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Fresh Peony Brightening Moisturizing Toner & Foam Face Cleanser review, photos

May 3, 2016

10 Comments

The product: Fresh Peony Brightening Foam Face Cleanser, Peony Brightening Moisturizing Facial Toner, and Peony Brightening Moisture Face Cream

Fresh recently added three new products to their Peony Brightening range, and even though I’m not always into brightening products, I love these.

I don’t really believe in the brightening powers of peony (it’s only ever been “proven” to work in petri dishes), and I highly doubt that peony/mushroom/etc-based products truly brighten. That being said, a great brightening range will also make your skin seem brighter by leaving it clean, fresh, and well-hydrated–and the Fresh Peony Brightening range definitely delivers on that kind of brightening.

The ingredients: The range is formulated with Chinese tree peony extract, Madonna lilly root extract, and vitamin C glucoside, and each product has an additional star ingredient: shea seedcake extract (an antioxidant) in the cleanser and moisturizer, and sodium hyaluronate (to act as an to help the skin retain moisture) in the toner and moisturizer.

Unfortunately, the Fresh Peony Brightening Moisture Face Cream ($72 USD) contains silicones, but the new cleanser and toner are ‘cone-free!

Fresh Peony Brightening Moisture Face Cream

Fresh Peony Brightening Foam Face Cleanser ($42 USD/$49 CAD)

I tried out the Fresh Peony Brightening Foam Face Cleanser ($42 USD/$49 CAD) expecting to enjoy it, and it totally exceeded my expectations.

It’s a super-thick foam formula that’s honestly kind of hard to squeeze out of the tube, but it’s really luxurious — the packaging is gorgeous, and the foam applies kind of like a traditional shaving cream, or a face mask. (Or like fancy glue.) It feels like a ritual sort of product, and the sweet, soft, floral scent of the Peony Brightening range only compounds on this luxe kind of feeling.

I don’t think I love this one enough that I’ll be rebuying it (my skin’s too dry to use something that foams on a daily basis), but I definitely love it enough that I’m not sharing. A’s gonna have to earn this level of pampering if he wants to touch my Peony cleanser!

Fresh Peony Brightening Moisturizing Facial Toner ($60 USD/$70 CAD)

Conversely, I tried out the Fresh Peony Brightening Moisturizing Facial Toner ($60 USD/$70 CAD) expecting it to be a flop — but I actually like it even more than the cleanser.

The Fresh Peony toner is, in a word, phenomenal. It’s softly scented and absorbs quickly, and its glycerine-based formula leaves my skin feeling moisturized, velvety, and plush, but never sticky.

I know that this one is a huuuuge stretch for most budgets, but it’s honestly the best-performing toner/lotion-type product that I have ever tried for dry skin. It acts more like a really excellent beauty essence than a toner, and while I’m doubtful that it’ll be brightening in the long term, it’s just beyond lovely.

I can even skip my hydrating serum on days that I use this toner (which is something that I never do), so even though it’s priced at a luxury price point, it’s kind of like spending $70 on a serum, not a toner. Which… seems more reasonable, right?

The verdict?

If you haven’t checked out the Fresh Peony Brightening range yet, I have two words for you: DO IT.

I’m not sold on the range’s brightening abilities, but these three products are fantastic nonetheless. The moisturizer has a really lovely texture and scent; the cleanser feels literally like it belongs in a high-end spa; and the toner acts more like a liquid serum that’ll soften and balance your dry skin every morning and night.

There are actually quite a few products in the Fresh Peony range now, and if the rest are anything like these, they would make a fantastic Mother’s Day treat for this time of the year!

Availability: New permanent products as of April 2016. Find them online at Fresh and soon at Sephora.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Cleansing, Fresh, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare, Spring/Summer 2016

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Kérastase L’Incroyable Blowdry giveaway! | New This Week

May 1, 2016

Rae Chen

8 Comments

Happy Sunday night, friends! I just have a short little post to share with you guys today — a giveaway of the brand new Kérastase L’Incroyable Blowdry lotion, which launched today.

