KORRES Wild Rose Petal Soft Cream Exfoliator Review

I am still one of those who like a good old face scrub because I love how clean and soft it makes my skin feel instantly. I like to use chemical exfoliants but I feel they can be too much for my dry skin and I almost always come back to physical exfoliants like this one because it does the job! 

Today I will be sharing my favourite scrub for the past two years - its funny how I rarely share the products that I use on the regular and repurchase all the time. But today is different - today I will share my favourite scrub and I don't even care if anyone judges me for picking this up instead of a chemical peel, or an AHA/BHA toner/serum! The Korres Wild Rose Petal Soft Cream Exfoliator promises to buff away dead, dry skin to reveal a visibly bright, glowing, and smooth complexion every morning. I usually use it at night because mornings are too busy and I follow with a Korres night cream which I will share in another post. 

More on this amazing wild rose scrub in today's blog...

Velour Lashes Effortless No Trim Natural Lash Collection in Would I Lie? Review

I hate false lashes! I can't stand the extra and completely unnecessary drama on the eyes! And every time I look at someone with extra dramatic lashes, I cringe!! I don't think anyone looks good with false lashes on a daily basis but I know there is a time and place for it which I will talk about later in this post. I much prefer the lash extensions look because there is no visible band on the eyelids and it definitely looks much better in person too. And the redness on eyes of fake lash wearers! Like why would anyone do that do themselves? Glueing something to your precious eyes, getting them red, adding so much volume to eyes that screams "I need attention" or "I am ready for Halloween"! Like why?! 

Please let me know if you think its too harsh for me to write it down this way, but this needs to be said and if you are just starting out in makeup then please know that you don't always need fake lashes. If you have sparse lashes and mascaras aren't doing the trick then the world has progressed to lash fillers, lash extensions, lash serums and a wide range of natural looking options that not only enhance your beauty but also prevent you from using glues and tweezers close to your eyes on a daily basis.

Now that I have cleared the air around my dislike/hatred for false lashes, let me tell you that the world is crazy about these because they can make anyone look extraordinary in photos and in the era of social media, photos are everything! So why not pop on those fake lashes and look our best. 

Every time, I get my makeup done professionally for a special occasion, I always get false lashes because I know I will be photographed and in portraits and group photos, I want my eyes to look big and more open (hope that makes sense). Sometimes I am asked if I want them on at an extra cost, and sometimes the makeup artist just glues them on as part of her artistry. Nevertheless my makeup looks great and photographs look perfect, even when I dislike those lashes. That's the only time I would stick false lashes to my eyes and I think it is worth it once in a while. Removing them and getting rid of lash glue from my eyelids is another story. But the fact is that fake lashes can make me look great in photographs and have a place in my makeup bag for special occasions only. 

During the pandemic, I had to do my makeup myself and I learnt a few tricks to save time and keep my cool while getting ready for something special and I knew I needed a pair of falsies to get those 'professional' results. I have tried a few different types of false lashes on my own, including the infamous magnetic lashes but I finally settled for cruelty free, vegan lashes from Velour Lashes. More on these in today's blog.       

TATCHA The Deep Cleanse Review and Result

 Hello my lovelies!

Today's post is a little bit different. I am not going to rant at how awful Tatcha's The Deep Cleanse is for my skin, but I will show you what a hyped up product on social media can do to your skin. My skin was doing fairly well with no acne or dryness. I was on a Guerlain Abeille Royale routine for morning and night and I felt good about it. After I ran out of my favorite Dr. Dennis AHA peeling pads, I decided to give physical exfoliant a chance, but I did not want just any exfoliant - I wanted a high quality product for my skin. So, a quick social media scan and I was sold that Tatcha's exfoliating products are great for pore cleansing and loved by so many "influencers". I have detailed my experience on why this product is not worth my time and money and also included a picture of the reaction I had on my face. 

Keep reading to find out more.

ROUGE BUNNY ROUGE Flowers & Portraits Blush Wands - Review and Swatches

Rouge Bunny Rouge's Flower & Portraits Blush Wands come in four natural looking hues that work for most skin tones. The lightweight formulation applies smoothly on skin and dries to a powder finish which lasts all day long. The shades are Rosetti, Klimt, Vrubel and Renoir - Vrubel being the darkest, which can be described as a cranberry color (ideal for colder weather) and the lightest shade is Klimt which works for the my skin but better days - adding just enough warmth to add a glow to my face. 

