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Odylique Timeless Rose Moisturizer & Organic Repair Lotion reviews, photos

March 9, 2015

6 Comments

The products: Odylique by Essential Care Timeless Rose Moisturizer, Organic Repair Lotion, and Ultra Rich Balm

I have got to stop forming love-hate relationships with products.

Today, we’re covering a few products that I tried recently from a brand called Odylique, a relative unknown in the beauty blogging world. An all-natural and largely organic brand, Odylique is vegan-friendly and was created by its founder to help alleviate her own sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

» Odylique recommends that those with eczema moisturize sparingly but often, which is definitely life advice to take to heart!

Odylique Timeless Rose Moisturizer ($21 USD/0.51 fl oz)

Based around aloe, rose, coconut, and jojoba and enriched with rosehip and sea buckthorn extracts, the Odylique Timeless Rose moisturizer is quite thin but packs a serious moisturizing punch. I need to apply a lot for my dry skin and re-apply often (the avocado-based moisturizer would be better for dry skin), but once it’s on, it does a great job of making my dry patches disappear.

Best for slightly dry to combination-dehydrated skin types, I would recommend this cream as an affordable, all-natural alternative to those who are used to using fluid moisturizers — anything from the Olay or Neutrogena lines, for instance.

However (and this is a BIG however), this moisturizer started getting pretty funky after 2-3 weeks of use. My contact at Odylique said the batch should still be okay, though, so perhaps it has to do with contamination (air, bacteria, etc.) or the product freezing on its way over here, but I’m not sure. I plan on trying a different bottle of this soon, though, so I’ll let you know how it goes!

Odylique Timeless Rose Moisturizer ingredients: See ’em

Aqua, Rose Flower Water, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Raw Fairtrade Shea Butter, Cold-Pressed Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin (non-plant palm origins), Cetearyl Alcohol, Seabuckthorn Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Briar Rose Fruit Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Rose Geranium Oil, Lactic Acid, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Geraniol, Eugenol (naturally occurring) (94% organic)

Odylique Organic Repair Lotion ($23 USD/60 ml) and Ultra Rich Balm

The Odylique Organic Repair Lotion held up better than the Timeless Rose, but still separated quite badly — and it oxidizes around the opening, which (while not harmful) can look icky! I find that it doesn’t sink in quite as well as the Rose, but if you’re on a tight budget, it’s still very good for the price.

I also tried the brand’s Superfruit Concentrate, which I wasn’t crazy about (I don’t like oils, remember?), and their Ultra Rich Balm, which really surprised me — it looks like it’s going to be really hard and waxy, but it actually melts quickly at skin temperature and turns into a thick, balmy oil. (This one would make a fantastic, all-natural cuticle balm!)

Odylique Organic Repair Lotion ingredients: view

Aqua, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Chickweed Extract, Raw Fairtrade Shea Butter, Chamomile Flower Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol (naturally occurring), Rosemary Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, St. John’s Wort Flower Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum (95% organic)

(Just a tiny-baby Ultra Rich Balm sample — this definitely isn’t the size you purchase!w)

The verdict?

While I did really love Odylique’s Timeless Rose Moisturizer (and I definitely want to try more from the brand), I’m not confident in the stability of Odylique’s fluid products. I like the idea of all-natural, but I’d rather use something I know is safe than use something all-natural that might be growing bacteria.

My recommendation? If you want a great fluid moisturizer but the L’Occitane Shea Light Comforting Cream is too scented for you, try the Odylique Timeless Rose Moisturizer in the full-size form — it comes in a much more hygienic (and cost-effective) pump-style bottle.

Pass on anything by Odylique that comes in a squeeze-tube, and sample the Ultra Rich Balm if you love balms — this one is good (it’s way more hydrating than the Burt’s Bees one that everyone loves), but it definitely smells like a “natural” product!

