As I've mentioned in previous monthly favourites post, I really wasn't happy with the format that I was using. I debated waiting until the new year to switch it up but then I figured that if it makes me happier to change it now, I should change it now. So, without further adieu, here are my favourite things from this month!

Brendan Fletcher on "The Voice" | This is the only season of The Voice that I've watched since the first one and I owe it to this man. I'm absolutely in love with his raspy voice (plus he's also quite nice to look at!). His performance of "True Colors" this week is currently #4 on the iTunes chart for good reason and I highly recommend you have a listen! 

Sputnik Chandelier | I've slowly been making subtle changes around the house and upgrading a few things that I didn't particularly like, such as the chandelier in the foyer. I initially had a different one chosen but we stumbled upon a similar-looking sputnik chandelier (exact one isn't on the website) at Costco this weekend and I couldn't turn it down for the price.

After much trial, tribulation, and a whole lot of sweat, tears and curse words, we finally have our new light installed!

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Nov 27, 2016 at 4:07pm PST

Escape Rooms | Thanks to a suggestion from our friends, we decided to do an escape room at Escape Quest this past weekend. I had absolutely no idea what to expect but I ended up totally loving it! I would definitely still be in there if I had to get myself out but I really enjoyed the problem-solving and teamwork aspects of the game. We didn't make it out in 45 minutes but if we hadn't been so stubborn and had used all of our hints (or used them earlier in the game!), I think we would have. Since we don't live near any escape rooms, Jordan and I have been playing them on our phones. It's safe to say that we are totally addicted and can't wait to do more!

Fruli Strawberry Beer | I tried this for the first time at Bier Markt this past weekend and it was so good. I'm not a huge beer fan (one is enough for me) but this doesn't really taste like beer.. at all. So basically, if you really like beer, you probably won't like this but if you're like me, I highly recommend trying it. Sadly, I think the only place you can get it in Newfoundland is at the Bier Markt.

Clementines | There is something about clementines that I always associate with Christmas so I tend to eat a lot of them during this time of the year. I think I'm especially addicted this year though as I'm trying to eat healthier and therefore, tend to grab one (or two!) of these when I want a snack.

Lancome Teint Idole Foundation | I picked this up during the VIB Sale at Sephora and I'm loving it.  It provides a medium coverage, is easy to blend and comfortable to wear, and lasts all day. Plus, I love that it has a pump.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter | It is entirely possible that the reason the aforementioned foundation works so well is because of this primer, but I will continue using them together as I love the results. This gives my skin a gorgeous glow and provides an excellent base for my foundation. This combination is the only one that I've tried that lasts 12+ hours.

LUSH "So White" Shower Gel | I discovered a bottle of this from two years ago under my sink and used it up this month. I love the apple scent and had all intentions of buying another bottle.. only to discover that they haven't made this since 2014. It does come in a bath bomb version but I really wanted another bottle of the shower gel, boo!

Milkshake Silver Shampoo | I recently dyed my hair a silvery-grey blonde color and my hair stylist insisted that this is the best shampoo to use on my hair. I've used a number of purple shampoos on my blonde hair over the years but he was right - this one is the absolute best. Not only does it smell great but it is super potent, giving my hair a light purple hue if I leave it on any longer than a couple minutes. Luckily, I already know that a big bottle of this shampoo will be waiting for me under the tree, but I definitely want to try some of their other products as well.

Do you have any favourites this month? Leave me a comment below with your favourites or a link to your blog post!

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Review

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is an American skincare company that has recently expanded to the Canadian market. The company is a pioneer in the beauty industry, using scientifically advanced formulas with ethically sourced ingredients to make products that are vegetarian, cruelty-free, and free of phthalates, parabans, sulphates, ureas, artificial fragrances and colors, petroleum, GMOs and gluten. The company was kind enough to send me some products to review, but I was impressed before I even tried them because I am all for environmentally-friendly, cruelty-free products. After testing the products for over 6 weeks, I remain very impressed with this company and have actually found a new holy grail skincare item!

REFINING SUGAR CLEANSER | I was so excited to see the Refining Sugar Cleanser in the box as I had heard other bloggers raving about this product and I really wanted to try it. This product contains peptides to combat aging by rebuilding collagen and hyaluronic acid to improve hydration and prevent water loss. As evidenced by the name, the cleanser contains natural sugar and initially feels quite gritty. However, the sugar quickly dissolves into a gentle, creamy lather, making it suitable for daily use. And as an added bonus it has a sweet, marshmallow-like scent! I’ve been using this product nearly every day for the past six weeks and I love it. The sugar effectively scrubs my face while the cream leaves it feels hydrated. Since I started using this, my overall skin condition has improved and I rarely ever experience an oily t-zone anymore. I will definitely be repurchasing this once my tube is empty! The Refining Sugar Cleanser contains 104mls and retails for $32 CAD.