L’Incroyable Blowdry is meant to help shape your hair and make your blowout feel clean for days, which is something that I–I am so lazy when it comes to my hair–can really get behind. It’s a “reshapable heat lotion,” and it’s designed to let you style and re-style without the need to wash between stylings — you just need to add heat.

(And not too much heat, either! This lotion offers heat protection up to 450°F/230°C, but you only need to take it to 150˚C to reshape.)

Anja Rubik, styled and restyled by Luigi Murenu using Kérastase L’Incroyable Blowdry.

Every formula that comes out nowadays has its hook, and L’Incroyable Blowdry’s is that it uses Stimuli Responsive Styling (developed at the L’Oreal Applied Research Labs) and a “reshapable microwax technology” to allow you to re-shape your hair up to four times before washing.

In other words… it uses beeswax (which has a melting point of 62-64˚C) to lock your style in place until you heat-style your hair again.

To enter the giveaway…

If you want to be one of the first to try out this new Kérastase product, you’re in luck! I’m giving away a bottle to celebrate its launch, and the giveaway is open to all Canadian residents over 18. Just use the widget below to enter!

This giveaway closes on May 15th at 11:59 PM MST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The ingredients »

Tags: /Giveaway, Hair, Kérastase, Product Photos, Spring/Summer 2016

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NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette review, swatches, photos (& NYX Pro Fan Brush review)

April 29, 2016

Rae Chen

16 Comments

The products: NYX Cosmetics Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette, NYX Cosmetics Pro Fan Brush

2016, as I’ve said before, is having a great spring for illuminators and highlighters. The contouring trend is holding steady with an additional strobing aspect, and the market has been absolutely overpopulated with highlighters.

And hey, I’m no fool. If the beauty industry suddenly gives you 10x the amount of choices for a product category that you love, you snap up that opportunity like nobody’s business.

What is strobing? I will say one thing before I get started today: “strobing” is bullshit. It’s not “THE beauty tend that everyone is obsessing about,” and it’s not “fresh” or “new!” (All direct quotes from the NYX website.)

Strobing is highlighting pumped up to the max, plain and simple. Things can be great without being new, oh Great and Powerful Beauty Industry — case in point.

NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette

NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette swatches (no primer; indirect sunlight)

The formula: The NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette features 7 highlighters in two formulas. The lavender, golden pink, bronze, and champagne all feature one formula; the yellow/gold, light pink, and peachy gold all feature a very slightly different one.

In practice, I find that six of the highlighters are all very similar. They’re smooth and blendable but a little bit dry, and are ideal for normal to oily skin. (They emphasize my fine lines slightly.) The exception is the lavender shade; it’s more buttery than the rest, and it has an intense satin-sheen finish rather than a frosty, metallic one.

I totally get that formulas are going to vary based on how their pigments influence them, but man. That lavender highlight is really something else — from a high-end brand, I’d pay $27 CAD (the palette’s SRP) for it alone.

NYX Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette swatches (no primer; indirect sunlight)

The shades: All seven of the Strobe of Genius shades wear well throughout the day, but most importantly, they’re all visibly different. If I apply more than one shade on my cheek (even if it’s two similar shades!), I can spot where one ends and the other begins from a good foot away.

The sheer, frosty “gold” in the top left corner of the palette is definitely the most unique shade; it’s a pure yellow highlighter, and it’s quite pretty in person! (For everyday use, you could totally use it as a spot highlighter.) The palette also contains a rose gold shade, which you don’t see all the time — I think a lot of warm-toned beauties will really like this one!

The lavender highlighter, however, was by far the best performer. It’s without a doubt the prettiest thing I have ever put on my cheeks, and it made my face G-L-O-W as soon as the brush touched my skin. It’s really high-impact, but it melts right into the skin.

