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The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso Brightening Serum

May 20, 2014

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The product: The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso Brightening Serum

I can’t review this one for you. I’ll be right upfront about it: I would love to, because I think it’s going to have a huge pull as part of a range of Asian skincare products brought over to the North American market, but I can’t — it’s full of silicones.

So, instead, let me tell you a little bit about this one.

The Body Shop’s Moisture White Shiso range contains six products (including this brightening serum), all of which contain hand-harvested Community Fair Trade aloe vera gel from Guatemala. The serum is made to be invisible and non-sticky, suitable for all skin types, and features the skin-brightening shiso plant (perilla leaf extract), liquorice, and vitamin C to add radiance to the skin.

I’m not a fan of whitening products, and I’m a little saddened by the fact that The Body Shop is perpetuating the whiter-is-better stereotype. However, I also recognize that it’s something that’s becoming more & more common in today’s market, and I would rather see theNotice’s readers turned toward a gentle, community-oriented, FDA-approved serum than order something from Asia that they may not be able to read the packaging for — something I’m personally very wary of, myself!

I’m not a fan of whitening itself, but whitening serums can be a great way to safely manage hyperpigmentation, too — so this could be a good option for you even if you aren’t looking to lighten your skintone. And, of course, it’s great to see the North American market extend past western ideals of beauty, even if I still hope for the day when everyone can be happy with their own skintone!

The Moisture White range was formulated in Japan, which I think is very cool — and I hear the Moisture White BB Serum Inside ($25 CAD, not available in the US) BB cream is very pale, which speaks to my inner (okay, outer) pale girl.

Availability: $36 USD/$36 CAN online & in-store at The Body Shop. The Moisture White range is available starting at $15 CAD.

Ingredients & more »

Tags: /Other, Product Photos, Product snapshots, Skincare, The Body Shop

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bareMinerals Bareskin, Benefit Hydrating Tinted Balms, Diorskin Nude Shimmer, and more | New 18/05/14

May 18, 2014

Rae Chen

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new in lips & cheeks

Man, I haven’t done one of these in forever. Usually, putting together “New This Week” widgets is a matter of sifting the new releases from the old, and then picking the most exciting of the crop — but this time around, everything I came across was new.

There was no, “but did I feature this last week? Ummm… maybe, I’m not sure,” this time around. It’s been a little over a month, so here’s what you may have missed in the meantime.

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new in base & bronze (& contour)

(Okay, okay, I’ll admit to re-featuring the Bite Deconstructed Rose Lip Library again this week — but can you really blame me? They launched four associated Deconstructed Rose lipsticks, and I figured they deserved a mention together.)

Other exciting launches: an all-new range of twenty Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Solo Eyeshadows ($32 USD), the new Benefit Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms ($18 USD/$22 CAD), and two new high-shimmer cheek products, just for the summer — the Dior Diorskin Nude Shimmer Instant Illuminating Powders ($56 USD/$57 CAD), which will replace the old Dior Diorskin powders that they are nothing like, and the Becca Tint Shimmer Soufflées ($27 USD/$33 CAD), which, thankfully, will be replacing nothing.

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new in eyes & everything else

Finally, one last thing… the bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation ($29 USD/$36 CAD), which comes in 20 blissfully silicone-free shades. I haven’t made it out of the house yet to try these (there are some pretty mixed reviews out there), but will try to pick one up soon!

(Pictured here with the bareMinerals Bareskin Perfecting Face Brush ($28 USD/$35 CAD), which has a little well in the top to hold product.)

Tags: /New This Week (& etc)

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Marcelle Lux Gloss & Lux Gloss Sheer swatches, and a sort-of review | Canadian beauty

May 15, 2014

Rae Chen

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The product: Marcelle Lux Gloss & Lux Gloss Sheer (the entire range of each!)

It really, really bugs me that it’s so hard to find swatches of Canadian products online.

So, while I’m not in love with these glosses (they’re a little dated, no?), here are swatches of the Marcelle Lux Gloss & Lux Gloss Sheer ranges! Hopefully they’ll help some poor soul out there, and in exchange, I get to take a little break from the photograph-test-review-new-stuff routine. (I may be burning out a little, oops.)

Marcelle Lux Gloss Sheer in 51 Chic Bronze, 62 Sorbet, 63 Passion, and 80 Nectar

(I am so sorry; these photos were taken years ago under an overcast sky. At sundown. Not my brightest moment.)

Marcelle Lux Gloss in 10 Whisper, 20 Starlet, and 21 Muse

Marcelle says that their Lux Gloss formula is plumping and long-lasting, with a metallic finish, and that their Lux Gloss Sheer formula is sheer and shimmery, with a wet-look finish. I’ve never found their glosses to be plumping, but the description is otherwise quite accurate.

