Five on Friday - July 31, 2015

I am so happy it is Friday - aaaand this weekend is a long weekend!! I am looking forward to 3 days off!! 

ONE

I cannot believe tomorrow is August, and that means WEDDING MONTH!! Holy Moly!! August 29 is going to come before we know it! This month is going to be crazy busy but I am getting so excited!! 

TWO

I have some really awesome news - I MADE A BUZZFEED ARTICLE THIS WEEK!!! How cool is that?! I thought it was so exciting!! The Buzzfeed post was on "multimasking" which was my Skincare Sunday post last weekend and featured this instagram picture! 

July 2015 Ipsy Glam Bag - Beauty Bag Review

Ipsy is one of the inexpensive beauty bag sample subscriptions. You receive 4-5 deluxe sample size or full size products each month. The cost is $10 US (+ $4.95 shipping to Canada). 

Ipsy is generally make-up products with a mix of skincare, nail polish, and hair products based on a beauty profile you complete. There is usually 12-18 products that are selected from each month! You can view your "glam room" online that tells you all the products you will receive each month. You also receive a make-up bag each month with your products.

Ipsy arrived sooo late this month and I know I wasn't the only one with shipping problems for July! 

Here is a look at the July Ipsy bag:

The theme for this month's bag is "Summer Lovin'" - I love this month's bag! It is a light canvas material and it is so cute! 

Wine + Mask Wednesday (Cono Sur Viogner + Montagne Jeunesse Apricot Scrub Mask Review)

My theme for this week's Wine + Mask Wednesday is: Apricots! yum!! 

Seems so Summery and fun! 

Manicure Monday - Summer Groove Nails with Scratch Nail Wraps and Ciate Caviar Beads

Time for another Manicure Monday! This week I really wanted to do something fun and summery! 

I love how these turned out! The caviar beads are not the most practical; but, they sure cute! 

2015 Color of the Year - Dramatic Marsala Eyes Makeup Look

At the beginning of the year, I was planning on doing a make-up look each month based on the Color of the Year: Marsala. 

I actually ran in to a few months of eye trouble and couldn't wear too much makeup; but, now I'm good and am very excited to get some make-up posts on the blog!! 

2015's Color of the Year is Marsala - and is described as a wine red with brown roots! 

I am going to show you a Marsala eyeshadow "night/dramatic look" using the Coastal Scents Revealed 2 palette:

Skincare Sunday - Beauty Trend "Multi Masking"

You mave have seen the Boscia Multi Masking Medley at Sephora recently or seen the hastag #multimasking on social media - this is certainly the new skincare and beauty trend of the summer! 

Multi Masking is simply how it sounds - wearing 2 or more facial masks at a time! Why? To target specific areas of the face with different types of masks! For example, your t-zone could use a deep cleanse, while your under eyes need to de-puff, and the rest of your face is in need of moisture! 

I don't think it's necessary to buy a specific set of masks for Multi Masking - if you have masks at home, then you can do it yourself!  

Here are my tips for Multi-Masking:

1. Choose masks that stay on the skin for the same length of time (you don't want one mask to harden on the face in 5 minutes when another could stay on for 20)

2. Pick easy to remove masks, or masks that remove the same way (you don't want to be trying to peel off a mask around a wash off mask)

3. Make sure to cover your whole face, and try not to leave any gaps! 

Here are the masks I choose for Multi Masking today:

Hanaka Macaron Facial Mask - Canadian Glacial Mud ~ $3.90. Has properties of moisturizing, purifing pores, balancing oil and water, strengthen skin, making the skin elastic and dynamic.

Sephora - Makeup and Skincare Shopping Haul

I have been trying to be well behaved in my shopping, but then one of my favorite you-tubers Jaclyn Hill came out with a highlighter collaboration with Becca Cosmetics and I had to put in a Sephora order asap! I did not get this on the first day, but a week and a half later they had more online! (I could have gone in person, but I like the add-on deals you get online).

