Hello Loyal Fans!

I am still alive!!
I just wanted to thank those of you who continue to follow my blog even though I have not had a new post in months. As soon as I am done schooling in December I plan on starting my blog up again. I'm so sorry that I haven't had the time to keep blogging! I have a bunch of new products I want to review for you so STAY TUNED! 

La Senza Bra Deal... on now!

Are you like me and love undergarments? Well, One of my secret passions is lingerie and I have to share this amazing deal with you guys because, hey, who doesn't like a deal?

So, for the last two years, every time I signed up for a new prestige card (which gives you 10% off your purchases for a full year) I also received a coupon book. So, after many years, I have racked up a ton of coupons. So, if you are like me, it is time to use them because they expire in April 2012. And NOW is the perfect time to do it!

Currently, La Senza is having an awesome deal on: All Sexy Bras (including strapless bras which are my favourite):Buy 1 get 1 Free! I also ended up using a coupon which gave me $10 bux off so in total I got a pretty amazing deal. 2 Strapless bras which are usually around $40 with taxes for just under $50! Fantastic!

So, if you have any coupons for La Senza laying around, now is a good time to use them! Plus, buy 1 get 1 free, on its own, is a pretty rockin' sale.

I hope you enjoyed this post, I hope talk to at you soon :)
<3
Mar

Have you ever been to a personal trainer?

So here in Canada they have these awesome coupon places called Groupon and Couvon. Well, about a month ago I purchased one which cost me $75 for 3 personal training sessions with Kristie Byer at Chikara Kickboxing and Total Fitness.

Well I have to say, it was an awesome experience and I definitely suggest doing it! If you live in Victoria, I would absolutely recommend Kristie to anyone. In fact, my mother, who has battled with her weight issues for more than half of her life, is going to start working with her! I am so excited about that!

What I liked about having a personal trainer:
- She was very encouraging
- She really listened to what I wanted to work on and taught me a bunch of moves  I could do at home with minimal equipment
- She made a 1-2 month fitness plan for me on our last day so that I can go home and work at it and, if I want, I can come back and she can re-do the fitness plan for me to work on my own
- She didn't pressure me to keep coming to the training sessions after I had finished my 3rd lesson
- Time went by so fast with the fun regimes she made for me!

So, if you've been thinking about doing personal training I would totally suggest it. If I were to do it again I would probably go once a month for a whole year. That way, she could see how I was doing and help me with new work out ideas so that I wouldn't get bored and would be more likely to go to the gym on my own.

What about you? Do you have any experience working with a Personal Trainer?

Hello Everyone!

Hello there friends!
I just wanted to let everyone know that I AM still around and that I WILL get back at reviewing things soon. I have been so busy finishing up with school that I'm not sure how long it will be until I am back and running in full force. However, I will make sure to add some reviews here and there to keep you interested!

Thank you so much to those of you who have continued to follow my blog!
<3 you all,
Mary

Clinique Foaming Cleanser Review

Purchase: Approximately $23 @ Sephora

I received this product as a sample from one of the Clinique bonuses. I used it every night for a month with my Clarisonic Brush and I was not happy with the results. Immediately after I cleaned my face with it my face felt squeaky clean, that's good right? Not exactly- within two weeks my acne had flared up-big time. In fact, I had my worse acne break out in a long time when using this product so I have now transferred it to my shower to use sparingly when needed.

I really thought this product was great because I really felt like my skin was clean after I used it but it did not help with my acne so it is definitely not for me. What did you think of htis product?

Joico Daily Care Leave-In Detangler Review

Purchase: $9.99 @ Winners

This is my second go-to detangler. Originally, I thought that Bumble and Bumble's Tonic Spray was irritating my scalp (but it terns out I just have psoriasis) so I bought this in hopes it would help me detangle my long hair before brushing, and it works! However, this is not a miracle worker and I don't know if I'd spend full-regular-price on this product but I LOVE winners for great discounts such as this! It definitely helps to detangle my hair, I just used it after having my hair dyed (which makes my hair super sticky and thick and knotty) and it helped the brush go straight through. Another tip, is to ALWAYS brush your hair BEFORE you wash it so that it is less tangly after. As you may know, brushing your hair when wet can damage your delicate strands so be careful! I do recommend this product but I would definitely suggest trying to get it at a discounted price!

