theNotice

The perfect fall wedding guest dress: Can you thrift that?

October 7, 2019

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One of the biggest issues that I have with blogging is that, with a review-based publication, you produce a lot of waste. Even if you’re only reviewing eco-friendly goods, or asking to be sent items on request rather than every season, you still end up rinsing through exponentially more product than your average person. Though I donate the lion’s share of the products that I receive (they go to a local shelter 1-2 years after being featured), with each one comes a new box, packing material, and shipping fuel. So the question in the reduce section of the classic 3 Rs becomes: Can You Thrift That? Or, more specifically, can you thrift a fall wedding guest dress?

(You can. I know it’s a spoiler that I haven’t disclaimed in any way, but you totally can. If you can think of it, chances are you can probably thrift it. Cast iron? Thrift it. Cat carrier? Thrift it. Awesome dress? Thrift it! You get the gist.)

I’m not thrifting enough to support a blog fully on talking about reducing your purchasing waste—it would kind of defeat the point—but I’m oddly passionate about the entire ordeal. Hope you enjoy one of my favourite recent forays into the world of secondhand!

The perfect fall wedding guest dress

What makes for the perfect fall wedding guest dress? The answer seems to be a lot of polka dots, and a lot of subdued colours. (Burgundy and mustard yellow stand out.) And I know, I know; you’re not supposed to wear black to a wedding because it’s the colour of funerals…

But what if it’s covered in polka dots? There’s no way that this dress is funeral-appropriate. Not unless everyone gets real cool about a bunch of stuff really quickly.

Gold sheaf of wheat pin! (Also borrowed/second-hand).

Funnily enough, this is a dress that I remember trying on at Dynamite a few years back. I think it might have been in a different print, and it was definitely in a different size—I thrifted the size small, which gapes so broadly in the front that I borrowed a wheat pin from my mother to keep it shut. (This is apparently the kind of stuff that you have in your dresser if you grew up in Regina.)

It’s the Dynamite Wrap Maxi Dress, with a split flutter sleeve. It retails for $59.95 CAD, but I bought this one from Goodwill for $8.50. At the risk of divulging all of my thrifting secrets, the Goodwill in Edmonton on Gateway Boulevard is awesome—I find the best stuff there. Think vintage Pyrex, 70s holographic sequin dresses, and the CUTEST miniature yellow school chair that I left behind.

So, how’d it do?

Well, I felt fluttery and stunning all night, so it can’t have been that bad of a fall wedding guest dress. Most importantly, I totally blended into the crowd—which is just about the best way to be at someone else’s wedding. (Don’t even get me started on people who wear bridal-style ivory and champagne dresses to someone else’s wedding. Showing up like that is somewhere behind “you’re trapped in a dystopian mall” and “ARMY OF SPIDERS” in my nightmares.)

That being said, I was a little (needlessly) self-conscious about showing up in black all the same. But I was far from the only one in black, so perhaps the trend is over; dying with the baby boomers alongside our hopes of affordable home ownership. Or there’s always option two, which I prefer:

Option two is that the bride’s extended family simply contains too many feminist witches to abide by a no-black-dresses rule. Sometimes you just gotta wear black to a wedding, rage against the current conservative government cuts, and fuck this “let’s buy a new dress for every special occasion” bullshit.

This dress is just a little bratty, despite the sensible heels. ;)

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Disclaimer: Nothing to disclaim here! Except for the fact that I spent less than $10 on a fall wedding guest dress, which is a crime in some southern states. Oh, and I don’t think my mom is ever getting this cool pin back, but that seems fair considering that she hasn’t worn it even once in the two-verging-on-three decades since I was born.

Additional teaser: This gorgeous chair is second hand, too! It’s getting its own post soon.

Tags: /Can you thrift that?, Fashion

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Juicy Couture Oui, NYX Filler Instinct: Saying yes to more

September 16, 2019

Rae Chen

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The thing that’s funny about influencer marketing is that it’s all about the story of you. It’s about finding your own brand in other things, and making that relatable for the reader. So, for people who want to disappear—creating content can be a struggle. Whether it’s a Juicy Couture Oui review ($85 USD) or a few sun-streaked photos of the newest, glossiest launches from NYX, it’s difficult to identify with a product when you don’t want to be identified at all.

Often, I’m happiest clattering away in obscurity: ghostwriting SEO-optimized copy for someone else. At theNotice, I feel like I thrive when I’m purposely obfuscating the point; re-speccing points of my narrative to make them more emotional and less direct. The easiest thing for me is always creating something that almost makes you look at me; something that makes you feel what I’m feeling without, you know—actually saying what’s up. Creating a story around an emotion is easier for me than anything else, and I luxuriate in every excess piece of punctuation.

Setting the stage for a Juicy Couture Oui review

What makes an easy starting point for this story, then, is the new Juicy Couture Oui Eau de Toilette ($85 USD). It captures perfectly one night last summer, holding sweat-sticky hands with Epiphora as we stumbled our way through the typical Montréal construction. (Honestly, the only thing in the world more difficult than walking on cobblestones is walking on wet cobblestones with detour routes—in heels. Are we sure that older cities don’t have higher rates of incidental ankle twisting?)

