Lush Melting Marshmallow Moment Bath Melt Review

I absolutely adore these cute little cupcakes!

Claims from the Lush Canada website: MMM melts into a pink, fluffy waterbed of marshmallow and moisturizing cocoa butter to satisfy cravings for all things sweet and delicious. Each pink, cupcake-shaped bath melt is made with real marshmallow herb, which produces a sweet, skin-soothing mucilage and marigold, which is equally lovely and calming for your skin. Part bath melt and part Bath Bomb – it’s the fluffiest, pinkest bath melt we’ve ever created. Mixing it with the Bath Bomb mixture means that Melting Marshmallow Moment goes the distance. It fizzes and melts slowly, releasing the softening, skin soothing cocoa butter and almond oil into the water.

I bought this bath melt for $7.95 at Lush. This bath melt smells like heart jujubes which is my absolute favourite candy! It's a delicious sugary smell that just smells like the colour pink! Usually the bath melt has a purple topping but there is some variance in the appearance as these bath products are handmade.The bath melt is rather crumbly but it just fizzes away in the bathtub.

To use this bath melt I cut it in half because these are pricey and I couldn't live with myself if I dropped the entire thing into bath water! Also my bath tub isn't very big so half a bath melt is enough to give full results.
The bath melt tints the water a gorgeous pink and fills the bathtub with the sweet bubblegum-esque smell! And the water is so moisturizing and slick. You can tell it has cocoa butter and almond oil in because your skin feels so hydrated. When I get into the tub I simply don't want to get out!

I do have eczema so I was a little apprehensive about using this bath melt but it proved to be incredibly beneficial for my eczema. Honestly, it soothed my skin and my eczema has gone into hiding since I've started to use these bath melts. I'd repurchase this bath melt a thousand times over because of the delicious scent, the relaxation it provides me and the way it soothes my skin.

A+

Lush Sultana of Soap Review

Recently I've gotten into Lush products. The sound of fresh, handmade cosmetics just sounded too good to be true. And I've passed the little shop countless times in Square One and decided to really see what the place was all about.

I decided to try some soaps because I wanted something to use when I was showering, not when I was bathing (as much as I love baths they aren't too good for the environment). I picked up Sultana of Soap, Rock Star and Honey I Washed the kids.

Claims from the Lush Canada Website: Revel in Sultana’s majesty, and have a wash with the royalty of soaps. It looks like a fancy Italian dessert; a giant nougat cake topped with succulent currants and apricots. Smooth a slice of our soft decadent soap all over your body for a creamy lather and the most dazzling bergamot and olibanum scent. Your skin will be delighted and you’ll be left softer and smelling like a fancy candy shop with a touch of fruity sweetness. If you weren’t invited to the wedding, at least you can brush shoulders with royalty in the shower.

I got this from Lush for $6.40 for 100g. This soap smells a lot like what I imagine to be a very Lush smell. It's sweet, a little fruity and there's some muskiness courtsey of the olibanum. It's soft and complex without being overwhelming. I find it nice and I'm a person who usually only likes gourmand scents.

Now the saleslady in Lush told me this soap was very moisturizing on the skin so I went into the shower with very high expectations. She told me the same thing about Honey I Washed The Kids which dried my skin out a lot and left me with that tight, squeaky feeling regular soaps often give the skin. So I deliberately sought out a soap that would be more moisturizing and I thought the Sultana of Soap would meet that criteria.

Unfortunately the Sultana made my skin feel that exact same way; tight and squeaky. No matter how gorgeous the smell, I can't put my skin through this sort of dryness. I do use it at a hand soap (no way I'm letting a soap this expensive go to waste) and I like the way the scent lingers on my hands. If (If and only if!) this soap was more moisturizing - like my all time favourite Dove beauty bars - I'd be in absolute heaven.

Likes:

1. The intriguing scent
2. How creamy it makes my skin feel while the lather is on my skin

Dislikes:

1. I feel like it's drying my skin out

 C+

My Eyes Spy: Maybelline The BLUSHED Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Check out what I my eyes have spied.

Didn't discover it myself but I heard about it popping up online at Wal-Mart.com.

Description on the Wal-Mart website: The Maybelline New York Expert Wear Shadow Palette, Maybelline's newest 12-shade collection curated to create infinite sensuous looks, is infused with rose gold pigments for bolder blushes, provocative plums, and risque roses.

Looks like this is a palette Maybelline has coming ahead in the future. I know I am amazingly excited! I adored the fact that Maybelline was trying to come out with bigger palettes with The Nudes and The Smokes. I bought and loved the Nudes and I remember longingly wishing for a rose gold drugstore eyeshadow palette similar to the Naked 3. Looks like my prayers have been answered!

Hopefully Maybelline releases this palette in Canada (I'm not entirely sure because they haven't released The Brights in Canada but they have released it in the states). Because I know that I am really itching to get my hands on this gorgeous palette!! I love rose gold shades and this palette looks like a must have.