NYX Pro Fan Brush ($17 USD/$17 CAD)

Unlike your prototypical fan brush, NYX’s Pro Fan Brush is dense, velvety, and thick. It is not what you want to use for a light application of powder, which is what fan brushes are usually for. Instead, it makes getting an intense highlight super quick and easy, and it fits perfectly onto the top of my cheekbone to apply the product and blend it in a single stroke (three, at max.)

I can confidently say that there is nothing else in my brush collection that even slightly resembles this synthetic brush, and it’s well worth the $17 it’ll run you!

The verdict?

I can’t believe how fast I fell for the NYX Strobe of Genius palette or the NYX Pro Fan Brush, but it really was love at first stroke. The second I popped that lavender highlight onto my cheekbone (using the fan brush, which–can I just say–is super luxurious), I was smitten. Later, I found out that the highlighter had held on throughout the entire day, and I had to have a little cry.

(Okay, for real, I didn’t cry. But I did immediately apply all of the other six shades to various parts of my face just so I could get to experience them all at once, and it was a weirdly gratifying experience.)

If you love a good spring/summer glow, then you need this palette. It’s hella expensive for a drugstore product, but seeing as all 7 shades really are different… I think it’s worth it. That’s like, $3.86 per shade, and it’ll take you from spring (lavender) to summer (rose gold) to winter (champagne).*

Availability: $19 USD/$27 CAD at NYX Cosmetics, or at drugstores throughout Canada and the US. (Also available at Ulta and Urban Outfitters.)

The brush is $17 USD/$17 CAD through NYX Cosmetics.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Base, Cheeks, NYX, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2015

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Elizabeth Arden Prismatic Lip Gloss review, swatches, photos | Sunset Bronze SS16

April 25, 2016

Rae Chen

9 Comments

The products: Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze Prismatic Lip Gloss in 01 Moonlight Kiss, 02 Midnight Kiss, and 03 Sunset Kiss

Instead of your standard light pink/sheer coral spring lipstick, this year’s Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze collection (you know, the one that contains this glorious highlighter) features three glorious tubes of glitter. They’re packaged in gold-capped tubes, boxed in a print pretty enough that I’d hang it on my wall, and are totally, completely awesome.

Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze review

LIKE A STICK OF UNICORN TEARS

The shades: There are three shades of Prismatic Lip Gloss from the Sunset Bronze collection. All three are super, super sheer, and look great on their own or layered over top of other lipsticks. They’re described as having “subtle sparks of glittery color,” which is a total lie — for a trio of basically clear glosses, they have quite a bit of visual impact.

01 Moonlight Kiss is an opalescent gloss with cool pink-violet and white-blue reflects. 02 Midnight Kiss is a fuchsia gloss; a little more pigmented than the other two shades and with slightly larger glitter particles (pink and bronze reflects, this time.) 03 Sunset Kiss is probably the most subtle of all three, and features gold reflects with pink and white microshimmer suspended in a sheer, bronze gloss.

Elizabeth Arden Prismatic Bronze Lip Gloss swatches: 01 Moonlight Kiss (white), 02 Midnight Kiss (pink), 03 Sunset Kiss (bronzey)

Elizabeth Arden Prismatic Bronze Lip Gloss swatches: 01 Moonlight Kiss, 02 Midnight Kiss, 03 Sunset Kiss

The product: The Sunset Bronze Prismatic Lip Glosses are formulated with aloe vera and vitamins A, C, and E to nourish the lips while you wear them. I find the formula to be only very slightly tacky and a little thick, but I like it — these aren’t drying, and you can’t feel the glitter when you wear them. They’re about as moisturizing as a light lip balm, and they’re not too scented, either. (They smell a little bit sweet and vanilla-ish, but the scent doesn’t hang around.)

The verdict?

I know that none of us really need another translucent lipgloss, but as far as extraneous glosses go, these are some great ones. They’re comfortable and not too scented, and in the tubes, they look the way a chorus of angels sounds. The lovely colour selection is really just the cherry on top!