On the whole, I find the Lux Gloss range to be a little too sticky, and a little boring. They’re not bad by any means, but… they’re just not exciting, you know? I’d love to see Marcelle update their gloss range past their new black lids; maybe focus more on the creme finishes, or try a less-sticky formula. (The now-discontinued Vita-Lip Plumping Glosses were a favourite of mine — I just pulled Rio Rose out again for the spring!)

Swatched L-R: Marcelle Lux Gloss in Magic (Sheer), Whisper, Chic Bronze (S), Starlet, Sorbet (S), Passion (S), Serenade (S), Mousseline (S), Nectar (S), and Muse

Marcelle Lux Gloss in Magic (Sheer), Whisper, Chic Bronze (S), Starlet, Sorbet (S), Passion (S), Serenade (S), Mousseline (S), Nectar (S), and Muse, swatched L-R.

Availability & recommendations

Along with a shimmer-free Lux Gloss Creme finish, the Marcelle Lux Gloss and Lux Gloss Sheer ranges can be found on the Marcelle website (US & Canada shipping), and at drugstores throughout Canada. They retail for $10.95 CAD and are fragrance-free.

My top picks from this range are Sorbet and Nectar, with honourable mentions going out to Chic Bronze and Mousseline. The shimmer in Magic is also quite lovely in person, if you haven’t a shimmery topcoat in your collection yet!

Numbered swatches & ingredients »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Grouped reviews, Lips, Marcelle, Product Swatches

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L’Occitane Vanille & Narcisse, Neroli & Orchidee, and Fleur d’Or & Acacia reviews, photos | La Collection de Grasse

May 13, 2014

Rae Chen

8 Comments

The products: L’Occitane en Provence La Collection de Grasse Eau de Toilettes in Vanille & Narcisse, Néroli & Orchidée, and Fleur d’Or & Acacia

Launched last May with just four scents, the L’Occitane La Collection de Grasse has since expanded to encompass eight beautiful scents for him & her. Packaged in the most exquisite glass flacons, each fragrance blends an ingredient from Grasse (a Mediterranean city in Provence) with one from afar.

The nose of this collection is none other than parfumer Karine Dubreuil, who was born and raised in Grasse. I absolutely adore her work as the in-house perfumer at L’Occitane, as well as her approach to perfumery — she often describes her upbringing in Provence; a childhood surrounded by a garden of beautiful scents, her first spritz of cologne, and the memories that she now puts into olfactive form.

Fleur d’Or & Acacia Eau de Toilette ($75 CAD)

Described as “a sensual blend of floral notes,” Fleur d’Or et Acacia is my top pick for a spring scent this year. It’s bright, alluring, and sunny, drying down to a powdery finish without a hint of gourmand sweetness or floor-cleaner citrus in between.

I wish that this particular scent had better longevity and sillage, but it’s been my one big, unexpected love of the season. With top notes of lemon and bergamot, heart notes of mimosa and genet (a sweet-smelling shrub in the broom family), and base notes of white woods and musk, it encapsulates the feeling of spring without ever erring too mainstream or too obscure.

Fleur d’Or & Acacia takes La Collection de Grasse’s idea of “precious ingredients from France and afar” quite literally, with mimosa absolute from Grasse supported by Mediterranean acacia.

Though this scent was named (Fleur d’Or) for the yellow flowers of the broom and acacia plants, I also find it to be representative of the “yellow floral” scent family it belongs to — bright, springy perfumes; sometimes described as “sunshine in a bottle.” Fleur d’Or & Acacia is the only yellow floral I’ve ever owned and liked, but wow — do I ever like it a lot.

Vanille & Narcisse and Neroli & Orchidee »

Tags: La Collection de Grasse/Fragrance, Grouped reviews, L'Occitane, Product Photos, Product Review

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Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato, the best of Tarte, and more | 10/05/14 Link Love

May 11, 2014

Rae Chen

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Want Cara-esque brows that can last through a workout, all from a pencil? Makeup Morsels has the scoop.

Over at theNotice, Rae’s found the perfect spring eyeshadow in Benefit’s Always a Bridesmaid. Read her review, or check out the super quick, super easy eye look she created with it!

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed discovers that mascara doesn’t have to be expensive to be good – check out her Hard Candy Lashaholic Super Volume Mascara swatches and see if you agree!

Phyrra shares her April beauty favorites! See her must have items.

Jenn from Spiced Beauty find a new Highlight & Contoured Cheek Duo from Hard Candy which changes the beauty game!

Sometimes the littlest items can be the best. What does Beauty Info Zone consider to be so special from Tarte?

Beauty Reflections shows us the new Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato Lip and Cheek Colors!

