July 2015 Birchbox

This month, Birchbox collaborated with the wellness experts at Best Health magazine to create a box with products to help us have a happy, healthy summer.

The box features a customized design that is just as colourful as last month’s box (see the June box HERE).

The first three items in the box include a combination of makeup and skincare items.

Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara is one of my current favourite mascaras. It leaves the lashes long and thick without any clumps.

For summer skin, the Gilchrist & Soames Spa Therapy Relaxing Sea Fennel Body Lotion moisturizes, smooths, softens, and calms with its paraben-free formula rich in marine extracts. This lotion is very moisturizing and it has a refreshing, ocean scent.

Next is the Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvinator that mimics the effects of microdermabrasion for glowing, smooth skin. While I think that this product will give some people excellent results, I found it very irritating when I used a previous sample that I received a couple years ago in a different beauty box.



The last two items are for hair.

First is the Fekkai Technician Colour Care Shampoo that hydrates with plant proteins to maintain colour-treated hair. Although this product sounds promising, I have always been sceptical of Fekkai colour maintaining products since they often contain sulfates like this one.

Also for colour-treated hair is the Bain de Terre Argan Oil & Passion Flower Colour Therapy Styling Oil. This product nourishes hair with essential oils. It smells very nice but I try to avoid oils since they weigh down my fine hair.



Overall, I’m sad to say that I was a bit disappointed in this month’s Birchbox. While the mascara and body lotion were nice, I would have preferred to save the monthly box fee and put it toward a product that I will get a lot of use out of. I have decided to remain subscribed until the end of the summer and then start searching for a new beauty box to subscribe to in the fall. Any suggestions?

Review: Benefit Benebalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

Recently, Benefit Cosmetics released four new Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms. As a person who fears lipsticks but loves lip glosses that provide a sheer tint and long lasting hydration, I knew I needed to try this product.
I read a lot of reviews before purchasing my own Benebalm. Many reviews indicated that the product was very hydrating but did not provide much tint. I agree that the level of moisture that this product gives the lips is exceptional. It is very smooth and long lasting, even through a small meal or a glass of water. I love how the product leaves my lips with a glossy finish, almost like a lipgloss (as shown in the swatch below).  It also feels like a light, non-sticky lipgloss. It’s never tacky, waxy, or oily.
As for its level of pigmentation, I was quite satisfied despite the disappointment of other reviewers. My lips have a medium level of pigmentation, and, on me, this balm looks comparable in pigmentation to a layer of Benetint lip and cheek stain, minus the dry feeling. It leaves a noticeable colour on my lips that brightens my complexion and makes me feel put together whether I’m wearing other makeup or not. The shade of this balm is very similar to Benetint with its red base and slight berry undertones—a fresh, rosy colour.

And let’s not forget about the beautiful packaging. With its mirror-like red casing and cute pink dots, this lip balm tube is something worth showing off. It’s also very well made and the cap clicks on with a tight seal so there’s no risk of it falling off and making a mess.

Despite the many positive aspects of this product, it does have a few negative qualities, one being the scent.  The lip balm has a waxy, rosy scent that is a bit unpleasant; however, it disappears quickly upon application and the balm does not taste like it smells. In fact, it really doesn’t taste like anything. Another downside is the price. $22 CAD is quite expensive for only 3 grams of product. I used my Shoppers Optimum points to pay for mine, but, since I really enjoy this product, I would definitely repurchase it with my own money.
Overall, I really like this product and plan to try the other shades of this balm (Chacha, Lolli, and Posie). What are your thoughts on Benebalm?

My Skin Care Routine (Morning & Night)

I recently repurchased some of my favourite skin care products, so I thought it was time to do a skin care routine post.

First, let’s talk a bit about my skin. From what I have been told, I have combination/dehydrated skin. My skin gets a bit oily in the t-zone during the warmer months but I sometimes get a few dry patches in those areas. My cheeks do not get oily or overly dry. While I have never had a problem with acne, my skin is very sensitive and I have always dealt with rashes, eczema, rosacea, and hives. On a regular day my skin is pretty calm and clear, mainly due to my skin care routine.