At the cost of jeopardizing my initial point of this post, let me share with you some more details to set the scene. Piph and I were on holiday (my first trip with a friend!), staying in a beautiful loft convert (the dream), and spending most of our days eating brunch and working on content. We took a night out of our schedule to go to a strip club—my very first, and a moment that, at 26, I had waited years for.

I’ve always been fascinated by pole dancing, and for good reason. It was a phenomenal night: a lovely gentleman bought us a private dance with his favourite performer, and I’ve been quietly jealous of her everything ever since. Think Aphrodite, if she lifted; an infinite amount of smooth skin, marbled muscle, and the most mouthwatering perfume you’ve ever found in the wild. It smelled a lot like this one; almost unassuming in how bright, clean, and juicy it is.

(The woman I met was wearing Versace Bright Crystal, which is less musky than Juicy Couture Oui is.)

You, too, can power-lift

Last summer’s experience did nothing to allay my theory that strippers are essentially the Serena Williams of the customer service world. So far, every person who I’ve met who has done stripping or pole dancing has fit into a similar aspirational framework. They’ve all been incredibly goal-oriented, professional, and dedicated—on top of being crazy strong.

Most civilians think they could strip in the same way that most men think they could win a point against Serena: in reality, neither could even volley back a single serve. It’s just the scale of their talent that makes their job seem even remotely achievable.

So, I know: there’s a huge stigma against saying, “this smells like a stripper!” It’s not a surprise, in a world that so often stigmatizes both sex work and the female body.

I leave you here with a challenge: to recognize the work done by womxn, and to question yourself. If it applies, ask yourself why the performative body is less threatening in ballet than in pole dancing to our society, or more acceptable in a Saturday afternoon “Intro to Pole for New Moms” class than it is in a context where people are being paid for their hard work. And then, when you’re done… get ready to spritz, close your eyes, and wander into a world of floral-fruity bliss.

Juicy Couture Oui notes

Juicy Couture Oui notes: Top – watermelon, acai tea natureprint, pear infusion / Middle – jasmine absolute, wild tuberose, dewy honeysuckle natureprint / Base – techno woods, amber resins, captive musks. This is a floral & fruity fragrance, but I find it to mostly smell like a just-burst bubble of fruity bath products. It smells goooood.

Let’s talk more about NYX Filler Instinct and the performative body

(Because that’s what you read blogs for—rigorous thought experiments!)

I’ve struggled with glitter my entire life. Part of it has to do with the fact that glitter is uncomfortable (what? It is!), but part of it also has to do with how it’s associated with being “frivolous” or “girly.” With glitter’s forever-growing influence as a queer signifier, however, I find myself slowly getting more comfortable with it.

In some situations, that is. I still can’t get over the gritty feel of a glitter lipgloss.

NYX Filler Instinct review: Let’s Glaze (clear) and Brunch Drunk (champagne)

NYX Filler Instinct swatches: Let’s Glaze, Brunch Drunk. Indirect sunlight; tingly swatches.

Luckily, NYX’s Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish ($10 CAD) doesn’t have the gritty texture associated with large-diameter sparkle. Instead, it’s frosty and finely-milled, with a little bit of beachy pigment in Brunch Drunk and nothing at all in the clear Let’s Glaze. Each plumping product is thick and comfortable, if slightly sticky, and burns like absolute hell when you apply it.

These are exactly what you think they’ll be, and they won’t disappoint. The packaging is clunky and a little tacky (in a good way), with an immediate blood-filling effect. They burn like eating a spicy bowl of noodles: topically irritating, but, at least for an Asian kid, oddly comforting.

I’m a little more myself with every passing year, and these—these all seem comfortable to me. Comfortable in an expansive way; like they’re welcoming alternate versions of myself that I can opt in to at any point in time.

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These products were gifted by PR for editorial consideration only. I will not be wearing the fanny pack, but I also… can’t seem to convince myself to let anyone else take it from me?

Tags: /Product Photos, Product Review, Ramblings

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Graydon Superfood Serum review: Canadian indie gems for dry skin

August 28, 2019

Rae Chen

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The product: Graydon Superfood Serum

Behind every good skincare review is a little skincare secret. This summer, my secret has been the Graydon Superfood Serum. It’s the first product that I’ve tried from this indie skincare brand, and I couldn’t be more pleased! I’ve been using it to boost my silicone-free sun protection, moisturize under some gorgeous cream products, and amp up silky, all-natural night creams.

If you routinely spend time in the beauty blogger community, you’ll have heard of Graydon before. The brand (founded by Toronto native Graydon Moffatt in 2013) is all about small-batch natural products. Each product is designed to be as natural and organic as possible, with an emphasis on accommodating every skin type, age, and gender. (That’s all genders, y’all!)

I really enjoy the high-luxury feel of Graydon’s packaging, but their line is great for those with particular needs, too. Make sure to check out their curated collection of vegan products or scent-free products if you’re searching for either.

Graydon Superfood Serum ingredients

If you remember from my Lavido review, I largely passed over using the thick, sticky Lavido serum that I was sent. While it’s going to be gorgeous as a winter serum, I needed something lighter (but still really nourishing) for the summer.

