Chocolate and Berries with Montagne Jeunesse

Oh how I love Montagne Jeunesse. Formulated by herbalists in the UK, the brand makes all sorts of wonderful face masks full of fruits and flowers. As an added plus, all of their products are not tested on animals, cruelty-free and Vegetarian society approved for only $1.99 at select drugstores and Walmart. There's over 50 pick-me-up beauty treats in the Montagne Jeunesse masque range. Today, I've got two to share with you! 

Montagne Jenuesse does their chocolate masks right. In the range, there's regular chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, and hot chocolate. I tested the Montagne Jeunesse Hot Chocolate Masque (a warming mask) and this time around I put on the Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque ($1.99). Both have chocolate scents make me want to lick my face. The Chocolate Masque is meant to deep cleanse pores and moisturize and heal skin. On resilient skin, it's a fairly mild mask that does feel like it's pulling the gunk out of my face but not to the point where it's dried out. After washing the mask off, my skin felt clean and slightly hydrated. 

Berries are known for their antioxidant qualities and the Montagne Jeunesse Very Berry Face Masque ($1.99) is packed with blueberry and cranberry juice, as well as aloe and peach kernel oil. The mask feels like a thick, slimy lotion and claims to leave skin feeling refreshed and cleansed. Usually I presume cleansing to mean "removes makeup and dirt from face" I don't think this particular mask should replace your cleanser. The mask leaves skin feeling every so slightly refreshed compared to the pre-mask state. In general, I don't find it to be the most potent mask I've triedThe best part... it's purple. The worst part... it has teeny tiny iridescent shimmers that get all over your hands. Put the best and the worst parts together and you can look like a unicorn for 15 minutes. 

In general, both masks contain way to much product for one person's face, so make sure to enjoy the Montagne Jeunesse masks with a friend. 

Do you like Montagne Jeunesse face masques? 

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THEFACESHOP Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam in Lemon

A clean face is a happy face and lemon is the scent of cleanliness. So, it seems fitting that THEFACESHOP would have a cleanser that smells like lemons! I've been using THEFACESHOP Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam ($6) for a couple weeks now... and the verdict? 

THEFACESHOP says that its Lemon Cleansing Foam eliminates dead skin cells and make-up residue. Absorbs oily skin with lemon extract and Herb Clean Complex. In the Herb Day 365 range is also available in Mung Bean (!! - smoothing), Peach (softening), Acerola (brightening), Aloe (for dry skin) and Spearmint (for men). 

My face is an oil slick, so I thought it would be fitting to try the Lemon Cleansing Foam for all skin types. The product comes in a generous tube. When squeezed out, it's a creamy consistency. When gently smoothed onto damp skin, the cream foams into a very light, almost moisturizing feeling mousse. 

The Cleansing Foam smells lightly of lemons - almost like household cleaning products - and I mean this in the best way possible. It's refreshing and not overbearingly sweet or sour. My eyes are typically sensitive to scents but this one doesn't bother them. 

After rinsing my face with lukewarm water, I notice that my skin feels soft to the touch and not at all tight or dried out (this is my face's reaction to most cleansers). I can't say that it keeps my face less oily than usual but I can say that it gets off all of my face makeup. I can't say that it removes eye makeup because the product packaging says to avoid contact with the eyes and I'd like to avoid irritating them. 

Overall, this is a great gentle and refreshing cleanser for both day and night that leaves my skin feeling clean (but not squeaky clean). As a bonus, it smells like cleanliness and lemons. 

Do you like the smell of lemons in your skincare? 

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St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil

Warmer weather is FINALLY here and I was in desperate need for a little bit of colour. This need commenced my first experience with self tanning. I don't subscribe to the Asian thought that "whiter, paler skin is better", but I also don't believe that fake-looking oompa loompa orange spray tan is for me. What I do like is a natural, sun kissed glow (without the obvious cons of sitting in the sun for hours on end). 

In the hopes of achieving a natural summer glow, I've been testing out the St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil ($43, at Shoppers, Murale, Hudson's Bay & London Drugs), which just launched in Canada as of April 2015 and claims to provide "a long-lasting, natural-looking tan with multiple skincare benefits". Sounds pretty promising, huh? 

Housed in a beautiful, frosted and weighty glass bottle, simply holding the product makes me feel all luxe inside. 

