theNotice

30 (free!) hair braiding tutorials | The Couture Book of Braids by Kérastase

August 13, 2015

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My hair–like most Asian hair–is a braiding nightmare. It’s fine, flat, and almost incomprehensibly smooth, which all sound like they’d be good attributes… except what they add up to is hair that, unless you apply product first or start with wet hair, just can’t hold a braid.

Kérastase aims to fix all us straight haired gals’ problems this fall, though, with a brand new Matéraliste Thickening Spray Gel ($38 CAD) and a 100-page e-book full of tips, tricks, and tutorials.

Nowadays, I only really give hair tutorials in person (compulsively and enthusiastically, but uh… only after at least three shots of tequila), so you’re going to have to rely on Kérastase’s Book of Braids for your late summer/back-to-school braid training.

The book is “for all those who dreamed of artful braids but couldn’t,” so in the spirit of dreaming, here’s a special, 30-braid gift for all of you guys, illustrated by Jessica Durrant.

» Click here « to access your complimentary copy of the Book of Braids!

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Book Review, Giveaway, Hair, Kérastase

4 Comments

Guerlain Boutique & Institute Toronto photos, Complete Facial review | BEAUTY DESTINATIONS

August 10, 2015

Rae Chen

8 Comments

The most unexpected adventure I’ve taken so far this year was a trek into the gorgeous, glossy depths into Toronto’s Guerlain Boutique & Institute at 110 Bloor Street West.

I wandered in one fine Tuesday, expecting to just take a quick sniff of Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille–could it really be as gorgeous as I remembered? (Spoiler: it is, and then some.)–and walked out with some seriously sharp bronzer and a facial appointment for that Friday.

The Boutique

As a fragrance junkie, the only thing you need to know about Guerlain boutiques is this: there is only one in Canada, and it contains all of the brand’s current fragrances…

Les Exclusifs and all.

From bee bottles to tailor-made fragrances (you know, if you have a year, time for a trip to Paris, and a spare $75 000 lying around), this is the place to be. The staff here know everything there is to know about Guerlain’s recent launches as well as their classics, and can tell you about everything from Guerlinade to Theirry Wasser (Guerlain’s in-house perfumer).

Scents you must try while you’re there:

Spiritueuse Double Vanille, a fizzy, spicy, boozy vanilla that’s so breathtaking that I have literally cried about it before,
Mitsouko (extract) and Shalimar (perfume, not EdP), which are arguably the brand’s most iconic fragrances,
Tonka Imperiale,
Eau de Lingerie, and
Le Parfum de 68.

The Institute

Tucked discreetly in the back of the boutique is a small treatment room and all the necessarily amenities — a gorgeous glass shower, a mirrored change room, and the boutique’s secret weapon: a petite esthetician named Sakien Teymouri who, I swear, has magic hands.

I was lucky enough to experience a complimentary Complete Facial ($170 CAD), which is a 1h30 treatment that can be customized to match your skin’s needs.

As someone with extremely touchy skin, facials aren’t usually something I can indulge in, but the boutique’s manager took the time to double-check ingredients lists and customize a gentle, silicone-free regimen just for me. (Thank you so much, Jamielee — your kindness and attention to detail really made my day!)

Continue the adventure!! »

Tags: /Beauty destinations, Company Review, Fragrance, Guerlain, Product Review, Product snapshots, Shopping, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, Toronto, Travel

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BISC Vol. 13 | Popular makeup trends (by country!)

August 9, 2015

Rae Chen

What are popular makeup trends in your country and do you follow them?

KRISTEN | USA | Glambunctious

“Strobing” seems to be very popular right now, though I don’t think the trend is unique to the United States. Strobing is basically using only highlighter with no contouring. Since I have oily skin and the weather where I live is very hot and humid right now, I end up strobing by default at the end of the day. No highlighter needed!