The Flower & Portraits Blush Wands are the most beautiful cream-to-powder finish blushes I have used in  a long time. They do not require any setting sprays nor do they feel heavy or oily on skin. I have been loving these blushes lately and I can't wait to share more about these in today's blog ...

ROUGE BUNNY ROUGE Velvet Whispers Matt Lipsticks - Review and Swatches

Hello lovelies, 

I am so excited to share the Rouge Bunny Rouge Velvet Whispers Matte lipsticks with you today. These lipsticks are luxuriously packaged and have a creamy matte finish which is long lasting and comfortable to wear. I have been sharing some sneak peeks on my Instagram and I know you are loving this collection as well. Each shade has its own whimsical story based on the myths around whispers in the enchanted garden. It's a beautiful story and you can catch up on it at Rouge Bunny Rouge's website.  These vegan, cruelty free, paraben free and fragrance free lipsticks are so pigmented and long wearing, I never have to worry about it fading. I have swatched all the shades in this collection for you, so keep on reading..

CAUDALIE Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum Review

In my previous post, I shared the gel moisturizer from the Caudalie Vinosource line and how well it works to keep skin hydrated without making it oily and prevent dryness and redness on skin.  Today I will share this skincare superstar which I am finding really hard to part with. I am close to finishing the bottle of this SOS Serum and I am actually wondering if I can live without it or just move to something more potent (read: anti- wrinkle) because my skin is getting older. The sooner I find amicable products that my skin cant help but love, the better it is. So, I am writing this blog to convince myself for a repurchase of the Caudalie SOS Serum, though I am distracted by a couple of amazing antiaging serums, the light weight texture of this serum with the benefits of hyaluronic acid is making me think twice.  

More on what the Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum is and how I like it on my skin on today's blog..

CAUDALIE Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet Review

I fell in love with the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet while on vacation to US and since have always made sure I had a pouch full of travel size Caudalie products every time, I flew out of country. Since flying on a plane is now a distant memory, I decided to invest in full size Caudalie products which my skin already loves. I like skincare products with organic, plant based ingredients, because they usually sit well with my changing skin conditions. You know well that I suffer from dryness and often eczema on my hands and neck and though I use mild cleansing products, often it is only micellar water, I still end up with redness on my face and if I am unable to look after my skin, it quickly turns in to a big, painful pimple.

So I switched to Caudalie Vinosource regimen and removed all other skincare treatments in hopes of making my skin look and feel its best. More on this and my minimalistic routine in today's blog. 

PEACE OUT Wrinkles - Anti Wrinkle Microneedling Retinol Patches - Review

Hello there, my friends!

I thought I am going to take a sabbatical in 2020 and just hope to stay alive and meet you all again in 2021 with good health and high spirits. Guess what, we are back at it again. And I am very excited today because I am sharing something which will make all your skin dreams come true! You know you should go for a facial, maybe a mani-pedi, but the fears of COVID-19 are stopping you? Well, here's the good news...these microneedling anti wrinkle patches from Peace Out are the perfect treatment for those in between touchups. For me these patches are a way to prolong my skin's elasticity by injecting hyaluronic acids, retinol and vitamin C so my fine lines do not turn into wrinkles. 

Ok, maybe I need to clear out my skin situation first. I do not currently have deep wrinkles, BUT I have started to notice more lines around my eyes when I smile. They stick around as fine lines for some time before disappearing. This might be considered the first sign that my skin is loosing its elasticity and I am turning 35 this year! There is another line right between my eyebrows which I noticed first about 2 years ago, while I took a selfie under the sun. I initially thought it's because I am squinting under the bright sunlight, but as the months went by that line is settling in. There is an actual line between my eyebrows which is most noticeable when I wake up, it plumps up as the day goes by, but shows up as soon as I step in the sun!!

How annoying is that?!!

Hence, I decided to partake my first 'retinol needling' experience, using a sort of hyped up brand on social media called Peace Out ✌. This is also the first time I tried a wrinkle patch, so do I like it, does it work? I will answer all of that in the post below and will also update here, as the weeks go by. 

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Palette of Pops Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in Celestial Eyes - Review and Swatches

The title of this post suggests a very long name for an eyeshadow palette that appears to be anything but big or luxurious. Its packaging feels flimsy and very plastic and not something of luxury. Remember when I shared about my NARS Voyageur palette, I spoke about how it was still substantial enough to be not called a 'mini palette' and it has six highly pigmented shades. 

