Affordable: Live Clean Shampoo and Conditioners

I tend to be just the type to purchase the $40 shampoo or conditioner my stylist recommends at the salon out of sheer guilt. A few months ago, I remember spending about $100 on a certain fancy French brand’s shampoo and conditioner – and they did NOTHING for me.

I’ve been using Live Clean on-and-off for about two years, and I am kicking myself for abandoning an amazing, affordable line. Here are two of the lines that I consider my cult favourites:

Apple Cider Vinegar – Clarifying Shampoo and Finishing Rinse
Suffer from an oily, greasy scalp that leaves your blowout looking less than desirable? This is the line for you. I am a devout dry shampoo user – my hair tends to look like I haven’t showered in a week after two days, and it’s the only way to keep my blowout looking fresh. Once a week, I use this line to remove buildup from oil and hair products which can dull your colour and add shine to my hair. Plus, the apple cider scent is divine. I’ve caught my boyfriend stealing it on more than one occasion.

Exotic Silk – Keratin Oil Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner
Not only do I suffer from an oily scalp, I also have dry, frizzy, curly hair (my hair is my worst enemy sometimes). If I am in need of something really hydrating, this line is my go-to. It’s perfect for restoring moisture to your hair, straightening unruly hair and strengthening split ends. Again, like all Live Clean products, it smells amazing – it’s formulated with Brazilian Buriti Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil and Wild Flower Honey.

Live Clean products are available at leading Canadian retailers, including Walmart, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Loblaws and the Real Canadian Superstore. Most shampoos and conditioners retail for $4.98 (what a steal!).

Guest Post: Avon Single Shadows + Swatches

Can we all put our hands together and slow clap for Avon? 

I know that seems like a weird request but I had the opportunity to try the Avon True Color single eye shadows and they are amazing.

Avon’s description of the product is as follows “ Sometimes a rainbow of color is just to much, and you want something stunning, but simple. With all the beautiful options, it’s easy for you to find your signature color. The one that does something to the glow in your eyes that you can’t quite figure out. The one that gives you the look.” The single eye shadows come in a sleek compact black case with a small sponge applicator. The shades I tried were Champagne, Turquoise Glow and Green Dazzler.

All three of these shades are in the Shimmer/Pearlized/Frost category. The textures of these eyeshadows are soft and easy to blend.

Champagne is a soft neutral metallic shimmer shadow, many times Champagne colours can lean pink or yellow but in this case it seems to lean more to the beige side of things keeping it very neutral and making it a must have for anyone’s collection.

Turquoise Glow is a shimmery green blue that almost has a yellow glitter undertone.

Green Dazzler is actually just that, it is a deep forest green with dazzling glitter.

There are a great amount of basic and beautiful colours and if you are looking for a soft, buttery eye shadow that doesn’t break the bank I suggest at least taking Champagne for a test drive. I happen to have my eye on Satin Taupe, Mauved and Beige.

These eye shadows are available from your local Avon representative or online and are just $5 CDN (you can sometimes find them on sale for $3.99 CDN). So Ladies If I were you I’d hurry and scoop some of these eye shadows up.

Avon Perfect Eyebrow Kit Review

Avon Perfect Eyebrow Kit claims “Get the perfect eyebrows with this neat little duo!” I tend to agree that it’s a great duo. The packaging is sleek and compact and it holds a wax and powder as well as a dual-ended angled brush and it even has a mirror. This kit comes in 4 shades: Auburn, Blonde, Deep Brown and Soft Brown.

I tried this eyebrow kit in Blonde, which is a very light shade. On me it leans a bit orange but that’s not uncommon, as I have discussed the taupe nature of my brows before. The Blonde shade was a bit to light for how I normally do my brows (I will be purchasing the Soft Brown shade and using a mixture of the two).

Avon recommends using the wax first and then the powder. I’ve tried it both ways and really I think it’s just a personal preference on if you want to groom with wax first or second. I am not always a fan of eyebrow wax and it can feel quite greasy and slide, but Avon has done a great job the wax is soft and pliable but also has just the right amount of tack and drying to it.

These eyebrow kits are $9.00 CDN and extremely handy. If you are a person who travels or is maybe just getting into the whole eyebrow thing I really think this compact is for you.