Beauty Empties!

Finally I've finished enough products for an empties post! I don't finish enough products to do this on a monthly basis so I'll show you guys what I've finished after I've accumulated a decent amount of stuff.

1. The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Butter: As with most of the Body Shop's delicious body butters, I enjoyed this one immensely. It smells exactly like ripe peaches. Right down to the fuzz. Only thing is I wished the body butter wasn't as stiff as cold butter, a little more like room temperature butter. I won't be repurchasing this body butter, despite how much I like the smell.

2. Equate Sensitive Skin Facial Wipes: I've repurchased this product three times over and plan to continue purchasing it in the future. Not only is it amazing effective at removing makeup without the need to rinse but it doesn't sting my skin like other facial wipes do. Not to mention it's inexpensive!

3. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion: Bought this during a bout of my eczema. Didn't really like it. I found it to be thin and the moisture didn't really penetrate into the dry layers of my skin. Won't be repurchasing this product.

4. Taylor by Taylor Swift: Got this perfume as a graduation present and I finally finished it! I feel very proud of myself because I hardly ever finish anything. I liked the smell in store but it didn't jive once it was on my skin. Every time I smell it I'm transported back to first year university and I really don't need to be reliving that time period. Definitely not repurchasing.

5. Satin Care Ultra Sensitive: Ugh. Used this twice and the pump broke and it's rather full of product but there's no way to get it out. Oh well. It irritated my skin every single time I used it so I'm not bent on getting to the product anyway.

6. Clean and Clear Brightening Facial Cleanser: This is my second and final bottle of this cleanser. It smells like tropical fruit, gets makeup off well and plays nicely with a facial brush but it doesn't do what it said it would; which is brighten dark spots. I didn't really expect it to anyway. I found it drying too. Won't be repurchasing this cleanser again.

7. Johnson's Baby Lotion: This lotion was actually reformulated but it was just as nice as I remembered the original being. If not even nicer. It calmed my sensitive skin down on days when it didn't need extreme moisture. Definitely would repurchase.

8. Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash: I bought this body wash thinking it was unscented BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS ON THE FRONT OF THE PACKAGE but if you check the ingredients there is parfum. I was so turned off when I noticed that. It did clean and hydrate my skin just the way I liked it, but I don't like misleading products. Will not repurchase.

9. Freeman Feeling Beautiful Avocado & Oatmeal Face Mask: I really liked this mask. It resets my skin when it gets clogged, removes excess oil and softens my skin. I adore this product and I would certainly repurchase it.

10. Dove Pistachio & Magnolia Beauty Bar: Dove makes excellent soap bars that have set the standard for all the other soap bars I try. This bar wasn't an exception. It's virtually a solid bar of body wash and leaves my skin feeling so creamy, not tight and dry. And the scent is heavenly; sweet and indulgent. I've got these bars stock piled!

11. Avon Banishing Cream: I've had this for three years and it took me forever to use it. When I did I found it didn't work at all, even when paired with sunscreen. It did make for a really nice thick moisturizer for me to put on the drier spots on my face like beneath the bridge of my nose and around my mouth. As misleading as it was, I liked how hydrating it was so I'd repurchase it for that.

12. Clean and Clear Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser: I liked how this was more hydrating on my skin. The menthol in this cleanser irritated me because it's rather cold in Canada right now and I can't deal with the tingling in addition to that. Sometimes I felt this cleanser burning certain areas of my skin. I will gladly part ways with this cleanser.

13. Bath and Body Works Mr. Hedgehog Anti-Bac: I really liked this sanitizer and I think it's so adorable. It smells like green apples which are my uncontested favourite fruit. Great for getting clean on the go.

14. Nyx Sugar Cookie Butter Gloss: Absolutely adore this shade! I can't extol the virtues of this lip gloss enough. Thank goodness I bought a back up because I cannot be without this shade in my arsenal. Check out my original review here.

15. Bath and Body Works Endless Weekend Preview Eau de Parfum: I really loved this scent and I can't wait to buy a full sized bottle of this scent once I've finished off my other scents. It's smells like a happy, warm summer afternoon. It's carefree and sweet.

16. Rimmel London Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara: One of my favourite mascara releases. If I wasn't constantly trying new mascaras I would buy this again. Previously reviewed here.

17. Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm: No. Absolutely never again. I can't express how much I dislike this lip balm, because I've exhausted myself in the first review.

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Tinted Lip Balm Unique Pink Review

 

 

Here's another product I managed to snag during the Target Liquidation sales. I had wanted to try this lip balm for a long time and I the sale gave me the perfect excuse to pick this little thing up. Regularly it retails for $14 dollars but I got it for $8.

