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Esqido Starlet, Radiance, Miss Dolly comparisons, Shu Uemura Fresh Nudes review: The perfect “nothing” lid look

December 18, 2017

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I’ve been rocking deeper lid looks this winter (with a burgundy or red lip, for the most part), but I go a little gold when the holidays come around. With a sparkly lid and a set of lashes–the Esqido Starlet Mink Lashes are my current fave–I can get my entire look together in under 15 minutes.

Here are some of my favourite products of the season to get this sparkly, easy makeup look.

Fluttery volume: Esqido Starlet, Radiance, & Miss Dolly False Mink Eyelashes

What really makes this look is a set of false lashes. I’ve always been on the fence about Esqido, but I’m back on the “yes!” side of the fence… For the time being.

Like other mink lashes, Esqido Mink Lashes can be stiff and heavy. But my last few sets of Esqido lashes were from 2015, and the lash styles available today just make them a can’t-miss. Some styles have been updated, too; my original Miss Dolly lashes look almost nothing like the Miss Dolly lashes of today (far right in photos). The new lashes are longer, with a more regular pattern.

Esqido Starlet, Radiance, Miss Dolly false lashes. Shu Uemura shu:palette Fresh Nudes eyeshadows.

What really changed my opinion on Esqido, however, was the Esqido Starlet Mink False Lashes ($29 USD) (far left). I don’t think they were around when I tried out the brand initially, but they’re so good. The lashes are voluminous but very short, with a 3/5 volume rating on the box and 4-10mm mink lashes. They’re incredible for day wear, and really make my eyes look awake without looking like false eyelashes. They actually look a little bit like really well-done lash extensions, at a fraction of the price.

The Starlet lashes are almost my dream lash. I’d love a Starlet 2.0 with just a fraction more volume or length – like, 2mm more, with 10% more volume.

For those of you who also have monolids: in order to make the Esqido lashes comfortable to wear on my eyes, I trim about 6mm off the outer corners and 5mm off the inner corners. It makes each lash a lot shorter, and prevents the stiff band from poking you in the eye every time you blink.

Pair with Ardell Duo lash glue, which cures dry, unlike the super sticky (and otherwise lovely) Esqido Companion Eyelash Glue.

L-R: Esqido Starlet, Radiance, Miss Dolly false lashes

I’ve also been enjoying the Esqido Radiance Mink False Lashes ($29 USD). They’re similar to the Starlet lashes in length and volume, but the criss-crossed pattern makes them a little more obvious. (They’re a 3/5 volume on the box and have 5-10mm lashes.) I think they look rather pretty and fluttery, but they’re more sparse.

Basically, the Esqido Starlet lash looks more dramatic when you look down; the Radiance lash looks more dramatic when you look up. And I’m alllll about that downcast lid look.

(L) 2015 Esqido Miss Dolly lashes and packaging, trimmed; (R) 2017 Esqido Miss Dolly lashes and packaging, untrimmed

My new vs. old Esqido Miss Dolly lashes

I couldn’t say all that without showing you, so here’s a comparison between my new (2017) and old (2015) Esqido Miss Dolly lashes.

I like my false lashes short and full, so I’m not crazy about the update. The old lashes were about as far as I could go with “falseness;” the new ones are too much for me.

Shu Uemura Fresh Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

The nothing eye: Shu Uemura shu:palette Fresh Nudes

Finally… Let’s talk about that lid look. I know you can’t see a lot of it in these photos, but it made the perfect backdrop for these lashes.

The Shu Uemura shu:palette Fresh Nudes ($110 USD/$135 CAD) is a super-fresh update on the brand’s original shu:palette. I like it, but I don’t love it. (That being said, if you want to make me part with it, you will have to tear it from my cold, dead hands.)

The Fresh Nudes palette is lighter and warmer than the original. Each eyeshadow pan is good, but only one was truly great: a buttery, shimmery orange, fourth from the right on the bottom row. A lot of these shades felt like repeats to me, and the mattes were a little chalky.

I loved the original shu:palette so much when it launched and still love it to this day. It’s so creamy and versatile, and each shade is distinct. The Fresh Nudes palette, however, just doesn’t speak to me in the same way. It’s not as broad, versatile, or pigmented.

