If you are a fan of NYX Cosmetics Suede Matte Lip Liners and Suede Liquid Lipsticks, then you’ll absolutely love their Suede Matte Lipsticks.
Although I’m not too sure when exactly these came out, the Suede Matte Lipsticks are still relatively new to the inexpensive bold makeup line. Available in 24 colours of all shapes and sizes, this lipstick is inspired by the velvety lip pencils that have been a fan favourite for years.
The lipsticks feature a soft and lightweight colour that is powdery matte in texture and glide on the lips for serious colour impact. They come housed in the cutest casing with a heart that is similar to the colour housed within.
I received 16 of the 24 shades in the line and first off, I was super impressed with the amount of colours in this range. Twenty-four different shades is a lot, and although there are a ton of everyday tones like nudes, pinks, reds, and browns, there are also fun colours like bright purples, blues, and greys, meaning that there truly is a lipstick out there for everyone.
As for the wear and finish, these are super creamy, and although the brand says they are powdery matte in texture, once you really start breaking in the colour, I found it to have the slightest sheen to it, meaning that if you are looking for a true matte colour, I would look elsewhere. If that doesn’t bother you though, then I would definitely look into this line (plus at $10 a pop, you can’t go wrong with that price. Might as well pick up a few shades to stock up on!).
Next time you’re in the drugstore or near a NYX store, I would definitely pop in and check this line out. I don’t typically wear a lot of regular lipsticks anymore (you guys know I love a good liquid lipstick), but I do like the shade range in this line and appreciate how creamy these feel on the lips. I also love how the liners actually match the lipsticks, so if you were a fan of a particular liner in the Suede range, then there’s now a lipstick to match. Total win-win!
Have you tried NYX’s Suede Matte Lipstick or Lipliners?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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The biggest craze right now in the skincare world? Definitely retinol.
When I first saw retinol starting to pop up in my skincare products I was super intrigued by what it actually did and how to properly use it. Unlike my other products, when it comes to retinol, you actually should start incorporating it into your routine slowly and then build it up as your skin becomes more tolerable to it.
So what is it?
Retinol is a type of Vitamin A, which helps to promote skin renewal and enhances collagen production. It’s a chemical that helps to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can also help to reverse some of the side effects of sun damage. Although you can start using retinol is your 20s, it’s more for people in their 30s since that’s when your skin starts to lose collagen.
When first starting to use retinol products, you want to start adding it into your routine gradually, so once or twice a week. This is because when you add too much of it it can cause some irritation because of the overwhelming amount of Vitamin A that’s being added to your skin. As your skin becomes used to it, you can start to build up to every other day, and then every night.
Most retinol products are available as a serum or cream, and a little goes a long way. You only need a tiny amount to apply to your face (typically after your cleanser). Once you apply it, make sure to use a hydrating moisturizer since it can tend to dry out your skin, and then the next morning you should apply sunscreen to your face since retinol makes your skin more prone to sun damage.
Since retinol is so popular right now, you have probably seen various products boasting different percentages of it. As a rule of thumb, if you have sensitive skin, you should start with a low percentage, so something along the lines of 0.0X%. If you have normal or combination skin, then 0.25% would work for you. As you build up your skin’s tolerance, then you can start to up the percentage but definitely make sure to go slow when first using it and keep an eye out on how your skin looks and feels the next day after your apply it.
So what products do I recommend for getting your retinol fix? There are sooo many to choose from right now since skincare brands are seeing the benefits of adding retinol to their lines. Here are some of my top picks for including this important chemical into your routine.
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3
Perfect for first-time retinol users, Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3 (C$70) is a potent treatment that you add into your nighttime routine. It features 0.3% pure retinol and is formulated to minimize irritation and help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration, blemishes, and pores by making cellular turnover happen faster.
The brand also has a Retinol 0.5 version, but they recommend giving this one a try first if you are new to the whole retinol thing to build up your skin’s tolerance. The formula is also designed to minimize the irritation that is commonly associated with the use of retinol creams.
When I apply this, I first use my cleanser and toner, but put a small amount of this stuff all over my face (avoiding the eye area of course). After applying this, Skinceuticals recommends pairing it with their Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 (C$150), which is a thick moisturizer aimed at reversing the signs of aging. This moisturizer is formulated with a maximized concentration of lipids, 2% pure ceramics, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. The combination of the three lipids helps to restore the skin’s external barrier and support natural self repair, while also nourishing it and giving you visible smoothness, minimize large pores, and more radiance.
For the next morning, make sure to apply something with an SPF in it. I’ve loved their Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 (C$46) for years now and it’s the perfect facial sunscreen to wear on a daily basis.
Shake the container up and apply a small amount to your face to help protect it against the sun’s harmful rays. The formula contains 100% physical filters Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide and is enhanced with Artemia Salina and plankton extract to help boost the skin’s natural defence to UV rays. Although it’s great to wear alone, since it’s sheer and weightless, I actually love using it as a foundation primer.
With summer coming up, I highly recommend picking up this product, regardless of whether you are grabbing the retinol as well.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
One of my new favourite skincare lines in the past year has definitely been Drunk Elephant and when they released a retinol cream, it was actually them that first opened my eyes to what retinol is, what it does, and why I need it (because I need everything Drunk Elephant makes).
A-Passioni Retinol Cream (C$92) is a retinol cream that improves the look and feel of uneven skin tone and texture and addresses damage from daily exposure to UV rays, environmental pollution, and other free radicals.