 

Claims from the Pixi UK Website: Super-nourishing, lip-staining balm that keeps lips in optimum condition while giving them lush colour. Award winning. Packed with lip-loving ingredients, this glossy gel balm protects & hydrates lips instantly. After the balm wears off, lips are left tinted with a flattering, personalized hue just for you (colour & intensity depends on pH level of lips).

As you can see the lip balm has a soft pink almost gel-like colour in the tube similar to a lot of these ph sensing lip balms. This lip balm supposedly flushes your lips with a personalized pink but really that's not true. I've done enough research to know these lip balms contain a pigment that is initally clear but turns bright pink when it comes in contact with moisture. I still do love this lip balms because they provide a nice flush of colour and it doesn't transfer!

The lip balm has a minty feel but it doesn't tingle for a really long time after application. The lip balm does feel hydrating on my lips and has a glossy appearance. I think it's really cool, the way the lip balm goes from clear to a brighter pink. The colour is never overwhelming against my skin tone which I think is fine.

My only gripe? The price! It's steep for a softly tinted lip balm! I'm glad I did try this lip balm cause I got to satisfy my curiosity but I wouldn't purchase this lip balm again just because of the price.

 

B

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm Review

I'm really sorry I hadn't tried this lip balm earlier.

Claims from the Pixi website: Awaken lips with this super-nourishing balm. The unique formula is rich but lightweight and gives a gorgeous wash of colour to lips – it’s the perfect pick-me-up anytime! Packed full of beneficial ingredients, this balm soothes lips immediately & nourishes them long term.

Regularly this retails for $8CAD but I got it during Target Canada's liquidation sale so I got it for $6.40. I purchased Comfort Clear which is perfectly clear. The lip balm smells like warm vanilla with a soft plastic note. The smell isn't too overpowering so I don't mind how odd it smells.

The texture of the lip balm is amazing. This lip balm is creamy and just melts onto your lips. Honestly when I apply it I feel like its going to break but it doesn't and it coats my lips in pure hydration. I absolutely adore the way the lip balm feels on my lips.

I would repurchase this lip balm again, if I could! Too bad Target left, there's no way for me to get a hold of Pixi unless I cross the border or visit the UK.

Likes:

1. The moisture!
2. The melty texture!

Dislikes

1. The plastic-y smell.
2. The unavailability
3. Rather pricey for a clear lip balm. We're beginning to into Sephora level prices here.

B

Cake Beauty Heavy Cream Intensive Hand Repair Balm Review

Cake was so right to call this an intensive hand repair balm. It's rather thick for a hand cream. This is also the perfect product to take me through the cold Canadian winters. This is my first purchase from Cake beauty and I'm entirely pleased.

Claims from the Cake Beauty website: This supremely hydrating formula renews and protects hands for immediate and long lasting results. Made with 20% shea butter, this warm french vanilla scent melts into skin. 100ml

I purchased this hand cream at Costco; it came in a pair of hand creams that cost $22. This lured me in immediately with the whole 20% shea butter claim. I've got constantly dry hands so that claim sounded like absolute heaven. True to their word, Cake has jammed a lot of shea butter into this hand balm. The cream is as thick as you would expect it to be.

I was very afraid of the French vanilla scent. Cake's sister line Be Delectable has a vanilla hand cream out and I've tried it and it smelt like rotten vanilla scented play-doh. But this hand cream smells amazing. It's such a rich, sweet smell. Almost like the Nyx Butter Glosses but with a hint of buttery richness. I love how nice it smells and the fact that it's not cloying.

This hand cream is very very hydrating but doesn't cross the line over into greasiness (unless you apply too much). My hands feels moisturized but not slippery.

Heavy Cream has shaped up into being a lovely purchase and I'm very glad I bought it.

Likes:

1. It is so moisturizing!
2. It smells wonderful
3. No nonsencial chemicals in the ingredients list

Dislikes:

I haven't got any to list and if I were to look for any I'd be nitpicking.

 A+

Maybelline Limited Edition Holiday Baby Lips 2014 Ruby Star & Winter Flush Review

I'm a fickle fan of the Maybelline Baby Lips Line. Sometimes I put them on my lips and they feel like pure heaven. Other times I put them on and they feel like grease that refuses to sink into my skin. I love sheer red lips, so I snagged this two pack just for Ruby Star. I purchased these from Wal-Mart for about $6.

Both have a peppermint smell and go onto lips feeling fairly minty. I don't care for minty scents or tingles but it's there. Ruby Star is the pink tube while Winter Flush is the red tube. Ruby Star is a fairly pigmented blue toned red lip balm. Winter Flush is an almost milky peachy red with the slightest shimmer (its absolutely unnoticable on lips).

I swatched Strike A Rose next to these two because I though that Strike A Rose might be very similar to Winter Flush. Unfortunately it's not. Winter Flush is definitely less pink then the permanent electro shade.

