Five on Friday - September 30, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! I am so happy for the weekend! 

Did you see my new Travel section? I started off by sharing the first part of my Turks and Caicos vacation last year - I hope you guys don't mind a few different posts sprinkled in with my regular beauty posts! 

ONE

I finally got my free Benefit brow sample - and I got the new Gimme Brow. I love Gimme Brow so I am happy to try this sample! It is in my shade too which is great! 

September 2016 Boxycharm - Review and Unboxing

Boxycharm is $21.00 a month + $5.00 shipping to Canada (shipping is free to the U.S.) Boxycharm sends 4 to 5 full size and luxury size beauty items. (This is only the 3rd month they have been shipping to Canada!)

Looking back at past reviews, this box focuses heavily on make-up items - so that is something to keep in mind! (I personally love all the makeup though and they have sent full size palettes in the past!)

Here is a look at September's Boxycharm:

This month's theme is "Camp Glam"! Boxycharm always includes a product card explaining the products they have received - I like product cards in subscription boxes; it is a lot more convenient than going online right away.

Mask Wednesday - Life Brand Brightening Facial Sheet Mask

Happy Mask Wednesday - on a Thursday! (I'm sorry - I need a new laptop so bad, I was editing these photos and it took ages, by the time it was done, I was too tired to write my review!)

The Life Brand masks are all over Shoppers Drug Mart - they have a ton of different types, both sheet mask and wash off masks! They are well priced at $2 a piece, or 3 for $5. 

Life Brand Brightening Facial Sheet Mask - Omija & Scutellaria Extract ~ $2. Reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion with the specifically formulated Life Brand Brightening Sheet Mask. Omija extract from northern China is high in antioxidants and minerals to help brighten your skin. Scutellaria extract and pea complex improve skin quality and uncover a more luminous complexion. 

September 2016 Beauty Box Comparison - Ipsy vs. Topbox

Here is a comparison of the September 2016 Ipsy and Topbox:

Here is a closer look at the 2 boxes this month:

Manicure Tuesday - MoYou London Stamped Nails!

Happy Manicure Tuesday - my son's basketball practice is now on Monday nights so I'm really going to do my nails in advance, or we may be seeing a lot of Manicure Tuesdays on the blog for a bit! 

This week I am really excited to try nail stamping! I tried this technique over 10 years ago from a mall kiosk and it did not work for me, but recently I have been seeing some beautiful stamping nail art and new I had to try it again! 

I love how cute are these little birdie stamps?! 

Travel Post - My Turks and Caicos Vacation Part 1 Recap "Providenciales and Grace Bay Beach"

I love to travel and have not quite gotten in to posting about my vacations before now - I think I have always been worried as a beauty blogger that these posts might not be everyone's favorite. But, I love reading travel posts and finding out real tourists favorite, maybe less known, things to do while on vacation! 

Last year, September 26 - October 10, 2015 I planned my dream vacation to Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and wanted to share my experience with you guys (and maybe a few helpful tips!) 

How could I resist Turks and Caicos?! The island of Providenciales (Provo) was rated the #1 Island in the world for 2015 (currently #3 for 2016) and Grace Bay Beach is the #1 Beach in the world for 2016 (these are from Tripadvisor!) 

Skincare Sunday - Beauty Clinic "Dr. Post" Mediheal Snail Aquaring SOS Mask

My skin has not been great lately - I have some new products that I have been waiting to try, but I have to wait until my skin calms down first! 

I figured it was time to pull out all the stops and use my absolute FAVORITE skin-repairing mask!

Beauty Clinic Mediheal Snail Aquaring SOS Mask ~ $4.49 CAN. "Dr. Post" Snail Aquaring SOS Mask is a special moisturizing clinic system which intensively manages skin which has been damaged by dry environment containing hydration building ingredients such as Snail Mucus Components. Also it has a synergy ampoule booster which is used specially before applying masks and skin dryness is relieved by using Prunus Mume Fruit Water instead of water.

Restore your skin’s moisture levels with the Dr.Post Snail Aquaring SOS Mask- an intense hydrating mask especially created for dry skin, featuring the best of oriental medicine. This age-old oriental formula is used to provide much needed hydration and balance.

September 2016 Topbox - Review and Unboxing + Unilever Limited Edition Trends Box!

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.

Each month comes with a couple variations, so you may not receive exactly the same products as me, but generally 1 or 2 are the same throughout all the bags. 
TopBox is a Canadian company and only ships to Canada. There is usually a month or two waitlist for this subscription. 

For September, I requested a regular Topbox - here is a look at what I received: 

Here is a closer look at the products I received:

Five on Friday - September 23, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week! Mine was pretty quiet - work was quiet busy! 

Can you believe yesterday was the first day of Fall?! You call tell in Calgary - everything turned yellow and red in the last few days and it is getting cold at night time! 

ONE

Have you seen the GIVEAWAY that I have going on right now?! I am hosting a giveaway for a Zoella beauty product of YOUR CHOICE and the new Zoella book, Girl Online: On Tour! 

