It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butters

Lip butters are really popular right now. They provide hydration, shine and with a tinted finish. 

Check out these Vitality Lip Flush Butters from It Cosmetics ($20.00 US).

Pillow (Nude)

Darling (Pink)

In Love (Berry)

The truly innovative formula contains ingredients such as plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your lips, minimizing the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles. Plus, Vitality Lip Flush Lipstick Butters are packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, acai, green tea, and white tea that provide protection from wrinkle-causing free radicals. 

Since I have pigmented lips, I never reach for a lip butter for colour. I use them more for moisturizing lips when dry. The formula is light but silky. 

One of the common misconceptions about lip butters is that are that they are suppose to be vivid like lipsticks when in actuality they are sheer. In the swatch below, I swiped the lipsticks three times. That is not now it appears on my lips (my lips are darker than my wrist) but I wanted to give you all an idea of the consistency. They are very glossy and smooth.

These were swatched three times.

In Love (Berry)

Darling (Pink)

Pillow (Nude)

I should also add that these glosses are paraben-free!

Are you a fan of lip butters?

Beauty News: Fruits & Passion, Bobbi Brown + Burberry

Fruits & Passion Pompelmo Collection

It's been a while since I've tried anything from Fruit & Passion. I was excited to try out the Pompelmo collection because it's a unique mix of scents.

The Cucina Al Fresco collection from Fruits & Passion now includes Pompelmo, a fresh and delicately aromatic new fragrance. Pompelmo, which is Italian for grapefruit, takes you straight to the heart of summer. Its accents of crisp green cucumber combine with refreshingly delightful pink lemonade.

How cute is the hand soap bottle! I love the fact that it's glass and reusable. Plus the formula contains olive oil, "A traditional emollient that nourishes and helps protect skin by infusing it with essential fatty acids, olive oil creates a protective barrier to moisturize, soften and smooth skin."

I received the hand soap & hand cream but the line also features a foaming hand soap, discovery candle, fragrant kitchen mist and a decorative diffuser fragrance. The line ranges from $2.00 to $28.50 CAN. Available March 25 to June 9, 2013.
* I received a sample*

Bobbi Brown Discount!

20% of all orders placed through the new BobbiBrown.ca site starting this Monday, April 15th through the 18th. Customers will also be helping to support Bobbi’s favorite charity, Dress for Success Worldwide, as a total contribution of $10K from the sales made online during this time period will be donated to the organization.

Burberry Spring/Summer 2013
Inspiration:

Powerfully feminine look with glowing shots of colour, inspired by the mood and energy of the Burberry Prorsum spring/summer 2013 runway collection.

Reds are back for Spring/Summer! Shown below are Burberry Lip Velvet lipsticks ($30.00) in Military Red & Bright Poppy. The velvet lipsticks are definitely on my must have list because they have a velvety matte consistency. One of my favourite finishes!

Finding the Right Foundation

I started my blog for anyone who wanted to get into makeup but didn't know where to start. Believe it or not, I found a foundation that perfectly matched my skin tone when I was 24. That was only three years ago. It was actually Make Up For Ever HD foundation in 178. Perfect foundation that works with daylight & harsh flash.

The hardest part in the beginning is trying to find which shade would suit your skin tone. It's always good to start in places which offer samples like Sephora or MAC. Since there is a lot of trial and error at first, it's always good check up on blogs to get an idea of what you want. I can't remember who it was but I seen a Youtuber with a similar skin tone to mine demo the MUFE HD formula. I went into the store and picked up exactly what I wanted.

I can't tell you how many times I have tried a product in store (on my hand), bought it and it was a totally the wrong color! Here are three tips to help you (if you're new to makeup):

• Find out your undertone.

Are you warm or cool based?
This part is kind of difficult for some. Warm based skin has a yellow undertone. Cool based skin has a blue undertone. I'm a yellow undertone with a little bit of red. Get it? If you don’t pop into the closest department store and someone will definitely help you out. Maybe they can apply it directly to your face.

• Always swipe the product on the side of your jaw.