I love Ruby Star but I don't like Winter Flush. It's the sort of lip balm that clings to any dry patches on your lips and that is just intolerable in a lip balm (at least to me). Ruby Star just glides right over my lips and masks any dry patches.

I know Baby Lips tends to have a very slippery formula, but these can feel extra slippery to me at times and even downright greasy. Maybelline says these lip balms keep your lips moisturized for up to 8 hours and I don't find that to be true; reapplication is necessary. And really when they glide on so easily application isn't a problem.

I wish Ruby Star had come in a package by itself.

Likes:

1. The cool red colour of Ruby Star
2. The "wetness" of the lip balm feels very moisturizing on dry lips initially
3. How easily these lip balsm glide on

Dislikes:

1. How greasy these lip balms can feel
2. How Winter Flush clings to dry patches
3. Peppermint smell

Winter Flush C 

Ruby Star B

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution Review

I've heard that Micellar cleansers are popular in Canada and Europe, but I hadn't heard about Micellar cleansers until US beauty bloggers started talking about them! They sounded totally gimmicky to me - Water? This "water" is supposed to clean my face? Okay - so I decided to try it out. I could only find two at Wal-Mart (this L'Oreal one and another Nivea one) and I ended up picking this one because it was on sale, cheaper and had a smaller ingredients list.

So what exactly is a micellar cleanser / water / solution? In the simplest of the simplest terms; micellar water is a liquid that removes dirt and impurities without the need for rinsing due to molecules in the solution called micelles. You can read up on the science behind micellar waters here; http://colinsbeautypages.co.uk/what-is-micellar-water/.



Claims: Beyond makeup removal, the Gentle Micellar Solution cleanses and removes all traces of makeup from the face, eyes and lips in one step. So gentle, it is suitable even for sensitive skin.
Removes makeup and soothes. No rubbing, no rinsing, fragrance free and hypoallergenic. Removes makeup and soothes. No rubbing, no rinsing, fragrance free and hypoallergenic.

I purchased this cleansing water for $6.42 on sale at Wal-Mart but regularly it retails at Wal-Mart for $10.96. To use, you dispense it onto a cotton pad and apply it to your face and then go off about your day. The product has the texture of water but it forms bubbles very easily. It smells exactly like dish soap! Weird but whatever. It's colourless as well.

They say you can use this as a makeup remover but I use it after I wash my makeup off to get off any traces of product. I also use it in the morning to gently cleanse my face.

What I really like about this micellar cleanser is that it showed me which cleansers are actually doing their job of cleaning. I wash my face at the end of the day and then apply this micellar cleanser and I've noticed certain cleansers that I thought were doing a great job of cleaning wasn't doing any cleaning at all, and there was a lot of product coming off onto the cotton swab.

On the skin it feels very much like I was applying water. I was a totally unimpressed at that point until I took the cotton swab off of my skin; there was the dirt! This was after I washed my face! I thought it was clean! It wasn't a lot of dirt but it was enough for me to be impressed.

Sublime soft? Definitely. Once my skin is dry it feels so soft. It feels really soft. Not necessarily moisturized (I wouldn't skip my morning moisturizer) but I do like the fact that it doesn't make my skin feel tight.

In short; I like how gentle this on my skin, how soft it makes my skin, and the fact that it can get those last traces of makeup. I really like this cleanser and I'm looking forward to trying other micellar solutions!

A

GOOD TO GO The Body Shop Honeymania Bar Soap Review

I received this soap bar as a christmas gift and I was really looking forward to trying it. I love honey in my bath and body products (it makes me feel so luxurious!) So I had high hopes for this bar soap.

Claims from The Body Shops website: This honeycomb-shaped soap has a cute bee at its centre. It has a rich, floral scent and contains Community Fair Trade honey made from the nectar of over 1,000 wildflowers. Lather up for skin that feels silky soft.

Isn't that bee shape adorable? I just love it. It cost $4.00 for 100g. The honeymania soap is also shaped differently then the other Body Shop bar soaps and I think that it was a smart choice that makes the product stand out.

This soap doesn't smell like honey at all, it's got a light floral scent. I feel like I would have preferred it to have a more sweet, gourmand scent but the floral smell has grown on me. It doesn't linger on the skin afterwards unfortunately.

The soap lathers up easily and feels so silky and smooth on my skin. When I rinse, I encounter problems. My skin gets this squeaky, dry feeling afterward. I can't deal with that. Sure you're supposed to moisturize after a shower but I shouldn't feel as though the soap I'm using is drying out my skin. While I like the scent and the presentation, I'm not going to use this soap on my body. Like all failed soaps I buy, it's going to become a hand soap.

Likes:

1. The floral scent is light and pretty
2. The presentation of the soap is superb
3. The soap does a good job of actually getting me clean

Dislikes:
1. It makes my skin feel so dry!

 C+