VFAV Beauty Awards 2011 - Facial Skin Care

Here's my 2011 skincare awards! Just so you know, I do use these in different routines and keep a journal of all my success/complaints, so it's easy to tell which product is doing what for me. Here's my years results, enjoy!

Best acne product: Avon Clearskin Professional Acne Treatment System $32 CAD

I don't deal with too much acne, just a few pimples here and there. I've used many drugstore brands and Clinique before to help clear it up without results I'd like. I've been pretty in love with many Avon products lately, and this is another that proves it's excellence - I haven't had a single pimple in over 6 months. Little tingly sensation, but it's also 0.5% salicylic solution, where most brands are 0.2%. Doesn't dry your skin out either, which usually happens, your going to feel sexy and smooth after this. I also mostly suffer from severe inflammation in new pimples over the actual huge pimple, and this calmed it down a lot!

Best face wash: Olay Total Effects Nourishing Cream Cleanser $19.98 CAD

This might be my favourite discovery next to my face cream. I've never washed my face with something that leaves me feeling like silk EVER the way this does. Not to mention the 7 skin+age fighting nutrients? This is a super wash for sure! I recommend this to every woman out there - even men. Go buy this NOW! It's recommended for all skin types. It's hypo-allergenic. It's gentle. It doesn't dry my skin out. It will un-painfully remove make-up. It's rich - but not oily or heavy. Let's the fact that it refines your skin, fights dullness and replenishes radience, minimizes pores, reduces fine lines and wrinkles.. I could go on forever on this product. It's worth every effing penny.

Best Face scrub: St. Ives Exfoliating Apricot $12.99

This product isn't 100% made for your face, but you'll never find anything better. You can get cheaper, smaller bottles, but I always go for the big tub. Used to use it on my whole body til I found Soap & Glory, but this still tops the best face scrubs. Don't be fooled by the roughness - the 100% natural jojoba beads are great for you face! It may seem like a rough scrub for your face but will actually leave your face amazingly soft and fresh - and deadskin free! I've been using this for 7 years now, will never turn my back on it. It's also pumped with Vitamin A and antioxidents. It always amazes me how actually gentle this is on your face.

Best face lotion: Neutrogena Oil Free SPF 15 Moisture Lotion $18.99 CAD

I generally have pretty normal skin, but was always searching for the perfect cream to top it off. Lots of creams are high in oils (which I find good for night time), but this turned out to be a perfect any time of day cream. It's very light, non-greasy, absorbs great and leaves skin soft and smooth. It's also one of the few creams I've found that can be used as a base for make-up. A lot of creams these days make pores pour out sebum, but this doesn't. 

Best eye cream: Anew Ultimate Contouring Eye System $32.00 CAD

Even though I have great skin, Clinique always made me break out, so I switched to this. I used to have what I'd say bad crows feet for 23, and this has visibly reduced it. I still suffer a small amount from them, but this cream has made my creases less visible, especially when make up is on which was my biggest problem. It's very light, great for night or day, and really showed a great improvement. 

Best toner: Sephora Face Soothing Toner $5.00 CAD

I had only tried one toner before this, which dried my skin out (felt more like an astringent). I've read some people think this has a bit of a sting, but I've never felt it. This was a great switch, as I felt my skin wasn't even close to as soft with my wash+ moisturiser. You can feel it doing the last bit of work to clean your face, did a great job cleaning my pores, and my face is left silk smooth. The smell is also great, like a soft rose sent. Sadly, they aren't selling it any more.

Best make up remover: Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action $26.00 CAD

I have tried many make-up removers, maybe around 20. I was using Clinique (unhappy about that one too) when I came apon a bottle in a free gift bag from Sears, and was instantly in love. Lots of other removers with oil like this will break out your skin or irritate your eyes, but this never did either. I also had trouble with having to rub hard to get mascara off, as where this one was simple - holding a facial pad against my eye for about 10 seconds and a quick swipe off. It's soft, conditioning and didn't leave any oily residue. I will never stray or even try another brand, this is the ultimate make-up remover. Not to mention a little goes a long way.