Lavera Faces Cleansing Gel

This product was on clearance at my work so I decided to scoop it up and try it. The best part about it? It is gentle and uses organic products. However, I did not find that this was a miracle worker. At first, I used it with my Clarisonic at night time but felt that it was not battling my acne well enough. Therefore, I decided to switch it to my morning routine to wash off the creams I put on for last night.
I'm not sure how much this costs at full price but if it were more than $8 it would not be worth it for me. I definitely will not buy this product again because I really didn't see any major differences in my skin. 

Babor Day Cream

Purchase: $30 @ Eskincare Store

Description:
This light, calming day cream regulates the pH balance. Impurities are effectively combatted by the Day Cream's astringent effects while excessive dryness is prevented.

Benefits:
Ultra-light purifying day cream which regulates oil secretions and prevents the spread of bacteria. Can be used for oily, problem skin. Smoothes irritations and has an astringent effect. Contains natural active substances.

Review: I received a sample of this with my purchase from Eskincare Store and I really liked it! It smelt a bit like lavender but it made my skin feel really soft, especially the skin under my chin and on my neck. I was only able to squeeze two days use out of the sample so I have no idea how it would work on a long term basis but I would definitely recommend trying this product for yourself. I may even add it to my 'must buy' list as soon as I am done with my current moisturizers (yes, plural, I have like 3 different products to go through first!).

Have you ever heard of Eve Pearl's Salmon Concealer??

Marlena at MakeupGeek has been a firm believer in Eve Pearl's Salmon Concealer for a very long time. I have been wanting to try this out DESPERATELY because I have extremely dark purple bags under my eyes and I find them really difficult to conceal. So, it's just my luck and yours!
Right now, Eve Pearl is having an amazing sale where everything is 40-55% off! The shipping was almost the exact same amount as my discount, however, so I still payed the full price for the product which was a bit dissapointing. My funds have been pretty low lately so I didn't want to purchase a bunch of things (even though I was so tempted!). I can't WAIT to review this product! And now it is YOUR chance to try it out too for an amazing price! The concealers seemed to all be 40% off (at least the ones I looked at) so if you're like me and need some extra coverage under the eye area, now is the time to purchase!

Just remember to use the coupon code: BP52911 at the check out for your discount!
OFFER ENDS TUESDAY NIGHT! 

I'm so excited!! :)
.Mary.

Who doesn't love M.A.C.?

So I'm not sure if I've bragged to you yet but I finally got my MAC Pro card in the mail! Wahoo!!! I have been pretty good about not spending too much $$ there but I'm not sure how long I can hold out.

Now, for those of you who also love MAC, check out this amazing give away @Brittany Love's Website! She even lets you choose which lipstick and eye shadow you want to purchase, how fantastic! Thanks Brittany!

Philosophy Hawaiian Bath & Shower Gel

Hawaiian Review:

I just received this as a sample from Sephora and the little blue container smelt DELICIOUS! I was so excited to use it that I took it home and lathered up right away. However, I was sadly disappointed :( I was hoping my bathroom would erupt with the smell of a tropic get away, but instead, I barely smelt it. So, if you enjoy smelling like your soap then this is not recommended for you. But, if you don't like smelling like your cleanser then you might enjoy this product. 

MAC Acrylic Paints

Purchase: MAC Pro Members Only Online Purchase

Aren't these colours beautiful!? I just purchased these for face and body painting for this summer's festivals! I am so excited to use them/have my boyfriend use them on me! The colours turned out great, I find you can't really tell what the colour actually looks like on the website.