Graydon’s Superfood Serum is a callback to the nourish-your-skin mentality of Graydon herself. It’s a rich yellow oil, full of polyphenol antioxidants and anthocyanins to reduce inflammation. The serum is fully vegan and gluten-free, and full of things you’d actually want to eat—things like oat kernel oil, raspberry seed oil, and turmeric root oil. There’s literally kale and goji berries in this serum.

(What? If you won’t eat them, you may as well get them through your skin!)

One more great serum for dry skin: Graydon Superfood Serum

I may have an ever-growing stash of face oils, but this one is currently my favourite. The Graydon Superfood Antioxidant Serum is really lovely. It’s not too heavy, and you can smell how fresh it is. As a result, it doesn’t have that oily note—you know, the one that you sometimes find in delicate oils sold past their best-by date.

I kind of see the serum world as split in the middle. Oils are either rich and nourishing (like this one) or dry-touch and slippery. Because Edmonton’s climate lends itself so well to dehydrated skin, I love rich oils: ones that sink in and leave you a little dewy. If you love the feel and matte finish of a dry-touch oil, this isn’t the product for you. Instead, look to the Graydon Superfood Serum for something nourishing; something that you only need a few drops in your moisturizer of.

Despite using this night and day for the better part of two months, I’ve barely made a dent in the bottle. In other words: this serum packs a punch. You don’t need a lot for great results—maybe 3 drops, both night and day.

The Graydon Superfood Serum verdict?

Okay: I get the Graydon hype. I love the simple packaging of the Graydon Superfood Serum. I love the rich texture; the antioxidant-packed ingredients; the fact that it’s vegan, free of silicones, and gluten-free. Simple, luxurious serums like this one are a little boring because of how basic they are, but you know what? Boring is the backbone of a fantastic skincare regimen. It’s what keeps your dry skin looking healthy and vibrant not just this week, but for years down the line.

I definitely want to try more from the Graydon line this fall—their hair products look tempting, but drop me a line in the comments if there’s anything else from the brand that you’d like to see a review on!

Availability: $87 CAD from Graydon; ships free with super quick delivery. ($3.25 CAD/sample.)

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Extremely dry skin, Graydon Skincare, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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Honeypot Hybrid Lash review & classic lash comparison

August 21, 2019

Rae Chen

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Lash extensions are (mostly) three things: gorgeous, expensive, and a major time-saver. I’m not typically a super high-maintenance person, despite this blog. However, since trying out my first set of hybrid lashes, I find it a struggle to travel without them. While classic lash sets have always been a nice-t0-have for me, Honeypot hybrid lashes are a must. There’s quite literally nothing better than rolling out of bed and already looking done-up — even if it’s equally nice to take them off at the end of a few weeks and furiously scrub at your eyes!

How hybrid lashes differ from a classic lash set

Alright — I’m not a lash tech, so someone please correct me if I get this wrong! I have, however, spent every appointment that I’ve had with Brandy at Honeypot Lashes in Edmonton asking her questions about her lash technique. (What? I’m ever-curious, and I had to prep for my hybrid lash review!)

Hybrid eyelash extensions — before & after (no other makeup, including brows, foundation, and liner.)

Classic lash extensions are applied in a 1:1 ratio: one classic lash for each natural lash. For someone with naturally full and long lashes, they wouldn’t make a huge impact — just leave you looking fresh and perfect. But for someone with naturally thin, straight lashes, classic lash extensions totally change my look. They give me the lift and volume that I’ve always craved, with little to no upkeep.

Hybrid lashes are a little different. Hybrid lash extensions are a mix between classic and 3D/volume lash extensions, and are priced accordingly. Most lashes will have 2-5 lash extensions per natural lash, in a hyper-natural “fan.” Think individual lash extensions — but without the glue dot at the end. The result is a full, fanned out effect that looks flawlessly dramatic. They last for longer on my lashes, for a variety of reasons: there’s more of them, each false lash is thinner (about as thick as my natural lashes), and Brandy bundles her lash fans right before application, so the glue wraps all the way around each extension and your lash.

Fresh Honeypot hybrid lash extensions — my Edmonton downtown lash recommendation!

How long classic and hybrid lash extensions last

Expect both classic and hybrid lash sets to last for 2-3 weeks (though they’re purported to last for up to 6-8 weeks). For classic lashes, each individual classic lash extension is thicker than your natural lash. As a result, I find that some of them fall off my lash before my lash comes out naturally. The shortest I’ve ever had a classic set last for was just shy of 2 weeks, which is usually when they start looking thin on me.

The timeline for touch-ups is similar for hybrid lashes, but more lashes stay on for longer. My Honeypot Lashes stay full and perfect for 2-3 weeks, losing volume before they start looking uneven. I’ve literally never had one of Brandy’s Honeypot Edmonton hybrid lashes fall out before my natural lash grew out — it depends entirely on how quickly your natural lashes grow.

Voluminous hybrid lashes, no lash lift — before & after on Asian lashes

Honeypot hybrid lashes review (in downtown Edmonton)

Everyone styles their lash extensions a little differently, but I’ve found that there’s the greatest variation for hybrid lashes. (Edmonton is really into a full 3D caterpillar lash right now, and I hate it.)

I tracked down Brandy through her lash studio’s Instagram handle, @honeypotlashes. Her work is fluttery and precise, and she’s honestly a pleasure to be around. Hybrid lash appointments take around 3 hours, so finding someone who you actually get along with is paramount!