This one is actually 1.0%, making it a higher percentage of retinol, meaning that it’s very important to go slow when applying this. I would definitely start with at least once or twice a week and then slowly build it up. This particular formula is actually vegan since it’s a clean beauty brand, meaning that it also contains superfood-rich ingredients. It also contains a triple peptide blend to visibly firm and strengthen skin, and Vitamin F to improve the appearance of texture and suppleness and calm signs of sensitivity.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regime
This one is a three-step process which includes a retinol oil in it. Brand-new for spring, the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair regime includes the Prep Cleanser, the Retinol Oil, and Regenerating Cream.
The Prep Cleanser (C$9.97) is a rich cream cleanser that includes micro-exfoliants and glycolic acid to visibly improve skin’s texture in a week. In addition to removing dirt, oil, and other impurities, the micro beads in the formula help slough away dead skin cells, allowing the next two products in the line to fully absorb into the skin.
Once your face is washed and dried, the Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil (C$29.97) is a concentrated treatment that intensely nourish skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for visible results after a week. A little goes a long way, so use the dropper to give you a few drops of this stuff, which is also lightweight and will absorb quickly into the skin.
Finally, the last step in this regime is the Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream (C$29.97), which is a rich emollient cream that reduces the look of wrinkles up to five-times more than other anti-aging products. Neutrogena actually says that 100 per cent of women that they had test it saw noticeable results in just one week.
This cream is very rich and moisturizing and feels amazing on the skin. It quickly absorbs, leaving you with a smooth-looking complexion.
Rodan + Fields Wake Up Fabulous Gift Set
This ultra-cute set from mega skincare brand Rodan + Fields includes their REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum (60 capsules), REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream, and an ultra-cute eye mask.
The Intensive Renewing Serum comes in the form of little capsules that give you the perfect amount of serum for your face. This product, along with the eye cream is designed to work while you sleep. The serum contains Retinal-MD Technology, which is more potent than retinol and gentler on the skin. R+F also says that retinal is as close as you can get to prescription-strength Vitamin A.
As for the Multi-Function Eye Cream, this contains powerful peptides which visibly smooth and firm the delicate underage area for a more youthful-looking appearance. Note, this eye cream does not contain retinol or retinal, but this gift set is so cute that I had to include it in here. You can purchase this from your Rodan + Fields consultant for C$194.
Indeed Labs Bakuchiol Reface Pads
Okay so this last one isn’t technically retinol, but it is a natural alternative for those who have sensitive skin and may not be able to use retinol.
These facial pads contain bakuchiol, which is a naturally occurring antioxidant derived from the seeds of the batch plant, a plant native to India and traditionally used in Chinese medicine. Bakuchiol doesn’t fully function the same as retinol, but it’s pretty close, making it the perfect alternative for those who want to try retinol but can’t. It’s also recommended for those who have oil or acne-prone skin since it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and clinically proven to fight acne.
The Indeed Labratories Bakuchiol Reface Pads (C$17.99) contain 30 pads and are designed to be used morning and night. I have been using these to see how they react with my skin and so far so good. Instead of a toner, I just use these and they are quite gentle on the skin. I like how there is an alternative to retinol in case you are skeptical on using it or unsure if it would work for you. I think these are a great stepping stone into the world of retinol, especially if you don’t have sensitive skin.
When it comes to retinol, there are so many options to choose from. From high and low price points, different percentages, and even different alternatives, there is definitely the perfect product out there for you.
Have you tried retinol before? How has it affected your skin?
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Crazy to think that I haven’t tried Pixi Beauty until recently.
I still remember when Target Canada announced the brands they would be selling and everyone was so excited because Pixi Beauty was one of those products. The line, which has so many cult products, was an instant favourite for so many people, and now I can finally see why.
Although I would say they are most known for their skincare, my first foray into the brand was actually their eyeshadow palettes and brushes. A couple of months ago, I got a press box featuring two of their eyeshadow palettes and three brushes to put to the test.
Although they have a ton of different palettes, when I first laid my eyes on the Eye Reflections Eyeshadow Palette I pretty much gasped at how beautiful these are. These palettes, available in three versions, contain 12 mineral eyeshadows in different textures, including skimmers, mattes, and glitters.
I received two of the three palettes, Natural Beauty (cool-toned pinks and taupes) and Reflex Light (warm-toned pinks and browns), and both of these make it so easy to create natural, romantic, and dramatic looks. The shadows are ultra creamy and blend out perfectly, enabling you to easily create many beautiful eye looks.
As pretty as these shadows are, I also want to note that they also contain Vitamin E, which nourishes and protects the delicate skin in the eye area, as well as mica for a brilliant buster, and skin-conditioning emollients derived from plants which smooth and hydrate.
To apply the shadows, I’ve been loving the Pixi Beauty brushes, which are so soft and do an incredible job blending out the colour for the perfect eye look. I will note though that these contain pony hair, so if you prefer a synthetic brush, then you may want to pass on these.
Overall, I’m really impressed with these palettes and brushes and I can definitely see why people love this line (I’ve recently tried some of their masks as well – coming soon!). Also, because these palettes are so slim, they are perfect for travel, and the 12 shades makes it super easy to come up with an assortment of different looks.
Have you tried Pixi Beauty’s eyeshadows or brushes?
Please note, products provided by PR, all opinions are my own.
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