Pros: Long-wearing colour for up to 12 hours. After the colour sets (approximately 1-2 minutes) it does NOT smudge or rub off on ANYTHING!

Cons: Since it is Long-wearing, you have to have a really good makeup remover to get this stuff off. I also found it the hardest to get the pink off as it almost dies your skin, however, it did come off eventually. Also, the jars are fairly small and pricey so it is definitely something to think about before purchasing. Here you can see I compared the jars to a regular sized mac eye shadow. Also, my hands looked like rainbows after I finished potting these paints in to smaller containers so be careful not to spill!

I would definitely recommend these for body painting/face painting. But keep in mind that some products are not to be used in the eye or face area so make sure you read the little pamphlet it comes with!

Playing Catchup... and a Review for you: Murad Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew

I received this as a sample from Sephora so I had to try it out! I was only able to try it out twice so I don't have that detailed of a review for you. When I checked the actual price of this product it was quite expensive at Sephora so I'm not sure if I would really recommend this product. It did a good job of hydrating my skin and it didn't feel sticky or too heavy but I also didn't notice too much of a shine-free me. I think I will try this again in the future, but for now, I would not spend the big $$ on it.

Also, I finally sent Gaby's package off in the mail! Man, was it expensive! Now I know to do smaller give aways so that shipping doesn't cost so much haha, luckily I didn't have to send it across the boarder. I hope you enjoy it GABY! Make sure to check out her blog HERE too!

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion

Purchase: Aprox $35 @ Sephora

I received this as a sample so I honestly can't give an 'educated' review but I'll tell you what I know.  My skin did not break out from using this in the evening and the next morning. I used it as a moisturizer and it absorbed nicely in to my skin; I would definitely try it again. However, I'm not sure if I would pay full price for this as I didn't see any miracles happen! 

The Body Shop Aloe Eye Defence (Sensitive Skin)

Purchase: $17 @ The Body Shop
What it is formulated to do: Soothe and protect the delicate skin around your eyes with a smooth, creamy gel that minimizes the signs of sensitivity.
Current Sales: Buy 1 Get 50% Off (must add 2 items to cart) , Buy 2 Get 1 (must add 3 items to cart) or Buy 3 Get 2 Free (must add 5 items to cart). Discount will be applied to the lowest-priced items.

I really like this product. I find it very moisturizing and 'gel' like. It absorbs in to my skin and doesn't feel thick so you don't have to continuously tap it on to the delicate eye area in order for it to absorb. However, it did not do much for my purple under eye circles but it did help with puffiness in the morning because it goes on nice and cool (gotta love aloe for this!). I would definitely recommend this product for it's moisturizing talents. Also, The Body Shop constantly has amazing deals on so make sure you don't pay full price for this product like me! I received 50% off my whole purchase so I bought myself a lot of fun stuff, so check this one out! Or buy 3 and get 2 free right now, online!

MAC 187SH Duo Fibre Brush

Purchase: $50.50 @ M.A.C. Cosmetics

The picture shown is the regular, long handled brush but I received the short handle version in a MAC brush set. I LOVE this brush! I have been using it for my foundation lately and it works wonders. I use it with a stippling motion, meaning, I put foundation on the back of my hand, lightly tap the brush in to the product and then continue tapping it all over my face. I do NOT swipe it back and forth/in circles etc. I only lightly tap it ALL over my face and it gives me GREAT coverage with very little product! Amazing! It even covers up the redness left by my acne scars, truly amazing! I love this brush and got it at such a good price in a brush kit so I would suggest waiting until you can get the short handle version for a lot less. I most definitely recommend this brush to EVERYONE! It is very easy to use and saves you $$ on product costs and you don't get a caky look that you might get from uneven product application and/or the use of concealer. 

Sorry that I have been so busy everyone!!

I know I am a few days late but I'd like to announce my April/May Contest Winner!!

