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Reviews
YSL Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balm
I LOVED this! From the luxe packaging to how smoothly it glides on, the moisture boost and shine it gives my lips, the peachy scent, to its perfect pink colour, it even tastes good! Everything about this is a win for me. I found this gave me... +
I LOVED this! From the luxe packaging to how smoothly it glides on, the moisture boost and shine it gives my lips, the peachy scent, to its perfect pink colour, it even tastes good! Everything about this is a win for me. I found this gave me noticeably plumper looking lips immediately, and the balm effect lasted for much longer than other butter balm products I have tried. This will replace my former go-to, and I will definitely repurchase! YSL is known for making a quality product and does not disappoint here. Knowing that is it made with natural ingredients makes me love it even more.! -
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
I was generously gifted the Armani beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint (in Rosy Peach), and it has quickly become my favourite tint or blush. In the heat of summer, I am all about an easy, natural, fresh-faced glow. I want it light and effortless, and... +
I was generously gifted the Armani beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint (in Rosy Peach), and it has quickly become my favourite tint or blush.
In the heat of summer, I am all about an easy, natural, fresh-faced glow. I want it light and effortless, and the luminous cheek tint does just that. And it does it beautifully.
I love that It is lightweight and blends seamlessly into my skin, giving me a just-pinched flush. Its water-in-oil formula is a dream—it stays put all day and I forget I am wearing it.
Rosy Peach is such a perfect shade. I love the subtle pop of colour I get with a single layer, and Its buildable nature means that I can layer it on for a more intense look depending on the occasion.
The applicator makes it super easy to apply, too. Just a few dabs on the cheeks (and maybe the lips, it doubles as a lip tint!), blend it out, and go.
With chronic illness, there are days where a tiny bit of glow on my cheeks absolutely increases my confidence level in ways other makeup simply cannot, and I love that this one gives me just the right amount of tint, is easy to apply (it isn’t messy!), and lasts a whole day without reapplication.
Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Cheek Tint is super luxe, long-lasting, convenient, and perfect (for summer, but really for any time!)
It is a 10/10 for me.
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Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
Roll out the red carpet, the King has arrived! Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is a product that truly lives up to its name. I was very excited to get the opportunity to test out the claims knowing my brother’s wedding was approaching -... +
Roll out the red carpet, the King has arrived!
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is a product that truly lives up to its name. I was very excited to get the opportunity to test out the claims knowing my brother’s wedding was approaching - an event that would have me laughing, crying, and managing multiple temperature extremes from sweating it up on the dance floor to freezing (literally) my face off with ice packs after hitting it force into a pillar. She is beauty, but she never ever claimed to be grace.
I managed to make it through the night, even though the testing for the All Nighter was extended beyond what was planned. The setting spray not only met but exceeded my expectations. After a long night and even after getting a concussion, my makeup stayed exactly where I had carefully applied it 12 hours earlier. There was no transfer onto the pillar either (yes, I checked!).
The spray itself is a dream. It is lightweight, quick-drying, and comfortable, perfect for my sensitive skin. The mist is fine and even, effortlessly locking in my makeup without altering its finish. Despite dancing and stressing about the injury, the only glow I had was the one I applied on purpose. The spray made sure any additional oil or shine was kept under control, while my highlighter stayed in place.
One of the best features of the setting spray is its ability to control oil and shine. Despite dancing and experiencing varying temperatures, my skin stayed matte and my makeup stayed intact.
Having used setting sprays before, I understand the struggle of finding one that’s truly worth the extra step. All Nighter has proven to me that its five-star reputation is well-deserved, especially for events where long-lasting makeup is a must. I was able to forget about my makeup with a few quick spritzes, and it was nice to have one less thing to worry about on such a big day. Of course, reapplication of gloss was required throughout the night, and because it worked so well, removing my makeup at the end of the night was more involved, but I think that is worth the tradeoff.
- Product received for free from Urban Decay Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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L'Occitane Redefining and Cellulite-Reducing Artichoke Body Cream
L'Occitane's Artichoke Body Cream was an instant favourite. From its vibrant but natural scent to its luxe texture that is smooth but not even a hint greasy (that keeps even my dryest elbows feeling hydrated for a full 8 hours) to the fact that it... +
L'Occitane's Artichoke Body Cream was an instant favourite. From its vibrant but natural scent to its luxe texture that is smooth but not even a hint greasy (that keeps even my dryest elbows feeling hydrated for a full 8 hours) to the fact that it is produced without mineral oils and animal products, there is not a single thing I do not love about this product.
Although the scent is nice and natural, it does have a fragrance, and I would not recommend it to anyone who is sensitive or trying to avoid fragranced products.
Admittedly I was gifted the product, but I have been making my way through firming moisturizers in an attempt to find one that works for me, only to be disappointed in one area or another by most I have tried to date, so I am glad to have found one that is everything I have been looking for.