10/10 would recommend, if only so you can pull Moonlight Kiss out of your purse when you’re feeling down and pretend that you’re a unicorn. Or that you’ve killed a unicorn and bottled its tears, if that’s your jam.

Availability: $19 USD/$25 CAD at Elizabeth Arden counters and online. Limited edition.

Additional photos & more »

Tags: /Elizabeth Arden, Lips, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2016

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The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer review, photos

April 20, 2016

Rae Chen

9 Comments

The product: The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer for Dull, Tired, Grumpy Skin

Five years ago, finding a silicone-free moisturizer was tough. And, while it’s certainly not impossible anymore (thanks to the natural beauty movement, there are a whole ton more options nowadays), I find that a lot of the newer ‘cone-free brands are a little out of my budget.

Widely-available natural companies like Odacité or Pai make some awesome products (aside: I have a review of some Pai coming up!), but not everyone has $50+ to drop on a single bottle of moisturizer — or have the inclination to do so. So, here’s a silicone-free moisturizer from The Body Shop that clocks in at a nice $25 CAD.

The formula: The texture and scent of the Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer are honestly just divine. It smells as bright, cheery, and citrusy as it looks, and it has a bouncy gel texture. The formula absorbs very quickly, and it feels almost watery when it touches the skin.

Despite the fact that this moisturizer didn’t have quite enough “oomph” for my skin, I tested it with my Hydraforce Hydration Detector and got more than decent results. Ten minutes after applying, my skin had gone up from 31% hydrated to 50% hydrated, and it outperformed all of the other moisturizers that I’ve tested so far. (Including, ironically, the Hydraforce ones!)

Best for: Where the Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer really excels, I find (other than in reminding you to eat your daily dose of vitamin C), is in acting as a little transporter vessel. It’s nice on its own, but it pairs really well with serums, whether it’s layered overtop of them or mixed in before applying.

I think it would be best for normal, dull, or dehydrated skin, but it’s a little heavy, and it’s definitely better for dehydration than dryness.

The verdict?

From the friendly-luxe packaging (you know; really nice and well-made but not breakable) to the citrusy scent, this “glow boosting” moisturizer is a total winner. It’s a great product for dehydrated skin, and really easy to find, too!

It doesn’t make me super glowy, but unlike my favourite DHC and Marcelle silicone-free moisturizers, the Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer is available outside of Canada/online. It’s also full of antioxidants, nice to use, and affordable, so if you want a ‘cone-free moisturizer that isn’t a hassle or an “investment piece,” definitely give this one a look.

Availability: $30 USD/$25 CAD. Permanent as of Summer 2015.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, The Body Shop

9 Comments

BS Atelier Small G-Spot Ella & White Handcuffs review, photos | Small Business Saturdays (well, Sundays)

April 17, 2016

Rae Chen

21 Comments

The product: BS Atelier G-Spot Ella Blue (Small) & White Handcuffs

Today’s Small Business Saturdays feature showcases something other than a skincare brand! (Cue cheers, clapping, and a lone sobbing skincare fanatic.)

Uh, anyhow. Today’s feature brand is BS Atelier, a wonderful, sex-positive Spanish company with just the most beautiful, nostalgic, tongue-in-cheek aesthetic. They make both realistic toys as well as ones covered in stripes, rainbows, splatters, and even cow print, so there are lots of options on both sides of the spectrum!

Even the BS Atelier packaging is cooler than you.

BS Atelier Handcuffs – White

BS Atelier Handcuffs (47.0 €)

BS Atelier focuses mostly on rope bondage, but I’ve loved their handcuffs for ages. Their leather cuffs are very simple and versatile, and no attention to detail is skimped on. They feature a loop-back closure for a custom fit, and the leather itself is pretty nice — it’s unfinished, so it pills a little at first, but it’s lightweight, flexible, and really comfortable.

