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Pür Minerals Epic Illusion Palette & Mystic Lip Lure review, swatches | & A cruelty-free Christmas Eve makeup look!

December 24, 2015

23 Comments

It’s taken me a little while to really get into Pür Minerals, but now that I’ve done it… man, I don’t think it would even be possible for me to go back. I’ve worn this look FOUR times over the past week (mostly without the lip), and it has performed like a freaking–uh, like something that performs really well. Every single time.

I am going to be reviewing EVERY product in this makeup look at some point, because I am beyond impressed with every one of them, but for today, I’m focusing on the Lip Lure (what a shade) and Epic Illusion Contour Kit (it’s limited edition)!

Products used for my Pür Minerals Christmas Eve makeup look. (Don’t they look so pretty together?)

I’m wearing all Pür Minerals products in this look, from the eyes (Eye Polish in Satin, Double Ego Liquid Eyeliner in Milan, Wake Up Brow in Espresso/Hello Bright Eyes and Volume Vixen Mascara) to the lips (Lip Lure in Mystic and nothing else, not even lip balm).

Even the skin in this look (Epic Illusion Contour Palette and Pür’s 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15 in the shade Porcelain, which actually matches my skintone!!!) is Pür Minerals — I didn’t need any concealer or powder after using the 4-in-1, which was awesome (and super fast!)

Pür Minerals Double Ego Liner in Milan, Eye Polish in Satin, Volume Vixen Mascara, and Wake Up Brow in Espresso. Plus the line’s 4-in-1 Foundation to conceal my undereye area!

Pür Minerals Lip Lure in Mystic ($22 USD/$26 CAD)

I personally think that the standout products of this look are the foundation and eyeshadow, but the Pür Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer in Mystic is certainly the most eye-grabbing. It’s described as a “ripe blackberry with a hint of raspberry” by Pür Minerals, but on me, it reads more of a berry-red.

My skin eats cool tones for breakfast, however, so make sure to check out the shade on bloggers with your skintone before buying! It’s gorgeous and glossy on Glamorable, who describes the shade as a plummy burgundy, and it reads very purple against Brigette Ramos‘ warmer colouring. I have liked it on every single blogger (including myself) that I’ve seen it on, though, so it might just be one of those unicorn shades!

Pür Minerals Lip Lure swatches: Mystic in indirect sunlight (L) / indirect artificial light (R)

As for the formula? I’m in love. It’s insanely pigmented, with a creamy, hydrating texture. I haven’t worn this one for hours and hours–I’ve been eating far too often recently to really test out a colour this opaque–but within the hour or two that I have tested it for, it’s been wonderful.

The liquid lipstick formula looks glossy if applied heavily or satin-matte if applied sparingly (I’ve applied it thinly here, believe it or not), and it hasn’t made my lips feel even the littlest bit dry!

Pür Minerals Epic Illusion Contour Kit ($28 USD/$32 CAD)

The last Pür Minerals gem that I have to talk to you guys about today is the brand’s limited edition contour kit.

Now, I’m not usually a fan of contour kits (they’re always so warm and harsh), but… I like this one. It contains two rows of products (a yellowier row for lighter skin and a darker row below, as usual), with a highlighter, contour/bronzer, and blush in each row.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Cheeks, Holiday 2015, Indie brands, Lips, Makeup looks: neutral, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Pur Minerals

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LUSH Winter Garden set review: Gorgeous, Snowcake, Rose Jam, Dream Cream, Rub Rub Rub

December 23, 2015

Rae Chen

8 Comments

The product: LUSH Winter Garden Wrapped Gift

↳ Snowcake bar soap, Rose Jam shower gel, Gorgeous moisturizer, Dream Cream hand and body lotion, and the brand new Rub Rub Rub body scrub bar

For all of you out there who are still still, three days before Christmas, struggling to finish your Christmas shopping… here’s a set from Lush that you might find handy! The Winter Garden Wrapped Gift comes in a ready-to-go little ball and includes five popular Lush products for a really affordable $37.95 CAD (including one of my all-time faves!)

Snowcake Soap ($7.95 CAD)

Snowcake is one of my yearly holiday favourites, so I figured we’d start off here! It’s a lovely, almond-y confection covered (this year) with a plentiful heaping of golden dust.