In addition to the products below, I usually try to get a professional facial two to three times per year. The facials help unclog any pores and calm redness. I also sleep on a satin pillow case to prevent any creases in my skin and hair.

Before I get into the products, I just want to note that I am in no way affiliated with any of the companies that make them. I have just found that these products work well for my sensitive skin. I have been using most of the products below since I was in high school.

My morning skin care routine


It may sound a bit crazy, but I do not use any cleansers on my face  in the morning. I take a shower and wipe away any remaining products with water and a soft cloth. Then, I use the following products.

1. La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water – I use this product on mornings when I wake up with puffy eyes. After my shower, I spray a bit of this onto my ring finger and tap it on my eyelids and around my eye area. It seems to smooth out any swelling and congestion.

2. Dream Organics Rose Water Spray – I received this product in my February SeasonsBox and I have continued to repurchase it because it makes my skin feel very smooth and hydrated. After showering, I spray some of this on my hands and pat it all over my face, avoiding the eye area.

3. La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30  Moisturizer – Over the years, I have tried many of the La Roche-Posay daytime moisturizers. Some of them have left my face sticky and greasy, but this one is perfect. It has a thin formula but it is very moisturizing. It also contains SPF 30 which is very important for preventing age spots and wrinkles. I use it every day, even in the winter, after the rose water spray.

4. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – This is a new product that I introduced to my routine only a week ago. I have lots of irritation (possibly eczema) on my neck and this product was recommended to me. In only a week, it has really improved the look and feel of the skin on my neck. I also love that it’s non-greasy so I don’t have to worry about it making my hair dirty.

5. Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream – I have tried many eye creams and this is the only one that does not irritate my sensitive eyes or the skin around them. While I don’t think that this cream contains any anti-aging ingredients, it’s very hydrating and a great base to use under concealer.

My night time skin care routine (cleansing and toning)


I have divided my night time skin care routine into two parts because I seem to use quite a few products (I didn’t realize this until I took pictures for this post).

1. Make Up For Ever Sens’Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser – Although I don’t wear eye make up every often, when I do I need a non-irritating make up remover. This remover from Make Up For Ever is the only one that I have tried so far that doesn’t irritate my eyes. I rub a bit of this on my eye area with my finger, let it sit for about 30 seconds, and wipe away with a damp cotton pad.

2. La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Milk – This cleanser is very basic and non-irritating. I don’t know how well it removes foundation since I only wear blush and highlighter, but I really like how it doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and dry. It has a light, sweet scent that sort of reminds me of the Popeye Cigarettes candies.

3. Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub – About once a week I will use this scrub to smooth away any flakes or dry patches. It gives the skin a light minty tingle and smells very fresh.

4. Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Base – I use this product every night after cleansing (and after exfoliating on days that I exfoliate). It’s the first toner that I have tried that does not dry out my skin. I use a cotton pad to apply it.

My night time skin care routine (moisturizing)


In addition to the following products, I will sometimes use a prescription rosacea treatment if I have any redness on my cheeks.

1. Heritage Store Castor Oil – Over the last six months I have use this product on my eyelashes and eyebrows because I read that castor oil can add length and thickness to lashes and brows. I just use the pad of my pointer finger to apply it. A little goes a long way. While I’m not sure if it has made a difference in my lashes, the sparse areas in my brows started growing in a few weeks after I started using this oil.

2. La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum – I apply this serum all over my face before applying moisturizer. It leaves my skin very smooth and hydrated.

3. La Roche-Posay Hydreane Riche Moisturizing Cream – This cream is very hydrating without being greasy. I use this after applying the serum.

4. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – I use this moisturizer on my neck before bed as well. It’s very important to moisturize the skin in the neck area since it is very delicate and prone to wrinkles and dryness.

5.  Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream + Vaseline – I use the same eye cream for day and night but I mix it with a bit of Vaseline at night. Doing this adds a bit of extra moisture and it protects my eye area from creases as I sleep.

