Beauty Vixen: balmshell

I never really got around to last months empties, since this is the second time in a row I've done it I might start to do my empties every other month....or maybe not...we will soon find out.

Cotton Pads: I got these at dollarama for a dollar. They were really quite good, all I ever used them for was nail polish removal. Would I buy it again? Yes, they are cheap and easy to find.

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque: This deep conditioner worked really well. Would I buy it again? If I found it on sale or Winners I would buy it again.
L'oreal EverPure Moisture Conditoner: I got this on sale at my Shoppers Drug Mart and used it at least once a week. I found it worked really well and I love the Rosemary Mint scent. Would I buy it again? Yes, in fact I've got another tube on the go right now.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment: I got this small bottle in a GlossyBox much earlier in the year. I found it worked better then Moroccan oil does, plus I like the scent. Would I buy it again? No, I found it and Moroccan oil are mainly silicone and not worth the exorbitant prices. I am for the time being sticking with drug store Oils (mainly L'oreal) mixed with pure argan oil from Be Better (Rexall).
L'oreal Professional Expert Vitamino Colour Masque: A friend gave this to me because she hated it. I liked it a lot but don't generally like masques in a tub, they get water and hair in them. Would I buy it again? No, I found other hair masks just as good and much cheaper.
Salon Grafix Dry Conditioner: I got this to try when I saw it next to a dry shampoo (that I also bought). I like that you can apply it wet or dry. I found it didn't add much moisture to my hair but is a great dry shampoo alternative. Would I buy it again? Yes! I like it enough to get more, but I found it was hard to find in stores.

Various lip glosses: after doing my Lipstick Tag on youtube I decided to do a bit of purge. I am tossing all my Balmshell lip glosses. While I adore them, the company went out of business a while back and I realized I have had them for quite some time and they needed to be tossed.
I am also tossing a Hard Candy gloss, it has very little colour to it and it I wasn't using it.

The Body Shop Mango Shower Gel: I used this one up quick. I forgot how much I love this scent. Would I buy it again? YES!!!! I have to go though my stock pile a bit before I buy any more body wash, but this will always be a must buy for me.
Avon Smooth Mineral Liquid Foundation: I got this when it first launched. It matched my skin very well and was a great foundation since it was mineral. I wish this came in a pump rather than a tube. Would I buy it again? Maybe. I have to use quite a few of my other foundations up first.
Dermaglow Eye Roller I got this sooooo long ago. Would I buy it again? No. I just never use eye rollers, it isn't them, it is me.
Pari Skin Perfecting Veil Primer: I got this about two years ago. I liked it quite a bit, it is a typical silicone primer but with good for your skin properties. Would I buy it again? Maybe, it works quite well as a primer but is a bit pricy.
Villainess Soaps Dulces En Fuego Smooch: I got this from a friend. It is an amazing body scrub that warms when you use it. It smells amazing too. Would I buy it again? Yes. I liked it a lot, when I am in need of some more scrubs I will be buying this or another Smooch scrub.
Bath and Body Works Leaves Candle: so old that it is still in plastic (which you can see why they stopped making it by the super dangerous melted spot on it. Would I buy it again? Yes. I like the Leaves smell, but I don't think I'll need any candles any time soon.
Bath and Body Works Home Fragrance Oil in Cinnamon: I got this at the outlet about two years ago. I liked it and it worked well to make the apartment smell great. Would I buy it again? No. I doubt they still make it and I doubt I will ever pay $1 for it again.
Vitabath Bath and Shower Gelee for Dry Skin: I got this again in a Glossybox last xmas. I like it, it makes big bubbles and smells fantastic. It also didn't dry out my skin at all. Would I buy it again? YES! It is a cult favourite for a reason. I might try some other scents, but I really do like it.

There we go, what I tossed!

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Red lip season has descents upon us, and while many of us just at the chance to sport this gorgeous look, other run scared, feeling intimidated by it.

I hope to show you today what I believe to be is the best way to apply a red lip and how to make it easier for those who just cant get it right or are intimidated by it.

1. Stain your lips
As you wear a red lip, it will fade, usually in the centre first. If you stain your lips this helps keep the colour put longer. It also gives you a great base layer of red.

I personally love Sephora's lip stain or Balmshells, they are deep and dark and look great on their own.

Bonus tip: I let the stain absorb and will apply it two or three times before moving on for maximum saturation of colour.

2. Line your lips and fill them in
This is an important step, for a few reasons. One, lining prevents feathering and smearing of the lipstick outside the lip area. Two, by filling in your lips all over (seriously coulour all your lips, not just the rim) you prevent that fading in the centre and stop you from having just having liner left on your lips when the lipstick fades away.

I love Annabelles liners, they come in any shade you could dream of and are pocket book friendly.

3. Reverse line your lips.
This prevents you from smudging outside your lips and gives it more definition and that sharp wow look.

Line the outside of your lips with a pencil that matches your skin tone, then blend out with fingers. You can do this before all the other steps if you want or even at the end.

I love Cargo's Reverse Lip Liner or Mac's Pro Chromagraphic Liner in nc15/nw20.

4. Use a lip brush
This one sounds dumb, but it makes a real difference. You apply it accurately and wont get it somewhere stupid. It also keeps you from putting too much on.

Now if you want, blot and re apply lipstick. You can also put a bit of translucent powder over it to set or go the opposite route and gloss it up.

I hope this helped a few of you out there. I personally believe there is a red lip out there for everyone and everyone can wear a red lip! So, go out there and try one out today.

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Balmshell recently had a contest online to win three full sized lip glosses, an Ultimate Mini Lip Gloss Collection and a Smear Campaign lip/cheek stain.

Well I was a winner, and let me tell you after the last few crazy weeks of my life (moving, moving more, setting up the home, things going missing/breaking, some health scares, some medical tests, loosing 2, count them 2 metropasses in 24 hours) I can tell you it was a welcome addition to my life.

So what did I get? Well take a look!