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Holiday gift ideas for 2024

December 2, 2024

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2024 has been such an odd year—chaotic and dragging at the same time. For the late-gift-buyers of December (well, not that late, but certainly post-Black-Friday-sales late), here are some of the little treats that I’ve been enjoying playing with recently.

This year, all of my gift picks are from smaller and newer brands. In all the chaos, it feels good to find points of connection. In smaller brands with very clear goals, I feel like you can grasp that point of humanity; you can see almost touch their dreams.

And isn’t that the best gift? Giving someone you love a tiny little way to touch a dream?

My top gift pick for 2024: Makeup by Mario

Let’s start with the two things you absolutely, desperately need: the Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Lip Plumping Serum ($24 USD) and Soft Pop Plumping Blush Veil ($30 USD). These are two of the best products I’ve used all year in any category. They deliver a fantastic amount of pigment, but beyond that, they’re formulated with just the most phenomenal textures. [Ed. note: These products are currently 25% off at Makeup by Mario at time of publishing!]

The first thing you’ll notice about this Lip Plumping Serum is that its packaging is quite unique. It uses a click-up twist mechanism, so while it looks like a traditional soft lipstick bullet, it can’t be clicked back down—only up. The serum is almost a cross between a glossy lipstick and a thick, slippery balm (think Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask), and it looks so juicy on the lips. It has just the right amount of pigment to leave your lips looking glazed, but still see-through.

Swatched L-R in indirect sunlight: Makeup by Mario Strawberry Sunset Blush Veil; Watermelon Pink Lip Serum

The texture of the Soft Plumping Blush Veil is equally gorgeous, but completely different from the lip serum. It’s intensely pigmented and bright; easy to blend and stipple. The formula isn’t too slippery, so it doesn’t become patchy as you blend it out. The shade I’ve been playing with, Strawberry Sunset, is fantastically vibrant.

When you’re buying makeup as a holiday gift, I always feel like lip and cheek products are the easiest ones to please with. You don’t need a specific shade match for them, but they feel a little more special than skincare—they’re a little treat every time you handle their packaging; apply them; see them in the mirror.

Niche fragrances: Ledda 22 Orris

I’ve been dipping into Ledda fragrances recently, and I have to say—I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Ledda is a fragrance company founded by influencer Sephanie Ledda and crafted with perfumer Frank Voelkl (of Le Labo Santal 33 fame). The two have created four scents so far; the first being Orris.

Ledda 22 Orris ($140 CAD) is a soft, buttery perfume that feels as neutral as it looks. It has top notes of pear leaf, pink pepper, and wild freesia; heart notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, and iris butter; and dries down to sandalwood, marshamallow musk, and moss. I like it as a perfume, but I love this as a linen fragrance. It’s the perfect, buttery room scent for your sheets; it lasts for ages and has fantastic throw. It’s feminine without being too feminine, and smells like nothing in specific without smelling like nothing.

Here in hydration: The Organic Skin Company

The Organic Skin Company is a brand that I seem to come back to every few years—like a wave in the ocean. I was a fiend for their cream eyeshadows (sadly now discontinued) and adore The Good Oil.

The Organic Skin Company uses oils produced via CO2 supercritical extraction, which uses compressed carbon dioxide to extract oils instead of solvents. (This can be really helpful for people with allergies, as you can have an allergy to an ingredient that you’re not allergic to if it’s been processed with something you are allergic to!) They’re a cruelty-free company that mostly produces products in India, where they pay above market rate to help support organic farming and manufacture in a solar-powered, Good Manufacturing Practice certified plant.

This winter, I’ve been testing three of the brand’s moisturizers: Hydration Agent ($29.99 USD), The Dream Cream, and Daily Rituals. Hydration Agent isn’t quite hydrating enough to me in the super dry Alberta climate, but it smells fantastic. It’s scented with vanilla and amaranth, and moisturizing with it feels like sinking into a cozy throw.

If Hydration Agent isn’t for you or your giftee, I have to suggest adding The Good Oil ($29.99 USD) to your holiday gift list. It’s such a sunny, hydrating, fantastic-smelling oil, and I love its squared-off glass bottle.

For your pup: Earth Rated

Okay, so to wrap up this gift guide: Something for your pup! I’m a big proponent of reusable materials and prefer to wipe my pup’s paws with washable cotton cloths, but in this mucky season, we’ve been using dog wipes exclusively. They’re thin enough to get right into the crevices between Butt Buut’s little toe pads to clean out salt and mud, but thicker than most brands, so they don’t tear during his little puppy struggles.

Earth Rated makes some great stuff, and these Plant-Based Grooming Wipes ($12.99 CAD) come in Lavender and Unscented. We’ve also been using their Large Enrichment Toy ($22.99 CAD) for walk training—it’s the perfect length for setting a treat lure, and he gets so excited every time it comes out.

And hey; I’m constantly buying this little guy presents, so why not something extra for the holidays?

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Disclaimer: The products in this post were submitted for editorial consideration only. This post was supposed to contain affiliate links, but I got lazy, so it doesn’t.

Tags: /2024, Cheeks, Grouped reviews, Lips, Product Photos, Product Swatches, The Gift Guide

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The best pimple patches in Canada: Review & comparison

September 7, 2024

Rae Chen

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If you had asked me two years ago what I thought about pimple patches, the answer I would have had for you would be very different from my answer today. Two years ago, I would have said “they’re terribly cost-ineffective, but they work so well.” Today, I’d say “they work so well! And I love the way they’re not packed with carcinogens!” (Source 1, 2, 3.)

If you, too, have read the studies about benzoyl peroxide breaking down into benzene and want to get rid of your benzoyl peroxide products, then this review is for you. (It’s doubly for you if you, like I, don’t find that topical salicylic acid products are as effective as benzoyl peroxide creams.) I’ve looked at a handful of the best (and most popular) blemish patches out there so that you don’t have to test and re-test different brands to find your perfect match. I even had the opportunity to interview an expert at Chinese skincare brand Hanhoo to get the lowdown on pimple patches, so read on to learn everything you need to know about these products.

Mario Badescu Drying Patch

What is a pimple patch?

Unlike traditional creams, liquids, and pastes, pimple patches or blemish patches are a physical barrier that you use overtop blemishes. I really like them. They’re typically thin, clear, and flexible, and they “seal off” your pimple. They help prevent you from picking at pimples and also create a little environment where a small amount of treatment ingredients (like tea tree or salicylic acid) are delivered directly where they’re needed. As a result, I find that they treat as effectively at lower concentrations of product.

I’ve never felt like tea tree or salicylic acid get rid of my pimples as quickly as benzoyl peroxide or sulfur do—until now. For me, pimple patches are a great way to make a pimple come to a head and resolve itself in 1-2 days. They’re more effective, in my experience, than tea tree oil and salicylic acid on their own, while also being less carcinogenic than benzoyl peroxide. (And less thick and stinky than sulfur-based products!)

Dianna Guerra, on Hanhoo’s Product Development team, also points out that blemish patches are a gentler way to treat spots: they don’t need OTC-levels of active ingredients to work, and “can serve as a better alternative for those who find that spot treatments are too harsh or irritate the skin.”

