NOTD: China Glaze Wanderlust

I first posted about Wanderlust in my June Nail Polish Haul (check it out HERE). This pink polish with hints of purple is part of China Glaze’s Spring 2015 Road Trip Collection.

Nail Polish Canada Haul: Essie Romper Room, China Glaze Wanderlust, and Zoya Leslie

It’s been a while since I purchased new polishes and wanted to add a few new pinks and purples to my collection for spring. Where I live, it’s not easy to find salon-quality polishes that are decently priced, so I always tend to order from Nail Polish Canada where prices are lower and shipping is free on orders over $25.

The first polish in my order is Romper Room from Essie. Although my polish collection includes many light pink cream finishes, the ones that I have from Essie are my favourite—especially Fiji and Ballet Slippers—so I’m excited to try out Romper Room. This polish came out with Essie’s Spring 2014 Hide & Go Chic Collection. Essie describes the shade as a pale tea rose pink.

Next is Wanderlust from China Glaze’s Spring 2015 Road Trip Collection. I haven’t decided yet if this shade is more pink or more purple. Either way, it has a beautiful shimmery sheen that sets it apart from the other pinks and purples in my collection.

And, of course, a nail polish haul of mine would not be complete without something from Zoya. For the most part, I usually buy cream finishes from Zoya and take little interest in their shimmery shades—until I saw Leslie. This soft lavender metallic with turquoise flecks is part of the Spring 2015 Zoya Delight Collection. While this shade looks a bit more purple than Wanderlust, it has those gorgeous pink undertones that make it very fresh and wearable. I can’t wait to see how those flashes of turquoise look in the sunlight.

Over the next little while, I will be swatching and trying out these polishes, so check the NOTD (Nail of the Day) section of my blog for my upcoming reviews.

See my other nail product hauls and reviews HERE.

Which polishes have you purchased lately? Which ones are on your wish list?

Tangle Teezer Review

Do you remember that episode of Grey’s Anatomy where Merideth Grey describes herself as “dark and twisty”? I distinctly remember it because as soon as I heard that phrase, I was reminded of my hair. It’s dark, very fine, thin, straight, and so twisty. By twisty I mean that it tangles very easily, especially when it’s windy out (which is very often where I live). In addition to the wind, my hair doesn’t get along well with my clothes. I wear a lot of hoodies—even in my air conditioned home in the summer. The friction between the back of my hair and the hoodie creates a ball of tangles that I spend at least 10 minutes every morning trying to untangle with a comb. And don’t even get me started on the mess of tangles that the collar of my winter coat creates in my hair. On occasion, I have had to cut little clumps out with scissors.

Considering my tangle woes, I was very excited when Nail Polish Canada gave me the opportunity to try out a Tangle Teezer. I chose the Original Tangle Teezer in the shade Purple & Pink. Used by professionals in hair salons, Tangle Teezer offers revolutionized detangling hairbrushes that help comb through wet, vulnerable, colour treated hair without pulling or snagging. They’ve received numerous beauty awards since their launch. 

After trying this product for a week straight, I discovered that Tangle Teezer is a huge help for tangles on both wet and dry hair. I credit its success to its evenly spaced bristles of varying lengths.

One thing I really like is that it prevents the hair from making that ripping sound that often happens when a hair brush takes on a clump of tangles. I used to have to separate my hair into sections and work out the tangles in each one with a comb. With the Tangle Teezer, I just have to brush through my hair a few times before it’s completely tangle free. It works even faster when my hair is wet, and I find that I lose less hair with this brush than with a standard hair brush. For my hair, the detangling process with this product is painless and very quick. I also like how the spacing of the bristles makes it very easy to remove stray hairs from the brush after use.

My only small complaint is that sometimes the bristles are too short to reach all the hair at the back of my head, so I need to spread the hair a bit so the brush can reach. It takes very little effort though.

Overall, I really love this product and will continue to use it every day. Tangle Teezer products can be purchased from Nail Polish Canada where all Tangle Teezers ship free within Canada. Check out the full selection here: http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/categories/tangle-teezer.html

Have you tried the Tangle Teezer? What are your thoughts on it?

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?

Julep Maven Intro Box (Boho Glam)

I finally subscribed to Julep Maven! As a nail polish lover, I’m not sure why I waited so long to sign up.

After taking the Julep Maven quiz, I was sorted into the Boho Glam group. The Boho Glam intro box includes two polishes and a cuticle oil.