Best anti-age fighter: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream $23.99 CAD

I don't necessarily have wrinkly skin, but I'm a firm believer in preventing it. In the past I have always been very happy with Neutrogena products so I figured I'd give this a try. The first time I used it, I could feel an instant tingle and tightening sensation. Within a week (just like it says) I could visibly notice an improvement in my wrinkles near my eyes. I like creams like this that have instant effects as well as long term effects. Like all Neutrogena products, it isn't oily nor did it clog pores.

Best microdermabrasion: Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System $19.99 CAD

The first time I used this, I was a little frigthened. But don't let that scare you away. This stuff is really intense first time around. It has a dial so there's different amounts of each liquid as time goes on, so you really need to make sure you use it as directed to get the best results. The first result I noticed was no dry skin - just like the real thing, dead skin layers gone! I also started to notice my face was more evenly toned - something I haven't found in years (I have a hyperpigmented spot on my face that's hard to keep hidden). This was my biggest love for this product - evening out my skin tones. Don't get me wrong, this stuff will get your face clean like you'd never believe. It's a great micro-derm system: exfoliates and cleans very deep without any harsh seeds or sand-paper like particles (although I personally like those kinds). But how deeply it cleans is un-believable. This is really spa level stuff!

Best facial peel: Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel $19.99

Here's another product that may scare you first use. I used it for the first time after washing my face off, and my goodness - she's got some sting to it for sure! It seems to have a very astringent/alcohol scent to it, which I'll assume is what helps with clearing breakouts and blemishes (because it will INSTANTLY remove blemish - no lie!). It's a pretty powerful peel, although not the first to have a bite to it I've used. This definitely has instant and long term effects. It kind of "puffs" the face so wrinkles aren't visible and softens skin beautifully. I noticed that for long term effects, after using this product, my face really started to have a glow about it, kind of like the cover of a magazine minus airbrushing. It's also dramatically cleaned and shrunk pores around my nose.

Best tool: Olay Profession Pro-X Advanced Cleaning System $29.99 CAD

As well as being my favourite tool of the year - this is my favourite skin care item of the year. I have wanted a Clarisonic forever, but couldn't justify spending over $200 on a face cleansing brush. So when this came out, I searched every corner of the internet for reviews and comparisons. To my happiness the internet told me exactly what I wanted to hear - this is a $30 clarisonic, more or less. I don't use this everyday, maybe twice a week. But each and every time I use it is like the first time. It's not just the cleansing, it's the massaging action while cleaning. It leaves your skin feeling relaxed, cleaned and pampered. I do use peels and what not once a week for deep cleaning and moisturising, but my Pro-X really does a good deep cleaning in between peels and is a great every-other-day tool for keeping up a good clean. 

What I learned about my skin and products this year:
I do not have perfect skin anymore, I get dry spots that need constant attention and a cream that could be applied multiple times a day. Astringents have started to fail me, so I had to find other products to clear up blackheads and shrink pores. Avon has great products - wishing I'd of given them chances before. Just because a product has a designer label and price, doesn't mean it's that great (clinique managed to disappoint me many times this year). Don't be afraid to switch it up if a product isn't making you happy, but always stick to what you love when you find it!

Keep checking for my 2011 awards for make-up, body care and hair care categories!

It's been a while + holiday Bath & Body Works haul.

So it's been many of months since I made my last post, been busier than hell. First off, we lost our place of residency. But, in better news, me and Kyle got married September 26th. Kyle also started school for Film Production. Santa treated us well - 50" TV, lots of clothes, lots of shoes, mini cupcake baker, Steve Madden bedding, lots of cute video games to play with my daughter, and best of all - 94 items total from Bath & Body and LUSH (I got wonderful Christmas Time from my mom!)


Anyways, I know what you want to see: The haul, lol. I got a massive B&B Works haul, as well as LUSH (grand total of 52 things from LUSH between gifts and boxing day! will post later).

