Glymm December Box 2012

My Glymm Box arrived just in time for Christmas Eve. I had really high hopes for the December bag because of the holidays and Christmas. I thought they would include something special, but sadly it was even worse than my November bag.

What was included:

1. LashEm Eyelash & Brow Enhancing Serum

2. LashEm False Lashes 

3. Glamorous Lip/Eye Liner

4. SunCoat Nail Polish

5. $10 giftcard for Glymm's Online Shop

Again, Glymm sent unknown brands as usual. The only products that I'd actually use are the serum (my eyelashes are short so anything that'll help them grow is fantastic) and maybe the false lashes. And of course the gold make-up bag, useful and stylish :). However, the rest are just useless to me. They don't have anything in their online store that would make me want to use the giftcard :(. Also, who would use a blue pencil for their lips? :P

When I first saw the naipolish, my first thought was that I disliked the colour; plain white. But then the real bad news was when I opened the bottle and realized the entire polish had dried up, which also ruined the brush. Quite frankly, it looks really gross :P. I will definitely send a complaint and ask for them to send a replacement. 
I have officially sent my cancellation request to Glymm since they just keep sending disappointing products. Oh well, I won't let this damper my christmas spirit :) I have also already signed up for Top Box instead and will be reviewing their December box in one of my next posts. Luckily many other make-up things also arrived today in the mail (haul will be coming up soon!), so the Glymm box didn't ruin my day too much :).

I hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas Eve :)

Merry Christmas everyone! <3

Read More

Tangle Teezer: Where have you been all my life?

I have been dealing with knotty hair ever since I was little. Fine straight hair = incredibly easy to tangle up into painful knots. So when I heard about this particular hair brush called the Tangle Teezer, I had to see if it truly was a holy grail product.

Oh..my...god... Why didn't I have this when I was growing up?! It is magical. It brushes out your hair without any pain whatsoever. Doesn't matter how bad the knots are, it will do the job. What would normally take me a few minutes to untangle my hair with a normal hair brush, now takes a few seconds with the Tangle Teezer. It just glides through my hair. It's easy to hold in your hand and it's compact so you can easily put it in your purse.

I even tried it out on my little niece who always has knotty hair and she was so surprised: "It doesn't hurt!" :D

I really really recommend this to anyone who struggles with constant tangles or just wants a really awesome and gentle hair brush :).

I got mine on beautybay for $13.42 with free shipping :)

Read More

Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Treatment: don't be tricked!

Last week I was searching for a hair treatment that contained no silicones and was preferably not too expensive. I've tried and reviewed the Moroccan Oil Treatment, but it contains silicones and therefore isn't actually nourishing. I haven't heard of any other raved products besides that one. However, it is well known that Argan Oil seems to be the holy grail ingredient for healthy hair :). I came across the Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Treatment in Shoppers and was amazed that an Argan Oil could be so cheap (around $11). Sadly, the words 'cheap' and 'hair treatment' tend to never go together.

I'm writing this review to warn everyone to not be fooled by the product and price tag like I was. This 'treatment' made my hair feel like straw. Not soft or shiny at all. It's not even really an oil, it's more of a sticky gel texture. My hair ended up being awfully tangled too!

I don't understand why this treatment doesn't work, given the listed ingredients, but either way I'm never using it again.

And so my search for a good hair treatment continues *sigh*. If anyone has any suggestions for me, please let me know :)

Read More

November Empties

It normally takes me a really long time to fully use up a product so whenever I do, I end up feeling quite proud of myself :D

 1. L'Oreal EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo (Sulphate & Silicone Free): This is officially my new go-to shampoo. I bought the shampoo at Boots during the summer and have been in love ever since. It smells amazing, smoothes out my hair, leaves it ridiculously shiny, and is Sulphate free (though surprisingly lathers really well!). I only use Sulphate free shampoos since I noticed the amount of fall out I get is significantly higher with Shampoos that do contain Sulphates. I highly recommend this shampoo to anybody. I already repurchased another one :).

2. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo: Your wallet will thank you for this purchase. This tiny bottle literally lasts me over 6 months! Personally, I find that the sprays only last 2-3 weeks. It's essentially just powder in a bottle. It smells like lemons and works wonders on oily hair. Your hair is instantly left looking 100% clean after using this. It will definitely save you money from constantly having to repurchase the sprays.

3. Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift: I already have a full review on this product, but I can honestly say that I can't live without it. Gives my hair lots of volume and keeps it from getting oily, what more can you want? Lasted me about 3 months, and I've already bought a replacement.

4. Cleansing Wipes by Boots essentials: I would never repurchase this. They smell amazing but are horrible when it comes to removing makeup. The wipes are barely wet. They're only slightly moist. Half of them are already dry when bought! Ah well, they were cheap and I didn't know any better :P.

Hopefully, I can reach my goal and have even more empties in December :)

Read More

Tigi S Factor Serious Conditioner

This is going to be a bit of an odd review. This will probably be the only negative review on the web on this product :P (yes, it is raved that much). I have a love-hate relationship with this conditioner. I purchased it (regardless of the expensive price tag) because my ends were feeling coarse and dry and the conditioners I had been using were not helping. I had heard so much praise for this conditioner that I just had to see if it worked.

And at first, it did. I was blown away by how soft my hair felt after using it. It literally felt like silk. However, as time went by things changed. I had noticed my hair was becoming more tangled lately. More than usual. And after a month of using the conditioner, it was just unbearable. I would comb my hair and literally 1 minute later, it was seriously tangled again.  I was on the verge of making an appointment for a hair cut, thinking it was my fault. But then I received my November Glymm box which included a sample of a conditioner. I tried it out and my hair was back to being almost completely tangle free. That's when I realized it was the S Factor Serious Conditioner that was behind the bird nest tangles. It had also stopped really making my hair soft after about 3 weeks.

I'm not suggesting you shouldn't try out the conditioner because for many others it's their holy grail of hair products. But this one simply didn't agree with my hair. I don't know if it's because my hair is thin and therefore is more prone to tangles, but I do believe that one of the main jobs of a conditioner is to detangle hair, so why bother buying one if it doesn't?

The smell is odd too: strawberries and mint. I love strawberries, but can't stand the smell or taste of mint (I know, I'm odd) :P. The price is also something to really consider. $32 in stores or $28 online at feelunique for 150ml. Also, the packaging is not brilliant. The cap is really annoying and takes a while to take off, and it's tough to squeeze out the product with such a thin tube.

And so, I'm back on my search for a good conditioner *sigh*. But hopefully I'll find something soon, especially with all the Christmas sales :)

Read More

November Favorites!

Now that it's finally December (yay for Christmas!), I can finally share my November Favorites :)

1. Scrub Your Nose In It by Soap and Glory: this is a great facial mask! Keeps my face clean, great for spots, and minimizes your pores. It has a "special fruit-acid formula" and smells like mint. It does sting/tingle a bit during the first few minutes after application, but quickly passes. It also works as an exfoliant since the texture is rather rough. I love using it after a long day at work :).

2. Crealine H20 Solution Micellaire by Bioderma: best make-up remover I have ever used. I wrote a review on it with all details. 

3. Ponche Body Wash by Lush: this is officially my new favorite body wash. It smells delicious (fruity and spicy) and is the perfect scent for the holidays. 

4. Sweet + Spicy Sugar Scrub by Dirt: I received this from my November Glymm box and absolutely fell in love with it. It's the perfect body scrub, it's super concentrated and leaves the skin feeling incredibly smooth. It smells of Vanilla and also moisturizes the skin. The ingredients are all natural:  sugar, shea butter, honey extract, coconut oil, avacado oil, jojoba oil, vanilla sandalwood. I enjoyed it so much that I plan on buying the full version!

5. Revelon ColorStay Mineral Blush in Honey Miel: this is the perfect shade for winter. It's a warm peach shade with a hint of shimmer. The most impressive thing about this blush is it's staying power: it will literally not budge all day long. Definitely a recurring favorite of mine. 

6. Effaclar Duo by La Roche-Posay: this is my miracle product of the month. It is the first acne treatment that I have used that actually worked. I had a small breakout and this cream saved my life. This product is perfect: prevents spots and heals them quickly. It also smells quite nice, like lemons and limes :). 

7. Kate Moss Rimmel Lipstick in the Shade 01: This is my new favorite deep red lipstick and it is the perfect shade for Christmas :). Lasts all day, very pigmented, build-able, and isn't drying. Though you need to be extra careful with application. 