TRACY | USA | Swaybeauty

I am aware of trends due to reading blogs, articles on the internet, YouTube and beauty magazines however if I don’t think they are conducive to my daily routine I will not incorporate them. For example I jumped on the contouring bandwagon (which really never worked out for me) but when strobing, baking, and cooking came along I didn’t pay it much attention. Right now it’s all about natural, no makeup makeup which is what I’ve always practiced so I guess I’m inadvertently following them.

ANNE | Germany | Linda, Libra, Loca

To be honest, I am not good at following trends.

With the change of seasons I will try and get an overview on what is hot right now, but for the blog more than for personal reasons. (Read the latest edition here). The one big thing around here at the moment seems to be “Strobing”, and as I will always be a powder girl at heart, I really can’t say I am following this trend.

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog

Canada is still working on carving out its own little niche in the beauty world, so our makeup trends are pretty much the same as the ones in the US. Right now, I feel like the major trends are (of course) highlighting and contouring, and while I do do both on a daily basis, I’m doing them the same way I always have — subtly and in very cool tones, which, for some reason, is inexplicably a very not on-trend thing to be doing!

JAA | Thailand | Hello Jaa

I have not been back to Thailand long enough to know for sure but from my observation, makeup styles that make you look “doll-like” seem to be preferred by Thai women. Circle lens (to make your eyes appear bigger), fluttery lashes, big brows (and tattooed brows) are pretty common. Another thing a lot of Thai women aspire to have is a pale (or white) complexion as I literally see hundreds of skin-whitening products being sold at pretty much every beauty store. I rarely wear circle lens but I do wear falsies and big brows occasionally. Skin whitening is not my priority but I do use some to lighten my acne scars and hyperpigmentation.

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

Tags: /BISC

Odacité Po+R Serum Concentrate | One in, one out

August 5, 2015

Rae Chen

12 Comments

As a beauty blogger, I try a lot of stuff for ~~work~~ you guys! And, as a result, it’s rare that I ever get to fully finish products that I like, much less hit pan and buy them again.

The Odacité Pomegranate + Rose a Geranium Serum Concentrate ($42 USD/$49 CAD), though — it’s the first of a few exceptions that I’ve been lucky enough to stumble across.

It feels like just yesterday that I reviewed Po+R on theNotice for the first time, and my skin has been in heaven since then. Just a drop or two every couple of days, added into my moisturizer, keeps my super-dry skin glowing and hydrated.

It’s kind of a godsend, honestly — I’ve had stubborn dry patches that have hung around since high school, but since starting on Odacité oils, I’ve been happily patch-free.

I also–no surprise here–have been recommending their oils to people left and right. (To everyone who actually has to deal with me in person: I’m sorry and also I have NO REGRETS). So, when I finally ran out of my first bottle if Po+R after eight-odd months of use…

I immediately ran out to the nearest Detox Market to replenish my skincare stash with another.

Availability: $42 USD/$49 CAD at The Detox Market (CA).

Tags: rebuy/Extremely dry skin, Holy Grail, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Odacite, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product snapshots, Silicone-free, Skincare

12 Comments

Feather eyeliners, New Dimensions, and eye palettes galore | New 03/08/15

August 3, 2015

Rae Chen

1 Comment

New this week: leather-feather-tipped Stila eyeliner brushes (so lovely, but weirdly expensive for just a liner brush, no?), matte pastel finishing powders, and New Dimension lifting products (but more on that soon).

And that new NARS NARSissist palette and Sephora brushes — mmpfh. Five kinds of oh-so-pretty!

Tags: /New This Week (& etc)

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Juicy Couture giveaway (& behind the scenes at the I AM JUICY COUTURE launch party)

July 31, 2015

Rae Chen

9 Comments

I had a pretty wide variety of adventures while I was in Toronto this month (I got home late Tuesday night), from factory tours to coffee dates. Today, though, I get to share with you something special: a launch party for the new Juicy Couture fragrance, plus a little giveaway with a memento for one of you.