I got the two big Slatkins candles as gifts (Peppermint Marshmellow and Gingerbread), which are two of the best holiday scents ever. I also got a full size Pink Sugarplum body mist (this and Be Enchanted are my current favourite scents) and a mini Secret Wonderland mist. As well, two other little mini's (the midnight pomegrante scents I got are really nice too!).


Then came boxing day, oh goodness. There's way to much to get into detail of each item, so for now I'll just talk about my favorites. I spent a grand total of $79 in there. I got 14 hand soaps, 3 body mists, 2 anti-bacterial hand lotions, 4 pocket bacs, 2 mini lotions, mini body wash, 2 big body washes, 2 big moisturizers and 3 mini slatkins candles. We had 75% off sales, buy 3 get 3 and LOADS of $3 bins.


There was quite a few handsoaps, but I was excited to see the halloween scents on discount - Green Apple and marshmellow are to die for! I also stocked up on my favourite holiday ones - Iced Gingerbread and Ribbon Candy, both make me want to eat my hands after washing! Iced Gingerbread is possibly the best scented soap they have ever released. I also grabbed a bunch of other random ones that were cheap.


I also thought it was a HUGE score to find two of the Vanilla Collection body mists in the $3 bins. The Lemon Citrus from the Vanilla Collection is a big favorite of mine, and they haven't sold it for a while, so finding it was a score.


They also had some new pocket bacs sanitizer scents. I never seen PB&J, Honey Pretzel and Angel Food Cake. All 3 were definitely a great score and smell delicious. Honey Pretzel is by far a new favourite of mine, it's not something I've really smelt in a bath/body product.


The also had mini lotions of the new Escape to the Tropics scent (not currently out yet) for $1. I took a quick smell of them in store, and seem to like Bali Mango the best. I'm really excited for a mist to come out.


I still need to go back, as there's a few things I didn't get that I'd like to - Be Enchanted mist! I'm also glad to see they re-released Black Raspberry Vanilla, it was my favourite mist for a while and I blew through the whole bottle in a summer.


So in total I scored 33 items for $79. Pretty awesome eh? Pretty sure I'm set til next boxing day.. Although I'm sure a few holidays with new scents will bring me into the store again, and my love for body mist. Take care everyone, hope Santa treated you all well, and come back soon for my holiday LUSH haul post!

Avon Skin So Soft Satin Glow - Absolute Glow Gel

Shortly before I used this product, I stopped tanning in beds. I know many people who have got skin cancer, and I've become more aware of my skin. I don't spend more time than I should in the sun without sunscreen, nor do I do tanning beds. I'm super pumped about things that give me a natural tan through a cream. One of the first I'll be reviewing is Avon Skin So Soft Satin Glow Absolute Glow Gel.

I do a lot of fake tanning. I am not down with beds at all! I've been using many products as possible to show a tan off! I am very tan, and this is a product I use often on my legs. I do use other products to get a base tan, or barely there tan, but this really does a super good job on the legs!! Not only does this product help stops obvious signs of wrinkles, it stips scenes of stretch marks, as well as cellulite This stuff made my legs darker and shine a ton!! 


In the end, this stuff makes your legs more shiny and glistening than ever!! Highly recommended!!

Avon - Advance Techniques Daily Shine Smooth and Shine Capsules

As you probably know by now, I am an Avon Rep. I've tried many products, some fails and some great success'. These smooth and shine caps - on the success list!

I bleach and tone my hair frequently, so I'm always after a product to counter act the damaging effects. I've ordered quite a few hair products now (I'll review more after more use!), and came to love this one.

 

This comes in a pack of 16 capsules. You twist the ends, and pour it in the hands, rub together and apply to hair. It can be used before or after you've dried your hair - I prefer to use after blow-drying and before straightening/curling.The only damage repair product I've used in the past was Kaaral Triaction Split End Serum. Surprisingly, I find the Daily Shine Caps more beneficial. The first thing I have noticed since using it, is that my hair feels gorgeous, silky and soft. That's unusual for me, as I have very thick and curly hair, when straightened it's hard to achieve that feeling. The second thing I've noticed is the help with frizz. I get killer frizz, very few products help with that. This product however does a bang up job on stopping it! The next plus side to this product is shine - again, something I never get with other products, my hair looks shiny and gorgeous! Lots of products make your hair greasy apon application, but not this one! I usually pay about $3 after my discount, making this the cheapest, and best product I have ever used! I use a few other products every day as well, but this is one that's made a noticeable difference!

