New year, new skincare routine.
Maybe your new year’s resolution was to lose weight, cut off toxic people, drink more water, or even take care of your skin. I can’t really talk about the other resolutions too much, but if you want to up your skincare routine, then I can definitely help out in that department.
The skincare world right now is a great time to get into since there are so many amazing products, with brands releasing new and innovative items pretty much every single month. When it comes to the beauty world, I feel like skincare is definitely top of mind for most people, with people investing more money and knowledge into what they put on their skin. Truthfully, you can have all the best makeup in the world, but if your skin isn’t healthy, then it’s not going to do too much for you when you cover it all up.
So this brings me to today’s post. All the items I’m going to talk about I received at the end of last year, but they are (I believe) all relatively new products. Since I get so many skincare products every month, I’ve decided to just compile a round up of my picks for the month, so without further ado, here are my top choices for January.
Frank Body Cinna-buns Scrub and Glow Mask
If you haven’t heard of Frank Bod yet, don’t worry cause I didn’t hear about it until my New York trip in September.
Frank Body hails from Australia and is a line that started off as a coffee scrub. Their products are non-toxic, contain natural and naturally-derived ingredients, and all their products smell so amazing. You can find them at Ulta here in the States, or you can order their products online as well. What started off as just scrubs, soon expanded to a full line of body and skincare products.
If you are new to Frank Body, then you definitely need to try out one of their scrubs and a skincare item. My top choices are the Cinna-Buns Scrub and Glow Mask.
The Cinna-Buns Scrub (C$18.95) is their limited-edition scrub that smells like cinnamon buns and is a delight to apply in the shower. The scrub has all the same benefits of their coffee scrubs (that is 100 per cent natural and vegan, and targets breakouts, scars and marks), but also has antibacterial ingredients thrown in to combat body breakouts.
Ingredients in this scrub include coffee (to boost circulation and get rid of dry skin, marks and scars), cinnamon (to heal, hydrate, and nourish skin), honey (to fight acne and leave skin feeling moisturized and soft), and ginger powder (to product against free radical damage and premature aging).
Use this scrub once or twice a week in the shower. Just apply it on wet skin in a circular motion, wait a few minutes, and then rinse off.
For the face, take a look at their Glow Mask (C$21.95). This hydrating mask is great to throw on when you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, since the brand only recommends five minutes for it to work.
The mask, which includes ingredients like coffee seed oil (to reduce puffiness and simulate blood flow and collagen production), shea and cocoa butters (to hydrate skin), goji berry extract (for its antioxidant powers to leave your skin looking radiant), and cranberry and raspberry seed oils (to make skin bright and bouncy), is a great pick me up, whether you’re just waking up, destressing, getting ready for a night out, or as a Sunday night reset.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Daily Energizing Moisturizer for Men
If you want to up your man’s skincare game as well (or if you are a male reading this blog), then take a look at Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Daily Energizing Moisturizer for Men (C$37).
This moisturizer is targeted for all skin tones and is targeted to wake up fatigued and dull skin. It contains ingredients such as chestnut extract and soy, as well as Vitamin C and E to revitalize skin for a healthy appearance.
This moisturizer is great since it absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. It’s also specifically formulated for men’s skin, so all they have to do it apply it, forget about it, and go about their day.
Kiehl’s Multi-Action Cream SPF 30
If anti-aging is your main skincare concern then take a look at Kiehl’s Multi-Action Cream SPF 30 (C$91).
The cream, which is suitable for all skin tones, is targeted to lift, smooth, sculpt, moisturize, and retexture skin. It also contains SPF 30 in it, making it ideal for everyday wear since it helps to protect skin from early signs of aging caused by exposure to sunlight.
The formula contains jasmonic acid, hyaluronic acid, and beech tree extract and is designed to give you healthier, younger-looking skin.
Kerastase Nutritive 8H Night Serum
Okay so this next one isn’t a skincare item, but you should be practicing a good haircare routine as well.
From high-end haircare brand Kerastase comes the Nutritive 8H Night Serum (C$65). This serum, which is designed to be applied to hair at night, helps to boost dry hair. You can apply this to your hair either wet or dry and no rinse out is needed afterwards.
Apply this to your locks before bed to help reverse the daytime loss of nutrients to your hair. The formula is enriched with iris root extract and a blend of five vitamins to help restore hair’s balanced nutrition levels. While you sleep, the formula will penetrate the hair for 100 per cent absorption and then when you wake up, your hair will look and feel healthier.
This product is ideal for all hair textures. I really like this stuff, and although I don’t usually like to wash my hair right before bed, I will apply it, blow dry it, then bun my hair before sleeping so I wake up with volume at the roots. I have felt that this leaves my hair looking more nourished and healthy, and although it’s quite pricey, if you wash your hair at night regularly, I would recommend picking it up and giving it a try. I also want to note that it does have a pleasant, relaxing smell, which helps to whisk you off to sleep.