Availability: $21-$48 USD at Odylique.com

Here’s what I mean by flecks and separation »

Tags: /Grouped reviews, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare

6 Comments

BISC Vol. 3: If you could start your blog all over again…

March 8, 2015

Rae Chen

5 Comments

If you could start your blog all over again, what would you do differently?

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog
If I could start my blog all over again, I’d skip the first few years of terrible product photos! And I’d start on WordPress this time, tagging everything extensively, so that none of my old posts would be weighed down by unchangeable Blogger styling and old posts would be easier to find. Day to day, however, I think it would be run much the same as it is right now — it would just have a better archive.

SARA | Germany | Color Me Loud
This is a hard question because I am not blogging for a such long time (less than 2 years). I believe I would invest in a light box a little earlier than later. I am still struggling to find the right lighting for product and portrait photography. Since my lights are not bright enough, it takes longer to edit the photos. I have just installed a new banner this summer. I wish I could have done it before because it changes the website a lot. But the most important of them all, I would write PR of the companies before the first year is over. I always waited for the right moment, the right page hits etc. only to find out much smaller/newer blogs keep the available slots occupied. Another thing I would do would be starting with social media as early as possible, because it takes time to build it up. But whatever you do, do things you like because it is your hobby and not a job.

MELISSA | Switzerland | Kiss & Make-up
I’d probably think things through a lot better. When I started my blog I really didn’t have a clue what I was doing. It was so cringe… My lay-out was a nightmare, my photos were embarrassingly bad and I just basically had no idea what having a beauty blog really meant. Of course over the years I learned a lot and I’m very happy with where I stand now with the blog, but if I could do it all over again I’d definitely do more research before launching myself as a beauty blogger and I’d try to approach it all a lot more professionally and less than a hobby.

LAARNI | Philippines | Xoxo Laarni
This is a funny question because I already started my blog all over again. My #1 reason was my old blog’s niche was too broad. It was running for five years but I eventually got tired of it. Also, it was penalized by Google because of sponsored posts so buying a new domain name was my best option.

KRISTEN | USA | Glambunctious
I’d focus on spending money on products that are exciting to me, even if they aren’t new to the market, and not go broke trying to keep up with every new release. There’s no sense in spending so much money on each new collection when there are already blogs upon blogs that cover these releases that receive the items gratis from PR. I also started out posting 7 times per week which quickly became exhausting (blogging is not my full-time job). I decided to only post when I was inspired and that decision has led to 2 years of happiness!

JAA | USA/Thailand | Hello Jaa
I’d start experimenting with portrait studio lighting sooner. My older posts would have been more complete. I’d also make sure to choose a layout that accommodates larger picture size because I believe larger photos create higher impact. Another thing would be to tell myself to not be shy and connect with other bloggers sooner! It is more fun to have someone with the same interest to talk to and you just learn so much from them! Last thing would be to implement a Pin It button on all my photos right away because Pinterest is among the top three social networks that drive traffic to my blog the most.

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

Tags: /Beauty blogging, BISC

5 Comments

Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie review: Hammam, Gommage, and Deep Tissue Massage | theNotice goes to Toronto!

March 6, 2015

Rae Chen

14 Comments

The Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie is located on the fifth floor of the Shangri-La Hotel, but you’d never know it by the decor. This spa is a cozy, Middle Eastern-inspired haven from city life decorated with low lights, exquisite dark wood cutouts, and gently curving furniture that warms and welcomes you in from the busy city streets.

Note: I lost all of my photos of this gorgeous location, so unfortunately, you’re going to have to re-live my experience through photos provided by the spa! (And, okay, edited rather extensively by me because when do I not.)

The relaxation lounge within the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie

The Hammam & Gommage (30 min/$130 CAD)

What makes the Miraj Hammam Spa unique is their private hammam (Turkish bath) rooms, which contain a high intensity steam chamber inside of a warm, low mist chamber.