Look at that hybrid lash extension liiiiiiiift

Despite having these lashes in for every vacation I’ve taken this summer, I haven’t taken a ton of blog photos with Brandy’s lashes. They’re all over my Instagram stories, however, and in any of my vacation snaps. (You can really see the lift and fullness that I get out of them at the top of this post!) It’s so easy to roll out of bed with a great set of hybrid lashes. Just slap on some SPF—and maybe some brows—and you look like you have a face on. I’m typically a 30 minute morning person, but I can easily get ready in under 10 with a set of hybrid lashes.

Prices vary by studio, but Honeypot’s hybrid lashes are $150 for a full set. They’ll take about 2 1/2 hours, depending on how many lashes you have to enhance. Fills range from $55-85 (2 weeks vs 4 weeks). And you can book over text, which is a godsend for anyone with phone anxiety!

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I have nothing to disclaim in this post. Honeypot Lashes is run by a super hardworking businesswoman in Edmonton, and I love her location and lashes! I’ve paid for all of my services independently, although she does offer a $10 discount for students.

Tags: /Beauty destinations, Canadian beauty, Company Review, Eyes, Product Photos, Product Review

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Lavido review: Natural, silicone-free skincare for dry skin

August 12, 2019

Rae Chen

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So: I am having a bit of a time. A good time, though—a very, very good time. This post is late because I started it in a car, winding my way up a mountainside headed to a villa just outside of Sorrento. My partner and I spent the last few days in Dublin and Naples, and I couldn’t be more excited to tell you about the products I’ve been testing all season. I wasn’t able to take most of them with me (liquid limits, y’all), but looking at these Lavido review photos reminds me of how lucky I am to be here. Not just to be here; to be at this exact place in my life, where I can enjoy things purely for their aesthetics.

Where did you think you’d end up, 10 years ago?

My best friend brought me these lilacs straight off of her bush. Like most things (and like Lavido products for dry skin), they’re almost perfect: gorgeous and full of life, and mostly spider-free.

(Would I still be considered a Spider-Man if my superpower was being a beacon for spiders? Like, no superhuman strength or webbing or anything; just an incredible ability to be found by all spiders in a five mile radius so they can come bite me.)

We had a conversation in the pool yesterday night that opened my eyes wide: where did you think you were going to be ten years ago? Because I absolutely didn’t think I’d be in Italy, still blogging, and in a supportive relationship. If you’d have asked me at 17, I would have told you that I fully expected to be housebound, in crazy amounts of pain, and prematurely retired against my will.

While I’m not healthy, per se, I’m certainly doing better than I thought I’d be. I have around four good hours each day, with which I can choose to work, cook, go to classes, or see a friend. I’m often overwhelmed (who’d have thought that you have to eat food every day?), but things have certainly been—and been expected to be—far worse.

Lavido dry skin moisturizer reviews: Age Away Night Cream, Renewal Neck Cream, and Ultra-Daily Facial Moisture

I can still take pleasure in little luxuries, like the creaminess of Lavido’s Ultra-Daily Facial Moisture ($45 USD) and ultra-hydrating Night Cream ($49 USD). I like the Night Cream the best out of everything here: it’s rich and smooth, but doesn’t sit too heavy on the skin. It’s great when used with something like the Lavido Replenishing Facial Serum, but if I skip a few sessions of the serum, my dry skin holds up. The formula features capric/caprylic triglyceride—one of my favourites—and a bevy of essential oils.

The only odd one of this bunch is the Lavido Renewal Neck Cream ($79 USD), which is a little thick. It has a stiff, whipped texture that’s reminiscent of a few old L’Occitane whipped shea products that I still keep. I like it, but in comparison to the luxe texture of the brand’s silicone-free night cream for dry skin, it’s not quite the same. I’d say skip it — what your neck needs is SPF, not aloe and pomegranate seed oil!

Lavido Hydrating Facial Cleanser & Toner review

Okay: I’m going to try to keep this section very short (as I’ve spent the least time using these products), but things tend to get away from me.

The Lavido Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($29 USD) is indeed quite hydrating, but I find that it’s not much of a makeup remover. It doesn’t promise to be, but as a lazy skincare user, I can’t use a creamy cleanser that’s just going to smear my eyeliner. It’s full of Vitamin A and cold-pressed sesame seed oil, which makes it really nourishing.

Lavido Replenishing Facial Serum

I don’t say this often, but… Lavido’s Replenishing Facial Serum ($59 USD) is a little bit too much for my extremely dry skin. It’s so crazy rich and hydrating that I feel greasy even when I wake up in the morning, and I have to be careful not to apply more than one or two drops at a time.

Lavido’s entire brand message is all about soothing dry skin with plenty of organic essential oils and naturally-derived active ingredients, and you can really tell in this serum. It’s thick and indulgent, despite the lack of things like mineral oils and silicones in the line. The entire range of products, in fact, is cruelty-free, with a little subset of the brand being specifically catered to celiacs.

I’ve tested this brand on and off for about three months now, but I’ll be looping back this winter to see if the serum fares any better. It’s definitely suited for someone with dry skin, but it’s beyond even my level of dryness this season!