Biotherm Life Plankton Elixir Fundamental Skin Regenerating Serum
Biotherm is known for their Life Plankton line and new to the collection is the Life Plankton Elixir Fundamental Skin Regenerating Serum (C$94/50ml).
This serum helps to defend, soothes, and regenerate the skin, promoting the cell renewal process. No matter what your specific skin concern is, it will help to combat it.
Formulated with their life plankton essence, this stuff contains 35 nutrients, proteins, vitamins, amino acids, glucids, lipids, and trace elements to help revive the skin’s vital functions that are essential to its health. This particular product is infused with their Life Plankton ingredient at its highest concentrate meaning that it will help to visibly improve skin, leaving it smoother, more even, and reduce the signs of aging. Apply this as a step 1 serum in your skincare routine.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Leave-On Solution Pore-Refining Toner
Finally, if you are looking for a toner and suffer from large pores, then you need to check out IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Leave-On Solution Pore-Refining Toner (C$45).
I feel like when it comes to skincare routines, toners can often get leaved out, but I find them to be a necessary step that if you don’t have one already in your collection, I recommend picking one up.
This particular toner is part of their infamous Bye Bye Pores line and is a daily toner that helps to mattify and smooth out the skin, while minimizing the look of pores. The formula contains kaolin clay to help absorb excess oil, silk to smooth, soften and condition skin, and coconut water to hydrate and revitalize skin.
Apply this toner via cotton round or pad to skin after your cleanser to help combat dullness, uneven texture, and oiliness. I found that my skin felt tight after using it (which is common with toners) and smooth-looking. I love IT Cosmetics products in general, so I highly recommend this one.
When it comes to skincare products, there are literally a million different ones to try. It can be kind of tough trying to decide what will work best for your skin since there are so many options, so make sure you do your research first. Let me know if you decide to give any of these a go, and if so, how they have helped your skin.
What skincare items are you dying to try out this year?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Even though I have seriously hundreds of lipsticks, I love trying out new lines and formulas, especially if they are on the pricier side.
I haven’t delved too deeply into Armani Beauty, but the products I have been fortunate to try have left a lasting impression on me. The brand is very expensive, but with price typically comes great quality, and from what I’ve tried so far, this brand is of the utmost quality.
So this brings me to today’s post, chatting about their Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Colour lip products (C$49). These liquid lipsticks, available in 22 shades, are a hydrating velvet liquid lipstick that gives you intense colour in a comfortable wear. These glide on the lips and give you pigmented colour in one swipe, plus hydrate your lips for eight hours.
The applicator on these is a doe-foot applicator, which can be used first to line the lips and then used to colour them in.
I received two shades from the brand to try out, Desert (a dusty rose) and Acajou (rich burgundy) and love the finish that these give your lips. You guys know I love a good matte liquid lipstick, but since those are typically very drying, these were a nice change of pace to my usual lip wardrobe.
I will say that these do a great job of making the lips look full, but since they are a velvet texture, there will be some transfer. Not a ton though, considering that these don’t fully dry down on the lips, but it’s nothing that I would be really concerned about.
Overall, even though these are pricey, they aren’t the most expensive lip products I have in my collection, and think that if you are looking for a luxurious new lipstick, then I would look into these. I wouldn’t say that the formula is anything different from what I’ve seen from a more affordable brand, but these are a real treat if you wanted to pick up a shade or two.
Have you tried Armani Beauty’s Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Colour?
Please note, products supplied by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Happy New Year!
I can’t believe it’s already the first day of 2020. So many things have happened in the last decade and the last 20 years (heck, I can still remember 1999 and Y2K!). Even though it feels like I’ve been doing this my whole life, I actually started this blog back in 2011 and have been posting three times a week since then for nine years. Nine whole years, over 1,300 posts, and thousands of makeup products later.
Although my makeup collection has grown considerably since I’ve started doing this (and that of my friends and family since I can’t possibly keep every single product that comes my way), i’ve had the great fortune to try a lot of products. I try not to take this whole blogging thing for granted, since although I have a full-time job to support myself, it’s this blog that truly ignites a passion in me and has given me so many opportunities over the past decade.
Although I’ve tried so many different beauty products over the last decade, there have been a few that has stood out to me, even now as we are heading into 2020. Today’s post is going to act like a throw back, both in terms of items I’ve loved and images of a much younger – and less glamorous – me. I’m not going to go over every category of makeup products, but I’m going to do a few which have really stood out to me.
Favourite foundations
I have collected so many foundations over the years and still have a lot of them actually sitting in my makeup dresser. Although I have enjoyed most of them, there are a few that really stand out to me in being quite stellar.
On the higher end of things, NARS Sheer Glow (C$63) definitely makes the list of top foundations I have ever tried. This is the only foundation that I have actually restocked on after becoming a blogger (I say this because as you guys know, I get a lot of products sent to me, therefore I don’t really need to buy anything).
This foundation gives you gorgeous glowing skin and is a medium coverage, but can easily be built up to full.
