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Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom in Poppy: swatches, review, photos

August 2, 2016

8 Comments

The product: Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom in Poppy No. 9

Alright, so I don’t know how I left this Burberry blush sitting in my stash completely unswatched for months (that’s a lie, I know exactly how; it’s because it looked so pristine and pretty and I couldn’t bring myself to do it), but I finally swatched it.

And dudes. It was NOT what I was expecting.

As a blush: This Lip & Cheek Bloom is springy, mousse-y, and sheer. I was expecting a solid-feeling silicone gel (because this formula is heavy on the ‘cones), but for some silly reason, I saw that glossy finish and immediately thought, “Hmm, I guess it’s going to be slick.”

And I mean, I guess “slick” isn’t totally incorrect. But this is far from your standard gel blush: it’s more like a dense little cloud of powdery delight. It’s sheer and so easy to blend, and while the shade isn’t the best for me–it definitely looks a little warm and ruddy on my olive complexion–I think it works. It’s a classic colour, you know? Like a classy rendition of primary red.

Burberry Poppy No. 9 Lip & Cheek Bloom swatches (heavily/lightly, artificial lighting)

As a lip colour: The Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom formula, if you can stand silicones, is nice as a blush. Where it really shines, though, is as a lip colour.

It’s very strange to see a satin product that’s this sheer, and even though the Lip & Cheek Bloom formula isn’t hydrating, I really like it. Its sheer, satin finish is really unique, and Poppy instantly gives my lips a “popsicle stained” effect. It also layers overtop of any other lip colour to transform the finish into a soft matte (à la Smashbox Insta-Matte, which totally lied when it said “matte”), and looks beautiful overtop of a brown lipstick.

Seriously. Throw Poppy over any ’90s browns that you’re regretting buying & you’ll end up with the most gorgeous deep pink ever.

The verdict?

While I think a shade like Rose or Purple Tulip probably would have been better suited to my makeup aesthetic, I surprised myself by really enjoying the French-made Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom formula. Its satin finish is cloud-like, very blendable, and uniquely sheer, and it creates a beautiful, blooming lip or cheek!

Availability: $30 USD/$33 CAD at Nordstrom, Sephora, Burberry (US), and Hudson’s Bay (CA).

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Burberry, Cheeks, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

8 Comments

Contour & Sway with Rodial and NYX Cosmetics | A bright-lipped makeup look!

July 29, 2016

Rae Chen

16 Comments

Every time I post a makeup look, it’s like, “Hi, I know it’s been a while, but surprise!”

This NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick was a pretty big surprise too, at least for me. I just finished being disappointed by the brand’s Soft Matte Lipstick in Transylvania, so when I pulled out Sway to finish off this Rodial contouring feature, I was really surprised by how lovely it was.

I haven’t given it a day-long test just yet, but it feels awesome – thick and creamy and dense, with the opacity and finish to match.

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick swatch in LSCL 06 Sway (Emprise)

Products used

I used Rodial for my base, of course, and their Contouring Powder, Illuminating Powder, and South Beach Blusher on my cheeks. Their lightest foundation matches my summer tan really well, and the contour is nice (if a bit subtle). Then, I threw on my standard eye base/brow combo of the moment: Clarins Waterproof Liquid Eyeshadow and Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner.

Clarins 4-Colour Eyeshadow Palette in 02 Rosewood, Marcelle Double Precision Liner in Black, and Annabelle BigShow Waterproof Mascara

To give a little colour to the eye, I used the brand new Clarins 4-Colour Eyeshadow Palette in 02 Rosewood ($43 USD), which looks… Surprisingly unlike the old Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in 03 Rosewood ($42 USD). I’m not sure why they didn’t just give it a new name – the near-identical packaging and labelling make things a little bit confusing!

(The mascara is Annabelle BigShow Waterproof ($9.95 CAD), which is also new to me. I liked it, but not as much as their Expandable Mascara.)

And, finally, there was that NYX Liquid Suede lipstick. The formula smells a little bit like paint in the tube, but it’s actually super lovely: it has a velvety matte finish and applies so easily that I didn’t even need a lip brush to apply it. I’m kinda dying to add a couple other shades to my makeup collection!

What’s your favourite bold lip colour range?