I got my first box for free by using the code FREEMAVEN at checkout. You can sign up for Julep HERE and get started on your quiz to see which category you fall into. If you don’t like what is offered in that category, you can opt for another.

What I really like about this service is that you can skip boxes and send boxes to a friend. Since I already have a decent collection of nail polish, I will likely skip months until I find a box that is very unique.

Here is what I received in my first box:



Julep Nail Polish in Clara (opaque peach crème), Julep Nail Polish in Gabrielle (smoky mulberry crème), Julep Essential Cuticle Oil, and a sample of Julep Rock Star Hand Crème
The Boho Glam box was ideal for me because I prefer polishes with cream finishes and I was in need for a new cuticle oil.

I’m looking forward to see what the selections will be next month.

What did you receive from Julep in July?

June 2013 Ipsy Bag

I have found that the biggest downside to a lot of the current sample subscription boxes is the selection of products. Some months I receive only skincare and haircare products which is very disappointing; I signed up for the services for their makeup products, and due to my sensitive skin and straight, fine hair, I don’t like trying new products for skin and hair.

This is exactly why I decided to subscribe to Ipsy! The bags feature beauty products from popular brands. This month’s bag is my first so I wanted to give you my thoughts and first impressions.

First, let’s talk about the bag…

As a former subscriber of Glymm, I have accumulated many of these mini makeup bags over the past few years. Therefore, I will only keep new ones if I love the pattern. Sadly, I really dislike the design of this month’s Ipsy bag. I am not a fan of animal print, especially when paired with neon. However, I know that a lot of people love this combo so I will send the prizes from one of my giveaways in this bag.

Now onto the makeup items…

1. Cailyn Cosmetics Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner: I received this product in the shade Iron which is a steel grey colour. The product comes with a built-in brush which I imagine will be too thick for those who like a thin, precise line. I will not be taking this product out of the box since I don’t use liner very often and will likely save this one for a giveaway. I was sent a full size jar of this product which retails for $21.

2. Starlooks lip pencil: I received this product in the shade Tipsy which is a matte coral colour. I don’t really wear lipstick so I have never had much use for a lip liner. That said, I’m really loving the colour so I may try to use it lightly to stain my lips and then top it with a clear gloss or balm. The one downside to this product is that the colour is cased in a wooden pencil which requires manual sharpening. This item is full size as well and retails for $12.

3. NYX Mosaic Powder in Dare: If you have seen my previous Glymm or Luxe Box posts, you will know that I don’t really enjoy receiving NYX products in these subscription bags/boxes. I subscribe because I want to try new or higher end items and NYX products can easily be found at the drugstore. This powder looks quite pretty in the pan but it contains a few orange and reddish brown shades that won’t complement my cool toned skin. This product retails for $10.99.

4. J. Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette: I received this palette in Voltage which contains sparkly creams in neutral shades. As someone who normally wears natural makeup, I know that I will never use this palette. I also feel that it is not age appropriate as I would have used something like this when I was a child playing with glitter. It seems very appropriate for theatrical makeup and dance recital makeup but I could not pull this off at work. The palette retails for $4.49.

5. J. Cat Eyelashes + Eyelash Glue (C32): While these lashes look very pretty and wispy, I’m really not a false lash gal. I would much rather sweep on a couple coats of mascara than glue something to my sensitive eyelids. Like the cream palette, these lashes seem appropriate for stage makeup and special events. This set retails for $3.99.

Overall, I liked that the June Ipsy bag sent five full size makeup products retailing at over $50 combined . However, I cannot really see myself using any of them, and I’m left wondering if Ipsy actually took my beauty profile/survey into consideration when selecting my items. I have not decided if I will subscribe to Ipsy for much longer. I will wait a couple more months to see how I feel. I think that the price is right at $10 but I don’t like paying $4.95 for shipping. This additional fee makes the bag more expensive than Topbox which sends items that are more appropriate for my age and preferences.

What are your thoughts on Ipsy?

Review: NCLA Nail Wraps

Nail Polish Canada now carries NCLA Nail Wraps! These wraps are perfect for the girl on the go who wants polished nails without the drying time.
NCLA Nail Wraps have been featured in publications such as Vogue and Elle and feature a wide array of styles. For this reason, I decided to try a bolder pattern as well as a work-appropriate design.
The first set that I tried is called Roomservice Stilettos and Champagne. This lace-inspired design is girly and edgy at the same time. The metallic silver background is eye catching yet subtle, and the lace overlay is delicate enough to be worn to a formal event but can also work as a fun accessory for a night out with the girls.
As you can see from the photos below, the kit comes with lots of wraps (44 to be exact) and a medium size nail file. The many size options made it easy for me to find a wrap to perfectly fit each nail. Each kit is good for three to four applications and retails for $16 CAD on nailpolishcanada.com
While these wraps applied much like similar products on the market, the package instructions recommend applying a thin layer of clear polish to the nails before applying the wraps. I found that this preliminary step really helped the wraps adhere to the nails.