Does the product match your skin? If so, congrats you have a match! If it doesn't, keep on trying other brands until you find a suitable product.

• Find your finish.

This one is truly based on trial and error. I prefer liquid foundation but lately I'm in love with matte powders (with no primer). I love the way how it sets naturally on my skin.
If I'm in a rush I spray it to get the desired look I want.

Do you have any tips on finding the right foundation? 

Share them below!

Great Read: The 8-Week Healthy Skin Diet

Summer is coming and skincare is at the top of my list. I recently had the opportunity to check out Karen Fisher's book: The 8-Week Healthy Skin Diet. 

KAREN FISCHER is a former model, award-winning author, and a nutritionist who believes that the skin’s appearance is one of the main indicators of overall health. For the last decade Karen has helped hundreds of patients gain beautiful skin, and has made it her goal to make nutrition and health interesting and accessible to everyone.

About the book:

What is your skin trying to tell you? The recipe for beautiful skin begins in the kitchen, with foods matched to your specific skin problem and type. 

The Healthy Skin Diet is not one-size-fits-all – it’s as unique as you! 

Whatever your skin type, whatever your skin condition, you’ll find all the help you need right here. And whether the health of your skin is just okay or out of control, you can be looking fantastic within eight weeks simply by following this holistic, natural approach.

I loved how the book was broken down into different sections. It also has a lot of variety such as interesting facts, questionnaires, case studies & recipes!

Everyone can gain health benefits from following the Healthy Skin Diet because it is a common-sense diet and lifestyle program designed to fit into your life. Because it’s so flexible and easy to follow, you have no excuse not to complete the eight-week diet. It’s an anti-inflammatory eating program that was originally developed for people with eczema and then was discovered to also be highly effective in treating the following skin conditions: psoriasis, rosacea, dandruff, acne, cellulite, hives, premature aging and wrinkles, dull/sallow complexion, bags under the eyes, pigmentation, dark circles under the eyes, hives and dermatitis/contact dermatitis.

It's really important for me to have a book with a variety of recipes. This book has 100 recipes, I am able to find something that works for me without worrying about breaking out. Some recipes are more complex than others. Here is one of the easier recipes:

Mango Ice
*Mangos are rich in vitamin C and make a great frozen desert*
Makes four servings 
2 Large ripe mangos, sliced
4 tsp ground flax seeds

1. Divide the mango slices into four small containers and freeze. Before serving, sprinkle with flax seeds.

This book is definitely a good read if you deal with problems such as food intolerances or poor immunity to colds/flus.

You can purchase this book from any local bookstore or from any online retailer (ie: Indigo, Amazon, etc).

Vegan/Cruelty-Free Products: Kiss My Face

Target is finally in Canada! 

For beauty lovers like me, they bring a lot of products to Canada that we don't have access to.
They also carry cruelty-free brands such as Kiss my face!

Kiss My Face all-natural body care company is no newcomer to the recent explosion of green product marketers. The brainchild of two long-time vegetarians searching for healthy body care products, Kiss My Face was founded on a 200-acre organic farm in the early 1980's. The latest scientific research combined with the most effective ingredients nature has to offer leaves no room in Kiss My Face products for artificial colors, unnecessary chemical additives, animal ingredients or animal testing. From moisturizers to liquid soaps, shower gels to toothpastes, shaves to deodorants, Kiss My Face has products that are effective and cruelty-free!

I know that some of my readers live a vegan/cruelty-free lifestyle. So products from Kiss My Face would be perfect for you. If I were to describe the products in one word it would be Gentle.

From left to right:

So Refined (Jojoba & Mint Facial Scrub) $15.00 CAN
Exfoliate and polish the skin's appearance with natural and organic ingredients. This non-drying, natural humectant gently exfoliates and purifies skin by removing dirt with organic jojoba beads and other natural and organic herbs and plant oils. Helps skin look visibly younger and refreshed.
I personally would call this product more of a cleanser than a scrub because the beads are really small. I prefer larger particles in my scrubs.