L-R: Mario Badescu Drying Patch, Maskeraide Clear Anti-Blemish Patches Spotted Daytime, Hanhoo Blemish Patch large, Hanhoo Blemish Patch small, Nexcare Acne Cover, Hanhoo Extra Strength Blemish Patch, Hanhoo Dark Spot Brightening Patch, Hanhoo EraseZit Magnesium Microneedle Patch

What’s in a hydrocolloid pimple patch?

Hydrocolloid patches are a type of blemish patch that adsorb oils. They’re often produced without any additional active ingredients. Hydrocolloid patches are a little thicker than non-hydrocolloid pimple patches, and they’re not as clear, but they’re great at essentially sucking the oil out of a pimple. As Dianna points out, hydrocolloid itself “helps draw out pus from pimples, eliminating the urge to pop or pick at blemishes.” In turn, this helps prevent scarring and infection.

I’ve never known exactly what hydrocolloid is, but Hanhoo actually walks you through that in their ingredients lists—a happy, accidental finding when I opened up the products I was offered for this article. On Hanhoo’s site, the brand breaks down hydrocolloid as “Polyurethane, Polyisoprene, Polyisobutylene, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, White Mineral Oil.” Hydrocolloid is a non-latex-based material that is thin, flexible, and translucent. (It’s almost-but-not-quite clear!)

Hydrocolloid vs non-hydrocolloid pimple patches

Hydrocolloid and non-hydrocolloid pimple patches are sometimes delineated by their use: Daytime vs nighttime. The thicker, more adsorbent hydrocolloid patches are often preferred for nighttime use, while the thinner non-hydrocolloid patches are easier to wear pseudo-invisibly during the day.

Personally, I separate out my patches by pimple severity. If it’s a basic pimple, it gets a hydrocolloid patch during the nighttime. But if it’s a real rager (you know the type; red, angry, sore, humongous), it gets a treatment patch. Typically, that’s a non-hydrocolloid salicylic acid patch during the daytime and a salicylic hydrocolloid patch during the nighttime. (Mario Badescu and Hanhoo Extra Strength, respectively).

thin pimple patches for sensitive skin canada drugstore

L-R: Mario Badescu Drying Patch, Maskeraide Clear Anti-Blemish Patches Spotted Daytime, *Hanhoo Blemish Patch large, *Hanhoo Blemish Patch small, *Nexcare Acne Cover. Starred products are hydrocolloid pimple patches; unstarred products are acrylates copolymer pimple patches.

My favourite pimple patches

Mario Badescu Drying Patch review

Mario Badescu Drying Patches were the first pimple patches I ever tried. I received an un-finalized press sample ages ago, and god: They were so good. They’d bring my yet-to-come pimples to a head within a day, zapping the swelling out of my skin like a cortisone shot from heaven. And, most importantly, they were matte.

Sadly, the market version of these drying patches is glossy, just like every other brand. They’re a thin, non-hydrocolloid patch, and while pricey, they’re still my favourite pimple patch on the market. They work just as well as they originally did (I think the salicylic acid and tea tree combo really kills it for my skin); it’s just that they’re much easier to see now.

The flexible, soft matte finish of the original patches made them genuinely invisible to the eye at a regular conversational distance. I miss it dearly, and hope desperately that Mario Badescu brings it back.

60 patches per pack at $24 CAD
Non-hydrocolloid: Acrylates copolymer patch
Active ingredients: Salicylic acid and tea tree extract
Cruelty-free and vegan

best pimple patches review silicone free

Maskeraide Clear Anti-Blemish Patches review: Spotted Daytime

Sometimes, you just need a reason not to pick at your pimples every time you look in the mirror. That’s what I love my Maskeraide Clear Anti-Blemish Patches for. These non-hydrocolloid patches are a very good substitute for the Mario Badescu Drying Patches, but they’re a little more affordable. (The brand’s nighttime patch is hydrocolloid.)

I like to use my Maskeraide Daytime patches to cover up oily pimples when I’m out and about. You know how pimples reach a certain stage and get kind of… slippery? And all of your makeup slides off of them the second you graze your hand against the area? These are my path around that.

It’s a simple, three-layered process. A concealer sandwich, if you will. First: A pimple patch. (I’ll often cut these to size). Then: Concealer. Finally: A second pimple patch to lock things in place.

60 patches per pack at $18 CAD
Non-hydrocolloid: Acrylates copolymer patch
Active ingredients: Salicylic acid and tea tree extract
Cruelty-free and vegan

Nexcare Acne Cover review

This isn’t a “best pimple patch.” In fact, it’s the opposite. The Nexcare Acne Covers by 3M are, in my experience, the most widely-available hydrocolloid patch in Canada—and they suck. They’re super thick, sticky, and yellow.

Do they work to adsorb oil? Yes, sure, absolutely. But they look so gross while doing it.

36 patches per pack at $13.99 CAD: (24) 8mm patches and (12) 12mm patches
Hydrocolloid
No active ingredients

Hanhoo Dark Spot Brightening Patches

Hanhoo Blemish Patch Discovery Kit review

I got to try a tonof different pimple patches in this Discovery Kit, so here’s the plan: I’m going to break down the kit for you. Then, below, I’ll review just the standouts. (There’s simply too many to do it any other way!)

One thing that I want to point out about this Discovery Kit is that I’ve seen really mixed reviews for Hanhoo products online. There are reviews of their blemish patches leaving red welts behind, so your mileage may vary. I haven’t experienced anything like that, but you may want to patch test these products first on an arm, leg, etc. Red rashes can be a sign of a polyurethane allergy, and as we know thanks to Hanhoo’s ingredient breakdown, hydrocolloid patches contain polyurethane. (You’ll also find this ingredient in many wood finishes and some non-latex condoms, including Skyn Originals and Trojan Bareskins.)

132 patches in total at $35 CAD
36 Blemish Patches, 2 Custom Blemish Patches, 36 Extra Strength Blemish Patches, 36 Soothing Blemish Patches, 8 T-Zone Pore Patches, 6 Dark Spot Brightening Patches, and 8 EraZit Magnesium Microneedle Patches
Hydrocolloid
Cruelty-free and vegan

Hanhoo Blemish Patch review

These are a super basic, active-ingredient-free patch. For hydrocolloids, they’re very thin and clear (nothing at all like the 3M Nexcare patches that I hate!) Hanhoo’s pimple patches are a phenomenal deal and I love that they come in two different sizes.

By personal preference, I only wear these at night. They can absolutely be worn during the daytime and I see people wearing them all the time; I just don’t like it when everyone else can see how much oil they’ve sucked up! (Honestly, I don’t even like it when I can see how much oil they’ve sucked up—I know everyone else seems to, but I feel like that is None of My Business™.)

36 patches per pack at $7 CAD: (18) 10mm and (18) 12mm
Hydrocolloid
No active ingredients
Cruelty-free and vegan

Hanhoo Extra Strength Blemish Patch review

This is the version of the Hanhoo Blemish Patch that contains salicylic acid. I like that these suck up oil, but honestly, I still prefer acrylates copolymer pimple patches with tea tree and salicylic acid. They seem to get rid of my acne more quickly, and these hydrocolloid patches are a little thicker.

Visually, Hanhoo’s Extra Strength patches are no different from their originals.

