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?

A special gift for you Victoria folks...

Couvon is offering an express eco-friendly Manicure and Pedicure for $25 bux (Regular $60) at Queen Bee Nail Gallery.
To get the groupon click here.
If you are unfamiliar with a groupon, this is how it works:
You purchase the coupon for the above price and usually have a year until it expires so you can use it when you want or give it is a present!

Also, Nails by Alicia is having a special deal, $25 for Gel toenails until May 1st starting this Friday the 25th! Get ready for spring and FLIP FLOPS (which I know, is hard to imagine with all this snow).
To find a review of her work, click here. 

To book your appointment call 250-508-3121 or contact her through her Facebook Group: Nails By Alicia.

Sephora OPI nail polish in Read my Palm

Purchase: $12 @ Sephora

I liked this colour in the bottle but it doesn't really work with my fair skin tone as much as I thought it was. However, this would work as a great accent colour for  a yellow nail polish look. I do feel this is nail polish is way too expensive though as OPI nail polish usually goes for around $8-10 bux.

What do you think?
And don't forget to sign up for our February Contest!

Elizabeth Arden Smokey Eye Black Eyeliner

I did not love this eyeliner. I found that it smudge all under my eye within an hour or so of application. This could work as a smokey eye pencil but you would have to put eyeshadow on top of it in order to keep it from smudging on its own. It also did not last for a very long time on my waterline. I received this in a blockbuster package so I am unsure of the actual cost of it or where you can purchase it. If I had the choice, I would definitely not purchase it again.

Be sure to enter our February Contest before you leave!

Check out this great give away!

Here's what you could win:
MAC permanent collection lipstick and eyeshadow in your choice of shade
Travalo perfume atomizer in red
Mystery gift - this will be a palette or collection offered at the time of the random draw - value will be $30 - $60 CAD

So check out Sensible Shooz to enter!

M.A.C. SE219 Eye Pencil Brush

Purchase: $29.50 @ M.A.C. Cosmetics

I love this brush! I recently purchased the SE219 (which is a version with a smaller handle that comes in a package of a few brushes) and it works amazingly! The bristles are fairly soft so they don't scratch your face. I also have a Lise Watier one and the bristles are too stiff so there is a lot of fall out. However, with this brush, you can even blend the product in so it is definitely a multi use brush. Also, you can use it to smudge colour for a smokey eye effect. I would definitely recommend this brush to everyone! However, since the regular sized one is so expensive I would recommend finding this in a gift pack of 3-5 different brushes like I did! Good luck!

Don't forget to sign up for my February Contest!

Live in Victoria? Need A Hair Cut?

Hey everyone, I wanted to do a special blog post just for Victoria Folks.

Stella Haute Coiffure, 531 Pandora Ave, Victoria
Phone: 250-384-3193

Facebook Page

Stella is in an amazing spot on Pandora and it's back door links on to beautiful market square. As you can see from the pictures it has beautiful wood floors and wood accents. They also have a little area where you can sit and read magazines while your hair hair sets. Every time I go there I am greeted with a friendly hello and an offer of water or tea to relax myself. Another bonus is that the shop never smells of over-powering hair products (like you get in some salons) and it is very relaxing and quiet instead of being blasted with loud aggressive music and road noise. 


I get my hair cut and dyed by Kat. She is amazing and has been doing my hair for over 2 years. She is ON THE BALL when it comes to what you want. Don't you hate when you go somewhere, tell them what you want, and they do what THEY want instead of what YOU want? Well Kat is fantastic at serving up exactly what you ordered so check her out!

If you decide to go to Stella, please let Kat know that Mary sent you!! She is a good friend of mine and is a GREAT listener so feel free to bring all your chatter with you, or, bring a book to read while she goes to work on her masterpiece. 

Here is the cost info straight from Kathryn herself:
Stella Services Overview:

( all prices approximate and subject to change. )

Gents Haircut $30-40
Ladies Haircut $40-60
Colour from $70 +
Highlights from $90 +
Wash and blowdry & style from $35 +
Updo/braiding etc. consultation required

Add ons such as toner, conditioning treatment etc. priced based on product cost and usage.


So don't delay! Make your appointment today!

M.A.C. 252SE Brush Review

Purchase: $ 36.50 @ M.A.C. for the full sized 252 Brush
Softness: 3 out of 10

I personally feel that this brush is a little too big for my liking. I use it to apply the shadow all over my lid and for blending. Also, the brush was extremely stiff and left my eye pink and sore after I used it for blending. I actually purchased this SE brush in a gift pack for a great price but I assume the full sized one is about the same. If I had a choice I would not buy this brush again nor would I pay the full price for the full sized one.

What do you use your 252 Brush for? How do you like it? Please share your experiences here!

Don't forget to follow this blog in order to win my February Contest!

A few photos of my look last night...

Check out the hair! I never do anything 'fun' but this messy twist turned out pretty good! Anyone have any links to awesome hair tips for me to check out??

Don't forget to enter the February Contest!

Avene Skin Recovery Cream

Purchase: $32 @ London Drugs
Hydration: 10 out of 10
Price: 5 out of 10

This product is formulated for sensitive or intolerant skin which usually means you break out easy, get flaky a lot, and your skin easily turns red in cold weather.

After I used it my skin had a nice healthy glow to it, it wasn't too shiny but it definitely did not leave my skin matt. I would use this as a moisturizer if I had dry-regular skin but since I have oily skin it just wasn't for me. I would suggest trying this product, however, $32 is pretty steep so if I were to purchase it I would wait until it was available in a package with another product or on sale. Your local LD will have some samples for you to take home and try before purchasing. Also, this would be a great product for those of you suffering from exzema and/or are on any harsh acne treatments that may dry out or irritate your skin.

