Your Nails But Better: Zoya Naked Manicure Kit

Some girls hate wearing nail polish – I am not one of those girls. There’s always an “it” colour season after season that I lust over (remember the craze over Chanel’s Jade shade? I think I went to about 30 department stores to find it). 

My one pet peeve about bright polishes? The second you get a chip, you immediately look unkept. That is why the Zoya Naked Manicure Kit immediately caught my attention. As much as I love a pop of colour, there’s something alluring about a sheer, natural manicure.

The formula of this kit is great – it’ll improve the overall strength of your nails (bye bye breakage and hangnails) using a formula made of algae, proteins and Vitamins E and B5.

The instant benefits of the polish includes neutralized discoloration, refined nail plate surface, smoother nail ridges and a natural, healthy tone and finish.

The kit consists of four steps – the Naked Manicure Naked Base (refines nail surface, hydrates nail beds and treats damage), the Naked Manicure Pink Perfector (gives nails a healthy pink glow and brightens the tone of your nails), the Naked Manicure Tip Perfector (mimics a natural nail edge – eliminates yucky yellow fingernail edges) and the Naked Manicure Satin Seal (blurs imperfections, seals in the Pink and Tip Perfector).

Over time, the kit promises to support cellular renewal, improve oxygenation of your nails, enhance your nails’ flexibility and strength and increase hydration and resilience.

The kit retails for $30 and is available on NakedManicure.com. Zoya also sells additional Perfector shades in buff, lavender and mauve to achieve other desired nail effects, including deepening, brightening and colour correction.

Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blush

There’s nothing wrong with adding a little love into your beauty routine. The adorable Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blushes come in coquettish heart-shaped compacts, with even more saccharine love-themed shades. Keep reading below to see if this product is worth loving…

Packaging: Leave it to Too Faced to come up with the most adorable blush packaging. The blushes come in a sleek compact, with the packaging matching the shade of each blush. There is also a mirror included in the compact, perfect for travelling or touch-ups.

Colour Range: There are six shades in this range – with one neutral tone (“Baby Love”) and five brighter shades – ranging from pink to coral to plum. I can see these shades working for a multitude of skin tones as the shades are bright enough to make darker skin tones pop, without making lighter skin tones look as if they are wearing theatre makeup. Speaking as a pale gal, I’d advise those with lighter skin tones to use a light hand when applying these blushes – the colours are BRIGHT and if you swirl too much product on, your face will be hot pink before you know it.

Pigmentation: I’ve been using NARS blushes for years since I didn’t think I’d ever find anything better – but this product proved me wrong. While only six shades are available, the blush is so buttery and applies seamlessly – there’s no smudging product caking when you apply it. If you’re interested in a higher-end product, such as the Tom Ford Cheek Colour Blush or Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush, but don’t want to shell out $60 on a blush, you’ll actually find that this range has better colour payoff and a similar texture.

Staying Power: The formula is definitely smudge-proof; however, I'm not sure about the 16-hour wear time. I applied “Baby Love” prior to going to work, and by mid-afternoon, the majority of the colour was gone. I’d recommend carrying it in your purse with a travel-sized blush brush to re-apply if you’re planning some post-work fun.

SHOP:

Swatched from left: “Baby Love”, “Love Hangover”, “I Will Always Love You”.

The Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blush retails for $39.00 CAD
and is available at toofaced.com.

AOneBeauty.com Curl Care Box

I won't lie. I don't know many curl boxes ship to Canada or originate in Canada. So I was excited to check out AOnesbeauty curl care box. Not sure if many people know.. I'm natural. I've been natural for a LONG time. I usually straighten my hair to wear with weaves. But on my wash/in-between days I make sure my natural curls are moisturized and popping!

Now about the box. There is shipping to Canada & USA. 

The Canadian box is $30 (including shipping).
The USA box is $45 (including shipping).

What you should know about each box:

• Has around $40 (or more) in products. 
• You could get beauty products, samples & curly hair specific products (+plus discount coupons). 
• Ship on the 25th of each month. 
• Limited quantities. 
• Ships to: Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories for $45

The December 2015 box was pretty good. I was extremely excited for the dye, detangler, gel & Jamaican castor oil. The two beauty products were cool too! Especially since they're in colours that I would use/flatter my skin tone. Lastly, samples are a blessing. If it works, I buy. If not, I throw them away. No love lost.

The only thing in the box which doesn't bother me but I could see some others having an issue with is the Profectiv No-Lye Relaxer Touch Up. I know natural girls who relax their edges or are texlaxed- so I can understand why it would be in the box. 

The total price of the contents in the box:

Would you try a curl care box?