Sephora has had some issues lately with plenty of products being available to Americans but not to Canadians (go figure, this is literally the worst part of being a Canadian consumer - first world problem I know.....). It sounds like they opened a Sephora warehouse in Canada for quicker shipping, but this comes with less product availability! 

My order shipped really fast (2 days), and it used to take much longer, so that is a perk! 

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector® Pressed - Champagne Pop ~ $46. A limited-edition, creamy, luminizing powder to illuminate the face with a soft, pearlized glow.

Champagne Pop is described as a soft white gold with pinky peach undertones. Here is a swatch of the product:

July 2015 Bath Time Box Review

This box has been provided for an honest review - all opinions are my own!!

Bath Time Box is a newer Canadian subscription box (started right here in Alberta - yay!!!) - the first box shipped in February. Bath Time Box focuses on products to help you rediscover bath time - I love baths so this box is right up my alley! This is the fifth box, February was the very first box! 

Bath Time Box is described as: 

"Designed and curated with the Bath lover in mind, each Bath Time Box contains 5 full and deluxe sample sized bath products carefully chosen to take your bath time to the next level.  Each box is carefully chosen with a focus on Natural and Handcrafted products. 

Delivered to you monthly, each box will hold an assortment of luxurious milk baths, scintillating bubble baths, invigorating scrubs, nourishing lotions and so much more."

Bath Time Box is $29.00 monthly + free shipping. (If you sign up for 3 months, it is $85, and 12 months is $335 + free shipping).

Also, if you are interested in purchasing items that you see in box, you can go the Bath Time Box store: www.bathtimestore.com (I have made purchases for extra soap because they are all sooo good!)

Here is a look at the July 2015 Bath Time Box:

This month Bath Time Box has changed their boxes - they are a fair bit smaller! To me this makes sense to save money in the shipping department! The last few month's boxes were quite big, I know shipping with Canada Post is so expensive! So good move on their part - these boxes are still a very good size and would easily fit 5 bath products! 

July 2015 Beauteque Mask Maven - Sheet Mask Subscription Review

Beauteque is an American company that focuses on creating a beauty bag subscription featuring Asian Beauty products. Beauteque launched their original "BB Bag" Subscription in January of this year and their "Mask Maven" was just launched a couple months later in March.

The Mask Maven subscription is described as:

"The Mask Maven is a luxurious subscription service offering a lovely assortment of masks each month to keep your skin smooth, soft, and spectacular. 

You will receive all kinds of masks including face sheet masks, hand and feet masks, hair masks, wash off masks, and more."

Beauteque Mask Maven is $15 monthly - if you sign up for a longer subscription, you can save a little money: $14 per month if you sign up for 6 months, or $13 per month if you sign up for 12 months. Shipping per month is $3.95 for the U.S., $5.95 to Canada, and $8.95 to Europe. Each month you can expect to receive 9-11 masks of all varieties.

*So I initially signed up for 3 months, which was March-May and it was a little disorganized and had too many repeat items. I actually forgot to cancel my sub. for June-Aug and I am happy I stuck around, because Mask Maven stepped it up with some much needed improvements last month - same masks for all subscribers (with only a few that could be different types), more brand variety, and a product card! Again, great improvements*

Here is a look at the July 2015 Mask Maven:

Each month comes in an organza pouch (trust me I have a never ending supply of these now) and I forgot to take a photo of all the masks together (whoops!!!) Again, I am happy to see a detailed product card! 

Five on Friday - July 23, 2015

Hope everyone has been having a great week - I am so happy that today is Friday!! I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend! 

ONE

I got my wedding makeup trial complete!! So exciting - I did not get a closeup of my eyes because I have to keep a little bit secret! 

Innisfree - Mini K-Beauty Shopping Haul

So as soon as I decided to start posting shopping hauls, I started realizing that I did a little bit of shopping (whoops, wasn't I supposed to cut down?!)

This order is from Innisfree - they are a Korean beauty brand and this is their description:
"Innisfree, the first natural brand form Korea, is dediated to sharing the clean and pure energy of nature for healthy beauty.

