Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Pearlized Highlighters in Most Necessary & Tasty Review

 

 

 

I placed my second order from Colourpop as a little reward. These highlighters are what really caught my attention with Colourpop's brand but I waited so long to try them for reasons I can't understand! I was lusting after Most Necessary for a long time and added Tasty after a little research. These retail for $8USD so currently it'd be about $10.53CDN.

 

 

Colourpop doesn't really have any claims regarding these. They are $8USD for one. In the picture above, Most Necessary is on the left and Tasty is on the right. According to Colourpop's website Most Necessary is described as a "soft copper with rosy gold highlights" and Tasty is described as a "candy coloured coral with multi-dimensional pink and copper duo-chrome finishes." I think these descriptions are spot on for both of shades.



 

These have no smell to them. They feel bouncy and cushiony like Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes only these feel wetter. When I blend them out with my finger they get this powdery feel to them, so they have that cream to powder feel. They might look very sparkly in the pan but once they are blended out they give the most beautiful, creamy sheen to my skin.

 

These highlighters feel very weightless on the skin and provide more of a glow then harsh, chunky sparkle.

 

 

 

Here are two unblended swatches on the back of my hand. Most Necessary is on the left with Tasty on the right.

 

I apply and blend these using my fingers. Generally I don't like to use my fingers but these just call for fingers or at least a dense sponge. Brushes only give my skin a sheen, no colour. I don't get any of Tasty's beautiful coral warmth when I use a brush. Applying with a finger and blending with a brush yields somewhat better results but the blending doesn't look as good compared to times when I use my finger. Blending with a blending sponge is one option but fingers are the tools for the job when it comes to these products.

 

I really love both of these a lot! They look so great with any blush I pair them with (Tasty is especially delicious over a coral blush) and look really glowy and lovely on my dark skin. I love the fact that Colourpop came out with so many shades so that a huge variety of skin tones can find multiple colours to create a beautiful looking highlight. 

These highlighters don't emphasize my pores but that could also be due to my application method. I keep my highlighting to the highest part of my cheekbone and farther back from the apples of my cheeks so the product doesn't end up too close to the more porous region of my face.

 

I find these highlighters last all day. After an eight hour day the highlight has faded slightly but has not disappeared.

 

All in all I really like these and I'm really glad I purchased them!

 

Likes:

1. Beautiful, flattering colours

2. Great staying power

3. Doesn't emphasize pores

4. Provides a sheen, not disco-ball glitter

 

Dislikes:

 

1. Can't be applied with a brush.

 

A

Quo Blending Sponge Review

So I wanted to buy a beauty blender but of course I didn't want to buy something for nearly $30 ($26CDN without tax, so with tax it'll even out to $29.38CDN) if I didn't like it. I've seen this cute little purple guy hiding out in the aisles at Shopper's Drug Mart so I decided to give it a try. And for $5CDN how bad could it be?

This sponge revolutionized my life. Okay, I'm exaggerating but only exaggerating slightly. I will never apply liquid foundation any other way. tt

So this sponge works the same way as the Beauty blender. You soak it with water, squeeze out the excess and use the tool to apply and blend makeup.

Here is a picture of the sponge but it's drying, it gets much smaller then this once it's fully dry. I've read reviews online about people buying knock off beauty blenders and hating them because those sponges don't expand when they're wet. Thankfully this one does. It swells up and gets really large and soft.

Also I've never experienced any bleeding of colour with this sponge.

When I bounce it against my skin it feels really soft and . . .well . . . bouncy! I think bouncing this sponge on my face is the most enjoyable way to apply foundation. In addition to feeling soft - it's not scratchy at all - and providing a little enjoyment this thing does a fantastic job at blending foundation onto my skin.

And applying foundation doesn't take as long as I thought it would. Once this sponge is full of water its surface area expands and I can cover a large area of my skin with my face.

Also this bouncing method is extra refreshing in the summer. The coolness of the damp sponge on my skin is lovely.

Sometimes I squeeze a dollop of foundation onto the back of my hand and then dip the sponge into it and bounce it onto my face. I find when I do that, I end up applying more foundation when I need. What I do is dot the foundation all over my face and then blend with the sponge. The result? The most natural looking, perfectly blended finish. At first my skin looks a little wet but once the foundation sets, my skin looks incredible. My skin looks as flawless as a doll's. I was amazed. My mind was blown at how well this sponge could blend foundation.

With brushes or my fingers I can get a nice finish but it never looks as perfect as when I use this sponge.

Cleaning this sponge is a breeze, especially if I wash it directly after use. I pour baby shampoo into my hand, and form a lather, then rub and squeeze the sponge, and then rinse. I don't apply shampoo directly to the sponge.

