Sally Hansen Perfect Plucker Scissor Style Tweezers

I get my brows threaded twice a month. In the between time, I try to maintain some decent looking brows.

Brows can easily make or break your face. I know that's harsh but it's the truth.

My brow hair is thick and grows pretty fast. I honestly struggle to pluck out the stray hairs sometimes.

Lately I have been using my trusty Sally Hansen Perfect Plucker Scissor Style Tweezers.

They can be found in your local drug store like Shopper's Drug Mart or Zellers.

The "scissor" style grip is easy to maneuver. It allows me to grip the hair firmly and grab on to any small thick hairs which are starting in grow in. Plus the handles are the perfect size for my fingers.

The best part of about these tweezers is the fact that you can find them for under $10.00. That may be steep for some but I know a brand that cost 20.00+ and they're pretty popular. If I can get the same quality for half the price I'll stick with that.


I know someone out there may be interested in seeing it in "action". Here is a picture of me trying to clean up some stray brow hairs.

As you can see it's pretty easy to use.

If there is anyone out there with some thick unruly brows, this may be a great option for you.

L'Oreal Le Balm in Rose Elixir review

I know some of you ladies have seen this balm in your favorite drugstore and debated whether or not to get it. I won't lie it stayed in my bag for a while unused. Tinted lipbalm has never been my thing because of my pigment lips.

One day after leaving my makeup bag at home I tried this balm and I've been hooked ever since!

I'm going to break down this review into three important sections: Packaging, Consistency & Pigmentation.

Packaging:
I like the sleek packing for each balm. One of the pros is that it doesn't look like kiddy lipbalm! I also like how each cap is the same color of the balm in the tube.



Consistency:
The formula is extremely moisturizing. It last hours on me with little application throughout the day. It can be worn alone or underneath lipstick.
Even after removal my lips still feel soft.

Pigmentation:

Since it's a tinted lip balm I didn't expect much but I love the soft hint of pink it gave me. The application is sheer and soft!

There are seven other shades to choose from the Le Balm line.

Pink Satin, Rose Elixir, Tender Mauve, Heavenly Berry, Plush Plum, Caring Coral, Nourishing Nude & Caramel Comfort.

I absolutely love this balm and I hope to try more colors?

Have you seen this product in stores?

Maybelline Color Tattoo Review (Guest Post)

I have been on the hunt for a drugstore cream shadow that can be used as a base (much like a Mac paint pot) for ages. I have tried every cream shadow Shoppers Drugmart has to offer. These cream shadows are okay but they never truly stand up to my day-to-day lifestyle. I don’t live in a major metropolis so when I want to visit a Mac or a Sephora store I am looking at a good hour and a half to two-hour drive.

Which is why the other day I got very excited when I came a crossed a display in my local Shoppers. This display was very intriguing. Not unlike most of you I hadn’t heard anything about Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows. These little pots looked just like the Benefit creaseless eyeshadow packaging and felt a lot like a Make Up Forever aqua cream. I automatically pulled out my iPhone and Googled this these little beauty, but much to my surprise there wasn’t anything on the Internet that could help me.

So I did what any savvy beauty-loving girl would do. I bought three. There were nine colours to choose from at my Shoppers Drugmart.

05 – Too Cool (matte white)

10- Fierce & Tangy (matte tangerine orange)

20- Painted Purple (shimmery lilac purple)

25 – Bad to the Bronze (shimmery bronze)

30- Pomegranate Punk (shimmery burgundy)

35- Tough as Taupe (matte grayish beige)

40- Tenacious Teal (shimmery aqua blue)

45- Bold Gold (shimmery gold)

50- Edgy Emerald (matte moss green)

Left to Right (50 – Pomegranate Punk, 35- Tough as Taupe, 45 – Bold Gold)

I decided to go with Pomegranate Punk, Tough as Taupe and Bold Gold. When it comes to new cosmetics I like to play it safe. The first thing I can tell you is this product has a nice consistency. Its soft and creamy but dries to a powder-like finish. The colours are in the collection are very wearable and yet Maybelline seemed to have a bit of fun also. For me the true test of any cream shadow is how it applies. With most drugstore shadows you are stuck using your finger for application. Which is fine but if you want a precise look it ends up looking a bit messy. The Maybelline Color Tattoo shadows have the ability to be used with a brush as well as finger application.