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Annabelle, Cheeks, Clarins, Eyes, Lips, Makeup looks: colour, NYX, Rodial

16 Comments

Rodial Instaglam Contouring Powder 03, South Beach Blusher swatches, review, photos

July 27, 2016

Rae Chen

3 Comments

The products: Rodial Instaglam Contouring Powder in 03 and Blusher in South Beach

I’ve been using a ton of Rodial in my everyday makeup recently (mostly the new Rodial Airbrush Make-Up and Airbrush Concealer, which I LOVE), so I have one more little review for you guys! And, of course, a makeup look with a nice, bright lip – it’ll be up on Friday.

Actual Friday, not “oops sorry today is Tuesday.” Seriously. I already have it drafted and everything.

Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Contouring Powder ($57 USD)

I began my testing, of course, with the much-lauded Rodial Contouring Powder ($57 USD). The shade is great for light skintones (very balanced, and definitely not too warm), and Rodial released a new contouring shade this year to fit a wider range of faces.

However: Rodial’s Contouring Powder Dark is a solid medium at best, and saying that it “works well for dark skin tones” feels like an act of exclusion to me. The formula of Rodial powders is very sheer and the line’s contour shades are very light, and they are simply not designed with ethnic skin in mind.

» If you’re a POC or you want to support a brand who designs makeup for ALL makeup wearers, check out the contour powders offered by NYX, Anastasia, Black Up, or Kat Von D instead.

Rodial Deluxe Contouring Powder review, swatches

Rodial 03 Contouring Powder (lightly/heavily), South Beach Blusher, 01 Illuminating Powder swatches – lightly primed skin, indirect sunlight

Rodial South Beach Blusher review, swatches

Rodial South Beach Blusher ($35 USD)

I didn’t personally have problems with the opacity of the fresh, springy South Beach Blusher ($35 USD), but again, I didn’t love the formula. Like the contour powder, this blush is very sheer. Both of these pressed powders contain a lot of talc and a fair amount of silica (as well as cornstarch in the contour powder), so they kick up some dust and have that slippery-smooth silica feel.

In other words, they blend well, but you can’t build them up. Which means that they’ll never have the ability to make you look awful (even if applied in the dark!), but it doesn’t give them any versatility at all. Even with my fair skin I have to apply two layers of this blush whenever I wear it, and I’ve never been able to get my Rodial contour as dark or sharp as I like it – it just blends itself away.

The verdict?

I enjoy using these powder products from Rodial, but if I’m being honest… they’re just not as good as the brand’s Airbrush base products. I’d recommend them only in a strictly luxury capacity, and not at all if you have medium to dark skin.

For the price, I am disappointed in the quality of these products. The packaging and luxury “feel” are spot on, but they’re very sheer, and (in my opinion) their ingredients and formula just don’t justify the price tags.

Availability: Rodial, select Shopper’s Drug Mart Boutiques, and Murale.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Cheeks, Grouped reviews, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Rodial, Spring/Summer 2016

3 Comments

Duckish Lotion Stick, Body Butter, Bath Salts review, photos | DIY Pedicure Kit

July 25, 2016

Rae Chen

2 Comments

The product: Duckish DIY Pedicure Kit (customized) – Duckish Mint Bath Salts, Pink Grapefruit Body Butter, and Lavender Lotion Stick

Okay, so I really wanted to feature Duckish as part of my Small Business Saturdays series, but things keep coming up on Friday nights and I really didn’t want to wait any longer. So we’ll call this one Small Business Mondays instead, I guess!

Duckish is an all-natural Canadian beauty brand with just the absolute cutest packaging. (I want to own basically everything they make.) Their products are all cruelty-free, handmade, and free of icky things like parabens, synthetic fragrances, and silicones.

Mint Bath Salts ($9.99 CAD)

I wanted to focus my review on Duckish’s body butter and lotion stick, because I’ve been dying to try them out for what feels like forever–but this kit includes bath salts and a pumice stone on a rock, too. The pumice stone is pretty standard fare, but the bath salts are more then just plain ‘ol rock salt.

They’re a blend of Dead Sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and Epsom salts, with sweet almond oil and organic coconut oil to add a bit of hydration to your bath or foot soak. Each scent comes with a unique blend of essential oils, too; the Mint one is made with eucalyptus and peppermint (two of my all-time favourite oils.)

Pink Grapefruit Body Butter ($11.99 CAD)

Funnily enough, I was most excited for the Duckish Body Butter, but their lotion stick stole the show for me. The Body Butters, I think, are best for those with dry or weathered skin – not so much for Sahara-like dehydration.