Mostly, though, I love that these cuffs don’t look like hard bondage gear. I love the hardcore BDSM aesthetic as much as the next queer girl, but personally, I just can’t pull it off! I thrive in a bedroom that can be giggled in, and I think it’s fantastic that the BS Atelier team is offering such a cheery alternative for those who are into bondage but not necessarily the whole hardcore vibe.

(And I mean, how gorgeous would these be as outerwear?? I love how they’re suggestive, but not so obvious that you’d be likely to make people uncomfortable.)

My one caveat: Before you buy, there’s one last thing to note: The double snap hook that attaches these cuffs together is absolutely terrible! It’s stiff and poorly-made, and I find that you have to pull down on the bar itself rather than on the sliding bit in order to get them open.

So, if you’re planning on clasping these together, plan accordingly. Otherwise, just make sure to care for these cuffs as you would any piece of leather (treat them kindly and keep them out of major wet works) and you should be good.

BS Atelier hardware – this is me pushing down on the clasp!!!

BS Atelier G-Spot Ella Dildo in Blue – Small

BS Atelier G-Spot Ella Blue (70.0 €/on sale at SheVibe)

I was also lucky to be able to test the matching G-Spot Ella in Blue thanks to the lovely team at BS Atelier. (The small size is featured here; it’s available in S, M, and L at BS Atelier or just M through SheVibe). The striped Ella Blue print just as fun and uplifting as the white cuffs, and the two would make an absolutely charming gift together!

There are two tiny flaws in this dildo; a little circle next to the BS and a fine line in the red stripe. However, both are completely unnoticeable in use, and there is no seam anywhere on the product.

The Ella is hand-poured from 100% silicone and measures 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall. It’s 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide at the base and 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) wide at its narrowest. I know that some bloggers aren’t fans of the BS Atelier silicone, but I really like it — it’s soft but springy and has a slightly velvety finish, kind of like a bouncy ball.

The Small G-Spot Ella is too short for comfortable use in a strap-on, but it’s pleasantly squishy and holds its curve better than my Tantus or VixSkin toys. And, even though the curve is relatively unpronounced in the S, it feels absolutely mild-melting. I can only imagine how lovely it would be in the L.

» I would definitely recommend BS Atelier’s G-Spot Ella line, but I’d advise ordering the medium or large size instead!

The verdict?

The BS Atelier White Handcuffs are a touch pricy, but man, are they ever beautiful. They’re bright, lightweight, and comfortable, and would be a gorgeous accessory to pair with a summer dress… and take into the bedroom with you at the end of the day. That being said, I expected better quality hardware at $53 USD (ish), and I really hope to see these get even better in the future! (A vegan option, for instance, would be just amazing.)

The G-Spot Ella, on the other hand, is a total must-have. The soft, springy texture of BS Atelier’s silicone and the small head on the Ella work well to offer just blissful stimulation, and while the Ella doesn’t feel lifelike in the way that something like VixSkin does, I think BS Atelier might just do a g-spot curve even better!

Availability: 47.0 € for the cuffs; 70.0 €/$63 USD for the Ella. (Note: all BS Atelier toys are currently 15% off at SheVibe until Sunday night!) In Canada, you can find BSisNice at Come As You Are.

Additional photos & more »

Tags: /Fashion, Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, Small Business Saturdays

21 Comments

Le Sérum de Jacynthe oil review, photos | Les Soins de Jacynthe serum & trio

April 15, 2016

Rae Chen

4 Comments

The product: Les Soins de Jacynthe Le Sérum de Jacynthe (“Jacynthe’s Serum”)

I have been trying a lot of skincare products recently. Like… a lot. Enough that it’s honestly kind of frightening to see it all on my bathroom countertop.

More than half of what I test doesn’t even go up on theNotice, so when you guys do see skincare on the blog, it’s because I’ve found the products to be either something that I think people will be interested in, or something that I personally am really enjoying. This one is the latter.

The serum: Le Sérum de Jacynthe is a facial oil from a Canadian skincare brand founded by French-Canadian actress Jacynthe René. It’s all-natural and silicone-free, and features evening primrose, borage, sea buckthorn, and rose hip oils, along with vitamin E and essential oils of sandalwood, rose, and rosemary.