HOW TO USE IT (as recommended by Sophie Evans, St. Tropez Skin Finishing Expert): 

1. Cleanse and exfoliate skin well. Then apply eye serum if required. 
2. On clean, bare hands, apply 2-3 drops of the Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil and smooth over face (including eye area), neck and décolletage. 
3. Wash hands well after application and wait until the tan is touch dry before getting dressed. 
4. Allow the oil to absorb either overnight or throughout the day, for at least 4-8 hours before cleansing, to ensure a long-lasting tan. Moisturizer will not be required as the Brazil nut oil base fortified with Vitamin A and E, will keep skin hydrated while giving a healthy glow. 
5. For a deeper tan, reapply following steps 1-4. Alternatively, for a lighter tan, add a drop of the Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil to any moisturizer and apply all over face, neck and décolletage

HOW I IT WORKED FOR ME

I pretty much followed all the steps, exactly as directed..with some exceptions. I ended up using 4-5 drops instead because the oil absorbed so quickly into my face. After application, the oil felt slightly tacky but not only in a hydrated, moisturized way rather than feeling heavy on the skin. I decided to wait 8 hours to experience the full potency of the product. Throughout my day, I washed dishes, wrote blog posts, made muffins and gave my car a good washing. I was a little afraid that the spritzes of water from dishes and my car would make my tan look splotchy. There was a big sigh of relief when I found out when that wasn't the case. 

Pre-tan; Post-tan

This is the result of my tan after 8 hours, post-facewash. I used the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar cleansing water and a cotton pad to remove the product from my face, though I kind of wanted to leave it on because it felt pretty comfortable. There was little to no difference between my face with and without the oil on and the tan was still intact. Thanks to SPF foundations and regular chemical and physical exfoliation, my pre-tanned face is significantly lighter than the rest of my body. Post-tan, there's a clear bronzing and glowing effect that wasn't there before.  The tan lasted about 5 days and faded away evenly. 

The verdict? The St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil is a vacation in a bottle. It's not fake or in any way oompa loompa, just a natural, radiant bronze glow. A very small amount goes quite a long way and I love the fact that I don't need to risk sun burn (or even worse, skin cancer) to get a nice bit of colour on my face. 

Have you ever tried self tanning? 

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Bioderma Sensibio H20 Make-Up Removing Wipes

The internet's favourite one-step cleansing water is now available in wipe form! I've purchased at least 5 bottles of Bioderma, used them up (as seen in the *now monthly* Empties posts), and pondered how I could love a bottle of cosmetic water as much as I do. The Bioderma Sensibio H20 Dermatological Wipes ($14.95 for 25) are everything I could ever dreamed of in makeup-wipe form. 

The wipes are quite plush and filled with solution but not soaking wet and the slight baby-wipes scent is actually quite pleasant. 

Just as effective as the micellar water solution, the Bioderma Sensibio H20 Make-Up Removing Wipes work well for both face and eyes and don't bother my skin one bit. However, waterproof eye makeup takes a little more rubbing and patting to get every last bit of makeup off. That being said, they're perfect for lazy days when I want to take of my makeup and hit the hay ASAP. With Bioderma, I'm 100% positive that all of my makeup is fully removed before my beauty rest. 

As a future accountant, I want to say that the wipes are not quite as cost effective as the original cleansing water. If I use 25 wipes every day, inevitably, they'll only last 25 days. At $23 per bottle, with everyday use, the cleansing water lasts me at least 3 months. So, the Bioderma Sensibio H20 Make-Up Removing Wipes are a luxury for lazy days rather than something that would replace regular use of the Make-Up Removing Micelle Solution. 

Cleansing wipes or cleansing water? 

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NEW THINGS: CoverGirl & Olay 2015 Launches + GIVEAWAY

P&G Beauty has recently come out with a slew of new products. Here's three new things that I've been trying (and loving). 

// Olay Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask Gel Moisturizer ($32.99)

As of late, overnight masks have been all the rage. It's 100% easier than wash off masks because it contains all sorts of fun extracts that get work done while you sleep. The water-based gel formula is quite light in texture. It sits on the skin for ~20 minutes before the slimy mask texture dissipates. So, you don't actually have to use this as an overnight mask if you've got 20 minutes to spare. I haven't been using this long enough to see the look of dark spots disappear but the mask leaves my skin feeling plump, hydrated, and refreshed. 