6.  Aquaphor – I use Aquaphor at night to treat any dry patches (usually around my nose). I also use it on my lips before bed to prevent my lips from becoming dry and cracked while I sleep.

I hope that you enjoyed this very long skin care routine post. Which products do you use on your skin?

Pretty Orchid Shades for lips, cheeks, and nails!

Since the 2014 Pantone colour of the year is Radiant Orchid, I wanted to show you some of my favourite orchid toned products.

Zoya Odette: Odette is a sultry orchid maroon cream polish from the Zoya Naturel Collection (see a review and swatches of the entire collection HERE). This shade is perfect to wear year round because it’s a classic orchid shade that’s rich in colour but not too bright.

Benefit Lollitint: Lollitint is an orchid lip and cheek stain from Benefit (see more pictures HERE). It looks more muted in the picture above than it does on the lips. This shade is perfect for brightening up a pale winter complexion or providing a fun pop of colour during the warmer months.

Tarte Fantastic Amazonian Clay Blush: Fantastic was released with Tarte’s 2012 Fantastic Foursome holiday collection (see the rest of the collection and a description of each shade HERE). This blush applies effortlessly and stays vibrant on the skin for hours. Its cool orchid tones give the cheeks a glow from within effect. I like to complement this shade by wearing a dab of Lollitint on my lips and a swipe of mascara on my lashes.

Zoya Rory: Rory is a bright, shimmery orchid polish that was released with Zoya’s summer 2012 Surf Collection (see a full review and more swatches of Rory HERE). This polish is a great shade to wear in the summer as its sparkly orchid tones look beautiful in the sunlight. It’s also a nice shade to add a pop of colour during the cooler, more cloudy seasons.
Which one of these orchid shades is your favourite? Which orchid toned products have you worn this year?

Sephora Haul: Naked3 and Lollitint

It took me a while to decide if I needed Naked3. I don’t wear eyeshadow daily and I was worried that the pink tones wouldn’t look nice with brown eyes. After reading many reviews, I thought it was worth a try since most people said that the colours were lighter than the shades in Naked and Naked2. I never purchased the original Naked palette because the shadows were way too dark for me, but I got Naked2 because it complements cool toned complexions. I like Naked2 but some of the shades are a bit intimidating. As you can see from the photos below, the shades in Naked3 are much softer.

Naked3 comes with a double ended brush and some primer potion samples.

Naked3 contains twelve rose toned shadows.

Strange, Dust, Burnout, and Limit.

Buzz, Trick, Nooner, and Liar.

Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, and Blackheart.
I have not tried Naked3 yet so I will be posting more pictures, swatches, and comparisons to Naked2 in the future.
When purchasing Naked3 from Sephora, I also ordered Lollitint from Benefit. I already have the other three tints and really wanted to try this one.

On the skin, Lollitint looks a bit brighter than it does on the brush in the photo below.

Soon, I will create a post that shows swatches and comparisons of all four of Benefit’s tints.
Have you tried Naked3 or Lollitint. What are your thoughts on these products?

Benefit Haul (Cha Cha Tint and Bikini-Tini Creaseless Cream Shadow)

Lately, Benefit has been one of my favourite makeup brands. I especially love their boxed powders and cheek & lip tints.
While on a recent trip to Shoppers Drug Mart, I decided to redeem my Optimum points to get some new items to add to my Benefit collection.

The first product is Cha Cha Tint which is a mango-tinted lip and cheek stain. I really love the red version (Benetint) and the pink version (Posietint), so I had to try this one. I have used it already and so far I really like it. On me, Cha Cha Tint is a lot more pigmented than the other two tints so I need to apply it with a very light hand. I never really use any of the tints on my cheeks but I love them for my lips. I’m very pale and sometimes I just need to add a bit of flush to my lips to look healthier and more youthful. I like how the tints dry completely and stain the lips with a long lasting colour. I never have to worry about my hair getting stuck to my lips on windy days or smudging my lip shade while eating.