This year’s Snowcake smells a touch less spicy than my last bar (2013), but it’s definitely still something that I’d buy again! I know a lot of people are fans of L’Occitane’s almond line, but I like Snowcake more. It’s sweeter and Christmasy-er, and doesn’t have that hard, headache-inducing edge that Amande does!

Rose Jam Shower Gel ($9.95 CAD)

I was really pleased to find Rose Jam in this set, too. It’s another cult-followed limited edition Lush product, and one that I had never tried before now!

Unfortunately, I think Rose Jam is too sweet for me (it’s quite jammy), but I can definitely see why this delicious fragrance has such a following. It smells distinctly like rose and vanilla, and the sweetness lingers on the skin long after you rinse off.

Gorgeous Facial Moisturizer ($87.95 CAD)

The Winter Garden set also includes a tiny sample of Lush’s Gorgeous moisturizer, which… I mean, am I the only one who thinks Lush charges insane prices for Gorgeous? As a brand that mostly subsists on $8 bath bombs and $25 facial moisturizers, it’s weird that consumers have to pay THAT MUCH more for organic and cold pressed ingredients.

To be fair, though, Gorgeous is pretty gorgeous. It’s light-textured and creamy, and absorbs into the skin with almost startling speed. My skin loves the formulation and velvety finish, but it just doesn’t feel like a $90 moisturizer.

I have to apply two layers of Gorgeous to compensate for Alberta’s dry air, and though the formula really is excellent, Gorgeous still contains parabens and synthetic fragrance ingredients. Neither of those are things that bug my skin, but for almost $90, I feel like consumers deserve a moisturizer that really is all-natural if it’s marketed as such.

All in all, I really do like Gorgeous. It’s a great moisturizer. But it’s not the only great moisturizer, and to say that it outclasses all of my $30 and $40 moisturizers would be a lie!

Dream Cream Hand and Body Lotion ($27.95 CAD)

On the other hand, there’s Dream Cream — my unexpected love hit of the Winter Garden set.

Dream Cream is sort of the body version (texture-wise) of Gorgeous, and its formula is equally great. It lists oat milk, rose water, organic extra virgin olive oil, and organic cocoa butter as its first four ingredients, and is also enriched with soothing and hydrating ingredients like benzoin (which I just ordered a vial of out of curiosity; it’s a very sticky, sweet-smelling essential oil!), rose absolute, and lavender.

$27 is a little pricey for a body lotion compared to the drugstore stuff, but the ingredients in this one are great. In this case, I think $27 for a 240g jar is worth the price!

Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub ($9.95 CAD)

The last treat in this gift set is Lush’s Rub Rub Rub body scrub, the solid version of Lush’s Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub. I was really excited to give it a try (this season is the first time that Lush has done salt cubes like this one), but it was a big miss for me–the only one in the set.

To put it simply, the Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub is way too freaking scratchy. No matter how lightly I drag this along my skin, or whether I do it before my shower or during, it hurts to use. The salt chunks are big and sharp, and this Body Scrub leaves me with big red friction welts on my arms instead of soft, exfoliated skin. (I wasn’t brave enough to use this on my legs, which are currently dealing with a little bout of eczema.)

The verdict?

If you need a quick Christmas gift fix (or you need to decompress after all of your holiday planning), the Lush Winter Garden wrapped gift is a great place to start looking.

Lush’s Home for Christmas gift set ($27.95 CAD) is an even better choice, though, if you ask me — it’s a pared-down version of this one, and by skipping out on a tiny sample of Gorgeous and that awful Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub, you save yourself $10 to use elsewhere!

Availability: $37.95 CAD at LUSH stores; sold out online.

Tags: /Cleansing, Grouped reviews, Holiday 2015, LUSH, Moisturizers, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare

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Annabelle Lipsies Lip Balm in Grapefruit | Your one-step pink grapefruit fix

December 21, 2015

Rae Chen

11 Comments

The product: Annabelle Cosmetics Lipsies Lip Balm in Grapefruit

One of my go-to lip combinations is to apply a swipe of grapefruit-scented Burt’s Bees Refreshing Lip Balm ($3.29 USD), and then top it off with a Clinique Chubby Stick ($17 USD) in either Super Strawberry or Whoppin’ Watermelon.

I’m kind of super bad at the whole “stop being lazy and layer your goddamn products” thing, though, so when I realized that Annabelle made a product that would cover both steps, I immediately made grabby hands at it.