Jeju, the home of the four energies of pure nature, is full of the honest and immaculate beauty that Innisfree wishes to share with you.

Innisfree is creating spaces where nature and skin can rest in the green energy of pure Jeju."

I love using natural brands when I can and have generally enjoyed the products I have used!

There has been a lot of hype lately about the use of make-up cushions - it is the new trend in k-beauty products! I have been intrigued especially for summer as they appear to give more natural coverage! I looked up reviews and the cushions from Innisfree were really highly reviewed - so I ordered one!!! 

Shipping is pretty quick (not free, but reasonably priced) with Innisfree and here is my order!!! 

Everything was well packaged - time to dig in!

Wine + Mask Wednesday (Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc + Berrisom Animal Sheet Mask - Monkey)

Time for another Wine + Mask Wednesday! This week's theme is a fun one - Monkeys!!! 

How adorable is this mask! 

Summer 2015 FabFitFun - Quarterly Lifestyle Box Review

FabFitFun is a quarterly lifestyle box! For $57.99 Canadian ($49.99 in the U.S.A.)  at the start of each season, they guarantee you will receive at least $100 worth of items. (Generally the box has over $200 worth of goodies in it).  

FabFitFun has been shipping to Canada for 1 year now and I have been very happy with the FabFitFun boxes - this is one of my favorite subscriptions!

*This box was supposed to ship in June (it did for American subscribers) and this was the email Canadian subscribers were sent:

We just wanted to reach out with an update about your Summer Box. Unfortunately we've met some unexpected roadblocks in regards to Canadian shipping. One of the very cool items in the box could not be flown across the border, so we've had to make other arrangements with a new shipping provider, who will get your package to you by ground. 

Your Summer 2015 Box will be shipped out next week, you can expect to have tracking for your package no later than Wednesday 7/8. We are extremely sorry for this delay and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. 

In order to make this up to you we will be including something special in your Fall 2015 Box and hope it can bring a smile to your face.

I find it a little frustrating that they did not think about this prior to sending the boxes, but I was excited to see my box finally arrive!! 

Here is a look at the Summer 2015 FabFitFun Box:

Looks like a good variety of product ! FabFitFun always includes a very detailed product card:

Mask Genie Limited Edition Pouch - 10 Days in the Wild Review

I was super excited a while back to host a contest for the Mask Genie 10 Days in the Wild pouch - but I had not had the pouch myself and so I entered a few other blogger contests to try and win one too!! I hope no one thinks I am cheating but I truly love face masks and wanted to try them out! I can't believe I actually won - I love animal masks and was so excited to try these!! 

First if you don't know about the Mask Genie subscription service:

Mask Genie offers 2 different pouches

• 5 masks for $12
• 10 masks for $22

The price for each pouch includes worldwide shipping! (the service has been up and running since January, and you can see my past reviews here)

Once in a while, Mask Genie releases a special edition pouch and prices are based on the masks featured! The 10 Days in the Wild pouch features 10 masks and was $34 shipped world wide.

Here is a look at the limited edition "10 Days in the Wild" pouch:

Mask Genie pouches always comes in an organza pouch! Mask Genie does not included a product card, but does do "unboxing" videos explaining all the masks featured on her youtube channel. 

Manicure Monday - Cat Nail Sticker Nails

It's time for Manicure Monday - it's been 2 weeks since I have had new nails, so I am excited to do my nails! This week my inspiration is: kitten nails!!

Here are the products I used for this week's Manicure:

Skincare Sunday Product Review - The Face Shop Mugwort Herb Day Massage Cream

This week for Skincare Sunday, I am featuring a product review on:

The Face Shop Herb Day Massage Cream in "Mugwort" ~ $12. Massage cream extracted from ginkgo, helps revive dry skin.

The Face Shop - Mini K-Beauty Shopping Haul

Hi everyone!! Hope you are having a great weekend! 

I know I don't normally post my shopping hauls on here, but I really love reading everyone else's shopping posts so I thought I could join in on the fun too!! I was running low on a day essence/serum so I went to The Face Shop (any excuse to go there and I'm on my way!)

