The perfect accessories to any makeup look? Having fab brows and thick lashes.
I have microbladed brows and used to have eyelash extensions (I had an allergic reaction to them so I’m too scared to get them again). My everyday makeup routine typically consists of foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, highlighter, and a mascara. If I’m just going to work, then I throw on my favourite mascara and call it day, however, if I’m doing my makeup for a night out or a photo for the ‘gram, then I always pop on a pair of falsies.
Same goes with brows. Since my brows are microbladed, I don’t typically fill them in unless I’m heading out for something special. Although you technically don’t need to fill in micro bladed brows, I find doing so really helps you have a more bold brow and the micro blading helps you tell where you should be filling them.
Since the holidays means amazing value sets, if you are in the market for some new lashes or brow products, then keep reading…
We all know that Benefit Cosmetics is pretty much the authority on the eyebrow, so it makes total sense that they came out with a brow set that will knock your socks off.
The Brow Superstars set (currently on sale for C$66 at Sephora, regular C$79 with a C$192 value!) is housed in a top hat which opens up to six of Benefit’s eyebrow bestsellers. The best part is that they are all full-size products!
Included in the set is the Goof Proof Brow Pencil, Precisely, My Brow, 24-Hour Brow Setter, Gimme Brow+, Ka-Brow!, and 3D Browtones. You basically have every product (and then some) to get killer brows this holiday season.
This collection is unfortunately only available by shade. There are I think four shades to choose from, so if you were thinking of picking this set up and then breaking it up and gifting each item, you would have to give it to people that have the same brow colour or would suit the tones in the collection.
I got Colour 4, which is a pretty dark shade that suits my dark brown brows. Although I definitely don’t need all these brow products (I mean a single brow pencil tends to do the trick), I do find that it’s handy having them all kicking around. For example, I love using the Goof Proof Brow Pencil to fill in my brows then using the 24-Hour Brow Setter to set them (it’s an invisible setting and shaping gel). For months where I’m in New York, I brought along the Precisely, My Brow pencil, which is an ultra-fine brow-defining pencil and the 3D Browtones, which is a coloured brow setting gel to have on-hand here.
So as you can see, I definitely found a way to use all these products.
I think this set is amazing value and even if you’re interested in picking it up for yourself, hop on it quick since it’s on sale and a lot of retailers are already sold out of certain shades.
As for lashes, you really can’t ever have enough false lashes in your collection.
There are false lashes for pretty much every good and occasion and one brand that ups the ante on the lash game is Velour.
It’s been years since I’ve tried Velour lashes but have followed their journey from a Canadian e-commerce company to being available in Sephora stores. In case you aren’t familiar with Velour, they are a premium false lash line. Their lashes are made from 100 per cent ethically sourced mink hair and have a natural shine and are super lightweight and flexible to wear. Since the lashes are hand-made, with proper care you can wear them up to 25 times.
For the holidays, they have released some special edition sets, including the Naughty and Nice Kit (on sale for $20 USD right now!, regular $39). This kit comes with two sets of lashes, a mini lash applicator, and a mini latex-free white lash adhesive.
The lashes in the kit are perfect for whatever mood or event you may be going to. Mini Me is a more natural, daytime-appropriate lash, whereas Fluff’n Edgy is great for a night out and more dramatic looks.
I think this set is perfect to gift and you get really great value with this, since in addition to the lashes, you also get an applicator and their glue. I swatched the lashes down below so you can see what they look like. Truthfully, Fluff’n Edgy (I called it Naughty down below) looks super dramatic in the packaging, but when applied, it’s a really pretty lash that isn’t too dramatic.
You can’t go wrong with either of these gifts since brows and lashes really help to create the most perfect makeup look. Both of these sets will be huge hits with whoever you gift them to and definitely make sure you check out the Benefit and Velour sites for more sets to choose from.
Are lashes or brow products on your wish list?
Please note, product provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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One brand I haven’t tried much of… Quo Cosmetics.
In case you aren’t familiar with Quo, it’s the in-house brand at Shoppers Drug Mart. The line has pretty much everything you’ll need to do a fabulous makeup look and if you’re looking for some great sets to gift, then I highly recommend checking them out.
From palettes to accessories to brushes, Quo has a ton of great gift ideas up their pocket this season. Although I haven’t tried much from them, the first brush set I ever received was actually from Quo and it was a gift from my dad for Hanukkah. Their brushes are very good quality and I actually still have all of the ones I got so many years ago (and they’re still in a fab condition).