Tags: /BBLL (link roundups)

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Benefit Always a Bridesmaid: the perfect spring eye

May 7, 2014

Rae Chen

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To follow up with Monday’s Benefit Always a Bridesmaid Creaseless Cream Shadow review (read it here), I thought I’d bring you a quick eye look with the shade.

It applies much more sheerly than it swatches, so I photographed it three times: with one layer, two layers, and then two layers with a bit of shadow for depth. The whole look took me — I’d say under five minutes, all told.

One layer of Always a Bridesmaid / Two layers / Two layers + Urban Decay SWF and MAC Satin Taupe

On the lashes is Senna’s Voluptulash Mascara — I really like this one, but I don’t love it the way I love Fiberwig or Annabelle Expandable. On inner corner is Urban Decay SWF Eyeshadow (mine is from before the reformulation), and on the outer corner, MAC Satin Taupe Eye Shadow.

Just to note, Satin Taupe was colour-adjusted here in post-production — I always forget how warm and ruddy this one goes on me, and I wanted to be fair to the look. After all, it’s not Always a Bridesmaid’s fault that Satin Taupe looks amazing on everyone but me!

Two layers of Benefit Always a Bridesmaid Creaseless Cream Shadow / Two layers of Always a Bridesmaid with a hint of Urban Decay YDK and MAC Satin Taupe overtop. (With Senna Voluptulash Mascara).

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Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Always a Bridesmaid ($20 USD/$24 CAD)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in SWF ($18 USD/$22 CAD)

MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe (Frost) ($15 USD)

Senna Voluptulash Mascara ($22 USD)

See it swatched »

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Benefit, Eyes, Indie brands, MAC, Makeup looks: colour, Senna, Urban Decay

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Benefit Always a Bridesmaid Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow review, swatches, photos

May 5, 2014

Rae Chen

18 Comments

The product: Benefit Cosmetics Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Always a Bridesmaid

I’m going to be frank with you: the Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow formula is not my friend. Like everything else, it’s simply not creaseless when it comes to my lids — so after testing out Always a Bridesmaid time after time last summer, I set it aside for the spring.

The Creaseless Cream formula may not be my favourite, but Always a Bridesmaid is the perfect spring shade.

Leftmost swatch: Benefit Always a Bridesmaid Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow

The packaging and formula: Packaged in the most adorable, vintage-inspired glass jars, the Creaseless Cream range sits with a low profile and stores upside-down for a longer life. It’s easy to see which shade of eyeshadow you’re reaching for, and the wide opening makes it easy to pick up product, too.

As for the product itself? I find these to apply very smoothly, with an almost oily consistency between my fingertip and eyelid — no dragging or catching here. As I mentioned already, these do crease on me rather quickly (though I can extend the wear with primer underneath and a powder eyeshadow overtop), but I’ve yet to find a cream eyeshadow that doesn’t.

The shade: Always a Bridesmaid is perfection in an eyeshadow pot. I’m a complete sucker for light violet eyeshadows, especially in the spring, and this one makes me wish so badly that my eyelids could withstand creasing for more than a few hours — in the perfect world, I would love to be able to apply this with a flick of brown eyeliner and a quick coat of mascara.

Described (entirely accurately) as a pearly lavender, this eyeshadow is a beautiful, springy light purple with lovely shimmer. It catches the light beautifully, and isn’t too vivid — against my complexion, it glows but doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Swatched L-R: Benefit Always a Bridesmaid, Coralista Ultra Plush Lipgloss, and Girl Meets Pearl illuminator

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow box & product – how cute is that packaging?!

The verdict?

With my struggles to keep it from creasing, I can’t in good conscience recommend the Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow formula based on my experiences with it. I can, however, tell you that it’s a cinch to apply, and that Always a Bridesmaid is the loveliest spring eyeshadow shade in my collection.

I wanted to wait for the perfect day to post this review, for crisp spring air and buttery sunlight, but — this is Canada. I’ve been waiting for ten months and I’m done waiting. Just know this: Always a Bridesmaid is that perfect day.

Availability: $20 USD/$24 CAD at Sephora, Ulta, and Shopper’s Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques.

Packaging & ingredients »

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

18 Comments

Fibromyalgia is…

May 1, 2014

Rae Chen

53 Comments

Fibromyalgia is: staying home.

Fibromyalgia is missing birthdays, missing dinners, missing holidays.

(Fibromyalgia is: “oh, you get to stay in bed all day? Must be nice.”)

Fibromyalgia is redefining your goals, your future.

Fibromyalgia is learning to be zen. The most zen. The zennest.

Fibromyalgia is re-learning how to live: how to move, how to dress, how to wash and sleep and play.

Fibromyalgia is “not today, I’m too tired.”