The Caryl Baker Visage collection The Magic of Beauty

The Caryl Baker Visage collection this holiday season is called “The Magic of Beauty” now to me the magic of beauty is that it inspires you and gives you the feeling of awe and when it comes to this collection it gave me a feeling that I can sum up in 3 words.....

HOLY PIGMENTATION BATMAN.

Seriously every item I tried was highly pigmented and so creamy and soft.  The magic of beauty collection is much larger than what I will be posting about here and as always with a seasonal collection you will want to go to your local Caryl Baker Visage location or go online cause stuff like this never lasts long.

(Products from left to right: Lip liner – Elixir, Eyeliner – Marine, Lipstick – Secret Potion, Face Frosting)

Limited Edition Caryl Baker Ultimate Lip Liner in Elixir

(Regular Price $17.50, Beauty Club Price $15.75)

This liner is long-wearing and waterproof.  Its impossibly soft, creamy formal glides on effortlessly for intense colour that stays put.

Well Caryl Baker you hit the nail on the head, just like the last collection I am super impressed with how creamy and pigmented these lip liners are. Elixir is a rosy brick colour, which had you asked me previous to trying it I would have said I’m not sure that colour is something I want.  But after trying it I have to say I think it’s a colour I really did need in my collection.  It’sversatile and neutral and would work on a variety of skin tones.

Limited Edition Caryl Baker Metalic-Toned Eye Liner in Marine

(Regular Price $17.50, Limited time Savings Price $12.90)

The liner has intense pigment, the super long-wear formula lasts up to 12 hours – no smudging, no smearing.  Waterproof and hypo-allergenic for sensitive eyes.

This might actually be the creamiest, softest eyeliner I have ever used.  It’s a gel eyeliner in pencil form.  The blue colour was a bit outside my comfort zone but using it in conjunction with a smoky eye proved to be a very lovely combination.

Caryl Baker Holiday Lipstick in Secret Potion

(Regular Price $18.00, Beauty Club Price $16.20)

The lipsticks are specially formulated with emollient ingredients to keep lips soft and to prevent drying and chapping.  

I do agree with that claim, the lipstick was creamy and soft but I wasn’t really able to use the colour.  Secret Potion very much goes with the Elixir lip liner, as a combo.  It really is a beautiful lipstick but it’s a brick red and I need a bit more pizzazz in a red lipstick so I think I would want to check out one of the othercolours, either Cast A Spell or Ruby Red Slippers.

Limited Edition Caryl Baker Face Frosting

(Regular Price $29.50, Beauty Club Price $26.55)

This powder delicately highlights and illuminates your skin with finely milled sparkle.

I absolutely love this highlighter, the sparkle is more ofa shimmer and the powder is buttery and light on the skin.  This colour is a bit to dark for me to use as a highlighter but using it, as a peach blush is absolutely breath taking.

My over all opinion on The Magic of Beauty collection is that it is magical and beautiful.  This collection is still available so if you have a beauty lover to buy for this holiday season or maybe you just want to buy yourself a holiday treat, I suggest you get cracking and go see Ms Caryl Baker.

Mark Wonder Glow Blush & Glow

Mark by Avon claims that the Mark Wonder Glow Blush & Glow can be worn as a blush or as an all-over luminizer, its an ultra-fine powder that works wonders for any complexion no matter wear you dust it and instantly takes skin from dull to radiant.


The Blush & Glow is a beautiful mosaic. The outer ring of the mosaic is a very warm almost bronzy peach and the inner ring is more rose, mauve and gold shimmer. I was a bit concerned with this product as I am considered a Winter II on the seasonal colour chart so I usually need a cool toned shade. Seeing as I am such a fair lady this product is a highlighting blush I wouldn’t be able to use it any other way.

This powder is soft, pigmented and very silky. I decided to swirl my brush into this product and just go for a highlighted peachy cheek and I really liked it. I did have to blend and use a light hand but if you had a darker skin tone I think you would be fine to just slap the blush on or even use it as an illuminator.

Lets say Nars Orgasm and Nars Deep Throat had a baby… the colour product of this union would be Blush and Glow. There is a distinct peachy pink colour like orgasm but the shimmer is more like the shimmer you get from Deep Throat and for only $18.00 you cant really go wrong. This is one of those items that if you have a mineralized skin finish or a shimmer peach blush already you might not need it but if you are on the hunt for one at an under $20 price point you should really give it a chance.

