Annabelle Cosmetics Instaglam Kajal Eyeliner + Kajal

As a beauty blogger, I'm always testing something. My purse is full of products. It's extremely hard to down size. I often find myself forgetting something important at home. Annabelle Instaglam Eyeliner + Kajal $12.50 CAN prevents me from having breakdowns. 
Everything to line my eyes in one product.

Liquid
Kajal
SWATCHES


They both apply smoothly along your lash line. One thing I love about the kajal is that it's really black. Like midnight black. Overall the convenience of having both products together is a lifesaver!

Key notables:
  • The kajal is waterproof
  • Perfect for sensitive eyes
  • Scent-free
  • The liquid liner lasts up to 12+ hours

This product would be perfect for traveling or to add to your makeup bag for back to school.


MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

As a WOC, I get asked about foundation A LOT. I mostly just refer people to my Easy Women of Colour Foundation Guide but since 2014- I haven't found a new one to add to my list until now.

Introducing MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($50.00 CAN) & Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation ($50.00 CAN) .

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation is literally the MOST natural foundation that you will ever use in your life. Honestly I have never tried anything like this in my life. It's like I'm wearing an instagram filter.

My colour:  COLOR 178 = Y535 - Chestnut

With 40 shades to choose from, Whether your an MUA or your local selfie queen you will love this medium finish formula. You know when you watch the news in HD and you see enough makeup on the host that you swear you can peel off? You would get NONE of that with this foundation. It's honestly invisible under the newest 4k lens. Let me also add that it's formulated with hyaluronic spheres for time-released hydration.

You can apply it with a brush or a sponge.
I prefer to use a damp sponge for application.
No filter here!

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation is for my girls who need a bit more coverage. It's the same concept of the liquid just with more of a medium-full coverage.


My colour:  COLOR 178 = Y535 - Chestnut


MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation is perfect for extra coverage, contouring or touch ups.



This is the most natural-looking stick foundation that I've ever seen in my life.
15 shades to chose from. I love the fact that it's in a stick foundation that doesn't dry me out stick to my skin.




Check out my  MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer post


MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer - Swatches + Pictures

A primer is the key to making your foundation last. It's such a small step. Finding a primer that works for you is very hard. I've tried some that have broken me out like pimples everywhere. To others that turned me into an oil slick. It's truly trial & error.

Sometimes you really have to invest, if you want your make up to be pristine. 
Right now the MAKE UP FOR EVER step 1 Skin Equalizer ($43.00 CAN) is literally everything. 

Make Up For Ever did an amazing job making these primers for all skin concerns.
10 formulas target your texture & tone concern.

Here is what I received:
Mattifying Primer reduces shine- oily skin.

Radiant Primer Caramel adds radiance- deep/dark skin. 

As stated before prep is key. These primers are all light, creamy and effective! 
Your foundation will apply smoothly and last a REALLY long time.

I use the Mattifying Primer in my t-zone and my nose.
Then I follow up with Radiant Primer Caramel on my dark areas.
It's amazing under the eyes.


If you see these in stores- Get them ASAP!




Plastic Surgery Stigma Wanes as Candid Celebrities Tell All

**Sponsored post**

More celebrities are coming forward about the different cosmetic procedures they have undergone. What good news for everyday folk! Famous people aren't just effortlessly good looking! It turns out that they, like the rest of us, invest a significant amount of effort and money in their appearances. There will always be rumors of plastic surgery, of course, but the era of "who got what done" seems to be coming to a close — or at least waning — as more people share their stories in effort to have an open and frank discussion about confidence and body image.

Celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels recently opened up about her nose job and how important it was to her self-confidence growing up. "I had my nose done when I was 16 years old, and I'll be honest, it did change my life," she told PEOPLE magazine. "Not to say you should let your physicality define you, but there are some things that can make people feel really insecure. So, if there is something you want to fix that allows you to feel a little bit more confident, I support it. I think it's about [doing it for] the right reasons."