The Les Soins de Jacynthe site lists this serum as good for all skintypes except acne-prone. I’m not so sure about that, but my super-dry skin absolutely loves this stuff. It smells beautiful and rich, and its dark orange tone speaks volumes about the quality of rose hip seed oil that’s going into this stuff — it’s immensely hydrating. (Less hydrating than my PO+R and Paula’s Choice Resist oils, but more hydrating than all of my other serums).

Le Soins de Jacynthe floral water, cleansing oil, and serum

The Les Soins de Jacynthe range: I was sent Jacynthe’s Trio to test, which also includes the brand’s floral water and cleansing oil.

As much as I love this serum (and I really, really do), I think this range is overpriced for what it is. The labels are plain sticky paper and get dirty very easily, and a $21 bottle of floral water… I mean, the mister is lovely, but the rosewater itself smells vinegar-sour at first spray. It settles into something I can stomach only after the first few minutes, and honestly, I prefer the $2 rose water that I pick up from the “ethnic” aisle at the grocery store.

The cleansing oil, I think, has the best packaging of these three products, but I never really got behind the whole “soap-free natural oil cleansing” thing. I know it’s good for my face, but ~~AT WHAT COST.~~ I’m just not a fan of the heavy, oily feeling!

Le Sérum de Jacynthe Soins du Visage review

The verdict?

First and foremost, I would love to see the Les Soins de Jacynthe range switch over to non-absorbent labels. Their products are full of natural oils, and my serum bottle barely made it two weeks before it started to look super grotty.

UPDATE 05/10/16: Les Soins de Jacynthe (now Maison Jacynthe) has switched over to new branding and new, waterproof labels for all of their products!

That being said, the serum itself is fantastic. I think Jacynthe’s Trio can be passed on (that sour rosewater!), but Le Sérum de Jacynthe is full of high-quality ingredients and is great for super dry skin!

Availability: $49.35 CAD for 15 ml (pictured); $80.85 for the full size.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Cleansing oils, Extremely dry skin, Indie brands, Les Soins de Jacynthe, Moisturizers, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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Clarins Rose Praline, Pink Cherry Rouge Eclat swatches, review, photos

April 11, 2016

Rae Chen

16 Comments

The products: Clarins Rouge Eclat Lipsticks in 26 Rose Praline and 24 Pink Cherry

It’s no secret that I love Clarins lipsticks, but up until this season’s new Rouge Eclat shades came and knocked it out of the park, I hadn’t found my shade yet. These little potatoes are part of the Instant Glow Spring 2016 makeup collection, and folks: they are divine.

So divine that they can even distract me for a fraction of a moment from how stressed-out and wild small cat has been this week (cry).

The formula: Clarins’ Rouge Eclat lipstick formula is sort of the brand’s answer to balmy lipsticks. They’re not as pigmented as the Joli Rouge lineup, or as shiny as the Joli Rouge Sheers, and they’re actually my favourite of the three because of it!

The Rouge Eclat formula is buttery and smooth, but it is NOT a glossy sort of buttery — it’s more of an understated, “nothing” sort of lip, with a subtle shine that wears down almost to a matte finish. On my lips, it’s about as hydrating as a mediocre lip balm (aka not super hydrating, but also not drying.) The Rouge Eclat lipsticks, like Clarins’ other lip products, have a really uplifting, fruity scent that smells luxe and never gives me a headache.

Clarins 26 Rose Praline Rouge Eclat lip swatch, indirect sunlight

Wearing Rose Praline (and I have no idea what else, so I am desperately hoping that no one asks)

Swatched L-R: Clarins Ombre Iridescente in 07 Silver Plum; Rouge Eclat in Rose Praline and Pink Cherry

The shades: As I mentioned earlier, these two lipsticks are four of the new Clarins Rouge Eclat shades that were introduced this February. (The other two are 23 Hot Rose and 25 Pink Blossom, and all four are permanent!)