The Lavido review verdict?

I’ve really, really enjoyed trying out this line. The products are beautifully composed and designed, and the brand’s detailing is really quaint. They’re clear about what they do and don’t use, and the packaging that they’ve chosen feels like something from a way more expensive brand. (The pump on their $24 toner is otherworldly!)

There are plenty of natural brands out there, but this one is particularly broad. Check them out if you’re looking for silicone-free skincare for dry skin.

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Disclaimer: These products were gifted by PR for editorial consideration. They sent far more than I had asked for, and were very generous with their time!

Tags: /Cleansing, Company Review, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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We-Vibe Moxie review: Smartphone toys for the app age

July 30, 2019

Rae Chen

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The concept behind the We-Vibe Moxie

I love a toy that does something new — or something old, but previously unachievable. The We-Vibe Moxie is a slick rendition of a classic idea: one of the last remaining holy grails of sex toys. Many brands have tried to make a good panty vibe, and as far as I’ve heard, none have succeeded. They’re all too big, too buzzy, or too loud.

The Moxie isn’t perfect (it’s not truly silent, and the app control is atrocious), but it’s really good. Coated in silky silicone, it’s completely waterproof and rechargeable. Using your phone or the remote, you get about 2 metres of distance for control; using the app over wifi, your partner can theoretically control the device from anywhere in the world.

What makes the Moxie special is that it fits in any item using a triple magnet set. There’s one in the device, one for placement, and one to hold it on the outside. It’s small enough to fit in that little double-lining portion that underwear often has, and slim enough to be worn in a thong. The body of the toy is a little thick, but in a good way; I find that it lets me cross my legs for extra pressure.

We–Vibe’s app control: Struggles and snuggles

As much as I love We–Vibe toys… their app control struggles when you really just want to snuggle. It’s easy to connect the Moxie to your phone (just hold down the power button for five seconds and tell the app to pair), but significantly more difficult to “connect lover.”

(Why couldn’t you have just said “partner,” We–Vibe? Why’d you have to make it weird?)

The Moxie works flawlessly with its remote, just like the We–Vibe Sync ($229 CAD) does. The app control, however, is patchy at best. It takes my partner and I, on average, about 15 minutes to get our phones paired — and then the connection inevitably drops within the next 10 minutes.

I don’t know a lot, but I do know this one thing: there are very few mood-killers as effective as a rogue vibrator. We’re talking mood-killing at as-of-yet-undiscovered heights. For two tetchy, techie people, introducing the Moxie into the bedroom can go two ways:

You use the remote control and you’re off to the races immediately, or:
You get the device paired with your phone in 30 seconds. It takes an additional 10 to pair your app with your partner’s. As you bicker about how terrible all of the patterns other than “heartbeat” are, your phones remain paired. They say they’re connected, but the app control drops. The Moxie continues to buzz away in your pants, wild and untameable. You cannot turn it off without reaching down and applying pressure to the area. The We-Vibe Moxie, with a nigh-irresponsible joy de vivre, buzzes its way out the side of your underwear and onto the floor. You should have put it in that little double-layered portion of your thong (a classic rookie move.)

How strong & rumbly is the We-Vibe Moxie?

Okay. With all of that said, the We-Vibe Moxie is a really cool toy. Am I frustrated by the We-Connect app? Constantly. But is the concept good? Unfortunately for my indecisive brain: also yes.

The We-Vibe Moxie is strong, but not rumbly the way that the We-Vibe Tango is. It’s a dead ringer for the We-Vibe Sync: the two share the same silicone, colour, charging mechanism, app, and motor. On low, the Moxie is just quiet enough to hide underneath the whirring of my laptop fan; on high, it never gets so loud that you could hear it in a club.

The Moxie is about the size of three of my tiny fingers bundled up together; I’d say about two fingers, on someone who isn’t essentially child-sized. If I hold it in my hand and use it like a bullet vie, it’s surprisingly easy to have an orgasm — as long as the app isn’t involved. It’s tougher hands-free, but my body is stubborn; according to statistics, yours likely won’t take as long.

The verdict on the We-Vibe Moxie

I know I don’t typically include a verdict in sponsored posts, but I couldn’t help myself! This isn’t your typical sponsored post: I went asking after the We-Vibe Moxie, and the folks at Luxury Vibrators generously humoured me.

The We-Vibe Moxie isn’t a perfect toy — but if you want to try a panty vibe, I absolutely think it should be this one. It’s rumblier than anything else that’s currently on the market, with a small, discreet silhouette. As far as “couples’ toys” go, I found the Moxie to be far more comfortable and pleasurable than the We-Vibe Sync, with a smaller price tag and a longer battery life. While it differs in that it isn’t designed to be used during intercourse, I like the change; there’s no pinching or weird placement with this one, and its lack of an inner motor isn’t as numbing.

UPDATE March 26th, 2020: We-Vibe’s We-Connect app has been updated, and now works flawlessly with the Moxie. Go ahead & purchase!!

Availability: $169 CAD at We-Vibe.

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This post is sponsored by LuxuryVibrators.ca, who I love working with. You can see some of my freelance work for them on their YouTube channel, where I do bite-sized sex toy review videos! They always ship discreetly, and are so lovely to work with.

