Tata Harper Be Adored Lip Treatment

I commend the ladies that can pull of matte lipsticks in the winter. But seriously, HOW? Aren't your lips ridden with dry patches and other ickies? On cold days, I opt for something more moisturizing like the Tata Harper Be Adored Lip Treatment ($28).

Tata Harper is brand that produces 100% natural and 100% non-toxic packed with active ingredients. Dubbed the "world's most advanced natural skincare technology", Tata Harper's skincare products are known to be the most effective natural options on the market. The Tata Harper Be Adored Lip Treatment is free of gluten, GMO, fillers, artificial fragrances, and synthetics. A few of the "natural" ingredients include olive oil, green tea, apricot oil, acai, avocado oil, elderberry extract, date extract, alfalfa and lavender to name a few. 

The treatment is feels like a thin, smooth lip balm. However, the difference between your typically lip balm and this "lip treatment" is that the product is meant to fight signs of aging. I can't attest to the anti-aging claims, but what I do notice is temporary reduction of the appearance of lines on my lips resulting in healthier, more volumized looking lips. In addition, the soft rosy tint (lasting 1-2 hours) is an absolute plus. 

Overall, the Tata Harper Be Adored Lip Treatment is an absolute hit, especially to help my lips survive through the winter. 

Have you tried anything from Tata Harper? What's your favourite natural beauty brand? 

Press sample featured. 

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

Revisiting the CoverGirl Lipslicks Smooches Lip Balms in #TextMe, #Smooch, #BeSweet & #SweetTweet

Now that I've got my hands on a few more of the CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balms (~$4) , it's only fair that I give the other shades a mention, as their a bit different from the last two I've tried. See the original reviews of #Smooch and #Sweet Tweet from way back when (2013). 

Pictured above are 220 #Text Me, 265 #Smooch, 260 #Be Sweet and 255 #Sweet Tweet. These are 4 of 12 shades in the range. The others are CU L8R, 2 CUTE, LUV U, TRU LUV, ONLY U, LUV BUG, and B4N. My thoughts on the names and packaging haven't changed. In an attempt to be young and hip, CoverGirl just ends up sounding a little ridiculous. 

Sticking with the youthful, girly theme, these balms are a throwback to my grade school days of candy-scented lip smackers. Other than that, they're a thin, lightweight balm that is neither drying or moisturizing. More than anything, if you're going to put this product on your lips, it would be to add color rather than to hydrate. The first three all wear away quickly, and the colour of Text Me sticks around for 2 hours. 

Compared to other multiples of products I've reviewed, these are all a bit different in terms of finish and pigmentation. From lightest to darkest, Sweet Tweet doesn't show up on my lips except for the tiniest bit of shine. Be Sweet is a pearly pink brown that adds a sheen of sparkle. Smooch is a nude mauve. The colour shows up on my lips and so does the visibly chunky glitter, which I am not fond of. Text Me is the unicorn in this particular grouping of lip products. It's actually a great sheer red (without sparkles, pearlies, or glitters) that reminds me a lot of Benebalm, except much less hydrating. 

Personally, I prefer more hydrating, pigmented lipsticks. The standout shade for the CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balms is definitely the sheer red of Text Me. Other than that, I would only suggest the other three shades if you're looking to add a tiny hint of shine or a pearly or glittery sparkle to the lips. 

Have you tried the CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies? 

Press samples featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

The Winter Flush: #NYCBeautyPro Challenge #4

Snowfall means... Sweater Weather! Fittingly, this month's New York Color NYC Beauty Pro Challenge theme is "Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center". As such, I've put on one of my fuzziest winter sweaters and a makeup look to match the colder weather. 

In from the cold pink cheeks and a hydrated, slightly tinted lip are made easy with a few products from New York Color. 

The New York Color Cheek Glow Powder Blush in 650 NoLiTa Pink ($2.99) is the perfect flush of natural pink with a hint of golden sparkle for a subtle glow. The blush is surprisingly pigmented, so make sure to tap off the excess before applying it to the face. On the lips, I'm wearing the New York Color Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm ($2.99) smells exactly like apple hard candies and adds the tiniest bit of gloss and a red tint to dehydrated lips. I also attempted to apply the New York Color Show Time Waterproof Volumizing Mascara in 844 Extreme Black ($3.99) onto my lashes but it didn't do much other than darken them. I'm also wearing a bit of the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper and the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation on my face. 

There's not really much too this look. A little blush, a little gloss and you're good to go. Add some mascara, liner, and a touch of foundation for a fuller-faced look. 

What's your go-to winter makeup look? 

Press samples featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

Benefit 3 Scoops O' Sexy Limited Edition Set

No. Prior to this post, I hadn't tried the widely raved about Benefit tints or balms. Shame on me. I'm a terrible beauty blogger. Slap me now because after trying three of each I'm kind of regretting not ever testing these on my face before. This holiday season, there's the Benefit 3 Scoops O' Sexy Limited Edition Set ($50 CAD, exclusively at Sephora) featuring Benebalm, Benetint, Posiebalm, Posietint, Lollibalm, and Lollitint. 

Packaging is in typical Benefit fashion. Adorable. Each tint and balm set is individually packaged. The Balms are full-size (regularly $22 CAD)  and the Tints are deluxe samples (full-size regularly $36 CAD) meaning that the set is valued at about $100. While at $50,  the set seems a bit pricey, $50 in savings is not half bad. 