Annabelle Grapefruit Lipsies Lip Balm swatches

Annabelle Lipsies Lip Balm in Grapefruit

Annabelle’s grapefruit scent isn’t quite as bright or zesty as Burt’s Bees’, but it helps lift my mood and my look at the same time with a lovely, juicy-looking swath of colour. And, for less than the price of a cup of coffee, who can say no to a tasty scent and a moisturizing hint of pink?

Availability: $4.95 CAD online at Annabelle.ca (US/Canada shipping) and in drugstores & mass-market retailers across Canada. Read my full review of the Lipsies formula here!

The whole (current) Lipsies range! I think. As of Spring 2015, at least.

See what other bloggers thought of the Annabelle Lipsies:

Beauty Infinitum loves Fruit Punch (which looks SO good on her lips) and Cupcake!
Workaday Beauty and her super-cute spring hair has Grapefruit swatched alongside Strawberry, Cherry, and Raspberry.
Just J reviewed Fruit Punch and Coco-Vanilla, and totally hated the scent of the latter. (It’s okay, MizzJ. I hate the way it smells too.)

Tags: /Annabelle, Lips, Product Photos, Product Review

11 Comments

MIYU Soirée Essentials review, photos | The (Canadian!) Gift Guide

December 17, 2015

Rae Chen

4 Comments

The product: MIYU Beauty Soirée Essentials kit

Every Christmas, I like to pick out a couple “quick fix” gift ideas. Kits for under $100 that are luxurious, easy to wrap, easy to buy, and (most importantly of all) sure to please many. They’re a step above your standard hostess gift, but juuuust generic enough that you probably have 3 or 4 people in your life (if not more) that would absolutely love them.

The MIYU Soirée Essentials kit ($69 CAD) contains a full-sized Hydrate Mi Beauty Essence and Hydrate Mi Tea, along with a Hydrate Mi Beauty Essence Mini to throw into your clutch or leave on your nightstand. But what I really love about this kit is that it isn’t only beauty products — it’s a complete, well-rounded gift, ready to wrap with a compact mirror and a set of sparkling pearl & crystal 14K gold plated drop earrings by Love Juliet.

I’ve reviewed the MIYU Beauty Essences before, so I won’t go too much into detail about Hydrate Mi, but I’m happy to say that I’m still using (and loving!) both my Hydrate Mi and De-Stress Mi Beauty Essences religiously.

I find that I actually my essences more now than I did when I wrote my review — they’re perfect for adding a veil of moisture to my super-dry skin right before bed or just as I wake up, and unlike all other beauty essences, they can be spritzed on to freshen up winter-dry foundation.

I thought it was silly at first that MIYU put two Hydrate Mi essences in to this kit, but then it hit me: one is totally not enough. I keep a De-Stress Mi in my bathroom, and bottles of Hydrate Mi at my desk, in the bathroom cabinet at my partner’s place, and on my side of the bed. (I like to think of it as my portable humidifier, because it does about the same thing for my skin.)

If you’re searching for an awesome last-minute gift, or if you want to treat yourself for the holidays, the MIYU Beauty Soirée Essentials Kit ($69 CAD) is a great way to do it!

» Why gift MIYU? I love the MIYU brand because it’s a small Canadian business built around two absolutely inspiring ladies. CEO Connie Tai grew up here in Edmonton and has an extensive background in cosmetic chemistry and product development, so she actually gets it — she’s not just a pretty celebrity face behind a thrown-together brand.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Indie brands, MIYU Beauty, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product snapshots, Silicone-free, Skincare

4 Comments

Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur & Dries Van Noten review, photos | The Gift Guide

December 16, 2015

Rae Chen

7 Comments

Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur ($52 USD & up)

Have you ever owned a perfume that was just so gorgeously, inexplicably sexy that it made your eyes roll back a little?

For me, this scent has always been Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur, by Maurice Roucel. It’s an “amber oriental,” and ravageur is just the perfect way to describe it — it’s a visceral, punk kind of sexy, with clove and sandalwood on a cedar base shot through with vanilla. The original formulation, if you can find a bottle, opens on the skin with vanilla and gives way to the briefest window of just absolutely filthy musk before settling down.

I picked up a new travel spray of Musc Ravageur this past summer from the Holt’s on Bloor–the two men working the counter were just a joy to talk perfume with–and, as much as my love for this scent still endures, I am sad to report that even the pre-reformulation 2015 bottles of this scent are far less “dirty” than my bottle from 2008. It’s a change that perfumistas will hate, I think, but that most fragrance wearers will very much appreciate.