Michaels had originally came forward about her surgery to US Weekly in August 2010 and was generally praised for her openness. She explained at the time that she had been bullied and was a very anxious child, and that the surgery to reduce her large nose made a huge difference. According to Dr. Richard Rival, a rhinoplasty specialist in Toronto, having an overly large nose is one of the most common motivations for rhinoplasty. "A large nose generally draws attention away from where the focus should be — on the eyes," his website says. "The job of a rhinoplasty surgeon is not only to make an attractive looking nose, but to balance it with the rest of the facial features." Michaels explained that is what the procedure did for her, helping her feel like the feature she disliked so much no longer stood out.

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea also recently shared details about the breast augmentation procedure she had done at the end of 2014. She explained her reasons to Vogue back in March. Due to her smaller bust size
, she needed padding sewn into all of her stage costumes so that they fit properly. While she admitted she did consider keeping the surgery to herself, she explained that she "wasn't into secret-keeping."

Numerous celebrities have also been open about their non-surgical cosmetic enhancements, such as injectables. Kelly Ripa comfortably announced that "BOTOX® changed my life." Even Kylie Jenner opened up about her lip fillers after initially avoiding the rumors. "It's just an insecurity of mine and it's what I wanted to do," she said. "I want to admit to the lips, but people are so quick to judge me on everything, so I might have tiptoed around the truth, but I didn't lie."

Underlying all these examples is a running thread of confidence, body image issues, and struggles with insecurity, particularly in the harsh spotlight of stardom. Most non-famous plastic surgery patients say that the same issues are what spurred them to want to change something about their own bodies. It's nice to see the stigma fading around such themes as cosmetic procedures are more popular than ever.

Currently Obsessed: NUDESTIX Clean-Up Pencil

I have prided myself on being able to make cat eyes with 95% accuracy. 
The other 5% results in a huge mess. Especially with liquid liner.

Lately, my clean ups have been really easy with NUDESTIX Clean-Up Pencil ($28.00 CAN).
It's a literal breeze. Just swipe it over the mistake and wipe it away!
Why you need it?
  • It doesn't pull on your skin- which is really important in delicate areas like your eyes.
  • Works on hard to take off makeup 
  • It's clean and quick
I love it!



Love: Fuji Green Tea™ Body Butter

One thing about The Body Shop is that they always come up with the best scent combination. 
At first, when you hear them- you wonder.. How in the world is that going to smell?  
But! It always works out. I recently tried Fuji Green Tea™ Body Butter ($20.00 CAN). 


We all know about the benefits of green tea. I honestly live by it! 
This product is no different. Just for your skin. 

Smooth on replenishing hydration, while detoxing body and soul with the crisp and refreshing scent of Fuji Green Tea™ Body Butter.


This is actually their first collection which is infused with green tea leaves from Mount Fuji.

Top 5 reasons you need to get your hands on this body butter:

  • Not greasy
  • Very hydrating
  • Infused with green tea 
  • Perfect for all skin types
  • Contains Community Fair Trade Shea Butter from Ghana
The best tip I got from a Body Shop employee was to apply this butter right after you come out of the shower for maximum absorption. 



Check out Giant Tiger!

Did you know that Giant Tiger is one of the very few Canadian family discount stores out there? 
I was introduced to brand around 5 years ago. One thing to know about Giant Tiger is that they have REALLY affordable prices and an amazing return policy.
Canadian owned and operated since the first Giant Tiger store opened in 1961 in Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market, today the privately held company has more than 200 stores in 8 provinces.
Now that I'm a new home owner, I had the opportunity (giftcard) to check out what they have and I was appalled by the reasonable prices.

The first thing on my list was a mat for our garage. 
I found some trendy prints for $2.50.
DEAL!

I need some basic maxi dresses for my honeymoon and checked out these cute prints for under $8.00.
That's under $10.00 with tax.
Deal!