// Olay Fresh Effects {Spot Zinger} 2-in-1 Salicylic Acne Spot Treatment ($12.99)

Since I began #nomakeupmarch, I've been turning to a topical acne spot treatment instead of concealer. It's thanks to the {Spot Zinger} that I've avoided picking at my skin. Formulated with 2% Salicylic acid, the Olay claims that this stuff improves the look of blemishes in just 10 minutes. Maybe not 10 minutes for me but I put this on before bed and when I wake up in the morning, the vast majority of a potentially bad situation has cleared up. BONUS: It's got citrus and mint, so it's the only acne treatment that I've ever used that smells good. 

// CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick in 300 Garnet Flame ($8.49)

The reformulated and repackaged version of the CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipsticks. CoverGirl has released new shades and has also split them up into four easy-to-navigate colour families - nudes, pinks, reds, and plums. "New and improved" really doesn't apply here - these look, feel, and smell the same as the Lip Perfection Lipsticks. They're still good. The colour is rich and pigmented in one layer, the product doesn't bleed and lasts on me for up to 5 hours. Garnet Flame is a pink-leaning red. 

HERE'S THE GIVEAWAY PART. To win my P&G faves, follow me on Instagram @stephh_lau, find the first photo in this post and give it a like. For an extra entry, tag a friend or regram the photo! Open to residents of Canada only. Ends March 30, 2015. Best of luck! 

Have you tried any new things from CoverGirl or Olay? 

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Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

If you've got oily skin and huge pores, then you know that clay masks are great for detoxifying your skin of all the oil-ies and impurities. You may not know that the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask ($16USD/$21CAD, 1.7oz) is pretty popular here on the internet. I've had the mask for about a year and a half and I've finally sorted out my thoughts on this mask. 

The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask contains activated charcoal and white china clay to draw out impurities. Per the handy dandy Sephora website, When environmental toxins, dirt, and debris get under your skin, its waste-filtering system gets jammed, pores get clogged, and skin looks cloudy. Nature's complexion clean-up crew gets to the bottom of skin's overcast condition and clears the way for it to act its best. tl-dr, it's one of those masks that make you look like a scaly monster when it dries up. 

Application: Relaxing but messy, as are most face masks if you don't use a brush. The packaging indicates that the first step in using this mask is to open your pores with a damp towel. While it isn't part of the mask itself, this is the most soothing part. From there, it gets a little dirty. The product is a thick, gooey and wet - all at the same time. It smooths over the skin without a hitch and is pretty easy to thin out over the face. However, when it gets on your hands it feels like mud. Brush recommended (you can use a flat, synthetic foundation brush).

Removal: Also messy. Not to mention, difficult. Once the mask has dried, it's no fun to remove. It's hard to get off with just water and it clings on to the skin. You've either got to scrub your face intensely with your hands or get your perfectly white face cloth dirty with the charcoal-coloured mask. To avoid this, I usually use the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask before a shower, then use a konjac sponge to wipe of the mask residue when I've hopped in. 

Results: The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is intense - it does what it says and it ain't gentle about it. It literally pulls oil right out of your skin, making the skin feel tight and dry. I feel like I need to put on a thick moisturizer right away after using this mask. I don't find it to minimize pores (which it doesn't claim) nor does it reduce the size of my zits (more like it dries them up). 

Overall, it's a decent mask that does the trick if you're feeling oily or clogged up, particularly if you can handle the messy application/removal. To my dry skinned peeps, this one isn't for you. Personally, I like to pull out the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask for my oily summer days but pass on it during the drier winter months. 

What's your favourite clay mask? 

Purchased by me. 

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Garnier Clean + for Sensitive Skin Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser// #GarnierSensitive

Not going to lie, I'm a strong believer in a heavy-duty makeup remover and double cleansing. My skin's pretty resilient and I just want to get all the gunk off my face at the end of the day. For the past week, I've been testing the Garner Clean Plus Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser (~$5.97) which  is a slight tangent from my regular removal routine. 

There are 4 straight-forward things to know about this product 

(1) It claims to remove stubborn makeup and calm sensitive skin 

(2) After 1 week, it claims to leave skin feeling comfortable, conditioned and throughly cleansed. After 1 week, skin is supposedly smoother, softer and looks healthier. 

(3) It doesn't contain alcohol, dyes or fragrances 

(3) It's approved by the Canadian Dermatology Association. 

On the skin, the product feels like a light lotion rather than something like a thick cold cream. The skin doesn't absorb it quite like a lotion (not that it needs to) but it feels smooth and relaxing to apply. To use it, you simply squeeze a little out of the bottle and massage it all over your face. I noticed my makeup immediately breaking up upon contact with the product (a very good sign). The caveat? I didn't put the product near my eyes but it somehow got close to them and it stung like a poop. Not fun. Besides that...

