HAIR: the Tangle Teezer

Once upon a time (August 2013), Stephanie bought a Tangle Teezer in the city of Philadelphia. She used it, loved it and somehow lost it. PRAISE THE HAIR GODS, the renowned Tangle Teezer is available on Nail Polish Canada ($14.99 with free shipping) and Stephanie once again has it in her hair tools arsenal. 

So... what's a Tangle Teezer anyways? Put simply, the Tangle Teezer is a hair brush with an uncanny resemblance to a dog brush. It can be used on wet or dry hair and is meant to prevent hair breakage to provide smooth, shiny hair. 

Watch as I expertly brush my hair! 

The Verdict: Since the Tangle Teezer is quite different from a traditional brush, it takes some time to get used to the shape. The brush itself fits nicely into the palm of my hand and glides through the hair pretty seamlessly. I notice a lot less breakage and excess hair in the bristles compared to when I use a traditional $5 brush. There's something about the proximity of your hand to your hair that allows for a lot more control and forces you to use short strokes to untangle your hair rather than break it. 

What kind of hair brush do you use? Have you tried the Tangle Teezer? 

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CoverGirl + Olay FaceLift Effect Firming Makeup and the De-Puffer Concealer in 340 Light/Medium

Not that I'll actually need a facelift anytime time soon (I'm only 20, gosh darn it!) but it's always interesting to try makeup products that claim to do so. The CoverGirl + Olay Facelift Effect Firming Makeup (foundation) ($16.99-18.99) claims to provide "luxurious, flawless coverage combined with the powerful hydrating effects of a night cream". Alongside the foundation, I've been testing out a product that's a little more age appropriate, the CoverGirl + Olay The De-Puffer. 

The packaging? For the foundation - a glass-tic (looks like glass...is actually plastic) pot that I highly dislike, as it leaves me with one of two options: (1) get foundation all up in your nails (2) purchase a foundation spoon. The concealer is housed in a hygienic tube with a cooling tip applicator (I'm going to dare to compare the tip to the likes of the Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen...). 

The CoverGirl + Olay Facelift Effect Firming Makeup comes in 4 shades (fair, light, light/medium, medium) and the Covergirl + Olay the De-Puffer Concealer is available in 6 (fair, fair/light, light, light/medium/medium, medium/deep). 

< CoverGirl + Olay Facelift Effect Firming Makeup // Light/Medium >

The Facelift Effect Firming Makeup provides a natural, glowy finish. The product contains "skin brighteners", light-reflecting pearls that create a warming effect and luminosity to the skin. I can definitely see the brightening effect come through. Lasting power is average at 5 hours of wear-time, though it wears away nicely (no weird patches). The colour match is a little light but nothing that can't be fixed with a little bronzer. As for the skincare and "facelift" benefits, this product is too hydrating for my skin. I don't typically break out from face products but after two days of wear, I broke out on my cheeks.

< CoverGirl + Olay the De-Puffer Concealer // 340 Light/Medium >

I'm already in love with this concealer because of the applicator. It reminds me of one of those rollerball metal eye cream applicators that help to de-puff your eyes. This is part of the Power of 3 that CoverGirl/Olay claims in terms of this product. The other two aspects are a serum containing cucumber extract to soothe the undereyes and a slightly warmer shade (compared to a foundation) to counteract dark circles. I can't confirm the former but I agree with the latter (see swatches below!). The concealer is very thin and light coverage and dries down to a semi-matte finish. Staying power is comparable to that of the Firming Makeup at 5 hours. Due to lack of coverage that this product provides, I would only suggest this product for the eyes, as that's the area that it targets. 

Left to Right: CoverGirl + Olay FaceLift Firming Makeup; the De-Puffer Concealer in 340 Light/Medium 

Overall, I love the effect that both these products provide. It's such a shame that the firming makeup broke me out but I'll continue to use the CoverGirl + Olay the De-Puffer for the awesome cooling metal tip! 