The I AM JUICY COUTURE party was a really weird experience for me: it was a lot of pink, a lot of people out to “be seen,” and a lot of fragrance notes that I’m not the biggest fan of, personally. (What? I like my fragrances vaguely snobby, kind of dirty, and aggressively unisex.)

THE NOTES: TOP – raspberry, pomelo, passion fruit / HEART – gardenia, heliotrope, Rose de Mai, sweet pea / BASE – musk, woods, amber

I AM JUICY COUTURE ($89 CAD/50 ml; available soon) was created for the house by Dora Baghriche for Firmenich Paris, and was inspired by candied pralines and the idea of the ultimate Juicy Couture girl. It’s described as a “rebellious gourmand” for the “prestige rebel,” and smells kind of like something that would happen in all caps. The press release says it’s for the girl who “daringly proclaims exactly who she is not in order to declare who she is“… but what kind of life is that?

Yes you are, dude. Yes you are.

So here’s what I think. I think you should take the great parts of I AM JUICY COUTURE, and leave the rest. Feel free to tell people that you’re not apologetic, because no one should have to be. Tell them that you’re not conventional, because you’re not obligated to be.

But don’t operate under the assumption that these are traits of the “cool girl.” Girls, in case you haven’t noticed, are awesome. I’d be pretty damn proud if someone told me that I was just as cool as a conventional girl.

The lovely Nicole (Beauty, Brains +), Megan (Megan Joy), and Erica (Diary of a Trendaholic)!

Elaine (Elaine Loves)

Megan is THRILLED TO BE HERE; TO BE ALIVE (seriously though, how cute is she??)

The ultimate Juicy Couture girl sounds kind of like a bully. So aim higher than that; be better than that. Wear the I AM JUICY COUTURE fragrance, but wear it to say:

» I AM NOT going to be held down by the conventions of your misogynistic society

…not “It girls are not ordinary, shy, predictable, reserved, or average.” Because there is nothing, nothing wrong with being shy or predictable or reserved if you choose to be.

Define yourself by what you are, not what you hate.

Win it!

I’m not much of a memento type (well, except for scent memories, but more on that soon), so I’m sharing this little piece of my travels with one lucky reader! Enter below to win one (1) Juicy Couture “Juicy Bangle” in Gold. This giveaway is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is currently residing in Canada, and will close on August 8th at 11:59 PM MST.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Fashion, Fragrance, Giveaway, Travel

9 Comments

DECIEM Toronto HQ Tour | Beauty behind the scenes

July 27, 2015

Rae Chen

16 Comments

The energy at DECIEM is really infectious, and it (along with the rest of my Toronto experiences) really has me re-thinking the way that I approach beauty blogging. Like a lot of other bloggers, I’ve been struggling to find my–for lack of a better word–muse over the past few years, and I think it’s been hurting the quality of the content here at theNotice.

Entering the Deciem front doors feels kind of like getting punched in the face by Regina George. (I hear she does car commercials… IN JAPAN.) You step in and you’re immediately hit a wall of great smells and good vibes — it’s a really collaborative, creative space full of people who love what they do.

The table in the lobby area is topped with artfully squished Hair is Fabric tubes, matte black candles burn along one wall, and everything is open-concept — I don’t think I saw a single solid wall in the entire building. The guy who makes videos for all of the Deciem brands sits just down from the girl who packs and ships everything; the chemists who formulate products in the lab are (literally) within spitballing distance from the factory area, where you’ll find workers bickering and tinkering.

BEAUTY FOR EVERYONE [HERE] – Deciem products are tested on people, not animals, and can be purchased online at deciem.com, where full ingredients lists are available for every product! Express shipping is FREE within Canada (or worldwide, depending on the product) and you have a year to return anything that doesn’t work for you, but you can find in-store locations here if you must.

The lovely Eric & Mira (who spearhead Deciem’s social media and PR, respectively)

I think everyone dreams of having an in-house lab, no?

Production, packaging, and storage happens just around the corner!