 

PERFECT C SERUM | Unfortunately, some of the Perfect C Serum leaked out in the box, but luckily I was able to salvage most of it. This product contains 17% Ascorbic Acid, or Vitamin C, which brightens the skin, diminishes wrinkles, smoothes texture and aids in wound healing. It also contains Buddleja Davidii Stems C, which is a stem cell that protects the skin against damage, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent visible signs of aging. I’ve been using one pump of this product every morning before applying moisturizer and my skin appears brighter. The only downside of this product is the very peculiar scent (to me it smells like burnt popcorn) but it isn’t a deal breaker! This is the first time I’ve used a serum and I will continue to include it in my daily routine. The Perfect C Serum contains 15ml and retails for $56 CAD.

SUPREME POLYPEPTIDE CREAM | The Supreme Polypeptide Cream is a nutrient-rich anti-aging moisturizer. This worried me a little initially because while I think it is never too early to start an anti-aging skincare routine, I don’t actually have any signs of aging at this point. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m still in my (late) 20s or if it’s because I’ve been blessed with good genes, but most people think that I am still in high school. In any event, this cream is super-thick and rich, with a herbal-y scent (it does come in an unscented version though!). It contains a number of peptides and claims to reduce wrinkle volume by 21% and depth by 19% in 6 weeks of use. Again, I don’t have any wrinkles so I cannot comment on those claims. However, I have been using this product daily and despite how creamy and luxurious it is, it has successfully moisturized by skin without making it oily. While I won’t repurchase this particular cream, I definitely want to try some of MyChelle’s other moisturizers such as the Pumpkin Renew Cream. The Supreme Polypeptide Cream contains 35ml and retails for $70 CAD.

 

REMARKABLE RETINAL SERUM | The final product that I received is another anti-aging product – the Remarkable Retinal Serum. Retinal is 500x more effective than the most potent form of non-prescription Vitamin A and works to promote skin radiance, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and helps improve acne, follicular papillose, and oily skin. This is a thick, yellow serum that is best applied in the evening as it increases your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Again, this product has a strong, herbal-like scent (reminds me of LUSH products, for those who are familiar with that company) which doesn’t bother me personally. Despite the fact that this product is meant to improve skin texture and help with acne, I found that it made me break out in small bumps on my forehead. Apparently that is a common issue when you initially start using products containing Retinol, and it supposedly subsides once your skin adapts. However, because I don’t have issues with acne, nor do I have any wrinkles or fine lines, I did not continue to use this product. The Remarkable Retinal Serum contains 30ml and retails for $60 CAD.

Overall, I am very impressed with MyChelle Dermaceuticals and I cannot wait to try more products from them in the future! The only product that did not work for me was the Remarkable Retinal Serum, and while I would not necessarily repurchase the Perfect C Serum or the Supreme Polypeptide Cream, I would definitely try other serums or creams more suited to my skin type. As for the Refining Sugar Cleanser – I will definitely be repurchasing another one of those, as well as recommending it to every one I know.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is currently available for purchase in Canada at the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique. Be sure to let me know if you decide to pick up any of their products!

The products in this post were provided complimentary for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and based on my personal experience.

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MyChelle Dermaceuticals Review

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is an American skincare company that has recently expanded to the Canadian market. The company is a pioneer in the beauty industry, using scientifically advanced formulas with ethically sourced ingredients to make products that are vegetarian, cruelty-free, and free of phthalates, parabans, sulphates, ureas, artificial fragrances and colors, petroleum, GMOs and gluten. The company was kind enough to send me some products to review, but I was impressed before I even tried them because I am all for environmentally-friendly, cruelty-free products. After testing the products for over 6 weeks, I remain very impressed with this company and have actually found a new holy grail skincare item!

REFINING SUGAR CLEANSER | I was so excited to see the Refining Sugar Cleanser in the box as I had heard other bloggers raving about this product and I really wanted to try it. This product contains peptides to combat aging by rebuilding collagen and hyaluronic acid to improve hydration and prevent water loss. As evidenced by the name, the cleanser contains natural sugar and initially feels quite gritty. However, the sugar quickly dissolves into a gentle, creamy lather, making it suitable for daily use. And as an added bonus it has a sweet, marshmallow-like scent! I've been using this product nearly every day for the past six weeks and I love it. The sugar effectively scrubs my face while the cream leaves it feels hydrated. Since I started using this, my overall skin condition has improved and I rarely ever experience an oily t-zone anymore. I will definitely be repurchasing this once my tube is empty! The Refining Sugar Cleanser contains 104mls and retails for $32 CAD.