The spa’s Hammam & Gommage treatment begins with 10 minutes in the steam room, which is a really intense experience — it’s literally so heavy and dense with steam in there that I had a bit of a claustrophobic panic going in (and I’m not even claustrophobic). It opens your pores right up, and I was left warm, tingling, fresh-faced, and dripping with condensation! Facials have nothing on this.

One of the two steam rooms, sans steam

I wasn’t crazy about the gommage, though I know a lot of other reviewers have loved it. For this part of the treatment, you lie (preferably naked) on Jerusalem gold marble in the low-intensity steam chamber, and a spa attendant scrubs you down using tingly, eucalyptus-infused black Moroccan soap on exfoliating gloves — no grit-paste involved.

My gommage treatment left me feeling wonderfully raw and smooth, but… also kind of like a horse. I mean, the woman who preformed my treatment was fantastic, and my back feels suuuuuper smooth, but I’m thinking that getting literally hosed down by a stranger might just be too clinical for me.

The Deep Tissue Massage (30 min/$90 CAD)

My second treatment of the day was the spa’s 30 minute Deep Tissue Massage, which uses pressure techniques to target stressed muscles and increase circulation. It left me feeling limber but not sore, and my (registered) massage therapist used mostly pushing and pulling movements, not kneading ones.

The finishing touches for this massage were great, too: the table that you lie on is heated (perfect for the winter), you’re covered by a warm, heavy blanket where you’re not being massaged, and a Caudalie candle burns quietly on the side table. You can also choose from unscented, orange blossom, or clove-enriched grapeseed oil for your massage (I chose the clove, of course!), which is great for those with scent sensitivities.

The Alahambra Lounge

The Alhambra Lounge

Finally, every visit to the Miraj Hammam Spa ends in their Alhambra Lounge, which is a gorgeous, dimly-lit room walled with what can only be described as relaxation cubicles. The room has a very soothing, intimate feel to it, and you’re served a perfectly-spiced shot of sweet chai tea along with (a hilarious) three grapes and a piece of baklava.

» Can we talk about that baklava for a moment, though? Because I swear, it was the most delicious piece of baklava that I have ever had in my life — it was small, light, and syrupy, and reminded me a lot of jalebi (aka the best thing ever).

Once you’re ready to leave the Alhambra Lounge (if you’re ever ready, that is), it’s back to the change rooms, where the showers are equipped with rain-style and handheld shower heads and the shelves come stocked with Caudalie products.

The verdict?

I can’t believe I’m saying this about a spa, but: yes, I would absolutely go back. The hammam is a must-experience (you can add it onto any service for $25), and the atmosphere at the Miraj Hammam Spa is just so welcoming and relaxing — even for an awkward twenty-something.

For a luxurious treatment that really will leave you feeling fantastic, I recommend the Hammam & 60 Minute Personalized Massage ($195) as a serious indulgence, or the 30 minute Deep Tissue Massage with a 15 minute Hammam booked separately ($115) if you’re just feeling a little under the weather and want to come out glowing.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Beauty destinations, Caudalie, Other, Other, Skincare, Toronto, Travel

14 Comments

Spot the Neutrogena + 2015 launch preview | theNotice goes to Toronto!

March 4, 2015

Rae Chen

12 Comments

The big event that I was in Toronto for was Neutrogena’s 2015 Skincare Expert launch party, so today, I wanted to go over (briefly!) some of the Neutrogena adventures that I had while I was in the city… and, of course, talk about some of the new products that they have coming out. (The reviews will come later; this is just a little preview.)

This year, Neutrogena is focusing on what they call the Art of Formulation. They described it like this: if you have a bucket of grapes, you can make grape juice, or you can make wine. So, for 2015, the brand is taking their grapes, adding a twist of innovation, and turning them into a fine wine, accessible to all.

I don’t know what was in this, but it was amazing and I could drink these every single day. Something about “gilded somethingorother” with bitters, bourbon, and pineapple juice. (But seriously, I’m dying to know how to make this at home, because delicious.)

