November Hits and Misses (+playlist)

LUSH HAUL (+playlist)

Sugar, Sugar! Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub Review

I never have been one to jump on a bandwagon, however since I have started reading and contributing to blogs, and watching youtube and creating my own I have become TOO aware of various brands and products people rave about and love.
I feel like I have become "About that Life" of needing to find the BEST of THE BEST and it can make your pockets extra weak and empty lol.
Anyhow another brand and hype that has caught my attention is Soap and Glory!
It is now finally available in Canada and I have tried a few of their products out and will be honest thus far I have been disappointed.
I am thee exfoliation queen because I have been "blessed" with dry, non smooth skin so I searched high and low for Soap and Glory's sugar crush body scrub. I have heard nothing but positive comments about this product and only some Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies sell it.
I was hoping and praying that it would replace my Lush Ocean Salt scrub because it cost $35 CAD and I use it a couple times a week and shelling out the $40 was getting tiring and painful.
It looks like I will be on that Lush diet forever! :(
I will go over some information about Sugar Crush and my thoughts.

Some information about Sugar Crush Body Scrub:

• Sugar crush is a scrub that can be used to scrub dead skin off the body
• Sugar crush can be used 1-3 time a week in the shower
• This product is infused with lime, sparkling lemons, vanilla musk, almond oil, macadamia oil, sea salts, crushed brown sugar, and glycerin (EXCELLENT)
• It is said to leave dry skin feeling smooth and subtle
• It is also suppose to work great on dry patches on elbows, feet, and knees
• Can be purchased on Amazon.com, Sephora (US website), Boots (UK), and Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada), etc
• Retails for $20 CAD

My personal thoughts on Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush Body Scrub:

• Sugar crush has a beautiful sweet lime smell that lasts for hours after you come out the shower
• The scrub comes in a reasonable size tub of 500 ml
• I like the fact that it is sold in my local pharmacy/drug store, so easy to attain
• The ingredient list is absolutely marvellous 
• Personally I am not in love with the actual consistency of the product, it is a paste I find challenging to use
• I tend to lean to scrubs that are very gritty because I have a lot of rough dry patches on my skin
• As winter approaches and my skin gets drier I already know this formulation will not be strong enough
• This formulation may be great for people with sensitive skin, or people who do not like very gritty scrubs
• I also find that the paste/product gets all over the tub and leaves salt everywhere
• Aside from the beautiful smell I really don't feel a difference on my skin after each use
• I will not be repurchasing this product and am disappointed 

Mini Collective Haul!- Sephora VIB, Chanel, Lush, ETC (+playlist)

Cracked and Dry Hands to Go: Soap and Glory Hand Food Review

There is always a time of the month I become obsessed with a product line, and go hunting and researching it down to the core!
Soap and Glory was that product line and I was excited that Shoppers Drug Mart
(Canadian Drugstore) started carrying the line and had some points I could redeem and save on items in store.
I have heard so much hype on Soap and Glory's Hand food lotion and decided to buy the small version for my purse to keep my ashy hands at bay.
My skin has been so dry as winter is approaching with quickness and was excited to try this lotion out.

Some information about Hand Food:

• Soap and Glory's hand food is said to be a non greasy hydrating hand cream
• Contains Shea butter, macadamia oil, and marshmallow
• Is sold in two different sizes 50 ml and 125 ml ( I purchased the 50ml)
• Can be purchased at Shoppers Drug mart for $5 CAD (50ml) $10 CAD (125ml)

My Personal Thoughts on Soap and Glory's Hand Food lotion:

• The cream has very good ingredients that I enjoy and are known to be nourishing to the skin
• The smell is absolutely beautiful and is long lasting
• I do not like the consistency of the lotion it appears thick from the tube but feels watery and does not nourish my dry hands
• The product is not greasy at all so might be better used for summer when I do not need as much moisture
• The small size packaging is very useful to tuck in my purse
• Overall I will not be purchasing this lotion, I need something more nourishing with a thicker consistency

Toronto IMATS: Mini Haul + Pictures

Makeup Be Gone: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Makeup Remover Review