Eye Witness (Eye Repair Creme) $19.00 CAN
Reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark circles and puffiness with potent natural and organic ingredients. Smooth the appearance of wrinkles and moisturize the delicate skin around your eyes. Natural and organic oils and butters leave skin looking hydrated and rejuvenated.
The eye cream was pretty lightweight. Since I don't any issues with my under eye area, I don't reach for eye creams as much as I should. It's probably better to start now to prevent any problems later. 


Clean For A Day (Creamy Face Cleanser) $19.00 CAN
Cleanse, hydrate and remove makeup with our natural botanical cleanser. This soap-free, non-drying formula uses natural cleansing agents from sugar and corn to remove dirt and debris. Rich in natural and certified organic ingredients, the soothing scent of vanilla and tangerine will heighten your senses.

Out of the three products, my favourite would be the Creamy face cleanser. Since it's a soap free product, I found it quite hydrating. Plus it had a pleasant scent.

Their products are also:

• Biodegradable
• Gluten-Free
• Paraben-Free
• SLS-Free
• Pthalate-Free
• Vegan Friendly
• No Animal testing
• No Artificial fragrances 

Have you tried Kiss My Face products before?

YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in Color 12 Forbidden Burgundy

This weather is really getting the best of me. I WAS getting better now I'm back to being sick. Thankfully it's not the flu this time. I have soo many products to showcase but I know my health comes first.

How do you all feel about high-end lipsticks?

Personally, I'm the type of person who really doesn't care about price. I can use a $2.00 lipstick or a $40.00 one. It doesn't matter to me as long as it does the job. I was really interested in trying the YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ line after seeing all the buzz on twitter. On one of my Murale trips, I swatched YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in “Color 12 Forbidden Burgundy”($34.00 CAN) and I had to take it home!

I love how creamy and pigmented the formula is!

Now, I want to go back and get more colours! 

Do you have a favourite YSL lipstick?

Current Obsession: Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volumizing Mousse

I remember when I got my first can of mousse in grade 7 after a friend raved how slick it made her ponytail without the stiffness of gel. My first experience was horrid. It was sticky and it did not gave me the desired look I wanted. I vowed never to use it again. Fast forward 10+ years to the Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volumizing Mousse ($10.99 CAN).

Extra whipped for extra volume! This ultra-light, airy Mousse lifts each strand for fuller, voluminous styles that move naturally. Whether wearing hair straight, wavy or curly it creates fuller, bouncier styles with extra hydration, shine and flexible hold.

I know I should be using it to voluminize or define my curls but I love using it to make slick ponytails. I personally think the biggest selling point is the formula. It does not leave a residue on your hair or hands. Plus the addition of Argan Oil and Keratin does amazing things for your hair. I should also mention it's sulfate free!

If you plan on using this product to increase volume. Try this:

Shake can well. Apply evenly to damp hair and style. Let dry naturally or blow dry with hair flipped upside down to build fullness. If desired, scrunch while drying hair to work up wave or curl.

If you this product in store, Pick it up asap!

Do you use mousse in your hair?

Real Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Testimonials

Remember the Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy 7 Day Challenge. Back in February, I gave Spiced Beauty readers have the opportunity to try out clear scalp & hair therapy shampoo and condition for their feedback. 

I contacted a few readers back to get their input.

Check out what they had to say below!

User submitted photo from Esther

Just for reference, my hair is rather on the fine side, straight, and I dye it about 4 times a year.

The shampoo smells a little heavy (reminds me of Pantene), but I like it. The conditioner was a little too heavy for my fine hair. However, for the record I normally skip conditioner in my regular routine because of this issue, so I wasn’t too surprised that Clear would not be an exception to this. When I used the shampoo without the conditioner, I liked that I didn’t feel like it left a residue behind. -Esther  