Is it pretty? That’s for damn sure. And is it everything you’d need for a nude eyeshadow look? Totally, on fair to medium skin. But I had to swatch these eyeshadows 3-6 times to get each swatch dense enough. These eyeshadows just aren’t as creamy or blendable as the eyeshadows in the original shu:palette.

shu:palette fresh nudes review, swatches: top row, indirect sunlight over primer

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Esqido, Eyes, Grouped reviews, Holiday 2017, Makeup looks: neutral, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, shu uemura

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Fresh Holiday Picture Perfect Mask Set, Bodycare Besties review, photos

December 15, 2017

Rae Chen

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The products: Fresh Holiday 2017 Picture Perfect Mask Set and Bodycare Besties

One of the best parts about holiday beauty collections (aside from the abundance of glitter) is the number of sets that come out. I’m pretty sure the word of the moment is “droves:” that is, they come out in them. The brand does quite a few sets each year, but here are two Fresh holiday sets that are paraben- and silicone-free.

(Their Fresh Sugar lip sets are another of my favourites. Here are 2013 and 2015‘s!)

Fresh Picture Perfect Mask Set ($60 CAD/$50 USD)

The Fresh Picture Perfect Mask Set contains three 30 ml silicone-free masks in colouring book packaging. They’re a trio of products to suit all skin types, including sensitive and dehydrated.

Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask is a great spot treatment/acne mask that can be used daily as a deep cleanser for oily, acne-prone skin. I use this slightly green-tinted mask mostly in the t-zone, as it dries on the skin to remove impurities. The brand’s Rose Face Mask is a lot simpler; it’s a hydrating gel mask with rosewater and rose petals. It’s almost identical to The Body Shop’s British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask, with less fragrance and a slightly thinner texture. (Honestly, I prefer The Body Shop’s.)

Finally, the kombucha-rich Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask is made to hydrate, soften, and smooth. It has an odd texture – velvety and matte; almost like there should be silicones in there, but there aren’t. It leaves my skin tingling and fresh.

I think this Fresh holiday set feels a little pricey for what you get, but it’s a great way to try all three of these – they work out to $20 CAD each in the set, but they’re usually $30 each for 3o ml.

Get it for: The multi-masker.

Fresh Bodycare Besties Set ($50 CAD/$38 USD)

The Fresh Bodycare Besties Set is another great gift idea. Body care is always easier to buy for someone else, and it makes a better host gift in my opinion. It’s a little more “treat yourself!” and a little less “you look tired!”

Bodycare Besties features Fresh’s classic Brown Sugar Body Polish, a thin, sugar-and-oil body scrub that’s both exfoliating and hydrating. It also contains two small tubes of Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Body Lotion and Bath & Shower Gel, which both smell deliciously of refreshing grapefruit. I love a good sugar body polish (the oil bases always leave my skin feeling so smooth and hydrated), but the Hesperides body lotion takes the cake for me in this set.

(My mom, a grapefruit fanatic who is insanely hard to buy for, perked up when she saw these. But I’m loathe to part with these travel-sized tubes … And I know she’s still working through the Bliss Grapefruit & Aloe Body Butter that I gave her, which makes me feel a lot less bad about it.)

(I’m kinda hoping she’ll just forget these exist if I never bring them up again.)

Get it for: The grapefruit lover!

Tags: /Fresh, Holiday 2017, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, Skincare, The Gift Guide

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Clé de Peau Beauté Collection Nuit de Chine Eye Color Pencils review, swatches, photos

December 11, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Clé de Peau Beauté Collection Nuit de Chine Eye Color Pencils

You know how every year, there’s always someone on your list who you don’t know what to buy for? Well: these Clé de Peau Collection Nuit de Chine pencils have you covered. They’re gorgeous, luxurious, and so fancy that they can totally stand in for a Diptyque candle.

(AKA the ultimate no-thought, super bougie, wallet-breaking fallback gift.)

The Clé de Peau Eye Color Pencil set

The Clé de Peau Collection Nuit de Chine Eye Color Pencils set contains five mini (0.05 oz) pencils. Each one comes in immaculate plastic packaging, with super-fine artwork and a blunt tip. The bases, which are coloured to match the pigments, twist to push the colour up.

You know, because sharpening something this pretty would just be a waste.

Clé de Peau Eye Color Pencil Set swatches (indirect sunlight, no primer)

The Clé de Peau Eye Color Pencil formula

What is it with high-end makeup and sheerness? Because these babies are sheer. I feel like the fancier you go (save for Tom Ford and Natasha Denova????), the finer your shimmer particles get, and the more dispersed the pigment. After a certain point, everything gets sort of Into the Gloss-y: a lot of marble, great packaging, and model-esque French girls looking like they “just woke up like this.”

I live and die for sheer, effortless products, though, so I’m not going to complain. These pencils are super smooth and easy to blend, and the beige makes a great “nothing” lid colour. But they’re a luxury: they’re NOT what I’d use for a punchy eye look, and they’re too wide and sheer to be used as eyeliners.

I was hoping that this smooth, slightly dry formula would wear well without primer, but unfortunately, these creased on me within two hours. Wear with primer, or live with your creasing.