I love to do various eye looks such as a smokey eye, or deep colors in my crease, cat eyes, etc, but notice a lot of black residue left on my eyes no matter how much I wash my face, or use makeup remover and it was driving me crazy.
I stumbled across Bioderma makeup remover in my local Shoppers Drug Mart (A Canadian drug store) and saw that it  had a sticker on the bottle stating it was on the top of Chatelaine magazine's 100 beauty winner. The sticker sparked my interest so I went home to look up reviews. (Yes I can't buy without reviewing these days lol)
All reviews raved about the product so I picked it up and gave it a whirl and I must say it is pretty good.  I will outline my thoughts on the product below.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Makeup Remover 250 ML

Details about Bioderma Sensibio H20:

• This makeup remover is specially formulated for sensitive, normal and dry skin 
• Is suppose to gently cleanse face and eyes
• Can be used for waterproof mascara/ makeup 
• Contains soothing ingredients that prevent irritation on the skin
• Sensibio doesn't need to be washed off the face  
• This product can be used daily
• Sensibio is fragrance and alcohol free 
• Bioderma retails for $20 CAD and can be purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada), Amazon.com, EBay, and stores within Europe (just google) 

My personal thoughts on Bioderma Sensibio:

• This remover is really gentle on the skin and eyes and doesn't cause any irritation or burning on my eyes (rare all other ones I have tried always burn or make my eyes blurry)
• Removes makeup around the eyes very thoroughly and only takes 2 cotton pads for all traces to vanish
• Leaves face feeling smooth and hydrated
• Has a nice light fresh scent
• Although can be used without washing face I always wash my face and continue with my routine
• I will admit this remover is a bit on the pricey end for a remover ($20 CAD) but it is worth it considering I don't use it daily
• Only 250 ml of product so very small (again luckily I don't use eye makeup remover daily) 
• Packaging is small and compact so can easily be taken on vacation or packed into a makeup bag for travel
• Can be purchased easily at my local drug store
• Very little product needed with each use
• Overall very good product and would repurchase
• There is another formulation in store for regular skin types (stronger formulation) 

Silky Smooth Skin: Favourite Exfoliation Products: Lush, Soap & Glory, B...

Exfoliating Queen: Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub Review

So the summer time is in full swing and I find I have cut back on my makeup purchasing and have focused more and more on skin care. With arms and legs out they must be ready to be exposed! I tend to have some rough patches on the skin and suffer from keratosis pilaris.
Keratosis pilaris are those pesky annoying chicken looking bumps that a lot of people have behind the arms, legs, and even booty. They have a grater like- rough texture and just really bug the hell out of me in honesty.
One of the ways I combat this is with the use of body scrubs to smooth down the skin and remove any dead cells and patches.
For the last few months I had been eyeing and doing some research on Lush's Ocean salt and debating up and down about purchasing the item.
I read such great reviews about it and considered buying the smaller size (120 grams for $21.95 which is small as hell) or purchasing the larger tub (250 grams for $35.95 which is big but pricey as hell). I went back and forth but decided to bite the bullet and purchase the larger tub so I could get a very good use out of it and was told in store about the excellent return policy they have in place.

Lush's Ocean Salt is a scrub that can be used all over the body as well as the face. The ingredients are the true culprit of my decision to go with this product. It is packed with fine sea salt, coarse sea salt, fresh lime juice, avocado butter, coconut fat, lime oil, seaweed absolute, violet leaf, grapefruit infusion, and vodka (yes VODKA).
All these great ingredients are said to soften skin, remove dead skin and dirt, and hydrate.
The lime and vodka are said to have antibacterial effects which are good for blemishes, blocked pores, and blackheads as it states on the lush website.
This product is said to be good for all skin types but if you have sensitive skin I would suggest getting a sample to see if it works well for you.
I really love this product! In truth I felt like it was over hyped but now that I have been using it several times I have noticed the difference in the feel of my legs and arms. I don't use it on my face because I already have a scrub for my face and feel it may be too harsh. The smell is so beautiful and leaves you feeling like you are on vacation in a tropical heaven. I see people claiming a little goes a long way but I guess I may be heavy handed and in love because I am already at the half way mark and imagine I will have to re-up on this item very soon.

I use this scrub by applying it to my body after I have cleansed my skin. I rub it all over my body counter clock wise and concentrate heavily on the rougher areas. I try and let it sit on my skin for a few moments and massage it off the skin and wash it off. So far I use it 2-3 times a week. After my shower I pat my body dry and apply a moisturizing cream and go!
I have been using this product for about a month and really am in awe of how much I see and feel a difference in my skin.  This product is fabulous.
Overall I think this is a holy grail item and I am very glad I bit the bullet on this one. This product is pricey but works very well and has left me as a satisfied customer.
This scrub can be purchased at any Lush store or ordered on the Lush website.