After washing the product off with lukewarm water (you can also use a cloth or cotton pad to wipe it off), my skin felt very supple and hydrated without feeling greasy. I took a makeup wipe to my face just to see if there was any residual product and there wasn't! So, I'm 100% positive that this stuff removes all your makeup in one go.

Indeed, this makeup remover is ultra-gentle (yet powerful!!), suitable for sensitive skin. But not for my sensitive eyes. 

Have you tried the Garnier Clean Plus Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser?

This is a sponsored post and features press sample. Opinion is my own. 

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Miracle 10 Skincare Experience, Product Review + Event // Word of Mouth Beauty #WOFM

My skin is tolerant. So tolerant that I don't seem to ever see immediate or positively noticeable results from any of the skincare that try. Healthier and brighter, with noticeable dewiness, elasticity, and radiance. These are the promises of Miracle 10 - to provide noticeable results. In 10 hours, smoothness and clarity. In 10 days, improvements in discolouration and dullness. In 10 weeks, the appearance of wrinkles and pore size diminished. Sounds like what my skin has been looking for. 

The Event

Miracle 10 is a skincare line formulated by the Plastic Surgery Skincare Clinic, which is located at 67 Scollard Street (Yorkville, Toronto). Back in November, I attended Miracle 10's first blogger event, dubbed Word of Mouth Beauty. The event featured personalized skincare consultations, makeup and manis with Dior, and an Fall/Winter Trends/Q&A sesh with Michelle Villet of the Beauty Editor. 

Attendees went home with a set of Miracle 10 products chosen during the consultations. Furthermore, we were given the opportunity to have a Miracle 10 Peel at the Plastic Surgery Skincare Clinic. I had my peel in late January and began using the Miracle 10 line immediately after (I'm still using the line). Below are some photos from the event: 

Jenn (A Beautiful Zen) getting her skin assessed 

Ann Marie McDonald - founder of Miracle 10 

 SUSHIIII!!!! 

SUSHIIII!!!! 

 Makeup by Dior 

 Dior Holiday 2014 Collection 

The Peel ($125 for one treatment, $375 for three)

I've never had a facial (or a chemical peel for that matter) until my Miracle 10 Peel, so I had nothing to compare it to. If you're not familiar with the process, a peel is a skincare treatment in which a chemical solution is used to slough off dead skin in order to let a new layer of skin regenerate. 

When I went to visit the clinic for my appointment, I was handed a lengthy 7 page risk wavier to read through and sign. The wavier explained the procedure and some of the possible risks. When I went into the treatment room (not different from a doctor's office), the aesthetician asked me if I was on any medication. OF COURSE, at the time I was on an antibiotic and was told that I couldn't go through with the treatment until 10 days after I was done. I was a bit miffed that nobody took the liberty to tell me this before I wasted time heading downtown on a chilly day only to find out that I had to head back home... 

A couple weeks later I went back to the clinic (this time with no medication in my system). I didn't have to sign the wavier again. I laid down in a cushioned chair and the treatment began. The aesthetician let me know that all the products that are used during the peel are the same as the Miracle 10 items I received at the event. First, my face was washed with the cleanser and any debris was cleared off with the toner. Next, dermaplaning, the process of scraping off the first layer of skin with a blade. The thought of a knife to my face had me scared sh*tless. Luckily, dermaplaning simply feels like someone is scratching lightly at your face. Next, lactic acid was applied to my face. There are three acids available lactic (for beginners), glycolic (for regulars), and salicylic (for those with acne). The chemicals were left on for 2 minutes, all of which I felt a burning, stinging and tingling sensation. To ease the pain, a light fan with cold air was blown at my face. After the chemicals were washed away, a mask with lavender and menthol was applied for five minutes to cool the skin. Then, my face was washed and CO2 was used to freeze and protect areas prone to breakouts. Finally, a light moisturizer to finish everything off. 

After the peel, the aesthetician let me know that I could apply makeup right away (hence, the facial is referred to as a "lunch time facial" - get your facial during lunch and head immediately back to work). She also told me that I shouldn't use acids for the next 2 days and should avoid exercise, sunshine and saunas for 24-48 hours after my treatment. 

Overall, the 45 minute treatment was both relaxing and rejuvenating. The aesthetician was polite and informative. My skin appeared slightly brighter and plumper. It also felt more soft and plump. I didn't experience any purging and my skin still continues to feel soft and plump to this day.