The Duckish Body Butter formula is definitely a classic one, with a thick, creamy formula that’s heavy on the shea, and honestly… I didn’t like it. It’s surprisingly creamy for an indie body butter, but non-“mainstream” (The Body Shop, L’Occitane, Bliss, etc.) butters just don’t seem to be hydrating enough for me – this one just kinda sits on my skin, leaving hands feeling both vaguely greasy and so dry that they’re itchy.

Some people love these kinds of body butters, though, so just keep it in mind when ordering! Oh, and a warning for all my fellow crazy cat ladies: there’s just enough citrus oil in Pink Grapefruit to scare Tunakitten away from me when I’m using this, but not quite enough to make the olive oil in the formula palatable to my nose. :(

Lavender Mini Lotion Stick ($6.99 CAD)

Duckish’s description for their lotion sticks is:

“Lotion? In a stick? Is this real life? Yes, yes it is!”

And you know what? They couldn’t have been more accurate with that statement. These lotion sticks are crazily good – the mini one is perfect for mess-free application on the go, and the formula is spot-on.

I have really dehydrated skin, and the Duckish lotion stick definitely works better for me than their body butter. It melts immediately upon contact, basically turning into a light oil that absorbs immediately into the skin, and it feels so lovely – not greasy at all.

The verdict?

I love buying Canadian when I can, and Duckish makes that really easy. You’re not sacrificing packaging or price, and my only two reservations about the line are small ones: I’d have liked to see a bit more fragrance in their EO and a wider online availability, but both of these are things that will be remediated naturally, as the brand grows.

If bought separately, the three Duckish products in this kit come out to $28.97, so buying the kit essentially gets you a free pumice stone. If I was re-ordering for myself, though, I’d take all $29.99 and put it toward a hoard of lotion sticks!!

Availability: $29.99 CAD. Duckish just recently began shipping to the US in addition to Canada, so use code DUCKISHUSA to get $5 off all US orders over $20 until the end of the month.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Company Review, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, Skincare, Small Business Saturdays

2 Comments

NYX Transylvania Soft Matte Lip Cream swatches, review, photos

July 22, 2016

Rae Chen

10 Comments

The product: NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream in 21 Transylvania

Man, it has been a LONG time since I reviewed any makeup! I feel like I just haven’t had the time or energy to wear any recently – my everyday face consists of tinted moisturizer (Rodial foundation and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm), a light brow (Annabelle Skinny Brow Liner, of course), and like, nothing else.

Lather, rinse, repeat; day in and day out. So, a couple weeks ago, I decided to change things up a little.

The formula: Alright, so I’m just gonna stick my head out there and say it: I don’t like the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream formula. I can see why other people like it, but I just don’t.

It feels light and airy without too much transfer, which I like. And it smells like cupcake batter, which I also like ~~because I’m not a monster~~. And it’s way more comfortable than a retro matte, so that’s nice too.

But my lips are DRY, you see. They’re not just dry; they’re Alberta-dry. They have dry patches galore, all of which this lipstick catches on, and after half an hour, my lips get uncomfortable. So I fidget and press them together to compensate, and this lipstick (which never truly sets) heads for my lipline faster than an ex who can’t get away from you fast enough.

NYX Soft Lip Cream in Transylvania swatches – after 15 min

The colour: In the tube, Transylvania is gorgeous. It’s this beautiful “matte deep violet” (description right from the NYX site), and it looks like it’s going to turn you into an instant Bad Grrl, with capitalization totally necessary.

On my lips, though… Transylvania is yet another dark, moody red. And don’t get me wrong; it’s still totally gorgeous! But in everyone else’s swatches, it looks like it’s going to be this mind-blowing eggplant shade, and I just couldn’t get it there without plum or black liner underneath (which is totally cheating.) Even with three layers, it was just red, red, red on me.

A sexy red that’s totally ’90s (Faith would have worn the hell out of this shade), but still. With my naturally red lips, this wasn’t purple on me at all.

NYX Transylvania overtop of nude lipliner (left) and eggplant liner (right)

The verdict?

I think that Transylvania looks killer on most humans, but my lips aren’t having any of it. The formula seems to only have medium opacity, so unfortunately, the colour of my reddish lips bled right through it.

Would I buy a different Soft Matte Lip Cream, though? Well… Probably not. (Make Up For Ever does a way more comfortable soft matte). But I’d definitely try a shade like this one again; maybe in the NYX Full Throttle or Liquid Suede formula instead!