The verdict on the Clé de Peau Collection Nuit de Chine Eye Color Pencils?

These are, as I mentioned, totally a luxury product. They’re great for spoiling, but they go on sheer – so if you’re looking for a high-impact pencil, I’d skip these. (Opt for the Sephora Collection jumbo pencils or the Annabelle Smoothies instead. They come at a fraction of the price, and they both have creamier/thicker formulas that deliver opaque pigment.)

Availability: $100 CAD at Holt Renfrew, Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Ogilvy’s.

Tags: /Cle de Peau, Eyes, Holiday 2017, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

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My must-have comfy winter heels | Geox Inspiration Wedge review

December 7, 2017

Rae Chen

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I’ve always had a hard time finding comfy winter heels, but I lucked out this season with the Geox Inspiration Wedge ($225 CAD). They’re a medium heel that feels much lower, and the wedge style helps a ton with weight dispersal.

I added two Geox Inspiration styles to my shoe closet this year, but the Inspiration Wedge (get it at Nordstrom/The Bay) is far easier to wear than the high Inspiration boots. I really feel the heel in the boots – enough so that I won’t wear them when I’m walking or taking the train to my destination. The wedges, though, have become my go-to everyday boot. I can wear them to dinner, class, or out shopping, and unless I’m doing a lot of walking (DOG PARK! DOG PARK! DOG PARK!), my feet never feel achey by the end of the day.

What makes the Geox Inspiration Wedges the perfect comfy winter heels

A lot of Geox’s fall lineup is on sale right now, making now the perfect time to pick these boots up. They’re a great blend of dressy and casual, adding refinement to outfits with leggings and t-shirts while dressing down things like fit-and-flare skirts. And they’re a standard shoe style from Geox, too: the Inspiration sole comes out every season in a couple new styles, from pumps to tall boots.

My only point of hesitation with these booties is that I’m noticing more wear than I’d like to. The raw leather edge near the zippers, which rubs against the opposite shoe all day long, is showing wear within just one month – but, to be fair, I’ve worn them almost every day in that timeframe. (The flexible, grippy, breathable soles still look stellar.) If you’re hard on your shoes, it’s worth noting.

The Geox Inspiration Wedge booties are my second pair of comfy winter heels, and they’re one that I’d buy again in the future. (The other is an old, black pair of suede Clarks, which I honestly regret not buying a backup of). They fit really well, and they’re one of the brand’s best-selling fits. Seriously: when I was in the store, an older woman came in and asked for the Inspiration by name. She had apparently bought her first pair sometime before, and now picks up a new style every season!

Do you have a favourite pair of comfy winter heels? Or are you a flat-shoes-only person?

Tags: /Fall/Winter 2017, Fashion, Product Photos, Product Review

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What you need from Sephora Holiday 2017: review, swatches, photos

December 4, 2017

Rae Chen

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With the start of December, we’re knee-deep in the holidays already – so now’s a better time than any to chat about the Sephora Holiday 2017 collection. This year’s collection contains a few great (affordable) finds, and some oil slick products that’ll totally knock your socks off.

Oil slick rainbows in the Sephora Holiday collection

I die for oil slick packaging, and it was all over Sephora’s Dark Rainbow collection ($12-$110 USD) this year. Paired with black rhinestones, the resulting look is just fantastic: edgy and pretty and very, very cool. My faves are the sparkly Dark Rainbow Compact Mirror ($12 USD/$15 CAD) and springy Dark Rainbow PRO Flawless Airbrush #56 foundation brush ($32 USD/$40 CAD), both limited edition.

There’s also a beautiful oil slick covering the Sephora-exclusive House of Lashes Holiday Gem Set ($26 USD/$33 CAD), which is a must for any House of Lashes fan. It comes with one pair of House of Lashes x Sephora Collection Natalia Lashes, two mini lash adhesives in black and white, and the Precious Gem Lash Case. The case is a bit bulky, but it can hold glue, tweezers (not included), and three false lash sets.

Sephora Collection stocking stuffers

This year’s Sephora Collection palettes and single items are another treat, and they make great stocking stuffers. At under $20 USD, I’m surprised every year by how affordable the Sephora holiday pieces are.

My top picks this year are the Sephora Collection Wonderful Stars Eye & Face Palette ($16 USD/$23 CAD) and the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Set ($12 USD/$15 CAD), both of which I used in my 3 x LBD lookbook. The Wonderful Stars palette is a little sheer (these swatches are layered 3-4 times), but it performs well otherwise. It’s not the same quality as a $50 eyeshadow palette, but at $23 CAD, it’s a bloody steal – I thought it was going to be closer to $35. Read more

Tags: /Cheeks, Eyes, Grouped reviews, Holiday 2017, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Sephora Collection

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The little black (holiday) dress | 3 LBD outfit ideas from Tobi & Bijoux Indiscrets

November 29, 2017

Rae Chen

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Do you know how many holiday parties I have to go to this year? Like, ~~none~~ okay, like probably three. Because I never leave my house. I’ll be going to them in the locally-designed dresses from Workhall that I picked up last week, but I tried out this Tobi dress trio first.