A tree bark-inspired dish (caramelized foie gras, roasted parsnip bark, and cedar jelly), inspired by one of Neutrogena’s 2015 innovations!

This year, look for three new moisture-boosting products with hyaluronic acid (the Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream looks particularly good), and keep an eye out for the Triple Age Repair with Hexinol line, in purple — that stuff smells really good, and the day cream comes with an SPF of 25. Plus, fans of the Pink Grapefruit line can look forward to the brand’s first-ever Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Pink Grapefruit Moisturizer, which is very fluid and smells just as bright as the rest of the line.

If you love a good primer, make sure to try the Healthy Skin primers ones when they come out (the Refining one mattes the skin for eight hours, and the Tone Corrector adds super glowy shimmer), and if you’re ‘cone-free like I am, then you can look forward to not one, not two, but three exciting new silicone-free products from Neutrogena this year!

Silicone-free launches coming your way!

The Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser and Exfoliating Scrub are silicone-free and smell really fresh and delicious, with added extracts of white tea and Vitamin E, and the ‘cone-free Neutrogena Naturals moisturizer will be joined by the first silicone-free Neutrogena makeup wipes ever. These wipes are gooood, you guys — they’re super wet, and the ladies hosting the event mentioned that they were their favourite wipes out of the entire Neutrogena lineup. (Finally, an all-natural product that’s even better than its classic counterpart!)

I finally got to meet these girls!!!!! ( Jessica / Arianne )

Seriously, how cute is this gorgeous mom-to-be??

Spot the Neutrogena

To say thanks to Neutrogena for sending me away on this amazing trip to Toronto, I put together a little series of “Spot the Neutrogena” images while I was in the city. (Which were, largely, lost along with my camera, but I made up for it the best I could). It’s not much of a thank-you present, but it was the most fun one that I could think of: I mean, we’re all adults here, or close enough, but no one really ever grows out of I-Spy.

So I’ll leave you to spot some Neutrogena products in the photos below, and good luck to you all! Let me know in the comments if you find ’em ;)

Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Night Cream

Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Night Cream (in box)

Keep reading! »

Tags: /7. Other, Event recap, Neutrogena, Pretty things, Ramblings, Silicone-free, Toronto, Travel

12 Comments

Avène Xeracalm A.D Lipid Replenishing Balm, Cleansing Oil review & giveaway

March 3, 2015

Rae Chen

28 Comments

The products: Avène Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil, Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm, and Eau Thermale/Thermal Spring Water

The technology behind Xeracalm

Avène (a.k.a. Eau thermale Avène, or “the itchy horse brand”!) has been making products for intolerant skin for years, but this month, they’re launching something just for those with dry skin. The Xeracalm A.D range, which is suitable for infants and adults with moderate to intensely dry skin (my entire life can be summed up in that statement, by the way) was created around “I-modulia®,” a new technology that took a whopping twelve years of research to create.

The Xeracalm A.D range, which is formulated with Avène’s classic thermal water as a key component, aims to reduce itching while soothing irritations and redness, offering both comfort and softening to the skin — something that those with very dry skin will recognize as a pretty rare find.

The Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil

Unlike other cleansing oils, the Avène Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil is thick and almost “sticky,” and I was surprised to find out that it is NOT made to be a makeup removing oil (though it does that, too). Rather, it’s generously-sized and is designed to be used on wet skin at the sink, in the shower, or as a bath oil.

It feels most like a shower/bath gel, with a gentle lather and squeaky-clean (but not too stripping) finish. It cleanses well, but I found that this one really excelled as a bath/baby product. Think of it as a lipid-replenishing bath gel, not a cleansing oil, and definitely give it a try if you have generalized eczema, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis.

The Lipid-Replenishing Balm

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm is thin and non-sticky, for a balm! It’s manufactured in a completely sterile environment and is packaged in patent-protected packaging with a perfect hermetic seal, meaning that there are ZERO preservatives (not even trace amounts) in this product.