And the winner is.... G A B Y!
I will be Emailing you shortly to get your mailing address info! Congratulations and thank you for checking out my blog and helping advertise my give away!
I promise I have more reviews in the works...  keep in touch everyone,
and thanks again for all the entries!

Vichy Normaderm Triple Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion

So I took the 7-Day Challenge with Vichy's Triple Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion and I was not impressed. The first thing I noticed about this product, is that it gobbs up as soon as I try to put on my face primer. Also, it made it difficult to apply my foundation smoothly as it sits on top of the skin and doesn't completely absorb.
I didn't notice any difference in my skin either. It didn't help clear up any of my existing acne and I blemishes still appeared while and after using his product.nTherefore, I have nothing really positive to say. I still prefer their mattifying moisturizer to any other though!

Clinique Acne Solutions clearing moisturizer (oil-free)

Purchase: $21.50 @ Sephora

So, I would love to tell you all about this product but I tried it twice and I had a terrible allergic reaction to it! The first time I put it on I felt like I had a few bumps on my chin (irritation), so, I decided to try it again but at night time so that I could tell in the morning. Bad idea! When I woke up in the morning my face was all red and puffy! Especially the side that had the most air; it had a scratchy red rash all over it and was a lot more puffed up then the other side. I was so disappointed as I was really hoping this stuff would work for me. So be warned! Make sure you try a sample of something before you purchase it!

Also, I wanted to say sorry to everyone for not posting more often. I am currently completing my 5 week practicum and have three weeks left then should have some more time! <3

The Body Shop's Vanilla Spice Body Polish

I received this product as a gift two Christmas ago and I finally finished it! As you may have guessed, I didn't use it all the time but it is still a nice product. At first I wasn't in love with the smell but I definitely grew to enjoy it and I could still smell hints of it hours after I showered which was great. This product has granulated nuts in it and it kind of reminded me of St Ive's Apricot Facial Scrub. When I say this, I mean that it almost felt a bit scratchy and I'm not sure how great it was for my skin. I liked to use this product on my arms where I sometimes get little tiny bumps so it did a good job at exfoliating them away.

One of the bummers about this product is that it only comes around at Christmas Time so you'll have to wait another year to try it.

I would recommend this product but it is not one of my favourite ones and I think I will try a new body scrub next. 

Tigh-Na-Mara Resort Review

So this is the other half of the review I did on Tigh-Na-Mara Resort Spa.

My boyfriend got us an Ocean View Studio room but when we arrived we could hear, loud and clear, every time our neighbours turned on the taps. It was SO loud! So, we went to the office and they were able to find us a Spa Bungalow room. In our opinion, the Spa Bungalow was way better than the Ocean View sweet because the tub is a lot bigger and there is another bed and two couches to relax on. Also, there was a large shower in the bathroom that is big enough for two people. In the Ocean View Suite, there was only a small corner tub by the bed and the bathroom was teeny-tiny with a very small one-person shower. Also, the bungalow comes with a kitchenette so you can even make your own meals if you were staying for a few days and it is even cheaper than the ocean view suites! WAY better deal!

The Saturday night we had dinner in the Cedar Room. The food was absolutely DELICIOUS but very pricey.

Sunday, after our trip to the spa, we headed up to the Treetop Tapas & Grill. The Tapas were amazing but very expensive if you bought them separately so we were lucky that our package included an unlimited tapas option. I was disappointed that it took them 20 minutes past our reservation to let us in when the room was practically empty and I could hear everything they were saying in the kitchen (at one point a server even rudely commented about a guest but I don't think the guest herd them). We spent just over 3 hours enjoying tapas as they did not come out very fast but there was enough time in between that we could have done it all evening long!

All in all the experience was good and we would definitely go there again. I would recommend this resort to friends and family.

Check out my CONTEST and win FREE STUFF!