Left side finger swatched, Right side brush swatched

When it comes down to wearability I put this product to the test at the two jobs I work at. The one was wearability at an office and the other was wearability at a restaurant. In an office setting this eyeshadow worked rather well as a base or as an all over lid colour. There was minimal creasing and the colour stayed true throughout my 8-hour day. As for at the restaurant when I am a waitress, this shadow was only good as a base. As an all over lid colour it started to run and crease near the heat lamps unless it was set with a powder eyeshadow. I also found that the one matte shade (Tough as Taupe) I purchased had a better staying power that the other two shimmery colours.


All in all seeing as this is a drugstore product that costs $9.99 and I don’t have to take a crazy road trip to get it. I’d give the product 8/10. I deducted a point for the fact that most of the shades are shimmery (I would have liked to see more matte shades and in lighter colours). I also deducted a point for the intolerance to heat (I would not wear this as an all over lid colour to a club).

Make Up For Ever Wild & Chic Aqua Eyes Collection- Limited Edition

If someone asked me what I wanted for Christmas I would put this baby at the top of my list!

I honestly have anywhere from two to five minutes in the morning (If I'm lucky) to do my makeup. Liner is a huge part of my routine. I need it to last long, not smudge or even fade. Nothing is more disturbing than looking at yourself four hours into your shift and noticing raccoon eyes. Definitely not cute. 

I'm proud to report back that MUFE Aqua Eyes Collection is honestly all I needed.

Waterproof, smudge-proof, and fade-proof, Aqua Eyes is an award-winning, creamy, long-lasting eyeliner that truly stays put.

This set contains:
- Full Size Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L (black)
- 5 x Travel-size Aqua Eyes in Dark Grey 21L (dark metallic grey), Iridescent Navy Blue 3L (navy blue sheen), Blue With Green Highlights 12L (metallic teal blue), Pearly Brown 2L (golden brown sheen), Purple 11L (metallic purple)

Aqua Eyes Liner Breakdown:

Consistency/ Color Pay off:

• Creamy- They glide on smoothly.
• Rich Vibrant colors- You don't need to go over your line twice.

 Endurance:

• Long Lasting - Over eight hours: They last my whole shift!
• Smudge-proof - It didn't smudge on my lid.

These liners truly live up to the hype. I've tried a lot of eyeliners and currently these are working out the best for me. I gravitate towards the black because I work in an office but it's good to know that I have colors to switch it up with on Friday and the weekends.

At the price of $40.00 CDN which equals $6.67 is a great deal for variation six great liners.

 SWATCHES:

Ladies this is a Limited Edition item! 

So rush to your local Sephora to pick one up ASAP.

Have you tried these liners before?

I'm loving Sexual Sugar Perfume by Michel Germain

A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to try Sexual Sugar by Michel Germain. I was EXTREMELY hesitant at first...BUT explaining to others that your wearing Sexual Sugar perfume is a definite conversation starter.

First some background on Michel Germain:

• Canadian Company from Michel Germain a French-Canadian designer.
• Fragrances for men and women.

There is no better way to explain Sexual Sugar other than it smells just like berry flavored cotton candy.

The scent is rich and long lasting. I usually spray it 1- 2 time(s) at 7am and I can still smell it at 8pm.

I did some research on why this perfume is a top seller and it all comes down to the three "notes".

• Top notes: The scents that are perceived immediately upon application of a perfume. 
• Middle notes: The scent of a perfume that emerges just prior to when the top notes dissipate.
• Heart notes: The scent of a perfume that appears close to the departure of the middle notes.