I thought Rose Praline was going to be too warm on me, but I’ve actually been wearing it almost every day this spring! It’s a great day-to-day shade that looks more refined than my natural lip colour, but is still quite subtle. (If you have trouble wearing nude lipsticks, give Rose Praline a try — it has the same visual effect, but doesn’t look as done-up.)

I haven’t gotten as much wear out of Pink Cherry ~~because I’m a sad sack who never has fun with her lip colours~~, but it would be a fantastic shade for the spring and summer. I can just imagine it with some bronzer and eyeliner on a trip to the beach!

The verdict?

If you love Clarins lipsticks, you have to check out the new Rouge Eclat shades. They’re creamy, comfortable, and super easy to wear, and Rose Praline has quickly become my very favourite Clarins lipstick of them all!

Plus, I mean, you can’t beat that Clarins packaging and scent. These two always make me feel like I’m putting something super-indulgent on, no matter whether I’m headed to class or just hanging around in an old pair of sweats!

Availability: $28 USD/$28 CAD in department stores, pharmacies, and at Clarins.com. New permanent shades as of February 2016.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Uncategorized

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Annabelle Big Show Lacquer review, swatches, photos

April 6, 2016

Rae Chen

7 Comments

The product: Annabelle Cosmetics Big Show Lacquer in Adore Simply, Caress Tenderly, Kiss Swiftly, Enchant Romantically, Love Fiercely, and Hypnotize Deeply

As I’m sure most of you know already, I am a huge fan of Annabelle Cosmetics. They’re Canadian, affordable, and cruelty-free, and all of their products pack an awesome punch of pigments–especially when you consider that most items are $10 or less.

One of the lines that I just haven’t been able to really get behind, however, is their Big Show range. I liked but didn’t love their Big Show Mascara (which is a HUGE fan favourite) and, later, their Big Show Lip Glosses. Similarly, it pains me to say that I liked these Big Show Lacquers, but… I didn’t love them.

The formula: The Big Show Lacquer formula follows on a trend similar to that of the YSL Glossy Stains and Shu Uemura Laque Supremes: high-impact liquid lip colours that have the saturation of a lipstick, the finish of a lipgloss, and the lasting power of a lip stain.

If I’m being honest, the Big Show Lacquers hit all three of these out of the park. They’re glossy and highly pigmented, and unlike the YSL and Shu Uemura gloss-stains, they’re opaque in just one swipe.

But, while other bloggers seem to just adore these, I’m on the fence about them. There aren’t any MLBB/”no makeup” shades in the range, and I find that once these start to wear away (within 1-2 hours), they become quite tacky and drying. And then there’s the smell: chemically fruity. They’re not any more drying than a Glossy Stain, but I’ve definitely noticed how actual-lacquer-y these can feel.

Annabelle Big Show Lacquer applicator

Annabelle Big Show Lacquers swatched L-R: Adore Simply, Caress Tenderly, Kiss Swiftly, Enchant Romantically, Love Fiercely, and Hypnotize Deeply

The shades: As I mentioned above, there aren’t any natural-looking shades in the Big Show Lacquer range. (I really want to try the Marcelle Lux Colour Rush Lip Lacquers for this very reason; they look to have the exact same formula as these, but they’re unscented and come in only pink/peach/nude shades.)

That being said, if you love colour, then this is a great range to check out. The Big Show Lacquers currently come in six super-shimmery shades, including the particularly-shimmery nude Adore Simply, the orange Caress Tenderly, and two pinks. Kiss Swiftly is more of a milky fuchsia, while Enchant Romantically is a darker, warmer pink with blue reflects.

I’d love to see a purple in this range (it’s the perfect formula for it!) but for now, lovers of darker lip colours can opt for Love Fiercely, a metallic, warm brick red, and Hypnotize Deeply, a purplish berry.

The verdict?