This product gives you what it promises: Healthier hair, more shine, less frizz, silky hair... It's a great product! I recommend it to all!

Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive Treatment Collection Review

There's always bonus' to being an Avon consultant, like picking up this 5 piece set for $8.99! Just so I don't have to repeat it for everything, these products are unscented!

 Body Lotion: This lotion is very runny and sticky. I prefer much thicker lotions. Being for extra dry skin, I wasn't very impressed. It seemed to be to be a basic lotion with nothing too special to offer. I find a few hours after application I feel dry again. I also don't like the sticky, tacky feeling of it.

Extra Strength Cream: Now this is a cream for me! With a much thicker consistency, it was easier to apply. I can apply this before bed and wake up moisturized still! It's for extra dry skin, but great for a good, deep moisturizing. I especially like it before bed, you can skin lotion in the morning. Another great thing, it's been helping the spot of eczeme on my shoulder so well!

Hand Cream: I'm actually on my 3rd bottle of this! I find it has a consistency like Vasoline, but non-greasy and smooth. It definitely leaves hands moisturized and feeling silky. What I love most, is that unlike some hand creams, you don't feel dry a few hours later. It does however take quite a while to fully absorb, but I personally love the feeling like I just put it on.

Lip Ointment SPF 15: First of all, I LOVE SPF lip anything! I found this to have a consistency like the hand cream, quite a like Vasoline. It's very slick and greasy feeling, but works so incredibly! My lips were very, very dry before using this, and are gorgeous now! I love putting it on a few hours before lipstick, because it gives me gorgeous lips, and acts quite like a primer as it lasts a long, long time. Also, hair doesn't stick to it!

Moisturizing Lip Treatment SPF 15: This product worked mildly okay, but was basically just a stick version of the above lip ointment, just not as long lasting or good. Felt the same, didn't stick, just didn't work as well.

Over all, I will be buying the Extra Strength Creme, Hand Cream and Lip Ointment again for sure. I do however think the Body Lotion and Lip Treatment stick are a waste of money, much better products out there, even in this line!

Avon Foot Works Thermal Exfoliating Scrub Review

Unlike some, I have pretty great feet. They aren't shaped the cutest, but are very soft. But with summertime coming, I need to get them in prime condition. I walk around bare foot a lot, which some times causes callus', so I have work extra hard to keep them nice. I've been buying quite a few foot products for this reason.

I was super intrigued to try this foot scrub, as it warms as soon as you rub, and is supposed to remove rough, dry dead skin and leave feet soft and smooth.

 

I tried this out the day it arrived a few weeks ago, and have used about 1/3 of it already. At first, I thought the tube would be easy, but it's difficult to squeeze out, especially after the first use, as it hardens in the cap (I just run it under hot water quick). The scrubbing particles are very small, but powerful! I also immediately felt the warming sensation which felt great and soothing, but it only lasts for about 20 seconds. Don't be worried though, because 20 seconds of rubbing this on your feet is all you need! 

I really enjoyed this foot scrub. The warming sensation, the softness of the scrub and how fast it works. It's great to have your feet looking like you just had a pedicure in 20 seconds! I will definitely keep purchasing this product. 

 

LUSH Butterfly Ball Ballistic

On my last trip to LUSH (which I've been doing almost every two weeks), I was sadly informed that I had JUST missed their Pinata Party, where everyone got to take a wack at Donkey Oaty for a free gift. Luckily, the girls are FABULOUS, and gave me a free surprise gift to take home - Butterfly Ball Ballistic. I was super excited and intrigued, especially over a product that was unavailable for purchase in the store. Being the fantastic mommy I am, I let my 3 year old daughter enjoy it!