Soft like Butter: Korres Milk Protein Foaming Cream Cleanser Rave

My beloved Olay face wash had run out a few weeks ago and I have been instantly on the hunt for "a better face wash". The thing that makes this funny is because I never had an issue with the Olay wash, (it retails for $8 CAD in drug stores) but decided that I must advance that one and find something that does even more, contains less harsh detergents and quite frankly is better for my skin in the long run. 
With that said the research, reviews, and reading began and I searched for organic skin care lines.
 I found a few but one that caught my eye was Korres milk protein foaming cream cleaner. 
This facial wash received rave reviews on Makeupalley.com (92% from 25 people), I saw a couple You Tubers saying its lovely, and the ingredients listing really was exactly what I need in my new face regiment. 
This facial cleanser is a creamy cleanser that foams upon application, removes dirt and makeup from the face, and is soap free (aka non drying).
 Due to it being rich with milk proteins and amino acids it leaves the face feeling hydrated and moisturized after use. 



On the website they listed some benefits on this cleanser:

• There is 86.4% natural content in the product
• There are no mineral oils
• There are no silicone's
• No parabens
• No synthetic dyes 
• No alcohol 
• No animal testing

That list sold me as something to give a try and I'm glad I did. 

Highlights of Korres Cleanser:

• This formula is rich and creamy so upon application on the face you need a dime size. (Little goes a long way) I apply it on my Clarisonic brush and it instantly foams on the face and rids of dirt. 
• It feels so moisturizing on the skin and doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped and in instant needs of moisturizer.
• The smell of the product is light and refreshing but not overbearing.
• The tube comes with 150ml of product (the average size for a face wash so will last awhile)
• This product would be good for all skin types including sensitive skin since it is formulated without many agents that irritate blemishes and good for the consumer that is looking for a more natural approach. 

I will admit this cleanser is PRICEY! It retails for $21 CAD in Sephora and can be purchased online on  the Korres website as well. I do feel it is worth the pricing since it preforms very well. I recommend going into a Sephora or department store that sells this and request a sample to give it a whirl. I am really in love with this cleanser and although a little pricey feel like this will be permanently added to my new skincare regiment. 

Take a look at my video below! I go over my skin care routine and talk about Korress cleanser! 

Lush Toner: Eau Roma Water: Product Fail

In my previous blog about Toner The Body Shops Seaweed Clarifying Toner I went on to talk about

Lush Toner: Eau Roma Water

how I was happy to find a Toner that makes my face feel refreshed and more clean and balanced after washing with drying soap.
Prior to that I went to Lush to find a toner that was natural, soothing and something I could use daily. I was starting to break out from a foundation I had been trying out and wanted to switch my face products I had been using.
I did my research on Lush toners and decided that I wanted to get the Tea Tree toner since I had a lot of success with my pimple zapping product that contains tea tree as its base ingredient Lush's Grease Lightening Tea Tree Cleanser.
I walked into the downtown Toronto Lush store and was searching for the product and was notified by a young worker that they where out of stock. She suggested that I try out Eau Roma Water since I have combination skin and its ingredients are good for combating oil. I reluctantly purchased the toner figuring she probably knew that product line better then me, but when I used it I truly felt nothing. I tried it for a few weeks but didn't feel as though it removed any excess makeup that I was unable to get off my face, nor make me feel refreshed. I felt like I was spraying sweet smelling water onto my skin. Personally I think this toner would be nice as a refresher or even to mist the face to prep it for makeup application. Even refreshing the face through out the day when the air is dry weather is warm would be good. However I just didn't feel like it was doing it's job and I felt like it was a waste of money. I still recommend getting a small sample of the product or giving it a try in the store because I have seen many reviews on it and people like it so many it is just me?
On Lush's website they describe this toner as being good for dry, sensitive  or mature skin that needs a gentle touch. This toner is suppose to be the most moisturizing out of all of the toners they sell and are infused with rose water and lavender essential oils. These oils are known to be good for redness, irritation and dryness. I purchased the 100ml bottle for $9.99 CAD from Lush and it can be purchased
on their website as well.