If you’re looking for something affordable and great quality, then keep reading…
Ooh La La Eye Palette
An eyeshadow palette is always a great gift idea since who has ever said “I have too many eyeshadow palettes.” No one, that’s who.
The Ooh La La Palette (on sale for C$19.99, regular C$25) opens up to 12 shadows in different formulations. There’s mattes, shimmers, and glitters in here, making it perfect for the holiday season.
I really like the choice of shades that the brand chose to include in this palette. In terms of size, it would be comparable to the UD Naked Palettes.
I think these colours are all very wearable and I love the glitters in here. I will note though that i didn’t really find this palette to be the most pigmented. Some shades applied better than others, but for only $20, you can’t go wrong and it’s a gorgeous palette to open up.
Glam on the Go Brush Set
Like I said, if there is one item that Quo does really well, it’s their brushes.
Although they have a few different sets to choose from this season, I’m really digging their Glam on the Go brush set (on sale for C$19.99, regular C$25 and valued at C$50). This set contains six travel-sized brushes and a canister pouch to carry them all in.
Quo brushes are 100 per cent synthetic and cruelty free. This particular set features pink glitter handles, which are totally holiday and girly-appropriate. Included in the set is a powder brush, a foundation brush, a fluffy crease brush, an all-over shadow brush, a smudge brush, and a pointed line brush… pretty much all the brushes you need for the perfect eye look.
This set is sold out online, however, check your local store to see if they still have it. At only C$20 it’s a steal of a deal!
Highlight & Glow Palette
Another great palette to pick up is their limited-edition holiday version of the Highlight & Glow Palette (on sale for C$19.99, regular C$25).
This palette opens up to reveal six highlighters in different shades with a star embossed on each. When I first saw it I got major Jeffree Starr vibes from it. Although some colours are more wearable than others, you can also use some of the darker ones on your eyes to add some extra va va voom to your holiday shadow look.
Holiday Ready Makeup Kit
For a larger gift, take a look at the Quo Holiday Ready Makeup Kit (on sale for C$31.99, regular C$40).
This festive tin opens up to four items; a highlighter, a cream blush, an eyeshadow palette, and an eyeshadow brush. Although it’s not enough items to do a full makeup look, I do quite enjoy the assortment of products they chose to include in this set.
I think this set would be perfect for a teenager or those just getting into makeup since it gives some great base products to create a variety of different looks.
Cosmetics Crackers
I love picking up these cracker sets since they are great gifts to split up for friends and coworkers.
Quo actually has their Cosmetic Crackers (on sale for C$10.99, regular C$15) in both gold and rose gold. These come with six crackers that open up to reveal different holiday gloss shades. Throw them in a stocking or a gift bag and see some joy spread on your receivers’ face when they open them.
Matte Lip Crayon Set
For the lip lover, gift the Matte Lip Crayon Set (on sale for C$14.99, regular C$20).
This set contains eight matte lip crayons in a variety of shades from light to dark. This is another set where you can split it up or just gift it as is since it really does contain a great shade range, making it perfect for someone who is looking to build up their lipstick collection.
These glide on the lips and pack them with colour. Since the crayons are about the size of a normal lipstick, it makes them perfect for travel as well.
Blend & Glow Blending Sponge Set
Why spend C$25 on one blending sponge when you can have five?
I’m actually quite picky with blending sponges as I find a lot of them to be too dense for my liking. With that being said, I was actually pleasantly surprised when I tried out the Quo version as it was soft and bouncy, perfect for blending out face products.
This set (on sale for C$18.49, regular C$25) contains five sponges in different sizes. Like a lot of these kits, you can gift this as-is or split it up (I actually ended up keeping two for myself and then gifting the rest to various friends).
In case you haven’t used these before, make sure you dampen the sponge first and then use it in a patting motion to apply cream products to your face.
Face Stick Trio
Speaking of cream face products, for those who love a little cream creek product, then take a look at the Face Stick Trio (on sale for C$19.99, regular C$25).
This set contains a cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter. I’m typically not into cream face products since I like to powder my face first anyways (you typically don’t put a cream over a powder), however, I do love using these for hot vacations or trips. I think this set would be great for someone who doesn’t wear a lot of makeup since this allows them to throw on these products with a tinted moisturizer or BB cream, allowing for an easy effortless look.
Beauty on the Go set
Saved the best for last!