These three LBDs cover three entirely different parts of the holiday dress spectrum, which I love. I’ve wanted to check out a Tobi dress for a long time, and I was super psyched to finally get to – but though they’re stunning, these dresses didn’t fit the way I hoped they would.

The holiday chill sesh Tobi dress

WEARING Tobi Bailey Choker Tee Dress ($38 CAD) with Diesel sneakers. Aveda Lipstick in 31 Orellana Sun.

What’s more chill than an oversized tee? An oversized tee with a cool-girl choker collar and a deep V.

I wasn’t sure that the Bailey Choker Tee Dress would fit my vibe, but I think it’s the only dress of these three that I’m actually going to be able to wear out of the house. It’s not too showy, and the huge-but-sheer size of it is just incredibly chill.

You know, like, “I’m here and I think you’re cool, but I don’t want you to think that I’m too into you, so I’m not going to dress up for this but I’m still going to look hot.” (Honestly though, I have a tendency to just overdress for everything. If I’m into someone, they should know and they should feel honoured.)

This Tobi dress is the perfect length for my short-girl frame when paired with sneakers. It’s inordinately wide, so I’d definitely dress up the rest of my look for a party setting – curled hair, a bit of lipstick, and my new go-to lashes are more than enough.

The maneater Christmas party look

WEARING Tobi Ava Long Sleeve Bodycon Dress ($94 CAD) with Bijoux Indiscrets Tassel Choker in Brown ($35 USD/$45 CAD). Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in 50 Voyager ($9.49 USD).

I am all sorts of crazy about this dress, you guys–but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wear it out of the house.

Everything about this Ava look is so extra, from the super dark lip (Maybelline’s Super Stay Matte Inks totally pass the kiss test, even through a heavy makeout sesh) to the tassel choker. But this Tobi dress itself is tiny. I routinely slip out of it from both the top and the bottom, so buyer beware… Unless you’re far more confident with your body than I am.

That being said, this dress was by far my favourite of these three. It’s unabashedly sexy, with a plunging neckline and a short hemline. The extra small was a great fit for my frame (I’m usually about a size 4), and the sleeves weren’t too long for me, either. It’s just an issue of falling out of it, really: it’s the perfect fit as long as you don’t move or bend at all.

I’ll definitely be posting more about the Bijoux Indiscrets Tassel Choker that’s paired with this dress, but for now: make space on your holiday wishlists. It’s so much fun.

The sexy night in LBD

WEARING Tobi Night Owl Plunging Bodycon Dress ($54 CAD) with Bijoux Indiscrets Wide Choker in Brown ($45 USD). Sephora Collection Creme Lip Stain in 01 Always Red ($12 USD for four).

The last dress in this trio is honestly my ideal holiday dress, and I was expecting it to be my favourite Tobi dress of the three. And, in the right size, I think it may have been.

But the Tobi Night Owl dress was a LOT bigger than I was expecting, and I could have easily fit into an XS or (if they made one) an XXS. I pinned the back in three different places to make it work for this shoot, and it’s still rippling out a bit in the side-view photographs.

It hits a great blend of giving you that super low neckline without a super high hemline, though, and it looks fantastic with a red lip. (This is the classic Sephora Creme Lip Stain in Always Red, which lasts well but doesn’t pass the pasta or makeout tests.) I love it with a nude collar – this is the Bijoux Indiscrets Wide Choker in Brown ($45 USD), without its leash.

What you need from these holiday makeup looks

You totally need a tube of Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in 50 Voyager ($9.49 USD), or any of the other colours that it’s available in. The formula feels a little tight on the lips, but it’s incredible: it lasted five hours on me, easy, even through a bowlful of noodles, a bubble tea, and some vigorous tooth-brushing. (It didn’t even start to show signs of wear until seven hours later.) I’ve never been able to make out with someone while wearing a dark lip before, but this makes it possible.

Which is really all I needed to complete my life.

I would also definitely recommend the Sephora Wonderful Stars Eye & Face Palette ($16 USD/$23 CAD), which isn’t a super high quality palette, but it’s a steal for the price. The Kiss Looks So Natural Lashes in Shy (~$5 CAD/$4 USD) are a must, too – they’re all I’ve been wearing for the past month.

