Mary Kay Little Gifts Hand Cream and Lip Balm Set

I say this a little prematurely but you know it's true. Winter is coming. And it ain't gonna be pretty if you're not prepared - think chapped lips and peeling hands... ick. Good thing you can fend off those little nightmares with Little Gifts - a hand cream ($13 each) and lip balm set ($20 for 3) from Mary Kay. 

Little Gifts Hand Cream - These guys are just the Mary Kay Satin Hands reformulated with Vanilla-based scents (see my review of the Honeydew Satin Hands here). The scent and the moisturizer itself are lightweight and not at all overbearing (Bath and Body Works I'm looking at you!). Furthermore, the vanilla scent wears away within an hour of application. The bottles are quite large, so not the most convenient for my side satchel... but it'll likely last through the fall, winter, and then some! 

Little Gifts Lip Balms Set (vanilla mint, vanilla, and vanilla berry)- In a nutshell, these are a nicely scented, lighter version of Vaseline for the Mary Kay holiday collection. The moisture lasts as any other balm would at an hour or so. Like the hand creams, the scents are quite light and vanilla-based. And yes, I have a favourite of the three... the scent of vanilla berry reminds me of lip smackers, the ultimate beauty throwback. 

Personally, I'll always prefer fruity scents but these Little Gifts are perfect if you're into more seasonal scents!

SORRY if I'm talking about Winter too soon... but...Winter is coming... also, sorry for the inappropriate use of Game of Thrones references. 

Do you change the scent of your beauty and body products as the seasons change? 

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Mary Kay Midnight Jewels Nail Lacquers in Pearl Rose, Sapphire Noir, and Night Diamond

Long time no post. The weather is starting to feel like Fall (less than 20C), so here's a Fall beauty launch from Mary Kay Canada - the Mary Kay Nail Lacquers ($10) from the limited edition Midnight Jewels collection. Want to *shine bright like a diamond*? (thanks for that line, Rihanna...) All three shades have an subtle iridescent shimmer to get your nails there. 

Pearl Rose (shimmering pale peachy gold)

Sapphire Noir (shimmering blue purple with silver flecks)

Night Diamond (shimmering black with multicolored flecks)

 

Overall, my first experience with Mary Kay Nail Lacquers was a good one. The Midnight Diamond collection features three pretty shades of polish. The formula is thin yet the two dark colours are opaque in one quick coat (while Pearl Rose is opaque in 3). Lasting power of the Mary Kay Nail Lacquers is decent at 3-4 days without a top coat and all three colours will most certainly be on my fingertips this Fall season. 

Lots of reviews coming soon! Look out for more from the Mary Kay Fall 2014 launches on the blog!

What are you wearing on your nails?

Press samples featured 

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Born Pretty Store Romantic Flower Patterned Nail Art Stickers

MOAR NAIL STICKERS, mostly because it's final exam season for the next week and whilst I tried these out I didn't want to spend too much time waiting for my nails to dry. So it's really all in the convenience of the matter. Pictured above are the Born Pretty Store Romantic Flower Patterned Nail Art Stickers ($1.99 for 14 pieces). 

They're like any other nail sticker/applique except for one small standout factor. HOLY MOLY THESE ARE GLOW IN THE DARK. Glow in the dark things make everything a million times cooler. Unknowingly (and jokingly), I had applied one of these bad boys onto someone else and they had noticed it even though it doesn't mention this wizardry on the packaging. I'm going to have to learn how to take photos in low-light settings because I feel like nail art in the dark would be very cool. 

Aside from the glow in the dark madness, these are your typical nail sticker. Slightly plastic-feeling and more 

sticky than the blue nail art stickers that I've tried (see review here), however they last just as long at around 3 days before the edges start to wear down. Another difference from others, the price point is pretty stellar. You cant go wrong at $2 - you won't even find nail art appliques at the drugstore on clearance for that price. 

Get 10% off your purchase at Born Pretty Store with the code UAUT10

What do you think of glow in the dark nails? 

Press samples featured, which doesn't change how cool glow in the dark nail art stickers are! 

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Empties #8 [End of Term]

So much for that promise to myself to write empties posts every other month... and what's worse? After 4 months, this is a bit  half-assed and not even half as product-filled as the 43 that I emptied last time around. I guess school and life has kind of gotten in the way of my "use-up-your-stuff" mentality. *sigh* so it's the end of my school term and by the time this is posted I'll be in the midst of writing finals. Oh how time flies. 