PERFECT C SERUM | Unfortunately, some of the Perfect C Serum leaked out in the box, but luckily I was able to salvage most of it. This product contains 17% Ascorbic Acid, or Vitamin C, which brightens the skin, diminishes wrinkles, smoothes texture and aids in wound healing. It also contains Buddleja Davidii Stems C, which is a stem cell that protects the skin against damage, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent visible signs of aging. I've been using one pump of this product every morning before applying moisturizer and my skin appears brighter. The only downside of this product is the very peculiar scent (to me it smells like burnt popcorn) but it isn't a deal breaker! This is the first time I've used a serum and I will continue to include it in my daily routine. The Perfect C Serum contains 15ml and retails for $56 CAD.

SUPREME POLYPEPTIDE CREAM | The Supreme Polypeptide Cream is a nutrient-rich anti-aging moisturizer. This worried me a little initially because while I think it is never too early to start an anti-aging skincare routine, I don't actually have any signs of aging at this point. I'm not sure if it's because I'm still in my (late) 20s or if it's because I've been blessed with good genes, but most people think that I am still in high school. In any event, this cream is super-thick and rich, with a herbal-y scent (it does come in an unscented version though!). It contains a number of peptides and claims to reduce wrinkle volume by 21% and depth by 19% in 6 weeks of use. Again, I don't have any wrinkles so I cannot comment on those claims. However, I have been using this product daily and despite how creamy and luxurious it is, it has successfully moisturized by skin without making it oily. While I won't repurchase this particular cream, I definitely want to try some of MyChelle's other moisturizers such as the Pumpkin Renew Cream. The Supreme Polypeptide Cream contains 35ml and retails for $70 CAD.

REMARKABLE RETINAL SERUM | The final product that I received is another anti-aging product - the Remarkable Retinal Serum. Retinal is 500x more effective than the most potent form of non-prescription Vitamin A and works to promote skin radiance, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and helps improve acne, follicular papillose, and oily skin. This is a thick, yellow serum that is best applied in the evening as it increases your skin's sensitivity to the sun. Again, this product has a strong, herbal-like scent (reminds me of LUSH products, for those who are familiar with that company) which doesn't bother me personally. Despite the fact that this product is meant to improve skin texture and help with acne, I found that it made me break out in small bumps on my forehead. Apparently that is a common issue when you initially start using products containing Retinol, and it supposedly subsides once your skin adapts. However, because I don't have issues with acne, nor do I have any wrinkles or fine lines, I did not continue to use this product. The Remarkable Retinal Serum contains 30ml and retails for $60 CAD.

Overall, I am very impressed with MyChelle Dermaceuticals and I cannot wait to try more products from them in the future! The only product that did not work for me was the Remarkable Retinal Serum, and while I would not necessarily repurchase the Perfect C Serum or the Supreme Polypeptide Cream, I would definitely try other serums or creams more suited to my skin type. As for the Refining Sugar Cleanser - I will definitely be repurchasing another one of those, as well as recommending it to every one I know.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is currently available for purchase in Canada at the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique. Be sure to let me know if you decide to pick up any of their products!

The products in this post were provided complimentary for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and based on my personal experience.

Maison Jacynthe Makeup Review

Maison Jacynthe is a Canadian makeup and beauty line by Jacynthe René, an actress, producer, author and founder of the online JMagazine. The Maison Jaynthe range includes makeup, beauty products, soaps, oils, and home fragrances. The products are (almost) all 100% natural with no GMOs or chemicals, and the company is a member of PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies Program, which means that they are cruelty-free as well.

Thanks to a referral from Nicole at Pretty Ruff Life, I was granted the opportunity to select three products from Maison Jacynthe to test and review. I chose the Lipstick in 03 (Garnet), the blush in 02 (Juliette) and the mascara.

At the time when I selected these products, the website was only available in French so I had to use Google Translate and my limited recollection of high school French to try and decipher the product descriptions. I decided to try a lipstick because, duh, I love lipstick and I chose 03 (Garnet) based on the picture as it appeared to be a bright, hot pink color (as it does in the above photo). However, it is definitely more of a red-pink in person. It also has an almost metallic sheen to it, which I couldn’t tell from the photo or the description, or else I wouldn’t have chosen this particular color. However, that is just a personal preference as I prefer a matte or creamy finish. On the plus side, I love the packaging, the product has little-to-no scent, and it is very comfortable to wear. It is definitely not long-lasting but you can get a few hours of wear time without needing to reapply. Overall, it’s a decent product but I wish the website provided color descriptions.