The Products (in order of use) 

Immediately after the treatment, I began a Miracle 10 skincare regimen. The line is all-encompasing breaking down treatments to match 3 skin types - Normal/Maturing, Acne Prone/Oily and Delicate/Dry. I've been using the Acne Prone/Oily. 

Miracle 10 Cleanser II // Deep exfoliating wash ($39) 

I didn't find this cleanser to be particularly exfoliating. If anything, it felt gentle and non-stripping leaving skin feeling clean and soft. 

Miracle 10 Solution I // Clarifying solution ($39)

Pre-Miracle 10, I thought toners/solutions were just glorified alcohol. The Miracle 10 I Solution actually has a purpose - it contains active ingredients of glycolic and lactic acids for brighter skin and fewer breakouts. Indeed, the solution has graced my skin with fewer breakouts. The only ones I get now are from eating too much chocolate and Kernel's popcorn instead of under-the-skin type spots. 

Miracle 10 AHA Gel I // Advanced Exfoliating Gel ($59)

AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) is meant to smooth the texture of skin and promote an even complexion. Applying this to my face nightly is a slightly less burning sensation than that of the Miracle 10 Peel. After the first couple uses the tingling feeling subsided. If anything, I feel like use of this acid has contributed to softer, smoother skin and the fading of acne scars. 

Miracle 10 Light Serum // Vitamin Enriched Moisturizer ($69)

For some odd reason, I'm obsessed with the scent of this serum. It contains Vitamin A, B, D3, E and K. It's plenty hydration (while still being lightweight) on its own for day or night but because it's been particularly dry I like to layer over my regular moisturizer on top. 

Miracle 10 SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion ($52)

In all honesty, I haven't been using this. Anything more than moisturizer during the day is too heavy for my oilier skin. The good news is that it doesn't bother me as some SPF products do and the finish is "dry-touch" similar to the feeling of the Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 50. 

Overall, I apologize the superbly lengthy post. I don't think I've ever stuck to a skincare routine for more than a month. I've been using Miracle 10 for the past two and actually seeing some noticeable results. Thus far, the results have been positive and I'll definitely update you with my experience over the next couple months. 

Have you ever had a Facial Peel? Have you tried Miracle 10 Skincare? 

Press samples featured. Miracle 10 Peel provided as a complimentary service. 

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Best in Beauty 2014 - Hair, Skin, Bath & Body

2014 wasn't just about wearing a ton of makeup, so here's some of my nail, skin, body, and hair favourites. Also, if you haven't already, be sure to check out my 2014 makeup favourites here.

NAILS

< base coat > I've been using Essie First Base ($8.50, review pending) for every manicure for about a year. It's still going strong and non-gloopy. My nails aren't particularly strong or brittle but at least they're not yellow!

< polish > The Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polish in Soul Session* ($5.95) is the perfect pink nude for my colouring. It kind of sucks on it's own lasting 2 days or less (despite the "up to 10 days" claim) but stays for at least a week with the addition of the...

< top coat > Revlon Gel Envy Top Coat* ($8.39). I know this is meant to be used alongside other Revlon Gel Envy polishes but it actually prolongs the wear of all of my polishes in general. Miracle top coat right here.

SKIN

< cleanser > - the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil* ($44-93, review pending...) removes waterpoof mascara, full-coverage foundations, and everything in between with a couple pumps. I double cleanse with another face wash for good measure, but this is the star of the show when it comes to nighttime cleansing.

< makeup remover > - I'm on my second bottle of the Annabelle Eye Makeup Remover Lotion ($9.95), if that says anything about it. When I'm lazy but my makeup wipes can't take off waterproof eye makeup, a couple pumps of this one does the trick. Plus, it's non-stinging, non-drying, and oil-free. Huraahhh!

< mask > - After the whole CBB Mask-off, the Montagne Jeunesse Hot Chocolate Self Heating Mask* ($2) was my favourite. It's perfect for a cold winter night paired with a cup of hot chocolate. It's like warm chocolate on your face and hot chocolate to warm up your body. Double whammy. Since it's no longer in my stash (I need to pick up some more), there's a photo of my second favourite - the My Beauty Diary Brightening Pearl Mask ($1, review pending) 

BODY

< body moisturizer > - The Body Shop Vineyard Peach Body Butter ($20)... uhhh the scent, so delicious. There's nothing quite like the aroma of fuzzy peaches in a body butter. It's supposed to be "special-edition" but I think the body butter lords for not discontinuing it quite yet.  Not pictured because it's an empty, but I've popped in what I'm currently using (Glazed Apple)

< body scrub > - Second to peach scents are anything sweet and citrus-y. Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub* ($20) is on point when it comes to citrus + brown sugar and does the scrub-a-dub-dub job like a charm. Not pictured because it's an empty!