Now that November has passed, it's time to look forward to the winter holidays. What are your favorite things about December? :)

Read More

Benefit Coral My World

I have been yearning to get the Coralista blush by Benefit for a while now, but wasn't willing to pay for the full price ($28.50). So when I saw a small set of the blush with a highlighter for only $12.50 at Sephora, I jumped on the opportunity!

Though they are small, they will last a long time, especially the blush. Both are very complimentary and especially perfect to use if you're on holiday and have a slight tan. 

This is officially my new favorite blush. It's a peachy/coral shade with a hint of gold shimmer. Though it is a bit more matte when applied to the cheeks and not too harsh. It's build-able and lasts all day too, only lasts a couple hours without a primer.  

Sun Beam is the perfect bronze-gold highlighter. It's a liquid rather than a powder, which is very nice. It goes perfectly with the blush :).

Both products are stunning and this small Benefit box would definitely be a nice present to give during holidays without having to spend too much money :). 

Read More

Bioderma Crealine H2O Solution Micellaire Review

There has been quite a lot of hype over this product, so when I saw it at Shoppers I was very eager to give it a try. It's basically a make-up-remover and cleanser. I have to admit, this works really well. It will effectively remove all (no matter how stubborn) makeup: eyeshadows, mascara, lip stick, foundation, etc. I've noticed that it does in fact remove more make-up than other make-up-removers and face wipes that I've previously tried. And I can tell because I have been having a lot less breakouts! It really does leave your face feeling squeaky clean.

It's not too drying and is great for sensitive skin. The only down side is that it doesn't last long. I've only had it for a few weeks and it's already almost half empty :(. Which wouldn't be too big a deal if it wasn't  over $22. I don't know if if it's worth paying that much if it will last only a month.

But otherwise, a very effective make-up-remover! :)

Read More

November Glymm Box 2012

After patiently waiting, I finally received my very first Glymm box today :D. I originally wanted to sign up for Top Box, but I was put on the waiting list and thought I'd try out Glymm while I wait. A friend of mine received her Glymm box a few days earlier and described it as disappointing. I have to admit, I kind of agree.

 Box contents: 

Glymm Makeup Bag

Lys Parisien Professionnel Moisturizing Shampoo

Lys Parisien Professionnel Moisturizing Balm

Dirt Sugar Scrub

The New Black Nail Polish

The Beehive Scents in Alice Blue 

The shampoo and conditioner came in a really generous sizes for samples (60ml each) so that's quite pleasant to see. They also smell amaaazing (can't stop sniffing them at the moment..). However, I prefer using sulphate free shampoos so I'm a bit skeptical. Will definitely try them out.

 My Body Shop body scrub is about to run out, so I was quite pleased to see this product. I do enjoy a nice body scrub and this one smells delicious.

 This was probably the most disappointing thing in the bag. Though I was charmed by the fact that it's called Alice Blue (since my english name is Alice), this smells like a grandmother's perfume. Never heard of the brand, and not impressed with the scent.

There's not much to say about this nail polish except that it's a nice navy blue color. Suits my taste, will see if the formula is any good. 

Overall, I give this Glymm box a 6/10. My reason behind this is because most of the samples were bath orientated, rather than having some cosmetics or skin care products. It also lacked any well known luxury brands. My favorite things from the box are the shampoo & conditioner, body scrub, and makeup bag - always handy to have for travelling.

But I still have high hopes for their December/Christmas box :). 

Read More

Mini Top Shop Haul

The very first Top Shop opened recently in Vancouver, and of course, I had to check it out as soon as possible. I've been missing the UK so much lately and to see one of their stores come over here was very pleasant :). Now if only Sainsbury's and Pret À Manger would follow suit ;).

Though I initially went to check out their clothes, the ridiculously high prices scared me away and I ended up in the makeup section instead ^^. I've heard many good things about Top Shop's makeup, especially the lipsticks, but I ended up picking out a highlighter (been looking for one for ages!) and a bronzer & blush compact. 

The packaging is really nice, no complaints there. The compact is very sturdy (unlike the Cover Girl ones which always break on me). 

The highlighter is my absolute favorite purchase of the month. It gives the perfect glow to the top of your cheeks and looks very natural. Extremely easy to apply and blend, and lasts all day long! The shade is called Prism. 