The Xeracalm Balm reminds me of a zinc cream, but with a texture more like body lotion: it’s very plain, very soothing, and perfect for skin prone to atopic dermatitis. This one is hard to squeeze out of the tube (so avoid it if you have arthritis in your hands or wrists) and not optimal for dehydration, but it will be perfect for you if you have reactive skin.

Or if you’re a baby. The literal kind — this is very well-suited to itchy babies’ skin.

The classic: Eau Thermale

I also had a chance to try the cult-favourite Avène Thermal Spring Water (proper name “Eau Thermale Avène Eau Thermale,” which I find to be endlessly hilarious) for this review, and I have to say: I really liked it! The full-sized bottle is enormous, and it dispenses a dense, light mist of calming spring water.

I don’t have an itchy-skinned horse to test this product on, but I do find it to be very soothing on my skin when it’s feeling particularly parched. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go — you might just find (like I did) that this one really does live up to the hype.

The giveaway

And now, the best part! One lucky Canadian reader of theNotice will win the ENTIRE Xeracalm A.d range by Avène — just enter using the givewaway widget below. Good luck (and good skin) to all of you!!

Keep reading! »

Tags: sponsored/Avène, Cleansing, Cleansing oils, Giveaway, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare

28 Comments

A week away | theNotice goes to Toronto!

March 2, 2015

Rae Chen

34 Comments

As some of you may know already (and if you don’t, why aren’t you following theNotice’s Twitter and Instagram channels?), I was lucky enough to spend last week in Toronto thanks to Neutrogena, visiting all kinds of beautiful shops, learning about the coolest new products of the year, and meeting the most hilarious, amazing women.

So. Today, I’m going to catch you up on what I’ve been up to over the past few weeks; on Wednesday, I’m going to share my Neutrogena experience with you (including a little game of I-Spy!); and on Friday, I’ll be posting my review of the (gorgeous) Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie.

Note: I lost my camera while I was away (cry) so I don’t have a ton of photos to share with you… but here’s what I had saved to my phone!

The Detox Market (Canada/Toronto)

The Detox Market

If you live by Toronto’s Detox Market, you have to visit it. Like, STAT. And bring your wallet!

This little shop (which was originally meant to be a pop-up shop in 2009 but is still around and thriving) is packed from wall to wall with an incredibly well-curated selection of skincare, haircare, cosmetics, and everything from ready-to-boil soups (just add water!) to delicious green juices by Greenhouse.

And ugh, it has the best vibe. Great music, beautiful setup, and the most magical lighting.

Little trays of Odacité

If you get the chance to go to The Detox Market, make sure to:

Pick up an serum concentrate oil by Odacité (their top-selling range, which I adore) — I hear the blueberry serum is amazing for scarring,
Check out Rahua, which literally everyone who works in the store is obsessed with,
Smell the Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Vitamin C Body Oil (the prettiest),
Give the W3ll People makeup line a swatch (this is the only place you’ll be able to do it in Canada), and
Try a cold-pressed Greenhouse juice! The Good and The Giver are sugar free — I bought a bottle of The Giver on my way out (it was too pretty not to), and it was delicious. Annika, the woman who was working at the Greenhouse table that day, said that it was one of their earthier ones, but the balance of lemon and ginger masks the green-ness of the juice so well. If this is earthy, man, the rest of the line must be like drinking healthy candy.

Rodial launches cosmetics

I have a handful of products from this launch that you can bet your bones I’ll be reviewing for you soon, but just as a little preview: Rodial is launching cosmetics this March, and you guys, you need to get excited for this now.

I’ve heard amazing things about the new Glamolash mascaras (a skinny wand for day wear and a chubby one for serious volume), which were wear-tested on Rodial’s London employees overnight to ensure that they wouldn’t flake, and the upcoming brush line is SO plush and dense. The brushes look and feel super luxe, and they put even the best Real Techniques synthetics to shame.