I especially enjoyed the recommended lymphatic massage technique and the easy-to-understand infographic guideline on the box's tabs (such a cute idea!). I have been taking a self-care minute to properly apply this, which has a lot of added wellness benefits, too. I look forward to seeing skin firming over time because this has definitely earned its permanent place on the shelf.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum Eye
I must admit, most eye products I have tried leave me questioning if anything is actually happening. Or, am I just so chronically underslept and perpetually stressed that they never stood a chance in the first place? When @lancome.official... +
I must admit, most eye products I have tried leave me questioning if anything is actually happening.
Or, am I just so chronically underslept and perpetually stressed that they never stood a chance in the first place?
When @lancome.official gifted me their new Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum Eye, it seemed timely - my dark circles and puffiness have never been more out of control - but I was not expecting miracles based on my general past experiences with eye serums. To my great surprise and delight (seriously), I DID notice a difference in the brightness of my eye area with 5 days of consistent use and in less time than that my whole eye area felt more hydrated- a huge win for someone who has really been struggling with sleep, lately.
The serum keeps its three star ingredients (hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin F - the HCF in the name), in their own chambers, dispensed, and then mixed (by you!) to combine and activate the product immediately before application.
It has been designed for the entire contour of the eye (as opposed to just undereye) and has a recommended application technique, which I followed to garner the best results. It is silky and easy to apply and absorbs into the skin, leaving a nice glow after.
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PanOxyl PM Blemish Brightening Patches
I was gifted the PanOxyl PM Brightening patches in exchange for my honest review, and I am impressed with the results. Within just three days, I noticed a significant reduction in my post-acne marks. These patches are definitely effective. I love... +
I was gifted the PanOxyl PM Brightening patches in exchange for my honest review, and I am impressed with the results. Within just three days, I noticed a significant reduction in my post-acne marks. These patches are definitely effective. I love that each patch contains tranexamic acid because it helps to reduce discoloration and even out my skin tone. It's amazing to see those stubborn dark spots fading away when other things I have tried have not worked at all. The niacinamide in these patches helps to brighten my skin and improve its overall texture - I can see that the skin under where the patch was looks smoother. Plus, the addition of Vitamin C further enhances the brightening effect and promotes a more even complexion. One feature I particularly love is the larger size of these patches, although that might also contribute to the one issue I had with them, too. The larger format size makes them perfect for treating larger areas with just one patch. The patch was a bit of a challenge to remove in the morning, which is my one complaint. This could be due to the stickiness of the patch (which is great, it did not end up on my pillow like some others, negating its use at all), but its larger size may have contributed to this as well. I found I really had to pull and they pull the skin away quite a bit. Besides the removal, I did not experience any other irritation. These patches transparent with a matte finish, and are actually so inconspicuous that on a post-PM skincare whim one night I decided to go to a restorative yoga class and forgot I had one on. I did not notice and I am sure no one else did either! These patches are latex-free, vegan, and widely accessible, making them a great addition to any routine.
- Product received for free from Crown Labs (Canada) in exchange for an honest review.
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Urban Decay Face Bond Waterproof Foundation
Months ago, my cystic acne returned. My face has been sore, inflamed, and sensitive. Searching for a lightweight foundation with decent coverage has failed—until now! Planets aligned and I was asked to try Urban Decay's Face Bond in exchange... +
Months ago, my cystic acne returned. My face has been sore, inflamed, and sensitive. Searching for a lightweight foundation with decent coverage has failed—until now!
Planets aligned and I was asked to try Urban Decay's Face Bond in exchange for my honest review! Amazing!
This serum-infused gem evens out my complexion and improves my skin's texture over time. Its buildable coverage lets me adapt to any occasion, from casual days to special events. Its self-setting powder leaves a natural matte finish, eliminates the need for a devoted powder, and sets it to stay for 24 hours. Plus, between the 3% niacinamide and its non-comedogenic properties, it's acne-friendly, which is a huge relief since I am rocking my new acne era!
With 40 shades to choose from, a rarity when other brands often offer only "close enough" shades, I found my perfect match in Fair Cool. The lightweight formula feels like a second skin, and it's built-in self-setting powder keeps it in place all day—no smudges or transfers (not in Pilates or even to my pillowcase when I napped!).
Let's briefly talk about the dropper design because it is genius! Designed for a precision application, it will ensure I will waste less per application by slowly controlling the foundation's flow. Perhaps more importantly, for me, anyway, the bottle design is genius because when I have no concept of what my arms are doing (often) and anything on the counter can (does) go inexplicably flying off said counter, I will not have to hold a funeral service over the half +++ amount of product lost to the counter, or the floor (wall, ceiling, sometimes) in a tragic fluke accident that, I mean, who could have EVER seen coming or even prevented?! All that to say the Face Bond bottle is a masterpiece. It will keep your new favourite foundation in the bottle until it is applied to your face instead of gracing your (er...my) floor with a makeover it never asked for.
Face Bond is more than a foundation. It has been my true skincare saviour. 5/5.
- Product received for free from Urban Decay Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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