From first impressions, I was in love. Half pink, half purple with flowers erupting from it, I couldn't wait to try it out!

 As it floated and fizzed, it filled the whole bathroom with gorgeous scents of jasmine! The more it fizzed, the more cornflower and larkspur petals came out! I also loved the pink and white foam, it reminded me lots of Mrs. Whippy! I had to hop in with her! The flowers and ylang ylang oil left my skin so smooth and hydrated, I just loved the silkiness of the water!

As time passed, the fizzing stopped, and the bubbles cleared, we were left with gorgeous pink water, filled with flowers! As we played around in the water, we found the best little surprise floating around - a sparkly purple butterfly!

This was a fantastic bath bomb that we both enjoyed! From start to finish, it was wonderful and relaxing! I really wish they carried these in the store, but it was a refreshing and more enjoyable experience knowing it was a one time treat! Haylee and I are total LUSH addicts, as soon as she see's me coming home with my big bag, she asks for her "bath eggs".

NOTD

Hey! I've been so busy lately, I haven't really had time to make any posts. I figured I'd stop by and give a nail of the day! These nails were insipired by Do Not Refreeze's blog post.

I was totally a fan of these abstract nails when I seen them (although Leanne does a way better job!) since I first seen them, and had to try it out!

Base Coat - OPI Nail Envy

Pink - Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Twisted Pink
Black - Wet N' Wild Wild Shine in Black Creme
White - Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails in Pure White Tip
Blue - BFF in Oasis
Yellow - Sinful Colours Nail Art in Morning Breath

Top Coat - Rimmel Top Coat/Base Coat Pro

I promise to start blogging again everyday very soon! XOX

Christian Audigier - Heavy Metal Peaches Tote

I took a little adventure to Winner's two weeks ago, and fell in love with this gorgeous large tote, with leather and studs. I looked a little closer, and realized it's the Christian Audigier Heavy Metal Peaches tote. I automatically called my dad, and begged him for it (he missed my birthday). He said $150 was too insane for a purse. I told him, "but Daddy, it's a regular $315"!! Didn't work. The next day, while watching Jersey Shore, I noticed, "Hey, Sammi just walked in with my purse!!".

So the next week, I came back, and to my luck, it was still there. So ofcourse, I treated myself to some luxury. It's a very large tote, featuring leather studded top flap, trim and foot pads. It has interior pocket as well as CA print and logo inside.

I adore the leather studded top of the purse. Anything leather or studded is my love!

 Close up of the trim:

 Christian Audigier logo buckle:

 A look inside:

Isn't she beautiful? I love it to death. If you'd like to purchase one, they are currently on sale for $179 (although mine was $150!). You can find them here.

Oh! I also took a screen shot of last week's Jersey Shore, here's Sammi with it!

Updates, P10P, YouTube Channel, I'm having a give away, and why I disappeared for a week.

Hey! So I haven't blogged much lately, and have a huge pile of stuff to catch up on. My daughter had been sick for a while, then I got sick, then I got an ear infection... It was never ending. Luckily, we're all doing better, and I can update you guys on some things to look forward to.

GIVEAWAY!! Excited? I am. So far, I have 3-4 things. It's going to be held as soon as I've reached 25 followers. It's going to be small, but a giveaway non the less. I've had 9 new followers this month alone, so it should be soon.

I also started a YouTube channel, mostly for hauls, and I'll do some tutorials once I get the lighting and angles right. My first video is terrible, bad lighting, bad angle, I look crappy... but it's a start. So be nice! Here's the link to my YouTube! (click youtube!)

I've also been inspired to do a project 10 pan (P10P) by everyone (using up 10 products completely before I can buy ANYTHING!). This should let me save up for some new apartment furnishings (we're moving really soon!) and a HUGE order of entire lines from Illamasqua!

Anyways, I'll be back to reviewing quite soon! Probably tomorrow :) I'll also have a new YouTube video up tomorrow.

