Beauty Vixen

The last few weeks, a lot of time has been spent on the patio, in the pool or just outside in general. Which can only mean one thing...SUNSCREEN! Specifically, I get to try out a new sunscreen.

My mother-in-law just wrapped up a two-week visit with us. She loves to sit on our patio, which we just gave a mini makeover. Power washed the stones, new lights, new furniture and a new BBQ. It is all quite nice. But with all this time outside, I thought it was the perfect time to try out some new Blue Lizard Sunscreens.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray. Developed specifically for sensitive skin, this easy-to-apply spray dries clear and is enriched with soothing organic Aloe. It offers mineral sun protection and 80 minutes of water resistance without fragrances or harsh chemical active ingredients that might irritate your skin.

Now my mother-in-law is really sensitive to skincare, specifically fragrance, even on other people, which is why I tried out Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 first. I love the cream version of this, but was really excited to try out a mineral spray SPF without common irritants.

The spray is even, went on really nicely, and when rubbed into my skin felt smooth, soft and hydrated, just like if I applied a spray lotion. It took maybe 15 minutes to fully dry down, but my skin felt nice all day.

The initial application goes on a bit white, but blends into the skin easily and without a white cast. Compared to other spray mineral sunscreens I have used, it feels softer on the skin with far less white cast. I think the addition of aloe vera really makes it feel soft on the skin without being heavy or greasy.

Pros:

High SPF mineral-based spray sunscreen
Fine Spray
No white cast/ dries clear
Leaves skin soft and hydrated
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

Took 15 mins to dry down, but not really a big deal

Overall: This is a love. I would buy this every time I wanted a new sunscreen in a spray. I went on easily, didn't feel greasy, and it had no white cast. I did a fantastic job when I went swimming of protecting my skin for the advertised 80 minutes of water resistance, and reapplying was easy as well.

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray offers broad-spectrum protection, ideal for athletes. This easy-to-apply spray dries clear and is enriched with skin-energizing Electrolytes. It provides maximum water resistance (80 minutes). Vegan, fragrance-free, paraben free and free from chemical sunscreen active ingredients.

With me loving the Sensitive version, I could not wait to try the Sport spray. I do like their sport cream version, last year I used it while swimming at pool parties, and I held up really well.

This spray went on just as clear as the Sensitive version, so that was a great start. The texture on my skin was a little different. I expected it to feel dry when applied, but it felt a bit more hydrating and almost greasier than expected. I realized at this point, Blue Lizard's idea of a sport sunscreen is long-lasting, but not that dry feeling other brands have. It lasted all day at a pool party, with me sweating, swimming and sitting around. It worked incredibly well.

Pros:

High SPF mineral-based spray sunscreen
Fine Spray
No white cast/ dries clear
Leaves skin soft and hydrated
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

Took 15 minutes to dry down and felt a little heavier on the skin.

Overall: I really like this version and would gladly buy it when I run out. I just like the sensitive a bit more (like a lot vs. love). It held up at the pool and heat, was easy to reapply, but I like the feeling of the other one better.

Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm

Nourish and protect your lips from the sun with Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm. This vegan lip balm with a natural coconut flavor offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and moisturizes with 8 natural oils.

I have never really loved SPF lip balms, but this one impressed me. It felt and tasted like a regular lip balm, which was great.

It has Vitamin C as well as 8 oils in it (shea, coconut, soybean, sunflower, tea tree, olive, avocado, sweet almond, and jojoba) to help hydrate lips and keep them feeling soft and smooth. It has a mild coconut flavour without having added fragrances to it.

Pros:

8 oils to hydrate lips
Feels nice on the lips
Light coconut scent
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

Only SPF 15, I wish it were higher.

Overall: Great lip balm, feels great on the lips, and it has SPF to it, so it is all together great. No complaints, just a good product.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick

Powerful mineral sun protection is just one swipe away with Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Stick. This Zinc Oxide-based SPF 50 formula was designed with sensitive skin in mind. It glides on easily, rubs in clear, and dries smooth. Throw it into your bag, backpack, or pocket for on-the-go broad-spectrum protection. This sunscreen stick is formulated with 100% mineral active ingredients. It is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and free from potentially harsh chemical sunscreen active ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin. Pocket-sized and TSA-friendly, this is the perfect travel companion to our sunscreen lotions.

I reviewed this last year, and newsflash, I loved it then and I love it now. The only change is the packaging's look.

I love how convent it is to have this stick with me for touchups, it feels great, and it gets my hubby to use his sunscreen. I still like it as a lip balm, but it is great for any place I want to get coverage.