Tigh-Na-Mara Grotto Spa Review

This past Sunday I enjoyed a Glacial Clay Wrap at the Grotto Spa in Parksville. Here is what the Wrap Included:

A gently detoxifying, mineral rich clay wrap begins this experience; the profound healing effects of this nourishing clay are complimented by a hydrating facial masque and a body butter application.
sixty minutes all for $110

The experience was pretty interesting. I have never had a body treatment or body wrap before. The therapist applied a warm clay mask to my entire body (front and back) and then wrapped me up in plastic, followed by warm wet towels and piles upon piles of blankets. While we waited for the mask to seep in she applied a special oil to my face, rinsed, and then applied a moisturizing mask. Then, she let it set in and I just kind of laid there. And this point, I think she was suppose to be giving me a scalp massage (she had mentioned one earlier and said she'd come back and ask me if I wanted it or not but then she never did). So I was very disappointed in not getting one and didn't realize until after that, that was when they would have done one. I then showered off and she applied a moisturizer to my entire body with a deep massage. Again, she did not ask me what kind of pressure I liked so I was, again, disappointed and felt it was 'too late' to mention anything by the time it was slightly bothersome.

All in all I really enjoyed the experience but would have enjoyed it more if she had given me the scalp massage and asked about pressure. It was especially great because I received a full facial, clay body mask and a massage all for a cheaper price then just a massage would cost.

However, I think I could get the same thing for locally from Ashlee at Sanctum. So, if you are interested in a treatment like this, I would suggest saving your money and checking Ashlee out. She never forgets to ask those important questions ;)

A review of the rest of our experience at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort & Spa to come!

And don't forget to enter my CONTEST!

$40 Registered Massage Therapist worth $80!

$40 for a registered massage therapy session!
If you have medical coverage they will cover some of it, my coverage covers $25 of it! So awesome! So yah, Purchase it!

Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser Review

Purchase: Aproximately $25 @ ESkincare Store + 20% off


I received a sample of this when I purchased my Clarisonic just over a month ago. Since I've been using this cleanser my face has broken out. I've used it for about a month and now have a few blemishes on my skin so it definitely did not help with that. The smell of it was kind of funny too (although others might like the scent). Therefore, I do not recommend this product. I am excited to try out a different product with my Clarisonic Brush and I hope that it will work a bit better for me! After I have used it for about 3 months I am going to do a review on the Clarisonic, but I feel I need to wait a bit to be able to really see if it works. Another interesting thing about this cleanser is that it has some purple sheen to it when you put it on your hand but I never noticed it on my face at all so I didn't mind the extra sheen. I just thought it was interesting that there was a 'glimmer' in the product even though it's for oily skin which DOES NOT need glimmer!

Don't forget to enter my CONTEST! Lots of free stuff up for grabs: MAC, Lancome, etc. Check it out!

Clinique High Impact Mascara Review

Purchase: Aprox $16 @ Sephora 
Volumizing effect: 9/10
Separating: 8/10
Lengthening: 8/10

I have a new favourite mascara! This stuff is pretty great. It makes my lashes look nice and full without globbing on a bunch of thick mascara. When I'm wearing this product, I find that my lashes still feel light and natural and I love the way my lashes fan out with this particular mascara brush. I highly recommend this product to EVERYONE! It really makes my lashes stand out and even holds the curl from my eye curler instead of weighing my lashes down so that they are straight again. I dare you to try this one :)

Don't forget to enter my CONTEST!

Salon J Review

Hey everyone!
I wanted to share with you my first experience at Salon J in Sidney BC Vancouver Island. Salon J offers hair services (cut/colour) and aesthetic services (waxing, massage, makeup application, manicures, pedicures and facials). So here it goes:

A friend of mine named Jess Bodrug works at Salon J and told me to come in and check it out. My first impression of the salon was that it was in one of the most beautiful parts of town! Right near the water! However, the parking situation is pretty terrible in Sidney and the maximum allotted time is 2 hours so make sure to park in a parkade (if there are any) or be prepared to move your car if you are getting a cut and colour like I did. Anyways, the salon was huge! There were two separate areas where people could get their hair cut, an aesthetician area and a makeup counter. Also, I immediately noticed that they sold and used both Aveda and Bumble and Bumble products which are two of the most sought after brands in Victoria (at least, in my opinion). The colouring experience was great, Jess applied a gentle Aveda colouring product on my roots and it didn't burn at all! She was also sure to tone out both my ends and roots as to get rid of the brassiness that had acquired since my last colour. After, she gave me a fantastic hair cut (which was much needed since my hair is so long and slightly damaged). I absolutely love the cut! My hair feels a lot lighter and I can see the defined layers.