Maybelline Volum’Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara (Guest Post)

Maybelline Volum’Express The Colossal Cat eyes claims, “Colossal lashes go fully feline in one stroke”. Lush collagen formula and claw brush fill out lashes up to 8x the volume with fabulous cat-like corners, instantly. It’s wild.

The mascara is available in a washable and waterproof formula and is available in one colour Glam Black.

I tried the washable formula and I have to say that it has some great staying power. I find certain mascaras will flake or transfer on my oily eyelids but this mascara didn’t do any of those things. The curved brush was something I wasn’t used to at first but after a few days of use I got the hang of it and it really does give the cat like effect that it claims.

This mascara logically should create a ton of volume, as it’s apart of the Volum’Express line. I will say it creates volume as for 8x the volume I’m not sure I buy that and while we are on the topic where do cosmetic companies come up with the whole amount of volume they claim? Just double the volume is enough. I guess I could some how measure my lashes before and then after but I think we all know I won’t be doing that.

I’ve tried the regular Colossal mascara before and I would say it gives more volume that the Cat Eyes edition. I will say that the Cat Eyes edition gives a bit of volume more so I found it to be a lengthening mascara.

I really enjoyed using the Maybelline Volum’Express The Colossal Cat Eyes mascara. If you happen to be a person who has unruly eyelashes that decided to go every which way and a normal mascara brush just cant accommodate how much your eyelashes are here to party (think about Elaine from Seinfeld dancing) I would say you are really going to enjoy this mascara the curve of the brush is going to hit every lash no matter which direction its pointing in.

Maybelline is pretty universal in where its sold so you should be able to get this mascara at a drugstore or the high street.

L’oreal Voluminous Power Collagen mascara

L’oreal claims its Voluminous Power Collagen mascara delivers Volume like never before, dramatic volume that lasts 24 hours. They also claim the volume-building formula delivers up to 15X lash impact.

I was pretty excited to try this mascara as I happen to really like L’oreal mascaras for the most part and volume is the name of the game with my lashes.

I need to be honest here. The first time I used this mascara, I wasn't sure what to think. There is something that makes this mascara thick and wet but not liquid in texture. It’s almost got an elastic quality to it. Which makes sense since the word collagen is in the name. I am all about really testing a product though so I put it through its paces and in the end it turns out I really do like this mascara.
On first swipe of this mascara you may not get a lot of volume, you will probably go back for a 2nd coat, heck maybe even a 3rd. (I always encourage the second mascara coat, actually if truth be told I encourage layering all kinds of mascaras) Once you have added another layer or two you will finally see the volume this mascara is talking about.

I tend to like L’oreal mascaras because they separate and add thickness and this mascara does both of those things. I cant speak to the 24 hour claim but I can say after a good 12 hours of wear incorporating staring at a computer, commuting and standing in front of a hot stove my mascara stayed in place. I also can speak to the 15X lash impact all I know is that my lashes looked way more voluminous after the application and that’s something I can get behind. All in all once I got used to the texture of this mascara I enjoyed it and will definitely keep using it.

You can buy it here:
Canada
USA

Avon Extra Lasting Eye Liquid Liners Review

The Avon Extra Lasting Eye Liners claim to provide up to 12 hours of defining colour, its fade-roof and smudge-proof. These eyeliners come in 4 shades (black, dark brown, cobalt and deep violet) are hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist tested.

These liquid liners are what you would expect from a traditional liquid liner. They come in a cone like tube you must shake before use and have a thin, pointed felt tip applicator.

The formulation is wet but dries matte. It does take some time to set but for me that’s not a bad thing. I’ve always struggled with being able to wear liquid liner during the day. I love a dramatic look but in the office I want it to be a bit softer. This liner is like an oil painting. It takes some time to dry but that means I can thin or thicken the line and touch up mistakes faster.

These eyeliners are super simple to use and the felt tip applicator gives you a precise line of pigment. I’m not sure if they last a whole 12 hours but that is because the minute I get home from work I wash my make up off my face. What I can attest to is that they lasted my workday. 