Lookit all the tiny little SubQ Eye Serums waiting to be packaged!

It’s clear that the people here love what they do, which I’m crazy about — they have a lot of freedom to experiment and try out different things (there was literally a tiny explosion in the lab while I was there; apparently someone was playing with a morsel of magnesium that should not have gone poof but totally went poof anyways), and it’s reflected strongly in the products they create. Their goal was to make 10 products to change the face of beauty, and barely two years in, they’re currently working on their 11th brand.

What I really want to do is take a little bit of that energy with me. I want to work with other bloggers who love what they do; I want to get excited again about taking pictures and tweaking them juuuust until I feel that little rush of ooh, that actually looks really good.

The brand’s [first] big hit

Hand Chemistry on Mira’s model-hands

Yes. They are absolutely making the joke you think they are.

I want to have new sensory experiences — for me, that involves a lot of smelling fragrances that are really well-composed and complex (thank you, Frederic Malle), but it’s also things like eating an entirely new-to-you food (this year: foie gras) or taking in that first breath of clean, crisp air after a rainstorm. It’s about what will expand the way you process information, but I think fresh experiences play a big role in that. (Why else would so many people feel the constant pull of wanderlust! Nothing expands like your metacognitive abilities like culture shock. Or psychedelics.)

But back on topic.

What am I crazy about from DECIEM?

Well, I’m going to be posting reviews as I finish testing products (of course), but if you need a teaser, I’m really excited about:

Hand Chemistry Hyaluronic Body Mist ($20 CAD) – This is my favourite Deciem product right now, hands down. Over the past 24 hours, I’ve told four different people about it in person, and three of them immediately went, “oh my god, where can I get that.” (The third doesn’t even own a cleanser, so really, a mist was never going to happen.) It sprays a fine, dense mist, is powered by air (not CFCs), and penetrates really far into your dermal layers — even in areas that are callused or chronically dehydrated.

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1.00% ($60 CAD) – Because how cool is having to mix a fresh product that’s 100x more potent than what you usually get in consumer serums?
NOID Photography Fluid, Opacity 12% ($30 CAD) (and Hylamide Photography Foundation ($20 CAD), which provides a little more coverage) – This stuff is SO good. It’s a foundation that isn’t a foundation; think Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders to the nth degree. Photography Fluid goes green and then disappears into the skin, leaving you with less redness and with a really gorgeous, photo-ready glow. (It’s apparently particularly great under natural sunlight!)

Photography Fluid (magic in action)

Fountain 03 The Super Green Molecule ($28 CAD) – Contains kelp, alfalfa chlorophyll, and hyaluronic acid. 1 teaspoon is equal to 6 bowls of dark, organic leafy greens. See all of the molecules here.

Something lovely is inside.

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Company Review, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Other, Other, Product snapshots, Skincare, The Ordinary, Travel

16 Comments

BISC Vol.12 | Do you regularly toss expired makeup?

July 26, 2015

Rae Chen

1 Comment

Do you regularly toss expired makeup?

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog

Hah! Absolutely not — I throw out expired products as I come upon them, but I definitely don’t toss en masse or get rid of things based on expiry dates. Once a product is past its prime, it gets thrown out, but I’m far too lazy to sort through my collection and search out expired products on a regular basis! :p

TRACY | USA | Swaybeauty

Whenever I purchase an item I put an alert in my phone from 3months up to a year out depending on the product. That way I can keep track of what I’m using (and not using for that matter) and toss anything that should be thrown out. If however something either doesn’t look quite right or smells weird I don’t hesitate to toss it right then and there. And the money lost definitely takes precedence over a possible infection.

You wouldn’t put spoiled milk on your cereal so why would you put expired foundation on your face.

ANGELA | Canada | Do Want Makeup

Confession: I sometimes use mascara past the 3-6 month mark if the texture is still good. Honestly, I don’t pay too much attention to the expiry date (unless it’s sunscreen!) or the period-after-opening date (that jar symbol with a number). I make a personal decision about whether a product is still okay to use based on the consistency, smell, or appearance. If any of those things change, then I toss it. I try go to through my stash once or twice a year to declutter and purge items that are expired or no longer hold any interest for me.