I tried the Damage and Colour Repair shampoo and conditioner set. Both the shampoo and conditioner have a pleasant smell that lingers on the hair even when the hair dries. The shampoo lathers up nicely and I felt that I really got my scalp and hair clean. The conditioner is a nice consistency, not too thick and not too thin. Both shampoo and conditioner rinse easily from the hair. As my hair began to air dry I noticed how lightweight my hair felt. It was not weighed down like other products make my hair feel. My scalp felt nourished and perfectly moisturized. My sister actually commented on my hair saying how nice it looked and wondered if I had used a flat iron! I had just let my hair dry naturally but these products left my hair soft, smooth and sleek looking. Overall, I am very impressed with the Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy products and will continue to use them. -Amy

I'm a little unsure how I feel about the Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy. Let me start off by saying I have a courser hair type. I do think it kept my scalp clean but I don't think it would be a product I would use in the colder months. The products smell amazing but I think I would use the conditioner more than the shampoo. - Rina

I was recently lucky enough to have the opportunity to test out Clear Damage and Colour repair shampoo and conditioner. I have abused my hair for a long time with highlights every few months and using the straightening iron on it every day. Doing this damages my hair and also makes it very dry and brittle. Trying Clear was a godsend!!!! After using it for three weeks I have noticed a major difference in the quality of my hair. It looks healthier; feels stronger, is noticeably shinier and my recently coloured hair has not faded at all. I am totally loving this line of products and I am hooked. It is definitely going to be my shampoo and conditioner of choice from now on. Thank you Clear and Spiced Beauty for the chance to try it out. -Belina

For a while now I have dealing with dry scalp and lot of dandruff maybe because I have not been taking care of my scalp like i should. I took The Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy 7 Day Challenge and I love it . My scalp is a lot more moisturize now and the conditioner left my hair soft. Oh one more thing the products smell Yummy !!!! - Assa

Canadians: Shu Uemura new online store + Giveaway

As a Canadian, it's always a good feeling to be able to shop from the comfort of your own home.

Have you heard that Shu Uemura just launched their new online store in Canada?

Blending nature, science and art together with the founder’s pioneer spirit, the shu uemura and Shu Uemura Art of Hair brands encompass cutting-edge make-up, high-performing hairstyling and skin care products, and a range of elegant and effective professional quality tools. With their entire range now available online at www.shuuemura.ca, these brands, beloved by professionals and consumers alike, now provide all Canadians a portal to the world of the legendary Japanese make-up artist and beauty pioneer, and a gateway to revealing every woman’s unique beauty.

To celebrate one Spiced Beauty reader will win a $100 worth of their desired products from shuuemura. 

How to win:

Fill out the rafflecopter widget below and the URL of your

 favourite product from the Shu Uemura website in the comment section below.

Try your luck and enter to win a $500 gift card by creating your wish list on Shu Uemura website.

Can't wait to shop? Try my special promocode SHUBLOG which will give you a $10.00 gift

card on Shu Uemura website at checkout! (offer valid on purchase of $50 or more).

Ends April 30 at midnight.
*I am an ambassadors for this launch- I am being compensated with product for this post*

Limited-Edition Mary Kay® Lip Lacquer Pink Pagoda

I've been getting sick on and off lately- so I apologize for my lack of posts.

I'm currently shopping my makeup stash. You wouldn't believe how many products you can find just by looking through your traincases and drawers. It's insane.

I will be doing a new series on my blog where I highlight products I own in effort to use/fall in-love with them again. I hope these short posts will inspire you to go through your own stashes or find/use similar products that you own!

This week I was looking for spring colours to add to my beauty regime. During my search, I remembered I had this gorgeous Limited-Edition Mary Kay® Lip Lacquer called Pink Pagoda ( $18.00 CAN).

This lightweight formula glides on for a jelly finish that feels extremely moisturizing and smooth. The intense, stay-true colour has a superglossy finish that’s so on-trend.

I love how bright the pink is. The colour you see in the jar is literally the colour you get when applied to the lips. I have pigmented lips- so I like the fact that it shows up vividly. It also came with a retractable lip brush! 

Do you own a colour like this?

Winged Eyeliner & Wine Lips

My signature look this year has been pretty simple- Wing liner & bold plum lips. It's quick and effortless. This post was apart of Challenge Four for Fashion magazine's Beauty Panel.
 