If you are looking for an easy everyday liquid liner whether you are a liquid liner novice or expert that Avon Extra Lasting Eye Liners are worth a try and at only $12.00 it’s a total steal.

Hourglass Cosmetics: Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil & Femme Nude Lip Stylo

Hourglass Cosmetics state that they exist at the revolutionary intersection of science, beauty and luxury. They are a cruelty-free brand that for the most part produces products without parabens, gluten and animal-derived ingredients (I say for the most part as these three things do depend on the product you purchase BUT Hourglass does list their “free of” ingredients on their website).

I’ve tried a few hourglass products in the past but this post is going to be dedicated towards the Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil – Soft Brunette and the Femme Nude Lip Stylo – Nude No. 6.


Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil – Soft Brunette
Free of: sulfates, phthalates, synthetic dyes, fragrance and vegan friendly.

I really enjoyed this brow pencil. It combines both powder and soft wax to create a natural fuller brow. This brow pencil is more of a flat triangle shape in an automatic casing, which means no need to sharpen, and it can be twisted down back into the casing for easy travel. There is also a concealed spoolie on the end of the pencil.

I happen to have very light brown eyebrows; I would almost call them taupe (the grayscale end of taupe at that). They require a light brown hue but one that casts a bit green. This is a very hard colour to find. Normally I just use a separate powder and wax or if I am lucky there is a Lise Watier brow pencil but it’s not always easy to find and chances are outside of Canada you wont find it. This is where Hourglass is amazing its accessible. It only comes in 3 shades (blonde, soft brunette and dark brunette), which is a bit of a let down as there are far more shades that could be utilized by consumers. That being said if you fall into the category of the 3 shades mentioned you should really try this product out. I can actually admit that this product has become my new Holy Grail eyebrow pencil!

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo – Nude No. 6
Free of: Nothing was listed on their website for this product.

I have a love/hate relationship with nude lips. I so very much want to be able to wear a nude product but I happen to have very pigmented lips that are more mauve/berry in colour so I end up looking like I applied concealer to my lips or like I’m just wearing a pink lipstick. The nude lip style in #6 though being the darkest shade is actually the best shade for my lips.

The femme nude lip stylo is a full-coverage formula with a satin finish. It comes in 6 shades:
Nude No. 1 – a pale pink nude (lightest)
Nude No. 2 – a honey beige nude with a warm tint
Nude No. 3 – a medium rose nude, with a hint of pink
Nude No. 4 – a pink beige nude, with a touch of deep rose
Nude No. 5 – a golden peach nude with luminosity
Nude No. 6 – a mauve nude (deepest)

This lip stylo is creamy and soft but with minimal staying power. You are going to want to pack this in your purse cause you only get about an hour or 2 of wear. That’s perfectly fine though cause the packaging is so upper crust that you will want to take this out of your handbag and show it off a little.

The stylo is scentless and yet it reminds me of what lipstick used to smell like. Hear me out on this; do you remember being a child and how when your Mom gave you a kiss her lipstick had this certain fancy vintage lipstick smell? Well that’s what this lip stylo smells like. I really enjoy this product and I think others will too. I’ve even added this to my Christmas shopping list. Don’t tell her but I’m 100% certain My Mom is getting this in her stocking.

Head to your local Sephora and take a gander of these beautiful gems.

Almay intense i-color Volumizing Mascara

Almay intense i-color volumizing mascara claims, “big, bold volume for 2x the impact”. This mascara comes in 4 shades (plum, sapphire, midnight, mocha) to match specific eye colours and has eye-brightening crystals to create a multi-dimensional amplification effect.

The brush is pretty hefty in size not as crazy as the Revlon Grow Luscious but its still a pretty long and wide brush. I have green eyes and I tried the mocha colour. This is a departure for me as I always choose the black, I’m talking blackest black mascara girl. For the sake of beauty, I will try anything once. What would you know I actually really like how the mocha colour looks and compliments my eye colour.

I decided to test this mascara during my workweek. I have fairly light thin eyelashes so mascara is a daily staple for me. The 2x the impact claim is something I really wanted to see. I happen to love volume when it comes to mascara and Almay certainly delivered. This mascara easily curled my lashes without any help from an eyelash curler (I’m going to be honest at 6am I cant be bothered to actually curl my lashes); it also added the volume and depth of colour I was looking for. As for the eye- brightening crystals they are certainly in there.