ANNE | Germany | Linda, Libra, Loca

No.

I´ll probably make myself main target to the wreath of the beauty community out there, but I couldn’t care less about expiration dates. There are foundations, lipsticks and eyeshadows I purchased four to five years ago that I still happily use every once in a while. As long as they don’t smell or look weird, I think this is perfectly fine. The only thing I toss within expiration date is mascara, mainly because it doesn’t last any longer.

JAA | Thailand | Hello Jaa

I do, but only with liquid eyeliners and mascaras. Everything else I keep until I notice a change in texture and/or scent. I try to be proactive about keeping my makeup clean where I can. For example, I make sure my hands and vanity are clean before I start putting on makeup. I rarely ever share my makeup with anyone. I dab cream and liquid products on the back of my hand and apply with a separate applicator to prevent possible contamination. I also keep my makeup only in a dry area away from sunlight and humidity.

Tags: /BBLL (link roundups)

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Skincare travel essentials | Currently in my bag (literally)

July 22, 2015

Rae Chen

9 Comments

So, for all of you who don’t follow me on social media (and why aren’t you? Twitter/Instagram), I’m currently in Toronto visiting friends, seeing family, and checking out what’s new and exciting for Fall 2015.

I’ve been living out of a suitcase for about a week and I have one more left to go, so my travel essentials right now are actually what I have with me — they’re not some theoretical “oh, I’d totally take this with me.” Here’s what I can’t go without… and what I totally should have done differently.

FACE

Aveeno Fresh Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 15 ($19.99 CAD) – this is a recent acquisition, but so far, I’m liking it! It’s silicone-free but with a chemical sunscreen component, and while it’s a little heavy (not a problem for my dry skin) and smells quite sunscreen-y, it gets the job done without breaking me out or breaking the bank.

Bioderma Sensibio Tolerance+ Skin Care ($26.95 CAD) – I reviewed this just this month, and I’m still using it every single day. It’s been doing a great job of minimizing my skin’s reactiveness, and provides the perfect “neutral” base for serums and foundations. Which brings us to…

Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in 02 – I haven’t really talked about this yet, but I’m a total SSE convert. This silicone-free foundation is a good match for my skintone, and I love how pigmented it is — I mix a little bit (just enough to cover my fingertip) into my Bioderma or Aveeno, add a drop of Odacité serum if I’m feeling dry, and apply to my full face for an even, sheer glow.

Odacité Pomegranate + Rose Geranium Serum Concentrate ($43 USD/$49 CAD) – yup, still totally loving this one. I’ve actually almost finished my bottle — and will be buying a new one this week at The Detox Market! (Hopefully the King Street location, because I’m dying for a Greenhouse Juice. It’s been like a week since I last ate a vegetable.)

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion – Always a must-have, whether or not I’m travelling. This is the best thing for treating small spots, small about-to-be-spots, and big AHH! blemishes.

AWW, CRAP – CLEANSERS

Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellar Water ($19.95 CAD) – I totally should have brought more of both of these, because I’m only at the halfway point of my work-cation and I’m almost all out. HALP.

Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Facial Radiance Pads ($14.95 CAD) – same with these. I absolutely LOVE the Dragon’s Blood cleansing pads, and I find that they’re particularly strong performers while travelling — they make removing all of my eye and face makeup (including waterproof) a seconds-long process, and I love not having to use an additional cleanser afterwards. I find that I use these a lot when I’m worried that I’m about to break out, and they always get my face super-clean and ready for moisturizer in a snap.

HAIR AND BODY

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil – a mini size! Because oils are a wonderfully compact way to moisturize (no fillers), and this little guy travels like a champ. I’ve been using it every day for the past seven days and I’ve barely made it to the 1/3 point.