Even with the reformulation, Musc Ravageur is an absolute treat. I’ve been wearing it probably 4 days out of 7 this winter (which, for me, is like a love declaration written in blood), and it’s still quite a sexy scent. It feels a little more masculine without the animalic notes, but the tenacity is no less breathtaking — I can spray a scarf with this on Monday and still smell faintly like I rule the world on Friday.

Availability: $52 to $270 USD at Neiman Marcus, Barneys, and Holt Renfrew ($245 CAD and up; travel sprays available only in-store).

Dries van Noten par Frederic Malle Eau de Toilette ($56 USD & up)

While I was picking up my new bottle of Musc Ravageur, I was introduced to Dries van Noten by Frederic Malle, an “olfactory portrait” by Bruno Jovanovic that tells the story of Dries’ life in a bottle. (Pictured here is a rather gorgeous sample vial.)

It, too, is described as an oriental by the brand, but Dries is an entirely different beast than Musc Ravageur. It has much more throw than Musc Ravageur, and yet feels more organic: sweet and comforting, like a heavy sweater in a musty old library.

This one takes me back to Toronto in the summer, but I think the opening is a little too sweet for me to buy a full bottle. It develops nicely on the skin, though; soft and sugary with an Indian sandalwood base, and it makes me think of powdered lemon biscuits with tea at midday. Somewhere hot, perhaps — a leafy green rainforest that wraps you up in humid air and puts you softly to bed.

Availability: $56 to $290 USD at Barneys New York and Holt Renfrew ($265 CAD & up).

Tags: /Fragrance, Product Photos, Product Review, The Edit, The Gift Guide, Travel

7 Comments

FOREO ISSA silicone toothbrush review + giveaway! | The Gift Guide

December 14, 2015

Rae Chen

94 Comments

The product: FOREO ISSA Toothbrush in Lavender

» Did you catch my FOREO Luna mini review?

It’s tough to love something and, at the same time, be gripped with anxiety every time you think about it. But that’s more or less how I feel about teeth: I have six toothbrushes sitting sink-side right now, and yet (or perhaps because) thinking too hard about over-brushing and receding gum lines can push me into a full-on panic attack.

That’s what makes the ISSA so cool. It’s high-tech and gorgeous, but it’s also designed to gently clean your teeth and stimulate your gums without scraping them up, so there’s no extra anxiety needed.

FOREO ISSA packaging. Perfect for gifting, and it comes with a classy little travel sleeve, too!

About the ISSA: The ISSA, believe it or not, is designed to be used just like a manual toothbrush! You use normal toothpaste (though nothing with gritty bits) and turn it on, picking one of 8 pulsation speeds and brushing as usual.

Like the LUNA, the ISSA is fully waterproof and has a battery that needs charging only every 365 uses (compare that to the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean, which lasts 3 weeks, tops). Plus, it’s crazy lightweight and really comfortable to hold, with a 100% silicone finish that’s bacteria resistant and fast drying.

How it works: You know how silicone is kind of “draggy,” and will pick up lint and dust like nothing else? (Well, other than an old NARS compact?) Well, that’s how the ISSA cleans your teeth!

High-intensity pulsations and silicone bristles create friction that sticks to smooth surfaces, literally rubbing your teeth and gum line clean without pick-axeing at plaque the way nylon bristles do.

But does it work? In a word… yes! I don’t notice any more plaque when I floss after brushing with the ISSA vs. a manual toothbrush, and if I eat something really sugary and then brush, the ISSA actually leaves my mouth and tongue feeling slightly cleaner than my other toothbrushes.

The ISSA isn’t a bracing experience, though. It leaves my mouth feeling neutral, and my gums aren’t pinked or sensitive after I brush with my ISSA, which is a strange (but very, very good) change.

Sizing & heads: My only complaint about the ISSA is that smaller heads are always recommended by dentists to really get between your teeth, and the ISSA head is huuuuge. New brush heads are only $20-25 each, though, and they’re interchangeable between the ISSA and the ISSA mini.

There are three different ISSA brush heads (regular, hybrid, and a tongue cleaner), and each comes in full and mini size. So, when I replace my brush head in a year–or sooner; they’re really easy to switch out–I’ll be picking up an ISSA mini brush. It won’t match my lovely lavender base, but I think I might just go with the super-sunny Mango Tango head and colour block it! ;)

Easy to remove, easy to clean brush heads!

