Monthly Beauty Favourites ~ December 2023

Here's a look at the products I was loving in December: 

The Paula's Choice and Skin Proud were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Last year I started just picking any number of products I'm loving, instead of trying to find 5 each month (which I did previously!) So, whatever number of products I'm loving, that's what I will be sharing. 

I've been slower at using and trying out new products, so naturally my Favourites have been on the smaller side lately (and I'm totally fine with that) - here's a closer look at what I've been loving this month:

Skin Proud - New Face Melt and Icicle Review

I'm always excited for skincare reviews here - I know they have slowed down a little bit over the past year, but I'm just trying to be thoughtful and not use too many products at once (so there is no waste and I can use a product up as well as so it's nice and gentle on my skin!)

I received these products as PR samples

I'm so excited to try out Skin Proud - I love their messaging! Skin Proud is all about embracing our skin - no retouching to any of their photos and they are actively campaigning to have retouching banned in the beauty community. You know we don't retouch here - I will always show makeup and skincare on my skin as is so you can see how it actually looks on a real person. They also have 100% vegan formulas and nothing is tested on animals. 

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

This is a follow-up to last week's Morning Skincare Routine - if you haven't seen this already, make sure you check it out! I think it's overdue to share my updated routine, so I hope you enjoy these! 

The Skoah was received as part of the Ambassador program, the Estee Lauder and Paula's Choice were received as PR samples

While my daytime routine is quite simplified, I do tend to have my nighttime routine a little more in depth - I like to take my time going through the steps and making sure my skin is taken care of! 

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum & Eye Supercharged Complex

These products may be starting a competition for products with the longest names; but, it's a good thing the formulas are fantastic, so I can overlook the tounge-twisters! 

These products were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

But, really there are plenty of products with long names - they just describe the whole product in one go, so there are no questions about what the product is! I have been a fan of Estee Lauder skincare products for quite some time. 

November 2019 Boxycharm - Unboxing, Swatches, Review, and Full Make-up Look!

Boxycharm is a beauty subscription box for $25.00 US 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. While it is a little pricier than the more inexpensive beauty boxes, the majority of the products are full size, with a deluxe product every once in a while. 

This subscription was purchased by myself - this post contains affiliate links

It's been over a year since I've tried Boxycharm and I was suckered back in by a few upcoming spoilers, including the palette in this box! Boxycharm has changed their subscriptions like crazy - last year they started with one variant or two but prior to that, every subscriber got the same box. Now the include the base box, Boxycharm Premium which is basically higher end products for more $ each month, and then BoxyLuxe every 3 months for even more! 

My Fall Transition Skincare Products

I always switch up my skincare products for each season - I maintain the same basic routine and steps; but, my combination skin can lead a little more dry in the Fall evenings and often is still a little oily during the day. 

Some products were received from PR - this post contains affiliate links

On top of my skin's fluctuation, Calgary's weather is crazy in the Fall too - we can jump over 20 degrees in a day with cold evenings as well as chinook warmings. So, it can throw my skin in to a bit of a tailspin, so it's nice to have some solid products in the routine for the craziness! 

Beautylish Lucky Bag 2019 Unboxing!

I was so excited to receive my 2018 Beautylish Lucky Bag in the mail! I'm such a sucker for these mystery beauty bags (or mystery box in terms of how it arrives!)

Every Boxing Day (or December 26 for you non-Canadians), Beautylish releases the pre-order for their Lucky Bags which ship in early January (and if you are interested, these sell out quickly!) These boxes are $75.00 US + $15.00 shipping to Canada (with exchange I paid $130.84 CAN); but, you are guaranteed at least $150.00 US worth of makeup. They are all totally random, so it is a complete surprise what you get. Some are extra lucky and include gift cards, etc. 

I picked up the regular lucky bag for fair/medium skin, and my bag shipped from California on January 16 and arrived in Alberta on January 22 - so super fast shipping! (There was also XL lucky bags, Jeffree Star Lucky Bags, and a Buy One Gift One as other options). 

Here is a look at my 2019 Beautylish Lucky Bag:

The Lucky Bags are described as "Lucky Bags are a Japanese New Year custom that inspired us to create our own. The sumo wrestlers, or rikishi, on this year's Lucky Bags are said to bring good luck and fortune. We hope the surprises inside make your 2019 a little more lucky."

I was pretty excited when I opened my package and saw the goodies that I received in my Lucky Bag! I received 6 products from Viseart, Hourglass, Wayne Goss, Good Molecules, Jouer and Kevyn Aucoin! 

Mask Thursday - New Rodial Snake Oxygenating & Cleansing Bubble Mask Review + A Few Extra Snake Goodies!

Happy Thursday everyone! Okay, bubble masks are everywhere right now, so of course I have to try multiple masks! This one is really neat because it's actually a sheet mask and once you apply the sheet mask it bubbles up! 

Rodial Snake Oxygenating & Cleansing Bubble Mask ~ $9.00 US each or $60.00 for 8 masks. This detoxifying bubble mask generates O2 bubbles to remove dirt, dead skin cells and excess oil revealing a brighter-looking complexion. Purifying bamboo charcoal deeply cleanses and unclogs pores for fresher, smoother looking skin whilst a rich blend of collagen, ceramide, vitamins a & e and peptides leave it revitalized.

This mask combines two of this year's hottest trends in skincare: oxygen cleansers and bamboo charcoal! I have featured skincare products using both of these ingredients multiple times on the blog, so the benefits are fairly well-known. Oxygen bubbles help deep clean the skin to clear out pores are remove impurities, while bamboo charcoal brightens and refreshes the skin for an overall clean, bright look! Of course, these two ingredients will compliment each other! 

Skincare Monday - Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Eye Gelee

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day yesterday - I enjoyed the time with my family! This was my scheduled Skincare Sunday post, but I thought it should be post-Mother's Day! 