This giveaway is open to Canada only, and ends on Sunday night at midnight so get entering!! The original post is HERE!

Mask Wednesday - Lovemore x Disney Tsum Tsum "Pooh Repairing Art Mask (Limited Edition)" Review

It's Mask time - I was so excited to get my Lovemore x Disney Tsum Tsum masks in the mail this week! 

Lovemore x Disney Tsum Tsum "Pooh Repairing Art Mask (Limited Edition)" ~ $5.00. Pooh is here to make everyone smile with these new adorable masks by LOVEMORE! This is a limited edition set exclusively sold in Taiwan, so get them while you can. Great for skin recovery and irritated skin to hydrate and repair skin. Balancing and Intensive Repairing. Hydrating. Moisturizing. Soothing.

Trade Secrets Give and Take Campaign + Hot Tools 24K Gold Extended 1 1/2" Curling Iron Review

A few weeks back I mentioned the "Give and Take" campaign that is currently happening at Trade Secrets!  

The Give and Take campaign runs until September 30, 2016 - so you still have time if you are interested! Bring in a gently used hair appliance to your local Trade Secrets/ Glamour Secrets location and you take 50% off selected appliances! 

All items donated to the campaign will be delivered to women's shelters and charities across Canada that support women and their children escaping violence! What a great cause to donate to!

One of the 50% off items available is:

Hot Tools 24K Gold Extended 1 1/2" Curling Iron ~ $49.99 CAN. Hot Tools Salon Curling Iron/Wand - Extended Barrel 24k Gold creates beautiful, long-lasting, defined curls. Pulse technology for gets hot... stays hot performance. Fast heat-up and instant heat recovery. Maintains constant, even heat while you style. 24k Gold plated surface provides even heat distribution and is ideal for all hair types.

September 2016 - Ipsy Glambag Review and Unboxing!

Ipsy is one of the original 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 - you will have to factor in our crazy exchange rate right now!)

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 always ships out in it's signature pink mailer, and here is a look at what came inside!

This month's theme is "Glamazon" - Full-on glamour is back. Put away your sweatpants, let down your ponytail and get glammed up just for the hell of it. Woke up like this? As if. I'm not the biggest fan of this bag, personally but it's not a big deal to me; I usually like them.

Manicure Monday - Formula X fall colours!

Happy Manicure Monday time - this week I'm thinking about the start of Fall on Thursday and was looking for darker colours to wear! 

I will say, I was thinking Fall but this ended up looking more like Christmas! Whoopsie! 

Skincare Sunday - Zoella Beauty "Soak Opera" + a giveaway!

Happy Sunday everyone one! Do you love beauty videos as much as I do?! I'm sure by now you have heard of Zoella! Zoe has been doing beauty and fashion videos since 2009 and has recently expanded to start a line of bath products!

Zoella Beauty "Soak Opera" - Bath Soak and Shower Cream ~ $11.99. A delicately fragranced 'beauty in a bottle' bath soak to calm the senses with soothing floral notes. Enriched with Vitamin E, Aloe and Shea Butter extracts to soften and condition the skin.

Keep calm with this 'beauty in a bottle' bath soak as the delicate fragrance calms the senses with soothing floral notes. Say hello to your new bubbly bestie!

Five on Friday - September 16, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a great weekend - I have a bit of a busy but good weekend coming up! 

ONE

I am part of a few Makeup/Beauty swap groups on Facebook and we just participated in a 30 day beauty gift exchange! I am so excited to see what awesome gifts my swap partner came up with! 

Covergirl "The Super Sizer Fiber" Mascara and Covergirl "Clean Matte BB Cream" Review and Swatches - BzzAgent Campaign

I was recently selected to be involved in a BzzAgent campaign focusing on Fast & Fresh summer beauty routines with Covergirl makeup products.

The 2 products I was sent from BzzAgent are the Covergirl "The Super Sizer Fiber" Mascara and Covergirl "Clean Matte BB Cream For Oily Skin" 

Mask Wednesday - L'Herboflore Marine Collagen Resilience Lift Mask

Happy Mask Wednesday everyone! I have been really looking forward to trying masks from L'Herboflore ever since I have been trying more Taiwanese brands! 

L'Herboflore focuses on affordable luxury by offering ingredient conscious masks with a thinner, Japanese silk mask for a better fit and better product absorption! They also detail their products with beautiful artwork! 

L'Herboflore Marine Collagen Resilience Lift Mask ~ $3.00 CAN. Strengthen your skin with a firming sheet mask enriched with marine collagen and elastin! These two main structural proteins of the skin help increase the moisture content and elasticity of the skin, effectively smoothing wrinkles and slowing down the aging process of the skin. Together with deep sea water, MDI complex, and and γ-PGA hydrate, this sheet mask will keep your skin looking youthful and supple!

Manicure Tuesday - Pink Textured Nail Polish

Happy Manicure Tuesday - i'm a day late this week because I had some work commitments that had me out late last night! 