Win an ISSA of your own!

I know you guys got really excited about my LUNA mini giveaway, but I’m really excited to be able to share an ISSA or an ISSA mini with one lucky reader! You get to pick your model and colour, and it should arrive just in time for you to start off the new year with a fancy new toothbrush.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not sure which one you want? The Hybrid brush is a great way to transition over from a traditional toothbrush, and the mini size will deep-clean any sized mouth. Granted, the ISSA has 8 speeds, but the ISSA mini will frown at you if you haven’t been brushing regularly, so… that choice is up to you.

This giveaway will be open worldwide until 11:59 PM on December 24th, MST, so pick your ISSA here and start entering!

FOREO LUNA mini in Cool Grey and ISSA in Lavender

The verdict?

You guys, I am head over heels for my ISSA. Full disclosure, it was provided gratis for this review, but–goddamn.

My top recommendation for the ISSA, weirdly enough, is as a gift for someone with fatigue or chronic pain. (And yes, you can totally gift it to yourself.) On my worst fibro days, brushing my teeth is so hard that sometimes I have to stop partway though and rest, but the ISSA is so lightweight and ergonomic that I never feel it in my forearms.

Aside from that? If you’re at risk for receding gums–or even if you’re not–a once-every-decade $199 investment in your teeth is nothing. Not everyone out there is a toothbrush nerd, but if you are, (a) please let’s be friends, and (b) you totally need an ISSA.

Availability: $199 USD/$229 CAD for the ISSA and ISSA Hybrid; $119 USD/$139 CAD for the ISSA mini.

» If you order from Foreo.com before December 31st, the entire ISSA device range is 20% off! That includes the ISSA minis, so for those of you on a budget, make sure you snap up a FOREO toothbrush for $95.20 USD with free shipping while you can.

Keep reading! »

Tags: sponsored/Foreo, Giveaway, Product Photos, Product Review, The Gift Guide, Tools

94 Comments

BISC Vol.21: 5 powder eyeshadows every eye makeup wearer should own

December 13, 2015

Rae Chen

4 Comments

Name 5 powder eyeshadows every eye makeup wearer should own

AGATA | USA | Her and Makeup
1. Mac Phloof- a perfect beige highlighting shade.
2. Mac Sable- my favorite golden bronze shade that looks great on anyone, even when worn on its own.
3. Mac Soft Taupe- it might be my favorite shade of all times- a gorgeous taupe shade with silver shimmer.
4. Urban Decay Riff- a matte warm brown shade with tiny gold speckles, perfect for blending into the crease.
5. Lorac powder eyeshadows- I don’t own single eyeshadows from them but their Pro palettes have the most buttery and soft texture and are extremely easy to work with.

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog
Ahh, I can’t choose five!! But if I haaaad to pick a few products… I’m going to go with the Clarins mineral eyeshadows (I am, to say the least, a little bit obsessed with the quads), the old Make Up For Ever 92, and Inglot 420.

And it’s not an eyeshadow, but also I’m going to take a moment here to talk up the Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Eyeshadow Primer, which (when paired with silica powder) is the ONLY thing that lets me wear eyeshadows without getting creasing after 4-5 hours! 😉

ANNE | Germany | Linda, Libra, Loca
These are the ones I think any eyeshadow wearer should own. Color selection based on your complexion, obviously:

1. The blending color, close to your skin tone, preferably matte (my choice: Alverde “Vanilla”)
2. The matte crease color, to define and darken (my choice: MAC “Cross-cultural”)
3. The Wash-of-color, to apply all over the lid and be good to go (my choice: MAC “Satin Taupe”)
4. The every-day duo chrome, to look like you have made an effort (my choice: MAC “Club”)
5. The sparkly night out eyeshadow (my choice: MAC “Dark Indulgence”)

But why limit yourself to just five?

MELISSA | Switzerland | Kiss & Make-up
– MAC Sumptuous Olive
– MAC Deep Truth
– MAC Embark
– Urban Decay Lounge
– Urban Decay Naked 3

JAA | Thailand | Hello Jaa
Oh this is a hard question! But my recommendations are MAC Knight Divine (gorgeous smokey silvery-gray with a hint of brown, MAC Satin Taupe (the “good for everything” color!),MAC Bamboo (perfect crease color for me; it brightens up my eyelid so well!), Burberry Midnight Brown (rich, saturated brown with a lovely, buttery texture), and Urban Decay Buzz (a pretty, shimmery pink from Naked 3).