Check out the notes in Sexual Sugar:

• Top Notes: Wildberries, Sugar coated orange zest
• Middle Notes: Passion flower, Orange water flower, Jasmine
• Heart Notes: Fresh roasted almonds, Vanilla creme brulee, Sandalwood

No wonder it smells amazing! Sexual Perfume, is a top seller at The Bay, Bloomingdales & Macy's.

Vegan Finds: Soulstice Spa nail polish review + Swatches

For the past few weeks I've been testing polishes from a vegan & cruelty-free brand called Soulstice Spa.

They are USA based and "non-toxic, 3FREE color + shine ---- free of toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate".

The three colors shown are from the Fall 2011 collection!

Left to Right: LA, South Beach & Telluride

LA: Stars & sparkle; glitter dust.

South Beach: Sheer white, sleek and modern.

Telluride: Ethereal, crisp light green shine.

POLISH BREAKDOWN

Coverage/Color-off:

• Great consistency- Not runny or too thick.
• Two coats to get good coverage.
• High shine (similar to a gel treatment)

Price:

• Canada $8.50 from nailpolishcanada
• USA $8.00 from soulsticespa 

I loved the mix of Glitter sizes in LA.
I found that they were easier to remove with a base underneath.

 COMBO: LA & Telluride

I think that South Beach applied like a dream: Smoothly!

This is a color that I would not usually rock but it I'm starting to like it on my skin tone.

Two Coats of South Beach.

Overall I would give these polishes great high marks. They could definitely rival the non-vegan polishes on the market. As for the price, $8.00/ $8.50 is very reasonable for a cruelty-free polish.

Marcelle Cosmetics Favs: Hydra-C Ultra-Light Matifying Fluid & Soothing Cleansing Water

As a Canadian Beauty Blogger I love highlighting Canadian beauty products. Marcelle is not a stranger to Spiced Beauty! I've been blogging about them since early 2010.

It is been a pretty "hot" fall and I'm still OILY!!

Lovely Isabelle from Marcelle read my mind when she sent me the Hydra-C Ultra-Light Matifying Fluid!

Since I don't wear foundation daily I really needed to invest in a GOOD matifier!

I remember when I tried it out the first time. For some reason I thought it would be dry like a primer but it wasn't. It was wet! I freaked out! Within seconds it dried to matte finish.

Definitely a recommend if your a oily blogger like myself LOL

Good Stuff: The formula rich in antioxidants, vitamins C, E and B5, aloe vera and cucumber extract. 

SWATCH:

Last but not least Marcelle Soothing Cleansing Water!

I wear liner & mascara daily so removal is a serious issue for me.. especially after a LONG day!

This was my first time using Cleansing water and I'm a fan. I'm so surprised how water can clean off all my makeup even the waterproof stuff!!

I don't have to rub my eyes profusely like the oil based removers. It`s funny but once the oil gets into your eyes..its over..

My method - I soak a cotton pad with Soothing Cleansing Water and saturate it on the lid. If I have more time I do a extra foam cleanse, if not, since its a soothing water I just go to bed.

Good Stuff: Rinse-free formula that micro-emulsifies impurities and waterproof make-up without irritating skin, gentle for even the driest and most sensitive complexions.

SWATCH:
Waterproof eyeshadow

Interested in any of these products? 

You can shop Marcelle on-line.

It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil - Must have!

In my past August Favs post, I noted the It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil as one of my must haves. Not a day goes by that I don't have it in my purse. I have thick black brows and it works without being ashy and chalky.

Brow Power™ Universal Eyebrow Pencil with Brow Enhancing Technology transforms and adjusts to all brow hair colours. The oval shaped tip creates the most natural looking, believable brow and is perfect for both thin and thick brows. The long-wear formula is waterproof & smudge-resistant. It Cosmetics Exclusive Brow Enhancing Complex uses a patent-pending blend of cutting-edge ingredients to target the look of brow hair loss, and helps restore your brow hair follicles - promoting the look of healthy hair growth and health.