The Beauty of the Go set (on sale for C$16.99, regular C$20) is a little beauty emergency kit filled with all the products you need in case you’re out and about and have a beauty emergency.
This gold sequin pouch is small enough to throw in your bag this season and comes with a ton of little accessories in case anything goes wrong while you’re out at a holiday party. Open the pouch to find a mirror, emery board, nail clippers, mini tweezers, blotting papers, hair elastics, foam-tip applicators, bobby pins, tape, and a mini blending sponge.
I love this little thing and seriously, it would make a good gift for just about any girl on your list. Plus, the sequin gold pouch is the cutest!
Quo also has a ton more products available right now in their holiday collection, and best of all, they are all currently on sale, so now is the time to grab them! Also, if you are unable to make it to a Shoppers Drug Mart, it looks like they are offering free shipping on Quo products, so really you have no excuse.
Are you gifting any items from Quo this season?
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Skincare… always a great gift idea.
As mentioned in my skincare holiday round up last week, when it comes to the perfect time to pick up new skincare items, or stock up on favourites, the holidays are the best time of the year to do this.
Pretty much every brand has come out with limited-edition holiday sets that give you an assortment of products to try at a really affordable price. Typically there are a few different sets to choose from within a certain brand and it might be tough to narrow down which set might be best for you and your skin tone.
If you are a fan of Ole Henriksen then you’re in luck, there are tons of sets to gift and receive this season and each one is customized to different skincare concerns. If you love Ole Henriksen, or just want to try it out for the first time, here are my top picks on what to pick up this season.
OMG (Oh My Glow) Brightening Set
If your skin is looking a little dull, then look no further than Ole Henriksen’s OMG Brightening Set (C$64, valued at C$123).
This set, which is perfect for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, helps to turn back the clock on dullness and uneven texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and dryness. Included in the set is a 15ml of the Banana Bright Face Primer, a 7ml of the Banana Bright Eye Creme, a 15ml of the C-Rush Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer, and a 30ml of the Truth Serum.
The ingredients in all these products help to target visible signs of aging (vitamin C), help improve skin’s elasticity (collagen), and illuminate the skin (banana powder-inspired pigments).
The value for this set is incredible since you get a full-size of the Truth Serum plus deluxe samples of the other products for only C$64 (which is the same price as the 30ml Truth Serum!). Their Banana Bright Eye Cream and Face Primer are both instant cult-classics, so I recommend picking this up if you were curious about any of these products.
ASAP (As Smooth As Possible) Age-Fighting Set
If having more youthful-looking skin is more your jam, then take a look at their ASAP (As Smooth As Possible) Age-Fighting Set ($56 USD, valued at $80).
This three-piece set includes items that are targeted for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, and are designed to fight dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness and uneven texture.
Included in the set is a 50ml of the Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Creme, a 65 ml of the Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner, and a 7ml of the Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum. These products contain high-potency AHAs to even out skin tone and texture and help reduce the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles; Bakuchiol, which is a plant-based retinol alternative that helps even out skin tone, smooth texture, and target fine lines and wrinkles; as well as Edelweiss Stem Cell to promote firmness and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
I love the items that the brand chose to include in this set. You get a mini of the Dark Spot toner, which is amazing, as well as a full-size of the Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Creme, and a mini of the Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum.
LOL (Lots of Luminosity) set
If you’re looking to gift something a little more affordable, then take a look at the LOL (Lots of Luminosity) Set (C$20).
This set is considerably smaller than the other two and is designed for those who travel, or are just interested in trying out some Ole Henriksen products. Included in the little pouch is a 15ml of the C-Rush Brightening Gel Crème, as well as 10 of the Truth on the Glow Cleansing Cloths.
This set is perfect for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, and is targeted for dullness and uneven texture, dryness, and fine lines and wrinkles. The included ingredients in the products help to target visible signs of aging (vitamin C), hydrates and softens skin (jojoba seed oil), and is rich in antioxidants to nourish and condition skin (rose of winter extract).
Although you don’t get a ton of product in this particular set, I think it would be a great stocking stuffer since who doesn’t need makeup-removing wipes and a travel moisturizer? I do prefer the other sets over this one, but at only C$20, you can’t go wrong with that price!
Ole Henriksen has a few other sets to choose from for the holidays and at these prices, I highly recommend picking one or two up (even if it’s for yourself!). I also want to note that Ole Henriksen is a clean vegan beauty brand, so you really can’t go wrong with any of their products.
Are you asking for any Ole Henriksen skincare this season?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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