< perfume > - I can't describe scents for the life of me but I've been really loving a sample of carven Le Parfum ($115 for full size). It's fresh and clean and a little sweet. For reference, here's the Sephora blurb: A burst of spontaneity and gracefulness are carried by neroli, mandarin blossom, and the delicacy of white hyacinth. This lighthearted floral bouquet is built around a hint of jasmine and ylang ylang, and touched by a whiff of sweet pea. White sandalwood and a precious wood harmony create lingering impression of rare purity. Can't say I can afford it at the present time at $90 a bottle but when I'm rich and famous I'll be bathing in it.  Not pictured because it's an empty!

HAIR

< shampoo/conditioner > - My hair was blessed during the four months I used the Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner* ($25 each). Featuring a rich lather resulting in sleek, shiny but not oily locks of luscious hair, I'm kind of sad I've moved on to less expensive (under $25) haircare products for the time being.  Not pictured because it's an empty!

And that concludes my favourites of 2014 :)

What were your fave hair/skin/bath/body products of 2014? 

Press samples and purchased products featured. Press samples denoted with an asterisk (*). 

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Amie Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Amie is a natural skincare line from the UK that recently launched at Shopper's Drug Mart. I reviewed several of their skincare products here and found the products to be mild and mediocre, with few results. If anything, what I look for in a make up remover is to be mild, so the Amie Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Make Up Remover seemed like a good pick. 

Amie Bright Eyes is oil-free and contains 98.9% natural ingredients including cornflower and chamomile to hydrate, soothe, and refresh. It has no "water-proof removal" claims but says that it removes all traces of eye makeup which I presume to include waterproof makeup, too. 

I couldn't find the Canadian Dollar price of the Amie Bright Eyes, but on the website it says that it's £4.95 (likely $7-10 here in Canada), which is comparable to other drugstore eye makeup removers (Almay, Maybelline, Neutrogena). 

I tested the Amie Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Makeup Remover on some of the my most long-wearing beauty products including the CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipstick in Hot Passion, Make Up For Ever Aquamatic in ME-50, Make Up For Ever Artist Liner in M-80, Shu Uemura Drawing Pencil in Brown, and Kat Von D Immortal Lash Mascara. 

The first three swipes were a bit unimpressive. Most of the mascara and the MUFE eyeliner were removed but most of the lipstick, Shu liner and MUFE Aquamatic remained clinging to my arm. 

After three more passes, remnants of the MUFE Aquamatic, Shu Liner, and lipstick lingered on my arm. Also a few noteworthy things, the remover has a pleasant light baby powder scent and doesn't leave a greasy residue and, more importantly, the formula feels refreshing and agrees with my sensitive eyes.

All in all, the Amie Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Makeup Remover is, in fact, very gentle. Perhaps, gentle to a fault...it doesn't remove extremely waterproof products. However, I've tested it on days where I've worn a light dusting of eyeshadow, pencil liner, and mascara and the Amie Bright Eyes seems to remove everything. This eye makeup remover isn't for those who wear heavy eye makeup, but if you wear a little this and a little that and have sensitive eyes, this one's perfect for you. 

What's your favourite gentle eye makeup remover? 

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Memebox Special #45 Chocolate Mania

A box chock-full of chocolate-scented products? Genius. So good, I want to eat everything inside. This is perfection for the chocolate lover. You're likely already familiar with Memebox - individually-priced and carefully themed Korean beauty boxes. The Memebox Special #45 Chocolate Mania retails for $23 USD + shipping, which is a ridiculously good deal considering that the total value of 8 full-size products in the box is $88. 

Zamian Super Gold Cacao Pack, Shara Shara Tempting Avocado Chocolate Massage Cream, Neogen Code9 Gold Cacao Cream, Missha Cacao & Cream Facial Scrub, Skinfood Cacao Hand BAlm, dearberry Miss Mona Lisa Eyebrow

Above is preview swatches of the products...by the looks of it, products range from dark chocolate to white chocolate...I'm going to gloss over my evaluation of the scent because EVERYTHING smells like chocolate and it's pretty great. Let's see what's inside: 

1. Zamian Super Gold Cacao Pack ($22) 

Pamper your skin with Super Gold Cacao Pack infused with a blend of 99.9% gold and cacao powders – a beauty formula widely loved by Kings and Queens for its highly effective skin smoothening, firming, and nourishing results. 