Tags: /Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, We Vibe

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Leather vs latex: How to bring kink wear into the everyday

July 22, 2019

Rae Chen

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$How to wear kink every day$

Longtime readers of theNotice will know: I’m a bit of a leather fiend. I love the buttery smell; the detailed hand stitching; the soft flexibility of a material that breaks down in a way that customizes each piece to your body over the span of years. I love how secure a good leather piece feels. But when it comes to a question of leather vs latex, I find myself split.

I wear a lot of natural textiles, like linen and silk, with little leather accents. Some of them are new and some are thrifted; others were just a quick, practical find. But as I branch out, I’ve been slowly adding more pieces of latex into my collection.

This little gem from Honour Latex sticks out to me as an oddly wearable, affordable item to start with. After all, there isn’t really a contest between leather vs latex in my head — why not just go with both?

Like leather, latex is an intimate material; structured and durable. Both have their own associations as kink wear, particularly in the BDSM community (they are, perhaps, the epitome of dressing for the job that you want), but from a purely aesthetic standpoint, they have a feeling. It’s close-quartered and raw, with a pressure to perform. Leather and latex are the law degree of the fashion world. Both will make people take you seriously — but are they ever going to be hard to pull off.

$BDSM wear for everyday fashion tips$

Why wear leather vs latex?

With leather and latex more than anything else, you have to embody the items in order to wear them well. They’re unforgiving. If you slouch in cotton, you look relaxed; if you slouch in latex, everything pinches. (If you slouch in leather that you haven’t broken in yet… well, let’s just say “chafing” and leave it at that.)

In terms of wear and care when it comes to leather vs latex, you have to truly love latex in order to manage it. We’re talking a full rinse and powder every time you take a piece off, with a rub-down using silicone-based lube to shine it up. That means you’re risking silicone stains on every surface you sit on, and you still have to deal with the massive amounts of sweat that you’re going to produce while wearing it.

But latex, I think, is forgiving in other ways. Well-made pieces are incredibly durable — when I purchased my first waspie and asked about its durability, the artisan who made it looked me in the eye and said, “honey, I could pick you up by that thing and throw you across the room if I really wanted to. Trust me, you couldn’t tear it if you tried.” It’s not as comforting or easy to clean as leather, but it’s also crazy strong and impossible to stain.

$Northbound Leather, Honour latex dress review$

How to pick a great latex piece: Budget finds at Honour Latex

The one thing that I’ve learned from Honour Latex’s Silver Zip Latex Dress is that latex is (somehow) more wearable than I ever thought it would be. While I wouldn’t feel comfortable waltzing into a family restaurant in this dress, I think it would look right at home in a club or on the dance floor — without making anyone feel uncomfortable, which is really important to me. Consent over everything!

However, when you’re buying latex, you do really get what you pay for. This piece from Honour retails for £74.99. It’s comfortable and easy to put on, but it did arrive smelling strongly of latex. (I washed it with lukewarm water a few times when it arrived. It needed to air out in my closet for another 5 months before the smell went away). The elastic nature of the material means that it fits snugly, but the basic panel design bunches up around my hips, chest, and shoulders. Though this piece is sized to an XS frame, the shoulder straps are still about 1 – 1 1/2″ too long on me, and wobble around a bit.

That being said? The zipper closure on this is awesome. Its scoop neck design gives me cleavage that I’ve only ever dreamed of having before, and this is honestly so easy to get on and off. The length is just right, too — short in a way that’s flattering on a petite frame, but not super revealing.

$Asian hair with balayage before after$

Comfortable, high-quality latex at Northbound Leather

In contrast, I have a latex waspie from Northbound Leather (in Toronto) that I absolutely adore. Their short-frame corsets are around $198 CAD — so you’re getting about 1/3 of the material as compared to Honour Latex, for a little under double the price. (You won’t be able to find the style I have online, but you can call or email to order it with no extra charge!) The entire experience is different: my Northbound waspie has no scent at all, and the latex is significantly thinner. Somehow, however, it seems more durable. The seams are more tightly glued, and each panel is contoured to emphasize your features.

All of this goes to say one thing: if you’re picking a latex piece, you should suit it to your budget. I feel like there’s a huge difference in quality between my items from each brand, but honestly? I’m can’t justify spending $500 on a latex dress from Northbound. With my lifestyle, I simply wouldn’t be able to give it enough love!

$Subversive fashion looks - latex vs leather$

Easy tips for bringing fetish wear into the everyday

I love kink in small amounts. I’m not a lifestyle kinkster, but like a lot of people in the blogging world, I’m pretty open about things. For me, latex and leather are a great way to subvert stereotypical fashion guidelines in an exploratory fashion. They serve as a physical reminder of the open, inclusive way that I want to frame my life. This dress in particular is a piece in my wardrobe that feels pointedly playful.

At the same time, irregular textiles are a really interesting way to connect to your body. Because these feel so different than what my skin and muscles have acclimated to, wearing them brings my attention into my body. It makes me hyper-aware of my pain levels, sensations, and existence in space. If you love somatic experiences like float tanks, I think you’d find new materials to be an interesting sensation, too.