Pros:

Convenient stick format
SPF 50
Fragrance Free
Reef Safe
No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons:

None!

Overall: This remains my favourite sun protectant lip product. It is fantastic to swipe on the lips and get a good amount of protection. The creamy formula is also great for the face, and my dry skin just loves it. Perfect for touch-ups, too.

So what do I think of all the items I got to try out? They are excellent, and I am going to continue to use them until there is no more, then I will rebuy the Sensitive spray and the stick at the very least.

Blue Lizard has proven to me time and again that their products work and they work well. I had a few people message me on Instagram when I posted about their Sensitive Spray saying how much they too loved it, which made me feel great that I was not alone in this opinion.

You can pick up Blue Lizard products at Well.ca, Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Amazon.ca.

*Some products featured were kindly provided for review. All opinions expressed are completely my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog!

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Spring came and went, and I started this post a month ago and got distracted/stuck. So with that, here are the things I really enjoyed during the spring months.

Conair Double Ceramic Thermal Round Brush*

I picked this up at the end of March and fell in love with it on the first try. My hair has been less than put together the last while, and frankly, I feel frumpy. I got this and instantly have been able to style my hair better and make second or third day hair look like something other than bedhead.

I can give my hair a little flip on the ends, I can de-frizz the messy waves that developed overnight, and I can make air-dried hair look polished.

I really enjoy how easy it is to use, and the fact that it was only $35 was a real selling point. I cannot believe I was looking at ones that were $200 when this one was available at such a good price point.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

I picked some Embryolisse up last year as one of the products for my Vintage Vanity project (which I promise I will get back to), and left it untouched. At the end of March, my skin got very irritated and red. It was bad. As part of my repair routine, I started to use Embryolise. It felt great and smelled amazing. A month back, I got a mini tube in a Shoppers' charity bag, so that one lives in my purse now.

It is a very soothing cream, and I can see why it has been loved since the 1950s.

L'occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream*

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I got this a while back from Butterly to try out. L'occitane has never let me down, and this cream is no exception. It is rich and thick and essentially a 25% Shea Butter cream that is as thick as a Body Butter. It hydrates my skin when dry and cracked, it soothes when it is red and irritated, and it feels nice every time I use it. Best part is I need so little, and it now has a recyclable insert for clean swapping when it is used up.

I like eco packaging ideas, but I know people won't actually rinse and sterilize their containers before refilling properly, and the swap-it-out method, I think, is a great idea.

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick 50+ SPF*

It wouldn't be spring without me using a lot of SPF. While I have a big bin full of face ones I love to use, Shiseido's clear stick has won me over for on-the-go use.

I got this stick at the Shisheido warehouse sale last winter and again at the Lisa Cosmetics sale this spring. I keep it in my purse and use it for touchups daily. I really enjoy the formula, texture and the fact that it won't leak in my bag. It makes touching up my sunscreen so easy, and it feels nicer than any stick I have used before, and it is completely clear, so no mirror is required.

YSL Make Me Blush*-

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This one might not be a shock to anyone. I have not stopped talking about the YSL Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balms or Loveshine Lip Oil Sticks all year long, particularly shade 44. Well, now that I have the blush, I am even more in love. Why can't all blushes blend this well and make me feel this great? Did I also mention I have shade 44 in the cream blush, and that it, too, is fantastic?

Ok, do I love the blush or do I just love shade 44 (Nude Lavalliere)? I think both. The blush looks fantastic on my skin, blends well and is just the right amount of pigment I want. If I want more, layer it with the cream blush. I also have the perfect match for my lips with the butter and oil, so it makes for a really easy wear.

If you are looking for a new blush, I highly suggest you look at these, because they are really nice.
So there you go, 5 things I really loved this past spring. Is there anything you've been loving?

* denotes affiliate link, which may earn me a small commission. - denotes a product I received in exchange for an honest review.

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Feet are incredibly important in our daily lives; they support us and take a beating every day. Yet they almost seem forgotten in our self-care routines. Last year, I vowed to be better on my feet, and this year, I am supporting that goal with Flexitol products.

Flexitol Foot Odour Powder Spray*

For about a decade now, I have been using spray anti-perspirant on my feet in the summertime to prevent stinky feet and to prevent excessive sweating. I am known for ruining flats by wearing them after a day of work, and without socks to soak some of that moisture, and the shoes get permanently stinky (like I have had comments on it, they smell). So the spray prevents all that from happening and keeps my feet fresh.