The Empties Legend: 

*** = fo sho repurchase

** = maybe repurchase

* = probably won't repurchase

< hair >

The Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo*** and Conditioner ** was my go-to for the past 4 months. The shampoo is quite thick and when worked into the hair, it forms a rich lather that feels both cleaning and hydrating. The conditioner is not quite as thick and much lighter. Both products have a scent that is quite uncommon for haircare products (olive oil, I think). 

Since the above shampoo is quite $$$ (~$25 for a bottle), TRESemme 7 Day Smooth Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum*** (see review) is my new go-to. It does need to be used with a flat iron since it's heat-activated but it really does make my hair look salon-perfect!

The Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Color Infinity Dry Shampoo* gave me dandruff and didn't make my hair feel clean. Plus, it's meant for blondes and smells strongly of hairspray. No thx. 

< skin >

The Pure and Simple Skin Drink*** is a fairly lightweight moisturizer. I used this on and off for the past 4 months. The skin drink was a little too hydrating for my oily skin, so best for the night time after a shower. An added bonus, it's pure... and simple. 

The Bioderma Atoderm Gel Body Wash** is a non-soap body cleanser. It's also unscented. A good body product overall (made me feel squeaky clean in the shower) but I prefer slathering beautifully scented things all over my body. 

My thoughts on the The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky-Clean Scrub** are similar to the Body Shop Tea Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash - both lack the concentration of scrubby beads that I feel like I require to exfoliate my face (hello, Clinique). The scrub is different from the exfoliator in that the scrub is suspended in more of a "soapy" substance rather than a cream. Blemishes weren't particularly diminished but I used the scrub more as a cleanser.

< body >

The Body Shop Body Butter Duo in Floral Acai* contains both a lotion and a body butter. I always find that the moisturizing power of the Body Shop Body Butters and Body Shop products in general are unmatched. This one is no exception, but I'm not a fan of the scent. Same goes for The Body Shop Body Butter in Chocolate*, love the product but don't love the scent over my favourites - satsuma, lemon, peach, and mango. 

< other beauty stuffs >

There's a reason why the Dollarama Cotton Pads* are only a dollar. They fall apart quite quickly. 

I've already repurchased the Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Toothpaste***. I like Tom's of Maine for toothpastes in general. What I look for in a toothpaste? Makes my face feel fresh, plus Tom's makes me feel a little better using a more "natural" toothpaste option.

I'm not the biggest fan of the IMPRESS Manicure* (see reviews here and here), I'll always prefer real nail polish, of which I'll never run out of. 

The My Beauty Diary 2-Step Africa Hydrating Pack Face Mask*** smells like a combination of fresh laundry and mangoes...mmmmmm. There's a mask and a serum to apply afterwards. This mask is a little sticky, especially with the application of the serum after the mask, but it's great for overnight hydration. 

The Maskeraide Detox Diva Face Mask** didn't feel much different from their Pre Party Prep mask, but it's pretty great nonetheless. Maskeraide masks are quite expensive compared to My Beauty Diary ($1 per vs. $5 per), so it's a "maybe". 

< food stuffs >

Ocean Spray Crasins*** are good with oatmeal or on their own as a snack. noms. 

Eclipse Gum*** is just your average gum. I like the convenient extra-large container. 

I only emptied out 20 things this month, depressing compared to the posts where I finished 40 or 50. I'm back to school for another 4 months in September so you probably won't be seeing an epic empties post until December or next year *sorries*. 

What have you emptied lately? 

The hair products, pure and simple skin drink, body shop tea tree scrub, body shop chocolate body butter, impress manicure and maskeraide mask were all press samples, which doesn't change my thoughts on the products :) 

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Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils in M black 01, ME green 51, M earthy brown 82 and M red purple 11

Not sure if I ever mentioned this, but pencil liners are my favourite type of liner! I'm a huge fan of a semi-smokey, semi-smudgy liner that's a little more casual than the traditional cat eye winged liner. Shu Uemura recently launched the Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils ($28 CAD) now available at Hudson's Bay, Holt Renfrew, select Sephoras and shuuemura.ca (also get 15% and free shipping with the code DRAW15). 

There are 18 shades available in 4 different finishes (matte, pearl, metallic and glitter). The colours are split in half, with 9 shades as dark and defining and 9 brights. Claims include soft, creamy texture, water-proof and smudge-proof wear. 