Using the supplied nail file, it was easy to file off the excess wrap and create a clean edge. I didn’t have any issues with air bubbles when using Roomservice Stilettos and Champagne.


Next up is Jenna’s Nude Moon. I was instantly drawn to this pattern because it is very wearable but adds a unique twist to the typical nude nail. I have never quite mastered the half moon manicure so these wraps allow me to wear the trend without having to fumble with stencils and bottles of nail polish.

The matte texture of this design gives is a very mod feel that is clean and classy. My only complaint with Jenna’s Nude Moon is that the wraps were slightly thicker than Roomservice Stilettos and Champagne so they were a bit more prone to air bubbles. That said, the bubbles were easy to smooth out and I only missed one on the nail on my ring finger.

I wore each set of wraps for seven days without any major lifting. After a full week, I removed the wraps by gently peeling them off. I’m not sure if this was the best removal option but I did not have any polish remover on hand and the wraps peeled of nicely since there was that layer of clear polish between the adhesive and the nail.
Overall, I was very impressed with these nail wraps from NCLA. In addition to the designs that I tried, the brand’s nail wrap line features many other designs, including some very fun, bold patterns.
Find NCLA Nail Wraps here: http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/categories/ncla/nail-wraps.html
Nail Polish Canada currently offers free shipping on Canadian orders over $25 and US orders over $50, but the NCLA nail wraps ship for free with no minimum purchase amount. 
*Although the company sent me these products to review, all opinions are honest and are my own*

Tarte Fantastic Foursome Amazonian Clay Blush Set (first impressions)

This season Tarte came out with a holiday blush set featuring four Amazonian Clay blushes. This set comes with four mini blushes that each contain 3.03 g / 0.10 Oz of product.
Amazonian Clay blushes apply very smoothly and are long lasting. According to Tarte, these blushes last for 12 hours and the Amazonian Clay is beneficial for all skin types as it minimizes oil while nourishing and hydrating.
So far I have not tried out the shades because I wanted them to be perfectly intact for photographing purposes. Scroll down to read my first impressions on the blushes and to see close up photos of each colour.

Magic (pink coral)
Magic is a beautiful coral shade with a matte finish. I think that this colour will give the perfect healthy flush on a warm summer day, a crisp fall afternoon, a cool winter morning, and a tepid spring evening. The colour is pigmented but not overly bright so it should work well for most skin tones.

Stellar (shimmering nude)
Stellar is the colour that intimidates me the most because I usually shy away from brown tones for fear that they will make my complexion look ruddy. This shade, with its explosion of gold flecks, is also quite shimmery. The glitter particles are very fine so I don’t think that they would look too overwhelming on the skin but I will likely save this shade for the summer months when I’m looking for a bronze glow. I do like how the shade is a true bronze and is not very orange.

Fantastic (soft fuchsia)
My first thought when I saw Fantastic was how does this shade compare to Dollface, my favourite Amazonian Clay blush? Like Dollface, this shade is a bright matte pink. I think that Fantastic is a bit brighter and more pink than Dollface but I will be sure to do a comparison post in the future. This colour looks a bit intimidating in the pan but I’m hoping that I can sheer it out to create a doll-like glow-from-within.

Angelic (shimmering champagne)
Angelic is the highlight shade of the group. It is a golden champagne shade filled with shimmer. I don’t mind shimmer in a highlighter and think that this product is light enough to work on all skin tones.

Another post with swatches will follow once I get a chance to try out the colours.
Have you tried this set before? What are your thoughts on the Amazonian Clay line?
~Beauty Writer

Today’s Purchases: Essie Shine of the Times & Russian Roulette

While at Shoppers Drug Mart this afternoon, I came across a clearance shelf at the end of a makeup aisle. There was a basket of higher end polishes for only $5! Although many of the polishes were from the Nicole by OPI brand (one of my least favourite polish lines), to my excitement there were also some Essies in the mix.
The first shade that caught my eye was Shine of the Times, one of the Luxe Effects polishes. Normally I avoid purchasing Essie polishes in Canada because they are quite expensive at around $12 each. Since these were on sale for less than half the price, I couldn’t resist.