Do you use products that aren't targeted to your age group? 

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Mary Kay Midnight Jewels Eye Color Palettes in Sapphire Noir and Emerald Noir

Soft, smooth, colourful, creamy and a little dreamy - that's how I would describe the Mary Kay Midnight Jewels Eye Color Palettes in Sapphire Noir and Emerald Noir ($26). 

These square palettes come in individual pans. If you've got a Z-palette or the like, awesome! put your color palette in there. If not, you can pick up a Mary Kay Compact (unfilled) for $22. 

Get ready to feast your eyes for the swatches... *drools*

Midnight Jewels Eye Color Palette in Sapphire Noir (one matte, 4 satin/shimmer)

Midnight Jewels Eye Color Palette in Emerald Noir (2 matte, 3 satin) 

Due to the inconsistencies between the two palettes, Emerald Noir reigns supreme. The shadows are gorgeously pigmented in one swoop of the brush and there's three neutral shades and two colours so that you can use the neutrals for everyday and the greens for when you're feeling like a little oomph. In contrast, the colours of Sapphire Noir feel beautiful AND appear beautiful in the pan but don't translate quite so well when on the skin - the glitters in Sapphire are much more chunky and the shadows appear more sheer. Overall, the Mary Kay Midnight Jewels Eye Color Palettes contain pretty colours. When comparing the two, yes to Emerald Noir and probably not to Sapphire Noir. 

Which color palette do you prefer? 

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EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balm in Coconut Milk and Vanilla Mint

I'm still not over the fact that EOS lip balms are absolutely adorable. As of August 2014, the NEW EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balms in Coconut Milk and Vanilla Mint ($3.99 each) will be available at a local drugstore near you. If you're not an avid collector of all the flavours of EOS lip balms, I bet there's one big burning question in your head - How are these different? 

Less than a year ago, I reviewed the EOS Smooth Sphere in Blueberry Acai (see here). I'm a big fan of these balms, but I also know that not everyone is like me. In regards to the Smooth Spheres, one of the most common complaints is that they're too hard and not moisturizing enough. When applied, the new EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balms are a bit softer and they feel more hydrating on the lips (the moisture factor lasts ~2 hours). 

New EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balms in Vanilla Mint and Coconut Milk (and nails to match!)

Other than that (and the two new flavours) not much has changed. I'm still a huge, if not bigger, fan of the EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balms - they have the same adorable packaging, they're 99% natural, and petrolatum/paraben/gluten/phthalate-free. Furthermore, both the new flavours are pretty delicious smelling. Coconut Milk is a bit more aromatic and fresh, which reminds me a lot of a Chinese coconut milk and tapioca dessert. The Vanilla Mint is on the subtle side (less obvious than sweet mint). If I had to choose between the two, I'd definitely pick up the EOS Coconut Milk, as the scent is more unique to the line of minty and fruity flavours. 

Will you be picking up one (or two) of the new EOS Visibly Soft Lip Balms? If so, which scent? :) 

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LIPSTICK GRAVEYEARD + Lipstick Collection Swatch-a-thon

You can never have to many lipsticks...or so I once thought. The fact is that less than 50% of what I've got on hand actually gets used. So... it's time to DE-STASH (for the full, unedited collection, see here). Today, I'll going over what's in the lipstick collection and what I'll be keeping and throwing out or giving away to family/friends. 