36 patches per pack at $9 CAD: 12mm
Hydrocolloid
Active ingredient: Salicylic acid
Cruelty-free and vegan

hanhoo microneedling pimple patch review

Hanhoo EraseZit Magnesium Microneedle Pimple Patches

Hanhoo EraZit Magnesium Microneedle Patch review

These are interesting! I’ve photographed them with the Hanhoo Dark Spot Brightening Patches, which also have a textured underside. Both of these products are designed to deliver active ingredients deeper into the epidermis for faster results. Hanhoo recommends sticking with their flat, unmedicated blemish patches if you have sensitive skin, but I go a step beyond that: I, personally, wouldn’t use these patches. They’re very unique, but the brand wasn’t able to supply me with any research supporting using a microneedling product (a) in the long-term or (b) on acne.

Microneedling can be an effective way to fade scars and discolouration, but it always comes with the risk of causing an infection by introducing bacteria to your skin’s surface. That’s why, in a salon setting, a practitioner will never microneedle an area with an active acne breakout. Doing so can easily spread the acne to surrounding areas. Proper microneedling can also cause swelling for up to five days, and results take months to develop—so eight patches per pack with no specific prep or aftercare for the area suggests to me that the patches will either be ineffective or dangerous to use.

8 patches at $14 CAD
Hydrocolloid
Active ingredients: Magnesium and magnesium oxide
Cruelty-free and vegan

The best pimple patch in Canada is…

I really love the Mario Badescu Drying Patch for both daytime and nighttime wear, but Maskeraide’s Daytime Clear Anti-Blemish Patches are a close second. For a hydrocolloid product that’s a serious budget buy, the original Hanhoo Blemish Patches are great.

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Disclaimer: This post contains products submitted for editorial consideration. (It also contains a bunch of products that I’ve purchased myself, because apparently I simply cannot have enough pimple patches. I’m on my second box of Mario Badescu patches already—they’re that good!) This post also contains affiliate links.

Tags: /Acne, Grouped reviews, Mario Badescu, Product Photos, Product Review, Skincare

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Mother’s Day 2024: Fun Mom gift ideas

May 6, 2024

Rae Chen

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The Fun Mom, you say? Yes: In the words of Amy Poehler in Mean Girls in both 2004 and 2024, we love a Fun Mom. She deserves the world and more, minus a Chihuahua going at her sausages. (If you got that reference, you’ve watched too much behind the scenes Mean Girls footage and interviews.) While Poehler’s character was, ostensibly, actually a terrible mom in both of these movies, the pop cultural phenomenon lives on.

Here are some gift ideas for the Fun Mom in your real life—the mom who’s always there for you, but also has her own thing going on.

Mother’s Day accessories à la The Idea of You

I recently watched The Idea of You and… Kind of loved it, honestly. In an era where the classic rom com is dead (or at minimum really struggling with its own revival), it’s a fun, silly moment. Anne Hathaway had me hanging on her every word, and the chemistry between her and Nicholas Galitzine is phenomenal—like a black hole that fills you up with bubbly, nervous excitement. Try as you might, you can’t escape its pull.

One thing I could not stop staring at the entire movie, however, were Solène (Anne Hathaway)’s Celine 50mm sunglasses. The enormity of the frames worked so well for her character, and let’s be honest: Anne Hathaway looks amazing in any oversized frame.

Her Celine 50mm Gradient Small Cat Eye Sunglasses (available at Nordstrom) keep selling out in their black/tortoiseshell colourway, but I’ve been wearing a similar pair of chunky Vincero Emery Sunglasses (available at Nordstrom) in Rye Tort this spring. They’re a comfortable, solid frame that sits well on my Asian nose bridge and would make a great gift for mom.

Fun, flirty fragrances as Fun Mom gift ideas

A fragrance launch was the last thing that I was expecting to see from Charlotte Tilbury this year, but that’s exactly what we’ve gotten—and just in time for Mother’s Day, too. I love this array of six fragrances because they feel like such a great “young mom” gift to me: Something to get a mother or caregiver in your life that’s fun, flirty and wholly un-serious. Even the flacons are unique and vivid, with crystal-stopper-like caps feel witchy and playful.

The fragrance featured here is the unisex Love Frequency (find it at Sephora and Charlotte Tilbury), which is a “floral woody musk” designed by Anne Flipo (of Chloé Love Story fame). It’s big and bold, with enormous sillage and a oud-y profile that’s just as intriguing on any gender. Keep your eyes on this spot for a future review, because I’ll be covering all six scents in the Charlotte Tilbury Emotions collection.

Also pictured here: Clarins Double Serum Eye (also at Sephora). Because, while we can all smell like we’re still 25 and fascinating, sometimes those eye creases creep up on us anyways. If you haven’t used a Clarins Double Serum before, you’re in for a treat—these serums smell incredible and come with two “dosage” settings, which is something I love about them. It seriously helps cut down on product wastage, which is extra-important for pricier skincare products like serums and eye treatments!

The Muse Headband: A gift mom can use all year

Okay. So there are three main products in the smart self-care category: The Muse, the Sensate, and the Apollo Neuro. I’ve reviewed two of the three, and the Muse is the one that I truly believe in. (The Apollo Neuro, to be honest, kinda just feels like junk science.) All three of these products are priced quite high, but the Muse actually gives you feedback. The Sensate and Apollo Neuro seem like they will, in their product copy, but actually have no biofeedback component.

I’ve reviewed the Muse S before and loved it. It’s an interesting, unique product that gives you feedback in a way that I feel will genuinely help anyone learn how to meditate at home. It’s excellent for working on your ability to self-regulate, calm your brainwaves, and get a great night’s rest. Since my review in 2020, Muse hasn’t made any big changes to the Muse S itself, but it has been working on the product’s app. The new Brainwave Visualization feature launched to the public on April 22nd, 2024. It lets you peek at your brain’s EEG signals to explore your alpha, beta, gamma, theta, and delta brainwaves.

For those unfamiliar with Muse, this is a headband that you (or in this case the mom in your life, whether or not that’s you) can wear to get biofeedback on their brainwaves, breath, and heart rate. It’s an excellent add-on to a new meditation, yoga, or nighttime routine. Muse offers ongoing premium subscriptions for meditation classes and other biofeedback routines, but I find that the Muse S is great with or without a subscription. You can get it for 15% off using the code THENOTICE on their website, which does kick back a small commission my way.

(The nice part about a subscription, however, is that it’s something you can top-up for your mom on Mother’s Day every year if she loves it!)

Haircare must-haves for mom

Ideally, I think moms and other caregivers deserve a monthly spa day—but a more budget-friendly choice are these haircare products from The Rootist. Your hair starts to thin out as you age (or, if you’re me, after you’ve spent a decade on methotrexate), and these strengthening products are designed to help combat that.

The Rootist’s Shampoo and Conditioner (each at Sephora) are formulated as concentrates. You’re meant to use half the amount of product with them that you would normally need. If you’ve been using low-end products, I think that’s true—but honestly, as someone who’s been hooked on Authentic Beauty Company for the past few years, I find myself using a fairly comparable amount of product. The Rootist’s formulas are lovely nonetheless and smell incredibly spa-like; I’m just going through them a little faster than expected. I’m particularly interested in the brand’s AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Scalp Clarifying Rinse (find it here). I don’t have anything else like it, and it’s great for getting rid of scalp build-up.

Fun mom gift ideas: My basics

I am neither fun nor a mom, but I have these products on me all the time. So, let’s finish up with them—they make great mom-gifts!

