Please note, the following post is a sponsored post on behalf of Pretty in my Pocket. All opinions are my own.

I’m always down for trying new skincare. Although I do have a set routine of products that I know and love, I’ll never turndown trying something new as you never know when you’ll find something that will make your complexion even better.

I was sent a bunch of products from Paula’s Choice to try out as since I’m a Beauty Expert and Power Primper on Pretty in my Pocket.  I have heard of the brand before but just in passing; I didn’t really know much about it.  Paula’s Choice is luxury skincare on a budget. The company is committed to customer advocacy, education, and helping people find the best products for their skin.  In fact, everyone can receive a free personal skincare consultation by calling 800.431.4088. They also offer a 100 per cent money-back guarantee (within 60 days), no animal testing, and no irritating dyes or fragrances.  The vast product line includes something for everyone, whether they have acne, rosacea, aging, pores, etc., they treat it all.

My experience with Paula’s Choice started with my own skincare consultation, which was held over the phone.  I was asked about current issues I have with my skin and then she custom tailored a skincare regime special for me.  As a result, I received the Resist Perfectly Balanced Cleanser ($18 USD), the Exfoliating 8% AHA Gel ($26 USD), the Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum ($34 USD), and the SUN 365 Self-Tanning Concentrate ($18 USD, currently on sale for $12.60).

The Resist Perfectly Balanced Cleanser is an advanced anti-aging foaming cleanser that is specially formulated to effectively remove excess oil and makeup without disturbing the skin’s barrier.  It contains skin-repairing ingredients, such as ceramics and hyaluronic acid, which cushion skin’s intercellular matrix, leaving skin smooth, soft and younger-looking. This is great for anyone with normal to oily-combination and blemish-prone skin (aka me), and who desires an effective oil-reducing cleanser that promotes younger-looking skin.

I use this product with my Clarisonic at night to really get a good deep cleaning.  In the morning I just use my hands and then rinse with water.  I really love how it foams up, so I feel like I’m getting a really good clean.

After I cleanse I tone and apply an eye cream, after I use the Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant is perfect for summer, as it’s a sheer, weightless texture that works to exfoliate the skin’s surface and fade signs of sun damage.  The ultra-light formula corrects uneven skin tone for a brighter, smoother, more radiant complexion. Substantiated research shows that AHAs improve collagen production for firmer skin and increase skin’s moisture-binding ability. 8% AHA Gel works to sustain the results of professional peels and wears beautifully under a moisturizer or serum. This product is great for all skin types, but especially those with normal to dry, sun-damaged skin.

To finish up my skincare regime, I apply the Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, which utilizes an innovative blend of ingredients that research has proven aging skin needs to look younger and feel its healthy best. Stabilized Vitamin C plus potent antioxidants in a silky base join ingredients that repair damaged cells and rebuild skin’s protective barrier so it functions optimally. This state-of-the-art serum efficiently addresses multiple issues that cause skin to look wrinkled while reducing inflammation and the visible effects of sun damage. I apply about a dime-sized amount of product after the gel exfoliant before applying my makeup.

The product I was most excited to try was the SUN 365 Self-Tanning Concentrate, which gives the perfect summer tan without the sun damage. The product packs a high percentage of DHA—a well-researched tanning ingredient—into an odour-free, water-light formula. A few pumps are all it takes to give skin a natural-looking, long-lasting tan without exposing it to the sun’s damaging rays. The great thing about this is that you can make any moisturizer into a self tanner.  All you do is cleanse, exfoliate, and then apply a few drops of the product into your regular moisturizer and apply.  First you start with clean, dry skin, then dispense your moisturizer into the palm of your hand and then add two to three pumps of the SUN 365. Apply it evenly and smoothly, one area at a time, and then wash hands thoroughly to avoid tanned palms and cuticles.  Wait 10 to 15 minutes for skin to completely dry before getting dressed.  Colour should develop in one to three hours and may continue to deepen for a few hours after that.  Full results are visible in 24 to 48 hours.  You can add the sunless tan concentrate to your own face or body moisturizer.

I applied this product with my Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Lotion, and no gonna lie, I was very skeptical on how well this would work.  For the most part, I used two pumps moisturizer and four pumps of the SUN 365 and then rubbed by hands together to blend the products.  I applied this at night and then woke up with a pretty nice tan.  The only thing about this is that if you have a nicely scented moisturizer, the concentrate will completely mask the scent with the typical self-tan smell. With that aside, I was very impressed with how well this turned out. I definitely recommend it.