Of course I needed to get a cute makeup bag to carry my makeup for my Honeymoon.
It's black zippered and roomy. I believe it cost me $5.00.
Plus I got two 4x4 piece cup-plate-bowl-saucer sets for $16.00 each.
Which is very comparable to the department store brand that I was going to get for $100.

You could never tell the difference.
Once I realized that I got another box!
Deal!

Once of my favourite parts of Giant Tiger is the food section!
Brand name selections not brand name prices.
This is just a small portion of their refrigerated selection.
They also have frozen food, fruits/vegetables and packaged goods.

I should also add that Giant Tiger has their own line called Giant Value.
Products at a lower price point plus they come with a money back guarantee:

"If you are not completely satisfied with one of our Giant Value™products simply return the product with your receipt of purchase for a complete refund."

If you have a Giant Tiger in your area I'd suggest you check them out!
I got a lot of stuff within budget. I know I spoke about the Giant Value policy but overall it's a one stop shop.




Drink More Water- Strauss WaterBar

Water is an essential part of my life. Before the wedding, I was so immersed in water. I drank up to almost 2L a day and I was reaping all the benefits! On my wedding day, my skin was immaculate and I was even able to lose 10 pounds. Remember water aids in digestion, detoxing and boosts circulation. But now that everything is over and I have hardly touched 500ml daily. SO embarrassing!

This week, I reconnected with my love of water. I was invited to a Hello Gorgeous event by Strauss Water Canada. The belle of the ball was the Strauss WaterBar. Let me explain this beauty to you....



Top 3 Honeymoon Must Haves!

After a whirl wind 20 month engagement- It's all over.
Two days after my wedding, I was on a flight to the islands with my essentials.
I don't want to go into the details yet but there was three items which I could NOT leave at home.

Giveaway- Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor

I love products that make my life easier!
Right now, I have a product in my washroom that will change the way you think about shaving! 
It's the Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle razor ($13.99 CAN). 
I recently saw the cheeky commercial and was very intrigued.

It's one of the only waterproof bikini trimmers/hydrating razors ALL in one tool. Perfect for pool parties, honeymoons and SUMMER!

Why you need it?
The trimmer has an adjustable comb for you to decide, "How low are you willing to go?".  Plus 4 settings for you to choose your own customized length.

The razor has not one but five blades which makes it awesome on all your curves. I love how the blades have skin guards which helps to reduce irritation. I recently used a no name brand razor and I now know the importance of skin guards :(

To replenish moisture after shaving, a water-activated hypoallergenic moisturizing serum is dermatologist-tested is applied to your body with every stroke. * I do recommend using a shaving cream when saving your legs for optimal use*


Again.. trust me this is one razor you will need this summer?
Schick Hydro Silk is offering 20 Canadian Spiced Beauty a chance to try out the razor!

The program is really easy!
To be eligible for the giveaway and for a chance to review the product, please ‘like’ the Hydro Silk TrimStyle Canada Facebook page. If you're eligible and win one of the razors- then post your review on their facebook page you will also be entered to win a $200 prize pack from Schick for submitting your review!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 This summer the Schick Hydro Hotel will be visiting select cities across Canada. The Hydro Hotel is a mini 2-story hotel complete with concierge, lounge, bathroom and spa area where visitors can get a key to turn open the door to great prizes! Check them out at the Toronto Wine and Spirit Festival June 18 – 21.


Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy Paint Tin

Gift giving for me is really easy. 
90% of the time I get it right!
The other 10% is usually a disaster.
Like the time I bought my mom a frame for Mother's day and it fell apart in a few weeks.
So embarrassing! 

Crabtree & Evelyn can help you pick out the best gift for your love one. Candles, perfumes, creams the list goes on. One of my favourites on the site is the Hand Therapy Paint Tin ($60.00 CAN).