[Interested in joining BISC Network? Send your request to jaa*at*hellojaa.com]

Tags: /BISC, Eyes

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Annabelle Glitterama Eyeliner in Milky Way review, swatches, photos | Add a little sparkle to your holiday look

December 11, 2015

Rae Chen

10 Comments

The product: Annabelle Cosmetics Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner in Milky Way

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Annabelle’s Gliterama Liquid Eyeliners. So, when my beloved Night Light liner went off a couple months ago, I immediately ran to the nearest drugstore and picked up a tube of their most similar-looking glitter goop.

(Which I mean lovingly. Very lovingly.)

Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliners: Night Light, Milky Way

Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner swatches: Milky Way (x2), Night Light (x2)

The formula: Like the rest of the Glitterama range, Milky Way touts a whole whopping bunch of glitter suspended in a glue-like, easy-to-use formula. The formula takes a few moments to dry and re-stickifies itself if your eyes water a lot, but it wears like a champ — all day and night long.

You have to give the Glitterama liners a fair couple of minutes to dry fully, but I promise, it’s worth it once you do!

Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner swatches: Milky Way, Night Light

The shade: Unfortunately, Milky Way isn’t really a substitute for the glowy gloriousness that was Night Light. It’s still gorgeous and multi-faceted, but it’s more “multicoloured glitter in a clear base” and less “crystalline, angelic veil.”

It’ll still make for a great holiday (or any day) eye look, but I’m really going to miss Night Light. It was pretty one-of-a-kind.

Annabelle Night Light Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner (top), Milky Way (bottom)

The verdict?

If you’re looking for a way to add just a hint of (manageable!) glitter to your makeup look, Milky Way is it. I like it best used sparingly in the centre of my upper liner, or dotted just once or twice at the centre of my lower lashline for a subtle, “was that intentional or do you just cry fairy dust like a magical unicorn cupcake goddess” look.

Plus, at $8.95 CAD (or less if you can catch it on sale), the Glitterama liners make it easy to ~~cry your way through temporarily losing your boyfriend to Fallout 4~~ get hooked on glitter that’s fallout-free. Good glitter liners are not hard to find, so there’s no need to shell out $20+ for one!

Availability: $8.95 CAD at drugstore and mass-market retailers across Canada, or online at Annabelle.ca (ships to US & Can.)

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Annabelle, Eyes, Grouped reviews, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

10 Comments

Leaf Life vibrator review, photos | What to ask for this holiday season!

December 9, 2015

Rae Chen

30 Comments

The product: Leaf Life vibrator

The concept: Leaf is a line/spin-off company of BMS Factory, who you may recognize if you already own a Swan or Jopen toy. They’re touted as the brand’s “green” sex toy option, and they are eco-friendly, but not any more so than any other brand that makes rechargeable, 100% silicone, phthalate-free toys.

All Leaf products are designed in Canada and come with a super-cute canvas travel bag, which–and I know this is a weird thing to fixate on–really sealed the deal for me. The entire way that the Leaf line is marketed makes me so happy–it feels cheery and eco-friendly instead of illicit or sexy, and while there’s nothing wrong (at all!!) with brands that ooze sex appeal 24/7, it’s really nice to be able to disentangle “sex toys” with “sex appeal.”

Also worth noting is that there is nothing gendered about the way that Leaf markets its products, which I think is fantastic!

The Life: You’re all going to hate me after I say this, but I can’t help it: this, folks, is the life.

For real, though, it is. I have never become attached to a sex toy as quickly as I became attached to my Life, and for good reason! It’s more rumbly than the Lelo Siri (albeit less rumbly than the We Vibe Tango) and is covered in silky-soft silicone.

But, most importantly, it charges (as much as I love the nerd appeal of a magnetic charger) with a little headphone jack-style plug, so you never have “oh god it hasn’t been charging all this time how am I supposed to get off now” moments.

It’s also waterproof and super quiet, and the motor never rattles around in its case (like the MiMi Soft and We-Vibe Tango do.)

Battery life: The best thing about the Life (aside from its amazingly quiet motor) is its battery life. This little Lithium-Polymer rechargeable battery can run for up to 2 hours and 40 minutes on low, which is long enough that even on my worst days, I can use it to get off at least twice without needing to charge it.