Soft Paws: True Blue 60 second manicure hand scrub Review

I always love the feeling I get when I used to get my nails done at a nail salon. They would use sugar to exfoliate my hands prior to applying my acrylic nails and manicuring it to perfection.
Now that I am working on a tighter budget with age I have retired the nail salon and taken the salon to my house and I am always on the hunt for a product can help acheive a salon like feeling.
I had a coupon for Bath and Body works to buy one item and get another for free when you spend $10 or more and decided to give this scrub a try.
True Blue 60 second manicure is a sugar based exfoliant that is suppose to make dull, dry, cracked hands smooth, silky and radiant.
Prior to doing my at home manicure I followed the instructions on the tub and damped my hands and rubbed and scrubbed the sugar crystals and rinsed hands off and was left with smoother hands amazingly.

My hands felt really great after I patted them dry and I added my favourite cream to them and was surprised at how well this little product worked.

A few highlights on this hand scrub:

• A very little goes a long way and a quarter size can really do a lot for your hands. 
• The sugars dissolves and turns into a foam
• The scrub has a very nice citrus smell
• Can double up as a foot scrub as well
• Makes hands look radiant 
• Can see a different in just one use

This scrub can be purchased in store at Bath and Body works or online and retails for $13 CAD. 

Back to Basics: Coconut Oil and the many Benefits and Uses

Dr Bronner's Magic All in one Fair Trade Organic Coconut Oil

Haircare is a huge topic for woman and I get asked frequently what I do in terms of my regiment. I have discussed prior that I used to buy everything from every line in the beginning of my hair journey but as time flew and money shortened I realized I must stick to what works and stick with the basics. In my previous post about my mixture of argan oil and coconut oil in a deep treatment I touched briefly on using coconut oil but decided you guys must know the full benefits and why this is a product you shouldn't neglect purchasing. (Hair talk deep conditioning-with Argan oil and Coconut oil)
Coconut oil is my holy grail item because it is jam packed with so many benefits and is truly a underrated inexpensive product that is full of greatness. I will go over some of the many uses and benefits of coconut oil when added to a beauty regiment.

Uses and Benefits in Hair

• A great conditioner for the hair when applied as a pre- poo (overnight before wash time)
• Great hot oil treatment for dry damaged hair
• Helps rid of dandruff and dry scalp
• Promotes hair growth
• Makes hair soft and shine
• Helps treat damaged hair 
• Can also get rid of lice 

I must say that I have been using coconut oil to deep condition with for the last two years and see tremendous amount of growth, shine, and strength in my hair. This is the one product I will never remove from my hair journey because it is inexpensive and works really great.  

I do not recommend leaving it in for more then 10 + hours in your hair because your hair will be extremely greasy and start to smell. A good idea is to deep condition and wear it to bed or while doing some housework and wash it out.

Uses and Benefits on Skin

• Great moisturizer for the skin
• Is said to aid in the prevention of wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines 
• Relieves irritations like sun burns of insect bites
• Softens skin and provides a natural glow
• Treats chapped, dry lips in the harsh winter time
• Has no side effects, is natural, and organic with no added ingredients

When using coconut oil on the skin you really start to feel the texture of your skin get so buttery soft and radiant right away. It is great to use it on the legs after you shave, on your skin before you go into hot weather, as well as use as a massage oil. All the lotions and gels of the world don't compare to the feeling of using coconut oil on the body but just be careful to use a little at a time.

What to look for when Buying Coconut Oil

• Certified organic and non-GMO
• Made from fresh coconuts
• Unrefined
• Chemical-free
• Unbleached
• Maintains pure white color
• Unhydrogenated
•  Has a fresh coconut fragrance
• Cold pressed (the way the oil is extracted from the coconut) 

I have two brands of Coconut oil that I use: Dr. Bronner's Organic White Virgin Coconut Oil or Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Both work great and I have no complaints. However I do prefer Nutiva for a few reasons. Nutiva can be found at most grocery stores(so easier to purchase) and has a smoother consistency.  Whereas Dr Bronner although very good has a slightly graining consistency  Both are great products and are worth checking out and using non the less. 
Nutiva retails for $12.99 CAD (depending on size you get)
Dr Bronners retails for $8.99 CAD 