All in all my experience at Salon J was amazing and Jess was very accommodating and friendly. She even remembered that I had mentioned my sensitive scalp a few weeks prior and made sure to use products that wouldn't irritate it.
I would absolutely recommend going to Salon J in Sidney and getting your hair cut and/or dyed by Jess Bodrug! Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Photo taken 4 days after the hair cut/colour

Photo taken 4 days after the hair cut/colour

Photo taken 4 days after the hair cut/colour

Get ready for summer with this great deal!

Get ready for summer with a $32 full leg wax PLUS your choice of bikini or brazillian at Free Spirit Organic Spa!

The Couvon is only available today so click here to purchase!

Groupon Alert!

Good Morning Victoria Followers!
Groupon has another amazing beauty deal for you:

$79 for a SilkPeel Dermalinfusion and Makeup Application at Outshine Salon & Spa ($224 Value) Sounds pretty awesome if you ask me! Spoil yourself!!

Enjoy!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 150mL

Purchase: $16 @ London Drugs

I received this as a bonus item in with another La Roche Posay item and I absolutely love it! Luckily, I bought two items which included this as a bonus so, even though I'm almost finished, I have another one to use! During the time I used this product I only had one blemish! For those of you that are aware, I have very blemish prone skin and I recently have stopped taking my Acne medication and WOW this stuff really worked! I used it only in the night time in order to make sure my face didn't become dried out because of the harsh winter air. I would definitely recommend this product!

A little bit about the product:

This facial cleanser is made especially for oily and easily irritated skin. It is PH balanced and soap-free so it will not be too harsh on sensitive skin types. I think it does a great job and is very gentle yet effective on oily skin. It is also a good price considering some of the more high-end products out there. And even more importantly, it does not dry your skin out because it is for sensitive skin so even people with normal to dry skin can use it!

And if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for our CONTEST! 

Today's Awesome Victoria Coupons!

Check it out:
$30 for $60 worth of Nail service at Queen Bee Nail Gallery!

Victoria

18 - 630 Courtney St.
Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1C1

OR

$45 for a mani/pedi combo at Quench Beauty Bar!

Quench Beauty Bar
1391B Hillside Ave.
Website
Tel. 250-381-8490

Awesome! Get those toes and nails in to action!

Revlon matte Rose Rapture 001 Review

If you are looking for a subtle brush of colour then this is for you! I personally feel like I have to layer this stuff on to get any pigment on my face. Also, you should know, that I've just recently started wearing blush so it's not like I'm a blush-o-holic and like a lot of colour, it's just that this is not very pigmented. However, it does give you a VERY soft glow if you are just getting on the blush train!

Also, it hasn't lasted me very long because it takes so many applications to get the desired coloured look. I also have very pale skin so I thought this would stick out a lot more but it really didn't.

Also, don't forget to apply for my MAC and much more give away HERE!

Biotherm Skin Ergetic Gel Creme Review

I received a sample of this in the mail and I just LOVE the smell! As you may know, I have very oily skin and this moisturizer was too rich for me. However, if you have dry skin I think this moisturizer would work great! It kept my skin rich with moisture all day and wow it smells so good!! They also have a night creme that I will review later but I definitely recommend trying a sample of this at your local Biotherm counter.

Have a great day! And don't forget to enter my current contest! 

The Body Shop, 50% off!