The fact that I had to use my arm pit anti-persperant always kind of sucked. I found a few deodorants for feet, but they were just very smelly perfumes that did nothing for the sweat that happened.

This is where Flexitol comes into play; their Foot Odour Powder Spray is an antiperspirant for your feet. It not only makes them smell great (in a non-flowery way) but also stops excessive sweating down there. The spray is also pretty strong and wide, which is great because not everyone can twist and turn to get their feet up where they need them for an accurate spray.

It kills odours on contact, works for 24 hours, and absorbs wetness. It is fantastic.

Flexitol Heel Magic

I get cracked heels. It started happening a few years back, and now it happens more often than I would like to admit. Heel Magic is just like magic because after just a few days, cracked heels look so much better.

I also get strange tears on my feet as I swim more in my condo's pool every summer. I think the concrete floor just rips it up so fast, especially on my big toe and the ball of my Heel. I started using Heel Magic to help, and it really got my feet on the right path so quickly. I still need to be careful in the pool, but it isn't weeks recovery anymore.

The stick makes for easy application, and the Shea, Olive, and Coconut oils hydrate to help repair and smooth out the skin.

I like to use it wherever I get calluses, not just my cracked heels.

Flexitol Anti-Fungal Liquid & Medicated Anti-Fungal Cream*

Now, foot fungus isn't something I've had to deal with much (I'm fortunate), but my husband goes to the gym and plays hockey several times a week, as well as works on his feet. So he's pretty prone to athlete's foot. In the past, he's tried sprays, and he found them extremely messy and not super effective for spot treating areas.

The liquid is perfect for treating a small area, under toenails, between toes and one toenail. The cream is great for all-over treatment and relief.

The lotion contains Tolnaftate (1%), 15% urea, menthol, and aloe the soothing benefits of menthol and aloe. A combo that helps both kill fungus and keep feet soft.

The liquid contains 25% Undecylenic Acid (which is the maximum strength without a prescription), Urea, Aloe, Vitamin E, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus Oils. It can kill fungus on the skin but also on the nail, so it can be applied on, under, and around the nail to help combat fungus growth. It's non-greasy, so it's really great for spot treating between the toes and on the nails.

I plan on swimming in my condo's pool all summer long, so I am glad to have this on hand if things start to get a little itchy or look scaly.

Overall, I really have enjoyed trying these products out. I'm ecstatic to have found an upgrade with the Foot Odour Spray. It works so much better than what I was using and makes me feel a lot more confident during this season. The Heel Magic is a staple in my life. My feet stay soft and smooth and look great with little effort and no grease. The anti-fungal products have been great for the hubs, and I'm glad to have them around, just in case.

My must-buy items are the Foot Odour Spray and Heel Magic; I don't think I can manage without them.

*All products were sent for review purposes, and all views and opinions are my own. Links are affiliate, I may make a small commission I'd you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog.

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I never got around to doing a 2024 favourite things roundup, and now that winter is over, I feel like I should share one. The problem is that I haven’t been feeling motivated to write lately. I’m exhausted all the time, and with the little energy I have, I haven’t been able to be creative. On top of that, my skin is a real mess, so I’m not enjoying makeup or skincare right now, which is disappointing. This post should be an easy way to help me get back into the writing flow… hopefully.

1. Neutrogena Transparent Bar

I started using this for my new Vintage Vanity series, and I fell in love. It is a great, simple bar that gets the job done. You can read about its history and how I really enjoyed it here.

2. Belif Aqua Bomb PHA Exfoliating Toner Pads

Belif's Aqua Bomb line is one of my favourite skincare lines. These pads are pretty self-explanatory; they are toner with PHA in a pad format.

I have a lot of acne popping up along my hairline and dry, flakey skin on my cheeks. These pads have been great for light exfoliation in those areas without irritating anything. The other toner ingredients are super hydrating.

3. Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick

This an absolutely massive stick of Aquphor, with 30% petroleum in it. Because it is a stick, it has different ingredients than the regular Aquaphor, such as avocado oil and wax. I fell in love with this stick because, for the last year, I have had peeling lips. It didn't matter how often I applied balms to my lips; they were terrible. This cleared it up in a week. I also use it on my cuticles and dry elbows as well as on top of my skincare for slugging when dog walking in the winter weather.

I do not believe it is sold in Canada. I had to get it in the USA. The exact same stick is also sold under their Baby Care banner.

4. Hypochlorous Acid

I think we all know how effective Tower 28's SOS Spray is at eliminating unwanted skin issues while still being gentle on the skin. However, I’ve found a similar product that costs significantly less: Microcyn Skin Spray for pets. It’s priced at $29.99 for 240 ml and works just as well.