Meet Mark. - Mega Volume Next Day Spray

I seen ad's for this product, promising me fresh hair between washings, removing oils and build up. I don't have even moderately oily hair, but I do find it harder to style a few days after washing. I thought I'd give it a try, not just for me, but for my fiance (he's Italian, his hair gets super oily within hours of washing). At a low price of $7, I figure hey, what do I have to loose?


I didn't wash my hair for 3 days, to try and get the best effect possible. The smell was great, like I just came from the salon. But I was sad to see that my hair looked the exact same as before. I was slightly disappointed, as I've never had a bad review or product from Mark. (Avon). So then I attacked the fiance. His hair was quite oily and unwashed at this point. I sprayed the roots, hoping for immediate resaults. Nothing, just wet hair.

A few hours later, he mentioned "hey look, my hair is oil free!".

In the end, I am quite pleased to say this product works amazingly. If you don't have oily hair, don't waste the money. If your one of those people who can't go a day without washing your hair because of oily it is, and don't have time for a shower, I highly recommend this product! You'll have clean appearing hair, and it'll smell great!

Paul Mitchell Express IonSmooth Hair Straightener VS. Paul Brown Hawaii Flat Iron

Something very tragic happened in my life, something we all dread - the death of our hair straighteners. I have been using the Paul Brown for just under two years, and it died out. Not exactly worth the $200 CAD I paid for it. The Paul Brown promised so many things, like fast heat up times, sense control.. Mine took atleast 10 minutes to heat, and after 5 minutes of use, cooled down a great deal. I wasn't very pleased with this purchase, but kept using it for the time being. My hair never stayed straight throughout the day, after 2 hours my hair looked messy and wavvy in weird spots.

About two week ago, I noticed at 50% off sale at Beauty Express, which included flat irons. I found the Paul Mitchell Express IonSmooth, regular $200, so it cost about $100. I immediately came home, took a shower, and re-did my hair. It advertised for quick straightening, even heat distribution, slim plates to get close to roots, stops fly aways, long lasting style..Usually I spend over an hour straightening my hair, this great tool, less than twenty minutes! My hair was much shinier, healthier looking after use. Not to mention the straightness lasted not just all day, but was still straight the next day when I woke up. 

 I also opted to get the 1.25 inch this time, as my Paul Brown was 1 inch. I also found the Paul Brown would get residue from hair products, this one does not. I've found some pictures to make a comparison on the difference.

Here's my hair with the Paul Brown:

Here's a recent shot with the Paul Mitchell:

 As you can see, the Paul Brown didn't stay straight, nor did it really create a flat effect. The Paul Mitchell does a bang up job on getting perfectly straight hair. I highly recommend stearing away from the Paul Brown if you'd like actual straight hair. Same products were used in both these shots as well. I love my Paul Mitchell, and highly recommend one! They come in a variety of sizes as well!

Side note, I miss being a brunette!

LUSH Big Blue and Sunny Side bath cocktail!

I recently purchased both of these from LUSH, which intentions of using them together. Big Blue (bathbomb) had scent of Lemon and Lavender to help you relax, along with pieces of seaweed and seasalt to help cleanse and soften the skin. It creates blue water, along with blue foamy bubbles. Sunny Side (bubblebar) has delicious scents of oranges, tangerines and lemon, also very relaxing, yet is very energetic. The golden lustre's cause the water to become gold, shimmery, and very swirly. The combination of these two results in sea green water, with golden shimmery swirls, and a bit of blue with golden hued bubbles. 

                                                         Elapsed time: 5 minutes

                                                        Elapsed time: 15 minutes

As you can see, the blue foamy bubbles dissapeared quite quick, but I was still left with bubbles. The golden shimmers lasted the whole half hour I was in the tub!

I really like the combination of these two, and would highly recommend trying with bath cocktail out. I hear adding the Avobath bathbomb as well into the mix makes for a great bath, I'll have to try it out!