Maison Jacynthe has two blushes: Romeo and Juliette. I chose 02 (Juliette) because it appeared to be a gorgeous pale pink on the website. As you can tell from the above photo, it is definitely more of a peachy-pink in person. I was worried when I first swatched this blush on my hand, as it basically disappeared into my fair skin. However, I was amazed when I applied this with a brush as it is the most beautifully pigmented, natural-looking blush. The product is buttery soft to touch, meaning that it also produces a lot of fall out and may look a bit chalky if not blended well. However, it is my current favourite blush and I’ve found myself reaching for it every day. I am very tempted to order the compact to place the blush in and I really wish they offered more color selection as I would definitely pick up another one. Unfortunately I think that Romeo would be too dark for my fair skin given the amount of pigmentation in these blushes. I highly, highly recommend this color for fair skin though!

The final product that I tried was the mascara. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed in this product, but it could be attributed to personal preference again. The formula of this mascara is quite wet, which I am not a fan of as I find it weighs down my eyelashes and can be quite messy to apply. However, if you are someone who prefers a wet formula, you may like this product! I found that while it was extremely pigmented and made my lashes appear thicker, it did little to lengthen them. The website describes this mascara as “ideal for a more intense look”, but I disagree as I think it’s better for someone who doesn’t want a false-lashes effect. The product wore well throughout the day but flaked off if I rubbed my eyes and I also found it quite messy to remove. This mascara also has a peculiar scent that is sweet and cloying, however, I was unable to detect it once applied. Of the three products, this one was my least favourite.

Makeup look using the Maison Jacynthe lipstick in (03) Garnet, blush in (02) Juliette, and mascara.

Overall, I do recommend checking out this makeup and beauty company! I love the fact that they are Canadian, the sleek packaging, and the natural, cruelty-free products. The blush is a new favourite product of mine and I think I would love the eyeshadows for the same reason. The lipstick and mascara were not my favourites but a lot of my disappointment was due to formula or color, which is simply due personal preference and not because of a poor product.

Have you tried anything from Maison Jacynthe? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

The products in this post were provided complimentary for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and based on my personal experience.

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Maison Jacynthe Makeup Review

Maison Jacynthe is a Canadian makeup and beauty line by Jacynthe René, an actress, producer, author and founder of the online JMagazine. The Maison Jaynthe range includes makeup, beauty products, soaps, oils, and home fragrances. The products are (almost) all 100% natural with no GMOs or chemicals, and the company is a member of PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies Program, which means that they are cruelty-free as well.

Thanks to a referral from Nicole at Pretty Ruff Life, I was granted the opportunity to select three products from Maison Jacynthe to test and review. I chose the Lipstick in 03 (Garnet), the blush in 02 (Juliette) and the mascara.

At the time when I selected these products, the website was only available in French so I had to use Google Translate and my limited recollection of high school French to try and decipher the product descriptions. I decided to try a lipstick because, duh, I love lipstick and I chose 03 (Garnet) based on the picture as it appeared to be a bright, hot pink color (as it does in the above photo). However, it is definitely more of a red-pink in person. It also has an almost metallic sheen to it, which I couldn't tell from the photo or the description, or else I wouldn't have chosen this particular color. However, that is just a personal preference as I prefer a matte or creamy finish. On the plus side, I love the packaging, the product has little-to-no scent, and it is very comfortable to wear. It is definitely not long-lasting but you can get a few hours of wear time without needing to reapply. Overall, it's a decent product but I wish the website provided color descriptions.

Maison Jacynthe has two blushes: Romeo and Juliette. I chose 02 (Juliette) because it appeared to be a gorgeous pale pink on the website. As you can tell from the above photo, it is definitely more of a peachy-pink in person. I was worried when I first swatched this blush on my hand, as it basically disappeared into my fair skin. However, I was amazed when I applied this with a brush as it is the most beautifully pigmented, natural-looking blush. The product is buttery soft to touch, meaning that it also produces a lot of fall out and may look a bit chalky if not blended well. However, it is my current favourite blush and I've found myself reaching for it every day. I am very tempted to order the compact to place the blush in and I really wish they offered more color selection as I would definitely pick up another one. Unfortunately I think that Romeo would be too dark for my fair skin given the amount of pigmentation in these blushes. I highly, highly recommend this color for fair skin though!