Availability: $6 USD/$9 CAD at Nyx Cosmetics, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Rexall, and London Drugs.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Lips, NYX, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

10 Comments

CODE BLUE: The colour-coded skincare edit

July 19, 2016

Rae Chen

7 Comments

Have you ever noticed that beauty brands, at some point in time, all seem to have collectively decided that certain colours mean certain things? It’s like some overfunded marketing department went, “hey, you know what sounds like fun? Bringing in an unqualified psychologist to tell us the true meaning of life and colours sounds like fun!” And everyone else followed suit.

It’s like that prison experiment: painting the walls pink made everyone calmer, but it wasn’t because pink is a gentle colour. (What was it said to be before the male to female changeover, again? Strong, bold, assertive?) The change just broke up the listless monotony of one identical day after the next, and even as a prisoner, it’s kinda nice when someone gives a crap about your environment. The same effects can be seen if you paint the walls red, yellow, fluorescent green…

Okay, maybe not fluorescent green, but that’s only because it’s impossible to maintain a pleasant disposition when the walls are literally (figuratively) screaming at you while you sleep.

The thing about these arbitrary industry colours, though, is that despite all the hogwash, they’re pretty helpful little guiding tools.

I like knowing that blue means cleansing, and that purple means anti-ageing, and that orange means that something is going to contain vitamin C and use the word “invigorating” or “energizing” at least twice on its packaging. It’s probably also going to smell like citrus, and I will surely try to taste it some point and no matter what, it’s going to be revolting.

I like that kind of reliability. I mean, I never learn from that kind of reliability, taste-wise, but I like knowing that it’s there all the same.

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”1782551″]

Funnily enough, this is a phenomenon that I think is strongest in mid-range and drugstore brands. Trendy high-end brands are too busy being coherent and classy, you know? Like, they are not going to break that aesthetic just so a consumer will immediately reach for their skintype’s “colour,” and they don’t need to – the sales associate is there to guide the consumer anyways.

But for drugstore brands? This colour-coded nonsense can actually be pretty helpful, especially in a barrage of twenty other near-identical products. I think it’s kinda handy, like a weird life boat that nobody wanted but everybody is going to use anyways, because this ship is going down.

So what about you? What’s your “colour” in the skincare aisle?

Tags: /Bioderma, Cleansing, Marcelle, Moisturizers, Paula's Choice, Product Photos, Silicone-free, Skincare, The Edit, The Ordinary

7 Comments

Rodial Airbrush foundation & concealer review, swatches, photos | UPDATED 11/16/11

July 16, 2016

Rae Chen

15 Comments

The products: Rodial Airbrush Make-Up in 01 and Airbrush Concealer in 01 Aspen

I know it’s only been a few days, but I feel like I haven’t blogged in ages. So today, I’m bringin’ the blog back with a couple of new products that I’ve been super smitten with this month!

I get a lot of requests for silicone-free foundations (even though I’ve talked about my other two top recs, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and Pür Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup, at length), so for those of you still looking: these two new products from Rodial are definitely ones that I’d recommend.

UPDATE 16/11/16: Please see the bottom of this post!

Rodial Airbrush Make-Up Heavy-Duty Foundation Paste review

The foundation

Rodial is a brand that focuses on sculpted faces, so I was a little surprised that it took them this long to come out with base products. After trying them, though, I can appreciate why: they’ve been done just right, and they were worth the wait.

The Rodial Airbrush Make-Up Heavy Duty Foundation Paste ($45 USD/$50 CAD) is a gorgeous, old-timey foundation made in Italy. As described, it’s a paste, not a cream – it’s thick and a little grainy, but it applies beautifully.

Rodial Airbrush Make-Up in 01, Rodial Airbrush Concealer in Aspen 01 (indirect sunlight)

The formula: Like other “classic” cream makeup products, the new Rodial Airbrush foundation is silicone-free, so it can feel a little heavy on the skin. I love the way it performs, though: it wears all day long, blends seamlessly into the skin, and has a very natural-looking dewy/satin finish.

It reminds me of the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, but despite its pastier texture, it catches less on fine lines when applied. Rodial’s Airbrush Make-up looks great even on my dry skin, and like the Kevyn Aucoin, it can double as a concealer or be mixed with an oil or makeup primer.

Rodial Airbrush foundation and concealer before (left) and after (right) – click to enlarge!

