November Hits and Misses (+playlist)

Product Fails: Elf, Shea Moisture, Hourglass, YSL, ETC (+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 

Step into the Underworld: Illamasqua Underworld Lipstick Review

I mentioned in my other posts that finally Canada (Toronto specifically) has a Illamasqua counter in The Bay department stores! I have been so delighted because I finally get to see the products and actually play with them, versus gamble and order online.
I have a beautiful lip gloss from Illamasqua called Boost and it is a iridescent purple that is very unique to my lip gloss stash.
I get the most compliments about this amazing lip colour paired over purple lipstick so decided to purchase the matching lipstick to it called Underworld.

Information About Underworld:

Underworld is a iridescent violet colour 

This lipstick can be purchased at Illamasqua.com, Sephora,  and The Bay (varied locations please google)

Retails for $30 CAD at Sephora and $24 CAD at The Bay (The Bay sells Illamasqua cheaper then Sephora)

Here are my thoughts on Underworld:

• Underworld goes on the lips extremely sheer and is very hard to layer over for the ideal coverage 
• The lipstick applies very patchy and emphasizes any spots and fine lines on the lips
• The tube I received had a mouldy like appearance on the lipstick which I was unhappy with
• The lipstick could work if layered with a thicker gloss, or topped over a deeper shade of lipstick, but I like a lipstick that can be worn on its own
• I also found the lipstick very drying on the lips and made it very uncomfortable to wear within an hour 
• The packaging of the lipstick is nice and sleek but you are able to see finger prints all over (not a big deal to me personally)
• This lipstick can be purchased at Illamasqua.com, Sephora,  and The Bay (varied locations please google)
• I returned this lipstick to the counter a week later because I was quite unhappy with it overall, but will probably try some of Illamasqua's other lipsticks in the future
• I was so disappointed in the lipstick that I didn't take a picture I though worthy of it but there are many examples online

MAC Studio Moisture Tint: Review Fail!

The first time I was in the market for a tinted moisturizer I went to my beloved MAC and purchased one. I felt like I wanted a product that had a nice amount of coverage but still wasn't as thick and heavy as a foundation. In truth I hardly wore foundation so I didn't need anything covered I just wanted to look alive, and have my face one solid color.
In truth I have had a love hate relationship with this product. Here are a few findings I have had with this moisture tint:

• The tinted moisturizer is a creamy thick texture that applies smoothly to the face with the use of fingers or a foundation/buffing brush.
• Provides a slightly dewy finish upon application
• I found although it says to be a light coverage it felt a little heavier on my face then I would like
• I also noted that it would break me out in spots on my cheeks and forehead
• It is great because you don't need to moisturize face prior to usage (Saves time)
• Provides natural look on the face
• Has a strange scent (Rubbery and odd)
• Has limited color range (Only 7 shades)
• Wears for hours without reapplication on the face
• Transfers onto collars and clothing (Dammit)
• Retails for $40 CAD and can be purchased on Mac's website or in store

I have had this product for awhile and just have retired it to my kit because it just doesn't work with my skin. I wanted it to work because there are more pros's then con's with this moisturizer but because it makes me break out I just have to move on from it. When I use it on clients/friends it looks so good and suits several different skin tones without looking ashy or obvious. 
I personally believe it is a good product just not for me and for that I have to give my love hate moisturizer a fail. 
I still suggest if you are looking for a tinted moisturizer to get a sample from Mac and test it out to see how it works out for you and if your like the product before you invest in it. 
In its place I have been using my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and really enjoy it. I had a blog post for that so check it out! http://nopainnobeauty.blogspot.ca/2013/03/tined-moisturizer-laura-mercier.html

Product Fail: YSL Shocking Mascara

This product fail hurt my head just a little bit. I get incentives from my job and that allows me to get gift cards to The Bay (a Canadian Department store) and I get to build my stash heavily without killing my finances. During Christmas time YSL counter had a gift bag promotion with a couple cosmetics in the bag. When I decided to use my gift card (more like waste my gift card) I was looking forward to YSL's mascara that came inside the gift. The packaging is rich and the worker at the counter was praising this mascara so highly. Normally I stick with my drug store mascara's because my lashes are already really long and they expire so fast so I just don't bother with the high end stuff. This mascara is a hot mess. The wand on it is OK and separates and combs the lashes well, but I find the mascara was clumpy from the day I got it. When I used it on my lashes I just find they clumped together in a bad way and looked spidery. My lashes are pretty long so I didn't see any improvements in that area but I generally use mascara for thickening, but only thickness was the clumps this mascara had. There is an ingredient that makes my eyes water really bad and feel a bit strange for a few moments. The only thing I really love on it is the rich gold packaging that it comes in but I will take some plastic cheap looking mascara if it works better. This was a big disappointment for me and I do not recommend this product. It retails in stores for $36.00 CAD and a very big waste of money I say. Remember though this is just my own personal opinion if you own it and love it please let me know, maybe I got a bad batch.

Purchase Fail :Lush Passionate Liquid Lipstick

      I used to be a impulse shopper, until adult life kicked in with bills, headaches, and limited money. To the naked eye I may seem excessive and I will admit I can be but I have improved by miles. With that said I was in Lush and determined to grab my one item and speed out without falling into temptation, but the sweet overly helpful teenager probably working on some type of commission instantly noticed my love of bright lipstick and clothes. She persuaded me to buy this liquid lipstick called Passionate and bragged on and on about how beautiful it would be on me. I hesitantly listened to what she was saying and she did a swatch to show me the color on her hand and before I knew it I had purchased two items. Needless to say I love a new lippie so went home and was content. 

I usually try not to purchase without going to the beauty bibles (blogs, youtube etc etc) and usually for good reason because I usually end up a little disappointed. This purchase made me sad. The color is a beautiful two toned purple pink, with a doe-foot applicator used for application. The lipstick dries to a matte finish and stains the lip for quite awhile. My problem with the lippie is that is is extremely drying. I figured because it was a vegan product that contains jojoba oil that it would feel nice and leave a nice feel on the lips, but I was wrong. My lips felt like they needed to be exfoliated and a 911 call for a heavy dose of Carmex lip-balm to sooth the dry spell cast on my mouth. That product is a fail in my books. At $18.95 CAN a pop I should be in awe as far as I'm concerned and that I am not. 
       Ladies and gents do not feel afraid to do a swift return if the item is not up to par with you. I have no time to collect dust on a lipstick that I am not in love with and don't intend to start. I tried playing with this lipstick and tried to pair it with lipgloss and a lip balm under, but I shouldn't have to play so hard with a product to make it work for me it just makes no sense. If you are interested in picking it up and giving it a try your local Lush store has it. Just please do not be a sucker like me and get coax into buying an unplanned item. 
Have you tried this product  and had a different experience? Is there a simular product that you think readers should give a try? Comment down below and let us know!