The final product that I tried was the mascara. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed in this product, but it could be attributed to personal preference again. The formula of this mascara is quite wet, which I am not a fan of as I find it weighs down my eyelashes and can be quite messy to apply. However, if you are someone who prefers a wet formula, you may like this product! I found that while it was extremely pigmented and made my lashes appear thicker, it did little to lengthen them. The website describes this mascara as "ideal for a more intense look", but I disagree as I think it's better for someone who doesn't want a false-lashes effect. The product wore well throughout the day but flaked off if I rubbed my eyes and I also found it quite messy to remove. This mascara also has a peculiar scent that is sweet and cloying, however, I was unable to detect it once applied. Of the three products, this one was my least favourite.

Makeup look using the Maison Jacynthe lipstick in (03) Garnet, blush in (02) Juliette, and mascara.

Overall, I do recommend checking out this makeup and beauty company! I love the fact that they are Canadian, the sleek packaging, and the natural, cruelty-free products. The blush is a new favourite product of mine and I think I would love the eyeshadows for the same reason. The lipstick and mascara were not my favourites but a lot of my disappointment was due to formula or color, which is simply due personal preference and not because of a poor product.

Have you tried anything from Maison Jacynthe? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The products in this post were provided complimentary for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and based on my personal experience.

Sunday Lately: November 7-13

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe – Katy, Angelica, Meghan and Nicole. Each week they present five new prompts to describe what is happening in your life that week. This weeks prompts are Creating, Finding, Switching, Forgetting and Craving.

Creating: I finally took photos for my two PR posts that will hopefully be up this week (at least one of them!). Because there are multiple products to review in each post, the task is so much more time consuming than a regular post. In not-so-good news, I still haven’t completed a DIY product as per my fall bucket list, oops.


Finding: Lots of Christmas gift ideas.. for myself. Every year I say “I don’t even know what to ask for, I have everything that I need, I’d just like a vacation..” and every year, I start browsing the internet and found approximately 4 billion things that I want (but still don’t need).


Switching: I will be putting away the last of my fall and Halloween decor today and preparing to put out my Christmas decorations next week. In fact, we may actually put our tree up at the end of next week. I’m off work for a week on holidays so I plan to deep clean the house and then start preparing for the Christmas. Jordan is normally ready for Christmas at this point whereas I tend to want to wait until later but this year we’ve found ourselves in the opposite situation. I think it’s because I’m taking Christmas off for the first time in five years and I want to take full advantage of that.

 

Saturdays are for long walks in the woods where you kind of get lost but find yourself. ?

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Nov 12, 2016 at 10:58am PST

Forgetting: How good it feels to have a three-day weekend off with Jordan. I always get three-day weekends (perks of shift work) but Jordan also had Friday off due to the Remembrance Day holiday. We spent Friday being insanely lazy but yesterday we took the dog for a 5km walk and to the dog park, then ran some errands. Today will be spent catching up on chores and visiting family! To make things even better, I’m not back to work until tomorrow night! And then I only have three shifts separating me from my much-needed holidays, thank god.


Craving: I am craving a new tattoo the way that I normally crave Big Mary burgers. It’s been two years since my last and while I have many, many ideas for tattoos that I would like to have, a lot of them are big endeavours that I’m not quite ready to take on yet. I just want something small to satisfy the itch but I’m struggling to decide what and where.

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Sunday Lately: November 7-13

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe - Katy, Angelica, Meghan and Nicole. Each week they present five new prompts to describe what is happening in your life that week. This weeks prompts are Creating, Finding, Switching, Forgetting and Craving.

Creating: I finally took photos for my two PR posts that will hopefully be up this week (at least one of them!). Because there are multiple products to review in each post, the task is so much more time consuming than a regular post. In not-so-good news, I still haven't completed a DIY product as per my fall bucket list, oops.

Finding: Lots of Christmas gift ideas.. for myself. Every year I say "I don't even know what to ask for, I have everything that I need, I'd just like a vacation.." and every year, I start browsing the internet and found approximately 4 billion things that I want (but still don't need). 

Switching: I will be putting away the last of my fall and Halloween decor today and preparing to put out my Christmas decorations next week. In fact, we may actually put our tree up at the end of next week. I'm off work for a week on holidays so I plan to deep clean the house and then start preparing for the Christmas. Jordan is normally ready for Christmas at this point whereas I tend to want to wait until later but this year we've found ourselves in the opposite situation. I think it's because I'm taking Christmas off for the first time in five years and I want to take full advantage of that.