The first is the new Saie Beauty Slip Tint Radiant All Over Concealer (available at Sephora). This gorgeous, creamy formula builds and blends beautifully. It has a cushy applicator and a skin-like, glitter-free finish.

I’ve read that the Slip Tints lean pink, but as someone with fairly olive/green undertones, I haven’t had that issue with shade 2. Expect medium coverage with this formula. To build, use a dense brush to stipple in the product; don’t wipe at it. Saie recommends their Double Brush for this concealer; I like the small end of it for spot coverage, but as I like a little more coverage out of my concealer, I prefer their Powder Brush for this formula overall.

Another must-have is, of course, the classic Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (find it at Sephora). I’ve been looking for a more cost-effective lip mask than this one for years and have yet to find one. It’s pricey, but it’s huge—which makes it perfect for moms. (Because, as we all know, the second a mom has something… Her progeny* wants some, too.) My most recent Lip Sleeping Mask is Gummy Bear, which is my favourite scent so far.

Have you bought your mom something for Mother’s Day yet?

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Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post were submitted for editorial consideration only. Except the lip mask — someone please tell Laneige that I love them.

*Fun fact: My mother has taken to calling me her “descendant” since I came out of the closet. 10/10; no notes.

Tags: /Base, Fragrance, Grouped reviews, Other, The Edit, The Gift Guide

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Saie Beauty review: Clean makeup and dewy textures

March 11, 2024

Rae Chen

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I love an enemies-to-lovers arc. That’s a weird place to start off a beauty review, but—well, once you hear the story, you’ll get it. My journey into this Saie Beauty review very much follows that arc, and honestly? It makes me love the brand even more.

What to skip from Saie Beauty

My first product from Saie (available in Sephora’s Clean Beauty section in Canada & the US) was their Saie Glowy Super Tint Foundation. I hated it. I was sent the wrong shades, had to jump through some hoops for the right ones, and didn’t love the formulation even then. (I’m a shade 2). At $57 CAD, I don’t like how the formula separates and leaks in the jar. No matter how I apply it, I’m left looking greasy as all get-out, and patchy on my dry spots.

But—but.

Wearing: Saie Dew Blush in Baby, Glow Super Gel in Starglow, and Glossybounce in Play; Charlotte Tilbury Radiant Skin Concealer in 02, Marcelle Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Black, and Annabelle Skinny Brow Pencil in Universal Ebony. Clinique High Impact Mascara.

How I came to love Saie

For some absolutely bonkers reason, despite the fact that I panned their foundation, Saie kept me on their PR list. They told me about new launches; other products. They sent me their Saie Glowy Super Gel in Starglow, a multipurpose illuminator that I use every single day despite the product’s enormous packaging. (It’s available in a mini version as well, which I would recommend in a heartbeat).

From there, I tried their Glosybounce High-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil. I now keep stashes of in multiple homes; anywhere I’m likely to spend a lot of time. It’s not my favourite lip oil—I find the lack of a scent to feel, itself, rather chemical—but their barely-there Kiss shade is the kind of shiny hydration you’d imagine on a Barbie doll.

Most recently, Saie sent me their Saie Dew Blush. I lost my mind over it; I’m still losing my mind over it. It’s taken me from a casual Saie user to a total devotee, despite our rocky beginnings.

Saie Dew Blush in Rosy, Sweetie, Chilly, Dreamy, Spicy, Poppy, Cutie, and Baby

Saie Dew Blush review: Every swatch, shade, and reason to love it

Saie’s Dew Blush is a powerhouse of a product. It’s silicone-free, fragrance-free, and vegan, with a clean beauty formula that performs as well (or, I would say, better) than a standard one. It’s immensely buildable, with a liquid-cream formula that applies like a powdery gloss and melts into the cheek with zero residue left behind.

Saie swatches: Starglow (blended); Dew Blush in Rosy, Sweetie, Chilly, Dreamy, Spicy, Poppy, Cutie, and Baby; Starglow (unblended). Indirect natural sunlight.

I’ve tried a lot of liquid blushes before, and almost all of them have left me wanting in some small way or another. They’re often too liquidy, in an odd little pump bottle. Or, they’re too sticky—Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tints come to mind; they’re the dewy blush to reach for if you want to look jelly-kissed but also accumulate a horrifying amount of loose cat hair as your all-natural, hyperallergenic highlighter.

But these… These are perfect. I’ve been applying them directly to the skin; one dab on the apple of the cheek, and another on the cheekbone. Then, I blend with the super-soft Saie Fluffy Setting Powder Brush. They don’t take a lot of blending to achieve the results I’m looking for, and last for a full workday (with reapplication necessary for the evening).

My perfect high cheekbone blush combo

My new daily blush combo for perfect, rosy, lifted cheeks is Saie’s Dew Blush in Baby, blended out with the Fluffy Setting Powder Blush. I’ll conceal first (I’ve been using Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, which I’ve reviewed here), then set with loose powder after I apply my blush.

From there, I top with just the tiniest bit of Glowy Super Gel—I just use my fingertips to pat it into the cheekbone and down the bridge of my nose, smoothing any excess onto my collar bones. The results are always just so: Like you’re on a Hallmark Christmas movie set and your complexion has been touched by the not-really-cold-so-it-isn’t-blotchy cold.

I’m not even sure when Saie overtook my entire beauty routine, but as I leave the house (always with a touch of Glossybounce on my lips, plus an extra in my tote bag), I’m continually overcome with that “how did that happen” feeling. Saie crept in, silent as a house cat, and completely won me over.

Also, I suppose, like a house cat.

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Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this review were gifted to theNotice for PR consideration only. This post contains affiliate links.

Tags: /2024, Cheeks, Grouped reviews, Lips, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free

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The three best oud perfumes and woody scents at Scentbird

January 3, 2024

Rae Chen

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While working on my 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, I tested out three mouthwatering new-to-me scents from Scentbird. I kind of can’t get them out of my head, so I wanted to give each of them a full review. These rich, deep fragrances are unisex woods & oud fragrances that are perfect for our dark Canadian winters, and in my opinion are some of the best oud perfumes that you can find in a scent sampling program right now.

Hermetica Vertical Oud review

Opens with a beautiful, fresh, sweet burst of cinnamon-powder-but-not-cinnamon-powder. You get the sweetness of raspberry with the sexy dryness of leather and sandalwood here. What I love about Vertical Oud is that it smells so different up close versus at a distance—it’s easy to see why this one is so popular.

Up against the skin, you just smell that rich, leathery base; it reminds me of a more complex version of Le Labo Oud 27 (which I am currently so tired of.) But then, at a distance, you get these sweet, delicious, powdery wafts of fragrance instead. This is a little hollow. It’s not particularly filthy, which is what I like in my ouds, but I imagine Vertical Oud will be rather sexy and feminine on a man or masc. Its drydown is shockingly small for an oud, and reminds me of holiday lattés and s’mores, for some reason.

Rag & Bone Oddity review

Where Vertical Oud is synthetic, Rag & Bone Oddity is light and complex. I’m slightly obsessed with this. It’s spicy and gorgeous, and it smells—honestly, it smells exactly like a mix between a horse stable and an antique shop with an incense stand. I know that must sound a bit off, but it’s everything I didn’t know I wanted to smell like. It makes me feel deeply nostalgic, and its leather notes are actually leather notes: Think saddlery instead of spice.

