theNotice

A little break…

March 14, 2017

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Hey folks! theNotice is going on a tiny little hiatus this week, with posts recommencing next Monday.

…Maybe the Monday after that at the VERY latest.

I’m having a rough patch with my health, so I’m taking a few days to catch up on life before getting back down to work. In the meantime, here are a few great posts from around the web that I think you’ll really enjoy!

My friend Paris at My Women Stuff is celebrating her 10th anniversary with a big giveaway!
Arianne is back in the blogging game with a new post on The Glitter Geek.
If you want a post that covers Too Faced, “rave glitter,” and kitty love all at once, Makeup and Beauty Blog has you covered. (Also, can we please talk about Karen’s little Coywolf? Because I love her.)

And if you want more of theNotice without getting, you know, more of theNotice, here are a few posts that I’ve written recently for Best Buy Canada. I’m really proud of the way that the photos and videos came out for each, so I hope you enjoy reading them!

How to make brownie batter fudge protein bars with Vega Sport
How to pack for summer and winter vacations

What’s something that you’ve done as an act of self-care recently?

Tags: /7. Other

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Green Beaver Natural Deodorant Stick review, photos

March 9, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Green Beaver Natural Deodorant Stick in Unscented, Tea Tree, and Vetiver

As much as I wish every product I review for theNotice could be a hit, sometimes, reality sets in. Not every product is going to work for every person, and unfortunately, the Green Beaver Deodorant formula just didn’t work for me.

The Green Beaver Deodorant promise

Green Beaver is a Canadian company that makes all natural, ecocert, cruelty-free products. They’re a relatively small company, and they’re based out of Hawkesbury, Ontario.

My first introduction to Green Beaver was their toothpaste, which I used on and off growing up. I went off of it in my late teens, but Green Beaver is a brand that I always loop back around to, like some kind of weird, extended Groundhog Day.

This time, I was looking for an aluminum-free, silicone-free deodorant to feature on theNotice. Green Beaver makes quite a few, and they’re formulated to deliver 24 hour odour control. The Green Beaver deodorant formula features Canadian-grown labrador tea (a favourite ingredient of fellow Canadian brand Lise Watier) and sage oil to fight odours.

The Green Beaver Deodorant results

I tested all three of the Green Beaver Deodorants that I was sent on both Boyfriend and I for months. But every time, I reached the same results: they just don’t work with our body chemistry.

I was hoping that the added essential oils in Tea Tree would be enough to battle any extra odours, but it just didn’t work out that way. These actually made my sweat smell. I usually have no body odour at all, but when I use these, I’m noticeably smelly by midday.

Boyfriend had the same results, but to a lesser degree. He really liked the smell of Tea Tree (it’s a very pure, clean tea tree scent), and will sometimes use it on his days off. At work or at the gym, though, he sweats through the Green Beaver deodorants within an hour. His sweatiness is his superpower, and one day, it’s going to help him escape from a dastardly plot.

The verdict?

I really enjoyed the stick format of these deodorants, and I love how easy they are to find in Canada. For those with sensitive armpits, the Green Beaver deodorant formula is non-irritating and smoothly textured. Vetiver is definitely my favourite scent (it’s very earthy and masculine), and Boyfriend loves Tea Tree.

However, the Green Beaver deodorant blend of labrador tea and sage oil wasn’t enough to combat odours on my partner and I. He’s just as smelly with these as he is without, and I’m typically more smelly with them than I would be without. I know I’ll come back to Green Beaver again, but these deodorants are a miss for me.

Availability: $5.99 CAD each at Green Beaver. Green Beaver can also be found at most natural health food stores across Canada and online at both Well.ca and iHerb.

Tags: silicone-free deodorant/Canadian beauty, Green Beaver, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free

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Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip review, swatches: 200, 501, 600

March 7, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip Lip Paint in 200 Candy Pink, 501 Eggplant, and 600 Dark Purple

I’m really into products with unexpected textures, finishes, or formats, so the Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip launch is one that I’ve been waiting on for a while.

The promise

Make Up For Ever markets their Artist Acrylip line as a “lip paint,” with the “rich intensity of acrylic paint” and a “lightweight, non-sticky formula.” The formula is pigmented with triple ground pigments and synthetic mica.

The Artist Acrylip Lip Paints also feature castor seed oil for comfort and hydration, silica gel for a smooth finish, and clay to keep the texture light but non-greasy. Currently, the range features 10 shades, which I find are mostly cool-toned.

Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip lip swatches: 200, 200 / 501, 600

Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip Lip Paint swatches in 200 Candy Pink, 501 Eggplant, and 600 Dark Purple. Indirect sunlight.

The results

I really wanted to love these, but… I just didn’t. It’s a response that I’ve heard from many other beauty bloggers, and as much as I adore the shades that these are available in, I really struggle to wear them.

200 Candy Pink is a very dense, editorial bubblegum pink, but its formula is thick and chalky. I’ve swatched it both heavily and lightly here, but I don’t think my photos do it justice. It caught on every dry bit of skin on my lips, and left me looking like I enjoy making out with silly putty in my spare time.

Make Up For ever Artist Acrylip review – 501 Eggplant

Make Up For ever Artist Acrylip review – 501 Eggplant. See those darker patches?

501 Eggplant is a shade that gives me pause, because I had a lot of difficulties wearing it. It’s a beautiful shade and a relatively comfortable texture, but it also catches on my dry bits. Because it acts like a thin stain, it tints them darker than the rest of my lip, and looks patchy overall.

I love the shade itself, though, and I wore it in February’s makeup look. But even from a distance, you can see the patchiness if you look closely.

Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip review – 600 Dark Purple

Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip in 600 Dark Purple

Finally, 600 Dark Purple is a makeup junkie’s dream shade. It’s inky, flattering, and unique, and it acts the most like an actual acrylic paint.

Acrylics aren’t made for the lips, though, and it seems like Dark Purple isn’t, either. While 201 Candy Pink was too thick, this Artist Acrylip is too thin. No matter how much or how little you apply, it pools unevenly on the lips.

The Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip verdict

As cool as I think the Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylips are, these are one Make Up For Ever product that I can’t recommend. There is enormous variation in the texture of the product by shade, and none of them seem to get it quite right.

If you’re determined to try an Artist Acrylip paint all the same, I would direct you to 501 Eggplant. It may not be my dream texture, but it sure is my dream shade!

Availability: $18 USD/$23 CAD at Sephora.

Note – as I was writing this post, the Artist Acrylip Lip Paints were marked down from $24 USD/$29 CAD, which is their listed price. No word as of yet on whether the current pricing is permanent.

Tags: /Fall/Winter 2016, Lips, Make Up For Ever / MUFE, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

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Annabelle Cosmetics Eye & Brow Palette

March 2, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Annabelle Cosmetics Eye & Brow Palette

As a beauty blogger, my least favourite part of my job is finding wonderful, expensive products. I would never judge a product for its price point, but at my core, I’m a pretty frugal person. It’s tough to find something amazing, recoil in horror at the price tag, and then still feel justified in recommending it.

I know that makeup is inherently a luxury category, but I love finding great products that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Accessibility to the mainstream is so important to me, and access to high-quality makeup is something that I think everyone deserves. Is makeup a human need? Of course not. But it’s not something that should be restricted by income or class.

The Annabelle Eye & Brow Palette is one of those rare finds that’s both well-made and accessible to all income levels. At $12.95 CAD, it’s not the fanciest product–it’s packaged in thin, light plastic and has a scratchy little brush. But the shadows inside are excellent.

On primed eyelids, these eyeshadows last all day on me. I put them through a solid 12 hour-test, naps included, and was able to repeat the test with no creasing and only slight fading. They blend well, and on the lids, they look great–not too chunky and not too sheer.

Annabelle Eye & Brow Palette packaging

Annabelle Eye & Brow Palette swatches

This palette leans warm, and I didn’t love the way it swatched… But then I tried it on. It’s a beauty on the lids, and looks low-maintenance and sexy even on cool-toned skin.

If I could tweak this palette just a little, I would have added one more shimmery highlight. (I wore it with an Annabelle Chrome Eyeshadows in my post-Valentine’s Day makeup look with it.) And, because I hate powder eyeliners, I’d have tweaked the formula of the mattes as well. They’re designed to be used as pressed powder eyeliner or brow definer, so they’re less blendable than the rest.

I get the intention behind it, and it’s not a bad idea. I just rely on having one dark, cool-toned eyeshadow per palette so I can smoke up my lashline, and it was tough to do with a brow powder.