As the mom of a 3 week old new-born, I am not getting a full nights sleep (and I don't think I will for a few months!) I am pretty much constantly looking exhausted with slight dark circles under my eyes - it's the signature new mom look right?! Not how you want to look everyday, so I need to use an eye cream! 

Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Eye Gelee ~ $68.00. This multi-action, fatigue-fighting eye treatment improves visible firmness and reduces the look of lines, wrinkles and puffiness. Brightens the look of dark circles. Cooling massage tip helps reinvigorate the eye area.

I have really been impressed with the Estee Lauder skincare products I have tried and I think they always focus on making their packaging look luxe! This eye cream is ideal to use for dark circles, dryness, smoothing, and anti-aging! 

Skincare Sunday - Nip + Fab No Needle Fix Eye and Moisturiser

Happy Skincare Sunday everyone! I am reviewing some newer products from Nip and Fab - products from their No Needle line! I have reviewed some products from the Nip and Fab Dragon's Blood Line before and was pleasantly surprised! 

Nip + Fab certainly delivers on eye-popping branding - bee sting line, viper venom line, dragon's blood line, no needle fix, etc. When you walk by those names in a store, you will do a double take! 

Skincare Sunday - Lifance Natural Skin Care Face Products!

Happy Skincare Sunday everyone! Hopefully you are treating yourself this evening! Last week for Skincare Sunday I featured some body products from a local Alberta brand - Lifance Skincare and today I am featuring some more products today! 

Last week I reviewed the Triple Whipped Body Butter, the Exfoliating Body Butter Bar, and the Creamy Nougat Soap - check out my review on all 3 of these products here! 

Skincare Sunday - Skoah Fitskin Facial at Skoah Kensington Calgary!

Did you know that I have never been for a facial before?! I mean, I have been to the spa quite a few times for treatments, but I just do all my skincare treats at home! 

Clearly I enjoyed my first experience - this is my post-facial glow (also, keep in mind i'm bundled like crazy because it happened to be -25 degrees in Calgary that afternoon!)

I was very thrilled and honoured when Skoah here in Kensington, Calgary reached out to me to come in for a Fitskin Facial and review my experience! I have seen and heard of Skoah, but I haven't tried their products before so I came in with a fresh, open mind! 

December 2016 Boxycharm - Review and Unboxing

Boxycharm is a beauty subscription box for $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 6th month they have been shipping to Canada and I was so excited when they started shipping to Canada!)

This subscription 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!) While it is a little pricier than the inexpensive beauty boxes, the majority of the products are full size! 

Every subscriber generally receives the same products, but their is usually 1 or 2 items that have a few variations, so our boxes may not be identical! 

Here is a look at December's Boxycharm:

This month's theme is "Makeup on Pointe" - Boxycharm always includes a detailed product card explaining the items that were included in each month's subscription. 

Fresh - Holiday Gift Sets!

I have been so excited about some of the amazing Holiday Sets that are being released for this Holiday season! 

Fresh is one of my Favorite Skincare brands - they have amazing masks and their sugar lip treatments are hands down, the best lip products ever! 

Fresh - Skincare Treasures Gift Set ~ $90.00 CAN. A collection of Fresh skin care favorites that cleanse, mask, and moisturize—adorned in rich, gold-accented packaging. 

This is a gorgeous set that contains 5 products - Soy Face Cleanser, Lotus Youth Preserve Eye Cream with Super 7 Complex, Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex, Sugar Face Polish, and Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment! 

November 2016 Boxycharm - Review and Unboxing

Boxycharm is a beauty subscription box for $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 5th month they have been shipping to Canada and I was so excited when they started shipping to Canada!)

This subscription 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!) While it is a little pricier than the inexpensive beauty boxes, the majority of the products are full size! 

Every subscriber generally receives the same products, but their is usually 1 or 2 items that have a few variations, so our boxes may not be identical! 

Here is a look at November's Boxycharm:

This month's theme is "Groovy Town" - Boxycharm always includes a detailed product card explaining the items that were included in each month's subscription. 

November 2016 Ipsy Glambag - Unboxing and Review

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 "Rockstarlet" - here is a closer look at the products I received:

July 2016 Topbox - Review and Unboxing

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

Topbox now sends the product card via email, instead of in the bag. Also this month, they included a bonus item for everyone because of the issues with shipping the July box (the Canada Post strike issue).

My 13 Step Night Time Skincare Routine - Skincare Sunday

Happy Skincare - it has been quite a while since I have posted my full, detailed skincare routine! I have updated it, and the products have changed, but here are the general steps that I follow for my nighttime routine! (You can view my previous Nighttime Skincare post to see my inspiration for this routine!)

I use a lot of products every night! It may seem overwhelming to some - but this is my personal interpretation of the 10-12 step Korean skincare routine. The basic Eastern philosophy on skincare is that you put as much time in to your nighttime routine as you do getting ready in the morning! Korean skincare really focuses on putting effort in to your skin with products that are good to your skin (where generally the Western philosophy is to rush through the process).

April 2016 Topbox - Unboxing and 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. There is usually a month or two waitlist for this subscription. 

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

Topbox usually only comes with 4 products, but this month everyone got a bonus razor from Schick which is awesome!! 

March 2016 - Bath Time Box Review

Bath Time Box is a Canadian bath subscription box (started right here in Alberta - yay!!!). Bath Time Box focuses on products to help you rediscover bath time - I love baths so this box is right up my alley!

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 

The box ships on the 21st or 22nd of every month - it ships quickly and arrives in a few days! 

Here is a look at the March 2016 Bath Time Box:

This month looks like it has a great mix of products - I love when I see skincare in Bath Time Box (their Rose toner is my holy grail!)