Rodial before & after (up close)

The packaging: The Rodial foundation paste is packaged in a sharp-edged, matte black plastic jar, and it’s as lightweight as it is slick. I love the aesthetic behind this foundation’s packaging, but it does have one problem: the formula separates in hot temperatures, and unfortunately, its oils do leak out of the jar.

Rodial Airbrush Concealer review

The concealer

The Rodial Airbrush Concealer Industrial-Strength Camouflage Cream in 01 Aspen ($39 USD/$44 CAD) has an even shorter ingredients list than their new foundation does, and it comes in only two shades.

The formula: The Airbrush Concealer is a product that I wasn’t very excited about, but having tried it, I really like it. It’s a super smooth concealer, both in texture and in finish, and it does an amazing job of colour-correcting and concealing my under eye circles.

Rodial foundation & concealer application before blending

Comparison swatches L-R: theBalm Lighter Than Light, Cover FX G20, It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in Light, Rodial Airbrush Make-Up in 01, Rodial Airbrush Concealer in Aspen.

I’m lucky enough that Aspen more or less matches my skintone, so I can use it around my nose and on blemishes as well. It has a soft, waxy texture, and it keeps my dark circles looking bright (and crease-free!) all day long.

The formula is more lightweight than the Rodial Foundation Paste, which is a bit odd but is definitely worth keeping in mind if you’re trying to pick between the two.

The verdict?

I really, really like both of these new base products from Rodial, but I’d love to see a wider shade range become available soon–there are virtually no shades available for non-white skintones right now.

If you can find a shade to match your skintone, however, both of these products are really well-formulated. The concealer is a bit pricey (although it’s fabulous), but the foundation is a very reasonable price at $50 CAD/0.7 oz and will easily last through 1-2 years of daily use before running out.

To compare these two to other popular high-coverage options: if you can find your shade, I’d buy these before Kevyn Aucoin SSE, Cover FX anything, Bobbi Brown concealers, or Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in a heartbeat. The shade range is embarrassingly small, but they just work better. Respectively, they’re unscented and look better on dry skin; they have better coverage; they’re better priced; and they have a more flawless finish.

UPDATE 11/16/11: Unfortunately, I can no longer recommend the Rodial Airbrush Make-Up. I’ve been concerned about the integrity of this packaging since I received it, as oils from the foundation separate out and leak through the lid’s threads. As you may know, many ingredients can damage the integrity of plastics, and I believe that this is what has happened here. Today, I went to open this foundation, heard a “crunch,” and found out that the twist-portion of the jar had sheared off completely into the base. Because of this major packaging flaw, I will no longer be recommending the Rodial Airbrush Make-Up unless its packaging is fixed.

Availability: Select Shopper’s Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques, Murale, and online at Rodial (US and UK)!

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Base, Grouped reviews, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Rodial, Silicone-free, Spring/Summer 2016

15 Comments

Swan Squeeze Kiss rechargeable vibrator review, photos (BMS Factory “The Swan Kiss”)

July 15, 2016

Rae Chen

6 Comments

The product: Swan (BMS Factory) Squeeze Control “The Swan Kiss” vibrator

A little while ago, I posted a review of an absolute powerhouse of a vibrator: the Swan Wand.

Today, I have another Swan toy to share with you, and I’m just as psyched about it–but for very different reasons. This little guy doesn’t have the girth, power, or battery life of the Swan Wand, and yet, I find myself reaching for it even more often.

The features: The Swan Squeeze Kiss is a weird dude. It’s whale-shaped (well, if whales had segmented bodies) and squishy on the sides of its biggest segment, almost like a really firm balloon.

It has all the basics that you want in a good sex toy (waterproof, submersible, rechargeable, 100% silicone), and has a solid run/charge cycle of 3 hours each. It’s also very quiet, which is excellent!

Instead of clicking a button to increase the speed of the Swan Kiss or change its pattern, everything is squeeze-based. The harder you squeeze, the stronger the toy will vibrate. To lock in a speed, you click the button while squeezing; to set a pattern, you turn on “Mimic Mode” and squeeze to your heart’s content.

In terms of strength of vibration, the Kiss is good, but it’s not great. It’s more powerful than my Leaf Life, but is less powerful than my We-Vibe Tango or Je Joue MiMi Soft (admittedly my two favourites). It sits in the middle ground for rumbliness as well; more rumbly than Lelo, but not quite rumbly enough for my tastes.