Overall, I have only had positive experiences with Paula’s Choice, and I plan on trying out more products from the brand as well. All the products I received can be bought for $90.60, which is pretty affordable considering how much good skincare retails for nowadays. Also, if you are considering trying out Paula’s Choice, as a Power Primper I am offering a 20 per cent off + free shipping promo code: PRIMP20 to my readers.  The code expires on June 30 at midnight EST.  Also, don’t forget to download the PRIMP app for more promo codes and connect with other beauty lovers!

Have you tried Paula’s Choice? What were your thoughts?

Please note, this is a sponsored post, but I really did enjoy the products.

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Just when I thought I found my favourite CoverGirl mascara, they release a new one.

Step aside LashBlast Clump Crusher, The Super Sizer has taken your spot.

I was browsing the aisles of Shoppers Drug Mart about a month back and basically stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the new display with Katy Perry.  Umm CoverGirl released a new mascara and this is the first I’ve heard of it?  So naturally I emailed my peeps at #BeautyUnited right away so I could get my hands (ahem, lashes…) right on it.  And guys, it’s amazing.

The Super Sizer is apparently part of the LashBlast family, although you wouldn’t think that just based on the packaging. In fact, prior to even writing this post, I thought it was a stand-alone product as it doesn’t look like the other mascaras in the LashBlast family and I completely missed the word “LashBlast” on the package.  Putting that aside, this is my new favourite drugstore mascara, and it’s right up there with my all-time faves, Too Faced Better Than Sex and YSL Faux Cils Shocking.

It’s all in the brush. The Super Sizer features a long, thin brush that’s spikier, making your lashes appear longer and more voluminous.  You’re supposed to turn the brush as you’re combing through your lashes, thus really coating them with product and making your lashes appear longer. The brush is also quite flexible and I found it simpler than I thought I would to manually turn the brush as you coat your lashes. In fact, my favourite method of applying this is wiggling and turning so really get every single lash.

This mascara can ten to be a bit gloopy on the lashes, so I would remove some extra mascara before applying it, but overall this one’s a keeper and I highly recommend you run out right now and pick one up.  Cause’ I mean really, isn’t bigger always better? 😉

Have you tried CoverGirl’s new The Super Sizer mascara?

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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There’s only about a handful of foundations where I can think back to the first time I used them and thought “wow”.  Lise Watier’s new Teint Lumiere is one of them.

Launched in April 2015, this “second-skin” effect, oil-free, SPF 15 foundation provides light, but buildable coverage. Infused with Diamond Lumiere Complex, it blends into the skin to even out skin tone and bring radiance to the complexion, while protecting skin from the sun. The complex has revolutionary light-reflective pigments that render the optical properties of the diamond and compensate the lack of photoluminescence of the complexion. Available in eight different shades, this foundation retails for C$39.

Now what really sets this guy apart is the applicator.  Teint Lumiere features a dropper that calculates the right amount of product, which is supposed to be enough to cover your whole face. I like using a pump and a half, because I like more of a coverage.  I apply the foundation with the Lise Watier Perfecting Foundation Brush, which was also available starting April 2015 for C$35, that features a kabuki shape with tightly packed, flat hair, allowing an easy application and a perfectly airbrushed, even finish.

This was my first foray into Lise Watier foundations, and like I said at the beginning, I love this foundation.  It’s definitely not as full coverage as NARS Sheer Glow, but it’s buildable, so you can get that more flawless look.  It does leave you with a dewy finish, which I like taming down with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light, which really makes your face look flawless (seriously, my sugarist asked me for there products I was using on my face, and then ran out to Shoppers Drug Mart for a sample). The coverage also lasts all day on my face, with my makeup still looking pretty good by the end of the day.

NARS Sheer Glow is still my absolute fave when it comes to foundation at the moment, but this one is pretty up there.  It’s also quite light on the skin, so it’s not noticeable once you put it on. I also highly recommend applying it with the brush as it’s the perfect size to really buff the product into all the crevices of your face.

Have you tried Lise Watier’s Teint Lumiere foundation? What were your thoughts?

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