By this point in time, you should know I love sheet masks!! I usually just get the regular $2 Real Nature sheet masks from The Face Shop, but this time I went, they had so many different kinds that I hadn't seen before!! I practiced some serious self restraint and only got 2 to try!

July 2015 Topbox - Canadian Beauty Subscription Review

TopBox is a Canadian Beauty Box Subscription - for $12 CDN a month with free shipping, you will receive 4 deluxe sample size or full size products. You fill out a beauty profile and generally receive products based on what you have identified in the profile. Also, every month you have the option to wish for a "prive" box, which is a box that focuses on one brand or product for the whole box.

TopBox is a Canadian company and only ships to Canada. The only downside to subscribing to TopBox is that there is a wait-list that can take a month or two to get off of.

For July, I opted for the regular Topbox. Here's a look:

Topbox always come in it's signature purple mailer. 

Five on Friday - July 16, 2016

Wow what a busy week - so happy today is Friday!!! Here is how my week has been:

ONE
WEDDING UPDATE!!! I went for my dress alterations last night! I have been sweating bullets that it wasn't going to fit and I am so happy to say that it fits awesome!!! It only needs minimal alterations which is great! Also, this evening I am going for my make-up trial - check out my instagram later, I would love to see what you guys think! 

TWO

I'm in love with my new purchase!!! This is the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel ~ $12. Seriously how cute is this Aloe lotion in an Aloe bottle?!! Here is how it is described: 99 % fermented aloe vera leaf juice is contained. Fermented contents maximize the effect of activating components like aloesin. So it helps your skin to be clear & healthy.

Wine + Mask Wednesday (Naked Unoaked Pinot Grigio Wine + GlamGlow Youth-Mud Tinglexfoliate Treatment Review)

Time for another Wine and Mask Wednesday!! My theme for this week is "made in California"! 

I'm excited to try this Glamglow mask; but, first my Wine of the Week is:

Manicure Monday - Nature Republic Hand Mask Review and Watermelon Nail Art

Time for another Manicure Monday!! 

First off this week, I am reviewing a hand mask:

Nature Republic Shea Butter Hand & Nature Moisture Hand Mask ~ $4. This moisturizing hand mask is good for your everyday lifestyle and you can wear them as your daily gloves. This moisture hand mask "hugs" every inch of your hands and its rich ingredients af vanilla, shea butter, honey, milk, and almond leaves your dry and rough hands hydrated and silky, while rich collagen makes your hands as soft and smooth as a baby's.

Five on Friday - July 10, 2015

Time for another Five on Friday - hope you guys had a great week!!! 

ONE

I mentioned last week that it is Stampede time here in my city - this also means that every day there are free pancake breakfasts to go to! We took my son out to one, and we met the Mayor, had awesome food and played in the petting zoo! (Do not let that cute goat fool you - he ate my hair and my fringe purse!)

Wine + Mask Wednesday (Poplar Grove Sryah + Aritaum Morus Bark Sheet Mask)

Time for another Wine + Mask Wednesday!! This week's theme is going to be "wood" (bear with me, sometimes my themes are really easy and sometimes I have to work hard to find something - that's why this week's is a little silly!)

Here is my Wine of the Week:

Manicure Monday (Watermelon Nail Art) + Monthly Pedicure (Foot Mask and Blue Toes)

Happy Manicure Monday!!! 

This week I am getting back in to the nail art and my inspiration is WATERMELONS!!! 

How stinkin cute are these?! 

Skincare Sunday Product Review - WondeRuci Cacao Brightening Mask

Time for another Skincare Sunday - and this week I am doing a product review. It's another mask, and I know I review a ton of masks on here, but the genuinely are my favorite step in my skincare routine, and there are so many amazing ones I want to share with you all! 

This week I am reviewing:

WondeRuci Cacao Brightening Mask ~ 32,000 Won/$28.43 US/$35.87 CAN. Once you've tried this rich, chocolate-y facial mask, you can never go back because this creamy Real Cacao Brightening Mask feels like you're gliding on melted chocolate all over your face. The rich and creamy texture will instantly moisturize, brighten, and soften and skin, for your smoothest skin ever!