 Using the method above I can get my sponge stain free which is incredible as my makeup is dark. Once all the product is out I prop it up sideways on one of my BBW Fine Mist lids to air dry. The sponge shrinks back down to it's original size after about 48 hours of drying indoors. It sounds difficult, but trust me it's easier and quicker then washing brushes, well to me it is LOL!

It took me a while to really get the hang of using this sponge but once I learned how to wash it and how to use it to get the best finish I was in complete and total love. I don't think I could ever go back to applying foundation with a brush or my fingers and even if I could I don't want to LOL! And the fact that this thing is $5CDN? I'm head over heels.

Likes:

1. Gives my skin a flawless finish
2. Blends foundation quickly
3. Expands to a large size when damp
4. Feels very soft on skin
5. Is very fun to use
6. Easier to clean then a brush

Dislikes:

None! I'd be nit-picking! Maybe I'd like to see it come in other colours? That would be real cute!

A+

Make Up For Ever Chromatic Mix Oil Base 15 Brown

 

 

   If you're an NW45 like me (or darker) you know there are no shortages of foundations that are lighter then our skin tone, especially when it comes to the Drug Store. This is something that Maybelline continues to do. The darkest shades of their foundations are always a touch too light or too golden for my skin tone.

   I decided to give up on the drug store and start buying high end foundations. While I was browsing the Sephora website I happened upon the Make Up Forever Chromatic Mixes. After trying to figure out which colour would safely deepen my foundation without making it too grey I settled on the brown (Sephora Canada says they're online only but I found mine in-store so check your local Sephora if you're interested in buying) I picked the oil base because MUFE says the oil based one is meant for foundations with oil or silicone bases and all of my foundations are silicone based.

     This Chromatic Mix retails for $17 for 13ml at Sephora. MUFE's claims: Chromatic Mix is a liquid pigment that can be mixed with any type of oil or water product base to create your perfect color, and meet each and every need.

Here's the Ingredients List because I couldn't find one online: Aqua (water), Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Neopentyl, Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Talc, Mica, C1 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Phenyl Trimethicone, C1 77491 (Iron Oxides), Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Methyylpropanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Myristoyl, Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Propylene Carbonate, Biosaccharide  Gum-1, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid.

    I was afraid the brown wouldn't be deep enough but it's really perfect. Brown is a pigmented, cool chocolate brown. It's deeper then my natural skin tone so it'll work great with all of the foundations that are too light. The texture is thick and creamy and the liquid is incredibly pigmented. The bottle and amount of product seems small but the product is incredibly pigmented so you don't actually need a lot to adjust your foundation.

    It mixes very well with my foundations without changing the texture or the finish. I haven't worn it long enough to test it's longevity but I will update this post with the results later on.

   

 

   The foundation I used here was Maybelline's Better Skin Foundation in #95 Coconut. The top swatch is the foundation mixed with a single drop of the MUFE Chromatic Mix in Brown. The bottom swatch is the foundation just by itself. As you can see the foundation in the top swatch is much cooler and darker while the bottom swatch is very yellow and lighter.

   So all in all this pigment does exactly what it I wanted it to; to adapt my foundations and give me a better fit. Now I don't have to buy a new foundation when the summer comes back and I can try a couple drug store foundations that I ruled out as being too light (like Maybelline's Matte + Poreless!)

 

Likes:

 

1. Perfectly adapts my foundations

2. Doesn't change the texture or the finish

3. Not too expensive

4. Very pigmented

 

Dislikes:

 

1. I'd like a larger size!

 

 

A+

Beauty Empties #3

 

    I didn't have to wait long to accumulate these empties! Usually I keep my empties for more then a month to make sure I have enough to show you guys but this is just for September. Looks like I had a very productive month.

1. Softsoap Spring LE French Macaron Body Wash: I mainly bought this because I'm in love with French Macaroons (isn't everyone?) but this doesn't smell anything like macarons. In fact it smelt exactly like Softsoap's usual Milk and Honey body wash. It's a nice body wash - moisturizing, creamy, doesn't dry out your skin - but I wouldn't purchase this again.

2. L'Oreal Sublime Soft Micellar water: I review this micellar water every time I have an empties post. I definitely adore this micellar water and I can't wait 'til it goes on sale so I can stock up!

3. Olay Essentials Sensitive Skin Lotion: I was using this lotion as a night cream and I didn't really like it. It was hydrating but didn't afford me the deep hydration I want for night time.

4. Clean and Clear Brightening Cleanser: I said I wouldn't buy this cleanser again but there it is! My mom accidentally bought it and she lost the receipt so we didn't bother trying to bring it back. I like how well it removes makeup but it's a drying cleanser that's full of extra additives for those colourful bursting beads that don't do anything. This cleanser doesn't brighten my skin at all. I'm not repurchasing this.