Let's get this clear, this rendition by Charlotte Tilbury is not something of luxury, nor does the hefty price tag of C$70 justify its mini existence. 

However, the shimmer shadows are extremely gorgeous and sparkly and the color combination is perfect for evening or special occasion. Despite what others think, I like shimmer shadows that are slightly sheer, so I can use them as a topper or as a light wash off sparkles on my eyes. I do not like full-on glittery eyes, unless its a costume party and there is a dress code I need to adhere to! 

More on this palette with swatches in today's blog.

HERBIVORE Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask Review

Hello everyone,

Hope you all had a great start of the new year. I stayed very busy with my family and friends this time around and as much as I feel blessed to have great people around me, I wish the same for all of you. I missed blogging and sharing some amazing products with you, so today I am sharing a face mask from Herbivore. I had never heard of this brand, if it wasnt for Sephora and the sale season allowed me to splurge on this expensive product. This two ounce jar retails for C$60 at Sephora Canada and promises to to 'gently exfoliate, smooth, and resurface the skin' and it is recommended solution for acne, redness and pores. I have been suffering from all of this. Though my acne is under control but I still have some acne marks and scars to work on. So, I gave this mask a try and here are my thoughts. 

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Makeup and Skincare Review with Swatches

Around six or seven years ago, I was really in to natural makeup and tried so many mineral makeup brands and even shared some on this blog. Gradually, I moved away from that because they were mostly available only online and I could never be sure if I got the right shade nor were there enough online swatches. So, recently I came across Burt's Bees natural makeup line, which is available at London Drugs and almost all drugstores. I was so excited to try it out, because I love using natural products on my skin. Each of these products is 100% natural except the brow pencil which is 99.9% natural. 

A lot of you must already be using the Burt's Bees lip balm and so was I but I never explore the body care or the skincare products from Burt's Bees and I was missing out on a lot! I literally found  a solution to the eczema on my hands. I am also using the Hand Salve these days but will save that for another review.  

For review and swatches of Burt's Bees Natural Makeup collection, keep reading..

PHYSICIANS FORMULA The Healthy Foundation MN4 and Spotlight Illuminating Primer Review and Swatch

Every time I use something from Physicians Formula, I wonder why I never tried it before. It is amazing to discover products that perform so well, they rival the most expensive beauty products I have ever used. I love a good foundation and that is usually where I feel the need to splurge the most, until its not! 

The Healthy Foundation with SPF 20 from Physicians Formula is a fantastic addition to my routine and even though this foundation stays perfectly without a primer, the new Spotlight Illuminating Primer adds just enough luminosity to skin to appear dewy and fresh.

As I get older and the contours of my face deepen a little more, I have actually started to appreciate highlighting products in a new light. I never thought I would be so concerned about how my eye area appears but as time goes by, I realize that these products takes years off my face just by bringing in more light or should I say Spotlight!

More on these amazing products from Physicians Formula at London Drugs in today's blog.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA The Healthy Lip Velvet Finish Liquid Lipstick Review and Swatches

Physicians Formula products are so affordable and such great quality that I can not stop sharing about them. I never expected much and these products have amazed me beyond expectations, therefore, here is another wonderful set of lip colors that have quickly become my go to. Each shade is so wearable, so easy to mix to create a custom shade and comfortable on my lips. The velvet finish  appears like a soft matte but are hydrating and last forever on me. More on this and lots of swatches in today's post!

Keep reading!

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Rosé All Day, Charcoal Detox and Refreshmint Review and Swatches

Today I am sharing some skincare products from Physicians Formula available at London Drugs. All of these products are vegan, cruelty free and free from harmful ingredients. My skin can be easily irritated by some ingredients commonly used in cosmetics, so I am extremely careful with what I apply on my skin and Physicians Formula products never disappoint! They work great for my skin type and never cause any sensitivities. All three of these come in beautiful and functional packaging and are very easy to incorporate in an existing skincare regimen. 

Charcoal Detox was a completely new experience for me as I hadn't use a charcoal stick before for cleansing and the Refreshmint eye de-puffer is so minty and delicious but my favorite is the Rosé All Day serum because its a versatile product that smells amazing!! It's really like smelling a bouquet of roses all day! 