Next is one of Benefit’s new Creaseless Cream Shadows. A few years ago I purchased an old version of this product (the one with the black and white bird patterned lid) and had to return it because it creased on me instantly and was not very pigmented. After my disappointing experience with cream shadows, I was hesitant to purchase a newer version but loved the colour of Bikini-Tini and wanted to give it a chance. I’m amazed how this new shadow doesn’t crease on me at all…even without a primer!!!! This pretty nude pink shade makes my eyes look brighter and more awake. I will be picking up more colours in the future.
Once I try out these items a bit more, I will write another post that includes a more in-depth review, detailed pictures, and swatches of both products.
What are your favourite items from Benefit?

How to Achieve Glowy Skin

Most days, I’m all about wearing as little makeup as possible…especially during the warmer months when it’s too hot and humid to spend time applying makeup that will just melt off as soon as I leave the house.

As soon as the temperature starts rising, I tend to go through phases where I will play up only one feature at a time. Sometimes I’ll create a bright eye look, other times I will opt for a vibrant lip shade. Lately, I have been focusing on fresh, glowy skin; it’s easy to achieve and gives the complexion an effortless radiance.

Since I don’t wear foundation, I always begin with a moisturizer (with sunscreen). After waiting a few minutes for my skin to absorb the moisturizer, I apply MAC’s Mineralize blush in the shade Dainty. I find that mineralize blushes work best on bare skin and they never look chalky. In terms of application, I like to buff Dainty onto the apples of my cheeks by swirling my Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour brush in a circular motion. Using this technique prevents any harsh lines or uneven patches.

Next, I use my Sigma F50 Duo Fibre brush to sweep a bit of Benefit’s Sugarbomb face powder over the blush. To finish, I curl my lashes, swipe them with a bit of Vaseline, and dab my lips with a lip balm. The result: A peachy-pink, healthy (but not glittery) glow. I wear this look every day and I always feel fresh-faced and confident despite the fact that I’m hardly wearing any makeup. The best part is that I don’t have to wash off a full face of makeup at the end of the day.

What’s your go-to routine for glowy skin?

My Perfect Red Lip

Since I tend to shy away from bold makeup, achieving the perfect red lip has always been a challenge for me…until now.
I have never been a lipstick type of gal and, while I love a red gloss, it’s quite windy where I live and my hair always tends to get caught in gloss and leave unpleasant sticky streaks of colour on my cheeks.
For the past two weeks, I have been layering Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Tinted Lip Balm in Rose over Benetint from Benefit. The result is a pigmented red stain that lasts for hours. The Benetint works perfectly as a base because it stays put and does not leave a harsh border on the lips. The Burt’s Bees balm is a perfect topper because it evens out the colour of the Benetint, makes the shade more vibrant, and adds non-sticky moisture to the lips. It also has a pleasant cherry scent.
I love how the combination brings a healthy, youthful glow to my complexion. Not to mention, I can add an extra layer of the balm throughout the day without needing a mirror.
What’s your perfect red lip combination?

Jewelmint Opera Pearl Necklace + Benefit Finding Mr. Bright

*For those of you who are unfamiliar with Jewelmint, it is a monthly subscription service that offers trendy jewellery created by Cher Coulter and Kate Bosworth. You do not have to purchase items every month—you can sign into your account and choose “skip this month” within the first few days of the month and you will not be charged.*
SIGN UP FOR JEWELMINT HERE: http://jmnt.me/THdQ5I
Recently I made my second Jewelmint purchase (see my first purchase HERE). I had been wanting the Opera Pearl necklace for almost six months and decided to finally make the purchase when the company was offering a makeup-related gift with purchase. I usually try to wait for promotions because, with shipping to Canada, each piece is close to $40 which seems a bit expensive to me. The current gift with purchase is a set of Butter London polishes that can be added to your order with the code JMSHINE.
The Opera Pearl necklace is a very elegant piece that is very versatile and can be worn with numerous outfit combinations. The silver chain is 44” in length and features two-toned pearl beads with rows of rhinestones. The lighter pearls are a peachy-beige colour and the darker ones are mauve. The rhinestones are peach toned with a hint of pink. There’s also a little silver tag at the end of the chain that says Jewelmint. This little added feature makes the necklace look well made, expensive, and unique. Since the necklace is very long, I like to wear it doubled up or even wrapped around my wrist a few times as a bracelet.
The necklace was beautifully packaged in a sleek black box that was wrapped with a Jewelmint bow and lined with a velvety fabric.  In my opinion, the picture on the Jewelmint site portrays the necklace accurately so I was not disappointed when I opened it. I was worried that the pearls would be much larger in person so I was happy to see that they were as dainty as they appeared on the site.
Overall, I am very pleased with this necklace and the gift with purchase (see below).