Hi everyone,
I wanted to let you all know about an amazing thing that the Body Shop is trying to do. From March 12th-13th (this weekend) you can purchase this bag for $5 and $2.22 from each bag sale is donated to Shepard Fairey's Stop Sex Trafficking Bag.

When you purchase this, you can fill it with as many things as possible and receive 50% off your purchase!
It is an amazing deal and cause... also, please sign the petition here:
http://www.thebodyshop.com/stop

Have a great weekend everyone!

Give Away Time!

Hey everyone! This time I have a very special give away for you!! The contest will start today and continue on until May 1st! Here is what you could win!

Contest Rules:
1. This is only open to North American Residents
2. You must be 18 years or older to enter
3. You must be a public follower of my blog
4. You must leave a message on this post telling me what you like or would change about my blog
5. I will announce the winner on this webpage on May 1st, if I do not hear from you within a week I will re-draw for the winner so keep checking back!

Entries:

1 Entry for leaving a post
2 Entries for tweeting about my contest (Make sure to add @producthoarder in your tweet so I know you've done it, also make sure to let me know in your entry)
3 Entries for adding the first graphic to your sidebar and linking back to this page
3 Entries for making a blog post about this give away

The Kit Includes:

1 Mac Purse (strap included) with original box
1 Secret scent expressions antiperspirant in ooh-la-la lavender
1 Secret scent expressions body splash in ooh-la-la lavender
1 Clinique lipstick in Pink Spice

1 Clinique high impact mascara sample size

1 Sally Hansen crease shadow brush
1 Lancome High Resolution Collaser- 5X intense collagen anti-wrinkle serum 15mL
1 Lancome Paris Renergie eye anti-wrinkle and firming eye creme .14 oz
1 Lancome Renergie Double performance treatment anti-wrinkle-Firming Creme 15g

Good Luck Everyone!!
1 Juvena of Switzerland Sample, Normal to dry skin, Regerate & Restore Day Cream

Clinique High Lengths Mascara Review

Purchase: Aprox $16 @ Sephora
Lengthening: 8 out of 10

I received this as a sample from a clinique bonus pack. Yes, this does sound pretty good from the rating above. However, I hated this mascara! I only used it a few times and it was very clumpy. It also left my lashes super crispy all day long and I hated the feeling of the heaviness on my lashes throughout the day. I didn't find this smudged very much but it definitely is not worth the money if you ask me!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Review

Purchase: $13-48 @ Sephora
According to the package this cleanser is formulate as follows:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a ph-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores. The best-selling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.

The smell of this is very potent. I kind of liked it but if you go for that 'hippy'-ish smell then I think you will LOVE it! I only had a sample and used it three times but, using my clarisonic, I was able to get all the makeup and dirt off my face! There was just a TINY bit of dirt left on my sponge when I used my toner after washing with the Purity Face wash. I would definitely give this stuff a try. Also, it comes in 4 different sizes so for about $13 you can get a 3oz and try it out for yourself!

Also, I have acne prone skin and I had no blemishes after I used this (I finished using it about 3 days ago and I used it for 3 days).
I'd say this is worth picking up at your local Sephora if you are looking for a new facial cleanser!

Do you love free stuff? I sure do!

Check out this amazing give away:

Make sure to stop by and fill out the form! I'm crossing my fingers for yah!

20% off sale!!

As some of you may know, I recently purchased the Clarisonic from eskincarestore.com. Unfortunately for me, they were only having a %15 percent off sale at the time. But now they are having a 20% off sale and it even applies to all the clarisonics! So, if you've herd about how amazing this product is then you'll want to get it NOW! Just use code: Spring10 at the checkout and I believe that if you spend over $75 you get free shipping! Amazing! So check out the store and see all the fantastic stuff they have... Some things are even 50% off! I was so lucky to get a DDF product regularly $80 for $18 just the other day!

Marcelle Rouge Xpression Guest post by Christine @ I Colour Outside the Lines

I am so excited to present to you my first Guest post by Christine @ I Colour Outside the Lines!