The verdict on the Annabelle Eye & Brow Palette

If you love neutral eyeshadows, this palette is definitely worth adding to your collection. It’s a great example of drugstore eyeshadows done well, and while it may not be as buttery or shiny as a department store eyeshadow palette, I love how affordable it is.

The Annabelle Eye & Brow Palette Eyeshadows wear just as well as any good high-end eyeshadow, and it offers a really good mix of shades. Plus, it’s affordable and lightweight, so it’s ideal for high-risk makeup scenarios. You know: date night, travelling through customs, impromptu sleepovers…

Availability: $12.95 CAD at Annabelle.ca as well as drugstores and mass market retailers across Canada.

Tags: /Annabelle, Canadian beauty, Eyes, Indie brands, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2017

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Matrix Biolage Anti-Static Spray review, photos

February 28, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Matrix Biolage Anti-Static Spray

There are winter necessities like mitts, warm jackets, and heavy blankets.

And then there are winter necessities like these: silicone-free anti-static sprays, that really aren’t necessities necessities, but are nice to have all the same.

I’m a firm believer in the fact that a great haircare product will feel like absolutely nothing. Sure, you want some grit out of a volumizing powder, but most most products should do their job so seamlessly that your hair is left feeling only manageable and smooth.

So does it work? Absolutely. The Matrix Biolage Anti-Static Spray has just a touch of fragrance (orange peel and woods), but it’s otherwise completely unnoticeable in my hair. The texture is very neutral, with one big difference: I get zero staticky flyaways aggressively mauling my face and neck when I use this.

I’ve been crazy about Biolage products recently–I just finished my R.A.W. Shampoo & Conditioner duo and already miss it–and this is just as good as I’ve come to expect from the brand. It’s a little pricey, but for a non-obnoxious scent, that’s something I can easily stomach.

The Matrix Biolage Anti-Static Spray verdict

This anti-static spray is simply composed, but very well done. And, in addition to being effective, it never weighs down my hair (which is always a worry when it comes to anti-static products.)

For those of you who have never lived on the prairies, let me reassure you: Edmonton is pretty darn dry. If something works for static here, it’ll most certainly work for static in someplace more humid, like Calgary or Toronto!

Availability: $23 USD/$22 CAD. Available at select salons & Ulta.

Note: This is an anti-static spray, not an anti-frizz spray. For a smoothing product, opt for something like the Living Proof PhD Night Cap Overnight Protector instead.

Tags: /Hair, Matrix, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Travel

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Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones: Bluetooth earbud review

February 23, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones in Rose Gold White

If you remember my Holiday Survival Guide editorial from this past Christmas, you might recognize the Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones. I began testing them last December and have continued to do so up until now, and I’m finally ready to give them a full review.

I have really small ears, so I had some trouble testing these. That’s why I waited: I wanted to read a few trusted reviews first. But my experience with these products has definitely been influenced by the fact that I’m 5’2″ and built small, so keep that in mind as you read!

The promise: design meets function

With the Vasa Bla (properly the Vasa Blå), Sudio promises “studio quality sound, elegant design and 8 hours of freedom.” The Sudio Vasa Bla earbuds are compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices, so they pair easily with your phone, tablet, and computer.

Like any set of earbuds, the Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones deliver sound that is tuned by Sudio’s own driver and amplifier. Their signature sound is intended to separate out each instrument for a “true studio experience,” with a crisp, distinct sound.

For all of the audio and design geeks out there, here are some of the Vasa Bla specs.

AUDIO: 10.2mm dynamic speaker. 112 dB SPL @ 1 kHz sensitivity. 18 Hz – 23 kHz frequency response. 32 Ohm @ 1 kHz impedance.

DESIGN: 14 grams, composite & aluminum body. In-ear with Bluetooth 4.1; 10 meter Bluetooth range. 10 minutes quick charge; 120 minutes full charge. 8 hours battery life/10 day standby.

How the Sudio Vasa Bla Earpods performed

From a convenience perspective, I enjoyed using these – but only casually. Bluetooth earbuds are handy to have around, but from a sound perspective, the Sudio Vasa Bla Earpods do not have a “studio quality.”

I am by no means an expert on sound, but I did spend two rather miserable years of my life dating an audio engineer. I’ve spent countless hours listening to vinyl, digital, and digital masters on studio quality sound equipment. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the kind of richness and detail you should be able to expect from “studio quality” products, and these didn’t have it.