Oddity is surprisingly light given its note profile, and lifted with vanilla bean. What it lacks in staying power it makes up for in smoke and wood.

Initio Oud for Greatness review

Initio Oud for Greatness is a cult-favourite oud with a heart-clenching price tag—usually around $400 CAD. So, being able to try it and dabble in a bit of it through Scentbird is a bit of a treat. It’s often described as Baccarat Rouge 540 with oud splashed in, which has always sounded wildly tempting to me.

Oud for Greatness was designed by Initio Parfums Prives to be a unisex fragrance. It opens with notes of saffron, nutmeg, and lavender listed, with oud as its middle note sitting on a base of patchouli and musk. It has enormous sillage (even sitting unsprayed around the bottle) and it’s dark, peppery, and thick: If this was edible, it would be smooth and sticky, like molasses.

Unfortunately, I find Initio’s Oud for Greatness perfume to be overwhelmingly sweet. It does so in a way that’s interesting, but I want more filth from it. The synthetic analog that Initio uses here in place of agarwood extract is too clean—I feel like you almost need a bit of sweat on your skin to get this one really going.

Would you sign up for a scent subscription?

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Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post were supplied by PR for editorial consideration.

Tags: /Fragrance, Product Photos, Product Review

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A few more beauty gifts for the holidays

December 13, 2023

Rae Chen

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Okay, so it turns out I liked too many things this year to cover them all in one post. (Honestly, not a huge surprise.) Here’s the second half of my beauty gift guide for 2023, complete with every lip product that you have to try this season and a highlight kit from the cult-favourite Katie Jane Hughes.

More glow to love

I’ve been watching Katie Jane Hughes videos since the early, early beauty blogging days. She was the hooded eye girl of the mid 2010s. Her interviews dominated the beauty industry. Part of the Lisa Eldridge generation of UK beauty gurus, Katie was someone who people interviewed not because of good looks (though she is absolutely stunning) or relatable vlogs, but because of her extensive working portfolio.

KJH Beauty luminizing kit swatches copper

KJH Hyper Shine High Light Kit in Copper: Gloss, Mixed, Pigment

Far beyond her days as the butterLONDON Global Colour Ambassador, Katie now (finally!) has her own line. KJH is exactly what you’d expect: Products for high-gloss, high-vis, runway-ready looks. This is the KJH Hyper Shine High Lite Kit in Lite Copper ($98 CAD), which comes with a perfectly-sized, angled highlighting brush and a liquid Hyper Shine Serum. The two products are designed to be used mixed together, but they can each be used on their own, too.

Lip, lip, lip

It is dry in Alberta. This is what I’ve been loving.

Saie Glossybounce High-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil: I have a love/hate relationship with these. On one hand: They are gorgeous, and Kiss is literally the perfect transparent pink. I love how glossy and hydrating the formula is, and the fact that it’s scent-free is a rarity in the makeup world that I know people with sensitivities will love. On the other… I love juicy-smelling lip glosses, and I’m kind of sad every time I apply these that they smell like oil and plastic instead.

Saie Glossybounce swatches L-R: Dream, Push, Dip, Kiss, Bounce, Play

OLEHENRIKSEN Pout Preserve: The original (yellow tube) of this lip balm feels inexplicably like a tropical lip treat. Or—maybe not so inexplicably. These are formulated with kokum and mango seed butter, and they’re an excellent dose of hydration that’s easy to apply. (I honestly cannot remember the last time I put on a lip balm and I didn’t have to use a doe-foot or my fingertip, though maybe that’s more of a judgement on my own choices than anything else.) For the holidays, I love the Lingonberry Jam version of Pout Preserve. It comes in a hangable gift box and is a dollar cheaper than the original!

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: The internet has said enough about these already. I’m almost out of Grapefruit and Berry, but I’m loving Gummy Bear.

Travel and texture

Okay, these are my final two gift recommendations for 2023! The first one is a really easy skincare product: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser. This super rich cream-to-oil cleanser applies like a luxurious balm, melts into an oil with the warmth of your skin, and then rinses off like a cleanser once you add water. It’s the perfect blend between hydration and cleansing, with less of a greasy texture than solid oil balms and a less-stripped finish than liquid oil cleansers.

The second is a makeup bag that’s kind of genius. I had the perfect travel makeup stack on its way to pair with this, but the stack got stuck in the mail—so this bag is on its own for now, which is a bit of a heartbreak. This is the camel leather Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag (fabric options also available.)

I travel a fair amount, and my makeup and skincare are always a two-bag affair. Everything always ends up incredibly stuffed and disorganized, which is the last thing you want when you’re potentially doing your makeup on the world’s smallest sink ledge in some airplane lavatory. Kusshi bags are made to fit and organize a ton of products. This bag has zippered and mesh pockets inside, a flat stand-up bottom, and a bottom-to-bottom zipper that allows the bag to flare outwards when you open it. The interior lining snaps out so you can wash it (essential for a leather makeup bag, but next to impossible to find) and it even comes with a removable brush roll.

The leather is nice, too—soft and supple and flexible. The Kusshi Signature is a spendy Christmas gift if you buy it in leather, but it’s such a wonderful treat for a loved one who loves to travel.

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Disclaimer: The products mentioned here were gifted for editorial consideration only. This post contains affiliate links. Happy holidays!

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The best beauty gifts of 2023

November 21, 2023

Rae Chen

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I’m awful at picking out Christmas gifts, but you don’t have to be! Here’s an indulgent little end-of-the-year gift guide with all of my recent beauty and bedroom favourites. These are, in my opinion, some of the very best beauty gifts of 2023—and they are perfect for us little work-from-home hermits that only come out once a year for the holidays.

(Part two live now.)

A bit of glow for the new year

I tend to get fixated on certain things, latch on, and refuse to let go. In the 2010s, it was tie-dye pressed pigments; for a while, it was anything baked and veined; presently, it’s liquid luminizers. I love a liquid luminizer this season.

Bottom: Saie Starglow Glowy Super Gel. Middle white: Clarins SOS. Top: The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support; Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil

My favourite my a mile is the Saie Glowy Super Gel. I actually never even meant to try this one—the brand offered to send me their Glowy Super Skin foundation and slipped this into the package as well. The foundation doesn’t get along with my skin, but god do I ever love this luminizer. This is the shade Starglow, and it’s everything you could hope for in a product. The formula is bouncy and water-based (the best way I can think to describe it is juicy), the shimmer is ethereal, and the pricing is fantastic. (This is the full size, which is currently $40 CAD at Sephora. It is enormous and I recommend buying the mini unless you’re a body-luminizer person.) I honestly cannot finish a face of makeup without adding this to my nose bridge and cheekbones anymore—it just makes them look so damn good.

And also…

A few other skincare products that I’ve been dipping into for the holidays include Clarins Calm-Essentiel (my go-to moisturizer for dry or sensitive skin; I’m on my fourth or fifth tube), Clarins SOS in White (for a sparkly all-over primer), and The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support System ($25.80 CAD)—it’s pink!

I’ve also been making a dent in my Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil ($115 CAD) recently. I’m of two minds about this one. On one hand, the serum itself is amazing: It’s incredibly thick and rich and gift-worthy. The formula is avocado oil, olive oil, lavender, evening primrose; all good stuff. On the other, the richness of the oil broke down the glue used in the dropper cap, and at $115 CAD I’m a bit miffed about having a two-part lid.