To make latex more wearable as a non-kink piece, I like giving myself a one-item-per-outfit limit. Latex boots and gloves may be gorgeous, but they’re not really “me.” Above and beyond that, I never shine my latex pieces, either. Keeping them clean and almost imperceptibly powdered means that I can wear them without fear of a silicone reaction, and the brushed finish makes each a little more forgiving.

Leather is a little easier to wear as an accessory, perhaps because it’s been done well for so many more years. A little leather collar or set of cuffs are classy ways to express your kink in a way that’s super subtle — if, like me, that’s your thing.

$Latex vs leather fashion post$

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This dress from Honour Latex was a gift from the brand.

Tags: /Fashion, Indie brands, Product Photos, Sex

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Sultry summer reds: A Guerlain & The Organic Skin Co. makeup look

July 9, 2019

Rae Chen

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It’s been a hot minute since my last makeup look (or post, honestly), but I had to put something together for my new faves: the Guerlain L’Essentiel foundation and The Organic Skin Co.’s… everything. (And the Sleek Makeup Highlighting Elixir Drops, of course. That GLOW!) This look is a little outside of my wheelhouse, but I love it.

I remember reading an interview with Bobbi Brown about red eyeshadow years ago. She was emphasizing that you can wear red eyeshadow pretty easily — you just have to apply it correctly. Creating a line of separation between your eyeshadow and your cornea is essential. In other words? Wear as much red as you want, but add some black liner or lashes so that it the colour doesn’t “bleed” into your eye.

Build this house with The Organic Skin Co. & Guerlain

This almond-shaped, red-lidded look feels a little K-pop to me. You know the look: blotted lips; red lids; impossibly perfect skin. As someone who’s used to wearing light coverage foundations and nothing more, the Guerlain L’Essentiel formula always makes me feel just that. It’s a super-smooth venture into skin that’s so clear that I barely recognize it (and it completely trounces my Asian flush.)

I’ve got quite a few products on my lids in this look. As a base, The Organic Skin Co.’s The Eyes Have It cream eyeshadows in Silhouette and Silk Purse provide tons of colour. They’re such a solid foundation — they hold up without creasing for hours, and are so pigmented that the colour bleeds through everything else. They’re like a great pair of trousers, or a really well-rounded education: not the first thing you see, but the thing that the rest of you is built upon.

Pulled together with Marcelle and Sleek Makeup

Overtop, I have The Organic Skin Co Meet the Press eyeshadows in Silk Purse and Day Dreamer. The eyes and skin are both finished with Marcelle products; my forever-favourites. The brand’s liquid pen liner and translucent loose powder are the black stilettos and sheer stockings of my makeup stash, pulling every look together and turning something that’s just “fine” into something done and polished.

To finish, I have a set of false lashes (faux mink ones from Kiss, as always — I think these are a trimmed pair of Boudoir lashes). On the lips and cheeks, a blotted bit of The Organic Skin Co. Cheeky Lips in Spice. And on the tops of my cheekbones; my nose bridge; my cupid’s bow, Sleek Highlighting Elixir in Poppin’ Bottles.

I’m popping less bottles than before, for now, ironically. It’s a little venture not into sobriety, but more like… into a sober-curious life. I’ve gone though so much San Pellegrino this month that I could build an entire tacky chandelier out of all of the glass.

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Guerlain, Indie brands, Makeup looks: colour, Product Photos, Silicone-free, The Organic Skin Co

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The Organic Skin Co Cheeky Lips Pods review, swatches: My lips, but perfect

July 2, 2019

Rae Chen

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The products: The Organic Skin Co. “Cheeky Lips Pod” Cream Lip and Cheek Colour in Desert Storm, Lush, Spice, and Velvet

The Organic Skin Co. is one of those brands that has it all. Low-waste packaging, easy-to-transport wood palettes, silicone-free formulas… they’ve absolutely perfected the art of the cream product.

If you’ve been reading theNotice during this slow summer, you’ll know that I love the brand’s cream eyeshadows. They’re one of those rare products that can deliver a full day of crease-free eyeshadow for me, and the only one I’ve found so far that can do it with absolutely no silicones or parabens. But I’ve been wearing their Cheeky Lips formula just as—if not more—often, and it deserves a mention too!

A cream blush to love

These little pods come in low-waste clamshell packaging, and fit neatly into a palette. The clamshells, which are cruelty-free and vegan, are shipped in paper sachets.

The Cheeky Lips pods are creamy with a little bit of stickiness, and they wear for a good long time on me. I don’t find that I need to touch up my cheek colour by the end of the workday, but I do like to add a little bit more lip colour after 4-ish hours (which is standard for my lips.)

The stickiness feels hydrating, and helps dictate how much product to use: as blush, these pods feel completely skin-like once blended in. As lipsticks, these pods feel like lip balm if used as a stain, and a little more like lipstick if applied with intensity.

The Organic Skin Co. Cheeky Lips Pod shades: Desert Storm, Lush, Spice, and Velvet

I was sent four of these to try. I only fell in love with one (Spice), but I’ll be damned if all four of The Organic Skin Co’s Cheeky Lips Pods aren’t phenomenal.

Desert Storm is a unique, yellow-based orange. It’s almost a little muted, which you wouldn’t expect from the pan. I can’t ever see myself pulling off this kind of shade, but orange lip and cheek colours come into style again every five or ten years—and this one is perfect. It’s creamy, pigmented, and really polished.