My next cocktail? Blackberry (bathbomb with bergamot and black current, creates purple water), Tisty Tosty  (bathbomb based on a spell used to stir the passions and bring you love, eases tension and stress, will bloom flowers in the bath), and a Sunny Side bar. The combination should create a purple bath, with roses and gold shimmers, that will waken you up (from bergamot and tangerine), as well as ease your stress and tension. Definitely a great mix for the morning of something stressful, or after a stressful day, but too early for sleep.

HUGE nailpolish giveaway!!

Although new to the blog, I am completely encouraged to paint my nails a new design every day.. As well, there is a huge give away going on, at Nail Addicts Anonymous. I'm pretty sure this is more nailpolish than I even own! The give away is for 80 bottles of polish and nail art supplies.

 

Rimmel Stir It Up Eyeshadows + Swatches

I've seen these on the shelves in drugstores for years, and never paid much attention. I recently used the Too Faced Galaxy Glam Eyeshadow, and figured I'd open my mind up to more eye shadows that are multicolored. A few weeks back, my fiance had also seen them, and thought they were neat, so I figured it was time to give them a try.

 

I purchased 3, Out Of The Blue, As If.. and Sure. I paid a ridiculous $9.99 CAD each for these. I had a hard time choosing (and guessing what they would look like), so I just got the 3 I was stuck deciding about. I've always been weary about cream eyeshadows. I had tried Rimmel's Metallic Eye Gloss, which was terrible and creased. A few years later, I tried the Rimmel Colour Mousse, which was a fantastic non creasing product!

When first swatched it on my hand, I thought "WOW, so much pigment, so much colors at once!". That was short lived excitement. As well as they blended, and as great as they looked, they creased within an hour. I tried everything! I used primer under them, didn't work.! So I tried a different approach - putting a light, translucent shadow over top to help set it. Didn't work!  I also found this product to be very greasy. I think the only use for these is for lining the tops of your eyes, or using on the outer corner's (although they might just melt off your face!).

Sadly, I have to recommend on not purchasing these. The colour is beautiful, but they just don't last, you won't even make it out of your house without creasing!

Britney Spears Fantasy, Midnight Fantasy & Circus Fantasy

I first purchased Fantasy almost 5 years ago, and absolutely love it. The notes include nclude red lychee, golden quince, kiwi, cupcake accord, jasmine, white chocolate orchid, musk, woods, and orris root. I found it to be very sweet, almost like candy, but very sensual. It's personally been an all time favorite. All the bottles in this line look the same, this one was pink with gem stones. All the boxes also looked like little presents! This fragrance also lasted a long time.


Then, about two year back, I purchased Midnight Fantasy . The notes include black cherries, framboise, plum, orchid, freesia, iris, musk, amber and vanilla. I found it not as sweet as fantasy, but still very sensual. It had a much more fruit scent to it. I found this scent to last quite a long time. The bottle is dark blue, and has gem stones on it. I also found it a touch less exotic as Fantasy.

 This Valentines, I received Circus Fantasy. it introduces notes of fruit, intoxicating flowers and creamy musk. Top notes incorporate juicy raspberry zest and apricot blossom. A heart adds blue peony along with lotus and orchid, while base notes include vanilla, musk and violet candy. The fragrance is available in a blue flacon shaped like its antecedents, Fantasy and Midnight Fantasy. I found this one the weakest, and didn't last very long. I found this to be a very, very faint fruity smell. 

In the end, I my favorites came first, and the more time and fragrances later, my love faded. Fantasy was the best, Midnight Fantasy was second best, Circus Fantasy last. They were great at first though. I'm more than willing to give any other Britney Spears fragrance a chance, they are quite decent (although I do not like Circus Fantasy that much).

February Faves!

I haven't done this in a while, mostly because my monthly faves didn't really change much. But I have lots of new products, lots of fall for!

 Dawn by Sarah Jessica Parker

Maybelline Expert Wear in Sunlit Bronze

Avon Ultra Colour Rich Lip Seduction in Pink Taffeta and Red Kiss

Mark. Just Pinched Cheek Tint in Cheeky

Tarte Rise & Shine 2-in-1 Lipstain and Gloss in Cherry

Josie Maran Give One Get One Mascara

LUSH haul and wish list!

