Create your own love story with endless, passionately pretty eye looks. Our love-worthy eye collection features fifteen silky shadows in shimmer, pearl and matte finishes. Innovative slurry powder technology creates velvety, smooth and soft pigments that offer multidimensional, intense color payoff. From flirtatious neutrals to romantic pinks and passionate emeralds, this palette allows you to create limitless looks that anyone will fall head over heels for. -toofaced.com
This may be the most perfectly named palette ever, it just screams LOVE to me! Not too big, not too small, it has a nice large mirror, sturdy case, it even includes an amazing eye liner (a-m-a-z-i-n-g liner). With three quinces inside it it can create so many looks, they even include daytime and nighttime look charts for each quince. Can you tell I like the palette??? Well, I do!
Let us look at the quinces and their swatches:
This palette does have a lot of shimmer and glitter, so if you're a matte only person this palette wont be for you. But if you love some great colours, textures and finishes you will most likely love this set. The Forbidin Love section is my favourite. Darling, Devotion, XOXO and puppy love are just too pretty. the True love section is a great one too, with Smitten running a bit chalky.Pure Love with Desire, Cherish and Adore are such great combos. If I had one complaint, and just a little one, it is that there are no good highlighter shades, making this not a complete take along palette. That being said I have plenty of highlight and neutral shades that when I get a set like this I look for different and working together, and that is exactly what this gives me. I also put the Black Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black
to the test buy wearing it on one eye and my Buxom Hold The Line Waterproof Eyeliner in Call Me (black) on the other. I found it blacker then the Buxom and it didn't smudge, while the Buxom smudged quite a bit more. I really thought the Buxom was great, but then I tried this one, and tossed the Buxom and kept the Too Faced.
I highly suggest this palette if you want a fun and versatile palette, they are lots of colours and lots of colour combos for you to create any look you like.
* denotes items were sent to me for review. My opinions are still all my own.
While dealing with ridiculously dry skin isn't new for me, attempting to concur it once and for all is. I learned a great tip for dealing with my dry, dehydrated and peeling skin...layer my products. I was told that I should think of by body hydration the same way I do my face, serum then lotion or cream. So simple, yet it never occurred to me. So, as the humidity left the Toronto air and the cold has set in, I finally decided to give it a go using Vichy's Idea Body Serum-Milk and Body Balm.
IDÉAL BODY SERUM-MILK:
This Serum-milk is an emulsion gel enriched with mother-of-pearl particles to enhance the skin. As a milk, it delivers hydration and comfort, as a serum, it has a very fresh, fluid and melt-in texture that is instantly absorbed. It is possible to dress immediately. -vichy.ca
This is a light cross between a serum and a milk that absorbs really easily into the skin (something I love). It isn't heavy but it is really hydrating. I feel like my skin just drinks it up every time, and every time my skin feels and looks great after. I love the lack of effort needed to get it to absorb into my skin, definitely one of the best perks in this line.
IDÉAL BODY BALM:
This balm is ecognised for its excellence by Institut Vichy experts, enriched with nourishing and protective Shea Butter, the "cocoon effect" texture is smooth and enveloping. It melts into the skin on application, is quickly absorbed and leaves a powdery, non-greasy and non-sticky finish. It is possible to dress immediately -vichy.ca
The balm has all the wonderful qualities I look for in a body butter, cream or balm, it is thick, rich, creamy, dense, hydrating, oh so hydrating. It is just so wonderfully thick and soothing now that it is cold outside. It also isn't heavy or greasy, which lets it absorb easily into the skin. It is only lightly scented so I don't end up with irritated skin like I might if I were to use a butter that is focused on fragrance. It also blends in wonderfully well, not heavy or thick, taking a long time to absorb, but nourishing and hydrating, which I think is quite exciting in a balm.
Since using these two products together, my skin has gotten a lot better. It is no longer chap and flaky, I feel I finally found the dynamic duo I needed to keep my skin well hydrated without too much effort. My arms no longer look dry, they look soft and smooth, radiant and not something I am afraid to show in the winter months.
In addition my dry, 20+ years older then me looking hands have started to look more hydrated and plump, maybe only 15+ years older then me now (it's a start).
* denotes items were sent to me for review. My opinions are still all my own.
You want to know what's bad? Colouring your hair dark and being told, don't wash your hair too often', and thinking dry shampoo will help, only to be left with a white dull look to your hair. Ick. Anyone who's ever had dark hair know how frustrating dry shampoo can be. Any one who's ever had dry or coloured treated hair know what a lifesaver it can be. So for me it's a mixed blessing.