Lush is, I’m guessing, one of the brand’s most popular shades. A vibrant blue-red, it’s the colour of Snow White’s lips (but in 4K). Blotted, it looks like a matte-finish stain; applied a little more heavily, it’s opaque and a little glossy.

The Organic Skin Co. Cheeky Lips Pods swatches in Desert Storm, Lush, Spice, and Velvet

My favourite of the bunch is Spice, which can only be described as the epitome of a “my lips but better” shade. It’s balanced, mauvey, and medium-opaque, and it adds the perfect amount of colour to the lips or cheeks — but it never looks anything but completely natural. The pigmentation on this is divine: worked into the skin, it’s everything that I wanted Colourpop Zuma to be, and applied more heavily, it looks like a custom-made everyday shade. This colour is the embodiment of what I think it feels like to roll out of bed as Adriana Lima.

Finally, Velvet is a stunner (but it’s not really my jam). It’s bright and punchy, with impressive vibrancy for an organic product. It has a strong blue base, but runs a little more purple than fuchsia.

The Organic Skin Co verdict?

I’ve tried a handful of The Organic Skin Co products now, and I have to say: they continue to impress. I’m just as wild about their lip and cheek creams as I am about their cream eyeshadows. These wear for just as long as a non-organic product, but they’re cleanly made and come in low-waste packaging.

If your colouring is anything like mine, Spice is a shade that I would highly recommend. It’s the perfect colour to sculpt and flush my lips and cheeks!

Availability: $29 CAD at The Green Jungle.

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Cheeks, Holy Grail, Indie brands, Lips, Makeup looks: colour, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, Spring/Summer 2019, The Organic Skin Co

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The best silicone-free sunscreen: Purito Centella Green Level review

June 18, 2019

Rae Chen

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The product: Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++ and Centella Green Level Buffet Serum

The perfect sunscreen… is this one, right here. You all know that I test products rigorously before reviewing them, and I’ve been using this one so religiously that it’s almost empty. I’m coming up on four or five months of use, and I can solemnly swear that I have never loved a sunscreen as much as I love the Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++. (Oh, and also that I’m up to no good.)

Why the Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++ is so great

It’s hard to find a silicone-free sunscreen—trust me, I know. Even harder, however, is finding one that’s totally weightless and rigorously hydrating. I have extremely dry skin, and I’ve relied on the heavy, comforting Aveeno Fresh Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 15 ($19.99 CAD) for years.

This one is, well, better. It’s just as moisturizing, but offers even more sun protection. And, somehow, it’s magically weightless: it’s one of the lightest moisturizers in my stash, and is literally imperceptible to the touch once (generously) applied. Hell, the Purito Centella silicone-free sunscreen doesn’t even make me greasy after eight hours.

The best part about Purito’s sunscreen is that it’s cheaper than drugstore prices, usually sitting around $15 depending on the retailer. I’ve never noticed a scent while using it—as I type this, I’m sniffing the tube, and it smells lightly fresh—or any flashback in photos. I’m literally so confident in its lack of a white cast that I wore it to a wedding last week. By choice. I had other, SPF-free moisturizers available; I just didn’t want to use them.

I’d trust it with my skin, my unborn children, and my favourite pair of shoes. It is completely without flaw, as far as I’m concerned!

The Purito Centella silicone-free sunscreen verdict?

For a sunscreen that offers the same price & protection as a tube of Neutrogena but the same texture as a jar of moisturizer, get this one. You won’t regret it.

Availability: ~$15 CAD at Purito, Amazon, and YesStyle.

Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA+++ ingredients view

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum: Also pretty good!

This was a product that I was really excited about, but honestly? It’s a footnote in my brain, now.

The Purito Buffet Serum is a lightweight, silicone-free hyaluronic acid serum. It comes in super-cute pump packaging (finally; so many hyaluronics use dropper bottles right now, and I’m over it). The formula contains 49% Centella extract, which is a leafy green used in Asian dishes and medicine. It also contains 3% niacinamide, one of my favourite skincare ingredients — it’s really good at fading scars.

Purito’s Centella Green Level Buffet Serum is nothing special, honestly. It’s one of hundreds of excellent hyaluronic acid serums. But this one is a steal at about $16, performing more like a $60 hyaluronic. It’s truly lightweight, with no stickiness or risk of a breakout, and it smells a like fresh green tea (my favourite skincare scent).

The verdict on the Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum?

This one isn’t a must-have, but it’s also excellent. I’m less likely to re-buy it, simply because I’m already swimming in hyaluronic acid serums, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. It’s the best one I’ve tried for the price, and is really gracefully executed with a side bonus of a little niacinamide.

Plus: these products are silicone-, paraben-, phtalate-, and cruelty-free!

Availability: ~$16 CAD at Purito, Amazon, and YesStyle.

Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum ingredients view

Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Carbomer, Arginine, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ceramide.

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Disclaimer: These products were gifted to me, but I’ve already repurchased the sunscreen on my own! Please note that not all of the Purito (or even all of the Purito Centella Green Level) line is silicone-free, though these two items are. This post contains affiliate links, as well as a high degree of awesomeness.

Tags: /Extremely dry skin, Holy Grail, Moisturizers, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare, Sun

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