This is only my second trip to LUSH, but it's a new love for me! Last time, I had two bathbombs, loved my Dragon's Egg, wasn't huge on Fizzbanger. I also got the Comforter bubblebar, which I love, lots of bubbles and pink water!

This time, I picked up two bathbombs, Big Blue and Twilight (Twilight for a LUSH virgin!). I also got to Sunny Side bubble bars (one for the virgin!), I am excited to mix it with Big Blue for an ocean coloured golden swirled bath! I heard a lot about the Too Drunk To @#$% emotibomb for the shower, basically helps cure the hangover. As well I picked up two bath melts in Dream Time.

Anyways, I'll let you guys know later how everything went, and what my water looked like with my new creation!

Next trip, I will be getting Blackberry Bathbomb, and mixing it in with a Sunny Side bar, and Tisty Tosty. Basically, purple bath water with golden swirls and roses! I'm also going to try out the Wiccy Magic Muscles massage bar.

Babies got phat!

Check out what my grandma got me for my birthday!!

I love these quizes :)

1. Do you apply your foundation with a brush, sponge, or fingers?
I used to with my fingers, but I use a brush more. Even thought it ruins brushes, circular motions get it so even.

2. Do you apply your eyeshadow from light to dark? or dark to light?
Always light to dark.

3. Do you prime your eyes?
YES! It's a must.

4. Concealer first, or after foundation?
I never use concealer. To be fair, there's been one or two times I have, and I put it on after. Honestly, I hate wearing foundation on a daily basis.

5. Go for manicures, or manicure yourself?
Manicure myself.

6. Exfoliate lips, face or both?
Uhh, both I guess. I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub once a week. I also use the LUSH lip exfoliator, you can eat it after :)

7. On average, how long does it take you to do your makeup?
If it's just close friends, the mall, movies, it takes 10 minutes. If it's the bar or photoshoot, it takes over an hour.

8. Do you wear makeup everyday and everywhere?
Again, with close friends, mall, movies, it's just a little neutral shadow, mascara and lipgloss. If it's the bar, it's full make up, primer, foundation, powder, blush, brozer, eyeshadow, liners, mascara, lip liner, lipstick.. yupp, there's probably more too.

9. What release are you most excited about? (Makeup)
Eh... I don't really pay much attention to this sorts... I usually just read blogs on what's coming out.

10. What's your weakness?
Shoes, purses, make-up.

11. Do you whiten your teeth?
Yes, I smoke and drink wine. I have no choice.

12. Wax eyebrows, or pluck?
I get them professionally waxed once a month.

13. What do you use to contour?
Uhhh, bronze and blush? I don't put much work into it, I'm pale, I just need a pinch :)

14. False lashes, or natural?
Natural most of the time, but I wear fakes quite a lot too, usually concerts, bar...

15. Favorite makeup brand?
Lancome, Maybelline, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Physicians Formula.. there's probably more.

16. Liquid eyeliner, pencil or gel?
Pencil on my lower lid and inside top lid. I spent years using liquid on top of my lashes, and switched to gel, and LOVE it!

17. Lipstick, lipgloss or chapstick?
Depends really. I use chapstick at night, lipgloss for casual, lipstick for big get togethers.

18. Pigments, pressed or cream eyeshadow?
I used pressed and baked the most. Anytime I use pigments, I used cream under them.

19. If you had to wear only one thing, excluding foundation; what would it be?
Mascara!

20. Favourite color?
Pink.

21. Favorite color combination?
Of eyeshadow? Probably black and silver, or pink and purple.

22. Natural? or Dramatic? (Eye Makeup)
I love natural, when I'm bar starring it, I go super dramatic.

23. Do you care more for quality or name brand?
I definitely care more about the quality! I've used every brand you could imagine, there's so many good cheaper brands that are better out there!.

24. Do you enjoy using face masks? If so which ones
I use Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel!

25. What is your current addiction? (example: lipsticks, eyeshadows, earrings..)
Mascara's!