If the mascara ends up on skin rather than lashes and the light hits your eyes just right you will see some sparkles. I should add that I have slightly oily eyelids- so transfer can happen by the end of a long work day.

I would certainly use this mascara again. At the moment it doesn’t seem to come in waterproof which is something I would prefer but its Almay they are always innovating and creating so I’m sure its on its way.

IT Cosmetics: Vitality Cheek Flush and Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss (Guest Post)

I’ve dabbled with a few IT Cosmetics products in the past and I have always found them to be great quality products but I’m a swatcher, a tester, a looker on of pretty things if you will. Which means I like to go into a store and really check the product out before I purchase it.

IT Cosmetics are sold via The Shopping Channel here in Canada or the IT Cosmetics website. For me it’s always a gamble to order something. I’m never sure if I will like it or if the colour online is really true to the colour in the pan.

I was able to try the Vitality Cheek Flush in Magical Mauve and the Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss in Pretty in Pink. Both items are listed as $24.00 online. These products blew my expectations out of the water.

The Vitality Cheek Flush is an incredible hybrid product. It’s a powder blush but also a cheek stain. I’m a lover of powder blush, I have more pans of blush than I will ever truly use. As for cheek stains I always think I am going to like them but they just don’t sit right on my skin. This product however is a miracle product. Its finely milled, has amazing pigmentation and best of all is Talc, paraben, sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance and phthalate free. Cheek Flush has the formulation and blend ability of a powder blush but the staying power of a stain. So for you hypoallergenic ladies out there this blush is a must.

The Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss might be my favourite thing I have tried recently. One of the words used to describe it is serum and if you think about it that is really what it is. This gloss is made up of hydrating oils, butters and vitamins. I hate sticky lip-gloss, which means I just don’t wear lip-gloss. Butter gloss however is soft, silky, hydrating and actually pigmented. How many times have you picked up a coloured gloss got it home put it on your lips and the result wasn’t any different than putting Vaseline on your lips? Well with this gloss that’s not an issue at all. I happen to have highly pigmented lips for a super fair girl but this gloss actually showed. It’s a my lips but better kind of colour.

After trying both of these products I’ve started an IT Cosmetics wishlist. Lets just say I will also need the Cheek Flush in Pretty in Peony, The Butter Gloss in Naturally Pretty and I might also want to take the Vitality Face Disc for a test drive.

Avon Ultra Color Lipstick Review + Swatches (Guest Post)

Avon states “Reveal your most color rich lips with new Ultra Color lipstick.” And I have to say okay Avon this sounds like a great idea so I’m going to give these Ultra Color lipsticks a try.

Avon Ultra Color lipsticks come in 55 true colour shades designed for a variety of skin tones. They are $8.00 each and with Avon you know they always have a great promotion going on so you might even get a deal. You can also order them online or through a representative.

I tried 4 out of the 55 shades. 

Blush Nude – a warm pinkish nude crème lipstick

Poppy Love - a bright orange toned red crème lipstick

Country Rose – a medium red-based coral sheen lipstick (almost frosty)

Fuchsia Fever – a fuchsia frosty glitter lipstick

Avon Ultra Color lipsticks have great opaque pigmentation. They are comparable to a some high end lipsticks in opaqueness. This is just my opinion but I think anyone who tries them will feel how creamy and moisturizing they are. Something about their scent reminds me of Wonka Sweet Tarts which I find very comforting. The texture and finish of the 4 lipsticks I tried varied from a crème to sheen to frost.

I wore both Nude Blush and Country Rose to work and managed about an hour or two until re-application. Poppy Nude and Fuchsia Fever I tried while at home one evening the wear time was the same but I did notice that a lip liner is very helpful in making them last longer. They are $10.00 CAN though- so if I can get a beautiful rich lipstick and have to reapply a few times I’m pretty happy with the time trade off.

With that being said if you are looking for an affordable lipstick that has some great pigmentation. I say give them a go I don’t think you will be sorry you did. As for me Blush Nude isn’t leaving my handbag anytime soon.