Soft and Sweet: Shea Moisture Organic Shea Butter and Organic argan Oil & Raw Shea Butter Soap Review

Shea Moisture: Shea Butter Infused with Coconut & Hibiscus

I am so excited that the Shea Moisture line is finally available in Canada in a few different outlets. I was introduced to this line by a friend that frequently traveled to the US to visit her mother and heard about this line in a lot of natural hair care forums. 
Shea Moisture is a hair and skin care line that is reasonably priced and incorporates the use of Shea butter in nearly all of their products. I have used shampoo, conditioners and styling products from this line and they are jam packed with quality.
There are so many benefits of Shea butter and various uses for it that has many cosmetic and beauty brands incorporating Shea into various products.
Shea butter  is a fat that is extracted out of nuts from the African Shea tree and is said to come packed with so many benefits for the skin and hair. Some of the benefits include: moisturizing the skin, nourishing hair, preventing stretch marks, promoting growth in the hair, and treating Eczema, Acne, and Psoriasis. 
I was glad to finally get my hands on this Shea butter and soap because the wintery months have caused havoc on my skin and it is in real need of TLC. 
Shea Butter infused with coconut and hibiscus is a moisturizing product that is said to aid with dry skin, chapped lips, burns, haircare, cracked and dry heels or elbows , etc. The smell on this is absolutely beautiful and sweet without being overbearing. Generally I hated the nutty smell of Shea and steered away from it, but because this is infused with coconut and hibiscus it masks the scent. The texture is hard as most Shea butters are but once you take some out, it melts on contact with body heat. I really like this because it is not greasy, yet leaves your body feeling really soft and glowey. 
I like that this product  because it can be used in several ways and the price is extremely reasonable. I purchased it for $7.99 CAD and feel even though it is a small jar it will last for a very long time. Along side the Shea butter I also purchased the organic argan oil and raw Shea butter soap. 

Shea Moisture: Shea Butter Infused with Coconut & Hibiscus

This soap is fantastic as well, and pairing both the soap up along side the Shea butter helps improve the skin by miles. This soap leaves the skin feeling smooth and moisturized and clean. The smell is sweet without being overbearing as well and the ingredient list is superb. Comes packed with Shea butter, coconut oil, apricot oil, honey, and my favourite argan oil. 

Shea Moisture Organic Argan Oil & Raw Shea Butter Soap

I definitely recommend this soap if you are looking for something new that will help your skin retain moisture and provide an overall glow overtime. I purchased this soap on sale for $6.99 CAD and am seeing many improvements in the overall appearance and texture of my skin within the last couple of weeks. 

Nice and Silky: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub: Lavender Camomille

Nothing makes me more sad then the way my skin appears in the winter time. Between the ashyness 

Bath & Body works Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub: Lavender Chamomile

(darker skin sisters you know what I mean) the dryness, and flakes that sometimes come from the dramatic wear and tear of winter my skin gets a beating. Also I suffer from razor bumps and ingrown hair on the back of my legs and back of my arms and I have to go to WAR on my skin by the time spring and summer comes around. 
Exfoliating the skin is a important step when it comes to mapping out your skin care regiment. Exfoliation removes dead skin cell from the body, refreshes and rejuvenates the skin, and makes the skin feel smooth. It also makes the skin glow, encourages circulation of body fluids within, is relaxing, and is rumoured to aid with cellulite and aging of the skin. Those are a fine list of benefits so it is clear to see why I am big on scrubs! I use scrubs on my lips, on my face, and of course on my body. 
Bath and Body Works always has a lot of great promotions and sales that I try to take part of leading up to summer time, or during there semi annual sale. This is where I found Aromatherapy sugar scrub.
This sugar scrub is suppose to be used while in the shower by taking some of the product out and massaging it all over your body with your hands. This product is said to combine exfoliating sugar and a  blend of sunflower, safflower, sweet almond and jojoba oils to leave skin feeling smooth like butter. The chamomile and lavender are suppose to calm the body and enhance sleep. I must admit when I use it I sleep like a newborn child because it is so soothing. I like to use this product before I shave to reduce razor bumps I get as well as use prior to wearing shorts or skirts in the summertime. Be very careful with this scrub due to the essential oils it is infused with it can leave your tub extremely slippery. This scrub once applied leaves skin feeling moisturized and the scent lasts on the body for the entire day. There are a few different scents that you can choose from that have different benefits. Some of my favourites are: Black Current Vanilla, Orange Ginger, and Jasmine Vanilla. 
Also keep in mind the packaging changes on this product regularly so my picture may be out of date.
This scrub retails for $16 CAD however you can get a lot of promotions on this item if you are patient and sign up for emails. 