A few bits & bites

And, finally, the last thing that I have to share with you (and thank you for sticking with me until the end, if you have) is that M and I kind of broke up when I came home. I mean, we did. We did and now I am sad.

It’s a weird time for me right now, because so much has changed in just a few days, but I’m okay. You know how it is: you cut seven inches off of your hair, go travelling for the first time as a disabled human being, meet the people that you’ve been friends with for (literally, in one case) seven years… break up with your boyfriend of two and a half years and then cry about it.

It was one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do, but hey. I visited three libraries on Friday and he’s still sending me upside-down monkey emoticons; we’re gonna be just fine.

This stately old house surrounded by tall buildings

Bloor & Spadina. I could have stayed here forever.

TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY!!!

Keep reading! »

Tags: /7. Other, About theNotice, Beauty destinations, Canadian beauty, Event recap, Indie brands, Odacite, Pretty things, Ramblings, Rodial, Shopping, Teasers, Toronto, Travel

34 Comments

Marcelle 3 in 1 Micellar Solution review, photos | A makeup remover to love (even more)

February 27, 2015

Rae Chen

13 Comments

The product: Marcelle 3 in 1 Micellar Solution

My love for the Marcelle Essentials Cleansing Water is long and well-documented one, and today, I am happy to share with you that this fan favourite has been re-packaged and re-named in the best way possible.

I am a little late with this news (the changeover occurred during the fall), but cleansing water addicts across Canada can now easily get their hands on this awesome piece of innovation!

New Marcelle 3 in 1 Micellar Solution flip-top cap

As I mentioned in my original review, the Marcelle Essentials Cleansing Water (now called the Marcelle 3 in 1 Micellar Solution, but I promise that it’s the same stuff) is gentle and super-effective, removing makeup easily without drying out your skin or leaving an oily residue behind. It uses little micelles–an actually legit science thing–which “trap” makeup in little micro-capsules of makeup remover.

I know, the whole thing sounds like a total hoax, but micellar solutions are a real, big thing in the skincare industry right now — and they work really, really well. I find that this one isn’t quite as effective as scrubbing down your whole face with cleansing oil, but it works better for me than any other oil-free makeup remover that I’ve tried.

(It’s more effective than a lot of the bi-phase ones that I’ve used over the years, too. Plus: no mess, and no stinging.)

The verdict?

You need this. I mean, you needed it before, but the new Marcelle 3 in 1 Micellar Solution is actually cheaper per ounce than the original and features a very awesome blue flip-top cap, which makes it super easy to soak a cotton pad one-handed.

Also, the new packaging is super pretty, and we all know that that’s the real game, here.

Availability: $19.95 CAD/10 fl oz at drugstores and mass market retailers across Canada (or online at Marcelle.com with shipping to the US & Canada).

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Cleansing, Eyes, Holy Grail, Marcelle, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare

13 Comments

Annabelle Blushon Spring 2015 swatches, review, photos | Cheek-chic, indeed

February 24, 2015

Rae Chen

17 Comments

The product: Annabelle Cosmetics Blushon Powder Blush (new permanent shades)

↳ in Lotus, Rosebud, Peony, Spring Petal, and Hibiscus

There are five new shades being added to Annabelle’s Blushon range this spring, and they are fantastic. I haven’t been this excited about the expansion of a range since MAC came out with Full of Joy (which, yes, I know, I still haven’t featured on the blog), but ugh, these are all so pretty!

Lotus

Rosebud

Peony

The formula: These are actually the very first Annabelle Blushon blushes that I’ve tried, and can I just say: I really regret not buying some sooner! The formula in these is just gorgeous — really finely milled and velvety, and not too solid in the pan, either. They kind of remind me of the Clinique Cheek Pops (you know, creamy), but they get their smoothness from non-chalky talc and mineral oil, not dimethicone and bismuth oxychloride.

You get great pigmentation with each swipe, but not so much that you’re going to end up with crazy cheeks if you’re not careful, you know? We’re talking medium-layerable pigmentation, not sudden attacks of rouge.