I used this spray at my previous job whenever a pet had issues like scratching their ears, developing hot spots, or any other irritated skin problems. I even started using it on myself for scratches and bruises, and it worked wonders. When Tower 28 gained popularity for its product, I felt vindicated, knowing that others finally recognized its effectiveness.

I picked up my bottle a few months ago when my dog, Bradley, was chewing on himself to calm and heal his skin. I recently used it on Sterling after he scratched his ear non-stop, making it red and scabby. After applying the spray the next day, everything looked much calmer. I mean, the fact it saved me a visit to the vet alone makes it worthy of a favourite spot.

Now, it’s become my favourite, not just for my pets but also because I've been struggling with acne that I can't control. I started using the spray on my own skin whenever a pimple began to surface, and I noticed that it helped clear them up faster than when I didn’t use it.

5. Vitabath Original Spring Green Bath Gelee

Thinking of a number 5 was really hard. I spend a lot of time in the bath, so I went to have one and it came to me, Vitabath. I used up a small bottle in January and am now working on a bottle double the size. You need so little of it for a ton of bubbles and scent that will fill your whole floor.

They make any scents, but the green is the original and smells the best to me.

So there you go, five things I have loved this winter season. Now, let us hope the weather gets better, and I can spend some more time outside with less dry skin.

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This is part two of my Vintage Vanity series, I am continuing with the exploration of bars of soap that have stood the test of time. Today I am looking at the British favourite, Pears transparent soap.

History:

Pears was first made in 1807, in all its transparent amber oval bar glory. This British gem is known for having royal warrants leading back to Queen Victoria.

The bar has gone through some changes over the last 200+ years, mainly in 2009 and again for a relaunch in 2016. People really didn’t like the 2009 change, and made a Facebook petition, it lost its Royal Warrant and disappeared for quite a few years as a result. In 2016 it relaunched and tried to win back its old fans. It sounds like it is much better than the 2009 version, but not as good as the original.

The bars were first sold in London in 1807, its transparent colour was due to it being a glycerine-based soap, but was also a big part of its marking, promoting how ‘pure’ it was.

Things that make this bar unique are, a divot in the top, which is due to shrinkage as it sets (not moulding), but people love to smush their old bars into it, preventing waste. It is also clear, which at the time of release, was neat. It has a unique scent that is supposed to be that of an English Garden.

Review:

I immediately did not like the scent of this soap when I opened the box. It was overwhelming and unpleasant to me. I am used to a whole bunch of different types of scents, this was not one I had smelled before. After a few days of the bar in my shower, I either got used to it, or the unboxing potency faded and it was a lot better.

When I used it, I instantly felt a film on my body that I did not like. I did not find it rinsed off well unless I used a body wash mixed with it or afterwards. It wasn't the worst soap film, but not a great feeling.

It did do an excellent job cleaning like all soaps should. I did not smell bad after using it and the bar's scent did not linger.

Pros:

Cheap, at 3 75 g bars for under $4.00 CAD
Easy to find, can find it at dollar stores, grocery stores, and drug stores easily.
Cleans well, and removes odour easily.
Lathered well.

Cons:

I do not like the scent of this soap.
Residue feeling after using.
The scent did not linger.
Soap is wrapped in plastic, so not plastic-free.

Overall:

I did not like this soap. I can see why people got mad about the changes in it. It did not smell good, it did not feel good. I would not recommend it unless you could not find another bar to use.

Ingredients: Aqua, Sorbitol, Sodium Palm Kernalate, Sodium Rosinate, Glycerin, Sodium Palmate, Sodium Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-4, Sodium Laurate, Alcohol Denat, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfate, Parfum, Gugenia Caryophyllus(Clove) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Carum Carvi (Caraway) Fruit Oil, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Lauryl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, CI 17200, CL 47005

*This post features affiliate links. If you use it I may get a small commission. Thank you for your support.

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Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray

Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick

Conair Double Ceramic Thermal Round Brush*

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

L'occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream*

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick 50+ SPF*

YSL Make Me Blush*-

Flexitol Foot Odour Powder Spray*

Flexitol Heel Magic

Flexitol Anti-Fungal Liquid & Medicated Anti-Fungal Cream*

1. Neutrogena Transparent Bar

2. Belif Aqua Bomb PHA Exfoliating Toner Pads

3. Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick

4. Hypochlorous Acid

5. Vitabath Original Spring Green Bath Gelee

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