This week I thought I would go with a fun, textured Mani:

For this week's Mani I used:
-Formula X nail cleanser, base coat and top coat
-ORLY nail polish in Cake Pop (light pink base colour)
-Naild'it Unique Polish in Melon (textured polish)

Skincare Sunday - Wyld Skincare "Wyld Konjac Facial Sponge"

Happy Skincare Sunday everyone - today I am featuring a konjac sponge from Wyld Skincare! Konjac sponges are becoming an increasingly popular way of exfoliating the skin - they are a natural and gentle alternative to regular exfoliants and brushes. 

I do have sensitive skin so I don't exfoliant my skin very often (once per week) because I find most exfoliants are too hard on my skin. Konjac sponges are a gentle option - they are safe to use on sensitive skin, acne prone skin, eczema, etc. Konjac is a plant that grows in the mountains of China, Japan and Korea. 

Wyld Skincare is a Canadian company based in Toronto - their current focus is all on the Konjac sponge. Wyld Konjac sponges are natural, vegan, cruelty free, 100% chemical free, biodegradable, ph balanced and contain no preservatives - the sponges just have  just 2 ingredients - konjac pant fibre and natural charcoal. Their goal is to offer the purest konjac sponge on the market for the best and brightest skin! 

Five on Friday - September 8, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a great week! I had the busiest work week that I have had in months - I was just swamped and had no time to myself! So I apologize that it has been a little quiet around here this week! 

I assume you noticed there was no Mask Wednesday this week, as I was really busy and my son started basketball too! I'm hoping things quiet down a bit! 

ONE

Alright, I know that I was going to be on a low buy this month, but there was a couple of masks I have been really wanting to try! I put in a small order from Chuusi - this is a Canadian company focusing on Korean and Taiwanese brands! I have been waiting to try Maskingdom and L'Herboflore masks! 

August 2016 Monthly Favourites!

I'm a little slow getting my August goodies together, but here is a look at what I have been loving this month! 

Eminence Firm Skin Acai Cleanser ~ $38.00 (also comes in travel size!) This Naturally-derived hyaluronic acid and seabuckthorn oil help reduce the signs of aging and restore elasticity for a more youthful appearance.This cleanses and refines dull, devitalized skin for a smooth and glowing complexion. Helps maturing skin with antioxidant-rich acai berry. Cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, animal by-products, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan.

I love this creamy cleanser - it is purple and smells amazing! It is really gentle and I love how well it works! 

Manicure Monday - Octopus Nail Art + Monthly Pedicure - Fall Toes!

Happy Mani Monday - I have been a little nervous to do Octopus nail art, but having been wanting to do this for so long!! 

I will say that I LOVE how the octopuses turned out! I'm so excited for these! 

I actually went to a salon and got a Manicure today - I chose China Glaze "Highlight of My Summer" as it is a beautiful mint green!

August 2016 - Monthly Empties

Here is a look at my Monthly Empties! 

Kiesque LIQUID PALISADE™ Easy-Peel Polish Barrier ~ $17.00. Kiesque’s LIQUID PALISADE™ Easy-Peel Polish Barrier is perfect for keeping your cuticles free from polish when brushing on traditional manis or water-marble designs. A liquid tape designed for your nails, it features a quick-drying formula and an easy-to-use handle with a short, wide brush for instant application to cuticles. 

I completed a full review on this product for a Mani Monday - you can view it here! This is a barrier for doing nail art. I really liked this product; but, when I went to use it this month - it dried up on me! I only got through about half the product and the rest came out in a big clump! 

Repurchase: Yes probably! 

Skincare Sunday Product Review - Banila Co. - It Radiant Lace Hydrogel Eye Patch

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend - I almost forgot it was Sunday today! 

Banila Co. - It Radiant Lace Hydrogel Eye Patch ~ $8.90. This Hydrogel Lace Eye Patch is enhanced with White Flower Complex and revitalizing active ingredients that help improve your skin condition.

August 2016 Month in Masks & Mask Empties

Masking is a huge part (and probably my favorite part) of my skincare routine! I try and use them as often as possible as I find they really help moisturize and improve my skin! 

This post is a review of all the masks I use each month and mini reviews on all of them - I also consider the Month of Masks my Mask Empties post, because I do not feature my sheet masks in my monthly empties post! You can check out my past Month of Masks here! 

Here is a look at the masks I used this month:

August 1

Secret Key Syn-ake Wrinkle Mask Pack ~ $4. ★SYN-AKE is a kind of Peptides which is similar molecular structure to snake venom. It is developed by Pentapharm company, Swiss, one of the best cosmetic company in the world. It has excellent effect for anti-wrinkle.

Five on Friday - September 2, 2016

Happy Friday everyone - I'm looking forward to the long weekend! 

So, I did really good on my no-buy for August, and I think I will stick to a low-buy for September! 

ONE

This past Monday was my wedding anniversary and this was the lovely present I received from my husband!