Tags: Maybelline Matte Ink/Bijoux Indiscrets, Bonlook, Fall/Winter 2017, Fashion, Holiday 2017, Indie brands, Makeup looks: colour, Maybelline, Product Review, Sephora Collection, Sex

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Black Friday/Cyber Monday makeup & sex toy sales

November 22, 2017

Rae Chen

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The best beauty & fashion sales around the web

(Aka the only ones I’m bothering to promote, but I’m sure there are others and they will be great! Drop your musts in the comments below.)

Annabelle

40% off everything + free shipping for Black Friday
I recommend the Chrome Eye Shadows, Smokey Eyeshadow Palette, Skinny Brow Pencils, Outlash and Expandable Mascaras, and Vamp Twist-Up Lipstick. They’re all part of my regular makeup routine, and continually perform better than more expensive products!!

Bijoux Indiscrets

Is this fashion or is this sex toy-related? I choose to say both, but because I wear my Maze X-Harness as outerwear all the time, I’ll drop this link here.

Best prices on the Maze X-Harness ($45.50) and Tassel Choker ($24.50) – look coming up soon; you totally need this).
30% off sitewide on Black Friday

Deciem

Deciem always has the best Black Friday deals. I bought the Sanskrit Saponins for $9 (from $50). Go there now.

Dynamite

30% off site-wide

FOREO – use code BFAFF17 to get these deals before Black Friday!

25% off the ISSA + free Hybrid Brush Head (11/22-11/29)
22% off the LUNA Mini 2, IRIS, and LUNA 2 (11/22-11/29)

Henkaa

(I’m really tempted to buy the Henkaa Ivy for myself – it’s a super-sexy maxi dress, and it’s only $49.98!)

The Henkaa Sakura Maxi and Henkaa Blume Convertible Dress that I so love are on sale in Night Black for $108.80 and $45.90 (!!!) this weekend.
Get up to 70% off all in-stock, pre-made Night Black dresses and select accessories with this early-access link
PLUS get an additional 15% off everything with code TAKE15 (11/22-11/27)
And get free standard shipping on Cyber Monday!
Valid in the US & Canada

La Senza (CA)

I prefer Aerie and, depending on the items, Victoria’s Secret to La Senza. But man: you really can’t beat their Black Friday sales.

11/19-11/23: Black Friday pre-sale
11/23 at 9 AM EST-: 40% off sitewide and free shipping over $50
11/25-11/26 at 8 AM EST: 50% off sitewide, an extra 25% off clearance, and free shipping over $25!
11/28: 40% off sitewide

Marcelle

30% off everything + free shipping for Black Friday
I recommend the Translucent Face Powder (loose and Monochromatic pressed) and Precision Liquid Eyeliner.

Nordstrom

Up to 50% off select beauty tools
Up to 40% off collections at Nordstrom
Get an extra 20% off select sale items for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Free returns & free US shipping

Sephora

Black Friday countdown sales, including marked-down value sets
US Black Friday deals: $15 & under
Canadian Black Friday deals: $20 & under

The best sex toy sales around the web

I try my best to recommend affordable products on theNotice, but I often find that the sex toys I want to recommend are over $100. So, when I can, I like to let you guys know about all the good sex toy sales!

A $10 AAA battery bullet vibe is nothing like a well-made, waterproof, rechargeable silicone toy, but the latter doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out my favourite sex toys here, and shop them at the sex toy sales below.

Come As You Are – 11/23-11/27

CAYA currently has the best price on the Je Joue Mimi Soft ($73.92 CAD including shipping).
US conversion rates often make toys cheaper for Americans to buy from Canadian stores, and CAYA offers free shipping over $50 (Canada) and $150 (US).
Get 20% OFF all sex toys (anything that isn’t a book or a DVD) with coupon code TAKETWENTY
Every order placed this weekend automatically gets a 15% OFF coupon for January!
FREE DELIVERY on all Canadian orders over $50 (and all USA orders over $150)
Amazing door crasher sale specials up to 60% OFF

LuxuryVibrators.ca – 11/23-11/27

20% sitewide

Peepshow Toys – 11/24-11/27

Peepshow currently offers the best price on the VixSkin Mustang ($83 USD).
Blowout specials: Two Swan toys at 60% off, two L’Amourose toys at 30% off, and my beloved Womanizer Pro 40 at 30% off ($90 USD).
Black Friday progressive sale: 10% off purchases $5+, 15% off $75+, 20% off $125+, and 25% off $200+. (Sales cannot be combined, but blowout sale prices are counted in the progressive sale tier totals.)
Free US shipping over $70

PinkCherry.ca & PinkCherry.com

PinkCherry.ca currently offers the best price on the We-Vibe Tango ($65 CAD) and Womanizer Pro40 ($90 CAD).
30% off with code BLACK30 (some exceptions apply).
Free US & Canadian shipping over $49.
Edited to add: y’all. Unicorn pasties.