Looks like a dark shade of ... poop, quite unappetizing but it's the most chocolate-y smelling of the entire box. I have yet to experience the firming effects of this product, but a first impression use of this 10-20 minute mask product left my skin feeling smooth and nourished. 

2. Missha Cacao & Cream Facial Scrub ($12) 

A soft, cream-type facial scrub formulated with real cacao extracts to gently peel away any dead skin cells, blackheads, and whiteheads clogging up pores while maintaining skin’s moisture level well-balanced. Plus, who doesn’t want to try a scrub resembling cookie & cream!

Missha is a familiar sounding, trusty Asian brand! This looks exactly like melted Hershey's cookies and cream chocolate.  The cacao pieces aren't too large or rough but it but the entirely physical exfoliator removes dead skin with ease. I'll be adding this into my regular exfoliating rotation. 

3. Neogen Code9 Gold Cacao Cream ($30) 

An intensively moisturizing and nourishing facial butter cream specifically formulated to target those with super dry, sensitive skin suffering from severe dehydration and rough, cracking skin texture in the winter times. Its key ingredients – gold, cacao seed butter, mango seed butter, shea butter, and olive oil – are all naturally derived and thus gentle enough to be used by all skin types. 

A lighter scented chocolate product, the Neogen Code9 Gold Cacao Cream is most definitely on the moisturizing side of things. It's fairly lightweight, given that it's targeted towards those with drier skin. It sinks in quickly and leaves skin feeling soft. The one thing that bothers me to no end is that the gold ingredient in the cream translates to visible gold glitter. Which is my absolute favourite thing to have on  my face ... not. 

4. Shara Shara Tempting Avocado Chocolate Massage Cream ($11) 

Replenish and rejuvenate skin with richly nutritious blend of avocado oil, cacao extracts, and banana extracts. Shara Shara Tempting Avocado Chocolate Massage Cream will deeply nourish, firm up, and smooth out rough, sagging skin, bringing back a healthy glow to your complexion. 

At first, I thought this to be a body cream, but it's actually a wash-off face product. To use it, you apply the cream on your face and massage for 5 minutes. I find that self-massaging for 5 minutes is a bit tedious but the results are worth it, because who doesn't want supple skin. The moisturizing effect isn't optimal for my very oily skin, but this will come in handy in the deep of winter. 

5. Skinfood Cacao Hand Balm ($5) 

The Cocoa butter complex delivers deep moisture & nutrition care to dry, rough-textured hands. 

A brand that I'm mildly familiar with, this is probably the product is the box that I will get the most use out of. Cold winters call for high-performance hand creams, and I'm quite happy with this one. The texture is different from other hand cream/balm products I've tried. It's slightly bouncy and not as sticky as a hand cream which is nice because it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving an oily residue. 

6. Binucook Cacao Choco Pie Soap ($6) 

Scented with a delicious chocolaty goodness, Binucook’s hand-made Cacao Choco Pie Soap looks and smells of real choco pie (a popular chocolate snack in Korea) and works to deep cleanse as well as maintain skin’s moisture/oil balance. 

This guy looks EXACTLY like a chocolate dessert. But beware, it's actually SOAP! No special feelings towards this particular soap, though it does smell delish! 

7. Purederm Choco Cacao Collagen Mask ($2) 

A facial pulp mask made from high concentrates of cacao and collagen extracts. It’s gentle on skin, delivers an instant moisture surge and works to improve skin elasticity for a healthier complexion overall. 

I used this moisturizing mask after exfoliating with the Missha Cacao & Cream mask. The Purederm Collagen Mask has a light choco scent. The sheet is quite thin and not overly wet or dripping with serum. The mask fit my face well, as there were slits on the sides to wrap around the edges of the face. The result were good but not particularly unique or spectacular - moisturized, non-sticky skin. It seems like Purederm is actually available at Walmart (in Canada). So realistically, this mask is quite accessible for me! 

8. dearberry Miss Mona Lisa Eyebrow 01 Choco Brownie

Frame, structure, and stylize eyebrows with this easy-to-use auto-pencil. It features a colored tip to trace the eyebrows and fill in sparse areas. The formula features a beautiful no-smudge finish, and long-lasting hold. The result? Perfectly groomed brows and completely enhanced eyes.  