While the products swatch quite sheerly, both the tints and balms are buildable on the lips and cheeks. I like that the colours are fairly distinct from each other, which kind of gets me wondering about the Cha-Cha tint (coral orange) not included in this set. The balms are quite hydrating but relatively thin and not overly sticky or thick. As expected, the colour of the balms doesn't last long - around 2 hours. The tints are watery, dry down quickly, and last for around 6 hours on my cheeks. I've heard complaints that the tints can be streaky but I find them easy to use if you do one cheek at a time and blend with fingertips. I prefer the tints on just the cheeks or on the lips paired with the balm over top for added moisture. 

Here's what they look like on my face... I'm wearing the tints on the cheeks and the balms on the lips: 

Benetint and Benebalm (rose) 

Posietint and Posiebalm (poppy pink)

Lollitint and Lollibalm (candy orchid) 

Overall, a very cute gift set! I'm impressed by both the Benefit tints and balms. If you're anything like me and not always willing to buy full-sizes at full prices, this set is perfect. It's actually three gift sets in one. So keep the colours you like for yourself (possibly all of them...) or split them up into multiple stocking stuffers! 

Do you like the Benefit balms and tints? 

Press samples featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

Hello Kitty An Apple A Day Trio Lip Balm Set // Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary

An apple a day keeps the doctor away and I couldn't help but Ohhh and Ahhh at the Hello Kitty An Apple A Day Trio Lip Balm Set ($26 CAD, exclusively at Sephora). The three apple-shaped lip balms in the set are way too cute. Case in point, I couldn't help but take tons of photos. 

While the packaging is super cute and even includes a little mirror, it isn't the most hygienic or the best shape for your pocket. Personally, I think that in addition to the product itself, the cute packaging makes up for the awkward dip-your-finger-in-a-pot-of-lip-balm application. 

Red Delicious (candy apple red), Think Pink (hot pink), Natural (Nude)

That being said, the balms are surprisingly bright and liven up dry lips, providing the look of a gloss with the moisture of a balm. The colour sticks around for no longer than a couple hours but they're a joy to reapply because each colour of balm has a corresponding, slightly nostalgic candy scent. Red Delicious smells like apples, Think Pink has a hint of strawberry, and Natural smells of a subtle vanilla. 

Natural

Think Pink

Red Delicious

Overall, this is the most adorable trio of lip balms. Ever. (if these lip balms had cheeks, I would squish them). Sure the packaging may appear juvenile to some but the product inside seriously performs. Thus, a Hello Kitty apple-shaped lip balm keeps the dry lips away. YAY! 

How cute are these Hello Kitty lip balms? 

Press samples featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

eos 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Collection

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a great opportunity to learn more about the breast cancer. eos (evolution of smooth) makes it easy to support the cause with a limited edition three-piece collection for which 100% of the net profits are to be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. The eos 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Collection ($9.99) is available September 2014 through November 2014 at Shopper's, Loblaws, Target, Walmart, Giant Tiger, Rexall, Lawtons and evolutionofsmooth.com! 

As mentioned, the set contains three eos products - the Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick Lip Balm, Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm (see blueberry acai review) , and Berry Blossom Hand Lotion. I've tried two of the three products (everything but the Limited Edition Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick). 

My feelings about the eos are just about the same as the rest of the world. Awesome 96-100% natural and organic, paraben-free, gluten-free product housed in stylishly ergonomic, purse-friendly packaging. I love the scent of the Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere and find the Berry Blossom fragrance a little strong but still nice. The Limited Edition Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick looks and feels just like the Smooth Sphere in Strawberry Sorbet (except for the tube form). Like all eos balms, the scent is fairly lightweight and the balm is on the hard side, which can be good or bad depending on what you're into. 

All in all, if you're a fan of eos products, this is the perfect way to stock up and support a good cause at the same time! 

Have you purchased any products for Breast Cancer Awareness Month? 

Press sample featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

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? :) 

Press samples featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram

Mary Kay at Play Triple Layer Tinted Balms in Pink Again, Orange You Lovely and In the Plum

A week and a bit has passed since my last lip product review and nothing has changed. Sheer lip products are still all the rage. New from Mary Kay are the At Play Triple Layer Tinted Balms ($12 CAD/$10 USD) in 4 shades - Pink Again, Orange You Lovely, In the Plum, and Atomic Red.

I'm not a fan of the Mary Kay At Play packaging. Though it is geared to a more youthful audience, the white and clear plastic tubes look cheap. On the brightside, it's not flimsy - the clear lid snaps into place to prevent you from getting lip balm all over your bag. 

The Mary Kay at Play Triple Layer Tinted Balms are smooth in texture and the balm is slightly hard compared to something like chapstick or vaseline. Colour payoff is minimal, as expected, since it's a sheer balm. Each of the balms seem to have a slight shimmer that is not noticeable on the lips. The lightest colour (Pink Again) is too light for me - the pale pink emphasizes dry patches on my lips, but other two colours glide over my lips without fault. As balms, these aren't long lasting but don't require a mirror to reapply. 

Pink Again

Orange You Lovely

In the Plum

While the Mary Kay at Play Triple Layer Tinted Balms are a good product, at $12 they're a bit costly for what they are, as the drugstore (Maybelline, NYC, CoverGirl) has many similar offerings for a fraction of the price.

Do you have a favourite tinted lip balm? 

Press samples featured

Facebook || Twitter || Bloglovin || Instagram