But man, that formula… It feels expensive.

Indulge in a scent subscription for 2024

I’ve been reviewing perfumes since 2007, so I’m pretty well stocked up—but I still love to try something new. That’s what makes brands like Scentbird so perfect for the holiday gifting season. With Scentbird, you can order yourself or a loved one sample scents or a monthly sampling subscription, so they can try a little something new without having to keep the whole bottle. For those of us who like to change our scents up frequently, these little vials are the perfect compromise.

Scentbird sent over three of their top-selling ouds so I could dip into an indulgent fall/winter fragrance wardrobe this season. And oh, god, I can’t get enough. They came in these genius interchangeable, magnetic, travel-friendly cases and their samples are huge: 0.27 oz, which is roughly 120 sprays. The first sample is $8.47 USD right now, and you have other pricing options for one-time purchases, subscriptions, and mini vials.

Scentbird’s selection is wonderful, too. You can find niche fragrances like the ones I’m reviewing here or big name, mass-market perfumes like Ariana Grande Ari and Versace Eros. Like—where else are you going to find Ormonde Jayne alongside Jo Loves?

The best beauty gifts for lovers of luxury haircare

I’ve said enough on this already. You need this mask (and here’s a very well-priced Mulberry silk pillowcase to go along with it.)

Silky-smooth gifts for the bedroom

Okay, so the silk pillowcase that I just mentioned—it’s maybe not so much a suggestion that’s solely for haircare enthusiasts. I mean, it is; it’s just not only that.

You know when you’ve had a rather enthusiastic romp in the bedroom and your hair is a tangled mess and you’re worried that dragging a brush through it is going to rip it all out? Okay, so maybe that worry is just me, but that’s what the silk pillowcase is for. Consider it a preventative measure to deliver a little less friction.

I recommend the Womanizer Premium 2 as my top sex toy recommendation in every single post, and I stand by that recommendation. To mix things up, however, let me leave you with something new to round out this gift guide: The We-Vibe Rave 2. This is a curious g-spot vibrator that has a literal twist to it. Its design gently scoops to one side around a pivotable g-spot bend that holds its shape. I’m not usually big on insertable toys, but recently I’ve been coming back to this one again and again. It’s different, fresh, and app-controllable.

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Disclaimer: The products mentioned here were gifted for editorial consideration only. This post contains affiliate links. Happy holidays!

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The best silicone-free haircare must-haves for dry hair

September 20, 2023

Rae Chen

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The issue with trying to find the best silicone-free haircare is that, even in 2023, silicone-free can be hard to find. Sure, there are options out there—but they’re often scattered far and few between. You’ll find one product here and one product there, but outside of natural drugstore brands, there are very few uniformly ‘cone-free haircare lines. In particular, it’s difficult to find really nourishing products that are silicone-free—the easiest way to smooth out a dry cuticle is to slater it in dimethicone, and when that’s not an option, brands sometimes falter. That’s why I love Authentic Beauty Concept. The entire brand is silicone-free, and it’s all formulated to be luxurious, rich, and nourishing.

Authentic Beauty Concept fills in a gap in the market. It’s all silicone-free, which is great for those of us with allergies and the like, but it’s a lot nicer than something like Live Clean or Jason. (No shade to drugstore brands: I love Live Clean in particular. But there’s a big difference between a $10 conditioner and a $30 one, you know?)

On the other side of things, though, they’re still products that are made for consumers. You’re not left buying $120 litres from the salon when all you really wanted was a regular-sized shampoo and conditioner duo. Authentic Beauty Concept is priced like Amika or Living Proof and underneath Ouai, Oribe, Kevin Murphy, etc., and it performs exceptionally well.

A great hair mask for dry, brittle hair

My one defining characteristic is that I, dear reader, am always on a little walk. They started as nighttime mental health walks in my teens, morphed into general escapism walks during the pandemic, and now they’re just little spots of sunshine throughout my day.

I love my little walks, but my hair does not. In Alberta’s dry, windy, often-scorching weather, the walks that I love so much have kind of destroyed my hair. And it’s not like it had health to spare: It’s thin, dry, and brittle from balayage as it is. Add in the wind friction and tangles and my crisp little strands are crunchy by the end of the day.

The only thing I’ve been able to combat this with is a great hair mask—and the Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Mask is a great hair mask. It’s a deeply hydrating mask with Behenoyl PG-Trimonium Chloride for detangling and a faint fragrance of florals, cotton, mango, and basil. I leave it in for 15 minutes before I shower and my hair, which usually tangles in the shower and is essentially a rats nest by the time I’m drying off, rinses out sleek and straight. It’s smooth, easy to brush out, and very manageable for a couple of washes.`

Finish with Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Spray Conditioner for a little extra. You can’t really overdo it with this one and it’s a more effective detangler than any of the detanglers I own. (Great for de-frizzing curly hair, too!)

Shampoo and conditioner for dry hair and frizzy curls

Okay, so sleepovers aren’t a characteristic of me, but they were a characteristic of my summer. It was really lovely: I mentioned offhandedly to a couple of friends after a breakup that I was worried I’d be lonely this summer, and god, did they ever turn up.

I hosted six different sleepovers this summer. (It rocked.) From those, I can report that Authentic Beauty Concept’s shampoos and conditioners don’t just slap for straight and damaged hair. They’re also magnificent for curly hair. The brand’s rich, silky conditioner formulas hydrate curls beautifully, leaving them springy and plump. No tangles or frizzy hair here.

I think the Glow line is great for turning frizz into beautiful, plump curls, and the Replenish line shines on damaged hair. I’ve tried a ton of products for my damaged hair and the Replenish conditioner is my favourite—it’s super thick and soaks in like a sponge. My hair feels stronger and smoother after using the Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Mask and Replenish Conditioner than it does with either Olaplex or K18 treatments, so I cannot recommend this enough!

The rest of the best silicone-free haircare from Authentic Beauty Concept

Those are my showstoppers, but I have some other Authentic Beauty Concept silicone-free haircare in my rotation, too. Their little dry shampoo works great; it goes on invisibly and smells delicious and sweet. I like their Hand & Hair Light Cream for a little something extra in my ends, but it’s not a must for me. And, finally, their Shaping Cream is nice for curls—not really necessary as a primer for straight hair though. (I prefer the Amplify Spray Conditioner for fine or straight strands).

Overall, the Authentic Beauty Concept range is killing it right now and I’m enjoying each new product launch even more than the last. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking to indulge in some luxury haircare that delivers salon-quality results!

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Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post were gifted for editorial consideration only.

Tags: /Fall/Winter 2023, Grouped reviews, Hair, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free

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Adult bedroom furniture for resting, recharging, and getting tired again

September 8, 2023

Rae Chen

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There’s a large part of the sex-positive and kink communities that want their bedrooms to look like sex dungeons. I get it: There’s an appeal to that kind of brazenness. But in my own life, I want my bedroom to be full of quiet surprises. I love a piece of furniture that has a secret tucked into it, like these adult bedroom furniture pieces from BDI.

(The secret in my current nightstand, a little vintage piece, is candy. My sex toys lie about on top; my tangerine mints hide in the drawer. They are delicious but sadly not aesthetic.)