The bronzer and blush ended up being a big disappointment. For some reason when I swatch the colours, they look very nice, but when I actually apply them to my face it just doesn't work for me. Not complimenting at all. The bronzer ends up looking too orange and the blush too harsh. And on top of that, they last only a few hours :(. Maybe that's why it's in a compact form, since touch-ups are clearly needed. The shades are called Burning Embers. 

Overall though, I am happy with my experience at Top Shop. The service was good and there are lots of products to choose from. Hopefully, I'll be more lucky with my next purchase :). 

Read More

NYX Lip Smacking Fun Colors

Thanks to a close friend of mine, I recently discovered NYX. After having a look at their collection, I became a fan instantly. Out of all all their products, I found their Lipsticks the most appealing. Each one was around $8.99. I ended up choosing two shades from their Lip Smacking Fun Colors line: Power and Pumpkin Pie.

NYX chose the names perfectly in my opinion. I tried out Power first and I have to admit, every time I wear that shade I feel incredibly confident. The color is not my usual type given that it's more of a purple than pink, and is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I have made a resolution to wear more daring colours and plan on sticking to it!
It glides on smoothly and is also incredibly pigmented. The only downside is that is very drying. Ah well, perfection is hard to come by :P.

The second didn't fully live up to my expectations, but it's still pleasant. Pumpkin Pie is a nice peachy shade and perfect for every day. The pigmentation isn't as amazing as Power, but on the other hand it's not as drying.

I can't wait to try out more products by NYX :)

Read More

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere

Now that winter is approaching, the need for a good lip balm has become even more important. I got tired of my usual lip balm that I swear by (the Lip Smackers line) and decided to try out something new. I'm very picky with lip balms since usually the ones I try never seem to really work. These include lip balms from the brands Nivea, Burts Bees, and Chapstick. But I had been hearing such glowing reviews on the EOS Lip Balm that I decided to give it a try.

And I am so glad I did. I fell in love with this product instantly. It feels smooth on my lips and I can feel the moisture being absorbed. My lips are left feeling soft and not chapped in the slightest. I chose the flavour 'Summer Fruit' and it smells and tastes delicious!

The packaging is adorable and convenient, perfect for easy application!

Overall, I'm very pleased with this product. I will definitely be buying another EOS Lip Balm to keep in my purse, maybe in a different flavour to mix things up. And the price isn't too bad: ranges from $3-$4. But usually there is a sale at Shoppers; I managed to get mine for $2.50 :)

Read More

Lush Haul!

I have just discovered the most amazing store on the planet and it is Lush! I had never heard of "bath bombs" before so I was really excited to check them out! I have been having more baths lately thanks to work being so physically draining and I really wanted to make the most out of them. The customer service was very nice and informative and I ended up buying more than I planned on...

It's so hard to choose bath bombs given their large selection, but in the end I went with these ones:

(left to right): Sex Bomb, Dragon's Egg, Cinders, Rocketeer, and the Yuzu and Cocoa Bath Bubbles - shaped as a macaroon and is moisturizing thanks to coconut oil. Cinders is from their Christmas collection and has a citrus & spicy scent, while the rest are from their usual collection and have floral scents.

I also picked up the limited edition Ponche shower gel! It smells of oranges and cinnamon, and apparently has a shot of tequila in it (though luckily doesn't smell like tequila). It's a really nice winter holidays smell.

I can't wait to try them all out! I think the bath bombs would make lovely unique presents :).  

Read More

Maybelline Baby Lips: Lip Balm Material?

It's been such a stressful week, so I decided to treat myself and purchased a small beauty product. I ended up going with the new Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm. The original price was $4.99, but I managed to buy it while it was on sale for $3.99. I got mine in the shade Peach Kiss.

I was very excited for this lip balm because I always wanted a product that could moisturize my lips and give them a bit of colour like a lipstick. It claims to be a lip balm, but it did not moisturize my lips at all. My lips are naturally very dry and I've been faithful to my Lip Smackers for keeping them soft.

The only thing the Baby Lips did for me was give my lips some colour. Though the product feels smooth, I realized that all it did was coat my lips; they didn't absorb any moisture. Basically, my lips felt dry under the lip balm.

A big disappointment. Though it is still ok to use for a light lipstick. So if you're looking for a new lip balm (something to really moisturize your chapped lips) I wouldn't suggest this.


I'll definitely stock up on some Lip Smackers instead :). 

Read More