Smooth Operator: Lush Grease Lightening Tea Tree Cleanser

Nothing is worse then waking up to a spot that has made a home on your forehead, nose or chin, or a red flashing glow stick that has mounted on your face. A big fat pimple really can down your day and placing makeup on your face sometimes inflames your pimple and seems like it can highlight the problem even more.
I used to get a lot of pimples and acne on my face as a teen, which I will blame on puberty and adolescence more so then anything, but when I got to about 17 or 18 I stopped getting pimples all together. The rare time I would get a pimple it was big, red, and painful but would soon disappear as long as I kept my hands off my face and ignored it.
Now with the use of cosmetics and old age it seems that when pimples do pop up they are acne style blemishes and take much longer to go away. Due to a reaction of a new foundation I tried my face broke out on my cheeks, my chin, and my hairline. I stepped into the Lush store and was talking to a representative about getting a face mask and she informed me about Lush Grease Lightening cleanser. I was hardly interested in the product because I was dead set on getting the face masks I read about but read the ingredient list and thought I will try and see if it works for me. I arrived home and started looking up blogs and getting feedback from the beauty world and saw a lot of positive comments written about the product and started to use it.
Grease Lightening Tea Tree Cleanser is a clear gel that contains thyme, rosemary, tea tree oil, organic aloe-vera extract, sea water, grape juice, lavender oil, and which hazel! I know that's some crazy blend of ingredients but all very healthy and have proven track records.
I was told that I could use this to cleanse my face, to use as a base to rid of oil prior to application of makeup, and matte the face. I use this as a spot treatment when one of these eruptions invade my face. I cleanse, tone, and moisturize my face and then apply this treatment directly to my blemish and go to bed.   It works very well surprisingly and literally it reduces the spot by miles or rids of it all together. Tea tree is very powerful and does wonders! The ingredients are great and an organic product you can't ask for more. This comes in a tiny bottle but it really lasts forever (though has a shorter shelf life- due to organic ingredients used) but really is packed with value as a vegan product. It retails in Lush for $13.95 and I think it is definitely worth a try.
Get a sample and give it a try!

So Fresh and so Clean-Clean: The Body Shops Seaweed Clarifying Toner

I never used to believe in using toner. I felt like it was just this fake addition to my regiment that some company drummed up and figured they could make additional money selling. I thought they tricked the consumer into purchasing another product that they actually need. Then it all changed when I got a sample of toner from Nivea buying a holiday pack that came full of product. I washed my face and gave it a shot one day and noticed that not only did it take off more dirt (what the heck didn't i just wash my face) but also made my dry and tight face feel more relieved and moisturized after the drying wash I just did. So there is where research started and it dawned on me that this is a must in my regiment.  It is a quick touch to making sure any missed dirt, debris, or makeup is off my face. 
One day while shopping with my girlfriend we stepped into the Body Shop to look around. As much as I consider myself a shopper I really have never bought anything in the Body Shop nor looked around in it. To this day I'm not sure why I have constantly bypassed the store but here I was looking around. Glancing at the products in the store I remembered that my Sephora toner was nearly finished so picked up Body Shops clarifying seaweed toner. Here are a few highlights:

• alcohol free (toners with alcohol tend to be drying to the face)
• infused with cucumber: an astringent that helps refresh the skin
• infused with menthol: helps circulation
• infused with glycerin: a moisturizer that helps improve softness in skin
• infused with seaweed-which is known to have conditioning and hydrating benefits
• good for combination/oil skin

I have been using this toner for the last two weeks and I do like it! I was worried that it would break and i'm glad to report that is has not. It has reduced some of the oil in my face and provides a calming and soothing feeling when applied with a cotton pad to my face. It has a slightly fragrant smell and has a nice smooth consistency.Definitely worth checking out and sells for $8.99 at The Body Shop

Scrub- a-Dub: Mac Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Review

Mac Mineralized Volcanic Ash Exfoliator 

When I visit a store I love collecting samples, samples to me are like the best thing since slice bread because I get to use something and see if it is worth my time and my money and really experiment.  I have been saved tons of cash on products I thought would change my life but ended up just changing it for the worst! (but not on my dime)

 I have been doing some research because I am trying to update some of the products I use in my skin care. As I was reading online I saw a re-release of Mac's volcanic ash exfoliator. I was intrigued so decided to look up some reviews that other beauty mavens like myself where posting.