The "official" names

M black 01: Jet black (Matte)

ME green 51: Metallic Forrest Green (Metallic)

M earthy brown 82: Shadow Maker for Light/Yellow Skin (Matte)

M red purple 11: Burgundy (Matte)

The four shades above are a matte black, metallic green, matte earthy brown, and a matte red purple - two neutrals and two not-so-neutrals. Across all colours, the formula is consistent - smooth, creamy, pigmented in a single swipe. The liners set quickly (within a minute) and do, in fact, stay all day without a smudge or budge.

If you're thinking of purchasing these guys, make sure you use the lid to keep the pencil from drying out and keep them out of the sun to prevent the product from melting. They're so pigmented that it's hard to get a sharp line (in other words, it's not so easy to "draw" with the Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils) but I guess that's not really the point when it comes to pencil liners. A sharper line can be achieved by using a small angled brush to apply the product to your eye. 

I like to wear these as a liner on both the upper and lower lash lines or even as an eyeshadow base, so they're quite multi-functional. 

Wearing - ME green 51 Metallic Forrest Green and M earthy brown 82

Overall, the Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils are goregous product but quite pricey considering you can buy a liner from the drugstore for ~$3. Yes, you do get what you pay for, but there are a select few of "almost-there" drugstore alternatives (ie. Rimmel Scandaleyes (~$7) which doesn't set as well quickly but is long-wearing). The huge selection of Shu Uemura Drawing Pencil colours excite me to no end and I'm curious about the pearl and glitter finishes - must go give those a swatch at my next trip to Holts.

What's your holy grail pencil liner? Or do you prefer liquid/gel? 

Press samples featured

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MAX/Effects Face and Eye Makeup Remover

Admittedly, for the past two years, I've been exclusively using cleansing waters and oils - Bioderma and Reversa - (and makeup wipes on lazy days) to remove makeup in my everyday skincare routine. I've ignored all alternatives until the MAX/Effects Eye and Face Makeup Remover ($19.99, 400mL at http://www.maxeffectsnaturals.com/) stepped onto the beauty blogging desk

It's got quite the resume. The MAX/Effects Eye and Face Makeup remover comes housed in a convenient plastic pump bottle. It's 96% natural (though, I'm not quite sure why it can't be 100%), paraben/alcohol/oil-free, made in Canada, and clinically tested under dermatologist and ophthalmologist control. Impressive lists aside, what I was truly concerned about is the removal power of this product. 

It contains cucumber extract, so evidently - it smells very much like cucumber water. In fact, when pumped onto a cotton pad, it feels like cucumber water. Good thing it doesn't actually work like cucumber water instead of makeup remover. As a makeup remover, the MAX/Effects Eye and Face Makeup Remover works well (as comparable to my favourite cleansing waters) but also takes more than just a couple swipes and pumps over the face and eyes to remove every little bit of makeup. On a good note, this does not sting my face or eyes - no tingly feeling = good makeup remover in my books. 

Ingredients: Aqua, Centaura Cyanus Floral Water, Cucumis Sativus (Fruit) Extract, Caprylyl/Capryl Wheat Bran/Straw Glucosides, Fusel Wheat Bran/Straw Glucosides, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid.

Overall, this is a good makeup remover. Not the best I've tried, but it's a great option if you're looking into something that's more "natural". Looking at the ingredients, there's not too many and they're all fairly recognizable words, which is quite reassuring when it comes to beauty products.

Do you use cleansing water or makeup remover? 

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Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in In Nude

Eons ago, I reviewed the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal  in Nude. This Fall, Rimmel launches the Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in In Nude ($6.99). The difference? Not very much. 

LEFT: Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in In Nude; RIGHT: Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude

First off, the packaging is slightly different. The new Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer is a twist-up pencil with a smudger, which I find to be a little pointless considering the texture of the eyeliner. Conversely, the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal is your standard pencil that needs to be sharpened every so often. 

At a glance, the Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer is slightly lighter in colour than the Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal. The lighter colour brings more brightness to the eye, but if you've got a darker skintone than me you might want something less stark, so going for the Kohl Kajal might be the more preferred option. In terms of texture, the Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer is not as creamy. This doesn't make a difference when it comes to staying power, as both linger on the lashline for 4-5 hours, which is impressive for nude coloured eyeliners. 

Essentially, both products work in the same way. Both are nude liners to brighten up areas like the inner rim of the eye, inner corner, or underneath the brow bone. I prefer my old Rimmel Kohl Kajal over the Exaggerate Eye Definer but I think that either one is an essential when it comes to brightening the eyes. 

Do you use nude eyeliner? 

Purchased one on my own and the other is a press sample! 

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