June 2015 Empties!

Time for another Monthly Empties!! I was a little worried that after how many empties I had last month that I wouldn't have any this month - I surprisingly made it through quite a few products! 

I loved watching empties videos & reading blog posts - so I am jumping on the empties bandwagon (I did my first one last month!). 

(Also, just as a note I will only be showing empties of make-up, skincare, body and hair products - the rest you don't need to see! I won't be showing any sheet masks here either because I review my whole Month in Masks in a separate post, but I will include masks in packages that I have finished!)

Let's get right in:

To Go Spa Coconut Eyes ~ pack of 3 for $12.50. Hydrate, Nourish, Soothe and Moisturize your under eyes leaving them refreshed and rejuvenated.

I have featured these on a few masks posts - I really like the gel eye masks! I received these in the old "Indulge Me" box and I am sad to be done them - when my stock of eye masks gets lower, I will repurchase these! 

Five on Friday! July 3, 2015

It was so nice that this week we had a holiday in the middle of the week!! Happy it is the weekend! 

ONE

 
Here is my garden update!!! Woo hoo - look at how much everything has been growing!! I have been able to pull my first batch of radishes and I have been using my lettuce for salads all week!!! So exciting!! 

June 2015 - Month of Masks in Review

My Skincare Routine is very important to me - you can view my Daily and Nightly routines here if you are familiar with the Korean 10 Step skincare routine! Masks are a big part of this routine and since I have come to love this routine, I have incorporated so many new masks in to my routine! I love trying different brands and different types of masks! Hopefully after this post you love masks as much as I do!

Hope you enjoy reading about all the masks I have tried!

June 1
Lush Love Lettuce ~ $9.95. Love Lettuce is our exfoliating ground almond mask that scoops up dirt, oil and debris and washes it all away. Exfoliation is an important part of good skincare, as it removes the buildup of dead skin that can clog your pores and cause impurities. Love Lettuce is a great example of how just a few ingredients can make a fresh, effective product for the skin. We blend calming French lavender oil with seaweed and honey to nourish and soften skin, and to balance oily T-zones.

June 2015 Beauty Box Subscription Comparison - Ipsy vs. Topbox vs. Birchbox

This is the first month that Beauty Box 5 is not in my comparison (my yearly subscription expired last month and I did not renew my subscription!)

Here is the chart comparison for Ipsy, Topbox and Birchbox:

Here is a closer look at 3 beauty boxes:

June 2015 Mask Genie 10 Mask Pouch Review - Facial Mask Subscription Review

Mask Genie is a newer all mask subscription service - started in January 2015! 

Mask Genie offers 2 different pouches:

• 5 masks for $12
• 10 masks for $22

The price for each pouch includes worldwide shipping!  

When you sign up for Mask Genie, you must purchase each month individually (although, Genie does say if you contact her you may request automatic re-billing)

Mask Genie describes their service as:

"MaskGenie is a monthly masks membership service, which delivers a beautifully packaged drawstring pouch straight to your door containing a variety of fun and exciting masks from Asia.

Unlike other masks subscription services, MaskGenie gives you the freedom to choose what you buy and when you buy, so you never feel tied to anything. Throughout the year, there will also be Limited Edition Luxury Mask Pouches that you can purchase as an extra treat for yourself or for a friend.

MaskGenie is not only your usual masks subscription service where you receive a bunch of random masks each month, but with MaskGenie, all products are carefully chosen and curated by us, all in order to give you the best selection of the craziest, coolest, and hottest trends!

No matter what skincare concerns you may have, MaskGenie provides only the best masks that care for your skin from head to toe. You now have an opportunity to try out all the different types and brands of masks from Asia."

I love Mask Genie and usually order at least the 5 Mask Pouch every month!! For June though, I ordered to 10 Mask Pouch! Here is a look:

Mask Genie does not include a product card, but each month she does an un-pouching video on her youtube channel and explains each mask and why she chose it!