They sound very much like mid-range consumer earphones, but they don’t have the price tag to match. Compared even just to your standard Apple Earpods, I notice a loss of quality when I switch to my Sudio Vasa Bla Earpods. Sounds come through noticeably more muffled, and I have to press the earpods into my ears with my hands in order to make out small details.

At 14 grams, the Vasa Bla Earpods are on the heavy side, and they fall out of my ears quite frequently. I’m using them with the smallest sleeves (4 different sizes are included) and I enjoy the freedom of going wireless within the house, but my right earbud is constantly going rogue. It’s tough to cook with these in, much less work out with them.

Worth noting, however, is the battery life of these earbuds. I find that most companies (Apple included) will fudge their battery figures slightly, but these really delivered. This was the Sudio Vasa Bla’s strongest selling point for me, and I feel like I almost never have to charge them. It’s kinda like having a magical pair of earbuds!

The verdict?

I’ve read highly positive reviews from a number of my friends on these earphones, and I’m not saying that they’re wrong. We’re just measuring these against different metrics, and neither is “right” – this is just a second opinion.

Are the Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones gorgeous, functional, and easy to use? Absolutely. Would they work well for someone with bigger ears, or less finicky tastes? Quite probably.

But are they “studio quality”? No, not in my opinion. I love these from an aesthetic standpoint, but I wouldn’t pay $140 for this sound quality, even if they fit my ears perfectly.

Availability: $140 CAD at Sudio. Free express shipping worldwide.

Tags: /7. Other, Design, Fashion, Product Photos, Product Review

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Make Up For Ever Acrylip, Annabelle Eye & Brow makeup look

February 20, 2017

Rae Chen

2 Comments

Valentine’s Day is over. That doesn’t mean that red lips are, too.

In fact, now is a better time than any to wear a bold red lip out on the town–they always make such a mess when you’re kissing somebody, and once Valentine’s Day has passed, that’s not really a worry anymore. Like, sure, there’ll be kissing, but is it going to happen in such exorbitant amounts?

I really hope not. I need time to wear bold lip colours.

This look is a really simple one, but I loved wearing it around. It gave me a great excuse to test the new Make Up For Ever Artist Acrylip Lipsticks ($24 USD/$29 CAD) (review upcoming; this one is 501 Eggplant), as well as some of the Annabelle spring 2017 eyeshadow launches.

I feel like Eggplant steals the show for this look, but I actually enjoyed working with the Annabelle Eye & Brow Palette and Chrome Eyeshadow the most. The eye palette was well-pigmented and easy to blend, and the Rose Gold Chrome Eyeshadow provided the perfect pop of metallic shimmer.

With an eye primer, the two lasted for more than 12 hours with no creasing or fading at all.

As much as I loved wearing this look around, though, I’m starting to miss wearing coloured eyeshadow. It’s been ages since I’ve done anything but a neutral lid and a red lip, and I wanna mix things up again!

What are you guys loving on the eyes? I see a lot of lip & highlighter love on the internet, but I feel like eyeshadow love has gone slightly off-trend. It’s all warm hues and peachy shimmers; crisp liner and big lashes. Where’d the colourful eyeshadow quads go?

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Annabelle, Canadian beauty, Eyes, Lips, Make Up For Ever / MUFE, Makeup looks: neutral, Spring/Summer 2017

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Givenchy Mémoire de Forme Jelly Highlighter & more | New 18/02/17

February 18, 2017

Rae Chen

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Skincare

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2436720″]

Has anyone else noticed recently that big beauty stores are getting really into niche products? It started out with Anthropologie, of course–you know, because the folks at Antro live and breathe coolness–but then Sephora started picking up on it, and now Nordstrom has added an enormous repertoire of K-Beauty and high end skincare to their catalogue.

There’s honestly too much variety to even list, so check out the widget above for more skincare deets. It’s worth your time, I promise!

Beauty

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2436727″]

For real, you guys. I need that Givenchy Highlighter Mémoire De Forme Strobing Pop-up Jelly Highlighter (geez, what a name!) in my life like oh my god. It sounds perfect: giant, beautiful, watery, and subtle, with a gentle violet scent.

What else do I love from this week’s New This Week? Well, that CHOSUNGAH 22 Real Cheek Smoother, for starters. I’m kinda just all over everything lilac and watery right now – I’ve been wearing MAC Full of Joy for like, seven days straight, with no end in sight.