I'm constantly asked how do I get my line so perfect. I will tell you it takes a lot of practice but a good eye liner is key. You can use pencil, liquid, cake or gel liners to get the look.

For time sake, I use liquid liners. I also make sure I get the deepest black. I find it pops on my skin tone and also brings out the brown in my eyes. 

For this particular look I used Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner from Milani. The liner is thin, pointy and deep. People who are new to eye liner may like it because it has a grip. If you still can't get your liner straight, make sure to have some precision qtips on hand to clean up the mess.

What is your favourite liquid eyeliner?

Current Obsession: Caudalie Grape Water

There is a big difference between dewy and oily skin. I finally found a product that gives me that dewy look I want without making me look like an oil slick. It was actually a recommendation from the esthetician at Murale. 

 After applying my Make up For ever Pro Finish, I spray Caudalie Grape Water in a "T" formation on my face. I love the look it gives off. It hydrates and refreshes my skin.

I took a huge risk buying this product because I'm actually allergic to grapes.. Yea I know... I'm crazy. Since I'm not ingesting them, I'm okay. Don't Judge me!! 

100 percent grape water toner enriched with moisturizing polysaccharides and mineral salts.

For $12.00 I think it's a great buy because it works with my sensitive skin.

I was wearing the Caudalie Grape Water over MUFE pro finish here. 

NCLA Nail Lacquer is now sold at Nailpolishcanada

Pastel are slowly creeping into my beauty collection.
It's a trend that I think looks best on my nails.

I recently had the opportunity to try out NCLA nail lacquers ($16) from Nailpolishcanada.

I had no idea what to expect from the brand but I heard  it's a celebrity favourite worn by Beyonce, Ke$ha and Miley Cyrus. 

Am: Beauty Sleep, Pm:Shopping Spree
Mint Green

Don't Call Me Peachy!
 Peach Nude Cream 

About these polishes:
Application was a tad difficult at first. A little streaky but I know that's common with creamy pastel colours. These polishes required three to four coats. As you can see in the picture above two coats was definitely not enough.

The drying time was pretty quick but I know that building coats can be time consuming. If you have the patience, I would recommend these polishes.

World MasterCard Fashion Week Backstage Hair & Beauty: Joe Fresh

How amazing is this picture?

It was taken while Jorge from Redken was spraying the models hair.

Maybelline:

 I loved the fact that this look was one that you could wear daily. My favourite BB cream from Maybelline was used on the skin to give a dewy effect. Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Blackest Black was used to line the upper lid. Maybelline Great lash was used on the lashes. Dream Bouncy Blush in Candy Coral was used on the cheeks.  Grace Lee explained the look as "Tres, tres rocker chic"!

Redken:

They cut the model's locks off to complete the look! I'm joking! Seriously though doesn't the wig look really natural. Jorge from Redken got the look by wrapping the hair using Fashion Works 12 and using bobby pins to compress it. Once the wig was on it was great to see them cut into it and use Wax Blast 10 & Fashion Works 12 to style it. It's crazy to see how much movement a wig can have right after coming out of a box.

I can't wait to see what Joe fresh has in store for us next season!

I'm one of 10 All-Canadian Beauty Blogs You Need To Know Via Flare Magazine

I'm still in awe that Flare magazine named Spiced Beauty as one of 10 All-Canadian Beauty Blogs You Need To Know. I heard about the list on Faces by Farah (one of fave bloggers who was on the list as well) facebook page. Never in a million years would I expect to see my blog. 

The part that really touched my heart was "This blog isn't only for women of colour, but having an editor that showcases colour palettes on a darker complexion is definitely an asset."

That line embodies everything that I've tried to achieve for the past 4 years. It brings me back to the times when I was younger and I watched others shop through the makeup aisles. I felt like nothing matched/would compliment my "dark/deep" skin tone. I do not want anyone to feel how I felt those times. 

That's why I started Spiced Beauty. I really feel that everyone regardless of skin tone has the right to have one beauty product that truly makes them confidently smile when they put it on. If I can help you achieve that feeling, that's truly all that matters to me.

Thank you for reading <3