It's comes in a gorgeous floral tin are which houses 12 ultra-moisturising hand creams (25g in size). This is not your typical basic hand creams they are formulated with rich ingredients such as macadamia nut oil, one of my favourites shea butter, and ceramides. This is therapy for your hands!
  • Gardeners
  • La Source 
  • Avocado, Olive & Basil 
  • Rosewater 
  • Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed 
  • English Honey and Peach Blossom 
  • Citron, Honey & Coriander
  • Verbena and Lavender 
  • Somerset Meadow 
  • Lavender
  • English Honey and Peach Blossom 
  • Summer Hill 
  • Nantucket Briar 

Right now, I've been prepping my hands with lavender so I can have super soft hands before the wedding!

Readers: Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil

The verdict is in!
The ladies are loving the Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil.
Check out what my Spiced Beauty Readers had to say!

Cheryl

When I received my Skintimate Skin Therapy shaving cream I was pleasantly pleased with the package, it had a very nice design and highlighted the Moroccan Oil and that its lotionized with vitamin E. When I was ready to use the shaving cream I squeezed a small amount into my hand and a luscious pink mound of shaving cream came out, the smell is amazing, I worked it onto my legs and it was a nice creamy lather, the smell seemed to get better as it was smoothed onto my legs. After shaving my legs and even days later, my legs felt silky smooth, I had no irritation and my legs felt hydrated and not dried out at all. I love the way it makes my legs feel while I am shaving and after I am done, I love the smell and I love the hydration I get from the Moroccan oil. I am so pleased with this product, thanks for letting me try this product.

Florence

I received my Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil and had a chance to try it. I was quite happy with the results. First I love the scent and the amount of latter if provided. The shave gel gave me a close shave and left my skin feeling so soft and so moisturized. Can't wait for the weather to warm up and I can wear shorts to show off my legs.

Nicole

Overall I really liked the Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil. It had a great consistency that allowed me to put it on easily. The light fragrance was perfect and not too overpowering. The gel did it's job and shaving was a breeze with no nicks or skin irritations. The addition of Moroccan Oil meant that my skin felt lovely afterwards. I will definitely pick this one up again when I'm shopping for shaving gel.

Judy

I recently had the opportunity to review Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil. This opportunity arrived just in time to get my legs ready for the nice weather. The first thing I noticed was that it had a really nice smell. It provided a nice smooth shave with no nicks. I found that a small amount of the gel went a long way. My legs were very dry before and after shaving I found that they were moisturized. I was very impressed with this shave gel!​

Steph

My legs are so smooth thanks to Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil!
Before receiving this sample I just dreaded shaving my legs! I dreaded it so much so I barely shaved my legs during the winter (scary!). After using this sample it changed my thoughts about shaving drastically. My skin on my legs stopped cracking, I had no more razor burn and my legs had a beautiful shine after my shower. Not to mention the smell is amazing! I will definitely be buying this in the future and I will recommend it to all my friends! So glad I received the opportunity to try this product.

Anne

The Skintimate Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil was a beautiful product. I liked how it came out in a lotion form and lathered up really well! It smelled beautifully light and wasn't at all overpowering. Also, a little went a long way which was great! The shave itself was really close and the razor slid very easily over my skin. After rinsing my skin was extremely smooth and soft which is a great side effect to have in a shaving product! I also smelled fantastic afterwards! I also loved the beautiful purple packaging!

I would not hesitate to purchase this product in the future for myself and my daughters!

Courtney

I really liked this shaving cream. It was a cool texture (and colour!) when I dispensed it. Once I rubbed it in, it foamed and lathered like any regular shaving cream does. It smelled awesome and left my legs really soft and hydrated after. I will absolutely be buying this again!

Karla

I received the Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Skin Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil to review free of charge from Spiced Beauty . I first used it to shave my legs ,and I love it! I have always loved Skintimate products,so this was no surprise. The smell of it is really nice,but not too overwhelming at all. It made my legs feel so soft, smooth and moisturized afterwards. It lathers up nicely as well,you don`t need to use a whole lot. I definitely would buy this! Thank you for the chance to review it :)

Belinda 

Armed with a new shaver and the Skintimate Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil....and 10 minutes of me time I tested this new product.
I suffer from dry skin and I find that many gels and creams cause my skin to be sensitive and flaky. Not the case with this product.
I have used it three times now and love it! It lathered up all nice and thick and resulted in a nice close shave.