Swan Squeeze packaging – Teal (also available in a much less epic pink)

What makes it special: What I really love about the Swan Kiss, though, isn’t its squeeze control–in fact, I’d prefer a remote. What I love about it is its shape.

The Swan Kiss only has one motor in its middle segment, but the vibrations transmit well through silicone. It makes the little “whale tail” flicker as the vibrations gently touch a surface, stroking in a “come hither” motion if you arc from a low speed to a high one.

So, um. That’s cool. Cool is one word for that. (Another appropriate one may be “hrrrrngh.”)

But EVEN COOLER than that is that the Swan Kiss can be used hands-free and internally thanks to its “100% play area.” Try it with the tail pointing downwards and the rest of the toy wedged easily between your thighs, or by using the balloon portion internally, with the rest of the toy resting on your vulva and clitoris.

(Anatomically correct words! Know them. Love them. Embrace them.)

As an internal toy, the Swan Kiss isn’t designed to be used other objects, but it stays in place very well for me. If it had more rumble or more power, it might just be my perfect vibrator. (As it is, it’s lovely, but not an all ’rounder for me!)

eeeeeeeeee!

The verdict?

Whereas the Swan Wand is something that I think would do well in any sex toy arsenal, the Swan Squeeze Kiss is more of a niche product. You have to specifically like hands-free toys to really get the most out of it, but for those who do, it’s an excellent choice – the best I’ve ever come across.

It has a very respectable run time and is a great way to experience pleasure while your hands are doing other stuff. I’ll let your imaginations take it from there.

Availability: $99 USD SRP/$79.99 USD at SheVibe.

Additional photos & more »

Tags: /Other, Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, Swan

6 Comments

Scarlet & Julia review: Living Proof PhD Night Cap, Lavanila Passion Fruit Deodorant

July 12, 2016

Rae Chen

5 Comments

The products: Living Proof PhD Night Cap Overnight Perfector, Lavanila Vanilla Passion Fruit Healthy Deodorant, and Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in Medium

It can be really tough to pick what to review when you haven’t done it in a while (okay, like, a week), but today, I was hit by a little bout of inspiration as I was getting out of the shower: why not review my Scarlet & Julia haul from last year?

(I know. I’m the worst.)

Scarlet & Julia is an awesome Canadian online shop that carries brands like St. Tropez, Stila, and Lise Watier, with a bonus members-only “Beauty Outlet” section. (Think HauteLook, but without the insane Canadian shipping and processing fees.) They sent me a gift card last year to check out the store, and I put it towards part of my order.

Personally, I really like it when stores send out gift cards instead of product samples, because you get to experience the actual store with no extra bells and whistles. And my experience was great: the site’s easy to navigate, the sale section is really good (that Stila brow colour was actually purchased as a backup because it was so cheap at S&J), and my order came with a free sample of Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Conditioner and a $10 off promo code.

Lavanila Vanilla Passion Fruit Healthy Deodorant ($17 CAD)

I really liked both of the new products that I ordered, too. The Lavanila Vanilla Passion Fruit deodorant was way more expensive than my usual deodorant choices (typically just a stick of men’s Axe or Degree), but it smells amazing and works really well. I liked that the stick felt like a “regular” deo, too – most silicone-free choices are all either gel-based or really pasty, but this was neither.

Lavanila’s passion fruit scent is surprisingly tart, which was a nice surprise. It’s light on the vanilla and heavy on the guava, too – think of it as more of an unsweetened fruit smoothie than a hearty dose of diabetes.

Living Proof PhD Night Cap Overnight Perfector ($34 CAD)

The biggest hit from my order, though, was the Living Proof PhD Night Cap Overnight Perfector. This stuff is MAGIC. I have no idea how it works its magic, but you put a little bit into damp hair from roots to ends, sleep on it, and wake up with model hair.

It gives just the right amount of conditioning and shape, holding in some slept-on shape while still feeling totally product-free and touchable. Plus, it’s so non-greasy that you can even work it into your roots and wake up with grease-free hair.

It’s silicone-free and smells a lot like Elizabeth Arden Green Tea (one of my guiltiest pleasures), so really: zero faults here.

The verdict?

I really liked ordering from Scarlet & Julia, and you know what? I’d do it again. I like that they’re Canadian, I love the way they package their orders, and they were probably the only online shop that I could have made this particular order at.