Upon opening this eyebrow pencil, a half of the pencil broke off. I applied it to my brows as directed and the colour was way too warm (my hair is jet black) and washed it off immediately. I put it away for a few days and picked it up again to test the longevity. Unfortunately, the rest of the pencil fell out and all I'm left with now is a spoolie. 

I'm a tad overwhelmed by all the chocolate stuff. This is a delightfully scented box (nearly good enough to eat). Everything smells like cocoa butter and chocolate.  Most of the products were skincare (and I'm drowning in skincare) but nothing says relaxation like a luxuriously scented chocolate-scented scrub or mask. The box looks like it's sold out, but if you want to smell like a bar of chocolate, Memebox sells some of these products on their website. 

If you're interested in purchasing a Memebox, check out these codes valid until December 31, 2014 :) 

$5 off 30: OH3XZG

$5 off 3 boxes: MEMEBUNDLE3

$8 off 4 boxes: MEMEBUNDLE4

Free shipping on orders over $70: FREESHIPPING

20% off any USA SHOP order: GIVETHANKS

Do you like chocolate scents? 

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Adding Murad into the Skincare Mix

Skincare is a mystery to me. My skin is generally well-behaved with the exception of large pores, a lot of oil, the occasional breakout, and dry patches (limited to on and around my nose) but I don't really have much rhyme or reason to the products I use. For the past couple months, I've been testing out three products from Murad - the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Murad Clarifying Wipes, and Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion. 

Murad offers clinically-proven skincare solutions for everyone and their grandma. To name a few, Pore Reform, Resurgence, Redness Therapy, and Acne Complex are some of their many lines of products. There's so many products to choose from that it's almost overwhelming but if you're familiar with your skin issues, surely, Murad has a skincare solution that fits your needs.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser ($35 for 6.75 fl. oz.) - Cleanse and smooth texture. This gentle but efficient exfoliator works two ways. Salicylic, Lactic, and Glycolic Acids encourage clarity and brightness by dissolving skin cell buildup. Jojoba beats further polish and retexturize. 

From the Age Reform line, the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating cleanser does both chemical and physical exfoliating. AHA/BHA is meant to break down dead skin cells and the Jojoba granules help to scrub away the dead skin. Immediately after use, my skin feels smoother but I have a feeling that the double-exfoliating effect a little harsh on my skin for everyday. Thus, I've been alternating the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating cleanser every second day with something a little gentler (Pai Skincare Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser). 

Murad Clarifying Wipes ($20 for package of 30) - Clinically proven, oil-fighting formula in a pre-moistened soft wipe can be used on-the go to reduce shine and regulate excess sebum production while tightening pores and balancing and toning skin 

For lazy nights, the Murad Clarifying Wipes in the "Acne Complex" system is what I've been reaching for. The wipes are moistened but not drenched and smell slightly medicinal (this wears away within a few minutes). When using these wipes, I get a slight tingling sensation almost to the point of stinging in areas near my eyes, so I keep usage away from my eyes. The wipes successfully remove makeup and gunk on the face, clearing and tightening pores. On side note, the ability of the wipes to stay moistened (even if you leave the packaging open for a day or two) is impressive. 

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion ($36 for 1.7 fl. oz.) - This oil-free lotion hydrates and retexturizes skin and controls oil and shine while keeping pores clear and minimized. Retinol and Queen of the Meadow Extract reduce oil production and tighten pores.

I find it crazy that a product can be both light and moisturizing at the same time. Murad does it right when it comes to the Skin Perfecting Lotion. Again, the lotion has a slightly medicinal scent which wears away within seconds. Normally when I use a lotion in the night, I wake up the next morning drenched in oil. It's different with the Skin Perfecting Lotion. My skin actually appears normal and presumably with the help of the other two Murad products, my pores have stayed clear. 

In the grand scheme of things... over the past few months, I've noticed that oil production on my face has greatly been reduced and that the sebum and buildup in my pores is minimal. I haven't noticed any changes frequency of acne but my breakouts and hyper-pigmentation from acne scars have mysteriously cleared up more quickly than usual. 

Murad skincare cuts the crap and offers products that really work. If you're looking for simple packaging without overbearing fragrances yet real results at a mid-range price, Murad is one to check out. 

Murad is available at Sephora and http://www.muradcanada.com/

What do you use for your skincare routine? 

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