Shine of the Times has a clear base and is packed with a plethora of iridescent flakies—a perfect shade to use over other polishes to add a bit of glimmer. I think this polish will also come in handy for winter nail tutorials because, over a white base, the flakies will look like glistening snow.

Satisfied with Shine of the Times and ready to make my way to the checkout line, I saw Russian Roulette—the perfect red! I have been looking for a true red colour for quite some time. Russian Roulette is a fairly neutral shade that is neither too light nor too dark. It will be great for winter and the holiday season!
I will follow up with a review/nail of the day post once I get a chance to use these polishes.
Have you tried either of these shades?
~Beauty Writer

I Won a Pair of Pedi-Sox!!!!

As a nail polish lover, I have always been on the search for a pair of socks that would keep my feet warm while I painted my toes—especially during the cold winter months! To my surprise, the perfect pair of socks showed up in my mailbox when I became a winner of the June Giveaway A Day series from Handmade Reviews.

As I ripped open the envelope, I was so excited to find my own pair of Pedi-Sox and a large tube of the company’s Concentrated Luxury Foot Cream. The socks, which are very well made, come in many different colours and can be found on the Pedi-Sox site (http://www.originalpedisox.com/). The cream feels thick and luxurious. Once I try out the products a bit more, I will post a full review.

Thanks Handmade Reviews and Pedi-Sox!

I Got NAKED 2! (Pictures)

It has taken a very long time but I finally decided to get one of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. It was a hard decision since I could not see the palettes in person before purchasing, but, based on lots of research and recommendations, I chose Naked 2 over the first Naked palette. I’m very cool toned and tend to shy away from very dark shadow colours so Naked 2 is perfect.
I received the palette in the mail today and wanted to take pictures before using it. In the future, once I get a chance to try out and form an opinion on the palette, I will make separate posts with swatches and a full review.
Please comment on this post to let me know if you prefer Naked or Naked 2.
Hope you enjoy the photos!


Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

Foxy (cream bisque matte), Half Baked (golden bronze), Booty Call (shimmering cork)
Chopper (copper shimmer with silver micro glitter), Tease (creamy pale brown matte), Snakebite (dark bronze shimmer)
Suspect (pale golden beige), Pistol (light gray-brown), Verve (oyster)

YDK (cool bronze shimmer), Busted (deep brown), Blackout (blackest black matte)
Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked Double-ended, cruelty-free Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush

Sigma Mr. Bunny Brush Kit First Impressions

After months of saving, I have finally been able to purchase the Mr. Bunny Essential Brush Kit from Sigma.



So far I am really enjoying the kit and feel that it was definitely worth the money. I have washed all the brushes with a gentle shampoo and have used a few of them so far. None of the brushes started to shed when I washed them which is a good sign and an indication that they are of high quality. For me, the best part is that they are cruelty free and SO soft! They also come with a sturdy case that doubles as brush holders.  I will do a full review of the kit once I use the brushes a bit more.

This photo is a glimpse of all the brushes together (the E65 brush is missing from this photo). See below for individual brush photos.


Face and Eye Brushes
*click photos to enlarge*

Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush - Very dense with a rounded top. Ideal to apply powder products on face and body.


Sigma F60 Foundation Brush - Can be used to apply liquid or cream foundation. Recommended to apply moisturizers and conceal large areas.


Sigma F50 Duo Fibre Brush - Specially designed to generate an airbrushed finish when used to apply blush, highlight shades and foundation.


Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour - The angled shape makes this brush ideal to apply blush or contour shades.


Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush - Rounded and tapered top. Specially designed to apply and blend color on the crease.


Sigma E60 Large Shader Brush - Flat shape is ideal for application of cream formulas and eye shadow primers.


Sigma E55 Eye Shading Brush - Soft and dense with a rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments


Sigma E70 Medium Angled Shading Brush - Angled, tapered, flat top. Ideal to apply highlight shades underneath the eyebrow and on the inner corners.


Sigma F70 Concealer Brush - The rounded, tapered, flat shape makes this brush ideal to conceal the under eye area.


Sigma E30 Pencil Brush - Precise application of color on the crease, outer corner, upper and lower lash line.


Sigma E05 Eyeliner Brush - An extra fine-tipped brush that delivers a precise, firm, even stroke to line the eyes. Synthetic bristles.


Sigma E65 Small Angle Brush - Essential for the application of gel or cream eye liner on the upper and lower lash line.


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