My skin feels super soft, silky, smooth and did not zap the moisture from the areas I shaved. I totally recommend this product and thank you for the chance to review it.

Jonnie

What I first noticed about this product was the tiny amount I needed. A small dollop of gel quickly transformed into a nice, thick layer of foam covering my legs. I was able to get a really close shave with no irritation at all and my skin was left feeling incredible! It's like the product acts as a shave gel and a moisturizer together. The shave gel has a nice, feminine scent and rinses clean easily. I also liked that the lid has bumps, making it really easy to open even with wet, soapy hands!

Zahra

I was very pleased by the Skintimate skin therapy silky skin shave gel with Moroccan Oil, in terms of both scent and feel. I liked that the scent was pleasing but not overpowering. When I squeezed some gel from the can, it was very gel-like which caught me off guard but as soon as I tried to apply it, it became light and fluffy and very smooth to put on the area.

My skin felt quite smooth after I was done with shaving and it allowed the shaving process to be much smoother and therefore closer. I felt like I was able to get a closer shave than I would if I were using regular soap or some other product.

I will continue to use product for my shaving needs. In fact, my husband also tried it and preferred it to the male-scented products he uses. He might not admit it to his friends but he would rather use this.


Emily

Shaving cream was never really a must for me as I just used my shower gel and figured there wouldn't be much difference. I was so wrong! Firstly, the Skintimate shave gel applies evenly with a wonderful, yet not overpowering, scent. Razors glide easily to give a very smooth shave. Best of all, I got no nicks, which almost never happens. The Moroccan oil really helps with moisturization and gave me the silkiest feeling legs I've had in a very long time. I can honestly say that the Skintimate shave gel does make a difference. I'm converted!

Maria 

I liked the Skintimate Skin Therapy Silky Shave Gel with Moroccan Oil. A few of the cons were that it didn't lather as much as my usual shave gel and i also got a few nicks. It is better than Skintimate shave gels i have tried in the past. I liked the light scent and the color of the gel and bottle.

Heather

I stopped using shaving cream last year because I was not able to find a formula that didn't irritate my skin. I was excited to try this gel because of all the great things I've heard about Moroccan oil. The gel is think and smells amazing. It foams into a rich, creamy lather that is thick enough to last for my shave without requiring reapplying. I found the cream enabled me to get a very close shave and I didn't have any irritation at all. My legs felt so smooth that I didn't even feel the need to apply moisturizer after I was finished. I will definitely recommend this shave gel to my friends.

Thanks again for giving me a chance to try it out! I'm definitely a convert to this brand!

Amy

This shave gel was a pleasure to use! It comes out of the can as an opaque pink gel and then turns into a white foam when it is rubbed in. Compared to other shave gels, I found this product much creamier, thicker and richer. I usually use soap for shaving and sometimes it can cause razor irritation. With this skin therapy shave gel, my razor glided right over my skin with no drag or irritation. My legs were left soft, smooth and perfectly moisturized. I didn't even feel a need to apply moisturizer to my legs. Overall, I really liked this shave gel and will continue to use it for my shaving needs.

Thank you for the opportunity to test this shave gel!

Congratulations to Cheryl H. from Ontario for winning the $100 Visa gift card!


H&M launches premium beauty range

I worked at H&M for 4 years. It's such an amazing company. I still miss it. 
Since I left, there has been so many new items added. 

I'm excited to announce that H&M now has a beauty products! 

Be prepared to see a full makeup collection (700+ items) plus beauty tools, haircare and body care this Fall. It will be available in over 900 stores worldwide.


“We are very excited to have ‘fashion for the face’ on offer at H&M. It’s an opportunity to be inventive and creative, and to have fun with colors”, says Sara Wallander, concept designer at H&M Beauty.

Please note-The range, which will replace existing beauty products at H&M. So stock up now!