But enough about me. What are you guys loving? Anything cool catch your eye? Are there another jelly highlighter out there that I’m missing out on and need to check out?

Tags: /New This Week (& etc), Spring/Summer 2017

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Treat Yo Self: Valentine’s Day edition & a Sova giveaway

February 14, 2017

Rae Chen

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*sponsored by Sova

…Or maybe treat yo shelf? You know, your makeup shelf?

It’s that time of year again, and by “that time of year,” I mean “the time of year in which coupled humans typically exchange dead plant life for affection.” And, while I love a bouquet of roses as much as the next girl, I’m doing something a little different on theNotice this year.

Here are 10 picks that you can treat yourself (and your top shelf) to this Valentine’s Day. Because really, who loves you more than you*?

Shop this widget by clicking through on any product!

Win some joy (with this giveaway!)

As much as I believe in treating yourself when Valentine’s Day comes around (and you can bet I’ll be buying myself some chocolate) (okay fine you caught me; I already have), I really enjoy giving gifts to other people, too. I’m a total sucker for surprising my partners with presents, chocolate, or cute dates, and I’m super excited to get to bring that mentality to theNotice this year.

My friends at Sova offered to sponsor this post and host a giveaway of their Sova CommandO Vibe ($99.99 USD), which I could not be more excited about. One lucky reader will get to add a discreet new remote-controlled vibe to their toy collection! It’s the same one pictured in the editorial spread above, and it features a rechargeable vibe with a battery-operated vibrating remote.

I had fun testing out the Sova CommandO for this post, but I’d love to see a few small changes made in the future. The remote, for instance, would be better if it didn’t vibrate. It’s annoying to hold and burns through batteries like nobody’s business. (Plus, it channels most of its vibrations backwards, into the pop-off end.)

I’d like to see slightly less buzzy vibrations as well, although these did the trick–they’re surprisingly strong, and very quiet. I actually found this toy easier to get off with than the Leaf Life or Lelo (ahem) Siri!

Additionally, I appreciate that Sova is a brand developed by women, but it would be great if their marketing wasn’t specifically “designed for women.” Inclusivity of all genders is an important part of the sex industry (and something I’m trying to be more conscious of addressing in my writing), and broadening its stigma-free stance to include all individuals would be a great thing for the brand going forward!

Enter to win this duo below.

Treat Yo Self Valentine’s Day giveaway

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*Puppies. Puppies love you more than you do.

Tags: sponsored/Annabelle, Eyes, Fashion, Fragrance, Hair, Lips, Lise Watier, Marcelle, Product Photos, Sex, The Edit

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Lancôme La Rose À Poudrer Highlighter: too close to Ladurée? (Nope.)

February 11, 2017

Rae Chen

17 Comments

I will not spend $60 USD/$79 CAD on a single highlighter. I will not, I will not, I will…

Okay, I maybe will.

At least if I bought it I could write a Lancôme La Rose À Poudrer review, right?

Get it: At the time of publication, the limited edition spring 2017 Lancôme La Rose À Poudrer powder blush/”luminous pink highlighter” is available only at Lancôme in Canada.

In the US, it can be found at Lancôme, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s.

Here’s what Lancôme has to say about the La Rose À Poudrer highlighter…

Editor’s note: Bloomingdale’s lists the inspiration as specifically a “’50s French-inspired Bijou box.” I’d be willing to bet that that’s the work of vintage makeup-loving Creative Director Lisa Eldridge!

“La Rose à Poudrer is a giant highlighting rose powder encapsulated in a Parisian boudoir inspired pink box. This elegant and so glamourous pretty box contains a giant rose made of delicate textile.

Each petal encapsulates a luminous pink highlighting powder to apply with the mini Parisian Kabuki for irresistible cheeks and décolleté. Definitely the most poetic highlighter that will bring an added touch of elegance to your bathroom.”

This highlighter is reminiscent of Ladurée’s, but I don’t know… Are the two products too similar to be a coincidence? I’m calling it as a “no,” as Lancôme’s version has shape and shimmer while Ladurée’s features loose petals with more detail and colour, but let me know in the comments if you feel differently!

(To note, Lancôme’s version is also the first to feature fabric rose petals dusted in powder–meaning that the flower itself will always remain in tact, even once you use up the product completely.)

Tags: /Cheeks, Lancome, Spring/Summer 2017

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