5. Sephora Sleeping Masks (Honey, Lotus and Rose): These are absolutely fantastic. At five dollars a pop and a generous size (I get 7 uses out of each mask) these are my favourite skin care pick me ups. I love how fresh and hydrated my skin feels when I wake up. And they don't stain my pillow or make my face sticky! I've even noticed a slight decrease in my t-zone oil thanks to these. These all had similar effects on my face; nice dose of hydration and a boost of evenness and radiance the next morning.

6. St. Ives Even and Bright Scrub with Pink Lemon and Mandarin: This is a nice scrub with a nice smell. I like a more abrasive scrub to really buff away dry skin and clogged pores. My skin always looks more even after I use this scrub, but the effects are temporary and very fleeting.

7. Degree Women Dry Spray in Clean: Great spray deodorant. It didn't feel like it was working - I'm used to my stick deodorant - but it really works. It kept me dry and smelling great. And it lasted me nine weeks - and I used it daily - so it served a good purpose.

8. Thayer's Unscented Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner: Great toner, horrific smell. Smells like Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB cream which smelt sour and acidic. I loved how hydrating and refreshing this toner is. I loved it so much I purchased the Rose Petal version of this toner to use.

9. Mane 'n' Tail Carrot Oil Crème: This is such a nice leave-in conditioner. In the summer my hair was texturized and I used this to hydrate my thirsty hair. It smells so delicious; exactly like carrot cake. It's got this hydrating, light texture that didn't weigh down my strands or cause them to revert. But lately I haven't been able to find the crème in stores but when I do find it, I will repurchase it!

10. Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser for Sensitive Skin: It's a nice cream cleanser but nothing revolutionary. Didn't leave my skin as dry as a foaming cleanser but didn't leave my skin as comfortable as well as my current cleanser (Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming cleanser). I won't repurchase this.

11. Now Solutions Sweet Almond Oil: This oil was a gateway oil for me into the world of oils. I bought this back in 2014 and it's lasted me until now. This is an excellent oil that feels so silky on the skin and didn't break me out when I used it on my face. I used it as a moisturizer on my extra dry bits, as an all over body moisturizer, as a moisturizing treat for the bath, as an ingredient in my DIY leave-in conditioner sprays, and the list goes on. Definitely going to repurchase a bottle of this stuff.

12. Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation in 90 Coconut: I bought this foundation in the winter and it worked well for me because I was paler then I am right now. I reviewed this foundation here. I liked how light this foundation was and how well it blended in but it really dried out my skin with prolonged used because of the alcohol denat in there. Wouldn't buy it again.

13. Hask Hair Oil in Keratin (Silver Cap) and Monoi (Peach Cap): These saved my hair this summer. I used this as a daily treatment when my hair was out of braids and texturized. These vials of oil might look small but each one last me a full month (I used the monoi oil up to three times a week). You don't need a lot of oil to work it through your hair and that's what makes these vials last so long. I definitely loved the monoi oil more - smells exactly like pina colodas! - and it's not as drying as the Keratin protein one (which is good for strengthening but you're not supposed to use high protein hair products too often).

14. Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Pecan Waffle Nourishing Hand Cream (Fall 2014 LE): This was a great concept but I didn't realize how weird it was going to be to walk around with hands that smelt strongly of maple syrup! The texture on this hand cream was so rich and creamy but the smell drove me up the wall. This would've been better as a candle.

15. Live Clean Baby Shampoo and Wash: I picked up this little sample size to wash my makeup brushes and it did a fantastic job. Had a great smell and rinsed my brushes clean and left them soft. I don't like it as much as my Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo but it's a nice option.

16. Nyx Retractable Lip Liner in Cocoa: One of my favourite lip liners. I've got four of these stocked up. The tawny colour is just perfect for altering lipsticks. Love this colour and I love this formula. It's pigmented and glides on so creamy with a lovely matte finish. I will buy this liner as long as Nyx makes it.

17. Bath and Body Works Caribbean Escape Pocketbac: I really like the fresh, coconut smell of this pocketbac. I love having this on the go and using it to keep my hands clean.

18. Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara: This is my Holy Grail mascara. This is the fourth tube of this mascara that I've used. I love the small wand and how easy it is to maneuver on my lashes. The formula is so dark and smooth. This mascara just makes my lashes so plush and long.

19. Maybelline Baby Lips Crystal in Pink Quartz: My favourite baby lips ever. I love the slight pink flush and soft pearly shine it gave my lips. The smell is delicious too; like juicy raspberry. I wish it had SPF in it (and was a thicker and less greasy) then it would be my Holy Grail lip balm.

My Little Barefoot Venus Haul

   Barefoot Venus caught my eye because of their adorable vintage pin-up girl packaging and the hydrating claims their bath goodies promise. I've been scoping out the brand for a year and after much consideration I ended up ordering a few things from Well.ca. My goodies arrived today and I just wanted to share them with you guys.
    