Saturdays are for long walks in the woods where you kind of get lost but find yourself. 🍂

A photo posted by Janine (@janineallison) on Nov 12, 2016 at 10:58am PST

Forgetting: How good it feels to have a three-day weekend off with Jordan. I always get three-day weekends (perks of shift work) but Jordan also had Friday off due to the Remembrance Day holiday. We spent Friday being insanely lazy but yesterday we took the dog for a 5km walk and to the dog park, then ran some errands. Today will be spent catching up on chores and visiting family! To make things even better, I'm not back to work until tomorrow night! And then I only have three shifts separating me from my much-needed holidays, thank god.

Craving: I am craving a new tattoo the way that I normally crave Big Mary burgers. It's been two years since my last and while I have many, many ideas for tattoos that I would like to have, a lot of them are big endeavours that I'm not quite ready to take on yet. I just want something small to satisfy the itch but I'm struggling to decide what and where.

Product Empties: Volume 5

My empties bag is overflowing, which means it’s time for another empties post! Is there anything more delightful than finally finishing a product? The downside of that is, unfortunately, the sheer amount of garbage going in our landfills. I can’t believe how quickly it adds up! Anyway, keep reading to find out which products I’ve finished up lately.


Bath & Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap |  I mean, these always show up in my empties post without fail. This time I finished up a bottle of “Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin” that I didn’t finish last year (love that scent!) and “Maui Mango Mai Tai”, which is a sweet summery scent. Repurchase? Obviously!


Eos Shave Cream | Another common item to find in my empties post. I’ve raved about this stuff in the past, which is why I continue to repurchase it. Repurchase? Yes!


Herbal Essences Tea-Lightfully Clean Shampoo | I’m pretty sure I bought this shampoo when I moved into my house and it took me about two years to finish it. It had a nice, light and refreshing scent but that’s about all I liked. I didn’t have high expectations but it really didn’t do anything other than cleanse my hair. Repurchase? No.


Herbal Essences Naked Volume Conditioner | This, on the other hand, is a product that I’ve purchased multiple times. I love this conditioner! It is paraban-free, easily attainable, cheap, smells nice and it works! I mean, I don’t get crazy amounts of volume from it, but it doesn’t weigh down my fine, thin hair either. Repurchase? Definitely.


Redken Blonde Idol Custom Tone Conditioner | I was really intrigued by this conditioner, which has a dial to control the amount of purple (color-depositing) conditioner in relation to the regular white conditioner. Unfortunately, I was really quite disappointed. The white conditioner ran out quickly and while the purple conditioner was good at minimizing brassiness, it sucked at conditioning my hair. Repurchase? No.


Bath & Body Works Shower Gel | Another product that I commonly use, this time in the scent “Malibu Heat” which smelled like oranges, pear, pineapple and coconut. It was a great summertime scent! Repurchase? I don’t feel like I need to repurchase this scent but I’ll definitely repurchase this product.


Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil | First of all, it took me forever to use this bottle! I think I purchased it in February and finished it around October, with nearly daily use! Anyway, I thought this was a really good product from the Sephora brand. It removed my makeup, and didn’t dry out my skin, nor make it particularly oily. It has a light scent and a pump, which made it super easy to use in the shower. Repurchase? If I decide to go with an oil cleanser again in the future, I would definitely reconsider this one.


Dove Go Fresh Deodorant | A repurchase for me, but in a different scent than usual. It was alright, but I went back to my usual scent after I finished this one. Repurchase? Product, yes. Scent, maybe.


The Creme Shop “Wake Up Skin” Coconut Gel Mask | I received this from a good friend as part of a thank you gift for being her bridesmaid. I love sheet masks but this is my favourite one that I’ve ever used. It definitely didn’t look super cute on me (I looked like a scary raccoon) but I loved the smell, the amount of product on the mask, and how my face looked afterwards. I definitely plan to pick up some more of these! Repurchase? Yes, I’m on the look out for it in stores!


Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara | This is the travel size and it was perfect for me. It lasted about six months before finally drying out and I used it quite frequently during that time. I recommend this mascara to people a lot. It does a great job of lengthening and thickening lashes, doesn’t irritate my eyes, and doesn’t smudge or shed. Repurchase? Yes, most likely!


Kat Von D Tattoo Liner | I was heartbroken when I tried to use this eyeliner last month, only to discover that it had finally dried out. This is my HG eyeliner! It is dark, easy to use, and lasts a long time on my eyes. Repurchase? Already have! I cannot go without this one!


Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer sample | This was a sample I received in a recent Sephora order. There was enough product for 2-3 uses and I really liked the primer. In the end, however, I decided to purchase the Becca Backlight Priming Filter as I liked that one just a tiny bit more. Repurchase? I will consider buying a full size later!