*sponsored post

Adult bedroom (furniture) basics

BDI is, by all accounts, a perfectly vanilla furniture company. They make coffee tables, bookshelves, standing desks—well-made, beautiful basics. The kind of pieces that you’d expect to see in the background of a Netflix show, or in an immaculately-staged home.

They also, more discreetly, make my ideal furniture category: Poised, polished, discreet pieces for absolute freaks in the bedroom.

I’m kind of kidding about that. The LINQ line isn’t about hardcore kink. It doesn’t have any secret compartments that you can tie onto or a hidden metal base. But it’s quietly designed for adults trying to keep their sex lives on the down-low. Take the Cross-LINQ or Up-LINQ bed frames, for instance: They look like standard wood bed frames, like the kind that you’d buy at a higher-end furniture store. But they’re made with USB ports on both sides of the bed, tucked into the headboard itself. You can adjust the height of the frame for different mattress depths or partner heights. The bed frames’ slats are cushioned so your bed doesn’t squeak and its headboard has wall levellers to minimize sound, letting you get up to a bit of play while your kids or roommates or neighbours are asleep.

The perfect adult nightstand for discreet sex toy charging

BDI’s LINQ nightstands pair perfectly with their bed frames. Their sleek sliding tops and soft-close drawers are perfect for grabbing a toy out of their depths, unnoticed by prying ears. Each nightstand features storage space and discreet, built-in charging ports, so you can keep your favourite sex toys charged without leaving them out.

This is a bit of a thing for me. Sure, you can plop a charging base on any nightstand—but they’re usually fairly cumbersome. There are cords everywhere, and it’s right out there in the open, and if you want your charger in a drawer or shelf, you often have to cut yourself a little hole in the back for it. (I have, of course, done this.) The aesthetics of device charging can be simplified into one, universal, magnetic charging base for items like your smartphone and watch, but that’s just not an option for your sex toy collection.

Sex toys are finicky. More importantly, they’re proprietary. Each charger is different, so you have to tuck your toys into a messy little drawer and hope you can pull them out in time to charge them before company comes over.

Or you could just plug everything into the LINQ. See what I mean? It’s a piece of furniture with a lovely little secret to it.

What’s great about the LINQ is that (unlike my current tiny vintage nightstand) it offers plenty of space. You can charge all of your toys, tuck away your massage oil, and still have space to slip a little nighttime snack stash into the drawer.

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Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by BDI Furniture.

Tags: sponsored/Sex

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How to buy anal sex toys for beginners in Canada & the US

May 26, 2023

Rae Chen

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The SEO gods have spoken, and the SEO gods want… More stuff about butts, apparently. So, let’s talk about how to buy anal sex toys in Canada or the US, especially as a beginner to butt stuff. This is an anal toy guide that’s all about exploring pleasure on your own level—which means doing it safely, comfortably, and (if you want) shopping from the comfort of your own home.

Looking for an overview of my favourite body-safe sex toy stores? Start with my guide on where to safely buy sex toys in Canada & the US.

Don’t feel like reading? Here’s what I’d buy to start your toy collection:

The b-Vibe Snug Plug 3, njoy Pure Plug Medium (budget option: Crystal Steel Plug), and a Hole Punch Toy for novelty.

Why buy anal sex toys?

When people ask me why the sex toy market is so large (and ever-growing), I have two answers for them. The first is pleasure: People want to feel good, and sex toys are a great way to do that. They help connect us to our bodies, our likes and dislikes, and our partners. The second is safety: Sex toys can be a safe, intimate way to explore new sensations, and unlike partnered sex, they offer a way of doing that that can be an entirely solo project should you so choose. As with other solo sex activities, that means they offer zero risk of STI transmission or pregnancy on their own.

Anal sex toys have more to offer on top of that, and I’ve noticed my site searches and interview requests for butt-related stuff climbing over the past two years. The anus is intensely innervated, with an overwhelming number of options when it comes to sensation.

Products like butt plugs are an awesome way to explore new sensations, but they’re also a great way to enjoy sex toys without experiencing gender dysphoria. Often, you’ll find sex toys marketed online under cisgendered descriptions: Anal toys for him, vibrators for her, etc. But, everyone has an anus: They’re simply not a gendered organ. Anal toys are an entry into gender-friendly pleasure that can feel more comfortable to trans and nonbinary people experiencing sexual gender dysphoria.

Dysphoria is different for everyone, so that’s definitely not a blanket statement—but it’s one of the many reasons why I love this type of toy.

different flared bases of anal toys line flare o ring round

Different anal toy base options: ring, line flared, and circular.

Let’s talk about safety & flared bases

The first rule of thumb when it comes to anal play is to always, always, always look for a flared base. I spoke to Dr. Justin Lehmiller, a social psychologist and Lovehoney’s Scientific Advisor, to provide an expert opinion on the importance of safety in sex toys.

Let’s be frank: Unlike in a vagina, anal toys can get lost in the rectum. There’s no handy close-end loop where the toy will just stop travelling and you can easily pull it out. If you slip something up there that doesn’t have an end that’ll stay on the outside of your body, retrieval could very easily mean a trip to the ER.

So, let’s make sure that we instead opt for products with some type of flared base. This is, according to Dr. Lehmiller, “to prevent the toy from being accidentally inserted too far to the point that it becomes irretrievable.” But we have lots of different, safe options of bases to choose from. The most common type of base is the round base, which you’ll see on basic anal plug sets. These come in different sizes, so Dr. Lehmiller recommends that you find a base that’s “large enough that it won’t inadvertently go all of the way in.” If you find that a round base feels too bulky for your preferences, he recommend trying a line-flared base or ring base instead.

Personally, I find that the bulkier size of a round base can feel comforting. One thing to watch out for, however, is the difference in size between the plug, the flared base, and the neck between the two points. If you’re using a toy with a very thick neck, you could have issues with the plug slipping in (if the flared base isn’t large enough) or slipping out (if the internal plug isn’t much thicker than the neck). Partnered with PIV intercourse, the base of your toy may bump into your partner’s genitals if your vaginal-to-anal distance isn’t signifiant; in that case, try switching base shape or orientation.

Dr. Lehmiller notes that “it might take a little experimentation to find the type of base that feels best for your body and the way you’re using the toy,” which I couldn’t agree more with. Try a couple different options (or a starter set!) to find your sweet spot as a beginner.

Let’s talk about lube

Just as important as flared bases is adequate lubrication. For this section, I got to speak with jessica drake about anal sex—the jessica drake; the AVN Hall of Famer, cultural icon, famous sex educator and philanthropist jessica drake (who is currently Wicked Sensual Care’s Resident Sex Expert).

When you’re just starting out with anal play, it’s important to start slowly. Drake agrees: “Don’t,” she says, “let your eyes be bigger than your anus.” Instead, she recommends that new users “manage your anal expectations and start small,” emphasizing that what you see in porn doesn’t show the whole story. You’re not seeing the prep, the lube, the warm-up time—and you’re definitely not seeing the slow stretching that may have taken months or even years to get to a certain point.

“Lube is mandatory for anal play,” says drake. “It reduces friction and enables penetration because our anuses do not self lubricate.” Not only is lubrication important for pleasure, but it’s also essential for safety; skipping the lube “puts your body at risk for injury and transmission of bacteria and STIs due to tears in those delicate tissues.” To practice safer sex, make sure you’re always using adequate lubrication (too much is always better than too little) and avoid anything that contains a numbing agent, which will prevent you from knowing when you need to “stop or slow down.”