I recently discovered colab and feel like all my dry shampoo-dark hair worries are gone. COLAB was created by you tubes Ruth Crilly (A Model Recommends), and to be honest really is just fantastic.
The Sheer Invisible formula gives you hair a good kick of dry shampoo, leaving it light, Fluffy and way less oily, while also giving it a nice shine and remaining invisible. Ahh, such a sense of relief when I discovered this one. My hair looks glossy and shiny without that 'yep it's been 3 days since I washed my hair' look
The Extreme Volume formula is also fantastic, while not 100% invisible it is for more greasy hair and leaves a nice matte texture and a crazy amount of volume. This is one I call on if I really stretched the shampooing one days too many (four, four is usually just too many days for me). Before I could just pull my hair back on those days, not now with short hair it's not an option.
Oh and they smell great, I've tried 2 scents so far and love them. I feel it really ads to the refreshing you hair experience.
So whether I'm just trying to not wash my new dark and purply hair as often like me or really just stretched the whole situation out just a day or two longer then you should, COLAB might just be what you're looking for.
You can Find COLAB at Shoppers Drugmarts or Farleyco.
*Products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own.
I have so many makeup and skin care products on the go the the idea of ever finish something becomes an issue. To be 100% honest, a big issue. I start to feel like a hoarder when I have too many foundations, or lotions, or well anything on the go at once. This is why I am doing a finish by challenge. Instead of the usual 5, I'm going with 8. Why? Well, because they are the 8 things I am close to finishing and just really want to move on from them.
1. The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth:
I love this serum, it is light and absorbs right away. It makes my skin feel fantastic. I also have at least one bottle stored away as back up. Seeing as this bottle is so low the dropper doesn't work I feel I can use it up and maybe move on to something new, or that extra bottle.
2. L'oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set - Makeup Extender Setting Spray
I love this setting spray. If you can, try it. It is just as good as some much pricer bands, but much cheaper. The bottle holds fingerprints, but that really doesn't matter. What matters is how well it works. While I love it, there is little left and I have other sprays I need to use. So it hurts me to use it just to toss it and move on, that is what I am doing here. I will definitely repurchase once I use a few other sprays up.
3. Mac Prep + Prime Fortified Skin Enhancer
This is a primer, I've had it forever, and have a back up of it. I need to just use it up. I feel that although I've had it a long time, it really hasn't vanished from the bottle. So I am going to give using it up my best shot. If I don't make it, well it is going in the back to mac pile so I can try some new primers out and not feel bad about it.
4. Mac NC15/NW20 Chromographic Pencil:
I love nude pencils for my water line. Love them. But now I have too many and this one was my first. I am trying by best to just use it up, so I don't have 5 on the go at once. Plus I cannot find the cap for it, so really it need to get used up.
5. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude:
I have had this so long, I think I might even have a back up (and a million deluxe sample sized ones), it was the first tinted moisturizer I ever used, and I love it so much. But now I have what seems like a million TM and BB and CC hanging around, and this one needs to retired. It is really good for the winter time, so I am giving it a good go to see if I can use it up
6. Pixi Illuminating Tint & Conceal
This is a Tinted Moisturizer with a concealer on the end. While I just got it last year when Target was exiting Canada, I didn't learn until it got home that it was expiring a mere months later. So now it is expired (I am assuming the spf is useless now) and the concealer end is almost gone. It is just me and this TM left and I am going to try to just use what I can up before tossing it. I really wish Pixi put expression dates on the outside of boxes, just saying I wouldn't have bought it if I knew.
7&8 Benefit Lolli Tint and Lolli Balm:
I have these minis, but I also have another mini of the tint and a full sized balm waiting to be started. Since I love these so much I figured I could make them my signature shade for the next month and half and try to use them up so I can open the new ones. I really do love these.
That's it, hopefully I do well. I will give you updates around Valentine's Day to let you know how it all went.
Is there anything your trying to use up right now?
2015 is no in the past, but that doesn't stop me from looking back at a truly life changing year for me. It wasn't what I hoped it would be, but was more what I knew it would be. I am glad I am closing this chapter in my life and have been moving forward with lots of hope and new goals.
All that being said, I wanted to thank you all for being there with me along the ride, supporting me when my father died, when I took a hiatus to be there for him and for my own recovery. I hope that in this new year I can move forward and get back to a routine that allows me to blog more regularly and better than ever.
Thank you all.
Now, on to my favourites of 2015 and some much hated items of 2015.
I'm going to list a few favourites here, but if you want a fuller list, check out the video bellow.