The Big Show Lacquers are huge in the blogosphere right now, but I’m just… not a fan. The synthetic fruity scent gives me a headache, and ALL of these shades are punchy and shimmery, which just isn’t my thing.

I also noted a distinct “lacquer” feeling when I wore these (almost like there was a film over my lips), but I have to admit: they definitely make good on their promises of gloss, pigment, and endurance, and they apply with glorious opacity and evenness. When my lips are in better condition, I might pick up a Marcelle Lux Colour Rush Lip Lacquer to see if I’ll like the formula any more without the shimmer and scent, but I think this is about it for the Big Show Lacquers and I!

Availability: $9.95 CAD at Annabelle.com (US & Canadian shipping) and in-store at drugstores and mass retailers across Canada. Permanent as of January 2016.

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Tags: /Annabelle, Canadian beauty, Indie brands, Lips, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2016

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Dry skin must-haves & my April at-home spa essentials!

April 4, 2016

Rae Chen

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If you don’t follow me on Instagram (you should, because sometimes I meet puppies and take pictures of them), then you’ve probably missed these two product roundups. If you do, then a) thank you, and b) you’ll recognize the images. Don’t click away just yet, though, because there’s a lot more detail here!

Above, I have everything that I’m keeping sink-side right now.* For my dry, dehydrated skin, these have proven to be the best of the best so far.

For super dry skin, I can’t speak highly enough about the DHC Extra Nighttime Moisture and Paula’s Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster. The DHC is so creamy and hydrating, and the Paula’s Choice will get rid of any dry spots you have! I’m also really loving Le Sérum de Jacynthe (review soon), which I think is a bit pricy but is an excellent “green” option.
For sensitive skin, Bioderma Hydrabio H20 Micellar Solution is just fantastic. It’s scented, but I was surprised to find that it’s also incredibly gentle — noticeably more gentle than the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Solution or the Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellar Water.
For dehydrated skin, the Paula’s Choice Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser makes a huge difference for my skin. It doesn’t look very glamorous, but it’s creamy and luxurious, and leaves my skin feeling divine. My MIYU Beauty Essences are something that I can’t live without, too — I’ve now gone through four bottles, if you include the minis!

I’m also a big fan of the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 30, which is relatively heavy, but my skin really likes. It’s not breathtakingly creamy or smooth or anything in particular, but it is affordable, comfortable, and silicone-free, and I think those are three pretty important things.

(Plus, it feels way better than a physical sunscreen, so there’s that.)

I also posted about a little at-home spa day that I had on Sunday, which I wanted to update you guys on! It was my first time using a peel-off mask (so, so weird and cool) and the first time in a little while that I had taken the time to pamper myself with my Ahava goodies.

My skin has been so out of whack recently, and the half-hour it took me to mask and exfoliate before my shower really balanced things out. The Boscia Luminizing Black Mask tightened up my t-zone, and the Kérastase hair mask/exfoliator left my hair feeling super soft. (I could have still used more scalp exfoliation, though.)

But what I loooooved using again was this Ahava trio. I received them for a post & giveaway last year, but they’ve become some of my carefully-rationed favourites. My legs haven’t been this smooth in years (thank you, Liquid Dead Sea Salt), skin feels so soft, and my sheets now smell amazing.

But yeah; that’s what I’ve been up to! I also petted a dozen dogs on Sunday (VERY IMPORTANT) and took the rest of the weekend to let my body rest, and it’s been great.

What’s been keeping you busy (or not so busy) recently?

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*Note: I’ve drifted away from the Jurlique and Tatcha since taking this photo. They’re both still great, but I’m just really into the Paula’s Choice cleanser right now!

Tags: /100% Pure, Aveeno, Bioderma, Cleansing, Extremely dry skin, Grouped reviews, Hair, Jurlique, Mario Badescu, MIYU Beauty, Moisturizers, Paula's Choice, Product Photos, Silicone-free, Silicone-free lists, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, Tatcha, The Edit

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