Drake recommends thicker gel lubricants for anal play. I always recommend a thick, water-based lube as it’s compatible with all toys (and I’m personally allergic to liquid silicones), but for longevity and comfort, you can’t really can’t beat a silicone or hybrid lube.

Types of anal sex toys

There are. So many different shapes and types and materials of anal sex toys that you can choose from. Like, it’s only one hole, but the capitalism really popped off when it came to giving us ✨selection✨.

Anal beads

Similar to a butt plug, anal beads are strung along one long rope for extra sensation. These are typically used to increase pleasure around your sphincter as they’re inserted or pulled out, and typically have a much smaller diameter than a plug—which can make them an awesome first step for beginners. Pictured here: Lovehoney Classic Silicone Anal Beads 10 Inch.

Butt plugs

The most “standard” type of anal sex toy. Body-safe plugs come in materials like glass, silicone, and stainless steel and can be worn discreetly in and out of the bedroom. Expect these toys to be rounder (like a spade) or narrower (like a slim cone) with a variety of base shapes available including round, line-flared, and ring. Novelty versions may come with variations such as a floral base, an attached faux gemstone, or a furry tail. My favourite place to shop for butt plugs: Come As You Are.

Butt plug sets

As above, but in different sizes for anal training and multi-use. Pictured here: Booty Sparks Pink Gem Glass Anal Plug Set.

Dilator sets

As above, but designed specifically to slowly and safely stretch out your anal sphincter. Dilators are usually longer and more uniform in diameter than butt plugs. They’re great for beginners, but(t) remember: If something hurts, stop or slow down your progression. Never combine an anal sex toy or dilator with numbing agents or numbing lubes. I’d start here: Dilator sets at CAYA.

Dildos

If it’s a dildo with a flared base, it’s safe for anal use. If it doesn’t, you keep that thing far from your butt—no matter now tempting. Explore deeper pleasure with a dildo, and try different materials to experience different sensations. My top brand recommendation: Vixen Creations. Their VixSkin is fantastically realistic and the Vixen Mistress is an anal bestseller.

Inflatable butt plugs

Inflatable products are an interesting category. Unlike other toys, they have to get their shape right twice: Once uninflated and then again inflated. These toys are typically inflated with a hand pump that sits outside of your body, but often achieve their stretchiness by being made from soft, porous materials. Make sure to choose an inflatable butt plug that’s made from a fully-sanitizable material like silicone. My recommendation: Zero Tolerance Bubble Butt, which is not only made from silicone but is also one of the few toys that self-inflates!

Prostate stimulators

Prostate toys are generally hooked forward to put pressure on the internal prostate, which is found in the bodies of most AMAB (assigned male at birth) individuals. However, anyone can use them—you just might not get that extra oomph of pleasure from the prostate. Major brands include: Aneros, Lelo.

weighted virating rimming and stainless steel butt plugs whats the difference

Butt plug neck diameter differences

Rimming butt plugs

These are a new category! Rimming butt plugs have a motor that rolls metal beads in a circular motion in the neck of a toy. The only one I’ve tried is from b-Vibe and it is stellar. My only recommendation: b-Vibe rimming butt plug.

Stainless steel toys

First popularized by njoy, stainless steel butt plugs and dildos are heavy, temperature-sensitive sex toys that add extra dimension to anal play. They’re compatible with all types of lube and are a very popular choice for a luxury anal toy. My top recommendations: njoy Pure Plug 2.0, njoy Eleven.

Vibrating butt plugs

These are an old category, but very self-explanatory. Look for rumblier vibrations if you want the sensation to travel further and go for a rechargeable model for more convenience and less waste. My top recommendation: ROMP Bass (such a good budget buy!)

Weighted butt plugs

Similar to stainless steel butt plugs, weighted plugs provide a heavy sensation of fullness. However, they are not necessarily finished in stainless steel and therefore do not hold their temperature the same way as stainless steel. My top recommendation: b-Vibe weighted butt plug.

How to choose a butt plug for a beginner

I started research for this post in 2022 as more or less an anal beginner. I wanted to be able to give a definitive answer on the best anal sex toys to start out with for beginners, and especially where to begin with butt plugs.

On my journey, however, I found the strangest thing: Even for beginners, smaller isn’t always better. And simple? Simple isn’t always the right choice. So much of selecting the right anal toy for you has to do with materials, shipping (because let’s face it; no one wants to have a box of sex toys held up at customs), and neck diameter. (Again, that’s the thickness of the part of your toy that’ll rest in your anal sphincter, not the size of your own neck.)

So, here’s what I found. If you’re getting into butt stuff, you should start with your lube. You want something plush, easy to wash off your sheets, and cute enough that you can keep it right next to your bed. Then, you’re going to want to involve your fingers or your partner’s fingers. Lube them up well and have a bit of a play around. If one finger makes your anal sphincter feel quite sore, then start with a very small toy—like anal beads or a small, straight butt plug. If one or two fingers fit comfortably, go with a medium spade-shaped (bulbous) plug as your first toy—anything smaller might slip out, especially if it has a thick neck and a heavy base.

Finally, for materials, I suggest stainless steel or silicone for a starter toy. They’re not your only options, but they’re my favourites. Stainless steel is really nice because it heats up with you and feels weighty in a good way, while silicone lets you get into different product categories like rimming toys. Glass is okay too, but glass toys feel slipperier to me when lubed and have thicker necks as a material necessity. If it’s in your budget, stainless steel is nicer, and silicone has more fun options. (Anecdotally, I’m going to support that statement by pointing out that all of the high-end, luxury butt plugs are stainless steel—not glass.) For novelty and budget options, glass is great, but overall, it’s just not my fave.

My top picks for my personal favourite starter toys that you can keep for the long haul are the b-Vibe Snug Plug 3, and the njoy Pure Plug Medium. For a sexy budget buy, try the Crystal Steel Plug.

Where to buy anal toys in Canada & the US

Shop body-safe toys safely and discreetly with my Canadian and US faves: Come As You Are (Canada—they have a brick and mortar store in Toronto’s Kensington neighbourhood!) and SheVibe (US). For a wider product selection with great prices on cheaper toys, you can also check out PinkCherry (CA), and Lovehoney (international).

As I discussed in my post on where to safely buy sex toys in Canada and the US, I strongly recommend against buying your sex toys from sites like Amazon. Any type of marketplace- or resale-style store runs a high risk of fakes, which can be potentially hazardous when it comes to items like sex toys. Even if you buy from the brand’s store on Amazon, anything that ships via Amazon all comes out of the same box—so you could easily be buying “from Lelo” but receive a fake item that a different marketplace seller is selling.

Sex toys are objects that will be in high contact with extremely permeable membranes on your body. Fake silicone toys can contain toxic or irritating chemicals, fake glass toys could shatter or chip, and fake stainless steel toys may be made from cheaper metal alloys. Buying from a certified sex toy retailer may cost a few extra dollars, but it’s well worth it to make sure you’re getting the real deal. (And honestly, in my experience, you actually pay less shopping a sale at a boutique like Come As You Are than you would on Amazon!)

So shop safely, and have fun.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and product samples. It’s been pretty extensively researched (ahem) over months and multiple interviews. I hope you find it useful!

Tags: Buying Guide/Sex, The Edit

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