theNotice: a beauty blog

Today was supposed to be the Clarins Graphites makeup look. Supposed to be, but I didn’t finish working on the images last night because I went to sleep instead, so instead it’s a bit of a mish-mash of things. Let’s call it “housecleaning,” yeah? Mainly just photo updates; everything I’ve been meaning to post but keep forgetting to.

Clinique Chubby Sticks

I didn’t have an ingredients list image for the original post, but I do now! Feel free to read (or re-read) our Clinique Chubby Stick review if you can’t remember it, or if you missed it the first time ’round. Hint: I am really, really into these.

Lipstick moustaches

I’m not sure why any of you read theNotice, because 98% of the time I’m a little kid with ADD. Case in point? I’ve decided that the lip print made by my upper lip definitely looks like a moustache.

I’m right, right?

Yeah, I’m totally right.

Dove Men + Care

If I had to tell you the one reason why I’m so into the Men+Care line, despite not being a man, the response would be “the shower tool.” It’s the most effective solution I’ve found so far in minimizing keretosis pilaris, and skin issues aside, it’s just good. It’s effective, really durable, easy to use – exactly what I’m looking for in a shower puff.

Oh, sorry, “tool.” Because men don’t use puffs :P

Anyhow, I figured that a product I love so much probably deserves proper photos, so I’ve uploaded some new ones to the review. The comments on the post have been lost (warning, warning!) but the content is still there! Check it out: Dove Men + Care Shower Tool review.

Clarins Graphites look

Here’s a teaser for that Clarins makeup! (Products used & a quick shot.) Should be up on Monday ;)

Have a lovely weekend, my darlings!! xx

Seriously, words cannot express how excited my monolids are for this new lash curler. I can’t wait for the reviews to start coming out!

What Urban Decay says about The Revolution…

This sleek lash emancipator abolishes one-size-fits-all curling. The open cage lets you curl your lashes all at once or in sections and won’t pinch your skin!

Do eyelash curlers that look like scary torture devices make you scream? Ours won’t crimp your lashes or pinch your skin because we eliminated the culprit – those maddening bars on either side of your old eyelash curler. This sleek lash emancipator handles deftly with an open cage that allows you to curl your lashes all at once OR in sections (like just the outer lashes). And if your lash line is longer or shorter than average, gone are the days of contending with a standardized cage that was clearly designed with someone else’s eyes in mind (no more one-size-fits-all curling!). We even include 5 replacement pads – swap them out to keep your curler clean and springy. Viva The Revolution!

I picked up a couple R&R goodies a few months ago, and (seeing as they’re on HauteLook again,) I thought I’d share some photos! I’m actually on my way out the door to catch my train, so I’ll update later with some more details + photos, but for now…

Sale {here} and invite link {here}. I don’t *think* you need the invite to join, anymore, but I’d certainly appreciate it if you could use it, of course!

I picked up Alloy, a really gorgeous gold that’s just gorgeous as a wash of colour; a 203 blending brush, which I’ve been really happy with (think of it as the lovechild of a 217 and a 224); and clearly matte, an Essie matte topcoat at just an amazing price (not even $4).

Happy hauling!

Abouta  year ago, we ran a feature on Dove’s Men+Care Shower Tool – I’m not sure if anyone else remembers the comments thread, but I loved it! The reason why is simple: turns out, a ton of you had KP as well! I loved being able to share a simple, effective solution with you, and it was great to find out how common it is.

So… what’s KP? If you haven’t heard of it before, Keretosis Pilaris is a skin condition that involves rough, often red bumps on the skin. It affects about 40% adults (and even more children), and is usually found on the thighs/bottom and the backs of the arms. It’s nothing to be concerned about in most cases – just a bit of a nuisance! (Stats via Wikipedia.)

But I digress! The point of this post is that Dove Canada has offered to supply a giveaway, and one of our lovely Canadian readers will have the chance to win a Shower Tool of her own (plus a tube of their new shower gel). After all… why should the men get all the good stuff? ;)

The shower gel

I had meant to review the shower gel before running the giveaway, but ran into a bit of a hitch – it’s supposed to be the Sensitive Skin scent-free version, but I actually still find that it’s lightly scented (with that sort of “indiscriminately manly” fragrance). However, it does lather well, and is fairly conditioning for a men’s product. Of course, it doesn’t measure up to something like Olay Quench, but it’s way less harsh than a bar of Ivory!

I do have one of the new shampoos sitting in my shower a well, so I’ll try to get that review up soon… I’ve actually really been liking it recently!

FYI: both the new shower gel and the shampoos are silicone- and paraben-free ;)

Win it

To win your own Dove Men+Care Shower Tool and Sensitive Clean Face and Body Wash, here’s how to enter:

• For one (1) entry, follow theNotice on GFC and comment on this post with your username.
• For one (1) entry, follow theNotice on Twitter (@thenotice) and comment on this post with your username.
• For an additional entry, feel free to RT the following: Canucks: get summer-ready skin with Dove and @thenotice! Giveaway http://bit.ly/fcpJFs
• For an additional entry, let us know why you’re interested in the shower tool in your comment! (Whether it’s because you have KP, or you want your man to give these a try, or you just plain ‘ol like exfoliating…)

This giveaway is Canada-restricted and ends in one week. You must be 13 with parental consent (or 18 without it) to enter.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you all for entering!

Good luck, everyone!! x

We actually did a “Feb faves” giveaway, but that’s over and done with – so I suppose these aren’t really February’s favourites. They’re just… current favourites. (Which makes sense, because I’ve loved a few of them for quite a few months now!)

Annabelle A-21 Large Shader Brush ($8.50)

How have I not reviewed this brush yet?! I’ve had it for ages, and I always reach for it – it’s quite basic, sure, but it does its job well. Plus, the quality is more on par with $20 brushes than $8 ones (which, yes, it is).

Prada Infusion d’Iris ($105)

I’m sitting on the review until closer to Mother’s Day (because I think this would make a lovely gift), but in the meantime: just know that I love this! It’s a very classic fragrance; feminine without being girly, and perfect for spring.

Marcelle Rouge Xpression, Paris Rose ($11.95)

Paris Rose is such a romantic shade; gorgeous on lips but perfect on cheeks. (Plus, it’s ‘cone-free, so I don’t need to worry about breakouts). Photos and swatches here, and I’ve got a few lip swatches for you later this week as well.

Ellis Faas Eyeliner E501 ($38)

Another product that I absolutely cannot get enough of. It’s incredibly easy to apply and delivers a really intense, precise black line. Almost everything creases on my lids, be it liquid, cream, gel, pencil… but this wears like metal. No fading, no bleeding – I can literally go all day and night with this liner and it looks perfect until I rinse it off.

(The price kills me, but formula-wise? It’s honestly the best liquid liner I’ve ever come across, and that’s not an honour I’ll hand out lightly.)

Marcelle Essentials Moisture Lotion ($19.95

I don’t have a review ready for this one yet (I’d like to try it out for longer and make sure it doesn’t make me turn green), but it’s fab! Silicone-, paraben-, and scent-free, it sinks in quickly and leaves my skin feeling deliciously velvety. Bonus points for the reasonable price and sleek packaging (though I’d like it even more with a pump!)

Balenciaga Paris ($95)

The comments have been lost, but here is the original review. This easily ranks in my top three favourite fragrances – it’s quite versatile and never gets boring. Sexy without being cloying, fresh but not sharp… honestly, it’s exquisite. Give it a sniff for me sometime? I promise: you won’t regret it.