The Living Proof Night Cap is also available at Sephora, but had I ordered from there, I wouldn’t have gotten 40% off of my Stila Brow Color. I wouldn’t have been able to get that Lavanila Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Passion Fruit, either; for some reason, no one else seems to carry it here in Canada!

Additional photos & more »

Tags: silicone-free deodorant/Canadian beauty, Company Review, Grouped reviews, Hair, Other, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Stila

5 Comments

Pai Skincare Instant Calm, Rosehip Oil, Sensitive Skin Cloth reviews, photos

July 7, 2016

Rae Chen

14 Comments

The products: Pai Skincare Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream, Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and Cloth, and Rosehip BioRegenerative Oil

I’ve gone years resisting the pull of the Pai Rosehip Oil (and the super pretty rest of the line), but it’s been long enough. Eventually, you just have to cave in, locate the high-quality thing, and luxuriate in its beauty.

(Similar but different: I had my first cup of coffee at Credo a while back, and it was literally so good that I moaned a little. I think I scared my date a little.)

Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($50 USD/$56 CAD)

My favourite product from this trio is the Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, which comes with one of the brand’s dual-textured sensitive skin cotton cloths. It smells gently of lemon balm, and the cleanser and cloth make for a really lovely hot cloth polish experience!

The Camellia & Rose cleanser has a thin cold cream texture and is great for sensitive skin. For those of you unfamiliar with cold cream or hot cloth type cleansers, they’re a very ritualistic experience – you apply a thick layer of cleanser to dry skin (eye area included), gently wipe away all of your makeup and impurities with a muslin soaked in hot water, and finish with a splash of cold water to rinse.

My dry skin really likes this cleanser, but I do have one complaint: my skin is crazy sensitive, and I really wish that Pai offered an even softer cloth for ultra sensitive skin types!

Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream ($60 USD/$66 CAD)

Pai’s Chamomile & Rosehip Day Cream has a really “clean” ingredient list rich in matricin, azulene, and omega fatty acids, it’s designed to soothe the skin and minimize the appearance (!) of reactive redness.

It was far from hydrating enough for my skin, though (which is dry but not super dry right now), and it didn’t do much for my sensitivity. Ironically, because it left my skin feeling a little tight and dry, it actually made my skin feel more uncomfortable than usual, not better!

For redness and sensitivity, I still think that this Deciem serum is a better option. However, it’s nice that there’s a natural option out there from Pai, and I have no real issues with the Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream (aside from the fact that it smells like rosehip oil, which I am weirdly and seemingly uniquely adverse to). It just wasn’t the right product for me, you know?

Rosehip BioRegenerative Oil ($40 USD/$40 CAD)

And finally: the crown and glory of the Pai Skincare line!

Pai’s biggest, most cult-followed product is their Rosehip BioRegenerative Oil, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t super psyched to try it. I’m split on my thoughts about it, though: on one hand, it turns out that I hate the smell of rosehip oil, and when it’s good quality (like this one is), it actually tints my skin orange.

On the other, the quality of Pai’s rosehip oil is beyond compare. It blends rosehip seed oil with rosehip fruit oil to really pack in the carotenoid-rich antioxidants and sterols, and it’s noticeably more effective as a result. It doesn’t just condition the skin, it helps heal it, which is pretty cool. (I got two accidental scratches from Tunakitten last month, and the one that I was using Pai oil on definitely scarred less.)

This is my third rosehip oil, and it’s by far my favourite. Now Organic’s Rosehip Seed Oil was thin and clear, and Le Serum de Jacynthe’s rosehip oil blend was very good, but it was literally twice the price of this one and no more effective.

In short, I think that the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerative Oil is well worth the price. It’s one of the highest-quality oils that I own, and it hits scrapes and scars with +150% crit damage. Blending it with another oil will help neutralize the scent (try adding a drop of essential oil into some decanted rosehip oil), and 1-2 drops of rosehip oil with your regular moisturizer will make a fantastic overnight treatment.

The verdict?

Overall, I really enjoyed using these products from Pai, and I use the Camellia & Rose Cleanser and Rosehip BioRegenerative Oil on a regular basis. I like that they’re pretty, vegan, and cruelty-free, and I love that their rosehip oil is such a powerhouse.

$40 CAD/oz is a steal for a serum that’s this high-quality, and while it’s not my favourite oil ever, it’s unquestionably fantastic for the price.

Availability: Pai Skincare (US) & The Detox Market (US & Canada)

Additional photos & ingredients »

Tags: /Cleansing, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Pai Skincare, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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