Tags: /Shopping, Steals and Deals

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Doxy Die Cast Wand Massager review, photos | The wand that changed my mind

November 20, 2017

Rae Chen

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*sponsored by LuxuryVibrators.ca

The product: Doxy Die Cast Wand Massager

Today’s a good day. I just got back from a super relaxing weekend in the mountains, it smells nice and fresh outside, and the Doxy Die Cast is a thing that exists in my life.

I know what you’re thinking. But Rae! You hate massage wands!

Well… I thought I did. And then I met the Die Cast.

What makes the Doxy Die Cast irreplaceable (to me)

Up until I tried the Die Cast, I hated most wands. I can’t stand the Magic Wand; I actively hate the Sola Sync; and I only abide by the Lovehoney x Tokidoki Unicorn Massage Wand because, well, it’s a unicorn. (Its horn makes it feel more like a traditional vibrator than a wand.)

But the Die Cast is incredible. It’s rumblier than the lighter massage wands I’ve tried, and the super-smooth silicone head feels comforting, not grating. The vibrations are overwhelming, but the double weighted head of this toy dampens them so that they don’t hurt or feel numbing – which wands often do, for me.

The magic of the Doxy Die Cast is twofold. Firstly, it’s a goddamn work of art. It’s made from a die cast aluminum & titanium alloy, with a medical-grade silicone head. It has squishy, LED-backlit buttons (hold the power button to turn it on with a pulsation mode) and a 12-foot cord. It feels just as luxurious as it looks, too – you could easily club someone to death with this flawlessly smooth handle. Die casting is an expensive process (hence the $285 CAD price tag on the Die Cast, which is updated significantly from the Doxy Original Wand), but it delivers.

I learned from retailers at Woodhull that the white Die Cast does poorly online, but flies off the shelves in person. I can see why: the white finish looks flat in stock photos, but is dazzling in real life. It’s full of multidimensional purple reflects that glow slightly green at a flat angle. Take a close look at the photo below – you should be able to just barely see that beautiful green and purple glow.

Look at that glitter!

Secondly, the Doxy motor is at its best in the Die Cast. I love intense vibes, but I’ve never made it to max with this wand. The lowest setting on the Die Cast feels significantly more intense than the highest setting on the We-Vibe Tango, so you’re really in for a powerful (but noisy) experience when you use it.

With a bullet vibe, it takes me anywhere from 12-50 minutes to orgasm, with an average around 25 minutes. With the Doxy, I can do it in five.

I didn’t even know my body was capable of getting off in under ten minutes. And while the orgasm isn’t as full-bodied as it would be if I took my time to build up to it, it makes me feel (for lack of a better word) normal.

I have a lot of anxieties wrapped up around sex, and I love sex toys with the intensity that I do because they make orgasming easier for my disabled body. But while I know that it’s totally normal for orgasms to their time to come, taking that up to an hour makes me feel awful. I get tired from carrying that much tension in my body for that long, and crabby because my body won’t do what I want it to.

Owning a sex toy that helps me come on my terms is incredibly empowering, and that’s why the Die Cast feels so irreplaceable to me.

The Doxy Die Cast carrying case

The Doxy caveat

I was expecting to hate the Doxy Die Cast. Not just because I thought I hated massage wands, but because I haven’t had the best experiences with Doxy, either. Don’t get me wrong: the people behind the brand are amazing, as are the products. But their toys frequently arrive faulty.

My first Doxy experience involved an un-fixed motor, which slid vibrations from the handle to the head, and back again. My second was this very product, which Doxy had to replace because it came with a spinning head that I couldn’t fix.

Friends! Do you own a @Doxy? Have you had problems with said Doxy? I’d love to hear about them for an upcoming review!

— Rae Chen (@theNotice) September 15, 2017

I asked my followers in a Twitter poll if they owned a Doxy product, and more than half of respondents who own a Doxy said that their Doxy has had problems. The problems included sticking buttons, stuck caps, spinning caps, and more. And Doxy has been great in each and every instance, providing hacks and replacement products free of charge, but… That shouldn’t be necessary.

If you’re paying almost $300 for a vibrator, your experience should be perfect. Your product (or your gift) shouldn’t arrive faulty. Even if the company is great about fixing problems, which Doxy is, the faulty products shouldn’t be going out in the first place.

The Doxy Die Cast verdict?