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Product Empties: Volume 5

My empties bag is overflowing, which means it's time for another empties post! Is there anything more delightful than finally finishing a product? The downside of that is, unfortunately, the sheer amount of garbage going in our landfills. I can't believe how quickly it adds up! Anyway, keep reading to find out which products I've finished up lately.

Bath & Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap |  I mean, these always show up in my empties post without fail. This time I finished up a bottle of "Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin" that I didn't finish last year (love that scent!) and "Maui Mango Mai Tai", which is a sweet summery scent. Repurchase? Obviously!

Eos Shave Cream | Another common item to find in my empties post. I've raved about this stuff in the past, which is why I continue to repurchase it. Repurchase? Yes!

Herbal Essences Tea-Lightfully Clean Shampoo | I'm pretty sure I bought this shampoo when I moved into my house and it took me about two years to finish it. It had a nice, light and refreshing scent but that's about all I liked. I didn't have high expectations but it really didn't do anything other than cleanse my hair. Repurchase? No.

Herbal Essences Naked Volume Conditioner | This, on the other hand, is a product that I've purchased multiple times. I love this conditioner! It is paraban-free, easily attainable, cheap, smells nice and it works! I mean, I don't get crazy amounts of volume from it, but it doesn't weigh down my fine, thin hair either. Repurchase? Definitely.

Redken Blonde Idol Custom Tone Conditioner | I was really intrigued by this conditioner, which has a dial to control the amount of purple (color-depositing) conditioner in relation to the regular white conditioner. Unfortunately, I was really quite disappointed. The white conditioner ran out quickly and while the purple conditioner was good at minimizing brassiness, it sucked at conditioning my hair. Repurchase? No.

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel | Another product that I commonly use, this time in the scent "Malibu Heat" which smelled like oranges, pear, pineapple and coconut. It was a great summertime scent! Repurchase? I don't feel like I need to repurchase this scent but I'll definitely repurchase this product.

Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil | First of all, it took me forever to use this bottle! I think I purchased it in February and finished it around October, with nearly daily use! Anyway, I thought this was a really good product from the Sephora brand. It removed my makeup, and didn't dry out my skin, nor make it particularly oily. It has a light scent and a pump, which made it super easy to use in the shower. Repurchase? If I decide to go with an oil cleanser again in the future, I would definitely reconsider this one.

Dove Go Fresh Deodorant | A repurchase for me, but in a different scent than usual. It was alright, but I went back to my usual scent after I finished this one. Repurchase? Product, yes. Scent, maybe.

The Creme Shop "Wake Up Skin" Coconut Gel Mask | I received this from a good friend as part of a thank you gift for being her bridesmaid. I love sheet masks but this is my favourite one that I've ever used. It definitely didn't look super cute on me (I looked like a scary raccoon) but I loved the smell, the amount of product on the mask, and how my face looked afterwards. I definitely plan to pick up some more of these! Repurchase? Yes, I'm on the look out for it in stores!

Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara | This is the travel size and it was perfect for me. It lasted about six months before finally drying out and I used it quite frequently during that time. I recommend this mascara to people a lot. It does a great job of lengthening and thickening lashes, doesn't irritate my eyes, and doesn't smudge or shed. Repurchase? Yes, most likely!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner | I was heartbroken when I tried to use this eyeliner last month, only to discover that it had finally dried out. This is my HG eyeliner! It is dark, easy to use, and lasts a long time on my eyes. Repurchase? Already have! I cannot go without this one!

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer sample | This was a sample I received in a recent Sephora order. There was enough product for 2-3 uses and I really liked the primer. In the end, however, I decided to purchase the Becca Backlight Priming Filter as I liked that one just a tiny bit more. Repurchase? I will consider buying a full size later!

Sephora VIB Sale Wishlist

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re heard whisperings of the infamous Sephora VIB Rouge/VIB sale. Starting today until the 7th, VIB Rouge members receive 20% off their purchase, followed by the regular VIB sale next week from November 11th-14th. This is a big deal as Sephora only hosts two sales a year (one in the spring and one in the fall) and it is a great time to stock up on staples and purchase a few splurge-worthy items. Keep reading to see my recommendations, plus what is on my wishlist this year!

1. Foundation | I use a variety of foundations – mostly drugstore, but I generally splurge on a high-end foundation during the sale. This year, I have the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation on my wishlist, though I’m still debating between that and the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick. I struggle to pay $50+ a bottle for foundation when I’ve had good luck with drugstore options, so I take advantage of the 20% off which makes it a little easier to swallow.

