Canadians: Win a P&G- 12 Days of Beauty prize pack

P&G challenged #Beautyunited bloggers to a 12 Days of Beauty photo challenge!

Challenge : 

Use 12 products we received to create five Holiday inspired photos!

I shared my 5 pictures on my twitter page:

Want to win the items I used and more?

Whats in the prize pack:
1. COVERGIRL Flamed Out Shadow Pencil
2. COVERGIRL Nail Gloss 
3. COVERGIRL Clump Crusher mascara
4. Pantene Expert Collection Keratin Repair 60-second therapy Ampoule
5. Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Moisture Whip
6. Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Tousling Hairspray
7. Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush
8. Olay Silk Whimsy Body Lotion 
9. Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Boost & Lift Hairspray
10. Clairol free product coupon
11. Satin Care Shave Gel with a Touch of Olay and Venus & Olay Sugarberry Razor Cartridge
12. Crest 3D White Holiday Smile Survival Kit

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Nicole by OPI: Carrie Underwood collection- January 2014

A new Nicole by OPI collection is coming out in January 2014!

It's a collaboration with Six-Time Grammy Winner

Carrie Underwood 

“Carrie is the perfect partner for Nicole by OPI. Her music evokes powerful emotions in its listeners, and we wanted to give fans a way to express their feelings through colour,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

14 new nail lacquers($10.99 CAN) ranging from creamy pinks to chunky and textured glitters.

Carrie’d Away

Carrie’s own gold record signature shade.

Lips are Dripping Honey

This multi-gold glitter is sweet on you.

Southern Charm

Frankly my dear, this nude shade looks charming on you.

Sweet Daisy

A bouquet of southern peach blossoms.

Carnival Cotton Candy

This spun sugar pink is all about fun.

Goodbye Shoes

Hit the road, but leave me this standalone gray-green.

Backstage Pass

I want access to this brown with purple nuances.

Sing You Like a Bee

Put some of this frosty ice on that, honey!

Party Bus

Celebrate on-the-go with this party-perfect confetti glitter.

Love My Pups

Let’s “paws” for this adorably sweet pink.

Color Me Country

This soul-ful hot pink makes me want to sing.

Some Hearts

You can’t beat this romantic coral dream.

American as Apple Pie

Tradition runs deep in this classic red.

Fisher Queen

I’m hooked on this deep, deep eggplant.

Shades will be available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Target Canada, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, London Drug, and Loblaws.

Holiday Want: Quo by ORLY Gels: Holiday Gel Kit with Lamp

Do you have a nail junkie on your Christmas list?

Think about getting them the Quo by Orly limited edition gel nail kit ($90.00)!

I went through an obsession last year where I always wanted to have gel nails. I was in the salon every two weeks. It was pricey but when I did the math it was easier and cheaper to do it at home! Why not have the nail salon come to you?

This kit is a steal at $90 CAN.
Comes with everything you need to get fabulous shiny red gel manicure for the holiday's.

Contents:

• Cleanser
• Primer
• Base/Top coat
• Gel nail colour in Burning Love
• ORLY LED Lamp

*Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart stores in December 2013 for a limited time only.

Holiday Hair with the Rowenta Beauty Curl Active

One classic look that will always be my favourite go-to for a night out is side swiped curls.

I've seen the look on a lot of girls who have shaved sides but for people like me who are too chicken to shave their hair AGAIN- try a braid on one side with curls.

Speaking of curls- I had the opportunity to try out the
Rowenta Beauty Curl Active ($179.99 CAN) recently.

What makes Rowenta Beauty Curl Active unique that is it a Motorized curling system.

Yup! It automatically curls pour hair for you with the push of a button.

Key Features:

• Motorized curling 
• Quick heat up- 90 seconds 
• 2 rotation switches for the direction of the curls
• 2 heat positions- one for fine and one for thick.
• Ceramic coating to protect your hair

Before any curling, I used the Matrix Total Results Heat Resistance range to minimize any heat damage. Very important if you are putting any type of heat on to natural hair to use a heat protectant! 

It took me a while to get use to the process of using the Rowenta Beauty Curl Active. Practice makes perfect! My attempt at curling under was a fail but I had better success curling in the opposite direction. The medium setting did nothing for my thick hair, high worked much better for me (and it's recommended for thick hair). I do have clip ins that match my hair texture- so my curls where thicker than usual. If you have time, curl smaller sections at a time.

For anyone who is afraid that they are going to burn their scalp, the barrel automatically rotates back when it reaches the root. Pretty awesome safety feature.

Final Look:

Right now until December 24th, Rowenta Beauty Curl Active will be on sale for 

$99.95 at Trade Secrets!

Holiday Want: White Musk Smoky Rose Spritz Duo Gift Set

Here is another great gift idea that costs under $30 with tax!
White Musk Smoky Rose Spritz Duo Gift Set from The Body Shop.

Lately I've been noticing that a lot of people HATE wrapping gifts.. which is crazy to me because I love it!

For example: My fiancé will not come near wrapping paper. His method is a gift bag and tissue paper on top. For individuals like him, these posts are for you. Nice and easy gift giving!

What is it:
White Musk Smoky Rose Spritz Duo Gift Set
Uniting a mix of notes including musk, black smoky rose and tobacco flower.

Price:
$25.00 CDN

What does it come with:
Cute reusable pink heart shaped metal case
White Musk Smoky Rose Eau de Toilette 60ml
White Musk Smoky Rose Body Mist 100ml

Why would I want it:

It's the irresistible scent of musk with the mix of smoky rose. Perfect evening scent for a night out.

Where can I get it:
The Body Shop online & in-store

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.