Make sure to enter my February Contest!

NYC Concealer

Purchase: $3.99 w/ 20% off at London Drugs
Colour Choices: 6 out of 10

When it comes to NYC concealer you get what you pay for. I found that this product was way too dry and didn't blend very well in to my skin. It was also really thick so it looked way too cakey. It also only comes in 3 flesh tones and 2 colour correcting colours so there is really not a very good selection. However, you can buy one in each colour to add to your makeup collection if you are in a bind. It's also a good size to carry around with you for any emergency touchups that need to be done throughout the day especially for around the nose area which tends to get very red this time of year (cough sneeze cough). I would definitely not suggest using this under the eyes but it can be used on blemishes, and the nose area.

Don't forget to enter our February Contest! 

Don't forget your neck!

How many of you wash your neck? How many of your moisturize or apply firming creme? That's what I thought. Recently, I discovered how important it is to clean your neck. I often forget about this important part of my body and don't wash it when I wash the rest of my face. Try to get in the habbit of treating the skin on your neck like the skin on your face. Often, people can tell how old a person is by how wrinkly and saggy their neck is. Therefore, make sure to tone your neck as you do the rest of your face, wash it with a wash cloth and apply moisturizer in the evening and morning. This is especially important in the winter time because of all the cold air that is blowing at your neck and/or the dirt and oil from your scarves. So don't forget about your neck!

New Toys and Give Away Product!??

Check out my new toys!

And possible give away item: 

Green purse (comes with long handle)

I am so excited to try these things out and let you guys know how good they are! I am interested to see the difference between SE brushes and regular brushes. I have been wanting both the stippling brush and angled brush for awhile and getting the whole package was a way better deal!

Make sure to check out this month's CONTEST! 

Smashbox Bionic Mascara

Purchase: Aprox $22 @ Sephora
Packaging: 5 out of 10
Volumizing: 7 out of 10
Lengthening: 6 out of 10

In my opinion, this product is horrible. It was only rate 3.2 out of 5 on Sephora as well. I found that the product was very thick and clumpy from first use. Also, it was so thick that when I put the brush back in some of the product would ooze out over the sides so that after the 4th use I could not close the packaging properly. Some who reviewed it on Sephora also said it dried out their lashes and made them break off so be careful with this stuff! And in general, try not to curl your lashes after you apply mascara for risk of breakage. So save your money and don't purchase this product!

Don't forget to enter our February Giveaway!

Check out this awesome give away I stumbled upon!

The products for the giveaway are:

• Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil Set ($92)
• Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III ($54)
• Urban Decay Box of Potions ($39)
• Urban Decay Cowboy Junkie Set ($38)
• Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow Box ($38)
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box ($36)
• Urban Decay Naked Palette ($44)
• Urban Decay Preen Shadow Box ($30)
• Urban Decay Show Pony Shadow Box ($20)
• Urban Decay Smoke Out Kit ($34)
• Urban Decay Summer of Love Shadow Palette ($15)
• Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box ($36)
• Urban Decay Vegan Palette ($34)
• NARS Tainted Love Set ($59)
• NARS Follow The Boys Lip Gloss Coffret ($40)
• NARS Sweet Disposition Mini Multiple Set ($40)
• NARS Crazy Heart Lip Gloss Coffret ($50)
• NARS Precious Mini Nail Set ($30)
• NARS Trouble Maker Eye Set ($60)
• NARS Hopelessly Devoted Set ($53)
• NARS Midsummers Dream Set ($47)
• NARS Love Thrill Set ($59)
• NARS D. Lovely Lip Gloss Coffret ($49)
• NARS Love Me Set ($49)
• NARS 3 Piece Duo Lip Gloss Set ($49)
• NARS Striptease Lip Gloss/Deep Throat Blush Duo ($45)

This is the most amazing thing ever so make sure to follow her blog and enter!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar K Review

Purchase: $30 @ London Drugs
Acne Fighting Power: 9 out of 10
Consistency: 10 out of 10

I love this stuff! It is fantastic! The liquid goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly in to the skin. I usually use a Retinoid treatment at night called Defferin but I tried this for almost two months to see if it had the same effects and it did! I stopped using it and went back to Defferin and I had my first blemish in 2 months! What a shame. I definitely recommend this as a nigh time treatment, especially if you use it about a week before that special time of the month when your acne might pop up again. Give it a try and ask your local LD cosmetician for a sample!

February Contest Announcement!

Huge La Roche-Posay give away!

Sweet Treats Cinnamon Apple Strudel Body Wash (100mL)
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique X Collection Eau De Toilette 1mL
Le Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector 2mL
Le Roche-Posay Effaclar M Active Matt Moisturizer 10mL (2x 5mL)
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum 24Hr Hydrating Concentrate 5mL
Le Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser makeup remover 15mL
Le Roche-Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Skincare 5mL
Le Roche-Posay Effaclar H Soothing Moisturizer for Oily Skin made fragile 5mL
Le Roche-Posay Nutric 2.5% Transforming Care For Dry Skin 5mL
Clinique Lipstick in Perfect Plum #26
Lancome eyeshadow/blush brush duo
Clinique Makeup Bag

How to win:
1. 'Follow' this blog
2. Write a comment anywhere on the blog
One winner will be selected in the beginning of March! Good luck!