2. Primer | Like foundation, primer can be an expensive purchase. However, unlike foundation, I haven’t found a drugstore option that compares to the quality of a good primer. Since trying a sample of the Becca Backlight Priming Filter, I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. It honestly made my skin glow to the point where I didn’t even feel like I needed foundation.

3. Beauty Tools | I love my Beauty Blender but I hate the nearly-$30 price tag attached to it, especially when there are cheaper alternatives. I wash mine regularly and try to make it last between sales, then get a bright new one at 20% off. Likewise, it is a great time to pick up a brush set, hair dryer or straightener without paying full price.

4. Palettes | Jordan already purchased the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette for me for Christmas so the only palette I currently have left on my wishlist is the Nars True Story Cheek & Lip Palette. It was love at first sight but I will be shocked if it’s still in stock by next week. In previous years, I’ve picked up the Urban Decay Naked Palettes and the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette. Again, it’s the best time to grab those pricier items at a discount!

5. Lipstick | Okay, this isn’t a “must have” item for me right now, but it’s hard to resist buying these at a discount. I have two Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks in “Requiem” and “Lovesick”, as well as the limited edition Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Mauvember 2016 Lipstick (hey, it’s for a great cause!) on my list this year.

6. Limited Edition Holiday Products | Okay, this is where Sephora sucks us all in. Theres nothing like the words “limited edition” or a perfectly curated set of mini products to make you want to purchase it right now. Sadly, one of the items on my list, the Fresh Sugar Lip Party Favours is already sold out (fingers crossed that it will return!). The Bite Beauty Best Bite Redux and the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Set are also on my list and I love stocking up on the L’Occitane Hand Creams during the holidays (still using mine from last year!).

What do you plan to buy during the sale? Leave a comment below – I’d love to know!

P.S.Don’t forget to use Ebates to get 4% cash back on your Sephora purchase!

SaveSave

Sephora VIB Sale Wishlist

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're heard whisperings of the infamous Sephora VIB Rouge/VIB sale. Starting today until the 7th, VIB Rouge members receive 20% off their purchase, followed by the regular VIB sale next week from November 11th-14th. This is a big deal as Sephora only hosts two sales a year (one in the spring and one in the fall) and it is a great time to stock up on staples and purchase a few splurge-worthy items. Keep reading to see my recommendations, plus what is on my wishlist this year!

1. Foundation | I use a variety of foundations - mostly drugstore, but I generally splurge on a high-end foundation during the sale. This year, I have the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation on my wishlist, though I'm still debating between that and the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick. I struggle to pay $50+ a bottle for foundation when I've had good luck with drugstore options, so I take advantage of the 20% off which makes it a little easier to swallow.

2. Primer | Like foundation, primer can be an expensive purchase. However, unlike foundation, I haven't found a drugstore option that compares to the quality of a good primer. Since trying a sample of the Becca Backlight Priming Filter, I haven't been able to get it off my mind. It honestly made my skin glow to the point where I didn't even feel like I needed foundation.

3. Beauty Tools | I love my Beauty Blender but I hate the nearly-$30 price tag attached to it, especially when there are cheaper alternatives. I wash mine regularly and try to make it last between sales, then get a bright new one at 20% off. Likewise, it is a great time to pick up a brush set, hair dryer or straightener without paying full price.

4. Palettes | Jordan already purchased the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette for me for Christmas so the only palette I currently have left on my wishlist is the Nars True Story Cheek & Lip Palette. It was love at first sight but I will be shocked if it's still in stock by next week. In previous years, I've picked up the Urban Decay Naked Palettes and the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette. Again, it's the best time to grab those pricier items at a discount!

5. Lipstick | Okay, this isn't a "must have" item for me right now, but it's hard to resist buying these at a discount. I have two Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks in "Requiem" and "Lovesick", as well as the limited edition Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Mauvember 2016 Lipstick (hey, it's for a great cause!) on my list this year.

6. Limited Edition Holiday Products | Okay, this is where Sephora sucks us all in. Theres nothing like the words "limited edition" or a perfectly curated set of mini products to make you want to purchase it right now. Sadly, one of the items on my list, the Fresh Sugar Lip Party Favours is already sold out (fingers crossed that it will return!). The Bite Beauty Best Bite Redux and the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Set are also on my list and I love stocking up on the L'Occitane Hand Creams during the holidays (still using mine from last year!).

What do you plan to buy during the sale? Leave a comment below - I'd love to know!

P.S.Don't forget to use Ebates to get 4% cash back on your Sephora purchase!