Marcelle Rouge Xpression

Marcelle is a brand that I haven't exposed myself to all that much. For the most part it is because the colours are typically quite safe and I am usually in the market for something bright. However the other day I stopped by my local SHoppers Drug MArt and noticed they had a new lipstick display. I picked up 2 shades that are absolutely beautiful and I believe there are a few more that I may go back and purchase.

I chose 804 Paris Rose which is a light (but bright) pink coral and 855 Cleopatra which is a medium violet. Both colours are extremely pigmented and creamy and feel absolutely wonderful on the lips. I have tried them out only once but I can say they apply opague in one swipe. II do plan on going back to the Marcelle section and checking out what other goodies they have to offer this season.

These are currently on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for about $10 each and if you watch the fliers they often go on sale.

 

Congratulations to....

Mayana! I generated a random number at random.org and number 7 popped up which was Mayana's name! Congrats!! She won:

Stay tuned for the next give away! I am so excited for this next one it's going to be AWESOME!

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser Review

Purchase: $28 @ London Drugs 20% off right now!
Cleaning Capacity: 9 out of 10

What the package says:

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel cleanses gently, without attacking or stripping skin.


It eliminates sebum excess and purifies the epidermis while respecting its physiological pH.
Soap-free
Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic product
Properties:
Cleansing
Thanks to its gentle cleansing base.
Sebo-regulating
Cucurbita pepo, a plant-origin extract, contributes to reducing sebum secretion.
Soothing and anti-irritating
Naturally soothing, Avène Thermal Spring Water enables an anti-irritating effect associated to zinc gluconate.


My thoughts:

There are many benefits to soapfree facial cleansers, including: protection from over-drying your skin and stripping it of essential oils for proper moisture, and it is milder then other facial cleansers so won't irritate sensitive skin types. After cleansing my face felt super clean and when I used a facial toner there was little-to-no makeup or dirt left on the cleansing pad. After using it for a month without taking my medication for two weeks or using my acne creme I only had one blemish caused by hormones the entire time! My skin is very acne prone so that is pretty amazing! I would definitely suggest this cleanser for all skin types and right now it is on sale for 20% off at LD so it's the perfect time to try it out!

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mat

Purchase: $25 @ London Drugs  Take an Extra 20% off until March 2nd!

Mattifying Effect: 8 out of 10

Moisturizing: 8 out of 10

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mat Fortifying and soothing 24Hr hydrating anti-shine effect (what a mouth full) is a great anti-matifying moisturizer. This product comes in a 50mL bottle (as apposed to Vichy's Normaderm Mat Hydrant 30mL for $30) so you get a little more bang for your buck. I wore this without any makeup on for a day and even went to hula hooping class (that's right, I teach hula hooping classes!) and only had slickness around my nose area. Usually my skin gets pretty oily pretty fast, mind you, it is winter so it is a bit dryer. This product does not have any SPF in it though and so I would suggest this for winter use and the Normaderm mat for summer use. It also gives your skin that little extra moisturizer for the cold winter months so my suggestion is to buy BOTH of these great moisturizers to keep oil-free all year long. This moisturizer is very versatile so I would definitely say that it would benefit all skin types. As always, I would suggest getting a sample from your nearest LD before purchasing to make sure your skin likes it as much as mine.
This is also a Gel moisturizer which works wonders for Oily skin. It can effectively hydrate skin without using any thick cream or oil. Moreover, Gel can also provide the most effective matte effect for those who want smoother skin tone without dullness or dryness. Gel also absorbs in to your skin faster than a creme.

'Arab' inspired makeup contest entry...

So I wanted to try out an Arabian enspired eye makeup look to enter a contest at http://www.makeupgeek.com and I actually ended up liking it so had to take pictures of it! Unfortunately, it was just a test run so I hadn't put on any foundation/coverup so my skin looks terrible :( But here are some pictures anyway! Tell me what you think... I know I need to work on my blending a lot more though, any brush suggestions or videos I should watch?