The Thought Process: 

(1) keep items that are almost finished, items that are not yet reviewed, and items that have colours and formulas that you truly enjoy 

(2) don't keep items that have old lady scents (or are just old in general), colours you haven't worn in months and will likely never wear, products with shimmer/glitters/pearly finish

Anything highlighted in pink and an asterisk (*) will remain in my makeup collection. Items denoted with the letter (R) will be kept for future review purposes. EVERYTHING WITH A REVIEW IS LINKED! :) 

Mauves (my lips but better) 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm // 200 Keep Mauving*

Revlon Colorbust Matte Balm // 225 Sultry*

CoverGirl LipPerfection // 323 Delicious*

CoverGirl LipPerfection // 395 Darling*

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // First Blush

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Tuscan Rose

MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural // N9*

Nudes and Browns

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayon // Nudist*

Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm // 710 Drive Me Nude

Tarte Lip Surgence Lip Lustre // Glitzy 

Mary Kay Semi-Matte Lipstick // Pink Moonstone

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Chocolate

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick // 672 Brazillian Tan*

Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick // 15 Some Like It Taupe

Rimmel Apocalips // 100 Phenomenon

Corals and Oranges

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm // 235 Coral Twist* (R)

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayon // Fuchsia-ristic*

The Body Shop Colour Crush Shine Lipstick // 18 Sunset Romance*

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Tangerine Pop 

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Coral Bliss 

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Exotic Mango

Ulta3 Lipstick // 030 Coral Reef* (R)

The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick // 105 Coral Cutie*

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick // 828 Carnival Spirit*

Etude House My Jelly Lips Talk // JOR203*

IONI Matte Lipstick // Coral*(R)

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Citrus Flirt

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain // 040 Rendezvous*

Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato // CR04*

Pinks (crayons)

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm // 105 Demure

Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm // 100 Give Me a Cuddle

Clinique Chubby Stick // 06 Woppin Watermelon*

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm // 216 Cake Twist* (R)

Mary Kay at Play Lip Crayon // Perfect Pink

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm // 120 Vivacious*

NYC CityProof Twistable Crayon // 041 Ballroom Blush*(R)

Pinks (lipsticks)

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick // 135 Ballerina Shoes

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick // 127 Chic Pink

Ulta3 Matte Lipstick // 030 Harem Pink* (R)

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick // 185 Miss Magenta

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick // 014 Sultry Samba

CoverGirl LipPerfection // 327 Bombshell Explosion*

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick // 875 Vivid Rose

NYC Expert Last Lip Color // 443 Purple Crush

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Sassy Fuchsia 

CoverGirl LipPerfection // 350 Eternal*

Rimmel Apocalips // 300 Nova*

Darks

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm // 115 Whimsical

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain // 030 Smitten*

Revlon Colorbust Matte Balm // 215 Shameless*

Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick // 035 Backstage

Mary Kay Semi-Matte Lipstick // Ruby Night

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick // 477 Black Cherry*

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick // Berry A La Mode

Reds

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick // 260 Raspberry Rush*

CoverGirl LipPerfection // 305 Hot Passion*

Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm // 500 The Redder the Better

Rimmel Apocalips // 400 Big Bang*

CoverGirl LipPerfection // 307 Seduce*

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayon // Plum Jam*

THE FINAL TALLY: 

Keep - 31/57

Toss - 1/57

Give Away - 25/57

Not Reviewed - 6/57

**NOTE - discrepancies between original count and this count of 66 lipsticks due to balm/lipstick/stain hybrids

LIPSTICK Realizations: 

- I love orange/coral lip products

- I like to keep pink lipsticks and never use them

- I enjoy products in crayon form

- I wear sheer lip products more often 

- I prefer minty or unscented formulas

- I never wear anything with shimmer or glitter

- I prefer glossy or satin finishes over matte ones

Some press samples, giveaway prizes won, gifts, and products that I've purchased on my own featured. 

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CND VINYLUX Weekly Polish in Lilac Longing #125

After testing out a multitude of nail polishes, I'm always skeptical of brands that claim to last a week or longer (RE: Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polishes) but look forward to the day that I find "the one". CND VINYLUX is a two step manicure that includes the CND VINYLUX Weekly Top Coat ($11.95) and a coloured polish and the product claims to harden with exposure to natural light and last a week long. I've been testing out CND VINYLUX #125 Longing Lilac Week Long Wear in order to test out the claims.

