Monthly Beauty Favourites - March 2023

Here's a look at what I'm loving this past month: 

I purchased everything in this post - 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. 

The Five Products I've Been Reaching For All Summer!

While the pandemic is still impacting our travel plans, I've been spending quite a bit of the Summer travelling locally. I have family to go visit as well as a cabin we've been to multiple times, so I've been living out of a travel makeup bag for most of the Summer. 

The Paula's Choice, Simple & Dove products were received as PR samples & the Klorane product was received from Topbox Circle - this post contains affiliate links

During my Summer getaways and living on a very trimmed down beauty routine, I've found a few products that I've been reaching for all the time! When we go to the cabin, we really preserve water, so these products are all about convenience, easy packing, and quick to use! 

October 2020 - Monthly Empties

Time for a look at my October Empties:

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

Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray - Oil Control ~ $29.00 US for 4 oz. Our oil control finishing spray gives you a soft matte look while holding makeup perfectly in place.

This just made my Monthly Favourites (twice this year actually), so it's such a good setting spray. It holds everything in place and makes everything last. 

Repurchase: Yes 

April 2020 - Monthly Empties and Month in Masks

Here is a look at my beauty garbage from April:

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

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder ~ $8.00 CAN. The Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder is a loose powder that helps absorb oil and excess sebum.

I just finished this up in my 20 in 2020 Project Pan - I've had this since 2015 and it was time to use it up. It's not a bad powder, but I'm just not super in to loose powders in my routine anymore. This was super fine and I thought it creased under my eyes a little. 
Repurchase: Nah

July 2019 - Monthly Empties & Month in Masks

Time to look at my July beauty garbage:

Some products may have been received in PR - this post contains affiliate links

Hard Candy Setting Spray - Long Wear ~ $6.98 CAN. A weightless spray that locks in makeup for all day wear.

This came in a hard candy set and the setting spray itself worked well and I thought it helped extend the longevity of my makeup; but, the nozzle sprays this product out too thick, if that makes sense. I prefer a finer spray so that it doesn't leave any dots on my face.
Repurchase: Maybe, I would prefer if the nozzle was changed 

Five on Friday - August 2, 2019

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you've had a great week! We have been in Fairmont for the whole week enjoying some family time! My husband's whole family and all our kids are together for a week (and since I'm pre-writing this, I can say in advance that's it been lots of fun and totally crazy all at the same time!)

ONE 

Some products may have been received in PR - this post contains affiliate links

It's time for a look at my August Monthly Makeup Basket! Each month I've been picking a few different face products to focus on for the month! I'm really trying to focus this year on using and enjoying my whole makeup collection! 

June 2019 What I Bought - Monthly Haul!

Time for a look at everything I picked up this month - I really love these Monthly Haul posts - they give me a way to share everything I pick up each month as I don't always post about everything I get!

For 2019, I put myself on stricter $100 a month budget , not because I need to; it's actually more to test myself and be more conscious about what I purchase. I also really want to make sure that I'm enjoying and using everything on my collection!

(Also, I know I went a little over - I started dipping in to this budget in May and thought I could reign it in a little; but, I think I did okay and thought everything through!)

ColourPop Haul ~ $77.27 CAN. Alright, this is the order that I placed in May knowing that I would be dipping well in to my June budget! But, I was very excited for the Main Squeeze palette - I've been loving the 9-pan monochromatic palettes ColourPop has been releasing lately, although none have made me grab one until now! And, I wanted to order right away as I wanted the Birthday Super Shock Shadow (which is really pretty this year!) To get free shipping, I also picked up a couple more Jelly Much shadows from the Villains collection, a couple of pressed glitters, and the eyeliner and mascara in black! 

May 2019 - Monthly Empties & Month in Masks

Here's a look at my May makeup garbage (I know it's a little late ok):

Some products may have been received as PR samples or in giveaways - this post contains affiliate links

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ~ sample size shown here (full size is $26.00 CAN). A leave-on lip mask that soothes and moisturizes for smoother, more supple lips overnight.

This lip sleeping mask is amazing! It made my Best of 2018 Makeup products because it was so good! This little sample lasted me for a couple of weeks, so this was a handy little sample and this is the best formula!

Repurchase: YES!

October 2017 - Monthly Empties!

Let's take a look at my beauty garbage from October:

The Face Shop Fresh Cleansing Wipes ~ $15.00.

I love these Face Wipes - I reviewed them here and they made my Monthly Favorites in August! They are vey saturated and actually work to remove all makeup types, including mascara and liquid lipsticks! Love! 
Repurchase: Yes I need to! 

September 2017 - Monthly Empties!

Let's get right in and have a look at my beauty garbage for this month and my thoughts on the products:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ~ travel size $26.00. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is a sheer, lightweight formula with a hint of color you can use in place of foundation for a natural finish and a healthy glowing complexion.

This is my second travel size bottle of this - I didn't love it the first time around, and now I like it a little bit more. It was easily my go-to over the Summer. It is light weight and gentle on the skin, but it wasn't super long lasting. It was just ok.

Repurchase: Mmmm... probably not... 

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:

November 2015 Empties (and a couple Tosses)

Time to review another batch of empties - I actually love going through all my products and deciding what I loved and didn't love about everything!

Let's dig right in:

Dove Go Fresh Rebalance Body Wash ~ $4.97. The soothing nature-inspired scent of plum and sakura blossom now infused with NutriumMoisture.

I always get body washes in big gift packages (Superstore always has deluxe grocery add-ons). So this was good and smells great - I like Dove body washes, but again I have so many body washes to get through!
Repurchase: No, too many body washes and this was nothing special

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! 

November 2014 Beauty Box 5 - Review and Unboxing

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly subscription box that costs $12 US per month + $3 shipping to Canada. If you sign up for a longer subscription, you get a lower price per box: $30 quarterly, and $99 a year ( plus $3 shipping per month). 

I signed up for Beauty Box 5 when they had a promotional code for $12 off a year (and before they started charging for shipping!) - so I got a full year for $87. This worked out to $97.60 Canadian with the exchange rate so I only pay $8.14 a month for this subscription.

Beauty Box 5 has been referred to as the"starter beauty box" - it does not send many high end products and the value tends to be lower than other boxes but they often do have really good products.

Here is the November Beauty Box 5:

The theme for this month is "Grounded Beauty" - all about giving your body extra attention with these items in your pampering routine.