Get it. Get three! Get as many as you can possibly afford. (Which is probably not that many, because man, these are EXPENSIVE.) Just do yourself (and me) a favour if you’ll be buying it as a Christmas gift, and double check your Die Cast’s head before you put it under the tree.

The Doxy Die Cast is a massage wand, but it’s the best damn massage wand I have ever tried. It’s not very discreet or travel-friendly when compared to many smaller, rechargeable vibrators, but I will happily exchange all that for this beautiful, beautiful motor and heavy, rumbly head.

Note: The Doxy Die Cast is “compatible with all standard large massage wand attachments.” Doxy also makes a Doxy Original Massage Wand, which features the same motor and shape – but a different casing. My wonderful blogging friends Hey Epiphora and Dangerous Lilly have excellent comparisons of the two!

Availability: $285 CAD at LuxuryVibrators.ca, who I am forever grateful to for introducing me to the Die Cast. LuxuryVibrators.ca is a Canadian-owned business, and they stock only body-safe products. Get $28.50 off this item (that’s 10% off all regular-priced items at Luxury Vibrators) with code “theNotice”!

EDIT 30/11/18: It’s been a year since this review, and I’m still totally smitten with my Die Cast. I use it on a weekly basis, gave my sister one for her fibromyalgia pain, and even bring my Die Cast on weekend trips with me. I really appreciate that its battery is never going to die (unlike my constant stream of We-Vibe Tangos), and now that I’ve seen a few more Doxys in person… yeah, I’d still stick with the sparkly white!

Tags: favourite sex toys/Indie brands, Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, The Gift Guide

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Henkaa Sakura Maxi Convertible Dress review, photos

November 16, 2017

Rae Chen

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Shot by the absolutely amazing Chelsey Belec. (Find her at @chelbel for bookings!)

The product: Henkaa Sakura Maxi Convertible Dress in Mauve Taupe

Back in August, I posted about one of my favourite finds of the year: a super cool convertible dress/top/skirt from Henkaa. I’m still loving the Henkaa Blume, but what has my heart right now is the Henkaa Sakura Maxi in the relatively new Mauve Taupe.

(I mean, Mauve Taupe was brand new when I first tried it on, but then I did my thing and took forever to get this post up, so… yeah. I was so ready for it, too! But then I re-shot the images three times, and now we’re here!)

The Sakura is to fall what the Blume was to summer, and if you thought the Blume was convertible… you’re going to lose your mind over the Sakura. (I did.) It comes in two lengths, midi and maxi, and just an absolute rainbow of colours.

This dress can be worn in 60+ different ways, and it’s really easy to tie. I have it styled two different ways in this post, with a third coming up in the winter.

Wearing: KISS Blooming Lashes in Lily, Inglot eyeshadows, and Burberry Lip Colour Contour Pen in Fair

What the Henkaa Sakura Maxi is great for

Um… everything?

The Henkaa Sakura Maxi is perfect as a wedding dress. It’s amazing as a bridesmaids dress. And it’s gorgeous as a maternity dress. It’s great for fancy dinners and evening parties, and it can be styled with an assortment of wonderfully sparkly embellishments and overlays.

Basically, the Sakura is killer for any event in which there’ll be a professional photographer. But it’s not so great for casual get-togethers, so I really don’t understand why I’m so in love with it. (Like any good blogger, I never go to fancy things, and I rarely leave the house.)

The versatility of the Sakura’s design means that it can be worn again and again, or purchased full-length for a wedding and then cut to a midi length afterwards. It comes in two sizes to fit sizes 0-24, and it’s wrinkle-resistant and made in Canada.

However: Henkaa’s Lenaa fabric can be quite sheer. I could see my nude bra clearly underneath the Pure Ivory Sakura, and without the bra, my nipples went full deer-in-the-headlights. Many of its styles won’t cover up bra straps, so depending on your build, it may not be the most forgiving dress. (Its generous folds make it very lengthening, though!)

Like the Blume, the Sakura will fit people who fall in the middle of the size spectrum the best, but it’s great for any height.

The verdict on the Henkaa Sakura Maxi?

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I need to own the Henkaa Sakura Maxi Convertible Dress in Pure Ivory. Despite its sheerness, the only thing still up in the air is whether that’s going to be for theNotice or for my far-off wedding day – but it’s going to happen.

That’s how much I love this dress.

I am endlessly fascinated by convertible dresses, and the Henkaa Sakura is an absolute vision in both mauve and white. If you dress up a lot for work (my friend Bri attends a lot of weddings, for instance) or you need an event dress that you’d like to be able to wear again, start your search here!

Availability: $168 CAD at Henkaa.

H/t again to Chelsey for making me look far cooler than I actually am.