Schick Quattro razor – I’ve actually been using Quattro razors since I started shaving, but I bought this one recently for travel/staying over and I love it! Something about the design gives me a much closer shape than the older models (even though I have brand-new cartridges on both), and I think I might replace my at-home razor when I get back. My favourite thing about Schick razors? The fine bars that run perpendicular to the blades — I’ve never cut myself shaving, not even at the very beginning.

And, finally…

Giovanni Avocado & Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Protective Leave-In Spray – I’ve almost used this one all the way up! It’s silicone-free, practically unscented, and does a great job both of protecting my hair from the heat of my flat iron and moisturizing it so I don’t get fly-aways or dry-looking ends. I probably should have brought the inch of product that I have left in smaller spray bottle, but once this is used up, I will definitely be re-buying it, too.

What are your travel essentials? Are they day-to-day products, or things you only take on trips?

Tags: /Acne, Aveeno, Base, Bioderma, Cleansing, Grouped reviews, Holy Grail, Moisturizers, Nip + Fab, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, Sun, The Edit, Travel

9 Comments

Smashbox Photo Angle Pure Pigment Gel Liner in Lilac review, swatches, photos

July 16, 2015

Rae Chen

10 Comments

The product: Smashbox + Donald Robertson Photo Angle Pure Pigment Gel Liner in Lilac

Earlier this year, I attended a Smashbox Photo Session in Edmonton that (as some of you may remember) I wasn’t particularly thrilled with. While there, however, I fell in love with a couple of their products — the Photo Angle Gel Liner pens in particular.

I’ve had the chance to test the liner more than a few times since then, so read on for my full thoughts!

Smashbox + Donald Robertson Photo Angle Pure Pigment Gel Liner in Lilac

This clever twist-on cap keeps the product from drying out!

The packaging: The Photo Angle gel liners come in pen form with a soft silicone-slant tip, much like the Benefit Get Real! Push-Up Liners. After reading a lot of reviews for the Push-Up liners, I can definitely see what people don’t like about this kind of packaging, but I don’t know… I mean, I didn’t mind it.

If you’re really good at gel liner on your own, I think this kind of packaging is going to be frustrating for you. The pen tends to put a lot of product on the lashes themselves and makes it hard to get a super fine line right off the bat (as you have to push the product up by a full click each time), but on the flip side, it’s a one-handed application paired with a formula that wears really well.

For those who aren’t super good at gel liner to begin with, though, I think something like this could actually be quite helpful — just remember to wipe off any excess product first, and apply with a light hand so that the soft tip doesn’t turn into a thick brush.

The formula: I was able to wear this from 3:00 to 11:00 during testing with zero wear (I kept going to bed early the week I was wear testing this? I don’t even know), which for my un-primed lids is very impressive — but the product itself does feel a little thick and ungainly on the lids.

I think a lot of my love for this product comes from the excellent wear time (most gel liners only last about an hour on my lids before creasing), so if you really struggle with keeping your liner on all day long, take note of this one!

The shade: Okay, but like, let’s be honest: I really only like this product for the shade. For all of the Photo Angled liner’s faults, Lilac is both beautiful and unique; matte and vibrant with lots of cool blue overtones and vibrant red undertones.

I’ve never come across another liner quite like this one, and for that alone, I think this liner is worth taking note of. It looks a little weird along my lashline, honestly, but it is as of yet unparalleled in my stash!

The verdict?

This liner format is a rather polarizing one, and if you know already that it doesn’t work well for you, I don’t think this formula will change your mind.

That said, for all of its faults, I really do like the Lilac Pure Pigment Gel Liner. It’s a very unique matte lilac shade, and unlike most non-liquid liners, it wears very well on me. I’d recommend getting it only if this is a colour that you just have to have — it’s a fantastic rendition of the shade, but I don’t think I’d have been as impressed had this liner been black or standard violet.

Availability: $24 USD/$29 CAD at Sephora and ULTA.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Eyes, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Smashbox

10 Comments