Fibromyalgia is learning to be proud of the little things. The little, little things.

Fibromyalgia is learning to ask for help (I’m still learning this one.)

Fibromyalgia is people leaving, people leaving, people leaving.

and people staying.

Fibromyalgia is surrounding yourself with only those

who really, really love you,

because there isn’t room for anyone else.

Fibromyalgia is sacrifice.

Fibromyalgia is being stronger than yourself.

////

In the comments, I’d like to invite you to share your own “is” statements.

What is being healthy, to you? What is being sick? What is being a minority, or a majority? What’s it like to be an accountant, a makeup artist, a college student? What’s it like to be tired, or loved, or a mother or daughter or cousin?

Big or small, I want to know what it’s like to be you. So: will you take a minute out of your day to tell me?

Tags: /Ramblings

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Lancôme Rose Étincelle Highlighter, Hypnôse Velours appliques – Christmas 2013 | Over the break

April 30, 2014

Rae Chen

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As some of you may already know, I took a “partial hiatus” starting last November, and ending May of this year. Over the break, I wasn’t accepting new product samples, and focused on slowly (very slowly) reviewing what I already had on hand. Here’s some of what you missed while I was away.

The product: Lancôme Hypnôse Velours Multi-Wear Eyeliner Patches ($28 CAD)

I have yet to try these, but they’re very, very cool — I couldn’t not share them with you!

Lancôme Hypnose Velours Multi-Wear Eyeliner Patches

This trio of eyeliner patches (think of them as eyeliner appliqués; press-on eyeliner for those wary of their liner skills) contains 3 different styles of eyeliner patches, each of which can be re-used up to 3 times — sort of like false lashes.

Each set comes with patches for both the upper and lower lashes, and presses on for a wide-eyed liner effect.

Lancôme Rose Étincelle Blush Highlighter Illuminating Powder

The product: Lancôme Blush Highlighter Illuminating Powder in Rose Étincelle ($52 CAD)

The Lancôme rose is featured in this collection as a beautiful pink highlighter for the face and décolleté. I was very wary of the overspray on this one, and I was right to be — when I removed it, I had puffs of silver glitter on everything from my pants to the top of my head!

Beneath the glittery overspray, though, is a beautiful, soft pink frost. It blends out easily to create a delicate glow with plenty of sparkle, and holds on better to the cheek than it did in my swatch. It’s too shimmery for me–I like all sheen, no sparkle–but I think many would adore this one.

Lancome Rose Étincelle swatches – overspray, heavy swatch, blended swatch

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Cheeks, Eyes, Holiday 2013, Lancome, Product Photos, Product Review, Product snapshots, Product Swatches

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Lise Watier Jardin de Givre photos, swatches – Winter 2013 | Over the break

April 28, 2014

Rae Chen

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Lise Watier Jardin de Givre Illuminating Powder

As some of you may already know, I took a “partial hiatus” starting last November, and ending May of this year. Over the break, I wasn’t accepting new product samples, and focused on slowly (very slowly) reviewing what I already had on hand. Here’s some of what you missed while I was away.

Up today: highlights from Lise Watier’s Jardin de Givre Winter 2013 collection! (I love that, on the Lise site, they say “succumb” instead of “see more” or “buy.” It’s — weird.)

Lise Watier Jardin de Givre limited edition packaging

This is just some of the Jardin de Givre collection, but let’s start with the two limited edition pieces. I don’t think they’re available any longer–sorry!–but, should you come across them, here’s your reasoning for snapping them up!

The Lise Watier Palette Jardin de Givre Eyeshadows and Eyeliner ($45 CAD) features seven sparking eyeshadows and one black cream eyeliner in a large palette, and the first two shadows are what I refer to as “Clarins glitters” — flakey and beautiful, suspended in a clear or sheer base. With one warm shade and one cool one, these two will be the perfect addition to any eye look — just pop a bit onto the centre of the lid with your finger as a finishing step.

Lise Watier Palette Jardin de Givre Eyeshadows and Eyeliner

Lise Watier Jardin de Givre eyeshadow and eyeliner swatches

I’m not a fan of eyeliners in palettes (with my lids, I’ve yet to find a single one that works for me), but the other five shadows are lovely. They’re smooth and pigmented, all in a shimmer finish with good pigment and opacity.

The pewter and chocolate brown in the top row (third and fourth eyeshadows in the swatches) caught my eye in particular — shade-wise, they’re wonderfully complex, and the chocolate brown preformed with the butteriness and pigmentation typical of high-end eyeshadows.

Lise Watier Jardin de Givre Illuminating Powder swatch (first swatch)

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Cheeks, Eyes, Holiday 2013, Lise Watier, Nails, Product Photos, Product snapshots, Product Swatches

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