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Canadian beauty, Fall/Winter 2017, Fashion, Henkaa, Indie brands, Makeup looks: neutral, Product Photos, Product Review

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Deciem The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7%, Squalane reviews, photos

November 13, 2017

Rae Chen

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The products: Deciem The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution and 100% Plant-Derived Squalane

When my skincare stash needs a bit of freshening up, there’s one brand that I always know I can turn to: The Ordinary. Their products are everything that I look for in a brand. Not only are they affordable and Canadian, but they’re also often (but not always!) silicone-free, or even pure oils and emollients. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution and 100% Plant-Derived Squalane are my two most recent additions from Deciem, and you guys.

These knock it out of the park. I have yet to figure out what “it” is, but in this case, “it” is probably something along the lines of “my expectations.”

Deciem The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution review, photos

The Ordinary’s 7% glycolic acid is my very first proper acid, if you’ll believe that. I’ve used acids before, of course, but not as part of a proper skincare regimen – just in the form of KP treatments, or occasional masks or peels. (I just re-bought that Paula’s Choice Retexturizing Foam last month!)

This is the first acid that I’ve ever had the patience to use for more than a few days, and it was well worth it. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution ($8.70 CAD/USD) is super-gentle, but both my partner and I began seeing results within a week. It offers a mild exfoliation on a nightly basis, and contains a Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to “reduce irritation associated with acid use.”

The derivative works. Even with my sensitive skin, I can use The Ordinary’s 7% glycolic acid nightly as needed with no signs of irritation. It makes my skin look fresher and more poreless, and helps cut down on breakouts and dry patches.

I directed my partner to start using this acid nightly along his hairline when he complained to me about breakouts, and his results were even better than mine. His hairline breakouts, which he’s had for the past decade (seriously, what do people do before they meet their pocket beauty bloggers? Struggle?) disappeared completely after about two weeks of use. He’s also a big fan of The Ordinary’s Niacinamide & Zinc, so if you have breakout-prone, oily skin, these are two products that I would definitely recommend!

Of course, as with any AHA, I recommend applying this toner at night and wearing at least an SPF 30 moisturizer during the day. Not only will that help minimize sun damage, but it’ll help you compensate for this toner’s only weakness: a mild stickiness after application.

Deciem The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane review, photos

After all of my raving about The Ordinary’s glycolic toner, you might be expecting the rest of this review to sort of… flop off.

Not so!

I used The Ordinary’s glycolic toner for a couple of months before trying anything else from the brand, but when the mercury dropped, I reached for my bottle of The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane ($7.90 CAD/USD). I don’t love it quite as much as the toner, but to be fair, acids are showy. A great hydrator, while awesome, is not.

I enjoyed using The Ordinary’s 100% Rose Hip Seed Oil last winter, but as with many oils, I didn’t wholly love it. It was still a little greasy, and it smelled just awful – nutty and oily, right from the first drop.

The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane, however: that’s some good stuff. It’s ECOCERT approved, scent-free, and oil-free. (That being said, squalane still stains something awful. I recommend handling it like a rich, greasy oil.) For those of you who aren’t skincare junkies, here’s a little crash course.

Squalane is a stable hydrocarbon that we used to get from hydrogenating the squalene found in shark liver oil. It’s found naturally (and plentifully) in human skin cells, but of course, some of us don’t make enough on our own! A good squalane like this one will leave your skin feeling like naturally well-hydrated skin, and now that humans have figured how to derive it from olive oil and sugarcane, we no longer need to kill 3000 sharks to produce a single ton of squalane.

In other words? Plant-derived squalane is the real deal. It delivers hydration without that dry-but-greasy film, won’t oxidize in the bottle, and (this stuff, at least) is earth- and animal-friendly.

The verdict on The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution & Squalane?

Whenever I try a new product from The Ordinary, I’m left kicking myself for not trying it earlier. These products are a great example as to why.

The Ordinary’s 7% Glycolic Acid Toning Solution is a cheap, gentle way to try a daily acid without upsetting sensitive skin. It’s great for people with acne, textural issues, or oily skin, and it works well to slough off dry patches. I use it nightly as needed, and then let my skin rest until I feel like another pick-me-up is in order.

The brand’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane is equally fantastic as an affordable way to try some top-notch, scent-free squalane. It’s a lovely hydrator, but remember to use it sparingly. It disrupts makeup the same way that sebum would, and using too much can result in decreased wear time on things like eyeliner and foundation!

These products are silicone-free, nut-free, oil-free, vegan, and like all Deciem products, cruelty-free.

Availability: Deciem.com. Also stocked at Sephora, Beautylish, Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, and more.

Tags: /Acne, Canadian beauty, Extremely dry skin, Indie brands, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, The Ordinary

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