Now I am a die hard "mac girl" I don't care how many people say they are overrated or overpriced they have provided me with tons of great quality products, but I tend to steer away from there skincare line because I have never had success until now. 

So one day on my millionth visit to the mall I met a perky outgoing Mac makeup artist that loaded my bag up with mascara samples and 3 pots of this product for me to try out during a purchase. I was so excited like it was Christmas day because this meant I was going to get a great try of the product for free. 

 This product is described right on Mac's website as being an mild exfoliant mixed with natural volcanic ash and fine sugar crystals.  It is said to smooth skin and leave it feeling soft and touchable. I agree with the descriptions, the product works well and really helps rid of some roughness on my skin. The one complaint I will have about this product is that it is a little drying to the skin so you will need to use a good moisturizer to your face. It is said to double as a mask that provides heat to the face within a few minutes, but I have yet to see that happen for me once. 

At first I was using it 4-5 days a week which is way too much. It is good to use it 1-3 times a week since it is an exfoliant and multiple use for the week can be too abrasive for the skin and cause irritation. 

The scent of the product is on the earthy side. It doesn't smell offensive or have any fragrance.

It can also can be a bit messy because of the black colouring so I use it in the shower so I don't see it as a big deal. 

This exfoliant can be purchased at any Mac store for $33.50. It is on the pricey side so I would definitely recommend samples, but I have had it for months and have yet to see a slight dent in the product.

Overall I would purchase this product again but it isn't a MUST have more like a NICE to have. 

Take a look at my skincare routine, I review Mac's Mineralized Volcanic Ash Exfoliator !!

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Product Fail: MAC Oil Control Lotion

Like many people I tend to have a oily t-zone and it truly annoys the hell out of me putting it simple. I apply my primer, my foundation, and some powder to my face and leave the house looking flawless! Give my face 15-20 minutes and my nose, chin, and middle of forehead are oily and it appears as though I did nothing to my face. While talking to a Mac makeup artist I complained about the fact I have this problem and was quickly recommended Mac's Oil Control Lotion. 

    Mac describes this lotion as lightweight lotion that mattifying the face and bonds makeup to the skin. I grabbed the travel size lotion which comes in a 30ml tube for $13 CAD and left behind the standard size bottle which is 50ml retails for $40 CAD. The consistency of the lotion is nice and light, the scent of the product is fresh and slightly floral and leaves the face feeling soft and moisturized upon application. 

My issue with the lotion is I see no difference with use. I have used it several times, changed my application and used it on days it was cold outside and zero difference. Next time I will try to apply this first under my primer and then apply my foundation. I hate to do so much work to make a product work but it has been purchased so I will do what I must. Will be be repurchasing this again? NOPE. For the price, and lack of results I am not much of a fan.

I will finish off my saying it is a good idea to get a tester and see if it will in fact work for you since you may have slightly different results then I had as well.
If you have tried out this product tell us what your experience was? Is there any product you recommend me or readers trying? Let me know!

Real Smooth :Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub: Review

If you are a lipstick wearer or live in a cold/extremely hot climate you know you lips tend to suffer when exposed to the elements. There is nothing worse then dry, peeled, and chapped lips! Dry, ashy lips look even worse if you like to wear lipsticks and lip gloss and tend to be emphasized ten times more. The goal is kissable, smooth, luscious lips folks and I found an inexpensive treatment that really helps. Lush's Bubblegum lip scrub is a blend of sugar, castor oil, and jojoba oil that you rub on your lips and lick right off (tastes so good). After application you apply your favorite moisturizing lip balm and you are all set, you wake up to smooth, exfoliated plump lips. Lush's scrub retails for $10 CAN and you can find it in your local Lush! This little pot lasts forever and because of the natural ingredients can be applied as often as you need. 
Do you intend to give this product a try? Do you know of something simular that would do the job as well? Comment down below and let us know!