I love these products and for a full review, how I use them and swatches, keep on reading!

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Body Butter Review

The Bee Lovely Body Butter from Neal's Yard Remedies is not only an essential for nourishing dry skin, it also instills a feeling of hyyge. The coziness from the scent of honey and orange and the warmth of massaging it all over is so relaxing and an experience I truly enjoy. Its the little pleasures of life that satiate us, makes us happier and that feeling amplifies when this product helps in saving the bees.
I love that I need just a small amount of body butter to cover my arms or legs after a bath. And that soothing warm scent of honey and oranges is just what I seek on these cold autumn days.
Bee Lovely Body Butter is made with organic honey and orange oil and is free from mineral oils, synthetic fragrances or colors.
More on this in today's review...

L'Occitane Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm and Shea Foaming Cleanser Review

I came back from my month long vacation couple of weeks ago and these new L'Occitane products from the Shea Butter Collection were the first few products that I began using as soon as I arrived in Calgary. The weather here is so dry and it really takes its toll on my already dry skin. I can do everything to protect my face and feet but my hands are a disaster. May be because I wash them too much throughout the day and I do not follow up with a hand creme, even though I have plenty all around me at all times. 

Let me explain you what happens to my hands. The skin on my knuckles and around my nails and cuticles gets so dry that it starts to tear! Yes! It tears open and it gets worse as I do my everyday work. The tear get bigger if I try to grip on to anything, e.g. holding my child's hand :P and then there is blood. The irony is that I cant even put a bandaid on my knuckles! As it heals it leaves bruises and those dark patches on my knuckles forces me to wear gloves all winter long. But I need to meet people. Its so embarrassing; I couldn't even explain it to my manicurist the last time. 

I tell my friends I suffered from eczema in my childhood and this is one way it tortures me every winter. However, truth be told, I can't find anything that works fast and is easy to use!

The Intensive Hand Balm from L'Occitane has been a savior. I can't thank L'Occitane enough for creating a product that solves a serious issue. 

Ever since I started using this every night and morning, my hands are smoother, my skin is softer and there are no more cuts and tears! This product literally changed my life. 

Caudalie Mask Trio (Instant Detox Mask, Glycolic Peel and Moisturizing Mask) Review

This is the only skincare item I purchased from Sephora during the VIB sale and I am extremely pleased with this set. It features my favorite mask Caudalie Instant Detox Mask along with two mini masks for C$45. I love a good quality glycolic peel and Caudalie never disappoints. Honestly, I was just keeping myself away from skincare products because my skin was so sensitive during Summers and the dryness that came with the Fall weather made it worse. I literally had cracks on my hands and everything would break me out - even sliding my turtlenecks down my face would give me zits. So, the only brand I could trust is Caudalie - with  0% of major skin irritants and toxins and this set is good for all skin types, even sensitive skin!

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks - Glacial Clay Spa & Fruit Smoothie Review

I received Montagne Jeunesse face masks in my FarleyCo's Beauty box and needless to say, they are amazing, as always!! These natural clay based face masks are vegan, cruelty free and full of antioxidant and nourishing ingredients. They are super affordable and available at a number of retail locations or you can order them from FarleyCo Beauty.

Lets take a closer look at the Glacial Clay Spa and the Fruit Smoothie mask :)

NOURISH Vita-Boost and Phyto-Active Body Cream Review

Nourish skincare products suit me so much, there is not one product, that I have tried and not loved. This organic, paraben-free and cruelty-free line of skincare products not only deliver but are formulated with high quality ingredients. Today I am sharing two of the body creams by Nourish, one from the 'Radiance' range called the Phyto-Active Body Cream and another, from the 'Balance' range, which is the Vita-Boost Body Cream.

  

Vegan Beauty Products from FarleyCo Beauty featuring Real Techniques and Montagne Jeunesse

There are few products that I have loved time and time again such as these amazing ones by +realtechniques and +Montagne Jeunesse ! I am so excited to share these vegan friendly and cruelty free products available at +FarleycoBeauty Canada . 

I have always enjoyed Real Techniques brushes and sponge and the Powder Brush is no surprise. Its big and fluffy. The Goji Berry Body Smoothie by Montagne Jeunesse is just a routine purchase. Love, love, love Montagne Juenesse face masks and body smoothies <3 <3 

All of this is available at FarleyCo Beauty online and at select retailers across Canada.