Annabelle Lipsies:
Oh how I love these babies. They are an adorable stick of scented and flavoured lip balms that deliver a bit of tint. They feel silky smooth and hydrate really well. I love the Lychee's smell and taste, it is just like a Lychee! I am shocked every time I apply it that it is so exactly like a real lychee. It also delivers a hint of brown to my lips which looks great. I also love Cherry. It is a very Cherry Lifesaver kind of smell and flavour, which is fun and great. But it also is red, so over a lip stain it can actually replace my lipstick. Which to be honest, if fantastic when your lips are dry.
L'oreal Infalible Pro-Lash Lip Colour:
I have two of these long lasting lipsticks and really want to get more. I love them. The colour part is applied with a doe-foot applicator, followed by a balm in a stick format. I can say that while the colour dries it feels awful, tacky and just so dry. But here is the kicker, once it dries and you apply the balm, your lips feel fantastic, and stay that way all day, even after the balm wears off. So just wait that 60 seconds for the colour to dry and you'll feel better after the balm. Why I am really loving it? It lasts and lasts all day. It also feels great on my lips while I wear it all day. It also doesn't come off on my cups or husband, so it really is a great long lasting lip product.
ELF Lash Tint Mascara:
I love this brush. That is really the draw for me. I sometime think I love an Elf mascara only to have it quickly dry up on me, lucky this baby didn't. But the real thing I love is the tiny brush for tightening. Oh it is fantastic. If you use it on its own it is a very natural effect mascara, but I like it for the roots and tightlining my lashes before a more fuller formula mascara. Regardless I love it.
CoverFX Custom Cover Drops:
I got these because everyone wouldn't shut up about them this summer. To be honest, everyone was right, they are everything you've heard and more. I run neutral with a slight pink undertone, so most foundations run either pink or yellow, leaving me to buy two foundations and mix to make my own town. These babies fix that forever. I just buy the closest one to my tone and can adjust to my perfect skin tone. I got P20 and N10 so that I can mix and make my own tone in any lotion or primer but also adjust foundations, BB, CC creams. AS well I can now boost a BB to a full coverage, I can take a medium or light coverage foundation and boost it to full if I need it to The options are endless.
Guerlain Meteorites:
Earlier this year I attended an event at the Bloor street Guerlain store, where I learned all about the iconic Meteorites. I quickly ran out and bought one, followed by the holiday collections Flacons Enchantes. These are a big splurge for me, but well worth it. I learned at the event that these adorable spheres of scented shimmer are hand made and packaged which only a handful of people in the world know the formulation for. A luxury I have been loving this past year.
Now for what I hated in 2015:
Hard Candy Lash Ink:
Years ago I feel in love with Revlon Lash Tint, a 3 day lash tinting product that wasn't really a mascara, but it made my lashes dark and never smeared, flaked or ran at work, so I loved it. It was discontinued years ago and I never found anything quite like it. Then I saw Hard Candy's Lash Ink and thought it might be the same.It is a stain that last for up to 4 days. It is so wet that applying it is almost impossible because the brush just has short stubs on it. If it had a regular brush it might be ok, but it doesn't. In addition to this you end up with really one big clump of lashes that you then have to spend forever separating. So if you can get it to look half decent, it never really sets, it just stays wet, so it smears, and clumps up again. Plus if a mascara never sets and smears, then it stays tacky, and it moves, so hair at my work sticks to it, leading me to be unhappy. And if it smears, it really kind of runs, because heck if I rub my eye and it ends up on my face, thats not good. Ok rant over...sorry.
Just go get Estee Lauder's Little Black Primer, its better.
Younique Mascara:
Ok, I know I'll get yelled at for this one. I got this in a swag bag, I know it costs $35, I know people love it (or sales reps I should say), but no, no, no, no! It is bad. I have tried fibre mascaras before, I like them ok, but I am not in love with them. Taking that concept and amping it up to a level that is insane isn't going to make the concept any better. The amount of fibres on the wand isn't even reasonable, it is just too much (for me at least). You end up with spider lashes not long full lashes. Even if you try to use it in moderation, it just looks silly, and really isn't worth the hassle. If you want a nice looking fibre lash kit look at Too Faced's Better Than False Lashes Extreme! It is a better choice.
Ok there you go some favs and dislike for the year, anything you loved or hated this past year?
Once again thanks for sticking 2015 out with me, lots of love.
Jill Oliver-Fox is a Toronto based beauty blogger with a love for beauty, food, and pets. She began the blog in 2009 and hasn't stopped since. To read more click
here.