Annabelle Blushon swatches: Lotus, Rosebud, Peony, Spring Petal, and Hibiscus

The shades: On one hand, I kind of wish that I had tried these sooner, because they’re lovely — but on the other hand, I don’t. This range expansion includes five new (and totally not-brown) shades, and each shade is more my style than the last.

There are three pinks: Lotus (matte; similar to Lancôme Rose Fresque), a purpley light pink, Rosebud, and Peony. Rosebud looks softer than Peony in the pan, but actually swatches more strongly; Peony has more shimmer in it, as well as more coral. Lotus (my favourite) works very well on fair skin, Rosebud is the best “true” pink, and Peony will be gorgeous on warm and medium-toned complexions.

Annabelle Blushon swatches: Lotus, Rosebud, Peony, Spring Petal, and Hibiscus (blended)

I was particularly smitten with the pinks, of course (especially the matte Lotus, which pulls a little bit lilac and just seems more velvety than the rest), but there are also two orange/coral blushes: Spring Petal, which leans a little bit more pink, and Hibiscus, which is noticeably more metallic.

Spring Petal will quench your coral cravings — especially if you, like me, love the idea of coral but really do look better in pinks. If you want a true orange blush, though, go for Hibiscus!

Spring Petal

Hibiscus

The verdict?

If you like perfectly-pigmented, non-dusty blushes, then definitely check these out. The new shades really remind me a lot of the MAC Très Chic collection (bright, pretty, and springy), and the formula feels very Clinique Cheek Pops-y!

Plus, at $7.95, you don’t have to pick between the lilac pink, the shimmering orange, and the bright coral — for the price of just one MAC or Clinique blush, you can get all three.

Availability: $7.95 CAD at online at Annabelle.ca & in drugstores and mass-market retailers across Canada.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Annabelle, Canadian beauty, Cheeks, Grouped reviews, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2015

17 Comments

Beauty Influencer’s Sunday Column Vol.2: Makeup Advice for Beginners

February 22, 2015

Rae Chen

2 Comments

THE QUESTION: What beauty advice would you pass on to someone who wants to start wearing makeup for the first time?

MELISSA | Switzerland | Kiss & Make-up
My biggest tip would be to take it one step at a time and to start with the basics. Think products like mascara, eyeliner and maybe a sheer lippie. Then once you feel comfortable with that you can start adding more products to your routine and get into the real pro stuff like contouring and highlighting. And another great tip: have fun with it and experiment away! Trying out different things is the best way to discover what does and doesn’t work for you.

SUNNY | Belgium | Mostly Sunny Blog
Start out with what you are comfortable with and don’t get discouraged if you can’t ace everything in one go. Experiment with different things, but feel free to move on if it’s not for you. Believe you are beautiful the way you are, and makeup is there to enhance your natural beauty as well as something you do for fun! Technique-wise, the only thing I think absolutely everybody can benefit from is sorting the brows out. It might take you a while, and to be honest I’m not even sure I have completely nailed it. It might seem like a chore compared with trying a new lipstick on, but never underestimate the power of brows!

RAE | Canada | the Notice: a beauty blog
Start by learning the basics, but wear what you love! If you focus on learning how to (1) create steady lines and (2) blend (really, really well) first, everything else will come naturally after that. You can pull off ANY look that speaks to you, from “no-makeup” makeup to green lips and chiselled cheekbones, as long as it’s skillfully applied.

ALICE | Belgium | Alice Yeh
Make-up should be a powerful tool to enhance features instead of plastering away what you consider to be imperfect. Do your make-up in natural light to avoid unpleasant surprises. Build up light layers and take time to properly blend. Don’t forget that less is always more – something I’ve learnt the hard way.

DEE | Canada | How Does Dee Do It
My first tip when it comes to makeup is less is more – keep it simple and your skin will thank you. Second, never ever skip wearing sunscreen (less is NOT more in this case) and lastly take off every single bit of makeup on your face before bed – no matter how tired (or drunk) you are.