 

    This beautiful tin houses Barefoot Venus' Bath Soak in the scent Ginger Snap. Smelling it dry it smells more of cinnamon and ginger with a bit of sweetness. I hope the egg nog notes come out when I'm actually taking a bath. I've included a picture here of the actual product itself which is a white powder. The opening does get messy easily but it's not a substantial amount of product and only occurs when I open it (as opposed to leaking all the time) so I'm not too bothered.

    This bath soak has some pretty nice claims and some impressive looking ingredients. For seductively soft sweet-scented skin, just add your little indulgence to steamy running water. Slip in and let the cocoa butter filled water tickle your fancy and velvetize your skin. This bath soak is filled with cocoa butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil and Vitamin E. Sounds hydrating! I know my skin gets extra chapped come winter, so anything that can hydrate my skin sounds heavenly to me!

 

     Now when it comes to these Bath Bliss' I could never find a picture of how these products actually looked! All I ended up seeing were snapshots of the packaging! I didn't know if the bath bliss was a solid object like Lush's bath bombs or if it was powdery like the bath soak. But now I know.

 

    There's the Vanilla Shake bath bliss right there. It's a powder packaged in a little bag. I haven't smelled it yet but I'm looking forward to trying it. Claims? Everything is sweeter when creamy mango butter melts into a sinfully scented bath, leaving  your skin totally irresistible. Being naked has never felt so Good! These are made with mango butter and sweet almond oil which also sounds seriously hydrating.

    Ginger snap is described as "a blend of rich, smooth eggnog and warming ginger are swirled together for the ultimate holiday fragrance". From what I've smelt it smells more like ginger and cinnamon. This season 10% of proceeds from the Barefoot Venus Ginger Snap line will be donated in support of Autism Awareness.

      I haven't yet smelled the Vanilla Shake bath bliss but it's described as "warm Madagascar vanilla growing in berry patch strawberries". I love vanilla scents so I'm looking forward to using this bath bliss.

     Maple Blondie is the newest scent from Barefoot Venus and I think it's a nice homage to Barefoot Venus' proudly Canadian Heritage. Barefoot Venus says Maple Blondie is "Autumn maple, perfectly paired with buttery vanilla and a hint of dark espresso." Sounds delicious! I'm not sure if this scent is limited edition or permanent but I'm guessing it's not because there is no mention of it being limited edition.

     All of these products are very affordable with the Bath Bliss' being $5.50CDN and the large Bath Soak tin being $12.99CDN. I'm always excited to try Canadian bath and body products, especially when they've got such great ingredients. So I'll be back with a review once I've tried them!



Blistex Soft & Lush Lip Balm Review

 

 

I was browsing Walmart as I am wont to do and I spotted this cute little tube. It called to me immediately. Maybe it was the soft cherry blossoms on the packaging, or the pearly pink tube or the fact that I promised me a "creamy smooth texture for supple, kissable lips", maybe it was all of the above.

Claims from the packaging: Blistex Soft & Lush brings lips to a deeper level of softness for the ultimate in soft, kissable lips. A smooth, rich, blend of moisturizers and conditioners for unparalleled softness. The super lush, ceramide-enhanced formula helps lips retain moisture leaving them supple and deeply hydrated. Plus SPF sun protection. This lip balm retails for about $3.67.

If you've been following my blog for some time you'll know that I abhor greasy, thin lip balms and love thick creamy lip balms. This lip balm doesn't disappoint. While it isn't as creamy as a Nivea lip butter, it's wonderfully creamy and feels so comforting on my lips.

The hydration on this lip balm is fantastic. I feel like this lip balm is sinking into my lips and hydrating them, not just sitting on the upper layer.

Soft & Lush is clear with no hints of whiteness which certainly is impressive considering the fact that this lip balm has an SPF of 15. I remember I bought Nivea's Sun Protection lip balm and that thing was like applying white lipstick to my lips, no word of a lie! So Soft & Lush certainly impressed me.

The smell of this lip balm was a surprise as well. I was expecting it to be scentless or softly floral but this balm had a totally different smell. It smells so good! Literally like a French Vanilla from Tim Hortons. Or like a coffee cake drizzled with vanilla icing. It's really a delicious smell. It's sweet and delectable without being cloying.

It tastes pretty inoffensive too if you happen to taste a little of it. It's mostly tasteless with a slight sweetness from the saccharin.

In short I really like this lip balm and I actually reach for this more then my Holy Grail Nivea Essential lip balm.

Likes:
1. Creamy, rich texture
2. Hydration
3. SPF without whiteness
4. Delicious smell
5. Affordable price

Dislikes:

None, I'd be nitpicking.

A