The polish applies beautifully. The formula is relatively thin but you can get full opacity in two easy coats and the shine provided from the top coat is on point. The issue with this polish is its biggest claim - the longevity. After wearing the polish for 3 days, I began to notice a lot of tip-wear. Not chips but a wearing away of sorts on the edges of my nails. I did everything the instructions called for - cleaned my nails before application and even sat out in the sun for five minutes in the hopes of "hardening" the polish. 

Considering there are many drugstore brands that are now releasing similar two-step, no-cure-necessary gel finish polishes (i.e. Revlon and Sally Hansen - neither of which I've tried) at considerably less expensive prices, you may want to opt for those ones instead to get a similar result. If you want something that is truly long-wearing, try Bio Seaweed Gel. 

Have you tried CND VINYLUX? What's the most long-wearing polish that you've ever tried? 

Press sample featured as part of the Chatelaine 2014 Beauty 100 Gift Bag 

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GUEST POST: Purple Favourites from Megan!

Last month's Canadian Beauty Bloggers guest post theme was purple. I'm a little late on posting but here's an AWESOME post of Megan's of MeganJoy.ca purple favourites! Be sure to check her out. :) 

I am super excited to be guest posting on Fun Size Beauty this month! The theme for August is Purple, which was WAY easy for me considering it's one of my favourite colours. I really had to try and narrow it down to a reasonable amount of products, so here are my favourites!

Eyes

• Almay Shadow Softie in 140 Vintage Grape - This shadow is super light yet buildable. It has a really unique texture, it's a powder but it applies super silky. It's very subtle, great for people who are just starting out playing with colours
• Annabelle Instaglam Eyeliner + Mascara Touch-Up in Psychedelic - One end has a purple mascara, one end has a marker style liquid liner. This is a new product in my roster and it's perfect to throw in my purse for touch ups. I love the purple mascara wand, it's really small so it makes it easy to get even the smallest lashes!
• Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in 01 XOXO - This shadow quad is only about $4 and I use it a ton. It has such a great combination of colours and I use them all. I find myself using the white as a highlighter and the light purple most often.
• Annabelle Twist Up Retractable Eyeshadow Crayon - This twist up shadow is creamy and applies super smooth. I run this along my lid and then use my finger tip to blend. It's a metallic shimmery lavender shade and I wear it all the time!

Purple is my favourite colour for eye makeup because it really makes green eyes pop. When I was putting this post together I realized how much purple I actually had!

The great thing about this colour is that it's flattering on all eye colours! It looks beautiful on brown, hazel, blue and green eyes.

L-R Rachel McAdams (hazel/green eyes), Naya Rivera (brown eyes), Katy Perry (blue eyes)

Lips

• Maybelline New York Elixir in 040 Vision In Violet - I don't wear purple lip colours very often, I usually stick to pinks. But this lippie has been a favourite of mine the last new months. It's super pigmented and it lasts for hours. It can get a little gloopy if you aren't careful with the application but once it's on it stays put really nicely. 
• Maybelline Color Whisper in Oh La Lilac - This translucent wash of lavender is so pretty and easy to apply on the go. The sheerness means that you don't have to be too careful with the application, so I can throw this on anytime without a mirror. 

Nails

• Julep Judi - This dark plum shade is so pretty. It has a creme finish that almost looks matte if you don't use a top coat.
• Essie Nothing Else Metals - This has been a favourite of mine for a long time. It's from the Essie Mirror Metallics collection which is still available in some Drugstores. It has such a beautiful chrome finish and a subtle purple colour. It does get a bit streaky though so practice makes perfect with this one!
• Julep Rae - This colour was created in honour of the Patone Colour of the Year - Radiant Orchid. It's also a creme finish and applies like a dream. TWo coats and you are done with this one. It's a perfect colour for all year round!

That's it for my favourite purple products! I hope you enjoyed this post and please feel free to follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

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