If you are looking for a true full-coverage foundation, then Marc Jacobs Beauty re(Marc)able (C$70) is the way to go. Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Full-Cover Foundation Concentrate is a lightweight foundation concentrate that promises to deliver 24 hours of full-coverage wear. The oil-free formula contains twice as much pigment as other leading full-coverage foundation and it’s infused with innovative ingredients that completely cover your complexion.
On the drugstore side of things, I think CoverGirl’s TruBlend Matte Made (C$11.97) is a great choice to pick up. This foundation came out last year and I was actually invited to the Canadian launch party in Toronto for it, so it has a special place in my heart. Nostalgia aside, the matte full-coverage foundation offers up an impressive 40 shades, making it possible to find your perfect match, no matter the skin tone. It has a full-coverage matte finish that will last on your skin all day without any transfer.
I also really love Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless (C$8.96), which is a medium-to-full coverage foundation that blurs pores and controls shine, leaving your skin looking flawless and matte. This one is also available in 40 shades, making it easy to find the perfect one to fit your skin tone.
Favourite mascaras
When it comes to mascaras, they either work for you or they don’t. Another thing I’ve learned with mascaras is that just because it’s a C$40 mascara doesn’t mean that it will be any better than a C$10 one.
When it comes to the higher-end of things, I have to say that Too Faced Better Than Sex (C$32) is my all-time faves, period. I talk about this mascara a lot and compare most new mascaras I get to this one. This mascara also seemed to start of trend of the hourglass wand, and I can’t tell you how many dupes of this I’ve tried, with all but one not even coming close to this one.
The hourglass wand on this mascara combined with the formula really help to make lashes stand out. I’ve tried so many different mascaras over the years that have tried to emulate this wand, but there is just something about this one, that makes your lashes so breathtaking.
Some other notable faves in the more luxury column include Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume mascara (C$34), Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2, and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! (C$30).
When it comes to drugstore, my hands-down fave has to be L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara, which just so happens to be the drugstore dupe of Too Faced Better Than Sex. This mascara features an hourglass-shaped soft wavy bristle brush for volume and lash length. The brush is packed with over 200 bristles which allows you to hold the maximum amount of formula and catch every lash for a bright look. Application is a breeze and it promises volume in one coat.
Other notable favourites are pretty much every CoverGirl mascara, with my favourite probably being the Super Sizer Fibers, Total Tease, and really the majority of their LashBlast mascaras.
Favourite lipsticks
When it comes to lipsticks, I probably have over 500 of them. If you count my entire blogging career, then definitely over 1,000.
I’m actually quite picky when it comes to lipsticks and although I have gotten to try every single formula and every single shade, I tend to stick to my tried and true favourites, a nude matte liquid lipstick. This formula stays on your lips all day, doesn’t budge, and the nude shade I find to be the most flattering with my skin tone.
So the brand that has stood out to me the most? I would actually have to say Kylie Cosmetics are probably one of the best matte liquid lipsticks out there. I would love to say that the brand has sent me PR, but until that day happens, I’ve actually purchased all these myself, and considering how many lipsticks I get sent often, that truly means a lot.
If you are looking for something more accessible (although if you are in the states, you can find Kylie Cosmetics at Ulta), then the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink lipsticks (C$9.96) are also a great choice. These matte liquid lipsticks are available in a ton of different shades and give you intense matte colour in a single stroke.
The brush on these is a pointed doe foot applicator, which means that no liner is needed. The brush tip is easily used to line the lips then use the flat part to fill them in. You get pigmented colour in one go and dries down quite quickly. i will note though that for the most part you don’t feel the product on the lips, however, there will be a slight tackiness in the inner lip area a few hours after you apply them. The best part is, these REALLY stay on your lips. I have never tried anything even remotely close to these in terms of longevity.
Other notable faves
Favourite makeup sponge: Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge
Favourite powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder and Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking and Setting Powder
Favourite eyeliner: Fenty Beauty Flyliner and Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
Favourite eyeshadow palette: Morphe x Jaclyn Hill palette
Favourite bronzer: Stila All Day Bronzer for Face and Bronzer
Favourite highlighter: Fenty Beauty Freestyle Highlighter and Becca Champagne Pop
Favourite setting spray: Too Faced Festival Retouch Spray
Favourite lip gloss: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer
Favourite lip liner: Kylie Cosmetics Lip Liner and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
When it comes to other beauty items like blush, truthfully, I’m not that picky with those items. Most blushes seem to work for me, although I do prefer a powder blush over a cream one. As for skincare and hair, those are also tough since everyone has different skin tones and hair texture/colour, so what might work for me, might not work for you. Some of my favourite skincare lines though are Clinique, Drunk Elephant, Fresh, Tula, Skinceuticals, and Estee Lauder.
I hope you enjoyed this round up post and I would love to know what your favourite beauty items were from the past decade. With a new roaring ’20s ahead of us, I’m really excited to see what the beauty world has in store for us going forward and all the innovative products that are on the horizon to try.
What were some of your favourite items from the past decade?
Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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