Side 1:                                                                               Side 2:

*******

Brow Break Down:

Consistency/Color Pay off:
The pencil glides smoothly across my brows every time.

Price:
If you're in Canada this pencil can be bought for $24.00 on the shopping channel.
Pricey for some but if your like me (black thick-haired brows) it's hard to find a pencil that isn't too light/dark.
Totally worth it!


Brow without the pencil:
YES I know I was due for the threading appointment! 
Don't Judge me! Haha

with the pencil:

PROS:

• Found in Canada 
• Paraben-free, Non-comedogenic, Hypo-allergenic
• Waterproof, Sweatproof and Smudge-Resistant
• Universal shade adjusts to all skin tones and hair colours
•  Small enough to be put in your purse

CON:

• As I stated before the price is an issue for some.
  

OVERALL:
This pencil is amazing! Just look at my after pictures: Not only is it a perfect match but it softens my brow color as well. If you're looking to invest in a pencil that will do EVERYTHING you want it to, get this!

Reviva Labs Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub Review

It's hard to find a facial scrub which fits my specific requirements:

• Not over-drying
• Not too harsh
• Doesn't burn
• Doesn't have big chunks 
• Does disintegrate before I finish scrubbing

Look at that list. I feel like Goldilocks with all of my odd specifications!

I got the chance to try out a Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub from Reviva Labs. We all know how popular Microdermabrasion is right now. If I can get it for $19.00 US and get multiple uses out of it.. I'm IN!

The Reviva Labs Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub has some big claims:

 Now even sensitive skin can enjoy microdermabrasion! With pure mild magnesium oxide, pomegranate, and soothing, calming organic oils. Reviva's microdermabrasion pomegranate scrub helps retexturize skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles or rough skin by featuring gentle magnesium oxide crystals and pomegranate instead of abrasive aluminum oxide. And to further avoid irritation as it exfoliates and removes impurities, our Micro Scrub induces a complex of organic oils. Cleanses in depth but gentle enough to use on even sensitive or acne skin.

First impressions:

I didn't expect a moisturizer like consistency. Most of the scrubs I own are thick! 

This was a nice change.

Doesn't it look like a good cream! 

You can't tell but there is fine pieces of "sand" in there. It reminds me of the "sand" used in traditional microdermabrasion.

Pros

• The exfoliants didn't disintegrate after scrubbing. I think it was partly because of the moisturizer like formula.
• The best part was how a little bit went a long way.

Con for some..Pro for me

• I didn't really smell any pomegranate in the product. For someone with sensitive skin, I found that to be more of a pro.

Tip

• Make sure that you don't have any lip gloss or balm on when you wash your face.
• Lightly steam your face before the microdermabrasion for a better result.

Would you be interested in using a product like this?

Bornprettystore.com Flower 3D Nail Art Stickers review

A while ago I was contacted to try out some items from the Born Pretty Store.
The site is full of everything from nails to beauty.

I was so excited to try out the Flower 3D Nail Art Tips Decals Stickers because I'm all about nails lately. Here is a close up of some of the stickers. There is ten sets of stickers with ten different designs.

How to apply the stickers:

• Clean the surface where the design is to be placed
• Select a design and peel off with your nail
• Place the design in nail/tip and rub it gently several times
• Apply top coat for best results

I put a clear coat of polish on my nails, just so I can show you the sticker. 

Pros:

Several Designs
Affordable
Perfect Nail Size

Fashionable

Cons:

Hard to peel off the plastic

Overall:
Love the concept..love the design and price but I hate how difficult it is to remove the stickers from the plastic. I can only imagine how hard it would be if I had no nails.

************

I quickly want to add that I was also sent the 2 way Pink DOTTING Pen Marbleizing Tool which I`m loving right now. Look out for a nail of the day using that in the future.

Thank you for reading!