JAA | USA/Thailand | Hello Jaa
Research! Look for someone who has the same features as you and learn from them. It will save you a lot of time, money, and headaches trying to figure out what does and does not work for you. Once you get the basics down, then you can start experimenting on your own. Don’t give up if you can’t get it right the first time. Believe that practice makes perfect. I am still learning every day!

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[Interested in being a part of BISC Network? Send your email/media kit to jaa*at*hellojaa.com]

Tags: /BISC

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Odacité Pomegranate + Rose Geranium serum oil review, photos | How one skincare brand changed my view on oils for good

February 19, 2015

Rae Chen

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The product: Odacité Pomegranate + Rose Geranium Facial Serum Concentrate

I’m not a facial oil kind of girl. That’s not to say that I haven’t tried any before (I have; recently, L’Occitane and Marie Veronique come to mind), but… I’ve never loved one before, you know? They always just feel too thin, or too greasy, or they don’t to enough for my dryness. I’ve always loved the idea of them, but we’ve never gotten along.

Until now.

About Odacité

That in mind, I didn’t have very high hopes for this range, but Odacité proved me wrong in every way possible. Unlike other brands, Odacité focuses on freshness and ingredients, and their range of 18 oils are all super-potent, super-targeted, and made to compliment your skincare regimen, not replace it.

Perhaps coolest of all, Odacité labels feature an easy-to-reference “table of pure elements“ that tells you about your product in detail.

Po + R has an origin number of #CVG12GSa, which translates into: cold pressed virgin first ingredient (pomegranate oil) grown in Europe, specifically Germany; and a second ingredient (rose geranium) that’s grown without chemicals in South Africa.

The brand is also vegan and cruelty-free, and you won’t find any silicones, parabens, or artificial fragrances in any of their products.

Po + R = HG

I don’t toss the H-word (holy grail) around lightly, but guys, this stuff is amazing. It’s a super-thick oil that mixes into your regular moisturizer like a dream, and it’s insanely effective.

» At $27 & up, Odacité oils are a fantastic way to increase the efficacy of your fancy moisturizer while also stretching out its life by half!

If you’ve ever tried to mix anything into a heavy creme like German Nivea, you’ll know that it’s virtually impossible — the water-repellent cream just kind of slicks away the second ingredient. But, because this serum isn’t diluted with anything, it mixes easily into any type of moisturizer. I find what works best is cutting my regular amount of moisturizer in half, then adding 1-2 drops of Po + R.

The resulting cream is rich, emollient, and super luxurious. I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t have serious dehydration (Odacité makes 17 other oils that’ll be better suited to your skin type!), but for those looking for dry skin relief, this is a must-have.

I saw results with this oil literally within 24 hours, and they stick around. After a few days of constant use, stubborn dry patches will disappear, and your foundation will start applying like a dream — this stuff is so smooth and hydrating that it almost seems to prime your skin at the same time.

Full disclosure: I am possibly developing an allergy to something in this oil, so I’m not using it right now. The super-hydrating effects lasted for around 7-10 days before diminishing, though, which is crazy impressive!

The verdict?

I didn’t think I’d ever be a facial oil kind of gal, and to be honest, I’m still not — but I am now a HUGE fan of Odacité serum concentrates.

If you have tight skin and dry patches that you can’t seem to shake, you need this oil in your life. Pomegranate + Rose Geranium pairs heavy comfort with great hydration better than any product I’ve ever tried before, and it’ll “beef up” whatever moisturizer you’re currently using, be it high-end or budget. (It pairs well with Odacité’s own moisturizers, too!)

Availability: Po+R is $43 USD/$49 CAD at Odacité, The Detox Market CA (you can get these in person in Toronto), or The Detox Market US. The Facial Serum Concentrate range starts at $27 USD.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Extremely dry skin, Holy Grail, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Odacite, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, Travel

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