Bowers. Her three shades definitely are more on the soft side and heavily influenced by the ballet culture.
My favourite collection from the three, Lilac Fairy is a soft romantic lilac in a crème finish. Satin Slippers is a pearlescent ballerina pink that leans more on the peach side. And finally, Ballet Barre is a deep grey metallic.
Overall, compared to the previous collections, this one falls flat for me. I do think that the three shades are symbolic of what Ballet Beautiful is, and I think that Mary Helen Bowers really did a great job on choosing colours that are representative of who she is and what she does, which is the point of the whole collection. These shades are just not for me (granted I’ve never been a fan of metallics in general).
With that aside, I really like how Formula X threw a curveball with this collection, since the first three were extremely popular bloggers and YouTubers. So naturally that’s where I thought this collection was going. May is also a little different in terms of what you feel like the term “influencer” might be, and I can’t wait until that collection is officially announced since the colours are so bomb.
Will you be picking up any colours from the #ColorCurators Formula X Ballet Beautiful collection?
Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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With spring break officially starting next week, I think we can all agree that we would love to be at a beach somewhere. Even if you’re not going somewhere hot for the week you can always fake it with some must-have products.
I’ll actually be going to Mexico in mid-April and I’ll for sure be applying some self tanner before I leave. Since I don’t actually tan that well and I don’t want to hit the tanning bed, self tanner is the easiest way to get a bronze glow. I’ve tried my hand at a variety of different tanners out there and although you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on a good tanner, my two faves are on the pricier side. I’ve talked about the St. Tropez tanner in the past, but this season it’s all about the Vita Liberata.
Although they have a whole line of products, I really like the pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse, which is an easy-to-apply long-lasting self tan mousse. You apply this product like you would any other mousse tanner, usually with a glove (sold separately) that buffs and applies the product nice and evenly on your skin.
The fast-absorbing mousse formula gives you an instant natural glow that develops to a darker tan over the course of a few hours. I usually apply this product at night after a shower and before bed so I can let the tan develop while I sleep. Since it’s fast drying and doesn’t transfer, if you need a glow ASAP you can apply it during the day, however, I do recommend wearing loose-fiiting clothing. It’s also billed as odourless, however, I do find that it has a smell to it. It’s not as harsh as other self tanners out there, but you may notice a scent.
So for C$65 (yes, you read that correctly), what makes it so special? Well, the pHenO2 technology encourages a tan that lasts up to four times longer than regular tans with a patch-free, perfect fade. Certified organic botanicals and moisture locking technology give 72-hour hydration. This particular product is supposed to last two to three weeks, however, I find it lasts around a week on me (granted I work out a lot and take lots of showers). Also, you may find a lot of product washes away after the first shower; it’s supposed to do this, you need to wash off the colour guard to get that bronze glow.
I totally prefer mousse formulas over their cream counterparts since it typically absorbs into the skin much faster and you don’t get that clammy feeling. Unfortunately, the glove is sold separately, but if you don’t want to purchase it (they are often overpriced for what they are), I have applied this product with medical or latex gloves and it works fine. It’s not as fast as an application and it’s not as smooth when you apply it, but it works, that’s all that matters.
I do find the Vita Liberata tanner to be quite comparable to the St. Tropez (which retails for a little lower at C$52 at Sephora, so it’s all up to personal preference. If you are looking for the best glow, I would definitely choose between those two brands though.
Have you tried the Vita Liberata self tanner?
Please note, I was sent this product for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.
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I have a confession to make. I put my hair through a lot of stress.
Between dying it (going from brunette to blonde is no easy feat), plus all the heat it’s exposed to on a weekly basis and the fact that I’m always tying it up to work out, my hair probably hates me a lot right now. Which is why it’s super important to take good care of your locks and invest in a quality shampoo and conditioner that will restore your hair back to life and keep it looking fresh for years to come.
I have my favourite salon brands, but when it comes to drugstore, I only really choose from a few different lines. One of them is Pantene. Now there’s the regular Pantene line, which you can usually find for a few dollars at the drugstore, but there’s also the Pantene Expert line, which is a little pricier (around the $10 mark with sleeker packaging). The Pantene Expert line is their more-advanced collection, created with top experts to address some of the most demanding hair concerns. There’s multiple concerns that are targeted within the line, including hydration, colour care, smoothness, and repair.
Since I’m part of the P&G Beauty #BeautyUnited crew, we were tasked to try out one of the Pantene Expert lines and give our thoughts about the line. Since I recently dyed my hair, I opted for the Intense Repair shampoo and conditioner, which is said to instantly rejuvenate damaged hair. The shampoo provides an ultra-silky lather that gently cleanses hair for intense repair, as well as a strengthening conditioner that helps repair damage due to breakage and split ends.
I gave these guys a shot since I love trying out new shampoos and conditioners, and the first thing I noticed in the shower was how much this shampoo really lathered in my hair. You don’t need a ton of it to really deep clean every strand. As for the conditioner, I wish it gave you more of that detangling feeling that I often get with the regular Pantene line, however, my hair was easy to brush out once it was rinsed and towel dried.
For the most part I let my hair air dry to prevent further heat damage to it, then curled it. I also put in some styling products, none of which were Pantene (they were all salon brands actually). With that being said, your shampoo and conditioner are the foundation for your hair; if they suck, the styling products won’t be able to help you.
I did notice how nice my hair looked once it was dried and styled. In fact, I didn’t even need a shine serum since it was so shiny and healthy-looking on its own.
These retails for C$9.99 a pop at your local drugstore (prices vary), and I do recommend taking a look into this line. I am a fan of the normal Pantene line as well, however, I like how Pantene came out with a more luxurious range of products that are still affordable, but just heighten the hair-cleansing experience. With summer coming up, having a good haircare routine is a must, and I would definitely look into these products if you want great haircare on a budget.
Have you tried anything from the Pantene Expert line yet?
Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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