Unlike my ex-favourite We-Vibe Tango, which promises 2 hours of battery life but often dies on me (and others!) within 40 minutes. (That evil, scheming BUCKET OF LIES.)

The Life vs. the Life+: All Leaf products are powered with BMS Factory’s delightfully rumbly PowerBullet motor (which is the same in both lines), but the purple Leaf+ line features vibration patterns as well as a press-and-hold “off” button.

I never use patterns, so I’m happy with my Life. The “on” button is weird, though: it’s very sensitive, and instead of turning up when pressed, it turns on/off. So, every time I try to throw this into my purse without turning the travel lock on, my bag starts rumbling, and if I squish the Leaf a little during use, it turns itself off.

To turn the Leaf up, you actually have to press and hold, at which point the levels quickly escalate until released. So, if you want precision controls, go with the Life+, and if you want green, go with the Leaf.

(I decided I wanted green more than I wanted controls that make sense, and I regret nothing.)

The verdict?

I love this little guy a lot. Like, enough that I honestly feel kind of bad for recommending the We-Vibe Tango to you guys once upon a time. Don’t get me wrong, the Tango’s motor is definitely better, but the Leaf pairs reliability, quietness, and great battery life with a pretty rumbly motor, and that makes it hard to say no to. I definitely think that there’s still room for improvement, but of the toys that I own, this one is my current favourite ;)

So, of my three favourite vibes, I’ll say this: if you prioritize rumbliness, go for the MiMi Soft (review); if you prioritize strength of vibration, go for the We-Vibe Tango (review); and if you want a great all ’rounder, go for the Leaf Life!

Availability: $84.99 USD at Shevibe, who kindly sent this in for review! (FYI, that is a hella good price for the Leaf Life — it’s a whopping $139.96 CAD at Well.ca.)

And, for those of you who want to upgrade–or who can’t find the original Life in stock–the purple Leaf Life+ is just $89.99 USD and is just as good (if not better!)

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, Swan, The Gift Guide

30 Comments

Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipstick RS 656 review, swatches, photos

December 7, 2015

Rae Chen

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The product: Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick in RS 656 Empress

This year’s Shiseido Autumn/Winter collection featured three beautiful new Perfect Rouge lipsticks ($30 CAD), and I am lucky enough to be able to share RS 656 Empress with you guys today. I couldn’t find a lot on this one online, and what I could find was almost exclusively written in–Russian, I think?–so it’s likely that this one is a non-US release.

(Yay for Canada getting things!)

The formula: This is my first Shiseido lipstick, but I have a feeling it won’t be my last. The Perfect Rouge formula is creamy and opaque, with colour that won’t slip around, a moisturizing texture, and just the most gorgeous magnetized packaging.

The formula is unscented, and despite the cream finish of this one, it still sort of glows on the lips when applied. It settles into more of a semi-matte finish, but like, the most moisturizing, luscious semi-matte/cream finish you will ever find. (It’s not your standard “moisturizing while creamy, but super drying an hour later” cream finish!)

Shiseido Perfect Rouge RS 656 Empress swatched as a stain/swatched properly

The shade: RS 656 Empress is a stunner, you guys. It’s a beautiful, dark, cream finish plum–a true autumnal shade. It’s very opaque, needing just one swipe for full coverage, and it balances its brown and blue tones on top of a lovely red base.

If you’re new to dark lip colours but wanted to try one for the holidays, this is a great place to start. It can be a little ageing, like any dark lip colour, but it has this almost dusty kind of smokiness to it, so it’s just dark–not dark and in-your-face vibrant, too. (In other words, it’s medium-dark without being a “statement” lip.)

The verdict?

I’m pretty sure Shiseido RS 656 Empress is the fall lipstick of my dreams. It’s moody, plummy, scent-free, and moisturizing, with just the most gorgeous cream finish and (and!) the ability to work as a stain.

It’s a great fall lip colour, and thanks to its fancy, magnetized packaging, it would make just the loveliest little Christmas gift, too!

Availability: $25 USD/$30 CAD at Sephora, Murale, Hudson’s Bay, Jean Coutu, London Drugs, Ogilvy, select Shoppers Drug Mart locations, and Shiseido.

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Tags: /Fall/Winter 2015, Holiday 2015, Lips, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Shiseido

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