I was even more excited to order the necklace once I found out that Jewelmint was offering Benefit’s Finding Mr. Bright makeup set as a gift with purchase. While I do not wear foundation, I’m a huge fan of blushes and highlighters so I knew that this set would be perfect for me. It retails on Benefit’s website for $36 and includes two highlighters (Girl Meets Pearl and High Beam), a blush (Posie Tint), and a concealer (Erase Paste). The items are minis which I love because they are cute and small enough to fit in my purse.
I will have swatches of the products in this kit in a future post.

What is your current favourite jewellery or makeup item?
~Beauty Writer

Makeup Haul (Benefit, Stila, Tarte, Urban Decay, & More!)

Lately, I have been trying to add to my makeup collection but do not want to spend too much money. I managed to find some great items at discounted prices on beauty forums, and I also purchased a few items at retail.
When buying items on forums, sometimes the products have been used, tested, or swatched. For this reason, it is very important to sanitize products properly to make sure that they are hygienic before use.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (see my first impressions post on this palette here: http://www.writingbeauty.com/2012/07/i-got-naked-2-pictures.html)

Benefit Dandelion Brightening Face Powder

Benefit Bella Bamba Brightening Face Powder

Stila Love At First Blush Palette

Tarte Maracuja Cheek Tint in Light Pink

Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch

Have you tried any of these products? If so, what are your thoughts about them? Which products would you like to add to your makeup collection in the future?

Week in Review: Makeup Products

This week, the focus of my makeup was a combination of three eyeshadows. We got a slight break from the extreme heat so I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to experiment with my eye makeup.
Eyes
As always, I began this look by applying a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion from lashline to just above the crease. My base colour was Shroom by MAC. I used my Sigma E55 Eye Shading brush to pat this shade all over the lid and under the browbone as a highlight. Then I added some depth to my crease by blending MAC’s Kid eyeshadow above Shroom with my  Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush. Since it’s summer and I love to add an unexpected pop of colour to my eye looks during this time of year, I added a bit of Crystal eyeshadow from MAC to the outer corners of my eyes into the crease with my Sigma E70 Medium Angled Shading brush. Crystal looks a bit damaged in the photo below because I am not the best at depotting shadows (I will be purchasing pro pans only for now on). I finished off the eyes by curling my lashes with my Shiseido curler and swiping on a generous coat of Buxom Lash mascara from Bare Escentuals.

Lips
With more colour on my eyes, I opted for a sheer tint on my lips. First I applied a layer of Vanilla Softlips to add a smooth base and an SPF of 20. I then used Tarte’s Maracuja Divine Shine lipgloss in Achiote which gave my lips a coral-pink tint that complimented my cheek colour nicely.

Face
This week I was less than adventurous with my face makeup and used the same products that I have been using for most of the summer. I used my fingers to pat some product from Garnier’s Anti-Dark-Circle roller under my eyes, and then I applied Tarte’s Amazonian Clay blush on the apples of my cheeks with my Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour brush. To give a flawless finish and add a bit of glow, I used my Sigma F50 Duo Fibre brush to lightly sweep Benefit’s Sugarbomb face powder overtop the Tarte blush.

Which products did you wear last week?